text:
Surveys has been an vital part of business strategies during the last a single. Marketing Newsletter remains relevant even today when customers and organizations a great deal more prefer to communicate and even interact in the computerized space. As an a few fact, market research is continuing to grow in importance in a digital age, as it adds up to significantly to the economic success of digital marketing marketing. When digital marketing campaigns are electrical power by indepth market research, it becomes easier find out the right target attendees. Market research also helps build longlasting relationships with customers by employing improved communications and relationships.
Leveraging bloggers and influencers: Market research can make identifyleading bloggers and influencers who could play a significant role in ensuring great results of digital marketing tasks. When bloggers and influencers talk in terms of a brand or product, which could more impact, as in comparison to posting something on their organization’swebsite or social marketing page. The perception related to authenticity and trust is definitely more when the majority people today that are talking positive with regards to a brand or product.Leveraging the blogosphere and influencers also gets multiplier effect, as all these folks have extremely fan following.
information will can be helpful digital marketers to open up appropriate communication routes with the group of people members. Identifying prefer digital platforms: Over paid campaigns in order to become successful, digital internet marketers have to choose the preferred digital device being used basically by customers. For example, some users could quite possibly frequent popular announcement portals, whereas a few may be participating in twitter. The parameters for an actual digital platform definitely reveals the associated with trust that members associate with the specific digital platform. To find example, some lovers tend to expect more in what exactly posted on twitter and may discounted rates things posted regarding Facebook.

industry_corpus2: Computing & Telecommunications


text: I've made over $600 so far selling off books (and a few DVDs/CD sets) on the Amazon used market. Way more than paid off Delicious Library and the barcode scanner. Woo-hoo!


text:
Stand out at your haloween party! We have wigs and make up that can add that extra touch of reality to your halloween costume.
Our selection of masks will scare your friends (they certainly scare us).
Let's Party is the largest retail party shop in Scotland. Based in Stirling we specialise in Party Supplies, Fancy dress and Balloons for all occasions! More plates, cups, napkins, table covers, invitations, balloons. ..In short. More of everything to make parties fun and memorable.
Let’s Party of Scotland carries a wide range of fancy dress to buy for both adults and children.
We have a wide range of room decorations to spice up your halloween party.
Whatever you are looking for, from Halloween Costumes, Superheroes Fancy Dress to Spongebob and even Borat Mankinis, lets party help you with all costume and fancy dress requirements.
We stock a wide range of latex balloons suitable for air fill and also decorator quality latex and foil balloons for filling with helium.

industry_corpus2: Others


text:
Home / Survival Items / VSSL Gear – Zombies!
You know I’ve never encountered a Zombie in the backwoods but then I’ve never encountered a squash either which doesn’t mean they don’t exist. The VSSL Zombie kit contains a flashlight with an SOS sequence, although if you are surrounded by Zombies in the backwoods who are you signalling… the moose. It also comes with a compass, a Zombie killing spike (very helpful) and a medical mask to protect yourself from Zombie germs. Good to have but pretty sure you’ll have no time to apply the mask.
also includes the medical mask.
If you know someone who is afraid of or who likes zombies – YOU NEED TO GET THIS FOR THEM!

industry_corpus2: Gaming


text:
"Perinatal events and motor performance of children born with ELBW and " by Asfarina Zanudin, Yvonne Burns et al.
Purpose: To explore the relationship between perinatal variables and motor performance in children who were born with extremely low birth weight (ELBW) and were nondisabled at 1 and 4 years. Methods: Children without neurological or cognitive impairment (n = 48) born weighing less than 1000 g between 1992 and 1994 were assessed at 1 and 4 years corrected age using the Neurosensory Motor Developmental Assessment (NSMDA). Scores were used to categorize motor performance as normal or abnormal. Results: Chronic lung disease (CLD) of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and patent ductus arteriosus were associated with NSMDA category at 1 year. Chronic lung disease, male gender, and NEC were associated with NSMDA category at 4 years. Multiple regression analyses revealed that CLD and NEC were independently associated with abnormal motor outcomes at 1 year. Conclusions: Early assessment and motor therapy is recommended for infants with CLD, because of its effect on motor performance in this otherwise healthy group of children born with ELBW.

industry_corpus2: Health & Medicine


text:
Two months ago I attended to a private session at the Remix 07 where we had the opportunity to talk with some of the speakers of the event.
At a certain point one of the attendees asked to Arturo Toledo why Outlook Express was blocking images sent with html formatted mails and what was Microsoft doing to fix it. Everybody knows that probably all email clients prevent the download of images until you authorize it, this is a common sense behavior for security reasons. In any case, this guy was a bit angry because the business of his company was to create this kind of mailings and due to that, the effort of their designers was totally wasted and normally limited to insert a link to a web page with the contents of the mail.
Of course, Arturo Toledo and the rest of attendees were disconcerted, he didn’t know what to answer (we were talking about Expression products and when they would allow integration with Team Foundation Server), actually I think nobody paid too much attention to the question since the subject of the session was radically different and probably everybody prefers to download images after one click than having more SPAM (if that’s possible).
The thing is that today I remembered this question, therefore I’ve been reading a bit the MSDN to see if I could find something about it and this is what I’ve found.
It’s clear that with .NET you can send html mails very easy, basically because you only need to set an extra property: MailMessage.IsBodyHtml = true and set the MailMessage.Body property with the html you want to send. Next you can see an example about how to send an HTML mail.
The problem with the code above is what the other guy said, the external links to images are blocked and to view them it’s necessary to click to download. To solve this we have another option: embed the images as a resources. To do it you need to work with the class AlternateView and LinkedResource. This provide us a way not only to embed the images but to create different views depending i.e. if the client supports html mails or not. If you do it in this way the images will be sent together with the mail, so it’s obvious that the size of the mail will be increased, but at least you will be able to show the images as you expected without compromise security, at least not in the same way as before. Next you can see a sample about how to do it.
8: // Add the image from a local file.
I don’t know if this could be the best solution for those guys, but at least it would be a workaround.


text:
Miller Oslo single hook manufactured from solid brass with a striking nickel finish. This Oslo single hook benefits from Miller's full-fix fitting system which prevents the accessory from twisting after installation and comes with Miller's 10 Guarantee. This single hook can be fixed to wall with screws provided or without drilling using Miller's fixing adhesive availabe to purchase separately.
Free Delivery with this double hook usually 3-5 working days.

industry_corpus2: Manufacturing


text:
During yesterday’s Q3 2018 financial call, CD Projekt RED CEO Adam Kiciński talked about Cyberpunk 2077. The English transcript, available now at this address, shows him mentioning the great interest in Cyberpunk 2077 registered by the trailers released this year. In fact, according to him, it’s ‘many times’ greater than The Witcher by the same metric.
We are comparing apples and apples here: you are witnessing the activity on our own YouTube channel in the first four post-release weeks. The six yellow bars on the left represent six of our most popular videos promoting The Witcher 3, published between the game’s announcement and ultimate release. The two bluish bars on the right correspond to the two initial – well, maybe not initial since the first-ever Cyberpunk 2077 trailer was released some years ago – but this year we released two new trailers showcasing our upcoming release. The first of those appeared at the end of the second quarter, while the 48-minute gameplay trailer was released this August. As you can see, interest in Cyberpunk 2077, or at least in its trailers, is many times greater than in the case of The Witcher.
Of course I do not encourage you to draw far-reaching conclusions; however at this early stage of the campaign the most important question from our perspective was whether Cyberpunk – the new IP we’re introducing to the market – will take hold, whether it will be as well received as we would expect, at least in terms of attracting gamer interest. These viewership figures answer our initial question in the positive: gamers are indeed interested in Cyberpunk 2077 and are eagerly awaiting its release. Of course, the bulk of the campaign still lies ahead. This is merely the beginning; the game has to be completed and there’s a lot of development work in store. We are, however, convinced, that this product has the potential to meet our expectations.
In the Q&A section of the call, Kiciński also addressed the Gamescom 2018 news that the campaign was fully playable even back then. It was true, it turns out, though as expected a large part of the game wasn’t as detailed as the one showcased by the Polish studio. Overall, Kiciński said that the development is progressing fast, according to plan, although there will be the ‘hugely important’ phase of polishing at the end and they’re making sure to set aside time for it.
We are fleshing out the game world. The comment regarding the game ’s campaign, yes, it was true at the time it appeared, however not all of the game looked like the fragments showcased at E3 and gamescom; a large part was not quite as detailed. We are filling the world with content and tweaking things, and this involves a great deal of hard work on the part of developers. What I can say today is that we’re progressing fast and according to plan. When we finish, there’s also the hugely important phase of polishing all that game content. There was a question about the quality of the game we plan to deliver at launch and our intention is to deliver something of great quality. Once the game is complete, we can begin to patch various bugs, both major and minor, and we are setting aside time to complete this process.
Lastly, Kiciński was asked about the recent success enjoyed by Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2. He replied that CDPR strives to make games as refined as Red Dead Redemption 2 and they are happy to see excellent games doing well on the market.


text:
Essence of Joy, which has about 75 members, is an auditioned choir of undergraduate and graduate students at Penn State. The choir has performed throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland as well as in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Chicago, among other cities. The group has also toured in Poland, the Czech Republic and South Africa, and has released five compact disc recordings. Essence 2, which has been around for 13 years, is a community-based choir of about 130 singers from middle school through adult years who gather during the fall semester to prepare for performances at the end of the season. Both choirs are directed by Anthony Leach, a professor of music and music education at Penn State.
“Since Essence 2 always presents its annual concert in December and Essence of Joy does a holiday concert in December, it was pretty easy to combine the performing forces,” he said.
Jo Lash, a WPSU volunteer and chairperson of “Winterfest ’11” who performs in Essence 2, said while the two choirs perform a variety of musical styles from African and black cultures, they focus on spiritual and gospel music that is rooted in Christianity. While performing around the world, she said, even in mostly nonreligious countries such as Japan, Essence of Joy has often moved audience members to tears.
In light of the national media attention directed at Penn State in recent weeks, Lash said, a town/gown effort such as “Winterfest” should provide a sense of unity and comfort.
“It will just be a healing time, hopefully putting some hope back in our lives,” she said.
"Winterfest '11: Our Gift in Song" will be held at 7:15 p.m. Dec. 10 at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, 215 Innovation Blvd., State College. Visit http://wpsu.org.winterfest for more information.

