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Age of The Legend Review
Home>Review China>Age of The Legend Review
Age of The Legend (英雄年代之九龙密钥) is a Chinese movie that was released by iQiyi this year, 2021.
At the end of the Qing Dynasty, a group of heroes get together to prevent the British and Japanese invasion of Guangzhou City. They are presented with numerous obstacles on the way that challenges them to reach their goal.
I suspect this might have been a "made for TV" movie rather than one that was released through the cinema. I can't really know for sure.
Never heard or seen any of them before, but from what I could see the main character is of Taiwanese origin.
Adan (aka Gu Han Yun or 阿丹), from Taiwan, played the main character, not sure what the name of that character is. Age of The Legend looks like his first film role, he got his first break as a support role on Spicy Teacher back in 2000.
If nothing else this movie is good for a laugh but would take it with a pinch of salt.
The first thing I noticed was the accent of the British, they sounded spookily familiar to Russians. Many Russians play Caucasians in Chinese movies. Their accents and acting were slightly painful to watch.
The script was daft but oddly well presented. The CGI wasn't great, such as the British ships and guns in the mountains.
The monk character was acted really well and was hilarious. There was an effeminate guy and of course, the script included how awful that person was, although was a hero of sorts as well. The main Japanese female character really did act evil, she was a good actress, although had to meet her demise eventually.
The fight sequences/choreography were really well-done with quite impressive camera work.
Overall, not a bad film for entertainment value, quite a few amusing moments I will never forget. I give it 7/10 and recommend everyone seeing it.
This can be found on iQiyi and YouTube.
Steven2021-11-25T23:46:52+00:0025 November 2021|Review China|


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Q: Deriving a theme based on theme.appcompat I want to derive a theme from theme.appcompat. In that theme i want to set custom buttons styles. The code of buttons is given below. How do i add them to a theme i create and how do i create that theme.In which files do i need to include that theme besided res/values/style.The code below is in res/drawable folder with name red_button.xml.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<selector
xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">

<item android:state_pressed="true"
    android:drawable="@drawable/componentstyles_btn_default_pressed_holo_light" />

<item android:state_focused="true"
    android:drawable="@drawable/componentstyles_btn_default_focused_holo_light" />

<item
    android:drawable="@drawable/componentstyles_btn_default_normal_holo_light" />
</selector>

Now the code in res/value/styles is
<resources>
<style name="MyTheme" parent="Theme.AppCompat.Light">
<item name="android:buttonStyle">@style/MyButton</item>
</style>

<style name="MyButton" parent="android:Widget.Button">
<item name="android:background">@drawable/red_button</item>
</style>
</resources>

Manifest is like this:
<application
    android:allowBackup="true"
    android:icon="@drawable/ic_launcher"
    android:label="@string/app_name"
    android:theme="@style/MyTheme" >

A: In your res/values folder, you want to create a file styles.xml, specifying
<style name="MyTheme" parent="Theme.AppCompat.Light.DarkActionBar">
    <!--Custom styles here -->
</style>

The selector you're showing could be put in the res/drawable folder. If you want to apply it to all your buttons, you'd want to do something like:
<style name="MyTheme" parent="Theme.AppCompat.Light.DarkActionBar">
    <item name="android:buttonStyle">@style/MyButton</item>
</style>

<style name="MyButton" parent="android:Widget.Button">
    <item name="android:background">@drawable/your_selector</item>
</style>

To enable your custom theme, apply it in the AndroidManifest.xml to a specific Activity, or the whole app, e.g.:
<application android:label="@string/app_name"
             android:icon="@drawable/ic_launcher"
             android:theme="@style/MyTheme">

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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The School of Divinity, University of St Andrews is pleased to announce the appointment of Euan Grant to the post-doctoral Gifford Fellowship. The Gifford Fellowship, funded alongside the Gifford Lectures from the bequest of Adam Lord Gifford (1820–1887), exists to "promote and diffuse the study of natural theology in the widest sense of the term—in other words, the knowledge of God." It is awarded every two years to an outstanding emerging scholar working in a relevant area of theology or philosophy, and hosted alternately by the School of Divinity and the Department of Philosophy.
Grant's research interests are in theological anthropology, particularly the question of human finitude, fallenness, and original sin. Posing questions of the plausibility and conceivability of a historical fall within the natural history revealed by the sciences led to a re-evaluation of the highly sophisticated theological treatments of human beings as embodied intellectual creatures in the mediaeval scholastic literature. As Gifford Fellow, he is exploring the possibility of re-integrating these mediaeval structures of thought with the Darwinian paradigm of evolutionary biology.


Indian Fashion Designers Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna have been a team since 20 years. And every year, they have brought the trendiest of styles to the runway in suave designs. Understated elegance is what stands out in their mens collection. Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna mens wear is a collection that includes traditional and western outfits that ensure to stand out even with its minimalistic silhouettes and cuts. Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna designer outfits in mens and womenswear collection are regularly showcased at India's leading fashion weeks like Lakme Fashion Week and Amazon Fashion Week.
Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna mens collection includes kurtas, nehru jackets, shirts, blazer, trousers and suits. The design aesthetics at Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna has been always been about well-fitting and well-tailored styles that marks a statement even in its minimalistic approach. Classy and dapper, the suits, kurtas and jackets and all the other menswear outfits are in line with Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna's design philosophies. A great deal of attention is paid to the silhouettes that are inspired by geometrics and structures. The details that goes into each of the outfits, whether it the surface work or the cuts, everything is largely contemporary and chic.
Aza fashions is now online. You can now shop Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna menswear collection along with other traditional bridal and occasional wear outfits from the comfort of your homes at Azafashions.com. Aza is India's top multi designer fashion retail store and now the launch of its e-boutique enables customers all over the world to get access to India's best designer collections, all under one store. Aza keeps itself updated with the latest fashion trends from runway events like Lakme Fashion week, Amazon Fashion Week etc. A lot of celebrities have adorned Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna outfits for various events and shows. Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh, Ayushmann Khurrana, Karan Tacker, Varun Dhavan and a lot of other celebrities love wearing his collections.
Aza brings the latest designer collections from India's top runway events like Amazon Fashion Week and Lakme Fashion Week to its customers. Aza Fashions online ships worldwide, so whether you are in London, New York, Dubai, Canada, Australia, Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai or anywhere else around the globe, Aza makes sure you get a store to door delivery. At Aza you get a wide range of benefits like worldwide shipping, secure payment, free shipping and cash on delivery options for customers within India. Stay tuned with our newsletters to get the latest scoops on our flash sales, festive deals, events, shows, free gift offers and much more.


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My Broken Language: A Memoir
"A phenomenal, human story…. I could not put this book down." (Clara Hughes)
An instant national bestseller, this raw and affecting memoir is the story of a mother and daughter who beat the odds together.
Quiara Alegría Hudes was the sharp-eyed girl on the stairs while her family danced in her grandmother's tight North Philly kitchen. She was awed by her aunts and uncles and cousins, but haunted by the secrets of the family and the unspoken, untold stories of the barrio – even as she tried to find her own voice in the sea of language around her, written and spoken, English and Spanish, bodies and books, Western art and sacred altars. Her family became her private pantheon, a gathering circle of powerful orisha-like women with tragic real-world wounds, and she vowed to tell their stories – but first she'd have to get off the stairs and join the dance. She'd have to find her language.
Weaving together Hudes's love of books with the stories of her family, the lessons of North Philly with those of Yale, this is an inspired exploration of home, memory, and belonging – narrated by an obsessed girl who fought to become an artist so she could capture the world she loved in all its wild and delicate beauty.
B08G8Y93P1
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Summary of Michelle Zauner's Crying in H Mart
Better, Not Bitter: Living on Purpose in the Pursuit of Racial Justice
This inspirational memoir serves as a call to action from prison reform activist Yusef Salaam, of the Exonerated Five, that will inspire us all to turn our stories into tools for change in the pursuit of racial justice.
Somebody's Daughter: A Memoir
"Ashley C. Ford brings listeners into her life in this outstanding coming-of-age story…Listeners will cheer as Ford attends college and weep as she visits her father in prison, and when he is finally released." (AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award winner)
Bevelations
From the host of the fabulous and popular show Bevelations on SiriusXM's Radio Andy channel, Bevy Smith's irreverent and inspiring memoir about learning to live a big, authentic, and unapologetic life – and how you can, too.
The Ugly Cry
"They say comedy equals tragedy plus time: This very funny account of an often miserable childhood is proof." (People)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Bezansons in North America
Person Images
Halifax Explosion
Baker, Lorraine Marie b. c 1958, d. 18 Feb 2020
Bezanson, Della Ruxby b. 1936
Bezanson, Barbara b. 1945, d. 29 Apr 2021
Bezanson, Lowell
Gammon, Emily b. c 1952, d. 21 May 2018
Bezanson, Eugene b. 1940, d. 18 Oct 2010
Roberts, Eleanor Faye b. 4 Jan 1941, d. 9 Jun 2021
Bezanson, Winnie Prudence b. c 1928, d. 19 Nov 2016
Daurie, Everett Wayne
Daurie, Lloyd David b. 11 Apr 1920, d. 28 Feb 2002
Daurie, Miles Winston b. c 1950, d. 20 Nov 2021
Bezanson, Grace Elizabeth b. 15 Apr 1930, d. 18 Nov 2021
Fisher, Ralph b. c 1924, d. 7 Sep 1996
Bezanson, Matthew b. 4 Apr 1984, d. 30 Oct 2021
Bezanson, Elden Charles b. 1954, d. 1979
Bezanson, Ross
Please note that while I have incorporated evidence discovered by many other researchers, any mistakes or omissions are my responsibility. The source(s) supporting the assertions made here vary in quality from very good to good-faith guesses.
Copyright © 2020 by John Cardinal. All rights reserved.
Compiler: John Cardinal
Site updated on 27 Dec 2021; 4,770 people
Page created by John Cardinal's Second Site v8.01. | Based on a design by growldesign


