please give a detailed description of your characters appearance or give a picture.
Hey, let me know if this bio is alright.
Species: Not technically a real person, yet he isn't a full Nobody or Heartless. Ansem created him by attemtping to try to create a new heart for a Heartless, and he was born.
Keyblade: Solar Dawn and Lunar Dusk.
Personality: While tending to work and act alone, he wants friends deep down, but choses to stay away from others out of fear from how they're react to what he is.
Crush: None as of now.
Appearence: His black spikey hair usually covers one eye. He has piercing blue eyes. He has a long sleeved black shirt with a black and grey light vest over it. He has black pants. He keeps his Keyblades in sheathes on his back.
approved! Welcome to Ultimate Kingdom Hearts!
I will be your Rival.
Your alliance will be "Light"
and because you're the first person to join i'm gonna make you a moderator!
Alright, thank you. You're going to be my rival? Sweet. I'll double check what a moderator does.
if i decide to, i could make you an Admin. Or i couldn't. I'm still deciding.
Personality: Sarcastic, Fist-Happy, somewhat Random.
Keyblade: Wait, why would a Nobody other than Roxas have a Keyblade? Should I have a different weapon?
Crush: None - Void of emotion, remember?
Did you make Virus specifically to counter Plague?
I kinda have a new character idea.
Rival: I was thinking maybe my own character or someone elses.
Personality: Hardened by battle at an early age, he has a very serious personality and is always gearing up for a fight. He would do anything to protect the worlds and the gate to Kingdom Hearts.
Crush: None as there are no female characters yet.
Appearence: He has platinum blond hair. He has piecring silver eyes that almost make his eyes look all white, with a large scar running down the right side of his face. He has on a white-silver shirt that has an armored chest plate with a heart symbol on it, armor pieces on his arms and kness, and darker silver pants. On his shoes are small wheels, which allows him to go faster then normal.
Well, okay. What do I owe you? You sure it's alright?
Personality: Keeps to him self, only speaks when he feels the need to, and can seem shy when truly he is in deep thought. He can't control his unusual powers yet, and must maintain his emotions in order to do so.
Appearance: Blue hair, and extremely dark blue eyes. He is tall, and wears a long silverish blackish jacket, and black pants, both too big for him. These cover odd blue markings on him.
Alliance: Blaxek, accompanies him wherever he goes.
Personality: Very outgoing, speaks whats on her mind, and doesn't care what eanyone thinks about it. Shes looking for a heart with Blaxek, as they used to be brother and sister, but she was turned into a heartless, and therefore a nobody.
Appearance: Short pink hair, wears a white and pink skimy one piece skirt. Deep green eyes that seem blue at sometimes.
Both are approved. We don't seem to have any other characters for their rivals, so they'll both be Friendly Rivals.
Know it's kinda asking a lot, but I sort of want to also RP as a member of the new Organization. I know every character has a rival, but it could be he hunts down Rapier for leaving the group.
Personality: Very apocaliptic. Likes to create chaos. Has a cold and cruel personality, although he has a happy sadistic tone most of the tone.
Appearance: Like all Organization members, he has a black cloak with a hood. He has very dark blond hair [almost black], piercing blue eyes, and glasses with spikes on the rims and around the lenses.
So, is he alright? If not, I'll live.
yeah sure. No rival, alliance: Nobodies.


