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Whereas English disciples of sunshine will rush to the countryside for a picnic at the merest rumour of a sunbeam, Andalusian pilgrims don’t like to picnic on damp grass. Heaven forbid they turn out for a pilgrimage should there be even the vaguest hint of a shower. That’s why the annual pilgrimage in honour of Saint Sebastian doesn’t always fall on the Sunday advertised.
If there’s a saint of drunkenness it must surely be Saint Sebastian. Regarded as the patron saint not “of” but against bubonic plague, you’d think he might’ve fallen out of fashion, due to the distinct lack of need for his services nowadays. However, despite suffering the misfortune of being executed in a hail of arrows, round these parts he’s best-known for the yearly drinkathon that bears his name.
At the edge of the pueblo of Conil a collection of covered carts and waggons, drawn by mules, horses and tractors, gathers. Decked with paper flowers worked into images of guitars, fruit or whatever takes fancy, they will form the body of a procession that will soon snake its way to neighbouring El Colorado. More traditional waggons sport palm leaves. Disco and flamenco music blares from vintage speakers. Each vehicle has its particular band of followers.
Squirting local white wine fino from goatskin pouches, and swigging from bottles the pilgrims set out towards the centre of the pueblo to join the cart, drawn by a mule or a pair of oxen, which bears the plaster effigy of Saint Sebastian. It will lead the pilgrimage. Apart from its day in the sunshine, the effigy resides in the church of Santa Catalina most of the year. Swigging and squirting, singing and dancing, the procession winds its way slowly through along the old road leading to El Colorado in the manner an aged snail, trailing empty bottles, cans and other detritus in its wake, as opposed to slime. Wealthier pilgrims ride horses with bottles poking from of saddlebags.
As the train of waggons and carts progresses, small children, too tired to walk, and teenagers, too drunk or lazy, hitch rides. It takes almost three hours for the first pilgrims to reach the forest lining the approach to El Colorado. Two sheets to the wind, and many showing signs of a totter, they’re greeted by the delicious scent of burning pine. Having driven out earlier, mums, dads, uncles, aunts, grannies and grandads have set up picnic tables and chairs. Barbecues sizzle tuna, prawns, lamb, pork, rabbit; deep pans bubble with bean stews. Bowls of salad and hunks of bread stand by. And fino, always more fino. Now joined by bottles of beer, red wine and spirits.
Families with up to ten children or more aren’t uncommon in this part of the world. Most congregate in and around the the forest for the romería. Witnesses to the debauchery staggering before them, they egg the participants on, as if taking part amounted to a rite of passage into adulthood. Most will recall their first romería. Past neighbours, new friends, and complete strangers, are invited to join the picnics in, as they meander by, powered by the ocean of alcohol consumed. Glasses of fino, barbecued ribs, chicken stew, it’s hard to refuse the hospitality, and almost impossible to stay sober.
Asking about the origins of the romeria produces a variety of compelling answers. Some say that it has its roots in the old gypsy traditions, others that it began comparatively recently – only 15 or 20 years ago. A tipsy, old pilgrim once told me Saint Sebastian was gay. Didn’t quite see the relevance. The only openly camp things I’ve seen over the years are the open campfires. Everyone is there for a reason. Most are there to get sozzled.
The first waggons reach their destination at around three in the afternoon, having taken five hours to complete the journey. The stragglers are still coming in two or three hours later. For those pilgrims who didn’t get quite enough to eat and drink on the way, bars serving yet more alcohol and food have been erected in El Colorado.
Their pilgrimming days largely over, many of the pueblo’s fishermen have taken the easy way to El Colorado, by car or van. Never missing an excuse to party they prop up bars, knocking back glass after glass of fino, as though fearful it might run out. No way. If you’re lucky, or unlucky, depending on your point of view, you might catch a sozzled old bard singing flamenco to his fellows. The poor sod can hardly be heard for all the deafening loudspeakers blasting hip-hop and rap.
Few pilgrims bother to see who wins the prize for best decorated waggon. Both filled with alcohol and drained of sense, they wouldn’t remember, anyhow. That’s not the point for the pilgrims. For those still able, there’s lots more serious eating and drinking to be done.
For those sated by food and drink, there are novelty straw hats hanging from stalls piled with cheap jewellery, sweets, candies, toys and knick-knacks to buy. Gypsies stalk the site with bunches of balloons. All the fun of the fairground, without the cost of the rides. There are no rides. In the unlikely event of drunken pilgrims breaking out into pillage, knots of guardia civil stand idly by. Meanwhile, those that have completed the challenge stagger round congratulating each other for hours. Many more congratulations will pass before boarding the bus back to Conil. So good you do them twice. Or three times, in some cases.
Though on the wane, family traditions are still strong in Andalucia, where parties and fiestas form a large part of life. The generations gather together many times during the year, the romería being just one. And as with most Conil traditions, celebrations go on till midnight and beyond.
But there’s always a price to pay for a real good pilgrimage. Come Monday morning, classrooms and workplaces are noticeably thinner, as devout pilgrims nurse blistered feet, bruised ribs, scratched arms and sore heads.
Now that’s what I call a real pilgrimage.
Copyright © 2011 Bryan Hemming
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I thought ‘eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die’ was Ephesians rather than Sebastian!
p.s.So many posts worth reading and so little time – could you do a resurrection of your faves every now and then so I can catch up?
Thanks, Laura. Funny you should say that, I was thinking of doing a bit more resurrecting only last week. I began last year with a third blog.
Missives from Santa Catalina, is a series of short stories written in Spain and very loosely based on the area I live. Some of them appeared here for a while until I decided it made more sense to put them together as a collection, as I think are worth a publisher’s interest. I publish about one a week now, or as fast as I can re-edit them, considering I am doing three blogs at the moment.
Here’s am example: Missives from Santa Catalina
just reading and enjoying ‘the museum’ yesterday – the characters are three-dimensional in a must-be Spanish way as I don’t meet them here..unfortunately. Cunning & widsom rolled into one. Think I’ll print them out for bedtime reading . p.s. do love the illustrations too Angelica’s?
I only just realised, after posting my reply, that you already have read some, if not all, of the stories. Still, a bit of extra publicity won’t hurt. Most of the main characters ar based on real people, but sprinkled heavily with a lot of poetic licence.
Angelica has done most of the illustrations, while I am responsible for a couple. She’s working like crazy at the moment, as she enjoys being part of my work, as much as I enjoy being part of hers.
Bearing in mind resurrections a little more, Laura, I’ve just changed the design of my blog. Although I prefer my former design, the new design makes if far easier to go through all my posts. But there are a few I will re-publish, as I have more readers, and some don’t have the time to look through what I see is a very long list of posts and pages. The new design makes gives a little taste of what to expect. Thanks for the tip, it made me think. But it will take a little time for me to get used to and catch up.


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Valeriy Yaremchenko has been named as the new coach of Ukrainian side FC Metalurh Zaporizhya.
The coach has joined the Ukrainian Premier League side just days after leaving Russian side SC Rotor Volgograd. Yaremchenko has signed a three-year deal with his new side who finished in eleventh place in their league last season.
Yaremchenko made his name as a player at FC Shakhtar Donetsk, making 267 Soviet league appearances and scoring 24 goals for the club. He was a league runner-up with Shakhtar in 1975 and was in the team that finished third in the Soviet top flight in 1978.
As a coach, he took charge of Shakhtar, FC Kolos Kirovohrad, FC Kremen Kremenchug as well as the Syrian and Ukrainian national sides. His greatest coaching successes came in Ukraine as he led Shakhtar to a second-placed finish in 1994 and helped them win the Ukrainian Cup in 1997.
©UEFA.com 1998-2017. All rights reserved.

