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Lunar Zodiac
Lunar Dailies
CHRIS REPPUCCI
Earth, Sky, LORE, MAGIC
Ultimate/Opposite
2, 373 years ago today Alexander the Great was born in Pella, Northern Greece and central Macedon. His historical existence is of course, of great importance, hence his common moniker, but furthermore his romantic and magical connotations are of particular concern to the themes of these forecasts. It was he who founded Alexandria in his own name and manifested a legacy that we directly refer to as the 200-300 year Hellenistic period. This is the cultural interchange which established Western Hermeticism, mixed Egyptian decanic sky divisions with Babylonian astrology which then spread into Greece and Rome, birthed the Greek Magical Papyri and essentially concretized a net in which older pre-Olympian indigenous traditions could adhere to and be transmitted through chronologic and kairotic weaveries to the present day; as we have the inheritance, in lesser or greater degrees of corruption, alchemy, astrology and magic both high and low. An interesting birthday to be commemorating on this New Moon, just before the equinox. The last time the New Moon fell on Alexander's birthday was 1998, nineteen years ago. Then we find Mercury opposite Jupiter in watery Pisces where today we find Mercury opposite Neptune in Pisces. Then, as now, we are about one month past a Total Solar Eclipse conjunct the fixed star Regulus, and then, as now, a pair of the deadliest hurricanes on record swept through the Caribbean, George and Mitch respectively. We also find North Korea and Russia in the headlines around this time, as well as Bernie Sanders, Mathew Shepherd and The Satanic Verses. These were of course eclipses of separate saros series, so they have each unique characters, although it is not every hurricane season that the record is broken for most destructive hurricane. I spoke to a sailor recently that happened to say that parts of the Caribbean were still rebuilding from George when Irma hit. Interesting also is Neptune's frequent association with Dionysus, and this New Moon falling on Alexander's birthday with a prominent Neptune aspect; Alexander's company, many of whom were worshipers of Dionysus, are remembered by history as embracing devotees outside a Shiva temple in Alexander's foray into the Indian subcontinent; the Shaivites and Dionysians not realizing their Gods were separate deities, and indeed, Shiva wields a Trident, the astrological sigil for Neptune. Coincidentally, 1998's Alexander birthday New Moon has Mercury applying to trine Neptune by that year's equinox. Alexander's birth did not occur on a New Moon, but nine days after. Nothing then was in Pisces, but Mercury had within the past few weeks conjunct Neptune in his own sign of Virgo quite near Regulus, and then conjunct Jupiter in Libra not long after. The nodal axis then was also in Leo and Aquarius, but nodally opposed to now. The action taking place in an air sign and a Mercury ruled sign. The Alexandrian expansion did operate like a kind of sprawling hurricane, and what it spread and intended very much to do so was information and understanding; the explosion of knowledge that erupted from the syncretism of Greco-Roman and Egyptian cultures, best exemplified by the Alexandrian Library, a monument in a previous information age, formidable to our own.
Today, with Neptune across from Mercury, expect information to struggle out of pools of poetry to enter the air and present itself. My own presentation was similarly thrashing out of the waters of the above paragraph, a kind of mind-memory revery riptide where facts and details get spun and sculpted in the synaptic crossfire surges, stringing triple-s's that mix into the transmission. This is the second Neptune soaked lunation, the other being the last Full Moon. In the Dionysian fog maybe an amber nugget of calcified honey-mead adhered to the brain pedestal cartilage from bacchanals past can be dissolved and drunk if desired, as all skulls now are civ sheathed rather than beneath bone bulbs, as if they got midnight trepanned by swarms of Mercury antipathetic mosquitos. As Mercury is finally picking up speed this is a rather brief affair in aspect, but it being a New Moon event on Mercury's Day in Mercury's sign, it is relevant to the whole lunation. The Sun-Moon conjunction itself occurred less than a degree away from opposition with Chiron, which reminds us of our Cranial Surgeons and what wounds they might have inflicted and what medicine they might be working on the other end of the seesaw scales. It is true for most now, we need some fantastic if not phantasmagoric process-pressure-release, a sort of midterm ayahuasca ceremony, if it can be conducted without dropping the proverbial ball, or more importantly, the literal one. If you can fit a good old fashioned trance session in September's tight schedule, do so, but make sure mundane responsibilities are far enough to the frontiers of the fugue state to be safe and untampered with.
Luckily this lunation is one as far as decan that speaks of the end of processes, the empty field after harvest rather than before, and readies us for the equinox quite well, a time when light is overtaken by darkness, the scales flatten for only a moment, less than an instant if you count your clocks, and then tip the other way. For those of you that follow planetary hours, it is a time (this far away from the equator) when they are also (briefly) regular 60 minute periods. The English Qaballa; a system devised by in large by the late occultist and magician Jim Lees, which works like an English gemmatria based on the rules, phrases and text extracted from Crowley's 'Book Of The Law'; sights the number 60 as correspondent to BOSOM, COWER, DEATH, DENY, EVIL, GET, GLEAM, GRADES, HARDER, LIVE, MEN, NONE, SPELL, VEIL, and VITAL. The empty fields, whether they be before or aft, under Libra's scales or Aries' incarnation are indeed earthly bosom, and it's hard to not imagine the rounded bottom of the scale pair themselves as breasts, but those that give shadow rather than the light that is denied when we ourselves die and pass through the veil, paralleled in a New Moon darkness when spells are cast and we live harder in the winter, it being harder to get what is vital, in death men are none and can no longer deny an evil gleam, like that of sparkling snow crystal or veils of frost. The words are befitting the nature or polarity of the season, as the world descends into winter. In fact you could rewrite it all to fit spring equinox and the mysteries of Astrological New Year, the Annunciation, and maybe the scales are not just weighing light and dark, but either end of the year. In the E.Q. system you reverse the number to find out the reward of a certain word. The reverse of 60 reduces to six, of which we only get two correspondent words: AS and LAW; the latter we know is of pivotal importance to Crowley's complex notions. An equinox does bring up ideas of nature's law, as does the mythological New Moon, or magical. It was a time to petition Hekate, where the rich would leave food at crossroads, upon which the poor would feast, an act that maybe not met but strove towards equality, even if it was only an incremental balancing of scales. The Sun is fallen in Libra, so it is helpful in great honorable quests and stately works, but ushers a time to take what the Gods give and be grateful. This is interesting in light of Alexander's birth; was it not his prowess that led to his eminence but his favor within divine orders.
Mars is the next to face Neptune on Sunday the 24th. It is too tempting to paint the picture of someone far too drunk endeavoring to replace a blown head gasket in a gale, although, can we attempt to find a positive application for the transit (noted nevertheless, maybe not the best day for mechanical dissection or open heart surgery.) If it is with the trident that we spear those solid bodies that rush and swim through the swells and surges of Neptunian typhoons, then this might be a day to wrestle and skewer some impressive beasts from the watery abyss, if you have an inner Ahab, it is under such an aspect that a white whale be pursued, and as we know, such narratives are infested with digressions and asides that ponder divine enthronement and the role of human destiny; the school of daemonic fish that follow the Muse through the sea. Where you can stage this drama is up to you, but if Mars is to be utilized in this bizarre pairing, it would be better for hard play than martial prowess. Take your Mars on a hike or explore the beach,hunt for fall fungi, as he will want details to occupy him and some sort of adrenalin to marinate the muscles, but it would be an odd day for battle, as it would end up like war in the wave pool, or a march through the fog, the ink bleary bleeding off the maps and the powder barrels dripping with drizzle. It could be a BZ episode, the Vietnam era berserker echoing out the hog helmet, the gnashing sword teeth dropped in the fauna ruff, wolves and bears and boars tumbling out of low hovering choppers. I wouldn't advance my rook toward an opponents phalanx until after the aspect began to separate by a few degrees.
Mercury squares Saturn on the 25th, suggesting the strategies befouled by Neptune's successive oppositions to Mercury and then Mars are demanded when Mercury progresses onward. This is not the vision of what is and what is not in balance between sequential, scheduled action and illusory fantasy, but an alarm that signals that if procedures are to be brought to a close then dedicated end drives must be made; it says "get in, now, buckle up, drive". The gun is maybe not put to the head, but it is made clear through implication and intensity; the result would be the same or worse if you were to not comply. A bit of doing exactly what you have to do, no excuses, to complete some projects that Neptune has been throwing some fantastical fog at really is not so bad, as it goes with Saturn aspects; what has to happen happens, so make the best of the strap down. It being Mercury, for some it'll be strapped in the cockpit and for others it'll be bound to the desk or workbench, whatever it is, this is a fine time for finishing things up, although, this is not without obstacles: expect communications to pair down to the essential, and for technology to be only minimally helpful if not altogether impaired, at which point you have to proceed manually. Whatever the restrictions, try to make them augment the work. It's like those yarns you spin when later on someone is complimenting the massive map you prepared of plot points connecting herbal traditions spanning watersheds via canoe portage interchanges uncovered from carefully excavated subsoil revealing archeological evidence gleaned from measuring the wear marks on prehistoric beaver teeth fossils: "Oh my God, proving that those friction points were from hemp rope abrasions after my program crashed and I had to measure and draft each dental scan by hand with only one pencil that by the end was whittled down to the erasure stub with a dinner knife was SUCH a pain in the ass!". But proud job for getting it done.
The 26th delivers another interesting wallop that goes partile by midnight and continues throughout the 27th; Uranus in Aries opposes Jupiter in Libra for the third time since December 25th of 2016. This planetary opposition series happens roughly every fourteen years resulting in societal upheaval, regime change and technological mutation. It coincided with the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall, but in a different pair of signs. The last time the Uranus and Jupiter appeared as they are in Aries and Libra was1934 which saw the dramatic rise to power of the Nazi party. It must be noted that even by 1936 the Olympics were held in Berlin, and that 1934 was also a year where American papers were equally concerned, if not more so, with Bonnie & Clyde bank busts and John Dillinger jail breaks. Uranus revolutionizes, like ARCANUM XVI LA MAISON DIEV, The Tower, it brings inspiration via bolt of lightning, both disruption and innovation ensue and the world after cannot contract into its former structure, the foundation gets cracked and requires a rebuild. Jupiter expands our minds and makes what it affects in reality grow by bringing coherence throughout all its parts, so that mutations and additions can take place. This is the direct transmission of Guru to disciple, but in the case of Uranus' opposition the transmission is of volatile Promethean fire, or at least in context of it. Jupiter in Libra attempts to cultivate alliances that balance the turbulence of the world, where as Uranus in Aries supercharges the fiery spirit of the indissoluble singular Individual expression. One wants Justice and the other wants freedom, but paradoxically, they are opposed. The result is greater and greater polarization. The past two direct oppositions in the past year saw major marches and demonstrations.
The next day Mercury opposes Chiron. Whatever wounds have opened up in this process, Mercury is in a prime position to figure out how to heal them. They might be chasms wet and wide, the kinds of gashes and punctures you look at and can barely understand, but if there is a capable healer in the chart it is Virgo Mercury, and normally Chiron only needs to hear that you intend to turn the hurting into healing for the process to begin. We can only hope that this is medicine and balm for the contusions and tears of the Jupiter-Uranus transformations, as it affects us all personally as much as it does the world at large and the historical stage. Even if you are not experiencing overt growing pains, most of us are forced through some sort of metamorphosis right now depending on where this aspect hits your chart; you will be changed after this year because of it. Think over your medicinal regimen and see if it fits your possible illnesses or deeper ailments, and adjust accordingly. What you need is what you do not already have, and this doesn't mean more of anything that is healthy seeming, but what depletes deficiencies and lowers over lifted levels. If this seems too obscure, the 27th might be a day for revelations that revolutionize inner-balances by deep diagnostic. Ask yourself, a spirit or consult an illuminated sage. If you don't have one handy, run into the forest and fall to your knees in lamentation; you're likely to get a reaction.