text:
LOVE UNPLUGGED Letter #1 - I accepted myself as Bisexual - Tiyasha
Being gay in India is bane not a boon, and we all know about it. Now I don't really have a coming out story. I always knew that I was gay, that was never a question in my mind. But growing up in a small town in West Bengal meant I didn't get to meet many girls who were gay or any LGBT community members. I went to a Co-Ed school so I never felt comfortable enough to discuss about my sexuality with my friends. Homosexuality was something very abnormal to them. The only exposure I saw of any gay culture was very boyish, and that was from my laptop. And I was nothing like Shane on "L word" or the tomboys on "Lip Service" so I tried to convince myself that I was not gay, there was no way that I could be one, I thought to myself that like David Henrie, I find him cute so I must be just as normal as others. So, I tried to hide it. That was until I started dating my now ex-girlfriend Asmita. I got to know about her from one of my friends, and I was immediately drawn towards her. For the first time I felt that I wasn't the only one, I wasn't alone and this isn't some sickness or some phase. Though we only dated each other for a few months, but Asmita helped me a lot to understand myself, I saw how open and proud she was about her sexuality, she helped me to accept myself for who I am and to stand up for my rights.
Soon I found a lot of people who were like me, supporting me and then in my first year of college, I accepted myself as a bisexual. Eventually I started dating my now girlfriend Rishika, who is just as girly as I am and it's been more than a year now that we are together. I am yet to come out to my parents so as for now I haven't faced any such instances which could be named as struggle. And I feel that coming out shouldn't be a big deal, I mean Heterosexuals don't have to come out to their parents for being straight.
Homosexuality is just as equal and identical as any other sexual orientations. I am currently in a very happy and committed relationship and when the time comes I will surely come out to my family.
As for the other gay teenagers who are still not comfortable enough to come out and are still facing internal debates, I would like to say that don't let anyone make you feel ashamed, don't apologize to anyone when you tell them the truth about yourself. Be proud, be gay.
Thank you, Tiyasha.


text:
Health systems may be warming to offshoring, a mainstay practice for insurers
FCC's approval of wireless spectrum for healthcare would unchain patients from hospital beds, transforming care
Jaimy Lee
Genachowski said the "game-changer" would be health-monitoring devices that patients can wear at home.
The Federal Communications Commission is on the cusp of unleashing technology that could release patients from the constellations of machines that monitor them in the hospital and revolutionize the level of monitoring possible at home.
The FCC said it is likely to approve a proposal that will allocate spectrum for wireless patient monitoring technology, potentially creating a lucrative new market for companies developing the technology and lowering healthcare costs by reducing hospital-acquired infections, preventing unplanned emergency transfers and keeping elderly and chronically ill patients out of the hospital.
The FCC chairman and commissioners are scheduled to vote this week on the proposed rules, which would increase spectrum capacity and reliability for medical body area networks, or MBANs, in hospitals, clinics and physicians' offices.
The proposed rule also recommends setting aside a portion of the spectrum for patient use outside of a hospital.
MBAN devices collect physiological data, such as a patient's temperature or blood pressure, using a small wireless sensor on a patient's body. The sensor would automatically transmit the data to a nearby "hub" device and then on to a monitoring system.
The MBAN technology, some of which may be disposable, will eliminate the need for most wires that connect a patient to monitoring equipment. An example of MBAN technology is fetal telemetry, which continuously monitors a baby's health but does not limit a mother's movement.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said during a May 17 news conference at George Washington University Hospital that the "real game-changer for MBAN technology" will be health-monitoring devices that patients can wear at home.
"This creative use of spectrum also provides wireless health manufacturers with the certainty they need to streamline their product development, which for many years operated on a variety of frequencies," Genachowski said in prepared remarks. "I expect it will eventually lead to technologies not just for healthcare facilities, but also for in-home use."
GE Healthcare, which manufactures patient monitoring systems, identified the need for spectrum to be set aside for this type of technology in 2007. That year, the Waukesha, Wis.-based company filed a petition with the FCC to request the commission allocate spectrum and establish service and technical rules for MBAN technology.
Matt Grubis, chief engineer for GE Healthcare's monitoring solutions business, said what the FCC is proposing is similar to what GE requested almost five years ago.
FCC approval would provide market
opportunities for device manufacturers.
Philips Healthcare, Texas Instruments and the American Society for Healthcare Engineering, whose membership includes hospital facility managers and clinical and biomedical engineers, later joined GE Healthcare in its push for the FCC to allocate MBAN spectrum.
"GE Healthcare is incredibly pleased to see a ruling on medical body area networks," Michael Harsh, GE Healthcare's vice president and chief technology officer, said during the FCC news conference. "By opening this new wireless spectrum for communicating healthcare information through this promising technology of MBANs, patient care and disease monitoring will be revolutionized in the not-too-distant future."
It's not the first time the FCC has set aside spectrum for wireless medical devices used in hospital settings. In 2000, the agency allocated spectrum for wireless telemetry devices, such as heart monitors, to protect the devices against the possibility of interference from radio and TV broadcasts.
The ASHE, a personal membership group of the American Hospital Association, was appointed as the frequency coordinator for the wireless medical telemetry service spectrum in 2001 and said in a May 17 statement that it would accept the role of frequency coordinator for MBANs.
The organization said both associations believe that MBANs will provide numerous clinical benefits for patients.
"Traditional wireless telemetry systems are often restricted to certain areas or floors of a hospital because the signals are limited," the ASHE said. "MBANs would not have that issue, so patients could be placed in the hospital unit based on their specific medical condition, rather than based on a unit's wireless monitoring capability."
Still, one concern is that the spectrum that the FCC has proposed for use by MBAN technology is also used by aeronautical telemetry. It has been used almost exclusively by commercial test pilots, according to the FCC.
The appointed MBAN frequency coordinator would need to "work with hospitals and MBANs manufacturers to ensure that medical telemetry does not interfere with aeronautical telemetry, such as data collected from test flights," the ASHE said.
For device manufacturers, the proposed rule, which won't publicly be available until May 24, provides clarity about the regulations behind the development of these kinds of devices.
It also presents market opportunities for the manufacturers that would develop MBAN technology.
"MBANs provide a cost-effective way to monitor every patient in a healthcare institution, so they can provide real-time and accurate data, allowing doctors and nurses to identify life-threatening problems or events before they occur," Genachowski said in his remarks.
He also said the FCC is considering the adoption of new rules that would permit more intensive use of spectrum for wireless medical devices
Genachowski cited studies finding that half of hospital patients are not monitored and that a monitored hospital patient has a 48% chance of surviving cardiac arrest, while unmonitored patients have only a 6% chance of survival.
The devices can "provide the best quality monitoring at the lowest possible cost," GE Healthcare's Grubis said. "It brings our customers a new level of being able to care for their patients."
GE Healthcare and Philips Healthcare said they have technology in development that would use the newly allocated MBAN spectrum if the proposal is approved by the FCC.
A spokesman for Philips Healthcare's patient care and clinical informatics business unit said the company is developing a respiratory monitoring sensor and plans to submit the device to the Food and Drug Administration for clearance this year.
The market for MBAN technology could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, said Anthony Jones, chief marketing officer for Philips Healthcare's patient care and clinical informatics unit.
Grubis confirmed that GE Healthcare is also developing MBAN technology, but declined to provide additional information. He said the company's available wireless patient monitoring products use the wireless medical telemetry service spectrum, as well as a Wi-Fi network.
Wireless medical devices used on the WMTS and MBAN spectrums must be approved by the FDA and licensed by the FCC. Two years ago, the FCC and the FDA announced an initiative to work together to support the development for wireless medical devices.
However, the FCC's announcement last week that it is proposing the allocation of spectrum specifically for MBAN technology ensures a pathway for devicemakers to develop this type of technology.
"It's a fantastic idea," said Dr. James Killeen, director of information technology services for the emergency department at UC San Diego Health System. "It opens up private industry to certainly contribute more to medical devices."
Concern about bandwidth also is of concern for hospitals. When the 531-bed San Diego hospital added new buildings to its campus a year ago, it also built separate bandwidth for medical devices. Killeen said it's not common for hospitals to do this, but UCSD's proximity to the local health IT industry in the San Diego region was one factor in the decision.
Killeen also said he agreed with the FCC's proposal that MBAN devices would lead to lower costs, noting how care models are changing.
Dr. Joseph Smith, chief medical officer and chief science officer for the West Wireless Health Institute, a medical research group that focuses on lowering healthcare costs through technology and innovation, said the proposed rule clarifies concerns and questions for a number of stakeholders involved with wireless medical devices.
Smith said manufacturers will have a defined regulatory pathway to follow when developing technology, the FDA will have additional clarity about the spectrum requirements when reviewing MBAN devices, and hospitals will have more information to consider when building wireless networks.
It also sends a signal to the venture capital community that there is an established pathway for manufacturers that develop MBAN technology, Smith said. "It provides clarity about the kinds of solutions that will work."
TAKEAWAY: A slice of wireless spectrum for medical body area networks could transform the way providers monitor patients in hospitals and at home.
CommonSpirit partners with Morehouse to train Black physicians


MUMBAl: TV viewership measurement in India is set to get a boost. In a major development, BARC India has partnered with the cable distribution giant DEN Networks for measuring TV viewership using Return Path Data (RPD) via its digital set-top boxes (STBs).
"Collecting viewership data using RPD is a global practice. However, for BARC India it will be another global-first as we integrate this as part of the currency. Our partnership with DEN is the first step towards using RPD for TV viewership measurement," said BARC India CBO Romil Ramgarhia.
"Currently, most cable / DTH operators in India do not have information on how their subscribers consume content. With more interactive services being launched, this will be a very valuable information for the platform owners. This partnership is a win-win for both and will benefit the larger ecosystem," added Romil.


