text: Pino Donaggio’s soundtrack for CORRUZIONE AL PALAZZO DI GIUSTIZIA is a work of many qualities. Donaggio creating romantically laced cues that are played alongside dramatic and taught sounding compositions. This score was written in 1974 before the composer had really established his “sound” but nevertheless the music has great character and contains some interesting orchestrations and arrangements. this is a work that will delight and probably surprise a number of film music fans. It’s an odd thing that many collectors of Italian film music often forget or side step the works of Donaggio, maybe this is due to the composers involvement with many horror movies and his use of a number of atonal or action cues, as opposed to melodic or romantic sounding compositions. The Maestro combines traditional Italian sounding motifs and musical passages with his own compositions and arrangements creating a rewarding and at times amusing listen. Composer Pino Donaggio teamed with filmmaker Brian DePalma to forge one of the most memorable collaborations in cinema history, writing a series of suspenseful, hauntingly atmospheric scores evoking Bernard Herrmann’s landmark work for Alfred Hitchcock. Born Giuseppe Donaggio in Venice, Italy, on October 24, 1941, he was the product of a family of musicians, and began studying violin at the age of ten.


text:
Dennis A. Estis, chair of the firm’s Construction Practice Group, will be on the faculty of the “2019 Construction Law Forum: Handling the Construction Defect Case,” to be presented on Thursday, June 6, 2019 by the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, in cooperation with the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Construction Law and Insurance Law Sections, at the New Jersey Law Center.
The Construction Law Forum will provide a day of in-depth analysis of some of the issues that arise in construction defect cases in New Jersey. Mr. Estis and his fellow panelists will provide a practical and strategic discussion of many of the legal challenges encountered by the different parties in construction defect cases. The program will also include a detailed discussion of the insurance coverage issues that often become critical in the settlement discussions that take place. In addition, attendees will gain perspective from a retired Judge, and now active mediator, on the most effective ways to present a construction defect claim at the mediation stage.

industry_corpus2: Law & Justice


text: Keep that special someone close to you each time you wear this heart bangle bracelet. Crafted in sterling silver, this pretty bracelet will add a classic finish to any outfit. Bangle bracelets make great gifts for mom or birthday gifts for women. This sterling silver bracelet will quickly become one of your favorite pieces to wear.

industry_corpus2: Others


text:
If perhaps, due to an illness, injury, physical condition, your mobility is going to be impaired, and you are just using a hard time getting in and out of your favorite chair, you may have arrived at the right report. I will talk about two types of seat lift chairs that can help decrease the pain and effort needed to climb up into and out of your chair. When you are done reading, you will have a much easier time choosing what type of chair might be right for you. The two types of take you are: Detachable seat lift up and Lift chair. Extractible seat lift. Detachable seating lift consists of a padded chair with an electric motor constructed in that allows the seat to rise and tilt forward or drop and tilt backward, when directed by your remote control. This can be a simple solution when you already have a comfortable chair or lounger that you like and would the same as to have an easier way to get in and out whenever your muscle strength is disadvantaged and you feel the pain when getting in and out of the chair.
Omagnatta - The writing gourmet: turkey day? i'm having tea and veggie. * at 50 something i didn't want to do the turkey day thing so i rebelled again i ordered a veggie pizza and tipped the pizza guy i ordered a veggie pizza and tipped the pizza guy ditto for november 22, 2018. Gourmet definition of gourmet in english by oxford. 'for lunch that day we decided to cook a gourmet meal as we had all the time in the world ' 'but take the train from dublin to cork and you can enjoy gourmet meals and a trolley service etc ' 'our cook rona somehow conjures up gourmet meals from a galley no bigger than a telephone box '. Gourmet recipes and restaurant reviews blog. Focuses on sharing gourmet recipes, giving cooking tips, writing restaurant reviews, and talking about all things foodie are you hungry today?. News, sport, celebrities and gossip the sun. News corp is a network of leading companies in the worlds of diversified media, news, education, and information services. My kitchen year: 136 recipes that saved my life: a. As a memoir of her days after gourmet magazine abruptly closed, it's easy to understand how she returned to the kitchen to assuage her grief during a time of uncertainty be that as it may, this book contains handwritten chapter headings with poignant photographs of the countryside throughout the seasons surrounding her home in new york state along with recipes that are classic and easy to. The dangerous book for boys: conn iggulden, hal iggulden. The bestselling book for every boy from eight to eighty, covering essential boyhood skills such as building tree houses*, learning how to fish, finding true north, and even answering the age old question of what the big deal with girls is. Starbucks wikipedia. Starbucks corporation is an american coffee company and coffeehouse chain starbucks was founded in seattle, washington in 1971 as of 2018, the company operates 28,218 locations worldwide. Abc home page. Your viewing history will automatically appear once you start watching videos. Experience all inclusive ultra luxury cruises silversea. Explore the elegant lifestyle of all inclusive ultra luxury cruising across 900 fascinating destinations aboard silversea intimate luxury cruise ships. Choose myplate. Now i start my day with fruits and veggies by having a homemade smoothie for breakfast i use almond milk, banana, berries, and kale or spinach for iron you have such great tips!! i use almond milk, banana, berries, and kale or spinach for iron.

industry_corpus2: Manufacturing


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Lies, lies and even more damned lies… but who is telling them?
When US author Peter Swanson’s debut novel, The Girl With a Clock for a Heart, was published in 2014, it wowed the critics and was nominated for the LA Times book award. Four years later, he has two more widely acclaimed psychological thrillers under his belt, and an army of avid readers.
And now he’s back to take us on another twisting, turning, white-knuckle ride into the deepest and most disturbing recesses of the human mind, a place where evil is hatched and the innocent are always in danger of being dispatched.
This brilliant new whodunit – an ingenious guessing game that melds an Agatha Christie mystery with all the familial menace of Daphne du Maurier’s My Cousin Rachel – has a black soul, and was devilishly designed by the master of the dark arts to bewitch, bother and bewilder us.
Written with Swanson’s trademark insight and finesse, and featuring an intriguing dual narrative, All the Beautiful Lies is – as the title so cleverly suggests – packed full of deceit, double-dealing and mind-bending trickery as a young man tries to unravel the truth behind his father’s suspicious death.
Helping him in his quest – or maybe leading him up blind alleys – is his young stepmother, a woman whose complex, damaged past is mired in secrecy and whose motives are more misted than an autumn morning.
Less than a week away from his college graduation, Harry Ackerson is called back to his home in Kennewick Village, Maine, by his stepmother Alice following the unexpected death of his father, Bill, who owned a book shop in the town.
Harry has kept away from home as much as possible during his college years, mainly because of his disconcerting attraction to Alice, a beautiful but ‘otherworldly’ woman who is 13 years older than him and 13 years younger than his father.
Alice has always been kind and attentive, if a little aloof in the last few years, but she still has the power to put Harry in a state of ‘constant, confused sexual turmoil’ and he finds himself guiltily obsessing over her.
When the police say that they now believe Bill’s fall from his favourite cliff path was suspicious, Harry is determined to get to the truth of his father’s death… with the help of Alice, the ‘grieving widow’ who somehow seems able to sing along cheerfully to music when she thinks nobody is looking.
And then a mysterious young woman called Grace McGowan turns up, claiming to be new to the area but who, Harry begins to suspect, may not be a complete stranger to his family. Meanwhile, Alice is deliberately working her sexual charms on him and, mesmerised by these two attractive women, he finds himself falling deeper under their spell.
A flawless writer, Swanson plays a blinder in this character-driven thriller which simmers slowly and exquisitely through the first half, fires up under the heat of some blistering revelations, and then explodes spectacularly into a tense, nail-biting dénouement.
The brilliant dual narrative between naïve, inexperienced Harry and the worldly, enigmatic Alice is an inspired literary device, ratcheting up the suspense and allowing readers to explore the truths and lies of both people and events through the prism of Alice’s past and Harry’s present.
Throw in some clever red herrings which will keep you guessing to the last page, a fascinating list of possible suspects, a story that encompasses lust, greed, betrayal, hatred, love and murder, and you have a writer at the top of his game.

industry_corpus2: Literature & Emotions


text: This blog would be a massive amount of work if I wrote in it as often as I'd like. Unfortunately I don't always have the time to write. But I do have some advice: add lots of photos which grab people's attention; write lots of short posts as opposed to a few longer ones; add updates to posts to keep them current; expect critics but don't let them annoy you; proofread; and, most importantly, don't give up!


text: The promotion of products or brands via one or more forms of electronic media is known as digital marketing. For example, advertising mediums that might be used as part of the digital marketing strategy of a business could include promotional efforts made via the Internet, social media, mobile phones and electronic billboards, as well as via digital and television and radio channels. Digital marketing may cover the more traditional marketing areas such as direct marketing by providing the same method of communicating with an audience but in a digital fashion.

industry_corpus2: Computing & Telecommunications


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Every wheel alignment service is performed using a state-of-the-art machine, to ensure that your vehicle’s alignment angles precisely match the manufacturer’s specifications.
During every wheel alignment, our technicians will examine your vehicle’s front and rear steering and suspension components for wear and tear. Additionally, an experienced mechanic will adjust tire size and air pressure, if necessary.
Wheel alignment issues can all be solved with a wheel alignment service today. It’s difficult driving with a crooked steering wheel or a car that pulls to one side all the time. Delaying this service could result in unnecessary tire replacements and less fuel efficiency. Avoid the additional expenses and time by dealing with alignment problems at the first sign of uneven tire wear or steering changes. Contact us today and let our professional automotive technicians service your vehicle and get you driving in the right direction again!

industry_corpus2: Automobiles


text: Much has been written about myth and the marketplace. Consumer research has added immeasurably to academics’ appreciation of the myths that inhere in fabulous flagship stores and experiential retailing more generally. Studies of consumer mythopoeia, however, have tended to muffle the martial side of retailing, the heroic struggles that some customers undergo in-store. This article argues that the epic offers valuable insights into martial matters, and more. Although epic and myth overlap, they are far from identical. The former is characterized by conventions that can help illuminate consumers’ quests, not least their disturbing journeys through the underworld. These are considered in relation to Hollister (HCo), a phenomenally successful retail chain that’s renowned for its antithetical atmospherics and inky interior design. A qualitative study of Hollister lovers and haters casts light on the epic in action and adds to scholars’ understanding of immersive retailing experiences.