industry_corpus2: Subject Education


text:
Peakhurst: Unit 16, 53 Lorraine Street Peakhurst, Open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm OR Chatswood: (Chatswood Chase Shopping Centre, Shop G-055, 345 Victoria Ave Chatswood. OPENS 29th Jan 2019!).
Operating as Inada Massage Chairs official agents in Australia, we have been providing happy customers with a solution to daily stresses from our Sydney showroom since 2012 and Inada Japan has been making the world famous massage chairs since 1962!
Visit us in one of our luxury showrooms - Sydney locations and operating hours below.
You can find our complete range online or visit our new store at ARTARMON HQ HOMEMAKER CENTRE (open 7 days!), or visit our head office showroom show room in Peakhurst Sydney from Monday - Saturday 9am-5pm. Inada Massage chairs provide the highest level of comfort, in a style that complements even the most elegant home. Speak to one of our team 02 8307 0878.
Find us in our Sydney Store.
Find us at one of our two locations in Sydney to experience an Inada Massage Chair. Japanese ingenuity, elegance & luxury...when only the best will do!
Phone: 02 8307 0878. Plenty of parking!
Chatswood Chase Shopping Centre - Shop G-055, 345 Victoria Avenue Chatswood.
9.30am-9pm Thursday's; 9am-5pm Saturday's, 10am-5pm Sunday's. Closed Friday 19/4/19. Closed Sunday 21/4/19. Open all other days. Open Anzac Day (25/4/19) from 1pm - 9pm.


text:
This model simulates the spontaneous decay of a collection of radioactive nuclei. As they decay and become stable, the plot of the number that are still radioactive demonstrates the notion of "half-life".
At each time tick, each undecayed (light blue) nucleus has a certain chance of decaying. When a nucleus decays, it briefly flashes bright yellow (as if giving off radiation), then turns dark blue. Eventually, if you wait long enough, all of the nuclei will have decayed and the model will stop.
Set the initial number of nuclei (NUMBER-NUCLEI slider) and the likelihood of decay during each time interval (DECAY-CHANCE slider). Then push the SETUP button. Push the GO button to run the model.
The number of radioactive nuclei that remain is shown in the "Radioactive Nuclei" plot. Each time the number of nuclei is reduced by half, red and green lines appear on the plot to mark the place where each halfway mark was reached. The "Decay Rate" plot shows the number of decays that occur during each clock tick.
What is the shape of the decay curve (Radioactive Nuclei)? How is this affected by the initial conditions?
Why is the decay curve this shape? Is it the same as the decay curve shown in books?
The time between red lines is called the half-life. What is its physical meaning? Is it constant as the number of nuclei decreases? Is it affected by the initial number of nuclei or the decay-chance? Do you think it's a useful way to characterize a radioactive material?
How long does it take for all the nuclei to decay?
Watch one nucleus carefully. When will it decay?
Radioactivity depends on the number of decays per unit time (Decay Rate), because each decay event gives off radiation. What happens to the radioactivity of this sample over time? What is the shape of the decay rate curve? How is it related to the shape of the decay curve?
Why are these two equations so similar?
Try the extremes of the initial conditions: many or few nuclei, high or low decay-chance. How does this affect the "jaggedness" of the decay rate plot?
What does the plot do when very few nuclei are left?
What instructions would you give each turtle be to make it behave like an unstable nucleus? Check the code in the Code tab and see if it's what you thought it should be.
Carbon-14 dating involves comparing the ratio of a stable (C-12) to an unstable (C-14) nucleus. Explain that method in terms of this model.
It is often the case in nature that two nuclei with different decay rates are present in the same sample. Modify this model to have two or more types of nuclei. What happens to the radiation curve?
Wilensky, U. (1997). NetLogo Decay model. http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/models/Decay. Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.

industry_corpus2: Technology & Research


text:
2) Your non-refundable registration and placement fee of $350 or £200 are due at the time of registration with the balance due 21 days before the summer program starts. This registration fee is part of the total fee. The fee is valid for one time registration only and cannot be used for a postponed or future registration nor can it be used for another individual.
3) Once the registration together with the registration fee payment have been received, we will send you a Letter Of Offer and receipt of payment. If you require a visa to enter the country you must present this letter to your nearest Embassy or Consulate with your visa application package.
4) Sol Camps reserves the right to change the price and conditions without prior notice.


text:
LC Sarajevo izsludina savu ikgadējo, nu jau 5-to eMovie Academy Semināru, kas solās būt vēl grandiozāks!
Šis Seminārs piedāvā visu ap un par aktiermākslu, producēšanu, Holivudu, filmām un daudz ko citu, kas ir tieši saistīts ar kino industriju. Šī Semināra laikā būs iespēja iemācīties ne vien par filmu veidošanu, bet arī lieliski pavadīt laiku EESTEC garā!
If you’ve always loved Hollywood, movies and spotlights this is the right event for you. During this workshop you’ll have the opportunity to learn everything you wanted to know about acting, producing, editing movies and much more.
LC Sarajevo is proud to present to you its 5th eMovie Academy and it will surely be more fun than ever! We’re offering you a week of learning a lot about filmmaking but also a great week of red carpets and most importantly EESTEC Spirit. You are all invited to join us in Sarajevo from 12th to 19th August for the best week of your lives.
The academic part will contain lectures and workshops about all the elements of filmmaking using the latest technologies and you’ll be working on professional softwares which you will use to make your own movies as part of the workshop.
But that is hardly the end of it, during the period from 12th to 20th August Sarajevo will host its 22nd Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF) which brings together both international and local celebrities from the industry to enjoy a week of great movies and bring them closer to their fans. The Festival has been visited by many Hollywood actors and actresses like Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Daniel Craig and Kevin Spacey and you shouldn’t miss the chance to visit Sarajevo at its best and brightest moment during the whole year!
Don’t miss your chance to apply because we guarantee you a week of unforgettable memories.
Ja vēlies pieteikties, raksti [email protected]!
They don’t care how much you know till they know how much you care.

industry_corpus2: Film & Entertainment


text:
I went to Gaborone Autoworld looking for a brand new Isuzu KB300 automatic. They quoted me P250,868 and gave me an invoice which stated that the delivery time was 2 weeks.
I applied for a bank loan and the bank approved P120,868. GA said they would place an order immediately if I paid the difference as a deposit, which I made by bank certified cheque for P130,000.
Three weeks later there was still no car and no word from GA. I went to inquire and was told the car would only come in the 1st week of March.
I was then told that the price had gone up by 7%. I found the accountant and complained I was losing a lot of money in interest while my money sat in their account. He emailed me an acknowledgement and the new price claiming he had taken into account the 2 months interest.
A few days later they called me to say they had made a refund check for P130,000, which I was to collect because they were no longer providing the car.
Where do I stand as a consumer? Please help.
This is very unfortunate. They let you down and you deserve better. However what matters most is any contract you might have signed. Check to see whether it says anything about price fluctuations or whether it guarantees you a vehicle at the price you agreed. Don’t be too optimistic, it almost certainly doesn’t offer you any protection.
However, you can understand why they would have cancelled your purchase if they could no longer afford to sell you the vehicle. If the price they were paying to buy the car went up so that it was very close to, or even exceeded the P250,868 they had agreed with you they wouldn’t have made any money from the sale.
I don’t have much hope that you’ll get your lost interest back. Yes, I understand that you could have earned a small amount of interest if you had kept your money in the bank but I suspect you would have great difficulty in getting them to pay you anything.
I think you might have more luck in getting any bank fees back from them. If you incurred any costs in getting the bank loan or the bank guaranteed cheque you might be entitled to claim back from them. It’s worth writing them a stern letter discussing their breach of contract and their failure to keep you updated.
Meanwhile I suggest that you examine any agreements you had with them and see what it says. Please feel free to fax a copy to us and we’ll take a look as well.
We’ve said this all before but here are some of the key tips when looking for a new car. Check our web site for the full tips.
Remember that adverts aren’t there to provide facts, they are there to persuade you to buy a product. So don’t believe all you see. Of course the law prevents them from actually lying but they WILL manipulate your feelings and expectations. While writing this article I leafed through a glossy magazine and found two full-page advertisements for smart cars. Each showed a top of the range model but the price displayed was in fact for a much lower specification model. Of course the small print explained this but by that stage you are committed to the higher price one and you’re going to be disappointed when you get to the showroom and see what the lower price will buy you.
Don’t rush. Before you first set foot in a car showroom recognise that this is going to take a few weeks. Be firm and do not allow yourself to buy impulsively.
We live in a small community. We don’t have several BMW, Volvo, Toyota and Peugeot distributors so you can’t get them to bid competitively for the same model. However you CAN get BMW to quote you for a 3 series against a Peugeot 4 series. You can get Toyota to compete to sell you a Landcruiser Prado against a Volvo XC90. Make them fight for your business. Tell them what the others are offering and see what they can offer you.
Very few of us can afford to buy a new car for cash. Most of us need a car loan. DO NOT automatically get a loan from the company who is selling you the car. Shop around. Get the various lenders to bid competitively. Get a quote from your bank and then show it to a second bank. Take the second bid and show it to the first bank AND a third bank. Keep going until one of them gives you a very good deal.
There is nothing that terrifies a salesman in a car showroom more than a customer who is walking away. Tell them what you want and if they offer anything different then walk out. If they let you get through the door then they weren’t for you anyway. Chances are they’ll stop you leaving with a better offer.
Don’t rush. They’ll tempt you with offers that “are only valid today”. Call their bluff. Walk away and see if the deal is extended until tomorrow or the end of the week.

industry_corpus2: Automobiles


text:
Joe grew up in Lawrence, KS and later followed his family tradition to attend K-State. Joe graduated with a degree in Computer Science in May 2017. After spending most of his life in college towns, Joe decided to move east with his girlfriend Nicole and start his software engineering career in KC. Joe enjoys cooking, exploring his new downtown home, and spending time with family and friends.
Joe writes code and fixes pugs (er, bugs) for the storEDGE technology platform.
Fried chicken and waffles at Bourbon and Baker in Manhattan, KS.
Name three things you can't live without.
The Food Network, my computer, and pictures of pugs.
Fully upgrading my house in Animal Crossing for GameCube.


