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It's Monday morning. You just arrived at the dealership and are walking into the building from the parking lot. Your bag is slung over your shoulder. You are carrying an empty coffee mug because you polished off your first cup on the drive to work. You think about the day ahead. You have customer appointments, phone calls to make, documents to prepare, email to answer and countless ideas swimming through your head. You can practically taste your second cup of coffee, and you are in a hurry to refill your mug.
If you enter the dealership each morning and head straight to the coffee pot without stopping in the service department and the customer waiting room you are missing out on a major league opportunity.
The service department is overflowing with opportunities that salespeople often overlook. There are three valuable resources in the service lane ready and waiting for you to tap into every single day. I like to call these three resources the, "Service Lane Triple Play." By spending an hour in the service department a few days a week, you will grow your customer base.
Start by getting to know your service advisors. Follow that by chatting with customers who are checking in or waiting for their service to be completed. Finally, curate content from the conversations you are having. It is as easy as 1, 2, 3.
1. Building relationships with your service advisors or other service team members, opens the lines of communication between the sales and service department. It also gives you an opportunity to discuss who prime trade-in candidates are. By building relationships, you create advocates and a referral system straight out of the service lane. When it is time for service to turn over (T.O.) a customer to sales, they will trust that you will take care of their customer, rather than the salesperson who walks past them every day with their head down and earbuds in.
2. Guess who hangs out in the service department? Customers who are having maintenance done or those having vehicle trouble. These customers are a captive audience, sitting at the dealership waiting for news on their vehicle. Get to know service customers who are waiting in the lobby or checking in. Strike up a conversation. Share your referral program with them, add them to your opportunity list, and maybe even offer them a test drive. Make a good impression so even if they aren't in the market for a new car now, they will know familiar face when they are ready.
3. If you struggle to find relevant or valuable content to share with your customers or prospective customers on social media, look no further than the service department. Tap into conversations you have with customers and service advisors. Find out what questions are being asked and answered in the service lane. If there's a topic or trend being discussed in the service department, you can bet people are on the web searching for the answer. So, why not write about what you're hearing and share it with your network? Become an expert on your brand and a trusted resource to your social network. Starting tomorrow morning, leave the earbuds in the car, postpone the second cup of coffee and stop off in the service department to make a "Service Lane Triple Play."


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Jeremy Billingham is a TV aerial and satellite installer covering Droitwich and the surrounding areas. Despite being in business for over 20 years, Jeremy never saw the need for his own website. He said "Starting a website was something I had managed to resist for many years". However, after learning of the low cost and positive testimonials for bOnline's websites, he decided he had nothing to lose by taking a free trial.
Jeremy chose bOnline's professional design package, which has the advantage of quick and easy setup at a low price. Jeremy said "As promised the website was set up over the following days. I really liked it and for what I thought was not a huge sum of money I made a payment with my credit card and allowed my new website to go live."
Jeremy also chose to add bOnline's managed SEO service, in order to optimise his site for search engines.
Jeremy now has a professional, SEO optimised website for a fraction of the cost of many other providers. He said "bOnline has saved me thousands of pounds"
"I now have a site that is very easy for me to manage and if I need help I know that I can always count on a great technical team back at bOnline to help me through any problems I may have".
The SEO service has helped Jeremy's site get to the top of Google search results for keywords such as 'aerials fitted in Droitwich' and 'Sky installation in Droitwich'.
For Jeremy, getting his own business website has paid off. He said "After 21 years of running a very small but successful business I can honestly say that the day I choose to accept a free trial from bOnline turned out to be the day I made the best business financial decision I have EVER made".

subset: commoncrawl


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What impact does news of war and terrorism have on children? Does seeing the wreckage of downed airliners, missiles flying and gunfire in the streets affect them? What do we tell them? It is unlikely children are actually going to be touched by war or terrorist attacks in New Zealand but our children could become frightened and upset.
Do not assume children will take the same information as adults from a news broadcast. I was in an intermediate school on the morning of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. The children had witnessed thousands of lives snuffed out while they ate their breakfast. Those events were so monstrous that even adult brains were wheel-spinning, and so it is understandable that their immature interpretations of the events were bizarre. There was a lot of excitement. 'We're going to be in a war!' One girl ran around the playground asking people (including myself) which country we were from, presumably to sort out friend from foe. Another child's incomplete geography added to her fear – she mistook 'Washington' for 'Wellington'. As the days wore on, and the TV kept showing the images of destruction over and over, I heard from several parents that their children became worried and anxious, especially at night.
I recommend parents add their grown-up perspective. Childish imagination fills the gaps between real facts. It needs more than just the children sharing their views in a classroom forum, it really needs an adult to overlay the true significance and meaning. Talk to your kids and ask what they are afraid of. Their fears might be wildly amplified beyond real risks. Be honest with them about the safety of where you live. The truth might be very reassuring.
Try to limit their exposure to graphic images and descriptions in the news. When they are watching with you, add your commentary. Teach them that the news loves to show hot-headed people, but that there are cool-headed people as well. After significant events, the news will always screen interviews with people expressing extreme views – often calling for blood and vengeance. Not every view is true, not every dire prediction comes to pass. Teach them to filter and interpret news.
News footage can look very much like the graphics of an exciting movie or video game, but they are real people being killed and hurt. We do not want them to be afraid, but we do not want them to be uncaring, either. It might be a long way away and happening to people unlike us, but they should sense our own sober concern and compassion. If your children experience sleep loss, nightmares, loss of appetite or changes in behaviour that lasts more than two weeks, you should seek professional help from a doctor or counsellor.


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Owned by Soho House, which was founded in London 1995, as a private members' club for those in film, media and creative industries. The company has since expanded to include Houses across Europe and North America, as well as restaurants, cinemas, spas and hotels. High Road House is one of their highly popular hotels. Built on the site of the historic Fouberts Hotel in Chiswick, West London, High Road House opened in July 2006. It sits above the High Road Brasserie and a Cowshed Shop.
Situated in a Georgain Townhouse, there are 14 small hotel rooms located on the second and third floors. The light and intimate interiors with wood and natural materials create a snug and homely feel.
Designed by renowned interior designer Ilse Crawford, the interiors boost a scandinavian feel with light, bright painted wood panelling and exposed brick.
The club room has sofas and booths perfect for all day eating. It also displays art work by Elizabeth Price, Ryan Gander, Mark Wallinger and emerging British artists.
Rooms are available for both non-members and members, with a discounted rate offered to members. Booking Rates are per room, per night.
For further information or to book a room visit www.highroadhouse.co.uk


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PB03272BK Ultra-light Urban Tactical Boots
PB03272BK Ultra-light Urban Tactical Boots
We've taken our typical PSIGEAR boot and completely overhauled it to take out any and all extra weight without neglecting comfort and performance. This upper is leather for superior weight savings with the added benefit of an ultra-fast dry time. Speed lacing and a 3-layer comfort system work together to create a snug, comfortable fit. Most boots in this weight category have a composite rubber outsole but the PB03272BK features a true rubber outsole for superior abrasion resistance and traction.
Boot Features
Complete leather ultralight upper for superior weight savings and dry time
Ortholite® footbed allows for optimal airflow and comfort
Gripmore® mesh
Poron® Xrd® material
Microban® surface modification technologies
EVA midsole for shock absorption
7" height
30 oz


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I used to compare people to Hitler every day. Sometimes I'd say, "Hey, that's like something Hitler would have done." Or, "Hey that's like something Hitler would have said." Other times I would just remind people that "the Nazis did something like that."
But I'm through. I've had enough of comparing people to Hitler and Nazis. Because I've realized that when you throw around "Hitler" and "Nazi," you only help to weaken the memory of what utter monsters Hitler and those who followed him actually were.
Such comparisons should not be made lightly–I don't care how liberal or conservative your target is.


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If buying art feels daunting, Art Loans mean you can try before you buy. This service is available to both individuals and businesses.
Are you a stylist looking for art works? Let Artful help make your location stunning by using us to source and ship art work.
Use Artful's Custom Curation service to have artwork chosen personally for you. Tell us what you're looking for and we do the rest.
If you are an interior designer, Artful can help find art tailored to your clients' tastes. We can even arrange individual commissions.
Not registered? Sign Up Now
Since his inaugural unveiling through his degree show and later exhibitions at Free Range London and Printworks, Edinburgh, Nanson has found his unique approach to image making has earned him a privileged place in the market, finding success in both fine art and commercial photography.
Nanson attributes this success (having both art directed and shot numerous advertising campaigns) to his well rounded creative thinking process, coming from a creative background (his mother and Art Teacher and father and Art Director) he has developed an understanding into the significance of invention, imagination and relevance within his work, and employs this when working in either field to try to produce imagery which is fresh and unusual, and always underpinned by a central concept or idea which the image (S) seeks to expose.


