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Development of a large game project, especially one like Chronicles of Elyria, takes a lot of resources - both human and financial. Funding such a game has traditionally come from investors or publishers, but recent projects have demonstrated the viability of crowdfunding. In order to have a successful campaign you need a flexible, powerful reward system. In this post I'll be talking about Influence Points - what they are, how you get them, and what they're used for.
The three most important parts of a successful crowdfunded game project (the parts that require a lot of participation anyways) are funding, quality assurance, and community building.
The funding part is fairly obvious. If you want to raise $1M, you either need a dozen or so people with $100k+ lying around, or your need 20,000 people with $50 lying around. The former aligns more with the investor/publisher model, while the latter is the very definition of crowdfunding.
Quality assurance is a little less obvious, but in an MMO like Chronicles of Elyria there's a need to hammer at systems in various intervals to varying degrees. This is to help surface any bugs that may exist before launch, as well as to stress the system to determine possible load issues. In larger studios, or when there's a publisher backing the project, there's usually a team of QA people that work all day, stressing the system and testing game mechanics. In a smaller studio like ours, it's necessary to leverage the community to help test a game.
While it's extremely important that we're able to reach out and find those 20,000 interested people, and that some of them take time to file bugs, it's equally important that we attract the right type of community members. These are people dedicated to helping others enjoy the game experience, volunteering their time on the community websites, and driving the growth of the community.
For any of that to happen, we first need to drum up interest in the game and build a community around that interest. While in many cases participation is all the reward/motivation one needs, in other cases, it's really nice to have something to show for the time and/or money people have contributed. To do that, we've created Influence Points - a currency given to community members for performing actions that help influence the success of the game.
Influence points can be obtained through a couple different channels, all of which help improve the quality of the community and the game. The ways in which you can earn IP are:
The first is the most typical. When we launch our crowdfunding campaign there will be various funding levels offered. Each level will come with a pre-determined number of Influence Points, along with additional bonuses - such as free copies of the game, the art book, the opportunity to meet the developers, etc... For each level there will also be bonus IP awarded. The higher the backing level, the more bonus IP you'll get.
After crowdfunding, the next most common way to gain IP is through community building. This can be achieved in two ways: recruiting others, and making positive contributions to the community forums.
Whenever you recruit another verified player to the game (someone who obtains a licensed version of the game) via any referral method - a direct friend invite, a community fan site, etc... you'll be awarded IP. Likewise, whenever you make a truly amazing post on the community forums and one of the moderators either rates it up or stickies it you'll receive some smaller amount of IP.
Finally, whenever you submit a verified bug to the tracking software you'll receive IP based on what system the bug is in and how complicated it is to repro or identify. Spelling mistakes, etc... may earn a small amount of IP, while identifying a networking issue may be worth quite a bit more. We'll define those values more closely as we get into stress and alpha testing.
In a couple months we'll provide features on the community website that will allow you to see your current Influence Points. You'll also be able to obtain a friend code from your profile that can be used to recruit others to the game. If you've recruited any friends before then, they'll be able to retroactively apply your code to give you credit.
In addition, there will be a community ladder that shows the top Influencers. There will be additional rewards for being on that list - as well as being at the top!
Influence points can be cashed in for rewards post-launch. The rewards can range from little things like starter packs, better initial weapons, or custom titles, all the way up to playing a pivotal role in the storyline of the game. Without giving too much away, here are some of the other possible uses of IP:
As more game features are announced in a few months, we'll continue to provide concrete examples of the things IP can be used for. And we're certain you're going to find them exciting!
This is the last developer journal for a while. The next couple of months will be spent getting the community website put online. However, By the end of July we'll begin posting design journals that detail the unique game mechanics of Chronicles of Elyria. Just when you think we'll revolutionize MMO's with one unique game feature, we're going to surprise you with something cooler!
Dev Journal #4: The Chat System
Design Journal #1 – Introduction to Souls
Is it possible now to receive IP now or later? Because I've been recruiting people in this website and haven't received any IP and the Kickstarter is not accepting any money now. I've hear that a store will be up later. Will that give IP? Meanwhile I'm really interested in this "IP" System, i'm also interested in supporting this game in my own way.
This was my thoughts exacty.
Posted By Craft at 12:52 AM - Fri Aug 19 2016
Is it possible now to receive IP now or later? Because I've been recruiting people in this website and haven't received any IP and the Kickstarter is not accepting any money now. I've hear that a store will be up later. Will that give IP? Meanwhile I'm really interested in this "IP" System, i'm also interested in supporting this game in my own way.
Projected IP for referrals has been temporarily disabled due to numerous people creating fake accounts to award themselves referral IP.
Worry not, however :) Your referrals still remain in our database, and once they become a contributing member of the community via purchasing a copy of the game or earning 400 IP themselves, 50 IP will be credited to your account. This will be visible in the future, when the system becomes fully integrated into the website in a future deployment.
I cannot wait!!!! :D This sound exciting :P
Its all about the wits now.
My gods.
I should be more serious in my advertising then.. This makes me consider Class System. No, not that mage, warrior, thief class system. I meant that noble, middle and low-class kind of system.
If there's gonna be family in this game, I wonder how it would be decided?
Just discovered the game. The donation event is over by now?
I like this but I feel it may be difficult for people to earn IP but I guess we will see what happens.
... I must earn IP to own land.. Just the thought of it... oooooooh...
You're very right. Stay tuned. ;-)
I know that Influence Points will be cashed in, but it'd be nice if you could implement badges, levels, and/or some kind of stats area where a person's influence could mature over time and give other players an overall glance at how much of an infuence a person really is. A lot of discussion boards on the net typically have that stats section next to the post that details how many posts a user has made and what level they're at, so you could either keep the Influence Points stats separate or integrate them with the discussion board stats - either would be fine. Thoughts?
Almost the end of July. You're going to keep us waiting until the very last day, aren't you...
Very good idea but remember not to break the game economy by giving too much :)
Influence Points. Great idea and a wonderful way to reward those truely commited to the project. A two tier execution might be good. For the casual contributor allow cosmetic or fun perks. To the hardcore contributor all the above but also access to things of influence and prestige but not game breaking.
I think that one great idea for IP would be a really good education, either in a school for higher learning, mage school, or a trade school, all of which should be of the players choice. This could truely help build, not only an individuals character but would be a great asset to that characters family and/or starting guild.
I wonder what the surprise is going to be.


