My first house was built in the late 1890s and generations of previous owners left their belongings in the attic. It was just a bunch of junk according to the previous owner. I could throw it away or give it away, it didn?t matter to him.
To my surprise, sitting in the corner of the attic was a dusty, old Singer Sewing Machine, the kind with the treadle. One man?s junk is another man?s treasure.
My husband couldn?t understand what I could possibly want with that dusty old thing or why I thought I belonged in our dining room.
I am admittedly domestically challenged. I got Ds in Home Economics (who measures when they cook? Why sew?when you can go to Walmart?)
I couldn?t thread a needle if my life depended on it (if a button falls off, the outfit is trash as far as I?m concerned.)
But, now all of a sudden I wanted a sewing machine in my dining room?
He actually offered to buy me a ?real? sewing machine that ran on electricity if I wanted to try sewing. He was tired of paying to have stripes sewn on his military uniform.
He just couldn?t understand why I wanted that old-fashioned dusty one instead of a new shiny electric one.
Eventually he understood. All it took was a little Lemon Pledge. The dust came right off and the machine soon became one of our prized possessions. The scratches add character (and value, I?m told.)
My husband wouldn?t consider getting rid of it now. Three houses later, it is still in my dining room.
No, I don?t USE it; I like to LOOK at it.
What do you REALLY see when you look in the mirror?
Do you see a worthless old-fashioned, dusty, scratched machine or a valuable antique that just needs a little Lemon Pledge?
We are all on a quest for self-improvement. But self-improvement can be self-destructive if we are not careful with our self-talk.
It is far too easy to fall into the negative self-talk trap as we self-improve. You know, ?you will be a better person after you drop all that weight, finish your degree, get a job?? or whatever your improvement project du jour happens to be.
When you catch yourself destroying yourself, stop and immediately affirm yourself. Otherwise you may wind up storing your natural beauty in the corner of your attic and denying yourself to the world. Affirmation is the Lemon Pledge of life.
Healthy eating, exercise, education, reading and travelling are all excellent ways to create personal growth, but in so-doing, we must remember not to ignore our present self-worth. You are valuable NOW.
Self-improvement is merely a way to remove the top layer of dust.
Dusting and polishing did not increase the value of my sewing machine. It was valuable all along. So are you, dust and all.
You are already that beautiful antique sewing machine. All of the self-improvement that you are doing is merely bringing out your natural shine.
Self-improve until you glow but don?t hide in the corner of the attic while you do. Put yourself on display for the world to see.
You are beautiful as-is, even if you need a little dusting every now and then.
Foot fossils unveil a species that lived near Lucy?s kind
Web edition : Wednesday, March 28th, 2012
An ancient member of the human evolutionary family has put what?s left of a weird, gorillalike foot forward to show that upright walking evolved along different paths in East Africa.
A 3.4 million-year-old partial fossil foot unearthed in Ethiopia comes from a previously unknown hominid species that deftly climbed trees but walked clumsily, say anthropologist Yohannes Haile-Selassie of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and his colleagues. Their report appears in the March 29 Nature.
To the scientists? surprise, this creature lived at the same time and in the same region as Australopithecus afarensis, a hominid species best known for a partial skeleton dubbed Lucy. Another recent fossil discovery in Ethiopia suggests that Lucy?s kind walked much as people do today (SN: 7/17/10, p. 5).
?For the first time, we have evidence of another hominid lineage that lived at the same time as Lucy,? says anthropologist and study coauthor Bruce Latimer of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. ?This new find has a grasping big toe and no arch, suggesting [the species] couldn?t walk great distances and spent a lot of time in the trees.?
Lucy?s flat-footed compatriot adds to limited evidence that some hominids retained feet designed for adept tree climbing several million years after the origin of an upright gait, writes Harvard University anthropologist Daniel Lieberman in a comment published in the same issue of Nature.
Armed with only eight toe bones, Haile-Selassie?s team doesn?t have enough skeletal evidence to assign a species name to the new find. But this mysterious hominid?s foot shares more in common with 4.4 million-year-old Ardipithecus ramidus, largely known from a partial skeleton nicknamed Ardi (SN: 1/16/10, p. 22), than with Lucy?s crowd.
Ardipithecus evolved into an initial Australopithecus species by 4.1 million years ago, paving the way for Lucy and her kin (SN: 4/15/06, p. 227). Haile-Selassie?s discovery may come from a hardy Ardipithecus lineage that managed to survive near A. afarensis for hundreds of thousands of years before dying out, comments anthropologist C. Owen Lovejoy of Kent State University in Ohio.
As in gorillas, Ardi and the newly discovered hominid possessed short, curving big toes capable of grasping against the second toe. Other toe bones from Ardi and the new discovery formed joints that enabled a two-legged stride.
The newly found fossils include an unusually long bone from the fourth toe that unexpectedly resembles corresponding toe bones of monkeys. No such fourth-toe bones have been found for Ardi?s and Lucy?s species.
