text: Prevalence of cancers is growing rapidly in all parts of the word with Pakistan being no exception. Preventionis the best option to tackle this rising epidemic. Screening, early detection and health awareness programs arethe cornerstones in this regard. A community-based interventional study was therefore here conducted to assessthe effect of health education intervention about knowledge and practice of self-breast examination (SBE) amongwomen and self-testicular examination (STE) among men. A total of 127 (70 females and 57 males) adults (≥18years) from an urban community of Karachi, Pakistan were included after taking informed consent. Interventionswere in the local language (Urdu) and included educational and awareness sessions by symposia, lectures andhand-on practice demonstrations about SBE and STE. Informative leaflets and brochures were also used in thisregard. Pre-intervention assessment revealed that 57% women had knowledge of SBE and 4% men knew aboutSTE and this proportion increased significantly (p<0.001) after the intervention both in women and in men, by83% and 72%, respectively Similarly, significant post-intervention improvements were reported for SBE andSTE practices (p<0.001). Our results suggest that educational interventions at the community level increase theknowledge and practices of women and men for SBE and STE.

domain: sociology


text:
The Quick Start Guide to Starting a Podcasting
Web has given colossal power in the hands of the user. This always developing computerized world has acquainted humanity with various helpful and incomprehensible innovations. One such innovation that has picked up monstrous prominence in the later past is podcasting. In the event that you are mindful about the most recent happenings in the innovation field, then the likelihood that you would have heard this term a few times is fairly high. In any case, the absence of material and mindfulness about the innovation dissuades its gathering of people to utilize its energy to its full limit. This book starts with a concise presentation about podcasting and how it has become, through the years, to end up what it is today. Podcasting is colossally lucrative, and the vast majority are pulled in towards this innovation for this very reason. Then again, a great many people question in the event that they are qualified and sufficiently skilful to earn cash utilizing podcasting. Noting this question, the book likewise explains on alternate employments of podcasting and acquaints its perusers with podcatching and podcast tuning in. The book can be utilized as a fast startup manual for podcasting by users and acquaints them with the advanced universe of podcasting.
- Paperback | 44 pages
- 140 x 216 x 3mm | 86g
- 26 Feb 2015
- Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
- United States
- colour illustrations

domain: literature


text:
Poor Gala occasion for Highland after heavy defeat in National One
Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.
HIGHLAND suffered a heavy 34–7 defeat to top of the table Gala in National One as they suffered their fourth defeat in a row.
The Inverness outfit proved no match for the league leaders who are two points in front of Heriot’s with three games left to play for the top-two.
Gala ran in six tries in a comprehensive victory for the hosts at Netherdale, with Adriu Muritoki scoring the only try for Highland with Scott Fraser converting.
Head coach Dave Carson says he had no complaints about the scoreline, saying the better team won.
“Gala are a good team and they are very smart,” said Carson.
“The opening 15 minutes was an even contest and then we received a yellow card.
“For eight of those minutes they managed to score three tries to put them 19–0 up at half time.
“We then lost a soft try in the second half and for the next 30 minutes we pressed them well.
“We scored a try and we should have scored two or three more.
“But we weren’t accurate enough to get those.”
Carson introduced a number of players from the Highland 2nd XV squad which won the Caledonia North Two title earlier this month.
He says they impressed in the first XV and says he is prepared to give them more chances in the remainder of the National One season.
“They performed well and it gave them a taste of National One rugby which will be important for us next year.
“They have shown me there is a bright future at the club.
“I will certainly be looking to include them on the bench.”
In Caledonia North Four, Highland 3rd XV’s title chances ended after being thrashed 50–7 by Deeside.
But there was victory for Inverness Craig Dunain who defeated Turriff 36–12 at Inverness High School.

domain: news


KARACHI: Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has instructed Sindh Government to resolve the problems faced by the people of the province by utilizing all resources, ARY News reported.
Tag "18th Amendment"
ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday dismissed all petitions challenging formation of military courts under the 21st constitutional amendment, ARY News reported.
International Democracy Day is being celebrated across the world including Pakistan on Monday (today). The day is observed to promote democratic systems and institutions in the world.
ISLAMABAD: Awami National Party’s (ANP) Senator Zahid Khan on Wednesday warned the parliament against a ‘conspiracy against the 18th Amendment,” as the joint session of Pakistan’s parliament met at the Parliament House in Islamabad, ARY News reported.
ISLAMABAD: President of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Mehmood Khan Achakzai has claimed that the political parties are united for the first time in Pakistan’s history, ARY News reports.


text:
Info on selected title
Buy this title at
Kriegsmarine U-boats 1939-45 Vol 2
By Williamson, Gordon
Descripton: From the publisher: This title follows on from Volume I and charts the continuing development of the U-boat in German service. This includes the development of the type IX as a long range cruiser intended for solo operations in distant waters. Also covered is the revolutionary type XXI, conceived of in 1942 and launched in April 1944, the first true submarine rather than submersible, whose arrival was just too late to influence the war. Other vessels included are the type XXIII, small and armed with only two torpedoes but technically highly advanced, and the Type X minelayers.

domain: history


text:
Former Private Practice actress Audra McDonald said "I do" to her Broadway beau Will Swenson Saturday night.
The talented duo wed in an intimate ceremony at their home in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, E! News has learned. McDonald's wedding dress was designed by Esosa.
McDonald and Swenson, who got engaged on New Year's while vacationing in Puerto Rico, met back in 2007.
Audra most recently starred in the Tony Award-winning revival of Porgy and Bess, which scored her a record tying fifth Tony (an honor she shares with Broadway legends Julie Harris and Angela Lansbury)>
McDonald and Swenson each have children with their former spouses.
Congrats to the newlyweds!

