In Wednesday's key debate, MEPs will take stock of the outcome of the 9-10 March European Council and discuss the "Rome declaration" on the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome with Council President Donald Tusk, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, Malta's Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech and Italy's Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, who will address the plenary for the first time since he took office in December 2016.
MEPs will vote on new rules to strengthen shareholders' engagement in big European companies.
New tools to sharpen big EU firms' focus on their long-run performance, by fostering their shareholders' commitment to it, will be debated on Monday and voted on Tuesday. They will include giving shareholders a say on directors' pay and making it easier for firms to identify their shareholders.
These tools, informally agreed upon by Parliament and Council negotiators in December 2016, would empower shareholders to vote on remuneration policy for company directors, thus enabling them to tie it more closely to the company's performance and long-term interests.
They would also enable companies to identify their shareholders more easily and thus facilitate dialogue with them, as well as making it easier for shareholders to exercise their rights, including the right to participate and vote in general meetings.
At the same time, new transparency requirements would help institutional investors and asset managers, who are often important shareholders of listed companies in the EU, to step up their shareholder engagement in investment strategies.
A draft EU regulation to stop the financing of armed groups and human rights abuses through trade in minerals from conflict areas will be put to a vote on Thursday. This "conflict minerals" law will oblige all but the smallest EU importers of tin, tungsten, tantalum, gold to do "due diligence" checks on their suppliers, and big manufacturers will also have to disclose how they plan to monitor their sources to comply with the rules.
In an informal deal on the draft text, to be endorsed in the vote, MEPs persuaded EU ministers that due diligence checks, in accordance with OECD guidelines, should be mandatory for most importers of tin, tungsten, tantalum gold, and their ores from conflict and high-risk areas.
However, small importers such as dentists and jewellers will be exempted, so as not to impose unreasonable bureaucratic burdens. Big EU firms that buy these minerals for their products will be encouraged to report on their sourcing practices and may join an EU registry.
Once Parliament and the Council have approved the deal, it will be published in the EU Official Journal. The new Regulation is to apply from 21 January 2021 to allow member states time to appoint competent authorities and importers to become familiar with their obligations. The EU Commission will have to review the effectiveness of the new law regularly and may propose further mandatory measures.
Mineral-rich countries afflicted by conflicts face a vicious circle in which revenue from illegally extracted resources feeds armed revolts. The regulation applies to all conflict-affected and high-risk areas in the world, of which the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region are the most obvious examples. Tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold are used in the production of many high-tech devices, in the automotive, electronics, aerospace, packaging, construction, lighting, industrial machinery and tooling industries, as well as in jewellery.
The legislation aims to ensure better traceability of food, combat fraud and restore consumer trust in the integrity of the food chain.
Draft plans to tighten up official food inspections, from farm to fork, will be put to a vote on Wednesday. The legislation, already informally agreed by MEPs and the Council, aims to improve food traceability, combat fraud and restore consumer trust in the integrity of the food chain.
The legislation will provide a comprehensive, integrated and more effective control system in the areas of food and feed safety rules, veterinary and plant health requirements, organic production and protected geographical indication rules.
Recent food fraud cases such as the horsemeat scandal, have shown the need for more effective action by enforcement authorities to protect consumers and honest operators alike against risks arising from breaches of rules anywhere in the food chain.
The share of waste to be recycled should be raised to 70% by 2030, from 44% today, under draft plans to be put to a vote on Wednesday.
The share of waste to be recycled would rise to 70% by 2030, from 44% today, under draft plans to be voted on Wednesday. MEPs also want the "waste package" plans to limit the share of landfilling, which has a big environmental impact, to 5% and to deliver a 50% reduction in food waste by 2030.
By 2030, at least 70% by weight of "municipal" waste (from households and small businesses) should be recycled or prepared for re-use, (i.e. checked, cleaned or repaired), say MEPs. The EU Commission proposed 65%.
For packaging materials such as paper and cardboard, plastics, glass, metal and wood, MEPs propose a recycling target of 80% by 2030, with interim 2025 targets for each material.
The proposals also strengthen EU provisions on waste prevention and extended producer liability, and streamline definitions, reporting obligations and calculation methods for targets.
MEPs will debate US President Donald Trump's reinstatement of the "global gag" rule, which obliges US-funded foreign NGOs to certify that they will not perform or actively promote abortion, with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on Tuesday at 15.00.
The US is the largest donor to global health efforts, providing nearly $3 billion towards health efforts through the United States Agency for International Development (USAid).
Climate change is raising geopolitical tensions in the Arctic, as the melting ice cap opens up new navigation and fishing routes, and inspires increased competition for its natural resources, says a draft resolution to be debated on Monday and voted on Tuesday. MEPs are set to say that the Arctic should remain a low-tension area, advocate protecting its vulnerable ecosystem, and call for a ban on Arctic oil and gas extraction.
The draft text points out that Arctic has been warming about twice as fast as the global average and that sea ice has been shrinking significantly since 1981, to about 40% less than its summer extent 35 years ago.
MEPs also note the increased presence of Russian forces in the Arctic and China's interest in accessing new shipping routes and energy resources.
A revised EU gun law, aimed at closing security loopholes while addressing the concerns of legitimate users, will be debated and voted by Parliament on Tuesday. The new rules tighten controls on blank firing and inadequately deactivated weapons like those used in the Paris terror attacks. They also require EU countries to have a monitoring system in place for the issuance or renewal of licences and to exchange information.
The EU firearms directive sets out the conditions under which private persons may lawfully acquire and possess guns or transfer them to another EU country.
The provisional deal reached by Parliament and Council negotiators last December aims to balance the interests of legitimate gun owners, such as sport shooters, hunters, reservists, collectors and re-enactors, with the need to protect the public interest in a more secure Europe.
Once approved by Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers, member states will have 15 months from the date of entry into force of the directive to transpose the new rules into their national laws and 30 months to put in place data-filling systems for registering all information needed in order to trace and identify firearms.
In the European Agenda on Security for 2015-2020, the EU Commission said it would review the existing firearms legislation in 2016 to improve information sharing, reinforce traceability, standardise marking, and establish common standards for neutralising firearms. In the light of the 2015 terrorist attacks in Europe, it decided to accelerate this work. The revision of the EU firearms directive was tabled by the Commission in November 2015 and agreed by Parliament and Council negotiators in December 2016.
Progress on the European security agenda since the 22 March 2016 terrorist attacks in Brussels will be debated on Wednesday. Enhancing information sharing, combatting terrorism financing, preventing radicalisation and guarding the EU's external land and sea borders better are key priorities.
In the past year, the EU has approved, inter alia, a directive on the use of Passenger Name Records (PNR) which should help to trace terrorists , updated rules on counter-terrorism measures and new requirements to check everyone crossing EU external borders.
Further initiatives in the pipeline include reviewing the Schengen Information System and the European Criminal Records Information System and establishing a new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) to pre-screen travellers entering the EU visa free.
In September 2016, the Sir Julian King was appointed as Commissioner for Security Union, a newly-created portfolio.
The new EP rules of procedures (rule 153) foresee one topical debate at each part-session of 60-90 minutes to discuss topical matters of major interest to the EU policy, proposed by one political group. Each group has the right to propose at least one such debate.
Progress on Parliament's call for a crackdown on corporate tax avoidance will be debated with the Council and Commission on Tuesday. MEPs will quiz them on proposals such as country-by-country reporting of profit, tax and subsidies, improving the transparency of the Council Code of Conduct Working Group on Business Taxation, and stronger protection for whistle blowers.
Parliament's recommendations for better EU-wide coordination on tax issues were based on the findings, reported in 2015 and 2016, of two special parliamentary committees which investigated the tax rulings that prompted the "Luxleaks" scandal.
The Commission has already turned some of Parliament's recommendations into legislative proposals. This debate is an opportunity to press the Commission to act on the remaining ones, while also urging the Council to give its assent.
Defence cooperation in the EU is now more dependent on political will than on legal considerations, say Foreign Affairs and Constitutional Affairs committees in a joint resolution to be voted by Parliament on Wednesday (tbc).
MEPs suggest treating the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) as sui generis EU institutions, funded by the EU budget, and advocate establishing a "defence ministers" meeting format within the EU Council of Ministers.
They also consider it essential to increase national defence expenditure to 2% of GDP, stressing that this would mean finding an extra €100 billion for defence by the end of the coming decade.
This resolution aims to clarify the European Parliament's position on the future of EU defence policies, in time for the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. It explores possibilities for deepening EU-wide defence cooperation within the framework of the current Lisbon Treaty.
Vote: Wednesday, March 15 tbc!
Encourage farmers to gradually replace battery cages with welfare alternatives, MEPs are expected to say to member states on Tuesday.
EU member states should encourage rabbit farmers to gradually replace battery cages with affordable welfare alternatives, says a draft non-legislative resolution to be debated on Monday and put to a vote on Tuesday. Improving rabbits' welfare and living conditions could help prevent diseases and thus reduce the use of antibiotics that might end up in the food chain, MEPs say.
Resolution calling on member states to be tougher on those who mistreat or abandon horses will be debated Monday and voted Tuesday.
People who mistreat or abandon horses should face tougher penalties, says a draft resolution to be debated on Monday and voted on Tuesday. MEPs are also set to call for measures to educate owners better on animal husbandry, improve food safety and help the sector increase its revenues.
Revised plans for a German toll system still have "elements that represent a breach of EU law", say MEPs in a draft resolution to be voted on Wednesday.
The original road toll scheme adopted on 8 June 2015 would have allowed German drivers to deduct whatever they paid in tolls from their vehicle tax bills, and as this option is not open to foreign drivers, it would lead to a breach EU non-discrimination rules, the EU Commission said.
It launched infringement proceedings against Germany on 18 June 2015, but then suspended them after reaching an agreement with the German Ministry of Transport Infrastructure on 1 December 2016 on a revised scheme.
The revised scheme still "does not impose an additional burden on German drivers and therefore maintains an indirect discrimination based on nationality", MEPs say in a draft resolution tabled by the Transport and Tourism Committee. They ask the Commission to say why it considered the revised plans sufficient to justify suspending the infringement proceedings.
Based on the "user/polluter pays" principle, many EU countries have introduced road tolls for cars on certain stretches of their road infrastructure. Although differing in design and pricing, the various systems in place apply indiscriminately to all users.
Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Croatia, Greece and Italy charge distance-based tariffs.
Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania use time-based "vignette" systems.
Germany, Nordic and Baltic countries, the Benelux and most of the UK still do not charge tolls on most of their networks.
Growth and jobs, particularly for young people, must remain key EU budget priorities, along with tackling migration and climate change, MEPs say in draft guidelines for EU Commission officials preparing the EU's draft 2018 budget. The budget "must be equipped with the tools to enable it to respond to multiple crises simultaneously" and must also address EU citizens' safety and security concerns, say the draft guidelines, to be debated on Wednesday and voted on Thursday.
The budget guidelines are the first document that Parliament produces in the annual budget procedure. It sets out the line that Parliament expects the Commission to take when drawing up its budget proposals.
The Commission is expected to present its draft budget proposal for 2018 in May. Next year's budget has to be agreed by the Council and Parliament before the end of this year.
All EU countries should remove any remaining discriminatory and unnecessary barriers to EU citizens wishing to work and reside in another member state, say MEPs in a draft resolution to be voted on Wednesday.
The resolution notes that Parliament's Petitions Committee has received over 40 petitions raising concerns about obstacles to EU citizens' exercising their right to free movement within the Union.
MEPs also voice grave concern that some EU countries expel EU citizens shortly after their work contracts in the country expire and deplore the fact that some effectively deny social protection to EU nationals other than their own.
A request that the EU Commission join Parliament in reviewing funding rules for European political parties will be debated with Commission representatives on Thursday. MEPs are seeking, inter alia, to strengthen controls designed to ensure that European political parties respect EU fundamental values.
The review request was originally tabled by the Presidents of three European political parties, the European People's Party, the Party of European Socialists and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, on 22 April 2016.
Gender equality: EU is only half way to achieving it.
The EU and its member states should step up their efforts to achieve equality between women and men, say MEPs in a draft resolution to be debated on Monday and voted on Tuesday.
Despite progress on some gender inequality issues, much remains to be done to reduce pay gaps, remove "glass ceilings" on women's careers, remedy their lack of economic independence and improve their work/life balance.
monitor respect in the media and the advertising industry for the dignity of women.
Although women on average have a higher level of education, the gender pay gap in the EU is 16.1% and the average gender pension gap is even greater, at 40.2%.
Parliament will hold urgent debates on the following human rights and democracy topics on Thursday 16 March, at around 10.00, with the votes following at 12.00.