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Trump-Pruitt Nuclear Hit Job On The EPA-American People May Increase Radiation Exposure By 400x; How Quickly Will Everyone Die?
100 mSv, 10000 mrem, acceptable risk, AG, Allegations, BEIR VII, Calabrese, cancer, cancer risks, clean water, Confuse and Deceive, corruption, dangers of nuclear, democracy, Ed Calabrese, Edward Calabrese, environment, EPA, Eric T. Schneiderman, excess cancer deaths radiaton, excess cancer risks, excess cancer risks ionizing radiation, exposure to ionizing radiation, heart disease, Hormesis, International Hormesis Society, Koch Brothers, Linear No Threshold Model, LNT, low dose radiation, low level radiation risk, New York, no safe dose of radiation, nuclear, nuclear accident, Nuclear cleanup, nuclear energy, nuclear industry, nuclear power, nuclear reactors, nuclear waste, nuclear weapons, peer review, propaganda, pruitt, public exposure nuclear effluents, public health, radiation, radiation exposure, radioactive waste, risk management, SARI, scientific consensus, scientific method, smoking second hand smoke, special pleading, tobacco industry, Tobacco Institute, tobacco lobby, toxins, Trump, U. Mass Amherst, unsubstantiated claims, US, USA, USDOE Low Dose Radiation Research Program
[Update: Comment Deadline was extended to August 16th.]
Since the Trump-Pruitt EPA is quoting Calabrese, this appears to be a renewed push to increase the radiation exposure to the general public from nuclear facilities, mining and the oil and gas industry, by 400 fold – from 0.25 mSv per year, to 100 mSv per year. This not only would mean a huge increase in life-shortening cancers, but also increases in cataracts, heart disease, and strokes (and at younger ages). The impacts won't just be on humans, either, but animals and plants. With a 400 x increase in exposure comes a 400 x greater risk. This is a no-brainer supported for many decades by scientific evidence.
The most important thing to retain from the 2015 three country study of nuclear workers by Richardson et al. is that it supports the linear no threshold model (LNT) for ionizing radiation, as does the US BEIR report. That is, there is no safe dose of ionizing radiation and increased radiation exposure is increased risk. The 2015 study shows association between protracted very low dose exposure to ionising radiation and cancer deaths. Although high dose rate exposures have been presumed by many "to be more dangerous than low dose rate exposures, the risk per unit of radiation dose for cancer among radiation workers was similar to estimates derived from studies of Japanese atomic bomb survivors." (Richardson et. al., BMJ, Oct 2015). When they speak of low dose, in this study, it is a cumulative median average of 4.1 mSv over the course of the workers' career (on average 12 years), only slightly above the current US EPA limit.
According to the BEIR VII estimates, the approximately half of those who die from cancer due to radiation exposure will have had their lives shortened by 14 to 15 years, meaning little or no retirement.
The Trump-Pruitt EPA quotes from Calabrese who wants to increase radiation exposure by at least 400 x the US EPA limit (100 x the NRC-International limit) and got his start working for the tobacco industry. Calabrese – covered at length in this blog – is nothing but pure evil. He's lying about LNT.
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-administrator-pruitt-proposes-rule-strengthen-science-used-epa-regulations
New York AG Schneiderman was leading the charge to protect the public and was suddenly hit, the same day, with unproven allegations of abuse: https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2018/05/08/new-york-attorney-general-tries-to-protect-people-environment-from-100-fold-increase-in-radiation-and-other-toxic-dangers-gets-accused-of-abuse/
The Richardson et al., 2015, study of nuclear workers estimated that approximately 209 of 19,064 deaths from cancer, other than leukaemia, "were excess deaths associated with external radiation exposure" from the work environment. In the cohort, 257,166 workers were exposed to radiation at work with a median cumulative exposure of 4.1 mGy (= mSv for gamma external exposure). The median follow-up was 26 years, and median length of employment was 12 years. The median age was 58 years. At the time of the study, 19,064/257,166 exposed to radiation at work had died of cancer, other than leukemia, or 7.1%. Of these, they estimate that 1% were excess cancer deaths due to radiation exposure at work. The cumulative median average of exposure at work was 4.1 mSv (median years of work was 12 years), which is then an average of 0.34 mSv per year. This is slightly above the 0.25 mSv per year exposure limit for the general population from radioactive discharges from nuclear facilities allowed by the US EPA, and below the 1 mSv per year US NRC/international limit for exposure of the general population to radioactive discharges from nuclear facilities. The estimated excess cancer deaths, excluding leukemia, from work exposure, according to the study, were 209/257,166 or 0.08%. Based on the the 4.1 mGy (mSv) median cumulative dose, excess deaths from cancer per mSv would be an estimated 0.02%. As cancer rates are roughly double, then cancer rates would be approximately 0.04% per mSv. Excess deaths from cancer per 100 mSv would be 2% and cancers approximately 4%. This is roughly in line with upper bounds of the earlier BEIR report of approximately 3% cancer rate per 100 mSv exposure. Excess deaths from cancer per 1000 mSv (Sv) would be 20% and cancer rates would be approximately 40%. This is a conservative interpretation. The risks may be much higher. If internal hi-LET radiaton is included the risks are definately much higher. And, any excess risk is too high. Nuclear power is unnecessary and the charges for nuclear waste are high enough to store and monitor it properly, the for profit operators just don't want to.
Calabrese, cited by Trump-Pruitt's EPA, has pushed for a 100 mSv exposure for the general public, per year, or 400 times the US EPA limit of 0.25 mSv. Based on the above calculations based on Richardson, et al., 10 years of the 100 mSv promoted by Calabrese would then lead to around 20% more cancer deaths and 40% more cancers in exposed populations. 30 years of 100 mSv (3000 mSv) would lead to approximately 60% more cancer deaths and 120% more cancers (recall that people can get cancer more than once and more than one type.). 40 years would be 80% more cancer deaths and 160% more cancers. These cancers would be those appearing within an average of 26 years. More could appear later. These are what BEIR calls "life-shortening" cancers.
Comment to EPA here by August 16th: https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EPA-HQ-OA-2018-0259
While it has become popular to talk about ROS damage from radiation (e.g. Timothy Mousseau), ROS occurs in everyday life in contrast to radiation induced clustered DNA damage which is unique to radiation-damage and nearly impossible to correctly repair: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reactive_oxygen_species. Clustered DNA damage is considered a signature of ionizing radiation: "clustered DNA damage sites, which may be considered as a signature of ionising radiation, underlie the deleterious biological consequences of ionising radiation…ionising radiation creates significant levels of clustered DNA damage, including complex double-strand breaks (DSB)" See: "Biological Consequences of Radiation-induced DNA Damage: Relevance to Radiotherapy", by M.E. Lomax et. al. Clinical Oncology 25 (2013) 578-585. "The formation of clustered damage distinguishes ionising radiation-induced damage from normal endogenous damage: https://cordis.europa.eu/pub/fp5-euratom/docs/non_dsb_lesions_projrep_en.pdf More here: https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2016/12/24/on-the-unique-dna-damage-done-by-ionizing-radiation-nuclear-materials-and-on-metting-hultgren-et-al-misleading-the-us-congress-in-this-matter/
This blog spent time picking Richardson et.al. (2015) apart in the past. The cancer rates may be much higher: https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2015/12/19/another-look-at-the-recent-low-dose-radiation-exposure-study-inworks However, this time we opted to simply base the evaluation upon the text itself. We used the more appropriate median, rather than the mean. As they admit, the exposure is skewed with most of the exposure toward the low end, making the median all the more appropriate.
Notes re Radiation and Eyes-Heart
Excerpted from Dr. Timothy Mousseau: "… eyes are very sensitive to radiation. And it turns out that…the stem cells, maybe you didn't know this, your, the lens of your eyes is completely being, is being grown all the time. There's new layers of cells being put down all the time and at the back of the posterior portion of the lens. And the stem cells that generate these clear cells for the lens are very sensitive to radiation. And so if they're damaged as a result of the radiation they end up making opaque cells. And so it's very easy to see this signal of radiation damage in the form of a radiation cataract and noticed in many of the atomic bomb survivors but also in people who work around x-ray machines in the medical field or in other, nuclear industry…." See: https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2015/10/13/biological-consequences-of-nuclear-disasters-from-chernobyl-to-fukushima/
According to the US FDA, and others, "More recent studies suggest that the lowest cataractogenic dose in people is much less than these values, is statistically compatible with no threshold at all, and that increasing dose is associated with an increasing prevalence of cataracts." (USFDA) https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2015/06/22/no-dose-of-radiation-is-safe-for-the-eyes-any-dose-can-cause-cataracts-usnrc-comment-deadline-today-11-59-pm-ny-dc-et-one-minute-to-midnight/
0.5 Gy (Sv) would be 500 mSv for external gamma exposure – 5 years of what Calabrese-Trump-Pruitt apparently want.
The ICRP says: "… a 'threshold dose' of 0.5 Gy is proposed here for both cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease on the basis that this dose might lead to approximately 1% of exposed individuals developing each disease in question. Nevertheless, there are notable uncertainties in determining risks of these diseases at this level of dose." (p.292) https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2015/06/20/heartless-us-nrc-ignores-icrp-concerns-re-radiation-risks-to-cardio-cerebrovascular-systems-comment-deadline-monday-22-june-1159-pm-one-minute-to-midnight-ny-dc-et/
This puts lens changes at 200 to 500 mSv:
"The lens of the eye is one of the most radiosensitive tissues in the body (Brown, 1997; Ainsbury et al., 2009). When the radiosensitivity of various eye tissues is compared, detectable lens changes are noted at doses between 0.2 and 0.5 Gy, whereas other ocular pathologies in other tissues occur after acute or fractionated exposures of between 5 and 20 Gy" (ICRP, 118, p. 117). https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2015/06/22/no-dose-of-radiation-is-safe-for-the-eyes-any-dose-can-cause-cataracts-usnrc-comment-deadline-today-11-59-pm-ny-dc-et-one-minute-to-midnight/
500 mSv:
"An approximate threshold dose of around 0.5 Gy has been proposed for acute and fractionated/protracted exposures, on the basis that this might lead to circulatory disease in only one to a few percent of exposed individuals, although the estimation of risk at this level of dose is particularly uncertain." p. 304, ICRP 118.
https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2015/06/20/heartless-us-nrc-ignores-icrp-concerns-re-radiation-risks-to-cardio-cerebrovascular-systems-comment-deadline-monday-22-june-1159-pm-one-minute-to-midnight-ny-dc-et/
About Calabrese and the 100 mSv: https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2015/10/23/hormesis-advocates-dodge-scientific-rigor-with-special-pleadings-ties-to-tobacco-industry-koch-brother-exposed-by-chp-emeritus-november-19th-comment-deadline-looms/
https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2015/08/22/us-nrc-spreading-the-italian-triangle-of-death-to-america-refuse-omerta-remember-to-comment-by-september-8th
For additional information on Calabrese, type Calabrese in the search window of our blog.
https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2015/12/19/another-look-at-the-recent-low-dose-radiation-exposure-study-inworks/
Unfortunately, Richardson et al. have made no effort to make their study understandable, even for those with good backgrounds in research methods and who take the time to pick through it. The exception is that they do make clear that it supports the linear no threshold dose.
Richardson et al: "Risk of cancer from occupational exposure to ionising radiation: retrospective cohort study of workers in France, the United Kingdom, and the United States (INWORKS)" BMJ 2015; 351 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h5359 (Published 20 October 2015, CC- BY- NC: http://www.bmj.com/content/351/bmj.h5359
http://www.bmj.com/content/351/bmj.h5359/related
http://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/suppl/2015/10/20/bmj.h5359.DC1/ricd026856_updated_data_supplement.pdf
NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED, IT SEEMS:


