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SCPA's "Clue"
Review by Juli Russ, Highlands High School Cappies Critic Team
Was it Mrs. Scarlet, in the library, with the candlestick? Or perhaps Professor Plum, in the hall, with the revolver! Maybe it was Colonel Mustard, in the lounge, with the wrench! In "Clue ," everyone has something to hide, everyone has a lot to lose, and nobody will be leaving the mansion quite the same as when they arrived. The School for the Creative and Performing Arts' production, highlighted by technical feats and complex character portrayals, successfully brought elements of humor and wit to this masterful murder mystery story.
Adapted for the stage by Jonathan Lynn, Hunter Foster, Eric Price, and Sandy Rustin from the classic whodunit board game, "Clue " includes the same main characters, the same locations, and the same weapons. In the well-loved board game, only one person is guilty; in the play, you never know how many of the guests could be responsible. Six people are sent letters and are asked to come to the mansion of a Mr. Boddy for a dinner party, but as they arrive, it becomes apparent that the party won't be as simple as it seems. Blackmail, deception, and murder all intertwine, keeping the audience members on the edges of their seats at every turn.
SCPA put on an impressive show overall. Though presented with the obstacle of limited actors and crew members (the show was put on by one class!), it was clear that no elements of performance or technical execution fell through the cracks. Incredible character portrayals, as well as effective and demanding technical successes, resulted in a highly entertaining performance from start to finish.
One of the most noteworthy cast members was Elaina Baker in her portrayal of Wadsworth the butler. Her character also served as a narrator and broke the fourth wall often during the performance. She pulled off the portrayal perfectly, holding herself with formality and grace while also providing comic relief. Marta'e McKinney was also quite memorable in his role as Mr. Green. Near the end of the show, he was tasked with completely changing character in a plot twist, and he met the challenge effortlessly. Isabella Siska, who played a variety of different roles throughout the show, was adaptive and dynamic with each character. Although her roles were small, her energy emanated throughout the theatre.
Not to be forgotten were the intense technical aspects of the show. Taking place in SCPA's Black Box Theatre, there was very little space to work with, but this didn't stop the fluidity of the show. Scene changes were seamless, with actors often serving as run crew members. The lighting, designed by Angela Crawford, was also extremely impressive. Colors illuminating the different characters stayed true to the original board game's color scheme, and the lighting design was also used to create unease in the audience. The eerie, tense feeling present throughout the show can also be attributed to the sound effects created by Eva Schramm. Whether it be creepy music, a rain storm, or the numerous other effects demanded by the show, each sound cue was executed well.
Providing suspense, humor, and wit, SCPA's production of "Clue " told the classic murder mystery tale through extremely talented actors and gifted crew members who were all dedicated to putting on the very best production of this classic murder mystery.
Review by Maria Schlaechter, Roger Bacon High School Cappies Critic Team
What better way to spend an afternoon or evening than sitting in the round at a murder mystery dinner party? SCPA Drama Ensemble's "Clue " has it covered! This play is a classic "whodunit" story that really captures the attention of all who came and watched this murder mystery unfold in front of and around them.
The story of "Clue " begins with six guests, all with various pseudonyms assigned to them as to not reveal any personal information about themselves, who are invited to the manor of Mr. Boddy (Hassan El-Cheikh ) on unknown terms. Mr. Boddy's butler, Wadsworth (Elaina Baker ), informs the guests in attendance of what the evening might entail. Each of the guests are led to the dining room, where they eat a meal and begin to get to know each other, discussing their concerns about what is going on. Soon enough, the first murder of the night occurs, fingers are pointed, accusations get made, and the fun of the night begins.
Doing a show in a small black box theatre can have its challenges, especially for a production in the round, but SCPA's "Clue " used the space it had brilliantly with only 16 cast and crew members, many of whom were on both cast and crew. The set, while somewhat minimal, was perfect for what it had, using various corners and sections of the theatre space to signify the different rooms of the home, set up just like the board of the board game Clue. Each of the six guests had a color that represented them; for example, Mrs. Scarlet (Janie Nalbandian) was represented by the color red, Colonel Mustard (Joe Hamzy ) was yellow, and Mrs. White (Annalyn Gauger ), who was ironically dressed in all black. These colors were matched in both their costumes, cube shaped stools that could be moved around the stage to represent different locations, and colored lights that would shine down on specific spots where each character might stand and specific points in the show.
Each of the actors and actresses portrayed their roles perfectly, executing their characters uniquely and flawlessly. While none of the performers wore microphones, they all projected their voices throughout the space brilliantly, and everything could be heard perfectly. One standout character is Wadsworth, who Elaina Baker portrays wonderfully. This character is cunning, smart, and always claims the center of attention when needed. Elaina had wonderful facial expressions, everything from delight, to contempt, to fear, and she performed with excellent timing, including moments of great humor. Another character who stands out is Mrs. White . Annalyn Gauger portrays this character wonderfully, in both her humorous and serious moments. The irony of being named Mrs. White while she dressed in all black and talked about death added much to her character, and her dry humor was performed impeccably. One final shout out needs to be made for Isabella Siska, who performed many minor characters, such as The Cook, the Motorist, and the Singing Telegram Girl. Each character was different and unique, and without looking at the script, it would be hard to believe that they were all performed by the same person. Each character was so unlike the others, yet Isabella portrayed each role masterfully.
Overall, SCPA Drama Ensemble's "Clue " was performed beautifully, and the mysterious elements of the show were executed immensely well, and both the humorous and serious moments alike were portrayed wonderfully.
Review by Hannah Stansbury, Ursuline Academy Cappies Critic Team
Six mysterious guests, six mysterious murders, six mysterious weapons, and not a "Clue" Who Dunnit! SCPA's production of "Clue" skillfully combined thrilling tech elements and dedicated characters to create an environment of mystery that kept everyone on the edges of their seats.
"Clue" was not based solely off the household board game, but the 1985 movie production of "Clue" as well. Both the play and movie follow the story of six guests who are invited to a stranger's mansion for a dinner party, or so they thought. Throughout the night, each character's deepest secrets are exposed and mysterious murders begin occurring throughout the house. The comedic "Who Dunnit" engages audiences of all ages and is filled with laughs, murder, and mystery.
The success of SCPA's production of "Clue" was deeply rooted in the dedicated and consistent characterization from the actors and the sense of true mystery and suspense created through the precise lighting and sound cues.
The production was lead by the butler of the mansion, Wadsworth, played by Elaina Baker. Wadsworth is viewed as the main narrator of the show, who leads not just the guests of the mansion, but breaks the fourth wall to lead the audience through the story as well. Baker did a phenomenal job portraying all characteristics of the complex character. Through her high and consistent energy and excellent comic timing, Baker brilliantly captured Wadsworth's persona.
Janie Nalbandian, portraying Mrs. Scarlet, and Joe Hamzy, portraying Colonel Mustard, preserved the light-hearted tone of the show, even when faced with murder. Janie truly captured Scarlet's humor as she said each line with undeniable sass. Joe also played the pompous Colonel in a humorous light by exaggerating the Colonel's stubborn and ignorant personality.
The technical elements of "Clue" were notable as well, creating an undeniable sense of suspense. The lighting was spot-on as Angela Crawford designed the light cues to uniquely match each character. The players have a certain color in the board game "Clue," Angela gave each character an individual light color to shine on important developments in the plot. Additionally, Eva Schramm created a spooky environment through well-timed sound effects such as sudden thunder and lightning.
The cast and crew of SCPA's "Clue" skillfully combined mystery and comedy through dedicated actors and stunning tech elements, making the production as thrilling as ever.
"Commitment to characters and the interactions between them set School for Creative and Performing Arts' production of Clue apart. The actors and actresses captured the social drama that made the board game so fun and interesting. Each character was clearly their own person with their own backgrounds and beliefs, and they did an excellent job expressing them through their words and actions."
-Cooper Scanlon, Miami Valley Christian Academy.
"In a show such as "Clue" lighting is particularly important because of its role in setting the mood, highlighting important objects, and maintaining the mystery surrounding the murders. The crew did an excellent job of conveying the slightly different ambiances each room held."
-Victoria Childers, Roger Bacon High School.
"Wadsworth, played by Elaina Baker, and Mr. Green, played by Marta'e McKinney, were two standout performances. Elaina Baker truly took on the mystery and strength of her quirky and dark character, Wadsworth. Marta'e McKinney portrayed his character, Mr. Green, with strength as he became a leader among the group of guests. His twist in characterization at the end of the show was also wonderfully presented through his strong acting."
-Emily Bruns, Roger Bacon High School
"Despite occasional technical setbacks, the cast and crew rose to the task and delivered an enjoyable and innovative performance. Complete with dynamic set elements and potent colour storytelling, SCPA Drama Ensemble presented an energetic take on a well-loved classic."
"Marta'e McKinney as the seemingly timid Mr. Green and Elaina Baker as the eloquent yet devious Wadsworth led the cast of criminals with unrelenting vivacity and dexterity as they navigated quick room changes, murders in the dark, and demanding screaming matches among the guests."
-Allyson Standley, Walnut Hills High School
"While certain designs were particularly noteworthy over others, the props crew, headed by Jordain Addis, provided numerous wet props throughout the show so a cast member would never be seen without a glass of "whiskey" in hand. Additionally, the set crew, helmed by Jacob Walker and Grace Yearout, overcame the challenge of transferring the iconic layout of the board game to the Black box format."
"Several technical elements stood out as simply superb, including the set, props, lighting, and sound. The immersive set created a board game of the Black Box theater, with each section of the audience sitting in one of the traditional settings from the board game. The props, specifically the murder weapons, both drove the plot and helped actors with characterization. Lighting emphasized the color scheme of the characters, and sound added to the theatricality of the production."
-Iris LeCates, Walnut Hills High School
The Critics and Awards Program strives to recognize Greater Cincinnati's talented community of young writers, performers, and technical crews. High school theatre and journalism students who participate in the Cappies program are trained as critics, attend shows at other schools, and write and publish reviews. At the end of the school year, the student critics vote to give awards to their fellow students for outstanding productions, group and individual performances, and achievements in technical categories. Awards are presented at the annual Cappies Gala.


