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Jessica Biel's son has invented a totally new use for her fancy shoes
Alyssa Thorne Updated Apr 24, 2017 @ 2:50 pm
Jessica Biel definitely has a fantastic sense of style, but now we know it's really Jessica Biel's son who's the chic one in the family. We can't say it's all that surprising because his gene pool includes (A) Jessica Biel and (B) Justin Timberlake, and he clearly was handed the genetic lottery ticket. But we CAN say that Jessica's son's use of her high heels is maaaaaybe the cutest thing we've seen in recent memory.
Jessica Biel's son Silas felt her shoes were better used as a playground for a bunch of plastic dinosaurs.
And honestly? We're kind of like, same, little guy.
Jessica's caption reads:
"Prehistoric pumps by Dino Blahnik. #momlife #partytime #momchella"
We really have to commend her on her exquisite hashtag use. And frankly, while we're def having some FOMO seeing everybody's pictures of Coachella, we're having a bit more FOMO toward what was obviously a really awesome playtime. We also really love that he's playing with plastic dinosaurs and using his imagination. Because it's so easy for parents to let their kids spend all of their time playing with technology and lose out on that precious, ridiculous time making up your own stories.
Silas is only two years old, and we can already tell he's going to be as cool as his parents.
We're sure this little guy will go on to do great things.


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The least expensive month is August, with an average of £54 per night. The most expensive month to stay in Nantes is June, with an average price of £78 per night.
The average price of a hotel in April last year was £64 per night. This is 4% less than the average nightly price of £67 seen over the previous 12 months.


Two years after changing the face of Brand Boulevard, the Americana at Brand has not paid off in sales tax revenue the way city officials hoped, but has boosted Glendale's fortunes in other ways.
At $1.16 million, sales tax revenue from the mixed-use shopping center was 15% less than expected in 2009, according to a Glendale Redevelopment Agency report.
But the property tax assessment for the center — which includes 75 shops, a multiplex theater, apartments and condominiums — should reach $3.64 million for the current fiscal year, according to the report, or more than double the $1.44 million take estimated in 2003.
At a Redevelopment Agency meeting on Tuesday, Philip Lanzafame, director of the Community Redevelopment & Housing Department, emphasized that the Americana has performed well. It has generated 1,500 jobs, created open space with a two-acre plaza, provided a southern anchor for downtown Glendale and replaced the blighted area that once occupied Brand Boulevard near Colorado Street.
He also said the 15.5-acre, 900,000-square-foot center attracts 68% of its visitors from outside the city, enhancing Glendale's reputation as a regional shopping hub.
Councilman Dave Weaver said the figures were a strong rebuttal to those who criticized city officials for approving the project, which was highly controversial when proposed. It took several ballot measures to get approved, only to face a protracted lawsuit from the owners of the neighboring Glendale Galleria.
Still, sales at the Americana have not grown enough for the city to cash in on a revenue-sharing deal struck when the center was approved. The Redevelopment Agency is eligible to receive half of the center's sales proceeds above an 11.75% return on its investment in retail and 8.25% return on residences. The Americana has not reached those benchmarks, hampered by the economic downturn that began months after the center opened in May 2007.
Last month, Jennifer Gordon, vice president of public relations for the Americana, said after a struggle, 68% to 70% of the condos have been sold. About 96% of retail space is also occupied, she said.
The city, which spent $77 million in land acquisition and other costs to support the Americana's development, reported the center's owner, Caruso Affiliated, spends $643,500 each year on landscaping and maintaining public open space, including the large fountain and lake in the center of the complex.
The city originally estimated the annual cost of maintaining the park at roughly $240,000.


Heart&Slash is a 3D robot brawler roguelike set in a world where machines are all that remains from human civilization.You play as Heart, a sentient robot fighting to escape the grip of the evil and all seeing machine QuAsSy (Quality Assurance Systems). Every death is permanent and means a new randomly generated level for you to start over with a different set of weapons and items you can use, new enemies to fight and secrets to explore.
Heart&Slash is a 3D brawler roguelike robot love story set in a world where machines are all that remains from human civilization. You play as Heart, a sentient robot fighting to escape the grip of the evil and all seeing machine QuAsSy (Quality Assurance Systems). But make no mistake, Heart&Slash is no walk in the park. Every death is permanent and means a new randomly generated level for you to start over with a different set of weapons and items you can use, new enemies to fight and secrets to explore. Heart&Slash offers players something new and challenging because it is not about mastering one system, rather adapting to what is provided and making the most of it.
Now I have put in a decent amount of time playing and it's fun. HOWEVER, many issues are apparent across multiple playthroughs. The movement is fast and certain items make it worse (bdoss legs), combat isnt bad but its not good either. Weapons make or break the game, especially when it comes to the Hrt-Proto character. Ledges get glitchy and enemy combinations (rocket troops on ground and air) plus the camera will make almost impossible to see the character at times. Items can also trivialize the game leaving ease (or possibility) of progress purely to rng. If this game actually had updates and fixes I would really enjoy it but sadly those arent coming. WITH THAT IN MIND the game is still fun, just when rng lets it. if its on sale, get it, if not, I would pass.
55 out of 58 people found this helpful.
Review title of FredyAmazing gameplay!
This game is addicting. If you like Dark Soulesc combat combined with Megaman Legends, then this is definitely a game worth picking up. My only problem with this game is that the camera controls can get a little wonkey sometimes, but, overall, still a solid experience.
90 out of 110 people found this helpful.
Review title of GutsyStrawberryHidden Gem!
Review title of ll Dexter llOne of my favorite games.
Honestly I loved this. I'm a fan of rogue like games and this one had great music, gameplay, items, and mostly a challenge to it. I 100% this game and the only thing i hope for is either DLC, a sequel, or Badlands to make more rogue likes for Xbox!!
This gameis really good with the story and the task you had to do for the ending. The reason i gave it 3 stars is because it needs more everything, it needs more endings, more weapons/armor, bosses, and more characters. Also i recommend you make it harder and if you want this game but dont want to spend alot of money just get it on sale.
This game is hard at first but is quick to learn. Learning how to fight IN NO WAY makes the game any easier. The combat feels nice and tight. Your attacks feel strong but not broken. The soundtrack is stellar. This is a great game to come from an Indie Company. This game is for those who are looking for a casual yet intense game. If you have played Risk of Rain or a similar perma-death game, this game is for you.
Combat is really rough, especially with flying enemies. Quite a bit of stuttering as well.


