One of the biggest concerns one could face is defining God's will for your life. I have heard a lot of stories about people who studied this certain thing for years and then never really liked what they learned and found out something else was their calling.
I didn't want to be one to waste years doing something I didn't really want to do or something I did like but then have to leave everything behind when I learned I was really meant to do something else.
Even if you end up making some career or educational choices you later decide to leave behind and make some mistakes, that doesn't mean serving God won't be worth it and all those years doing other things were completely wasted. Moses gave up being a prince in Egypt, lived as a fugitive after killing someone, and ended up a shepherd. But it was after years of being a faithful shepherd that God made him a shepherd of Israel. Joseph was a slave but after being faithful in his duties he ended up being put in prison, yet still became next in power to the Pharaoh of Egypt. Samson did many things that soiled his life but he was still able to defeat more of God's enemies during his death than in his life.
God can redeem the time that was spent away from God or doing something other than His plan for you. The Jewish prophet Joel wrote God's promise, "'So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten... praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame.'" Joel 2:25-26. Rabbi Paul once said "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 So if you are not sure what your calling is and are afraid you have made a mistake don't worry. Pray for God's guidance and just live up to the light that you do have and know that as long as you obey God you are in God's will.


Crude oil is a very important component of the world economy and the financial markets. Priced in US dollars, many countries of the world earn their money from exporting large amounts of it found within their territories. Crude oil is so important because of all the derivative products obtained from it, used in several industries such as road transport, aviation, power and the like. The world would be a very different place without it, and the fact that countries have gone to war over it shows just how important it is.
Today, we will take a look at how crude oil, traded separately as a commodity instrument, can be used to trade the currency market in what we shall call the crude-currency interplay.
Of all the major currencies, only Canada can boast a significant share of it's revenue from crude oil and has been proven to have the second largest reserves in the world behind Saudi Arabia. As one of the world's largest consumers of this commodity, the US imports most of its oil from its neighbour up north. To set the records straight, the US do produce some crude oil but not in sufficient amounts to met its bludgeoning demand. As a result the shortfall must be bridged with imports of this product. Japan do not have any crude oil reserves and depend wholly on imports of this product and its derivatives to keep its heavily industrialized economy going.
Naturally it follows that the currencies of these three countries are affected by changes in oil prices. The most important correlation is that of the US Dollar with crude oil, with an inverse relationship existing between the two. When crude prices rise, the value of the USD falls and vice versa. This is why on some trading platforms, we see crude oil listed as Oil/USD.
With this relationship in mind, the logical question would be: which currency pair would be used to trade this relationship in the Forex market?
The chart of the EUR/USD and crude oil (light sweet crude) have been placed alongside each other in order to show clearly that there is a positive correlation between oil and the EUR/USD (USD being the counter currency is in an inverse relationship). Since we can see the way the candlesticks on both charts are heavily correlated, it is very clear to see that trading the EUR/USD to follow the price pattern of oil is a very good way to profit from the market.
All the trader needs to do is to use the various technical entries that have been described on this site to make the appropriate trades.


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Travis Scott's parents' teary reactions to their Christmas presents (video)
by Terry Shropshire
Rapper Travis Scott (Photo source: Instagram – @ travisscott)
Rapper Travis Scott was catapulted back to the top of the pop culture radar this past week for several reasons, this latest time when he gave his parents a pair of luxury cars for Christmas.
Scott seems to be in the giving mood these holidays on the heels of earning his sweet Super Bowl gig.
Travis Scott, born Jacques Berman Webster II, 26, gifted his mother and father two wondrous whips for Christmas in a surprise move that caused his father to sob.
Scott's brother, Josh, showed off their lavish gifts on his Instagram Story. Travis hooked his brother up with a Cartier bracelet, while their parents got a new Porsche coupe and Range Rover SUV.
Photo source: Instagram – @joshweb_17
This counters the bad press that Scott, the boyfriend of Kylie Jenner, 21, has received for bailing out Maroon 5 and the NFL. They had reportedly begun to panic because they could not secure a major Black artist to perform at the signature Super Bowl halftime show. The Super Bowl attracts over 100M viewers for the championship football game.
But the likes of Jay-Z, Rihanna and Cardi B had turned down the NFL's offer to perform. Scott had received a lot of bad press for agreeing to perform. He was also blasted this past week when he reportedly said Mike Brown of Ferguson, Missouri, may have "deserved" his fate after he was shot and killed by police in 2014. That violent episode sparked national protests and gave birth to the Black Lives Matter movement.
The Webster family was not the only ones to be the beneficiaries of great gifts this Christmas. NBA retiree Matt Barnes gave his girlfriend, Anansa Sims, a new SUV adorned in a red bow after giving birth to their first child this past month. Rapper YG got a custom off-white Cadillac Escalade. And rapper Rich the Kid bought his girl, Tori Brixx, a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.
Check out Travis' father breaking down completely after getting his Christmas present.
Travis Scott gifted his parents a brand new Porsche and Range Rover.. his dads reaction 😱❤ #travisscott @travisscott
A post shared by TRAVIS SCOTT (@rockstar_laflame) on Dec 25, 2018 at 7:03pm PST
Tags: christmas, featured, Kylie Jenner, luxury cars, Super Bowl, Travis Scott
Terry Shropshire
A military veteran and Buckeye State native, I've written for the likes of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta Business Chronicle and the Detroit Free Press. I'm a lover of words, photography, books, travel, animals and The Ohio State Buckeyes. #GoBucks
Terry Shropshire December 27, 2018

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Published: January 1, 2021, 9:54 PM
Updated: January 1, 2021, 10:32 PM
Tags: Chris Olave, Justin Fields, James Skalski, Sports
Jacksonville mayor proclaims January 2022 as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
Clemson linebacker Skalski ejected for hit on Fields
Published: January 1, 2021, 9:54 PM Updated: January 1, 2021, 10:32 PM
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields gets hit by Clemson linebacker James Skalski during the first half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. Skalski was ejected from the game for targeting. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
NEW ORLEANS – Clemson starting middle linebacker James Skalski has been ejected from the Sugar Bowl for a tackle that knocked Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields out of the game for one play.
Officials concluded that Skalski committed targeting by leading with the crown of his helmet when he hit Fields in the ribs. Fields remained down on the field a couple minutes before walking to the sideline.
The personal foul put the Buckeyes on the Clemson 9-yard line. Two plays later, Fields returned and hit Chris Olave for a 9-yard touchdown to give the Buckeyes a 28-14 lead with 5:12 remaining in the first half. But Fields still appeared to be in pain and he skipped directly — and awkwardly — to the sideline favoring his right side rather than celebrating the scoring pass with teammates.
After that touchdown, Fields was 12 of 13 for 173 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.
Skalski is one of Clemson's defensive leaders. He entered the Sugar Bowl with 39 tackles, including 3 1/2 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery in eight games. He missed Clemson's first meeting with Notre Dame this season, won by the Irish, because of an injury. But he played in the rematch in the ACC championship game and had a sack among five solo or assisted tackles.
He was in on three tackles in the first half against Ohio State before his ejection.


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OBAMA ADMITS HE USED DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
by EmilyH
POTUS is at it again with nuggets of wisdom. He recently stated that he doesn't think marijuana is any more dangerous than alcohol, in regards to its effects on the consumer. Hmmm, really?
"As has been well documented, I smoked pot as a kid, and I view it as a bad habit and a vice, not very different from the cigarettes that I smoked as a young person up through a big chunk of my adult life. I don't think it is more dangerous than alcohol," the president said an interview with "The New Yorker" magazine.
Such a ridiculous statement. If it's not too dangerous to the consumer, then why would it be a bad habit and a vice? If it's not bad for you, then why are you comparing it to cigarettes, which ARE bad for you? He's contradicting himself again!
Smoking marijuana is "not something I encourage, and I've told my daughters I think it's a bad idea, a waste of time, not very healthy," Obama said.
Interesting. At first when I read this article in the Seattle Times, it sounded like he was OK with it. Now it doesn't sound like something he's in favor of at all. I'm confused…
What makes it even more confusing is his administration has given the green light to states who want to experiment with regulating marijuana use. Two states–Washington and Colorado, recently legalized the medicinal use of the stuff.
The president said "it was important for the legalization of marijuana to go forward in those states to avoid a situation in which only a few are punished while a large portion of people have broken the law at one time or another."
"Middle-class kids don't get locked up for smoking pot, and poor kids do," he said. "And African-American kids and Latino kids are more likely to be poor and less likely to have the resources and the support to avoid unduly harsh penalties."
Ohh, so it's a prejudicial issue?
Nothing he says about marijuana make any sense. That is certainly true in this article, especially. Is it safe or not? Is he for it or not?
I still think the legalization of marijuana in my state is a bad idea, and I think it will fall into the wrong hands and be consumed for the wrong reasons. It has nothing to do with how much money someone makes, or their race. My only concern is; are they lighting up before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle? If they are impaired, they could hurt someone I care about in a serious car crash. Similar to drunk driving.
What I'm concerned about, Mr. President, is whether someone can become addicted to the drug when they are consuming it for health purposes. If enough people abuse the system, are my health insurance premiums going to go up?
That's what we should be looking at, Mr. President. It's as simple as that.
Source: The Seattle Times
DowntrendCom


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The pixie dust and candy was without a doubt the most extraordinary coffee that we've had the privilege of working with. People all over the world came back to us months after we had sent out the last drops to tell us how it completely changed the way they thought coffee could taste. So thats why we couldn't pass up the opportunity to get our hands on some more when Trabocca nabbed one of the top lots in the auction.
This is the Oma block, lot 51. It isn't the Illubabor cultivar but the original 1931 Geisha variety. It displays the beautifully balanced and ripe fruit of the other lot but with much more elegance. It is tea like, sweet and incredibly clean for a naturally processed coffee. Absolutely incredible.
We believe so much in the work that Adam and Rachel do that we can't wait to share more of their extraordinary coffee with the world. They smashed every single one of Ethiopia's previous records of most expensive coffee ever sold and when you taste it, you can understand why. Meticulous processing and lot separation makes for a very memorable coffee.
Talor and Jørgen met in 2015 at the launch of Jørgens largest project; Steam Kaffebar in Østbanehallen. They immediately knew that they shared the same principles: working hard, being honest, practicing kindness and creating supremely high quality produce.
Originally thrown together for a separate project, the initial collaboration blossomed into an amazing partnership and the concept for a specialty coffee roastery without the attitude was born.