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Allah Loves You! The Most-Loving God
idefender posted a topic in Islamic Download - Free eBooks!
As Salamu Alaikum I wish to share this free eBook (which is mostly in response to the constant attacks in Islam). Summary: One of Allah's beautiful names is Al-Wadud - the Most-Loving God who is Kind, Compassionate, and Gentle, the Source of Peace and Safety. The first words of creation were: "My Mercy prevails over My Wrath". This short book is fit for both Muslims and non-Muslims alike who wish to understand the Islamic perspective of Allah's Love. Provided here is an answer to the constant attacks against Islam in the modern age. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/329984 Supports Apple iPad/iBooks, Nook, Sony Reader, Kobo, Kindle, Palm and other formats such as PDF, LRF, Adobe Digital Editions, Stanza and more.
Refuting Allegations Against Slavery In Islam
Saracen21stC posted a topic in Refuting non-Muslims
The Islamic position on Slavery: A refutation of doubts by 'Abdullâh bin Muhammad bin Humaid Question : What is the significance of the superiority of a free person to a slave if slavery is not condemned or abolished ? The way the issue of slavery is raised by Christian missionaries and critics of Islam outrages the sensibility of honest people. It is more than probable that such issues are raised with the most dishonest purposes. We say that after examining Jewish and Christian scriptures where slavery is legitimized in its worst forms. The practice of slavery is accepted and praised throughout those texts. Therefore, we may counter their attack by asking : How do the missionaries call people to be converted to Christianity, when this religion legitimizes slavery ? In other words we wonder here : why do these people express abhorrence at an issue which is clearly part of their belief? As against these beliefs, Islam presents an entirely different picture, contrasting with both the two earlier religions and with the state of slavery in the world just before the advent of Islam. Some elaboration is necessary here to exonerate Islam of the undeserved aspersion cast on it in connection with its position on slavery. Islam and Slavery It is an Islamic principle that God created man as a fully responsible creature to carry out all religious duties, to be accountable for doing so, having the necessary volition and free behavior. No other human may restrict that freedom, and if he does he is an oppressor. This is as plain a principle in Islam as plain can be. When someone wonders" How was it that Islam legitimized slavery?"; we reply without embarrassment: "Yes, Islam did legitimize slavery." But fairness and on honest search for truth would demand that one follow up his inquiry and try to comprehend in detail the Islamic legislation concerning slavery. He should comprehend how a slave is treated in Islam, the equality between a free person and a slave in rights and duties, and also he should learn how many methods have been provided for in shariah for freeing slaves. Such legislation will be all the more admirable if it is contracted with other systems, and if contrasted with the modern version of slavery in the so-called civilized world. The reader will observe that there are here numerous quotations from the Qur'an and sunnah, as the practice of the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him, is of special significance here, and to emphasize the importance of separating faulty applications from the original teachings. We may say here that Islam's position on slavery is superior to that of any other creed or system. If things had developed in accordance with the teachings of the Islamic shariah the unfortunate practices that were perpetrated later on would have been avoided. One major faulty practice has been the enslavement of free people through snatching, overpowering, or trickery in both old and recent past. This has led to a horrible custom of slavery in all continents, especially in Europe and Amereica in the last few centuries. Islam takes a very strong exception to such practices. In a qudsi [1] tradition the Prophet says: "Three types of people will stand apart on the day of Resurrection as My enemies - and an enemy of Mine will be doomed; a man who vowed in My name then betrayed, a man who sold a free person as a slave and appropriated his price, and a man who employed a worker and had him do the assigned work then failed to pay him his wages."[2]. The Prophet, peace and blessings of God be on him, says : " Three types of people will not have rewards for their prayer : a man who forces himself as an imam[3], a man who postpones prayer until its time is out and a man who enslaves a free person." [4] It is interesting to note that there is no statement in Al-Qur'an or sunnah ordering a Muslim to enslave, while statements abound in the hundreds which urge the setting free of slaves. At the advent of Islam the ways and means of enslavement were numerous while the outlets to freeing were almost nil; so Islam reversed this formula, by multiplying the outlets to freedom and drying up the sources of enslavement. One such source of enslavement were captives taken in war who were routinely enslaved or killed off. But Islam introduced a third alternative in which a prisoner-of- war is treated well and set free. This is the purport of the following verses of the Sacred Qur'an : " (The devotees of God ).. feed, for the love of God, the indigent, the orphan, and the captive, -(saying), " We feed you for the sake of God alone : no reward do we desire from you, nor thanks." (76, 8-9) The above verses indicate such sympathy and kindness that need no commentary. We may quote here a tradition of the Prophet's, peace be upon him, exhorting noble conduct : "Visit the sick, feed the hungry, and set free the captives'[5]. In the first clash between Muslims and their enemies, the Battle of Badr, the Muslims won, and a number of the noblest Arabs fell captives in the hands of Muslims. If such dignitaries were punished severely they would have deserved such punishment - they had done so much harm to Muslims at the early stage of Islamic da'wah (call to Islam). Nevertheless, the Sacred Qur'an directs the Prophet and his companions in these words : "O Apostle ! say to those who are captives in your hands : 'If God findeth any good in your hearts, He will give you something better than what has been taken from you, and He will forgive you : for God is oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. But if they have treacherous designs against thee (O Apostle), they have already been in treason against God, And God is He who hath (full) knowledge and wisdom." (8, 70-71). Since the beginning of the Islamic da'wah and up to the battle, those men had done Muslims all kinds of injury and cruelty with the intention of overpowering and exterminating them. In a state like this, would it have been good policy to set the captives free at once ? The situation is obviously related to the state's high interests. Therefore, the Muslims accepted ransom to free prisoners-of-war after the Battle of Badr, while after the fall of Makkah its inhabitants were told (by the Prophet): "You may go, for I give you your freedom." At the Raid of Al-Mustalak the Prophet married a noble captive from the defeated tribe, thus raising her status. The result of this was that all Muslims set free all the captives in their hands. It must be clear by now how few ways of enslavement were left open through Islamic legislation. To abolish it completely would not do, since the disbelieving captives had been fierce in confronting the cause of justice and truth at least in being a tool in the hands of oppressors. To set them free as a routine would only have led to the supremacy of oppression and tyranny. After all, the chances of regaining freedom in Islam are numerous and frequent. And the rules of treating slaves are just and merciful. Let's just mention some of the ways of freeing slaves : A share of zakat (i.e. the enjoined charity) is allotted to the freeing of slaves, the atonement for unintended killing, the vow of thihar[6], atonement for broken oaths, for breaking the fast during the day of Ramadan. There is besides this a general appeal to the human sentiment of Muslims to set slaves free for the pleasure of God. As for the treatment of slaves, let's survey here some of the rules laid down by Islam to ensure a decent and kind treatment for them. 1/ Giving them the same food and clothing as taken by their masters Abu Dawood reports on the authority of Al-Ma'roor bin Suwaid that he said : "We entered Abu Thar's house at Al-Ribthah [7] and found him dressed in a garment called 'burd', and found his slave dressed in an identical 'burd'. So we said : ' Why don't you, 0 Abu Thar, wear that 'burd' of your slaves so that you may have a full suit, and give him instead a less sumptuous garment ?' He replied : 'I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of God be upon him say : " Those slaves are your brothers, only God gave you an upper hand over them. So let that who has his brother (i.e. slave) under him give him the same food he himself eats, and the same clothing as he himself wears. The master may not give his brother a task that is beyond his ability. If he does give him such task, let him lend him a hand.". 2/ Recognizing their dignity Abu Hurairah narrates that the Prophet of Repentance (i.e. Prophet Muhammad) said : " Any one who slanders his slave with adultery, and it is a false charge, will receive on the Day of Resurrection the same punishment his slave would have received in the world had the charge been true." [8] Abdul-Lah bin 'Umar freed a slave of his then picked a twig from the ground and said: " I shall not receive for freeing him the worth of this in the Hereafter. I heard the Messenger of Allah say : ' If a man hits or beats his slave, his atonement is the freeing of that slave."[9] 3/ A slave is given the lead in religious or mundane matters which he is skilful at. He can be imam (i.e. to lead the prayer). Aishah had a slave who led her prayer. The believers are even ordered to heed and obey if a slave becomes their ruler, so long as he proves to be better qualified than others. Freedom is man's natural right. No one may be deprived of this right except for an exceptional reason. Although Islam recognizes slavery within the limits we have explained, it strictly warned those who have the upper hand of freedom against manipulating their position for cruel ends. Beyond that, we assert that it is justified to hold a person who falls captive as a result of his aggression, but it is necessary to treat him nicely. If someone does fall a captive and becomes a slave, then shows signs of repentance, gives up his old way of life, forsakes the way of evil and follows a well-guided life, such a person should be set free : Islam favours such response to a slave's conduct. Some Islamic jurists enjoin freeing him and other recommend it ! The Prophet, peace and blessings of God be on him, again and again ordered kindness to the slaves. For instance, when the captives taken in the Battle of Badr were distributed he directed : "Be kind to your captives." Uthman bin 'Affan once punished a slave of his by pinching his ear-lobe. But he told him later : " come and pinch my ear." And when the slave would not do, he insisted. So the slave proceeded to pinch Uthman's ear lightly, but Uthman said : "pinch more painfully, I have no endurance for punishment on the Day of Resurrection." "Well Sir," rejoined the slave, "the day you fear I fear, too." When Abdul-Rahman bin 'Awf walked in the company of his slaves, people would not know who is master and who is slave - nor did he have smarter clothing. 'Umar bin Al-Khattab once walked in Makkah and saw some slaves standing aside waiting, while their master ate. He was angry at this and inquired of the master : "Why do some masters regard themselves as superior to their slaves ? " Then he ordered the slaves to advance and eat. A man once entered the house of Salman, may God be pleased with him, and saw him kneading his dough. "What are you doing, Abu 'Abdullah[10]? " " I have sent my servant on an errand, " he answered. " So I didn't like to give him some more work." This is some of what Islam did for slaves ! The Jews' Attitude to Slaves According to the Jews, people are of two classes, Jews and gentiles. As for Jews, they may be enslaved in some cases within the teachings of the Old Testament. All the others are worthless gentiles. They may be enslaved through subjugation and conquest. They are condemned races who have been written off for misery since an early age. In this regard, some verses from the Book of Exodus are significant: "When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing. If he comes in single, he shall go out single; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go with him. If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master's and he shall go out alone. But if the slave plainly says, ' I love my master, my wife, and may children; I will not go out free, ' then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him for life. When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. If she does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed; he shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has dealt faithfully with her. If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter. If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights. And if he does not do these three things for her, she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money." (21,2-11.) As for enslaving a non-israelite, it might be effected through overpowering or snatching, because they believe that their race is superior to other races. They try to justify such enslavement by referring to texts in their Old Testament. According to that Scripture Ham, son of Noah, father of Canaan, raised the anger of his fater. That was because Noah drank wine one day and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent. Ham, the Father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father. When his father knew what Ham had done to him be said: :" Cursed be Canaan; a slave of slaves shall he be to his brothers. " He also said, " Blessed by the lord my God be Shem; and let Canaan be his slave. God enlarge Japheth, and let him dwell in the tents of Shem; and let Canaan be his slave. " (Genesis, 9, 24-27). Queen Elizabeth I used the above text to justify her trading in slaves in which she was, as we shall see, an active trader. The Christians' Attitude to Slavery There is no condemnation or prohibition of slavery anywhere in the Bible. It is surprising, therefore, that historian William Moyer should reprimand our Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of God be on him, for failing to abolish slavery at once, while he condones the Bible's attitude. Neither Christ, nor his apostles, nor the church make any statement in that connection. On the other hand, St. Paul commands slaves to be loyal to their masters, as may be seen in his Epistle to Ephesos. St. Thomas Aquinas, for his part, added the voice of philosophy to that of churchmen. He did not object his master Aristotle who had accepted slavery as a natural state suitable for a certain type of people. The saints asserted that nature had prepared certain types of people to be slaves. In the Grand Larousse of the nineteenth century one reads : " It is no wonder that slavery lingers among Christians up to the present - the formal representatives of religion still assert its legitimacy and justify it." It also adds : " To sum up, Christianity approved completely of slavery, and it still does, so that no one can prove that this religion endeavoured to abolish slavery,". In the 'Dictionary of the Bible' by Dr. George Joseph, it is stated that Christianity did not object to slavery on either political or economic ground. It did not exhort the believers to argue with their generation about slavery, and not even to raise the issue. It said nothing against the rights of slave owners, nor did it rouse the slaves to seek freedom. It neither discussed the woes and cruelty of slavery, nor did it ordain the immediate freeing of slaves. It is unanimously agreed that Christianity did nothing to alter the relative status of master and slave - it rather endorsed the rights and duties of both parties.' So we call upon all white fathers of the church and the respected reader to contrast the Islamic legislation and the other systems in the world. Modern Europe and Slavery The reader would be right to inquire at this time of progress and development about the attitude of Europe, the pioneer of progress and development, toward slavery. When Europe found its way to Africa it was a disaster for the latter that lasted for five centuries. The Europeans had a genius for devising ways to ensnare the Africans, to take them to Europe or its colonies, and to force them to such drudgery that contributed to a development of economic life. Later on, America joined Europe in subjugating the Africans, and the latter had to serve one more master. The Encyclopaedia Britannica has the following to say about slavery: "The hunting of of slaves from their villages in the midst of jungles was effected by setting fire to the straw used in building barns around the village. Once the villagers ran out for their lives, the English hunted them." Apart from Africans who died during their flight, or on the way to the coast for shipment, one third of the survivors died of bad weather, 45% in traspartation overland, 12% during the sea voyage, and some more died on plantations. The English companies were given the monopoly of trading in slaves by a license from the British government. But, at a later stage, all citizens were given a free hand to import slaves. Experts estimate the total number of Africans imported by the British alone to be slaves between 1680-1786 A.D. at about two million one hundred and thirty thousand. One article of the so called ' Black Code' states that any slave who attacks his master is to be executed, and if he runs away his hands and feet are to be cut off. If he runs away a second time, he is to be killed. (Although how he can do that with his hands and feet cut off beats me. Maybe he will risk it as the kind of life awaiting him is worse than death). One article prohibits education for blacks. Another prohibits a black person from professions preserved for whites. In America one of the laws decreed : It is a felony for seven slaves to meet, and if a white person passes by and sees that they have met, he has the right to spit on them and to give each twenty lashes. Another law stated : Slaves have no souls, no wit, no intelligence, and no will. The life is concentrated in their muscles. In summary: the slave had to take full responsibility for duties, and if he failed to do his full service he was to be punished; but as for his rights, he was no better than an animal without soul or feeling. It is only in this century that the Westerners felt the prick of conscience. It is great injustice on their part to feel superior to Islamic legislations, which were ordained more than fourteen centuries back. It is rather a case of 'projection'; charging others with one's own faults. 1 A tradition in which the prophet speaks for God. 2 Reported by Al-Bukhari. 3 A person who loads congregational prayer. 4 Reported by Abu Dawood and Ibn Majah, both on the authority of Abdul-Rahman bin Zaid Al-Ifreegi. 5 Reported by Al-Bukhari. 6 A vow by which a husband would not cohabit with his wife for a known period. 7 A village in the suburbs of Al-Madinah. 8 Reported by Al-Bukhari. 9 Reported by Muslim and Abu Dawood. 10 I.e. father of Abdullah, a traditional Arabic way of calling a man as father of his eldest son. Extracted from "A Refutation of Doubts about Current Issues" published by Al-Manara Publishing & Distribution Source: http://www.islaam.ne...iew.php?id=1211
Refuting
Manumission
40 Rabbanas (Quranic Duas) For Android Phones - Free
core_user posted a topic in All-in-one Forum
In this holy month of Ramadan, we've released "40 Rabbanas" app for Android devices. This app is now available on Google Play for Free! Forty Rabbanas from The Holy Quran are the supplications imploring Allah for favors, all of the duas start with beseeching Allah with His title of, the Lord of all. If a person reads it with humility and subjugation, there will be a feeling of great satisfaction. Features: ★ Listen to the accurate Arabic recitation for each Dua ★ Scroll through the entire list of 40 duas easily ★ Arabic Text from The Holy Quran ★ English Transliteration for all duas ★ Meaning of duas in 11 languages (English, French, Spanish, German, Dutch, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Hindi) You can download from : http://goo.gl/KIyaZ Let us know about your feedback and suggestions. Thanks for your support!
40 rabbanas
rabbana
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Home Blog Confessions of a Fat Girl 71: Oatmeal, Blueberry and Banana Pancakes!
Confessions of a Fat Girl 71: Oatmeal, Blueberry and Banana Pancakes!
Ihunna
The important lesson that I've taken away from this season is that I can still have a really good time, enjoy plenty of tasty food and wine, without going all out and overboard. My attitude adjustment and new, healthy habits haven't gone out the window, in fact they've been whispering in my ear the entire time, keeping my demons and my waistline pretty much in check.
This week, it's been so far, so good. I've been keeping very closely to my exercise goals, and I feel really good, if just a bit sore from this morning's training session.
JJ felt like staying home today, so, even though he didn't accompany me to the gym, we had some quality time at home. He said he felt like having some pancakes. At first, I wanted to roll my eyes, and go 'Yeah, right! Pancakes indeed!', but it got me thinking about actually trying a healthy version. I do have some oatmeal flour, after all!
And so, my bobo and I set out to make healthy pancakes oh! I was worried that the oatmeal flour wouldn't work, but I couldn't have been more wrong! The pancakes turned out so light and fluffy! I brought a lot of canned fruits with me, from my last trip, so I added a bag of organic blueberries, that were so fat and plump and juicy, which not only made the pancakes even more delicious, they raised the nutrition factor even higher. We had the pancakes with a very light drizzle of natural honey, and garnished with banana slices…but the pancakes were so nice on their own, they really didn't need much tarting up.
I have realised that eating healthy and losing weight can include your favorite things, if you plan for them thoughtfully. Later in the evening, when the kids were settled after school, JJ and I took a walk, to burn off the pancake calories. And I felt really, really good!
Of course, pancakes are not an everyday sometin…but once in a while…you know na! But at 245 calories, not bad at all!
Imagine my husband and I, waking up to gossip, first thing in the morning. We both found ourselves awake at 5am, and proceeded to pray and read Scripture together. That's how Ogonna's gist started. I was shocked with JJ's declaration that he doesn't think Ifeanyi is a bad guy. Even after I added salt and pepper to all the gist about his rudeness and arrogance, my husband still insists that the guy is a cool guy! Imagine!
I now asked him which of the two men he thinks is best for Ogonna. And my husband said something very very profound.
"If Ogonna was really in love with Chiemela, she would not have fallen for Ifeanyi."
Wow! Such a simple statement, but it really put things in perspective for me. JJ is so right! If Chiemela had truly captured Ogonna's heart from the start, Ifeanyi would have had a harder task wooing her away. Could it be that Ogonna had merely been mildly excited about Chiemela…a long lost friend who had resurfaced out of the blue, and who was, by all perspectives, a very eligible bachelor indeed! Age appropriate, never married, good job…she might have been more in love with the thought of him, than the actual man himself.
Thinking about that made me more accepting of the outcome of things. Yes, Chiemela is a great guy, and I will definitely give him a call the next time I'm in New York, but Ogonna most likely had never loved him in the first place.
And then JJ proceeded to crack me up, by remarking about Ifeanyi's resemblance to the Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie. At first, I had a good laugh about the outrageousness of it! But, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that, once again, my husband had a point. Ifeanyi does look like Yul Edochie…a fresher, finer version though…LOL!
Yeah, you can tell that I'm in very high spirits today! Looking forward to a great weekend ahead!
Catch up on Ihunna's story here:
Confessions of a Fat Girl 1: Grubbido
Confessions of a Fat Girl 2: Fragile
Confessions of a Fat Girl 3: Defiant
Confessions of a Fat Girl 4: Progress
Confessions of a Fat Girl 5: The Gym
Confessions of a Fat Girl 6: Killjoy
Confessions of a Fat Girl 7: Pain
Confessions of a Fat Girl 8: Frenemies
Confessions of a Fat Girl 9: Exhilarated
Confessions of a Fat Girl 10: Popcorn
Confessions of a Fat Girl 11: Free-fall
Confessions of a Fat Girl 12: Sunday Morning
Confessions of a Fat Girl 13: Mission Reactivated
Confessions of a Fat Girl 14: New Things
Confessions of a Fat Girl 15: Bad Business
Confessions of a Fat Girl 16: Luxury Items
Confessions of a Fat Girl 17: The Solution
Confessions of a Fat Girl 18: Magic Formula
Confessions of a Fat Girl 19: Date Night
Confessions of a Fat Girl 20: Quinoa
Confessions of a Fat Girl 21: Perfect Fit
Confessions of a Fat Girl 22: Keeping In Touch
Confessions of a Fat Girl 23: Delete
Confessions of a Fat Girl 24: Philosophical
Confessions of a Fat Girl 25: Keep it Moving
Confessions of a Fat Girl 26: My Co-Wife
Confessions of a Fat Girl 27: Old Jeans & Old Friends
Confessions of a Fat Girl 28: Prawn Stir Fry
Confessions of a Fat Girl 29: Facebook Tagging
Confessions of a Fat Girl 30: Detox Part 2
Confessions of a Fat Girl 31: Abs & Crunches
Confessions of a Fat Girl 32: Making Notes
Confessions of a Fat Girl 33: Christmas Party
Confessions of a Fat Girl 34: Ashiedu
Confessions of a Fat Girl 35: Willpower
Confessions of a Fat Girl 36: Packing…and TV
Confessions of a Fat Girl 37: Last Minute
Confessions of a Fat Girl 38: Body Image
Confessions of a Fat Girl 39: Christmas Trip
Confessions of a Fat Girl 40: Christmas in the Village
Confessions of a Fat Girl 41: Daddy's Girl
Confessions of a Fat Girl 42: 2010
Confessions of a Fat Girl 43: Uzoamaka
Confessions of a Fat Girl 44: Sugar Binge
Confessions of a Fat Girl 45: The E-mail
Confessions of a Fat Girl 46: She whose name must not be repeated
Confessions of a Fat Girl 47: Smokescreen
Confessions of a Fat Girl 48: Running away
Confessions of a Fat Girl 49: Fry-Up
Confessions of a Fat Girl 50: The Only Solution
Confessions of a Fat Girl 51: The Intervention
Confessions of a Fat Girl 52: Tri-State Sisters
Confessions of a Fat Girl 53: Manhattan
Confessions of a Fat Girl 54: Daddy's Girls
Confessions of a Fat Girl 55: Stunned Silence
Confessions of a Fat Girl 56: Bereavement
Confessions of a Fat Girl 57: The Reconciliation
Confessions of a Fat Girl 58: Staying Back
Confessions of a Fat Girl 59: Friends & Marriage Proposals
Confessions of a Fat Girl 60: Colourful and Happy
Confessions of a Fat Girl 61: Sweet Potato & Chicken Salad
Confessions of a Fat Girl 62: Miss Amerikana
Confessions of a Fat Girl 63: Tragi-Romantic
Confessions of a Fat Girl 64: Dead to me
Confessions of a Fat Girl 65: Love Triangle
Confessions of a Fat Girl 66: Forever my lady
Confessions of a Fat Girl 67: Fight to the death
Confessions of a Fat Girl 68: Hard choice to make
Confessions of a Fat Girl 69: Back to reality
Confessions of a Fat Girl 70: Life Reflections
Chiemela
Edochie
Ogonna
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Summary: Experts, especially scientists, wield increasing power in western societies. Roger Pielke Jr. looks at the political implications, and how this is boosting our dysfunctional political polarization.
Presentation by Roger Pielke Jr.
Given at a workshop on Democratisation of Science – epistemological issues and new perspectives.
Held at Lyon, France on 30 May 2018.
In this presentation, Pielke discusses one of the vital but seldom mentioned issues of our time: the increasingly powerful role of experts in politics, and how their arrogance is contributing to political polarization in the West. In many ways the products of our university system, wielding their credentials, have become an special interest — like medieval priests. In some cases, with powerful expertise. In some cases, with actual expertise less than that of medieval priests.
Reconciling expertise with democracy is an unavoidable and eternal struggle.
Experts are essential to 21st century governance in and out of government.
"Political myth" refers to a shared narrative that explains past, present and future political events.
See the polarizing power politics of the Brahmin left (~2005 to present).
He critiques the large and growing risk of experts becoming a conventional, interest-based political movement.
Pielke shows much about the rise of our new leftists Brahmins. He does not discuss the related but larger issue: do their credentials improve their public policy decisions. A look at western public policy suggests that under their direction, we might be sailing off a cliff. They are altering our society based on ideologies, without research, experiments, or tests. Communism was the product of Western universities. Much of the world is still recovering from that experiment.
See the For More Information section below for posts discussing this.
An anthropologist announces the fall of the liberal professional class.
Scientists only are experts and get attention if what they say fits the narrative. Otherwise the are ignored or like James Watson they are pilloried if it is against the narrative.
That nails. it. The poster child for this is the author of this presentation – Roger Pielke, Jr. Said something against the narrative and lynched – despite agreement of the IPCC and p-r literature.
The results of this will, I believe, not be pretty.
Pingback: Pielke: Scientists as both experts and political myth-makers | Watts Up With That?


