document:
May turned out to be a great month. Just spectacular. Maybe not groupie threesome spectacular, but at least really hot unintentional nip slip spectacular.
Numbers finally started creeping back up from The Great February Plunge of Twenty Twelve. (To really get that right, you have to imagine a minor chord slammed on a seventies organ right after saying it.) 13,843 page views for May--about a thousand more than April, so we're finally on the upswing. The Plunge happened because I stopped being such an unmitigated whore when I realized I was spending more time self-pimpificating than writing, so I try not to look at it as a bad thing--less a loss of real numbers, and more an artificial inflation bubble finally regulating. Still, I can't pretend that there isn't a sense of relief that the pageviews number finally stopped doing an impersonation of Captain America in the plane at the end of The First Avenger.
I was particularly stokified to see this trend since May was such a tough month for me. The end of the semester at my teaching gig meant that I did more jazz hands this month than normal. Either I built up some street cred, or fewer people can see through my bullshit than I ever could have dreamed.
Two Articles that will be going on to The Year's Most Loved were from The Mailbox. This isn't surprising considering how well the Mailbox posts usually do, and how much jazz hands I did. But I'm actually really excited to say that the third article was creative writing.
The Mailbox: You Don't Really Have to Write Every Day!
The Mailbox: Should I Outline My Book?
A Demon's Rubicon Part 1
Of course I will quietly post the official numbers later, but this was by far the most encouraging part of May. I actually made more than I ever have off of both ads and donations. Mind you, we're still only talking about fifty dollars, but considering I'm up from five or six dollars a year ago, I feel like moving to the bow of the ship and declaring that I'm the king of the world.
It's pretty fucking awesome that I'm right on the cusp of being able to say that I average TWO dollars a day.
Well, I have two weeks before summer school starts, which may impact my posting schedule a bit--I'm not sure yet. Regardless, I might have to shift some things around to deal with a T/W/Th day schedule instead of my usual M/W night schedule, but I shouldn't actually lose much productivity give how low key the class is on prep. And until then, I'm hoping to use the extra time to really pump out some good articles. I hope.
On the block this month is a new part of It's Really Okay Not To Write, another glossary entry, some grammar rules you should probably know, the next craft essay, a poll on stand alone fantasy novels, and some kind of Kublacon write up. Plus, I just have have a sense that Season 2 is really about to take off. I just...have that feeling.
Then again, I may just sit around and play way too much Fallout: New Vegas though. I've been known to do that during school vacations. I'm kind of a lazy ass.
How being a writer helped me rewrite a sexist trope...for real. [Edit 3 (7/25/13): I speak to some of the more common comments, questions,...
Well....it finally happened. My "can't even" about the comments on my Facebook page went from figurative to literal. At o...
So if you've been on Facebook sometime in the last fifty years or so, you've probably run across this little turd of a meme. I...
My suspicion is we're going to hear a lot about mental illness in the next few days. A lot. And my prediction is that it's going to...
Come see the full comic at: http://jensorensen.com/2016/11/15/donald-trump-election-win-reactions-cartoon/ If you are still trying to ...
Image description: A fountain pen writing on lined paper. These are the brass tacks. The bare bones. The pulsing core of effective writi...
I don't normally mess with author gossip here on Writing About Writing . Our incestual little industry has enough tricky-to-navigate g...
Ready to do some things for your craft that will terrify you even more than a sewer-dwelling clown? Oh what I wouldn't give for a si...
This might be a personal question, but I saw that you once used to be Muslim on one of your other posts. Why did you leave? It's fun...
1. Great writing involves great risk–the risk of terrible writing. Writing that involves no risk is merely forgettable–utterly. 2. When yo...

response:
Step-by-step: No
Training: No

The article does not provide a clear sequence of ordered steps for completing a task. Instead, it is more of a personal reflection on the author's experiences and thoughts, lacking detailed, structured procedural instructions that would facilitate deeper reasoning or training for a language model. The content is informal and anecdotal rather than focused on methodology or processes that could be systematically followed.


document:
By Joel Francis
The Daily Record
We at The Daily Record try to play clean in our tiny corner of the interweb. Once a year, on “music’s biggest night” the gloves come off and the snark comes out. This year, we present a live diary of the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. We’ll be doing this live throughout the telecast, so keep checking back.
7:01 – Lady Gaga opens the show in a dress she bought at Bjork’s garage sale.
7:02 – She forgot to buy the pants, though.
7:04 – At last, Elton John has found someone with more flamboyant taste in eye wear. Wonder how that feels.
7:11 – Stephen Colbert may have already delivered the line of the night. Re: Susan Boyle selling the most records of ’09 and saving the bottom line – “You may think you’re the coolest people in the world, but just remember that your industry was saved by a Scottish woman in sensible shoes.”
7:13 – Beyonce wins “Song of the Year” but can’t make it onstage to accept the award. Why not have it received by the Chippettes, stars of the year’s best film “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel”? Now that’s synergy!
7:15 – Who the hell thought it was a good idea to turn “American Idiot” into a musical? I can hear this one flopping faster than Twyla Tharpe’s tribute to Bob Dylan. Forget “Movin’ Out,” how about moving on?
7:16 – Nothing screams “punk rock” louder than a Broadway chorus. Even the Clash buried their choral version of “Career Opportunities” on the last side of “Sandinista.”
7:24 – I can’t figure out which interests me less Kirsten Bell’s insipid new movie “When In Rome” or what song Bon Jovi will play tonight. Let me guess: a really lame one from the ’80s.
7:26 – Does Taylor Swift have a clause in her contract that she must win every award for which she is nominated? Has she ever lost?
7:27 – I’m a little disappointed Kayne West didn’t jump onstage and start talking about how great Keith Urban is.
7:28 – Hey, Beyonce brought the S1W’s with her. Nice to see her kicking it old school.
7:29 – (The S1Ws were the black panther dancers who guard the stage during Public Enemy performances.)
7:32 – Nothing screams 2010 like Alanis Morrissette songs. On to the next one.
7:37 – Questlove just tweeted “must admit that watching twitter tweets are better than watching the actual event.”
7:41 – Pink is wearing the sexiest berka of all time.
7:44 – Nothing screams “class” like a chick in a g-string spraying water everywhere. Pink is so talented!
7:45 – Between Pink and GaGa that’s four butt-cheeks bared tonight. Just wait until Howard Stern and Prince come out.
7:47 – I’m not sure who the Zac Brown are, but respect the fact that they didn’t get all gussied up for the show.
7:48 – I’m also glad none of them were wearing a g-string.
7:55 – Will.I.Am looks like Mr. Roboto from that Styx album.
7:56 – Fergie looks like someone from either Buck Rogers or the original Battlestar Galatca. Does anyone else remember when Channel 62 used to show all those back-to-back on Saturday afternoons?
7:58 – I gotta admit that watching the Peas do “I Got A Feeling” in concert would probably be a lot of fun. That song got a lot more infectious energy than it deserved.
8:00 – OK, so we’re an hour into this thing and a couple ground rules have already been established. No. 1, no one can perform a song all the way through. Medleys only, please. No. 2, all performance must somehow make their way from the main stage to the satellite stage, and back.
8:01 – They keep advertising the 3-D Michael Jackson tribute with Celine Dion. That woman’s so skinny, I bet even in 3D she’s only 2D.
8:06 – Who the heck are Lady Antebellum?
8:07 – I knew it would happen. People are starting to compose songs for those episode-capping montages. This Lady Antebellum song would be perfect over the poignant closing moments of “Grey’s Anatomy.”
8:09 – The presenter just said there was a Grammy category for artists who don’t have musical talent. Wait, there’s a Grammy for people with musical talent? When are they going to give that one out. Oh yeah, it was done earlier in the day in the parking lot behind the Ross downtown.
8:11 – I bet Stephen Colbert’s daughter thinks her dad is cool now that he’s won a Grammy.
8:12 – Oh, just as I blogged the above Colbert asked his daughter if she thought he was cool now. I am so freaking prescient!! (She said yes, by the way.)
8:13 – The Target ad just showed a white dog with a red spot of his eye. Spuds McKenzie lives!
8:14 – OK, that’s three exclamation points in the past two entries. I’m calming down now.
8:18 – Wow, Taylor Swift was up for “Song of the Year” and she didn’t win. I bet she gets at least half an album’s worth of songs of out how she’s feeling right now.
8:20 – They just introduced Robert Downey, Jr. as the most “self-important” actor of his day. How out of control is your ego when you’re crowned most “self-important” in Hollywood?
8:21 – That operatic introduction to “Blame It” was brilliant. Every time I hear this song I remember that Stevie Wonder stopped his show at Starlight last summer to play it over the PA.
8:23 – If they hadn’t just shown George Clinton in the audience, I would have sworn he was the white-haired conductor onstage.
8:24 – I think “Blame It” is starting to suffer from auto-tune overload. It sounds like Kraftwerk.
8:25 – Now Slash is onstage playing the guitar solo from “November Rain.” He probably just heard someone talking about alcohol and bum rushed.
8:27 – Joe Posnanski just tweeted: “They really had people VOTE to determine what Jon Bon Jovi sings at the Grammys? Was there a ‘What’s the difference’ option?'”
8:33 – Hey, Green Day won “Best Rock Album” for their follow-up to “American Idiot.” Can’t wait until that gets turned into a Broadway musical.
8:34 – Chris O’Donnell looks like McSteamy on “Grey’s Anatomy.” I hate myself for knowing this.
8:36 – Wow, a “country” band singing a patriotic song. Way to think outside the box, guys.
8:37 – Answer: Leon Russell with the Zac Brown Band. Question: Who will be headlining Knucklehead’s Labor Day celebration in 2012?
8:38 – Are the red-staters happy that the Zac Brown Band is celebrating America by playing a patriotic number, or upset with them for supporting Obama? This is so confusing. I thought we established that one couldn’t love their country without blindly supporting its president.
8:46 – Has anyone noticed how Taylor Swift strums from her elbow and not her wrist? It’s like she just picked up a guitar for the first time.
8:47 – I hope the tattooed guy on banjo is getting paid well for this gig.
8:49 – Good Lord, Taylor, stay in key! She has pitch like Mariah Carey at a baseball game in Japan.
8:53 – Dang, I forgot to get my 3D glasses. Fortunately, I still have 7 minutes to make it to Target.
8:54 – All you chumps who forgot your 3D glasses will now be given a migraine.
8:56 – I think Smokey could have handled the whole MJ tribute on his own. I would have loved to hear him cover a less-maudlin ballad on his own. I’d even settle for “Ben.”
8:57 – I love how Beyonce is wearing her 3D specs while Jay-Z is sans glasses. Hey B, you’re at the event. It’s already in 3D.
9:01 – I bet MJ’s kids feel really out of place when they hang out at their Uncle Tito’s place. Those are some pale-faced children.
9:03 – Wow, they were just paying tribute to MJ on the Grammys and now there’s a a commercial for “This Is It” on DVD. What a weird coincidence. It’s almost like it was planned.
9:08 – All you have to do to win an icon award is write “Sweet Talkin’ Guy”? Seems to be setting the bar a bit low.
9:09 – So what you were really voting for was which part of a Bon Jovi song they’ll perform.
9:10 – I hope Roger McGuinn is getting a cut of “We Weren’t Born to Follow.” Methinks Bon Jovi should have paid more attention to the Byrds’ “Wasn’t Born to Follow” when they were ripping it off.
9:11 – Someone needs to say it: Bon Jove are looking old. How many chins does Sambora have, anyway? I count three.
9:12 – I’ll tell you who says you can’t go home: Thomas Wolfe. And if home sounds like this, I’ll be out with Dean Moriarty on the road.
9:14 – Jon Bon Jovi should be forced to sing “Living on a Prayer” over the PA at a Home Depot.
9:16 – What the? How did Mos Def get onstage? “True Magic” had more artistry than the entire careers of everyone else onstage tonight – combined (except for Smokey Robinson and Leon Russell).
9:18 – Next year at this time, I hope Mos Def and Talib Kweli are being presented with the Best Rap Song award for “History.” Black Star rules.
9:19 – So Kanye actually wins an award and he doesn’t show up to collect it? How classic would it have been for Taylor to crash his speech? Probably why he didn’t show up.
9:21 – Seriously, though, best of luck to you and whatever you’re going through, Kanye. Your albums are genius. I hope you get your magic back and exorcise those demons.
9:26 – So it’s OK to sing “Bridge Over Troubled Water” to show support for the Haitians even though the song was banned by Clear Channel in the wake of 9/11?
9:28 – I just want to get this off my chest: Mary J. Blige, magnificent voice, but she oversings and all her songs are vamps and choruses. She doesn’t know what to do with a verse. And the a-hole who thought it would be a good idea to run that voice through auto-tune for MJB’s latest single should be shot. That’s like tying Fred Astaire’s ankles together.
9:30 – Do Mary J and Andrea Bocelli know they’re both singing the same song? Their “duet” was like an otolaryngological cock fight.
9:37 – Who’d have thought the Latin Grammys would have lasted a decade?
9:38 – How come there isn’t a Jazz Grammys or Klezmer Grammys?
9:42 – How many support musicians does the Dave Matthews Band need for this song? Maybe the USC Marching Trojans will show up again.
9:44 – Dave Matthews dances worse than Elaine Benes from “Sienfeld.”
9:46 – Now Ricky Martin has stolen Chris O’Donnel’s close-cropped look. He should just be glad he’s not forced to pay is way in with the general public.
9:48 – I think Beyonce’s dress is made of all of Jay-Z’s discarded bling.
9:55 – When I saw Maxwell last fall at the Saavis/Keil/Whatever it’s now called Center in St. Louis I imagined the experience was similar to seeing Marvin Gaye back in the day. Maxwell is the real deal and he’s killing it right now. Best performance of the night so far.
9:58 – Maxwell + Roberta Flack. At last, a duet with two people who actually know how to sing with a partner.
10:00 – As the show rounds the three hour mark, just think: the whole night could have been as good as what we just heard.
10:05 – I wonder if this is the combo Jeff Beck will be bringing to Starlight in April.
10:06 – So what’s the thinking here, now that all the kiddies have gone to bed we can shelve the pop tarts and have some real music?
10:07 – Does Quentin Tarantino know that pretending to act like such a badass is making him look like a huge douchebag?
10:14 – Is there a song underneath all these edits? Why not change the lyrics for television? I wonder if the producers have a lyric sheet up in the booth so they know when to drop out. That would be classic to see.
10:17 – Jamie Foxx is singing along with every lyric, but I have to say I think Drake is horribly overrated.
10:18 – Drake’s blend of preppie (black leather jacket, black shirt) with ghetto (torn, sagging jeans) is cracking me up. He’s clearly trying to have it both ways.
10:26 – Taylor Swift wins Album of the Year. Yawn.
10:29 – That’s it for the night. Thanks for reading and for hanging out.

