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Broken Hearts, Second Chances
Published on May 10, 2012 December 29, 2015 by Barbara Samuel
For this Mother's Day Weekend, Walk in Beauty is free at Amazon. It is a searing, heartfelt tale of lost love and a secret child, the terrible mistakes we can all make, and the possibilities love offers to heal even the darkest of wounds. I love this book madly, for the Navajo aspects, and the lost child reunited with her father. Luke Bernali was one of the first characters to ever walk on to the screen of my imagination, although it was nearly a dozen years before I wrote his story. He was my companion for a long time.
The special starts Friday and ends Tuesday, so don't miss your chance.
Jessie glanced out the front window. "It's cloudy. Won't it be awfully cold?"
"Not really," Luke said. "We'll bundle up and put an extra pair of socks on. It's nice up there this time of year. Do you remember Cheyenne Canyon? Helen Hunt Falls?"
Jessie chuckled, thinking of her ragged copy of Ramona, Helen Hunt Jackson's famous novel of a California woman and the Indian, Alessandro, she loved. Jessie had discovered a dusty copy in the library when she was fourteen and read it three times—just that year. She'd lost count of how many more times she'd picked up the beloved book. "How could I forget?"
Luke grinned, and his face was suddenly ten years younger. He'd often teased her about falling in love with him because she had loved Alessandro first.
And in a small way, it was true. The first time she had seen Luke, hammering nails into the frame of her father's new study, she had been riveted. As he worked in the heat of a California afternoon, his long black hair braided and dark skin shimmering with sweat, he'd been the most singularly attractive man she'd ever seen. His back was bare and long and dark, his arms strong and hard-muscled. A red bandanna tied around his forehead kept the hair from his eyes. She stared at him through her bedroom window, her stomach tight, unable to believe he was real. He paused, wiping a forearm across his brow. And then he looked up.
Jessie, romantic and young, had thought with a painful pinch, Oh, it's Alessandro! Her heart flipped when he gave her a slow, mocking, sexy smile…..
In the mountains….
"You forget, Jessie, I was your number-one fan a long time before anybody else realized how good you were."
Her gaze didn't stray, but he saw a flicker of something oddly stricken cross her face. "I didn't forget." With a little shrug, not looking at him, she said quietly, "I'm pretty sure there would have been no paintings at all if it hadn't been for you."
He touched her hand on his arm. "So tell me about them."
She looked at him, then back toward the up sloping path. "Well, I just sold a group called 'Canning Time.' It's kind of a historical feeling, I guess—the thirties. Four women doing all kinds of things in a kitchen—getting the fruit, washing it, laughing."
"I'd really like to see them."
Suddenly she seemed to realize how intimate they'd become, walking close on the snowy path, enveloped by the silence of the winter day. She snatched her hand back and slipped it deep into the pocket of her coat. His coat.
Luke let her retreat. In a moment, he heard her breathy hum start up again. This time, the song clicked in. "I'm On Fire." Evidently, he wasn't alone in remembering how it had been between them.
Biting back a grin, he started humming along, loud enough for her to hear. A bright pink splash of color flooded her cheeks. He nudged her gently, chuckling.
She bent her head, but said nothing.
They walked for a long time in the soft gray day. Jessie finally protested that she needed to rest, and they paused at the edge of a wide, high field, blanketed with unbroken snow. Giselle and Tasha raced into the snow, kicking up sprays and tumbling each other into it.
Luke felt the cold air and the brisk walk in his blood as a tingling glow. Next to him, Jessie leaned against a pine, laughing as she watched Giselle. "I should get her a dog," she said. "I had no idea how much she liked them."
"Tasha's not just any dog. She's the greatest dog I've ever had."
"Really?" Jessie grinned up at him, cocking her head. A fall of hair rippled down her arms. "What about Boris?"
"Yeah, Boris was great, too." He rubbed his cold nose with cold fingers, thinking of the shepherd that had accompanied him on his wanderings for ten years. Every night for three weeks after Jessie left him, Boris had paced the house and howled mournfully.
"What happened to him?"
"He was so big, his hips started to go. I had to have him put to sleep. He couldn't walk anymore—I even had to carry him outside to do his business."
She regarded him steadily, a softness of sympathy in her eyes. It struck him all at once that it was Jessie standing here next to him. She was smiling gently, as if she wanted to tell him she knew how hard that had been for him, that she knew he'd wept privately when he buried his dog. She was the only one he'd ever let close enough to see that weakness in him. Embarrassed, he glanced away.
Overhead, an enormous blue jay—a camp robber—claimed a branch. With a flurry of wings and noisy straightening, he harangued the intruders, screeching at them like a fishwife to get out of his territory. Jessie laughed.
"You still like those evil creatures?" Luke asked.
"Yes, I do." She grinned. "They're sassy and strong."
Drawn by her grin, he stepped closer and then paused. All at once, the tumult of emotions that had risen at the surprises of the past day dropped away. Left in its place was a calm, sharp desire—a hunger that had never ceased, not in eight years; a need that still thrummed through him, like the eternal sound of drums in a heartbeat. He wanted her. Plain. Simple. Clear.
He licked his lip. "You're a blue jay," he said, touching the array of bracelets on her wrist and then the earrings winking through her hair.
Earlier, she had kept up walls of fear between them when he stood this close. Now there was nothing, only Luke and Jessie the way they'd always been. Before she could protest, he bent and brushed a kiss over her cold lips.
The contact sent a zinging rush over his nerves. In the tiny second it took, he felt the slight dryness of her chapped lips and a hint of the warm moisture beyond. Her hair brushed his cheek, and her chin jutted up a little so she could meet him halfway.
He lifted his eyes to meet her surprised gaze. A snowflake caught on her cheek and he brushed at it, feeling his heart thump and his soul swell a little from the headiness of finding something lost. In her eyes he caught a flicker of pain and fierce desire. He winked.
Before she could protest, he quickly stepped away and joined his daughter in the snow.
The walk back took much less time. Jessie felt oddly free and calm as they hiked down. She and Luke didn't speak, but she felt his kiss lingering between them, not quite a promise, not fierce enough to be a threat. He seemed as content as she to simply be quiet.
Back at the truck, Giselle begged to be allowed to ride in the rear with Tasha. Jessie frowned, and Luke shook his head firmly. "Nope—there are tools and all kinds of other junk back there right now. Maybe another time."
Exhausted by the long walk and her romp with Tasha, Giselle looked mutinous. Jessie recognized the expression and stepped forward to gather her into a hug before she fell to pieces. "I think," she said to Luke over her daughter's head, "we have one very tired young lady here."
He returned her smile. "I've got some stew at the house. Some lunch and a nap and she'll be fine."
"I really think we need to go back to the hotel."
"Why would you want to pay good money to eat at a bad restaurant when you can eat my home cooking for nothing?" he said lightly, opening the bed to let Tasha into the truck. "If you want to go back to the hotel after lunch, I'll take you."
Holding her daughter close to her chest, Jessie looked at him. His black, glossy hair was tousled from his play in the snow, and the wind had stung dusky color into his high cheekbones. Tasha leapt into the truck and turned to give an adoring, thankful lick to her master's chin. Luke scrubbed her ruff, smiling fondly.
It was so easy for Luke, Jessie thought. He just opened up and loved things—dogs and cats and cloudy days and little girls. So easy. And they all loved him right back.
Just as Jessie had.
Her silence stretched a long time. Luke seemed to sense her gaze and he turned. Across the snowy ground, with a child of their making and a cold wind between them, they looked at each other. His strongly chiseled face was grave. She hoped hers showed nothing, but was afraid he could still read her all too well.
"Hotel or rabbit stew?" he asked at last.
Jessie couldn't repress the chuckle that rose in her throat. "You didn't tell me it was rabbit."
He slammed the doors closed on the back of the truck and winked. "Tastes just like chicken," he said, tongue-in-cheek.
Jessie inclined her head, thinking with relish of his fragrant stews. "It's been a long time."
"Is that a yes?"
She nodded. "I guess it is."
He grinned, and the expression gave his eyes a devilishly sexy tilt. "Will you show me how to make Mrs. O'Brien's biscuits?"
"I don't know," she said, pretending reluctance. "Maybe her biscuits are one of those things that just needs a woman's touch."
"Maybe. It's worth a try, eh?"
Giselle fell asleep before they had driven out of the canyon. She slumped against Jessie's shoulder. "I am definitely buying this child a dog," Jessie said quietly. "Tasha wore her out—and believe me, that's no small feat. She's like that battery—she just keeps going and going and going…"
Luke glanced at the girl. "She's out cold now." He shook his head and signaled to join the main street out of the canyon. "She's so much like Marcia, it's almost eerie."
"I guess you'll want her to meet Giselle."
A strange expression flickered over his face. "Mmm."
He touched his jaw, shifted the truck and glanced in the rearview mirror. "I, uh, already made arrangements. She'll be here this afternoon sometime."
"You had no right do that without my permission."
"I know." He sighed. "I'm sorry. I did it last night when I was feeling so blown away. If you want me to take you to the hotel now, I will. Marcia doesn't know it's you guys—I just told her there was somebody I wanted her to meet."
Jessie stared at him, holding the warm weight of her child against her, and suddenly realized it was not only Jessie who was upset by all this. Luke, too, had to grapple with the demons of the past. "No," she said. "It'll be all right."
He gave her a grateful smile and reached over to touch her hand. "Thanks, Jessie."
All at once she realized how much she had relaxed in his company. He was so damned easy to be around, so easy to talk to. He never seemed to expect anyone to be anything except just what they were.
Alarmed, she moved her hand gently from his and saw a ripple of hurt cross his features. Pressing her lips together, she resolutely turned her face to the window. "It's only fair."
His voice sounded tired as he said, "Fair doesn't have much to do with any of this."
"No," she agreed softly. "I guess it doesn't."
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Two people pretending they don't need anybody at all….
How One Writer Persisted


Fairview Health Services is looking for a RN in our Emergency Department at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, MN. This is a night position, 12 hour shifts with every third weekend. Benefit eligible.
The Emergency Department at Fairview Southdale is a 44 bed, Level 3 Trauma Center that treats over 55,000 patients per year. In addition to being a Trauma Center, the Hospital is a Cardiac Center of Excellence and a Comprehensive Stroke Center. Team members include Emergency Physicians, Registered Nurses, ER Techs, Health Unit Coordinators, Behavioral Health Professionals, Pharmacists and Case Managers.
Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC) certification, Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) within 1 year of hire.
Certification by the board of Certification for Emergency Nursing as a CEN, and/or course in advanced trauma nursing (ATCN).


