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Q: Trouble with adding default subfolder with htaccess I have next rewire rule:
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} (.*)example\.com$
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !^(pl|no|en) [NC]
RewriteRule (.*) http://www.example.com/en/ [R=301,L]

and expected that if url didn't have subfolder pl no or en It would added en subfolder.
But on my ubuntu server I get url like this:
http://example.com/enenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenen/index.php

A: Try adding a slash after the ^:
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} (.*)example\.com$
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !^/(pl|no|en) [NC]
RewriteRule (.*) http://www.example.com/en/ [R=301,L]

The REQUEST_URI usually begins with a /


Picture it: 10, 20, 30 years ago. Your past, responsible self purchased life insurance that would keep your family covered through the length of your mortgage and your kids' college careers. The good news: You outlived the policy and your loved ones never had to file a claim. The bad news: Now that the policy's expiring, you need to evaluate your options, in order to keep your financial security. Here's what to consider when your term life insurance expires.
Note: Life insurance can fund a special needs trust to provide for your child after your death. An estate planning lawyer can help.
Scenarios and situations vary, but the important question is the same for all: If you passed away suddenly, would your loved ones face any financial hardship? If so, you may want to renew your policy or acquire new coverage.
If you realize the need for continued coverage, you have options to choose from.
You can likely extend your current policy on a year-by-year basis until the age of 95 (contact your insurance company or review your policy for details). While a medical exam may not be needed, the price for renewable term life insurance could jump each year significantly. This option could be the best choice for those with limited financial responsibilities that may be paid off in the next year or two.
If you'll require coverage for more than a couple of years, assess your needs directly: How long until you retire, for example, or until your children have finished school? Align your answer with a term policy—maybe as short as five years or as long as 20. When you apply for a new policy, you'll likely need to answer questions about your health and take a medical exam. Prepare for a certain degree of sticker shock in light of inflation and age, especially if you're not as hale and hearty as you were when applied for your first policy.
True to its name, permanent insurance will last for the rest of your life. Whole life—which has a fixed premium, investment return, and death benefit—is the most common and simplest type of permanent life insurance. It's also the type that most insurance companies will allow you to convert a term policy into. Review the conversion provision in your policy document or reach out to your agent for details. Your premiums after conversion may rise, and conversation from term to permanent generally has to happen before the former expires, and typically before age 75.
Depending on your age and health, you may find that signing up for a new permanent policy entirely (potentially with a different carrier) is more economical than converting your existing term plan.
No matter what you decide, you'll want to shop around, as prices tend to escalate depending on age and health. And like any other estate planning matter, anticipating your life insurance need ahead of time (i. e., long before your term policy retires) and doing the necessary research early on will yield the best results.
Should Older Adults Buy Life Insurance?
Will Life Insurance Pay in the Case of Suicide?