response:
Step-by-step: No
Training: No

The article does not present a clear sequence of ordered steps that guide the reader through completing a task; instead, it is a live commentary on the Grammy Awards, consisting of sporadic thoughts and observations about the event. Furthermore, the instructions or commentary provided are not structured in a way that would be useful for training a language model for deeper reasoning, as they lack detail and focus on specific tasks, instead offering casual remarks and opinions lacking a systematic approach or coherent procedural guidelines.


document:
USO – Audio Handset
The USO audio handset comes with an integrated reed contact that can be wired into our media players to start and stop playback. It does this when it is lifted or replaced on the magnetic holder.
- Handset on holder: Contact open
- Handset picked up: Contact closed
Please see the AP 01 or MP 01 pages for further information on how to program this feature.
Wiring your USO to our Media Players
- White/Brown – Audio Signal
- Yellow/Green – Reed Contact
For mono handsets like the VIA and USO, one side of the audio needs to be wired to ground (GND)
Note: If you do not wish to use the auto-start function of your handset, then the yellow and green wires should not be wired into the media player.

response:
Step-by-step: Yes
Training: No

The article provides a clear sequence of steps regarding the wiring of the USO audio handset to media players, detailing the wiring connections and the conditions under which the contacts operate, which guides the reader in completing the task. However, while the instructions are ordered, they lack the depth and elaboration needed to facilitate training for a language model focused on deeper reasoning, as they do not explain the rationale behind the wiring choices or potential troubleshooting tips.


document:
Overview of the functions within the "Games/Apps" page of the web admin.
What we have done with the games list is provided a large catalog of games and apps with many settings pre-selected including game art, launcher settings, etc. This is in an effort to allow you to get up and running faster when setting up your LAN gaming location, cybercafe, or esports center.
Here is an overview of the abilities of the Games area. To access it in the web administrator, go to Settings > Client configuration > Games/Apps.
Games and Apps Tab
1. Search games & app field
The search box allows you to filter down to the game that you would like to edit or enable/disable in the ggLeap.
2. All Games button
It will show all available catalogs of games and apps that are added to our library.
It does hide all other catalogs when you are trying to search for something.
3. Enabled Games button
Clicking this button will only show the games you have enabled to be available in the ggLeap client user interface.
Note: Clicking the slide toggle located on the top left of the game/app box art will set it to Disable.
4. Disabled Games button
Clicking this button will only show the games you have NOT enabled to be available in the ggLeap client user interface.
Note: Clicking the game/app box art will set it to Enable.
5. Top 100
Clicking this button will show you the most used/enabled game or app catalogs that were used by centers. This could also provide insight into what apps/games are popular among other centers.
6. Newly Added
Clicking this button will show you all the newly added game/app catalogs that are ready for use.
7. Games list
This is the catalog of games and apps that have been set up in the ggLeap web administrator.
8. Add New Game/App
If you don't see the game/app that you are looking for, clicking this will let you create a catalog entry for it. It will be available for use immediately once added but it will only work for your center and if need to use the Automatic License System, you will need to contact support for it since it needs to be approved.
Game/app Edit Window
Game/app Edit Window will open by clicking on the game or app in the catalog. This is where you can set how the game or app will behave in the client PC.
Please see the following articles on how to properly enable a game or app:

response:
Step-by-step: Yes
Training: Yes

The article provides a clear sequence of ordered steps that guide the reader through navigating the "Games/Apps" page and using its features. Each step is methodically arranged, detailing specific buttons and their functionalities, which allows for straightforward comprehension and application. Additionally, the structured procedural instructions are sufficient to facilitate training a language model, as they illustrate how to effectively interact with the system while prompting deeper reasoning about game and app management.


document:
On Tuesday, the United States females will handle Sweden in their first group phase video game of the 2021 Olympic soccer competition.
Watching the action should be easy enough, whether youre a super-fan ready to view in the early hours of the early morning or aiming to capture the video game on replay.
Sweden vs USWNT Olympic soccer live stream info.
The USWNT and Sweden will begin at 4:30 a.m. ET on USA with a replay at 8:30 a.m. ET for those who cant get up that early or remain up that late.
Date: July 21, 2021Start Time: 4:30 a.m. ET|8:30 a.m. ET (replayTV Channel: USALive Stream: NBC Olympics Stream, NBC Sports App, Fubo.TV.
The last time the USWNT appeared in the Olympics, it ended in catastrophe. Their quarterfinals matchup with Sweden entered into extra time and charges. Alex Morgan and Christen Press missed 2 charges as the Americans suffered a shocking upset.
The group went on to achieve a type of redemption when they duplicated as World Cup champions in 2019. The sting of their last Olympics loss, which avoided them from medaling for the very first time in history, is definitely still there.
Will the USWNT get their vengeance? Or do the Swedish ladies have the psychological edge? Youll need to tune in to find out.
The last time the USWNT appeared in the Olympics, it ended in catastrophe. Their quarterfinals matchup with Sweden went into extra time and penalties. Will the USWNT get their vengeance?
USWNT star Megan Rapinoe. (Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports).
Cubs fans presume Kris Bryants been traded after being arbitrarily removed from video game by Scott Rogust.
The Sweden vs USWNT Olympic soccer live stream will feature a grudge match between the 2 countries who met in the last Olympics. Heres how to watch.
The USWNT Olympic soccer redemption tour can finally start.