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Famous Motorcycle Riders: Recognizing The Greats
May 5, 2019 3:00:00 PM / by Jo Kelley
These five riders achieved fame for their deeds on and off the track, and I'd like to pay my respects.
Some of us riders grew up in homes that followed motorcycle racing religiously. We knew the names of famous motorcycle riders well before we even knew our own names! (Okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration.) Needless to say, I'm one of these know-it-alls.
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When I was young, I used to recite the names of celebrities who ride motorcycles over and over in the hopes that one day, I'd be able to add my own name to the list. For now, I'll settle for the title of celebrity motorcycle snob and, instead, bring some well-deserved attention to some of the racing 'greats' I've come to know by heart, starting with the legendary...
Possessing one of THE most recognizable names in motorcycle racing history, William Joseph 'Joey' Dunlop deserves more than a few pats on the back. Before his untimely death, he enjoyed possibly one of the most successful racing careers of his time.
Video Source: Isle of Man TT - iomtt YouTube
In 2016, the Northern Ireland native was posthumously voted the 5th greatest motorcycling icon ever by Motorcycle News, and for good reason. Among his plethora of accomplishments, Dunlop holds the all-time record of 26 total races won at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT), a historically dangerous motorcycle race held on a small piece of land between England and Ireland. He achieved his last first-place wins in the Ultra Lightweight, Lightweight 250 TT, and Formula One TT races back in 2000, which, sadly, is the year he died.
In addition to his Isle of Man victories, Dunlop also won the Ulster Grand Prix a whopping 24 times. During this time, he rode bikes by Suzuki, Yamaha, and Honda, each one sporting the #3.
A humble man, Dunlop stayed true to his roots and represented the working class. His humanitarian efforts in Romanian orphanages earned him the title of 'Officer of the Most Excellent Order' by the Order of the British Empire.
Currently, Dunlop's legacy lives on through the lives of the surviving Dunlop family members who continue to race, as well as in the memorials erected by admirers in his hometown of Ballymoney and along the Isle of Man TT track.
'Mike the Bike' Hailwood
Stanley Michael Bailey Hailwood is considered one of the greatest road racers of all time. In fact, he's one of only a handful of racers who competed at the Grand Prix level in both motorcycle and car racing.
With the help of his father, a motorcycle dealer in Oxfordshire, England, Hailwood learned to ride at a young age. He attended his first motorcycle race at the age of 10, and his first Isle of Man TT race at sixteen. A year later, he competed in his first motorcycle race, finishing in 11th place, which spoke greatly to his natural riding abilities.
Four years into motorcycle racing, Hailwood became the first man in the history of the Isle of Man TT race to win three races in the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc categories, in just one week. He also set a new one-hour speed record while preparing for the U.S. Grand Prix in 1964. In his early motorcycle racing years, Hailwood remained loyal to the Honda brand.
Famous for his motorcycle racing career—which included 12 Isle of Man TT victories and nine World Championship titles—Hailwood also raced cars. By 1974, he had competed in 50 Formula One Grand Prix races. One year, Hailwood bravely pulled a fellow driver from a burning car after the two collided during a race. He received the George Medal for this gallant act.
Later in his motorcycle racing career, he achieved further victory sporting brands such as Ducati and Suzuki, before retiring for good at the age of 39. Tragically, Hailwood and his two young children were involved in a fatal car collision two years later.
'King Kenny' Roberts
Kenneth Leroy Roberts occupies a special place on my list of famous motorcycle riders. Dubbed a Grand Prix 'Legend' by the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), he is most famously known for being the first American to win a Grand Prix motorcycle-racing world championship. He is also the second rider to accomplish a Grand Slam at the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) Grand National Championship.
Video Source: Duke Video YouTube
Roberts began riding motorcycles at the age of 12 after riding horseback no longer interested him. He even built his own motorcycle using a lawn mower engine and a bicycle frame. At 18 years old, he dropped out of high school in Modesto, California, to pursue a full-time career in motorcycle racing.
Displaying a natural talent for racing, Roberts won the AMA Rookie of the Year Award in 1971. Two years later, sporting a Yamaha XS 650, he succeeded in winning the national championship at the Grand National short-track race in the Houston Astrodome.
Later, responding to the limitations of motorcycle technology in the 1970s, Roberts achieved a new cornering style that redefined the way Grand Prix motorcycles were ridden. Determined to reach top speed before his competitors, Roberts took corners by braking early, extending his knee out until it skimmed the track surface, and then applying the throttle.
Roberts represented Yamaha for the duration of his 13-year-long professional racing career, and advocated heavily for stricter safety standards in racing while doing so. Today, he owns his own motorcycle company and racing team.
For 18 years, London-born Barry Sheene graced the world of motorcycle racing with his lucky number seven and his quirky pre-race rituals (before many of his races, he used to smoke through a hole he drilled into his helmet).
Video Source: Mr. Autosportfan YouTube
Just two short years after beginning his competitive motorcycle racing career in 1968, Sheene went on to become the British 125cc champion; he was 20 years old at the time and raced a 1967 Suzuki RT67 (which helped him secure his first Grand Prix victory later on).
During his career, Sheene sustained several potentially career-ending injuries, most notably the ones he suffered after crashing at the Daytona 200 in 1975. After a seven-week recovery period, though, Sheene was back it, scoring his first-ever 500cc victory at the Dutch TT, and, later, two World Championship titles. He even raced against Kenny Roberts in what was considered one of the greatest motorcycle Grand Prix races of the 1970s. His principal racing bikes were made by Suzuki and Yamaha at the time.
Interestingly enough, Sheene is credited with increasing the appeal of motorcycle racing, becoming one of the first riders to reap enormous financial benefits from endorsements. (Apparently, it still pays to be extremely good looking and talk with an accent!) Unfortunately, he was forced to retire from racing in 1984 after injuries he sustained to both his legs.
Sheene was introduced to the world of television following his retirement. In July 2002, he was diagnosed with cancer and died eight months later.
Jenny Tinmouth
A native of Chester, England, Jennifer Roseanne Tinmouth is the current female record-holder in the Isle of Man TT motorcycle race. She's achieved numerous firsts for women in motorcycle racing, which is why she made my list.
Video Source: Mike 'Spike" Edwards YouTube
Tinmouth is the first and only woman to compete in the British Superbike Championship (she raced an Aprilia and a Honda during this time). For this incredible feat, she was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2011. Also, to continue on her path of firsts, Tinmouth became the first woman rider to race a superbike for the Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team in 2007. She won the first Electric Bike Racing Championship in the UK shortly after.
But her accomplishments don't stop there. Remarkably enough, she broke two more lap records: the first in 2009 at the Isle of Man TT races, the second in 2010 also at the Isle of Man TT. This time, she broke her own record with an average lap speed of 119.945 mph!
If it wasn't obvious, Jenny Tinmouth is a force to be reckoned with. Not only is she an inspiration to female riders, but her achievements speak to all women, which is why she was dubbed 'IT Girl' by the Women's International Film & Television Showcase foundation in 2012. Currently, she heads her own British Superbike Team – another first, I might add – called Two Wheel Racing.
Oh, and did I mention she was a stunt rider in Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation and M.I.: Fallout? Awesome.
Thanks to these celebrity motorcycle sensations, motorcycle racing boasts a rich history all over the world. I'm sure I've left some of your favorites out of my list, though, so comment down below and let me know which famous motorcycle riders you've been following!
Trade in a motorcycle the easy way online, get your free cash offer.
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Written by Jo Kelley
I cover the history of motorcycles, motorcycle news, and tell the stories of some of the most popular brands.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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You can sail on a self-disinfecting cruise ship with Hyatt points
Gene Sloan
Lindblad Expeditions has a new selling point that might grab your attention: All its ships now are "self-disinfecting."
The pioneering expedition cruise company this week announced it had coated the interiors of all nine of its vessels with a new specialized treatment that interacts with light to break down bacteria, viruses, mold and airborne allergens.
Lindblad is now claiming to have the "first self-disinfecting fleet in the cruise industry."
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Dubbed ACT CleanCoat, the new system was developed by Copenhagen, Denmark-based ACT.Global. Billed as a transparent, odorless and sustainable disinfectant, the coating can eliminate microbes such as Ebola, E. coli, viruses, mold spores and allergens for up to a year, the company says. It also removes noxious odors.
CleanCoat's main ingredient is titanium dioxide, which is also found in sunscreen and food additives. Lindblad says the coating is completely harmless to passengers, crew and the environment.
If this sounds familiar to you, it's because in March of 2019, two hotels in (you guessed it) Denmark introduced the technology for the first "self-cleaning" guest rooms.
Lindblad was working on the coating project long before the outbreak of coronavirus. The project is part of an effort at the line to reduce its impact on the pristine environments its ships visit. The line is known as a leader in expeditions to Antarctica, the Arctic, the Galápagos and other remote, relatively undeveloped parts of the world.
Lindblad Expeditions is known for hardy, expedition-style vessels that can travel deep in polar regions. Photo courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions.
"We are very conscious of the waste we produce, and how the cleanliness of our ship and protection of our guests onboard is vital to a healthy environment," Bruce Tschampel, the line's vice president for hotel operations, said in a statement accompanying the announcement.
Tschampel said a pilot program on one ship proved the coating worked. The number of illnesses reported by passengers on the vessel dropped by 50% after the coating was added, he said.
The ship's cleaning staff also was able to use less disinfectant and water for cleaning, which lowered the vessel's environmental footprint, according to Tschampel.
Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises
On an annualized basis, the single ship in the pilot program "eliminated over 1,000 plastic bottles of cleaning products and dramatically reduced water usage by 1.1 million gallons," Tschampel said. "The crew is raving about how much healthier the ship is."
Lindblad operates relatively small vessels that carry just 48 to 148 passengers, and has been a leader among cruise lines in sustainability efforts. In 2019, it became a carbon neutral company, offsetting 100% of emissions from its ships, land-based operations, employee travel and corporate offices. Lindblad also was one of the first cruise companies to eliminate single-use plastics in passenger areas.
The news comes as Lindblad prepares to unveil its hardiest vessel ever: the 126-passenger National Geographic Endurance. Named by The Points Guy as one of the eight most exciting new cruise ships of 2020, National Geographic Endurance has been specifically designed to take adventurous travelers deep into the world's polar regions. Among its initial sailings will be an epic, 26-day crossing of the Russian Arctic that we're calling one of the best new cruise itineraries of the year.
How to book a Lindblad cruise
In addition to now offering self-disinfecting ships, Lindblad is one of the only cruise-selling companies that lets you book a voyage using points. Thanks to a relatively new partnership between Lindblad and Hyatt, World of Hyatt members can pay for a cruise using Hyatt points. Alternately, members can earn 5 base points per dollar on eligible spend (excluding incidentals), plus the standard bonuses for Hyatt elite members and elite tier-qualifying night credits.
All members — regardless of status — will enjoy a $250 onboard credit to use on incidentals. Visit the Lindblad Expeditions cobranded Hyatt site for more details.
Planning a cruise for 2020? Our planning guide starts here:
The 8 most exciting new ocean ships of 2020
The 7 most exciting new river ships of 2020
6 new cruise itineraries you should book right now
The best cruise lines for solo travelers
Comparing Carnival, Disney and Royal Caribbean for families
5 cruise lines to try if you just can't stand being around kids on vacation
Featured image courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions
Gene Sloan has written about cruising for more than 25 years and for many years oversaw USA TODAY's award-winning cruise site, USA TODAY Cruises. He's sailed on more than 150 ships.


