chrome heart sunglasses: 2014

2014年8月9日星期六

BRAVE NEW WORLD

ï»¿BRAVE NEW WORLD 2010

human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted. That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons of history. Aldous Huxley

Aldous Huxley wrote the dystopian novel Brave New World in 1931 at the inauguration of the last Crisis period in America. Dystopia is the often futuristic vision of a society in which conditions of life are miserable and characterized by poverty, oppression, war, violence, disease, pollution, nuclear fallout and/or the abridgement of human rights, resulting in widespread unhappiness, suffering, and other kinds of pain. Wells Men Like Gods and George Bernard Shaw which glorified socialism and a one World State. Orwell 1984, written in 1948, is the other famous dystopian novel of the era. Huxley had visited America during the Roaring 20 and his experience provided the character for the novel. He was outraged by America out of control materialistic egocentric society. He witnessed youthful superficiality, commercialization, sexual promiscuity, and a self centered culture. Chesterton explained his view of Huxley novel:

the Age of Utopias came what we may call the American Age, lasting as long as the Boom. Men like Ford or Mond seemed to many to have solved the social riddle and made capitalism the common good. But it was not native to us; it went with a buoyant, not to say blatant optimism, which is not our negligent or negative optimism. Much more than Victorian righteousness, or even Victorian self righteousness, that optimism has driven people into pessimism. For the Slump brought even more disillusionment than the War. A new bitterness, and a new bewilderment, ran through all social life, and was reflected in all literature and art. It was contemptuous, not only of the old Capitalism, but of the old Socialism. Brave New World is more of a revolt against Utopia than against Victoria. Technology to Control Society

progress has merely provided us with more efficient means for going backwards. Aldous Huxley

Science and technology are not inherently good or bad. They can be used or misused. They offer promise or peril. Ultimately, humanity can benefit from science and technology or it can be detrimental to our planet. Huxley envisioned a horrifying future where mankind used science and technology in a self destructive manner. He was disillusioned with the decadence of society and disgusted by the behavior of his class. Huxley outlook is a world where the vast majority of the populace is united under one World State. The world is restricted to two billion inhabitants. The inhabitants are strictly divided into five castes. The world is controlled by Alphas and their subordinates, Betas. Below them, in descending order of brainpower and physique, are Gammas, Deltas, and Epsilons. Each caste is further subdivided into Plus and Minus save for Epsilons, which are regular or semi moron. Reproductive technology, referred to as the Bokanovsky Process, is used by the government Alphas Betas to manage the number of human beings and their functions. The process is applied to fertilized human eggs in vitro, causing them to split into identical genetic copies of the original. The State has eliminated procreation by loving couples. Ovaries are surgically removed from women. The lower caste children are created in hatcheries.

At the very pinnacle of society sit Alpha Double Pluses, who serve as the future scientists and top administrators of the world. People in different castes are conditioned to be happy in their own way they do not feel resentment towards other castes, but rather feel a slight contempt for people not members of their own caste. The upper castes are intelligent, and have managerial jobs, where as the lower castes do the manual labor. The Alpha have what we would consider the best jobs, and it continues down until the Epsilons, who have the least skilled jobs. The Alphas are tall and fair, while the Epsilons are dark skinned.

The novel takes place in the year 2540 in London. The disturbing aspect is that we are now in the year 2009 and much of Huxley vision has come to fruition. At the heart of the World State control of its population is its rigid control over sexual mores and reproductive rights. The act of sex is controlled by a system of social rewards for promiscuity and lack of commitment. The United States has restricted population growth through a number of methods. Abortion on demand was made the law of the land in 1973. I ask myself how many Martin Luther Kings, Stephen Hawkings, and Ernest Hemingways have been among those aborted before having the chance to positively impact our world. use the pill available since 1960 on a daily basis in order to avoid pregnancy. The morning after pill was introduced in 1999. Planned Parenthood, created in 1916, has 850 locations in the United States offering easy access to abortions and other forms of contraception. have persuaded the lower classes to restrict their reproduction. They promote non consequential promiscuity among the other classes while reproducing and raising the new ruling class. American society is also segmented into castes as portrayed by Huxley. The Alpha Double Pluses are the Harvard MBAs running Goldman Sachs and the other mega banks. Others in the Alpha caste are the Bushes, Kennedys, Rockefellers, Clintons, Gores, Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, and Paul Krugman. The Betas include Congressmen, bank executives, government bureaucrats, military leaders, and corporate executives. The Gammas and Deltas are the working classes that do the hard work without ever advancing. The Epsilons are the morons produced by the inner city public school system. They fill the non thinking manual labor jobs of society.

The Gammas, Deltas, and Epsilons are brought up in conditioning centers. The Alphas and the Betas use technology to mould them into their predetermined roles in society. They use operant conditioning and sleep teaching to modify the behavior of the lower castes. Hatcheries rely on machines to condition bottled embryos to heat, sudden motion, and disease, allowing the embryos to fulfill their predestined jobs in specific climates. The science exists today to produce whatever traits are desired in our children.

Those in control of America also use conditioning and teaching to keep the lower classes in their place. The ruling elite send their children to exclusive private schools, grooming them for Harvard, Yale and Stanford. This guarantees they will be given the high level positions in business and government. Blacks and Hispanics represent 50% of all the high school dropouts even though they only make up 25% of the population. This guarantees a life of blue collar low paying jobs for these people. Whites obtain 78% of the advanced degrees, guaranteeing them the positions of leadership in society. The social welfare state implemented by the ruling elite provides enough sustenance to the lower classes to keep them anesthetized, ignorant and easily manipulated. Whites also obtain 77% of the bachelor degrees, assuring that they will fill the Beta administrator positions in society.

Another technological method of keeping the masses tranquilized and distracted in the Brave New World is through high tech sports and entertainment. Sport is a pillar of the World State consisting of various games and activities which use high tech equipment. Another key aspect of entertainment is the Users rest their hands on metal knobs protruding from the arms of their chair, allowing them to feel the physical sensations of the actors on screen usually in sexually themed films. The mass production of HDTVs, CD players, Laptop computers, Blackberries, iPhones, iPods, luxury automobiles and other electronic toys distributed to the masses through easy credit policies has successfully distracted the populace from the pillaging of the country by the Alphas at Goldman Sachs. The feelies of today are 24 hour cable TV with 600 stations, downloadable movies, an unlimited amount of free porn on the internet, strip joints, and prostitution. Sports addicts can attend baseball, football, basketball, hockey, soccer, wrestling, boxing, auto racing, and Michael Vick sponsored dog fighting events year round, or watch it on TV 24 hours per day. With mindless jobs and unlimited distractions, the preponderance of citizens are as docile as sheep.

