Unemployment benefit is intended to partially compensate for your loss of income when you become unemployed. In order to become eligible for unemployment benefit, you must first register as a job seeker at NAV.
How do you claim unemployment benefit?
How much can you receive in unemployment benefit?
How long can you claim unemployment benefit?
have had a minimum income from paid work amounting to at least 1.5 times the National Insurance basic amount (G) during the last year or at least 3 times the basic amount during the previous three calendar years.
The main rule is that students and pupils are not eligible for unemployment benefit, but there are exceptions to this rule. Read more about unemployment benefit and education.
If you are unemployed and receiving unemployment benefit, you may apply to keep receiving unemployment benefit payments during the planning and formation stages of getting your business up and running. Read more about unemployment benefit and business formation.
In order to become eligible for unemployment benefit, you must first register as a job seeker (text in Norwegian).Should you need help, the NAV Call and Service Centre can assist you. Please call 5555 3333.
When you submit a claim for unemployment benefit, NAV needs some information from you, which you must attach to your claim. Read more about attachments.
If you have had a stay in your benefit period of up to 52 weeks, and you wish to start claiming unemployment benefit again, you can normally apply for your unemployment benefit payments to resume.
See more information about when you should apply.
When can you start claiming unemployment benefit?
If you have registered as a job seeker, you may be eligible for unemployment benefit from the date you register, provided that you submit a complete claim for unemployment benefit within four weeks. Normally, that means you have up to four weeks to obtain all the documentation NAV requires without losing unemployment benefit. If you need more time than these four weeks, you must contact NAV.
This means that you should register on the first day you are unemployed and submit your application no later than within 4 weeks.
If you are receiving severance pay from your former employer, the general rule is that you are not entitled to unemployment benefit until the end of the period for which the severance pay applies. However, you may may choose to claim unemployment benefits from the first day you are unemployed so that NAV may assess from which date you are entitled to unemployment benefit. You must attach to your application a copy of the severance pay agreement entered into with your employer.
If you have been granted unemployment benefit, you will not receive unemployment benefit for the first full 3 days. These days are called the waiting period.
You must register immediately, although you will not receive unemployment benefit for the waiting period.
The waiting period starts from the date you have been granted unemployment benefit.
All conditions for unemployment benefit eligibility must be met in the waiting period. This means that you cannot progress the waiting period if you are ill or on vacation, or if you are a regular job seeker who has worked more than 50 percent of your ordinary weekly working hours. Saturdays and Sundays are not counted toward the waiting period, even if you normally worked these days.
You must have completed the waiting period within the first 15 working days after you have been granted unemployment benefit. If not, your unemployment benefit will be stopped.
If you yourself are to blame for losing your job and you do not have reasonable cause, the waiting period will be extended to at least 12 weeks. You must still submit your employment status card in the whole waiting period. Read more about extended waiting period.
In order to be eligible for unemployment benefit, you must keep NAV informed of your situation. The employment status form informs NAV of whether you wish to stay registered as a job seeker, whether you have worked, and, if so, how many hours you have worked over the last 14 days. You must also check the relevant boxes for illness, holiday, courses and other information. You must complete the employment status form accurately and submit it in due time. Read more about employment status forms.
If you submit your employment status form too late, your unemployment benefit payment will be reduced.
You must submit employment status forms from the date on which you registered as a job seeker, even if your application hasn't been decided yet.
If you give NAV false or incorrect information, this could affect your right to further benefits, you may be ordered to repay benefits received in error, and it may entail criminal liability. Read more about false and incorrect information.
The full unemployment benefit is equivalent to about 62.4 per cent of your earned income and any national insurance benefits received in the last year before you applied for the unemployment benefit, or the average of the last three years before you applied for the unemployment benefit. You will receive what results in the best calculation in your situation. Income from self-employment, pension and lump-sum grant at birth are not included in the basis for the unemployment benefit.
Remember that you have to pay tax on the unemployment benefit.
An income of more than six times the average of the National Insurance basic amount (6G) during the single calendar year is therefore not included in the calculation of the unemployment benefit. Read more about the National Insurance basic amount.
If you are a child support debtor or provide for children under the age of 18, you receive a supplement of NOK 17 per child for five days in the week. You can also apply for the child supplement for children who reside in a country subject to the EEA rules and/or Nordic Convention on Social Security. If both parents receive the unemployment benefit, only one of the parents will be paid the supplement.
Reduction in unemployment benefit payments when you are sick, working, etc.
Your unemployment benefit payments may be reduced on the basis of the information you provide in your employment status form.
If you have been working or participating in another activity considered equal to work, your unemployment benefit payments will be reduced. If you have been working or participating in activities for more than half of your established regular working hours in the period specified on your employment status form, you will not be paid unemployment benefits for that period. "Regular working hours" is defined as the working hours you had before you became totally or partially unemployed. NAV has determined your regular working hours, and these are specified in the letter you received from NAV regarding your application.
