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- Movie
Is there nothing a TARDIS cannot do? On Doctor Who, actress Karen Gillan spent years traveling through time and space in the familiar blue box — and it even helped put Gillan at her ease when the Scot first Skyped with director Mike Flanagan about appearing in the haunted mirror horror film Oculus, which opens Friday. "I was like, Okay, I'm going to impress this American director. And then he takes a swig of coffee and he's totally oblivious to the fact that the mug is a TARDIS. I was like, I got this."
Below, Gillan talks more about Oculus, this August's Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Who, and deep-fried chocolate.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: The last time I spoke with you was outside your trailer at Shepperton Studios in the U.K. and you were totally bald for Guardians of the Galaxy.
KAREN GILLAN: [Laughs] Just another day! It's coming in, gradually. I'm beginning to look like a human.
Tell us about Oculus.
The script was sent to me by the director. I was in Scotland in my family home and I read the script and I loved it. It was really interesting and also just this damaged character. I wanted to explore that and see if I could do it. It felt like a challenge. I Skyped with Mike, we talked about it and then I made an audition tape with my Dad reading the other lines, which was hilarious, and then we sent it off to America.
Is your Dad a good actor?
You know, it's not his strong suit. [Laughs]
You shot the film in Alabama. How does that compare with Scotland?
You know what? It's quite similar. I just feel the attitude and the mentality is quite similar. And they fry everything.
Even Mars bars?
They do not do that in Alabama. That's very specifically Scottish, I think.
In the film your character is obsessed with the idea that an antique mirror has killed a vast number of people, including her own parents. Has it given you a morbid fear of reflective surfaces?
Not really. I think (Gillan's Oculus costar) Katee Sackhoff has gotten that, rather than me. She said that the other day she was in a rental house and she had to take the mirror down.
How much did you work with Katee?
Not that much. The story plays out in two separate timelines and she's in the past, I'm in the present, so not so much. But I definitely got to watch her work and it was really exciting for me because I think she's such an incredible actress. She's a bit of an inspiration to me. Because she's come from sci-fi. She totally gets that whole franchise thing
Did you swap any notes about being TV sci-fi veterans?
We had some nice chats over a glass of wine.
Are you a fan of horror movies?
Oh, absolutely. I love horror films. This is a bit of a dream of mine, to do an American horror film. The Ring is my favorite horror film closely followed by Scream. And then I love The Shining and The Exorcist.
You're very well known in the UK. But how often do you get recognized in the States?
Only over the last month. It's been getting crazier. I don't know why. Before I could totally walk around and the odd person would come out of the woodwork. But it's been happening more recently. But not anywhere as much as the UK.
What do people say to you?
I think a lot of them are Doctor Who fans. Which is funny, because I'm not even in it any more.
But no one ever really leaves Doctor Who, do they?
Well, that's it. It's like, [you're] in it for life.
Speaking of which what was it like filming your cameo appearance for last year's special Christmas episode (which was also Matt Smith's final episode as the Doctor)?
It was really weird. It was such a surreal experience. Because those were three very important years of my life on that TV show and then to go back and be on someone else's TARDIS was a really weird sensation. And sort of be on the outside looking in. But also knowing that life is okay after you leave Doctor Who. It was just a really interesting experience and important to me that I was there for Matt's final moments in character.
Were there tears?
Everyone was crying! Everyone! Me and Jenna (Coleman) were hugging. Oh my God
What is your enduring memory from the Guardians of the Galaxy shoot?
I loved every second of working on that film. It was so exciting, I love my character so much. Just working on a film of that scale, I'd never done that before. So it was amazing to see what it's like. And all those fight sequences! Whoa.
It's such a fantastically odd cast. Who was your best friend on set?
I worked a lot with Lee Pace, because we're the bad guys, and we went around antagonizing everybody. He was really fun to work with and he gives such a great performance as the male villain. Oh my god, it's really something. And also, just watching Zoe Saldana work was really inspiring to me.
I recently interviewed your Guardians director James Gunn and asked him what question I should put to you. He said he wanted to know how you managed to keep your hands off him.
[Laughs] Well, you know, I like to keep it professional.
I also spoke with Scandal and Grey's Anatomy showrunner Shonda Rhimes a couple of years back and she mentioned that she wanted to cast you in something "top secret" but that you were off doing movies. Did she ever reach out to you?
Um, there were some communications. [Laughs] I obviously won't divulge that information. There were definitely talks but I unfortunately couldn't do it because of the things I'd already signed on to do.
Could you have been on Scandal? Is that what you're saying?
I mean, I can't really tell. [Laughs] That's top secret, as Shonda says.
Fair enough. What's next for you?
Well, Guardians is coming out on the first of August and I just finished a pilot for ABC and Warner Brothers called Selfie. I'm really excited about it because this is a totally different character. It's an out-and-out comedy and I'm playing this real narcissist.
What's the setup?
Basically, she is a social media-obsessed girl with no friends and she tries to rebrand herself as a more likeable person in real life. It's like My Fair Lady. She's called Eliza Dooley.
If all goes well with the pilot, you would move to the States?
If it gets picked up I would have to, yes. I've kind of been here a lot for a long time now so I think I would really love it, actually. But I miss Scotland.
What do you miss most?
My family, because they're all there, and all my friends. And the gloomy weather and the humor. All of it. I miss it. Scotland's a thing of its own.
You can check out the trailer for Oculus below.
|Complete Coverage


text: Artifact Details Title HP-75 calculator case and accessories Catalog Number 102626400 Type Physical object Date 1984 ca. Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard Company (HP) Dimensions 2 x 12 3/4 x 7 in Description Object consists of: leather case, keyboard overlays (2), "Special offer" card, service brochure, HP-75 software and accessories list, magnetic cards in plastic case. Category Miscellaneous/carrying case

