text:
Calligraphy of a Poem
Hon'ami Kōetsu, Japanese, 1558 - 1637
This shikishi is among the small number of poem cards with a verse from the Wakan roeishü (Collection of Japanese and Chinese Poems to Sing). Koetsu chose most of the verses from this anthology for the handscrolls he executed after he moved to Takagamine in 1615. In this example, the choice of the poem not only foreshadows Koetsu's later years, but the lines of the calligraphy exhibit some shakiness, indicating that it was brushed after Koetsu began to suffer from slight palsy.
A mountain temple
Evening and the sunset bell,
Whose every voicing
Vibrates with a message sad to hear:
"Today too is over, dusk has come."
Wakan roeishü 585

domain: library


text:
This is a page that I have been working on for a few days now...because of my hands it takes me ages to make a page now...so after 3 days I finally finished this one....a page about my sons love of rocks, shells, gems and minerals.
I knew when I started this page that I wanted to use different fonts of letter stickers...for some reason I find that really hard to do...matching them all together so they looked right was a long and hard task...but I think they look okay.
I dug out some of my old rub ons for the two sides of this page as well...I need to do that more!
If you were wondering about the rain cloud...when I took this photo my son had decided that he wanted to go to the beach to collect stones...and it poured with rain!!!! and we got drenched, even though the journalling is not about the day out I wanted to remember that day.

domain: artistic


text:
I’ve already professed my love for all things oaty in my post on baked oatmeal bars that are better than any homemade granola bar I’ve ever had, or in my post on drop cookies, aka “glops,” or in my baked apples aka crustless apple pie recipe, or my strawberry oatmeal breakfast shake. The truth is that while I am strictly gluten free, and I do try to eat a low grain diet, I love oats, and I feel good when I eat them for breakfast.
This recipe for what I call Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal is not only healthy (no refined sugars!) and filling, but it is super delicious. If you are cooking for a family, I guarantee your family will love it. The maple cream cheese icing really takes it over the top, in my opinion, so don’t skip it. If you can’t have dairy, look up a vegan cream cheese frosting type recipe. Chocolate Covered Katy does a vegan cinnamon bun frosting that looks promising.
Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal
adapted from Chocolate Covered Katy, Serves 4
2 cups rolled oats
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup mashed ripe banana (that’s what I’ve used, it is FAB), or unsweetened applesauce
3-4 Tb maple syrup (use a little less if you’re using super ripe banana)
1 cup milk of choice, juice, or water
1/4 tsp salt
Optional: handful of raisins, chopped walnuts,
Maple Cream Cheese Icing
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 oz butter, softened
6 Tb maple syrup
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Combine all oatmeal ingredients. Pour into a prepared muffin tin, and bake 20-25 minutes, or until nice and brown on top, and firm all the way through. Let cool for 5-10 minutes.
3. While the oatmeal is cooling, prepare the icing using a mixer, or you could even beat vigorously with a whisk.
4. Remove “cinnamon rolls” from the pan and top with the icing. Serve warm.
Those look so good!
I think things could get out of hand with that icing–I’m totally going to try these.

domain: food


Alive & Lickin': Dan Hicks shares Cher's distaste for the road.
Veteran North Bay musicians define success differently
By David Sason
No one would ever accuse Mick Overman of being lazy. For nearly 20 years, the Santa Cruz-based musician has built a strong reputation as an Iron Man of the road, playing as many as 379 shows a year. On top of that, he's been a one-man promotion machine, driving the releases of all his albums, which showcase his self-described "bluesy folk and roll with jazz attitude."
But despite his tireless work ethic, Overman's always been a Bay Area sensation, playing regularly at Downtown Joe's in Napa and the Tradewinds in Sonoma County, a place he calls his second home. Overman first played the North Bay a decade ago at the behest of friend and Cotati accordion guru Jim Boggio. The area reminded the SoCal transplant of why he'd originally moved to Santa Cruz back in the '80s. "Six or eight years after moving to Santa Cruz, the music scene wasn't as strong, but it seemed to be thriving in the North Bay," Overman remembers. "There was more of an appreciation for live music, and for original music."
At the turn of the millennium, Overman scaled back after 12 years of grueling, nonstop West Coast touring. "I wanted to focus more on just being a human being and an artist, rather than a money-earning machine," he remembers. This turning point, ironically, was consistent with one of Overman's many astute business theories. "You can oversaturate a market, and no matter how you evolve and improve as an artist, there's a danger of people taking you for granted," he says. "I only play my hometown three or four times a year."
The fiercely independent songwriter shows more of a collaborative spirit on his new album, Good Thing Happen, to be nationally distributed by Burnside Distribution, which should gain Overman an audience faster than his years of touring have. But his idea of success transcends the bottom line. "I'm getting to live as an artist on my own terms, earning a living and getting by year after year, writing, performing and recording music that's important to me," he says. "If this is as good as it ever gets, I'm OK with that."
Conversely, Bart Hopkin of Point Reyes Station has always been satisfied with his limited, regional renown. "I'm not very good about being ambitious about these things," he admits with a laid-back laugh. "I came here because I liked being here, then I took whatever musical opportunities happened to come along." Hopkin's classical guitar solo show can be seen every Saturday at the Station House Cafe in Point Reyes Station, where he plays an eclectic repertoire of originals and standards. "I've been playing there for literally 20 years," he says, "and I think we're at the stage now where it would be too sad for them to ever fire me."
Hopkin seems more driven by his day job as director of Experimental Musical Instruments, an organization devoted to unusual and invented instruments. His interest started, like many, at a very young age. "There are always kids beating pots and pans," he says. "I was one of those, and I never really stopped beating on pots and pans." His curiosity eventually led to an ethnomusicology degree from Harvard and years of studying traditional music in Jamaica. In 1996, he published the highly regarded book Gravikord, Whirlies & Pyrophones: Experimental Musical Instruments, replete with a CD offering readers a solid glimpse of what each instrument sounds like. Hopkin's album After Seven Years navigates through originals and classics as varied as Bach, Woody Guthrie and the Motown classic "Money (That's What I Want)," aided by an invention he simply calls "a funny-looking, 5/6-size electric guitar."
"If you think of a good name," he laughs, "you can tell me."
With an expansive but scattered community, events for experimental instrument enthusiasts, like one in New Zealand that Hopkin will soon attend, are few and far between. "There's certainly not an annual festival," Hopkin says, "but in the Bay Area, the scene is pretty good." Hopkin wants to organize more shows like one he arranged in 2004, but they've proven to be logistically difficult. "For me to do a good show, it really helps if I bring a ton of instruments," he says. "It's great fun, but it's also a drag in a way. Compared to just doing music in a restaurant, it doesn't make much money." Hopkin looks forward to his next showcase, though, which is cryptically scheduled for whenever he "gets the itch."
Similarly nonchalant about his career in general, Hopkin seems content and grounded. "I'm not like a lot of musicians who have stars in their eyes," he says. "My dream is just to try to be a decent person in the end." Though not as innovative as his experimental instrument work, Hopkin feels his more conventional Station House gigs--playing to weekenders and weary hikers--have other rewards. "I still enjoy the hell out of it," he says. "The greatest thing is to play the song that was playing on the radio the first time that guy at that table over there kissed Susie."
Certainly no stranger to the good ol' days of rock is influential Mill Valley resident Dan Hicks, an innovator of the late-'60s Haight-Ashbury psychedelic scene with his band the Charlatans. Hicks gigs regularly at the Sweetwater, a venue that's endured since he moved to the town in the early '70s. In addition to his popular band the Hot Licks, he enjoys his other project, Bayside Jazz, where he brings his unique vocals to jazz standards to a standing monthly afternoon gig. "I kind of do a Mel Tormé thing; it's a labor of love," Hicks says with his Arkansas drawl. "I like it because I don't play guitar. I can just stand there and see what I can do with my voice."
This venture is not surprising for Hicks, whose last album, the countrified jazz and blues hybrid Selected Shorts, featured guests as diverse as Jimmy Buffet, Willie Nelson and the Butthole Surfers' Gibby Haynes, whose own raspy vocal inflections mirror the host's. In 2007, we can expect Hicks' long-awaited Christmas album, a possible KRSH radio show and certainly more concerts, which he still enjoys the most.
"I somehow prefer playing live than being in the studio," he says, relaxed as always. "It's sometimes tedious and a necessary chore." In order to avoid tour burn-out, he now limits his international show schedule. "I go out for maybe two weeks at the most," he says. "It's like Cher said, 'I like everything but the traveling.'"
Although a local icon, Hicks enjoys a mid-level of success. "I would like to have more recognition," he admits, although his views on the subject are as capricious as his musical styles. "But I would hate to get to the point where it did bother me," he says. "Bob Weir goes to Whole Foods late at night so he doesn't get hassled. I wouldn't want to be in that place." He chuckles: "Or maybe I would."
Calistoga resident and jazz pianist Larry Vuckovich has dedicated his career to ensuring local artists get their due appreciation. He fled his native Montenegro, arriving in San Francisco during the jazz-rich 1950s. "The scene was unbelievable; you had bebop, big band, Dixieland, boogie-woogie piano players," he remembers of the North Beach area. "Charlie Parker would jam there, guys from Duke's big band would come, Ella would come."
A widely respected artist in his own right, Vuckovich pioneered the use of Balkan musical elements in American jazz with songs like "Blue Bohemia Suite" from his film noir-inspired Street Scene album. "Coming from the Balkans and hearing the gypsy music, those guys don't jive and bullshit," he says. "The great jazz musicians all had that, but that's diminishing."
Vuckovich holds high esteem for lesser-known masters, like trumpeter Allen Smith, who's recorded with Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and Gerard Wilson. "When he plays the horn, he sings," he says, vibrantly exhibiting his encyclopedic knowledge of the genre. "The great singers always admired the great horn players, because they would exchange ideas."
As a Napa Valley Jazz Festival curator, Vuckovich spotlights many of his unsung heroes each December, but the opportunity was hard-won, having been turned down by more prominent festivals in San Francisco and Monterey. "They had these guys isolated one by one for years, but that's not enough, man; you got to have 10, 15 guys," he insists. "You put them all on one stage and show people the history of the city, plus you get to see how these older guys play with such great energy." Vuckovich's honoring of others has brought him more recognition for himself. San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom recently proclaimed his 70th birthday, Dec. 8, Larry Vuckovich Day.
"Little by little, it's happening," Vuckovich says of the North Bay jazz scene, undoubtedly catalyzed by his regular gigs at COPIA, the Calistoga Jazz Festival and soon the Larkspur Cafe Theatre. And for a man who's just entered his seventh decade, age seems nothing but a number. "As long as I feel good, I have no intention of slowing down," Vuckovich says. "In some ways my energy is even better, because you learn to channel it, not to waste it."
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text:
I spotted these adorable phone cases on Etsy and had to share! Handmade by FeltL Lang, these cases and charms are so detailed it’s amazing – look at that stitching! Plus they feature lots of cute bears, bunnies and cats.
Even better, everything can me made to your custom requirements so whatever gadget you have, you can have a case made in your favourite colours with your favourite characters. Check out the shop for more.
FeltL Lang is based in Cincinnati, USA (via Korea), which is coincidentally where Panda san is holidaying right this minute. I hope she brings me back one of these!
Updated 2020: This shop is now closed – have a look at Our Favourite Kawaii Artists, Designers & Makers instead.
Marceline is the co-founder and editor of Super Cute Kawaii and the author of The Super Cute Book of Kawaii. She lives by the seaside in Scotland in a flat full of kawaii, creating cute character goods as Asking For Trouble, working on endless craft projects and playing Nintendo.
plushpussycatMarch 18, 2011 at 3:58 pm
These are adorable! Can’t decide which ones I love best, they’re all so cute!
Ceiling CatMarch 19, 2011 at 6:05 pm
Whoa, these are incredibly cute! I love the case with the little bees, so pretty :)
sugarraindropsMarch 21, 2011 at 4:46 am
Absolutely adorable, great attention to detail, these are amazing! ♥
BeccasanMarch 27, 2011 at 10:13 pm
This feltwork is amazing!!! The detail, the stitching, exquisite!! Beautiful!


