Petrobras reports excellent productivity from Jupiter test
Oil major Petrobras has completed the drill stem test in the area of the Jupiter discovery, located in the Santos Basin pre-salt offshore Brazil.
Petrobras said last week that the Jupiter drill stem test reported excellent well productivity with high CO2 content.
The Jupiter area belongs to the BM-S-24 concession, in which Petrobras is the operator with an 80 per cent interest. It was acquired in 2001 in partnership with Petrogal Brazil which holds the remaining 20 per cent.
Petrobras added that the drill stem test assessed the pre-salt carbonate reservoirs in the well internally called Apollonia – formally designated 3-BRSA-1246-RJS – some 295 kilometres from Rio de Janeiro, in a water depth of 2,183 metres.
According to the company, the results confirm excellent productivity of the well and that it was a carrier of condensed oil of very high added value, with high flows, which reinforces the potentiality of the area.
Since the fluid had a high gas-oil ratio and high CO2 content, it requires the application of innovative technologies for its commercial production.
For this reason, the fluid samples collected in the test will be used to validate the HISEP technology, developed and patented by Petrobras.
It consists of the separation and reinjection in the reservoir rocks, utilizing equipment installed at the bottom of the sea, of the CO2 existing in the oil produced.
The company’s HISEP is in the qualification stage and a pilot in the Mero 3 project is supposed to be installed in 2024 to perform longer-term tests, enabling a new concept of production development.
“This technological innovation has the potential to enable the Jupiter production development pilot project, as well as other projects with high gas-oil and CO2 ratio fluids, opening a new exploration and production development frontier for opportunities in Petrobras’ deep and ultra-deepwater portfolio“, Petrobras stated.


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All our dresses are fully lined and structured to hold their shape and flatter your figure. Our full-skirted dresses use a hard net lining underneath a soft fabric that feels comfortable against the skin.

domain: design


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Our longest sister city relationship is with Hamm, Germany (over 40 years!). Over the years, we have taken several trips to Germany, with our friends in Hamm visiting Chattanooga in alternating years.
This year, it’s our turn to visit Hamm. SCA President Karen Claypool lived in Germany for 8 years and speaks German fluently, will lead this year’s delegation in mid-May. The trip will begin with our Sister City of Hamm, then travel down the Rhine and the Romantic Road. There are two possible itineraries:
Option 1: May 13 – 18, 2019
Monday, May 13
Flight from Atlanta via Amsterdam to Duesseldorf.
Tuesday, May 14
Travel by train from Duesseldorf to Hamm, enjoying dinner with host families.
Wednesday, May 15 – Saturday, May 18
Site-seeing in Hamm
Day trips to Muenster and Colgone. Return flight to ATL on Saturday.
Most Breakfasts and Dinners provided
Option 2: May 13 – 23, 2019
Saturday, May 18
Travel down the Rhine: towns of Koblenz, Ruedesheim, and Bacharach.
Sunday, May 19
Explore more of the Drosselgasse, then hike or take a cable car to the Niederwald Monument. Four course dinner at Bruehl’s Hotel Trapp.
Monday, May 20 and Tuesday, May 21
Travel by bus along the scenic Romantic Road to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, one of Germany’s most beloved cities. We’ll stay the next two nights within its medieval city wall at Hotel Gerberhaus.
Tuesday, May 22
Scenic bus ride through Lower Bavaria to the small town of Fuessen near the Austrian border to tour one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations: built by “Mad” King Ludwig II of Bavaria, the spectacular fairy tale Palace Neuschwanstein is a bucket list item for sure! Dinner in Munich.
Wednesday, May 23
Return via direct flight from Munich to Atlanta. Meals in flight.
Please contact Karen at firstname.lastname@example.org for more information. Prices are subject to change as airfares change, so you are encouraged to sign up soon.
Option I: *$1495 includes
Round-trip air fare Atlanta to Duesseldorf
Four nights with specially-chosen host families
All breakfasts and dinners (no alcohol)
Day trips to Muenster and Cologne
Admissions to historical and tourist sites
Karen’s services as guide and translator
Option II: *2450 includes everything from Option I plus:
Return flight Munich to Atlanta
Five nights in hotels mentioned (double occupancy)
Travel to Ruedesheim, Rothenburg,
Fuessen and Munich
Entry fees to all sites listed

domain: travel


Japanese scientists are continuing to push for a cyborg future, as researchers at Osaka University are attaching electrode sensors directly to the human brain, to study how the electrical activity can be interpreted to operate mechanical devices.
The aim of the research is to develop real-time mind-controlled robotic limbs for the disabled, according to an announcement made at an April 16 symposium in Aichi prefecture.
Although brain waves can be measured from outside the scalp, a stronger, more accurate signal can be obtained by placing sensors directly on the brain — but that requires open-skull surgery, making it more difficult to recruit volunteer test subjects.
The researchers, who have filed a license application with the Osaka University Hospital ethics board, are working to enlist willing subjects already scheduled to have brain electrodes implanted for the purpose of monitoring epilepsy or other conditions. The procedure, which does not involve puncturing the cortex, places an electrode sheet at the central sulcus, a fold across the center of the brain near the primary motor cortex (which is responsible for planning and executing movements).


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To The Editor:
While everyone is focused on the race for mayor between incumbent Bill de Blasio and challenger Republican Nicole Malliotakis, little attention has been paid to NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer’s quest for a second term. Republican comptroller candidate Michael Faulkner has raised little money to date. As a result, other than public speaking engagements, media interviews and other free press, he is unable to communicate his message and offer voters an alternative in November to the Democratic Party candidate for comptroller Scott Stringer.
The last effective GOP challenger for comptroller was businessman Richard Bernstein. He ran with former Mayor Ed Koch, who was cross-endorsed by the GOP in 1981. This also applies to former Brooklyn Democratic Assemblyman Jules Polenetsky, who ran for public advocate with former Mayor Rudy Giuliani in 1997. The last Republican Council president, Sanford Garelick, won in 1969. The last Republican comptroller was Joseph D. McGoldrick, who served from 1938 to 1945.
Money is the mother’s milk of politics. The only way underdog GOP candidate Faulkner could have had a chance at overcoming history and the six-to-one enrollment advantage of Democrats to Republicans was to have quickly raised several million dollars months ago. Without money to compete, Faulkner will become just another asterisk in municipal electoral history.
Democrats will continue to rally around Comptroller Scott Stringer in his quest for a second term.
It is a forgone conclusion that Democrats will win the municipal trifecta. The City & State headline on Nov. 7 will read, “Mayor Bill de Blasio, Comptroller Scott Stringer Comptroller and Public Advocate Letitia James all easily reelected to a second term.”
There will be an intramural contest among the five Democratic County leaders and their loyal council members to select the next council speaker to succeed lame-duck Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. Democrats will end up controlling 48 of the 51 council seats.
New Yorkers will have to continue dealing with one-party control of all three citywide offices, along with the City Council. History has shown that this is a recipe for disaster and municipal corruption. It leaves the door to City Hall wide open for waste, fraud and abuse.
Stringer was running around town campaigning since November 2009 for mayor. His dreams of becoming mayor never got off the ground. Stringer had been consistently polling at no greater than 5 percent among potential Democratic Party primary voters over the past three years, coming in last among the four leading candidates. He decided in December 2012 to run for comptroller instead and won his first term in 2013. This hardly made him a credible candidate. Stringer is just another career politician looking for his next meal ticket. Should Mayor Bill de Blasio not run for a third term, watch for Stringer to come out of the closet and run for mayor in 2021.
Larry Penner is a longtime historian of municipal government.

domain: news


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- 1 guest reviews
"Hotel is close to the central square, Coast and a 10 min walk to the bus stop to the airport. Bus cost only €2 and a taxi with hotel rates c..."
About the hotel
Situated in the town centre, this hotel offers you the opportunity to visit historical places, the shopping centre, and the beautiful and romantic paths in the exquisite narrow streets. The hotel is placed near the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace, the famous Byzantine church of St. Demetrius, the archaeological site of the Roman Forum and the antiques market.
The rooms are spread throughout 7 floors and inner rooms can be offered for you if absolute privacy is a requirement. A well-equipped business centre, as well as conference and banquet rooms are available at the hotel. Tasteful and elegant, the in-house restaurant serves a wide variety of Greek and European delicacies for breakfast, lunch and dinner, 24 hours a day.
Showing Thursday 26 November 2015 to Friday 27 November 2015Change Search
- Disabled Facilities
- In room facilities
- Air conditioning in rooms , Safety Deposit Box , Telephone In Each Room
- Hotel services
- 24 Hour Reception , Limited Hours Room Service , Concierge , Laundry/Valet Service , Wake Up Call Available
- Family friendly
- Cots available , Pets Allowed
- Car parking available onsite , Car Parking Available Offsite
- Wi-Fi Available , Meeting Facilities , In-room Broadband , Wi-Fi Available In Public Areas , Wi-Fi Available In Rooms
- Restaurant , Lounge Menu , Bar
- In room entertainment
- TV , Satellite TV , [Channels] News , [Channels] Movies (Free) , [Channels] Foreign (European)
- Doctor on call , Lift to all floors , Public Air Conditioning
- Disabled Access Public Areas , Disabled Access Bedrooms , Wheelchair Access , Wheelchair Access To Reception , Wheelchair Access To Restaurant , Wheelchair Access To Bar
Useful Info Show/hide
- From 14:00 hours
- Until 12:00 hours
- 23/02/2015 to 31/12/2015 - YOU CAN ENJOY LUNCH OR DINNER AT OUR RESTAURANT . DAILY 3COURSE MENU WITH 1 GLASS OF WINE or BEER, AT 12.90EUR. The price shown is based on the occupancy and dates you have searched for. Prices and availability are subject to change based on the arrival date, number of nights and occupancy searched for. All prices are inclusive of all local taxes.
- Pets are allowed
100% would recommend it to a friend
Excellent find and good rates
Hotel is close to the central square, Coast and a 10 min walk to the bus stop to the airport.
Bus cost only €2 and a taxi with hotel rates cost is only €15. Modern hotel and very clean.