subset: commoncrawl


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This is the 3rd part of our series on 4th Axis Machining. In this post, we'll talk about workholding and the 4th Axis.
It should come as no surprise that 4th Axis workholding is pretty similar to workholding on a plain old mill table. Heck, many Horizontal Mills don't have anything but a palletized 4th Axis Tombstone as their "table". So, we'll work through the workholding options and they'll seem pretty familiar. I'm going to order them for familiarity relative to the table, rather than necessarily based on how often each one is used. We'll talk about the latter as we consider each case.
4th Axis Vise
Since we're working in order of familiarity, I thought we should start with the ability to stick a normal milling vise into a 4th Axis arrangement. Stallion makes one such:
In fact, the Stallion is a bit more versatile because it isn't just for vises–it's basically a fixturing system:
I've written at more length on Stallion's Trunnion fixtures in another post. They're very slick, but you need to make sure they solve the problem you need solved for your 4th Axis. In particular, the access to the part is going to be limited to the access you can get form a vise. As such, you'd be looking to use a Vise on your 4th Axis largely because it is super easy, familiar, and to gain access to 3 sides of the work rather than just the top in a single setup.
Note that on a big Horizontal Mill tombstone, you may mount multiple vises on 4 sides of the tombstone and even more than one on each side. That creates a lot of capacity!
4th Axis Tombstones = Mill Table Fixture Plates
Tombstones correspond to Fixture Plates on a mill. There are many different shapes and sizes of Tombstones available for 4th Axes. Here's one I've shown before from a big horizontal milling setup:
A 4th Axis Tombstone on a Horizontal Mill…
The vertical mill version is similar, but typically a bit smaller:
Tombstone on a vertical mill…
The goals with Tombstones are usually to get access to more parts, more sides, and to make swapping many parts into and out of the machine go fast. You're typically putting parts on or off the fixture plates while the machine is running and as soon as it stops, you swap either the fixture plates or the whole tombstone to get the machine running again quickly. Depending on the size of the part, you made need an offset arrangement more like the Stallion version pictured above.
4th Axis + Lathe Chucks
For round parts, and for many things that go 'round, lathe tooling is where its at. After all, it's optimized to do workholding along a rotating axis. Hence, it's very common to mount lathe chucks on your 4th Axis:
Machining a gear with a 4th axis…
All the same ideas that apply to which chuck to use in a lathe work for 4th Axes on mills. Years ago, I put together a chart that has been useful to me in turning work and we can refer to it here too:
|3-Jaw Self-Centering Chuck
|Common, cheap, simple. Low precision, low repeatability if you remove the workpiece and have to put it back.
|4-Jaw Chuck
|Can be time consuming to individually adjust the jaws, but will result in high precision. Can hold pieces offset for turning cams or eccentrics. Can hold irregular shapes and square or rectangular stock.
|6-Jaw Self-Centering Chuck
|Best for thin wall work or to grip finished edges of workpiece. Obviously good for hex stock.
|Faceplate Turning
Varies w/ Setup
|Great for irregular shapes. Involves clamps like a milling setup. May need counterweights to keep things balanced.
|Turning Between Centers
|Great precision, allows part to be put back between centers with very high repeatability.
|Constant Face Turning
|The modern alternative to turning between centers. Instead of using lathe dogs, which are kind of a nuisance to set up, the constant face system uses hydraulic or other force to grip and drive the spindle end. You can now buy these systems relatively cheaply on eBay (see seller 800Watt who sold me mine).
|Collet Chuck
|Fast, high precision, high repeatability, grips well, unlikely to mar workpiece, grip spread over a wide area. Expensive chucks and collets. Handles limited lengths. Workpiece must be round and must fit nearly exactly to the collet size.
|Expanding Arbors
|These work from the inside out rather than the outside in but are otherwise much like collets.
"Repeatability" applies to the ease with which you can remove a part and put it right back into the chuck in exactly the same position so you can continue machining. It's a big factor to consider, but typically isn't as important for 4th Axis work as it is for turning. When turning, for example, you often have to swap a part end for end, or you may have to take an existing part and put it in the lathe to rework some aspect. With a 4th Axis, you will often just stick in a piece of raw material, in which case Repeatability is not a factor. Hence the ubiquity of the relatively non-repeatable 3-jaw chuck for 4th Axis work.
Turning between centers happens fairly often with a 4th Axis just because you have to make sure you're supporting any part with significant overhang out at the end too. How much is significant? I was taught 3 or 4 diameters was about a much as you want to hang off the chuck on a lathe before you start looking for more support.
Collets are really nice for turning work (hence the ubiquity of the old Hardinge Lathes and their 5C collet system). They get high marks on just about every aspect. It's no coincidence that the original Haas 4th Axis had a 5C indexer:
Original Haas 4th Axis incorporated a 5C Collet Indexer…
Perhaps the biggest shortcoming of 5C collets is they only allow for parts of relatively limited diameter. This can be overcome by turning things on their head. Consider this setup:
I never would have guessed it, but Geof on CNCZone says the following 4-axis mill set up was able to machine these aluminum bars to length, ensure the faces were square, and drill and tap a hole faster than he could do it in a lathe. You can imagine each of those 4 parts being a 5C spin indexer and suddenly you fit quite a few more parts on your 4th Axis.
Workholding and Fixturing are always an art that it pays to learn well. I'm always on the lookup for clever setups and fixtures and you should be too. The 4th Axis opens whole new avenues for fixturing and setup. For next week's installment, I want to spend a bit of time talking about 4th Axis work for wood on CNC Routers.
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Press Releases
AGF Management Limited Reports First Quarter Financial Results
March 25, 2015 • Quarterly Reports/Dividends
- Total AUM increased to $36.7 billion at February 28, 2015, from $36.1 billion at February 28, 2014
- 51% of ranked AUM performed above median for the three-year period ended February 28, 2015
AGF Management Limited (AGF or the Company) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended February 28, 2015. Total assets under management (AUM) increased to $36.7 billion as at February 28, 2015, compared to $36.1 billion as at February 28, 2014. Total retail fund AUM remained stable at $20.0 billion as at February 28, 2015. The trend of lower retail redemption levels continued into the first quarter of 2015 as net redemptions were 18.6% lower than during the first quarter of 2014, decreasing from net redemptions of $0.6 billion for the three months ended February 28, 2014 to $0.5 billion in the same period in 2015. Institutional and sub-advisory AUM was $11.8 billion as at February 28, 2015, compared to $12.1 billion as at February 28, 2014. High-net-worth AUM increased to $4.6 billion, compared to $4.1 billion for the same period in 2014. AUM related to the alternative asset management platform increased to $0.3 billion.
"Our primary objective is to help our clients succeed and in doing so, create shareholder value," said Kevin McCreadie, President and Chief Investment Officer, AGF Investments Inc. "Our investment performance is improving as is reflected by 51% of our ranked AUM for the three-year period now above median, a significant improvement from 22% a year ago. AGF has a number of attractive investment platforms that – along with a sustained focus on improving investment performance – will support growth in our business."
InstarAGF Inc. (InstarAGF) announced the acquisition of the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport passenger terminal by Nieuport Aviation Infrastructure Partners GP, a consortium of Canadian and international investors led by InstarAGF, during the first quarter of 2015. AGF has committed and invested $103.4 million related to this investment, which will be a seed asset for the essential infrastructure fund. The fund is expected to achieve its first closing with external investors in the first half of 2015, at which point the Company will receive a return of its capital in excess of its proportionate participation.
The Company participated in the Annual Brand Study conducted by Credo Consulting Inc. during the first quarter of 2015. The results of the survey showed significant improvement in AGF's brand recognition and perception.
"We are pleased with the results of a recent industry survey of advisors which recognized the progress we have made to further help advisors and our clients succeed," said Blake C. Goldring, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, AGF. "We remain focused on our key priorities, including our advancement in the alternative asset management space. During the quarter, AGF continued to return value to shareholders in the form of dividends and its share buyback program."
During the first quarter of 2015, revenue from continuing operations was $111.7 million, compared to $116.9 million for the three months ended February 28, 2014, largely due to lower average retail AUM levels. For the three months ended February 28, 2015, net income from continuing operations was $13.6 million compared to $17.1 million for the same quarter of 2014. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) from continuing operations was $33.9 million, compared to $43.9 million in the first quarter of 2014. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations of $0.16 compared to $0.20 for the three months ended February 28, 2014.
Dividends paid, including dividends reinvested, on Class A Voting common shares and Class B Non-Voting shares were $23.0 million in the first quarter of 2015. Under its normal course issuer bid, AGF repurchased a total of 2,788,040 Class B Non-Voting shares for $21.7 million at an average price of $7.80. For the three months ended February 28, 2015, AGF declared an eight cent per share dividend on Class A Voting common shares and Class B Non-Voting shares, payable April 17, 2015 to shareholders on record as at April 9, 2015.
Conference Call
AGF will host a conference call to review its earnings results today at 11:00 a.m. ET. The live audio webcast with supporting materials will be available in the Investor Relations section of AGF's website at www.agf.com or at http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/f4thgdxz. Alternatively, the call can be accessed toll-free in North America by dialing 1-800-708-4540 (Passcode #: 39212217). A complete archive of this discussion along with supporting materials will be available at the same webcast address within 24 hours of the end of the conference call.
AGF Management Limited shareholders, analysts and media, please contact:
Robert J. Bogart
Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer
416-865-4264, firstname.lastname@example.com
Adrian Basaraba
Senior Vice-President, Finance
416-865-4203, email@example.com
About AGF Management Limited
AGF Management Limited is one of Canada's premier independent investment management firms with offices across Canada and subsidiaries around the world. AGF's products include a diversified family of mutual funds, mutual fund wrap programs and pooled funds. AGF also manages assets on behalf of institutional investors including pension plans, foundations and endowments as well as for private clients. With over $36 billion in total assets under management, AGF serves more than one million investors. AGF trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol AGF.B.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) includes forward-looking statements about the Company, including its business operations, strategy and expected financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or include words such as 'expects,' 'anticipates,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'believes' or negative versions thereof and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as 'may,' 'will,' 'should,' 'would' and 'could.' In addition, any statement that may be made concerning future financial performance (including revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects, and possible future action on our part, is also a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are based on certain factors and assumptions, including expected growth, results of operations, business prospects, business performance and opportunities. While we consider these factors and assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and are inherently subject to, among other things, risks, uncertainties and assumptions about our operations, economic factors and the financial services industry generally. They are not guarantees of future performance, and actual events and results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made by us due to, but not limited to, important risk factors such as level of assets under our management, volume of sales and redemptions of our investment products, performance of our investment funds and of our investment managers and advisors, pipeline, competitive fee levels for investment management products and administration, and competitive dealer compensation levels and cost efficiency in our investment management operations, as well as interest and foreign-exchange rates, taxation, changes in government regulations, unexpected judicial or regulatory proceedings, and our ability to complete strategic transactions and integrate acquisitions. We caution that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. The reader is cautioned to consider these and other factors carefully and not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Other than specifically required by applicable laws, we are under no obligation (and expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or alter the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a more complete discussion of the risk factors that may impact actual results, please refer to the 'Risk Factors and Management of Risk' section of the 2014 Annual MD&A.
Media Contact
Amanda Marchment
Director, Corporate Communications
Phone: 416-865-4160
Email: email@example.com
Karrie Van Belle
SVP, Head of Marketing and Communications
Phone: 416-865-4320