domain: news


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Mike Person was released by the 49ers on Aug. 31, 2012.
And the 49ers went on to play in the Super Bowl that season.
“That one was tough,” Person recalled Friday.
Person was released by the Seahawks on Sept. 14, 2013.
And the Seahawks went on to win the Super Bowl that season.
“That one kind of hurt, too,” Person said.
Person was released by the Falcons on Oct. 25, 2016.
And the Falcons went on to play in the Super Bowl that season.
“That one that kind of hurt the most,” Person said.
Now, Person, 31, a nine-year journeyman who has endured plenty of unkind cuts, is finally going where three of his former teams went without him.
“Yeah,” the 49ers’ starting right guard said, smiling, “this feels pretty good.”
Person’s road to Super Bowl LIV against the Chiefs on Feb. 2 has been a bumpy journey that’s included six teams (including two separate stints with the 49ers and Colts) and three Super Bowl Sundays when he watched the big game with mixed feelings as his ex-team played without him.
“With Atlanta, I had a lot of really good buddies,” Person said of watching the Falcons’ loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl LI. “And I was cheering for them, obviously. But it was just kind of bittersweet. On one hand, you want to see your buddies be really successful. On the other hand, it’s ‘I could be part of that.’ And you feel like you should be a part of that.”
Person began having serious Super Bowl thoughts this season when the 49ers started 8-0. Fittingly, though, in a career in which few things have come easily, it appeared in late December that Person, who had made 30 straight starts, would be a backup if San Francisco reached the big game.
Person dealt with a neck and shoulder injury this season that increasingly affected his performance until he was replaced by Daniel Brunskill for the final two regular-season games.
The plan was to hope rest provided some relief and allowed Person to play in the first postseason games of his career. But there was no guarantee his injury, which won’t fully heal until the offseason, would allow him to return to the starting lineup.
“It was tough,” Person said. “You start having some thoughts you’d rather not be having. It was definitely a stressful time. But talking with (head coach) Kyle (Shanahan), he’s going to tell you exactly what he expects of you and exactly what the plan is … And it was just, ‘We need to get your neck right.’ Just plain and simple. Because we all kind of knew we had the opportunity to do something special.”
Person, who has played through a host of injuries the past two seasons, has done it again in the playoffs. And he’s done it well: Person has been part of an offensive line that’s led the way as the 49ers have averaged 235.5 rushing yards, 5.3 yards per carry and had six rushing touchdowns in 17-point wins against the Vikings and Packers, respectively.
“I’m very thankful that Mike get his shot,” right tackle Mike McGlinchey said. “The guys on this team that have been here and put that time in and dedicated their whole lives and careers to something like this, especially the grind Mike Person has gone though ... It makes it that much more special.”
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It’s even more special for Person because he’s heading to the Super Bowl with the team that drafted him in the seventh round in 2011 out of Montana State. He wanted to eventually return to the 49ers because he felt the organization took care of its players, but that doesn’t mean his first stint with the team was always enjoyable.
After he was inactive for each game during his rookie season, he endured a rugged training camp under head coach Jim Harbaugh in 2012.
Harbaugh routinely had the young players stay on the field for at least 30 minutes after each practice ended and they’d continue to bang on each other to, in Harbaugh’s vernacular, “build a callus.”
“That training camp really made me question football,” Person said. “Because it’s a grinder. It was one of those famous Harbaugh training camps …
“My only experience with the NFL was his way of operating. I was like, ‘If every team does it like this, man, I give a lot of kudos to everyone else. If (left tackle) Joe (Staley) has already done this for five years? Man.”
Of course, Person was just beginning to experience the NFL grinder.
The constant anxiety he felt as a player on the roster fringes prompted him to start seeing a sports psychologist before his fourth season. And, of course, there were those three pink slips from teams that went on to Super Bowls.
Person actually turned down a contract offer from the Saints in April 2018 because he decided he’d retired. But Shanahan, his offensive coordinator when he spent part of two seasons with the Falcons, lured him back to the 49ers about three weeks later.
He’s since enjoyed a late-career blossoming that’s included a three-year, $9 million contract extension and, now, a long-awaited trip to the NFL’s biggest game.
Would he change anything about his journey? The husband and father of three young children smiled.
“Obviously, I would have liked to avoid adding so much stress to my wife’s life by bouncing around to so many teams,” Person said. “… But this is sweet.”
Eric Branch covers the 49ers for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: firstname.lastname@example.org Twitter: @Eric_Branch


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Man is a tool-using animal, Thomas Carlyle† (1795 – 1881)
The Scottish philosopher wasn’t talking about beekeepers, but he might as well have been. The quotation goes on something like “Without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all”. Which pretty neatly sums up the beekeeper who has lost his hive tool in the long grass.
Conducting a full inspection without a hive tool is a a thankless task. You can’t crack the crownboard off (unless it’s a sheet of heavy-duty plastic), propolis acquires the adhesive properties of SuperGlue and your fingers become clumsy, fat, bee-squashing sausages as you try and prise the frames apart.
A personal choice
There’s a huge choice of hive tools available. At the recent Welsh BKA Convention I saw about a dozen different designs on the Abelo stand alone, several not in their catalogue or on the website. Thorne’s list about 17 different hive tools. We’re spoilt for choice. Over the last few years I’ve bought, borrowed or otherwise acquired about eight different styles … some of those that haven’t been lost, given away or discarded in disgust are pictured here.
From left to right …
- Thorne’s traditional hive tool. Perfectly adequate. Nicely weighted and pretty good quality stainless steel.
- Cheap knock-off variant of Thorne’s Claw Hive Tool. £2 each from a long-forgotten stand at a beekeeping convention. Light and relatively short (8″). My favourite by a long way. I bought half a dozen of them and wish I’d bought more.
- An American hive tool originally sold by Modern Beekeeping but now available from Thorne’s who call it their Frontier Hive Tool. Great quality, excellent scraper blade but too heavy and long for me.
- El cheapo hive tool bought from eBay. Strong, long, heavy and coarse. Horrible in my view. This one lurks in the bottom of my bee bag and is only brought out in a dire emergency.
Care and maintenance of hive tools
There’s really only two things that you need to do with hive tools in terms of care and maintenance. You need to keep them clean and try and avoid losing them.
I specifically said ‘try and avoid’. Losing hive tools is one of the inevitabilities of beekeeping. Like getting stung, running out of supers, not having enough frames, missing queen cells and ‘rediscovering’ a lost hive tool with the lawnmower. I lost three in one apiary a few years ago, finding all of them in the winter as the herbage died back. You can reduce losses by painting them bright colours. Blue works well. I’ve got a nice quality bright blue hive tool given away by Mann Lake at the BBKA Spring Convention when they first started up in the UK … somewhere.
Hive tools need to be kept clean. I keep a bucket containing a strong washing soda solution in each apiary. Between inspections the hive tools are immersed in the bucket. This guarantees three things; there will be a hive tool available for your inspections, the hive tool will be clean and the paint will have probably peeled off. The Frontier-type American hive tool (second from right, above) was originally bright yellow. This bucket is also a great place to keep a small serrated utility knife which is useful for all sorts of tasks during the season.
I know some people who keep a separate hive tool for every hive in an apiary as part of their ‘good hive hygiene’ practice. This seems like overkill to me and ignores the level of bees drifting between colonies. It’s easy enough to dip the tool in the washing soda between inspections if needed … and saves investing in loads of hive tools 😉
† Thomas Carlyle had a famously unhappy marriage to Jane Welsh. The novelist Samuel Butler said “It was very good of God to let Carlyle and Mrs Carlyle marry one another, and so make only two people miserable and not four.”

domain: hobby


Zinger unveiled its 21C V Max for the first time in Europe at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, sporting a new bright orange livery.
The V Max is the high-speed version of the first 21C production car to set lap records at Laguna Seca and Circuit of the Americas.
The car uses an advanced hybrid powertrain that features a 2.88-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine to produce up to 1,350 horsepower.
The company’s founders, Kevin and Lucas Zinger, explained that the hypercar’s design was inspired by the SR-71 Blackbird spy plane, including the instrument panel layout and the 2-abreast seating layout. This setup also maximizes aerodynamics and downforce. It reduces drag while generating 2.5 tons of downforce at 322 km/h.
As for the color, Golden State of Mind is a tribute to the California poppy that blooms every spring and lights the rolling hills of the state bright orange. This color pays homage to the birthplace of the hypercar brand.
Inside, the V Max features an army green leather interior with gray wool upholstery that mirrors the carbon fiber twill in the front seats.
Zinger was founded in 2019 by Kevin and Lucas Zinger and currently has 15 offices worldwide, including in London, Barcelona, Munich, Frankfurt and Tokyo.
The Los Angeles-based company aims to lead the automotive industry by using artificial intelligence to develop the design and performance of its vehicles into an environmentally friendly system. In addition to the 21C model for launch this year, Zinger is also developing a A four-seater coupe called the Hyper GT will be released at a later date.


