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Citizen Satisfaction with the Overall Value Received for City Tax Dollars and Fees (Q3h) (Council Key Result Indicator #3)
Every quarter, the City of Olathe has survey company ETC Institute conduct a statistically valid satisfaction survey of randomly selected Olathe residents. Approximately 500 survey responses are collected each quarter, and this is well above the 300 responses approximately needed for statistical validity on a population the size of Olathe.
The level of satisfaction among residents with the value received for City taxes and fees is one of ETC Institute's best indicators for assessing the effectiveness of service delivery by local governments. This question is designed to help local governments objectively assess whether, or not, increased levels of satisfaction are being obtained at a price that is reasonable to residents. If services improve, but the cost of improving services becomes too high, residents might rate the quality of individual services higher, but their overall perceptions of the value they receive for their taxes could decline.
Olathe has a target to be in the top 10% of all cities across the nation.
Over the past fifteen years, overall satisfaction with the value of City taxes and fees has increased significantly in Olathe. In 2000, 59% of Olathe residents indicated that they were "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with the overall value received for their City taxes and fees.
In 3Q 2018, 69% of Olathe residents were "satisfied" or "very satisfied", which just slightly down from the previous quarter. This continues to place Olathe in the top 5% of all cities, all sizes for level of citizen satisfaction with this question with a target of 68% satisfaction.
Meeting Target | Close to Target | Off Target


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The Dr. O Method, combines the use of cutting edge science, diagnostic expertise, and clinical skills to achieve your goals. Whether it is growing tissue to repair a muscle, or growing collagen to fill a wrinkle, the Dr. O Method helps get your body's healing abilities to work for you. Specializing in Hair growth, Medical weight loss, TruSculpt iD, TruSculpt Flex, Muscle sculpting, Body sculpting, Body contouring, Knee pain treatment, Botox for Neck pain treatment, and much more.
Hair growth nyc, Medical weight loss nyc, TruSculpt iD nyc, TruSculpt Flex nyc, Muscle sculpting ny,c Body sculpting nyc, Body contouring nyc, Knee pain treatment nyc, Neck pain treatment nyc, Botox for neck pain nyc, neck pain doctors nyc
Category: Medical clinic, Doctor, Medical spa, Hair replacement service, Weight loss service, Skin Care Clinic

domain: medical


Stainless Steel Conveyor Chain Features
The modular plastic mesh belt conveyor provides customers with a safe, fast and simple way of transportation.
The materials used in the conveyor are: PP, PE, ACETAL, NYLON, etc., which can meet the special requirements of oil resistance, corrosion resistance and static electricity.
Frame material: stainless steel
Stainless Steel Conveyor Chain Advantages
-Easy installation and operation, high maneuverability.
-Can used as a single machine, and can also combine used with many others, achieve totally automatic high-efficiency production.
-Each side of conveyor can adjust its height,gradient, suitable for every occasion.
-Design and manufacture the suitable conveyor,whole factory conveyor line for you according to real needs.
Double Hinge Stainless Steel Straight Running Chain with Conveyor Chain


In his latest State of the State address, Governor Tony Evers announced a $25 million investment in the University of Wisconsin System, in order to continue funding the eight year tuition freeze through the end of the next two years. The Governor acknowledged the significant amount of financial stress students in Wisconsin’s higher education institutions face, along with the rising costs of groceries and gas. The goal of this investment is to endure tuition for in-state students in the the University of Wisconsin System will not go up for the next two years, in order to provide further relief for students and their families in Wisconsin while the state continues its recovery from the pandemic.
The tuition freeze originally started back in 2013, in order to limit undergraduate tuition increases and address concerns about rising tuition costs within the UW System. The freeze followed public outcry over the rapid increase in undergraduate tuition at state institutions between 2001 and 2011, which was putting more of a financial burden on students and their families.
Since then, tuition costs for in-state students have remained as they were back in 2013. For University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank, this $25 million investment from state leadership is great newsin the goal to support the state’s higher institutions as they recover from the financial impact of the pandemic. However, Wisconsin’s higher education funding had been struggling for years before the pandemic, due to other factors.
According to a Wisconsin Policy Forum report, Wisconsin higher education institutions have been struggling with a lack of state funding from the Republican-majority legislatures, budget cuts, post-secondary enrollment declines that are exceeding the national average, limited control over tuition changes, all contributing to a loss of revenue. Another report from the Forum discusses the lack of financial aid the universities can provide to students, due to these constraints. The reports do lay out an array of options available to both lawmakers and the institutions to address these issues moving forward.
Wisconsin educators are concerned that what is also contributing to the lack of support and funding in the state’s education is the rising political polarization in the state legislature, and throughout the United States, that has public schools and higher education institutions in the line of political fire for Republican-majority legislatures. University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank in regards stated: “It can threaten the federal funding we rely on to do the kind of basic research that made the COVID vaccine possible, and it empowers politicians seeking to score points with voters to use our universities and especially flagship campuses as political chips in the partisan wars.”


Serge Ibaka (R) of the Oklahoma City Thunder defends against Metta World Peace (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers on January 11, 2013 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. AFP PHOTO / Frederic J. BROWNFREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images
Metta World Peace reaches deal with the Knicks
Metta World Peace has reached an agreement in principle on a two-year deal with the New York Knicks, league source tells Y! Sports.


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Your fun time creates lifesaving care for pets in need! Join pet lovers from across the state at Connecticut Humane Society events that support medical treatment and more for animals who need a hand.
Looking for an event that can help your pet with veterinary care? That’s here, too.
- This event has passed.
February 11 @ 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Shotly after London’s adorable little face won the hearts of CHS, staff members got a casting call from Animal Planet for the 2024 Puppy Bowl, and they couldn’t help but submit London’s headshot for consideration. And due to her undeniable cuteness, she was selected to participate!
At 4-months-old and 22 lbs, London made her way to set, where she got to meet lots of other friendly pups and played all day long. She particularly loved meeting new people.
Now, you can get ready for the cutest showdown of the year ! Cheer for Team Fluff, where little London will be barking her way to victory with her other four-legged pals. More of a cat person? Tune in for the halftime show where CHS kittens will win your heart! You can watch the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet: Sunday, February 11th at 2pm EST.
Follow the pets on social media for post-Puppy Bowl adoption updates about London!

domain: pet


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Doctor Who: Thirteenth Doctor's Guide
Doctor Who (Author)
A new edition of the ultimate and most essential guide to Doctor Who, now updated to include all thirteen incarnations of the Doctor and covering all her newest adventures from Series 11.
With fascinating facts from all of space and time, as well as information on the Doctor's helpful companions and fearsome foes, this book will tell all about the Doctor's TARDIS, her regenerations, and much, much more!
Penguin Random House Children's UK
28 May 2020
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Earn money by sharing your favourite books through our Affiliate programme.Become an Affiliate

domain: literature


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The application notes include recommended starting dilutions; optimal dilutions/concentrations should be determined by the end user.
Protein concentration is above or equal to 0.05 µg/ul.
Best use within three months from the date of receipt of this protein.
Concentration information loading...
Preparation and Storage
Stability and Storage
Shipped on dry ice. Upon delivery aliquot and store at -80ºC. Avoid freeze / thaw cycles.
pH: 8.00 Constituents: 0.3% Glutathione, 0.79% Tris HCl
Synapsin II isoform IIa
Synapsin II isoform IIb
Synapsin II is a member of the synapsin gene family. Synapsins are neuronal phosphoproteins which associate with the cytoplasmic surface of synaptic vesicles. Family members are characterized by common protein domains, and they are implicated in synaptogenesis and the modulation of neurotransmitter release, suggesting a potential role in several neuropsychiatric diseases. This member of the synapsin family is a neuron-specific phosphoprotein that selectively binds to small synaptic vesicles in the presynaptic nerve terminal.
Cell junction, synapse.
SDS-PAGE - Synapsin II protein (ab114589)
12.5% SDS-PAGE showing ab114589 at approximately 36.74kDa stained with Coomassie Blue.
has not yet been referenced specifically in any publications.
Publishing research using ab114589? Please let us know so that we can cite the reference in this datasheet.
Customer reviews and Q&As
Please note: All products are "FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY AND ARE NOT INTENDED FOR DIAGNOSTIC OR THERAPEUTIC USE"
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domain: biology


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Every puppy you breed is unique, but one thing’s consistent – they require plenty of attention. From checklists to how-to guides, we have the tools to help you prepare your clients for their new dogs.
Get Your Puppy Kit
Send your clients home with all of the information they need to have a winning start with their new puppies. Full of helpful reading materials and free samples of Purina brand Dog Food, our popular puppy kits are a complimentary benefit available exclusively to Pro Club members. Order yours now!


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(2019 - Antlen Records - Norway)
Debut release by Norwegian quartet who create an instantly lovable, melodic, intelligent rock, in a blend of U2, The Cure, Tears For Fears, Simple Minds, Radiohead, and Icehouse 80's fantastico. With the favor of every song (10 of them) being an easy pick for a top hit (and radio play) no moments go wasted in what certainly is one of the finest first albums of any pop/rock band ever. Members are Lars Olav Mangelrød (guitars), Helge Corneliussen (bass/vocals), Sølve Eggebø (keyboards) and Magnar Lofthus (drums). Their name translates to Wisemen, and with the knowledge of their background and this transition to the pop world, they certainly are wise men.
Besides being inspired by some of the better and most noted 1980's rock and pop acts, the production, arrangements, and smart lyrics, the individual composition skills are noble, methodical, and concise. Compact in the sense of being exactly the needed length to communicate the words and stay strong throughout, not only for airplay, but for the ever so growing soundbyte population. Visemenn are not without a few tricks and twists in their execution. This is from the way the members met, all working in a long term experimental and improvisational jam band project called 'a Crack in Time and the Break of Dawn' (they have several CDs out in Norway). Although the bulk of the music is easily accessible and generous in direct cognizance, a spare moment or two is used for an odd chord change or off track progression. Using rare moments of progressive rock as a part of the formula proves a smart move.
'You Are' has a sincere sound, a perfectly produced, balanced, and rich atmosphere. The music has all the key trademarks of partially haunting, heartstring pulling, and solid pop song craft. The last song 'Prelude' brings the album to its knees, with a huge all instrumental post rock epic (it does feature voices as choral, for an even bigger sprawl) and proves Visemenn can do more than just a couple of styles. BEAUTIFUL! What can we expect next? All I know is with their first one, this band has a clear winner.
©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 5 - 4 - 2019
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June 4, 2019 by Jason Contant
Aon plc has appointed Stéphane Lespérance as president of commercial risk and health solutions in Canada.
In his new role, Lespérance will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the commercial risk and health solution teams in Canada, Aon said in a press release Monday. He will report directly to Christine Lithgow, until her retirement at the end of this year.
“Stéphane will work closely with the Canada and North America leadership teams to advance a culture of industry leading innovation, client experience and colleague development,” Aon said.
Lespérance’s 25 years of experience in the insurance brokerage and risk management fields has positioned him well for this leadership responsibility, Aon said. He has been with Aon for 18 years and has held several management roles, most recently serving as executive vice president for Canada.
His expertise spans broking and risk, and includes developing insurance strategies for large multi-national corporations. Lespérance is also involved in several charitable organizations focused on supporting the community, sports and youth.

