text:
Invincible Valves has grown from strength to strength since its establishment. Originally, the company was established as a valve repair company and over time, it incorporated rubber lining and began to trade in new valve supplies.
"This later led to the birth of the Inval range of products. We have grown all these areas of the business over the years and have successfully managed to continue to offer all of these services and a greater variety of products," says Du Plessis.
The company places a great deal of importance on training their staff and offering opportunities to the youth of South Africa. According to Du Plessis, they believe upskilling is essential.
"The industry has a lack of young skilled people and, therefore, we are attempting to contribute to the selection pool of younger skilled artisans and labour force," she says.
A lack of knowledge in the valves industry has proven to be quite a challenge. In order to overcome this, the company provides intense in-house training as well as product training.
Du Plessis explains that their training policy allows for each and every employee to be trained along with technical high school scholars and anyone else showing an interest in the training opportunity.
Invincible Valves has completed the work on its new training facility at its factory in Knights and it is now planning a grand opening with the Mayor of Ekurhuleni. In the interim, however, Du Plessis says they are utilising the facility, which is a fully-equipped centre that can seat up to 20 candidates behind desks.
"The centre is equipped with a Bluetooth overhead projector, boards, laptops and valve cut away samples. The training we provide is a wide variety of modules that cover the following: Basic Business Skills, Introduction to Valves, Working with Valves, Control Valves, Product Training, Sales Training, Emotional Intelligence, Health & Wellness Training, which covers HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis and general wellness issues," explains Du Plessis.
This year, Pam du Plessis won an award in the "Over $5 million and up to $10 million in annual revenues" category at the prestigious 2017 Enterprising Women of the Year Award held in Florida.
The Enterprising Woman of the Year Awards is an annual tribute to the world's top women entrepreneurs. It is widely considered one of the most prestigious recognition programmes for woman business owners.
In order to win, nominees must demonstrate that they have fast-growth businesses, mentor or actively support other women and girls involved in entrepreneurship and stand out as leaders in their communities.
Award winners are recognised in seven categories and recipients of awards represent an amazing group of woman entrepreneurs from across the USA, Europe, UK, Canada and Africa.
This incredible accomplishment has meant a tremendous amount to Pam, both personally, as a woman in the engineering industry, and for the reputation of the company.
"For me personally, with it being a lifetime achievement award, I was honoured and proud to receive it. For the business, it has shown the market that we, Invincible Valves, are honourable and committed to our staff, industry and community," she says.
August may be women's month, but Du Plessis and Invincible Valves are committed to women's empowerment on a continuous basis.
"We don't only focus on the month of August, instead we run our empowerment programme all year round," she says, adding that they hold numerous mini-events throughout the year.
This is absolutely crucial, as the industry still has much room for improvement in terms of its views on women in positions of leadership.
"From my perspective, the industry is still not quite accepting of women in senior positions. With that said, I have noticed a slight positive change in the perception of the industry and would welcome even more," adds Du Plessis.
As a woman, it can be quite a challenge to succeed in a primarily male-dominated industry, as Du Plessis has experienced.
"The challenges are quite real as in you are not taken seriously, you can be isolated, as the assumption is that you won't or don't understand. Some find it rather amusing that you "think" you can survive, so they will put you through your paces to attempt to break you.
"The easiest way to overcome any of these issues is to apply emotional intelligence to all situations, educate yourself and deliver the facts. For me personally, the journey has been an absolute adventure and I have thoroughly enjoyed being challenged as it has encouraged me to learn more, to listen more, speak less and push my own boundaries," she explains.
Pam du Plessis is an inspiration to young women, particularly those who aspire to positions of leadership and her advice is emphatic, yet powerful.
"Simply be yourself. Understand that knowledge is power and there is absolutely no need to change who you are or the way you operate. Change triggers fear, consistency creates stability and attitude is your perspective," she says.
In terms of leadership, Invincible Valves has a well-balanced structure that allows them to work smarter and with more input. Du Plessis explains that they have corporate governance within their business with a Board of Directors made up of Executive, Non-Executive and Independent Directors.
"Leadership is all about guidance and direction. Most definitely not about domination, ruling or being the boss. We have a rather different way of leading in our company as we don't have the traditional hierarchy. Instead, we have the leader with a number of team leaders. These team leaders have teams of five or less giving us a greater opportunity to identify the individual needs of all team members as well as complete tasks more efficiently.
"This works for us because of our traditional family value system. Leadership allows for an open door policy, it allows the business to discuss and debate issues, it enables us to respect one another's opinions and, most of all, it creates the Invincible Valves Family," she concludes.


text:
A 9th planet, one that is not Pluto, exists in our solar system, according to a hypothesis put forward by a group of astronomers. But, can it be proven? New findings show that the theory might not be that far-fetched.
Some astronomers have made the case for a 9th planet in our solar system—one that is not Pluto. They have been discussing the possibility thereof, and we finally have new findings that showcase potential candidates.
The SkyMapper telescope of the Australian National University has been used by around 21,000 volunteers who, together, were able to browse through 100,000 images of a faraway region of our solar system where a mysterious 9th planet might be concealed from us. The group effort brought forth the labelling and classification of 5 million objects—a feat that would have, otherwise, taken decades to accomplish if only one astronomer did the job.
From this data, 4 different objects stood out: they are being considered as possible candidates for the elusive 9th planet.
These findings—the ones pertaining to the 4 mysterious objects—will now be analysed by professional astronomers. Maybe, at the end of a thorough examination conducted by experts, one of these heavenly bodies might be confirmed as a planet or a dwarf planet.
This theoretical planet is given many names. Some call it Planet Nine while others mention a more original name, planet Nibiru. It is believed by some that it is a rogue planet that was pulled into our solar system at a later time. However, as far as scientific evidence goes, we cannot as yet prove its existence. So, meanwhile, we should wait and watch, because the theories (both plausible ones, and mythical ones) are many, while facts are not known to us.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
We use them to give you the best experience. If you continue using our website, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on this website.
A short video demonstrating SAR Kuwait's treatment of OBM cuttings.
Follow the company to be always up to date with this company
SAR Kuwait: Oil-Based Mud Cuttings Treatment
SAR Awarded Environmental Prize in Kuwait
Visit SAR at ADIPEC 2016
SAR Invites You to Visit Our Stand at the ONS Exhibition
Go Top


text:
It's that time again! Scroll down for our top pinned images this week and why we think they're so popular. And don't forget to pin in along with us here!
This house is already so charming with natural shingles but when you pair it with white trim and a dark green door it adds a bold modern touch we can't get enough of.
We still love a good classic gray. This kitchen does it so well by mixing in marble, black, and natural touches.
This living space is the perfect mix of bright and bohemian!
As you've probably noticed by now, this deep green color is becoming one of our very favorites. We love how it's paired with blush here to create a subtle classy elegance.
Concrete, natural wood, and patterned tile? Yes times three!
One of our favorite looks is a pure white kitchen with an antique rug. This kitchen does it right by adding a dark counter top and patterned tile for contrast.


text:
Our Cows
We are currently milking cows of two breeds—Normandes, a French breed whose milk is prized for cheesemaking, and Jerseys, the familiar little brown cows with big black eyes. These cows thrive on a grass-based diet; their milk is rich in both butterfat and protein; they are hardy and live long, productive lives.
Normandes are a medium-sized breed originally from the Normandy region of France. They range in color from white with a few red spots (caille, or quail) to red and white spotted (blonde), to a predominantly red and black brindled pattern (bringee, or brindled). Normandes are a dual-purpose breed, meaning they are suitable for both milk and beef, and therefore are heavier and less bony than the Jerseys. They are very docile and friendly, like to have their tails scratched, and when the Jerseys manage to open the gate, the Normandes come and tell on them.
Jerseys are a smaller cow, originally from the British Channel island of Jersey. There is some evidence that Jerseys are descended from cattle stock that was brought to Isle of Jersey from the Norman mainland, meaning that we have two kinds of Norman cows on our farm! Jerseys are known for their rich buttery milk, their gentle disposition, their big black eyes, and their curious, inquisitive nature. If there is an open gate, or a hole in the fence, a Jersey will find it first. They are very interested in whatever the people are doing, and have been known to swindle their humans out of small change with shady card tricks.
Our Grass
Pasture is so much at the heart of Sidehill Farm Dairy that we often think of ourselves primarily as grass farmers. We work with the cows to manage the growth of the pastures. The pastures provide a balanced diet for the cows, which then provide us with milk high in Omega-3's and CLA. At the same time, the grass is actually building soil. How? After each grazing, the plants shed some older root material, before putting on a new flush of growth in both their tops and roots. The discarded roots (and manure!) become a food source for earthworms, insects, nematodes, and a great diversity of bacteria, which digest it into rich new soil, ready for use by the plants. This process requires no tilling or mechanical harvesting, and therefore requires no fossil fuels and results in no runoff or waste of any sort. It is powered by the sun and rain and millions of mouths, eating their way around the carbon cycle.
Our role in this system is mostly as managers. We move the cows to fresh grazing twice a day. This keeps the cows happy, as they always have enough fresh feed, and it keeps the milk flowing. But we are also managing the distribution of cow manure, and the growth rate of the grass. If it is allowed to grow too tall and mature, feed quality and palatability decrease. If it is grazed too short, regrowth slows, soil biological activity slows, solar energy goes unused, and less desirable plant species are favored. We constantly vary paddock sizes and stocking rates to maintain the quality of the grass.
We also test our soils every year, adding lime, minerals, and composted manure as needed to balance the diet of the system. And we pay a lot of attention to the mix of species that make up the sward. Our grass is much more than just grass — a botanist walking through our pastures would find more than 100 species of grasses, legumes, forbs, and other sundry seedlings of trees, shrubs, and annuals. This diversity allows the cows to balance their diets by seeking out the trace nutrients and botanicals needed to maintain their health. As needed, we overseed pastures and hayfields with clovers, to maintain diversity and a balance of species.