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DP is not dead. And the old joke that the abbreviation stands for 'Dead Party' might return to haunt Ugandans if plans by Democratic Party top officials come to fruition. Speaking to PML Daily from Gulu town yesterday DP president Norbert Mao said Uganda's oldest political party is keen to rejuvenate its footing and will in this regard undertake an ambitious plan to construct its a multi-billion headquarters in Kampala.
Mao said the construction works is planned to begin in July.
The party headquarters, to be named Ben Kiwanuka Building, is a decision by the National Executive Committee to honour the Uganda's first Prime Minister for his contribution to good governance in the country.
Mao said the party has earmarked more than Shs6 billion toward the construction of the five- storey structure on a piece of land secured by former DP leaders in Lubaga Division in Kampala.
"This venture will boost the administration of the party with all members represented in a central position," Mao said.
Without indicating how long the construction will take, Mao added that the party will dedicate a floor for the women league leadership, another floor for the youth and other offices for the executive leaders.
"We have already acquired the land title and plans are underway to see to the groundbreaking ceremony in July. Our members can then access the various offices from a central point," he added.
Justine Obol, Laroo Division councilor, and a DP flag bearer, said the party is focusing on institutional building so that Ugandans can begin to take it seriously.
"DP as a party cannot think of taking power without a serious headquarter. It's one of the reforms that we are glad the party is taking into consideration," Obol told our reporter.
The party has also embarked on opening regional offices with the latest being in Pece Division, Gulu.
Francesca Amony, DP Women's League secretary, is optimistic that 2021 holds a better political climate for the party leadership to have more of their members win electoral positions compared to the last few years where poor coordination and lack of unity let the party down.
Currently, Democratic Party has 15 Members of Parliament in the 10th Parliament.
Benedicto Kagimu Mugumba Kiwanuka was the first prime minister of Uganda, a leader of the Democratic Party, and one of the persons that led the country in the transition between colonial British rule and independence. He is widely believed to have been killed by President Idi Amin in 1972.


Part II: Attend in person and demonstrate competency in the hands-on skills practice and assessment session.
**No textbook required and the date listed is for hands-on skills practice session. There is an $85 non-refundable deposit.
**Required CPR mask included in class fee.
3) Swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke, surface dive to a depth of 7 to10 feet, retrieve a 10 lb object, return to the surface, and swim 20 yards back to starting point with both hands on the object and face above the water at all times. Certification requirements: demonstrate competency in all required skills, demonstrate competency in the three final skill scenarios, demonstrate level of maturity and responsibility consistent w/Red Cross standards, and correctly answer at least 80% of questions on written exams.


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(804) 236-5800 terri@housingfamiliesfirst.org
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Every Family Deserves a Home.
Community Partner Spotlight: The Ladies of the Omega Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has been in the spotlight recently as Kamala Harris — the first woman, the first Black woman, the first South Asian woman, and the first member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority –was elected Vice President of the United States in November. "Her story is our story," her sorority sisters are quoted as saying. We would like to share the back story of AKA Sorority with you, because we are so very grateful for their partnership with Housing Families First, and because we are so very proud of all they do for our community.
Notable Sisters: Kamala Harris, Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, Maya Angelou
The mission of Alpha Kappa Alpha is to be of Service to All Mankind by addressing the critical issues that impact the lives of African Americans. Did you know that AKA Sorority is a member of the Divine Nine, a group of nine African American sororities and fraternities with a rich tradition of academic excellence and social progress? African American Greek life offers great opportunities to provide community outreach, gain leadership training and build lasting friendships. Kamala Harris is only one of many notable people who call themselves an Alpha Kappa Alpha sister. Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, and Maya Angelou were members of this venerable sorority, as well!
The Women of the Omega Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
"Get Your Boots On!"
The Omega Rho Omega chapter of AKA, started in 2017, is a relatively new chapter and serves Eastern Henrico, New Kent, and Charles City counties. Vice President and Program Chair Sherry Bassfield Tyler and Operation AKA Assist Co-Chair TMarie Hopkins were both elected to their positions in November of 2020, though they have a long history together; they've been sorority sisters since they were undergrads together at Hampton University in the late '80s!
Sherry enjoys the grass roots level of getting out into the community and helping. She embraces the motto: "Service to All Mankind," and she told us that their "get your boots on" philosophy of getting into the trenches and getting involved in the community is what it's all about. This is exactly what ORO does. They get their boots on and jump right in.
Each chapter of AKA embraces five targets:
#1: Building Your Economic Legacy (Operation AKA Assist Program)
Building Your Economic Legacy: Operation AKA Assist Program
The Operation AKA Assist Program, part of "Building Economic Legacy," is the program that works with Housing Families First and our families experiencing homelessness. On Martin Luther King Community Impact Day (Jan 18), Operation AKA Assist provided Housing Families First with 250 bags decorated with encouraging words and filled with snacks and drinks for our families entering shelter. These snack bags make a world of difference to families in crisis, and can provide a caring touch in a moment of stress for our clients.
In addition to the snack bags brought to HFF, ORO also sent 1000 canned goods to the Boxes of Blessings Program, and wrote 270 thank you cards to businesses to thank them for being there during the pandemic.
The Operation AKA Assist project's direction has since sharpened in focused and will concentrate on the relationship it has with Housing Families First, with a goal of strengthening the partnership to raise awareness about homelessness. We are looking forward to seeing them again soon for our Evening Supper Program, when they will provide dinner for our clients in shelter.
This warm and caring group of women is the epitome of generosity in all its forms. One of our littlest shelter residents told TMarie, co-chair of Operation AKA Assist, that the ladies dropping off the snack bags were her "snack bag angels." We agree. They are our angels, too!
Though this target is the one that directly impacts HFF, the other four are equally important and deserve recognition, as well:
#2: HBCU for Life: A Call to Action
HBCU for Life
ORO shared with its members and with us the powerful story of the rise, influence, and evolution of America's HBCUs in the documentary: Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities.
#3: The Arts!
The Arts! A Celebration of the Harlem Renaissance
The ORO chapter will hold a virtual paint party in April! A local artist will be invited to instruct middle and high school students and chapter members on the Harlem Renaissance, which played a pivotal role in the development of African American art and culture. A fantastic time should be had by all, and supplies will be provided by the chapter.
#4: Women's Impact and Wellness
Women's Impact and Wellness: Pink Goes Red
Studies show that African Americans are 20% more likely to die of heart disease than non-Hispanic white Americans. The ORO chapter held a "Pink Goes Red" event for cardiovascular and heart disease in February, with the goal of raising awareness and encouraging education about heart disease in the African American community.
#5: Global Impact
Global Impact: Soles 4 Souls
Chapters worldwide are planning community service projects that will have a global impact, and ORO has several projects in the works already! Here are just a few:
* This week marks the beginning of a social media campaign on the importance of mask wearing and social distancing, including the newest information from the CDC. ORO recognizes the need for this messaging to come from trusted sources and wants to be sure that they do their part in the sharing of this information.
* ORO's "Soles 4 Souls" campaign will collect hundreds of pairs of shoes for people in need. We will be delighted to share the donation information once it becomes available!
* June 20th is World Refugee Day, which ORO will celebrate with a virtual discussion panel of two refugees of African descent, partnering with organizations that provide assistance to refugees.
More great projects are on the way, and ORO will continue to create a positive change in their community each and every day!
Women of ORO
"A group of women who reign supreme in sisterhood, scholarship, and service to all mankind."
Sherry, TMarie, and all the women of ORO live their lives in the service of others. They strive to put their community first every day. The five tenants, or "targets," listed above are designed to advance the mission of Alpha Kappa Alpha with excellence and underscore their commitment to sustainable service.
The women of ORO address the critical issues that impact the lives of African Americans in their community and do so with a selfless enthusiasm that is truly beautiful. We are grateful for their dedication to those around them, in particular the families at Housing Families First.
Special thanks to VP and Program Chair Sherry Bassfield Tyler and Operation AKA Assist Co-Chair TMarie Hopkins for all they do for our community and for Housing Families First, and for generously giving of their time for this interview.
One Mother's Journey Out of Homelessness
Back to School in Shelter
Email : terri@housingfamiliesfirst.org
Address : 3900 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, VA 23223
Press Contact: Beth Vann-Turnbull
Press Phone: 804-236-5800 x123
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Q: Change the value of a static variable How can I change the value of a static variable in Objective-C?
Is this allowed?