text:
Nikos Nikolopoulos takes you through his creative process of selecting the right time of day for your exterior project. He makes this process simple by combining the Creative Lighting Philosophy with the very best lighting solutions and unique workflows that Corona Renderer has to offer.
Tuesday, December 18 2018, 11:00 - 13:15 [UTC/GMT +2 hours] See in your local time.
Tuesday, December 18 2018, 17:00 - 19:15 [UTC/GMT +2 hours] See in your local time.


text: Order online for delivery and takeout: 49. Chicken Chop Suey from China Wok - Clearwater. Serving the best Chinese in Clearwater, FL.

industry_corpus2: Hospitality & Catering


text:
KC is a legal nurse consultant in the firm’s tort and insurance defense practice and joined Frost Brown Todd in 2009. With over 22 years of experience in the legal industry, she has been devoted to both the plaintiff and defense aspects of litigation with the majority of her focus on medical malpractice, personal injury and product liability matters.
She has been involved in almost every medical aspect of a case from the initial phone call up through trial. She also has vast experience managing medical record review, analysis and requests; expert witness selection and collaboration; discovery document preparation and production; deposition witness preparation; preparation of trial exhibits; and preparing for and attending depositions, mediations, and trials.
Prior to her medical legal career, KC worked as a critical care nurse in ICU / CCU, post anesthesia care unit, and the same day surgery unit.
Co - Author: “Effective Preparation of the Expert Witness for Deposition,” The Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting Vol 19 (4) Fall 2008 p 26-29.

industry_corpus2: Law & Justice


text:
“Your Higher Mental Body, Precious Ones, which knows the Perfection of the “Presence” and knows your needs, will answer your every Call, and does answer it. But watch out that in your feeling world there is not a lurking doubt which is obstructing the way – or the feeling of your inability to call your “Presence” into Action!
It only requires your earnest sincere Call! Keep it up, until you have the Power of your “Presence” acting everywhere. There is nothing in the world to stop It! It knows no resistance or interference, and you shall have the Power and the Freedom which It holds for you.
Please accept this tonight, and let every one of you go forth from this room filled with the Electrifying Consciousness and Acceptance of your “Mighty I AM Presence” – your Treasure House – releasing from this moment all the money you require through the Power of Divine Love, whether it be direct or through channels, to supply you and give you the happiness and comfort which you require to render the Service which your Heart desires.
There is only one obstruction to the Perfection which the “Presence” holds and that is in your feeling world.
What could stand before that Great and Mighty “Presence”, the Governor of the Universe?


text:
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced that for the first four months of 2010, the staff of the Mortgagee Review Board (MRB) will exercise restraint in enforcing new regulatory requirements under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), due to take full effect on January 1. The MRB instructed its staff to exercise such restraint in considering an action against FHA-approved lenders who have demonstrated that they are making a good faith effort to comply with RESPA’s new requirements.
In addition, HUD is asking other federal and relevant state enforcement agencies to exercise the same 120-day restraint in enforcement for non-FHA originators and other settlement service providers who demonstrate the good faith effort to implement RESPA’s new rules. In determining whether a mortgagee has made a good faith effort, MRB staff will consider whether the mortgagee has relied on the new RESPA rule and other written guidance issued by the Department, and the extent to which the mortgagee has made sufficient investment and commitment in technology, training, and quality control designed to comply with the new rule.
On January 1, 2010, HUD will require that lenders and mortgage brokers provide consumers with a standard Good Faith Estimate (GFE) that clearly discloses key loan terms and closing costs. Closing agents will also be required to provide borrowers a new HUD-1 Settlement Statement that clearly compares consumers’ final and estimated costs. The new RESPA rule became effective on January 16, 2009, but provided a one-year transition period for the mortgage industry to incorporate these changes. HUD will continue to work with the mortgage industry during this period, including providing a comprehensive set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on its website.

industry_corpus2: Real Estate & Construction


text:
The inspiration for this stew was simple. It was 20 degrees outside and farm chores were not going well. I spoke too soon in my last post when I mentioned how the sun was finally shining and all of the snow had melted. Ironically, it snowed again last night and it’s freezing here again. Needless to say, I was getting extremely cranky in the cold fields when I desperately struck a deal with Taylor. The deal was if I could bail on the rest of the days chores Taylor would finish up outside work while I prepared dinner and did all of the dishes (he normally does dishes since I typically cook). He immediately agreed (we shook hands) and before I knew it I was back in the warmth of my kitchen standing in front of my stove stirring a big pot of stew. It’s hard to believe only a few short months ago it was in the 90’s and we were dreaming of this cold and slow season at the farm. Now I’m wishing we were back to the hot sweaty days of August. I guess the grass really is greener on the other side!
The good news is that we’re still eating our way through Tumbleweed produce and this soup really hit the spot. This is the kind of weeknight meal that is easy to prepare and tastes even better heated up for lunch the following day. The warming moroccan spices are pure comfort and this is definitely a meal to enjoy when the weather is cold and miserable.
I hope you all enjoy this simple stew as much as we do. Grab your biggest soup spoon and cozy up with a bowl of this tonight. Enjoy!
In a large soup pot heat the coconut oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté until it begins to soften up-about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, cumin, coriander, cayenne, and cinnamon. Cook for about 2 minutes or until the mixture is vary fragrant.
Add the carrots, raisins, tomatoes and 4 cups of the vegetable stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer the soup until the carrots are tender. About 30 minutes.
Stir in the cooked chickpeas, parsley, salt and pepper. If the soup is too thick add a little more stock. Taste test and adjust seasonings if needed.
Serve warm with a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
*Use this recipe as a guide. *Adjust measurements and ingredients as necessary. *Taste test as you go. *Have fun in the kitchen and switch things up to suite you personal preference.
Yum! Now I know what I’m making for lunch today! This also reminds me of the stew down at pfriem – though I think they add quinoa which would be good in this one too!
This carrot and chickpea soup looks so hearty, comforting and delicious. Love how simple the recipe is especially – perfect for me to make for dinner tonight!
Your farm is so pretty! And this soup looks like the perfect winter evening meal.
Update: I did not make this last week as I said I would…. but I AM eating it RIGHT NOW. (I don’t own any coriander, so its a slight variation). Warm, wintery, and WONDERFUL– Totally hits the spot! Now if only it would snow in Denver so it could feel like the Holidays outside as much as it does in my kitchen….
Made this tonight and it was AMAZING! Such wonderful flavor- added a little sour cream and cilantro on top for an extra treat:) Thank you for the recipe- can’t wait to try out some more!
I’m so happy you loved it as much as we do! Your additions sound wonderful.

industry_corpus2: Agriculture & Fisheries


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Coletta, M; (2012) Cultural transactions between Europe and Spanish America: Fin-de-Siècle debates on the concept of degeneration. Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London).
This thesis addresses the self-perception and self-representation of Spanish America as being modern through an analysis of the 'discourse of degeneration' between the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. My case studies are Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. I analyze the ways in which different groups of intellectuals, often from within the political elites, contributed to the creation of social and cultural representations of the concept of degeneration in order to forge a new paradigm of Spanish America as being modern. The overarching theme that I engage with is the relationship between civilization and degeneration against the backdrop of the more general theory of modernity. Even in the European context, from which most theories are drawn, the highly ambiguous relationship between progress and decadence, whereby the former was often perceived as engendering the latter, forces one to reframe any dichotomic approaches. This ambiguity, I argue, becomes all the more evident in the context of Latin America, where cultural modernism foreshadowed economic modernization. Each of the four chapters deals with a specific theme. The notion of the decadence of the 'Latin race' is addressed in chapter 1 in relation to representations of the immigrant, while chapter 2 looks at the rhetorical incorporation of the 'internal other' to further reinforce modernity discourses in the region. In chapter 3 I analyze the debate around education as a regenerationist force. Finally, the last chapter explores the impact of ideas of degenerate art in the region and the role of arielismo in favouring the development of a new aesthetic project that challenged the late-nineteenth-century 'poetics of decadence'. A new idea of Latin America was thus based on the centrality of the notion of 'culture', which would remain essential to identity discourses for most of the twentieth century.


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This visa is issued to applicant who is going to Indonesia for a social/cultural visit, for example, visiting relatives or friends who live in Indonesia; visiting social organizations with the same type of activities; for exchange visits between educational institutions, carrying out research, and attending training program in Indonesia. Social-culture visa holder is not allowed to receive any salary from the visit one does. You have to apply before your arrival in Bali at the Indonesian embassy in your home country, to be able to volunteer or do an internship legally; you do need the Social-Culture Visa. Any other visa type is not sufficient.
Time of application: 2-3 weeks. The visa application process takes some time and due to other reasons (Indonesian holidays or strike of post employees for example) the process can be delayed. Therefore, we recommend starting the application process the latest around 4 weeks prior your arrival in Indonesia.
This guideline helps you through the visa application. However, we highly suggest you to re check the information and visit the Indonesian Embassy’s website of your capital or call them directly.