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Suppliers enhancing capabilities of compounding lines and components
Suppliers of compounding extruders and related components have been busy working on innovations that offer versatility and maximize throughput, all the while improving speed to market. They're also striving to make components easy to assemble and disassemble for cleaning — an important feature as compounders run more formulations.
During the K show, Farrel Pomini received a very favorable response to its CPeX combined extruder/compounder/continuous mixer that is geared toward product development trials, officials said.
"The CPeX was developed to help compounders successfully test and develop the most challenging formulations in a lab environment," said Paul Lloyd, business unit director at Farrel Pomini. "The marketplace is increasingly competitive. Usually, raw materials are purchased from large global suppliers almost on a fixed commodity pricing basis and sold into a highly competitive global marketplace sensitive to price and delivery conditions. All producers face these common market conditions."
Farrel's CPeX is focused on lab-scale development trials and speeding time to market, but also reducing development costs. The machine made its debut at the K show and will be introduced to the Asian market at Chinaplas in May.
Here are other companies that have recently introduced innovations to the market.
Buss AG, Pratteln, Switzerland, has upgraded its MX 105 kneader compounding line for the production of halogen-free flame-retardant (HFFR) cable compounds. Its MX series is geared for making highly filled and cross-linkable HFFR compounds, such as flame retardants, masterbatches, cross-linked PE, semiconductive materials and cable compounds. The series was introduced at the end of 2007, said Mike Irish, VP and sales manager with Buss Inc. USA.
"The industry is continually looking for compounding equipment that is versatile, cost-effective, energy-efficient, easy and quick to clean, with a small footprint," he said.
To that end, Buss introduced the redesigned MX 105 during the K show. It can handle throughputs of up to 3,300 pounds per hour, and Buss has made the machine quieter and more energy-efficient. This was accomplished through mechanical simplifications, including a new reduction/stroke gearbox with an optimized timing belt and electrical drives. Additional features for the drive include an integrated lubricating station and optional noise-absorption hood for the drive gear.
The company said that major modifications have been made to the discharge extruder, including the reduction of its diameter. It now is 160mm instead of 200mm and includes a fully retractable pelletizer, resulting in significant space savings. The discharge screw is electrically heated and air-cooled. That is safer and simpler compared to the oil-fired heating system previously used. The pelletizer also has an upgraded aluminum three-blade knife arm.
On the model 105-22 F, the screw diameter is 105mm and the barrel has a L:D of 22-to-1. The 105 is the mid-range model of the series and is also available with barrels that have L:D ratios of 15-to-1, Irish said. The machine can be fitted with two or three feed hoppers. The "F" in the model name designates the flanged extruder, Irish said, which has a flange that attaches directly to the kneader.
If a melt or gear pump is used, Buss indicates that in the model name with a "P." To process semiconductor compounds or carbon black masterbatches, the discharge extruder can be replaced by a melt pump, according to the company.
The machine's throughput is up to 2,200 pounds per hour with a maximum screw speed of 750 rpm.
CPM Century Extrusion now is marketing and selling screw technologies from its recent acquisition of Extricom GmbH, a Lauffen, Germany, company founded by Josef Blach, a twin-screw extruder innovator. CPM now has sales, manufacturing and assembly services and development/trial labs in the Americas, Europe and Asia, said Bob Urtel, president of CPM. (See related Short Run on Page 83 of this issue).
Officials said that they have seen increased demand for higher concentrations of fillers, improved dispersion and the use of natural fibers, which has driven development of new mixing technologies. Customers want the ability to process these materials using high-torque, high-speed twin-screw compounding extruders.
Extricom's technologies include the Barrier Screw, which is designed for dispersive mixing through elongational flow across the barrier, which is integrated in the mixing element design. The interchanging flow channels in the two screw flights of Extricom's Segment Screws allow for distributive mixing. The company also offers T-profile elements, components that allow users to change the screw's channel depths to meet the mixing requirements of particular materials.
The T-profiles use different channel depths, from one screw shaft to an adjacent element on the other shaft, which results in different screw/barrel clearances to achieve uniform shear for improved dispersion with less energy input, according to the company. These typically are used in the dispersive mixing section, for example, in downstream mixing following the addition of filler after the side feeder.
CPM now also is promoting Extricom's RingExtruder RE, which Extricom has marketed as the latest step in the evolution of the twin-screw extruder because of its tightly intermeshing screws. Twelve screw shafts are arranged symmetrically in a circle and rotate in the same direction, but each on its own axis. The outer barrel and the stationary core enclose the screws with a narrow gap, the company said. Blach developed the RingExtruder.
Coperion is using a new material for die plates in its UG underwater pelletizers. In conjunction with DEW Deutsche Edelstahlwerke GmbH, Witten, Germany, Coperion has developed NikroDur, which is a new wear- and corrosion-resistant metal matrix composite produced by powder metallurgy. It has improved hardness and wear-resistance, and lower thermal conductivity. Coperion said that advantages include longer die plate life, reduced downtime, higher corrosion-resistance, energy savings and improved pellet quality.
Coperion's new UG 750W underwater pelletizer, which has a die plate made from the new material, is designed for producing polyolefins and is capable of achieving throughputs of 60 to 70 tons an hour. It has an extended cutting surface adapted from the UG 1000, and borrows its blade shaft bearing, pelletizer hood and drivetrain from the UG 750. In this model, Coperion increased the number of holes by roughly 27 percent, to about 5,700.
Entek Extruder is offering a new size in its QC³ line of twin-screw, co-rotating extruders. The QC³ 33mm has been designed for the production of small lots, according to the company.
This size is in direct response to customer demand, President Kirk Hanawalt said. Its 27mm machine in this line is for lab environments; the 43mm that it introduced at NPE2015 is for small to medium-sized lots of compounds.
"We were getting a lot of requests for something in between," Hanawalt said, "a machine specifically designed for small lots, but with more output than the lab machine."
The QC³ designation stands for quick change, quick clean and quality control, the ruling triumvirate in compounding operations. The 33mm has new mechanical features, including self-aligning and keyed screw-gearbox couplings to allow for fast and foolproof installation of screws. A lock-and-key feature on splined shafts prevents screw timing errors. Gauges are conveniently located for quick monitoring of lube- and cooling-system running conditions. The quick-change strand die and a robust barrel shroud are easy to remove. A tip wrench gives operators the ability to remove tips with screws in the extruder.
An optional air tool and an air connection can be mounted on the machine. The machine has tool holders for keeping tools organized, visible and nearby. The controls package features software that keeps the machine running unless the operating conditions exceed clearly defined, customer-specified limits or if the safety of the operator is in jeopardy.
The extruder comes standard with Entek's vacuum stuffer/side feeder combination unit that it introduced last year, the company said.
Leistritz Extrusionstechnik GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany, showcased several innovations during the K show, but officials emphasized that the days of simply designing and building a twin-screw extruder are gone.
"We are thinking now in systems," said Sven Wolf, managing director of Leistritz Extrusionstechnik.
Recent innovations represent superlatives. The ZSE 260 MAXX is the largest twin-screw the company has brought to market, officials said during presentations, and its ZSE 12 HP-PH is the smallest. The 260 is a co-rotating model with a variable-speed drive designed for large-scale compounding but with the flexibility to adjust to fluctuating production requirements. At the Leistritz booth, attendees could see one of the extruder's barrels on display; the company used virtual reality to showcase the compounder.
According to compounding experts, more users are seeking processing flexibility in their equipment, and the 260 was built for that purpose. The machine has a drive power of nearly 9,500 kilowatts and a screw torque of almost 112,500 newton meters (Nm), which can yield a throughput of 35 tons an hour, depending on the application. That variable-speed drive means energy input can be controlled very efficiently for producing compounds with different melt-flow index values. The system can be equipped with cartridges for heating, or an oil/steam heating-and-cooling system.
As Leistritz's smallest twin-screw, the 12 HP-PH is geared for the pharmaceutical industry and is ideal for testing plastic compounds. It has a throughput of 50 to 1,000 grams an hour. In designing the machine, Leistritz paid special attention to making handling, cleaning, assembly and disassembly easy. The machine is mobile and features horizontally split barrels; this allows users to view the process, and the screws can either be segmented or compact.
Heating and cooling are critical issues; temperature probes monitor eight separate heating and cooling zones. The heating and cooling system is easy to assemble or disassemble because it has a simple clamping system. The drive has a torque of 20 Nm. The machine is controlled by a PLC interface that monitors functions like torque setting and heating and cooling.
Leistritz's ZSE 35 iMaxx co-rotating twin-screw extruder follows the ZSE 27 iMaxx. The 35 is designed for the masterbatch industry. As the industry moves toward more frequent product changes, that also means more cleaning, officials said, which can drive up costs. The entire processing unit and the drive are protected against contamination or contact by stainless steel. The machine is equipped with one central water connection. For energy-efficiency, Leistritz has used a synchronous drive; customers can install torque-measuring devices, Wolf said, which can give them insight into energy input, especially when it comes to working with new formulations.
Officials also touted its flexibility. The standard frame length, for example, is designed for barrel lengths with L:D ratios ranging from 24-to-1 to a maximum of 48-to-1. "With a change of formulation, the processing unit can be extended or shortened with no problems," Wolf said. Add-on modules such as side feeders can be mounted on the left or right of the processing unit.
Angie DeRosa, managing editor
For more information
Buss Inc. USA
Carol Stream, Ill., 630-933-9100, www.busscorp.com
Coperion Corp.
Sewell, N.J., 201-327-6300, www.coperion.com
CPM Century Extrusion Group
Traverse City, Mich., 231-947-6400, www.centuryextrusion.com
Entek Extruders
Lebanon, Ore., 541-259-1068, www.entek.com
Farrel Corp.
Ansonia, Conn., 203-736-5500, www.farrel-pomini.com
Leistritz Extrusion
Somerville, N.J., 908-685-2333, www.leistritz.com

subset: commoncrawl


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While I still have power that has been flickering all day, I want to bookmark in this blog that a storm of large proportions is near. News media is comparing the conditions of remnant Pacific Typhoon Songda as it approaches where I live to the largest storm ever recorded along the Northwest Coast in 1962.
I was not alive in 1962, but during my five years living in Oregon, I heard many tales of the storm's impact there, including most trees in downtown Portland uprooted. This morning, as tornadoes have touched down in the precise location I dream of starting a new life someday, I am grateful no one reportedly is injured so far.
Check out the video here of the approaching tornado on the North Oregon Coast.
I freelance remotely with colleagues in different locations. One of them after seeing this article in the Washington Post and noting my location is directly in the purple eye of the European weather model graphic, asked why no evacuations take place like they do on the East Coast.
Are remnant typhoons and cyclones really that different from hurricanes in anything other than name and directionality? I'm not sure. I do know my location has weathered many severe windstorms and even a freak tornado in past winters, some knocking out power for days. We seem to call them simply "windstorms" in this region and patiently wait them out.
Hoping for minimal damage to people region-wide, I am okay with missing a few days work, knitting up my own storm, and keeping my fish tank alive by circulating warm water boiled on my gas stove.
When you are 24 hours from after-effects of a storm that already has its own Wikipedia page, it can feel a bit unnerving. Fortunately, it did not make landfall on Japan. Storms can belie the best meteorologic models.
We all hope the hype shows us nothing we haven't already handled in the past.
Post Script: Despite 60 mph gusts, heavy rain, media hype and household preparations, this storm produced much less damage and no power outage in my specific location than many prior storms. Power company's work to minimize outages on island this year must have paid off, and storm weakened once it made landfall. So much for a day off work.


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Sterling Silver Braided and Beaded - Onyx Nugget - Pendant
$35.00 $18.88
This Onyx Jewelry Pendant with 10mm Onyx stone is set in a braided and beaded design. The pendant measures 1 inches in length and 5/8 inch across.
A powerful protection stone, Black Onyx absorbs and transforms negative energy, and helps to prevent the drain of personal energy. Black Onyx aids the development of emotional and physical strength and stamina, especially when support is needed during times of stress, confusion or grief


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Tyga recently gave us a mixtape, Well Done 4, which is a precursor to his next studio album The Gold Album: 18th Dynasty. With the tape out of the way, it seems like T-Raww is already back in the studio working on new music.
Tyga hit the studio with none other than Yeezus, Instagramming a photo of the two's studio session. We wonder what these two cooked up together, it should be interesting.
or with your email