response:
Step-by-step: No
Training: No

The article does not provide a clear sequence of ordered steps for completing a task; rather, it offers information about a specific sporting event, including the time and ways to watch it. Furthermore, the instructions do not contain the detailed procedural elements necessary for training a language model, as they lack comprehensive guidelines or reasoning that would support deeper learning or analysis. Instead, the focus is primarily on the event itself rather than a systematic approach to completing a task.


document:
Assorted racer comments following the third round of the season.
In Quotebook, a selection of riders detail how their races played out in the third round of the 2022 Mi-Bike Australian Superbike Championship at Wakefield Park.
Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team) – Third:
Always good to be back on the podium with the level of competition and gain a few positions back in the championship after the DNF in Queensland. Looking back at it, the first couple of laps of each race probably proved the difference between where I finished and possibly a better result. Race one I run through turn seven and then in race two I got tangled up and lost a couple of positions. I just needed some clean laps to get myself well placed as it’s an easy track to lose time, but a hard track to make it back up as everyone is so close. But I leave here feeling positive and with plenty of fight. There are lots more races and rounds to come and we have the bike working well. The team did an awesome job all week and it was good to get a decent result in front of my friends and family who came out to watch today. Darwin is next up and I’m confident we can keep the good results coming up there
Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team) – First:
Another great day for myself and the team, with a round win and Cru in third. That’s the second time in three rounds so it’s a great reward for everyone at YRT and the hard work we are all putting in. For me, I just wanted to keep the momentum going from the last round and keep improving and we were able to do that this weekend. The bike was in the ballpark from the first lap of practice, and we just fine-tuned a few things and got down to a fast race pace pretty quickly. The racing here was intense and you can’t afford to lose your focus for one second or it proves costly. I felt I put in my best 20 laps each time on the track for the first race, that was good enough to win, the second Wayne was able to beat me. Looking at it from a championship point of view, we were able to win the round, gain some points in the championship lead and for me, to make progress at a track that I have struggled at in the past. So, all up a very positive day and thank you to the Yamaha Racing Team again for a massive effort
Glenn Allerton (Maxima BMW) – Eighth:
Wakefield park is usually a good hunting ground for me being as good as a home race. Unfortunately, we struggled to get the grip needed to run the lap times to be in the race for a podium, it was not a lack of trying, but we scored points and regroup for round four.
Josh Waters (Maxima BMW) – Seventh:
Round three didn’t go the way we were all hoping it too. It wasn’t through a lack of trying, we didn’t get the results we were aiming for. The positive is I’m still fourth in the championship and we aren’t far from the top three. The next round is at a circuit personally I really like and the team have had success at before.
Troy Herfoss (Penrite Honda Racing) – Fourth:
That’s the best lap time I’ve achieved on a Friday practice for Wakefield. It felt so good to get out there and be fast from the start. This weekend was the best the team has worked together as well, everyone has found their place in the team, and we are getting the most out of everyone. We all want to win so it’s just a matter of time now. I’m feeling really good and confident after this round, especially after seeing that the race-winning pace was 2-3 seconds slower than last year. It’s not a case of others improving, I’m just not back to where I was. I was just too eager in race two and made a small mistake, but I am still happy with how we finished the weekend. The fans back home were awesome too, and I am grateful for the support shown to our whole team. All I want to work on from the weekend is my patience in the race and getting the most out of the Pirelli in one lap, then I know we will be competing for race wins again. I wish there weren’t two months till the next race, we are on our way, and I can’t wait to get back out there!
Bryan Staring (DesmoSport Ducati) – Fifth:
Two fifth places and I’m back home in WA looking back at what can only be described as a disappointing result for me and the team. We tested quite well but when we got to the race weekend, I never felt the same level of comfort on the motorcycle and essentially, I was constantly looking for more grip out of the Panigale V4 R rear tyre in every session. I was trying really hard, maybe even a little too hard to get the bike to be where I wanted it to be on the track, but in the end the truth of it is that I only really felt good in Qualifying two all weekend. Although it’s a tough weekend, I really want to thank everyone in the team for pulling together, listening, and doing everything possible to keep our heads up despite the challenges on the track. I’m already going over the weekend with Ben and Byron to review before we switch our focus completely to the next round in Darwin.

response:
Step-by-step: No
Training: No

The article does not provide a clear sequence of ordered steps for completing a task, as it mainly consists of race comments and reflections from various riders rather than procedural instructions. Additionally, the content lacks well-structured guidance necessary for training a language model in deeper reasoning, as it does not detail processes, principles, or methods in a manner that fosters in-depth understanding or logical reasoning. Instead, it presents a collection of individual experiences and thoughts without a systematic approach.


document:
It was Blues’ third Championship home-win in a row, notching up a 28-19 success over the Islanders, having led 18-5 at half time.
Bedford’s tries came from Jamie Elliott, Jack Hughes and Rich Lane.
And Will Maisey made it 1,000 professional career points, adding three penalties and two conversions to his tally.
Blues were due to head to Doncaster Knights on Saturday for their New Year’s Day encounter, but this was postponed due to a number of front row injuries and covid cases in the Blues squad.
It wasn’t such a happy Christmas fixture for Ampthill who were narrowly beaten 26-22 at Coventry on Boxing Day. They let a 15-5 half-time lead slip as their hosts came back into the game.
Ampthill’s try scorers were Jack Dickinson, Jac Arthur and Billy Harding, with Russell Bennett adding two conversions and a penalty.
But Ampthill more than made up for it with a happier new year at Dillingham Park on Saturday, when they hosted London Scottish, winning 36-17 in front of a 749-strong crowd.
Preparations were disrupted when a couple of players tested positive for covid the night before the game, but they still notched up a welcome Championship win.
Head Coach, Paul Turner said: “We were a bit nervous at the start – memories of last week’s result at Coventry combined with the disruption of the past 24 hours didn’t help but as the game went on, we got into our stride and played some great rugby today. Both our props were superb and our pack laid a solid foundation for a lot of what we did well, and we were clinical when given opportunities.
“Special mention must be given to the Academy lads who stepped in and came out of the game with great credit.”
Tries for Ampthill, who led 12-5 at half time, came from Paddy Ryan, Josh Sharp, Ollie Dawkins, Jack Dickinson and Sam Crean.
Russell Bennett kicked four conversions and a penalty.
Both teams have a break from Championship action this weekend but return on January 15 with their always eagerly anticipated ‘Battle of Bedfordshire’ derby day at Goldington Road.
In the reverse fixture fifth-placed Blues were the 53-34 victors at Dillingham Park in October. Ampthill are seventh in the table.

response:
Step-by-step: No
Training: No

The article lacks a clear sequence of ordered steps for completing a task, as it primarily reports on rugby match results and player performances rather than providing procedural instructions. Furthermore, the content does not include structured guidelines or detailed instructions that would facilitate training a language model for deeper reasoning, instead focusing more on narrative and scores rather than systematic processes.


document:
Lopez decides to retire after being cut
Veteran catcher told he won't be part of Opening Day roster
VIERA, Fla. -- Javy Lopez's dream to return to the Majors with the Braves ended early Saturday morning when he learned he wouldn't be part of their Opening Day roster.
Given the chance that he could potentially remain in the organization as a Minor League player, Lopez instead opted to retire. His desire was to have one more opportunity to play with the Braves, who had employed him throughout the prime of his career.
"I just want to thank the Braves for giving me this opportunity," said Lopez as he was driving back to Atlanta early Saturday evening. "Not every team would have even given me a chance. I knew I had to produce numbers offensively and defensively, and I didn't do it."
During an early afternoon conversation with Braves general manager Frank Wren, Lopez said he was happy to have the opportunity to retire as a Brave. Wren replied by telling the veteran catcher that the organization was proud to call him one of its own.
"He thinks of himself as a Brave, and I told him that's the way we feel about it too," Wren said. "We wish him well and want him to be a part of the organization for a long time, as far as feeling welcome to be around the ballclub as one of our former great players."
Once Braves manager Bobby Cox told Lopez on Saturday that he'd lost his battle to be the club's backup catcher, the veteran catcher evaluated his options and decided it was time to put an end to what was an impressive career.
With Clint Sammons needing to play for Triple-A Richmond on an everyday basis, Lopez was given the option of possibly catching once a week and alternating during the week as a first baseman and designated hitter.
But it didn't take him long to decide it was time to retire. The Red Sox had released him in September 2006 and the Rockies released him during Spring Training last year. These events, combined with Saturday's announcement, provided him all the indication he needed.
"I didn't need to go play in the Minors at this point in my career," Lopez said. "I've been released three times now in three years. It's time to go home and be with my family."
Although he had committed himself to improving defensively throughout this past offseason, Lopez was never able to impress in the manner that he had while previously playing in Atlanta from 1992-2003.
At 37 years old, Lopez no longer has the power that helped him hit a career-high 43 homers in 2003 or the swing that helped him win Most Valuable Player honors in the 1996 National League Championship Series.
But the three-time All-Star catcher still has some good memories from a career, during which he hit .287 with 260 homers. He set a Major League record by hitting 42 of his homers in 2003 while playing the catcher's position.
"Javy had a great career with the Braves before he left," Wren said. "He put up some numbers that are going to be hard to ever beat, from a standpoint of offensive production from that position."
Lopez was around for 10 of the seasons during which the Braves compiled their unprecedented 14 consecutive division titles. Though he was always known for his offense, he was the catcher who was responsible for the great pitching staff that existed in Atlanta for more than a decade.
"He was a fan favorite in Atlanta," said Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, who first played with Lopez in 1992. "Everybody loved Javy. His teammates loved him. He was a great guy."
After getting released by the Rockies in Spring Training last year, Lopez decided not to skip the 2007 season. His decision to commit himself to improving his defense during the offseason led the Braves to offer him a Minor League contract.
But during the early weeks of camp, it was apparent that his mechanical improvements behind the plate weren't enough to offset the fact that his arm was still rusty. Throw in the fact that he hit just .188 with a pair of homers in 32 at-bats this spring and it's easy to understand why Lopez lost this battle for the backup spot against Corky Miler, Brayan Pena and Sammons.
"He caught and received the ball really well," Cox said. "He blocked really good. Throwing, he needs more time back there."
While there is some thought that Miller might be the favorite to win the backup spot, Cox and Wren both say the battle is still too close to call.
"We're going to end up with a real good backup catcher that a lot of clubs would want," Wren said. "We're fortunate in that regard."
After the 2003 season, Lopez signed a free-agent contract with the Orioles. While playing in Baltimore and Boston from 2004-2006, he combined to hit .288 with 46 homers.
When he got released by the Rockies in Spring Training last year, Lopez returned to his suburban Atlanta home and relaxed for a few months. Late last summer he began a strict conditioning program. Then in early November, Lopez began working on his defensive skills three times a week with Braves bullpen coach Chino Cadahia.
By the time Spring Training began, many Braves fans were excited about the prospect of him being back in Atlanta this year. But like the veteran catcher, they also had their hopes dashed on Saturday.
"I know the fans of Atlanta are pretty disappointed as well because they were looking forward to seeing him back," Jones said. "The loudest ovations down in Spring Training when anybody ever came to the plate [were] for Javy."
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

