Compass Island Academy

This topic is an Out Of Character part of the roleplay, ?Compass Island Academy?. Anything posted here will also show up there.

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Forum for completely Out of Character (OOC) discussion, based around whatever is happening In Character (IC). Discuss plans, storylines, and events; Recruit for your roleplaying game, or find a GM for your playergroup.

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{Update} Hardwood Floor Installation! - The Inspired Room

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend everyone! Hope you are all enjoying shopping and decorating and lots of turkey sandwiches?! I am doing all of the above. When I last updated you on my hardwood floors, they had delivered the new wood (it had to acclimate to our home for a few days before install), and were ripping out carpet and old damaged wood to prepare for the new floors. ?That was an exciting step!

So last week the installers from Nielsen Brothers?spent several days here installing our new Hickory Flooring (the flooring is by Mohawk). ?It was one of those crazy weeks where our car broke down and we got a bill for $4,000 on a car worth $4,000 (meh), I had back-to-back meetings all week long, and had people working on my house several days in a row.?I felt a bit like I was running in circles trying to juggle it all without dropping the balls. But fortunately the installers were awesome and so capable, I was able to run in and out and not worry about what was going on with the floors. Every time I?d pop back in, they?d have more done and it was all coming together beautifully.

It was fun to see the progress and how much the floors are transforming the space!

Winston wanted to nap right in the middle of where they guys were working. He slept right through it, but clearly was in the way. HA! Notice that you can see several of the holes in the subfloor behind him, showing where our old counters used to be! It is so exciting to see these new floors going in and how they are making our kitchen feel like it was meant to be, with no more holes or damage to conceal or hide after the remodel!

You can also see my still unfinished kitchen and unpainted cabinets in the photo above. That?s right. Kitchen is STILL not painted. I?ve had the worst possible luck and experience with painters. THE WORST! I had one stand me up TWICE in the past two weeks without even calling and one several months ago that turned out to be a wee bit crazy. So, my cabinets still aren?t painted.

Thanks to everyone who has been asking about the kitchen and why I wasn?t showing the after post. It?s because there is no after YET. Things go so much slower than I ever dream sometimes. But having the wood floors done was the last major element of the kitchen besides the painting, so we are THAT much closer to being done now! I promise, there WILL be an ?AFTER? post.

I?m so so pleased with the new floors. The grain and finish is absolutely beautiful, even under all the dust of remodeling! I?m really thrilled that we had the opportunity to take out the stained and smelly carpeting in the adjoining family room to connect the spaces with the new wood.?The continuous wood flooring through the main level of our home really makes the house feel so much larger too! It is amazing what a difference the Hickory makes in how bright and warm it feels!

I cannot wait for all the final reveal posts because I seriously cannot believe this is my house, I?m really thrilled with how it is coming together! Nothing like a last minute home improvement project before the holidays (right? who does that?), but having new floors makes me all the more excited for Christmas decorating!

Do you do crazy things like remodel right before or during the holidays like me??

?

I?m partnering with the ?Mohawk?Floors Me, as Told by Bloggers? program and received hardwood flooring as a part of the project. As always, all opinions, experiences, home projects are my own.?

Source: http://theinspiredroom.net/2012/11/24/update-hardwood-floor-installation/

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Within 2 years of national title, Auburn fires football coach

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) ? Gene Chizik led Auburn to perhaps the greatest season in the program's history, and two years later to maybe its worst.

The rapid fall from a national championship to 3-9 and the Southeastern Conference doormat led to Chizik's firing Sunday, the day after a humbling 49-0 loss to No. 2 Alabama that showed just how far the program has slipped.

The Tigers endured the worst slide within two years of winning a national championship of any team since the Associated Press poll started in 1936 and hadn't lost this many games since going 0-10 in 1950. The decision came 17 months after Auburn gave Chizik a contract worth some $3.5 million annually through 2015 with a hefty buyout.

Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs said he informed Chizik Saturday night that he would recommend to President Jay Gogue the next morning that Chizik not be retained.

He said he had concerns with lopsided losses in 2011 but grew "very concerned in our fundamental approach to the game" after the Arkansas game.

"I had hoped our team would show some improvement this season," Jacobs said. "Unfortunately it didn't. The competition in our league is fierce. I decided we could not risk falling further behind by waiting for another year and hoping for improvement."

The players were informed in a team meeting Sunday.

"I'm extremely disappointed with the way this season turned out and I apologize to the Auburn family and our team for what they have had to endure," Chizik said in a statement released by Auburn. "In my 27 years of coaching, I have gained an understanding of the high expectations in this profession. When expectations are not met, I understand changes must be made."

The Tigers went from 14-0 with a perfect SEC record with Cam Newton leading the offense in 2010 to 3-9 and 0-8, losing their final three league games by a combined 150-21. Auburn was blown out by Texas A&M (63-21) and Georgia (38-0) but the finale was even more painful for Tigers fans.

The Crimson Tide cruised to a six-touchdown halftime lead and the second-most lopsided Iron Bowl victory in history, behind only the Tide's 55-0 win in 1948.

"While we experienced a tremendous low in 2012, I will always be proud of the incredible highs that we achieved, including three bowl victories, an SEC championship and a national championship," Chizik said.

He was 33-19 in four seasons and 15-17 in SEC games.

Auburn said the total buyout for Chizik and his assistant coaches is $11.09 million. Chizik's buyout is expected to total $7.5 million and will be paid in monthly installments for the next four years.

