A volcano that has been rumbling for several days, but hadn't erupted for four hundred years, has erupted, sending smoke and ash 5,000 feet into the air, and causing thousands of people to flee.

Reuters reports that this morning, Sunday, just after midnight, on the Indonesia island of Sumatra, in the North, on Mount Sinabung, nature released smoke and ash and lava, and man issued a red alert. Sumatra has had its share of earthquakes this past year and now an erupting volcano!

Twelve thousand people were evacuated and face masks were distributed. There were no reports of casualties. So far the airborne ash is not posing a risk to aviation. Of course, video footage of the Mount Sinabung was posted on YouTube. See the video.

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Do you have a big interview, or perhaps a social event that requires being well dressed (wedding, funeral, court appearance)? Well you are in luck because you can get the Executive 2 Button Sportcoat- Light Olive Tic Check for only $39.50 at JoS. A. BANK. This clearance Sportcoat features a smart 2-Button appearance, is fully lined, with soft shoulders and center vent and is 100% Wool. This is a "fancy" Dry Clean only item (that you should not wash) and it was imported (from where I don't know). As of this posting there are sizes 40 - 48 (long and regular) available. The original cost for this Sportcoat was $395 - so this clearance item is a real bargain - it is like 90% off! I have ties that are more expensive!

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Squat ToiletsThe first time I saw and had the opportunity to pee into a squat toilet, I wasn't exactly thrilled by the possiblity of pee splattering on my thighs, and the design of the urinal-like toilet sitting directly on ground offended my western sensibilities. Of course, as I got accustomed to squatting, I started to see the benefits in both my thigh muscles and in the total time it took me to "drop my kids off at the swimming pool" whenever the need arose. Now, researchers are claiming that squatter toilets have health benefits as well.

As this writer so eloquently states:


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We have a gas stove drama constantly unfolding in our home. I am terrified of our gas stove and use it as little as possible, opting for the microwave, oven, blender, and simply serving raw food whenever I can. We had the opportunity to install an electric stove a few months ago when our gas tanks were empty—we even had the stove, as my parents had just received a new one from a friend and given us theirs; but we didn’t. Apparently my father and husband—who would’ve been responsible for overseeing and installing it, respectively—felt that it was too much work, not a great fit, and that since the house we live in was my grandparents’, it might also cause a conflict among family members.

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You are a hip, trendy, and urban individual who deserves free shipping - and that is what Urban Outfitters is offering using code FALLFORIT with every order you place. There appears to be no minimum purchase to qualify for this - and it is a pretty sweet deal. You need only to keep the following terms in mind: Valid 8/24/10-09/30/10. Free Standard shipping. No minimum purchase required. Excludes Bikes and Print Shop. Web Only. U.S. Only. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

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I just watched the video of the thirty three Chilean miners, who are trapped half a mile underground, and who are keeping up their spirits by singing their national anthem. I am expressed by their positive attitude.

The men were discovered alive this Sunday, after being trapped for more than two weeks. Food, water and supplies are lowered to them through a tube. "Protecting " the men's "mental and physical health ... has become a major preoccupation of Chilean authorities, especially now that it's clear they could remain in their dark, hot, humid quarters for up to four months or more."

It will take four months for rescuers to cut through the 700 meters of rock to get to the men.

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Money.

The root of all evil. The bane of my existence. What to do? If I stay here, work, and go to school, then I am poor. Poverty-stricken in a city minutes away from the likes of Bill Gates whose toothbrush probably costs more than my car. But if I succuumb to the temptation to travel, to leave the city, or pursue a different life then I am stuck at the end even broker than I was before, regretting my decisions, and unsure of what has happened.


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Seattle, Washington is by all accounts a fabulous place to live. We have some of the lowest crime rates (among cities of similar size), a relatively affluent and well educated population, and for about 3 months of the year - fabulous weather (seriously - it is like perfect). As with every place one lives there are positive and negative aspects - but here in Seattle the negatives are few - in fact, I think if you were to do a poll, you would likely only hear about either the 9 months of gray, mild, weather or the "Seattle Chill" - which actually has to do with social custom rather than the temperature outside.

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Here's something that makes me lose all faith in humanity.  Recently in the Congo, "rape capital of the world," 200 women and four baby boys were gang raped over the course of four days within miles of a United Nations peacekeeping base.  

It's easy sometimes, being a woman living in the west, to get caught up in the minutia of everyday life.  In discussions over what is and is not misogynist, over problems like the sorry state of women in the high tech world.  Why aren't there more women in tech?  Why do girls suddenly start losing interest in math and science at around age 11?


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Have you ever gotten in the shower and the water was freezing cold? I don't know about you, but for me, that really puts a damper on the whole day! Well, no need to worry about bad days anymore my friends - because today only - Daily Steals has a Temperature Sensor Water Glow LED Shower Head for only $7.98 ($2.99 plus $4.99 shipping)! This is a today-only deal and when it is gone - it is gone!

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