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The massive downturn in the US economy will last longer and be more damaging than previous recessions because it is driven by an unprecedented loss of household wealth. Although the fiscal stimulus package that US President Barack Obama recently signed will give a temporary boost to activity sometime this summer, the common forecast that a sustained recovery will begin in the second half of the year will almost certainly prove to be overly optimistic.
Previous recessions were often characterized by excess inventory accumulation and over-investment in business equipment. The economy could bounce back as those excesses were absorbed over time, making room for new investment. Those recoveries were also helped by interest rate reductions by the central bank.
This time, however, the fall in share prices and in home values has destroyed more than US$12 trillion of household wealth in the US, an amount equal to more than 75 percent of GDP. Previous reactions to declines in household wealth indicate that such a fall will cut consumer spending by about US$500 billion every year until the wealth is restored. While a higher household saving rate will help to rebuild wealth, it would take more than a decade of relatively high saving rates to restore what was lost.
The decline in housing construction has added to the current shortfall in aggregate demand. The annual number of housing starts has fallen by 1.2 million units, cutting annual GDP by an additional US$250 billion. While this will eventually turn around as the inventory of unsold homes shrinks, the recovery will be slow.
So the US economy faces a US$750 billion shortfall of demand. Moreover, the usual automatic stabilizers of unemployment benefits and reduced income tax collections will do nothing to offset this fall in demand, because it is not caused by lower earnings or increased unemployment.
Although the recently enacted two-year stimulus package includes a total of US$800 billion of tax reductions and increased government spending, it would be wrong to think that this will add anything close to US$400 billion a year to GDP in each of the next two years. Most of the tax reductions will be saved by households, rather than used to finance additional spending.
Moreover, a substantial part of the spending will be spread over the following decade. And some of the government spending in the stimulus package will replace other outlays that would have occurred anyway. An optimistic estimate of the direct increase in annual demand from the stimulus package is about US$300 billion in each of the next two years.
The stimulus package would thus fill less than half of the hole in GDP caused by the decline in household wealth and housing construction, with the remaining demand shortfall of US$450 billion in each of the next two years causing serious second-round effects. As demand falls, businesses will reduce production, leading to lower employment and incomes, which in turn will lead to further cuts in consumer spending.
To be sure, an improvement in the currently dysfunctional financial system will allow banks and other financial institutions to start lending to borrowers who want to spend but cannot get credit today. This will help, but it is unlikely to be enough to achieve positive GDP growth.
A second fiscal stimulus package is therefore likely. However, it will need to be much better targeted at increasing demand in order to avoid adding more to the national debt than the rise in domestic spending. Similarly, the tax changes in such a stimulus package should provide incentives to increase spending by households and businesses.


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90cm Chefmaster Dual Fuel Range Cooker
Feature-rich and satisfyingly simple to cook with, this Chefmaster range cooker's three ovens and dedicated grill make any recipe easy to master. Its traditional five burner gas hob is complemented by a powerful wok burner - perfect for whipping up tasty stir-fries. And, the stylish integrated glass cover can be used as a splashback to keep your kitchen clean, or can be closed to create a seamless look.
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Note: Feature images are for illustrative purposes only.
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SPT Countertop Dishwasher Review
If what you are looking for is a dish washer for your office kitchen, your apartment or a small size kitchen then you can definitely look no further than the SPT counter top dish washer. Built with a height of just 17.12 inches the dish washer has been made extremely easy to store as it can easily fit almost all counter-tops and cabinets. It is then molded with a compact design and six standard place settings which is why the machine provides full-size to make your dishes thoroughly clean while offering enough space for loads.
To make it overly easy to operate, it has very simple controls which anyone can understand even on their first time and there is no doubt that you will in love with its stainless steel interior that it amazingly durable. The SPT utilizes 148-degree F water temperature and can easily be fixed to any kitchen faucet so there is surely no need for permanent installation or direct plumbing.
- The SPT counter top dish washer is very economical and cost efficient, first of all because of its design that is energy start certified to utilize less or save up some energy which definitely cuts down on you energy cost. More to that is the fact that it does not require permanent installation or direct plumbing that may have cost you some bucks.
- It saves up a lot of space, if you have limited space on your counter or cabinetry, the dish washer will absolutely be the perfect solution for you reason being it is small and short which makes it fit most cabinetry and counter tops.
- It is very durable especially because its interior is designed with stainless steel that does not easily get damaged.
- It offers a variety of options for you to choose from depending on what exactly you want to put into the dish washer. With 6 wash cycles, you will surely not fail to find one that will suit your needs.
- Using the dish washer on the counter is very safe since it is sturdily constructed to ensure that there are no leakages at any one moment.
- This is a very user-friendly dish washer that is not only very easy to set up but also very easy to operate, all its control are clear and arranged well so you will not go through any hardships when it comes to using the machine.
- It comes at such a fair price, compared to other dish washers that do the same function, the SPT comes a very affordable yet it is very well-constructed and performs excellently.
- It does not get pot and pans well, you will give credit to the dish washer for the fact that it can get plates sparkling clean but when it comes to pans and pots it does not get the job done well.
- It can only accommodate a small amount of load so if you have too many dishes to clean up, you will have to do your dishes multiple times which is very tiresome.
- Fisher Paykel DD24DCTB7 DishDrawer Review
- Edgestar 6 Place Setting Countertop Portable Dishwasher Review
- New-Koldfront 6 Place Setting Countertop Dishwasher Review
- Edge Star Energy Star 18″ Built-In Dishwasher Review
Features overview:
- 6 wash cycles:this SPT's wash cycles include normal, heavy, light, soak, glass and speed, this is enough variety for you to choose from depending on the items you are cleaning in the dish washer. You are not limited to just one or two alternatives, this dish washer provides wide variety for you to make choice from.
- 6 standard place settings capacity:its spacious cavity has 6 place settings in which you can load all the different items you want to wash. This provides just enough room for huge load.
- Long-lasting stainless steel interior and spray arm:both its interior and spray arm are made of stainless steel hence the machine's overly amazing durability. With the SPT counter top dish washer you can expect nothing but perfect and long lasting performance.
- Easy to use controls:this SPT dish washer is one really user friendly dish washer you will ever come across. It comes with very easy and well-arranged controls to make operating the dish washer entirely a one minute task to get the machine started. You surely do not have to go through the frustration of spending hours looking for where to begin operating the machine.
- Sleek silver finish:gives you kitchen that stylish and modern appearance by adding in this good looking appliance. It is finished in sleek silver which is a very attractive color when it comes to kitchen appliances.
- Automatic detergent and rinse agent dispenser:unlike other dish washers where you have to add rinse and detergent, the SPT is much more time and energy saving as it has an automatic detergent and rinse agent dispenser. The process will al get done at once there is basically no need for to add rinse to take away water spots the way it is with other dish washers.
- Quick connect to kitchen faucet:the need for direct plumbing or permanent installation has completely been eradicated reason being this SPT counter top dish washer can easily connect to the kitchen spout anytime you feel like using it.
- Instruction manual: there is surely no need for you to make a big fuss over not knowing how to operate the SPT dish washer yet it comes with a very clear and understandable manual that will direct you on how best to go about this machine. Any high quality electronic machine must come with a manual to help out it users.
- Dish rack and silver ware basket: proper loading of the dish washer has just been made with this gorgeous dish washer. It has a dish rack where you load or arrange different platter and a silver ware basket in which you load cutlery.
Product quality:
The SPT counter top dish washer has been designed to specifically solve all space problems in your home or work place. The dish washer is molded with a very ergonomic design that can easily fit most cabinets and counter tops which makes it an excellent option for kitchen offices, small apartments and small-size kitchens. Offering you a whole wide variety of options to choose from the dish washer is designed with 6 wash cycles and these include heavy, normal, glass, speed and light to ensure that you can have dishes cleaned perfectly. It is then built with six standard place settings which accommodate more than enough loads while the dish rack and silver ware basket make it very easy to properly load items into the dish washer. You have absolutely no reason to worry about permanent plumbing or installation of this dish washer simply due to the fact that it can quickly connect to the kitchen faucet.
Its user friendly controls make it entirely easy for anyone to operate the machine and with its durable stainless steel interior you will love the long lasting performance that is delivered by the SPT counter top dish washer. Besides all those gorgeous features, this dish washer also has that sleek silver finish that will add that contemporary and outstanding appearance to your kitchen.
Who does it benefit?
- Best dish washer for those with small-size kitchens:if finding space for storing the dish washer in your kitchen is a problem for you then you have it solved with this ergonomically designed dish washer. It is not tall and small in size which makes it easily fit anywhere on the counter-top or in the cabinet.
- Perfect for office kitchens: there is no reason for you to carry dirty dishes back home or keep them in office because you are too busy to hand wash them. Simply purchase this super amazing dish washer that has been specifically designed for office kitchens. It will make your work place feel more like home.
What else do you need?
Kitchen counter top: by all means you will need a counter top where you place the dish washer good enough the SPT dish washer is not tall and has a perfect size so finding the perfect counter top should be no problem.


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OOTD - I won't be waiting for you02:06
Hi guys ...
I finally found the time to post my next OOTD.
I just realised that it is only during the evening that I tend to plan them. I will try to change . A shoot during the day won't hurt me !
I love how night picture looks like though.
The darkness add a bit of mystery to them ...
For this OOTD I'm wearing my favourite pair of shorts. Bought them from Peacocks ages ago and wear them all year around !
This time I opted for long socks instead of the usual tights .
Bought this made in Nigeria batik shirt from independent fashion shop Agnes and Lola few weeks ago on sale. It is really comfortable and stylish and the cut and fabric are better than what you can find at your local high street.
I don't wear turban as often as I should. I only did this time as my hair needed a serious trim.
I'll try to integrate turban and head-scarves more often in my OOTD. Got so many fabrics and scarves hanging around anyway !
Vintage coat
Agnes and Lola Noni Shirt
Peacocks Fake leather shorts
H&M earrings
Primark socks
Carvela boots


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Driving Directions
The Shuswap is smack dab in the middle of some of the most stunning land in the world. And thanks to its location right on Trans-Canada Highway 1, access to the Shuswap from east or west is super easy. Check out road conditions at www.drivebc.ca And for directions simply enter your information in the fields below and submit for instant detailed driving directions.
From There to Here
The Shuswap is located on the Trans-Canada Highway, halfway between Vancouver and Calgary. If you are going through the Okanagan, Highway 97a connects with the Trans-Canada at Sicamous and Highway 97b connects at Salmon Arm.
From Vancouver you follow the Trans-Canada along the Fraser River Canyon route or take the faster Coquihallla Highway 5.
From Calgary, follow the Trans-Canada West past Revelstoke, until you get to the warm and inviting Shuswap Lake system.
From Edmonton, take the Yellowhead Highway to Kamloops, then head East out of the desert into the lush forested Shuswap.


