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They do it late at night when their parents are asleep. They do it in restaurants and while crossing busy streets. They do it in the classroom with their hands behind their back. They do it so much their thumbs hurt.
Spurred by the unlimited texting plans offered by carriers like
The phenomenon is beginning to worry physicians and
Dr. Martin Joffe, a pediatrician in Greenbrae, Calif., recently surveyed students at two local high schools and said he found that many were routinely sending hundreds of texts every day.
"That's one every few minutes," he said. "Then you hear that these kids are responding to texts late at night. That's going to cause
The rise in texting is too recent to have produced any conclusive data on health effects. But Sherry Turkle, a psychologist who is director of the Initiative on Technology and Self at the
"Among the jobs of
Psychologists expect to see teenagers break free from their parents as they grow into autonomous adults, Professor Turkle went on, "but if technology makes something like staying in touch very, very easy, that's harder to do; now you have adolescents who are texting their mothers 15 times a day, asking things like, 'Should I get the red shoes or the blue shoes?' "
As for peace and quiet, she said, "if something next to you is vibrating every couple of minutes, it makes it very difficult to be in that state of mind.
"If you're being deluged by constant communication, the pressure to answer immediately is quite high," she added. "So if you're in the middle of a thought, forget it."
Michael Hausauer, a psychotherapist in
"Texting can be an enormous tool," he said. "It offers companionship and the promise of connectedness. At the same time, texting can make a youngster feel frightened and overly exposed."
Texting may also be taking a toll on teenagers' thumbs. Annie Wagner, 15, a ninth-grade honor student in Bethesda, Md., used to text on her tiny LG phone as fast as she typed on a regular keyboard. A few months ago, she noticed a painful cramping in her thumbs. (Lately, she has been using the
Peter W. Johnson, an associate professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the
"Based on our experiences with computer users, we know intensive repetitive use of the upper extremities can lead to musculoskeletal disorders, so we have some reason to be concerned that too much texting could lead to temporary or permanent damage to the thumbs."
Annie said that although her school, like most, forbids cellphone use in class, with the LG phone she could text by putting it under her coat or desk.
Her classmate Ari Kapner said, "You pretend you're getting something out of your backpack."
Teachers are often oblivious. "It's a huge issue, and it's rampant," said Deborah Yager, a high school chemistry teacher in Castro Valley, Calif. Ms. Yager recently gave an anonymous survey to 50 of her students; most said they texted during class.
"I can't tell when it's happening, and there's nothing we can do about it," she said. "And I'm not going to take the time every day to try to police it."
Dr. Joffe says parents tend to be far less aware of texting than of, say, video game playing or general computer use, and the unlimited plans often mean that parents stop paying attention to billing details. "I talk to parents in the office now," he said. "I'm quizzing them, and no one is thinking about this."
Still, some parents are starting to take measures. Greg Hardesty, a reporter in Lake Forest, Calif., said that late last year his 13-year-old daughter, Reina, racked up 14,528 texts in one month. She would keep the phone on after going to bed, switching it to vibrate and waiting for it to light up and signal an incoming message.
Mr. Hardesty wrote a column about Reina's texting in his newspaper, The Orange County Register, and in the flurry of attention that followed, her volume soared to about 24,000 messages. Finally, when her grades fell precipitously, her parents confiscated the phone.
Reina's grades have since improved, and the phone is back in her hands, but her text messages are limited to 5,000 per month — and none between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. on weekdays.
Yet she said there was an element of hypocrisy in all this: her mother, too, is hooked on the cellphone she carries in her purse.
"She should understand a little better, because she's always on her iPhone," Reina said. "But she's all like, 'Oh well, I don't want you texting.' " (Her mother, Manako Ihaya, said she saw Reina's point.) Professor Turkle can sympathize. "Teens feel they are being punished for behavior in which their parents indulge," she said. And in what she calls a poignant twist, teenagers still need their parents' undivided attention.
"Even though they text 3,500 messages a week, when they walk out of their ballet lesson, they're upset to see their dad in the car on the BlackBerry," she said. "The fantasy of every adolescent is that the parent is there, waiting, expectant, completely there for them."Continue reading the main story


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As Hong Kong increasingly integrates with mainland China, any policy changes there could have an enormous impact on the city.
The country has introduced a regulation requiring real-name registration for online payments.
All online payment accounts, including those with Alipay, must now be linked with an account at a mainland bank.
There are more than 1.4 million users of the Taobao e-commerce site in Hong Kong, and most of them don't have bank accounts in the mainland.
If they fail to fix the problem by Friday, they may not be able to use Taobao for online shopping any longer — and could even lose the balance in their Alipay accounts.
Alipay is one of China's most popular online payment systems, and it has more than 800 million registered users.
Mainland users now need to go to a bank, fill in several forms and provide identification documents.
It's far more painful for Alipay users outside China, since most do not have mainland bank cards.
However, Alipay as an online payment platform is obliged to comply with the new government policy and basically can do nothing about it.
In fact, Alipay has suggested to users in Hong Kong that, if they can't link their account to a mainland bank account, they should use up the amount left in the account before May 20.
Ant Financial Services Group, the company that runs Alipay, did not disclose what will happen if users do not use up the remaining amount before the deadline.
Some believe that the cash balances may be frozen for a period and that users will have to go through a lengthy process to get them back.
As a result, many of my friends in Hong Kong are asking how to open a bank account in Shenzhen.
Some banks require them to provide a mainland address and contact numbers.
Even then, it may take at least a week, and they may miss the deadline.
Others are just trying to use up the amount in their accounts before the deadline.
Certainly, users in Hong Kong can use alternative methods to make payment on Taobao, including credit cards and Octopus accounts.
The difference is that they will need to pay a handling fee of 1.5-3 percent, while there is no such charge if they use Alipay.
So, the new rule may hold back more than a million users of Taobao in the city, as well as its customers overseas.
In fact, real-name registration for online payments is a worldwide trend, and it's quite sensible for China to follow suit.
However, Hongkongers have been faced with a dilemma, as many depend heavily on online shopping and payment services provided by mainland companies.
Let's wait and see what will happen.
This article appeared in the Hong Kong Economic Journal on May 17.
Translation by Julie Zhu
[Chinese version 中文版]
– Contact us at [email protected]

subset: commoncrawl


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I am concerned about how our current political climate has affected those I am in a position of helping as a psychotherapist.
The Matt Townsend Show
On November 28th, I appeared on The Matt Townsend Show (BYU-SiriusXM Radio) to discuss "Unsolicited Advice."
Commentary on "Insight Rich and Change Poor" and "Thinking Instead of Doing"
The goal of a good therapy, I believe, is "insight rich and change rich" and to have thinking be a prelude to doing and not a substitute for sought after and desired behavioral change.
In the essay entitled, "Worrying" (also in my book), I discuss my observations about the consequences of worrying and suggest that one of the reasons why people worry is to prepare for a dreaded event or experience. My impression is that "worrying as a means of preparedness or 'upset avoidance' is an unhappy illusion. It […]
Rules for a Happy Marriage
Several years ago, John S. DaVanzo, the Clerk of the Town of North Hempstead in New York, and as the designated marriage officer, provided all couples obtaining a marriage license with his "Rules for a Happy Marriage." His rules are on point, humorously presented, and quite consistent with many of the observations, ideas, and recommendations […]
Mental Health
There are two noteworthy articles that I thought were worth sharing with all of you. The first is entitled, "Post-retirement jobs benefit health: U.S. Study" from the Reuters News Agency.
Selfish and Self-Interest
So often in the course of a psychotherapy session, I hear a client use the term selfish to describe what I believe to be a thought, feeling, or action that is actually an example of self-interest. It appears that many people are confused about the difference between these two states or simply believe that anything done for, taken for, wished for, or achieved for the self, is, by any definition, an example of selfishness. It is striking to discover that standard dictionaries, as well as several on-line dictionaries, may be adding to the confusion.
Comments on A 'New' Phase of Life
David Brooks, an op-ed columnist for the New York Times, recently made a significant contribution to our thinking by identifying an additional life phase between adolescence and adulthood. No one acknowledged this time as a separate phase until Brooks' op-ed piece entitled "The Odyssey Years" (New York Times, October 9, 2007). In it, he adds two 'new' phases to the traditional four life phases of childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. In addition to inserting "the odyssey years" as a phase between adolescence and adulthood, he suggests that there is an additional life phase between adulthood and old age that he calls "active retirement." His emphasis is on the odyssey years as will mine be in this commentary.
The elusive forces behind a person's ability to exercise willpower have been the subject of increasing scrutiny by the scientific community. Behavioral scientists have been trying to understand why people have so much trouble overcoming bad habits like laziness and procrastination and addictions such as smoking, excessive eating, and abuse of drugs and alcohol. One aspect of overcoming these habits or addictions includes the use of willpower and self-discipline. They make a great difference in everyone's life, and bring one a sense of inner strength, self-mastery and decisiveness.