text: Please fill out the form below. An email will be sent to you with a link to download this file. All information submitted here will be sent to the Airport Procurement Division and will be held confidential.

industry_corpus2: Transportation


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Hospitality students at Ardmore High School are raising funds for Ardmore Animal Shelter by holding an auction next Saturday.
Robert “Chef” McGehee’s Touring Oklahoma and hospitality tourism class is holding a barbeque dinner and silent auction in the AHS cafeteria from 6 to 8 p.m. The project — sponsored by FCCLA — is the first of many AHS service projects.
Students began brainstorming ideas last month. Each class will choose the project they want to take on. This group of students chose the Ardmore Animal Shelter as their charity.
McGehee’s sewing class chose to make dresses to send to Central America and African charities, a project they’ll be undertaking soon. Another class is set on the Mercy Cancer Center. He said the projects are also meant to develop skills students can use later in life as employees.
Local businesses, Ardmore school and student organizations have contributed gift baskets for the auction. John White, a local painter, donated a watercolor as well. Others have donated food to go with the barbecue sandwich lunches McGehee’s students will be making and serving. Admission is $7 and includes dinner.
Robert McGehee said the students started a supply drive for the shelter as well. Each second hour class will compete with one another to collect the most supplies before the drive ends Thursday.
McGehee said wet and dry cat food and dog food, paper towels, cloth towels, detergent, cleaning supplies, food bowls and dish soap are all in high demand.

industry_corpus2: Subject Education


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The Wolf Rock Boat Company offers a full range of boat services in South Devon for boaters in Salcombe, Kingsbridge and surrounding areas.
As passionate boaters ourselves, we understand how important it is to you to have your boat out on the water in full working order when you want it to be so you can enjoy your leisure time.
Our in-house team of experienced, fully-qualified Marine Engineers operate from our well-equipped servicing workshop here on the South Hams Business Park near Kingsbridge & Salcombe in South Devon. They are dedicated to providing a friendly, cost effective and complete service to ensure you experience trouble-free cruising. Tony and his team take huge pride in delivering work on time and within budget, along with an attention to detail that make our service second to none in the South West.

industry_corpus2: Water Resources & Marine


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I had filmed this before I saw the video that I posted yesterday.
I’m not crazy about the audio quality here. It was one of those moments where I had this filly out and I had the urge to answer a question while I was thinking about it. I will try to improve this next time.
I also wish I had used different phrasing that ‘beat on’. I do use this phrasing because I want to instill a disgust strong enough to make people be proactive. The unfortunate truth is that if a horse goes as far as the horse in yesterdays post ‘Dangerous Horses’ humans are not left with many options. Yes, gelding is the obvious option, but even that will not completely undo the unhealthy disrespect that is present.
Please, please, please help prevent these problems by starting young.
yess both is right, but there are horses out there no one took care of, took the time and trained young.
take the time, set clear boundaries, show them you care and never stop on bad terms.
If you have, breed horses or what ever…. .please please see, that their feet are always healthy and take good care of them. They can develop really horrible things and then your cool awesome horse, doesnt feel good, which is worse.
Here’s the deal; the average adult horse is 40 times stronger than the average human being (40:1). Pretty similiar to walking down the road and seeing an empty coke can and going up to it and stomping it flat. Let the horse you’re working with (if you’re with a horse, you are training; good or bad), get into your space and you can soon become a flattened coke can!

industry_corpus2: Agriculture & Fisheries


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There are moments when we ask why we can’t have nice things. In this case, pumpkin spice-flavored food.
We’re sure many feel the same way, so here’s a list of food that we wish we had at our nearby cafés and stores.
Sure, you can make our own PSL at home. But not all of us have the time to puree pumpkins, especially if we want a daily dose of this drink while working on the go. Also, these now come in bottled versions so there’s no excuse for it to not be available everywhere.
These pumpkin spice marshmallows will change the way we prepare s’mores and hot chocolate. They also come in small pumpkin shapes which would make for a good Halloween party treat. If you’re really curious to know how this tastes but can’t grab a bag, you can make your own batch with this recipe.
According to Talenti’s site, Pumpkin Pie is made with creamy pumpkin and has bits of pie crust for crunch. Brown sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon add that spice flavor that everyone loves. How come we are not blessed with this?
If you’re not a coffee person, Harney & Sons has tea with pumpkin spice flavoring. Refinery29 notes that a warm cup of this is “enough to instantly transport us to a blustery and sweater-clad fall day.” This sounds like a good drink for the chilly holiday season. Maybe we’ll just ask someone to ship this to us as a gift.
Anyone who loves warm cinnamon rolls would likely gravitate toward this. This one from Trader Joe’s comes with a pumpkin pie flavor made with pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. Just take out the dough from the can and pop it in the oven to bake. If we had this, we wouldn’t have to worry about baking a whole roll from scratch.

industry_corpus2: Hospitality & Catering


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It may have only been the end of the exhibition season, but Detroit Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace was in mid-season form.
"I still don't think they (Cavaliers) beat us, we beat ourselves," Wallace said. "And I think we also fell victim to that personal NBA thing where they are trying to make it a world game and get (television) ratings. They wanted to put their darling in there (the NBA Finals) and they did, and look what ended up happening.
since when was wwf real?
e actually ment about players bein promoted by the company and lebron travellin he did complain about in the playoffs.
I agree with Sheed. The nba is getting more and more about entertainment. Which is probably why when Team USA plays countries that actually play"REAL" basketball, they lose. The nba only cares about making money and ratings make you money. And having King James in the finals is definalty good for ratings.... Its refreshing to see pro althletes speak their minds. Now the nba isnt fake, but it sure isnt as competive as it used to be or the Euroleague. Seems like the the superstars are isolated to get every single call. It just isnt realistic anymore.
Oh and lets not forget that the refs didnt even get punished for fixing the games... Stern is just asking for people to do worse things because now they will think they can away with it.
The finals had bad ratings for a reason- Cavs-Spurs come on. NBA Is still good.
I agree wholeheartedly with him. For the past few seasons, the NBA has been seemingly FIXED. And before you judge me on that, just think about it. Particularly the playoffs. The Spurs-Suns series of 2007 and the Heat-Mavs series of 2006 are just two noticeable series which have been blatantly one-sided by the referees and perhaps the league. Tim Donaghy and his fellow COMRADES are ruining the game of the NBA.
me too, that PHX-SA series was so disgusting, i didnt even watch anything after game 6.
I don't think the Bucks will be approaching the playoffs soon.
Washington, Toronto and Miami won't be better than the Bulls next season.
I don't know about "fixed" dude. That's pretty paranoid.
But let's just say from the top down, they are def. nudging certain teams and certain stars into place.
Example - Lebron scoring however the *** much it was against Detroit.
Are you seriously telling me that, shooting bricks the way he was, that the Pistons, THE PISTONS, couldn't curb his ***?
10 years ago, his *** would have been eating hardwood.
I wanna agree with 'Sheed but I SURE the NBA would have wanted the Suns in the finals, and therefore would have never suspended Amare and Boris for game 5.
Sheed has a point about the NBA and the refs, but the fact is that the Cavs were a better team. The Pistons O was stagnant, they couldnt dominate the boards to make up for it, and their D has been progressively getting worse thanks to age and Flip Saunders, not to mention Chris Webber being added to the starting lineup.
The way the series played out, except for the Cavs winning 1 game sooner than I thought, didnt surprise me at all. And the Cavs could have taken both of the first 2 games early in Detroit. Sheed is making excuses.
haha oh hindsight how we worship thee. no-one seriously thought about match fixing before the donaghy thing came out.
Basically, Sheed is a very immature man and thats his way of dealing with defeat. Not classy.
go to doyles because flarhety said so.
I'm on the Scola will make it to the all star game bandwagon.

industry_corpus2: Sports


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With unparalleled tactical and strategic mobility, the battle-proven 39 caliber M777 sets the standard for modern, reliable fire support in the most hostile environments.
M777 is the world's first 155mm Howitzer weighing less than 10000 lbs (4218 kg). Selected by the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army as their next generation Medium Force weapon, designated M777.
Further U.S., Canadian and Australian orders total more than a thousand guns. M777 is now in full rate production for the U.S. Armed Forces and is the benchmark for 155mm Lightweight Towed Artillery Systems.
Mobile forces require quality systems that are quick and easy to transport. Initially developed for the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army as their next generation Medium Force weapon, the M777 has become the benchmark for 155mm Lightweight Towed Artillery Systems.
Highly portable by land, sea and air, the system features a minimal logistical footprint alongside maximum reliability. This means that it can be frequently moved and re-deployed, maximizing survivability, without encountering the IED risks faced by self-propelled systems. The M777 can strike over extended distances, regardless of terrain and obstacles.
To date, the M777 howitzer has been selected by U.S., Canadian, Australian, and Indian forces, with total orders currently exceeding 1,200.

industry_corpus2: Aerospace


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Native American jewelry designer David Rosales had his Navajo and Zuni Indians hand-inlay this beautiful pendant. It is set in sterling silver and the inlay is Amazonite and lab-created opal, a collection David Rosales calls Amazing Light. Amazonite typically has the beautiful green color you see here and originates from several countries including the United States. These colors are very eye-catching and are not normally seen in Native American jewelry. Each earring measures 1 1/2" x 3/4"
Since these are pieces of handmade Native American jewelry, please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery. If we do not currently have them in stock we will have David Rosales begin making a pair for you immediately. If you need it sooner or have any questions just let us know by calling 308-234-3313.