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domain: artistic


My two pence worth;
1) Mail is fairly good at stopping thrust unless you needle pointed weapons are used like rondel daggers. Even if the mail was penetrated it absorbed a lot of energy allowing the Gambeson to absorb the blow. Mail would not of been used for so long if it was not effective.
6) Basically I agree with the original poster except the mention of leather. Leather armour was never that common in western Europe. In general it [leather in genral] was more expensive (large scale farming of cows/bulls did not come until after the Renaissance) than fabric armour and protected less*. Whilst coir boli (boiled leather) armour did exist and was probable the earliest form of plate armour (before the transitional armours like coat of plates and brigandines) it does not seem to of been common or used for a very long period of time. Whilst Hollywood loves leather armour (mostly because it is cheap to make leather look armour using foam rubber) there is not much evidence for its actual use in western Europe during the Dark Ages or Medieval period.
*Despite a lot of speculation we do not currently know for sure the process our ancestors used to make coir boli and thus we can not be 100% sure how effective it was and organic materials degrade much quicker and more completely than metal armour so it may have been more common than we think but the lack of written sources would suggest it was not that common.
4) Also I am very suspicious about the claim that longbows could be shot like machine guns. Drawing a longbow takes incredible strength and its doubtful (at least to me) that a high rate of fire could be maintained for any length of time, also even the awesomely powerful longbow was not a long range weapon and after a few volleys the enemy would likely be on top of the bowmen and despite what we see in movies and games bows are not something you want to be firing in a melee. I would suggest that the devastating effect of longbows during the Hundred Years War was more a result of the sheer number of English troops using them than their individual effectiveness.
9) Early guns (known as hand guns) were I agree not a threat to knights (or really anyone else they were not that effective at all due to low quality powder and the lack of a proper gas seal resulting in much of the energy being wasted plus they were not aimed so much as pointed in the general direction of the enemy) they were not however cheap, black powder was very expensive for a long time and only the highest quality metals could be used to make guns (unless you wanted them to blow up in the users face). I rather suspect there main use was psychological rather than practical. As guns became more effective in both power and accuracy and cheaper armour had to get thicker to compensate the additional weight meant less could be worn. By the time we have personal firearms in common use (XIV century so not the time frame of Battle Brothers) they were quite capable of piercing all but thickest of plate armour. Eventually no armour was going to stop a musket ball and armour was simple to protect against melee weapons. By the XIX century whilst some troops did wear armour (for example French Cuirassiers) this was only for protection from melee weapons. No one put any faith in it stopping musket balls or even pistols at close range. The demise of the armoured knight was probable more economic than practical I agree but I feel the original poster is somewhat confusing the time line.
10) The Normans did not invent “castles”. Castle are simple large fortifications and fortifications have existed pretty much as soon as Human populations ceased being nomadic and remained in one place. The Celts build Hill Forts, the Romans build forts, the Ancient Greeks built forts. The Ancient Chinese build fortifications (Great Wall of China anyone).


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POQUOSON — Developer Robert Brown & Associates still has details to work out on a contract with the city.
Details have yet to be worked out on a contract between the city of Poquoson and developers of a 138-unit project at Whitehouse Cove, but that didn't stop the Poquoson City Council Monday night from finalizing a rezoning of the property.
A draft of the contract made public Monday reveals key details the city wants to control in development of the waterfront property at the end of Rens Road.
Developer Robert Brown & Associates, which includes members of the Brown family of Poquoson, has filed plans with the city to build 138 condominiums, townhouses and single-family homes, along with a restaurant and rebuilt marina.
A sticking point is keeping open the existing boat ramp and pier owned by the city while a new boat ramp with more parking is built. The city intends to transfer ownership of its pier and boat ramp to the Browns with the agreement that a new boat ramp will be built by the family and improvements will be made to the pier.
While the Browns are agreeable to allowing unlimited access to the pier and boat ramp, maintaining access to the public during construction may prove unlikely.
Brad Brown, director of development for Robert Brown & Associates, told the City Council during a work session that it's like raising a house following a flood.
"You're going to have to move out for a month or two and then come back," he said.
Council members said they want to ensure the boat ramp and pier will be accessible and open during summer months when the use is heaviest.
The City Council also agreed to incorporate in the contract a citizen's request to limit times of construction to certain hours of the day with no construction on Sundays.
With the rezoning approval, the developers can now begin the process of gaining a site plan approval. But that could be a three- to six-month process, said Robert Brown.
The developers have to get approval from the Poquoson Board of Zoning Appeals for proposed buildings that exceed 35 feet in height.
In addition, approval is needed from various local, state and federal jurisdictions for development in sensitive areas near the water. *
Published correction ran Wednesday, June 27, 2007.An article in Tuesday's Local section incorrectly stated that Robert Brown & Associates, the developers of Whitehouse Cove in Poquoson, would not agree to a contract provision limiting the project to 138 residential units. The developers said they agree to that limit. (Text deleted.)


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My name is Liz and I'm and organic allotment grower and trainee permaculturist from Manchester, UK. As well as using this blog to document my experiences as a grower I also use it to share my journey as I undertake my Diploma in Applied Permaculture.
I like bees, unusually coloured vegetables, pumpkins and ponds.
I don't like slugs, unexpected frosts, forgetting to close the greenhouse and greedy rabbits.
Enjoy the site and keep popping back to see what's going on on my allotment, in my garden and (occasionally) beyond!

domain: agronomy


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Google has removed over 800 Android apps from its app store after a team of academicians said they operate like creepware. As reported in the ZDNet report, such apps are not fully capable of being used like a spyware or stalkerware but can be used for spying on other person through their device. Also Read - Google Play Store offering up to Rs 100 cashback with Paytm UPI
The report titled, “The Many Kinds of Creepware Used for Interpersonal Attacks” has been published by researchers from New York University, Cornell Tech, and NortonLifeLock (formerly Symantec) who have looked into apps with potential to be creepware. Also Read - Facebook tried to buy NSO Spyware Pegasus to monitor its users: Report
The group has developed a CreepRank algorithm which allows them to identify apps based on their creepware-like behaviour and rank them accordingly. For instance, if the app was able to retrieve messages from a device, or able to clone social accounts, and track location, they were recognised as creepware by the group. Also Read - Samsung smartphones and tablets come pre-installed with Chinese Spyware: Report
How CreepRank works?
The research team did this by running CreepRank on a sample of anonymized data from apps installed on over 50 million Android smartphones. This data was provided by NortonLifeLock, and came from real-world devices running the Norton Mobile Security mobile antivirus.
The research team did their analysis with the help of sample of anonymized data from apps provided by NortonLifeLock which were installed on over 50 million Android phones. Each app was then put through the CreepRank algorithm and a creep score was calculated based on the amount of data/control abuse the app could harm the users.
The algorithm was applied on app data sets from 2017, 2018 and 2019 and from the resulting data, they were able to notify that Google about the 1,095 apps had creepware abilities.
Watch Video: 5 ways to make your Android phone faster
This is where more than 800 apps have scored low through the algorithm, forcing Google to remove them from the Play Store for violating its terms and conditions.


Samsung Galaxy A12 launched in the country as the latest model of the company’s Galaxy A series. This smartphone has introduced in Europe in November 2020. The Galaxy A12 is a successor to the Samsung Galaxy A11. Talking about the key specifications of Galaxy A12, it is equipped with an Infinity-V Display, a single selfie camera, and a quad rear camera setup. The Samsung smartphone is powered by the Helio P35 SoC with a single RAM and two storage variants. The handset arrived with Black, Blue, and White color options.
Samsung Galaxy A12 price in India
The price of the Galaxy A12 starts at 12,999 for the 4GB/64GB storage variant. Its 4GB/128GB configuration price set at Rs 13,999. It can be purchased through Samsung.com and other online retail outlets, the sale will start on February 17.
Samsung Galaxy A12: Design and display
The Galaxy A12 from Samsung comes with a waterdrop notch style design for its front camera. The rear panel houses a quad rear camera setup and there is a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. The handset features a 6.5-inch HD+ (720×1,600 pixels) TFT Infinity-V Display with a 20:9 aspect ratio.
Quad rear sensors details
The device contains a 48-megapixel (f/2.0) primary sensor, a 5-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor, a 2-megapixel macro lens, and another 2-megapixel depth sensor. The selfie camera comes with an 8-megapixel (f/2.2) sensor.
Powered by the MediaTek chipset
It is equipped with the MediaTek Helio P35 processor with 4GB of RAM and as much as 128GB of onboard storage that can expand via a microSD card (up to 1TB).
As for software, the phone runs on Android 10 with One UI Core 2.5 and packed with a 5,000mAh battery that supports 15W fast charging. For connectivity, it supports dual-SIM (Nano), 4G LTE, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS/A-GPS, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a USB Type-C port. Available sensors are an accelerometer, ambient light, magnetometer, and proximity sensor.