Soma is a biological method used by the Alphas to keep the lower castes sedated. It is a drug that provides an easy escape from the hassles of daily life and is employed by the government as a method of control through pleasure. It is ubiquitous and ordinary among the culture of the novel and everyone is shown to use it at some point, in various situations: sex, relaxation, concentration, confidence. It is seemingly a single chemical combination of many of today drugs effects, giving its users the full hedonistic spectrum depending on dosage. As a kind of it also represents the use of religion to control society. Huxley description of soma reveals its power:

if ever, by some unlucky chance, anything unpleasant should somehow happen, why, there always soma to give you a holiday from the facts. And there always soma to calm your anger, to reconcile you to your enemies, to make you patient and long suffering. In the past you could only accomplish these things by making a great effort and after years of hard moral training. Now, you swallow two or three half gramme tablets, and there you are. Anybody can be virtuous now. You can carry at least half your morality about in a bottle. Christianity without tears what soma is. leaders bluster about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, but their actions speak otherwise. Americans can sedate themselves legally with alcohol, over the counter prescriptions, and tobacco. population, or 27 million people, are taking anti depressant pills. Over 4 million children are being drugged with Ritalin every day to make them malleable. The government looks the other way as the middle class uses marijuana, heroine, and cocaine. preaching the good word and sedating the masses. People intoxicate themselves with work so they won see how they really are. Aldous Huxley

Huxley formulated his dystopian world after observing the excessiveness of Americans during the Roaring 20 If he thought things were decadent and Americans were self consumed in the 1920 Huxley head would explode at the debauchery, ignorance materialism, and shallowness of Americans today. Our landfills contain more wealth than entire Third World countries. We throw away over 100 billion pounds of edible food per year. In his Brave New World Revisited, written in 1958, Huxley clearly laid out the dangers of consumerism:

re the services of expert salesmen versed in all the arts including the more insidious arts of persuasion. Under a free enterprise system commercial propa by any and every means is absolutely indis But the indispensable is not necessarily the desirable. What is demonstrably good in the sphere of economics may be far from good for men and women as voters or even as human beings. a simple example. Most cos are made of lanolin, which is a mixture of purified wool fat and water beaten up into an emulsion. This emulsion has many valuable properties: it penetrates the skin, it does not become rancid, it is mildly antiseptic and so forth. But the commercial prop do not speak about the genuine virtues of the emulsion. They give it some picturesquely volup name, talk ecstatically and misleadingly about feminine beauty and show pictures of gorgeous blondes nourishing their tissues with skin food. cosmetic manufacturers, one of their number has written, not selling lanolin, they are selling hope. For this hope, this fraudulent implication of a promise that they will be transfigured, women will pay ten or twenty times the value of the emulsion which the propagandists have so skilfully related, by means of misleading symbols, to a deep seated and almost universal feminine wish the wish to be more attrac to members of the opposite sex. The principles underlying this kind of propaganda are extremely sim Find some common desire, some widespread uncon fear or anxiety; think out some way to relate this wish or fear to the product you have to sell; then build a bridge of verbal or pictorial symbols over which your customer can pass from fact to compensa dream, and from the dream to the illusion that your product, when purchased, will make the dream come true. economic advancement has been marketed to Americans as happiness from consumption Every need can be realized through material gain. Success as a society is measured by GDP growth and the facade of prosperity. In Brave New World children are conditioned from birth to value consumption with such platitudes as is better than mending, which means buy a new one instead of fixing the old one. America has become the definitive throwaway society. Product waste has grown from 92 pounds per person per year in 1905 to 1,242 pounds per person per year in 2005. American human beings are lumped into the category of consumers by the mainstream media. Consumerism and consumer debt have been the contaminated lifeblood of the United States for the last three decades. Government actively promotes gambling by the poor, offering them false hope for riches. Americans squander $160 billion per year on lotteries and in casinos. Our society has become even more extreme than the Brave New World as we have outsourced our production to foreign countries, thereby gutting our economy. Even at the dawn of television Huxley realized the immense power for propagandists:

to compulsory education and the rotary press, the propagandist has been able, for many years past, to convey his messages to virtually every adult in every civilized country. Today, thanks to radio and television, he is in the happy position of being able to communicate even with unschooled adults and not yet literate children. States advertising expenditures, 1920 in constant 2007 dollars billions

The mass media is owned and controlled by mega corporations run by the Alphas of our society. Colleges graduate thousands of people with the skills to manipulate the uninformed masses through advertising and propaganda. What passes for news organizations are just propaganda machines for a particular point of view. The public is distracted by the seemingly major differences between the two main political parties. The reality is that both parties are controlled by banking and corporate interests who pay for the laws that benefit their interests. Huxley description of political candidates in 1958 is even truer today:

methods now being used to merchan the political candidate as though he were a deo positively guarantee the electorate against ever hearing the truth about anything. people must be beautiful and entertainment is indispensable. They provide the people what they want 24 hour coverage of Tiger Woods sex life, weeks of reporting about Michael Jackson death, and 10 seconds about the $100 trillion of unfunded liabilities we are leaving future generations. Truth is an inconvenience in the consumer society.

Incompatibility of Happiness Truth

is truth, but still greater, from a practical point of view, is silence about truth. By simply not mentioning certain subjects totalitarian propagandists have influenced opinion much more effectively than they could have by the most eloquent denunciations. Aldous Huxley

Mustapha Mond, World State Controller, believes that the population is better off with happiness than truth. In the Brave New World happiness is represented by immediate gratification of every citizen desire for food, sex, drugs, nice clothes, and other consumer trinkets. If the proletariats think they are happy, they won need to think or question reality. The World State cannot allow individuality to blossom. Free thinking individuals seek the truth. Spending time alone is considered an outrageous waste of time and money. Confession to a craving for individuality is shocking, horrifying, and embarrassing. John, the savage, grew up outside the World State and has studied Shakespeare. Everything that Shakespeare stood for: passion, love, intensity, seeking truth, relationships, and tragic endings, are at odds with the World State foundation. They cannot allow truth and true human happiness to exist in society or the Alphas will lose control.