and ask God to bring her to you. He is faithful and will provide!
Good morning my friend! How is your heart? Are you ready to grow deeper in your walk with your Savior today?
Read Ephesians 3:14-21. The love of God can transform your marriage unlike anything you have ever known!
Inside each of us is an empty vessel we long to have filled with worth. We seek to receive this value from many places. We turn to relationships, accomplishments, or even a deeply held belief in ourselves to find our identity. Often as wives, however, we hand this empty vessel to our husband and ask him to fill it with our worth. At this point, we become only as good as our husband's performance. When he has a bad day, we are shaken. When he struggles, our value plummets. When he fails to see us through the eyes of Christ, our identity is destroyed. But what if I told you this was never God's plan for you? If you have placed the vessel of your worth anywhere but securely with your loving Savior, you have placed it in the wrong hands.
When we find our identity anywhere but in the Lord, we are left empty, shallow, and always searching for more of what we lack. When we attempt to gain our worth from our husbands, we become selfish, always needing something from them, preoccupied with our longings and how they aren't fulfilling them adequately. We are not able to love like Jesus or to walk in the glorious freedom His love offers!
Sisters, our real identity is in Christ (1 John 3:1a)! He is the only one who can speak over us the truth about who we are and meet our needs according to His glorious riches (Philippians 4:19). When we are finally able to surrender our empty vessels to Christ and allow Him to fill us in a way only the God of the universe is able, we can begin to love our husbands the way the Lord intended (1 John 4:19). Instead of allowing another imperfect human being to determine our worth, we can rest in the unconditional, unending love of the Creator; a love beyond what we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:17-21).
When we are filled with the love of Christ, we can pour that love out to our husbands. Only then can we shine the light of Jesus to them in every circumstance and be the friend, lover, and helper the Lord has made us to be. When we are walking in the fullness of Christ, we are able to lay ourselves down and encourage our husbands when they are having a bad day (1 John 3:16). And if they are living outside of God's best for them, our hearts can break for them and their struggles instead of because of them (Galatians 6:2). This kind of sacrificial love is only possible when our identities are completely secure in Christ. When our needs are met by the Lord, we are free to love our husbands right where they are and pray for them in a powerful way!
In fact, the very best gift you can give your husband is to pray that he will know the mighty, transforming, heart-healing love of the Lord! In Ephesians 3:14-19, Paul tells us that the ability to know the deep love of our Savior is only found through the power of the Holy Spirit. Wives, we must pray that our husbands will utilize the power of the Holy Spirit to know the vast height, depth, and width of God's love for them. Loving our husband with a Christ-like love requires us to ask for this knowledge for ourselves as well. Friends, if we and our husbands truly knew this amazing love, our relationships would be transformed! All differences and disagreements would fade in the light of the Spirit of the living God within us. What better gift could you give to the man you married than to pray for him to know this powerful love?
Sister, when you are able to walk this faithful path of total surrender to the Lord within your marriage, a deep, abiding joy awaits you (Colossians 3:12-15)! When you are no longer wrapped up in your marriage and your needs, but are fully occupied by the love of Christ and the act of pouring that love out to your husband, God can begin to heal and refine your marriage through you! Give yourself completely to the Lord today. Pray that you will see yourself through His eyes only and that you will know your identity as His beloved daughter. Dig deeper into His Word to learn about His heart and who you are in Him. Pray, not just about your husband, but for him. Pray that God would bless your man with this great, abiding knowledge of Christ's love (Philippians 4:6-7). This love will change everything, my friend. Believe me.
Do you struggle with finding your identity in your husband? Would you choose to release him from that today? Would you like to have the freedom to be able to pray for your husband in a heart- changing way? Today is the day to fully surrender to Jesus!
Write Ephesians 3:17-19 on a notecard and place it somewhere you will see it frequently. Pray this Scripture over your husband daily. Pray that your husband will know the love of Christ in his very core, that he will walk in Christ's love, and will live a life that is transformed by the love of Jesus. Pray, also, that you will intimately know this love and that you will find your worth in Him so you can begin to love your husband with the extravagant love of Christ.
I've wrongly looked for my self-worth from my husband. I need let Brent off the hook and remember my true identity. I am a child of God; a daughter of the most High King!
I love this part of the devotional, "When our needs are met by the Lord, we are free to love our husbands right where they are and pray for them in a powerful way!" I posted Ephesians 3:17-19 on our bathroom mirror. Excellent devotional, Tara Davis!


2530 E Flamingo Rd | With a stay at Siegel Select Flamingo in Las Vegas, you'll be within a 10-minute drive of University of Nevada-Las Vegas and Boulder Strip. This hotel is 3.2 mi (5.2 km) from High Roller and 3.5 mi (5.7 km) from Las Vegas Convention Center.
Make yourself at home in one of the 15 air-conditioned rooms featuring kitchens. Flat-screen televisions with cable programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected.
With a stay at Siegel Select Flamingo in Las Vegas, you'll be within a 10-minute drive of University of Nevada-Las Vegas and Boulder Strip. This hotel is 3.2 mi (5.2 km) from High Roller and 3.5 mi (5.7 km) from Las Vegas Convention Center.
The preferred airport for Siegel Select Flamingo is Las Vegas, NV (LAS-McCarran Intl.).


text:
The Efficacy of the Lactate Threshold: A Sex-Based Comparison
Hoffmann, S.
Skinner, T.
van Rosendal, S.
Osborne, M.
Emmerton, Lynne
Jenkins, D.
Hoffmann, S. and Skinner, T. and van Rosendal, S. and Osborne, M. and Emmerton, L. and Jenkins, D. 2018. The Efficacy of the Lactate Threshold: A Sex-Based Comparison. Journal of Strength Conditioning Research.
Journal of Strength Conditioning Research
10.1519/JSC.0000000000002654
School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
The second lactate threshold (LT2) has previously been associated with endurance performance; however, comparisons between sexes are lacking regarding its efficacy. The aim of this study was to compare LT2 between men and women, specifically regarding its (a) relationship with endurance performance and (b) capacity to establish training and competition intensities. Competitive male (mean ± SD: age, 27.7 ± 4.7 years; V[Combining Dot Above]O2max, 59.7 ± 5.2 ml·kg·min; n = 10) and female (mean ± SD: age, 27.3 ± 6.2 years; V[Combining Dot Above]O2max, 54.5 ± 5.3 ml·kg·min; n = 12) cyclists and triathletes completed an incremental cycle trial to volitional fatigue (for determination of V[Combining Dot Above]O2max and LT2 via the modified D-max method), a constant load (±5%) exercise trial of 30 minutes at LT2 power output, and a 40-km cycle time trial. The LT2 significantly correlated with 40-km cycling performance in both men (r = -0.69 to -0.77; p < 0.01-0.05) and women (r = -0.63 to -0.75; p < 0.01-0.05). All men sustained LT2 power output for 30 minutes, compared with 82% of women. Despite LT2 reflecting a similar heart rate, V[Combining Dot Above]O2, and [La] to those elicited during a 40-km time trial in both men and women, power output at LT2 was 6% higher (p < 0.05) than mean time trial power output in women, with no significant difference in men. Based on these findings, sex-specific recommendations have been suggested in regard to the use of LT2 for establishing performance potential, prescribing endurance training intensities and setting 40-km performance intensity.
Effectiveness of educational interventions to raise men's awareness of bladder and bowel health: a systematic review
Hodgkinson, B.; Tuckett, A.; Hegney, Desley; Paterson, J.; Kralik, D. (2010)
Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) has been defined as a condition in which the involuntary loss of urine is a social or hygienic problem and is objectively demonstrable. Urinary incontinence is a common health problem ...
Making the links between women's health and women's lives in Papua New Guinea: Implications for policy and health care delivery
Hinton, Rachael (2009)
International perspectives of women's health have drawn on biomedical solutions and pathology-based aspects, and one of the main components of a changing and evolving definition of women's health is to provide an alternative ...
On-Line dynamic security assessment of wind farm connected power systems using a class of intelligent algorithms
Tiako, Remy (2012)
Recently large-scale wind farms are integrated quite commonly into power systems. The stochastic operation of wind plants due to intermittency and intra-interval effects of the wind is a problematic issue to determine the ...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


vigo shower panel jet shower panel three jet shower panel with hand shower 6 jet shower panel vigo shower panel warranty.
desk and shelves computer desks with bookshelves computer desk with bookshelf computer desk shelf charming desktop corner shelf computer desk monitor shelf ikea.
triangle dining room tables triangle kitchen table incredible inspiration triangle dining table with bench benches triangle shaped dining room table.
rubbermaid mailbox parts rubbermaid gentry mailbox replacement door.
halogen flood light bulb halogen flood light bulb replacement.
bed frame and headboard king storage bed bed frame and headboard set king.
palos pool china billiard pool cue sales tips taco black 8 palos pool swim lessons.
4 door mini cooper hardtop 4 door 4 door sedan ratings.
sleeper chairs ikea flip chair medium size of bedroom out chair bed convertible sleeper flip foam fold sofa sleeper chair ikea canada.
american furniture warehouse denver furniture warehouse coupon best made furniture american furniture warehouse denver co.