January 30, 2019 by admin 0 comments on "Creating Fashionable Earrings From Cheap Clay Poker Chips"
For a look around in today's casinos across the world, you'll find that many women are now in to the gaming scene. It's not unusual that you find women wearing distinctive and fashionable accessories like charm bracelets, coats, and also bracelets which carry a casino motif. If you know a female that basically enjoys engaging in casino games, such as blackjack, poker, and related games, then you will love the idea I will contained in this guide. Here, I'll coach you on how to develop fashionable ear rings from Cheap Clay Poker Chips! All you will need is a couple of of Clay Poker Chips, a few Poker Accessories, and a bit of imagination for this particular project!
1. The first thing which you need to accomplish to create a stylish set of earrings created from Clay Poker Chips is always to gather chips that are popular with the eye. With the intention of this specific endeavor, it is recommended that you discover Clay Casino Poker Chips which have a design that integrates images of dice on these. Of course, you may select any design. But for this model, the dice film will really set off the overall look of those earrings.
2. Once you have two Cheap Clay Poker Chips, it is time to get out the drill which you're likely to use for the project. First, you may wish to drill a small hole on top of the All Clay Poker Chips. Following that, you may wish to drill a hole in the base of the the Poker Chip.
3. Next, you may wish to select the dice jewelry bits and slip through the bottom hole onto the Poker Chip. Broadly speaking, there'll soon be a clasping device which you can close around the gap which the portion is going into. This will assist you hold the jewelry dice set up. To ensure relaxation, it's essential that the dice bits for your rings are miniatures. It's also wise to get yourself a pair of dice that have exactly the exact colors because the true Cheap Clay Poker Chips that you are using to generate the stylish earrings.
4. Once the underside piece is attached into the Poker Chip, only attach the decorative earring hooks into the exact upper hole. You may most likely find a tiny metal piece or a little bead which will grip down firmly in addition to the chip to contain the hook in place. Be sure to lock down this bit so that the earrings will stay in 1 piece.
5. Once you've established the earring, then you may either give the jewelry as a gift, or store them for your self!
Creating stylish ear rings from Affordable Clay Poker Chips is an easy job. With the use of your tools, and adding a spark of imagination, you can create a unique fashion statement that's very attractive!


I have always been an optimistic and hopeful person. It is my fervent prayer that mankind will figure it out before it's too late. In that thought, I light a candle every night for the afflicted and our very existence.
This poem has been manifesting itself for some time. The fact is, it's been haunting me, so I finally put it to paper. It is my hope that others will hear the message that it conveys in my humble voice.
Tears fall freely in sorrow.
He questions – Will there be no end?
Will the suffering of the innocent continue?
Has compassion and understanding been lost?
There is mourning for all harm done in His name.
Tears of sadness fall freely.
A father grieves, loved ones are lost.
Giving comfort – freedom from fear, freedom from pain.
Hope lies with the Almighty for many.
Not for those who cause pain in His name.
Tears of pain fall freely.
Do they not see the light beckon?
Tears of sorrow fall freely.
The light shows the way for those who can see.
For those who choose to see.
As His heart breaks with grief.
As I light my daily candle, I ask these questions. Do you grieve for all that is going on in the world? Do you worry about our world and where we're headed? Do you see hope?
If you enjoyed "Tears Fall Freely," check out Color Fades, The Gloaming, and Ending Beginning.


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Q: Floor inequality: $\lfloor \frac{6a-1}{b}\rfloor+\lfloor\frac{a}{b}\rfloor\ge \lfloor \frac{2a}{b}\rfloor+\lfloor \frac{3a-1}{b}\rfloor+\cdots$ If $a$ and $b$ are positive integers and $a\ge b$, show that:
$$\left\lfloor \frac{6a-1}{b}\right\rfloor+\left\lfloor\frac{a}{b}\right\rfloor\ge \left\lfloor \frac{2a}{b}\right\rfloor+\left\lfloor \frac{3a-1}{b}\right\rfloor+\left\lfloor \frac{2a+1}{b}\right\rfloor$$
I tested some numbers and it looks to be true but I haven't been able to prove it.
Please help, thanks!

A: No, it's not true.
For $(a,b)=(2n+1,2)$ where $n\ge 1\in\mathbb N$, the LHS equals $7n+2$ and the RHS equals $7n+3$.

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Introduction and Overview
by Moe | Isis Unveiled | Volume 2 | 0 comments
There are, it has been estimated, in England and on the Continent, in all about 140 manuscripts of the "Ecclesiastical History." Of these, four date from the eighth century: the Moore MS. (Cambridge), so called, because, after being sold by auction in the reign of William III, it came into the possession of Bishop Moore, who bequeathed it to the University of Cambridge; Cotton, Tiberius A, xiv; Cotton, Tiberius C, ii; and the Namur MS. A detailed account of these, as well as of a great number of other manuscripts, will be found in Mr. Plummer's Introduction to his edition of Bede's Historical Works. He has been the first to collate the four oldest MSS., besides examining numerous others and collating them in certain passages. He has pointed out that two of the MSS. dating from the eighth century (the century in which Bede died), the Moore MS. and Cotton, Tiberius A, xiv, point to a common original which cannot be far removed from Bede's autograph. We are thus brought very near to our author, and may have more than in most cases the assurance that we have before us what he actually meant to say.
The earliest editions were printed on the Continent; the "editio princeps" is believed to date from 1475. A number of editions followed in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries; the first in England was published by Abraham Whelock at Cambridge in 1643-4. Smith's edition in 1722 marked a new era in the history of the book. It was the first critical edition, the text being based on the Moore MS. collated with three others, of which two were eighth century MSS.; and succeeding editors, Stevenson (1841), Giles (1842), Hussey (1846), the editor in the "Monumenta Historica Britannica" (1848), Moberly (1869), Holder (1882), base their work mainly on Smith's. Mr. Mayor and Mr. Lumby together edited Books III and IV with excellent notes in 1878. Their text "reproduces exactly the Moore MS." which they collated with some other Cambridge MSS. (cf. Mayor and Lumby, Excursus II). In 1896 the Rev. C. Plummer published his edition of Bede's Historical Works, the first critical edition since Smith's, and "the very first which exhibits in an apparatus criticus the various readings of the MSS. on which the text is based." For the student of Bede this admirable book is of the highest value, and the labours of all succeeding editors are made comparatively light. Besides the most minute and accurate work on the text, it contains a copious and interesting commentary and the fullest references to the various sources upon which the editor has drawn.
The first translation of the "Ecclesiastical History" is the Anglo-Saxon version, executed either by Alfred himself or under his immediate supervision. Of this version Dr. Hodgkin says: "As this book had become a kind of classic among churchmen, Alfred allowed himself here less liberty than in some of his other translations. Some letters, epitaphs, and similar documents are omitted, and there is an almost complete erasure of the chapters relating to the wearisome Paschal controversy. In other respects the king's translation seems to be a fairly accurate reproduction of the original work." Mr. Plummer, however, finds it "very rarely available for the settlement of minute differences of reading."
The first modern English translation is Thomas Stapleton's (1565), published at Antwerp. It is a controversial work, intended to point out to Queen Elizabeth "in how many and weighty pointes the pretended refourmers of the Church . . . have departed from the patern of that sounde and Catholike faith planted first among Englishmen by holy S. Augustine, our Apostle, and his vertuous company, described truly and sincerely by Venerable Bede, so called in all Christendom for his passing vertues and rare lerning, the Author of this History." To save Elizabeth's time "in espying out the particulars," the translator has "gathered out of the whole History a number of diversities between the pretended religion of Protestants and the primitive faith of the English Church." If charm and appropriateness of style were the only qualities to be aimed at in a translation, we might well content ourselves with this rendering, which fills with despair the translator of to-day, debarred by his date from writing Elizabethan English.
Ivan Aguéli and René Guénon Call for the Rule of the Ulama
Cake of Light: Aleister Crowley's Semen and Blood Cakes
A Novus Ordo Rebublic of Sinners
The History of Humans Created From Mud and Clay
The Relationship Between the Reality of the World…
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6