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Vinius is situated on the cross-roads between Eastern Europe, Western Europe and Scandinavia, and is an attractive and fascinating city. It is the capital of Lithuania and boasts an extensive old town which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. While Baroque in the main, its architecture plays on contrasts between its Romanesque, Renaissance and Jugendstil influences scattered over different parts of the city. The Church of Saint Anne is a particularly fine edifice and the University, founded in the 16th century, is one of the oldest in Europe.


More than 80 per cent of Canadians say they’re comfortable talking about end-of-life care issues, according to an Environics Research survey commissioned by Saint Elizabeth, a national non-profit charitable health care provider.
The survey shows 34 per cent of respondents say they’re “very comfortable” discussing these issues, while a further 47 per cent are “somewhat comfortable”. Only three per cent say they’re not at all comfortable.
“We assume that Canadians do not want to talk about their final days, but these results challenge that conventional wisdom,” said Shirlee Sharkey, President and CEO of Saint Elizabeth. “This level of readiness will help us have these important conversations with individuals and their families.”
The survey shows only one quarter of Canadians over the age of 30 have made end-of-life care plans, and just 40% over the age of 70 have done so. Other findings include: 51% of respondents would prefer to receive end-of-life care at home, but most believe it’s offered only in nursing homes, hospitals, hospices and retirement homes. Only 11% see their own homes as an option.
70% of respondents say it is their own responsibility to make decisions related to end-of-life care, though 87% would trust family members to make decisions on their behalf.
Just 10% say it is their doctor’s decision on what care is appropriate, but 57% would ask their doctor for information and advice.
There is confusion about who pays for end-of-life care. One quarter believe it is funded by government, but 70% worry they won’t have enough money to pay for their own care.
“The study also told us that a majority of people want to die at home in a comfortable environment, surrounded by family, friends and memories,” added Sharkey. “However, there is also tremendous anxiety about how a home death might burden their families, how their medical treatment would be administered, and even who would pay for it.”
“This study shows that Canadians are ready to start the conversation,” said Sharon Baxter, Executive Director of the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association. “A minority of Canadians — only 16-30 per cent — currently have access to specialist hospice palliative care services. We need to take the time to educate people on what is included in hospice palliative care and what the palliative approach to care can do. Only then can Canadians advocate for change.”
The web-based survey was conducted by Environics Research between August 7 and 12, 2013, with a sample of 1,049 Canadians aged 30 and over, recruited from an online panel. The sample was representative of the general population based on age, gender, income and geography. As the survey was conducted online, no margin of error could be calculated.


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Jan 13, 2023
If you have never had surgery before, you may be feeling anxious or unsure about what to expect. […]
Jan 10, 2023
Undergoing surgery can be a daunting experience, and the road to recovery can seem long and difficult. However, […]
Jul 16, 2022
If you need to have surgery, you will need to think about things like: Deciding with your surgeon whether […]
Get the Latest news, tips, and resources from Crisp Regional Hospital.

domain: medical


YEREVAN, February 12. /ARKA/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced the start of economic revolution in the country as he presented the government’s five-year activity program to the parliament. “Armenian people have already defeated corruption, overindulgence and cronyism and will struggle against poverty, unemployment and idleness,” he said.
The premier said that the program based on My Step bloc’s election program contains answers to the questions about how this revolution will be implemented. In his words, the economic revolution will be carried out with using the same instruments as political revolution.
Pashinyan said that his political force, which established in 2013, needed five years to conduct the nonviolent velvet revolution in the country with using only Facebook and the financial resources received as donations.
“The revolution has become possible also thanks to the fact that our political force has no financial or political obligations toward anybody,” he said. “This is an important factor that ensures sovereignty to Armenia and Armenian people. We have obligations solely towards people. We intend to use the powers received from people to implement real economic changes in the country.”
Stressing the importance of citizens’ behavior, the premier said that it will be come possible to put the economic revolution ideas into reality only when citizens change their political and economic conduct.
”Our objective will be stimulation and creation of necessary opportunities for that,” he said.
That is why, he said, there are few figures in the program.
“Everything will depend on how many citizens will react to our call and want to become economic activists and use the provided opportunities,” Pashinyan said. “We believe there will be hundreds of thousands or millions, but we don’t want to put pressure and make forecasts.”


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Brake problems include unusual noises, pulsation or vibration in the steering wheel or pedal, a burning smell near your tires, a “lit” dashboard brake signal, or a gut feeling that something’s not right. You know your Oldsmobile Aurora best. And you don't have to wait for something to go wrong. Stay ahead of problems with a free brake check. Generally speaking, automakers like Oldsmobile suggest that at a minimum, front and rear brakes are disassembled and serviced at least once every 12,000 miles or 12 months. That includes inspecting the parking brake. Brake service and/or repair should be performed as necessary. Not sure if something’s wrong? Stop by your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care for a quick brake inspection. Most of our locations are open seven days a week and in the evening for free brake checks. Our ASE Certified technicians will gladly inspect your 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora brakes. Properly maintaining your brake system is so important.
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Noida to relocate nursing homes shut in residential areas
Noida will launch a plot scheme for nursing homes that were shut after a Supreme Court order on December 5, 2011. The scheme will benefit thousands of residents living in urban areas.Updated: Jun 01, 2012 15:33 IST
Noida will launch a plot scheme for nursing homes that were shut after a Supreme Court order on December 5, 2011. The scheme will benefit thousands of residents living in urban areas.
At present, the authority is preparing a list of plots available in both old and developing sectors. The scheme will be announced in two months. As per the plan, the authority will allot plots measuring 250 sqm, 500 sqm and 1,000 sqm to nursing home owners through draw of lots.
“We are inspecting all the sectors to identify plots. We will draft a list of the available and ready-to-be allotted plots by Friday. It will be submitted to the chief executive officer in the next week for further action,” said a senior authority official.
Plots will be allotted to nursing homes with 10-30 beds.
The authority says it has a few plots in developed posh sectors, while some will be available in developing sectors.
“A plot will be allotted to a nursing home, if it meets the mandatory conditions with regard to fire-fighting, parking facility and other building bye-laws,” said the official.
The apex court's order had affected around 100 clinics and 50 nursing homes. The Supreme Court had suggested that the authority should come up with a plot scheme for nursing homes. But despite the continued efforts of doctors, it did not assure them a plot. Nursing home owners had assumed that they would not get plots. The move is likely to amuse them.
“We tried to talk to the CEO about the issue many time. If authority comes up with this scheme, it will be beneficial not only to doctors but also to residents. Smaller nursing homes in urban areas offer treatment at cheaper rates compared to bigger hospitals. However, it will be better if the authority offers plots measuring 250-500 sqm. Bigger plots will be out of reach for affected doctors,” said Dr HC Bisaria, a doctors' representative.
First Published: Jun 01, 2012 15:30 IST