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The current queen of covers, Kelly Clarkson, kills it again with this fan-requested cover of the Fugees’ Killing Me Softly in San Diego.
Yep, I’ll be singing the one lyric I know from this song over and over and over all day now.
First off, I do respect Kelly Clarkson, but shouldn’t this be Kelly Clarkson rocking a cover if the Lauryn Hill/Fugees cover of the incomparable Miss. Roberta Flack. Lauryn Hill was able to dig deep and find that pit of your stomach pain much d with the anticipation of the belief that he truly is “singing my life with his words”. Clarkson’s version is an enjoyable cover but nothing but a little entertaining as a whole. Raised in an all holds barred family (than you dad for all of the musical road trip games and mom for putting up with us).

industry_corpus2: Film & Entertainment


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What kind of self-improvement plan does the Zombie in your life have for 2014?
Adding brains to one’s diet can never hurt!
Thanks for some great upbeat suggestions for the New Year!
Thanks so much. Happy New Year to you!


text:
Down on the Pharm: Baron Hill's Arrogance has been turned into a political ad.
Baron Hill's Arrogance has been turned into a political ad.
"You're not going to tell me how to run my congressional office."
Typical elitist lib lefty arrogance and hubris. May the unworthy inhabitants of In District 9 proceed to show him the door in Nov 2010....this is THEIR congressional district not Baron "Snob" Hill's!!!
Comrade Baron is one of the offices that need to be turned over now!

industry_corpus2: Politics & Administration


text: Yes! I find flowers that are ‘past their prime’ (whatever THAT means) to be absolutely more interesting than the almost uniform freshest ones. Even more appreciate flowers on the bush, than those cut in vases.


text:
Today director Ryan Coogler and Marvel Studios dropped another edge-snatching preview of the most anticipated superhero film in the diaspora’s history. It seems Coogler’s visionary film crew and talented cast (which includes Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o, Michael B. Jordan, and Academy Award nominee Angela Bassett) are channeling Parliament Funkadelic and Sun Ra with a side of LaBelle. The trailer’s soundtrack draws from the Godfather of hip hop, Gil Scott-Heron, and his everlasting track The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.
Black Panther arrives in theaters Black History Month 2018.


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Straight from three incredible performances at Brighton's Great Escape Festival and the release of his first ever Colors Session, fast-rising star DERMOT KENNEDY today announces his biggest European headline shows to date as well as the brand new video for his latest single ''Young & Free''.
The video, which brings together all the cinematic glory the track commands, sees Kennedy embodying the spirit of the song and embarking on a road trip that meets a fiery ends; only adding to the weight and breadth of a song that's already a live favourite. The tour itself starts in Amsterdam at Paradiso and concludes with a hometown show at Dublin's Vicar Street, stopping off in London for his biggest headline show in the city to date at Electric Brixton.


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Hot Air Ballooning, A great way to experience the exhilaration of flight with a bird’s eye view of the area below, a silent ride through the sky, an excursion that has caught on fast with locals and tourist alike is hot air ballooning, drifting gently over the cultural triangle, or a wildlife park in a hot air balloon will be unforgettable, actually nothing beats a hot air balloon excursion across the central plains in our opinion. Hot air ballooning tours are available from the north central plains of the island and be carried away under blue skies and over the landscape dotted with many little man-made lakes, one might even spot an elephant near these tanks, ancient monuments, propose to your fiancée in a hot air balloon, celebrate your birthday in a hot air balloon, exchange vows and get married in the air in a hot air balloon! Functioning from Dambulla, the service is available From December to March.
Pregnant mothers and guests taking medications must consult their physician before flying in a Hot Air Balloon. Dress casually and comfortably for the weather, it is a little warmer while the sun is out. We also recommend closed toe shoes to opened toe or high heeled shoes as we want to protect your feet just as much as the rest of you. A hat or cap to protect you from the heat of the burners.
I encourage families to participate in Hot Air Ballooning, however there are issues to consider before deciding to take your children. The sides of the basket are approximately 4’ high, therefore, children who are not as tall will not enjoy the beautiful views and may get irritated. Adults are not permitted to hold or carry children during a flight.A child under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.Another fact to consider is, the burners directly above. We’ve found that very young children, are often frightened by the noise of the burner. Because of these reasons and past experience, children under the age of 7 are not permitted to take the flight.
You are most welcomed to bring in your still or video cameras aboard to take as much pictures and videos to last a lifetime of your memorable sky safari over beautiful Sri Lanka !! We normally reach between 500 and 2,500 feet high and where allowed. Many people who have a fear of heights or were just anxious about flying have realize it is not what they were expecting, there is no rocking or turbulence like on a plane. Why don’t you give it a try and have a new experience.

industry_corpus2: Travel & Geography


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Today, the European People's Party (EPP), uniting the European conservatives, christian democrats, and centre-right parties, meets in Warsaw for its Congress to finally adopt its manifesto and to start its electoral campaign.
The EPP is far behind all other major European parties when it comes to the main election elements, both with regard to their manifesto as well as with their campaign. But in Warsaw, all the big EPP leaders of the Union and the continent will meet - the program reads like the who-is-who of European power and power abuse - to confirm what was clear from the very beginning.
They will celebrate their past victories and assure Europe that they will win again.
They will adopt their draft manifestos without major changes (because this would be democratic and could ruin the campaign start). They will glorify the boringness of Barroso, the unemotional efficiency of Angela Merkel, the escapades of Sarkozy and Berlusconi, and the grudging EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering, (at best) covering all this by putting forward great Europeans like Jean-Claude Juncker.
Maybe I am too Euro-optimistic, too convinced that there should be a vision of Europe guiding European politics, to see any positive impetus coming from the EPP, but so far nothing has convinced me that any of their politicians or their program(s) would be able to make Europe and the European Union better!
I fully agree with Julien Frisch. That is why I find the new pan-European party Libertas so interesting. They do not have the vested interests in the current undemocratic institutions that the current political parties have.
1. Rejection of the Lisbon Treaty, which includes a clause that says that the terms of the treaty can be ammended at will by the participant governments without further ratification... that is, governemnts can do deals in smoke filled rooms without reference to their parliaments. Just the sort of thing that communist and fascist dictators would applaud.
2. That EU Commissioners be elected, rather than appointed by their friends in an ever closer knit and incestuous European governing elite. Governments appoint their cronies to help them do their dirty work. This is how it works. The British government wants to do something without scrutiny of its parliament, so it does deals with the French and German governments, who also have proposals they don't think they can get past their parliaments, to support each others proposals. They then instruct their cronies in the EU Commission to draw up directives. The resulting directives are then approved by the Council of Ministers (ie. the governments themselves) and presented to the various parliaments as a fait accompli... they are obliged to legislate in accordance with the EU directives. Again exactly the sort of emasculation of parliamentary democracy that would be welcomed by a communist or fascist dictatorship.
3. To cut the waste of taxpayers money, the gravy train, that the EU represents. The EU has not had auditors sign off its accounts for 14 years. That stinks. Only people with a vested interest could object to such an eminently reasonable proposal.
Well, we might agree in some ways, but I can assure that I am not a supporter of a so-called "pan-European" party which is more a collection of national, nationalistic, conservative parties and unclear movements and personality solely based on a overly negative view of Europe and the Union.
My heart is cosmopolitan, my identity is European, and my brain is critical, so I think about how to make this Union better; so I am here to do my part. But I am in favour of the Lisbon Treaty with all its defaults, because it is much better than the present Nice Treaty, with its built in locks and breaks and false compromises.
If Lisbon is not ratified, we won't get to the next stage of Europeanisation, including further enlargement, and I am definitely supporting those further steps.
Libertas is a pro-EU party.
It wants to strengthen the EU, only not in the direction of current vested interests.
National governments would be sidelined once the EU gained democratic legitimacy. But since the EU is responsible for framing 80% of national laws the sooner it is made democratic, accountable, and transparent the better.
When it comes to Libertas, I am not just talking about public speeches and general declarations, I also talk about candidates, and the candidates that run for Libertas for example in Poland are not pro-European, open-minded people but rather right-wing hardliners: http://blogs.euobserver.com/pszczolkowska/2009/04/27/libertas-in-poland-not-as-dead-as-it-looked . So voting Libertas can mean voting anti-European and pro-hardline-conservatives.
In addition, voting Libertas into the European Parliament will not change anything Libertas claims it will work for: The EU is not changed from inside the European Parliament but through the member states. So Libertas needed to become a leading force for EU reform by running in national elections all over the continent, not by running for a European Parliament with clear but limited powers.
So everything promised is rhetoric, without practical consequence, and in some countries even connected to dangerous movements I wouldn't any pro-European voting for!


text:
This recipes serves 4 people.
Cover the buckwheat in a generous amount of salted water, place on a moderate heat and bring to the boil. Simmer gently for 14 minutes, and then add the peas for a final 2 minutes. Drain and allow the steam to billow off as much as possible. I find it really helpful to spread the buckwheat and peas onto a few squares of kitchen paper to dry out, avoiding a soggy salad.
If the almonds need toasting preheat the oven to 180 degrees and toast for 6 minutes. Allow these to cool slightly before coarsely chopping.
Bring a generous amount of salted water to a rapid boil for the asparagus, and have a bowl of iced water at the ready. Remove the bottom inch of each asparagus if needs be, and blanch in boiling water for 45 seconds before draining and shocking in the iced water. Spread these on kitchen roll too.
Finely chop the fresh mint and crumbled the feta.
For the lemon vinaigrette simply shake up all the ingredients in an old jam jar.
When you’re ready to eat simply dress combine all the ingredients in a large bowl (with the exception of the almonds, a little of the feta and the micro leaves). Pour over the vinaigrette and mix well before transferring to your serving bowl.
Garnish with the chopped almonds, micro leaves, and a little sprinkling of the reserved feta cheese. This salad is entirely brought to life by this pea and mint hummus; serve the two together for the perfect veggie summer lunch.