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Dear #JMU21, As a senior graduating in less than ten days, I'd like to shed a few words of unconventional wisdom. I'm sure you have been told to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, keep an open mind, get involved in extra curriculars and to work hard, so I'll steer away from writing about these. … Continue reading Dear #JMU21
Motivation for Finals (And Life)
It's the time where your semester grades all come down to the wire. All the pressure can cause some to focus and some to fold. You may guess that the most successful people in the world are those who focus when the pressure comes down. One final exam is nothing but a blip on your life's timeline, … Continue reading Motivation for Finals (And Life)
JMU's Top Professors: Dr. Warner
The man that has given arguably the best speeches at orientation, graduation, and other clubs and events, rightfully has a perfect 5.0 on the Rate My Professor website. Dr. Warner never fails to captivate an audience of any size with his extremely inspirational speeches. After meeting him, it's nearly impossible to not walk away with a smile and … Continue reading JMU's Top Professors: Dr. Warner
Discover Harrisonburg Parks
There's no better way to take advantage of the 70 degree weather than to go to a local park. Harrisonburg has quite a few locations that are ideal for JMU student cookouts, sports, organization retreats, and great places to hangout with your pets. All of these parks are also within a very short driving distance … Continue reading Discover Harrisonburg Parks
Now accepting Daily Duke Applications!
Calling all storytellers! Apply today to work for JMU Communications and Marketing as a Daily Duke intern for 2017-18 academic year. Application (and more info) available at bit.ly/dailydukeapp17 - - - - - - - - - - - - When hiring, one of the biggest things companies look for is work experience. However, getting an internship, especially … Continue reading Now accepting Daily Duke Applications!
TEDx JMU
TEDx, the independently organized version of TED, is coming to JMU on April 3rd from 5:00pm-7:30pm in the Madison Union Ballroom. For those who don't know what TED is, TED is a non-profit organization that's purpose is to spread intellectual ideas and topics through powerful speakers. TED's slogan, "ideas worth spreading," accurately describes what it … Continue reading TEDx JMU
Harrisonburg's Newest Addition
JMU has some serious donut competition: Krispy Kreme, Dunkin Donuts and now Peace, Love and Little Donuts. Here's a short review of the newest restaurant, located in the 865 East building complex. Peace, Love and Little Donuts has a unique feel and personality that no other donut shop can compete with. Right next to … Continue reading Harrisonburg's Newest Addition
We've almost made it
It's the middle of March. Your classes are ramping up, there's still another 2 months to go and you just got back from 10 days off. It's safe to say that most of us are pretty beat - especially those who went to the beach and are missing it with all of their heart (me). From … Continue reading We've almost made it
5 Reasons to Give Back
From an incredible education to the close friends we've made, it's safe to say that JMU has made (and continues to make) a profound impact on all of our lives. When we take a step back, we can see how much this university has become such an influential part of our own personal growth. In our years … Continue reading 5 Reasons to Give Back
Madison Men's Basketball Highlights
JMU football has had a lot of attention the past few months, but we can't ignore our men's basketball team! Not only are basketball games free to attend, but all you need is your JAC card to enter. The men's basketball team has an 8-21 record, with an average of 66.1 points per game. We … Continue reading Madison Men's Basketball Highlights


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The Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenge is keeping me in the Christmas card making spirit this month! When I saw the theme this week I knew I'd be playing along...
My card also fits the Festive Friday challenge, how's that for luck!
If you stopped by here yesterday I mentioned my recent obsession with neutrals. I'm loving all things white, cream, tan, kraft and gold (throw in some burlap too and I'm a happy girl!) The combo is so crisp and clean for home decor, clothing and paper crafting. I simply love it for holiday cards too!
What's your favorite Christmas combo? Are you more traditional or fun and bright. I'd love to hear about it, maybe I'll branch out from my comfort zone this year!
*I'm also linking up to the Curtain Call Anything Goes Challenge.
Stamps: Pretty Poinsettia (Clearly Besotted Stamps) Cheerful Christmas Greetings (MFT)
Ink: Versamark
Paper: Woodgrain Card Stock (Simon Says Stamp)
Accessories: 4mm Sparkling Clear Sequins, Metallic Gold Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)


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Whisper O is an online application that aims to provide the people with a platform to share their stories through Sound. It is dedicated to bringing out memories, nostalgia and smiles through connecting different sounds to different spaces. Whisper O not only gives people the chance to preserve time through sound, but also the hope of being heard and remembered by people of generations yet to come.
Email: email@example.com


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Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Post Two Hundred and Seventeen: Until Then.
Love. Love hard, and without hesitation. Love your way. Connect with love, because when everything else fails be it with your environment or your dollar bills or your mental and physical health or your material distractions, true and honest love will be the only thing that you will wish not to let fall from your fingers if you have just a minute left to live.
After five years of burying and cremating people, this is what I've gathered as my richest insight. I have substantial evidence that through the height of our grief for each dead or dying person, the legacy that one leaves behind seems to perpetuate the balance of pain and happiness for us left, for those still living.
Directing memorial events, washing, treating, suturing, dressing and coffining dead bodies, giving information and assistance to grieving people, driving hearses and body transport vehicles; these are tasks that the average funeral director may execute every day. Sadly though, a funeral directors role (or at least in Australia), is considered an unskilled labour. The salary is underwhelming, the hours can be unbearable, and the support systems hollow.
Now hear me in this. Funeral directors in Australia do what they do as a sacrifice, be it for good or for something else entirely. An individual collecting trolleys at the supermarket brings home $5 an hour more than the professional who might collect your grandma from her deathbed. The funeral director who will roll her gently with dignity and respect to tuck a sheet around her. Who places a rose on her chest as a gesture of appreciation before taking her into their care. Who will answer your calls in their own time at the gym, at the supermarket, at their child's birthday party, at the dinner table, on the toilet, while they are supposed to be getting sleep. The funeral director who will clean your grandmother's soiled body and rest her with care as if she is in fact their own family member and still an individual walking amongst us. And this is just the beginning of the relationship between funeral director, funeral commissioner and deceased person. With little care of sounding conceited, I sure as hell believe that the role of the funeral director is in fact one of immense skill and great dedication. I sure as hell believe that a funeral director should be respected as the professional that they could and should aspire to be.
There is always a but, and this blog entry cannot escape such extension. Not all funeral directors feel such motivation in their role. Some seem to not think about death, or loss, or love. They go through the motions, generally well. They wear the same suits and drive the same vehicles, but their disconnection to reality and the gravity of their role in the life and in the death of others seems to pass them by unawares. Perhaps this is why some aspects of traditional funeral custom are slowly changing due to consumer awareness and rejection, and thus the antiquated views of the stern male funeral director in tails and a top hat, smoking outside the chapel are slowly being shaken off.
I quit my job as a funeral director on Friday.
I have resigned from this career because my understanding of my potential as a funeral director has divorced from how the varying duties can be honestly and ethically executed within the current Australian death care system. It has been a difficult decision to step aside from my experience and a unique skill set. It is disappointing that I have to start from scratch, perhaps doing something that I am not as intrinsically excited and inspired by, because the basic conditions of the job have not allowed for my pursuit of self actualisation. I would stay in the job, but I cannot honestly do that without my basic needs being met. I need to grow, I need to be able to pay the bills and save up to pursue my goals, and I need to be able to rely upon the experience and dedication of other funeral directors who should by the very nature of the role share the same altruistic traits as myself. It is sad, and maybe I'm a giant wanker for expecting others to meet me up there, but I expect the highest standards of a business that makes money from such an unavoidable circumstance as death.
It's not there yet. When it is, I'll be back.
Until then, unless it kills me in the mean time,
Peace and love.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Post Two Hundred and Sixteen: Shifter
I'm sitting on my bed with an animal hat on my head, eating peanut butter on toast for dinner. I'm nearly at my 29th birthday. The bread just fell out of my hands and on to my t-shirt, wet side down. I feel reluctant to move it. The woman and the little girl in me, sitting one in each other like a stack of chairs. I'm contemplating on age and sorrow like an antique in a new store.
I ask myself how much of my identity is based upon being a funeral director. Without my job, without my insider's upper hand on something different, what else might I be.
For five years my life has run alongside a track next to my professional duty. If I wasn't to continue in this career, who would I be? I still question death, this bastard, this cause of immense suffering, without answer. It's like shooting hoops alone at night, with no way of finding the balls that bounce off the hoop and into the shadows.
Post Two Hundred and Fifteen: Elephant
You said love. You said we made it, and you signed off with it.
But when you were in another country, another bed, another woman
I felt the closest to you.
It ate the food off of my plate. It lay between us and stole the blankets.
You said love twice, while the animal was out of the room.
You said love. You said we made it, and you signed off with it.
But when you were in another country, another bed, another woman
I felt the closest to you.
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You have just taken up one of the oldest and most difficult jobs in the history of humankind – being a host. In ancient Greece, the concept of hospitality was coined xenia – and this concept embodied the generosity and courtesy shown to those who are far from home and/or associates of the person bestowing guest-friendship. In the times of ancient Greece, hosting was incredibly important because means of travel were a true hardship, and while planes, trains, and automobiles have certainly made travel simpler than battling Poseidon, Charybdis, and Scylla, the value of treating your guests with the utmost honor and hospitality have not changed.
Think about the hotel industry – quite literally a trillion-dollar industry is built on the concept of hosting. When you're hosting, try to imagine how you would want to be treated in a five-star hotel. Once you've found the right mindset, the rest includes simple steps to ensure your guests arrive and embark home with a sense of joy, respite, and true honor.
Dinner Guests
- Food. This is by far the most important part of hosting. You want to make sure there is plenty of food for all the people you are hosting. The best way to plan is to prepare 25% more than what you actually will need. If you end up with leftovers, great, but you never want someone to go for seconds to conclude with a disappointed and empty plate.
- On the same token of food – It is courteous and necessary to accommodate different dietary needs and concerns. Yes, this can be tedious, but to ingratiate your guests, an absolute need. Here are questions to ask:
- Do you have any allergies?
- Are there any food groups you avoid? (Meat, fish, gluten, dairy, nuts – these are the big ones).
- Along with your planned dinner, which should generally consist of appetizers, a main course, and several side dishes, you should have fruit, nuts, and dessert for after-dinner.
- On the same token of food – It is courteous and necessary to accommodate different dietary needs and concerns. Yes, this can be tedious, but to ingratiate your guests, an absolute need. Here are questions to ask:
- Drink. You want to offer a variety of beverages in different categories. Wine (red and white), soft drinks, iced tea, and water will usually cover all of your bases.
- Restroom. You want your restroom being used by guests to be fresh and clean. Fresh towels, a new bar of soap, a lit soy candle for scent-masking and ambiance, and a room spray available for user's discretion.
- The dinner table should be set and ready for serving. Now is a good time to bring out your best china, decorate your table with festive garnish and a candle. Place the utensils in order of use – soup spoon first, then salad fork, then dinner fork, then dinner knife.
- Keep an eye out to ensure people's glasses are always full. A good host seamlessly refills glasses.
- Presentation is so important! Place cooked food in serving-ware. You can opt for family-style or pre-make the plates and serve each person individually.
- When guests arrive, be sure to collect their coats and offer a safe place for personal items.
Overnight Guests
- Along with everything above, if you have guests staying overnight, you want to make sure you have food accessible to your guests in the refrigerator. Explicitly offer your guests the right to allow themselves access to the fridge. A simple "Please help yourself at anytime to the fridge or cupboard" will suffice.
- Have fresh linens on the guest bed – make sure the bed is made. In the room, have a pile of freshly washed towels – you want to provide at least one large towel per person. Also provide each guest with their own fresh bar of soap.
- In the morning, have a fresh pot of coffee brewed and a full tea kettle full of water ready to make hot tea. You will probably be exhausted from cooking the night before, so consider a continental breakfast with some bagels, cream cheese, butter, yogurt, and fresh fruit.
- Restrooms and bedrooms should be completely clean and fresh-smelling.
Special Touches – Hosting is a lot of work, but if you're ready to go above-and-beyond, here are some tips to really wow your guests.
- Place chocolates, lip moisturizer, or a fresh flower on the pillows of your overnight guests.
- Provide your guests with their own pair of disposable slippers.
- In your bathroom, have a bowl with individual lip moisturizers that guests can take.
- Have light music playing throughout the evening.
- Have some soft music playing in the restroom, to allow for more discretion and a special touch.
- Provide aromatherapy spray for your overnight guests to help them feel relaxed and at-ease.
- Have bottles of water readily accessible for dinner guests, and provide bottles of water in the room of your overnight guests.
- If you really want to impress and wow, send guests away with small gift bags.
Do you have any extra tips and tricks to be an outstanding host? Comment below!