On September 2, 2010, Jean Segura went 3-4 at the plate with a HR, a RBI and scored a pair of runs as the Cedar Rapids Kernels defeated the Burlington Bees 4-1. Cedar Rapids finished the season with a 82-56 record under manager Bill Mosiello. The Kernels lost to Clinton in the first round of the Midwest League Playoffs.
Jean Segura hit .313 with 24 doubles, 12 triples, 10 HR, 79 RBI and stole 50 bases in 130 games during the 2010 season for the Kernels. Segura was selected to play in the Midwest League All-Star game. He appeared in the 2012 Futures Game along with former Kernels Ariel Pena (2010) and Tyler Skaggs (2010) during the MLB All-Star festivities. Jean Segura hit .293 with 12 doubles, 4 HR, 26 RBI and stole 18 bases playing for the Tempe Angels and the Inland Empire 66ers in 2011. Segura hit .294 with 10 doubles, 7 HR, 40 RBI and stole 33 bases for the Arkansas Travelers in 93 games in 2012 before making his MLB debut on July 24, 2012.
The Milwaukee Brewers traded Zach Greinke to the Los Angeles Angels to acquire three former Kernels who were each were highly touted Angels prospects on July 27, 2012. Jean Segura, Johnny Hellweg and Ariel Pena (2010) were each included in the deal. Segura hit .433 with three doubles, four RBI and stole four bases for the Huntsville Stars before earning a promotion to join the Brewers. He has hit .200 with a triple, seven RBI and has stole three bases in 20 games with Milwaukee.
Andrew Taylor (2009) was promoted from Salt Lake (AAA) to join the Los Angeles Angels as they play the Seattle Mariners this afternoon. Andrew Taylor posted a 3-0 record with a 1.23 E.R.A. in 40 games for Cedar Rapids in 2009. Taylor struck out 83 batters in 51 1/3 innings of work. He is the sixth player to reach the majors from the 2009 Kernels squad. Cedar Rapids finished with a 78-60 record under manager Bill Mosiello defeating the Peoria Chiefs in the opening round of the playoffs before losing in the semifinals to the Burlington Bees.
Andrew Taylor had a 2-4 with a 4.61 E.R.A. in 37 games with the Arkansas Travelers (AA) in 2012. Taylor posted a 1-0 record with a 3.50 E.R.A. for the Salt Lake Bees in 16 games after being promoted to AAA this year.
Tyler Skaggs (2010) became the 387th Cedar Rapids Professional Baseball alumni to make his MLB debut when he debuted with the Diamondbacks on August 22, 2012.
The Cedar Rapids Kernels and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim announce that INF Frazier Hall has been traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the completion of the Barry Enright trade, which took place on July 24th. Mike LaCassa, Minor League Operations Manager for the LA Angels, announced the move on Saturday.
The Angels selected Hall in the 16th round of the 2011 First Year Player Draft out of Southern University and he was a member of the Kernels 2012 Opening Day Roster. In 126 games for the Kernels, he hit .254 with 13 HR and 50 RBI.
On August 30, 2005, Fernando Rodriguez worked 7 2/3 shutout innings as the Kernels defeated the Swing of the Quad Cities 1-0. Rodriguez struck out nine while allowing five hits and two walks.
Fernando Rodriguez went 8-10 with a 4.18 E.R.A. and four complete games in 28 starts for Cedar Rapids in 2005. Rodriguez struck out 128 batters in 157 1/3 innings of work. Cedar Rapids finished the season with a 65-75 record under manager Bobby Magallanes.
Fernando Rodriguez made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on May 2, 2009. He signed a free agent contract with the Houston Astros prior to the 2011 season. Rodriguez posted a 2-3 record with a 3.96 E.R.A. in 47 games out of the Astros bullpen last season. He struck out 60 batters in 56 inning of work. Rodriguez is 1-8 with a 5.57 E.R.A. in 58 appearances this season for the Astros.
On August 21, 2007, Sean O'Sullivan worked eight shutout innings to earn the win as the Kernels defeated the Burlington Bees 6-1. O'Sullivan struck out six without issuing a walk while allowing four hits in the victory.
Sean O'Sullivan posted a 10-7 record with a 2.22 E.R.A. in 25 starts for Cedar Rapids in 2007. O'Sullivan struck out 125 batters in 158 1/3 innings of work. Cedar Rapids finished the season with a 78-61 record under manager Ever Magallanes. The Kernels lost to the Clinton Lumberkings in the first round of the Midwest League Playoffs.
Sean O'Sullivan made his major league debut on June 16, 2009 with the Los Angeles Angels. O'Sullivan was acquired along with Will Smith by the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Alberto Callaspo on July 22, 2010. On June 21, 2012, the Royals announced that they have sent pitcher Sean O'Sullivan (2007) to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations. He has compiled a 10-14 record with a 6.13 E.R.A. in 43 games over three MLB seasons with the Angels and the Royals. O'Sullivan had posted a 5-4 record with 1 save and a 6.75 E.R.A. in 17 games including five starts for the Omaha Storm Chasers (AAA) prior to the trade to the Blue Jays. He has been an impressive 9-1 with a 2.18 E.R.A. in 11 starts for the Las Vegas 51s (AAA) since the deal. O'Sullivan has struck out 36 in 70 1/3 innings of work for Las Vegas.
On August 19, 2007, Mark Trumbo hit a HR in both games as the Cedar Rapids Kernels swept the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in a doubleheader. Trumbo went 1-4 and hit his 12th HR with one on in the first to give the Kernels an early lead as the Kernels won 5-4 in game one. He added his 13th HR of the season in the fourth inning to break a 1-1 tie. Stantrell Smith homered in the sixth and Barret Browning worked a scoreless seventh for his eighth save of the season as the Kernels took game two 3-1.
Mark Trumbo hit .272 with 27 doubles, 14 HR and 76 RBI in 128 games during the 2007 season for the Kernels. Cedar Rapids finished the season with a 78-61 record under manager Ever Magallanes. The Kernels lost to the Clinton Lumberkings in the first round of the Midwest League Playoffs. Trumbo hit .220 with 13 HR and 59 RBI for the 2006 Kernels squad which finished 65-74 under manager Bobby Magallanes.
Mark Trumbo earned his first American League All-Star appearance in 2012. Trumbo is hitting .287 with 16 doubles, 29 HR (7th in the A.L.) and 75 RBI in 110 games for the Angels this season. Trumbo's .548 slugging percentage is currently the sixth highest in the American League and he is tenth with 229 total bases.
Barret Browning posted a 9-4 record with 8 saves and a 2.80 E.R.A in 48 games for the 2007 Cedar Rapids Kernels. He struck out 74 batters in 74 innings of work in 2007. Browning made his major league debut on June 30, 2012 with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was acquired by the Cardinals in the AAA phase of the Rule V draft this past off season. Browning was 2-3 with a 1.89 E.R.A. in 30 games for the Memphis Redbirds this season before his promotion. He has a 0-0 record with a 1.59 E.R.A. in six appearances out of the Cardinals bullpen. Browning has a 1-2 record with a 4.00 E.R.A. in 20 games out of the Cardinals bullpen. He has struck out ten while allowing 13 hits and eight runs in 18 innings of work.
You'll want to be here when the gates open at 5:30 pm on Thursday, August 16th as the first 1,000 guests through the gates receive a free Mike Trout (2009-10) poster from the LA Angels. Mike Trout is running away with the Rookie of the Year race and is getting a big push in the MVP conversation as well. Trout is leading the American League in batting average (.340), runs scored (93), stolen bases (38) and WAR (8.1) despite spending the beginning of the season in Salt Lake (AAA) for most of the month of April. He ranks 2nd in the American League in slugging percentage (.595) and OPS (.998) and is in the top 10 in total bases (229 – 8th), triples (5 – 6th) and hits (131- 10th).
Fans that choose to bike to the game and park in the special bike corral on the NW side of the stadium can register to be entered into a drawing for a pair of tickets to the Iowa State/Iowa football game at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, September 8th, thanks to Fleck Sales and New Belgium Ale. It's a Z 102.9 Thirsty Thursday with 12 oz. domestic draft beer for $1.50 and bottled soda and water for $2.00. Midwest Dueling Pianos, presented by USA Entertainment Group, will perform during and after the game and the game will be broadcast live by Mediacom on MC22. And after the game, fans will receive a frree sample of Sun Drop soda, thanks to Dr. Pepper/SevenUp. First pitch between the Kernels and Quad Cities is set for 6:35 pm.
On August 13, 2010, Jean Segura went 2-4 at the plate with his eighth HR of the season lead the Cedar Rapids Kernels to a 6-3 victory over the Kane County Cougars. Johnny Hellweg worked a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 15th save of the season. Hellweg struck out three while allowing two walks. Cedar Rapids finished the season with a 82-56 record under manager Bill Mosiello. The Kernels lost to Clinton in the first round of the Midwest League Playoffs.
Johnny Hellweg pitched five games for the Kernels at the end of the 2009 season posting a 0-0 record with a 1.35 E.R.A. and 2 saves. Hellweg returned in 2010 and went 2-4 with a 4.33 E.R.A. in 41 games finishing 36 games for 16 saves. He converted to the starting rotation with the Inland Empire 66ers last year posting a 6-4 record with a 3.73 E.R.A. in 28 games including 14 starts. Hellweg compiled a 5-10 record in 2012 for the Arkansas Travelers with a 3.38 E.R.A. in 21 starts. He struck out 88 batters in 119 2/3 innings of work.
The Milwaukee Brewers traded Zach Greinke to the Los Angeles Angels to acquire three former Kernels who were each were highly touted Angels prospects on July 27, 2012. Jean Segura, Johnny Hellweg and Ariel Pena (2010) were each included in the deal. Segura hit .433 with three doubles, four RBI and stole four bases for the Huntsville Stars before earning a promotion to join the Brewers. He has hit .286 with three RBI in six games with Milwaukee. Hellweg has posted a 2-0 record with a 2.70 E.R.A. striking out 10 batters in 10 innings of work for Huntsville since the trade.
On August 11, 2009, Tyler Chatwood worked 6 shutout innings as the Cedar Rapids Kernels defeated the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 3-2. Chatwood struck out six while walking two and allowing two hits to earn the victory.
Tyler Chatwood posted an 8-7 record with a 4.02 ERA in 24 starts for the 2009 Cedar Rapids Kernels. Chatwood struck out 106 batters in 116 1/3 innings of work and was selected to the mid-season Midwest League All-Star squad. Cedar Rapids finished the season with a 78-60 record under manager Bill Mosiello. The Kernels topped Peoria in the first round of the Midwest League Playoffs before falling to Burlington in the semifinals.
Tyler Chatwood made his MLB debut on April 11, 2011 versus the Cleveland Indians. Chatwood went 6-11 with a 4.75 ERA starting 25 games in his rookie season this year. He struck out 74 batters in 142 innings of work. On November 30, 2011, the Colorado Rockies traded Chris Iannetta to the Los Angeles Angels to acquire Chatwood. Chatwood picked up the win in the Rockies 3-0 win over the San Francisco Giants last night to improve to 2-2 with one save this the season. He has struck out 11 and posted a 5.04 E.R.A. in 21 1/3 innings of work appearing in 9 games in 2012. Chatwood has a career record of 8-13 with a 4.79 E.R.A. in two seasons playing for the Angels and Rockies.


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Population projections 50 years into the future are fantasy
Gene ExpressionBy Razib KhanDecember 13, 2012 9:17 PM
There's another Census Projection out. Yes, I understand that the character of the children born today is going to have obvious impacts on the nature of the population 50 years from now, but we really need to heed the stupidity of past projections. Here's a piece from 1930, A Nation of Elders in the Making:
To explain convincingly why we believe that we shall certainly not have more than 185,000,000 people here in 2000 A.D. and why we further believe that our population may cease to grow before that time, it is only necessary to make a rapid survey of our national trend of births and deaths....
For what it's worth, the population of the USA in 2000 A.D. was ~280 million. The Baby Boom + massive immigration = revisions to projections.
Do Artificial Sweeteners Actually Help With Weight Loss?
Astronomers Find Four Strange New Objects in the Center of the Milky Way

