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Basically, I went roller skating last Saturday night. I was invited along with another friend to go late at night so that we could make the most of our weekend. I was down for the adventure. I had in-lined skated most of my life and I was willing to learn how to do the famous four wheeler. We got there and the place was filled with older folks. Like my parent’s age old.
I scoffed at the competition, and was actually more worried about hurting these folks while I imagined myself zipping and whipping through them. WRONG.
1. I got on the rink and was already feeling my knees lock and my legs ready to slip and fly up into the air.
2. These 50 year olds? Yeah, definitely have been doing this pastime for years.
That night was like a dream. I remember fumbling and stumbling my way along the rink trying to get used to the four wheels while I stared in awe, mouth agape at the 55 year old man who performed a double axle turn. While I watched 3 older men do an intricate step in a synchronized manner. While I watched a woman who definitely had children who were college age, sashay to the left and right, occasionally skating backwards while the rhythms of the 80s reverberated through the rink. While I watched another man break dance in the middle of the rink. All these people had one thing in common, they were doing more than just skating. They were creating art. The floor and their skates were one.
I saw men holding the waists of women as an Al Green song blared over the speakers and they skated off into the distance, their wheels in sync with one another. Each step that man took, the woman followed and let him lead. The man would skate backwards and she would hold his hands letting him twirl and twist her in harmony with the notes.
While I pushed myself forcefully forward to gain momentum, they simply leaned from side to side, swirled their hips and clapped their hands making it seem like it was effortless. I felt my inferiority turn into admiration. I stopped for a moment to stand back and watch all these people and it was like watching them in their natural element. Combined with the 80s tunes of the day, and their movement, they looked so young, so beautiful, so youthful. I didn’t expect a night to turn out like this. One woman, who clearly was taken away by the tune of Kaci and Jojo, had her eyes closed, hair whipping around in the wind and her hips swaying to the music while skating backwards flawlessly and effortlessly, I wish I had brought my camera to take a snapshot of this woman. She struck me hard.
This wasn’t a supermodel. This wasn’t a Seventeen magazine celebrity. This was a middle aged, normal, and healthy African American woman who for that moment in time looked like the most stunning thing I’ve ever seen. She oozed with confidence while she closed her eyes and felt the music through her wheels. It seemed as if the whole rink had acknowledged her presence enough to not bump into her and so she didn’t even need to open her eyes to watch where she was going. The level of love that she had for herself and her body was so apparent that I felt some of that transcend over to me.
I found myself actually stopping to emulate her. Of course, as an amateur skater, I fell numerous times, yet I got back up again determined to make myself as attractive as this woman. Right then, an older man skated right up to me and stopped me from causing another fall onto my butt. He took both my hands and began to lead me. He skated backwards and led me forward.
“You got to learn how to skate forward before you do it backwards.” he smiled and he put his right hand in mine and his left hand on my arm, ballroom style.
“Don’t push yourself. Let the skates move you. Left, right, left, right.” he instructed. And he took me around the rink probably 6 times until I understood the rhythm of the skates.
By the end of the night, I felt extremely satisfied. I had to forgo control over myself trying to be the best at the rink to just letting myself be. I skated around, but I watched and was inspired. I watched and took note on these people and took note about myself. I am a person that likes to have things in a neat plan so that I can follow it. This is the second time in my life where my character quirks have translated into my performance (the first time was at a salsa night–by the end of the night, I was twirling, dipping and sashaying thankfully). So yet again, this was like salsa night only now on skates. I think it’s amazing how I always found out more things about myself the more I put myself out there to try new things. I never intentionally go into anything thinking that I’m going to come out with a moral of a story, but inevitably I do.
I think that, that night showed me that while I am on the right path to being free, to being totally transparent, and less of a controlling person, I still am on a journey. I am moving towards a destination, and with each day I have to consciously choose to work on myself or forego everything in order to stay in my comfort zone. I like the first option better. 🙂

domain: artistic


Best Memory Foam Mattress Under 500
There are several types of latex mattresses on the market. Best Memory Foam Mattress Under 500. The PlushBeds Botanical Bliss mattress, for example, includes a firmness level of 1-10. Customer feedback has been excellent, with many customers noting that the mattress was comfortable and did not trigger them to feel like they were going to fall out of bed. There are several designs readily available, so it’s important to select the right one for your needs.
PlushBeds Review 2022
This Plush mattress has 5 layers: a cotton cover, a layer of Eco Fire Barrier, 4 inches of natural latex, and an 8-inch luxurious foam core. The latex core is very encouraging and prevents body imprints. The orthopedic structure is made from spruce woods, which takes in pressure and movement while promoting a relaxing sleep. If you are on a spending plan, you can pick between two various models.
For those on a tight spending plan, the PlushBeds Botanical Happiness is a fantastic choice. The Botanical Happiness mattress is stacked with latex foam. This makes it feel weightless and elegant, and the overall feeling is one of comfort and high-end. There is no much better way to start your day than laying on a brand-new bed. You will wake up feeling rested and refreshed after a restful night of sleep. Best Memory Foam Mattress Under 500.
A PlushBeds Botanical Bliss is the ideal mattress for couples. This design includes decent bounce, air flow, and solid edge assistance. Its natural cotton cover permits air to circulate and is cool, enabling you to stay cool and comfortable. It consists of a layer of GOTS accredited organic wool and dunlop GOTS licensed latex. This latex layer offers a medium quantity of assistance and keeps the temperature moderate.
The PlushBeds mattress has an unrivaled service warranty. The company is likewise happy to use a 100-night trial period. The warranty will give you plenty of time to try the PlushBeds and see if they work for you. You can even request a replacement or a refund if you’re not pleased with the product. With such a generous service warranty, you’ll never have to stress over purchasing a PlushBeds mattress.
The PlushBeds website rates its mattresses according to comfort zone. A comfy zone is the middle ground in between company and soft. If you sleep hot, you’ll wish to discover a mattress with extra weight-bearing potential. For a top quality mattress, you need to take a look at the quality. The PlushBeds website consists of details on the products utilized in the mattress. Despite its rate, it’s worth the additional time and effort.
Another benefit of PlushBeds is its warranty. If your mattress isn’t up to your standards, you can get a complete refund. Unlike many mattresses, you can get a 100-night trial period. This makes sure that you’ll be happy with your purchase for many years to come. What are you waiting for? You do not have to wait any longer to attempt a PlushBeds mattress.
The PlushBeds mattress is made of 100% organic latex. The latex layers of the mattress differ in firmness, however they all interact to make you feel comfy and safe. A PlushBeds mattress will last for many years and you’ll love the softness and support it provides. A quality mattress is essential to you and your partner. Check out evaluations before you make a purchase. You can be sure that the PlushBeds will be a fantastic choice for your next bed.
You can return the PlushBeds mattress for a complete refund within 100 nights. The company likewise uses a totally free trial period. To return the mattress, you should call client service to let them understand you wish to exchange it for a various one. The client service agent will tell you how to pack the mattress. If you wish to keep the perk items, it ought to not be a problem. If you need to return the mattress, merely contact the business and they’ll set up a pickup.
The PlushBeds Botanical Bliss mattress is a bed-in-a-box. The mattress will get here compressed and you need to offer it 24 hours to decompress. The Botanical Bliss has minimal off-gassing. If you are worried about your health, PlushBeds have a 25-year service warranty. If you are fretted about the warranty, it is worth your cash.
PlushBeds Botanical Bliss Customer Review
Botanical Bliss is a natural latex mattress collection made in the USA. It features quilted organic cotton toppers and 100% natural Joma Wool or ARPICO latex, thought about the world’s finest latex. All of these materials are without chemicals and allergens and are entirely safe for sleep. ARPICO latex is likewise considered to be one of the world’s softest and most comfortable kinds of foam.
Botanical Bliss has a medium firmness and is perfect for back and stomach sleepers. The latex core is buoyant and does not impact movement transfer. The thick wool batting stops vibrations and keeps the mattress in a helpful medium-firm position. This mattress is understood for its durability and is an excellent investment for your bedroom. You’ll enjoy the way it feels on your skin, and you’ll feel the advantages the next early morning.
The Botanical Bliss mattress appropriates for back and stomach sleepers. The medium-firmness choice helps lift your hips into line with your shoulders and promotes a healthy sleeping position. Those who weigh more than 275 pounds must decide for the firmer option, but if you’re a light stomach sleeper, this mattress will work for you. It is also great for back and stomach sleepers, as its medium-firmness offers the assistance you need for a good night’s rest. Best Memory Foam Mattress Under 500
The PlushBeds Botanical Bliss mattress is an organic design. All of the product utilized is sourced from sustainable forests and plantations and is licensed by the German Eco-Institut certification. This accreditation supplies customers with the confidence that the materials used in PlushBeds are free of chemicals. This makes them an exceptional choice for individuals who want an eco-friendly, chemical-free mattress. With such a reputation, you can be sure that this organic bed will meet your requirements and will last for several years.
A latex bed mattress is among the most environmentally friendly kinds of mattress, and the PlushBeds Botanical Bliss is no exception. Its latex structure allows the mattress to breathe and is more breathable than foam or memory foam models. It also keeps your body temperature level in check, making it terrific for cold and hot weather. It is best to utilize a non-toxic material in order to avoid any unfavorable responses.
The Botanical Bliss mattress is an all-latex bed design. The organic wool cover is made from New Zealand wool. The mattress has a multi-layer of Dunlop natural latex that enables it to get used to your body’s temperature level. Aside from this, the Botanical Bliss is also a perfect choice for sleepers who choose a more comfy mattress. However, you ought to know the following advantages and disadvantages.
The Botanical Bliss mattress is a bed-in-a-box mattress that has a reasonably firm level of convenience. Its latex building enables good ventilation, which is terrific for couples. The latex utilized in the Botanical Bliss mattress is made with Dunlop latex, which gives it a springy sensation. This mattress is perfect for fans, as it prevents the sensation of being disconcerting while sleeping.
While there are many advantages to this mattress, it’s not appropriate for everybody. Aside from being more expensive than other similar brands, PlushBeds uses a 100-night totally free trial and complimentary returns. Throughout this time, you may experience small aches and discomforts while trying to adapt to your new mattress. Aside from these, a botanical happiness bed is an eco-friendly option. Unlike synthetic foam bed mattress, it is made from wool and latex and is hypoallergenic.
The Botanical Bliss natural latex mattress is a medium-firm design with a medium-firm firmness. Its medium firmness is best for side- and back-sleepers alike. Its medium firmness is suitable for many people. If you are much heavier, it might not be the finest choice for you. It might be too soft for you. It might not be firm enough for your partner.
The botanical happiness is made of organic latex. The natural latex used to make this mattress is eco-friendly. In addition, it is hypoallergenic and is likewise hypoallergenic. Its organic products are likewise safe for your health. It is also breathable, which implies that it will keep your body cool and your back cool. The plush bed is among the most environmentally-friendly latex mattresses on the market.
PlushBeds Natural Latex Topper Customer Review
Whether you wish to produce a comfortable sleeping environment in your house, recreational vehicle, and even on a private yacht, a Plush 100% natural latex topper is an excellent option. This luxuriously Plush item is the ideal balance of firmness and softness. A Plush mattress topper is an excellent option for bed rooms, guest rooms, kids’s spaces, and even the occasional guest. Best Memory Foam Mattress Under 500.
Plushbeds latex toppers can be found in two to three inches in density and include a flannel cover for added comfort. The company declares that these latex toppers will last for more than 20 years. A Queen-sized topper expenses about $130, and there are choices for various firmness levels, from medium to firm. A full-sized topper expenses about $50.
Among the greatest advantages of a latex topper is that it will remain in shape no matter for how long you utilize it. Its Talalay processing indicates that the topper is entirely free of hazardous additives, which can compromise the quality of sleep. It is made of 100% pure latex. The very best part is that this kind of topper will constantly spring back into shape. This is a significant advantage when it comes to the longevity of a mattress topper.
The benefits of a PlushBeds latex topper include its hypoallergenic properties. It has a cooling impact that prevents sleeping hot. It is an excellent choice for those who are allergic to particular substances or experience asthma or breathing sensitivities. Furthermore, an Avocado mattress topper is environmentally friendly, which implies it is devoid of harmful chemicals. Thus, it is a terrific choice for those with allergic reactions or those with sensitive skin.
A Plushbeds latex topper is made from 100 percent virgin wool, which is hypoallergenic and anti-microbial. Its natural residential or commercial properties make it ideal for bed mattress. Being safe to use, the topper is likewise ecologically friendly. Its style and manufacturing process are licensed by the federal government. It satisfies stringent chemical emission standards. Its Talalay latex topper is made with natural rubber trees. Best Memory Foam Mattress Under 500
The PlushBeds natural latex topper uses a cool and comfy sleeping experience. The breathable latex product is a natural latex that is non-toxic. This latex mattress topper is also protected by a five-year minimal guarantee. Unlike other items, it is non-returnable and safeguarded by an assurance. You can utilize it as a bed topper and it is non-toxic.
A Plusheds topper is an inexpensive exceptional quality mattress topper made from 100% natural Talalay latex. It eases pressure from the body while also distributing heat evenly to keep you cool throughout the night. It’s also comfortable, cushiony, and long lasting. It’s likewise environmentally friendly. If you require to change your old mattress, you can buy a Plushbeds natural latex topper from online sellers.
My Thoughts On PlushBeds
As the name suggests, PlushBeds are bed mattress made from natural products. Unlike many other mattress brand names, this company offers a variety of firmness levels for their products. You can pick between firmness levels one through five, from 1 to 10. And because each design has different firmness levels, you can select the very best one for your specific requirements. In addition to these options, you can customize the feel and look of your mattress with the addition of your favorite color or pattern.
Among the major benefits of Plushbeds is their commitment to quality. Their latex mattresses are made of 100% organic cotton, and the business ensures a 100 percent fulfillment warranty. There are a minimal variety of grievances released in consumer reviews, but they mainly connect to shipment and customer service. The business’s line of product consists of both mattresses and mattress toppers. If you’re searching for a mattress with extra support, you can select a mattress topper.
If you’re not exactly sure which mattress type to purchase, the PlushBeds website can help. The site has actually detailed instructions for choosing a mattress and provides information about its firmness level, thickness, and material. The Plushbeds site has an in-depth FAQ section where you can find more info about the items. The business also uses a 100% refund guarantee for any items that aren’t up to par.
While the company has actually been in business for 8 years, it has still managed to get a faithful following. The business is dedicated to the health of its consumers, and their items satisfy or surpass these requirements. In addition to their organic materials, PlushBeds utilize just certified natural products. They utilize third-party accountability partners to supervise their sustainability technique. You can attempt among these mattresses in your home for 100 days free of charge.
The PlushBeds are certified natural and GOLS and GreenGuard Gold. They are somewhat more expensive than their competitors, they do have a high-quality assurance. In spite of the rate, PlushBeds are not inexpensive, so make certain you can manage them. The benefits of this brand deserve the extra money. So, don’t let this price put you off. It has the best price on the market.
PlushBeds is a great alternative for those who value natural bed mattress and I have actually found one that fits my needs. And I’m not the only one. Besides providing competitive pricing, they also offer a 100-night trial period. You can try the PlushBeds mattress for a hundred nights and decide if it’s the right one for you. Best Memory Foam Mattress Under 500