Six assistants are under contract through June 30, 2013 while defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder, offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler and wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor have deals extending another year beyond that.

The buyouts could be reduced if the coaches find other jobs.

Auburn joins Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky as SEC teams with job openings showing the huge divide in a league with six teams ranked in the Top 11.

Auburn tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen said players gave Chizik a warm ovation after the team meeting.

"I think we did what he deserved and we gave him a standing ovation and clapped for him," he said. "There's so much love for coach Chizik on this team. Would we have loved to see him get another year, another opportunity? Yes, but at the same time we understand where Jay Jacobs is coming from. Three wins isn't going to cut it in our league."

Defensive tackle Jeff Whitaker said, "It's kind of crazy right now. I had a special bond with Coach Chizik."

Chizik inserted tailback Tre Mason on the final play against Alabama to get him to 1,000 yards. The next day, Mason saw his coach get fired.

"It was a rough day for everybody," Mason said. "It's tough. There are going to be a lot of tears shed because there are a lot of relationships that may be put on hold or come to an end today. I have nothing negative to say about coach Chizik. He's done a lot for me and this program. I wish him the best of luck in his future."

Chizik had sandwiched two 8-5 seasons around the national title, but never approached the success of 2010, when Newton won the Heisman Trophy. The Tigers were 7-17 in SEC games outside of 2010 during his tenure.

His hiring was criticized by some fans after Chizik went 5-19 in two seasons at Iowa State and lost the last 10 games of his first head coaching job.

Jacobs was heckled at the airport after making the hire.

Chizik had been defensive coordinator on unbeaten teams at Auburn and Texas.

A search committee comprised of former Heisman Trophy winners Pat Sullivan and Bo Jackson and former Tigers fullback Mac Crawford will assist Jacobs, the school said.

Jacobs said he wants a proven winner ? not necessarily an experienced head coach ? who follows the rules and stresses academics.

A transition year in 2012 might have been expected.

Chizik had to replace the offensive and defensive coordinators after last season. Chizik made an ill-fated switch from Gus Malzahn's no-huddle, spread offense to a pro-style system with the hiring of former Temple offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler.

The Tigers struggled in the transition, partly because of shaky quarterback play and ended the season with freshman Jonathan Wallace under center.

Auburn ranked at or near the bottom of the SEC in every major statistical category offensively and defensively.

Chizik's tenure was marred by off-the-field problems, too, to the extent that he had employees of a private firm run curfew checks on players this season.

Four members of the 2010 national championship team were arrested on robbery charges in March 2011. Antonio Goodwin was convicted in April and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Dakota Mosley, Michael McNeil and Shaun Kitchens are awaiting trial.

Two-time 1,000-yard rusher Mike Dyer transferred to Arkansas State with Malzahn after being indefinitely suspended before the bowl game.

Freshman quarterback Zeke Pike was arrested in June for public intoxication and later dismissed from the team. Starting center Reese Dismukes was suspended for the opener against Clemson following a public intoxication arrest.

Auburn is also the subject of an NCAA investigation that includes the recruitment of Memphis running back Jovon Robinson, who was ruled ineligible after a guidance counselor admitted to creating a fake transcript.

Chizik's contract includes a clause that it wouldn't owe the buyout money if he is fired for cause, including findings of major rules violations or significant or repetitive violations" involving him or his program.

Chizik and Auburn have weathered past NCAA scrutiny. The governing body closed investigations into the recruitment of Newton and allegations from four former players that they were paid thousands of dollars during their college careers.

"I've got the utmost confidence in our NCAA compliance," Jacobs said. "Basically it boils down to winning and losing. Winning three games is unacceptable."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/auburn-fires-gene-chizik-3-9-season-192037021--spt.html

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SEC Watch: Swoop Raising $5M To Embellish Food Websites With Deals And Ads

Swoop, a company that works with food websites to automatically inject relevant deals, coupons, and ads, has raised $3 million of a $5 million Series B, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing was first spotted by Mass High Tech.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/xuikpfV_oB0/

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No Powerball winner; jackpot goes to record $425M

Michael Arrington, left, buys a Powerball ticket from cashier Lee Heilig, right, on Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, at a DeliMart convenience store in Iowa City, Iowa. The jackpot had reached $325 million as of Friday. (AP Photo/Grant Schulte)

Michael Arrington, left, buys a Powerball ticket from cashier Lee Heilig, right, on Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, at a DeliMart convenience store in Iowa City, Iowa. The jackpot had reached $325 million as of Friday. (AP Photo/Grant Schulte)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) ? Lottery officials say nobody has won the Powerball jackpot and the top prize will now increase to about $425 million for the next drawing, the largest jackpot ever for the game.

Iowa Lottery spokeswoman Mary Neubauer said sales were strong over the holiday week for Saturday's drawing, which was estimated at $325 million before the numbers were picked. That was the fourth-largest jackpot in the game's history.

Neubauer says the jackpot for Wednesday's drawing could go even higher than the estimated $425 million because sales pick up in the days before record drawings.

The previous top Powerball prize was $365 million, won in 2006 by ConAgra Foods Workers in Lincoln, Neb.

The Powerball numbers for Saturday were 22-32-37-44-50, and the Powerball was 34.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2012-11-25-Powerball%20Jackpot/id-5a9f1b260e244fb3b8fe54490f356253

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Clay's TD lifts No. 14 Sooners to 51-48 Bedlam win

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) ? After the first overtime game in the Bedlam rivalry, a wild celebration on Owen Field and yet another 500-yard passing game, it all settled in for Landry Jones.