The United States is the richest most powerful country in the history of the world. Our poorest live better than the aristocracy lived 100 years ago. We have indoor plumbing, air conditioning, heaters, clean water, automobiles, trains, jet airplanes, televisions, CD players, portable gadgets galore, free public education, fast food, gyms to work off the fast food, movies, the internet, restaurants, bars, concerts, sporting events, casinos, home improvement stores, grocery stores, discount stores, Wal Mart, clothes stores, jewelry stores, dollar stores, churches, Disney World, Las Vegas, and Graceland. These are the that are supposed to make Americans happy. Going into the woods alone, like Thoreau, to think is frowned upon. The propagandists sell the American public happiness in the form of material goods and services. If you don feel happy, take a pill. If you aren happy with your appearance have plastic surgery. If your spouse isn making you happy, cheat or get a divorce and try again. If your neighbor outdoes you by getting a $20,000 kitchen remodel, get yourself a $40,000 kitchen remodel. Happiness is a 6,000 sq ft McMansion with 5 bathrooms, a pool, game room, and Jacuzzi for your family of three. Having your neighbors see you driving a BMW 750Li will surely make you happy. Wearing a Rolex will definitely make you happy. If you die with the most toys, you still dead. Until reading a book to your three year old at bedtime is valued more than staying at the office until 10:00 pm to complete an investment offering, our society is destined for decline. Ours is not to reason why, but simply to do and die with a bare minimum of fuss.

2014年7月4日星期五

How To Determine Your Shoe Size

ï»¿How To Determine Your Shoe Size The key to a proper fit of shoes is getting the correct shoe size. Peoples feet change over time due to weight loss or gain, pregnancy and medical conditions. Children also change their shoe size every nine month or so depending on their growth rate. It is imperative you have the correct shoe size so that your shoes will fit properly and comfortably. Heres how to determine your shoe size. When at the store, ask to be measured. Its free and it only takes a minute. Your shoe size may have changed. Also, different brands have different sizing. Europe, North America and Asia also use different sizing conversions. The tool that is used in stores is called a Brannock device. If you are measuring a childs foot in the store, they usually have a carpet with different foot sizes printed on it. Your child simply has to step on the layout and see which one his foot is closest to in size. Measure your foot in the afternoon. Our feet swell during the day because of activity so the best time to get a measurement is in the afternoon when it is at its largest. This is also the reason why its the best time of the day to shop for shoes. Do it at home. If you measure your foot in the house, you will need a pencil, a ruler and a sheet of paper that is larger than your foot. Regular size copy paper is good for most people, but if you have unusually large feet, you may need to use a legal size copy paper or an A4 size sheet. Put your foot down. Place your foot on the paper and carefully trace your foot using the pencil. Its a good idea to tape down the paper so it doesnt move around while you are tracing your foot. Pay careful attention to the longest ends of your foot, as well as the widest portion. Repeat the process with your other foot. Measure it. Using the ruler, get the measurements you have obtained and see where it falls. Measure from the farthest points to get the length and width of your foot. Use millimeter instead of inches since the metric system is more universally recognized and is what shoe manufacturers follow. Adjust your measurement by about 5mm to compensate for the space between the pencil and your actual foot. Now that you know your correct shoe size, you know what to ask for. If you are buying sneakers, you may want to have a slight allowance for the socks you will be using. Bring the actual socks or hose that you will be using with a particular pair of shoes that you are buying so you can give it an actual road test. Most shoes are sold in medium width, so if you are a wide, look for brands that carry a wide width such as Bass. If its not available, ask for the shoe to be stretched in store. If you are in between sizes, consider the use of inserts to obtain the best fit.

2014年6月29日星期日

Beats by dedre plastic body at the same time play a decorative role

beats by dedre plastic body at the same time play a decorative role Black Bird has a similar stand to Red Bird, but it is actually a dock that you can plug your device into. Helmet Pig also has a dock, but is positioned on his helmet. I guess that the docks are the reason why Black Bird and Helmet Pig are more expensive than Red Bird.. The answerâ€"yes, they generally doâ€"might be surprising to doubters. Beats headphones tend to have a consistently bass-heavy sonic signature that fans of certain types of music, such as hip-hop and dance, may appreciate more than others. But most of the models we tested deliver satisfying sound. Both headphones are fingerprint magnets and therefore, Monster Cable is kind enough to include a cloth for you to clean them. The right-angled audio jacks and coating make the headphonesâ€™ cables less prone to breaking and tangling. A microphone is included for making calls on the iPhone/iPod/iPad.. Warranty packs will usually cover frames and graphics individually. Before you buy the display, make sure you ask the vendor all the How Much Are Beats By Dre questions you need regarding the warranty. The last thing you want is for something to break on the pop up displays only to realize its not covered by White Beats By Dre the warranty! And lastly, make sure you choose a quality vendor. Training videos are also very useful. Check out marketing forums for advice on what to read and watch. Make sure that you are very familiar Beats By Dre Studio For Cheap with the basics before you even start your business. â€œWe knew we needed assistance,â€ she says. â€œAnd we realized we couldnt do it authentic chrome hearts alone. When we went to stores on our own, we just bought more of the same clothes we had been wearing.â€ Amanda Seyfried ceremoniously bared her skin, revealing the outline of her breast as she walked the red carpet for the Hollywood premiere of â€œLovelaceâ€ at the Egyptian Theatre in California on Monday evening according to After the couple got the style guidance they longed for, they set out to help others become better dressed and more confident in their attire. The mining machinery suppliers must make revolution and improvment for future development and competition. Chinas 27 largest steel companies saw a 15.7% decrease in the first-half profits from a year earlier for a combined profit of 10 billion yuan $1.6 billion, according to the Shanghai-based researcher Wind Info, as soaring iron ore costs squeezed margins. We must grasp every chance to make our own company expand and eventually make our countrys mining machinery industry prosper.Hongxing Company lays much emphasis on the quality and clients.