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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The Queen of Witches
Brandi Elledge
Publisher: Aelurus Publishing
She knew Werewolves weren't real. Working with one was only the start of her problems.Charlie is afraid. Since her 18th birthday, strange things have been happening around her—like randomly starting fires or turning things to ice. But things are about to get even weirder.When two good looking guys turn up in town both wanting her to help them, Charlie doesn't want anything to do with them. But when of them asks her to help him find something, he gives her an offer she can't refuse. And Charlie discovers more than she could have suspected.Because the man she's helping is a Werewolf—something she knew didn't exist.And the weird things she's been doing? Probably makes her… something else she never believed in—something that's confirmed when she's kidnapped and forced to put on a wedding dress to marry a powerful warlock. She's a witch.But if Charlie thinks avoiding a wedding is the biggest of her problems, she has another thing coming. Many things coming actually. Because she's made the Prince of Hell mad as… well, hell. And, with a bunch of his evil chums, he's coming for her.She'd better hope she masters the whole 'turning things to ice' magic pretty fast. And that the Werewolf can track her down. Because staying in hell is exactly like it sounds. And getting out might just take more than she can give.The Queen of Witches is the second book in the Urban/Paranormal Wheel of Crowns series by Brandi Elledge. With the same quirky humour and sass as the first book in the series, you'll laugh as you're glued to the pages until the very end.
This is the page of Brandi Elledge on 24symbols. Here you can see and read his/her books.
Harmonic Magic Series Boxed Set
P.E. Padilla
To Gythe and back, with action every step of the way.
The bestselling epic fantasy Harmonic Magic Series by USA Today bestselling author P.E. Padilla is now available in one set. Included in the digital boxed set is Vibrations, Harmonics, Resonance, and the Chronicle of Gythe tale Gray Man Rising.
See what caused reviewer MJR to write, "PE Padilla's writing is right up there with some of my other favorite fantasy authors, Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson" and Wanda M. to write, "Five stars just don't seem to be enough for these books."
Sam Sharp didn't mean to go to another world, but he did. Trapped in Gythe, a primitive world similar to his own but also so different, he has no choice but to journey to the lair of the powerful tyrant, the Gray Man, to wrest from the villain the secret of transporting himself back to his own world.
Joined by a Zouyim monk, master of the magical vibrational energy called rohw, a Sapsyra warrior, and a telepathic creature, Sam develops into a powerful fighter himself through his intense training, all while traveling toward the final confrontation with his enemy. But will it be enough? And if so, what other dangers are waiting in the future?
Follow the adventures of Sam, Nalia, Rindu, and Skitter as they strive to take control of their own destinies, and protect the entire world of Gythe as they do it.
Don't miss out on the alternate world action. Pick up the boxed set today and see why fans are raving about the series.
Cold Lover - A Sexy Medieval...
Steam Books, Annette Archer
A member of a fierce society of ice maidens, Kayleen plans to take the gorgeous and muscular Marleki for her mate, but apparently she is not the only one: the pair are ambushed by a ruthless gang of renegade barbarian maidens, notorious for kidnapping men for their own carnal needs.  Kayleen and Marleki must work together to overcome the bloodthirsty--and lustworthy--warrior women.WARNING: This 10,307-word (about 52 pages) novelette is a steamy read that features explicit scenes of sexuality including bondage and F/F bisexuality in a medieval fantasy setting and may be too much for some readers to handle!
The Infernal Aether Series...
Peter Oxley
London, 1865. A world being torn apart by supernatural terrors.Augustus Potts is a drunken adventurer who just wants a quiet life.His brother is a genius whose inventions unwittingly make bad situations worse.When an exiled demon uses the power of the Aether to create Hell on Earth, Augustus and his friends are cast adrift into a universe far larger and more terrifying than they could ever imagine.Can our unlikely heroes save not only themselves but all of humanity from the evil creatures unleashed by the opening of the Aether?Peter Oxley's Infernal Aether Series is a dark gothic fantasy set in Victorian London, described as "fantasy at its best", "epic" and "no holds barred". If you like electrifying action, rich characters and fantastical demonic worlds, then you'll love the Infernal Aether Series.For the first time, this volume brings together the novels The Infernal Aether, A Christmas Aether, The Demon Inside and Beyond the Aether into one complete box set. Over 1,000 pages; normally $12+ to purchase. Grab them all today for a fraction of that price!Pick up your copy of the Infernal Aether Series Complete Box Set now and begin an adventure you will never forget!
The Ladies of Grace Adieu and...
Susanna Clarke
"Vivid and amusing...Magically funny."-Ursula K. LeGuin, Los Angeles Times
An enchanting collection of stories, set in the same world, from the author of the award-winning, internationally bestselling Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell.
Following the international bestseller Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Susanna Clarke returns with an enchanting collection of stories brimming with all the ingredients of good fairy tales: petulant princesses, vengeful owls, ladies who pass their time in embroidering terrible fates, endless paths in deep, dark woods, and houses that never appear the same way twice. The heroines and heroes who must grapple with these problems include the Duke of Wellington, a conceited Regency clergyman, an eighteenth-century Jewish doctor, and Mary Queen of Scots, as well as two characters from Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell; Strange himself and the Raven King.
The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories introduces readers to a world where charm is always tempered by eerieness, and picaresque comedy is always darkened by the disturbing shadow of Faerie.
The Fae Lord's Companion - Part One
Lisa Kumar
Six years ago, a fae raid stole away Lina's parents, dooming her to a life of poverty and scavenging. But she isn't one to give up in defeat. Since then, she's managed to scrape together a decent life with her grandparents. But that happy, simple life is shattered the day the arrogant Sidhe lord who took her parents returns...and claims her as his mistress. Though she vows to never stop plotting for her freedom, she can't deny the otherworldly pull between them.
Lina. The human that the fae lord Gabreon couldn't forget. Though something in her spirit had sparked his cold soul, Gabreon knew only too well the trouble and heartache attachments can bring. But when he sees Lina again, he can no longer ignore her or the inexorable longing she ignites in him. Though claiming her goes against everything he was brought up to believe, he takes her as his companion. During the day, she holds herself away from him. At night, however, she flares to life in his arms.
As a human revolution ferments, his growing relationship with Lina becomes even more perilous as enemies, both human and fae, seek to use her against him. Will he be able to earn her forgiveness and love? Or will they both perish before either has a chance to achieve what they so long for—Gabreon his redemption and Lina a sense of freedom?
*Grab this enemies-to-lovers tale that'll take you on a rollercoaster of emotion!*
*Lina and Gabreon's tale spans three books. This novel should be read as part of the series and is part one of a single story arc. This book ends on a cliffhanger*
*The Fae Lord's Companion, Part One deals with sensitive issues and is for 18-year-olds and above*
*Previously published on Amazon as The Fae Lord's Mistress. Serialized on Tapas in the Premium Program as The Sidhe Lord's Mistress*
The Blackbird Singularity
Matt Wilven
Shortlisted for an Amazon Rising Star Award
Longlisted for the Guardian Not the Booker prize 2016
Selected for WHSmith Fresh Talent 2017
Wilven does a masterful job of keeping his readers as off-balance as his protagonist... an intense and satisfyingly off-beat examination of a man lost in a landscape of unresolved grief and his heroic fight to find his way back home.' -- Melissa DeCarlo, author of The Art of Crash Landing
Vince stops taking his lithium when he finds out about his partner's pregnancy. As withdrawal kicks in, he can barely hold his life together.
Somewhere between making friends with a blackbird in the back garden and hearing his dead son's footsteps in the attic, he finds himself lost and alone, journeying through a world of chaos and darkness, completely unaware of the miracle that lies ahead.
Featuring a foreword from Dr Eleanor Longdon; Dr Longden's TED talk, Learning From the Voices in my Head, was featured on the front page of The Huffington Post and has been named by The Guardian newspaper as one of 'the 20 online talks that could change your life.'; It has been viewed over 3m times and translated into 36 languages.