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Congratulations! Baby Card
AW26 Product
Made a card for the Around the World Stampin' Up Challenges
Here's my card
I used Watercolor Paper, Lost Lagoon Ink pad smooshed onto the cover, and a paintbrush.
I still don't have an Aqua Painter which may be easier. I sprayed the Watercolor paper first with water
in a Stampin' Spritzer then inked up my paintbrush and swiped it across the paper. Put more ink where you want it darker.
I fussy cut the elephant & giraffe and popped them up with Dimensionals
Banner Punch, Banner Blast Stamps which is from Sale-a-bration,
The grass stamp is from the Hostess set Nuts About You
and the leaves are from Kinda Eclectic
I notched the end of the banner with the Banner Punch
Thanks for stopping by!
Stamps: Zoo Babies, Kinda Eclectic, Banner Blast( Sale-a-bration), Nuts About You (Hostess)
Paper: Watercolor Paper, Whisper White Cardstock, Basic Gray Cardstock
Ink: Lost Lagoon, Hello Honey, Tangelo Twist, Mossy Meadow, Wild Wasabi, and VersaMark
Accessories: Banner Punch, Bermuda Bay Baker's Twine, Crushed Curry Baker's Twine,
Designer Buttons (Brights), Stampin' Spritzer, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Stampin' Distress Tool


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VIVOBAREFOOT Taps Oracle NetSuite In Race To Reach £100 Million Sales Goal
VIVOBAREFOOT, a London-based footwear company, has selected Oracle NetSuite to support global growth and expand its e-Commerce presence, with the goal of reaching £100 million in annual revenue within the next five years.
With NetSuite, VIVOBAREFOOT seeks to track and manage inventory of the approximately 100 different lines of shoes it produces each year across manufacturing facilities in Portugal, China and Ethiopia. In addition, VIVOBAREFOOT can now track financials across its London store, franchises in Europe and online.
The founders, cousins Galahad Clark and Asher Clark, have a mission to change the footwear industry based on manufacturing minimalist shoes designed for users to move their feet as nature intended. Every shoe features a patented, ultra-thin, puncture-resistant sole that protects the foot and allows maximum sensory feedback. For example, VIVOBAREFOOT recently added a vegan line of shoes, an Internet of Things-based smart shoe and an amphibious adventure shoe that features a foam sole made from algae blooms.
Using the platform, VIVOBAREFOOT seeks to eliminate the complexity of its previous legacy systems so that it can monitor and act on critical business data quickly.
Related items
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- Driving Retail Appeal Across Generations Takes More Than Just New Tech
- #CCS19 Webinar Series Provides Playbook For Reinventing Retail
- CCC Footwear Boosts Margins, Sell-Through With Planning And Markdown Optimization Solutions
- Nike Debuts App-Enabled Experiential Store In NYC


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Daniel Bambaata Marley
Reggae singer-songwriter, producer and musician Daniel Bambaata Marley performs at Moe"s Alley tonight. He is the grandson of Bob Marley and son of Ziggy Marley and has drawn influence from his legendary family while crafting his own style.
WHEN: 9 p.m.
WHERE: Moe"s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz
COST: $10 for advance tickets, $15 at the door
Downtown Santa Cruz Antique Street Fair
Fifty dealers from throughout the Bay Area will gather in downtown Santa Cruz to sell a wide variety of products, from jewelry to furniture, today. The fair takes place on the second Sunday of every month.
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: 500 Lincoln St. at Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz
COST: Price varies depending on dealer
DETAILS: 476-6940, the event is conditional upon weather
Salsa By The Sea
The weekly Salsa By The Sea will take place today. Every Sunday participants gather by the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to dance. Comfortable shoes are recommended.
WHEN: 5-8 p.m.
WHERE: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 106 Beach St., Santa Cruz
COST: Free


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The Turnbull government insists a push to legislate that the ABC must be "fair and balanced" will not change anything about the public broadcaster's existing editorial policies.
The change to the ABC Act - yet to be brought to parliament - is part of a deal the government did with One Nation in exchange for passing its overhaul of media laws.
Communication Minister Mitch Fifield points out the ABC's existing editorial policies talk about the importance of fair treatment.
"There's been a bit of uproar about that (proposed change), but there shouldn't be," he told ABC TV on Sunday.
"These are not new or strange journalistic concepts."
The ABC's editorial policy says it is guided by "hallmarks of impartiality" that include "a balance that follows the weight of evidence" and "fair treatment".
The One Nation senators have previously offered up examples of topics where they think ABC coverage hasn't been appropriately balanced, including climate change and giving equal time to the views of anti-vaxxers.
But Senator Fifield echoed the ABC's policy to say he believed the concept of balance should follow the weight of evidence.
"We're simply reinforcing through legislation that which is already in the ABC's own editorial policies," he said.
"It will operate exactly as it does now and that is the ABC will make the judgements on these matters. The government doesn't have a role in editorial arrangements at the ABC."
Other elements of the deal with One Nation include forcing the ABC and SBS to publish the salaries of employees earning more than $200,000 and have the national broadcasters face an inquiry into "competitive neutrality".
However, other parties in the Senate, including the Nick Xenophon Team, have indicated they won't back the changes to the ABC, meaning they may be doomed.