text:
Like many people I’ve watched with shock as the latest food scandal has unfolded before our eyes.
It is fraud on a massive scale and in my view a direct result of big supermarkets putting more and more pressure on suppliers to reduce costs.
I fear that as I write, we’re nowhere near discovering the true scale of this crime.
There will be huge consequences throughout the food industry and many will fall victim through no fault of their own.
I was working in the fast food industry a decade ago when the BSE epidemic broke, it wiped 25 per cent off turnover overnight and it took the best part of five years to recover and many previously thriving businesses simply could not survive.
This was one small part of the chain and there are many farmers who are still struggling to get back on track to this day.
As shocking as the revelations have been, particularly the beef lasagne that contained 0 per cent beef, there’s a part of me that isn’t surprised at all.
You only have to look at the price that some processed meat products are available for to begin to question what’s in them.
For the first time in many years, I had a look at the ready meals section in supermarket. When the price of a frozen meal is a pound or less and you can buy half a dozen frozen burgers for 90p I know that there is either an awful lot of junk being used as filler or the cuts of meat are the cheapest of the cheap or mechanically reclaimed.
Similarly, when you drive buy an advert for a Sunday carvery for £2.50, alarm bells should be ringing.
There are many items that look like bargains in the supermarket but as my Granddad used to tell me: if something looks too good to be true, it probably is.
My hope is that there may be some real positives to come out of this scandal.
Perhaps more people will start to really think about where their food comes from. Perhaps they’ll take a closer look at the ingredients list and perhaps food labelling will become more honest.
Perhaps we’ll be able to see a British label and know for sure that the meat we are eating was born, raised and humanely slaughtered in this country.
I was pleased to see that Michael Gove intends to introduce compulsory cooking lessons in school. Wouldn’t it be great if every child left school with a decent repertoire of meals they can prepare for themselves?
How is it that a cow that’s reared hundreds of miles away, on a different continent, can be transported half way around the world and end up butchered and on the shelves of the supermarket for a seemingly cheaper price than the local butcher can charge for a cow that was reared within 20 minutes’ drive of the shop?
The answer is simple, all is not as it seems. There is a reason why so much of what is on offer in the supermarkets is so cheap. Animal growth is forced and stimulated to dramatically reduce the time it takes to get to slaughter, water is added, much of what is presented as fresh meat arrived at the supermarket frozen and what do you suppose happens to all the offal?
And how many times have you purchased a piece of meat from a supermarket, trimmed off the excess fat and removed the bone you weren’t expecting to find only to discover that you actually have half the weight of meat you thought you’d paid for?
We’re really lucky in Wetherby that we have some fantastic independent food shops where you can be absolutely confident that you’re buying exactly what is advertised.
Those people who shop locally from proper butchers, greengrocers and fishmongers and prepare their meals from scratch will have watched with amusement as the horse meat scandal has unfolded.
I didn’t grow up in an affluent household, I was one of the free school meals kids at school and I know how difficult it can be to feed a family on a tight budget.
What I do know, is that it’s cheaper to prepare nutritious meals from fresh ingredients than it is to live on ready meals. It may feel more convenient to pop a plastic tray full of plastic food into the microwave for a few minutes, but even if you’re pressed for time, you could knock up an omelette in less time than it takes to reheat your frozen horse lasagne.
While there is still much of this scandal to unfold there are some clear lessons to learn already.
No local butcher would dream of passing one thing off as another, they’d soon get found out and they know their business would never survive the reputational damage.
They survive because they charge realistic prices for quality products and provide great service.
I know from many conversations I’ve had over the past 18 months that there are many people in Wetherby who would like another supermarket and I really do understand where they’re coming from.
My personal view, which I must stress is not the view of the majority of our town councillors, is that a second supermarket would do irreversible damage to the independent shops in our town.
I know that I probably won’t make myself popular by arguing against another supermarket but to me, this current scandal highlights the importance of valuing and supporting those local shops that serve us so well.
They may not be the cheapest and the hours they open may not always be convenient but you can shop there with the confidence that what you see is what you get.
My message this week is simple; if you want to know what’s in the food you’re eating, buy local and cook it yourself.


text: ^ Agreed. Have been reading a collecting for 34 years and have seen continuity come and go and still enjoy reading my books every month. I have definitely enjoyed this reboot the most since the one done for COIE. All the others inbetween were very half assed compared to this. I am seeing more new facets explored with characters than in a long time and while I dont agree with all the changes(Firestorm, Storm Watch, a few others) I am really enjoying most of the line.