domain: entertainment


can i be logged into snapchat on 2 devices
Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 300 million monthly active users. The app allows users to capture and share photos and videos that disappear after a short period of time. One of the most common questions among Snapchat users is whether they can be logged into the app on two devices at the same time. In this article, we will explore the answer to this question and discuss the implications of being logged into Snapchat on multiple devices.
To answer the question, yes, you can be logged into Snapchat on two devices at the same time. This feature was introduced by Snapchat in 2017, allowing users to access their accounts on multiple devices. However, there are certain limitations and considerations to keep in mind when using this feature.
To begin with, let’s understand how being logged into Snapchat on two devices works. When you log into Snapchat on a second device, the app will automatically log you out of the first device. This means that you can only be actively logged into Snapchat on one device at a time. However, your account will remain active on both devices, allowing you to receive notifications and messages.
To log into Snapchat on a second device, you will need to use the same login credentials as your primary device. This includes your username or email address and password. Once you have successfully logged in, you will have access to all your contacts, stories, and memories. Any changes or updates you make on one device will automatically sync to the other device as well.
Now that we have established that it is possible to be logged into Snapchat on two devices, let’s discuss the reasons why someone would want to do so. The most common reason is convenience. Many people use multiple devices throughout the day, such as a phone and a tablet or a phone and a laptop. Being able to access Snapchat on both devices means that you can stay connected and updated with your friends, regardless of which device you are using.
Another reason for being logged into Snapchat on two devices is for privacy. By using a second device, you can keep your personal and work lives separate. This is particularly useful for people who use their personal phone for work and do not want to mix their personal and professional contacts on Snapchat.
However, there are also some drawbacks to being logged into Snapchat on two devices. The most significant one is that it can drain your phone’s battery. Snapchat is a highly visual app that requires constant internet connection and uses a lot of data. If you are logged into the app on two devices, this can significantly impact your battery life, especially if you are using Snapchat frequently.
Another concern is the security of your account. By being logged into Snapchat on two devices, you are essentially doubling the chances of someone accessing your account without your permission. If you lose one of the devices or it gets stolen, the person who has it will have access to your Snapchat account as well. This can be a major issue, as Snapchat has a lot of personal information and conversations. Therefore, it is crucial to keep your devices secure and use strong passwords to prevent unauthorized access.
Furthermore, there are certain features of Snapchat that may not work properly when you are logged into the app on two devices. For example, if you are actively using Snapchat on your phone, you may not receive notifications on your tablet. Additionally, if you are using Snapchat on two devices and log out of one, your memories may not sync properly, causing you to lose some of your saved content.
It is also worth noting that there are some limitations to being logged into Snapchat on two devices. For instance, you cannot log into Snapchat on two iOS devices simultaneously. This means that if you are logged into Snapchat on your iPhone, you will not be able to log into the app on your iPad. This limitation is due to Apple’s security protocols and cannot be bypassed.
Moreover, you should also be aware that Snapchat has a daily limit on the number of devices you can be logged into at the same time. This limit is set at five devices per account. If you try to log into a sixth device, you will be automatically logged out of one of the other devices you are currently using. This is to prevent unauthorized access to your account and protect your privacy.
In addition to these limitations, there are also certain scenarios where being logged into Snapchat on two devices can cause issues. For example, if you are using Snapchat on two devices and you change your password, you may experience problems with syncing your account on both devices. Similarly, if you receive a message on one device while using the app on the other, you may not be able to view the message until you refresh the app.
In conclusion, while it is possible to be logged into Snapchat on two devices at the same time, there are certain limitations and considerations to keep in mind. Being logged into the app on two devices can be convenient, but it can also have drawbacks such as draining your battery and compromising the security of your account. It is essential to weigh the pros and cons and use this feature carefully to ensure the best experience on Snapchat.
phoebe prince cyberbullying
In January 2010, the world was shocked by the tragic death of 15-year-old Phoebe Prince. The Irish-born teenager had moved to South Hadley, Massachusetts with her family just a few months prior, hoping for a fresh start. But instead, she became the target of relentless bullying and cyberbullying from her peers. This heartbreaking case brought the issue of cyberbullying to the forefront, sparking national outrage and a call for action.
Cyberbullying, or the use of electronic communication to bully or harass someone, has become a pervasive problem in today’s society. With the rise of social media and the internet, bullies now have a new platform to target their victims. According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, about 34% of students have experienced cyberbullying in their lifetime. And unfortunately, like Phoebe, some victims have been driven to the point of taking their own lives.
The story of Phoebe Prince’s cyberbullying began when she started attending South Hadley High School in the fall of 2009. She quickly caught the attention of a group of popular girls, who were jealous of her beauty and popularity with boys. They began spreading rumors and making derogatory comments about her, both in person and online. With the use of social media, the bullying quickly escalated to a whole new level.
The girls created a facebook -parental-controls-guide”>Facebook page titled “We Hate Phoebe Prince” where they posted cruel messages and invited others to join in on the harassment. They also sent her threatening text messages and left mean comments on her MySpace page. Phoebe’s family and friends were unaware of the extent of the cyberbullying until after her death, when they discovered the numerous hurtful messages and posts.
But Phoebe’s case is not an isolated incident. Cyberbullying has become a widespread problem, affecting millions of young people every day. One of the reasons for its prevalence is the anonymity that the internet provides. Bullies feel emboldened to say and do things online that they wouldn’t dare do in person. They hide behind fake accounts and usernames, making it difficult for victims to know who is behind the attacks.
Furthermore, the internet allows bullies to reach a wider audience, making their actions even more harmful. A mean comment or post can go viral in a matter of seconds, causing immense damage to the victim’s self-esteem and mental well-being. And unlike traditional bullying, which usually happens in a specific time and place, cyberbullying can happen 24/7, making it nearly impossible for victims to escape.
Another factor that contributes to the rise of cyberbullying is the lack of consequences for the perpetrators. Often, bullies believe that there will be no repercussions for their actions, as they are not being physically violent. In many cases, schools and authorities are unable to intervene, as cyberbullying often happens outside of school hours and grounds. This leaves victims feeling helpless and alone, with no one to turn to for help.
In the case of Phoebe Prince, the school had received numerous reports of bullying, both in person and online, but failed to take any meaningful action. This lack of intervention and support from adults further exacerbated the situation, leaving Phoebe feeling isolated and hopeless. It was only after her death that the school and authorities finally took action, leading to the prosecution of several of her bullies.
But the tragic death of Phoebe Prince was not in vain. Her case shed light on the seriousness of cyberbullying and sparked a national conversation on the need for stricter laws and measures to prevent it. In 2010, the state of Massachusetts passed the “Phoebe Prince Act”, which requires all school districts to develop and implement policies to prevent bullying and cyberbullying.
Since then, many other states have followed suit, passing laws that specifically address cyberbullying and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. These laws have also paved the way for schools to take a more proactive approach in preventing and addressing cyberbullying. Many school districts now have strict policies in place that prohibit any form of bullying, including cyberbullying, and have established procedures for reporting and addressing incidents.
But despite these measures, cyberbullying continues to be a prevalent issue, and more needs to be done to combat it. Parents also play a crucial role in preventing and addressing cyberbullying. They should educate their children about the harmful effects of cyberbullying, as well as monitor their online activities and teach them responsible and respectful online behavior.
Schools also need to provide ongoing education and support to students on the importance of being kind and respectful to others, both in person and online. They should also have resources available for victims of cyberbullying, including counseling and support groups. By creating a safe and inclusive school environment, students will feel more comfortable reporting incidents of cyberbullying and seek help when needed.
In conclusion, the tragic death of Phoebe Prince served as a wake-up call to the severity of cyberbullying and the devastating consequences it can have. While measures have been taken to address this issue, there is still much work to be done. It is essential for all of us to take a stand against cyberbullying and promote a culture of kindness and respect, both in our schools and in society as a whole. Only then can we prevent other young people from falling victim to this harmful form of bullying.
how to block inappropriate ads
As the internet continues to evolve and become an integral part of our daily lives, one of its most prominent features has been the rise of online advertising. While online ads can be beneficial for businesses and consumers alike, they can also be a source of frustration and annoyance when they are inappropriate or offensive. In this article, we will explore the various types of inappropriate ads and discuss effective ways to block them.
What are Inappropriate Ads?
Inappropriate ads refer to any form of online advertising that is deemed offensive, misleading, or inappropriate for a particular audience. These can include ads that contain sexually explicit content, violence, false claims, or discriminatory messages. Inappropriate ads not only tarnish the reputation of the advertiser but also negatively impact the user experience and can even be harmful to minors or vulnerable individuals.
Types of Inappropriate Ads
1. Sexually Explicit Ads
One of the most common forms of inappropriate ads is those that contain sexually explicit content. These can range from suggestive images to explicit videos and can be highly offensive to many individuals. While some may argue that these ads are a form of free speech, the reality is that they can be highly disturbing and inappropriate for certain audiences, especially children.
2. Misleading Ads
Misleading ads are those that make false or exaggerated claims about a product or service. These ads often use sensational language or misleading images to grab the viewer’s attention and entice them to click on the ad. However, when the user reaches the landing page, they find that the product or service is not as advertised, leading to a waste of time and potential money.
3. Violent Ads
Another type of inappropriate ad is those that contain violent or graphic content. These can include images or videos of gory accidents, war footage, or any other form of violence. Such ads can be highly disturbing and can trigger negative emotions in viewers, making them a source of discomfort and anxiety.
4. Discriminatory Ads
Discriminatory ads are those that promote discrimination or inequality based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic. These ads can be highly offensive and can contribute to perpetuating harmful stereotypes and prejudices in society.
Why Block Inappropriate Ads?
Blocking inappropriate ads is essential for several reasons. Firstly, these ads can be highly offensive and can cause discomfort or anxiety for viewers. Secondly, they can negatively impact the user experience, making it difficult to navigate through websites and causing frustration. Thirdly, inappropriate ads can be harmful to children and vulnerable individuals, who may be exposed to content that is not appropriate for their age or mental state. Lastly, by blocking inappropriate ads, we can send a message to advertisers that such tactics are not acceptable and discourage them from using them in the future.
How to Block Inappropriate Ads?
1. Use Ad Blockers
Ad blockers are software or browser extensions that block ads from appearing on websites. These tools are highly effective in blocking all types of ads, including inappropriate ones. They work by analyzing the code of a website and filtering out any elements that resemble an ad. Ad blockers are available for all major browsers and can be easily installed and configured to block inappropriate ads.
2. Enable Parental Controls
If you have children using the internet, enabling parental controls can be an effective way to block inappropriate ads. Parental controls allow you to restrict access to certain websites or types of content, including ads. You can also set up filters to block specific keywords or phrases, ensuring that your children are not exposed to inappropriate ads.
3. Report Inappropriate Ads
Most advertising platforms have strict guidelines on what type of content is allowed in ads. If you come across an inappropriate ad, you can report it to the platform, and they will take appropriate action to remove it. This not only helps to block the specific ad but also sends a message to the advertiser that such tactics are not acceptable.
4. Use Content Filtering Software
Content filtering software is another effective way to block inappropriate ads. These tools work by scanning the content of a website and filtering out any content that may be inappropriate or harmful. While these tools are commonly used in schools and businesses, they can also be installed on personal devices to block inappropriate ads.
5. Customize Ad Preferences
Many websites and advertising platforms allow users to customize their ad preferences. By doing so, you can indicate which types of ads you do not want to see, and the platform will filter them out accordingly. This can be a useful tool for blocking inappropriate ads, as you can specify the types of content you find offensive or inappropriate.
6. Educate Yourself and Others
As users of the internet, it is essential to educate ourselves about the various forms of inappropriate ads and how to block them. By being aware of the types of ads that are not acceptable, we can avoid clicking on them and contributing to their success. Additionally, we can also educate others, especially children and vulnerable individuals, about the importance of blocking inappropriate ads and how to do so effectively.
7. Support Ethical Advertisers
Lastly, as consumers, we have the power to support ethical advertisers and boycott those who use inappropriate tactics. By choosing to do business with companies that have a strong moral code and do not resort to offensive or misleading advertising, we can send a message to the advertising industry that such tactics will not be tolerated.
In conclusion, while online advertising is an essential aspect of the internet, it is crucial to block inappropriate ads to ensure a positive user experience and protect vulnerable individuals. By using ad blockers, enabling parental controls, reporting inappropriate ads, and supporting ethical advertisers, we can take a stand against offensive and misleading advertising and promote a more responsible and ethical online environment.