A: You use the = operator to assign a value in the file where the static variable is visible.


text:
Brennan defends drone strikes, even on Americans
Nominated to head the CIA, John Brennan told a protest-disrupted Senate confirmation hearing Thursday the United States employs drone strikes only as a deterrent against imminent terrorist threats,
Author: cbs8.com
Published: 2/7/2013 9:47:52 AM
Updated: 9:47 AM PST February 7, 2013
WASHINGTON (AP) — Nominated to head the CIA, John Brennan told a protest-disrupted Senate confirmation hearing Thursday the United States employs drone strikes only as a deterrent against imminent terrorist threats, not as punishment for previous actions, firmly defending the controversial attacks that have killed three Americans and an unknown number of foreigners.
"Nothing could be further from the truth," he said of the idea that the U.S. uses the strikes by unmanned aircraft as retaliation in the broad fight against terrorism.
On another thorny topic, under sometimes-combative questioning from senators, he conceded that after years of intelligence work he is uncertain whether the use of waterboarding in interrogations has yielded valuable information.
He declined several times to say whether waterboarding is torture, but he did say it is "something that is reprehensible and should never be done again."
In hours of questioning from the Senate Intelligence Committee, Brennan made repeated general pledges to increase the flow of information to members of the panel, but he was less specific when it came to individual cases. Asked at one point whether he would provide a list of countries where the CIA has used lethal authority, he replied, "It would be my intention to do everything possible" to comply.
At another point, he said he had no second thoughts about having opposed a planned strike against Osama bin Laden in 1998, a few months before the bombings of two U.S. embassies. The plan was not "well-grounded," he said, adding that other intelligence officials also recommended against proceeding. Brennan was at the CIA at the time.
Brennan was questioned extensively about leaks to the media about an al-Qaida plot to detonate a new type of underwear bomb on a Western airline. He acknowledged trying to limit the damage to national security from the disclosures.
On May 7 of last year, The Associated Press reported that the CIA thwarted an ambitious plot by al-Qaida's affiliate in Yemen to destroy a U.S.-bound airliner, using a bomb with a sophisticated new design around the one-year anniversary of the killing of Osama bin Laden. The next day, the Los Angeles Times reported that the would-be bomber was cooperating with U.S. authorities.
During Thursday's hearing Republican Sens. James Risch of Idaho and Dan Coats of Indiana were among those who contended Brennan had inadvertently revealed that the U.S. had a spy inside Yemen's al-Qaida branch when, hours after the first AP report appeared, he told a group of media consultants that "there was no active threat during the bin Laden anniversary because ... we had inside control of the plot."
Brennan acknowledged the comments about "inside control" but denied that they revealed any secret elements associated with the U.S. operation.
"I think I have the leak right here," Risch said.
Bristling, Brennan shot back, "I disagree with that vehemently."
Brennan is a veteran of more than three decades in intelligence work, and is currently serving as Obama's top counter-terrorism adviser in the White House. Any thought he had of becoming CIA director four years ago vanished amid questions about the role he played at the CIA when the Bush administration approved waterboarding and other forms of "enhanced interrogation" of suspected terrorists.
In a statement at the beginning of Thursday's session, Brennan said the United States remains at war with al-Qaida and other terrorists and is under "daily cyberattack" by foreign countries and others.
He said historic transformations continue sweeping through the Middle East and North Africa, with "major implications for our interests, Israel's security, our Arab partners and the prospects for peace and stability throughout the region." Additionally, he said that Iran and North Korea "remain bent on pursuing nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missile delivery systems."
The hearing was interrupted repeatedly — once before it began and then several times before Brennan had completed his preliminary remarks. At one point, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., the panel's chairman, briefly ordered the proceedings halted and the room cleared so those re-entering could be screened to block obvious protesters.
The shouted protests centered on CIA drone strikes that have killed three American citizens and an unknown number of foreigners overseas.
It was a topic very much on the mind of the committee members who eventually will vote on Brennan's confirmation.
In the hours before the hearing began, President Barack Obama ordered that a classified paper outlining the legal rationale for striking at U.S. citizens abroad be made available for members of the House and Senate intelligence panels to read.
It was an attempt to clear the way for Brennan's approval, given hints from some lawmakers that they might hold up confirmation unless they had access to the material.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said Wednesday the White House is making "extraordinary accommodation" in allowing lawmakers to view classified Justice Department legal advice on drone strikes against Americans. Carney said the White House does not plan to send the Justice memos to lawmakers beyond those on the House and Senate intelligence committees.
Responding to the assurances from the administration, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said he was encouraged when Obama called him on the telephone to inform him of his decision.
However, Wyden said that after he went to read the material he became concerned the Department of Justice "is not following through" on the commitment. He asked Brennan to look into the matter, and the CIA nomine said he would.
Despite the sometimes-combative questioning, Brennan's confirmation seemed a foregone conclusion as he appeared before the committee. "I look forward to working with you," said Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo.
Wyden made the drone strikes the main focus of his time to question Brennan, asking at one point what could be done "so that the American people are brought into this debate and have a full understanding of what rules" are for their use.
Brennan said the day's hearings were part of that effort, and said he backs speeches by officials as a way to explain counter-terrorism programs. He said there is a "misimpression by the American people' who believe drone strikes are aimed at suspects in past attacks. Instead, he said, "we only take such actions as a last resort to save lives" when there is no other alternative in what officials believe is an imminent threat.
Aides have portrayed Brennan as cautious in the use of drones, restraining others at the CIA or military who seek to use them more often. At the same time, as the White House's counterterror adviser, he has presided over an explosion of drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia.
Fewer than 50 strikes took place during the Bush administration, while more than 360 strikes have been launched under Obama, according to the website The Long War Journal, which tracks the operations.
Administration officials say Brennan would further limit the use of drones by the CIA and leave the majority of strikes to the military. Brennan signaled in his written answers that he would not seek to expand the CIA's paramilitary operations. In written responses to questions from the committee in advance of the hearing, Brennan wrote, "While the CIA needs to maintain a paramilitary capability ... the CIA should not be used, in my view, to carry out traditional military activities."
The CIA's drone strikes primarily focus on al-Qaida and Taliban targets in the tribal regions of Pakistan. The agency also carries out strikes in Yemen, where three American citizens with al-Qaida connections have been killed: Anwar al-Awlaki, his 16-year-old-son and Samir Khan.
On the question of waterboarding, Brennan said that while serving as a deputy manager at the CIA during the Bush administration, he was told such interrogation methods produced "valuable information." Now, after reading a 300-page summary of a 6,000-page report on CIA interrogation and detention policies, he said he does "not know what the truth is."
In his opening statement, he said U.S. computer systems are under daily attack by "nation states, international criminal organizations, subnational groups and individual hackers."
Associated Press writers Julie Pace, Lara Jakes, Donna Cassata and David Espo contributed to this report.
Follow Dozier on Twitter: http://twitter.com/KimberlyDozier
CBS 8 News @ 11pm