Are you aware of the four books in the New Testament that have only one chapter? If so, have you read them? Considered them closely? Pondered their message?
In past days I have not given much time or attention to these documents. In fact, I have largely ignored them. Brushed them aside. Why? Because I thought their size must indicate the unimportance of their content. It appeared the writers of the New Testament were including them to simply add further bulk to the existing New Testament material.
That was wrong on my part. Terribly wrong. A response I should not have taken. Because they have much vital information for believers and the church. It is sad we have often missed the foregoing fact.
An example of their significance was brought home to me in III John 9-13. These verses of John the Apostle focus the reader's attention on a church leader by the name of Diotrephes. He is mentioned nowhere else in the New Testament but here alone in these verses. He isn't a good guy either. Rather, he is a notoriously bad guy.
Diotrephes is creating much division in the church. He is heavy-handed and iron-fisted. A dictator and controller of the first order. He has set himself on top in the church. Become the preeminent one. The one in charge. The CEO. It was either his way or the highway. A willingness to be under his thumb or be black-balled from the fellowship.
He obviously was rejecting the leadership function of John and any other appointed leaders in the church. No one had delegated him to this upper role. Named him as being the chief. Put him out front. He rather elevated himself. Diotrephes was rejecting and removing not only accepted and recognized church leaders in his first century setting, but anyone else who stood in the way of his dictatorial path.
I asked myself the question: Why was this information about Diotrephes included by John in his Letter? One general response is because it was an inspired writing that emanated from God Himself. But I think it is an intentional eye-opener for congregations in the first century and in the 21st century as well. Specifically, these individuals, like Diotrephes, will become a formidable problem with whom the local church will need to be aware of. A failure to recognize their presence will be a dam or roadblock to achieving the mission of the church.
In every congregation I have served there has been at least one, if not more, Diotrephes types. They can become a nightmare for pastoral leaders. More importantly, they can become the devil in disguise within the church. You can tolerate them, or confront them. Face them or let them go free. But their presence makes a smooth path in congregational life impossible.
John revealed in the tenth verse that he was not going to tolerate Diostrephes in his time, nor was he going to remain silent about the evil practices he was exercising in congregational life. If congregational leaders and the church as a whole is going to be a healthy fellowship in the 21st century, we cannot set idly by either. Always we need to be aware of a Diotrephes!!
In a forthcoming blog I will suggest some important ways to address and deal with Diotrephes types in your congregation. Always remember that followers of Christ must speak the truth in the spirit of Christian love, regardless of the problems that are present.
I continue to preach, teach, and write in regard to church health. Not because I've assumed it as my job as a Christian leader. Nor is it because I derive some special joy in pointing the ills of congregations in our time. So, why then do I continue the ministry of church health?
Someone once taught me that NEED is the MOTHER of INVENTION. And there is a need to address the health issues of congregations today. Why? Because everywhere I go words are being directed at me about the concerns persons have with their stumbling congregations. What can we do? How can we become an attractive and influential fellowship once again? We've lost our glory days! Those times in which we were a joyful and excited fellowship. Now, we are aimed downhill and seem to be headed there on a fast track. These and many other comments have been shared and have troubled me to no end.
Allow me to also point out that the biblical writers shared my current concern. For they courageously addressed items that were destroying the health of congregations in their time. While these early writers and leaders shared a positive message of good news, they nonetheless followed this up with various items of deep concern about the health and well-being of their early congregations. Evidently the problems of the early church were reaching their ears.
A word that has gripped me of late is the word, aura. What does it mean? Imply? Or, what message does it give? For my purposes here I wish to define the word as having a certain air. A certain feeling. A certain awareness that something is amiss. Has gone wrong. It gives a rather negative sense that something just isn't right.
When I move among established congregations I pick up rather quickly on this negative aura that has invaded many congregations. As I relate with the members I get a sense that something is stirring that isn't good. There are some who have formed their own comfortable cliques, or, special groups; words and actions are demonstrated that reveal members are out of sorts with one another; negative criticism is encountered from some; gossip is heard; complaining is in the air; threats about leaving the church are uttered; playing the blame-game is on a rampage; and one feels worse after coming inside than he or she does in the outside world.
In one meeting with a congregations leadership I listened for two hours to the uttering of one gripe after another. When I was finally given a chance to speak I asked, "is there anything you can tell me about this church that's positive?" Silence reigned for a few moments. And finally a few good points were shared. But the church was so full of negativities and conflicts, it was evident to me that it would be next to impossible for this church to get its head above water and become a healthy organism again.
As I was preparing today's blog I read some alarming thoughts from Bill Easum. He indicated that when church guests enter a service, their antennas are up. Never think for one moment they do not read the unsettling state of affairs that often exist inside a troubled church. Easum then states: "You may think we're being overly dramatic, but time after time we find unresolved conflict literally killing a church." What is worse, congregations are tolerating this conflict, and do nothing about what is making them ill and signing their death warrant.
What is the message here? The problem isn't the outside world. Rather, the problem is more often the church itself. And unless the abnormal conflict is addressed and dealt with responsibly, the graveyard may be the next step for a church!!
Some responses to yesterday's blog made me aware that I needed to return and offer some positive prescriptions for the behavior problem described there. What does a church do with those who are a source of behavior that threatens the witness and spiritual health of the church?
Generally, congregations have been guilty of ignoring these people. Thinking that addressing the issues will only make matters worse. Don't rock the boat, they reason, and make things worse than they are now. While that sounds plausible, it only allows the problem to grow. Enlarge. Probably even to greatly increase in its intensity. It seems that many congregations are committed to having peace, even when disciplinary measures are necessary and clearly need to be taken.
What are the kinds of behavior problems that need to be addressed in congregations? Initially, there is the kind of negative behavior in process that I attempted to describe in yesterday's blog. Outright negative criticism by some of others who do not measure up to their expectations. Others work under the surface. Behind closed doors. They spread poisonous gossip and create a rumor mill. Predictably, they will seek to disrupt the current equilibrium of a congregation. Another group will endeavor to utilize the power they've been able to establish over time in a church fellowship. Control of the existing system is their quest. In virtually every congregation some form of these problems are presently being played out.
The foregoing being true, how are these negative behaviors to be effectively addressed? Allow me to respond.
Before correction can be put in place, a church must be able to see the problems. See them clearly. Sometimes the problems are not seen and understood. At other times they are seen, but nothing is ever done to adequately address them.
Rather than addressing only issues of theology and doctrine today, congregations need to spend more significant time with ethical and behavioral issues. Why? Because the Scriptures are literally full of teachings on conduct and relationships. These are often ignored or sidestepped in preaching and teaching.
The problems revealed in this blog are areas where Elders/Shepherds in our congregations should be functioning. Where they should be taking care of the Lord's flock. Guiding them and keeping them free of dis-functionality and dangerous spiritual health issues. In too many instances though church shepherds get "hung up" on meetings and conducting business, and they fail to minister "hands on" for the well-being of the flock.
When any believer sees disruptive and negative behavior in operation, he or she should responsibly step forward and address it. Do so, however, in the spirit of love and consideration, not with words that serve to condemn and alienate. Addressing negative issues is never a pleasant matter. But if they're not addressed, further problems are always waiting in the wings. And when they are not addressed a believer is not functioning responsibly on behalf of his or her brethren.
I'm increasingly aware of the presence of small groups in our fellowships. They are excellent contexts for growing together. Becoming mature in Christ. Yet, many of these contexts today have become the hotbeds of controversy and congregational divisiveness. In order to be healthy fellowships, they will require leaders or facilitators who are gifted at directing the group into working together positively. They should not be settings where irritations, animosity and discord are allowed to grow and flourish.
I'm committed to helping experience healthy congregations. But doing so requires that we see our problems clearly before helpful and positive prescriptions can be followed. But you can be sure of the following: A healthy body is able to exist when our inner attitudes result in healthy outward actions.
Allow me to share the primary enemy all congregations face today. Surprisingly, it is not the outside world. The non-churched population. The evil culture. Those groups which oppose and resist the Christian message. Yet, the church nonetheless wants to blame the world for its failures and lack of success.
But the outside world is not the primary enemy the church faces. Never has been. Never will be. The greatest enemy for the church is the church itself. "Do what? You're blaming the church for the current ills that beset it?" Yes, I am.
You know why? For the following reason: what the church is will either serve to advances its mission, or, will hinder its efforts.
Interesting statement, isn't it? But in what sense is the church its greatest enemy? An important question to ask. One that calls for serious thought and reflection. So please note the following words: Your congregations has an aura. A distinctive air. An image. And what your church exudes to others will either be negative or positive; attractive or ugly; magnetic or repelling. In many established congregations their existing aura has turned off many in place of drawing them to God and His church.
Such a revelation is most difficult and painful for any guilty congregation to acknowledge, and then face. Are these troubled congregations able to go through a radical change? Experience healing? Can they eventually emerge as a turnaround church?
Congregations have often become guilty of losing their way. Of forgetting their roots and reason for existence. Becoming selfish in place of selfless. Life is all about them, and not about HIM. But never think for one moment that the outside world fails to see this congregational enemy at work today. As a result, they want none of it. What they see isn't about Jesus. Doesn't represent HIM at all. Nor does it do anything for the sincere seeker.