text:
Date(s) - 3 Mar 2013
Time (24h Format) - 10:00 - 14:30
Time (12h Format) - 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
North Sherbrook, Colour Coded & West Midland League Event
Event ID : 2435
The car park is at Haywood Park Farm on the A513 between Stafford and Rugeley.
The area we’re using for car parking and assembly is accessed on a single track access road to a busy farm and stables. Please be aware that vehicles will be entering and leaving throughout the event. Please take care.
Details of the farm can be viewed www.haywoodparkfarm.co.uk
Location Image :
Haywood Warren, North Cannock Chase, Stafford
Parking at Haywood Park Farm (Strawberry Fields)

domain: geography


text:
By Rudy Barnes, Jr.
Michael Flynn, a retired Army major general and former national security director for Donald Trump, recently told a receptive audience of conservative Christians that “If we are one nation under God, which we must, we have to have one religion.” Flynn was advocating the end of religious freedom, protected in the Constitution he was sworn to support and defend.
Flynn echoed Emperor Constantine, undoubtedly a favorite of Trump, who made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire in the 4th century. It took 14 centuries and a revolution to end Christianity as a state supported religion in America; but there are those today like Flynn who would like to reestablish Christianity as America’s only religion.
What’s especially troubling is that the same “Christians” who favor ending religious freedom in America talk openly about using their guns to defeat what they call tyranny. They are echoing Trump when he encouraged the January 6 assault on Capitol Hill. Americans are living in dangerous times; and they have created their own danger to freedom and democracy.
Religion is especially dangerous to liberty when believers advocate their religion as the one true faith. Jesus was a Jew who never taught that God favored one religion over others. The idea that Christianity is the only way to salvation and that those of other religions are condemned to hell has been promoted by a church committed to the power of popularity.
Christianity is not the only religion that claims to be the one true faith and denies the freedom of religion. So does Islam, as evidenced by the prevalence of apostacy and blasphemy laws in Islamic nations; and American Christians also once had blasphemy and apostasy laws. Ironically, religion has been the biggest obstacle to the freedoms of religion and speech.
Thomas Jefferson and the Founding Fathers made the freedoms of religion and speech first among those in our Bill of Rights. Today militant Christians are challenging the concepts of freedom in the Constitution with a distorted interpretation of the First and Second Amendments that provides unlimited rights to bear arms to enforce their nihilistic libertarian views of freedom.
Muslims have similar religious and political conflicts. While radical Islamists continue to kill and terrorize those who do not share their radical beliefs, most Muslims, like most Jews and Christians, respect those of other religions. They share the greatest commandment to love God and their neighbors, including those of other races and religions, as they love themselves.
In pluralistic democracies, religions must promote both religious freedom and religious reconciliation. Religions that fail to do so will lose their legitimacy and wither and die; and if they are a majority in a democracy, it will also wither and die. That will happen in America if its Christians don’t reject the distorted forms of Christianity that elected Donald Trump. American democracy cannot survive another election debacle like that of 2016.
CNN reported that Michael Flynn’s call for “one religion” in the U..S. garnered swift condemnation, especially from military leaders. LTG Mark Hertliong (Ret) said, “His words are disgusting.” See https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/michael-flynn-s-call-for-one-religion-in-the-us-garners-swift-condemnation/ar-AAQJpjk?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531.
Michael Gerson’s opined that Trump supporters’ logic of political violence should alarm us all, noting that “since the morally murky days of the Revolution, the American story has been marked by political violence at regular intervals; ...Americans have often been tempted to express their anger and achieve their goals outside the boundaries of the constitutional order. The peaceful conduct of politics is not a natural state; it is a social achievement. Maintaining it requires positive moral effort.” See https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/11/15/trump-supporters-political-violence-deadly/?utm_.
Wikipedia provides historical background on Constantine the Great and Christianity. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_the_Great_and_Christianity.
or a related commentary on The Freedoms of Religion and Speech: Where Human Rights Begin, see http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2017/05/the-freedoms-of-religion-and-speech.html.


text:
While I definitely like the World War II era for the show, when it deals
with the modern day events such as the G8 meetings, it adds an extra
bit of fun. With their pasts and confrontations in mind, seeing how they
all sort of work together and get jabs in where they can is a extra
special. The G8 meeting this time around talks a bit about dropping
excess weight from the group, eyeing someone in particular, but mostly
it's all about the way they get silly while trying to get things
accomplished. Thankfully, even though this meeting takes place in Italy,
Italy himself is very distracted by a cat he's playing with, which
helps the meeting progress a bit more than it would otherwise.
There's some cute moments with Sweden as he's all staid and true which keeps him from being accessible. But what makes the episode even more adorable than it should be is the inclusion of a Nekotalia short. Having the cats as countries dealing with events within a neighborhood, figuring out how to deal with tuna and so ofrth is just beyond cute. Japan cat alone takes the cake here with his attempts at stopping a ban on canned tuna, but it's all good for him in the end. The kitty versions are pretty mild here but they're just so, so adorable. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a whole line of Nekotalia plushies and toys. They're just so marketable.
Source Here: http://www.mania.com/hetalia-world-series-episode-30_article_126026.html


text:
- You might laugh harder at footage from September 11th 2/24/2021 12:00:00 AM by chingparr
Holy mother of all that is holy... I have NEVER seen a more offensively stupid, nonsensical pile of sub-par garbage in my entire life. Are these writers on drugs or something?
PIDHPPT makes The Room look like a cinematic masterpiece and I'll tell you why.
Lets highlight some of the "jokes" that somehow wasted hard drive space on a 2012 Macbook.
1) The story revolves around an acapella group that doesn't sing. The writers/film makers were either too lazy/stupid/cheap to acquire the rights to parody any songs, so they decide to explain this in text throughout the film.
Either that... or they legitimately thought the text explanations would be funny. There is one song where ghost characters sing, and the text points out how well it works since you "can't see their lips moving"
2) Each character is given a name that makes no sense. Laundry, Wrecka, Bessie (a boy) and Cloney. Hilarious!
3) A skinny girl disappears by turning sideways. Get it?
4) A girl just farts randomly.
5) a Fat bronie called Bronie does magic and fails miserably.
6) Some nerd character with the charisma of a used condom forces the female lead to watch movies with him. Classics like Tar Wars, The Brunch Club and... I don't remember any of the other god awful spoofs.
7) They thought the best way to parody an ACTUAL film (Whiplash) would be to hire an actor to recite the antagonists lines note for note.
8) two characters repeat the same lines arguing over the script, in a pathetic attempt to both break the fourth wall, and crack a joke. Neither works.
9) Characters are hit in the face, tripped, slapped, etc. in a style of pratfall humor that peaked in the 1930s when Moe, Larry and Curly were doing it.
10) Two tone deaf actors have a brief sing-song insult war.
Honestly, this is just painful to write about, let alone watch.

domain: artistic


text:
You must maintain a healthy diet if you want to improve your overall performance.
- To maintain good health, you must be able to do any number of things that might ultimately lead to a more well-balanced diet.
- It’s essential to maintain good health by adopting appropriate eating habits. Doing so may help you become less reliant on medications like Tadarise 20 mg online or Viagra 100mg tablet to get through important aspects of your everyday life.
- To do this, you must be aware of the additional activities you need to include daily and the ones you ought to avoid.
What are the essential ingredients you need to maintain a healthy diet?
- One of the key elements that enable someone to maintain long-term health is maintaining a nutritious diet.
- You won’t immediately see the entire impact of the health deterioration that has already started to influence your body, especially in the early years of your existence.
- But with time, you’ll notice that your body’s ability to finish a job is deteriorating.
- You should be aware of how important it is from a young age because of this.
- All of these are important and must be taken into account for a balanced and healthy diet to make sure that you are getting the necessary quantities of vegetables, fruits, and even meats to support your healthy lifestyle.
Why including green veggies can help you remain in shape
- The last addition of green veggies ensures that your body has the necessary minerals, vitamins, and sometimes carbs.
- Vegetables are essential for ensuring that the body receives all the nutrients it needs for optimal health and to avoid developing the most serious disorders.
- This is the reason why so many people want to eat more green vegetables to live better lives and enhance their health.
To prepare a healthy diet, fruits are necessary.
- It is crucial to concentrate on adding additional fruits as well.
- Vegetable cooking might become monotonous after a while, but the best thing about fruits is that you can eat them all at once without having to make a meal.
- Of all the meals you may eat during the day, a fruit salad is said to be one of the most nourishing since you can create it and add other components.
- Salads using fruit as an ingredient will finally provide your body with the critical vitamins, minerals, and fructose it needs to develop and function more effectively.
Various forms of protein provide your body with the necessary bulk.
- To be able to incorporate more protein-based compounds into your system, it is essential to have a more streamlined physical structure.
- For this reason, you should concentrate on adding meat.
- High quantities of protein may be found in eggs with Meet Alongside. Your body will be able to respond quickly and function at a higher level if you integrate it.
- In the end, this will make sure that your body’s capacity as a whole stays at its highest level and enable your system to be more active.
- Proteins may ultimately help with this and provide your system access to extra capabilities.
Calcium may be obtained by including dairy products in your diet.
- It is essential to have dairy-based products.
- Derek and ultimately the system’s operation are essential since calcium is required to create bone strength. You should have a robust muscular mass since it is essential for the organs.
- Nothing is more crucial than taking care of your bones. The skeleton is what makes it possible for you to achieve your objective without any trouble.
- For calcium-based goods to be integrated, a core structure is required.
- Almonds and other nuts also contain calcium. All of this can be included in a balanced diet to keep you in good health.
Finally, you will be able to understand what has to be done to maintain fitness and have a more effective physique.
You need to maintain good health and maybe prevent illnesses that might require the use of independent medications like Cenforce 100 Blue so that your system can focus on the integration of these components. Buy Cenforce 100 From cheap online pharmacy.
Do you believe it is a crucial duty that needs to be finished as soon as possible to make sure your system is functioning correctly and that you can reduce your total reliance on medications?

domain: medical


Supreme Court Deals Major Blow To Biden DOJ
Jack Smith won’t be happy about this.
The Supreme Court issued a directive on Tuesday, granting Special Counsel Jack Smith one week to provide a response to former President Trump’s plea to keep his federal trial stemming from the January 6th events on pause while he contests his immunity assertions.
In a concise order, the apex court stipulated that Smith must furnish his response by Tuesday, February 20th, setting a timeline that’s not notably swift.
Trump swiftly lodged an emergency petition on Monday, urging the justices to halt a prior ruling that rejected his claim of presidential immunity from prosecution. This contention has allowed Trump to postpone his trial as the legal appeals unfold.
The Supreme Court’s impending ruling on Trump’s petition holds significant sway over whether the trial will proceed before the upcoming elections. Originally slated for March 4th, the trial was deferred as Trump pursued the immunity dispute.
Smith’s objective has been to expedite Trump’s trial to forestall the possibility of Trump returning to the presidency and potentially absolving himself or directing his Justice Department to drop the charges.
By the specified deadline, the special counsel must counter Trump’s latest maneuver: a plea to suspend the trial until he can seek a full review of his immunity claims from the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals, and if necessary, the Supreme Court.
Though the response timeline for Smith isn’t as expeditious as the handling of some recent emergency cases by the Supreme Court, indicating a lack of urgency in Trump’s case.
Last month, in a case challenging the U.S. Military Academy at West Point’s affirmative action policies, the court demanded a response within four days. Similarly, in an emergency case concerning Michigan’s state legislative maps, the response deadline was set six days after the initial filing.
In Trump’s scenario, the court’s order grants Smith a lengthier eight-day window to respond following Trump’s filing, encompassing the President’s Day weekend.
However, Smith could elect to act more promptly and submit his response before the stipulated deadline.
Trump faces four federal felony charges related to allegedly conspiring to undermine the 2020 election results in this case. It is one of four criminal cases he is embroiled in, and he has pleaded not guilty to all charges.