response:
Step-by-step: No
Training: No

The article presents a narrative about Javy Lopez's retirement decision rather than a structured set of instructions or steps to complete a specific task. It lacks clearly ordered steps and detailed procedural instruction that would facilitate training a language model for deeper reasoning, focusing instead on personal stories and reflections around Lopez's career and unfulfilled aspirations.


document:
Now, you will ask "How did you calculate these values?". It is normal, everyone asks this question to us :)
Don't worry, it is scientific.. we checked all the criteria below to come up with these figures ;)
Under the Hood:
Worth Of Web is a free website valuation tool which estimates the traffic of a given website or blog, and calculates the cost of advertisement, the income of this website, not the net profit, assuming this website is only using advertising programs or similar affiliate programs to make money. In addition, the estimated worth above is for website only. You need to add the brand value to this website worth to determine the price tag.
We are providing free and helpful tips for webmasters and blog owners. Follow these tips to increase your traffic, your page views, your daily earnings and accordingly your website worth.
Visit our website worth checker frequently to track rankings of both your website and competitors' and get news and tips for increasing your website or blog value.

response:
Step-by-step: No
Training: No

The article does not provide a clear sequence of ordered steps for completing a task; instead, it offers general information about website valuation and suggests actions without a structured format. Additionally, the instructions lack specific, detailed procedures that would facilitate training a language model for deeper reasoning, as the guidance is more about general advice rather than systematic approaches or logical reasoning steps.


document:
Another year, another year older.
If you have really sharp memories, you might be thinking, hang on a minute Shaz, wasn’t your birthday in October? Why yes. Yes it was. Only I’ve been a tad busy of late and even thought I’d managed to make the cake for my actual birthday, typing this post had to wait.
But I’m here now, with little cakes in tow, and I’d also like to give you a present for my birthday :).
I’m sure you’ve seen the various CSN giveaways around the interwebs, but just in case you haven’t, allow me to tell you that CSN is an online retailer with over 200 stores, selling everything from coffee tables to cameras. (And yes, that link will take you to, wait for it....lots of coffee tables!).
I was contacted by a lovely lady from the CSN Promo team who offered to give my loyal readers a $55 gift code valid at any of their online stores . (Heh, you have to be loyal to put up with my tangents!).
Unfortunately, CSN only ships to the US, Canada, the UK and Germany, so this giveaway is limited to readers from those countries. Bear in mind that conversion rates apply. Some items may also incur shipping charges (international shipping taxes for Canada). [Edit - some international shipping charges to Canada cannot be covered by the Promo Code, however domestic shipping costs within the other countries can be covered by the code.] I’m sure you’ll be able to choose wisely :)
What do you have to do? Very simple, just leave a comment on this post anytime between today and 12 November, by midnight EST (here’s a timezone converter if it helps). A winner will be picked at random/ out of a hat.
Now back to the cakes. Don’t they look striking? I’ve been longing to bake these Strawberry Tea squares for years! They’re on the first page of my little Quick and Easy Small Cakes book (Kazuko Kawachi), and every time I open the book, they look at me and tempt me. (I’ve mentioned this book before but if you’re looking for it, I don’t think it’s in print anymore).
When I was first given the QaESM book by an aunty in Malaysia, I didn’t even know where to start trying to source ingredients like the fresh strawberries, marzipan and green tea required. These items were quite exotic back then, we’re talking very early 90s here.
But I live in a temperate climate now, and recently found myself with copious amounts of strawberries to use, plus matcha powder and marzipan in the pantry! The planets had aligned :)
The cake is basically a sponge cake, split in half, filled with mousseline buttercream and strawberries, then topped with green tea flavoured marzipan.
The resulting cake looked fantastic and tasted great overall, but I have discovered a sad truth about myself. I do not like mousseline buttercream and don’t think I ever will. This is the third time I’ve tried making and eating it (all 3 tries with different recipes), and I always come to the same conclusion. Not sweet enough and tastes too much like eating butter. What is wrong with me? It’s not like I don’t like butter, give me savoury butter and a bread roll and stand back. Actually, forget the bread roll, just stand back. But alas mousseline bc, you and I are irrevocably incompatible.
Ah well, at least I had cake for my birthday, and not just any cake, fruity cake! Which means I get to send this to the Monthly Mingle hosted by one of my favourite bloggers - Deeba from Passionate about Baking this month. I’ve wanted to take part in this event created by Meeta of What’s for lunch, Honey? for ages, but never could find the time. Fortuitously (I do like my big words), after I made this cake, I discovered the theme for the month was “Fruit in Baking”.
I’ll share the sponge cake and assembly instructions with you, but use your favourite buttercream for the filling. I’m going to make this cake again but will use a stabilised whipped cream filling instead and omit the marzipan, maybe try some glaze instead. A word of advice, if making the cake ahead and planning to store in fridge, don’t put the marzipan layer on until the last minute because it sweats when taken out of the fridge.
Basic sponge cake
(adapted from Quick and Easy Small Cakes, by Kazuko Kawachi, translated by Yukiko Moriyama).
4 egg yolks
3 egg whites
90g caster sugar
40g plain flour
pinch of salt
1tbsp whipping cream (pure cream/pouring cream)
dash of vanilla extract
Buttercream and fresh strawberries to decorate
Marzipan (4oz) and 1 tsp green tea powder (knead together and set aside, covered. I used slightly more than 1 tsp)
Preheat oven to about 180˚C. Grease a baking pan and line with baking paper. The recipe calls for two sheets of baking paper but I used one and it worked fine. I used a lamington tin, which is rectangular and quite small.
Sift the flour and salt together. The recipe says 3 times but seriously? I just did it a couple of times I think. Sift the caster sugar too, separately from the flour though.
Beat egg yolks lightly then add 45g of the sugar to the egg yolks and beat until light and doubled in volume. It should fall from the beaters in a “ribbon”. In a separate bowl (make sure it’s dry and squeaky clean),beat the eggwhites until it holds peaks, then add the sugar a tablespoon at a time until all the sugar has been incorporated and the whites are stiff and glossy.
Add a spoonful of the beaten whites to the beaten yolks to lighten, then fold the yolks into the whites. Add the vanilla extract, then sift the flour over the eggs and fold carefully (I used a plastic spatula), try not to knock any air out. When all the flour has been mixed in, drizzle the whipped cream in and fold to mix.
Scrape into prepared pan, smooth the top and tap pan on countertop to get rid of any air bubbles. Bake until golden (about10 minutes or so). When cooked and cool enough to handle, carefully slide cake out onto a wooden cutting board. Let it sit until warm to touch, then cover the cake with the baking pan and leave until completely cold (I think this step makes sure the sponge is moist).
To assemble, split the cake in half, spread the buttercream on it (reserve 1 tbsp for the top of cake), then arrange the washed, hulled and dried strawberries all over the cream, pushing in as you go.
Carefully layer the other half of cake on top, wrap the whole lot in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm (at least half an hour).
Roll out the marzipan on some plastic wrap until large enough to cover cake. Spread the reserved buttercream over the top of the cake. Use the plastic wrap to pick the marzipan up, drape it over the cake, smooth it down then peel the plastic off. Trim edges then cut the cake into squares. I used a serrated knife which was handy to cut into the strawberries.
Have a great weekend and good luck with the giveaway!
Not Quite NigellaThe cooking, eating and travel blog of a hungry blogger from Sydney, Australia featuring original recipes, interviews and articles on all things food @

response:
**Step-by-step: No**
**Training: No**

The article does not provide a clear sequence of ordered steps to complete a task, as the instructions for making the cake are interspersed with personal anecdotes and thoughts that detract from the clarity and focus of the recipe. While there are some instructions provided for making the sponge cake and assembly, the lack of overall structure and organization means it would not effectively train a language model for deeper reasoning, as the process is not delineated in a systematic manner.