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“The important thing that I know from my time in the Treasury is that the Barnett Formula applies to part of public spending. But you’ve also got in addition to that, the spending outside the Barnett Formula which comes on the basis of need... because of unemployment, because of child poverty, and also because of the need for regeneration.”
Mr Balls said Wales had “disproportionately benefited” from European aid, unemployment benefits and tax credit support “because there has been greater need and disadvantage in some parts of Wales because of the legacy of the Thatcher unemployment of the 1980s”.
What Balls doesn't do is to produce the evidence to show that Wales has 'disproportionately benefitted from DWP/HMRC and European funding,' even the Chief Secretary at the Treasury, Danny Alexander cannot provide the relevant information. Neither does Mr Balls mention the massive regeneration funding that has gone into cities like Liverpool, Glasgow and Newcastle as well as the high level of DWP benefits take up in Scotland. If what Ed Balls is saying is true one would expect Wales's GVA (Gross Value Added) to be improved but Wales is still propping up other regions of the UK and on all measures of deprivation and our position has deteriorated over the last 13 years of a Labour Government, there is more poverty in Wales now than in 1997.
What we need are spending lines for each of the UK regions for public services, DWP payments, tax credit payment and European funding so that we and Jeremy Paxman can understand EXACTLY how much money Wales gets. Is it too much to ask?

domain: news


The Senate has failed to approve either of three competing proposals on protections for migrants – called "Dreamers" – who were brought to the country illegally as children. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was to be phased out before March 5.
The Goodlatte bill includes a three-year renewable legal status for "Dreamers" but no special path to citizenship.
It also proposes tougher border controls. Trump threatened to veto a bipartisan plan that allowed applying for citizenship within 10 to 12 years in exchange for $25 billion in funds for border security, including the southern wall.


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Microgaming is thrilled to reveal that it has signed a licensing agreement with Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc., brokered by Creative Licensing Corporation, in terms of which it has been awarded the exclusive rights to the Tarzan name for online slot games.
The History of Tarzan
Tarzan was created by Edgar Rice Burroughs who published his novel “Tarzan of the Apes” in 1912. The hero of the jungle has since become the most filmed character in motion picture history and has been depicted by no less than 29 different actors. Tarzan has also been portrayed in two Broadway stage productions, comic strips, a number of television series and more.
The Tarzan online slot will enhance Microgaming’s already vast portfolio of branded content and is scheduled to launch to operators within the next few months on desktop as well as mobile devices.
The new online slot will feature Tarzan as the main character who will host the game with Jane and Archimedas as well as several of his jungle friends on the reels of the game.
The Tarzan slot game will offer a number of exciting features as well as characteristic sounds which include Tarzan’s famous yell.
Microgaming Set to Release First Tarzan Slot in Winter 2016/17
The Chief Executive Officer of Microgaming, Roger Raatgever, commented on the forthcoming release of the new slot game. Raatgever said that Tarzan is recognized all over the world and they are, therefore, excited to be launching a slot game hosted by this timeless character. He added that their highly talented games team take pleasure in working with a new brand, to build a game that celebrates and embraces it. Raatgever went on to say that having seen the game in prototype, he can honestly say the online slot will not disappoint. Tarzan fans, operators and their players can look forward to the release of the game this winter.

domain: entertainment


Pinging noise only when accelerating. Noise is not noticed during start up or idle. Noise only when accelerating. Oil is changed every 5000 miles with synthetic oil. There is no loss of power or hesitation with the engine. Once engine gets to desired speed pinging noise fades away.
have the same problem?
Friday, May 3rd, 2013 AT 5:34 PM


INDIO - Advance passes for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2014 go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday.
The music and arts festival, which takes place at the Empire Polo Field and consistently sells out, will again take place on two weekends from April 11 through 13 and April 18 to 20.
A general admission festival pass is $349 while a general admission festival pass and shuttle combo is $409. A VIP festival pass is $799. Other passes are available including car camping and tent camping.
Organizers said in a news release the advance sale is the only opportunity to take advantage of a Coachella payment plan and the price one sees is what they pay.
For more information, head to www.coachella.com