text:
for vacant posts heats up
MASVINGO- Local football mother body, Zimbabwe
Football Association (Zifa) Eastern Region, will next month hold its Annual
General Meeting (AGM), where two vacant posts are expected to be filled.
Eastern Region chairperson, Davison
Muchena confirmed the development and said they were putting final touches on
the logistics of the AGM.
“We lost two members last year, one
went to Australia and the other passed on so according to the constitution we
have to fill in those posts so we will be holding an AGM.
“According to the initial plan, the AGM
is slated for May 1 or 2. We are yet to decide on the venue but there are two
options, Masvingo or Mutare,” said Muchena.
The board lost Cryil Mukweva who passed
on last year and Simon Mushangwe who went to Australia.
Mukweva was the board’s vice
chairperson while Mushangwe served as a board member in charge of
Sources told TellZim News that Wisdom
Simba the current Secretary General is the favourite to land the vice
However, other members interested in
the post are reportedly choosing to keep the cards to their chest and spring a
surprise at the AGM.
Mutare City football club (FC)
Secretary General Benjamin Chindima is also being tipped to replace Mushangwe
as board member in charge of development.
Simba had been reassigned to be the
acting vice chairperson and to the development portfolio while Farai Rutsvara
was assigned to the acting Secretary General post and also to be the board
member in charge of finance.
Meanwhile, the Zifa Masvingo province
Division Two board also has two vacant seats namely the board vice chair and
board member in charge of finance post.
The seats became vacant after the
suspension of Tinashe Gomba and Energy Zava last year over allegations of
defrauding four foreign players.
Dates of the AGM to replace these two
is so far not yet confirmed but sources claim something is brewing.
With Premier Soccer League (PSL) action
on the brink of a return in over a year, D1 football is reportedly set for a
month after PSL resumes and D2 following.


text:
A couple of weeks ago we covered the launch of the Odroid C2, a single board computer from the Korean company Hardkernel in the same form factor and price segment as the Raspberry Pi 3. With four ARM Cortex A53 cores at 2GHz and 2Gb of DDR3 on board it has a paper spec that comfortably exceeds that of the Pi 3’s 1.2GHz take on the same cores and 1Gb of DDR2. This could be a board of great interest to our readers, so we ordered one for review.
The parcel from Korea arrived in due course, the C2 in its box inside it well protected by a sturdy cardboard outer packaging. We had ordered a couple of extras: a micro-SD card preloaded with Ubuntu and a USB power lead (more on that later), both were present and correct.
When unpacking the board it is immediately obvious how closely they’ve followed the Raspberry Pi form factor. There are a few differences, no camera or DSI connectors, the SD card in a different place, a power jack where the Pi has its audio jack, and oddly the network port is the other way up. Otherwise it looks as though it should fit most Pi cases. Of course the only case we had to hand was a PiBow which are cut for specific Pi models, so sadly we couldn’t test that assertion.
Just over a year ago, Particle (formerly Spark), makers of the very popular Core and Particle Photon WiFi development kits, released the first juicy tidbits for a very interesting piece of hardware. It was the Electron, a cheap, all-in-one cellular development kit with an even more interesting data plan. Particle would offer their own cellular service, allowing their tiny board to send or receive 1 Megabyte for $3.00 a month, without any contracts.
Thousands of people found this an interesting proposition and the Electron crowdfunding campaign took off like a rocket. Now, after a year of development and manufacturing, these tiny cellular boards are finally shipping out to backers and today the Electron officially launches.
Particle was kind enough to provide Hackaday with an Electron kit for a review. The short version of this review is the Electron is a great development platform, but Particle pulled off a small revolution in cellular communications and the Internet of Things
Last week, the Nvidia Jetson TX1 was released. This credit card-sized module is a ‘supercomputer’ advertised as having more processing power than the latest Intel Core i7s, while running at under 10 Watts. This is supposedly the device that will power the next generation of things, using technologies unheard of in the embedded world.
A modern day smartphone could have been built 10 or 15 years ago. There’s no question the processing power was there with laptop CPUs, and the tiny mechanical hard drives in the original iPod was more than spacious enough to hold a library of Napster’d MP3s and all your phone contacts. The battery for this sesquidecadal smartphone, on the other hand, was impossible. The future depends on batteries and consequently low power computing. Is the Jetson TX1 the board that will deliver us into the future? It took a hands-on look to find out.
What is the TX1
The Jetson TX1 is a tiny module – 50x87mm – encased in a heat sink that brings the volume to about the same size as a pack of cigarettes. Underneath a block of aluminum is an Nvidia Tegra X1, a module that combines a 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A57 CPU with a 256-core Maxwell GPU. The module is equipped with 4GB of LPDDR4-3200, 16GB of eMMC Flash, 802.11ac WiFi, and Bluetooth.
This module connects to the outside world through a 400-pin connector (from Samtec, a company quite liberal with product samples, by the way) that provides six CSI outputs for a half-dozen Raspberry Pi-style cameras, two DSI outputs, 1 eDP 1.4, 1 eDP 1.2, and HDMI 2.0 for displays. Storage is provided through either SD cards or SATA. Other ports include three USB 3.0, three USB 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, a PCIe x1 and PCIe x4, and a host of GPIOs, UARTs, SPI and I2C busses.
The only way of getting at all these extra ports is, at the moment, the Jetson TX1 carrier board, a board that is effectively a MiniITX motherboard. Mount this carrier board in a case, modify a power supply and figure out how to wire up the front panel buttons, and you’ll have a respectable desktop computer.
This is not a desktop computer, though, and it’s not a replacement for a Raspberry Pi or Beaglebone. This is an engineering tool – a device built to handle the advanced robotics work of the future.
No tech review would be complete without benchmarks, and since this is an Nvidia board, that means a deep dive into the graphics performance.
The review unit Nvidia sent over came with an incredible amount of documentation, pointing me towards GFXBench 4.0 Manhattan 3.1 (and the T-rex one) to test the graphics performance.
In terms of graphics performance, the TX1 isn’t that much different from a run-of-the-mill mobile chipset from a few years ago. This is to be expected; it’s unreasonable to expect Nvidia to put a Titan in a 10 Watt module; the Titan itself sucks up about 250 Watts.
What about CPU performance? The ARM Cortex A57 isn’t seen very much in tiny credit-card sized dev boards, but there are a few actual products out there with it. The TX1 isn’t a powerhouse by any means, but it does trounce the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B in testing by a factor of about three.
Compared to desktop/x86 performance, the best benchmarks again put the Nvidia TX1 in the same territory as a middling desktop from a few years ago. Still, that desktop probably draws about 300 W total, where the TX1 sips a meager 10 W.
This is not the board you want if you’re mining Bitcoins, and it’s not the board you should use if you need a powerful, portable device that can connect to anything. It’s for custom designs. The Nvidia TX1 is a module that’s meant to be integrated into products. It’s not a board for ‘makers’ and it’s not designed to be. It’s a board for engineers that need enough power in a reasonably small package that doesn’t drain batteries.
With an ARM Cortex A57 quad core running at almost 2 GHz, 4 GB of RAM, and a reasonably powerful graphics card for the power budget, the Nvidia TX1 is far beyond the usual tiny Linux boards. It’s far beyond the Raspi, the newest Beagleboard, and gives the Intel NUC boards a run for their money.
In terms of absolute power, the TX1 is about as powerful as a entry-level laptop from three or four years ago.
The Jetson TX1 is all about performance per Watt. That’s exceptional, new, and exciting; it’s something that simply hasn’t been done before. If you believe the reams of technical documents Nvidia granted me access to, it’s the first step to a world of truly smart embedded devices that have a grasp on computer vision, machine learning, and a bunch of other stuff that hasn’t really found its way into the embedded world yet.
And here lies the problem with the Jetson TX1; because a platform like this hasn’t been available before, the development stack, examples, and community of users simply isn’t there yet. The number of people contributing to the Nvidia embedded systems forum is tiny – our Hackaday articles get more comments than a thread on the Nvidia forums. Like all new platforms, the only thing missing is the community, putting Nvidia in a chicken and egg scenario.
This a platform for engineers. Specifically, engineers who are building autonomous golf carts and cars, quadcopters that follow you around, and robots that could pass a Turing test for at least 30 seconds. It’s an incredible piece of hardware, but not one designed to be a computer that sits next to a TV. The TX1 is an engineering tool that’s meant to go into other devices.
Alternative Applications, Like Gamecube
With that said, there are a few very interesting applications I could see the TX1 being used for. My car needs a new head unit, and building one with the TX1 would future proof it for at least another 200,000 miles. For the very highly skilled amateur engineers, the TX1 module opens a lot of doors. Six webcams is something a lot of artists would probably like to experiment with, and two DSI outputs – and a graphics card – would allow for some very interesting user interfaces.
That said, the TX1 carrier board is not the breakout board for these applications. I’d like to see something like what Sparkfun put together for the Intel Edison – dozens of breakout boards for every imaginable use case. The PCB files for the TX1 carrier board are available through the Nvidia developer’s portal (hope you like OrCAD), and Samtec, the supplier for the 400-pin connector used for the module, is exceedingly easy to work with. It’s not unreasonable for someone with a reflow toaster oven to create a breakout for the TX1 that’s far more convenient than a Mini-ITX motherboard.
Right now there aren’t many computers with ARM processors and this amount of horsepower out now. Impressively powerful ARM boards, such as the new BeagleBoard X15 and those that follow the 96Boards specification exist, but these do not have a modern graphics card baked into the module.
Without someone out there doing the grunt work of making applications with mass appeal work with the TX1, it’s impossible to say how well this board performs at emulating a GameCube, or any other general purpose application. The hardware is probably there, but the reviewers for the TX1 have been given less than a week to StackOverflow their way through a compatible build for the most demanding applications this board wasn’t designed for.
It’s all about efficiency
Is the TX1 a ‘supercomputer on a module’? Yes, and no. While it does perform reasonably well at machine learning tasks compared to the latest core-i7 CPUs, the Alexnet machine learning tasks are a task best suited for GPUs. It’s like asking which flies better: a Cessna 172 or a Bugatti Veyron? The Cessna is by far the better flying machine, but if you’re looking for a ‘supercomputer’, you might want to look at a 747 or C-5 Galaxy.
On the other hand, there aren’t many boards or modules out there at the intersection of high-powered ARM boards with a GPU and on a 10 Watt power budget. It’s something that’s needed to build the machines, robots, and autonomous devices of the future. But even then it’s still a niche product.
I can’t wait to see a community pop up around the TX1. With a few phone calls to Samtec, a few hours in KiCad, and a group buy for the module itself ($299 USD in 1000 unit quantities), this could be the start of something very, very interesting.
Back in Feburary, I was one of the first people to throw some cash at the Voltera V-One circuit board printer on Kickstarter. With an anticipated delivery date of Q4 2015, I sat back and waited. This week, my V-One arrived!
I’ll preface this article by pointing out that I do know the folks at Voltera as we went to university together. That being said, I did put down my own cash for the device, so I’ve bought the right to be critical. I also have no relationship with their company. In this article, we’ll go through unboxing and printing, then get into a review of the V-One based on what we’ve seen so far.
I recently picked up an Arksen dual power supply. You’ve seen these before, I’m sure, under a variety of names in places ranging from electronics stores to eBay. They look amazing for the price, and while I didn’t expect it to measure up to some of the pro supplies I have, I just wanted something to stick under my desk instead of having to move things to the bench or–worse–drag a heavy power supply over to my desk.
When I was putting together the sonic motion sensor, I found that the HC-SR04 module needed more current than I could draw out of an Arduino Leonardo. I figured this would be a good chance to use the new supply in anger. It seemed to work without too many problems. But there were a few things you might want to know if you have a similar supply or are thinking about getting a similar one.
Author’s note: I’m keeping spoilers out of this article, but they will surely show up in the comments.
A few weeks ago I started hearing about a new show on the USA network, Mr. Robot. The synopsis for the show was “Mr. Robot is a psychological thriller that follows a young programmer who works as a cyber-security engineer by day and a vigilante hacker by night.” Yeah, that sounds like another Hollywood crapfest. Cue crazy GUIs and virtual reality flybys representing hacking scenes. After watching the pilot though, I realized I couldn’t have been more wrong. I was hooked for the entire 10 week first season.
Let’s start with the hacking, which is the whole reason this article is here on Hackaday. Show creator [Sam Esmail] isn’t a hacker himself, but he is tech savvy enough to see how poorly hacking has been portrayed on TV and in the movies. He knew he could do it better. The solution was good consultants, in the form of [Michael Bazzell] and others. The team helped shape the show into a rather realistic portrayal of hacking techniques. Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), the main character, is the “vigilante” hacker described in the synopsis. Within the first 10 minutes of the pilot, he is turning a child pornographer in to the police. How does he catch the creeper? Tor exit node exploits, of course.
The onion routing protocol is not as anonymous as you think it is. Whoever’s in control of the exit nodes is also in control of the traffic, which makes me the one in control.
This is an accurate description of some of the exploits which have been demonstrated on the tor network. There aren’t any VR hacking scenes to be found either. In fact, several characters watch and make fun of the “flu shot” scene in Hackers. In this show, the command line isn’t hidden, it’s celebrated. We see every command the characters type, from netstat to CAN bus dumps. In one scene, Elliot even fires up a windows virtual machine so he can run DeepSound on his Kali Linux box.
The hacking isn’t all software either. Everyone’s favorite Linux single board computer is featured prominently in the first season. We can’t knock a show where a character looks at another and says “Ok, we all know what a Raspberry Pi is, what’s your point?”
We live in a golden age of free Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools. It wasn’t that long ago that an engineering workstation was an expensive piece of hardware running very expensive software that typically had annual fees. Now, you can go to your local electronics store and buy a PC that would shame that old workstation and download plenty of software to design schematics, simulate circuits, program devices, and lay out PCBs.
The only problem with a lot of this free software is it runs on Windows. I do sometimes run Windows, but I most often use Linux, so there is a certain attractiveness to a new breed of tools that run in the Web browser. In particular, I wanted to look briefly at two Web-based EDA tools: EasyEDA and MeowCAD. Both offer similar features: draw a schematic, populate a PCB, and download manufacturing files (that is, Gerber files). EasyEDA also offers SPICE simulation.