domain: news


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Vegan Avocado and Banana Soft Serve Ice Cream with Pistachios
- 2 frozen bananas
- ½ avocado
- ¼ cup pistachios (divided*)
- 1 tablespoon shredded coconut
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- Be sure that you’ve frozen two bananas the day before. Cut them in half or quarters putting it in the freezer.
- If your pistachios are still in their shells, take them out and measure ¼ cup. Take a small handful of pistachio. Crush it with something flat and set it aside to be used later. Put all the ingredients except the small handful of crushed pistachios in the blender.
- Blend until it’s completely smooth and runny. (This will make it feel like soft serve ice cream) Spoon it in a bowl and add the pistachios on top.

domain: food


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Drive To Heaven’s Gate Lookout In Idaho Where You’ll Enjoy A View Of Four Different States
As the deepest canyon in North America (yes, even deeper than the Grand Canyon), Idaho’s Hells Canyon offers up some of the most epic views the state has to offer. Any visit to this massive river gorge is bound to result in some unforgettable adventures, but you’re in for an especially rare treat when you make the drive to Heaven’s Gate Lookout. Sitting at 8,429-feet above sea level, the overlook notably offers a view of FOUR different states, including Idaho. It’s one of the best views in the Northwest, so be sure to consider it for your next adventure destination.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: onlyinyourstate.com/nominate
Have you had the chance to visit Heaven’s Gate Lookout? This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime type of view. What’s your favorite scenic overlook in Idaho? Let us know in the comments below.
Address: Heavens Gate, Idaho 83549, USA
Idaho In Your Inbox
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domain: geography


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5th May 2011
This week I’ve been rehearsing old and new songs, in a quite different setting, for my forthcoming appearance at Convention Terra Incognita, in Québec City. Read more on the concerts page.
« Back to News
Rhys Marsh — singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist & producer. Read more...
© 2008 - 2017 Rhys Marsh. Website by Elliot Jay Stocks

domain: artistic


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After Disney spoke out in opposition to the Parental Rights in Schooling legislation that prohibits dialogue of sexual orientation and gender id in decrease elementary college grades, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) attacked the corporate, saying it “crossed the road” with its criticism. Lawmakers on the state and nationwide stage have taken intention on the firm’s distinctive tax standing in Florida, dwelling to its largest theme park, and its Mickey Mouse copyright.
Pushback from conservatives escalated when inside Disney movies obtained by an activist confirmed workers discussing efforts so as to add extra illustration of LGBTQ+ characters.
Including gas to the fireworks: the rediscovery by conservatives that bulletins earlier than pyrotechnic reveals now not addressed guests as “Girls and Gents, Boys and Ladies” however relatively “Dreamers of all ages.” A number of media retailers reported final summer time that the change was a part of a range effort.
In current weeks, a refrain has joined DeSantis in criticizing the corporate, which brings tens of millions of tourists to its 4 theme parks and greater than two dozen resorts within the state every year. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) urged individuals to cancel their journeys to the parks in a marketing campaign replace headlined “I AM DONE WITH DISNEY!” Protests have shaped round Disney properties in California and Florida, together with one Saturday at Disney World in Orlando that featured a costumed mouse sporting a purple “Make America Nice Once more” hat.
Conservative commentator Candace Owens known as for a boycott to her 3 million Twitter followers whereas the Each day Wire, which publishes Owens’s column, vowed to mount an leisure empire to rival Disney’s. Fox Information featured 10 households who had been swearing off the corporate “as a result of its left-leaning politics,” and Each day Wire wrote about households canceling Disney holidays over the “firm’s woke ideology.” The writer of the Each day Wire piece tweeted that “lots of” of oldsters had despatched emails saying that they had been canceling theme park journeys or Disney’s streaming service.
In an opinion piece for FoxNews.com, conservative author Bethany Mandel wrote about calling off a deliberate journey to Disney World for her familyamid the controversy, partly as a result of price. As an alternative, she wrote, they’d go to SeaWorld and Legoland.
“Our household life received’t be lacking a lot with out Disney, we’ll fill the hole,” she wrote. “However Disney will come to overlook prospects like our household.”
However will the corporate’s immensely in style theme parks endure? Historical past suggests it’s unlikely. And in actual time, some Disney-focused journey brokers say they haven’t seen successful to their enterprise. Disney declined to remark for this story.
The Washington Put up contacted 13 journey company companies focusing on Disney journeys. Most didn’t reply or declined to weigh in on a politically radioactive matter.
However the two companies that responded stated they’d not witnessed a backlash in bookings or cancellations.
“It has been a nonissue for us,” stated Len Testa, president of the trip-planning website TouringPlans, which features a journey company. “No impression on the journey facet.”
In an electronic mail, he stated he believed one particular person had emailed to cancel their free subscription to the location. However Testa stated he nervous extra when Disney had declined to take a public stand on the LGBTQ laws. The corporate confronted ire from liberals for initially refusing to take a public stance on the laws, which was derided by critics because the “don’t say homosexual” invoice.
“If Disney had not taken a stand in opposition to the invoice, we had been sure we might’ve misplaced enterprise,” he wrote.
Pete Werner, co-owner of Desires Limitless Journey, additionally stated he wasn’t seeing cancellations or a slowdown in enterprise. Parks have been busy, even asprices have elevated and Disney has added charges for some companies.
“Final yr, sales-wise, was the perfect yr we ever had,” he stated. “This yr is outpacing it.”
Inevitably, some conservative followers will observe by way of on boycott threats and spend their journey budgets outdoors of Disney’s parks or cruise line.
However like Testa, Werner stated most of his prospects had been sad with the “tepid” and delayed response that Disney needed to the laws. He stated his followers, realizing he’s homosexual, urged him to share his ideas concerning the invoice.
Werner’s Disney empire contains the DIS web site, dialogue boards, the DIS Unplugged podcast community and an actual property firm that focuses on individuals who need to transfer nearer to the parks in Central Florida. He stated Disney followers would possibly battle over their politics in on-line boards, however he doesn’t imagine political points will drive selections about visiting the parks.
“On the finish of the day, what attracts individuals to Disney is quite a bit stronger than that — the connection, the emotional resonance that Disney has with their hardcore followers,” he stated. “It’s sort of impervious to politics.”
The “woke” grenade has been lobbed at Disney earlier than. In 2018, the corporate up to date the Pirates of the Caribbean trip to take away a “wench public sale” scene. Two years in the past, Disney introduced an overhaul of the Splash Mountain water trip to strip it of theming from the controversial movie “Tune of the South.” And the Jungle Cruise trip has been up to date to take away “damaging depictions of ‘natives.’”
A visitor columnist for the Orlando Sentinel went viral for bemoaning the modifications.
“The following time I trip Jungle Cruise I cannot be eager about the gloriously entertaining puns of the skippers, I might be eager about Disney’s political agenda,” he wrote. “That’s a temper killer.”
Essentially the most well-known backlash got here within the late Nineties, when the Southern Baptist Conference voted to boycott Disney over LGBT points, together with Ellen DeGeneres popping out as a lesbian on her ABC present, the annual “Homosexual Days” occasion at Disney World organized by outsiders and the corporate’s extension of well being advantages to companions of LGBTQ employees.
In 1997, the primary yr of the boycott and a part of Disney World’s twenty fifth anniversary celebration, attendance on the signature Magic Kingdom park grew by 3 million, the South Florida Solar-Sentinel reported. Mixed attendance on the Florida parks hit information by way of 2000, in keeping with an Orlando Sentinel report on trade estimates. The boycott led to 2005.
Over time, the corporate has made efforts to embrace LGBTQ followers in additional seen methods, though it wasn’t at all times so progressive and nonetheless faces criticism for illustration. It added same-sex celebrations to Disney Fairy Story Weddings packages in 2007; launched an “It Will get Higher” video supporting the neighborhood in 2011; launched a group of client merchandise supporting LGBTQ teams in 2018 and placed on Magical Delight, a park-sponsored occasion for LGBTQ followers in Paris, in 2019. Final yr, the corporate up to date its pointers for workers — known as solid members — to permit extra flexibility to put on gender-inclusive hairstyles, jewellery, nail types and costumes.
In yearly from 2007 till 2019, when parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong noticed vital declines, companywide attendance at Disney’s worldwide sights grew, in keeping with trade estimates.
Mark Pinsky, who lined the Southern Baptist boycott as a faith author on the Orlando Sentinel and wrote a guide known as “The Gospel Based on Disney,” stated the boycott didn’t have a discernible impression on attendance in Florida.
“I feel the lesson from the Baptist boycott is stand as much as bullies and it received’t damage the underside line,” he stated. “I feel the lesson that now [Disney CEO] Bob Chapek, just a little bit late, has realized is similar lesson.”
Pinsky stated that taking children or grandkids to Disney has change into “a cultural crucial” in America, “like a pre-bucket-list tick-off.” And he doesn’t count on criticism from DeSantis — or complaints on social media — to vary that.
“Inform your 4-year-old that this can be a bigger matter of wokeness, and that’s why they’re not going to get to see Mickey,” he stated.