If you have been on graded sick leave at more than 50 percent, you will not be paid unemployment benefit, but you may be eligible for sickness benefit.
If you have been on graded sick leave at 50 percent or less, you may be entitled to a combination of unemployment benefit and sickness benefit.
During vacation or if you are abroad, you are not normally entitled to unemployment benefit, but there are exceptions. Read more about Holiday and holiday pay.
If you are also receiving pensions or other benefits from NAV, your unemployment benefit payments may be reduced against these benefits.
If you receive cash benefits for care (omsorgsstønad) in combination with unemployment benefit (text in Norwegian), your unemployment benefit payments may be reduced or cease.
Foster parents are entitled to unemployment benefits in combination with the foster care allowance.
Those who have recently been dismissed from their initial service in the armed forces can claim unemployment benefit for a maximum period of 26 weeks.
Those who have been laid-off can claim unemployment benefit for a period of up to 49 weeks over a period of 18 months, provided that their working hours have been reduced by at least 50 percent. After 30 weeks of receiving unemployment benefits, the employer must pay wages for 1 week (5 working days). After this, if you are temporarily laid off, you may continue to receive unemployment benefits for up to 19 weeks.
Those who have been laid-off from the fisheries industry can claim unemployment benefit for a maximum period of 52 weeks within an 18 month period. Their working hours must have been reduced by at least 40 percent.
Unemployment benefit constitutes taxable income, and the benefits are paid on the basis of the employment status form, which must be submitted every 14 days. If you have completed your employment status form correctly and submitted it in time, you will receive payment 2-3 days after the date on which NAV registered your form.
Tax will be withheld in accordance with your tax card. Please contact the Tax Administration if you prefer a different withholding arrangement. Read more about Payment dates, holiday pay and tax withholding.
You can check your payments on the Utbetalingsoversikt service.
If you no longer meet the conditions for entitlement to unemployment benefits, NAV will discontinue the payments. If your unemployment benefits have been discontinued and you are still unemployed, you must reapply for unemployment benefits.
Read more about losing your right to unemployment benefit.
If your unemployment benefit payments have been suspended, and you want payments to resume, you must submit a claim to resumed payments.
If your income or family and/or work situation changes, or you are planning a stay abroad, this may significantly affect the amount of benefits paid by NAV. That is why you must report any changes to NAV immediately.


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Meet the 6 Social Media Stars Getting a Makeover on This Week's Episode of 'Drag Race'
Written by Alexander Kacala on June 19, 2018
This week's episode of RuPaul's Drag Race is the makeover challenge, and the show's producers have opted to feature some kings of social media. But since we didn't recognize all of them as they walked into the workroom, you may not be familiar with their work either. So here we've rounded up the six social media stars of Drag Race season 10 episode 10 for you.
1. Anthony Padilla – Team Kameron Michaels
link in bio. only like if you double tap the wall behind me, not my body. k thx bye.
A post shared by Anthony Padilla (@anthonypadilla) on Jun 30, 2017 at 2:06pm PDT
In 2006 Padilla created Smosh, a sketch comedy YouTube channel with his friend Ian Andrew Hecox. Smosh would grow to become one of the most influential channels on YouTube, and today it has 22 million subscribers and nearly 7 billion views. On June 14, 2017, Padilla announced he would be leaving Smosh to pursue independent video ventures due to a "lack in creative freedom." Today he is still creating irreverent content on his own channel, which has more than 2.6 million subscribers.
2. Kingsley – Team Aquaria
smiling against a white wall wearing white clothes so my melanin steals the fucking show. a concept.
A post shared by Kingsley (@kingsleyyy) on Nov 9, 2017 at 2:26pm PST
Kingsley is a YouTube personality, comedian and blogger. He has almost 3 million subscribers on YouTube and his videos have been viewed over 349 million times. In 2014 he also hosted his own podcast, which debuted at #2 on iTunes.
3. Raymond Braun – Team Asia O'Hara
So honored and excited to be paired with the legendary Asia O'Hara for this week's makeover challenge on #DragRace. Asia was a dream partner and we had so much fun together. Can't wait for you to see us hit the runway on Thursday! #TeamAsia Forever!! ?
A post shared by Raymond Braun (@raymondbraun) on May 22, 2018 at 12:48pm PDT
Raymond Braun is an LGBT activist and media personality who has worked with The Advocate, Logo and GLAAD. His latest project, Catfish: Trolls, is set to air on MTV sometime later this year. The reality series will be hosted by Braun along with Charlamagne Tha God, and it will follow the pair as they try to put a stop to one of the most annoying nuisances plaguing our social media-obsessed society: internet trolls.
