3 Easy Life Changing Tools to Grow Your Mindset, Gain Motivation and Energy, and Be the Master of Your Life.
How can I reach my goals faster?
How to get motivated and be the master of my life?
How can I develop a successful mindset?
How can I get the millionaire mindset?
Today I'll reveal three secret ways to get the millionaire mindset, get motivated, and be the master of your life.
There are many people out there who seek to live an energetic life full of passion and power. To transform ourselves we need to change our beliefs and the way we think.
In the end, it all comes down to your mentality. Even if you're more than capable of performing a specific task, if you think you can't, guess what? You can't. Self-belief goes a long way.
The first step to get the millionaire mindset.
Our mind is like the earth, you get whatever you plant on it. If you plant a thorn bush that's what will grow. If you plant a mango tree, you'll get a mango tree. The choice is in your hands.
What do you want to "plant" in your mind? Thoughts of passion, positivity and progress? Or negative thoughts that will leave you unhappy?
Our brains can do whatever we believe we can.
If you "plant" wonderful thoughts in your brain, you will also achieve wonderful results.
How can I reach my goals faster? Keep reading.
Why should push away negative thoughts?
Negative thoughts prevent you from moving forward, keeping you stuck in the same place. Wherever your focus goes, your energy follows. These negative thoughts you "plant" in your brain can grow fast, a lot faster than you think.
Negative thoughts lead to a lot of frustration, which is often expressed as anger and nerves.
You obviously don't want to live your whole life with negative emotions, sadness, and anger, so free your soul and get rid of your negative thoughts.
Remember: Thoughts generate emotions, emotions generate actions, actions generate results!
I'm a generous person who helps others.
I'm positive and empower myself.
I always think only positive thoughts.
Write down 10 empowering thoughts about yourself and your life on a small note or flashcard you can carry around.
When a negative thought creeps inside your mind, read what you wrote down.
After few times, your mind will think these thoughts automatically.
An obstacle or problem can be the worst thing in the entire world but, on the other hand, it can also end up being the best thing that's ever happened to you.
It all comes down to how YOU choose to deal with any problem or obstacle that comes you way.
It's simple, who's the boss you or your problems? You already can handle with any problem that comes your way. Haven't you had issues in the past? Didn't you find a way to move forward? What's makes this particular problem any different from the others.
Don't let any pressure you're feeling get the best of you when you have a problem.
Always remember to relax and take a deep breath no matter how bad things get.
Then, take a seat and write down 10 ways to solve the problem at hand. Firstly, doing this helps you visualize how you're going to deal with the problem.
Secondly, it helps you solve the problem in the simplest and easiest way possible. Those who do not make mistakes do not progress in life.
Look at every problem and obstacle as an opportunity to learn something new, thus making you a more versatile person.
Many people are so afraid of mistakes, they let their fear of failure dictate their destiny. When you're afraid to make mistakes, you end up missing out on opportunities to fail and learn from your mistakes, making you less likely to ever reach your main goals.
We live in a world of actions and consequences.
Everything that happens to you in life is because of something you did or thought before.
Here's a good example: When the tree has fruits, it is impossible to alter them because they are already on the tree. Instead of trying to change the fruits, you need to focus on ensuring the roots have all the nutrients they need. Only by doing that can you influence the fruits that your tree will yield.
If you try to change the fruit that is already on the tree nothing will happen.
The second way to get motivated and be the master of your life.
How do you consistently get up in the morning with passion and energy?
How can this change your whole day?
Your morning ritual is a lot more important than you think. It can change your whole life.
Once you come up with a productive morning ritual, you can START living EVERYDAY with CONFIDENCE, PASSION & ENERGY!
Why are affirmations so important?
How do you make them effective?
As you already know, you must artificially "plant" your thoughts (which are the statements) in your mind and then it will come automatically. You just simply need to read to yourself positive statements that support the person you want to be and the life you want to live. Most of the successful, powerful, and influential people in the world use empowering affirmations.
The more you read your affirmations, the more they will become "deeply" ingrained into your mind. By doing that, you could start to live happy life and feel fulfilled. For now, take these positive affirmations as your mantra.
Write them on a card you can carry around, or put them on sticky notes and stick them to your computer. You can also post it on a wall or board you see every day. Wherever you decide to place your positive affirmations, the important thing is that you must understand and believe in them.
When you write your affirmations you have think about what you want to be and the qualities you want to have.
I'm a person who willing to help others.
I have extraordinary mental strength.
I have infinite powers and energies.
I can change my feelings instantly.
Or you can get this list of affirmations for free.
By the way, before you move to the next tool, I want to give you a life changing free gift "Super burning rocket fuel for winners", the top 5 easy methods to create unstoppable motivation and energy, and fire you up within 5 minutes or less.
Click here and make sure to pick up your gift (worth $64)!
How can I develop successful mindset? - Don't miss the next one.
3. Why is My Focus Important?
The third way to get the millionaire mindset, get motivated and be the master of your life.
You need to understand that your focus often dominates your life, maybe even without you paying attention.
As we pointed out earlier in the article: Where your focus goes your energy follows. How focused you are on your main goals often determines how your life plays out.
Sad and nervous people usually "focus" on the sad and irritating things in life, so they keep getting bombarded with things that irritate them and make them even sadder. In every situation there is always a positive and negative side. It's always better to be on the positive side.
What you focus on will grow. If you focus on how much happiness you have in life it will increase, you walk around feeling fulfilled and happy. Many people think that making lots of money or buying that dream car will make them happy.
Even when you're rich and you have everything, you will still have to deal with a lot of negative things. It's up to rich people, just like those with less to choose if they want to focus on the positive or negative.
Here's a great analogy I learned from Tony Robbins. Think of your focus like it's a camera. Whatever you focus that camera on is what you'll get when you take a picture.
Here's another analogy. At a rowdy party with lots of young adults, there is typically a lot of noise and tipsy people. A couple of the people at the party might end up getting into a fight, but on the other hand a few others might fall in love or start a new fling. Most people at the party will go back home happy after a fun night of music, dancing, and refreshments.
Each one of these groups of people likely got the exact things they went to the party for. Some guys wanted to prove they were the toughest person at the party, so when that person runs into another with the same negative mindset, a fight breaks out.
The group that ended up starting new relationships likely went to the party with the goal of meeting someone new.
Those who had a great time after drinking, dancing and partying had a good time because that's what most people are focused on when they go to a party.
It is very important to ask yourself as often as you can: Where is the focus of my camera directed?
If you're not happy, you'll need to change the camera's focus to a place that makes you feel good about yourself.
How to change the focus direction quickly? Ask yourself questions. Which questions? I'll explain soon.
If we think about all the tragedies in the world, we will be depressed in a second.
"What is funny in this situation?"
"What I can learn from this experience?"
"What makes me feel grateful?"
"What is amazing in my life?"
Try it, it will make you feel good.
Our brain is the smartest computer in the world. Any question you ask, it will give you the answer, even if it is not correct. For example, if you ask, "Why is this happening to me?" The answer may be: "Because you are wired." But that's not true.
The brain will give you an answer to every question you ask - but the answers will not always be correct.
That's why I gave you the previous exercise (No. 3).
The more powerful questions you ask, the more your brain will give you access to the infinite abilities within you.
You can ask: "How can I reach my goals faster?"
or, "How do I set and achieve my goals like a millionaire?"
Do this exercise if you want to reach your goals faster.
"What is exciting me now? How it makes me feel?"
"What I can makes me feel exciting?"
"Why am I proud of myself today?"
"Who I love in my life and who loves me?"
Make it your new habit.
It is very important that you internalize everything you have read today if you want to change your life and reach the next level. You may be feeling cluttered, but don't give up.
Like everything else that is difficult at first, it requires effort on your part, but it pays off afterwards.
Take one tool and start practicing it right now. If you're reading these lines you're probably really committed to improving yourself.
That's a victory in itself! I'm proud of you!
James is an expert in life transformation, self-development and developing a winner's mindset.
He would like to give you a life changing 100% FREE GIFT "Super Burning Rocket Fuel for Winners: The 5 top easy methods to create unstoppable motivation and energy, and fire you up within 5 minutes or less."
Positive Thinking | What is Mindfulness?


Life took an unexpected turn when Kenny lost his vision in his twenties but this wasn't going to stop him from forging ahead to have an exceptional career.
Leading blindness and low vision service provider Vision Australia has expressed extreme frustration that the My Health Record online opt-out option cannot be accessed by all people who are blind or have low vision.
Disability advocates are celebrating the introduction of the Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Bill 2017, by the Minister for Communications and the Arts, Senator Mitch Fifield.
Find out more about how people who are blind or have low vision can participate in the Australian marriage law postal plebiscite.
Local Council elections in New South Wales will be held on Saturday, 9 September 2017.
Vision Australia is keeping up the pressure for a truly accessible, secret, independent and verifiable voting system for people who are blind or have low vision in its latest submission to the Inquiry into the 2016 ACT Election.


OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada announced new interim rules on Wednesday for environmental reviews that will impose major delays on two projects - TransCanada Corp's Energy East pipeline and Kinder Morgan Inc's expansion of its Trans Mountain pipeline.
The Liberal government issued the rules on the grounds that public trust needed to be restored in the process for assessing and approving big energy projects.
Proponents say that after U.S. President Barack Obama's denial of the Keystone XL pipeline, the all-Canadian projects are needed so the country's oil can reach its east and west coasts and fetch higher prices abroad.
"The principles we are announcing today will allow the government to make better evidence-based decisions on major projects," Environment Minister Catherine McKenna told a news conference to unveil the measures.
The interim rules are designed to take greater account of environmental impacts and indigenous groups' points of view for the two pipelines, which are opposed by environmentalists and some communities but backed by industry.
The government said no existing project would be required to go back to square one.
But the rules will push back the deadline for the government to decide on the Trans Mountain Pipeline to December 2016 from August, signaling that the review by the National Energy Board regulator will still be done by May.
Ottawa also extended the total period for the NEB review and subsequent government decision of the Energy East pipeline to 27 months from the currently mandated 18 months. The clock will begin ticking when the NEB starts the hearing process.
The government also announced a set of interim rules, including assessing greenhouse gas emissions, for all major projects, including LNG terminals.
The Liberal government, which came to power last year, has already effectively closed the door on one major pipeline project, Enbridge Inc's Northern Gateway, with plans for a moratorium on oil tanker traffic along the northern coast of British Columbia.
Environmentalists oppose the pipelines on the grounds that they make it easier to send oil to market and thereby increase emissions of carbon dioxide.
Political and business leaders in the energy-producing provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan counter that pipelines are safe and that resources are an important source of income for Canada.


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Home Newsroom News and press releases OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities addresses Permanent Council
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Permanent Council
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities addresses Permanent Council
THE HAGUE 12 May 1999
THE HAGUE, 12 May 1999 - The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Max van der Stoel, reported to the Permanent Council today on his visit to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on May 9-11. He welcomed the determination of the Government and the political parties to do their utmost to ensure that the massive influx of refugees from Kosovo would not lead to a destabilisation of the country. However, he issued a formal warning that, unless the international community significantly increases its efforts to help the country such a destabilisation could occur.
"The increase of the population of the FYROM of more than 10 percent within a few weeks, resulting in a major change of the interethnic balance, is proving to be too big of a burden for the country. It is essential to substantially reduce the number of refugees in the country in the next few weeks," the High Commissioner said. "A concerted effort is needed to speed up the departure of refugees to states which have offered hospitality to them".
"This is also needed in order to avoid an acute crisis in case new waves of refugees arrive in the country", he said. "Furthermore, UNHCR, which is presently coping with a shortage of funds needed for its projects in the FYROM and Albania, must receive more financial support from the donor community in order to enable it to improve the conditions in the camps. This is urgently needed for humanitarian and health reasons, but also in order to reduce the risk of incidents in the camps which could potentially have serious consequences".
"Finally, it ought to be realised that the economic crisis in the FYROM caused by the conflict in the Balkans increases the risk of social discontent and interethnic tensions. The Paris donor conference on May 5 led to substantial promises of assistance to the country, but more will be needed later in the year", the High Commissioner said.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Cardi B Wins Million-dollar Defamation Lawsuit Against YouTuber Tasha K
News and Opinion Top Stories
Cardi B was fighting a legal battle against YouTuber Latasha Kebe, aka Tasha K for the past two years.
The rapper had imposed defamation charges on the YouTuber in 2019, claiming that the latter defamed her in many of her videos. As a result, the jury recently announced their verdict in the favour of the Up singer and awarded more than $1 million in damages.
As per a report by Billboard, A federal jury on January 24 announced its verdict in favour of Cardi B for her accusations that the YouTuber, Tasha K, held a malicious campaign against the pop star and her reputation. They announced that Tasha K had defamed the rapper and will have to pay over $1 million for the damages caused.
The trial went for two weeks that featured testimony from both women and the jury listened to both sides of the story. Among several rumours that the YouTuber spread, she had also once claimed that Cardi B had contracted herpes. Here are the details about the case.
Cardi B Tasha K lawsuit explained
Belcalis Almanzar, popularly known as Cardi B, sued Latasha Kebe in 2019 over several videos that contained shocking and disturbing claims about the American rapper. One video, which was cited in the lawsuit, included a statement about Cardi B's past life, while others had many disturbing claims about the rapper. The YouTuber also claimed that the rapper had also cheated on her husband.
A trial on the case kicked off on January 10 in Georgia federal court. During the trial, both women were given chances to take their stand and testify. Cardi B revealed that she felt suicidal due to Kebe's videos and also said only an "evil person" could do such a thing.
The YouTuber, at first, admitted that she published those lies, but later tried to step down from her statement after her attorneys began to examine the case. The verdict awarded Cardi B $1.25 million in damages.
However, this amount might go up as proceedings will begin on January 25, 2022, and decide if the YouTuber will also have to pay for the rapper's legal expenses.
Article originally featured on Republic World.
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Frédéric Morin and John Bil were just three days from opening an opulent, 1950s-style French restaurant on Toronto's east side, but they nonetheless had to skirt mud puddles last Tuesday as they approached the space. The restaurant's grounds were a mess, the water service had been connected, via a 200 metre pipe, only a few days earlier, and the electricity – a must, you might think, in the lead-up to a high-profile fine dining launch – had come online just a few weeks prior.
Mr. Morin, a chef and partner at Montreal's iconic Joe Beef, and Mr. Bil, the celebrated shellfish specialist and restaurateur behind Honest Weight, in the Junction, both wore blaze-yellow construction vests and steel-toed boots as they scaled a scaffold staircase to their dining room. Not long after we arrived, a loudspeaker positioned directly above where they planned to put the restaurant's cheese station roared with a long, deafening blast that sounded like an onrushing flash flood. "That's to scare the raccoons away," Mr. Bil said.
The restaurant, a two-week pop-up for the Luminato Festival, called Le Pavillon, opens this weekend. If all goes well, it will be a Champagne, truffle, white asparagus and cheese-fuelled culinary time machine, and on the strength of Le Pavillon's shoot-for-la-lune menus alone, one of the most ambitious – not to mention wildly entertaining – new Toronto launches of the past 10 years.
Yet, Le Pavillon's surreal, strangely magical setting could upstage almost any menu. The restaurant is housed in the control room of the old Hearn Generating Station, amid dusty arrays of cracked Dr. Strangelove dials, fire-red emergency shut-off buttons and frozen gauges – in the nerve centre of a former coal- and gas-fired power plant so massive and so majestically decrepit that some days the fog from Lake Ontario blows through. And so Mr. Bil and Mr. Morin, who are long-time friends, have had to get creative.
They installed Le Pavillon's bar seating, for walk-ins, around the instrument bank the electrical plant's engineers once monitored for signs of trouble. Mr. Morin's crew of chefs, led by the Black Hoof alumnus Jesse Grasso, will send forth antique service carts laden with petits pois à la Française, and gâteau chaud de truite au jus d'écrevisses (that's trout with crayfish sauce, roughly) from a kitchen counter built where the control room's central command once sat.
Everywhere, the pair have placed distinctly old-school Gallic touches: table lamps fashioned from Calvados bottles, a solid brass duck press, and even a plaster bust of Marianne, the French national heroine. Mr. Morin made many of the decorative pieces, including those lamps, and a spectacular cheese tray, himself, in his wood shop at home in Montreal.
Other bits of decor are far more functional. In a stairwell to the space's east, Mr. Bil set an antique floor-standing candelabra to lend a warm, hospitable glow to the industrial space. Its other purpose: to help prevent over-refreshed diners from blundering down those stairs, which a site manager warned weren't safe for human traffic.
"There's no template for this sort of opening," Mr. Bil said.
They had been working each day from 6:30 a.m. into the early morning hours to boost Le Pavillon's odds of success.
The project was commissioned last fall, when Jorn Weisbrodt, Luminato's director, called Mr. Morin to ask if he could open a restaurant for the festival. They had worked together a few years ago on another art-meets-food project, set in a model railway dining car. Mr. Weisbrodt was impressed by the theatricality and imagination Mr. Morin brought.
Also, the contrast between cold and warmth struck Mr. Morin as apropos: where the Hearn's cavernous, concrete and steel main space was chilly and damp, and at the time, inhospitable (it has since been made over, and spectacularly, for the festival), he figured that he and Mr. Bil could turn its comparatively compact control room into a lushly warm and convivial space.
And the cooking wouldn't be much of a stretch for Mr. Morin, who is an inveterate classicist, as well as a history geek. "I don't know any way to start anything other than to take shallots, butter, then it could be ham, could be bacon, could be red wine, white wine. That's the way to go, you know?" he said.
Much of the operation will run on goodwill – on help from Mr. Morin and Mr. Bil's friends in the Montreal, Toronto and New York restaurant industries, who have pitched in to make complex charcuterie, pastry and chocolates, as well as to loan production space and equipment. Dozens of others, including Daniel Boulud, Emma Cardarelli of Montreal's Nora Gray, Joe Beef's David McMillan, the star sommelier Vanya Filipovic, the winemaker Norman Hardie and Riad Nasr, a high-flying New York chef (and friend of Mr. Morin's), have volunteered to stop in to bus tables, shuck oysters, slice meats, greet dinner guests and work Le Pavillon's line. "There's going to be all sorts of surprises," Mr. Bil said.
Mr. Hardie, the winemaker, bottled a special blend for the restaurant, meanwhile. "We're the first-ever two-week pop-up to have its own Norm Hardie bottling," Mr. Bil said. The rest of the wine list will lean to the likes of grower Champagnes and cru Burgundies, as well as a few far less common aperitifs.
And thanks to Mr. Weisbrodt, Le Pavillon's French playlists will come from the musicians Martha Wainwright and her brother Rufus, who also happens to be the festival director's husband. "Everywhere you look there's a favour," Mr. Bil said, glancing around the room.
By Wednesday of last week, a day after I went to see them, Le Pavillon's kitchen crew had scrubbed down their main kitchen and service areas, clearing away a couple of decades' worth of postindustrial detritus and grime. Mr. Morin flew back to Montreal that morning to pick up a truckload of supplies, and then immediately turned around to drive them back to Toronto. They passed their city health inspection the same day, Mr. Bil said.
On Thursday, as Mr. Bil drove out to a farm in Simcoe to pick up 45 pounds of white asparagus, Le Pavillon's kitchen team began testing dishes for service the following night.
Open Tuesday to Friday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; weekends, noon to 11 p.m. Closed Mondays. There will be limited space for walk-ins. At the Hearn Generating Station, 440 Unwin Ave.


