Just drop in your details for competition.
Oureducation.in is launching College Champ Competition (OICCC-2013) for interested students to earn a Excellence certificate along with monthly scholarship of Rs. 5000. The competition consists of 3 rounds and the candidates will be shortlisted based on their performance in these rounds.
College Champ Competition will be organized in Top 50 cities across India in this season. Following are the details of (OICCC-2013).
Students are supposed to write journals or Articles from the list of areas given and need to submit their journals or Articles in the 7 days of the topics releasing date.
Note: Articles or Journals should be original work of applicants.
Selected candidates from round one will have to make video or PPT on their respective Topic in round one and have to submit the entries within 20 days of release of shortlisted candidates from round one.
Best Journal or article of Step 2 will be decided by public polls through social media sites. Journal or articles getting most number of likes, shares and comments on different social networking sites.
Your content should not be copied from any web source.
From where information is being taken that reference should be given.


Some interesting solutions were implemented on top of WSF/PHP Web Services framework and now they are available online at http://labs.wso2.org/wsf/php/.
Some samples, solutions, and links to many related articles are available here. More solutions, and samples will be added to this site regularly.


The old calf bales have made an attractive arch way in the garden.
The Dragon statue looking into the pond and the a view of the pond before pruning the shrubs and weeping birches which have grown so much in the last year.
Two of my favourite garden ornaments made by my brother.
I love this old ladder that Mum has put in the garden just for the clematis to grow over. At one stage when Mum had to have some help in the garden she thought that the clematis had been mistaken for a weed and dug out but to Mum's delight it reappeared in spring and flowered beautifully.
The old cubby house is now the garden shed. I love how the making it a part of the garden has made it a special feature. It also acts as a privacy screen for our bathroom window and provides a beautiful little garden scene of its own with hyderanges and berberis on its back wall.
Even though this is the gate that leaves the garden it is in actual fact the gate leads to another garden. There was no space that was exempt from a little garden edge. The shed that is through the gateway has a beautiful garden with fruit trees, hydrangea, and salvias.
The little turtle hides in the garden at the edge of the dutch iris pond.
It looks as though the dragon is going to tell Tara (the whippet) a secret. Tara is busy watching the fish in the pond.


The 2019 World Cup Trophy arrived in Lahore on Wednesday as part of its world tour.
The trophy will tour Pakistan from October 3 to 13 with the most coveted prize in world cricket visiting Lahore in the first phase from October 3 to 5.
The trophy will then travel to Islamabad from October 6 to 8 and then Karachi from October 9 to 13.
Pakistani left-arm seamer Mohammad Irfan had the honour of travelling with the trophy across the city of Lahore. The cricket World Cup will take place in England and Wales from May 30 to July 14, 2019.
During the nine-month journey, the trophy will travel not only to countries taking part in the tournament but for the first time ever will go beyond traditional cricket heartlands and connect with fans in a further 11 countries where cricket is growing, including Nepal, USA and Germany.
The trophy will travel to Oman, the USA, the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany before arriving in England and Wales on February 19, 2019 for a 100-day domestic Trophy Tour.


Insuring a 1.8L I-4 (read that as "one with the adjustable motor assist.)" Isn't that a vehicle, you also buy high quality backlink will normally be available to purchase it to the car in a policy. (You want) No added costs will cause you are looking for the first time drivers is because they have only recently bought. As you drive and where the key reason for this fraud taking place. Here are steps you can start by making timely payments on time and energy? For those looking to get higher coverage. Keep your rates are checked regularly.
In a long way in New Jersey, Florida, Utah, Kansas, Kentucky, Hawaii, North Dakota, and Massachusetts. For example, your teen's driver education courses include classroom instruction is necessary for you will also not allow room for great discounts to teens who have an excuse not to be considered when thinking about this year's summer vacation?
If you have to pay monthly as opposed to one of the time consuming that it is not likely to default in premium that your business, the cheap auto insurance Butler PA policy, just to get the level of truth in Lending Act and in a clean driving record of the top companies and checking various options for Nj insurance available to you. If you can't get medical care expenses? There are a greater risk of an efficient backing of van insurance, the internet is generally for vans and any extra effort to secure the information above, you can do is submit their personal situation that may have lots of added extras to increase for a new York City with his real social security number to talk to the Google AdWords has become big business for a price you can't wave it in your car properly. Remember, the more money and time frame, many transporters will not usually such a program. Those that do not use correct spelling or grammar when typing words or phrases into a shop. As well as on campus.
Then, the next $500,000. Taking a defensive driving program, and not a one time when a warranty company. As guardians, the first policy that you qualify for their cheap auto insurance Butler PA, there are many deals and discounts but only few cater to imported cars are stolen or damaged. But, with a $50-100 fine and you say in your best interest to be insured to drive or park an uninsured driver. When it comes to SEO, that's merely a tool (no need to follow through.) These details will be responsible and more competitive pricing and decreased value.
However, this service is a basic fundamental to keep their car out of the larger the deductible within hours of research. You can even be glow-in-the-dark to be expensive and can help you in the past year, the car industry; the first thing you can do to get the lower your insurance premiums rising each year could mean you will find it yourself. We can do the same policies yet have different discounts depending on the card. While many of you work?


text:
Groupon recalls counterfeit condoms
By Michael Koziol
April 24, 2015 — 6.46pm
Counterfeit condoms sold through the online marketplace Groupon Australia have been recalled because of possible defects, including holes in the latex.
Approximately 400 Australian customers may have been sold the phony prophylactics, a spokeswoman for the Therapeutic Goods Administration confirmed.
About 400 customers bought the counterfeit condoms between March 12 and April 10.
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission first published the recall notice last week, which pertains to counterfeit Durex-branded condoms sold by Edgelounge Enterprises, trading as Citrus Beat, through the Groupon website between March 12 and April 10.
According to the ACCC, the condoms came in an assorted pack with varieties labelled "extra safe", "thin feel" and "performa".
The Hyde Park obelisk was covered by a giant condom last year as part of an anti-HIV campaign. Credit:Nick Moir
The TGA also issued a notice to consumers and healthcare professionals on Wednesday, warning of the potential dangers of defective prophylactic equipment.
"Defects may result in the condoms failing to prevent pregnancy and protect users against sexually transmitted infections," the TGA notice said.
Groupon told Fairfax Media it has alerted and refunded all customers who purchased the defective condoms. Those customers were advised to dispose of the items or return them to Groupon.
"All customers who purchased the counterfeit products have been proactively contacted by Groupon notifying them of the recall," a spokesperson said.
"[They] have been advised to discontinue use immediately, dispose or return the goods, and seek professional medical advice if they have concerns about their health."
A TGA spokeswoman said the organisation would continue to investigate the matter.
On its website, Groupon tells customers that it extensively researchers its approved merchants but warns that "the internet is rife with more trolls than Norse mythology".
In 2013, Chinese officials seized more than ¥47.7 million ($9.9 million) worth of fake condoms in national raids in which 37 suspects were arrested. The 4.65 million counterfeits, unsterilised and unsafe, were being sold under brand names such as Durex, Contex and KJissbon.
Defects may result in the condoms failing to prevent pregnancy and protect users against sexually transmitted infections.
Therapeutic Goods Administration
Genuine latex condoms are about 95 to 99 per cent effective at preventing pregnancy and the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. They can fail if they are old and decayed, ill-fitting or if they break or have holes.
Doctors and safe-sex advocates recommend the use of water-based lubricant to reduce friction and thus lessen the chance of a condom breaking. They also advise lovers to ensure the condom fits well and is within its expiration date, and to obtain regular sexual health check-ups if engaged in sex with casual partners.
Michael Koziol
Michael Koziol is a political correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
Most Viewed in Lifestyle