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My sister got married at the weekend. It was beautiful - non fussy and very happy.
Our instructions as bridesmaids were that we could wear what we wanted but it had to be white. Normally I'm all for that- but knowing I would be 8 months pregnant on the day and not fully knowing how massive I could potentially get it was quite a struggle. As I mentioned before, I ordered a million dresses online. It took a good few try on sessions before I realised that I had to wear something fitted as the ethereal white bohemian bridesmaid look just wasn't going to work. So my mission had guidelines which made it slightly easier. I settled on a simple white dress with off shoulder sleeves- I didn't love it but with only 2 weeks to go I thought it would do.
And then I did some damage to my rib which changed everything. (Another lovely pregnancy symptom....) I couldn't wear a bra as it rested on my rib and was too painful, and I didn't think it was too appropriate to wear a tight white dress in a synagogue with no bra :)
So this is where plan 2 came into action - I obviously still refused to wear a maternity white flutter sleeve dress that goes in above your bump and ties at the back and clings to your bum - you know the type! I needed something to cover my non existent boobs and thought a giant bow was my best option. I wanted the dress to be tight but I looked out of balance with giant bow and giant belly and needed a frill around the bottom to balance my body so I ended up buying 2 dresses, cutting them up and mixing them together. I only actually ended up looking at high street dresses as I didn't see the point in spending a fortune on something I would only wear once- which was lucky as I really hacked the 2 dresses apart. I took the bow and tail of one dress and attached them to a plain boob tube (super stretchy) dress and voila! Considering this all came together (with the help of my friend Josephine and her lovely sewing machine) about 5 days before the wedding I was quite pleased with the outcome.
I've just noticed on Instagram that a few people think it was me that got married.... umm awkward.
Here are few pics from the day... aren't weddings just lovely!
Have you ever seen a more glamorous group of ladies?
{L-R Mother of the groom, mother of the bride, grandmother of the bride (87 frigging years old!!)}
{Me with my lover}
{The bride & groom}
{The bride climbing into her transport}
{Me with my sisters}


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The New Democratic Party is offering a $9 billion election platform it hopes will appeal to a broader sector of Canadians as it struggles against the Liberals and Conservatives to define its fourth party policies and priorities.
"I am telling you we are relentlessly optimistic about the future … we don't give up," NDP Leader Jack Layton said Sunday after releasing the "grab bag" platform aimed at expanding the NDP base at a time when the party is sliding in the polls.
He said no matter the outcome on May 2, the platform will be a blueprint for the party.
From health-care improvements to bringing Canadian soldiers home from Afghanistan, the plan provides a little bit for everybody while balancing the budget by 2014-15.
"The (federal) department of finance evaluated parties in power over the last 25 years ... and it said New Democrats in power have the best record at balancing budgets of any political party in this country," Layton told reporters.
The substantial revenue predicted in the platform comes, in large measure, at the expense of Canadian corporations.
It includes rolling back the corporate tax rate, going after more than $16 billion from Canadian corporations using offshore accounts to avoid paying taxes, stopping $2 billion in subsidies to oil companies and taxing polluters to a tune of $1.2 billion over four years to reinvest in green initiatives, including transit.
When asked if it was difficult to put forward a plan when the party has almost no chance of forming a government, the party official conceded the NDP, with its reputation of tax and spend, is held to a different standard.
"We have to account for every penny in order to make sure our numbers are credible," a party official told reporters, "We fully costed four years out … we are covering off new expenses with new revenue."
The NDP plan in the first year would cost almost $9 billion, including $3 billion in tax cuts, increasing to $14.5 billion in annual spending at the end of four years.
"Unlike some of our opponents this platform contains no cuts to services and it does not add to the deficit in the first year," the party official said.
The platform focuses on five key immediate commitments that the New Democrats say would be implemented in the first 100 days:
• Hiring more doctors and nurses — $25 million.
• Doubling public pensions — $400 million.
• Tax cuts and tax credits for small business for job creation — $1.8 billion.
• Removing sales taxes from home heating and other consumer measures — $700 million.
• "Fixing Ottawa." Undetermined.
Layton made a point of guaranteeing the timeline by signing a copy of the platform.
"None of the other folks have a job strategy," the party official said, adding that the plan calls for $4,500 in tax credits for each job that is created.
The NDP would also contribute $400 million a year to transit.
The big winners would be seniors with an assortment of pension improvements, including increasing the Guaranteed Income Supplement in the first NDP budget "to lift every senior out of poverty immediately."
That would mean a sharp monthly increase to the Canada Pension Plans over seven years — up to $292 from the current $185 a month.
"It is time we were there for seniors," Layton told a Toronto rally.
The party says it would also spend $1 billion a year on both home care and long-term care.
The NDP plan to give consistent funding of more than $2 billion for municipalities to pay for infrastructure, police and public housing brought an immediate response from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
"Today's NDP platform is the first in this election campaign to call for new, long-term investments in Canada's cities and communities," said FCM president Hans Cunningham.
Clare Demerse of the Pembina Institute, a non-partisan think tank, said: "Today's platform makes significant new clean energy commitments, including a proposal to establish a 'green bonds' initiative for clean energy research, a permanent home energy retrofit program, and federal support for renewable energy and green jobs training.
"These kinds of initiatives would help Canada compete with leading countries in the rapidly growing clean energy economy,"


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tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430771998906051923.post4631913196757925830..comments2019-05-30T07:50:44.596-05:00Comments on Astros County: Your Neighborhood Astros Blog & Grill: Oh, if Nolan wants it, then...firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430771998906051923.post-16179076578486048502011-10-13T16:16:57.399-05:002011-10-13T16:16:57.399-05:00You guys picked a fine time to start complaining a...You guys picked a fine time to start complaining about all of this. Everyone here was cheering for Crane in May, even after the sleazy press reports and the fact no one in DFW wanted him anywhere near the Rangers. You guys waited until your house was 95% burned down before calling 911.

If people made more noise about Crane's sleazy background, sleazy business practices, huge amount of debt ($350,000,000!!), and the possible move to the A.L., maybe we wouldn't be having this discussion now.Astros firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430771998906051923.post-49504219102738251662011-10-13T10:46:24.028-05:002011-10-13T10:46:24.028-05:00Who *wouldn't* want the astros and the 6-10 su...Who *wouldn't* want the astros and the 6-10 sure-fire wins they'd bring to everyone in it? 8-(Kathy Amenhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430771998906051923.post-7020208259014971482011-10-13T10:14:39.967-05:002011-10-13T10:14:39.967-05:00To the anonymous who called Ryan a sellout, how ab...To the anonymous who called Ryan a sellout, how about a few facts.

1. Ryan didn't want to leave the Astros as a pitcher. The Astros didn't want him. What was he supposed to do, retire? That comment's as stupid as those about Lance Berkman being a traitor because he signed with the Cardinals after Ed Wade told him to take a hike.

2. Ryan had a personal services contract with the Astros. Drayton used him as a Jimmy Wynn-type PR prop. The Rangers offered Ryan the chance to be the team president and to, in effect, run the team. Even then, Ryan tried to work a deal and stay with the Astros. Drayton chose to keep Tal Smith -- the same Tal Smith who never wanted to sign Ryan as a pitcher in the first place. What would you do if you were Ryan?

3. As owner of the Express, Ryan has a bit of a duty to the people of Austin to put the best possible team on the field -- something Astros fans wouldn't know about because Drayton hasn't operated under that plan. The contract with the Astros ended. And we all know how crappy the Astros farm system has been, and it was pretty well known that the Rangers had a good farm system. Once again, what was Ryan supposed to do? Stick with crap because that's what Astros fan wanted, or get a better affiliation for the people who actually attend his games?

4. Reuben: the Padres operate at a significant ecomonic disadvantage partly because of the John Moores divorce and partly because the ownership group that bought the team from Moores did so by going into debt, much like Crane's doing. And the Dodgers are currently in about the worst financial shape of any team in baseball, thanks to the McCourt divorvce and, once again, because McCourt leveraged himself to the hilt to buy the team, much like Crane is doing.

5. Bitch about Selig all that you want, but even if Drayton was keeping the team the franchise would move because a) Drayton is Selig's bitch, b) Drayton's been the biggest pusher of this non-existent rivalry with the Rangers, and c) Drayton saw what the crowds were like because all of you idiots sold the place out for the games with the Yankees and Red Sox, and money is all that Drayton cares about, d) Drayton could have stopped all of this long ago by just by invoking the MLB constitution and refusing to move, something which he's refused to do, e) Crane could do the same thing, but all we've heard from Crane is that he's waiting for the right financial incentive to make the move.

6. Re the proximinty argument: some people really need some geogrpahy lessons because while they're in different states, the Phillies and Mets are only about 100 miles from each other, and the Cubs and Brewers are at about that same distance apart.

7. As one of the other anonymous's said -- really, can people start posting phony names or something so it's easier to tell people apart -- the Astros are moving to a Western Division even if it's the D-Backs who shift leagues.

8. I don't like the move, but it's hard to understand the screwing over the fanbase argument. The Astros played in the NL West for a majority of their history, which means they had a ton of seasons with late night West Coast starts. I grew up on that, so I don't see why that's such a big deal. Even if the D-Backs move, the Astros are still going to the West. Yeah, the Rangers are a much better team than the Astros, but instead of bitching about that competitive disadvantage, perhaps you should be bitching about Drayton screwing up the team and hope that Crane hires someone who knows what he's doing and the team improves and beats everybody in the division.John Royalhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430771998906051923.post-61605370934253038132011-10-13T08:33:36.388-05:002011-10-13T08:33:36.388-05:00+1 All this "most logical" stuff is bul...+1

All this "most logical" stuff is bullsh!t propaganda. Why is up to rangers fans & other non-astros fans to decide what's best for our franchise & our fanbase? F'ing email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430771998906051923.post-62246263015376752242011-10-13T08:13:15.716-05:002011-10-13T08:13:15.716-05:00Nice to see Selig posts here. Blah blah blah, A...Nice to see Selig posts here.

Blah blah blah, Astros are the most convenient team to move, blah blah blah.

Is MLB's comfort suppose to ease the pain from screwing over a fanbase?