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Dehydration is a common condition among seniors that can severely impact their health. In this article, you will learn about the signs of dehydration in seniors and what you can do to prevent and treat dehydration. We will also provide tips on managing dehydration in elderly patients and some advice on monitoring and treating dehydration symptoms.
Understanding dehydration is crucial to maintaining good health in seniors. By knowing the causes, signs, and risk factors of dehydration, you can take steps to prevent and treat this condition. This article will help you stay well-hydrated and healthy, so keep reading to learn more.
- Dehydration is a common condition among seniors that can severely impact their health.
- Understanding the causes, signs, and risk factors of dehydration is crucial to maintaining good health in seniors.
- By taking steps to prevent and treat dehydration, you can stay well-hydrated and healthy.
Video: Signs of Dehydration in Seniors
Dehydration happens when your body loses more fluid than it takes in, making it difficult for your body to perform its normal functions. It is the most common electrolyte imbalance in the world and affects people of all ages. To avoid dehydration, it is important to stay hydrated by drinking enough fluids that meet your hydration needs. Water plays a crucial role in many functions of your body, so it is important to ensure that you are getting enough fluid to stay hydrated.
Causes of Dehydration
Dehydration can be caused by various factors. Forgetting to hydrate, feeling sick, and not rehydrating after exercise are common causes of dehydration. Other causes include vomiting, diarrhea, extreme sweating, fever, excessive urination, and low blood pressure. Certain medications such as diuretics and blood pressure medications can also cause dehydration. Infections and illnesses can also lead to dehydration. Heat exhaustion and heatstroke, as well as alcohol consumption, can also cause dehydration.
Symptoms of Dehydration
Dehydration is a serious health issue that can lead to severe complications if left untreated. It is essential to recognize the signs of dehydration to prevent any adverse effects. Here are some common signs and symptoms of dehydration in seniors:
- Dark Colored Urine
- As the fluid in the body decreases, urine becomes less diluted, causing it to become darker.
- Decreased Urination
- As dehydration progresses, the kidneys lose water more rapidly, leading to decreased urination.
- Difficulty Breathing
- Dry Mouth
- Feeling Faint or Lightheaded
- Increased thirst
- As dehydration worsens, the thirst receptor activates more intensely, leading to increased thirst and dehydration.
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Rapid Heart Rate
Other dehydration symptoms include confusion, sweating, constipation, muscle cramps, sunken eyes, low blood pressure, dry skin, irritability, weakness, and fainting. Mild dehydration can be treated by drinking water or electrolyte drinks. However, severe dehydration requires immediate medical attention.
Dehydration can become dangerous and even fatal. If dehydration is suspected contact your medical professional immediately for evaluation.
Dehydration is a common problem in seniors that can lead to several health problems. There are several risk factors that can lead to dehydration. Here are some of the risk factors that you should be aware of:
- As you age, your body’s fluid reserve decreases, and your ability to conserve water also decreases. Additionally, your sense of thirst becomes less acute, which can make it difficult to recognize when you are dehydrated.
- Infants and children are also at greater risk for dehydration as they are the age group most likely to suffer from severe diarrhea and vomiting, leading to a loss of fluids. Plus, they aren’t able to verbalize that they are thirsty.
- If you have chronic illnesses such as diabetes or kidney disease, you are at a higher risk of dehydration. Medications that increase urination can also increase your risk of dehydration. When you are sick, you often don’t feel like eating or drinking, which can lead to dehydration.
- When you exercise, you sweat, and if those fluids aren’t replaced with water, dehydration can occur. Before exercising, drink some water. Continue to drink water or other liquids regularly during and after exercise to replace the lost fluids and avoid overheating.
Lack Of Water Intake
- This is the most common risk factor for dehydration in seniors. If you aren’t drinking enough water, your blood pressure and blood sugar will drop, and you’ll become more susceptible to dehydration and other health problems.
Poor Oral Hygiene
- Poor oral hygiene can lead to dehydration because it increases the risk of mouth infections and possibly cold sores, making drinking water difficult.
- If your diet doesn’t contain enough water-rich foods, you may be at risk of dehydration.
- If you work outside, dehydration and heat illness are more likely to occur with hot weather and when it’s hot and humid. Sweat can’t evaporate as quickly when the air is humid, resulting in a higher body temperature and the need for additional fluids.
It is important to be aware of these risk factors and take steps to prevent dehydration. Make sure you are drinking enough water, especially during hot weather or when you are sick. If you have a chronic illness, talk to your doctor about how to manage your condition and prevent dehydration. If you work outside, take frequent breaks in a cool, shaded area and drink plenty of water. By taking these steps, you can reduce your risk of dehydration and stay healthy.
Treating dehydration involves replenishing the fluids that have been lost. Drinking water or other fluids such as juices or broth is recommended for mild to moderate dehydration. In cases where vomiting or diarrhea causes significant electrolyte and water loss, drinking electrolyte-rich beverages like sports drinks and Pedialyte can be beneficial. For severe dehydration, hospitalization may be necessary, and fluids and electrolytes will be given intravenously.
It is important to seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen, especially in the elderly. Doctors may perform urine tests to assess kidney function and determine the severity of dehydration. In life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Staying hydrated is important for overall health and well-being. To prevent dehydration, make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you’re not thirsty. You can also include fluids like tea, soup, fruits, vegetables, and juice in your diet. Avoid sugary drinks, alcohol, and caffeinated beverages. Additionally, be aware of how much fluid you’re losing each day and take proper steps to maintain hydration levels. Exercising and sweating can increase your fluid loss, so it’s important to drink water and sports drinks to replenish lost fluids. Adding a pinch of salt to your water or soups can also help you stay hydrated.
Dehydration can lead to severe complications, including electrolyte imbalances, shock, and even coma or death. Seniors who are dehydrated are at a higher risk for developing chronic constipation, urinary and kidney problems, infectious diseases, and cognitive impairment. Fatigue, dizziness, and headaches are common symptoms of dehydration. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
A study published in PMC PubMed Central reported that dehydrated seniors are at a higher risk for developing chronic constipation, urinary and kidney problems such as kidney stones, infectious diseases, and cognitive impairment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dehydration
What are the consequences of dehydration in seniors?
Dehydration in seniors can lead to sweating, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and thirst. It can also lead to reduced blood pressure, heart rate, and urine output. Additionally, seniors with dehydration may experience confusion, dry mouth, dry skin, headaches, and fatigue. Severe dehydration can lead to hospitalization and even death.
What should you do if you notice a senior is dehydrated?
If you notice a senior is dehydrated, it is important to take immediate action. First, place them on a bed, especially if dizzy or light-headed. Then, give them water and electrolyte drinks if available. If symptoms persist, call a health care professional. It is important to note that prevention is key, so encourage seniors to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day and avoid sugary or caffeinated drinks.
How long does it take for an elderly person to recover from dehydration?
The recovery time for dehydration in seniors depends on the severity of the dehydration. Mild dehydration can typically be treated with oral rehydration therapy and can take a few hours to one day to recover. However, severe dehydration can take several days to recover and may require hospitalization.
What are some diseases that can cause dehydration in older adults?
Dehydration in older adults can be caused by various diseases. Some of the common ones include:
Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can cause frequent urination, leading to dehydration.
Kidney Disease: Kidneys play a crucial role in regulating fluid balance in the body. Any damage to the kidneys can cause dehydration.
Dementia: People with dementia may forget to drink water, leading to dehydration.
Cancer: Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, leading to dehydration.
Proper hydration is crucial for maintaining good health and well-being. Fortunately, staying hydrated is an easy task that can be accomplished by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Dehydration is a common problem among seniors and can have serious consequences if left untreated. Seeking medical attention as soon as possible is important if you or a loved one are experiencing any signs or symptoms of dehydration.
Signs of dehydration in seniors include a dry, sticky mouth, infrequent urination, dark-colored urine, unexplained tiredness, dizziness or lightheadedness, and confusion. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, do not wait to seek medical attention.
Remember, staying hydrated is crucial for your health and well-being, so drink up!
Have you experienced dehydration? What steps did you take to bring your hydration levels back to normal? Please comment below.

domain: medical


The 2020 ERP and HCM Report reveals that the average implementation duration is roughly 18 months In ERP and HCM plan and timeline vendors and systems integrators treat all companies equally or otherwise fail to consider these important variables, which vary from company to company.
Here are some of the things that companies need to consider when developing their implementation plans and timelines:
- Magnitude of change. The bigger the change this project will mean for your company the longer it will take.
- Number of locations. A higher number of locations requires more time to accommodate different operations.
- Number of countries. A higher number of countries in scope requires more time to accommodate different cultures.
- Complexity of your operations. The more complex and unique your operations, the longer it will take you to implement.
- Your internal competencies. The less implementation experience and capabilities your internal team has, the longer the project will likely take.
- Number of internal project resources. The less project resources you commit to the project, the longer it will generally take.
- Level of internal alignment. The less executive committee alignment as a group and with the digital transformation team, the more time will be required.