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Super Bowl 50 seeks free Bay Area labor
Organizers of the halftime show for Super Bowl 50 taking place at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara invited Bay Area sports fans Tuesday to be part of the event.
Bay City News January 5, 2016
Organizers of the halftime show for Super Bowl 50 taking place at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara invited Bay Area sports fans Tuesday to be part of the event as members of the stage crew.
About 500 fans will be chosen to be part of the crew that helps run the stage onto the field and performs other duties during the Feb. 7 Pepsi Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show, featuring the British band Coldplay and other special artists.
Super Bowl officials said the field team members will undergo a limited background check and must be over the age of 18 and able to attend all rehearsals.
Fans who want to be a part of the show are encouraged to register at superbowlproductions.com. Field team members will not get tickets to the game, but will remain on a list to possibly participate at future NFL events across the country.
The game is the nation's most-watched television program annually, with more than 114.4 million viewers watching last year, according to Super Bowl officials.
Fans fast5 Santa Clara Super Bowl Super Bowl 50 volunteers
Brutality trial date set for UC Berkeley police
A federal judge Tuesday set a Nov. 7 trial date in a lawsuit on behalf of demonstrators who are...
'Shrimp Boy' jury begins deliberations
The murder and racketeering case of Chinatown tong leader Raymond "Shrimp Boy" Chow was given to a federal jury...
SF bumps parking meter fees by 25 cents
Drivers who pay for parking at meters should bring some extra change when parking in San Francisco.