domain: literature


text:
Saudi Arabian Company Purchases Land to Outsource Drought to California
WESTERN UNITED STATES - For the past several years, the drought-stricken nation of Saudi Arabia has been using a new strategy to help conserve water—growing in California. If you’re asking yourself why would the country choose one of the most notoriously parched states in the U.S. as the home of its most water-thirsty crops, you’re not alone. The answer? It’s looser water restrictions for growers.
Starting in 2014, Saudi-owned Almarai dairy company has purchased about 14,000 acres of farmland in the Western U.S.—enough to feed its 170,000 cows. Paying $31.5 million in January for 1,790 acres of land in California’s Palo Verde Valley and $47.5 million for more than 9,800 acres in La Paz County, Arizona. These two purchases are on top of buying about 2,000 acres in California last year.
Through several decades of drought conditions, Saudi Arabia was growing its own water-intensive crops like grains, alfalfa and more for its cattle, but it reversed that policy about eight years ago to protect scarce supplies, reports the Associated Press (AP).
Now, to further conserve its dwindling water supplies, the country has adopted bans on selected crops. This year, the country will no longer produce wheat, and in December, the government announced the country will stop growing livestock feed derived from crops like alfalfa in a process over the next three years.
The company, Almarai, says the expansion into California and Arizona was part of a “natural progression” in its effort to diversify its supply. Jordan Rose, an attorney for the company’s Arizona unit, explained to AP that Almarai needs to be certain that it is always able to fulfill constant demand. To learn more about Almarai, watch the video below.
Despite the enduring drought conditions in the U.S, the country is attractive to water-seeking companies because it has strong legal protections for agriculture, despite its higher-than-average land prices.
“Southern California and Arizona have good water rights. Who knows if that will change, but that’s the way things are now,” Daniel Putnam, an Agronomist at the University of California, Davis, told AP.
Over the last decade, both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have increasingly become large buyers of American hay in response to their governments pushing stricter water laws. AP reports that, together, they accounted for 10 percent of U.S. exports of alfalfa and other grasses last year.

domain: agronomy


text:
We will ask the BNP to join the polls without bargaining here and there, said the AL general secretary Obaidul Quader
The national election in Bangladesh will be held on time following the Constitution, said ruling Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader
Momen said the recently adopted law on the formation of the EC is a good manifestation of the government’s goodwill and determination to hold a free and fair election
US ambassador Peter Haas on Sunday said US sanctions on RAB would not be lifted if concrete action is not taken and accountability not ensured.
German Ambassador to Bangladesh, Achim Tröster, has said that he was a little disappointed with what the BNP leaders have said about human rights and elections in Bangladesh quoting him
Earlier, the 'Magura election model' was in a particular electoral area but now that model has spread throughout the country
BNP is afraid of joining polls and that’s why they have rejected the Union Parishad elections as well as parliamentary voting, Hasan Mahmud said
Amid the debate of the opposition parties over an interim government and a national government during the election, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is going to unveil a new idea of the ‘national ...
As the new election commission takes up its duties, an analysis can be made on how the former chief election commissioners Mohammad Abu Hena and ATM Shamsul Huda took up the challenge of conducting ...
Secretary of SHUJAN, Badiul Alam Majumdar, in an interview with Prothom Alo, speaks about the new election commission, its challenges, the way ahead, and more
This was not the first violence of BCL men at Kabi Nazrul University. In the last three years, they have harassed at least 50 students
New CEC Kazi Habibul Awal said they have not yet taken any decision on what would be the work procedure of the new election commission
Eminent citizens have said proposed names of 10 people for the appointment of the chief election commissioner and four commissioners should be disclosed for the sake of transparency
Chief election commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda has said there were some failures along with the success during the five years of their tenure

domain: news


text:
You’re out at a Hendricks County restaurant. You bite down on a piece of ice from your beverage, and the next thing you know, you’ve chipped your tooth. Chipped or broken teeth can happen for a variety of reasons, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with an unsightly smile. Tooth bonding is a simple, and relatively comfortable, procedure to restore chipped or broken teeth.
What Is Tooth Bonding?
Tooth bonding is cosmetic dentistry procedure. During the process, Dr. Jon Erickson of Danville Family Dentistry applies a tooth-colored composite resin to the surface of your tooth to repair the area that is chipped or broken. Tooth bonding can also be used to repair decayed teeth, to fill in gaps in the teeth, or to change the color of discolored teeth. It’s called bonding because the resin material bonds to your tooth. However, the resin can be shaped and polished, so it matches your surrounding teeth.
How Is Tooth Bonding Done?
During your consultation, Dr. Erickson will discuss your treatment goals for the procedure. He will select a resin color that closely matches the color of your tooth, so the final result looks as authentic as possible.
During the procedure, Dr. Erickson will apply a very mild etching solution to your tooth to roughen it up. This helps the resin adhere to your tooth better. Once your tooth is prepared, Dr. Erickson will apply the resin, which is a putty-like substance. He will mold and smooth the resin into the proper shape to fill the area. Next, the resin is hardened with a high-intensity light. Finally, Dr. Erickson will further trim, shape and polish the material to match the appearance of the rest of your tooth’s surface.
The tooth bonding procedure can be completed in a single visit – usually within 30 minutes to an hour. If you have more than one tooth that needs to be done, you may need to schedule more time or additional visits.
Benefits of Tooth Bonding
Tooth bonding is an easy, relatively inexpensive (compared to other cosmetic dental procedures), and long-lasting way to fix chipped or broken teeth. If you want to restore the appearance of your smile, contact the Hendricks County office of Danville Family Dentistry to schedule an appointment to see if tooth bonding is the right solution to repair your chipped or broken teeth.

domain: medical


text:
She's here! She's here!
What a special moment for these parents!
Coco shared a pic of the new beautiful baby girl (below):
[Image via WENN.]
Jussie Smollett, Estelle, and Bryshere Y. Gray were all smiles as they glamorously hit the red carpet together!
Jussie and Bryshere appeared to have coordinated their outfits, as both looked dapper in pale-colored, casual suits. B's getup is John Varvatos.
Estelle, on the other hand, was all drama in a black lace, semi-sheer gown — we appreciate the cleavage but we can't find it in us to love the dress!
Maybe it's because we've seen just too many like it!
She still looks beautiful, though!
[Image via Getty Images.]
If you aren't listening to the music from Empire, you are MISSING out!
They performed a medley of Conqueror and You're So Beautiful, which was so good that we'd be okay with the show just stopping here and turning into a concert!
Both emotional and upbeat, it's all that we could ask for from a performance!
Hit 'Play' (above) to see the slayage!
Hollywood has held many celebrations this week leading up to Sunday's Grammy awards, but Bobbi Kristina's plight has cast a shadow over the festivities — especially as the anniversary of her mom Whitney Houston's death nears.
Bobbi Kristina's godfather and Whitney's longtime mentor Clive Davis spoke out on Thursday, evoking the painful memories of Whitney's death in 2012.
It bums us out that Estelle is no longer signed to a major label - because she is still making some stellar music.
Her new single, Conqueror, is major indeed!
A rousing, and inspiring ballad! Something different from what we'd expect from her.
You can tell she poured her heart and soul into this!
The lyrics speak the truth!!!!
You MUST check it out above!!!!!