Prime oven real estate is taken up by pots and pans.
And finding a plastic bag in the cabinet means digging yourself out from under a pile of them.
Double-check and make sure the plastic bag you took out isn't filled with 127 other plastic bags.
Your family thinks the kitchen is the best place to dance.
Juan Luis Guerra will be invited to every dinner, and you're just going to have to deal with that.
Like bread? You'd goddamn better.
You're lucky your birthday cake wasn't a candle stuck in a piece of white bread.
Forgetting the tortilla will ruin your whole day.
Don't check your texts. Don't look out the window. Don't even think. Just stare at the tortilla and pray.
And you can't even ask a simple question around here!
Oh, did you want a burger? Some fries? Did you want to even think about soda? HA, THINK AGAIN!
The struggle, man. The struggle.
What kitchen struggle have you dealt with? And can you give me a ride to get fries? I won't tell our moms.
There's never going to be another one like Selena. That's why a festival in Corpus Christi, Texas, dedicated to her is so is so awesome.
Selena Quintanilla remains queen 21 years after her death. In fact, there's a new generation of fans that come together every year at Fiesta de la Flor in Corpus Christi to honor her.
Aside from music, fans can appreciate cool Selena fan art.
And take pictures with Chris Perez.
That's like one degree of separation from the queen.
One quality that made her so iconic was that Selena taught us how to be confident in our own skin. She had no problem showing off her curves.
The famous jumpsuit she wore for her last concert is a top favorite. "We may not look as great, but we're wearing it," a fan said. "We don't care what other people think, just like Selena," another responded.
"She's an empowering woman. I feel like she broke the mold for women, not just in Tejano, but in general," her fans said.
A new generation of Selena fans prove she's still the Queen af…A new generation of Selena fans prove she's still the Queen after all these years.