Health & Hollywood
Covering The Race
Scott Feinberg, the lead awards analyst for The Hollywood Reporter, is one of the entertainment industry's most experienced and trusted experts about the Oscars, Emmys and Tonys. He started on the awards beat in 2001, writing for independent websites including his own ScottFeinberg.com before joining the Los Angeles Times and then THR, for which he writes “The Race” blog, which won the LA Press Club’s National Entertainment Journalism Award for best entertainment blog of 2012-2013. A voting member of both the Broadcast Film Critics' Association and Broadcast Television Journalists Association, he is also writing a book about film history for young people for which he has interviewed more than 500 high-profile Hollywood figures whose careers span the silent era through the present.
Follow Scott on Twitter at twitter.com/scottfeinberg.
- 3 Pieces Of Marriage Advice From 'Marry Me's' Casey Wilson And David Caspe
- National Book Awards 2014 Longlist Nominees For Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry And Young People's Literature
- Katie Holmes Switches It Up In Edgy Little Black Dress At DuJour Magazine Event
- Open Letter to Kanye West, From a Kid Who Gets 'Special Parking and S**t'


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According to US study the longer women nursed the lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The new study, published in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association, involved 157,000 nurses who participated in two long-running health studies. They filled out periodic health questionnaires and were followed for at least 12 years.
Researchers found that women who breast-fed for at least one year were about 15 percent less likely to develop type 2 &to=http://english.pravda.ru/main/18/90/360/15235_diabetes.html' target=_blank>diabetes than those who never breast-fed. For each additional year of breast-feeding, there was an additional 15 percent decreased risk, reports Xinhua.
The United States does not recognize the entry of Ukrainian territories into Russia. Such a development will seriously complicate prospects for a diplomatic settlement


06-12-2013, 09:47 PM #1
Looking for Pics of 4 inch intake rxtx260
Trying to get some ideas for a bracket to hold the filter up
06-12-2013, 09:58 PM #2
Speed freeks is working on a dull 4 cold air intake should be available in 2-3 weeks I'm testing it and it works great for rxpx
06-14-2013, 07:28 AM #3
06-14-2013, 07:29 AM #4
anyone just running 4 inch up to the front ?? im thinking about straping down a styrofoam block for the hose/filter to mount to on the tank
06-14-2013, 07:41 AM #5
- Join Date
- Aug 2010
on a 12 rxp-x, i run the 4" fizzle up to the front. i wedged and then zip-tied the end of the hose & filter combo to sit on the side of the black plastic air ducts that criss-cross into and "x" configuration.
Last edited by RobKman; 06-14-2013 at 09:21 AM.
06-14-2013, 09:29 AM #6
I mounted my fizzle up and to the right hand side of the 12px. I took off the right side cosmetic (large yellow piece) and mounted a large 6in bracket from home depot. Holds the filter high up and out of the way. I also removed the two large ducts and covered the holes with frogskinz. Now the filter sits right next to fresh air all the time and I cleared out all the clutter in the front of the ski.
06-14-2013, 03:09 PM #7
06-14-2013, 03:19 PM #8
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text:
Press Line Photos / Shutterstock.com
Rapper Tyga and celebrity model Kylie Jenner have patched things up after months of turmoil. According to sources close to the couple, they are now stronger than ever and looking forward to this new phase of their relationship.
It looks like Jenner’s family is warming up to Tyga too, or at least he is trying to get on their good side. As we all remember, Tyga and Kylie have been dating since he was 25 and she was only 17, which is why most of the family didn’t really like him.
But now that Jenner is 18 and Tyga has proven that he cares about her, he is trying to become part of the family. In fact, he has decided to move into a home that is only one street away from Jenner’s sister Kim Kardashian and her husband, mogul rapper Kanye West.
Kylie herself recently bought a mansion close to where her other sisters, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian, live.
Tyga is renting the new home and is paying a whopping $46,000 a month to live in this exclusive, Kardashian–filled neighborhood. Maybe one day he and Kylie will take that next big step and buy some property in this area together. Who knows?
Related: Are Kylie Jenner and Tyga on again?

domain: celebrity


text:
Dr. Phil's consultation meant to be private: Spears family
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Lou Taylor went on the NBC morning show to say that when they "extended trust" to "Dr. Phil", as he's known, it was as a medical professional and not as a television personality. They say he was to keep the matters private.
McGraw was "not invited to make this part of the public display, part of the media," said Taylor on behalf of father Jamie Spears and mother Lynne Spears.
Taylor was responding to McGraw realizing a statement about Spears, and then appearing for an interview on the Entertainment Tonight entertainment news program. McGraw's statement read:
Originally it was rumored that the family would appear on Dr. Phil for one of the news headline-based special episodes. Taylor also told interviewer Meredith Viera that the family had never discussed such plans. They had only hired McGraw to talk privately to Spears, one of "many professionals and many resources surrounding the family."
According to Taylor, the Spears parents, along with pregnant daughter Jamie Lynn "are people who love their daughter, and know what's going on," praying every day for her well-being. They are broken hearted regarding "the morbidity of people watching" the breakdown.
Spears was hospitalized after being deemed a safety risk to herself, but released within 24 hours, instead of the 72 hour norm.
- Segment on The Today Show, NBC, January 9, 2008
- Mike Celizic. "Spears' parents say Dr. Phil violated their trust" — , January 9, 2008
- Gina Serpe. "Spears Clan Calls Foul on Dr. Phil's Blabbermouth" — , January 9, 2008
- "Dr. Phil's Exclusive Statement To ET On Britney" — , January 5, 2008
- Kevin Frazier. "Britney: The New Dr. Phil Exclusive" — , January 7, 2008


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JWM Health Trivia: Does Kale Have More Milk Than Calcium?
Yes. Kale has more calcium per serving than milk (about 90 grams per serving). It is also better absorbed by the body than milk.
Kale also has many other health benefits. Kale is:
High in iron
High in fiber
High in Vitamin C and A
High in omega fatty acids. A serving of kale contains 121 mg of omega-3 fatty acids and 92.4 mg of omega-6 fatty acids.

domain: food


text:
This was on my news feed, this is a picture of a temperature sign at a
gas stationjust realized its under the air conditioning repair place (LULZ) where I live.
So when you wanna complain about it being hot, just remember you could live in the “second” hottest city in the us, behind by only a .1 AVERAGE.
…and back into the mountains, I GO.
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domain: geography


The Honorable Gergana Passy
BORN June 14, 1973, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
1997 MS in Law, “St. Kliment Ohridski” Sofia University, Faculty of Law;
Following specialization in Public Administration,
Post-graduate qualification “International protection of Human Rights”
PhD student at Sofia University, “International Relations” chamber, Specialty: EU Law
Post-graduate qualification in European integration and EU Law in Asser College of Europe, Hague, the Netherlands (1999)
MILESTONES OF CAREER
Member of Advisory Committee to the Secretariat of Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs (2015-)
Member of the Advisory Board of the European Digital Forum (2015-)
Founder & President of Digital National Alliance (2014-)
Digital Champion of Bulgaria (2012-)
Founder & President of PanEuropa Bulgaria (2002 – )
Vice President of International PanEuropean Union (2004 – 2009)
EU Minister of Bulgaria (2007-2009)
Deputy Foreign Minister in two Governments (2004-2005 and 2005-2007)
Member of Parliament in two Legislations (2001-2004 and 2005)
Before that she practice or trained law (1995-2001) at Sofia City Court, “Djingov, Guginski, Kyuchukov & Velichkov” Law Office, Arthur Andersen Bulgaria, Fides Interconsult.
A SKETCH OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
As a Member of two Parliaments she is very active in the Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security Committee, the EU Integration Committee, as well in the Joint Parliamentary Committee EU-Bulgaria. She takes a key role in promoting Bulgarian-US parliamentary relations and becomes the first President of the US-Bulgarian Caucus in the Bulgarian Parliament.
As a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs she plays a key role in the EU negotiation process in the crucial period of 2004-2005. Deputy Foreign Minister Passy, whose portfolio included relations with the Americas has a significant contribution to the promotion of the Bulgarian – Latin America relations.
She is devoted to several major human rights causes, including the case with the Bulgarian medics and Palestinian doctor detained by the regime of Col. Gaddafi in Libya.
Gergana Passy is the first Bulgarian Minister of EU Affairs, elected after Bulgaria’s accession to the EU on January 1, 2007.
INTERNATIONAL STATE AWARDS
Decorated in 2010 by the President of the French Republic Nicola Sarkozy with the highest French order Legion d’Honeur for her contribution as a Minister of European affairs for the French-Bulgarian relations. The decoration comes also for her contribution during the French EU Presidency in 2008, and in particular for her leadership in achieving pan-European standard for the chargers of the cell phones, a project launched by her and her husband Dr. Solomon Passy.
For their contribution to the unification of the GSM chargers on EU territory Gergana and Solomon Passy were awarded the Big Annual 2011 National Award “Bulgarian’s of Honor”, by a private jury of leading Bulgarian journalists (2011).
Honorable citizen of the state of Nebraska, USA (2003).
HOBBIES and INNOVATIONS
In 2008 Gergana and her husband Dr. Solomon Passy, launched before the European Commission, the EU Presidency and EU institutions the idea for universal standardization of all GSM mobile chargers. The EU bodies, the world GSM Association and the World Telecom Union accepted their motivated proposal which is in effect as of January 1, 2011. This policy will save over 20 million tons of electronic waste and CO2 emission each year and will seriously help countering the global warming.
Gergana and Solomon Passy are currently focused on implementing on EU territory the UN Report (May 2011) which proclaims the access to Internet a Fundamental Human Right. The Passy’s launched an initiative leading to guaranteed pan-European free access to Wi-Fi Internet.
Gergana, formerly Grancharova, is married to Dr. Solomon Passy, Bulgarian Foreign Minister in 2001-2005. The Passy’s take care for their four children.