How To Evaluate Sapphires

ï»¿How To Evaluate Sapphires When you think of a sapphire, the gem stone that immediately comes to your mind is a deep blue stone, right? But sapphires actually have lots of different shades other than deep blue, and this is due to some minerals that are found in some sapphire stones. A sapphire could be yellow, green, orange, pink, or even black. This is why you have to know how to evaluate sapphires. Evaluating sapphires is a bit similar to evaluating diamonds. Here are some tips on how to evaluate sapphires: Examine the color of the stone. Since you already know that sapphires can come in different shades, you should examine if the color of the sapphire is whole or if it is a mixture of different colors. If the stone is a mixture of different colors, it is considered as less valuable whereas if the stone is made up of only one color such as deep blue, it is considered as very valuable. Also consider the hue of the stone. If the stone has only one color, you have to check on its hue. If the color is a light blue, it is considered as less valuable compared to a stone with a deep hue of blue. Scrutinize the stones brilliance. You should examine it under a magnifying glass. If the sapphire has no scratches or flaws, then it is considered flawless. However, naturally flawless gem stones are a rare find. But even if the gem stone has some flaws, it is still considered a good find since a jeweler can cut the stone in such a way that the flaws will be eliminated, thereby showing the full brilliance of the sapphire. Check the size of the sapphire. Even though sapphires are also measured by carat similar to a diamond, a sapphire measuring a single carat is larger than a diamond of the same carat. This is the reason why you should not compare the size and weight of a sapphire to a different gem stone. Instead, ask the help of a jeweler and a proper weighing instrument in determining the size and weight of a sapphire. Determine the origin of the sapphire. If the sapphire was acquired from a mine, you should know where it came from since its value is also determined by its origin. A sapphire from the caves of Burma is more valuable compared to a sapphire that originated from Sri Lanka even if they have the same carat measurement. There are gem stones that were created in a lab, and if that is the case, the origin does not matter. Instead, you can treat the stone in the lab to make the stone darker by heat treatment, and the result is almost the same as a natural stone that came from the mines. However, a lab created and treated stone costs less than a natural stone. Whatever type of sapphire that you want to acquire, you should have the skills on how to evaluate the stone so that you will know how to choose the right sapphire. If you are not sure, it is better to ask the opinion of a professional jeweler.

How To Evaluate Sapphires

2014年6月28日星期六

How To Celebrate aYear Anniversary

ï»¿How To Celebrate a 30 Year Anniversary In these modern times, its not very common that couples last very long. Therefore, you should congratulate yourselves if you are about to reach your 30th wedding anniversary. Depending on whether youre traditional or contemporary, your 30th anniversary can either be your Pearl or your Diamond anniversary. Either way, this should be a momentous occasion in a couples life. Most couples celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary called the Silver anniversary with a bang. Most couples renew their wedding vows, have a reception party, and go on their second honeymoon after 25 years. While your 30th anniversary might be a bit low key, it should, by no means, be less important. You should still plan to have a romantic time during this special day. Write a love letter. In this age of email, text and social networking, very few people actually find the time to write. Get your trusty fountain pen and stationery paper and write your spouse a love letter. It can be a long or short one. For novelty, make it something about the number 30, like a list of 30 things you love about her, or 30 ways you will make your marriage even more special. Leave the letter somewhere your spouse will easily find it, such as her dresser, or under her car keys. Give your spouse flowers. The 30th anniversary flower is the sweet pea. You can have the florist deliver flowers first thing in the morning. You can also send flowers to her workplace. It will be even more romantic if you deliver the flowers yourself. Buy her jewelry. Since the 30th anniversary is the diamond or pearl anniversary, this would be the excellent opportunity to get her these precious stones. Traditionally, 30th anniversary gifts are supposedly pearl necklaces, bracelets or rings. More modern times will call for diamonds. Be sure you can afford the gift, though, as it doesnt make sense to rack debts just for a gift! Have a romantic date. Go out on a romantic dinner. Call ahead to reserve seats. Let the maitre d know that its your anniversary, so they can give you special treatment. You can also go out to watch concerts, a movie or the opera. If schedule permits, you can go on a day cruise. Spend time together. If you would rather not spend on fancy restaurants or jewelry, you can spend a romantic time together. For example, you can prepare a romantic dinner for your spouse right at home, complete with candles and champagne. Or, you can go for a fun picnic at the park or nature reserve.