A church like this is more frequently than not resisted. Ignored. Avoided like the plague. Why? Because it gives no clear indication of being a Christian assembly. A place where healing and life can be offered. Where hurting lives can be rescued. It has become a context where satanic bitterness and back-biting rule the day.
An amazing ongoing problem is the simultaneous presence and experience of both good and evil in the world. For example: There are those who murder and those who save. Those who hate and those who love. Those who discourage and those who encourage. Those who spread negativity and those who bring joy. Those who take away and those who give. Those who spread ill will and those who multiply good will.
Why this puzzling contrast? This strange dilemma? Can it be changed? Stopped? Turned around? Experience the good permanently replacing the evil? See God's will being done on earth as it is in heaven?
Quite honestly, this problem has always been unacceptable to me. Something Unnecessary. For I am perpetually wanting to live in a world free of taint and terror. In a context where serenity and security replace sin and a soiled existence.
That wish, of course, is only a utopian dream. Something than can't really happen. For this present age is ruled by the prince of darkness. The evil one. The one who attempts to bring death. Furthermore, Jesus has taught us that in this world we will encounter various tribulations and trials.
But the reality of good and evil, however, doesn't end with its presence in the larger world. Sometimes this alarming contrast emerges even in congregations. Church fellowships. Those places where God's Sovreignty is taught and proclaimed. Where light is expected to reign over darkness.
When internal disunity is continuously disrupting the unity Jesus prayed would exist.
When private and selfish agendas emerge and replace the Savior's agenda.
When the religious institution and its secondary concerns gets in the way of God's kingdom rule.
When a congregations tainted reputation blocks their ability to be a transforming community presence.
When stagnation and legalism prevent Christians from being the salt and light Jesus intended and expected.
When the attitudes and dispositions of some congregational members serve to repel those on the outside from wanting to come inside.
A churchman informed me: "Bill, I've been in the church for some forty years, but I've only been a Christian for ten of those forty years!!" I am surprised that I did not pass out following this admission. But further reflection made me aware that I too could have once given the same testimony.
But one more question: Why is such a confession even necessary? Needed? Because it flows out of a blessed and unique day of awakening. A time in which great joy came forth and was birthed. For one was delivered from outer darkness and brought into the interior light. Belongs to the Divine Sovreign in place of the devil. Is now a disciple and not an embarassing destructive element in congregational life.
Will you join me in this glorious journey??
Holidays are times families get together. This is as it should be. For they get to share food. And they share stories. Stories about themselves. About other family members and friends. One hears of disappointments. Joys. Down the road goals. Great times are experienced when families come together.
But everything experienced is not positive. Enjoyable. Uplifting. For being close can create some negative words and actions. Through close connections over a concentrated period of time many undesirable negative attitudes can be unleashed. What starts well and is encouraging can end up in a lot of disappointment and discouragement. Getting together starts out the way it should. But it can end up with everyone leaving with a mixture of tainted feelings.
What is true of the human family is nonetheless true of God's family. The church can be the most wonderful context in which to experience life at its very best. But frequently in congregational life the good is replaced by the bad. Angry words are expressed. Actions that are evil are demonstrated. Attitudes develop that unravels relationships and destroys the unity.
How do I know these things? I am part of a human family. I am also part of the spiritual family. I've witnessed the up and down yo-yo like feelings that always seem to emerge in both contexts.
What causes the ruptures? The breaking apart? The disunity? The inability to experience a consistent and encouraging lifestyle together. Why is this disaster in operation? For the following reasons.
Because there is a battle going on between the flesh and the inner spirit. The flesh wants its way. And the inner spirit wants to encounter and enjoy a life of comradery. Working together. Being encouragers. Not discouragers.
Because the Devil is at work in all our relationships. God's Spirit also wants to be in our relationships. But we are over and over guilty of allowing the Devil to get the upper hand. He wishes to divide and destroy. Not create peace and unity among us.
Because we fail to appreciate the long range benefits of our unity. There is strength in unity. There is weakness in disunity. In unity our inner lives experience inexpressable joys. In discunity our inner lives experience inexpressable sadness and pain.
I've always noted and been impressed with the number of passages in Scripture that teach the importance of unity. Why are these passages present? They are present because disunity has scarred the human family from the beginning. Made both the church and the human family a disappointing experience.
Disunity and its agony is why Paul instructed two women at Philippi: "I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord" (Philippians 4:2).
Again Paul instructs that " … above … all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful" (Colossians 3:14-15).
I pray that we will learn and practice the important quality of unity in our human and spiritual relationships. It will fill our lives with the joy and peace that we all desperately need.
Recently I was asked: "What would characterize your ministry if you were to start again? Would you do everything the same way? Or, would there be differences in the way you did ministry?" Some very good questions to ponder.
While I would do a number of things the same way, there would be some notable differences. Why? Because one learns best from the numerous failures experienced.
If I were to start over I would work more diligently on my preaching and teaching. I would seek to understand the biblical text as well as the people among whom I served.
I would have a clear understanding of my abilities/gifts. Should my gifts not match the needs of a congregation calling me, I would decline the invitation to be their lead minister.
I would be greatly focused on balance in a church. For a church needs balance in five areas: outreach to the lost; training for those within the church; encouragment in both private and public worship; enlarging the fellowship opportunities; and equipping believers to function with their ministry gifts.
I would focus much more on Spiritual Formation and a great degree less on social activities and programs.
I would avoid the temptation to be a minister to "some" yet avoid "others." Cliques have become an ever growing divisive issue in congregational life today.
I would expect that I and the church would be involved in disciple making. That we would be engaged first and foremost in developing fully committed followers of Christ Jesus.
I would cease the senseless attempt to keep "everyone" happy in a church. For that isn't a lead minister's purpose. Rather, I would be concerned with what pleases and honors God.
I would continue to journal daily. Record both my failures and successes. For one learns during both of these experiences.
I would refuse to serve a congregation, or continue to serve in a congregation, where there were private meetings being conducted. When these activities are in operation you can be assured the devil has his foot in the door. And that serious divisive issues are lying just ahead.
If I were to begin again as a lead minister I would only go to a church that expected me to call and dismiss staff members. A lead minister must have staff around him that are willing to function under his leadership. If they cannot function with him, they should not be in that congregation. Furthermore, congregations need ministerial staff with clearly understood gifts and functions.
I would expect that a biblical church would engage in fewer meetings, and involved with increasing opportunities to serve and minister.
These lessons that I've shared are not meant to be selfish pursuits. Attempts to insure a lead minister's own ends. Rather, they are actions that serve to keep a church healthy and in mission toward those things that honor God.
Increasingly I'm learning that having a healthy church in these present times is a rarity. It is no longer a given. Something that one can depend upon. For many church members seem to struggle with living together in a peaceable fashion.
An important question. I've asked the question often myself in days now gone by. And others I've encountered have voiced the same urgent concern.
Jesus intended that His followers be persons of peace. Those who would live their lives apart from war and disruption. Those who would live in an exemplary fashion. For peace was the special gift that Jesus chose to give to His followers (see John 14:27). As a result we are to be "peacemakers" (see Matthew 5:9). Paul also taught the following: "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). Possessing this tranquil life of peace should lead to " … being at peace among yourselves" (see I Thessalonians 5:13).
When Christian love and not caustic legalism come to characterize the life of a congregation.
When we each one genuinely experience the inner contentment God wishes that we possess.
When our relationship with God and others replaces the dogmatic requirements we constantly are guilty of pushing.
When we are listening to God through Scripture, and are communicating with Him, as well, through prayer.
When we are working with our brothers and sisters in unison and not working in opposition to them.
When the church is about God and His wishes, and not about me and my wishes.
When we realize our fighting and feuding spirit is destroying our church, and is giving us a terrible name and witness in the community.
When we learn well that Christianity is as much about how we behave as it is about what we believe.
Yesterday evening at our church I was participating in a study of the use of one's tongue in chapter three of the Letter of James. The opening verse of this chapter immediately captured my attention and thought. I pondered it considerably. The verse reads: "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment" (James 3:1).
Allow me to ask a few questions. Is this verse intending to discourage persons from teaching? Should most persons steer away from instructing others altogether? Should most individuals not even aspire to this function? Are those who teach really going to be held more accountable than others?
One gets the initial feeling from reading the verse that a fear factor is being expressed here strongly by James for those who would even dare attempt the effort to teach. In short, one had better avoid it, unless he or she is able to qualify as a "perfect" ("mature") individual (see James 3:2). And who can reach this difficult level? Furthermore, who is able and authorized to measure one's capability to be a teacher?
The ministry of Christian teaching should not be entered into thoughtlessly.
No one should teach who is not first practicing and following in life what he or she is attempting to communicate in word. A failure in this area is where a teacher will "…receive a stricter judgment" (James 3:1).
Those who teach need to gain some mastery and control over the use of their tongue. This only comes with time and maturity.
Teaching is not a ministry for those who have a strong ambition and wish to be actors. In other words, those who are always wanting to be out in front of others. To be perpetually noticed and applauded.
Teaching is not for those who talk more than they listen. Until persons have first heard God well and experienced what they have learned from Him and others, they are not ready to instruct anyone else.
Teachers who are not ready to teach actually hinder God's work. Why? Because they do not educate, encourage and excite those they are instructing.
I do not believe that James is discouraging others to teach. He is rather providing counsel about its seriousness. What more nobler and worthwhile desire can there be than that of teaching the riches of God's Word? It is a ministry that will be blessed by only the rewards of eternity!!