Can George Get a Job in Mongolia?
Before explaining why I am so confident in my answer I would like to introduce George Pop, a Romanian friend of mine who recently started a company called French Revolution. He makes just one thing – éclairs – the best éclairs in Romania, each one of which is the result of the best ingredients in Europe and George's perfectionism.
What makes me so sure that George could get a job in Mongolia?
First of all George himself. He's friendly, charming, interesting and handsome – and these "first impressions" matter a lot when asking for a job. Secondly, he's an expert in one of the most specialised parts of the communication/advertising industry – namely branding – and I've only ever met one person who works in that domain. That tells me that these skills are rare and my assumption is that there would be at least one company in Mongolia who would appreciate these skills, probably an ad agency or multinational.
The main reason I'm confident that George could get hired in Ulan Bator is that it's an emerging capitalist economy which is booming due to its spectacular mineral wealth. The Daily Telegraph described it as the "Kuwait of Central Asia." They need people like George.
The answer to this question is easy: despite its ugly modern development Mongolia is still a vast grassland with a population of just over two million – and well worth exploring. Having a base in the capital city, with the possibility of exploring Mongolia, is a beautiful idea.
The second question is harder to answer: how would George go about getting a job in Ulan Bator? There may well be plenty of opportunities but how does one turn this into actual job offers? I can understand that this challenge can seem intimidating, scary and impossible. Where would one start? What about the language, work permits and all the other worries?
I don't have a specific answer to this question, and those fears, but I can offer some general advice: assume there are jobs, be determined and have confidence in yourself.
For me this challenge would be relatively easy as I have successfully looked for work in Austria, Bosnia, Romania and Tibet. But I do realise that most people don't have this experience and lack the confidence to go to the other side of the world and look for a job.
Experience has shown me that it would be possible for me – and for George, and probably for you too – to get a job anywhere in the world. I might not be able to get a good job but any job will suffice if you're looking to make a base in a particular country. The real question is: where do you want to go?
You might also like to see this article: Introduction to Working Abroad.
Photo of Desert Lotus Hotel in Mongolia. Thanks for the picture to photo.sf.co.ua.
Of course he will get a job! He needs to go to big hotels (assuming they exist), with the CV in his hand and ask for work!
Excellent point, but the biggest challenge is to get up and go (confidence, courage and bravado are required). Go for it George. We can write you a petition saying how great your eclair-making-and-brand-building skills are.
I'm employed in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Getting a job is not so straight forward, but can be done with some determination. If someone was completely stumped, I would suggest getting a job with a local English language school, and job hunt for a more preferable job in your free time (it's a pretty good strategy for most of Asia, actually). However, most companies would offer a smaller salary if you're hired locally than if you were recruited from abroad.
There are some challenges, however. For one most companies can only hire a limited number of employees because of foreign workforce quotas. It varies depending on the industry. At an NGO, for example, you can have only one foreign employee for every 20 Mongolian employees. I think there are some exceptions for temp. interns.
The labor ministry has submitted a bill to the government that would reduce that quota to an even smaller percentage.
It's also expensive to hire foreign workers. The company must pay double the minimum wage (about $200) on top of your salary every month and pay all at once for the year or however long your contract is. So they're taking some risk when hiring you.
The visa process is overly complicated and you should have your company handle it for you. It's common for people to use tourist visas and cross the border each month, but this is time consuming and expensive.
Thanks a lot for this information Terrence as it gives my rather general article some specific detail that makes it really useful. What is the reason for this quota by the Ministry of Labour? Is it to keep out unqualified immigrants?
If there is any other detail you could add about the labour market in Mongolia, for example do multinationals hire expats?, it would be extremely useful. Really appreciate it.
Oops, forgot to mention that they didn't end up raising the minimum wage last year.
Thanks for this comment John. Do you have a personal experience to share? In my experience there are always jobs, even in an economic crisis. If a big company lays off thousands of workers they invariably need new people to still do the work. In fact, that's a good time to get into a company as they're often desperate for people and if you can make a difference, if you can save them from bankruptcy, which you maybe could with good marketing skills, they would be forever in your debt.


One of the first addons for HeroPress I ever thought of was sending people to WordCamp who might have a hard time getting there. HeroPress started out to be a voice for people on the fringe of WordPress, and being outside the ability to go to WordCamp practically defines the fringe.
I never could figure out the logistics of how to make it work. How is money handled? International law? So the idea languished.
On the other side of the world, Ines van Essen had the same idea. She's far more clever than I though, and she's making it happen. She's starting a new organization called DonateWC, specifically to help people get to WordCamp. Not just local WordCamps, but the large ones like WordCamp Europe and WordCamp US. Trips that can cost multiple months, or even a years salary.
I am so so so excited that this is happening, Ines is my hero.
To get things really rolling Ines needs some funds. I mentioned logistics earlier; if this isn't handled properly a tax agent somewhere is going to come investigating. A non-profit org needs to be created, a logo needs to be created, a site needs to be built, a board needs to be formed, etc. Getting started costs money.
So there's a GoFundMe page for DonateWC. All things considered she's not looking for very much money right now, we can DO THIS.
If we can make this thing work it's going to really change lives. Please help out if you can, and keep an eye on the project. The first person to get sent to WordCamp is going to make history.
The post DonateWC: Getting People to WordCamp appeared first on HeroPress.


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Green Room Blu-ray Competition
Competitions September 16, 2016 PR monster
WIN A BLU-RAY COPY OF GREEN ROOM – OWN IT FROM SEPTEMBER 19TH
One way in. No way out. GREEN ROOM hits Blu-ray and DVD September 19th and we're giving you the chance to get your hands on one of the films of 2016. Sharp, brutal and superbly acted, it's no doubt this year's breakout thriller and a competition not to be missed!
Fast-paced and intense, GREEN ROOM takes the audience on an unrelenting, no holds barred thrill ride. The story focuses on a young punk band who, whilst surviving on the road, head off to perform at a remote gig. After finishing their set, the band soon discovers a much darker side to the venue and the people who inhabit it. Forced to take drastic action to survive the night, the band soon find themselves trapped in the GREEN ROOM with no way out. As the night spirals out of control it becomes clear the club owner only has one thing on his mind: elimination of the whole band.
Watch the trailer here:
For your chance to win 1 of 2 Blu-rays, simply watch the trailer and answer the question below.
What colour is the flag on the wall in the Green Room?
a) Blue
b) Yellow
c) Red
(form 'competition-form' not found)
Read our Green Room review right HERE
© 2016 Altitude. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.
No alternative prize is available
Closing date is 30/9/16
Competition, featured, Green Room
About PR monster
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Blair Witch (2016) Review
HOWARD J FORD'S 'NEVER LET GO' COMING TO UK CINEMAS, DVD & DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OCT 2016
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DJG will be playing live at the Cowley Road Carnival with SIMPLE ,after last year playing to over 35,000 we expect a bigger crown this time so we can really rock Cowley Road with some sweet music.
May 25th - 28th DJG was at the Monaco Grand Prix playing at the World famous La Rascasse See some of the Photos.
I will be Playing at The Golden Globes Gifting Lounge in L A January 5th - 9th 2017 All the Hollywood A list will be there so they will get to hear some of DJG live in the mix.