@Dezzy @Ryu_Niiyama The X is a huge upgrade compared to Xbox One and it's also not only more powerful but much better engineered and optimised than the PS4 Pro. However, according to Digital Foundry, by 2020 (approximate date) the biggest upgrade that the next Xbox console would have would be the CPU. The X uses a customised and optimised one that runs at high speeds and has some operations built in (that's why X is much better than an equivalent PC) but in a few years a new-generation CPU is expected in consoles.
It's possible that the first years of Scarlett are transitional like @GrumbleVolcano and @Angelic_Lapras_King suggest. I won't feel the urge to upgrade as much as from Xbox One to X, ironically. I'll do it but not on day one like with the X. But Scarlett won't have a remaster of a remaster at full price, that's something typical of Nintendo, but Xbox has become a cross-generational platform that plays older titles and that is the best thing about Xbox since the backwards compatibility was announced with Rare Replay.
One thing that few people talk about is loading times are really much shorter on X compared to Xbox One, PS4 and even Pro. It's something that you really don't appreciate until you have it but it's like having a few seconds interruptions instead of one minute interruptions. It's a blessing.
@BlueOcean I think it'll vary by company. Capcom for example released the DMC Collection on PS360, a collection of the PS2 games, that was then ported to PS4/XBONE as a full retail release, with no backwards compat on the 360 version. Same with the Resident Evils especially 4, hardly any are backwards compat because Capcom chose to rerelease the likes of 4, 5, and 6, making you pay for it again.
Like I said, just because BC is there doesnt mean any company has to make ALL their old games part of the program. Not when there are people out there that will throw 50 notes on a port of a years old game they probably brought last gen, just for the promise of a "4K Upgrade".
@BlueOcean Oh, trust me. Three starring these challenges is easy once you learn the line and manage to keep under control throughout it. I've been redoing them in my AWD-converted Mini Cooper easily. A lot easier than with the Subaru in some cases.
If you need a bit more help, there's a few tips and lines you can get from the video below. I didn't go manual gears and I didn't use the car and build from the video, but it did help to understand a few of the finer points of getting three stars.
🎮 And so much more!
@BlueOcean As I don't have a tv right now 4k or otherwise there are no compelling reasons for me to splash the cash on a X or a Pro right now. My gaming PC performs better anyway. Also I haven't been really interested in the One until recently. The games that came out on the twins unfortunately ensured that I bought more Ps4 games (more exclusives I prefer and Fighting game central) even though I loathe the DS4 controller. Even with that the twins sat un used since the Switch came out. I didn't boot up my one until odyssey came out (which I didn't get on PC solely because I hate Ubisofts storefront and drm).
I have no issues with the twins, just no excitement. I'm happy I own them and I will get their upgraded versions but as of right now especially after being just fine in my AC Sparta playthrough I can wait until they are cheaper or I've moved again. I am saving for a neo geo anyway. As that is my holy grail of gaming (although if hamster keeps up their good work I may not have to buy one). That being said there are more games coming down the pipe that I care about finally but at the same time still no enough for me to rin out and upgrade. I can wait. My backlog is the size of Mt Olympus anyway.
NES is cool, he just likes to poke me with a stick. It is his way of being friends in the text wall club.
I do know I am sitting out the next systems though. Going Nintendo/PC for a bit.
I don't know about Banjo. I think they know there's demand, but I don't know if Rare is totally bogged down with SoT content for the moment to be working on anything.
haha, well if the flags are skippable in AC1, then I'll tell you from the start in II, be sure to ignore the feathers! It's even worse than the flags!
Going back to KH is cool though. I really need to do that soon, before 3 comes out. I've played half of one and all of DDD. I don't think I'll play all 6 this time. Just 1, 2, Birth By Sleep, DDD (DDD is really weird, coming back to it. I loved it at the time, but it feels like a bad Sunset Overdrive to me now....) I do find I'm really liking BBS. I thought it would sit behind 1 and 2 for me, but it's really grown on me as well. I refuse to sit through Chain of Memories though. That's torture. The only GBA game that really translates well to current hardware is Ace Attorney.
I still need to look into a Brook One to use an Elite with PS4 and Switch. That would be dreamy despite famously short battery life. Unfortunately Amazon no longer offers extended warranties on Elites. The 4-year plan was the best deal running given the stick drift possibilities. Though I can't believe they ever sold the warranties given the high return rates.
@Grumblevolcano Boom. Third party presentations. So far my expectations are being met. As long as they don't announce the next entry of a major franchise is mobile, declare "you all have phones", or announce they've lost $33m, are cancelling their 2019 planned releases, they'll still win this months presentations. So far every single company as screwed up this week.....I think I'll keep my eyes mostly closed or this show.
EDIT: That reminds me, there's a fun misplaced object in World of Final Fantasy. There's a PSX on the shelf you can interact with to play music, etc in Lann's room. It's still there in the X1/Switch versions.
@NEStalgia I am revoking your text wall member's only jacket.
The psx mini will be nice if it can be hacked. Otherwise ill stick with the games I have.
X-enhanced Crackdown is available for download for free now!
@DarkRula I am going to try again now. What do you think about the Drift pack? What are the exact models and modifications that you recommend? Thanks again.
Oh snap digital crackdown?! getting.
@BlueOcean I have a bad feeling that's a sign for more Crackdown 3 problems. Maybe another delay?
Me: I've never played a Crackdown.
Me: I don't have an Xbox One X.
Whoa, nice find! I would have expected that as GwG, not sure how it got a stealth freebie status!
@Grumblevolcano We'll know by tomorrow! They've delayed it so much I can't imagine it's not done yet. March gives a long window still. But....I also wouldn't be surprised. Their last 3 games other than FH4 were released incomplete and had poor launches, I doubt they want a repeat with Crackdown 3.
I don't even know what that game is like or about but hey free.
You misunderstand. I was commenting on the good timing of MS, since they made it free shortly after I commented on how I never played Crackdown. Now I'm seeing if I'm on a lucky streak, and openly commenting on how I don't have an XB1X.
tl;dr Supersoldiers vs crime syndicates. According to Wikipedia.
@NEStalgia It's a difficult situation because XB1 is kind of in Wii U territory now regarding 1st party releases. 2018 for XB1 is rather comparable to 2015 for Wii U as an example where Crackdown 3 is BotW.
So, are 360 games enhanced only on the X model, or is the S model good for those too.
All games are enhanced. X just provides better enhancements.
Happy to let you know about this.
State of Decay 2 and Sea of Thieves are great games but they were poorly reviewed because their launch was rushed. Sea of Thieves received much more content and gameplay tweaks afterwards while State of Decay 2 received important performance and glitches patches. I don't think that Microsoft wants to make the same mistake. If that means that Crackdown 3 is delayed that is for the better but perhaps the game is almost ready, we'll find out tomorrow. I am happy that Sega delayed Team Sonic Racing as that one needed more time too.
@DarthNocturnal Internet high five. No, it isn't a free system but it is something.