When we look at our favorite celebrities or those models who grace the pages of magazines and billboards, one cannot but wish they had the kind of skin those people have been blessed with. A lot of people are actually willing to go the extra mile to get such skin – which looks as flawless and without age as can be – but the steep price tag on the procedures to get there is what scares the lot of them away.
Today, we are going to be exploring a variety of useful organic acids which can help you achieve that timeless, youthful look. This list has been centered around such remedies which can be found in everyday food items.
This remedy, which can be found occurring naturally in the likes of sugarcane, is an excellent option for those who have wrinkles and fine lines on their skin. It helps in the exfoliation of those dead skin cells, reduces the fine lines and gets rid of all dark spots. Additionally, glycolic acid is especially useful in the case of hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. The best part of this remedy is that it is suitable for all skin types.
In the same vein, this acid would build up the elasticity of the skin, while also keeping the collagen content in check.
Next time you look at soy products, or root vegetables that are high in starch content know that you are looking at one anti-aging option. What hyaluronic acid does is draw in more moisture to the skin, making it better hydrated and plumper. It is suitable for all types of skin but most ideal for those that have dry skin and are prone to acne.
L-Ascorbic acid is also known as Vitamin C. The sheer number of antioxidants present in this organic acid makes it suitable for anti-aging procedures. The L-ascorbic acid would brighten the skin tone and prevent damage from UV rays. Collagen build-up is also supported by the acid, alongside the prevention of inflammation in and around the skin. The best part of it is that just anyone can make use of the acid.
Like the option above, this one can also enable any skin type get protected against sun damages to the skin, fight against the free radicals and protect the skin protein (collagen).
Naturally occurring in the seeds of orange, apple, peanut and artichoke, ferulic acid would boost the overall skin health of the user.
Found mostly, and in abundance, in the orange family of fruits, citric acid works with hyperpigmented skin and very sensitive skin types. It speeds up the renewal of cells to remove the extra pigmentation and dark spots.
It also plays a vital role in the balancing of skin pH, which not only does well for the color but affects the rate at which the skin reacts to external influence.
Last, but surely not the least on this list, lactic acid is a proven option for exfoliation of dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, increasing the rate of cell turnover and improving the overall skin health. Mainly, I would recommend this remedy to those that have acne scars even though it can work with all types of skin.
Nice explain every organic acid. I too love to use natural ways for skin care, but it really takes a lot of time and more efforts to create face packs. We all should use natural ways, but if you don't want to do lot of efforts then try lifecell all-in-one anti aging cream it totally natural and good for all skin types.


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Home»About Us»Meet the Team»Tim Schneider
Title: Sales Manager
Hometown: Plainview, MN
Tim has been on the American Waterworks team since February of 2020. He joined our team because he appreciated our reputation and high standard of customer care from phone call to project completion. He has been in the home repair business his entire career. He spent the last 17 years as an active real estate agent, which gave him a unique perspective on how a structurally sound and dry foundation can affect a homeowner's health, safety, and peace of mind mentality. He's passionate about solving problems for homeowners and taking the burden of worry off their shoulders with a well-designed solution to restore their confidence in a sound and comfortable home. Tim specializes in our waterproofing and foundation repair division but is certified to perform inspections for all of our services. In Tim's spare time, you can find him spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, and traveling internationally.
At American Waterworks, our mission is to improve the lives of our customers, team, and community through education and delivering a complete solution. We have over 30 years of experience solving problems for thousands of homeowners throughout Minnesota, North Dakota, western Wisconsin, and northeast Iowa. We are a dealer for the top home repair suppliers in the country including Basement Systems, Supportworks, and National Radon Defense. We are the most recognized dealer in our region, and we are committed to staying at the forefront of our industry with the support of these organizations. Our priority is to provide homeowners with lasting solutions for a wide array of problems. We firmly believe that working with a contractor shouldn't be a painful experience and we strive to change that perception by providing top-notch customer service and ensuring that all employees are knowledgeable and thoroughly trained in order to best serve our customers.
Family: Married to Mari Clair and father of Hilary, Hannah, and Jackson
Hobbies: Hunting, ice fishing, and traveling
"I will recommend American Waterworks to others. They were..."
By Greg And Kathy C. from Stoddard, WI
"Very professional and kind! "
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"They were nice and friendly. "
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"Very good workers! "
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"Our Design Specialist, Tim, really knew what they were..."
By Joe And Carolyn O. from Oelwein, IA
"They were nice and helpful. "
By Kelly B. from Winona, MN
"We are very happy with the job so far! "
By Thomas M. from Independence, WI
"The office staff was excellent and helpful! "
By St. Johns Lutheran Church R. from Cornell, WI
"The crew cleaned up well!"
By Kathryn L. from Eau Claire, WI
from customers I've helped!
"We had the pleasure of sitting down with Sue and Dennis today to hear about their experience with us. They raved about the process from start to finish and..."
Read Full Testimonial
Sue and Dennis H. of La Crosse, WI
"Our whole experience was wonderful."
Stacie C. of Chatfield, MN
"Shoutout to our Sales Manager, Tim, our Foreman, Juan, and his crew (Victor, Manuel, Reymundo, and Reyes) for providing a wonderful experience for our..."
Patty and Scott R. of Plainview, MN
Videos from projects I was involved with:
Basement Waterproofing in Plainview, MN
Shoutout to our Sales Manager, Tim, our Foreman, Juan, and his crew (Victor, Manuel, Reymundo, and Reyes) for...
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This adorable new addition to our emoji line is a cheeky way to tell someone you think they are great.
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They were a hit when passed out at a parade. The kids and adults loved them. Really great product even our logo on them.
The emoji meets all of our expectations. Customer service was great and they were delivered within the stated time frame.
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If the Manning brothers were quantum physicists as well as NFL quarterbacks, one of them could win his game's opening coin toss every time. The night before they played, the brothers would take two coins from a special quantum box to use the next day. If Peyton's game came first, after learning the outcome of his coin toss, he would know without a doubt how his brother's coin would land. Say Peyton's came up heads; he could text "tails" to his little brother. Eli would correctly call tails in his later game and win the toss (not that it would do the Giants much good).