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New Construction Townhomes
Thursday, November 11, 2010
We are offering new Construction townhouses in Dover PA York County. Prices start in the 130's but currently the builder is offering a 10,000 incentive! Models have 3 bedroom and 2.5 baths with garages. Very convenient locations near schools, shopping, and recreation areas.
Take advantage of these prices and incentives now while interest rates are at all time lows. Special financing is available to those who qualify.
Contact Pilgrim Team with any questions, or for more information.


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hello gang!i have a column in my table called "pagetext" w/c contains a _lot_ of data in it (its the column containing the data for posts made on a message board). what i need to do is to search out all occurences of the string "www.olddomain.com" and change it to "www.mynewdomain.com".
hope someone can help. thanks in advance, chadeePS. most of the time, "www.olddomain.com" doesnt appear on its own, but as "www.olddomain.com/blah/blah.html", i.e., there are other characters beside it, and thats whats really confusing me
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text: Every year I take a self-portrait on my birthday, but this year a selfie will have to suffice. This is picture I snapped to share with Emma after my friend El gave me a haircut. While it isn't the best picture of me it does sort of capture the hectic nature of my life at the moment and celebrates the fact my hair is 100% my natural color. Cheers to growing older gracefully! Sure there are more than a few grays in the mix, but overall I am feeling pretty good about all I have managed to get done in the past 43 years. I will look forward to celebrating later in the week-end, but in the meantime Happy Birthday to me!


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When selecting your photographer for your big day,you may find a confusing amount of information and a huge range in prices and quality. Here are a few points to consider:
Visit the photographer and ask to see some of their current work. The photos should be consistent in quality all the way through the wedding day. Do the people look relaxed in the photos and have they captured the emotions of the day?
Is the style of photography what you are looking for? Whether it be classic,contemporary or photojournalistic.
What experience has the photographer had. You want absolute confidence that the photographer has the skills and confidence to cover all possibilities including rain, badlight, wind, camera malfunction and emotional relatives.
Is the photographer willing to listen to your ideas and to take any special or unusual photos you want? A good photographer should be able to incorporate your ideas into their photography.
Does the photographer offer black & white, sepia and cross processed photos. Photos that have had some computer enhancement or manipulation are now also being offered by some photography studios.


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Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Cherry Blossoms 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Bradford Pear Flowers 2012
Peach Blossoms 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Replacing Starter in Nissan NX-1600
The 1992 Nissan NX-1600 is in its 20th year of existence which is like 50 in human years. As such, parts of it are starting to wear out or malfunction. In 2011, the front struts were replaced and now the car will sometimes not start. When the ignition key is turned, a clicking sound is heard. After poring over the schematics and ruling out that the inhibitor relay was the problem, it came down to the solenoid (magnetic switch) or starter or both.
This procedure is not for the faint at heart plus it helps to have good hand and wrist strength. The starter on the Nissan NX-1600 automatic transmission is located about in the middle of engine facing the firewall. The Nissan technical guide does not really provide good method for removing it. I needed another person to help me remove and put the starter back, in this case it was my dad.
The Nissan service manual says to remove the battery, air cleaner, intake air duct, EFI harness, vacuum hoses, and speedometer cable. In addition remove rear buffer rod, buffer rod bracket, and intake manifold supports. Next remove starter from transaxle side from engine compartment upper side.
My plan was to move components out of the way on the top driver side of the engine area so starter could be unbolted. Next, the starter needed to be freed from its compartment from under the car. My method was to remove the oil filter and then unbolt a Y shaped intake manifold support allowing the starter to drop down and then be removed through the top of the engine compartment. So I would suggest changing the oil since you are under the car anyway to remove the starter and have to get the oil filter out of the way.
To remove, one must first disconnect the battery. I completely removed it to provide more area to work. After that undo the four clamps on the air filter housing and lift the top up. Next, unfasten the o-ring clamp on the large air hose (I think this is called the intercooler) going into the manifold. There is also a smaller hose that needs to be disconnected. With those items moved out of the way, one of the mounting bolts should be exposed that was hidden by the air filter casing. Next picture shows the bolt holding one side of the starter. The other bolt is out of sight (see next picture) and needs to be felt for if accessing from top of engine. I used a racket with either a 12 or 14 mm socket to loosen and remove.
I had some issues with the cable that goes to sensor(?), it might have something to do with the oil as it is right next to the oil filter. The cable went through the manifold support and I tried to disconnect the cable but did not want break it as I already had enough to do getting the starter working again. It would have been nice to take this cable on a different path as it caused some troubles when I put the manifold support back on later.
Once the starter was removed, the solenoid (Nissan calls this the magnetic switch) seemed okay but the starter seemed seized up. I then had to decide buy a used starter on eBay that was untested $40, a rebuilt one from AutoZone or Pep Boys or Oreily's for $70-120, or take it to a local shop near my home to be rebuilt for $90-100. I decided to give the local machinist a try at P & D Auto Electric Service, 3523 Chenoweth Run Road, Louisville, Kentucky and telephone number 502-267-7144.
I visited the shop that is next to the owner's home. He got the starter and put it on his test machine. It did not start after several attempts until he hit it. Intrigued by it starting, he took the starter to the work bench and started to take it apart. It was somewhat dirty inside but the problem was not obvious until he got to section that was in a diamond shape part called the brush holder with 4 metal brushes(?) located every 90 degrees. One of the metal pieces appeared worn down which was making intermittent contact. He said the starter needed to be cleaned and this part replaced and all should be well. It seemed like a good diagnosis so told him to fix it and hopefully it would be ready in 3-4 days.
He called be several days ready and the starter was ready. The price was below estimate and I was happy to get the part back so the car could get to running again. The starter was placed near the cables to be connected and the S terminal on the solenoid and the battery cable. Then move the starter back out of sight and fit back into its slot. The two bolts should be started into their threads and once in tightened down. The intake manifold support needs to be put back in place and the oil filter replaced. Next picture shows behind the engine where the starter is mounted (absent the starter).
The air filter housing is then put back in place and the intake hose is reattached along with a hose that attaches on its left. The clamps and rings are tightened back down or put in place. The air filter is put back and the case clamped down. A hose that clips in over top all of this is put back in its holders. The battery is put back and the terminals reattached and tightened down.
Last picture showing engine area reassembled. Hopefully, at this point the key will be turned in the ignition and the starter will start right up. Mine did and starts much faster now. Need to drive more and see how does over time but so far so good.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Tour of Huber's Winery - Starlight, Indiana
Today, I got to go on a tour of Huber's Winery in Starlight, Indiana. It is an interesting place to visit to see where they create so much wine, port and brandy. I found the place to very clean and organized. It was interesting to see the only still at an Indiana winery. Learn more at their web site: huberwinery.com
I forgot to ask if they ever make any grape juice or jellies.
I forgot to ask if they ever make any grape juice or jellies.
Sunday, March 04, 2012
First Daffodils 2012
The mild winter in the Louisville, Kentucky area has brought daffodils appearing in the early March. Here are some early bloomers.
Saturday, March 03, 2012
Winter's Afternoon at the Louisville Waterfront
A partly cloudy winter's afternoon looking at the Louisville, Kentucky waterfront. A brisk wind but sunny atmosphere makes for a nice walk along the Ohio River.
Friday, March 02, 2012
Rainbow After the Storm
Rainbow after the storms that passed through today. The tornadoes in southern Indiana were quite destructive. Flights at the airport were delayed in arriving due to this powerful storm.
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Another potluck, another runaway winner.
This week's field, while significantly smaller than last week's raucous 32-dish fiesta, did not fail to bring the flavor.
Despite a field chalk full of dips and chilis, St. Gergin Shroomz dominated the night, collecting a staunch 43 points en route to the victory. Hailing from Jackson, WY, St. Gergin Shroomz were the creation of first time potlucker Andy (who by the way, has a pullout couch available for crashing on if you're looking to ski Jackson Hole).
Andy's Shroomz were a delight to behold, including nearly all of the key food groups: butter, garlic, bacon and lots and lots of cheese. All of these delicious grubs, including gruyere (whoa spell check says that's right?) and gorgonzola (that too?!?), stuffed into a delectable fungi shell also known as a mushroom, made St. Gergin's Shrromz one of the best dishes this potluck blogger has tasted at MNP. St. Gergin truly is a great man.
Desserts rounded out the top three, with Lucy's Vanilla Chai Muffins With Pecan Crumble and Chai Glaze posting 24 points for second place and Megan Drew's Moist Pumpkin Bread finishing third with 21. Not a bad way to wash down some Shroomz.
As always, thanks to all you awesome chefs that brought food, your cooking never cease to amaze. Here are the chefs and their dishes:
Cisco - Taco Dip
Whelan - Chili
Abbe G. - Brownies
Chris - Other Chili (Pork Green!)
Lucy - Vanilla Chai Muffins With Pecan Crumble And Chai Glaze (2nd Place)
Debbie - Mac N Cheese With Bacon
Andy - St. Gergin Shroomz (1st)
Seth - Chicken Mole Street Tacos
Chelsie/Christian - Delicious Dip
Megan Drew - Pumpkin Bread (3rd)
Doug Polanski - Cheesy Spinach Dip
Potluck will continue next Monday night (Nov. 16) with eating commencing at or around 7 p.m., but we recommend showing up early to get a table. We can't wait to see what you bring next!
(Editor's note: Broken Compass Brewing's Monday Night Potlucks are popping off every Monday night, with eating starting around 7. We encourage everyone to contribute a dish every now and then, but everyone in the brewery is welcome to sample the food and vote for their favorite dishes. First place wins a 64 oz growler and fill, second place a 32 oz. growler and fill and third place a free pint and glass. See you there!)