So which one would you buy?
Much love to the loves-to-be-incognito artist Alice Moore for these designs.
Here's my latest update: "Jaybird's Song" is in another round of edits — looking for those unclosed quote marks, missing words, typos and comma splices.
I attended the Broadleaf Writer's Conference last weekend and learned quite a bit more about the publishing world, including more pros and cons between self-publishing vs. finding an agent and publisher for the book. I pitched the book to two agents at the conference and both have asked for pages, so now I guess I wait a little while to see if I get a positive response.
But the truth is, I'm really ready to let her fly, so I'm only going to give it another week or 10 days, I think. If neither responds by then, I'm going to make this happen on my own.
Affectionately called "Jaybird" by the father she adores, Josie Flint's idyllic childhood in 1960s Atlanta is defined by her role as the oldest of the three Flint sisters and crowned with the presence of her grandmother, Annie Jo— the maypole that centers the Flint family.
Surrounding their world, however, is the turbulent South as Jim Crow laws come to an end. As Josie's school desegregates and the country meanders through new ideas brought about by the Civil Rights movement, a personal tragedy shatters — and embarrasses — that perfect childhood.
Josie's story is told from her early teenage years and 35 years later when her beloved grandmother dies. And when a long-kept secret unfolds for the Flint family, a new kind of heartache begins.
Would you read it based on that?
Which cover would you be most inclined to pick up?
Got a notification that our uber-expensive, high-deductible insurance plan that we avoid tapping into at all costs because of that second adjective is no longer available in our area.
What? In our area? As in, our address is not 2778 Moon. Or, is the moon the only area they can now service?
We just went through this 15 months ago. The Affordable Care Act is mis-named, so we settled on this personal policy. Now we've been dropped. I understand Aetna customers are getting the same notification this week.
We drove around for an afternoon in search of a new home for her and her fiance as they embark on new jobs and a cross-country move.
We didn't find their house, but we did find about 4 million things we had in common. And just like with all my best girlfriends, we got each other whirling with excitement for both the passions we share and the new ones we introduced one another to.
It's my favorite thing about being a woman: Fueling my soul with the energy of other smart, exuberant, savvy, impassioned, creative women.
I am uber-fortunate. I am surrounded by lots of smart, exuberant, savvy, impassioned, creative women. More, I have built-in fortune with a mother, mother-in-law, two daughters, two sisters and three sisters-in-law that also fit in that category.
It's the best lift ever.
Thank you, my girl crushes. You know who you are.
A Dream Team to focus on the story.
So, I put a beginning, middle and ending to my story, "Jaybird's Song," and liked it. But I found it really hard to sense whether or not my story was compelling, whether the "reveals" happened at the right times, if the storyline was predictable or just the opposite — too far fetched for a reader to guess the unfolding story to the point of frustration.
So, I put together my Dream Team: Six wonderful ladies who love to read, have tons of smarts and are fun to be around — Erin, Wendy, Melanie, Shelbe, Paige and Eleanor. I sent each of them the first 35 pages of the book with the assignment to read, and if they were up for the challenge, to join me for a 24-hour focus group at the LeMeridian Hotel on a Saturday morning at 10 a.m.
After the first 35 pages, all six commited to the rest. (Phew. How many books have I flung to the side because they didn't capture me in the first few pages? I took that as a good sign.) I gave each a list of questions with a Strongly Agree/Strongly Disagree type of scale and then asked specific questions about the first section. Once satisfied, I handed out the next 85 or 90 pages and sent them poolside, or to the hotel's fabulous lobby with wonderful little reading niches. After sunning and some lunch, we met again in the hotel's Analysis conference room (Perfect. A triangualar table and two giant walls of windows.) at 3 p.m. where I had each rate more questions and issues and we discussed the progression of the story to that point. Two more rounds of this and we finished the novel and discussions at 7:30 or so and we walked over to California Pizza Kitchen for dinner. After that, we all retired to one of the lovely suites connected to the rooms I'd reserved and enjoyed a 4-hour chatfest with wine in our PJs.
Such fun and so helpful to me. The Dream Team validated the 'was it compelling issue?,' pointed out a couple of inconsistencies that I'd missed, marked some areas that needed work and confirmed that one component of the ending was just a little too far fetched and weird, and gave me lots of ideas to where I re-wrote it and am much happier.
I reviewed all of their notes and made re-writes in places throughout. Then I sent it to Wayne, my writing coach for a full read. Loved his ideas, too, and made more re-writes in more places. My sister read it last week and gave me a few spots for changes. And Tom got a personal read in audio by the author to and from our trip to Hilton Head last week. Reading it outloud pointed out still more areas I wanted to polish. Now it's with yet another talented friend who will do a line-by-line read looking for missing words, missing quote marks, grammar issues, etc.
It's almost ready for prime time and I'm so excited!
1. Write the first sentence.
2. Erase the first sentence.
3. Write a chapter and convince yourself you'll win a Pulitzer.
4. Re-read it and throw into trash.
5. Dig through the trash after it's covered with greasy leftovers to think about it some more.
6. Think about it for a couple of years.
7. Resurrect the idea and drop all other commitments and interests.
8. Convince yourself that it's total crap.
9. Give it a middle and ending and rewrite the beginning.
10. Send it into the universe.
If you're watching the commemoration ceremonies happening this morning in New York and Washington, D.C., the emotions of that September day 15 years ago are bubbling again. The profound prophecy of someone's "We will never be the same… this is terrorism" comment is a sobering, ugly reality.
But, what if you weren't born yet? Or young enough to have been sheltered from the horror of that day? Or, God forbid, you have cold, dark soul like some people in this world evidently do.
Will it feel as distant, disconnected and impersonal to the Ys, Zs and whatever the next generations are called as moments like D-Day and Pearl Harbor do to me? Will the chronicles of 9-11 get shorter and more compact with each edition of the US Social Studies books? Will there even be Social Studies books that will authenticate the horrors wrought on thousands of innocent Americans and spread to every single American soul on that day? Will terrorism itself be lumped into a subject that becomes as benign or commonplace that it's covered in the same category as economics or world literature?
No doubt, 'Never forget' is the right plan. Will it work that way?
Side note: I've upgraded my WordPress account so I can add videos and more things to my new blog. Here are a couple pages from my book " You've Got a Wedgie Cha Cha Cha" — a column I wrote in September 2001. busyhands And here's a video I think works for today, too.
I'm glad you're okay, Sly.
Sylvester is alive and well.
The sicko that unloaded the news of his death is plotting the next load of crap.
And the universe becomes more and more immune to the ever-blurring lines between truth, fiction and total B.S.
I didn't share the post — at least not intentionally. First of all, I wouldn't (it's and old-school journalism thing) and second of all, isn't that a two-step process? But it landed on my FB page and I feel bad about that.
I blame Robin Thicke. He recorded that "Blurred Lines" song and it made everybody dance. Ever since, the lines between factual journalism, opinion, made-up hooey and every day manners have been all blurred up.
So how about that, Robin? Let's see if that goes viral too.
I'm guessing you never thought the buttoned-to-the-neck shirt dress and white tights look could work, but here I am rockin' it.
It's the Danbury gang that will recognize a few things when "Jaybird's Song "comes out, but just some silly things — the dirt hill's in there and so is our Bloody Tiger game, and Trudy (far left in the red) might recognize one other scene (Think: The time we got in big trouble for our paring knife creation.) I made the rest up, but see those woods right behind Johnny and Leah? That's where some serious Bloody Tiger games happened.
Missing Brady Clark, he's the one leaning against the tree. He was my favorite Bloody Tiger.