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The Sole Spa is one of Swindon’s newest highlights for pedicure and manicures, with the new trendy treatment using Garra Rufa fish. The spa is situated close to Swindon town centre, in a quiet location, with perfect access from the M4.
The Spa has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with a very relaxed feel as you enter. If you are into new and exciting things to try, then read on about our time spent at the Sole Spa.
Two main treatments of either 15 minutes or 30 minutes.
We tried the 30 minute foot treatment for our first visit, as recommended by the spa’s owner Alex. On arrival at the Sole Spa, you are offered a seat on the comfortable sofas in the reception area and then fill out a basic medical questionnaire. The room is open plan, so you are able to watch other clients having their pedicure or manicure whilst waiting your turn.
After slipping on a pair of lightweight slippers, you are shown to the footbath, which cleans of any dirt/dust from your feet before treatment. Once cleaned, you are taken to your own personal fish tank containing the wonderful Garra Rufa carp.
As you lower your feet into each tank of water, the fish immediately swim to you and start to work their magic. The experience varies from person to person, however the feeling is not unpleasant and can be compared to a tingling sensation or similar to bubbles from a foot spa.
The Garra Rufa fish will gently “kiss” your feet with their suction cupped mouths to remove dry and damaged skin. These little fish also remove dirt and provide a deep cleansing treatment to the skin.
It is quite mesmerising to watch the treatment happen and as there are normally other treatments taking place at the same time, it’s great fun chatting to other people at the same time. By moving your feet into different positions in the tank, you are able to control where you wish the fish to do their magic – toes out of the water and the fish will work on your heels; spread your toes apart and they will concentrate in the nooks and crannies; lower your legs in deeper and they will swim onto the lower leg area.
After your treatment, you are given a lovely foot massage with a natural hemp moisturiser and then you can relax on the sofas once again before leaving.
This treatment is beneficial for everyone, however is very suited to those who suffer from dry or hard skin through to eczema and psoriasis.
As the Sole Spa is open plan then booking your hen party or pamper party here is ideal – so why not try the latest trend in the health & beauty market. We highly recommend it and will be going back for more!


text: Advanced multi-layer technology makes the all new J5V Advance the softest, best handling football ever made. 30 percent softer than traditional footballs, it is the only football featuring a foam-backing between its leather cover and water resistant lining. Making the J5V Advance the softest, best handling football in coldest and wettest conditions.

industry_corpus2: Sports


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TobyDeals.co.uk is an online store for photographic and electronic products. Among their products can be found: cameras, camcorders, lenses, flashes, lens accessories, cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, activity trackers and many more.
With this offer from TobyDeals.co.uk you will save up to 30% on SIM free mobiles.
Use this Toby Deals offer and enjoy free shipping on all UK and Irish orders above £50.


text: Our client was owed approximately $135,000 by one of its customers who, before we were retained, had been making one excuse after another for non-payment. Once we became involved, our client’s customer almost immediately committed to a payment plan and paid the balance in full within 45 days. This was accomplished without the filing of a lawsuit.

industry_corpus2: Finance & Economics


text: Dr. Jeffrey Woolf is lecturer in the Department of Talmud and maggid shiur in the Jesselson Institute of Higher Torah Studies at Bar Ilan University. He has a PhD in Medieval Jewish History and the History of Halachah from Harvard University, and ordination from both Rav Gedalia Felder, the late Av Bet Din of Toronto, and RIETS, an affiliate of Yeshiva University. Dr. Woolf has many other academic distinctions to his credit, including a postdoctoral fellowship and lectureship in the Department of Religion at Yale University. An activist in the modern Orthodox community, he is a founder of the Orthodox Roundtable rabbinic think tank, a former coordinator of the Orthodox Caucus, and one of the initiators of the Israeli Kenes Lavi (Lavi Conference) on Modern Orthodoxy.


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Patrick Dempsey is best known for his former role as neurosurgeon Derek ‘McDreamy’ Shepherd in Grey’s Anatomy. Less well known is the US actor’s passion for Porsches, both as a collector of road cars, and as a Le Mans racer and co-owner of Dempsey-Proton Racing – he’s a modern-day Paul Newman.
Now 53, Dempsey regrets not racing until his 30s, when he underwent a course at the Panoz Racing School before contesting the 2009 Le Mans in a Ferrari F430, placing 30th overall. Things stepped up a gear in 2013 ahead of a GT campaign in the World Endurance Championship.
A podium at Le Mans was the ultimate goal. Fourth place in 2013 brought Dempsey and his co-drivers tantalisingly close, and they returned to achieve the dream with second-in-class in 2015. The greatest success, however, came at the 6 Hours of Fuji, where Dempsey, Long and Marco Seefried won GTE Am.
“It was like winning the championship!” remembers Dempsey.
Achieving this goal also prompted him to step away from driving duties.
“I thought to myself ‘how much faster can I get; what’s realistic?’ But I also wanted to stay in motorsport and being a team owner is absolutely as satisfying.
Indeed, Andlauer won GTE-Am at Le Mans 2018, alongside Aussie factory Porsche talent Matt Campbell.
But it’s Porsche’s first car, the 356, that was Dempsey’s “first significant purchase”, and likely his next.


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NEWS ACCOUNTS of seniors seeking to recapture a touch of youth by much bodily exertion seem to be on the increase. Awhile back, George H.W. Bush parachuted down; John Glenn rocketed up. But efforts at sports, some strenuous, predominate. Breathless paeans to ancient tennis leapers and scramblers appear, chronicling their geriatric joy of the game.
I've dabbled at that net sport awhile; the '30s, after all, were not yesterday.
It is with good reason that in the slightly refurbished lobby of the Twin Lakes Racquet Club I am known as "The Human Backboard." Invariably, the tones are appropriately hushed, for I am uncomfortable with praise, and this is respected.
If approached with requisite confidence, I patiently explain that my game is based on politeness. Should an opponent be good enough to hit a ball to me, I display the courtesy to hit it back ... time after time ... over the net ... in the court. He'll err. But this virtue masks the real secret of my game.
Despite the giddy claims of old timers, there are limits to what aging bodies can achieve. But lesser restraints exist on the mental mischief that a keen mind unfettered by ethics can bring to a court. For one trained by years of coaxing signatures onto bottom lines of aluminum siding contracts, this is the real challenge; the sufficiently unscrupulous might read on for valuable tips.
For starters, observe the faces of tennis elders as they approach the barn. All is eager anticipation. Totter in, throw on shorts and sneakers and let the games begin.
Consider the locker room. Position yourself within earshot of one of your day's opponents (the older, the closer). A shill, if the price be modest, is worth employing. In my world, Ed -- octogenarian, beatific countenance, former altar boy -- is perfect. More, he's cheap.
"What," he may ask me, apropos of nothing, "is the capital of Vermont?"
"Montpelier," comes my reply, with no discernible hesitation.
A sideways glance at the soon-to-be adversary reveals dawning respect.
"Lucky," Ed sniffs. "How about baseball? Best career batting average?"
"Ty Cobb, of course -- .367."
"And who's third on that list?"
"The ill-fated Shoeless Joe Jackson, at .356."
All this delivered evenly, with no hint of smirk. The superiority seed has been planted. A guy this smart, the targeted victim begins to reason, might soon be equally clever at the net.
On then, to the warm-up session, where reverse psychology is applied.
Traditionally, the weakest weapon in the average hacker's arsenal is the backhand. Not many possess cannon-like accuracy with this unnatural stroke. Pure luck, then, that I am among the fortunate few.
But, in practice, I scuttle away from such shots, thus lulling the prey into hitting there once the chips are down. The confusion apparent when winning balls are hit is amusing to see. Many an early lead results.
Calling point scores and spots where opponents' shots supposedly land are fertile fields for obfuscation. Once passing three score and 10, keeping track of the day, much less the score, is a sometime thing. For example, if losing love-40 on serve, a valuable gambit is to announce that the count is 40-love.
This transparent attempt is laughed off, but it sets the stage for the soon-to-follow, subtle reversal of 30-40 to 40-30.
Rivals on a roll? Slow momentum by careful retying of already secure shoelaces.
Does fickle luck continue to bless them? Huddle with your partner, lips shielded as in a baseball mound meeting, This conveys the unsettling impression of a new surefire stratagem rather than the stall it is.
And, finally, the proper way to invalidate an opponent's winner: Be swift, matter-of-fact. Betray neither emotion nor any willingness to change the call. Innocently raise your hand, thumb and forefinger aloft about an inch apart.
This tells all. Very close, but that ball was out. Serve 'em up.
Milton Bates lobs an occasional tennis ball in Baltimore's Canton neighborhood.


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This is a great salad to make for a quick weeknight meal, especially if you throw it together in the morning and it can marinate all day before dinner that evening. It has an Asian flair from the radish and sesame oil, so it pairs well with pork, rice, or any of your favorite Asian-themed main dishes.
Radishes are really wonderful for digestion, particularly for stimulating bile production and improving digestion of fats. They are bitter and spicy, and both of these flavors are known for improving digestive function. Plus they are full of vitamins and fiber, and can be found locally almost year-round. I used some beautiful purple daikon and black Spanish radish that were grown locally, but you could use regular white daikon and any other fresh radish you have available. If you haven't tried purple daikon, you should really try to find some because it is so mild and delicious! Plus it is such a stunning purple color!
In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, sesame oil, honey, salt and sesame seeds. Add chili flakes if using.
Add the cabbage, radishes and carrots, and toss with the dressing to completely coat.
I like to massage the dressing into the veggies with my hands a little bit to soften them and incorporate the dressing a little more.
Cover and refrigerate 1-2 hours before serving.
Serve chilled garnished with extra sesame seeds.
There is so much to love about avocados. They are full of monounsaturated fats, fiber, potassium, and vitamin E, and have even been shown to be anti-inflammatory. They are great for brain and heart health, and are of course delicious!
This Avocado Chocolate Mousse is super simple and can be enjoyed by just about everyone as it is dairy-free, gluten-free, naturally sweetened and really quick to throw together. I love this recipe because it is a great way to get the nutrition of avocados into your diet in a new way that isn't guacamole or just straight up with a pinch of salt. You get a healthy dose of good fats in this treat, as it has coconut milk in addition to the avocado. All you need is a little time and some self-control, and this nutrient-dense dessert can appear at your next dinner party to nourish and impress all your friends. Plus, chocolate!
Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until very smooth. You may need to scrape down the sides of the blender occasionally to make sure you get all the little bits pureed.
Transfer to a glass container or bowl and refrigerate 1-2 hours before serving.
Serve chilled as is, or top with fresh berries, whipped cream or a pinch of coarse sea salt. You can also use a piping bag to pipe the mousse into cool glasses and make this simple dessert look super fancy!
Homemade ice cream seems like the perfect recipe for a first post on a new food blog. It will let readers know that I obviously have good taste, as ice cream is the best food, and that I am fun and do not take this too seriously. Food is supposed to be fun, and full of love, and this ice cream is just that. This particular recipe will also give you a peek into my nutritional views, as this recipe is full of good fats, made with a wholesome sweetener, and contains raw milk and eggs. Yep, I said raw milk. If that turns you off, you can make this with pasteurized milk, but just know that it won't be quite as delicious or nutritious. Also just know that I love raw milk and use it a lot, so you're going to have to just be ok with that.
Even though ice cream is a sweet/dessert/treat, I am a big advocate of its place in a whole foods diet because of the great source of good fats, which we need for hormone balance, as well as vitamin K2 and calcium for your bones. It is also a great way to get raw eggs in your diet, providing brain-powering choline and more vitamin K2. Most folks don't need to eat dessert everyday, but when a treat is in order, I think homemade raw milk ice cream is a pretty fantastic choice. Especially when you add in cardamom, a spice known for improving digestion.
entry on my new blog. Please enjoy!
1 cup whole milk, I always use raw!
Combine the cream, milk, egg yolks, vanilla, cardamom, maple syrup and sea salt in a blender.
Transfer to your ice cream maker and proceed according to your machine's directions.
Eat immediately once frozen or stick in the freezer to firm up for an hour or two and then serve.