domain: hobby


World Bulletin / News Desk
Work started early on Tuesday to open late President Turgut Özal's grave, as part of a belated investigation into the cause of the 1993 death of the president.
A criminal investigation team, a bomb disposal team, police officers and officials from the Council of Forensic Medicine (ATK) are standing ready at the gravesite. Heavy machinery was deployed to the area early in the morning to carry out the work at the site, which has been surrounded by steel walls so that it cannot be seen from outside.
İstanbul Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor Oktay Erdoğan and ATK President Haluk İnce are also at Özal's gravesite -- located in İstanbul's Topkapı district -- to supervise the work.
İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Turan Çolakkadı also inspected the exhumation site in the afternoon. In initial comments, Çolakkadı said experts found that Özal's body is “suitable for [forensic] examination.”
The case was opened earlier this year after a number of witnesses spoke of unusual circumstances on the day of the death of the then-president, who was reported to have suffered from a heart attack. The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office recently issued a warrant to exhume the remains of the president for toxicology testing.
The prosecutor's office is also investigating a number of unusual circumstances that came to light following Özal's supposed heart attack. Certain facts -- such as that on the day of his death his in-house doctor and nurse were both out, that staff were not able to start the ambulance due to a mechanical problem, the lack of first aid equipment at the presidential residence and other similar issues -- have led to suspicions surrounding the death of the former president.
In addition, the office is focused on inconsistencies between the statements of Özal's doctor and his family members regarding the lack of an autopsy. Özal's doctor, Cengiz Aslan, claimed that the family of the former president did not request an autopsy, but the Özal family has denied this claim.
President worried that a declining birth rate may undermine economic growth
Turkish energy minister Yildiz addresses Putin decision to scrap South Stream project and opt for alternative route through Turkey
Around 150 students are occupying Libyan embassy in Ankara in a row over unpaid scholarships.
Davutoglu will see President Ivanov and Prime Minister Gruevski in Macedonia. Minorities Representative of the Turkish Democratic Party Kemal Hasip will also meet with the minister. Ways to increase 400 million dollar business increased to $1 billionwill be sought during the meeting.
Sarajevo Stock Exchange to link up order-routing system with Borsa Istanbul in 2015.
Pro-Kurdish HDP politicians meet Turkish deputy prime minister to push solution process forward, but claim many issues remain unresolved.
Istanbul Police Department launch 55 operations against drug abuse across city and have detained around 200 people in the last ten days.
The incident occurred in the Nusaybin area of Mardin province, near the border with Syria, during a military patrol, according to the General Staff website.
Turkish minister of Transport and Communications Lutfi Elvan says government plans to open Istanbul's third bridge over Bosphorus in October.
Turkish newspapers have focused on the prime minister's remarks on corruption, an anticipated parliamentary commission ruling on last December's anti-fraud probe, plus the shooting dead of two police officers in New York
Davutoglu says they will foil all attempts that reach out for Turkey's national will and resources masked as anti-graft efforts
Haniyeh said the Turkish support has proven vital in easing the suffering of the residents of the blockaded Gaza Strip.
Energy minister says government plans large-scale investment in Kahramanmaras, indicating foreign interest in similar investments in Turkey's Mediterranean city
Some 1,122 -over 26 percent of total- of foreign-partnered companies were founded directly by Syrians or as partners with local businessmen between January and November.
Turkey's AFAD says the government spent nearly $12 million in aid to shelter-seekers from Kobani
Hundreds of people from all backgrounds have gathered in Ankara at the Pakistan embassy to honour the victims of the Peshawar attack this week.