text:
Stella Phillips
I love sharing my Vegan, Vegetarian, Raw food and Raw Chocolate recipes. I teach vegan, raw food, health, wellness, Tai Chi, Qigong and Chocolate workshops. I am a Qualified Holistic Nutritional Therapist providing One to One health coaching and advice. I am a qualified Tutor and have over 14 years experience working alongside charities, schools, children centers, care homes and respite homes. I tailor my courses to suit specific learners. These include Coping with Stress, Healthy meals on a budget, Vegan made simple, Beauty from Within, Tai Chi, (adapted for learners with disabilities) Relaxation and Meditation.
I have practised the art of Tai Chi and Qigong for 15 years now.
I studied Tai Chi Chuan with the late Master Graham Horwood.
Graham is internationally renowned and was an amazing teacher who was very dedicated to Tai Chi he has wrote several books including Key to Health with Cures from West to East – A Complete Health Guide and Tai Chi Chuan and the Code Of Life. Graham was taught by Master Chu King Hung, third adopted son of Yang Shou Cheung. Yang Shou Cheung was the eldest son of Yang Cheng Fu.
Email me: firstname.lastname@example.com
Mobile: 07545982562
Health coaching/One to One
Complete Health & Wellness Systems for businesses and organisations
Team building Chocolate workshops
Skype/Phone sessions available
Facebook page: Vegan Goddess Edesias Banquet


text:
NOTE: In order to certify you must be an NFC Forum member. Learn more about membership.
Apply for Certification or Login
Thank you for registering to the NFC Forum Certification Program website . This certification program provides device manufacturers with a means of establishing that their products conform to the NFC Forum's published specifications. The certification program, as launched in December 2010, includes testing for analog, digital protocol, tag operations, LLCP and SNEP specifications.
All of the documents you need to prepare for certification can be found in the Navigation Bar on the right. Please refer to the Certification Policy, registration forms and testing documentation prior to beginning the process.
To begin the certification process:
Get Started With Your Certification
- Login to the Certification Website – 1st time users will need to fill out an on-line application form to register
- Review the certification fees & forms found from the right hand navigation
- Pay your certification fees
- Download & fill-out certification forms
- Upload your certification forms and testing documentation to the certification website
After your certification payment has been received, you will be allowed to upload your certification forms and testing documentation to the website. You may reuse your username and password multiple times to access the certification website.
Once all forms, testing documentation and payments have been received and reviewed, you will be notified about the status of your certification. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
Logging In
To log in to the NFC Forum Certification System, enter your certification Username and Password and click Log in. If you do not have a Username and Password, click Create a new user account above.
After logging in, you can upload the certification documents. Please contact the NFC Forum certification administrator if you have any questions.


text:
Blue: Support | Light Green: Plurality opposed | Dark Green: Majority opposed
On this week's America Visualized, we take a look at public opinion on state-recognized same-sex marriages. All data used in making the maps above comes from the PRRI, the Public Religion Research Institute.
Continue reading "Visualized: American Public Opinion on Same-Sex Marriage"


text:
SolarWinds Helps Combat Industrial Cyber Threats
Written by SolarWinds
A leading provider of industrial cyber security solutions that focuses on protecting process industry facilities recommends SolarWinds IT management solutions to combat the growing risk of industrial cyber security threats and vulnerabilities. By offering a portfolio of scalable tools, services, and support, their global teams of certified network and security professionals help secure critical infrastructure components and create a safer and more reliable IT environment for client organizations.
The cyber security consultants employ a phased approach to identify security vulnerabilities and help industrial facilities strengthen their IT security processes. First, they assess end-users' assets to identify vulnerabilities according to regulatory requirements as well as industry standards and best practices to identify vulnerabilities and to offer a phased approach to ensure industrial cyber security. Then they focus on minimizing security vulnerability to cyber events, reducing the impact and recovery time of incidents, and improving system performance. In the next phase, they evaluate the facility's system and technology management processes and how their workflows and procedures are implemented. Finally, they monitor the facility's IT infrastructure monitoring to ensure that the cyber security processes are operating as expected and according to industry regulations.
For effective IT infrastructure monitoring, they have recommended and implemented SolarWinds IT management solutions for over 200 customers worldwide. According to cyber security Engineer, Steve Norfolk, "We recommend SolarWinds due to the modularity and scalability of the offerings. After we assess the network for threats and needs, the end customer can make the final decision on what devices and applications are critical for monitoring."
At a minimum, customers implement Network Performance Monitor (NPM) to monitor network devices, key services, and servers. "NPM provides a number of functions. It reports on the availability of network devices, is the first line of detection for increases in network traffic, provides device details, and allows for the creation and distribution of custom security reports."
The company also recommends User Device Tracker (UDT) to enhance cyber security. By creating a white list for MAC addresses that should be on the network, the monitoring team is immediately alerted when a device that's not on the white list appears on the network. The monitoring team can then track the suspect device to the physical port the device is connected to. UDT detection and monitoring reinforces cyber security by actively alerting IT teams about unauthorized devices attempting to communicate on the network.
Other SolarWinds products include IP Address Manager to look for duplicate IP addresses and monitor DHCP scopes, and Server & Application Monitor for reporting on Windows® services.
"SolarWinds offers more frequent and proactive updates along with being more cost effective when looking at the total cost of ownership. Plus, the ability to download and demonstrate is very important to our customers during their evaluation."


text:
Is A Cane Or A Walker A Better Choice For Your Loved One?
Aging can be difficult for your loved one, especially if they have to become dependent upon mobility aids to get around. Bad joints, hip or knee surgery, or balance issues usually come with strict doctor's orders to use a cane or a walker to get around. Helping your loved one choose the right one depends on several factors.
Why Do They Need Help?
Canes are generally used for those that only need a bit of help. They are best for minor injuries or slight balance issues, not for both. If your loved one has a trick knee or trouble navigating curbs and steps, a cane is usually all they need.
For those with more major injuries, such as two knees that sometimes give out, recent hip surgery, or severe arthritis, the better support and balance provided by a walker is the better choice.
Are There Maneuverability Issues?
Sometimes, a combination of both a walker and a cane is the best option. For example, if the room arrangement,
How Far Do They Usually Travel?
If your loved one enjoys long walks or uses public transportation to get around, you may want to consider getting them a walker for these longer trips. Many walker designs come with built in seats, which ensures they always have a place to rest when necessary. Walkers can also double as shopping trolleys, so they won't stress themselves more by carrying heavy bags.
Do Any Restrictions Exist?
This is where talking with their doctor is most important. The following health restrictions may help determine which tool is better to use.
Lifting restrictions. If your loved one has
liftingrestrictions in place, a cane may be out of the question since they must support their body weight awkwardly on one side. In this case, use a rolling walker so they won't have to lift anything.
Poor upper body strength. If
balanceis good, a cane is a possibility. Otherwise, a rolling walker is a better idea. Do not use a non-rolling walker because it may be too heavy to lift.
Extreme balance issues or vertigo. Skip the
caneand go with a lift or rolling walker for better support.
A balance test may also be used to determine which is better. For example, if your loved one can travel reasonably well over an uneven surface with only minimal assistance, and they can take steps forward, backward, and sideways without help, they can usually get away with only a cane.
Remember, using a mobility aid can hurt the pride of some people. Be kind and understanding about their reservations, but insistent that they use the help they need to move around safely. To find out more about mobility aids, visit a website like http://www.twincitystairlifts.com.