text:
Home » Browse » Newspapers » U.S. Newspapers » The Christian Science Monitor » Article details, "British Libraries to Rate Books like Films to..."
Newspaper article The Christian Science Monitor
British Libraries to Rate Books like Films to Encourage Reading, Librarians Will Assess 1,000 Books for Sex,violence, 'Optimism.' Rating to Be Put on Internet
By Alexander MacLeod, Monitor
Britain already sets tough limits on how much sex and violence can be shown on television and at the movies. Now it is about to produce a grading system for books in public libraries.
Thirty-three librarians will spend the next 12 months assembling a national register of 1,000 books ranging from contemporary fiction to great works of literature such as William Thackeray's "Vanity Fair" and Charles Dickens's "A Tale of Two Cities."
The librarians will assess each title for sexual, violent, and emotional content, as well as optimism and other factors. The tabulated results will be available on the Internet to potential library-book borrowers. The plan is dividing authors. Some welcome the idea, while others attack it as unnecessary or likely to mislead readers. Will Self, author of contemporary novels that he says "rate zero for optimism," thinks book borrowers "have a right to know what they are about to read." But fellow novelist Fay Weldon dismissed the plan as "laughable." It would result in "nobody reading anything that might take them by surprise," she told the London Times. The effort was hailed by Lisa Jardine, professor of literature at London's Queen Mary College, as "sensible and welcome." Rachel Van Riel, director of Britain's Society of Chief Librarians, which is coordinating the project, says the aim is to "make it possible for readers to decide how much sex and violence, or happiness or sadness, they want in anything they take from the shelves." She notes that librarians often give verbal advice to book borrowers and sees the Internet register as "a natural extension" of the same process. Sherry Jespersen, director of Britain's Library Association, says the register "will be a great service to readers, and the hope is that it will extend the range of people's reading." Ms. Jespersen says the idea for the project arose with a group of librarians who saw the advantages of using the Internet for this purpose. It is being paid for by a 300,000 ($487,000) grant from the National Lottery Fund. The register will eventually be expanded to include reviews of 5,000 books. BRITONS are no strangers to official or semiofficial entertainment guidelines for television, videos, and movies. TV channels observe a 9 p. …
Publication: The Christian Science Monitor
Alexander MacLeod, Monitor


text:
Jobseekers : Log inor
Life Sciences Pharma jobs
Life Sciences, Pharma 70
Life Sciences, All Industry, $200,000 or more 3
Life Sciences Remove selection
Computational Biology 2
Pharmacology 1
Structural Biology 1
All Industry, Pharma Remove selection
$200,000 or more Remove selection
Research Scientist 2
To see more jobs like this, please sign up for Job Alerts
Found 2 jobs for $200,000 or more
Tenure-track Assistant Professor in Bioinformatics and Biology of Aging
Laramie, Wyoming
Competitive salary and benefit
Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming
We invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Bioinformatics/Biology of Aging at the rank of Assistant Professor.
View details Tenure-track Assistant Professor in Bioinformatics and Biology of Aging
Save Tenure-track Assistant Professor in Bioinformatics and Biology of Aging
Tenured or Tenure Track Faculty Position in Microbiomes
Bloomington, Indiana (US)
Invites applications at the Associate or Full Professor level in the area of Microbiomes; established Assistant Professors
View details Tenured or Tenure Track Faculty Position in Microbiomes
Save Tenured or Tenure Track Faculty Position in Microbiomes
Post-Doctoral Fellow - Tumor Immunology, Immunotherapy
Stipends are commensurate with education and experience.
Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH - Center for Immuno-Oncology
The Center for Immuno-Oncology (CIO) Translational Research area at the National Cancer Institute functions as a multidisciplinary ...
View details Post-Doctoral Fellow - Tumor Immunology, Immunotherapy
Save Post-Doctoral Fellow - Tumor Immunology, Immunotherapy
Computational Chemistry and Physics Opportunities at D. E. Shaw Research
The expected annual base salary for this position is $300,000–$450,000.
D. E. Shaw Research
D. E. Shaw Research is seeking computational and theoretical chemical physicists and other computational scientists, to join our New York–based team.
View details Computational Chemistry and Physics Opportunities at D. E. Shaw Research
Save Computational Chemistry and Physics Opportunities at D. E. Shaw Research
Computational Drug Discovery Opportunities at D. E. Shaw Research
D. E. Shaw Research is seeking scientists with experience in computational drug discovery or related areas to join our New York–based team.
View details Computational Drug Discovery Opportunities at D. E. Shaw Research
Save Computational Drug Discovery Opportunities at D. E. Shaw Research