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U.S. Postal Service to Maintain Current Product and Service Prices
Oct. 1, 2014-–The Governors of the U.S. Postal Service have decided not to seek a price change for mail and shipping products and services in January in part because of the uncertainty regarding the exigent price increase. This means that the current pricing of postal products and services will remain in effect through the holiday season and early part of 2015. The Board will continue to evaluate pricing strategies and will communicate about any potential price change filings in early ..read more
Capitol Presort Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary
To our Customers:
On September 8, 2003, Capitol Presort first began it's operations. In forming this company, our goal was to provide the best possible service at a reasonable price. As many of you know, we opened our doors with no clients and not a single piece of mail in the facility. Today, we have grown to be one of the largest presort companies within Pennsylvania and the Mid Atlantic Region. As we celebrate our 10 year anniversary, we would like ..read more
Capitol Presort President discusses move to a new facility
I wanted to inform you that Capitol Presort has moved its operations to a new location in Harrisburg. We are now operating in a 50,000 square foot, air conditioned facility which is just a few blocks from our old building and the USPS facility in Harrisburg. This new location allows us to have both our letter and flat sorting operations under one roof. We believe this will provide efficiencies which will allow us to provide even greater service to our ..read more
USPS News
Woodstock Forever Stamps
The U.S. Postal Service is issuing Woodstock Forever stamps in observance of the 50th anniversary of the most famous rock festival in history.
Recognizing Four-Legged Heroes
The U.S. Postal Service honors the nation's brave and loyal canines with the Military Working Dogs Forever stamps. In this booklet of 20, each block of four stamps features one stamp of each of the following breeds—German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Dutch Shepherd and Belgian Malinois —that commonly serve in America's armed forces. News of the […]
U.S. Postal Service Issuing Tyrannosaurus Rex Forever Stamps Aug. 29
With this pane of 16 stamps, the Postal Service brings Tyrannosaurus rex to life — some 66 million years after its demise.
List of Winter 2013 Network Rationalization Consolidations Available Online
Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe delivers the 2012 National Postal Forum keynote address.


Neilsoft is a specialist engineering services & solutions company servicing clients across a range of engineering segments helping improve their engineering efficiency, support their global footprint and improve their competitiveness. Leveraging technology, domain knowledge, & our robust work planning methodology to ensure an effective global delivery model for engineering services projects, we have emerged as a partner-of-choice for leading international companies. Our engineering teams seamlessly integrate into our client's in-house engineering / product development team & environment and act as a virtual extension of their engineering enterprise. The company is headquartered in Pune (India), which is considered the "Engineering valley of India" and services clients across USA, Europe, Middle East, Asia-Pacific and India through it's local offices.
Our consistent attention to the key deliverables of client satisfaction, timeliness, accuracy and a clear perspective of nurturing long-term relationships have ensured that we have satisfied clients across the globe. What differentiates us from other engineering services providers are our high integrity levels, multi-cultural mindset and dedication to use all necessary resources to meet our commitments.
Our engineering talent pool working on client's projects has a good combination of engineers across multiple disciplines with significant experience in various industries, tools / platforms, and project management methodologies, with a good experience in working on international client projects.
Neilsofts' world-class infrastructure takes into consideration various factors that are critical towards building a long-term relationship with our international engineering clients including: Data security & confidentiality / IP protection, reliability & availability to support the huge data transfer needs, communications & collaboration systems, security processes & procedures, back-up systems & facilities (for power, internet access, data, etc.), and ability to scale operations in a short duration.
Neilsoft is ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certified for it's information security management system (ISMS) which ensures the protection of confidentiality, integrity and availability of information for our clients and partners. Our infrastructure and IT policies ensures a secured network for our clients with complete interconnectivity between all offices. All the Neilsoft facilities are equipped with world-class communication, collaboration, and engineering infrastructure with 24-hour security & access control.


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5-POINT FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th, 2018
This article was originally published on September 14th, 2018.
Here is the first weekly dose of "5-Point Friday". A weekly round-up of the sports news and stories that I find most interesting and enjoyable.
What I'm Enjoying in Basketball -
This week, the WNBA crowned the Seattle Storm as they swept the Washington Mystics in three games. The 2018 championship is now their third in franchise history, their first since 2010. Breanna Stewart (@breannastewart) led Seattle's push for the championship, with 30 points in the 98-82 victory.
Storm forward Breanna Stewart lifts the trophy with her teammates, after the Seattle Storm swept the Washington Mystics to win the WNBA title. Credit: seattletimes.com
Surfing news that excites me -
As surfing seen the first professional tournament take place at a man-made wave pool, the sport took another step into the 21st century. WSL's CEO Sophie Goldschmidt (@sogoldschmidt) announced that it will give equal prize money to male and female athletes in all of its events, starting in 2019. #catchthiswave
What interests me in sport marketing -
It's been a big week for Nike since it released its controversial ad featuring 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7). While the brand originally saw a drop of 34 points in favorability amid social media calls for a boycott, but 10 days later Nike's stock closed at $83.74. This was an all-time high for the company, helped by the soar in online sales. Digital commerce research firm Edison Trends reports that sales rose to a high of 42% increase on 2017's sales. To cap it off, Apex Marketing says the company reaped more than $163 million in free media exposure.
Tennis story that I am following -
Tennis umpires are "considering refusing to officiate matches involving Serena Williams" over the "treatment of Carlos Ramos during and after the U.S. Open final." The WTA and USTA "have backed Williams' claims of sexism after she was given a game penalty" during Saturday's match.
This has "further riled some umpires, who were already unhappy with the haphazard organization" of this year's tournament. Umpires are "discussing whether they could take action to stand up for their profession."
Baseball game I attended -
On Wednesday, I joined 33 thousand others at The Big A, to see the Angels take on the Rangers. Both teams are not having the greatest of seasons, and with Albert Pujols (@PujolsFive) out for the rest of the season, meaning the playoff chances are over for the season. Pujols however, was not missed by The Halos as they ran out 8-1 victors on the night. Trout (@MikeTrout) proved his class with a perfect throw from center field to get Chirinos (@robinson28ch) out at home plate. The rest of the night saw three home runs, one from José Fernández and two from, catcher, Francisco Arcia.