His last home game with Oklahoma was over, and what a way to go out.

Jones threw three touchdown passes and Brennan Clay scored on an 18-yard run in overtime to lift the 14th-ranked Sooners to a 51-48 win against No. 22 Oklahoma State in the Bedlam rivalry on Saturday.

"No better way," Jones said. "God blessed me so much tonight to be able to go out like this.

"There's no better way to go out."

The Sooners (9-2, 7-1 Big 12) never led during regulation, wiping out double-digit deficits in both halves. Backup quarterback Blake Bell tied it with 4 seconds left on a 4-yard keeper on fourth-and-1 after Jones directed the first 16 plays of an extended drive.

The victory kept alive Oklahoma's chances for at least a share of the Big 12 championship. The Sooners could win it outright by beating TCU next week if No. 7 Kansas State loses to Texas.

"Football's a crazy game," Jones said. "There's up sand downs, good and bad. You have to stay somewhere in that middle ground, realizing who you are and what you're capable of and what type of offense you are.

"When you need a play, just go out and make it."

On the Sooners' second play, Clay got through traffic at the line of scrimmage and then broke through attempted tackles by Daytawion Lowe and Shamiel Gary to score the game-winner and set off an unusually giddy celebration on Owen Field.

The Sooners had lost only three times at home in Bob Stoops' first 13 seasons but dropped games this season against Kansas State and Notre Dame.

Players ran around the field in celebration, joining fans in the stands in leaping up and down when "Jump Around" was blared over the loudspeaker.

"It always feels great to go out on a win," Jones said.

Joseph Randle ran for 113 yards and matched his career-high with four touchdowns for Oklahoma State (7-4, 5-3), which settled for Quinn Sharp's 26-yard field goal in overtime.

Last season, the Cowboys blew out Oklahoma 44-10 to snap an eight-game losing streak in the series and win their first Big 12 championship outright.

Oklahoma State fans rushed the field and tore down the goalposts after that win. A year later, the elation was replaced with disappointment.

"The truth is the better your program gets, the more success you have and the more highly regarded you are, the harder it is to lose," coach Mike Gundy said.

"In a World Series, a Super Bowl or a state championship game when you lose it's a crushing blow. And the only reason is because you've taken it to another level. For the most part, this program's at a different level."

With his second straight 500-yard passing game, Jones surpassed Texas Tech's Graham Harrell to become the Big 12's career passing leader. He also became the first Bowl Subdivision quarterback ever to throw for 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns in four seasons.

He led Oklahoma's first fourth-quarter comeback victory in five years a week earlier, beating West Virginia 50-49 on a pass to Kenny Stills with 24 seconds left.

"What more do you want from the guy? The guy was, again, fabulous out there tonight," Sooners coach Bob Stoops said. "He threw the ball all over. He threw it well, throwing bullets everywhere."

Jones finished 46 of 71, both school records, with an interception.

Clint Chelf threw for 240 yards and a touchdown and also ran for 63 yards for the Cowboys, who were trying to win on Owen Field for only the ninth time but couldn't protect an early 14-0 lead or an 11-point edge in the second half.

"There were a lot of big plays. You know there's going to be ups and downs throughout the game, so we were prepared for that," Chelf said. "We just tried to answer every time they did something and they just made one more play than us."

Jalen Saunders tied it at 38 on the second play of the fourth quarter, dodging three early tackles and racing 81 yards up the Sooners' sideline to score on a punt return.

Oklahoma State answered two possessions later, going 77 yards and taking a 45-38 lead on J.W. Walsh's 2-yard keeper with 10:41 remaining. The Cowboys sacked Jones on third down and forced an incomplete pass on fourth down to get the ball back with 7:07 to play, but went three-and-out to give it right back and set up Oklahoma's tying drive.

"We're strong," Clay said. "We're strong-willed and we can face adversity. We can go through any obstacle, and we know this offense is very potent."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/clays-td-lifts-no-14-sooners-51-48-003343070--spt.html

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Computers and Technology Windows PC Registry Cleaner And Tool ...

Computers are similar to cabinets; as time goes on of usage it acquires dust and dirt from environment plus the issues you insert at the same time. In computers, as time moves of usage it acquire unnecessary clutters, needless file extension and possible malware that plays a role in the slowness in the computer. These memory clutters are from things that one does using the pc like downloads, applications, uninstalled programs, internet files and many other. Memory clutters burns the computer?s memory which does nothing for that computer and results in common computer problems for instance hang ups, blue screen errors, error messages, freezing up, and slowness in system. It?s all regulated an annoyance and needs to rid removed from the machine. One solution for this issue is a performance software.

A performance software pursue detecting unnecessary and harmful files which could create problems on my pc. After tracking down the many files and clutters about the system, the consumer comes with a substitute for delete these files and cleanup it of the memory clutters. You will find different brands of registry scanner software that particular will use for computers. PC Registry scanner reviews and registry scanning and cleaning comparison are ways of knowing which might be more ideal for usage for one?s computer. It is also opportinity for the patron to recognise which is the best product and what are things other users say and still have experienced when using the specific registry scanner software.

