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The final televised Buffy episode offers a very clear Channel Divergence to treat, one which accesses the last of the Extraordinary Vessels, the one concerned with passing on a lineage, with making choices, with encircling a person's body into a solitary figure — but one which also brings all that to the surface, changing the form of one's life through manifesting one's choices. Willow opens this channel with magic (and it often seems like magic for an acupuncturist to be able to treat multiple people simultaneously, as most clinicians can attest.) This post, then, is for Willow.
The Channel Divergence I propose treating in this episode is the Kidney CD. It's intimate link with the Dai Mai and other Extraordinary Vessels points to its capacity to access not only to the 'Prisoners of the Dungeon' (the Turok-han vampires beneath the seal), but also the physiology which will be passed into the Slayer Lineage.
The episode opens with Caleb coming back to life and Buffy slicing him in two, 'up the middle', starting with his 'external kidneys'. Buffy quotes the openign lines of the Buffy series, and comes to the realisation that it doesn't have to be that way: "one in every generation… She alone…"
Angel and Buffy then have a discussion about having souls, or specifically, about Spike's ensoulment. Buffy admits that Spike is in her heart. Buffy then returns home. Alone.
Buffy presents her plan to the Scoobies, a plan which will ensure she is not alone. It is also a plan which entails Willow going beyond the darkest place she had ever been. Later in the episode, we will see Willow come out the other side, having gone through that darkness, to a place of light. The Potentials, too, will have to make a choice. They go to the Hellmouth, and collectively feed their blood to the seal, opening it. The non-potentials — Dawn, Xander, Anya, Giles, Principal Wood — stay above ground. Dawn delivers a potent line to Buffy before she enters the Hellmouth: "Anything you say will sound like good-bye". Dawn then walks away.
Descending into the depths while Willow casts her spell, they wait for their transformation into Slayers. Willow's spell succeeds. A great battle ensues, culminating in Spike's redemption and the collapse of the Hellmouth. (The collapse of the Hellmouth incidentally disrupts the Scoobies' plans for what to do after the battle.)
The final lines of the episode contain food for thought in reference to the KD CD: "We changed the world." "We'll have to find them [the new Slayers]." And perhaps most importantly, when using the Channel Divergences of Acupuncture for self-transformation, Buffy says: "Make your choice: are you ready to be strong?"
How exactly does this episode relate to the Kidney Channel Divergence? After all, it is usually used for deficient yin conditions from overwork ("lao taxation") and adrenal exhaustion (a condition in which too much yin has been transformed into wei qi). Those familiar with the 'kidney return' protocol will note that it uses selected points on the KD CD. Symptoms include empty fire, which is a loss of jing giving way to heat. The trajectory of the Kidney CD will illustrate my argument more fully:
The channel diverges from the primary Kidney meridian at KD-10, near the knee. A he-sea or he-uniting point, this point homes to the Kidney organs. A little known effect of the point is its usefulness in treating mental disorders.
From KD-10, the channel moves laterally to link up with the confluent point of the BL-KD Channel Divergence at BL-40. BL-40 is the end of a third trajectory on the Bladder Meridian, originating at Du-4, moving outwards towards the lower inner bladder line (to encompass the shu points of the LI and SI) and down towards the knee. This is one reason why BL-40 is particularly effective in treating low back pain: it connects directly with the low back. In combination with Du-26, the entire spine, including the marrow it houses, is affected. (As a side note, Du-26 also treats mental disorders.)
From Bl-40, the channel follows the BL divergence pathway, passing through BL36 on its way to Du 4. BL-36 and DU-4 both relate to the ability to stand upright, or as Buffy phrases it: "Can stand up, will stand up."
From the Du Mai, which some readers may recall is the Extraordinary Vessel of individuation and going-out into the world to meet one's destiny (Du-4 is called 'Gate of Destiny'), the Kidney divergent channel then homes to the Dai Mai via BL-23 and BL-52, the shu points of the Kidneys and Will, respectively. Physiologically, the movement to the Dai Mai allows the channel divergence to move pathogens to the last of the EVs: wei qi using yuan qi to store or create latency. The kidney uses fear or cold to repress pathogen, especially fear of dying, thus limiting potential of yuan qi. It is the 'dungeon', reserved for prisoners who couldn't be killed (due to status, position, lineage, family relations, etc). Yet the next point in the channel, BL-52, is the gate of will, where one overcomes fear and cold and can make one's choices. In a way, this is also the point of a 'will-within-the-will', a situation in which a person is acting for one set of articulated reasons, but is actually responding to a much larger, more extensive set of choices about his or her life. "Make your choice."
Following the Dai Mai, the KD Channel Divergences goes to GB26, SP15, ST25, KD16, and CV8. If the Kidneys are a dungeon, the Dai Mai is a closet, into which pour all the unresolved emotional and physiological work entrusted to a particular lineage to work out. The Dai Mai is the means to transmit a factor to one's future lineage to work out. Physiologically, it helps let go of things person is not conscious of (wei qi is not conscious), often by invoking the qualities of the Gallbladder to help let go of fearful, repressed emotions, the baggage we have difficulty letting go of. It sets the prisoners of the Kidney free. "Anything you say will sound like goodbye." In patients with a KD CD pathology, the Dai Mai reflex area of the hara is often full or filling.
The KD Channel Divergence pathway then follows the primary KD Channel trajectory on the abdomen, which is actually the Chong Mai trajectory. The KD CD thus accesses the 'Gate of Destiny', brings that individuation through the elements of life which need to be resolved, and transmits them within the person to the EV which contains the blueprint of one's lineage. It allows all that hidden fear and baggage to meet the emotions for resolution. The Chong Mai, as both the sea of blood and sea of the 12 channels, is intimately concerned with the full range of human emotion. "How does it feel, B?" This is also where the pathophysiology can move from consuming jing to consuming blood in an effort to keep a pathogen latent. From consuming the attention of one's life, to sucking up emotional energy, certain pathologies move more deeply into the body.
From the Chong Mai and KD primary channel points, the KD CD moves to CV23 and the Root of the Tongue, having passed through the Heart. CV-23 is a Yin Wei Mai point, and concerns both continuity — in the case of the Potentials, their continuity with the Slayer lineage, which is their destiny, and all the history and mystery inherent in that lineage — and integrity: how the person remains who they really are in the face of challenges presented by life.
From CV-23, the KD CD then moves along the Jawline. How does a person integrate experiences into her life? The jawline is where one can see how a person chews on, savours, and assimilates experiences. It is also a final place for deposit a pathology: the teeth hold latent pathogens. (If the tooth is removed, pathogenic process may still continue, and move to affect the throat. Gua sha ST5 area, SCM, if this portion of the CD is diseased.) "I want you… to get out of my face." (Or "a nice, wholesome, my person has a pierced tongue sort of way")
From the jaw line, the Channel Divergence moves backwards to BL-10, which connects yin to the head via marrow at lower border of skull. "It's bloody brilliant." BL-10 is also a Window to the Sky point, and as such draws things up from where they've lain buried to the light of the heavens, much as Spike brought light from the 'trinket' to the Turok-han. "Spike"
Treatment would be three-time needling, shallow-deep-shallow, as we want to bring up the slayer-essence latent in each potential. However, instead of doing a strictly ascending, or even a looping technique (in which one begins with KD-10 on one side, moving to BL-10 and then down the other side, to exit at KD-1 or BL-67), I will take a tip from Spike, and bring the light of a WTS point to a Doorway to the Earth point, and then move in an ascending direction. Thus, I will begin on the left side with BL-10 and move downwards towards KD-10; then I will move to the right side and begin with KD-10, moving upwards to the nape of the neck. The idea is to bring the idea to the depths of the person, and draw out what is needed to make that realisation an actual reality.
From here, follow treatments with either the Dai Mai or Chong Mai will help ground the person in her or his new identity. KD CD treatments combine very well with Dai Mai and Chong Mai treatments, as can be seen from the trajectory of the KD CD.
In terms of Herbal Medicine, many formulas can be used to augment jing. As for envoys, several herbs go to the Dai Mai and other EVs, but Wu Zei Gu goes to the Dai Mai exclusively (and not to other EVs); to bring the formula outwards to the TaiYang level, Hua Jiao goes to the middle to disperse cold (but homes to the KD channel), and Gao Ben raises qi to the vertex. Both herbs would be good additions to a martial arts training formula like Jin Feng Jiu, which increases jing and quiets restlessness. Jin Feng Jiu is composed of equal portions Sheng Di, Shu Di, Dang Gui, Mai Dong, Di Gu Pi, and Yin Yang Hua, with one-half a portion of Sha Ren. Grind or use whole to make wine, steeping the ingredients for two or three months first. (Guard the body from losing jing while taking this formula; this is especially important for men.)
* * *
So this completes my series of posts on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Chinese Medicine. I originally began this exercise simply because I needed a way to keep my diagnostic skills up between my graduation from acupuncture school and being allowed to practice. I also wanted a forum for presenting some of the more obscure, 'superstitious' aspects from the history of Chinese Medicine out into the world.
I hope you've enjoyed reading these posts as much as I've enjoyed composing them. As always, the posts have been meant for educational purposes only. If you or another person feel you could benefit from the perspective of Chinese Medicine, please see a qualified practitioner.
Finally, all medicine, but Chinese medicine in particular serves a single purpose: to relieve unnecessary suffering so that individuals can return and live out their lives. The final line of the series puts this nicely:
"You're not the one and only chosen one now. you've just got to live as a person."
Happy Slayage.
Jason Scott Johnson
2013, September 29.
Michaelmas Day.


