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Genre: Realistic Fiction
All Summer Long by Hope Larson | Graphic Novel Review
Posted June 28, 2018 by Jana in Book Review, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade / 1 Comment
All Summer Long and illustrated by Hope Larson
Published by Farrar Straus & Giroux on May 1, 2018
Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Realistic Fiction
Source: Publisher (Mail)
A coming-of-age middle-grade graphic novel about summer and friendships, written and illustrated by the Eisner Award–winning and New York Times–bestselling Hope Larson.
Thirteen-year-old Bina has a long summer ahead of her. She and her best friend, Austin, usually do everything together, but he's off to soccer camp for a month, and he's been acting kind of weird lately anyway. So it's up to Bina to see how much fun she can have on her own. At first it's a lot of guitar playing, boredom, and bad TV, but things look up when she finds an unlikely companion in Austin's older sister, who enjoys music just as much as Bina. But then Austin comes home from camp, and he's acting even weirder than when he left. How Bina and Austin rise above their growing pains and reestablish their friendship and respect for their differences makes for a touching and funny coming-of-age story.
I've started developing interest in graphic novels over the last few years, which was a major surprise to me because I've always overlooked them. More and more have been trickling in from various publishers, and I'm really seeing the graphic novel format take off, especially for younger readers. I thought All Summer Long sounded like a fun, light read and was excited to dig in. Sadly, there just wasn't enough substance for me and it felt much younger than I would have liked.
I enjoy coming-of-age stories, but I don't feel like All Summer Long was a good example of one. I suppose the characters go through some changes, but they felt more like normal kid changes than coming-of-age. When a story is described as a "coming-of-age story", you expect some major growth. Bina is 13, and she's spending her summer alone while her best friend, Austin, is at summer camp. She spends the summer playing/listening to music, and hanging out with Austin's older sister. She gets to babysit and go to a concert and deal with all the normal kid drama: fights, heightened emotions, and overreactions. At the end, she seemed to be pretty much the same person she was in the beginning. The story was very, very simple and the characters seemed like cardboard cutouts. There just wasn't anything grabbing me and sucking me in.
I know I'm the wrong demographic, but I work with kids who are about this age. Actually, my kids are about a year younger and they don't talk like these characters. They don't use the word "bae" or say "like" every other word. I feel like the author tried to write for tweens and young teens, but without a real understanding of what those kids are like today. These kids seemed younger than mine until they said "bae", which people my age (late 20's, early 30's) were already saying when these kids were toddlers. It just felt really unrealistic to me.
The illustrations were fun, but too stylized for me. The proportions were off and there were inconsistencies in the looks of the characters from page to page. Sometimes I had a hard time telling some of the secondary characters apart. It was easy to read and the boxes flowed in a nice way. I rarely read sections out of order because I didn't know which box came first, which has happened to me in other graphic novels I've read.
All in all, this one just didn't work for me. I shut the book and immediately wrote my review because I'm not even sure I'll be able to remember it. I would choose to recommend other graphic novels over this one.
Girl Underwater by Claire Kells | Book Review
Posted July 10, 2015 by Jana in Book Review, New Adult / 0 Comments
Girl Underwater by Claire Kells
Published by Dutton Adult on March 31, 2015
Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Survival
An adventurous debut novel that cross cuts between a competitive college swimmer's harrowing days in the Rocky Mountains after a major airline disaster and her recovery supported by the two men who love her—only one of whom knows what really happened in the wilderness.
Nineteen-year-old Avery Delacorte loves the water. Growing up in Brookline, Massachusetts, she took swim lessons at her community pool and captained the local team; in high school, she raced across bays and sprawling North American lakes. Now a sophomore on her university's nationally ranked team, she struggles under the weight of new expectations but life is otherwise pretty good. Perfect, really.
That all changes when Avery's red-eye home for Thanksgiving makes a ditch landing in a mountain lake in the Colorado Rockies. She is one of only five survivors, which includes three little boys and Colin Shea, who happens to be her teammate. Colin is also the only person in Avery's college life who challenged her to swim her own events, to be her own person—something she refused to do. Instead she's avoided him since the first day of freshman year. But now, faced with sub-zero temperatures, minimal supplies, and the dangers of a forbidding nowhere, Avery and Colin must rely on each other in ways they never could've imagined.
In the wilderness, the concept of survival is clear-cut. Simple. In the real world, it's anything but.
I love survival books and plane crash books (wow… does that sound insensitive!? Haha!). I love the excitement and survival instincts they bring out in our characters. Girl Underwater had been on my radar for quite some time, so I jumped on it as soon as I could. While it was not what I expected, I ended up really enjoying it anyway! As always, my main points are bolded. :)
1. I know this has nothing to do with the story or the author, but Tracey Garvis-Graves, my favorite author ever, blurbed this book. She wrote the ultimate survival love story of our time (On the Island), so if she thinks that Girl Underwater is, "a powerful love story embedded in an action-packed tale of survival" then I'm going to be all over it. Her endorsement is a huge selling point for me.
2. I felt a little disconnected from the story. The plane crash and the beginning really hooked me, and then the story alternates back and forth between the snowy dangers of the Rocky Mountains and the realities that occurred after Avery's rescue. I was disappointed in the fact that we knew right from chapter two that Avery makes it home. It kind of took away feelings of suspense or discomfort, and I was not on the edge of my seat as often as I could have been. I also hated being ripped out of the mountains to read about her life after her rescue. I wanted most of the book to take place on that mountain, with maybe some of the aftermath in the ending chapters or an epilogue. That's what I mean when I say the book was not expecting. But once I got passed the fact that my expectations were inaccurate, I was able to enjoy the book for what it was.
3. I was expecting a survival story, but what I ended up getting was what happens in the aftermath of surviving. It's a story about surviving life after you survive a disaster. We read a lot about Avery's attempts to deal with her PTSD and her efforts to pick up where she left off the moment her plane went down. It was a very powerful, yet sometimes depressing, portrayal of someone who has gone through the unthinkable. You do not get this in books (or news stories) often, so I did appreciate the added details that are usually left behind the scenes.
4. I really loved the characters. Avery is strong in the mountains, and she is strong after she returns home. She was strong in two different ways, though. On the mountain she was strong for Colin and the three little boys she was stranded with. She did everything in her power for them, even if it meant risking her life. When she was back at home, she finally had to focus on herself. She had to be strong for herself, and that is oftentimes the hardest thing to do. I loved Colin so much. He's the typical gentleman, who was concerned. He was also so swoony to me the way he treated those little boys. And the boys were very sweet and lovable.
5. There were so many feelings and emotions. It was quite a roller coaster, but I ended up really loving and appreciating that about the book. Girl Underwater acted as more than entertainment. I learned a lot about what goes through the mind of a PTSD victim, and I got to see what I think was a very accurate portrayal of what it's like to be recognized in public for something you'd like to forget ever happened to you. I really felt for Avery. Moving on is hard when the media and your friends keep pulling you back to such a painful event.
6. I loved watching Avery learn to cope. And I loved watching her come to terms with her life and embrace the good parts of it, even if they make her remember the bad times. She never gave up on herself.
7. The romance was not the focus of the book by any means, but it was an underlying factor. I couldn't help but hope for the best, and I was very happy with how things turned out for everyone involved. It was real, not ideal. And it was beautiful.
Overall, this book reminded me of how much I love reviewing books. I went into this wanting one thing, and the author gave me something I needed instead. I really loved reading about Avery's and Colin's stories, and I loved watching their lives change shapes as a result of what happened to them. I think this book would appeal to anyone. It definitely has young adult/new adult/adult crossover appeal, and it has a little but of everything for everyone. Highly recommended.
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher | Mini Book Review
Posted May 6, 2015 by Jana in Book Review, Young Adult / 4 Comments
Thirteen Reasons Why Published by Razorbill on October 17, 2007
Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.
On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.
Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.
I have not reacted this negatively to a book in years, and I was so unbelievably upset by it that I had nightmares. I disagree with all this book stands for, and would not have even finished it if I were not reading it for a class assignment. Bottom line, I feel like this book glamorizes suicide. It makes it look like it's ok to kill yourself. I was so mad at Hannah the entire time, and my opinion of her and her decision grew less and less as I heard her snide voice and her petty justifications. She killed herself because people were mean to her (in sometimes awful ways, yes.), and instead of confronting them she went and killed herself and then blamed them for it. She did something much worse to them than they did to her by blaming them for her death. It seemed like a revenge suicide—like she killed herself to get back of them, and it just made me mad. People don't kill themselves for reasons. They do it because a switch has been triggered in their brain that makes them feel like it's a necessity. It's a mental thing.
If I set my opinions and feelings aside, I can agree that the writing was done very well. The author inserts Clay's thoughts and actions as he is listening to Hannah talk, which is unique and real. I enjoyed being in the moment with him. Clay cares deeply, and his thoughts seem very accurate for someone who has his hands tied and is unable to help. Hannah's voice, while sarcastic and rude, is very much like an argumentative child who is mad at everyone (which is basically what she is). They both portray emotions that are brought out in the reader, and I was very convinced. There has GOT to be a better book out there about suicide, though, because this one is pretty awful in my opinion.
How to Love by Katie Cotugno | Mini Book Review
Posted September 3, 2014 by Jana in Book Review, Young Adult / 1 Comment
How to Love by Katie Cotugno
Published by Balzer + Bray on October 1, 2013
Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Source: Gift
Before: Reena Montero has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember: as natural as breathing, as endless as time. But he's never seemed to notice that Reena even exists until one day, impossibly, he does. Reena and Sawyer fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town without a word, leaving a devastated-and pregnant-Reena behind.
After: Almost three years have passed, and there's a new love in Reena's life: her daughter, Hannah. Reena's gotten used to being without Sawyer, and she's finally getting the hang of this strange, unexpected life. But just as swiftly and suddenly as he disappeared, Sawyer turns up again. Reena doesn't want anything to do with him, though she'd be lying if she said Sawyer's being back wasn't stirring something in her. After everything that's happened, can Reena really let herself love Sawyer LeGrande again?
I was really not expecting to like a book whose focus was on teen pregnancy, so I was pretty surprised by how much I enjoyed How to Love! Katie Cotugno did a great job realistically portraying the situation and aftermath of teen pregnancy, not to mention she threw in lot of other plot elements that made the story more dynamic and interesting to read. I liked her decision to tell the story from two perspectives: before Sawyer and after Sawyer. We learn all about his and Reena's tumultuous relationship, and how Reena handled raising a baby alone after Sawyer disappeared from her life.
I had a super hard time liking Sawyer, which is probably why this book did not receive a higher rating from me. He was an absolutely horrible person to Reena during their relationship, and then he just disappeared. It helps that he left without knowing Reena was pregnant, but he could have stepped up more when he found out he had a child. As the years passed he improved his life some, but he just never convinced me that he was a good person.
Reena is a very likeable character, and I think this was because of the maturity she quickly developed when she became a teenage single mom. I love her relationship with her daughter, how she has grown and changed because of this daughter, and how she is level-headed enough to know she made mistakes in the past too.
The writing is also done very well, and was probably the main reason I enjoyed the story. I liked the way Katie Cotugno portrayed the feelings and emotions of the characters, and I enjoyed her account of the encounters that went down between Reena and her family, as well as Reena and Sawyer. While the book did not blow me away like it did some of my blogging friends, I did appreciate such an honest and realistic portrayal of such a sensitive subject not usually tackled in YA literature. I think that many people will be able to relate to Reena's situation, or at least realize they have felt some of the same feelings in their own familial and romantic relationships. I have a feeling Katie Cotugno is going to quickly become a big name on the young adult scene.
Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe by Shelley Coriell | Book Review
Posted March 17, 2014 by Jana in Book Review, Young Adult / 3 Comments
Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe by Shelley Coriell
Published by Harry N Abrams on May 1, 2012
Big-hearted Chloe Camden is the queen of her universe until her best friend shreds her reputation and her school counselor axes her junior independent study project. Chloe is forced to take on a meaningful project in order to pass, and so she joins her school's struggling radio station, where the other students don't find her too queenly. Ostracized by her former BFs and struggling with her beloved Grams's mental deterioration, lonely Chloe ends up hosting a call-in show that gets the station much-needed publicity and, in the end, trouble. She also befriends radio techie and loner Duncan Moore, a quiet soul with a romantic heart. On and off the air, Chloe faces her loneliness and helps others find the fun and joy in everyday life. Readers will fall in love with Chloe as she falls in love with the radio station and the misfits who call it home.
This is an Epic Recs review! Racquel from The Book Barbies is my partner, and she recommended this book to me because I loved Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins. It had not been on my tbr at all even though I had heard about it before. It just never really grabbed me enough to even read the summary. I am so glad Racquel pushed it on me, though, because I ended up really enjoying it! As always, my main points are bolded. :)
1. At first glance, this book looks bright and cheery. I was expecting a light and fluffy book as a result. While there are some very sweet, cute moments, this book tackles some major issues. I'm not usually a fan of issue books, but the author was able to do it in a way that made me hopeful instead of depressed. I can handle that.
2. Chloe is so much fun, and I love her snarky sarcasm and bluntness. She likes to be funny, and she really cares about people. And she is in love with vintage shoes, which made me love her. Because, really? I will talk about my beloved shoe collection with anyone. She is just real, and she is figuring herself out. Being a teen is tough, but I feel like she has risen above all the typical teen drama and knows what's important. I would have loved a friend like her in high school.
3. I felt like the radio aspect gave us a larger opportunity to get to know Chloe. Rather than reading descriptions of her, or seeing what other people think of her in the story, we got this window into her thoughts through "listening" to her talk show. Teens giving teens advice does not always work out so well, but I really liked her genuine sensitivity and desire to help.
4. Speaking of the radio, I LOVED the characters who ran the radio station. They are all social outcasts for one reason or another, so they found each other and created this super close family. I particularly loved Clem, who is this hardened grump but ends up becoming a really sweet person. And I can tell she is so loyal. She and Chloe have a really entertaining relationship.
5. Duncan. I loved him so much. He's super sensitive and caring, and he comes from a broken home, which I feel adds so much to his personality. He is always looking out for people and paying attention to them because that's what he wants for himself.
6. Everything, and I mean everything in this book came about as a result of deep friendships. I loved that this book focused on friendship instead of romance. And these were not superficial friendships. They were stronger than some familial relationships, and I just drank it all in. Can I hug all of these people?
All in all, Welcome, Caller, this is Chloe was a darling contemporary that was fun, yet serious at the same time. I love the group of characters, and how they helped each other through their tough times. This book is so underrated, and I hope more people discover it and fall in love with it as I have. :)