To give additional information on performance software, in most cases used registry cleaners adjusted date are CCleaner, RegCure, and Reg Mechanic. In line with some reviews, CCleaner is just about the most favored software as it may be used and downloaded gratis. Its trial version has registry cleaner and memory clutter files cleaner which will eliminate all the unnecessary and risky files on the computer deleting them permanently. CCleaner when fully purchased also offers cache clearing, and cleansing old pre-fetch data. CCleaner has tools that will serve users expectorate selected cookies, uninstall programs and do system restore.

Another performance software that is noted for its reputation as outlined by some software comparison is Registry Mechanic. Registry Mechanic by PC-tools functions mostly to wash out trash and clutters on system, repair windows error problems, detect harmful files that might cause further damage on system, possibly at duration optimize and speed the performance from the computer. In addition , it saves the previous registry in dire cases of unexpected crashes. Your personal computer tool is available for free but to use it fully, user must pick the whole software to unlock its capabilities.
The superior Tool On PC Registry scanner Reviews

One other popular manufactured goods is recognized for it performance as outlined by PC registry scanner reviews is RegCure. RegCure is really a tool that gives manual repair and back ups on system. Additionally , it detects wrong application paths that triggers some applications to crash and automatically corrects them. RegCure may serve as a supreme PC doctor and is well worth the money in the event that.

Source: http://www.professorratzhole.com/windows-pc-registry-cleaner-and-tool-reviews.html

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Source: http://ymaygtpa.posterous.com/computers-and-technology-windows-pc-registry

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Source: http://lyons7166.typepad.com/blog/2012/11/computers-and-technology-windows-pc-registry-cleaner-and-tool.html

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What To Do When You're New To Internet Marketing | Turn $1 into ...

There are many benefits to owning a business, such as unlimited profit potential and the ability to create your own schedule. Internet marketing may make that a reality for you.

Know what your target audience likes to read. Once you figure this out, finding the content to convince these people to constantly come to your site should be simple.

You can use your online marketing materials to create an emotional attachment between the customer and your product or service. Your reader should be prompted to daydream about using your product. Your ads should make it seem as if your customer is already enjoying the benefits and features of your product.

Try having a sale for new customers! You can build a buzz and get the traffic flowing to your site. This can also help you sell other products because most people will come for the bargain and add other products as well. Make sure you are confident.

Evaluate the actual merits of your the product or service you are marketing. An inferior product cannot be saved by proper internet marketing. Selling high quality products will assure you a profitable business.

Your ordering system must be 100% secure. If you start an account with a service such as Paypal you can ensure that your website will have safe transactions. Another idea is to allow your customers to have password protected accounts prior to ordering.

When designing your website use Flash and AJAX, sparingly. These things look great, but they can slow your site down, and they do nothing to help your rankings. Flash can and should be used sparingly, and make it functional with navigational links and keywords.

If you have a knack for writing, try writing about your products and business and then submit your articles to websites and magazines. You can use your writing skills to promote your business or website by creating great copy and distributing it generally across the Internet, or to a more targeted audience, if preferred. Urge them to give priority to publishing the articles you provide by giving them incentives and commissions.

Create a website adapted to your target audience. You will get more sales if you use your marketing efforts to give them all that they are seeking. Also, solicit objective opinions regarding your website. You can invite people from marketing forums or ask your relatives and friends. Research properly, take notes, and create a site that really helps people.

Nearly any promotion can benefit from advertising the promise of immediate satisfaction. Talk up how easy it is to buy the product, how fast it ships and how quickly it works. Tout any advantages your site has, whether it?s fast download speeds, an expedited payment processing system or quick order processing.

If your business has a successful marketing plan, you are probably aware of which specific products and services consistently generate the most profit. Your most profitable items on your site can serve as tools to increase sales. Come up with other items that can support and supplement your most popular products. This way, you will spend less on advertising these newer products, because they are riding on the coattails of your already popular items.

Always include a limited time frame to order as an incentive to make a purchase now. Consider waiving the shipping costs on the first thousand orders you send out, or giving customers free gift-wrapping if they get their order in a certain number of days before Christmas. Make this urgent with a clear end date.

Internet marketing recognizes and solves problems for customers. Your business will have a good foundation if you approach everyday with a clear understanding of how to answer the questions. If you assist somebody with a tricky situation, you will earn their loyalty and their recommendations.

It is quite helpful to have a 500 error webpage that is user friendly. This occurs when the website?s code is malfunctioning and not working properly. Your generic error page provides information to the reader that the connection timed out. There are superior ways you can alert your visitors that you know about the problem and are fixing it.

Every business has to start somewhere, but you have to put forth the efforts to build the business to be the successful business you had envisioned when you first started. Remember that marketing is all about what you know, not what you show. Keep expanding what you know about Internet marketing, and your education will pay off! Before you know it, the traffic will come pouring in.

Source: http://oneintoahundred.com/what-to-do-when-youre-new-to-internet-marketing/

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Bacg2010.org ? Shopping and Product Reviews

When getting a canister vacuum, the very first factor that you just really should take into consideration may be the power in the canister vacuum. This is for the reason that most shoppers will opt for a vacuum, and they expect that it may clean a lot more surfaces than carpets. The logic is very basic, in case you are cleaning one thing significant, then you have to have a specialized vacuum. These days, most canister vacuum cleaners are superior in cleaning hard to reach areas with extended hose.

There are numerous vacuum cleaners out there and they offer a lot of attachments within the package, but it is best to only opt for three of them.