domain: entertainment


Guess What! Google AdWords Will Soon be Testing Video in (SRP) Search Results Pages
Beta testing has begun on a new opportunity for PPC campaigners that will allow the adding of video advertisements into Google's main search results. These will be different from the organic listing results in that the video ads will appear with the other PPC ads on the top and right side and will be marked with a + sign which can be clicked to drop down a video screen.
Google has knows that this could be a difficult balancing act. On one hand, they want to provide more relevant content to their users and increase their already insane advertising revenues. But on the other hand, they don't want the Google search results full of extraneous flashing video ads, which will ruin the site's standing for a clean search interface.
The plus sign to denote video content allows Google to keep their aesthetically-pleasing look—but will also allow users to view the videos if they want to. Google has indicated they may go a lot further by inserting thumbnail images into the video ads and even begin testing other formats.
It's early yet and we haven't yet captured any screenshots. Don’t worry, we will be watching this opportunity as it opens up to the public and we'll let you know how to do this with your videos as soon as it's available.
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text:
Escape to Another Time
Our favorite hand-held time machines, from the epic battles of
ancient history to the political intrigues of the not-so-distant past.
This book was written in the stars...or at least with the stars in mind. Each character in this New Zealand gold rush epic corresponds to an astrological sign, and the plot is directly informed by planetary movements on 12 days in 1865. While built on certain cliches - the Taurus is a banker and as a Taurus I say: *eye roll* - style and plot are not victims of the contrived structure. Expect seances, opium dens, murder, shipwrecks, star-crossed lovers, and plenty of secrets.
A comic novel about a group of British citizens in an outpost on the Gangetic plain of India in 1857, the year of the Great Mutiny. They are holed up in the local administrator's fortified residence, under siege by mutinous, British-trained Indian soldiers, quickly dying off from bullets, disease and starvation. Their philosophies, their justifications, their bigotries and their skewed colonist moralities are similarly under siege, and begin to fester as if in a warm, damp container, some disintegrating, others flaring up like eruptions of mold. Very funny, very engrossing, and very interesting.
I'll admit, I'm a bit of a sucker for sprawling historical novels (although this only spans about twenty years), but I'm not exaggerating in saying that it's one of the best I've ever read. Whether you're a sucker for historical fiction like me, or are a lover of decadent, thoughtful prose and characters, whatever the topic may be. But the topic is yet another point in favor of this wonderful book: it's about Palestine and its people during the British mandate era, and this Palestinian perspective on history is sorely underrepresented in English. Hammad is a ridiculously talented writer, and this is definitely a debut not to be missed.
- Jacob R.
Epic and complete, A Brief History of Seven Killings feels like something new. It has relatives, like The Savage Detectives, but it’s an only child. If you’re wondering if contemporary fiction can still surprise you, here’s your book. (Rated R.)
Despite half of the book taking place at the bottoms of various wells it will grab you, kind of in a weird way that you're not really sure you like and then you adjust to it and are like, "You know this isn't bad and maybe I want 400 more pages of Murakami reaching inside his characters and tugging out the weirdest, most wriggly bits."
The most beautiful love story I have ever read. Ondaatje weaves together maps, deserts, World War II, colonialism and the human body in language which just kills me.
I swear it is worth every one of its five-hundred-something-thousand words. Seth draws his characters with such conviction, generosity and empathy that one sinks into the details of their lives with pleasure. Truly engrossing and delightful, an elegantly crafted soap-operatic presentation of personal and political complications in a newly post-independence, post-partition India. By Seth's own suggestion, you may physically rip the book into sections if it seems easier to ingest that way (only, please buy it first).


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The Democrats’ Savior
January 16, 2018 · 9:05 AM EST
One year ago, as Donald Trump was preparing to take the oath of office, Democrats were in disarray. Supporters of 2016 nominee Hillary Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders were pointing fingers at each other, the Democratic National Committee was in disgrace, and Democratic voters were demoralized.
Now, Trump has succeeded in doing something extraordinary, something neither Clinton nor House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi could do — he has united and energized Democrats.
Moreover, if national polls are accurate, the president has taken his own party to the edge of a political cliff, the 2018 midterm elections.
This has occurred in spite of a growing economy, a booming stock market, a shrinking unemployment rate and tax cuts intended to stimulate even more growth.
While economic dislocations and low wage growth certainly played a role in boosting Trump’s presidential run, it was his view of America that mobilized key voters behind his anti-establishment candidacy.
Trump voters were angry about how the country has changed. They saw liberals encouraging diversity (through same-sex marriage, transgender rights and immigration) at the expense of traditional values, roles and institutions (e.g., traditional religious beliefs and organizations).
Even worse, Republicans were unable to roll back or stop the tide of change. Trump’s cultural populism was an important part of his campaign message, and it continues to underlie his appeal to older, less educated, white voters, particularly those in rural areas.
His anti-elitist message resonated with Americans who regarded diversity and political correctness as threats to their traditions and way of life.
His promise to replace “Happy Holidays” with “Merry Christmas” may seem trivial, but it encapsulated an important part of his message and allure, which essentially involved his promise to turn back the clock.
Yes, Trump’s cultural message resonated with people on the political fringe, but it also reflected the views of average Americans, particularly older whites who grew up in a very different time and who miss the values, communities and traditions they once knew and with which they were entirely comfortable. (Not surprisingly, nonwhites generally don’t have such romantic memories of the 1950s.)
But while those themes certainly struck a chord with conservatives and older voters in 2016, they have also — for a very different reason — now energized the young, people of color and more liberal voters, who see Trump’s America as a threat rather than an ideal.
Like Trump, President Barack Obama’s great appeal was not his issue positions — though, of course, liberal Democrats agreed with him about health care, government spending and foreign policy.
Instead, it was Obama’s vision for the country — diversity, equality, fairness and bipartisan cooperation — that made him so attractive, even to nonideological voters.
While many Americans remain outraged by Trump’s judicial appointments, efforts to repeal the 2010 health care law, support for corporate tax cuts and decision to open up drilling off the nation’s coasts, his critics have been most offended by his vision for America.
Trump’s inauguration address, comments after the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, and insensitivity toward gays and blacks galvanized liberals, immigrants and the young, many of whom were lukewarm about Clinton’s candidacy and failed to vote during the Obama midterms in 2010 and 2014.
This new energy produced an electorate in Virginia in 2017 that looked significantly more like the national electorates of 2008 and 2012 than those of 2010 or 2016.
That is politically dangerous for the GOP, as it was in 2006, when a Democratic electoral wave swept the country.
Trump and congressional Republicans began this election cycle with little room for error heading into the midterms. After all, Clinton won the popular vote by more than 2 points in 2016 even though key Democratic demographic groups underperformed.
But since his election, Trump has made little effort, either substantively or symbolically, to reach out to voters outside his political base.
Yes, his base is loyal, but it remains dangerously small.
The trouble for Trump and his party is that last year’s Virginia gubernatorial election saw strong turnout among younger voters (ages 18-29 and 30-44) and nonwhites.
The surge was particularly strong in suburban areas, where white women with a college degree helped Democrat Ralph Northam sweep to an unexpectedly strong victory.
Trump’s voters went to the polls and supported Republican Ed Gillespie, but he was crushed by almost 9 points by a larger-than-expected Democratic turnout.
The outcome in Virginia revealed the long-term problem for Republicans in general and Trump in particular: the America of Donald Trump isn’t one that is inclusive and welcoming.
It is an America tied to cultural values and behaviors of the 1950s, not the 21st century. That has proved appealing to older white voters, evangelicals, the less educated and those living in rural America, but not so to the rest of the country.
Other elections in 2017 and most national polls have also shown greater Democratic energy and opposition to the president, even with the nation’s good economic numbers.
The Democrats don’t have Obama at the top of the ticket, but they have someone almost as good — Donald Trump.
So, while the president can (and inevitably will) brag about some of his accomplishments, perhaps his greatest accomplishment may be his success in reviving and revitalizing the Democratic Party. And for that, Democrats should thank him.


Here's Luke Castiglione with Sunday afternoon's weather forecast for viewers in the Meridian West region. This afternoon will remain cloudy with some light rain and drizzle. Brighter breaks at times with a max temperature of 9 degrees.
Luke Castiglione has Sunday's weather updates for the Meridian region. It's staying cloudy and damp this afternoon followed by bright and breezy weather on Monday. But it'll turn very windy from Tuesday and then much colder from Wednesday.