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Politics and Corruption
Egypt's President Has Promised to Tackle Corruption, but Can He?
Corruption Undermining Iranian Regime, But Little Appetite for Change
In Iraq, Corruption and Sectarianism Blamed for Ongoing Instability
Anti-corruption Demonstrations Sweep Iraq, Protestors Killed
As Corruption Charges Mount, Will Israeli PM Survive?
Netanyahu's Popularity Unchanged, Despite Corruption Charges
Growing Corruption in Israel
As Charges Mount, Israeli PM Refuses to Step Down
Fake Cigarettes, the Smoking Gun on Corruption in Jordan
In Lebanon, Endemic Corruption Undermining Economy, Accountability
Fighting Corruption in Morocco: A Losing Battle?
Saudi WikiLeaks Documents: Buying Influence and Sweeping Corruption
Stakes High for Saudi Crown Prince Following Anti-Corruption Crackdown
The Blacklist: Saudi Arabia's High-profile Political Detainees
Tunisia's War on Corruption – A Successful Gamble?
Corruption Sinking the Country, Says Kuwaiti Lawmaker
In Egypt, Corruption Allegations Against al-Sisi Spark New Unrest
Fanack Home / Politics and Corruption / Growing Corruption in Israel
January 25th, 2017 / September 9th, 2019
Ex-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stands in court after being charged for corruption, in Jerusalem, Israel, 2 February 2016. Photo Ynet/REX/Shutterstock ©Hollandse Hoogte ⁃ Ynet/REX/Shutterstock
As the latest corruption scandal hits Israeli headlines, this one involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, there is a general feeling that corruption is seeping deeper into state institutions. The Israeli leader was questioned by police at his official residence on 2 January 2017 on suspicion of receiving unlawful gifts. Netanyahu has consistently denied any wrongdoing. A year earlier, a Supreme Court decision sent former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to prison for 18 months for bribery. In addition, there have been revelations of alleged conflicts of interest regarding a huge military deal involving a German company represented in Israel by Netanyahu's personal lawyer.
International corruption rankings have been far from flattering to Israel in recent years. According to the 2015 corruption perceptions index published by Transparency International, Israel ranked 24 out of 34 countries in the OECD, putting it in the bottom third. Yet despite a feeling that corruption is worsening at both the national and municipal levels, the public appears to be largely indifferent. There is little pressure to change the situation; indeed, public officials suspected or convicted of corruption even seem to be tolerated.
A notable example is Aryeh Deri, leader of the Orthodox Shas party and Interior Minister. In 1993, while also serving as Interior Minister, he was charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust and spent two years in prison. Former Bat Yam mayor Shlomo Lahiani was sentenced to eight months in prison for corruption. Yet he continues to be one of the more popular mayors in the country.
Some believe the public's indifference represents nothing less than an existential threat to the state. According to anti-corruption activists, the damage done by corruption is far more serious than any military or terror threat over the past decade. Eli Suman, CEO of The Movement for Quality Government in Israel, emphasized the repercussions of public sector corruption, warming that Israel may be heading in the direction of a developing country. "Our movement believes that the real existential threat to the state is posed by corruption, which is liable to unravel the social fabric," he said.
Why is there such tolerance of corruption? Experts admit that in Israel, corruption is perceived as a way to bypass bureaucracy. Those who are not aware of the dangers of corruption consider it legitimate.
A phenomenon also exists whereby those convicted of corruption are not publicly denounced but rather welcomed back as celebrities and in several instances, as in the case of Aryeh Deri, reinstated in public office.
In its report "Democracy in Israel", the Israeli Democracy Institute highlights the corruption perception index. The index is compiled by Transparency International and reflects the opinion of experts on abuse of power in the public sector. The higher the score, the less corruption is perceived. Israel received 61 out of 100, an increase from 60, putting it in the 80th percentile of 167 countries. As mentioned above, however, when compared to OECD members, it is in the bottom third of the ranking.
Moreover, corruption is also found in the private sector. Several examples have recently surfaced. In December 2016, Nochi Danker, an influential business tycoon and former controlling shareholder of IDB Holding Corp, was fined NIS 800,000 and sentenced to two years in jail after being found guilty of stock manipulation. Five months earlier, in July 2016, he was convicted of manipulating IDB's share price days before a securities issuance in February 2012.
Also in December 2016, Benny Steinmetz, an Israeli diamond mogul, was arrested for his involvement in a massive African corruption case. He was suspected of paying millions of dollars to Guinean officials in order to advance his business interests in the country's mining industry. His arrest followed a huge undercover investigation which spanned several countries, including Switzerland, the United States and Guinea. The case focused on the purchase by Steinmetz's company (BSGR) of an iron ore mine , on which it allegedly spent $165 million in exploration costs and later sold half of its stake in for $2.5 billion.
With the latest allegations surrounding Netanyahu, there is growing public sentiment that enough is enough. However, as Netanyahu continues to dismiss the charges as wild allegations by political rivals and with no real opposition in his own Likud party , the likelihood of public sentiment bringing about any substantive change at present seems small.
©Hollandse Hoogte ⁃ Ynet/REX/Shutterstock | ©Hollandse Hoogte ⁃ Ynet/REX/Shutterstock
©Hollandse Hoogte ⁃ Ynet/REX/Shutterstock
Israel - Jerusalem - MiddleEast - Netanyahu - Palestine - USA
Corruption - Specials