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Speed and red-light cameras have been proven to reduce deaths and injuries on the roads.
Road Safety Support's team of specialists are skilled in the operation of road traffic enforcement technology and the intricate workings of the devices, and are among the most experienced in the world.
Find out about our specialist services below.

industry_corpus2: Transportation


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"Close to campus but not too close"
About a mile north of MSU's campus, you'll many apartments and houses for rent on Burcham Drive. About a 10 minute walk to campus and then a 0-15 minute walk to your actual class gets annoying sometimes, but riding a bike or driving quickly alleviates that problem.
Bus route 24 is about the only bus that runs on Burcham and it is only convenient when it comes every hour or so. Not like the 26 or other routes that have buses every 10 or 20 minutes.
The best feature of this street is the suburbs south of it. There are many college student renting out houses and during the weekends you'll find that those houses are packed with people. However certain parts of that neighborhood are suitable and quiet enough for a family to live in. I live in 711 Burcham and it is very quiet.


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Already in December the owners of full-frame cameras with Canon EF mounts will be able to equip themselves with a new, uniquely bright lens of the premium class - Samyang XP 35mm f/1.2. As the Korean producer assures, it will be the only such bright construction available on the market.
The lens has been constructed based on 12 lenses placed in 10 groups. Among them are 2 aspherical lenses, 3 lenses with high refractive index and one low-dispersion element. The construction is to ensure extraordinary resolution, contrast and perfect correction of distortion and aberration. The lenses are covered with UMC coatings whose task is to limit light reflections and flares. The lens “is ahead of its times” when it comes to offering compatibility with the cameras working in the resolution up to 50MP and the 8K video recording.
The aperture of Samyang XP 35mm consists of 9 blades and it can be closed up to f/16 which, in connection with the superior brightness of the lens, is to ensure unique blurring. Sharp photographs can be taken from the distance of 34cm.
The lens has the dimensions of 117 × 93mm and it weighs 1.1kg. The filters with the diameter of 86mm can be mounted on the front lens.
Samyang XP 35mm f/1.2 will appear on sale already in December - unfortunately, the producer is not planning sales in Europe. Luckily, nowadays it's not an obstacle since Europeans and the residents of the rest of the planet can make use of online sales, for example via Ebay or Amazon. Of course, if they have a positive balance of $1,099 on their bank accounts.
Meike has presented a new MK 85mm f/1.8 MF lens with the Sony E mount, which may satisfy the photographers with a very limited budget.
The optical system is based on 9 lenses placed in 6 groups, with the 9-blade aperture. The minimum focus distance is 85mm and the lens is manual.
The filters with the diameter of 67mm can be mounted on the front lens and the camera's body has been made of plastic. MK 85mm f/1.8 MF is not sealed.
As for now, the price of the lens is not known yet, but taking into account the fact that the reflex version with the AF motor costs almost $200, we can expect that the cost of the manual version will be much lower.
Samyang AF 24mm f/2.8 FE is a cheap proposition dedicated to the owners of the Sony E platform. It is a compact, wide-angle lens, equipped with autofocus.
In the press release, the producer proudly enumerates the properties of a new lens, thanks to which the new Samyang should interest potential customers, e.g.: huge versality and usability, full-frame functions, high quality of the optical system, compact size and affordable price. The lens is to be perfect for outdoor and architecture photography as well as for street and sports photography, and group photographs.
AF 24mm f/2.8 FE is a construction consisting of 7 elements placed in 7 groups. Two apsherical lenses and three lenses made of high-refraction glass have been used in the lens. Such a construction is supposed to ensure even sharpness within the whole frame and to minimize aberration.
Thanks to special coatings, irrespective of the weather conditions, the photographs taken with the new Samyang lens will be characterized by contrast and natural color reproduction. The minimum focus distance is 24cm.
Time for some data. The lens has the following dimensions: 61.8mm (diameter) and 37mm (length) and it weighs merely 93g. The lens is supposed to appear on sale in July 2018 and it will cost $399.


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Welp. Christmas came and Christmas went. And I seriously cannot believe that it is over already! I swear it snuck up on me so quickly and came and went faster than the blink of an eye. It's what we've been building up towards all month and it feels bittersweet that it's over. To some extent, I'm excited to get my house at least partially organized again, but at the same time, I'm sad that all the decorations have to go. I feel like I didn't get to do nearly half of what I had wanted to do this month. Next year, I vow to plan better to make sure to take some days off work and just enjoy the season instead of always being so busy!
After dinner, presents, and dessert, we came home and set up for Santa!
Friday was Christmas Day. We woke up early and opened presents at our house before heading over to Seth's mom's house for breakfast and to open more presents. Mason, again, was so excited to open his presents but really only liked the toys. When he'd open a book or clothes or shoes, I'd ask him if he liked it and he'd say "no" and throw it to the side. But give him a toy to open, ask the same question, and you'd get a "YEAH!!!!!!". Such a sweet boy. He was so excited!
The rest of the weekend was spent at three different malls on four different occasions.
The day after Christmas I hadn't intended on going shopping, but my sister in law and I had a couple things to exchange at Hanna Andersson so I decided to go with her. We had the most impeccable timing because we found parking so easily when we got there, the food court was nearly empty, and the stores were pretty bare able. However, when we left it was a complete nightmare.
After we left that mall, we had intended on heading home but I mentioned that I wanted to get some sheets for Mason's new bed (he got a twin bed for Christmas!) so we ended up going to another mall that had Pottery Barn Kids. This mall is one of the biggest in the county and was EVEN WORSE than the mall we just left. I immediately said oh never mind, let's just go, this is insanity, but my sister in law said we'd try down one aisle and if we couldn't find a parking spot, we'd leave. And lo and behold, someone was backing out right then. I swear we have great mall karma. So, we parked and headed in and the store actually wasn't that bad. I actually found an Elf on the Shelf on sale (which I couldn't find a sale ANYWHERE) as well as an Elf Pet reindeer so I snatched those up for next year (yep, we're doing Elf on the Shelf next year! I don't know if I think I am crazy or if I am excited?!). Then I found THE CUTEST sheets for Mason's bed as well that were 20% off. After spending way too much money, we we left the mall and headed back home where we played tons of new games and hung out for a couple hours. Seth and Mason joined us as well as some friends and we all had leftovers and played another round of Pie Face. I swear the game never gets old. It's just as funny to see someone get pied in the face the first time and the twentieth time.
Sunday was spent doing an insane amount of laundry (all the new clothes!) as well as a trip to the grocery store. Then we headed to a different mall to meet family for lunch at Panini Cafe (if you have one nearby and haven't been, GO! SO GOOD!). After lunch I realized that we were close to the store that I got my current purse at and I've been dying for a cross body bag and asked Seth if we could stop over real fast. We went in to the mall, I wasn't impressed, and then decided that I wanted to go to the Fossil store (back at mall #2 from Saturday) so we headed back for our 4th mall trip of the weekend. I spent more than I thought I would on a purse but found one that I love! Success! We came home, took a little trip across the street to the park, and finished laundry and just hung out. It was a nice, quiet evening after a crazy busy couple of days. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
Now it's back to work for a few days and then another long weekend of fun! We have plans to hang out with some friends on New Year's Eve and then head out to the Rose Parade on New Year's Day so it's sure to be a fun, busy weekend again!
Wow you guys were busy! That hot chocolate bar looks amazing! That pie game sounds hilarious but I don't think Noah (or I) would like to get messy. But man Seth has a cool grandma! Yay for finding the elf on sale! You will have so much fun next year... And how cute to get the reindeer too!
I love that Mason "got it" this year; doesn't that make it so fun?! And what a little cutie in all his honesty of not loving the clothes... haha! How many malls do you guys have by you??? Jealous! Glad you had such a great Christmas, Elizabeth!
Sounds like ya'll had quite the weekend of Christmas festivities & mall trips ;) I swear that Pie Face game is taking the world by storm! I'm a little jealous Santa didn't bring us one!
You guys were so busy but it sounds like it was a blast!
Plus, the picture of the cinnamon rolls - yum!
Im so glad you had days off to enjoy Christmas! Sounds like you have a good game plan heading into next year (its never too early!) SCORE on the sale Elf! Im still torn about wanting/ not wanting to do it lol. But hey, Crystal shared that smart monthly planner on moving the Elf around that will definitely come in handy! Merry Christmas friend!
I love all the pics! That hot chocolate bar look perfect and such a good idea! This was the first year my daughter actually got it too and it was so exciting! I keep seeing that pie game all over, looks fun!
I swear the end of the year snuck up on us too! I can't believe Sophie will be two next year. Mason's Christmas toys look like so much fun! Especially that ABC car. I love all of this delicious food!
You are brave for going to the mall, not to mention 4 times!! Holy cow girl. I would've needed some wine after that. I saw your videos on IG/FB too and they were so funny! Sounds like a great Christmas all around!
That hot chocolate bar looks superb! Sounds like you guys had the merriest of Christmases! (Of course, I wouldn't expect any less.) Love all of the sweet pictures of Mason!
What a fun Christmas! I love that he was so honest about not loving the boring gifts! Hahaha! And I now really want to try the Pie in the Face game! Hilarious!
What a perfect Christmas! You guys are adorable!
Don't mind me, just over here living in the middle of nowhere, being jealous that you have multiple malls with stores I would actually want to shop at.
Haha! Wyatt was the same way--opening everyone's gifts! Especially since we took gifts from our home to Fayetteville so he just assumed they were all his. ha! So glad y'all had a merry Christmas!
The Guys Behind the Blog // December Edition.
Holiday Cards with Minted + a Sneak Peek!