text:
Honduras shows Latin America's 'strongman' is Jim DeMint
WASHINGTON — Sen. Jim DeMint, a South Carolina Republican known for his efforts to influence domestic immigration and health-care issues, has scored a foreign-policy coup by helping to compel the Obama administration to shift its stance on strife-ridden Honduras.
After demanding for months that deposed Honduran President Mel Zelaya be restored to power, senior State Department officials now say they'll accept the outcome of Nov. 29 elections in the Central American country even if Zelaya doesn't reclaim his post.
"We support the elections process there," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said Thursday. "We have provided technical assistance. ... These elections will be important to restoring Democratic and constitutional order in Honduras."
That position is a marked change from the tough stance President Barack Obama took in the days following the June 28 removal of Zelaya, when Honduran soldiers launched a dawn raid and whisked him away in his pajamas.
"We believe that the coup was not legal and that President Zelaya remains the democratically elected president there," Obama said the day after Zelaya's ouster.
DeMint, by contrast, cited a Honduran Supreme Court ruling, later approved by the Honduran Congress, that the military had followed constitutional provisions in removing Zelaya and installing Roberto Micheletti as interim president.
While the U.S. government froze aid and took other punitive steps, DeMint held up two State Department nominations all summer and into the fall.
Christopher Sabatini, policy director at the Council of Americas, a New York-based organization of international businesses, said DeMint has had a major impact on the Obama administration's evolving response to the Honduran strife.
"DeMint's role has been disproportionate to his interest in Latin America," Sabatini said. "He chose to take a stand on this, and he plunged headlong into it. He drew a line in the sand."
In August, a report by the nonpartisan Library of Congress concurred with DeMint, saying that Zelaya's ouster was legal, though it said Honduran soldiers had overstepped the law in secreting him out of the country.
Zelaya, an ally of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, snuck back into Honduras on Sept. 21. He's holed up in the Brazilian Embassy there, sleeping on a couch, wearing his trademark Stetson, giving interviews and greeting various dignitaries.
DeMint, the only senator to have visited Honduras during the crisis, stopped blocking the U.S. diplomatic posts on Nov. 5. He said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had given him her word that the United States would no longer insist on Zelaya's return to power, a claim Clinton aides haven't disputed.
"I'm very thankful that President Obama and Secretary Clinton have finally taken the side of the Honduran people and have committed to letting them choose their own future," DeMint told McClatchy on Saturday.
Zelaya accused the U.S. leaders of abandoning him.
"They have left us in the middle of the river, saying now that their priority is the elections and not the restoration of democracy," Zelaya said Friday on a Costa Rican radio station.
While DeMint's opposition played a key role in forcing the U.S. policy shift, he got a big assist from Zelaya.
At the time of his removal, Zelaya was seeking to annul a constitutional clause limiting the president to a single term and to hold a referendum on the change.
When lawmakers refused to support the referendum, Zelaya imported ballots from Chavez, the flamboyant anti-American Venezuelan leader with whom he'd earlier concluded a major oil-import deal at discounted prices.
Once ensconced in the Brazilian Embassy, the deposed Zelaya said "Israeli mercenaries" were trying to kill him with poison gas and described broad conspiracies behind his ouster. He later apologized for the claim about Israel.
Latin America experts who know Zelaya say it's hardly an understatement to call him eccentric.
"He has no ideological or intellectual convictions whatsoever," said Sabatini, the analyst at the Council of Americas.
"His ideology has always been a melange of strange theories pulled from odd places that have no coherence and no bearing on reality," Sabatini said. "What he got from Chavez is oil and money. He was bought and paid for by Chavez."
As part of a broader effort to reverse President George W. Bush's often unilateral foreign policy, Obama has tried to mend fences with Chavez, even shaking hands with him at their first meeting in April.
Chavez, who called Bush "the devil" in 2006, has praised Obama while continuing to attack U.S. influence in Latin America.
In his new venture into international affairs, DeMint, entering the last year of his first Senate term, has reprised the role of the late Sen. Jesse Helms.
From his perch on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Helms, a North Carolina Republican, would dispatch aides and occasionally travel himself on unannounced foreign trips to meet with anti-Communist governments and groups.
Before his visit to Honduras in early October, DeMint used Helms' tactic of blocking White House nominations to effect change.
DeMint, who sits on the foreign relations panel, put holds on Obama's choices of Arturo Valenzuela to be assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs and Tom Shannon to be ambassador to Brazil.
Shannon, a Bush administration holdover, previously held the senior State Department post for which the Senate confirmed Valenzuela on Nov. 5 after DeMint lifted his hold. Other Republican senators now are blocking a vote on Shannon in a separate dispute over Obama's policy toward Cuba.
In Honduras, neither Zelaya nor Micheletti are on the Nov. 29 ballot, but their political parties have leading candidates.
Zelaya's insistence that he be restored to power is partly symbolic since his term ends in three months, but his earlier attempts to extend his tenure spur doubts that he would leave office quietly.
Under a U.S.-brokered accord last month, Zelaya would stop urging his followers to boycott the Nov. 29 elections and would work with Micheletti to form a "national unity government."
The accord doesn't guarantee that Zelaya would be restored to power, but in recent days he's accused the United States of reneging on secret assurances he claims to have received from Washington.
Obama's break with Zelaya is at odds with the views of some Democratic lawmakers.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky, an Illinois Democrat, called for Zelaya's return to power Thursday after a three-day visit to Honduras.
Schakowsky said she'd seen widespread evidence of human-rights abuses under Micheletti, including the violent dispersal of peaceful protesters and a clampdown on Honduran journalists.
"I myself was filmed as I left the 1/8Brazilian3/8 embassy by a uniformed soldier in a ski mask," Schakowsky told reporters in a conference call from Miami International Airport.
Schakowsky said she'd met with Zelaya, who "was very calm and upbeat and did not seem agitated or tense in any way despite the number of weeks he's been inside the Brazilian Embassy."
More than 240 professors and Latin America scholars from around the country Wednesday sent Obama a letter denouncing "the innumerable and grave human rights abuses committed by the coup government in Honduras."
State Department spokesman Kelly on Thursday deflected questions from reporters asking about the alleged abuses.
"I'm just not aware of those reports," Kelly said. "I think that we would need to have more details about it for us to really comment."
(Tyler Bridges in Caracas, Venezuela, and Lesley Clark in Washington contributed to this article.)
Deal to restore ex-president languishes in Honduran Congress
Honduran regime's crackdown on dissent condemned
Curfew ordered in Honduras as ousted leader holes up
Uribe's flu reminds even presidents to wash their hands
Would-be Zelaya successor is Honduras coup's other victim
Despite Chavez's efforts, Peru isn't buying into his dream
China makes its move as U.S. falls back in Latin America
Latin America's populist leaders are sharing hard times
Follow South American news at McClatchy's Inside South America
Check out McClatchy's politics blog: Planet Washington


text:
Tape nowadays seems to be outdated as a backup device especially with the introduction of more efficient ways such as cloud backup and hard drives. These devices are more efficient and have larger storing capacity. Nonetheless, some organizations are still using tape to restore data. Though we know that it is no longer fashionable like other forms of storage, in this article we look at whether the tape is still a viable form of storage. Tapes are presently being used in some areas for backup and archiving.
Is Tape Backup Still popular in 2017?
Tapes are likely to survive extinction due to the massive accumulation of volumes of data in modern data centers. Unlike people's expectation, tapes are no longer huge and do not run through a complex computation. The latest tape's drive uses cartridges which can hold data of up to 15TB.
Tape storage is facing challenges from the advancement in data center industry. Storage devices that are flash-based have developed new tiers that have higher IOPS and low latency. Hard drive manufacturers have also responded to the rapid changes in the industry by increasing the storage density of rotating media which have lowered the cost of gigabytes. Cloud storage such as Amazon Glacier is commonly being used by most business because it offers offsite backup which has a lower cost per gigabytes and it is easy to transfer data through the internet. Hence, this has led to the replacement of tape drives as the backup system.
However, this does not mean that tape storage is becoming irrelevant. The new tape is still being used in finance or legal sectors that require data that have not been tampered with, and it is possible to prove that the data has not been altered by using the Write-once-read-many (WORM).
Many organizations will still be using tapes for some time. Even though the disk is cheap, the organization needs to protect their investment and hence will not just throw away their tape libraries.
Unlike spinning disk, the tape is cheaper to maintain. Though the drive is cheap, it has a higher ongoing operational cost due to the constant requirement of power for spinning.
Most businesses have shifted to cloud storage which has led to an increase in the volume of customer's data this has created a problem for the cloud service provider; they are continually looking for more storage capacity to meet customer's needs. This process has led them to use the tape as the optimal solution.
Some of the important advantage of tape over other forms of storage is the low price points compared to other media storage. It also has a potential longevity of about several decades if it is maintained and kept at low temperature and humidity. Companies can use them as an additional backup which is a secure offsite backup. Small business can use tape because it is cheaper and requires lesser workforce.
A business with a small IT department could opt for tape as a storage option because it is easier t get a Quikstation which they can use as a library.
Local laws that demand that data should remain in their country of origin has helped the tape to stay relevant because another form of storage such as the cloud service does not offer a way in which data can be stored and remain in the country of origin. Once they comply with this law it might cause extinction in the tape as a storage medium.
Pros and Cons of tape storage
Some of the fundamental advantages of tape are its durability and affordability. The storage capacity of their cartridges is as much as that of HDDs. However, some of the challenges of using tape as a medium of storage are the increased delay while trying to transfer a file from tapes. Hence, the cloud services and hard disks offer a better transfer solution than the tape. The fact that buying a cassette after you have the equipment to record and run data is cheaper has helped the tape to survive through the recent advancement.
Presently tape is still a relevant form of storage especially in a legal organization which is a mandatory requirement and also due to its durability which many organization has to retain because of protecting their investment.


text:
Exempt Wells: Attorney General Weighs In
YAKIMA, Wash. -- The Washington Department of Ecology has legal authority to forbid new water wells, including the small, individual wells being tapped for new homes in Kittitas County, concludes an opinion from the state Office of the Attorney General.
In a 16-page opinion released Tuesday, the attorney general provided the state agency some legal backing in its efforts to regulate groundwater but also indicated there are limits.
The attorney general said Ecology can't rely on negotiated agreements with counties to reduce the amount of water that can be drawn from such wells. Doing so, the opinion said, would be a modification of state law.


text:
It's been one heck of an expensive week for us. Firstly, over the bank holiday weekend there was a power cut which spiked the ice cream freezer, this wasn't picked up until next day, by which time of course all we had left was one huge puddle…. couldn't save any of it. So that was £200 lost, plus the freezer was defunct, it would never freeze again. So what would we do? If we decided not to buy another freezer then we would lose all our customers?
Then, whilst going for the bread and papers early one morning, I saw one of the local fireman put an electric bike outside the fire station for sale. I stopped and enquired how much? I paid £150 for it and bless them they charged it up for new and brought it up to site for me.
Finally, on Tuesday after finishing work, I came into the awning, quite literally falling over the entrance, and flat on my face… I'd tried to hold onto the awning door flap and it just ripped right out of my hands at the seams. We did try a temporary sewing repair but any strong winds would have shredded the annexe and possibly taken the main awning.
I rang the suppliers and they have found us a replacement. This arrived next day delivery, so after having a team building session with Janet and Pete we are back to square one again.