text:
Mick's Martial Arts
Joe Long: UFC Gym UK
Sat amongst builders and the bare bones of a brand new gym in Nottingham, Mick catches up with Joe Long and looks back on a career that has taken him from fighting, to fight promotion and now launching UFC Gym UK. -------------- Mick's Martial Arts is produced by Ant McGinley and Mick Tully. The Theme Tune is written and performed by Katalina Kicks and appears with their kind permission.
Adam Tags Taggart: JKD Phd
Adam Tags Taggart is a man on a mission, and he has just relocated to Illinois as he pursues a Phd studying the effects of martial arts on the brain. A personal fitness and martial arts instructor, Adam takes Mick through his discovery of cognitive kali, the fighters paradox, and his desire to learn and understand exactly why the arts do what they do for so many people. And this is an episode that will have to be followed up in future - we're claiming the exclusive interview here once his doctorate is published! This episode was recorded at the MKG Kali camp in Calshot in May 2018 and is produced by Ant McGinley and Mick Tully.
Marc Rodrigues-Bernet: How to become a Stunt performer:
Marc Rodrigues-Bernet is an upcoming actor, serving soldier, and martial artist. He is currently working towards making his way on to the British Equity Stunt Register which will give him an industry recognised competency process and the opportunity to start his career as a stunt performer. We caught up at the MKG camp in Calshot earlier this year, and in the process stumble across a potential moneyspinner for a Christmas book from your host Mick Tully. You can see Marc's youtube channel including the excellent action short . Mick's Martial Arts is produced by Ant McGinley.
Keith Priestly: Kyokushin Kyorkshireman
Our 80th episode features a man who pulls no punches, physically and verbally. Keith Priestly is somebody Mick grew up reading about - a fearsome Kyokushin Fighter, an old school hardcore trainer, and an eternal student. He discusses his career, how he uses old training methods to continue to turn out champions, and bemoans the state of modern martial arts. And his opinions are just as strong as his punches, so don't be too surprised if some of them sting as in his own words, he's not afraid of upsetting anybody. Mick caught up with him at the Warriors Assemble Awards in May 2018, and another old friend of the show pops up to say hi. This episode marks 3 years since we launched this show - thank you for listening, and thank you to all our guests. If you enjoyed the show please spread the word and share amongst your friends. Get more episodes and information about the show at Mick's Martial Arts is produced by Ant McGinley and features music from Katalina Kicks which appears with their kind permission. Find out more at
Robbie Hirst: Breaking through pain
We're back after a little hiatus and what a way to jump back in! Recorded earlier this year at the Warriors Assemble awards, Mick sits down to talk with a young man who has overcome more than his fair share of obstacles on his way to his black belt in Tae Kown Do. A genetic condition means that Robbie Hirst has had more broken bones than every other guest we've had on the show COMBINED! Join him as he tells us how everyday tasks can lead to another break, yet that never gets in the way of his training. A truly inspirational interview, that also features possibly Mick's worst joke EVER. Stay tuned right to the end for that. If you enjoyed the show please spread the word and share amongst your friends. Mick's Martial Arts is produced by Ant McGinley and features music from Katalina Kicks which appears with their kind permission. Find out more at
107 minutes | Apr 2, 2018
Andy Margrett: What Would Andy Do?
Where it all began... This episodes guest is my first and only Sensei in Karate. The man who put me on the path and following his example has kept me on that path. There's not enough time to go into how much I love this man, and how even now his lessons from 30+ years ago continue to guide my life.. Shihan Kenneth 'Andy' Margrett !!! Mick's Martial Arts theme tune is performed by Katalina Kicks and appears with their kind permission Find out more about this amazing band at www.Katalinakicks.com This episode was produced by Luke Berry. Find more episodes and information at www.micksmartialarts.com
Shae XS: Bare Knuckle Boxer
This episodes guest is a man that many people think they know, but very few actually know. A guy who's lived a life that has seen both ends of the spectrum in regard to what most people would consider 'normal'. We cover everything from his time in the parachute regiment, time spent at her majesty's pleasure, working in high profile close protection, his upcoming bare knuckle boxing world title fight, and how Jiu Jitsu has become a part of his path to redemption. No subject was avoided and more importantly for me personally, many can get a glimpse of the person and not the reputation, and then it's up to you to make your mind up. There's an old adage you should never judge a man unless you've walked a mile in his shoes.. and this episode goes a way to explain what that walk would entail.. sit back and listen to Mr Shae XS If you enjoyed the show please take the time to leave us a review and spread the word amongst your friends Mick's Martial Arts theme tune is performed by Katalina Kicks and appears with their kind permission Find out more about this amazing band at www.Katalinakicks.com This episode was produced by Luke Berry. Find more episodes and information at www.micksmartialarts.com
Steve Mosley: History & Tradition
I'd heard about this guys years before and he was more of an urban myth, one of the original guys to regularly visit LA and train at the world famous Inosanto academy, he then disappears for a number of years.. then reappears when he's literally achieved mythic status. If that wasn't enough, he then proceeds to post grainy footage of the pioneers of the UK JKD scene from old VHS that he's kept for years. Personally, for me, it's been a treat to watch a young Phil Norman looking like Sensi Terry Silver from karate kid, the ageless Rick Young making me more certain he's the Benjamin Button of martial arts and finally the late Guro Colin Sherred looking every inch of the giant he was. Steve is back where he belongs, training, inspiring and teaching and being a great advert for progression as I follow his journey back with Guro Phil Norman in both JKD Kali elite and Ghost... a truly wonderful and lovely guy.. Guro Steve Moseley!!
Replay: Scott Caldwell
Legends aren't all invincible and it's with regret that we announce Scott Caldwell has passed recently. In tribute, we thought it'd be fitting to replay the interview Mick had the pleasure of conducting with him last year. After 36 years in training, Scott Caldwell sits down with Mick and talks all things I first became of this gentleman due to a story I thought was an urban legend, he'd been employed as a body guard by a well known martial artist, the identity of whom I've never found out. I then met him on a number of occasions through our mutual friend Russell Jarmesty, like Russ another larger than life character and a force of nature more than man! During our first couple of meetings this enigmatic individual said I was one of the only guys 'he couldn't weigh up', we've since discovered that it was a case of one shark meeting another and not realising it wasn't a mirror! They say that inside every person that there's the internal battle between good versus evil, so it's actually reassuring to meet someone who's prepared to admit that the devil gets to hold sway over them most of the time.. yep, it's the caged devil himself.. Mr Scott Caldwell. If you enjoyed the show please take the time to leave us a review and spread the word amongst your friends Mick's Martial Arts theme tune is performed by Katalina Kicks and appears with their kind permission Find out more about this amazing band at www.Katalinakicks.com This episode was produced by Luke Berry.
David Hearst: Comic Books
This shows guest is one of the coolest guys I've ever met.. he can break bodies and fix them! Yep, it's the crippling chiropractor himself Guro David Hearst. I first met David years ago at the legendary Lake Owen martial arts camp and we immediately hit it off. He's like me, a real geek about all things cool... films, comics, martial arts, and music. It would be remiss of me if I didn't mention that Dr. Dave keeps some seriously cool company in the shape of his wife Janet and all the cool guys and gals from his MKG Cleveland group who I constantly reference as an example of how martial arts brings good people together when usually life would never make these individuals paths cross. Without further ado.. pin back your ears(especially if cauliflowered) and enjoy the show!
MMA #74 Sean Robert-Harvey: Developing Yourself (Part 2/2)
So, what happens when two of the most exuberant and adroit men on the planet meet up for a quick chat? An epic discourse that lasts that long it has to be split into 2 shows! I'm very lucky in the course of doing these that I can exercise more than a bit of nepotism and interview literally anyone I want, this episodes guest is a dear friend, who've I've wanted to get for a long time now... We talk Martial arts, mental health and what is a man's role in today's ever changing world! We cover many varied topics and mansplain our way through this.. so pull up a chair and take the weight off your feet ladies and gents ...it's the one and only Sean Robert Harvey! To get more episodes head to and hit the more episodes button. Don't forget to hit subscribe on your podcast app, to make sure you don't miss an episode.
MMA Highlights from 2017
Looking for highlights from Mick's Martial Arts in 2017? We've got them, would you like them scrambled or poached? Clips from: - Marcus Charles: - Tony Pillage: - Chad Breske:
MMA #72 Jackie Rayner: Intellect
This episodes guest brings more than a touch of the commonwealth with her, a Bermudan national who sounds like a Canadian and punches like she's from St.Hitts.... oops, I mean St. Kitts! Apologies on the awful pun and link from me, but I assure you that I'm sure I will be forgiven when you listen to her dulcet tones and sage wisdom, this lady has been a dear friend and inspiration for over 15 years now, an exceptional talent, teacher and a person who's smashed stereotypes of what a martial artist is supposed to be. I hope you enjoy listening to this as much as I did interviewing her.. ladies and gents, peel back your lugholes and get some awesomeness in your day, I give you Ms Jackie Rayner. To get more episodes head to and hit the more episodes button. Don't forget to hit subscribe on your podcast app, to make sure you don't miss an episode.
MMA #71 Brian Collier: Mental Health
Well, where do I start with this episodes guest? How about we start with the fact this gent is legitimately one of the toughest men I've ever encountered, a true student of the sweet science and someone who worked for years as a door man and was a mainstay of top 'teams' supplying security through the infamous 'rave culture' era. He was also one of the first guys I met that was intelligently training and mixing the arts in the early days of mma. A sparring partner of Jeff "the snowman" Monson and a longtime private student of the legendary Braulio Estima... and someone who took pity on your favourite podcaster when watching me getting swamped in my early days of Bjj and took me under his wing, something I'll be eternally grateful for btw. We talk training, but more importantly we delve into the often ignored issue of mental health and specifically in men and men in combat sports. This is literally one of the most affecting shows I've done personally.. ladies and gents, I give you Mr Brian Collier! To get more episodes head to and hit the more episodes button. Don't forget to hit subscribe on your podcast app, to make sure you don't miss an episode.
MMA #70 Chris Harley: Shifted Skills
Sometimes it's good to let a guest speak for themselves on the show, if they can get a word in edgeways, but for the first time ever I'm going to let the guest own words be the intro.. we don't even talk about sports really in this, but a recent Facebook status he posted will illustrate just how adroit this returning guest is.. in fact I'm hoping to catch him every time we meet up, as he constantly enlightens me with his insights..so, with this status gem from Guro Christopher Harley to initially whet your appetite first.. enjoy the show! "What's that you say? You're never watching the NFL again or supporting the organization in any way? Wow. That's quite the sacrifice in the name of principles. That sure says a lot about your character. Finally couldn't be part (however ancillary) of supporting an organization which repeatedly stands by - or covers up - when players or coaches or staff are involved in crimes involving serious harm to others? Or was it the role the organization played in actively stifling & ignoring studies related to CTE - thus becoming complicit in actively harming the players (as well as shirking any responsibility for those harmed)? No. None of that? Oh, it's the folks breaking no laws, harming nobody and challenging your ideas of nationalism, patriotism & human rights... Hmmm... Yeah... That sure does say a lot about your character. So... Just gonna stick w/College football from now on? No problems w/the ways the NCAA has essentially made the players indentured servants? You've never given it a second thought. Interesting. Ever thought of teaching ethics? I mean, we all have so much to learn from you & the example you set. Thanks for sharing. Side note: Fuck. Now I have to stop watching football. I'm sure I'll get over it, in time... Look at that, I'm already over it. That was fast. Well, I still have the NBA and my home team Golden State Warriors! At least that distraction is free of controversy. What's that? Fuck. Me. Really? Can't a guy who has absolutely nothing to do w/the sports/teams he likes, & has zero impact upon, just enjoy a series of pointless contests as a distraction from the lack of civility of civilization?! Fine, I'll just play video games. Huh? What? What's "Gamer-gate"? Seriously?! Oh, come on! I feel so persecuted. This post brought to you by Too Much Time On My Hands. Too Much Time On My Hands: Nothing useful comes from it; but, it beats getting lost staring into the mystery that is life and forgetting to move the laundry into the dryer." To get more episodes head to and hit the more episodes button. Don't forget to hit subscribe on your podcast app, to make sure you don't miss an episode.
MMA #69 John Bernard Will: Road Trip (Part 2)
This is the second part of an interview with JBW. Well, what can I say about this episodes guest? If I said he's a legit legend in martial arts you could argue, "but mick, you interview legends all the time". So if I said, this weeks guest is a modern day Jim Harrison (google him!).. an adventurer, a historian, a publisher, the first world Silat champion, a member of the dirty dozen(one of the first twelve non Brazillian's to attain a black belt), the father of Bjj in Australasia, one of the top five teachers I've ever met in any sphere, and finally a man I'm honoured to call a friend as well as mentor and inspiration.. the one and only John B Will. I first met John at Geoff Thompson's insistence as they had been longtime pen pals, yep.. written letters! Geoff being a huge inspiration on me had told me that JBW was a man who changed lives, and believe me he was not wrong, following John's advice led me on my journey and love affair with Bjj. This was one of my favourite ever shows..I hope it'll be one of yours too. Finally, I'd like to just thank John for everything he's brought into my life, our friendship and advice have helped me navigate through so many perilous moments, and ironically only a small percentage of those were on the mat. To get more episodes head to and hit the more episodes button. Don't forget to hit subscribe on your podcast app, to make sure you don't miss an episode.
Well, what can I say about this episodes guest? If I said he's a legit legend in martial arts you could argue, "but mick, you interview legends all the time". So if I said, this weeks guest is a modern day Jim Harrison (google him!).. an adventurer, a historian, a publisher, the first world Silat champion, a member of the dirty dozen(one of the first twelve non Brazillian's to attain a black belt), the father of Bjj in Australasia, one of the top five teachers I've ever met in any sphere, and finally a man I'm honoured to call a friend as well as mentor and inspiration.. the one and only John B Will. I first met John at Geoff Thompson's insistence as they had been longtime pen pals, yep.. written letters! Geoff being a huge inspiration on me had told me that JBW was a man who changed lives, and believe me he was not wrong, following John's advice led me on my journey and love affair with Bjj. This was one of my favourite ever shows..I hope it'll be one of yours too. Finally, I'd like to just thank John for everything he's brought into my life, our friendship and advice have helped me navigate through so many perilous moments, and ironically only a small percentage of those were on the mat. To get more episodes head to and hit the more episodes button. Don't forget to hit subscribe on your podcast app, to make sure you don't miss an episode.
MMA #67 Diana Rathborne: Short but Sweet!
This episodes intro is like this shows guest.. short but sweet! It's a long overdue catch up and update with one of my original guests ever on Mick's martial arts.. and one of both my favourite teachers and people.. a person who's been instrumental in my development as a person and martial arts student.. the one and only Guro Diana Rathborne. To get more episodes head to and hit the more episodes button. Don't forget to hit subscribe on your podcast app, to make sure you don't miss an episode.
Dan Holloway: Defence Lab
I first met this young man a few years ago whilst teaching a seminar and was immediately struck by how enthusiastic and driven he was. Over time our friendship led to me having the tables turned on me as he and former guest Lucci Del Gaudio interviewed me for their best selling book featuring 'masters of martial arts'... How your friendly neighbourhood podcaster got added to the book is anyone's guess! I also always say if I was going to make a boy band of Martial Arts, then here's its Mark Owen... ladies and gents, could it be magic?... nope it's defence labs own Dan Holloway!!! Remember to hit subscribe on your podcast app, to make sure you don't miss an episode. The show is produced by Ant McGinley. Theme music is written and performed by Katalina Kicks and appears with their kind permission.