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Welcome to Gerberit AquaClean Experience!
French people are weird. I mean, don't get me wrong, I like a nicely lathered bumhole as much as the next – um, guy – person? Dogs definitely. Most people, hopefully? (Seriously, take care of your rings.)
BUT I'm yet to see the need for automated sphincter exfoliation EXCEPT in the pursuit of back passage switch awesomeness. AND DAGNAMIT have Le Belmont Hotel in Paris gonedunit with the Gerberit magi-toilet 2000 and its fear-inspiring robotic chocolate starfish cleaner.
Just wish they'd fix the fekking toilet seat. I'm gonna get it in the neck for peeing all over the floor when it blatantly wasn't me!

subset: commoncrawl


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Hi, I'm Debra Robinson and SAR Cleaning is one of my passions that has grown out of the building company I run with my husband in Darwin, SAR Contracting.
Every year, we transform the living and working spaces for Darwin families and businesses and I have come to trust and adore the range of organic cleaning products and micro fibre cloths I discovered in recent years.
I started selling them on SAR Contracting but have become so taken by them I decided to make them available to you and provide teams of cleaners who would use them: SAR Cleaning was born!
Darwin's cleaning company based on care
We are mindful of our clients' and staff's health and the damage toxic chemicals can cause in polluting our air and waterways. This has been widely known for many years.
However, many consumers are unaware that these same chemicals are used in household cleaning products and are polluting your household and your body.
Experts have linked chemicals used in these products to cancer, asthma and nervous system damage.
Many have been proven to accumulate in your household and your organs.
Most household poisoning accidents are related to cleaning products and often you have no way of knowing what a product contains.
SAR Cleaning uses and recommends Organic Clean products
Organic Clean's products do NOT contain a warning label such as Poison or Hazardous Material and we believe you should not be exposed to anything that does!
Sadly, because there are no legal requirements for manufacturers of cleaning products to disclose their ingredients, many don't, leaving you in the dark.
What's worse, others promote themselves as green without explicitly stating their ingredients.
Organic Clean has chosen to list their ingredients clearly on the packaging so that you can see that they are providing a completely natural product.


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My main hope for the year is that the General Election in May delivers a Government which implements Labour's plan for Britain's future and tackles the cost of living crisis.
Measures that Ipswich residents have told me they are particularly keen for a Labour Government to deliver are:
An £8 National Minimum Wage
Freezing energy prices
Increasing free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds to 25 hours per week
More money for the NHS paid for by a Mansion Tax on homes worth over £2 million
Scrapping the Bedroom Tax
Obviously I hope that I will be elected to Parliament to represent Ipswich so that I can vote for these measures.
Ipswich Borough Council will continue to prioritise bringing new jobs and growth to Ipswich.
More than 100 new council houses will be completed, providing much-needed new affordable housing and jobs in the local construction industry.
Work should begin on major new office developments in Princes Street.
The council will also be working hard to progress its plans to sort out the Stoke Bridge entrance to the Waterfront and to realise the massive jobs potential of the Sproughton Sugar Beet site.
I would like – but don't expect – Suffolk County Council to abandon its plans to close the Meredith and Quayside children's centres in Ipswich when it announces its plans in January.
Finally – and it's probably the kiss of death – I am more hopeful than I've been for many years that Ipswich could finally get back into the Premiership.