text:
Pong = {
	Defaults: {
		width:        640,   // logical canvas width (browser will scale to physical canvas size - which is controlled by @media css queries)
		height:       480,   // logical canvas height (ditto)
		wallWidth:    12,
		paddleWidth:  12,
		paddleHeight: 60,
		ballRadius:   5
	},

	Colors: {
		walls:           'white',
		ball:            'cyan',
		score:           'white'
	},

	Images: [
		"images/winner.png"
	],

	socket:               null,
	socketIsConnected:    false,
	playerId:             null,
	playerNumber:         null,
	playerPaddleIsMoving: false,
	otherPlayerId:        null,
	gameSlotId:           null,
	gameStatus:           null,
	countdownTimer:       0,

	//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

	initialize: function(runner, cfg) {
		Game.loadImages(Pong.Images, function(images) {
			this.cfg         = cfg;
			this.runner      = runner;
			this.width       = runner.width;
			this.height      = runner.height;
			this.images      = images;
			this.scores      = [0, 0];
			this.UI          = Object.construct(Pong.UI,     this);
			this.court       = Object.construct(Pong.Court,  this);
			this.leftPaddle  = Object.construct(Pong.Paddle, this);
			this.rightPaddle = Object.construct(Pong.Paddle, this, true);
			this.ball        = Object.construct(Pong.Ball,   this);

			this.socket = io.connect('10.10.2.32', { port: 1904 });

			this.socket.on('game_update', function(data) {
				if (data.ball != null) {
					this.ball.setPosition(data.ball[0], data.ball[1]);
				} else {
					this.ball.setPosition(null, null);
				}

				if (data.paddles != null) {
					if (data.paddles[this.playerId] != null) {
						this.leftPaddle.setY(data.paddles[this.playerId]);
					}
					if (data.paddles[this.otherPlayerId] != null) {
						this.rightPaddle.setY(data.paddles[this.otherPlayerId]);
					}
				}

				if (data.scores != null) {
					this.scores = data.scores;
				}
			}.bind(this));

			this.socket.on('game_start', function(data) {
				this.gameStatus = Game.STATUS.BALL_IN_GAME;
			}.bind(this));

			this.socket.on('game_stop', function(data) {
				console.log(this.playerNumber, data);
				if (data.winner != null) {
					this.UI.declareWinner(data.winner);
				}
				this.gameStatus = Game.STATUS.TERMINATED;
			}.bind(this));