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So 2020 will be an unforgettable, history-making year. Although it will be remembered for the pandemic, I am confident that not all memories of 2020 will be tragic.
On the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment being ratified I am thrilled that I can vote for a qualified and competent female candidate to represent Tennessee’s 1st Congressional District. On Aug. 6, I will vote in the primary election, and I can think of no better candidate than Diana Harshbarger.
As someone who has always been interested in government and politics, it has been impossible to look past the lack of diversity in Congress. The absence of female representation disheartens me because it sends a poor message to young girls everywhere. That being said, I am excited to do my part by voting to ensure that Diana Harshbarger becomes the first woman to represent my community as a U.S. Representative.
In August 1920, Tennessee was the last state needed to ratify the 19th Amendment. It is time that this great state stops being last and instead takes the lead. I have hope knowing that Tennesseans can elect a woman exactly 100 years after the efforts of Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton succeeded in empowering women across the country.
Despite the hopelessness that this pandemic has spread, electing Diana Harshbarger to the U.S. House of Representatives will bring hope to youth and women during this monumental year.

domain: history


text:
Good to know
|Distance to city centre||2.3 km|
|"Good location , amazing Pool."||(in 23 reviews)|
|"Friendly staff and very helpful."||(in 11 reviews)|
|"Clean and towels changed daily."||(in 11 reviews)|
|"Very tired room and staff"||(in 5 reviews)|
|"The room itself wasn’t great."||(in 6 reviews)|
Time of year
Show reviews that mention
|beds were uncomfortable||in 8 reviews|
|clean and towels changed||in 17 reviews|
|clubs beach||in 6 reviews|
|food not great||in 11 reviews|
|great location||in 30 reviews|
|infested with cockroaches||in 3 reviews|
|location and pool||in 24 reviews|
|pool area||in 22 reviews|
|shops pubs||in 10 reviews|
|staff friendly||in 27 reviews|
|studio room||in 20 reviews|
|tv channels||in 15 reviews|
|value for money||in 8 reviews|
the garden and swimming pool
It was quiet at night as just off the main strip so not kept awake.
No air conditioning
The property was disgusting and overpriced, the rooms didn’t match the website. I asked for a change of room, they asked why and I showed them photos I’d taken. The staff agreed to change my room and asked for my phone number to “text” me when a room was ready. I didn’t spend ONE night in my room, I slept on a family members sofa. I only returned to get my clothes and check out EARLY, as the refused me a discount and change of room. Plus there wasn’t even a proper bed, customer services was shocking!
We LOVED our stay here! It completely exceeded our expectations. The pictures on the Internet do not do it justice so we were pleasantly surprised when arriving at how beautiful the complex was and how lovely our apartment was. We had a wonderful, spacious private terrace which just made it for us! The staff were pleasant and helpful. The pool area was just lovely. Staying at Solar de Sao Joao made our whole trip. Great value for money
The only negative was that we had noisy people above us who kept moving furniture late into the night for the first couple of nights. However, we did inform the staff and they took it seriously. Also, quality of the food at the pool bar is not good but for drinks and snacks it's great!
Front desk staff was very helpful
Rooms needs upgrading.
When you stay at Solar de São João - Apartamentos Turísticos in Albufeira, you'll be near the beach, within a 5-minute drive of Oura Beach and Albufeira Beach. Featured amenities include a business center, dry cleaning/laundry services, and luggage storage. Free self parking is available onsite.
based on 358 reviews
Policies vary by room type and provider.
Reviews about Solar de Sao Joao
Most Popular Landmarks
- Oura Beach 0.6 km
- Parque Aventura 1 km
- Praia dos Aveiros 1 km
- Santa Eulalia Beach 1.2 km
- Fisherman's Beach 2.2 km
- Museu Municipal de Arqueologia 2.4 km
|San Juan del Puerto||124.9 km|

domain: travel


Though it has been in effect in New York City since 2009, questions about the City’s benchmarking law have re-entered the public conversation since the law was revised last year to include an additional 10,000 mid-size buildings. If you are a property owner or property manager and you haven’t been in on the conversation, you’re probably wondering what benchmarking is, and how the benchmarking law affects you.
Benchmarking pertains to the measurement and reporting of energy and water use in New York City buildings. Specifically, for those property owners that are required to comply, an annual report of energy and water use must be submitted to the City every year. The statute, previously known as Local Law 84 of 2009, has been expanded under Local Law 133 of 2016 and is now simply called the Benchmarking Law. Compliance is enforced by the Department of Buildings (DOB), and property owners who fail to comply are subject to violations and fines of up to $2,000 per year.
History and Context
Seven years ago, the City of New York set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80 percent by 2050. Because buildings are responsible for about 70 percent of GHG emissions, the City subsequently initiated the Greener Greater Buildings Plan, a suite of laws that requires energy tracking and implementation of certain energy saving measures. Included in the plan was Local Law 84 of 2009, which requires owners of New York City properties with a single large building or a property with multiple buildings totaling more than 100,000 square feet to submit an annual report of energy usage. Approximately 15,000 private and City properties have been on the benchmarking Covered Buildings List every year since the law was enacted. While these properties account for fewer than two percent of properties citywide, they comprise 47 percent of New York City’s total floor area.
Citywide benchmarking data can be valuable to many—including property owners, policy analysts, and conscientious residents. Every year the City releases a public disclosure list of benchmarking data, which allows stakeholders to quantify and compare data against similar buildings in the City. Detailed data is used by analysts to track progress towards the GHG goals, and to help identify where energy reduction is needed most. Studies have shown a positive correlation between benchmarked properties and energy use reduction over time. According to the New York City’s 2016 Benchmarking report, a group of 3,000 properties that consistently benchmarked over a three-year period (2010 – 2013) dropped emissions by 8 percent, and decreased energy use by 6 percent. The NYC law has served as a model for other major cities, including Seattle, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Chicago, which have enacted similar benchmarking ordinances.
Every February, the Department of Finance publishes a Covered Building List that shows what properties must be benchmarked, and whether or not water data must be included. Owners of properties that are on the Covered Buildings List must record their data—including building characteristics and uses – using Energy Star Portfolio Manager (ESPM) software.


text:
Fostering The Professional Success Of Students And Alumni
In Regards To The School Of Medicine
All candidates are required to finish 1400 models of required Booth coursework (+ LEAD) throughout their time in this system. Applicants invited to interview will interview with both UChicago Law and Booth after the applying deadline. The JD/MBA Admissions Committee will evaluate the information utilizing the identical holistic review processes used at UChicago Law and Chicago Booth. A joint admissions determination shall be made and communicated through email. Each jurisdiction has its personal Character and Fitness requirements for applicants in search of a license to follow regulation in its jurisdiction. To determine the necessities for the jurisdiction during which you propose to seek admission, contact the jurisdiction.
Get began with CCCApply–the common application for California neighborhood faculty system. Academic advisors foster a dynamic partnership with you to actively create and refine your academic objectives and plans.
Applicants to the JD/MBA program don’t qualify for the Chicago Law Scholars program. Although admission is granted for the upcoming college yr, the Admissions Committees will think about deferring admission when necessary and in very restricted circumstances. Applicants who usually are not admitted to the JD/MBA Program might elect … Read More

domain: law


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For a third winter now, La Nina is expected to be a part of the weather patterns but for this year, it will weaken as the season rolls on.
Ed Shimon at the National Weather Service in Lincoln indicates by January or February, it will become almost a neutral pattern.
According to Shimon, because the system will be weakening, it is leaving a lot of uncertainty in the future outlooks from the Climate Prediction Center.
Temperatures are trending below normal and precipitation is trending to be above normal. Shimon expects wintry conditions to be prominent later this winter.
More short-term outlooks have November finishing out and December starting a bit above normal for temperatures and a dry start to the month.


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Each year, the Oliver Winery family sets big giving goals for the holiday season, and we celebrate the cheer by gathering together at our annual Oliver Winery Holiday party. Of course, 2020 threw some wrenches in those merry plans. But one of our core values at Oliver Winery is to think differently — so, we did just that.
Rather than coming together for a party this year, we created Operation Comfort and Joy. Our staff voted on four local non-profit organizations to receive gift cards from local restaurants for their essential workers, as well as a cash donation in support of their mission. We’re delighted and honored to be able to give back to these organizations that are not only vital to the Bloomington community, but are doing big (and amazing) things:
Our first stop was at Sheltering Wings, below.
— Sheltering Wings
Sheltering Wings offers assistance programs for victims and survivors of domestic abuse. Located in Danville, IN, this nonprofit organization works to raise awareness and prevent domestic violence by partnering with schools, churches, businesses, civic clubs, first responders and government agencies. Sheltering Wings received a donation of $1,100 and twenty-eight $50.00 gift cards to Puccini’s Restaurant for their staff.
Since 1956, Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington have dedicated their efforts to serving the youth in the community by offering extensive camps and programs during after school hours, holiday breaks, and summer vacation. They have designated core program areas in which all program activities are formulated: healthy lifestyles, academic success, good character and active citizenship. Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington received a donation of $1,550 and nineteen $50.00 gift cards to Upland Brewery for their staff.
New Hope for Families helps families impacted by homelessness to gain and maintain stable housing, and provides accredited, early childhood development aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty. They have two programs in Bloomington, IN: The Nest (academic, emotional and social support services to children of the families they serve) and The Roof (short-term accommodation as case managers work with families). New Hope received a donation of $1,450 and twenty-one $50.00 gift cards to Big Woods Brewing for their staff.
Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard has many programs to ensure that all people have access to healthy, whole foods. They have a food pantry that serves community members, a community garden for people to experience the world of gardening, nutrition education focusing on cooking whole foods from scratch in budget-friendly ways, tool share for community members to access the tools they need to try a new skill, and advocacy to focus on the need of emergency food services. MHC received a donation of $1,900 and 12 $50.00 gift cards to Nick’s Restaurant for their staff.
Feeling the warm fuzzies yet?! In total, we were able to give back $10,000 to our community.
In addition to this year's Operation Comfort and Joy, Oliver Winery staff make an annual contribution to a Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM) family campaign. We're proud to sponsor TWO families each year, who we provide with 3-5 gifts per person, a food basket for each family, and a donation of hygiene products and other essentials to the Self Sufficiency Center.
Although we’ll miss the fun of our holiday party, we couldn't imagine a better way to re-allocate those funds this year, and are so grateful for the opportunity to spread some holiday cheer where we can.
Here's to good tidings, making spirits bright, and better days ahead.