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Arzu Deniz Aksoy is a Senior Executive with 25+ years of B2B and B2C Business Management background in international and multi-cultural environments. She has proven achievements in all phases of marketing, communication and business development.
Ms. Aksoy has worked with multinational companies such as Coca-Cola, Etap, 3M and joined BASF in 2006 as Marketing & Operational Manager for Turkey, Middle East & North Africa. In 2008 she became European Marketing Manager for BASF Textile Chemicals. In 2010, she became Head of Communications & Government Relations for Region Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) around 29 legal group entities in 34 different countries. Additionally she held responsibility as European Online Media Expert for Europe at BASF.
She holds a M.B.A. from Dokuz Eylül University, Business Administration and a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Engineering from Ege University. She holds a certificate from Communication and Media Studies at Quadriga University of Applied Science, Berlin.
Peter is the Executive Director of Corporate Affairs and Communications at Highways England. The new government owned company investing £15B into England's Motorways and A Roads. He has pioneered new forms of communications to influence driver behaviour, winning awards for some innovative campaigns. With the largest investment in a generation going into road infrastructure Peter is passionate about explaining the social impact of the work and the benefits it brings to people's lives.
Prior to this he spent many years in Central Banking. He worked with the European Central Bank in Germany during a period of high volatility, and advised on communications to reach new audiences. Whilst at the Bank of England Peter was involved in some of the biggest challenges following the financial crisis. His methods and styles have been shared and taken on by other government organisations including other Central Banks, the European Parliament and EU Commission.
Phil Askham leads a team of over 50 people responsible for employee communications across HSBC's Global Functions.
Phil has been with HSBC since 2007. Previously, he worked for O2 UK as Head of Internal Communications. He learned his craft during a 3-year stint at Smythe Dorward Lambert, one of the UK's first internal communications consultancies. He started his career as a fast stream civil servant in the UK Government, including 2 years as Private Secretary to successive Secretaries of State for Education.
Phil has an MBA from London Business School and a theology & philosophy degree from Oxford University. Away from work, he enjoys park runs and family time.
Skills and areas of expertise for mentoring: career planning, operating at a strategic level, leading team performance and development (people skills), worked across different industries, NGOs, agencies, associations, and institutions, internal communications specialist.
Dr. Edna Ayme-Yahil is the appointed Corporate Head of Marketing and Communications at Panalpina as of July 1, 2018 and is currently a board member for the European Association of Communications Directors. Previously, she was the Head of Communications at the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) and Head of Communications for EIT Digital, the leading European digital innovation and entrepreneurial education organisation driving Europe's digital transformation.
She has developed and delivered top-quality integrated communications strategies in large global companies and public organizations. She has held various global communications roles at Nissan, STMicroelectronics, Philip Morris International and UNESCO and was a consultant for the OECD. She has also taught communications and history at the University of California Los Angeles, University of Arkansas, University of Paris, and Washington State University. She graduated from Stanford University, studied at the École normale supérieure, and holds a doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Yvan joined Galderma/Nestlé Skin Health as Global Vice President Communications, Digital and Congresses in September 2015. Yvan is based in Lausanne, Switzerland and heads the Global Communication, Congress and Digital team. His main responsibility is to develop Galderma's communications and digital and congress strategy to build a robust corporate reputation for the company as the world's leading dermatology company.
Yvan has extensive experience in all areas of communication, having worked for more than 20 years in international and global communications roles for companies such as Dow Corning, Novartis Consumer Health, and Medtronic, where he was VP International Communication. His career has taken him all over the world and he has lived and worked in Belgium, Switzerland, Japan and the U.S. He has won several communications and leadership awards, including the Communique awards for the best in-house communications team in Europe.
Yvan has a Master's Degree in Translation from Erasmushogeschool Brussels, Belgium, a Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising and Public relations from Willemsfonds, Belgium, a Postgraduate degree in Leadership Capability from Glasgow Caledonian University and has also attended the IMD business school. Yvan is Belgian and speaks 4 languages fluently. He lives in Féchy, near Lausanne, Switzerland.
Luis became a Professional motor racing driver in 1972. After winning many races including the Spanish Formula National Championship in 1975, he became one of the two drivers of the Spanish National F3 Team in 77. He moved on to the Communications sector in the 80's working as the Press and PR manager of BMW Spain, Porsche and Kawasaki and later Alfa Romeo. He Moved to BMW Ibérica in 1983 to become the Corporate Communication Director and three years later joined also the International Public Relations Committee of BMW AG, in Munich. He has gained university degrees in Journalism and Communication.
In the 90's he founded his own company, LUCA Comunicación Corporativa that was successfully in business for more than 25 years working for top national and international clients. It recently merged with Alana Consultores, a PR Spanish new concept agency for the future.
He is the founder of Dircom (Spanish Association of Communication Directors - www.dircom.org) and actual President & CEO of the International Public Relations Network, www.iprn.com. Also a member of the EACD and the Global Alliance for PR.
Luis has more than 30 years experience in communication, PR, project leadership and management areas. He has led several high profile projects throughout his career including "Premio BMW de Pintura" the Spanish Challenge to the America's Cup in 92 and 95 and "Barcelona 1.000 Days to the Future" with Discovery Channel. Also, he has been involved with several campaigns for Banco Santander leading bank in Spain.
Jonathan Graham is Senior Manager Global Communications for TE Connectivity Industrial in Darmstadt, Germany.
In his role, he manages external and internal communications as well as product communications for TE Connectivity, the global leader in sensor and connectivity solutions. Graham volunteers as chair of the SGP Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to educating the print media industry on sustainability. Residing in Germany, Graham has more than two decades experience in B2B marketing communications in industry leading companies including HP and Heidelberger Druckmaschinen.
Markku Herrala works as Director, Public and Media Relations at UPM, the leading bio and forest industry company in Europe. In addition to his day-job, Markku works as a board professional and as a communications advisor to CEI-Bois, the European Confederation of Woodworking Industries in Brussels. As a senior communications professional, Markku has a board experience on all aspects of communications as well as corporate responsibility and public affairs topics.
He has 20 years of practical experience on various leadership positions in international communications and business area management. As a mentor, Markku can provide the mentee with insight to working with the C-suite and other senior business management as well as on how to translate strategic business topics into practical communication agenda. As a seasoned team manager, he can also support the mentee in developing his/her people leadership skills. Markku is based in Helsinki, Finland.
Angela Howarth is World Green Building Council's Director of Marketing and Communications. In this role, she is responsible for leading all WorldGBC's external marketing and communications, including the annual World Green Building Week and WorldGBC Congress. Working with our global network, Angela co-ordinates all marketing and communications activities with our member Green Building Councils and partners.
Angela is a strategic marketing and communications professional, with almost 20 years' experience. Previously, she was Head of Communications for Climate-KIC, the EU's public private partnership working on climate action, and Future Cities Catapult, the global innovation centre. As a consultant, Angela has worked with UNICEF, the British Council, UK Sport and Mind, the mental health charity on international and national campaigns. Angela's campaigns have received numerous awards, such as the Climathon, a global hackathon for Climate-KIC, a climate change strategy consultation for the Greater London Authority and a travel safety campaign for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
Angela is based in London, UK.
Viviane is a seasoned corporate communication, crisis communication and reputation expert, excelling at advising and implementing strategic decisions/actions at C-suite level in an international multicultural environment.
Since 2006 she has been General Manager Corporate Communication (she set up the function) and official spokesperson for KBC Group. She is responsible for group-wide internal communication (content), reputation management, press relations and crisis communication. She handled crisis communication during the financial crisis: bail out 2008-2009, restructuring plan European Commission, divestment 25 assets, planned/cancelled IPO, repayment state aid.
Via an annual group-wide Reputation & NPS survey and action plan (since 2013 in Belgium, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Ireland) trust with stakeholders is actively managed. Viviane is a guest lecturer on crisis communication at the University of Leuven (Belgium), Master Business Communication (since 2013), at Howest (Kortrijk) and at Thomas Moore (Mechelen).
She was a founding member of the EACD and participates in European Circle of Communicators events .
Shweta Kulkarni Van Biesen is the Head of Internal Communications at Bridgestone overseeing communications to a diverse group of 18.000 employees across EMEA. Shweta has over 14 years' of experience in leadership communications, employee engagement, media relations and public affairs. She is a board member of the European Association of Communication Directors. Prior to joining Bridgestone, Shweta worked at MedTech Europe trade association representing the medical technology companies in Europe and Johnson & Johnson.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Master's degree in Communication & Information Studies from Rutgers University, New Brunswick.
Rui Martins is the Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Director at Dianova Portugal since 2003. He is also the regional coordinator for Portugal at the EACD since 2008 and Member of the Jury of ECA Awards since 2016. He is the campaigns National Coordinator for Portugal at the European Commission and European Parliament since 2009. Prior, he has been an Advisory member at IntellCorp, a member of the International Committee at World Communication Forum in Davos and Kuala Lumpur, an Executive Director at Tinkle Lisboa PR Firm, Associate Director at Hill & Knowlton Strategies Portugal and Senior Associate at Burson-Marsteller Lisbon as Corporate Technology Practice Leader.
With more than 21 years of experience and significant responsibilities in the areas of Reputation & Change Management, Public Affairs, Digital Communications & Social Media, he has the ability to meet expected goals and over-achieve desired goals. With strong communication skills, strategic development, leadership and team engagement, persuasion, influence, networking and entrepreneurial thinking in the private & public sectors, both in worldwide consultancy and in-house, at European and International levels.
With more than 20 years of experience in Reputation Management and Integrated Communication, both at the consultancy and in-house areas, Rui Martins has a in depth knowledge and expertise to be shared to younger professionals by working with multinational and international leading clients and organizations. His experience includes Corporate Communication to Public Affairs, from Technology to Health sectors, from Companies and International NGOs to European Commission and United Nations, from Europe to Asia and North & Latin America… a rich and diverse array of best practices that can be developed by the future Communication professionals around Europe in this interdependent and global world. Its mentoring include tips on digital and face-to-face networking and multicultural communication, from which meaningful relationships are crafted towards desired business results' achievement, showcasing how to boost walk the talk stories to build sterling reputations in the bottom line. Based in Lisbon, he actively collaborates with since 2008 European Association of Communication Directors and World Forum Communication Davos.
Skills and areas of expertise for mentoring: broad skills base in relation to different communication areas, operating at a strategic level, leading team performance and development (people skills), building effective networks and relationships (incl. at C-suite level), worked across different industries, NGOs, agencies, associations, institutions, change manager, digital / social media specialist, CSR, multicultural communication
Viktoria is a communication professional with more than 13 years of experience in corporate and marketing communications. Currently she is a board member at EACD and Head of Markets at KPMG Ukraine being responsible for communications, marketing and business development. Finished her MBA at Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University.
She has a wide experience in cross-cultural and multicultural environment at banking and real estate markets. Has a highly successful background in development and execution of corporate communications and sustainability strategies. Experienced in corporate communications, marketing communications, internal communications & organizational behavior, crisis/issue management, digital communications, corporate responsibility (CR), as well as change/M&A communications. Delivers strong results and takes the opportunity to bring her knowledge and dedication to work through collaboration, innovation and creativity.
Skills and areas of expertise for mentoring: Broad skills base in relation to different communication areas, operating at a strategic level, internal communications, change manager, digital/social media.
Terry O'Connor is a corporate affairs professional with an unusually broad range of international experience across government, industry, the media and academia. He has a particular focus on successfully enhancing reputation through staff and stakeholder engagement, and on organisational change. His journalism career included appointment as Chief Political Correspondent for the Australian national wire service, before senior media and policy roles on the personal staff of a Cabinet Minister. He then moved into corporate affairs with the national trade promotion agency Austrade, the British High Commission in Australia, and the for-profit air navigation service provider Airservices Australia, before his current UK role in 2008 as the Director of Communications for one of Europe's largest multi-disciplinary science organisations. Terry mentors for the UK Government Communications Service, is a Board member of the Association of Science and Discovery Centres, and represents the UK on international science communications partnerships.
Skills and areas of expertise for mentoring: Career planning, broad skills base in relation to different communication areas, operating at a strategic level, leading team performance and development (people skills), building a personal brand (influencing skills), building effective networks and relationships (incl. at c-suite level), personal effectiveness, impact (result skills), worked across different industries, NGOs, agencies, associations, and institutions, media specialist, internal communications specialist, change manager
Blanca is seasoned change management professional with experience in global multinational companies, managing complex change management and engagement programmes; implementing new operating models; driving global integrated relational marketing activities and leading global teams. Most of her professional career has taken place in Amadeus, a global travel technology company where she held different global roles related to employee communication, integrated relational marketing activities, and strategic communication support to the Global Executive Leadership team.
She is currently working at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), as Head of Operations Change Management managing global transformation projects and will soon take over as Head of Customer Experience.
Prior to IATA, Blanca was Global Head Internal Communication in Sandoz, the leading generics pharmaceutical company from the Novartis Group. She led the team responsible for Sandoz global internal communication initiatives, managing the internal information flow between the global Sandoz Executive Committee and Sandoz associates worldwide.
As EVP Communications, Branding & Marketing, Atte Palomäki is responsible for integrated corporate communications, brand management, and marketing in Wärtsilä, the global leader in smart technologies and complete lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. Before taking his current position in March 2008, Palomäki was Group Chief Press Officer of Nordea Bank AB (publ). Prior to that he had an extensive career as a journalist, both in television and print media in Finland. Palomäki is a graduate in political sciences from the Helsinki University.
A strategist building strong brands, based on insights; coming to life in the full-scale integrated corporate communications campaigns. Developing and strengthening the company's reputation while anticipating on risks and upcoming issues and prepared to act in times of crisis. An advisor, strengthening presence in international media, an influencer on social media and an initiator of strong content, based on excellence. Addressing a differentiated value proposition to the diversity of stakeholders from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds.
From 2002 - 2015 Ger worked for Sabic in several communications roles in the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia. He has orchestrated development and the launch of communication plans for the organizations global strategic business units, as well as working closely with leading global agencies such as Hill+Knowlton, IPG and Lippincott.
A result driven communications leader using experience, academic background and personality to positively influence leadership to drive change and transformation. Being a flexible, innovative, multitasking and stress resistant character steering his teams with passion.
Andy Pharoah joined the Mars Leadership Team as Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Strategic Initiatives in September 2016. In his role, Pharoah stewards the company's communications, government relations and stakeholder engagement. He leads management team effectiveness and the delivery of transformative strategic initiatives. Pharoah also stewards Mars, Incorporated's ambitious sustainability objectives and the programs in place to make the company's operations Sustainable in a Generation.
Prior to his current role, Pharoah served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Sustainability & Strategy for Wrigley, a segment of Mars, Incorporated. His responsibilities encompassed all aspects of Corporate Affairs, leadership of Global Sustainability, and leadership of the development and deployment of Wrigley business strategy. A native Londoner, Pharoah began his career in U.K. politics. He then spent 13 years with international communications consultancy, Hill & Knowlton, where he worked with a wide range of companies, governments and NGOs, as Head of the Corporate Practice for Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Pharoah holds a bachelor's degree in politics from the University of Leicester. An avid cyclist, Pharoah is happy to now live in a Virginia, a state with a longer cycling season and more hills that his previous home state of Illinois. He is Executive Committee Member of the Washington National Opera. He also serves on the Council of the Asia Society Policy Institute.
Lavinia Toma is an experienced communication strategist with a strong business background (MBA graduate), she spent the last 18 years working as an in-house communication expert for a large multinational company - Henkel Group (Germany based).
Lavinia started her corporate career in the B2C marketing team and after a few years had the chance to start the Corporate Communication function in Henkel Romania/Balkans. After many impactful and awarded local campaigns, Lavinia took over regional (CEE) and international (for Europe IMEA) responsibilities, including steering an international and very diverse team from the global headquarter located in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Today, Lavinia is an expert in integrated and international communication, her expertise ranging from External and Internal Coms to Brand PR, Crisis Communication & Issues Management, CSR & Sustainability Communication, Stakeholder Strategic Comms, Change Management, International coordination of diverse & multicultural teams and further training and development of international teams through mentoring & coaching.
Irene van Luijken is a seasoned communications professional with more than 20 years experience in communication and public affairs. Having worked at a PR agency, industry side (Shell) and almost 10 years in associations, Irene has a variety of communication experience, ranging from corporate, internal and external communications, stakeholder engagement, media relations and reputation management to public affairs. She enjoys leading and working with teams and coaching people to help them advance in their career. She is an active member of the EACD and looks forward to taking up her role as a mentor.
Henriette has more than 20 years of experience in the design and implementation of integrated communication campaigns and measures as well as in counselling top executives. She brings in experience from various industrial sectors: energy, pharmacy, construction, fast moving consumer products and B2B (machine building, software etc.) etc.
As Head of Group Corporate Communications at the internationally leading technology Group Körber, her current focus is on the strategic communication and modernization / digitization of the communications portfolio for the Körber Group. This includes branding and brand architecture development, change as wells as M&A and PMI communications. In addition, Henriette is an experienced ghost writer for top executives. Since 2010 Henriette once a year serves as "practitioner lecturer" for "Change Communications" at the University of Applied Sciences in Osnabruck / Lingen in Germany.
Before joining the Körber Group in 2014, she led the team for Online and Internal Communications at RWE, one of the leading energy suppliers in Germany and Europe. Previously to the corporate communications practitioners' life, Henriette worked for PR agencies. She holds a diploma in Social & Cultural Studies and Communications and studied at Hildesheim University in Germany and Bath Spa University College in the UK.
Skills and areas of expertise for mentoring: operating at a strategic level / strategic counsel, internal and change / transformation communications, positioning plans, writing and editing as well as impact (result orientated skills), personal and team effectiveness, leadership styles
Nicole has 18 years of international experience in global communications roles with various financial services companies in Frankfurt, Singapore, London and is now based in Zurich. She is a a senior communications advisor working with senior leaders for more than a decade, a seasoned media spokesperson and corporate reputation manager and creative storyteller. She successfully developed and drove global integrated communication campaigns and international media relations and built powerful thought leadership programmes and digital presences. As a co-active coach (CTI) she enjoys helping others to explore and tap into their full potential.
Nicole holds MA in Media Management from Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media, Germany and a BSc equivalent in Banking and Finance from Cooperative State University Mosbach, Germany. She is also an avid world traveller 47 countries and counting, a passionate ocean explorer and conservationist.