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The holiday extravaganza is a couple of months away and it seems like discount merchandise retailer, Target Corporation (TGT - Free Report) , is on its toes to make the most of this busiest time of the year.
In a bid to provide world-class shopping experience to customers, the company intends to hire around 100,000 associates in its 1,816 stores across the country. Also, management will employ 4,500 people at its distribution and fulfillment centers in order to refill the stocks to the stores as well as fulfill digital sales.
Hiring events will be organized at all Target stores from Oct 13 through Oct 15, 2017. Candidates may choose to apply for seasonal positions through TargetSeasonalJobs.com prior to the commencement of the hiring event.
There will be open positions for a wide range of services around the company's stores, distribution as well as fulfillment centers. These services encompass facing customers' in-stores, handling online orders via Order Pickup and ship-from-store services and well-managed inventory. At the company's distribution and fulfillment centers, associates are likely to process freight into stores along with fulfilling online orders, with an aim of delivering products to customers at a faster pace.
These associates can avail the benefits such as discount on products, market-competitive wages, and other types of such benefits.
Markedly, holiday season is a crucial time for retailers as it accounts for a sizeable chunk of yearly revenues and profits. Therefore, retailers try to sweep its customers off their feet with early-hour store openings, huge discounts and promotional strategies. Amid the current tepid retail landscape, this season also brings an opportunity for retailers to improve its comparable-store sales by increasing footfall at its stores, and in turn boost overall profitability.
While the holiday season is yet to come, retailers like Target and The Gap, Inc. (GPS - Free Report) have taken initial steps to make this year's shopping fest a grand success. (Read: Gap Starts the Holiday Bash Early, Seasonal Hiring On)
A Look at Target's Performance
Target's initiatives such as the development of omni-channel capacities, diversification and localization of assortments, along with emphasis on flexible format stores have been boding well.
Management also plans to expand its merchandise assortments with special emphasis on Style, Baby, Kids, and Wellness categories that are performing well. Moreover, the company is concentrating on rationalization of supply chain, technology and process improvements.
Consequently, shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has rallied 7.3% in the last three months, as against the industry's decline of 0.2%. Also, the stock boasts a VGM Score of A, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 4.7%, which looks encouraging.
Retail Stocks in the Limelight
Better-ranked stocks in the same industry include Burlington Stores, Inc. (BURL - Free Report) and Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST - Free Report) , each holding a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Burlington Stores, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 16.2%, has delivered positive earnings surprise of 44% in the last quarter.
Ross Stores has a long-term earnings growth rate of 10%. Also, the company's earnings have outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average of 6.3%.
5 Trades Could Profit "Big-League" from Trump Policies
If the stocks above spark your interest, wait until you look into companies primed to make substantial gains from Washington's changing course.
Today Zacks reveals 5 tickers that could benefit from new trends like streamlined drug approvals, tariffs, lower taxes, higher interest rates, and spending surges in defense and infrastructure.
See these buy recommendations now >>
In-Depth Zacks Research for the Tickers Above
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
The Gap, Inc. (GPS) - free report >>
Target Corporation (TGT) - free report >>
Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST) - free report >>


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|Jane Asher meets KASPAR
KASPAR is a minimally expressive humanoid robot designed by researchers at the University to encourage communication and social interaction between autistic children and their peers.
Over 150 people who have an interest in supporting children with autism came along to hear Jane discuss the issues affecting these children and the impact on their lives and their families, and to find out more about the University's research in this area from Professor Kerstin Dautenhahn.
For the full press release, click here.


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A rich library of resources guide your firm's growth strategy
Continuous learning underpins every successful legal practice. CLE keeps attorneys apprised of developments in the law. Martindale-Avvo keeps attorneys informed on the best and proven ways to market their firms.
This collection of resources provides primary research, best practices presentations, online events and first-person proof of marketing strategies, tools and practices that work. We invite you to explore to learn new ways you can take your firm's growth to the next level.


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Open group tours to Sinai from Eilat, special offer winter 2019-2020
↵ Jordan 3 days private tour: Amman to Petra and Wadi Rum, ending in Amman or Eilat "The desert is beautiful," the little prince added. And that was true. I have always...
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Israel Tours and trips, Christian Tour of Israel, two day Christian Holy Land tour,
Jerusalem – Nazareth – Galilee
"The weird solitude, the great silence, the grim desolation, are the very things
with which every desert wanderer falls in love."
The Desert / John C. Van Dyke 1901
Christian tours of Israel, private Christian tours and tour-guides
2-Days Christian Galilee 4X4 Tour: Nazareth, Mount Tabor, Tibe
10 days Christian sightseeing tour, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Galilee an
the Church of the Holy Sepulcher: The old city
The New York Times is recommending Desert Eco Tours' trips to Jordan and Petra
On the forums, we hold the 'Tripadvisor Award of Excellence' of 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Masada, Dead Sea- 2 day tour
This Holy land tour can be started from the Sinai, Jordan, Eilat.
Day one - Departing Egypt at the Taba order we enter Israel and begin our tour of Israel's most renowned sights. We drive towards Jerusalem via the Great Rift Valley, stopping en route at the lowest point on earth, The Dead Sea. We enjoy here a short break, have a dip in the healing waters and enjoy the dramatic views of the mountains of Jordan. We continue on our tour to the Holy City and make our first stop on the famous Mount of Olives. Here we visit the Church of all Nations, the Garden of Gethsemane, the church of Mary Magdalene and the Tomb of Maria. We enter the old city at the Lion's gate and begin our tour of all four quarters of ancient Jerusalem, starting in the Christian quarter. We walk the Via Dolorosa (way of the Cross) from the first station at the Church of the Flagellation where Jesus was whipped and given his cross, to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where the Hill of Calvary and final five Stations of the Cross are found. We visit here the crucifixion site on Calvary, the tomb of Christ and the Unction stone where his body was prepared for burial. From here we take a break for lunch near the Arab market in the Moslem quarter and then make our way the the Jewish quarter and the Western Wall (Wailing Wall), we see the nearby Temple Mount and it's renowned golden 'Dome of the Rock' before continuing our tour through the Armenian quarter onto Mount Zion and the Last Supper Room. It was on Mount Zion that Jesus was held by the Romans and where Peter denied Jesus three times. From here we depart Jerusalem in the direction of the Galilee and spend the night near the Christ's home town of Nazareth.
Christian tours of Israel: Jerusalem
Day Two - Following breakfast we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and the Church of Gabriel before we head for the Sea of Galilee and Capernaum where Jesus' stayed and taught during his years of preaching. We tour the remains of Capernaum, the village where he spent much of his preaching years; we see here the ancient synagogue and the remains of Saint Peter's house where it is believed Jesus' frequently visited. We continue our tour and visit the Eastern Orthodox Church of the Twelve Apostles on the shores of the Galilee. We visit the Church of the Bread and Fish in Tabgha and see the ancient mosaic dedicated to the miracle performed here and we take a break to enjoy a traditional bread and fish lunch in a restaurant on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. From here we head south to the Baptismal site on the banks of the Jordan River and after a short visit we begin our return journey south and complete our Holy Land tour as we pass the Negev desert and Dead Sea and cross back into Egypt at Taba. This tour itinerary is a general outline and is subject to changes depending on the tour time schedule and unforeseen delays and/or conditions.
Incl. jeep/ car and a guide.
7 Day Israel- Nature & Culture, 4x4 Jeep Tour
↵ All Petra and Wadi Rum tour options from Eilat a
The legendary sunrise from Mount Sinai: 1 & 2 day tours to Sai
For other Christian tours in Israel
The Monasteries of the Judean desert from Jerusalem
7 days Christian tour of Israel: Group tour


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"Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. We are in the business of health and wellness and see this as an opportunity to address tobacco as a serious health risk and provide help to those who want to quit," states Theresa Schrantz, LPN. "The information and tools provided in this program, as well as the interaction with others who are interested in the common goal, makes this program well- rounded and effective."
Mrs. Schrantz, who is a Certified Tobacco Cessation Educator and a member of the Southern Tier Tobacco Action Coalition, has had much success with the evidence-based program and is enthusiastic about being able to share the proven techniques and practical applications to facilitate the quit attempt.
If you, or someone you know, are interested in registering for the program or would like more information, please contact Theresa Schrantz at 363-7293 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Tag: Mental Health
New Zine: The Girl Who Cried Love
It's my longest zine yet. 40 pages of writing and poetry on my favourite topic – you guessed it, men. It's available to read in it's entirety online. I even made it into an 'Audiozine'. You can also buy it, of course.


