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All the chairpersons and MDs of India's prime banks have been meeting at Reserve Bank of India's headquarters on the 15th floor of the Mint Street office in a specific session that started at 7 pm. In Delhi, on the other hand, the top rated Cabinet ministers of the Modi government had been meeting over an agenda with regards to MoUs among India and Japan. Most notably, this is demonstrated in the growing number of fan web pages or web-sites devoted to their target of fondness. This site supplies streaming of different sports like Football, Basketball, Handball, Hockey, Motor, Rugby and so on. Several instances have been reported about sports athletes getting stalked, or of opposite teams' enthusiasts being threatened. Jumpman 23, Michael Jordan's division of Nike, has a huge random image in the center of the design and style.
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Watching the latest Woody Allen movie in a fancy theater, in good company, a glass of exquisite wine should be the premise for a great evening. Magic in the moonlight is like the candy box that promises the best chocolates in the world and fails to deliver the excitement you have been waiting for. It is either that or we have come to think so highly of this man and expect to be swept off our feet by his every picture.
Well, do not get me wrong, here. I was not sorry a bit for spending two wonderful hours with Colin Firth, Emma Stone, Marcia Gay Harden or Hamish Linklater. I loved the music, jazzy and reminiscent of The Roaring Twenties, the costumes and the setting. It actually made me travel back in time and feel like a flapper for one night, at a glorious, decadent party, foxtrotting my way through the chin-length bob beauties around me. It could have been the lovely wine but then again, there has to be some magic in this life, according to the director. I think this is the part I loved the best- the promise that we can go through all the misery and hardships, through the impervious, long hours of our time, hoping for the magic dust to slowly flicker above our heads and for a moment, make us feel alive.
The story is sweet, predictable and deprived of any shred of chemistry. Stanley Crawford, the greatest magician alive who plays his tricks in Chinese style, arrogant, skeptical and stiff, takes upon himself the task of unveiling Sophie - Emma Stone- the young mind reader as a delicious, yet authentic fraud. To please his friend and stay true to his reputation, Stanley allows himself to be deceived and played, to fall in love and change his colours, all for a pair of big, green eyes. Sophie is a young woman, who along her mother, is staying with a rich family on the French Riviera, where she has the son smitten with her looks and the mother with her apparent ability to speak to her dead husband.
Magic in the moonlight made me remember of another famous magician in The Curse of the Jade Scorpion, who messes up with people's minds to get his hand on the mighty rock. It is yet another movie about faith versus reason and deception versus gullibility. In almost all Woody Allen movies, there are credulous characters that end up in either unfortunate situations or simply allow themselves to be mislead. It is never just the women or simply the men, it is actually our inner need to hope and dream that great movies and extraordinary books make sense and can be easily translated into our own lives. Underneath all neurotic, intelligent conversations, this is the thing that touches me the most when it comes to his movies- the buoyant nature of his characters who stumble and sometimes hit rock bottom yet always make it out if not safely at least elegantly. This particular movie feels like walking familiar ground, a sweet mixture of My Fair Lady and Henry James's Daisy Miller, a personal, yet idiosyncratic voyage into his mind and our own expectations that could never settle the debate over loving him utterly or hating him deeply. The nice change is that in this particular movie, the female character is the one who never gives in and works her mysterious, seductive ways on Stanley; romance is the ultimate winner, though chemistry seems to have faded somewhere on the way.
I pretty much felt like Sophie here, in a funny way. I may not be the American girl abroad nor am I into cunningly seduce magicians' minds, but rather inclined to believe that a shred of self-delusion could make your life a bit more tolerable. After all, ain't it all just a swindle ?

subset: commoncrawl


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Here in America, it's easy to feel sheltered from much of the violence and suffering that goes on in the world every day. Although we have plenty of our own problems here at home, many of them pale in comparison to the armed conflict, natural disasters, and oppression that exist in other countries. In many ways, we owe this insulated feeling to our military and the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to carry out its missions.
Although they receive years of training, top of the line gear, and tactical support from some of the most advanced military technologies in the world, our veterans must face critical incidents and stressful situations that many of us can't even imagine. That's why so many return from deployment with some sort of emotional distress, often manifesting as PTSD.
As those who work with, are related to, or care about veterans, it's our job to learn why helping someone with PTSD is so important and what we can do to support them after they return home. This goes for people in positions of leadership, family members, and most importantly, their peers.
Keep reading to learn more about how military service can create challenges in the life of a veteran, as well as how to help someone with PTSD as a result of exposure to military stresses
Common Relationship Problems For Veterans With PTSD
PTSD can cause problems in all aspects of a veteran's life, from propensity for addiction to issues performing at work. However, for the purposes of this post, we'll focus our discussion to the issues that someone with PTSD might experience in their relationships and at home.
- Marriage Problems – According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans with PTSD have more marital troubles than veterans without PTSD. This includes a doubled divorce rate, tendency to have multiple failed marriages, and tendency to have shorter relationships in general. After experiencing a critical incident in the line of duty, veterans with PTSD are less likely to share thoughts and feelings with their partners, especially when they're negative. Lowered sexual interest and drive may also lead to marriage problems in veterans.
- Parenting Problems – Because of the high rate of mental illness among veterans with PTSD, it's not surprising that parenting can often be an overwhelming challenge that they just can't cope with. According to the VA, partners of veterans with PTSD reported that they often feel like they're "on the verge of a nervous breakdown" because their partners symptoms often leave them to bear the burden of parenting alone.
- Familial Dysfunction – According to the VA, physical and verbal aggression is also more common in the families of veterans with PTSD, regardless of whether this familial violence ever occurred before the critical incident took place. Despite common assumptions, this phenomenon isn't limited to male veterans either. In fact, some studies have shown that female veterans with PTSD are more likely to commit violence and commit more violence than their male counterparts.
The Best PTSD Support For Veterans Is Preparation
As peer support specialists providing PTSD support for veterans on a daily basis, we've learned that preparation is the best way to avoid these consequences of military stress. Instead of sending military personnel off to the front lines with the hope that they'll be able to deal with its challenges, we believe that peer support should be used as a preventative measure. Proper critical incident counseling can help military personnel be more prepared for what they're about to see and experience, giving them strategies that can prevent them from becoming totally overwhelmed by it.
Other Types Of PTSD Support For Veterans
We realize, however, that preparatory peer support isn't always available or desired. In these situations, it's important to make sure that PTSD support is in place and accessible immediately upon return. Other types of PTSD support for veterans include:
- Education about the effects of trauma on survivors and their families
- Support groups for both partners and veterans
- Individual therapy for both partners and veterans
- Couples or family counseling
PTSD Veteran Support Can't Be The Family's Burden Alone
In far too many cases, PTSD support is something that's left up to spouses, parents, and friends of veterans, but this is far from the best way to go about helping someone with PTSD. What's worse, leaving the responsibility of caregiving in the hands of loved ones alone can lead to secondary trauma, in which they start to develop their own mental health issues as the result of the stress of being their relative's only source of support.
Here at Peer Support Central, we think that veterans and their families deserve more. If you're interested in truly learning how to help someone with PTSD, contact us today. Our military training courses are designed to give you the skills and confidence you need to succeed as a veteran or peer support specialist for veterans.


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It was summer vacation and a trip to Bangalore! The kids need to go out and obviously malls and cinemas get boring after sometime. So wanted to show them something interesting. Planned to visit Bannerghatta National Park. Continue reading
Category Archives: Attractions
Arignar Anna Zoological Park
Absolutely pathetic state of affairs at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, Chennai!!! Continue reading
Luxe Cinemas, Phoenix Market City, Velachery
Luxe is the recently opened cinema theatres in Phoneix Market City, Velachery. Continue reading
Saturday Night Market, Arpora, Goa
This is a really nice place to visit as an attraction. If Food, Music and Booze is on your agenda, this place is a must-visit ! if you plan to do some serious shopping, this is NOT the place. The prices are ridiculously high and you may have to start bargaining from half of what they quote. There are a variety of shops selling everything under the sun and you might get anything and everything.
We took a taxi from Candolim and retained him for our way back also. Heard from reviews that the taxi drivers fleece customers, so better off with a vehicle from elsewhere than from the market. Since it can be really crowded, you may have to wait a while at food counters and to buy booze. The photo booth is a nice experience. In general, it is a safe place and a very nice attraction in Goa.
Exhibition Again. Family time.
After a visit to the exhibition with friends, how can I miss taking my family? 🙂 Another trip to the exhibition with family. Kids loved the rides, the eats and wife liked to stroll around the stalls checking out various stuff on display.
I managed to carry a camera along this time, so I presume the clicks are better than my other post. 🙂 At least that's how it should be.
Nothing much to add otherwise. Just another nice evening with family !
Chennai Exhibition 2014
Visiting an exhibition is interesting each year, not because there is anything new, but because it gives you an opportunity to cherish simple things that you saw as a kid which you don't get to see in posh shopping malls. Continue reading
A wonderful Houseboat experience in Kerala
My friend and I decided to take a short vacation with family and the first thing in mind was backwaters in Kerala. We had spoken about it earlier, and decided this was the time to do it. We have a lot of common Mallu friends, checked with them and in fact, one of our friends had a friend in Kerala who owns a houseboat. So the most important thing was fixed. Then we booked the train tickets through IRCTC and then we also made a reservation in a resort and we were good to go. 🙂
We reached Alleppey station and proceeded to the boat jetty by auto. There were so many houseboats parked and we were hoping to get into one of them, but it didn't happen that way 🙂 We had to take another small boat and that took us to 'our' houseboat. It was a first-time experience for both of us, so we were quite eager to get on board. The houseboat was spacious, clean and well-maintained. There was a Hall cum dining, 2 bedrooms with attached bathrooms, a kitchen. It was so exciting that we were all looking at the lake, houseboats, scenic views and the beautiful nature. As time passed, our enthusiasm came to acceptable levels and that's when we realized that this is what we are going to see for one full day 🙂
Chokhi Dhani
Chokhi Dhani, a set on Flickr.
A nice theme, nice food, nice activities, overall a very good outing worth the money you pay. Rs 550 for adults and Rs 350 for children aged between 3 and 9. This includes the food also. You also get free coupons for various activities and that was very good. You didn't have to spend extra money on them, the coupons were sufficient. Continue reading
Ooty Flower Show
Ooty Flowers, a set on Flickr.
Visited Ooty flower show during May 2013. Very very crowded, but it was very nice overall !
A cultural journey – DakshinaChitra
A cultural journey – DakshinaChitra in BW, a set on Flickr.
This is my second visit to this place, mainly to click some photos. I've been here earlier with my family. This time it was just me and my camera. Continue reading