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IP Networking
- June 26, 2018
26 Jun'18
Tempered Networks extends reach of NAC software
Tempered Networks has extended the reach of its network access control technology. The company has introduced NAC software for IoT, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure.
- June 22, 2018
22 Jun'18
Vendors need to concentrate on wireless reliability, not hype
Wireless reliability should be the main goal of WLAN vendors and institutions, one engineer writes. Also, how come networking didn't evolve the same way compute did?
- June 22, 2018
22 Jun'18
ThousandEyes launches cloud performance monitoring tools
ThousandEyes has launched cloud performance monitoring tools. The latest offering provides critical metrics for software running in multi-cloud environments.
- June 21, 2018
21 Jun'18
Cisco acquires July Systems for its location, analytics services
Cisco buys July Systems to add its cloud-based location services to Cisco's enterprise Wi-Fi platform. Also, Extreme and Ruckus launch improvements to their wireless LANs.
- June 20, 2018
20 Jun'18
Silver Peak SD-WAN adds service chaining, partners for cloud security
Silver Peak SD-WAN now allows service chaining for Forcepoint, McAfee and Symantec security VNFs. Also, ONF targets four technologies to develop -- and four supply chain partners to help.
- June 19, 2018
19 Jun'18
Aruba taps ClearPass, Central for SD-Branch management
Aruba has introduced a software-defined branch offering. The product works with Aruba ClearPass and Central for management and includes an SD-WAN within a gateway appliance.
- June 15, 2018
15 Jun'18
Juniper unveils Penta chipset for 5G infrastructure
Juniper unveils the Penta chipset for carrier's 5G infrastructure. The packet-forwarding chip features higher speeds and low power consumption.
- June 14, 2018
14 Jun'18
Cisco to merge Viptela, DNA Center for campus networking
Cisco plans to integrate its Viptela SD-WAN with DNA Center for campus networking in the next 18 months. At the same time, Cisco expects to release a cloud version of DNA Center.
- June 14, 2018
14 Jun'18
Versa SD-WAN counts progress in customer wins, not 'dollars'
As IHS Markit issues its latest report on the increasing SD-WAN revenue, Versa Networks' CEO said he counts Versa SD-WAN success in customer wins, not revenue.
- June 12, 2018
12 Jun'18
Hybrid cloud security architecture requires rethinking
Enterprises need a centralized approach when considering a hybrid cloud security architecture, an analyst says. Plus, is user experience management an IT responsibility?
- June 12, 2018
12 Jun'18
Cisco intent-based networking to beat out open OS, company claims
At Cisco Live, CEO Chuck Robbins emphasized customer preference for integrated hardware and software that offer Cisco intent-based networking over open OSes.
- June 12, 2018
12 Jun'18
Cisco opens DNA to developers in campus networking push
Cisco wants to turn its DNA Center campus networking platform into a platform for software development. The goal is to work with the data the system collects.
- June 12, 2018
12 Jun'18
ONAP Beijing release targets deployment scenarios
With its ONAP Beijing release, the Linux Foundation turns its attention to what makes a system deployment ready to go: usability, stability and security, among others.
- June 11, 2018
11 Jun'18
Nyansa extends network performance monitor software
In Cisco Live news, Nyansa upgrades its network performance monitor software to track WAN and Wi-Fi connection problems. Also, A10 adds Kubernetes support.
- June 08, 2018
08 Jun'18
LiveAction buys Savvius to combine packet monitoring and NPM
LiveAction plans to combine its software for network performance management with Savvius' packet monitoring technology to deliver both in a single product.