I did label my discipline efforts like most parents as "good parenting" or "christian discipleship." But the truth is, I wanted to be a successful mom. I wanted obedient children so that MY life would be comfortable. AND I wanted their obedience to be a reflection to others.
I succeeded at my goal. It's true. You can make a kid obey. As a classroom teacher, I learned many tricks and ways of manipulating behavior so that kids would obey. And it worked- at least for a short time anyway.
As I've walked through the years, I have come to realize something huge. There are many kids who obey their parents and then once they get out into the world, they walk away from God, their families, and sometimes even worse.
That was the one thing I didn't want for my kids. I want them to learn that obedience is a good thing. It's not something to do simply to avoid a spanking or consequence. I want them to understand that obedience is a relationship of willing and loving submission to God. And to be honest, it's out of that obedience that my children will chose to obey me and any other authority in their lives. Without that, I really have little chance at true obedience.
As I continue to watch more and more kids rebelling against rules and parental authority, I notice one big missing link: the why behind obedience. I see it in adults, as well. Let's take speeding for example. Do we stay under the speed limit out of willful submission? Or do we slam on the breaks when we see the cop car over the horizon? Do we obey the law because it's right? Or just to stay out of trouble?
I think we have a very warped view of obedience on our hands. I suspect that you might be just as guilty as I know I am. The truth is—>as a Christian, we obey the law because God said so. It's a willful submission to the authority that God has placed over us. And unless the law requires us to go against God's law, we are to obey.
This is the kind of obedience that I want for my kids. Teaching children to WANT to obey is far more important than teaching them to look like they are obeying. And don't worry, I get that the first few years of a child's life don't really apply to this principle. This is indeed the season when mom/dad need to work toward obedience without giving much explanation. But as your child enters the preschool years, it's time to start helping them understand that there is much more to obedience than making mom smile.
The first step is helping children understand the why behind obedience.
1. Obedience shows that you believe.
1 Samuel 15:22 reminds us that "to obey is better than sacrifice." What God is trying to teach the Israelites here is that he wants them to obey FAR more than he wants them to pay for their sins through sacrifice.
The same is true for us. Obedience is one way that we show God that we believe that He will do what He said He will do. It's one way that we can outwardly show our inward disposition toward God. He does forgive us when we mess up, but He desires that we strive first to not mess up. That is how we demonstrate true belief.
Conversely, disobedience reveals the exact opposite. It uncovers our depravity, our futile and selfish desires to have things our own way rather than God's. When we disobey God it's like telling Him that He isn't enough or that we aren't sure if He will come through for us.
It's in our choice to obey that we demonstrate love for God and what a privilege we have! God has given so much for us that if we truly love Him, we won't be able to squelch our desire to do anything we can do to show love toward Him.
3. Obedience is a witness to others.
Of course it would be like a perfect and holy God to build this part into the equation. When we obey God, our life shines a light that is so attractive to others that they can't help but see God. Conversely, disobedience to God, parents, and/or authority is a huge blow on our testimony to other people.
I remind my kids of this often. Usually with the question, "what kind of witness are you being right now?" It's important to me that they understand that every single choice they make is influential in the life of those around them.
When we disobey God, parents, and/or authority, we are either influencing a Christian in a negative way or showing a non-Christian that we don't take God very seriously. Either one isn't what we are aiming for as God's children.
Pioneer missionary Hudson Taylor said, ""Christ is either Lord of all, or is not Lord at all." I believe others see our lives that way, too. They don't weigh out the good things with the bad things and try and decide if we qualify as a Christian. It's either all or nothing.
The second step is helping children understand the how behind obedience.
No, we will never get it right 100% of the time. Yes, the standard that we set in the outline above is a high one. It's worthy for the striving, but we are going to fail.
As adults we ask God to help us, so why not teach our kids to do the same? I also pray for my children (in front of them) that God would give them a desire to obey Him and the strength to chose the right thing. Oh and I pray that for myself in front of my children, too.
I truly believe that it's in the humble submission that they see in me that they will find the desire to strive to obey themselves. Otherwise, the temptation to give up the "try hard" game will be high. They will find themselves in a heap of disappointing behaviors with no hope that they can ever do any better. They need to know that even as adults we struggle with obedience to God and that the only solution is to ask God to help us…DAILY!
Of course, the most important thing I do is to teach my children what God's word says about obedience. They need to understand how God feels about this important topic and they need to read it straight from His word, not from my lips.
And that's why I've developed a brand new Bible study that covers the topic of obedience, both what I discussed above and digging even deeper. I'd love to tell you more about it! Click here and let's get started!
It's not the message that is important but our obedience to it.
Kim, this is an amazing resource for parents. I'm often challenged with making my kids obey, but not always examining their hearts. I don't ever want my kids obeying in outward appearance only. I want them to obey from the heart! And like you said, we as adults need that too!
While this all sounds like a good idea, I mean, who doesn't want a kid that obeys, I can't help seeing a lot of dangers in teaching blind obedience of "any other authority in their lives". There will be figures of authority that don't care about you. What about a crooked cop? What happens when a teacher at school takes advantage of this obedience to sexually assault a child, or even in a church? What about when the federal law says "aborting" a live born child is okay? I attempt to teach my child to obey those they love and trust, like God and family, and put love and trust in a special place. I guess all other laws and rules to be obeyed are more so just humored. I can't help but wonder where Christians would be today had early followers of the faith blindly obeyed authority…..


Funds raised by Steps to Cure Sarcoma supports collaborative sarcoma research at Penn Medicine's Abramson Cancer Center, Penn Veterinary School, and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Take some time to explore what each researcher below is working on.
The Eisinger Lab—Karin Eisinger, PhD: part of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Specific work is being done to identify druggable targets in the primary sarcoma as well as in the metastasis.
Halder Lab—Malay Haldar, MD, PhD: part of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, and the Institute for Immunology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Manipulation of the local immune environment of the tumor are additional approaches in tumors such as synovial sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, all of which occur in the CHOP patient population.
Mason Immunotherapy—Nicky Mason, BVetMed, PhD, DACVIM: a translational research laboratory that focuses on ways to train the immune system to recognize and kill cancers in veterinary species. Work at the Penn Veterinary School (Nicola Mason) is focused on clinical trials in dogs with osteosarcoma using a listeria vaccine targeting Her-2-neu with promising results that may be translated to clinical trials in children.
Margaret Chou, PhD: Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Associate Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology at University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine; also involved with the Kristy Weber Research Program at CHOP.Her lab is working to understand the mechanisms underlying malignant transformation. Her laboratory also focuses on pathogenic mechanisms of Ewing sarcoma, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, and a newly described cancer, sinonasal sarcoma.
Kristy Weber Research Program—Kristy L. Weber, MD, FACS: Led by Kristy L. Weber, MD, the Penn Sarcoma program has developed a collaborative basic/translational research program between Penn Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Penn Vet. This team is focused on developing new approaches to diagnosing and treating pediatric and adult bone and soft tissue tumors including Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma. The ultimate goal of the research is to develop better therapies, improve cure rates and minimize treatment toxicities for patients with malignant bone and soft tissue tumors.


Last week I ran a Facebook fake news experiment to see if it's still possible to become a fake news media mogul on Facebook, nearly an entire year after the 2016 US presidential election which first brought attention to this issue.
TLDR: the entire experiment took less than an hour of work and just $50 dollars of Facebook ads. The results were appalling.
Facebook's ad platform assigned this ad a score of 7 out of 10 (pretty good marks!) to my fake news campaign. Why? Because fake news pushes buttons — it gets people all worked up. People can't resist engaging with the content!
Repeat this cycle a few times and a hot fake story can start trending on Facebook — for free.
Typically, we observe this snowball effect (or multiplier) to extend the reach of a catchy sponsored post by 2–10 times — for free!
c) Fake news is effective Facebook clams that their ads can have a profound impact on a user's searching and purchasing behavior. It's not hard to believe that it could impact voting behavior and even an election outcome in battleground states where the margin of victory was just a few thousand votes. Facebook ads were and remains to this day, a highly effective vehicle for the distribution of fake news intended to alter public opinion both in the USA and in other countries worldwide where Facebook advertising costs are substantially lower.
Fake news via Facebook Ads is not a US partisan issue as fake news can come in any form. It seeks to exploit and undermine divisions within society and is a threat to global democracy.