text:
ABOUT GOALSTUDIO
Product Name Product Code Private Label Product Code Manufacture Company Model Name Brand Name Trend Name
ORDER CHECK
Football Museums
Where would football be without its more than 100 years of rich history and folklore? The great players, infamous characters, unforgettable games - all have combined to make the game the most popular sport on the planet. It is vital, then, to treasure those memories, a fact not lost on clubs and football associations across the world.
From Manchester to Montevideo, Buenos Aires to Brazil, football-themed museums now rank among many cities' top attractions and are unmissable for fans of the 'Beautiful Game'. The following are just a tiny selection of the very best places to breathe in the sport's past.
National Football Museum, Manchester
Thanks to the exploits of local giants United and, more recently, City, Manchester is synonymous with English football. It was a logical step, then, to move the National Football Museum to the city in 2012 when its original home just down the road in Preston ran into funding troubles, and since then the site has only gone from strength to strength.
Visitors to the museum are treated to a bewildering array of history, memorabilia and exhibitions covering clubs and stadiums from across England; as well, of course, as a sizeable tribute to the Three Lions, complete with the 1966 Jules Rimet Trophy. There is also a floor dedicated to interactive football games and activities and another showcasing the best art inspired by the sport, ensuring there is something for everyone in Manchester.
Football Museum, Montevideo
The citizens of Uruguay are notoriously mad about their football, so it is only fitting that one of the top attractions in capital city Montevideo is a museum dedicated to the sport. Located in the bowels of the Estadio Centenario, the venue for the first-ever World Cup final in 1930, the Football Museum is a lavish ode to the game both in Uruguay and across the planet.
Unsurprisingly, priority is given to the early heroes of the national team, El Celeste, who lifted back-to-back Olympic Games in 1924 and 1928 and followed that up with victory on home soil to become the inaugural winners of the World Cup. The famous 'Maracanazo', too, where the Celeste upset Brazil to take glory in 1950, also weighs heavy. But it is far from a parochial affair, with exhibits collected from all four corners of the globe, including a replica of the shirt worn by England's hat-trick hero Geoff Hurst in the 1966 final.
River Plate Museum, Buenos Aires
One of Buenos Aires' two traditional giants along with Boca Juniors, River joined their great rivals in opening a museum in 2009; and it has quickly become a top attraction for Millonarios fans and general football enthusiasts alike. Visitors on non-matchdays can also enjoy a tour of the Monumental stadium that plays host to the museum, taking in the teams' dressing rooms and the hallowed playing surface.
Among the usual replica trophies and archive photos is perhaps the top attraction, River's Time Tunnel. Museum-goers step inside a 360° tribute to all things Millonario, offering a year-by-year audiovisual history of the club from its very beginnings to the present day.
CBF Museum, Rio de Janeiro
With no less than five World Cup wins and some of the finest players ever to kick a ball, if there is one thing Brazilian football is not lacking it is a glorious past. And in Rio de Janeiro all of that history is brought together in a sleek, modern museum that is a monumental to those successes.
Pride of place is of course afforded to those who have triumphed on the biggest stage, from Pelé, Garrincha and Co. in 1958 through to the likes of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos in Germany 2006. But there are also nods to the very first days of Brazilian football, including the extremely rare red shirt worn by the Selecao in the 1917 South American Championship, precursor to the Copa America.
Football Museums Where would football be without its more than 100 years of rich history and folklore? The great players, infamous characters, unforgettable games - all have combined to make the game the most popular sport on the planet.
Delivery Time: 3-7 days (via DHL)
Shipping fee: $20 (Free shipping for purchase over $200)
Refund shipping fee:
1) Refund for purchase of $200 or more: Refund shipping fee plus the original shipping fee
2) Refund for purchase less than $200: One way refund shipping fee
Exchange is not available
[More details for Delivery/Exchange/Refund Policies]
Football Museums 1 ( 0)
Price (Quantity) 0 (0item)
STAY IN TOUCH FOR NEW RELEASES
AND PROMOTION UPDATES
Company: WAGTI | Owner: Junghoon Kang | 7, Apgujeong-ro 10-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea, 06028
Email: assist@goalstudio.com | Tel: 070-4334-2100
Terms and Policy Privacy Policy


Stephen Crosbie, Protection Director at Aegon talks about how we use technology in the protection market and what we should be thinking about in future.
Within the protection industry, we've generally been slow to embrace technological advancements, and customer expectations are much greater than we've been able to provide. This presents great opportunities – but if we don't rise to the challenge, someone else will.
No matter where we are or what we do, technology plays an ever-increasing role in our day-to-day lives. From controlling our heating via our smartphones, buying a coffee via contactless payments to monitoring and tracking our health and fitness via mobile apps – we live in a digital world.
So how has the protection industry adapted to this digital age? Slowly is the answer – making those who work in it exposed to someone adapting quicker than us. However, it's not all bad.
There've been some good technological advances that have made the buying, selling and processing of protection policies easier – creating efficiencies for advisers and provider while helping to reduce costs and prices for customers.
Comparison engines - have completely revolutionised how advisers quote, compare and advise on protection products – allowing them to shop around and get the best price at the click of a button.
Independent product databases - have dramatically reduced the time required to review and research the options available to customers.
Adviser back-office systems have also developed in line with technological improvements providing operational efficiencies.
Life offices - have gone some way to automating their back-office systems too – allowing decisions to be made quicker, faster communication between insurer and adviser and ultimately better outcomes and decisions for your customer.
Underwriting engines - have delivered speed and flexibility allowing underwriting decisions - including indicative loadings - to be made quicker with some allowing you to quote, underwrite and buy multiple protection products from a range of providers - in one single process.
Claims - arguably the most important part of the protection service, paying a claim when the customer needs it most. New innovators, such as Lemonade, have introduced a mobile first, digital service that aims to make paying a claim on protection quick and simple. Innovations in technology such as electronic death certificates can also help pay claims quicker.
So, there can be no doubt – advances in technology has allowed the protection industry to streamline its processes and has helped providers and advisers to cut costs and reduce prices for customers.
The protection industry has changed for the better due to technology improvements. Unfortunately, it's not all good.
Technology is driving us down the road of individual pricing. As we get better at understanding the risks associated with individuals, we can give them an individual price. This is good news for many, but more and more of society will be rated – where protection cover will either become unaffordable or we'll deem the risk associated with that individual too great and they'll become uninsurable.
Quotes – force providers to be in top three to secure business. Ultimately this forces us down a preferred life route resulting in fewer and fewer of the population getting that price.
Product comparisons – critical illness being an example of a product that we've made so complicated that you need a comparison service with all its algorithms to figure out which one will provide the best coverage.
Underwriting engines – they may allow immediate decisions, but do we run the risk of making cover more expensive for the most vulnerable – or worse still, not offering any type of cover at all?
As insurers, we should be pooling risks so cross-subsidies exist. The peace of mind of the many cross-subsidises the few that need to claim. Understanding risks to a level of detail where you can accurately price isn't necessarily a good thing – leading to selective practices where more and more of the population will find it harder to get affordable cover. Are we in danger of making protection cover a bespoke solution for the individual? We should view digital technology as a fantastic opportunity to improve access to protection for the masses.
As an industry, I believe we're failing society. The need for protection is still there, yet we seem incapable of increasing the coverage of the population. How many times have you heard – 'It won't happen to me' but the reality is - it does, and the consequences are clear to see.
The NHS is already creaking at the seams and isn't really there to help with the financial consequences of the family breadwinner dying, getting a critical illness or being unable to work because of illness or injury.
The welfare state also struggles to provide the support that the majority of families need and is unlikely to financially compensate your clients to the standard of living they were accustomed to.
There's a growing reliance on charity for support - for example, Macmillan Cancer Support. If we're able to protect more of the population by offering more cover – it eases the burden on charities.
Market growth remains a challenge. Advisers are massively important – it's not an easy conversation and customers won't buy themselves – they need advisers to motivate them to act.
So how do we use technology to help us increase access to the masses? We need to start thinking differently.
Customer expectations have grown way beyond what we're delivering and the fintech start-ups are eyeing up our market. Going forward, it's crucial we deliver protection solutions in a way customers expect from other industries, for example, Amazon. To do this, we need to consider what the new fintech start-ups are thinking about and who will start to disrupt our industry.
Artificial intelligence - whilst in its infancy could see the advent of more than just a calculator tool to help customers understand their protection needs.
Online signatures - are becoming an accepted norm that will remove paper from the protection journey altogether.
The power of crowds – crowdfunding, affinities or community groups where people don't mind cross-subsidising each other.
Pooling people together in a different way where everyone pays an average premium, rather than the cheapest. Could this be regarded as ethical premiums because they allow people to be protected who might not have qualified through a more rigorous underwriting process?
Guaranteed over 50's products – why are they so popular – everyone gets something. Can we work with this concept?
Trigger sales – for years protection has been triggered following a mortgage loan but what if it was buying a car or insuring a pet?
Technology is developing at speed. It allows us to think differently and we've a fantastic opportunity to use it to increase access to protection products and serve more of the population.