The right wedding dress can be quite expensive. You might want to consider a dress which is not categorized specifically for the bride. For example, a bridesmaid dress is typically much less expensive and may be just what you're looking for. Even with some alterations to complete your vision for the dress, it could be less expensive in the end.
Before your wedding day be sure to practice walking down the aisle multiple times. Do it at your actual wedding site to test out its floor with your chosen shoes. This is going to make you feel confident on your big day.
Before choosing a photographer for your wedding day, browse around for ones with the most skill and experience. You don't need wedding photos taken that you end up disliking. It is smart to look online for user reviews of photographers or seek personal recommendations from those you trust.
Coordinate small touches into all the aspects of the wedding decor. Maybe choose the tiny crystals from your veil to also be sprinkled on the tables. This will help with the elegance at your wedding.
Brides should take the time to practice walking in their wedding shoes and dress so that they will be comfortable and graceful on their big day. If turning your ankles scares you, choose flats. No one can see your shoes under your gown anyway, but if you fall on your rear end, they'll see a lot more than shoes.
Choose sweet cupcakes or miniature tarts in tiers over a bulky expensive cake tower. These treats are not only affordable and convenient, but you can do many things with them. Those who were invited will grab them at will and consume them rather quickly as opposed to wrapping the pieces they grab in a napkin and forgetting it.
If you are having an outdoor wedding, include a contingency plan for inclement weather or any other unforeseen problem. Whether you rent some kind of rain cover, or have a location that can accommodate a quick move inside, always have a plan. You can also install planks on the ground so that your guests do not get mud on their shoes.
Before meeting a wedding planner for the first time, do your homework. Try to follow the example of stylists and fashion designers who make "look books" or even "mood boards" featuring inspirational design elements that can lead you towards your dream ceremony. Magazine clippings, other pictures and anything else you find can help you communicate your desired vision to a wedding planner.
One affordable alternative to elaborate floral arrangements is placing multiple potted plants of varying sizes throughout the ceremony and reception sites. Use colorful, glazed ceramic pots, or dress up earthy terracotta stoneware with ribbons, decoupage, or decorative paint effects. The plants can be distributed as gifts for guests, or the bride and groom may choose to take the plants home.
Many locations will permit you to choose your own officiant if you have a loved one become ordained online. This makes your ceremony more personal, while saving you money on obtaining an officiant. Be careful, though, and check with your local officials to ensure that it is legal in your area.
Hire a professional photographer who will capture memories for you. Therefore, it is essential you ask the right questions when interviewing photographers. Be sure you understand the process they use to capture all the important moments. It is imperative you are comfortable with their style as it will have an impact on your entire day.
To make sure the bride thoroughly enjoys her wedding, you should make sure that everything you're planning will meet or exceed her expectations. If she is forced to plan and then handle a bad wedding, she will be mortified. Let the bride have the final say over all aspects of the wedding so that she doesn't act out anger prior to and during the wedding.
Are you the groom? If so, buy a tux that fits you like a glove. Consult with people whose opinions you trust before you make a final decision about your tux. The tux you wear will represent you in your photographs for many years to come, so choose wisely!
Consider your wedding location when choosing decorations like floral arrangements. For instance, complicated arrangements that have several parts look great indoors, but they may not be best for outdoors when it's windy. If you are planning a park or beach wedding, be sure you have everything you need to anchor down your decor.
When young children are in the wedding party, make sure they are dressed in clothing that is comfortable for them. Pick soft fabrics that are not too tight, and will bring comfort are important. Shoes, particularly new ones, should be broken in and comfy. If you pay attention to this, then the children will be able to put their attention on the part they're playing in the wedding rather than worrying about their uncomfortable outfit.
It can be tempting to honor family traditions or suggestions, just remember, this is your special day, not theirs. Thank your relatives for their suggestions and ideas, but make it clear to them that the events of the wedding day will ultimately be planned by you and your partner. By making all your own decisions about your wedding day, you will be able remember the special occasion without any regrets in the future.
Be aware of the weather. Your guests probably won't want to celebrate an outdoor wedding in the heat of summer. If your wedding takes place in the winter, no one may stay long, if the day is quite cold. Try your best to make accommodations to fit individual and small group needs for people in your wedding.
Make sure the theme of your wedding extends to all decor, including the flowers you choose. You can use a vintage theme for a classy look. These include fragrant yellow and pink peonies, red poppies, and bright daisies.
A credit card that offers a rewards program may be your best bet, as you pay for your wedding and reception. When planning your wedding, you will likely accumulate numerous expenses. You may not be able to avoid the expenses, but you might as well try to make them work to your advantage! All of these charges add up quickly when paying for a wedding, allowing you to rack up some great rewards in the process.
Pick a photographer for your wedding who will create memories, not simply take pictures. Ask the photographer how he sees the day unfolding. Inquire about the way in which they participate in each aspect of the day. You want their style to mesh with what you have planned and your vision.
Start a savings account that is intended just for your wedding expenses. If you know in advance how much you can spend, you will find it easier to stick to your budget. If you are getting married at a later date, open up the account anyway and start saving for that special day.
Choose group activities to fill your special day with fun. Don't leave your loved ones bored as they wait for your wedding to be over. Examples of activities could include a volleyball game, or a contest of who can get to know the most people prior to the wedding. The wedding will be memorable in proportion to the amount of fun.
If you are shopping for a wedding dress while pregnant, remember to take into account your expanding middle. Be certain to choose a gown that will fit you flatteringly, even as your body changes.
Make sure to interview a handful of videographers and review their work before hiring one. Look at the sound and quality of the video as well as the editing. While VHS used to be the preferred format for weddings, now you need to get a DVD or even a digital copy of your video. Your decisions should be made on these factors, in addition to the first impressions you get of the different videographers.
If you are a guy attending a wedding, consider wearing a pair of black tennis shoes. These are far more comfortable than leather dress shoes, plus they probably won't be noticed. Be sure they are clean and new, just in case anyone happens to glance at them.
One part of a successful wedding reception is having the right music that sets a great mood. You want your DJ to be able to get the crowd going. Nothing is worse than a wedding where the music falls flat and the atmosphere is boring.


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Our dedicated Board members bring their energy, special skills and knowledge of the minerals industry, and whole-hearted belief that the education of youth in school is key to building an informed society and sustaining our industry. They volunteer their time, help build connections to others in our industry, and are champions for raising funds for MineralsEd programs.
Bob Dickinson
Bob Dickinson is the Chairman of the Board of Hunter Dickinson Inc. (HDI) He is been on the MREPBC Board since 2004, and Chair since 2007.
Bob is an economic geologist who has been active in mineral exploration for 50 years. He holds B.Sc. in Geology and M. Sc in Finance degrees from UBC and is one of the founders of HDI, a globally respected exploration and mine development team that has advanced mine development projects in BC and around the world.
His leadership and achievements over the course of his career have been recognized and celebrated by the mining industry: Canada's Developer of the Year in 1990; BC's Mining Person of the Year in 2000; the Pacific Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2004; with the Northern Dynasty team, the Thayer Lindsley International Discovery Award in 2007; the A.O. Dufresne Award in 2008; Charles F. Rand Memorial Gold Medal in 2010; and 2012 Induction with his HDI partner, the late Robert Hunter, into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame.
Bob is well known for his efforts to help further the understanding of the importance of mining to society and of minerals in our everyday lives. A staunch advocate for Earth Science and mining education of youth in school, he has driven MREPBC's fundraising campaigns since 2007. He also serves as Vice-Chair of the Britannia Mine Museum driving and guiding the advancement of this National Historic Site as a premier education venue.
Randy Smallwood
Randy Smallwood is the President and CEO of Wheaton Precious Metals Inc. He joined the MREPBC Board in 2016.
Randy's interest in geology, exploration and mining began as a young adult while working as a field assistant staking claims. He returned to school, completing first a Mining Technology diploma from BCIT and on to a degree in geological engineering from the University of British Columbia. He worked as an exploration geologist for a number of BC companies before joining Wheaton River Minerals Ltd. in 1993. He became their Director of Project Development in 2001, working through the company's merger with Goldcorp in 2005.
Randy was involved in the founding of Wheaton Precious Metals, formerly Silver Wheaton, and in 2007 he joined Wheaton Precious Metals full time as Executive Vice President of Corporate Development. In 2010, he was appointed President, and in 2011 he was appointed Wheaton Precious Metals' Chief Executive Officer.
In 2015, Randy received the British Columbia Institute of Technology Distinguished Alumni Award.
Tom Broddy
Tom Broddy is the Manager, Concentrate Logistics for Taseko Mines Ltd. He joined the MREPBC Board in 2013.
Tom grew up in Prince George, BC and chose a career in mining while in the engineering program at UBC. He graduated with a Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering degree in 1984 and began his career at Teck Resources' Bullmoose coal mine in northeast BC. He worked in operations for 16 years, developing his operational and engineering skills to become the Superintendent of Engineering at Quintette Coal Limited. He left operations in 2000 for a career in Port Terminal Management at Vancouver Wharves and later Centerm (now DP World) in Vancouver Harbour. Mr. Broddy returned to mining in 2006 when he joined Taseko Mines Ltd.
Tom takes a leadership role in building a sustainable BC mining industry by encouraging and supporting young people beginning careers in the mining industry. He is on the Program Advisory Committees for the mining programs at BCIT and UBC. He has been instrumental in establishing and supporting the UBC and BCIT Student Branches of the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, speaking to the students on the value of professional networking through CIM in career development. He also speaks to industry groups on the importance and effectiveness of hiring and mentoring young adults in the mining industry during both good economic times and bad.
In 2015 Tom was presented with the District Distinguished Service Award from CIM for his exemplary efforts to introduce students to the mining industry and CIM.
Leonie Tomlinson
Leonie Tomlinson, ICD.D, is Executive Vice President for Hunter Dickinson Inc. She joined the MREPBC Board in 2012.
Leonie is an experienced business executive who over the course of her career has advised many private and public companies on investment structuring, corporate governance, financial reporting, HR matters and exit strategy.
Leonie is passionate about mining education of young people and the general public. She guided MREPBC's rebrand to MineralsEd in 2012, and has been instrumental in managing MineralsEd's multi-year fundraising campaigns to ensure its ability to continue this important work with students and teachers. Leonie is also the Chair of the Britannia Mine Museum Board of Directors and has been instrumental in providing leadership during the museum's transformation to a multi-award winning nationally recognized museum and attraction.
Patty Moore
Patty Moore is a business development professional operating her own company, Cactus Liaison. She joined the MREPBC Board in 2011.
Patty's entire career has focused on communications and business development. Her foray into mining began in 1995 with Kilborn Engineering, starting as a writer and ending as Marketing Manager. She joined the newly formed Vancouver office of Wardrop Engineering, now Tetra Tech, in 2005, as Manager, Business Development, and in 2010 was promoted to Director, Business Development, responsible for their global team of business development specialists. In 2014, Patty retired from Tetra Tech to revive her own consulting business, Cactus Liaison.
Patty is also Past Chair of the Mining Suppliers Association of BC, and has held many volunteer positions with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy & Petroleum (CIM), including Chair of the Vancouver Chapter, Vice President of the Western District, Chair of MEMO 2013 and CIM 2014, and Chair of CIM's Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Courts not being finished make for practice difficulties
Jack Loon|March 25, 2014
The grand stand at the Lindner Family Center is still being played on for Varsity A & B. However, the JV have begun playing at the four Weller Park courts. It is difficult for JV to practice there, because they are unable to reserve the courts, so the number of courts they will have is unknown. Photo courtesy of Jack Loon.
Now that tryouts are over, and the teams are set, practice has begun. The courts are not finished, and will not be finished until there are four days of above 50 degree weather, so practice has to be at another location, much like tryouts.
The Gold Team, or the A team, is practicing at the Western Southern facility. The Green Team, or the B team, is also practicing at the Western Southern Open. Finally, JV Team is practicing at the Weller Park courts.
The Weller Park courts are unable to be reserved, because they are public courts. This could result in interruptions in practice. On Tues., Mar. 18, the team only had three courts to use, because the others were taken.
"It is really hard to practice with 14 people on only four courts, but it is still a lot of fun," said Jacob Habib, 10.
Tryouts are completely over, so the team members are competing for the top spots on their team. The rank of skill of the spots goes: 1st singles, 2nd singles, 3rd singles, 1st doubles, 2nd doubles, and practice squad. The courts are yet to be finished, and should complete as soon as possible.
Jack Loon, Staff Writer
My name is Jack Loon, and I am a sophomore on the SHS Leaf Staff. This is my second year on staff and I love being a part of the student voice. One of...
NCAA Basketball Finals Preview
March Madness Upsets
Goodbye For Now Coach
Super Bowl LV Preview
Fuller's Football Career Ends Due to COVID-19
Staying healthy at home