Thank god this type of arrogant thinking is countered by the rule requiring the owner to agree to move their team. While Selig is a low life extortionist, he needs the consent of a fool to ultimately pull it off. Let's hope neither McLane nor Crane is interested in being Bud's email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430771998906051923.post-32409716631182812832011-10-13T04:44:09.842-05:002011-10-13T04:44:09.842-05:00Nolan Ryan....once a sellout, always a sellout. He...Nolan Ryan....once a sellout, always a sellout. He continue to find ways stick it to the Astros.

First going to the Rangers as a player then a decade later part of the staff that I don't mind.

Then swapping Round Rock Express affiliation to Rangers this year. What turned me off when I went to Express game everything about their past wiped clean like it never existed. It's all about the Rangers on banners, billboards, and the programs.

That just turned me off on Nolan Ryan and felt he sold Astros fans down the firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430771998906051923.post-27926223921176569332011-10-12T23:44:39.005-05:002011-10-12T23:44:39.005-05:00People are missing the point the reason for the mo...People are missing the point the reason for the move is not to have an inter state rivarly that is just the added incentive to move,it is to get 5 teams in the AL west and 5 teams in the NL central,moving the Astros as opposed to any other team would have the biggest upside,it would cause the least amount of upheival for instance if the D-Backs were to move, either way the Astros would still have to move as well this way one team moves(Astros) and the league and the fans will get the most bang for their buck .The D-Backs are a competitive team right now and that would be more difficult to move them because the Rangers and Angels, i am sure would not be to keen on having them move it is more easy to move a bad team as to ease a team in as not to offset the current balance of firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430771998906051923.post-38070631823880362912011-10-12T15:04:07.558-05:002011-10-12T15:04:07.558-05:00Andrew, I agree completely. The only two teams as ...Andrew, I agree completely. The only two teams as close as Dallas and Houston that play in the same division are Dodgers and Padres, and you see how that works out: The Padres operate at a significant economic disadvantage, despite their history of relative success.Reubenhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430771998906051923.post-72874723190542008142011-10-12T14:28:05.489-05:002011-10-12T14:28:05.489-05:00Good point. It is just a lame justification that ...Good point. It is just a lame justification that falls flat when one thinks about email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430771998906051923.post-63299497896119559862011-10-12T14:11:02.543-05:002011-10-12T14:11:02.543-05:00If its good for baseball to have 2 teams in close ...If its good for baseball to have 2 teams in close geographical proximity in the same league then why are the Marlins & Rays in separate leagues? How about the Royals & Cardinals? Mets & Yankees? Cubs & White Sox?

RidiculousAndrewhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430771998906051923.post-34699183321893688572011-10-12T13:38:46.523-05:002011-10-12T13:38:46.523-05:00Yeah screw Nolan. He's dead to me now. "G...Yeah screw Nolan. He's dead to me now.
"Good for baseball"? That's just an outright lie. It's not good for baseball, it's not good for baseball in Texas, & it's death to the Astros.

Oh sure it helps the rangers but, in case no one noticed, they don't need any help.

F Selig! F Nolan! F the rangers! F McClane! F Crane! You're cool. F it, I'm firstname.lastname@example.com


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It's important to understand the impact of emotional labor, and how it affects your relationships. Oftentimes one person takes on the brunt of the emotions – especially the negative or stressful emotions – that are produced in their relationships. This collective emotional give-and-take is called emotional labor; it's the work and effort put into making sure the relationship doesn't fall apart. And, spoiler alert: women are the ones taking on the brunt of emotional labor in relationships.
Think about your ideal relationship. Along with wanting your dream physical partner (hey, we all have our types!) and them already having a small fortune of their own, you probably want them to have some strong caring qualities as well. You want someone who will get along with your friends and family, remember anniversaries and birthdays, soothe you after a long day at work. You want someone to support your dreams and help you through the rough patches. You want someone kind, thoughtful, and selfless.
What you may not have considered, though, is that there is a lot of invisible work that goes into being this kind of partner. It's called emotional labor. And it's being disproportionally performed by women. And that's a major problem.
Emotional labor is the unpaid job men still don't understand.
Emotional labor is the invisible work of caring. It takes effort to notice when someone isn't feeling well; it takes effort to ask questions and listen to the answers; it takes effort to anticipate needs; it takes effort to remember birthdays and anniversaries and get presents and plan special occasions; it takes effort to compliment and boost self esteem and provide company and remind someone that they are loved and cared for.
The difficulty men have with emotional labor in their relationships means that women are forced to take on more of the burden. That means that not only do women have to process their own thoughts and feelings as they apply to the relationship, they are also having to accept any issues within the relationship as their responsibility. There are many reasons why men might not feel capable or responsible for accepting this responsibility, although most of it revolves around men being socialized to believe emotions are women's work; believing it un-masculine or "weak" to be in touch with your emotions.
Whether men like to admit it or not, it is inherently important for any person in any relationship to understand the give-and-take of emotional labor and why it needs to be equal between partners. If the emotional labor of a relationship is not equal, the relationship is not a partnership.
Relationships also involve a lot of domestic labor: housework, cooking, budgeting. But there is a caring component to all of this domestic labor: housework also needs organizing, attention, decluttering, anticipating; cooking requires meal planning, shopping, and prepping; budgeting requires planning, goals, tracking, and management. Emotional labor is the caring part of domestic labor. Putting in the effort to plan ahead on a regular basis, to make sure things flow smoothly rather than waiting until something is out of control or out of stock. Emotional labor is taking pride in the responsibility of caring for your home life and your quality of living.
Although anyone is capable of performing emotional labor, in reality this work overwhelmingly falls on women. Often, men don't even realize that it's happening and that it takes deliberate effort – effort that has become second nature to women after years of conditioning.
Gender stereotypes in the context of dividing emotional labor are so pervasive that even the most well-intentioned people have difficulty escaping them. Most couples still divide housework based on gender. This means that no matter how self-aware or feminist our male partners are (or that we are), men are not inclined to volunteer for what is typical considered "women's work". So the sexist cycle perpetuates itself, and the women keep getting better at chores while guys continue to fall behind.
While men can (and do) perform emotional labor, men have the luxury of conceiving of it as optional work that can be left to women. Men get to be willfully blind, believing that engaging in the emotional economy of a relationship is voluntary, because for most men it always has been.
Women are socialized to be "better" at certain daily tasks (grocery shopping, meal planning, organizing nights out) but these tasks also take up more time, and thus the emotional labor starts to add up quickly. On average, women spend twice as much time doing housework than men. Every single week.
That gender division is a problem.
Emotional labor is the glue that holds relationships together. However, it becomes a problem when women are shouldering more than their fair share of the load. It's exhausting for women to have to pick up the slack for men who assume that this stuff is "women's work" and it's also demoralizing when emotional labor goes unnoticed and unappreciated, which it often does.
Often when the imbalance of emotional labor is brought up it is met with lines like "just stop doing this stuff if you hate it so much", or "I'm not the one that cares if this gets done, you are", or better yet "but you like doing this stuff", and finally "I'm not as good at this as you are". These lines and arguments completely miss the point.
Relationships in which no one does the work of caring for each other and caring for your livelihood are in no way aspirational. Caring work is good, important, and necessary. All relationships need more emotional labor, not less. But there should not be a disparity of the burden.
Another point that misses the issue: "if you need help just ask".
Emotional labor isn't like other work. It literally never ends. And it has a way of slowly scraping you from the inside out. When one person has to micro-manage all of the emotional labor in a relationship, they literally never get a break from work. Being responsible for delegating all the work is exhausting. The point isn't that we should have to micro-manage the emotional labor, the point is that both partners should be taking initiative and being proactive about their roles and keeping things balanced. Don't wait to be told what to do, find ways to take action without being told. If you have to be told to do the work, you aren't taking on the emotional labor of the responsibility, you are forcing your partner to do it.
Men can perform emotional labor, and it's a myth that they are inherently less adept at it than women. But for a lot of men, emotional labor is a means to an end, where the end is a relationship where they never have to do any of these things again. Without intentional focus on emotional labor balance, resentment builds. And this can lead to the end of the relationship altogether.
On the whole, women are more skillful at emotional labor because they have had their entire lives to practice. But, men also have the rest of their lives to hone those emotional labor skills. They just have to be willing to learn.