Not every Kardashian ex disappears into oblivion after he breaks up with his respective sister (we’re looking at you, Kris Humphries)!
French Montana and Kourtney Kardashian reunited at an after party for the American Music Awards on Sunday night — and in the caption, the 31-year-old rapper poked fun at Kourt’s ex (and his friend), Scott Disick!
He captioned the friendly shot, “[Scott], where you at?”
French and the father-of-three, 32, became fast friends after spending the summer partying together in the Hamptons last year.
At the time, the rapper was dating Khloé Kardashian, who was filming Kourtney and Khloé Take the Hamptons.
Kourtney and Scott broke up in July after he was spotted cozying up to another woman. He has since completed a stint in rehab and allegedly made plans to win back his baby mama by giving up club appearances as his primary source of income.
Which may answer where he's "at" at the moment...


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Anil Kapoor–Sonam lives in London most of the time with her husband, Anand Ahuja. So, how exactly did it work out in terms of revealing her pregnant kush khabri? Who was she notified first at her home in Mumbai?
We at ETimes happened to catch up Anil Kapoor During the “JugJugg Jeeyo” promotion. We asked him about the chain of events that led to his wife, Sunita, and he got the good news of soon-to-be grandparents.
Anil Kapoor is very candid that Sonam has called Sunita and broke the good news. “I just sat there. I also talked to Sonam. I was very happy. I burst into tears,” he added. Kapoor told us this in a video interview. If you haven’t seen the video, we copied it below: youtube
We also got the ‘JJJ’ stars involved in a Spicy Rapid Fire, which we bring to you again, hereby : link
“JJJ” will be released on June 24 by Karan Johar Directed by Raj Mehta.

domain: entertainment


As AI continues to develop, it is going to impact daily lives, with significant implications for a number of industries. In addition to decreasing the amount of repetitive work and increasing productivity of employees, AI has the potential to transform many industries because of its quick decision-making capabilities. Experts see AI as a driver for manufacturing that has the potential to bring in new sources of growth and transform how jobs are done in different industries. The world is on the verge of transforming many industries with AI, but how AI systems are developed needs to be better understood because of the significant implications that these technologies will have for society at large. Show Source Texts
By 2040, increasing technology convergence, such as artificial intelligence (AI), high-speed telecoms, and biotechnology, will be enhanced with an increased understanding of the social sciences and behavior sciences, to allow rapid breakthroughs and tailored applications to users, which are much greater than the sum of their parts. In 2022, we will see artificial intelligence continuing down a path toward becoming the most transformational technology mankind has ever developed. Artificial Intelligence (AI), combined with promising Machine Learning (ML) techniques, which are well known in Computer Science, is broadly impacting many aspects of different fields, including Science & Technology, Industry, and even our daily lives. AI is already serving as the main driver behind emerging technologies such as big data, robotics, and IoT, and it will continue to do so in the near future. Show Source Texts
Creativity is generally considered to be a highly human ability, and the fact that we are now seeing those capabilities appear in machines means that artificial intelligence is unquestionably coming close, both in terms of scale and function, to the somewhat vague notion that we have about what makes up real intelligence. General artificial intelligence is more akin to that seen in science fiction films, in which intelligent machines mimic human intelligence, thinking strategically, abstractly, and creatively, and having the capacity to perform an array of difficult tasks. Show Source Texts These depictions have also led to increased expectations–some technologists say that types of intelligence in these systems are aided or augmented, not artificial–but recent advances in computer science certainly accelerate AIs potential. It is clear that the banking market leaders are already benefiting from artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, image recognition, and other AI technologies. Experts expect that networked AI will augment the efficiency of humans, but it also threatens the autonomy, agency, and capabilities of humans.


Here is some good news and bad news that’s happen to me in the past few weeks.
First, on Thursday Feb. 5, I was let go from my radio job of 3 ½ years. I started at WKKI in Dec. 2005 doing mornings and then moved to middays (10am – 2pm). I was shocked to hear the owner fire me. This recession is hitting everyone. I’m sure it was due in part because I was the last one getting paid salary. Everybody else on the air was getting paid a cheep hourly rate.
Anyway…on Tuesday Feb. 10th I went down to Columbus, OH for an interview with a talent agency. I know agencies don’t take everybody. Only a few were signed that day. I was one of them!!! Yep…I can now say…I have an agent! Heyman Talent. One of the biggest talent agencies in Ohio!
I am mostly going to be doing voice work for them. But since I have a little bit of an acting background...I took some acting classes in Canton, OH, I was in a movie shot in Youngstown, OH, and I’ve been in a few plays...I’m going to try and get work as an actor too. Hey, since I don't have ANY kind of job now I have plenty of time to go off and shot a movie if someone wants my ugly mug in their movie. LOL
Honestly, I'm going to be spending most of my time promoting my voice over / voice acting business. I can't just sit by the phone and wait for my agent to call. You always have to be pro-active in this business.
You know, isn’t it a little weird how I was let go from one job and then I get signed by an agent less then a week later? Like one door closing another door opening kind of thing. Weird how it worked out that way.
Wish me luck!


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Interestingly there have been recent reports of large schools of baitfish in Wagonga Inlet at Narooma.
Narooma local Mark Westwood photographed what he thought was a huge school of sauries in Wagonga Inlet. Narooma News journalist Stan Gorton came across a big school of pilchards while snorkeling in the shark net enclosure last week.
Narooma Sport and Game Fishing Club president Les Waldock also reported a huge school of what he thought were slimy mackerel going around the Narooma Marina all last week.
Les is also happy to report the last of the NSW DPI’s Fish Attracting Devices have now been deployed with the recent deployment of the South Coast FADs at five different locations including Montague Island – click here for coordinates
Regardless of what type of baitfish they were, they were obviously seeking shelter in the inlet, although not from the super trawler Geelong Star as she has left the country and not from kingfish either.
That’s because the kingfish have been slow at Montague Island with some reporting only one in 10 fish are the legal 65cm. For one pro boat the ratio was much worse with only four keepers all day, with the seals having a field day. Let’s hope it gets better!
In the estuaries, there have been some whopper dusky flathead caught and released at Wallaga and Tuross lakes, while there have been some more jewfish or mulloway catches – although not like the monster caught under Tuross Bridge last week – click here
Pam and Mark Feeley of Tuross Head have finally cracked the dusky flathead code. As you can see they both got nice flathead on the weekend, both catch and release, they caught them late Saturday arvo on the the run out tide both with poddy mullet.
At last the tide has turned so to speak, and the flathead are starting to move around Tuross Lake. It’s taken a while, like flicking on a light switch, and there are a lot of undersized fatties moving around so hope you all put them back in the lake, Pam says.
Now let’s hear from the local fishing clubs:
NSGFC report – Narooma Sport and Game Fishing Club members Peter Rando and Les Waldock just returned from a short fishing holiday in Coromandel, New Zealand. Weather only allowed them to fish three days but they experienced snapper fishing that you just don't get here. Snapper feed on the waste and sea life that falls off the mussels when they are harvested. The fish are ravenous, just under the surface and take any bait or jig. Fish up to 8kg can be hooked, theirs were up to 5kg. Kingfish and jumbo kahawai are also in the mix.
I would like to include this email from the staff of CanTeen to all the helpers on the weekend. “Thank you all so much for another amazing weekend with the Narooma Sport & Game Fishing Club! We had such a wonderful time with you all. I really believe this annual weekend is one of the most amazing events for our young people, the intergenerational exchange is a very important element and you are all very special people.”
Members please send me in your fish stories and photos from the year so we can enter it into the records. I would like to extend a welcome to all visitors on holiday in beautiful Narooma. Club rooms, situated on the inlet near the restaurants, will be open for fish stories, drinks and snacks from 4pm till 9pm on Friday. – Jan Hemmingsen
Bowlo Fishing Club – Another great weekend fishing comp was held by Club Narooma’s Bowlo Fishing Club with a great turn out of fisherman and woman all wetting a line some for the very first time and it won’t be the last now they have landed a few well where to start. The overall winner for the month was Robyn Babidge with a great mixture of outside fish she caught and showed Jack how it was done, Bec and Shorty Smart, Anna Bordiuk, Deb Squire, Greg Tiffen, Mick Kavic, Adam and Wayne Giffen and Bridget Smart also were in the winners list with some nice fish. Greg and Will showed us some real good whiting caught on poppers at Tuross while Wayne could only talk about the shark he had on for over an hour and lost it fishing the beach at Honeysuckle.
Outside the snapper, mowies, perch, kingfish and flathead are going on them micro-jigs while the kings are at the island but very patchy. Over the last few weeks the prawns are having a go with most getting a few kgs and a good size with Brou and Coruna top spots. Next big gathering is the Christmas party held on Dec. 18 at Apex Park with it kicking off around 11.30am and lunch at 1pm so if anyone has missed putting their name down contact Brenda or Randall ASAP. The next comp will be put back to Jan. 6-8 and those that are booked on Narooma Charters it’s a 1pm start next month. So till next year it’s a very Merry Christmas to all from the crew at the Bowlo Fishing Club. – Fishfingers

domain: hobby


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GROWER: Marco Tulio Sabillion
ORIGIN: La Peña, Santa Bárbara Department, Honduras
VARIETY: Parainema (Sarchimor hybrid)
ELEVATION: 1,350 masl
PROCESS: Fully washed
TASTING: Lime, pineapple, almond
This coffee is bright & sweet with a rounded almond finish. The bright tropical notes are a typical characteristic of the Parainema variety. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
A little about hybrid (introgressed) plants:
This particular hybridized coffee plant was bred for its resistance to leaf rust (a fungus) that is a continuing threat to coffee farmers all over the the world, but especially in Latin American and Caribbean countries where 2012 was an especially devastating year. It is tolerant to Coffee Berry Disease (a fungal pathogen) and has resistance to certain types of nemotodes (microscopic soil worms that infect root systems). Unfortunately, due to the evolution of plant pathogens and diseases a plant that has resistance today may not in the future.
The main breeder of Parainema is the Instituto Hondureño del Café (IHCAFE) where it is available in the public domain. Probably the most historically well known and successful coffee hybrid occurred spontaneously on the the Southeast Asian island of Timor, where in the 1920's after finding that a C. canephora and Coffea arabica Typica plants had interbred, farmers saw that this hybrid had natural rust resistance and have continued its cultivation into modern lineages today.
Roasting and Shipping Schedule:
Coffee is roasted on Wednesdays. If you order anytime up until 11pm Tuesday, we will roast the next day and ship on Thursday. Orders received after 11pm Tuesday may not get roasted until the following week. If we have extra inventory, we will ship ASAP. Email us at shippingwoes (at) vibrantcoffeeroasters.com if you have questions about when your order will be roasted and/or shipped.