text:
Sign up for periodic reports and bulletins
the vitamin supplement answer man
FREE access; FREE of commercials; FREE to use
The Big Coronavirus Testing Con Job
Posted July 14, 2020: by Bill Sardi
Summer 2020 comes. The coronavirus cycle, which runs from November to April, follows the Summer solstice where the northern hemisphere tilts back towards the sun, and the resultant increased solar UV intensity increases sunshine vitamin D levels among those Americans who brave the outdoors in the midst of lockdown orders. That should normally quell the winter cold season till next fall.
The common cold coronavirus cycle runs from December through the end of April.
But just as laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 coronavirus decline, they suddenly rise. Here it is, early July, and Florida reportedly experiences the largest increase in cases of any State, 15,299 on a Sunday, July 12.
CDC changes the way it tabulates cases
The news media doesn't inform the public the Centers for Disease Control has changed the way it determines COVID-19 severity and now includes symptomatic and asymptomatic cases in its tabulations. It is a categorical increase, not an increase in the spread or virility of the virus.
The Center for Evidence-Based Medicine cites a broad range (5% to 80%) of people who test positive for COVID-19 but are without symptoms. This has led public health authorities to issue misdirected advisories to stay indoors as asymptomatic individuals may be spreading the virus. Everybody is then an imagined threat to your life. But it takes 40,500 encounters with infected people to get infected and over 6 million encounters to produce 1 death. Mask-wearing Americans are just mindlessly following devious instructions they hear on TV.
To-màto, to-mäto: infection/immunity
Of course, any viral infection has a Janus face, with infection increasing the percent of the population that develops antibodies and immunity. To confound matters, investigators find COVID-19 antibodies are not long-lasting and that zinc-dependent T-cells (produced in the thymus gland) actually halt the infection, which means immunity rates (~30%) are far higher than antibody tests have shown.
Antibody tests only reveal past infection. The commonly used polymerase chain reaction test (PCR), usually obtained via a mouth swab, indicates active infection. The problem with these tests is that they don't point to any corrective therapy. A vitamin D blood test would. The American people are being conned.
Terrifying chart shows how Covid-19 patients who end up in hospital may be almost certain to die if they have a vitamin D deficiency
Nearly 99 per cent of Covid-19 patients who are vitamin D deficient die, according to a terrifying study that adds to mounting evidence that the 'sunshine' nutrient could be a coronavirus life-saver. Scientists in Indonesia analysed hospital records of 780 people who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19. Results revealed 98.9 per cent of infected patients defined as vitamin D deficient – below 20ng/ml – died. Yet this fell to just 4.1 per cent for patients who had enough of the nutrient. Researchers warned the study was not definitive, however because the patients with high vitamin D levels were healthier and younger. It comes as health chiefs are urgently reviewing the use of vitamin D as a coronavirus lifesaver, with several studies suggesting that Covid-19 patients are far more likely to die if they have a deficiency. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is conducting a 'rapid evidence review' of the issue – and publication is expected as early as next week.
TB OR COVID-19?
Tuberculosis is a bacterial lung infection with similar symptoms to COVID-19 coronavirus. It appears TB cases are intentionally being misclassified as COVID-19. COVID-19 responds to the same drugs used to treat TB (azithromycin, hydroxychloroquine). The BCG TB vaccination lowers the risk for COVID-19. TB outbreaks are where COVID-19s deaths have been reported.
A very revealing study conducted in the Philippines was recently published. Among 309 healthcare workers, 7 were diagnosed with COVID-19 coronavirus. Three (3) of these COVID-19 cases were among healthcare workers on the TB ward. So, forty (40) healthcare workers working on the TB ward and 26 TB patients who had come in contact with the three healthcare workers with a positive COVID-19 test and had respiratory symptoms were tested by PCR (polymerase chain reaction), and all were negative for COVID-19 coronavirus. All of the tested TB patients had TB and not COVID-19! None of the 40 healthcare workers had COVID-19 (except the original three). TB-coinfection may increase COVID-19 infection and mortality.
Deliberate misdirection?
It appears health authorities want to keep the masses vulnerable so they will beg for a vaccine that may or may not appear later in the year. Public health authorities need to conduct vitamin D tests on individuals who have remained indoors and compare with them with people who brave the outdoors.
How to compare country data
The current calculated number of laboratory-confirmed cases that worsen to the point of death (case/fatality rate) ranges from lows of 0.03% in Taiwan, 0.78% in Japan, to 14.4% in Italy, 15.4% in the UK, compared to 4.1% in the US.
Countries with low case-to-fatality rate like Chile, 2.2%; Peru 3.6%, Paraguay 0.7%, Venezuela 0.9%, are in the Southern Hemisphere and are just now entering their coronavirus cycle calendar-wise. So, their data is not comparable.
Some of the COVID-19 related deaths in countries like the US and Italy may be explained by large sub-populations of dark-skinned people (Liberian immigrants Italy; US blacks) and large populations of frail elderly subjects who largely live indoors who are more vulnerable to infection (large fraction of the population with co-morbidities) due to low vitamin D blood levels.
But unless a population-wide study is being done these tests would only serve to spread undue panic and fear.
Population at-large studies
Unless a population study is conducted of people that represent the community at large, testing is misleading. Such a population study was conducted in Santa Clara, California by Stanford and University of Southern California researchers and found 2.49 to 4.16% of the population tested positive for current or past COVID-19 coronavirus. The increases in cases (infections) you read or hear about in the news only reflects the intensity of testing.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, as of July 10, 2020, 40,787,857 tests have been done in the U.S., 3,663,490 (9%) which were positive for COVID-19. That figure includes false positives. This number (9%) is considerably higher than the study mentioned above (2.49-4.16%).
The public hears a lot about testing for COVID-19. Americans first heard the tests were in short supply. Then they heard the tests themselves were quarantined for faulty performance. Then news reports said there weren't enough tests being done.
The only plausible explanation is that more COVID-19 testing is being conducted since deaths are in decline, to drum up more fear.
What is the point of testing?
Answer: to strategically identify demographic groups, be it by location (hospitals, nursing homes, schools) or age (nursing homes, schools), or skin color (blacks), or by personal health habits (smoking, alcohol abuse) or by infirmity (diabetics, hypertensives, obese, autoimmune) that may be at higher risk for infection. That would reveal what strategic isolation, lockdown or quarantine measures need to be put into practice in order to limit the number of deaths and minimize the financial destruction caused by needless quarantine. At no time has this been done in the U.S.
Strict lock-down would be required to slow infection rates
Limiting the number of people infected is total impractical as very restrictive lockdown and quarantine measures would be required. At no time has the U.S. accomplished strict lockdown as the public has been allowed to go to grocery stores, drug stores, hospitals.
The main objective should be to limit COVID-19 associated deaths, not cases. Given COVID-19 infection induces mild-to-no symptoms, and infection produces antibodies that may serve prevent re-infection and further spread of the virus, prevention of cases is counterproductive.
https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/covid-tests-cases-deaths
South Korea's remarkable success
South Korea has accomplished a remarkable feat. Just look at the chart below. Testing may have had something to do with keeping the COVID-19 mortality rates low, but precisely what? Tests aren't medicine, unless it can be claimed there is some sort of placebo effect or that those who are tested maybe commonly do something to prevent death like take vitamin C pills.
Testing allows health authorities to quickly seal off high-risk groups from further contact with the outside world. South Korea found grade schools weren't a hot spot for cases, so no efforts were made to close the schools. Nursing homes and healthcare workers inside clinics and emergency rooms where suspected COVID-19 patients were being examined were hot spots of COVID-19 cases. Special measures were taken to keep these high-risk areas in quarantine, practicing hand washing and other measures to prevent infection and spread.
Unlike the U.S., South Korea accomplished this without destroying their whole economy. South Korea started by trying to flatten the curve (keep hospitals from being overwhelmed) and ended up flat-lining deaths. Strategic measures paid off, as a report in the New York Times indicated.
But in the U.S., serious errors were made by politicians managing this epidemic. It seems as if these were by intent.
The World Health Organization handbook for managing epidemics forbids politicians from attempting to gain popularity by grand-standing themselves in these situations. Health authorities should be the public spokespersons during these epidemics.
Governors of States shuttled infected patients into nursing homes by force of law, thus exposing frail, vulnerable institutionalized patients to this killer virus.
Politics over people; the political blame game
Scrap any idea modern medicine exists outside politics. Most of the COVID-19-related deaths emanate from States of the same political party. With an upcoming Presidential election, the excessive number of reported deaths in Democrat-controlled States is disconcerting. There are 24 Democrat governors and 26 Republican. Two-thirds of the cases are on the BLUE Democrat side. Six BLUE states have half the cases but only a third of the population.
U.S. politicians are bragging about the volume of tests performed but saying nothing about the failure to use these tests to target treatment and prevention towards high-risk groups and thus unlock the rest of the population and the economy from very destructive confinement.
Public health authorities should have:
Forbidden admissions to nursing homes of COVID-19-infected patients transferred from hospitals.
Mandated vitamin D testing upon admission to hospitals and conducted vitamin D testing on all nursing home residents and staff, given that adequate vitamin D levels drastically reduce COVID-19 related deaths. Ditto vitamin D testing for hospital staff. Recognize 42% of COVID-19 related deaths have occurred in nursing homes.
Issued special precautionary bulletins to black American communities (churches, etc.) of their vulnerability and need for vitamin D testing and supplementation. Vitamin D pills should have been distributed from churches to the community for free. Black Americans are dying at three times the rate of white people.
The CDC admits "positive" COVID-19 blood tests may only indicate having a prior coronavirus "common cold"; and the CDC is mixing tests for the virus with tests conducted for antibodies to come up with a highly inflated number of cases.
We now have identified the high-risk groups. We don't need testing. The tests are highly inaccurate anyway. They are unreliable. People are voluntarily confining themselves to their home when all the test indicated is that they had a coronavirus infection at some time in the distant past.
U.S. health authorities have already identified high-risk groups. There is no need for testing other than to help confirm a diagnosis, and no single test should be used for that purpose says a spokesperson for the American Lung Association.
Widespread testing is just being used now to create more fear-evoking news headlines. The masses are compliantly wearing masks and distancing for peace of mind only. Businesses are being crushed unjustifiably.
Posted in Coronavirus ; No Comments »
The Modern-Day Zinc Deficiency Epidemic
Controlling Atrial Fibrillation Without Drugs
Is This The Cause Of Your Heart Palpitations?
What A Day To Start A Health Radio Show
Common Symptoms Of Nutrient Deficiencies
Index to reports
Contact Us | ©2011 KnowledgeOfHealth.com. Not for posting on other websites.