Plastic Brush with Bristles

A single on the finest tools for cleaning hard floors may be the plastic brush tool with soft bristles. This is just a foot wide tool which can be utilized for cleaning concrete and hardwood floors. This really is the attachment that most buyers seldom use. This may clean floors efficiently, and it?s just a normal size opening.

Brush with Spinning Bristles

There?s also the turbo brush with spinning bristles. This brush spins the air all more than it. This spinning mechanism kicks the dust and also other dirt out of the carpet. The brush will set the carpet fibers aside in order that the suction can penetrate from bottom to up. There are lots of kinds of tools for carpet cleaning, and this could take another article. But for now, all it?s important to do is usually to investigation for the most beneficial.

Powered Rotary Brush

To attain the very best pulling action, you need to have a powered rotary brush. This cleaning tool attributes a separate motor to energy the spinning brush. This makes the vacuum additional potent in eliminating dirt and dust. Self-pulling powered vacuum cleaners are connected to the drive wheels. In fact, obtaining these additional wheels and motors mean you will discover extra parts which can be prone to breakage. You?ll have a frequent check out for the shop due to this. Now you understand the rewards that this brush needs to supply, but this is only great for property owners with pets. The value more than usage isn?t worth it unless you require a vacuum to clean big carpets and pet hair.

Pet hair could be the finest enemy of vacuum cleaners and carpets. Pets are born to be hair producers, and their hair can seriously get stuck in case you don?t clean them with a canister vacuum in conjunction with a effective attachment. Other difficult to clean stuffs are hard objects and water. If this really is the case, you?ll need a wet and dry vacuum cleaner. On the other hand, if you only have to clean dust within the shop, then go for a typical canister vacuum. A vacuum with HEPA filter is practical when you have allergies or dangerous dust in the shop. This function is really fantastic as this can be exactly the same technology that NASA makes use of.

Source: http://www.bacg2010.org/shopping-and-product-reviews/11/03/43/

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Google Now awarded Popular Science's Innovation of the Year

Popular Science has given Google Now its "Innovation of the Year" award, putting it alongside past winners like the Large Hadron Collider, the Toyota Prius and the Mars Curiosity Rover. It's august company to be sure, and the reasoning behind the decision is that it's "the first virtual assistant that truly anticipates your needs." The service has grown quite a bit since its initial launch -- from personalized recommendations to public safety alerts and the addition of a pedometer, it seems that these are early days yet for the context- and location-aware app. Hit the Android G+ source link to read a Q&A between PopSci and part of the Google Now team to get some behind-the-scenes insight of the award-winning service.

Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Google

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Source: Android (Google+), Popular Science

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/0EoXNr04g2o/

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Article Source: http://www.articleshub.org/article/216772/100-payday-loans-Get-loan-and-meet-financial-worries-with-ease.html

Source: http://www.articleshub.org/article/216772/100-payday-loans-Get-loan-and-meet-financial-worries-with-ease.html

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Marines establish first operational squad of F-35 fighters

(Reuters) - The Marine Corps on Tuesday established its first operational squadron of F-35 fighter jets at an air station in Yuma, Arizona, a move that officials said showed progress on the Pentagon's biggest and most scrutinized weapons program.

Three F-35B fighters built by Lockheed Martin Corp have already arrived at the base, with 13 more to come over the next year. The service has also spent about half a billion dollars to build new hangars for the planes, a high-end flight simulator for training pilots, and maintenance facilities, according to Captain Staci Reidinger, a spokeswoman for the base.

The new squadron, which is slated to start initial flights later this year or early next, was formally unveiled at a ceremony at the Arizona air base that included top Pentagon and Lockheed executives, as well as Senator John McCain of Arizona, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

It marked good news for the radar-evading Lockheed fighter program, which has been restructured three times in recent years to save money and allow more time to work out technical kinks.

Marine Corps Commandant General James Amos said it was a historic day for the smallest of the U.S. military services, which urgently needs to replace its aging fleet of older model F/A-18 fighters built by Boeing Co, and AV-8B Harrier jets, which are growing expensive to maintain.

"This squadron will be the first, not only in the Marine Corps or the United States, but the first in the world to bring a fifth-generation, multi-role, (short takeoff vertical landing) stealth fighter ... into an operational status," he said in a speech at the base. A copy of the speech was made available to Reuters.

Amos, who flew the F-4 Phantom fighters that were used extensively during the Vietnam war, said the new plane had "eye-watering" capabilities, although he said he could not discuss most of them since they are classified.

He said establishment of the squadron at the Yuma air base, coupled with testing and training going on elsewhere, showed "tangible progress" on the F-35B model, which can take off from shorter runways and land vertically like a Harrier jump jet.

Just two years ago, the Pentagon had threatened to cancel the F-35B program unless it made significant technical progress.

Marine Corps Air Station Yuma will eventually have five operational squadrons of the B-model of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Lockheed is developing three variants of the fighter for the U.S. military and eight international partners -- Britain, Italy, Norway, Australia, Canada, Turkey, the Netherlands and Denmark.

Defense consultant Robbin Laird said the F-35 would be a key asset in the Pentagon's increased focus on Asia since its ability to operate with other allies such as Australia and Japan would allow the U.S. military to maintain a persistent presence in the region.

MCCAIN "ENCOURAGED" BY PROGRESS AFTER YEARS OF SETBACKS

McCain, who has been critical of the F-35 program after years of cost increases and technical challenges, lauded recent progress on what he called an "enormously challenging program."