document:
Okay, I own Pokemon Platinum Version, and when I try to establish a connection, it asks for my WEP Key, and I honestly have no idea what that is. So, all I'm asking is what the WEP key is and where to find it. Also, If I can't find it, what should I do.
Do you mean the security PIN, or the serial number?
Neither, he means the model number of your router, like Netgear WNR2000 or something.
However, the security PIN may be your WEP key....
Usually, you just open a web browser and type 192.168.0.1 in the web browser's address bar. Then you can get in and change settings such as the WEP key.
If you have other wireless devices in your house, you would have had to enter the WEP key to connect those devices....
Assuming you are using Windows, open up a command prompt and type the following:
This prints out a bunch of information about your network adapters. Find the adapter you use to connect to the internet. Then find where it says "Gateway." Next to "Gateway" will be the IP address of your router (it will look something like 192.168.0.1, but a little different). Type that IP address in your browser's address bar.
Username is admin, password is password or admin.
Look for something like Wireless Settings (maybe under the Setup label).
You should see your WEP key somewhere around there.
Do you mean it was set to WPA, or that you just set it to WPA?
Platinum and every other DS game other than Black and White don't support WPA. They only support WEP.
If you can, change the security to WEP, and use the given key as your key.
But do note, changing this will require you to change the wireless settings of everything else you own. Computers connecting via Wi-Fi, a Wii, a phone. Everything. Also note that WEP isn't that secure, but it's decent.

response:
Step-by-step: Yes
Training: No

The article provides a sequence of steps that guide the reader through the process of finding the WEP key, including specific actions like accessing the router's settings through a web browser and what to look for once there. However, the instructions are somewhat disjointed and lack detailed context or a structured format that would facilitate deeper reasoning for training a language model. The steps provided do not clearly define the overall goal or the implications of changing security settings, which are crucial for comprehensive understanding.


document:
RENO, Nev. (KRNV & MyNews4.com) -- The University of Nevada football team signed a junior college running back and prep defensive back on Wednesday, the first day for the mid-year signing period.
Running back Don Jackson of Iowa Western CC and Julian Brooks, a safety from Sierra Canyon High School in Southern California, will enroll at Nevada next month and will go through spring drills with the Wolf Pack, according to Assistant Athletics Director Chad Hartley.
Hartley says Jackson is a Sacramento native who led Iowa Western to the junior college national championship this season. The 5-10, 210-pounder led the nation in yards per carry with his 8.7-yard average and was the Co-Offensive MVP of the national championship game against Butler (Kans.) CC.
Jackson prepped at Laguna Creek High School in Sacramento, where he ran for more than 2,300 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior.
Brooks is from North Hills, Calif., and was a high school teammate of Wolf Pack freshman quarterback Tyler Stewart at Sierra Canyon High School as the pair led the team to a state championship in 2011 as seniors. He turned down offers from Arizona and Oregon coming out of high school and will enroll next month as a “greyshirt” for Nevada. He’s slotted to play one of the safety positions at Nevada.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Brooks was a two-way standout in high school, earning all-conference honors twice as a receiver and All-CIF honors twice as a defensive back. He combined for 23 touchdowns in two years as a receiver and had 10 interceptions as a junior before playing in just five games during his senior season.
Coach Chris Ault left open the possibility of one or more additional signees during the mid-year signing period, which ends Jan. 15. The first day of the national signing period is Feb. 6.

response:
Step-by-step: No
Training: No

The article does not provide a clear sequence of ordered steps for completing a task, as it mainly presents information about the signing of two football players without any procedural instructions. Additionally, the content lacks structured guidelines or detailed processes that could facilitate training for a language model seeking to engage in deeper reasoning, as it is more focused on reporting factual information rather than outlining methodologies or analytical frameworks.


document:
This time you need to create a Wordpress database in a XAMPP environment using phpMyAdmin and configure wp_config.php.
Type this URL in your browser address bar: http://localhost/phpmyadmin. Use the credentials you have configured during your XAMPP installation. You need to log-on to the phpMyAdmin using your root credentials.
After logging in, you will see “Create New Database”. Type wordpressdemo_database
When you see “Database wordpressdemo_database has been created”. Logout from phpMyAdmin.
Go to the "wordpressdemo" folder in XAMPP htdocs. Find a file named as “wp-config-sample.php”. Open this file using your favorite PHP editor or Notepad ++
Supposing you have the following Wordpress database and MySQL credentials:
You need to input the unique phrases and secret keys. Go to this URL: https://api.wordpress.org/secret-key/1.1/salt/
Copy the outputted results as shown in the browser then overwrite the following lines in the wp-config-sample.php
define('AUTH_KEY', 'put your unique phrase here'); define('SECURE_AUTH_KEY', 'put your unique phrase here'); define('LOGGED_IN_KEY', 'put your unique phrase here'); define('NONCE_KEY', 'put your unique phrase here'); define('AUTH_SALT', 'put your unique phrase here'); define('SECURE_AUTH_SALT', 'put your unique phrase here'); define('LOGGED_IN_SALT', 'put your unique phrase here'); define('NONCE_SALT', 'put your unique phrase here');
Save the edited file as wp-config.php and save it in the same location/path as wp-config-sample.php.
You can then safely delete “wp-config-sample.php”.
Now that you have completely configured the necessary files for installation, you are ready to install Wordpress:
Type this URL in the browser address: http://localhost/wordpressdemo/
The five minute installation screen will then show. You need to type the site title, username (do not use “admin” and change it to something else, for security reasons), your desired Wordpress password and your email.
Just check the “Allow my site to appear in search engines..”.
Finally click “Install Wordpress”.
If you see the message “Wordpress has been installed”. The installation has been successful.
Click Login and type your Wordpress login credentials.
To see your Wordpress website at its default. Open new tab in your browser and type this address: http://localhost/wordpressdemo/ , this is the default homepage. For example:
Note: As the flowchart mentions in the first section of this tutorial. This is the start of the Wordpress website development. Feel free to change the default theme to something you like and execute other website development tasks depending on your needs.

response:
Step-by-step: Yes
Training: Yes

The article provides a clear sequence of ordered steps, guiding the reader through the process of creating a WordPress database and configuring essential files in a logical manner. Each step is detailed and sequential, enabling deeper reasoning by outlining not just the actions required but also the rationale behind them, such as using secure credentials and avoiding common usernames. This structure effectively supports training a language model that can understand and apply procedural instructions.


document:
Someone recently asked me if there were seriously really any blogs worth reading. Pause. Pause longer. It depends. Funny thing to say on a blog, but maybe not. Thing is, the vast majority of blogs are inherently frivolous. They tend to be self-promotional projects. Or driven by a very specific interest. But if you happen to have a specific interest — a blog might be worth dipping into. That’s how I’ve found most blogs. I dip into them. I often don’t return. But occasionally someone writes well, and grabs you. You come back for more. You are compelled. You find yourself reading about topics you didn’t even think you were interested in. Now that’s a successful blog. So, while there are an awful lot of frivolous blogs, I have to answer “yes” to the general question of whether there are any blogs worth reading. Or maybe this is really about the question of whether frivolous things have any value.
But I digress. I think blogs on the topic of depression can be very valuable. Depression is inherently isolating. Anything that can contribute to reducing that sense isolation is valuable.
So thought I’d take at and update my resources on depression. So I headed over to PsychCentral, which is a pretty good starting point when you’re looking for something psychology-related on the internet, to see what they’ve been up to. Here’s a link to their Depression page.
They haven’t updated their best depression blogs category since 2010 — so I thought I’d check out the links and see what’s going on there. This is what I came up with:
- Una Bella Vita. So far so good. Activity seems to have dropped off a bit in the last few months, but there’s lots of good material in the archives. Last updated 4/22/12. The author was also running a blog called Depression Diaries, which is worth a look for some introductory material.
- Dr. Deb: Psychological Perspectives. Also continues to be active. Dr. Deb knows her stuff, and frequently posts interesting items. She is the author of the book, Living With Depression, which seems to receive quite favorable reviews. You could also click on the “Labels” sidebar to the right (scroll down a little). That will link to 42 articles related to depression, as of this writing.
- Storied Mind. I was immediately drawn to this post, Leaving Lamictal and Antidepressants for Now, not because I think it’s absolutely the way to go — there is no one-size-fits-all treatment — but because you don’t see it taken up that often. An open, honest blog about one man’s ongoing experience with depression. Definitely worth a look.
- My Postpartum Voice. Still going strong. Thoughtful and incisive writing. Of course, the “postpartum” partly refers to post-partum depression — not to be confused with the stress and moodiness that can result during the weeks and months following birth — which can be quite crippling. See her post on the controversial TIME magazine cover, TIME Magazine Fails to Support Mothers.
- Postpartum Progress. It appears this blog has grown a lot since the last time I looked, with a full roster of regular contributors. Check out this post on the Difference Between Post Partum Depression and Normal New Mom Stress.
- Draw That Beast. Art project on depression. Continues to be active. Interesting.
- Mayo Clinic Depression Blog. Updated about every other month recently, but good expert thoughts on interesting specific topics dating back several years. You might check out this post, Depression Is Painful, But Don’t Give Up Hope.
- Depression Marathon. Still running! (Sorry for the pun.) This blog lives up to its name. The author has put in a lot of blogging miles since 2008 and touches upon a very important — and often under examined in mental health circles — the importance of physical fitness. I hope to read this blog more closely in the near future. Anyone that was ever depressed knows the experience of falling into repetitive, cycling thoughts. See her post: Thinking, Thinking, Thinking.
- About.com blog on depression. Appears to present short snippets from the research literature on depression. You might find some news here — though it’s couched in the language of research, which means the “news” should be taken with a grain of salt. Language of research? When you hear words and phrases such as these you should always wonder what they really mean — some examples: “Linked”, “may cause”, “may help”, “may be safe”, “less likely”.
- Pick The Brain: Motivation and Self-Improvement. Light. Might be most appropriate if you’re feeling a little blue, rather than really depressed. Because quite frankly, you might be annoyed by some of the advice here if you are really depressed. Here’s a sample: 10 All Natural Ways to Stop Feeling Depressed.