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"Lion" writer Luke Davies is adapting Paulette Jiles novel "News Of The World" into a feature star vehicle for Tom Hanks which is being set up at Fox 2000 and Playtone.
Set in 1870, the story revolves around a road trip through the untamed West taken by unlikely traveling partners – a Texan named Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd who spreads news to small towns who don't have access, and a ten-year-old white girl whose family was killed by the Kiowa Indian tribe four years before and who didn't want to be rescued from kidnap.
The two form a bond through their harrowing adventure that includes revelations for Kidd. While he's educated and worldly, he can see newspapers are becoming widely available and realizes he will be a relic of another time.
Gail Mutrux, Gary Goetzman and Hanks are producing.
Source: Deadline


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The Adeje department of culture has just announced details of the XXI Theatre and Dance festival, which will see performances in the Adeje cultural centre, and on the mains streets of the town, every Friday in November.
The theatrical presentations are, say the organisers, humorous and reflecting social criticism. On Friday November 2nd dance company Nómada present 'Para Regalo' and on Friday November 9th it's the turn of Burka Teatre company who bring 'Cosas del XVI' to the streets of Adeje. This second show is free to the public and set in the Middle Ages, with the play starting in the Plaza de España at 8.30pm.
During the second half of the month, on November 16th Impulso will stage Lacura, a prize-winning show starring Bibiana Monje. Abubukaka will bring you 'Drácula' to Adeje on November 23rd, an adaptation in verse of the classic Bram Stoker tale and finally LamedinaesCompany present 'Ay Carmela' on November 30th.
Department of Communications


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|The Feasibility of Different Techniques for Providing Fresh Water to Arid Regions of the World →
Buy custom Factors Influencing Place Attachment to Coffee Shops essay
This research will be investigating the factors that influence place attachment to coffee shops. The hypothesis of this research states that people develop special bonds with certain settings that hold special meaning to them through a set of related phenomena rather than a single phenomenon (Waxman, 2006). This research will use the Chi-square test of independence for statistical testing. This is because it is the most appropriate for large sample sizes that are required for this research.
Want an expert to write a paper for you?
This research is significant. The findings of this research will help various players in the coffee shop market to enhance their business meet the factors that lead people to develop place attachment with coffee houses. It will also make coffee places important venues for people to interact and boost social relations. The scope of this research will cover both the physical and the social factors that lead to the development of place attachment to coffee shops.
The research instrument to be used is a survey. This is because the research requires a large number of respondents and the geographical area to be covered. This will result into the selection of a large sample size in oder to increase the accuracy of the findings. The methods of collecting data will be observation, interviewing and use of questionnaires. The data collected will be analyzed in tables and graphical representation.
The research design will involve several steps. The first step is identification of the research topic, followed by a statement of the thesis. Next step is a detailed literature review on the research topic, followed by data analysis and a description of the methods of data collection and the research instrument used. Then, there will be an explanation of the findings. The last step is making conclusions and recommendations.
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To reduce sampling error, this research will use the stratified sampling technique. The respondents will be stratified according to gender, age, profession and location. Random sampling will then be used to select a sufficient number of persons from each stratum. A sufficient number of respondents refer to a sample size that is large enough to represent the entire population with a minimum margin of error.
The data collected in this research will be analyzed for trends. The trends so established will answer the main research quesstion, which is: what factors influence place attachment to coffee shops? The research will also be seeking the answer as to why some coffee shops are more popular than others despite offering the same services.
This research will put into considerations a number of ethical issues. This is because the process of this research may infringe on people's privacy and this may affect the authenticity of information offered by respondents. It will be important for the researchers to conduct a pilot study so as to familiarize themselves with their respondents. Another ethical issue will be the issue of confidentiality. The researchers have to ensure that information gathered from the respondents is used only for the purpose of the research and nothing else.
for more than
30 pages
for more than
50 pages
for more than
100 pages
The findings of this research will be presented in academic journals for peer reviewing before being made available for public consumption. Peer reviewing is important as it enables the researchers to get feedback concerning the research. The researcher may then make adjustments if necessary in order to fine tune the report. The findings of this research may also be made available in newspapers, magazines, or online at a given web address.
Custom Factors Influencing Place Attachment to Coffee Shops essay
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The Nebraska Power Farming Show the second largest indoor farming show in the country. The Rural Radio Network will be there to help feature exhibitors that are part of the 9.2 acre show.
The Sunrise Report:
Each morning of the show, grab a cup of coffee and join Bryce Doeschot and Chad Moyer as they preview the day's events. The video can be streamed on the Rural Radio Network Facebook page.
Day 1:
Video Spotlights:
Day 1:
Catch up with the Northeast Nebraska Corn Growers and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association with our spotlight interview featuring Morgan Wrich!
You've got to see this thing…Meet the Ideal Combine. AGCO has released the Fendt® Ideal™ combine and it is on display at the Nebraska Power Farming Show!
It is the second largest farm show in the United States! Hear more about the Nebraska Power Farming Show from the show director himself, Tom Junge.
Using data to improve water management. Learn how Lindsay Irrigation is using cutting edge technology to help farmers make better-informed
It is like Shark Tank…but for agriculture! The Nebraska Power Farming Show is hosting an Ag Innovation Pitch Competition LIVE at the show on Wednesday, December 5.