text:
Our agency has inventory of all license plates and Florida titles On-Site for your convenience
Most license plates expire at midnight of the registered owner's birthday. You may
renew your registration up to 90 days prior to the expiration date. To renew, the
following items are required:
Mobile homes are required to be registered with a current decal at all times, even
when unoccupied. Mobile home decals expire December 31st of each year. The fee to
register a mobile home is determined by the length of the mobile home. A doublewide
mobile home requires separate registration for each side. Failure to register every
year will result in delinquent tax.
If you currently have a regular mobile home decal, and you own the land your mobile
home is affixed to, do not renew your regular mobile home decal. A permanent real
property decal is required.
Disabled persons must have either a current Florida Driver license or a Florida Identification card
issued by the Florida Division of Driver Licenses. A new form 83039 must be completed by the
disabled person and the certifying authority within the last 12 months in order to renew.
To surrender your Florida license plate, please bring the license plate to the office.
If the license plate is not available a surrender plate affidavit is needed along
with a copy of driver license.
When insurance is canceled and motor vehicle records indicate the vehicle is still
registered in your name with a valid license plate, the Bureau of Financial Responsibility,
Division of Driver Licenses requires that the license plate be canceled to avoid
a driver license suspension.
Failure to surrender your license plate when you sell your vehicle and are not transferring
the plate to a replacement vehicle will also result in a driver license suspension.
When you surrender your plate, a new vehicle registration will be printed indicating
the license plate is canceled. Retain the "Surrendered Registration" receipt. This
may be used to exempt the $225 initial registration fee when a replacement vehicle
is registered.
Driver license or passport is required.
The registered owner must be present or a Power of Attorney
from the registered owner is required.
NOTE: For the Non-Exempt Vehicles if the receipted stamp is unclear or not dark
enough the customer must provide proof of payment which includes the front and back
of the cancelled check, a bank statement indicating the amount of tax paid or electronic
acknowledgement indicating a payment of tax, or an IRS printout of the taxpayer's
account showing the amount of tax paid. NOTE: For Exempt vehicles if the receipted
stamp is unclear or not dark enough the customer must provide the original receipted
IRS Schedule 1, Form 2290 in order for the clerk to make a darker copy and confirm
that they saw and could read the stamp.
Any member of the United States Armed Forces, his or her spouse or dependent child,
who is not a Florida resident but is in this state while in compliance with military
orders, can maintain their out-of-state license plates, if current. If you choose
to purchase Florida license plates, the following items must be submitted for the
first issuance and updated documentation must be presented each year for renewal.
NOTE: A specialty license plate may be issued at the applicant's request.
Personalized license plates may be ordered and/or renewed at our office. The initial
plate can be applied for at any time; however, the vehicle must have a current registration
at the time of application.
The personalized plate fee plus a tag replacement fee as well as any
specialty tag fee (if applicable) is required for the initial order. Please allow
at least 60 days for processing.
Each year, the personalized plate fee as well as any specialty tag
fee (if applicable) is added to the license plate renewal fee.
When choosing to personalize your license plate remember that regular graphic license
plates can have up to 7 characters including spaces. Left graphic specialty plates
can have up to 5 while 6 characters are allowed for motorcycle plates. Your selection
will NOT automatically be centered so utilize spaces accordingly.
Check availability of your proposed configuration here
If your license plate and/or decal has been lost or stolen you must contact your
local law enforcement agency to report the loss or theft. You must provide the police
report number when filling out the application for a replacement plate or decal.
Only the registered owner of the vehicle can apply for a replacement plate and/or
decal by providing personal identification in the form of a Driver License or Identification
card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, a passport or
a U.S. military I.D. card.
A parking permit is available to any individual with permanent mobility problems
or who is certified as legally blind.
An application form 83039 must be completed
by the disabled person and the certifying authority within the last 12 months.
Out of country authorities are not acceptable. The physician's license number must
be entered when the certifying authority is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
or a Physician Assistant.
The disability must be certified by one of the following:
Disabled persons must have either a current Florida Driver license or a Florida
Identification card issued by the Florida Division of Driver Licenses. The parking
permit will be issued for a period up to four years and will expire on the disabled
person's birthday.
A frequent traveler must check the box on the application form if they frequently
travel by plane, train, bus or boat and need one permit to park their vehicle at
the place of departure and another one to use at their destination. There are other
situations when a second permit may be issued.
EXAMPLE: When a disabled individual must leave a permit in a motor-home
that is parked in a handicapped parking space in the park and needs the second permit
to use in another vehicle.
A wheelchair symbol suffix license plate may be issued to a disabled person who
owns or co-owns a vehicle and qualifies for a parking permit.
Vehicles with disabled parking placards or wheelchair license plates displayed may
park at parking meters free of charge unless otherwise posted. Meters with posted
maximum time limits are enforced after a four hour time period (FS 316.1964). The
vehicle must be transporting the disabled person.
If your permanent parking permit has been lost or stolen, you may get a replacement.
Disabled persons renewing or replacing a parking permit must submit an application
completed and certified by a medical provider within the last 12 months.
Temporary parking permits are available for any individual with a temporary disability
certifiable by one of the following:
An application form 83039 must be completed
by the disabled person and the certifying authority within the last 12 months.
Out of country authorities are not acceptable. The physician's license
number must be entered when the certifying authority is an Advanced Registered Nurse
Practitioner or a Physician Assistant.
The permit expiration date is determined by your physician and shall not exceed
6 months.
To transfer ownership of a motor vehicle or mobile home titled in Florida, you must
bring the following to the office:
To register a vehicle previously titled out-of-state, please bring the following
documents to the office.
Out-of-state title certificate in your name or assigned to you. If recording a lien,
the lien holder's name, address and date of lien are required.
If your vehicle is titled in your name but is financed, and the title is being held
by the lien holder, submit complete lien holder information including account number,
lien holder name and fax number and your current registration.
If your vehicle is leased, a copy of the lease agreement is required. In addition,
submit complete lien holder information including account number, lien holder name
and fax number and your current registration.
* NO Vehicle Identification reading needed for vessels
To title a motor vehicle that was purchased while stationed out of the country you
must bring the following to the office:
Military title & registration or out of country title and registration that reflects
the complete motor vehicle information (year, make VIN, expiration date) and ownership
information. If the vehicle was purchased while out of the country, Florida sales
tax will be due on the declared value of the vehicle at the time of applying for
If the vehicle has never been titled or registered and there is a loan on the vehicle,
the lien holder may have the original Manufacturers Certificate of Origin. In order
for our office to title the vehicle we must have the original Manufacturers Certificate
of Origin. Florida sales tax will be paid on the purchase price less any trade.
A bill of sale must be furnished showing the price paid to the dealership.
EXCEPTION: Any Florida resident on active military duty out of
state (applying for Florida title on a used vehicle with proof of ownership from
a foreign country), may have their VIN verified by any out of state law enforcement
officer or military law enforcement authority.
Only the registered owner or lien holder on record may apply for a duplicate Florida
title. The title certificate can be issued onsite for an additional fee.
A Power of Attorney
is required by all third party recipients.
If there is an outstanding lien, only the lien holder can apply for a duplicate
title. If the lien has been satisfied but still shows on our database, a lien satisfaction
form must be submitted with the duplicate application.
The Application for Duplicate
Florida Title may be submitted to the office. In order to process the transaction,
the applicant must present personal identification in the form of a driver's license
or identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles,
a passport or U.S. military ID card.
If you have recently moved, proof of your new address must be submitted at time
of application.
If your vehicle is titled in another state, you must apply for the duplicate title
through the motor vehicle division of that state.
If you have purchased a new vehicle from a Florida dealership, the dealer is required
by law to process the application for title and registration.
If you have purchased a new untitled vehicle from an out-of-state dealership, the
following is required:
When you sell, dispose of or transfer ownership of a vehicle, vessel or mobile home,
avoid civil liability for their operation by filing a notice of sale. Retain copies
of the notice of sale, bill of sale, certificate of title and other evidence for
your records.
The Notice of Sale should
be submitted to the office.
The DMV database will be updated to reflect the sale, however the ownership status
will not change until the purchaser applies for title. Your registration information
associated with the title will be detached. The vehicle, vessel or mobile home will
no longer be legally registered and cannot be operated until the purchaser applies
for a valid registration.
Fast Title and print electronic service is available at the office. Upon request, the title certificate
will be issued on site for an additional fee.
All services provided quickly and efficiently with minimal wait time


text:
I got to go to a Patreon Bootcamp in Seattle this week, where I was really inspired to help my fans and followers know about all the things I am imagining creating, and inviting you along on the journey to making them happen. My Patreon patrons are making it possible for me to imagine how I will continue creating psych infographics beyond grad school. Future project in the works include:
- a mental health activity book
- a monthly set of sketchnotes summarizing emerging psych research into a quick & readable format for professionals
- and a free e-course on making doodlenotes.
If this sounds like work you want to support or access, sign up via the button below:
I'm posting the notes from Bootcamp for fellow creatives and as a reminder that free content is NEVER free, and artists are often working hard to hustle the resources needed to create. The internet allows us to consume art with no cost, but artists always pay a price to create- in time, in supplies, and in their vulnerability. I hope you all love the content I post free, and I hope that one day you might sign on for a season of being a patron to help keep it coming.
Creativity vs. Scarcity
Although it's a bit out of my typical genre, I'm posting these notes because I believe in "open source art." I.e. everyone should have access to resources to create (which is why I publish tutorials after developing a new technique instead of keeping methods secret).
Many of us grew up with a scarcity mindset- or were indoctrinated into it by politics. When we believe "there is not enough for me" we limit the resources we offer to others. Relationally, this leads to emotional shutdown and cutoff. Financially, it leads to economic slumps. And artistically it creates stagnation of imagination and a hostile environment where creativity cannot grow.
Because I care about nurturing community where artists thrive and support one another through various resources (I've loved adopting new creators through Patreon as my own support has grown) I wanted to post my sketchnotes to help other creatives build a supportive fan base.
At the Patreon Bootcamp, a team of staff members from Patreon (based in San Fransisco) hosted a 2 hour "bootcamp" for 20 or so of Seattle's Patreon creators. I lucked out- as the event booked-up almost immediately and, as luck would have it, was being hosted less than a block from my apartment! Initially planning to just swing by on the way home from picking up my CSA at Pike Place Market and sneak out if it was underwhelming, I was thrilled to find (even as a life-long artist and 20-year-alum of e-commerce and digital marketing) the teaching was really valuable. Although my just-on-time arrival meant I missed a seat at the table, these sketchnotes created on my lap turned out pretty ok!