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There is EU approved armor padding the back, shoulders and elbows. Kevlar in located throughout the entire jacket. The Kevlar fabric is hidden by a perforated mesh lining, that is used to hold the protective pads (armor) in place. The Kevlar and mesh linings are sewn to the outer layer which is made of heavy duty sweatshirt materials.
DO NOT WASH WITH LED LIGHTS OR WIRING REMAINING IN JACKET. THEY MUST BE REMOVED BEFORE WASHING THE JACKET.
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Jennifer Lawrence chatted to Glamour magazine about her role in the upcoming film, Joy.
They got to talking about the star's greatest food invention, her favorite swear word and what she would do with the body of someone she accidently killed. She obilges of course, being the sound girl she is.
In the first question Lawrence is asked what her favourite sent is and she replies "Red Wine". Need we say more?


The Jellyfish Nebula (IC 443, Sharpless 248) is a supernova remnant located in the constellation Gemini. It lies at an approximate distance of 5,000 light years from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of 12. The nebula can be found between the stars Mu and Eta Geminorum, at the foot of one of the celestial Twins.
The Jellyfish Nebula is a remnant of a supernova that occurred in the Milky Way between 3,000 and 30,000 years ago. The supernova event produced the nebula and the neutron star CXOU J061705.3+222127. The presence of the neutron star and the nebula's location in a star forming region indicate that the remnant was created by a Type II supernova, one triggered by a rapid collapse and violent explosion of a star with a mass at least 8 times that of the Sun. The neutron star is moving away from the site at about 800,000 km/h.
The nebula occupies an area of 50 arcminutes, appearing larger than the full Moon. It has a spatial diameter of about 70 light years, or 20 parsecs.
IC 443 is interacting with the surrounding molecular clouds and is one of the most studied supernova remnants in the sky. The remnant has evolved in the complex environment of the molecular cloud in which the progenitor star was still embedded when it ended its life. The interaction with the cloud has affected the nebula's morphology. In the southeastern portion of the nebula, the molecular cloud is very dense and clumpy, and the nebula's gas appears ring-like, while the northeastern part of the nebula is interacting with a wall of neutral hydrogen, a considerably less dense environment that allows the shock to travel at a much higher velocity. The nebula's expansion to the west is exaggerated, while the expansion to the east is experiencing a compression effect.
In optical and radio wavelengths, the nebula appears shell-like and is composed of two sub-shells with different radii, emissions and centres. The larger northeastern shell was likely created by a shock wave travelling at about 100 km/s. It consists of complex filaments that are emitting light from iron, neon, silicon and oxygen atoms and dust particles, which are heated by the blast from the supernova event. The smaller southern shell, which was probably created by a shock wave moving at about 30 km/s, is composed of denser clumps that emit light mainly from hydrogen gas and hot dust.
There is a third shell which is larger but, even though it was once believed to be part of the Jellyfish Nebula, it is now known to be older, with an estimated age of about 100,000 years. The larger shell is part of a different supernova remnant, designated as G189.6+3.3.
X-ray images reveal the nebula as centrally peaked, with a barely visible soft X-ray shell. In both optical and X-ray wavelengths, nebula's emission is heavily absorbed by a huge molecular cloud located in the foreground. The cloud crosses the entire nebula from northwest to southeast.
Observations with the Chandra X-ray Observatory and XMM-Newton have revealed a plerion nebula near the southern edge of the supernova remnant. A plerion, or pulsar wind nebula, is a nebula powered by the wind of a pulsar, a highly magnetized, rotating neutron star that emits electromagnetic radiation. Pulsar winds consist of charged particles that are accelerated to relativistic speed by the rapidly rotating, extremely strong magnetic field of the spinning pulsar. The Crab Nebula (Messier 1) is a prototype of this class of nebulae.


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RCL|Narrative|Evangelio|Index
< November 11, 2012 >
Alt. 1st
Commentary on Hebrews 9:24-28
Amy L.B. Peeler | 0 Comments
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The cycle of sin and atonement ends in Christ
Repetition can be a good thing.
Children thrive when they can expect the same order of events in their day. Most adults enjoy the feeling of an established rhythm to their weeks. Congregations, even those who would never describe themselves as liturgical, have a certain repeated structure to the weekly service that cannot change without attracting attention, or more likely, criticism. In other ways, however, doing the same thing over and over again can create a sense of boredom, or even worse, entrapment. Especially true when one is stuck in the rut of a bad habit, escape from the repetition, while greatly desired, at times feels impossible.
The author of Hebrews, were he to use our parlance, might describe sin as being stuck in a rut. He would certainly, however, not view Israel's sacrificial system as part of that sin. It was God's gracious plan to address the reality of human impurity, but it did function as a reminder of the sin rut people lived in. The daily sacrifices culminated in the yearly presentation of an offering in the holiest place in the tabernacle system. Every year the people would mourn their sinfulness as the High Priest, with great trepidation, approached the ark of the covenant to secure God's presence for another year.
The author of Hebrews interprets Jesus' death, resurrection, and exaltation in light of this model. The sacrificial system dealt with the people's sin during the time of the Old Covenant, but it also pointed the way toward the ultimate answer to sin. In the same way, Jesus offered a sacrifice so that sins could be forgiven, but the chief difference is that he did so only once. The cycle came to an end with Jesus.
It seems a bit ironic that a letter so concerned with the end of the repetitive cycle of sin and atonement would be so repetitive in getting that point across. One of my professors often jokingly asked how I could stand working in Hebrews. "It says the same thing over and over again." That charge, I'm afraid, cannot be denied. This week's passage is hauntingly similar to the previous. Both discuss the differences in location, means, and timing between the sacrifice of Jesus and the other priests, a hint that repetition is not always a bad thing.
Granting him the benefit of a doubt, the author must have had a reason, and a plan, for expressing the same ideas repeatedly and a close examination shows that he adds something new to his argument in this exposition.
In between the last description of Jesus' priestly offering and this one, the author presents an artful play on the word covenant. He presents the similarity of Jesus' offering to the blood rituals used in the covenant God established with his people on Mount Sinai (9:18-22), and also its similarity to the death necessary for the enactment of another type of covenant, a will or testament (9:15-18). So, Jesus plays the role of a testator whose death makes the New Testament a reality, and he plays the role of the priest whose offering inaugurates the new covenant.
The author remains with the priestly associations of covenant to explain the ramifications of Jesus' death, resurrection, and exaltation. Just as the earthly tabernacle had to be cleansed with sacrifices, so too does the heavenly tabernacle. This idea strikes us as incredibly odd if we imagine heaven tainted by human sin, but one of the best explanations is that Jesus' offering inaugurates the heavenly tabernacle and prepares it for his eternal ministry as the priest who intercedes on our behalf. Hence, the author reminds his audience again that Jesus serves not in the tabernacle on earth, but in heaven itself, where he appears before the very face of God (9:24).
Next, he emphasizes the once-for-all quality of Jesus' sacrifice. If Jesus were like other priests who presented their offering annually, he would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world -- a subtle reminder that this author viewed the man Jesus, whom other Christians had seen and known in the flesh (2:4), as the bodily appearance (10:5) of the eternal Son of God (1:3). If his sacrifice wouldn't have been singular, it would have had to happen as long as the world itself had existed in need of reconciliation with God. In reality, since he only came once and his suffering culminated in the one and only time he faced death, this showed that time itself had reached a stage of completion. The end of the ages had arrived (cf. 1:2).
Why repeat the point that Jesus presents his own blood, not that of animals, and once, not repeatedly, in heaven, not on earth? In addition to the fact that this was a sermon that most people would hear rather than read, and so repetition helped to solidify ideas in the minds of the audience, the implications of each presentation of the point highlight a different moment in one's life with God. While the first ends with the proclamation that Jesus' offering makes it possible to serve God right now (9:14) the second culminates with the promise that Jesus' offering guarantees salvation in the future. As you serve God, you look forward to the ultimate, final, and permanent salvation Jesus' sacrifice achieved (9:12).
Both the method and the content of this passage have something to say about repetition. The content asserts that Jesus' sacrifice ends the repetition needed to take care of sin. Because he has offered himself blameless to God, there no longer remains any need for any offering for sin (10:18).
All we have to do is remember. Hence, we need to repeat the story of Jesus' offering, in study, in prayer, in worship, in baptism, and in the Eucharist, because this repetition reminds us that we look back to the forgiveness of sin and look forward to the possession of salvation.
Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Amy L.B. Peeler
Associate Professor of New Testament
Wheaton, Ill.
24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere ...
Rethinking Stewardship
Brainwave 262 - Lectionary Texts for November 11, 2012
Join Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, David Lose, and Matt Skinner for a conversation around preaching the lectionary texts for Pentecost 24: Mark 12:38-44; 1 Kings 17:8-16; Psalm 146 (8); Hebrews 9:24-28; and Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-1
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"Peaceable Kingdom," John August Swanson. Used by permission from the artist.
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I'm going to level with you: I'm not sure what to do with this week's reading from Mark. I wish I had better news, but there it is. I'm ...