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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I think this is hands down the best way to put our industry BS. It's so sad that everyone can't just do them and support each other. On the topic of the males taking over is something that needs to be fixed fast. Artistry should be based of off talent, skills, professionalism etc. not who know who and who is popular.


text:
Rising alcohol sales coincides with growing Utah population
Written by AP
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Alcohol sales in Utah continued a two-decade climb this year, with the state liquor department reporting record sales of nearly $406 million, according to new numbers released Tuesday.
The annual report from Utah's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control shows total sales for the 2016 budget year were 7.8 percent higher than the previous year.
The numbers include alcohol sales in Utah restaurants, bars and state-controlled liquor stores from July 2015 through June 2016.
It excludes beer that contains less than 4 percent alcohol by volume, which can be purchased at grocery and convenience stores.
DABC figures show those who drink alcohol in the majority-Mormon state appear to be buying more alcohol. The average gallons of alcohol consumed per person was 2.85 this year, up from 2.76 last year, according to the DABC.
State demographers say Utah's higher alcohol sales dovetail with increased tourism and a growing population, which the U.S. Census Bureau reports is now the fastest rising in the country.
Economists say that population growth is fueled by people moving from other states seeking jobs in Utah's robust economy. That's bringing more people to Utah who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which instructs members to avoid drinking alcohol.
For Utah drinkers, wine was the biggest seller, with about 3.5 million gallons sold. More than 3 million gallons of spirits were sold, along with about 1.8 million gallons of high-alcohol beer and 250,000 gallons of flavored malt beverages.
About 84 percent of the money made by Utah's alcohol business is liquor purchased at 44 state-run liquor stores or privately-run outlets that sell alcohol to the public under state-run contracts. The rest comes from alcohol sold at restaurants and bars.
The record sales, along with state and local sales taxes, generated more than $427 million, but the DABC only keeps about 10 percent of that to run stores and pay employees. About 39 percent goes toward local communities, school lunches and public safety, and the state budget's general fund for other government operations. The rest, about 51 percent, is spent on alcohol that the state sells.
DABC commission chairman John T. Nielsen noted in the annual report that he believes the department is "significantly underfunded," something Utah legislators say they're trying to address.
Several bills in the works for next year would allow the DABC to keep more of the money it makes in order to raise worker pay, keep employees, expand and renovate liquor stores or build new stores.
Posted in Local


Chris joins me this week from one for the most successful indie podcasts I've ever heard. Married To The Games is a longer than average show, has four hosts, and talks about all the new games/news that many other shows discuss. I see those aspects of a show working against its success, but that is not the case for them. How have they been so successful? What is the secret formula? Sit back and get those answers from Chris.


There's somerthing about musicians and producers that make us a strange bunch. We get excited about our studio gear beyond what many might term as being a healthy obsession. Maybe it's down to being locked up in a studio for hours or end. Perhaps it's from playing and listening to the same sounds over and over and over again. Whatever the reason we're certainly not averse to trying to deify our most loved studio synths and hardware in edible formats.
As far as synthesizer cakes go, we've covered (and even created) some pretty cool ones. We even came across a Kraftwerk inspired synth cake at this wedding. But it's not just synthesizer heads that want the strawberry on top as this Allen & Heath-inspired mixer cake proves.
The Kup-cake Kitchen Café created possibly the most realistic and impressive mixer cake for a customer we've ever seen. And their video has been viewed almost 100,000 times on Facebook already.
lol "we created our own concept cake for the Korg Monologue" Thank you. That is a fantastic looking cake. I would eat all of it.


First of all, SNAPPER! They slowed down a bit last week, with the Friday and Saturday morning fishing well as anticipated with those run in tides early morning being perfect for chasing big red! The entrance fished the best between Singapore deep and buoy 4, whilst the rest of the areas such as the Franklin, Toora and in the entrance past buoy 2 being prime for gummies. On the gummy front, they have been a lot easier going than the snapper, with anytime of day producing plenty of gummies to 4 feet in length. They still seem to be going good that couple of hours either side of the tide but time of day doesn't matter. The whiting went a little quieter with only the masters seeming to bag out on the ting but others were still managing half a dozen or so in the Lewis. Squid are sporadic being caught all over the place in small numbers and anglers are even catching them in deep water on there snapper gear getting hooked on hooks. Offshore the pinkies are doing very well in 22 meters of water and also around rabbit island as well and there's plenty of flathead to 45cm mixed in... your bigger flathead are all inside now and the entrance has been producing some whopping big specimens on the drift band at anchor by gummy fisherman. The kingies are around in small numbers. They are hit and miss a bit with some anglers getting them one day but no one getting any the next. Its still a touch early but should be a good season. Mako's and thrashers are around now as well and will only get thicker and thicker.
The whiting have been the main thing at Port Albert. Plenty being caught around the basket beacon, midge channel and around the entrance. Just after the tide changes has been the best and there's heaps of pinkies mixed in as well. If you want a bigger pinky, remember to put out a bigger bait and a bigger hook such as a 6/0 so that the undersize pinkies cant get hooked when attacking the bait. Plenty of gummies int he entrance as well.
90 MILE BEACH: Fishing awesome over the past 2 weeks. bit of weed at low tide, but other than that been good conditions unless its been blowing a gale. The big bronzies are in and around in good numbers and theres a few small whites aswell. The flatties are everywhere at Seaspray, Woodside and Reeves beach. Biggest ive heard this season is 85cm (Massive). Some anglers are catching 15 flatties in a single session during the day with white grubs and surf popper. GUESS WHAT: we have blue bait again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Perfect surf flathead size too!
Goto Golden if you want a night time gummy!
Michael Armstrong caught this good feed last week in the entrance at Welshpool using Snapper Snatchers and pillies and squid for bait.


text:
/* vim: set tabstop=4 : */
#ifndef __febird_io_id_generator_h__
#define __febird_io_id_generator_h__

#if defined(_MSC_VER) && (_MSC_VER >= 1020)
# pragma once
#endif

#include "../config.h"

#include <assert.h>
#include <vector>
#include <map>

#if defined(__GNUC__)
# include <stdint.h>
#endif

#if defined(linux) || defined(__linux) || defined(__linux__)
# include <linux/types.h>
#else
# include <sys/types.h>
#endif

#include <boost/current_function.hpp>
#include <boost/intrusive_ptr.hpp>

namespace febird {

class FEBIRD_DLL_EXPORT id_generator
{
	// use free-list structure, same as memory management
	// id may not be 0
	std::vector<uintptr_t> id_list; // id_list[0] is linked list head
	long m_nUsed;

	void chain(long newHead);

public:
	void clear() { id_list.clear(); }

	explicit id_generator(long maxID);
	virtual ~id_generator();

	long alloc_id();
	void free_id(long id);

	uintptr_t get_val(long id) const
	{
		assert(id >= 1);
		assert(id <= long(id_list.size()-1));
		return id_list[id];
	}

	long add_val(uintptr_t val);

	bool is_valid(long id) const
	{
		return id >= 1 && id <= long(id_list.size()-1);
	}

	long maxid() const { return id_list.size()-1; }
	long size() const { return m_nUsed; }

	void get_used_id(std::vector<uintptr_t>& used_id) const;
};

// do not allow T to be non-pointer type
template<class T> class access_byid;

template<> class FEBIRD_DLL_EXPORT access_byid<void*> : public id_generator
{
protected:
	virtual void on_destroy(void* vp);
	void* get_ptr_imp(long id, const char* func) const;
	using id_generator::add_val; // hide it

public:
	access_byid(long maxID = 3) : id_generator(maxID) { }

	//! delete all object in list, and clear self
	void destroy();

	void* get_ptr(long id) const { return access_byid<void*>::get_ptr_imp(id, BOOST_CURRENT_FUNCTION); }
	long  add_ptr(void* x) { return this->add_val((uintptr_t)(x)); }
};

template<class T> class access_byid<T*> : public access_byid<void*>
{
	virtual void on_destroy(void* vp) { delete (T*)vp; }
public:
	access_byid(long maxID = 3) : access_byid<void*>(maxID) { }