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"This excellent 1966 set features a diverse range of ensembles, all lead by trumpeter Freddie Hubbard. The first is an octet, featuring congas and a euphonium; the second, a seven-member group, including the great McCoy Tyner on piano; the third is a sextet that boasts drummer Elvin Jones and Herbie Hancock (who doubles on piano and celeste). James Spaulding lends his alto sax and flute to two of the groups, and Joe Henderson is in two as well (his melodic, yet adventurous, tenor sax playing is especially notable). Also featured are tenor player Hank Mobley, bassist Reggie Workman, pianist Harold Mabern, and drummer Pete La Roca.
The fare on BLUE SPIRITS is in keeping with the hard bop of the era. A heavy soul-jazz influence is heard on the opening "Soul Surge" and the Latin-tinged "Cunga Black," but Hubbard's work is always challenging (the driving "Jodo") and often impressionistic (the moody, spectral title track). The revolving cast of players keeps thing interesting (especially for jazz fans familiar with the respective styles of the musicians), and the tonal variation created by the different instrumentation intrigues. This reissue of the original LP includes two bonus tracks (from a session that took place the following year), increasing the stock of this fine bop outing."
For my money, the opening track is the weakest track. Almost sounds like a bad Ramsey Lewis leftover. But the rest of the record soars...
1.Soul Surge
2.Blue Spirits
3.Outer Forces
4.Cunga Black
6.Melting Pot, The - (Bonus Track)
7.True Colors - (Bonus Track)
Freddie Hubbard - Blue Spirits


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Loving What You Do
Saturday, January 19, 2008
One of the things that I love about the internet is that it has allowed me to see and read and listen to the products of people who obviously love what they do.
Making sure that I love what I do has been a central theme in my life for nearly 20 years -- and I think I'm getting better and better at it. My Misery-Early-Warning System has been getting more and more sensitive during these two decades. I'm now at a point where I can stand about 5 minutes maximum of doing anything that I hate before I stop (and I usually choose not to do it at all), about 10 minutes of doing anything that I dislike but don't really mind doing, and about 20 minutes of doing something that I feel luke-warm about.
Granted, there are some things that are necessary to surviving and thriving that I used to dislike or hate -- but since they are things necessary to my survival/thrival, I've found ways to turn them into things that I love doing -- or else I've swapped with someone else who loves to do them (taking out the garbage, for example -- I have never found a way to love that -- thankfully, I live with someone who has natural love of garbage-taking-out, but who has never cultivated love-of-spreadsheet -- hence, I keep the accounts, he takes out the garbage).
The thing about cultivating love for what you are doing is that I've found that it (usually) makes you better at doing it. I love cleaning the bathroom -- and I'm really, really good at it. I can turn a moldy, dingy bathroom into a thing of beauty, and enjoy the process.
I believe that there is, however, a difference between simply being really good at something and loving something and being really good at it.
So tonight, I offer you videos of people who (to my eye) are obviously in their bliss -- and the magic that results when people do what they love -- may you spend the day doing only that which delights, inspires, and fulfills you.
Posted byPortlyDyke at 11:55 PM
Labels: Fulfillment, Video
6 comments:
- JackGoff said... January 20, 2008 at 11:20 AM
OMG. William Tell Overture on the harmonica. BRILLIANT!
Thanks for this, PD!
- JackGoff said... January 20, 2008 at 11:30 AM
WOW! Just watched the other two, and WOW. JUST WOW!
- KJ said... January 20, 2008 at 2:17 PM
Bravo! This is so life affirming and a fabulous reminder to follow your "bliss", which will in turn, benefit others, as well.
- JackGoff said... January 20, 2008 at 2:53 PM
I would like to reiterate:
Paul is the FUCKING BOMB!!!!!!!!
- The Cunning Runt said... January 20, 2008 at 11:12 PM
What wonderful gifts! Thanks for connecting us with this joyful celebration of life. It comes at a time when it means a lot to me.
- Vanessa said... January 23, 2008 at 8:56 PM
Oh My God. Opera guy has literally reduced me to a blubbering heap.


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I am extremely busy preparing my answers to sex and romance questions for the first segment of the Ask Dr. Amy show! The show airs Jan. 15th on the Romance Broadcasting Network, Live 365. I'm thrilled to be involved in this new network, and to be doing this weekly show. Listeners will be able to send in questions, which I'll answer on the air. I'll also be covering a multitude of topics related to sex, relationships, romance, and sexual health. Later I plan to add book and media reviews, and interviews with colleagues and experts.
Each week I'll be posting references, studies, and resources related to the questions I answer and the topics I address. I want my listeners to know exactly why I answer questions the way I do, and to have access to the best information I can provide. I think you'll find this a valuable addition to the show – and to your own quest for sexual pleasure, intimacy, and wholeness. More later!