I love wearing red lipstick. I think it's pretty much the easiest thing to apply to make it look like you're wearing more makeup than you actually are, and it's one of those things that works for casual or more formal occasions.
The first two reds that I'm sharing today have been part of my makeup bag for awhile. In college, I worked part-time at a makeup counter in a department store at the mall for a hot minute (which was pretty much the most fun job that I've ever had) and I spent a lot of time trying on lipstick shades and figuring out which ones I liked best. To this day, though I have added other reds here and there, I haven't found any that really top these.
What's your favorite red lipstick color? Would love to hear!
This is my all time fav, but it was actually recently discontinued, though you can still buy it online.


We've been trying "Yammer":http://yammer.com/ at "the office":http://fusionary.com/ for short notes and intra-office updates. Yammer asks "What are you working on?" Fair question, but I already log my daily activity in a "Daybook":https://jackbaty.com/2008/07/tinderbox-as-a-daybook/ using Tinderbox so I thought it would save time if I could post those entries as updates directly to Yammer.
Easy, here's how I did it. The whole process took me less than 15 minutes from concept to completion.
When the agent runs, it first calls out to a shell command which uses curl to post the note's title to Yammer via Yammer's API. Here's the action run by the Agent.
After the shell command, it removes the "YM" tag from the note, preventing subsequent runs of the agent from picking it up and posting the same note again.
To easily add the "YM" tag to a note, I created a Stamp.
Wrapping it all up, to send a note to Yammer, I simply select the note and choose "Send to Yammer" from the menu and whoop, there it is.


text:
Where Are The Late Pat Summerall's Children Now?
Home » Celebrity Babies » Where Are The Late Pat Summerall's Children Now?
Published On: June 3, 2019 Binesh Shrestha
Susan Wiles Is A Married Woman
Kyle Summerall Is His Parents' Youngest Son
Jay Summerall Is An Entrepreneur And Payments Innovator
Pat Summerall's Children: Name Meaning
American football player and sportscaster Pat Summerall has two sons and a daughter with his ex-wife, Kathy Jacobs. Kyle Summerall and Jay Summerall are Pat's two sons, while his daughter is Susan Wiles. Pat and Kathy's beautiful children are busy with their own personal and professional lives. The siblings likely get along with each other and maintain a warm and friendly relationship. Pat is also a grandfather of his ten loving grandchildren.
As we know, Pat is a legendary footballer and sports host. He has left a legacy of a rich and successful career. His children are certainly doing well when it comes to their lifestyle. The kids have undoubtedly grown up to be responsible adults, and we're sure they miss both their parents, who are no longer with us. The father of three, Pat Summerall died in 2013, while the loving mother Kathy said goodbye to her family in 2005. At the time of his death, Pat was survived by his wife, Cheri Summerall.
Pat Summerall's daughter Susan Wiles is enjoying her marriage to her husband, Lanny Wiles. The daughter of Pat and Kathy lives a quiet life with her husband. Our research suggests that the husband-wife duo is parents to their adorable children.
Pat Summerall's daughter, Susan Wiles, is a radio broadcaster and former teacher. Image Source: Tampa Bay Times.
Susan's father, Pat, passed away at the age of 82 in 2013, after suffering a cardiac arrest. Susan, along with her husband Lanny, and brothers, Kyle and Jay, was present at her father's funeral service. For now, Susan lives a quiet life with her family and keeps away from the media limelight.
An interesting fact about the former New York Giants star Pat Summerall's son, Kyle Summerall, is how he got his name. The youngest son of Pat and Kathy was apparently named after the National Football League (NFL) legend, Kyle Rote. We wonder if Kyle is a passionate football fan and watches all major NFL games.
Pat Summerall's youngest son, Kyle Summerall, is married to his wife, Dana. Image Source: NFL
Often regarded as the "voice of NFL", Pat might have wanted his two boys to pursue a career in football. After all, he was a professional football player himself, winning several titles and all that. Further, Kyle Summerall's wife is Dana Summerall, with whom he enjoys a successful marriage and has beautiful children.
Jay Summerall, Pat Summerall's eldest son, is enjoying his life with his wife and family. Jay's wife, Kathy Summerall, is a loving partner and supports her husband in every area of his life. Further, Jay was present at his father's eulogy paying tribute to his late father.
As the eldest son, Jay takes responsibility for his family and supports his wife Kathy and siblings in times of difficulty. According to Jay's Twitter account, he is an entrepreneur and the former CEO of CardSmith, a company that deals with creating project management software. He currently lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and children.
Kyle Summerall: Kyle is a name of Scottish origin, means a narrow, straight channel.
Jay Summerall: Jay derives from the Latin name Gaius, which also means "victory" in Sanskrit.
Susan Wiles: Susan is a Biblical name that comes from the Hebrew Shoshannah, meaning "lily."
For latest updates on Entertainment, Celebrity Babies follow eCelebrityMirror.
Celebrity BabiesCelebrity CoupleCelebrity DeathsCheri SummerallDana SummerallJay SummerallKatherine SummerallKathy JacobsKyle RoteKyle SummerallLanny WilesPat SummerallSusan Wiles
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Copyright © 2017-2018 Free Articles by ecelebritymirror.com, All rights reserved.