	T* get_ptr(long id) const { return access_byid<void*>::get_ptr_imp(id, BOOST_CURRENT_FUNCTION); }
	long add_ptr(T* x) { return this->add_val((uintptr_t)(x)); }
};

template<class T> class AccessByNameID;

template<> class FEBIRD_DLL_EXPORT AccessByNameID<void*>
{
protected:
	access_byid<void*> m_byid;
	std::map<std::string, void*> m_byname;
	virtual void on_destroy(void* vp);
public:
	virtual ~AccessByNameID() {}
	long add_ptr(void* x, const std::string& name, void** existed);
	long add_ptr(void* x) { return m_byid.add_ptr(x); }
	void* get_byid(long id) const {	return m_byid.get_ptr(id); }
	void* get_byname(const std::string& name) const;
	bool is_valid(long id) const { return m_byid.is_valid(id); }
	void destroy();

	void remove(long id, const std::string& name);
	void remove(long id);
	long size() const { return m_byid.size(); }
	bool check_id(long id, const char* szClassName, std::string& err) const;
};

template<class T> class AccessByNameID<T*> : public AccessByNameID<void*>
{
	virtual void on_destroy(void* vp)
	{
		delete (T*)vp;
	}
public:
	long add_ptr(T* x, const std::string& name, T** existed)
	{
		return AccessByNameID<void*>::add_ptr(x, name, (void**)existed);
	}
	long add_ptr(T* x) // add without name
	{
		assert(0 != x);
		return m_byid.add_ptr(x);
	}
	T* get_byid(long id) const { return (T*) m_byid.get_ptr(id); }
	T* get_byname(const std::string& name) const
	{
		return (T*)AccessByNameID<void*>::get_byname(name);
	}
};

template<class T>
class AccessByNameID<boost::intrusive_ptr<T> > : public AccessByNameID<void*>
{
	virtual void on_destroy(void* vp)
	{
		intrusive_ptr_release((T*)vp);
	}
public:
	long add_ptr(boost::intrusive_ptr<T> x, const std::string& name, boost::intrusive_ptr<T>* existed)
	{
		assert(0 != x.get());
		T* vpExisted;
		long id = AccessByNameID<void*>::add_ptr(x.get(), name, (void**)&vpExisted);
		if (0 == vpExisted)
		{
			intrusive_ptr_add_ref(x.get());
			*existed = vpExisted;
		}
		return id;
	}
	long add_ptr(boost::intrusive_ptr<T> x) // add without name
	{
		assert(0 != x.get());
		intrusive_ptr_add_ref(x.get());
		return m_byid.add_ptr(x.get());
	}
	long add_ptr(T* x, const std::string& name, T** existed)
	{
		assert(0 != x);
		assert(0 != existed);
		long id = AccessByNameID<void*>::add_ptr(x, name, (void**)existed);
		if (0 == *existed)
			intrusive_ptr_add_ref(x);
		return id;
	}
	long add_ptr(T* x) // add without name
	{
		assert(0 != x);
		intrusive_ptr_add_ref(x);
		return m_byid.add_ptr(x);
	}
	boost::intrusive_ptr<T> get_byid(long id) const { return (T*)m_byid.get_ptr(id); }
	boost::intrusive_ptr<T> get_byname(const std::string& name) const
	{
		return (T*)AccessByNameID<void*>::get_byname(name);
	}
	T* get_rawptr_byid(long id) const
	{
		return (T*)m_byid.get_ptr(id);
	}
	T* get_rawptr_byname(const std::string& name) const
	{
		return (T*)AccessByNameID<void*>::get_byname(name);
	}
	virtual ~AccessByNameID() { destroy(); }
};

} // namespace febird

#endif // __febird_io_id_generator_h__

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Delightful images! I wish we had trees that changed color. We seem to have green summer leaves and then over night, the leaves drop and turn brown. The picture is lovely and your words do such a good job of creating a mental picture.
This poem was just fun to write... it was a good break for me in the midst of busyness. :) It's too bad you don't have the fall colours to delight the eye.


text:
Q: Application (JBoss + Hibernate + Infinispan) performance degrades on the same data We have the following stack for a web application: DB + Infinispan 5.1.2 + Hibernate 3.6.9 + JBoss AS 7.1 + Seam 2.2 + RichFaces 3.3(JSF 1.2).
After application start the one page shows historical data for past period by 1-2 sec. During this rendering Hibernate session(1 level) cache contains about 8 000 objects and during the next week data were not changed (not changed at all) but performance for this page rendering degrades from 1 sec to 30-70 sec.
The jVisualVM Sampler tells about time consumed in autoFlushIfRequired method in the Hibernate Session object. We have around 25-30 calls of this function during rendering. All Hibernate queries were cached, all database transactions have short life age. The threads count was increased insignificantly. We have 12-50 simultaneously clients (browsers) for the application. We don't have memory leaks and have enough memory (full gc start every 10-15 minutes). The young GC time is increased constantly. Java starts with the followings args:
-XX:+UseParNewGC -XX:+UseConcMarkSweepGC -XX:MaxTenuringThreshold=0
-XX:CMSInitiatingOccupancyFraction=80 -XX:+CMSParallelRemarkEnabled
-XX:+UseCMSInitiatingOccupancyOnly
-XX:+UseLargePages -XX:LargePageSizeInBytes=4m
-XX:+UseTLAB"
-Xms3092m -Xmx3092m -XX:MaxPermSize=512m  -XX:MaxNewSize=1g
-XX:NewSize=1g -XX:SurvivorRatio=128

During monitoring Cent OS we see that the counter "Context switch per second" (vmstat output) was increased from 1000 - 1500 to 8000 - 10000. We possibly have a problem with access synchronization in Heap/Hibernate/Infinispan? What other cases should we examine? How could it be checked?

A: It sounds like Hibernate eventually ends up wading through all your objects to see if they are dirty. When you start the application, it doesn't have to, but the further it progresses the worse it gets.
Maybe you can try calling flush() manually only when you need to instead? Or implement your own custom check instead of letting Hibernate figure out what needs flushing on its own.
You can do this by implementing the Interceptor interface (extend EmptyInterceptor if you don't want to implement all of it) with the method findDirty implemented to your liking. This way you can tell Hibernate to not bother with unchanged objects.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


This seminar is designed to meet the requirements for 8 hours of continuing education for CPAs; 8 hours of federal tax update CPE for CRTPs and EAs; 6.75 hours of General MCLE credit for attorneys.
Spidell Publishing, Inc. is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State Boards of Accountancy have the final authority on the acceptance of individual course for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org. This webinar is designed to meet the requirements for 8 hours of continuing education for the California Board of Accountancy. Intermediate Level. Field of Study: Taxes. Delivery method: Self-Study. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints or refunds, contact Spidell Publishing at (714) 776-7850. Basic knowledge of partnerships is required.


text:
Brian O'Neill: It's theater of the absurd for the Garden Theater block
Development of the Garden Theater block on the North Side has only two speeds — slow and reverse — and I'd put it up against any block in the metro area in its production of legal fees per square foot.
The latest setback — if we can call it that, as that implies previous movement forward — is a judge's reversal of the city Zoning Board of Adjustment's decision to allow an eight-story apartment building on a site zoned for three-story structures.
To read the full article click here


The main, titular song on a single.
The secondary song/s featured on a single, following an A-Side.
Literally, "pretty boy" in Japanese. Refers to an effeminate/androgynous type of male.
A chord-progression is a series of chords that, when played in sequences, form melodic lines in music.
Commercial Message. Usually presented as a short video in which the band presents a message to fans concerning recent releases, tours, etc.
Noun and verb in one, Cosplay (contracted from "costume-play") is the act of dressing up in the costume of a favorite personality (usually an anime or video-game character, but it has more recently become popular to cosplay figures such as Visual Kei band members and so on) and assuming their characteristic traits while in said costume. Originates in Japan.
Asian version of the sitcom.
Some of the first "Jpop", Enka is a style of early pop music sung in a traditional style. Some enka (especially that which originates in Okinawa and southern Japan) includes use of traditional instruments including shamisen, taiko, shakuhachi or shinobue (Japanese bamboo flutes). Enka became popular in the 1930's and '40s, typically dealing with deeply nostalgic, romantic themes such as you, me, and the moonlight that were meant to inspire sentimental memories of the good old days before the Americans came in. Popular at karaoke.
An "EP" is an "Extended Play", or an album which is longer than a single, but shorter than an album. They usually have around 5 or 6 songs, and typically do not include instrumental, remixed, or karaoke versions of songs.
The band backing GACKT's solo project. Consistent members: Chachamaru ( band-leader, arrangements, production, lead guitars), YOU (rhythm guitar and violin). Support members: Chirolyn (bass), Minami (drums). Recording members: IKUO (bass), SHUN (guitar), Tsukasa (drums). Former members: Masa, Ren, Ryu (percussion) JU-KEN (bass), Nell (bass).
Japanese rock music at large. This is an extremely general term that encompasses the entire scope of Japanese rock music. Usually includes Visual Kei as a sub-genre, but excludes Jpop. To learn about how Jrock differs from western rock, keep reading SG.
Soushokukeidanshi poster-boy, Johnny's idol (KAT-TUN), and gp's favorite scapegoat. Iconic of everything confused and confusing in Japan.
Chinese characters used to write Japanese.
Suffix. Means "type" or "style" and can be combined with many different words to articulate a trend or style. For example, Visual-kei (Visual-type), Oshare-kei (fashion/stylish-type), and so on.
Korean pop. Contrary to popular belief, it is not encroaching on the Visual Kei market… Only on my Twitter newsfeed.
A "Lawson" is a chain of convenience stores found across Japan, which house the veritable machine of the future: the Loppi. Among other functions, college-tuition can be paid at the Loppi, fan-clubs can be joined, and concert tickets can be purchased– all on the little angelic screen. Lawson also runs an online version of the machine, which is terrifying for the average Japanese language student to behold.
A live show where only the title band performs.
OPening. Refers to the opening theme song played at the beginning of each episode of animes, dramas, and television shows.
OriCon, which is contracted from Original Confidence, is a Japanese system of media rating. Japanese artists will appear on the OriCon daily, weekly, and monthly charts, earning their spot based on quality and sales. To make it to the OriCon Top 10 is a great honor– although somehow it seems easier in the past five years or so.
"Permanent wave" hairstyle. I struggle with an intense love-hate relationship with them, and a neurotic inability to stop discussing them.
Promotional Video. The Japanese music-industry version of the Western "MV", or music-video.
A phrase I invented to describe the fusion of Visual Kei or Jrock and traditional Japanese aesthetics, both in style and music. The words are a combination of "samurai" and the pronunciation of "punk" in Japanese.
Ritual suicide wherein the unfortunate person disembowels themselves with a Japanese short-sword (wakizashi). It's what I'll do if Arashi ever really does make a formal appearance on SG.
Translates literally as "plant-eating guys, meat-eating girls," and is a current trend in Japan encouraging men to emphasize their feminine side. Somewhat controversial.
The word I substitute for 'fan'. What defines a "Visualist"? Anyone involved in the Visual Kei lifestyle on a level deeper than just "it's on my iPod" can be safely considered a Visualist.
The second round of Visual Kei bands that were founded in the early-mid '90s, after the 1st generation had started breaking up, moving on, or veering away from what would, in the '90s, become a popular mainstream genre.
Refers to the Visual Kei groups/music/style founded in the past five or ten years. Including most of the PSC boys and heavily themed indie bands like D.
When aliens invade the earth everything goes wrong.
Can you recommend good "starter" bands for regular people?
Most angura-kei bands are a pretty safe bet, as they look more like regular rock-stars. Start out with/start your normie friends out with girugamesh, Vidoll, GACKT, 9 Goats Black Out, The GazettE, X-Japan, and Alice Nine. From there, move on to MIYAVI, Malice Mizer, D, etc. Obviously cater to the particular tastes of each individual. Goths might be more comfortable with men in corsets and garters than most Linkin Park fans.
The short answer is, "no". The long answer is, the general misconception is that 'they are all men dressed as women'. Any Visualist with some self-worth will redirect you politely to the fact that they are men using the (aforementioned) principles of 'youshikibi' as a means of expressing their creativity. Their concern is not whether the outfit is pants or a dress, male or female-designated, their concern is whether it is aesthetically pleasing [to them] or not. If it is aesthetically pleasing, then it does not matter to which denomination it belongs, who is "supposed" to wear it, or what gender it was "intended" for. Visual Kei is an unbiased appreciation of beauty.
What's Johnny's Entertainment, and why do you always bash it?
Johnny's Entertainment is a talent agency in Japan that scouts multitudes of average young males at very young ages, and sculpts them into idols. They glump them into idol groups consisting of ten-million members, give the groups easy-to-remember names like "NEWs" and "KAT-TUN" and have them all sing harmonies so they can disguise b-average singing talents. I don't bash them for any particular reason.
How do I buy concert tickets for concerts in Japan?
I've never done it before, but based on my research: Unless the artists' management makes tickets available on English websites to overseas fans, you'll need to have a friend, shopping service, homestay family, or otherwise Nihon-based connection buy tickets for you from a ticketing agency, Lawson, etc.
What's the difference between a "fan" and a "Visualist"?
In my eyes, for whatever reason, I feel like the term "fan" has a slight negative connotation. I always imagine those squawking teenybopper girls who are all up in your grill like, "awwwwmawwwwwgawwwd thurrrrr sooo hawwwwtttt". I can't even deal with that.
I think of myself, and many others, as "visualists", because of the extent to which we have incorporated Visual Kei and Jrock into our every day lives. It's not a music preference, it's a lifestyle choice. For me, that's the difference. For you, well, I invite you to decide.
Who translates the material on Secret Garden?
All lyrics, news, profile data, and tour schedules/information that appear translated on SG have been translated by me. From time to time I will post translations that have been translated by others; in this case I credit and, if possible, link back to the original translation.
I'm trying to figure that one out as well.
Have questions you want answered? Questions, requests, and suggestions can be directed to gacktpause, at gacktpause [at] gmail [dot] com.