Discover your opportunity with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), the 5th largest financial group in the world with total assets of over 2.4 trillion (as ranked by SNL Financial, April 2016) and 140,000 colleagues in nearly 50 countries. In the U.S., we're 13,000 strong, working together to positively impact every customer, organization, and community we serve. We achieve this by delivering on our values, putting people first, fostering long-term relationships built on honesty and mutual understanding, and inspiring the best in each other. This is all part of our inclusive, high-performing culture supported by Total Rewards that include our cash balance pension plan. Join a team that's working to fulfill its vision to be the world's most trusted financial group. Job SummaryThe Organizational Change Management (OCM) lead will oversee and manage all OCM initiatives as they apply to the MUFG Infrastructure Technology Modernization program impacting the entire enterprise including but not limited to Microsoft O365 delivering new collaboration tools across MUFG InfrastructurePlatform-as-a-Service providing enhanced capabilities across the enterprise through implementing Infrastructure and Platform-as-a-Service Rationalizing our application portfolio to be more commensurate with our services while minimizing complexity and mitigating technology End-of-life (EOL) risks Common services platform (API) for application delivery to clients both external and internal to the enterprise Infrastructure Modernization which is reducing MUFG's data center footprint and migrating appropriate systems to cloud-based infrastructures Agile-based management of product development supporting our regulatory and risk requirements For each of these workstreams, this accountable senior-level role will manage and coordinate virtual teams comprised of senior technology as well as staff outside of technology in helping successfully deliver the proper enterprise-wide OCM outcomes. This individual will work with all departments within the firm including human resources, corporate communications, and the Transformation Office in helping ensure successful coordinating of information flows amongst those teams as well with executive committee senior management. Also, this individual will have ongoing dialogue with the Pillar 3 Transformation Lead and the Chief Information and Operations Officer including status updates and collecting feedbackinputs.Major Responsibilities Apply MUFG's Change Management framework to support improved future-state organizational design and alignment for the various enterprise-wide Technology Transformation efforts mentioned herein For each of the efforts mentioned earlier and in collaboration with the respective key leaders, this role will be required to Perform stakeholder analyses with identification of key stakeholder groups Conduct interviews and focus groups, as necessary, to determine degree of impact analyze identified stakeholder groups to determine current and desired level of understanding and commitment to the initiatives and their level of influence outline potential change activities required to address each impacted group Developupdate Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Plans identify relevant change strategies to address impacts faced by stakeholder groups determine cadence and level of information appropriate for communications for various stakeholder groups coordinate with MUB Corporate Communications to plan and execute Pillar 3 communications Identify training needs and coordinate training efforts Assess and analyze training needs for stakeholders to identify gaps in needed skills and competencies for the Transformation initiatives coordinate with pre-identified vendors on training needs of stakeholder group support the rollout of training to stakeholder groups coordinate the tracking of training completions across stakeholder groups Bachelor's degree or equivalent is required Master's degree preferred 5-10 years of proven experience in OCM, Communication, Training or HR leadership Large technological transformation organization change management program andor communication experience Demonstrated influencing skills by making a strong case, bringing others along to their viewpoint maintains strong, trusting relationships while at the same time is comfortable challenging ideas able to influence without authority Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, high demand environment Highly organized and detail-oriented Team-player with excellent relationship-building skills Excellent interpersonal, organizational, written and verbal communication skills command-level experience developing strategic and ad hoc communications to engage, inspire and influence individuals and groups at all levels Advanced problem solving capability and ability to generate a collaborative, progressive work environment Credibility and ability to interact with and influence all levels of the organization Ability to understand and perform in the bank's culture People management experience, a plus Strong technology user skills such as smartphones, tablets, wearables things, a plus Strong computer skills in MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel MS Project and Visio, a plus The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities duties and skills required of personnel so classified.We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer and committed to leveraging the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experience of our workforce to create opportunities for our colleagues and our business. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of any protected category.A conviction is not an absolute bar to employment. Factors such as the age of the offense, evidence of rehabilitation, seriousness of violation, and job relatedness are considered in all employment decisions. Additionally, it's the bank's policy to only inquire into a candidate's criminal history after an offer has been made. Federal law prohibits banks from employing individuals who have been convicted of, or received a pretrial diversion for, certain offenses.


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These SLs were the ultimate in drop-top luxury throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s with an original MSRP that exceeded $86k -- before any options were added. This sleek, Brilliant Silver over Charcoal example is outfitted with power adjustable leather seats, Bose premium audio, elegant wood inlays, 6-disc CD changer, auto climate control, and 18" AMG wheels. For added safety, it also features a power roll bar and side impact airbags. Under the hood, this 5.0L V8 will pump out 300+ horsepower through a 5-speed automatic transmission.
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Kneebike
Rethinking mobility. Taking on responsibility.
Students and trainees create a "kneebike"
At Rheinmetall we are concerned with a wide variety of developments in the fields of mobility and security. For many people cycling means mobility. If they are no longer able to do this, e.g. due to pain, this often results in severe limitations. A "kneebike" could be a suitable solution for them.
The "kneebike" is a bicycle with a kneeling chair as a seat. The advantage of this kneeling chair is a sitting position that places particularly little strain on the back and thus relieves the spine. However, the driver can no longer pedal in this position.
How does an e-bike become ergonomic?
A committed group of apprentices and students is addressing this question from the cross-location Design Thinking Workshop of various Rheinmetall Automotive companies. Their plan is to install an electric wheel hub motor on the rear axle to drive the vehicle.
Thorsten Kühnel (Chief Digital Officer, Rheinmetall Automotive AG, Neckarsulm) and Randy Foster (Technical Training Manager Hardparts Division, KD Gleitlager GmbH, St. Leon-Rot) supported the project so that it could quickly enter the prototype phase.
Telephone conferences are held at regular intervals for communication between the teams to ensure the success of the prototype.
A "kneebike" goes on a journey
Following the delivery of the components, the project is now being implemented in practice at the sites. In order to make the best possible use of the respective competences, each project participant contributes according to his or her educational, experience or study background.
Station 1: Frame construction in St. Leon-Rot
The frame construction in St. Leon-Rot at KS Gleitlager GmbH represents the start of the project. First of all, a frame made of square profiles is created there. The construction is the responsibility of mechanical engineering students Marco Hornung from KS HUAYU AluTech GmbH in Neckarsulm and Yannik Krüger from KS Gleitlager GmbH in St. Leon-Rot. In close cooperation with the electronics team headed by Glenn Töws and Laurin Jacobs from the Pierburg GmbH plant in Neuss, the frame is designed in such a way that all electronic components consisting of battery pack, control unit and wheel hub motor can be accommodated without any problems later on.
Think ahead. Keep thinking. Planning is everything.
Several trainees around André Nöckel manufacture the frame in the training workshop, including welding of the square profiles, drilling, turning and milling of further structural parts.
Construction of the frame - plan view
Two profiles are arranged parallel to each other and form the basic structure. The profiles are connected at four points. These points are used to hold the front fork including wheel and handlebars, the battery pack with control unit, the seat post and the rear wheel axle.
Position adjustment - side view
The front axle, consisting of wheel, brakes, fork and handlebars, comes from a purchased bike and is welded to the self-built frame by means of an adapter piece. In order to fix the battery pack and the control unit in a subsequent step, an additional plate is riveted under the profiles. One of the two square profiles must also be designed to be removable, otherwise the wheel hub motor could not be installed in Neuss.
The positions of the leg rests and the saddle height need to be adjustable, similar to a conventional bicycle. Efficient solutions have also been developed for this. The leg rests themselves consist of wooden boards, which are fixed with a layer of foam and fabric.
After completion of the first project station, the frame will be transported to the Neuss and Hartha sites, where the electronic components will be installed and first test drives will be carried out.
Station 2: Electronics in Neuss and Hartha
In close cooperation with the electronics team in Neuss, led by Glenn Töws and Laurin Jacobs, a dual student of mechatronics, the frame was designed so that later on all electronic components could be integrated into the system. The project teams held telephone conferences at regular intervals for communication.
"The Corona crisis has of course thrown everything into confusion. We actually wanted to present the finished prototype in summer," says Ian Traffehn. The 26-year-old mechanical engineering student took over as project manager at the beginning of the year and organised the cooperation, kept minutes and maintained schedules. "In Neuss, we printed the battery holder via 3D, programmed the motor controller and welded the battery packs together. Finally, the electronic components with the wheel hub motor have to be installed and the first test drives have to take place," says Traffehn. Together with Glen Töws, he now wants to complete the project. At the same time, they are completing their studies.
What particularly motivated them all this time: "We were taken seriously by the decision-makers and were allowed to implement our own project independently from start to finish," says Glenn Töws. "The exchange between locations was also great. Everybody could get involved. This meant that everyone was very well integrated," adds Ian Traffehn.
"You should never underestimate the new generation," says training manager Randy Foster. "The team broke new ground independently. And, we gave them the necessary freedom. The result is impressive."
We are eagerly awaiting the last development station of the kneebike.
Station 3: Documentation in Papenburg and Berlin
Soon you will find out more about the final steps and the completion of our kneebike prototype.
Pursue your career at Rheinmetall


A dropped stitches Christmas, Janet Tronstad.
The Resource A dropped stitches Christmas, Janet Tronstad.
The item A dropped stitches Christmas, Janet Tronstad. represents a specific, individual, material embodiment of a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Hamilton East Public Library.
Data Citation of the Item A dropped stitches Christmas, Janet Tronstad.