domain: agronomy


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The Force is not with Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, and seemingly hasn’t been since the start.
Disney’s ambitious, immersive, and frankly very expensive themed hotel at Walt Disney World in Florida has been a talking point ever since its launch back in March 2022.
The Walt Disney World Resort hotel has received mostly positive reviews from Guests who have experienced the voyage first-hand and mixed opinions from those who criticize the hefty price tag.
After a string of canceled dates, experience cutbacks, and huge discounts, the newest Disney Resort Hotel was surprisingly revealed to be shutting down later this year, and now we know the retheming options for the doomed Starcruiser.
On May 18, 2023, Disney made the shock announcement that the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will take its final voyage this September.
The eagerly-awaited Galactic Starcruiser hotel takes Guests on a (simulated) two-night voyage through a galaxy far, far away. While aboard, Guests are fully immersed in the Star Wars story, as each decision they make shapes the outcome of their journey. Characters such as Chewbacca, Rey, and Kylo Ren are all onboard, while Guests also go on a port excursion to Batuu’s Black Spire Outpost in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Galaxy’s Edge.
The cost of the immersive experience, however, has always been an issue for many fans of the George Lucas franchise, with prices starting at roughly $4,800 for two Guests on a two-night voyage. This is a costly price to pay for a two-night experience at the Star Wars hotel (a similar price to a week on a Disney Cruise Line trip) – and it has been shown in the availability calendar.
Well ahead of the closure announcement, Disney began removing some of the Starcruiser’s voyages from its booking website, and on the remaining voyages, Guests noted that the crowd levels were incredibly low.
The end for the Florida hotel was signaled by the Walt Disney World Resort offering a 50% discount for Cast Members and other discounts for Annual Passholders, discounts that still left the Halcyon pricey.
Now that the Star Wars hotel has been canned, Disney has not yet stated what will happen to the building, but we now know the retheming options discussed for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser thanks to a report from The Wrap.
According to The Wrap, Disney has considered turning the Starcruiser into a Mandalorian experience. The popular Star Wars show on Disney+ has taken the Lucasfilm world by storm and follows Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), Grogu (or “Baby Yoda”), Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison), Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff), and others in quests around the galaxy.
We’re not sure what “The Mandalorian” version of the Starcruiser would entail, but we’re sure fans of the Star Wars franchise would have enjoyed a more familiar storyline than the one currently on the Halcyon.
It was also apparently suggested that the Galactic Starcruiser could be turned into a place for day tours. Imagineers considered giving Disney Park day Guests “tours” of the hotel that would include access to the bar, dinner, and gift shop.
Disney CEO Bob Iger seemingly considered these alternate rethemings of the hotel, and instead decided to shut Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser down.
A Disney spokesperson told The Wrap that the issue came down to attracting Guests with the large price tag: “Once you went through the one-percenters who could afford it and the fanatical ‘Star Wars’ fans who would sell their mother to do it, you were done,” they said.
The two-night adventure is priced at around $6,000 for a family of four and includes 2 nights’ accommodation, 4 meals and refreshments aboard the Starcruiser, 1 quick-service meal at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, interactive and immersive entertainment, as well as admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a Galaxy’s Edge excursion (including Oga’s Cantina, Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and the popular Disney ride Rise of the Resistance).
Another Disney insider revealed that “No one connected to this came off well.”
After Disney’s surprise announcement, the final voyage in late September completely sold out. The Halcyon only has 100 Guest rooms, including 94 Standard Cabins that sleep up to 5, four Galaxy Class Suites that sleep up to 4, and two Grand Captain Suites that sleep up to 8.
Though the expensive Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser only lasted a little over a year, it will be a $300 million tax write-off for Disney. It also won the 2022 TEA Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement in Brand Experience.
There is a cheaper option for Star Wars fans. The Outer Rim planet of Batuu is both at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park in Orlando, Florida. The Star Wars-themed land is set between Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017) and Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019) in the Star Wars timeline, and features two attractions – Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run and the continually popular Rise of the Resistance.
We’ll keep you posted on what happens to the Galactic Starcruiser in Lake Buena Vista, but for now, we can dream about what it would be like to hang out with Grogu and Mando on a spaceship for two nights!


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Office (786) 540-2823
Cell (954) 709-4255
Action Public Adjusters offers assistance with your Lightning Strike Claim in Hollywood, FL, working on your behalf to ensure that your claim is filed completely and accurately and your settlement properly reflects your damages and losses. With years of experience, we are your go-to option to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation allowed by your insurance policy. With a quick and fair settlement, you can begin the process of repair and putting this experience behind you. Led by owner/operator Joel Anidjar, our team will work with your best interests in mind, reviewing your insurance policy to understand the entitlements to which you are owed and answering any questions that you may have. With service that is rooted in years of commitment to our clients, our reputation is based on our determination to go the extra mile for you, rather than have you negotiate the confusing claim process on your own.
Did you know the period in which insurance claims can be reopened is within three years of reporting a loss? So if you believe you did not receive the maximum settlement amount you deserve, give us a call. WE CAN HELP YOU!
The expert adjusters at Action Public Adjusters will always provide you with professional and thorough service. When it comes time to negotiate your claim, the team at Action Public Adjusters will go to bat on your behalf, to ensure that you are represented properly. Whether lightning has caused a downed tree, or electrical damage or even fire, our team is there for you throughout this process. It is important to file your lightning strike claim in Hollywood, FL as soon as possible so that you can prevent any additional damages from occurring due to exposure to the elements. We understand that property damage and loss creates additional stress and we are there to provide support and guidance through the process. Speaking English, French, Spanish, and Hebrew, we are your advocate to ensure that you are not pressured by the insurance company to take a settlement that is less than deserved. Call today to schedule your consultation.
-English - Spanish - Hebrew - French
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domain: law


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WILKIE COLLINS IN HANOVER TERRACE
Hanover Terrace (from The Bookman of June 1912)
Hanover Terrace was built by Nash in 1823 and overlooks central London's Regent's Park. The appearance today is very much as it would have been in Collins's time and the address equally prestigious. He lived at number 17 with his mother, Harriet, and brother, Charles, from August 1850 to June 1856. The house became a regular meeting place for their literary and artistic friends such as the Dickens family, the Wards, Millais, Holman Hunt and other members of the Pre-Raphaelite group. It was later the home of writer Edmund Gosse.
was not altogether keen on his mother's decision to live in Hanover Terrace and
wrote to her on 3
August 1850 from Falmouth during
his walking tour of Cornwall:
resign myself to Hanover Terrace (and to the Queen's Bench afterwards) But I do
not feel quite resigned to leaving you to "move" by yourself - If you
want me back, write and tell me so, and I will come back at once - Write
moreover to advise me of the departure of the P.O. order.
He followed this up on 14 August 1850 with:
may as well tell me in your next letter what is the number of the house in
Collins had just published Antonina in February 1850. During his time in Hanover Terrace he wrote Rambles Beyond Railways (1851), Basil (1852), Mr Wray's Cash Box (1852), and Hide and Seek (1854). He was also continuing his career as a journalist with essays and stories in Bentley's Miscellany and Dickens's Household Words.
Hanover Gate, the entrance to Regent's Park adjacent to Hanover Terrace
All material in these pages is © copyright Andrew Gasson 1998-2010


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The View at Polaris
Residents have endless access to shopping and entertainment options due to the community's premier location, close to Worthington and Westerville. Sometimes, though, you'll want to stick close to home by enjoying billiards in the clubhouse, lounging by the saltwater pool, or getting some work done in the business center.
Contact our leasing team today so you can start enjoying the View!
Polaris Fashion Place anchors the area, a mall with over one million square feet of retail and over 200 unique stores. The space around the mall is teeming with restaurants, retailers, and nightlife.
The Polaris area is a center for industry, hosting a headquarters for JP Morgan Chase among other businesses. The View at Polaris is located in the prestigious Olentangy School District.