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Hello, darlings. I'm Nora and just in case you're wondering I am in excellent shape. The last time I checked, round is a shape. I'm a middle-age gal in search of a living situation where I can just be me and watch my Jazzercise videos and cooking shows in the comfort of my own home. I'd also like to teach piano lessons and host my book club once in a while if that's not too much trouble. What do you say? Shall we meet soon and iron out the details? Call me at the animal shelter. We'll talk.
P.S. I hope you like "The Barefoot Contessa" as much as I do.


Mink fur scarf never ages. This Scandinavian mink fur scarf is stylish, soft and warm. This scarf is perfect to be trendy men even in cold winter. Its color is absolutely natural. Inner polyester lining. Each of our fur accessories is handmade in Italy. We ensure best quality materials.
Length 115/120 cm. Width 9/10 cm.


text:
Frontier Airlines eliminates telephone customer support
TravelUSA
Frontier Airlines Airbus A320 takes off from Los Angeles international Airport on August 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
AaronP | Bauer-Griffin | GC Images | Getty Images
Say goodbye to the airline call center −not less than at Frontier Airlines.
The budget carrier last weekend accomplished its transition to online, mobile and text support, which enables it to be sure that customers get "the data they need as expeditiously and efficiently as possible," spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz told CNBC in an e-mailed statement.
Passengers who call the shopper service number Frontier lists on its website now get the message: "At Frontier, we provide the bottom fares within the industry by operating our airline as efficiently as possible. We would like our customers to have the ability to operate efficiently as well, which is why we make it easy to seek out what you would like at Flyfrontier.com or on our mobile app."
Those that wish to text with the carrier can get a link to accomplish that sent to their phone.
Most major carriers still offer customer support lines. But Frontier, which charges fees for the whole lot from advanced seat assignments to carry-on luggage and snacks, is usually on the lookout for ways to chop expenses. During its investor day earlier this month, Frontier hinted that it might stop offering customer support by phone, a change that travel site Travel Noire reported earlier this week.
Jack Filene, Frontier's senior vice chairman of shoppers, said in the course of the Nov. 15 investor presentation that the change would help lower labor costs and speed up transactions.
"We're supporting higher labor rates within the voice channel, and we're limited to this one-to-one interaction," Filene said. In contrast, he said a chat agent could handle three inquiries without delay, and possibly more.
"Take into consideration probably the most kind of obscure query a customer might ask that might take a call center agent many, many minutes to research and find a solution to. The chatbot can answer that in a short time," he said.
Frontier had a $31 million profit on $906 million of operating revenue within the last quarter. It spent $182 million on labor costs, its second-biggest expense after jet fuel, up nearly 70% from the identical period of 2019.
The change at Frontier comes as long hold times on customer support phone lines and other channels vexed travelers this yr, a lot of whom also faced a surge in delays and cancellations over the summer that were worsened by labor shortages.
Airline executives have added back staff, while also rolling out more channels for purchasers to alter flights themselves or to speak over text.
Frontier is not alone in forgoing a call center. Breeze Airways, the brand new U.S. carrier launched by JetBlue founder David Neeleman, offers only text, email or Messenger options for customer support.
"With online options, our average Guest request is accomplished inside 15-20 minutes," Breeze spokesman Gareth Edmondson-Jones said.
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Get the latest Sports Updates (Soccer, NBA, NFL, Hockey, Racing, etc.) and Breaking News From the United States, United Kingdom, and all around the world.
Breanna Stewart Will Sign With Liberty, Joining Fellow M.V.P. Jonquel Jones


Actor Ben Stiller announced in a new essay that he'd been diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer.
But the bulk of the piece addressed what has become a scientific sticky wicket: screening recommendations.
The reaction to Stiller's piece was swift and sundry. Some praised the actor for advocating on the behalf of men everywhere; others referred to his advice as misguided and unscientific. Mostly, it raised questions. Are you confused about what you should do – or who you should believe – following this latest piece of celebrity screening advice? We tapped two experts from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to help sort it out.
What do current prostate cancer screening guidelines say?
First, screening guidelines are issued by various organizations and each has its own take.
The latest guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, issued in 2012, recommend that men without symptoms receive no prostate-specific antigen, or PSA test, at any age. The American Cancer Society guidelines, issued in 2010, recommend average risk men have a discussion with their doctor about whether screening is right for them starting at age 50. High risk men should start having that discussion at 45. Those with multiple first-degree relatives with prostate cancer are advised to have the screening talk starting at age 40. After that discussion, they should decide whether they want to be screened and should not be screened unless they have that discussion. The American Urological Association's 2013 guidelines drill down a little deeper, recommending that average risk men between the ages of 55 and 69; men under 55 who are at high risk (i.e., they're African American or have a family history of the disease); and healthy men over the age of 70 all talk to their doctors about screening with no PSA tests recommended for asymptomatic men outside those ranges.
Dr. Ruth Etzioni, a Fred Hutch biostatistician whose research specifically focuses on the effectiveness of screening for both prostate and breast cancers, acknowledged that multiple recommendations can make it "very confusing for the public" but said it helps to keep in mind the mission of each organization. The Task Force is made of primary care doctors and thus, is more concerned with a whole healthy population, while the American Cancer Society is all about reducing deaths from cancer so their guidelines may be more rigorous.
What do our experts recommend?
Dr. Pete Nelson, a clinical researcher and prostate cancer oncologist at Fred Hutch and its treatment arm Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, said both the American Urological Association and the American Cancer Society guidelines seem reasonable.
But, she said, screening guidelines are designed for the masses, not the outliers.
"Indeed, there are men who are young and who get bad prostate cancer and it really is a terrible thing," she said. "The issue is this happens very rarely among white men without any family history.
Etzioni co-authored the AUA guidelines "so (does) like them better than USPSTF."
Why is there such back and forth about prostate screening?
Why is there such a controversy about when men get screened? It's all about balancing the harms (false positives, overtreatment and complications) with the benefits (finding and treating aggressive cancers early).
Nelson said a large subset of cancers are indolent; they're slow moving and will never cause harm. Another subset behaves very aggressively and may progress so rapidly that even surgery and radiation won't be able to help; the cancer will spread and the patient will eventually die. Another subset, he said, is destined to spread but if caught early, can be treated and cured.
So why not just screen all men?
Nelson said the Task Force guidelines used to recommend a more liberal approach to screening but further research demonstrated many men were being tested, diagnosed and then treated for cancers that weren't aggressive. So the guidelines were revamped.
Nelson is currently working on finding both.
What should men keep in mind?
Nelson said the biggest issue is not when men are screened, but whether men who are screened and subsequently diagnosed should go through treatment.
Stiller's doctor used what Etzioni called "close monitoring," with his patient, a nuanced approach that monitors the PSA situation without rushing towards biopsy. Necessary for diagnosis, biopsies are also invasive and can cause complications like infection which can lead to hospitalizations and even death, though rare.
After his MRI, Stiller's doctor recommended a biopsy. The biopsy came back positive for cancer.
Are there new guidelines on the horizon?
According to the Task Force, new guidelines are in the process of being created.
"As with all of its recommendations, the Task Force reviews evidence on the benefits and harms of preventive services that apply to patients without symptoms or signs of the disease," it said in an emailed statement. "When the Task Force last reviewed the evidence on prostate cancer screening in 2012, evidence showed that there is a small potential benefit to screening for prostate cancer and there are significant known harms. As such, the Task Force recommended against routine screening of all asymptomatic men at average risk for prostate cancer.
"However," they added, "the Task Force encourages any man who is concerned about his risk of prostate cancer to talk to his doctor about whether screening is appropriate. This recommendation does not preclude a man choosing to be screened."
Diane Mapes is a staff writer at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. She has written extensively about health issues for NBC News, TODAY, CNN, MSN, Seattle Magazine and other publications. A breast cancer survivor, she blogs at doublewhammied.com and tweets@double_whammied. Email her at dmapes@fredhutch.org.