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Theodor Herzl: Returning to our Roots
Theodor Herzl in 1897 (Carl Pietzner – Public Domain)
Theodor Herzl is recognized as the father of the State of Israel, which is why practically every city across the country has a Herzl Street. However, as he died over forty years before the establishment of the State of Israel, Herzl's philosophy did not frame the Jewish nation's ethos.
Herzl was not religious nor was he raised in an observant household. However, he had a strong Jewish soul and unshakable faith, and believed that Zionism was part and parcel of Judaism. This belief can be seen in Herzl's writings and speeches, which are peppered with references about the divine hand guiding the Zionist movement. For example, when Herzl established the first Zionist Congress in 1897, the program was launched with the "shehecheyanu" blessing, thanking God for bringing the Jewish people to that auspicious moment, and Herzl stated twice at the congress that Zionism would never be used to hurt religious practices.
However, the early settlers who arrived as part of the Second Aliyah (1904-1914) had a vastly different vision of Zionism. Although representing a small percentage of the Zionist Congress delegates, this powerful group of staunchly secular Jews, with David Ben-Gurion at the helm, led the Jewish population for over fifty years, from the British Mandate Period through the first decades of the State of Israel. During this time period, they shaped the fledgling Zionist movement in a secular image.
In recent years, a gradual shift has occurred towards the observant majority – including the ultra-orthodox, national-religious and masorti (traditional) – that now comprises over 50% of Israel's Jewish population. Israel's embrace of religion is reflected in both the public realm, where there has been a political shift from the secular minority to the observant majority, and in the private realm, where secular Israelis are exploring their Jewish roots.
As opposed to the past, where religious practice was perceived as an all-or-nothing proposition, today, Israelis can experience religious practices on their own terms, without feeling obligated to fully accept religion. Furthermore, because religion is presented in a non-coercive manner, many secular Jews have embraced the opportunity to learn about their heritage. Consequently, it is not uncommon for secular Jews to attend Shabbat services; similarly, secular Jews are visiting the Western Wall in record numbers.
Between the observant community's appealing ideology, the ultra-orthodox culture of volunteering via vital organizations that serve the entire nation – such as United Hatzalah (emergency medical aid) and Yad Sarah (medical supplies) – and national-religious soldiers' positions of leadership in the military, there is growing acceptance by the secular population, who have been drawn to the observant community's values and lifestyle. Undoubtedly, strong disagreements remain, mostly with respect to the issue of ultra-orthodox service in the Israeli military. However, Israeli society is slowly discarding old prejudices and, as a result, many people have gradually become more comfortable associating with individuals from different circles.
Religion in Israel appears to have returned to Herzl's vision of the Jewish nation, in which he stated over 120 years ago at the first World Zionist Congress, "Zionism is the return to Judaism even before it is the return to the land of the Jews." How exciting to witness a society where religious exploration can be pursued without apologetics in an environment of mutual respect. May we be inspired to continue mending the fabric of our society, which will ensure Shalom Bayit (domestic harmony) for the Jewish nation.
Postscript: Gol Kalev's writings significantly impacted this article. Mr. Kalev is a board member of the America-Israel Friendship League and chairman of its think tank. To access his writings, please visit europeandjerusalem.com.
Gedaliah Borvick is the founder of My Israel Home (www.myisraelhome.com), a real estate agency focused on helping people from abroad buy and sell homes in Israel. To sign up for his monthly market updates, contact him at gborvick@gmail.com.
The Exceptional Israel-Philippines Connection
Who Was Moshe Wittenberg?
Real Estate and Estate Planning


Mathematician, born at Milan, 21 December, 1648; died there, 23 February, 1737. In 1663 he entered the Society of Jesus. He was a prolific writer on a variety of subjects, especially mathematics and poetry. He is known today only for the theorem in geometry which bears his name. Ceva's Theorem is: three concurrent lines drawn through the vertices of a triangle divide the opposite sides so that the product of the three distance-ratios is equal to unity. Ceva published this important proposition in 1678. It is the dual of the theorem of Menelaus.


Betty Kelley began working as Administrative Assistant at The Arc on March 14, 2013. Betty lives in Jacksonville with husband Donnie Kelley. Betty has three children, LeAnne, Michelle and Craig and a daughter-in-law, Brandi. She also has six grandchildren; Trent, Hali, Hannah, CJ, Zoe and Finnley Paige. She enjoys sewing, making crafts, reading and walking her Pyrenees, Bandit.


Want to have more success in your business?
The key to success is keeping yourself motivated!
Find how you can stay motivated and keep your spirit up so that you can focus all of your efforts in becoming one of the most successful entrepreneurs! Get ready to have the secrets of success revealed….
Ever wondered how some people simply seem to have it easier than others? And you might say that some have a better start, but you know that this is not true in all cases. Some of them started from scratch and they managed to amass impressive fortunes! All these entrepreneurs have one thing in common: they never gave up on their dreams! However, we all know that not giving up is hard, and that sometimes life has a habit of kicking you down and you can't seem to find it inside of you to get up. After all, as an entrepreneur, it's hard to always see the light at the end of the tunnel. And when you're working hard, you know that your energy levels are often low.
The truth is, that most of the people who didn't have a great start, had to truly work very hard until they got to where they are now. Read the stories: countless sleepless nights, social life non-existent, and family thinking that you gone AWOL. It happens more times than you can imagine, and some people have it inside them, while some don't. And what makes the difference is motivation, more specifically their ability to keep focused and still be motivated through the hardest times. You have to give up some things in order to enjoy them later! And that's why we have created something to help you stay motivated.
What will you learn in this course? You will learn everything that you need to know about how to keep yourself motivated for your business, how to make sure that everything runs smoothly and how to avoid burning up. There is often a problem with most entrepreneurs and business owners, both online and offline. They don't know that when it comes to success in online business, or really any business for that matter, there are just a few things they need to master to perform well. In some cases, you could even get away with just doing one thing really well.
In this course we're going to provide you with the right entrepreneur mentality and mind set. This course was created to take you through all the steps required for you to succeed in your endeavors. All 10 of the most important business and motivation points are covered in this course!
Each part of the course comes with exercises that will help you learn how to truly become a better entrepreneur, no matter if you're trying to succeed in the online or offline world.
Get Started with Motivation Booster!


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Can children be taken away from their families?
Society » Real life stories
In Russia's Arkhangelsk region, a 15-year-old girl, who was placed in an orphanage two months ago, committed suicide. Supposedly, Christina could not survive separation from her mother. The tragedy has once again raised the question: how effective is the work of social services and why the Russian government can take away children from their parents only because of the poverty of the latter?
Three sisters - Christina, Karina and Carolina - were taken away from their parents two months ago. Social services decided that the girls were not provided proper conditions at home. Christina and Karina were sent to Severoonezhsk orphanage, and the youngest, Carolina, was placed in an orphanage in Arkhangelsk.
According to the deputy director of the orphanage, Christina was very homesick. Last weekend, the girl escaped from the facility and hung herself on a clothesline at an abandoned construction site.
"We are investigating this situation. The Ombudsman for Children in Arkhangelsk region traveled to Severoonezhsk orphanage. Of course, suicide in a child care facility is a serious emergency, and now prosecution is engaged. We will also clarify the legality of the removal of the children from the family," said spokesman of the press service of the Ombudsman for Children's Rights under the Russian president Pavel Astakhov.
The legitimacy of taking the children away from the family is an acute issue for Russia. There are about 90,000 orphans in Russian orphanages, where approximately two-thirds of them are social orphans, i.e., children with living parents.
In some cases, mothers and fathers themselves take children to an orphanage, in other cases children are taken by social services. Motivation of removal of children from families often becomes a topic for a debate. On the one hand, social services are blamed to allowing some disadvantaged parents torture their children for years. On the other, they are blamed for taking children from the mothers only because of poverty.
In Vologda region, local resident Boris Chernogortsev was preparing a lawsuit against the city authorities to indemnify and provide decent housing for his large family. A few months ago, when Chernogortsev first asked local authorities to help with housing, his two sons and a daughter were taken away. Social services concluded that children could not live in such appalling conditions and sent them to an orphanage, where one of the boys was seriously injured and is still recovering.
Later, according to NTV channel, the actions of the social services were deemed illegal. Chernogortsev was given his children back.
There is a great deal of similar stories in Russia every year, and it is unknown how many cases are not made public.
In an interview, commissioner of the President on Children's Rights Pavel Astakhov, answering the question of how to define the boundary between when it is necessary to help the mother, and when children should be taken away immediately, said: "If a person has not committed a crime against their children, they have a chance to correct the situation. It is my firm conviction. Even criminals have the opportunity for correction, but through other methods. Some mothers, of course, must go through a very difficult path for their rehabilitation, to prove that they will not cause harm to their children and create good conditions for them. There are good parents, there are bad ones. But they're all parents. Again, to me, as a lawyer, it is understandable that parents not only have certain rights regarding their children, but also obligations."
According to Astakhov, "mothers, on whom the welfare of children depends must be helped until they are back to normal human ways."
But, apparently, not all experts share Astakhov's view, quickly deciding on what is best for a given child.
In the case of Christina and her two sisters there is no clear answer yet. The law enforcement authorities have yet to decide if taking the girls from their mother was a right decision. However, it is very obvious that the system needs to be changed.
Recently we wrote about a bill introduced by the Russian president that provides for the creation of social control over children's rights. Local and federal committees will be created that will become "arbitrators" between the family and social services.
However, representatives of the parent community were concerned with the bill. "It is an old idea of the adherents of juvenile justice. They are trying to create a system of pseudo-social control. Why pseudo? Such commissions would be funded by state grants, and therefore they will have to work closely with social services. Besides, they, like volunteers, will have no official duties and responsibilities. This means any sort of decision may be made by these committees, and nobody will complain," said Olga Letkova, representative of the Association of parents' committees and communities of Russia.
The author of the bill admitted that the document will raise many questions because "we are talking about interference with privacy, and there must be clear criteria for when it can be done, as well as punishment - if such interference was improper."
Ksenia Obraztsova
Read the original in Russian