text:
Some chiropractors in San Francisco organize chiropractic sessions to share their knowledge with beginners. Chiropractor in san Francisco are very much dedicated towards their work. They have many years of experience in treating patients using chiropractic techniques. Chiropractors in San Francisco are committed to give you a better health in a better way.
In case you have just obtained a degree a chiropractic degree you can always hone your skills under the guidance of any of the San Francisco’s chiropractor. San Francisco’s chiropractor is known for their politeness. Treatments provided by these chiropractors are highly effective. These treatments are safe and relief from your pain is guaranteed.
If you are looking for chiropractors, San fransico is probably the best place as they have the experience and the skills to solve your health problem..
There are some websites that provide reviews on Chiropractor in San Francisco. After reading these reviews you will come to know that these chiropractors are highly respected in San Francisco. Some websites also give direction and maps to reach chiropractors San Francisco.
If you want to get your active back then you should visit Chiropractors of San Francisco. Treatment will definitely help you to stay healthy and fit. A healthy lifestyle is guaranteed if you follow their treatments. They also educate their patients about how to avoid injuries and stay healthy. These chiropractors strive hard to give you immediate relief from pain. These chiropractors are a road to recovery. You can enhance your performance if you follow their advice.
Chiropractor of San Francisco are highly qualified professionals that are working together to give the best possible solution to your problem. Quality health care is given more emphasis. Hence you get long lasting relief from your health problems. So when are you going to visit Chiropractor of San Francisco.

domain: medical


text:
Lucy Hale Just Got A New Puppy And It's The Cutest Thing We've Ever Seen
Look at it's little fluffy face...
Oh gahd, our dogless hearts are breaking with envy.
LOOK AT HIM.
Lucy has taken to Instagram to gush about her new furry friend and we're pretty sure he's going to shoot to the top of our new fave celeb pets.
Watch your tails Olivia and Meredith Swift.
Lucy posted that she's aware of becoming 'the annoying dog girl', but to that we say MORE PICTURES.
Oh it's all too much cuteness for us.
Just keep him away from Uber A, that's all we gotta say.


text:
34 Tajik troops killed in anti-Islamist operation: Sources
Dushanbe: Thirty-four Tajik troops have been
killed in two separate incidents during a military operation
against Islamic insurgents in the east of the Central Asian
state, military sources said on Thursday.
Twenty-eight troops were killed yesterday when a military
helicopter crashed in a possible militant strike, the sources
told a news agency, although public statements insisted only four were
killed in an accident.
"Not a single passenger survived the crash of the Mi-8
military helicopter yesterday," said a military source,
speaking on condition of anonymity, raising an earlier toll of
A high-ranking Tajik military source, speaking on
condition of strict anonymity, said that it was possible that
the helicopter had been shot down by a missile fired by
Islamists from their mountain hideouts.
Another six troops were killed in a separate incident
caused by the accidental explosion of a mine yesterday,
according to a military source.
"The faulty placement of a mine led to an explosion that
killed six Tajik national guards," the source told a news agency, adding
that more than 10 officers were wounded in the incident.
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text:
Items 1-15 of 16
- Drawing: ink and wash techniquesCourse start date: Fri 3 Feb 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley StreetTutors: Jack DuplockThe immediacy and versatility of ink and wash is perfect for those sketching on location, for designers and for students interested in watercolour techniques. Take the opportunity to explore the basic techniques of this exciting process.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £135.00 Concession £110.00
- Large-scale drawing and painting projectsCourse start date: Fri 30 Jun 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley StreetTutors: Stuart JonesEnjoy a lively, more active way of art-making and make work on a grander scale. Complete a number of projects that explore how big can be beautiful, challenging and surprising.Full fee £319.00 Senior fee £255.00 Concession £207.00
- 50 drawings in a dayCourse start date: Fri 2 Jun 2023 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley StreetTutors: Charles ChambersA high energy programme of directed and self-directed drawing projects, with rapid shifts in materials, scale, subject and focus. Strictly no discards - come ready to play, risk, invent and discuss! For those with some drawing experience.
- Drawing 2Course start date: Fri 20 Jan 2023 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley StreetTutors: Ruth BrisonDevelop your knowledge of basic drawing skills and concepts, work with a range of media and approaches, and explore various artists' drawings. Produce exciting and personal images, and build confidence in tackling more complex drawings.
- Drawing for beginnersCourse start date: Fri 17 Mar 2023 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley StreetTutors: Eleanor BedlowExplore traditional and less traditional methods of drawing simple objects. Using structured activities, we will introduce key concepts such as line, tone, composition and mark making. Ideal if you have little or no drawing experience; a great way to learn the basics or prepare for longer courses.Full fee £119.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £119.00
- Drawing and mindfulness: the art of seeingCourse start date: Fri 2 Jun 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley StreetTutors: Clare Barton-HarveyAn opportunity to explore the beauty and simplicity of the ancient practice of mindfulness and how it can help to stimulate and enhance creativity. Through a variety of guided exercises including drawing from observation and the imagination, explore the dynamics of creative process, in terms of accessing creativity and working through common obstacles.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £89.00
- Drawing and mindfulness: beginners guide to approaches and techniquesCourse start date: Fri 31 Mar 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)Tutors: Clare Barton-HarveyAn opportunity to explore the enriching relationship of drawing and mindfulness and how when practised together they can support greater confidence, lightness and creativity in drawing. Through a variety of guided exercises, explore how the two disciplines relate and how each can enrich the other. This course is suitable for beginners to drawing and/or mindfulness.Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £49.00 Concession £49.00
- Explore life drawingCourse start date: Fri 16 Jun 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley StreetDiscover new ways of drawing the human body in a fun, fast paced session that combines practical exercises with a variety of techniques. For those with some previous experience in life drawing.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £99.00
- Contemporary sketchbook: mixed media, ideas and projectsCourse start date: Fri 27 Jan 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley StreetTutors: Ruth BrisonDevelop a creative and experimental sketchbook. Explore materials and techniques with confidence, including mark making, drawing and mixed media. Produce a collection of work or ideas for composition. Drawing experience is an advantage but not essential.Full fee £389.00 Senior fee £311.00 Concession £253.00
- Drawing: a contemporary approachCourse start date: Fri 30 Jun 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley StreetTutors: Chris HoughTake your drawing into exciting new directions – build on your existing skills and discover new ways of working. For intermediate students with some drawing experience who would like to explore experimental drawing techniques and develop their own ideas in drawing. A chance to extend your own drawing projects guided by our expert tutor and practising artist, with reference to the work of artists using drawing in the wider art world today.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00
- Portraits 1Course start date: Fri 28 Apr 2023
Location on this date: Keeley StreetIdeal for beginners and improvers. Learn about drawing and painting portraits through practical experience of the basic skills and concepts involved, including structure and proportion of the head and features, tone, colour, pose and expression.
- Sketchbooks: from observation to abstractionCourse start date: Fri 5 May 2023
Location on this date: Keeley StreetTutors: Mario Lautier VellaUsing a sketchbook as an experimental place in which to explore ideas, take risks and reflect, you will embark on a 'visual journey' of transformational creative processes from observational drawing towards abstraction.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £135.00 Concession £110.00
- Large-scale sketchbookCourse start date: Fri 5 May 2023
Location on this date: Keeley StreetTutors: Tony HullCreate a sketchbook that explores ideas and an experimental use of a range of materials. Start with an offsite visit and develop the sketchbook using it as a visual journal of your thinking.Full fee £319.00 Senior fee £255.00 Concession £207.00
- Draw, paint, printCourse start date: Fri 20 Jan 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley StreetOn this experimental course, you will draw, paint and print in often unfamiliar ways in order to catch the unexpected. Through experimentation and reflection, you will collate a personal collection of work. .
- Anatomical portrait drawingCourse start date: Fri 23 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Keeley StreetTutors: Andrea VoiseyEnhance your portraits by uncovering what lies beneath the surface. Through demonstration and direct observation of the model you will examine proportion, rotation and the key anatomical structures of the head and neck that denote likeness.Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £175.00
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domain: hobby


text:
It is totally back on between Blac Chyna and Rob Kardashian.
No, not their romance, thank goodness.
But the rivalry between these exes has seemingly returned, as strong and as bitter and as personal as ever.
Take what happened on Saturday, for instance.
According to TMZ, Rob was preparing to drop his two-year old daughter, Dream, back home with her mother, as previously agreed upon between Kardashian and Chyna.
However, when the time came to make this exchange, Chyna was nowhere to be found.
A source tells the celebrity gossip site that Rob reached out to Chyna, to her nanny, to members of her team... but he couldn't track down his former fiancee anywhere.
As a result, Rob just kept Dream for himself for a little while longer -- which he was happy to do as a father.
But the guy was pissed over Chyna's disappearing act.
And he allegedly grew even angrier when it became apparent that Chyna has jetted off to Hawaii to hang out with Kid Buu, some very random and very tattooed rapper who has been seeing Chyna romantically of late.
How do we know this for certain?
Because Kid Buu posted a number of videos of the two dancing and acting all weird together during this tropical vacation.
Rob, the story goes, was never told Chyna was heading out of town.
This report comes about a week after Child Protective Services was called to Chyna's home.
As we detailed several days ago, someone called 911 and then called this organization because this someone believed Chyna was drunk and neglecting her daughter.
When authorities arrived, they found a perfectly calm and safe setting for little Dream, prompting many to think Chyna had been set up.
By Rob, she apparently thinks.
“Chyna has a full-time nanny that lives at her house permanently,” a source told Radar Online, impyling that Dream was never and would never be abandoned because this nanny would be responsible for her even when her mom does take off for Hawaii.
Chyna and Rob share equal custody of their toddler and the former has never once shirked this responsibility, according to this insider.
Any implication to the contrary has been stirred up by Kardashian.
“He is waging a bad mother campaign against her," reports Radar.
It has been claimed in the past that Rob wants primary custody of Dream -- and the only real way to accomplish this goal would be for a court to think Chyna was neglecting or harming the child.
"She thinks Rob saw her on Instagram and is just mad. Moms are allowed to go on vacation," the Radar source says of why Rob has gone public with the insinuation that Chyna ditched her daughter.
Concludes this Kardashian critic:
“This is just another smear tactic by Rob. It’s obvious what he is doing.
"This is just Rob trying to trash her in public.”
That may very well be the case, but let's be honest:
It's working, isn't it?