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1. Strapless adhesive push up bra come with drawstring butterfly shaped design provides maximum support and cleavage without binding bra straps.
2. Backless bra with wing-Shaped style features center the extra fat of armpit to the boobies for enhancement.


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Stage 2 Phoneme Flashcards - all in one place!
I finally found the time to put all of the Stage 2 phoneme flashcards in one place. All of the pictures should be clickable, and they'll take you to the file you need. If there are any broken links or any files that won't print, please let me know!


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Age relaxation for candidates under SC and ST is, 5 years relaxation for OBC candidates is, 3 years and person with disability candidates the age relaxation is, 10 years.
Candidates should complete diploma in Electrical or Civil Engineering are eligible to this post.
For this post candidates must complete post Graduate degree in the field of Human Resource, Personal Management, and Industrial Relation or related qualification.
Candidates should complete ITI in the field of Electrical and must complete Electrical Trade from a recognized Institute or Technical Board.
Applicants must complete B.Com, with one year of experience in Finance and Accounts in any organization.
For the post of Diploma Trainee the selection is based on written test and personal Interview. The post of Junior Officer Trainee and Assistant, the selection process in on basis of Written Test, Computer Skill test and Personal Interview. For, Junior Technician Trainee selection is made for Written Test, trade Test and Personal interview.
The above application fee is only for General and OBC Candidates. For, women and other candidates the application fee is free.
By visit the Official link candidates apply the application through online. Valid E-mail Id and Contact number is provide in application form. Scanned copies of passport size photos, signature of candidates and other testimonials are attach with application form.


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Evil Dead News - News Related To The Evil Dead Franchise: Evil Dead 2 Kandarian Dagger Prop, Sculpted by Tom Sullivan - Pre-Order Now!
Evil Dead 2 Kandarian Dagger Prop, Sculpted by Tom Sullivan - Pre-Order Now!
Trick or Treat Studios is proud to bring you the Official Kandarian Dagger Prop!
This amazing Prop was sculpted by Tom Sullivan, the actual FX Artist that made the Kandarian Dagger for Evil Dead 1 and 2!
Cast in high quality Polyurethane the Dagger has a solid feel and look as if it came right off the screen. The Kandarian Dagger is the perfect compliment for your Witch Costume or Zombie Costume this Halloween!
The size of the Dagger is approximately 36" long, exactly the size of the actual dagger from the movies.


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Utilization review or UR became a fixture for the Illinois workers’ compensation system when it was brought to our state by a prominent Illinois claimant lawyer as part of the 2005-6 Amendments to the IL WC Act. Five years of limited effectiveness and disappointments led to the 2011 Amendments, which appear to ostensibly give UR non-certifications a bit more bite or certainty. Please note the 2011 Amendments were passed by our legislature almost a year ago—we would have hoped the secret-powers-that-be that run the Illinois WC Commission would have gotten the word on using this simple concept to routinely limit overtreatment so common in our system.
Based on our exhaustive search of the 2011 IWCC decisions, it appears UR determinations were rejected by the IWCC on an almost 2-1 ratio. We consider that madly disappointing.
We actually feel we read one of the most frustrating justifications for rejecting UR in a ruling--“the utilization review doctor did not examine the Petitioner and his findings are based solely on record and diagnostic reviews.” Well, duh. That is precisely what UR is—they don’t examine the patient. On the same astral plane, we can see a misguided IL WC hearing officer reject an IME opinion because the IME doctor isn’t treating the patient. The whole idea is reigning in overtreatment folks—if you aren’t going to do it, try to avoid lame justifications. By its very nature, UR is, in most cases, a type of record review. Nowhere in the IL WC Act is there a requirement a UR provider meet with or examine a patient. In fact, it can be argued the evidence-based medicine UR relies upon requires a contrast between the hard evidence contained in medical records and diagnostics as opposed to subjective complaints and pain descriptions. To use this as the reason why a UR finding should be disregarded does not address the substance of the determination, and instead attacks a phantasmal procedural issue that exists in 99.99% of all UR reviews.
UR is defined by the act as "the evaluation of proposed or provided health care services to determine the appropriateness of both the level of health care services medically necessary and the quality of health care services provided to a patient, including evaluation of their efficiency, efficacy, and appropriateness of treatment, hospitalization, or office visits based on medically accepted standards.” It is supposed to be based on evidence-based medicine and URAC compliant. It is supposed to have some weight. Again, if our hearing officers don’t like a UR determination, they can seek to change how the process is performed in a given medical chart. But to wholly disregard it completely with lame excuses and limp justifications demonstrates how biased and anti-business this system may remain.
By our count, during the year 2011 in 23 out of 32 reported UR disputes, the IL WC Commission disregarded or otherwise ruled diametrically contrary to UR non-certifications and allowed questionable care. Most observers on both sides thought the number for adherence to UR would be more like 90-95%. There were a few instances where internal inconsistencies or other obvious credibility issues such as failure to provide supporting medical records or submitting care under the incorrect diagnostic code were present on the face of the rejected UR reports. We hope in the future, a little additional attention to detail could avoid ending up with easily challenged UR reports.
Far more disconcerting are the multiple instances of cases where the IWCC simply disregarded the vast majority of the UR determinations for an unknown or what we feel are illogical reasons. In doing exhaustive research, the most blatant disregard we witnessed was of course the many cases where a UR determination brought up in the Arbitrator’s decision was not mentioned by the IWCC in its reversal and certification of disputed care. We feel this is simply not reasonable going forward.
Under the new changes to the IL WC Act in 2011, for all treatment reviewed after September 1, 2011 UR determinations MUST be referenced in a written decision. We hope the IWCC feels their reversal of a well reasoned decision should be subject to the same requirements to at least make reference to their reasoning in disregarding a UR determination as the Arbitrator who may have based his or her decision in part on that same UR. To simply rule opposite to what a UR determination was without referencing any reasoning at the very least is a disservice to the parties by not providing an understanding of the ruling and the bases for appeal. Again, we can’t see any justification for it and all of it is infuriating to the claims and risk management industry.
This is all in contrast to the nine times out of 32 total reported rulings in which the IL WC Commission upheld an Arbitrator’s findings UR non-certifications were reasonable. What can Illinois business learn from the 1/3 of claims where UR non-certifications were upheld? In our view, not very much. As in years past, the best use of UR appears to be in non-certification of chiropractic overtreatment and physical therapy abuses. Four of the nine UR determinations upheld at the IWCC were for excessive chiropractic sessions or therapy. Of the remaining 5 cases, 4 were for significant surgical procedures, but of those, in all four cases the opinions of the IME doctor are actually what carried the day in terms of a denial.
Ultimately this tells us for cases where there are strong medical disputes, having the UR can be a benefit when it matches up with and supports the position of the IME doctor. Oh – and be sure to get a UR analysis of all excessive PT and chiropractic work. In our view, it’s the only sure thing the IWCC has routinely agreed with and upheld UR certifications over the last 5 years.
We would like to see the IL WC Commission begin giving valid and reasonable UR determinations the attention the newly amended IL WC Act states they deserve. At the same time, Respondents have to move their efforts toward effective UR providers who can be sure to provide accurate and reasonable reports, using the correct diagnostic codes and referencing sufficient records to make an accurate determination. Between these two features, we hope the future of UR will lead to more deference given to these determinations made on evidence based medicine.
While we are on the topic, we hope the IL WC system is going to bring Preferred Provider Programs, lower PPD awards, drug and alcohol denials and WC fraud by workers to Illinois business to start the process of bringing Illinois WC costs back to the mainstream of the United States. We will continue to bring our research to our readers to see if the promises made about coming to the altar of WC savings may ever come true.
We are retaining the raw research we have summarized above—if any of our readers want it, please simply send a reply. This article was researched and written by Arik D. Hetue, J. D. who can be reached for question or comment at ahetue@keefe-law.com.


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Located in a court location this great home is perfect for the investor wanting a quality tenant already in place or for the first home buyer wanting a great home to enter the market.
Featuring 3 bedrooms, a modern design with a neutral color scheme, air conditioner, dishwasher, ducted heating and bay window to the spacious lounge.
Outside includes a garage, low maintenance gardens and established trees to ensure privacy.
This well presented property deserves your inspection. Don't miss out call now!


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We all love a good set of headphones. They let us connect with our favorite music and disconnect with all of the aggravation of the outside world. And with the rise of artist-backed, premium cans, it might seem like everybody and their auntie will try to make a decent set, with emphasis on the trying part. While that’s great, us common folk might not ever get a chance to try them since they can be rather overpriced. Thankfully, there are companies that produce solid headphones at prices that don’t include paying-for-rapper’s-lifestyles markups. We’re taking a look at one such headset today, the Aerial7 DIY Tank.
A while back, During CE Week, we mentioned that we saw some of the new offerings from Audio-Technica and how much we wanted to take a closer look at the ATH-W55 aka the Solid Bass headphones. We recalled that these headphones were packing a fairly serious punch during the show, but now that lights have come down and the crowds have dispersed, it’s time to really see how well these headphones sound.