4. Tyler Oakley – Team Monet X Change
i know that i was lost, but i miss those days (? via @matthewschueller)
A post shared by tyler oakley (@tyleroakley) on May 18, 2018 at 12:39pm PDT
Probably the most famous of these Drag Race Season 10 Episode 10 social media stars, Tyler Oakley is best known for the YouTube channel he started in 2007. Now his channel has nearly 8 million subscribers and his videos have been watched more than 650 million times. His global influence got him featured on the Forbes "30 Under 30" power list in 2017.
5. Chester See – Team Miz Cracker
Check out this pillow – Pretty cool huh? Just thought I would post this photo of me holding this pillow… just because… no real reason. Welp, catch ya later!
A post shared by chestersee (@chestersee) on Dec 6, 2017 at 5:07pm PST
Chester See is a famous YouTuber with 1,700,000 subscribers to his channel. As of May 2018 his videos have amassed more than 226 million views. A singer and musician, he starred in Rock of Ages on Broadway back in 2014.
6. Frankie Grande – Team Eureka O'Hara
i had the most magical weekend at the #glaadawards! thank you @glaad for everything that you do and for having me be a part of such a wonderful 2 day event… i'm so proud. and so glad. ???????
A post shared by Frankie James Grande (@frankiejgrande) on May 6, 2018 at 5:21pm PDT
Frankie Grande is best known for his stint on Big Brother back in 2014. Also the older half-brother of Ariana Grande, he has appeared on Broadway in Mamma Mia! and Rock of Ages. His social media clout is most prolific on Instagram, where he has 1.7 million followers. He also has another 1.1 million followers on Twitter.
Watch a preview of Drag Race Season 10 Episode 10 right here:
What do you think of the makeover subjects for Drag Race Season 10 Episode 10? Sound off in the comments below and on Facebook.
Aquaria Miz Cracker RuPaul's Drag Race social media YouTube

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Arsenal take on Manchester United on Friday night in the FA Cup and the mouthwatering clash could give Unai Emery the chance to get a close look at a player he is believed to be hoping to lure to the Emirates.
Bailly now has under 18 months left of his contract at United, although the club do have an option of extending that deal by a further two years should they wish.
But the defender, who found himself well down the pecking order under previous boss Jose Mourinho, has failed to force his way into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's plans since the Norwegian took over as caretaker manager.
He was sent off during the 4-1 win over Bournemouth last month and has started just one match in Solskjaer's seven-game winning streak as boss.
Emery is keeping close tabs on the centre-back's situation and there have been reports that Arsenal made a loan enquiry for the 24-year-old within the last week.
Eric Bailly has been linked with a move to Arsenal.
That was said to have been rejected out of hand by United and now Solskjaer has had his say on the situation ahead of Friday night's meeting at the Emirates.
"I'm not surprised if they do (want him) to put it that way," said the United boss. "But that's just one of those things. There's always speculation and it's not a big surprise"
Emery reiterated again on Thursday his desire to add another centre-back to his squad before the end of the transfer window.
Arsenal's head coach ideally wants a winger and a centre-back to bolster his squad for the second half of the season, but he accepts that could be difficult given the Gunners are only looking at the loan market.
"The idea is firstly to find the quality and this quality can help us," said Emery. "We need, if he can come here, a winger for the right or left or some players also at centre back.
"The club continues to work on that. It's difficult. We only want to sign one or two players who can really help us with good performances."


Are you wondering how to get rid of stretch marks? Stretch marks, technically known as striae, are pink, reddish or purplish indented streaks, often found on the belly, breasts, upper arms and thighs, usually related to pregnancy or weight gain. Over time, they often fade to white, grayish or silvery-colored. They usually do not disappear completely, though; once you have them, they will probably always be visible if you look closely. Women get them more often than men, but men can get them, too.
Stretch marks are harmless and don't require any medical treatment. Many people want to get rid of them, though, because they don't like the way they look, especially if they are very noticeable. We'll tell you about the various treatments for stretch marks as well as about the best anti-stretch mark cream we've found. First, though, we'll tell you what causes stretch marks and what you can do to prevent them.
Stretch marks are generally caused by skin stretching, often due to rapid or significant weight gain. Pregnancy frequently leads to stretch marks in women, due to stretching of the skin as well as hormonal changes. Obese people may develop stretch marks. Weight lifters sometimes develop them, especially on the arms. Teens may develop them during growth spurts.
Some medications, including corticosteroids, increase the likelihood of developing stretch marks. Certain illnesses, such as Cushing's syndrome, Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and adrenal gland disorders may also cause stretch marks.
There is not much you can do to prevent stretch marks. The best thing you can do to reduce your risk of developing them is to maintain a healthy weight (1). Women need to gain weight during pregnancy, though, and the weight gain by necessity will be fairly rapid.
Stretch marks will usually fade some in time, but if their appearance still bothers you, there are treatments that can make them less visible. Treatments usually do not get rid of stretch marks completely, however.
It is important to have realistic expectations before beginning any type of treatment for stretch marks.