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Hi everybody! I'm BACK. I can't believe that I've been gone nearly two months. Yikes. I'll tell you all about my move to Indiana very soon. But let me show you what I've been SEWING!
* Warning - lots and lots of text coming up. Remember, I am catching up!
I went without sewing right up until last weekend. I wasn't feeling the need to sew - unbelievable, right? I was so caught up in organizing the apartment and finally being able to cook and bake in my new kitchen. Cookbooks replaced quilt books, like this book and this one, too. But then suddenly, I felt that I NEEDED to start sewing again. And now I'm right back to where I was before. Only this time, I'm going to try to slow it down and enjoy sewing more than I did before.
So. I couldn't decide which abandoned project to sew first. I found that some of those projects that I abandoned are better left undone. New home, new quilt projects! But I really wanted to resume the Fig Tree mystery block-of-the-month quilt. I was only 4 months behind. Totally do-able, right? First, my sewing machine got a long-overdue tuneup. I am THIS CLOSE to being caught up. It's fun to begin putting chunks of the quilt top together.
And I made a little switcheroo. Applique has never been my strength, and I'm probably too lazy to spend hours learning to do it correctly. But this quilt has some appliqued blocks. Groan. After agonizing over an appliqued basket for months (I am not kidding) I finally decided to change the block. Of course I gave myself some rules - the alternate block needed to use a Fig Tree pattern, and I would use the same fabrics that were recommended by Joanna. After several more days spent reviewing every single Fig Tree pattern that I own (and even buying more patterns) I settled on a schoolhouse block. It's from the Fig Tree Houses book. And there it is in a taupe and peach print. I love it so much and I think it will make my quilt just a wee bit different from everybody else's quilts. I have a few more blocks that I'm going to change, too. Just wait till you see them!
The decision to leave NYC was actually very easy. I had lived there for exactly 30 years and in the same apartment for exactly 20 years. And I had one of those milestone birthdays in the past year. Lots of round numbers, know what I mean? I felt like that was a sign. Paul accepted a job in Indiana and I said sure, let's go. It'll be a change. But I didn't know if I could handle leaving. See, my dream was always to live in NYC. And I was lucky to be able to live my dream for 30 years. I love New York, I really do. I had so many unbelievable experiences there and I could definitely write a book, as they say. But for all the sparkly glamour of the city, there's also the dirtiness, rudeness, expensiveness and small-apartment-ness.
Our furniture took 28 days to get here. Apparently, Mayflower had a "shortage of truck drivers." Really?! Their communication was terrible. Their service was terrible. And their prices are very high.
I love being here! Every day I think about how radically different my life is. You know - it's all that stuff that most people have, but I never had in NYC. I feel like a real person getting to use all of the modern conveniences here that I went without before: a full-sized shower and tub, a full-sized stove, oven and fridge. A dishwasher (gasp) and a laundry closet (yay) and a balcony where I can grow plants and read. Central air. I can get out of bed without walking into a wall. I can finally use my Kitchenaid mixer, and I've bought lots of new kitchen stuff. I have a home office slash sewing room slash guest bedroom.
The outdoor air is cleaner. I can see stars now (city skyscrapers light up the sky too much, making stars "invisible.") The hummingbirds (and wasps) spent the summer hanging out at our hummingbird feeder. Local events take place at the 4-H center, and we've gone to an antique show and a quilt show there. The high school football games are broadcast on the radio. People are very friendly here - the grocery store checkout people usually ask what I'm planning to cook with my purchase. My new favorite stores have become Target , TJ Maxx and Marshalls instead of Bloomingdale's, Ralph Lauren and Gucci (seriously, have you seen all the cute stuff at Target? Amazing!) Paducah and Nashville are very close, so they'll be places that we can visit in the future.
And I am obsessed with buying new stuff for the home.
The (slight) downside? I miss my old barber. I miss fancy restaurants, but we have almost every national chain restaurant here - all except for my beloved Cheesecake Factory (oh pleeeease come here!) I cannot even tell you how many times I've been to the local Dairy Queen for their Peanut Buster Parfaits and Cotton Candy Blizzards.
And I do not miss NYC at all! I flew to NY a few weeks ago for a meeting. I arrived a day early so that I could visit my favorite restaurants and shops. I even had dinner in my old neighborhood, and I was shocked by how dirty and noisy it was. I couldn't wait to get on the plane and leave. New York was no longer my home. The song that played through my head as I walked around the city was Madonna's "This Used To Be My Playground." But no longer.
Indiana is my home now. And I'm glad to be here.
Thank you so much for the emails and comments asking me if I'm ok and if I'm planning to return. I missed you all. I missed sewing. And I'm happy to be back.
See you very soon! There's a new Snapshots block coming later this week.
Hi, I'm Greg Jones. Thanks for joining me! I am a quilter recently transplanted to Indiana from NYC, and I enjoy creating vintage cottage inspired designs. Read more about my story here.


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AG Schneiderman began a case of Enterprise Corruption, the state name for RICO, against Donald Trump. The case was based on the activities of Russian mobsters like Semion Moglievich who lived in Trump Tower, Russian oligarchs, and others.
Upon his own judgement and belief, Scheiderman decided that his case touched both Federal issues, and issues of National Security. He took his case to the Federal authorities. While the appropriate Federal District can often be location-based, if a federal case is to start on the same factual basis, the court chosen can also be based on subject matter. Because National Security is involved, Schneiderman brought his case to FISC to be heard.
FISC does not empanel Grand Juries. Per procedure, Schneiderman dismissed his case, which as a state AG he can do without a judge’s ruling; he had the right to dispose of it. The case was then restarted Federal Court on the facts offered by Schneiderman, as a RICO case. FISC provided evidence under seal to a Grand Jury, drawn from the Eastern District of Virginia, who read the evidence in a SCIF, a secure facility in the building sealed away from the public.
Sources report FISC retained some jurisdiction over this case, although jurors were empaneled from EDVA. Separate sources report this: it was unclear to me if the FISC power over the case was solely related to sealing the matter, or if perhaps there was more evidence heard at FISC than was shared with the Grand Jury. But that ‘some jurisdiction’ was retained was told me by several sources.
Patribotics hopes to expand reporting and commission other writers. If you would like to donate, there are buttons around the site, or you could make a contribution here. If whistleblowers wish to contact patribotics they are encouraged to get in touch on Twitter, or via the secure email listed here.
Earlier this month, Claude Taylor and I reported exclusively that the indictment was granted. We were pulled up on use of the term “granted”, but it is the correct term when, as in this case, no prosecution is yet possible, since a sitting President has immunity; but he can be indicted, and he has been.
We reported as fact that the case was intended by prosecutors to form the basis of impeachment. This too was absolutely correct. Following the granting of the indictment on Trump, DAG Rosenstein took the matter to the Senate and presented it to lawmakers including Lindsey Graham in closed session. That is why Senator Graham came out and said ‘this investigation is now very clearly a criminal one.’ He had to say that; there was an existing criminal indictment and he had been shown it.
Per procedure in the case of impeachment of individuals, the matter then went to the House Judiciary Committee.
Trump was then notified by both the other branches that a case of impeachment was commenced against him. I can report as fact that the Sergeant At Arms of the Senate, Frank Larkin (correction sorry needed tea), went to the White House on that Wednesday night. We did not report that the Marshal of the SCOTUS did so – only that she spoke to him before he left the country, on the matter of preserving evidence and complying with the orders of the courts. Sources linked to the enforcement arm of the judicial branch report Donald Trump was also told that he had not followed procedure to declassify evidence to the Russians; and that it would constitute an offense were he to share intelligence without declassifying it in the legal way on this trip. These sources do not report the location of that warning nor who delivered it to Trump, but it happened after the case of impeachment was begun and prior to his departure on Air Force One.
Sources report that AG Schneiderman, whose evidence was used to form the basis of a criminal indictment of the President, has been placed under an even heavier armed guard than usual for his protection.
Brilliant. Reporting like this is why I open my Twitter feed every day to hear from @LouiseMensch and @TrueFactsStated long before the National Media wakes up to the facts going on around them.
Is that why Lindsey Graham praised Trump after his Afghanistan speech, said “I’m very proud of my President,” and said he “will fight tooth and nail” to ensure we win in Afghanistan?
Your sources — Adam Schiff?
Tell-tale sign that this is BS. There is no procedure for a president to declassify information to a foreign government; he can do so when he wants, with whatever info he wants (including the nuclear codes), when he wants. If I am wrong please let us know what the procedure is. You can’t, because it’s BS.


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Search Engine Optimization or SEO can be defined as the activity of optimizing Web pages or whole sites in order to make them more search engine-friendly, thus getting higher positions in search results. Simply developing a website will not get the desired results for your online existence as more than 80% traffic to web contents is now generated by search engines like Google, Yahoo, MSN and ASK etc. eOrganics is fully aware of this fact and that’s why we are premier SEO company in Pakistan to deploy cutting edge and ethical SEO tactics to generate more traffic to your website.
There are many Search Engine Optimization companies providing low cost SEO services, but they use black hat SEO techniques which can penalize your website on search engines like Google and Yahoo. On the other side there are companies using high priced SEO services and charging for more than they have to offer. eOrganics offer affordable SEO services which is suitable for individuals, small and large businesses. Being a professional Search Engine Optimization company, we always use only natural white hat ethical SEO techniques to improve Search Engine Optimization results. We do not believe in overnight results, we do long term planning and systematically bring a website at the first page of Google. With our affordable SEO services you will not only get the top rankings on search engines but the maximum return on investment(ROI) as well. This is true that there are no guarantees with SEO but we are so confident that our ethical SEO services will take your website to the 1st page of search engines because we have had great success with Search Engine Optimization.
Keyword analysis is the first step in our SEO tactics. It involves choosing the right keywords as searched by potential visitors. Our search marketing starts with in-depth research into your competition. We analyze what your competitors are doing to market their businesses online and create a marketing strategy to achieve your goals. We conduct extensive keyword research and work with you to identify the exact keywords and phrases that will yield the maximum conversion rate on your site. Then we target those keywords and phrases in our marketing effort. We use various tools from Google and Yahoo to find those keywords which will attract more targeted visitors.
On-site optimization is the second step which is targeted at making the page copy search engine friendly. It involves each engine friendly web design, content copywriting and optimization for chosen keywords from keyword analysis. We carry out this step according to search engine guidelines.
Offsite optimization involves increasing number of inbound links i.e. links from other sites to your website. This is the most important factor and requires greater effort. We implement this phase by targeted link building, online press release optimization, blogs creation, article writing and directory submissions.


text: Advanced examination of networking concepts. Focus is on network modeling and simulation applied to large networks. Topics include simulation concepts, performance modeling and analysis techniques, interpretation of simulation results, and simulation study design. Course work includes exposure to several network simulation packages. 3 Credits (3 Lecture) Prerequisite(s): CIT270 and CIT271 and MTH160 or CIT270 and CIT272 and MTH160. Spring Only.

industry_corpus2: Technology & Research


text:
Or 6 payments of $28.17 What's this?
> The ultimate revolution. LiquidSkin meets the most popular mask in the world. The result is an incredible mask. The combination of two different type of silicone provides incomparable comfort.
The marks that are typically left on your face after a dive are mostly eliminated. Equalization is now much easier thanks to the super soft nose pocket.