There's a large storm brewing in South Australia that will also affect most of the country. I'm wondering how many blackouts South Australia will have to deal with as a large amount of their electricity is generated by so called renewable sources.
Wind turbines which aren't the most efficient form of energy generation at the best of times aren't able to operate in high winds (although fees are still paid to the operators!) and of course solar power is useless when there is no sun.
It'll be interesting to see how many climate alarmists go on about the storm (a weather event) being the result of climate change (which is they claim is completely separate from the weather) and claim carbon taxes would have somehow stopped it.
If the climate alarmists line is to be believed , the Earth's climate was static and tranquil until industry started and then everything went crazy.
Of course we know it's the climate alarmists anti CO2 line that is crazy along with their expectation we'll believe all the climate fairy tales they make up.
There is not as much bigotry out there as the left would have you believe and their constant cries of racist are no longer working as well for them. They want causes to champion though, preferably ones that are low effort but they can get some little feel-good moment from it.
What do you do when there aren't any low effort causes to champion? You manufacture them. One such cause is what they call cultural appropriation and a claim that people (usually white people.) are stealing culturally from other groups who are somehow automatically oppressed victims. For example a white person with dreadlocks is considered guilty of cultural appropriation.
Never mind that in the West we live in multicultural societies and are supposed to be celebrating diversity and encouraging togetherness, people (usually white people) apparently should not be adopting a single thing from other cultures. By all means go to the restaurants and enjoy the food but don't you dare like anything else!
Obviously offensive stereotypes and objectionable cultural practices (such as those that oppress women and restrict freedom) should be stopped but in general the leftist thought police need to be stopped in their tracks. The leftist approach is an attempt at segregating people and keeping them divided. Our countries will never be united with the left's nonsensical 'look but don't touch' approach. If all cultures and people are supposedly equal then what's the problem with equals sharing?
But this is the leftist way for you. They try and stop people (usually white people) from looking into other cultures and ways of life and then complain when white people don't understand the other cultures.
If people are divided the left can more freely spout their nonsense and do all they can to keep certain groups seeing themselves as victims and in need of the left's 'guidance' and 'protection'. They can also keep you from criticising the cultures that are against freedom and the left really champion.
So just ignore those who cry cultural appropriation. Take the best of what the world has to offer, wear it respectfully and enjoy.
The left are going on about the mythical pay gap again. It's been shown up for the nonsense that it is over and over and over again.
First of all it's illegal to pay women less than men and it has been illegal for quite some time.
If it was really cheaper to hire women then the workforce would be full of women. After all businesses exist to make money, they aren't some big men's club out to forward some great male patriarchy. If it was cheaper to hire women they would hire them because lower expenses mean higher profits.
Some have complained how the physical requirements for some jobs discriminate against women and that standards should be lowered. If that were the case then businesses would actually be forced to hire more people to make up for a strength shortage and probably go out of business from carrying too high an overhead.
Firefighting is one of these areas that require great strength. From holding a fire hose (it isn't a garden hose!) to carrying people out of a building. You can't have people underperforming in disaster situations because they themselves become a liability and put other lives at risk. You have to be up to the task and it's a task many men aren't up to either. You can't have two people carrying an average sized person down a ladder. If anyone has any complaints, refer them to nature. It's down to evolution as to why some people can't do certain jobs, not some male patriarchy holding people back.
Men earn more? The gender earnings presented are a collective measure which doesn't tell you what's really going on. What it's down to is the choices many women make from working less hours to raising their children to not wanting to put in the long hours sometimes required to make the big money.
The left bleat about that as well as if those choices are not the best ones to make. From that you could say the left actually don't want women to make decisions for themselves.
There are many women out there who earn more than men and there are plenty of well-paying heavy jobs many men are not likely to be hired for. Is it any benefit to them they are on the winning side of this so called gender pay gap?
The gender pay gap argument put forward by the left is nothing but another one of their tactics to cause division and distract people from the real problems we are facing and which they themselves are often the ones causing.
Prove Them Wrong, It's Easy.
Being human we sometimes do not respond to things in a logical way or in a way that's beneficial to us.
There are cases of people being told they will never do well for themselves or they'll become a criminal by people they should not be listening to. Sometimes it's people who are supposed to be friends but obviously these people are not friends because friends don't talk to you like that.
They won't be sorry though, they'll be happy you've proven them right. They said you'd be that way and lo and behold that is how you've turned out.
Sure, you may be able to blame them for what's happened but that won't really help you or undo the damage. And given that we are ultimately responsible for ourselves you'll still be held accountable for your actions.
So here's how to deal with it, ignore them and prove them wrong. It's not a matter of becoming the world's richest person, (but if you can achieve that by all means do so!) it's just a matter of getting on with your life and dealing with what comes your way.
You don't have to live up to a bad image others may have of you. If you're overall not behaving like they claim you are or have just made a mistake and are getting back on track then their comments should be meaningless to you.
Disregard, move on and prove them wrong. And don't prove them wrong just to get one over them, prove them wrong because it's in your best interests to do so.


Assessment is one of the main important issues in education in general and in language teaching in particular. Teachers of second languages manage to put theories of second language teaching into practice; however, they can never assimilate the validity of the practiced theory unless they measure the learners' success.
Measuring the learners' success requires collecting information about the learner's knowledge, skills, abilities and performance. This process of collecting data is what is referred to in applied linguistics as 'assessment'. The aim of this essay is to highlight the notion of performance-based assessment and provide some insights into the alternative tools used in performance based assessment in E.F.L in Morocco.
According to Chapelle and Brinlley (2002), Assessment in language teaching and learning refers to the "act of collecting information and making judgments about the learner's knowledge of a language and ability to use it" (Chapelle & Brinlley, 2002: 267). Still, Assessment can be considered more than a process of data collection and making judgments regarding the learner's knowledge and abilities. It is viewed according to Linn and Gornland (2000) as "any of a variety of procedures used to obtain information about student performance" (Linn & Gornland, 2000: 32).
Broadly, assessment includes all kinds of ways to sample and observe student's skills, knowledge and abilities. And, it can be formal or informal. To some extent, however, it is difficult to come up with an exact and comprehensive definition of what is really meant by assessment; because, "A comprehensive definition is yet to come" (Ouakrime, 2000).
There are two types of assessment, summative assessment and formative assessment. The former is testing- though testing and assessing are not used interchangeably- that follows instruction and assesses achievements. It provides a summary of accomplishment. In other words, as Ouakrime (2000: 60) claims, it is "the measurement of the extent to which a learner has been able to achieve the perceived aims or objectives of a given language teaching program" (ibid: 61).
It is also referred to as final assessment because it is believed to be the final decision regarding learners' success or failure. This type of assessment does not demonstrate the desired potentials of the educational system in general. Due to this type of assessment, failed students still put the blame on the system of education as a whole because they do not assimilate the reason of their failure, as it is clearly stated by Ouakrime (2000): "Those who fail don't know why they failed and tend to put the blame on the 'system' and those who are directly responsible for implementing it". (ibid: 61).
Whereas formative assessment is a gradual way of testing, it is used before or during instruction for the purpose of planning and diagnosing. This type of assessment "has three main characteristics which distinguish it from a summative oriented evaluation: it is informative, participative and formative" (Ouakrime, 2000: 62). On the contrary, there is summative assessment, which is based on secret and final decisions that lead to ambiguity among failed students about the reason of their failure; the informative function of evaluation is a clarifying and an explanatory process for students. It is based on informing, as the term implies, the learners and making them knowledgeable about every single component in the course, including course description, content, units, purposes, methodology and assessment procedures, examination-model answer paper, examination scripts…,etc ( Ouakrime, 2002: 62).
As far as participative evaluation is concerned, it is a way of making students conscious about the fact that they are actively involved participants in their assessment. Students should be very conscious that they are active participants in their assessment. In terms of formative function, it is of crucial significance for students to understand the source of their weaknesses. And, it is important for the teachers to show this category of students what they need to do in order to overcome their weaknesses. It is through the teacher's feedback that the learners become aware of their weaknesses. The critical response is important; hence, according to Brown (2004), "If assessment is to be integral to learning, feedback must be at the heart of the process". (Brown, 2004: 83). Formative feedback is very significant and it is the solid corner in the learning process; learners are supposed to receive feedback through assignment return sheets, and assignment reports for example.
Assessment in English Language Teaching in Morocco requires performance-based –assessment because the Moroccan E.F.L classroom makes use of a standard-based –approach which focuses on preparing the students for the challenges of modern society.
The performance based assessment is a type of assessment which is based on authentic tasks during which learners are expected to demonstrate what they can do with English. In other words, it is the process of measuring how learners actively use their knowledge and skills to solve problems. In this regard, teachers are more inclined to select texts with different genres, to make sure that students are knowledgeable enough to construe the main ideas of any given texts.
For an effective assessment, teachers resort to multiple choices exams to assess students' ability to understand and answer properly. In my opinion, however, multiple choices exams are not really effective for measuring students' reading ability and text understanding. Since they are not based on justifications, students can gamble on any choice that can coincidently be correct and so the assessments results will by no means reflect students' level.
I stand for summative examination because it obliges student to justify their answers and formulate arguments about the text ideas. In terms of writing, it would be beneficial to assign students appropriate tasks that fit students' interests and meet their tendencies. Still, project work is a good opportunity in order to assess the students' abilities and competencies. Teachers are supposed to make their students active participants in the classroom and outside of it. An example of an action plan is to ask the learners to think about an action plan, discuss it, and put it into practice. In projects, teachers are supposed to provide students with the main points they need to cover, as well as the procedures to be followed and timing. Last but not least, teachers are required to encourage and inspire students to give presentations and express their ideas.
To conclude, it is believed that healthy learning takes place when learners are able to think critically and rationally, take decisions and actions independently, share their views publicly, and communicate fluently.
Language learning, however, remains incomplete without assessment. Motivated learners show a high degree of awareness about the fact that they feel the responsibility of being involved in the process of assessment. That is why they are interested in learning how to learn and how to become active and lifelong learners. It is obvious that when the learners feel that they are dynamic integrated parts in both processes: learning and assessing; they directly participate in the construction of their knowledge and feel responsible to take charge of their own learning and to know what is needed for their success. Generally, assessment is supposed to fit for a purpose, there should be a clear rationale behind it. It should, above all, support the student's learning process.
The Ministry of National Education (2007). English Language Guidelines for Secondary Schools: Common core, first year, and second year baccalaureate. All streams and all sections. Morocco.
Sanae Amrani Jai is a teacher of English in secondary high-school and a second year master student in Applied Language Studies and Research in Higher Education Master's program at Sidi Mohmmed Ben Abdellah University, Fez. She obtained her B.A in 2009 after the completion of a research paper on the status of Moroccan women in Spain. Her research paper was based on translating the book "Our Immigrant Women in Spain" to its writer Kenza El Ghali. In addition to her Bachelor's degree, she obtained a Diploma from E.N.S. (Superior National School) in 2011. She contributes in many community services to help orphans and left-behind children. Her interests are multidisciplinary: linguistics, sociolinguistics, culture, media, and theater. She is conducting a research about the different manifestations of theatricality in the Moroccan context.