Tretinoin cream – This cream works best on recent stretch marks, those that are just a few months old and are still red or pink in color. It works by rebuilding collagen, so stretch marks look more like normal skin. It's not safe for use by pregnant or breastfeeding women and you shouldn't get pregnant while using it. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or may become pregnant, talk to your doctor about other treatment options.
Laser therapy – Depending on the type of laser therapy used, this treatment can rebuild collagen, increase the amount of elastin and/or stimulate the production of melanin in the skin. The best type of laser therapy for you will depend on the location of your stretch marks, how long you've had them, and the color of your skin. Multiple treatments are usually required. Here is more on laser removal of stretch marks.
Microdermabrasion – This treatment involves abrading the skin with tiny crystals, essentially sanding away imperfections by removing the top layer of the skin. This stimulates the growth of new, healthier skin. It is most often used to treat older stretch marks. As you might imagine, you may experience some pain or discomfort during and after the procedure.
These treatments are all about equally effective (1).
The best stretch mark cream we've found is Insta Natural Stretch Mark and Scar Cream. It contains a number of natural ingredients, including vitamin C, grapeseed oil and evening primrose oil, which nourish and heal damaged skin. It reduces the appearance of stretch marks, is affordable and doesn't require a prescription from a doctor. People that tried it rated it 4.8 out of five stars. To learn more about our favorite stretch mark cream, just follow the link.
Stretch Marks After Weight Loss - Many people think stretch marks will go away after losing weight, but that is usually not the case.
Stretch Marks on The Back - Causes, treatment and prevention of stretch marks on back.
Are Any Home Remedies Effective - Review of common home remedies and natural remedies for stretch marks.


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Q: Feature selection in xgboost vs GBM in H2O I am working on a big data set( more than 100 variables) and 30 million observations. I tried to build 100 models with a grid search using both XGBoost and GBM in H2O (Sparkling Water).
I realized that the variable selection is completely different in each model when I use GBM, however in XGBoost my top 10 variables are always the same! (And those are variables that makes the most sense for my specific case)
I was wondering why is this happening? Can I conclude that my xgboost models are more robust?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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The Virgin and the Viscount by Charis Michaels: Review
Posted July 14, 2016 in review Tags: author interview, Giveaway, guest post
The Virgin and the Viscount by Charis Michaels
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: ARC, Edelweiss
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The Virgin
Lady Elisabeth Hamilton-Baythes has a painful secret. At fifteen, she was abducted by highwaymen and sold to a brothel. But two days later, she was rescued by a young lord, a man she's never forgotten. Now, she's devoted herself to save other innocents from a similar fate.
The Viscount
Bryson Courtland, Viscount Rainsleigh, never breaks the rules. Well, once, but that was a long time ago. He's finally escaped his unhappy past to become one of the wealthiest noblemen in Britain. The last thing he needs to complete his ideal life? A perfectly proper wife.
When Bryson and Elisabeth meet, he sees only a flawless candidate for his future wife. But a distant memory calls to him every time he's with her. Elisabeth knows she's not the wife Bryson needs, and he is the only person who has the power to reveal her secret. But neither can resist the devastating pull of attraction, and as the truth comes to light, they must discover that an improper love is the truest of all.
The Virgin and the Viscount
Charis Michaels
When I first started this book, I was afraid it was going to be a DNF. I didn't really care for the hero, Bryson. He seemed a bit cold and closed off. And the heroine, Elizabeth, seemed a bit weird and difficult to understand. But then you read the best backstory ever!! How these two originally met was a great story! I loved how unique and original it was and it totally hooked me!
What kept me reading were the depths of these characters. Elizabeth is more than just a silly girl waiting for some man to sweep her off her feet. In fact, she had already decided that she, at 30, didn't want or need to get married. She had a 'career' that was very fulfilling and she is quite happy. But, she never forgot Bryson and always held him on a bit of a pedestal. Then she meets him and at first, the pedestal seems quite deserving. Don't worry though-he starts screwing up pretty quickly. He says the wrong things, he does the wrong things. Elizabeth is so kind and caring to those that society has shunned and my heart broke for her every time Bryson screwed up. By the end, I had tears streaming down my face. Seriously, if you don't get the FEELS for Elizabeth, you are a cold, heartless monster. But, the reward is so worth it.
POV: 3rd
Tears: So, so, many
Trope: Virgin
Triggers: none
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Cliffhanger: no
HEA: View Spoiler »Yes, Bryson stops pushing her away. He gives his viscountancy to his brother and he and Elizabeth live happily ever after. « Hide Spoiler
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The Rogue not Taken by Sarah MacLean, Luck is no Lady by Amy Sandas…then you will probably like The Virgin and the Viscount!
Author Q and A!