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Finna, pronounced 'finn-ah', comes from Old Norse and means, "to find", "to discover". It is a good word to describe our people and our culture. At Finna Group, we challenge each other to find the best answers. We seek data to deliver greater products. Both as individuals and as a company, we are not happy with the status quo. We embrace persistent innovation. We seek competition to push us harder. We respond with relentless pursuit until our performance meets our high expectations.
Our hiring methods work to nurture the culture we've created. It starts by asking applicants what they've done to specifically improve their skills over time. At Finna Group, you'll find many individuals that have achieved advanced degrees in engineering, business and accounting. Others are pursuing technical degrees in an effort to constantly progress. We encourage personal growth as a catalyst for greater results at work.
Finna Group develops advanced industrial sensors and hand-held meters for a variety of manufacturing processes. Most of the sensors enable cloud-based reporting and analysis.
Going forward, Finna Group is the brand name established to embody the integrated businesses. The company is investing heavily in the advancement of its radio frequency, near infrared and hand-held sensors for its target industries. Powerful data collection is being implemented across the product line to enable cloud-based reporting to support next-generation manufacturing. Understanding, innovation, and success are the fundamental principles that define our approach to customer needs.
We are excited to earn your business.
Today's sensors are undergoing massive reinvention as manufacturers demand more real-time data that constantly measures performance and reports to the cloud. The transformation of the entire industry requires suppliers that respond quickly to changing environments. As a team, the employees at Finna Group have the combination of talent and passionate desire to meet this challenge.
Finna Group started as Signature Control Systems, Inc., in the early 1990's. Originally focused on rubber and plastic applications, the business grew to include the largest automotive and thermosetting plastic manufacturers in the country. After selling this business to a domestic chemical company, the remaining employees founded SCS Forest Products in 2008 to develop industrial sensors for the forest products industry. At the same time, the company completed its first acquisition, Northern Milltech (NMI) based in Fort St. James, British Columbia. NMI gave SCS Forest Products broader access to online sensors monitoring critical processes in the production of lumber for the largest building products companies in North America. The combined businesses expanded to Europe with its close partnership with Dynalyse, based in Sweden. SCS Forest Products and NMI now provide sensors for almost every major lumber producer in North America.
In 2015, the company acquired the assets of Moisture Register Products, a division of AquaMeasure Instruments. This strategic purchase greatly expanded the capabilities of the company with near infrared sensors (NIR) and rugged hand held moisture meters.
Hugh Williamson
Founder of Finna Group
Hugh Williamson is the founder and CEO of Signature Control Systems, Inc. which is now Finna Group. His extensive executive experience includes numerous CEO positions with Fortune 500 as well as small privately held companies. Currently, he also serves as the Principal of Humanade, LLC, and a Director of Calibrus Call Center Services, LLC, Canaan Resources, Slipstream Properties, and Not-for-Profit entities.
Mr. Williamson has an outstanding record of shareholder enrichment, business growth, and productivity enhancements in mature industries as well as emerging markets. He has a B.S. from the United States Air Force Academy and an M.B.A. from Texas Tech University.
Alan Rogers
Finna Group Director
Alan Rogers is a Director on the boards of Finna Group, DCS Corp., Glimmerglass Networks, Inc., Downtown Boulder Inc. and Our Military Kids.
Mr. Rogers was CEO of Command Information, Inc., completing a successful turnaround to position the company for sale in 2011 on behalf of The Carlyle Group. He served as an EVP at CACI International, Inc. and he was SVP & GM of the Federal Defense Group at American Management Systems. He retired from the USAF as Major General; served on the Joint Staff, NATO, and Strategic Air Command; and commanded two Bomber Wings including the first operational B-1 Bomber Wing. He holds a B.S. from the US Air Force Academy and M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Tom Sims
Tom Sims is a Director at Finna Group as well as the president of Performance Paradigms LLC, a human resources consulting and executive coaching firm. Tom's career has spanned multiple industries serving in both staff and line positions in government, energy, chemicals, manufacturing, real estate, transportation and logistics. He has served on Boards of Directors for both public and private corporations and has held C-Suite positions as Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, and Senior Vice President of International Operations where he managed expatriate assignment management for Global 500 accounts.
A Vietnam Era Veteran, Tom served as the personnel officer for the U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility in Guam. He is an honors graduate in Psychology from California State University Long Beach and holds a Master's of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University, specializing in strategic change management and innovation. He is the author of E-mails from dad: a contemporary guide to managing today's workforce and has published numerous articles on management and leadership for US and UK publications.
Patrick Youssi
Patrick Youssi is President and a Director of Finna Group. He co-founded SCS Forest Products (a division of Finna Group) in November 2008 by combining certain assets of SCS with Northern Milltech. Under his leadership, the company has grown to be a leader in advanced sensor technology to the manufacturing industry.
Mr. Youssi previously co-founded two software companies, selling the first in 1999 and the second to Comergent Technologies, which was acquired by AT&T in 2006. He also held key positions at Manugistics Group, Inc. and Shin-Etsu Polymer. He passed the second-highest fluency test for Japanese, holds a B.A. from UCLA, and an M.B.A. from Kellogg School of Management.
Scott Schneider
VP, Operations and Engineering
Scott Schneider is Vice President of Operations and Engineering. He co-founded SCS Forest Products in November of 2008 with Hugh Williamson and Patrick Youssi. Scott is the principal engineer for the revolutionary wireless products being released by Finna Group, including the in-kiln moisture measurement and temperature sensors. These products have become the new standard for process control. Additionally, Scott drives research and development for the entire product line at Finna Group. His team works hard to innovate so that Finna Group can meet evolving customer needs.
Prior to SCS Forest Products, Mr. Schneider was a project engineer at Micron Assembly and Tava Technologies, where he managed multi-million dollar installations of advanced manufacturing technologies. He holds a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
LaCount ''LC'' Jones
LaCount Jones
LaCount "LC" Jones is the Production Manager for Finna Group in California. He has over 30 years of management experience in manufacturing and production environments, with extensive training in Lean Manufacturing.
Mr. Jones managed the production facility of Moisture Register Products (a division of Aqua Measure Instrument Company) for 11 years, where he implemented Kanban, Kaizen, 5S, and Just In Time (JIT) systems, resulting in significant gains in productivity and profitability. Mr. Jones was previously an executive of a Japanese company and directed its manufacturing operations in California and Florida. Mr. Jones attended Arizona State University on a football scholarship and continued his education at San Bernardino Valley College.
"[Finna Group] was very patient with us as we learned the new process of moisture analyzing. They spent well over an hour initially with me on the phone in order to make me feel comfortable with the process and also provided additional service to us at a later date when more improvements were available – no costs incurred. I would highly recommend [Finna Group] to anyone who is looking for a high-quality product with high-quality customer service."
– Jim Roberts, Maintenance Manager of Tyson Prepared Foods
"Since acquiring the MC Pro system we have gone from the stone age to the 21st century as far as drying techniques."
– Cliff Mullin, Vice President of Potomac Supply Corp.
"Cottrell Paper Company has successfully increased our paper machine line speed for all grades with the installation of the [SMART III NIR]. Additionally, the sales and service team have been exceptional – they are very responsive and helpful whenever we have had an issue!"
– Darren Costanzo, Plant Superintendent of Cottrell Paper
"The MC Pro 2400 was easy to install, works well and can handle most tasks. The moisture meters are providing great feedback to the dry kiln operators. The MC Pro 2400 is simply the most complete moisture meter, in my opinion."
– Jimmie Bergkvist, Planer Mill Supervisor of Vida Borgstena
"We chose the MC Pro 2400 for our process, which has given us equipment with great operational reliability and minimum maintenance. It is easy to calibrate and manage for the operators in daily production. The installation and startup of the equipment went smoothly; the first day we could use it in production. Now that we have used it for a few months, we see that the moisture sorting works well for the applied setting values. We only perform spot checks to verify the measurement process is working correctly."
– Jan Andrén, Technical Manager of Moelven Töreboda


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Q: How many spheres of radius $R/2$ can be packed into a can having depth $R$, height $H$, with a hemispherical top The hemispherical "cap" is on the top of the cylindrical can. So, in the side view, the total height of the container will be $R+H$.

A: Let $N$ be the number of spheres one can pack into the can.
As a function of $H$, it is not hard to see:

*

*when $0 \le H < \frac{R}{2}$, the can can hold only 1 sphere $\implies N = 1$.

*when we increase $H$ to $\frac{R}{2}$, we can start to put 2 spheres at the bottom of can
$\implies N = 2$.
For this $H$, there are some free spaces between these two spheres and the hemisphere   cap. However, it is not large enough to hold another sphere.

*if we further increase $H$ by an amount $\frac{\sqrt{3}-1}{2}R$, i.e. when $H$ becomes $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}R$, the free space becomes large enough to hold another sphere $\implies N = 2 + 1 = 3$.

*when we further increase $H$ to $(\frac12 + \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}})R$, there
are enough space in the base cylinder part of the can to put another layer of spheres
there. The center of spheres in these two layers form a regular tetrahedron
of side $R$. The free space above the spheres get reduced, no longer able to hold the extra sphere. As a result, $N = 3 + 2 - 1 = 4$.
If we keep on increasing $H$, these pattern will repeat at
$$H = \left(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} + \frac{n-1}{\sqrt{2}}\right)R \quad\text{ and }\quad \left( \frac12 + \frac{n}{\sqrt{2}} \right)R$$
for every positive integer n. So the general formula for $N$ when $H \ge \frac{R}{2}$ is:
$$N = 1 + \left\lfloor 1 + \sqrt{2}( \frac{H}{R} - \frac12 )\right\rfloor
        + \left\lfloor 1 + \sqrt{2}( \frac{H}{R} - \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} )\right\rfloor$$
Below is an illustration of the arrangement of 7 spheres when $\displaystyle H =
(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} + \frac{2}{\sqrt{2}})R \sim 2.28 R$.


NYAPRS Note: Medication Assisted Recovery has become a critical tool to fight back against opioid abuse. This webinar will feature Walter Ginter of the Medication-Assisted Recovery Services (MARS) Project here in New York. Walter will be joining Bill Gamble of the Mental Health Empowerment Project and Paige Pierce of Families Together of NYS in delivering a presentation entitled "The Peer Workforce: Building a Profession, Maintaining a Movement" at NYAPRS' September 14-16 Annual Conference in the Catskills.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have trouble registering for this event through Eventbrite please email register@center4si.com and we will confirm your registration and provide you with the webinar details!
While medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorders has been part of the addiction treatment landscape since the 1970s, many questions persist regarding how to best deliver services and supports to people with opioid use disorders who use medications (naloxone, buprenorphine, and methadone) to support their recovery. Research suggests that peer recovery coaching is beneficial for people in recovery from substance use disorders (Bassuk, Hanson, Greene, Richard, & Laudet, 2016). Yet most peer recovery coach training programs do not provide sufficient information to prepare coaches to successfully support people using medication as part of their recovery plans. Peer recovery coaches may leave training with inaccurate or incomplete information, or misconceptions and negative biases about medication-assisted treatment, hampering their ability to provide effective recovery coaching for people who use medication-assisted treatment.
This 90-minute virtual training event will include a 60-minute presentation focusing on the knowledge and skills that can help peer recovery coaches support people using medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders. Participants will learn about common misconceptions and biases, the medications used to treat opioid use disorders, and recovery support strategies used by peer recovery coaches. The remaining 30 minutes will be dedicated to questions, answers, and discussion.
describe at least five key recovery support strategies that can be used by peer recovery coaches to assist people with opioid use disorders who use medication-assisted treatment.
BRSS TACS webinars are recorded, closed captioned, and available for viewing at your convenience. Visit the BRSS TACS webinars page to access the archived webinars.
Please note: CEU's will not be available; however, we do offer certificates of completion upon request.