Edgewood is an independent liberal arts institution in Madison, Wisconsin. Its 72,000 sq ft, four-story residence provides an example of environmental sustainability as well as a comfortable home to 168 students. From the outset, Dominican Hall was designed and built to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) points and has become the first college or university residence in Wisconsin to receive Silver Certification.
J.H. Findorff and Son, Inc.
Specifiers chose DORMA Architectural Hardware for internal and external doorways throughout Dominican Hall. In addition to contributing to sustainability, DORMA products ensure that doors are reliable, safe, and secure. Plus, the variety of finishes and trims available allow specifiers to match hardware to interior décor.


A report released today by research and consulting firm Strategy Analytics, showed that 26.8 million tablets were sold globally in the fourth quarter of 2011. That represents an increase of 150 percent over the 10.7 million tablets that were sold in the fourth quarter of the previous year. The report does not include sales of dedicated ereaders like the Kindle in its sales numbers.
The report said that Android tablet sales jumped to 10.5 million units up from 3.1 million units. Most of that jump was due to the introduction of Amazon's Kindle Fire tablet. Stifel Nicolas analyst Jordan Rohan came out and upped his estimate of Kindle Fire sales to 6 million units during Q4 2011. We'll hopefully find out the actual Kindle Fire sales tomorrow after Amazon releases its earnings report.
The Kindle Fire and Nook are the only real two Android tablets out there. Everything else has sold less than a million units. This is significant as both are from book-oriented retailers.
The research report also found that there were a total of 66.9 million tablets sold in all of 2011. That was up 260 percent from the 18.6 million sold in all of 2010.
So tablet sales are absolutely skyrocketing. The holiday quarter accounted for almost half (40 percent) of all the tablet sales in the entire year.
The massive increase in tablet ownership will definitely cause a huge boost in ebook sales and demand for ebooks at libraries.


Click here for a copy of our brochure and general medical clinic information.
For the last twelve years, the Community Health Center has been the beacon of hope for people in need of spiritual and physical care. We exist to share the love of God by providing non-emergency medical, and eye care to those without the resources to obtain adequate health care.
Thanks to your generosity, we reliably and compassionately serve the community of Palm Beach County. We ask that you consider making a tax-deductible gift in 2016. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable members of our community—the working poor, the unemployed, and the homeless, among them indigent children, seniors and entire families.
Thank you for sharing of your treasures to bless others who are truly in need.
The Community Health Center exists to share the love of God by providing non-emergency medical, and eye care to those who do not have access to health care services, and assist them in establishing a continuum of care through conventional health care systems to promote a healthy body, mind and spirit. The Community Health Center mission is to ensure access to a comprehensive health care system and the delivery of quality services for the residents of Palm Beach County. The clinic is located at 2100 W. 45th Street, in West Palm Beach, Florida. That is the southwest corner at the intersection of 45th Street and North Congress Avenue.
*** Please note that we no longer offer a dental clinic effective January 1, 2013. Only the medical and visual clinics will continue to operate. We apologize for the inconvenience to our patients.
Please call us at (561) 840-8681 as the hours of operation and services provided are subject to change without notice.
Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday by appointment only. In order to be seen at the chronic disease management clinic, you must first come to our health clinic during our regular business hours.
In order to be seen at the vision clinic, you must first come to our health clinic during our regular business hours. Patients will be seen by appointment only.
Beware...The ACA Does NOT Provide Universal Access to Health Care!
The American health care landscape has been transformed by the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). State-based marketplaces are providing individuals with access to a new array of health insurance options, while new safeguards have eliminated practices such as "pre-existing conditions" and "gender rating" that had previously prevented many Americans from receiving care. Yet, while this landmark law has expanded access to health care for millions of Americans the ACA does not provide universal access to health care. In fact, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that 31 million Americans will remain uninsured following the full implementation of the ACA. As a result, there remains an urgent need for the lifesaving health care provided by Free and Charitable Clinics like the Community Health Center of West Palm Beach. If you would like to read more, please download the NAFCC report below.
Public sector grants continue to be a key revenue stream for nonprofits.
31% rely on government grants as their primary revenue source, increasing from 27% in 2014.
44% of nonprofits rely primarily on federal grants, keeping consistent with the previous two reports' findings.
Their report was compiled from 185 survey responses from nonprofit and public sector professionals.
"Surprisingly little is known about free and charitable clinics. And, what is known is out-of-date or based on a small number of clinics. In the face of this lack of information, myths and misconceptions about the sector persist.
This survey is a systematic effort to address this lack of information and collect up-to-date comprehensive data about free and charitable clinics nationwide to inform the discussion about the contribution free and charitable clinics make to the safety net. In an era of greater accountability, the survey data will provide answers to questions being asked by funders, policymakers, community residents, and other partners in the safety net. Timely data is needed now more than ever because of all the recent changes that have occurred in our health system and across the sector. New care delivery models, such as charitable clinics and hybrid clinics, have proliferated. Our ability to monitor these changes and describe the sector's response has been limited because of the lack of data. This survey seeks to remedy this deficit and provide this much-needed information."


text:
The 2017–18 Croatian Football Cup was the twenty-seventh season of Croatia's football knockout competition. The defending champions were Rijeka, having won their fourth title the previous year by defeating Dinamo Zagreb in the final.

Calendar

Participating clubs
The following 48 teams qualified for the competition:

Preliminary round
The draw for the preliminary single-legged round was held on 20 July 2017 in Zagreb. The matches were played on 23 August 2017.

* Matches played on 19 August.** Matches played on 22 August.

First round
The first round was played on 20 September 2017.

* Match played on 19 September.
** Matches played on 4 October.
*** Match played on 18 October.

Second round
The second round was played on 25 October 2017.

* Match played on 24 October.
** Match played on 31 October.
*** Match played on 7 November.
**** Match played on 14 November.

Quarter-finals
The quarter-final was played on 29 November 2017.

* Match played on 30 November.
** Match played on 13 December at Stadion Rujevica in Rijeka due to inadequate pitch condition at ŠRC Zaprešić.

Semi-finals
The semi-final was originally scheduled for 28 February 2018 but was later postponed due to unfavourable weather conditions.

Final

The final was played on 23 May 2018 at Stadion HNK Cibalia in Vinkovci.