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Sunday, November 11, 2007
Crisis: Averted!!
The Turkish news is talking about something else and I quit paying attention. The English-language news is silent on any Turkey issues. Flags are still waving from most apartment windows, but it takes awhile for them all to come down after a national holiday, and yesterday (November 10) was a type of holiday too. November 10 is the day Atatürk died. In remembrance of the moment of his death, all of Turkey has a minute of silence at 9:05am on November 10. I've never actually been in a crowded area of the city at this time of the morning, but I'm told it's astounding. An air-raid siren sounds, and for one minute, everything stops. Pedestrians stop walking, cars stop driving, people stop talking, vendors stop hawking, and music stops playing. Many people, like my husband, get tears in their eyes.
Having gotten caught up in the last crisis and having had the feeling that I needed to cover LE with my body to protect him from the world coming to an end, I started thinking about some other crises in Turkey since I've been here. Some of them, like this recent one, I've gotten caught up in the hullabaloo, but for others, I'm able to keep my snooty aloofness.
One crisis we all got through okay I mentioned in a previous post, in which former Prime Minister Ecevit's ministers resigned on him. They decided Ecevit was too old, that his reign had gone on long enough, and that he just wasn't doing a very good job anymore. The Lira tanked for that political crisis, and though we spent a sorrowful day at work watching our salary dwindle away against the dollar, things were back to normal in a few weeks, for me and those other teachers, anyway. The greater Turkish economy took a pretty big hit, and that time is still referred to as a mini-crisis. It's nothing like the recent major economic crisis here in 2000, when several banks crashed and several bank owners absconded with all the money and the (old) Turkish Lira went from 600,000 to 1.5 million to the dollar almost overnight.
The year before last, the pet crisis was bird flu. A few contaminated birds were found in Turkey and the crisis exploded. Fear of bird flu was suddenly rampant, and it filled the airwaves. Every evening we were treated to footage of mounds of dead chickens and geese being carted out of the villages. The guys doing the carting were always clad from head to toe in spaceman-like biohazard gear, though invariably the carts were surrounded by gawking villagers and several children dancing around and mugging for the cameras, none of whom had any protection whatsoever from the supposedly contaminated birds. Most smaller chicken and egg producing companies were put out of business, and even now all that remain are a few large corporations that irradiate the products to EU standards and proudly stamp this on the packaging. Fish sales skyrocketed, as did the price of fish while the savvy fishermen cashed in on the birds' misfortune. While I'm sure most of my neighbors stopped buying chicken and were living in fear of bird flu, they continued throwing their uneaten bread out onto the second-floor landings, thus attracting flocks of wild birds to our kitchen windows. I seemed to be the only one bothered by this, not so much because of bird flu, but because the occasional pigeon would get in and poop all over.
As a side note, I find pigeons and their poo particularly disgusting. I'd rather have a rat in my house than a pigeon. In fact, once I did have a rat in my house here (though surely I'm kidding myself by calling it 'a rat' in the singular when logically there's no such thing). At night, he would steal my dirty underwear from the laundry pile and drag it under the bed to nibble, or he would rifle through the trash in the kitchen and knock over the empty wine bottles in there. Once I went on vacation to the States for a couple of weeks, and when I returned, the rat had made himself at home. He'd grown downright cheeky in my absence, and would saunter audaciously down the middle of the hallway while the lights were on, pause in doorways to look at me and sniff contemptuously before continuing about his business. I got used to the rat, but pigeons I can't abide.
As another side note, during the bird flu crisis, BE and I mentioned to his mother that we were thinking of getting a cat. His mother can't abide any animal, particularly one in the house, so she went nuts at this development. She told us we couldn't get a cat because they were so dangerous. She'd seen on the news a story about a village cat that had eaten a bird infected with bird flu, and the cat died. Then a village boy had come along and played with the dead cat, from which he contracted bird flu and also died. To me, the real problem with this story was the boy who played with the dead cat, but not to my mother-in-law. When we told her that news story was untrue and probably biologically impossible, she suddenly remembered my husband is deathly allergic to cats, an ailment that even my husband was unaware of until that moment. In the end, we didn't get the cat, but that's because we live in an apartment and don't want a cat box or a cat who can't go outside, not because of bird flu.
This summer's crisis was the water crisis. Suddenly, according the government, Turkey's reservoirs were down to 30% capacity. It was as though it happened overnight, even though it must take a few years of drought to get water supplies that low. Since I've been in Turkey, I've not heard a peep about water conservation or water shortage. Turkey's always proud to be one of the only countries in this region with ample water. Every morning and several times throughout the day, millions of shopkeepers and housewives pour water on the pavement in front of their doors to keep the dust down. People wash their cars with high-pressure hoses which they leave running into the gutters while they soap the cars. When someone leaves, you're supposed to throw water behind their departing vehicle (it's a superstition and I have no idea of the reasoning behind it). These are just a few examples of water usage here. Most of this behavior continued even after the warnings about a water shortage started to surface. And then it became a crisis. Experts estimated that Istanbul would be completely out of water by September. We were looking at weeks-long water cuts in the dead of summer. BE insisted we store a bunch of water on the balcony in bottles where it still sits, turning greening or reddish, depending on what was in the water to start with. TV commercials about water conservation started to appear. One of them showed a teacup being stirred with sugar cubes and dry tea leaves in the bottom, and warned us that if there is no water, there is no tea. A terrifying prospect indeed, though I'm sure most people, like me, use bottled water for tea because the tap water is very hard and not really drinkable, sometimes with a funny color or smell. On highway overpasses, government-sponsored banners appeared telling us that dishwashers use less water than washing by hand, as though most people here would suddenly be able to afford dishwashers in order to save water.
And now it's November, and the taps are still running. There's been a 30% price increase with more to come, and there's been a baffling increase in the amount of red stuff in the water. Maybe that's what the price increase is for. To be fair, Ankara was without water for several weeks, and the guys that sell plastic storage containers there quadrupled the price of their wares. But here, nothing. No crisis. Not that I'm complaining. Water cuts are a pain. In the center of Istanbul some people's water is cut off weekly, and I'm just glad it's not me. I can't imagine dealing with all the things that regularly come out of a baby without having water readily accessible.
My final crisis for this post is one that happens almost every year, which is the Snow Crisis. At the first hint of anything like snow, the news is suddenly filled with the Snow Crisis, complete with footage of previous years' snowy messes and heart-pounding music. I've spent five winters in Istanbul, and it has snowed pretty heavily four of those years. Nonetheless, no one seems to understand what's happening when it snows. Perhaps because it's supposed to be a hot Mediterranean country, no one can accept the snow. Much like when it rains, everyone promptly forgets how to drive. Panic abounds. Old people hear about the impending Snow Crisis and line up to buy bread. In fact, whenever the news starts shouting about any kind of crisis, old people line up to buy bread. These bread lines get really long, with all these poor old people standing outside shivering. I guess they didn't get the news that lots of bread is readily available from lots of places besides the roadside Halk Ekmek ('public bread') stands where everyone lines up. Snow brings everything to a standstill.
The first year I was here, it dumped a few feet of snow but the government opted to keep schools and everything open. Then a few little kids died trying to get home from school in the snow. So the following two years, as soon as the first flake hit the ground, the government quickly closed all the schools and public offices for several days, but the snow didn't really come, not the kind that sticks anyway. Then the snow came for real, and there was another week of everything closed. For teachers and students (and people who work in public offices, I suppose), this is great. Free days on end with nothing to do but laze around the house and watch home improvement on BBC, occasionally flipping to the news to see if your school is closed the next day. Two years ago, the snow came right after Kurban Bayram, which followed the semester break, and I ended up with a month off work. Admittedly, I got a bit stir crazy because I couldn't really go anywhere, and for a few days, there was no water or electricity during the day, so I was forced to devise low-tech entertainment.
Despite, all these crises, we somehow carry on. The upshot of the bird flu crisis is that chicken and eggs are more expensive and less tasty. The upshot of the water crisis is pinkish baths for LE that smell faintly of blood, and a higher water bill. The upshot of all the snow crises is that this past winter, when I spent most days on the sofa nursing LE, I'd already seen every BBC home improvement and antiques show at least once, and knew how they ended.
I think the important thing is to remember not to get sucked into all these crises.
2 comments:
Hmm, sitting around nursing was how I spent my winter too, and that was without a snow crisis.
And I really hope that the boy was NOT playing with the dead cat. What exactly would one do with a dead cat anyway? Dress it up? Make youtube videos like the one Bri recently posted?
- November 12, 2007 at 3:56 AM
- Stranger said...
I'm pretty sure the story about the boy and the dead cat was made up, either by the media or by MIL. Either that, or a village boy died, and the villagers were unclear as to why, but were caught up in the bird flu panic, which made them forget that the boy probably died from going outside with wet hair or from not wearing his undershirt. I think, in fact, no one in Turkey actually died, or even got sick form bird flu.
The only thing I can think of to do with a dead cat is poke it with a stick. Or maybe have a Tom Sawyer-esque moment of waving it over your head to cure warts?
- November 12, 2007 at 10:35 AM


text: An Indonesian anti-drugs protester burns the effigy of a drug dealer during a rally supporting death row executions [File: EPA] The UN human rights chief has urged the Indonesian government to stop the looming firing squad executions of 14 people for drug offences. The group of convicts, including foreigners, have been given notice of their executions and could be put to death as early as Friday. Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed alarm on Wednesday at the planned executions. "The increasing use of the death penalty in Indonesia is terribly worrying, and I urge the government to immediately end this practice which is unjust and incompatible with human rights," he said in a statement. "The death penalty is not an effective deterrent relative to other forms of punishment, nor does it protect people from drug abuse." Indonesia's dramatic executions hide the real problem Security has been tightened at Nusa Kambangan prison island in preparation for the executions. Those who would be executed include citizens of Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and and Senegal, Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo told reporters at the state palace on Wednesday. Other reports said at least four Indonesians and an Indian would also be executed. Cruel practice It would be the third set of executions under President Joko Widido, who campaigned on promises to improve human rights in Indonesia. If the government sticks to its plans, his administration will have executed more people in two years than in the previous decade. Jokowi's predecessor ended a moratorium on executions in 2013. Australia's ABC television reported on Wednesday that the Pakistani government has protested against the planned execution of one of its nationals, calling it unfair and alleging torture by police. Indonesian president says drugs are destroying his country's future generations Lawyers and rights groups have raised serious doubts about the legitimacy of the convictions in several of the death row drug cases. On Tuesday, Amnesty International said Jokowi's presidency was "supposed to represent" a new era on human rights in Indonesia. "Sadly, he could preside over the highest number of executions in the country's democratic era at a time when most of the world has turned its back on this cruel practice," said Josef Benedict, a senior official of Amnesty in Asia. "The death penalty does not deter crime. Carrying out executions will not rid Indonesia of drugs. It is never the solution, and it will damage Indonesia's standing in the world." Human Rights Watch described the death penalty as a "barbarity" and warned of "potential diplomatic firestorm" against Indonesia, if the executions went through. Last year, Indonesia executed 14 people convicted of drug crimes, mostly foreigners, sparking an international outcry. According to the latest government report issued by Indonesia's ministry of law and human rights, 133 were on death row as of January 2015. They include 57 drug trafficking cases and 74 for murder and robbery. SOURCE: Al Jazeera and agencies Death penalty Human Rights Indonesia Asia Pacific