1. Tell us about yourself.
Well, I'm a 43-year-old wife and mother who has dreamt of writing romance novels since I read ALMOST HEAVEN by Judith McNaught when I was 16. For better or for worse, I live the dream. I wear puffy dresses that are borderline costumes. I love a good garden party. Castles and cottages are the homes of my dreams. I'm a sucker for any television show, book, or movie with a well-done romance and HEA.
I lived in England for a time but I'm a native Texan and Texan at heart. I love the beach but will never turn down a trip to Disney (in the off season).
2. What three things about you might surprise your readers?
I worked at RWA (Romance Writers of America, the trade group for romance authors) right out of college and promoted authors and romance novels for eight years. Dream job.
I wear small shoulder pads with every single outfit (rounded shoulders, what are you gonna do?).
My fantasy guy is a thug with a heart of gold (think Vin Diesel or Channing Tatum), but I would not be able to stand this person IRL. I'm married to the love of my life, a bald lawyer with three fancy degrees who enjoys napping. Heart of gold? Yes. Thug? Not so much.
3. Is there a genre(s) that you think "I might like to write one of those."?
You know, I am all-romance/all-the-time. Although if "sub-genres" count, I definitely would eventually like to write contemporary romantic suspense/adventure (remember those thugs with a heart of gold?). I have a completed romantic adventure just sitting there, waiting for its moment in the sun.
4. Tell us about THE VIRGIN AND THE VISCOUNT
This is the story of an incredibly powerful, serious, straight-laced, controlled hero (the viscount) who thinks he wants one thing—a very proper wife—but who falls in love with someone entirely different (the virgin). Slowly, she unravels this man and teaches him the true meaning of nobility and honor. I love a serious hero who loses control, and this one totally loses control.
5. Where did the idea for the storyline come from?
As originally written, the hero discovers a scar on the heroine's body when they are in bed on their wedding night—and he realizes that she is not who he thinks she is. He's crushed and angry and just…awful to her. This was originally written more than ten years ago, and I've had to revise his reaction and when and where it happens so it's not so…well, so awful. But the new scene, and how they come back from that horrible place, is so much fun to read. That's a long way of saying, the idea came from the notion of the hero thinking his new bride is/was a virgin, and then discovering that she might not be. I built the story around that emotional journey.
6. What do you think readers will like/love about Bryson and Elisabeth?
If you like a buttoned-up hero that totally loses control, then you will love Bryson. He's powerful, in command, dominating, kind of old-school. And then he loses all of that authority because of this woman. You've gotta love a man who loses all authority because of a woman! (Or I do.)
The heroine is super capable, plain-spoken, and no-nonsense. But she's also generous of spirit, kind, and forgiving. I think the typical "unravel-er" of buttoned-up men is portrayed as like a free spirit or a bohemian. Elisaeth is not necessarily this archetype (if free spirit can be considered an archetype). She is not beholden to the social climbing of the haute ton, nor is she interested in doing anything for the sake of appearances. But other than that, she is traditional and confident and hopeful. She falls in love easily. She is curious about sex. She is me or you on our best day.
7. What was your favorite scene from the book?
Oooh, there is a scene in a map room outside a ball where the hero confronts the heroine about when/how they may have met in their pasts, and it is devastating but so much fun. And then when the convene again to rehash it all in the home of the heroine's aunt? To die for (IMHO)!
8. Who are some of your book boyfriends? What draws you to them?
Is it wrong that I don't even have to look these up? Lord Dain from "Lord of the Scoundrels." Any of the Macleod brothers from Shannon McKenna's Macleod brothers series of romantic suspense, but especially Conner Macleod and Miles Davenport. Captain Asher Flint from "I Kissed an Earl."
Why? Two words: Tortured and alpha. In that order.
9. If you had to pick a favorite cocktail of choice, what would it be? (It can be non-alcoholic too)
Oh, I'm a margarita girl, all the way. Salt on the rim, if you please. Frozen or on the rocks. Any iteration, from classic to pomegranate. Thank you very much!
10. What's next for you?
I'm furiously trying to finish the third book in the Bachelor Lords trilogy: One for the Rogue, out December 6th. When you read the Virgin and the Viscount you'll be able to identify the hero of this book right away. He's a handful but a lot of fun.
Thank you for the interview! Great questions!
So, if you have been reading the blog at all, you know I LOVE a virgin heroine! I always have, always will! So, check out why Charis Michaels loves a virgin as well!
What Is It About a Virgin?
When I revealed the title of my second book to one of my writing buddies, she wrote back: "Nice. Are virgins like the new dukes?" Apparently I'm not the only one name-checking virgins these days. She'd seen it on several other books, not unlike the proliferation of "dukes" of the last couple of years.
So, what gives? What is it about a virgin?
Before I go any further, let me acknowledge that not everyone loves a virginal heroine. In fact, some readers can't abide them. Certainly, virgins-as-heroines are not as thick on the ground as they were back in the day, when I read my first romance in the late 1980s. In today's contemporary romance, I'd venture to say that virgins are virtually nonexistent.