"I am -- after many years of frustration and setbacks -- encouraged that the overall program is moving in the right direction," McCain said in a speech at the base, a copy of which was emailed to Reuters.

But he cautioned that much work was still needed before the program could be called a success, including better cooperation among various Pentagon agencies, and between the government and the defense companies that are building the plane.

Air Force Major General Christopher Bogdan, who will become the Pentagon F-35 program executive officer on December 6, in September said ties between the company and the government were the worst he had ever seen. {ID:nL1E8KA3OG]

"It's a big milestone," said Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Scott, who has been flying Harrier jets for 14 years and commands the new squadron, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121.

"There's something to be said for walking into a new hangar and seeing it all in person. Airplane landing, people getting out, Marines working on it," he told Reuters. "Yep, it exists. It's not just a distant unicorn far away."

The squadron Scott leads was first activated in 1941, and was also the first to fly the Boeing F/A-18D fighter in 1989.

Yuma will carry out the operational evaluation of the F-35B plane, which is needed before it can be cleared for operational use, something that Marines hope to achieve in 2015.

First local area flights are likely to begin just before Christmas, or early in January, after some additional conditions have been met, Colonel Kevin Killea, who oversees aviation requirements for the Marine Corps, told Reuters.

Killea said the military and Lockheed were continuing to work through technical challenges on the new fighter, including a sophisticated new helmet and software development, but said the start up of the squadron was a step forward and should also reassure international partners on the program.

"We're not trying to kid anybody about these guys being operational in six months and deploying. That's a long way off. But the airplane is maturing, it's moving along ... and we're happy to have it in the hands of operators," he said.

Killea said some modifications would be made to the F-35 planes that had been ferried to the base, including changes to strengthen the air inlet door used for vertical landings, but the changes should be completed over the next few months.

Lockheed said in a statement that the three F-35Bs delivered to Yuma brought the total number of all F-35 planes delivered in 2012 to 20.

(Reporting By Andrea Shalal-Esa in Washington; editing by Carol Bishopric)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/marines-establish-first-operational-squad-f-35-fighters-010245688--finance.html

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Nokia Here arrives for iOS, brings Navteq-powered offline maps and voice guidance

If you've been keeping up with the news of Nokia's cross-platform mapping service, then you'll know it's designed to offer access to all of that Finnish cartographic expertise even if you're holding something other than a Windows Phone or Symbian device. To that end, the iPhone and iPad version of Nokia Here has finally landed at the App Store, promising to make you "feel like a local anywhere you go," through traffic and public transport overlays, voice-guided in-car and on-foot navigation and community-based updates. It also integrates with Nokia's other new service, Collections, which lets you save your favorite places to a personal account. Crucially, the app allows you to download one geographical area of your choice as an offline map -- although a 10MB cap means that the more square miles you try to grab, the less detail you'll see.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Nokia

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Source: iTunes

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/20/nokia-here-arrives-at-the-app-store/

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Game Loses Wedding-Cake War On 'Marrying The Game'

'I'll give her what she wants. She wins,' MC says of fiancée Tiffney Cambridge in first two episodes of new VH1 show.
By Rob Markman

Game and his fiancée Tiffney Cambridge in "Marrying The Game"
Photo: VH1

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1697744/marrying-the-game-episode-recap.jhtml

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Lost Pets - Mcall.com: Blogging with Bill White Blog

Bill White is a columnist for The Morning Call, where he comments on local news, judges Christmas lights, offers advice to the lovelorn and eats massive quantities of Musikfest food. His daily blog is a mix of personal journal, political commentary and odd ruminations on pop culture.

Source: http://blogs.mcall.com/bill_white/2012/11/lost-pets.html

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Poker: ?Lexington Ring? Figure Looking To Sell His House

Frazier put the three bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom home on the market three days ago.

Read the rest >>

Mon, November 19th, 2012

Related Poker News:

Gambling history facts:

• If you have even seen a Baccarat player bend the cards and make a fold in them, don't be surprised. This is common because once the decks in the card shoe are finished in Baccarat, they are usually thrown away. In Baccarat, do not bet on a tie hand.
• Casino gambling, including Indian gaming, is legal in 27 states and most of the casinos have been built in the last 5 years according to "America's Gambling Fever", U. S. News and World Report, 15 Jan 1996
• 1993: Steve Wynn buys the Dune Hotel, then implodes it to make way for the Bellagio. The new MGM Grand is completed, once again becoming the world's largest hotel. On December 31, Barbra Streisand stars in the inaugural concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
• French mathematicians Pierre de Fermat and Blaise Pascal explored the mathematics of gambling, leading to the formulation of Pascal's theory of probability in 1654.

Source: http://www.gambling-news-source.com/2012/11/19/lexington-ring-figure-looking-sell-79137/

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United Nations Official Calls on US Government to Challenge Legal ...

The head of the United Nations' International Narcotics Control Board is calling on Attorney General Eric Holder to legally challenge marijuana ballot initiatives in Colorado and Washington. The AP reports that?

Raymond Yans says the approvals send "a wrong message to the rest of the nation and it sends a wrong message abroad." He hopes Attorney General Eric Holder "will take all the necessary measures" to ensure that marijuana possession and use remains illegal throughout the U.S.

The U.N. drafted an anti-drug treaty in 1961, called the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. The U.S. is a signatory. According to the treaty, signatories may legalize cannabis for industrial and "horticultural" uses (hemp), but agree to "adopt such measures as may be necessary to prevent the misuse of, and illicit traffic in, the leaves of the cannabis plant."?