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Reviewed by Vinton Rafe McCabe / New York Journal of Books
"Christopher Hitches has the eye of a painter and the literary skill of a novelist. He infuses his essays with the same narrative thrust that can be found in the most addictive fiction."
"Arguably: Essays by Christopher Hitchens proves as mercurial as the man himself; it is at times infuriating, tedious, educational, gloriously candid, and completely hilarious. The man has an opinion on everything—literally everything from the genius of Charles Dickens to the virtues of masturbation."
Read review here (nyjournalofbooks.com)
3 min. audio clip from Arguably, read by Simon Prebble: http://www.emusic.com/listen/#/audiobooks/book/Christopher-Hitchens-Arguably-MP3-Download/10103043.html
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Tickets on sale now!
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Watch This Little Kitten Having Sweet Dreams
This kitten is in a deep sleep, laying on his person's lap and dreaming sweet dreams. One can only guess, but judging from the way his little mouth moves and the licking, I'd bet he's dreaming about milk!
Source: the dreaming kitten! by nikaia1976


text: Articles and Advice from our Pet Expert Include Pets in Your Spring Cleaning Routine Spring has sprung and it's time to spruce things up! If you are inclined to deep clean this spring, don't forget to refresh your pet's home environment too. Pet parents' biggest pet peeves include cleaning up fur, stains and odors. Fortunately, there are many affordable and effective clean-up solutions available to ease your frustrations! I've compiled my tidy-up tips below, but if you'd like to share a particular pet clean up pet peeve, send an email to me at email@example.com. I'll aim to answer your clean-up conundrum quicker than you can spot a pet stain on white carpet! Indoor Clean-Up Bedding: Your pet probably spends most of its time indoors. Spruce up his digs by refreshing his favorite places including his bed, kennel or favorite napping spot by vacuuming to remove hair and dirt. Next, launder blankets or bedding and toss any worn items that need replacing. Shedding: Pet hair tops the list of most difficult pet messes to rid from the home, according to research from BISSELL, and 62 percent of American pet parents say they'd give up a small luxury for their pet never to shed again. To tackle pet hair in your home, try BISSELL's Pet Hair Eraser® Vacuum ($169.99), which is specially designed to remove pet hair, pet dander and dirt from carpets, upholstery and more. Or for quick clean-up; try the Pet Hair Broom ($24.99) with adjustable rubber bristles that work like magnets on pet hair. Toys: Throw away any toys that are permanently soiled, damaged or simply ignored by your pet. Gather any plush toys and launder them so they're fresh and fluffy again. Hand-wash any plastic or rubber toys too. If your pet has lots of toys, you can rotate them weekly to keep your pet interested. You might also keep a set of durable, Kong-type or rope toys for outdoor playtime, and keep the soft, squeaky plush toys inside so they last longer. Carpets and upholstery: Unfortunately, your carpet and furnishings can harbor stinky smells from pet potty accidents. If they aren't cleaned up effectively, odors may live to haunt your otherwise tidy home. Cat urine is especially prone to linger because it is much more concentrated and likely to stain than dog urine. (This is because cats tend to drink less water than dogs.) For any potty-on-the-floor or furniture clean-up, tend to the accident pronto! Absorb as much of the moisture as possible with old towels – being careful to blot instead of rub – before applying a cleaning solution like BISSELL's foaming Pet Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner ($4.99) from the Pet Inspired™ line. If accidents are common on carpets and upholstery, consider purchasing a SpotBot® Pet ($139.99), which is a portable carpet cleaner that gives pet owners the freedom to walk away from messes while it does all the work. Outdoor Clean-Up Now that snow and ice have melted (hopefully) and buds are ready to bloom, give your yard and patio a good once-over to check for things you wouldn't want your pet to get hold of. Eliminate trash or debris that has blown into the yard, pick up any dead critters that your pet might want to roll in, and look for cracks or holes in the fence or screen to prevent Fido or Fluffy from escaping. Pet Check Finally, give your pet's body a mini-physical. Check his ears and eyes for inflammation or infection and look at his nails and between his toes for lumps or scabs. If anything looks unusual, take him to see a veterinarian. Collar/Tags: How long has your pet been wearing that collar? Does it still fit properly? Is it dirty or in ill repair? If so, wash it or toss it. Also be sure to clean or replace identification tags or rabies license tags that may be worn. Grooming: There's no time like spring for a furbulous makeover. Give your dog or cat a good bath, trim his nails and brush his coat regularly. Brushing is a great bonding experience and should become a daily or weekly habit, particularly if your pet has a long coat prone to tangles and matting. If your pooch or pussycat requires a professional salon session, go ahead and schedule a spring appointment. Spay/Neuter: Finally, springtime is the season of love—and the height of dog and cat breeding season! Thousands of pets end up in shelters each year because there are simply not enough homes for all of them. Please have your pet spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted litters. Cleaning up isn't the most fun part of being a pet parent, but simple solutions can make it easier, and may even result in more homeless pets being adopted. So, as you spruce up Fido and Fluffy's play area this spring, be sure to share your tips and tricks with friends and family. Help us spread the word that pet clean-up can be easy when you work with the right tools! Written by: Kristen Levine April 5, 2010


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This listing is for a 30mm square silver plated pendant making kit.
10 x clear square magnifying 30mm glass dome cabochons
10 x square silver plated 30mm pendant trays
10 x silver plated ball chain necklaces (60 cm length)
Adhere your picture to the glass dome using Crystal Lacquer, let it dry and use E6000 glue to then adhere it into the tray!
I am more than happy to combine postage. Just let me know and I can set up a custom listing for you.
~Any excess postage paid will always be refunded~
~Any excess postage will be refunded~


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When the Egyptian military took control of the country in the summer, it did so in the name of restoring order. Under Mohamed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood allies, Egypt had indeed become alarmingly unstable. Yet the generals' conduct has made matters far, far worse.
The initial crackdown on the Brotherhood was carried out with a brutality that turned much of Cairo into a war zone, sending the international community into paroxysms of indignation. Since then, things have not improved. In a powerful report yesterday, our correspondent Richard Spencer described how 14 women and seven girls from Alexandria have been jailed for 11 years for participating in a Muslim Brotherhood protest.
Whatever your political stance, this was an outrageous decision. Many of the women were imprisoned on only the scantiest of evidence: one, as we reported, claimed to have been taking a walk with her daughter, as recommended by her doctor as treatment for a heart condition. Even if the women were indeed involved in a protest – which ended peacefully and with only the most minor property damage – handing such a harsh term to girls who are legally underage is a decision that many, within Egypt and without, will find repellent.
The new regime in Cairo obviously cares, on some level, what the outside world thinks of it: its embassy in London recently took this newspaper to the Press Complaints Commission to object to some of our reporting (a ruling yesterday found conclusively in our favour). In which case, Britain and the rest of the West should make clear that such behaviour is not only unjust, unfair and uncivilised, but risks inflaming tensions in Egypt to an even more dangerous level.