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|The Long and the Short of It: A
Collection of short stories and poems by Tom Davis
The Long and the Short of It is collection of short stories by Tom Davis. They vary in length and subjectĖ Some sad, some funny, some thought provoking. All entertaining.
NOW AVAILABLE FOR AMAZON KINDLE $3.99
Other eBooks by Old Mountain Press
When a Nobody Kills a Somebody
I felt trouble in my bones, and my bones donít lie. Shouldía got up and left. But being too proud, I just sat there, watching him in the mirror behind the bar. He was a big un, biggerín me even. Stump of a neck and hands like baseball mitts.
Itís Time to Let Go
Four months later he came home for Christmas, all spit and polish and wearing the finest looking green Army uniform you ever saw. He even wore a medal. Said it was for the National Defense. Of course, he had the expert marksmanship badge, too. Jay always held a steady aim.
He hadnít been home more than three weeks when, through a mouthful of mashed potatoes, he said he was leaving for the war.
I felt both sick and proud. But his mama, shoot, I didnít know a woman could hold that much water.
Iím Kinda Funny About My Oil
"Hello, Miss Mary Ann. What can we do for you?" Rocky pulled his sleeves down and squared his shoulders.
Miss Mary Annís beginning to stoop. Lack of calcium, thought Rocky. She kept her salt and pepper hair cut short. Curls framed an owlish face. Behind thick glasses flashed eyes seemingly younger than his. Underneath her long herringbone coat she wore a gray plaid skirt and jacket. The high ruffled collar of a white blouse sleeved her neck.
Christmas in Paradise
For our honeymoon, Polly and I spent a "wonderful" weekend in Panama City, Florida. Money being the big factor. But we vowed to do better at some point in our future. Better would be our second Christmas together in Hawaii.
I Claimed Passion
They called it murderópremeditated. My lawyer claimed passion, but the court didnít see it that way. I loved her then, and I love her still. Her eyes, green and wild as a jungle, drew me like a child to a dare. She did not know how good she looked. That caught me in the beginning and holds me now.
Tomorrow Iíll Start Writing
Tomorrow Iím going to start writingóseriously writing. For years now, Iíve always wanted to. My husband and I have talked about it. He swears Iíll be great. Iím an avid reader, articulate, and can turn a phrase better than most. I have important things to say, deep feelings to express, insightful opinions to state, and theories to expound.
The Bloody Yawn
The nightís heat and dampness hung like a shroud. Mosquitoes buzzed. One lit near the tip of his bushy red handlebar moustache. He felt an irritating sting as the vector punctured his camouflage-painted skin, but he could do nothing. He glared into the blackness at the faint movement.
Pickaberry Pigís First Day of School
Hog Crawl Creek flowed through a big green valley. Smack-dab in the middle of that valley sat Hog Wallow Plantation.
In a muddy pen beside the creek, at the end of a narrow winding dirt path, lived a pig named Pickaberry with her big brother, Peanut Pig, and her mama and papa. Papa Pig farmed Hog Wallow Plantation and grew Indian corn, sweet potatoes, iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and rutabagas.
Plus Seven Poems
Summer in the Smokies
Like an old manís hungry stomach
Through the green capped Smokies
Rain will come
To cool a summerís lazy afternoon
About the Author
Thomas (Tom) Hoyt Davis III, oldest son of T. Hoyt and Mary Ann Davis,
is a native of Vienna, Georgia. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from
the University of Georgia and a masterís degree from the University of
Southern California Tom entered the Army as a private and retired as a
full colonel. He spent 23 of this 30+ years serving with Special Forces
(Green Berets) on four continents and in ten foreign countries. He has
worn a Green Beret at every rank from 2LT to Colonel and commanded at
every level from A Team to a Joint Special Operations Task Force. He clams
to be unique: after all this heís still married to the same woman,
Polly. His short stories, articles, and poetry have been published in Poets
Forum, The Carolina Runner, Triathlon Today, Georgia Athlete, The Saturday
Extra (magazine section of the Fayetteville Observer-Times), A
Loving Voice Vol. I and II (anthologies of read aloud stories), Special
Warfare (a professional military journal published by the Special
Warfare Center), and Winston-Salem Writersí POETRY IN PLAIN SIGHT
program for May 2013. Many of the works found in this book have received
honors in writing contests sponsored by ByLine magazine. He is also
the author of an action adventure novel, The
R-complex. He has recently publish his memoir: The
Most Fun I Ever Had With My Clothes On: A March from Private to Colonel.
He is married to Polly Virginia (Brown) Davis and has two children,
Tee and Pollyanna. Tom is also the founder and publisher of the Old


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Loans – UMN Regents might be requested to OK long-term loans for athletics division – Twin Cities
The College of Minnesota athletics division plans to borrow a “significant amount” of cash to assist offset monetary losses in the course of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The plan requires approval of the Board of Regents, who might be requested to approve the plan throughout a teleconference assembly Thursday at 9:30 a.m.
In response to the Finance & Operations Committee docket for Thursday’s Board of Regents assembly, the college is anticipating a complete funds shortfall of $166 million.
The varsity is anticipating to lose $16 million in tuition, $2 million for COVID-19 expenditures and $148 million in “other revenue.” Most of that, based on the docket, is $123.5 million in losses from “external sales in Athletics & Other Auxiliaries” — particularly “student housing, dining, parking, and athletics.”
When the Board of Regents voted Sept. 12 to remove three males’s sports activities beginning in 2021-22 (gymnastics, tennis and indoor monitor and area), the college anticipated it will between $60 million and $70 million due to misplaced ticket and tv income, however that was every week earlier than the Massive Ten Convention reversed its determination to postpone the season.
An athletics division spokesperson stated Monday these funds deficit estimates haven’t modified. The Gophers entered this faculty 12 months anticipating to spend $123 million on athletics.
Nonetheless, Division I faculties misplaced an enormous income sharing paycheck when the NCAA males’s and ladies’s basketball tournaments have been canceled final March, and the college has misplaced all ticket income this fall, most notably from the soccer group, which was anticipated to attract effectively at 50,000-seat TCF Stadium after going 13-2 and ending the season ranked No. 9 within the nation in 2019.
In response to the docket, the Board of Regents might be requested to approve unspecified long run loans to assist the athletics departments for the Twin Cities, Crookston and Rochester campuses. “It is likely,” the docket states, “that the loans to Twin Cities Athletics and Twin Cities auxiliaries will be significant.”
“Specific financing options have been developed and will continue to be refined and analyzed through winter and early spring before a final decision will be made and implemented near the end of the fiscal year,” the docket states.
In May, the athletics division’s high earners agreed to take 10 % pay cuts; that group included The checklist contains athletics director Mark Coyle, soccer coach P.J. Fleck, males’s basketball coach Richard Pitino, ladies’s basketball coach Lindsay Whalen, males’s hockey coach Bob Motzko and volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon. That group additionally surrendered every week’s pay in April.
In response to the docket, the athletics division additionally decreased $4.1 million in “non-personnel spending,” the biggest discount coming from journey ($1.7 million).
This Thursday’s assembly of the College of Minnesota Regents might be reside streamed at https://regents.umn.edu/meeting-materials .


Steamulation - Pro X - III - Graphite
No longer available
The Steamulation Purge Pro X III - An Advanced Shisha
The Steamulation Purge Pro X III is one of the most advanced multi-hose shishas on the market. With its unique Steamulation Purge-Pro-Valves, it allows every user to easily purge the bowl without having to remove valve balls. The intelligent system can even balance the pressure inside the shisha and use the free hose connections for blow off purposes. The system has been optimized and improved compared to the previous generation.
Steamulation High-Flow System - Improved Airflow
The Steamulation Pro X III has been optimized for fluid dynamics and provided with larger flow cross-sections. The airflow has been increased by 25% compared to the previous model. At the same time, the adjustment range of the Steamulation Advanced Airflow Control has been enlarged.
Advanced Diffuser - Improved Smoking Experience
The new Advanced Diffuser is inspired by the well-known Steamulation Cooling Diffuser. A floating ball in the diffuser prevents the water column in the immersion tube from rising and swinging. On the one hand, this complements the pressure relief function by making it impossible to flood the shisha. On the other hand, the smoking behavior is very positively influenced because the oscillation of the water column is effectively dampened. When inhaling, a pleasant airflow and pull are immediately generated, as water does not have to be displaced from the immersion tube first. This function is exclusively offered by Steamulation and cannot be found in any other shisha on the market.
X Blow Off + - More Options for Individual Settings
The Steamulation Pro X III adds a plate blow off to the well-known X Blow Off. By turning the blow off plate below the charcoal plate, the plate blow off can be activated and deactivated. With the familiar X Blow Off from the predecessor, the Steamulation Pro X III now offers 31 different blow off options. Choose your favorite! The X Blow Off + is available as an accessory and can be used in combination with a sleeve.
Cooling Control Adapter - For Targeted Cooling of the Tobacco Head
The optional Cooling Control Adapter is new. It optionally directs part of the purge air back into the upper smoke column to the tobacco head, enabling targeted cooling of the tobacco head. The air volume is adjustable and can be switched off or permanently activated. The Cooling Control Adapter is simply inserted between the base and smoke column and can be combined with all X Blow Offs and sleeves. (Note: With the cooling system in use, the purge pressure increases slightly. As a result, the pressure relief function responds earlier. If this is not desired, the pressure relief function at the unused smoke connections can be deactivated by closing the AirFlow Control.) The Cooling Control Adapter is available as an accessory!
Steamulation AirFlow Control - Individual Adjustment of Airflow
The Steamulation Pro X III allows its users to individually adjust the airflow at each hose connection using the Steamulation Airflow Control between traditional and modern. Compared to the previous model, the maximum airflow has been increased, and the hose connections have been adapted to direct moisture directly back into the base. In addition, the connections can now be completely closed to deactivate the pressure relief function.
Steamulation Dip Tube Control - for even more customization options
With the new Dip Tube Control, you can determine the length of the dip tube in 10 different stages, thereby further customizing the draw and pull of your Pro X.
Grip Head Adapter - even better grip
The Steamulation Pro X III now features a grip head adapter that is grooved to ensure maximum grip of your seal. An optimization even down to the smallest detail!
The Steamulation Purge Pro X III and accessories such as the X Blow Off + or the Cooling Control Adapter are available at affordable prices on the Hookain online shop. The high-quality craftsmanship and many unique features make the Steamulation Pro X III one of the best shishas on the market.
Nowadays, innovative hookah concepts are commonplace. This progressive trend has led to a new development that is not only modern, but timeless. Bestsellers such as Pro X III, Xpansion Mini, Pro X Prime II or Pro X Mini are now an integral part of the hookah scene. A state-of-the-art hookah based on the traditional shisha.
The Steamulation SteamClicak 360 Valve System
SteamClick 360 incorporates the most advanced technology since its invention. The click closure provides maximum stability and speed. It can be opened or closed securely in a fraction of a second. This makes SteamClick the fastest and most durable hookah closure in the world. However, SteamClick 360 is not only unmatched in terms of features and quality, but also in terms of innovation:
It incorporates an advanced closed camera system that is very different from conventional camera systems. The valve ball is integrated into the cavity, further enhancing the well-known direct clamping and excellent pull-through performance of the cavity system. In addition, the valve ball of the hose connection used can be removed to activate the venting function. Old smoke can be blown away with primary air. As the name SteamClick 360 implies, SteamClick also features a continuous 360-degree swivel function that emphasizes the core idea of hookah smoking - shared enjoyment. The hose connection can be easily rotated in both directions, which provides excellent comfort, especially when smoking in a group.
Expansion options for Steamulation hookah.
Steamulation also provides additional options to personalize the smoking experience and add the finishing touches to your hookah. Our Hookain online store offers a growing selection of online shisha accessories: mouthpieces, silicone hoses, glasses that can be used as shisha glass replacements or to expand your range, as well as useful features like bottom adapters. They fit into your shisha hose connection without additional sealing and allow you to attach additional hoses. Share your pipe with up to three friends at once for an unparalleled smoking experience. Whether on the patio during a summer sunset, at a birthday party, or just chilling with good friends at a hookah bar, the SteamClick closure with its 360° swivel function takes smoking together to a new level. Fill water into the shisha bowl, prepare your favorite shutter, place charcoal on the foil and smoke together in the evening - enjoy the experience of steaming.
High-quality stainless steel and first-class materials at Steamulation
Steamulation shishas are made of high quality stainless steel. The stainless steels used are also used in many high-performance areas, such as the automotive industry or chemical engineering, where maximum strength is essential. Excellent corrosion resistance and outstanding wear resistance, Steamulation Classic retains its beauty and luster over time!
Glasses made of crystal and the use of platinum
Steamulation bowls are handcrafted from high quality crystal glass. Crystal glass is characterized by the highest purity and is exquisitely hand-blown into unique and elegant shapes. The walls of the bowl are more than 10 mm thick and weigh several kilograms. Decorated with decorations made of one of the most expensive materials in the world: platinum. Each Steamulation Classic bowl is decorated with a platinum Steamulation logo and a surrounding platinum ring. The solid platinum logo represents a commitment to the highest quality.
The Steamulation Advanced Closed Chamber System and Perfect Airflow Technology.
Steamulation has modified traditional chamber systems and created something new: a closed chamber system with valve balls integrated into the inner chambers. The result is a perfectly homogeneous draw that makes the smoking experience with Steamation incomparable. In addition, the balls can be removed with a flick of the wrist, so that the old smoke can be removed from the bowl in one fell swoop.
The innovative chamber system is complemented by Perfect Airflow technology: with careful development, the inner diameters of all air channels are matched to each other to create perfect flow behavior.
What makes Steamulation's diffuser so special?
Steamulation has developed the next generation of air diffusers. Unlike conventional diffuser types, Steamulation's diffuser has a technical feature that prevents it from getting clogged with tobacco leaves, as is so often the case with other shishas: a unique tobacco cutting technology. The sharp edges in the diffuser cut through the tobacco, effectively preventing clogging and resulting loss of draw. In addition, the special design of the vent hole ensures a quiet and pleasant smoking atmosphere.Visit manufacturer website
1 of 1 reviews
May 24, 2023 20:52
Hab mir nach langer Überlegung diese Pfeife gekauft und bereue es trotz des hohen Preis nicht. Die Verarbeitung und die Funktionen sind mit keiner anderen Marke zu vergleichen. Einfach Weltklasse.