Residents of Melbourne are lucky to have such a beautiful city to live in. Especially, couples who are getting married in Melbourne are very fortunate because firstly they are tying the knot on the backdrop of such a lovely place and secondly they are going to have awesome wedding photos which they can cherish forever. There are a lot of beautiful photogenic locations in and around Melbourne, and you and your photographer will certainly enjoy your photo shoot. Here are some such exclusive wedding photo venues in Melbourne.
Just an hour from Melbourne and 25 minutes from Daylesford, St. Agnes spread on 6 acre scenic setting is a heritage property retaining its old charm that will make you fall in love with it. The beautiful venue is nestled in a woodland garden, rich with vineyard, a pond and a tennis court. Far from the hustle-bustle of the city, St. Agnes Homestead offers you a perfect rustic experience once you enter its premises. No wonder, you can carry out your photo shoot in the most relaxed mood and with the most delightful expressions, so, they are bound to be awesome.
If you want that your wedding should be performed at a venue where there is beauty everywhere your eyes turn, Yering Station is the place you should choose. The place offers you the best views, food, wine and service, so that you and your guests will never forget such a superb and relaxed big day. Yering Station is perfect for an intimate wedding as well as a large event. They encourage site inspection when you can realize that it's the most ideal place for wedding photos.
If you are looking for one of the most breathtaking wedding destinations in Yarra Valley, look no further than Zonzo Estate! With the utmost scenic corners of the estate, you will be delighted and get an assurance to have the wedding photos you want. This is a perfect rustic experience for you with vineyard and farms, super delicious food and wine. To make your every step easy, there will be a wedding coordinator too, who can make valuable suggestions for wedding photos.
Wouldn't you expect perfect rusticity from a great chapel, barn, dairy and stables? This is what Stones of the Yarra Valley have for you on your wedding so that you can capture stunning photos. What's more, there are manicured lawns traversed by European-inspired paths, which will provide magnificent backdrops for your photos. There is no other more appropriate place for you to say 'I do' than the chapel, with stained-glass windows and grand views across vines, handmade timber pews and a rustic chandelier, no other apt place to enjoy drinks and canapés than The Dairy, no other place to relax than The Barn giving spectacular views from its every seat and the historic Stables with rough-hewn timbers, vintage fittings and century-old brickwork.
A private elegant property, Quat Quatta is perfect for your intimate wedding. The venue has all the facilities for the bridal parties' comfort, like bridal suite, drawing room, dance floor and courtyard, making it a perfect venue to celebrate a romantic big day and capture its awesome photos.
Simon at Wedding Snapper is one of the leading wedding photographers in Melbourne who is keen to offer you natural, relaxed and candid moments captured in his camera. Some of his awesome work has been given in this article and you can see a lot more at his website.


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Ranking the NBA Christmas Day Games
By Ahmed Ali
Christmas Day NBA games have become a date to circle on the calendar. Marquee names, teams and personalities are given the platform to shine. Now, not all games are created equal so here are the most exciting Christmas Day games.
5) Los Angeles Clippers @ Los Angeles Lakers
The 5 game NBA slate will end with a couple of teams that are struggling. The Lakers, after a surprising start have lost 12 of their last 13 games while the Clippers are struggling with injury. With Blake Griffin out and Chris Paul questionable, this game is the least exciting of the day.
4) Minnesota Timberwolves @ Oklahoma City Thunder
There was a reason the Timberwolves were given this huge platform to perform against one of the leagues best before the season. Coming of a 29-53 record last year, they were expected to make a huge leap and become a playoff team. With all the young talent they possess, they've only mustered 9 wins so far this season.
On the other side, there's Russell Westbrook. Mr. 31.8/10.5/10.8. That is all.
3) Chicago Bulls @ San Antonio Spurs
The Bulls face the Spurs and look for the season sweep against them. The Bulls, one of only 5 teams to beat the Spurs this season, have lost 5 of their last 7 games. This stretch has put them below .500 for the first time all season.
The Spurs are expected to have a full roster available, which feels like it's the first time in 7 years this is happening. Kawhi Leonard has taken that next step of asserting himself offensively and looks to build on his MVP-esque season.
2) Boston Celtics @ New York Knicks
To start the day off, we have a BANGER. Both these teams are neck and neck in the standings right now. Kristaps Porzingis, who is undoubtly "The People's Champion B," is going to let his star shine brightest in the Garden for all of us to watch.
Isaiah Thomas averaging 31 points since coming back from injury December 16th is a walking human bucket.
1) Golden State Warriors @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Everyone has been waiting for this game since the schedule came out before the season. The two teams everyone is expecting to meet in the finals again for the 3rd straight year. Sporting two of the best records in the league so far this season.
LeBron. Durant. Kyrie. Curry. Love. Klay. Draymond. Let's leave it right there.
No J.R. Smith though, so I'm sad and so is the majority of America.
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Police arrested two young people and are looking for a third in connection with an assault of an elderly man on Howe Lane Tuesday night.
Police went to the street just after 8 p.m. Tuesday after getting a 911 call.
An 80-year-old man was thrown to the ground, the caller told police. Police said two suspects ran from the area and another drove away in a car.
Police said they located and arrested the two who ran away a short time later. Evan G. Murray, 20, of 6 Wilson Road, Northborough, was charged with assault and battery on a person older than 60 causing injury. Brooke A. Emond, 18, of 103 Cooke Lane, Marlborough, was charged with intimidation of a witness.
According to the police log, police were only able to get a partial plate number of 77A on the car that left the scene. Police Wednesday evening declined to offer any other information beyond the press release, but did say they were still looking for the third person involved.
Brad Petrishen can be reached at 508-490-7463 or bpetrishen@wickedlocal.com. For Northborough news throughout the day, follow him on Twitter @BPetrishen_MWDN.


Official Organ of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology, the Brazilian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, the Czech Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, the Italian Clinical Neurophysiology Society, and the International Society of Intraoperative Neurophysiology.
Clinical Neurophysiology is dedicated to publishing scholarly reports on the pathophysiology underlying diseases of the peripheral and central nervous system of humans. Reports on clinical trials that use neurophysiological measures as endpoints are encouraged, as are manuscripts on integrated neuroimaging of peripheral and central nervous function including, but not limited to, functional MRI, brain mapping, MEG, EEG, PET, ultrasound, and other neuroimaging modalities. Studies on normal human neurophysiology are welcome, if they are relevant to disease or clinical applications. Studies on animals and technical reports must have clear applicability to human disease. Case reports may be considered (exclusively as Letters-to-the-Editor), if implying substantial advancement of knowledge.
Clinical Neurophysiology covers epilepsy, developmental clinical neurophysiology, psychophysiology and psychopathology, motor control and movement disorders, somatosensory disorders including pain, motor neuron diseases, neuromuscular diseases, neuropathies, sleep and disorders of consciousness, auditory and vestibular disorders, aging, Alzheimer's disease, other dementias, other psychiatric disorders, autonomic disorders, neural plasticity and recovery, intraoperative and ICU monitoring, and therapeutic clinical neurophysiology including non-invasive and invasive brain stimulation.
All studies published in Clinical Neurophysiology must stand on their own and make a substantial contribution to the literature. The journal does not afford a high priority to 'pilot' or 'preliminary' studies or to negative studies that do not advance knowledge.
Reports with a focus on education or clinical practice, case reports, methodological and technical reports and studies reporting normative data on healthy subjects are preferentially being considered in Clinical Neurophysiology Practice, a companion journal of Clinical Neurophysiology.
Recently published articles from Clinical Neurophysiology.
The latest Open Access articles published in Clinical Neurophysiology.
Stuttering as a matter of delay in neural activation: A combined TMS/EEG study.
Interplay of upper and lower motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.


Our Lexis Noosa students spent the afternoon mixing colours and coming up with the perfect colour combinations for their Tie Dye T-Shirts.
We showed them how to do 2 different types of designs for their Tie Dye shirts, a swirl pattern or classic stripes.
In true Lexis Noosa tradition, we will wash our shirts off tonight and wear them to school tomorrow and also down to our local pub for our very own Tie Dye Party!! WooHoo!!
This afternoon the Lexis Noosa students also had a Aussie Slang Workshop to help them understand our tricky accent. Our teacher Sam showed them the classic Aussie slang that can be heard around the Noosa area and also had time to show them how to use a stock whip.
This entry was posted in Activities, Announcements, Aussie Food Tasting, australia, Friendship, games, international students, Learn english noosa, Lexis English, lexis noosa, noosa, Painting, smiling faces by Lexis | Noosa. Bookmark the permalink.