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When advertising no longer cuts it, 'True Vertexing' will!
True Vertexing is to share the true vision and purpose of a brand with consumers for the brand to reach the Vertex, the highest point it can go to, with consumer empathy.
- by
- S Yesudas
I have been part of the 'advertising' industry for over two decades. Have sat in seminars and conferences pointing towards the need for redefining the practice. The only change I witnessed is the influx of super specialized verticals set up by most agencies, resulting in incremental noise by marketers to 'sell' their products/service to consumers and agencies 'up-selling'/ 'cross-selling' those specializations to clients.
New age companies are replacing fundamentally strong long-running companies, largely based on two factors,
A) Their investors' willingness to wait for long-term returns
B) Brand love by consumers.
While the shareholder mindset on returns from the already profitable companies cannot be changed overnight, brand love and a possible impact of the same on the balance sheets can surely be a reality.
How can there ever be 'love' if the transaction is the only motive in an interaction?
Almost 250 million people have installed paid applications to avoid advertising. YouTube just introduced a subscription model for watching videos without ads. A survey from the UK says only 4% of ads are seen and liked by consumers, 7% seen but not liked, 89% neither seen nor liked.
I think the age-old theory about the money spent on advertising being wasted should now read as "80% of my advertising budget is wasted and I clearly know this is that 80% I bombard consumers with, asking them to 'buy' my brand". And yet, 30 seconds sermons are still produced!
For any impactful change, we need to embrace disruption. We need radical thinking and action; a mindset that allows brand owners and agencies to look beyond algorithms. In my piece in the Internationalist Magazine in 2008, I had written, "without a good measure of creativity in its application, no media specialist can initiate inspiring media plans purely from computer hard drives loaded with magical mathematical algorithms".
The only real disruption that I see possible is to stop 'Advertising' and start 'True Vertexing' the brands. True Vertexing is to share the true vision and purpose of a brand with consumers for the brand to reach the Vertex, the highest point it can go to, with consumer empathy. The purpose is not about tactical ideas developed for a season. The purpose will have to be based on incredibly rich human insights, not from researches done to validate an already existing hypothesis, but by a real understanding of what people seek.
Insightful storytelling, understanding how brands can become a tissue between consumers and technology and how data can play an overarching role are the need of the hour.
In my opinion, size will stop making any difference in the foreseeable future. Clients will look for smart solutions. Organizations, which are able to navigate the clients through this landscape with the ability to stitch together content data technology in a meaningful manner will overtake even the large communication companies.
Philips' global marketing head, Eva Barret, commenting on her company's content-driven marketing strategy says, "I'm looking for real creativity. We work directly with our media partner in developing content, as opposed to through the agency. If our partners understand what we do, they can write better stories."
Harley-Davidson's chief marketing officer Mark-Hans Richer says his company works with a lot of shops and takes a 'boutique' approach. "We have not had a lead agency in about five years," he says.
Brad Jakeman, president of PepsiCo's global beverage group says "global alignment agency is a dinosaur concept" and he questions the level of innovation. "I am really worried that this model is not going to bend — it's going to break if we don't really think about how to innovate."
Ideas developed around the purpose theme must be able to deliver multi-sensory impact through wonderful execution, most telling the consumers what's in it for them. Love will begin here!
For this new way of consumer connection to succeed, agencies need a mindset of brand success, not just in theory but practice rather than profits for their specialized verticals. The money will follow.
The mindset needed on the brand owner's side is to actually understand that each of the consumers is brand ambassadors compared to the highly paid celebrities who would never perhaps even use the brand once in their lifetime.
I'm not for a minute debating or doubting that some endorsements work. But most of that's in the uni-dimensional, transactional brand-consumer relationship world. But the new world needs some brave hearts to start looking at the meaning of brand building a bit differently. Else, all of the top, long running companies of the globe will be replaced by new age ones. It is, then, not surprising why an Air BnB is valued multiples times higher than Hyatt. The brand love and positive sentiments, when the True Vertexing is practiced will also have a bearing on how those companies get viewed and consequently on the balance sheets and soon the impact of True Vertexing can be really tracked. This is my dream!


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I have a dedicated team of experienced agents and support to ensure that your best interest is my number one priority. With access to the latest technology through RE/MAX and the training to do the job right, I am a full time agent with 18 years of experience and have successfully closed million dollars worth of real estate in the last 15 years. I hope you will trust one of your largest investments to me and let me show you why over half of my business is repeat and referral clients.I also am the Owner/Broker of Georgia Rental Group a property management and rental company servicing the Metro Atlanta including Cherokee, Pickens, Cobb, North Fulton and Bartow Counties.


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Oh, the mountains; the music; and the marijuana.
Seattle and Denver — the two crunchy Western cities — share a lot in common. (Though, we're smarter and richer here on the Puget Sound).
And now these two up-and-comers are facing off in the Super Bowl — or as some have dubbed it "The Bong Bowl." We've seen the comparisons between quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson, as well as the strategies of head coaches Pete Carroll and John Fox.
Now, how do these two locations compare in terms of tech prowess?
Seattle already knocked off one tech giant last week in the form of the San Francisco — or, as we now call them the Santa Clara 49ers. (Hey, Re/code, we're still waiting for that compelling guest post).
Now, it's time for Denver, which boasts a thriving startup scene in Boulder (home to venture capitalist Brad Feld and TechStars) and the corporate headquarters of Dish Network in Englewood (market value of $25 billion) and Level 3 Communications in Broomfield (market value of $7.5 billion). (Previously on GeekWire: The top 3 cities for startups: Austin, Seattle and Boulder)
While impressive, that doesn't compare to Seattle's tech scene by any stretch, which boasts giants such as Amazon.com, Expedia, Microsoft and T-Mobile. (One interesting side note, Dish Network may be shopping again in Seattle after failing to buy Clearwire last year, reportedly thinking about making a run at T-Mobile).
Seattle also edges out Colorado in venture capital investing, as the chart below shows. Last year, $415 million was invested in 79 deals in Colorado. That compares to $913 million in 126 deals in Washington state. (In fact, the fourth quarter in Washington surpassed all of the money invested in Colorado last year).
And then there's the team ownership. The Broncos are led by Pat Bowlen, whose family made their money in the oil and mining industries.
In the case of the Hawks, as we all know, the money behind the franchise is all geek, with owner Paul Allen previously co-founding Microsoft.
We're thinking that startup success, plus the geek cred, is going to translate to the gridiron come Feb. 2nd. GoHawks!