text:
This article first appeared in Sunday's State Journal.
UW-Madison law professor Jonathan Lipson wants to correct what he says is a big misconception about where he works.
The university's law school isn't anti-business, Lipson said, and it does a lot more than try to help the disenfranchised and free the wrongly convicted.
"There's this idea that we're focused only on the rights of criminal defendants, or that we have really strong left-leaning or anti-market politics," he said, in passing reference to the school's free consumer law clinics and its well-known Wisconsin Innocence Project in the area of criminal law. "When people outside think about the law school, I don't think business law is what comes to mind."
Lipson, a business law professor himself, hopes to change that with the Wisconsin Business Law Initiative, a program he launched last month at the direction of Law School Dean Margaret Raymond.
The effort, through targeted programs, outreach and networking opportunities, will seek to raise the public profile of business law — the dry but critical stuff of commercial bankruptcy, contracts, securities and corporate finance — while it works to better connect students and faculty with business.
"One of the things lawyers and clients in particular constantly express frustration with is people graduating from law schools not adequately trained in business law," Lipson said. "We're very definitely committed to improving that."
Third-year UW-Madison law student Nate Inglis Steinfeld liked the initiative's emphasis on practical business skills. He said learning to work more with data and computer programs would help graduates' career prospects.
"It's good to understand how businesses think, because the client is the business," Steinfeld said.
Project pleases lawyers
Chief lawyers for companies around the state also welcomed the effort, including Jerome D. Okarma, vice president and general counsel for Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls, a $44 billion operation in 125 countries, including a Madison office.
Okarma was part of a symposium on business law for students, faculty and lawyers last month at UW-Madison, in part to launch the initiative.
In an interview, Okarma highlighted the initiative's idea of letting company leaders and law firms provide more feedback about what skills and traits they'd like to see in law school graduates, which he called "our future legal staff."
"I'm all for it," he said. "We've made efforts in this direction in the past as general counsels, and we believe it would be a benefit to the law school, to companies and to the students themselves."
Gail A. Lione, who retired in May as executive vice president and former general counsel for Harley-Davidson, said she did a survey of general counsels in Wisconsin, asking them what one thing they would change in legal education if they could.
Most asked for more business training for students, she said, with some emphasis on "practical realities and practical skill sets," such as being able to read a balance sheet.
"Clients really want their law firms to understand their business," she said. "The reality is that most of your clients (as a lawyer) are businesses, whether it's a for-profit business or a not-for-profit. Most of them have a balance sheet, whether they're big or little, and it's just about equipping law students with some basic understanding of that."
Lione cautioned that any business emphasis should not overshadow what she called a law school's primary responsibility — to produce graduates who can "think critically and ask the right questions, and be able to communicate in ways that others can understand and be persuasive," she said.
"This initiative is a good one, but it is not the only direction the law school has," she said. "It's critical that law schools remember their primary objective is to help develop good lawyers, and to not have them go into niche areas too soon. You really do want a well-rounded and versatile law student graduating."
Beyond better training for students, the initiative will provide opportunities for professors to get feedback from lawyers and businesses as they develop research papers, rather than just collecting comments after an article is published, Lipson said.
And it will look for ways the university can help businesses directly, in keeping with the university's three-part tradition of providing public service or outreach in addition to teaching and research.
"At some point, we're just going to survey the major corporation counsel offices in Wisconsin about what their legal needs are — what keeps them up at night," Lipson said. "We could then very easily organize a series of programs to meet those needs. You don't want to compete with the private lawyers, but if somebody here is already working on that problem (in research), we could connect up that person with the company."
In some respects, Lipson said, the initiative is just belated recognition and promotion of what the law school has long valued and worked on, if quietly.
"We've always had some extremely good business law scholars and teachers," Lipson said. "We just haven't emphasized it to the outside world."
It's different now, he says, in part because business law has such a crucial role to play in the country's recovery from the bursting of the housing bubble that helped usher in the global financial crash of 2008.
Dealing with the complicated new financial regulations put in place to prevent another crash — many as part of the Dodd-Frank Act of July 2010 — is one of the most pressing legal challenges companies face now, Lipson said.
Other big issues that often require legal help include regulatory confusion stemming from globalization, especially for multi-national companies, and data security concerns raised by the business world's ever-increasing use of technology.
"Those are really difficult problems, and business law deals with that on a daily basis," Lipson said.
Eventually, the business law initiative might want to provide money to bring speakers to campus, and perhaps to hire someone to work part time advancing the initiative goals. Organizers hope to raise private funds for that, Lipson said.
"If law firms and lawyers and corporations are not willing to invest in this, then it means there's no market for what we're doing," Lipson said. "And if that's the case, then fine. We'll do other things."