text:
Jenny DeMarco has been photographing professionally since 2009 and is known for her friendly and warm personality that compliments her art and reflects her devotion she gives to her exclusive clients. Jenny is based in Austin, Texas and has photographed weddings through out the United States, the Caribbean and Europe. She lives with her redheaded fiery Irish husband, adorable baby Cora, and their sweet natured black lab pup, Jack.
Published both locally and nationally, Jenny's award winning work and personal approach ensures your wedding is documented in a heartfelt and authentic way.
"There is nothing I enjoy more than creating beautiful imagery and telling compelling stories through my photographs."
Winner of 4 Fearless Photographer Awards
Noted as "Austin's Best of the Best" by Austin Monthly 2012
The Knot's Best in Weddings - 2012
Winner Austin Fashion Week - 2010
Work featured in print for
The Knot Texas Magazine, Austin American Statesman, Austin Monthly Magazine, Austin Wedding Guide,
Austin Wedding Day Magazine and Crave: The Urban Girls Manifesto (book)
Published works online:
Southern Weddings Magazine, Style Me Pretty. Style Me Pretty - Texas, Brooklyn Bride
The Perfect Wedding, Style Unveiled
Member of PPA, and Fearless Photographers
Assignment Editor for the Foundation Workshop FW11
Student at FW10, and FW9
Documentary, Glamour , High Fashion, Natural Light, Photojournalistic, Traditional


text:
Summer Concert Series 2017
Monday June 12, 2017
The First Annual Summer Concert Series event will be held at Stonebridge Shopping Center, Midlothian Tpk West at Chippenham Pkwy on Thursday June 22, July 13, and August 10. Come enjoy live musi,c local brew by Steambell Beer Works, wine by Winebox, yummy eats by Qdoba, fun games, and a great evening out!
All of the proceeds from the event will go to GRASP. GRASP are financial aid advisors who help students and families with financial aid scholarships. They want to make students' high education goals become reality.
The free event will be between 6PM - 9PM and the parking will start at 5:30PM. Food and drink tickets will be available at the event - cash or credit. There will be a local band entertaining during each event. On June 22, The Rise, on July 13, Steve & Casey, and on August 10, Soul Proprietors. This event is open to the public so bring your friends and enjoy a night out!
For more information about the event check out Element of Stonebridge Facebook page!


text:
This beautiful -So Hot Bag is the perfect mix of practical, exotic and chic. Hand made in Colombia by women from the Wayuu tribe, this bag took 10-15 days to weave and is one-of-a-kind.Featuring the most amazing multiple Tassel that you can take off and use it in another bags when you want. This is the perfect statement bag for your days on the beach!By purchasing one of these bags you are helping sustain the economic growth of the Wayuu tribe. Giving back has never looked so chic!
Chila bags offer exchanges and credit notes as they wants you to be happy with your purchases. They offer credit notes which are valid for 12 months and can be redeemed online.
Please choose carefully as Chila Bags is unable to provide refunds unless an item is faulty. If you are unsure or have any questions, please contact firstname.lastname@example.com or call us on +57 3128685019 for help making your purchase. Requests for exchange must be made within 7 days of receiving your order.
Returns will only be accepted if items are returned unworn, with the original sale tags attached and in the condition that they were received. Please note that they are unable to offer returns or exchanges on sale items unless an item is faulty.All returned items must be shipped via express or registered mail to the designers mailing address as below:
Chila BagsCalle 13 # 34-31Antigua sala de ventas, Edificio TriangleMedellin, ColombiaPostal Code: 050021
Please email customer service for a return approval before shipping back the package.
If you refuse a shipment from Chila Bags, you are responsible for the original shipping charges and the cost of returning the package to Chila Bags. This amount will be deducted from your merchandise refund.
If you provide us with a wrong shipping address, we are not responsible for the re-occuring shipping fee.
Blog posts
Not unlike the allure of its namesake city, New York Fashion Week has long held a reputation for blurring the line between toughness and romance.
On Sunday June 17 2018, COCONAUTICAL will launch nine coveted collections in its first concession at TOPSHOP's flagship store on Oxford Street.
Does your makeup soothe and calm your sensitive skin? Donore by The Organic Face is the ultra-gentle, vitamin-rich cosmetics line launched by makeup artist Noreen Diani. Made with organic jojoba oil, lemon, aloe, rose hip and more, Donore cosmetics is all natural and won't break you out!


text:
Carp (goldfish or koi)
The rivers are really lacking in fish variety compared to the oceans. Maybe there could be plain carp in the rivers, which could then be converted into different varieties of goldfish or koi. This could be done by feeding the fish a gold ingot or gold bar (GOLDfish). Maybe you could make golden sea grass instead similar to a golden carrot or apple to feed them if that would make more sense.
They would look really nice if someone wanted to build a pond outside, and it would be neat to have a fish you can interact with other than killing it.
10 Comments
Post a new comment:
Please sign in to leave a comment.
First vote! Great idea! But, could you add more info, like how the fish would look like. I love the idea, though!
Lacking in fish? Please, a youtuber discovered that there are over 3,000 fish in Minecraft! But I still like the idea that deserves a vote :)
I'm new so I'm not sure if there is a way to ping people, but hopefully both commenters can see this!
@StarKittychu : They could have a few different skins--yellow, orange, red, black, grey, and white and combinations of those colors. Pretty much they could just have colors and patterns that real koi and goldfish have. Maybe have a few set patterns with the colors inside randomized similar to the tropical fish in oceans. Or just a few set skins.
@Alexandr Kulashko : I didn't mean there is no variety, there is definitely a lot of variety in oceans! But in rivers, all you seem to see is salmon which is a bit boring compared to oceans.
That's awesome!
:3 I like this idea!
I made this post a while ago, but thinking back on it, I would like to say that a whole new food item for converting carp to goldfish wouldn't be necessary. Pet goldfish can actually eat carrots (if cooked) so a golden carrot would do just fine.
Maybe add a lake biome where these can spawn as well?
We need carp and more freshwater fish. Domesticating fish seems neat too, but feeding them gold ingots or bars? I donno. Also golden sea grass? No thanks. Too many suggestions for a single post, hard to agree with everything.
I would like to see koi that you can pick up with a bucket
Good idea and the different types of koi and goldfish manly the butterfly koi


text:
I can't think of anything better than when a company hires you to do exactly what you love to do. Can you?! This was the case a few weeks ago when Oliberte asked me to help design and put together a gift for attendees at an upcoming conference here in the city. Oh, you want me to dream up a craft, then meander around paper stores testing out products and pretty pens and then purchase said things and put them together for you? [cut to me doing a full on song and dance around my apartment!] I was convinced they had been given a key into the inner workings of the 'dream day' section of my thoughts!
Little background :: Oliberte is the first company to make premium leather shoes in Africa using only African materials and then directly linking the sale of those shoes here in the states to job creation back in Africa. It's a smart model... as the model doesn't just aid Africa, it helps create opportunities in Africa (BIG difference). Each shoe is hand stitched in Ethiopia from local free-range cows and sheep. Most recently, they have expanded to include some really slick men's leather bags.
Given the simplicity of the company, their main focus of creating jobs and incomes for families...... we decided it was best to create a very earthy and cost efficient piece. Their motto isn't to be flashy, but to create sustainability. I'd say this piece conveys that perfectly!
- ink jet printer
- twine
- Using an ink jet printer (or go to your local Staples printing center), print out the paragraph or photo, onto the wood paper.
- Holding the paper horizontal (or landscape orientation) fold the side in a third of the way. Rotate the paper so it's vertical (the tall way) and fold the top and bottom sides in, being sure to tuck one side under the other. I made sure that one side only went halfway across the other as to create a place for the wax stamp to sit.
- After you've passed the hours folding away (I watched a movie while doing these!), then prep the wax stamp.
- With wax stamping, be sure to have some ice cubes in water on hand to cool off the stamp in-between uses. Stamp each, holding the stamp for 30 seconds until it cools and dries.
- After stamping, measure and cut the twine to the desired length.
- Tie each folded piece now with the twine into a bakers cross. Basically wrap the twine around length wise and then twist, then wrap it around width wise, then tie in a bow.
- All done!


text:
Lofa Caucus breaks silence on Mt. Wologizis negotiation
(elbcradio.com/Sept. 4, 2015)-The Lofa County Legislative Caucus has broken silence on the negotiation and subsequent exploration of the Wologizi Mountain.
The Caucus said the Wologizi exploration is now opened to interested companies.
The Lofa County Legislative Caucus Chairperson, Moses Kollie, said companies have expressed interest in the Wologizi, but failed to name the investors.
Representative Kollie noted: "Negotiation of the Wologizi Mountain, Lofa County's last reserved, will be firstly decided by the Executive Branch of Government and all Lofa Citizens."
The Lofa County Caucus Chairperson made the statement recently when the Caucus received a cash donation of over one hundred twenty thousand Liberian Dollars (LD120, 000.00) at the Capital in Monrovia.
The money, to aid recent storm victims in the county, was presented by the Lofa County Citizens residing in the United States of America (USA).