			this.socket.on('game_showCountdown', function(data) {
				this.gameStatus = Game.STATUS.COUNTDOWN;
				this.countdownTimer = data.timer;
			}.bind(this));

			this.socket.on('game_waitingForOtherPlayer', function(data) {
				console.log('game_waitingForOtherPlayer', data);

				this.gameStatus = Game.STATUS.WAITING_FOR_PLAYER;
			}.bind(this));

			this.socket.on('game_otherPlayerJoined', function(data) {
				console.log('game_otherPlayerJoined', data);
				this.otherPlayerId = data.otherPlayerId;
			}.bind(this));

			this.socket.on('game_initialized', function(data) {
				console.log('game_initialized', data)

				this.playerId      = data.playerId;
				this.otherPlayerId = data.otherPlayerId;
				this.gameSlotId    = data.gameSlotId;
				this.playerNumber  = data.playerNumber;
				this.runner.start();
			}.bind(this));

			this.socket.on('game_terminated', function(data) {
				this.runner.stop();
				this.gameStatus    = Game.STATUS.TERMINATED;
				this.otherPlayerId = null;
				this.gameSlotId    = null;
				this.winner        = null;
				this.playerNumber  = null;

				window.setTimeout(function() {
					this.gameStatus = Game.STATUS.WAITING_FOR_PLAYER;
					this.socket.emit('game_initialize', { createNewGameSlot: false });
				}.bind(this), 10000);
			}.bind(this));

			this.socket.on('connect', function() {
				this.socketIsConnected = true;

				this.socket.emit('game_initialize', { createNewGameSlot: false });
			}.bind(this));

			this.socket.on('error', function() {
				console.error('ERROR');
				this.socket.disconnect();
				this.socketIsConnected = false;
			}.bind(this))
		}.bind(this));
	},

	start: function() {
		if (!this.playing) {
			this.scores = [0, 0];
			this.playing = true;

			this.ball.reset();
			this.runner.hideCursor();
		}
	},

	stop: function(ask) {
		if (this.playing) {
			if (!ask || this.runner.confirm('Abandon game in progress ?')) {
				this.playing = false;

				this.runner.showCursor();
			}
		}
	},

	draw: function(ctx) {
		if (this.playerNumber == 1) {
			this.court.draw(ctx, this.scores[0], this.scores[1]);
		} else {
			this.court.draw(ctx, this.scores[1], this.scores[0]);
		}

		this.leftPaddle.draw(ctx);
		this.rightPaddle.draw(ctx);

		if (this.gameStatus == Game.STATUS.BALL_IN_GAME) {
			this.ball.draw(ctx);
		}

		this.UI.draw(ctx);
	},

	onkeydown: function(keyCode) {
		if (this.socketIsConnected) {
			switch(keyCode) {
				case Game.KEY.ESC:
					this.stop(true);
				break;

				case Game.KEY.Q:
					if (!this.playerPaddleIsMoving) {
						this.playerPaddleIsMoving = true;
						this.socket.emit('moveUp', { gameSlotId: this.gameSlotId });
					}
				break;

				case Game.KEY.A:
					if (!this.playerPaddleIsMoving) {
						this.playerPaddleIsMoving = true;
						this.socket.emit('moveDown', { gameSlotId: this.gameSlotId });
					}
				break;
			}
		}
	},

	onkeyup: function(keyCode) {
		if (this.socketIsConnected) {
			switch(keyCode) {
				case Game.KEY.Q:
					this.playerPaddleIsMoving = false;
					this.socket.emit('stopMoving', { gameSlotId: this.gameSlotId });
				break;

				case Game.KEY.A:
					this.playerPaddleIsMoving = false;
					this.socket.emit('stopMoving', { gameSlotId: this.gameSlotId });
				break;
			}
		}
	},

	//=============================================================================
	// UI
	//=============================================================================

	UI: {
		initialize: function(pong) {
			this.game = pong;

			var winner = pong.images["images/winner.png"];
			this.winnerLeft = { image: winner, x: (pong.width/2) - winner.width - pong.cfg.wallWidth, y: 6 * pong.cfg.wallWidth };
			this.winnerRight = { image: winner, x: (pong.width/2)                + pong.cfg.wallWidth, y: 6 * pong.cfg.wallWidth };

			this.winner = null;
		},

		declareWinner: function(playerNumber) {
			this.winner = playerNumber;
		},

		draw: function(ctx) {
			if (this.game.playerId) {
				ctx.fillStyle = 'black';
				ctx.font = 'bold 10px sans-serif';
				ctx.textBaseline = 'middle';
				ctx.textAlign = 'left';
				ctx.fillText('You: ' + this.game.playerId, 4, 5);

				var otherPlayerId = 'Other player: ' + (this.game.otherPlayerId || '... waiting');
				var metrics = ctx.measureText(otherPlayerId);
				ctx.fillText(otherPlayerId, this.game.width - metrics.width - 4, 5);
			}

			if (this.game.gameStatus === Game.STATUS.WAITING_FOR_PLAYER) {
				this.drawMessageBox(ctx, 'Waiting for other player...');
			} else if (this.game.gameStatus === Game.STATUS.TERMINATED) {
				if (this.winner != null) {
					if (this.winner == this.game.playerNumber) {
						ctx.drawImage(this.winnerRight.image, this.winnerRight.x, this.winnerRight.y);
					} else {
						ctx.drawImage(this.winnerLeft.image,  this.winnerLeft.x,  this.winnerLeft.y);
					}
				} else {
					this.drawMessageBox(ctx, 'GAME IS TERMINATED');
				}
			} else if (this.game.gameStatus === Game.STATUS.COUNTDOWN) {
				if (this.game.countdownTimer > 0) {
					this.drawMessageBox(ctx, "" + this.game.countdownTimer, 75, 40);
				}
			} else {
				if (this.winner == 0)
					ctx.drawImage(this.winner1.image, this.winner1.x, this.winner1.y);
				else if (this.winner == 1)
					ctx.drawImage(this.winner2.image, this.winner2.x, this.winner2.y);
			}
		},

		drawMessageBox: function(ctx, message, width, fontSize) {
			var padding = 20;
			var maxWidth = this.game.cfg.width;

			var widthWasNull = width == null;
			if (widthWasNull) {
				width = maxWidth - 50;
			}
			if (fontSize == null) {
				fontSize = 12;
			}

			var lineHeight = fontSize + 5;

			var textInfo = this.getTextInfo(ctx, message, width, lineHeight);
			var height = textInfo.numOfLines * lineHeight + (2 * padding);

			if (textInfo.maxWidth < width && widthWasNull) {
				width = textInfo.maxWidth + (2 * padding);
			}

			ctx.fillStyle = 'black';
			ctx.fillRect(
				(this.game.width / 2) - (width / 2),
				(this.game.height / 2) - (height / 2),
				width, height
			);

			ctx.strokeStyle = 'red';
			for (var i=0; i<3; i++) {
				ctx.strokeRect(
					this.game.width / 2 - (width / 2) + i,
					this.game.height / 2 - (height / 2) + i,
					width - (i * 2), height - (i * 2)
				);
			}

			ctx.fillStyle = 'white';
			ctx.font = fontSize + 'px Arial';
			ctx.textBaseline = 'middle';
			ctx.textAlign = 'center';

			this.wrapText(
				ctx, message,
				(this.game.width / 2),
				(this.game.height / 2),
				width,
				lineHeight
			);
		},

		wrapText: function(ctx, text, x, y, maxWidth, lineHeight) {
			var words = text.split(' ');
			var line = '';

			for(var n = 0; n < words.length; n++) {
				var testLine = line + words[n] + ' ';
				var metrics = ctx.measureText(testLine);
				var testWidth = metrics.width;
				if (testWidth > maxWidth && n > 0) {
					ctx.fillText(line, x, y);
					line = words[n] + ' ';
					y += lineHeight;
				}
				else {
					line = testLine;
				}
			}
			ctx.fillText(line, x, y);
		},

		getTextInfo: function(ctx, text, maxWidth, lineHeight) {
			var words = text.split(' ');
			var line = '';
			var result = {
				numOfLines: 1,
				maxWidth: 0
			};

			for (var n = 0; n < words.length; n++) {
				var testLine = line + words[n] + ' ';
				var metrics = ctx.measureText(testLine);
				var testWidth = metrics.width;

				if (testWidth > result.maxWidth) {
					result.maxWidth = testWidth;
				}

				if (testWidth > maxWidth && n > 0) {
					result.numOfLines++;
				} else {
					line = testLine;
				}
			}

			return result;
		}
	},

	//=============================================================================
	// COURT
	//=============================================================================

	Court: {
		initialize: function(pong) {
			var w  = pong.width;
			var h  = pong.height;
			var ww = pong.cfg.wallWidth;

			this.ww    = ww;
			this.walls = [];
			this.walls.push({x: 0, y: 0,      width: w, height: ww});
			this.walls.push({x: 0, y: h - ww, width: w, height: ww});
			var nMax = (h / (ww*2));
			for(var n = 0 ; n < nMax ; n++) { // draw dashed halfway line
				this.walls.push({x: (w / 2) - (ww / 2),
					y: (ww / 2) + (ww * 2 * n),
					width: ww, height: ww});
			}

			var sw = 3*ww;
			var sh = 4*ww;
			this.score1 = {x: 0.5 + (w/2) - 1.5*ww - sw, y: 2*ww, w: sw, h: sh};
			this.score2 = {x: 0.5 + (w/2) + 1.5*ww,      y: 2*ww, w: sw, h: sh};
		},

		draw: function(ctx, scorePlayer1, scorePlayer2) {
			ctx.fillStyle = Pong.Colors.walls;
			for(var n = 0 ; n < this.walls.length ; n++)
				ctx.fillRect(this.walls[n].x, this.walls[n].y, this.walls[n].width, this.walls[n].height);
			this.drawDigit(ctx, scorePlayer1, this.score1.x, this.score1.y, this.score1.w, this.score1.h);
			this.drawDigit(ctx, scorePlayer2, this.score2.x, this.score2.y, this.score2.w, this.score2.h);
		},

		drawDigit: function(ctx, n, x, y, w, h) {
			ctx.fillStyle = Pong.Colors.score;
			var dw = dh = this.ww*4/5;
			var blocks = Pong.Court.DIGITS[n];
			if (blocks[0])
				ctx.fillRect(x, y, w, dh);
			if (blocks[1])
				ctx.fillRect(x, y, dw, h/2);
			if (blocks[2])
				ctx.fillRect(x+w-dw, y, dw, h/2);
			if (blocks[3])
				ctx.fillRect(x, y + h/2 - dh/2, w, dh);
			if (blocks[4])
				ctx.fillRect(x, y + h/2, dw, h/2);
			if (blocks[5])
				ctx.fillRect(x+w-dw, y + h/2, dw, h/2);
			if (blocks[6])
				ctx.fillRect(x, y+h-dh, w, dh);
		},