An Ardipithecus species might have lived alongside A. afarensis in East Africa, but the evolutionary identity of the new foot fossils can?t be determined, remarks anthropologist Tim White of the University of California, Berkeley, who led excavations and analyses of Ardi?s remains.
?Haile-Selassie?s discovery highlights our lack of knowledge about hominid feet,? White says.
What we have here is a constitutional question that has to be litigated, says Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), who discusses the Supreme Court hearing on health care reform. Hensarling says, "you can't add millions of people to government health care and ex...
If you're still poring over the specs of Nikon's current DSLR consumer models, then you've managed to dally just long enough to snag a tidy cashback offer. At least, that's if you're in the UK or Ireland and can make your purchase before the end of May. Nikon has confirmed to us that this is a local promotion, but we're on the case to see if a similar deal is coming to the States. In the meantime, these discounts range from £30 ($50) on the D3100, £50 ($80) on the flip-screen D5100 (shown above) and £80 ($130) on the D7000 when purchased body-only, or slightly more if you pick up a Nikkor lens at the same time. On the other hand, if you're casting about more generally for a kit upgrade, and if you can bear to stall just a little longer, then this could potentially hint at new models coming soon -- although it's not the first cashback offer to hit this range. You'll find further details after the break.
Nature: Video reveals wave character of particlesPublic release date: 28-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Kosta Schinarakis schinarakis@kit.edu 49-721-608-41956 Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres
Wave properties of individual heavy molecules can also be observed experimentally/video shows development of interference pattern in (nearly) real time
This press release is available in German.
Quantum theory describes the world of atoms very precisely. Still, it defies our macroscopic conception of everyday's world due to its many anti-intuitive predictions. The wave-particle dualism probably is the best known example and means that matter may spread and interfere like waves. Now, an international team of researchers has recorded the interference process of individual molecules. The recordings were published by the journal Nature Nanotechnology online.
"Seeing how the interference pattern develops with every light spot, molecule after molecule, and how a basic principle of quantum mechanics is visualized enhances our understanding of the atomic world," explains Professor Marcel Mayor, who conducts research and teaches at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the University of Basel.
For the experiment performed in cooperation with colleagues from the universities of Vienna and Tel Aviv, Mayor synthesized fluorescent phtalocyanin molecules having an atomic mass of up to 1298 AMU and consisting of up to 114 atoms. Then, the molecules were accelerated, sent as a slow beam through an optical grating, and deposited on the entrance vacuum window, where they were excited to fluoresce by a laser. For a period of 90 minutes, a fluorescence microscope observed the build-up of the interference pattern. Its setup has a sufficient sensitivity to exactly locate every individual molecule on the window with a precision of about 10 nanometers.
In the future, the setup might be used to study the so-called van-der-Waals interaction between molecules in the beam and those in the grating, which is reflected rather sensitively by the interference pattern. Researchers are also interested in finding out from which size and under which conditions particles behave quantum mechanically or classically, i.e. in the so-called decoherence. These findings may be the basis for novel applications, such as quantum computers. "But the many insights given by this experiment into the quantum world and its boundaries already are of high value," Mayor agrees with many experts, among others Bum Suk Zhao and Wieland Schllkopf from the Fritz Haber Institute, Berlin, who evaluate the experiment in the accompanying comment article in the same journal.
###
"Real-time single-molecule imaging of quantum interference", T. Juffmann et al., Nature Nanotechnology, DOI 10.1038/ NNANO.2012.34
The paper in the web portal of the Nature Nanotechnology journal
http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nnano.2012.34.html
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is a public corporation according to the legislation of the state of Baden-Wrttemberg. It fulfills the mission of a university and the mission of a national research center of the Helmholtz Association. KIT focuses on a knowledge triangle that links the tasks of research, teaching, and innovation.
This press release is available on the internet at http://www.kit.edu.
The photo of printing quality may be downloaded under http://www.kit.edu or requested by mail to presse@kit.edu or phone 49-721-608-4-7414. The photo may be used in the context given above exclusively.
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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Nature: Video reveals wave character of particlesPublic release date: 28-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Kosta Schinarakis schinarakis@kit.edu 49-721-608-41956 Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres
Wave properties of individual heavy molecules can also be observed experimentally/video shows development of interference pattern in (nearly) real time
This press release is available in German.
Quantum theory describes the world of atoms very precisely. Still, it defies our macroscopic conception of everyday's world due to its many anti-intuitive predictions. The wave-particle dualism probably is the best known example and means that matter may spread and interfere like waves. Now, an international team of researchers has recorded the interference process of individual molecules. The recordings were published by the journal Nature Nanotechnology online.
"Seeing how the interference pattern develops with every light spot, molecule after molecule, and how a basic principle of quantum mechanics is visualized enhances our understanding of the atomic world," explains Professor Marcel Mayor, who conducts research and teaches at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the University of Basel.