text:
Copyright 2016 Ricoh Singapore Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
International companies and top retailers worldwide are seeking ways to generate profits from advanced processes in their operations, promotions, merchandising, human resources, and security management. Video based solutions are not just systems utilized for surveillance, but also as a solution with intelligent and analytical ability, creating great value in the retail environment. Investment on a video based solution is a great opportunity to reap the benefits of more efficient business operations and better security management at the same time.
Protecting the goods from damage and loss, and delivering them within the estimated arrival time are the most critical missions that logistics companies have to accoplish. However, the logistics business deals with thousands of goods and people, and therefore involves complex operation processes that cannot be efficiently accomplished only by human efforts. Our video based system is just what you need to substantially optimize your logistics business. By investing on this solution, you will be able to enjoy the benefits of more efficient operations and better security management at the same time.


text:
FIFA 2003 Original Xbox
List Price: $29.99
Price: $2.49 & FREE SHIPPING Details
You Save: $27.50 (91%)
See Photos of the Actual Items
In Stock:
Want it by November 19? Order within and choose Free Shipping.
30 Day Money Back Guarantee
See Photos & Choose Exact Item
People Who Bought This Also Bought
FIFA Street 2
FIFA 2003 Description
You want variety? How about 16 leagues and more than 450 teams? Thats right, just about every professional franchise from the farthest corners of the globe is ready to play, and youve got your pick of them. As with most EA Sports titles, FIFA SOCCER 2003 places its emphasis on real-world physics rather than arcade-style play, so you can expect each header, diving save, and corner kick to feel right. Awesome commentary and replays give the experience a television-style feel, and a full FIFPro License means that the players are 100% authentic.
FIFA 2003 Product Details
Rating: Everyone
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Region: US and North America (NTSC)
Frequently Asked Questions
What payment types does JJGames.com accept?
JJGames.com accepts payments via credit card, Bitcoin and PayPal.
How much does shipping cost?
USA: Shipping is free for all shipments within the USA if you choose economy shipping.
The cost for faster delivery methods is based upon the weight of the items in your order.
Canada: Shipping is $3 if the order is less than 2 pounds (1 kg). Orders over 2 pounds are billed based upon the weight of the items in the order.
International: Shipping is a flat $4 if the order weights less than 2 pounds (1 kg). The cost of shipping orders over 2 pounds is based upon the weight of the items in your order.
All customs and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer. They are not included in the cost of shipping on our site.
What is the free shipping policy?
Shipping is free for all shipments within the USA if you choose economy shipping.
Can I Return My Order After Placing It?
We offer a 100% money back guarantee. You can return any item within 30 Days of purchase. Visit our Quality Guarantee page for more information.


text:
Hill End Artist Residency, NSW
February 2018
I spent the month of February living alone in this absolute dream of a worker's cottage built 150 years ago around the time of the gold rush. The whole house and studio were mine to sit, read, make and cook within. It was a magic time for me, listening to the birds eating in the fruit trees, saying hello to the kangaroos on my way to and from the outdoor toilet and going for long walks through the bush at the end of a day in the studio. I worked on cyanotypes on fabric using found native flora, and made ten new abstract collages from photographs.


text:
Get 20% OFF your entire order when you spend $150 or more!
Your cart is currently empty.
© 2019 Flobody
Get free workouts, access to our private training group and so much more!
Look for your introductory email right away, it's kind of important :)
1 product found in Sweat Towels
Get free workouts and access to our private workout group straight to your inbox.
© 2019 Flobody


text:
Subscribe To The Good Girls Revolt Creator Is Not Happy With Amazon Updates
Amazon had some bad news recently for the cast and crew of new show Good Girls Revolt, as the period drama was cancelled a little over a month after its first season hit the web on October 28. No revealing data has been released to the public, so it's hard to guess just why Amazon decided not to invest in a second season. According to Good Girls Revolt creator Dana Calvo, however, Amazon Studios mishandled the entire situation, and she had this to say about the studio in the wake of her show's cancellation:
Well, I hope Dana Calvo wasn't aiming to ever work with Amazon ever again (under Price's reign), because she may have just burned that bridge beyond repair. Her scathing rebuke of Roy Price's treatment of Good Girls Revolt is, at the very least, proof that Calvo didn't see the cancellation coming. The feminist drama wasn't exactly creating the same widespread buzz on the streaming circuit as a Stranger Things or a Transparent, but it was definitely the only show of its kind today, and streaming ratings company Symphony Advanced Media claims it was a big winner in key female demographics. The cancellation must have come as a huge disappointment for the team at Good Girls Revolt, especially if they were already laying plans for Season 2.
Dana Calvo also claimed in her chat with THR that Good Girls Revolt was a hit in two viewer categories that Amazon values: viewers giving the show high ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and viewers who do shopping after or while they're doing their streaming. But on the flip side, Amazon Studios' head of comedy and drama Joe Lewis denied Symphony Advanced Media's claims and has stated that the show wasn't performing well enough in overall viewership or completion rates to warrant a renewal for Season 2.
We may never find out for sure who is right in this case of she said/he said. Amazon doesn't release data about its streaming series as a general rule, and numbers from outside sources can never be 100% verified. That said, if production company Sony Pictures Television gets its way, the Amazon cancellation might not actually matter all that much. Rather than write off the show as a failure, Sony is currently shopping Good Girls around to other platforms to see if it can score a renewal somewhere other than Amazon. The prime targets as of now are Freeform, USA Network, Bravo, Hulu, and ABC. Netflix and Lifetime are also possibilities, but they're considered long-shots compared to the other outlets.
The unofficial renewal deadline is December 31st, after which the cast members' contracts will expire and pretty much put an end to any plans to bring everybody back for another go at Good Girls Revolt. While we wait to hear more, stay tuned to CinemaBlend for the latest in TV news, and check out our midseason 2017 premiere schedule.


text: Poll: Dodge Challenger or Nissan 370Z? By Craig Cole Mar 26 2016 8 Share this Article Tweet Today we compare two unlikely performance rivals, the Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack and Nissan 370Z NISMO. Which of these cars would YOU rather park in your driveway? Continue Reading... Filed under: 370Z Coupes Dodge Featured Articles Nissan Polls Sports CarsTags: 370z, 370z nismo, challenger, Challenger R/T Scat pack, Coupes, Dodge, dodge challenger, hemi, nismo, Nissan, nissan 370z, poll, quiz, Scat Pack, sports car, Sports Cars, v8


text:
Berber Village Trek
Toubkal and the Berber Villages
This page is under construction
The Toubkal and the Berber Villages trek is available from the end of April to early October
The Moroccan High Atlas mountain's offer many attainable summits, including the enigmatic J'bel Toubkal (4167m), the highest peak in North Africa. The mountain gives its name to the National Park in which it lies – its beauty and accessibility making it a very attractive proposition. But their popularity is beginning to make them busy and, outside of the winter season, swarms of trekkers sometime gather on the more popular footpaths. If you can spare a couple of extra days, this remote trek will give you the solitude you've been looking for!
Leave the crowds behind, dear reader, and follow this deserted mountain path to Toubkals summit!
Day 1: Arrival to Marrakech and transfer to the hotel.
Day 2: Marrakech – Tiziane: In the morning we leave Marrakech in our private minibus and meet the mules and cook at Imioughlad. Here we begin the trek by crossing a 2000m passand dropping down into the village of Tiziane. 4hr 30 min walk. Camp.
Day 3: We start the day early to avoid the sun during the ascent of the Teouti pass, 2400m. We take lunch in the village of Assaka and then follow the path to the village of Tizgi, where we set up camp. 6hr walk.
Day 4: Today we hike along beautiful, wild, landscapes of the Toubkal range. After the morning ascent, we descend to the valley of the river Azaden, where we have lunch. We then climb to the remote campsite at Azib Tamsoult, at 2,250m. 6hr walk.
Day 5: The toughest day of the trek. Ahead of us we have the demanding ascent to the Aguelzim pass, at 3450m. The ascent is long but progressive. Once on the pass we will be able to admire the summit of Toubkal. We then descend towards the Toubkal base camp, at 3200m. 6hr 30min walk. Camp.
Day 6: Toubkal ascent. Start early to ensure that we get the best of the weather and the views. If conditions allow, we will ascend by the North Cwm and descend by the South Cwm to add variety to the climb. After tea at the refuge, walk to Armed where a vehicle will be waiting. Gite. 7 hrs walk.
Day 7: Return to Marakech. Services end.