Get ready for the ultimate battle against vicious skeleton pirates.Get ready for the ultimate battle!Get ready for the ultimate battle in Skeleton Pirates! The pirates are after your treasure maps that are well-hidden on your ship! Defend your ship and protect your maps using an armory of cannons, catapults, bombs and other obstacles. Don't let the pirates enter your chambers to steal your treasure or lay their scrawny hands on your precious maps! Be warned, the longer you defend your loot, the more aggressive these pirates become. They will use every trick in the book, from bombarding your ship to using ropes to board; they'll even play magic tricks in an effort to reach their goal! Can you protect your ship and crew from these boney bandits?


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Home > The Woodlands, TX High End Transportation, Certified Car Transport & Vehicle Delivery Services
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Tag: animals
animals, autumn, fall, featured, nature, photography, water
Impressions of Vienna in late October 2019.
animals, Architecture, culture, great britain, nature, photography, Scotland, Travel, uk
Land of the Clansmen
For centuries Scotland used to be the land of the Clansmen. The country was divided and governed by families like the MacDonalds, Camerons or MacKenzies. All of which had their own tartans, traditions and allegiances and were interlocked in a fight for influence and wealth. What they had in common was a deep connection and history with the land they occupied and an immense pride to be fierce fighters and survivors of the north. It was seldom though that they agreed on anything politically, it needed an outside force – a common enemy – to gather the concurring clans like in the wars led by national heroes like William Wallace (his monument is seen in the last picture), Robert the Bruce or lastly Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 18th century. That enemy of course was England. After the shattering battle of Culloden in which the Scottish forces lost against the English king the history of the clan-ships ended. Though their traditions and history can be seen all over the country – the spirit of fierce warriors and the deep connection to their native land can be felt and is still there.
animals, featured, great britain, nature, photography, Scotland, scottish, Travel, uk
Wilds of Scotland
Scotland is a country of immense natural beauty. When speaking about the wilds of Scotland though it is important to notice, that the human influence on the nature over the last centuries up until today was huge. Before the arrival of humans and the dawn of agriculture Scotland as most of the island of Great Britain used to be covered by dense forests. The need to create new grazing areas for cattle and farming land lead to the burning and clearing of woodland. Additionally wood became an important material for construction, especially from the 17th century onwards with the growing importance for shipbuilding as the island became a major colonial power and ships were needed for trade and war. Though a lot changed and the natural world of Scotland was not left untouched by human hands, especially the north of the country far away from Edinburgh and Glasgow is still very raw and wild. Some impressions.
animals, asia, Backpacking, featured, Japan, nara, photography, Travel
Holy Deer of Nara
The city of Nara once used to be the proud capital of Japan. It is well known for temples from the 8th century and large Buddha statues. But the most famous sights of Nara are not built of stone or wood but rather of flesh and blood. Among the temples, parks and tourists there are around 1,200 Japanese deer (or sika deer) sleeping, eating and running around. They are all but shy and like to eat corn from the hands of visitors and like to be pet by children. The animals have a symbiotic relationship with people for a long time already and are seen as holy. The legend says that once a mythological god arrived in Nara on a white deer and began to guard the new capital. Since then the animals are regarded as heavenly and are protected by the city and the country.
animals, Backpacking, featured, nature, Norway, photography, scandinavia, Sky, Travel
Nature of Norway
The natural beauty of the Norwegian countryside can be overwhelming at times. When the sun is shining and the sky is clear the grass here just seems more green and the fjords more blue than anywhere else in the world.
animals, baltic, butterfly, explore, featured, flowers, grass, green, Lake, latvia, life, natural, nature, photography, summer, sunset, Travel, tree, trees, wander, water
Last summer I had the privilege to spend again some weeks in Latvia. The country situated in the center of the Baltics in Northeastern Europe. The population is concentrated mostly in the capital Riga and in other larger cities, while the countryside still maintained a lot of charm and beauty which is already gone elsewhere in Europe. Some impressions.


Love this MelX......Awesome it is!!!
Haha I like that imagery, the concept behind the logo is that inspired art comes from somewhere out there in the universe, some call it an almost spiritual experience. I've felt Ideas rush thru me in such a way, almost like a revelation of sort you see clear as day, and a primal urge to get an image on to the physical plane. curious if you've had similar experience Em? in your moments of inspiration.
Soon as I saw the picture, I knew this was the one with the message.lol .I really love this one....and green is my fav color. I love the old wax lights of years ago that have come back in and the colors above are the closest I can get to green, and I love it.....I am totally fascinated with the universe and a huge fan of Brian Cox, English Physicist....what a mind that man has, and what brilliant documentaries he makes. I finally felt lithere was an answer to this mad insatible calling that I couldn't understand; Goosebumps again as I read that....and yep....we are talking about the same thing...just different experiences...I wish it was more to do with art....than bloody life threatening experiences....when I follow those spiritual experiences and they are.!! You could be picking up on somebody else there....as I did....and therefore you must think outside the box as they say. My spiritual experiences have been a powerful twist on my life, basically all my life.........so now I live a very very quiet life...meaning....I spend a lot of time creating which is meditation to me, and all you guys on here are pure inspiration. I also know what you mean about that primal urge...and yes ....that is the spirit again wanting to express....Some nights in bed, I wake up to short visual....and nothing fullon like those 10 yrs ago....I felt like I stepped into another world and reading all the signs of life can lead you exactly to the spot....That happens to me when there is real danger around not necessarily aimed at me, but I am in for the battle..lol..Sometimes I see the things you guys create and it reminds me of the things and battles I used to have in real life with spiritual baddies.....and I can't begin to tell of the mind blowing things to others, that happen to me, but you know what Mel...When something happens so much, it just becomes a way of life, and it probably more so now, because I wake up and live in the day....every moment I am in that! I will never have enough time to learn all the things that I want to with art.... and I can't get enough of the beauty in this amazing world, within side me...Soo much to see...thank gad for google earth...as can go for trips all over the world and land in the streets, and take screen shots and they are like photos...Love it all. Don't think me odd....we are all just strangers in a strange land sometimes. I see peoples art sometimes and think wow, wonder whats going on in their minds..lol!! After all that you wouldn't believe it.........I put up a picture earlier before I found or got to this very point....and you will have a laugh!...Have you ever seen Galaxy Quest?......well a few friends and I on here had a laugh one day as I was telling them about this photo I got up north ....and what I felt.........and I found it and put it up earlier...Janet will have a laugh when she sees it...!!
I agree def the same thing but different depending on the persons expiriencing it. We all live in a mutual plain of existence yet see the world through our very unique eyes, our unconscious minds and for some the conscious mind is more powerful than we realize, some are more "sensitive" than others to certain things floating out there in the universe, someone said once that inspiration is like the wind if it's yours and you are meant to interprate it you will catch it in the right moment if it's not, wait for the next breeze. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and expirience.