		DIGITS: [
			[1, 1, 1, 0, 1, 1, 1], // 0
			[0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0], // 1
			[1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1], // 2
			[1, 0, 1, 1, 0, 1, 1], // 3
			[0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1, 0], // 4
			[1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 1], // 5
			[1, 1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1], // 6
			[1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0], // 7
			[1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1], // 8
			[1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1, 0]  // 9
		]
	},

	//=============================================================================
	// PADDLE
	//=============================================================================

	Paddle: {
		initialize: function(pong, rhs) {
			this.pong   = pong;
			this.width  = pong.cfg.paddleWidth;
			this.height = pong.cfg.paddleHeight;

			this.x = rhs ? pong.width - this.width : 0;
			this.y = null;
		},

		setY: function(y) {
			this.y = y;
		},

		draw: function(ctx) {
			if (this.y !== null) {
				ctx.fillStyle = Pong.Colors.walls;
				ctx.fillRect(this.x, this.y, this.width, this.height);
				if (this.prediction && this.pong.cfg.predictions) {
					ctx.strokeStyle = Pong.Colors.predictionExact;
					ctx.strokeRect(this.prediction.x - this.prediction.radius, this.prediction.exactY - this.prediction.radius, this.prediction.radius*2, this.prediction.radius*2);
					ctx.strokeStyle = Pong.Colors.predictionGuess;
					ctx.strokeRect(this.prediction.x - this.prediction.radius, this.prediction.y - this.prediction.radius, this.prediction.radius*2, this.prediction.radius*2);
				}
			}
		}
	},

	//=============================================================================
	// BALL
	//=============================================================================

	Ball: {
		initialize: function(pong) {
			this._x      = null;
			this._y      = null;
			this._pong   = pong;
			this._radius = pong.cfg.ballRadius;
		},

		setPosition: function(x, y) {
			this._x = x;
			if (this._x != null && this._pong.playerNumber == 2) {
				this._x = Math.abs(this._pong.cfg.width - this._x);
			}
			this._y = y;
		},

		draw: function(ctx) {
			if (this._y !== null) {
				var w = h = this._radius * 2;
				ctx.fillStyle = Pong.Colors.ball;
				ctx.fillRect(
					this._x - this._radius, this._y - this._radius, w, h
				);
			}
		}
	}
}; // Pong

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Daily Marketing Services
Floor Plan Creation
What's Cookin' Nashville
Class Instructor – Dan Zellars
Employment Recruitment
Real Estate Seminars
~ Nashville TN
"Real Estate Companies Will Die"?
Posted by dailymarketingservicesnashville in Daily Marketing Services, Inman, Nashville Tennessee, Real Estate Technological, Showcase Photographers
Pete Flint: 'The majority of traditional real estate companies will die'
Disruption already came to hospitality, media and retail — the home sale transaction is no exception, Trulia co-founder tells ICNY attendees
BY EMMA HINCHLIFFE
TODAY 8:12 A.M.
Faster. Better. Together.
Inman Connect San Francisco, Jul 16-20, 2018
NEW YORK — Real estate will face a reckoning over the next 10 years as technology finally disrupts the industry in a big way, Trulia co-founder Pete Flinttold attendees at Inman Connect New York on Friday during his Capital Connect keynote.
"There's a technology tsunami coming in," Flint said. "A lot of low-lying areas have been covered — media, communications, information. This nonstop technology tsunami is moving higher and higher and higher into operations, into brokerages, into franchises, into physical real estate, and it's frankly unstoppable."
Flint, now an investor with the venture firm NFX, spoke with Wired senior writer Erin Griffith about his experience building and exiting Trulia, his thoughts on real estate tech investing and how he expects the industry to transform drastically over the next decade.
"It's a slow-moving industry. There's a 10-year window here. But the majority of traditional real estate companies will die," Flint said.
While the decade after Trulia's founding in 2005 was about revolutionizing the search process, Flint said, technology is now targeting the real estate transaction.
Consumers are realizing that real estate is behind the curve compared to most other industries, and they're not sure what value the big companies bring anymore, according to Flint.
Get an edge with smart home tech in 2018
3 ways real estate agents can stay ahead of the smart home trend READ MORE
"Consumers have had enough," Flint said. "They've seen transformation in hospitality, in retail, in all these other industries, and they're saying, 'Where's the transformation in real estate?'"
Real estate has fallen behind on the technology front due to the industry's structure, Flint said. The franchise model and agents' employment as independent contractors makes it hard for big companies to evolve. At the same time, there hasn't been one single leader in real estate to lead the charge on technological advancement.
Consumers can't differentiate between Keller Williams and Re/Max, but they do know the difference between Compass and Opendoor. Only startups have been able to try new models, Flint said.
"The companies are realizing that it's often easier to start a new company and change from a blank sheet of paper than it is to change an existing company," Flint said.
Through NFX, Flint is now investing in tech and software companies that work in the real estate industry. Flint left Trulia's board six months ago after staying on to help manage the transition when Trulia was acquired by Zillow in 2015.
The $150 million fund is pitching investors its thesis around network effects: the idea that a product gets better for all users the more users it gains.
And it's not just real estate that's facing the late-stage tech disruption Flint is predicting. "Early-stage venture capital will be transformed by technology in the same way Wall Street's been transformed," Flint said.
Email Emma Hinchliffe
Article image credited to Kaliya Warren
Daily Marketing Blog
Keys to a strong company culture April 25, 2018
"Real Estate Companies Will Die"? January 26, 2018
7 ways to get fired by your buyer clients January 6, 2018
Watch out for these 5 website trends in 2018 December 27, 2017
Introducing the 2017 Inman Person of the Year December 21, 2017


SigOpt was born out of the desire to make experts more efficient. While co-founder Scott Clark was completing his PhD at Cornell he noticed that often the final stage of research was a domain expert tweaking what they had built via trial and error. After completing his PhD, Scott developed MOE to solve this problem, and used it to optimize machine learning models and A/B tests at Yelp. SigOpt was founded in 2014 to bring this technology to every expert in every field.


text:
Medicaid Startup 'NUNA' Offers a Solution to Health Data System
Stanford MBA Conducts a Case Study of K-Beauty Startup
Korean Coffee Franchise TOM N TOMS to Revamp
Shoppertainment – The Symbiosis of K-Pop and TV Home Shopping
On April 3, K-pop girl group Oh My Girl's unit group Oh My Girl Banhana made a debut through a showcase performance. Interestingly, the...
Nordstrom to Drop Ivanka Trump's Clothing Brand
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Koreatown's New Food Court Brings Hottest Food Trends to One Place
New food court to be open on the third floor of California Marketplace on Western and 5th plans to bring the latest food trend...
Zion Mart to Open in Irvine
Zion Market brings another Korean grocery store to Irvine. This time, however, the store will open as a "mart" instead of a "market." Upcoming Zion...
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The stage is set for a battle between Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, as the two rivals are slated to unveil their flagship smartphones...
San Francisco Bakeries Expand to Seoul
San Francisco's renowned bakeries are heading to Seoul, Korea. In the midst of the domination of large-scale franchise bakeries in the city, the American...
Have a Boozy Reading Experience at Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble announced on June 23rd its plan to open four new concept stores serving alcoholic beverages, as well as expanded food menu....
Where Does Amazon's Profits Really Come From?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MUJn4Lcz2U The world's largest electronic commerce company Amazon actually earns its greatest profits through a different subsidiary company, and not through its commerce business. The...
All New Tom N Toms Black Will Be Entering LA Koreatown
A more luxurious brand of the original 'Tom N Toms' coffee shop, 'Tom N Toms Black' will be entering LA Koreatown soon. Tom N Toms...
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Most of Koreatown restaurants and businesses plan to stay open for Thanksgiving, according to the research conducted by The Korea Daily. A week prior to...