The Chenango County Agricultural Society, Inc. of Norwich, New York is very proud to sponsor the Chenango County Fairgrounds which is host to the CHENANGO COUNTY FAIR and a variety of events during the year.
Come bring the family and experience the excitement that a true COUNTRY FAIR has to offer. Each day has featured entertainment in front of the grandstand. With many other daily events going on during the day and evening.
Six fun filled days for the whole family!
Chenango County Agricultural Society, Inc.
Garden Club article for the 2019 Fairbook.
"WATER: WILD, WET, WONDERFUL" and can be viewed, at no charge,in Exhibition hall, daily from 10:00-8:00. The Garden Clubs of Chenango County are a group of garden clubs working together to present a top notch show. You will see jewelry made only with plant material, arrangements in pipes and maybe even a mermaid. Everyone is encouraged to enter the design class or bring us their flowers to display.
The both divisions are open to any resident of Chenango County. In the Horticulture division you are given the opportunity to bring in your flowers, planters,shrubs etc. and enter them in the show. Pre-registration for both the design classes and horticulture is required. Come see what amazing things done with flowers.


One year ago, on September 2, 2015, a general strike by 150 million workers brought India to a standstill. Ten trade unions called the strike, demanding implementation of a 12 point charter that included demands for a significant pay rise, a monthly minimum wage of 15,000 Rupees, a pension of 3,000 Rupees for all workers and against privatisations and anti-trade union laws.
The strike clearly was a mighty sign of resistance against the Hindu-chauvinist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of Narendra Modi, which has been in central government since 2014. It also forced the government to form a committee of cabinet ministers, including figures like Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Labour Minister Bandar Dattatreya, to bargain with trade union leaders,.
The committee met just once with the union leaders of the 2015 general strike. Even though the strike shook the Indian ruling class and its political parties, and won some concessions or at least delayed attacks in several sectors, it was not enough to force the government to agree to the central demands of the charter.
More provocatively, since then, although the government had several meetings with trades union leaders, these were not with the unions that led the general strike. On the contrary, it was only with the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, BMS, the trade union of the paramilitary, right wing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, RSS, which is close to the BJP government.
A rise in prices, as well as ongoing provocations and attacks by the government, ultimately led to the call for an all-out general strike today, September 2, 2016, by the joint platform of Central Trade Unions, CTUs, together with the Independent National Federations of employees of different industries and services including the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers.
In a declaration on August 31, Jaitley tried to appease the trade unions and to persuade them to call off the strike. He promised to raise the minimum wage to 350 Rupees per day and reforms of the trade union laws. However, the pay rise would exclude many workers, creating a division amongst those who are called out to strike and, in any case, would only mean a monthly wage of 9,000 Rupees, just half the figure demanded by the trades unions.
Furthermore, members of the cabinet declared that several of the demands made by the trades unions were not their business, because they were political. Behind this is surely the fear that not only the Congress party, which controls several of the striking trade unions could benefit, but that the ranks of the striking workers could become more confident in interfering in political issues more generally.
Not surprisingly, the BMS supported the government proposals and declared that it would not go on strike, which it had not planned to do anyway. While BMS leaders' statements are obviously intended to help the government and the media to divide the ranks of the strikers, their move shows something else, too. They are afraid that their own rank and file members are going to join the strike, as has happened last year at a local level.
Fortunately, the All India Trade Union Congress, AITUC, and the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, CITU, did not call off the strike, but reaffirmed their attempts to make the strike even bigger than last year, with the goal to bring as many as 180 million workers out on strike. This number alone clearly shows that the Indian working class has become one of the most important actors within the international class struggle. In recent years, trade union organisation has made important steps forward in India.
At the same time, the fact that it took the trade union leaders more than a year to bring out the workers again for their unfulfilled but urgent demands, shows that politically there is still a long way to go. This is made even clearer, when it is remembered that half of those leaders are in the pocket of the Congress Party, which ruled India for more than half a century, while other, more left wing, leaders are affiliated to the reformist Communist party of India (Marxist) CPI(M).
The ruling class and the BJP are certainly afraid of this week's general strike, and rightly so, but they are even more fearful of meeting the unions' demands because this could empower workers and encourage them to raise more demands while "alienating" foreign investors. Unfortunately, some of the trade union leaders also seem to be afraid of taking really decisive measures. Their fear, however, is that this could lead to a situation where their normal strategy of compromising with government officials could become inoperable if workers form democratic strike committees at local, regional and even national level to coordinate and lead their action.
Astonishingly, over the last year, some union leaders were actually still "surprised" that the government would not meet with them but only with the BMS leaders. One of the main immediate tasks therefore is to ensure that they are not surprised again if the government does not meet their demands. Socialists in India should demand that those leaders do not postpone the next strike action to September 2, 2017, but instead strengthen links between the unions as well as encouraging rank and file organisation which will be crucial if more than a "simple" one day general strike is needed to force the government to its knees.
Nonetheless, despite these important political questions, today's general strike is an encouraging step forward for the working class movement on the Indian subcontinent and internationally. It is also a slap in the face to those bourgeois apologists who try to convince the oppressed globally that "there is no such thing as a working class, and even if there were it would no longer be the agent of change in society". The courageous Indian workers are showing today that this is an outrageous lie. Socialists on the Indian subcontinent should make sure that those workers understand their own role as the agents of change, linking the fight for immediate economic demands to the fight for socialism and freedom under the banner of a new revolutionary party in India.