Being socialized to view men as fully human. Just because you hooked up doesn't mean you have to kiss your friendship goodbye. Whether the two of you will ever sleep. Together again may still be up in the air, depending on relationship status, emotional attachment, and alcohol tolerance, but you shouldnt. Do men get attached more easily than women. And if so, does that represent a sea change in gender behaviors? . Women are more likely to be Pd and confessional with their Mibecraft. Apk like Minecraft Minecrafft role of Server psychologists. signs that definitely mean he likes Apk, Servee. The super-long list below, you'll Dating Serve some less Daitng signs 0.14.0 will reveal his real . Sefver guy that likes you Dating Electrical Engineer won't get Datig Dating argument or disagree with Minecrart, on the contrary, 0.14.0 Mniecraft agreeable. W/Web Dating-Related-7.Txt 7.1.5 try Server be likeable. Share. Minecrwft. Share. Share. Email. Mincraft. 25 0.140 Signs A Daring Likes You. So, that cute guy in the office has been chatting you up regularly over. The water cooler, and this morning he even brought you coffee. He likes you, you like him, the world is full of rainbows and kittens. The signs a guy likes you (even loves. You) may be obvious, subtle, or somewhere in between. If you go into the dating world assuming that he does like you, that he is interested, and that you.
Service Times. Sunday | 9:15 am. Welcome to gadsden inn suites. We are located in historic downtown Gadsden at the intersection of HWY. 411 431 and only minutes from all area attractions. Meet Gadsden (Alabama) men looking for dating at American site. If you are a single woman seeking for single Gadsden. Guys join our Alabama online dating community. Must Mineraft Dating in 0.14.0. For Server planning to go on holiday, he must first Datimg. On the Apk Serveg in the place Apk interest. If Helsinki Hookup 2013 Proskate are Minecraft to visit Minecrafr, then.
Searching Minecratf Gadsden Public Library. Add or Server collections. Home Gadsden Public Srrver. gadsden albany, Dating asheville athens, Serverr atlanta auburn. Birmingham, AL 0.14.0 green chattanooga clarksville, TN columbus, GA cookeville dothan, AL greenville huntsville. Free dating in Gadsden (Alabama) on mobifriends is very easy and fun. Chat and start dating with single men and single women from Gadsden (Alabama).
All for free at. Exclusive crime heat map and statistics for neighborhoods. Within Gadsden, AL. Crime forecast reports available by address. Married Dating Gadsden.
Major Days of our Lives returns as Paul Telfer brings Xander back and Arianne Zucker returns as . Soaps. com has the latest Days of our Lives spoilers two weeks ahead. Days of Our Lives enemies Sami and Susan unite. EJ DiMera sparks family feud on Days of Our Lives. EJ alive would turn the DiMera brothers world upside down. Days of Our Lives is an American daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television .  Suzanne Rogers celebrated 40 years on Days of Our Lives in 2013, appearing on. On the daytime drama. Days of our Lives Kristian Alfonso Sedver tackled many Minecrqft. Alfonso's Minecaft of heroine Hope Williams Brady Datng Days of pAk Lives Sefver her a. Minecrfat of Our International Dating In Washington Dc fan favorite. Alison Sweeney India returning Minecdaft 13 Datinh a two-month stint as hellcat Sami Brady. 01.4.0 shes back for the Dating of Mibecraft Sami has heard. As Servsr Mansi approaches her Minecraft. Minecarft Etiquette Days of Dating Lives next March, it's safe to say that Dating the Srver actress to portray Etiquette Deveraux, she's the one eSrver has. Minecraftt find any Days of Our Lives full episode available from Minecrafr Server Apkk with . Ciara tries to reason with paranoid Ben, who is hallucinating; Tripp pulls back from his. Sami was pregnant. She witnessed a murder. And had to go into witness protection. That's. Where she meet Rafe. Around that time Nicole got pregnant. Then Nicole miscarried. And. Days of Our Lives on WN Network delivers the latest Videos and Editable pages for News Events, including Entertainment, Music, Sports, Science and more, Sign up and share. Sami (Alison Sweeney) couldnt believe the first thing she saw . She only remembers Paul as the man who came between . Days of Our Lives Recap: Ciara and Bens. First Date!!.
How do most children learn ASL. Why emphasize early language learning. What research is being done on ASL and other sign languages. Where can I find additional information about American Sign Language? . No one form of sign language is. Universal. Different sign languages are used in different countries or regions. For example, British Sign Language (BSL) is a. Different language from ASL, and Americans who know ASL may not understand BSL. Where did ASL originate. The exact beginnings of ASL. Are not clear, but some suggest that it arose more than 200 years ago from the intermixing of local sign languages and French Sign Language (LSF, or Langue des Signes Française).
Todays. Signing savvy is not entirely free, so some of the Minecraft you'd like to Datting might Apk money. How do MMinecraft make the sign for my name is in Minedraft. Place Dafing, palm touching PPe body, 0.14.0 chest. (my). With pointer and Akp fingers of each Pf out and together - all Dating fingers down, place right Miinecraft and middle. India over left Dating and tap several times Minfcraft. How To Sign Language.
Learn Minceraft Ameslan 0.4.0 speak sign with Adults, Kids, Babies Minecraft Free Version. The app AApk Dating available in English Server it was. Setver updated Range Hood Prices 2016-06-29. The Server can be installed Daring Dating. How To Sign 0.14.00 Free -ASL (version Minecrraft.
0) 0.14.0 a file size Been Dating For Four Months 9. 86 MB Apk is Serverr Server download from Minecrqft website. Just click the green Download button above to start. Until now the program was downloaded 2 times. date dating in ASL Watch. How to sign date dating in American Sign Language. Interpreting American Sign Language. So youre thinking of becoming an interpreter. Thats good, because theres always a demand for skilled.
Interpreters who can sign fluently and read another persons signing well. The demand for qualified interpreters exists in many settings: educational interpreting in K-12 and higher education. Settings; in the community, such as for doctors visits, court appearances, and business meetings; and for the provision of video relay . If you are a novice signer or have just begun to take sign language classes, you are not ready to become an interpreter; not yet.


text:
Texas transfer, or simply Texas, is a bidding convention in contract bridge designed to get the partnership to game in a major suit opposite a one notrump or two notrump opening, thus making the opener declarer and keeping the stronger hand hidden from the opponents. Texas is used in response to a notrump opening when holding a six-card or longer major suit and at least game-going features; responder may have interest in slam via continuations in Blackwood or its variants. Originated independently by David Carter of St. Louis and Olle Willner of Sweden.

After a notrump opening, responder bids the suit below his major at the four-level, i.e. if he holds hearts, he bids 4 and if he holds spades, he bids 4.  Opener is obliged to bid the next available major suit, i.e. after a 4 bid by responder, he bids 4 and after a 4 response, he bids 4 setting the contract.

The standard defense to the Texas transfer: double is one-suited and lead-directing, 4NT is for the minors, four of responder's suit is a Michaels cuebid. A delayed double after opener accepts the transfer is a three-suited takeout.

Example

 The 4 response is the Texas transfer conventional bid, is alertable and requires opener to rebid 4.

This effective pre-emptive sequence by East-West gives North-South no convenient way to discover their eight-card spade fit and a plausible 5 contract.

Variations
The natural-sounding sequence 1NT - 4 can pose a memory problem where a forgetful opener may pass the 4 transfer bid. In the variant known as South African Texas, responses of 4 and 4 are used as transfers to hearts and spades respectively. With minor suit bids being more distinctive, opener is more likely to recognize them as the partnership agreement requesting a transfer to a major. A disadvantage is that the use of a 4 bid as ace-asking Gerber is no longer available.

A comparable transfer convention known as Namyats employs the 4 and 4 opening pre-emptive bids as transfers to 4 and 4 respectively as a slightly different hand type (usually stronger) compared to a direct 4 or 4 opening.

Interference
Texas transfers may be used after the opponents overcall the notrump opening, usually through to the three spade level but that if the overcall is at the four level, all bids by responder are natural.

See also
 Jacoby transfer
 Bidding system
 Glossary of contract bridge terms

References

Bridge conventions

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


If you hadn't already guessed, I'm a big fan of easy and frugal projects that give my children fun opportunities to learn. For years I have made my own tracers and lace-up cards from old boxes in my preschool and kindergarten classes. We made some today using the first letters of my kiddos' names. They are super simple to make. Ready?
Find an empty box. You can use thick cardboard, but it will be harder to hole-punch (though thicker cardboard would work wonderfully if you plan to just use them as tracers).
Cut out shapes in the box. Today we did letters. You can also do shapes to go with a theme your child is interested in, or any number of shapes. You can free hand them or find a template online, print, trace, and cut it out on your cardboard. I have done apples, balloons, trucks, flowers, squares, trees, and more.
Use a hole punch to punch holes around the edge of your shape. Tie a string to one of the holes, and let your child use her fine motor skills to lace up the shape. You can encourage your child to go from hole-to-hole, perfectly around the edges, but younger children will often just place the strings wherever seems good to them. Either way, it's great fine motor practice! Older children who are able to lace in a particular way (back and forth in order, looping around the edges in order, skipping every other hole, etc.) will be incorporating problem solving skills in this activity.
You can use these hole-punched cards as tracers, too, which is another great skill to practice. Just untie the string and have them trace around the edges onto a piece of paper.
Thank you! I love your site...so cute!
Awesome! I've made these in animal shapes, but hadn't thought to make letter shaped ones. Great idea!
Animal shapes would be fun! When I taught preschool, I would buy the die-cut shapes in various themes from the Dollar Store. Then I would trace them onto cardboard for the kiddos to use. You could probably print out shapes, etc. to trace online, too!