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Apple Still Leads Smartwatches Despite Slower Growth
Posted on September 22, 2016 September 22, 2016 12:16 am
Who's the leader in the smartwatch sector? Apple. No doubt, Apple has reigned as king in the smartwatch race.
Kantar, a market research and analytics firm, said Apple has strongly kept its footing in the sector, despite the fact that growth has slowed. The data, Kantar said, is based on sales up to July 2016, which is still in advance of the September release of the Apple Watch Series 2.
Apple dominates the segment with more than a third of market share in the U.S., with European countries showing a similar following at 32 percent of the market.
That said, there have been some true efforts to usurp Apple from its smartwatch throne. Earlier this spring, Fitbit's newest wearable, Fitbit Blaze, managed to outsell the Apple Watch on its way to capturing the top of the sales charts on Amazon during March, its first month of availability.
But there was the drop in price for Apple Watches, which left analysts puzzled. November before that, consumers purchasing phones in select Boston or San Francisco area stores could receive a $50 discount on an Apple Watch, which was surprising because Apple rather rarely discounts on, well, anything.
In Australia alone, the wearable device market is starting to grow — and quickly. According to market research firm Telsyte, Apple Watch has more than 50 percent of the smartwatch market share Down Under, with the Samsung Gear and Fitbit Blaze following behind.
Questions have arisen as to why the smartwatch trend has endured slow growth. Some analysts point to the exercise enthusiasts as the reason they stay popular.
The Apple Watch Series 2 includes enhancements, like better GPS and waterproofing. The latter being the most desired aspect.
Analysts are betting that, if the price of the Apple Watch drops, that may encourage more sales. But others say the longstanding non-digital watches still have conventional power.
As there is something to be said about grandpa's old pocket watch.
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To better attract and retain employees, employers must have a process in place for how to determine salary increases. You will be better positioned to address employee questions regarding compensation. You will be able to communicate clearly the timing of a salary increase and the criteria that will be used to determine an appropriate salary increase. You will be able to budget more appropriately. You will be perceived as more fair and objective.
Why Offer a Salary Increase?
Employees receive a salary or wage for performing the functions of their position. The specific salary amount paid is dependent on many factors such as: market rates, qualifications of the employee, their experience, their competence and aptitude, and their potential for advancement.
To provide for a cost of living adjustment.
While there's no requirement, legal or otherwise, for an employer to offer salary increases, it is certainly a common expectation among employees that salary increases will be provided on a periodic basis.
It is at the employer's discretion when and how often salary increases will be provided.
Determine what would be the appropriate timing & frequency for your business.
Upon attainment of a specific skill or completion of licensing or educational requirements.
2. Determine the criteria that you will use to determine salary increases.
Many criteria can be used to determine what a salary increase will be. They can be based on: employee performance, company success, tenure, cost of living and economic conditions are a few examples.
Choose factors that make sense for your business, which fit with your overall culture and values, and which will not be too difficult to administer.
Setting performance goals and targets becomes important if the salary increase criteria you select are based in part or completely on performance.
For a pay for performance increase process to work effectively, employees need to be aware of what they are expected to accomplish in order to obtain a salary increase.
Ensure there is employee involvement in determining goals so that there is buy-in and commitment to the process.
At the end of the goal period, compare employee performance to the goals and targets.
If the goals, and corresponding expectations, have been met, then that should affect the salary increase amount.
If this step wasn't already done earlier on, determine what salary increase will be provided for the level of performance achieved.
In addition to individual performance, the amount of increase will likely be dependent on budgetary considerations and company performance as well.
Company's annual goals or metrics – Determine whether any specific company performance goals and targets need to be achieved first before salary increases will be provided. If so, communicate this to employees in advance so they are aware of all that can affect their potential salary increase.
Internal equity – Ensure that there is perceived equity in the salary increases being provided to employees in the company who perform a similar role, possess a similar skill set, and have a comparable level of performance.
Market conditions – It may be worthwhile to be aware of what average salary increases are expected to be in your region so that you know what general expectations may be. If your company's increases are different than the market rate, you will then need to be able to explain or justify the discrepancy.
Instead of providing salary increases on an ad hoc basis, or only providing salary increases to employees who request one, knowing how to determine salary increases effectively will ensure your employees perceive your process to be fair, consistent, and transparent.
For human resources solutions on how to determine salary increases for your small business, please contact Vancouver-based Clear HR Consulting, or check out the Paying & Rewarding Employees module of our HR How-To Series for Small Business.
Copyright Clear HR Consulting Inc. All rights reserved.


The S-Works Turbo tire sets the standard for road tire performance The fastest tire specialized has made, but also the quickest tire in the world. It's extremely low rolling resistance and excellent cornering traction helped to win Worlds on a rain-slicked attack. If you're climbing with the best of cyclists or descending like a rider possessed, this tire is for anyone who wants the best.


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import { OFF_SET } from '../actions/ActionTypes';

export default (state = { offset: 0 }, action = {}) => {
  switch (action.type) {
    case OFF_SET:
      return action.offset;
    default: return state;
  }
};

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Chipotle is sliding after customer complaints of vomiting and diarrhea
Seth Archer
Hollis Johnson
Chipotle shares are down more than 2% after several customers reported illnesses after eating at one of the company's restaurants.
The burrito chain has had problems with customer illnesses before.
Watch the stock price of the company move in real time here.
Chipotle shares are down 2.80% at $304.39 apiece after several customers reported illnesses after eating at a Los Angeles location.
Business Insider's Hayley Peterson reported a total of five cases were self-submitted by customers on the iwaspoisoned.com website. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea were all reported as symptoms, and the Los Angeles Health Department said it's investigating.
Chipotle says it's aware of the reported incidents and is heightening sanitation measures as at its Pico Boulevard location in Los Angeles as a precautionary measure. The chain also said that it had not been contacted by the customers and the reports did not have "clinical validation."
Chipotle faced similar customer complaints at its Sterling, Virginia location earlier this year. As a result, the company temporarily closed that location, and shares sank about 7% in response to the incident.
Read more about the reported illnesses here.
More: chipotle stock price Illness


Our new outboard selection is immense, so we can tailor the perfect new outboard engine deal to suit your boat perfectly. Mariner and Mercury outboards offer some of the most fuel efficient marine engines on the market, the power to weight ratio of the all new models is industry leading - the 115hp 4 stroke is the biggest cc of any 115hp 4 stroke ever built, AND it is also the lightest 115hp 4 stroke outboard available on the market today! We are proud to offer Tohatsu outboard engines to the UK market, Tohatsu outboard engines are designed and built solely in Japan, in the largest outboard factory in the world.
With the advent of the green revolution we bring you electric outboard engines from Torqeedo, award winning marine electric outboard motors designed and built in Germany. We are also pleased to offer the fantastic concept electric outboards from Parsun, these incorporate traditional outboard engine running gear offering robustness, easy maintenance, and cheap spares, with an amazingly efficient, smooth and reliable brushless digital motor at the powerhead.
So have a good look around our site, and when you are ready just give Simon Higham a call at the North Wales branch to discuss your exact needs. He will make sure you get the exact outboard to suit your needs.
Bill Higham Marine are very proud to be Mariner Outboards Master Zone Dealers. This appointment is only given to a select few companies in the UK to acknowledge those dealerships who go the extra mile for their customers, stock a comprehensive range of outboards and spares, sell a high volume of product, and offer state of the art repair facilities.
Did you know that Tohatsu outboards are the only outboard brand designed and manufactured solely in Japan? Well they are, and in the largest outboard engine factory in the world to boot! Tohatsu outboards have a long heritage in the marine industry, and they are the oldest Japanese outboard manufacturer. Their heritage stems back to the 1920's no less!
The concept of the Torqeedo electric outboard brand was conceived in 2003 on Lake Starnberg in Germany, due to ecological issues, restrictions were made which precluded the use of internal combustion engines, so Doctors Christoph Ballin and Friedrich Böbel set about pioneering a self contained, genuine alternative to a portable petrol outboard. And so the torqeedo travel range was created. The company has moved a long way since that time, but still maintained its initial goal - to create electric outboards that are genuinely comparable to their petrol forebears.


President Trump and Kim Jong Un are to meet near the end of February at a place to be announced later, said White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. president for the second time; at their first, he had delivered an outsized envelope containing a letter from Chairman Kim, as was seen in pictures they posed for after their meeting.
Marzieh Hashemi has appeared twice before a United States district judge in Washington, DC and has been appointed an attorney. She was detained by federal agents on Sunday in St. "My mother is a well-known journalist and has not committed any crime but this whole process has felt as if she is being treated like a criminal", she added.
A top Kremlin aide today dismissed as ridiculous claims that US President Donald Trump has acted as an agent for Russian Federation amid mounting controversy over his alleged ties to Moscow . Whelan, a former USA marine who also holds British, Canadian and Irish passports , was detained by Russia's Federal Security Service on December 28.
She said senior ethics officials were consulted about the memo and have advised that it presents no conflict of interest to Barr's work as attorney general. Democrats - and perhaps Republicans - are sure to have questions about Barr's approach to Mueller, especially since Barr has been critical of the Mueller probe in the past.
President Trump mocked Sen. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Beto O'Rourke. In the Instagram video, livestreamed on New Year's Eve, Warren introduces her husband after making her announcement to run for the Democratic nomination for president.
Writing in the Sunday Express ahead of a critical vote this week, May urged lawmakers to "do what is right for the country", because she said rejecting the will of the people would be "a catastrophic and unforgivable breach of trust in our democracy".
A mother of one of the black students said she was outraged at the segregation and also the fact that not one of the white parents had mentioned it. According to the mother, she dropped of her child at school and around 9am, the teacher posted a photo of the grade R classroom on WhatsApp to give the parents an update on their kids.
The Associated Press said it saw a redacted portion of the filing by the Manafort lawyers that wasn't properly blacked out showing that Manafort lied about sharing political polling data with Kilimnik while he was working on the Trump campaign.
The coup backers consisted of just five junior soldiers and no wider plot had apparently swept the ranks of the country's military - although authorities now say they plan to check for sympathisers among the army generals, civil society and opposition leaders mentioned in the rebels' statement.