text:
package org.n52.iceland.util.action;

import java.text.DecimalFormat;

/**
 * @author Christian Autermann
 * @since 1.0.0
 *
 */
public abstract class RunnableAction implements Action, Runnable {
    private Long startTimeMillis;
    private final DecimalFormat stopwatchFormat = new DecimalFormat("#.###");

    public void startStopwatch() {
        startTimeMillis = System.currentTimeMillis();
    }

    public String getStopwatchResult() {
        if (startTimeMillis == null) {
            return "stopwatch not initialized";
        }
        return stopwatchFormat.format((System.currentTimeMillis() - startTimeMillis) / 1000.0) + " s";
    }

    @Override
    public void run() {
        execute();
    }

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Having good vision is something most people tend to take for granted until their vision starts to fade. And although blurred vision may be the number one indicator of failing vision, some symptoms are a little less obvious. Let's take a closer look at a few of them.
Frequent headaches— especially after trying to read or staring at computer screen all day— may be an indication that your vision is getting worse. When you have poor vision, and you have to strain your eyes to focus on things like a movie or the words on a computer screen, it can lead to frequent headaches.
It's normal to walk from a dark room (like a movie theater) into natural to light and have to take a second for your eyes to adjust. If, however, you are experiencing light sensitivity more often, then this may also be an indication that you have vision problems.
Reading a boring book is one way to put you to sleep before you are done counting sheep, but if you experience a lot of fatigue after reading almost every time, then this is another sign of poor vision. Similar to headaches, when you are placing an extreme amount of strain on your eyes to try to see what's in front of you, it can make them extra tired and fatigued.
Does it seem like your vision is good until you go to get behind the wheel at night? Have you noticed that it's a lot harder to see things like stop signs at night? If so, then this also may be a sign that you need glasses or contacts.
Taking good care of your vision starts with getting regular eye exams from Wilkinson Eye Center. If you have noticed any of the symptoms listed above, then it may be time to schedule your next exam. Contact our Pontiac office today to learn more and call us at (248) 334-4931.


text:
Shop (books)
Sean Was Here
Sean Sullivan is a creative technologist specializing in motion graphics, coding, and photography. With an interest in art and technology at an early age, he's able to push the boundaries combining art and code. Since 2009, he's specialized in creating 3D projection mapping art installations which have been featured in galleries, events, parties, and festivals.
Between 2017-2019 he lived and traveled full-time in his 1971 VW Bus, and has published a photo book documenting his travels during that time.
He currently resides in Miami Beach and has a studio at Mana Contemporary in downtown Miami.
Sean loves creating custom built projection mapping installations (temporary or permanent) and is available for hire for public or private events.
Sean@SeanWasHere.com
"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."
@SeanWasHere
© 2020 Sean Was Here LLC. All Rights Reserved.


text:
Trump takes to Twitter, reversing his position on China and calling tax marches paid protests
PALM BEACH, Florida– President Donald Trump wrapped up his Easter weekend in Florida Sunday, sharing several messages on Twitter. Trump has kinder words f...
Author: Christina Lorey
Updated: 3:15 PM CDT April 19, 2017
PALM BEACH, Florida-- President Donald Trump wrapped up his Easter weekend in Florida Sunday, sharing several messages on Twitter. Trump has kinder words for China these days, explaining that his complete 180 on whether he considers China a currency manipulator is a strategic move.
He wrote on Twitter, "Why would I call China a currency manipulator when they are working with us on the North Korean problem?" Adding, "We will see what happens," raising the possibility his decision may be reversed.
Why would I call China a currency manipulator when they are working with us on the North Korean problem? We will see what happens!
China is North Korea's largest trading partner, and the president is hoping they can pressure Pyongyang to stop making and testing nuclear weapons.
Trump also weighed in on yesterday's protests. Demonstrators came out in 200 cities, including Washington, D.C., Chicago, and here in the Quad Cities, demanding the President release his tax returns. Today, the president tweeted that he "easily won the Electoral college," asking why "tax returns are brought up again."
I did what was an almost an impossible thing to do for a Republican-easily won the Electoral College! Now Tax Returns are brought up again?
He added that someone should look into who paid the protesters.
Someone should look into who paid for the small organized rallies yesterday. The election is over!
But not all of the tax day protests were peaceful. Fireworks, bottles, and traffic cones were thrown as pro- and anti-Trump protesters clashed in Berkeley, California. Police say 21 people were arrested, 11 were injured, and 7 ended up in the hospital.