Honda’s ‘On Tour’ sale offers excellent Honda Dollar deals on a selection of Honda tourer models
Kicking off on the 1st October until the 31st December , it’s the perfect time of year to get out on the open road in style on a Honda tourer.
During the sale you could pick up a VFR800F for $14,999 ride away, an extrodinary deal considering this model shares an engine configuration with the RC213V MotoGP machine.
With adaptable capabilities, a unique power delivery and Honda’s Traction Control System, the VFR800F is a smooth ride for those wanting to get out on a powerful top quality sports tourer.
The VFR800X can also be snapped up for $14,999 ride away and with its agressive riding position and sharp styling, its the ideal touring companion.
The VFR1200F and its unmistakeable engine note have joined the tour as well with $1200 Honda Dollar savings on offer. With ultimate power and torque in the low-mid range and smooth delivery at cruising speed, the 1237cc engine delivers the same invigorating feel and sound that has made Honda’s V4 machines famous worldwide.
The VFR1200F also adopts an ingenious cylinder configuration with the rear cylinders spaced closely together, both centralising mass for a more balanced feel as well as allowing a narrower ride.
The VFR1200X is in on the action too with $1200 Honda Dollars, a go-anywhere, do-anything machine with a 1,237cc, 16-valve engine which employs PGM-FI and fly-by-wire technology for precise throttle control.
If you’re after a little bit of luxury then the CTX1300 and $1500 Honda Dollars, it’s a welcomed addition to the Tour with a twin-speaker stereo system, Bluetooth connectivity, an LCD digital display and five-stage heated grips fitted as standard, it embodies the true CTX characteristics of Comfort, Technology and Experience.
Those after a chopper style machine will enjoy the $1300 Honda Dollar savings up for grabs on the VT1300CX.
The Fury ignites adrenalin at the turn of a key with a monster 1312cc V-twin engine that erupts with a characteristic Vee engine note, this beast turn heads wherever it goes.
MCNEWS.COM.AU is a specialist on-line resource that provides motorcycle news for motorcyclists. MCNews covers all areas of interest for the motorcycling public including news, reviews and comprehensive racing coverage.


text:
Justice Prevails : Cruz Reynoso Was Swept Off the State Supreme Court With Rose Bird, but Now He’s Found New Causes and a New Career
THE ATTORNEY moves purposefully to the lectern, preparing to present his case before a three-judge panel of the state Court of Appeal in Los Angeles.
“Justice Reynoso, what an honor it is to have you argue before our court,” says the presiding judge, smiling down from the bench.
“Well, thank you, Your Honor,” the attorney replies, “but on this occasion, I am Mr. Reynoso, rather than Justice Reynoso.”
Such exchanges are to be expected these days as Cruz Reynoso, swept out of office in a fiercely contested 1986 election, makes the transition from the California Supreme Court to a new role as lawyer, lecturer and activist.
To be sure, that defeat was a stunning setback for a man who had steadily advanced through his profession, becoming the first Latino to serve on the state high court. His was a judicial tenure that could have lasted decades, but in an unprecedented action, the voters rejected him and two other liberal justices. Chief Justice Rose Elizabeth Bird became a television news commentator; Justice Joseph R. Grodin went back to teaching law, and Reynoso, after 10 years on the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, re-entered the world of the practicing attorney.
Today, the 58-year-old former justice is generally regarded as one of the most prominent Latino lawyers in the state, at the forefront of civil-rights efforts ranging from immigration to integrating law firms. But his defeat remains much on his mind, and, although the wound may not be completely healed, he offers an extensive analysis of the election with surprisingly little bitterness or rancor.
The most important factor in that election, he believes, was Gov. George Deukmejian’s decision to oppose him, Bird and Grodin. Deukmejian and other critics were angry with the court’s liberal record, especially on the death penalty.
“The state’s most important political figure, the governor, (concluded) that it was good for him politically to take on such a campaign,” Reynoso says. “That freed up a lot of money for the opposition. They were able to raise several millions of dollars that otherwise would have been difficult to raise.”
Those millions played an important role in the election. Like other state appellate or Supreme Court justices, he went before the electorate for approval or rejection, rather than run against an opponent. Because voters are deemed to be more easily persuaded to vote “no” than “yes,” Reynoso’s advisers told him that it would take three pro-Reynoso campaign ads to counteract one ad by his opponents. But he lacked the money to buy anywhere near that volume of ads. In the end, campaign spending by opponents of the three justices reached about $7 million, while proponents spent only about $4 million.
Reynoso remains concerned about the long-term effects of the campaign. He believes that the traditional independence of the judiciary may have been undermined for years to come.
“What the future holds, we don’t know,” he says. “But it seems unlikely that the judges who are on the court now won’t have in the back of their minds the fact that a political campaign may be launched against them if some powerful group in California becomes unhappy with a ruling they make.
“I don’t feel bitter,” Reynoso says. “I never took the matter personally. The voters didn’t really know who I was. All they knew is what the TV spots said about me . . . and you can’t blame them when the governor of the state, who is a lawyer, says the justices aren’t following the law. If I didn’t know better, I would have voted against me, too.”
But that didn’t blunt the sting of losing. Robert L. Gnaizda, an attorney with Public Advocates Inc. of San Francisco, a longtime friend of Reynoso, observes: “I think he was disappointed most in the election because he felt that if the voters had judged him by his record alone, they would never have voted him down. He loved being a Supreme Court justice because it suited his aspirations, temperament and intellect. He has always been a contemplative person--an activist, but always in a contemplative way. . . . But one of the great qualities about Cruz is that he has no streak of meanness or vengeance.”
Fate certainly played a part in Reynoso’s ouster. His term coincided with Bird’s, placing him on the ballot with one of the most controversial figures in recent California history. Had he come before the voters in some other election, he might have escaped defeat, as he did when he first went on the ballot in 1982 and won confirmation along with three other court members.
And, Reynoso believes, news coverage of the election worked against him. “If I had to give out grades to the news media, they would go all the way from D to F,” he says. “They treated it just like any political campaign, always focusing on whether people agreed or disagreed with certain opinions. . . . (The death penalty) should not have been the main issue, but that was the way it was posed by critics of the court, and it was picked up in that fashion by the media.”
In his view, reporters failed to convey that the justices should be evaluated not by the popularity of their decisions but by their competence, diligence and integrity.
He says that too much attention was paid to the court’s rulings on the death penalty (the Bird court reversed 64 of 68 capital sentences it reviewed), and too often the media gave the impression that convicted killers were being freed, when they were simply granted new trials.
He believes that had he and his two colleagues remained on the bench, the Bird court would be affirming capital cases substantially more often than it had. By now, he says, the major constitutional questions about the law have been resolved and fewer procedural errors are occurring at trial, reducing the prospect for reversals. “Whether it was the (new) court or ours, the number of affirmances would go up,” he says.
ON THE high court, Reynoso’s opinions often reflected concern for the rights of individuals involved in disputes with government authorities. His opinions were sometimes criticized privately by attorneys for lack of clarity, but he earned respect among many observers for his compassion. For example, he wrote the court’s opinion in a case that gave homeowners the precedent-setting right to sue airports for jet noise that presents a “continuing nuisance.”
He also wrote the decision that said an unmarried woman, like a spouse, can claim unemployment benefits when she quits her job to accompany the father of her children to another state. In a case that touched his own heritage, Reynoso held for the court that non-English-speaking defendants must be provided with an interpreter through all stages of a criminal case.
“The people of this state, through the clear and express terms of their constitution, require that all persons tried in a California court understand what is happening about them,” he wrote. “Who would have it otherwise?”
Since his defeat, he’s redirected his concerns in his work for Kaye, Scholer, Fierman, Hays & Handler, a New York-based, 400-member firm with offices around the world. Reynoso works from the firm’s third-floor office in the Old Sacramento section of the capital, but much of the time, he is on his way to or from airports, finding himself on planes an average of nearly once a week.
He remains the cordial and outgoing man he was on the high court, a nonsmoking, nondrinking Baptist whose strongest statements, rendered with a slight Spanish accent, tend to be punctuated with the word golly . He is content to reside with his wife, Jeannene, and four children away from the big city on a 30-acre farm in Herald, 30 minutes by car from Sacramento. He reports with pleasure that, after two busy years, he is finding time once again for farm chores. “I spent a couple of hours irrigating the other day,” he says with a laugh. “It was great fun.”
As an attorney, he conducts research on complex civil litigation, helps prepare briefs and occasionally argues cases on appeal. Clients have ranged from business people involved in property battles to low-income citizens contesting edicts from welfare officials. He also has served as a mediator in disputes between consenting parties and has testified in court as an expert witness on legal ethics.
Reynoso acknowledges that his years on the bench are useful to him in the courtroom. “After being on the court, you know better how to structure an argument,” he says. “You know what areas of law are more likely to concern the judges and what they will focus on in terms of issues.”
In a recent case before the state Court of Appeal, he won a decision giving two brothers he represented the right to pursue a lawsuit against a third brother in a dispute over the family’s holdings. During argument before the court, he relished the friendly reception he received from the panel but was still concerned that he might lose the case.
“Sometimes, the worst thing you can hear from a court is a compliment on your argument,” he said with a smile. “That means they’re going to rule against you.”
“If I had my druthers, I’d still be on the court,” Reynoso says. “But in life, you take what’s good and what’s bad. And one of the good things now is that I can be active in many matters that a person can’t be active in when one is a judge.”
Under an agreement with the law firm, Reynoso can spend as much as 40% of his time on pro bono activity, working for free in behalf of the public good. This frees the former justice, law professor and legal services administrator once again to express his lifelong zeal for reform. He serves on the boards of directors of several organizations, including the Latino Issues Forum, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the Natural Resources Defense Council. He is a member of the California Post-Secondary Education Commission and participates on a commission of the State Bar on providing legal services to indigents. And he is also involved with a group formed to encourage private attorneys to take worthy cases for free.
As board chairman of the Latino Issues Forum, he has taken a leading role in trying to persuade California law firms to hire and promote more Latino lawyers.
“Representatives of some firms say to me, ‘Hey, Cruz, what are you trying to do to us?’ I tell them, ‘Just a little consciousness-raising,’ ” he says.
Last year, the forum publicly criticized the state’s legal profession, citing a study that showed that while Latinos make up more than 20% of the population, they are only about 2% of the entry-level associates and 1% of the partners in the 30 largest firms in California.
Forum leaders were taken aback by the initial response from the firms. “A majority of the firms were kind of irate and indignant,” says John C. Gamboa, executive director of the group. “We received some fairly nasty letters adamantly opposed to any kind of goals and timetables for law firms.” But since then, Gamboa says, some firms have indicated that they are reconsidering the issue and are drafting new affirmative-action plans.
Conscious that law firms can’t hire more minorities unless law schools produce more minority graduates, Reynoso also presses for what he sees as the need for more ethnic and cultural diversity on that level. Only about one student in 10 attending law school today is Latino, black, Asian or American Indian. And Reynoso is concerned that efforts to increase minority enrollments are still falling short.
Last year, speaking at UCLA School of Law, Reynoso said he was saddened by what he sensed as law schools’ waning enthusiasm for attracting minorities. “Indeed,” he said, “sometimes there seems to be an element of resentment that people of color are coming to the law schools and, they feel, displacing others.”
Reynoso is active in immigration issues, and he has played a leading role in a current campaign by the forum and other Latino organizations to persuade the Justice Department to form a “citizenship bureau” to assist immigrants in the naturalization process. Advocates of the new agency, concerned about a low rate of naturalization among Latinos, say more immigrants would try to become citizens if there were a federal bureau that actively promoted the benefits of naturalization.
Reynoso sees an inherent conflict in the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service’s performing the twin functions of assisting in the citizenship process and enforcing laws against illegal immigration. “There’s an incongruity in having the INS being both the cop on the beat and at the same time being the social worker encouraging people to become citizens,” he says.
It was Reynoso who served as the primary spokesman for a delegation of Latino leaders that met recently with U.S. Atty. Gen. Richard L. Thornburgh in Washington in preliminary discussions about creating the citizenship bureau.
“They spoke to each other across the table as equals,” Gamboa recalls. “We’re very lucky to have Cruz as the chair of our organization. Without him, we’d never have made the progress we have.”
REYNOSO KNOWS that progress often comes slowly, but he steadfastly believes that persistence and patience can result in reform. That is a lesson he says he learned as a boy, third eldest of 11 children of Mexican farm workers, when he led campaigns for mail delivery and a desegregated grade school.
He recalls that while he was a teen-ager living with his family in a small barrio near La Habra, the residents in his neighborhood were denied the rural mail delivery extended to non-minority families only a short distance away. After inquiring at the local post office, young Reynoso circulated a petition among neighborhood residents demanding service and sent it to Washington. A few months later, officials responded to the request, and mail began to be delivered to homes in the barrio.
When Reynoso reached high school, he challenged a local school-board policy that through the years had assigned Latinos to a segregated grade school before they moved on to integrated junior and senior high schools.
Among other things, he says, the policy dimmed the aspirations of minority students who were young and impressionable. He remembers confiding to a friend his then-ambition to become a naval officer--and that the friend had ridiculed the notion. “Cruz, they won’t let you,” he said in hushed Spanish.
Reynoso audaciously obtained meetings with school board members, who professed concern over possible racial violence at the school if it was integrated. He also met with community residents--both Anglo and Latino--who thought that the prospect of violence was far-fetched. A public meeting was called and the board, perhaps wary of a lawsuit, announced that the grade school would be desegregated. The audience, he remembers, cheered.
The young Reynoso won a scholarship to Pomona College before going on to Boalt Hall Law School at UC Berkeley. In 1959, he began practicing law in El Centro, but moved on to serve as a government civil-rights attorney. He then became director of California Rural Legal Assistance, a trailblazing legal services agency that survived a funding challenge by then-Gov. Ronald Reagan to win wide acclaim within the legal profession.
He later worked as a professor of labor and constitutional law at the University of New Mexico, and in 1976, he was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown to the California Court of Appeal in Sacramento. In late 1981, he was named by Brown to the state Supreme Court, succeeding Mathew O. Trobriner, who had retired.
But the incidents that shaped him, that continue to drive him, he says, are those early barrio battles for equality.
“What sticks in my mind most vividly is that the people of the community, both Anglo and Mexican-American, were ready for the change,” Reynoso recalls. “Those incidents gave me a sense of confidence that government does respond to a petition for grievances. I realized that so many of the adults were complaining only to themselves about how unfair government can be. So I said, ‘Here’s something that can be done.’ And by golly, something did happen.”
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domain: law