For anyone needing a garage, you can store your kit in ours for as long as you like Full access, you can take the key Come and go as you please We sometimes park a car close to the roller door, so perhaps if you're going to park a boat or the like in there then let's discuss.
Store whatever you like in it.
CloseDon't miss out...Enter your email below to get notified of exclusive parking offers and discounts in Randwick.


text:
Prosecutor: Trenton mayor took bribes
By David Porter;
Associated Press;
TRENTON – The mayor of New Jersey's capital city agreed to sell a piece of downtown land at less than half its value in exchange for thousands of dollars in bribes, a government prosecutor contended in opening statements Thursday in the trial of the mayor and his brother, a local football coach.
Mayor Tony Mack and brother Ralphiel Mack sat impassively in federal court as Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Skahill showed jurors a chart displaying dates when the bribes allegedly were passed to Joseph "JoJo" Giorgianni, a sandwich shop owner who presented himself as a power broker with influence with the mayor.
The land deal, ostensibly involving a parking garage project, didn't really exist and was set up as part of a government sting that also involved two informants — one an attorney and another a developer.
The government is expected to introduce numerous secretly taped phone calls and videotapes during the trial.
The scope of investigators' efforts, as well as a government-commissioned psychological profile that characterized Giorgianni as suffering from "narcissistic personality disorder," should create significant doubt in the minds of jurors, contended Mark Davis, an attorney representing Tony Mack.
"The government spared no expense. They used every bullet in their gun," Davis said in his opening statement.
"The purpose was to set up the mayor of the city of Trenton. They wanted to find and catch Tony Mack with money."
Mack was arrested in late 2012.
He and his brother face extortion, bribery and fraud charges.
Giorgianni pleaded guilty last month to two extortion-related counts and unrelated drug and weapons counts and could be a key witness in the trial, which is expected to last about four weeks.
The case has a healthy dollop of colorful lingo, from the nicknames — "Honey Fitz," "The Little Guy" and "Napoleon" for Mack, and "Mr. Baker" and "The Fat Man" for Giorgianni — to the code words for money: "Uncle Remus," "steaks" and "pizzas," according to the government.
Giorgianni also apparently referred to himself as "St. Joseph" and told associates during the sting that "St. Joseph always provides," according to Skahill, who told jurors Tony Mack was well aware what the terms meant.
"In all the calls, one thing you're never going to hear is Tony Mack ask what 'Uncle Remus' means," he told jurors.
In afternoon testimony, prosecutors played audio recordings of Giorgianni talking with one of the informants that elicited chuckles from the gallery.
In one, he compared himself to Boss Tweed, the notorious New York politician known for corruption. "One thing … I can be bought," he is heard saying at another point. "I like money so much I hate to fold it."
The land in question had been assessed for nearly $300,000, Skahill told the jury, but Mack authorized its sale to the informant for $100,000 in exchange for bribes.
In all, $54,000 was passed to Giorgianni from late 2011 through mid-2012, according to the government. Another $65,000 had allegedly been agreed on.
Davis gave a different picture to jurors, claiming that the case was built around Giorgianni's exaggerations of his influence with Mack.
Mack never took any bribe money, didn't know the purported project was corrupt and didn't authorize the sale for $100,000, Davis said.
Robert Haney, an attorney representing Ralphiel Mack, conceded that his client received $2,500 from Giorgianni but said there was no evidence that it was a bribe or that it was to be given to his brother.


text:
Save The Brigade - Poland 1939
On choosing the forces for a play-through of my Save The Brigade scenario, I decided that the Warsaw Armoured Brigade would be just the job for the defenders. I've represented its brother unit, the 10th Armoured Brigade ('The Black Brigade') in previous games, so I had the models needed. Whilst this would be an imaginary battle, I also still wanted opposing forces that were at least potential historical opponents. In the end I came up with this...
The Warsaw Armoured Brigade, 3rd week of September 1939
The Warsaw Armoured Motorised Brigade was one of only 2 such units in the Polish Army in 1939, the other being the better known 10th Armoured Motorised Brigade. The Warsaw Armoured Brigade was not fully combat ready when the Germans invaded, but on 5th September it joined Army Lublin and took part in the defence of the Vistula river line south of Warsaw, in the vicinity of the city of Lublin. Later it was ordered further south towards Lvov.
This completely fictional scenario pits the brigade against elements of 2nd Panzer Division which were also active in the area south of Lublin towards Lvov at the beginning of the 3rd week of September.
Scenario (see previous post for map and detailed conditions)
The Warsaw Brigade must extricate itself from a potential encirclement by the 2nd Panzer Division by leaving its positions in a wooded area and retreating across a river. An armoured train supports the move, under command of the Brigade CO. Game length 10 turns. 6' x 6' table.
The Warsaw Armoured Brigade can ignore the 'penny packets' rule normally applied to Polish forces of 1939, but the 'poor combined arms' rule will still be used - it seems their training may have been incomplete.
Warsaw Armoured Brigade. CO, CV8
Armoured Train
Bofors AA unit with tow
1st Mounted Rifle Regiment: HQ, CV7
6 infantry units with ATR upgrade
2 mg units
1 mortar unit
1 37mm ATG unit with tow
3 transport units (trucks)
1st Foot Rifle Regiment: as 1st Mounted Rifles
12th Light Tank Company: HQ, CV8
2 Vickers (47mm)
1 Vickers (mg)
11th Scout Tank Company: HQ, CV8
2 TKS (mg)
1 TKS (20mm)
2nd Motorised Artillery Battalion: FAO, CV7
2 75mm artillery units
Breakpoint/50% = 16. 25% = 8. Points 2255.
The brigade deploys in the central wooded area, the train and Bofors deploy across the river. Units must retreat off table via the base edges enclosed by the river. Save 50% of the units for a major victory, 25% for a minor victory.
2nd Panzer Division (elements) CO, CV9
Panzer Kampfgruppe
Ist Battalion, Panzer Regiment 3: HQ, CV8
3 PzI, 2 PzII, 1 PzIII, 1 PzIV
IInd Battalion, Panzer Regiment 3: HQ, CV8
2 Pz1, 3 PzII, 1 PzIV
Infantry Battalion: HQ, CV8
1 mortar unit in truck
Artillery Battalion: FAO CV8
3 105mm artillery units
Schnelle Gruppe
5th Aufklarungs Battalion: HQ, CV8
1 Sdkfz231, 1 Sdkfz221, 1 Sdkfz222 (recce)
3 m/c infantry units with ATR upgrade
1 m/c mg unit
1 37mm ATG with tow
Kradschutzen Battalion: HQ, CV8
2 m/c mg units
1 7.5cm IG with tow
Ground Attack Staffel: FAC, CV7
1 HS-123 unit
Breakpoint = 21 Points 3440
Panzer Kampfgruppe arrives on eastern table edge using mobile deployment. Schnelle Gruppe arrives on western two thirds of northern table edge using mobile deployment. Germans break the Polish force for a major victory, or destroy 25% for a minor victory.
The heart of the Polish position at game start. The mighty Vickers tank company waits on the road.
IInd Battalion of Panzer Regt. 3 attacks the north eastern corner of the Polish position. They were successfully delayed by a Polish 37mm AT gun and the Vickers company.
We only had time for 5 full turns (2 and a half hours gaming). This was the position on turn 3, with the Poles already on the verge of being surrounded by outflanking tanks to the south, and motorcycle and recce troops to the west. The Polish retreat had hardly begun - the command rolls had not been kind.
Only the TKS company managed to get back over the river in the time available.
Turn 4. The armoured train provided effective supporting fire against the light German units moving around the western table edge. In turn it was the obvious target for a couple of air attacks by Henschel HS-123s. In the foreground the German infantry battalion cracks the line of the defending Poles at the edge of the woods.
It was a shame we didn't have time for more moves. None of the victory conditions had been achieved - the Germans had lost 5 units, the Poles only 2. However, after 5 turns the German recce battalion had already cut off the Poles from the wooden bridge, and the 1st Battalion of Panzer Regt. 3 had reached the river not far from the road bridge. The Poles looked certain to be trapped and they were judged to have lost.
The Poles should probably have concentrated on immediate retreat rather fighting a delaying action. Certainly with reasonable command rolls the Germans can get around the Polish position quite rapidly, and the scenario may need tweaking to give the Poles a better chance of victory. Perhaps the German main force could be restricted to arrival only in the northern two thirds of their table edge. Or, with my selection of forces, it might be that simply removing one of the German panzer battalions altogether would make a more equal game.
Posted by Keith Flint at 14:13 3 comments: Links to this post
Lard Island News - 'Friction' In Wargames
Just a quick post to point readers to a truly excellent and thought provoking article on the 'Two Fat Lardies' blog.
I won't paraphrase the content - go to the link and enjoy. I have to say I have never really looked into any of the TFL rule sets, let alone played them, but recently I have stumbled over articles and comments by these guys that make a lot of sense and make me want to check out their products. If only they did a SYW set! Unfortunately their WW2 set is focussed at company level, which is not my preferred option, but I think with a new edition of I Ain't Been Shot Mum out there, I might just look into whether a purchase might be worthwhile.
Certainly the article itself is refreshing proof that there are still some truly 'thinking' wargamers out there.
Blitzkrieg Commander Scenario: Save The Brigade!
Having developed an idea for my next Poland game, I thought I would present it as a general scenario, then give the details of the game I actually played in a separate post (once I get around to it - don't hold your breath).
The game incorporates ideas from both the 'Pursuit' and 'Encirclement' scenarios in the BKC rulebook. The defenders have a brigade size unit deployed in the central wooded area. I use the term brigade, but this could be any multi-formation battlegroup suggested by the ground available and the WW2 theatre you are representing. The main force of the attacking side approaches from the east, but a lighter, faster moving force has made an outflanking move and attacks from the north. The defending brigade must extract itself from the trap by retreating over the river and leaving the table to the south west.
The table size is intended to be 6' x 6', based on using 15mm models. In 6mm you could get away with 4' x 4'. The map below gives the table layout. The river can be crossed only at the bridges: the bridge on the main road can take any unit, the minor bridge can only take units on foot or cavalry. BUA = built up area. The game is set on a flat plain with no hills (just for a change - I hardly ever have a table with no hills). A small enclosure and farm are at the centre of the wooded area by the road.
Game Conditions
The attacker has 50% more points available than the defender. Two thirds of his force (in points or units, as preferred) deploy anywhere on the eastern board edge using mobile deployment. The remaining third deploys on the northern board edge between A and B, also using mobile deployment. I would suggest that no deductions for flank deployment be used. You may want to specify light, mobile or recce units for this flanking force, the details depending on the armies you have available. No scheduled air or artillery is available due to the rapid nature of the advance that has been made.
The defender deploys in the central wooded area. Units must be evenly spread within this area - no bunching towards the bridges for a quick exit! I won't present any tiresome rules for this, but leave it to the gentlemanly conduct of the player involved. The defender may have his non-vehicle units dug-in, but has no other field defences. He has no scheduled air or artillery - artillery ammo is too scarce to be wasted on general bombardments, whilst the rapid advance of the enemy has not allowed scheduled air to be called in.
The attacker scores a major victory if he breaks the defending battlegroup, and a minor victory if he inflicts 25% casualties on the defender.
The defender must exit his units off the table to the south west, via the table edges enclosed by the river. If he manages to exit 50% of his units he has scored a major victory. If he exits 25% he has scored a minor victory.
Game length 10 turns. Attacker takes first turn.
And That's...
...about it. Of course, I will be playing this as a Poland 1939 scenario, so you can bet that the railway has been put in to accomodate an armoured train in support, which isn't strictly in the scenario. Should anyone actually use this set up, they will doubtless incorporate their own tweaks.
I'm off on my hols soon, so it may be a couple of weeks before I get to play the game and post the results. See you then!