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Local perspective on Mornington Peninsula
RACV RoyalAuto Magazine
If you want memorable experiences on your weekend away at RACV Cape Schanck Resort, just ask those who know the Peninsula best.The Mornington Peninsula is blessed with safe swimming beaches, old-fashioned bathing boxes, fruit-laden orchards, romantic vineyard restaurants serving premium wine, natural hot springs and magnificent paint-me seascapes. It lures visitors in droves.
But get chatting with people who live there and you'll discover they've been holding out on the rest of us with secrets they are loath to divulge.
Winemaker Tod Dexter of Dexter Wines has lived most of his life on the peninsula and has a wealth of personal favourites: the beach walk at low tide from Balnarring to Shoreham, the walking trail from Red Hill South (opposite Cellar and Pantry) down to Merricks Reserve, the view over Western Port and Phillip Island from the end of Cliff Rd in Shoreham, fresh produce from the Red Hill Kitchen, good food at Somers General Store, fine dining at the Terminus at the Flinders Hotel, fish and chips on Mothers Beach in Mornington and good food and wines at Merricks General Store – "don't forget to check the gallery in the old house next door," he adds.
A former long-term resident of Mount Martha (and now Moorooduc), Barbara Churches loves watching the sunset while sitting on Mount Martha South Beach. "And the views from the Flinders Golf Course make even bad golf a pleasure," she suggests. Barbara also enjoys the literary-themed Wheeler Centre Friday Night Dinner Conversation series at Montalto Winery in Red Hill South, walking the secluded trail to Bushrangers Bay near Cape Schanck, and the fact that there are still a handful of family-run roadside stalls selling home-grown produce where you put your money in an honesty box and take out your change.
Eight years ago, Ian Scott started out using his holiday house at Cape Schanck as a weekender but now finds he's spending more time there than in Melbourne. He's discovered great nearby walks. "One starts from the very end of the Cape Schanck Lighthouse boardwalk where you should turn right. But," he advises, "it's very important to go at low tide to see the most amazing rock pools – they are other-worldly." Another is the walk to Fingal Beach from Cape Schanck. "There's a beautiful viewing deck looking right up Gunnamatta Beach to Blairgowrie, Sorrento and Portsea. It's a great spot for watching the sunset."
Nikki Maxwell has been a Blairgowrie regular for 15 years and loves to kick-start the day walking the back beach, just minutes from her house. At low tide on secluded Montforts Beach on the ocean side, hers are often the only footprints as a forbidding surf rolls over submerged rocks, eerie water-carved rock formations stand above rock pools and waves crash enthusiastically on Spray Point. "Each time I go there, it's like seeing it for the first time," Nikki says.
Mornington resident Guy Mirabella considers Mr Paul's Beer and Wine bar, hidden away at the top end of Main St, a gem. "Offering 14 beers and ciders on tap, this fun, relaxed, funky bar serves the best cured meat and cheese board on the peninsula, plus an ever-changing blackboard menu with delicious bar snacks suitable for sharing," he says.
Local foodies suggest Guy's own intimate Shop Ate Cafe and Store in non-touristy Mt Eliza to be a neighbourhood hero. After 14 years feeding the local community with inventive fare "served with a great pinch of soul", it's often difficult to find a table to lunch on conchiglioni with ricotta, artichoke and spinach pesto or a Vietnamese-inspired chicken baguette.
Many locals cite Johnny Ripe in Main Ridge as their 'go-to' for their weekly fix of freshly-baked home-style apple, beef, chicken or perhaps fish pies and great coffee.
Then there's the rustic La Campagna restaurant, not far from RACV's resort, horseback winery tours, excellent Red Hill and Main Ridge cheeses, pick-you-own fruit farms, melt-in-the-mouth pulled pork and sensational sandwiches at the St Pauls Rd General Store in Sorrento, the fun hot-dog stall at Koonya General Store (also in Sorrento), exceptional fare at new Terre restaurant at Dromana Estate winery, fresh bay fish from Hutchins Brothers' wooden shack on Fishermans Beach in Mornington, Sunday jazz afternoons with Ray Johns and friends at Ray's Red Hill Bakery in Balnarring, plump bay mussels from the Mornington pier in summer …
You've got general the idea: just hit the peninsula and ask a local.
www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org or call 1800 804 009.
Members save 25% on accommodation at RACV Cape Schanck Resort and RACV's other resorts in Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania. Go to racv.com.au/resorts.
At RACV Cape Schanck Resort you will wake up to spectacular views from the Ocean View Rooms, Executive Suites and two and three-bedroom Villas.
Golfers can try the resort's 18-hole course, and there are tennis courts, a pool and walking tracks to keep you active all day.
Enjoy the resort's diverse menu, matched to distinctive Mornington Peninsula wines.
Book your stay by calling 5950 8000 or go to racv.com.au/resorts.


text: Brenda has been working in Real Estate since 2004 and has intimate knowledge of escrow & complete knowledge of the entire real estate transaction. As a transaction coordinator Brenda has the extraordinary ability to multi-task and is always looking for creative new ideas in advancing technology. As a licensed Realtor, Brenda is a dedicated and a capable team player, who can always be counted on. Brenda takes great pride in helping her clients in all their Real Estate needs. Her area of expertise, as well as personal areas of enjoyment is assisting all her clients in customer service, marketing, follow-up, negotiating on their behalf, and listening. She makes sure the transaction goes as smoothly as possible from start to finish. She consistently keeps-up-to-date on the market trends and changes in Real Estate. Brenda educates her clients and assists them in these fast pace changes in the Real Estate industry. In turn, it helps them to make better, more logical decisions regarding Real Estate. With integrity, commitment and professionalism high on her priority list, you can rest assured that your real estate transaction will end with a positive result. Serving: The San Fernando Valley, Conejo Valley, and surrounding areas! For all your real estate needs, Brenda can be reached at (818)437-9841


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Sometimes you just need the truth. That is especially true in project management. Fictionalized, perfect-world project management advice doesn't work in the real world. In this concise guide, leading project management consultant and author Joseph Phillips (PMP, Project+, CTT+) provides you with the whole project management picture in plain langauge. Phillips tells you the way it is, how it is, and how it will probably work in your environment, sharing with you the most practical approach based on his consulting gigs and years and years of experience as a project manager, consultant, and business writer.
There's no right way to manage a project, but there are plenty of wrong ways. This eBook will show you how to take what's working and keep doing it and then to take what's not working and fix it, live with it, or just forget it.


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How Illegal Immigration Finally Turned Off the Public
Why did the illegal-immigration issue launch Donald Trump's campaign? Why did his recent tense press conference exchange with Univision's Jorge Ramos please even some of Trump's liberal critics? What is it about illegal immigration that has finally turned off so many Americans?
1. Race
Over the years immigration activists successfully deconstructed the complex issue of illegal immigration into a race and class morality tale of privileged whites picking on poor brown people. The operative buzzwords were "racism," "nativism," and "xenophobia." That theme is now mostly bankrupt given that every great lie eventually falls from its own weight.
It was rarely the host, but more often the activists on behalf of the guests, who framed illegal immigration in racial terms. Activists foolishly fabricated the controversy as "we noble Latinos" against "you prejudiced non-Latinos." They forgot apparently two obvious truths: one, thirty percent of Americans are not so-called white; and, two, most people resent ethnic chauvinism. Is an unemployed African-American sympathetic to the argument that someone has a birthright to illegally cross into the United States and find instant employment? Is a Punjabi-American, waiting patiently for his engineer cousin to get a green card, eager to be told the United States must make special concessions to the Latino lobby? Does a third-generation Mexican-American prefer that his neighborhood school and emergency room be flooded with indigent illegal Mexican nationals?
Sometime in the last five years, the public woke up and grasped that Latino elite activists were not so much interested in illegal immigration per se, but only to the degree that the issue affected other Latinos. Were 3,000 Chinese illegally entering California per day by ship on the Northern California coast, Latino activists and politicians would probably be the first to call for enforcement of federal immigration law.
It is difficult for the National Council of La Raza to attempt to airbrush away vocabulary like "anchor baby" and "illegal immigration," while insisting that its own nomenclature "La Raza" has nothing to do with race. The public knows that La Raza means "The Race," and that those who founded that organization chose that racially charged noun for the precise purpose of ethnic triumphalism -- in the way that every infamous 20th-century Latinate racist demagogue from Mussolini to Franco found a use for Raza/Razza, a mostly taboo term in Mediterranean Europe today. In an age when the Washington Redskins earn a presidential rebuke, it is inconceivable that the chief illegal-immigration advocate is a federally subsidized group known as the National Council of La Raza. No other organization would dare use such a term. In the public mind illegal immigration has gone from the old narrative that racists were enforcing the law to keep out mostly brown people to a new generation of racists who are trying to subvert the law to bring in mostly brown people.


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I'm going to be busy this fall.
One of the studios that I do contract work for has given me 13 weddings to shoot between now and December 30th. That takes my fall wedding count up to 15!! That's no only the most I've ever shot in one season, but in one year! Crazy right! I'm praying that I can stay on top of everything and make each one as fun and memorable as possible! But will all of this success, I gotta say that it's not where I want to be at this point. Yes, I'll be working more than I ever have but I won't be making as much money as I could be if all of these clients hired me directly, rather than through a 3rd party. These contract weddings will get me about $7500. If these gigs were my own clients, I'd be making $33k. See the difference?
With that in mind, I've started brainstorming ways to get the word out about my photography and replace the income that I make via third parties. First, I'm going to meet with as many event planners and wedding coordinators as possible. I'm going to visit event venues and show my portfolio to anyone who will listen. A lot of times, photographers get hired after hiring these professionals first. Getting on their radar will help me get noticed by more brides sooner in their wedding planning process.
Second, I'll carry printed samples and business cards wherever I go. Everyone I meet should be able to see and touch my work, everyone I know should know exactly what I'm capable of. Everyone should have one of my cards! And finally, I'll get more active online via my company Instagram, Website and Youtube channel. Plus, I might start a podcast! While some people think this should be my first strategy, I'm a firm believer in word of mouth still reigning supreme when it comes to getting new clients. While I'm not working or out networking, I'll be creating as much content as humanly possible for online viewers. This way, they'll see me in action, get to know me better and start seeing me as an expert in my field. I want to start building trust before I ever meet them in person.
I'm going to make a vision board for myself centered around these things. I want to be reminded of all of the things that I need to do now so I can do the things I want to do later. What do I want to do? Work less, earn more and have adventures. Do you have a vision board? I'd love to see it!
Have courage!