“The Boy and the Beast” will be broadcast tonight as the second work of the Friday Road Show “Mamoru Hosoda SP for three consecutive weeks. “
This work was released while director Hosoda has become widely known as a feature-length anime director after three jobs, “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time,” “Summer Wars,” and “Wolf Children’s Rain and Snow.” was.
All expectations and evaluations were gathered there, but at that time, the one that became a hot topic in many ways was the evaluation of director Hosoda, who was often used as “Post Miyazaki Hayao .”
It may seem like a simple word, but when I look back on it now, I think it was the beginning of allergies to the expression “post” that continues today, especially among anime fans.
Why were those words used for this work at the time, and why did anime fans overreact to those words after that?
The content of the work of “The Boy and the Beast.”
In this work, set in modern Shibuya and the world of monsters that exist like the human world and the front and back, a lonely boy meets a half-hearted bear-man, and while colliding with each other, they influence each other, and since then, their hearts have been forever. It is a story that clumsily builds the bonds of teachers and pupils that remain in the world.
In addition, attractive characters and their relationships, sometimes light and sometimes violent actions, somehow nostalgic scenery even though you are not familiar with the monster world, and the fun of the unusual sight of Shibuya that you are familiar with … Various entertainment It is a work that resonates with a wide range of people packed with elements.
If you look at it in this way, there may be something in common, such as swashbucklers in a different world and works for a wide range of people, but the content can be said that it is “post-Miyazaki.”
At the time of the release, many fans were deeply addicted to this work, but I think that the reason was not related to the director’s work called “Post Miyazaki.”
So why were those words used for this work?
Background of “Post Miyazaki” -Entertainment reasons and pure expectations
Director Hosoda had many voices saying “post-Miyazaki” even before “The Boy and the Beast.” Still, during this period, the word’s meaning changed, and public attention was drawn to it. I think it was. Perhaps there was a box office reason at that time in the background.
2015, when this work was released, was also the timing when Hayao Miyazaki just retired from feature film production in 2013, just two years ago, after “The Wind Rises.”
In fact, in the 15 years since 2000 until “The Boy and the Beast” was released, the only Japanese anime movie with box office revenue exceeding 10 billion is the work of retired director Miyazaki.
Furthermore, looking at all Japanese films, except for the 2003 “Bayside Shakedown THE MOVIE2 Rainbow Bridge!”, All of the movies that recorded more than 10 billion box office revenues were directed by Miyazaki ( Japanese films). From the Japan Film Industry Statistics within the Motion Picture Producers Association ).
Now is the time to record hits such as “Your Name” and the movie version “Kimetsu no Yaiba” infinite train edition, or 10 billion movies such as “Detective Conan” and “Shin Evangelion Movie Version: ||.” Although some titles are coming up, the impact of the entire movie world when it was discovered that Miyazaki’s work would no longer be produced ( although it will be retired after that ) is immeasurable.
Isn’t it possible to create a work where the audience, who had been watching director Miyazaki’s work until then, will continue to visit the movie theaters? With such impatience and prayer, the word “post-Miyazaki” is used at first, with the expectation that it will become a feature-length anime director who can expect the same topicality and box office scale as Miyazaki’s work. Was widely used when this work was released, and I think it left a lasting impression on people.
Hate for repeated words
But the phrase the strength of the argument there is. Also, the term “post-Miyazaki” is too much used in a bit of excess, like around you had also seen as trying to raise so tailoring whether resulting in animation Many fans also had a negative impression of the expression.
However, this event was just one of the triggers, and the most significant factor that anime fans now have a full-fledged negative impression of the word “post 〇〇” is the subsequent events. I think it was there.
If not only director Hosoda but also “Your Name.” And “In This Corner of the World” attract attention. Makoto Shinkai and Sunao Katabuchi will be called “Post Miyazaki” (in addition, “Bakemono no Ko” (Maybe because the word was used by director Hideaki Anno for a long time.) Although he was hungry for the following position, the same word was used repeatedly every time an event was as close as possible. , A negative image of the use of such expressions was steadily being sought among people.
Nowadays, the words “post-Miyazaki” and “post Ghibli” are no longer used, but in recent examples, the word “post devil” is used in “jujutsu kaizen.” There was also a backlash from the fans.
Tracing that as well, due to the triggers mentioned above and the circumstances that followed, negative images of the movement itself as if the outside were trying to defer the successor of the work or creator have been accumulated among anime fans. I think it is also the result.
Why do you think it is harmful?
In the first place, it is impossible to compare the excitement of unique works and creators that cannot be replaced in one word. Still, when communicating the scale of popularity to people who do not know the job at all, “post” or “Next” may indeed be a helpful word.
However, even if it is an objective comparison of numbers and the scale of the box office, if it is said as “post 〇〇” without a concrete explanation, the fans will not pay attention to each attraction. You can take advantage of the hits to create excitement.
As I wrote in “Jujutsu Kaisen,” even if it is easy to understand as a general explanation, its strong words are also double-edged swords that ignore the original charm of the work and obscure it.
You can best understand how dangerous it is to misuse or abuse the word by looking at the works compared, so take this opportunity to call it “Post Miyazaki.” Would you mind trying to find the charm unique to this work that cannot be explained only by looking at it?