Analytics help emergency services departments see the big picture and uncover factors that help (or hinder) performance.
When First Responders head to the site of an emergency, they have one goal in mind: make it to the scene as safely and as quickly as possible. With lives on the line, they look for any advantage to optimize response time and ultimately improve performance. Increasingly, the advantage comes in the form of data which reveals information about rapid response vehicles out in the field.
Departments can keep track of connected fleets via dashboards to monitor locations, status and overall stats. With a holistic view of fleet performance, they can analyze results and identify opportunities to create more efficiency and improve operational performance.
Early feedback from users has been positive, citing that the Safety Cloud Dashboard quickly provides them with real-time "situational awareness" and understanding of their vehicles in the field, enabling them to make faster decisions about fleet and personnel management. This type of analysis enables departments and cities to continually improve toward service performance measures.
If you'd like to learn more, or are interested in connecting your vehicles to the HAAS Alert Safety Cloud, email info@haasalert.com.


text:
Q: ReferenceError: Cannot access 'setPage' before initialization I am trying to send State change function as prop to another components
const App = () => {
    const currPage = <First setPage={setPage} />;
    const [page, setPage] = useState(currPage);
    return
{page}
;
};

But it's giving Cannot access 'setPage' before initialization. How i can send this function as prop to other component

A: use the useEffect hook
const App = () => {
  const [page, setPage] = useState(null);
  useEffect(() => {
    setPage(<First setPage={setPage} />);
  }, []);
  return
{page}
;
};

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


I plan to purchase a 16KW Generac generator. I have a duplex with two separate meters and panels. I'd like to be able to switch to the generator when power is lost. I'd like to switch power automatically for one unit and either automatically or manually for the other unit (depending on the equipment cost and ease of installation). What do you think is the minimum hardware (e.g. transfer switches) I need? I'll have an electrician do the installation.
The installation will depend on your current service and if it meets code. An upgrade may be required to your service panels and the panels may even have to be replaced if they are too old. Since building codes vary by location I would consult with a local electrical contractor. He or she can recommend a safe and legal installation that will meet local code and be easy to use.


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official selection - the central region
useful info / tickets sale
courses, workshops, concerts
home | previous editions | 2017 edition | programmes | to fly | 30km
THE WINGED CAMERA
Direction: Simon Faithfull
Final flight in this programme which is a pilotless journey by the British artist, Simon Faithfull, a veteran of the air, who likes to test the law of gravity in each piece and in this case, the stratosphere too. The journey here is presented in this way: it starts with a face, that of the artist in a close-up releasing a camera on a weather balloon in the countryside of the south of England, and the final destination is none other than the final edge of space. The balloon travels in a single plane as it gradually moves away from the earth and lasts the same minutes as the kilometres it travels. All of this is accompanied by the tension of watching it and thinking when it will explode and stop emitting a signal in this suicide film.
TO FLY


The benefits of being an independent contractor are manifold. But what do you do about the difficult bits, like finding clients, continuing to develop your skills and finding a unique brand? Take a look at how our members are facing those challenges.
Young and newly self-employed, Todd finds an unexpected source of support on the menu when he attends an IABC dinner.


OVERVIEW: The Residence Manager is responsible for the smooth operation of the Intermediate Care Facility serving adults with developmental disabilities. Reporting to the WDD Director, the Residence Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the program in line with the OMRDD regulations and Director's instructions and ensures consistent and appropriate program coverage.
Provides on-going training supervision and direction to the direct care, clerical, support and maintenance staff. Responsible for ensuring appropriate supervisory feedback to staff including regular performance evaluations.
Ensures appropriate program coverage by staff, including the scheduling of necessary overtime and utilization of per-diem staff. Key player in the recruitment process for new staff (direct care, clerical, support and maintenance), participates in interviews and provides feedback to all necessary parties regarding candidate selection.
Oversees the program's day-to-day work flow procedures, including tasks such as billing, recruitment, PAF processing, petty cash, etc.
Will be on-call to ensure appropriate coverage in the facility and to provide guidance in emergency. May be required to be on-call in order to provide emergency coverage in the event of a serious staff shortage.
Responsible for overseeing all physical plant issues.
REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor's Degree in Human Services or the equivalent plus a minimum of there (3) years of experience working with the I/DD population. Must have at least of one (1) year of supervisory experience and be able to integrate that experience into the smooth running of the residence.


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The Black Arts Enterprise—Professor Howard Rambsy
By admin January 19, 2012 November 15, 2016 Uncategorized
[By Kenton Rambsy]
Besides sharing parents and a last name with Howard Rambsy II, I had the opportunity to share the stage and serve on a panel of respondents with him at Make It Funky III. This experience gave me the opportunity to view Howard as more than an older sibling, but to also gain a deeper sense of the work he is doing. More importantly, I have come to understand how it extends our conceptions of African American literature and performative culture.
Professor Adam Bradley's lecture focused largely on the linguistic aspects hip-hop and offered explanations for how/why scholars can interpret rap music as if it were poetry. Bradley advocated for innovation in the sense of adapting new approaches and creating new standards to study hip-hop culture and relate it to the larger field of literature.
Howard's response allowed me to think critically about his scholarship of the Black Arts Movement (BAM). His book The Black Arts Enterprise investigates how through collaborative means participants in the BAM helped to develop new critical approaches to African American literary art. Taking this into consideration, Howard's responses were valuable since he was able to point-out distinct overlaps and variants of hip-hop artists and poets of 1960s and 70s—especially, those between what we know as underground or independent artists.
Below, view the video where I was able to get Howard's thoughts on his visit to KU.
Video Design Credit: Brandon Hill—University Kansas Student of Film and Media Studies
[Related: A 2011 Recap of Public Events]
Ballers of the New School—Professor Thabiti Lewis
30 Days of 100 Novels
4 thoughts on "The Black Arts Enterprise—Professor Howard Rambsy"
But hip hop is not poetry. I hate to be technical about it, but their things that poets do that hip hop artists do not take in to account creating lyrics. Just as poets, cannot do some of the extraordinary free styling that forms the foundation of hip hop. Your brother's efforts ultimately dismantles hip hop as an independent art form that has its own "rules" . It appears that he seeks to connect it with poetry to give it a validity that it has achieved on its own just as effectively, certainly much more accessibly.
I would caution you from defining poetry (and, hip hop for that matter) solely by these "technical features." I mean, can poets really not freestyle? And, do rappers really not write? Are both of these technical features mutually exclusive of each other?
Actually, when examining the cultural, historical, and political features that characterize black poetry and black music, the similarities become more apparent. Take Margaret Walker's poem, "For My People" and compare it to Jay-Z and Kanye West's song "Made In America." Both pieces reflect on the larger history of black people in America and muse on a spiritual salvation.
Looking at the larger tradition of African American literature, it follows logically that hip-hop extends from literature. Take a look at this video clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI9jZQwbQdY) where Amiri Baraka discusses his ideas about this "evolution" and how black arts poets were the original rappers. Even then, I would challenge Baraka and say the idea of rhyming over music extends even predates the Black Arts Movement.
If we consider poetry solely an art form that exists on a page and rap music an art form that exists solely for musical value, I think we are placing it in a vacuum. One of Jay-Z's chief goals in writing his memoir "Decoded" was to explain the particular ways in which rap music is, in fact, poetry. To take his words, "there is great writing in rap as well. Great storytelling" (see link, here: http://gossiponthis.com/2011/06/15/jay-z-explains-decoded-poetry/).
So, yes! Thanks again for the comment and lets keep the dialogue going!!!
But, let's be clear–poetry is what happens when EVER human beings create musical sounds w/ language. This is how blacks have always defined it, and if he reads Book of Rhymes by Adam Bradley, it's hard to argue that MCs aren't using the very same kinds of linguistic devices that literary poets used more half a mlllenium ago. It's just a different type of poetry, just as sermons are forms of poetry. They aren't literary poetry; they're just a different type. And let's also be clear about the history of ideas that produced the emergence of the MC in the first place–those are Africanist ideas that are directly related to previous art forms. This is a key point because we live in an age where people get knowledge about tv and other capitalist sources where information about black culture is usually distorted and/or erased–even by individuals who are black. Hip hop is certainly not more important than was blues music, but if you know anything about the blues, it was a poetic form too. In fact, ALL of the song forms that blacks have created are poetic forms–and this is no fantasy or some angry black radical response. It's just to say there is a history of artistic ideas and development. Now, the responder and others who haven't had the time, interest, and/or opportunity to read black writers (and I'm not talking about the scholars right now; I mean black writers), may not ever be able to understand this because they won't understand the broader concepts that are embodied w/in hip hop. But this doesn't mean it's not true. It simply means that he or she will cling more passionately–and defensively–to his or her view. So, yes, it's true that that Lil Wayne isn't a poet in the terms that this society has made up and imposed so well that this reader won't question them. But then, I'm old enough to remember when those very same people who created and enforced that narrow definition of poetry ALSO said that even black writers like Sterling Brown weren't poets either. My own father, who was born in 1929 and has no degree whatsoever, said, "[MCs] create some pretty good poetry." And his response is identical to Adam Bradley's. I can assure you that they've never met, and I could provide other examples. But the point is, it does no disservice to hip hop–that is, it doesn't dismantle the specific aesthetics of hip hop–to say that MCs are poets. Even some of the greatest MCs themselves have referred to themselves as poets. So to paraphrase Lauryn Hill, he or she might do well to come again.
T. Bolden
I would first like to say great posts by all of you. But to the first post that challenges the argument that rap is poetry. I am prompted to raise the same question that Professor Howard Rambsy articulated, "Whose poetry is hip-hop"? I agree with the latter posts that the music definitely has glaring similarities to poetic iterations, but it can largely stand on its own as an art form. While it may not be considered poetry (for several reasons) by the larger white western world, that does not mean that it must be the case. The social, political, and economic implications of admitting that hip-hop follows in the great tradition of poetry, are many. The most obvious answer to me is that it would dismantle critiques of black music as destructive, tasteless,and intellectually bankrupt. Again, the better question to raise is not whether it is poetry, but whose poetry is it?