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From the Desk of Gus Mueller Ototoxicity and otoprotective agents. Related topics that probably don’t come up too often for the average audiologist, but when they do, you certainly want a good source for reliable information. We thought that we could help you out here at 20Q. Of course, our Question Man needed an expert […]
The Hearing aids Blog
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Gaiety Theatre, King St S, Dublin 2
In 1829 Rossini’s extravagant final masterpiece entered the world with 90 high notes for the tenor (54 high B flats, 15 high Bs, 19 high Cs, 2 high C sharps), plus 3 men’s and 2 ladies’ choruses. Now it’s back in Dublin for the first time since 1877.
Irish National Opera presents Rossini's WILLIAM TELL, in their first co-production with Switzerland's Nouvel Opéra Fribourg. For a limited run of 5 performances only at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin starring Brett Polegato, Jesús León, Konu Kim, Máire Flavin, Rachel Croash.
Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, November 8 - 13, 2022

domain: artistic


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So a few warnings on this one… #1 – time consuming as it took about 2 hours from start to finish, #2 – lots of dishes, #3 – burgers ended up so tall they were hard to get your mouth around. I started with Fleischmann’s Simply Homemade no-knead Bread Mix Pretzels which we have used to make pretzel bites in the past and they were pretty good. The buns were a little dry, but still tasted good and held up well with the juicy burgers. Then I prepared the onion rings from this site http://mylatinatable.com/homemade-extra-crispy-onion-rings/. The rest was just my version of a California burger (thousand island dressing, avocado, etc.). Since my husband is not a fan of avocado, we made his bacon cheeseburgers (next picture) with some leftover bacon.
Now for the process. Get ready! Start by combining the pretzel mix, pretzel salt, and yeast (all provided) in a large bowl. Melt 1 tbsp butter and grab 1 egg. Get 3/4 C very warm tap water (120-130 degrees to activate the yeast). Spray a cookie sheet with Pam (or something like it) and set aside. Add water, butter, and egg to the dry mixture and stir till combined thoroughly. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface (I used my granite counter because it is clean). Fold the dough in half and press down, then fold in half again and press down. If the dough is sticky, flour your hands to do this. Repeat the folding and pressing process till you have done it 10 times total. Separate into 6 equal sections (next time I would do 4 so the buns would be bigger). Roll each into a smooth ball and place on the greased baking sheet. Cover with a clean towel and let rise for 25 minutes. Dough will get puffy but will not double in size. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
For the onion rings, slice 1 white onion in 1/4″ slices (for 2 people, half the onion could be used for onion rings and the other half for the onion on the burger, but I didn’t think about that till after we had a ton of onion rings and it was too late). Carefully separate the slices into rings, leaving the little middle pieces out for another dish another day. In a shallow bowl, mix together 1/2 C all purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, and 1 tbsp smoked paprika. Coat each onion ring in the flour mixture and set aside. Combine 3/4 C milk with 1 egg and whisk till thoroughly combined and smooth. Add salt and pepper to your preference. Set aside. In another shallow bowl, add a good amount of bread crumbs for coating (I used about 1 1/2 C). And now we wait for the pretzels to finish rising.
While we wait, get everything ready for your burgers. Slice some cheese, lettuce, pickles, onion (if you are not using the there half of the onion ring onion), and avocado. Form your burger patties seasoned with Salt and pepper, and add a small indentation in the middle so they don’t get too thick in the middle.
By now, you should only have a couple minutes left (if any) for the dough to rise. Add 6 cups water to a deep pot and add the baking side from the pretzel kit. Bring to a boil. Once it is bubbling and foamy, it’s ready. Carefully using a slotted spoon or spatula transfer half of the buns into the boiling water. About 15 seconds later, flip them. About 15 seconds after that, return to the cookie sheet. Repeat with the other half. Slice the tops with an “x” about 1/4″ deep. Put in the oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes. They will be deeply browned when they are done. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack immediately and let cool.
While those are baking, work on the onions and have your hubby start on the burgers (or start up your grill pan and be ready to make a big mess). You will want to remove any rings or jewelry before this part. Heat canola oil in a large deep skillet. Once hot, put a few onion rings in the flour/milk mixture, then into the bread crumbs, and then into the oil. After a little bit, flip it. Once done, remove to a paper towel lined platter. Keep in mind that as you go, they will cook faster because the oil will continue getting hotter. Do them in batches and be careful not to crowd the pan. Once done, the buns should be ready. While you are working through those, the burgers can be cooked for a few minutes each side till cooked through (timing depends on how thick you made them). Add cheese to them for the last few minutes and let the cheese melt. Remove from the heat and let rest while you finish the onion rings.
If you are going to reheat bacon, out a few pieces of cold bacon on a paper towel on a microwave safe plate, then cover (with a paper towel or plastic cover), then microwave for 30 seconds.
Ready to serve it up, finally! Cut a bun in half, top with a burger, add your toppings (I did onion, lettuce, pickles, avocado, and thousand island dressing, husband did onion, pickles, bacon, mustard, and ketchup). Add some onion rings to the side and get ready to dig in! Enjoy!