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'Words With Friends'-Obsessed? Zynga Mobile Game to Be Adapted as TV Show by MGM
Remember, "xu" and "xi" are both valid — just hit that Triple Letter Score right
Tony Maglio | July 19, 2017 @ 9:00 AM
Remember when "Words With Friends" was called "Scrabble"? Remember when "Scrabble" was a TV game show? Of course you don't.
Either way, MGM Television and social game developer Zynga are teaming up to turn "Words With Friends" into a TV game show. The series "will also incorporate aspects from Zynga's larger portfolio of 'With Friends' word and puzzle games," according to a Wednesday media release.
Since its 2009 launch, "Words With Friends" has been installed more than 200 million times and is one of the App Store's Top 10 free games of all time, per Zynga and MGM. An estimated 55 million "Words With Friends" matches are played around the world at any given moment, and more than 75 million words are played every day.
Also Read: Ratings: 'Candy Crush' Dissolves 29 Percent of Its Debut Viewers
"The interactive social experience of 'Words With Friends' makes it the perfect mobile game for us to bring to primetime, following our success with 'Beat Shazam' on Fox," said Barry Poznick, president of Unscripted Television, MGM. "Playing 'Words' is a daily ritual for some of the biggest names in Hollywood and we've created the perfect format to capture their competitiveness and creative wordplay."
"Over the past eight years, 'Words With Friends' has proven to be a place where millions of people connect with their friends and family from around the world every day," added Bernard Kim, president of Publishing, Zynga. "We're proud to partner with MGM, an industry leader in creating innovative and engaging programming, to extend the iconic gameplay and rich social experience of 'Words With Friends,' and our broader collection of 'With Friends' games, to new mainstream entertainment mediums."
The companies should hope that "Words With Friends" eventually performs like "Candy Crush" on CBS did in its first week's Nielsen ratings, and not how the second episode fared.
The 30 Best Video Games of All Time, Ranked (Photos)
What makes a video game "the best"? Technical prowess? A moving plot? A huge amount of features? It's a difficult concept to nail down for an entertainment medium as young and as all over the place as gaming. But we tried our best -- even so, you will definitely not agree with us.
30. "Roller Coaster Tycoon 3" (2004)
It wasn't the first game to let you design a roller coaster and then ride it, but it was definitely the best and most robust example. You could build whatever you wanted, and it was one of the few games to make that claim and actually deliver something legitimately compelling.
29. "The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay" (2004)
It's the story of how Riddick (played by Vin Diesel even in the video games) got those cool glowing eyes, and it's also a thrilling sneakfest that makes the "Metal Gear Solid" franchise seem super quaint.
28. "Uncharted 2: Among Thieves" (2009)
The closest an action game ever came to really emulating the experience of watching a (very long) movie. While its sequels were major regressions from that peak, "Uncharted 2" remains representative of an ideal that, quite possibly, no game will ever fully realize.
27. "Zork" (1977)
This is a game experienced entirely through text -- thus the label "interactive fiction" being thrown around a lot -- a type of thing that was pretty common as personal computing started to become a thing back in the '70s and '80s in the early days of gaming. But "Zork" was operating on a whole other level from its peers, allowing a complexity in player interaction and a depth to its storytelling that was unheard.
26. "SimCity 2000" (1993)
The best way to describe "SimCity 2000" is as a sand castle simulator. You spend hours painstakingly constructing your masterpiece, and then when you're done you tear it down in a cathartic fit -- thanks to its surprisingly robust disaster scenarios, which you can trigger on demand. The series never bested this one.
25. "Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2" (2000)
Strategy video games rarely manage to be all that accessible, but "Red Alert 2" was both funny and easy to get into -- moreso than any of the other "Command & Conquer" games before or after. And so it remains a delightful gem worth revisiting every once in a while.
24. "Full Throttle" (1995)
An example of what in the '90s was referred to as an "adventure game," "Full Throttle" today feels like the direct predecessor to the part of the current wave of independent games with well told stories that has adopted a similar visual style -- "Kentucky Route Zero," "Kathy Rain," and the like. But it remains just as good as (almost) all of the games it inspired.
23. "Super Mario RPG" (1996)
One of the rare examples of a Japanese RPG that was truly accessible to the masses, and it remains one of the best examples of that genre because of that.
22. "Prison Architect" (2015)
On the surface it's just another simulation-style game in which you have to design and manage some kind of real world thing. But by tackling the specific topic it does, "Prison Architect" delves into issues in a way few games do. And the depths of depravity it allows the player to delve into can teach you a lot.
21. "FTL" (2012)
A journey through space, fraught with bad luck at every turn. You'll probably never win it, and that's part of the fun. That's also why it's a work of art -- "FTL" is really about your life.
20. "Alpha Protocol" (2010)
Though it's functionally awkward in a lot of ways, "Alpha Protocol" is a delight if you can look past those physical flaws and embrace its glorious personality. One of the greatest examples of a flawed but compellingly ambitious video game.
19. "Far Cry 2" (2008)
Publisher Ubisoft has spent the past decade putting out open world video games that it insists have no political agenda -- except for "Far Cry 2," the game that seems to apply a big ole "Heart of Darkness" metaphor to the very open world genre it inhabits.
18. "World in Conflict" (2007)
Set during a Soviet invasion of the U.S. during an alternate version of the late '80s, this forgotten gem was an attempt to build a cinematic experience around a strategy game -- which probably seems counterintuitive but it actually works pretty well. It remains the only game to ever do something like that, so bonus points for ambition.
17. "Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne" (2003)
Full of love, irony and tragedy, "Max Payne 2" is still unlike any other video game in the way it manages to so effectively wallow in the misery of its lead with a masculine detachment that never quite crosses over into macho territory. You just get Max in a way that's very unusual for a game.
16. "Deus Ex: Invisible War" (2003)
Though popularly maligned, "Invisible War" actually represents the delightful paranoia of "Deus Ex" better than any other entry in the series. It doesn't take itself too seriously, even while it tells a story in which everyone -- and I mean everyone -- is out to get you for some reason or another.
15. "Counter-Strike" (1999)
There can only be one king of the online multiplayer shooters, and "Counter-Strike" (along with its various updates and remakes, like the recent "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive") remains the one thanks to its still-unusual match rules: once you die, you're done for the entire round. It's thrilling in a way that other online shooter simply aren't.
14. "Splinter Cell: Double Agent" (2006)
The tale of "Splinter Cell" is one of unfulfilled potential, usually, but "Double Agent" was the high point. A brilliantly twisty spy story in which nobody knows who the good guys are, and even your own alignment is in question as you change sides over and over.
13. "The Dig" (1995)
As much as a game like this could ever be considered an event, "The Dig" certainly qualified thanks to the involvement of Steven Spielberg and Orson Scott Card, as well as a novelization by Alan Dean Foster. It was extremely heady, which lessened its appeal somewhat, but that also made it the best example of the point-and-click "adventure" genre of the '90s.
12. "Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Haovc" (2010)
This Japanese visual novel/adventure game about a group of teenagers being locked in a school and forced to murder each other (without getting caught!) is surprisingly enthralling despite its insistence on never staying grounded at any point. "Danganronpa" is both silly and sweet, and among the most human video games I've ever played.
11. "Portal 2" (2011)
Comedy in video games is rarely any good, but the comedy in "Portal 2" is spectacular. That's it's one of the greatest puzzle games ever is just a bonus.
10. "Red Dead Redemption" (2010)
You'd think the Western genre would be a natural fit for video games, but it's rare that anyone makes the attempt. It could be that "Red Dead Redemption" worked so well that other developers are afraid of trying. If we're going to be stuck with one big Western game, though, might as well be this one.
9. "Burnout Paradise" (2008)
The only driving game that ever mattered, a non-stop adrenaline rush through an open city designed to let you fly -- both in the "driving real fast and never slowing down" sense and the "making sick jumps off conveniently positioned ramps" sense. It's perfect.
8. "Star Wars: TIE Fighter" (1994)
Subtlety tends to be something video games are very bad at, but somehow the game about flying a starfighter in service of the fascist Empire pulls it off. It turns out it is possible to humanize those faceless grunts.
7. "Half-Life 2" (2004) and its sequel episodes
It's a chaotic experience, spanning a pile of different genres seemingly at random -- but it works. Even more than a decade later everything about it just feels right. More right than the many more recent games that have tried and failed to recapture its magic.
6. "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" (2003)
Many games promise a virtual open world in which you can go anywhere and do anything, but "San Andreas" might be the only one that actually delivers on that promise.
5. "Mass Effect 3" (2012)
It rightly catches a ton of flack for its awful ending, but the core of the experience -- beautifully curated action vignettes that are roughly the length of an episode of a TV drama sans commercials -- is nearly perfect. Developer Bioware may have stumbled upon the ideal way to tell a story in a game like this.
4. "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords" (2005)
The best "Star Wars" stories are the ones that subvert our perceptions of what define the franchise, and "KOTOR 2" is one of the definitive examples on that, taking a close look at what happens after the war is won.
3. "Call of Duty: Black Ops 2" (2013)
One of the few games that tells a story that changes based on the player's actions -- while being confident enough in its vision to not tell the players it's happening. It matters just as much, of course, that "Black Ops 2" is as great in execution as it is in concept.
2. "The Witcher 3" (2015)
The whole is less than the sum of its parts, but those parts -- huge open world, an expansive story that has time to breathe, robust combat -- are so good that it's almost forgivable that they don't all gel. For now, "The Witcher 3" is about as good as it gets for an action adventure video game.
1. "Gods Will Be Watching" (2014)
A video game with a well told story which the player isn't really in control of his own ability to make it through. For example, completing the story requires you to survive a game of Russian roulette. This is a profound subversion of the standard video game power fantasy.
"Call of Duty," "Grand Theft Auto" and more in honor of #NationalVideoGamesDay
MGM Q1 Revenue Dips Without 'Spectre' Tailwinds
By Matt Pressberg | May 16, 2017 @ 1:29 PM
MGM Borrows $2.1 Billion to Finance Epix Deal, Grow Company
By Matt Pressberg | May 11, 2017 @ 12:59 PM
Chris DeWolfe on Building a Social Gaming Giant, Zynga's Problems and Lessons From MySpace
By Brent Lang | March 11, 2014 @ 9:17 AM
Zynga Slaps Casual Sex App 'Bang With Friends' With Lawsuit
By Tony Maglio | July 31, 2013 @ 5:48 PM


Replacing Chief Mike Dickey is Lt. Steve Maynard, who started work as a police officer on Dickey's first day as chief 19 years ago.
FAIRFIELD – Mike Dickey says it's time to put out the "Gone Fishing" sign.
After working 50 years in law enforcement, Fairfield's police chief is retiring from the profession. His last day is Monday.
The 70-year-old chief says he has a goal for retirement.
Replacing Dickey is Lt. Steve Maynard, who started work as a police officer on Dickey's first day as chief 19 years ago.
"The chief has been a great mentor to me and very supportive, especially over the last three years," Maynard said.
Maynard said he's already told Dickey to keep his cellphone handy while fishing or vacationing because he plans on tapping into his experience.
Dickey said he and his wife, Susan, have already planned a trip to give Maynard time to begin work as chief.
This is the second time Dickey has retired from the force. Fairfield was his "retirement" job after he left as chief of the Englewood Police Department to come to Fairfield in 1999.
Dickey started his law enforcement service as a part-time deputy with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office in 1968. In 1982 he was named chief in New Lebanon, where he also served as village administrator. Six years later he was named police chief in Englewood.
"Mike has given us 19 very good years,'' said Councilman Ron D'Epifanio, who was on the city council that confirmed Dickey's appointment.
Under Dickey's guidance and input, the city designed a new justice center for police and court operations, moving in 2006 from a renovated Duff's restaurant on Ohio 4 to a new 49,100-square-foot facility on Nilles Road in downtown Fairfield.
It was also his leadership that led to the department's accreditation by the Committee on Accrediting Law Enforcement Agencies. The city has maintained that accreditation with the next review beginning soon.
Dickey said he hopes to stay on the national accreditation committee that reviews police departments, perhaps doing one or two reviews a year.
But what Dickey is most proud of is the quality of officers on the force, 70 percent of whom were hired during his tenure.
"We have a group of men and women who are highly educated and qualified for this job,'' Dickey said, noting that two recently hired officers have master's degrees.
Dickey said his mandate for the department is to employ, train and retain officers who are of high character, thick-skinned, and committed to serving and protecting the community.
It is especially important now, he says, because of public sentiment.
"The whole tenor of the country now is to question authority. We are a department that puts the community first. We have to be on the forefront of non-violence," Dickey said.
He said he's proud of his tenure in Fairfield.
A community reception for Dickey is set for 4-6 p.m., Monday in the gallery at the Fairfield Community Arts Center, 411 Wessel Drive.