Do you want to learn how to sing beautifully? Well now you can! Discover hidden vocal talents by taking the best online singing lessons and professional vocal training courses to captialize on skills you already possess that just need to be nurtured the right way.
When it comes down to learning all the ins and outs of getting up and singing at a full professional or semi-professional level, a good, professionally structured vocal tutoring course is really all you need.
That's as long as you have the commitment and the determination to do it!
There are thousands, if not millions of people in this country alone who would dearly love to be able to stand up in front of people and sing songs well enough to get applause and respect.
Are you one of those people? I bet you are!
Let me guess, you probably love to watch TV shows like American Idol or X Factor. And you are totally in awe of the incredible vocal talents of some of the top singers.
I'm pretty sure you wish it was you up there on the stage singing your favorite song in front of an appreciative audience with all the glitz and pizzazz of the show's choreography, lighting and expert orchestration, right?
And I bet you sing along to songs on the radio or on CDs. I'm guessing you wish you could be the one with the fame, the accreditation and the spoils of a profession that rewards the winners like no other!
Start Singing Like a Pro!
Did you know that anyone can sing at a very high level with the right vocal tutelage? Ordinary people have gone on to become famous opera singers, musical show stars, pop stars and even rock legends! Don't fool yourself for another minute that you can't sing just because you don't know how right now.
That can change and it can change dramatically!
The best advice I can offer you right now is to get yourself the best vocal training lessons available. Most would-be singing stars start off by wasting months trying to get free singing lessons. You know, like the ones you can find on Youtube for example. This idea often results in very uninspiring, poor results!
Many even give up because they made the mistake of not getting quality tutoring that comes from paying for a professional quality online singing course. Imagine that! Failing to realize your potential as a top class vocalist all because you didn't sack up and spend the surprisingly affordable amount it costs to join any one of the top paid vocal lesson memberships online!
Maybe you simply didn't know that you can join a professional online course for a fraction of the cost of a place at a traditional music academy. Well you can and you should, because to cut a long story short, you need a well planned, step by step vocal training from a skilled vocalist who can show you exactly what to do.
Discover how you can, right here!
Did you know that you can actually take real lessons in singing via the Internet? Budding vocalists with no real direction in that area can blossom into truly amazing, vocally pure songsters without ever needing to leave their bedrooms!
How can that happen? Easy!
Instead of going the traditional route of signing up for vocal tutorship at a music school or academy which can involve a lot of time, traveling and spending money, you can do it all with a course developed to be done online at your own pace.
There are lots of advantages to learning how to be a singer online. Not least of those being that you can do the course in your own time when you have the time to devote to yourself and not be pinned down to someone else's schedule!
One of the best video-based vocal courses I know of (it comes very highly recommended) is Singorama. You can find out more about it by clicking the promo image above.
I rate it so highly because the course was created by a professional singer who has already had great professional success in an all-girl band. Her name is Melanie Alexander and she was part of the top selling band, Girlfriend. You'll learn more about that when you get the course.
Hey, that's me singing in the photo on the right. I think I already said I'm a musician and singer who has enjoyed playing in bands as a semi-professional hobby for most of my adult life.
You can read more about me and my own experiences in the about page by clicking the link at the top of this page. I am or have been a member at many online vocal tutoring programs and can tell you which I believe are the best places to master the art of singing.
Here is a great place to discover the where you can get the best lessons on singing and learn how to sing beautifully in your chosen musical genre. It doesn't matter if you're a complete beginner, intermediate or accomplished vocalist, there is sure to be something here for you!
You are probably already well aware that the costs involved in hiring a private singing tutor can be very high. For most people that is a cost they simply cannot afford or justify, especially when they are just starting out on their journey on the road to songster brilliance. On the flip side, taking vocal training lessons online can cost a fraction of that price and be extremely affordable and attractive, most especially for beginners.
It's only natural that when you're first starting out that you are unsure if you will even be able to sing at the end of any tutoring classes, despite the high level of vocal training methods. So the concept of paying a lot of money to find out you couldn't do it anyway might seem unjustifiable to you.
Of course, the chances are you probably would have come out of those classes as a great singer, but you don't know that before you try it. So it makes perfect sense to learn from an online vocalist tutoring program that has a relatively low cost at the outset and that's what I recommend you do! You'll be happier at not committing yourself to a big spend at the outset and still get amazing results that will totally surprise you in a very nice way!
Look, you want to learn how to sing, right? Invest in some vocal tuition courses online that are affordable and professional to get you singing right. You'll be amazed at what you will achieve with the right coaching!
It's a well known fact that most anybody can sing. The problem is that most don't know it. Or if they do try, they think they sound bad or out of tune or whatever and they never pursue it.
You really will be amazed at how a seemingly terrible singer can be transformed into a beautiful songster in just a few short weeks of getting the right training. And you can do this via a good online singing course!
Hi, my name is Terry and you probably already read the front page of this site, so you probably already know that I'm a semi-professional singer and musician who's sung and played in all kinds of live bands since the 1970s. Below is a short introductory video I shot recently to say hi and show you what is possible even from a simple, non-professional piece created on my phone at home!
Get yourself some professional tuition from a respected vocal trainer and do what they tell you!
You can do that one of three ways these days (it used to be just two before the advent of the Internet).
Buy a well recommended course online of professionally created singing lessons that will teach you and show you exactly what to do and how to do it so that you will become a great singer. It will cost you a mere fraction of the first option, while negating the second as your friends will be totally in awe of you and your new vocal talents they never knew you had!
It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that point three above is your best next step forward on your journey to becoming a great singer. Even if you never decide to take it up professionally, just imagine how much confidence you will gain because you have the talent, skill and ability to stand up in front of anyone and sing any song you choose beautifully and to rapturous applause!
By getting the best vocal singing tuition from a professional who can afford to provide it at a low cost (because it's on DVD or downloadable file that you can play on your home computer, laptop or TV via your DVD player) you will learn how to sing the correct way. This is infinitely preferable to taking out a second mortgage on your house to pay a personal coach, or wasting so much time on free Youtube videos that might be sending you on a wild goose chase!
PS: Do read them and choose one to help you to attain the fantastic goal of being able to sing amazingly. They are both very affordable and are packed full of everything you will need to get started and work your way toward becoming the first class singer you know deep down inside you can become!
Heading off at a slight tangent here, I often get asked if I have any singing tips on how to improve singing with vocal exercises and voice lessons online. Your own voice will sound the way it sounds because of a variety of factors such as the shape of your nasal cavities, throat width and flexibility, size and shape of your larynx, tongue and tonsils (if you still have them) for example.
However, you can alter the way your singing voice sounds to some extent through a series of vocal exercises and lots of practice. Although you need to be aware that if you already have a fairly thin or soft sounding voice, no amount of work will make you sound like you have a fat, powerful one to belt out to a crowd!
I know through my own experiences that I have been able to extend my upper range quite significantly through exercising my throat, lungs and abdomen. However, as I have gotten older my once smooth voice has become decidedly more hoarse and gravelly.
This is not a problem as it better suits a more rocky, harder edged sound that I prefer to give when I'm performing live in the band. But I lose out on the softer songs I was once able to cover well.
But getting to this point has not just happened all by itself. I deliberately worked toward this goal of powering up my voice by using certain techniques that forced my sound to change in this direction.
The easy answer to how you can make yourself sing "better" which will be defined slightly differently for different singers of course, is to practice regularly and often. You should always push out your boundaries and strive to reach higher, hold notes for longer and achieve that power in your vocal range that your vocalist heroes and heroines can achieve.
This is something that the right kind of vocalist tuition can show you, but only you can make yourself go for better and better performances every time. Voice lessons can take you so far but your own rehearsal schedule and determination to continually do more will take you to the next level in vocal excellence (according to your own standards).
Singing Lessons Online: Can they Make Me Sing Better?
There are lots of different kinds of singing coaching course that you can get online as I have already covered in previous paragraphs on this page. As to whether they can make you sing any better than you already do, that really depends on your current level or how well you sing right now.
If you have already reached a good level and want to take it up a notch by improving your vocal range, gaining more power in your voice, or smoothing out any intonation problems you may be experiencing, then yes, the course I have highlighted above can certainly help you there. If you are just starting out, then again these paid courses are the best way forward as they will help prevent you from picking up bad habits that many lower quality free courses may instil you with.
For experienced vocalists, especially those that have already had several years of live performing under their belts, there are certainly some good tips and exercise strategies you can learn from these programs. After all, there isn't an old dog I've met yet that can't learn new tricks (despite what the old saying might have you believe).
My advice is if you want to do anything that may help improve on what you already have, you will gain something and maybe a whole lot from any one of the courses mentioned above. Try them with no risk because they all some with a money back guarantee if you're not satisfied. If you are, then keep them and cherish them because they might just turn out to be the best investment you ever made.


EATONTON, GA -- Authorities in central Georgia say a 74-year-old woman froze to death after she tried to help her wheelchair-bound husband outside their home.
Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills tells local news outlets that Maria Riffe died Thursday, while her immobile husband laid about 20 yards from her, both unable to help each other.
Eighty-six-year-old Roy Riffe was in a motorized wheelchair going down the concrete walkway at their home when he ran off the walkway and fell out of the wheelchair.
Sills says Maria Riffe, who relied on a walker, fell while trying to help her husband, leaving both helpless.
Investigators say Roy Riffe was likely able to survive the night because he was wearing a jacket and fleece pants. His wife was only wearing a dress.