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Includes: ‘Tis the season to come home for the holidays! Join magical Skytop Lodge as they kick off the holiday season with a life-size gingerbread house and enjoy deluxe accommodations, daily bountiful breakfast, and a gift from the resort to you: Holiday Passport Special Offer Booklet & Keepsake Gift. Each department offers one item that can be used per room, per stay. Among these items are a Skytop souvenir from the gift shop, free treats from the on-site restaurants, and discounts on Skytop adventures.
Available: Seven days a week; limited availability on weekends
Cost: Rates start at $259/night based on double occupancy and availability. Valid for stays December 1 through 24, 2020. Does not include tax or fees. Minimum stay may apply. No credit or refund will be issued for any unused portions of the passport book. See website for complete package details and prices.
- Redeemable: Wednesday, Nov 11, 2020 - Thursday, Dec 24, 2020

domain: travel


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Welcome to International Journal of Research in Social Sciences & Humanities
E-ISSN : 2249 - 4642 | P-ISSN: 2454 - 4671
IMPACT FACTOR: 8.561
Social Identity in Bharati Mukherjee’s Days and Nights in Calcutta
Mohammed Lateef Aziz Twayej
Volume: 12 Issue: 4 2022
The study is an attempt to discuss Bharati Mukherjee’s social identity in a remarkable work of diasporic Indian literature, Days and Nights in Calcutta, based on Henri Tajfel’s theory. Days and Nights in Calcutta is classified as one of the most prominent works in diaspora literature. It is a shared work of Bharati Mukherjee and her Canadian husband, Clark Blaise, in which they record their daily life for fourteen months in India. While reading the text, it is easy for the reader to capture the two opposite perspectives, the Western and Eastern. The Western attitude is represented in Clark Blaise’s section, in which he conveys his own experience in India by describing the streets, hotels etc. He reflects the Western eye of Indian culture by drawing the contradictions of the Indian culture with the Western one. The Eastern lens is presented in Mukherjee’s section when she narrates her leaving India when she was a little girl to Europe and her return after a long absence to her homeland. In her narration, she seeks reconciliation and reunion again with her origin. She suffers the culture clashes and racial discrimination for most of her life. Her identity is torn between the Eastern and Western cultures. European culture treated her as an Indian due to her skin colour, while in India, she is Western due to her looks. Thus, the study attempts to discuss Mukherjee’s social identity in the light of social psychology and to examine whether the writer can adopt a new culture to get a reunion after a long absence. Moreover, it also focuses on the transformative experiences of Mukherjee, which she acquires while abroad, such as racial discrimination in alien cultures due to her race, culture, and origin, leading to discrimination against her people in the homeland.
Refer & Earn


The will not go on sale in the U.S. this year because production is at capacity trying to meet European demand. That's too bad, as the 5-passenger X1 slots in well below and is a playful vehicle to drive. Its interior is standard and the X1 I drove had BMW's new TwinPower Turbo 2.0-liter inline-4 gasoline engine making 245 bhp. It's essentially a truncated 3.0-liter inline-6, mated to a proper 6-speed manual. The 28 name was chosen because feels the car has performance equivalent to that of the company's naturally aspirated six. It's peppy with a good power surge in the middle of the rev range. Its only quirk is the lack of a snappy low-rpm throttle response—no boost, little power. The chassis feels light on its feet but slightly encumbered by a high center of gravity. Compared to an X3, the X1 feels like a featherweight, and not surprisingly very much like the new , just without a quirky interior.
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In the dynamic landscape of online sports betting and gaming, SBOBET stands as a beacon of excellence, captivating enthusiasts with its comprehensive offerings and unmatched quality. Whether you’re a passionate sports fan or someone looking to dive into the realm of online gaming, SBOBET is a name that resonates. Join us as we embark on a journey to uncover the remarkable world of SBOBET and discover why it stands out in the realm of online entertainment.
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SBOBET isn’t just another online betting platform; it’s an immersive experience that caters to sports lovers and gaming enthusiasts alike. With an expansive range of sports betting options, online casino games, and live dealer experiences, SBOBET has rightfully earned its place as a prominent player in the industry.
The Sports Betting Thrill
One of the cornerstones of SBOBET’s success is its sports betting section. Sports aficionados can dive into a world of exciting possibilities, placing bets on a wide variety of sporting events, from football and basketball to tennis and more. The platform provides real-time updates, odds, and statistics, enhancing the thrill of following your favorite teams and athletes.
Gaming Variety at Your Fingertips
Beyond sports betting, SBOBET offers an extensive array of online casino games that cater to diverse tastes. From classic table games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat to a plethora of cutting-edge slot machines and video poker, the gaming library is designed to ensure endless entertainment and opportunities to win.
Live Dealer Experience
For those seeking an authentic casino atmosphere, SBOBET‘s live dealer games bring the excitement of a land-based casino directly to your screen. Interact with live dealers in real time as you play popular casino games, adding a layer of social engagement to your gaming experience.
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SBOBET’s commitment to innovation is evident in its user-friendly platform. Navigating through the website is intuitive, allowing both newcomers and seasoned players to access their favorite games and betting options with ease. The mobile-friendly design ensures that you can enjoy the SBOBET experience anytime, anywhere, from your smartphone or tablet.
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Concerns about security are valid in the online world, especially in the realm of betting and gaming. SBOBET takes player safety seriously, implementing advanced security measures to protect your personal and financial information. With encryption technology and robust privacy protocols, you can bet and play with confidence.
Join the SBOBET Experience
In a world where options abound, SBOBET stands as a testament to quality, diversity, and customer satisfaction. Whether you’re an ardent sports enthusiast or a gaming aficionado, SBOBET offers an immersive journey filled with excitement, entertainment, and potential rewards. Embrace the SBOBET experience and elevate your online entertainment to new heights.

domain: hobby


Wood Preparation and Putting it on the Lathe
| First we will mount a waste block on the screw chuck.
You could also use a small face plate, but I find this less time
consuming, and this Glaser screw chuck works real well.
(Since this was written, I have actually gone back to small face plates, like those that Best Wood Tools sells. The screw chuck would sometimes strip out and make it difficult to reposition the work)
|We need to make sure that the turning block is as square as we can. To do this, you could just mark it out with a square and sand, band saw or use a jointer to "parallelize" the block. I have made a jig to do it on the table saw. First cut a reference edge, then start with that edge and measure and cut as you go with all four sides being the same length and square to each other.|
|Now that our block is nice and truly square, use our handy homemade gizmo to find the center. I use this method because it will find the center in relation to the sides, versus drawing lines from corner to corner. This finds the "true" center. You want to get the lines about 1/16" from each other||If your block is square, this is reflected in the box between the pencil lines. There should be a "square square" in the center. Use a punch and put an indention in the center of the square. We will use that fro a registration mark with the live center in the tailstock later.|
| Use an old rag to cover the ways of the lathe bed
because we don't want to get glue on it. If you have a variable speed
lathe, put it as low as you can, and still have it spin and make a
spiral of thick CA glue. If you don't have a variable speed lathe. Keep
it off and put a good thin layer of CA glue on it (thick gap filling
Liberally spray the wood block with CA accelerator, make sure you have good ventilation and don't whiff it, otherwise you won't be coherent for the next step.
The tail stock needs to be positioned and locked down so that there is enough space to get the block in without toughing the glue covered waste block, yet you can advance the live center and the waste block makes good solid contact with the wood block that we are going to turn.
What you want to do here is to use the small indention you put in there as an alignment mark, positioning it into the point of the live center. Then advance the live center until it makes contact with the glue and waste block. Once it makes good solid contact, spray accelerator over the joint where they come together. Let it sit for a good few minutes and you catch a breath of fresh air.
Cutting the wings and Sanding
Cutting the Base and Sanding
Drilling, Turning the Bottom, and Finishing


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As a gift for his grandfather, my customer wanted to frame the Queen's Golden Jubilee medal that was awarded to his grandfather back in 2002 as a civilian. He wanted to keep the frame small enough so that it could be displayed comfortably on a mantle. As well, he wanted to be able to easily open and close the shadow box, should an occasion arise in which his grandfather would like to wear his medal.
Two decorative brass hinges were installed on the left hand side of the shadow box so that the frame could be opened like a book. Inside, two 1/4" rare earth magnets and matching steel screws were installed to keep the frame closed.
I had the medal court mounted by Lee's Medal Mounting and asked for a single 'clasp type' pin rather than two 'push type' pins. The medal could then be displayed in the shadow box by having the pin clasp hung over a couple of hooks. The hooks were recessed into the black suede mount board so that the medal would lay flush.
Tru Vue's Museum glass was installed in the face frame. Strips of black suede mat & 8ply matboard were glued together to line the sides of the frame and hold the glass in place. The back of the face frame was painted black in order to make a nice finished look when you opened the shadow box.