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KITTERY, Maine — Two dogs from Environmental Canine Services in Michigan are visiting the area for a week of "bacteria source tracking" throughout coastal Maine and New Hampshire.
The dogs are working to detect human sources of bacteria in water, such as septic system failures, sewage leaks and illicit connections to storm sewer systems.
Sable, a 7-year-old German shepherd mix, and Logan, a 5-year-old rough coat collie, began their tour of duty on the Seacoast Tuesday with a trip to Kittery. The dogs surveyed portions of Spruce Creek, attempting to sniff out human waste.
The dogs are being hosted by FB Environmental, a consulting firm with locations in Portsmouth and Portland, Maine. The company works with municipalities to identify sources of water contamination and develop environmental management plans for polluted waterways.
Environmental Canine Services is the first — and only — company in the world to train dogs to be able to detect human waste in storm water, according to owners Scott and Karen Reynolds. They are aware of only one other person, a Georgia environmentalist, who is attempting to use the same method to find sources of water contamination.
The couple claims the dogs are nearly as accurate in detecting human waste as traditional laboratory tests. They say the dogs are a more efficient and less costly option for municipalities searching for pollution near beaches, streams, shellfish beds and other bodies of water.
Sable and Logan are among a team of five rescue dogs trained to detect human waste. Scott Reynolds is a retired police officer who previously worked with trained dogs to sniff narcotics. Karen Reynolds also had experience working with dogs on a search and rescue team in Oklahoma.
Officials in Michigan, Wisconsin, California and Maine have utilized the dogs in the past.
After surveying the water in Kittery Tuesday, the dogs demonstrated their ability to sniff out bacteria during a press event in the rear parking lot of the Kittery Trading Post.
Spruce Creek, which runs behind the trading post, has been the subject of environmental study for several years. The waterway has been declared "impaired" because of high bacteria counts, according to Patrick Marass, a project scientist at FB Environmental. FB has worked to analyze the water system and draft recommendations to clean it up.
Recent studies on the creek focused on measuring the water quality of storm water discharge coming from outfall pipes. They found the presence of harmful E. coli bacteria in levels that are 10, 20 or 30 times above the legal limits. As a result, shellfish beds have been closed for many years.
Results from an initial 2009 investigation showed outfalls had exceedingly high levels of bacteria in wet weather and even during dry weather. This was especially true at outfalls in Admiralty Village. After discovering these high levels, local officials contracted with FB Environmental to conduct additional sampling to get a better handle on where the bacteria was coming from in the area, which was formerly a housing site for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard workers.
"Doing it with the dogs is so much faster," Marass said, adding "It basically is going to help us ... focus the investigation even more."
The dogs will also be on hand in Portsmouth Wednesday for a workshop for officials from around the region. They will visit the office of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services at Pease International Tradeport between 8:30 a.m. and noon.


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Utah Horse Council
The Utah Horse Council is an association of individuals, organization and businesses who care about horse and the horse industry in this state. This diverse but united group of individuals and organizations are committed to active representation and leadership of persons interested in the horse industry, its activities and its environment through focused education, legislation and communication.
The goal of the Utah Horse Council is to develop an umbrella of organization devoted to creating a forum in which horseman of diverse interests can use their horsepower to guarantee a future of horses, horse sports, and horse related businesses in the state of Utah.


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Had a play with photoshop to experiment with some colour and shadow values. I created a simple image using vibrant block colours. Primaru colours were chosen for the main forms and floor, I added a yellow background later. The question you need to ask yourself is what colours do the shadows seem to be, are they all the same colour, no matter what its cast on, The light in this case is a simple white light, no need to complicate things.
An area that is hidden from light does not mean it does not have colour. Shadowed area can contain many different colours. Painting shadows grey or black will dull down your image and make it look muddy.
Shadows often contain areas of color filled reflected light, caused by the colors of nearby objects in full light. Shadows may also contain hints of the color complementary to the local color of the object itself, so a yellow wall in shadow may contain hints of purple.
First consider the colour of the local object. The color of a shadow area on a blue area will be completely different in color to the shadow area on a red area. People tend to forget to look and decide what colour something is and instead presume that shadow is grey
The tone of the shadow needs looked at aswel. How dark is it compared to other areas of an image. Look at the shape of the shadow, it will be more prominent and sharper closer to it source object and will dissipate the further away the shadow is.
A few simple rules of thumb, warm light – cool shadow, cool light – warm shadow. The temperature of the light is worth consideration. Warm- red end of light spectrum, cold – blue end of light spectrum Warm sunlight or warm lamplight will often create cool, bluish shadows; whereas, cool light through a window on a a cloudy day, or from a fluorescent light, may create much warmer shadows. do not totally rely on this but use this rule in conjunction with your own eyes.


text: Analyses Posted on July 19, 2012March 7, 2014 by Scientific Soils Admin February 2014 Batch Test Results March 2013 Test Results comparing our products with competitors Insects Inspection (Note: "Merri Mix" is our internal development code for our flagship soil) Design Analysis predicting how the product will mature in-pot. Heavy Metals Test, Scientific Soils 12 week in-pot performance test. Note: pH performs as predicted. Humic and Fulvic Acids Analysis, Scientific Soils Heavy Metals Test conducted on competitor's product, and illustrating the dangers of using cheap dirt


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In 1992, PC games were making serious waves in the industry. They were more complex than console games and offered a level of depth that had not yet been established in the world of pixels. Horror games were also starting to creep into the mainstream. Sure, there weren't a bunch of zombie dogs ready to [...]Skylanders Trap Team for iPadPad Gadget 01/26/15 05:50 PM
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It turns out the email was legit, but it reminded me of how difficult it can be at times to tell when you've received a phishing email. So, I've got a few suggestions for how to identify fake email addresses and web links within an email that you receive. Phishing is when someone tries to [...]Now you Can Make Any Pair of Gloves Touch Screen ReadyPad Gadget 01/02/15 02:35 PM
Winter has traditionally is a tough time to use your iPhone or iPad outside while using gloves or mittens. This week, we focus on a product that will make it possible for you to make DIY touch screen items out of just about anything, no sewing required. Last year, we told you how to make [...]How to Remove Duplicate iTunes Match Songs from your iPadPad Gadget 12/30/14 10:54 AM
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Whoever says you can't use an iPad as a musical instrument has never heard of the iRing by IK Multimedia. This interesting and unique set of touch less controllers makes it possible for you to mix loops, trigger beats, and set parameters using the special iRing Music Maker app. The iRing system consists of two [...]Keep your iPad and iPhone Safe with Apple's Two-Step Verification FeaturePad Gadget 01/23/15 12:17 AM
With all the hacking scandals going on many readers have been asking how to better secure their favorite Apple device from the prying eyes of hackers. While security features have been improved inside iOS 8, the best step is to enable Apple's two-step verification in order to protect devices from future attacks. If you've never enabled two-step verification [...]Here's How to Block iMessage SPAM on your iPadPad Gadget 01/20/15 12:18 AM
Have you received any spam messages on your iPad recently? There have been reports of a handful of spam attacks on iOS users' devices. Wired published an article earlier this month claiming that Apple's Messages app is "being taken over by spammers." It turns out it isn't the apocalypse that Wired made it out to [...]Enjoy an 80's Classic with Rubik's Cube for iPadPad Gadget 01/14/15 12:19 AM
If you miss your classic Rubik's Cube from the 80's, why not give the iPad version a twirl. It may not have exactly stood the test of time the way some other toys do, but even younger generations know what that colorful cube is and how hard it is to solve. Forty years ago, the Rubik's Cube made its [...]Fun iPad Platformer – Rock RunnerPad Gadget 01/09/15 04:24 PM
The App Store has so many awesome new apps coming out every week, it is nearly impossible to keep track of them all. If you like a cool platformer with excellent graphics and exciting action check out Rock Runners. This fun game will have you tapping your way through obstacle courses and zooming across the universe. Players control Hasty [...]Let Your Kids Take a Ride Through Space with AstropoloPad Gadget 01/05/15 11:00 AM
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The 2014 OAP Organizing Class of 19 organizers just graduated on August 7. Over the six-month training, they had the opportunity to learn from organizers in Greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities area. The Greater Minnesota trips to Leech Lake and Southern Minnesota were immersion experiences that expanded knowledge, understanding, and relationships among the OAP class members. Congratulations to these powerful racial justice organizers!
By Salvador Miranda
"Got Food? Thank a Farmworker" – Centro Campesino
The 2014 OAP Traveling Organizing Class was on the road again for the next immersion experience, this time to Southern Minnesota hosted by the Centro Campesino staff and leaders. The class began the tour at the migrant camp used by Seneca Corporation (Montgomery) for the migrant workers who come to Minnesota each year from Texas and the Southwest. The camp consists of a dozen trailers (not manufactured homes) equipped with bunk beds, but no cooking facilities. Hundreds of men and women live in separate quarters and those with families and children have no available housing. Some find family housing in nearby towns.
The class listened to stories of the finding places to cook food at the nearby park in the picnic areas. Before long, the park electric outlets were locked and encounters with police and residents became more frequent. In recent history, the city council of Montgomery passed anti-loitering ordinance targeting the children of the migrant families living in the town.
Centro Campesino and allies have spent years organizing with the workers to improve living conditions. A powerful outcome of that investment of working with the families is the impact it has had on the children; many have grown up going to meetings, welcome celebrations and actions organized by Centro Campesino. One young man – Fernando – grew up in this organizing culture and shared how his experiences have influenced his desire to organize for change. He told the story of the time he and others headed to Austin to challenge a business owner to change the anti-immigrant messages on his signage. It was a powerful action he will always remember. Another story he shared was during a Career Day at school, when a classmate announced his career was to become a border agent with a "look" at Fernando – a look Fernando has seen many times growing up in Southern Minnesota.
The next stop was in Owatonna at the Lakeside Foods migrant camp. This housing was used as internment housing for Germans during the war in the 40's. Although the barbed wire had been removed, the rest rooms had no privacy – no walls for the showers or commodes. Among Centro Campesino's organizing campaigns was getting the company to install walls for privacy in the bath rooms; assigning a housing unit to be used for day care so children are not exposed to pesticides sprayed on the fields; and a storm shelter when tornadoes come through. It took time, many actions and meetings to convince the company to make the changes – it did happen – another victory for the workers and their families. While we were there, some of the organizers spent time visiting with Santos, an elder who with his wife has been coming to Owatonna for decades. They have a home in Texas and have raised their children and grandchildren in Texas. Coming to Minnesota is something they do for the added income. This is a common story with migrant workers and their families, who have come for the work for decades. We heard a story about pesticides and the "alarm" in the camp. Before the company installed an alarm, aircraft would fly over the fields spraying pesticides on the fields, workers would be exposed and at times develop rashes and other signs of poisoning. The alarm was set up to warn the workers and the children to go indoors.
Our next stop was the offices of Centro Campesino, where we heard more about the history of organizing the workers, families and the youth. Centro Campesino organizers have done some powerful organizing in towns in Southern Minnesota, including Waseca, Faribault, Owatonna, Austin, and Northfield. Through this organizing youth have raised scholarship funds, had a voice in Washington, DC on the immigration debate, and been a part of the organizing culture Centro Campesino has built since 1996 in Southern Minnesota.
The class heard the organizing stories and saw photos of documenting the work. Finally, we heard about a mural in the office and the meaning behind it. Images of Mother Earth, the sun and moons and corn, the indigenous food maize. The mural represents our common indigenous cultural beliefs, traditions and spirituality shared by indigenous cultures in the Americas – an image that struck the class as very powerful and real after their day in Southern Minnesota.
Salvador Miranda is OAP's Associate Director and Director of Training. He is also a board member of Centro Campesino and has worked with the organization since 1998.