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After a very full day on Wednesday, May 10 at Sequoia, we planned to spend Thursday getting caught up on chores and such. We planned our visit to Kings Canyon for Friday, still not totally sure what we were going to find there. We seriously considered skipping it all together, as a quick check of Google Street View wasn’t revealing much more than a tree-lined road. Well, something stirred in us that Thursday morning and before we knew it, we were in Edsel and headed for Sequoia’s brother to the north!
Rather than take the same road we took the day before, we decided to try the road that ran west of Sequoia through the foothills. What started out as a two lane road with painted lines quickly turned into a narrow country lane, somewhat reminiscent of the roads we experienced in Kentucky. I had to tame my inner Formula One driver, so as to not go over the side. 😉. The road gained elevation as we went, eventually leading us to the entrance to Kings Canyon.
Looking at this photo and the previous one, it’s hard to believe they were taken an hour apart! Our fears of a cloudy day soon dissipated as we drove further into the park. We stopped at the Grant Grove Visitor Center to gather more information about Kings Canyon and ended up speaking to Ranger Meredith, a seasoned dynamo full of enthusiasm for her beloved workplace. That stop paid off in gold as the day progressed. As we headed to the heart of the canyon, the road actually leaves the park for a stretch and enters Giant Sequoia National Monument.
Wow! I guess this says a lot about the makeup of subterranean California!
From there, we headed upriver to Grizzly Falls.
This powerful torrent was the culmination of Grizzly Creek just prior to it entering the Kings River.
From there, the road re-entered the national park. Our next stop was Roaring River Falls.
It definitely was roaring! Diana asked a NPS trail worker what we could expect to see in July, if we had come then instead. He said that the river would actually be higher in July, as the warm temperatures would be melting the mountain snowpack more quickly than it currently was.
From there we went to Zumwalt Meadow.
We crossed this suspension bridge along the way.
We also had to cross over this flooded pathway, as a small creek was over its banks in this section of the trail.
This was the payoff at the end of the trail! It was a very peaceful place to be. From this point, the road went just a little farther to a place called Road’s End. Diana spoke with three hikers there who had crossed the Sierras from the east. It took them six days. They had snowshoes as part of their gear, and they mentioned that there still is a lot of snow at the higher elevations. There are several trails that leave from Road’s End that are more our speed, and we definitely want to return to try them in the future.
Heading back out the same road, we had a little surprise along the way.
Three wide load trucks with what appeared to be some sort of temporary housing units on the back came by! I was over as far as I could possibly get, and had a few thousand foot drop off to my right. Yikes!
The difference in height between the river and the mountaintops is around 8200 feet, making Kings Canyon one of the deepest canyons in the United States!
As I stated earlier, we almost didn’t make the trip that day. The next morning, the clouds hung at 2000 feet, so we wouldn’t have seen much of anything. We were glad we made the effort when we did, so we were able to see the spectacular scenery that Kings Canyon has to offer.
Though it is a bit of a challenge to get to, take the time to experience it. You won’t be disappointed!
Next up, we head towards Napa Valley! Be sure to stay tuned!
At a coffee shop in Kentucky last November, we scheduled a five day stay at Yosemite National Park as part of our trip to Oregon from Florida. Record rainfall this winter took out a couple of key bridges between the campground we had reserved and Yosemite, and it would have increased the trip into the park to 2-1/2 hours. While considering our options, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks showed up on our radar. A few phone calls later, our new destinations were set!
These two parks are operated as one administrative unit, but are vastly different. With that in mind, we will give Kings Canyon its own post following this one. We arrived on Tuesday, May 9 and set up base camp at Kaweah Resort in Three Rivers, just outside of Sequoia’s southwest gate. We drove up to the visitor’s center and picked up our maps, information, and our Junior Ranger book.
The next day we set off to discover Sequoia National Park!
As we entered the foothills, it quickly became evident that the roads were full of curves and hairpin turns. It was seldom that we cleared 30 miles an hour, which was just fine with us. There were plenty of turnouts to allow us to get over and let those with a tighter schedule to pass. It was in these foothills that Moro Rock first came into view. Knowing there was a pathway to the top, we headed that way.
Our first stop was at Hospital Rock.
This gigantic boulder was the winter home for up to 500 Potwisha Indians, and features several petroglyphs. Hale Tharp, a settler originally from Michigan by way of Placerville California, gave the rock its name after two acquaintances of his were treated by the natives there for injuries they had sustained elsewhere in the mountains.
Just before Moro Rock is a trail leading to Hanging Rock.
Not exactly a place a person would want to be in a rain, ice or snow storm. 😉 The view from there was outstanding!
The trail does offer one of the better vantages of our next destination.
After the Hanging Rock Trail, we then began our ascent up the spine of Moro Rock. The 350 rock stairs were fashioned in the 1930’s by the CCC and provide a fairly (but not totally) safe route to the top.
This is definitely one place where you want to heed the Stay on the Traîl signs!
Looking back, Hanging Rock can be seen in the center of the photo. That’s quite a drop off.
The view from the top is breathtaking! We want to note that this is not a place to be if there is a threat of bad weather. Lightning can be an issue up here. We also saw one woman scooting back down on her bottom, so a fear of heights comes into play on this climb.
From the vistas of Moro Rock, we descended into the forest that this park is so famous for. Actually, the word descended is a misnomer. We gained a fair amount of elevation before we reached the taller sequoia trees. That boggled our minds as typically the higher the elevation, the shorter the trees. That’s not the case here!
Words can not describe how impressive these trees are. That tree is most likely well over 1000 years old. The small tree to the left is also a Sequoia. The bark on these trees is soft and squishy, about the consistency of a ripe avocado. As you can see on the smaller tree, the needles are similar to a cedar or arborvitae.
They actually grow in a mixed forest. There are several groves of them scattered around the park.
And there’s Diana waving from Edsel in the Tunnel Log!
We traded photography duties with a couple at these twin sequoias. One of the trunks showed a large forest fire scar. These giants rarely succumb to fire, as the bark is flame resistant. The trees have a surprisingly shallow root system, considering their size. The usual cause of death is that they simply lose their balance and fall over.
Which is exactly what happened with the Buttress Tree. This giant actually toppled over in 1959 on a clear day with no wind. It’s remarkable how little it has decayed since then.
Of all the mammoths in Sequoia National Park, one stands larger than the rest. In fact, it is the largest tree by volume on the face of the earth!
This coniferous colossus is estimated to be 2200 years old! To give visitor’s an idea how tall it is, the trail from the parking lot 1/2 mile away begins at treetop height (275 feet). Walking back up the trail afterwards…at an altitude of 6000 feet above sea level…really drives the point home. This tree is simply magnificent.
Next up is Sequoia’s neighbor to the north, Kings Canyon National Park! Be sure to stay tuned!
Giant Sequoia growing kit and other fun items on exploRVistas Amazon link available by clicking HERE.
After spending time with family in Oceanside, we headed up to San Dimas to establish a base to do more exploring and visiting.
We were fortunate to snag this site at East Shore RV Park, which featured a tremendous view of the San Gabriel Mountains. Our focus during our time here was to catch up with some old friends, visit with more family, and see some of the local sites. We also honed our urban driving skills on the famous L.A. freeways!
On Thursday, we headed towards Woodland Hills to visit with friends. We stopped along the way at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Cemetery, as Diana noticed there were several celebrities buried there. We saw the graves of Bette Davis, Liberace, Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher.
It was not lost on us that we were there on May 4, otherwise known as Star Wars Day (May the 4th be with you).
From there, we went to one of Diana’s friend’s home in Woodland Hills.
Here we are with Debi and her husband Jamie, along with Debi’s parents, Jeane and Ron. Debi’s mom was one of Diana’s Girl Scout leaders along with Mrs. Faust. (We visited Mr. and Mrs. Faust a couple of years ago in Michigan). Having the same leaders from second through twelth grade made this group of girls very close and many of them still keep in touch. Their troop was very active with many camping trips, including a two week Hike Across Michigan. Diana joked that Debbie’s dad and Mr. Faust should have earned merit badges for driving motorhomes full of teenage girls from Michigan to Yellowstone National Park and back. It was great to catch up with all of them and to finally be able to meet Jamie!
On Saturday, we headed to Pasadena to catch up with Betsy and her husband Wayne.
We met Betsy back in college and we’ve kept in touch ever since. Wayne was our tour guide for the day as we checked out the area. They treated us to dinner afterward, which was very sweet!
He works at The California Institute of Technology, so we were able to get an in-depth walk through the beautiful campus. It’s inspiring to note that 33 Nobel Prize winners have graced these grounds.
From there, we checked out Huntington Botanical Gardens, the Rose Bowl, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills.
This is the Red Carpet area that leads into the Dolby Theatre where the Academy Awards are held. It’s actually a mall that is lined with stores on both sides, which are curtained off for the show. Who knew?
I’ve always known that I had stiff competition, in the fact that Diana wanted to marry Opie when she was growing up. 😉 (I always did like the nice guys 😊 Diana). Thank you for the marvelous day, Betsy and Wayne!
On Sunday, we went to Glendora to visit with more of Diana’s California relatives. Diana’s mother was the youngest of eight children. One of Joyce’s sisters, Lucille (Don), and one of her brothers Ken (Margery), and their families moved from Michigan to California in the 1950’s. Diana is one of 23 cousins on her mother’s side. The main reason for coming to California this spring was a long overdue visit to see these family members, and it was wonderful beyond our expectations!
Seated in the front is Aunt Margery. From the left are Judy, Mike, Evie, Gregg, Judy, Diana, myself and Wes. A total of 20 of us attended a get together at Aunt Margery’s home. We were so excited about seeing each other, we failed to get photos until after the following people had left: Uncle Don & Aunt Barb; Barry & Dawn; Evie’s daughter Kelly, her husband Mike, and their son Oliver; Judy’s son Wyatt, his wife Syndi, and their sons Gage & Gavin. As stated in our last post, Diana had not seen some of them since she was a young girl. Others she had yet to meet. We were moved at the outpouring of love from them, and we are determined to not let so much time pass before our next visit!
From the excitement and bustle of the Los Angeles area, we move next to the majesty of the High Sierras. Be sure to stay tuned!
The Big Bang Theory and other great items from exploRVistas Amazon link are available by clicking HERE.
After spending a considerable amount of time in the desert the past few weeks, we crossed over the Laguna Mountains in Southern California and into the wonderfully cool temperatures of the San Diego region. Our plans were to see Diana’s relatives who live in the area. We arrived in Oceanside on April 27 and met up with Diana’s cousin Barry and his wife Dawn for dinner.
The next day, the four of us hopped the Coaster train to San Diego to do a little touring!
These tiled pillars in the Santa Fe Depot were fabulous! The building was opened in 1915 and has been in use ever since. It was built by the City of San Diego in an attempt to lure the Santa Fe Railroad to make it the western terminus for its transcontinental railroad. Los Angeles ended up winning that competition.
We walked to the bay to see the aircraft carrier USS Midway and to check out the waterfront.
I even kissed one of the pretty girls while we were there!
The next day, Diana and I hopped in the Escape and headed back south along the Pacific Coast Highway.
One of the surprises for us was the Veterans Memorial on Mt. Soledad. There were semi circles of black granite tiles with veterans names, photos and stories inscribed in them. Any U.S. veteran, living or dead, can have a plaque there. Prices start at just under $1,000 and go up, depending on the size of the tile.
From there, we skirted the western side of San Diego to visit Cabrillo National Monument and Old Point Loma Lighthouse. This maritime sentinel had been on our list of places to see since way back at the turn of the millennium when we were members of the U.S. Lighthouse Society. That organization featured the lighthouse at that time and caught our eyes.
Built on the top of 400 foot high Point Loma in 1855, the lighthouse was the highest in the United States during its 36 years of service. It’s demise was brought about by the fact that it was too high to be seen by ships during foggy periods, resulting in the lighthouse keeper occasionally having to discharge a shotgun who warn passing ships. To solve that issue, the New Point Loma Lighthouse was constructed in the late 1800’s at the base of the hill.
While it was a simple home in a remote location, the views from the windows of the harbor and the ocean made life here worth the hardships.
The next day, we got together in Oceanside with several of Diana’s relatives at a gathering that Barry and Dawn hosted at their timeshare.
On the left is Gregg and Diana’s cousin Evie, who Diana hadn’t seen since she was in fifth grade. On Diana’s left is her cousin Sandra, who was visiting from Delaware. Next is Dawn and Diana’s cousin Barry, then Aunt Barb and Uncle Don, then me. Several of us went down to the beach to watch the sunset later on.
Diana and I finally put our feet in the ocean, marking the completion of our trip from the Atlantic to the Pacific! Thank you so much, Dawn and Barry! We had a fabulous time!
On Monday, Barry and Dawn took us on a tour northward from Oceanside up to Huntington Beach. We made stops in San Clemente, Balboa Island and Huntington Beach, where they treated us to lunch. We really enjoyed spending some quality time with them!
That wrapped up our time in Oceanside! Next up, we move north to San Dimas to explore the Los Angeles area and to visit with friends and more family! Stay tuned!
Yosemite National Park has always been high on our list of places to visit, but seemed out of reach for an RV trip in our working days. In early 2005, we happened upon round trip tickets to Sacremento from Chicago Midway on Southwest Airlines for $99 each, so we made plans to head west and check it out without the RV. After touring the California state capitol, we headed to Yosemite. Our base while we were in the area was the unique Penon Blanco Lookout bed and breakfast in Coulterville. One of the great features of Penon Blanco was the stocked refrigerator in our room. Each day, we would head out with our cooler packed with their drinks, and they would refill the fridge each day…no additional charge. They would even replace the beer and wine! (That policy appears to have changed since then, per their website). We stopped at the local deli each day to stock up on food, which allowed us to picnic outdoors. As a result, we felt like we were still on an RV vacation!
When we arrived in Yosemite Valley, we were awestruck.
Yosemite was everything we had hoped it would be. The vistas were simply amazing. As a bonus, we were fortunate to be able to experience the valley with the waterfalls flowing heavier than they normally would be in the summer months. This was due to the heavy snowpack in the Sierras from the previous winter. What a difference between then and the drought conditions that exist now!
Here is El Capitan standing proud against a gorgeous blue sky. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Yosemite, El Capitan is the largest granite monolith in the world.
From the lookout at Washburn Point, visitors really get a sense of the magnitude of the valley. Here is a profile photo of Half Dome as viewed from the west.
Looking north from the northern edge of Glacier Point, Yosemite Falls can be seen across the valley.
Looking back east, the valley appears in all of it’s grandeur. It is easy to see why Ansel Adams loved to use Yosemite as a subject of his photographs.
Yosemite is also home to a stand of Giant Sequoia trees. Some of the trees in the Mariposa Grove are 3000 years old. Looking up at one of these beauties really puts things in perspective, in terms of a human’s lifespan.
While we were there, we decided to spend one day exploring the eastern side of the Sierras.
On our way across on Tioga Road, we saw this view of Half Dome from it’s eastern side. Most Yosemite visitors don’t get to see this side of the landmark.
Heading across Tioga Pass, we encountered leftover snow from the previous winter. It is always fun to see the white stuff in mid summer!
Our destination for the day was the old mining town of Bodie, California. Now a state park, Bodie is well preserved by the dry conditions that exist on the east side of the Sierras. We definitely want to spend more time in this town! On our way back, we encountered a young couple who were hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. They had gotten off the trail to get supplies, and we’re trying to get back to camp before sundown. We had rented a Ford Expedition and had plenty of room, so they got a ride from us back to camp. They were fairly ‘ripe’ from hiking, but it was fun to talk with them about their experience. We don’t usually pick up hitchhikers, but it seemed pretty obvious to us that they were thru-hikers.
Once we left Yosemite, we headed to San Francisco for a few days. Our base in the City By The Bay was the Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf.
Here is Lombard Street, which is billed as the ‘crookedest street in the world’. It was fun to walk down the sidewalk, and was even more fun to drive!
While we were there, we ventured up Columbus Avenue to a restaurant called Mama’s. Our breakfast that morning became the benchmark to which all others are measured for us. Simply outstanding.
Across the street from Mama’s is Washington Square Park. Each morning, the local residents begin their day with Tai Chi. It was fascinating to watch.
Once we left San Francisco, we headed north along the coast. The coastal fog was very thick that day, so we asked a local if there was any chance at seeing the sun. We were told to drive north to Tomales and if the fog hadn’t lifted by then, head east to Sonoma Valley and skip the coast. That is what ended up happening.
Sonoma was enchanting, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. We toured many of the shops in the area and visited a couple of wineries.
We took a tour of the Benziger Family Winery, which was very interesting. Here is a photo of their cellar.
It was here that we learned how a winery uses the topography of it’s property to produce various types of grapes. It all has to do with the amount of sun a vine receives each day as to what variety is grown on a specific parcel.
After we finished up at Sonoma, we headed to Napa Valley to tour more wineries. Once we got there, we realized that Napa was geared more towards production and was not as quaint. Next time through, we plan on focusing more of our time in Sonoma.
So thanks to some great airfare, we made a trip that might have otherwise been delayed until our retirement. John Muir’s words struck a chord with us, and we are glad we followed in his footsteps.