text:
Tschabalala Self ARTYCAPUCINES PM
Express and Collect in Store delivery options are not currently available for this item.
Please contact our Client Services team at +44 20 7998 6286 to explore expedited delivery options.
Detailed features
(Length x Height x Width)
- L 12.4 x H 7.87 x W 4.33 inches
- Multicolour
- Calfskin and lizard leather
- Calfskin and lizard leather trim
- Cowhide leather lining
- Silver-colour hardware
- 1 handle for hand or elbow carry
- 1 removable and adjustable strap for shoulder or cross-body carry (drop: min 50 cm/19.7 inches, max 56 cm/22 inches)
- Double carry style: flap inside or outside
- Compartmented interior with 1 zipped pocket
- 1 snap hook to secure belongings
- 4 protective metal base feet
Product CareFeatured as part of a numbered collection, the piece you have bought is a limited edition design.
Louis Vuitton's global reputation for savoir-faire is evident in the superior quality of the materials, which have been specially selected by the House's workshops.
In order to conserve the appearance of the item and ensure longevity, it is recommended that you observe the following instructions:
- Try to avoid placing it on the floor or against abrasive materials, which could scratch it.
- Keep it away from greasy substances, which might cause stains, as well as from coloured fabrics that may transmit pigments onto the product.
- Protect it from rain and humidity, as these may damage the material.
- Try not to leave it in direct proximity to heat, such as next to radiators or inside cars during the summer.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, which could cause the colour to fade.
- If the leather, canvas or lining requires cleaning, use a dry cloth that is soft and light-coloured.
- When the article is not in use, ensure it remains in its original shape in the accompanying protective box. Remove any detachable accessories when placing the piece in storage, as these may mark the fabric.
- To preserve the original shape of the item, try not to overload it.
Specific care instructions for individual products in the collection
Linen and cotton canvas
The values of Louis Vuitton, namely savoir-faire, excellence, luxury and authenticity, are embodied in the use of canvas. This iconic material is a distinctive symbol of the House and its heritage.
The uncoated natural canvas is embellished with several different techniques. First, it is printed with an exceptional design, which showcases impeccable attention to detail. In order to create a textured effect, this is then transformed using a jacquard weave. Superior craftsmanship is displayed in the intricate embroidery that completes the process.
As a woven fabric, the canvas should be protected from abrasive materials, which may cause scratches. Greasy substances should also be avoided. If the item requires cleaning, use a soft cloth that is light in colour. It is recommended that you do not use solvents or soap, as these can cause damage to the natural fibres.
Illustrating expert craftsmanship and savoir-faire, Louis Vuitton's bags are ornamented with embroidered detailing. Exceptional care is taken in the creation of these adornments. Take care to protect the item from contact with abrasive surfaces and ensure it is handled gently to avoid damage.
Calfskin (body, linings, trim)
The calf leather used for the House's designs is buttery soft, with a smooth finish that has an understated shine. It is specially selected for these qualities, however it should be noted that the material is delicate and easily marked by stains and scratches. Try to avoid greasy substances and objects that may cause abrasion. If the surface becomes soiled, utilise a dry, light-toned cloth that has a soft finish. it is recommended that you ensure the article is not left in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time, as this could cause the colour to fade.
Lizard skin (trim and patchworks)
Precious and exotic, lizard skin is a material of superlative character. The rare leather features delicate scales, which makes it particularly appropriate for use in the punctilious work required for miniature ornamental detailing. For larger-sized elements, the nuanced hues and lustre of the material create an exceptional finish. Louis Vuitton chooses skins that are of the highest quality. Nonetheless, it is recommended that you avoid exposing the article to abrasion or to grease, which could leave a mark. Please be aware that rain, heat and sunlight can damage exotic skins, which have a particular vulnerability to alterations in temperature and humidity.
These species are protected by the Washington Convention and this product is sold with a CITES export permit.
CITES and certificates: please carry your documents when you travel across country borders.
Natural mother-of-pearl
Metal accents, inlaid with natural mother-of-pearl, adorn some of the House's designs. These embellishments should be treated with the same level of care as jewellery. Please note that as mother-of-pearl is an organic material, it may bear distinctions in depiction and colour. This results in each item being beautifully unique.
These species are protected by the Washington Convention and this product is sold with a CITES export permit.
CITES and certificates: please carry your documents when you travel across country borders.
Metal trim
Numerous decorative and functional metal accents, included coloured pieces, enhance the Capucines handbag. In order to ensure the longevity of the hardware, it is recommended that you avoid recurrent friction and abrasive surfaces. To further protect this product, try not to expose it to moisture. If the piece requires cleaning, use only a soft and dry light-hued cloth to wipe it.
Decorative accessories
Ornamental elements are used to embellish some of Louis Vuitton's bags. It is important that these additional pieces are preserved in their original positions and that they are not utilised for anything other than the intended use. Fashioned from metal, resin or silicone, these accessories are both high-quality and durable. However, it is recommended that they are protected from impact and kept away from abrasive materials. Silicone charms, in particular, are sensitive to dirt and dust. If these should require cleaning, they can be washed in water without detergent. They should be left to dry in the open air or gently dabbed with a soft, lint-free cloth that is light coloured.
Intended for decorative use only, these distinctive accessories are not toys and they are not suitable for young children.
In case of an incident, or if you have any outstanding questions about the cleaning and maintenance of your purchase, please contact a Louis Vuitton store. A House specialist will be able to provide you with any further advice.
Client ServicesAustria :
+43 7203 800 86
Belgium (FR language):
+32 2 626 46 02
Belgium (NL language):
+32 2 626 46 03
+45 35 15 86 34
Finland :
+358 9 8171 0681
Ireland :
+353 1 533 99 48
Luxembourg :
+35 22 73 00 025
Monaco :
+377 93 25 13 44
Sweden :
+46 8 519 928 37
The Netherlands :
+31 20 721 9441
Monday to Saturday: from 10am to 8pm
Sundays: from 10am to 6pm
Tweet @LVServices
Within the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Luxemburg, Ireland and Finland Payments are accepted , with a valid billing and shipping address , via :
Credit card
Debit card
Within Denmark and Sweden, Payments are accepted , with a valid billing and shipping address , via :
Credit card
Debit card
For Monaco, Payments are accepted , with a valid billing and shipping address , via :
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Accepted credit cards are Visa, American Express, and Mastercard. Bank Transfers are not accepted.
When placing an order, your billing address must correspond to the address of your credit card, or we will not be able to process your order.
All transactions are secured. The Louis Vuitton website is provided with an SSL encryption system to protect personal and payment data.
Shipping & delivery
Louis Vuitton offers the following delivery options in Monaco:
- Standard Shipping: 2 Working Days for all orders placed before 1 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays
- Express Saturday: delivery on Saturdays before 1 p.m. for all orders placed on Thursdays of the same week before 12 p.m. Please note that express Saturday delivery is not available for watches and jewellery.
Louis Vuitton offers the following delivery options in the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Luxemburg, Ireland and Finland:
- Standard Shipping: 3 to 4 Working Days (5 to 8 Working Days For Finland and Sweden) – Always Complimentary
- Express Shipping: 2 Working Days (2 to 5 Working Days For Finland and Sweden) – €20 (Complimentary for orders over €2,000)
- Premium Shipping: 2 Working Days before 12 pm – €30
- Collect in Store (store of your choice): 2 Working Days – Always Complimentary
To collect your order from a store, you will be required to show:
- Confirmation e-mail
- Official photo ID (passport or driving license)
- Payment card used for the order
If someone else is collecting your order on your behalf:
Please make sure they bring these elements as well as their own ID card and a letter of authorisation signed by you.
The store will keep your order for 15 days, after which this period, it will be cancelled and returned.
Ready to wear : if you are picking up a ready to wear item, please note that not all Louis Vuitton locations offer fitting rooms and alterations. To find a location that offers these services, please check out STORE LOCATOR for a list of stores that carry ready to wear.
Please Note
- All orders containing a ready to wear item and an item of another category will be shipped in 2 parcels; you will receive 2 tracking numbers that might lead to different delivery times.
- Our delivery courier is UPS (Chronopost for Monaco). Delivery estimates are indicative only and subject to the acceptance and approval of your order. Working days are defined as Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, excluding public holidays in the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Luxemburg, Ireland, Finland, Monaco and France. Estimated time is calculated from the moment the order is placed. Please note that deliveries can take longer to certain remote areas or if your order required additional security validation.
- You can find your order's tracking number in your Shipping Confirmation email or go to the MY ORDERS page in your MyLV account.
- Please note that Mon Monogram, Mon Damier Graphite and My LV World Tour orders are delivered within about 8 weeks and made to order items are delivered within about 5 weeks in the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Luxemburg, Ireland Finland and Monaco.
- Availability for those products to Sweden and Denmark coming soon.
All our products are sent gift wrapped (except agenda refills). To find more information on delivery or to reschedule your delivery, please contact our Client Services at : Austria : +43 7 203 800 86 / Belgium (FR language): +32 2 626 46 02 / Belgium (NL language): +32 2 626 46 03 / Denmark : +45 35 15 86 34 / Finland : +358 9 8171 0681 / Ireland : +353 1 533 99 48 / Luxembourg : +35 22 73 00 025 / Monaco : +377 93 25 13 44 / Sweden : +46 8 519 928 37 / the Netherlands : +31 20 721 94 41
Returns & exchanges
- Complimentary exchanges & returns within 30 days
- Refunds will be made to the original purchaser, in the original method of payment, and are available for purchases made on our website
- Item must be in perfect condition, unworn
- Original packaging with any related accessories, instructions booklets, labels, protective covers, leaflets, or boxes
- Perfume products must be returned in their original packaging (and in particular the crystal film covering the perfume box must still be sealed)
- No exchanges and returns for personalised items
- No exchanges and returns for swimwear or earrings for hygienic reasons
- Watches & jewellery cannot be refunded unless purchased online or over the phone
- Upon receipt of your item(s), and subject to inspection by our Quality Service Department, we will proceed with the return. Refunds can take up to 14 days to be processed after the cancellation of the order
- Items purchased online from the website or via our Client Services can be returned to any Louis Vuitton store corresponding to your billing adddress country
- Refunds may take up to 14 days to be processed, once the item has returned to our eCommerce warehouse
- Call Client Services to activate the pre-paid return label included in your parcel
Austria : +43 7 203 800 86 / Belgium (FR language): +32 2 626 46 02 / Belgium (NL language): +32 2 626 46 03 / Denmark : +45 35 15 86 34 / Finland : +358 9 8171 0681 / Ireland : +353 1 533 99 48 / Luxembourg : +35 22 73 00 025 / Monaco : +377 93 25 13 44 / Sweden : +46 8 519 928 37 / the Netherlands : +31 20 721 94 41
- You can choose to have a complimentary pick-up or drop your parcel at the nearest UPS drop-off point
- You will receive an email confirming your return request, as well as all pick-up details in the event of a collection
- Your cancellation will be effective from the date you call
- Prepare the parcel
- Place your item(s) in the original Louis Vuitton packaging and seal the parcel
- Adhere the shipping label to your parcel (in the case of a drop-off)
- Cover the original address label with the enclosed pre-paid return label
- Securely seal your parcel using the adhesive strip on the inside of the original box
- Hand parcel over to the carrier (in the case of a UPS pick-up) or deliver your parcelto the carrier
- Hand the sealed parcel over to the UPS driver in the case of a scheduled pick-up or drop your parcel off at any UPS store or pick-up location
- Connect to your MyLV Account
- To activate the pre-paid return label included in your parcel, register your return in the My Orders tab of your MyLV account
- Prepare the parcel - Place your item(s) in the original Louis Vuitton packaging and seal the parcel
- Adhere the shipping label to your parcel
- Cover the original address label with the new enclosed pre-paid return label
- Securely seal your parcel using the adhesive strip on the inside of the original box
- Deliver your parcel to the carrier - Drop your parcel off at any UPS store or pick-up location
- Items purchased online from the website or via our Client Services can be exchanged by calling Client Services or inany Louis Vuitton store corresponding to your billing adddress country
- Please note that only returns can be requested online; exchanges must be done in store or over the phone
PackagingLouis Vuitton's signature packaging is inspired by our oldest trunks: the "Imperial Saffron" colour recalls long and distant voyages, whilst our historic VVN leather colour elegantly coats the inside of our boxes.
Issued from sustainable, FSC-certified forests and including 40% of recycled fibres, our boxes bring the convenience of travel to our century by folding down to ease transportation, which significantly reduces their carbon footprint.