domain: food


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By Jen Pastiloff.
Lie to me.
That’s what I might have well have said by saying I don’t look like I gained any weight, right? It’s going to be okay, isn’t it? You are not having sex with anyone else, right?
Tell me what I think I want to hear.
Some people like it straight. They want to be told what is. They want what is and what can be without any embellishments or I will make you feel betters. State the facts, please.
I want to be appeased. Make me believe I am safe.
Recently, I decided that the truth is a much better version of the truth than a lie.
In my late twenties I had this boyfriend, the one who wouldn’t let himself be called “boyfriend”. I loved this not-boyfriend boyfriend . I went on the birth control pill for this not-boyfriend boyfriend. We’d been together a year, albeit a year where I was unsure of my standing with him beyond the fact that I knew I loved him and that he made me feel like I was crazy. Birth control pills meant no more condoms and that made the not-boyfriend boyfriend happy.
The first thing I remember about the garbage bag incident that red wrapper invading me with its plastic face. Everywhere I looked: red. His carpet, red, the inside of my eyelids, red. The (unfortunately for him) clear plastic trash bag had fallen over. Inside, grays and whites of innocent I will not hurt you trash, and then there it was: a Lifestyles condom stuck to a chicken take-out container. Nothing but the torn red of the wrapper visible through the clear plastic trash bag.
Of course I will take out the garbage on my way out.
The significance of images, powerful enough to place two people right there inside my mind, naked on a bed. Maybe they’re in a dark room, the blue glow of the television bobbing on the wall. The woman with him (not me), imagined as perfect and leggy.
And then there he was on top of me. All I could see were red Lifestyle wrappers like sheep jumping fences. Rows of them. One condom, two condom, three…
(Wow, all that work you’re doing, for nothing! All that huffing and grunting
and straining and pushing and pulling and I am not even here with you. I am an eyeball in a trash bag searching for clues of infidelity.)
I am lying to you. I am not here. Only my body is.
But as long as you have my body here, does it matter that you don’t have my mind too?
I wondered how many women lied in this way? Making love to someone with their body
while their mind drifts I’m fat, who else is he having sex with, what can I eat for dinner? I wonder what time the movie starts, do I even love this guy? I wish he would hurry up, why would he want to have sex with anyone but me? Why don’t I satisfy him, Am I not enough? I’m not good enough for him, what’s wrong with me? I’m fat. Shit, I never called my mother back. I have to remember to pay the electric bill., Damn it, is he done yet? I am good enough for him, he’s not good enough for me….. No, not like that, like this! I can’t even say that to him because he will get offended. Maybe I should try being with a woman. No, I couldn’t do that. He is such a selfish lover. I wonder what time it is, I wonder if I could fit into those jeans? Did I shut the stove? What day is it? Do I smell bad? I wonder if he thinks I smell bad? He smells kind of musty. It’s so gross when a guy smells bad. Is he done yet? Man, what is he doing? Does he think he is King Kong? Why does he play so many video games still? What? Is he five? I’m tired, Ouch, that hurts, what is he doing? I wonder if they have a class for men to become better lovers at The Learning Annexx?
His eyes, red burning slits. All I could see was that condom wrapper. Obsessed by a red remnant that was most certainly not my remnant, I couldn’t move. I was that paralyzed with not wanting to know the truth. You love me, right? You love me, right? Right? You love me?
My mind can be made to believe anything.
I’d known this all my life but the trash bag incident finalized it for me. Everywhere I looked I waited to be convinced of I love yous and You’re safes and nothing bad will happens and I am not going anywheres.
My face in his pillow (do I smell another woman? Whose hair is that lying there?) The red wrapper actually turned into a body and that body turned into his body and his body in someone else’s body. Metamorphosis. Isn’t this, the chain of events, absolutely astounding?
How quickly the mind latches on to what it wants to believe is the truth. How little it takes to seal the deal.
You love me, right?
This logical procession of things is survival of the fittest. Except the fittest know how to survive, they know how to dispose of any evidence instead of asking me to pick it up with my own two small trembling fists. The fittest aren’t as stupid as you I thought as I waited to be convinced that the condom wasn’t his, that he didn’t know how it got there, that he swore it, that he loved me and was sorry.
I used to think reality was relative and irrelevant. Tell me what I want to hear. Tell me it wasn’t yours. Make me believe.
Mine, and perhaps yours too, is a mind that filters everything through a vicious process of hypothetical situations, of beautifully formed sentences, of what ifs. Images left in a room of the brain to ferment will create an alternate universe where no matter what time it was with my not-boyfriend the time in my head was a red red world where he was having sex with someone other than me.
You love me, right? It wasn’t yours, right?
That really was the end of the not-relationship although it probably ended before that if I don’t lie to you. Of course he convinced me that it hadn’t been his condom. That it had been old or that it was his cousin’s and I’d nodded and said okay and shook from the I’m going be sick adrenaline in my body but I’d stayed. And I stayed.
And for as much as I wanted him to lie to me to make me feel better in the moment, I’d known the truth all along.
We always know the truth.
If he hadn’t lied, if he’d just said Yes, yes it’s mine and I am sleeping with someone else. Or, aren’t you at least glad I am using protection? I would have had to leave him. The lies gave me permission to stay. They gave me permission to hate myself more. The lies got me off the hook.
I am writing this from an airplane where I get some of my best (read: distraction free) writing done. I just ran into a man on the plane, who, along with his wife, sent me to Atlanta 6 years ago to visit my nephew when he was newborn and in the NICU. There were complications and he was having his little tiny blonde head scanned. He couldn’t eat. He was floppy. I didn’t even know what a floppy baby was back then. He might not survive were words nobody wanted to speak. They’d been my regulars at the restaurant where I’d worked for years. As I walked away with tears streaming down my face to get their Arnold Palmers they’d decided they would send me to Atlanta the next day. You have to be with your family. No discussion will be had. I simply had to say yes, they’d said over turkey sandwiches. And so I did.
Six years ago I went and held my sweet floppy buddy for the first time, once he was released from the hospital in Georgia.
When I walked onto the plane this morning, the husband was on the flight, because you know, the world is really quite small like that. It’s so small that people who did for you the kindest things will pop up on airplanes Houston. He’d tried to jog my memory as if it needed jogging. As if I could ever forget them and what they did for me when I was a destitute waitress with a sick nephew. He kindly asked So, everything turned out okay then? With your nephew?
The lies. The lies when he was born and until he was two years old, when he finally got diagnosed with Prader Willi Syndrome and Autism. The subtle lies. The bold faced ones. To ourselves mainly. He is just taking his time. All babies develop differently. He’s fine.
When of course we knew. But how much safer it felt to be nestled inside a world where there is nothing wrong then thrown out into the wolves and the world of missing chromosomes. The wolves would eat us. Let’s stay safe. The baby’s fine. There is nothing wrong. He is healthy. Swimming with sharks was safer than telling the lies, but what did we know? We were scared, and I, for one, was used to lying to myself. It was not a foreign country. It was home.
I’d said to the kind husband It did turn out there was something. He has a rare genetic disorder. That is actually where I am going now. It’s hard, but he’s doing great. I will never forget what you and your wife did for me back then. I think of you all the time.
We hugged and took a photo together and I thought about how many people have done kind things for me along the way and how many untruths I have told myself about not deserving them.
Watching my friend Emily Rapp deal with the impending death of her baby boy I see how liberating the truth really is.
She could flail her arms and curse God and fate and Tay Sachs. She could tell lies about herself and her luck and what is in store for her (she might do this on occasion, she is a human being, after all) but the truth is what seems to keep her tethered. Without the truth she would float away into You’ll get over its and He’s going to be in a better place and everything happens for a reason.
The truth of what is happening now and now and now.
That is all there is.
She, nor any of us, knows what is going to happen beyond his death and that is the truest true. What keeps her writing and breathing are the sure facts of what is true now and now and now. In the moments her son has a tube in his nose for medication and some fluids. In the moments he sleeps and in the moments he is choking and in the moments she sits down to write when maybe all she wants to do is beat her fist at the sky and scream but she writes anyway.
If you face what is so, you will be the roar that wakes up the sun. You will be the day and the night and then the day again because it is the one thing no one can take away from you. The truth of what is will make you the strongest mountain lion.
The truth will set you free some say. The truth hurts.
I don’t know, I think lies will set you free too. They will unglue you so much that you will have no idea who you are anymore as you float above everyone else with your own set of facts and knowledge. The lies hurt more than the truth but in that slow and painful death kind of way.
The truth hurts too, at times. But, it’s what keeps you knowing this one very important fact: who you are. The fact of who you are in the world.
The truth was that I was a girl who didn’t love herself enough to leave someone who hurt her again and again. The lie was that it was all I deserved. The truth was that my nephew has a chromosome missing and he could possibly eat himself to death if not carefully watched and cared for. The lie was that nothing was wrong. The truth is that Emily loves her son and that yes, he will die. The lie is that anyone knows what that means for her or for him.
We think we are protecting ourselves when we lie to ourselves or when we have someone lie to us. Oh, our sweet unquiet minds, so prone to crave safety. So willing to cling to what is not real, to trade in lovers who don’t love us, missing chromosomes, death.
11 years ago my childhood friend came out to California to visit me after having hiked the Appalachian trail for 6 months by himself. I remember thinking it was the craziest thing I had ever heard, and also being slightly jealous because I knew I didn’t have the balls to do that at the time.
I might have the balls now.
I am the mountain lion.
I have finally been able to turn on the light and invite it in. The Truth, shivering and lonely. And unafraid.
My friend had told me he’d started with a huge backpack and that by the end it was almost empty. All the weight he’d shed during the hike. He said he’d gone to find himself and I remember thinking at the time that I didn’t know any guys that talked like that. Find himself? Find the truth?
I asked him how he’d managed though, at the end, with almost nothing in his pack? Didn’t he need stuff?
Nothing is lost when you dump the untruths. It’s the letting go, the starting out with so much weight and ending up with water and a sleeping bag.
The truth is your sleeping bag. It’s your water.
It’s what carries you the rest of the way from here.
It’s what says Yes, I do love you and I have been here all along. Waiting.
It’s what takes your quivering body lying there in the corner of your kitchen floor and picks it up. It’s what turns you into the strongest mountain lion.
Speak the truth.
You know what? Fuck that.

domain: literature


BMW Los Angeles Auto Show 2018. BMW has a pageant of highlights in store for the Los Angeles Auto Show 2018, with world premieres for three new production models plus a Vision Vehicle that blazes a trail in more ways than one. The international motor show in the US state of California is hosting the first public reveal of the BMW X7 and BMW 8 Series Convertible. These two models represent the logical next step in the Munich-based premium carmaker’s ongoing model offensive in the luxury segment. Another car making its global debut is the BMW M340i xDrive Sedan (fuel consumption combined: 7.5 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 172 g/km*). And the BMW stand at the Los Angeles Convention Center also provides a glimpse into the future of personal mobility. The BMW Vision iNext will be introduced to the public for the first time and give visitors to the show (which runs from 30 November – 9 December 2018) an enthralling insight into all-electric, fully connected and highly automated driving.
The BMW Vision iNext marks the dawn of a new era in driving pleasure. This is the first time the strategic innovation fields of Automated Driving, Connectivity, Electrification and Services have been fully integrated in a single vehicle, which lends them visual expression with its future-focused design (D+ACES). The areas of action the BMW Group has identified – as part of its NUMBER ONE > NEXT strategy – to ensure the company’s sustained growth also include an increased presence in the luxury segment. The current offensive in this vehicle class is clearly evidenced by the BMW X7 and BMW 8 Series Convertible, which are taking to the stage for the first time at the Los Angeles Auto Show 2018. Other new models from the brand on display in Los Angeles include the new BMW X5, new BMW 8 Series Coupe and new BMW Z4.
Setting its sights on the future of driving pleasure: the BMW Vision iNext.
The BMW Vision iNEXT showcases the possibilities offered by autonomous mobility in the not too distant future and demonstrates solutions designed first and foremost to inject fresh energy, all while taking a clearly human-centric approach. The production model based on the BMW Vision iNext will serve as the company’s new technological flagship, with the first examples rolling off the assembly line at BMW Plant Dingolfing in 2021.
Adopting the dimensions and proportions of a modern BMW Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), the BMW Vision iNEXT presents an authoritative figure. Its pioneering character shines through in its clearly sculpted forms and surfaces. The car’s front end is dominated by the large BMW kidney grille at its centre. With no combustion engine to require cooling, the grille is blanked off and serves as an “intelligence panel” housing various sensors. Slim headlights provide a mod