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When I’ve been out reporting on workers’ protests for a higher minimum wage, fast food and retail workers repeatedly have told me three things:
▪ Their hourly pay rate isn’t enough to pay basic living expenses.
▪ They’re not getting enough hours on the job.
▪ They can’t get a second job because they’re required to be available for their first job whenever called.
All three issues are embroiled in layers of political and economic discussions. Outside of unionized environments, compensation and shift assignments for most jobs are whatever the employer believes is right, based on costs, competition, skill levels, available talent pool and other free market forces.
In early October, though, hundreds of thousands of low-wage retail workers got results they wanted on their third point. Partly spurred by aggressive action in New York state, several major national retail companies have eliminated on-call scheduling – a requirement that workers be available to work whenever called.
The practice, also known as just-in-time scheduling, is a logical business practice that allows companies to staff up or staff down when business demands and not have workers standing around with nothing to do or not have the company understaffed at peak times.
From the workers’ point of view, though, it’s a hardship that makes it difficult for them to manage transportation, child care and education (as in taking classes to work toward a degree), much less take a second job.
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman looked into scheduling practices of 13 large retailers, notifying them that on-call scheduling likely violated a New York wage law. In response to the probe and to groundswell action, several major brands have announced an end to on-call scheduling in their New York stores and, for some, nationally.
The Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Bath & Body Works, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, Victoria’s Secret, Urban Outfitters, T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and Starbucks are among major brands that have said they don’t use or won’t use on-call scheduling at some point in the near future.
According to recent reports, Schneiderman’s office also has sought scheduling information from J. Crew, Burlington Coat Factory, Target, Sears, Williams-Sonoma, Crocs, Ann and J.C. Penney.
Separately, the nation’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart, has started a pilot program that gives workers more control over choosing their own scheduling slots, perhaps injecting more consistency into their work lives.


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Model wearing shirt designed by Gerry Broughan
Model wearing a "Romeo" shirt designed by Wellington menswear designer, Gerry Broughan. Photographed by an Evening Post staff photographer 22 November 1969.
Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).
Physical Description: Film negative, 6 x 6 cm
Finding Aids: Print in Turnbull Library Pictures Evening Post illustrations file at Industry-Fashion-Mens-1960s/1970s (Cabinet no 9, drawer 3)..
Access restrictions: Partly restricted - Please use surrogate in place of original
Format: 1 b&w original negative(s), Negatives, Film negative, 6 x 6 cmSee original record
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You can copy this item for personal use, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It cannot be used commercially without permission, please ask us for advice. If reproducing this item, please maintain the integrity of the image (i.e. don't crop, recolour or overprint it), and ensure the following credit accompanies it:Model wearing shirt designed by Gerry Broughan. Dominion post (Newspaper): Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post and Dominion newspapers. Ref: EP/1969/5223-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23211758


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Denver-area execs discuss current economic issues
Quarterly Financial Roundtable
(Page 5 of 11)
A: We are hearing two questions from clients. The first relates to the possible effect on the stock market. We believe the probability of higher taxes is already reflected in valuations, so if anything, there may be some upside in the short term if we see a Republican victory.
The second question relates to clients’ own personal tax situations. We always tell clients to consult with their personal tax adviser, but, in general, clients should be having their investment advisers and tax professionals doing a thorough, coordinated review to see if certain gains should be taken before the end of the year.
Q: Are you concerned that increased regulation of the financial sector is hurting banks’ ability to lend and thus stifling economic growth? Why or why not?
A: Absolutely. Banks continue to evaluate the effects of new legislation that have greatly increased the cost of compliance, especially for the smallest community banks, put certain revenue streams in doubt and increased banks’ capital requirements.
This has led to an environment where, although interest rates are at historic lows, many borrowers can’t access them because banks either need to preserve capital or are afraid of regulatory repercussion. This fear disproportionately affects small business and entrepreneurs where the credit may be very sound, but somewhat complicated, and this has hurt the ability to create job growth.
President and CEO of Colorado State Bank and Trust in Denver
Q: What do you think the likely outcome will be when lawmakers are forced to deal with the fiscal cliff the U.S. government faces at the end of this year, and what will that mean for investors?
Heather Draper covers banking, finance, law and sports business for the Denver Business Journal and writes for the "Finance Etc." blog. Phone: 303-803-9230.
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domain: finance


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Singer Elise Estrada dedicated her single “Wonder Woman” to Canadian teenager Amanda Todd, who committed suicide as a result of cyber-bullying via Facebook. Prior to her suicide, Amanda Todd even put together a 9-minute YouTube video where she held up a series of hand written notes to tell her story. (You can see her video below.) Her ordeal included blackmailing, bullying, and physically assault from various people. It’s such a tragic story about bullying. Learning all of this singer Elise Estrada felt compelled to create “Wonder Woman”. Here’s her message about the song:
I hope this song inspires you to be your own Super hero. BE that change. “Everyone talks about changing the world, but no one talks about changing himself”. People tend to look furthest away from themselves for fault – different countries, different religions, different political parties, or even criticizing others for their personal habits. I believe in order to make a real change, we need to search deep into our actions, behaviors, beliefs and start to do the only work we really can control-within ourselves.
Change begins within. In our families, raising our children to be good. Showing them what a healthy, loving relationship looks like. Treating our partners with friendship and respect. Caring for our aging parents in whatever way we are able. In our communities/jobs/schools-spread love and positivity instead of hate, gossip, discrimination and hurtful words.
Amanda Todd, your story has inspired many people to make changes. Changes within themselves and in their communities. With this song, “Wonder Woman” we really tried to comprehend what you were going through. Kids today don’t have the luxury of going home and escaping the bullies. Bullies are everywhere. They’re on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Youtube, chat rooms. It deeply disturbs me when people take bullying so damn lightly – “kids will be kids” they say. Or “Suicide isn’t caused by bullying”. Maybe not. But obviously the constant emotional torture and the repeated hurtful words meant to damage Amanda’s spirit, self worth and reputation didn’t have a negative influence on her psyche right? Obviously getting beat up and left in a ditch just to be found by her father didn’t do anything negative to her mental health right? Ignorant, insensitive MEAN people.
So here’s my promise to you Amanda…I will spend so much time spreading love and sharing your story to others. Every time I sing “Wonder Woman” I will speak of you and hope the song touches and inspires young people who are being bullied to stay strong, makes a bully change their ways or gives bystanders the courage to be a SuperHero, form an army and say STOP. I know this won’t put an end to bullying. But if this song and telling your story inspires change in more people, I’m doing my job. “Change ripples with water…and we are that stone.” RIP Amanda.
Here’s more videos about bullying: TEASE : Lil Crazed Bullying Prevention Campaign, Childhood Bully by Just Kidding Films, Bully by KevJumba, Overcome, Bully vs Nerd, Hines Ward’s Story, and An Open Letter to All Bullies.
Wonder Woman by Elise Estrada (Dedicated to Amanda Todd)
Amanda Todd youtube video

domain: sociology


Oil jumps, gold directionless
Oil surges on lower omicron concerns
The Fauci comments overnight saw more fast money returning to the long oil trade as markets started pricing a resumption of the global recovery and higher oil consumption. Brent crude leapt 5.40% higher to USD 73.65 a barrel, while WTI jumped 5.45% higher to USD 70.00 a barrel. In Asia, Brent has added 0.55% to USD 74.05, and WTI has added 0.90% to USD 70.65 a barrel.
Both contracts have quite a bit more upside potential, assuming the mild omicron reality is correct. The technical indicators are neutral but most especially, despite OPEC+ raising production quotas once again this month, the grouping continues to struggle to even meet its previously outlined increases. Virus volatility aside, that and OPEC+’s optionality over immediately changing the targets from the last meeting, which remains officially open, should provide a healthy modicum of support on any material pullbacks. Oil will be immune to a more hawkish FOMC next week.
Both contracts have recovered above their respective 100-day moving averages and if investor sentiment remains positive Brent crude can retest USD 76.00 and WTI USD 73.00 before the end of the week. I continue to believe that the lows of last week could well be the lows for the next year.
Gold remains marooned
Gold had another directionless session as it remains forgotten by the investor community, particularly those bullish traders who have been so badly whipsawed over the last month. Gold drifted 0.30% lower to USD 1778.50 an ounce overnight as US yields firmed, only to reverse that in Asia, rising 0.20% to USD 1782.50 an ounce.
In the bigger picture, gold looks set to trade in a rough USD 1770.00 to USD 1800.00 an ounce range this week, unable to sustain momentum above or below those levels. The 50,100 and 200-day moving averages (DMAs), clustered between USD 1791.00 and USD 1793.50 provides immediate resistance, followed by USD 1800.00. Support lies at USD 1770.00 and USD 1760.00.
Gold could still stage a modest recovery this week, but if the US yield curve continues steepening, that may never eventuate, especially if US CPI data on Friday is likely to print around 7.0%. Gold remains a sell on rallies to USD 1810.00. The balance of risks still favours a move lower towards USD 1720.00 an ounce.