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AT THE BEST of times, food is a joy.
There are so many delicious items out there, just waiting for us to devour them. It’s truly wonderful.
However, occasionally desperation or a need for immediacy results in food tragedy. Foods that, if they could feel emotions, would definitely feel sad.
Here are some of the saddest food items in existence.
This poor, poor food item has almost no nutritional value.
Can you imagine asking for a potato dog? That would be a low point.
We fully appreciate the occasional need to have a burger ASAP, but surely there are better ways?
…And their even more tragic sibling, the microwave doner kebab. I mean, really?
Cornflakes are the saddest of all the cereals, put them in a bag and remove all personality from the packaging and you’ve got a veritable tragedy.
See also: Potatoes in a can.
What say you? Do you agree? Are there other sad food items which should be added to our list?
Email “Are these the saddest food items in existence?”.
Feedback on “Are these the saddest food items in existence?”.


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The WordPress 3.8.2 update release notes stated that the wp-includes/class-wp-xmlrpc-server.php file had been revised. So the culprit did appear to be the latest WordPress update. However, the developer of MarsEdit alluded to a plugin possibly causing the issue.
At first, I couldn’t think which of the plugins I use could potentially cause this error but after disabling all of this site’s plugins MarsEdit no longer threw the XML-RPC error. After enabling the plugins one-by-one the real culprit turned-out to be the 5.0.2 update to the Wordfence Security plugin that was released at roughly the same time as the WordPress 3.8.2 update.
The Wordfence Security plugin v5.0.2 has a new option under Wordfence > Options > Other Options named Disable XML-RPC for DDoS protection which is checked by default. Unchecking this option allows MarsEdit — and other applications relying on the XML-RPC interface — to communicate with WordPress once more.
Hat tip: Kelson for pointing out the Disable XML-RPC for DDoS protection option in Wordfence 5.0.2.
UPDATE 11th April 2014: Wordfence Security 5.0.3 has been released which no longer includes the option to disable XML-RPC.
Thanks for the timely update and I appreciate you taking the time to respond.


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=) love you all. See you later on.
MysticalSimmer and SnarkyWitch like this.
If I wanted to write my own Sims stories, where is the best place to post them to? I know people use sites like Blog Spot which is the best?
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DevilNDisguise, directionermimux and MysticalSimmer like this.
Hey there, how are you today?
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What happened to your gaming development mister?
It's still happening buddy :) I've just been really busy! I'll make a thread with some more news on it later today, I have made some big improvements!
Exciting! I'd love to see what you did.
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I'm doin' great. How are you?
I'm doing ok myself =) I'm glad your ok.
Thanks buddy, it's great to be back! :) How have you been?
Hey everyone! :) How are you all doing? I'm back!!!
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Hello!!! :) How are you? I hope you're having a good day.
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im fine thanks :) same same to you.