text:
Horst Eidenmueller contributes to WEF project "Reimagining Regulation for the age of AI".
Over the last decade, AI has emerged as the software engine that drives the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This recent progress is remarkable in important respects, but also creates unique challenges.
Indeed, Governments around the world are increasingly aware of the fact that without an appropriate regulatory environment, AI may replicate or even exacerbate human bias and discrimination and lead to other unintended and harmful consequences.
To investigate what such an environment should be, the World Economic Forum is spearheading a multistakeholder, policy pilot project anchored in New Zealand and supported by a global community of experts to co-design actionable governance frameworks for AI regulation. Professor Horst Eidenmueller has contributed to the white paper which has just been published
The white paper presents a set of frameworks that will be piloted to develop a better understanding of what works and why.
Horst Eidenmüller
Professor of Commercial Law
St Hugh's College
Bonavero Discussion Group Term Card - Hilary Term 2021
EU Law Discussion Group Term Card Hilary Term 2021
Professor Tarunabh Khaitan joins the Bonavero Institute as Head of Research


text:
Saverio Marfia / Getty
#SuzyMFW: Ferragamo, Agnona, Colangelo, Etro and Marras Face the Future with Confidence
A commitment to sustainability, a return to authentic design values, and a reinforced respect for traditional skills brings classic, covetable, wear-everywhere collections
In spite of, or maybe because of, the unsettled political situation in Italy, the Milan fashion season was powerful. The overall impression was of all the established houses digging deep into their family histories, either polishing up or re-booting their brand for Spring/Summer 2020https://www.instagram.com/p/B2uvsrNH9xk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=dlfix
Milan is also notable for making a genuine and ongoing effort to reach for a greener world, with Giuseppe Sala, the Mayor of Milan, and Carlo Capasa, President of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (the Italian Chamber of Fashion) working with Livia Firth, founder of Eco Age. (Capasa and Firth, above, organise the Green Carpet Fashion Awards, held every September during Milan Fashion Week.) Italy, with important mills and factories as well as a tradition of handwork skills, seems to be the first country to make a positive effort.
Ferragamo: Balancing Act
"I put a major focus on making sure that there was a balance between shoes and clothes," said Paul Andrew, Creative Director of Ferragamo, known famously for its footwear, but less widely for what is worn above.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2q4tftHz9l/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=dlfix"Before I started, there were so many different messages with different designers working on different categories," he continued. "I hope I have straightened that out."
Salvatore Ferragamo Spring/Summer 2020
©GoRunway.com
It was rather the opposite. Curly shapes had a fresh focus on the body, to fit with the designer's message of "joyful living".
This idea of the joys of summer started with a photo on his mother's mantelpiece of him and his brother on a summer holiday in Italy in the 1980s. This inspired Andrew to "bring back that feeling of fun and sun-drenched innocence into a modern context".
At a show, it is impossible to grasp what skills have created the ultra-light fabrics, but the sense of movement was overriding.
And one thing was clear: Andrew started his career with shoes and therefore understands how to continue the Salvatore Ferragamo heritage. Hence the iconic 'Vara' shoe, designed by Fiamma Ferragamo, one of Salvatore's daughters, and reinvented now as the 'Viva', with a puffed-up leather version of the famous grosgrain bow.
Italy's famous Fountain of Neptune as a print for the body seemed less at ease, but the designer is definitely absorbing the brand image and moving it forward joyfully.
Salvatore Ferragamo Spring/Summer 2020. Bologna's famous Fountain of Neptune inspired the print
Agnona: Poetry in Motion
"It was a love letter to Milanese style. I was remembering magazines from the Eighties were full of luxurious Italian day wear," said designer Simon Holloway, whose Agnona show was a highlight of the Spring/Summer 2020 season.
Agnona Spring/Summer 2020
©Saverio Marfia / Getty
"I tried to recreate what was reimagined in my head from that period. So there's a lot of raw textural fabrics like cotton shantung, or a real silk dupion woven on an antique loom in the Agnona mill from the Sixties – there are only four left!"
Agnona Spring/Summer 2020. To replicate unique vintage fabric textures, the material for this dress was woven on one of Agnona's looms from the 1960s
As the models criss-crossed the rough concrete floor, the clothes – super-soft as they flowed over the body – were fashion poetry in motion.
It is rare to find a designer who can marry technical skills seamlessly with imagination. But that was the essence of the collection and its sensuous draping. The apparently effortless creations included watery flower patterns and greenish colours suggesting a summer garden, with a darker earthy brown for liquid leather trousers. The quiet colours were interjected only by a sky blue, inspired by the Memphis Group, the Eighties Italian design and architecture collective.
©Pietro D'Aprano / Getty
Agnona is part of the Zegna Group and Holloway has succeeded in building a convincing start to the modern woman's version of the famous menswear brand. "I think the Italians are brilliant at marrying craftsmanship and innovation in fabric technology with this taste level, which is impeccable," the designer said – something which I have always agreed with and am delighted to see back on the catwalk.
Gabriele Colangelo: Hide and Seek
With the surface of the clothes so soft and sleek, the colours so close to nature – from beige to just an occasional shade of blue and mauve – Gabriel Colangelo's clothes seem, at first view, hyper-symbol. But behind the placid exterior is a strong, structural core.
Gabriele Colangelo Spring/Summer 2020
"There is a lot of work, especially on the fabrication and the tailoring," says the designer – one of the "slow-mos" whose work contrasts with Italy's go-go, sexy and colourful creations.
"Most of the things are made by hand, like the lace leather. When you see it, you could never imagine the work behind it," he continued.
That mix of technology with low-tech handwork seems unique to Italy. Here it was presented as a flow of soft clothes in what the designer called a "distorted" colour palette, which gave the same liquid, watery effect as the shadowy screen dividing the runway.
But the reality of this fine collection was revealed only backstage. An outfit that I had first perceived as a simple top and trousers had subtle, super-light layers of fabric or a cut on the bias. Colangelo's collection really is a hidden gem.
Etro: Bohemian Feminist
As the models, all in pristine masculine shirts, walked the church cloisters at the Etro show, the message was as clear as Milan's blue sky: "Women first!"
Etro Spring/Summer 2020
This parade was the climax to a more familiar approach from the brand, a Bohemian rhapsody of frilled dresses controlled with leather waistcoat and belt that opened the show, followed by torrents of light fabrics played off against curvy tailoring. Creative Director Veronica Etro, who designs the womenswear for her family's house (her brother, Kean, designs for the men's), seemed like she wanted to waver towards men's looks – but not too much.
"We had fun a lot of fun," she said, seeming determined to support the female side. "My starting point was a book for children, very popular in Italy, Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls," Veronica explained. "It's not about fairy tales or princesses. It's about strong women and heroines of the past. I read about female pirates!"
So went the spirit of the show; never so very different, but by playing with a bolder, tougher female style, Veronica proved that she is on message for 2020.
Antonio Marras: Japanese Fairy Tales
Looking down from the upper seats of the theatre where Antonio Marras so often chooses to stage his shows, the symbolic – if unexpected – images of Italy and Japan were moving to behold. What had this poet of a designer dredged from his historic soul to make sense of this collection, that crossed two continents?
Antonio Marass Spring/Sumer 2020
"The subject is a modest but sexy Italian and a beautiful Japanese princess escaping from an arranged marriage," the designer explained of his invented romance. "It's a love story with a red ribbon marking different cultures. And the clothes are a mix of Sardinian embroidery and vintage kimonos. It's about the contrasts of culture shown in the clothes."
Antonio Marass Spring/Summer 2020
The mix was of luscious colours and intricate handcraft with easy clothes, such as a coat in reflective, watery blue denim with a flower pattern in appliquéd lace. The jeans fabric was a reality check for a collection that was theatrical in its presentation, with the models circling in tiers from stage to stalls and beyond. Yet the clothes themselves were wearable. Remove a Japanese mask, as if for a classical musical drama, and there was a silken top and trousers with just a hint of Japonaiserie in the pattern.
Antonio Marras Spring/Summer 2020
©Estrop / Getty
Maras has the spirit of a poet. He just happens to express it through clothes.
FASHIONSUZY MENKESsalvatore ferragamoetrogabriele colangeloagnona
Chanel interview with Virginia Viard and Bruno Pavlosky
#SuzyPod: "Creative Conversations" With Olivier Rousteing
#SuzyPod: "Creative Conversations" With Alber Elbaz And Stephen Jones
Suzy Menkes Launches The "Creative Conversations" Podcast


Have you ever spent the day working hard, scrubbing and cleaning your windows, only to find them hazy and streaky when the sun shines in? Cleaning windows can be a pain-staking, frustrating and sometimes dangerous ordeal when you don't have the experience, skills or the tools to do the job right.
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text:
35.01 °N, 90.72 °W
Madison, AR Weather Conditionsstar_ratehome
19 °F Tunica Muni Station|Report
Tunica Muni (KUTA)
Location: Madison, AR
access_time 4:29 AM CST on January 21, 2022 (GMT -6) | Updated 2 seconds ago
32° | 17°
like 6°
Gusts 18 °mph
Today's temperature is forecast to be WARMER than yesterday.
1% Precip. / 0 °
Abundant sunshine. High 32F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.
TonightFri 01/21 Low 17 °F
Clear skies. Low 17F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
TomorrowSat 01/22 High 40 °F | 25 °F
2% Precip. / 0.00 °in
A mainly sunny sky. High around 40F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
CoronavirusAs of Fri 01/21Saint Francis County
Source: Arkansas Department of Health
Temperature is a measure of the warmth or coldness of an object or substance with reference to a standard value. It can be measured in Kelvin (K), Fahrenheit (F), or Celsius (C).
Air in motion relative to the surface of the earth. Wind develops from pressure differences in the air. An area of high pressure and low pressure oppose each other and set up a pressure gradient force that moves from high to low pressure. This force creates a wind as air is pushed in the according direction. The stronger the pressure difference, the stronger the force, and the stronger the resultant wind. Wind is described as the prevailing direction of which the wind is blowing as a speed in units of miles per hour or knots.
The force exerted by the weight of the atmosphere and gravity. Different units: atmospheres (atm), millibars (mb), pascals (Pa), inches of mercury (in), pounds per square inch (PSI), etc. Meteorologists most often use mb.
The rain measured in a specified period of time (e.g. daily, monthly, yearly).
That part of the electromagnetic spectrum between 5 - 400nm.