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"Well, I start work at 6 am so I get tired early," I said to the grocery store clerk, who had just commented on my yawning.
"So, what, you get out at 2?"
An 8 hour, or even a 10 hour day has become a luxury. I forget how it is outside of medicine sometimes. There are reminders, though. When I exclaimed that medical students can now get to the hospital later, now at 6 am, my parents, unfamiliar with the world of medicine, didn't really understand how that could be "late" to start work. They also don't understand that a shift may last 24 hours. That people who shouldn't be on the road driving a car, are in the hospital working with desperately ill patients. And they don't understand that this is an improvement.
Resident physicians in hospitals are now legally limited to 80 hours per week of work. There are other stipulations, making 36 hour shifts illegal, and ensuring that there is a reasonable amount of time between shifts so doctors don't have two hours to come home, shower and change scrubs, and return to the hospital.
Many attribute the changes to the Libby Zion case. I don't know many of the specifics of the case- but the gyst is that a young woman named Libby Zion went to the emergency room at a New York hospital and was given medication which interacted with a medication she was on, or an illegal drug she'd been taking- I'm actually not even sure why she went to the ED in the first place, actually. But, anyway, she went to the ED, there were some over-sights, and she ultimately passed away. It turns out that her father's a journalist, so the case gained wide recognition. The mistakes and oversights that were made in the ED were eventually blamed on sleep deprivation and long work hours for residents.
Some seasoned Attending physicians look at that case and dismiss Libby Zion as a cocaine addict who has somehow lead to the ruin of modern medicine, but I think, all things considered, that the diminished work week has been a good thing.
There are arguments against it- some argue that by decreasing hours from 120 to 80, interns have now been cheated out of 40 hours per week of learning and others argue that increased patient pass-offs between residents increase mistakes. Those who protest hours regulations don't like to mention the effects of sleep deprivation upon the doctors, patients, or upon those unfortunate enough to be on the roads while fatigued residents are driving home.
But, whatever the root cause, or whatever the arguments are against hours regulations, I am reaping the benefit and am lucky enough to be entering medicine at a time where there is at least an acknowledgement that long hours are bad.
2 years ago


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Ramadan Kareem
It's here,,,, Alhamdulillah, Ramadan has come! I'am feeling very excited... a little scared... Let's start this new Holy month with Bismillah and prayers... May Allah Taa'ala bless you and your family with his choicest of blessings. May you attain the highest state of spirituality and closeness with Allah the Almighty.... Ameen...
See you tomorrow Insha Allah


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Monday, February 02, 2009
Is a Griswold #20 cast iron skillet worth $340?
Any cast iron in my modest collection is going to be put work. I don't collect cast iron to use them as show pieces. Each will be used to cook great meals, whether it's for personal camping or for large groups.
I'd love to own this 20-inch Griswold cast iron skillet. But it's current $340 price tag takes it out of my league. Bid if you must, but I suspect that the final selling price will peak at over $400.
All I can do now is watch the auction and dream of the day that I locate an Lodge 20-inch skillet. Although Lodge stopped making the round skillet several years ago, I see them advertised from time to time. I will break my $100 rule when I locate one.
17 comments:
This is the mother of all cast iron skillets! I collect articles at my cast iron skillet blog, and just posted this - what a great shot. I'd break my own rule too if I came across this skillet...ReplyDelete
Thanks for the comment and link, Douglas. It sold for over $510 last Monday evening.ReplyDelete
I've love to own it and put the mamoth skillet to work, but I'm afraid I'd have to chain it to a tree. Five bills is much too much to shell out for a skillet.Replies
Hello, do you know of a site where a person can find out the worth of Griswold items? I am having a hard time finding the fair price for my 2 muffin pans, love your site here!ReplyDelete
Thanks for writing. There are several sites that deal with Griswold and Wagner cast iron. But I'm not an expert. You'll have to make your own evaluation. Try these:ReplyDelete
You might find an indication of the value of your muffin pans.
visit this site: http://www.sporting-goods-store.com/product_161_detailed.htmReplyDelete
and season it yourself
Anonymous: Do you have a review of the Bayou Classic 20-inch skillet? How does it compare to the Lodge 17-inch in construction and durability? Amazon reviews highlight some problems, although most said they liked the product.ReplyDelete
Here's the link for the Lodge 17-inch skillet:
Just saw the Lodge 17-inch skillet on Amazon for 69.99 preseasoned. I have one that is 20 years old. It is very good quality and that is a good buy. I found the Griswold skillet that started this thread last weekend at a garage sale, bought it for $45.00.ReplyDelete
Hi I am selling my Griswold cast iron #20 on Ebay right now I hope I get something similar as you did. Please take a look at the auction it will end in couple of days, item number: 330450994142ReplyDelete
I think I may have one of these, but I just got it and it is really coated thickly. I can only read a few of the markings. I know I need to clean it, but if it's worth $500.00 I'm scared to death! I usually clean cast iron by burning wood to make coals and burn off the seasoning and rust. Is that what you would suggest I do? I cannot find a large enough picture to see what the markings should look like. I can make out Made in the USA the #20 and the letters SK and on the opposite side and S. This may or may not be Grizwold or Wagner. It sure does look like it though.ReplyDelete
I don't recommend bayou classic quality. It's cheaper but I wasn't impressed, it was pitted in some places and made the food taste funny.ReplyDelete
Thanks greenturtle for your input. You confirmed my suspician. That's why I've never purchased one. Instead, I bought a Lodge 17-inch skillet last year for use at camp. It worked very well for eggs.ReplyDelete
Trust me, stick to Lodge. (Besides Griswold and Wagner, which are no longer made).ReplyDelete
Old Mountain and Emerilware are a step down, but have some stuff Lodge doesn't have. Sante Cabin/Camp Chef are another step down, they're OK even though Lodge is better.
Anything else I'd stay away from.
I had a dutch oven, skillet and reversible griddle from Bayou Classic, and ended up giving them away and replacing them with Lodge. So I ended up spending more money even though they were initially cheaper.
Hello from the FIRST state!ReplyDelete
I just bought a 20 inch skillet in an online auction for $23!!!
Has a gatemark and says 20 and sk. I'm so excited! I can't wait to use it! That is after my husband cranks up the e-tank again! Wish I could figure out how to add pictures to this?
Thanks Theresa. I found a 20-incher several years ago for $55 at an antique store. Have fun with it.ReplyDelete


text: tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769900714041572304.post2146492307354979751..comments2019-11-26T23:46:48.057-05:00Comments on Carolyn in Carolina: Homemade Pizza Dough RecipeCarolyn Ghttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769900714041572304.post-78447953894018779102014-08-20T14:43:07.612-04:002014-08-20T14:43:07.612-04:00I can't wait until the weather gets cooler aga...I can't wait until the weather gets cooler again and I can use my oven to make some yummy homemade pizza.Fiddlin' Dandihttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769900714041572304.post-11187085853004861022014-06-15T08:39:53.627-04:002014-06-15T08:39:53.627-04:00We are on a budget so tight I can hardly breathe. ...We are on a budget so tight I can hardly breathe. So when the bread that my hubby likes went to over $4 a loaf I said "enough!" and started making it myself. It's been a couple of months and I think I have it down. So much healthier too! But I've never made pizza dough. But it makes perfect sense! I bet I could even use my bread machine! Thanks and I'll let you know how it Robin Wilsonhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769900714041572304.post-35036471444055801762014-05-19T12:06:31.995-04:002014-05-19T12:06:31.995-04:00I might try the breadmaker as well. Plus I love yo...I might try the breadmaker as well. Plus I love your idea of flavoring the dough! Great tip!Carolyn Gonzalezhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769900714041572304.post-13709583121990928932014-05-19T12:04:17.983-04:002014-05-19T12:04:17.983-04:00Love your pizza stone! I make pizza fairly often, ...Love your pizza stone! I make pizza fairly often, but I use my bread machine to make the dough. Easy peasy, and so good. For extra flavor, I add some dried oregano and basil to the dough. In fact, we had a pizza over the weekend, with turkey pepperoni. Annehttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769900714041572304.post-77196409980538239492014-05-18T21:55:53.861-04:002014-05-18T21:55:53.861-04:00My ddaughter and her friends can't wait to try...My ddaughter and her friends can't wait to try this recipe. I always buy dough that is already made, so this recipe made my daughter very happy.Nancy Loringhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769900714041572304.post-10649435351167697452014-05-17T19:24:26.653-04:002014-05-17T19:24:26.653-04:00I've never tried making pizza dough from scrat...I've never tried making pizza dough from scratch. I like that your recipe makes it a simple step-by-step process. I also appreciate that making the dough yourself makes it easier to know exactly the ingredients (for the dough at least) so that you can control your nutritional intake if need be. The pizza stone looks like it would create an authentic sensation of a oven-toasted crust! I'd Ari Thttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769900714041572304.post-80397754471145638812014-05-17T10:08:44.143-04:002014-05-17T10:08:44.143-04:00I love homemade pizza and your pizza sure turned o...I love homemade pizza and your pizza sure turned out great. It does not look that hard to make, and I would love to make it. Thanks for the recipe.Karen Glatthttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769900714041572304.post-19954657827290092042014-05-16T14:20:47.578-04:002014-05-16T14:20:47.578-04:00Looks fantastic, we are always looking for new thi...Looks fantastic, we are always looking for new things to make. yum!Cylina Williamshttps://email@example.com