text:
BRISBANE, Australia — Ash Barty, one of the most talented Australian tennis players of her generation, played Serena Williams on the opening night of the Australian Open in Rod Laver Arena two years ago. Then 17, Barty had the support of the crowd, and ultimately of Williams, who offered praise after defeating her, 6-2, 6-1.
"I just think she's so cute; I like her a lot," Williams said. "She's so young. I'd like to see her do really well. I think she has a game to do really well. We'll see."
But at this year's Australian Open, which began Monday in Melbourne, Barty may not be seen at all. She left professional tennis behind more than a year ago and just finished her first season here as a cricket player.
Yes, she has gone from being a tennis phenom to playing professional cricket instead.
Barty burst onto the international tennis stage in 2011, winning the Wimbledon junior title at age 15. The preternatural court craft and guile she showed at her young age drew quick comparisons to Martina Hingis, the last player to make a major impact in women's tennis at such an early age. As Barty transitioned to the pro tour, her major successes continued to pile up.
In an era in which teenage stars are an endangered species, Barty made three Grand Slam finals in doubles in 2013, finishing as runner-up in the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the United States Open with Casey Dellacqua, a player 11 years her senior.
Still younger than many players competing on the junior circuit, Barty peaked at No. 12 in the WTA doubles rankings. She would probably have been higher if not for the schedule limitations the WTA places on teenage players.
Her results and ranking tailed off in 2014, and her singles fell short of the high standard she had set in doubles. But Barty continued to post positive results. At the United States Open that year, she earned a spot in the singles main draw through the qualifying draw at a major for the first time and reached the quarterfinals in mixed doubles.
That was the last tennis tournament Barty played.
Citing what she calls "the general stresses of playing around the world and having the spotlight on," Barty said she wanted to press pause on the sport she had played and loved since she was 4.
"A big part of my philosophy was always that tennis is a game, and I wanted to enjoy it," Barty, 19, said. "At the end of the day, it was just a game that I wanted to have fun in, enjoy, and for me it turned into a little bit of a slog, and I wasn't enjoying it quite as much as I would have liked. So I thought it was the right time for me to step away. Not that it would, but just in case it drove me away from tennis completely."
Within weeks, news that Barty was pausing her tennis career had rippled through Australian tennis circles, from which she had been given substantial assistance in her development in the form of coaching, financial support and wild cards by Tennis Australia.
"I think anybody in their right mind would have been surprised by that because of the success that she was having and what she was achieving in the tennis world," said Rennae Stubbs, an Australian six-time major champion.
For those closer to Barty, signs were apparent that she was enjoying the sport less and less.
"Maybe she was a victim of her own success, to a degree," her coach, Jason Stoltenberg, said. "We tried really hard to try to manage that, and to protect her from that as best we could, but maybe things happened a little too fast for Ash. If things could've been a little bit slower, maybe that would have helped. I could see over time that it was probably wearing on her a little bit, and I wasn't surprised at all when she decided to take a break."
Stoltenberg, who coached Barty from her junior Wimbledon title to her last pro tournament, said her talent and results had outpaced her self-belief, leaving her uneasy.
"She couldn't see how she could possibly be compared to people who had done all these amazing things, and she never had that amount of confidence in herself; it didn't stack up right," Stoltenberg said. "I think she had to get to a point where she took control of her own tennis and her life, and by stopping it was her way of taking control and getting things back to where she needed it to be in order for her to make any decisions moving forward."
Affable but reserved, Barty rejects the permanence of verbs like "quitting" and "retiring" to describe her tennis status.
"I didn't put a time length on it, never said that I was done completely," Barty said. "I think it got blown up a little bit in the beginning, and that may have forced me to step back a little bit more and take a bit more time.
"I'm still leaving all options open, like I've always said. Just going by how I feel in my gut at the moment."
Barty said that she had taken similar sabbaticals before, although they never lasted for more than half a month.
"It's no different from going on vacation for two weeks — it just happened to be 16 or 18 months this time," she said. "It's been no different. It was just time for me to refresh."
Though she stopped competing and training, Barty stayed on the tennis court, giving tennis lessons to young players alongside her childhood coach.
In July, nearly a year into her absence from competition, Barty was introduced to a new sphere of sports. A trainer she knew through tennis was working with the Southern Stars, Australia's national women's cricket team, and invited Barty to speak at a team dinner about how to prepare for long travel periods, like the two-month tour the team was about to take through Europe.
Seeing her jell with the women on the team, a coach invited Barty to a training session, she said, so she could "go out and have a hit, give it a crack, why not?" Barty had watched cricket and taken makeshift batting practice with a tennis ball and racket in her backyard growing up, but she had never stepped in front of a wicket or even held a cricket ball. Still, with her excellent hand-eye coordination, she managed to impress.
The Brisbane Heat eventually invited her to play professionally in the inaugural season of the Women's Big Bash League. Though many facets of the sports differ — Barty's nondominant left hand needs to play a larger role with a cricket bat than it did with a tennis racket — much of her athleticism has proved universal.
"From the first session that she had, she did not drop a ball," the Heat's coach, Andy Richards, said. "In terms of her transferable skills, there's obviously a few similarities there. One is that cricket is obviously a hand-eye sport, as is tennis. She's used to hitting a ball coming at her at 180 kilometers an hour. In cricket, it's a bit less than that, down to 120 kilometers, but the difference is that if the ball hits you in cricket, it hurts like hell."
Besides her tennis skill set, Barty's new teammates also noticed the increased media attention that a tennis star brought to the upstart league. Barty, who had earned more than $900,000 in prize money in her few years on the tennis tour, was now playing in a league in which the maximum salary is about $6,800.
Grace Harris, a cricket teammate who works full time in a hospital, said she saw Barty as pursuing a higher calling, if a substantially lower paycheck.
"Tennis, obviously, was not quite doing it for her at the time," Harris said of Barty, with whom she briefly overlapped in junior tennis. "It was simply paying bills, and we're searching for something that makes us feel better about what we stand for and what we're doing with our lives. For her to walk away, it shows money is just a figure. It doesn't mean much."
More than the sport itself, Barty found the team dynamics of cricket most appealing, having come from the individualistic world of tennis.
"Everyone is part of the squad, and when you've got 15, 16 girls around each other, everyone pushes each other on," Barty said. "It was a very good dynamic from the get-go, and I was just very lucky that they welcomed me in so easily."
The cricket league's title game is Sunday. Barty is facing a longer off-season than she ever experienced in tennis and decisions about where her future might lie. Those in both sports await her decisions eagerly.
"All I know is what I see at the moment, and I see her having a lot of fun," Richards said. "My job is to try to make sure she continues to have that fun and learns a bit. Twelve months' time is going to be a really key thing for her because I think in 12 months she'll develop into a really, really good cricket player. She can play at the next level. She can play for Australia, of that I have no doubt at all. It's a matter of whether or not that's what she wants to do."
Stubbs, who works as an analyst for Australian television during the Open, said she believed Barty could still have great results and a long career in tennis.
"When it comes to hitting a ball with something, nothing would surprise me if Ash Barty had success in it," Stubbs said. "Selfishly, would I love to see her come back and play tennis? Absolutely, because I still think that her best tennis is ahead of her."
Barty, for her part, suggested no certainty about a return to professional tennis someday.
"I think a fair indication of that is a coin toss," she said. "We'll see."


text:
Editor's note: This is an update from one of the 10 Connecticut Conference delegates currently visiting the Republic of Korea (PROK). They are marking the 24th year of the partnership between the Conference and the Gyeonggi Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Korea.
Greetings on our last full day here in South Korea! We spent the majority of our day attending the Annual Meeting of the Kyung Ki Presbytery. We participated in Opening Worship and heard a sermon from one of our Partner Pastors, Rev. Kim, Moon Hee who is the Pastor of Gambukdong Church (Partner of Granby First Church.) Rev. Kim preached on the theme "the light of the world." With thanks to Irene Choi translating and handy headsets we could wear in one ear we could understand Rev. Kim's sermon.
Rev. Kim told the gathered Body of Christ to go out and talk to people, understand their needs. Walk step by step with one another. For the light is freely given to us through Jesus Christ. He asked us to consider what our lives and the world would be like without light? For light is for everyone. Rev. Kim declared that war is not the answer to the unrest we see in the world and does not reflect the light of Christ. In the end, we need light and must open our ears for God is still speaking! Yes, Rev. Kim used our beloved UCC motto in his sermon to remind us to listen for God's still speaking voice in the world. He also asked us to look around at the people right next to us because the light next to you reflects on all of us. I invite you to do the same! What light is reflecting next to you right now? Where do you see the light of Christ shining in the world?
Our Conference Minister, Rev. Kent Siladi, delivered the Keynote Address during the business portion of the meeting. Rev. Siladi spoke about peace and justice from our Christian perspective. He said that leaving peace and justice to political leaders is a mistake. And to remember that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. God has a passionate concern for the poor and marginalized we see over and again in scripture (like Psalm 34:14, Isaiah 2:4, and Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew.) In closing, Rev. Siladi asked us to consider what we can do to address the gap between God's vision of Shalom and the world today. For we do have values of peace imprinted on our hearts.
We are so thankful for this time of learning and growing in faith together with our partners in Christ in Korea this week. We join our hearts with theirs in praying and working for justice and peace in our world. You reflect the light of Christ! You have the value of peace imprinted on your heart! Let us all go forth to be the church at work in the world. And see you when we get back home.
See a gallery of photos sent by the delegates here
Find all the updates here
We invite users of this website to post comments in response to posts published here. In order to maintain a respectful community, we insist that comments be polite, respectful and tolerant of opposing viewpoints. We reserve the right to remove comments that are hostile, hateful or abusive to others, or that constitute personal attacks. In the interest of transparency, we highly recommend that users comment using their full names. For those who feel a need for more anonymity, however, we will allow posts using first names and last initial.