But my editor loved the title, The Virgin and the Viscount as soon as I suggested it, and as my friend said, I'm not the only author brandishing the big "V." So perhaps this means that there are still a few of us virgin enthusiasts out there. Hey, I'll admit, straight up, that one of my favorite romance tropes is a hero who believes a heroine is not a virgin, only to discover, after he deflowers her, that she is (or was). It's out-dated and misogynistic, and even I had to tone down some version of this trope (spoiler alert #1) to make my 1811-set Historical match modern sensibilities (although the resulting scene is still pretty devastating, if I do say so myself).
Regardless of who knows who's a virgin, I still consider an innocent heroine—so long as she's full of spunk and enthusiasm and healthy curiosity—to be playful and fun and totally sexy. She certainly offers a lot more interesting fodder for a love scene. Every romance author approaches these scenes a little differently, but for me, they must advance the story and up the stakes for the hero and heroine. In other words, they must be remarkable, worth spelling out in graphic detail. And nothing makes an interlude more worthy of remark or lengthy detail than the first time, especially for my over-the-top characters.
Also, virgins are historically accurate.
Also, we were all (or still may be) virgins, so we can relate.
Also, few sexual experiences are more wildly discussed, lamented, celebrated or (circling back) discussed than anyone's first time. For better or for worse, we relish dishing about this topic. I defy you to think of your best friend and claim you have not heard the story of her first time.
Also—well, maybe this is more like a "primarily"—if you know me in real life, you know that I'm an old-fashioned kind of gal, and I simply prefer the virgins There, I said it. Or, at least, I prefer my eager, exploratory, and totally in-love virginal heroines. But hey—even if you're not usually a fan of the virginal heroine, consider this: the leading lady in The Virgin and the Viscount (spoiler alert #2) does not know whether she is a virgin or not. Either way, I hope you'll give Lady Elisabeth a try. And just like your best friend, let's dish. Let me know what you think!
About Charis Michaels
CHARIS MICHAELS believes a romance novel is a very long, exciting answer to the question: "So, how did you two meet?" She loves to answer this question with different characters each time she writes a book. Prior to writing romance, she studied Journalism at Texas A&M and managed PR for a large trade association. She has also worked as a tour guide at Disney World, harvested peaches on her family's farm, and entertained children as the "Story Godmother" at birthday parties. She has lived in Texas, Florida, and London, England. She now makes her home in the Washington, D.C.-metro area.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon
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4 responses to "The Virgin and the Viscount by Charis Michaels: Review"
Oh wow! I love how this went from being a near DNF to a favorite. I do love my feels in books, so I'll have to check this one out, Samantha. I'm glad you loved it so much. And yay so happy to see you reading and reviewing more HR:! 😀
Yes, I have been on a real HR kick lately!!! Loving it!
oh this one sounds so good here!!! I have been curious about this one and you sold me on it! I love deep characters.
I loved this book so much!!! These characters are just so different and really well thought out, ya know!
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Prometheus (at left) chases Pandora in this Cassini view, but the outcome of their race has already been decided by gravity. Prometheus (86 kilometers, 53 miles across) orbits closer to Saturn and thus moves faster than does Pandora (81 kilometers, 50 miles across).
This view is from a third of a degree beneath the ringplane. Familiar ring features that are visible from higher angles above the rings are foreshortened here. The planet's dark shadow stretches across the ringplane at center.
The image was taken in visible light with the narrow angle camera on September 8, 2005, from a distance of approximately 1.8 million kilometers (1.1 million miles) from Saturn. The image scale is 10 kilometers (6 miles) per pixel on Prometheus and Pandora.


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L'Ouest du Michigan (anglais : West Michigan, ou Western Michigan) est une région de l'État américain du Michigan. Il peut plus correctement être décrit comme « l'Ouest du Michigan inférieur », car le nom n'est presque jamais utilisé pour décrire la péninsule supérieure de l'État. La région n'a pas un statut officiel, et ses frontières ne sont pas définies avec précision. Dans beaucoup de contextes, le nom est appliqué seulement aux comtés situé autour de la ville de Grand Rapids : Allegan, Kent, Muskegon, et Ottawa. D'autres utilisent le nom pour la moitié occidentale entière de la péninsule inférieure.

Si on utilise la définition étroite de la région (les quatre comtés nommés ci-dessus), la population de la région est environ  d'habitants.

Région au Michigan

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


A special program is bringing volunteer dentists and volunteer dental team members together to provide free dental care to hundreds of people at Calvin College in Grand Rapids on June 1 and June 2.
The Michigan Mission of Mercy event is for any child or adult that needs dental services regardless of previous dental history, insurance status or ability to pay. Everyone working at the clinic is a volunteer. The services are free.
The Michigan Mission of Mercy is organized by the Michigan Dental Association and the Michigan Dental Association Foundation. The program began in 2013. Since then, over 4,000 people have been treated and over 3,000 people have volunteered. 2,500 people are expected to receive free dental services this year.