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Oral Anovulants as Therapeutic Intervention: Social, Demographic, Legal and Clinical Aspects of Accountability, Risk and the Ethics of Experimentation With Human Subjects
Merkin, Donald H.
Ann Arbor: Xerox University Microfilms, 1975. 175 p.
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Documentary Film Production
This is my most notable, documentary film, Adventures in Plymptoons! about Oscar nominated animator, Bill Plympton. You can hire me and my company to make something even more awesome about you.
Note: The theme of all my work is living the creative life and my ultimate goal is world peace. So if you decide to approach me to hire my company it should be something around those two arenas.
Here is an example of a branding video and testimonial by Lana Shlafer that I directed with Jill Morley.
Short and Feature Film Production
Producing short and film projects
Salome is an all female version of Oscar Wilde's Salome in a short film format that I have sold over 500 copies on DVD and the trailer alone has over 66k views on YouTube. Little Fishes is a narrative film that I directed and produced and showed at the Cannes Marche du Film, it will be coming out in 2018. I love directing and producing. Happy to help you on your next production.
I love makes films a reality. I am taking on producing more short, feature film projects and web series. Here are a couple that I helped make a reality.


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GUWAHATI: Ballot voting for about 3,000 'Absentee Voters' who were unable to cast their ballots in polling booths has began today in four constituencies in Kamarup (M).
The 10-day voting process, which began from today will be continued till April 5, that will include in-house voters over the age of 80, and voters with disabilities as well as those affected by COVID-19.
Voting will take place in the comfort of one's home, with one micro observer, two polling officers, a videographer, and a police official visiting the absentee voter's home and allowing them to cast their ballots according to the specified protocol.
This is the first time that the Election Commission (EC) has introduced this system to ensure that every eligible voter has the right to vote in a safe manner.
Copyright©2023 Living Media India Limited. For reprint rights: Syndications Today


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Neurons communicate with each other by sending messages along axons and dendrites via electrical impulses. The axons turn these impulses into chemical signals, sending neurotransmitters across synapses. The receiving dendrite then converts neurotransmitters back into the right electrical signals, so we understand the message; for example, that bite of pie was delicious, I’ll take another one. These exchanges happen countless times in the brain, and they control mood, behavior, movement, and cognition.
Made from a mixture of baking soda and powder cocaine, crack is a version of cocaine—but at a lower purity level. The key difference is that crack is smoked. This method of ingestion allows the drug to seep into lung tissues, producing a completely different result. Smoking crack causes the high to be much faster and more intense than the high traditionally felt from powder cocaine. Crack’s high is extremely short, usually less than 15 minutes, causing the user to crave a frightening amount of the drug. Withdrawal symptoms can cause immense depression, agitation and insomnia – all of which drive an addict to keep using the drug.11
By providing your contact information, you expressly consent to receiving calls and/or SMS text messages at the number you provided as part of our service offerings, including but not limited to advertisements, solicitations, and service updates. The phone number belonging to the called/messaged person(s) could incur charges for such contact. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment. Not available in all states.
Parents may also inadvertently contribute to children’s alcohol problems, especially if they model bad drinking behaviors. Kids who grow up in homes with a great deal of drinking may come to see the behavior as normal. If their parents drink as a coping mechanism for stress or anxiety, kids may come to do the same. In this case, the genes aren’t at the root of the problem; it’s the behaviors parents model that causes concern. Drug Rehab Near Me
Research has identified differences in how the reward center of the brain responds to alcohol in heavy and light drinkers. In either group, alcohol caused the release of naturally occurring feel-good endorphins in the two brain regions linked to reward processing. Once addicted, alcohol withdrawal presents dangerous physical and psychological issues.9
Disulfiram (Antabuse®) interferes with the breakdown of alcohol. Acetaldehyde builds up in the body, leading to unpleasant reactions that include flushing (warmth and redness in the face), nausea, and irregular heartbeat if the patient drinks alcohol. Compliance (taking the drug as prescribed) can be a problem, but it may help patients who are highly motivated to quit drinking.
Substance abuse therapy: Used as a part of many inpatient and outpatient programs, therapy is one of the cornerstones of drug addiction treatment. Individual, group and family therapy help patients and their loved ones understand the nature and causes of addiction. Therapy teaches coping strategies and life skills needed to live a productive, sober life in the community. For individuals with a co-occurring mental illness, intensive psychotherapy can also address psychiatric symptoms and find the underlying issues that contribute to addiction.
A large body of scientific evidence has been gathered in recent years to show that addiction can run in families. In fact, children of alcohol-addicted parents are four times more likely to develop alcohol addiction in later life than those born to parents without alcohol addictions. How this works is complex, and there is no one ‘alcohol gene’ to blame for this; instead a number of genetic variations, which mean some individuals are more pre-disposed to alcoholism than others. Addiction Recovery - Alcohol Drugs Rehab - Detoxing Frequency - Monaural Beats
Physical dependence on a drug can cause serious withdrawal symptoms if a person suddenly stops using the substance or severely reduces the dose. The withdrawal process itself can be uncomfortable and dangerous. Some of the classic signs of withdrawal include tremors, cold sweats, involuntary movements (e.g., jerking, twitching, or shaking), nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps and bone pain. Because withdrawal can be dangerous, proper medical detox can be a life-saving step in recovery. Sunrise Foundation Rehabilitation Center in India near Mumbai
More problematically, they are also not removed from their home environment which has proven to facilitate the drug-taking behaviour which has led to addiction, and are still able to contact their dealer/s if the temptation to relapse proves overpowering. Their whole recovery rests upon their strength of will – which in some cases may not prove sufficient at critical times.
Alcohol dependency is different for different people. Although many sufferers share things in common, their relationships with alcohol might at first seem to be nothing alike. This can make it difficult for people to identify themselves as alcohol dependent, even as drinking has an increasingly more damaging effect on their relationships, health, and enjoyment of life.
Alcohol detox– In most cases of long-term alcohol addiction, detox must occur prior to formal treatment. This part of the healing process involves stopping the consumption of alcohol and all other drugs. This gives the body time to cleanse itself of all harmful toxins. Withdrawal symptoms may be an issue (e.g., depression and anxiety, mood swings, sweats, chills and irritability). They all depend upon the specifics of the addiction. Physical and mental health care and support is provided, as needed.1Therapeutic medication– The need for therapeutic medication depends on the individual patient’s needs, experiences and circumstances. If a drug is used, it should be medically-managed by a physician. Alcohol/Drug Addiction, Treatment & Recovery | David Streem, MD
We offer each resident their own private room and bathroom to provide a personal space where they can recharge after a workout, reflect after a therapy session or take a nap. While group therapy sessions are an important part of our program at Searidge Alcohol Rehab, we respect and value the importance of a private room of one’s own. We strive to deliver the best alcohol recovery treatment possible to each and every resident while offering outstanding comfort and total privacy. Inpatient Rehab Centers Near Me Philadelphia PA
As with other diseases and disorders, the likelihood of developing an addiction differs from person to person, and no single factor determines whether a person will become addicted to drugs. In general, the more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs will lead to drug use and addiction. Protective factors, on the other hand, reduce a person's risk. Risk and protective factors may be either environmental or biological. Trib Talk: Fraud and abuse in rehab centers
Holistic recovery programs focus not just on treating alcoholism as a physical or psychological disease, but on healing the body, mind and spirit. In addition to the core components of alcohol rehab — individual and group therapy, family counseling, 12-step meetings and behavioral modification — treatment addresses the patient’s spiritual and emotional needs through activities like art therapy, recreational therapy, guided meditation, yoga, acupuncture and massage. The goal of holistic therapy is to promote healing on all levels so the patient can build a meaningful, rewarding life.
The nineteenth century saw opium usage in the US become much more common and popular. Morphine was isolated in the early nineteenth century, and came to be prescribed commonly by doctors, both as a painkiller and as an intended cure for opium addiction. At the time, the prevailing medical opinion was that the addiction process occurred in the stomach, and thus it was hypothesized that patients would not become addicted to morphine if it was injected into them via a hypodermic needle, and it was further hypothesized that this might potentially be able to cure opium addiction. However, many people did become addicted to morphine. In particular, addiction to opium became widespread among soldiers fighting in the Civil War, who very often required painkillers and thus were very often prescribed morphine. Women were also very frequently prescribed opiates, and opiates were advertised as being able to relieve "female troubles".
Marital and Family Counseling: Since alcohol abuse often deeply impacts the family of the addict, this type of therapy incorporates spouses and other family members in the treatment process and can play a large role in repairing relationships damaged by the addiction. When done properly, it builds up the patient’s support system and increases the chances for long-term recovery.
Research the history of the Treatment Center or facility. What is their success rate? Can you find any medical recommendations for them online from members of the established rehab or medical community? How long has the Center been in operation? Is their leadership on solid ground? Are there any signs of financial corruption associated with the Center that is readily visible on the Internet? It is your responsibility to dig for this information. If you cannot find any information about a given Treatment Center online or at your local library, move on to the next Center on your list! 3 Stages of Drug Alcohol Rehab-How It Works