The facility would increase technological advancements, address public safety concerns, and help reduce pipeline incidents. AP Sensing’s Gareth Lees stated: “The proposed pipeline safety test facility would provide an invaluable resource for pipeline operators to validate distributed fiber optic technology for long range measurements of temperature and acoustic signals. These signals provide means of monitoring the safety and integrity of the pipeline through advanced leak detection and third-party intrusion algorithms.”
Much like other sectors in the U.S. are supported through government research facilities, a pipeline test facility would provide the opportunity to validate current and new technologies and techniques, leading to increased safety. Based on interviews with pipeline operators, this facility could be used to emulate leaking pipes and investigate trenching technologies for safer methods of sensor installation on current pipelines. The test facility would be focused on real-world validation of technologies, incorporating both internal and external safety technology, “noisy” environments such as highways or railroads, and differing soil conditions.
Click here to read more: https://napipelines.com/fiber-optic-sensing-association-calls-for-u-s-pipeline-safety-test-facility/.


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Member Pricing: $24.26
Lost Toronto is the latest in the series from Pavilion Books that traces the cherished places in a city that time, progress and fashion swept aside before the National Register of Historic Places could save them from the wrecker's ball. As well as celebrating forgotten architectural treasures, Lost Toronto looks at buildings that have changed use, vanished under a wave of new construction or been drastically transformed.
Beautiful archival photographs and informative text allows the reader to take a nostalgic journey back in time to visit some of the lost treasures that the city let slip through its grasp. Organised chronologically, starting with the earliest losses and ending with the latest, the book features much-loved Toronto institutions that have been consigned to history.
Losses include: King’s College, Holland House, Hotel Hanlan, St. Patrick’s Market, The Grand Opera House, Metropolitan Methodist Church, Old Union Station, St. Andrew’s Market, Yonge Street Arcade, Sunnyside Beach Amusement Park, Shea’s Hippodrome, S. S. Cayuga, High Park Mineral Baths, Tivoli Theatre, Riverdale Zoo, Odeon Carlton, Cyclorama on Front Street, Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade, Colonial Tavern, Sam the Record Man, The World’s Biggest Book Store.
Author: Doug Taylor
Hardcover: 144 pages
Dimensions: 28.5 x 1.2 x 25 cm

domain: library


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brittanyllang got their new logo design by running a design contest:
Create a modern for a smoked meats and cocktail bar
Check out brittanyllang's Logo design contest…
Bar & Nightclub
Home & Away is located in San Diego, CA. Words to describe H&A are cocktails, smoked meats travel, good food, fun, games, surfing, beach lifestyle, rustic, industrial, craft beer, craft cocktails, bbq, burgers
We are looking for a timeless logo that people would recognize anywhere (I guess that is the goal of all logos). I DO NOT want it to look like your typical sports bar logo https://www.google.com/search?q=sportsbar+logos&client=firefox-b-1-ab&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwizvdeEhabZAhWCqlQKHXpLAOkQ_AUICigB&biw=1426&bih=755
299 US$ Bronze package
Every design category has flexible pricing for all budgets. Logo design starts at 1.999 kr..
Full copyright with production-ready files for digital and/or print.
It all began with a design brief.
A quick, interactive guide helped them understand their design style and captured exactly what they needed in their logo design.
Designers across the globe delivered design magic.
brittanyllang collaborated with designers to refine their ideas
When design entries come in, you can rate them so designers know what you’re looking for in your logo design.
99designs has great collaboration tools so you can pinpoint and capture your ideas
And then… they selected a winner!
Ceren was amazing! She is super talented and so easy to work with. This was a very challenging project as our original logo was 30 years old and was hand drawn by my mother, Raven. Ceren was very patient going through the process of getting the logo just right and I can honestly say I absolutely love the more modern, updated look.
Along the way, they met lots of talented designers…
We think contests are a super fun way to get design.
Recently completed contests:
We are a Cafe Pub in the Netherlands in Wijk bij Duurstede opened in 1999. We sell lots of beers and Whisky's . Our suc
Hennessy Mistress is a luxurious restaurant, lounge and a sport bar.


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POVERTY– stricken Philippines, now a country of more than 109 million people, is still “hopeful” of achieving “population protection” before the end of this year.
But National Task Force Against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Secretary Vince Dizon was quick to emphasize that this depends on the availability of vaccines.
“Population protection” or “herd immunity” occurs when a large of the population becomes immune to a contagious disease, making the spread of the disease unlikely.
“Herd immunity” makes it possible to protect the people from a disease, including those who cannot be vaccinated, like newborns or those who have compromised immune systems.
In yesterday’s media briefing at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, Secretary Dizon said there’s still no change of plan on the target timeline to “population protection.”
“We are not changing our target yet because we know that as long as we have vaccines, we can achieve that (herd immunity),” according to the country’s testing czar.
To date, the Philippines has received 21,779,910 anti-COVID-19 vaccine doses, of which 13,817,358 doses have been administered to healthcare workers, senior citizens, persons with co-morbidities, economic workers and indigents.
Of the number, 9,932,127 have received their first shots of COVID-19 vaccines, while 3,885,896 have been fully vaccinated.
On Wednesday, the Department of Health recorded 3,806 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the country’s total cases to 1,485,457, with 26,232 deaths and 1,414,817 recoveries.
Now, like Secretary Dizon, we hope the Philippines continues to receive much-needed COVID-19 vaccines from the world’s various pharmaceutical companies.
Kung hindi ay baka matagal pa nating ma-achieve ang minimithi nating “population protection.”


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Cupcakes are always kid's favorite. Its size is perfect to fill up your stomach during afternoon with a cup or coffee or tea. There are many ways to make cupcakes, with different tastes, fillings and decorations. I like to eat cakes but I am not good at decorating cake. I usually just make simple and quick decorations for my cupcakes.
My daughter is a big unicorn fans and unicorn is often related with rainbow. So she wanted me to bake her rainbow cupcakes with unicorn-sprinkles. I made her with a simple whipped double-cream frosting. Of course you can make your own frosting and decorating like butter cream frosting or cream cheese frosting.
Makes 12 cupcakes
You need :
a hand mixer or stand mixer
130 gr butter in room temperature
200 gr sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
a pinch of salt
210 gr all purpose flour
150 ml milk in room temperature
food coloring (red, orange, yellow, green, purple, blue)
200 ml double cream, chilled
2 tbsp confectioners sugar
Mix together flour, salt and baking powder. Set aside.
Using a hand mixer, mix butter, sugar and vanilla extract with high speed until become white and pale. Add in eggs one by one. Continue mixing until become a smooth batter.
Divide dry ingredient mixture into 3 parts. Add a part of dry ingredients, then mix carefully with low speed. Pour in half of the milk, mix continue mixing. Add another part of dry ingredients again, then the rest of the milk. At last, add the last part of dry ingredients. Mix them until until combined. Do not overmix.
Divide the batter into 6 bowls. Add food coloring to every bowl.
Divide the six color batter into prepared cupcake-baking-form.
Bake them in 175 degress Cel for about 15-20 minutes or until a toothpicks insert in the middle comes out clean.
For the frosting. Place double cream into a chilled bowl, add in confectioners sugar and vanilla extract. Whip them with a hand mixer in high speed until become soft peak.
Take a cupcake, spread the frosting over the surface using a spatula or a bread knife. Sprinkle some sweets over it.
Recipe by Veronica


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Dylan Scott’s newest single, “New Truck,” is about getting rid of an otherwise-great vehicle because it holds too many memories of a lost love. In real life, though, he’d be much more likely to part ways with a truck because his mischievous young kids did something to ruin it.
“The kids are bad in a good way,” the singer laughs to ABC Audio, speaking of his two-year-old daughter Finley and four-year-old son Beckett. “They’re just all over the place getting into everything. So, makes my life fun.”
It might sound counterintuitive, but the chaos is actually good for his career. “It gets my mind off music here and there, so I don’t have to sit here and just think about music 24/7,” Dylan explains. “Thank God for kids and wives. It’s good.”
Of course, sometimes the two worlds intersect: For example, Beckett is a bit of a budding musician, and his favorite artist to cover is his country star dad.
“I got him a drum set. He wants me to play guitar with him so he can sing,” Dylan continues. “He sings all my music. ‘Hooked’ and ‘My Girl’ and ‘Nobody’ and all that stuff. So it’s cool to see that.”
As for the real-life inspiration behind “New Truck”? That just might be the first new truck the singer ever bought.
“My first brand-new truck was a Ford F-250. It was a few years ago,” he details. “Man, that was an awesome truck. I’m a Ford guy. I don’t have it anymore, though. I wish I did.”
Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


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Vietnamese sue over Agent Orange
From David de Sola
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- About 100 Vietnamese citizens have joined in a class-action lawsuit against more than 30 chemical companies, seeking compensation for exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
The suit, originally filed by only three plaintiffs in a New York federal court on January 30, is the first time Vietnamese citizens have ever sought legal compensation for the use of the defoliant by U.S. forces during the conflict. The majority of the plaintiffs joined in the lawsuit over the past week.
As many as 2 million Vietnamese are thought to be suffering from the effects of exposure to Agent Orange, according to Kenneth Herrmann, director of the Vietnam Program at the State University of New York at Brockport.
"The reality is that this lawsuit is long overdue, coming 20 years after Americans recognized that Agent Orange caused severe disabilities to many Americans who served in Vietnam," said Herrmann, a Vietnam veteran who is working as a consultant with plaintiffs in the case. "It's a matter of simple justice that we attempt to meet the needs of those who have lived in contaminated areas of Vietnam for nearly 30 years."
CNN tried to contact 10 of the more than 30 companies named in the case, but none could be reached for comment over the weekend.
Agent Orange was the most widely used herbicide during the war, sprayed over the Vietnam jungles between January of 1965 and April of 1970. It was used to destroy jungle vegetation that could be used as cover by the Viet Cong.
But the herbicide contained dioxin, a highly toxic chemical compound. Illnesses associated with exposure to Agent Orange include leukemia, Hodgkins and non-Hodgkins lymphoma, cancer, dermatological complications, and mental retardation, among others, according to veterans advocacy groups.
American veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War first filed a class-action lawsuit in 1979, which sought to represent 2.4 million veterans. In 1984, seven companies that manufactured Agent Orange agreed to pay $180 million in compensation to U.S. veterans or their next of kin.
More than 315,000 American Vietnam veterans have been examined by the Department of Veterans Affairs for effects of exposure to Agent Orange since 1978, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Plaintiffs in the Vietnamese lawsuit are not seeking a specified amount in damages.