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Saturday, November 29, 2008
one year ago today
i was admitted as Advocate & Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya.
i was finally a lawyer.
how fast time flies.
i still remember the day my Father robed me.
i still remember how proud my parents were.
one year has passed by.
it has been a great year.
but of course, i've had my fair share of ups and downs.
but here i am.
still standing.
still breathing.
still surviving.
i still have a long way to go.
and i know the road is not gonna be a smooth, golden-paved road.
definitely not like what some people might think.
where will i be in the next year to come?
what will i face in the next year to come?
where do i stand in the next year to come?
so many questions yet i have none of the answers.
whatever it is,
i am ready to face more challenges.
i am ready to take bigger responsibilities.
but nope, i am not ready to set up my own firm just yet.
nope, i'm not gonna quit practising just yet.
and nope, i ain't joining service either.
at least not for now.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
double check
then i went to Watson's to purchase some toiletries. i saw its catalogue earlier today and the sale is on and things are looking good. i spent a good 40 minutes or so in Watson's alone just looking at stuffs, contemplating whether to buy or not to buy, put it in my basket, and then put it back on the rack. walked on and then something caught my eye so i read the packaging and contemplate some more. and then there's the christmas goodies section which was so interesting that i just had to belek-belek the soft toys and ornaments. eventually i went to the cashier to pay up, that is after my feet was starting to kill me. i bought Watson's dental floss, which retailed at RM 9.90 for a pack of 3 and when you buy 1, you get 1 free *woot* (now i have 6 boxes of dental floss hahaha) and a Maybelline Clear Smooth Shine Free Face Powder, among other things. the funny thing is, when paying, i saw that the cashier charged me twice for the dental floss so i asked, "dental floss tu bukan buy 1 free 1 ke?" she answered, "a'ah takpe dah tolak balik." uh huh. why didn't they just charge it as one? or pack it together? confusing, right? she then gave me my receipt attached together with a contest form and directed me to submit my form in the box nearby. i left Watson's and somehow i had the gut feeling that the calculation was not right. i mean, i bought some simple stuffs like baby lotion, face wash, body wash etc and the total came to RM 77.05? i felt dissatisfied. it's not like i'm buying expensive stuffs anyway so i sat at the nearby bench (afterall the feet was screaming for help) and i calculated
the moral of the story is, always check the displayed price and always double check your receipt, especially during sales. this might be a mistake on their part, something that they may have over looked (which they shouldn't anyway) but imagine if 10 customers went through the same thing, how much would they have made? how much loss would the customers have suffered? so ladies (and gentleman) it pays to belek-belek lama-lama, kan?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
black & white
Wearing white shirt with black pants has almost become my 'uniform'. So much so that when I go shopping, or when I look at work attire, I would end up looking at white shirts. As much as colored shirts and tops tempt and attract me, I would think twice to buy them. Simply because, I wear a white shirt almost everyday to the office.
On days where the legs are clean-shaven, Occasionally, I would pair the white shirt with a black skirt. Therefore, I would buy more and more white shirts, be it long sleeve or short sleeve. I would only wear colored shirts with matching earrings on days when I don't have to attend court. But then again, how fancy can a white shirt be, right? And then there's the dilemma when buying white shirt where most shirts are almost see-through. So I had to find the correct undergarment to be worn so as not to attract unwanted attention. Since the office is very near to KLCC and Pavilion, I would sometimes kill time after office, to avoid from getting stuck in the jam. What better way to unwind after a long day than to have a walk at the mall, ogling and drooling over buns and cakes, chocolates and pretzels, pizzas and pies, smelling the sweet smell of freshly baked Rotiboy and Famous Amos and the heavenly smell of freshly brewed coffee? Not to mention the clothes, shoes and handbags, of course. However I cannot help but feel like a salesgirl/sales-assistant/promoter when going to shopping malls simply because of my black-white combo. *sigh*
Last Friday I was busy choosing some silver pieces at Isetan for my Bestie when an auntie almost called me because she thought I was the salesgirl. I guess my handbag must have saved me because when I turned around, she tak jadi call me. Obviously a salesgirl won't be walking around with a handbag on tow, right? STRIKE
So the question is why do salesgirls/sales-assistants/promoters wear a white shirt and black pants? In some restaurants, waiters and waitresses also wear the same combo. Luckily so far I have never been mistaken as a waitress. Can we make them wear colours instead? Can we?
Note to self: always have a jacket/cardigan on standby to be worn over the white shirt.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
bold i am
i was outside magistrate court 6 and was busy scrutinizing the case list with sweat trickling down my back when a black guy approached me and asked, "excuse me, you a lawyer?" i answered yes. then he said that he wanted to talk to me. i asked him what the matter is about because i'm in a hurry and my case was not listed so i need to check with the interpreter and i had to get this done before the magistrate comes in. he said that he needs a lawyer. i asked him, "why do you need a lawyer?" to which he answered, "i just need a lawyer. you a lawyer, right?" obviously i cannot lie to him so i asked, "were you charged in court?" he said no. i asked again if he needs a lawyer for his friend. he said he needed a 'personal lawyer'. i said, "what for? why do you need a personal lawyer?" he replied, "it's not something that i can tell you now. we need to sit down and discuss. perhaps over a drink." i told him to brief me a bit so that i can tell whether i'd be able to assist him. again, he insisted that we should sit down and talk. i said "i can't talk now. i need to go inside. i have a matter inside." he then asked for my number and business card. he even said, "you're a lawyer, surely you have a card." then i remembered that i shall not simply give out my card so i said that my cards are finished. i asked him to give his card instead. he gave to me and the address stated on the card is a gift shop all the way up in Changloon, Kedah. i was like, "oh your business is in Kedah??" he said that it was his old card. he still hasn't made a new one yet. i was like, uh huh. he asked for my number and since i was holding the file (the office number was clearly written on the file) i gave him the office number and told him to call me the next day. he said, "what about your personal number?" i said, "since this is work-related, you take my office number." i almost, almost rolled my eyes in annoyance in front of him. but i didn't. that would be rude and i'd may be marked 'racist'. he took the number and asked my name. unfortunately i gave my real name. damn i should've given a fake name instead. he asked when he can call me so i said to call me the next morning. he asked, "what time? you're a lawyer, always busy right? what time can i call you?" i mean, come on...i took a deep breath and said to call me at 10am.
the next day he didn't call at 10am but he called around lunch hour and i had my clerk telling him that i was out to court.
until today, i still haven't talked to him, although he called a few times. should i take his call? is he for real?
he's from Trinidad & Tobago by the way. Not that i have anything against them but i just don't feel that i should layan.
what do you propose?


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SYDNEY (MarketWatch) — Asian shares jumped on Monday, as investors reacted to the latest reports of measures designed to get a grip on Europe's debt crisis.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (HSI) rose 2%, while Japan's Nikkei Stock Average (XJO) advanced 1.6%.
South Korea's Kospi (0100) climbed 2.2%, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index (XJO) rose 1.9%, and the Shanghai Composite Index (000001) edged up 0.1%.
Europe remained the focus for Asian markets, with a variety of reports over the weekend suggesting progress on addressing the euro-zone debt crisis.
European officials had agreed on how to leverage the key European Financial Stability Facility rescue fund, Reuters said, while other reports said Germany and France were studying new ways to deepen euro-zone fiscal integration. Read more on European weekend developments.
Credit Agricole strategists said the latter report in particular would "help to steady market nerves," but added that the report was unconfirmed, "suggesting that, as usual, the scope for disappointment is high."
A separate news item appearing in Italy's La Stampa over the weekend had said the International Monetary Fund was discussing fresh financial support for Italy, further helping boost Asian shares Monday, but an IMF spokesperson subsequently denied any such plans.
Major movers
Banks and commodity-sector firms were among the notable gainers Monday in Asia.
In Japan, Nomura Holdings Inc. (8604) NMR, +1.86% jumped 4.4%, while in Australia, Macquarie Group Ltd. (MQG) MCQEF, +3.73% climbed 5.6%, and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) CBAUF, +1.04% gained 3.3%.
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. (1398) IDCBF, -0.14% rose 3.4%, and Agricultural Bank of China Ltd. (1288) ACGBF, +1.79% gained 3.6% in Hong Kong.
Strength in many commodities amid the reported progress in Europe also helped boost many Asia resource stocks.
Japanese energy major JX Holdings Inc. (5020) JXHGF, +6.74% climbed 3.1%, while Sumitomo Metal Industries Inc. (5405) SMMLF advanced 4.1%.
Hong-Kong-listed Jiangxi Copper Co. (358) JIXAY, -2.05% climbed 3.6%, and shares of Angang Steel Co. (347) ANGGF, -7.78% rallied 6.1%.
In the Australian mining sector, BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP) BHP, +1.98% gained 2.4% as it announced that Graham Kerr, the head of its diamonds unit, will take over as chief financial officer in February. See report on BHP Billiton developments.
Rio Tinto Ltd. (RIO) RIO, +1.98% rose 2.1%. The miner said it was selling all the minerals it can produce, but also warned that customer sentiment was increasingly cautious in the face of global economic uncertainty. See report on Rio Tinto statement.
Exporters got a lift in Tokyo, with Sony Corp. (6758) SNE, +0.34% climbing 2.3%, Nintendo Co. (7974) NTDOF, -1.10% adding 2.7%, Panasonic Corp. (6752) PC, +0.08% improving by 3.1%, and Toshiba Corp. (6502) TOSYY, -3.34% up 4.6%.
Many of these firms count the U.S. as an important market, and early data suggested that Thanksgiving weekend retail sales were strong. Read more on Black Friday sales.
"This provides an additional hint that third-quarter momentum has carried into the fourth quarter," strategists at Brown Brothers Harriman said.
Honda Motor Co. (7267) HMC, +0.55% gained 4.1%, with the Yomiuri Shimbun reporting the company would move some of its Japan-based motorcycle production to Thailand in order to avoid the ill effects of the strong Japanese yen. See report on Honda's Thailand plans.
Shares of Qantas Airways Ltd. (QAN) QUBSF, +3.52% rose 3.4% in Australia, even as the carrier warned of a major drop in fiscal first-half profit, in part due to recent labor strikes. See report on Qantas profit warning.
"The numbers don't look good for Qantas, but one needs to keep things in perspective," said City Index analyst Peter Esho. "While many international airlines struggle to book any profit, Qantas shows it is a largely profitable operation, even in the worst of times."


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Wilde & Greene Organic Farm Shop
Listing Category: 02 SHOPS & MARKETS and 02.01 Organic, Natural & Wholefood Stores
Wilde & Greene offer a very unique service. Set in the heart of Tuddenham on Longwood Farm, we are able to offer our customers the very best food that the UK has to offer, from the best independent farmers and producers out there.
We challenge the supermarkets and the way that they do business. We run our shop the way that we think every shop should be run – putting our customers and our suppliers before profit and work tirelessly to provide our customers with fresh produce and new products of exceptional quality and with a transparent supply chain.
We are extremely lucky, as the farm that our shop is located on also happens to be the only raw milk and raw kefir supplier in the East Anglia area. Helping our customers to improve their overall health is top of our list of priorities – which is why we offer specialty products such as the raw kefir, unpasteurised fermented foods and kombucha. There is always a member of our team who is available to assist you with any queries that you may have about trying new products.