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Σε συνεργασία με επιχειρήσεις της περιοχής, το Life Gallery athens δίνει στους προνομιούχους επισκέπτες του την ευκαιρία να κάνουν τις αγορές τους από επιλεγμένα καταστήματα, απολαμβάνοντας ειδικές εκπτώσεις ανάλογα με την εταιρεία ή την επιχείρηση.
The Brands
Wolford offers a special shopping experience to Life Gallery hotel guests, by appointment for an exclusive experience.
Fashion shopping with a 10% off regular items plus a special Wolford gift with purchases.
Guests can visit the Wolford Boutique Kifissia, Shopping Land, Kolokotroni 1, Kifissia. Please call the Wolford Boutique to book an appointment between 9am and 5pm at 2108016340.
Terms: Hotel room key must be presented at the boutique. This offer cannot be combined with other offers. The offer is valid for the entire time of stay of the hotel guest.
Zerteo Jewellery shopping with a 10% off regular items to Life Gallery hotel guests.
High-end fusion of jewelry styles which aims to a fresh yet classy collection! Special expertise on evil eye concept jewelry and luxury gift items.
Κolokotroni 1, Kifisia, tel 2106234324
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Employee Voice and Recipients' Appraisals/Reactions: The Effects Of Speech Style, Voice Type, and Voicer Status
Doctor of Philosophy
Dr. Alison Konrad
2nd Supervisor
Dr. Charlice Hurst
Joint Supervisor
The purpose of this research was to investigate the consequences of employee voice (i.e., the expression of information, ideas, or concerns for organizational development), primarily focusing on voice assertiveness (i.e., the extent of voicing individuals' assertive expressions) and its influences on perceptual appraisals and reactions of voice recipients. Based on a literature review, I proposed a process model that described the influential mechanisms of voice assertiveness. I also defined moderating conditions that may guide the nature of the influence processes, such as voice type (promotive voice vs. prohibitive voice), voicer status (subordinate vs. peer), and recipient core self-evaluations. From two experimental studies (Study 1: a scenario-based experiment, Study 2: a laboratory experiment), I found that it is valuable to consider the role of voice assertiveness in order to understand why certain voice behaviors are responded to more favorably than others. Results demonstrated that tentative voice, relative to assertive voice, was more effective in eliciting recipients' positive reactions to the voice (e.g., endorsement) and to the voicer (e.g., higher performance evaluation and helping intention), because recipients appraised it as less threatening (in particular, threats to their social value and decision-making freedom) and more constructive. Furthermore, these two appraisal dimensions appeared to comprise a serial, rather than parallel, process wherein the content-level appraisal of message constructiveness would result from the relationship-level appraisal of personal threats. On the other hand, I also found that the impact of voice assertiveness was contingent upon the type of voice and the status of voicers. Specifically, the constructiveness perception of tentative voice recipients was significantly stronger when the voice was framed with prohibitive contents than when it was framed with promotive contents. In addition, voice from assertive peers, than assertive subordinates, more easily activated recipients' threat perception in terms of their decision-making freedom, eventually leading to their reactance. Finally, implications, limitations, and future research issues were discussed.
Recommended Citation
Jung, Yongsuhk, "Employee Voice and Recipients' Appraisals/Reactions: The Effects Of Speech Style, Voice Type, and Voicer Status" (2014). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 2141.
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Drenching each other in ice-cold water, great laugh, why not. But what good is that doing, is there something more important than recognising a condition exists?
ALS awareness
ALS or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis belongs to the broader set of neurone degenerative conditions known as MND. Other more known forms include MS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's to name a few. Not heard of ALS until the Ice Bucket Challenge came along? Everyone knows Stephen Hawking, ALS's most well known sufferer non-typical in that he's still alive.
Most people with ALS die from respiratory failure, usually within three to five years from the onset of symptoms. The median survival time from onset to death is around 39 months, and only 4% survive longer than 10 years. Guitarist Jason Becker has lived since 1989 with the disease, while physicist Stephen Hawking has survived for more than 50 years, but they're considered unusual cases. – Wikipedia
Simply put, neurones are electrical wires that carry signals between our brain to muscles and sensors in the body. ALS involves the wires that connect to the muscles, resulting in either no signal, constant signal or unpredictable firing. Taking the metaform as far as I can before killing it; The issue is similar to complex electrical systems such as cars. Quite often you can have what appears to be a simple problem such as a light that comes on unexpectedly or window that fails to operate reliably (upcoming post about Airbag light….). Much diagnostic work is done, sensors or lengths of cable are replaced and still the problem persists. The human body is far more complicated, and whilst we can understand much about why a problem occurs, actually fixing it is another matter.
For all the marvellous vital work our medical professions do to keep us alive, they really aren't much more than the Sunday DIYer working on a car. Even at the limits of medicine – brain surgery – more closely akin to bashing a deformed wheel into something with many flat sides that it's almost circular, than having the ability to replace the wheel. The equivalent level of knowledge to a professional garage mechanic doesn't exist and the tools, schematics and replacements of the production line are a sci-fi fantasy away. Our best hope is finding other recently broken cars and taking the bits of them to keep on rolling.
Sir Patrick Stewart doing it with maximum style, I must admit after seeing so many celebs doing ever more crazy amounts of dousing, I did fear whisky wastage. Fortunately he gave a spin on the challenge that will probably become one of the most popular done.
Is the challenge really the answer? check out some professional media musings
Stem Cell Research
Stem Cells and MND, wealth of articles showing the potential.
Stem cell research doesn't exclusively mean embryonic matter, Pluripotent – the potential of stem cells to form other unrelated cells by resetting the initial state meaning use of stem cells from blood are just as important. But while people equate the field with the notion of babies in lab jars, support for funding just isn't available. We are at real risk of (deliberately unhelpful pun alert) flushing the baby out with the bath water in regard to perusing research.
The Real Solution – Action you can take
#1 Donate – These are the guys I support
#2 Donate – But not money (special eligibility requirements)
Until writing this post, I'd never heard of the NHS Cord Blood Bank; or the idea that the umbilical cord could be so important in saving peoples lives and a fantastic free way to aid research.
#3 Donate – But not money (more flexible eligibility) If you're aged between 16 and 30, you can potentially save peoples lives and aid research.
#4 Educate – Take the time to explain MND in general to your kids, don't let someone struggling to walk be made fun of or shunned. Knowing what ALS is means jack-shit if it's not applied to how you treat people, be compassionate, seek to make people feel both accepted and alive.
#5 Support – Vote for politicians with the strength to support social change and get funding to research projects. Supporting research from the coffee table is very effective long term, sure your mate might not be involved, but your mate's mate might be on a funding council or a tired researcher considering switching projects.
#6 Strive – Ply your trade or put your mind to advancing humanity. Think about the problems and explore novel solutions. You'll probably not come out with the medical remedy, but theirs a lot of engineering around the problem that'll make lives easier, more productive and enjoyable meanwhile.
#7 Umm…
I would like to point out, that for those that perform the challenge (and donate) I do think it's a positive step and certainly not suggesting it's not a worthy contribution, just looking to add something different and stir a little thought. Maximum respect to my friends who found inventive ways to take on the challenge, especially the guy who jumped into a stream-rapid/waterfall for the ultimate super cold plunge.
So like Patrick Stewart, I'll be avoiding buckets of warm water with ice cubes added (ahh yes, how many people thought of that one…), donating an undisclosed amount to an actual charity that supports research into ALS/MND and enjoying a scotch.


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20 Feb 2013
Inaugural GIFT OF SIGHT program returns after a successful trip
HealthCare Outreach's inaugural Gift of Sight volunteerprogram has returned from a successful operation in the Philippines restoring sight to 137 men, women and children.
The volunteer team was assembled thanks to San Cafeteria Assistant Lita Ford who suggested HealthCare Outreach, a humanitarian aid program coordinated by Sydney Adventist Hospital, might be able to help people suffering from in her Pilipino homeland.
Volunteers operated in the Cagayan Valley region in Northern Luzon which has one of the highest cataract blindness rates in the country.
"I was determined to champion a program for the Philippians and asked HealthCare Outreach to help my community" said Lita.
The team worked alongside local doctors to perform up to 30 free cataract removal surgeries a day on blind and visually impaired people.
Many patients were totally blind prior to surgery while after surgery their eyesight was restored.
"Blindness caused by cataracts is simply a disease of poverty" says Dalcross Adventist Hospital Ophthalmologist A/Prof. Geoffrey Painter.
"It is preventable and avoidable. Cataracts do not cause blindness here in Australia because we have access to treatment. However, patients where our team will be operating are too poor to be able to afford cataract surgery. The impact of cataracts can be devastating on them as it leads to loss of sight, independence, capacity to work, social isolation and financial hardships" he said.
This is the first Gift of Sight program and is a joint programme between HealthCare Outreach, a medical humanitarian aid program coordinated by Sydney Adventist Hospital Wahroonga, and Foresight Australia.
Dalcross Nursing Unit Manager Kerrie Leg was among those who volunteered in the Philippines. Click here to view Kerrie's story published in the Hornsby Advocate 21/02/13.
Photography: Laen Henry


text:
Fact: '46% of UK online customers have made purchases after receiving an email marketing message'. F [More]
Know about it, before you do it - Email marketing28. February 2013 16:01
Are your mailing list requirements being met?14. January 2013 11:33
Choosing and using mailing lists is a difficult task if you don't have the expertise. There are many [More]