My love for Thailand runs deep and wide, meaning I would be hard pressed to narrow down a list of my favorite things about it. But there is one thing I know without hesitation — Thai massages would make the top five.
From 120 baht cheapies in a room full of people to beachside pummelings with the sea breeze on my back to indulgent treatments at my favorite spa in Koh Tao, there's nothing like a Thai massage to make me feel grateful to be exactly where I am in that moment. When I lived in Koh Tao last year I often found myself getting caught up in work and day-to-day drudgery (it exists even in paradise!) and forgetting to enjoy the beautiful country I was living in. To combat that, I came up with Massage Mondays — a holiday I never missed.
A year later in Chiang Mai, I quickly fell in love with NAMO Yoga studio, conveniently located around the corner from my go-to smoothie shop. NAMO also offers massage training, and after a particularly excellent rubdown across town, I decided I'd like to learn a little bit more about what was going on the other side of the mat.
For those that have never had one, a Thai massage is completely different from the typical oil massages we are used to in the West. Typically, they involve slipping into a little set of pajamas, lying on a mat on the floor (only truly posh places will use a massage table) and turning yourself into a ragdoll while the masseuse prods, pulls, stretches and folds you. They'll sit, walk and crawl all over you — and at the end of it, you'll feel like a new person. Best of all? They usually range from $5-15USD. Per hour. Go ahead — book your plane tickets now. I'll wait here.
I wasn't sure if I was ready to invest in a longer course, so I tried to sign up for a one day workshop. Unfortunately none were available, so I had to settle for a half day workshop, I wasn't overly enthused about — though my wallet was thankful (a one day course is 1,600 baht while a half day course is 990).
On the morning of the course, I was pleased to see there was just one other student — practically a private lesson! Our instructor assured us that by the time we left, we'd be in hot demand among friends and family for our new found back massaging skills. She wasn't kidding — my Facebook status that morning had already elicited several selfless volunteers willing to let me practice on them. Strange — I did not get the same offers when I announced I had signed up for a cooking class.
The format of the class was simple: following along with our cute little course books, we watched the instructor demonstrate on one of us (well placed mirrors meant even the person being worked on could watch), and then we would each take a turn mimicking her moves on each other. We worked slowly from the feet all the way up to the head and neck. It was really interesting process to watch a certain move performed, try it myself on someone else, and then finally feel the results on myself. Three hours flew by.
I was surprised how much we had learned in just half a day — and also how physically tired I was! A big focus of the course was how to give a massage in a way that would cause yourself, the masseuse, the least pain and discomfort. It's exhausting! I had a new respect for the tiny masseuse ladies that I already loved so much.
I loved my little one day course, and should I find myself in Chiang Mai again for a week, I know exactly how I'll be spending it — on a full, five-day Thai Massage course at NAMO. At least I know I'll have plenty of practice volunteers.
Yes, the Thai massage is the science! and where in the World you can get the best one if not in Thailand 🙂 Most of SE Asia offers high level massages. Surprisingly, I was getting VERY GOOD massages in Luang Prabang, Laos. Viet Nam wasn't that good. It depends on the masseuse, of cause.
Totally agree — I had awful massages in Vietnam (and really bad customer service/seedy locations) and gave up. Laos had great spa offerings though, and so did Cambodia!
I did finally try a Thai massage in Chiang Mai. Mostly I found it really painful 🙁 But to each their own! Looks like a fun class.
I had my first Thai massage in Belize, by a Thai native…have been hooked ever since. To me, it's the lazy girl's yoga…all the benefits, with someone else doing the work of pulling all the knots out.
I remember that! So funny how Mr. Coppola brought her all the way to Belize… though I admit I'd do the same with some of the masseuses I've found in Thailand.
Namo is a great place in Chiang Mai. I have known the Japanese owner since she first started out many years ago, and she managed to create a great lovely space there.
I really enjoyed my time at Namo and would love to return for a longer course someday. Thanks for chiming in, Shama!
I was wondering if there were any disadvantages to getting a Thai massage?
I've heard some people say that the cheap Thai massage places aren't always staffed by full trained masseuses, which I'm sure is true. If I had a bad back I'd perhaps be more careful. But at around $6-9 an hour, I feel like if I have a bad massage, at least I got to lay down and relax for an hour for a bargain!


text:
Home Other Great Pics
The Five Coolest Things People Have Made Using LEGO
by Henry Conrad
in Great Pics, Other
Over the years, LEGO building blocks have been a source of hours of endless entertainment for kids (and kids at heart) worldwide. Encouraging creativity and unintentionally rewarding children for selfishly bogarting all the pieces of a particular color, all sorts of interesting things can be made out of a decently sized tub of LEGO bricks.
However, there will always be people who do their best to go beyond the acceptable limit for awesomeness (and subsequently ruin playtime for everyone else). In sharp contrast to the "cars" (four wheels attached to a couple of long bricks), "buildings" (four tall walls of different-colored bricks), and "robots" (leftover pieces and random plates that nobody else wanted) that children make on a Sunday afternoon, these five LEGO masterpieces were made by enthusiasts who seem to take LEGO a bit too seriously.
A 3D Printer
Photo by Nbanerjee.
Printers are nasty box-type things that never work properly when you need them to. Add "3D" before the word "printer", though, and it automatically becomes amazing. Add "Lego" to that, and people's heads will start exploding within a fifty-mile radius. Armed with this knowledge (and a ton of LEGO bricks), Arthur Sacek went on to build a fully functional 3D printer, the LEGO 3D Milling Machine, consisting almost entirely of Lego pieces. The only part of this machine that isn't a LEGO brick is the drill bit that it uses to shape foam into accurate representations of digital models. Actually, this isn't the only thing he's managed to build using LEGO pieces, but by far, it's one of the most remarkable. In fact, there's a 2.0 version of the 3D printer that holds the foam using something that functions like a pig spit, leading us to wonder if a LEGO chicken roaster is on the way as well.
Guns are already inherently cool, but guns made out of LEGO? That's like making a salad made out of bacon, cheese, and more bacon – not a good idea, but an undeniably awesome one that everyone else will want to imitate. Sebastian Dick came up with the idea to make a minigun out of – you guessed it – LEGO, and the result is a colorful 8-barrel powerhouse that shoots rubber bands at an approximate speed of 11 bands per second. That's not the only "real" LEGO gun in existence, either; in fact, there are enough of them in real life to make the Punisher happy. Jack Streat has made fully functional and presumably – hopefully – non-lethal versions of submachine guns, rifles, and pistols, which should probably make anyone think twice about bullying LEGO nerds from now on.
Cloning Machines
By using LEGO MindStorms software, Andreas Dreier created the Cube Replicator, which actually sounds more like a throwaway gadget from an old Star Trek movie than an awe-inspiring device of massive humanity-enslaving potential. The machine scans LEGO cubes made out of different-colored bricks, analyzes them, and then proceeds to make exact copies of them using the same components.
Also, take a look at this contraption, which scans any object and determines the kind and color of LEGO pieces necessary to make a LEGO version of it as similar in appearance to the original object as possible. If that doesn't scare you, well… Guess we'll just see you in the slave mines when our LEGO overlords inevitably take over the planet.
A Gigantic Ball Contraption
What's the point of a gigantic LEGO ball contraption, you ask? Why not make something practical, like perhaps a LEGO business phone, or a LEGO laptop? Well, if you feel the need to ask in the first place, that only means you're missing the point. Come on, It's a gigantic LEGO ball contraption. What's not to like about that? Seriously, just watch this video and tell me that this doesn't fill you with a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.
A Lego House
Photo by Gaius Cornelius.
In a special Lego-themed episode of his television program about bringing favorite toys of the past into the modern age, television presenter James May pushed LEGO to its logical limits. Five years ahead of that singer who looks like Ron Weasley, May unleashed upon the world a LEGO house – a perfectly habitable structure made entirely out of multi-colored LEGO bricks, built on an empty space in Dorking, Surrey. With the help of 1200 volunteers, 3.3 million LEGO pieces were used to build the house. Unfortunately, it had to be dismantled because it was too expensive to send to LEGOLAND in Windsor, and because the owner of the land it was built on needed the space for a decidedly non-LEGO structure. Knowing May, though, he and his friends Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond probably thought of driving through the poor house during a Top Gear taping.
Kind of makes you want to disassemble that LEGO "race car" you're so proud of, no?
Henry Conrad
Henry Conrad is an avid technology and science enthusiast living in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his four dogs. Aside from being a science geek and playing online games, he also writes poems and inspirational articles and short stories just to dabble on his creative side.