How To Celebrate aYear Anniversary

2014年6月27日星期五

How I Found My Wife Her Engagement and Wedding Ring

ï»¿How I Found My Wife Her Engagement and Wedding Ring How it startedMy wife and I met in late 2000. We started dating in 2001. Our first kiss came on February 16th. Thats the day my life changed. Several things came into view. The first was light and energy. I had kissed girls before, but not like this. This was different. I felt like my hair was about to stand on end. My lungs felt light. I had no idea what to do with myself. In an instant, something in me realized this was no ordinary girl. Having had a few misfires and mishaps with the women folk in the past, needless to say, I honored what my instincts and gut was telling me, but I proceeded with caution. After dating for a few weeks and getting to know her better, I realized that I had someone special. She was well raised, moral, and very sweet. She also had a little spice to her. She was smart, fun to be with, and had a silly side. We had some things in common, yet we are different enough to where we compliment each other. As the weeks turned to months and we grew closer, I started to look at the very real possibility, that on that night, February 16th, I very well may have kissed the woman I was going to spend the rest of my life with. Not wanting to rush to judgment, I made a few decisions in those early months. The first was this. Push aside all these thoughts of forever and dreamy crap and replace it with a genuine attempt to really know this beautiful woman who unexpectedly popped into my life. In 2 years, if you still feel the same way, go for it. As I had mentioned, early on, I thought she might be the one, so I didnt want to push it and risk scaring her off and I didnt want to jinx it either. The second thing was, if I decide to pop the question in 2 years, I want a 1 year engagement. I wanted to honor the traditions of the past and give her family the time they needed to get to know me a little better too. The past is something I am connected to in a great many ways. I like Big Band Jazz. I prefer 1920s 1940s style of car over 2010s. I exercise with Physical Culture devices like Kettlebells and Clubbells. Im way old school. And I try to live in the morality that was present in those days. circa1930s Antique Engagement Rings Styled antique engagement rings and antique wedding rings, diamond necklaces and earrings, in white gold and platinum. So, Im gonna propose, now what?My sweet girl is a princess. Shes a classy lady. She deserves something a little out of the ordinary. She is a unique gift from God and I couldnt justify going to the mall or traditional jewelry store to buy an engagement ring. Plus I was broke. At the advise of a buddy, I started saving and setting aside all the one dollar bills I came home with. I was waiting tables at the time, so that seemed like a nice way to save up. I decided to get an antique ring. I like vintage stuff, my lady likes the Victorian Era. I saw exactly what I was looking for. Beautiful pieces that all came with a story. Even if I didnt know the story, I knew each piece came with one. As I looked around and found myself teetering on the cusp of my budget. I was just out of my league and price range. I also was in the process of repairing my credit, so I was a little short on cash. I had to make due with all those one dollar bills Id been saving. New jewelry that is based on the styles of the Edwardian Era, the Victorian Era and Art Deco. Heavens be praise, this was exactly what I wanted and in my price range. I picked out a nice one that just seemed perfect for my sweet girl. It was small yet sophisticated. Elegant and simple. The ring was also very beautiful. It had in it many of the qualities that attracted me to this lovely woman I wanted to make my wife. I ordered the ring. The service I received was fantastic. On the phone they listened to my story, understood my needs and guided me through the process. Any time this nervous soon to be ex bachelor called with a question, they were right there willing to help. I got the Wedding Rings form them and a few years later I bought an Antique watch for Christmas. Every time, the people at The Way We Were and Circa1930s were gracious and very helpful. The ring arrived right on time and on the evening of Saturday February 22nd, in the presence of friends and family, I ask my sweet girl for her hand in marriage. She said yes. We were married one year later on a Saturday in February. It rained that day, just like it did when my Grandparents were married in 1934. Fitting, dont you think? Vintage Wedding Links That Might HelpA Vintage Wedding Vintage Wedding Gowns, Groom\s Attire and Accessories Victorian and vintage wedding gowns, antique bridal gowns, vintage wedding veils, Victorian and vintage formalwear for the groom, bridal party and special occasions. Vintage purses, hats, lingerie, Victorian jewelry, handkerchiefs, vintage costume jeVictorian Wedding Make It Your Dream Victorian Weddings Planning CenterBuy/shop for gothic, medieval, vintage, victorian, pagan, wedding dresses, ball gowns, prom dress online, accessories, bridesmaids, flowergirls,in our large sale. Pink Diamond Engagement and Wedding Rings for the Bride Top International Engagement Rings and Wedding Ring Designs What To Do With An Old Engagement Ring or Wedding Ring How to Buy a Vintage Engagement Ring Follow 1Comments 5 commentsGo to last comment palmerlarryray 4 years ago from Macon, Missouri Awesome story and advice David. I have bought estate jewelry several times over the years. One of my favorites was a ring I bought for my exgirlfriend on Ebay. I couldnt find anything that matched her personality in the local shops but 3 weeks of searching online found just the ring I wanted.

How I Found My Wife Her Engagement and Wedding Ring

2014年6月25日星期三

Hello Kitty to Make Rare Personal Appearance at Cooper Jewelers Showcasing New Kimora Lee Simmons for Hello Kitty Jewelry Collections

ï»¿Hello Kitty to Make Rare Personal Appearance at Cooper Jewelers Showcasing New Kimora Lee Simmons for Hello Kitty Jewelry Collections Simmons Kimora Lee Simmons born Kimora Perkins on May 4, 1975 in St. Louis, Missouri is a retired model, the head of design for Baby Phat, KLS and an occasional actress. Biography Simmons is of Korean, Japanese and Black heritage. by Hello Kitty Jewelry, a fine jewelry and watch collection defined by exquisite jewelry in 18k gold, diamonds and select gemstones. pieces, the big rocks 35th Anniversary Collection andCome meet Hello Kitty Saturday, August 8th at 11 am to view Cooper Jewelrys Kimora Lee Simmons for Hello Kitty jewelry collections Cooper Jewelry is at 136 20 38th Avenue, Flushing, NY 11354 4233. Cooper carries a full range of fine jewelry from Cartier, Chopard toGift bags will be given out to those who attend and a sneak peak of the Kimora Lee Simmons for Hello Kitty Collection is available to viewSimmons Jewelry Co. is where fashion meets fine jewelry. The

Hello Kitty to Make Rare Personal Appearance at Cooper Jewelers Showcasing New Kimora Lee Simmons for Hello Kitty Jewelry Collections

2014年6月24日星期二

Gold Investors Get Bullish News But Shouldnt Celebrate Yet GLD

ï»¿Gold Investors Get Bullish News But Shouldnt Celebrate Yet GLD Jewelry purchases have historically made up the majority of annual gold demand. With record high gold prices and a worldwide economic slowdown, jewelry demand has plummeted by over 50% in some countries and 24% overall during the first quarter of 2009. Industrial demand has declined even more sharply during Q1, posting a 31% drop from year ago. With consumers cash strapped, plenty of for gold companies have emerged encouraging people to send in their old, unwanted, unused or damaged jewelry in return for cash. While they are only getting a fraction of the true market value for their gold, unprecedented amounts of jewelry have surfaced and contributed to a 55% increase in scrap supply. With a massive increase in supply and a sharp drop in the primary source of demand, gold investors have been understandably concerned about the price direction of gold. But some relief was found in the recent numbers released by the World Gold Council. A record level of investment into ETFs led to a 540% increase in demand versus year ago. The world largest gold backed ETF, the SPDR Gold Trust, commonly called GLD, said it held a record 1,041 tonnes of bullion as of March 12, replacing Switzerland as the world sixth largest holder of gold. This contributed to an increase in investment demand of 248% to 596 tonnes and an overall increase in total demand for gold in Q1 of 38% to 1,016 tonnes. This is bullish news for gold investors as increasing investment demand has more than made up for the decline in jewelry/industrial demand. But investors should not celebrate prematurely, as the sharp increase in scrap sales led to a situation where total gold supply during the first quarter 1,144 tonnes exceeded total demand 1,041 tonnes. Scrap sales jumped by 55% to 558 tonnes, helping total gold supply surge by 34%. Also contributing to the increased supply was a sharp slow down in the levels of producer de hedging from 129 in Q1 to 10 in Q1 Mine production was relatively stable, increasing by just 3% to 560 tonnes while lower levels of central bank sales, which fell 54% to 35 tonnes, had a dampening effect. Moving forward, I anticipate that scrap sales will decrease, while investment demand continues to increase sharply. The short term surge in supply from individuals selling jewelry will likely recede. I also expect both the dollar and the stock market to continue lower into the back half of 2009. This will push the price of gold back above $1,000 and to new highs as the inflationary effects of the recent bailouts finally hit the market. A currency crisis could be the next major shoe to drop and in this environment you will want to hold precious metals and shares of the companies that mine these metals.