text:
Revenue And Customs v The Open University, Court of Appeal - Civil Division, March 02, 2016, [2016] EWCA Civ 114
|Resolution Date:
|March 02, 2016
|Issuing Organization:
|Civil Division
|Revenue And Customs v The Open University
Neutral Citation Number: [2016] EWCA Civ 114
Case No: A3/2015/2905
Royal Courts of Justice
Strand, London, WC2A 2LL
Date: 02/03/2016
Before :
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Between :
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mr Peter Mantle (instructed by the Solicitor for HM Revenue & Customs) for the Appellant
Mr Paul Lasok QC (instructed by KPMG LLP) for the Respondent
Hearing dates : 2nd and 3rd February 2016
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Chancellor (Sir Terence Etherton):
This appeal arises out of a claim under section 80 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (``the VAT Act 1994'') by the British Broadcasting Corporation (``the BBC'') for the repayment of VAT on supplies of services to the Open University (``the OU'') during the period 1 January 1978 to 31 July 1994 (other than the VAT period ending 30 September 1981) on the ground that the supplies were exempt under Article 13A(1)(i) of the Sixth Council Directive 77/388/EEC of 17 May 1977 on the harmonisation of the laws of member states related to turnover taxes - Common system of value added tax: uniform basis of assessment (``the Sixth VAT Directive'') as supplies of education or training. The services consisted of the production and broadcasting of television and radio programmes relating to OU courses. The claim is for approximately £21 million, excluding interest.
The claim was refused by the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (``HMRC''). The OU appealed that refusal as the recipient of the supplies made by the BBC. The BBC has agreed to pay the OU any amount it receives by way of repayment from HMRC.
Judge Greg Sinfield, sitting in the Tax Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal (``the FTT''), allowed the OU's appeal by his decision released on 3 June 2013. Mr Justice Henderson, sitting in the Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery Chamber) (``the UT''), dismissed HMRC's appeal from the FTT by his decision released on 21 May 2015.
HMRC appeals with the permission of the UT.
The Sixth VAT Directive and domestic legislation
During the relevant period Article 13A(1)(i) of the Sixth VAT Directive (``Article 13A(1)(i)'') provided as follows
``Article 13
Exemptions within the territory of the country
Exemptions for certain activities in the public interest
Without prejudice to other Community provisions, Member States shall exempt the following under conditions which they shall lay down for the purpose of ensuring the correct and straightforward application of such exemptions and of preventing any possible evasion, avoidance or abuse: ...
(i) children's or young people's education, school or university education, vocational training or retraining, including the supply of services and of goods closely related thereto, provided by bodies governed by public law having such as their aim or by other organizations defined by the Member State concerned as having similar objects; ...''
Article 4(5) of the Sixth VAT Directive (``Article 4(5)'') is also relevant and provided as follows during the relevant period:
``States, regional and local government authorities and other bodies governed by public law shall not be considered taxable persons in respect of the activities or transactions in which they engage as public authorities, even where they collect dues, fees, contributions or payments in connection with these activities or transactions.
However, when they engage in such activities or transactions, they shall be considered taxable persons in respect of these activities or transactions where treatment as non-taxable persons would lead to significant distortions of competition.
Member States may consider activities of these bodies which are exempt under Article 13 ... as activities which they engage in as public authorities.''
Article 13A(1)(i) and Article 4(5) have subsequently been re-cast as Article 132(1)(i) and Article 13(1) respectively of EC Council Directive 2006/112 EC of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax (``the 2006 Directive'').
Article 13A(1)(i) was implemented in the UK during the relevant period initially by Group 6 of schedule 5 to the Finance Act 1972 and then, from 26 October 1983, by Group 6 of schedule 6 to the Value Added Tax Act 1983 (``the VAT Act 1983'').
It is common ground that prior to 1 August 1994, that is to say during the entirety of the relevant period, the UK legislation failed to implement Article 13A(1)(i) correctly, in that it only exempted ``closely related'' supplies if they were made by the same person who supplied that education. It is common ground that, in that respect, Article 13A(1)(i) had direct effect in the UK during the relevant period in view of the failure properly to implement the Sixth VAT Directive in domestic legislation.
The provisions of the VAT Act 1994 implementing Article 13A(1)(i) were in different terms to the predecessor legislation. In 1997 HMRC accepted that under the revised wording the services supplied by the BBC to the OU were exempt pursuant to item 4 of Group 6 of schedule 9 to the VAT Act 1994 as from 1 August 1994 even though there had been no change in the factual circumstances concerning the BBC's supply of education and training.
The following general principles applicable to the interpretation of Article 13A(1)(i) are also common ground. The exemption in Article 13A(1)(i), like all exemptions in the Sixth VAT Directive, is an autonomous concept of Community law. It is to be interpreted strictly since it constitutes an exception to the general principle that VAT is to be levied on all services supplied for consideration by a taxable person. Its interpretation must nevertheless be consistent with the objectives pursued by the exemption and must comply with the requirement of fiscal neutrality inherent in the common system of VAT. Accordingly, the requirement of strict interpretation does not mean that the terms used in Article 13A(1)(i) should be interpreted in such a way as to deprive the exemption of its intended effect. Those principles were stated by the Court of Justice of the European Communities (later the Court of Justice of the European Union, together ``the "ECJ") in Case C-434/05 Stichting Regionaal Opleidingen Centrum Noord-Kennemerland/West-Friesland (Horizon College) v Staatssecretaris van Financiën [2008] STC 2145 at paragraphs 15 and 16: see also Case C-319/12 Minister Finansów v MDDP sp z oo Akademia Biznesu, sp komandytowa [2014] STC 699 at para. 25.
A strict interpretation in this context does not mean a restricted interpretation. In Insurancewide.Com Services Ltd v HMRC [2010] EWCA Civ 422, [2010] STC 1572 at [83] the Court of appeal approved the following statement of Chadwick LJ in Expert Witness Institute v Customs and Excise Commissioners [2001] EWCA Civ 1882, [2002] STC 42 at [17]:
"A 'strict' construction is not to be equated, in this context, with a restricted construction. The court must recognise that it is for a supplier, whose supplies would otherwise be taxable, to establish that it comes within the exemption, so that if the court is left in doubt whether a fair interpretation of the words of the exemption covers the supplies in question, the claim to the exemption must be rejected. But the court is not required to reject a claim which does come within a fair interpretation of the words of the exemption because there is another, more restricted, meaning of the words which would exclude the supplies in question."
The issues
The issues between the parties are whether, for the purposes of Article 13A(1)(i), during the relevant period: (1) the BBC was a ``body governed by public law''; and if so (2) it had the requisite educational aim; and if not satisfying both those conditions, nevertheless (3) the BBC was ``defined'' by the UK as having ``similar objects'', and, if it was not so ``defined'' but did have ``similar objects'', it can still claim the direct benefit of the Article 13A(1)(i) exemption.
HMRC has always accepted that the OU had the university educational aim required by Article 13A(1)(i) and that the services supplied by the BBC to OU during the relevant period were closely related to the university education provided by the OU.
The factual background
The FTT recorded (in para. 16 of its decision) that there was no real dispute between the parties as to the facts, only as to the interpretation to be placed on those facts.
Witness statements were produced on behalf of the OU by Mr Andrew Law, the director of the ``Open Media Unit'' of the OU and a former BBC employee, Mr Colin Robinson, a former BBC employee in the BBC's Open University Production Centre (``the OUPC''), and Sir David Attenborough, who was employed by the BBC in various roles since 1952, including as a producer, the controller of BBC 2 and the director of television programmes. The witness statements of Mr Law and Mr Robinson stood as their evidence in chief and they were cross-examined. The witness statement of Sir David Attenborough was admitted.
I gratefully take the following facts from the clear and helpful factual account of the FTT.
The BBC was first established as a limited company in 1922. John Reith, who subsequently became Lord Reith, was the first General Manager (later called the Director General) of the BBC. On 31 December 1926 the company was dissolved and its assets were transferred to the BBC constituted under a royal charter dated 20 December 1926. The BBC continued in existence by virtue of a succession of royal charters.
Lord Reith stated that the BBC's purpose and duty was to educate, inform and entertain. The BBC had an education director and established an education department from its earliest days. The BBC made its first broadcast for schools in 1924. In 1927, the BBC set up an adult education department. By 1929 schools broadcasts and...
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text:
Where the philosophical history of civilization and culture begins.
The most well-known city-state of Greece.
The Greek city-state that joins with Athens to overcome the Persians in battle.
The ideal city-state of Plato's imagination and theory.
A city in Macedon where both Aristotle and Alexander the Great are born.
The Lyceum
The school Aristotle forms in Athens, Greece, which teaches biology and natural sciences.
The Academy
The school Plato founds in Athens, Greece. Plato's work here includes teaching mathematics and speculative and political philosophy.
In 46 B.C. its soldiers take ideas they find in Greece back to their country along with their other spoils. Eventually, its wealth falls to poverty, disintegration, decadence, and apathy.
The Church
For a thousand years, it unites the European continent with a common faith and supernatural sanctions. Scholastic philosophy uses tools of faith and reason interchangeably to...
(read more Object Descriptions)
This section contains 174 words
(approx. 1 page at 300 words per page)


text:
How to use your suit
Lazy days on the couch. Waking up on those freezing cold mornings or returning home from work on those dark dreary nights – throw away those old tracky dacks and baggy jumper.
Save the environment – turn the heater down 2 degrees (or off) and Reduce your Emissions
Take it camping or on those weekend get aways.
Save on heating bills – I know, I lived in a house with concrete floors and heating cost a fortune – in the end I turned the heat off and just wore my lazypatch.
This is a must for uni students living out of home.
Purchase one for your parents – their circulation isn't what it use to be!!
No need to get out from under the quilt while leaving the couch (great for those quick toilet breaks!)
Pretend you're in the opening snow scene from The Empire Strikes Back.
It's the perfect gift for Mothers Day, 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th birthdays. What could be more unique than a suit made out of Duvet!!
The suit can be stored away as a pillow – throw another matching pillow case over the top and keep on your bed during the warmer months.
The jacket is perfect for the early morning dog walking, or watching the kids playing sport
For all those guys with partners that feel the cold and have the heater on at 100 degrees – this is the answer!!
It's not just a winter item – think of those cold summer days when you don't want to turn the heater on as it could be 40 degrees the next day.
Send me your uses!! Click here.


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On the other hand, I found it impossible after operating a mostly regional airline to come up with the money to open a new base airport. It looks like an easy move for the big boys, but us little operators are on the outside looking in.
Withe regard to A-B-C-B-A or A-B-C-A routes - how are they handled in the real world? I would think that an airline that is not hubbed at an airport pays considerably more fees than one that is. Maybe you could implement a significant increase in slot, office, passenger and landing fees for those airlines that are just operating connections through an airport but are not otherwise based or hubbed there? I would think this would tend to discourage "outside" airlines from "sniping" routes unless those routes were truly worth the cost (in which case, the airline based or hubbed there should rightly have taken steps to acquire that route before an "outisder" even contemplated it). I think there is a case to be made for both the new hub system and the ability to fly connections through a non-hub airport.
So - sorry I haven't done this before - I can just take delivery at my main HQ and then transfer to my other base for some sort of fee? (I haven't opened a base yet so I don't know the options, but I'd like to plan for them)
b) the date when multiple bases are allowed in EU was when the openskies come into force there, I guess it was 2002 or so. These will be added later, meaning you cannot base into other EU country before that.
you can change the destination of the airplane if there is more than ~6 months until delivery. BUT expect to pay a TON more for the plane. You are better off just waiting.
WARNING! This website is not compatible with the old version of Internet Explorer you are using.
If you are using the latest version please turn OFF the compatibility mode.