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Major international tournaments often put little-known players into the spotlight, and in 1996, Patrik Berger was a perfect example. The Czech attacking midfielder was 22 years old at the time and had already played his part in a Bundesliga win with Borussia Dortmund, but it was at Euro 1996 that he really announced himself to the world and English football fans in general, playing a key role as his nation made it all the way to the final and even scoring the opening goal in that game.
He caught the eye of Liverpool and made a move for £3.25 million, later stating that the day he signed his contract was the happiest day of his life, having admired the club and dreamt of joining them from an early age. Well, Berger didn’t have to wait long to hear an Anfield roar rise up in his honour; he scored two goals in one of his first appearances in an away game against Leicester and then blasted in another brace in a 5-1 win over Chelsea for his full home debut.
Blessed with an absolutely wicked left foot, Berger’s early goals were magnificent and he developed a reputation for scoring the sort of spectacular strikes that wouldn’t look out of place on any end-of-season highlight reel. The Czech had a real knack for shooting the ball with an exceptional blend of power and precision, often leaving keepers rooted to the spot and wondering what happened as the ball blew past them.
In the early goings of his Liverpool career, Berger was scoring so often that he was seen as a potential rival for Stan Collymore, but he’d never really been an out-and-out centre forward and ended the season with 9 strikes in all competitions. Despite an excellent start, Berger’s future at the club was cast into doubt in his second season. He scored a superb hat-trick against Chelsea, but was often finding himself on the bench, with clear tension developing between the player and his manager, Roy Evans.
Berger was repeatedly linked with a move away, but Evans’ eventual departure and the arrival of new boss Gérard Houllier flipped the script, with Berger sticking around and becoming a better-rounded and more influential player under the Frenchman. Houllier really valued Berger and seemed to know how to get the best out of him, with the Czech scoring 18 goals over the course of the subsequent two seasons.
Video courtesy of JojeKinny
Without doubt, he will go down as one of Liverpool’s most underrated players in the Premier League era along with the likes of Steven Finnan, Heskey, Smicer and Dirk Kuyt. Every long-term Liverpool fan will have their own favourite memories of Berger, with terrific goals against Wimbledon and Tottenham certainly leaving their mark, but one strike that surely stands out in every fan’s mind came in March of 2000 against Manchester United. Liverpool had been awarded a free kick around 30 years from goal and Berger stepped up, blasting an absolute thunderbolt past a helpless Raimond Van Der Gouw.
Unfortunately, a bad ligament injury broke Berger’s stride in the 2000-01 season. He’d been in fantastic form, but would never regain his place in the starting line-up, netting just four times in his three final seasons with the club. However, he did still manage to play a part in some key successes for Liverpool, setting up Michael Owen’s winner with a peach of a pass in the 2001 FA Cup Final and appearing in the club’s UEFA Cup win of that year too.
If only he’d had a little more luck with injuries, Berger could have left an even greater legacy at Liverpool. In the end, he was forced to move on to Portsmouth, followed by Aston Villa, Stoke City, and an ultimate return to his homeland with Sparta Prague. He scored 35 goals at Liverpool in 195 total appearances and will be fondly remembered by those lucky enough to see him in his prime.

domain: sports


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Researchers put machine learning on path to quantum advantage
There are high hopes that quantum computing's tremendous processing power will someday unleash exponential advances in artificial intelligence. AI systems thrive when the machine learning algorithms used to train them are given massive amounts of data to ingest, classify and analyze. The more precisely that data can be classified according to specific characteristics, or features, the better the AI will perform. Quantum computers are expected to play a crucial role in machine learning, including the crucial aspect of accessing more computationally complex feature spaces – the fine-grain aspects of data that could lead to new insights.
In a new Nature research paper entitled "Supervised learning with quantum enhanced feature spaces," we describe developing and testing a quantum algorithm with the potential to enable machine learning on quantum computers in the near future. We've shown that as quantum computers become more powerful in the years to come, and their Quantum Volume increases, they will be able to perform feature mapping, a key component of machine learning, on highly complex data structures at a scale far beyond the reach of even the most powerful classical computers.
Our methods were also able to classify data with the use of short-depth circuits, which opens a path to dealing with decoherence. Just as significantly, our feature-mapping worked as predicted: no classification errors with our engineered data, even as the IBM Q systems' processors experienced decoherence.
Bigger, Better Picture
Feature mapping is a way of disassembling data to get access to finer-grain aspects of that data. Both classical and quantum machine learning algorithms can break down a picture, for example, by pixels and place them in a grid based on each pixel's color value. From there the algorithms map individual data points non-linearly to a high-dimensional space, breaking the data down according to its most essential features. In the much larger quantum state space, we can separate aspects and features of that data better than we could in a feature map created by a classical machine-learning algorithm. Ultimately, the more precisely that data can be classified according to specific characteristics, or features, the better the AI will perform.
The goal is to use quantum computers to create new classifiers that generate more sophisticated data maps. In doing that, researchers will be able to develop more effective AI that can, for example, identify patterns in data that are invisible to classical computers.
We've developed a blueprint with new quantum data classification algorithms and feature maps. That's important for AI because, the larger and more diverse a data set is, the more difficult it is to separate that data out into meaningful classes for training a machine learning algorithm. Bad classification results from the machine learning process could introduce undesirable results; for example, impairing a medical device's ability to identify cancer cells based on mammography data.
The Noise Problem
We found that even in the presence of noise, we could consistently classify our engineered data with perfect accuracy during our tests. Today's quantum computers struggle to keep their qubits in a quantum state for more than a few hundred microseconds even in a highly controlled laboratory environment. That's significant because qubits need to remain in that state for as long as possible in order to perform calculations.
Our algorithms demonstrating how entanglement can improve AI classification accuracy will be available as part of IBM's Qiskit Aqua, an open-source library of quantum algorithms that developers, researchers and industry experts can use to access quantum computers via classical applications or common programming languages such as Python.
We are still far off from achieving Quantum Advantage for machine learning—the point at which quantum computers surpass classical computers in their ability to perform AI algorithms. Our research doesn't yet demonstrate Quantum Advantage because we minimized the scope of the problem based on our current hardware capabilities, using only two qubits of quantum computing capacity, which can be simulated on a classical computer. Yet the feature mapping methods we're advancing could soon be able to classify far more complex datasets than anything a classical computer could handle. What we've shown is a promising path forward.
More information: Vojtěch Havlíček et al. Supervised learning with quantum-enhanced feature spaces, Nature (2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-0980-2
Journal information: Nature
Provided by IBM


NEW DELHI/KOLKATA :
THE Enforcement Directorate on Saturday seized about Rs 17 crore in cash after it raided the promoters of a Kolkata-based mobile gaming app company as part of a money-laundering investigation. A photograph released by the federal agency showed bundles of seized Rs 500 currency notes along with a few in the denomination of Rs 2,000 and Rs 200 stacked together on a bed. The agency pressed in five note-counting machines and brought bank staff to ascertain the exact value of the cash haul.
The searches were conducted at half-a-dozen locations of the gaming app named ‘E-Nuggets’ and its promoter identified as Aamir Khan and others, the Enforcement Directorate said in a statement. CRPF personnel escorted the ED teams to locations like Garden Reach, Park Street and Mominpur areas in and around the West Bengal capital, among others. So far, about Rs 17 crore in cash has been found at the premises and the counting is still in progress, official sources said.


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It's the swim crop you know and love, back to steal your heart in the cutest red color. Featuring a scoop neck, wide double band, and back zipper detail, this top offers high support and coverage, keeping you comfortable and secure wether you're surfing or sun-bathing. Pair with the matching bottoms!
- made with recycled Repreve fabric + UPF 50 sun protection
- built-in bra with removable soft cups
- hand wash cold, line or hang dry

domain: design