text:
Mira Zaki is a Seattle born, Manhattan based, globally traveling photographer. With over 15 years in the business of photography- Mira Zaki's photography career spans commercial, advertising, editorial, stock photography, tv, media, magazines, newspapers, book publishing, and print.
Mira's personal and professional commitment to her career led her to studying Commercial Advertising Still Photography from Brooks Institute of Photography. Mira brings expertise, creativity, and thoughtfulness to all of her photoshoots. Due to her upbringing in an Egyptian-American family, she has been infused with a love and appreciation of multicultural experiences and world travel. Mira has been a member of the American Society of Media Photographers since 2007, and was a board member from 2010-2015.
Mira has been featured in both group photography exhibits and solo shows from 2011-present between Seattle, Atlanta, and New York.
Mira's clients and publications include the top names in the industry : The New York Times, The New York Times T-Magazine, Travel+ Leisure, The Travel Channel, Cosmopolitan, Vanity Fair, Vh-1 Save The Music Foundation, CNN.com, CNNI.com, CNNMoney.com, Edible Manhattan, Edible Brooklyn, Taylor PR, Tesla, Food Network, The James Beard Foundation, Well + Good, Veria Living, Olive Magazine Korea, Dessert Professional, Bust Magazine, Eating Well & Siggi's and more.
Mira's experience and keen ability to capture the essence of the moment will provide you with photographs that stand out, and will last a lifetime. Her commitment to making a positive impact in the world has shaped and informed her powerful visual storytelling.
She is currently offering:
Commissioned stock photography
Annual report photography
Custom stock/Library stock
Company headshots
Lifestyle and product photography
Social media content packages designed for use on social media for 30, 60, or 90 days
Full coverage of hotels and accommodations: including: interiors, exteriors, food/restaurant, lifestyle, portraits, products, close ups.
Food photography including seasonal menu photoshoots for restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops.
Travel photography
Stock Photography for purchase
Experiential Marketing photography
None of these fit your needs? Just send us a note, and we will create a custom package for your needs! firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Young talent
- Written by Daz
"Young Talent"
Written by Daz for MJJCommunity
#OnThisDay, I would like to highlight this #HIStoricEvent. August 13th 1967, Apollo theatre where a group of 'young talent' brothers won the first prize in an 'Amateur Night Showdown' at Harlem's famous Apollo theater.
"I've got sunshine on a cloudy day
When it's cold outside I've got the month of May
Well I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl) "
With this redention of the HIT song "My girl"
by the Temptations, The Jackson 5 won
"The Amateur Night Showdown"
at Harlem's famous Apollo theater on August 13, 1967.
It was the first time they performed there after having toured
the "chitlin' circuit" of strip bars and nightclubs around the mid-west.
The Apollo's amateur night audience was known to performers as
the toughest audience around. Many performers had been discovered
here and it was an important night for the young group.
Their 'legend' began to take hold on the East Coast when the group won
the First prize bringing the house down.
Gladys Knight had seen their show at the Apollo that evening and told
Motown founder and owner Berry Gordy that
he had to check the group out. However, Gordy would not meet
The Jackson 5 until July 1968 when Bobby Taylor
(a member of the group The Vancouvers),
brought the boys to Hitsville in Detroit for an audition.
The oldest, Jackie, was a daring 16 year old while
the youngest, Michael, was still at the tender age of 9 when
the group showcased their young talent and
so paved the way to stardom
on that starry Sunday night way back in 1967.
"I don't need no money, fortune or fame.
I've got all the riches, baby, one man can claim.
Well, I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl). "
~ Copyright 2016 MJJCommunity ~


text:
To help you navigate around the hospital, each of the nine floor levels in our Main Hospital corresponds to a color and designated animal. Click on Learn More to view photos and videos of our facility, which will help give you a better sense of what to expect from your visit to Children's Hospital Colorado.
Children's Hospital Colorado Emergency Department is the only Level 1 Pediatric Emergency Center in the region equipped and able to handle any pediatric emergency, from the simplest to the most complex. Click on 'Learn More' to view videos and photos of our Emergency Department.
If your child is having a medical emergency, call 911.
The Colorado Institute for Maternal and Fetal Health offers mothers, babies and their families comprehensive care and treatment before, during and after high-risk or routine pregnancies. The Institute includes the Colorado Fetal Care Center and a team of internationally known experts in maternal fetal medicine and fetal surgery.
The Outpatient Pavilion houses multiple outpatient clinics with physician specialties conveniently grouped together. The Outpatient Pavilion is located on the east side of the hospital and is connected to the Boettcher Atrium on floors 1-4.
Education is an important part of our mission at Children's Hospital Colorado. Our Conference and Education Center provides the meeting space for groups large and small to share information and help advance the field of pediatric healthcare.
Patients, families and visitors may park for free 24 hours a day in the South Parking Garage, just south of the main entrance to the hospital.
Free valet parking is also available for patients and parents from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the main entrance to the hospital.
Get Directions
Our hospital, located at I-225 and Colfax on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, was designed and built to enhance our care for kids. It's an amazing blend of art, design and state-of-the-art technology. Every detail - from layout to patient flow, design to decor, landscaping to color schemes - was built to help kids heal faster. By making the hospital very family-friendly, we make it easier for parents and siblings to be involved in the day-to-day medical, emotional and social needs of their child.
Children's Hospital Colorado sees, treats and heals more kids than any other hospital in the region. We've consistently ranked as a leader in pediatric care, recognized by U.S. News & World Report and Parents magazines as one of the top children's hospitals in the nation.
We've been treating kids for the big things, the little things and everything in between for more than a century. We employ the most qualified pediatric specialists and medical staff and use evidence-based medicine as the foundation for the care we provide.
Phone: 720-777-1234
Children's Hospital Colorado on Anschutz Medical Campus13123 East 16th AvenueAurora, CO 80045


text:
how i found my artist within on the coast of big sur
How do you find your Artist Within?
I ask this as I complete creative exercises during the Meet Your Artist Within Program, which is part of my Creatively Fit Coaching Certification.
While going through the creative exercises in the program, the common thread that connected all the exercises together was my deep connection with Nature. Which is funny, because it seems lately, that I have had my head wrapped around work, new business goals, settling into our new place, and just trying to survive the day-to-day grind.
It's been awhile since I've gone on a nice hike, and I've been surfing here and there, but not quite as much as I'd like to. I have been very disconnected with Nature, and I feel unbalanced. My husband and I have been wanting to go camping on the Central Coast of California (our fave place to go), but we have putting off.
I've been doing these creative scribble exercises from the Meet Your Artist Within Program, and time just seems to stop. I am in the present moment --- creating --- exercising my right brain. It's been a great form of meditation, and it's quick, easy, and FUN!
And as I go through the training program I am learning more about brain science, neurology, and how one can physiologically change the make-up of their left and right brain hemispheres by stimulating the brain through exercising the mind.
It has all been very fascinating. And I can't wait to share these concepts and ideas with future clients.
It's more than just mere doodling or throwing paint on a canvas. It's beyond learning art techniques or design principles. It's all about figuring out a way to create change and --- how my mentor, Whitney Ferré, likes to put it --- 'embracing your role as the ARTIST and ART that is your LIFE.'
It's very simple. Grab a blank sheet of paper and a pen. Close your eyes, and scribble on the paper for about three seconds. Open your eyes and look at your scribble. What do you see? Look at the shapes, the lines, the negative space. What speaks to you? Add more lines and shapes to your scribble to complete whatever image you see. What message is your right brain (your intuitive voice) trying to send to you?
Here are some scribble drawings that I came up with:
So after doing my scribble drawings, or exercising my right brain hemisphere, I realized that I needed to listen to what my intuition was telling me: I need to connect with nature. Get grounded. Get balanced. Be whole.
When I get more into my 'left-brain' --- the logical mind, the past mind, the future mind, the 'I have-to-do-this-otherwise-this-will-happen mind' --- I feel unbalanced. If you know me well, you know that when I don't get enough dancing, surfing, or creating in my routine, it throws me of rhythm. And even more so when I haven't spent some time outdoors.
So, my husband and I decided to head up to Big Sur for a little R & R. For a digital break. To quiet the mind. To re-focus. To just be. There is something about being in Nature that is very healing.
I listened to my intuition, my right-brain, my higher self, my spirit, whatever you want to call it, and headed north to where the Redwoods meet the Sea. Ahhhhhh...life couldn't be better.
I took my art supplies, my creative journal, and course, my board, wetsuit, and camera. Below, you'll see a couple of fun collages I created with images torn from old magazines. The dream collage and torn paper face collage are fun, intuitive exercises from the Meet Your Artist Within Program.
This is just one way I find my Artist Within: by connecting with Mother Nature and the beautiful gifts she has to share with us.


text:
As this year's UEFA Champions League Final draws ever closer, football fans from around the globe are itching to see who will stride out in competition for the Cup. Will it be a clash of the titans as Real Madrid and Juventus battle it out together?
A man who knows only too well about the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with a Champions League final is Sammy Kuffour. The former Bayern Munich and Ghana defender has seen it all. We recently caught up with the man himself to talk about his tough start in life and how things were transformed by the beautiful game.
Kuffour, raised in Accra, Ghana, spoke of his humble beginnings and the strain that everyday living had on the family:
"We were living in an uncompleted house, my upbringing was tough. My father was nowhere to be found and my mother would wake up early to do her job."
His desire to play football was clear, but before school he would shine the neighbours' shoes, going door to door. Attending school at that point was just a necessity.
"Whatever you set your eyes on, with your faith behind you, you can achieve", he said, never losing sight of his real ambitions. His mother was supportive and encouraged Sammy to 'do what pleased him'. When he made the Ghana U17 squad this resulted in his mother selling the family TV so that she could buy Sammy some football boots!
He told us about the change professional football made to his life and how his faith in God was growing in strength alongside. He recounts the U17 World Cup triumph over Spain in 1991 with his beloved Ghana, then later signing for European heavyweights Bayern Munich. Talking of the change in his life the former defender stated:
"People may doubt you but nothing happens by accident, God knows why it happened like that. God is God and we have to respect him."
Fellow players were surprised at the sight of him kneeling down in prayer, before his debut in the Bundesliga against Stuttgart, teammates that would become his close friends, particularly those who shared his faith, Brazilian icons Jorginho and Ze Roberto.
He would go on to play 175 times for Munich and spent twelve years contracted to the club, an emphatic rise from a shoe-shine boy.
When asked about his Champions League final experiences he has contrasting tales, first of a hurtful defeat at the hands of Manchester United in the '99 final. However, two years later he lifted the trophy second time around. This is his take:
"It wasn't our day, I was hurt, but two years later I had my hands on the trophy which tells you that there is a time and a season for everything. In life you can never doubt God, he can turn things around. Everything is possible for him."
Kuffour has always remained fully grounded in his faith in God and knows where the credit lies, on and off the pitch.
His advice is simple, "Give God a chance to come into your life and see what he can do for you, God knows better than we do in all circumstances so we should just rely on him."