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Real Color KMEM for Tower!2011
by Nyerges Design
Real Color for KMEM brings color and life to the KMEM airport.
By adding liveries to airplanes Nyerges Design helps the user to easier identify airlines. Real Color KMEM includes all airline liveries for each airplanes operating in and out from the Memphis International Airport (based on the Nyerges Design Real Traffic schedule).
Essential for KMEM controllers.
Requires Nyerges Designes Real Traffic and Tower! 2011

domain: design


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Legendary science fiction author Orson Scott Card calls Brandon Sanderson a writer to watch.
Once the godlike rulers of the capital of Arelon, the inhabitans of Elantris have been imprisoned within themselves, unable to die after the city's magic failed years ago. But when a new prince falls victim to the curse, he refuses to accept his fate.
©2005, 2015 Dragonsteel Entertainment, LLC. (P)2008 Recorded Books,LLC
"...readers won't want to put it down." (Publishers Weekly)
"Outstanding." (Publisher's Weekly)
Elantris has all the typical epic fantasy excitement, within one volume!
The characters are fleshed out and full of their own personalities and motives. When
the magic system is clever and easy to understand.
My one quibble with yhe storyos that all the religions and then the names of the characters are similar, making it hard to remember who os who when they are only mentioned. But otherwise it was an excellent listen.
I've listen to Brandon lastest books "Steeleheart", "FireFight" and loved them. Thought I'd give this one a chance. This one is just boring!
Jack Garrett's voice is not inviting. Makes it hard to listen to.
Engaging plot and storyline but the telling seemed meandering and too long. Stereotypes reigned hard for the strong female lead and her literally shining prince. As it retold itself over and over it was possible to skip chapters and not miss a beat. Not the author's best work.
Though it appears slow at times, the book presents a world fraught with chaos and religious fervor at a pace that allows the reader to form grand images in her mind. Like a rich tapestry created by the artists hands, each thread/page in this story, when seen as a finished work, builds to a grand panorama. Enjoy the view in your mind's eye and hope the artist creates more works of art this captivating.
I found the story to be very simplistic and predictable. The narration was very slow also... This is the first Audible program I had to turn up to 1.5X speed.
Narrator. Way too many pauses. Felt clipped.
He sounded like a William Shatner parody with over-acting and far too many pauses.
I couldn't even listen to the book because the narration was so bad. I will just buy the book and read it myself.
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domain: literature


text:
Silver proof copy with box and certificate of Spain 1856 year 20 reales..
Cave of AltamiraThe sixth of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites series coin commemorates the Cave of Al..
Aqueduct of SegoviaSpain started the commemorative coin series Patrimonio de la Humanidad de la UNES..
Monuments Oviedo and the Kingdom of AsturiasThe eighth coin of the series "World Heritage List of UN..
ToledoSpain continues its annual tribute to the properties and places
inscribed on UNESCO's World ..
500th Anniversary of the First Circumnavigation of the EarthThe coin is dedicated to the 500th anniv..
Erasmus35th anniversary of the Erasmus+ student mobility programme. Erasmus+
is a European Union pr..
Garajonay National Park The Garajonay National Park is located in the central part of La
Showing 1 to 8 of 8 (1 Pages)

domain: history


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Only a cynic can create horror. For behind every masterpiece of the sort
must reside a driving daemonic force that despises the human race and its
illusions, and longs to pull them to pieces and mock them.
-Howard Philips Lovecraft
I think I've been mentally comparing the works of Thomas Ligotti and Chuck Palahniuk since the first time I read Haunted.* Both are cult authors with reputations as nihilists, and both write with distinctive styles and thematic concerns. 2002 turned out to be an interesting publication year for both. (Pardon the familiarity of using first names; but both have rather long surnames.) Chuck published his first foray into horror with the novel Lullaby; Thom published his longest work, a novella by the name of My Work is Not Yet Done in a collection of the same name. (I won't get into the other two, much shorter stories included in that book.)
The similarities extend beyond publication date. Both feature disaffected narrators who find themselves acquiring supernatural powers of a questionable nature, but more importantly both are intensely dark, funny and philosophical works. There's even overlapping themes, such as concerns over mortality, criticisms of modern capitalism, and some apocalyptic musings.The main contrast is the characteristic style. Chuck's minimalism is descended from Hemingway by way of Amy Hempel and Raymond Carver. It emphasizes the use of verbs over adjectives, and he prefers short sentences that mirror the way people speak. Thom's style, on the other hand, reflects the baroque and surreal influences of authors such as H.P. Lovecraft (adjectivitis!) and Bruno Schulz.
I imagine most people will find Chuck's style a little more accessible. MWINYD is actually among the lower end of the baroque for Thom, but overall I find his style more effective, especially at evoking the requisite atmosphere of a horror story, than Chuck's.
Lullaby is easily Chuck's best work, but as a work of horror fiction it has some flaws. As I've already stated, his minimalism is less effective at creating atmosphere than Thom's subtle surrealism. Horror fiction revolves around the emotion of fear and its various permutations, and Lullaby is not particularly scary.
My other criticism of Lullaby as a work of horror is Chuck's handling of the supernatural element. Supernatural elements can be tricky to handle effectively in fiction, especially horror. When handled skillfully, they serve to effectively bind the story together, giving substance to submerged or displaced issues. (i.e., the way Cthulhu embodies Lovecraft's pessimism or Dracula lurks in the shadows of Victorian sexuality) When handled poorly, they come off as plot contrivances with little rhyme or reason.
Lullaby falls somewhere in between. I liked its haunted houses and visions of sonic plague, but I thought the culling song hadn't really been though through properly and its grimoire was a little silly. MWINYD's supernatural elements, however, seemed a much more natural fit for the narrator/author's philosophy and his concern with the meaninglessness of existence.
Both books, in fact, struggle with the question of the meaningless of existence, which is approached from a perspective of profound skepticism bordering on nihilism. Though both authors are considered nihilists, there is actually a fair amount of difference with Chuck's sunny nihilism an interesting counterpoint to Thom's bleak nihilism. As Tyler Durden says in an earlier Chuck book: "It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything." I suspect the Frank Dominio, the protagonist of MWINYD, learns we're never free completely free to do anything and losing everything is its own reward.
As with writing styles, I think Chuck's work is probably the more accessible. Behind the bleakness and the dark humor lurks a heart in search of redemption as sincere as that of a Dr. Phil fan. Thom's philosophy is bleaker, like a shadow version of Zen, where we are only free when we lose all illusions, but to do that you must accept freedom itself as an illusion.** (Again, personal preference here leans towards Thom's more absolute darkness.) Ironically, these different outlooks reflect to an extent their literary influences; contrast Hemingway's humanism with Lovecraft's cosmicism.
* Haunted's prologue invokes the conceptual slipperiness between human beings and their simulacra (puppets, mannikins, etc.); while this concept was certainly not invented by Ligotti, he has evoked it more uniquely and effectively than any author since Bruno Schulz.
** Or to contrast two interesting quotes, one from Haunted, one from "The Nightmare Network" (the third story in MWINYD):
Chuck: "Each of us striving to be the camera behind the camera behind the camera"
Thom: "The camera pulls back on the entire universe. There is no one behind the camera."


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"I think he is the better match-up for Senator McCain because the public recognizes just how inexperienced he is," Romney said. "With Senator Clinton there is some confusion in perception that somehow being there while her husband was president made her a foreign policy-national security experienced person. She is not. She doesn't have any more experience, really, of a significant nature than Barack Obama does. But in Barack Obama's case, people recognize this guy was a state senator and before that he was a community activist. He has been a United States senator for a short, short period of time. He is in no significant way qualified to lead the country at a time of war, to lead the country out of an economic challenge. This is not a person who can stand up to Senator McCain.”
To make his case, Romney employed a canine metaphor.
Listening to Obama and Clinton discuss their national security credentials, Romney said, is akin to "listening to two chihuahuas argue about which is the biggest dog."
"When it comes to national security, John McCain is the big dog, and they are the chihuahuas," he said.
This is some grade-A attack material. Also Mittmentum immediately boosts McCain's biggest weakness, economics. Additionally, Romney came to be well loved by conservatives, is young and seemingly fit to hold the presidency. This would be a pretty smart pick for McCain if he can get over the animosity, this would also be a smart pick for us, because Mitt is so darn funny. And maybe, just maybe, we'll get to see Tagg again, and that would be just swell.