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I don't know why.
But then, do I really need a reason?
And since I don't have any cake in the house, I figure I'll write about cake. Disney cake.
'Cause, obviously, that's the best kind.
There are several things I'd like to point out amidst the general deliciousness of the above photo.
First, direct your attention to the two-tiered mini cake at the very bottom. Did you know you can buy those - like, just over the counter without ordering it in advance? I know, me neither!
I'm not sure the BB has them in stock every day, but when they do you can purchase one, and they'll even write a message in chocolate along the paper base.
One night when I was working on the concierge desk at the Boardwalk, a sweet little boy and his dad came up looking for advice on an anniversary surprise for the mom - they asked if I knew anything about said mini cakes. I did not, but it was easy to ring up the bakery and find out! They had only a few mini cakes left, but they put one aside and wrote "I Love You" on the base - SO cute, I bet the mom liked it!
I wish I could remember how much they were. I want to say $16.99, but my memory may be a bit optimistic there, and it might be more like $22.99...something like that!
ANYway. That's one interesting cake tidbit.
The second thing to notice in that earlier photo is the PEANUT BUTTER CAKE.
Yes, the peanut butter cake is indeed returned to the Boardwalk Bakery. It's $4.29 and it is quite delicious - I could've done with just a smidge more of the lovely icing, but overall really tasty.
Peanut butter chocolate has been a trend on the blog lately. LOL.
How adorable is this little Mickey cake? It's one of the more expensive bakery items at $5.29, but it does count as a snack credit!
The outside is covered in chocolate ganache which was amazing. The inside was confetti cake which, to tell the truth, was a little dry. But it was so cute you didn't mind!
Hope it was a sweet Monday!


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Newton and Ridley, the brewers best known for their pub, The Rovers Return, are opening a cafe/wine bar nearer the city centre. The bar is designed to appeal to younger women and sophisticated young men. The brewery has identified a gap in the market and wants to provide a 'sophisticated and relaxed' venue for the 'discerning' drinker. This bar is to be called the French Hen and will be in direct competition with the cheap 'binge drinking' venues on the same street. The brewery is also trying to enhance its own image as a 'respectable' alcohol vendor. They want you to develop some ideas for a logo, to be used:
• on covers for the food and cocktail menus
• in colour on the signage outside, and as a cutout for a window detail
• on T-shirts for the staff and paper napkins
• for one side of a beer mat, the other will carry advice on sensible drinking.
There are many conventions that have been developed around the marketing of both bars and products to this age range. You need to be conscious the whole time of avoiding clichés and stereotyping.
Draw up at least three ideas to start with. Be critical of your work. Check it against the information you have here. Will it do what the client wants – and how will you know? When you have decided which one you are happiest with, mock up the menu covers, the outside sign, the window detail, a T-shirt, paper napkin and beer mat. Does it all still work?
Summary of Requirements
- Logo for a new cafe / wine bar – the French Hen located near city centre
- Sophisticated and relaxed venue for the 'discerning' drinker
- Aimed at young women and 'sophisticated men'
- In competition with near by 'binge drinking' venues.
- Logo is required for use on food and cocktail menu, signage outside (colour) and cut out for window, napkins, staff T-Shirts, beer mat.
- French Hen
- Sophisticated
- Relaxed
- Discerning
- Respectable
- Cafe / Wine Bar
- City Centre
To create a logo that visually identifies the French Hen cafe / wine bar.
The logo should be clearly recognisable, and convey the ethos of the wine bar as a sophisticated, relaxed and respectable venue.
As the cafe / wine bar is targeted at 'discerning' drinkers, the logo should suggest more expensive quality rather than price-driven quantity.
The logo should be appealing to young women and sophisticated men, equally it should discourage 'binge drinkers'.
The logo should be original and avoid cliches and stereotypes
The logo should work well on all product types (menus, T-shirts etc.) and at different sizes.
Missing Information
Does the Brewery have a particular style that should be reflected in the French Hen logo?
What is the styling of the venue like? e.g. modern minimalist, shabby chic, opulent luxury, up-market country pub etc. Ideally the logo should reflect the general styling of the venue.
Are there any particular colours that feature in the venue interior styling that could be carried through to the logo?
Other wine bar / cafe logos
I started by researching the logos of other cafes and wine bars. Examples are below.
Typical 'cliches'?
I felt that typical cliches for a pub or wine bar called the French hen, would most likely be:
- Images that included a wine bottle or a wine glass
- The French flag
- The Eiffel Tower
- Art Deco styling or fonts (which are often associated with France – particularly Paris), e.g. Limelight from Google Fonts
- Text resembling a French wine bottle label
vs Contemporary Styling?
Styling which I felt was quite contemporary and popular at the moment, includes:
- Minimalist, light weight, sans serif line fonts
- Line drawings
- Botanical-style drawings and general Victoriana / Hipster styling
- Watercolour
Idea Generation
I drew a mind map to think about words, images, concepts and ideas for a logo for the French Hen:
I also did some general searching on the internet for inspiration
I then sketched out some ideas:
and identified some fonts that I thought would work in the logo:
The following are from Google Fonts:
I selected three ideas to take further and draw up.
Proposed Designs
I reviewed the designs with my husband and together we selected the logo of the outline of the hen. We felt the minimalist styling of this logo had a contemporary feel with a hint of 'modern art' about it, suggesting sophistication. However the image of the hen was quite young and fun.
Looking at the work of other students, I noticed that many of them were superimposing their logos onto photographs of objects to create the mockups. After doing some research on-line, I have learnt that this is a very typical method that designers use to showcase their logo designs in context.
I looked on-line for some free mockup templates that I could use. Sites such as http://www.mockupworld.co and graphicburger.com were useful resources for free mockups, although I did struggle a bit to find mockups for all the items I had to create. Understanding how to manipulate other people's PSD files was also a bit of a challenge when I could not quite understand what the author of the mockup had done to create the file.
I decided that I wanted my French Hen logo to be displayed as white on a black background. The final mock ups are below:
Does the Logo Work?
Although my selected logo was quite simple, I was pleased with it and I thought it did work well on the various mockup items. The only exception is perhaps the outside sign, where I felt the logo would have looked better were the hen looking out onto the street rather than looking towards the wall. Interestingly, I have only now realised that my logo is not easily reversible.
As part of this exercise, I also realised that the colour of the object that the logo is going to be displayed on is an important consideration. If I had included colour in my logo, such as dark blue and then only afterwards found out that all the items it would have been displayed on were to be black, the contrast between the blue and black would not have worked.
I think, therefore, as part of the exercise of logo design, it is important to understand, not just what the logo is to be used for and where it will be displayed, but what are the background colours and textures of the items that the logo will be displayed on.
Thoughts on This Exercise
I enjoyed the process of developing the French Hen logo although I found it quite difficult to think of many original ideas for the designs. As I have often found with this course, I am frequently torn between trying to think of an original design and wanting to use more 'obvious' imagery that viewers will understand, which then feels cliched. I started with exercise determined not to use a drawing of a hen for my logo and yet that was exactly what I ended up with.
This exercise also raised an interesting question of what exactly was a cliche? Particularly, when does 'modern and contemporary' become 'boring cliche'? I wanted to use a outline drawing for my logo because I felt that this style was quite fashionable and would create a modern and sophisticated logo that young people could connect with, but does 'fashionable' make it cliched or not very original, if everyone is doing it? Perhaps the answer is to produce some designs which are in keeping with current trends and some which are completely different and see what the client makes of them.
Another interesting part of this exercise was my introduction to the world of mockup templates. I realised not only how important it was to understand exactly what the logos would be displayed on but also how much more impact the designs had when they could be seen 'in situ'. It would be preferable to create a set of mockups specifically for the design task or purchase an appropriate complete set, rather than find random templates on the internet. The quality of the mockup is important for the presentation of the design and should accurately reflect the products the logo is likely to be displayed on, should be the correct colour and have consistent styling across all the items so that the presentation of the mockups has more impact.
Tutor Feedback
My tutor made the following comments on this exercise:
"Your French Hen has appeal – I like his simplicity, how he sits with some nice clean type but also how he seems rather friendly, relaxed and approachable. For these reasons I think he works well to suggest a sophisticated venue that is laid-back which would appeal to the audience. In your critique it would be worth answering the following questions –
• does anything of the logo suggest 'french' and how do you tread this tightrope of
connotation, crassness and cliche?
• how would someone know this was a wine bar? Where are the nods to this embedded? (I think there are hints and certain subtle elements that do this but I think it would be healthy for you to articulate this)"
The logo does not have any obvious symbols associated with France such as a bottle of wine or a French flag but I do think the logo hints at being 'French' in a more subtle way. The minimalist style gives a sense of elegance, style and sophistication – attributes often associated with being French. I also think the upright stance of the hen's head and the eye that seems to be looking right at you, is quite proud. Pride in your appearance is again something I associated with being French. My hen could almost be wearing her comb like a beret.
How would someone know this logo was a wine bar? I think the name suggests very much that this is a pub, wine bar or restaurant. "The Something (and) Something" is a very traditional British way to name a pub or restaurant.. 'The Dog and Duck', 'The Golden Hind', 'The Fat Duck'. Also using animals in the name also feels quite traditional for a pub, so I would guess that a business called 'The French Hen' was, maybe not a traditional pub, due to having 'French' in the title but certainly a wine bar, cafe or restaurant. The line drawing of the Hen is a style which is quite popular with bars and restaurants at the moment. Because the line drawing is quite minimalist and sophisticated, this would hint at a more sophisticated establishment such as a wine bar or smart restaurant.