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CNN speaks with Fareed about claims the U.S. National Security Agency eavesdropped on German Chancellor Angela Merkel's cell phone calls, whether such an approach is justified and how the Obama administration has handled the controversy. This is an edited version of the transcript.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says that the U.S. relationship with European nations has been severely shaken. Do you think these reports that continue to come out over U.S. eavesdropping on leaders are really hurting or threatening a relationship with some of our most basic and key allies?
I think it is. Look, some of this is what people are calling the Claude Rains routine – I'm shocked to discover there's gambling going on. And spying is the second oldest profession in the world. But two things have changed. One is just the explosion of technology, big data, the ability to find all this stuff and the United States' incredible cutting edge on that. And the second was 9/11, which in a sense freed all the constraints that we have typically felt about collecting this kind of information, particularly from spies, because we felt like we need to know everything about everything. Those two forces have, frankly, made us sloppy about this.
We should not be, in my opinion, spying on our closest allies' heads of government. It's one thing to try to find al Qaeda sleeper cells in Hamburg, but you don't need to tap Angela Merkel's cell phone to figure that out.
We hear from the administration and members of Congress that everyone spies on everyone. But does it feel we're in a different place, we're kind of in an uncharted territory here with us?
It does precisely because of the technologies that make it possible for to you listen to anyone, anywhere at any time, and so you have to come up with some new rules of the road. The United States is often caught in this kind of hypocritical position where we're trying to enforce rules for everybody else and we say we can't play by those rules. You know, we have nuclear weapons, but we don't want other people to have nuclear weapons. This is a similar thing. The hypocrisy can only happen for so long. You have to, in some way, show that you are being governed by some set of rules.
More from CNN: U.S. needs to get spying under control
So, I think the administration is doing the right thing – review the policy, get into conversations with the Europeans and come up with some rules of the road. Of course, they realize everyone spies. They spy on us. But I think what they're trying to say is look, even within that, you know, let's have some kind of rules of war, if you will.
Peter King, the congressman from New York, said something pretty interesting on "Meet the Press" this weekend. He said the administration needs to stop apologizing for the NSA's tactics. You said you think the administration is doing the right thing in reviewing the process. How are they handling the fallout, do you think?
Not very well. They're being surprisingly inarticulate about it. They should explain the motivation behind this has been things like terrorism, trying to figure out what's going on. One of the reasons they are is they don't want to get into specifics…and from what I've heard the stuff about Merkel's cell phone is a little more complicated and the reports are not accurate. Whatever, they've got to come up with a way to stand before the world and say look, this is what we do in general terms. This is why we do it.
Even if they're reviewing the policy, they need to have some general explanation that makes sense of it. If I were them, I would list 20 terrorist attacks that were thwarted as a result of this.
Now, France and Germany, they are sending over some senior intelligence officials to Washington this week to try to have a no spy accord or work on something like that. Is that going to be enough to try to settle the anger or calm the outrage that's felt around the world on this?
I think it's a good question. At a governmental level, I think we will be able to settle the anger. But clearly what is happening here is that European politicians are responding to a public that has become quite distrustful of the United States, views it as a kind of 800-pound gorilla that's out of control. And we need to think about that.
American legitimacy, our influence around the world, depends in large part on the idea that we are sort of rule based, we observe some of the kind of rules we want other people to observe. And that's why I say we've got to think about the rewards here of spying on Merkel – you're not learning that much, frankly, that you didn't know.
Not so surprising.
Precisely. The truth of the matter is at the level of high policy, particularly with democracies, most of the time you have a fairly good sense of what the leader is trying to do. If you're trying to find terrorists, that's fine. But again I'm not sure how tapping Merkel's phone gets you there.
For one time, I agree with Fareed Zakaria. Like he said, this activity is wrong. Maybe this could break the blind obedience in which these spineless Europen leaders carry out our orders but unfortunately, that appears to be quite unlikely. I'm afraid it will be business as usual in the end!
The fact that Rock Obama is apologizing for the NSA actions while Right Wing Congressmen are defending them. Just goes to remind us that ultra right wing politics has divided our nation and caused the rest of the world to mis trust and fear our dangerous policies. Fareed is correct , we have enough enemies without alienating our friends.
When Zakaria plays a moralists, you know the admin has fallen low. And the articulate Obama is out of words to explain spying on Merkel and other EU's allies. If he wasn't black, EU's socialists would be lynching him now.
All you have is your reputation. Between our mismanagement of the dollar and our lack of integrity the United States will fnd itself in a situation it will not manuver out of. It appears Washington is missing some critical avenues of thinking. Certainly it appears there is no transparency in Washington. This brings about many questions. It astounds me that the American people tolerate such behavior. No one would or could run their home this way. They wld be in jail.
Karma is hell. Jesus hated hypocrisy, Matthew 23,1-36. That's 36 verses dedicated to decrying hypocrisy !!
Go to swarmrifle.com/the-digital-age.html you'll see the future.
He is so full of it. Get real. Don't spy on our allies. Oh, because they have such great track records? Almost every major power spies on us. Even the ones we share intelligence with. Of course we are going to spy on them. How do you think we know they are still our allies? Faith, hope, trust? Faith, hope, and trust are not reasonable or viable strategies..... grow up.
You have more to fear from your card-carrying NRA redneck neighbor than Franz eating bratwurst in Berlin or Francois sipping a glass of bordeaux 3000 miles away.
So, you if you wanted to be safer from "terror" and violence, then you should be all in favor of warrantless "spying" on US citizens.
'List 20 terrorist attacks that were twarted' – $52 Billion/year budget for NSA, all to 'prevent' terror attacks that they can't even list? Meanwhile your chances of winning the Lottery are greater than dying to terrorists. 40,000+ people per year die in auto accidents int he US, which could be prevented with Driverless Cars, but we've got to strip search Grandma at the airport instead. End this failed war on terrorism, return America's freedoms and use the money to finance better things than the NSA reading our allies's emails.
I'm still "Shocked" by how much spying goes on between two supposed "close allies", Israel & America.
Hypocrisy is well engrained in the US. Like its ally Israel. If the US had bothered to ask Israel to give up its nuclear weapons before telling everyone how dangerous it is for Iran to have a single weapon, we'd be further along in denuclearizing the area. But US lacks the courage to confront Israel.
The problem with this type of behavior is that after a while people stop believing you.
As long as this "ally" Israel keeps its stash of weapons, it has no right to keep pushing for the world to deny Iran of the same right. In fact, Israel should do its own heavy-lifting: If it can't wait to get into a war with ran, go for it! Not urge others to do its dirty work and sit back to watch the ensuing fireworks.
And we end up all spying on every individual and government? Our reputation means what people can expect. Perhas if we spent more time being transparent then stood behind this with action we would need no reason to spy. Perhaps attempting to find terrorists is somewhat different than listening to the private phone calls of allies. We have taken the war on terrorism to the same level we have taken the war on drugs. Poorly constructed reason to create expensive, ineffective and misguided systems which operate without oversight and any reasonable financial restraint. We have created an enviornment which we are selling the individual American down the drain by the inappropriate devaluation of the American dollar through throwing money not reason at our problems.
Well said@Chuk.
Also read Justin Raimondo's article "NSA & Israel partners in crime'.US takes blame for Israeli snooping.
Considering that Germany started 2 World Wars that killed tens of million of people, we should probably keep spying on them. And the fact that we paid to rebuild Germany after the last War.
Freedom, Justice, and most of all Liberty.
Something isn't right in the USA if people who stand up for these, believing in it and risking everything for them are treated as criminals and traitors. Snowden should be a hero of the US, or rather, become the next President to clean up the mess at home.
double standards, hypocrisy and bigotry are factors which have messed up our foreign policy. That this paradigm has hurt US interests and hurt badly is not a moot point.Look where we stand today while emerging power centers are taking hold geo politically.
On Iran. After Adelson, the billionaire who lost a lot of money trying to unseat pr.Obama in 2010 & works tirelessly for Israel like Koch bros, ordained that "US should nuke Iran", Dick Cheney has chimed in too. "War with Iran would probably become inevitable".
"The biggest barrier to peace is unlimited funds provided to IPAC" Jack Straw ex-British F.secy.
undoubtedly its the likes of AIPAC,ADL,FDD, Heritage foundation etc who shaope and guide US policies. Sad.
Thats AIPAC. Pardon the typo.
I agree. Mr. Snowden has lost his life to expose the truth. When we have lies as the law then our troubles have just begun. How should we define civilization?. We are no longer leading the world in this definition.
Hmmm ... I guess no civilized people have ever spied on each other.
Yes, the NSA invented spying last year. Before that, no country ever spied.
Besides, who cares about terrorist attacks, right? I mean, 9/11 was just a hoax, right? And obviously, the NSA must be lying about stopping potential terrorist attacks right? Everyone in government lies right? But no civilians lie ever. In fact, these conspiracies are so wide that they even pretend that Americans elect their government. Ho, what a lie – everyone knows that everyone in Washington is a fake, an android, and no American has ever voted. Certainly no Americans have ever voted for anyone currently in Congress, since 'they' are to blame for all of 'our' problems. In fact, no Congressmen or Presidents have ever been elected – just another lie, because, as all Americans state – all Congressment and all Presidents were all failures who we hate. It's all THEIR fault! We're perfect.
I really don't understand why everyone is so shocked. Every nation spies on every nation, wether they are friendly towards one another or not. Germany and the rest of Europe are only making a fuss about this because it looks good to their citizens to do so. They spy on us all the time, the difference is in the technical capabilities. We happen to have the ability to do a more thorough job. Just because you are on friendly terms now doesn't mean you will always be friends. Get Over It.
No one likes being spied upon leaders included. Ideally, complete privacy should be the goal in every communication. Complete privacy being the state that only the sender and receiver of a communication know that it even existed in the first place.
Concerning surprise I am not. This is being transparent. The question is, is this the best direction for us to head? I am a Vietnam vet there is nothing that surprises me about what a government can do. This all seems all along the same paradigm. The question are we better off? At the current speed we are all running now to the edge as quickly as we can under the quise of security?
We need to find enemy intelligence networks operating in NATO countries. This is our utmost responsiblity as a NATO leader. We know that at least Chinese and Koreans secret intelligence networks has cover operations against western interests in NATO countries.
If the US wasn't basically protecting the Germans they would definitely be spying on us. Of course they don't need to steal information regarding the F-15E or the F-22. They have them, located on a US AFB in Germany. Because of this they get to spend little money on Defense, buy the US's old toys (that are still better than their closests enemies), and never worry about someone invading them.
But trust me, if Germany had as many "concerned citizens" as the US does you would find out about their espionage. I bet our ambassador's phones are tapped and emails too. Information is the name of the game. To think otherwise is completely naive.
We have for too long manufactured in Washington a foreign policy of special interests. Laws formed in the direction of supporting an artifical process of profit. I have nothing against profit but when policies send jobs overseas, send military assets unto foreign soil to protect an non-transparent foreign policy to access foreign resources to protect access to energy and put into place corrupt investment policies that nearly bankrupt the world through nothing more than mass fraud. Don't we begin to start asking questions? Is there anyone in Washington?
There was once a movie about a spy named James Bond, so I'm not real surprised that spying occurs in the world.
Sounds like others are quite surprised – I guess they missed the movie.
I also seem to recall this event on 9/11, and although we really don't know who was responsible, I do recall the American people demanded action to protect civilians from terror. Gosh, we even invaded Iceland, or some other country, if I recall, to capture the alleged culprit named Bin Laden. (Wrong country though – apparently our spy network didn't work then).
But gosh – y'all can ask that there be no more spying. Sounds reasonable. I've been asking that there be no more auto deaths in the world for years. Hasn't quite happened yet.
Completely agree, but I think it was Greenland, not Iceland. 😉
Folks can go to the International Spy Museum in Washington DC to see an interesting history of all of the spying that goes on between countries. There's a lot of it going on right now as we debate this issue, and it's being done by every country that has the means to do so. I also hope for a day when spying is not necessary, but the reality is that it'll always be part of our reality.
It's not like the Germans have been trouble in the past.
obama has deliberately treated our White allies badly while continuing to give billions of America's money to America hating muslim countries.
Ho ho ho – right, it's all part of a huge conspiracy launched from Mars.
Thank God 85% of Americans support our President in this really sublte effort to overthrow the US.
In fact, just a couple of weeks ago President Obama spoke for 21 straight hours in the House to try to overthrow America.
email@example.com are sorely misinformed. With the exception of Egypt whose military we pay a billion dollar a year to protect Israeli interests, we pay no other muslim country billions.
On the contrary Arabs keep our economy afloat with their multi-billion dollar purchases of arms from us.
Aid often announced for pakistan mostly remains just that, an announcement despite their fighting a war for us.
I agree! Stop the hypocrisy! The U.S. monitors everything it can to protect the interests of its citizens. For those countries that don't like it....go pound sand! If those countries were capable, they'd be doing the same.