Best Dog Walkers in Penn Branch of Washington, DC | Wag!
Penn Branch is a primarily residential neighborhood located on the southeast side of Washington, D.C. The neighborhood is so named for its location at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Branch Avenue where a small commercial area is located. A pharmacy, convenience store, bank, and other services are located at this strip mall and can be reached on foot by residents. There are also schools and churches in the Penn Branch neighborhood, but no large shopping areas.
Penn Branch canines and their owners can enjoy lots of warm, sunny days walking the neighborhood throughout the year, but also some wet and stormy weather that will require precautions and preparation. Thunderstorms have high winds and heavy rain. Blizzards are rare, but when they do occur, postpone outings with your dog until the weather clears. Winter weather can usually be combated with a warm coat and appropriate footwear. When very humid summer conditions occur, try waking earlier or later in the day to beat the heat.
Penn Branch is bordered by Fort Davis Park on the east, Fort Dupont Park on its north side, the Anacostia River on the west, and Pennsylvania Avenue on the southern border. The large parks on the border provide beautiful wooded areas and greenery and there are some parks in the neighborhood as well.
The Anacostia River and greenways are separated from homes by the Anacostia freeway. There are apartment buildings, public housing complexes, and lots of single-family detached dwellings in a variety of architectural styles. Properties are well landscaped and maintained and there are lots of large trees lining residential roads. Most roads have separate sidewalks for pedestrians and pets to walk on, however, some residential areas do not.
The area is located at a high altitude and there are some inclines and hills in the neighborhood, although they are not steep or difficult to climb.
The Fort Dupont Park is located on Penn Branch's northeast border. The north section of Fort Dupont Park has a recreation area with sports facilities and fields with other amenities. The larger Fort Circle Greenway is a natural wooded area with lots of trails threading through it and makes an ideal place to walk your dog. Keep your pup leashed in the park and watch out for other trail users.
The east side of Penn Branch is home to the Fort Davis Park and trail. This treed area connects to Fort Dupont Park and a trail system extends into this wooded area as well. Two small parks in the Penn Branch neighborhood include the Randall Circle Park and the Pope Branch Park which have small, but pretty green spaces with lawns and some trees that are worth a stop when you and your furry friend stroll by.
The Anacostia Park and Riverwalk Trail are nearby, located just west of Penn Branch.


"Treaty means an international agreement concluded between States in written form and governed by international law, whether embodied in a single instrument or in two or more related instruments and whatever its particular designation."
This, from Article 1 of the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.
"It makes no difference whether the agreement is called a treaty, convention, charter, covenant, statute, or any other name so long as it is clear that the intention is to effect an agreement."
"A treaty is in the nature of a contract between nations."
The Berne Convention is an example of a treaty.
Treaties are just contracts between a select number of states by which the signatories to conduct themselves in a certain way or to do a certain thing, such as the North American Free-Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
These latter type of treaties are usually private to two or a limited number of states and may be binding only through the International Court of Justice.
A treaty may be law-making in that it is the declared intention of the signatories to make or amend their internal laws to give effect to the treaty. A treaty is of no force or effect anywhere except within and binding upon those jurisdictions that have formally adhered to it, usually by domestic statute that refers or incorporates it.
Another important distinction between a treaty and a conventional contract is that a treaty lacks any enforcement teeth. A conventional contract will readily be enforced by a Court of law subsequent to which the Court will issue an order, usually for damages. This is enforceable up to an including against the assets of the party that breached the contract, all the while with the enforcement provisions of the Court and the not-insignificant assistance of the Government and law enforcement powers in regards to the enforcement of judgment. This power - and the culture of compliance with one's contracts it maintains - keeps most people and corporations to their contracts. In the international environment, there is no international law enforcement body so at the end of the day, there is no consequence to a state breaking a treaty except a loss of international credibility.


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Je trouverai un moyen (Titre original : ) est un court-métrage documentaire canadien réalisé par  et sorti en 1977.

Il a reçu l'Oscar du meilleur court métrage en prises de vues réelles en 1978.

Une suite à ce documentaire est sortie une suite en 1999 par la même réalisatrice, intitulée Just a Wedding, à propos de la préparation du mariage de la petite fille devenue grande.

Synopsis
Le film raconte l'histoire d'une petite fille de neuf ans, Nadia DeFranco, atteinte d'une malformation de type spina bifida. Malgré son handicap, son rêve est d'aller à l'école comme les autres enfants.

Fiche technique
 Titre original anglais :
 Réalisation :
 Productrices : Beverly Shaffer et Yuki Yoshida
 Production :  Office national du film du Canada
 Lieu de tournage : Toronto
 Durée : 26 minutes

Nominations et récompenses
 1978 : Oscar du meilleur court métrage en prises de vues réelles
 Nommé lors de la 32e cérémonie des British Academy Film Awards

Notes et références

Liens externes

Film canadien sorti en 1977
Film documentaire canadien
Court métrage canadien
Court métrage documentaire
Film tourné à Toronto
Film documentaire de l'Office national du film du Canada
Film documentaire sur le handicap
Oscar du meilleur court métrage (prises de vues réelles)
Film documentaire sur l'enfance

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


MANILA, PHILIPPINES — This July is packed with spectacles of celestial proportions—we're expecting a lunar eclipse, a meteor shower, and a few planets will even put on a show. But the brightest stars are not to be seen in the sky. Instead, they are converging in Manila for a rare, star-studded spectacle.
That's because Ballet Manila is proudly bringing together the next wave of international ballet superstars for the American Stars Gala—a rare performance featuring a specially curated line-up of pieces, performed by the fastest-rising names in the world of ballet. It will be co-directed by no less than Ballet Manila's Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Boston Ballet's George Birkadze.
The incoming dancers from Ballet Manila's international partners are some of the hottest names in the industry today. The Boston Ballet will be bringing in half-Filipina Lia Cirio, Junxiong Zhao, and Hannah Bettes, while the Houston Ballet will be represented by Yuriko Kajiya and Jared Matthews. They'll perform with Ballet Manila company artists and exclusive guest artists, including Joseph Philips and Katherine Barkman.
Hailed as "one of the most accomplished actress-dancers" in the Boston Ballet, Lia Cirio has enjoyed quite the career with the company. At the age of 16, she won the National Foundation for Advancement of the Arts award for ballet, and was invited by world-renowned Mikko Nissinen to join Boston Ballet II. From then on, she rose to the ranks and became Principal Dancer in 2010. She has then danced numerous classical, neo-classical, and contemporary roles for the company. She, alongside brother and Principal Dancer at the American Ballet Theater, Jeffrey Cirio, have created their own contemporary company, the Cirio Collective.
Boston Ballet Second Soloist Hannah Bettes began her training at the Central Florida Ballet School in 2007, and in 2010, she joined Next Generation Ballet. She was then named the Nadia Nernia Scholar at the Royal Ballet back in 2012, and she got the chance to perform at the Buckingham Palace and to work with world-renowned choreographers. She has several awards under her belt such as the gold medal in the junior division at the Youth American Grand Prix in 2011 and second prize and the audience favorite award at the Prix De Lausanne in 2012. Her career with the Boston Ballet began in 2014, and she has performed ballets choreographed by Marius Petipa and William Forsythe, among others. She was promoted to second soloist in 2017.
Featured as one of the "100 People to Look Up To" in Japanese Newsweek, Yuriko Kajiya has established herself as one of ballet's most prominent names. Born in Nagoya, Japan, she began her training at age eight and shortly after, she moved to China to train at the Shanghai Ballet School. During her younger years, she won numerous ballet competitions such as the Tao Li Bei National Ballet Competition and the Third International Ballet Competition. Back in 2000, she has also won the renowned Prix de Lausanne Scholarship, which lead her to study the craft at the National Ballet School of Canada. A year after, she joined the American Ballet Theatre's Studio Company and became an apprentice in the main company, and eventually appointed a soloist in 2007. She started her career in the Houston Ballet in 2014, and was promoted to Principal Dancer in November 2014.
With Ballet Manila's 23rd performance season approaching, come see the American Stars Gala to get a taste of spectacle the company has in store. Catch this once-in-a-lifetime show on July 7, 2018, 7:30 PM at the Aliw Theater. Buy tickets at http://bit.ly/AmericanStarsBallet! Tickets are also available at all Ticketworld outlets; call ?891-9999, or purchase online at www.ticketworld.com.ph.