Bracket

Top scorers

References

External links
Official website
Competition rules

Croatian Football Cup seasons
Croatia
Croatian Cup, 2017-18

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


A busy Christmas period for St John.
Guernsey's Marine Ambulance was dispatched twice over the Christmas period. The Flying Christine III was sent out to collect and transfer patients on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
St John would like to thank the volunteer skipper and engineers who gave up part of their Christmas Day and Boxing Day to crew the vessel. A paramedic and technician were also on board for both crossings. On both occasions, on arrival at St Peter Port harbour, the patients were transported to the Emergency Department of the PEH by road ambulance.
The volunteer Community First Responders (CFRs) were also activated several times on Christmas Day. We would also like to thank the volunteers who gave up their time to attend these incidents. CFRs are trained volunteers who respond to immediately life threatening calls in their vicinity, to provide urgent care before the ambulance and paramedic arrives.
St John Emergency Ambulance Service attended twenty five incidents in the twenty four hours between midnight on Christmas Eve and midnight on Christmas night. The calls were a mix of falls and medical cases, including some sudden severe illness.
Volunteers from the St John Inshore Rescue Boat and volunteer First Aiders from St John were on duty at Cobo, providing safety and medical cover for islanders taking part in the annual Boxing Day swim.
The Patient Transport Service was operating again on Boxing Day transferring patients to appointments at the renal unit at the PEH. Among the calls for the St John Emergency Ambulance Service on Boxing Day was a single car road traffic collision on Bulwer Avenue, St Sampson.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the public for their good wishes over the Christmas period. The messages and kind words are appreciated by the staff and volunteers of St John in Guernsey. Thanks also to our colleagues at Guernsey Police and Guernsey Fire & Rescue, and the staff at the PEH who have also been on duty and working with us over this Christmas period.
A Team was on duty on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. D Team took over for the night shifts.


text:
from collections import defaultdict
import pytest

from remodel.errors import AlreadyRegisteredError
from remodel.models import Model
from remodel.registry import ModelRegistry, IndexRegistry

from . import BaseTestCase

class ModelRegistryTests(BaseTestCase):
    def setUp(self):
        super(ModelRegistryTests, self).setUp()
        self.mr = ModelRegistry()

        class Artist(Model):
            pass
        self.Artist = Artist

    def test_register(self):
        self.mr.register('Artist', self.Artist)
        assert 'Artist' in self.mr._data
        assert self.mr._data['Artist'] is self.Artist

    def test_already_registered(self):
        self.mr.register('Artist', self.Artist)
        with pytest.raises(AlreadyRegisteredError):
            self.mr.register('Artist', self.Artist)

    def test_register_invalid(self):
        with pytest.raises(ValueError):
            self.mr.register('Artist', object)

    def test_unregister(self):
        self.mr.register('Artist', self.Artist)
        self.mr.unregister('Artist')
        assert 'Artist' not in self.mr._data

    def test_unregister_invalid(self):
        with pytest.raises(KeyError):
            self.mr.unregister('Artist')

    def test_unregister_unregistered(self):
        self.mr.register('Artist', self.Artist)
        self.mr.unregister('Artist')
        with pytest.raises(KeyError):
            self.mr.unregister('Artist')

    def test_get(self):
        self.mr.register('Artist', self.Artist)
        assert self.mr.get('Artist') is self.Artist

    def test_get_invalid(self):
        with pytest.raises(KeyError):
            self.mr.get('Artist')

    def test_all(self):
        self.mr.register('Artist', self.Artist)
        assert self.mr.all() == {'Artist': self.Artist}

    def test_clear(self):
        self.mr.register('Artist', self.Artist)
        self.mr.clear()
        assert self.mr._data == {}

class IndexRegistryTests(BaseTestCase):
    def setUp(self):
        super(IndexRegistryTests, self).setUp()
        self.ir = IndexRegistry()

    def test_register(self):
        self.ir.register('Artist', 'person_id')
        assert 'Artist' in self.ir._data
        assert self.ir._data['Artist'] == set(['person_id'])

    def test_register_same(self):
        self.ir.register('Artist', 'person_id')
        self.ir.register('Artist', 'person_id')
        assert 'Artist' in self.ir._data
        assert self.ir._data['Artist'] == set(['person_id'])

    def test_unregister(self):
        self.ir.register('Artist', 'person_id')
        self.ir.unregister('Artist', 'person_id')
        assert 'Artist' in self.ir._data
        assert self.ir._data['Artist'] == set()

    def test_unregister_same(self):
        self.ir.register('Artist', 'person_id')
        self.ir.unregister('Artist', 'person_id')
        self.ir.unregister('Artist', 'person_id')
        assert 'Artist' in self.ir._data
        assert self.ir._data['Artist'] == set()

    def test_get_for_model(self):
        self.ir.register('Artist', 'person_id')
        assert self.ir.get_for_model('Artist') == set(['person_id'])

    def test_get_for_inexistent_model(self):
        assert self.ir.get_for_model('Artist') == set()

    def test_get_for_unregistered_model(self):
        self.ir.register('Artist', 'person_id')
        self.ir.unregister('Artist', 'person_id')
        assert self.ir.get_for_model('Artist') == set()

    def test_get_all(self):
        self.ir.register('Artist', 'person_id')
        assert self.ir.all() == defaultdict(set, Artist=set(['person_id']))

    def test_clear(self):
        self.ir.register('Artist', 'person_id')
        self.ir.clear()
        assert self.ir._data == defaultdict(set)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Q: Crontab and haproxy I have a strange behavior which i do not understand:
I'm running haproxy as loadbalancer and security shield in front of other web containers.
The haproxy is running fine and uses my configured letsencrypt file.
So far so fine.
When the ssl certificate is running out, a new one including all needed key files is generated and replaces the key files.
After that, the haproxy must reload its config.
Now: when i call
cd /etc/haproxy
service haproxy reload

or the script itself from commandline, everything runs absolutely fine.
As soon as i call it via cron, it doesn't work!?!?
There is no error, and the reconfigure script is run till its end.
/etc/haproxy/bin/request_letsencrypt_certificate.sh:
#!/bin/bash
cd /etc/haproxy
service haproxy reload

crontab -e as root:
 # LetsEnrcrypt | recert
    * * * * * /etc/haproxy/bin/request_letsencrypt_certificate.sh

(i changed to run every minute for testing purposes)
When using echo test>run.txt the file is created every minute, so the script is started successfully, but the service command seems to be not executed?
What could be thy problem, why on commandline it works, but from cron not?
Both action are taken with root permissions as root itself (and when dumping the user in cron-call via whoami in the script, "root" is confirmed at runtime)