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Understand the Stock Trend Cycles when Day Trading
Knowing the phases of a stock trend can help you better evaluate what's happening and improve your chances of profiting from day trading. Stock price trends tend to move in cycles that can be seen on the trend line and performance indicator charts or observed in market behavior. Here is a summary of some phases of a trend:
Accumulation: This is the first part of the trend, where traders get excited about a security and its prospects. They start new positions or add to existing ones.
Main phase (also called continuation): Here, the trend moves along nicely, with no unusual price action. The highs get higher on an uptrend, and the lows get lower on a downtrend. A trader may make money — but not big money — following the trend here.
Consolidation (also called congestion): This phase indicates a sideways market. The security stays within the trend but without hitting higher highs or lower lows. It just stays within the trading range. A consolidation phase is good for scalpers, who make a large volume of trades in search of very small profits. It can be boring for everyone else.
Retracement (also called correction or pullback): Retracement is a secondary trend, a short-term pullback away from the main trend to the support level. Retracements create buying opportunities, but they can also kill day traders who are following the trend.
Distribution: In the distribution phase, traders don't think that the security can go up in price any more. Hence, they tend to sell in large volume.
Reversal: At this point, the trend changes. It's time to sell if you've been following an uptrend and buy if you've been following a downtrend.


text: As life expectancy keeps inching up, it follows that health issues will become increasingly challenging. A ninety year old wracked with pain from arthritic, barking knees and a back on its last few discs, finds it a bit difficult to celebrate victory over actuary tables. The problems of old age are further compounded when one's lover is no longer in the picture. Those fortunate enough to be sharing the challenges of old age with their spouse at their side, find the battle easier to cope with. The priorities of a relationship change. As the High Primal shared in her blog, "The older you get, the more you become a caregiver rather than a lover". A loving caregiver is worth two lovers anytime, anywhere.This is not to say that longer life expectancy goes hand in hand with a debilitating illnesses. On the contrary, having a high primal, loving caregiver throughout life can indeed make a crotchety, low primal the envy of his juniors. More importantly, becoming a loving caregiver in turn, is a sure way to tolerate old age. In the meantime, the hell with the actuary tables.