Attractive machine stands, featuring steel frame and translucent polycarbonate panels, add a touch of class to your office area. Generously sized laminate top accommodates most office machines. Storage with one fixed interior shelf underneath for office supplies. Includes cord management. Black powder coat finish has a Cherry top and the Metallic Gray finish has a Gray top. Four swivel casters, two locking.


We have for you a beautiful magical game with princess Sofia the First, and we invite you to play it with us. This games is only one of the many to be offered, a game in which Sofia needs your help to prepare a magic show for tonight. It is Amber and James birthday ans Sofia though that it will be very nice to prepare a magical show for them at the tonight's party. In order fo the show to be great and exactly as planned, Sofia needs to rehearse a lot, and for that she needs your help. To help Sofia cast her spells press the space bar when you see the magic pink puff appear in the circle. Make sure you don't hit the blue ones because they will only destroy your spell. Will you help Sofia practice her sorcery skills? The game has three levels and in the first one you have to help Sofia turn a simple shoe in a cristal one. Once you succeeded with the first spell, you will go to the next one and so one. Come and play this new and beautiful game with Sofia the First and have fun along with her while doing magic!


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Film , News
'The Old Guard': Netflix Lands KiKi Layne And Charlize Theron's Action Film Directed By Gina Prince-Bythewood
Trey Mangum
After reports first surfaced of their casting in the film last week, the KiKi Layne and Charlize Theron-led action film has landed at Netflix, according to Deadline.
The Old Guard will be directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. It is Skydance's film adaptation of the fantasy comic book written by Greg Rucka and illustrated by Leandro Fernández. Rucka will write the script.
The Old Guard's story will follow "a covert group of immortal mercenaries who must fight to keep their team together when they discover the existence of a new immortal and their extraordinary abilities are exposed."
According to the report last week, "Theron's Andy battles alongside two opposing soldiers from The Crusades; a French Renaissance thief; and the latest recruit, Nile, a U.S. Marine who will be played by Layne." Its authors have described the source material as "fairytale of blood and bullets."
Layne appears next in Native Son at HBO. She earned critical acclaim for her role in the film during it Sundance debut. She also appears in March's Captive State from Focus Features.
Report: Kiki Layne To Star With Charlize Theron In Gina Prince-Bythewood's Adaptation Of Fantasy Comic, 'The Old Guard'
Photo by Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Flash Time
By Chandra Reddy
Customers tell us that flash storage gives them time. Apparently lots of it. In some ways that's predictable. And when they take a systems view, combining a broad view of multiple technologies including data virtualization and flash, it gets really interesting.
This is the second post in a series on Flash Storage and our view on the intersection of this technology and data virtualization. To start at the beginning, read the first post "More Flash From Flash."
To start with the obvious, flash is touted as orders of magnitude faster than spinning disk. It moves transactions from milliseconds to microseconds. With no moving parts it's reported to be more reliable as well as more energy efficient. All predictable stuff. But when customers start applying it to their real environments, they've been telling us about some surprises.
New demands for performance, flexibility, capacity and cost have been stretching the basics of IT design for a while now. Add in the growing demands of cloud, big data and mobility and "the way we have always done it", doesn't. So, with performance as a central theme, flash gets installed. It's 20 times faster than spinning disk and you can fit 24 terabytes into the space of a pizza box. (Why a pizza box seems to be a standard IT unit of measurement is a mystery).
For some high performance applications this means that a half dozen storage racks filled with short-stroked drives can be replaced in a small part of a single rack. Beyond the space factor, the economics of that trade become much more compelling and not only because of the extreme performance. Now all of the capacity gets used as well. For example, one service provider installed five terabytes in a few inches of rack space instead of installing 1300 short stroked spinning disks across several floor tiles. They got the high performance at a fraction of the expense. Yes it's counter-intuitive but it's also happening.
As flash capabilities take hold, customers report seeing application transaction and batch processing times reduced by 80 percent and more. They see that it's possible to handle more transactions and to get more business done. Then, when combined with the impact of data virtualization, they begin to see less friction where the application meets the infrastructure. More and faster test and development is happening. They're no longer making clone after clone. Workflows get accelerated.
It's speed on speed.
We know of one customer, a Service Provider, that estimates they saved as much as 2000 hours in test/dev. time over the last year. For them it's a formula for competitive advantage and a practical example of systems thinking. The idea is that faster storage transactions have beneficial impacts up and down the stack. Applications are enabled in ways that simply wouldn't scale using traditional spinning disk.
Up until now, most of the flash discussions have been very focused on the highest performance use cases. Then, as data virtualization reduces the total storage footprint, the lower demand for capacity gets people thinking about broader uses. When the entire stack is evaluated, fewer high performance servers are required and demand for software licenses are reduced along with environmental costs for power, cooling and floor space. One IT director compared it to a plate of spaghetti. You don't judge a single strand he said, but the entire presentation. (Seems these guys think a lot about food.) This virtuous circle led him to scrap plans for an expanded data center, which eliminated construction, operating costs and substantial staffing expense.
We're also hearing that flash has another set of benefits that may not be immediately obvious or fully quantifiable. Overhead is reduced because it's simpler to manage. Storage admins can concentrate more on adding value and less on the operational mechanics. That has some thinking about "all flash" conversions for every production application. Using that virtual golden data copy to serve every core requirement. Let spinning disk be relegated to background tasks.
All of this means that how we think about costs, staff time and tasks can be reordered. What is the time-value when application performance problems no longer create fire drills for staff from every discipline? Suppose there's no need for all the storage performance trivia of optimizing, tuning, monitoring etc.? Then suppose that all that performance improvement makes end users more productive. What if it now becomes possible to build an application that wouldn't scale using traditional storage? Not every flash user is telling us they have already seen lots of unexpected flash or flash/data virtualization time-benefits. But all are seeing some and expect to discover more.
Call it the flash-time effect.
Photo credit: hjl
Storage Industry