text:
My Happy Place: Wyclef Jean reveals his hidden paradise in Haiti
ByBenjamin Moe
In My Happy Place, we talk to some of our favorite people about their emotional connection with an unforgettable destination.
Wyclef Jean is one the biggest musical names to ever come out of the island nation of Haiti. His star first rose as a member of the famed hip-hop group the Fugees and continued to climb as Jean pursued a career as a solo artist, collaborating with everyone from Shakira to Young Thug. A three-time Grammy award recipient, Jean has never forgotten his home country of Haiti and regularly extols his love for the country through his music. Mic caught up with Jean at an October benefit for VH1's Save the Music Foundation, which is dedicated to bringing instrumental education to U.S. public schools.
For Jean, there's one place in Haiti that he can't forget. "It's like a magical river. It's called Saut d'Eau," he said. Saut d'Eau is the name of a town and 100-foot waterfall about 60 miles north of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince.
Eduardo Verdugo/AP
Saut d'Eau — or Sodo in Creole — is a place where natural beauty and Haiti's rich history meet. The towering waterfall was created by an earthquake in the mid-1800s. According to local lore, shortly after a man saw the Virgin Mary appear near the waterfall. Saut d'Eau became a sacred site, and now, as Jean explains, "they have great ceremonies" every year.
Dieu Nalio Chery/AP
The annual festival at Saut d'Eau occurs in mid-July, when Haitians, tourists and members of the diaspora travel to the waterfall to take part in the festivities. Attendees bathe in the water, hoping it will rid them of sicknesses or bring them good fortune. Both the Virgin Mary and her Vodou analog, the Haitian spirit Erzulie Dantor, are associated with the waterfall.
Vodou — more commonly spelled as "voodoo"— is a key part of Haitian culture, and stems from its colonial history. When French colonizers made African slaves in plantation colonies like Haiti practice Catholicism, many combined the religion with indigenous African gods, giving birth to Vodou. That's why Vodou spirits, like Erzulie are often so similar to Catholic religious figures like the Virgin Mary.
Rebecca Blackwell/AP
Music is woven into the yearly Saut d'Eau festivities. "You go out there, a lot of music is played," Jean said. "The style of the music is called rara. Rara is the roots." During the festival, rara musicians lead a procession from a church in Saut d'Eau to the waterfall. The main instrument used in rara is a bamboo or metal cylinder called a vaksen, which is accompanied by drums and other percussion instruments.
Rara is also played during Easter and Haiti's equivalent of Mardi Gras, Carnival, which happens every year in the weeks leading up to Lent.
Hector Retamal/Getty Images
Jean hasn't always had such a rosy relationship with his home country. After a catastrophic earthquake upended Haiti in 2010, his charity Yéle was accused of overspending on travel and luxury office expenses, as well as not fully paying its contractors. Jean responded to criticism in 2010 saying, "I never would ever take money for my personal pocket when it comes to Yéle," and that he has "always been committed to the people of Haiti."
Despite being roiled by the Yéle controversy, Jean remains dedicated to uplifting his country, and he released a song named "Lady Haiti" in February 2017. For Jean, the synesthetic combination of music, nature and religious ceremonies make the Saut d'Eau waterfall and festivities one of the most treasured pieces of Haiti. And at the end of the day, it sums up what Jean loves so much about his native home: "You chill. You meditate. You enjoy nature."


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RepTrak
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Employer RepTrak
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Perception RepTrak
Risk RepTrak
U.S Banking Industry Facing Reputational Crisis - New Study from American Banker and Reputation Institute
June 26, 2019 - NEW YORK & BOSTON - A lack of consumer confidence in the U.S. banking industry is approaching near-crisis proportions while other industries are enjoying the business benefits of a reputational recovery which eludes many large, regional and non-traditional banks across the country, according to the 9th annual U.S. Banking RepTrak® study from American Banker and Reputation Institute.
The large study, conducted in March and April, considered nearly 13,000 individual ratings from customers and non-customers who were asked for their perspectives on 40 nominated banks drawn from the Federal Reserve's list of commercial banks. Regional and non-traditional banks included in the study were identified by Reputation Institute, a technology-driven provider of reputation measurement and management services.
While the reputation of large banks among customers went down slightly, large banks have narrowed their reputational gap with regional banks, which in turn continue to lose ground to non-traditional competitors. Exceptions include Citizens Bank, a RI-based regional bank whose efforts to deepen its emotional connection with customers is paying off as the bank jumped 12 spots to become the third most reputable U.S. bank among customers.
Wells Fargo places last among customers and non-customers due to a list of troubles that include a fake-account scandal and a federal inquiry into its purchase of low-income housing credits.
"While other industries have enjoyed a reputation recovery in 2019, the banking industry is struggling to regain reputation equity across all measures," said Brad Hecht, EVP, Americas, Reputation Institute. "The reputational challenges in U.S. banking is diminishing the level of support banks are able to engender among the general public, irrespective of whether they are a regional, national, or non-traditional bank. In particular, a consumer's willingness to do business with banks and to give them the benefit of the doubt is most impacted by a decline in reputation."
The top 10 banks with the best reputation as ranked by bank customers in the 2019 survey are:
USAA Bank
Huntington Bancshares (Nasdaq: HBAN)
Citizens Bank (CFG: NYSE)
First Citizens Bank (OTCMKTS: FIZN)
PNC (PNC: NYSE)
Webster Bank (WBS: NYSE)
Northern Trust (NASDAQ: NTRS)
Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE: CFR)
The study from Reputation Institute and American Banker also identifies five keys to reputational recovery for U.S. banks in 2019:
Corporate responsibility - ethical behavior and societal contributions are the areas that have the biggest room for performance improvements.
Navigate the political minefield - with 2020 national elections in full swing, banks must walk a tightrope with respect to public policy positions and contentious socio-economic issues in a politically divided country.
Being prepared in an era of elevated risk - companies that understand the power of reputation perform better in a period defined by increased reputational risks.
Unlock the influencer potential - seek out the voices of ordinary people with authentic credibility, a community which has an extraordinary influence on reputation.
Leverage the bank CEO - doing what's right drives CEO reputation in banking.
About Reputation Institute
Reputation Institute helps leaders at the world's largest companies build credibility with the people that matter most -- by delivering data-driven insights about how they are truly perceived. We do this with RepTrak®, an unrivaled technology that provides actionable insights encompassing industry, competitors, and company-level analysis. Past and present clients have included Whirlpool, Barnes & Noble, The Estée Lauder Companies, JP Morgan Chase & Co., LEGO, P&G, Cisco, AB inBev and Telefonica, among many others. For more information, please visit www.reputationinstitute.com.
About American Banker
American Banker, a SourceMedia brand, is the essential resource for senior executives in banking and financial services, keeping its users updated on vital developments and focusing sharply on their most important concerns. Financial industry professionals turn to American Banker to stay maximally informed and engage with an authoritative community of analysts, practitioners and innovators through opinion content, research reports, social media, and live events. American Banker Magazine is a monthly print publication of American Banker, focusing on the ideas, the people, and the companies that are changing the way bankers do business.
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In 2017, U.S consumers used nearly 2 billion gallons of biodiesel. Today, domestic demand for biodiesel accounts for more than a quarter of all soybean oil use in the U.S.
St. Patrick's Day isn't the only green thing to celebrate in March. It's Biodiesel Day March 18.
While the clean-burning, renewable fuel reduces emissions, it's also good for South Dakota farmers, using about 5.6 billion pounds of soybean oil each year.
"In this tight economy, increasing domestic demand for soybeans through biodiesel is a win-win for soybean farmers and all who value clean air," said Tim Ostrem, a Centerville soybean grower who is a director for the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council (SDSRPC) and represents South Dakota to the National Biodiesel Board.
The fuel is growing in popularity on the East and West coasts. In 2017, U.S consumers used nearly 2 billion gallons of biodiesel. Today, domestic demand for biodiesel accounts for more than a quarter of all soybean oil use in the U.S.
"Market expansion continues as more consumers discover this non-fossil fuel as an alternative to petroleum diesel that can be used to fuel trucks and also as heating oil for fuel oil furnaces," said Ostrem, pointing to research noted on United Soybean Board website that biodiesel reduces greenhouse gasses by up to 86 percent, compared to petroleum diesel.
Biodiesel burns much cleaner than petroleum diesel reducing particulate matter, carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons and other smog causing particles.
According to the United Soybean Board, the 15.5 billion gallons of biodiesel used through 2017 cut greenhouse gas emissions by 143 million metric tons - the same impact as removing more than 30.6 million passenger vehicles from America's roadways.
Research, funded in part by South Dakota soybean checkoff helps develop and promote biodiesel.
Biodiesel is renewable - Biodiesel is made from renewable resources, including soybean oil, animal fats and recycled cooking oil. It has the highest energy balance of any commercially available fuel, returning 5.5 units of energy for every one unit needed to produce it.
Biodiesel is less toxic than table salt - On land and in water, biodiesel's low toxicity is a major benefit of handling the fuel. Regular table salt is nearly 10 times more toxic than biodiesel, so the environmental concerns associated with transporting fuels aren't a problem with biodiesel.
Biodiesel biodegrades faster than sugar - Biodiesel degrades four times faster than petroleum diesel. Within 28 days in water, pure biodiesel degrades nearly 90 percent, or slightly faster than the dextrose test sugar used as a scientific baseline. This is another reason it is much safer to handle and transport than petroleum.
Biodiesel is the American alternative to foreign oil - Biodiesel is produced from coast to coast in nearly every state with regionally diverse raw materials. It is made from locally available byproducts and coproducts - soybean oil in the Grain Belt, recycled cooking oil in urban areas, animal fats from rendering plants in the Southwest and more.
Biodiesel supports 62,000 U.S. jobs - The biodiesel industry supports thousands of domestic, green energy jobs from lab technicians to engineers to truck drivers. All aspects of the U.S. economy are supported by biodiesel production.
Biodiesel can be used in existing diesel engines without modification - Biodiesel has widespread support across all diesel applications because it is easy to use with existing infrastructure. From 4-door sedans to bulldozers, from street sweepers to school buses, from snow plows to semi-trucks, and even in boats and home heating systems, the use of biodiesel is as diverse as the diesel engine itself.