The 'RHOA' star got candid about her relationship while talking with Andy Cohen.
In the midst of divorce rumors, Real Housewives of Atlanta star Nene Leakes revealed at the recent Bravo reunion that she and her husband Gregg Leakes are no longer sleeping in the same bed. Scroll through for all the details.
As fans know, NeNe, 51, has been extremely open about her marital issues with Gregg, 63, and his heartbreaking battle with cancer.
In part 2 of the season 11 reunion, Bravo host Andy Cohen sat down with the couple to talk about the downfall of their relationship.
The star then revealed that she and Gregg were sleeping in separate bedrooms and seeking out couple's therapy.
While things seem to be far from "cloud nine," the couple is known for their off-and-on-again relationship. As OK! readers know, NeNe and Gregg got hitched in 1997 and stayed together until 2010. They got divorced a year later only to get remarried in June 2013.
"It's tough. We are family, period. Whether we are together or we are not, we share a 20-year-old son," NeNe said of their son Brent.
What do you think of NeNe and Gregg sleeping in separate bedrooms? Let us know in the comments below!


text:
Rob Pruitt Master of Ceremonies
By Alex Gartenfeld
More Stories by Alex Gartenfeld
A Not-So-Manic Doppelganger
Fact as Fiction: Simon Fujiwara
One important thing to know about Rob Pruitt's first Annual Art Awards at the Guggenheim this Thursday, is that the artist likes award shows–so the ceremony isn't meant as any kind of affliction for an art world given over to popular insincerity. Asked to narrow award shows down to his favorite, he says, "I like the Teen Choice Awards, and the MTV Music Awards and MTV Movie Awards and the Oscars and the Grammys, and the Tonys."
Pruitt has enlisted the Delusional Downtown Divas—Lena Dunham, Joana D'Avillez and Isabel Halley, who play three young women seduced by the glitter and doom of the art world—to host; the artist will co-host and his "presence and imprint will be all over it," he says. The night will closely mimic the Academy Awards, complete with planned performances and dance routines. (LEFT: PHOTO BY KAI REGEN)
The supper itself will sample the many forms of artistry and the liveliness of Brooklyn, including offerings from Bushwick pizzeria Roberta's, among other restaurants. The menu was selected by T Magazine food editor Christine Muhlke. "It's about all these great new, young restaurants in Bushwick that are organic farming and raising their own animals," says Pruitt, making it sound very Los Angeles, indeed.
Categories follow the Academy Awards' lead, and include awards for Best New Artist and Lifetime Achievement. There are four categories for best show. Like the Academy Awards, the nominees are biased in their representation of American participants, although Pruitt says that results from the show's immaturity: "And, if it's a success and we do another one, that won't be the case." Nominees were selected by committee; winners by a very loose Academy. Rob Pruitt also gets to give out his own award; before we spoke, he had just consulted the chosen artist. Pruitt reports that the winner is excited.
Winners receive a trophy designed by Pruitt, a champagne bucket with a bottle that functions as a lamp with an operable chain. The light bulb symbolizes an idea, and references Jasper Johns's own use of the form; the ice bucket is a celebratory symbol. And drinking champagne, is that just the mark of an art dinner? "Well that, and maybe using chemicals to fuel ideas," says the artist.
Artforum publisher Knight Landesman, high-profile artists Cecily Brown and Nate Lowman, Sofia Coppola and Mary-Kate Olsen will all present awards. Pruitt is particularly excited that Kylie Minogue and Julianne Moore will present, although he reports it was event sponsor Calvin Klein that got both involved, rather than any pull of his own, or the art.
Pruitt considers the Art Awards a group show, although no exhibition will follow. He traces the event to his "Flea Market" (2007), installed at the Frieze Art Fair, where he invited artists to sell banal objects at low prices. Pruitt speaks of both as engendering a community of different, like-minded professionals, because, "The participants could be selected very democratically. It's a group show that has my name on it because I conceived it. But none of the participants are selected by me; they're selected by a vote."
The event has been highly publicized for an art show (this article is, alas, but a cog in the machine), including spots by the Delusional Downtown Divas in the back seat of taxis citywide. Indeed, Pruitt's work is marked by an interest in publicity, including but not limited to the monumental line he presented for "Cocaine Buffet" (1998) at an artist's studio in New York. Pruitt traces the interest in notoriety to "traction" in a relatively democratic press that sullies art's purity: "One fun thing about [the award show] is that it would amass a big long list of detractors because art is somehow supposed to be above being qualified by 'Best of' and 'Winner' and terms like that." (LEFT: PHOTO BY THOMAS MUELLER. COURTESY THE GUGGENHEIM)
Of course, whether the Art Awards will democratize the circulation of art won't be known until after the event has closed. Some presenters have complained that even they cannot bring a plus-one to the dinner, and it's questionable how many people will really be aware of the winners, or connect those names to any form of achievement. Pruitt reasons that the Awards will serve as one step of opening art to a benevolent mass culture: "Anything that gets more people to pay attention to what is going on in Chelsea, and other art centers throughout the world is a good thing."
Pruitt also points out that artists have enjoyed celebrity status since Dali, if not before. He says he isn't particularly interested in artists who become stars as part of their work. He also seems to call for a re-consideration of the meaning of celebrity: "You know, the way my mind works, if I meet a young kid who has been in a few group shows, I'm awed and I feel like I'm meeting a celebrity."
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text:
Jamboroo
Gregg Easterbrook Is A Haughty Dipshit
Drew Magary
Drew Magary's Thursday Afternoon NFL Dick Joke Jamboroo runs every Thursday during the NFL season. Find more of his stuff at his Twitter feed.
Reader Kevin Lincoln would like to point out the unbearably awful unwanted All Pros column that Easterbrook shat out two days ago, a veritable festival of pants-creaming lunchpailitude. NO HIGH PAID GLORY BOYS FOR TMQ. GLORY BOYS LIKE GLORY HOLES AND GOD IS AGAINST GLORY HOLES. A team of 22 Danny Woodheads is virtually unbeatable!
My All-Unwanted roster celebrates those who got where they are based on hard work and determination. In most of life, hard work and determination are more important than social status or God-given talent. That's why Tuesday Morning Quarterback lauds hard work and determination on the part of football players who were not born into success, but reached success through constant effort. They set a good example.
Arian Foster is on TMQ's list, and Easterbrook fails to note that part of the reason Foster went undrafted is because Tennessee coaches told NFL scouts that Foster was selfish and difficult to coach. In other words, he was the precise opposite of whatever fucking magic worker fairy Easterbrook now believes him to be. It took being undrafted to spur Foster to NOT be a shitty player. Same with LeGarrette Blount, who is also on Easterbrook's team and went undrafted because he punched the shit out of a Boise St. player. In both cases, there was a very good reason those players were both unwanted. And Easterbrook's QB? Michael Vick, who was the top pick in the draft, signed a $100 million contract, NEVER gave constant effort in Atlanta (by his own admission) and only became a hard-working player after losing it all and being sent to prison for murdering dogs. THE EMBODIMENT OF SCRAPPIDOCIOUSNESS.
Easterbrook's whole idea fails to take into account that many highly drafted players are highly drafted BECAUSE they worked hard and were very determined. Your draft position isn't a fucking birthright. Prospects hire specialized coaches and work out tirelessly just in hopes of improving their draft position. Easterbrook also fails to take into account that, on the whole, your odds of succeeding with a first round pick are quite a bit higher than with an undrafted free agent. Players like Foster represent about .000000001% of the undrafted rookie free agent pool. The rest of that group is dogshit. There's a reason five of the Patriots' six Pro Bowlers this year were first round picks. Even Gregg's precious Bill Belichick knows that a winning team needs talent to go with all that good old-fashioned undrafted white boy moxie.
Do you know who the hardest working player in football is? Peyton Manning, who was a #1 pick, is paid an astonishing sum every year, and is the son of college football royalty. No one was born into success more than Manning, but that hasn't made him a glory boy, or whatever the fuck Gregg calls it. Who you are and where you're drafted says nothing about your work ethic. At all. Unless you're Gregg Easterbrook and you spend your days jacking off to Wes Welker getting extra chippy on the weak side of a play.
You can take a select handful of shitty high draft picks and a select handful of undrafted overachievers and try and make some kind of general statement about how football players only succeed if they work hard and go to church and don't stay out after midnight, but that doesn't mean it has any basis in reality. What Easterbrook really wants is for all NFL players to be sufficiently humbled before both God and Gregg (and really, aren't they the same thing?). Heaven forbid you be a talented player who makes millions and are mildly cocky about it. WILL NO ONE EVER PROPERLY DOMESTICATE DESEAN JACKSON?!
So, in summation: Gregg Easterbrook can eat a bag of asses.
All games in the Jamboroo are evaluated for sheer watchability on a scale of 1 to 5 Throwgasms.
Five Throwgasms
Bucs at Saints: It's the last week of the regular season! NOOOOOOOOOOO. No more Red Zone Channel. No more Siciliano. No more Monday Night games. No more hoping my fantasy team wins only to watch it get crushed by 60 points. FUCK! No! Please! Don't go!
I hate that the NFL season always ends right during the holidays. Due to any number of social and family obligations, I often end up not being able to pay as close attention to these final games as I would like, and then the regular season is over and I didn't get a chance to really say a proper goodbye. This is why we need an 18-game season. I know King and everyone else is like WAHHHHH A PLAYER WILL DIE! Whatever. Fuck that. I don't care. We need an 18-game season so that the regular season ends in mid-January and I'm past all the stupid family bullshit that the holidays entail. For too long, Christmas has gotten in the way of important football and I don't like it one bit.
Bears at Packers:
Four Throwgasms
Rams at Seahawks: I assume the League will do everything in its power to make sure that St. Louis wins this game and wraps up the division with an 8-8 record, a decent QB, and some semblance of dignity. I fully expect the League to bring in Bill Leavy to call 37 phantom holding calls on Seattle and make sure they lose by thirty points. Not that the Rams need the help. The Seahawks are quite good at losing games by thirty points all on their own.
By the way, I'm shocked Lawyer Milloy is still playing football. That makes me feel ancient. If Jimmy Hitchcock somehow shows up in the Seattle secondary Sunday Night, I may have to go get a chemical peel.
Three Throwgasms
Jaguars at Texans: It could be the last game for Gary Kubiak (though reports now have him staying and being saddled with Wade), and I'm glad because Kubiak has always been one of those coaches who looks like one of those guys in the porn movie that you don't want to look at but always draws attention to himself by grunting or talking too much. There's a whole subset of coaches who look like male porn stars than includes Kubiak, Jack Del Rio, Stan Van Gundy, Quin Snyder, and Todd Haley (especially now that Haley is rocking the long hair). I find them all very disconcerting.
Titans at Colts: A while back, I wrote about the computer software program that allows you to scan for words and phrases from any TV show within the past 60 days and compile a video of repeated uses of that phrase, which is how you end up with videos like this.
I wish I had access to that program because I now know the second most overused phrase on reality television outside of "I'm not here to make friends." And that phrase would be, "I feel like (other person) is probably my biggest competition here." I've heard some iteration of this on virtually every reality show, and it makes me want to reach through the TV set and strangle the contestant with trussing string. Because the person saying it A) Assumes they're the favorite, which is almost always wrong, and B) The other 14 or so contestants have no shot of beating them, which is also wrong. You know who your biggest competition here is, Mr. Top Chef Contestant? EVERYONE. NOW SHUT THE FUCK UP AND MAKE A VANILLA SCENTED GINGER CRÈME BRULEE FOR ME TO DROOL OVER.
Giants at Redskins: I get very impatient with injury timeouts. Whenever a player goes down, I express immediate concern for his well-being. But if he's just laying there for five minutes interrupting play, then I start to get pissed. LET'S GO, CRIPPLE BOY! I'VE GOT SHIT TO DO! I'm sure this makes me a bad person.
Two Throwgasms
Raiders at Chiefs: Reader Kurt writes in with something that's been on my mind.
Since you have a young daughter I'm sure you're aware of the marketing juggernaut that is the Disney Princesses. My question to you is which of them would be hottest as a real human? I think the top seed would be Jasmine who would probably look like Aishwarya Rai in real life, with Ariel as a close second (Isla Fisher maybe?).