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text: Unethical sales practices emphasize the need for a financial consumer code The major revelations from employees of the TD Bank Group underscored the pressing need for a financial consumer code in Canada, according to a consumer interest organization. The Public Interest Advocacy Centre noted that the controversial sales practices, as revealed to CBC News earlier this week, "present a bit of a grey area" that might not fall under the jurisdiction of current financial regulators. In the CBC News exposé, hundreds of current and former TD employees admitted to breaking the law when attempting to meet unrealistic sales targets, all at the expense of their clients. The whistleblowers told of a maximum-pressure environment that they described as "insane," "poisoned," and "stress inducing," with "zero focus on ethics." Among the alleged unsavory practices included the signing up of clients for certain financial products and services without their consent. "We think that the proposed financial consumer code will provide a clear set of rules of the road, rules of engagement, between the banks and consumers," PIAC research analyst Jonathan Bishop said, adding that such a code will have to be enforced by an independent organization. "Banks will have the opportunity to present evidence to an arbitrator about what they've done, and their tactics, as well as consumers have the opportunity to present their concerns and their views," Bishop explained. In the wake of the disclosures, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada announced on Wednesday (March 15) that it will be launching a review of the major banks' business practices next month. FCAC commissioner Lucie Tedesco issued a statement reminding lenders of their obligations to secure prior consent before increasing lines of credit and providing customers with new products. "Financial institutions' compliance with these rules is non-discretionary and the message must be disseminated from the boards of directors on down to customer-facing staff," Tedesco said. "Through the industry review we are announcing today, we will examine financial institutions' business practices in relation to express consent and disclosure, including the identification of any factors that may be contributing to non-compliance." Related stories: Financial Consumer Agency launches review of business practices at banks Not just TD? SHARE


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HomeBusiness UsersTechnical dataRunway 12/30
Runway 12/30
The primary runway for aircraft landing at Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport is Runway 30. Runway 30 is equipped for landing in CAT IIIB conditions. In instrumental approach conditions the following are available: ILS 30 approach and VOR/DME 30 approach.
After landing, aircraft generally leave the runway via TWY G. Access to the main apron is via TWY N, TWY P or TWY M.
For general aviation TWY F is mainly used.
Owing to the vicinity of the settlement of Šenčur, all pilots taking off from Runway 30 are required to consistently observe the noise reduction procedures appropriate for the type of aircraft.
Restrictions on the use of Runway 30 are in place at night in order to reduce noise.
Runway 12 is equipped with a simple approach lighting system and is intended mainly for VMC operations.


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The Institute for Computational Medicine Distinguished Seminar Series 2016-2017
December 6, 2016 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
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Translational Medicine: from Bifurcations to Epilepsy Surgery
Dr. Viktor Jirsa
Director of Research, The Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
Director, The Inserm Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes Aix-Marseille-Université
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Clark Hall 110 (Homewood Campus)
Video-teleconferenced to Traylor 709 (Medicine Campus)
Lunch will be provided at 12:00 PM (Homewood location only)
Abstract: Over the past decade we have demonstrated that constraining computational brain network models by structural information obtained from human brain imaging (anatomical MRI, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)) allows patient specific predictions, beyond the explanatory power of neuroimaging alone. This fusion of an individual's brain structure with mathematical modelling allows creating one model per patient, systematically assessing the modeled parameters that relate to individual functional differences. The functions of the brain model are governed by realistic neuroelectric and neurovascular processes and allow executing dynamic neuroelectric simulation; further modeling features include refined geometry in 3D physical space; detailed personalized brain connectivity (Connectome); large repertoire of mathematical representations of brain region models, and a complete set of physical forward solutions mimicking commonly used in non-invasive brain mapping including functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Electro-encephalography (EEG) and StereoElectroEncephalography (SEEG). So far our large-scale brain modeling approach has been successfully applied to the modeling of the resting state dynamics of individual human brains, as well as aging and clinical questions in stroke and epilepsy. In this talk I will focus on the example of epilepsy and systematically demonstrate the individual steps towards the creation of a personalized epileptic patient brain model.
Information on ICM seminars and links to previous talks can be found at http://www.icm.jhu.edu/calendar


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HRH Prince Charles on the Future of Food
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The Prince of Wales told an audience of students and faculty May 4 that the model of food production prevalent in the 21st century world just doesn't work."We will have to develop much more sustainable, or durable forms of food production because the way we have done things up to now are no longer as viable as they once appeared to be," the prince said during "The Future of Food" conference, hosted by Washington Post Live.Prince Charles last visited Georgetown in 2005, when he attended a seminar on faith and social responsibility.
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Senior tri-captain Sam McMahon and the Crimson take on No. 14 Princeton at 1 p.m. (photo courtesy of Gil Talbot).
Harvard will play Princeton Sunday for the second time this season with the automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament on the line.
Don't Miss
Sunday's game will be televised live on CBS Sports Network. To see if its available in your area, click here.
Scouting the Crimson
Harvard is 10-5 overall after winning eight of its last 10 and six of seven. Thirteen Crimson players have found the back of the net for a team that averages 12.33 goals per game. Jennifer VanderMeulen paces the offense with 48 goals and five assists for 53 points. Danielle Tetreault (38g, 6a), Melanie Baskind (27g, 6a) and Jess Halpern (26g, 1a) have been scoring threats for the Crimson, which leads the Ivy League and is 26th in the nation in scoring offense.
Tetreault leads the team and is second in the Ivy League in draw controls with 26, while Baskind leads the team with 32 ground balls. Mariah Pewarski and Ellen Gleason pace the Crimson with 16 and 15 caused turnovers, respectively. Kerry Clark has made 89 saves in the cage and sports a 10.13 goals-against average.
Harvard and the Postseason
The Crimson has made 12 postseason appearances including nine in the NCAA tournament. Harvard went to the AIAW from 1980-82 and then earns spots in the NCAA tournament in 1983, '84, '88, '89, '90, '91, '92, '93,'94.
Harvard won the tournament in 1990 and finished second in 1989 and '92.
First, Since...
Friday's win over Dartmouth was the first since 1994. Harvard is looking for its first NCAA tournament appearance since 1994. The Crimson also collected double-digit wins (10) for the first time since 1994.
No one on Harvard's current roster was over the age of seven when the Crimson made its last trip to the NCAAs.
Last Time Out
Harvard turned a 7-4 second half deficit into an 11-10 victory over No. 10 Dartmouth to advance to the Ivy League Women's Lacrosse Tournament title game.
Harvard scored first and then saw its lead fall when Dartmouth scored three in a row to pull away. The Crimson came back and evened the score at 3-3 before the Big Green regained a 5-3 advantage. Jennifer VanderMeulen scored before the end of the half to pull the Crimson to 5-4.
Dartmouth came out strong in the second and pulled away 7-4 and then against ay 8-5 before three consecutive Crimson goals evened the score at 8. Melanie Baskind, Chelsey Newman and VanderMeulen combined for goals in the comeback. After the Big Green scored to take the lead, Baskind and Tetreault answered to put Harvard back on top. VanderMeulen scored two minutes later to make it 11-9. The Big Green was able to get one goal make, but ran out of time to get another shot off.
Scouting the Tigers
Princeton had five honorees on the All-Ivy League team. The Tigers enter the tournament ranked 14th in the nation after wins over Columbia and Penn State.
The Tigers overpowered No. 1 seed and seventh-ranked Penn in the second semifinal to earn its second win over the Quakers this season. Princeton was the only team to beat the five-time defending Ivy League champion.
Princeton leads the all-time series with the Crimson, 23-17. The two teams first played in 1975 with the Tigers earning the first three wins in the series. Harvard won 11 straight from 1984-92 and is currently riding a two-game win streak. The Crimson defeated Princeton, 9-8, in New Jersey this year. Harvard snapped a 17-game win streak for the Tigers last April at Harvard Stadium in an 11-9 upset on Alumnae Day.
All-Ivy Honors
Five Harvard players were selected to the 2011 All-Ivy League team, marking the most Crimson players to be honored since 1994.
Jennifer VanderMeulen and Melanie Baskind both earned spots on the All-Ivy League first-team to lead the Crimson. Danielle Tetreault and Ellen Gleason were named to the second-team, earning All-Ivy accolades for the first time. Jess Halpern earned Ancient Eight honors for the third time when she received honorable mention this season.
Tournament History
Penn hosted the inaugural Ivy League Women's Lacrosse Tournament in 2010 after going 7-0 in regular-season Ivy play. The Quakers won that tournament with a 13-9 semifinal win over Princeton and a 9-8 victory over Dartmouth in the championship game. Harvard is the one newcomer to the tournament, as Cornell joined the Quakers, Big Green and Tigers in the four-team field one year ago.
National Rankings
Harvard is receiving votes in the IWLCA poll for the ninth week in a row. The Crimson appeared at No. 19 in the deBeers Media Poll April 25.
Upset City
Harvard has defeated a top-20 opponent in each of the last three seasons. The Crimson earned a 9-8 win against then-No. 12 Princeton and on Friday took down, No. 10 Dartmouth, 11-10. In 2010, Harvard knocked off No. 15 New Hampshire and the previous year, the Crimson topped No. 20 Cornell.
Silencing the Offense
Kerry Clark and the Crimson defense held Yale and New Hampshire without a goal in the second half. In fact, Harvard held its opponents scoreless for 71 minutes and 14 seconds in those two games.
Eight is Great
Harvard scored at least eight goals in 13 of its 15 games. The only time the Crimson did not meet the eight-goal mark was in its season finale against No. 10 Dartmouth April 29.
Against the Rest
Entering the week, The Crimson has the league's highest scoring offense and take the most shots on goal (20.43) and the second best shot percentage (.473).
Jennifer VanderMeulen leads the league and is 15th the nation in goals per game (3.21). Danielle Tetreault is not far behind ranking 41st.
One Goal Games
Harvard has played in six one-goal games this season winning three of them. Three of Harvard's five losses came by just one tally.
Second Half Scorers
The Crimson is definitely a second-half team, coming from behind in five games to earn the victory: Cornell, Johns Hopkins, New Hampshire, Columbia and Dartmouth.
About the Same
Harvard has scored 90 first-half goals and 95 second-half goals for 185 on the season.
On the Offensive
Harvard has the most potent offense in the Ivy League having scored in double figures in 11 games this season, including five games of 15 or more tallies.
Scoring Streak
Jennifer VanderMeulen has scored in every game of her career, 30 straight contests for the Crimson. She has 22 games with three or more goals and 14 games with four or more scores.
In the Record Books
Two Harvard players crossed the 100 goal plateau this season. Jess Halpern scored her 100th career goal against No. 7 Virginia (April 5), while Jennifer VanderMeulen did it against Dartmouth (April 28). Halpern has 108 goals (eighth on Harvard's all-time list), 22 assists and 130 career points entering this weekend. VanderMeulen's 104 career tallies, rank 10th in the Crimson annals.
On the Bench
Lisa Miller is in her fourth season with the Crimson. She sports a 139-82 overall record after spending 10 season at Syracuse. Miller sports a 33-29 since she began coaching the Crimson.
At Syracuse, Miller guided her teams to six NCAA tournaments.
Miller is assisted by Syracuse graduates Carla Gigon and Bridget Looney.