LIVE: Google Earnings! (GOOG)
Published 4:00 am, Thursday, April 12, 2012
Google reports earnings for the first quarter of 2012 this afternoon after market close.
We'll post the numbers here as soon as we get them.
We'll also be live-blogging the company's earnings call at 4:30 PT.
Wall Street expects non-GAAP EPS of $9.65 (up 19% from last year) on net revenue of $8.15 billion (up 24%).
Google missed last quarter, and blamed a weakening U.S. economy and weak dollar, as well as some new ad formats.
We'll also be looking for Google to share some real numbers on Google+ engagement. Yesterday, Google+ head Vic Gundotra said that more than 170 million people had "upgraded" to Google+, but those numbers include all logged-in visitors across all Google sites that are tied in with Google+, including YouTube and Gmail.
If Google seriously wants to claim that Google+ is a success, it should tell the world how many people are actually DOING STUFF on the Google+ site -- sharing news updates and photos, participating in Hangouts, and so on.
Latest business videos


Even as nations debate what to do about the Syrian refugees throughout the world, the U.S. Homeland Security’s report on ISIS’ Syrian passports indicates that some foreign members of the Islamic State may already be in the United States. Weeks after the San Bernardino shootings, some fear that these types of reports are warning signs that ISIS in America may be planning a 2016 New Year’s terrorist attack. While these fears are just speculation at this point, an American member of ISIS in New Jersey has confirmed that Daesh terror cells have discussed attacking New York’s Times Square in addition to the One World Trade Center.
In a related report by the Inquisitr, newly released study shows the members of ISIS in America who were arrested in 2015, and the threats seemed greatest in California, New York, and Minnesota based upon the number of successful arrests.
A recent Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Intelligence Report claims that ISIS has gained access to machines which can fake documents, including passports. Since it is believed that the Islamic State may have been creating fake passports for several years now, it is possible that ISIS’ Syrian passports have already been issued and Homeland Security is concerned that American border security has been compromised.
“Since more than 17 months [have] passed since Raqqa and Deir ez-Zour fell to ISIS, it is possible that individuals from Syria with passports ‘issued’ in these ISIS controlled cities or who had passport blanks, may have traveled to the U.S,” explained the report. “If ISIS’ ability to produce passports is not controlled, their operations will continue to increase and expand outside of their operational controlled areas.”
Some fear that these type of events are warning signs for something greater. For example, Natural News recently claimed that they have “reason to believe that a massive, multi-city ISIS attack will be unleashed across America in the near future.” As justification for this statement, they pointed to the evidence left behind by the San Bernardino shooters.
“Why do I believe this? Because the evidence points to the likelihood that the San Bernardino ISIS terrorists disobeyed orders and prematurely initiated their attack on a relatively small group. The twelve pipe bombs and thousands of rounds of ammunition found in their apartment point to the realization that they were preparing for something much larger.”
It is noted that the married couple built many pipe bombs yet they left them behind at their home. The two terrorists had pledged allegiance to ISIS leaders, and Natural News believes “that another, larger attack was in the planning stages and approaching activation.”
Unfortunately, such speculation may be somewhat justifiable since authorities have been arresting ISIS terror cells which planned terrorist attacks for 2016 New Year’s Eve celebrations. According to the Mirror, police in Tunisia rounded up a total of 25 suspects, one of whom is a 14-year-old potential suicide bomber. The Tunisian government believes they planned on attacking tourist areas and government buildings for New Year’s.
The ISIS terrorist cells in America would also like to carry out similar attacks. The FBI arrested six American ISIS members during the summer of 2015 and they just recently started detailing their terror cell’s plans. One plot involved buying guns and shooting tourists outside the White House in Washington D.C. Vaughn Aeronautical College near LaGuardia Airport was another terrorist target.
According to NBC, the New Jersey ISIS supporter also share that they had planned on using “homemade bombs” to attack Times Square and the One World Trade Center. The terror cell had discussed diagrams showing how to build these improvised weapons, but the FBI caught them before they could acquire the bombs.


text:
BI’s Article search uses Boolean search capabilities. If you are not familiar with these principles, here are some quick tips.
To search specifically for more than one word, put the search term in quotation marks. For example, “workers compensation”. This will limit your search to that combination of words.
To search for a combination of terms, use quotations and the & symbol. For example, “hurricane” & “loss”.
BERLIN – European risk managers are facing increased rates and changes in insurance capacity as they head into year-end renewals, experts say.
Years of declining rates are reversing in most markets and some significant increases are being pushed through, they said during interviews at the Federation of European Risk Management Associations biennial forum in Berlin earlier this month.
In response, European risk managers are opting for increased deductibles, using captives more aggressively and accessing additional capacity attracted to the market by the higher rates, they say.
Amid the hardening market, European insurers report a greater demand for cyber liability coverage as significant breaches become more frequent.
While insurance buyers in the United States and the United Kingdom have seen hardening rates in various lines for several months, in continental Europe a significant number of accounts renew on Jan. 1, so the current renewal is the first for several years where risk managers are seeing significant rate increases, said James A. Shea, CEO commercial insurance of Zurich Insurance Ltd. in Zurich.
But rate increases vary according to the size of the account – with large commercial buyers seeing the biggest increases – line of business and geographic market, he said.
Buyers in France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg are seeing the most significant hardening so far, Mr. Shea said. For smaller accounts in single markets, rates are not always increasing but they have stopped falling, he said.
Directors and officers liability coverage for large corporations is seeing the biggest increases, said Bruno Laval, regional head Europe for Axa XL, a unit of Axa SA, in Madrid.
The D&O increases started in the U.S., then spread to multinational accounts with U.S. exposures, “but the trend today is for all large corporate D&O accounts,” he said.
In some cases, D&O rates are more than doubling, Mr. Laval said, adding that property accounts are seeing double-digit increases on average and liability accounts are seeing single digit increases.
“The market is changing. Not everybody has the same sense of urgency, but everybody is coming to the same conclusions,” he said.
While the London market has seen some hardening in certain lines, such as catastrophe-exposed property accounts, for the past two years, the hardening has spread across various other lines as some insurers struggle to remain profitable, said Nicolas Aubert, head of Great Britain at Willis Towers Watson PLC in London.
In addition, while the overall capital levels in the insurance market remain high, capacity is tightening for some lines as insurers seek to control their exposures, experts say.
“For the first time in a long time, conversations are about the client lacking and looking for capacity,” said Mr. Shea.
Insurers are looking to spread their capacity through the various layers of a program rather than offer it all on the primary layer.
“Our limit appetite remains unchanged; how we deploy it on a program may change,” Mr. Shea said. “We are trying to ventilate it throughout the programs in a different way.”
Capacity has reduced in some areas, but buyers can access additional capacity from large insurers who have been profitable over the past several years and are seeking to write more business or from smaller specialty insurers who are looking to broaden their books of business, said Mr. Aubert.
In addition, some insurers can maintain their capacity offerings via facultative placements with other insurers, he said.
As a result, “placement is going to be more and more of a global matter compared to being managed just by domestic market by domestic market in the past,” said Mr. Aubert.
Insurance buyers also are looking to offset higher rates with increased deductibles and greater use of captives.
“There are different types of buyers: those that want to keep coverage, those that want to keep the price and most often a combination of the two,” said Mr. Shea.
Insurers are also seeking to tighten coverage through changes to terms and conditions, said Mr. Aubert. “We need to be careful that exclusions are not too broad so the true extent of the cover can be maintained,” he said.
One area that is seeing increase demand for coverage despite the overall hardening is cyber liability coverage, which has generally been more widely purchased by U.S. buyers than European buyers.
While the largest market for cyber liability insurance remains the U.S., “the awareness is growing everywhere,” said Mr. Shea.
“Cyber is becoming a global market, we are seeing many more companies buying it in the U.K. and the continent,” said Mr. Aubert. “It’s coming from the realization that there will never be a perfect cyber product because it is an area that is of permanent evolution.”
Policyholders are getting more comfortable with buying a cyber product that does not cover their entire exposure but contributes to an improved risk management strategy, he said.
Buyers in some countries, such as France, are more active in buying cyber, said Mr. Laval. “And we have claims already. It did not take too long to have large claims,” he said.
Cyber risk can be partially covered by insurance, “but first of all you have to reduce the risk,” said Cyril Cuvillier, deputy head of France’s national cyber security agency Agence Nationale de la Sécurité des Systèmes d’Information, in Paris. ANSSI launched a cyber risk management guide together with French risk management association Association pour le Management des Risques et des Assurances de l’Entreprise at the conference.
Risk managers can play a central role in their organizations’ approach to cyber risk, said Brigitte Bouquot, director of insurance and risk management at Thales SA in Paris and president of AMRAE.
Many organizations operate in silos, but risk managers have the mix of risk mapping and modeling skills and financial expertise to bridge the gap between informational security departments and finance departments to build a security platform for their organizations, she said.
“We are moving from a technical approach to a strategic approach,” Ms. Bouquot said.
Policyholders are facing significant increases in their directors and officers liability insurance for the first time in several years, and some experts expect the trend to continue over the next 18 to 24 months.


text:
Ex-footballer has started the first of five planned charity marathon runs in aid of a that will span across five major cities in Ireland and the UK over the next five days.
The runs are to mark the second birthday on August 10 of his daughter Azaylia, who last April aged eight months.
Ashley and Azaylia’s mum, Safiyya Vorajee, had hoped to take her to Singapore for specialist treatment to save her life, but were tragically told
His route through Dublin on Wednesday began at Fitzwilliam Square, passed Stephen’s Green and went through the Phoenix Park, Crumlin, Terenure and Ballsbridge before finishing back in the city centre at just before 4.30pm.
He will then undertake marathon routes in Belfast on Thursday, Glasgow on Friday, Cardiff on Saturday and finish in London on Sunday.
Ashley, who played for Coventry City and later featured in reality TV show Ex On The Beach, founded The Azaylia Foundation to help fight childhood cancer through advancing early diagnosis and new treatment availability in the UK.
After in April, Ashley is to undertake three further athletic challenges this month, starting with these five marathons in five days across the five cities.
The star will be joined by friends, family and public figures along the routes, having received support from cousin Tamika Cain and Rehan Khalid for today’s run.
Taking to Instagram after his first marathon, Ashley, who was looking forward to a pint of Guinness, said: ‘First of five, done and dusted. Dubs, it’s been a pleasure. Four more to go.’
Ashley shared Azaylia with former partner Safiyya, with the pair just weeks ahead of the first anniversary of their baby daughter’s death.
They had initially kept the news private for a few months so they could come to terms with it, calling their separation ‘an incredibly hard decision’.
In April, Safiyya revealed that theirafter their split.
‘We will always honour Azaylia, and mine and Ashley’s friendship is so strong together, we’re so strong,’ she told host Lorraine Kelly.
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Mulhouse, Territoire d’Engagement Citoyen (Active Citizenship)
Location: Mulhouse, France
Period: 01/09/2016 – 30/06/2017
Deadline: 10 July 2016
The Sports and Youth Department of the Municipality of Mulhouse offers two EVS placements. The volunteers will be involved in various projects led by the Department.
Regional Sports Center of Alsace, in Mulhouse, France.
It is a department of the Municipality of Mulhouse, the second biggest city in Alsace province. 50 mn by train from Strasbourg; 15 mn by train from Basel (CH).
Accompanied and supervised by the staff, the volunteers will participate in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the following activities:
1. Support for interns in their “Triple S” project : Sport, School, Social
2. Support for interns who are away from their family environment
4. Help in organisation of events and actions organized by all the Sports and Youth Department (festivals, trainings, informations, etc.)
Please fill in this online form :
> http://www.tambour-battant.eu/html2pdf/Application_Form.php <
and send the generated pdf to the mentionned email address.