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AAHA Home AAHA publications NEWStat New study boasts 90% accuracy when using PARR to diagnose canine lymphoma
New study boasts 90% accuracy when using PARR to diagnose canine lymphoma
Who measures the measurements? Who diagnoses the diagnostics? In short, who assays the assays?
Veterinarians have been using polymerase chain reaction for antigen receptor rearrangement (PARR), a readily available molecular assay that helps diagnose some kinds of canine lymphoma, for years. But no one really knew how accurate those assays were—because none have undergone a truly rigorous benchmarking study to determine the accuracy of PARR assays in general, regardless of the manufacturer.
In a study published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Ethos Veterinary Health, Ethos Discovery, and the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) found that their version of the test, called ePARR, was more than 90% accurate among a range of lymphoma sample types.
The results of the ePARR test study are based on an analysis of 180 dogs with cancer. The researchers used ePARR to confirm whether the dogs in the study had lymphoma and then to determine what type they had.
"We're very excited about it," Chand Khanna, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Oncology), DACVP (Honorary), told NEWStat. Khanna is chief science officer of Ethos Veterinary Health, president of Ethos Discovery (a 501(c)3 independent not-for-profit incubator of scientific innovation), and co-senior author of the study.
Khanna emphasized that ePARR is not a new kind of assay but rather a new brand of assay, and the way it works to diagnose lymphoma isn't different from what's currently out there. He said the big takeaway here is the accuracy of the new study, which he calls "very rigorous." He pointed out that the sheer number of dogs tested "well exceeds what has been done" in previous studies.
"What's new is that doctors can offer [PARR assays] with a greater confidence in the performance of the assay than was possible before," Khanna said.
Most dogs with lymphoma can be easily diagnosed using a simple microscopic evaluation of cells taken from the lymph node, so PAAR isn't a first-line diagnostic test. However, a small minority of dogs yield tissue samples that display unusual features under the microscope, which makes some clinicians hesitant to begin treatment for lymphoma. In those cases, Khanna said, "you need a much more rigorous confirmatory test."
PAAR, for example.
NEWStat asked Barbara Biller, DVM, DACVIM, retired associate professor of oncology at the Flint Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University and practicing veterinarian at Boulder Road Veterinary Specialists in Lafayette, Colorado, what the study meant for veterinarians dealing with suspected cases of canine lymphoma.
"It's further validation of [PARR]," Biller said. "We don't need it to diagnose most cases of lymphoma but when we do need it, it can be really helpful. [The study clears up] some of the questions we have as far as how accurate it is for different samples."
"This is the kind of data we need in this profession," Biller added. "You have an organized, systematic evaluation of a technique. And it's really good to see that kind of research."
Photo credit: © iStock/sanjeri
NEWStat Advancements & research News


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Latvia's economy takes a nose-dive, annual growth slows to 3.6 percent
By TBT staff
RIGA - The hangover has begun. Latvia's economy, over the past few years the hotrod of the European Union, is in the middle of coming to a screeching halt, with annual growth of gross domestic product falling to 3.6 percent in the first quarter.
By comparison, GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2007 was 8 percent, while growth in the first quarter was 11.2 percent.
The result, announced by the statistics agency on May 9 and based on preliminary data, surprised many analysts, even though all had predicted a slowdown. Expectedly, it also put government leaders on spin control alert.
Considering economists agree that quarterly growth this year will continue to fall, it would appear that, despite official statements to the contrary, Latvia is undergoing a hard landing 's a term used to describe a scenario when robust GDP expansion suddenly plummets to 2 percent or less.
Analysts and government officials did reiterate that the downturn was inevitable given Latvia's stellar economic performance from 2005 's 2007. In 2006 GDP growth reached a staggering 11.9 percent.
"Such a correction of the economic situation was unavoidable," said Dainis Stikuts, economist at Hansabanka.
He said that only exports were facilitating growth in the current environment since domestic demand and investments were falling and there are no profitable opportunities in the domestic consumption industries.
"Production and exports should form the basis of Latvian economic growth instead of domestic consumption. This is why stimulating production and exports should not be delayed 's to make this correction less painful," Stikuts said.
Zigurds Vaikulis, market analyst at Parex Bank, stressed that Latvia's flagging economy was part of a wider global process.
"The real estate market and the economic slowdown is not a Latvian phenomenon. Both processes are of global nature. They are faster here, as the economic growth before was faster," he said.
"It seems that no sensible person doubted that the party 's crazy appreciation of housing prices, rapid growth of lending, dictatorship of construction companies 's could last forever," Vaikulis said.
Still, he stressed that thanks to the years of robust growth Latvia managed to increase the standard of living of its citizens from 37 percent of the average level in Europe in 2000 to 60 percent now.
Vaikulis said Parex was reducing its GDP forecast this year from 5 percent to 3 's 4 percent.
By comparison, last year the economy grew 10.2 percent.
Government ministries said the sudden fall in GDP growth was natural.
"The factor that provided for the steep economic growth in Latvia in the previous years and supported by huge financial assistance, has been exhausted," the Economy Ministry said. "Domestic demand was considerably reduced by the realistic approach of households to the spending strategy."
Indeed, retail sales were down 3.4 percent over the first quarter, according to the most recent data, which demonstrates the scope of how Latvian consumers have cut back on spending.
A Bank of Latvia spokesman stressed that the first quarter result was preliminary, or based on a narrow range of information, and that a clearer picture would emerge in June when fuller data are announced.
The bank said it was crucial that the government promote exports, which are now crucial to the economy's sustainability.
"To ensure sustainable export growth in the future, the government's export promotion measures should be implemented to ensure international competitiveness," said Martins Gravitis.
He also pointed to the role of psychological factors in the current environment. "Consumers should not sink into the opposite extreme from optimism, which influences contribution of domestic demand in the growth GDP," the bank spokesman said.
Stikuts of Hansabanka agreed. "Stimulating production and exports should not be delayed to make this correction less painful," he told the Baltic News Service.
He also said the government's fiscal policy should be adjusted so as to not to exacerbate the cyclical fluctuation. In other words, the government may want to rethink its policy of a budget surplus.
This contrasts to the advice of central bankers, who have said that the 1 percent surplus in this year's budget should not be regarded as a "mythical reserve" that can be tapped.
In a statement, the Economy Ministry called for a stimulus package.
"It is important to stimulate industrial development, especially in the export-capable industries, and to reduce labor costs. Corporate income tax concessions should be mentioned as one of the instruments… Similarly investment in R&D, allowing the companies to purchase new technological manufacturing equipment and increase productivity should be stimulated," the ministry said.
The ministry also said that diverse financial instruments, including the establishment of a stimulus fund, should be developed as banks shy away from riskier loans.
"Not later than by the end of the year an investment fund will be established that will organize accessibility of financial instruments to all types of companies. The investment fund will manage at least 200 million euros, which will be available as loan security, increased risk loans, risk capital funding and financing and lending on export loans," the ministry said.
Kazakhstan, following Russia's lead, bans Baltic fish
Estonia's anti-money laundering laws clamp down on Bitcoin traders
Households' purchasing power growing rapidly in Estonia
Lithuanian parliament leaves reduced VAT on heating in place until next June
Lithuania's education ground-breaker Austeja Landsbergiene: 'Who am I to judge?'
Small science delivers big results
Sluggish times for Estonia's exports