A: Does it work if you change service to /sbin/service to ensure that it's in the PATH? You also probably don't need cd /etc/haproxy in the script.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Gary Simmons: Post No Bills
15 January - 20 February 2016
Simon Lee Gallery is proud to present an exhibition of new paintings, wall work and sculptures by New York based artist Gary Simmons, in his third solo show at the gallery.
In his new body of work Simmons continues to excavate politics, music, race and class within American and British culture.
Drawing on the DIY aesthetic of punk, dub and early hip hop music and the tradition of street fly-posting to promote gigs and events, Simmons' rainbow saturated coloured paintings reveal traces of the long forgotten individual and collective creative voices that have informed and shaped contemporary culture.
An important analogue communication device in the 70's, 80's and early 90's, fly-posters, along with fanzines and mix-tapes, contributed to creating local scenes and regional cultures. Battles and protests were played out in poster form, plastered in the dead of night one on top of another, building a visual diary of a place and its people. Eventually ripped down or weather beaten, these hand-crafted, type-set promotional images, invitations and declarations became outdoor wallpaper, passed largely unnoticed each day.
Echoing the posters' lifecycle and the zeal and desire inherent in their original design and intention, Simmons builds up layer after layer of sections of found posters in his paintings; sourcing, cropping, re-colouring, re-printing, tearing and juxtaposing incongruous events and chronologies to invoke a familiar, dynamic language through a series of fragmented memories. These paintings, with their partially erased images, ghostly texts and disconnected symbols, remind us that we are constructed by personal experiences, fantasies, perceptions and external events. Simmons' paintings resist nostalgia yet reflect the process of history-making and our need to deconstruct, rework, reframe and to build upon what has been before. Whilst referencing marketing techniques that deftly seduce the viewer, Simmons renders any didactic message redundant, calling into question the speed and proliferation of mass marketing in a digital age and the commoditisation of youth cultures.
Incorporating low-fi and mass-produced materials in his work, Simmons reflects the vitality of individual and collective action for a common good. Mounted onto plywood surfaces, Simmons' paintings reference hoardings and construction sites, reminding us of the temporality of culture, its questionable accessibility and recalling the objecthood and impact of these aesthetic interventions in the public realm.
A large 4m x 4m unique wall work in this series frames two new speaker sculptures, made from reclaimed wood found from buildings affected by hurricane Katrina, in The Treme area of New Orleans. Simmons was inspired by The Black Ark, the recording studio of reggae and dub producer Lee 'Scratch' Perry, built in 1973 in Kingston, Jamaica. Perry is infamous for his early adoption of effects and remixing, working with artists such as Bob Marley and the Wailers, Junior Murvin, Max Romeo and many others. His songs are layered with a variety of beats created from everyday objects and human expressions – from crying babies to rainfall and grinding broken glass. Perry referred to The Black Ark as a living thing, a life itself and Simmons was interested in "how he constructed an audio sound through an aesthetic gesture".
Utilising the same DIY aesthetic and perched atop makeshift table-top plinths each of the sculptures stands alert, a unique character yet collectively ready for action, to command, move or sway a group, a community or to engage in a dialogue with one enthusiastic individual. A direct development from Simmons' performative sculpture Recapturing Memories of the Black Ark, (2014), these sculptures are part subject, part architectural model, part plaza.
An accompanying film of past Recapturing Memories of the Black Ark performances by Beans (New Orleans, 2014) and Ghostpoet (Basel, 2015) activate the sculptures and implicate the gallery and attending audience as a potential site for change.
Gary Simmons was born in 1964 and lives and works in New York. He graduated from the School of Visual Arts in New York with a BFA in 1988, and received an MFA at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, California in 1990. His work has been exhibited widely in international biennales, museums and galleries worldwide, including most recently All the World's Futures, The 56th International Art Exhibition, Venice, Italy (2015); Sharjah Biennial 12: The Past, the present, the possible, Sharjah Art Foundation, UAE (2015); Prospect.3: Notes for Now, Prospect New Orleans, New Orleans, LA (2014); Pérez Art Museum, Miami, FL (2014). Other major solo exhibitions include Fight Night, Metro Pictures, New York, NY (2014); Focus: Gary Simmons, Modern Art Museum, Fort Worth, TX (2012); 1964, The Bohen Foundation, New York, NY (2006); Gary Simmons, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, IL (2002); Ghost House, SITE Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM (2002); Desert Blizzard, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania, PA (2001). His work has been included in group exhibitions at the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY; the Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY; the Studio Museum of Harlem, New York, NY; Walker Art Centre, Minneapolis, MN; the Rubell Family Collection, Miami, FL; the Kunsthaus Zürich, Zürich; the Hirshhorn Museum, Washington DC; the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, IL and the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London. His work is in major private and public collections including Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington, D.C.; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, CA; Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, NY; Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN; Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY; The Museum of Modern Art, NY; Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York, NY; Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, IL; The Rubell Collection, Miami, FL; The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, CA and Jumex Collection, Mexico City, MX.
The current exhibition marks the artist's third solo show at Simon Lee Gallery, London. Previous exhibitions include Shine (8 April – 31 May 2011) and House of Pain (7 May – 9 June 2007).
SATURDAY, 16 JANUARY, 12PM: GARY SIMMONS IN CONVERSATION WITH EKOW ESHUN, Simon Lee Gallery, London. Please note this event is free to the public, but booking is advised:
events@simonleegallery.com / 020 7491 0100.
Ekow Eshun is a writer and broadcaster. The former director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts, he is Chair of the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, overseeing London's most significant public art project. He is a contributor to TV and radio shows including The Today programme, Saturday Review and Channel 4 News and his writing appears in publications including the Financial Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Observer, the New Statesman, Vogue and Wallpaper. His book, Black Gold of the Sun, was nominated for the Orwell Prize for political writing.
For further press information, images and interview requests please contact Julia Kelly-Kennedy:
julia@simonleegallery.com / 020 7491 0100.


FORT WORTH – The city's Downtown Design Review Board has approved the construction of a 16-story AC Hotel from Marriott.
The original 15-story design called for 218 rooms, but developers haven't said how many rooms the hotel will have with the extra floor.
Merriman Anderson is the building architect, and SMR Landscape Architects Inc. is the landscape architect.


Working as a management accountant in the London HQ, you will be tasked for providing monthly reporting processes as well as strategic support to the senior team from the word go.
With a new structure in the business, the organisation can promote opportunity and give their staff senior exposure from the word go.
You will get the opportunity to contribute value in senior meetings from the word go, as well as being on a management development program as part of the newly created team structure.


Today on the blog I am interviewing Jacynth Bassett, the owner of the-Bias-Cut - an online fashion boutique that celebrates style at every age.
Could you tell me about why you started your business and your ethos of why ageism is never in style?
I first had the idea for the-Bias-Cut when I was 19, whilst studying Law at Cambridge. Having realised I didn't want to become a lawyer, I decided I wanted to start my own business, ideally in Fashion as it had always been one of my main passions.
Whilst I had a lot of respect for the Fashion Industry, I knew it was by no means perfect, and I wanted to make a difference. It was 2am one night and, unable to sleep, I started thinking about my mum. Like me, she loved fashion and style, but since her late 40s had started to feel irrelevant in the eyes of the Fashion Industry, largely due to her age. She was fed up with youth-focused imagery and struggled to find beautiful, quality clothes that were both flattering and stylish. This both saddened and frustrated me.
Thorough research proved that many of her peers felt the same way. So it became my mission to cut through ageism in the Fashion Industry once and for all. There are so many stereotypes and ageist attitudes regarding older women and fashion, which are both insulting and nonsensical – why would a love for style and wanting to look good just disappear with age?
So, as soon as I graduated, I started working on creating a contemporary shopping platform and community that truly celebrates and empowers women of all ages. It's about being inclusive rather than exclusive – from our use of 'real women' models of different ages, shapes, heights and sizes, to our 'shop by body' filters, to our unique curation process.
Our "Ageism Is Never In Style" ethos and movement is an extension of this. It brings together women and men globally, to raise awareness and encourage discussion on the topic. Whilst we are seeing more inclusivity in the industry, there is still a very long way to go before ageism is no longer entrenched in it. So it keeps the conversation going.
What's particularly important is that we welcome women of all ages to engage – after all ageism is the only 'ism' that inevitably affects all of us.
What do you look for when you source new labels?
Quality - The label must value quality and gorgeous fabrics so that they will last and be loved for years.
Flattering cuts – Women's bodies change over time, so I only work with labels that appreciate that and create pieces that will flatter different figures.
Modern and stylish, without being trend driven –The label has to be contemporary without being a slave to trends. Their pieces have to stand the test of time.
If I won't wear it, we won't sell it – I work on the principle that, if I at 26 wouldn't feel stylish wearing it, then why should someone older? She might style the item differently, but she shouldn't only have 'second-best' clothing available to her.
Of course, they must also support our ethos. I still meet plenty of designers who are inherently ageist even if they'd like to say otherwise. In one case, a representative for a label told me that their main customer is over 40, but the designer wouldn't want to acknowledge it. And another designer admitted to me he refused to dress an A-lister for the BAFTAs because of her age.
Not only do I apply the strict criteria when finding labels, but also when curating our collections. I spend hours going through each label's collection, filtering it down so we only feature the very best pieces. It's why our return rate is ¼ of the online average. Occasionally we've had customers ask why we don't sell a particular piece by a designer and have bought it elsewhere, but then they've come back to us to say they had to return it, so understand why we didn't stock it!
What's your best selling item (or brand) and why do you think it sells well?
Cashmere sells very well – it's why I've started with it for my eponymous label. There are lots of options out there, so we only sell fun, unusual designs which our customers love. They can also feel confident shopping for it online, knowing what they will get. Shopping online for clothes can be difficult, especially when you don't know cuts or quality, and photography can make anything look good. So cashmere – and knitwear generally - is a safe option; a good first purchase.
What's your about opinion about fast fashion?
As someone who loves style and shopping, I understand the craving for new clothes. And, of course, some people cannot afford more expensive items. But I feel fast fashion is very damaging, both to the industry and society.
"How can a product that needs to be sown, grown, harvested, combed, spun, knitted, cut and stitched, finished, printed, labelled, packaged and transported cost a couple of Euros? On the hunt for cheaper deals, volume companies, but also some luxury brands, have trusted the making of their wages to underpaid workers living in dire condition. What's more, these prices imply the clothes are to be thrown away, discarded like a condom before being loved and savoured, teaching young consumers that fashion has no value. We should make legislation to have minimum prices"Fast fashion encourages undervaluing clothes and the industry as a whole and often results in people believing more expensive clothes are just overpriced. It may be the case with big known designers where you're often paying for the name, but not with smaller independent brands. Which makes it harder for them.
But we shouldn't attack or shame those who do buy into fast fashion. Instead, it's about having a conversation and educating society on ways to shop differently.
Who inspires you in the fashion world?
Caryn Franklin MBE. She's the definition of a trailblazer. Aside from her endless list of accomplishments, she is a dedicated fashion activist, calling herself a "Disruptive Fashion Lover" – someone who critiques and changes the fashion industry she supports. She challenges the fashion norms and encourages brands and companies to embrace diversity and authenticity.
Whenever I hear her speak, I'm inspired. She is so passionate, eloquent, insightful and measured. I've met her a couple of times, and whilst I don't know her well, she has been very supportive of my activities and introduced journalists to me.
Moreover, when faced with big obstacles, I remind myself of her tireless commitment to changing the Fashion Industry. For example, for years she was one of the only people to speak out against photographer and "fashion predator" Terry Richardson (allegations started in 2001), with few willing to listen. Journalists weren't interested, and she said she ended up virtually knocking on doors asking why brands were still happy to work with him. But she relentlessly carried on and, finally, due to the Weinstein expose, the industry paid attention. It proves that, whilst it may take time, you really can make a difference.
For the-Bias-Cut.com , my current plan is to grow our overall presence. We're still very small, so I want to get our message out there, both in the UK and internationally.
We're also going to be introducing some fantastic new labels, and I'm developing my eponymous label. And we'll be hosting more pop up parties around the UK – with our next one on 11th and 12th April in Mayfair.
I also recently founded a 50+ Industry Activists group, comprised of leading individuals who are challenging ageism in their respective fields, and we have lots of ideas in the works on how we can move the anti-ageism narrative forwards.
Let me know what do you think of the-Bias-Cut's ethos of why ageism is never in style? Do you think the fashion industry is ageist?
Great post! The older I get, the more confident I feel within my skin.
Jacynth sounds like an amazing woman and her business sounds great! I love her ethos.
Absolutely love this! Really great! We need more diversity in fashion.
Yes, I think it's a brilliant way to think about fashion. As I get older I don't think of myself as older and I still want stylish clothes!
Brilliant interview, loved reading this. Women's bodies really are changing all the time so it's great to read about styles that suit all ages.