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In the face of Apple's enormous iCloud launch, I often wondered how cloud services like Dropbox, Cloudapp, and Box.net would be affected. Well maybe they're a little concerned themselves, as Box.net is launching a preemptive strike against iCloud, offering 50GB of free storage for anyone who uses an iOS device.
The deal gives the 50 gigs to anyone who uses a Box Personal account on any iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. The personal account is the free option, which would normally come with 5GB of web storage. There would usually be a 25MB single file limit, but those participating in this promotion will get that lifted to 100MB per file as well. Box also offers a $15/month Business plan (which allows 500GB storage and 2GB per-file limit) for those wanting a little more freedom.
To sign up, simply get the free Box.net app from the App Store, and either sign in or register. Your extra storage and single-file limit should be immediately added to your account. The deal is already active, and runs for the next 50 days.
The company also updated their app for iOS 5, so you will be able to use AirPlay to stream your account's media files to an Apple TV.
Though they all are classified as cloud services, companies like Box.net and Dropbox are actually different beasts altogether from iCloud. What they all have in common is that they store your data on their servers, ready for you to access anytime. But that's where the similarities end. Companies like Box.net offer direct file storage that is accessed via web or application.
Apple's iCloud, on the other hand, aims to remain in the background at all times. Sure, you can use iCloud.com to see your contacts, emails, calendar, and word processing documents, but that's not the primary way of using iCloud. It's meant to integrate into iOS and OS X applications, as an invisible entity that simply makes everything available to you no matter what device you're on. The Box.net's way of directly accessing files is the polar opposite of what Apple is trying to do.
Unless you're completely allergic to the direct use of files, iCloud doesn't necessarily make services like Box and Dropbox redundant. If you want to see if Box.net is for you, then you might want to do it within the next 50 days, while this promotion lasts.
Download the Box.net iOS app
More at Box.net


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Alan Brogan: To save the club game, Páraic Duffy's defeated motions must be pushed through
The commercial monster that is inter-county football is at times in direct conflict with the clubs - ironically the bedrock on which the Association is built.
As an inter-county player, I tried not to let it concern me. I didn't want it to interfere with my preparations or to use it as an excuse for performances on the field with my county or my club, St Oliver Plunkett/Eoghan Ruadh.
Now, six months into my retirement as a Dublin player, I have a clearer picture of both sides of the argument.
There is no doubt that being a senior club footballer in Dublin is a frustrating existence, as I'm sure it is in other counties. I don't blame the hierarchy in the GAA, I don't blame the county boards. We, as members of the Association, must take responsibility and we must provide the solution.
Páraic Duffy has shown leadership in getting two motions to Congress earlier in the year which would have helped to ease the frustration on club players and the pressures on inter-county players. Both were defeated, even though they garnered over 50 per cent of the vote. (I can't for the life of me understand why they required 66 per cent, but that's another day's argument.) If we are serious about reigniting the club game, we needed to push those motions through.
The first was to bring the All-Ireland football final forward two weeks. The success of the Dublin team over the last number of years has resulted in the Dublin championship being played almost as a quick-fire tournament, with the team that picks up the fewest injuries usually the winner.
In 2011, Dublin won the All-Ireland with a few back games still to be played in the club championship. The last 16 got under way on October 15, the quarter-finals a week later on October 22, the semi-finals on October 29 and the final a week later on November 6.
My club, Plunketts, were beaten by a stronger St Brigid's team on the day but aside from that, and also leaving aside the county players who were lucky enough to win an All-Ireland that year, it is clearly unfair to ask a group of men from Plunketts, Brigid's, or any club, who have slogged and sacrificed for ten months in pursuit of a dream, in Plunketts' case in pursuit of our first ever senior club championship, to play off this competition in just four weeks.
GAA Newsletter
There is a simple solution to this. We have to have another go at the motion to change the date of the All-Ireland football final. I urge all counties, and all county players, to get the support to push this motion through.
The second motion, that no replays would take place in the championship, is hardly ground-breaking in its own right, but is certainly a step in the right direction. The simple dilemma in this instance is what takes priority - the revenue generated by a replay or a healthier club game. Again, there is only one winner for me.
Throughout my inter-county career, club league games took a back seat to my preparations with Dublin. As a young Plunketts and Dublin fan, I recall going to Plunketts' league games in the hope of seeing my hero Mick Galvin line out. More often than not I was disappointed as his inter-county commitments didn't allow for it. That was 1995, so the issue goes back that far.
I'm sure there are youngsters, like me in 1995, who go to club league games all over the country hoping to see their inter-county heroes play only to be disappointed.
The crux of the matter is that while my inter-county career flourished, my club career has been fairly abject and that will be a regret when I look back in years to come. This is a result of the system and the culture of priority being given to inter-county football throughout the Association.
We must not forget that the inter-county game is what produces the revenue that is fed back down through county boards and into the clubs. The product is strong enough at present to produce substantial sponsorship opportunities, and this is what part funds the facilities, games promotion officers and the like.
This funding is critical for the GAA to compete against soccer and rugby for the hearts and minds of young players. But the club player has been forgotten and that needs to change. I should have had the opportunity to play more with my club and the guys I grew up with. Instead, Dublin always took priority.
Players will continue to give their all for their county; indeed in a lot of cases Jim Gavin has to stop his players from doing extra training in their own time - that is how driven the modern inter-county footballer is. Guys at this level are highly ambitious and will leave no stone unturned in pursuit of glory.
The direction needs to come from the top in Croke Park and the members need to push the recommendations through. I don't expect radical changes, but we need to start somewhere in addressing the inter-county fixture calendar. There is no easy solution, but the fixture calendar certainly needs to be condensed, if nothing else, to ease the burden the length of a inter-county season can have on some guys.
The GPA have produced evidence that the pressures of inter-county football and hurling are weighing heavily on players' careers and personal lives. In my own case, I dropped the idea of completing accountancy exams because I felt it would impact on my football career.
Páraic Duffy and the leadership in the GAA, need to continue to address the issue of the club player and get the motions back on the table next year. Move the All-Ireland final and allow counties to complete their club championships in a manner that is fair to club players who have slogged all year.
To help facilitate this, scrap pre-season tournaments and start the Allianz Leagues in mid-January. End replays in the championship, maybe even make April to mid-May a club-only period when no inter-county activity takes place anywhere in the country. I never had the opportunity to spend six weeks solid with my clubmates until I retired last year and returned to club football in January.
That's not what our great Association is about.
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David is a longtime resident of Southwest Minneapolis, he is passionate about our community and investing in long lasting client relationships. Among the top producers at the helm of the Minneapolis Lakes Office, David can offer boutique real estate services tailored to fit the needs of his clients throughout the Minneapolis / St Paul metro area. The remarkable success of his business is the result of a hands-on approach to each client and project, regardless of the size and scope. His ongoing dedication to his values and method are the driving factors of his thriving referral based business.