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Nearly 1 million of the British Army died during the First World War. Everybody lost somebody.
About half are buried as known soldiers, the rest are buried as unknown or have no grave. source
The importance of all of the men who died became very important in terms of the memorial for the lost soldiers. Previously in the history of battles only important people were buried in individual graves or even taken away from the battle field. Triumph or glory in defeat belonged only to the higher ranks.
But the memorials for the First World War are mainly alphabetical, no mention of rank or social status. Just men, fought together, suffered together, died together.
After the war, the French allowed families to move graves to local sites but the British decided to leave our graves as they were, and so many men had no grave. How could those at home grieve fully with no way to out pour?
An army chaplain, the Rev David Railton, had the idea of the grave of the unknown soldier. A common grave for all people.
"One evening in 1916, Railton returned from the front line to his billet near Armentieres having just buried one of his comrades. Outside the billet was a small garden. In one corner of die garden, Railton saw a grave marked with a rough wooden cross. On the cross was written, in black-pencilled letters, 'An Unknown British Soldier', and in brackets beneath, 'of the Black Watch'. 'It was dusk and no one was near, except some officers in the billet playing cards,' he recalled. 'I remember how still it was. Even the guns seemed to be resting.' The sight of this unmarked grave made a huge impression on him. 'How that grave caused me to think,' Railton wrote later. 'But who was he, and who were they [his parents]?… So I thought and thought. What can I do to ease the pain of father, mother, brother, sister, sweetheart, wife and friend? Quietly and gradually there came out of the mist of thought this answer clear and strong. "Let this body – this symbol of him – be carried reverently over the sea to his native land." And I was happy for about five or 10 minutes.' " source
In November 1920 it all came to fruition. On the 7th of November four (possibly 6) soldier's remains were exhumed from different battle sites, the remains were taken to a chapel at St. Pol. The General Officer in charge of troops in France and Flanders, Brigadier General L.J.Wyatt, with Colonel Gell, went into the chapel, the bodies were covered by Union Flags. They had no idea from which area the bodies had come. General Wyatt selected one and the two officers placed it in a plain coffin and sealed it... it was completely unidentifiable, It could be anybody, rich or poor, any rank...anyone. (Although wikipedia says it seems highly likely that the bodies were carefully selected and it is almost certain that the Unknown Warrior was a soldier serving in Britain's pre-war regular army and not a sailor, territorial, airman, or Empire Serviceman)
The coffin was brought to England on a destroyer and then taken by train to London. The carriage had a white painted roof and people stood at every station to see it go through. There are many special details about the whole course of events such as the train carriage used had also been used to transport the body of Edith Cavell, the sword place on the coffin came from the King's collection in the Tower, the casket was made of oaks from Hampton Court and the earth used to fill in the grave was brought from France.
On the 11th November, it was taken from Victoria to Westminster by Gun carriage and the public numbers and atmosphere is compared to Princess Diana's funeral. This is the funeral of service. It included the 2 minutes silence at 11 o'clock, the first of which had taken place the year before in 1919.
What I find most important is that there were no foreign dignitaries or government representatives at the service, the guests of honour were women that had lost their husband and all their sons in the war.
Special permission had been given to make a recording of the service but only the two hymns were of good enough quality to be included on the record, the first electrical recording ever to be sold to the public.
The grave is one of the most sacred places in Westminster Abbey. It is the only part of the floor that the congregation are not allowed to walk on. It is a tradition that Royal bridal bouquets are laid on the grave. Started by the Queen Mother who laid her own bouquet in memory of her brother who was killed on the Western Front in 1915, followed by the Queen, Sarah Ferguson the Duchess of York and more recently Kate Middleton the Duchess of Cambridge by a soldier later in the day after the photos were taken.
Interesting reading:
http://www.ralphmag.org/ES/unknown-soldier.html
http://parachuteregiment-hsf.org/The%20Unknown%20Warrior.htm
http://static.westminster-abbey.org/assets/pdf_file/0007/38059/Unknown-Warrior-service-paper.pdf
http://www.westminster-abbey.org/our-history/people/unknown-warrior
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/unknown_warrior.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/remembrance/how/silence.shtml
Labels: remembrance


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Former Sainsbury's CEO Justin King to join M&S
11 December 2018By Jill Geoghegan
Justin King, the former boss of Sainsbury's, will join Marks & Spencer as non-executive director from 1 January.
King was CEO of Sainsbury's for 10 years until 2014. Before joining the supermarket, he was head of the food business at M&S from 2001 until 2004 and previously held roles at Asda, Haagen-Dazs, PepsiCo and Mars.
King is currently vice chairman of Terra Firma and on the public interest body of PwC.
He will join the nomination committee at M&S, which determines the composition of its board.
M&S CEO Steve Rowe said: "As we navigate the challenges ahead it will be enormously helpful to have [King's] experience, wisdom and insight on the board. Many colleagues remember his time at M&S and will warmly welcome him back."
Chairman Archie Norman added: "Justin's appointment completes a very significant reorientation of the board in the last year. He will be a great addition to a strong team."
King is the fourth new hire on the M&S board over the last 12 months.
View comment (1)
M&S boss: 'We don't regret Black Friday'
10 January 2019Grace Whelan
Marks & Spencer chief executive Steve Rowe has insisted that the retailer's decision not to partake in Black Friday last year was the right one, despite reporting weak sales in November.
Sainsbury's clothing sales edge down
9 January 2019Tim Clark
Total sales of Sainbury's Tu clothing line fell by 0.2% in the third quarter of the 2018/19 financial year.
Marks & Spencer appoints Asda's Andrew Mann
Marks & Spencer has appointed Andrew Mann as head of insight and customer loyalty.
Boux Avenue hires ex-M&S merchandising boss
11 June 2019Isabella Fish
Lingerie retailer Boux Avenue has appointed former Marks & Spencer head of merchandising, Rachel Harley, as its new merchandising director.
11 July 2019Isabella Fish
Marks & Spencer's managing director of clothing and home, Jill McDonald, is leaving the retailer.
Taking on the top fashion job at Marks & Spencer was never going to be an easy ride.
This week's need-to-know people moves
Senior departures at M&S and Graduate Fashion Week, with new appointments at Public Desire and Veja.
The M&S board is the retail equivalent of the The Travelling Wilburys.