Gold Investors Get Bullish News But Shouldnt Celebrate Yet GLD

2014年6月23日星期一

Friendly Gift Ideas for that Special Green Person You Know

ï»¿Friendly Gift Ideas for that Special Green Person You Know Buy Organic Goods Champagne, roses and chocolate are traditional touches, but you can put an eco friendly twist on them this year. Instead of purchasing the expensive champagne that had to travel a long distance to get to your store, opt for an organic sparkling wine processed at a local winery. Chocolate causes your brain to release serotonin, which can make you feel like you are falling in love, so it should be a key part of your Valentines Day. Buy fair trade organic chocolate and melt it in a fondue pot and serve with a variety of organic fruit kiwi and chocolate is delicious. These alternatives will give you an opportunity to try new products that you might end up preferring over the others. While it might be your instinct to lean toward a dozen roses, try to figure out what your significant others favorite flower is. Regardless of what type of flower you choose, make sure that it has been grown without the use of pesticides. You can also surprise your loved one with an organic shrub or tree, which can be planted to enhance your yard. Dine InWhen you are trying to have a romantic dinner out, it doesnt always meet your expectations. Restaurants become busy and crowded and you might be one of those couples who are against public displays of affection. Dining in can give you the privacy and comfort to enjoy this special day. Cooking a meal and setting up a quiet, candle lit dinner can set the mood, and it shows how dedicated you are to making this day memorable. Simple finger foods made from natural and organic ingredients are delectable and can make the meal more passionate. Hummus and pita chips, stuffed grape leaves and stuffed mushrooms make tasty appetizers. Loving GiftsCards, hearts or bears can be a cute Valentines Day present, but they are impractical and wasteful presents. Treat your loved one to a massage performed by you or do something else thoughtful for them like wash their car or cook them breakfast. If you want to put out all the stops and wow the love of your life, eco friendly jewelry can help you achieve this effect. Search for jewelry made from recycled metals and simulated gemstones. What others are readingEarth Friendly Anti Static Cling for ClothingList of Wholesale Distributors of Natural Organic ProductsBuying and Eating Organic Foods: A Look at the Benefits and Potential DisadvantagesCast Iron Versus Plate Steel Wood Stoves: Which is the Best Choice for You?Can You Conserve Home Heat Recycle Dryer Heat Using An Air to Air Heat Exchanger?Features and Options of the Best Wood Pellet StovesDIYers Make the Best Green Toilet Bowl Cleaner YourselfLCD vs. Plasma: Which TV is Best for the Environment?The 5 Best Green ComputersUse a Spin Dryer for a Genuine Heatless Option.

Friendly Gift Ideas for that Special Green Person You Know

2014年6月21日星期六

Featured Artist

ï»¿Featured Artist I got the mail okay, its cold so I sent my son out to get it, and was delighted to see a little present Id bought for myself and quickly forgotten about in the pre holiday rush. Copper and Unakite ring by Sharon at Tewa Jewelry When you are cooking, copper can even change the stability of eggs if you whip them in a copper bowl. Like the eggs, our skin can also absorb copper. Since Ive got arthritis, I decided to try out the old folk remedy of adding copper to my jewelry line up. As winter sneaks up on me, I figured it was worth a try to get more copper into my system and soothe my joints. Im not sure if it will work yet, but this mighty fine ring by Sharon at Tewa Jewelry makes me feel better just looking at it! At her Etsy shop, Sharon has lots more copper wire wrapped rings as well as a series of angel wing earrings prime for holiday style. Her ring came in a cute velveteen box and included a note of thanks personal touches that keep me in love with handmade. Thanks, Sharon! November 28, 2010 at 4:00 pm 1 Amy says:Rain, thanks for this interesting and informative post. I had not heard of copper as a folk remedy for arthritis. I will be interested in seeing whether it works for you, and of course, hoping that it does. Plus, what a great find! The jewelry is lovely. December 12, 2010 at 10:59 am 2 Sharon says:Rain, I just discovered your blog and wanted to say thank you so much for having me as a featured artist. I really thrilled. I really hope the ring helps with your arthritis.

Featured Artist

2014年6月19日星期四

Ear Gauge Infections

ï»¿Ear Gauge Infections Stretching earlobes dates back as far as King Tutankhamen from Egypt, according to the information website Brimstone Organics. Modifying the size of earlobes portrays a different meaning to each wearer. Religious journeys, rites of passage, social caste placement and beauty are interpretations associated with stretched ears. The process of stretching ears consists of waiting periods after each size, or gauge, of stretching material is inserted, and attention to cleaning the earlobe and jewelry. Discounted and cheap jewelry from manufacturers outside of the body piercing industry sell coated jewelry, which is marketed as titanium or niobium. True titanium and niobium achieve color by an electrical process. Coated jewelry contains a high level of nickel content and the coating flakes off into the stretched ear piercing after continuous wear and cleaning, causing irritation to the piercing. When an inappropriate tool is used for stretching ears, such as an ink pen, tape or straw, a bacterial infection, such as staphylococci, can occur. Taper pins sterilized in an autoclave are the safest tools to use to avoid a bacterial infection. Dirty hands and saliva can cause an infection to develop in any ear piercing. Taking jewelry out during an infection is an unsafe practice. Taking jewelry out while an infection is healing is dangerous and can cause the piercing opening to close and trap the infection inside. Once the infection cannot drain, an abscess may develop. Purchasing earrings only from a professional piercing shop should ensure that an allergic reaction will not occur. A professional should only perform a stretching or tapering procedure with sterile instruments. Keeping hands away from the stretched ear piercings and only touching the piercings while cleaning them when the hands are laden with soap will prevent unnecessary bacteria from entering the piercing. Changing a pillowcase frequently and sanitizing earphones, headsets and cell phones will help to prevent bacterial contamination.