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A Great DeliveranceeBook - 2007
From the critics
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Somewhere around the tenth time the author went into great detail of how ugly Havers is, I decided this series is not for me. Another character was abused by the narrator as well as the people around her for being fat, "pig-like" a "cow" and other charming names. I'd rather not read books by women who hate women.
I'd found the Inspector Lynley mysteries on PBS to be quite depressing. This book gave me a little more insight into both Lynley and Havers, though, all things considered, still quite depressing, to the point where I actually felt sorry for the author.
Almost too intricately plotted, but an absorbing good read nonetheless. The Ugly American tourists were a stereotypical--and unnecessary--distraction, but the central relationship between the aristocratic Inspector Thomas Lynley and his hapless partner, the troubled, testy Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers, is well written and believably presented.
Havers is an especially compelling character, she of the unflattering hair and ill-fitting , off-the-peg clothes; she is so vividly rendered she fairly leaps off the page. Her insecurities and hair-trigger temper tests your patience (just as finally they test Thomas's) yet you feel for Barbara, for her struggles with her aging child-parents and her desperation to belong and succeed. You root for her to find the right way forward, and hope for Barbara and Thomas to forge a friendship that will anchor and steady them both.
As the plot untangles you also root for the three tormented women at the heart of the story, unspeakably victimized and betrayed by both man and church.
I'd gladly give the book five stars except the system cancelled my rating every time I tried to!! Maybe the computer has less respect for the author's talent than I do. Anyway, stellar work. The narrative prose is very good. Not quite as rich as Erin Hart, but darn close to it. The characters were so real they bordered on "next door neighbors!" Except for the American couple. I can't believe that even the Brits believe in that parody of the "ugly American." They get our TV shows, just as we get theirs, and we reveal the boring as well as the glamourous and/or obnoxious. Nor are all of us as "in your face" as tourists either. Still, a little comic relief in a work, as gravid with tragedy as this one is, is probably a good thing, as Shakespeare himself was aware. As he knew, one can only deal out just so much dysfunction to an audience before they give up or become suicidal. I think we've become the American Falstaff. The tale is very dark, and gets more so as one gets into it. This author, like others recently, has used our expectations of "button" words against us to misdirect. For a first book, she does so skillfully. However, that said, I would say the book isn't quite for everybody. If you're inclined to be easily offended, I'd give it a miss.
I found this novel became part of my everyday life until I had finished it. I found the characters to be very believable with a very intricate story line weaving them all together. I can't wait to read all of Elizabeth George's novels, even though murder mysteries were never one of my favourite genres.
I've finally read an E. George mystery and I have now found a new favorite author. I will definitely be reading more and more and more of her mysteries.
If you are a fan of intelligent mystery writing, this series is definitely for you. Elizabeth George writes wonderful characters and almost never hits a false note with any of them. This is true of both the transient characters who appear as part of each story and of the on-going ones. The interplay between the two main detectives and the people in their lives is particularly well done. I would recommend that the series be read in order as much as possible because of the evolving storylines in their personal lives. There are surprises twists and turns which are spoiled if you already know how things turn out.
I enjoyed the establishing of the main characters more than the plot, and am looking forward to other books in the series.
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IN recent years, Southeast Asia has seen a surge in demand for a skilled workforce able to fill looming gaps in industries dependent on new and emerging technologies.
Unfortunately, the supply of such talents in the current labour market has largely fallen short.
As the wider Asian region deals with ageing populations and massive migratory shifts, The Economist predicted an "impending collapse" of the Asian workforce as governments struggle with developing human capital.
To strike a balance in its working populations, Southeast Asia reportedly needs to attract six million workers. By 2030, Thailand would be in dire need of workers between the ages of 15 and 64 and the same goes for neighbouring Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam.
Trends over the past decade, however, paint a worrying picture, as close to 50 percent of Asian employers found hiring to be difficult amid a backdrop of the highest global talent shortage since 2007.
Structural problem
While there is high demand for skilled employees, graduates in the region often don't measure up, leading to youth unemployment.
In Southeast Asia in 2017, youth unemployment was lowest in Singapore at 4.6 percent, followed by Thailand's 5.9 percent, Vietnam's 7 percent and the Philippines' 7.9 percent, Malaysia's 10.8 percent and Indonesia's 15.6 percent.
Commenting on Malaysia's situation recently, local politician Yeoh Bee Yin noted that the country's youth unemployment rate is up to three times higher than the national unemployment rate (3.17 percent in 2017). For comparison, 10 out of every 100 youths are unemployed while the same is true for only three in every 100 workers of all ages.
She noted that one in four graduates has remained jobless six months after graduation.
"This implies that our tertiary institutions are not producing the workforce that is needed by the market. There is a mismatch between the supply and demand of the workforce. That is the first structural problem," she said in an editorial.
"Growing up, we are told that a university degree is a ticket to a successful life, or at least a better life than our parents. It doesn't apply anymore today. Many of our young people today, even with university degrees, are not earning enough to cope with the rising cost of living."
This mismatch is real. Of the thousands of available jobs in the country, only 23.5 percent are high-skilled positions suitable for university graduates.
SEE ALSO: How are Southeast Asians today faring differently to their parents?
Earlier this year, Myra, a 29-year-old University of Brighton master's degree holder described how she was never able to get a job that paid her more than RM3,600 (US$900) a month despite her credentials and years of experience.
"I am so, so upset and disappointed," she said.
Despite holding degrees, many like Myra live in relative poverty: earning below RM2,700, the living wage recommended by Bank Negara Malaysia, Malaysia's central bank.
Azzief Khaliq, who holds a Masters in Communications from Universiti Sains Malaysia, said there was little or no incentive for him to work full time as his credentials do not set him apart from those with lower qualifications.
His MA, he said, "is pointless in the workforce."
"There seems to be an odd lull in that sort of 4 or 5-year employment experience area I find myself in, where it's either real entry level stuff or stuff that seems to want more out of the employees than I can offer."
Rising industries
With a combined GDP of US$2.4 trillion, Southeast Asia's economy is ranked the seventh largest in the world and is pacing itself to rank as the fourth largest by 2050.
However, the progress is stymied by skills shortages, particularly in tech.
The Information Technology (IT) sector is one of the highest on the list of skills that are scarce.
Kimberlyn Lu, Country Manager of recruitment firm Robert Walters Malaysia, said there is a rising demand for quality candidates with niche tech skills in the region.
SEE ALSO: Are Southeast Asia's education systems preparing workers for the future?
"IT is an industry that is rapidly growing, and candidates with niche skills, such as cloud architects, cybersecurity professionals, data mining and analytics experts for example, are not only sought-after by IT companies, but also traditional companies looking to digitalise," she told Asian Correspondent.
"The digital economy and growth of online retail has also driven the demand for sales and marketing professionals in the e-commerce sector. Candidates with both digital and merchandising skills are also highly sought-after."
In human resource, and legal and compliance fields, the firm has also seen companies seeking out talent who not only have specialised knowledge within their fields, but who can also act as business partners, and play strategic roles in building up businesses.
Malaysia's Human Resource Minister M. Kula Segaran, in a statement to Asian Correspondent, said the country's youth unemployment rate was not much better or worse than those of advanced economies like Norway (10.1 percent) or Australia (13.5 percent).
"This is due to the fact that job seekers among youth are in a transition period (job-hopping) while actively searching for better and suitable job opportunities."
Nevertheless, Kula Segaran says his government has been doing its part, including one initiative to provide jobs through www.jobsmalaysia.gov.my targeted at fresh graduates.
In the first six months 2018, a series of jobs fairs and carnivals organised by the ministry helped the placement of 95,387 job seekers, he said.
SEE ALSO: Employment: The 10 most in-demand skills for 2019
The ministry has also established a one-stop centre involving government agencies like JobsMalaysia, the Social Security Organisation (Socso) and Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) to provide professional consultancy services for jobseeking and training.
Last year, a total of 1,694 trainees were successfully placed in jobs via the Graduates Enhancement Programme For Employability (Generate) programme that equips unemployed graduates with soft skills.
"(This includes) widening apprenticeship and industrial training programmes to increase youth employability through soft-skills enhancement dan on-the-job training programme," he said.
In neighbouring Indonesia where youth employment remains a worrying trend, the median age of the country's population is 28. And its working-age population as a share to the total population is fast expanding, exponentially increasing the current demand for employment.
To create jobs, the International Monetary Fund has urged the government to prioritise infrastructure development to spur private investment and generate growth, which would, in turn, result in more employment opportunities.
Additionally, the IMF also suggests reducing state control and entry barriers, particularly in the power and transport sectors, as well as lowering trade and foreign direct investment restrictions to boost competitiveness.
"Emphasis should be given to improving coordination among different ministries and local governments to avoid conflicting regulations."
The republic's education quality also needs enhancement, which means more efficient spending by strengthening the link between compensation and performance in the education sector.


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Air Jordan 6 was nothing but good luck. That's the only way to describe them.
With Air Jordan 6s on his feet, Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to win the NBA 1990-91 season by pummeling the LA Lakers in the finals.
They say, there's only one thing harder than winning: defending it. And Michael Jordan did that too. Playing the season with Air Jordan 6, he came out winning the NBA scoring title (yet again).
In addition to these two huge awards, Jordan won MVP for the second time in his career. Air Jordan 6 worked like a lucky charm for Michael Jordan and Chicago Bulls. But for Michael Jordan and Air Jordan fans, the new release carried more value (perhaps somewhere deep—at the emotional level).


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18 Surprising Ways You Can Reuse Old Tires, #9 Is Downright Genius.
Tires are designed to never break down. Given how many cars are on the road today, there are thousands of tires destined for landfills everyday. Some very crafty people are doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint by upcycling the old rubber and finding new uses.
Instead of tossing them out, you can now create outdoor furniture, planters and other neat DIYs. You may inspire others to follow suit.
#1. Very chic magazine rack.
Cut a small tire in half and spray paint it. Let it dry. Fasten metal legs that can be purchased at the hardware store.
#2. Outdoor table.
Take two tires, and paint them a bright summer color. Stack them and add a glass table top. Voila, you now have a cool table.
#3. Mirror, mirror on the wall.
Modify a bicycle tire by cutting out the spokes and hammer in steel eyelets. From the back weave a thick cord through the eyelets like a corset. This will hold the mirror in place
#4. Tulips for your flowers.
Cut an old tire and flip it inside out. Spray paint and let it dry. Fill it with soil and your favorite flowers.
#5. Your pet will love you for it.
The type of tire will depend on your canine's size. Spray paint an old tire. Let it dry and add a pillow.
#6. Garden steps.
You will need as many tires as you need. Position them along your garden as you see fit. Fill them with dirt or mulch.
#7. Tires on a white wall.
Mount a painted tire to your wall. Add a potted plant and display with pride.
#8. Colorful garden.
Spray paint old tires of different sizes any color you prefer. Stack and fill with soil. Add your plants. You now have a multi-tier planter.
#9. Racing shelves.
Cut a medium size tire in to four quarters. Using a brace, drill the pieces in to the wall to create sturdy shelves. Make sure to add a base to place your books on top.
#10. In from the rain.
Drill holes on one side of a tire. Stick a cover or peg and have it ready for your guests on rainy days. The umbrellas themselves will balance the tire.
#11. Keep them fit.
Using different tires, arrange an outside jungle gym. To ensure the tires do not roll away, use zip ties to fasten the tires to a post or deck.
#12. For the kids that LOVES cars.
What a great way to encourage your child to put away his or her toys. Clean the tires thoroughly. The only thing you need to make is the cover with a personalized touch.
#13. Don't forget the classic.
If you have a big tree at home, make it the summer hangout for the kids. Paint the tire and attach hardware chains and hang it from a strong tree branch.
#14. Tire sandbox.
Paint an old tire and fill with sand. Cut a slit down the length of a pool needle. Attach to the inner rim of the tire and glue in place. Fill with sand and enjoy watching the kids have a blast.
#15. Rustic ottoman.
Using glue, attach burlap type thread around the tread. Attach plywood to both sides and glue more thread. Attach legs to the bottom. This footrest will never lose its shape.
#16. Animal time.
Create outdoor animal art that kids can spend hours playing on. A lot spray paint and creativity is essential in this project.
#17. Tire totter playtime.
Choose a fun paint color for the wooden plank and handles. Cut the tire in half, affix the plank with a piece of cedar underneath for greater support. Drill the handles. For the eyes, cut up an old racquetball and and staple them to the plank. Drill holes in the bottom of the tire to allow water to drain.
#18. From burnt rubber to cool as ice.
Maintain the inner rim of a tire, cutting out the tread. Fit the inner rim to resemble a bucket and attach the rubber to an existing ice bucket for a new look.