Services provided include cleanings, fillings, tooth removal, root canals and treatment partials to replace front teeth. They will not provide caps, crowns, metal-based partial dentures, dentures, implants, bridges, orthodontics or removal of wisdom teeth. Some services will only be provided on a limited basis. A patient's most severe problem will be given priority. All services are first-come, first-served.
Childcare is not provided. Only children receiving treatment should attend.
Doors open at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2. Patients usually begin arriving shortly after midnight. Services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis until that day's capacity has been reached. Capacity depends on the number of volunteers. Many patients who receive treatment will end up spending the entire day at the event.
The event will take place at the Huizenga Tennis and Track Center on Calvin College's campus. Patient parking is available on the north side of the Calvin College campus in Lot 8.


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The Convening Authority as an Early Appellate Authority
December 29, 2021 / Rodrigo M. Caruco / Leave a comment
At the heart of the early American court-martial was the convening authority, the military commander with the legal authority to convene such a proceeding.[1] The Army and Navy of the period was not only quite small relative to today, they also existed in a world with limited communications bandwidth. Generals, Admirals, and (Navy) Captains received their general orders from the Commander-in-Chief and were delegated vast authority to otherwise act on their own pursuant to the Commander-in-Chief's "intent."
Courts-martial of the period were primarily the (sole) medium to imposing punishment and maintaining control over enlisted[2] men.[3] This is an important point to understand. A criminal proceeding in a regularly constituted court of competent jurisdiction is, at least in theory, intended to independently assess the facts of a case to determine whether the government has proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt and, if necessary, impose an appropriate sentence. Courts-martial by this period had a long history of being a creature of necessity outside regular law used to enforce conformity and discipline in an age before loyalty to a state, much less a constitution, while attenuating charges of arbitrary and capricious whims (which would not be the acts of an officer and a gentleman).
Under the conventional perception of courts-martial of this era, a panel of military officers heard the evidence and independently determined guilt. Likewise, this same panel independently determined the appropriate sentence. Courts-martial of the period had no maximum punishment tables nor sentencing guidelines. Sentences were determined, paraphrasing, "as a court-martial may direct."
So, one would be fine to think the convening authority acted as an appellate authority over the independent determination of the court-martial panel.
The convening authority selected the panel of officers to determine guilt and adjudge a sentence. He also selected the prosecutor, who also spoke for the Accused. If the convening authority disagreed with a particular ruling by the panel, he could re-submit the issue for further review. Same goes for the sentence.
Oh, and he also rated each of the officers selected for the panel, meaning he was in control of their career.
As a further indication of a court-martial's administrative hearing character, though there were no early rules of evidence or procedure, the early Articles specifically spelled out that the trial judge advocate was responsible for compiling the record of trial and forwarding it to the convening authority. He then had the authority to approve the findings and sentence, set them aside, or approve a lower sentence.
An additional copy was forwarded to the JAG Department in Washington, DC. At the time, the department had no authority to do anything to the approved findings and sentence. The most it could do was, upon review, provide recommendations to the convening authority to consider in the future. In fact, it was not until Brigadier General Samuel Ansell in the early 20th century that the JAG Department asserted Congress intended it to have jurisdiction over courts-martial.
But, that is hundreds of years away. In colonial times, the convening authority's power was virtually absolute and he remained the only "appellate" authority in a court-martial. As you can probably imagine, this was abused, and Congress almost immediately stepped back in to require a bit more supervision.
More next time.
[1] Then, and now, there existed multiple types of courts-martial, differentiated by the type of punishment it was authorized to impose. The more serious the authorized punishment, the higher rank the convening authority needed to be.
[2] In a separate post I might venture a little more into officer courts-martial. While there are some notable cases, mostly an officer was just as likely to demand a trial by court-martial when "dishonored" as he was to face a court-martial for misconduct. And even when that happened, officers were loathe to convict one of their own.
[3] Also in a separate post, I will explore a bit more why this was so. For now, recruiting was different, military organization was different, enlisted men were different. It was just a different time and a different people, and a different need.
April 19, 2021 / Rodrigo M. Caruco / Leave a comment
The Court-Martial Panel of the Founding Era
April 6, 2021 / Rodrigo M. Caruco / Leave a comment
The Continental Congress enacted the first Articles of War under fire. British troops occupied Boston. The British Navy blockaded Boston Harbor. The "Shot Heard 'Round the World" was fired at Lexington. Neighboring colonies sent militia to assist the Massachusetts response. The Siege of Boston was underway. The colonies were at war with Great Britain.
Keeping Order in an Amateur Army on Campaign In a Time Long Gone
March 24, 2021 March 24, 2021 / Rodrigo M. Caruco / Leave a comment
To understand courts-martial at the time of the Founding, one must also understand the military (or organized violence more broadly) of the same period and the greater society within which it existed. And to do that, one must forget all you know of the modern military and instead imagine a completely foreign idea.