domain: sociology


ANCHORAGE - A bill filed for this year's Alaska legislative session would outlaw cell phone use while driving.
Friday was the first day for legislators to pre-file bills for the session that starts Jan. 19. Among the measures is one by Rep. Mike Doogan, D-Anchorage, that would fine motorists up to $300 if they gab on cell phones while behind the wheel. Washington, Oregon and California already have such bans.
The proposal joins a bill that was before the Alaska House during the last session that would prohibit teenagers from driving while on a cell phone, but not adults.
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Two symmetrical steel forms joined together in the top center. Constructed of Corten steel, an oxidized steel that develops a rust-looking patina that prevents weather damage. About this piece, the artist remarked, “Its symmetry is a recurring theme in my work, evoking serenity.”
On plaque: “Brian Monaghan Untitled Corten Steel/Funding by Illinois Arts Council & Fel-Pro Manufacturing Corp.”Brian E. Monaghan owns Central Sculpture Works in Chicago and studied art at the Massachusetts College of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago. His large-scale steel sculptures can be seen throughout the Chicago area. The Library owns another piece of Monaghan’s sculpture, “Search.”
In Copyright http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
6 x 3 feet
Monaghan, Brian Edward, “Untitled Corten,” Skokie Public Library History, accessed July 9, 2020, https://skokielibraryhistory.omeka.net/items/show/27.

domain: library


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MILAN, Italy — A head-to-head comparison of the CoreValve (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) and Sapien (Edwards, Irvine, CA) transcatheter aortic-valve implantation (TAVI) systems suggests there is no major difference between the two commercially available devices. At 30 days, there was no difference in the rate of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, MI, stroke, or device success, as well as no major difference in the rate of major vascular complications or life-threatening bleeding events.
In addition, there was no major difference in the rate of all-cause or cardiovascular mortality at one year.
The Medtronic CoreValve was associated with a higher rate of permanent pacemaker implantation, with 22.5% of patients requiring a pacemaker compared with 5.9% of patients treated with the Edwards Sapien/Sapien XT devices (hazard ratio [HR] 4.6; p<0.001).
"Overall, our results are encouraging, showing no difference between commercially available valve types except for a greater need for a [permanent pacemaker] PPM with the [Medtronic CoreValve], but clearly longer-term follow-up in the setting of an adequately powered randomized clinical trial is needed," state Dr Alaide Chieffo (San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy) and colleagues in their report, published online January 16, 2013 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Speaking with heart wire , Dr J Jeffrey Marshall (Northeast Georgia Heart Center, Gainesville), the president of the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, said the findings are in line with expectations, with clinicians well aware that the CoreValve, because of its self-expanding design, is associated with an increased risk of a need for a permanent pacemaker.
"Any time you have to have another procedure performed, it's not something you'd prefer, but it doesn't occur in a huge number of patients," said Marshall. "The need for a permanent pacemaker implantation is not something that's associated with a lot of complications in and of itself, so it's not that great an issue, although there is an extra cost, obviously."
Marshall noted that the incidence of aortic regurgitation was equal with both valves, a finding he said was reassuring, considering that previous trials suggested there might be differences between the valves in terms of aortic insufficiency following the procedure.
The PRAGMATIC Plus Initiative
The study, known as the PRAGMATIC Plus Initiative, included data from four experienced European centers. In total, 793 patients underwent TAVI, including 453 patients treated with the Medtronic CoreValve and 340 patients treated with the Edwards Sapien/Sapien XT devices. The 18-F sheath-compatible CoreValve was used in all but five cases (in these five cases the 21-F device was used) and the Sapien system used 22-/24-F sheaths until 2010, when the Sapien XT device offered the option of 18-/19-F sheath sizes. The average patient age was 82 years.
As noted, there was no significant difference in the 30-day and one-year clinical outcomes between the two TAVI systems. Because there were differences in the baseline characteristics of patients, the analysis was based on 204 propensity-score-matched patients.
Clinical Outcomes in the Propensity-Matched Patients
|Outcome||CoreValve, n=204 (%)||Sapien/Sapien XT, n=204 (%)||p|
|Major vascular complications||9.3||12.3||0.340|
|Moderate to severe aortic regurgitation||5.2||2.8||0.302|
In the US, the only commercially available TAVI system is the Edwards Sapien transcatheter aortic valve. For Marshall, who was not involved in the study, this is a major issue.
"As an American cardiologist, the US regulatory body, the Food and Drug Administration, is actually preventing some of these newer, and I think safer, devices being given to our patients," he told heartwire. "It's a patient-centered issue, and the FDA is going so slowly on this. The newest device, the current commercially available Sapien device, is the only device available if you're not in a clinical trial, and it's a 22-F device. In Europe, you can get a 14-F device with the Sapien 3. I just think that for patient safety that's something the FDA would want to move along with a little faster. It's a little frustrating."
With the smaller sheaths, more patients would be suitable for TAVI, as Marshall said it's often the size of the iliac artery that prevents some of the older patients from getting the procedure. The larger the tube in a 90-year-old patient, the greater the chance of "iliac on a stick," a complication that occurs after an inadvertent iliac artery rupture and the intima is pulled or torn out. With the lack of small sheaths, and the subsequent risk posed to some patients, Marshall said he believes that these patients might resort to traveling to Europe or Canada for the newer aortic valves.
Marshall said the stroke rates in the present analysis are also in line with previous studies, noting that stroke typically occurs in patients if there is a problem with the valve, such as it being set too low, with a second valve needing to be implanted. In these elderly patients, excessive manipulation can lead to the increase risk of stroke.
Heartwire from Medscape © 2013 Medscape, LLC
Cite this: Equivalent Outcomes With Corevalve and Sapien Transcatheter Aortic Valves - Medscape - Jan 17, 2013.


Jennifer Aniston Believes Past Struggles Have Only Made Her Stronger: 'I Feel The Best In Who I Am Today, Better Than Ever'
At 53 years old, Jennifer Aniston is feeling better than ever. The actress seems to have never wavered in her success and confidence, something that can be traced back to her upbringing.
"I’m really happy that we got to experience growing up, being a teenager, being in our 20s without this social media aspect," she shared in a new interview. "Look, the internet, great intentions, right? Connect people socially, social networking. It goes back to how young girls feel about themselves, compare and despair."
The Murder Mystery lead admitted she "hates social media" since it "doesn't come naturally" for her, explaining she only joined Instagram to help launch her haircare line, LolaVie.
"I feel the best in who I am today, better than I ever did in my 20s or 30s even, or my mid-40s," the star declared. "We needed to stop saying bad s**t to ourselves. You’re going to be 65 one day and think, 'I looked f***ig great at 53.'"
Aniston elaborated on past struggles, revealing she went "through really hard s**t" in her late 30s and early 40s. However, she believes her obstacles only made her stronger.
"If it wasn’t for going through that, I would’ve never become who I was meant to be. That’s why I have such gratitude for all those sh**ty things," she noted. "Otherwise, I would’ve been stuck being this person that was so fearful, so nervous, so unsure of who they were. And now, I don’t f***ing care."
For the first time ever, the Emmy nominee confessed that part of her hurdles included IVF attempts.
"It was a challenging road for me, the baby-making road," she spilled. "All the years and years and years of speculation... It was really hard. I was going through IVF, drinking Chinese teas, you name it. I was throwing everything at it. I would’ve given anything if someone had said to me, ‘Freeze your eggs. Do yourself a favor.’"
While she didn't offer any other details on her pregnancy hopes, she insisted she has "zero regrets" about how everything played out. "I actually feel a little relief now because there is no more, 'Can I? Maybe. Maybe. Maybe,'" she explained. "I don’t have to think about that anymore.”
Allure conducted the interview with Aniston.