Reiki is a non-invasive healing therapy where the client relaxes fully clothed, while the practitioner's hands are placed near the energy centers of the body. Most people sense relaxation and relief from stress. Many fall asleep, but feel energized once the session is over. It may take 2-3 sessions for the body to re-balance its energy. After that, maintenance sessions are recommended.
Once payment is confirmed, send me details of what you would like me to focus on during the healing.
This session includes a Sound bath (Djembe Drum) and Intuitive reading.
Via private message he offered to do Reiki and I agreed because I was burning. After our conversation I went to a friend to get some prescription Benedryl, because the liquid baby stuff I'd taken the night before wasn't working.


text:
Politics and Activism ›
Yes, This Is The Future I Want ›
Yes, This Is The Future I Want
An alt-right tweet questioning the "future liberals want" is exactly what everyone should want.
Flickr/The NYC Subway
So a woman in a niqab and a someone in drag find themselves sitting to each other on a New York subway ride.
This isn't the start to some joke, and it's not meant to be taken seriously either since such a sight on a subway ride in New York is (from what I've been told) pretty common.
Some people, however, didn't see it that way.
A Twitter account named Pol News Network ("Pol" referring to "/pol/," an alt-right 4chan forum), tweeted a picture of a woman in a niqab sitting next to drag queen Gilda Wabbit riding a New York subway train. The photo, stolen from an Instagram account meant to showcase New York's diversity, was used to warn Twitter users about what would happen in a world where progressives got their way. "This is the future liberals want," the caption read.
In true Twitter fashion, Pol got dragged for its caption by sensible human beings who saw nothing wrong with a woman in religious clothing and a person in drag, minding their own business. Because apparently, the people who disagreed with Pol's message figured out that there are people in America who -- gasp -- don't believe or act the same way they do. And guess what? They do the sensible thing and not care about it. Because religious freedom and LGBT Americans exist. Because it's normal.
A woman in a niqab and a transgender individual in the same subway? Minding their own business? Not bothering anyone?! What is this world coming to? Is that what people should want?
Yes, that is what people should want. A community of diversity where people of all ethnicities, races, faiths and sexual orientations are not only tolerated but accepted and celebrated. Muslims and transgender individuals are real, and they ride the subway and live lives just like the rest of us. Whether you accept them or not is your business. But I -- and many other people in this country -- will accept them, as they are, without judgment, because other people are free to live life how they want, as they are.
That's the America that all of us -- not just liberals -- should strive for.
New Year's Resolution: Stop Talking About New Year's Resolutions
Lauren Martins
12 Of The Funniest Crimes That, Believe It Or Not, Were Actually Committed
Elisa Unique
Best of Politics and Activism


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During machining, samples are taken for examination of microstructure and machining is allowed to proceed only if the microstructure is found proper. Hardness of the Rolls is checked on the barrel surface as well as the face of barrel to check the depth of useful hardness. The machined surfaces are also examined for any surface defect like blowholes, inclusions, dross and cracks etc. Stage inspection of dimensions is carried out. A final dimensional check is carried out at the end of all machining operations. Once clearance is obtained from the Q.A department, Rolls are finally painted with ant-corrosive paint and packed for shipping.
Samples are also taken out periodically from barrel of some rolls to test the mechanical properties of roll materials. All alloy steel rolls are ultrasonically tested for flaws and double poured rolls checked for proper bonding between the Shell and the Core.


text:
Legal Ethics Lawyer
By Ed Clinton, Jr.
Oklahoma Imposes 90-day suspension for forging client's name on settlement agreement.
eclinton June 23, 2019 June 24, 2019 Uncategorized
A lawyer in Oklahoma forged his client's signature on a settlement agreement and had that signature notarized. The Oklahoma Supreme Court described the misconduct as follows:
¶16 The formal release of claims against Pappy, et al. (excluding Barnes and Plaxico), was signed by Respondent (using Ms. Miller's name) and the "signature" was caused to be notarized by Respondent on September 17, 2015. Respondent admits that he tried to replicate Ms. Miller's signature as close as possible before having it notarized. Respondent also admits that he had no power of attorney or other legal authority authorizing him to sign this agreement using Ms. Miller's name. However, Respondent alleges that he did have oral authorization to execute the formal release. However, Ms. Miller contended that she did not give Respondent permission to sign this formal release of claims against Pappy, et al….
¶25 Respondent's actions were also a violation of ORPC Rules 8.4(a) and (c). The PRT Report found that Respondent violated Rule 8.4(c) when he endorsed the Formal Release of Claims for the Pappy, et al. settlement, signing his client's name. Although he claimed that the signature was done with his client's permission, she disputed that fact. But more seriously, he acknowledged that after he signed the settlement agreement, he caused that signature of his client's name to be notarized, and by his admission, attempted to make the signature look as much as possible to the client's signature. Though Respondent claimed to have had the client's oral consent to effect the signature, his actions reveal that it was not, at the very least, in accord with legal procedures. He admitted that he no power of attorney or other legal authorization to sign his client's name.
The Court also found that the respondent had mishandled settlement funds by depositing them in his operating account. (The client was made whole by the lawyer). The court also noted that the lawyer did a good job handling the case and obtained a substantial settlement for the client. Forging a client's name on a document is usually cause for discipline. For further information please consult our website. https://www.clintonlaw.net/legal-ethics.html
The case is Oklahoma Bar Association v. Shad Withers, 2019 OK 47
Previous Conversion of Client's Money To Feed Gambling Habit Leads to Disbarment in Pennsylvania
Next California Bar Seeks to Place Michael Avenatti on Inactive Status
Published by eclinton
B.A. University of Chicago, 1988, J.D. Harvard Law School, 1991, Clerk to the Honorable Michael S. Kanne, United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 1991-1992, Mayer Brown 1992-1996, Katten Muchin 1996-97, The Clinton Law Firm, 1997 -. I practice in the areas of commercial litigation, legal malpractice and legal ethics.	View all posts by eclinton