In order to size your Enersol Solar Pool Heating System you need to know the surface area of your pool.
Example: A 12ft x 24ft rectangular pool has a surface area of 288sqft.
The rough rule of thumb is to size your solar pool heating system at 50-75% of the area of your outdoor pool.
Example: If your solar pool heating panels will face South, you will aim for a system with 50% of the surface area of your pool, 144sqft.
The length of solar pool heating panels you install will be determined by the surface you are mounting them on. You will need to leave room at the top and the bottom of the panels for piping and access.
Example: If you will be mounting the solar pool heating panels on a south facing roof that is 14ft long, you might decide that a 10ft panel is the best length for your roof.
The number of 1ft solar pool heating panels you require is determined by dividing the calculated size of your solar pool heating system by your desired solar pool heating panel length.
Example: If the surface area of your solar pool heating system is 144sqft and you can fit 10ft solar pool heating panels on your roof, you will require 14-15 boxes of solar pool heating panels for 50% coverage.
We do not recommend installing less than twelve 1ft wide panels, as high pressure issues can occur.


text:
« Omega and Alpha
Absolutely Fabulist »
Once More With Ealing
February 10, 2011 by Awix
From the Hootoo archive. Originally published 19th September 2002:
Of all the great British film companies of yesteryear, Ealing Studios is second only to Hammer in terms of reputation and brand recognition. In the 1940s and 50s they released a string of razor-sharp and socially astute comedies about the British character and way of life, many of which are on the list of gold-plated all-time classics: The Lavender Hill Mob, Kind Hearts and Coronets, and (my personal favourite) The Ladykillers.
Well, guess what – Ealing are back in business and their first release in this, their centenary year is an adaptation of Oscar Wilde's The Importance Of Being Earnest, adapted and directed by Oliver Parker. It's the story of fairly strait-laced Edwardian gent John Worthing (Colin Firth), who lives in the countryside most of the time, and who has invented a fictitious brother Ernest whom he pretends to be when in town visiting his ladyfriend Gwendoline (Frances O'Connor) (she has a thing about men called Ernest). Meanwhile his caddish friend Algy (Rupert Everett), smitten with John's ward Cecily (bussed-in American starlet Reese Witherspoon), pops down to the country to see her, masquerading as the non-existent Ernest too (she also has a thing about men called Ernest). When the two ladies both get engaged to 'Ernest', not realising he's two different men, things get complicated – especially with Gwendoline's terrifying mother (Dame Judi Dench) on the warpath…
It's clear from the start that The Importance Of Being Earnest is aiming to be the kind of high-quality literary adaptation that we have a reputation for doing quite well in this country. And the production values are appropriately high, and the cast has – mmmmm! – that cachet of class about it: Anna Massey and Tom Wilkinson are in there too.
But for all these good intentions, the producers have obviously decided to go for the multiplex dollar. One can excuse the imported American star, as many a British film that can't afford Hugh Grant opts to hire one, but the big surprise here is the nature of the comedy. Think Oscar Wilde and you think of throwaway witty aphorisms, social comment, a touch of satire and maybe Stephen Fry in a wig (if you're me you also think of Blake's 7 and Stuart Townsend's appearance as Dorian Grey in next summer's blockbuster The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen), but in this film the comedy is much, much broader. There is a quite shocking level of over-acting from virtually the entire cast (Dame Judi is obviously the exception) and the script even includes pratfalls and a running gag about tattooed arses in its relentless pursuit of big laughs. I got the strong impression the cast enjoyed making the film more than I enjoyed watching it, which is never a good sign.
And it doesn't feel like an Ealing comedy, either. It doesn't have the edge, or insight, or lack of sentimentality: it's just a very broad, very gentle, knockabout romantic comedy. Wilde's most famous lines all show up but they seem weirdly out of place. More ambition would have been better. This isn't a bad film, it's actually quite amusing – but, for all its CGI London skyline and big name cast, it feels more like a TV adaptation than a film in own right. Gosford Park for people with short attention spans: if you want to see it, you'll lose nothing by waiting for the TV premiere.
Posted in Film Reviews | Tagged 2000s, Colin Firth, comedy, costume drama, Judi Dench, Oscar Wilde, Reese Witherspoon, romcom, The Importance of Being Earnest | Leave a Comment


text:
A review on the effect of rubber membrane in triaxial tests
Mavinakere Eshwaraiah Raghunandan, Jitendrapal Sharma, Biswajeet Pradhan
This paper presents a review on the effect of rubber membranes on the measured stress and volume change data during the triaxial tests. In many instants, the error associated due to membrane penetration is measured to be close to the total sample volumetric strains. Hence, in addition to precise measurements, adopting an appropriate correction to the measured data is pivotal. This paper provides a detailed review on the methods used to estimate and reduce the influence of rubber membrane on the measured triaxial test results. The discussion therefore clearly highlights the stiffness, thickness, and diameter of the membrane used, to have significant influence on the measured deviatoric stress and the volume change data. The mean grain size of sample has an equally significant influence on the volume change. The methods in general are limited to test conditions, and therefore, it is practically uncertain to have a generalized correction procedure. Effectively, the outcome from this review work enhances the understanding of the reader towards the effect, methods, and corrections to be considered in triaxial testing due to rubber membrane and membrane penetration effects.
Arabian Journal of Geosciences
Raghunandan, M. E., Sharma, J., & Pradhan, B. (2015). A review on the effect of rubber membrane in triaxial tests. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 8(5), 3195 - 3206. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-014-1420-0
Raghunandan, Mavinakere Eshwaraiah ; Sharma, Jitendrapal ; Pradhan, Biswajeet. / A review on the effect of rubber membrane in triaxial tests. In: Arabian Journal of Geosciences. 2015 ; Vol. 8, No. 5. pp. 3195 - 3206.
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title = "A review on the effect of rubber membrane in triaxial tests",
abstract = "This paper presents a review on the effect of rubber membranes on the measured stress and volume change data during the triaxial tests. In many instants, the error associated due to membrane penetration is measured to be close to the total sample volumetric strains. Hence, in addition to precise measurements, adopting an appropriate correction to the measured data is pivotal. This paper provides a detailed review on the methods used to estimate and reduce the influence of rubber membrane on the measured triaxial test results. The discussion therefore clearly highlights the stiffness, thickness, and diameter of the membrane used, to have significant influence on the measured deviatoric stress and the volume change data. The mean grain size of sample has an equally significant influence on the volume change. The methods in general are limited to test conditions, and therefore, it is practically uncertain to have a generalized correction procedure. Effectively, the outcome from this review work enhances the understanding of the reader towards the effect, methods, and corrections to be considered in triaxial testing due to rubber membrane and membrane penetration effects.",
author = "Raghunandan, {Mavinakere Eshwaraiah} and Jitendrapal Sharma and Biswajeet Pradhan",
journal = "Arabian Journal of Geosciences",
Raghunandan, ME, Sharma, J & Pradhan, B 2015, 'A review on the effect of rubber membrane in triaxial tests', Arabian Journal of Geosciences, vol. 8, no. 5, pp. 3195 - 3206. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-014-1420-0
A review on the effect of rubber membrane in triaxial tests. / Raghunandan, Mavinakere Eshwaraiah; Sharma, Jitendrapal; Pradhan, Biswajeet.
In: Arabian Journal of Geosciences, Vol. 8, No. 5, 2015, p. 3195 - 3206.
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AU - Raghunandan, Mavinakere Eshwaraiah
AU - Sharma, Jitendrapal
AU - Pradhan, Biswajeet
N2 - This paper presents a review on the effect of rubber membranes on the measured stress and volume change data during the triaxial tests. In many instants, the error associated due to membrane penetration is measured to be close to the total sample volumetric strains. Hence, in addition to precise measurements, adopting an appropriate correction to the measured data is pivotal. This paper provides a detailed review on the methods used to estimate and reduce the influence of rubber membrane on the measured triaxial test results. The discussion therefore clearly highlights the stiffness, thickness, and diameter of the membrane used, to have significant influence on the measured deviatoric stress and the volume change data. The mean grain size of sample has an equally significant influence on the volume change. The methods in general are limited to test conditions, and therefore, it is practically uncertain to have a generalized correction procedure. Effectively, the outcome from this review work enhances the understanding of the reader towards the effect, methods, and corrections to be considered in triaxial testing due to rubber membrane and membrane penetration effects.
AB - This paper presents a review on the effect of rubber membranes on the measured stress and volume change data during the triaxial tests. In many instants, the error associated due to membrane penetration is measured to be close to the total sample volumetric strains. Hence, in addition to precise measurements, adopting an appropriate correction to the measured data is pivotal. This paper provides a detailed review on the methods used to estimate and reduce the influence of rubber membrane on the measured triaxial test results. The discussion therefore clearly highlights the stiffness, thickness, and diameter of the membrane used, to have significant influence on the measured deviatoric stress and the volume change data. The mean grain size of sample has an equally significant influence on the volume change. The methods in general are limited to test conditions, and therefore, it is practically uncertain to have a generalized correction procedure. Effectively, the outcome from this review work enhances the understanding of the reader towards the effect, methods, and corrections to be considered in triaxial testing due to rubber membrane and membrane penetration effects.
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Raghunandan ME, Sharma J, Pradhan B. A review on the effect of rubber membrane in triaxial tests. Arabian Journal of Geosciences. 2015;8(5):3195 - 3206. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-014-1420-0