industry_corpus2: Travel & Geography


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(1) thinner paints need black added to increase opacity(2) Multiple layers of nets stretched over the structural frame create a dramatic and ever-changing play of opacity and translucency as the viewer moves in and around the installation.(3) The commingling of transparency and opacity is handled with remarkable skill.(4) These stripes often alternate between dense opacity and a milky translucence that barely hides the underlying layers.(5) Within these dense geometries, he achieved virtuosic manipulations of optically mixed color, conjuring intriguing tensions between effects of transparency and opacity , flatness and volume.(6) Applying acrylics to the acetate with bamboo brushes, Stone controls viscosity and opacity while leaving the edges of the transparent film unpainted.(7) The skin of his buildings employs a full palette of optical effects - transparency, translucency, opacity and reflectivity - in a way that seems subtly integrated with the city's structure.(8) The dark glass wall, on the entrance facade, shifts between transparency and a dark, reflective opacity , depending on lighting conditions and the spectator's point of view.(9) It explains at once causticity and non-causticity, transparency and opacity , colour and the absence of colours.(10) The main body of the object absorbs light, but the cuts reflect it, and an interplay can be set up between opacity and transparency.(11) The Phone Tools content rendering makes use of advanced graphics techniques for image opacity , transparency, zooming and panning.(12) The photoinduced side effects of all these drugs were, in particular, changes in the skin pigmentation, corneal opacity , cataract formation and retinopathy.(13) The Helena's envelope of floor-to-ceiling glass, wrap-around windows, and metal panels weaves a shimmering pattern of opacity and reflection.(14) Its crucial feature is a quality of opacity that forces us to think; it must ├ö├ç├┐tease us out of thought├ö├ç├û (Keats).(15) the difficulty and opacity in Barthes' texts(16) The cult of transparency leads ultimately to opacity .
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I kept thinking one thing as the U.S. House made history Sunday with its approval of a dramatic expansion of health coverage for all Americans.
We're going to miss U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder.
Snyder was a calm voice in the last-minute clamor over abortion. He had voted for the Stupak amendment in the House, but he distributed documentary proof, including independent legal opinion and federal regulations, that the Senate health bill provided an equivalent guarantee against government spending on abortion.
U.S. Reps. Mike Ross and lame duck Marion Berry and, of course Rep. John Boozman of the Party of No, joined Orval Faubus, George Wallace, etc., on the wrong side of history. Ross claimed he listened to his constituents, but independent polling suggests there's broad support for health reform in his poor district, particularly when voters are given an accurate representation of the legislation. Instead, he obeyed the angry minority that has always made him a spear carrier for gun nuts and cranks and an opponent of human rights.
But back to Vic Snyder. The best known candidate in the Democratic primary race to succeed him, Rep. Robbie Wills of Conway, had already said weeks ago that HE would NOT vote for this legislation. He said he wouldn't vote for outright repeal should it pass, however, and was mute Monday morning. There was some comfort that two Democratic contenders, David Boling and Joyce Elliott, volunteered positive remarks about the vote.
-Barring insurance companies from excluding people with pre-existing conditions.
-Stopping insurance companies from rescinding coverage.
-Insurance exchanges that expand individual coverage and provide assistance for small businesses.
-Tax credits for more than 36,000 small Arkansas businesses.
-Health coverage for nearly a half-million more Arkansans.
-Closing the “doughnut hole” in seniors' drug coverage — a benefit to nearly 90,000 in Arkansas.
-Expanding funding for community health centers and rural health care.
-More coverage for kids, including an extension of the time they can stay on parents' health insurance.
this country's optimistic and giving history.
Yes, we will miss Vic Snyder.