text:
New Library, University of Bedfordshire
High quality facilities for disadvantaged students
New Library, University of Bedfordshire. Credit: Nick Hufton
MCW Architects for University of Bedfordshire
Contract value: £25m
GIA: 6,939m²
Cost per m²: £3,609
New Library is a highly visible first step in the regeneration of Luton town centre. The university is a major investor in the area, and its buildings are of different scale and quality to its surroundings. The nine-storey building offers a transparent, open ground floor that encourages the public to enter, with the library security barriers purposefully pushed back. This is a generous gesture in this rundown part of town.
New Library, University of Bedfordshire. Credit: Jim Stephenson
The building is investing in high quality facilities for disadvantaged students, filled with books and a dazzling array of screens, tables and sofas, with specifically designed areas for silent working. Every effort has been made to link these spaces. Slim lightwells give views onto study activity below and hold-open fire doors on the stair ease circulation.
See more winners in the RIBA Regional Awards – East
MCW Architects


text:
Breaking: Many Casualties in Moscow Plane Landing – Update
ל׳ ניסן ה׳תשע״ט - May 5, 2019
A passenger plane that caught fire made an emergency landing at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International airport. Passengers could be seen evacuating nearby planes while it went up in flames.
By late afternoon the death toll had risen to some 41 people. The plane had taken off from Moscow and was heading North to Murmansk when it caught fire and made an emergency landing. Passengers used the emergency exits to slide to safety. There were 38 survivors.
Update – According to reports the Jewish students were evacuating from a nearby plane that was standing on the tarmac


text:
Q: Configure depth overflow value - Start-Job I have a recursive function that is executed around 750~ times - iterating over XML files and processing. The code is running using Start-Job
Example below:
$job = Start-Job -ScriptBlock {

    function Test-Function {

        Param
        (
            $count
        )
        Write-Host "Count is: $count"

        $count++
        Test-Function -count $count
    }
    Test-Function -count 1

}

Output:
$job | Receive-Job
Count is: 224
Count is: 225
Count is: 226
Count is: 227
The script failed due to call depth overflow.

The depth overflow occurs at 227 consistently on my machine. If I remove Start-Job, I can reach 750~ (and further). I am using jobs for batch processing.
Is there a way to configure the depth overflow value when using Start-Job?
Is this a limitation of PowerShell Jobs?

A: I can't answer about the specifics of call depth overflow limitations in PS 5.1 / 7.2 but you could do your recursion based-off a Queue within the job.
So instead of doing the recursion within the function, you do it from outside (still within the job though).
Here's what this look like.
$job = Start-Job -ScriptBlock {
$Queue = [System.Collections.Queue]::new()

    function Test-Function {

        Param
        (
            $count
        )
        Write-Host "Count is: $count"

        $count++
        # Next item to process.
        $Queue.Enqueue($Count)
    }

    # Call the function once
    Test-Function -count 1
    # Process the queue
    while ($Queue.Count -gt 0) {
        Test-Function -count $Queue.Dequeue()
    }
}

Reference:
.net Queue class

A: Not an answer that would solve the problem but rather an informative one. You could use an instance of the PowerShell SDK's [powershell] class instead of Start-Job, which can handle more levels of recursion (by a big amount) in case it helps, here are my results:

Technique
Iterations
PowerShell Version
Operating System

Start-Job
226~
5.1
Windows 10

Start-Job
2008~
7.2.1
Linux

PowerShell Instance
4932~
5.1
Windows 10

PowerShell Instance
11193~
7.2.1
Linux

*

*Code to reproduce

$instance = [powershell]::Create().AddScript({
    function Test-Function {
        Param($count)
        Write-Host "Count is: $count"
        $count++
        Test-Function -count $count
    }
    Test-Function -count 1
})
$handle = $instance.BeginInvoke()
do {
    $done = $handle.AsyncWaitHandle.WaitOne(500)
} until($done)
$instance.Streams.Information[-1]
$instance.Dispose()