text:
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Three New Free Textures for You!
10 comments:
Truly gorgeous as always Bonnie. I absolutely love "One Life."ReplyDelete
cancel the cost has me intrigued...off to play...thank you thank you!ReplyDelete
Very beautiful textures again. Thank you so much for your generosity.ReplyDelete
Love the old masters and then scrolled down and even more creativie potential in the other two. Looking forward to a play session with these 3 textures at the weekend - thanksReplyDelete
Bonnie...you are a true artist to come up with these gorgeous textures! Thank you for being so generous!ReplyDelete
Oh, what fabulous textures! Thank you again, Bonnie. I've tried all three already...on two photos. http://www.flickr.com/photos/26473210@N04/ReplyDelete
More to follow on my blog.
Not surprizingly, my favourite is the Old Master Dust. I love how it gives your photos an other-worldly from-times-long-ago sort of feel. Great texture! I also love how the One Life layer on the pear picture lends a smooth/rough contrast to the composition. And what a great idea to use the curve of a page as background for the Cancel the Cost texture.ReplyDelete
You're cookin' with pixel dust, Bonnie!
Wow Bonnie, thanks so much. These are great and I can't wait to start playing with them. I just got back from vacation and took lots of pictures to play with.ReplyDelete
Bright blessings,
Just discovered your page, I will try your textures and send samples or links. Thank you.ReplyDelete
(logged in to my cats' blog)
Tried Old Master Dust TextureReplyDelete
All comments are eagerly read and greatly appreciated.
While I do appreciate the honor, I do not accept awards or participate in assigned memes. Thanks for understanding. :)


text:
Las Vegas Weekend Getaway for 4
Helicopter to Vegas baby!
The average driving time from Los Angeles to Las Vegas on a Friday is 6 hours with all of the traffic and even longer returning on Sunday. Orbic Air's Helicopter Charter can get you there in about 2 hours. This special has you departing from the Burbank Airport by 2:00pm Friday, and returning on Sunday morning.
Availability: Round Trip
Pricing: $10,995.00
Price is for the Eurocopter AS350 helicopter, which seats up to 5 passengers, or ideally 4 passengers plus luggage. For larger groups we can upgrade the to a King Air airplane for groups up to 6. Please call for availability. Price does not include hotel or ground transportation.
- 23892206
- Round Trip
- New


text:
Champs Sports
Click here to see our latest styles
3320 Silas Creek Parkway
Winston Salem
Tel: 336-760-4147
Web: https://stores.champssports.com/us/nc/winston-salem/3320-silas-creek-parkway
Email: email@example.com
Accurate to within approximately 300 feet. Click here to see a larger map
Champs Sports
Whether it's your first stop at Champs Sports or you're a regular, you'll discover why we are the only place to go to elevate your game. We offer the latest shoes, the freshest apparel, the hottest accessories, and more so your look is on point any time of the year. Our dedication to bringing you the latest launches is matched only by our desire to outfit you in the hottest threads. We always strive to offer you the freshest gear from Nike, adidas, Under Armour, Jordan, New Balance, and many other top brands to make you the talk of the town.
Categories: shoe stores, clothing stores
- Products and Services
Featured Products
Featured Products
Jordan Retro 9 'Chicago'
A classic infused with Chi-Town pride.
Add some fresh Air to your fit with Nike Air Max.
Url: https://www.champssports.com/category/shoes/nike/air-max.html
Champs App
Your go-to source for the latest launches, apparel, and all things Champs Sports. Never miss out on the latest shoe drops with the Release Calendar and sign up for our loyalty program to get access to early offers and more.
Url: https://www.champssports.com/app
Launch Locator
Your official source to find the hottest footwear releases available at Champs Sports stores nationwide. Select the shoe and enter your city, state, or zip code to see the closest place you can pick up the freshest kicks.
Url: https://www.champssports.com/launch-locator
Opening Hours
Monday: 10:00 to 21:00
Tuesday: 10:00 to 21:00
Wednesday: 10:00 to 21:00
Thursday: 10:00 to 21:00
Friday: 10:00 to 21:00
Saturday: 10:00 to 21:00
Sunday: 10:00 to 18:00


text:
Author: Alan Jones
The first time I heard about Sea Ray's new Quiet Ride technology was as a judge on the 2012 NMMA Innovation Awards committee. Our dilemma was that the builder didn't have a boat in the water at the Miami Boat Show to demonstrate this technology. The Sea Ray folks were making some pretty bold claims about its effectiveness, touting up to a 14-decibel reduction, and since 10 decibels less represents a reading that's half the noise, we were pretty skeptical. But we discovered that one of our trusted Boating Writers International colleagues had tested it, and he gave us his performance data. Based on that info, the Sea Ray 250 SLX won the 2012 Innovation Award.
Unique Factor
A boat with the decibel readings we received is almost unbelievable, so I was excited to test it myself at the Tellico Lake facility where Sea Ray builds the 250 SLX. To me, the most critical reduction would be at cruise speed, because that's where most people spend the greatest amount of time when running. As I put the boat on plane, the lack of noise and vibration was readily noticeable, and as we settled into a cruise speed of 28 mph, I was shocked by what I saw on my decibel meter. I've taken readings on nearly 1,000 boats in my career, and bowriders inthis class should measure between 83 and 85 dBA at this speed, but I saw the needle settled in at 76 dBA. It was even more pronounced at top speed, with a reading of 84 decibels. Most boats I've tested average 93 dBA at this throttle setting. Amazingly, at WOT my passenger and I could converse in the same tone we would use in a library.
So how the heck did Sea Ray engineers perform this magic? First, they attacked noise through conventional means, by adding thick insulation material around the engine hatch and putting gaskets on any moving item, such as hatches and the transom door, which got a new industrial-strength latch, since vibration equals noise. The walk-through windshield is tightly gasketed and requires some muscle to pop it open, but it will never rattle. Cupholders, with that little hole at the bottom to direct condensation into the bilge, turned out to be a significant contributor to noise, so they were insulated. Bulkheads were also strategically added to wall off sound.
But the real cleverness begins with the patented Tuned Transom by Omni Products (exclusively licensed to Brunswick), featuring a material that looks like Starboard, but when you drop a golf ball on it, the ball's rebound is shortened dramatically. But the coolest component is the thin material used in the fiberglass laminate that converts sound waves into heat (nothing actually gets appreciably hotter). The underside of the hull gets the most of this material to attenuate the sound of the water hitting the hull, but small amounts of it (looking like a sheet of printer paper) are placed in strategic locations throughout the rest of the hull. The stuff works but needs a clever marketing name.
Our test boat is equipped with the standard MerCruiser 350 MAG ECT engine, which produces 300 hp and features a catalytic converter for reduced emissions. The 250 SLX is a fairly sizeable boat, stretching 26 feet, 6 inches with a trailering-friendly 8-foot, 6-inch beam. Unladen, it weighs 5,581 pounds, so 300 hp is pushing a lot of boat. On plane in 4.1 seconds, it has little bowrise, so our forward visibility remained excellent. Time to 30 mph was 7.8 seconds, and our terminal velocity peaked at a respectable 47.1 mph. The only other engine blocks available for this model is the 8.2L that comes in a 380 hp version or the HO fire breather that cranks out 430 big ones, which puts you near go-fast territory.
This big bowrider's hull features 21 degrees of deadrise, which gives it good slicing ability in the chop. Conditions on test day were like glass, but we tested its very similar predecessor, the 250 Select EX, in horrible conditions in the Florida panhandle, and it took steep 4-footers in style. We used the standard hydraulic trim tabs to keep the bow down and the boat on plane at 14 mph and cleaved our way through the head seas cleanly with no pounding. This amount of deadrise could make some boats more tender, but the 250's pleasing heft makes it very stable at rest. The power steering has a good feel — it's not too light — so holding it on a chosen line is easy when on plane. Predictably, there's a bit of wander at idle, until the driver gets dialed into the proper amount of correction to administer without overdoing it. Owing to its fairly deep-V hull, the boat heels over pretty far in turns and carves a tight, accurate corner without blowing out.
Best Uses
One of the greatest benefits of the Quiet Ride technology is that you can actually enjoy the stereo when running. Usually, you have to crank it to the point of distortion to hear it, which just adds to the acoustical fatigue that occurs when you cruise for long periods. Without the stereo on, the loudest sound you hear is the gentle lap of the hull working the water, which is unique and mesmerizing. This is one boat you will enjoy just cruising on, even if there's no destination.
When equipped with one of the two watersports tower options, along with the addition of Smart Tow cruise control, the 250 SLX makes a fine wakeboard boat. At 20 mph, we trimmed the bow up a little and carved a nice clean wake for launching. The L-lounge configuration allows you to put some extra passenger weight at the stern to help beef up the wake. Good luck, however, getting anyone to move out of the bowrider seats, which are among the most comfortable in the industry. The rear sunpad has gullwing sections that allow you to create a centerline walk-through for access to the generous swim platform, or you can leave it in full sunning mode.
Preferred Setup
Once you've made your engine choice (Clark Kent or the other guy), you have a huge list of options to make the 250 SLX your own boat. Most will rig it with the optional VacuFlush head in the roomy port console, and the sporty and ergonomically correct helm station will benefit from the addition of a Garmin 640 GPSMap for navigation. Your other main option for taking the 250 on the road is a dual-axle trailer. Sea Ray gives you four hull color options in different configurations, such as the rich burgundy of our test boat. Priced at $94,608, with freight, the 250 SLX isn't for the faint of wallet, but cutting-edge luxury seldom comes cheap.