text:
Q: Removing slashes from array Firebase is kicking my a**. I'm trying to a column (tokens) from the users table using php
I set the todo path
  $todoPath = 'users/'.$userId.'';

get the data
  $response = $fb->get($todoPath);

and get this $response:
 {"lastName":"Sengbe","location":{"name":"San Francisco,    California","id":"114952118516947"},"timezone":"-7","birthday":"06/25/1978","-  J445njkymYw9INQcvAi":{"lastName":"Bond","location":{"name":"San Francisco,   California","id":"114952118516947"},"tokens":2,"timezone":"-7","birthday":"06/25/1978","userName":"whosesse","name":"James Sengbe","verified":"true","provider":"facebook","gender":"male","email":"james@bond.com","firstName":"James"},"userName":"whosesse","name":"james Bond","verified":"true","provider":"facebook","gender":"male","email":"James@bond.com","firstName":"James"}

Now I want to grab just the token from this. Nothing I've tried works
tried
 $tokens=$response->{'tokens'}

 $tokens=$response['tokens'];

A: You have to use json_decode to make an object out of the json string.
$response = json_decode($fb->get($todoPath));

var_dump($response->tokens);

A: Use json_decode with second argument true for making associative array then parse array
$json = json_decode($response,true);

$tokens = $json["-  J445njkymYw9INQcvAi"]["tokens"]; //based on your response

echo $tokens;

Output:
2

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Seattle and King County join together to proclaim Food Day
Officials promote healthy eating and sustainable, accessible food policies
October 24 is National Food Day, a day to celebrate and support a healthy, sustainable, and accessible food system. In recognition of the occasion, a rare joint proclamation was issued today by the King County Council and Executive and the Seattle City Council and Mayor in support of the national Food Day campaign and many local events occurring in the region.
Metropolitan King County Councilmember and Board of Health member Kathy Lambert and Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin, who chairs the Puget Sound Regional Council's Regional Food Policy Council, invited their colleagues to join them for a joint city-county presentation, which took place in the County Council Chambers. Local representatives involved with Food Day events and food policy activities also participated in the celebration.
"It is critical that the County and City continue to work together to advance our joint goals of access to healthy food, farmland preservation, environmental sustainability, regional economic development, and public health," said Council President Conlin.
"We all benefit from keeping fresh, locally produced foods available and accessible to everyone in King County – from families to farmers to grocers," said King County Executive Dow Constantine. "Food Day rightly recognizes the important role that agriculture plays – and will continue to play – in our region."
"Healthy and locally-produced food should be accessible to everyone," said Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn. "Raising awareness of food issues at both a county and city level will help us toward that goal."
"We are fortunate in the Northwest to have the climate and the agricultural land needed to produce plenty of food, and harvest time is a great opportunity to recognize the essential contributions of our local farmers," said Councilmember Lambert. "This joint city-county proclamation draws more attention to the issue of access to healthy food and the importance of agriculture in both urban and rural areas of King County."
The proclamation is one part of a full week of activities and celebrations occurring in the Puget Sound region, including panel discussions, film screenings, dinners, farm tours and a resolution passed on Oct. 21 by the King County Board of Health. More information is posted on a Food Day web site.
Food Day is a new nationwide grassroots mobilization promoting healthier diets, food security and sustainable food policies. More information about National Food Day is available at www.foodday.org.
WHEREAS, the health and well-being of our citizens is of primary concern; and
WHEREAS, reducing obesity and diet-related diseases by promoting safe and healthy eating is fundamental to improving the overall health of our citizens; and
WHEREAS, supporting sustainable family farms and local agriculture is essential to the health of citizens and our local economy; and
WHEREAS, improving equity for food and farm workers is beneficial for both the producer and consumer; and
WHEREAS, expanding access to food and ending hunger is important to the quality of life for those who live in food deserts that lack sources of fresh, healthy food; and
WHEREAS, curbing junk-food marketing aimed at children is a valuable tool to combat rising childhood obesity rates; and
WHEREAS, protecting the environment and the ability of our land to produce food is necessary to provide ready access to locally grown, nutritious food and farm products and to sustain future generations;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the King County Executive, Metropolitan King County Council, Mayor of the City of Seattle and Seattle City Council, do hereby proclaim Monday, October 24, 2011 as
FOOD DAY
in the City of Seattle and King County, Washington, and we urge all citizens to participate in the activities that support a healthy, sustainable local food system.
Members of the King County Council and Seattle City Council along with Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and representatives from King County Executive Dow Constantine shortly after the combined Councils declared October 24 "Food Day" in Seattle and King County


I have always loved you. They are the words we want to know in our bones, on our bad days, in the moments we wake up during the thick of night. And yet we, like Israel, can find it hard believe. "Really? How have you loved us?" (Malachi 1:2).
God answers with what He has done, how He has shown His faithfulness, the ways He has fulfilled His promises. He talks about Jacob and Esau, the hill country and a desert for jackals. I wonder if they scratched their heads then. Because they, like we often do, might have different ideas about what "love" looks like.
God, if You loved me I wouldn't have this struggle, that heartache or the salty tears on my pillow.
God, if You loved me I would be married/have a baby/live in a Caribbean beach house.
God, if You loved me I would be rich and successful and never have bad hair days.
Surely life would look like what we long for if God really loved us. When that doesn't happen we get scared or controlling, impatient or bitter. We go looking for love in other places, other faces. Maybe we decide we must be unworthy of being loved by God. We will try harder. We will do better.
All the while God is saying, I have always loved you. Here is the evidence: My Son on a cross, My presence in Your life, My Spirit within you bringing truth and grace. My love is wound through your history like a scarlet thread even in the dark moments. It is the one constant in the chaos. It cannot be lost. It cannot be won. It is yours in the blink of this life and the vastness of eternity.