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It’s important to be realistic in your objectives of love getting a wife in north korea and going out with. While you might be looking for a life partner, don’t make the error of seeking to find somebody who is totally perfect. This can lead to disappointment, and will cause you to waste valuable time. Instead, aim for to start a date who has a lot of common attributes with you, and has features that harmonize with your own.
If you’re during this process of getting severe, it’s tempting to expect your date to reply to your texts and e-mail right away. However , you have to remember that that you simply still inside the learning phase of the romance, so can not expect frequent communication. Taking time off communication will give you the perfect time to think for anyone who is missing your lover, and it truly is also prevent you from jumping too quickly into factors.
Having reasonable dating expectations will help you steer clear of unfair treatment and approve when your ideals need to be sacrificed. They will also help you gauge how the person you’re dating is acting. Setting fair prospects will help you make a fulfilling and long-lasting relationship. In fact , these expectations can be used on every aspect of your daily life.
Physical contact isn’t as easy as it sounds, and you could need some time to gauge regardless of whether your date is considering you. However , in the event things are going well, it’s acceptable to make a understated advance. But since things aren’t going well, it’s ok to let them know you are not interested. Is actually not appropriate to have objectives for physical contact on the first date.
Dating outlook can lead to stress. Women who are happy with their private selves tend worry about if they’ll meet the right person or not. 2 weeks . common problem for women with unrealistic outlook. Dating with low goals will allow these to enjoy themselves the develop better connections. This will likely make them feel better and more appropriate for their spouse.
The internet dating outlooks of young adults across cultures and ages vary. Gender, sexual intercourse preferences, and culture almost all contribute to someone’s expectations for the relationship. In mainland Cina, a recent statement suggests that the younger folks are moving away from traditional specifications. However , a large number of Chinese adults still want sex at the first nights.
Although an initial date can be difficult, you need to remember that it’s not a custom to have a long-term relationship. Many successful romances are progressive and don’t involve a quick decision. Having unrealistic expectations will only lead to stress and skipped opportunities. For anyone who is not sure of whether or not a new position is going to exercise, set reasonable expectations and always be flexible.
A lady with unrealistic expectations may hardly ever get past the first time, and may neglect the perfect catch. And while this can be a problem pertaining to younger women of all ages, men knowledge it as well. So , it is critical to remember that generally there is no age limit to just how old or perhaps young a girl is in terms of dating.
Flirting can be a prevalent way to meet up with someone and develop a romance. 2 weeks . great way to discover a person and establish a connection, nonetheless there are some variances between a friendly relationship and affectionate relationships. Friendships tend to be more genuine than loving relationships and don’t carry the same weight. In case the two people find themselves attracted to each other, they might pursue the relationship.
Having unrealistic expectations of the partner can cause frustration and disrespect. A relationship is a work of love, and it will require work to formulate a strong first step toward mutual value. If you’re all set to take the time and work to improve the relationship, Tony a2z Robbins’ Maximum Relationship Program can help you generate a partnership of your dreams. Even though this approach will be needing effort, it will probably ultimately end up being worth it. This guide will reveal how to arranged reasonable prospects and build a solid foundation of trust.
It’s also important to consider social differences the moment setting the expectations pertaining to love and dating. New adults from collectivist cultures are more inclined to place useful values above romantic areas. In such cases, they might focus on the importance of finding a partner who will support them as they age that help them maintain their father and mother.

domain: sociology


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News By Tag
* Linville Ridge
* Lutgert Companies
* Premier Sotheby's
* North Carolina
* Cottages at Cranberry Cove
* More Tags...
News By Location
The Lutgert Companies selects David Hatcher for interior design of the Cottages at Cranberry Cove
August marks the anticipated completion of the first two home plans: Spruce and Evergreen, both harmonious in how their architecture seamlessly blends into the region’s topography. Priced from $850,000, the Spruce model features 2,462 heated square feet of living space, three bedrooms, three full baths and a powder room. Add a den and additional 400+ square feet to the Evergreen, which is priced from $925,000 with 2,893 heated square feet.
Hatcher, who was classically trained in architecture and product design, is taking an understated approach to the homes, which he characterizes as “noble properties” consisting of ample outdoor living spaces including multiple porches, along with linear room arrangements, for taking in the stunning mountain views.
“I’m creating these restful havens with the belief they may serve as heirloom properties for future generations,”
The Cottages at Cranberry Cove will include 20 single-family homes: three- and four-bedroom floor plans are available ranging from 2,400 to 2,800 square feet. Each home will be built at an average elevation of 4,000 feet, situated on a one-acre minimum, and offer breathtaking views of Grandfather Mountain and the Blue Ridge Mountain range.
Just a short drive from Charlotte, and a popular destination for those residing in Raleigh/Durham, Winston-Salem, Blowing Rock and Asheville, Linville Ridge provides one of the East Coast’s most prestigious private country club living experiences. At 4,945 feet above sea level, the Linville Ridge championship golf course is the highest elevation golf course east of the Mississippi River and is ranked amongst the state’s best (#22 in 2015) by Golf Digest. The exclusive club also offers Har-Tru tennis courts, a heated mountainside swimming pool, youth center and playground, day camp, full-service salon and spa, fitness center, croquet lawns, bocce ball and five exceptional dining venues with formal and casual settings.
Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, led by president and CEO Judy Green, serves as the exclusive sales and marketing representative for the development. “Linville Ridge really is a special place,” Green said. “The homes, atmosphere and views are all spectacular. The Cottages at Cranberry Cove truly represent a unique opportunity to enjoy the mountain lifestyle,” added Green.
# # #
About The Lutgert Companies
A prominent member of Southwest Florida’s business community since 1964, The Lutgert Companies has set the standard for creative, environmentally responsible development The company’s portfolio includes an array of residential and commercial properties, each bearing the original trademarks of its commitment to excellence. More than 25 of the company’s distinctive high-rise towers line the beachfront of Naples and Bonita Springs. The Lutgert Companies have also developed the exclusive Estuary golf course community at Grey Oaks and Linville Ridge, a master planned 1,800-acre mountaintop golf community in North Carolina. Additional holdings include Lutgert Insurance, Premier Commercial, Lutgert Title LLC, Lutgert Construction, and Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, one of the highest volume producing affiliates in the Sotheby’s International Realty® brand and the country’s 31st largest residential brokerage firm. For more information, please visit www.lutgert.com.
Premier Sotheby's International Realty

domain: geography


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At Tomdispath, Michael Klare writes:
” Danger Waters
The Three Top Hot Spots of Potential Conflict in the Geo-Energy Era
By Michael T. Klare
Welcome to an edgy world where a single incident at an energy “chokepoint” could set a region aflame, provoking bloody encounters, boosting oil prices, and putting the global economy at risk. With energy demand on the rise and sources of supply dwindling, we are, in fact, entering a new epoch — the Geo-Energy Era — in which disputes over vital resources will dominate world affairs. In 2012 and beyond, energy and conflict will be bound ever more tightly together, lending increasing importance to the key geographical flashpoints in our resource-constrained world.
Take the Strait of Hormuz, already making headlines and shaking energy markets as 2012 begins. Connecting the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, it lacks imposing geographical features like the Rock of Gibraltar or the Golden Gate Bridge. In an energy-conscious world, however, it may possess greater strategic significance than any passageway on the planet. Every day, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, tankers carrying some 17 million barrels of oil — representing 20% of the world’s daily supply — pass through this vital artery.
So last month, when a senior Iranian official threatened to block the strait in response to Washington’s tough new economic sanctions, oil prices instantly soared. While the U.S. military has vowed to keep the strait open, doubts about the safety of future oil shipments and worries about a potentially unending, nerve-jangling crisis involving Washington, Tehran, and Tel Aviv have energy experts predicting high oil prices for months to come, meaning further woes for a slowing global economy.
The Strait of Hormuz is, however, only one of several hot spots where energy, politics, and geography are likely to mix in dangerous ways in 2012 and beyond. Keep your eye as well on the East and South China Seas, the Caspian Sea basin, and an energy-rich Arctic that is losing its sea ice. In all of these places, countries are disputing control over the production and transportation of energy, and arguing about national boundaries and/or rights of passage.
In the years to come, the location of energy supplies and of energy supply routes — pipelines, oil ports, and tanker routes — will be pivotal landmarks on the global strategic map. Key producing areas, like the Persian Gulf, will remain critically important, but so will oil chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca (between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea) and the “sea lines of communication,” or SLOCs (as naval strategists like to call them) connecting producing areas to overseas markets. More and more, the major powers led by the United States, Russia, and China will restructure their militaries to fight in such locales.
You can already see this in the elaborate Defense Strategic Guidance document, “Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership,” unveiled at the Pentagon on January 5th by President Obama and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. While envisioning a smaller Army and Marine Corps, it calls for increased emphasis on air and naval capabilities, especially those geared to the protection or control of international energy and trade networks. Though it tepidly reaffirmed historic American ties to Europe and the Middle East, overwhelming emphasis was placed on bolstering U.S. power in “the arc extending from the Western Pacific and East Asia into the Indian Ocean and South Asia.”
In the new Geo-Energy Era, the control of energy and of its transport to market will lie at the heart of recurring global crises. This year, keep your eyes on three energy hot spots in particular: the Strait of Hormuz, the South China Sea, and the Caspian Sea basin.
The Strait of Hormuz
A narrow stretch of water separating Iran from Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the strait is the sole maritime link between the oil-rich Persian Gulf region and the rest of the world. A striking percentage of the oil produced by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE is carried by tanker through this passageway on a daily basis, making it (in the words of the Department of Energy) “the world’s most important oil chokepoint.” Some analysts believe that any sustained blockage in the strait could trigger a 50% increase in the price of oil and trigger a full-scale global recession or depression.
American leaders have long viewed the Strait as a strategic fixture in their global plans that must be defended at any cost. It was an outlook first voiced by President Jimmy Carter in January 1980, on the heels of the Soviet invasion and occupation of Afghanistan which had, he told Congress, “brought Soviet military forces to within 300 miles of the Indian Ocean and close to the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which most of the world’s oil must flow.” The American response, he insisted, must be unequivocal: any attempt by a hostile power to block the waterway would henceforth be viewed as “an assault on the vital interests of the United States of America,” and “repelled by any means necessary, including military force.”…


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Mingo, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mingo, West Virginia
|Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 412: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).|
|Elevation||2,644 ft (806 m)|
|Time zone||UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))|
|• Summer (DST)||UTC-4 (EDT)|
|Area code(s)||304 & 681|
|GNIS feature ID||1552161|
Mingo — sometimes known as Mingo Flats — is an unincorporated community in Randolph County, West Virginia, United States. It is located on U.S. Route 219, 15.5 miles (24.9 km) south-southwest of Huttonsville. It is named for the historic Iroquoian Mingo people.
Mingo, West Virginia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.