2014年6月18日星期三

Ear Wax or Swimmer

ï»¿Ear Wax or Swimmer Ear Wax Blockage Ear wax keeps dust and small bits of debris from entering your inner ear. Eventually ear wax makes it way to the outer portion of your ear, where you can remove it by washing. Although the ear is self cleaning, some people routinely clean their ears with cotton swabs. While using a swab may remove ear wax, it may also push wax deeper into their ear canal, causing a blockage of the canal. The infection, also called otitis externa, develops when water is trapped in your ear after you swim, bathe or sweat. Bacteria or fungi may also enter your ear through small cuts that can occur when you clean your ear with cotton swabs, scratch your ear or wear headphones. If you have a wax blockage, you may experience tinnitus, a condition that causes noises or ringing in the ear. During the initial stage of swimmers ear, your ear canal may itch, look slightly red or pink and may discharge fluid. If you have swimmers ear and pull on your ear lobe, you may experience pain. Placing warm water in the ear from a syringe or bulb may also help dislodge the impacted wax. The National Institutes of Healths Medline Plus website warns against using this method if you think your ear drum could be ruptured. Irrigating your ear when you have a ruptured ear drum could cause injury or an ear infection. Your doctor can remove impacted wax that you are unable to remove at home.

Ear Wax or Swimmer

2014年6月17日星期二

DIY Gothic Anime Makeup and Fashion Tips

ï»¿DIY Gothic Anime Makeup and Fashion Tips Style fusion at its most twisted, Japanese gothic fashion draws inspiration from a variety of influences, blending the beauty of anime art with the opulent macabre. This pop culture grab bag of trends includes elements of Victoriana, clubwear, classic mythology, punk rebellion, mystery and a touch of the supernatural. A purely aesthetic style that retains none of the controversy associated with its Western equivalent, these looks err more on the side of beautiful, adorable and theatrical than incendiary. Gothic Anime Clothing Mix and match different fashion aesthetics to create a visually interesting style of your own. Blend modern with vintage, cyberpunk with Victorian, classic kimono with Renaissance or even Rococo with childlike innocence. Step 2 Select a theme or central concept for inspiration. Coordinate an outfit around thematic elements like vampires, dolls, pirates, the circus and literary classics like Alice in Wonderland. Themes arent required but can help guide the direction of the outfit. Step 4 Select an unusual color palette. Go traditional with all muted colors, all brights or all neons. Boldly mix unconventional shades together. Pair black with pastels or white with bold electric hues. Go wild with layering. Wear a long T shirt or dress beneath a blouse and sweater, a tulle skirt beneath a shorter cotton skirt, a jacket and even socks of different lengths. Step 6 Go big with accessories. Make a statement with platform or Victorian boots, a corset, lace gloves, printed tights, a capelet, hair ornaments, chunky jewelry or a top hat. Mix and match as many accessories as you like. Gothic Anime Makeup Match the makeup to your outfit. For a sweet, soft gothic look, go light on makeup. For a punk or theatrical look, channel kabuki and go heavy. Step 2 Create as smooth a complexion as possible. Apply makeup primer all over the face with a makeup sponge, then add a layer of foundation that is a few shades lighter than your natural shade. For a dramatic look, go many shades lighter or even pure white. Cover any blemishes with a dab of concealer, then pat finishing powder all over the face to set the makeup. Step 3 Exaggerate the size of your eyes with black liquid eyeliner. Draw a smooth, thick line across the upper lashes and extend it past the outside corner of the eye, into a heavy wing. Draw a thin line of eyeliner 1/4 inch below the lower lash line and connect it to the upper wing. Fill in the space between the lower line and the waterline with a white eye pencil. Add false lashes to the black lines and wear circle contact lenses to complete the effect. Step 4 Draw just outside the upper lip line with lip pencil to exaggerate fullness. Fill the rest of the lips with liner, then apply lipstick and gloss for a polished look. For a cute, pouty effect, leave the lip corners untouched by color to reduce the width.

DIY Gothic Anime Makeup and Fashion Tips

2014年6月13日星期五

Crafts To Make With Pull Tabs From Soda Cans

ï»¿Crafts To Make With Pull Tabs From Soda Cans Pull tab crafts are a fun and easy way to reuse something that is normally thrown away. You will need quite a few pull tabs to begin with so start taking the tabs off before you recycle the cans themselves. Asking friends and family members to do so as well will help build up your pile quickly. Once you have all the pull tabs you think you will need, you are just about ready to get going. Pull Tab BraceletsOne way to reuse pull tabs is to make bracelets out of them. For this all you will need is pull tabs themselves and colored ribbons. You will need twenty to twenty five pull tabs for each bracelet, depending on your wrist size. Now choose two different color ribbons and cut a long strand of each. Now all you have to do is thread one color through all the openings in the pull tab tops then thread the other color through all the pull tab bottoms. Tie a knot in each end but do not trim the extra ribbon as you will need it to tie the bracelet onto the wrist. Of course this craft can be expanded to make a necklace or a choker. Recycled jewelry is a fashionable statement and a good way to get new accessories without spending any money. They also make great gifts for birthdays or holidays. Pull Tab ClutchesAnother way to reuse pull tabs is to make a clutch or wallet out of them. The process is the same as the bracelet with the ribbons and threading but you will need considerably more than you did for that project. And another difference is that you will want to tie rows together to form the shape of a rectangle. You also have the choice, however to play around and make all kinds of shapes that you tie together to make a more unique bag. For this project you will also want some kind of material for the lining, perhaps a torn old piece of clothing that you can not donate? As well as a small zipper if you want the top to zipper close. You will also need sewing thread to sew the ribbons onto whatever you are using for a liner for your clutch. Once that is all done, all you have left to do is add your optional zipper. Picture FramesPull tabs can also be used with a little bit of glue to jazz up an old, outdated picture frame. Toy SnakeIf you have children, a pull tab felt snake might be your choice. All you will need for this is some green felt for the snakes skin and a little bit of red felt for the snakes tongue and some googly eyes which can be found at any craft store. Once you have all the supplies, you line up your pull tabs in a slightly twisted fashion like a real snakes body. Then all there is to do is loosely thread the felt through the tab openings. Once done with that, apply the eyes and attach the tongue and you have a toy felt snake for your kids or for a gift for other children. Pull tabs are a versatile supply for crafting, from jewelry to fake chain mail for those into fantasy play there is some way for anyone to utilize a often over looked item.