text:
Microsoft Dynamics Partner Roundup: Rentals for Dynamics 365; Fresh food partnership; P2PE for Dynamics ERP; Finnish D365 win
published June 2, 2017
In this week's Microsoft Dynamics Partner News Roundup:
- Sycor.Rental for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Available on Microsoft AppSource
- Socius Partners with LINKFRESH to Deliver Business Software Solutions for Fresh Food Producers and Distributors
- Bluefin Payment Systems and Nodus Technologies Announce the Availability of PCI-Validated P2PE for Microsoft Dynamics ERP Users
- Finnish Service Company Selects Innofactor as the implementer of Their ERP System
Sycor.Rental for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Available on Microsoft AppSource
Sycor.Rental, a provider of solutions for the rental, trade, service and maintenance of mobile goods is available for Microsoft Dynamics 365 on Microsoft AppSource. The solution is Certified for Microsoft Dynamics 365.
Requires FREE Membership to ViewLogin
Become a Member Joining MSDynamicsWorld.com gives you free, unlimited access to news, analysis, white papers, case studies, product brochures, and more, and it's all FREE. You'll also receive periodic email newsletters with the latest relevant articles and content updates.
Consolidate or integrate? What to do with ERPs after mergers and acquisitions June 2, 2017 From the Microsoft Dynamics GP Blogs: Cash collection; State, fed wages mismatch; Purchase receipt number; Unauthorized purchase orders June 2, 2017


text:
Bunion Aid Brochure
Click here to
Free Foot Health eBook
Bunion Aid® Treatment Splint
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and Post Bunion Surgery Rehabilitation
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you'll wear it walking
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Hallux valgus, the medical term for bunion, is a mal-alignment of the two bones that form the base joint of the big toe. Aside from being unsightly, untreated bunions can be painful and may lead to gait problems.
Bunion Aid effectively treats the underlying causes of a bunion deformity. Its mid-foot strap and corrective arch support stabilizes the longitudinal arch and transverse arch while the toe strap pulls the big toe away from the second toe gradually. The metatarsal pad, placed behind the ball of the foot, helps align the transverse arch. The patented hinged mechanism enables the big toe to flex while walking and helps restore the natural alignment of the foot.
Before Bunion Aid®
Intermetatarsal Angle: 16 degrees
Hallux valgus Angle: 40 degrees
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Intermetatarsal Angle: 10 degrees
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Treat your Bunion. Become Active Again.
Suffering from painful bunions? You're not alone. More than half of all American women - and a significant number of men - walk with uncomfortable bunions every day. Now, with Bunion Aid, relief is just a step away!
Bunion Aid is the first day and night comfort splint designed to prevent and correct big toe mal-positioning, offering pain relief from bunions. Developed by German scientists and orthopedists, Bunion Aid is a Hallux valgus splint that can be worn both at night and during the day.
Bunion Aid is the only therapeutic hinged splint that combines the comfort of a soft splint with the corrective support of a rigid night splint.
- Wear day or night, while walking or resting
- Thin and light-weight, wear barefoot or in socks around the house
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- High-quality hinge and hook & loop straps are long lasting and washable.
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Severe bunions often require bunion surgery. Post-surgical care with Bunion-Aid:
- helps reduce rehab time
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- straightens surgical over-correction ( Hallux varus )
This flexible and supportive splint stabilizes the alignment of the big toe and allows the surgical area to heal through the range of motion. Ongoing use of Bunion Aid provides mid-foot support and keeps the big toe straight, preventing the reappearance of a bunion after surgery.
The Award Winning
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How to put on the
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Free Bunion eBooks, Hallux Valgus Care Advice & Self-Treatment


text: McCurry was at it again the next day with the ridiculous assertion that under Lott's definition, "bad table manners" would be grounds for impeachment. Does McCurry see no difference between bad table manners and the president's shameful conduct? Perhaps the Clinton administration puts boinking the White House staff in the same category as slurping your soup.


text:
Sim Special: Sharpen Your Emergency Skills in Our New AL250!
We always hope for good weather and no glitches, but the best pilots prepare for when things go wrong. For just $99, spend an hour with one of Cirrus Aviation's expert CFIs in our new ALSIM AL250 Flight Simulator. This comprehensive 1 hour immersion class covers the following topics:
- Engine failure on takeoff
- Engine failure at altitude
- Partial panel IR
- Electrical failure
- Icing on wings
- Wind shear and strong crosswinds on landing
- Runway incursion and go-around
Register before October 31st to get this special $99 price!


text:
Admin Right menu > Jobs > Fields.
Admin Control Panel > Fields (Jobs).
Admin Right menu > Resumes > Fields.
Admin Control Panel > Fields (Resumes).
Admin Right menu > Companies > Fields.
Admin Control Panel > Fields (Companies).
This page has all the fields (system fields + user fields) of company, job or resume. it can be
used for changing field titles, user/visitor publish,unpublish status
This portion has a back link that takes to control panel, page title, add new custom field button
and right menu button. Possible page titles for this page are companies fields ordering, resume
fields ordering and job fields ordering.
This portion has action buttons that can be used for performing different action on single or
multiple (using check boxes) entities at a time. The buttons that are available are user
publish/unpublish, visitor publish/unpublish and required and not required.
This portion is filter for fields listing. Admin can filter fields on the basis of field name,
user status, visitor status and required. When admin uses filter only fields that fulfill his
provided criteria are shown on the page. Reset button will disable filter criteria and show all
This portion is table header it tells us what different columns represent about a record.
First column is a check box it can be used to select multiple fields and perform any action
on those fields using top action buttons.
This portion represents an individual record. It has field name, user publish/unpublish, visitor
publish/unpublish, required/ not required, ordering and edit(for system fields), delete(for custom fieldds).
Field name means what will be the title field on listings, views and forms.
User publish/unpublish means to control the visibility of field for logged in user
Visitor publish/unpublish means to control the visibility of field for visitor
Required/ not required means to controls whether field will be required or not
(whether users will be able to proceed without filling any value in this field or not)
Ordering means what will be the sequence of the fields.
Required and publish, unpublish for user or visitor can be changed by a single click for all
fields except certain fields.
ordering of any fields can be increased or decreased by a single click.
If admin clicks on edit icon then a popup will appear on screen that will have
all the customizable (changeable) options of that field.
If admin clicks on delete icon then custom field will be deleted, if no entity holds value
in that field.
This is how a custom field is gonna appear on page. There is a delete option next to edit.
The possible options for fields can be field title, user status, visitor status,user search,
visitor search, required and show on listing.
There are certain fields that can not be unpublished or set as not required those fields are
necessary for the system to work efficiently, for those fields user/visitor status or required
options will not be visible on popup. There are some fields that can not be searched so there
will be no options (user search, visitor search) for those fields. in similar manner there are
some fields that can be made visible on listings so there is no option (show on listing) for
those fields. There is a save button that saves changes.
This is how popup for a custom field is gonna look like, there will be 'advanced' button on the
bottom that will take to edit case for that field.
Click here to read more..


text:
January 19, 2017
So, I have been here in Athens (Agia Paraskevi, to be precise) for a full week now. I've spent the week getting my bearings in this delightful neighborhood which is roughly the size of Marvyille but with a distinct urban feel. You certainly know when you are here that you are in the capital due to the city buses and tons more cars (and their honking horns, oh the horns!) than I ever see in Maryville on an average day.
The people in this middle class neighborhood are friendly, wanting to talk about all kinds of things. Although, I must say I have had more conversations about gun control and American politics than I thought I would have. The Greeks I have talked to do NOT support the current direction of American politics. And, I can see why. One of the residence hall directors told me that the kind of thinking that is pervading the current American discourse is what led to the decisions that were made in the 1980s and 1990s which ultimately led to the Greek economic collapse in 2004 and 2008. [A layman's summary of the situation can be found in a 2016 New York Times article: Here]
Speaking of that collapse, evidence of struggle is prevalent along the main street leading to the ACG campus (Agiou Ioannou). There are empty store fronts and empty restaurants. On Saturdays, there is the occasional pan-handler which so far has only been elderly women. But the one thing that clearly has endured the economic struggle: coffee shops. I counted no less than 20 coffee shops within a 6 block radius of my apartment. And, yes, there is a Starbuck's on campus. The typical Greek breakfast is a coffee or two and cigarettes. Not healthy, I know. As I partake in neither, I am sticking to fresh baked tyropita (cheese pie) and frosted flakes.
Despite the evidence of decline, there is though a sense of recovery here. There is new construction going up and new businesses opening. The neighborhood instituted a discount day at some of the local stores which is really not all that different from our Maryville Chamber bucks program. I've been informed that I really need to attend those sales because you can get designer fashion for about 75% off. Since I already went through a pair of running shoes while here, I'm clearly going to have to "suffer" through this shopping experience. The sales extravaganza is meant to keep money circulating in Greece so that taxes drawn from it can be used for local needs like infrastructure, healthcare, education, etc. It's the Greek equivalent of the "Buy American" slogan we have all heard before. And in this neighborhood, it seems to be working. There are signs of hope. [Granted the EU is talking about giving more bailout money to Greece so that helps]
For the presidential inauguration tomorrow, I plan to go down to the city center and spend time on the Acropolis to reflect on the evolution of democratic principles. Saturday, Athenian women are participating in the Women's March on Washington movement by marching from the US embassy to the Acropolis. I think I will go down and be a part of history.


text:
Pregnant Glee star Naya Rivera is set to release an autobiography in 2016.
The 28-year-old actress has signed a deal to release her memoir, titled Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes, and Growing Up, with Tarcher Books in the spring (16).
The book will cover Rivera's rise from child star, landing her first TV role at the age of four, to her time on Glee, and is set to include her thoughts on a variety of topics such as dating and racial issues.
According to Publisher's Weekly, it will be "a warts-and-all account" about her path "from riches to rags and back again".
Rivera announced the news on Twitter.com, writing, "Can't wait until next spring! So many juicy stories about my life. Glee, guys, growing up & much more. #sorrynotsorry."