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Guide to Drug Use & Infectious Diseases Within the Gay Community
Risks for Contracting Diseases
Other Infections
Stigma Related to Substance Use Disorders
Addressing Addiction When Drug Use Is Part of Life
Protect Yourself From Hepatitis While Injecting Drugs
Needle Exchange – Find a Program
Risk of Getting HIV/AIDS Through Drug Use
Recent research shows that members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community have higher rates of substance abuse than the general population.1 The use of illicit drugs makes you more susceptible to contracting infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, as well as sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, and gonorrhea. Factors that increase your risk include the type of drugs used, the way the drugs are administered (e.g., needle injection), and your sexual activity.2
Members of the gay community who use drugs can lower their risk of infection by practicing safe sex, using clean needles, getting vaccinated, and avoiding drugs and alcohol in association with sexual activity.
Members of the LGBT community use substances at higher rates than the heterosexual population.
According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health:1
Adults in the LGBT community were more than twice as likely as heterosexual adults to have used an illicit drug (39.1% to 17.1%)
7% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults used marijuana in 2014-2015, compared to 12.9% of heterosexual adults
Roughly 1 in 10, or 10.4%, of lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults misused prescription pain pills, compared to 4.5% of heterosexual adults
Higher rates of substance use among the LGBT population may be attributed to a reaction to homophobia, violence, or discrimination related to their sexual orientation.3
The use of drugs and alcohol impairs your judgment, which may increase the likelihood of risky sexual behaviors (such as having multiple partners or not using a condom).4 These behaviors, as well as sharing needles and other injection equipment, put you at an increased risk of contracting serious illnesses such as HIV.3
Studies & Findings
Additional studies have shown that:
LGBT individuals are at increased risk of contracting STDs, including HIV, due to risky sexual behaviors and intravenous drug use.1
Methamphetamine abuse raises the risk of contracting or transmitting hepatitis B and C as well as HIV, and methamphetamine abuse is associated with risky behavior among men who have sex with men.5
Cocaine impairs immune cell function, which can increase the replication of the HIV virus. Many cocaine users with HIV experience advanced progression of the disease.6
The rest of this article will examine some of the specific illnesses that can be contracted or transmitted through drug use among the LGBT community, as well as ways to prevent infection.
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, which is the virus that can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) if left untreated. HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, or more specifically, the CD4 cells (T cells) that are responsible for keeping us healthy. When HIV attacks the T cells, it makes it difficult for your body to fight off infections because your immune system is weakened. Certain types of cancers and opportunistic infections are then able to take advantage of your compromised immune system.7
HIV is particularly prevalent among gay and bisexual men who have sex with men. Roughly 67% of people diagnosed with HIV in 2015 in the United States were gay and bisexual men.8
Most gay and bisexual men get HIV by having unprotected anal sex or without consistently using HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis.8
People under the influence of drugs such as heroin and cocaine may also be more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors that can expose them to HIV.4
People with untreated HIV typically progress through 3 disease stages.
The first stage is called acute HIV infection, and this occurs within 2 to 4 weeks after infection. Some people experience flu-like symptoms that can last for a few weeks. People in this stage of infection may not experience any symptoms, however, despite having a large amount of the virus in their bloodstream, which makes them highly contagious.7
Stage 2 is considered the clinical latency stage. This is often called chronic HIV infection, where the virus is active but reproduces at very low levels, meaning a person may not have any symptoms or illness. Treatment with medications at this stage can influence how the illness progresses. If a person takes antiretroviral therapy (ART), this phase can last many decades. ART can lower levels of virus in the blood to the point that that the person is less likely to transmit the virus to another person.7
Stage 3 is the most severe progression of HIV infection. People at stage 3 have AIDS and have such extensively compromised immune systems that they often develop several severe, opportunistic illnesses (e.g., pneumocystis pneumonia, toxoplasmosis, etc.). People in this stage may experience chills, swollen lymph glands, fever, sweats, and weight loss. Without medication, individuals with AIDS may survive, on average, for 3 years.7
Other STDs prevalent in the LGBT community include syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HPV. Having a symptomatic STD can further increase your chances of acquiring HIV through unprotected sex.9
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that you can acquire through a cut in the skin or by contact with another person's syphilis lesion, usually during sexual contact.9, 10 If left untreated, syphilis can cause significant damage to vital organs. Complications can include damage to the heart, nervous system, brain, and death.10
Symptoms often progress through 3 stages.
In the primary stage, an often-painless sore or chancre appears and then goes away within 3-6 weeks.9
If syphilis is left untreated, people may progress to stage 2. As the primary syphilis chancre heals, or sometimes weeks after it has resolved, you may begin to develop flu-like symptoms, a rash on your hands and feet, and flat, warty genital lesions.9
In stage 3, your rash and other symptoms may go away. However, the virus is still present in your system and can damage the heart, brain, and nervous system. 10
Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
Gonorrhea and chlamydia are both bacterial infections of the genital region. Both are spread through oral, anal, and vaginal sex.10
However, if you are a woman and have chlamydia, you can experience vaginal discharge, burning, painful urination, and bleeding. If you are male, you may experience discharge, itching, or burning and pain when urinating.10
Gonorrhea infections may also not cause any symptoms. But they are sometimes associated with burning upon urination, as well as vaginal or penile discharge. Women can have vaginal bleeding or pelvic pain, and men may have painful or swollen testicles.10
If left untreated, both gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women, which can increase the risk of infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Men can develop a painful condition called epididymitis, which can lead to infertility. Babies born with either disease can develop eye infections, and babies born to infected moms with chlamydia can develop lung infections.10
Both conditions are treated with oral antibiotics that cure the infection. Both sexual partners must be treated at the same time to avoid passing the infection back and forth, and they should avoid sex until the infection is completely gone.10
HPV, also known as human papillomavirus, is a viral infection with more than 40 subtypes that can affect the genitals. Papillomaviruses can be transmitted through oral, anal, and vaginal sex.10
Symptoms can be severe and uncomfortable, but often there are no symptoms at all. Genital warts can develop in association with some types of HPV. Other HPV subtypes are associated with certain cancers, which are frequently asymptomatic until advanced stages. Babies born to women with HPV can develop warts in their throat, and adults can develop cervical and anal cancer if the infection goes untreated for many years.10
Infection with the various hepatitis viruses can result in severe liver inflammation. The three most common types of infection are caused by viruses known as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. While there are some commonalities among these 3 types, they are distinctive in how they are spread.11
Symptoms of viral hepatitis can include:11
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
Treatment recommendations for all types of viral hepatitis include avoiding the use of alcohol. Vaccinations for hepatitis A and hepatitis B can prevent infection from these two virus types.11
Hepatitis A (HAV) is found in human feces and is usually spread through close contact, whether it be through sex or by living in the same household and sharing food or water. If you travel to areas of the world where HAV is prevalent, you may be at risk of catching the virus. Once you catch hepatitis A, you can't catch it again.11
There is no treatment for this type of hepatitis—only managing symptoms. Fifteen out of 100 people infected will have a long-term illness or recurring symptoms over a 6- to 9-month timespan.11
Hepatitis B (HBV) is found in bodily fluids and blood, and can be spread through unprotected sex, sharing needles during drug use, or exposure to sharps (needles and other sharp objects) on the worksite.11
Medications may prevent serious liver issues in up to 40% of people. However, between 2,000 to 4,000 people die each year in the U.S. from the disease. Chronic liver disease, liver cancer, liver failure, and death are possible, especially if the disease is left untreated. Death from chronic liver disease occurs in 15% to 25% of infected people. A liver transplant may be used in cases of severe liver disease.11
Hepatitis C (HCV) is found in bodily fluids and blood and is spread through exposure to sharps, sharing needles, or from a mother to her baby during birth. Sex is an uncommon method of transmission.11
There is no medication to treat recently acquired HCV. But chronic HCV can be treated with medications. People who have the infection should be checked for liver disease every 6-12 months. Seventy-five percent to 85% of newly infected people develop chronic infection, and 70% of chronically infected people develop liver disease. People who have a chronic infection are at a higher risk of liver failure and liver cancer. About 8,000 to 10,000 people die every year from HCV.11
Infective endocarditis (IE) is an inflammation of the endocardium, which is a membrane that lines the chambers of the heart. It has been recognized as a consequence of IV drug use as far back as the 1950s. IE is more common in HIV-infected IV drug users than IV drug users who do not have HIV.12,13
IE is most commonly caused by bloodborne bacteria and can ultimately result in damaged heart valves, if not treated effectively.13
Symptoms include:13
Tiny red spots on your skin
Buildup of fluid on your arms or legs
IE is treatable with high-dose antibiotics, but some people may require surgery.13
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by mycobacteria that can infect various parts of the body, but often attack the lungs. It is spread through the air by a person coughing, sneezing, or speaking.14 Drug use has been associated with a higher incidence of TB infection.15
Symptoms of TB can include:14
A bad cough that lasts at least 3 weeks or longer
Low appetite
Coughing up blood or mucus
Sweating at night
TB is usually treated with a combination of several medications taken over an extended period of time. It can be fatal if untreated.14
In addition to reduced drug use, treatment for substance use disorders is associated with less risky sexual behavior among men who have sex with men.1
Addiction treatment often begins with a period of detoxification to rid your body of drugs and toxins. Once you are medically stable, you may move on to formal treatment that could include a combination of behavioral therapy and medication.
Treatment plans can be tailored to your individual needs. If you are a member of the LGBT population, research shows you could benefit from specialized treatment that addresses unique factors such as homophobia/transphobia, violence, family issues, and social isolation that are commonly experienced by members of your group.1
Specific therapies have been particularly effective for bisexual or gay men include social support therapy, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and contingency management.1
Treatment Statistics
Additional statistics on addiction treatment and the LGBT community show that:1
Transgender individuals are more likely to seek treatment for addiction than the non-transgendered population
Addiction treatment programs offering specialized groups for bisexual and gay men show better outcomes for those clients
Approximately 7.4% of treatment programs offer specialized services for LGBT patients
There are specific things you can do to reduce or even prevent your risk of contracting certain infectious diseases.
They include the following:16
Use condoms when engaging in any type of sexual intercourse
Get tested for HIV at least once a year
Get tested regularly for other infections so you can treat them as soon as possible
Get vaccinated against HAV and HBV
Get vaccinated for HPV if you are 26 years old or younger
Talk honestly with your partner about STDs and getting tested before you engage in sexual intercourse
Avoid mixing drugs and alcohol with sex to increase the likelihood you will exercise good judgment and not engage in risky sexual behavior
Limiting the number of sexual partners
Talk to your doctor about PrEP, which is an HIV-prevention option for people who are at a high risk of becoming infected with HIV.8
Use clean needles during intravenous drug use by taking advantage of a needle exchange program
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are currently 35 states as well as the District of Columbia that have such programs.17
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug use and may be at risk of an STD or other disease, reach out for help today. There are rehab centers around the country that can help you overcome your addiction and learn how to live a drug-free life.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2017). Substance use and SUDs in LGBT populations
Celentano, D., Latimore, A., and Mehta, S. (2010). Variations in sexual risks in drug users: Emerging themes in a behavioral context. Current HIV/AIDS Reports, 5(4), 212-218.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). Substance use
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Heroin.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2013). Methamphetamine
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2016). Cocaine.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). About HIV/AIDS
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2018). HIV and gay and bisexual men.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2016). Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis
UCLA. (nd). Common STD facts.
Immunization Action Coalition. (nd). Hepatitis A, B, and C: Learn the differences.
Sexton, D., and Chu, V.H. (2017). Infective endocarditis in injection drug users. UpToDate
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2016). Endocarditis.
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2018). Tuberculosis
Deiss, R.G., Garfein, R.S., and Rodwell, T.C. (2011). Tuberculosis and drug use: Review and update. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 48(1).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). Sexually transmitted diseases.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Syringe service program determination of need


The Natyam Theatre Group from Jaitu in Punjab organised a theatre festival recently.
On the sixth day of the festival, a team from Assam staged a play 'Helen', which was based on the real life of Helen Keller.
Helen Keller was an American author, political activist, a lecturer and also the first deaf-blind person to get a bachelor degree of arts.
The play described the life story of Helen who couldn't hear, speak or see but had supportive parents.
Her parents challenged her disability by appointing a visually impaired teacher, who was an expert at dealing with disabled children.
The play showed how Helen and her teacher communicated with the help of sign language. It also highlighted the role of a teacher in one's personal growth.