text:
Early morning. Gibbs pulls up to a diner, where he is obviously a regular. He casually greets an older couple who are leaving, enters, and takes a place at the counter, where he engages in comfortable banter with the waitress. From the corner of his eye, he sees a young man who had been seated in the corner of the diner approach him, hands shoved deep in the pocket of his hoodie. Suddenly, the man pulls a gun out of his pocket. Gibbs whips out his gun and aims it at the man, calling "FEDERAL AGENT!" A moment hesitation, a gun fires, and suddenly, a rapid montage of scenes of Gibb's life flashes before him.
A pause, and a sudden shift of light, and Gibbs is suddenly staring, puzzled, at a bullet suspended in midair. He gazes around the diner, and notices his father smiling at him from a booth. At the next booth, Abby, Tony and Ziva smile a welcome. A young woman sitting further down the counter calls out to him happily, with a big smile: "Jethro!" "Matts?" he answers, smiling in confusion – it's Joan Matteson, the PFC that was killed when he was a young Marine. Suddenly, a young Jethro brushes past Gibbs, and embraces Joan in an enthusiastic greeting. Gibbs stares in confusion, and freezes in disbelief when Mike Franks walks up to him, smiling, and casually reaches up to flick away the bullet that is still suspended in midair. "Mike?" Mike grins. "Well, how do I look?" "Alive . . ." Gibbs answers slowly, incredulously. "Hell of a thing, isn't it?" Mike responds, still grinning. Suddenly he turns serious. "What are you doing, Probie, hesitating like that? You should have shot him!" he chides. Gibbs mulls it over for a second. "Why . . . is that it? It's over? I . . . I wasn't done, yet!" he protests. Mike tells him "That's the problem. Folks want to help you see the things you accomplished, understand the choices you've made. Jethro . . . this is your life we're talking about," he tells a stunned Gibbs. (CREDITS)
"Didn't expect to see you so soon, Gunny . . . guess you can't predict these things," Mike tells him, clapping him on the back and leading him down the narrow aisle. McGee stands up, nods, and eases past him, and Mike and Gibbs take the booth he was sitting at. Over Mike's shoulder, he gives a start as he sees Jenny, her hair long again, and brushed up, casually chatting with a woman at another booth. Looking at Mike, he shakes his head. "I didn't see this coming," he mutters. "Ain't life grand?" Mike smiles happily. A waitress drops off a menu, which only has three items: Steak. Coffee. Whiskey. Gibbs turns it over, studying the blank piece of paper. "What is this, Mike?" "A gift." "Well, it's doesn't feel like it," Gibbs says impatiently. Mike tries to explain. "People want to give you closure, a chance to see what you did." "I didn't do anything!" Gibbs objects. "BULL! You solved hundreds of cases, you helped families get over burying their dead by putting away murderers." "I was just doing my job," Gibbs tells him, at a loss. Mike tells him that what he did was more than that. As Mike tries to explain, Gibbs looks over his shoulder again. Palmer is leaving the diner, but as he leaves, Ari walks in and silently passes Gibbs' table. Gibbs' eyes are glued on him. "I don't get it!" he exclaims. Mike urges him to try to understand how things would have been different if he had done things differently – starting with the day before.
Twenty-four hours earlier: Ziva and Tony are studying McGee's desk – things have been changed on it, and change makes them nervous. When McGee arrives at work, he asks them why they are at his desk, and Tony tells him that the angle of the monitors has been changed – something is definitely up. McGee laughs off Tony's questions. Gibbs enters with news of a dead petty officer on the U.S.S. Gentry, a decommissioned ship. The dead petty officer has been found in the communications center of the ship, a restricted area. Palmer notes some nearby drums of explosives, and comments that that the area wasn't the best place to discharge a firearm. Ducky and Palmer prepare to move the body, and as the team looks around, Ziva finds a small trail of blood drops. She follows them to a closed door. She and Gibbs enter cautiously, and find an unconscious civilian, who has been shot and is slumped against a pillar. Is he the shooter?
Back at the diner, Gibbs' eyes are closed as he remembers yesterday's events. "Plenty of time to rest later, Probie" Mike scolds him. Gibbs blinks at the sight of Ari and Vance immersed in a game of chess. "You think?" he asks. "I don't follow – I didn't ask for this!" Mike explains that he earned this opportunity because Gibbs has made some tough decisions – and that sometimes good comes from the hurt. Gibbs scowls. "Don't talk to me like a greeting card," he tells Mike. "I'm talking to you like a friend," Mike corrects him, and Gibbs sees Fornell turn away from the counter and salute him with a cup of coffee. Mike leads him out of the diner, but as he leaves, Ducky enters and greets him. Another shift, and Mike and Gibbs are back at the office. Gibbs scans the office, and turns to Mike. "Why are we here?" "One decision can change everything," Mike tells him, "sometimes better, sometimes not. There's a point to everything – you've just got to find it." Gazing around, Gibbs' attention is arrested by a framed photo on a desk: It's a picture of Tony and Kate, with their arms around each other, obviously a couple. On the desk is another framed photo, of Tony and Kate smiling into the camera. "Kate's dead," Gibbs says slowly. "Doesn't have to be," Mike tells him. "What if you had seen Ari on that rooftop? An alternate ending unfolds: Kate takes the shot for Gibbs, but Gibbs spies Ari across the way, and calls in air support, which interrupts Ari before he can get off the shot that kills Kate.
Back at the diner, Mike is digging in to a plate full of food. Gibbs is still thinking. "You mean to tell me that Ari never took the shot? He never hit Kate?" he asks Mike. Mike tells him that he couldn't because Gibbs stopped him. "It didn't happen that way," Gibbs insists. "But what if it did?" Mike asks. "This time, you protected your team and kept it from happening." Gibbs takes a deep breath. "Kate's . . . alive?" Mike tells him that he knows what he's thinking – if Kate's alive, a lot of things would have been different . . .
Shift. Tony bursts out of an elevator in a hospital, in a state of agitated excitement. "Did I miss it?! I promised her I wouldn't miss it!" Tony exclaims to Abby and McGee, who reassure him that it's understandable since he was undercover. "Everything works out, Tony – look at me and Tim!" Abby tells him soothingly. Tony darts toward a door, and is intercepted by a doctor, who assures him that everything is OK. Kate is sitting in the hospital bed, and Tony immediately apologizes for drug deals that never go as planned. "But at least you look . . . smaller!" he tells her awkwardly. Kate rolls her eyes at him. "What?!" "Oh, boy," grimaces Tony. "Exactly!" says the doctor – Kate and Tony have had a baby boy.
Back at the diner, as Mike explains that "Life's dominos . . . ripples . . . like a stone skipping across the pond – and you're the catalyst. Think about Ziva, if Kate lives. Ziva would have stayed with Mossad . . ."
Shift. In the hall outside Interrogation, Vance is warning Tony to "be careful with this one – I know her father well. To say that she's dangerous is an understatement." Tony points to his wedding ring. "Dangerous women are my speciality," he tells Vance. In Interrogation, Tony starts his interview of a defiant Ziva. "I remember you!" he tells her, studying her. "Riva! Lisa . . .? Uh . . . Tiva?" Ziva sighs. "My name is Ziva David," she tells him. "Ah, yes, Ziva – the icy Israeli. I followed you to a hotel pool once." "Clearly, I made an impression – I can't say the same about you," she says dismissively.
Back at the diner, Gibbs shakes his head and tells Mike that there's no way he can be blamed for everything. Mike tells him that he's not responsible for everything, but we are as responsible for the things we do as for the things we don't do. He tells Gibbs that there was more to his case the day before than he saw coming.
Yesterday. Tony and Ziva are still worried about McGee's desk – his trashcan is filled, and he has obviously been cleaning out his desk. They catch a glimpse of McGee and quickly get back to work, but McGee isn't fooled. "It's finally happened – you two have stooped to snooping together," he tells them. The dead petty officer had made two $30,000 deposits in the last week, which they are tracking down. The civilian, Peter Germaine, works for a shipbuilding firm that has recently been taken over by a Chinese company. Chinese entities are not permitted on military installations, and before a ship is repaired, sensitive information is supposed to be removed. The team wonders if espionage is involved, perhaps a deal that went bad. Gibbs goes down to the lab, and is surprised to find Palmer laid out on Abby's worktable, groaning as she prods at his well-muscled stomach. Gibbs asks what is going on, and Palmer explains that he pulled a muscle, and Abby was rolfing him. At Gibb's incredulous look, Palmer quickly darts out of the lab, and Abby shows Gibbs the results of the bullet tests – all three bullets (two from the petty officer, one from Germaine) were fired from the same gun, the gun that had been placed in the petty officer's hand after she died, which indicates a third person. A fingerprint on a casing turns up Michael Rose, a freelance systems analyst. Gibbs realizes that all three people had clearance to board the ship, so perhaps they were in on it together. "Nice work," he tells Abby, adding "Who knew Palmer had abs like that?" leaving Abby speechless.
Back at the diner: Gibbs is protesting that he's not taking the blame for everything that has gone wrong, but Mike has disappeared. A waitress places a slice of apple pie in front of him. As he protests that he didn't order it, she ignores him, and slowly pours a thin stream of chocolate sauce on top of the pie. "Well, sometimes we don't know what we want until someone shows up the possibilities," she tells him, turning away. "Chocolate . . . my mom used to do this," he muses. His attention is caught by her curly reddish-brown hair. "What did you say your name was?" he asks. "Ann," she tells him, without looking at him. "That was my mother's name . . ." he says slowly, craning to see her face. Slowly, she turns to him, with an impish smile. It's his mother. She brings him more coffee. "It will hurt my feelings if you don't eat it!" she tells him. "You know I can't . . . Mom?" he tells her. Reaching out to stroke his hair cheek, she smiles sympathetically. "Poor thing, your brain must be running in circles, trying to make sense of all of this!" she tells him, as he smiles at the caress. "And here I am, not a day older than the last time you saw me, carrying on about a mother's pride . . . ." She blinks back tears. "Mothers!" she exclaims. "You never told me you were proud," he tells her quietly. "Proud of the boy I knew. Proud of the man you've become. And proud of everything in between," she tells him earnestly. She offers to wrap up the pie so he can take it home with him. "Why can't you go home?" he asks her. "Eventually," she says serenely. But her tone changes briskly. "I do have one bone to pick with you," she tells him sternly, nodding over to the booth with young Jethro is arguing loudly with his father. "You could have cut him some slack," she tells him. "Dad blamed you for everything and hated you for leaving," Gibbs tells her, and Ann looks away. "Well . . . trust me, he had one foot out the door already," she tells Gibbs wryly. "So he drove a few women home," she shrugs. "God knows, I put that man through hell – a man his age shouldn't be changing his wife's bed sheets every night. The best thing I did was go." "No – don't you say that," Gibbs protests, shaking his head. Ann tells him that it's true, and that it was hard for his dad to raise him alone. "You'll need a couple of miracles for that to come out right," she observes, as young Jethro storms out of the diner, leaving a discouraged father behind. "Just ask Michael Rose . . . "
Yesterday. Michael Rose is a divorced single dad who lives in McLean, Virginia who is a systems analyst for the government. He is facing money troubles – no money in his account, and his home is in foreclosure. His son is 17 years old, an honor student named Steven, who is applying to colleges and only has a small savings account. However, Rose deposited $20,000 two days earlier, and his co-workers haven't seen him since. He has made two cell phone calls – one to his son, and two to the Chinese embassy. Ziva is sent after the son, and Tony and McGee are sent back to the ship to search for Rose.