response:
Step-by-step: No
Training: No

The article does not provide a clear sequence of ordered steps for completing a specific task, as it primarily discusses the value and nature of various blogs related to depression rather than outlining a methodical approach to finding or reading them. Additionally, the procedural instructions are not structured to encourage deeper reasoning, as they lack detailed steps or guiding principles that a language model could use for training. Instead, the information presented is more of a descriptive snapshot rather than a systematic guide.


document:
7-Day Decluttering Challenge
Sign up to get my 7-Day Decluttering Challenge email course + downloadable workbook for FREE!
During this challenge, I will guide you to make simple steps to declutter your home in just 30 minutes a day to get the home you've always wanted.
Here's what you'll learn:
Subscribe to get our latest content by email.

response:
Step-by-step: No
Training: No

The article does not provide a clear sequence of ordered steps for completing a decluttering task, as it mainly promotes a challenge without specific instructions or detailed steps. Additionally, the lack of a structured approach to the decluttering process means that it does not offer procedural instructions that would be beneficial for training a language model focused on deeper reasoning.


document:
1. Open carton
Open the top of the box by carefully cutting the adhesive strips and removing the clamps.
2. Remove wheel
Remove the complete wheel and the accessory box. Put the tool (not included), the quick-releases and the pedals from the accessory box on the side so that they are ready to hand.
3. Unpack the handlebars
Unpack the handlebars, turn the fork in the direction of travel and mount the handlebars on the stem, making sure that the cables are correctly routed. For carbon parts, observe the prescribed tightening torques according to the manufacturer's instructions.
4. Insert front wheel
For disc brakes, remove the transport lock. For V-brake brakes, unhook the brake cable. For Magura-HS brakes, release the brakes using the cocking lever, following the Magura operating instructions.
Remove the transport lock of the fork and insert the front wheel straight and exactly to the stop into the dropouts and close the quick-release firmly (lever on the left in driving direction), observing the running direction of the tyre.
5. Insert saddle
Now you can remove the remaining packaging material from the wheel. Loosen the seat post clamp on the seat tube and insert the seat post straight into the seat tube without turning.
6. Screw on the pedals
Please screw pedals into the crank. The left crank has a left-hand thread and the matching pedal is marked with an “L” on the axle. The right crank has a righthand thread and the matching pedal is marked with an “R” on the axle. Both pedals have to be tightened with a 15 mm wrench (approx. 35 Nm).
7. Test drive
Check the tire pressure. Refer to the operating instructions for the correct tyre pressure and then take a test drive.

response:
Step-by-step: Yes
Training: Yes

The article presents a clear sequence of ordered steps that guide the reader through the process of assembling a bicycle, with each step logically leading to the next. The instructions are detailed enough to provide essential information for proper assembly, including specific warnings and technical details, which would be useful for training a language model to engage in deeper reasoning about procedural tasks. The specificity of measurements and adherence to manufacturer instructions, such as tightening torques, enhances the clarity and depth of the procedural guidance.


document:
Weightlifting builds strong, lean muscle that burns more calories all day long, effectively increasing your metabolism to make weight loss easier.
Aerobic exercise burns weight loss 2 kg in 1 week of calories. If you have any medical condition or are under any medication, do seek the advice of your doctor before following any of these diets.
If you're sexually active and you haven't taken a pregnancy test, your GP may advise you to take one.
Burn more calories than you take in each day. However, with a proper diet and a good exercise routine, you can easily lose those extra pounds. Eat only vegetables on day 2 and 3.
Snacks were already built in for the day — usually dried fruit, like raisins, apricots and apple, as well as fresh fruit. Although it is not advisable to lose weight through fad diets, but sometimes, you can rely on them if you want to lose weight in a short time for a particular reason like a wedding or a special occasion.
Also, eat two hours before heading to the bed.
How did you hear about the plan? Drink vegetable soup along with two slices of any fish, preferably one that is low in fat.
Both protein and fiber — which is abundant in vegetables — help you feel full, so you'll be satisfied on fewer calories than if you ate starchy, fatty fare. Even if you can manage to stick to such a meager caloric intake, you may find yourself missing important nutrients including calcium and folate. I knew I wasn't a healthy weight.
Day 1 Eat only fresh fruits with a high level of antioxidants such as lemon, oranges, etc. I wrote down every calorie I had during the day in a notepad.
My last few jobs have been deskbound and my activity levels have gone down. Ideally, I'd like to get to 60kg.
He was eating the same as me and started to lose weight, too! I did a bit of running on the treadmill and some strength exercises. I'd been going to the gym for about 5 months, but I hadn't lost any weight.
Some healthy vegetables that will help you in your efforts to lose weight in 10 days include broccoli, spinach, eggplant, etc. The important thing is to realize that once you have lost some weight, you need to maintain it.
There was a handful of meals that we had every week, like chicken curry and spaghetti bolognese, which kept the calorie-counting work down. How did you hear about the plan?
First thing, you need to do away with misconceptions breeding in your mind and push aside all the weight loss 2 kg in 1 week advice you have received in your life. Seeing the weight come off and fitting into smaller clothes was perhaps the best motivator.
I've been a size 10 to 12 all my life, but the weight's been creeping up over the last 5 years. Get the okay from your physician before undertaking this type of intense exercise.
What exercise did you do? I reduced my portion sizes and always made sure there were at least 2 or 3 portions of veg on my plate. For snacks, you may have a platter of steel-cut oats, pearled barley, long-grain brown rice, whole wheat bread, etc.
If I had a cheeky snack, I'd just add the calories to my daily total and adjust my calorie intake for the rest of the day to stay below my 1, calorie allowance. How much did you lose? For example, a pound, year old man who is active for more than an hour a day burns roughly 4, calories daily.
Reducing Your Calorie Weight loss 2 kg in 1 week with Diet Weight loss 2 kg in 1 week technique for shedding pounds is to reduce your calorie intake. You need to include lean meat and fish to your diet for losing weight.

response:
Step-by-step: No
Training: No

The article does not provide a clear sequence of ordered steps, as the information is presented in a disorganized manner without distinct, chronological guidelines to follow. Additionally, the procedural instructions lack structure and detail, making it challenging to utilize them for training a language model in deeper reasoning. The content appears more like a collection of thoughts and suggestions rather than a coherent training outline.


document:
3D Printable Cloud Collection by Francis Bitonti
For that last-minute gift, purchase the file from your home with MakerBot for just $1.00 or purchase online with Francis Bitonti and send product to your local hub for production, pick up or delivery.
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- Ingenious Space-Saving Ideas For Your Renovation - June 30, 2017

response:
Step-by-step: No
Training: No

The article does not provide a clear sequence of ordered steps to guide the reader through a specific task. Instead, it presents a brief description of purchasing options for a 3D printable cloud collection, which lacks detailed procedural instructions or a structured approach that could be beneficial for training a language model to engage in deeper reasoning.


document:
SCCM 1606 Upgrade SQL Server 2014 SQL Server 2016 – In this post we will see the steps to upgrade SQL server 2014 to SQL Server 2016. This post is related to SCCM as we will be performing an inplace upgrade of SQL Server 2014 to 2016 installed for SCCM. Before upgrading the SQL server in production environment, it is advised that you test the upgrade on a test environment. You can download SQL Server 2016 from the Evaluation Center.
SCCM 1606 Upgrade SQL Server 2014 SQL Server 2016
With the release of SQL server 2016, the upgrade paths from previous versions are available here. You can upgrade from SQL Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 R2, SQL Server 2012, and SQL Server 2014 to SQL server 2016. Before you upgrade take a look at those upgrade paths. Check if your SQL server version can be upgraded to SQL server 2016.
My Test Setup – In my test setup, I am running Configuration Manager version 1606. I have upgraded Configuration Manager 1511 to 1606. The site database is hosted on SQL server 2014 enterprise edition. So in my case the supported upgrade path is upgrade to SQL server 2016 enterprise edition.
Just remember that I have performed the upgrade in my test environment. Therefore I advise you to do the same first. If you find SCCM 2016 and SQL 2016 stable then upgrade it in production environment.
Before you upgrade :
- Ensure your SQL server version is eligible for upgrade to SQL server 2016.
- The operating system should be compatible on which you are performing an SQL upgrade. So to verify you can check hardware and software requirements for Installing SQL Server 2016.
- Note that SQL Server 2016 is only available for 64-bit platforms. Hence cross-version instances of SQL Server 2016 are not supported.
- Before you upgrade enable Windows Authentication for SQL Server Agent. In addition the SQL Server Agent service account should be a member of the SQL Server sysadmin group.
- If you are running evaluation edition of SQL server then upgrade to SQL 2016 is not possible.
Begin SQL server 2016 Installation
Mount the SQL server 2016 iso file and run the setup as administrator. On the SQL server installation center, click on Installation. Next click on Upgrade from a previous version of SQL server. Click I accept the license terms and click Next.
If the upgrade is successful you see a dialog box which shows computer restart required. The summary log file location is shown at the bottom of dialog. Click OK. Close the installation wizard and reboot the server.
My Observations – After upgrading to SQL server 2016, I have not observed any issues. In conclusion the SCCM 2016 is working fine. The performance of SQL server 2016 is really good. I will update this post in case i find any issues.

response:
Step-by-step: Yes
Training: No

The article provides a clear sequence of ordered steps for upgrading SQL Server 2014 to SQL Server 2016, making it suitable for guiding the reader through the task. However, while the instructions are presented clearly, they lack the depth and detail required for training a language model capable of deeper reasoning, such as potential troubleshooting steps, detailed prerequisites, or explanations of decisions made during the upgrade process.