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Litter Genie Cat Litter Disposal System Keep your home fresh and happy with the Litter Genie Cat Litter Disposal System. This complete and hygienic soiled litter disposal solution is easy to use and effectively seals in odor for a more pleasant home environment. The Litter Genie Cat Litter Disposal System reduces odor, makes clean-up quick and easy, hygienically seals soiled litter clumps, and reduces trips to the garbage. With built-in protection the Litter Genie is the ultimate hassle-free solution to controlling litter odors. Compact design makes it great for small spaces and the easy carry handle makes it convenient for homes with multiple litter box locations. Includes: Litter Genie Cat Litter Disposal Pail Scoop Bonus Refill
Litter Genie Standard Refill Cartridge for Cat Litter Disposal System For use with the Litter Genie Cat Litter Disposal System. The Litter Genie Standard Refill Cartridge for Cat Litter Disposal System offers 14 ft. of bags for the Litter Genie and lasts up to two months for one cat. Easy to replace and long lasting, the Litter Genie Standard Refill Cartridge for Cat Litter Disposal System keeps your litter area clean and free of odor for a healthier, more pleasant environment.
Easy Disposal of Cat Litter The Ultimate Litter Box is an easy-to-pick litter box that prevents litter kick-out. It's a sturdy litter box featuring high sides for easy removal of cat litter. The Ultimate Litter Box Suitable for big breeds Large rim for easy handling Made with durable plastic Modern shape and designThe Ultimate Litter Box is an easy-to-use litter box that provides a cleaner way to do away with cat litter. It is designed to ease the removal of cat litter. A Closer Look: The Ultimate Litter Box is easy to use and has ramped sides for easy removal of litter. Its modern shape and attractive design suits the behavioral instincts of your pet cat. Made Specially for: Large and small breeds of catsDimensions: 25 x 18.5 x 9 inches
Littermaid carpet 27" x 33"Features include: - Sits under litter box to catch scattered litter - Made from 100-percent polypropylene fiber and latex foam- Easy to install, use, and clean- Also ideal for cat scratching- Measures 27 x 33 inches
Litter attractant for catsHave you tried everything to get your cat use the litter box and failed miserably? Try out the Precious Cat Litter Attractant and you are sure to make a real improvement in your endeavor. This attractant for cats is made from all natural materials and will do the needful in attracting your pet and making it use the litter box for good. Precious litter attractant makes use of a scent that cats are unable to resist. Train your cat to use the litter box for its own benefit with some help from the Precious Cat Litter Attractant. Precious Cat Litter AttractantScientific productNatural ingredientsNon scentedCat training materialA Closer Look: Precious cat litter attractant can achieve the impossible for your pet. Attract your pet to the litter box and make it use the box with this litter attractant. Made Specially for: Cats of all ages
Better Way Fresh Scent Cat Litter Clumping Litter with Fresh Scent - Helps Train Kittens - Reduces Litter Box Avoidance in Adult Cats - Only Litter with SANEL - A Natural Cat Attractant Derived From Tree Resins - No Sex Pheromones
Premium Choice Multi-Cat Clumping Litter The Original Clumping Litter. Premium Choice Multi-Cat litter is made from the highest-quality clay ensuring the best litter experience for both cats and the people who love them. The fresh scent and natural power of baking soda provides maximum odor control for multiple cat households. Empty the litter box in a snap with Solid Scoop superior clump. Low tracking Low dust Fresh scent with baking soda Maximum odor control For multiple cats
Catit Cat Litter Pan with Rim The Catit Cat Pan with Littershield Rim is a combination of a deep base and raised back to help retain litter inside the pan for less mess. The added rim acts as a shield to further prevent litter from spilling out of the pan and the built-in bag anchor keeps bag open and frees hand for scooping. This Catit Cat Pan is suitable for all types of litter. Features: Added rim acts as a shield to help prevent litter from spilling out of pan Suitable for all types of litter Easy clean up and less mess
Control Odor, Naturally You can get rid of smelly litter clumping and cleaning. Better Way Cedar Cat Litter helps solve problems related to litter box refusal. It can help train kittens and can even retain older cats prone to refusing usage of litter box. It offers a great way to train your feline on good littering habits. It is made of clay that is soft on your pet's paws. To use, clean and sanitize a litter box and fill with several inches of Better Way Cedar Cat Litter. Clean and re-fill every 30 days. Better Way Cedar CatContains natural odor controllerForms easy-to-remove clumpsA Closer Look: Better Way Cedar Cat Litter contains patented cat attracted called senel. This is an aromatic substance that only cats can smell and it reminds them of the outdoors. It forms clumps that are scoop-able and leaves the litter clean and fresh.
Simple Solution Cat Litter Attractant - 9oz Simple Solution Cat Litter Attractant is recommended by veterinarians and comes in a reseal able pouch. It can be added to any cat litter. The attractant aids in training and correcting inappropriate elimination. The unique herbal blend helps bring problem cats back to the litter box by evoking feline curiosity.
No Odor, No Allergies You can bid farewell to smelly litter scooping. Better Way Original Cat Litter is great to train kittens and help them adapt to litter boxes. It is hypo-allergenic and makes clumps that are easy to scoop out and flush. The clumps are solid and can be easily separated from fine clay granules. It is an easy way of training your feline the right way to litter. Better Way Original Cat Litter Has no scent Made of small clay granules Durable Built using quality material Easy to clean and use A Closer Look: Better Way Original Cat Litter is soft on your pet's paws. It contains the patented attractant −− senel. This aromatic substance is smelt only by cats and hence is useful in even re-training cats who are repellant to using litter boxes.
Convenient Pan to Retain Litter Catit Jumbo Cat Litter Pan can not only provide privacy to cats but can also make cleaning easier for you. This pan can retain litter inside so you can easily access it later. Plus the replaceable carbon filter in litter box can also reduce unwanted odors to help keep air fresh. Catit Jumbo Cat Litter Pan Can retain litter inside Easy to clean Raised back design Box has activated carbonThis litter box has a built in anchor that can help keep the bag open for easy scooping with freehand. A convenient handle can make carrying and moving convenient. A Closer Look: Catit Jumbo Cat Litter Pan is made of durable plastic and can easily fit into the litter box. Plus the extra wide entrance of litter box can provide a comfortable entrance and exit to cats. Made Specially for: Cats of all agesColor: Warm Gray (top and base), and warm gray accent color.With removable clear door and replaceable carbon filter.Dimensions (pan): 57cm L x 46cm H x 43cm W (22.4in x 18.3in x 17in).Dimensions (door opening): 26.5cm H x 24.5cm W (10.4in x 9.6in)
No more trekking to the store to get your Litter & Accessories. Everything you need is right here at Wag.com. From Clumping to Scented, our selection of over 306 products is sure to please. You can fill your cart without emptying your wallet, thanks to our awesome discounts. We hope the items above are a good find for you. If not, please use the search bar above. Get your order FAST. We ship overnight to 75 percent of the country, and in 2 days to everyone else. Plus, your shipping is free when you spend $49 or more. If something is not quite right, just give us a call. Our award-winning customer service team is standing by 24/7 to make it all better. Huge selection. Ultra fast shipping. Stellar service. All that is missing is you! Wag.com: You sit. We fetch.

domain: pet


One of Australia’s finest jazz musicians, internationally acclaimed jazz pianist Mark Fitzgibbon joins us this weekend.
Having lived in London in the 1980s performing at Ronnie Scotts and throughout Europe, Mark has accompanied many international jazz stars such as Scott Hamilton, Lee Konitz, John Stubblefield, Curtis Lundy, Claire Martin, Mark Murphy and George Coleman Jr.
Winner of the National Jazz Awards at the Wangarratta Jazz Festival, he has worked and recorded with with many of Australia’s finest jazz performers including Dale Barlow, Bernie McGann, Vince Jones, Christine McNulty, Jamie Oehlers, Scott Tinkler, Ian Chaplin and Wilbur Wilde, as well as his own trios and quartets.
The quintessential bebop jazz pianist, his swinging touch and virtuosity is the reason why he’s one of the most in demand players in Australia.
“Mark Fitzgibbon is one of the most underrated talents in the country. Always musically tasteful, a consistently sympathetic accompanist, a repository of a vast repertoire and an impeccable touch, he can produce blistering solos and lift the music to another level.” – Adrian Jackson the AGE