text:
Should Men Receive Spousal Support From Ex-Wives? Fellas Debate
Home → Lifestyle → Relationships → Marriage → Should Men Receive Spousal Support From Ex-Wives? Fellas Debate
A husband supporting his wife is respected in society. But what happens when a woman is forced to support her ex-husband with spousal support after a messy divorce?
The Battle of the Sexes/The Battle of the Exes
Uh oh, the grits done hit the pan now.
First, Mary J. Blige went through it and now it's Mel B's turn to the feel the wrath of a man scorn.
Blige's ex-husband Kendu Isaacs and Mel B's estranged husband Stephen Belafonte have made headlines for receiving spousal support from their famous exes.
Belafonte will receive $40,000 in temporary spousal support while Isaacs receives $30,000 in temporary spousal support.
People Magazine has also reported that Belafonte will receive $140,000 from Mel B to help pay for legal fees.
According to FindLaw.com, "The purpose of alimony is to limit any unfair economic effects of a divorce by providing a continuing income to a non-wage earning or lower-wage-earning spouse.
"Part of the justification is that one spouse may have chosen to forego a career to support the family, and needs time to develop job skills to support his or herself. Another purpose may be to help a spouse continue the standard of living they had during marriage."
Often, other women see women who receive spousal support from wealthy ex-husbands in a positive light. But many view men seeking spousal support as unmanly since men have traditionally been the breadwinners and head of households in past generations.
However, with old school gender roles going by the wayside in many situations and the move towards gender equality and equal pay, is it time for men to receive spousal support when marriages to female breadwinners fail?
RegalMag.com reached out to several men to get their opinion on men getting spousal support from their ex-wives.
Richie Bickham of Dallas and DeRon Nix of Austin, Texas stated that they believe spousal support should only be given to men in situations in which they are raising the children or if they left their profession to help their ex-wives further pursue their careers.
However, in the cases of Blige and Mel B. their ex-husbands should lose any leverage they have in seeking spousal support because of their infidelity during the marriage.
The Rev. Christopher Walls of Allen, Texas stated, "(Prenuptial agreements) are important! With that being said, I believe spousal support should be commensurate with the amount of time you have been married, the financial value or loss to the household that would occur because of the dissolution of the marriage and the opportunity cost of you having been thoroughly committed during the marriage [like Richie and DeRon stated].
"I do not (think) people should benefit from just having been married to a famous or rich person if they brought no value or true support to or throughout the relationship.
"Now, if people do things the way God intends, they are working, sacrificing and grinding together…you should both share in the dissolution of the assets."
Shane Dinwiddie of Loveland, Ohio said, "I believe the justice system should compensate men and women equally in regards to spousal support. Obviously, each case has it's own intricacies and generally I would imagine inconsistencies exist.
"A consideration is women are well-publicized to historically have inferior pay in the workforce for similar careers men have. I would trust the courts would consider this and other barriers when determining the amount."
Regardless of how one stands on men receiving spousal support, changing gender roles will only continue to change the way marriage and divorce are perceived, which will continue to cause controversy.
Planning a Wedding On a Budget
The Low Black Marriage Rate and the Pretty Woman Syndrome
Male Infidelity: Why Did You Get Married?
Ups and Downs of Living Together Before Marriage
Open Marriages Open For Some, But Not Others
The Dilemma: How to Handle Being Married with Single Friends
Women Proposing to Men: Fellas, is it OK?
What Happens When Sex With Your Spouse Ceases?
Is Marriage Proposal from Future Bride OK?
What Makes a Woman Wife Material?
How to Choose the Best Man As Your Actual Best Man
Many Say Interracial Marriage Good for Society


This adorable Sugar and Spice family calendar is the perfect way to keep organised all year long!
With five columns available per month to add different family members' names, monthly planning has never been so easy.
The calendar also has a handy storage pocket to keep important documents neatly stowed away, with 140 Gorjuss stickers included to highlight shopping trips, appointments and plans with loved ones!
Pretty, practical and oh-so perfect; a Gorjuss addition to any wall!


text:
Denise Mirandah
As a Director, Denise Mirandah has played a major role in the international promotion of the company, helping to share the family values of Mirandah Asia and its successful one-stop shop approach to IP with clients all over the world.
A keen writer and legal contributor, Denise regularly writes about Asian IP and edited pmc connects, the in-house newsletter, updating clients on developments in Asian IP matters. She has also gained experience as an editorial assistant for the Singapore Law Review. She now continues her role as the editor of the company monthly newsletter, Lawwatch.
Denise is a core member of the Law & Practice Asia-Pacific Subcommittee, which is an integral part of the International Trademark Association Bulletin Committee, as well as being member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association and Intellectual Property Owners Association. She also represents the company at Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance ("GALA") meetings as the Singapore representative together with Patrick Mirandah who is GALA representative for Malaysia.
Always with an eye on future progress, Denise uses her experience to take on the challenge of mentoring younger staff at the company.
Denise has had a passion for IP from an early age and, as the daughter of Patrick and Gladys Mirandah, grew up in a household where IP was discussed regularly. She studied her Bachelor of Laws at the prestigious Cambridge University in the UK. There, she underwent rigorous academic training with the world's most eminent legal minds, including Professor Bill Cornish, a renowned authority on IP law.
During her summer holidays, she attended Harvard University in the US to hone her drafting skills and familiarise herself with the American legal system, voluntarily working as part of Harvard's pro bono programme in Boston.
Denise has been admitted to the Bar in Singapore since 2009, and in Brunei as of 2017.
Denise and Ian share a close bond, having been in London for over 8 years gaining extensive IP experience.
Denise is in charge of all CSR activities in the group.


text:
<!DOCTYPE html>

		<title>Reactive component sample</title>
		<link rel="stylesheet" href="boot.css">
		<link rel="stylesheet" href="shapes.css">

Reactive component sample

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Knowledge and passion for abstract expressionist paintings, led to a series of large, painted 3D sculptures based on sketches of powerful objects.
The forms are made in a spontaneous and expressive way by cutting, bending, shaping and welding in the workshop. These elaborate gestures create unique, strong shapes.


text:
<?php

namespace PHP\Expando\Modifier;

/**
 * @see \PHP\Expando\Modifier
 */
use \PHP\Expando\Modifier;

/**
 * @see \PHP\Expando\Modifier\Proxy
 */
use \PHP\Expando\Modifier\Proxy;

/**
 * Interceptor
 *
 * This modifier adds an interceptor to the class. The interceptor allows for
 * the methods added to the metaclass to be called.
 *
 * If the class already has __call implemented, it will append the interceptor
 * to it
 *
 * @package Metaclass
 * @author  Marcello Duarte <marcello.duarte@gmail.com>
 */
class Interceptor extends Proxy implements Modifier
{
    /**
     * The method to mofify
     *
     * @var unknown_type
     */
    protected $_method = '__call';

    /**
     * Code to add to __call
     *
     * @return string
     */
    protected function codeToModify()
    {
        return '
        if (is_callable(array($this->metaclass, func_get_arg(0)))) {
            try {
                return call_user_func_array(array($this->metaclass, ' .
                                           'func_get_arg(0)), func_get_arg(1));
            } catch (BadMethodCallException $e) {
                %s
            }
        }
    ';
    }

    /**
     * Empty __call in case class doesn't have any to modify
     *
     * @return string
     */
    protected function defaultSource()
    {
        return \sprintf(
            '    public function __call($method, $args) { %s }',
            \sprintf($this->codeToModify(), '')
        );
    }

    /**
     * Prepends code to an existing method. Overrides because this modifier
     * needs to wrap code around rather than the default prepend
     *
     * @param string $source
     * @param string $codeToPrepent
     */
    protected function prependToMethod(&$source, $codeToPrepent)
    {
        $method = $this->getReflected()->getMethod($this->_method);
        $body = $method->getBody();
        $codeToPrepent .= $body;
        $source = \str_replace($body, \sprintf($codeToPrepent, $body), $source);
    }
}


For our anniversary we headed off to Patisserie Valerie for afternoon tea.
I've had a lot of afternoon tea but what really stood out about the one at Patisserie Valerie was the balance.
The choux pastry wasn't the crispest and neither was the pastry on the reheated mini quiches but that didn't matter as much because the balance of the whole thing was just right.
What Makes A Perfect Afternoon Tea?
I've never thought before that afternoon tea could be unbalanced but I've often left the table feeling I've eaten too much cake. If it's on my cake stand I'll eat it, it's not until half an hour later I'll realise I ate too much and by then it's too late.
Once I started was marvelling over how I'd had just the right selection of sandwiches to be satisfied, ready for scones and still had room for cake too, I realised just how difficult it is to offer a range of tasty morsels without over filling a guest.
Patisserie Valerie have perfect portion sizes with their afternoon tea.
Five dainty finger sandwiches per person with a range of fillings. We had finely sliced cucumber, chicken pesto, salmon and cream cheese, egg mayonnaise plus ham with spinach and mustard.
Two mini scones each with a more than generous amount of clotted cream and Bonne Maman jam.
And cute little two bite cakes which we shared, only one rich chocolatey one, and the other five which included two éclairs were incredibly light.
Plus, decent refillable coffee. Great value for £25 for two people.
I've never eaten in Patisserie Valerie before and had dismissed it as a faceless chain. The cakes are handmade but not on site and that always put me off. But the staff were so attentive and friendly plus the window display is just divine. The venue in Shrewsbury town square had a very quaint tea shop feel.
I felt replete after finishing afternoon tea, not overly stuffed with cloying cakes and sweet stuff. Like goldilocks and her porridge, this one was just right.