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Engender stands in solidarity with the striking women workers of Glasgow City Council.
The work of carers, cleaners, caterers, and learning assistants has historically been undervalued and underpaid. This undervaluation of women’s work by Glasgow City Council is against the law, and the women who are withdrawing their labour are expressing frustration at seeing justice delayed for over ten years.
Low-paid workers have not taken the decision to strike lightly, and we are making a small donation to each of the GMB and Unison strike funds to help ensure that their action does not result in further financial hardship
We know that there is no shortage of unfairness to be found as historic unequal pay is resolved. Today’s politicians and officials are wrestling with the result of decisions that were taken before their time, with finite resources. Unions have not always been led by the interests of their female members. But the sharp end of the injustice has always been pointed at the women workers who have cleaned, cooked, cared, and helped children to learn. The wellbeing of our communities depends on their labour, and their work should be fairly paid and fairly valued.
Our equal pay law was forged by the collective action of low-paid women who were tired of economic inequality. The women striking today are standing on the shoulders of the women tram and bus conductors who organised the first equal pay strike in the UK in 1918, and the Dagenham workers who went on strike in 1968, leading to the Equal Pay Act.
Feminism on Film: Engender joins with Take One Action Film Festival Films can be an amazing way to explore new ideas, understand complex issues, and celebrate change. And documentary film is a particularly good medium for discussion, as anyone who's overheard conversations about Fyre Festival, R Kelly or Apollo 11 this year will know.
We are always looking for new voices on our blog.
Please send us your blogs and we can offer editing advice, and we also have some opportunities for paid contributions.

response:
Step-by-step: No
Training: No

The article does not provide a clear sequence of ordered steps guiding the reader through completing a task; instead, it offers a narrative about the solidarity with striking women workers and their historical context. Additionally, the instructions for sending blogs and receiving editing advice are vague and not structured as procedural steps, which limits their utility for training a language model in deeper reasoning, as clear, detailed, and ordered instructions are necessary for such training.


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Following is an outline of the Honest Broker procedure.
- DTC will activate its Honest Broker procedure only upon a pledgor's request when pledgees are unwilling to return pledged securities directly to a pledgor and only after it consults with the concerned parties to determine that taking this action is appropriate. DTC may also activate the procedures in case of a pledgor's extended operational outage. DTC will notify pledgees and DTC Participants when the Honest Broker procedures are activated. DTC will advise Participants of the possibility that deliveries in settlement of their transactions with the pledgor, if any, may be received from the DTC Honest Broker Participant Account (DTC HB Account).
Note- In performing the role of honest broker, DTC will undertake no risk other than that arising from its own gross negligence.
- DTC will establish a DTC HB Account for the receipt and redelivery of the pledged securities.
- In operating the DTC HB Account, DTC will act exclusively as agent for the pledgees delivering securities to the DTC HB Account.
- Each pledgee must notify DTC of its intent to use the Honest Broker procedure and will use DTC's Demand of Collateral procedure (see Collateral Loan Program for more information) for pledged positions that the pledgee intends to deliver to the DTC HB Account. Pledgees can enter demand of collateral instructions by using the Demand for Collateral function (DCL).
Note- Using DTC's Demand of Collateral procedure a pledgee can move securities from its DTC pledge account to the general account of any DTC Participant (other than the pledgor), including its own Participant account or the DTC HB account.
- In accordance with the function cutoff times, the pledgor will provide the following information via the Honest Broker function to each affected pledgee, and to DTC:
- The identity of each issue for which the pledgee is requested to deliver shares to the DTC HB Account.
- For each issue, information on the pledgor's transactions proposed to be settled that day by redelivery of the pledged positions). This information will be in standard deliver order (DO) format for each delivery and will include quantity, price, and settlement amount.
- The DTC HB Account number to which each redelivery is to be made.
Note- Pledgees will be able to view this information using the Honest Broker functionality.
- On settlement date, DTC will provide to the pledgees
- Pricing information on short positions in National Securities Clearing Corporation's (NSCC's) Continuous Net Settlement (CNS) system; and
- The aggregate delivery price for each issue (assuming that all of the shares are delivered).
- The pledgee can decide whether to deliver pledged positions to the DTC HB Account using the Honest Broker function.
- The pledgor will advise the DTC Participants that their expected deliveries will be made from the HB account rather than from the pledgor's own account. Provided that no bankruptcy ruling or court-imposed stay has occurred, shares will then be delivered from the DTC HB Account with deliveries made in descending price-per-share order (other than deliveries to settle open NSCC CNS short positions, which will be affected first).
Note- DTC will not process free deliveries. All settlement credits will be made to the DTC HB Accounts. DTC will make special arrangements with NSCC for related money credits for CNS short positions.
- For each issue, DTC will allocate on a pro rata basis to any pledgee that had delivered pledged securities to the DTC HB Account
- Proceeds received from the redeliveries and
- Securities remaining in the account (including deliveries that were reclaimed or otherwise not completed).

response:
Step-by-step: **Yes**
Training: **Yes**

The article provides a clear sequence of ordered steps outlining the Honest Broker procedure, making it easy for the reader to follow the actions required in a systematic manner. Each step is detailed with necessary actions and conditions, which encourages deeper reasoning about the implications and processes involved, catering well to the training of a language model for understanding procedural instructions.


document:
Stays that include the following days require a night minimum: Fri, Sat Sorry, but the dates you selected require a night minimum stay. Please adjust your search and try again.
Blog Article List
Looking for more to do? The news & blog selection page brings you tons of content from the Grand Strand & greater Myrtle Beach area. From shopping to restaurants we have it all. Check out the list of category's below or use the custom search feature to search our archive for a specific word or phrase.
As we plow through January and further into 2019, remember that it’s never too early to plan a romantic Valentine’s Day surprise for that special someone in your life. And while flowers and Olive Garden are by no means a bad choice (can’t go wrong with unlimited breadsticks), you know what would really impress your companion? A Valentine’s Day vacation to Myrtle Beach. With tons of great restaurants, live entertainment and activities to enjoy, there will be plenty to keep your Valentine’s Day weekend full of fun and excitement. Here are some fantastic things you can enjoy during a Valentine’s Day trip to the Grand Strand.... Read More

response:
Step-by-step: No
Training: No

The article does not provide a clear sequence of ordered steps for completing a specific task; rather, it discusses a romantic getaway without structured instructions or actionable steps. Additionally, the content lacks the detailed procedural instructions necessary for training a language model to engage in deeper reasoning, as it mainly offers promotional information rather than guiding the reader through a process.


document:
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be fuelled by the idea of revenge when Borussia Dortmund face Tottenham on Wednesday after failed transfer talks with Spurs in 2012.
The Gabon striker has previously revealed that the Premier League side approached him five years ago when he was playing for Saint-Etienne before a move failed to materialise, criticising them for things getting "weird".
Now, Aubameyang has claimed that talks were so advanced that he visited White Hart Lane and Spurs' training ground.
A year after the deal broke down the striker moved to Borussia Dortmund and has been a huge success - including 40 goals across all competitions last season - but he was happy to admit that the idea of getting one over Spurs was an appealing one.
"Of course, this is once again an extra motivation," he told Bild ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash.
Good morning! September 13, 2017
"In 2016 we progressed past Spurs in the Europa League and I scored three goals in the tie. Of course I want to meet them again.
"[Back in 2012] I was in Tottenham at the time, looked at the stadium and the training ground and we talked. But after that, no one stepped forward to see me."
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response:
Step-by-step: No
Training: No

The article does not provide a clear sequence of ordered steps for completing a task, as it primarily focuses on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's feelings and experiences related to a past failed transfer. The text lacks structured procedural instructions, making it unsuitable for training a language model for deeper reasoning, as it does not present information logically or in detail that would prompt analytical thinking.


document:
We all know it’s important to have goals. We immediately increase our chances of succeeding when we set specific written expectations and measure ourselves against these regularly.
Today, let’s look at goal setting a little differently by looking at who we have to be and what we have to do to in order to have what we want. It’s a slightly different spin on the traditional goal setting.
First, start by looking at what you want to have in life. Are you looking for career success, financial security, a legacy or a family life? There will likely be two or three major things you want in life. Once you’ve determined these, move on to the next step.
Think about the kind of person who has the things you want. For example, if you are really longing for a family, but you spend 80 hours a week at work, you will immediately recognize that, right now, you are not being a person who could manage a family. If this is a top priority for you, it’s time to consider if you can work toward your family goal by doing things the way you currently do them.
Next comes the hard part. Determine what you need to do to have the things you have defined as your priorities. Your new goals will be to implement the actions required to bring you the things you desire. If you desire a different career, for example, write down the steps it will take to get you into that field or that company.
As you write down specific tasks, you may find that there are things you believe you want that are incongruent with steps you are willing to take. When this is the case, it’s time for soul searching. You must either decide you are willing to make changes in your life to get what you want, or you must accept the fact that you don’t really want to reach that goal as much as you thought.
No matter what you decide, this is a valuable exercise, because it really helps you to put your goals into perspective, and to prevent spinning your wheels.
Each desire that you have will require a fairly specific set of actions, and will, to some extent, require you to be a particular type of person. Defining your personality and the actions you need to take will help you focus your life on reaching those goals that are truly important.

response:
Step-by-step: Yes
Training: No

The article presents a clear sequence of ordered steps for goal setting, starting from identifying what one wants to have in life, to reflecting on the kind of person needed to achieve those goals, and then moving on to determining the necessary actions. However, while the instructions are organized, they lack the detailed procedural elements and rigorous structure that would be beneficial for training a language model in deeper reasoning. The focus on introspection and personal decision-making is important but does not lend itself to formalized, repeatable instructions suitable for training purposes.