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GraphX 2.3.6
GraphX for .NET is an advanced graph visualization library that uses different layout and edge routing algorithms, implements many features and supports custom visual templates.
This release features WPF/METRO/UWA visualization only. Logic & algorithm libraries are available for many platforms.
Check out our newly launched GraphX PRO library for big data graphs handling at http://www.graphx.pro/ !
Install-Package GraphX -Version 2.3.6
dotnet add package GraphX --version 2.3.6
<PackageReference Include="GraphX" Version="2.3.6" />
paket add GraphX --version 2.3.6
Release Notes
Feel free to submit feedback on the forums or GitHub. Thanks!
Changelog: https://github.com/panthernet/GraphX/blob/PCL/Documents/CHANGELOG.txt
Forum: http://panthernet.ru/forum
Showcase Apps: https://github.com/panthernet/GraphX/releases
.NETCore 4.5.1
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Portable Class Library (.NETFramework 4.0, Silverlight 5.0, Windows 8.0, WindowsPhone 8.0, WindowsPhoneApp 8.1)
GitHub Usage
Showing the top 1 GitHub repositories that depend on GraphX:
A program that learns music structure of given midi files and able to generate new melodies by judmental of other compositions. E.g. generate melody in style of Armstrong as negatively judged by Eminem and positively by Bach.


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A former volunteer firefighter has pleaded guilty to charges in connection with a high-speed police chase in Somerset County, Maine.
The Morning Sentinel reports that 20-year-old Ryan Galouch of Belgrade was sentenced Wednesday in Somerset County to three years in prison with all but 120 days suspended.
He pleaded guilty to charges including failure to stop for an officer and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon.
The latest news from around the state
Police say a Skowhegan officer attempted to stop Galouch after he was speeding in February. They say Galouch almost collided with the officer's cruiser before driving away.
Authorities say he reached speeds of at least 100 mph during the chase through Skowhegan, Canaan and Pittsfield before he was stopped on Interstate 95.
Police say Galouch identified himself as a Belgrade firefighter.


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At VCA we want our doctors to practice medicine dictated by the needs of the patient, not by a corporate handbook. With over 800 hospitals nationwide, each with their own unique culture, we can find you the right fit that will meet both your professional and personal needs.
We are actively hiring General Practice Veterinarians throughout Colorado State to join our team. VCA doctors enjoy the stability of a large company yet are involved in, and become a valued part of the local community. You will benefit from the shared knowledge of colleagues at VCA hospitals in Fort Collins, Boulder, Colorado Springs and throughout the Denver metro area.
We encourage all General Practice Veterinarians to apply if interested in permanent or relief positions. Whether you'™re an experienced clinician or a new graduate, we have an opportunity for you. Generous signing and relocation bonuses are available. Our competitive salary and varying compensation models offer flexibility to maximize your ability to earn in a manner most beneficial to you. Apply today to learn more about the opportunities available to you as a part of the VCA family.
We have openings at the following Denver area hospitals:
Lakewood, CO '" VCA Anderson Animal Hospital
Littleton, CO - VCA Littleton Animal Hospital & VCA Dakota Ridge Animal Hospital
Greenwood Village, CO - VCA Orchard Animal Hospital
VCA rewards its team members with a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including:


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[Letter from Lysander Spooner to Bradburn]
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Sundry Disbursements on Sloop Hare at Barbados
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November 1851
[Letter from Geo. M. Searle to Lysander Spooner]
[Letter from K. Rayner to Lysander Spooner]
[Letter from Gerrit Smith to Lysander Spooner]
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Capt. John Duncan in Accot. with John Thornton & Charles Yates
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[Loose account pages]
Bill of Sale of between William Stevenson and David Dickson
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Invoice of the Cargo on board the brig't Othello George Sweet Master for the Coast of Africa on Account and resque of S & Wm. Vernon and goes consigned to s'd Master
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[Letter from A. J. Rux to E. H. Stokes]
Military Officers that delivered up Burns & took their pay
[List of names associated with the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society]
A Plan for the Abolition of Slavery
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No. 11, Remarks
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Who may be a Member of the ACO?
The ACO is an inclusive and diverse group of ADHD professionals. Anyone who is interested in ADHD Coaching, may be a member of the ACO and enjoy all of the benefits of membership. However, not all members may be on the ACO's list of Professional ADHD Coaches (see requirements below).
In joining the ACO, all members are required to:
Who may be on the ACO's List of Professional ADHD Coaches?
To apply to be on this list, you must log in first to the membership site with your user name/password.
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Hair & beauty salons
Hair and beauty salons
Healthy body, healthy mind…
Our hair, beauty and complementary therapy salons are the perfect place for some you time. Whether you have an hour to de-stress, or a whole day to completely unwind, immerse yourself in the relaxing salon surroundings and let our students work their magic.
Relax with a tension-busting massage, recreate yourself with a restyle or be pampered with a choice of over 30 beauty treatments.
Time here is time you can relish. Let our trainee stylists, therapists and beauticians make you feel and look fantastic. You'll emerge feeling refreshed and revitalised.
Interested in studying Hair, Beauty or Complementary Therapies at Coleg Gwent? Apply now for one of our exciting courses in this rewarding industry.
For more information contact the Hair & Beauty department to book or for further details - 01495 333138/68
Treatments vary between campuses – here's a sample of what we offer:
Opening times and appointments
For specific details and prices please contact individual salons.


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Lights, Camera, Action
- Expert Help: Video Editing
- Prep Your Videos to Share
- From YouTube to Your iPod
- The Perfect Editing Station
- Burn HD on Plain Old DVDs
- Expert View: Vibrant Video: Five Maxims
- Show and Tell
- Video Editing 101
- How to Make an Award-Winning Movie
- Lights, Camera, Action
- Make Digital Videos Worth Watching
PowerPoint has always been a good tool for creating presentations, from school and college projects to client proposals and product launches. Still, the typical presentation has gotten pretty formulaic, so that people are often turned off at the idea of viewing another one. But Microsoft Producer, available for PowerPoint 2002 and 2003, lets you add a whole new dimension to your presentations.
With Microsoft Producer, you can craft media-rich presentations by combining audio, video, text, slides, and images into a single production. Try it, and you'll never be happy with a simple bulleted list again! Best of all, Producer is free, and it's fun.
Producer uses an interface reminiscent of Windows Movie Maker, with a timeline across the bottom, collections of various media objects at the top of the screen, and a pane for previewing the objects.
The first step to creating the show is assembling the various elements. To see how it's done, download Producer at www.microsoft.com/office/powerpoint/producer/prodinfo/default.mspx , then install and launch it. Click the Slides folder in the tree pane at the top left of the screen. Double-click on the Import Slides icon and import your PowerPoint slide show. Do the same for any video, audio, or still images you want to use. You're not committing to actually using anything right now; you're just gathering your resources together.
When importing video clips, click on the Create Clips for video files option, and Producer will split longer movies into smaller clips where scene changes are detected. If you don't choose this option when importing, you can right-click on a movie in the Producer window and choose Create Clips to do so later on. You can also edit a clip on the timeline by setting start and end points for trimming the clip or by choosing Clip | Split to divide it in two.
To add elements to your presentation, drag them from the collection area and drop them onto the relevant area of the timeline. Drop videos and still images onto the Video area, slides onto the Slides area, and audio onto the second of the two Audio tracks.
Click the Presentation templates option in the tree pane and choose one or more templates to control how the screen appears during the presentation. Some templates show only the video components of the timeline. Others show video and slides, or slides and HTML text. Choosing a combination of templates lets you focus in on the presenter for the introduction, for example, and then move the presenter off to one side as you bring in the slides.
You can also enhance your presentation with video effects and transitions that are selectable from the tree pane or menu. You simply drop effects onto the clip or image to attach them. To set the changeover from one clip or image to the next one, drop the transition in between them.
If you have a Webcam or digital camcorder, you can use it to capture video content. You can also use a microphone to capture the audio as you narrate your presentation. If your presentation involves something done on the computer or browsing a Web site, you can record this as video content, using the Video Screen Capture with Audio option. To access all these options, choose Tools | Capture. Once the capture process is complete and the files saved, they'll appear in the relevant area of the tree pane, and you can drag and drop them onto the timeline.
To synchronize the narration or video and audio tracks to the actual slide presentation, use the Synchronize tool on the toolbar. This tool plays your audio and video tracks while displaying a small preview of the slide show. You control this preview. Click to move from slide to slide or through the various slide effects, and Synchronize then places each slide on the timeline in the correct position. Once you've done this, you can adjust the position of other elements in the timeline to match.
To test the presentation, choose the Preview Presentation pane and click Play. Use the Pack and Go Wizard from the File menu to pack up the presentation, either to move it to another computer or to hand the final fine-tuning of it over to someone else.
When you're ready, click the Publish button. You can publish to a CD, your own computer, a place on your network, or a Windows Media Services server. Once this is done, the presentation can be viewed using a Web browser.