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Stitch Sampler Alphabet – Look for It!
I'm Sooooo Excited to tell you this!
Guess what's finally showing up here on Needle 'n Thread – in just a couple days?
It's been in the works longer than the Secret Garden Hummingbirds, longer than the Hungarian Redwork Runner… and finally, finally, it's finished and ready to share with you!
It's the Stitch Sampler Alphabet, and today, I'd like to tell you a little bit about what you can expect with this new offering from Needle 'n Thread.
The project started a couple summers ago, when I thought it would be fun to stitch each letter of the alphabet, using a variety of stitches, combinations, and composites.
Originally, it was a stitching game, a challenge to build an alphabet that relies on fairly simple stitches that can easily be made ornate by working up different composites and combinations.
Stitch Sampler Alphabet features 18 basic stitches that are combined in over 65 different ways – and that beg for even further interpretation!
Once you start playing with the stitches, seeing how they can be combined and further embellished, you'll find out that the possibilities for embroidering decorative initials (or lines, borders and more, for any surface embroidery projects) are almost limitless!
The alphabet is presented with stitching instructions for one letter that we work through together step-by-step.
This is followed by each stitched letter sample, with a materials list (including fabric and threads lists) and a stitch layout guide. Close up photos show the various section of each letter and are accompanied by an explanation of the stitches and combinations used in each section.
The letter samples, materials, and stitch layout guides are followed by a thorough stitch dictionary, with step-by-step photos of all the stitching techniques used in the alphabet.
Full-sized line drawings for the all the letters are included, along with a resource list for all the supplies used in the samples.
Throughout, you'll find pertinent stitch tips that will come in handy as you work through your own projects and that will give you ideas for embroidering letters that are uniquely your own.
The alphabet offers lots of room for stitching your own unique letters. You can apply the techniques to different styles of lettering; you can mix up the stitch combinations, choosing those that you particularly like; you can experiment with threads and color.
The techniques used in Stitch Sampler Alphabet are not restricted to embroidering decorative initials – you can use the combinations on your own embroidery projects, whether you're working a sampler, a crazy quilt square, a crewel project, or any kind of surface embroidery project that could benefit from some decorative lines.
Stitch Sampler Alphabet will be available as an e-book in PDF format, which means that you can open it and use it on any device that reads a PDF, from your desktop computer, to your iPad or other tablet, to your Kindle or your Nook.
You can also print the e-book, or, to save on paper and ink, just print the pages you need. For example, if you're embroidering a C, you might just print the pages pertinent to the C – the design, the stitch layout guide, and the stitch instructions.
Because it's made to be both printed and viewed on a screen, the e-book offers the advantage of allowing the reader to zoom in on the high resolution photos and see all the stitch details clearly and larger than life.
The PDF is interactive, with a clickable Table of Contents so that you can easily jump right to the section you want to view. When stitches are mentioned throughout the book, they're linked directly to their instructions in the stitch dictionary. And you can view the PDF in thumbnail view, too, which makes navigation quick and easy.
The book is 120 pages long, in full color, with 26 letter patterns and over 525 photos.
Stitch Sampler Alphabet is available now, for download, in my shop here on Needle 'n Thread.
Ooh, roll on Monday! Here in Oz I'll have to wait until Tuesday to buy it while your calendar catches up. I probably be using it for your wonderfully inventive ways of combining stitches.
Ooooh! I'm so excited it's ready! I am totally doing a little happy dance right now 😀 I know what I'm getting for my birthday. Woo hoo! All of your hard work definitely shows, I am really looking forward to this book!
Hooray!! I have been anticipating this forever and can hardly wait to finally view it on Monday. I have put off several projects where I would like to add a monogram or just tackle the complete alphabet as a sampler. Thank you for your wonderful website.
Congratulations! I can't wait to get this. Your work is brilliant and your instructions on your blog are wonderful, so to have all this in a book is going to be perfect! I know it will be my go-to book for years to come. Looking forward to this!
I second. Your thoughts!!! My first project !
Congratulations! How satisfying it must be to wrap up such a monumental project. I've followed the progress of this project for some time now, and I'm willing to bet the finished book will be worth the wait!
Oh Mary how wonderful! I've been waiting and watching ever since I first saw some of the wonderful designs you've developed on Pinterest. Btw, Pinterest is how I found you too!
SO excited about your book coming out!!!! I'll be here Monday ready to order. Congratulations, Mary!!!!
Congratulations!! I can't wait for the release. Such a work of art, and a labor of love.
Oh I can't wait! I have been waiting for this ever since you first decided to do it. It looks beautiful!
Congratulations Mary, I have watched with great interest and really looking forward to seeing your final presentation.
Congratulations! Look forward to ordering it!
So looking forward to this !
Mary, I'm soooo excited. I will be buying your book on Monday!! Congratulations!!!
Congratulations! What a lot of hard work, but it must be so rewarding for you. I can't wait to see it because I love your work!
This looks amazing. Just recently found your blog. It's wonderful.
I love that beautiful alphabet and I love discounts. I am waiting!!!!!
Yay! Now I'm happy! Just the project I've been itching to get at! :). Thanks for all your hard work as I know the ebook is going to be fabulous!
What great news! I know how long you have been working on this, and it is wonderful to hear about a successful completion!
Now, when are you going to hem the Hungarian redwork runner? Hmm?
Ahhhhhh, Josh – if only I were an octopus! But good things come to those who wait – so it will eventually show up here, finished, I promise!
I'm so excited! I hate the wait but I know it's worth it based on the other books of yours! Thanks so much!
Hooray!! I have been anticipating this forever and can hardly wait to finally view it on Monday. I have put off several projects that I would like to add a monogram to or just tackle the complete alphabet as a sampler. Thank you for your wonderful website.
Fabulous, Mary. Good on you. Roll on Monday!
Whoo Hoo — what a great book this will be.
Hello, Florence! The e-book is in English, but yes, the instructional parts are all step-by-step photos, so you should definitely be able to follow it!
Merci de votre réponse, j'ai toujours peur de passer à côté "du mot" qui bien sûr me ferait broder comme une déesse…Comme vous.
I can hardly wait to see the new Ebook and to have it! I am still so new to the needling world that I do best when I have explicit instructions and explicit design, so for me it seems you have the perfect approach.
Wonderful!!I can hardly wait–I'm not so much into stitching letters but see the book as a great source of stitch, color, and thread ideas for other projects. Congratulations on finishing. See you on Monday!
Hi, JoyceAnne – yes, that's precisely a good way to see it! The stitch combos can all be used on plenty of other projects, besides just lettering projects!
Yea! I am so excited!
Mary – I am really looking forward to this alphabet!!!! I sincerely hope you are going to charge big time for all of your work in putting this together and making it happen. You deserve it. I for one will buy it from you, no matter what the price!
CONGRATULATION, Mary!!! I have followed your blog for years (gasp, is that possible?), have benefited more than I can say by your easy to follow "stitch guidance and design possibilities", and your upbeat view on all things. This is your next logical step, and I can't wait to line up to purchase this e-book! BRAVA!!!
Yea. Thank you for all you do.
Hi, Bobbie! Thanks so much – yes, it took a long time to get it out, and it will be a relief, come Monday, to finally have it available!
What a huge labour of love. So excited about this, as although I mainly make garments, I have always loved working on monograms.
Thank you so much for putting together this amazing resource for us all.
The launch date is as I leave for a Birthday and then Wedding Anniversary celebration…….I will scoot onto the computer as soon as I return home.
Hi, Marysia! Monday is an anniversary celebration for my family, too – my parents will be married 58 years on Monday!
Been waiting almost patiently. Come on Monday!
Wow! I'm so excited about this I may spontaneously combust before Monday! Thank-you for all your hard work.
No spontaneous combustion allowed, Juli! 🙂 LOL. That's funny!
Congratulations!! Sounds marvelous…so much to try.
That's wonderful! Congratulations on this achievement! Looking forward to it!
What great news to share with my morning cup of coffee!
This is going to be treasure to add to my tool chest!
I have read and re-read your message and didn't see the cost listed.
So excited to see the alphabet. Very good news.
Oh Mary, I am so very excited, and cannot wait. I have a question. May I sent the PDF to a friend who owns a copy shop to print it for me? Will he have any problems, and will this be OK with you?
Hi, Terry – You can certainly have it printed at a copy shop, as long as it's for personal use only. No problem at all! You won't be able to email it, but you can put it on a stick (USB drive, or even a CD or whatever) and deliver it that way.
This is so exciting. Looking forward to the 27th!
I have been looking forward to seeing the sampler alphabet. You're a good teacher, so I know it will be great!
[Kermit Flail} WHHHHEEEEEEE!!!! Can't wait!
LOL! I LOVE the Kermit Flail! I pictured that perfectly! Glad you're excited, Maureen!
You have been dangling this treat over us for so long and I for one, am excited to see the final complete book. It will be as wild as Christmas and Birthday all rolled into one. Yippee!!!
Yea! I've been one of the ones eagerly waiting! Heading over to my Pinterest now to decide what project I want to work on first!
I will be travelling with Da and won't have a chance to see or purchase until late Monday, but SO excited!!
🙂 I guess it would be, in a sense, a good problem to have, right? But I think we'll be ok – the cart is an app, separately hosted, so I think we're safe! Have fun in your travels!
AT LAST, AT LAST!! I have my 3-ring binder, my page protectors, and a full ream of paper, I am ready! Congratulations, Mary. Finishing something you have been working on for almost 2 years … Wonderful.
Gee Mary, you are NOT an octopus?
Anyways, congratulations! It has been a privilege and a joy to see how you developed these wonderful stitching combinations, it is truly an inspiration.
BTW, what about the hummingbird feather?
Oh, the hummingbirds are coming, too. I did fall a little bit behind, despite my best intentions and I have a few more feathers on the tail to finish still – but almost there.
Yep, no matter how hard I try to sprout those extra arms, it just doesn't happen!
OMGOSH! I am salivating, cannot wait!
Looking forward to it there isn't a better gift I can give someone than a gift with an embroidered initial on it, and best of all I get to play with stitches and threads! It's a gift that gives and receives. Thank you for your hard work.
I've been waiting for this to come out. Can't wait to order it.
Wonderful! I will get this for my grandchild.
I've been waiting for sooooooooo llllloooonnngg for this can't wait I'm so excited to see this long awaited alphabet e-book so come on Monday. Congratulations on finishing the e-book I know you have been working on this for so long that it great news that it's finally completed and waiting for us to own a copy. I can't wait to browse through and see your stitch combinations and thread colours, fabric choices and all the wonderful monograms. Thanks so much for sharing this great news and for the photos above looking forward to this.
Congratulations, I am so excited.I visit you often here to enhance my stitches.I will be watching closely so O don't miss out on the Release of the ebook .Thank you for putting it together .
I can not wait! I have been waiting and watching – the sneak peeks have been amazing!
This will make Monday so much more exciting! I can't wait to download it. Well done for your perseverance Mary and thank you in anticipation! I can't wait!
I've been in the "anxiously awaiting" crowd and will be one of the first to purchase this fantastic ebook. Thank you so much for all the hard work and persistence!!!
Mary, I am trying not to drool all over the keyboard as I wait for this book!!!. I am just starting a crazy quilt project and I really need the "A". Plus I have a newly minted granddaughter as of 6 days ago. She really, really needs an "M" for Matilda. Then there is always "S" of course. Can't wait!!!
Dear Mary, I´m sooooo happy for you… and me!!! Congratulations for another concreted project!! I´m waiting for Monday to see the e-book. Could you tell me how paid for it If I don´t have Paypal? I have credit card, is that an available option?
Hello, Paula! Thanks for your note. You don't need to have a Paypal account – you can pay via credit card through the Paypal app, without creating an account. The option to pay with a credit card without a paypal account is given when you check out. It still goes through paypal, but without setting up an account.
Congratulations for finishing this amazing project!
YAY!!!!! I am so happy to hear this! This made my day, I would skip over any mentions of the book before because I didn't want to get my hopes up… But now YAY!!!!!
🙂 Wow – I think you might even be more excited than I am, Ren!
Congratulations!!! I'm looking forward to it!
Mary… I don't think I will sleep a wink on Sunday night because my mind will be planning all sorts of stitching projects to do once I buy your book! Congrats on the book's completion…YEAHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Congratulation!!!! Looking forward to it's release. Your work is always so beautiful.