text:
MTV Movie Awards ‘Best Kiss’ Winners
Credit: Getty Images
2009 MTV Movie Awards 'Best Kiss': Robert Pattinson & Kristen Stewart
3 of 12
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart won for 'Twilight.' They had the audience at the edge of their seat, and left fans wanting more when they left the stage without kissing.


text:
Galleria del Leone is an exhibition area in the heart of picturesque Giudecca facing le Zattere. This gallery is dedicated to contemporary art and houses teh avantegarde works of established and upcoming artists. The arts housed here are all original and master pieces by some very talented Italian painters. The gallery has also participated in exhbitions worldwide.
Arts & Museums
- Credit Cards Accepted: mastercard, visa


text:
More to explore:
Vintage Upright Piano made into a Bar
I would love a painted upright piano. So fun . . .
Breakfast bar I made from a repurposed upright piano.
Upright piano repurposed into computer desk.
Decorating with an upright piano
antique upright piano
Upright piano converted to a home bar.
I have a beautiful old upright - looking to re-purpose - here are some great ideas
its a dollhouse miniature!
miniature cottage dollhouse
Beautiful miniature dollhouse kitchen


text:
The Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire is famous for a ring of standing stones, but the area is noted for another stone feature with an antipodean connection – the Bulford Kiwi. How did our country’s national bird end up carved on the side of a hill in south England?
A military camp was established on the Salisbury Plain in 1897 near the town of Bulford for which it was named. In 1903 an annexe was built to provide more accommodation. Named Sling Plantation Camp after the nearby woods, it was usually known as Sling Camp.
Shortly after the outbreak of World War I the camp housed many New Zealand troops and became known colloquially as ANZAC Camp. The ANZACs were soon joined by Canadian soldiers and civilians, and together they worked on building huts. It has been estimated that if these completed huts were placed end to end the line would have measured six miles long.
Sling Camp was officially named the 4th New Zealand Infantry Brigade Reserve Camp and included four sections: Auckland, Wellington, Otago, and Canterbury. It was the chief New Zealand training camp throughout the war, serving to both prepare reinforcements and rehabilitate casualties. Senior personnel were tough on discipline and training, but also provided huts that were warmed in winter, good food, libraries and billiard rooms. A nearby cinema also provided entertainment.
The camp also housed 14 New Zealand conscientious objectors, including Archibald Baxter (father of James Keir Baxter) and his two brothers, who were sent to England to be made an example of.
In 1918 an estimated 4,300 men lived in Sling Camp. This count was greatly reduced after Spanish Influenza took hold and resulted in high casualties.
After the war ended the camp became a repatriation centre where 4,600 ANZACs waited for their turn to come home. Troop ships were in short supply and the soldiers were getting restless, so the officers introduced a series of enforced marches. The troops requested relaxed discipline; after all, the war was over. When their request was denied they rioted, looting the mess and stealing alcohol from the officers.
The riot was calmed and the men were promised there would be no consequences for their actions; however, the ringleaders were arrested and, ironically, promptly shipped back to New Zealand.
The remaining men were put to work carving a large kiwi into the chalk on Beacon Hill behind the camp. The kiwi was designed by Sergeant Major P C Blenkarne, based on a sketch of a taxidermied kiwi held at the British Museum. Sergeant Major V T Low surveyed the area and extended the design of the kiwi, which covers an area of 1.5 acres.
In the 1920s the original buildings of Sling Camp were torn down and replaced. The Kiwi Polish Company took over maintenance of the chalk kiwi and paid local villagers to take care of it, more from its status as a memorial than for any advertising benefit. During World War II it was covered to prevent German planes using it as a navigation point. The Boy Scouts removed the leaf mould cover once the war was over. In the 1950s Blenkarne arranged for the British Army to maintain the kiwi, and in 2017 it received protection as a scheduled monument.
Sandi Black is the Archivist at Whanganui Regional Museum.


text:
Island Tide Marble Mesh Halter Dress
The island tide is high and you'll be looking fly in this marble mesh halter dress featuring a sleeveless, ruched scoop neck with tie-closure, a sexy cutout bodice, and a bodycon mini skirt. Complete the look in sassy heels for a dinner.
Fit & Features
- Sleeveless, ruched halter scoop neck
- Cutout bodice
- Bodycon mini skirt
- Marble pattern
- Mesh-lined fabric, moderate stretch
- Fits true to size
- Model is 5'5" with a 34" bust, 22" waist, and 36" hips. She is wearing a size small.
- 95% Polyester, 5% Spandex
- Hand wash cold.
- Do not bleach.
- Low iron.