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Amusment ParkWednesday, 19 August 2015
Went to spend the day at Walibi Belgium the other day, I said to myself that I would try all of the attractions even the terrifying ones. At the end of the day I must say that I have tried most of them despite the hesitations. I made it yayy


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Roy Choi and Daniel Patterson Announce loco'l
Daniel Patterson and Roy Choi are chefs based on the west coast of the United States. After meeting at MAD in 2013, they decided to join forces and start a chain of inexpensive restaurants to combat the fast food chains that dominate low-income areas.
The following year, at MAD4, the announced the project: loco'l.
Loco'l opens its first location in Watts, LA on Monday January 18th, 2016.
To learn more about MAD and support our efforts, visit the About page.


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FarmHouse Fresh is the one brand that changed my mind about fragranced products. When this blog was started almost 7 years ago I refused to use anything with a fragrance to it. You've probably noticed that my blog partner Lisa is the only one that reviews any true fragrances and at least 80% of scented products. After her second (or so) FarmHouse Fresh review she insisted that I take one of the products to try out. Well Lisa was right and I've been on the FarmHouse Fresh bandwagon ever since.
During the scurry of buying for the winter holidays FarmHouse Fresh had some amazing extras with purchases. At first I bought my essentials like FarmHouse Fresh Watermelon Basil Body Scrub and another amazing body oil (this time in Clementine) and received a great gwp. More offers came in and I couldn't resist so while looking around I noticed One Fine Day Flawless Face Polish and knew that was going in my cart.
So many reasons that I'm glad I bought this! It's both a cleanser and exfoliator in one. It's gentle as can be so I can and have used it daily. It washes off so easily without leaving behind little scrubbies. I always use a wash cloth or preferably The Body Shop Luxury Flannel Washcloth which is more like a shammy in the way it works.
The texture of One Fine Day is unlike any other cleanser I've tried. It's almost balm like without being a balm. It's very thick and you only need to scoop out a small amount for your entire face.
Wet your face with warm water and apply the cleanser with your fingers. I start in a circular motion and am able to exfoliate my face without it feeling rough at all. I still use another exfoliator on some mornings when I'm in the shower and can wash off a heavier one but this is perfect for daily use.
Now let me address the fragrance which I can do in one word – yummy – but of course that's not enough. It's sweet because it's a sugar scrub but it also contains a hint of natural grapefruit and citrus oils. And if you get some on your lips just lick it off since it tastes sugary and not bitter.
One Fine Day is good for all skin types, even those of you who might have rosacea. It helps to reduce redness with its gentleness. It hasn't ever stripped my skin, instead it's left it feeling soft and hydrated. One Fine Day is 98.5% natural, and like all FarmHouse Fresh products, it is Paraben and Sulfate Free.
FarmHouse Fresh even told us how the product got its name: "Shea butter's many vitamins quickly penetrate to nourish skin while the micro sugar crystals clear the way for having one truly fine day."
If you haven't gotten onto FarmHouse Fresh's mailing list you need to consider that since they often do gifts that you won't be able to resist. I'm glad I didn't resist and found a cleansing exfoliator that makes my day just fine. — Marcia
*self purchased, affiliate links


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My resolve to reduce my spending on polish was broken within mere hours of making the decision. My excuse this time? Free shipping from Petal Polish, and a new collection featuring a gorgeous yellow that I *had* to have. What can I say, I'm weak.
This will be a little more pic-heavy than my normal posts - all three I purchased were so beautiful I'm breaking from my usual one picture laziness! I have one polish from the new Aspley Collection, and two more from the previous range.
Hibiscus, from The Aspley Collection, is a stunning fiery golden yellow with a beautiful iridescent orange shimmer. This was the polish I had to have. Any nail polish fanatic knows how difficult it is to find a yellow that reaches opacity without a white base - so how does Hibiscus fare?
I was excited to find that after two thin coats I had only a few minor patches and knew a third would make it rock solid. Ding-ding-ding we have a winner! My photos show three coats with one coat of Pretty Serious Crystal Coat. This is an absolute must-have yellow for me.
Iris hits me right in my weak spot. I swooned over the royal purple jelly in the bottle and on the nail it is rich and wonderful. My eyes just wanted to caress its beauty for the rest of time. The white and yellow hexes are abundant, paired with a dash of holographic shine.
Due to the generous amounts of glitter this requires a little extra care with application but it's totally worth it. A little dabbing, a little poke here and there and voila, perfection. Iris is a thirsty little petal, so I used one coat of Essence Gel Look Top Coat and one of Dead Set Babes Super Glossy! Glitter Topcoat for that smooth glassy finish that may induce involuntary moans of ecstasy upon viewing.
Periwinkle is a favourite colour of mine so this one jumped in my cart without a second thought. I found this polish to be a little sheer, though the tiny violet flakes do a lot to distract from that. The colour itself is impossible to capture because it's impossible to accurately identify. More chameleon than multichrome, it's about 7 different shades of blue and purple depending on the light and angle. I saw some definite potential to double down on the pretty with some black undies.
Bam! No longer periwinkle, it takes on rich sapphire hues over black undies. It positively comes to life with the violet flakes shimmering like nobodies business.
Tilt your hand a few degrees and the flakies disguise any trace of blue and turn the whole nail a rich violet. Though I wasn't sold on Periwinkle at first, I'm falling more and more in love with how versatile the colour is. Worn alone it's understated and feminine, then with a black base it reveals a hidden identity and amps up the vamp. For my swatches I wore three coats alone, then two coats over black. Both times topped with Pretty Serious Crystal Coat.
Not only am I seriously impressed with the polishes shown here, I'm astounded by the service! I placed my order on a Monday night, and came home Tuesday to find the parcel had been hand delivered to my front door. Now I don't believe this is a regular service Christine offers (I'm sure flights around the country are just a scratch more expensive than postage) but I'm sure it's at least an indication that all these polishes are made with a lot of love and care.
Have you checked out Petal Polish on Etsy yet? Do it, the link is right there!


text: xbeaker 339 Posted May 1, 2018 2 minutes ago, Tvayumat said: Not quite. The unit must be in melee for the melee attack to happen at all. During this attack resolution, both bikes would be eligible to receive damage. Once damage is assigned, assuming Luke were in contact with the non-leader model only, it would be possible to resolve the attack in such a way that the units are no longer in melee. RAW, he would not then move to the second bike because he is only one model and he is no longer in melee. RAI is less clear. It's possible that he would be intended to then move on to the next bike, it's possible he wouldn't. The stormtrooper unit in the example is composed of multiple miniatures, some of which are still in melee upon attack resolution, causing the rest to move into contact. Luke is one model. When he is no longer in base-to-base, he is out of melee. There is no second miniature to keep him in melee. I await the rules email reply on this one curiously. By your own argument, a miniature is not in melee with a miniature. A unit is in Melee with the whole of the unit. If Luke's "unit" was in melee with bike 2 when the attack started then Luke must still be in melee with it. That his attack cause the mini he was in contact with to be removed means that he should immediately be placed in base contact with another mini of the other unit in melee. I agree it will be interesting to see what FFG says though. 1 nashjaee reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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Nettlebed yellow line proposals out to consultation
Nettlebed residents are being asked for their views on proposals for parking and waiting restrictions in the village.
Oxfordshire County Council has launched a consultation in response to concerns raised by the parish council over obstructions to through traffic and to the safety of road users and pedestrians.
The proposals suggest that stretches of double yellow lines will be added to the south side of the High Street and on both sides of Watlington Street.
Full details on the proposals, including the precise start and end points of the lines, are available online at: https://consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/consult.ti/NettlebedParkingRestrictions/consultationHome
People have until 11 August 2017 to take part in the consultation.


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Thank you for visiting our website to learn more about Our Shepherd Lutheran School! Our website is a great way to learn more about our Preschool–8th Grade curriculum and school activities.
I welcome you to visit our school to learn more about providing a quality education for God's children founded in God's Word. I would be more than happy to answer any further questions, provide you with a personal tour of our facility, and introduce you to our teachers and students.
I look forward to the opportunity to meet you and your children, and to assist you through the process of picking a school.
CLICK HERE to request information and thank you for your interest in Our Shepherd!
More Admissions Links:
God's blessings to you and your family,
Our Shepherd Lutheran School


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Fullink Technology Co, Ltd was established in 2011. It specializes in R&D, design, manufacturing of HD video and audio adapters, dongles, docking stations, and wireless charging for OEM and ODM.
We offer a wide range of products such as DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, HDMI, USB, USB-C, SATA, Thunderbolt, Wireless charger etc. They are commonly used for connectivity and signal-converting purposes between desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones and display devices.
As one of the leading manufacturer of connectivity products, our mission statement is Quality, Efficiency, Professionalism, Innovation. With continuous success, Fullink's enterprise has expanded to 3 factories, two R&D offices and became publicly traded in 2016.


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Tag: music
Puppets on a string? The reality of pop marketing
27th March
It's interesting to hear the views of 1960s pop star Sandie Shaw, who this week told a government committee that it's easier for musicians from privileged backgrounds to prosper in today's music industry.
Of course there are many cases of working-class musicians who have made it (and continue to make it) in the competitive world of pop. Adele and Dizzee Rascal, for example, show us that great talent knows no barriers.
But it's certainly true that launching a successful music career now requires a great deal of marketing, PR and funding.