text:
What is your favorite food, and do you have those supplies waiting for you? Well, every kitchen must have this basic equipment: a fridge, table, and microwave. That is the equipment where you keep your supplies and prepare them for some delicious meals. But, what happens with other kitchen tools? You will also need some cookware and baking equipment as well as a proper dining and serving equipment.
If you prefer to cook for your friends, all the supplies should be available on the table. So, if the design matters, then everything you make should be perfectly served. That's why you need some cool plates and cups. For example, Snap Deal offers a wide variety of pans and cookware sets, so take a look at their site and choose the design, color, and features that fit your needs most.
Do you love some delicious salads? Well, if it is so, you will need to have a good set of knives, graters, and peelers for making amazing decorations and tasty salads for your whole family. Also, healthy food is always a good choice. So, if you don't have a blender yet, buy it and make exotic juices that will boost your energy in the mornings.
However, if you are a person who adores having a cup of tea with friends after dinner, there are lovely tea sets available to buy online. Different colors, wonderful designs, and many more advantages are on today's menu. On the other hand, men usually love some beer and wine. They will adore this little detail! Buy them a decanter, and they will start visiting your kitchen frequently.


text:
Housing over 1,500 staff, 1,250 of whom will be scientists, countless opportunities will be uncovered that are fundamental to biological discoveries in health and disease. The Francis Crick Institute will be one of Europe's largest centres of biomedical research. The founding partners invested circa £650 million to establish the institute.
Arup was appointed to provide building services engineering design, project management, security and logistics consultancy services for the management, design, procurement and construction of the 85,000m2 facility. With its curved forms that respond to the adjacent features of St Pancras station, The Crick takes a prominent place. The permeability of the façade and glass atria minimise the impact at street level, respecting the residential environment.
Arup's Project Management team also developed the procurement route, allowing enabling works to the basement construction to commence ahead of the original programme.
Arup's engineering design team had a unique insight into how the complex requirements of modern science would manifest in this elegant and sophisticated building. The challenge was to harmonise various demands, ensuring efficiencies throughout the engineering design process.
"Having had the rare opportunity to work on the project from its inception to completion, this experience has been immensely fulfilling. Working through the complex technical challenges and now standing in front of the completed building is truly rewarding."
Blair Gray, Senior Electrical Engineer, Arup.
High vibration resistance required for laboratories containing sensitive equipment was extended to all research spaces in order to provide greater adaptability for future use. High rates of air change requested for laboratories were reduced to manageable yet perfectly adequate rates.
The Francis Crick Institute is the first laboratory, and one of the first buildings of any type, to be subject to the latest (2010) UK energy regulations. This has led to approximately 25% reduction in carbon levels; and achieving 'Excellent' BREEAM rating.
The new institute completed practical completion in August 2016 and should be fully operational to scientist at the beginning of 2017.
We help industry, science and technology providers to evolve with confidence.
We create caring environments that are models for today, and ready for tomorrow.
An evolution of Arup-designed LD4 and LD5 facilities in Slough.
Successful quality and process management with flexible design for future expansion
£60m general hospital providing 107 individual patient rooms.
A fast-track project – two years from initial works to operation.
Modern teaching hospital with space for 1,000 beds.
The institute supports the most advanced medical research and high specification scientific equipment.


text:
The Arizona Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association
2018 AzACDA Summer Conference
The 2018 AzACDA Summer Conference will be held Monday, July 9 through Wednesday, July 11 at the Mesa Community College Performing Arts Center. The headliners for this year's conference are Jo-Michael Scheibe of University of Southern California and composer Jim Papoulis. In addition to an excellent array of choral reading and interest sessions for all varieties of choral directors, this year's conference invitational concert will feature a performance by the Tucson Girls Chorus and members of the Phoenix Chorale. A special rate has been arranged at the nearby Hilton Phoenix/Mesa (click here for details and the reservation link).
Click here for the current draft AzACDA Summer Conference Schedule, and click here to register!
Registration costs for the Conference are:
- ACDA Member, Full Conference Registration $140.00 (goes up to $165.00 after May 31)
- ACDA Member, First Year Teacher $50.00
- ACDA Student Member Registration, $35.00
- One Day Registration, $75.00 (goes up to $90.00 after May 31)
If you have questions, please contact AzACDA at .


text:
We warmly welcome you to Wellspring Church!
This website is jam-packed with information and inspiration for you. Maybe you're new to the area and looking for a church, or perhaps you're interested in exploring faith a bit more? Wherever you are on your journey through life, we welcome you freely and openly. Have a browse around, contact us if you want more info - it would be wonderful to hear from you.


text:
- This event has passed.
baroque conversations 1
December 11, 2014 @ 7:30 pm
Thursday, December 11, 2014 @ 7 pm Zipper Concert Hall
Saturday, December 13, 2014 @ 7:30 pm Valley Performing Arts Center
Jeffrey Kahane, conductor & harpsichord
Margaret Batjer, violin
Jacqueline Brand, violin
Josefina Vergara, violin
Sarah Thornblade, violin
Allan Vogel, oboe
Patricia Mabee, harpsichord
Ian Pritchard, harpsichord
Gilbert Martinez, harpsichord
VIVALDI Concerto in B minor for Four Violins, Op. 3, No. 10
ALBINONI Oboe Concerto in D minor, Op. 9, No. 2
CORELLI Concerto Grosso in G minor, Op. 6, No. 8, "Christmas Concerto"
BACH Concerto in A minor for Four Harpsichords, BWV 1065
Music director Jeffrey Kahane sets the tone for the holidays with Bach's Concerto for Four Harpsichords, Corelli's "Christmas" Concerto and Vivaldi's Concerto for Four Violins. The concert honors LACO artistic founder James Arkatov.
read program notes
part of the baroque conversations series
pre-concert program
Join us for a pre-concert reception, beginning at 6 pm, free to all ticket holders.
venue note
Looking for a restaurant close to Zipper? Stop by one of these downtown restaurants for a bite to eat.
box office info
Call Andrew or Carrie in the box office at 213 622 7001 × 1, Monday – Friday 9 am to 5 pm, on concert Saturdays from noon to 4 pm and concert Sundays from noon until 3 pm. The box office is closed on public holidays.
Single tickets start at $65.
For information or to purchase tickets, call Andrew or Carrie in the box office at 213 622 7001 × 1.
Program, artists and ticket prices subject to change.
If you'd like to sponsor a LACO performance or artist, click here for information.
If you'd like to sponsor a LACO performance or artist, click here for information.


text:
"Ticket Stub" will appear in the Fall 2018 issue of Stoneboat Literary Journal.
"The Parable of the Butchers: Taiji Cove vs. Factory Farming" appears on the January 22nd, 2014 edition of New Verse News.
"Cheers" and "Morning" have been published in Puff Puff Poetry, Prose and Play – An Anthology. Available now on Amazon!
"Never Fell" has been chosen for inclusion in Uncommon Core: Contemporary Poems for Learning and Living by Red Beard Press.
"Letter to Lake Michigan" is featured in the Wisconsin DNR's 2013-2014 Wisconsin's Great Lakes calendar.
Short essay with photos for Minerva Rising Contributor's Blog, April 25th, 2013.
Natural Poetics – The Passing of a Wisconsin Winter
Never Fell was published in Minerva Rising Issue One: Beginnings, September 2012.
Never Fell
Last night, I was Eve.
I wore spike heeled
snake-skinned boots.
My hair was short –
I was not the Lady Godiva Eve,
painted by so many ribs,
long, blonde, and naked.
My hair was red. My legs were long,
my tongue was longer.
Born by the piercing,
the consecration of metal
to flesh, of skin to skin.
I was forced from muscle,
swelled out of blood, tendons
and twisting tissue.
No bone bore me.
I walked into this world,
and I did not fall.
I made an entrance.
What shame should
make me want
to hide the soft glow
of my bare, buttery skin?
Should you not
look on me and see
the beauty that is
I will feed this hungry body.
I will lubricate my eager spirit.
I will not live
on a diet of deprivation
when fruit is bulging
from the branches
swollen with juice and
tender meat.
I will devour
what tries to devour me.
You will know me
by my outstretched hand.
Apology was published by Straight Forward Poetry, Issue One March 2012. http://straightforwardpoetry.wordpress.com/issues/
were right.
It was mostly
my fault.
I didn't
blame you.
I regret
certain things
I did
before you,
certain things
I did
with you.
I always
just wanted
to make things
If I had to
do it
over again,
I wouldn't
do it
at all.
I am sorry
these are
all lies.