For the experiment performed in cooperation with colleagues from the universities of Vienna and Tel Aviv, Mayor synthesized fluorescent phtalocyanin molecules having an atomic mass of up to 1298 AMU and consisting of up to 114 atoms. Then, the molecules were accelerated, sent as a slow beam through an optical grating, and deposited on the entrance vacuum window, where they were excited to fluoresce by a laser. For a period of 90 minutes, a fluorescence microscope observed the build-up of the interference pattern. Its setup has a sufficient sensitivity to exactly locate every individual molecule on the window with a precision of about 10 nanometers.
In the future, the setup might be used to study the so-called van-der-Waals interaction between molecules in the beam and those in the grating, which is reflected rather sensitively by the interference pattern. Researchers are also interested in finding out from which size and under which conditions particles behave quantum mechanically or classically, i.e. in the so-called decoherence. These findings may be the basis for novel applications, such as quantum computers. "But the many insights given by this experiment into the quantum world and its boundaries already are of high value," Mayor agrees with many experts, among others Bum Suk Zhao and Wieland Schllkopf from the Fritz Haber Institute, Berlin, who evaluate the experiment in the accompanying comment article in the same journal.
###
"Real-time single-molecule imaging of quantum interference", T. Juffmann et al., Nature Nanotechnology, DOI 10.1038/ NNANO.2012.34
The paper in the web portal of the Nature Nanotechnology journal
http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nnano.2012.34.html
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is a public corporation according to the legislation of the state of Baden-Wrttemberg. It fulfills the mission of a university and the mission of a national research center of the Helmholtz Association. KIT focuses on a knowledge triangle that links the tasks of research, teaching, and innovation.
This press release is available on the internet at http://www.kit.edu.
The photo of printing quality may be downloaded under http://www.kit.edu or requested by mail to presse@kit.edu or phone 49-721-608-4-7414. The photo may be used in the context given above exclusively.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
For those people who have those structured settlement, they are definitely very much lucky for them to have this kind of financial security. But of course, this is only an effect or an outcome when a personal injury has been made that cause damage to the other party. And this structured settlement is somehow consider as compensation for the damage done. But there are some people who have such structured settlement where in they could no longer for its maturity. This is why they are thinking for a better way for them to have the lump of money from such structured settlement.
If you are one of those people who are willing to sell your structured settlement because of financial difficulty or you might be needing cash the soonest day possible, then selling such structured settlement is definitely an alternative.? But when you have decided to sell your structured settlement, it is also very important for you to look for a reliable structured settlement broker who can act on your behalf and look for someone or a company that is willing to buy your structured settlement. You only choose a structured settlement broker whom you can trust because this involves money.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 28th, 2012 at 10:47 am and is filed under general. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Should you want to find a flat in Londonwith the hope of meeting someone in the process, you should start learning about the top gay and lesbian bars in the city. While London has plenty to offer straight people in terms of cocktail bars, restaurants and theatre events, it can be difficult to find somewhere for gay and lesbians to converse. The truth is that London caters spectacularly well to this group of people and after you find a flat in London, it will be worthwhile visiting one of the following three areas, so that friendships can be made and possibly, a relationship.
Find A Flat In London ? Gay & Lesbian Bars In London
Village
The first stop you should make when you find a flat in London is to Village. Village opened in 1991 and since this time, gay and lesbian people have flooded through the doors. This area offers both a friendly atmosphere and the chance to communicate with like-minded individuals. Based in Soho, Village enables guests to dance, flirt, drink and even have a bite to eat over three separate floors. You can often find events being held here including karaoke, but generally, a DJ plays on most nights. This prominent club for the gay scene is open on weekends and every single day throughout the week! You can even organize a party booking when you find a flat in London too, so that you can celebrate your birthday in style.
G-A-Y Bar
Situated on Old Compton Street in Soho, G-A-Y Bar is ideal for people who find a flat in London with the hope to socialize straight away. The atmosphere is electric here and G-A-Y Bar is stretched out over three floors. Much fun is to be had here especially if you enjoy events such as foam parties and Easter egg hunts. Drink offers are always available and after 11pm drinks are just ?1.70. This includes drinks such as Carlsberg, vodka, whisky, gin, Malibu and San Miquel. If you really enjoy flirting here, participate in on-screen texting when you find a flat in London.
Candy Bar
If you find a flat in London in the Soho area, then you really need to take a trip to Candy Bar. Candy Bar is primarily for lesbians who are hoping to make new friends or start relationships. Dating back to the year 1996, this bar has been popular ever since. You can enjoy many cheap drinks here and dance the night away to some chart-toppers. You can find many events take place here too including many DJ appearances when you find a flat in London.
Benefits Of Shared Accommodation ? Find A Flat In London
How To Get A Roommate When You Find A Flat In London
7 Locations To Contemplate When You Find A Flat In London
Ways to Find a Flat in London
Find A Flat In London ? Transportation In The City
Tags: Find a Flat in London This entry was posted on: Monday, March 26th, 2012 at 9:54 pm and is filed under London Food & Beverage. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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Public release date: 28-Mar-2012
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