Wading Into the Supreme Court's Military Law Jurisprudence
March 16, 2021 / Rodrigo M. Caruco / Leave a comment
"This Court has long recognized that the military is, by necessity, a specialized society separate from civilian society. We have also recognized that the military has, again by necessity, developed laws and traditions of its own during its long history. The differences between the military and civilian communities result from the fact that 'it is the primary business and armies and navies to fight or be ready to fight wars should the occasion arise.'"[1]
"We find nothing in the history or constitutional treatment of military tribunals which entitles them to rank along with Article III courts as adjudicators of the guilt or innocence of people charged with offenses for which they can be deprived of their life, liberty or property. Unlike courts, it is the primary business of armies and navies to fight or be ready to fight wars should the occasion arise."[2]
Lessons Learned and Back to the Blog
January 7, 2021 March 24, 2021 / Rodrigo M. Caruco / Leave a comment
You know, Thomas Edison tried and failed nearly 2,000 times to develop the carbonized cotton-thread filament for the incandescent light bulb.
And when asked about it, he said "I didn't fail; I found out 2,000 ways how not to make a light bulb," but he only needed one way to make it work.
— Benjamin Franklin Gates
National Treasure (2004)
Chalk up launching C4SMJ to one of the 2,000 ways how not to make a light bulb. Ultimately, there were hurdles we weren't quite ready to overcome.
So, C4SMJ is back on the drawing board for now and I'll be re-focusing on this blog.
More to come soon!
— Rodrigo
Thoughts on the Court's Engagement with the Inmate Community
The Court's decision in Turner v. Safely is a benchmark example of the Court's ability to establish a framework for analyzing constitutional issues in a community with which it is not familiar with, willingness to engage with the community and apply the framework, and take a disciplined approach to its role as the court of last resort in its Congressionally-created jurisdiction.
On My Nightstand: More on Preparing for War by J.P. Clark
January 28, 2020 / Rodrigo M. Caruco / 1 Comment
A bit further along in Preparing for War: The Emergence of the Modern U.S. Army, 1815-1917, by J.P. Clark. I'm always looking to steal some time to get in a little reading every day, but it is a continual struggle–particularly after long days of reading at my day job.
Clark has done an excellent job so far of leading me through the army culture's evolution as it responded to its experience, as well as its parent society.
Take this excerpt, for example, as Clark discusses the late 1800s:
But underneath political deadlock, society was undergoing a profound change from traditional personalized customs to new impersonal systems. That was, in broad terms, the difference between the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era. Naturally, such a momentous transition was neither instantaneous nor absolute. The broad trend, however, manifested itself in different ways across all aspects of society: in government, the patronage of party machines slowly yielded to an impartial bureaucracy manned by civil servants; in the private sector, unregulated free practitioners were subsumed by national credentialing associations for professions such as law and medicine; in the army, individual autonomy would be slowly subordinated to a general staff dictating a centrally determined notion of professionalism.
Beyond the clear and vivid, well-researched writing, I am particularly intrigued by Clark's thesis.
Though still working through the details of my thesis, I believe a similar argument can be made about the evolution of military justice, both within the parent society and the law that governs its people.
Reading books like Clark's, and other well researched and written articles, help refine the questions to be asked and hypotheses to test, even though they might not directly reference military justice. My intent is to share and celebrate these works on this blog . . . and to take good notes . . .
On My Nightstand: Preparing for War by J.P. Clark
January 21, 2020 / Rodrigo M. Caruco / Leave a comment
I picked up Preparing for War: The Emergence of the Modern U.S. Army, 1815-1917, by J.P. Clark, a few weeks ago and added it to my reading rotation.
The inside jacket cover was particularly appealing.
The author, an active duty Army officer and former faculty at the United States Military Academy, "traces the evolution of the Army between the War of 1812 and World War I. . . ." But this was the part that hooked me:
Nineteenth-century officers believed that generalship and battlefield command were more a matter of innate ability than anything institutions could teach. They saw no benefit in conceptual preparation beyond mastering technical skills like engineering and gunnery. Thus, preparations for war were largely confined to maintaining equipment and fortification and instilling discipline in the enlisted ranks through parade ground drill. By World War I, however, Progressive Era concepts of professionalism had infiltrated the Army. Younger officers took for granted that war's complexity required them to be trained to think and act alike—a notion that would have offended earlier generations.
Does that sound cool or what???
I'm a little over ninety pages in so far, and it is fascinating. This "industrialization" of American though on command, mobilization, organization, and training promises to be a fascinating insight on this aspect of the evolution of military society, and the broader society in which it exists. I'm hopeful that this will add to how best to understand the proper evolution of military law. So far, this book does not disappoint.
Check it out, share your thoughts, and pass along recommendations!