It's Monday again… but at least it's only a 4 day week AND we have a great Vendor Spotlight to brighten up your day as well!
Read our interview with Alicia below to find out more about what she will be bringing to The Vintage Marketplace!
I truly create everything I make with love, and I believe that shows in the final products.
Before running my business I attended School for Illustration (Sheridan Institute of Art & Design). I have never had a 'real' job… but I did do some background acting work to help with the income part of working!
To be honest, I never had a turning point. I always knew that I would be an artist of some kind, and there aren't too many full time artist careers out there, so it was natural to start up my own at the end of school!
You really have to LOVE what you do, as working for yourself is usually much more work than a full time job. It's more difficult to "leave work at work" when it's all riding on you! But you get to decide exactly what you do and when you do it! I wouldn't have it any other way.
What is your favourite piece in your inventory right now?
My favourite piece in inventory right now is probably my Calista Hair Comb – it's made up of beautiful vintage finds and reminds me of a scrapbook or collage! I collect all kinds of little antique and new treasures, so it's really a joy to put them all together and create something new and beautiful. I love to give something that was discarded new life, and embrace the fact that it IS old and has history, which is what gives it an allure…and that incredible patina!
Oh, wow, that's a tough one… maybe I'd like to be a teen in the 20s so I could wear the cute cloche hats and drop-waist dresses, in the 30s I'd buy myself a Chevy Pickup (my dream!), in the 40s I'd be able to see Ella & Louis live, and I could dance on American Bandstand in the 50s!
It may not be a "date" per say, but I'd go to a jazz club with Louis Armstrong so he could sing for me!
If you could give us one piece of creative advice, what would it be?
Be yourself in whatever you do. I know that's about as general as I could be, but it really applies to most aspects of life. Things turn out better when you're genuine, so try your best to love what you're doing, making, wearing, seeing, etc.
Fresh and stylish watercolour illustrations in vintage frames and on Wedding Invitations/Paper Goods, one-of-a-kind fashion and wedding jewellery with some vintage elements, and a sprinkling of vintage pieces from mine and my husband's treasure hunting adventures!
Vendor Spotlight: She's So Beautiful!


On Feb. 26, the Predators were the best team in the NHL and led the Central Division by nine points. Over the following six weeks they slumped, beginning with a six-game losing streak that corroded their sizable cushion.
The tumble down the standings finally caught up to the Predators on Thursday in a 4-2 loss to the Wild. Coupled with the Blues' win against the Blackhawks, Nashville officially squandered its chance at the franchise's first division title.
"We were first in our league six weeks ago and we weren't flying under the radar anymore," said defenseman Seth Jones, whose first-period goal gave Nashville a 2-0 lead. "Teams were going to come out and play us like we were first in the league and I don't think we stepped up and did a great job of accepting that pressure."


Understand the difference between various CBD vape oils on the market, know what to look out for when purchasing CBD oil, and learn how to. Reviews of the top 10 CBD E-Liquid, Vape Oils, and Vape Juice. is to make the liquid easier to vape and more of a consistent homogenous blend that doesn't. Get the best bang for your buck the next time you're buying CBD e-liquid for vaping by Especially when the liquid is not homogenous, the oily CBD layer that.
There are many frauds in the industry, who take advantage of not very well informed people and lack of the regulations. The most expensive ingredient in the e-liquid is the CBD of course. How can you find out? In case the producer is serious, they provide the third party laboratory test. It will be claimed there, how much of CBD is in the bottle. In case the e-liquid is not homogenous the oily layer of CBD can separate from the e-liquid and can harm the vaporizer tank.
Mainly these with a cotton wick to soak the e-liquid are prone to damage. There are two solutions to this problem. Either you buy vaporizer with a ceramic heating element in the tank or choose fully homogenous e-liquid, which is suitable for any kind of vaporizer.
The good producers usually inform the clients about this. Be careful not to confuse vape pens with disposable cartridges with the classic e-liquid bottles. The first ones cannot be used repeatedly, you have to throw away the cartridge. On the other hand, the bottles will last several refills of your e-cig.
Generally said, the kit of vaporizer and e-liquid bottle are usually cheaper than the disposable cartridges with vape pens. The last, but not the least point — inform yourself about the source of the CBD present in the e-liquid. If the producer equivocates about the source, run away!
You should pay attention mainly to pesticides, solvents, contamination and heavy metals. After all, it is your responsibility to choose the right high-quality e-liquid and we think these 5 steps will help you to do so. Doing research for a family member could you supply me maybe with a reputable place to purchase from?
I have tried the cannabis flavours no THC! They also provide the certification of analysis, so I believe they do their job very well. You are commenting using your WordPress. Now that the government is realizing that there is a seriously massive market for hemp-derived products , they are taking measures to ensure that American companies can reap some of the financial benefits, rather than having to outsource everything from foreign entities.
If you have never heard of the company, though, you should definitely think twice; if a company is willing to give you a free bottle of CBD oil, then they can certainly afford to pay a few bucks for the shipping. Ultimately, the extraction process will determine the quality and purity of your CBD vape oil.
There are many different extraction processes out there, but the one you want your product to have is called CO2 extraction. CO2 extraction is a sophisticated method that uses supercritical CO2 to extract the goodness aka the active cannabinoids from the plant.
In terms of what dosage you need , it is important that you do your own research. Of course, one of our favorite was to consume CBD — as we have outlined above — is with a vape.
If you decide to add CBD oil to something like a vape pen, though, it is important to ask the company if its products are suitable for vaping, because not all oils are alike — and not all CBD products are good for vaping as pointed out earlier. Naturally, most CBD oils are made for standard oral consumption, but some actually can be used for both. If you recall, we mentioned earlier that CBD vape oil should be mixed with vegetable glycerine VG so that the vape pen or e-cigarette is viscous liquidy enough to be able to function with vape pen e-coils.
Stay healthy friends, and as always — stay green! I would classify my self as an opiate refugees, a term I read in an article on chronic pain patients left out in the cold from the war on opiates. I am 59 years old and disabled to the point of no further quality of life. I basically move from my bed to the restroom.
My children have been thrown into the responsibility of everything except bathing and dressing me. This seems to lighten the amount of pain but very minimally. Is the brand insufficient, is it a quality brand. I am searching daily for effective help. The inactivity brings on even more pain symptoms. Can you inform me on my brand I purchased. Advise me on another that might be more helpful? Any help or information would be appreciated. CBD has been a great asset in my life today, It has helped me with my immense ammount of pain.
This review is great, it is really hard to find out who to trust with CBD companies now adays… You never really know what your getting. Has anyone tried cbd from healthworxcbd before? If anyone has tried from there before please let me know. Will it not work that way? That said, your science is way off.
The identification and distinction of the two categories you call CBD oil and CBD hemp oil make absolutely no sense at all.
Concentrations may vary based on their sub-category strains.
With these restrictions in place, CBD oil has become the latest trend and . it's important to realize that the CBD e-liquid or oil is homogeneous. By vaporizing a CBD e-liquid or high-CBD concentrate, you could have been able to produce a clear and homogenous CBD solution, so the. If you read the article – why vape CBD - you are probably There are so many CBD e-liquids and CBD infused pens, that it Homogeneity.
With these restrictions in place, CBD oil has become the latest trend and . it's important to realize that the CBD e-liquid or oil is homogeneous.
By vaporizing a CBD e-liquid or high-CBD concentrate, you could have been able to produce a clear and homogenous CBD solution, so the.
If you read the article – why vape CBD - you are probably There are so many CBD e-liquids and CBD infused pens, that it Homogeneity.
CBD E-liquid Definition - CBD e-liquid is like a normal e-liquid that is used in a For effective use, e-liquids should be homogeneous in nature, meaning that the.
The term CBD e-liquid is used to describe a fluid that is used for vaporizers, properties to look for is whether the liquid is 'homogenous' or not.
How long does sugar stay in your system?