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|Ha ha ha HAAAA ha!!!!!
Today, dearest readers, it is my birthday. And my present to you and to myself is that I am not doing another torturous Zomby!!!! cartoon today. Instead, I have decided to present to you the absolute greatest cartoon of all time, 1954's Alley to Bali with Woody Woodpecker.
Have you ever thought back to some weird show, movie, or cartoon you saw as a kid and asked yourself, "Did I really see that or just imagine it?" That's exactly my history with Alley to Bali. It's a Woody Woodpecker cartoon, sure, but not like any other Woody Woodpecker cartoon I have ever seen. Normally, Woody is a sort of avian variation on Bugs Bunny, the rascally trickster getting on the nerves of some comedic foil. Here, though, he is basically is the foil. More specifically, he is one of two foils. His partner in punishment is the rather obscure Buzz Buzzard. If nothing else, this cartoon gives us a Woody and Buzz forty years before Toy Story.
I don't want to spoil any of the strange, surreal, and unsettling things that happen in this cartoon. I just want you to watch it.
Woody Woodpecker - Alley to Bali by Lupus-novus


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Menareg. The action of its individual components is as follows:
1.Colocynthis 6: relieves agonizing abdominal pain. Crampy dysmenorrhoea better by doubling up, pressure warmth is indicative of colocynthis.
2.Pulsatilla 6 : acts when menses are suppressed due to getting wet or due to nervous debility. Menses are late scanty, changeable causing patient to become nervous and irritable.
3.Sabina 6 : Is indicated when pain extends from sacrum to pubis and goes down to thighs Complaints are aggravated on motion.
4.Mag phos 6x: is a leading anti – spasmodic medicine. Menstrual colic, ovarian neuralgia, vaginismus accompany menstruation.
5.Kali Sulph 6x: a useful medicine for metrorrhagia menses are late scanty with Q feeling of heaviness in the abdomen.
Side Effects: No side effects of MENAREG are known.
Contraindications: No Contraindications know.
Interactions : No antidotal and inimical medicines are used in MENAREG. It does not interact with the action of any other medicine.
Presentation: Available in 50 tablets pack


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A non-government organisation advocating product safety for consumer welfare Monday urged the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to take appropriate action on the reported anomalous importation of cheap cement from China. He said it not only undermines Philippine laws but also poses serious threat to public safety.
Lawyer Rafael de la Torre, chief advocate of the Center for Organizational Studies (COSA), was reacting to reports that another huge shipment of China-made cement has arrived, and is now being moved to the project site without prior government approval and pertinent documents.
Citing intelligence, De la Torre said this importation of Portland cement traced to the China National Construction and Agricultural Machinery Import and Export Corp. (CAMC), was allegedly undervalued at US$30/t.
Published under Cement News


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If you, like many of Wiki's fans, were introduced to the Harlem MC via his 2012 track "Wikispeaks," you remember exactly where you were the first time you heard his voice. A snaggletoothed snarl, it twists and turns through acrobatic turns of phrase like a more ferocious MF DOOM or Earl Sweatshirt, the young artist's uptown swag dripping from every line. As a solo artist or a member of the groups Ratking and Secret Circle, Wiki's wordy rapping has been a staple in the underground community for five years, despite the fact that he's only 23.
Wiki's last solo project, Lil Me, dropped in December 2015, and he's now gearing up for a follow-up. We got a tantalizing preview in the form of the track "Icarus," released back in March, but other than that, details on it are scarce. Perhaps some clues are offered in Wiki's new MERRY JANE playlist takeover, which you can stream below.
In addition, the young MC graced us with a bonus interview, speaking about smoking, dream collaborations, guilty pleasures, and his hometown, among other things.
Read on below and stay tuned for that new Wiki project!
MERRY JANE: What is your most memorable smoking experience?
Wiki: I remember back in the day-- I must have been fifteen-- there was a snow day from school. Me and my boy Reuben met up at like seven in the morning and we just were smoking in the middle of the avenue, no fucks given, 'cause it was so fucked up there were no cars out. The streets were dead. It don't seem like much but it was just one of those memorable days. Being young and free to smoke in the middle of the city was the best thing possible at the time.
If you were a boxer, what song would you come out to?
"Fly In" by Lil Wayne.
If you were going to go out guns blazing, what song would you choose to do it to?
"Losing Weight Pt. 2" by Cam'ron or "Bury Me a G" by Young Jeezy.
Who is your guilty pleasure artist?
The West Side Story soundtrack.
What song most reminds you of your childhood?
The Dipset freestyle on Rap City: The Basement.
Which song that you've released means the most to you?
"Sun Showers," the last song on [my 2015 mixtape] Lil Me.
Who has been your favorite artist to work with? What is your dream collaboration?
I'd have to say Antwon. That's my brother. We've been working together for a minute and have always been real close. He also introduced me to Lil Ugly Mane, which [the group] Secret Circle came out of. I've actually got an MC on my next album that is a dream come true, who I've loved since I was young, I mean like since I first fell in love with hip hop. Let's just say, "Wu-Tang is for the children".
What's in your near future? Any projects you are currently working on?
I got an album coming out real soon. Just keep posted.
Is the dynamic working solo as opposed to in a group (as you were in Ratking) any different? How so?
Yea, it's different. With Ratking we all played our part and you would only have to pick up a certain amount of the slack. You know, you didn't have to be the only one arranging everything and coming up with the concepts, which made something real unique. But with the solo stuff it's like fully my vision, which is also important to me. Everything's a little more personal with the Wiki stuff. In Ratking I'm talking from more of an overarching perspective.
Can you talk about how New York figures in your music and aesthetic? How prominent a role does it play in your inspiration?
New York is one of the most important inspirations to my music. It's just a part of me. I couldn't try and separate it from what I make. Certain issues going on for kids and young adults in the city play a role, but also just the daily characters you encounter in the city always make their way into my music.


text: The good news is that the majority of respondents to this TMZ poll prefer "their" drunk girls mobile. (Not comatose.) The bad news is...well, did we tell you about the time America's most popular entertainment website shamelessly used that 19-year-old Hollywood rape victim's harmless Facebook pictures to suggest she was a golddigging lush who was asking for it? [Feministing]


text: We are a team of manufacturing, supply chain, packaging and sales professionals dedicated to developing innovative products and providing solutions for our clients. We have extensive knowledge in multiple industries in addition to our manufacturing and distribution experience. We understand today's retail landscape and the importance of helping companies build their own brands and expand their sales network.


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Oh boy, I got some cards tonight, but it was not meant to be...
- Won a nice pot early on w/ KK... beat AT.
- Won another decent pot w/ Q7 out of the big blind vs the small blind.... flopped top pair, then made 2-pair on the river.
But things went downhill from there...
- Laid down 99 on an ace high flop.
- Laid down TT after the turn on a AQ67 board... opponent showed 66.
- Came over the top of someone pre-flop w/ 99 (I had him covered)... got called by QJs (granted, he had fair odds to call).... loved the flop... 983 gave me the nuts... but a ten on the turn gave him the nuts... the river did not pair the board... boo.
- Ultimately got knocked out w/ AK against AJ (against the same guy whose QJ held up against my flopped set of nines)... and he didn't even hit a jack... 4 diamonds rolled out to suit up w/ his jack of diamonds.
I then bought in short ($20) to a cash game $1/$2 NLHE. I got dealt AK of hearts in about the 10th hand... I raised it 3x the BB, get a couple of callers... the button re-raises, I call... two others call. I think I had $16 to start the hand, so I'm now in position to quadruple up... $64 or nothing.
The flop comes 9TJ with the nine and jack of hearts... wow... not a bad flop... I'm now drawing to the nuts if I can catch a queen or a heart... turn brick, river brick... the guy who re-raised pre-flop took it down with a flopped set of nines.
Not my night... but it was fun.