text:
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Proposed Recology Project
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Project Description
The Proposed Recology Project includes construction and operation of new, modern resource recovery facilities within an expanded footprint at Recology's existing Tunnel Avenue Facility.
Major components would include:
- Recycling Facilities (Blue Can)
- Mixed Solid Waste Recycling and Processing Facilities (Black Can)
- Organics Transfer Station (Green Can)
- Anaerobic Digestion (Energy Generation)
- Household Hazardous Waste Collection
- Vehicle Maintenance Facilities
- Cart/Container Maintenance Facilities
- Visitor Facilities
- Administrative Offices
- Support Facilities (scales, truck fueling, vehicle parking, etc.)
The Proposed Project would be constructed in two phases as described below. The proposed phasing is intended to allow the Tunnel Avenue Facility site to remain operational throughout the modernization and expansion process, and to enable the Facility to be modernized and expanded in a timely manner to achieve the 2020 zero waste mandate referenced previously.
The initial phase of development would occur within the boundaries of properties currently owned by Recology, while final phase will require the expansion of the Recology Tunnel Avenue site by approximately 21 acres to the south (Figure 2). The decommissioning of Recology's Pier 96 Facility will occur in the initial phase of the Project, while consolidation of the activities of 7th Street Facility to the Tunnel Avenue site will occur in the final phase.
Initial Phase of Modernization and Expansion
Phase One of modernization efforts would increase the amount of building area at Recology's Tunnel Avenue site from approximately 260,000 square feet to approximately 675,000 square feet. Improvements will also include providing structured parking. Development in Phase One would occur within the existing Tunnel Avenue site, and adjacent property under current Recology ownership (Figure 3).
In Phase One of modernization and expansion, a new operations building comprised of approximately 400,000 square feet would be constructed and used for mixed solid waste, paper, and container recycling. In addition, a new 70,000 square foot maintenance building to support fleet maintenance operations would be constructed. Adaptive management of the existing mixed solid waste transfer station would accommodate new uses as an organics and green waste transfer station. Phase One of development includes:
- New operations building for processing mixed solid waste and paper and container recycling;
- New anaerobic digestion, gas storage and gas cleaning facilities;
- New maintenance/support building for collection truck maintenance operations, offices and related functions;
- Adaptive reuse of existing mixed solid waste transfer station for new use as organic green waste transfer facility;
- Soil stabilization, remediation and partial landfill closure as required to prepare site for new construction;
- Replacement of utilities infrastructure and installation of new utilities including lighting and security fencing;
- New parking areas including structured parking for collection trucks and working fleet vehicles;
- Landscaping and Storm Water Best Management Practices (BMP) installations;
- Upgrades to existing buildings to remain on site;
- Other facility upgrades or replacement, including scales, scale-houses, truck fueling stations, roads, vehicle parking lots;
- Adaptive reuse of existing site building for new use as a container maintenance facility;
- Artist in Residence program areas;
- Demolition of some existing site buildings to make room for new construction, infrastructure, parking and storage; and
- Decommissioning of Recology's existing Pier 96 Facility and consolidation of resource recovery operations to the Tunnel Avenue Facility.
Final Phase of Modernization and Expansion
Phase Two of the development will occur within an expanded footprint of the Tunnel Avenue Facility (Figure 4). Additional development area would include a new visitor's center and auditorium space occupying approximately 26,000 square feet. A new 20,000 square foot administrative office building would be constructed and the uses of the 7th Street Facility would be accommodated at the Tunnel Avenue Facility site. A 75,000 square foot new car parking structure would also be constructed.
Phase Two of the development includes:
- New visitor center and auditorium
- Additional car parking structure
- Redefinition of property boundaries, zoning boundaries, roadway alignments and utility easements in Phase Two of build-out
- New administrative offices
- Soil stabilization, remediation and partial landfill closure as required to prepare site for new construction
- Landscape improvements, lighting, and security
- Water quality BMPs
- Demolition of some existing site buildings to make room for new parking and storage areas
- Consolidation of 7th Street Facility uses at the Tunnel Avenue site
Required Discretionary Approval and Actions
The following is a list of discretionary approvals and actions required prior to site development. Discretionary actions are those taken by an agency when, for instance, issuing a permit or an approval that allows project construction. The list below includes the initial discretionary approvals the project will be required to obtain. It is representative but not exhaustive and may be increased or amended at any time during development of the project's two phases until final build-out occurs.
City of Brisbane
- Text and map amendments to the General Plan, for the ultimate project limits as shown in Figure 2.
- Rezoning of the project site and text and map amendments to the Zoning Ordinance for the ultimate project limits as shown in Figure 2 (Brisbane Municipal Code Title 17).
- Recology Modernization and Expansion Specific Plan describing the proposed modernization and expansion of the existing Recology facilities in two phases. The Specific Plan will address the entire Recology Tunnel Avenue Facility site as it is proposed to be expanded. However, the Specific Plan, once adopted by the City of Brisbane, will only have regulatory authority within Brisbane.
- Site development plans and permits (future)
San Francisco County Health Department (Local Enforcement Agency)
- Solid Waste Facility Permit modification (future)[1]
City and County of San Francisco
- Site development permit(s)
San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board and San Mateo County Health Services, Environmental Health Division (Local Enforcement Agency)
- Title 27 Landfill closure (future)[1]
Format of the EIR
The EIR will be prepared in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines. The EIR will examine the physical environmental effects that would result from implementation of the Proposed Project, including the initial and final phases of development at the Tunnel Avenue Facility site, decommissioning of Recology's Pier 96, and the realignment of uses at the 7th Street site as described above.
Because an Initial Study was not prepared for the Recology Modernization and Expansion Project, the EIR will examine potential impacts for each of the issues included in the CEQA Guidelines Appendix G checklist:
Aesthetics Geology/Soils Noise
Agricultural/Forest Resources Greenhouse Gas Emissions Population and Housing
Air Quality Hazards/Hazardous Materials Public Services
Biological Resources Hydrology/Water Quality Recreation
Cultural Resources Land Use/Planning Transportations/Traffic
Energy Mineral Resources Utilities/Services
The forthcoming Draft EIR will be organized to include the following sections:
- Introduction
- Summary
- Project Description
- Environmental Setting, Impacts, and Mitigation Measures
- Alternatives
- Significant Unavoidable Impacts, Growth Inducing Impacts, Cumulative Impacts
- Report Preparers
There is no set date for the Draft EIR at this time. Please check back or sign up for future email updates.
[1] Pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding between the San Francisco and San Mateo County health agencies, San Francisco retained authority for issuance of the Solid Waste Facility Permits for the San Francisco Solid Waste Transfer and Recycling Center, while San Mateo County retained authority for issuance of permits for the Brisbane Landfill.


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Britney demands for 'never smoked in' hotel room during London visitMay 9th, 2009 - 1:11 pm ICT by ANI
New Delhi, May 9 (ANI): Pop princess Britney Spears is proving to be a "diva" in the true sense, as she has demanded a hotel room that has never been smoked in during her London visit.
The 'Hit Me Baby One More Time' hitmaker, who is gearing up to extend her Circus tour to Europe, will be visiting London in June.
According to the China Daily, she has laid down multifarious demands regarding her stay at London's Dorchester hotel.
Although Britney will be staying at the hotel for just 2 weeks, she has asked the hotel authorities to arrange humidifiers in every room, get Marilyn Monroe DVDs and 100 watt light bulbs.
The list of her demands doesn't end here, as she has even demanded for fresh flowers, which she intends to arrange herself, celebrity magazines and women's novels.
"Britney may only be staying in the city for two weeks but she knows exactly what she wants," a source told London's Daily Star newspaper.
"She'll be bringing all her own pillows for ultra comfort and her security will sleep outside her suite every night," the source added.
Britney has also called for tickets for West End theatre productions, as well as a place for horse riding and a map of running routes around the nearby Hyde Park.
It has also been reported that she is planning to charter a plane to fly to her another UK date which is 200 miles away.
"Britney is also hoping to make a private visit to Kensington Palace. She has decided she will travel by private plane to Manchester - then fly straight back to London," the source added.
Britney will appear at London's O2 arena for eight shows between June 3 and 14. (ANI)
- Britney demands exorbitant facilities for hotel stay in London - May 10, 2009
- Britney 'Star' Spears - May 12, 2009
- Justin Bieber escapes from British hotel - Jun 12, 2012
- Princess Diana's palace opens to public - Mar 26, 2012
- Katy Perry is a pillow thief! - Sep 04, 2010
- No hot dogs, pizza and ice cream for Britney Spears' tour crew - Apr 24, 2011
- Nicki Minaj Kicked Out Of London Hotel After Fans Cause Chaos - Jan 23, 2011
- Dame Judi Dench receives Dorchester Outstanding Achievement Award - Jan 26, 2011
- Watts shifts to London for Diana role - Jun 17, 2012
- No hot dogs, pizza for Britney - Apr 24, 2011
- Kate Moss plans another hen party - Jun 23, 2011
- Sienna Miller dating Tom Sturridge - Mar 21, 2011
- Jake Gyllenhaal Pays Hefty Amount To Spend Time With Taylor Swift - Nov 16, 2010
- Secret to Britney Spears' fit body - pole dancing! - May 01, 2009
- When Pammie, Van Morrison's diva-like demands drove hotel staff crazy - Jan 16, 2011
Tags: baby one more time, celebrity magazines, charter a plane, china daily, circus tour, daily star, dorchester hotel, fresh flowers, hyde park, kensington palace, london visit, marilyn monroe, pop princess, princess britney, private plane, private visit, true sense, visiting london, watt light bulbs, west end theatre