domain: design


text:
Authors: Carol Ann Martin
A WEAVING MYSTERY
CAROL ANN MARTIN
I pushed the bedroom door open and had just stepped in when I was overcome by a sickly sweet metallic odor. My eyes darted around the dim room and came to rest on a bundle on the floor. Gradually my vision adjusted and—I screamed. There, in the middle of the empty room, was a man lying in a pool of blood.
Feeling faint, I crouched down, my hands reaching out to the solid floor for support.
David bounded over and brushed past me. He gasped and stood frozen while I tried to regain my breath. He took a few hesitant steps into the room and bent over the body. “Shit,” he said, followed by a long list of other expletives. He crouched and picked up a limp hand, feeling for a pulse. A wave of nausea hit me.
“Is he dead?” I whispered hoarsely.
“Dead as a doorknob,” he said, dropping the hand.
The room seemed to tilt, and I forced myself to breathe slowly, regularly. I dared another glance. There was something familiar, something—I squelched another rush of nausea and looked again. “Do you know who— Oh, my God!” I exclaimed, getting a look at the dead man’s face. “Is this who I think it is?”
“It’s Jeremy Fox,” he muttered, and when he looked up at me, his face was as pale as the dead man’s. He took a shaky breath and said, “I think he’s been murdered.”
Published by the Penguin Group
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First published by Signet Eclipse, an imprint of New American Library,
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First Printing, June 2013
Copyright © Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 2013
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
SIGNET ECLIPSE and logo are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.
I would like to thank the following people for their help and their contributions to this novel: my husband, who took over much of the cooking while I took weaving lessons; all the wonderful people at Obsidian who patiently answered my questions; my wonderful editor, Jesse Feldman, without whose help this novel would never have been; and most importantly, Brenda Nicolson, for teaching this newbie the basics of weaving and for correcting my many mistakes. Any remaining mistakes about weaving in this novel are mine and mine alone.
I thank you all, from the bottom of my heart.
metimes in the middle of the night, I worried that this might all have been a huge mistake—
being the leap I’d recently made. At the age of thirty-five, a time in life when—as my mother liked to point out—most sane women were either married with children or just hitting their professional stride, I had left a perfectly good career as a business analyst to become a weaver. That’s right. A
But whatever she thought, I hadn’t arrive at this decision easily. A year ago, something happened that shook me to my core. I was accused of embezzling from my company, and if I had not been able to prove to the authorities that my boss was the guilty party, right now I would be the one serving a ten-year jail term instead of him. Just as sure as my name is Della Wright.
It had been time for a change.
So, crazy or not, here I was in my new studio, waiting for somebody—anybody—to show up. I glanced at my watch again—six forty-five, and still not a soul in sight.
I looked down at Winston, the French bulldog I’d inherited with the house where I was living and setting up shop. He wasn’t exactly the kind of dog I might have chosen for myself. My taste in pooches ran more toward the tiny poodle variety. In fact, I used to have a tiny poodle, and she was a lot prettier than the dog at my feet. Winston was thirty pounds of solid muscle on a squat frame, and he had a flat face frozen in a perpetual grimace. Good God, the dog was ugly. Admittedly, though, for all his vicious appearance, he would have been about as effective as a lamb when it came to protecting me. Winston, or Winnie, as I had nicknamed him, was more likely to lick an intruder to death than to chase him away. He was so sweet that I was beginning to actually like him.
I bent down to scratch his ear.
“You are my buddy, aren’t you?”
He glanced up at me with big, mournful eyes and yawned.
“Don’t worry, Winnie. People will show up—you’ll see.” He stared at me, looking less than convinced. Oh, God, people
to show up. I couldn’t have done all this only to fall flat on my face.
I’d moved here just over two months ago, and so far I’d hardly earned enough to keep me in java, my personal addiction. All the while I’d been spending, spending, spending: three new looms picked up on craigslist (I needed those. Honestly! How was I supposed to give classes unless I had a few looms?); yarn—dozens upon dozens of gorgeous yarns I hadn’t been able to resist (what can I say—fate led me to that yarn shop two days before it closed). And then there was the cost of fixing up my new abode.
Last Christmas I’d admitted to my friend Matthew Baker just how miserable I felt. I wasn’t eating. I wasn’t sleeping. I was a zombie at work. Being branded a stool pigeon and a whistle-blower by one’s coworkers will do that to a person. That’s the damn thing about the investment industry; those in it would more easily forgive a person for stealing than for reporting criminal activity by a superior. So rather than applaud me for giving the evidence to the SEC, my coworkers turned on me. It was a nightmare, living in a place where no one trusted me enough even to share
Anyhow, after I confided in Matthew, he very generously offered to lend me his house.
“I have just the place for you,” he’d said, going on to paint an idyllic picture of Briar Hollow, the small town at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains where he lived. He offered to switch places for a little over a week—I would take his house and he’d take my condo in Charlotte. “You’ll enjoy a much-needed vacation, and I’ll save myself two hours of daily commuting at the same time.”
Matthew had recently accepted a position teaching criminology at the University of Charlotte, a job he intended to leave just as soon as he realized his life dream—landing a publishing deal for a book on criminology. What he didn’t say, but I suspected, was that he would also enjoy living closer to his girlfriend, Amanda, whom I referred to as Blondie. He had been dating Blondie for a couple of years, and even though she somehow always rubbed me the wrong way, the truth was she was perfectly nice.
I decided to take his offer. Ten days away from my job was exactly what I needed. Afterward, I would go back to work refreshed and reenergized. Except, that’s not exactly what happened.
The farther I got from Charlotte, the more I wondered, why just ten days? I’d always dreamed of opening my own weaving studio, a notion that my mother insisted was sweet and romantic but hardly practical. (Poor Mom, to this day she could not accept that I was a grown woman who did not need her advice.) I had long ago folded away my dream and stored it in an almost forgotten corner of my mind. Weaving was fine as a hobby, and that was what it had become. Whenever the stress of my work became too much, I would sit and weave, sometimes far into the night.
It’s incredible just how soothing the process can be—the rhythmic throwing of the shuttle from hand to hand and the beat of one’s feet walking the treadles, not to mention the satisfaction of the completed project—ahhh, happiness.
In the past, I would’ve reluctantly packed away the loom and trudged off to my real job in the morning. But when I got to Briar Hollow, I just kept thinking,
I do it? Maybe it was because I had nothing left to lose: I had few friends in Charlotte (lately, anyway) and no job satisfaction—in fact, hardly a stable job at all, given how things were going.
The old-fashioned gingerbread house was just right. It had a living room/dining room combo separated by an arched doorway. I could open a shop in one, and in the sunny corner of the other, I could have a studio with an AVL loom—the one I’d always dreamed of owning. All I would have to do was convince Matthew that we should make our arrangement permanent.
“You want to
there?” Matthew had exclaimed when I told him my new idea. “You mean, full-time?” I could almost hear the gears clicking in his mind. “Well, I suppose we could switch places until you find something permanent. There’d be no rush. I love living in your condo. It’s so close to my work.” And to Blondie, no doubt. “But Winston would have to stay with you,” he’d added. “He’d be miserable by himself in your small condo all day.”
We’d struck a deal. I would take care of Winston, and Matthew would stay in my condo until either one of us changed our mind, which I knew meant I could count on living here for as long as I wanted. I mean, honestly, anyone would be nuts to take a two-hour commute over a ten-minute drive—right?
From then on, Matthew’s dog became my roommate, and I never looked back.
I named my studio Dream Weaver, and to help generate interest I announced weaving classes for all levels of ability. I also decided to organize weaving groups as a good and inexpensive way to promote my shop. Tonight’s group was for a charity project, making baby blankets for the local hospital. Well, it wasn’t really the
hospital. St. Anthony’s was about ten miles out of town, nearer to Belmont than to Briar Hollow, which technically made it the
hospital. I was hoping the charity angle would attract a mix of people, and that those with less weaving proficiency might enroll in my classes. But it was now five minutes to seven and nobody was here. My earlier optimism was fast deflating.
I looked down at Winston. “What do you think, Winnie? People are bound to show up, right?”
“You are such a pessimist.”
For the tenth time, I pulled back the lace curtains and peeked outside. And—
yes, at last
—a car was pulling up. I hurried away from the window, coaxing Winston to follow. He lumbered behind me, a puzzled expression on his mug.
“Sorry, Winnie, but you’ll have to stay in here.” I closed the kitchen door behind him and hurried to the front just as the bell above the door tinkled. A middle-aged woman with Lucille Ball hair and eyes heavy with makeup waddled in, carrying a large knitting bag. She set it down and brushed her hands over her zebra-print capri pants, which made her already large behind look twice its size.
“Hello, hello!” she exclaimed. “I’m sorry I’m late.”
“You’re actually a few minutes early,” I said with a smile. “I’m Della Wright. Welcome to Dream Weaver.”
“Marnie Potter,” the woman said, fanning herself dramatically with a bejeweled hand. “My, but it’s hot in here. Don’t you have air-conditioning?” Beads of moisture had gathered on her forehead. I thought it was humid rather than hot, but I wasn’t about to argue.
“It is hot, isn’t it?” I looked around for a solution. “I’ll open a window. That should help. Oh, and I have a fan upstairs.” I hurried to the window, but no amount of struggling would get it to budge.
Marnie frowned. “Where is everyone? I thought I was joining a group. We won’t produce very many baby blankets with just the two—”
At the sound of the bell, we both turned to see a pleasant-looking, sandy-haired woman, wearing a gauzy tie-dyed top over a pair of black yoga pants that were hugging what was one of the tightest bodies I had ever seen. I wasn’t in the habit of ogling other women’s bodies, but this one could have been a walking advertisement for a health club. It wasn’t a look I could ever hope to achieve with my short stature and gargantuan appetite—I was just lucky to weigh one hundred and fifteen and not two hundred and fifteen. I glanced at her tiny waist enviously. On second thought, I wouldn’t give up eating, not even for a tight body like hers. I studied her outfit. It was interesting—sexy, in a New Age or bohemian sort of way.
I became aware of my own Ralph Lauren natural-linen pants and Navajo-inspired beaded shirt, which identified me as exactly what I was—a city girl trying to fit into her new small-town life by dressing in a designer’s version of country duds. I suddenly felt self-conscious.
“Hi. I’m here for the weaving group.” She spotted the looms in the workshop. “And it looks like I’m in the right place.” She offered her hand. “Jenny Davis.” Her smile lit the room.
“Della Wright. I’m the owner.”
“Nice to meet you.” She looked around and nodded a hello to Marnie. “So you’re joining the group too?”
“You two know each other?”
Marnie chuckled. “This is Briar Hollow, sugar pie. Everybody knows each other around here.”
It was difficult for a city girl to conceive of a town being so small that everybody knew everybody. I really wasn’t in Charlotte anymore. That, however, had been the whole point of moving here. I’d wanted to live in a place where one could live life at a slower pace. I’d wanted a home in a town where people said hello to each other on the street, where trust and loyalty existed and where the likelihood of being embroiled in an embezzlement case was nonexistent.
Meanwhile, Jenny had wandered farther into the room. “I’ve been dying to see what you did with the place. Oh, will you look at those.” She made a beeline to the maple hutch I’d salvaged from the garage next to the house. I’d emptied it of car parts and an assortment of tools, and then waxed and polished the old piece until it glowed. Now it was the display case for my fine-linen towels and dishcloths.
Jenny reverently touched one of the towels. “These are gorgeous. Did you make them?”
“I did. That one is a Swedish design called monk’s cloth. It’s also known as huck embroidery.”
Marnie Potter approached. “That is fine work indeed. You’re very good.” Her tone was almost grudging.
“Thank you. I’m glad you think so. Weaving is my passion. I just hope I can make a living at it.” I was about to ask the women about their experience with weaving when the doorbell rang again.
“Hello. I’m here to weave baby blankets,” the young woman said, her gaze sweeping over Marnie and me, and then over the store. I had an immediate impression of a laser-sharp mind.
“Welcome to Dream Weaver. I’m Della. And you are?”
Her dark lashes flickered, and she smiled. “Susan Wood.” She extended her hand, her eyes focused on mine. “Nice to meet you.”
On second glance, I realized that Susan Wood was older than I’d first thought. She looked to be in her mid – to late twenties, with auburn hair in a shoulder-length blunt cut. She wore jeans and an open white shirt with rolled-up sleeves over a T-shirt. That was how I should dress if I wanted to fit in. On second thought, scratch that. With my body, it was easy to look chubby rather than curvaceous. I would stick to Ralph Lauren. My body needed Ralph almost as much as it needed caffeine.
“Susan, why don’t you join the others? I’m sure I don’t have to introduce you. I’ll be right back.” I dashed upstairs and retrieved the fan from my bedroom, making a mental note to buy a couple more before the next meeting. When I returned to the front room, Marnie and Jenny were chatting away like old friends—which, for all I knew, they might well have been.
With excitement I heard the bell jingle again, but my cheer ebbed when a man walked in. He was tall and handsome in a business sort of way, in his late thirties to early forties and wearing a gray suit and tie. Surely he was not here for weaving. Everyone grew silent as they turned to stare.
He closed the door behind him and scowled. “Is this the place for the charity weaving group?”
“Yes, it is.” I set the fan on the floor. “Are you here to join the group?”
“What else would I be doing here?” he grumbled, looking about as pleased as a bear in a trap.
I sensed trouble. Why was it that every group had to have at least one churl?


text:
the existing flooring is not damaged, if it is fill in with cheap vinyl tile just to make it even. I would strongly recommend to clean the floor very well with bleach or something to cut the grease and grime. You want a good adhearson between the old and new.
Then, NEVER lay the tile down symetrical or congruent over the existing tile seams. Do a one half overlap and then go on. In otherwords, the new tile would split the old tile's intersection lines.