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The Young Celtics Are About to Spread Their Long Wings
With Gordon Hayward gone and Kemba Walker injured, Boston's youth movement no longer has to wait. That's a good thing, because Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart might be the best perimeter trio in the league.
By Jonathan Tjarks Dec 8, 2020, 6:30am EST
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The Celtics didn't need Gordon Hayward. They might not need Kemba Walker, either. Hayward is in Charlotte after three star-crossed seasons in Boston, while Walker will be out for at least the first few weeks of the season recovering from a knee injury. Both are great players, but their absences could actually help the Celtics by clarifying the team's offensive identity. There's no longer anyone around to block the growth of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart. They will finally get the chance to spread their wings on a team built around them.
A lot of big names have come through Boston over the last few seasons, from Hayward and Kemba to Isaiah Thomas, Kyrie Irving, and Al Horford. But the bigger story has been the rise of the team's three young wings. There's no better perimeter trio in terms of size, skill, and speed. Tatum (22 years old), Brown (24), and Smart (26) are two-way players who can create their own shot, defend multiple positions, and spread the floor. They are too good to be stuck in secondary roles.
The NBA in Tiers: 2020-21 Preseason Edition
Tatum made his first All-Star Game last season, but he took an even bigger leap during the playoffs. His postseason averages (25.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in 40.6 minutes per game) would have been career highs in every category. He had the ball in his hands more than ever before. Tatum averaged 21.8 more touches per game in the playoffs than he did in the regular season, moving from being in the same range as players like Terry Rozier and Spencer Dinwiddie to ones like Ben Simmons and Trae Young.
Boston distributed shots and touches far more evenly in the regular season:
Celtics Touches During 2019-20 Regular Season
Time of possession
Kemba Walker 70.8 5.9
Jayson Tatum 68.1 3.5
Marcus Smart 58.7 3.4
Gordon Hayward 57.7 2.8
Jaylen Brown 49 2.2
Having that many players who need the ball is what most would call a good problem. But it's still a problem. The Celtics were somewhat fortunate throughout the season to have so many stars in and out of the lineup due to injuries. That's how each of their top five perimeter players started at least 40 games. But it wasn't a sustainable situation. No one that good wants to just be insurance for someone else.
In hindsight, this oddly specific tweet from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski before the start of the bubble said a lot about Hayward's mind-set:
Telling stat on Gordon Hayward this season: Only player in NBA history to average at least 17 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4 assists, shoot 50 percent overall, 36 percent on 3-pointers -- with usage rate below 22 percent. https://t.co/GuEeo2vpVh
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 20, 2020
Woj probably didn't dig through the Sports-Reference database to find that. Hayward was good enough in a smaller role in Boston to deserve a bigger one—like the one he had in Utah. That was just never going to happen in Boston, where he was the fourth-best wing. So he declined the player option on his contract and reportedly tried to force his way to his hometown Pacers, then wound up with the Hornets after trade talks fell through. Players don't sign four-year, $120 million contracts because they want more historically efficient seasons as a role player.
Just about everyone in Boston had reason to be frustrated last season, starting with Tatum. The wings who finished ahead of him on the All-NBA teams (LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Kawhi Leonard) all had a lot more offensive responsibility. They didn't just hunt for their own shot. They also moved the ball and set up everyone else. Tatum will never be a de facto point guard like LeBron or Luka, but he can develop into a functional playmaker like Kawhi. Both are dominant scorers who can leverage that ability to make their teammates better.
That's why Tatum's improved passing numbers (5.0 assists per game compared to 2.8 turnovers) in the playoffs are so important. Players who can score and set up their teammates can have the ball in their hands for the whole game. It might be a chicken-and-an-egg thing for a natural scorer like Tatum. If he knows the ball isn't coming back to him, he'll be more likely to force shots. But he can afford to pass more when he's the hub of the offense. A more streamlined pecking order in Boston should give him that opportunity.
The same is true for Brown. He's been a glorified energy player in his first four seasons in the league, running and cutting for open looks as opposed to having plays run for him. His most frequent offensive possessions last season were spot-ups (28.1 percent) and in transition (22.4 percent), far ahead of his slice of plays running the pick-and-roll (13.1 percent) and isolations (7.4 percent). To be sure, he was more effective in the former categories than the latter. But he was no different than Hayward in that just because he accepted his role doesn't mean that he wouldn't want more. Brown averaged career highs in points (20.3), rebounds (6.4), assists (2.1), and minutes (33.9) last season. If he moves those numbers any higher, he will join Tatum as an All-Star.
Brown will never be as polished offensively as his younger running mate. But he has an elite combination of size (6-foot-6 and 223 pounds with a 7-foot wingspan) and speed, plus a 3-point shot (career 37.1 on 3.8 attempts per game) that defenders have to respect. Give him the ball in space and he can either raise up for a jumper or bully his way to the rim. He has the skill set to be at least a no. 2 option on a playoff team. There's no reason for a player with his draft pedigree (no. 3 overall in 2016) and track record to settle for anything less. It's possible that Brown will one day want a team of his own, but moving him up the pecking order for now gives him a better chance of staying happy in Boston. Brad Stevens will have to keep one of Brown and Tatum on the floor at all times this season. He had too many weapons to need to do that before.
That dynamic also makes Smart more important because he's the best passer of their young Big Three. It's easy to forget that he was a point guard at Oklahoma State. He turned himself into a defensive-minded role player because that was the best way to make an impact. But entering his seventh season, Smart has put in the work to deserve more offensive freedom. He's gone from shooting 29.6 percent from 3 and 72 percent from the free throw line in his first two seasons to 35.5 percent from 3 and 82.2 percent from the line in the last two. There are still times when he does too much, but his occasional offensive explosions in the playoffs, like making five 3s in the second half of Game 2 against Toronto, shouldn't have been a surprise. He's a legitimate outside shooter who never lacks for confidence.
Stevens has a different type of coaching challenge this season. Instead of reining his young wings in, he has to squeeze every bit of productivity out of them. Until Walker returns, the only other player on Boston's roster who can create his own shot is 32-year-old Jeff Teague, who looked close to done while splitting time between Minnesota and Atlanta last season.
All three Celtics stars will have just as much opportunity to grow off the court. Boston is suddenly a young team relying on some combination of Romeo Langford (who is also out with an injury), Grant Williams, Robert Williams III, Carsen Edwards, Semi Ojeleye, and rookies Aaron Nesmith and Payton Pritchard. They will be behind Tatum, Brown, and Smart on the depth chart in the same way that those three were once behind different combinations of Hayward, Kemba, Kyrie, Thomas, and Horford. Boston's trio of wings are now the older and more established players who have to set the tone in the locker room, as opposed to being the younger players looking to make a name for themselves. The Celtics just have to hope that Tatum doesn't get so frustrated early on that he's calling Kyrie for advice like Kyrie called LeBron two seasons ago.
There was a weird dynamic between Tatum and Kemba at the end of games in the playoffs. It was unclear who should have been the closer. Tatum wasn't as natural in the role, settling for difficult stepback 3s instead of driving the ball and pulling up in the midrange. While he had to expand his shooting range after living in that area of the floor in college, there's still a place for those shots during crunch time. Kemba had a better grasp of when to drive or shoot in those moments, but there has to be a changing of the guard at some point in Boston. A basketball team with a 5-foot-11 closer is like a baseball team whose closer has an 85 mph fastball. There's a ceiling for how far it can go.
No one knows how Kemba will respond to the stem cell injection he received in his knee a few weeks ago. He's an undersized 30-year-old guard who relies on speed and couldn't get his knee right last season. Celtics GM Danny Ainge made cryptic comments at Media Day, saying that "this year will tell us a lot more" about his future. The best-case scenario for Boston is that Kemba will come back to a situation in which Tatum, Brown, and Smart are firmly entrenched as the top three players. A player with Walker's profile isn't likely to improve over the next few seasons. The opposite is true for Tatum, Brown, and Smart.
The reality is that Hayward and Walker were never going to be the best players on a championship team in Boston. Tatum might. He could play his way into the MVP conversation this season, and Brown and Smart could be the perfect supporting cast around him. The Celtics should be one of the best teams in the NBA for a long time to come. Their young stars don't have to fit in anymore. Everyone who comes to Boston from now on has to fit around them.