I was always of the mind that Ariel was the top seed among Disney Princesses. She's a redhead, so she's clearly an animal in the sack. HOWEVAH, my kid recently came into possession of a Pocahontas Barbie doll (as well as the movie on DVD – JUST AROUND THE RIVERBENNNNNDDDDDD!), and I think Pocahontas may be hotter than Ariel. In the movie, she's stacked. And the cool thing about the Pocahontas Barbie doll is that she isn't smiling. All the other Princess Barbie dolls have that overstretched smile. Not Pokeahotass. She's frowning. She looks like she wants to hit you with a cell phone. It's way hot. She looks like she is ready to get nasty in the sweat lodge, if you catch my drift.
I really, really need to get out more.
Bengals at Ravens: Speaking of Barbie dolls, every Barbie doll you buy is fastened to its box with about seven hundred very small gray wires. You'd think the doll was a fucking psych ward patient, they're so determined to hold it down. These gray wires exist in virtually all toy packaging now, and they have begun to ruin my Christmas every year. NO MORE GRAY WIRES!
/Faye Dunaway'd
Cowboys at Eagles: Last week, the Cowboys were doing the Christmas Night game and Marion Barber ran out of bounds and slipped on the stadium floorboards. This caused Bob Papa to say, "And Barber took a spill there." Which then prompted Matt Millen to sing out loud, "The Barber took a spillllll!" to the tune of "The Barber of Seville." Now, I hate Matt Millen, but I found this highly amusing. And you know what Papa and Joe Theismann's reaction to Millen was? Nothing. They said nothing. They didn't laugh. They didn't snicker. Nothing. It's like they were denying its existence, which is so lame. Here's Millen being mildly clever for once in his life, and fucking Theismann can't play along. What a dick.
One Throwgasm
Dolphins at Patriots
Steelers at Browns
Vikings at Lions
Bills at Jets
Panthers at Falcons
Cardinals at 49ers
Chargers at Broncos
Pregame Song That Makes Me Want To Run Through A Goddamn Brick Wall
"Bones," by Radiohead. If the album cover of "The Bends" creeps you out a little, it's because the cover art, according to Wiki, was achieved by "morphing a photograph taken by (artist Stanley) Donwood of a medical dummy with (Thom) Yorke's own face." Yep, that's gonna produce an unsettling image every time. It really is.
When I was in elementary school, we had to practice CPR, and the way we did that was by performing mouth-to-mouth on a medical dummy, not unlike the one featured up above. We also had to perform mouth-to-nose on a medical dummy of a baby. God forbid the 10-year-old me ever encounter a baby experiencing respiratory failure, because I almost certainly would have broken the child's skull and blown snot right through its brain.
Anyway, everyone giggled because you had to kiss the dummy, and of course the dummy was male, so every boy in the class was like I'M NOT KISSING IT THAT MAKES ME GAY. And the teachers were of course unsympathetic and told us to get over ourselves. But you can't tell me it isn't damaging to make a child kiss a lifeless medical dummy that looks like a slaughtered replicant. And the fake baby was even worse. These are disturbing objects. No one should have to kiss them. Take the childish homophobia away and it's still creepy.
Embarrassing Song I Once Liked That Will Not Fire You Up
"The Miracle" by Queen, the spiritual predecessor of ICP's "Miracles". No one gave Queen much shit for this song, but they should have, because it's putrid. Just a few of the lyrics:
Every drop of rain that falls in sahara desert says it all
It's a miracle
All God's creations great and small
The Golden Gate and the Taj Mahal
That's a miracle
Test tube babies being born
Mothers, fathers dead and gone
We're having a miracle on Earth
Mother nature does it all for us
Open hearts and surgery
Sunday mornings with a cup of tea
Super powers always fighting
But Mona Lisa just keeps on smiling
It's a miracle it's a miracle it's a miracle
So, so bad. Worse, in fact, than the ICP song. For a legendary rock band, Queen produced an incredible number of horrible, horrible songs. Take it from someone who listened to "These Are The Days Of Our Lives" more often than he should have.
And the funny thing about Queen is that British people are INSANE about them. Almost as much as Abba. If you say something bad about Freddie Mercury to a British person, they'll hit you in the face with a rolling pin. I've seen it happen firsthand. If you say something bad about Queen on any rock band message board, a British person is immediately alerted to respond and tell you that you are SHITE. Do not insult Queen around drunken British people. They have a deep, baffling affection for even their worst songs, like this one.
Fantasy Player That Deserves A Quick Finger In The Ass
Peyton Hillis, who fucked you over in your championship game with just 35 yards rushing. And I must say, Mr. Peyton Hillis Owner, you more than deserved it. All season long, you skipped around all high and mighty and bragged about being savvy enough to pick Hillis up off waivers. AND NOW RETRIBUTION HAS COME FOR YOU, YOU ARROGANT FUCK. There's a special spot in Hell reserved for Hillis, who screwed over both people who didn't own him (by being good) and people who did (by not being good at the precise wrong time). But Gregg Easterbrook is just glad he isn't some BIG BUCKS GLORY BOY!
Suicide Pick Of The Week
Last week's picks of Pittsburgh, San Diego, and Philly were 1-2. The Jamboroo is now 27-13 on the season. Not bad, if you don't mind losing your money thirteen times over! Again, we pick three teams for your suicide pool and something that makes you want to commit suicide as well. This week, the picks are Miami, Houston, Washington, and screwed-on battery covers for toys. Why? Why why why? Why does the battery cover need to be screwed on? Can't it just have a plastic tab that snaps into place? Every goddamn toy I buy for the kid now has a battery cover that has not just one, but SEVERAL screws that require the exact wrong sized Phillips head screwdriver. It's just a battery cover. The toy doesn't have plutonium inside it. Make my life easier, you dirty Chinamen.
Nazi Shark's Vegas Lock Of The Week
Lots of sports sites, to demonstrate the arbitrary nature of gambling, like to have animals like monkeys pick games to see if they can outwit their human counterparts. There's no reason we at Deadspin can't also get in on the fun. So we've asked National Socialist German Workers' Party member Rolf, who also happens to be a shark, to pick one game a week. Take it away, Nazi shark.
"This week, I like Dallas getting 12 points on the road against Philly. I see an original copy of Schindler's list is going on sale this week. The actual list, not the propaganda film. Well, guess who's pooled together enough money with the help of the Coors family and Gregg Easterbrook to buy that list? That's right. ME. I'm buying that list, and I'm tracking down and eating every name on it. So watch your ass, Itzhak Goldberg! Schindler's list is now Rolf's menu."
2010 Nazi Shark Record: 9-6-1
Great Moments In Fart History
This week's Fart History moment is my own. Three weeks ago, I started on a farting binge that hasn't shown any signs of abating. Somehow, a combination of lentil soup and oranges and Metamucil and Cracklin' Oat Bran conspired to give me some of the nastiest farts I've ever dealt out in my thirty years on Planet Earth. It got so bad that my wife hid the Metamucil from me and demanded that I not consume anything that could set off my nuclear asshole. It got past the point of the farts being humorous to me, which takes a lot, to the point where I thought Mrs. Drew would divorce me if I let it rip around her one more time. And that just made the situation worse, because now I was farting afraid. I would try and fart away from her in various areas of the house, only to have her immediately walk into that area for some bizarrely coincidental reason.
HER: You farted in here!
ME: You weren't supposed to be in this bathroom! STOP FOLLOWING MY FARTS.
Even worse, my butt seemed to only want to fart whenever someone was around. I'd be fine all by myself, and then the Mrs. would walk in and my butt would be like NOW NOW NOW! FIRE AT WILL! This is a horrible feeling.
The whole thing crested two nights ago. I'm in bed in the middle of the night, and the one-year-old starts crying. My wife goes to change his diaper. I'm half-asleep and, after she's gone a while, I feel a fart coming on. No better time to let it rip than when she's gone, I think to myself. So I lift up my leg and… BOOM. The loudest fart you've ever heard. It sounded like the cannons going off at an AC/DC concert. If you lived near the house, you might have thought someone was being gunned down in a drug deal gone bad.
This was a bad move on my part, because unbeknownst to me, my wife had finished changing the kid and had returned to bed BEFORE I let out this major pantsquake. She sits up in bed in terror.
HER: Oh my God, was that YOU?!
ME: Holy shit! You're in the room?! (reaches over, gropes wife's face with hand) YOU ARE!
I thought she was gonna kick me out of the house right there and then. I mean, this fart could have destroyed lives. I pictured my kids growing up mentally unstable and emotionally scarred forever, all because Daddy farted too much.
But I didn't get kicked out. The farts died down, and Mrs. Drew had a nice laugh about it the next morning. Sometimes, you just get on a tear. Anyway, stay away from the Cracklin' Oat Bran. It's poison.
Fire This Asshole!
Is there anything more exciting than a coach losing his job? All year long, we'll keep track of which coaches will almost certainly get fired at year's end or sooner. And now, your updated chopping block:
Wade Phillips (FIRED!)
Brad Childress (FIRED!)
Josh McDaniels (FIRED!)
Mike Singletary (FIRED!)
Jeff Fisher
John Fox
Marvin Lewis
Eric Mangini
Tony Sparano
Jack Del Rio
Tom Coughlin
The Chargers have already announced that Norv Turner will return next season, which means he stays off the list despite the fact that he really, truly belongs here. Why are the Chargers not firing him? What the fuck is it gonna take? YOU PEOPLE ARE WASTING THE BEST YEARS OF CHARGERS FANS LIVES.
I'd like to also commend Tony Sparano, Jack Del Rio, Eric Mangini, Norv, and Tom Coughlin for coming through at the end of the year and doing all they could to get added to this list. You men are true closers, and I salute you. I think up to ten coaches will end up being fired this year. WHAT A HAUL! Best Black Monday ever!
And with ten vacancies coming, you know damn well there's gonna be a really bad hire or two out there. Someone's gonna hire Jimbo Fisher or something horrible like that. I can't wait.
Gametime Snack Of The Week
Christmas nachos! Reader Johnny sends in this unholy concoction that subs in cookies for tortilla chips and frosting for nacho cheese. VOILA. Instant death. Why not put Skittles in maple syrup and have it be the guacamole? And Fluff as the sour cream? Seems reasonable.
Gametime Cheap Beer Of The Week
COOK'S GOLDBLUME LIGHT! From reader Derek comes this aggressively generic lager.
Nothing tops this, it's at some CVS stores in the midwest for 10.99 a 24-pack. But hey, it has real beer flavor!
Mmmmm… real beer flavor. God, look at that can. It's so minimalist. It looks like it was left in a landfill in 1932 and just dug up four days ago. I MUST HAVE IT.
Robert Evans' MVP Watch!
Time to start thinking about who the leaders are for the NFL's MVP award. So every week, legendary Hollywood producer Robert Evans will join us to give us his assessment. Take it away, Mr. Evans.
"Baby, my favorite for the NFL's MVP is Tom Brady of the Patriots! Happy New Year to all of you! My favorite New Year was back in 1979, when I spent the holiday on the Amalfi Coast with the one and only SERGIO LEONE! Visionary? YOU BET! A notorious food fetishist? NO DOUBT! Leone loved mixing the art of lovemaking with various epicurean delights. His entire bedroom REEKED of salad dressing. Anyway, I had to his villa for New Year's and he tells me he's making lasagna for the party. So, after a shower and powdering, I walk into his foyer and what do I see? A giant banquet table laid out, with no less than five gorgeous naked women stacked on top of one another, with layers of cheese, tomatoes, and ground veal in between them! HE HAD MADE A HUMAN LASAGNA! Have a piece, Leone tells me. It's even better when you reheat it the next day!"
Sunday Afternoon Movie Of The Week For Panthers Fans
Halloween III: Season of the Witch. I thought of this movie the other day because an ad came on for another movie coming out called "Season of the Witch" starring Nicolas Cage and Nicolas Cage's wig. Now, that movie looks god awful. It looks like they walked around the set for Sorcerer's Apprentice and said, "Well, we have Cage, and the sets, and hats. FUCK IT. Let's make another shitty movie!" And then they did. I can't believe they named it "Season of the Witch," given that it's the same title as the movie above, which is considered by many to be the absolute worst of the Halloween movies, specifically because it doesn't have Michael Myers in it. In fact, it doesn't seem to have any relation to the franchise at all. Roger Ebert sums it up nicely in a review from 1982.
There are a lot of problems with "Halloween III," but the most basic one is that I could never figure out what the villain wanted to accomplish if he got his way. His scheme is easy enough to figure: He wants to sell millions of Halloween masks to the nation's kiddies and then brainwash them to put them on at the same time, whereupon laser beams at the base of the neck will fry the tykes. Meanwhile, he runs a factory that turns out lifelike robots. What's his plan? Kill the kids and replace them with robots? Why?
It doesn't matter why, because you will be too SCARED SHITLESS TO ASK QUESTIONS. I want an exploding Halloween mask. I would give it to Jaworski.
Gratuitous Simpsons Quote
Apu: This is worse than your song about Mr. T.
Homer: I pity the fool who doesn't like...he.
Halftime Masturbation Kit
-For the guys: Vanessa Raia (NSFW). All swimsuits should do that.
-For the gals: Jim from Outsports sends in this photo of American decathlete Trey Hardee. He's the male Allison Stoke.
Enjoy the games, everyone. And Happy New Year.