What is the best organization to use for debt consolidation?
Debt Relief – Insolvency – Bankruptcy Information » Debt Consolidation and Refinancing » What is the best organization to use for debt consolidation?
I am trying to help someone pay down their debt. What is a reliable and trustworthy organization for this? How much does it cost? Thanks!
5 Responses to "What is the best organization to use for debt consolidation?"
My debt free date is 12-31-09. Although, it's against yahoo guidelines to post a link in our question.
I would be very careful of these debt restructuring companies.
The legit ones can act as your agent and try to reduce payments, interest rates, but you can do this too and not have to pay a company.The result of this will whack your credit anyway, and you still have the debt.
You might want to talk to a Bk attorney in your area for legal advice.
Debt consolidation loans transfer debt from one place to another. While this may sound good, since many times it can appear to lower your monthly payments, a debt consolidation loan will not reduce the amount you owe. However, if you are struggling to make your payments, you should consider debt reduction, not debt consolidation. As per my experience Freedom Debt Relief is a reputable and legitimate company that you can go for.
Please do not consolidate. It is not free, they will lower your payments by increasing the length of time until you are debt free, and you will take a hit on your credit score. There is a better way.
A. Have a garage sale and sell anything that you no longer need or want.
B.Get a temporary part time job, if you have one, get another. The holidays are coming and there will be plenty of temporary jobs available. It is better to have a no fun year or two than a no fun decade.
1. Make a budget. Make the budget a week before you get paid. A budget is not a punishment! It is a tool which will free you from ever having to worry about money again. Put everything in your budget. Especially those annual, biannual, or quarterly bills like car registration, insurance, etc. Give every dollar you are going to bring home the name of where it is going. Add an "emergency fund" category to your budget for 25 dollars and save up until you have 1000-1250 dollars. Your emergency fund will help keep you from getting into new debt because of an emergency. If you can, set up a direct transfer to a savings account for your emergency fund. That way it moves automatically and you don't even have to worry about it. You must cut your spending and live on less than you make.
2.First get current on all of you debts and make no more late payments. Stop using your credit cards immediately. Do not take on any more debt. Credit cards are like quicksand only the death is much slower. Make a list of all of your debts in order of highest interest rate to lowest interest. Use cash only for your spending from now on.
Debt #3:Mimimum payment from card #1+ minimum payment from Debt #2+ minimum payment from Debt #3+ extra payment.
That way, you will get them all paid off, on time, and pay the least interest. It will also help towards rebuilding your credit since you will no longer have any late payments. This works no matter how many different debts you may have.
4. After you get all of your debts paid off, add to your emergency fund until you have 6-12 months of income saved up. Put that emergency fund money into a liquid money market fund or into a Bank of America no-risk CD so that if you need the money you can take it out without penalty.
5a. When you have your emergency fund in place, add a category for "fun" to your budget. Save for a holiday, a vacation, a big screen, or dinners out, whatever goal you want. Remember to enjoy your life.
5b. When you have your emergency fund in place, start saving for your retirement. Join the 401(k) plan at work and contribute the maximum. Your employer probably matches at least part of your contribution so why give up free money? Open a Roth IRA and contribute the maximum on a monthly basis. If you start saving for your retirement now, you will probably retire a millionaire.
5c. When you have your emergency fund in place, start saving for your next car. Only buy cars, or other things that depreciate, with cash. Save up for a nicer car. That way you get the interest instead of paying the interest.
You can do it and it isn't as hard as you think. Just follow the plan.
Any one had experience, good or bad, with contacting a Christian Debt Consolidation company?
Is it a good time to refinance student loans?
In 2004, Kerry harped about protecting US ports from nukes. Now Napolitano is cutting program. Don't Dems?


text:
using System;

namespace Banshee.Sources
{
    public class MessageAction
    {
        private bool is_stock;
        private string label;

        public event EventHandler Activated;

        public MessageAction (string label) : this (label, false, null)
        {
        }

        public MessageAction (string label, EventHandler handler) : this (label, false, handler)
        {
        }

        public MessageAction (string label, bool isStock) : this (label, isStock, null)
        {
        }

        public MessageAction (string label, bool isStock, EventHandler handler)
        {
            this.label = label;
            this.is_stock = isStock;
            if (handler != null) {
                this.Activated += handler;
            }
        }

        public void Activate ()
        {
            OnActivated ();
        }

        protected virtual void OnActivated ()
        {
            EventHandler handler = Activated;
            if (handler != null) {
                handler (this, EventArgs.Empty);
            }
        }

        public bool IsStock {
            get { return is_stock; }
            set { is_stock = value; }
        }

        public string Label {
            get { return label; }
            set { label = value; }
        }
    }
}