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Most people will at some point in life develop acne.
The skin condition is characterized by spots, and the skin can feel hot, irritable, and painful when touched. You'll find most people how to have acne tend to have an oily skin type.
The condition mostly appears on the face (affects a majority of people prone to acne), the back (affects over half of the people likely to get acne), and the chest (affects around an eighth of people who develop acne).
Types Of Acne
Individuals that develop acne will have spots, and these can be any of the following six types:
1. Blackheads
Blackheads They are yellowish or black bumps that aren't full of dirt. In most cases, the spot will be black and this due to the pigmentation produced at the inner lining of the hair follicle.
2. Whiteheads
Whiteheads resemble blackheads but fill firmer and do not ooze when pinched or squished.
3. Papules
Papules have a red hue and may be sore and tender to touch.
4. Pustules
Pustules look like papules but have a centered tip that's white which due to the accumulated pus in the bumps.
5. Nodules
Nodules are large lumps that are hard that form under the skin, building up to the surface. They can be irritated and sore when touched.
6. Cysts
Cysts are the most severe of acne spots. They are large and full of pus. They can even grow to resemble boils and will at times cause permanent scarring.
What To Do When You Have Acne
It is possible to deal with acne with the following self-treatment techniques:
- Avoid washing the affected area more than twice as it can cause irritation and this may exasperate the condition.
- When washing, use a mild soap, a soft washcloth, and lukewarm water. Using too cold or too hot water makes things worse.
- Avoid popping the spots or scratching them because it can worsen the problem and lead to permanent scarring.
- Limit the use of cosmetics and make-up. If you have to put on some make-up, give preference to the water-based non-comedogenic products; they do not clog the pores.
- Always wash up before bed to remove the make-up and get rid of any dirt on the skin.
- Water-based emollients, preferably those with not fragrance additives, are ideal for the dry skin types.
- Exercising can help manage acne and prevent flare-ups in future. The sweating helps to remove the toxins in the body that can also contribute to the development of acne. Regular workouts will also improve self-esteem.
- Keep your hair clean and try to limit contact with your face, especially if you are prone to acne.
- Some products such as creams, gels, and lotions are available that can help to control the conditions.
- See a dermatologist if you develop acne so that the doctor can prescribe the best course of treatment that suits your skin type. The doctor may recommend the use of products with a low amount of benzoyl peroxide.
- For people with a severe case of acne that manifests on the face, chest, and back, the use of more potent pharmaceutical products along with prescribed antibiotics may help.
How To Get Rid Of Acne Fast
Dr. Berg talks about treating Acne from the root cause and not treating the Acne directly on the face.
There are a number of great tips for treatment to cure and get back to smooth clear skin, including not to take antibiotics, along with using prescription drugs.
The solution is to find what the problem is in your case and how to treat it
Check out the video below to cure your Acne
When To Seek Medical Advice
Any case of acne can be distressing and make the affected person feel unhappy and to have low self-esteem. It is wise to see a doctor if the over-the-counter medication does not offer any results.
It is also necessary to see the dermatologist if you develop cysts so that they can be appropriately treated and lower the risk of scarring. Avoid picking and squeezing the spots as this can lead to permanent scarring.
Most of what is prescribed by your doctor treat the symptoms and boosts the body's response to fights the skin condition. Desirable results from the treatment may take at least 8 – 12 weeks to show.
I hope my first blog was helpful to you and if you do suffer from Acne don't stress, it can be cleared trying some of the techniques that I share.


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Federal File
The president of the District of Columbia school board, in what some
local leaders painted as heresy, has endorsed the idea of bringing a
pilot voucher program to the nation's capital.
Peggy Cooper Cafritz offered her support for federally financed vouchers in a Washington Post commentary published March 29. About a month earlier, the newspaper had quoted the elected board leader as saying, "This board is solidly against vouchers."
Ms. Cafritz was unavailable for comment last week.
In the op-ed piece, she said that "some version of this legislation is certain to pass" Congress.
She said, however, the voucher money should be spent only in the city of Washington. Voucher bills introduced in Congress would let students use federal cash for public or private schools in the city's Maryland and Virginia suburbs. Ms. Cafritz also said participating private schools should have to comply with the "No Child Left Behind" Act of 2001 and make test scores available to the public.
"We should join the U.S. Department of Education in forging a system that includes vouchers, charter schools, and public schools—one that would afford children in the District the best possible education," she wrote.
In his fiscal 2004 budget request, President Bush called for $75 million for public and private school choice. He said a portion of this money should be set aside for vouchers in Washington. Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., introduced a bill that would authorize $7 million for vouchers for the city's students next year, with the aid targeted to low- income families.
Ms. Cafritz's view didn't go over too well with some local leaders.
"I was shocked, and everybody I've talked to is shocked," Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, the Democrat who is the District of Columbia's nonvoting representative in Congress, told TheWashington Post. "What Peggy has proposed is unprincipled and operationally impossible, and it won't happen."
The newspaper itself came to Ms. Cafritz's defense in an April 1 editorial.
"The shock of some politicians and public school activists is understandable," it said. "It's not every day that the school board president in a major urban school district endorses vouchers." But the editorial said calling the proposal "unprincipled" was going too far.
"Ms. Cafritz has taken a bold stance," it said. "She does not deserve the cheap shots."
—Erik W. Robelen
Vol. 22, Issue 30, Page 27Published in Print: April 9, 2003, as Federal File


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Attorney Robert J. Gallagher ("Bob") presently focuses his practice on tax controversy issues, representing taxpayers in disputes with the Internal Revenue Service and North Carolina Department of Revenue. However, previously, Mr. Gallagher has litigated a wide range of legal areas, including employment law, personal injury, commercial litigation, land use, will contests, and professional licensing representation.
Mr. Gallagher is a former Trial Attorney in the Attorney General's Honors Program at the United States Department of Justice – Civil Tax Division. As part of the Tax Division, he represented the United States as both plaintiff and defendant in a variety of tax-related matters as well as in bankruptcy cases where the federal government was a creditor. He appeared in Federal District and U.S. Bankruptcy Courts throughout the eastern United States including North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico. Mr. Gallagher has experience litigating personal and business income tax issues, payroll tax assessments (including trust fund penalties assessed against individuals), penalty waivers, challenges to Captive Insurance Companies, FOIA requests, and other tax related matters.
Mr. Gallagher began his legal career as a Law Clerk to the Hon. Malcolm J. Howard, Senior United States District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Mr. Gallagher's family is a military family, and he is eager to help America's men and women in uniform whenever possible. Mr. Gallagher is on the Executive Committee of Moore Young Professionals and devotes time to furthering the development of that group. When he is not at work Mr. Gallagher can frequently be seen running throughout the Sandhills area with his wife, Molly, and their vizsla, Celia.
Licenses and Certifications:
- North Carolina (2012)
- Massachusetts (2008)
- Virginia (2007)
- Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, University of Richmond T.C. Williams School of Law
- Lead Article Editor, Richmond Journal of Law and the Public Interest
- Winner, Carrico Moot Court Competition (appellate advocacy)
- Winner, ABA Client Counseling Competition
- Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, University of Richmond
Memberships and Admissions:
- United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Third Circuit Court of Appeals
- North Carolina Bar Association
- Moore County Bar Association
- Moore Young Professionals
- Civil Disobedience In the Jury Room: Give Juries the Right to Go With Their Power, RJOLPI, Volume IX, Issue 1, begins page 53