text:
Only Certain Home Improvements Pay Off.
The Appraisal Institute, the nation's largest professional association of real estate appraisers, today encouraged homeowners to exercise good judgment when deciding which home improvement projects to take on, saying that not all renovations enhance property values.
"It's very important that renovations stay within, but not exceed, community norms," said Appraisal Institute President Ken P. Wilson, MAI, SRA. "If they don't match what's standard in a community, owners could have difficulty recouping their investment when selling the property."
According to Remodeling magazine's most recent Cost vs. Value report, some of the projects with the highest expected return on investment are entry door replacement (steel), deck addition (wood), garage door replacement, attic bedroom and minor kitchen remodel. Other renovations with high expected pay-offs include window replacement (wood and vinyl), siding replacement (vinyl) and basement remodel.
Wilson advised homeowners that it may be best to hold off on major renovations if a homeowner isn't sure how long they will be in the home. The longer a homeowner stays in a property, the greater the opportunity for a return on investment, he said.
"Consumers should be aware that cost does not necessarily equal value," he added.
For an unbiased analysis of what their home would be worth both before and after an improvement project, a homeowner can work with a professional real estate appraiser – such as a Designated member of the Appraisal Institute – to conduct a feasibility study.
During a feasibility study, the appraiser will analyze the homeowner's property, weigh the cost of rehabilitation and provide an estimate of the property's value before and after the improvement.
Some green and energy-efficient renovations, such as adding Energy Star appliances and extra insulation, are likely to pay the homeowner back in lowered utility bills relatively quickly. Lower utility costs also are a draw for potential homebuyers. When appraising a home, the appraiser evaluates local supply and demand for green and energy-efficient properties and features.
The Appraisal Institute offers a free, informative brochuretitled "Remodeling & Rehabbing," which provides consumers with valuable advice on home remodeling.
New Guidance on Valuing 'Green' Buildings
When valuing green buildings, real estate appraisers' analysis must be supported by market data on the subject property that helps explain why it stands out from its conventional peers, according to guidance issued today by the Appraisal Institute and the Institute for Market Transformation.
Seeking to assist owners who retrofit an existing building or build a new one with energy-efficient features, the two organizations issued "Green Building and Property Value A Primer For Building Owners and Developers."
"As owners and developers enhance buildings with energy-efficient features, appraisers can help make the case for green appraisal value," said Appraisal Institute President Ken P. Wilson, MAI, SRA.
According to the organizations' guidance, because these buildings with energy-efficient features are different from traditional ones, owners have had to change not only how they design, build and market, but also how they approach financing and construction processes. Otherwise, owners may pay for green — with certifications, capital improvements and marketing — and not fully realize the expected market benefits.
Moving beyond the value that accrues to owners from rents, operational savings and market recognition at sale, the guide helps building owners and developers understand the appraisal process and how green, high performance characteristics and data can be used by appraisers to help fully maximize valuation.
The Appraisal Institute's and Institute for Market Transformation's guide also includes sections on:
• Leading Indicators (local market, comparables, incomes and expenses, tenant demands, costs).
• Four Components of Value and How Green Fits In (revenue, occupancy, operating expenses, risk).
• Navigating the Appraisal Process (internal valuation, refinance, sale).
• Talking to Lenders.
• Getting an Appraisal That Values Green (helpful interventions by the building owner).
• Owner Checklist for Appraisals.
• Green Asset Value: Positive Considerations and Downside Risk.
"The Appraisal Institute encourages building owners to work with appraisers who are experienced in the area of green valuation to help ensure a credible, reliable opinion of value," Wilson said. "Building owners can help their cause by providing as much data as possible to the appraiser, along with any relevant market research."
For the full report see here.
New Report Affirms Solar Panels Increase Home Values
A study from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that each kilowatt of solar capacity could add about $6,000 in value to a home — at least in California, Fast Company reported Jan. 3.
A typical residential installation consists of a 5KW array, which could increase a home's value by $30,000.
The study compared the value of 1,894 California homes with solar panels against 70,425 homes without a solar installation. All the homes were sold between 2000 and 2009, and had systems purchased outright rather than leased (leasing is more common).
The study noted that "solar premiums" fell sharply as arrays got older, dropping about 9 percent per year across the homes studied. However, the solar premiums fell at a rate significantly higher than the rate of panel performance, which the research showed only dropped about 0.5 percent per year, Fast Company reported.
"[The panels] might be perceived as older technology, even if they're still producing electricity at the expected rate," lead author Ben Hoen explained, Fast Company reported.
Hoen said he plans to do research in other states, and for homes with solar leases.
The findings mirrored those reported Oct. 31 by the Appraisal Institute, which partnered with the Colorado Energy Office and found that solar arrays increased market value and almost always decreased marketing time of single-family homes in the Denver metropolitan area.
Read the report: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory study.
Landscaping, which can significantly affect property values.
The Appraisal Institute, the nation's largest professional association of real estate appraisers, today advised homeowners to properly maintain their landscaping, which can significantly affect property values.
"If a landscaping change is positive, it can often enhance price and reduce a home's time on the market," said Appraisal Institute President Richard L. Borges II, MAI, SRA. "But if the change is negative, it can lower the price and lengthen the time a home remains for sale."
Curb appeal is essential when selling a home, Borges said, noting it's the homeowner's opportunity to make a great first impression. A home with lackluster landscaping or an exterior in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint will likely be unappealing to prospective buyers and ultimately could affect the home's potential resale value, he said.
Landscaping is typically associated with lawns, trees, bushes and flowers. But other items also can be considered part of landscaping, such as fire pits, decks, patios, waterfalls, swimming pools and outdoor lighting … all of which could add to the value of the home.
Borges added that homeowners should trim growth regularly, replant approximately every 5 to 10 years depending on growth and not "overwhelm" the house. He also advised that homeowners check out what their neighbors have done and keep landscaping maintenance and improvements on par with neighborhood norms.
According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, trees that are too close to buildings may be fire hazards. Additionally, larger tree root systems that extend underneath a house can cause foundation uplift and can leech water from the soil beneath foundations, causing the structures to settle and sink unevenly.
According to a recent study conducted by Lawn & Landscape magazine, about two-thirds of homeowners say they'll get less than 60 percent of their landscaping investment back when they sell the home.
"Landscaping improvements could make an impact on resale value, and homeowners need to consider how long they'll be in the home and whether to make short-term updates or plan for the long haul," Borges said.
Borges said homeowners should ask themselves the following questions when it comes to the quality of their home's green space:
Is the landscaping attractive enough to make the prospective buyer walk through the front door? Keep the design contemporary and in line with comparable properties in the area.
Could the landscaping provide cost savings? Landscaping that requires little or no water to maintain could be desirable depending on the geographic area.
Is the landscaping energy-efficient for the home overall? For example, it's a good idea to plant trees in a place where they block the sun in locations with year-round hot climates.
Are the trees planted at a safe distance from the home and are they healthy and well maintained? Weak, old or damaged trees planted too close to a home or building could pose dangers to the home's structure and will need to be removed. Consumers should also be sure that mulching or beds don't get too close to wood around foundations to avoid wood-destroying organisms.
Solar Electric Systems Positively Impact Home Values
The nation's largest professional association of real estate appraisers today announced that solar photovoltaic systems typically increase market value and almost always decrease marketing time of single-family homes in the Denver metropolitan area.
The Appraisal Institute partnered with the Colorado Energy Office to provide an analysis of the impact of solar PV systems on the home-buying process. The study sought to better understand the impact, if any, that solar PV has on the sales transaction process.
According to the study, homeowners in the Denver metro area over time increasingly have sought residential homes with PV systems.
"While the study shows that solar PV systems typically increase market value, appraisers with knowledge and experience in this area are uniquely positioned to provide credible, reliable opinions of value and accurately reflect what's happening in a particular market," said Appraisal Institute President Richard L. Borges II, MAI, SRA.
A PV system is a solar electric system that is designed to convert sunlight into electricity. The Appraisal Institute worked with the Colorado Energy Office to analyze 30 homes in the northwest Denver metropolitan area that sold and closed between Jan. 1, 2011, and May 31, 2013, with properties ranging in sale price from $200,000 to $680,000. The 30 case studies each consisted of a single-family residential home that had a PV system installed at the time of sale.
This report was reviewed by professionals of the Colorado Chapter of the Appraisal Institute prior to the publication and dissemination to real estate transaction stakeholders. These reviewers provided both review and comments per the terms of a memorandum of understanding, signed in October 2012 by Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and Appraisal Institute CEO Frederick H. Grubbe, which seeks to address a need for data in valuing homes with green and energy-efficient features.
"As a thought leader in green valuation at the local and national level, we were glad to be part of this important study," Borges said. "Our organization takes pride in educating the public about the ways energy-efficient home features could impact home values."
Working with the Colorado Energy Office on this study is the most recent example of the Appraisal Institute's leadership in green valuation efforts.
AI President Richard L. Borges II, MAI, SRA, discusses which home improvements are likely worth the investment
GSEs Want 'Perfect' Mortgages
Residential Update
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have started to electronically validate all loans they purchase in order to better flag defective ones and to better assess risk when banks sell mortgages to the two government-sponsored enterprises, National Mortgage News reported Sept. 18.
Steve Spies, vice president of loan quality and lender assessment at Fannie, said the GSE's new expectation is "zero defects."
Previously, the GSEs only reviewed a sample of the loans and only after they defaulted. Now they will review all loans within 120 days of purchase and grade lenders on underwriting, quality control and governance; should banks sell GSEs defective loans, they immediately will be forced to repurchase them.
Fannie and Freddie reported that most underwriting defects are related to lenders failing to obtain copies of all necessary paperwork for supporting loan decisions; with rising interest rates, the GSEs worry that banks have begun loosening standards.
"As rates go up, the credit box will try to be expanded, corners will be cut and that's when we will be on the front lines," Chris Mock, Freddie's vice president of quality control, told National Mortgage News.
Fannie and Freddie also have begun reviewing 10 percent of all loans where quality control processes have been outsourced. National Mortgage News reported that Fannie currently has 500 employees working on ensuring lender compliance, and Freddie has 250.
The tougher standards should benefit banks, as well. One component of the new guidelines is that lenders don't have to repurchase a failed loan as long as it performs for three years, and loans refinanced through the Home Affordable Refinance Program are relieved of repurchase requirements after only a year of consecutive on-time payments.
Becky Walzak, president of Walzak Consulting in Deerfield Beach, Fla., told National Mortgage News that it won't be easy for banks to keep up with the new standards.
"They want lenders inspecting every single loan and sending it back if it's not right, and that is so extremely expensive, lenders cannot afford to do that," she told National Mortgage News. "They want more people looking at compliance and loan quality, so now we have this subpopulation of people at these lenders checking the checkers and paying for it. That's why the cost of a loan will go up."
Fannie and Freddie argue, however, that the new standards are necessary to avoid another housing bust. Since 2008, banks have had to repurchase thousands of defaulted and non-performing loans, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency has launched 18 lawsuits against banks for misrepresenting loan quality.
source appraisalinstitute