At the ship, Tony is reviewing McGee's recent odd behaviors: " Computer monitors. Clandestine meetings in Vance's office. You're up to something, McDevious, I can tell!" He tries to goad McGee by asking if he is finally getting that sex-change operation, and finally, McGee tells him that Vance has offered him a job promotion, as head of the Cyberdivision in Okinawa. "That's it?" asks Tony, disappointed. "Everybody knows THAT. Good for you! You gonna take that opportunity? The last cyberagent? He's at Microsoft now!" "Yeah, head of security," McGee agrees. "The guy's a rock star!" McGee asks Tony why he's being so "normal" about this. "Your sincerity is disconcerting." "You prefer that I attack you with some sort of hostile, sarcastic remark?" Tony inquires. McGee sighs. "Sorta – yeah. What do I do?" McGee asks plaintively. Tony gazes at him. "Your choice," he tells him, "but I'd trust my gut – that's what Gibbs would do," he adds encouragingly.
Ziva is outside of Rose's house, and observes Steven getting off the school bus, carrying a lacrosse stick. When she greets him on the sidewalk, he takes a sudden swing at her, attacking her. Quickly, she disarms him and efficiently disables him as she identifies herself as an NCIS agent. Steven tells her that her dad told him to be careful of the Chinese.
Outside the diner, Gibbs and Ann sit on a bench. Gibbs flips curiously through a newspaper that is blank except for a masthead. Ann tells him that it's blank because he hasn't decided how things will play out, yet. "it's all intertwined, Jethro – you'd be surprised how one decision ripples into another. It's your ship to sail son," she tells him. He glances down at the paper, which now carries a headline: "Injured NCIS Agent Kills Suspect", with a picture of Gibbs on the front page. "I didn't pull the trigger, yet," Gibbs says slowly. "Nope – sure didn't," Ann agrees. He sighs. "I wish I had known all of this before – learned from it," he says. "Doesn't work that way, son. Like it or not, you made a difference in folks' lives – you certainly did mine, albeit short." Her voice quivers as she tells him, "I never wanted to leave you – tell me you know that." Gibbs gazes at her. "Yeah – yeah, I know that." With a smile, she reaches up and pulls her to him, placing a kiss on his forehead as Gibbs closes his eyes and savors his mother's embrace.
Back inside the diner, Gibbs finds himself studying a jukebox, as Reilly asks him what kind of music he prefers. "After all this nonsense today, you're more interested in a choir of angels," Reilly tells him sarcastically. "Who are you, Reilly, The Ghost of NCIS Past?" asks Gibbs. Reilly protests that he didn't want to be there, but Gibbs invited him. "I'm here because you need me," Reilly tells him. "I need a crook and a murderer?" Gibbs asks skeptically. Reilly reminds Gibbs of Mexico and Pedro Hernandez. "You let your emotions get the better of you that day – damn foolish, if you ask me." He demands a quarter from Gibbs, inserts it in the jukebox, and starts a big band song. Reilly closes his eyes, enjoying the song. "Fond memories, Reils?" asks Gibbs dryly. "At least I'm not haunted by mine," Reilly tells him. Reilly asks him to think about what might have happened if he had never killed Pedro Hernandez. Gibbs declares that he had to, and Reilly tells him that it may have been just, but that didn't make it right. "And if it didn't happen?" ask Gibbs. Reilly tells him that if he hadn't killed Hernandez, Abby wouldn't be carrying around "the secret of a lifetime." Gibbs remembers Abby anguished plea to tell her how to handle what she knows. "Maybe this time I did more harm than good," he admits, "but if I didn't do it, where would that have put me? I need to know!" Reilly doesn't answer.
Yesterday. Gibbs is interviewing Steven. Reviewing his records, he comments, "You're an honest kid, Steven. How about your dad? Is he as honest as you are?" Gibbs asks him if he knew that his dad was selling secrets to the Chinese, but Steven doesn't believe him. "My dad's a good man, he just got involved with some bad people," he protests, explaining that his dad was feeling pressured by money problems. "He may have gotten wrapped up in something bad – but he would never hurt anybody!" he insists. He asks Gibbs to help him.
At the diner, Gibbs is intently watching Pedro Hernandez, who is calmly sipping a cup of coffee at the end of the counter. Mike tells him "it's done – let it go." "I can't – I did what I thought was right," Gibbs replies stonily. "Well, what was right – was wrong," Mike tells him, "we all make mistakes." "Where is McAllister?" Gibbs wonders, glancing around. "Was that opinionated jackass here? I figured he'd bring this up!' exclaims Mike. Gibbs asks what would have happened to him if Hernandez hadn't died. "It's not good," Mike shakes his head, but Gibbs insists. Mike tells him that if he hadn't shot him, it would have eaten him up. "A man carries around his demons long enough, they start to take over . . ."
An alternative view of the future, in Gibbs' basement. A scruffy, unkempt Gibbs finds an almost-empty bottle of whiskey. Before he can finish it off, he hears the door open upstairs, and Ducky, Abby and McGee descend to the basement. Abby and McGee are carrying casserole dishes. "What?" he asks rudely. "You're alive, Jethro," says Ducky in mock surprise. "It's been months since anyone's spoken to you." "Nothing to say," mumbles Gibbs. Abby gently places the casserole on the table, as McGee asks, "So – how are you, Boss?" "I'm not your boss, McGee – I haven't been your boss in years," Gibbs says in a surly tone, and conversation grinds to a halt. Abby glances around, and observes that the boat's still there, and asks what he has been working on. Ducky goes over to examine the boat, which is hanging in the ceiling. Gibbs tells Abby that he was working on a hope chest and a rocker. "What are you hoping for?" asks Ducky, with a double-entendre meaning. "To be left alone – guess that didn't work," says Gibbs shortly. Abby touches the rocker. "Is this for Kate's baby?" she asks, smiling. McGee tells him that he missed the shower. "And the birth," adds Abby, her smile faltering. "What did she have?" Gibbs asks. "A girl – eight pounds, six ounces. She named her Kelly." Gibbs looks down and doesn't answer. Another awkward moment passes, and then he asks, "I guess you want to stay for supper?" Abby politely says, "Oh, we don't have to, but . . . " Gibbs cuts her off. "Good. Because I don't want you here." Abby is hurt. McGee holds up his food containers. "Abby and I made you gumbo and bread pudding last night," he offers. Abby tries again, holding back tears. "It's my mother's recipe." Still no response. Taking McGee's arm, she tries one more time. "We'd love for you to come by and see our new place," she tells a silent Gibbs. Ducky adds, gently: "Jethro – you're missed. Perhaps it's time to stop thinking about yourself and started to think about the ones that love you." Impulsively, Abby crosses the room and throws her arms around Gibbs' neck. "I've missed these!" she tells him, but he doesn't hug her back. "What is this, an intervention?" he says, scowling and shrugging her off. "Gibbs – no!" Abby protests. "Get out – I don't want your pity," he tells them, turning his back on them. Sadly, Abby and McGee turn to go, but Ducky approaches Gibbs and asks him, softly, "What DO you want, Jethro?"
In the diner, Gibbs watches Pedro Hernandez leave as Mike tells him that he did what he had to. "I shot the son-of-a-bitch, Mike," Gibbs says softly, "but when I got home, my home was empty, and my girls were still gone." Shaking it off, he mutters, "Mom mentioned Michael Rose – why bring all this up now?!" he demands. "Folks do the wrong things for the right reasons," Mike tells him. "You, of all people, should understand that. Maybe you and Michael Rose aren't so different."
Yesterday: After a thorough search of the ship, the team finds Michael Rose's hiding place. Steven is with them, and begs his father to come out, and his father emerges, promising to tell them everything.
In the diner, Gibbs bends down to pick up the bullet that Mike had flicked away. As he straightens, he sees Kelly standing before him. "You look kinda lost," she tells him. "I do? Well, you look pretty smart," he tells her, hiding a smile of delight. "My mom said we should help," Kelly tells him, taking his hand and leading him to Shannon. "This little girl belong to you?" he asks Shannon. Shannon gives him a smile. "She belongs to you, too, I think!" Gibbs can't tear his eyes away from Shannon, but Kelly urges him to sit down. He settles back with his arm around Kelly, and Shannon tells him, with a smile, "We've been waiting for you!" He glances down at a picture Kelly is coloring – it's their family. "Is that for me?" he asks.
Yesterday: Gibbs shows Rose a picture of Peter Germaine, who has just died, and a picture of the dead petty officer. Rose admits that the three of them had a plan, but as the time of the plan grew closer, he began to realize that he wasn't just selling secrets, he was selling people's safety – and his honor. "You could have asked for help," Gibbs tells him. Rose tells him that he tried to call the Chinese embassy to back out, but there was no answer, and when they arrived at the ship the next day, they were already there. "That's when the shooting started," he says, closing his eyes in pain. "You killed them?" "I killed them in self-defense," Rose admits. "I killed them – and probably saved thousands of others." Gibbs says nothing, and then asks if that is his confession. Rose tells him that he was ashamed that he was losing his house and couldn't tell his son that he couldn't afford to send him to college. "We need the money, Agent Gibbs – I was trying to save my family."
Back with Kelly and Shannon, Gibbs tells Shannon ruefully, "I didn't see this coming." "I always knew it would happen – eventually," Shannon tells him confidently. He tells her that he shouldn't have let it happen, that he shouldn't have let her testify. Shannon leans toward him. "I wanted to help, Gibbs – I wanted to put that drug dealer in jail." "I should have known better," Gibbs whispers. "It wasn't about you," Shannon tells him. "It was about this family," he argues. Kelly looks up at him. "It wasn't your decision, Daddy." Gibbs is unconvinced. Shannon reminds him, "If we hadn't died – you wouldn't have joined NIS. You wouldn't have become an agent." "None of that mattered," whispers Gibbs. "No Tony. No Ziva. No team," Shannon continues. "But I'd have my girls," he tells her longingly. "I'd have had you." Shannon chokes back tears. "If you had stayed a Marine, Gibbs . . . the loss would have fallen on us, instead."
In an alternative future, Shannon is busy in the kitchen, and calls to Kelly to get ready for dinner. Kelly starts to argue, but Shannon reminds her that her father will be home in just a couple of weeks. Kelly laughs, and begins to put away her crayons, but freezes at a knock on the door. She stares at the door, and slowly stares at it. "Mommy?" she calls uncertainly. Shannon returns. "Who is it?" she asks, and freezes as she sees, through the windowed door, two men in uniform slowly saluting in the time-honored custom of delivering news of a military death . . .
In the diner, Shannon touches Gibbs hand. "Just think of all those cases . . . all those lives you've touched, Gibbs. You've sacrificed everything to help those people." Gibbs shakes his head. "But – I wanted both," he tells her. "It doesn't work like that," Shannon tells him sympathetically.
Yesterday. It's evening, and Gibbs has returned from interview Rose. He finds Steven in the conference room, and tells him he can go. Steven asks if he can help his father – he has talked to him, he knows what kind of man he is. "He killed two people," Gibbs reminds Steven implacably. "Nothing right about that." "Good people do things, sometimes," Steven says through gritted teeth. "Irrational things – things that just don't make sense. You won't help him, will you? It's your decision, Agent Gibbs," Steven says in despair.
It's early morning. Gibbs enters the diner, and the same scene plays out – the coffee, the friendly banter with the waitress. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees a young man pulling a gun out of the pocket of his hoodie. He draws his gun: "Federal agent," he says, and then realizes that the young man is a agonized Steven Rose. He hears a whisper of Mike's voices, "We all make choices . . . it's your decision – what's it going to be?" as Steven's gun fires. Gibbs winces as the gun bullet grazes his shoulder – but he doesn't fire. "Steven," Gibbs whispers. Steven lowers his gun and other customers in the diner wrestle him down, as he sobs, "I'm sorry!" Gibbs blinks as he sees Mike sitting in a booth with his back to him. "Guess you weren't done yet, Probie," Mike's voice drifts back to him. He glances at Steven crying, and back to Mike – but the booth is empty.
The next morning, McGee announces that he is passing on the Okinawa job. "McGee, why? That is a tremendous opportunity!" exclaims Ziva. McGee explains that he thinks he still has more to do here, to Tony and Ziva's delight. Gibbs walks in and announces a dead Marine in DC. "Are you sure?" asks Ziva. "You were injured – we can do this one without you." Tony encourages him to stay behind, and McGee points out that Gibbs had a really traumatic day the day before. Gibbs pauses, and tells them, "My choice – I wouldn't have it any other way." McGee, Tony and Ziva stop arguing with him and prepare to leave. As Gibbs leaves, he pauses and surveys the office, with a quiet smile.