Family Fun Day & Charity Walk to Support Lab Rescue. Buy your tickets now for the Lu's Labs Spring Fling & Charity Walk! Bring the entire family including the furry family! Games for kids & pups, food, live music by Sugar Jack.


Last May I provided the flowers for kristin & Jeff's wedding at the Thomas Birkby House. At the time I blogged my images but I have never gotten to share with you the extraordinary photographs that were captured that day by photographer Michelle Lindsay. This wedding is so special to me, I fell in love with Kristin and her wedding. This was also one of the first weddings that I officially took on responsibilities as a stylist. I am still in contact with Kristin and she continues to be a wonderful friend and a fabulous wedding industry partner. Just a few short months after her wedding she opened LilyPad Weddings which is a personalized paper company that she started with her sister.
Her amazing bridal bouquet was created with orange everything… pin cushions, freesia, tulips, roses, spray roses, callas, and crocosmia. My favorite detail about the bouquet were two little matching brooches that happened to be from two different grandmothers and yet they were a perfect match.
All paper products were designed by Kristin and her sister Jen at LilyPad Weddings.
The wedding had a fabulous travel theme, the couple loves to travel and many of their guests came from abroad, readings at the ceremony were done in several different languages. I gathered vintage props at local antique stores and laid out these perfectly styled spaces.
Maids wore teal blue dresses. Leaving us to know for certain that the teal blue vintage mason jars could not be denied.
Maps and vintage suitcases were used to style the buffet and head table.
This was an incredible Loudoun Wedding and one that I am very proud of. Thank you Michelle for sharing your photographs with us. The images from this wedding are simply stunning.
Ah, the memories… Thanks so much for this incredible look back at our big day, Holly!
Thanks again for going the extra mile to make it such a special and lovely day – we were so lucky to find you!