Source: http://reason.com/blog/2012/11/20/united-nations-official-calls-on-us-gove

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What are you most thankful for this Thanksgiving? - Pregnancy.org

by Julie Snyder

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Yes, there tends to be a lot of work involved -- hopefully with many hands pitching in.

There's delicious food that you spend weeks planning, days preparing, and within mere minutes it all seems to be gobbled up!

What I love most are those moments when you're gathered together with family and friends and get a chance to reflect.

It seems that "counting blessings" gets lost during the day-to-day shuffle of striving to pay bills, juggling work, the kids, and your relationships -- not to mention everything that goes with parenthood and the home.

But Thanksgiving offers a day to refocus and truly see all that you and I do have to be thankful for! We've gathered reflections from our members and their families to share with you.

Michael, the father of a precocious one-year old responds, "Curiosity." We think that's an awesome way to look at parenting a toddler!

Shellie says, "My father-in-law making it through another accident without getting killed." Dealing with elder parents can be difficult. Indeed this feat is cause for gratefulness!

"I'm so incredibly thankful for a new pregnancy and can't wait to share the news!" Cara says. Hooray for new babies on the way!

Becky says, "This year has been horrible in so many ways for our family ? but I'm incredibly thankful for my support team that has been with me every step of the way. I couldn't imagine making it through without them!" We wish you a year ahead filled with positives that outshine any challenges that creep in!

Kier shares that it's her kids. "Even though they can drive me bonkers, they bring so much joy, laughter, and light to my life. My oldest amazes me every day with the things she's saying. My baby is such a little character, and has been super loving lately...just coming up, giving me or my belly kisses, and a hug. My son's teacher has nothing but praise for his behavior, and how well he's doing at the academics. All in all, I am one lucky mamma!"

Jackie says, "I'm thankful that my husband has a job even if it's completely stressing me out! It means pay that keeps a good roof over our heads and allows me to stay at home. I'm so thankful for my son. When we have our bad days I just have to remind myself of the three years it took us to conceive him and how many nights I cried and prayed for him. He is a miracle! And now to be expecting another so quickly? Truly blessed over here!" We can't wait to meet your new little one! Thank you for sharing your journeys with us here!

Lauren offers, "Right now this strawberry popsicle that actually tastes good. Hope it tastes as good coming back up because nothing has stayed down today." We're sorry you're dealing with morning sickness, but celebrating the reason behind it. Congrats!

Karen adds, "? an amazing little 4 year old that seems to amaze me all the time on how sweet he really is, I hope he stays that way forever!" Aw! Four is a great age! They tend to be "all in" when giving of themselves.

"Pop rocks, cheap hamburgers and milky ways. Wait why is my list all food?!" Ashley asks. Hmm, it could be that little bean on the way? or perhaps you were raised in a past life in a 70s drive in!

Stephanie shares, "Our sweet little one, moving out of the city, losing weight, staying home, and good health. What wonderful positives happening in your life! We're so happy for you and your family!

These lists should be never-ending. Maybe this year, one of our (collective) New Year resolutions should be to stop each day to remember all that we have to be thankful for!

One of my counted "blessings" this season ? all of you at Pregnancy.org! Happy Thanksgiving!

Feel free to chime in! What are you most thankful for today?

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto.

Source: http://www.pregnancy.org/article/what-are-you-most-thankful-for-this-thanksgiving

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The Next Generation: Preparing Our Sons And Daughters For The ...

Posted by Blog Author

Nov 19

Lenzie O. Winstead?
free & powerful?
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The Next Generation: Preparing Our Sons And Daughters For The Future Of America
By: Stevie Lee Home | Self-Improvement | Spirituality

Preparing the future generation for the world of tomorrow must be our most urgent concern. It is our sons ?????Continue / Read Entire Blog?

Filed under: Member Blogs

Source: http://www.homebizblogs.com/2012/11/the-next-generation-preparing-our-sons-and-daughters-for-the-future-of-america/

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Hamas links truce to end of Gaza border blockade

CORRECTS NAME OF PERSON ON LEFT TO KHALED MASHAAL INSTEAD OF ISMAIL HANIYEH - In this image provided by the Egyptian President, Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal, left, meets with Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi at the Presidential Palace in Cairo, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012. About 500 Egyptian activists have crossed into Gaza to deliver medical supplies and show support for Palestinians facing an Israeli offensive. Morsi, comes from the Muslim Brotherhood, the parent group of Hamas and has met with Hamas leaders in Cairo. (AP Photo/Egyptian Presidency)

CORRECTS NAME OF PERSON ON LEFT TO KHALED MASHAAL INSTEAD OF ISMAIL HANIYEH - In this image provided by the Egyptian President, Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal, left, meets with Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi at the Presidential Palace in Cairo, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012. About 500 Egyptian activists have crossed into Gaza to deliver medical supplies and show support for Palestinians facing an Israeli offensive. Morsi, comes from the Muslim Brotherhood, the parent group of Hamas and has met with Hamas leaders in Cairo. (AP Photo/Egyptian Presidency)

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) ? Gaza's Hamas rulers are aiming high in the conditions they place on stopping rocket fire into Israel in indirect cease-fire talks launched this weekend. Emboldened by Arab support and confident in their arsenal, the Islamists say calm can only come if Israel opens the gates of the tiny, closed-off territory.

The question is how far Hamas will go to reach that long-sought goal, which Israel opposes out of fear of an influx of weapons to Gaza militants.