So, so excited to print out this new book Mary. I will have it spiral bound so that I can look through the entire book at my leisure, thanks for all your hard work. Roll on Monday!
Can't wait! You do such beautiful work and easy-to-follow instructions. Thanks!
Hi, Dorian – it's a downloadable ebook, so once you have it on your computer, you can use it indefinitely!
Count me in! I prefer print because I read a lovely book like this the same as if I'm reading a novel but it would be so nice to be able to essentially carry it with me all the time! This looks to be so incredible, can hardly wait! Only question is: what is the cost of it?
Hi, Kathy – thanks for your comment! Well, as for price, that'll be announced on Monday. The introductory special will be less than $20, that I know. I just have some figures to work up over the weekend to solidify it.
Hi, Susan! Thanks for your comment. This one will only be available as an ebook, I'm afraid!
Mary, your timing is perfection! I'm working on a table runner that was used at my newest granddaughter's adoption party. It was signed by all the family and guests (with wonderful drawings by all the kids and young cousins!) I've learned much in the process from Needle 'n Thread.I can't wait to fancy up some of the alphabet with your stitch "recipes!" Thank you for being an inspiration and a go-to resource!
This is like being a child waiting for Christmas!!! So glad soon available!!! Yes !!!
I'm SO excited!! I am one of those waiting not-always-so-patiently folks! Can't wait to see the book and I already want one!!! Thanks Mary! You're great!!
Looking forward to this book .will you be publishing it as a "real book" sometime or just available on the computer . As much as I enjoy the computer there is nothing quite like having a book in your hands. Congratulations on completing your project.
Hi, Diane – this one will only be available as an ebook, I'm afraid!
I can hardly wait. This is wonderful.
I wish it was ready today!
I have only recently become obsessed with embroidery and have no skills to speak of yet. I have a very important family wedding coming up and, since I am on a small fixed income, I was feeling quite sad that I would have no really special gift for them. Now, I feel quite confident that, with your help, I will be able to give them a really beautiful and personal gift that they will have for many years to come. Many thanks to you!
Let me join everyone else in expressing my excitement! Yippee!! You are making a lot of stitchers very happy! Can't wait for Monday! Thank you, thank you, Mary!
See you Monday, for sure. I am so excited about your ebook. I love the gorgeous initials, and the one you showed in your post "D", is my sister's initial. Do you suppose she will be getting a present? Thank you for doing all this work, so that the rest of us can play.
Whew! What an accomplishment to finish and offer your wonderful alphabet!
I am an old-fashioned girl (am I the only one?) who still prefers paper/printed books. Any chance that it might be published and purchased in paper book form?
Hi, Victoria – thanks for your comment. This one will only be available as an ebook, I'm afraid!
This is Exciting News! Congratulations! You've worked so hard on this book — 525 photos?!?!! Wow! I have two of your e-books, and your books are as divine as your stitches! I can't wait.
Congratulations!! I would love to do my happy dance for you & us but the emoticon people haven't made a dancing snoopy or bunny yet so just know happy I am.
I didn't "see" the previous 89 comments… So, I get it – it's in e-book format only. Sigh.
🙂 That's ok, Victoria – I would like to go the real print route some day, but right now, it's just doesn't seem to be in the stars!
Yayyyyy……looking forward to the release. I am in the process of making a pillow top and decided to embroider Sweet Dreams in the middle of it. Originally planned on just outlining it with stem stitch but I'll be pouring over the e-book for more inspiration. Alphabets are always fantastic to have on hand to personalize gifts, home decor and so much more.
I can't wait to see this book. I've been looking at glimpses of your letters for some time now and trying to figure them out, it'll be great to have so many photos and real instruction. Love your work!
Embroidery has totally captured my attention (originally as a hand relief from knitting, but then…), and your blog has taught me everything!! There is NO HAND embroidery in Manhattan, New York City (it's needlepoint and quilt, but you can purchase books on embroidery) maybe one or two shops in Brooklyn.
I can perform the stitches, but without flourish. I've thought about a sampler and this will help me understand how to group stitches together for more effect. Then I can share with my neighbors in the park during nice weather.
I live in the Bronx, ironically surrounded by women from around the world who perform beautiful handwork––Latin America, Eastern Europe, India, Russia and The Middle East. Despite the language differences, we communicate through stitching, and have a nice time together.
Congratulations. I am a recent follower of yours and am "blown away" with your work. You are a real inspiration to those of us who love embroidery. I'm sure that even those like myself who are at an age where fading dexterity and eyesight join to make things difficult can see through your wonderful photography and descriptions the beautiful work you are doing. Keep it up. I love following your creativity.
Thanks, Joan! I'm glad you enjoy Needle 'n Thread!
I am as excited as the next guy!!!
Congratulations Mary! Well done you. Thank you very much for all your hard work. I always view you as my not so private sweatshop :). There are just not enough hours in the day or years of my life to extensively experiment and try absolutely everything. Still no extra arms for me either, you know! Will you celebrate this mile stone achievement? More threads or fabric for your stash perhaps?
Yay! I can't wait! You have put SO much work into this!
Congratulations on finishing. I'm looking forward to using it.
I'm looking forward to it! Love your blog and work.
Hi Mary ~ Looks like a lot of us are excited about this book being released on Monday. At least with an e-book, you won't run out of copies.
Mrs. Corbet, you are a hand embroidery genius. Not joking! Have you ever considered publishing your e-books in book format?
OMG!!! I'm so excited! Congratulations! I'm sure it will be just as superb as your website and all your other things. I'm in love with the lattice book. This is the best thing that's happened to me since my divorce in 1984 – maybe even before that! I thinking about taking enough sleeping pills to get me through till Monday but I guess that won't work, so I'll just have to suffer through the next few days like everyone else. In the meantime, I need to make a trip to Office Depot for more printer ink – I sure don't want to run out in the middle of printing this! I have a notebook for it – gosh, do I have enough plastic sheet protectors??? Gotta check that too. I can't imagine just printing one letter ….
Great news! This is a huge accomplishment! I've been patiently following your updates on this project and I'm thrilled that it's almost ready. You have a great eye for combining stitches and I hope to get a better understanding of how to do that myself.
Very intriguing, can't wait to check it out!
I am so happy to know you have finished after so many long months of hard work (and we were waiting for you !!). I live in France and I do embroidery each week with some groups of friends. I always encourage them to have a look on your site and I promised to tell them when your book will be available and help them (with a friend who was a teacher in english language) in there embroidery (because some of them don't know english); they already take care to do and stitch with your tips and videos, and are so glad to learn with you !
Thank you so much for every thing you do for us !
whoot whoot! Exciting news Mary! I've been in hiding recovering from shoulder surgery, with months of treatment prior to that. I hope I can hold a needle and thread steady, soon! Can't wait for this ebook.
Mary, Wowee…I can hardly wait. I am looking forward to getting back into stitching with this!
Well done Mary! Thank you for all the time and effort you have out into this project. Its going to be fantastic.
WOW!, Can't wait for this, love combining simple stitches to build new ones! I'll have to wait till Tuesday morning on the bottom half of the world – very exciting, thank you!
So excited! I love letters. These snapshots are beautiful!!
So happy to learn this! Can't wait.
It looks wonderful, the peeks that we see. What are the actual sizes of the alphabets? I know we can reduce or enlarge whenever we print, but is there a basic size?
I know you are super excited and will have something to check off your To do list. Can't wait until Monday!
Hi, Jackie – the letters are 3″ tall, so they're not super big, but they're not super small!
How perfect for you to release this on my birthday?! I will be here with bells on, ready to snag it!
Congratulations dear Mary – I am so, so proud of you, and I know I will love this book sight unseen – it's a given! Bless you!
I am so-o-o excited!! Can't wait until Monday. Thank you, Mary, for sharing your creativity, your vast knowledge and skills, your wit, and your love of all things embroidery. We love and admire you!
Yay! I can't wait for Monday. I seldom look forward to a Mondays!
Oh! I, too, simply can't wait!
I just know it will be a runaway New York Times Best Seller!
Congratulations! I know this has been a long time coming. I am very excited to see your new e-book. I have enjoyed the snippets you have shared and love the creativity you have offered in the letters. I can hardly wait for Monday to get here.
SO looking forward to this!!!!!!!!
You must be so proud congratulations! I am looking forward to purchasing my copy. I am still working on stump work. Bye the way do you know what the authors are referring to as paper covered wire. Is it floral wire?
Hi, Sheridan – Thamks! Yes, paper covered wire is florist wire. It's also used in cake decorating, so you can find it in that section of hobby shops, too….
Wooohoooo I can't wait! My grand daughters and I will be stitching these up! Thank you Thank you Thank you!
Congratulations! That's a huge project. Thank you for putting together this e-book for us. I look forward to the release!
Please can you give me an answer.
Looks lovely – looking forward to Monday! Have some projects already in mind!
Oh Mary, thank heavens! I have been hoping for just such a book from you. I can't wait.
Woo hoo! I'm sure you're so happy that it's finally done!
Congratulations Mary! I'm so pleased you're almost ready to go.
Congratulations Mary! Such a wonderful accomplishment and now you get to share the love. What's it like to know you're actually creating happiness with what you do, for now and future generations? I'd suggest that you look into that hard copy book deal a little more, I'm pretty sure it would be successful too, and likely to expand your followers base. Alphabets appeal to everyone. I'm looking forward to your eBook. And hey, you owe yourself a celebration, so make it happen girl!
Woot!!! So glad you're ready to share this with us.
I am so excited. I've been wanting your beautiful alphabet since I saw the first letter you published. Thank you Thank you. See you tomorrow on line.
So happy for you – so happy for me! Have been waiting for this day (Monday) since you first announced it was to be available for purchase. Thank you in advance for all your hard work. I'm sure you have more hours in this than purchase price allows. All your fans – me included, are so very appreciative for all you do for the hand embroidery world… this is a true breath of spring!
Thank you again for all you do for us!
Thanks, Barbara! I'm glad you're looking forward to it!
I am so excited I cannot wait for the ebook.
This looks so exciting ! I am a beginner in surface embroidery. Could this be done by a beginner who is still learning terminology, the thread world, etc. I have been working on a doodle stitch piece on 100% merino wool felt. If I tackle this project would it be more difficult to do on the wool vs. linen ?
I love your newsletters and whenever I am learning a new stitch from another source I find myself always going back to your tutorials because they are clear and visually superb.
Hi, Patti – You sure can stitch the letters on felt. You just need a good way to draw the patterns on. I've perpetually had problems transferring specific patterns to felt, but I do know that the Sulky iron-on transfer pens work pretty well on felt. The difficulty with them is that they produce a somewhat heavy line. But if you've already figured out how to draw on felt, then you shouldn't have any problems!
Oooh I am refreshing all morning – I hate being hours ahead!
Thank you so much Mary! I was able to download it successfully just a few seconds ago!!!
Yippiiii!! Can't wait to have a look!!
Thanks, Samia! I hope you enjoy it!
I am so, so, so excited!!! Thank you, Mary!!! Oh, and Congrats!!!
I have purchased your Alphabet book. It will be very useful for me. I am amazed at how many stitches you have using the chain stitch. Also, I love hearing from you everyday and get ideas for embroidery, websites, books and places to shop.
Hi, Sylvia! Thanks a bunch! Yes, the chain stitch is super-versatile – there's so much you can do with it!
Thank you. I did receive your email and files. Thank you so much.
The file did open and with help I was able to save it properly.
Thank you once again and congratulations on a job well done.
I'm disappointed that this information is not available in a printed hard copy. It would cost me way more than a book to print it from my computer and I would still have separate pages with the possibility of getting scattered all over. I also find it next to impossible to stitch with the computer sitting in my lap.
Please let us non computer people know when you have a Hard copy book available for purchase.
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text:
Q: SSMS Scripting Options Scripting a function using SSMS 18.0 Preview 6 produces the following script.
/****** Object:  UserDefinedFunction [dbo].[sfn_Proper_Case]    Script Date: 7/13/2019 9:57:36 AM ******/
SET ANSI_NULLS ON
GO

SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER ON
GO

IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM sys.objects WHERE object_id = OBJECT_ID(N'[dbo].[sfn_Proper_Case]') AND type in (N'FN', N'IF', N'TF', N'FS', N'FT'))
BEGIN
execute dbo.sp_executesql @statement = N'
CREATE FUNCTION [dbo].[sfn_Proper_Case]
                (
                @input    NVARCHAR(4000)
                )
RETURNS NVARCHAR(4000)
AS
    BEGIN

        SET @input = REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(@input,'' '',''<>''),''><'',''''),''<>'','' '');

        DECLARE @output    NVARCHAR(512);
        DECLARE @current_position    INT = 1;

        IF DATALENGTH(@input) > 0
        BEGIN
            SET @output = '''';
        END;

        WHILE @current_position <= DATALENGTH(@input)
        BEGIN
            DECLARE @check_character     NVARCHAR(1);
            DECLARE @previous_character  NVARCHAR(1);
            DECLARE @output_character    NVARCHAR(1);

            SELECT @check_character = LOWER(SUBSTRING(@input,@current_position,1));
            SELECT @previous_character = SUBSTRING(@input,@current_position
                                                          - 1,1);

            IF @previous_character NOT LIKE ''[a-z]''
               AND @check_character LIKE ''[a-z]''
            BEGIN
                SELECT @output_character = UPPER(@check_character);
            END;
                ELSE
            BEGIN
                SELECT @output_character = @check_character;
            END;

            SET @output = @output
                          + @output_character;
            SET @current_position = @current_position
                                    + 1;
        END;

        RETURN @output;

    END;

'
END
GO

Scripting the same function using SSMS 2016 produces this script
/****** Object:  UserDefinedFunction [dbo].[sfn_Proper_Case]    Script Date: 7/13/2019 9:55:43 AM ******/
SET ANSI_NULLS ON
GO

SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER ON
GO

CREATE FUNCTION [dbo].[sfn_Proper_Case]
                (
                @input    NVARCHAR(4000)
                )
RETURNS NVARCHAR(4000)
AS
    BEGIN

        SET @input = REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(@input,' ','<>'),'><',''),'<>',' ');

        DECLARE @output    NVARCHAR(512);
        DECLARE @current_position    INT = 1;

        IF DATALENGTH(@input) > 0
        BEGIN
            SET @output = '';
        END;

        WHILE @current_position <= DATALENGTH(@input)
        BEGIN
            DECLARE @check_character     NVARCHAR(1);
            DECLARE @previous_character  NVARCHAR(1);
            DECLARE @output_character    NVARCHAR(1);

            SELECT @check_character = LOWER(SUBSTRING(@input,@current_position,1));
            SELECT @previous_character = SUBSTRING(@input,@current_position
                                                          - 1,1);

            IF @previous_character NOT LIKE '[a-z]'
               AND @check_character LIKE '[a-z]'
            BEGIN
                SELECT @output_character = UPPER(@check_character);
            END;
                ELSE
            BEGIN
                SELECT @output_character = @check_character;
            END;

            SET @output = @output
                          + @output_character;
            SET @current_position = @current_position
                                    + 1;
        END;

        RETURN @output;

    END;

GO

Question - What scripting option(s) do I need to change in SSMS 18 so it does not add the N' prefix and double-quote ''string literals'' in the output script generated using Right Click->Script Function as->CREATE TO or Right Click->Script Function as->ALTER TO
This option works but I do not wish to drop the object Right Click->Script Function as->DROP and CREATE TO
PS: I can't remember if I had changed something under scripting options in SSMS 2016 to make this happen or if it was the default setting. Thanks!

A: You could change this behavior under:

SSMS->Tools->Options->SQL Server Object Explorer->Scripting->Object
  scripting options

For SSMS 16, the property Include IF NOT EXISTS clause should be set to False

Image source: https://social.microsoft.com/Forums/getfile/14300/
For SSMS 18, the property Check for object existence should be set to False


It's no secret that the biggest thing on the internet these days is social media. Many of the world's leaders in business, entertainment, politics, and more are not only starting to create social media profiles online, they're also looking more and more at how social media tools can expand their brands, build community, and create customer–centric organizations by allowing them to listen and learn from the online conversation as well as communicate authentically with their target audience.
In fact, organizations such as Dell, the U.S. Navy, and Starbucks have realized that the pros of social media far outweigh the cons and they are using it to drive sales, offer promotions, and engage customers with their brand. While social media best practices have emerged, some organizations still lack a basic understanding of the various aspects of the social media world and they remain disconnected, disinterested, and constantly struggling with how to best engage their audience.
This struggle is not surprising; social media has only gained significance throughout worldwide popular culture within the last ten years and since it is a relatively new concept, understanding the ins and outs of the social media landscape may not come as second nature to many people.
However, industry leaders can no longer afford to ignore their lack of understanding in regard to social media by using the excuses that it is "a fad" or "not for our brand." The fact is, social media has saturated into every facet of the internet and organizations choosing to ignore the opportunities it presents are missing an invaluable chance to connect with their target audience and catapult their visibility, credibility, and, ultimately, profitability.
Therefore, it is best to start seeing social media as a tool to help achieve objectives. Executives need to realize that they can achieve company objectives such as positively affecting their company's perception, visibility, and brand experience by taking part in social media activities and networking online.
So, where do most executives stand in terms of their idea the value of social media? In a recent survey, conducted by the daily news publication SmartBrief on Leadership, aiming to understand how business leaders currently view social media platforms, 75 percent of the 2,700 respondents from a diverse array of industries said they are either knowledgeable regarding social media or trying to learn about it. However, close to 50 percent still think it is a waste of time, time–constraints being one of the main barriers as to why executives are not using social media.
Since time is finite and invaluable, it is understandable that business leaders are concerned with time–efficiency. However, it is important to remember that doing whatever it takes to generate success for a business, including participation in social media, is never a waste of time. Ultimately, the use of social media will build recognition, trust, and revenue for an organization.
Social media can be an extremely valuable and powerful tool for any business, but the caveat which some companies fail to acknowledge is that successful online networking takes proactive brainstorming, strategy, and careful organization.
The seven biggest mistakes that companies can make in their social media and online networking efforts are outlined below. Take care to avoid these detrimental practices and social media will become an irreplaceable asset to your business plan; but if you fall prey to these habits, social media will be nothing more than a time–wasting distraction.
The main reason businesses don't succeed with social media is lack of strategy and not taking the time to monitor, which is the process of listening to and engaging with customers and prospects who are talking about a company's brand within social media circles. Leaders need to have clear and reasonable business objectives, develop a strategy that is most appropriate for the business to accomplish objectives, and measure efforts along the way.
Objectives should be made based on goals and the conclusions of any initial monitoring efforts. If you do not have clear objectives which are linked to an overall business strategy and are appropriate for the milieu of social media, or if you are not tailoring the message you are communicating to suit your audience, your social networking efforts can end up being a huge waste of time.
A recent study conducted by R2integrated showed that most companies which had a strategy in place said that social media is innovative and invaluable to their business. Conversely, some companies that did not have a strategy, thought social media was pointless and not worth the investment.
Due to an increasing number of members voicing and issues and complaints within social media platforms, AAA (http://www.aaa.com) showed a perfect example of monitoring online conversation, setting objectives, and creating a long–term strategy. They needed to keep on top of online conversations in order to be more responsive customers and to make sure issues do not escalate into a PR disaster. With the right strategy, AAA increased the immediacy in which they respond to customers, ultimately resulting in more positive online feedback.
Many leaders have not successfully tapped the potential of social networking since they tend to regard it as just another platform to push out short–term campaigns. Since campaigns have a defined beginning and a defined end, this temporary approach will not create sustainable success. Social media is a fluid conversation, which should never have an end date and should consist of mostly pull tactics that involve nurturing customer relationships.
Although the beginning of a social media program will be quiet and may seem like a time sink, the more consistently you participate in the online conversation, the more positive buzz will begin to mount around your business. It is easy to get sidetracked and, unfortunately, not so easy to find the balance between business and social media efforts. However, executives need to make their organization's presence social by listening, learning, conversing, and repeating – an eternal approach which significantly saves time in the long–run.
Starbucks is a great example of a company that uses social media to build long–term relationships. They learn directly from customers on feedback sites like My Starbucks Idea and Twitter. The key is that Starbucks is doing this on a continuous basis and integrates the feedback into how it operates. Popular suggestions are featured and reviewed, and the Ideas in Action blog tracks the company's follow–up.
Although there are tasks that can be delegated to interns and staff, leaders must realize a successful social media program starts from the top. An executive's social media involvement can have the most impact on an organization's success by being the one to lead it into the treading social media waters. The executive's involvement not only ends up saving a company time, but may also prevent disasters. We are not saying that every leader should participate in every aspect of social media, but they should not be absent from the discussion either.
It is also possible that an intern's or employee's lack of business experience could endanger the "social voice" of your company like the case of Nestlé when Greenpeace protested the chocolate maker's alleged use of palm oil from deforested areas in Indonesia. The "official" posts in response to comments on the Facebook page were overly defensive, which actually made things worse.
Jonathan Schwartz, the CEO of Sun Microsystems, has led by example, integrating blogging into his leadership life by using his own "social voice." He shared his vision in the 2005 Harvard Business Review piece, "If You Want to Lead, Blog." He made a notable point in his blog: "For executives, having a blog is not going to be a matter of choice, any more than using e–mail is today. If you're not part of the conversation, others will speak on your behalf––and I'm not talking about your employees."
4. Being Easily Swayed by "Shiny New Tools"
New social media platforms, applications and tools are released every day online. It is a huge time waster for leaders who try to put their organization everywhere on social media. It is easy to be swayed by "shiny new tools" just because everyone is using them and they think these tools are the "holy grail" of the online world. However, jumping on every social media platform possible all at once will result in overwhelm and it will be a complete time sink. Rather than focusing on tools, it is critical for executives to take the time to research where their audience is located online, distinguish the popular social media sites from the ones that will be effective to the organization, listen to the conversation, and develop the skills to create a strong social visibility.
Dell Outlet has done a fantastic job choosing one social media tool to help sell outlet inventory effectively without being influenced by all the new tools being launched daily. They created a Twitter–only strategy, optimized its posts and promotions, and started tracking through custom e–commerce tracking URLs. Last we heard, Dell surpassed the $6 million in revenue traceable to Twitter.
If leaders use social media as a stand–alone or as a replacement strategy, it will in fact be wasted effort. Executives should integrate social media into every facet of a comprehensive business strategy. Integration should include the company's corporate culture, all aspects of marketing, traditional advertising campaigns, public relations, customer service, lead generation and networking for their sales teams. When integrated properly, social media can actually save a lot of time for an organization.
If anyone has taken integration to a whole new level, it is the U.S. Navy. The Navy incorporates various social media efforts throughout the organization by creating a platform for Navy officials to collaborate, a way for peers to link up, as well as a strategy for fostering conversations among moms of Navy kids. At a recent social media conference, a Navy representative admitted that social media made the Navy a better service for the commander, the sailor, the Navy family, and the advocate by using integration and innovation.
Responding to every positive and negative comment online will not be a good use of anyone's time. However, if there are comments worth responding to, the response should be immediate and authentic. This is actually an expectation of the online world, so leaders should not waste time planning the perfect corporate response. This will only cause more harm than good to the brand's reputation.
A full–fledged crisis erupted when someone released a YouTube video which showed employees doing some highly tasteless things to a Domino's pizza order. Although the chief executive officer provided a video statement/response, some felt the company's reply took far too long, resulting in even more damage to the public's perception of the brand.
There is nothing that will waste time more than having unrealistic ROI expectations, especially because social media is not an overnight process and money in the bank should not be the only indicator. If leaders anticipate immediate results, they are not going to get it. Once there is a solid strategy in place and objectives are reasonable, leaders will no doubt start seeing a return on their social media marketing investment.
The real key is to remember that networking your business online through social media should be approached in the same way as face–to–face networking; it really boils down to three things: Visibility, Credibility, and Profitability—the VCP Process®. You have to first be visible—people have to know who you are and what you do. Then you have to establish credibility which means people know who you are, what you do, and they know you're really good at it. That is what leads to profitability, where you'll actually benefit from your efforts.
Creating visibility and two–way dialogue will build trust and credibility, which in turn leads to boosting brand reputation and sales. At the end of the day, brands must earn their "social currency" before they see a surge in sales. The biggest ROI a company can have with social media efforts is the ability of being the finger on the pulse of its clients. To us, that is priceless.
Molson Coors has done a great job at setting realistic ROI expectations. Executives at Coors know and recognize that they are using social media to humanize their brand, connect with their fans and customers, and brand equity to drive future sales. They engage in heavy monitoring online and are working on refining their own definition of ROI.
If you're a company executive and you're still wary of building your brand and your business through online social networking sites, don't be! We're still in somewhat of a burgeoning period of social media and you're not going to understand everything about everything right away. It's a learning process for all of us, yet it's an exciting process because it offers businesses some extremely unique opportunities to connect directly with consumers and build a better, stronger brand.
The bottom line is, if you're not participating in the online conversation, know that your competition is and they will achieve the upper hand. So, start outlining your social media strategy now, be sure to avoid the seven mistakes outlined above, and start connecting through social media!
Called the "father of modern networking" by CNN, Dr. Ivan Misner (www.IvanMisner.com) is the founder and chairman of the networking organization, BNI. His most recent book is "Networking Like a Pro."He is also the senior partner for the Referral Institute, an international referral training company. Social media strategist, Mirna Bard (www.MirnaBard.com) is a consultant, author, speaker and an instructor of social web strategy at the University of California, Irvine.