Air conditioners can be centralized with ductwork to carry the cooled air to various rooms or individual units that cool specific areas.
Air Conditioner and Your Health
The quality of air is important for your health. Make sure you live and work in safe environment. The humidity and high temperature, the lack of fresh air and oxygen, toxic microorganisms, Carbon Dioxide and various infections cause serious heath problems. The defective heating and air conditioning provoke lungs and respiratory tract problems like runny, blocked nose, coughing, sore throat, sneezing as well as the allergic reactions like itchy nose, watering eyes, shortness of breath, wheezing and coughs. In worse cases it can develop into sinusitis, asthma and humidifier fever.
If somebody in your office has flu and the air conditioner is not repaired, the virus spreads very fast. More dangerous diseases like influenza, bronchitis and Legionnaire’s disease can be the starting place of troubleshooting air conditioner. Legionnaires Disease is spread by legionella bacteria and can be fatal. The legionella bacteria can infect the air-conditioning units and people who are working or living in those buildings.
Air Quality = Filter Quality
In order to provide clean, bacteria free air, the inspection of air intakes and exhaust outlets along with examination of ductwork should be held at least annually. The check up of humidifiers and evaporative coolers is done at least monthly. The inspection and testing of the air conditioning cooling tower is done at least monthly, and the cleaning of cooling tower – every three to six months. The cleaning and replacement of air conditioning filters take place in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications.
More info: https://www.appliancerepaircorona.com


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These days, the CROs and the study sponsors are trying hard to diminish the guesswork during the assessment of the subject recruitment rates at the study feasibility stage. They implement a plethora of strategies, virtual models, painstakingly going through the epidemiology data and even coming up with patient recruitment laws (e.g. Lasagna’s Law: “The incidence of patient availability sharply decreases when a clinical trial begins and returns to its original level as soon as the trial is completed”). Nevertheless, direct input from the potential investigators still plays a significant role in assessing patient recruitment rates in clinical studies. Unfortunately, in many instances, the input from the clinical sites proves to be overly optimistic midway through the study and many sponsors and CROs find themselves struggling for the subjects they need, wishing they would have taken investigators’ forecasts with a grain of salt when deciding how many sites they would need to run a successful study.
There are several reasons as to why the potential investigators may overestimate their recruitment potential during the study feasibility stage and at a qualification visit.


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Nutrition Tracker and the "A-Ha" Moment
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Sometime between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. Saturday I had an “a-ha” moment. It was one of those nights when I just couldn’t stay asleep. I’ll blame it on Jillian—9 p.m. and she was pushing me through her DVD after having swum for 45 minutes. Did you ever get too tired to sleep?
Back to the a-ha moment. My SOP is to log what I eat in the Nutrition Tracker after each meal or snack. So, the a-ha moment? Realizing that I’d be more successful staying in my calorie range if I planned meals in advance and recorded them in the tracker BEFORE I ate. I know, I know—it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this one out.
So yesterday I began testing out that a-ha moment. Before breakfast, I planned all the meals and snacks for the day and recorded them. I’m pretty confident that if I have it on paper, I’ll follow the plan. I’m a list-maker and when I make a list, I stay on track. I left a few calories un-accounted for in case something unexpected came up. And, bingo, I was right on track all day. I’ve started planning today’s and tomorrow’s meals, too.
Here’s what Saturday looked like:
Cottage cheese pancakes, yogurt with bananas and granola, orange juice, and coffee.
Open face toasted cheese with avocado and salsa on a hot dog roll. I was trying to use up leftovers. Forgot to place the broccoli on the plate before I ate the sandwich.
Broccoli Slaw Salad with Five-Spice Tofu--trying a new recipe from Vegetarian Times. The recipe "as is" was a bit bland for my taste, so I added some additional sriracha and salt. With those tweaks, it was delicious.
Yogurt Banana Smoothie with Cinnamon Sprinkle--yummy


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Both banks and fintech startups have one common goal which is to provide a more seamless customer experience for their users. The fintechs, however, are the trailblazers in this regard. Traditional banks are now harnessing cognitive technology within artificial intelligence to deepen the utility and advantage of digitization as well as to help them meet the competition posed by Fintech players.
With conventional banking targeting end-users, AI is estimated to boost revenue and bank productivity by up to 50%.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is disrupting industries across every sector and has become an integral part of the world we live in. AI refers to the ability of a computer or machine to mimic the competencies of the human mind, which often learns from previous experiences to understand and respond to language, decisions, and problems. These AI capabilities such as computer vision and conversational interfaces, have become adopted in various sectors of industry. Research projects that the global AI market will reach a size of over half a trillion U.S. dollars by 2024.
There are certain challenges facing the adoption of AI, like limited knowledge. Within the banking system, there are many places where artificial intelligence can be used to perform better than the traditional systems, however, there is a huge challenge of knowledge concerning artificial intelligence as not all banks are aware of most Al products and their service providers like Amazon and Google cloud.
Al systems functionality relies heavily on data that are fed as input to get output. Hence, the systems require heavy training and data sets and sometimes, these data can be false resulting in some level of bias.
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Also, Machine learning demands a high and ever-increasing power to perform efficiently and most of them require supercomputing power which is very expensive to achieve and maintain. Banks, being profit-oriented institutions, may not see these applications as being cost-effective.
Benefits of the use of AI in banking
These challenges might seem daunting but there are many opportunities that AI offers in the banking sector including:
• Anti-money laundering feature that helps in detecting fraudulent activities, irregular payment as well as improving the standard process for combating money laundering and helping customers know their regulatory checks.
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• Customer support at the front office through technological bots that have assistance capability.
• Helps banks make better customer credit and loan credit decisions.
• Provides better regulatory compliance tool that mediates the huge risk of financial transactions, the flow of income, tracking of transactions, identifying of suspicious activities as well as assessing data for various compliance issues.
• Fosters effective decision making.
• Strengthens competitive advantage by offering a well-enhanced customer experience and a better understanding of customer patterns and their behaviours.
Risks associated with the use of AI in banking
Despite the benefits of adopting artificial intelligence, there are still certain risks associated with the use of AI in the banking sector.
The major concern is the impact AI will have on the labour market as people fear that bots will replace certain jobs and thousands of educated professionals will lose their jobs to machines.
Other risks associated with AI include:
• Biased algorithm.
• Misalignment between banks goals and machines.
• Privacy, less personal security, and the rise of deep fakes.
• Social inequality.
Why this matters
The quality of AI technology in banking has improved considerably in a few areas over the past few years. Banks have undergone a wave of digitization to keep up with changing technology by introducing internet banking. As most services are now available through the mobile app, customers do not have to walk into the banks all the time for every transaction and this has provided a more seamless customer experience which would undoubtedly be deepened by an even greater deployment of AI technology to the sector.

domain: finance


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American crypto exchange Kraken said trading operations with Bitcoin SV (BCH SV), which emerged after the recent Bitcoin Cash hard fork, can be associated with some risks.
As noted in Kraken’s blog, the new token doesn't meet the exchange’s usual requirements for the listing of digital assets.
Warning "red flags" from the exchange are caused by the fact that wallets for BCH SV have no way of preventing simultaneous transactions (replay) in both versions of BCH yet. The exchange says there is currently not enough wallet support, which is why miners presumably work at a loss.
Kraken was also embarrassed that BCH SV reps are allegedly "openly hostile" to other blockchains and "threatening" rival faction members. The exchange believes that large holders of the newborn token will get rid of it at the first opportunity. All in all, it allows considering the investment in BCH SV "extremely risky".
However, Kraken began trading a new version of Bitcoin Cash. The BCH SV token has a price of about $88, while the Bitcoin Cash ABC (BCH ABC) is valued at $233, according to CoinMarketCap.
Before the beginning of the split, Kraken announced its support only for BCH ABC, but following nChain's publication of a fork protocol and roadmap, the exchange agreed to list BCH SV. At the same time, Kraken stated it couldn't guarantee stable storage of this token.
BCH’s hardfork took place on November 15. The two different versions of the code got support from miners, resulting in new tokens being born: Bitcoin ABC (BCH ABC) and Bitcoin Cash SV (BCH SV).
Kraken is a US-based international cryptocurrency exchange, the largest in the world in volume of traded euros. Its rate and currency volume can be found in the Bloomberg terminal.