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I am Hannah and I love books. I also love lists. So, in July 2012 I decided to write a list.. of books. All the books I'd like to read in my life.
This blog is a place for me to review and share all the books I read from now, in the hope of inspiring others to pick up a book and read, as I believe there is nothing better.
PS. I am adamant to never move to an e-reader, because.. books are the best!
About the List
Currently (Nov 2012) there are over 1500 books on the list.
'How do you decide what's on the list?' I hear you ask. Well, from a variety of sources including friends, families, 'top' lists, books i'm given/win and this thread on the Vogue Forums. Each book I would then look up on Goodreads.com to see whether it gets a high rating and is worthy of the list, or if it sounds like something i'd like, and on the list it goes!
I also have the diaries of my grandfather who was a POW in Singapore during WWII. In his diaries he writes a list of all the books he's ever read. They are also on the list, and I will make special mention of them once I review them.
I will try absolutely any type of book. Romance, humour, bio, non-fiction, fantasy, crime, thriller, horror, classics, action, self-help, picture. Anything.
ps. I don't reveal spoilers in my reviews


text: What phone will you be using in the far off age of 2010? Along with our flying cars and robot slaves, you could be sporting one of these concept phone designs born out of a partnership between phone company Pantech (Sky Premium) and Korean university students. Pantech has a reputation for wacky concepts that were never intended for production, but these designs seem to be a little out there—even for them. Still, would you trade in your current cellphone for one of these "phones of the future?" [Akihabara News via DVICE]


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New Author Literary Services was founded by Barbara Ivusic, an Australian book editor. The company has a strong focus on first time writers but also works with established authors.
Barbara started her career by working in well known Australian Literary Agency, Rick Raftos Management. She knows what it is like to sort through piles of manucripts daily in the hope of finding the next big thing.
New Author Literary Services provides manuscript assessments, editorial reports, copy-editing and proofreading for authors looking for the next step in their writing career. We help writers polish their manuscripts and get them ready for publication.
The 'Published Books' section of the website lists some of the authors that Barbara has worked with and who have successfully turned their writing dreams into print. From publishing with a commercial publisher to self publishing; the possibilities are endless to get your voice heard!


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Your safety and satisfaction are our main concern. Clients from all over SW10 have been satisfied with the hassle-free, cost-effective service we provide. Once you've decided to book our company, we'll get back to you in a timely manner, usually within two hours time. However, in the end it's all about leaving the work talk for itself so give us a try and you'll definitely be convinced that the operatives are the best at what they do.
Since our company has a reputation to uphold, the local Chelsea waste clearance operators always aim at delivering high-quality service in a an efficient and professional manner. In case you need more information, you can always count on our friendly and polite customer service representatives to fill in the blanks. We're available 24/7, but go ahead and give us a call right now. Why wait?
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is a public hospital located on Fulham Road, in the Chelsea area of London, England. The new Chelsea and Westminster Hospital was opened on the site once occupied by St Stephen's Hospital, and brought together staff, services and equipment from five London hospitals: * The Westminster hospital in Horseferry Road (previously situated opposite Westminster Abbey) and its medical school in Page Street * Westminster Children's hospital , originally in Vincent Square, then later amalgamated with the Westminster * West London hospital, opened in 1860 and known from the early 1970s for its maternity services * St Mary Abbots hospital, an infirmary occupying the site of what had been the Kensington work house * St Stephen's hospital The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital was designed by the architects Sheppard Robson...


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How are American food producers coping with soaring commodity prices?
Wachovia Securities analyst Jonathan Feeney says that's easy: They're passing along the prices to the consumer, and letting the consumer do the coping. That puts some major food producers and their stocks in a pretty good position.
"It's the consumer feeling it in prices right now," Feeney told CNBC.
"Retailers are healthy, and for the moment, these packaged-food manufacturers have done a great job passing these prices through and delivering earnings."
So who's doing the best job, and where should an investor put his "food money"?


text: Keano is a 2015 skewbald Cob gelding. He originally came into the IHWT as a welfare case in 2016. He was found dumped in the Wicklow area. Keano was in very poor body condition when he came into the IHWT and was suffering from a parasitic infection. However he made a full recovery. He has a lovely temperament and is very well handled.


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Does anyone read The Forward?
Notwithstanding my personal write-don't-respond policy, a recent public call to boycott the city I call home provided a sufficient impetus to justify a deviation from my proactive approach in favor of a reactive "letter to the editor" exception to the rule.
We tend to believe that columnists and op-ed writers play the lead role in the world of ideas, with a material upper hand over those who respond to their writing. After all, it is their original content that becomes the subject matter and point of reference for all subsequent discussion. Nonetheless, it's critical to note that, in many respects, it is not the writers but rather the editors who create, maintain and cultivate any given platform. The editors choose both columns and columnists. They set journalistic standards, inclinations and trends. And they determine whether to allow the opinions that they have grown in their climate controlled environments to be challenged.
Case in point; when Leonard Fein of The Jewish Daily Forward proposed an international tourists' boycott of the City of Ariel, there would be room to argue that the boycotted city's international representative should be given an opportunity to respond. Oddly enough, although I submitted my letter to the editor within a day of the article's online publication, I have yet to see the letter posted on The Forward's internet site.
Here is the letter, in its cut-paste entirety:
To the Editor:
I thank The Jewish Daily Forward for drawing further attention to Ariel, the City of Samaria, in Leonard Fein's opinion piece titled Justice Calls for Boycott of Ariel. Unfortunately, I am compelled to note the misleading nature of the piece, predominantly in terms of its inconsistent rationale.
Without making a neither legal nor logical case for boycotting a full-fledged Israeli city, as the title might suggest, the author bases his tactical proposal upon two essentially unrelated precedents. I leave the response to the latter, which refers to a 1933 boycott of Nazi Germany, for Mr. Fein's colleagues, who will doubtlessly inform him that comparisons between Jews and Nazis are to be reserved only for Israel's sworn enemies and rejected by those who claim to be "Pro-Israel" and "Pro-Peace". The former comparison, however, is surprisingly, if not unintentionally, instructive, thereby warranting a response from a proud resident of Ariel such as myself.
Residents of Ariel, like Mr. Fein, are inspired by the Montgomery bus boycott. Precisely for that reason, residents of Ariel, unlike Mr. Fein, continue to ensure that boycott-encouraged segregation policies do not plague our region. Indeed, our bus system is a telling example. Ever since Ariel's public buses have been made fully available to our Palestinian neighbors, the overcrowded service has become unbearable for all, as there simply aren't enough lines to accommodate all passengers. Despite years of dysfunctional public transportation, Ariel's municipality remained steadfast in insisting that coexistence supersedes convenience. On August 22, two days before Mr. Fein's piece was published on the internet, Israel's Ministry of Transport allotted an additional 8 million NIS for the current year and 34 million NIS through 2017 to Ariel's public transportation system, providing more bus lines to address the needs of both the Israeli and Palestinian populations.
Of course, the bus issue is merely a case study of a far broader reality. Roughly 50% of the employees at our boycott-susceptible Barkan and Ariel Industrial Parks are Palestinians. Ariel University, which is affected by the EU and State Department boycotts that Mr. Fein mentioned in his previous piece, educates over 500 Israeli and Palestinian Arabs. The list goes on, as boycotts continue to threaten our coexistence-conducive way of life.
Sadly, Mr. Fein offers theoretical rhetoric in lieu of a factual analysis, thereby suggesting that an Ariel boycott might prevent the social ills of segregation, whereas in reality it can only achieve the precise opposite. Of course, Mr. Fein is not to be blamed for misinforming the public. He and his readers are simply unaware of Ariel's Israeli-Palestinian coexistence, as they refuse to visit and see for themselves.
Avi Zimmerman
Executive Director
Ariel Development Fund
Was my letter too challenging? Was it too disrespectful? Was it too forward?
Before jumping to conclusions as to whether or not the editorial board of The Forward found my response noteworthy, I wish to ask the general public: does anyone read The Forward? If you do, would you kindly check today's weekly printed publication, which is scheduled to include Mr. Fein's boycott piece, and see if my letter to the editor appears? If it does, then I'm pleased and, indeed, honored, to contribute to The Forward's progressive dialectic, which they self describe as the "conscience of the community". If it does not appear then I wish to encourage those who first drew my attention to the disappointing piece in The Forward. Fortunately, the Times of Israel is dominating the Israel news scene. Perhaps that's because of their open "marketplace of ideas", which seeks not to control the journalistic environment but to enrich it.
Feel free to share your insights on TOI blogs and Op-Eds. People will read them.