industry_corpus2: Gaming


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Short talk/long talk is a strategy we use to reduce the potential for argument when we have to have a one-on-one talk with students about their behavior. We introduce the strategy in class by saying something like the following, "Someday I may have to take you aside and have a talk with you about how you're behaving in class. When we are alone, I'll give you the option of having a short talk or a long talk. You can choose! But I strongly advise you to pick 'short talk' because if we have a long talk, I'll be the one doing all the talking and you may not enjoy what I have to say."
Then, we have students explain short talk/long talk to each other.
When the day comes when you have to take a student aside, you say, "short talk or long talk?" Kids appreciate being given the choice ... so, make your point briefly and the one on one conversation is over. What we want to avoid is a back and forth confrontation that may raise your student's or your! emotional temperature.
I first tried short talk/long talk years ago when I was coaching a girls middle school basketball team ... and it worked wonderfully. It's a great way for you to make the point you need to make ... and then move back in to your normal teaching routine.
Q. Why do we call pennies "cents"?
A. Because there are 100 to the dollar.
Q. How many years in a century?
Q. What does "cent" mean?
Q. What does "per cent" mean?
Q. British money also contains pennies, but they are never referred to as "cents". Why?
A. Because, historically, there were more than 100 pence to the pound. For centuries, Britain had a system where there were 20 shillings to the pound, and 12 pence to the shilling.
Q. How many pence were there to the pound?
A. 12 x 20 = 240.
Since 1971, Britain has been using a modernized currency, so they now have 100 pence to the pound.
Extra credit for old folks (I might ask my student's parents): what Beatles song contains an oblique reference to the old currency system?
So we went to talk to the principal of Local Public Elementary about the possibility of sending Younger Daughter there. I told her up front that Younger Daughter has behavior issues that were causing problems at Natural Friends, and that Natural Friends wanted us to have her tested and possibly get a 1:1 aide to "shadow" her during the school day.
The public school principal was very welcoming, and laid out all kinds of possibilities for evaluating our Younger Daughter and providing the support she might need. It is amazing how many people and resources they have for these issues. As my sainted husband remarked, "special ed is what they do." I think they were happy to see us because we can keep a bunch of their people employed for another year.
Would Local Public Elementary be good for Younger Daughter next year? I honestly don't know. They think they can handle her issues, but that doesn't mean I would like their proposed solutions.
Would Natural Friends be good for Younger Daughter next year? I don't know the answer to that either.
Here's the bottom line: if Natural Friends is about as good as the public school, then the public school is the better choice. If Natural Friends is somewhat better than the public school, then the public school is the better choice. The only way Natural Friends can be the better choice is if it is so much better than the public school that it's worth the tuition.
I used to think we were shelling out the big bucks for Younger Daughter to attend Natural Friends because she's happy there. Recently, though, she's become extremely anxious and phobic about attending school, so that argument is starting to fall apart.
I know we're not sending Younger Daughter to Natural Friends for the academics, which are frankly terrible. The math program is embarrassing, and the reading program isn't so hot either. I keep coming back to an offhand remark that the first-grade teacher made during our last meeting; she said that Younger Daughter was not up to grade level for reading, and that she would need tutoring, but that was true for several kids in the first grade. What the ...? They've only got eleven kids! If several of them will need extra tutoring, that's a quarter of the class! Gee ... maybe it's time to re-evaluate your teaching methods?
Increasingly, I feel that all our school options for Younger Daughter are crummy, so we might as well go with the one that doesn't drain our bank account. That would be the public school.
The only good news is that we don't have to make a decision for several months yet.
Courtesy of the dc urban moms forum, here's a blog post about homework in kindergarten!
Next, they'll be sending moms home from the hospital with a big packet of worksheets.
Homework Elimination: Yea or Nay?
"Ours not to reason why, just invert and multiply."
The "just invert and multiply" rhyme is often quoted as a parody of bad traditionalist teaching, where kids just memorized algorithms, without understanding why they work or how to use them appropriately.
But I will confess that I've been meaning to teach "ours not to reason why, just invert and multiply" to the Trailblazers-befuddled 6th grader that I'm tutoring. At least it would help her remember the rule, and if she sees it enough times, we can approach real understanding.
While it may be true that just memorizing algorithms isn't enough, and that kids should ALSO understand how and why they work, you can't claim victory by just avoiding the standard algorithms.
To divide fractions, can you divide the numerators and divide the denominators?
…but it works only if you are careful to keep all the numbers in the right order.
Question: Why were the Britons so called?
Answer: Because they painted themselves blue.
Also, they made me do mental arithmetic to a metronome! I once wetted myself with nervousness under this torture. So my father sent me to King's College School, Wimbledon. ... My father took me away after a couple of terms because he heard me using naughty words, and because I did not understand the lessons.
I passed my childhood in P. The fact that I recollect nothing more of those days than having learnt, in company with other boys, to call our teacher all kinds of names, would strongly suggest that my intellect must have been sluggish, and my memory raw.
... I was put into a primary school ... there is hardly anything to note about my studies. I could only have been a mediocre student. ... I do not remember having ever told a lie, during this short period, either to my teachers or to my school-mates.
Let me know if you need a hint!
To the list of biases that standardized tests are accused of, we can now add: a bias against kids who don’t watch television. The most recent SAT included an essay question on the topic of reality TV, which apparently flummoxed kids who don’t watch reality shows or immerse themselves in pop culture.
Take any human quality, dumb it down until it’s unrecognizable, and you can measure it. Hardly the principle to build an educational system on, but here we are.
Here’s one teacher’s take on the kind of teaching these tests produce.
One of the most remarkable things about American classrooms is how little real teaching goes on there. Over the past five years or so, I have spent at least three or four days a month in schools studying the relationship between classroom practice and school organization. I observe classrooms at all levels—primary, middle, and secondary grades—and in all subjects. One of the most striking patterns to emerge is that teachers spend a great deal of classroom time getting ready to teach, reviewing and reteaching things that have already been taught, giving instructions to students, overseeing student seatwork, orchestrating administrative tasks, listening to announcements on the intercom, or presiding over dead air—and relatively little time actually teaching new content.
... Recent research shows that low-quality teaching results in disengagement by students.
... In all my hours in the classroom, I have yet to see a student refuse to engage in meaningful academic work. A good deal of what American students are asked to do with their time in school, however, does not meet this standard.
... I am increasingly persuaded that the use of time in classrooms is a measure of the respect adults have for the role of learning in the lives of students. I have also become aware of how profoundly disrespectful schools, and the people who work in them, are of the time and effort they extract from the lives of students and their families, without regard to the value this time adds to students’ learning and development. The way schools use time is a product of many choices: the way the curriculum is designed, the way the school day is organized, the demands of testing on instructional time, the daily routines that teachers establish in their classrooms, and the attention, or lack thereof, to students’ classroom experiences by adults in schools. It would be an enormous step forward if adults in schools treated the time that children and their families give to schools as a precious gift rather than an entitlement. The most valuable resource that schools have is the largely unexploited capacity of students to engage in high-level learning. It is the responsibility of adults in schools to make the best possible use of this resource.
When I first arrived, the kids were lying flat on their backs while the teacher read them a story in a darkened room. I believe this is a rest period to wind them down after recess. OK, fair enough. But their next activity was to sit in a circle on the carpet (several on cushions like the one I bought for Younger Daughter, I noticed) while the teacher led them through a math lesson.
It's clear that my daughter is not the only one who finds it difficult to sit still under these conditions. The teacher's lesson sounded like this: "Who can find 2 numbers that make 10? Joey, no kicking. Can we add the 9 and 1 first? Sally, back up a little ..." etc.
It's a very uncomfortable situation for the kids. They're sitting on the ground, craning their necks to look up at the teacher, who stands above them, writing on a white board. The carpet is small, so they're cramped. Also, they have nothing to do with their hands. I know that I listen better if I've got something I can fidget with. Why do we deny this to the kids?
Most of the room is taken up by tables and itty-bitty chairs (you know, the ones that parents have to perch their middle-aged behinds on for parent-teacher conferences.) Why couldn't the kids sit at their tables for the math lesson?
While I am deeply skeptical of the labels the author throws around ("tactile defensive", "sensory issues", etc.) the author's basic point is right on. We're putting the kids in an uncomfortable position, and then blaming them when they're not comfortable.
I'm writing this post as part of my thought process before I send an e-mail to the teacher. Next up, I'll show you the e-mail!
I finally bit the bullet and paid 39 clams for a subscription to the Harvard Educational Review. I am now working my way through all the articles by Richard Elmore.
My sense was that Belle Glade was cruising on its reputation and on the social capital of its community. When I said this to Kevin, the principal, he responded, "That's the world I live and work in every day—very mediocre teaching, very low-level work, mountains of mindless homework, and very flat student engagement and affect."
Elmore's observation about Belle Glade is that nobody cares about learning, as long as the kids go on to college, which he calls "attainment".
Attainment is the primary goal for Belle Glade's students and their families, and the one for which administrators are held most closely accountable. As a result, it is less important that the school provide high-quality learning for its students than that it (a) look like an attainment machine (hence the heavy-duty signaling to parents through the tracking system and the homework requirements for "higher-level" courses) and (b) provide a transcript that looks like one a college-bound student should have. In fact, since attainment is largely a function of social class, most of these machinations are probably unnecessary.
In the immortal words of Lily Tomlin, "... and that's the truth. Pblllt!"
Every time we went for a new evaluation, the doctor would recommend that we see someone else for yet another evaluation. It never seems to end. Finally, we decided that Gabriel was basically doing reasonably well, and we all needed a break from this constant running around to evaluations and therapies. I don't think many of the therapists ever tell you that your child doesn't need to see them anymore. I am getting suspicious that these kids are keeping a lot of people in business and that, as parents, we need to take some control over our time and money.
Now that everyone seems to think that we need to use the kids to maintain our “competitiveness in the global marketplace,” and that we need to make them work more and more hours to achieve that goal, why don't we just go ahead and repeal the child labor laws? What exactly do people think the reason for those laws is, anyway?
It turns out that I should be more careful about what I sarcastically suggest.
Last week was the occasion of a meeting and several discussions about what to do about Younger Daughter and her difficult behavior. She will probably continue at Natural Friends, but we are being urged through a series of hoops, and she might have a "shadow" (a 1-on-1 aide) in the classroom next year.
If a child shows certain behaviors at school but nowhere else, who is at fault, the child or the school? We all know how schools want to answer that question. Having been through this already with Older Daughter, I am constantly asking myself, how much of this problem is being caused by the school in the first place? Is Younger Daughter acting up due to anxiety or boredom? If so, couldn't we address the anxiety or boredom directly?
I have also become enormously skeptical of what I call the "disability-industrial complex." We are surrounded by an army of specialists with their hands out. Behaviors and personality types that used to be tolerated are now labeled, diagnosed, medicated and treated. And for what? It's been great for the bank accounts of therapists, doctors, and drug companies, but can we really say it's been good for the kids?
I am wary of the language used to discuss misfit kids. I know that "we want her to make better choices" means "we want to enforce compliance" (and really, how many choices does a child actually get to make during a school day?) I know that "we wouldn't want her to feel different" is all about conformity.
If they could, schools would fill themselves with clones of the same child: the compliant, easygoing, sociable, eager-to-please good student, of slightly above-average but not threatening intelligence. But where should we send the rest of our kids?
I really loathe these meetings, where we discuss what's "wrong" with Younger Daughter and how she might be "fixed". I always come away feeling dirty, as if I've betrayed her.
[The mother duck said: ] "See how beautifully he uses his legs and how erect he holds himself. He is my own chick, after all, and not bad looking when you come to look at him properly ... He is not handsome, but he is a thoroughly good creature, and he swims as beautifully as any of the others. I think I might venture even to add that I think he will improve as he goes on ... "
I always liked this story as a kid. I felt like a misfit and hoped I would eventually turn out to be a swan, metaphorically speaking. Reading it again today, I see it as a story about adoption as well. How did the swan egg wind up in the duck's nest?
Handing out more college degrees won't guarantee jobs growth, according to the brilliant Paul Krugman in today's New York Times.
Increasing the supply of educated workers doesn't increase the demand for them. It just makes them cheaper.
On the whole, six-year-old boys are not naturally cut out for the demands of boarding school, and Wei Jia was especially disorganized. Often I picked him up on Friday afternoons, on my way to the village, and I always reminded him to make sure he brought the books he needed. But every Friday evening, back in Sancha, it was a complete mystery what would emerge from within the bowels of the Mickey Mouse backpack. Wei Jia opened the bag like a magician: anything could come out, and the trick was that even the boy had no idea. Tonight he conjured up four textbooks, a few pencils, and a dozen crumpled papers. His father snatched one of the pages.
"What's this? This is your homework! How are you going to do your homework if it's torn up like this?"
Wei Jia stared down at the kang.
"I forgot it," Wei Jia said softly.
"How are you going to do your homework if you don't have the book?" Wei Ziqi's voice became sharp. "You know what Teacher Yang said today? She said that you always forget your homework. And you don't pay attention in class! What's going to happen to you if you don't study well?"
(especially in northern Chinese houses) a masonry or earthen platform at one end of a room, heated in winter by fires underneath and spread with mats for sleeping.


text:
Increase of protein tyrosine phosphorylation in rat retina after ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA.
A Hayashi, B M Koroma, K Imai, E de Juan; Increase of protein tyrosine phosphorylation in rat retina after ischemia-reperfusion injury.. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 1996;37(11):2146-2156.
PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine the effect of retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury on protein tyrosine phosphorylation, the production of angiogenic growth factors, and the activation of signal proteins in tyrosine kinase pathways. METHODS: Ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced in rats by compression of the optic nerve for 2 hours. The rats were killed, and the retinas were collected at 0, 1, 6, 24, 48, 96, or 168 hours of reperfusion. Tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins in the retina was examined by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Angiogenic growth factors and their receptors, such as basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and Flg, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Flk-1, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B chain and PDGF-beta receptor, and five intracellular signal proteins (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase [PI3K], phospholipase C gamma [PLC gamma], C-Src, SHC, and mitogen-activated protein kinase [MAPK]) were examined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Protein tyrosine phosphorylation increased after ischemia-reperfusion injury, reaching a peak at 48 hours of reperfusion. Increased staining of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in the inner retina were evident on immunohistochemical examination. The amount of bFGF decreased after injury, but the amounts of VEGF and PDGF-B chain increased. Tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC gamma, SHC, and MAPK was increased at 48 hours of reperfusion, and tyrosine phosphorylation of PDGF-beta receptor and PI3K was increased at 168 hours of reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat retina leads to activation of the tyrosine kinase pathway, increasing the amounts of angiogenic growth factors. The resultant activation of signal proteins PLC gamma, SHC, MAPK, PI3K, and PDGF-beta receptor may play an important role in ischemia-induced retinal changes such as cell proliferation.

industry_corpus2: Health & Medicine


text:
President of The GoalsGuy Learning Systems, Gary Ryan Blair, discusses how to keep a resolution once you make it.
Host: Once I ve made a resolution, how do I keep it?
Gary Ryan Blair: Once you have made a resolution, you really have to focus on what are the disciplines in order to keep it, and we all have heard about the three Rs, Reading, Riting, and Rhythmetic. When it comes to resolutions, three different R s, it s Repetition, Reinforcement, and Renewal. In order to keep a dream alive or in this case a resolution alive, you got to continue to repeat yourself what it is; again and again and again, the same way if you are going to shoot basketballs, you ll learn it through repetition. If you learned a new telephone number, you are going to learn it from repetition. In order to keep a resolution alive, you have to continue to repeat yourself what s going on.
Then Reinforcement; reinforcement, we can equate that to a diet for just a moment. You don t go on a diet just once. You go on a diet every single time the dessert tray comes, every single time that you are presented with the stairs versus the elevator, is that, which you will find for at every given day, you have an opportunity to reinforce your commitment to the original resolution through reinforcement.
The third component in this whole process is renewal. Renewal is taking time to relax, get more energy. So there has to be an equal distribution of energy expenditure and energy renewal. It can always be 100% of the time. You got to identify what you want, you have got to go after with complete confidence and gusto, and you also have to give yourself an opportunity with which to recharge and reenergize same way that battery needs to recharge and reenergize. Those are the three steps on how to do.