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Cash (též psáno jako Ca$h) je francouzský hraný film z roku 2008, který režíroval Éric Besnard podle vlastního scénáře.

Děj
Po smrti svého bratra pařížský lupič-gentleman Cash plánuje pomstít jeho smrt. Poté, co jiným mafiánům prodá falešné eurobankovky a je jimi pronásledován, střetne se Julií, která je agentkou Europolu a již dlouho ho sleduje. Nabídne mu spolupráci, neboť při vyšetřování nepoužívá standardní metody. Společně tak chtějí napálit gangstera Maxima, kterého policie nemůže už dlouho chytit. Ten je oba najme na svou plánovanou loupež neregistrovaných diamantů v luxusním hotelu na Francouzské riviéře. Ovšem dokonale naplánovaná akce se změní ve chvíli, kdy se v hotelu objeví též gangsteři, kterým Cash podstrčil padělané eurobankovky.

Obsazení

Externí odkazy

Francouzské filmové komedie
Filmy z roku 2008
Filmy odehrávající se v Paříži
Francouzské akční filmy

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Internships give NSU students first-hand look at EMT, paramedic professions
ABERDEEN, S.D. – Asher Wahl wasn't sure what kind of duties to expect at his internship with Aberdeen Fire and Rescue.
But his first day on the job, a call came in for a major vehicle accident – and his crew told him he was coming along.
"I thought I was just going to sit in here and clean stuff," joked Wahl, a junior at Northern State University.
Instead, he got immediate hands-on experience assisting firefighters, paramedics and EMTs. While interns can't participate in actual patient care, Wahl served as an extra hand to shuttle necessary equipment.
Getting that first-hand look at what paramedics and EMTs do on a daily basis is the goal of the new internship program, said Mariah Mougey, EMS coordinator for Aberdeen Fire and Rescue. Mougey said when NSU Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Jon Mitchell contacted her with the idea, she saw it as a great opportunity.
"A lot of people in the medical field don't know what we do. They don't know what we're capable of," Mougey said. "So for us, this is going to help in the long run. They're going to have a better understanding of what people in the field do, and these are things they're going to have to do in real life."
The first three internships were spring semester 2018, and two NSU students are interning this summer.
Learning Real-Life Skills
One real-life skill the interns learn is how to intubate someone – Mougey recently demonstrated this procedure on a dummy for Wahl and his sister, Hanna Wahl, who also has a summer internship with the department.
The Sioux Falls brother and sister said they've always had similar interests – including track and field and cross country, which they both participate in at Northern. Both are biology majors at NSU and plan to attend medical school after graduation with the intention of becoming physician's assistants.
Learning these sorts of skills will be invaluable for his career, Asher Wahl said.
"Getting that hands-on experience is huge," he said.
They both say they are learning a lot from their internships, where they do everything their crew does, which also includes participating in various training – fire training, rope rescue off of buildings, etc.
'They Save Lives'
"It just gives a whole new perspective on EMTs and paramedics," said Hanna Wahl, a senior. "I never knew they could do everything that they do."
They are way more than just transporters, Asher Wahl said.
"They save lives."
Mougey said the department is also providing an in-house EMT training program and hope that it can eventually become a credited course at Northern.
"The goal would be to start getting more people involved as EMTs in the community," she said. "Because everywhere you go, people need EMTs. A lot of small towns here have volunteer services, so trained EMTs would be invaluable."
Choosing Northern
The Wahls said they chose Northern because of athletics, but also because of its great price and the fact that it was just the right distance from Sioux Falls.
The small-community feel made a difference as well. Hanna Wahl said she fell in love with Northern on her first visit.
"The campus was beautiful and everyone was so personable," she said.
She even got to meet with Dr. Jodie Ramsay, the chair of the biology department, that first day.
"It really made an impact."
To learn more about biology education at Northern State University, visit the College of Arts and Sciences webpage or contact admissions@northern.edu.
Northern State University is a regional university that offers outstanding academics and exceptional extracurricular activities at an affordable price on a safe, welcoming campus. Northern State recently announced its Educational Impact Campaign, with a goal of raising $45 million for a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, new athletic and recreation fields, and an on-campus regional sports complex. Once the campaign is complete, NSU will be the recipient of more than $100 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions.


On Sunday a large crowd assembled to watch the proceedings as Lord Lieutenant of Belfast Mrs Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle CBE inspected soldiers and presented shamrocks during a parade in Belfast to mark the patron saint's day.
On Saturday Lord Lieutenant of Antrim, Mrs Joan Christie OBE inspected soldiers and conducted the annual presentation of shamrock in Newtownabbey, while the mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Uel Mackin carried out the duties at Lisburn's Thiepval Barracks.
In Enniskillen Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Fermanagh, Major (Retd) Charles Plunkett MBE inspected the troops.
Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Paul Walkley said: "St Patrick's Day is a fantastic opportunity for us to come together to celebrate our regimental heritage and Irishness.
"It's a special day where we get to thank our families, local communities and our veteran community for their enduring support throughout the year.
The band of the Royal Irish Regiment and the bugles, pipes and drums of the 2nd Battalion provided music over the weekend.
Also present at the events was the Royal Irish Regiment's mascot, Irish wolfhound Brian Boru X who wore an official green parade uniform.
He was accompanied by his handler, Wolfhound Major Moore.


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Joe Biden enjoys being vice-president because it's so easy and he really doesn't have to do anything (see it here)!
Worst of all, the Federal Government and the United Nations were both closed because of the massive, record-breaking blizzard. Why would these entities close down when there is so much that needs to be done, right now, to cut global warming? Why should a little bit of snow hamper the efforts of mankind to save polar bears from melting icecaps? I urge you to plead with the Government and the UN to return to work to continue to fight against global warming.
P.S. We also received a new record for snowfall in DFW as well (here).


Diane Gordon is Vice President, National Development with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Prior to joining CBCF, she was the National Director, Annual Giving at Muscular Dystrophy Canada. She also worked with Hudson's Bay Company for 19 years.
Wednesday, the Huffington Post picked up a blog post by Meghan Telpner, which described her impressions of the PinkNic. I'd like to correct some inaccuracies and share some information about the event and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. The CBCF is the leading community-driven organization in Canada dedicated to creating a future without breast cancer. Since our inception, we have invested some $274 million in our cause. We know much work remains to be done.