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News Mar 20, 2018 1 comment
Processed meat nitrates linked to higher cancer risk
Scientists in Northern Ireland say they have found a connection between nitrates and nitrites used in the curing process for processed meats and chemicals that can cause an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Research at Queen's University in Belfast, UK, recently published in a report by Dr Marie Cantwell and Prof Chris Elliott has revealed that there is a direct link between nitrates used to produce bacon and dangerous nitrosamines. The findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics.
Nitrate and nitrite in pork
Nitrate and nitrite are used as additives to improve food quality and protect against microbial contamination. They are sources of N-nitroso compounds (NOCs) which are known carcinogens, a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue.
Bacon, before it is cooked. Photo: Jonathunder | Wikipedia
However, the report shows that a wide range of factors affect the formation of the NOCs including the amount of nitrite added, meat quality, fat content, processing, packaging and how the meat is handled at home.
Consumption of bacon and contracting cancer
Prof Chris Elliott from the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen's University said: "The latest research at Queen's University Belfast has shown that there is a direct link between nitrites and the formation of nitrosamines.
"This means that when people consume bacon, which is currently cured with nitrites in the UK, they could be increasing their risk of contracting cancer.
"From a health perspective, it is certainly beneficial to reduce our intake of nitrates and nitrites from processed meat. It is estimated that more than 50% of bowel cancer cases are preventable and lifestyle changes such as improved diet could help," he added.
Alternatives to using nitrates and nitrites
However, there are some alternatives to using nitrates and nitrites as the research from Queen's suggests that green tea polyphenols could be used as a healthier alternative in the processing stages. They can also improve the quality, shelf life and safety of processed meat products.
Prof Elliott: "It is possible and feasible to use natural alternatives to nitrates and nitrites. For example, green tea polyphenols could be utilised for processing dry cured bacon. These innovative meat products could potentially contribute to a reduction in cancer risk by reducing nitrite in processed meats and should be explored further," he said.
One meat processing company in Northern Ireland, Finnebrogue, has already launched a range of bacon and ham that is nitrite free and claims it is a world-first.
Chris McCullough
Freelance multi-media journalist
Lino Tioli
Another alternative could be the Hypochlorous Acid in the processing meats, to promote shelf life and safety. Hyp. Acid is non toxic, 100% rapidly biodegradable, high power against most pathogens. It could be a very cheap and safe alternative.
Dr. Lino Tioli. Italy
linotioli@alice.it
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Chapter of the Day
Exploring Life Through Storytelling
NEW ARTICLES WEDNESDAY AND Sunday
Kephart
Daniel Kephart
The Holy Other: Insanity, Spirituality, and Shakespeare
There is no difference in western society between a prophet and a madman. The two are one and the same.
Protestant Christianity has through centuries of proto-naturalism managed to sanitize the popular view of the former. Now, in an age of medicinal dominance, it seeks to render the latter a victim of disease. The human psyche cannot accept these attempts.
However much we rationalize on paper our view of prophetic-insanity, in our art we continue to venerate it as the holy Other.
One encounters Ophelia in Shakespeare and immediately sees this prophetic-insanity come into play. She speaks in the meter of peasant ditties and her songs resound with prophetic power. The use of common style in her songs is anachronistic, for she is noble and the songs are not.
Ophelia was a favorite of Raphaelite painters like Waterhouse.
This establishes her as one who transcends boundaries. I do not say one who crosses boundaries, for it is more accurate to state that the boundaries have become irrelevant.
Ophelia is no longer merely Ophelia. She is something less, in a material sense at least. "Say you? Nay, pray you, mark" she says, rebuking Gertrude (Hamlet, IV.V.33). The word "pray" is a double-entendre. In one sense, she is requesting ("pray") Gertrude to listen. In another sense, she is reminding Gertrude that she represents the holy Other and is to be approached ("pray") on spiritual terms.
We read her songs and comprehend this without ever thinking it, as evidenced by our desire to glean some hidden meaning from her songs. We read her gravestone song and wonder if it speaks about a spiritually ominous demise (IV.V.33-37). We read her song of St. Valentine and wonder if it references the loss of her virginity (IV.V.61-71).
There is an assumption that her words are pregnant with meaning (by instinct I say pregnant, which is interesting in itself), more so because she is mad. Implicit in this is the belief that there has been a fundamental change in Ophelia's character. Either something has entered her from outside, or something has surfaced from within her.
The former would be possession, the latter would be obsession[1]. Whatever the case may be, though, Ophelia is not as she once was. She is, in a very real way, different.
One cannot help but wonder, then, about the character of Edgar in King Lear. His own brief outburst into poetic nonsense (or, perhaps, prophetic augury) is perhaps more famous than even Ophelia's. "Child Rowland to the dark tower came" we read, "his word was still, 'fie, foh, and fum, / I smell the blood of a British man" (King Lear, III.V.195-198).
Wow. What a line.
With one sentence, Edgar has given rise to innumerable fictions by authors ranging from Stephen King to Robert Browning. It does not matter that Edgar's madness is assumed willingly. The prophet may choose or may be chosen to become an embodiment of the holy Other. Either way, the self must capitulate to the Other.
Edgar changes just as Ophelia does. The fact that he willingly chooses the identity of Tom o' Bedlam does not make his madness a disguise. The identity of Tom supplants his own just as Ophelia's madness replaces her docile obedience.
Something, then, is at work here. Freud would likely call it the unconscious. Jung might explain this through the idea of the Shadow. I have opted to refer to it as the holy Other. Human beings have, for the history of the race, lived our lives as spiritual creatures.
No one said "spirituality" felt good all the time.
Madness, in a literary sense, should be understood as a spiritual phenomenon. In modern culture and language, there has been an effort to frame forms of madness and insanity as types of obsession. That's only natural. The Twenty-First Century is still toying with the idea of a materialist framework for culture and linguistics.
Still, this is not the most effective (or meaningful) way that humans communicate. When approaching the issue of insanity, then, it would be better to utilize a spiritual framework of culture and language. Madness is, ultimately, a type of possession more than it is a type of obsession.
The obvious psychological response to this is that it does not fit our therapies. We know insanity can be caused by chemical imbalances. We know that very often the solution to our problems involves looking within ourselves.
The first objection is the trickier one, but implicit within it is the belief that there is a difference between the matter inside our head and the matter outside of it. This is, obviously, not quite right. If I am a victim of the chemicals inside my brain, then there has to be something more to that I than mere chemicals. If I want to make a judgement regarding the proper amount and distribution of those chemicals, I presume that I am a rational actor whose judgement is more than a mere accident of chemistry.
The second objection is simpler to answer, but also more illuminating. Looking within ourselves often provides revelation concerning the nature of our psychological battles.
Yet the human psyche is not infinite. There are hard limits to how deep within myself I am capable of looking before I have knocked the bottom out of the barrel. Finally, there is the question of multiple personas competing for dominance of the mind and how they got there.
How did mad Ophelia manage to become a persona that could assume control of her body's psyche? We do not know.
Edgar chose to manifest the persona of Tom o' Bedlam; but there is nothing to suggest that he can control what thoughts spring unbidden into the speech of Tom.
How can this be? We do not know.
It does seem proper to conclude, however, that something in some sense external is at play. This force is the holy Other, which transcends the accepted boundaries of culture even as it threatens them.
Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. New Folger's ed. New York: Washington Square Press/Pocket Books, 1992.
Shakespeare, William. King Lear. New Folger's ed. New York: Washington Square Press/Pocket Books, 1992.
[1] Possession in the classical religious sense, that is, of an external force entering into a person. Importantly, this may be against one's own will or as the result of a Faustian bargain.
Obi-Wan: The Man Who Never Lost Hope
Why Rey is the Perfect Hero
Loki: The False Hero


Working Irish mothers could have more money if they were on the dole as opposed to having a full-time job, claimed a new TV show.
RTE One's new finance series How To Be Good With Money revealed that couple Mary Anne Stokes and Mustafa Cezaroglulari face a childcare bill of €1,500 a month for two children which is €500 more than the mortgage for their home in Celbridge, Co. Kildare.
In the show, presented by money guru Eoin McGee, they struggled to decide if they could afford for Mary Anne to spend four months more than her allocated six months' maternity leave from job as project co-ordinator.
The couple, who aged in their 30s, make €5,258 every month from their respective jobs but the cost of childcare is nearly as much as one wage.
After all the calcuations were made, it became clear that she would have more money if her pocket if she was in receipt of social welfare payments.
In tonight's episode, Mr McGee said: "When she covers all her childcare costs, she was left with €187 and her immediate reaction was that is social welfare but it's actually less.
Mr McGee raised a very important issue that most people don't take into account when returning to work, he said many people don't realise the costs of working.
He said: "It's not the childcare. There is travel, lunches out and socialising with workmates.
"Lots of companies are great and you don't incur costs while you're at the (event), you still have to get a taxi home and hair or make-up or whatever it costs to get a night out.
The programme also told viewers that it costs around a quarter of a million euros to raise a child in Ireland.
This takes in costs from birth right through until college.


When A E Rodda and Son, a Cornwall, U.K.-based creamery, looked for a new depositing machine for its factory, the company's previous success with a MasoSine pump from Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group (WMFTG) ensured it returned to the same source for a second unit. This time around, an energy-efficient Certa 100 was recommended to transfer a range of double- and single-cream products from mobile storage tanks to the hopper of the new depositing machine.
A E Rodda and Son has been making Cornish clotted cream since 1890, when Eliza Jane Rodda, great-great-grandmother of the current managing director, Nicholas Rodda, started making the cream in her farmhouse kitchen in the heart of Cornwall. 128 years later, the company still maintains many traditional methods of manufacturing. A E Rodda campaigned to get protected status for this Cornish delicacy, and in 1998, it was awarded Protected Designation of Origin status, along with the likes of Champagne and Parma ham.
The company is the largest Cornish clotted cream brand in the U.K. A E Rodda also exports its products around the world, with its famous clotted cream being served alongside cream teas on a number of airlines.
In 2012, A E Rodda installed a MasoSine SPS 200 sine pump as part of a new clotted cream line, and its reliable performance has impressed the maintenance team.
This same approach was needed for the company's new pouring cream production facility: low shear, low pulsation and gentle handling.
Unlike traditional pumps with rotors that cut through the fluid, Certa's sinusoidal rotor gently carries product through the pump to dramatically reduce shear while cutting power consumption by up to 50% with high-viscosity fluids. Further advantages and high-performance levels delivered by sinusoidal technology include virtually no pulsation, simplicity, reliability, interchangeable parts and low cost of ownership.
Watson-Marlow's technical team advised A E Rodda that the smallest pump in the Certa range, the Certa 100, would meet their requirements. This pump delivers the required flow rate of up 4,200 liters per hour.
In terms of the process, a mobile storage tank is wheeled up to the new depositing machine, where the Certa 100 transfers cream from one to the other. The pump is mounted low, facilitating a head of 2 meters into the machine's hopper. No priming is required.
Offering European Hygienic Equipment Design Group (Type EL Class I and EL Aseptic Class I) and 3A certification as standard, Certa is extremely easy to clean for minimal downtime. Cleaner than any lobe or circumferential piston pump, a range of seven Certa pumps is available for flow rates up to 99,000 liters per hour and pressures to 15 bar.