text: The LED stands for the Landelijke Econometristendag, or the National Econometricians Day in English. This day is the largest career event for econometric students. More information can be found on www.leditbeyourday.nl.

industry_corpus2: Finance & Economics


text:
Has anyone attempted this? I feel I have the skill to do this myself but any tips would be appreciated. If you have a DIY vid for the VQ35HR I certainly would appreciate it. I realize it's a timing chain driven pump and what it's going to take but any pointers would help.
Just download the G35 service manual and follow the step by step instructions.
What's the story behind this? Your water pump is shot?
10-4 I lifted her up and can see the drip from the weep hole under the block. Pretty sure the seal is leaking inside. I have to fill her up about a gallon every three days.
Same thing happened to my 95 Maxima back in the day. Coolant leaking from weep hole. I'm sure the water pump was fine but the seals weren't. Replaced the water pump and put in a new timing chain tensioner. Not fun but certainly doable.
This is super concerning! Props to OP to have the confidence to knock it out. Can I ask what mileage you're at? I got the impression that this motor w/the timing chain etc was pretty much maintenance free beyond regular oil/filer changes, plugs every 105k miles, and regular upkeep within the average lifespan of the vehicle. That's what the service manual indicates too. Gosh dangit.
Last edited by DFWG35driver; 11-04-2013 at 02:39 PM.
Its not necessary to remove TC cover for water pump replacement.
TC has removable access covers for that very purpose.
rotate crankshaft counter clockwise to take slack out of chain.
Use 8mm bolts to jack pump out.
Replace Pump O rings and reinstall in reverse order.
Last edited by HotRodG35; 11-06-2013 at 11:06 AM.
Just throwing this out there but are we sure the timing cover doesn't need to come off on our V36 sedans with the vq35hr? It appears the previous posts are referring to the prior gen vq35de's. I wouldn't think they'd be much different but who knows.
engine design is similar, so I'm sure that procedure is quite the same. Engine does contain same amount of covers in the front.


text:
Big East coaches have named Providence College senior guard Vincent Council to the preseason All-Big East first team.
Council joins Cincinnati junior guard Sean Kilpatrick, Notre Dame senior forward Jack Cooley, Georgetown sophomore forward Otto Porter and Louisville junior center Gorgui Dieng on the first team.
Another Louisville player, senior guard Peyton Siva, was named preseason Player of the Year. Pittsburgh center Steven Adams was named preseason Rookie of the Year.
There were no Friars named to the all-conference second team, nor given honorable mention.


text:
The Temple of Augustus (Templum Augusti or Aedes Divus Augustus) was built by Tiberius (and maybe Livia) in honour of Augustus. Tiberius might not have finished it, or might not have dedicated it, in which case it was finished and/or dedicated by Gaius (Caligula). The remains of the temple are probably to be found under the modern buildings behind the Basilica Julia, but it has not been excavated.
Earlier the Temple of Augustus was identified with the Annex of Tiberius' Palace on the Vicus Tuscus, behind the Temple of Castor and Pollux and at the foot of the Palatine Hill. These buildings are from the period of Domitian, and have nothing to do with the Temple of Augustus, which probably stood just across the Vicus Tuscus.
This page is linked under the names "Aedes Augustus", "Temple of Augustus", "Templum Divi Augusti", "Templum Augusti" and "Aedes Divus Augustus".

industry_corpus2: Others


text: VIP Sitters is a one stop place for Everything Pets & Home. VIP Sitters is committed to providing our clients with peace of mind when employing our pet and home care specialists. As such our team undergoes a police clearance. VIP Sitters is fully bonded & insured and are trained & certified in first aid for pets. VIP Sitters a proud member in good standing with: IPATA (International Pet & Animal Transport Association, IATA (The International Air Transport Association), ATA (The Animal Transportation Association) and The BBB (the Better Business Bureau), and ACSP (Air Cargo Security Program, Transport Canada).


text:
Minister of Plantation Industries Naveen Dissanayake paid an observation visit to Pelwatte Dairy factory and inspected the milk powder production process there.
He was highly impressed about the productivity of workers and hygienic condition being maintained at the factory which coming under the purview of his ministry. .
Pelwatte Dairy Industries Limited (PDIL), will be setting up its second Dairy Factory in Kurunegala in June this year with an investment of Rs. 1.5 billion.
The company, with the use of the latest Denmark technology, was already operating a factory in Buttala.
“.Another factory will be opened in Kantale by end of 2019,” Chairman PDIL Ariyaseela Wickramanayake said.
Sri Lanka spends over US$ 400 million annually, to import more than 80,000 tons of milk powder and milk based products each year.
“Pelwatte Dairy through entirely local operation, supports 25,000 - 30,000 farmer families from whom milk is collected. over 150,000 - 200,000 litres of milk is collected per day and then churned in to butter, yoghurt, ice-cream, liquid and powdered milk”, he revealed.


text:
How to convert PDF to Excel ?
The PDF to Excel tool enables you to convert PDF files to Excel spreadsheets, with OCR support for scanned files.
Click "Browse" to open a file picker and select files from your computer. You can select many files at once or repeat multiple times.
Upload files from Google Drive or Dropbox by clicking on their respective icon in the upload area. You will need to authenticate with the corresponding cloud service and then select the files from the interface that pops up. You can select many files at once, or repeat multiple times.
Click "PDF to Excel" to perform the conversion.
You will then be redirected to the download page where you can download the Excel files once it has been processed. The file names refer to the original file name (origfile.XLS). Simply click on Download to download each file. Note that you need to be logged in with an account to be able to download files. If you do not have an account, you can sign up for one and download your file right away.

industry_corpus2: Computing & Telecommunications


text:
We have run a full suite of performance tests on the Standard 4GB 2 cores VPS plan of DigitalOcean.
Price and specifications for the Standard 4GB 2 cores plan.
Review and compare DigitalOcean - Standard 4GB 2 cores web performance with other cloud providers.
Review and compare all Sysbench numbers for the DigitalOcean - Standard 4GB 2 cores VPS plan.
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We have performed large file transfers from the DigitalOcean - Standard 4GB 2 cores VPS, both downloads and uploads and we measured the speed of the transfers.
Sign up using the following link and get $100 credit over 60 days.


text:
Working with Caitlin Gerres Photography on our first styled shoot together was SO much fun. I loved getting to take the inspiration of her family history, her branding colors, and a blanket that her grandmother made her for this gorgeous styled Woman’s Club of Portsmouth wedding inspiration. Be sure to see all the vendors involved at the bottom!
“When we decided to do a styled shoot this year to update our portfolio, I knew right away that I didn’t want to plan or style it on my own. One of my friends had hired Misty for a shoot, so she came highly recommended and I knew she would blow me away with her attention to detail and stylistic choices.
I loved that Misty and I worked together to pick out the main elements of the shoot, and she was always open to any input that I had. Misty completely understood the goals I had for the shoot and my desire for something classic that would fit well with my current portfolio while also being fresh enough for publication. Misty picked up and returned many of our shoot items, unloaded and set up everything, and helped me stay on schedule during the shoot. She took care of all the details so we could focus on shooting and maximize our time!


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Summer is coming to an end, and we’re beginning to feel that slight autumn chill in the air. A lot of things come to mind whenever you think of fall – apples, leaves falling from the trees, the school year beginning – but for us, one of our favorite things is Pumpkin! We know that a lot of our Torani fans love pumpkin just as much as we do, so we decided to come up with our five favorite pumpkin goodies to celebrate the season with! We hope you enjoy!
So let’s start counting down!
While our syrups are known best for making delicious handcrafted beverages, Torani can also be used in baking. Create a yummy treat with the warm spices of fall for you and your family to enjoy.
Preheat the oven to 350. Grease three 9x5x3 loaf pans, then dust them with flour. Set them aside.
Sift together flour, soda, salt and spices in a large bowl, then set them aside. In another large bowl, combine Torani, sugar and eggs, and beat until well-blended. Add pumpkin, vegetable oil and water and mix well. Add dry ingredients and stir until combined. Distribute the batter into the three pans evenly, then bake for about 50 minutes until golden brown.
A fizzy drink that is great for your Halloween parties – or any cocktail parties you’ll have during this time of year. The combination of the classic fall flavors of pumpkin, apples and cinnamon, along with that delicious surge of champagne, will make this an annual tradition to make those autumn evenings even more fun.
Take a champagne flute or martini glass and rim it with cane sugar. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir.
Who doesn’t love hot chocolate? We love it for sure, but adding a bit of Pumpkin Pie Syrup to it will push it over the top and make your taste buds dance a jig of glee. Cuddle up with this in your favorite mug and a good book, and you’ll have an evening in pumpkin heaven.
Steam milk and Torani together, or place them in a microwave. Pour into a tall glass and stir gently. Drink and enjoy!
How many of you have had pumpkin and caramel together? Raise your hands! Okay, so some of you have, but we’re sure some of you might think it’s a weird flavor combination. Trust us – the flavors in this drink will change your life!
Steam milks and Torani together. Pour into a tall glass and add the espresso. Drink while warm and enjoy!
Of course this would be our Number 1… Nearly everyone’s favorite Pumpkin drink, this is a classic that has become a part of many people’s lives this time of year, and you’ve never had it until you’ve had it with Torani. The warmth and sweetness of the Pumpkin Pie Sauce flowing into the silkiness of the milk is one of the best things you can do to your tastebuds.
Steam milk and Torani together. Pour steamed milk into mug and add espresso or coffee. Add whipped cream on top and drizzle more Torani on top. Have fun while sipping!
We sure hope that you go and try out some of these recipes. Autumn isn’t autumn without Pumpkin, and Pumpkin isn’t Pumpkin without Torani! Let us know what you think – we’d love to hear about your adventures with these and other wonderful Pumpkin recipes! Visit our Facebook page and leave a comment!