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Depth carries Waukee High School girls to first state swimming title
Waukee left no doubt at the Iowa Girls' High School State Swimming and Diving Meet Friday and Saturday at the Marshalltown YMCA/YWCA.
The Warriors scored 357 points to win their first state championship, finishing nearly 100 points higher than defending champion Ames.
"We had this goal at the beginning of the year, but to see it come to fruition is just unbelievable," Waukee head coach Shelley Twigg said. "This has been a dream come true."
Twigg was named coach of the year at the meet. A big reason for that was her ability to develop so many talented swimmers.
Waukee only needed to win three events to take the title. The Warriors also picked up four silver and five bronze medals.
"We have a ton of depth," Twigg said. "Everybody did their parts today, which made this happen."
Jessi Wigham was the standout swimmer for Waukee.
The talented junior anchored the Warriors to a win in the 400-yard freestyle relay even though they were in the third of four heats. Waukee swam a time of 3:29.09 to edge Iowa City West's 3:28.28.
Wigham also won individual titles in the 200 and 500 freestyles.
She completed the 200 in 1:50.12 to just beat out teammate Nora Kemp, who finished in 1:50.78. Wigham cruised to victory in the 500, completing the race in 4:56.64 to top Johnston's Faith Frantum by three seconds for the win.
Wigham was happy with her performance. She said she was even more pleased with how well everyone else did to bring home that first state team championship.
"Sure, I did well, but winning this championship isn't just about me," Wigham said. "It's amazing. Thinking back to all the people who tried to do it and didn't, it's just amazing to see the growth we had."
More high school sports:Iowa high school football playoff scores and schedule for the semifinals in the UNI-Dome
Ames scored 260 points. The Little Cyclones have finished no lower than second at state since winning their first of nine championships in 2010.
Little Cyclone head coach Joe Fisher was quick to credit Waukee for its impressive performance.
"Coming into this meet we had no doubt Waukee was going to be running away with this and they did," Fisher said. "They swam lights out from start to finish."
But on a day where legendary head coach Dan Flannery was inducted into the hall of fame, Ames still had plenty to celebrate.
The Little Cyclones won four events and they all involved senior Meghan Donald, who was named athlete of the year at the conclusion of the meet.
"Meghan is a gem," Fisher said. "I'd put Meghan up against anyone at the tail end of a relay. That was just exciting to watch."
More high school sports:Check out the Iowa high school athletes of the week for Nov. 1-7
Donald anchored Ames to dramatic victories in both the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays.
Donald's hand touched the wall at 1:44.14 in the medley to beat Waukee's 1:44.17. Jordon Kloth, Andra Robertson and Mikayla Kloth swam the first three legs for Ames.
In the 200 freestyle relay the Ames team of Sophie McCorkle, Saylor Horras, Mikayla Kloth and Donald finished in 1:35 flat to again nose out Waukee (1:35.37).
Donald also repeated as an individual state champion in the 100 and 50 freestyle races.
Donald won a thrilling battle with Cedar Falls' Grace Frericks in the 100 free. She swam a 50.49 to Frericks' 50.65.
In the 50 free Donald and Mikayla Kloth went 1-2 with respective times of 23.17 and 23.79.
"I swam for my team," Donald said. "That's always how I've been. I wouldn't swim as fast any other way. Amazing way to finish off the season."
Iowa City West edged Dowling Catholic for third out of the 32 competing teams with 216 points to the Maroons' 215.
Waterloo East's Avery Hogan won the diving competition on Friday. Hogan scored a 470.1 to just beat out Grinnell's Trista Thompson (469.45) for the victory.


Cozmo writes: This week at Bungie, we warm up.
Spring is here and competition is in the air. The second annual Guardian Games are kicking off on April 20. The theme of the event returns, pitting the classes against each other in a friendly competition to showcase their skills in combat. Last year, Titans dominated the field for nearly the entire event. Can Warlocks or Hunters bounce back and dethrone those gargantuan punching machines? Time will tell.
Source: N4G PC This Week At Bungie 4/15/2021


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The name of our project, MásRiego, literally means “more irrigation” in Spanish, but this project boasts more than simply installations of drip irrigation systems. Our project develops and implements a holistic, business-driven solution to result in wider availability of drip irrigation, conservation agriculture, improved water management, and vegetables. These activities are carried out while addressing social inclusion, technical capacity, nutrition, and asset building for all community members, especially women and youth.
Our goal is to convert 100 hectares of land in Guatemala’s western highlands to more efficient means of irrigating and growing vegetable crops, with improved management practices. In addition, we will train thousands of technicians, youth, and farmers on how to use conservation agriculture principles and other agricultural practices that stress climate resilience in the face of changing rainfall and weather patterns. We have identified more than 1,000 potential beneficiaries who are eager to adopt drip irrigation in the 12 municipalities where we are working.
Editor’s note: Archie Jarman joined the Horticulture Innovation Lab team as its new program officer, just in time to participate in the program’s annual meeting in March. He brings a wealth of international experience to this position, which includes coordinating the Horticulture Innovation Lab’s Regional Centers around the globe. Here is a brief interview to introduce you to Archie and his background. We hope you have a chance to meet him soon!
Question: Tell us about your background. How did you come to work for the Horticulture Innovation Lab?
Archie Jarman: By winding road. I worked for the fire service, which is a great career, and made some lifelong friends, but I had the international travel itch. So I studied International Social Welfare at Columbia University and also interned at the Millennium Villages Project with a focus on whether safety net programs improve childhood nutrition domestically and abroad. After graduating, I then worked at Arcadia Biosciences, Inc., as coordinator and then as project manager with excellent teams for their USAID-funded projects. The projects are aimed at improving the abiotic stress tolerance of rice and wheat in Africa and Southeast Asia and incorporated capacity building. The position at the Horticulture Innovation Lab seemed ideal in that I have strengths that could be beneficial for the program, but it also provided a lot of challenges for me to improve my weaknesses and learn. I am thankful it worked out! Very happy to join the team.
Can you tell us more about the projects and crops you were working with at Arcadia Biosciences?
Elizabeth Mitcham, director of the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture and a UC Cooperative Extension specialist in postharvest biology for the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences, represented the DryCard during the competition.
How do you see dryness? Solar drying is a simple way for smallholder farmers to preserve their harvest, but knowing when food is dry enough to store is complex. UC Davis researchers invented a low-cost, easy-to-use tool that farmers can use to measure food dryness, called the DryCardTM.
In developing countries, mold growth on dried foods is a pervasive problem, which can mean postharvest losses for farmers and unsafe foods for consumers. When mold grows it reduces the market value of dried foods, meaning less income for farmers. But moldy foods can also contain toxins that suppress the immune system, increase disease rates, and cause lifelong stunting in children.
Trip to market inspires a solution
Improving the postharvest drying process for smallholder farmers is something UC Davis scientists Michael Reid and James Thompson think about often. As UC Cooperative Extension specialists, Reid and Thompson have a history of working together in California and around the world on postharvest technologies, including a design for a more efficient solar dryer.
Last summer Reid led a Horticulture Innovation Lab workshop in Tanzania to provide training in postharvest handling of fruit and vegetable crops. The class visited the local market and tested the moisture content of some of the dried foods for sale. They found huge variation between the moisture contents of dried foods — over half were insufficiently dried and susceptible to mold.

domain: agronomy


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Provocative Fiery Wife: My Superior Is A Affectionate Spitfire Chapter 1383 | song-xixi
"Thats why stop wasting your effort! I wont let you rescue that boy"
Ji Chis face turned ashen when he heard Qiao Jingyuns words; he reckoned at first that she had discovered him, but their following conversation made him realize that she did not at all, and the only reason she was saying all this was
"Why dont you just remain as your familys big missy and not let yourself get involved in this messy situation?"
The woman walked to Qu Jingwans side and pinched her chin as she added coldly, "Given the way the boys parents treated you, shouldnt you have pretended that you didnt see me taking away him? Why did you have to follow me secretly? If I hadnt discovered you earlier, my plans mightve been ruined by you!"
Perhaps, she was too curious, for she reached out to remove the cloth in the others mouth.
The latter began coughing the moment the cloth was removed.
Cough, cough, cough!
The young missy coughed for a really long time before recovering.
She then looked at her coldly.
"Do you think everyone is like you?! I really treat him as my child even when you were still pretending to care for him! Youre really a cold-blooded woman!"
She laughed at her words, looking at this rich missy mockingly.
"Aiya! Thats so touching! Its my first time seeing a person who repays ingratitude with kindness! Tsk, tsk, tsk! Despite treating that guy so nicely, I havent seen him take a liking on you after all these years."
She began laughing again. "On the other hand, that little fellow is very guarded against you!"
"Thats because hes still young. In any case, I dont blame him. Qiao Jingyun, Im telling you to stop while you still can. Even if you hate Pei Ge, the child is innocent"
Their conversation was heard by the boy, who was still hiding in the cabinet, and all of a sudden, a complicated feeling rose in his heart.
All along, he thought Qu Jingwan was his enemy, and that she had an ulterior motive for being nice to him.
However, the womans words today made him feel that he had gone overboard in the past.
After squabbling for a while with the rich missy, Qiao Jingyun seemed to have gotten bored of it.
Therefore, she turned to leave.
Hearing the sound of footsteps moving away, Ji Chi crept out of the cabinet.
"Wu wu wu!"
Qu Jingwan struggled when she saw the boy get out of the cabinet.
Seeing that her mouth was sealed again, he quickly walked over despite feeling uncomfortable himself.
Just as he removed the cloth in her mouth, those devilish footsteps sounded again before she could speak.
A pair of hands strangled the boy before he could hide in the closet again.
"Aiya! Ive finally caught you!"