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Just in Modern
Mid-Century Modern Furniture - Buy, Sell & Trade Located in the SF Bay Area
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Charles Eames 670/671 Rosewood Lounge & Ottoman 1960's
Stunning example of an early Eames Lounge & Ottoman in amazing Brazilian rosewood with black leather and down filled cushions. Excellent condition.
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domain: design


text:
Resolutions anyone? Those things we promise to do every new year and forget almost immediately after? Starting small reaps the biggest rewards. Self Love is no moral flaw but compassion and generosity of spirit beginning with oneself first. Therein lies the magic, the elixir of a grand passion with oneself that invariably spills into all other aspects of life.
If I asked you what your greatest asset was, what would be your response? Your House? Car? Family? I beg to differ. You are your own greatest asset. After all, how can you expect others to love you if you do not love yourself first? So create and chant those positive mantras-for-success. Say yes, take that leap of faith mentally, prioritise yourself with consistent motivation (motivation post here), and watch doors open universally. It all begins with in YOU, for You.
I always worried about “job security”. Not any longer. Sure money is always an issue, that niggling necessary evil. However if you have invested in yourself, by inculcating good habits and empowering your mind, then you will have the tools to create your own financial security and work for yourself.
When was the last time you did something for yourself? Most of us put others first before we consider ourselves. Mothers and working women are guilty of this, myself included. Running ourselves ragged at home, then at work and back at home to ensure that the home fires are burning. What about the fire that is banked in ourselves, put on hold until we get more time? Will we even live to see that leisure time? Why wait when we can begin right now? Raise your self worth, say no to others if you absolutely have to, trust your intuition, set your goals, plan and visualise the success whilst doing everything that you love.
Wikipedia defines human capital as “The stock of competencies, knowledge, social and personality attributes, including creativity, embodied in the ability to perform labor so as to produce economic value.”
Since not many of us can afford the luxury of a coach, consider a mentor to help keep you accountable and work towards to your self worth and human capital. In the meantime, let us look at some ways to self invest :
1. Develop your skills and creativity
Consider investing in furthering your education. With great trepidation, again, I began taking part time classes at a college. It was quite an eye opener as I was the oldest in the class full of tech savvy youngsters. Even the lecturer was younger than myself. Still, with an open mind, I immersed myself in the challenges and progressed to “A” levels along with the students. The sense of accomplishment, even now, is a resounding echo. If you have the luxury of time, commit those hours to unleashing your dormant talents, which could turn out to be a profitable hobby.
2. Mind, Body, Exercise and Sleep
An open mind is a great tool. Read anything and everything you lay your eyes and hands on. It will help you engage in conversations and navigate life with confidence. My teen son is addicted to television, “the devils workshop,” I call it and the Big Bang Theory. Surprisingly, I allowed myself a slight window of into that world and learned much. Pointless having an active mind and a lethargic body and tired of my body being in “fight or flight” mode, I tossed out my prescribed medication and went cold turkey (not always recommended). In my defence, the tablets had slowed me down, kept me numb and resulted in stinging skin reactions. Find an exercise that works for you, be it meditation to become mindful, yoga, or my personal favourite, gardening. Incorporate healthy food choices (lessening your sugar intake) a balance of rest and relaxation and you have a winning formula for success. Celebrate little wins by investing in a manicure or a haircut, a little self indulgence is necessary for the soul.
3. Choose Happiness
Choose to be happy. Happiness is a choice. Wake up each morning with gratitude and positive thoughts. Refuse to let worry take up your time. Most of what you worry about is mostly in your mind and useless mental activity.
4. Make financial security a priority
Ridding yourself of debt is importance for peace of mind. Earning a salary? Pay yourself first. Let this payment come off automatically. What you do not see, you will not miss. Already paying towards a mortgage? Reduce the payment period by increasing your monthly payment. Do the math, it works wonders. If your employer offers a 401K, join it. Start early, make the best of compound interest and diversify your portfolio. You will be surprised at the gains. If you are a breadwinner, insure yourself. Not many will agree with this but it is a necessary evil. Knowing that your loved ones will be looked after and homed well makes a marked difference on your outlook on life. Left it too late? Start now. Having a strong financial portfolio guarantees peace of mind and increases your sense of worth.
5. Bucket List
Don’t have a bucket list? Create one. This list will identify all your intended objectives and achievements. Write it down, revisit it, hold yourself accountable for your dreams and achievements. Try to strike at least one a month, watch the strikes grow, feel the satisfaction and revel in the mounting pride.
6. Keep a diary
No, this is not juvenile. You are on a mission to invest in yourself, it is your most important objective. After your plan has been outlined, mark your successes. Find positive memes, cut it out, paste and remember them. Retain your stubs to memorable events. Go back and refer to them, remind yourself of your purpose.
7. Strengths and Weaknesses
We are only human. With strengths, there are weaknesses too. Know your strengths, build on them. Know your weaknesses, eliminate them. So what if you made a mistake in the past? Use that as a point of reference, you are no longer travelling that road. Let yourself heal from the past. Mentally psyche yourself with positive daily affirmations.
8. Embrace change
I used to hate change. Slowly I allowed myself to make small doses of change. Once I adjusted my mental gears, I felt like I could lead the pack! I smile now but it is true. Change is growth.
9. Family, Friends and the right crowd
My dad and I had the best conversations, we shared the same books and as a young adult, our telephonic conversations, however brief, made my day. Fourteen years later, I still miss him. Cultivate positive friendships and meet regularly. The old adage, “birds of a feather flock together” is true. No use clucking about in the same muck when you can soar like an eagle. Network and stay in touch. Rid yourself of toxic, negative friends who will weigh you down. Try and reach out to at least one friend a day, you will be richer for it. Friends are the gifts that we gift ourselves.
10. Gratitude IS the attitude.
Take a few moments daily to train your brain to be thankful. Write it in your diary and watch that list too, grow. Whilst travelling through North India, Bala, a tour guide in Mumbai, used to meet me with a beaming smile. In one of our conversations, I learned that he paid almost three quarter of his salary for his daughter’s tuition…and he earned very little. When we were tucked in our hotel beds at 11pm, he caught his train home, to awake at 5am. He was grateful for the health of his children and a small loving family. His positive attitude and local knowledge could not be faulted. Many people have much less than us. Practicing gratitude promotes sleep and improves health and generally makes you happier.
11. Anxiety, Stress and Depression.
My first panic attack occurred after the loss of our treasured aunt. Those that suffer panic attacks, will identify and agree that a panic attack feels like sheer terror, palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath, numbness, muscle pain and mental fatigue. I have been told that they are not dangerous. I disagree. Stress and depression rooted itself and took its toll on me. I wish I could have told my younger self to be kinder to myself and not take things as personally. I will admit that I still cannot handle death. Not every day is easy but I refuse to revisit that darkness more than I have to. Learn from my experience, cut yourself some slack. Not everything has to be a sprint to the goalposts. Take a road trip, bond with the family, experience happiness and learn about new places and deserving relationships.
“Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.” ―Dr. Stephen Covey
12. Forgive, forget, heal.
Buddha says that, “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. Reining in, holding anger and grudges pulls you back. Forgive. Forget if you can. Move on to free your energy for more productive activities and people. Allow yourself to heal. There are so many more chapters ahead of ourselves in this book called Life.
Think about this…
One day, your children will have left the nest, your work colleagues, spouse or friends may have moved on, passed on even. No one wants to be lonely, stuck in a rut or loveless. Love yourself first, make yourself your priority. Your future depends on the choices you make today, cultivate good habits and polish your personality. Get motivated, stay motivated.
Make sure that you are the best version of yourself and a magnet for success in 2019. Start now.

domain: psychology


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When we went to a stamping convention in the Fall, my mom found this cool little border stamp by Endless Creations. I stamped it & then used my 2" scalloped punch. To color my flower image, I stamped it with Versamark and used chalks to give it color. The hardware is from SU! and the verse is by Our Daily Bread. The dp is from the cover of a K&Co 12x12 pad.
I'm sending this card to my sweet cousin, Tera, for her birthday. I won't tell you how old she is because I'm MUCH older! The inside sentiment reads: "Sending you warmest wishes on your special day. Happy Birthday with love..."
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Who do you trust?
Good morning! Don't faint because I'm posting in the middle of the week....can you believe it? :)