sorry that I did not upload pictures with my last post. Actually I tried really hard but the internet connection in the mountains was just to slow.
In the last weeks I came through a variety of different landscapes: On my way to Finse I had a spectacular view on a side branch of the Hardangerjøkulen glacier. Around Finse there was still a substantial amount of snow – back to winter once more 🙂 The city itself was still deserted, because the winter season had ended and the summer season had not yet begun.
From Finse I entered Skarvheimen. Although it is a mountainous landscape at a comparable altitude with Setesdalsheiane, the character of the landscape is quite different. The valleys are more spacious and not that steep. In Skarvheimen I had some interesting encounters. In one valley I met Ivar, a teacher who had used the beginning of his holidays for a multiple day trip in the surroundings of Iungdalshytta. He had set up his tent there and I joined him at this campsite for a nice evening, talking about anything and everything. On the next day he returned home and left me his remaining provisions. Tusen takk for det!
The day after I met a Swede around noon who had started his hike in Trondheim and was on his way to Teneriffa. In the evening I met Oliver from Osnabrueck who is also going Norge på langs. Seems that there is quite a bunch of long distance travellers out there 🙂 I enjoyed his company on the next days hike to Tyinkrysset, where he had a resting day while I fetched my sister Maxie who joined me for the next stage in Jotunheimen. Who knows – maybe we will meet again on the way, would be nice!
After the first weeks where I hardly met any people, humming Jotunheimen was almost an overdose of people. I enjoyed some nice hiking days here together with my sister that took us along the lake Gjende to the No. 1 attraction, the walk across Besseggen. Maxie had brought a lot of food and took good care of me during the hike. Unfortunately, the weather was changeable in this time and we went through some rain.
From Jotunheimen I have followed the road to Otta for the last two days, passing by the river Sjoa which seems to be a popular rafting spot and meeting several other long distance travellers again: a northern Norwegian couple who is cycling NPL, a Belgian woman who started her journey in Vilnius, cycling along the Gulf of Bothnia and via Finland to the North Cape. Now she was on her way southwards, first to Oslo and thereafter to Belgium. Yesterday I met Anna from Switzerland who started her NPL trip in the north in April.
Tonight a friend of mine, Reyk, will arrive and tomorrow we will enter Rondane national park together.


The inner core of wool fibers can absorb 35% of its own weight in moisture!
The wicking properties of wool fibers draw moisture away from the skin, helping to keep the body warm.
Merino wool is a natural fiber that inherently possesses superior breathability and wicking properties.
Merino wool fibers have a complex, scaly structure with a hydrophilic (water holding) interior, known as the cortex and a hydrophobic (water repelling) exterior, known as the cuticle.
Merino wool fibers are the closest in microns and structure to Alpaca fibers, but still have the memory necessary for stretch and rebound. Alpaca does not.
Alpaca fibers are said to be ten times warmer with greater wicking capability than other wool fibers.
Wool is fire resistant. Wool does not burn well because each wool fiber retains a certain amount of air moisture, even wool that is several years old.
Wool is the winner when it comes to wicking. Because wool fibers are "crimped" up next to each other, wool retains an ideal balance of moisture regardless of how much or little water is it exposed to.
Wool is mildew and mold resistant. Another benefit of moisture wicking is that it creates a naturally anti-microbial environment. This prevents mold, mildew and other odor causing environments from ever infiltrating and destroying and otherwise luxurious fabric.
Wool is flexible and durable. A single wool fiber can be bent back and forth up to 20,000 times before it will eventually break. The same cotton fiber can only be bent about 3,000 before the same will happen.
The balance of air moisture retained by wool keeps it from getting brittle over time like cotton or other fibers.
Wool is an entirely sustainable resource that requires no harm to animals or planet.
Wool is harvested annually or bi-annually from animals and is produced organically without the use of any refinement or chemical treatment along the way.
Wool keeps you cool on hot days. The breathable "air pocket" characteristics of wool mean that sweat doesn't weigh down your insulation layers, which causes you to feel consistently warmer the more you sweat.


It's hard to believe that Christmas is around the corner! Amidst all the hustle and bustle of the season, I'm excited for time with family. Of course, I naturally gravitate to the kitchen any time of year, but I especially love celebrating holidays serving food to those that I love.
And I have plenty of opportunities for meals in the near future! Which is just fine by me — I have lots of traditional family favorites I want to create and serve, plus some new recipes to try out.
We have a lot of activities on our docket: school events, work holiday parties plus family get togethers. So there are evenings at home where I'm glad to be snuggled in with my guys and a comforting meal. One dish meals are everything to me on those nights at home.
This green bean and chicken casserole is the perfect meal for those nights: it's hearty and filling and so delicious.
Something I've recently added to my kitchen is a PUR Advanced Faucet Filtration System.
The water in my city is less than desirable. I realized it was having an effect on the quality of the meals I was serving my family — beyond just our drinking water.
Think about all the ways we use water in the kitchen: for sauces, to rinse veggies, to boil for pasta, for coffee. That water is everywhere. I want it to be quality!
I can trust PUR because it's the #1 best selling brand in lead filtration — it is certified to reduce over 70 contaminants, including 99% of lead, 96% of mercury and 92% of certain pesticides — more than any other brand.
It's a superior solution for cleaner water. Plus much more convenient and affordable than bottled water!
After hooking up my PUR Advanced Faucet Filtration System, this is one of the first recipes I made. I know your family will love it as much as mine does!
I love that everything is combined in one dish for this meal. And then you add cheese on top. And really. Could it get any better? Nope.
Your next evening home, make this delicious, simple meal — your family's bellies and hearts will be happy!
Your next evening home, make this delicious, simple Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Green Bean Casserole meal -- your family's bellies and hearts will be happy!
Cook green beans per package directions. Drain water and set aside.
In a large skillet add your butter, celery, onion, mushrooms, chicken bouillon cubes, and ¼ cup water. Cook until onions and celery and soft and the liquid has cooked off.
In a large bowl combine your heavy cream, spices, mayonnaise and whisk together. Add your onion mixture, chicken, green beans, ½ of your cheese and stir well.
Pour into a 9×13 casserole dish. Spread out your mixture evenly. Sprinkle the other half of your shredded cheddar cheese and place in a pre-heated 400° oven. Cook for 18-20 minutes or until the casserole is bubbling in the middle.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle your Crispy Onions over the top.


Twitter has announced a new partnership with Bloomberg which will see Bloomberg utilize more tweet content to help market analysts make decisions based on relevant Twitter conversations. The deal underlines the value of social media data.
When starting out, it may have seem like an easy task to create a solid fan base via Facebook marketing. Everyone's on Facebook these days, right? Surely there's an audience waiting to jump on and Like our page and keep themselves updated through our posts? Right? Unfortunately, it just isn't that easy.
Jeff Fox: Did You Know That Websites Can Identify You by the Way You Type?
Content discovery platform BuzzSumo has launched a new Facebook analysis tool which could provide a big boost for your Facebook strategic efforts.
User generated content is extremely valuable on social media. Learn how to save time, easily collect and distribute your fan's content on Instagram.
When's the Best Time of Day to Publish a Facebook Post?
The majority of people on Facebook post whenever the mood strikes them – and for the majority of people on Facebook that works. But, did you know that you can increase the effectiveness of your posts by timing them correctly?
Facebook has published a post detailing the impacts of iOS 9 on their Software Developer Kit (SDK), which will affect various apps.
Twitter's live-streaming platform Periscope has announced an update to add several new features – the most notable being the support for landscape content. At the same time, several new stories of brand uses for live-streaming have been reported in recent weeks.
It was once said that about 15 percent of all web traffic is cat-related (sorry, dogs). Instagram, with its rich, image-based platform, has allowed pet owners to narrate the lives of their furry friends one photo at a time.
How Much Does the Number of Your Followers Really Matter?
One of the most asked questions in social media is: "How can I grow my following?" Don't listen to those who say that it does not matter. While the quality of your followers is most important, if you have no followers, you are talking to yourself. So what about buying followers?
In leaked findings reported to Digiday, an agency found that the majority of 10 second video ads placed on Snapchat are not watched beyond the 3-second mark.
Some think you shouldn't bother with advertising on social media. After all, what is social media other than opportunity after opportunity to promote your brand through well-crafted posts and images? According to this infographic: wrong. Targeted advertising, in fact, simply extends your organic marketing campaign. Paid social can lead to 25 percent more conversions than organic social.


This article is part of a new weekly series, "Untruth Tuesdays," in which I take something completely, absurdly untrue then write about it as if it weren't.
"I couldn't believe it," said Martin Shaklumsky, a butterfly collector who was on his way to work at the Rare Insect Museum & Preserve in Semi, OK when Lonna Lilliput, star of AGC's hit show, "Lonna Looks for Love" (also named Manicurist Magazine's 2016 Top 10 Wealthiest Women of Reality Dating Television) stepped on his right foot.
Lilliput, however, had no trouble conversing and in a series of sentences that Shaklumsky described as "containing actual words put in almost the right order," apologized for the incident then told Shaklumsky her assistant hadn't tied her shoe that day.
What happened next would be etched in the butterfly collector's memory forever.
But Lilliput, who has been in the Semi area since Sunday for filming, is no stranger to the amazing; she recently made headlines for a controversial episode of her TV series during which the blonde beauty attempted to eat a fork while on a date with Miami-based real estate developer Joaquin Rewlinworth. The resident "Lonna Looks for Love" doctor later told news outlets she never managed to digest the utensil and thus suffered no internal damage.
"containing actual words put in almost the right order," ah-hahaha! Shuze. Ha! And nice pic of the shoes. You're too much.
Your names for the characters in your story are hysterical. This post made me laugh so much that it frightened people near me.


One of the McDonald's restaurants is located at 20 Huyton Hey Road, Huyton, post code L36 5RT. This restaurant's internal name is Huyton - Huyton Hey Road. Its clients come from neighbouring towns like Huyton, Roby, Tarbock, Hyton. This restaurant is normally open on: Monday 05:00 - 05:00, Tuesday 05:00 - 05:00, Wednesday 05:00 - 05:00, Thursday 05:00 - 05:00, Friday 05:00 - 05:00. At weekends: on Saturday 05:00 - 05:00, on Sunday 05:00 - 05:00. For further information please contact the diner at the number 0151 449 0237.