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AccuWeather: "No Way To Avoid Another Catastrophic Weather Event"
After "carving a path of destruction through the Caribbean," a path which left 90% of Barbuda "uninhabitable" and nearly a million people without power in Puerto Rico, a devastatingly massive Category-4 Hurricane Irma is rapidly closing in on Florida. As residents continue to evacuate ahead Irma's landfall this weekend, the founding meteorologist of AccuWeather says that another "catastrophic weather event" in the U.S. is inevitable and described Irma as the "worst single hurricane to hit Florida since Hurricane Andrew in 1992."
After blasting the northern Caribbean, deadly Hurricane Irma will turn toward the United States, unleashing destructive winds, flooding rain and dangerous seas across Florida starting on Saturday.
The current track of Irma will bring the most severe impacts to the eastern side of the state, including Miami, West Palm Beach, Melbourne, Daytona Beach and Jacksonville. However, with the forecast track now taking Irma right up the Florida Peninsula, hurricane-force winds will reach western parts of the state as well, including Tampa, Fort Myers and Sarasota.
"Impacts within the projected path of Irma include life-threatening wind, storm surge and flooding rainfall hazards," Kottlowski added.
"It's a monster hurricane out there -- it's bringing along with it something to be feared," Myers said, referring to the "extremely angry ocean" that Irma has been churning for so long.
"Any land within 185 miles of the Irma's center could see damage and any place within 50 to 60 miles of the center could experience catastrophic damage," Kottlowski said.
And, of course, panic hoarding has already set in and left store shelves empty across much of Florida.
Not surprisingly, the shuttered stores have resulted in massive gas lines with people reportedly waiting up to 90 mins for fule.
All of which should make for a fairly depressing weekend of storm watching.

industry_corpus2: Power & Energy


text:
And what will the Easter Bunny bring you?
Hubby likes a project, and the state of the kitchen has been getting him down, even more so since we replaced the fridge freezer in February.
It’s been on the cards for a few months and I’ve been squirreling away the money to replace the worktops, mixer tap and the bottom drawer and cupboard fronts since before Christmas. The wall cupboards are fine.
We have priced materials, agreeing to try and save a little by keeping the existing wall tiles (re-grouting where necessary) and also the one and a half bowl Leisure sink. Similar style replacements were so thin, you pressed it and your finger sank (not a typo).
Today Hubby made a phone call and the young lady promised to call him back with a price. Two 3 meter lengths of 38mm worktop will suffice for the job, and there will be enough left over for a ‘pan board’ so that I can lift hot pans off the stove and put them on that rather than run the risk of scorching the worktop.
I did that in my new house when I was first married. The worktops were marble effect and heat-resistant, not heat proof, so one very hot pan placed on it left a round scorch mark. We’d only been there about two months.
It is surprising just how much prices vary (£40 to £125), and in one DIY chain you can buy worktops in our size for £39 TRADE. For Joe Public, that same worktop shoots up to £85. As we only have a small car, we’ll need to have them delivered so that’s an additional cost, and the day of delivery will be the day we start as we have nowhere to store them.
By 9.30, we hadn’t received a phone call and decided to have a field trip. It was only 7 miles to the showroom, and we had a couple of other things to get too.
We were about ten minutes away when the phone rang, so we told her we’d be with her shortly.
We had a fair amount of choice, although she didn’t have 2 the same but could order them in. We’ve settled on a beech wood block effect, and they will arrive next week. Delivery is actually free as the bill will be over the minimum hundred pounds required.
From there we went to the garden centre.
Now that was an absolute riot…………….. not.
This entry was posted in budgets, current events, diary, DIY, My life, projects and tagged DIY, kitchen revamp. Bookmark the permalink.
6 Responses to And what will the Easter Bunny bring you?
Oh, what fun. I love when the place gets a makeover.

industry_corpus2: Real Estate & Construction


text:
The apec 3 stage water filtration system delivers clean filtered water at an affordable price. This complete 3-stage water filter system is made from high caliber components to offer long-lasting, reliable performance. The three premium quality filters lasts over 12 months for fewer filter change outs and high performance. Designed and built in the USA, the system provides a continuous on demand Supply of quality filtered water directly to your tap. • 1St stage: high-grade 10 inch high-capacity polypropylene sediment filter -removes dust, particles, and rust. 100% pure polypropylene depth filter with exceptional dirt-holding capacity translates to longer life and fewer change-outs than existing string-wound or resin-bonded filters. • 2Nd stage: premium extruded carbon block 10 inch -gets rid of unpleasant chlorine, tastes, odors, cloudiness and colors. Also removes VOCs and other common chemicals from the water. • 3RD stage: premium extruded carbon block 10 inch - further removes chlorine, tastes, odors, and other common chemicals from the water to provide great filtered water.
Super capacity filters guaranteeing to remove chemicals, taste and odors.


text:
Hi folks! I'm home from Las Vegas and carving out some time to write about my first time at this convention. There's a lot to write about. First off, a big thanks to Frontline Gaming and the Wargamers Consortium for hosting an event like this, I know it's a ton of work & planning. And a HUGE appreciation to my friends Clint & Yeji for letting me be their guest. They were wonderful, generous hosts and I had a great time hanging out with my friends in person!
Last Wednesday, after working long days at PAX South handling hundreds of people's brushes, I was feeling a little under the weather, but after lots of sleep and vitamins, I bounced back in time to pack for the Las Vegas Open. I opened my new TableWar case that my sister bought me for Christmas and started packing my miniatures carefully into the box. I did notice that one of the latches didn't stay closed and didn't line up correctly no matter how I tried to align it (see middle photo below).
At the convention, I asked Doug and Todd about it while stopping by the Tablewar vendor booth and they said it seems to be a manufacturing issue and they offered to exchange it for another model. I appreciated their excellent customer service and my new case fits together so much better! Flying with it was an easy experience– airport TSA didn't have any problems with this going through security and it fit perfectly under the plane seat so I could keep it by my side at all times.
Once I arrived in Las Vegas, I stepped off the plane to be bombarded with flashing lights and bright slot machines– it's almost as if the city is screaming at you to spend your money everywhere you look. The buildings are absolutely over-the-top (the Excalibur hotel is built like a castle) and I kept saying "Wow, what is that?" like a starry-eyed five year old as Clint & Yeji picked me up and drove me around for a quick tour of the city. They had places where you can pay to shoot machine guns in an enclosed area,and flashy advertisements for restaurants and show entertainment on every blinking billboard and street corner. This city is insane. Also, the food here is fabulous. More on that later.
The Las Vegas Open took place in Bally's Casino this year and the open ballroom hosted many tables for tournament games that included Dropzone Commander, Warhammer 40k and 30k, Malifaux, Infinity, X-Wing and more! On one side of the ballroom was a vendor hall that included reps from Tablewar, Privateer Press, Badger Airbrush Co, Games Workshop, Battlefoam to name a few. I finally broke down and purchased a Badger Airbrush Patriot 105 starter kit. I've never used an airbrush before, though I took Lovejoy's "Airbrushing 101" class at ReaperCon '15. As I push myself to be a more efficient painter, I need to use it for smooth priming and marking out interesting lighting effects on miniatures before I jump into my usual brushwork. I'm starting with the Patriot 105 since it's highly recommended for beginners. Aaron says "Too many people try to upgrade too quickly to the most expensive airbrushes. The Patriot airbrush is a workhorse and if you're having problems with it, it's not the airbrush, it's you." Good to know! I value learning from the ground up and I want to make sure I practice the basics before I advance to other techniques.
My favorite vendor at LVO was Zombiesmith. I bought many of their smaller scale miniatures, including some bunny mechs (yep, you heard me right!). I met David and Josh, both cool guys who have some great games, art, and quality minis to share. I hadn't heard of their company before LVO, and I'm glad I found them– maybe one day I'll branch out and play the game. Until then, I'll have some fun minaitures to paint up when I have the time!
LVO is largely a tournament-focused event, which means the main ballroom is less painter-friendly than other conventions you may have attended. Now when I say it wasn't painter-friendly, don't get me wrong– it wasn't unfriendly, there just weren't places to set up shop or areas to find the guest artists when they weren't teaching classes. For example, Jillian Walker, from Foxtail Studios, wanted to share some monochrome painting techniques at a table outside the ballroom close to where the classes were being held. However, Bally's security asked us to leave, and we finally managed to find an open table in the main room to sit and talk shop over the high noise level. Some conventions will have a place for the folks who are teaching lessons at tables with electricity run under them (for lamps, etc) so you can come up and ask them questions, get painting tips, and converse in between classes. I do hope LVO incorporates a few paint tables into their layout planning. Painters don't need much– maybe some tables against a wall with an electrical socket. We spent as much time as possible with the Wargamers Consortium folks, hovering around the table they had set up for the Draconic Awards. They're some cool folks and worked hard to accomodate and fairly judge the influx of competition entries this year. However, it just wasn't a good place to stay and chat since we mostly ended up getting in the way as people submitted their painting entries. Since we couldn't find a good place to comfortably land, we went exploring outside Bally's casino– Chinese New Year was happening the same weekend as the Super Bowl, so there were plenty of people to watch and things to see out on the town!
Here are some more photos of each of the classes!
It really was wonderful to meet some of the folks whose work I've been following online for quite some time as well as meeting the Wargamers Consortium crew. It was also a great experience for me to attend another convention (usually I can afford enough vacation time/travel expenses for one out-of-state con per year) and I was happy to be able to enter a few miniatures in their contest– the Draconic Awards. There were some amazing entries this year!
I'm grateful for my wonderful friends Clint & Yeji who made my stay awesome (I'll have to post more adventure/foodie pics in another post) and to the great artists and gamers who inspire me and support me in my painting journey. One day, I'd like to find the time to learn more about competitive tournaments (I'd probably start with Infinity) and expand my knowledge of the gameplay. In the meantime, I'm going to use this momentum to jump into some new projects and write more about PAX South from the week before last. I attended two conventions in two weeks– one as a rep and another as an attendee. Whew, I have a lot of catching up to do with both blogging and painting!