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Are the brains of any herbivorous animals capable of utilising ketone bodies as an energy source?
I ask this question because earlier today I heard from a lecturer at my university that a sheep's brain cannot utilise ketone bodies as an energy source and hence with insufficient glucose supply for their brains they die.
bioenergetics diet lipids
BH2017BH2017
$\begingroup$ link I think this link provides some relevant information. $\endgroup$ – biogirl Sep 13 '13 at 12:30
My answer is limited to sheep.
The metabolites referred to as ketone bodies (which I will refer to as ketones from now on) are acetoacetate and β-hydroxybutyrate. In humans these are produced in the liver when the amount of acetoacetyl CoA being produced exceeds the capacity of the TCA cycle. These acetyl groups are instead used to produce acetoacetate, and this can be reduced to β-hydroxybutyrate.
The production of significant amounts of ketones occurs during fasting (diabetic ketosis will not be considered here). Once glycogen has run out, the bodies requirement for glucose has to be met by gluconeogenesis (mainly in the liver) - glucose is synthesised from various carbon skeletons including glycerol and the products of amino acid catabolism (coming from muscle protein turnover). This means that in the liver the function of the TCA cycle shifts almost entirely to supplying oxaloacetate for gluconeogenesis, via the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. Thus there is no oxaloacetate available for citrate synthase, so acetyl CoA cannot enter the TCA cycle. However, because fasting also results in fat mobilisation the level of acetyl CoA in liver cells goes up (acetyl CoA is the end product of fatty acid breakdown).
So what is going on here? During fasting the fuel economy of the body has to switch from being heavily glucose-based to one which uses carbon from fat and from protein. The ketones are the manifestation of this, and many tissues become heavy users of ketones during fasting as blood levels rise to 5 mM within a few days. This means that the glucose being produced by the liver can be directed towards tissues which are more dependent upon glucose. The classic example of such a tissue is the brain, but in humans even the brain begins to use ketones heavily during fasting.
In ruminants the situation is entirely different. Ruminants rely upon the bacteria in the rumen to metabolise carbohydrate in their diet and this results in large amounts of alimentary ketones entering the blood directly. For their glucose supply ruminants rely entirely upon gluconeogenesis, and the substrate for this is propionate, another end product of bacterial metabolism in the rumen: a lactating dairy cow will synthesise over 3 kg of glucose per day.
So, when I read this question my reaction was that the statement must be incorrect - surely it would make sense for sheep to use ketones in all tissues. However my intuition was wrong - according to
Pell JM.& Bergmane N(1983) Cerebral metabolism of amino acids and glucose in fed and fasted sheep. Am. J. Physiol. 244: E282-E289
cited in
Heitmann RN et al. (1987) Hepatic ketogenesis and peripheral ketone body utilization in the ruminant. J. Nutrition 117: 1174-1180
"Although there is some oxidation of ketone bodies by the brain tissues of humans and rats during prolonged fasting, Pell and Bergman ,using an elegant in vivo preparation, have shown no significant uptake or oxidation of ketone bodies by sheep brain."
I don't have access to the Pell & Bergmane paper so I cannot explain what they actually did. What is clear from the review by Heitmann et al. however is that fasting ruminants respond in the same way that we do, switching to hepatic ketogenesis, and presumably they also maintain gluconeogenesis, using not propionate, but amino acid carbon skeletons. The context of the statement quoted above suggests that even in the fasted state the sheep brain doesn't use ketones.
Alan BoydAlan Boyd
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The Point Vierge Companion Booklet is Alana Levandoski in conversation with James Finley, who was a novice of Thomas Merton's in the 1960's during which time Merton was James Finley's spiritual director. The conversation took place when Alana and James listened to each song together and then had a talk about it.
This is a companion piece to the CD album Point Vierge: Thomas Merton's Journey in Song.


Reaching agreement on separation or divorce is stressful for both parties, whether it relates to property or parenting. In our experience, people feel empowered when they are able to avoid court and reach agreement as cordially as possible. Bryant McKinnon's expert lawyers have a strong record of resolving most cases by negotiating various types of separation agreements.
Negotiation is often the first step toward resolving family law conflicts amicably. However, it can be undertaken at any stage of a family law matter, even during the court process.
The process may involve a number of forms of communication, including correspondence, meetings or discussions between lawyers or round table settlement conferences. In general the separating couple will not have to sit in the same room together, with negotiations conducted between the two lawyers. This is particularly desirable when there is a history of domestic violence or a significant power imbalance between the couple.
Mediation is an alternative approach to resolving disputes between separating couples. Both parties agree to appoint a qualified mediator, who is a neutral, family law professional. The mediator facilitates an open discussion to help parties to find their own solutions. Lawyers may or may not be involved in mediation sessions.
Unlike a judge, a mediator does not dictate outcomes. Agreements must be reached between both parties, ensuring that each retains control over the outcome of the matter.
A Binding Financial Agreement (BFA) under the Family Law Act is a contract between you and your partner, setting out the terms of a financial separation. These agreements are legally binding under some circumstances. For more information see the Property Settlement section.
A Consent Order needs to be brought to the Family Court, which will only make orders if they think that what you have agreed on is fair and reasonable to both parties. These agreements are legally binding. For more information see the Property Settlement section.
Parenting Plans are written agreements that record the agreed care arrangements for children, including where they will live, the allocation of parenting responsibilities, communication with children and a process for resolving disputes. These agreements are not legally binding. For more information see the Children's Matters section.
A Parents Order is a parenting agreement that is legally formalized by an Application for Consent Orders filed with the Family Court. These agreements are legally binding until your children are 18 years of age. For more information see the Children's Matters section.
The federal Department of Human Services is usually responsible for determining the amount of child support to be provided. However, it is possible to enter into a private child support agreement, without having to go through the Department of Human Services. For more information see the Children's Matters section.


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New Research Confirms Gun Rampages Are Rising—and Armed Civilians Don't Stop Them
Data on 84 attacks echoes MoJo's investigation and further debunks the NRA's "good guys with guns" myth.
National Affairs EditorBio | Follow
By the time the nation confronted the unthinkable school massacre in Connecticut last December, Mother Jones' groundbreaking investigation of mass shootings, launched the prior summer, had shown that mass gun violence in America was on the rise. The trend appeared to be no coincidence in light of the proliferation of guns and looser gun laws nationwide. One leading criminologist took issue with our criteria, arguing that mass shootings had not become more common. But now, research from an expert on criminal justice at Texas State University further shows that gun rampages in the United States have escalated.
The research, to be published in a book in July, confirms that:
Public shooting rampages have spiked in particular over the last few years
Many of the attackers were heavily armed
None of the shootings was stopped by an ordinary citizen using a gun
The author of the study, Pete Blair, advises law enforcement officials and has conducted extensive research on gun rampages in workplaces, schools, and other public locations. He gathered data on 84 "active shooter events" (ASEs) between 2000 and 2010 in which the killer's primary motive appeared to be mass murder. This chart shows his findings on the frequency of cases:
Pete Blair, Texas State University
Notably, the jump in attacks in 2009 and 2010 was prior to the massacres in Tucson, Aurora, Oak Creek, Newtown, and numerous other locations during the last two years. Although Blair's research does not cover 2011 and 2012, he concludes that "our tracking indicates that the increased number of attacks continued in those years." As our own investigation showed, there were a record number of mass shootings in 2012.
Blair's data also underscores a striking parallel we found: The unprecedented spike in these shootings came during the same four-year period, from 2009-12, that saw a wave of nearly 100 state laws making it easier to obtain, carry, and conceal firearms. (We mapped those laws here.)
By comparison, here is the chart from our investigation documenting mass shooting casualties between 1982-2012:
While our study examined cases in which four or more people were murdered, Blair's dataset includes less lethal rampages in which the median number of victims shot was four and the median number of those killed was two. But casualty counts aside, his research uses similar criteria, excluding cases involving criminal motives other than indiscriminate mass murder, such as gang-related shootings. (He points out that the NYPD does not consider gang-related shootings to be "active shooter events.")
Blair found that at least 41 percent of the attackers carried multiple weapons. We found that a majority of mass shooters carried multiple weapons, and that more than half of them used assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
Moreover, our investigation made clear that so-called "good guys with guns" do not stop public shooting rampages. Likewise, Blair's data couldn't be any clearer when it comes to the National Rifle Association's favorite myth: He found just 3 cases out of 84 in which an armed individual who had been on the scene used a firearm to stop the shooter. And none of the three were ordinary citizens. According to Blair, in two instances those who intervened were off-duty police officers: one in a case in upstate New York in 2010, and another in a case in Philadelphia in 2005. The third case took place in Winnemucca, Nevada, in 2008; the man there who intervened and shot the rampaging gunman, as I've reported previously, was a US Marine.
As debate over gun reform climaxes on Capitol Hill, the NRA has continued to call for more guns as a solution to gun violence. The group even used a phony school massacre to push its agenda.
The question now is whether lawmakers will choose to act based on demagoguery or actual data.
Mark Follman on MSNBC: The NRA's Phony School Shooting
The NRA Myth of Gun-Free Zones
Why Mass Shootings Deserve Deeper Investigation
Do Armed Civilians Stop Mass Shooters? Actually, No.


The Healthcare Messaging Group communicates key healthcare and patient information messages, keeping patients, visitors and staff up to date with clear, consistent and timely information in some of the UK's largest NHS Hospitals.
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The Healthcare Messaging Group is proven to improve the experience of patients in some of the largest hospitals in the UK. To read the results from the hospital's patient surveys, please click here.


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Sea turtles need NOAA's help
By Betty Kowall Apr 16, 2010 in Environment
Two species of sea turtles are in the news as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is about to make critical decisions about their futures.
NOAA has proposed the designation of more than 70,000 square miles of water off the West Coast as critical habitat for the Pacific leatherback sea turtle. However, this is only a fraction of the area that conservation groups petitioned to have designated critical habitat in 2007.
Additionally, conservation groups are concerned that what constitutes adequate protection of critical habitat. The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) objects that "the proposal does not address threats from commercial longline and drift-net fisheries."
Just over one week ago discovery.com pubished an article that attributed the death of millions of sea turtles to commercial fishing. ""For sea turtles, fisheries bycatch [accidental catch species] is the most serious, acute threat to the persistence of their populations," according to lead author Bryan Wallace.
In 2007 the World Wildlife Fund noted that during the 1990s approximately 1,500 leatherback females had been dying each year as a consequence of bycatch.
Additionally, the protected areas are summer and winter resident areas but the migratory routes between southern California, and Oregon and Washington states are unprotected. This proposal is open to public comment until April 26, 2010.
At the same time, in California and Mexico Kemp's Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) is in the sights of the NOAA. A draft recovery plan has developed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, Mexico. The FWWS is soliciting review and comment on the plan from the public and all interested parties, including state and local governments until mid-May.
More about Seat turtle, NOAA, Critical habitat
seat turtle noaa critical habitat
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