Christmas Was Born in Germany

ï»¿Christmas Was Born in Germany Christmas and its traditions have come to be taken for granted. Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree Luther King is credited with having come up with the fabulous idea of decorating a tree with candles to show the spirit of Christmas. Apparently he was making his way home through the woods on a cold winter night and was struck by the beauty of the snow covered evergreens. He was not one to let that pass for on coming home he replicated the scene in his own living room, and the first Christmas tree was born. From such serene beginnings the humble tree has grown to be the center of attraction in monster malls in the Middle East, decorated with diamond jewelry. Did you know that this famous Christmas Carol was written by Joseph Mohr in German when he was a novice priest in Austria in 1816? Later on when he was transferred to Oberndorf he convinced musician Franz Gruber to put it to music and the song was sung for the first time in St. Nicholas Church, and one of the best loved songs in the history of humanity was born on that Christmas Eve of 1818. German immigrant August Imgard is credited with having used the candy cane to decorate his Christmas tree while he lived in Wooster, Ohio. It is an old German tradition to decorate the tree with eatables such as apples, candies etc., and Imgard probably held fast to his Christmas traditions in his adopted country as well.

Christmas Was Born in Germany

2014年6月12日星期四

Careers in the Jewelry Industry

ï»¿Careers in the Jewelry Industry This is probably the most common jewelry job youll find since many hobbyist soon turn to selling their own work, first to cover costs and then eventually in the hopes of turning their hobby into a full time business. Though it is the most common, it is also the most competitive since jewelry making is hugely popular. However, it does happen. Some jewelry designers do find a way to turn their passion into successful careers as is evidenced by designers such as Tina Tang and Maya Brenner. This position requires specific training in gemology and even more training if you plan to specialize in diamonds. The Gemological Institute of American offers training and certification in gemology. They are one of the heavy hitters in the jewelry world as far as education, thus making them a good source for training as well as possible job placement in this field. While you may not be required to have hands on knowledge of how jewelry is made, youll need to know a lot about the materials used such as precious metals and gemstones. These jobs are usually salary based with the addition of commission. They dont always require any specific kind of degree or may not require one at all because experience is a major factor when selling. A successful jewelry sales professional will need to be able to educate the customer about the product while also persuading her or him to purchase it.Jewelry Store OwnerWhen we think of owning a jewelry store, most of us will think of a fine jewelry type of store. However, you can have your own finished jewelry shop, even if you are not a fine jeweler. Like any retail business once you move to brick and mortar you have a lot of overhead to consider: insurance, rent, advertising, pay roll, just to name a few. Location is also crucial since youll need to have your shop located in where your customer base will be, so you would need to know who that is before you just throw a dart at a map. Retail on any level, especially traditional retail storefront, requires a huge commitment of time. If you arent there to open your shop, then your shop isnt open for customers to come in and buy. So anyone who thinks this might be the way to go should be prepared for this.Bead Shop OwnerPerhaps ditto is not enough information, but much of the same that can be said for a jewelry store owner can be said for a bead shop owner. Expect to work long hours while you establish yourself. So, obviously, this job requires a thorough knowledge of jewelry making practices. Most often this position will require working mainly with fine jewelry such as gold, platinum, and diamonds. You can take various roads as well. If you want to take the how to route, you can write jewelry making books as well as magazine articles for the large assortment of hobby related jewelry magazines out there. Remember, too, that these magazine and book publishers are operated by editors and designers as well, so you could actually try to become a staff member of one of these companies. If you are more interested in the professional jewelry world rather than the hobbyist, there are magazines such as InStore, Modern Jeweler, and Accessories who also have a staff to write, compile, and publish these trade magazines.

2014年6月10日星期二

BURIED TREASURE BURGLAR GIVES COPS DETAILED MAP TO CACHE OF STOLEN LOOT DISCOVERY

ï»¿BURIED TREASURE BURGLAR GIVES COPS DETAILED MAP TO CACHE OF STOLEN LOOT DISCOVERY GRANADA HILLS The hand sketched map resembled something out of a middle school drafting class, with an X marking the spot of a buried treasure buried treasure A surprising piece of code found in some program. While usually not wrong, it tends to vary from crufty to bletcherous, and has lain undiscovered only because it was functionally correct, however horrible it is. and scribbled notes and measurements on how to unearth the precious bounty. And when police dug their shovels into a patch of dirt Tuesday at the site of the X underneath power lines near the Ronald Reagan Freeway and White Oak Avenue they discovered socks full of jewelry likely hidden long before Los Angeles most prolific burglar was convicted last summer. Diamond rings. Gold necklaces. Antique Rolexes. A canary diamond ring that, if real, could be worth as much as $400,000. For other uses, see LAPD disambiguation. This article or section is written like an . Appraisers are frequently appointed in probate and condemnation proceedings and are also used by banks and real estate concerns to determine the market .

BURIED TREASURE BURGLAR GIVES COPS DETAILED MAP TO CACHE OF STOLEN LOOT DISCOVERY

2014年6月9日星期一

BEST WESTERN PLUS Mansfield Inn Suites

ï»¿BEST WESTERN PLUS Mansfield Inn Suites Your Best Western Mansfield is full of southern charm and ideally located next to a host of top attractions. Guests looking for a hotel near the Dallas Cowboys or a hotel near the Big League Dreams Sports Park will enjoy all the sports and recreation the region offers when staying at our Mansfield hotel. A convenient location is just the beginning. This pet friendly hotel welcomes the whole family and gets your morning started right with a full hot breakfast. Indulge in a hot waffle buffet, a selection of pastries and cereal, your favorite morning yogurt and bottomless 100% Arabica coffee. A hotel in Mansfield needs more than just a prime location to make your trip memorable. With an indoor heated pool and spa and spacious accommodations, relaxation is easy when staying here. However, for something more exciting, head to the Big League Dreams Sports Park and Apex Indoor Sports Center. The Hawaiian Falls Water Park is the perfect place to cool down on those hot Texas summer days. Of course, no visit to the area is complete without a visit to Six Flags Over Texas, Dallas Cowboys or Texas Rangers game, which is the perfect complement for business travelers who are in town to woo clients. Whether its a meeting with Mouser Electronics or an event at the Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, an accoutrement of a little R is just the thing you need to fully enjoy your business trip. Employees of Oldcastle Precast Inc. regularly stay at our Mansfield hotel, and Klein Tool workers call us their home away from home. This eco friendly green awarded hotel received numerous accolades in 2013. Not too far from the Dallas Cowboys , Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor Water Park , its easy to get to the best attractions in town. Just two miles away from a massive sports park, its never been simpler to design the vacation of a lifetime. Book your next stay at BEST WESTERN PLUS Mansfield Inn Suites for great rates! Book online using the form above.

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