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How Judaism got an ex-Catholic prospective convert to love clothes—and enjoy life.
When I was a child, I was all dolled up, my hair put up in ponytails or woven into braids. I wore the pretty little-girl dresses my mother bought.
When I reached my teens, the fussing stopped but my mother continued to buy me clothes. Why I hadn’t asserted my independence at an age when people generally started to I can’t quite explain; I chalk it up to the agreeable, passive temperament I had. The trajectory of my later relationship with clothing, however, wasn’t evident at this time. I had attended an all-girls Catholic school in the Philippines that required us to wear school uniforms. As a result, I was left without much room to choose what I was going to wear.
And then I entered college. By this time, my mother had stopped dressing me and I became, for all intents and purposes, a slob. Gone were the attractive blouses I had worn and outgrown as a teenager. I wore ugly T-shirts and polo shirts to university. I just didn’t care.
I graduated and got a job as an English language tutor for Koreans. In the office I wore collared shirts, black slacks and flats—nothing fancy, but I was presentable again.
I eventually quit that job because I wanted to become a freelance writer; but now that I was to work from home, I saw no need to dress well. I stored my work clothes away in a closet and whenever I went out, I wore my college clothes.
I felt that women only cared about looking pretty to get noticed by a man, and I wasn’t interested.
I wasn’t interested in looking good; I just didn’t care about it. I felt that dressing up merely fed into the larger agenda of marriage, that women only cared about looking pretty to get noticed by a man. I wasn’t interested in getting married, or even in having a relationship; I was fixated on succeeding as a fiction writer and thought relationships were mere distractions from my career.
Then came Judaism. I had wanted to include a Jewish character in a story I was writing and to help me build the character, I researched Judaism—and was drawn to its ethics and worldview. I came to believe that the Torah was true and after talking to the rabbi in Manila about conversion I became a Noahide, someone who remains a non-Jew but, in recognizing the reality of Torah, keeps the seven commandments given to Noah that all non-Jews are obligated to observe. Even though I do ultimately want to join the Jewish people, I have thrived being a Noahide. I have a newfound direction and a means of developing a relationship with God, something I never really had before.
Throughout this period, I continued to wear the schlumpy clothes that were my trademark. But Judaism eventually brought clothing to my attention. With new rules to follow, I began to wonder about what I was going to wear. Though I had no problem adjusting to the modesty rules, I still had to change what I wore—after converting I would need tops with longer sleeves, for a start, but the turning point of it all was the moment I absorbed that I would have to wear skirts.
At first, I was repelled. I hadn’t worn skirts since I left high school (under which I wore shorts), preferring the practicality of pants. But soon after, I adjusted. Skirts would be so comfortable, I thought. And airy! And I would enjoy swooshing them around when I skipped around barefoot in the house. Now, a question emerged: What would I pair them with?
I tucked this among the things I idly wondered about, and then “coincidentally,” a skirt outfit on my Pinterest feed appeared, a 3/4-sleeved top paired with a pleated midi skirt and knee-high boots. I liked it, and followed where it led … and down the rabbit hole I went. I soon learned how I liked to wear skirts—with pumps and heeled sandals, and long- or 3/4-sleeved tops and cotton shirts.
Thinking I had to start preparing for my conversion as early as possible, I moved on from gathering pictures on Pinterest to actively looking for clothes. I first looked online for modest clothing stores and found a whole industry, and then I looked for modest options in the clothing stores that were available in the Philippines. For the first time, I voluntarily walked into a clothing store. I discovered my love of color, dresses, florals (!) and lace. I bought my first-ever blouse, something my mother approved of, and before the pandemic, I started wearing dressier tops and sandals on our Sunday trips to the mall. I also bought my first dress, which startled my mother, and I’m planning to buy my first heeled sandals in the near future (which I’m sure will startle her again).
One Jewish concept I had been attracted to is the emphasis on this world, this life, rather than the next, because this life, as a creation of God, is good. The world is not something you detach yourself from. This world is something to be engaged in and celebrated. So go have all these kosher pleasures—material, relational, spiritual.
And as I waded more and more into fashion, I began to absorb the other implications of that teaching: namely that God in Judaism is more generous and parental than I had believed; He wants us to have pleasure and live fulfilling lives—what all parents want for their children. I now want to look good for myself, and feel that life has opened up for me and that I am a participant in it.
As a child of God, you should live with dignity.
Judaism has also given me the prospect of a richer life. I learned I have a unique mission in life, and that among life’s necessities, it was clothing I had a particularly unhealthy attitude to. I also came to reconsider my ideas about marriage and relationships, and now believe that marriage helps make you become a full human being. I began to see my hyperfocus on achievement and success as myopic. I’ve realized it’s one important ingredient rather than the only element of a fulfilling life. Now, I want to have it all—beautiful possessions, marriage to a good man and relationships with good people, success as a writer, meaning in life, and a relationship with God.
I used to scoff at fashion, dismissing it as a shallow pursuit. Now, for me, fashion is not a superficial interest; it’s about minding how you present yourself to others, and how you affect others by how you present yourself. You are responsible for the body God has loaned to you, and you, as a child of God, should live with dignity. Clothes also allow you to take pleasure in the world—look attractive and savor life! God, after all, had created this world out of love and generosity; we in turn should be loving and generous towards ourselves.
From a woman who didn’t know how to truly enjoy life, I have come, at last, to embrace it.
By Kat Bautista
(Reprinted by permission from Aish HaTorah)

domain: literature


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Reviewed by Vicki (Tori)
SERIES: Bluewater Bay #17
AUTHOR: Anne Tenino and E.J. Russell
PUBLISHER: Riptide Publishing
LENGTH: 358 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 10th, 2017
Thirty-seven-year-old Nate Albano’s second relationship ever ended three years ago, and since he’s grace—gray asexual—he doesn’t anticipate beating the odds to find a third. Still, he’s got his dog, his hobbies, and his job as a special effects technician on Wolf’s Landing, so he can’t complain—much.
Seth Larson, umpteenth generation Bluewater Bay, is the quintessential good-time guy, content with tending bar and being his grandmother’s handyman. The night they meet, Seth’s looking for some recreational sex to escape family drama. But for Nate, romantic attraction comes before sexual attraction, so while Seth thinks they’re hooking up, Nate just wants to talk . . . genealogy?
So they declare a “just friends” truce. Then Seth asks for Nate’s help investigating a sinister Larson family secret, and their feelings start edging way beyond platonic. But Nate may want more than Seth can give him, and Seth may not be able to leave his good-time image behind. Unless they can find a way to merge carefree with commitment, they could miss out on true love—the best time of all.
Nate Albano lives in Bluewater Bay Washington, and works on the set of Wolf’s Landing as a special effect technician. He’s asexual, and has only had two relationships, one ending quite badly. He’s just barely speaking to his mother after a fourteen year estrangement, and has recently reunited with his father. He is an amateur genealogist, and is interested in the history of his new town. He’s been asked by Levi Pritchard, the Wolf’s Landing actor that helped him get his job, to help with a project at the local community theater. This leads to his introduction to Seth Larson, descendent of one of the founding families in Bluewater Bay.
Seth Larson is a local guy, happy with his promotion from server to bartender at the local bar, happy to have a quick fuck now and then, and slightly unhappy with some family drama. He lives over the garage at the family home, assisting his grandmother in her fight to maintain the aging mansion. She’d like to sell the old house and move to a retirement community, but her two sons won’t let her. Seth is all tangled up in the middle of the fight. He’s happy to meet Nate one night at the bar, and very confused when Nate actually wants to talk about the Larson family history. He was expecting a hook up with the hot man! This leads to a misunderstanding between the two men, which eventually leads to an apology dinner.
Nate explains his sexuality to Seth, telling him that he does feel sexual attraction occasionally, but only after an emotional connection has been established. The two appear to settle on a path to friendship, bonding over a knife Seth found in the garage, and the possible historical impact it might have.
Ok. So what I look for in a book are interesting main characters, an interesting plot, an emotional/physical connection between the two main characters, decent writing, and a happy ending. I only got part of what I needed with this book. I liked Seth and Nate a lot, and I was very curious about how their relationship would work. I am not familiar with gray asexuality, and I had do so some googling even after I read the book to see if I could understand it. I wish I had gotten a better understanding of Nate’s needs from the book. Nate was very interesting to me, and I wanted to know more about him, particularly his history. We know he left Hollywood after some big issue, but we are never told what that issue is. I liked Seth as well, he’s sort of a free spirit, and I liked that. I liked how their relationship developed throughout the book, I could see the emotional bond forming, and I could see the attraction that did come eventually. The sex scene did feel reasonable with their situation, and was nice to see.
What I had issues with was the plot. There is waaaay too much going on here. The whole story about Seth’s great great grandfather, the family drama, the house, whether it should be sold, and there was some bizarre plan to make the house look haunted to convince Seth’s dad and uncle to sell it. I totally didn’t get that part. I didn’t understand why the dad and uncle didn’t want the house sold, if they didn’t want to take care of it. They were both horrible to Seth and his grandmother, and Seth’s mom was a bitch too. I totally lost interest in all of it. Then there is a revelation about another character and his potential connection to the family drama that was completely dropped! No resolution at all. Nate is also concerned about his job, and whether he and his coworker Morgan would be replaced with a green screen instead of their physical special effects, but that was not resolved either. I was left very confused and unsatisfied at the end of the book. Although it does have a happy ending.
What I liked was the conflict that came up revolving around Seth’s career choice, Nate is a bit of a snob and the two have a big fight about it all. I liked the interest Nate’s dog brought to the story, and the introduction of the community theater to Nate’s life. I wish that had been expanded upon. Same with Nate’s family, I wish more time had been spent on that. I wish more time had been spent on the relationship between Nate and Seth, and way less time spent on the family drama I didn’t care about.
So mixed feelings about this one. Good characters with a good emotional bond that could have had more time spent on it. Some plot parts I liked and wish had been expanded, but too much time spent on a storyline I didn’t care about. The writing was good, nothing bothered me, but it’s hard to say it was well written when I didn’t like a big part of the plot. This is a long book at 358 pages, and I feel it could have been a lot shorter and more focused on the two main characters. I don’t have to have sex in my books, so I wasn’t disappointed to only have one sex scene, and it fit very well with the type of relationship these two had, so I was happy with that. And I liked the ending, a thing happens between them that is resolved and we assume they live happily ever after. That all worked for me. But I was slightly unsatisfied with this book overall. I liked it, but I didn’t love it. Still love the series, but this was not my favorite addition, I’m sorry to say.