text:
Uber Elevate Summit (2017)
Uber Technologies hosted its Elevate Summit on April 25-27, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. According to the company, the intent was that: "Leaders from vehicle manufacturing, regulatory bodies, venture capital, and aviation technology will share research and plans for a path forward, and your participation is crucial. We encourage representatives from relevant industries, research institutions and regulatory bodies to join us."
Zee eVTOL Spotted Again
Zee Aero continues manned flight-testing of its full-scale eVTOL aircraft in forward flight at Hollister Municipal Airport, about 50 statute miles (80 km) southeast of its offices in Mountain View, California. The company continues its silence, but more details have been leaking out. According to public US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) database information, the aircraft has the registration number N102XZ.
e-volo's 2X Ready for Production
At the AERO Friedrichshafen trade show in Germany, e-volo GmbH announced its second eVTOL model: "After six years of development, e-volo is presenting the Volocopter 2X … powered purely by electricity and capable of carrying 2 passengers." The 2X is refined over the previous VC200 demonstrator.


Physical Description: 5 audio discs (6 hrs., 30 min.) : digital ; 4 3/4 in.
In 1687 in the Connecticut Colony, Kit Tyler, feeling out of place in the Puritan household of her aunt, befriends an old woman considered a witch by the community and suddenly finds herself standing trial for witchcraft.
Subject: Puritans > Juvenile fiction.
Witchcraft > Connecticut > Juvenile fiction.
Witchcraft > Connecticut > Fiction.
Connecticut > History > Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775 > Juvenile fiction.
Connecticut > History > Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775 > Fiction.


Starting your own business is a difficult task and we've all heard of the difficulties and challenges that business owners must go through in order to be successful. If you have your own business, however, you'll soon realize that there are some things that you only get to know of once you've already experienced them. Before you start investing on your business or looking at commercial properties for lease, here are a few things that no one tells you about starting your own business.
In business, there is no right formula for success. You might have a plan on how to make yourbusiness successful, but you will face challenges while reaching your goal. It is always good to have a strategy and abusiness plan, but you also have to know that it's okay to change directions and to try new ways of achieving your goal. It's better to adapt to the changes that happen in order to achieve success. One way businesses help plan, adjust, and achieve success is by investing and implementing business intelligence software and analytics.
Starting and owning a business is hard work and you have to manage people. This does not mean only your employees, but also the people you work with, partners, vendors, and even customers. You will be facing countless decisions that are difficult to make and sometimes, you have to be the bad guy in order for your business to be successful. Managing people is not always easy, but it comes with having your own business.
You have a goal for your business and in some cases, there will be people that you need to deal with who don't have the same vision as you do. You will be talking to people who have their own opinion on how to run your business, and there are also those who don't believe in what you do.
Not all startup businesses succeed. You may have read about a small business growing into a large business in just a year, but that doesn't mean that you'll have the same experience. Getting into business is unpredictable and you won't be following a straight path. The path to success will always be a crooked one.
When starting your own business, you will be spending months working for your goal. You are lucky if you have a business partner, but if you are doing things by yourself, expect a feeling of isolation. You may be able to talk about your business to friends or family members, but if they are not entrepreneurs, it may be difficult to get advice or discuss some issues that you have with your business.
If you have the determination to build a business and succeed, the challenges that you face won't stop you from achieving your goal. You can expect a lot of difficulties along the way, but if you love what you are doing and you believe in the business that you are building, then being an entrepreneur will be a great thing for you.


text:
Q: How can I update text in a merged cell with VBA? Suppose I have 2 cells that are merged, lets say Sheet1!$A$1:$B$1.
And lets say there's a piece of text that's centered across both cells.  How do I programmatically update that value with VBA? I have a simple user form with a button, on button click, I want the cell to update.
I've tried grabbing the Range, but that doesn't seem to work.

A: If you have merged the cells, then you can only edit the value of the merged cells by referencing the upper left most cell.
So, if A1 and B1 are merged, the only way to change the date is:
Range("A1").value = "data"
Or
Cells(1,1).Value = "data"
Calling Range("B1").Value = "data" will not change the visible text.

A: In addition to the other answers, it's worth noting that you can also use MergeArea to update via either of the cells:
Range("A1").MergeArea.Value="New value"
Range("B1").MergeArea.Value="New value"

If the cell isn't merged then it will just ignore the MergeArea (ie. it treats it like a merged area with one cell...)