A caulking gun is used to fill in small cracks. Usually, it's used around windows, bathtubs, or doors. The gun consists of 2 parts: the frame, and the caulk tube which you load into the frame. Once you know how to load the caulk into the frame, you'll be ready to use it in no time at all.
Clean off all the old caulk with a putty knife. Before you apply any new caulk to a crack, make sure to remove any old caulk that may have been applied before. By removing the old caulk that may be cracking, you're avoiding building a new layer on weak foundations. Additionally, you'll be able to be more precise with how much caulk you want to use.
Place the sharp end of the putty knife at the base of the old caulk. Then, grab the handle and push the knife forward. Keep pushing forward until all of the caulk has been removed.
If you don't have a putty knife, you can use a wire brush instead. The abrasive wire bristles will scrape the old caulk off when you brush firmly. Patiently, brush the targeted caulk for several minutes.
For silicone caulking, pry up one side and then pull the strip out with needle-nose pliers.
Wash down the crack with rubbing alcohol, disinfectant, and hot water. Fill a bucket with hot water. With a rag, wash the crack with rubbing alcohol and disinfectant. A common household cleaning disinfectant will work perfectly. Then, with a different rag soaked in the hot water, wash the crack until it's clean. Dry it off with a cloth afterward.
Caulking will insulate anything in the crack, so you want to make sure all dirt is completely removed.
If there is any caulk or grime leftover, use a plastic scraper to lift it up.
Use painter's tape around the crack to be more precise. With a roll of painter's tape, stick one long strip above the crack and one long strip below the crack. This tape will protect anything you don't want touched from coming into contact with the caulk. It also acts as insurance in case you make a mistake later on.
Using painter's tape makes the caulking process more precise. It also means that you can make the caulking aesthetically pleasing too.
Remove the tape quickly after you use silicone caulk, or else it could get stuck.
Press the release trigger on the back of the caulking gun. There is a small trigger on the back of the caulking gun. Press this with your thumb. This will loosen the long steel rod that runs through the entirety of the frame. With your other hand, pull this rod as far back as you can and hold it.
If you need to, ask a friend or family member to help keep the rod back as you work on inserting the caulking tube.
Insert the caulking tube with the nozzle facing away. Still holding the steel rod back, load the caulking tube into the frame. Make sure the nozzle side is facing away from you. Insert the flat end of the tube into the back of the gun first. When the back end hits the back of the gun lower the front end of the tube downwards. Make sure the tube is snug and level.
Some caulk guns have a piercing rod and tip cutter on the frame. Use these before putting the tube in the frame.
Pierce the tube with the metal rod. Once the caulk tube is sitting securely inside the frame, push the back of the metal rod into the caulking tube. Make sure the hook plunges deep in the back. This hook keeps the caulk in place. It also helps the trigger at the bottom of the gun function.
If you become uncertain at any point, consult the instructions that are provided with your caulk tube. The instructions will tell you the precise method needed for that particular tube.
Cut the front of the nozzle at a 45-degree angle with scissors to adjust the thickness of the caulk. A caulking tube will come with a long-sealed nozzle at the front. Cut this nozzle at the desired point so that the caulk will come out at the desired width. If the crack is large, consider cutting the nozzle close to the tube. If the crack is small, cut the nozzle near the end to be precise.
This choice is permanent, so think carefully about the thickness before you make the cut. However, it's better to cut the nozzle further away so it's thinner. If the caulk's too thin, you can always cut the nozzle shorter.
Pull the trigger and move the gun over a piece of paper to practice. Hold the gun at a 45-degree angle with the nozzle facing downwards. Then, over a piece of paper, press the trigger at the back of the gun while moving the caulking gun steadily in one direction. The caulk should come out in a steady stream.
If you move the caulking gun too fast, the caulk will be too thin and uneven. If you move the caulking gun too slow, the caulk will be clumpy and unworkable. Find a balance between the two.
Don't worry if you pressed the trigger and no caulk came out. Let the pressure off the trigger then start again.
Hold the caulking gun at 45 degrees to the crack. Hold the caulking gun with two hands. One hand should be by the trigger. Use your other hand to hold the end of the caulking tube, assisting your aim. Tilt the entire gun 45 degrees. The caulk should start to flow towards the nozzle.
Although the trigger will push some of the caulk out of the tube, by holding the gun at 45 degrees, you are using gravity to help with the process.
Press the trigger to push the caulk into the nozzle. Once you push the trigger, the steel rod will push the caulk out the nozzle. Press the trigger firmly and steadily. The caulk should begin to come out of the tube in a slow, controlled manner.
Move the caulking gun across the crack. As the caulk comes out of the nozzle, move the caulking gun down the crack you wish to fill. The caulk will come out of the gun and go into the crack where it will solidify quickly. Try to move in a single, steady motion so the caulk fills the crack evenly.
If you missed any spots, don't worry. You can come back and fill in any missed points in a second run through. There's no obligation to fill the crack on your first try.
If you've used painter's tape, don't worry if the caulk goes over it. You can peel this off after you're finished. If you haven't used painter's tape, a putty knife and wire brush should remove any mistakes.
Smooth the caulk over with a heated metal spoon if you want a smoother line. Heat a small metal spoon in hot water for 30 seconds. Then, slide the curved edge of the spoon over the caulk to smooth it over. This makes a more aesthetically pleasing caulking line. Use the heated spoon to fine tune the shape.
Remove any painter's tape and let the caulk dry. Peel off all the painter's tape and leave the caulk to dry unbothered. Each caulk tube will direct you with the precise time to wait until it's completely dry. Generally, it takes at least 24 hours for the caulk to completely solidify.
How do I use a caulking gun?
Cut the tube tip to the size you need and then stick a wire in the hole to break the seal. Insert the caulk tube into the open side of the gun, positioning the tube over the round plate. Make sure the grooves on the rod are facing down. Begin squeezing the handle until the caulk begins to flow.
How do I adjust flow?
You can adjust the flow by the amount of pressure you apply to the trigger. There are pneumatic-type guns that are used mainly on civil or commercial-type projects.
How do I remove a caulk tube from a caulk gun?
You will want to first pull the rod on the back of the gun all the way out. If the tube is still not coming out, push the entire tube up towards the tip of the gun, it may just be stuck in the gun.
Is silicone better for filling the holes of a metal sheet?
You can also use a water-based caulking. You'll want to use a clear finish and make sure it's for outside that it's good for the exterior.
Do I push or pull the caulk gun while running a bead?
You will be squeezing the handle, which will push the plate through the tube. When removing the tube, you will want to pull the rod out.
Why is calk coming out of bottom and not the nozzle?
Did you puncture the seal at the tip? After you cut open the tip, you may need to push the small wire that is included into the tip until it breaks the foil seal.
Do I remove the back cap off the caulking tube?
No. It is needed for the flat part of the gun's plunger to push the caulk out of the tube.
How to lighten the pressure on the caulking gun? It is almost impossible to get silicone out.
Gradually make the hole in the tip a little bigger until it comes out easier.
I can't get the push pin to open the tube. How do I open it?
There is usually a small metal piece attached to the caulk gun that you swing out and stab the tube with. A pin is too delicate.
Can I save the unused caulk for other projects? If so, how would I store it?
You can by screwing in a small screw into the cut end of the nozzle, and seal around the screw with that little bit of caulk. It will be good for another couple of months or even longer. When you need to use it again, just unscrew the screw and remove the caulk around it; you should be all good to go again.
I applied caulk to two windows. But with a 3rd window, the gun didn't work. Nothing came out. I pulled out the plunger and also pushed a metal piece down the opening. Nothing worked. What could have gone wrong?
How can I remove the old silicone tube from the gun?
Can I use caulk to seal away entrances where ants might be entering my home?
I'm done caulking. How do I turn the flowing caulk "off?"
How can I use caulking around a toilet bowl?
How fast you move the gun as you are squeezing the trigger will determine how much caulk is applied; the faster you squeeze the trigger, the more caulk will be released.
You can spread the caulk with your finger if you get too much on a spot.
Some caulks may be better suited for your problem than others. Acrylic caulk is a versatile and popular option for caulk. However, cheap acrylic caulk can shrink when it dries. Silicone caulk forms a strong bond, but it can be expensive and is hard to paint over. A butyl rubber caulk is very mobile, so use it near hinges or doors where the caulk's going to move often.
Press the release trigger after applying the caulk to prevent dripping.
Use a wet rag to smooth any caulk lines and to push it deeper into the cracks.
To use a caulking gun, press the release trigger at the back of the gun, pull back the metal rod, and insert the caulk tube into the frame. Then, secure the tube by pushing the metal rod back into the frame. Next, cut off the tip of the tube, and position the nozzle at a 45 degree angle over the crack you want to seal. Finally, squeeze the trigger as you steadily move the nozzle along the crack.
"Not something I use every day; knew it was simple, but forgot how to load gun. Magic. Thank you."
"How to release the trigger."


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Neurodegenerative disease is an umbrella term for conditions that result in the progressive degeneration or loss of neurons (nerve cells) in the brain and spinal cord. Neurons are the building blocks of the central nervous system. Examples of neurodegenerative diseases include: Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease.
Until recently, it was believed that neurons don't reproduce or replace themselves, meaning that nerve cell loss was irreversible. While these diseases and conditions are currently incurable, we now know that neurons do have the capacity to generate new cells. Recent advances in iPSC (induced pluripotent stem cell) technology hold promise for therapies that will halt or reverse nerve cell damage and loss. Those potential therapies are being actively pursued in research and clinical trials.
The burden of neurological disease is tremendous. In the U.S. alone, 5 million people suffer from Parkinson's disease and another 24 million people have one of approximately 5,000 other neurological or neurodegenerative disorders. Over 80% of rare or inherited diseases are considered neurological or neurodegenerative. Another 780,000 people each year will have a stroke that damages neurons in some part of the brain.


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text:
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April Freeman for Congress
Florida's 19th Congressional District Now Competitive
Rep. Trey Radel arrest and conviction opens door to Democratic victory
The political race to represent Florida's 19th congressional district is now competitive, according to experts and observers, and April Freeman, the only declared Democratic candidate, is positioned to win the seat.
"We represent a sensible, centrist alternative to the extremism we've seen in Washington," said Freeman, a resident of Cape Coral, Fla. "People in the 19th District are hungry for representation that truly reflects their basic decency and common sense."
The arrest and conviction of Rep. Trey Radel on cocaine possession charges has created an opening for a moderate, Democratic candidate, Dr. Laura Weir, a political expert and professor of political science at Edison State College, told Fox-4 News in Fort Myers, Fla.
"A combination of historically low congressional approval ratings over the last year and Rep. Trey Radel's betrayal of public trust could open the door for Democratic candidates come 2014," she said. "A moderate Democratic candidate certainly would have people willing to listen to them."
Radel is currently undergoing rehabilitation therapy. The Florida Republican party as well as the Republican parties of Lee and Collier counties have urged him to resign and stated they will not support his re-election effort.
The competitiveness of the Florida 19th was noted well before Radel's arrest.
In April 2013, Democrats Advancing Progressive Action in Congress (DAPAC) found the Florida 19th to be a favorable district for unseating a Republican member and endorsed April Freeman for Congress, one of only two Floridians it endorsed.
As early as October 2012, an independent survey by 410 Associates, a national research firm, found the district to be evenly split and open for a Democratic victory. The survey was commissioned by Jim Roach, then the Democratic candidate for Congress.
"A Democratic victory in the 19th District could move Florida into the Democratic column and break the current logjam in Congress," said Freeman. "We'd start seeing some progress on the issues and proposals that would move the country forward."
She added: "A Democratic victory in the 19th District in 2014 would also set the stage for a Democratic Florida in the 2016 presidential election."
April Freeman is a wife, mother and businesswoman who lives in Cape Coral, Fla. She is chief executive officer of Spiked Heel Productions, a full service film and television production company with offices in Southwest Florida, California and Michigan. She was an organizing fellow for President Barack Obama in Lee County, Fla., in 2012 and served as deputy state lead and press liaison for Florida for the National Day of Service.
Congress FL-19 2014 April Freeman
AprilFreemanforCongress
Follow @April4Congress on Twitter
PAID FOR BY ELECT APRIL FREEMAN
P.O. Box 152198, Cape Coral, FL 33915-2198