Debbie and Michael Campbell call themselves the Senior Nomads and are reveling in a life of overseas travel.
What does it take to be a Senior Nomad?
Casting off your stuff and having a flexible definition of home at a stage in life when others are settling down in a recliner with the remote.
Seattleites Debbie Campbell and her husband, Michael, have embraced what they call the Senior Nomads way of life in their everyday lives and on their blog (seniornomads.blogspot.com).
So far, they've been traveling for 636 days, and have stayed in 52 Airbnb rentals and visited 31 countries.
That decision was made over two years ago at the couple's Seattle town house. Their daughter Mary Campbell, visiting from her home in Paris, thought they should travel. A friend of her husband's, she told them, had lived all over, including South America, where he rented apartments and worked remotely.
"My thought was, 'Had she looked in our bank account and seen more money than I thought we had?' " said Michael Campbell, 69, a former sports-marketing executive.
But rather than staying in hotels, Mary Campbell suggested that her parents use Airbnb, the online vacation-home rental site that has inspired devotion from many tourists and criticism from affordable housing advocates, the hotel industry and some city officials.
His daughter's suggestion planted the idea that he and his wife could wrap up their careers, downsize and reduce their living expenses, he added. If they could afford to live in Seattle without working, could they also afford to live abroad, renting other people's homes? After three months of Excel number crunching, they concluded that they could.
So the sailboat on which the couple had spent so many weekends — sold. Debbie Campbell's little Volkswagen convertible — someone else's dream ride now. Their town house — occupied by renters. Everything else was stashed in a 12- by 15-foot storage unit.
The Campbells have spent nearly two years overseas, living for a week or more in one rental home before moving on to another. They've stayed in a grand formal apartment in Florence, a graphic designer's funky place in Paris and a farmhouse in Wexford, Ireland. Their home in Luxembourg had beautiful exposed beams and a loft; their apartment in Tallinn, Estonia, had a sauna.
The dining room in the Campbells' Airbnb rental in Marrakech, Morocco, with Debbie Campbell standing beyond in the closet-size kitchen.
One of their recent homes on the road was a spacious riad (a traditional Moroccan house) in Marrakech.
In Morocco, the Campbells were struck by the local architectural style, the way their riad was furnished with long couches and low tables for people to sit and drink tea and designed around a courtyard with an opening to the sky instead of windows to let in light.
"Debbie and I just had dinner, and we were sitting at what looks like a dining-room table, but if it rains, it'll come right down on the table," Michael Campbell said.
The couple's friends have expressed skepticism about staying in strangers' homes glimpsed only online. What if they arrive in Berlin to a pigsty?
Of the 52 Airbnb rentals so far, there have been duds. But those have been rare, and the couple have developed a careful selection process. They use filters on the Airbnb site to find a handful of well-reviewed rentals in their destination city, looking for places around $90 a night (more in some cities, less in others), with Wi-Fi, an adequately stocked kitchen, a location in the town center and, ideally, outdoor space. They email the hosts and begin culling the list based on availability, past experience and gut reactions.
The universal-design language, at least with Airbnb rentals, is Ikea.
Last July, the Campbells returned to Seattle to visit friends and attend a son's wedding. But it wasn't a homecoming, exactly. They stayed in an Airbnb apartment in a different neighborhood and renewed the agreement with their tenants for another year.
"We drove by our house, and I didn't say, 'I really wish we lived there,' " Debbie Campbell said.
And when they flew back to Europe this time, she added, the Senior Nomads did something different.
"We bought one-way tickets," she said, laughing.
Kristin Jackson of The Seattle Times contributed to this report.


text:
Die Deutsche Quarter Horse Association (DQHA) ist Deutschlands ältester Westernpferdeverband.

Der Verband
Die DQHA wurde am 22. November 1975 in Erftstadt gegründet und ist eine Tochter des weltgrößten Pferdezuchtverbands American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) mit Sitz in Amarillo, Texas. Ziel ist die Zucht von American Quarter Horse. Etwa 37.000 Quarter Horses leben in Deutschland, so viele wie nirgendwo sonst außerhalb des amerikanischen Kontinents. Etwa 7000 Mitglieder pflegen Zucht und Haltung und das Westernreiten.

Der Verband vertreibt mit "Quarter Horse Journal" eine eigene Fachzeitschrift, die monatlich in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz erscheint.

Weblinks
 Deutsche Quarter Horse Association (DQHA)
 Quarter Horse Journal

Einzelnachweise

Pferdezuchtverband
Verein (Deutschland)
Westernreiten

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


The 2016 World Prematurity Day met TBHI in Lokoja, the ancient and capital city of Kogi State. The Commemoration began with an awareness walk which had over 100 participants. At the end of the walk was a lecture given by Dr. Medupin, a Consultant Paediatrician with the Federal Medical Center, Lokoja.
The theme of TBHI's lecture was Preemies Are Rubies and it was picked to highlight the fact that although survival for the premature infant can be very tough for the Preemie and all involved in their care, at the end of the day they are as beautiful and tough as the ruby. Commemoration focused on the need and society to do all they can to give requisite support to parents of preemies even as we put all hands on deck to fight prematurity.
Participants included state government representatives, NGOs, the media and the general public.