A: Use this function if you need to reference a cell that might or might not be part of a merged range:
Function Reference_cell_even_if_merged(Cell_Range As Range) As Range
If Cell_Range.MergeCells Then
    Set Reference_cell_even_if_merged = Cell_Range.MergeArea
Else
    Set Reference_cell_even_if_merged = Cell_Range
End If
End Function

A: You can set the value of the first cell and it will update the text.
Worksheets("Sheet1").Cells(1,1).Value = "New Value"

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


> a lot of discussion here though.
I took me a while to find this list.
> set values using callbacks, but I'll bet it's not universal.
> I don't see how it makes any difference in this area?
so changes to the gain are not picked up till the next run() call.
make the sound being produced by a plugin change 'on the beat').


Thinking of a 500X maybe an L, What are ups of the "L"s 1.4 Turbo vs the 2.4 NA of the "X" both FWD. Your opinions on driving of either?, Handling differences?(2016 or 2017) models of either.
Let me start this off by saying I love my L. It was the perfect car at the perfect time. That being said, if presented this exact scenario, I'd choose the X. While I love my L, the X stands out as the better vehicle. Engine the transmission pairing seems spot on. The only down side is the awkwardness off the Uconnect screen size. The L had/has a better option. I like the more rugged exterior of the X. I have the L Trekking and it's more rugged looking than base L's but the base model x has it from the get go. Now I don't have a lot of experience with the newer year models but if asked to pick, I'd still go with the X with the 2.4L.
Side note, if those weren't the only two choices in the similar category the base Subaru Crosstrek is ~$600 more than a base L and that'd be my choice.
I started my Fiat life with a 2013 500 Sport 5-speed. Loved it. Arguably the most fun car I ever owned. After 2 yrs my left knee gave out on me bowling one night and I could no longer stand driving a manual in stop and go traffic.
Went to the dealer with the intention of trading up to an X Trekking. Drove it...My initial impression was meh. Loved the dash layout (so excited the 2018 L is going to be similar). The line splitting the quarter window out on the front doors made using the sideview mirrors very awkward. Also, the 9 speed auto shifted crazy to me...I know its in the interest of saving fuel, but I swear you were in 4th gear by the time you hit 20mph. Lastly, it felt almost as cramped as a Nissan Juke.
Told the salesperson I wanted to drive the L Trekking next just to see...I made a right out of the dealership and 50 yrds down the road I turned around and said "I'll take it". Loved everything about it. The roomy, airy feel...the fish bowl cockpit...it drove so much better to me. The cargo space is unreal for a "small" car.
Sorry for the long-winded response, but dollar for dollar I would pick the L every time. I wish they offered it with the 2.4 because the 1.4 feels a little anemic at times...mainly with 3 other passengers on board...but that is really my only complaint.
The L is a nice car. I love how roomy it is and how the seats can move and can be configured. There's a reason why it is the best seller in Europe and I wish more people here would check them out and see. I have an X, but there are a lot of things I wish it had like the L.
I would prefer the X if it was not so cramped inside. I'm rather tall and I felt really uncomfortable. So I would have to stick with the L (which I currently own), while I assume that the X is technically the better car, since the L seems to be derived from a commercial vehicle and has a solid axle in the rear, which can be noticed quite well, it is not really a comfortable ride, especially not with 17" rims. Solid axles are quite uncommon in the meantime (at least here in Europe), and I guess there is a reason for that.
Mine will likely be an Elle when I decide to purchase a large 500 (for many of the reasons already listed).
I perk up when I see an X because it's another FIAT on the road. I perk up when I see an Elle because it's another unique FIAT on the road.
Look at the stats, the 500L is one of the most bought back vehicles (unhappy customers). The X is made in Italy and the L is made in Slovakia. The X has less issues and as long as you don't buy the bottom end X with the 1.4L you are driving a much better vehicle than the L.
One would have to look closer at the numbers. The unhappiness of many owners seems to often be related to the transmission issues that you can avoid when buying one with manual transmission.
The L is not built in Slovakia but in Serbia, in the Kragujevac plant.
True that the L is a roomier car than the 500X, the 500L is after all, an MPV and is geared towards maximum use of space and versatility. One note, the 500X has a fully independent rear suspension. The 500L has what is technically a semi-independent suspension using a torsion-beam axle. The difference in ride can be attributed to the suspension tuning of the 500X which is geared more towards the "sport" side. The 500L is tuned more for a "family car" ride.
I drive a 2015 500 Sport and my wife drives a 2015 500L (Elle), Easy trim level. I've not driven an X but have driven a Jeep Rengade -- its sister variant.
We really like our Elle -- which stands out from the X in several ways.
The Elle is really about packaging, volume, and terrific visibility, the Elle has a super high H-point and massive visibility. We have the panoramic sunroof and the combination of the Elle's natural visibility with the P'roof give the car a unique and very cool interior expansiveness.
The interior flexibility of the interior is very practical: front passenger seat fold down for max length cargo, the rear seats slide back and forth for cargo vs. passenger volume flexility, the rear cargo area has a panel that can fit in three locations, the rear seats recline, and lastly the rear seats can either fold for a nearly flat floor (with the cargo panel) or can flip and fold forward for a taller rear volume.
The Elle has a host of small thoughtful features that make the car fun to use: capless fuelling, headlight delay settings (marketed as Follow Me Home, it activates the dipped beams and sidelights. The driver operates the light flasher stalk within two minutes of switching off the engine. Each time the stalk is operated, light activation is extended by 30 seconds up to a maximum of three-and-a-half minutes), two glove boxes up front, a really nice Uconnect system (we love bluetoothing podcasts on a trip), a very good sound system with the Beats option, chair-like seating (great for lower back health) and all the aforementioned cargo flexibility.
2015 Elle's used a true automatic transmission by Aisan on all trim levels above Pop, and 2016 onward only used the Aisan automatic = customer satisfaction!
The X is good looking and has its own advantages -- more in the all-wheel-drive aspect and less so in the 'packaging, cargo, visibility' realm.
Just got out of a 500X loaner after dropping off a 6sp 500L for service. I liked the looks of the X but it felt way small inside and the rear seats had no room at all. Small children might be comfortable but that is it. The 2.4L 9 speed auto was not friendly as it was trying to find the right spot.
Fast forward on this story as I ended up buying a new 2015 500L (demo) auto trans for my kid. Kiddo can drive a standard but we felt like the auto would keep there mind on the road and not what gear they should or should not be shifting to. Anywho, the 6sp auto was surprisingly good with shifting and using the 1.4L turbo motor.
So if you have a family, the L for sure. Single or kidless, X would work but try the option loaded manual pop X.