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Easter Gift Ideas
Deepa Kartha
Apr 17, 2019
With Easter just around the corner, you might be in search of a few great gift ideas. This post provides some gift ideas for family, friends, and relatives.
Easter is a Christian festival, where people all over the world celebrate the resurrection of Christ. According to Christian scriptures, Jesus Christ was crucified on Good Friday, and as he had promised, he returned to his followers on the third day of his death.
On the day of Easter, people meet their extended family and friends to celebrate this holy occasion. It is also an important tradition to give gifts. However, most people get confused when they have to pick up a gift. So, here are some gift ideas that you can choose from.
Easter Egg Basket
The best gift is the Easter egg. It is a symbol of new life which indirectly refers to the resurrection of Christ. You can either make the eggs on your own, or buy them from the market.
Though the chocolate ones are everyone's favorite of most people, they are available in various other flavors. You can even give different patterns and designs to the eggs.
Easter Bunny
Another thing that is often associated with Easter is bunny. It's one of the best gift, especially for kids.
Bunnies in the form of soft toys are available in various colors and sizes. You can either gift a huge bunny, or buy several little ones in various colors. You can also use the bunny theme to make some other gifts.
Making a cake in the form of a bunny, or making several cookies in the shape of small bunnies is a great idea. Decorating these cookies with different types of icing would be another good idea.
Gift Basket
A gift basket would make an excellent gift. The advantage of doing this, is that you can fill the baskets with an assortment of handmade goodies.
Some of the things that you can put in the basket are brownie bars, cup cakes, Easter eggs, cookies, brownies, muffins, hot cross buns, etc. To decorate the basket, you can use things like bunny toys, stickers, key chains, etc. Cover the basket with a plastic cover, and tie it up with a satin bow.
Toys and Accessories
For most people, their baby's first Easter is a special occasion and hence, they get gifts for their little one. However, most people find it very difficult to choose the baby's gift. Parents can give their child a gift basket filled with little toys for him to play with.
Some other things that can be given to little babies include personalized bibs, napkins, clothes, etc., with pictures of bunnies or rabbits stitched on them. Another idea would be to give the baby a personalized baby quilt, or blanket.
Instead of buying gifts, you can add a personal touch by giving away handmade gifts. And if you cannot think of anything to make, just select one of the earlier ideas.
One must remember that any gift given with love and affection will be definitely cherished by the person who receives it. However, make sure that you are giving away gifts according to age and interests of the person.
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Eight Forty-Eight
The challenges facing civil unions in Illinois
As lawmakers at the federal level prepare to review policy around gays in the military, Illinois legislators made a move on another gay rights front. On Tuesday state representatives voted to allow same sex couples to enter into civil unions.
But does the law afford the same rights and protections that come with legal marriage and how difficult will it be to uphold? For answers, Eight Forty-Eight turned to Camilla Taylor. Taylor is the senior staff attorney in the Midwest regional office of Lambda Legal, a national organization working for gay rights.
Music Button: The Mercury Program, "Arrived/Departed", from the CD Chez Viking (Lovitt)


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Suzuki Boulevard M90 2011
2011 Suzuki Boulevard M90 specifications, pictures, reviews and rating
2011 Suzuki Boulevard M90. Picture credits - Suzuki. Submit more pictures.
|Suzuki's profilation of this bike
|It's a stylish, streamlined power cruiser that takes its styling cues from the incredible M109R. The new liquid-cooled engine is strong and smooth. And the 200mm rear tire makes a strong mark allowing amazingly nimble handling.
|General information
|Suzuki Boulevard M90
|Custom / cruiser
|75.9 out of 100. Show full rating and compare with other bikes
|Price as new (MSRP):
|US$ 10599. Prices depend on country, taxes, accessories, etc.
|Engine and transmission
|1462.00 ccm (89.21 cubic inches)
|Engine type:
|V2, four-stroke
|Engine details:
|54 degree angle. Three rubber engine mounting points to reduce vibration.
|Bore x stroke:
|96.0 x 101.0 mm (3.8 x 4.0 inches)
|Valves per cylinder:
|Fuel system:
|Fuel control:
|Overhead Cams (OHC)
|Fully transistorized
|Lubrication system:
|Wet sump
|Cooling system:
|Transmission type,
final drive:
|Shaft drive (cardan)
|Exhaust system:
|Dual chromed slash cut exhaust system
|Chassis, suspension, brakes and wheels
|Frame type:
|Steel tube frame with a hidden rear shock absorber.
|Front suspension:
|Inverted telescopic, coil spring
|Rear suspension:
|Lynk type, oil damped, coil spring
|Front tyre:
|Rear tyre:
|Front brakes:
|Double disc
|Front brakes diameter:
|290 mm (11.4 inches)
|Rear brakes:
|Single disc
|Rear brakes diameter:
|275 mm (10.8 inches)
|Physical measures and capacities
|Weight incl. oil, gas, etc:
|328.0 kg (723.1 pounds)
|Seat height:
|716 mm (28.2 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
|Overall length:
|2,390 mm (94.1 inches)
|Overall width:
|870 mm (34.3 inches)
|Ground clearance:
|130 mm (5.1 inches)
|1,690 mm (66.5 inches)
|Fuel capacity:
|18.00 litres (4.76 gallons)
|Other specifications
|Color options:
|Black, Blue, Red
|Factory warranty:
|12 Month Limited Warranty
|Further information
|Insurance costs
|Compare US insurance quotes from the nation's top providers.
|Parts finder
|Chaparral provides online schematics & OEM parts for the US. 2Wheels offers first time 2Wheels buyers $10.00 off now. Same day shipment to the US. CMSNL ships low cost OEM motorcycle parts to Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, The United States and more. Also check out our overview of motorcycle webshops at Bikez.info.
|Ask questions
|Join the 11 Suzuki Boulevard M90 discussion group or the general Suzuki discussion group.
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|List related bikes for comparison of specs.
Discussions for every bikeBikez has discussion forums for every bike. View comments, questions and answers at the 2011 Suzuki Boulevard M90 discussion group. You can sign up for e-mail notifications when other riders answer you. If you have extensive experience with the MC, please send us a review. If you consider buying this bike, you should view the list of related motorbikes Look at photos. Compare technical specs. And check out the rating of the bike's engine performance, reliability, repair costs, etc. You can compare the rating with other bikes.
|Rating sample for this Suzuki bike
Offroad capabilities for the 2011 Suzuki Boulevard M90:
(37.6 out of 100)
Click here for complete rating. You can also compare bikes.
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Creating a personal connection between data and user with conditional narrative in Tableau
Last month's Seattle Tableau User Group meeting featured a hands-on redesign session based on Makeover Monday. (Special thanks to Gina Bremer for organizing this and pushing a number of us to try it for the first time.) Below is my entry and some notes about my approach. For those who don't know, Makeover Monday is →


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I usually don't participate in monthly challenges, I seem to forget to check back to look at all the inputs and also who won etc.
This time I couldn't resist.
I used my newest toy, the stamp set "Seasons of Love" from Waltzing Mouse Stamps. I also cut one heart from cork for matting.
The background paper is an older paper from K&Company.