For now, public opinion in Gaza appears to support continued rocket attacks on Israel. However, Israeli aircraft have already struck hundreds of Hamas-linked targets in Gaza and Israel is threatening to escalate its military offensive. On Sunday, a new tactic of bombing the homes of Hamas operatives claimed the lives of at least nine children.

The indirect contacts between Israel and Hamas began Sunday, the fifth day of Israel's massive bombing campaign meant to halt more than a decade of intermittent Gaza rocket attacks on Israel.

An Israeli envoy was whisked from the tarmac at Cairo's international airport to talks with senior Egyptian security officials. The top Hamas leader in exile Khaled Mashaal held talks with Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, who also spoke by phone with the Hamas prime minister in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh.

Hamas' demands, as presented by Mashaal, include open borders for Gaza and international guarantees that Israel will halt all attacks on Gaza, including targeted killings of the movement's leaders. The assassination of Hamas' military chief last week after days of smaller exchanges between the two sides marked the start of the Israeli offensive, the most intense since a three-week-long war four years ago.

The Islamists view the current round of fighting as an opportunity to pry open the borders of Gaza, which slammed shut in 2007, after Hamas wrested control of the territory from its political rival, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. In response to the takeover, Israel and Egypt ? then under Morsi's pro-Western predecessor Hosni Mubarak ? sealed off Gaza to disrupt Hamas rule.

"We will not accept a cease-fire until the occupation (Israel) meets our conditions," said Izzat Rishaq, a senior Hamas official who is involved in the cease-fire efforts in Cairo.

Free movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza is seen as vital for Hamas' continued control of Gaza.

Both Israel and Egypt's new leader have eased access to the territory since 2007, but many restrictions remain. But even Morsi ? who is sympathetic to Hamas as a fellow member of the region-wide Muslim Brotherhood ? has resisted Hamas calls for open trade between Gaza and Egypt. Morsi fears such ties could undercut attempts to set up a Palestinian state in Gaza and the West Bank, the territory on the other side of Israel, where Abbas has partial control.

Open Gaza borders, including an end to Israel's naval blockade of the territory, would also heighten Israel's concerns about weapons smuggling into Gaza. After Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 and relinquished control of the territory's border with Egypt, militants dramatically stepped up the import of weapons through smuggling tunnels.

Israel now fears that Hamas would exploit unfettered access to Gaza to further boost its arsenal of missiles and other strategic weapons from Iran and stockpiles plundered after the fall of the Libyan regime last year. Israel estimates that Hamas already has some 12,000 rockets, including some Hamas claims are being produced by a fledgling local arms industry.

Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev would not say Sunday whether Israel seeks a demilitarized Gaza as part of a broader cease-fire package, but said any deal must guarantee an end to rocket fire for good.

"We don't want a ... quick fix and in two weeks or two months we have another round," he said. "'The people of southern Israel have the right to live normal lives, not in fear of incoming missiles."

Israeli military spokeswoman Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich said Israel's offensive is meant to "cripple the capabilities" of Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza. Leibovich said Israel's air force has specified hundreds more targets for attack, adding that "we are really determined to reach the goal of the operation."

However, Israeli leaders face diplomatic restraints as they consider the next military move, including a possible ground invasion. President Barack Obama and British Foreign Secretary William Hague on Sunday cautioned against an escalation in Gaza, including sending in ground troops, even as they asserted that Israel has the right to defend itself against rocket fire.

A Gaza invasion or dramatic escalation of the air campaign could further strain Israel's ties with Egypt, a regional powerhouse and Israel's main conduit to the Arab world. Israeli Vice Premier Moshe Yaalon said Sunday that Israel is keeping open channels with the Egypt, adding that "we hope the Egyptian regime will play a positive role."

The Egyptian-led cease-fire efforts are taking place against a regional backdrop that is dramatically different from what it was four years ago, during Israel's last major Gaza offensive.

At the time, Hamas was largely isolated. Now, following the Arab Spring uprisings, it has new regional friends, including fellow Muslim Brothers in power in Egypt and Tunisia, and increased support from Qatar and Turkey. On Sunday, Hamas' Mashaal also met with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is visiting Cairo.

Both Yaalon and Ahmed Yousef, a Gaza intellectual close to Hamas, suggested that the two sides will keep fighting to improve their positions in eventual truce talks.

Israel is trying to improve its leverage by striking Hamas hard, said Yaalon. "We have to deter them," he said. "How? By charging them the heavy price right now where they'll have to consider whether they'll go on with their terrorist attacks ..."

Yousef said Hamas is capable of firing rockets as long as Israel bombards Gaza, adding that militants "have enough missiles to fire." Overall, Hamas is in a strong position to negotiate a truce deal, he said, citing the new diplomatic support and the group's current popularity at home, in addition to the large arsenal.

The current round of fighting will eventually grind to a halt, but it's unlikely the two sides will emerge with a durable cease-fire, said Israeli analyst Yossi Alpher.

"Both sides will have to come down from their lofty demands, and it will require some heavy pressure," he said. "Certainly, it will end with some sort of cease-fire, but it won't be kept because Hamas will be rearming and Israel will respond and things will get out of hand within a few months."

____

Bohn reported from Jerusalem. AP reported Ibrahim Barzak in Gaza City contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2012-11-18-Gaza-What%20Hamas%20Wants/id-1247015e5d21496a96fb3d42b534578b

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