document:
This is first and foremost a place to be unapologetically and authentically myself. It’s also where I dump all of the random things that go through my brain on a semi-regular basis. It’s part journal, part reference book. Read, comment, interact as you’d like. Take what you need. And maybe take some comfort in the workings of my brain.
Hi, you can call me Cass. I am a Software Engineer, I’m a mathematician, I’m 26, I’m gay. I live with my girlfriend and my cat in a cute little apartment in San Francisco, California and I generally like my life. At the front of who I am is my earnestness. For example, my girlfriend… Continue reading About me
Welcome! I offer tutoring services for a variety of age and proficiency levels. Serving San Francisco and having tutored for almost a decade, you can count on me to help you or your child understand the finer points of math or computer science. Math Tutoring Rates are on a sliding scale to fit the needs… Continue reading Tutoring Services
Don’t be shy! Say hi! Or do be shy, but say hi anyway? My ultimate goal with this blog/website/thing is to start a conversation, but those don’t work if it’s just you reading the things I write and never saying anything in return. I read everything that’s sent to me and reply to every one… Continue reading Contact me

response:
Step-by-step: No
Training: No

The article does not provide a clear sequence of ordered steps for completing a specific task. Rather, it presents informal personal information and offers tutoring services without detailed procedural instructions. As such, it lacks the structure and clarity necessary for training a language model capable of deeper reasoning or for guiding the reader through any particular task.


document:
This book isn’t just another bunch of pretty pages. The title Elegant Rooms That Work isn’t kidding. Stephanie Stokes has found a way to wrangle elegant storage in every possible nook…
I’ve been meaning to write about this book since April, when it was given to me. Some readers may recall I moved in April. (Yes everything is still a mess, thank you for asking.) Not to be un-grateful, but the last thing I wanted then was another book. But WOW am I glad it came.
This isn’t just another bunch of pretty pages. The title Rooms That Work isn’t kidding. This designer has found a way to wrangle elegant storage in every possible nook and to effect practicality in every conceivable context.
You can imagine how someone who stacked her suitcases in the shower might feel about this. It gives her (me) hope, I tell you. The eminently more elegant Stephanie stores her luggage and linens in rolling boxes under the bed.
Note the beautiful embroidery on the headboard.
With a foreword by Stephanie’s longtime client and friend Xavier Hermes (yes that Hermes) and the highly readable, often funny text written with Jorge Arango, Elegant Rooms That Work is a tome you’ll turn to for inspiration, and better still, solutions.
Here a lovely covered table, with the presto of a button …
… lifts to reveal file storage, while the other side contains drawers.
Principal photography by Michel Arnaud.
Even the poshest New York apartments often must have rooms that multi-task. An office-library also functions as the guest room.
How cute – and thoughtful for guests – that she has her address and telephone number embroidered on her linens. The sconce lighting is also a great choice here.
Please read the wonderful interview with Stephanie on 1st Dibs, wherein she talks about how she cooked the whole thing up while she was on drugs. Seriously, she was recovering from horrendous knee surgery, and one narcotically-fuelled idea led to another. It’s pretty funny.
She is okay now, btw, thank goodness, and not on drugs. Lord don’t y’all start a rumor now.
The piece by Alyssa Wolf for Architctural Digest’s blog is also good.
Aww hell just get the book. Here.
Even a shallow space can provide user-friendly storage. These shelves are the depth of a can of beans, but you can see everything at once.
Whereas I am pretty sure I have Tabasco sauce from 1972 somewhere in the back of a cabinet…
Platters and trays are so much more accessible–and protected–when stored vertically.
And just because you’re special, Stephanie shared with us some extra photos not in the book. Never before seen!!!
Below, the supply closet. Boots hang on a rail at bottom. Above that is a file drawer, with shelves above for tools, vases, trays and other kitchen overflow.
Below, a small space left over behind a column houses her collection of bowls and dishes she acquired while living in Japan. (I’m telling you the girl has a fascinating life.) Glass shelves allow easy visibility.
The silver cabinet is only 12 inches deep, so Stephanie measured pieces she could store on the back of the door, at right, and had shelves built with lips to hold them. On the left, very thin adjustable shelves adjust to every quarter-inch. Lining all in Pacific cloth prevents tarnish (in theory, anyway).
Tablecloths are hung on trouser hangers, with tags giving the dimensions of each. The brown box at bottom holds the leaves for the dining table. (“I seat 12 like sardines, but no one complains,” she says.)
When I called Stephanie the other day to tell her I was finally getting around to posting about her book, she was nonplussed, “It’s about time,” she drawled. Chastened, I said well it deserves such a good post that I’ve been paralyzed by it.
Was it Winston Churchill who said another way to spell “perfection” was p-a-r-a-l-y-s-i-s? Hello? So I just wrote the dern thing and to heck with perfection. And it turned out all right, didn’t it?
Yes people there is a lesson there. Store it for safekeeping and where it’s easy to get to.
For new readers, neither FrancesSchultz.com nor Frances.Herself receives compensation for endorsements or other unabashed gushing. It’s all about love.

response:
**Step-by-step: No**
**Training: No**

The article does not provide a clear sequence of ordered steps to complete a specific task; instead, it is more of a review and commentary on a book about storage and design solutions. The instructions and ideas presented are not structured in a procedural way that would lend themselves to training a language model for deeper reasoning, as there are no detailed, logical steps for the reader to follow. The content focuses on general concepts and personal anecdotes rather than a systematic guide.


document:
I’ve been seeing quite a bit of posts about speaking mentorships and I wanted to share a few speaking tips I recently gave to my buddy Garry Bargsley who will be speaking about dbatools at SQL Saturday Phoenix 2018.
The first time I ever spoke in front of a live audience was in Antwerp, Belgium for SQL Server Days Belgium 2015. I was petrified. Years earlier, I was on a regional television show called Good Morning Acadiana and couldn’t even speak. Fortunately, my mom was a co-presenter and picked up my slack. Remembering this, I wondered if words would successfully leave my mouth when I presented in person. They did :D
The good thing about my first presentation was that Cathrine Wilhemsen was there to support me. She was amazing and awesome and if you can ever have her at your first time speaking, I highly recommend it.
- If you’re high energy, don’t be like me on Good Morning Acadiana: don’t drink a lot of coffee before you present. It gives you dry mouth and makes you even more nervous. I, instead, opt for vodka (see point 4).
- In the previous months, I was having A/V issues that required me to basically give my speech about 120 times if not more. My speech became muscle memory and even my wife knew every word. It helped knowing I’d be immediately prepared if I ever lost my place.
- I videoed myself to see what wasn’t coming across right. Because of this, I noticed that I used my hands in a way that was distracting. I thought it was helping with emphasis, but it became a crutch and a distraction.
- My buddy Crawford told me he always takes two shots of whiskey to start a presentation. Whiskey is nasty, so I take 2 shots of Grey Goose vodka. My wife even packs me a tiny cute vodka bottle. The first 2 minutes are often the hardest and vodka or Belgian beer makes it easier.
- Cathrine pointed out that my session was fab but that it ended on a weak note – you couldn’t tell that I was actually finished because.. I never really practiced that part. Now I always say something like “My name is Chrissy LeMaire, thanks so much for joining me today”
- I don’t aim to teach a whole subject in 60 minutes or less. I’d bet that I suck at teaching PowerShell from scratch. My aim is to excite people into learning more. I knew I accomplished this at SQL Days Belgium when one of the organizers came to me and said that my session made him want to run home and play!
- Audiences generally prefer demos, so do a lot of those if you can. And keep your demo environment simple. I used to have a whole domain with clustered and stand-alone instances. It was so stressful! Nowadays, I just roll with a single VM (using Parallels) with 2-3 local instances. I rely heavily on Snapshots and update my VM regularly.
- When I practice at home, I always practice as if there’s an audience. I’m standing, my voice is booming and I’m looking at the wall. This, incidentally, helps me when I’m too exhausted to maintain eye contact. I look right above the audience, at the closest wall above people’s heads. This gives me the appearance of being engaged without having to exert the effort of finding the ultra-friendly face.
Something you don’t see on this list is Toastmasters. I actually went to a meeting but found that I’d potentially be picking up bad practices. Our meeting’s toastmaster played very much by the book. They had pauses, eye contact, and articulation but it felt so robotic. I opted instead in embracing myself and not thinking “Pause. 1-2-3. Speak.” in my head. Others may find it useful but it wasn’t my style.
Just do it
For the first year or so, I dreaded presenting but felt compelled to share my PowerShell story. I needed show the SQL Server community how simple PowerShell could be. I needed to change minds and wanted to excite people. So even though I was tortured up until the day I presented, I still did it anyway. And those memes you see on Twitter were true for me. The stages of presenting:
- Dread and anxiety
- Wow, that was actually super fun and rewarding! Let’s see where else I can present!
- Dread and anxiety
But that eventually goes away and speaking gets easy! Now, my original argument against public speaking has been invalidated. I used to say “Public speaking is like eating canned lima beans. I hate it. And no matter how often I do it, I always will.” Well, I still hate canned lima beans, but I enjoy speaking publicly about PowerShell ;)
And a wonderful side effect of speaking for me has been making new friends. Now, I don’t feel so isolated here in Belgium. I know within a couple months, I’ll be seeing my friends somewhere neat and new, like Iceland, Ireland, Vienna, Lingen or Seattle ❤
And don’t give up
My first year or two of session submissions was filled with rejection emails. But I just whimpered a bit then continued to submit every place I’ve ever wanted to visit.
Now, I get to present precons at PASS Summit and even SQLBits! So if you get several rejections in a row, just keep refining your abstract and keep on submitting.
Oh, and don’t ever skip a speaker dinner! Like Cathrine told me, it’s one of the coolest parts of the whole experience. And the food is always awesome!
If you’re a new speaker, congrats! I hope these tips help. If not, take 2 shots and call me in the morning ;)

response:
Step-by-step: No
Training: No

The article presents a series of tips on public speaking rather than a clearly ordered set of step-by-step instructions. Although the suggestions are insightful, they lack a structured sequence that guides the reader through a specific task. Additionally, the instructions are more anecdotal and personal, which may not provide the detailed procedural framework needed for training a language model capable of deeper reasoning.