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Skill India candidates get felicitated by Delhi Daredevils
| Updated: Aug 23, 2017 11:20 IST
New Delhi [India], Apr 24 (ANI): Supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Skill India, Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Delhi Daredevils met several candidates trained under Skill India at IL&FS Institute of Skills (IIS) here in the national capital on Monday. During the visit, Delhi Daredevil coach Rahul Dravid felicitated several candidates trained under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). The Meet and Greet event organized in partnership with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) was also attended by several players including Mohammed Shami, Karun Nair, Jayant Yadav and Rishabh Pant. The players congratulated the candidates on successful completion of their training and emphasized the importance of skills such as fitness training, physiotherapy, dietician etc. which help them improve their game and perform better on the field. During the event, players also took a tour of the centre and appreciated the training facility at the center. Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Minister of State (I/C) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, also attended the event and interacted with the candidates. He also briefed team Delhi Daredevil on various initiatives under Skill India and wished them the very best for the upcoming matches. Commenting on the occasion, Rajiv Pratap Rudy said, "It is a moment of great pride for us to see the candidates joining the skill training programme in such huge numbers. Skill training is the basic foundation for employability and to reap the complete benefits of our demographic dividend we need to encourage more and more students to join the skill training programs. We need to ensure that skill based training is made a part of the school curriculum at an elementary level itself in order to make India a hub for international work force." Congratulating the candidates, Rahul Dravid, former Indian skipper and Daredevils coach said, "We pleased to be a part of this great mission. Just like in cricket, one needs skills to perform best in all other fields too. Every job requires certain skill to standout of the rest. I wish all these candidates good luck for their future and I am sure the skills that they have honed through these courses will help them lead a better life." (ANI)


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In Sikhism, the places visited by Sikh gurus during their lifetimes, have been developed into pilgrimage spots. One such place happens to be Village Vallah located near Amritsar. This place was visited by the ninth Sikh Guru, Tegh Bahadur.
And, about four miles from the holy city in village Vallah stands a magnificent edifice - Gurudwara Guru ka Kotha meaning Guru's house.It is said Guru Tegh Bahadur, while leaving Amritsar, visited this village.
Legend has it that when Guru Tegh Bahadur visited the Golden Temple after becoming Guru, priests denied him entry. The Guru thereafter went to Vallah and was entertained by Mai Haro. Her house is where the gurudwara 'Guru ka Kotha' now stands. "When people of Amritsar came to know that Guru Teg Bahadurji was not allowed to enter the Golden Temple and he came to this place, they came here to take the Guru back. Guruji refused to go, but blessed the people saying that if people of Amritsar visited this Gurudwara during the fair on full moon day, they would remain happy.
Today, the holy place is visited not only by people from Punjab, but from all across the country," said Baldev Singh, the head priest of Gurudwara Kotha Sahib.
Every year, a large number of devotees throng the holy spot to celebrate the annual fair, held on the full moon day. The month-long fair that starts on February 6 is a unique example of ardent faith and devotion.
Born in Amritsar, Guru Tegh Bahadur was the youngest of the five sons of Guru Har Gobind. His father gave the name Tegh Bahadur meaning mighty of the sword to him for showing valour during a battle with the Mughals. During his young years Tegh Bahadur fought along his fathers' side but after Guru Hargobind's fierce and bloody battle in 1634 at Kartarpur, he turned to the path of renunciation and meditation.
Guru Tegh Bahadur's 17-day stay at village Valla proved to be a blessing for the villagers.
"We come here every year to make wishes and all our wishes are fulfilled. People from all parts of the world come here to visit this gurudwara," said Baljinder Singh, one devotee. People visit this holy place irrespective of their caste or creed and set an example of brotherhood and unity. At the gurudwara, they enjoy the Langar or, community meal upholding the principle of equality.


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The compact SUV segment is one of the hottest segment at the moment in India with every major manufacturer wanting to have a lion's share. It was Ford who created this segment in India with EcoSport in 2013. In 2016, Ford has given the EcoSport some cosmetic and some technical upgrades which we will be talking about in this review.
At the moment the EcoSport has two mighty competitors in the form of the recently launched Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and the Mahindra TUV300. All the three cars are competitively priced with each other.
We disregarded Nissan Terrano, Renault Duster and Hyundai Creta from comparison due to vast differences in the dimensions and prices compared to EcoSport, TUV300 and Vitara Brezza.
We disregarded Nissan Terrano, Renault Duster and Hyundai Creta from comparison due to vast differences in the dimensions and prices compared to EcoSport, TUV300 and Vitara Brezza.
The EcoSport trumps the Vitara Brezza in terms of engine, interior space. While the TUV300 trumps the EcoSport in interior space and seating capacity. All three cars have unique selling points and address diffferent needs of the consumers.
Exteriors - 4 / 5
The all new Ford EcoSport now comes with daytime running lights (non-LED) and headlamps with Lightguide which further enhances its looks. Other than these there are no significant changes in the external appearance.
On standalone basis, the EcoSport looks are more like a city hatchback than rugged SUV which makes it suitable for both city commute and weekend adventure. The spare wheel on the tail-gate gives it a distinct appearance.
A high shoulder line and a huge octagon-shaped grille on the front bumper dominate the looks.
The 16-inch alloy wheels look decent too. The EcoSport has a ground clearance of 200mm which is the highest among its rivals Brezza and TUV300
The looks and stance are more aggressive as compared to Vitara Brezza but less rugged than the TUV300. Overall, the EcoSport is well proportioned and looks pleasing to the eyes.
Interiors - 4 / 5
The interior is combination of beige coloured roof, black leather upholstery, grey dashboard with silver accents.
The red-coloured stitching on the black leather gives the interiors a very sporty look. The quality of materials used are decent, neither too premium nor too cheap.
The dashboard design is bit aggressive and looks a little overdone. Nonetheless, the interior design is better than that in TUV300 and Vitara Brezza.
The center console of the dashboard contains too many buttons to play with causing a bit of an inconvenience and makes it difficult to reach the frequently used buttons. The A/C vents are aggressively designed and adds to the sporty look of the interiors.
Ford EcoSport has a bootspace of 346 litres which is more than that of Vitara Brezza (328 litres) but less than that of TUV300 (384 litres).
Inside the EcoSport you can find plenty of small storage spaces which come in handy for long journeys for which these compact SUVs are meant for. Also the arm rest at the driver's seat make long journeys more pleasant.
The detailing inside the Ford EcoSport is really appreciable, you can find a vanity mirror with a light bulb, storage space for your sunglasses and a 12V charging socket besides the rear seats.
The rear seats can be folded in various combinations (as you can see in the above images) for carrying extra luggage. Also the rear seats' reclining angle can be adjusted but in only two setting. For a long journey a more laid back angle can be set while for city commute a more upright angle can be set.
Engine & Performance - 3.5/5
The new EcoSport is powered by the same 1.5-litre diesel engine which can be found in the old EcoSport. The 1,498 cc engine produces as maximum power of 100 PS @ 3,750 rpm and maximum torque of 205 Nm @ 1,750 - 3,250 rpm. Compared to the old EcoSport, the 1.5-litre diesel now produces roughly 9 PS of more power while the maximum torque remains the same.
On paper this engine is more powerful than the engine in Vitara Brezza (81.5 PS) and TUV300 (83.6 PS).
On road, the EcoSport can cruise well above 130 kmph with decent amount of load. With three adults inside we were pleasantly cruising at speeds of 150 kmph with potential to go beyond this speed. The car has good cornering etiquettes at high speeds. We were not really fond of pushing this car to its limit like we did with the Fiat Avventura powered by Abarth since that is not the purpose for which you buy an EcoSport.
You buy vehicles like EcoSport to give yourself a flexibility of owning a car that caters to your daily commute in city as well as occasional weekend outing with friends and family - for this purpose the EcoSport is powerful enough to crunch those long miles within short time with a comfortable ride.
The 5-speed manual gearbox is not the smoothest of all and is really very notchy making gear shifting in bumper traffic a pain. The brakes are also not as sharp as you would like them to be.
The EcoSport is a bit bouncy and wobbly compared to the Aspire or the Figo hatchback. It loves to jump lanes with the slightest of bumps at high speeds although the ride quality is really good.
During our testing the EcoSport returned a fuel economy between 12.59 kmpl (worst) to 14.07 kmpl (best). The testing was done in varied road conditions and driving styles. A more sober driving style and better roads can push this figure a little higher.
Comfort, Convenience & Ride Quality - 4/5
Comfort levels in the EcoSport are pretty high. We clocked over 500 kms on the EcoSport and could barely find any major shortcomings for comfort and ride quality.
The front bucket seats have good support to sides which holds your body firmly and gives you added comfort on long drives. Arm rest for the driver is an added bonus. The rear seats are comfortable too but a center arm rest with cupholders is sorely missed. The is plenty of headroom and legroom both at the front and at the back even for a 6-ft tall person.
Arm rests on all 4-doors are well designed and provide great comfort during long journeys. These are small things but are especially useful when you are out on a holiday with your friends and family.
A smart keyless entry and exit along with a Start/Stop button makes life a little easy for the driver. One need never remove the key from his/her pocket to lock/unlock or start/stop the car. Rear parking sensor come as standard.
A decent 200mm ground clearance enables you to confidently maneuver the EcoSport on rough terrains and tackle difficult/broken/pothole-ridden with ease. The suspension is appreciable and provides excellent ride quality on rough roads.
Safety - 5/5
The Titanium variant of the new EcoSport comes loaded with modern safety features. It comes with ABS + EBD, Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS) and Hill Launch Assist (HLA).
The Titanium variants comes equipped with driver, passenger and two curtain airbags providing safety to all passengers inside.
With the recent cut in prices for the EcoSport, it has become a more attractive investment. Still it is marginally expensive compared to Vitara Brezza and TUV300 but it terms of quality, interiors and power it is better than the others.