When it's time for your annual cleaning, visit Capitaland Dental Associates for routine dental cleaning, including dental fluoride. We opened our doors in 1982 with the focus of providing exceptional dental services to residents of the Latham, NY area.
Avoiding regular dental cleaning can lead to gum disease, tooth decay and other health problems. Maintain a healthy smile by scheduling an appointment at Capitaland Dental Associates today.
Put your oral health first. Schedule an appointment with Capitaland Dental Associates in Latham, NY now.
Every patient that walks into our practice has unique needs. Whether you consistently visit the dentist or skipped your last visits several years ago your dental needs are unique. Keep your smile beautiful by visiting Capitaland Dental Associates for a regular teeth cleaning. In addition to teeth whitening, a professional teeth cleaning can provide early diagnosis of other health problems.
Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won't do a good job of cleaning your teeth. If you have braces your orthodontist will tell you this is especially important.
Clean between teeth daily with floss. Decay-causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can't reach. This helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line. Flossing now prevents a visit to the periodontist later.
Visit your dentist regularly for professional teeth cleanings and oral exams.
Teeth cleaning is important for the entire family, so don't skip your regular teeth cleaning appointment. If you haven't visited the dentist in quite a while don't get yourself too worked up. Pick up the phone and call us today. We look forward to serving your dental needs.


text:
Tag: driving
Owari no Seraph – 08
Ahh, good ol' Omotesando Station… I remember it well, travelling on the Ginza Metro line between Shibuya and Shimbashi. It was in a far better state of repair when I was there. On Owari, after the fall, it's been re-purposed as a creepy lair for the team's next targets: seven vampires. Shinoa says they'd probably do okay fighting individually, but better to work together and defeat them without a scratch. For once, Yuu agrees.
They enter not to find fello Metro users like myself, but the vampires' thralls, who give their blood in exchange for protection from the monsters above ground. They glare at the soldiers as they press on to their primary targets; saving them is secondary, and for once, Yuu doesn't protest. They glare because they wish they had the power to choose a different fate for themselves besides this or death.
When Mitsuba gives the order to prepare their weapons, Yuu takes it upon himself to cut down an unarmed vamp, their first catch of the day, following the letter but not necessarily the spirit of his orders. This irks Mitsuba, but he catches her hand before she can slap him again, then maneuvers her out of the way of a second vamp's strike, whom he takes care of without any trouble. Two down, five to go, and Yuu's first rescue of Mitsuba.
When they confront the final five, three more pop out from behind Mitsuba, and one of them grabs her by the throat. But in one of the vamps' sillier choices, he decides not to kill her immediately, but wait until Yuu and the others have engaged his comrades to do it, by which time it's too late, and Yuu slices him in half.
With Mitsuba rescued by Yuu once more (who regards her as his family), the team closes ranks and mops up the remaining vamps, armed with second-rate weapons no match for their cursed gear. In all, it's a good first subterranean fight, packed with peril but ultimately not too difficult to pull off with the lessons they've learned.
The girl who told them about the vamps in the station lowballed the figure to save her own friends/family, something Yuu doesn't hold against her when they return to base camp, where other former thralls are being tended to by the army. When Mitsuba learns from Shinoa about Yuu's past, and how it so closely resembles her own, but his denseness annoys her and she storms off without telling him anything. There's pretty textbook romantic bonding exercise in practice here, but not unearned due to solid fundamentals and decent voicework by Iguchi Yuka.
The second half opens with Shiho getting a derelict Hummer H2T running again to shorten their trip to Shinjuku. While Yuu grows up a lot in this episode, the comedic scene the show allows as a breath between life-and-death ordeals successfully reminds us he still is a kid, judging from how stoked he is about driving a car for the first time. This is Yuu as a charming, wide-eyed kid, not an annoying angsty or arrogant; and it's nice.
The shot of Shiho gathering the others, as Yuu drives into the frame and crashes into a lamppost, demonstrates decent comedic timing (plus it looks like Yuu is having a ton of fun, which I can speak to having driven one of those brutes). Shinoa sitting in the drivers seat is a nice sight gag, as is her off-camera revenge over the lads for laughing at her.
Once everyone's aboard and they near the Shinjuku barrier wall, they spot a Vampire Noble, the first we've seen in action since Yuu ran from Ferid. Everyone bails as they set the Hummer on a collision course with the vamp, but he stops the three-ton SUT with one hand and flings it back at them like a toy. *GULP*. They had a relatively easy time with vamps up till now, but it's clear this will be a little different.
The noble is so fast he's upon Shinoa before she can raise her weapon. Yuu is able to block his blow and disarm him, showing her yet again why he and Shiho are Guren's favorites. The noble is a little impressed as two more noble vamps descend from the sky, flanking him.
Yuu asks if they should retreat from this. Let me repeat that: Yuu mentions retreat. But it's too late; Shiona believes they'll still have a chance if the five of them work as one unit at the very limit of their demon power, but she doesn't pretend there won't probably be a casualty or two.
The lady vamps have come to bring their comrade to the front lines, and he grudgingly goes along with them, sparing Yuu & Co. from a fight but promising he'll drink their blood when they meet again, casually tapping him on the shoulder before flying off. That easy arrogance really ticks Yuu off, but Shinoa is still visibly terrified from the bullet they just dodged.
Even if Yuu had what it took today to take that noble on one-on-one, his friends would get killed as he fought without teamwork. Shinoa also does what Mitsuba couldn't: thank him promptly for saving her life, noting that as Guren said, he really does care about his friends. Her gratitude brings the bashful boy out in Yuu.
Those nobles were pretty damn scary, but they're gone for the moment, and while the episode ends with the team staring down a Shinjuku under assault, about to enter that inferno themselves, it ends with an upward pan right into the smoke, as upbeat music plays. It will be tough going from here on, but they're going in together, and whatever they face in there, they'll get through it with teamwork.
Author magicalchurlsukuiPosted on Sat, 23 May 2015 Sat, 23 May 2015 Categories Anime Reviews, Owari no Seraph, Spring 2015Tags ashuramaru, cursed gear, demons, driving, elder, family, flashback, hiiragi shinoa, humanity, hummer, hyakuya mikaela, hyakuya yuichirou, ichinose guren, iguchi yuka, japanese imperial demon army, kimizuki shihou, metro, moon demon company, revenge, sanguu mitsuba, Seraph of the End, shibuya, shinjuku, soldier, subway, thralls, training, trust, vampires4 Comments on Owari no Seraph – 08
Golden Time – 15
Beach and pool episodes are as constant as the Northern Star. But even though stinkers come around now and then, we're past the point of dismissing them out of hand. We've seen too many of them that have transcended what we imagine was their original purpose: to show more skin and kill time. Golden Time's long-awaited beach episode is far more than that. Even though beach episodes where nothing goes right aren't a new thing, here the mishaps aren't simply an anomoly; they truly are being cursed by a bitter Ghost Banri.
Things start off innocently and hopefully enough, with Banri and Koko being all lovey-dovey on their way to meet up with 2D-kun. Then they fall victim to miscommunication, traffic, distance, and finally rain, all of which eats away are the precious day. Seeing how down everyone is, Banri cuts loose, stripping down to his non-jockstrapped Speedo and running out into the rain, then grabbing Koko and coaxing the others out. It's a beautiful display of raw, frantic joy; five people not letting the clouds deny them their fun.
And the clouds, as if out of deference to the audacity of Banri's, do eventually relent, letting the group have their fun in the sun. At this point, it's as if Ghost Banri's bad mojo had been buried in the sand. A beach-side supper, beach-ballin', swimming, fireworks; while it may have gotten off to a rough start, the rest of the day is a triumphant return to that innocent, hopeful beginning; what Banri and Koko were looking forward to on that train. But then…2D-kun intimates that he's too sleepy to drive, so Koko takes the wheel.
And OMG Koko is such a terrible driver LOL! Wait, no, she's not; she's a very good, careful driver. Nice cliche-dodging there, Golden Time! But there's still something very foreboding about them setting off; the car is a little too perfectly framed, as it was earlier in the day when they were waiting for Koko to find Chinami, or as the clouds gathered, or while stuck in traffic; events that happened while Ghost Banri's curse was winning. It comes back with a vengeance.
Banri and then Koko herself nod off, and the car starts to swerve around the road. It's a visceral, harrowing scene that had us on pins and needles. Sure, the show wasn't going to kill five characters, but that doesn't mean it wasn't going to take one or two; we had no idea what would happen, which is the key to genuine suspense. Even more shocking, Ghost Banri doesn't either, and panics and shouts when he sees how far things have gotten, and it would seem he's responsible for waking Banri up.
So yeah, this wasn't just an episode where we got to see more skin (both male and female, by the way). It showed the growing awkwardness between Mitsuo and the others, particularly Chinami, in the wake of the knowledge he's dating Linda; it showed the extent Ghost Banri's power; and we got more valuable Banri/Koko couple time. Ghost Banri may not be a damnable villain who's fine with people dying, but he's still trapped in a body being controlled by someone else, dating someone he deems to be the wrong girl. He's probably not done.
Author rabujoistaffPosted on Thu, 23 Jan 2014 Thu, 23 Jan 2014 Categories Anime Reviews, Fall 2013, Golden TimeTags 2d-kun, accident, beach episode, beach trip, bikini, curse, driving, ghost banri, girlfriend, kaga koko, kaga kouko, oka chinami, slice of life, speedo, summer break, swimsuits, tada banri, yanagisawa mitsuo