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In a recent post, I detailed exactly How I Write Compelling Online Ads, specifically designed to be used on Google's AdWords platform.
If you followed those instructions, you would now have a comprehensive set of advertisements you can begin using to validate your offer.
Before we jump back into our real-time experiment and show you exactly how we plan and execute an advertising campaign on Google AdWords (followed by Facebook Ads), it's important to have a working knowledge of the mechanics of AdWords.
Consider this post your Google AdWords Tutorial.
This how-to Google AdWords instructional post provides insight for setting up killer advertising campaigns – regardless of whether you're promoting products and services online, or trying to draw an audience to a location-based bricks-and-mortar offline.
Admittedly, I actually learned quite a bit while preparing this article – including tons of new and intuitive features that I haven't been taking advantage of (but will start now!)
Getting Started with Google AdWords
It only takes a few seconds to join Google AdWords.
AdWords is one of the several free Google services, and since you most likely already have a Google account (e.g. Gmail, Google+, Google Drive, etc.), you can register for AdWords in a few easy steps. You need to provide your email, time zone, country, currency, and you're done – but you can't change these details later, so think it over which one to select before you finalize your profile.
To begin setting up your ad campaign, you will have to specify your budget, i.e. the amount of money you want to spend on your campaign. Budgets can be a game-changer – obviously higher amounts have a better potential to yield more traffic, while lower budget campaigns may not get you as a high a return on investment. Some experts approximate that you should pay a minimum of $100 per day to get clicks; I budget for $50 per day while muse testing, as I will describe in greater detail in the next post within our Testing the Muse in Practice series.
Either way, you will have to determine your budget for every campaign you start.
When you decide on campaigns and budgets, location is a factor. Which products are you promoting? Where is the promoted business located? If you are promoting an online product or website, location is less a factor. However, if you promote to/or for local businesses or retail outlets; these businesses might be in different locations, different cities or states/provinces.
Create one campaign for each local business. For example, if you promote a small brick-and-mortar bookstore located in New York City, you want New Yorkers to click on your ads. You do not need visitors from Seattle or San Francisco.
You will also need to identify your "campaign type" which will dictate how and where your ads will be displayed by Google. Select search only campaign and display only campaign – these networks cover the majority of Google sites that show relevant Google ads at the top of search results and in the left and right sidebars, and other placements like mobile apps.
When you join AdWords, Google reminds you that your ad campaign should be based on good content instead of focusing on keywords or marketing strategies. Nothing beats valuable content – "Content is King" as the saying goes. Naturally, your best bet at achieving great results is if you write great content and you use Google Ads.
According to WordStream, 64% of potential buyers click on Google ads when they want to purchase an item online. AdWords generates the best return on investment (46%) out of the most important key performance indicators. It means AdWords is more effective than social channels (28%), backlinks (12%) and webinar ads (9%).
One ad group contains one advertisement or multiple ads based on the same keywords. You set a price (bid) for your keywords when the ad group's ads appear; this is the CPC (cost per click) bid. You set prices for separate keywords in the ad group.
Imagine it as if you were promoting a brick-and-mortar business – when you launch a campaign for your bookstore, you will focus on thrillers, dramas and fantasy. You have a different audience for each genre, so you use different marketing techniques to reach out to them. This is how Adgroups works. You should set a bid for every ad group in every campaign.
Create a minimum of three advertisements for each ad group. One ad should be for dynamic keyword insertion, and each ad should contain at least one keyword and a call to action.
Keyword Insertion
The keyword insertion feature uses braces { } and by using the {keyword:default text} parameter, it will insert the keyword that a potential buyer uses into your text advertisement.
Keeping with our example, if you promote a bookstore that offers crime novels, you can use keyword insertion codes like this:
Headline: We Offer {KeyWord:Crime Novels}
Google AdWords will try to use related key terms in your ad group ("true crime novels", "historical crime novels" or "Scandinavian crime novels").
Call to Action
Calls to action that prompt your viewer to click or visit your site or ad are crucial, but you'll need to be creative. Beware of calls to action that are too upfront (e.g. Click Here). Google frowns upon them and it may penalize you for using them. You must be subtle to convince potential customers to click.
Ad Customizers: Dynamic Content
In September 2014, Google implemented "ad customizers". It's a big change, and it can be very helpful.
Ad customizers enable you to use dynamic content in your text advertisements. Dynamic content is versatile, and can be about inventory, price, countdown (time sensitive call to action) or offers. The same ad may have dozens of different versions; each version is geared to the individual needs of the customer.
Ad customizers change your text ads according to the potential customer's needs: their searches, their location, the device they use, the date when they are browsing the web.
For example, if an internet user from the Gramercy area of Manhattan is looking for women's shoes in March, ad customizers can display specific details they may want to know: women's shoes in Gramercy, including their availability, Gramercy-specific prices, possible discounts that are restricted for a time period, or calls to action like "available until 1st April".
If you have plenty of products whose data always change, this method will be very valuable for you.
Ad customizers may use brand specific keywords. Provide a data feed of product information. Set prices accordingly. When you use dynamic search ads (DSA), Google has access to details from your sites, so it will select your target market based on your website content.
Start with an ad group that targets "all web pages". Set your advertising bid prices low, because if you use high bids, dynamic search ads may divert traffic from already existing campaigns, which means you will be competing against yourself (never good).
Use ad extensions, such as sitelinks (your URL), call (location phone number), and location (address details) extensions. Extensions provide extra details about the business you promote, so your customers are more likely to click on your ads. Extensions make your ads more visible to potential buyers, they help your ads stand out from the online crowd.
Ads with extensions are also likely to appear above search results and not along the sidebar. Extensions typically generate slightly more traffic with a higher click through rate (CTR), which results in a higher return on investment (ROI). You can use manual extensions or automated extensions.
Shopping Campaigns
If you promote products, you should use Shopping Campaigns; it is a new type of Product Listing Ads (PLA). They are more effective than simple text search ads, because they feature the image of the specific product the buyer is looking for. You know that advertisements with images are more successful than text ads.
Create a data feed. Add every relevant detail that your advertisement should display and include a high-resolution image, too. Google will display it to potential buyers.
We've already covered keywords [and will continue to] ad nauseam – and for good reason – keywords are a "key" part of your marketing strategy. Some of our existing resources on this topic include Part 2 and Part 3 of our real-time experiment, Testing the Muse in Practice.
You should select keywords that are close to the ad groups you have. Follow up your ads, see how they perform. You will see which key terms attract traffic and which are able to generate clicks and sales.
Ultimately you should focus on the keywords that provide the highest return on advertising spends (ROAS).
While return on investment (ROI) shows how much profit your ads generate, compared with the costs of the ads, ROAS shows how much revenue you get after every dollar you have spent on advertising. ROAS measures how effective your advertising campaign is. ROAS considers marketing a necessary cost.
Check out your keyword reports on AdWords often. You will see which keywords are performing the best, and you can enrich them with similar keywords. On the other hand, you'll want to cut back on underperforming key terms.
Consider which keywords drive traffic that is useless, i.e. visitors who do not turn into buyers. After careful review, start to eliminate these keywords.
Google does not use exact match type anymore. It was a very specific and restrictive way to display your ad to potential buyers; they could only see an advertisement when they used the exact key term.
For example, you promoted "Scandinavian crime novels", and Google displayed your ad only when someone used this term. If they used the words "Scandinavian crime" or "best Scandinavian crime novels", they never found your advertisement.
The benefit of using exact match type was that this method didn't draw unwanted traffic, since the related ad would only show because the browser entered those exact words. With an exact match, ads are better targeted, and therefore visitors would have a higher likelihood of turning into buyers.
However, if you had a very niche set of keywords, you likely didn't get plenty of traffic – so Google stopped using exact match type in 2014.
On the positive side, with the removal of exact match type means you don't have to bother with overly complicated lists of keywords. AdWords has a wider range now. According to Google, close keyword combinations get 7% more exact and phrase match links with click-through and conversion rates.
Position matters.
Your advertisement should be in the top 3 spots for ads. An ad in the first search position receives 7% more clicks than ads in lower positions. So if your ad is any lower than top 3, you should change the ad or increase the bid. Check out the bid column within your Adwords campaign. If your ads or key terms are not successful because of low-budget bids, Google will show it in the status column.
Bid adjustments can modify your bids. Gear the prices to the potential buyer's location or the device they use. You can increase the bids; you might be willing to pay more for visitors who are likely to turn into buyers, for example, if they live close to the business you advertise. If you increase the bid, your ad will have better spots when these specific buyers are looking for similar businesses.
You can offer higher bids to optimize your ads to mobile devices, so that buyers can find your ads easier when they are browsing the web via mobile devices. It works the other way around too, where you can offer lower bids for buyers who live far away from the brick-and-mortar business, as they are less likely to become buyers.
Test your Campaigns
Marketing is about testing. Always monitor your marketing tools. Typically, you would wait at least three months before you give up on a marketing campaign. While Testing the Muse, a much shorter timeframe will suffice.
Create at least three ad groups, each ad group should have at least three advertisements and about seven to eight keywords. If you do this, you can see how the headline, the text, and the keywords perform. When you want to test results, change only one component at a time.
Given that Google AdWords is a primary tool for marketers everywhere, there's no shortage of courses and programs that help you master this advertising platform. This post provides a solid foundation, and if you want to build on this knowledge base, here are a few recommended suggestions:
- Google's very own AdWords Help Center (free) – pretty everything you need to know;
- Pay Per Click Made Easy Training Guide – a unique and easy to understand training guide with the precise information needed to reach your target market; and
- As previously highlighted, PPC Academy courses – numerous courses and a hand-held approach to consulting for increasing your response rates and conversions.
Best Always,