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If you're getting a new kitchen fitted, our Which? Trusted Traders-endorsed kitchen installers give us the benefit of their experience so you can get an idea of what to expect.
Can a new kitchen change your life? Well, it can certainly change how you use your home. Kitchen design is a very personal matter, reflecting diverse households and cooking styles – some love to create like they're on MasterChef, while others are fans of ready meals and ping cuisine. You want your kitchen to reflect your lifestyle.
But designing and buying your new kitchen is only half the story. You need an installer to fit it correctly to finish the job. As Alison Reuben, from Which? Trusted trader Bluebell Fitted Furniture Ltd, said:
'You don't want to spend £50,000 on a kitchen and have it poorly fitted, so it looks terrible. The best fitters will make a £10,000 kitchen look amazing. It's one of the most important parts of the process.'
If you're thinking of buying a new kitchen from one of the major brands, Which? research into the best and worst kitchen brands can give you an insight into the experiences of other people who have bought new kitchens recently.
If you want to find a Which?-endorsed kitchen installer, Which? Trusted Traders has accredited installers in your area.
Alison told us that Bluebell Fitted Furniture Ltd employs its own fitters, which is unusual in the industry. It's far more common for customers to buy a kitchen either from a manufacturer or through a designer, who may recommend kitchen fitters they work with regularly.
All our traders emphasised the importance of recommendations when working with kitchen fitters. Trust is an essential part of letting traders into your home. Alison said: 'Look for a company that's been around for a long time – that says something, as a lot of cowboys closed down in the last recession.'
If the installer is a Which? Trusted trader, you can check the reviews on their profile to see how previous customers have rated them. If they're not a Which? Trusted trader, ask an installer to see pictures of the kitchens they've fitted previously. Also, ask to speak to their previous customers, who can tell you what the installer was like to work with. A reputable installer will not mind being asked for these recommendations.
Always check that any gas work is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You can ask to see their Gas Safe registration card to check – it will have their qualifications listed on the reverse of the card. See our article about the Gas Safe Register for more details.
Equally, any electrical work must be carried out by a suitably qualified electrician. All our Which? Trusted Traders-endorsed electricians are suitably qualified, and if your installer is a Which? Trusted trader, again they should ensure any subcontractor is suitably qualified. If you're in any doubt, ask to see proof of the electrician's qualifications, and check whether they are registered with one of the government-approved schemes, such as NICEIC, ELECSA, NAPIT or others. Avoid any electrician who is unwilling to show you proof of their qualifications.
The cost of installation will vary depending on the size of the kitchen, how complex it is to fit, and the overall value of the kitchen. Prestige Installations UK Ltd's Eddie Douse said his installation charges usually work out at around 35% of the value of the kitchen. A more expensive kitchen will usually have more worktops and units, and so therefore be more expensive.
Items that can increase the cost are bespoke units or worktops that need to be installed separately, individual or unusual design elements, or lots of joins in the worktops.
Opting for a cheaper kitchen can make the installation more difficult. Eddie Douse said: 'Units from Ikea or B&Q can be twice as much work to put in, because they don't have service points on the back of the cabinets. Slightly higher-quality brands are often much easier to install.'
Installing a kitchen is a multi-trade process, potentially involving electricians, plumbers, carpenters, plasterers, flooring specialists and tilers, depending on the details of the kitchen being installed. While some people may be able to work across a number of areas, it's essential that any electrical and gas work is carried out by appropriately qualified traders.
The details of the installation will depend to some extent on the nature of the kitchen being fitted, and whether there is a lot of repair work to the property going alongside it. Re-plastering walls can significantly extend the duration of the project because of the drying time of the plaster, for example.
The simplest process is if you're working with a blank slate in a new-build property. However, in most cases, there will be a pre-existing kitchen that needs to be removed.
Our traders gave different responses regarding the length of a project. But, assuming the property is in reasonable condition, an average-sized kitchen installation could take around 7 to 10 working days. This will vary depending on the size of the team involved. A smaller team could require 15 days or more.
Alison Reuben said that many of their clients go away on holiday for two weeks while their new kitchen is being installed. However, this requires a high level of trust in your installers, as you're handing over the keys and effectively leaving them to it. As Bluebell Fitted Furniture Ltd has designers that project-manage the installation, this works, as they can deal with any issues that arise.
But if you're not working with a company that provides a full project-management service, you need to be available to sign off decisions if there are any changes necessary. There are often hidden issues that only come to light once the original kitchen is removed. Sometimes there will be hidden alcoves, or pipes in the wrong place, and that's something you can't see until the original kitchen is ripped out.
If you're staying in your home during an installation, you need to be prepared for disruption. Even though traders will do their best to minimise mess, as soon as they need to touch plasterwork, there will be dust, which can spread easily throughout your property.
Eddie Douse of Prestige Installations UK Ltd emphasised that customers often don't realise just how disruptive the process can be. In most cases it means using the laundrette, cooking in a microwave and possibly washing up in the bath tub until your new kitchen is complete.
It may be possible to set up a temporary kitchen in another room, space and budget permitting, if an installation is going to be a lengthy process.
Objectively speaking, you should check that:
But, ultimately, a good installation is one that you, the customer, are happy with, and your installer should be keen to work with you to achieve that.


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I just found out that to view Mathematical Markup Language (MathML) properly in Firefox, you need to download the fonts.
As for IE 6, external plugins are needed to view MathML properly.
And if you want to check if your browser can support MathML, go to this test page.
For list of supported browsers, see this.
For not-so-apparent reasons, IE always seems to have problems following W3C's recommendations. I wonder if IE 7 will support XHTML 2.0 and MathML (unlikely, Microsoft will most likely leave it to external plugins to "demonstrate" the "flexibility" of IE).
I just looked at the IE blog.
If I ever get to install IE 7... the first thing I will do is to find a way to fix that MSN Search to Google Search.

subset: commoncrawl


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Flying Thru The Air With The Greatest Of Ease
Cabo's newest attraction is one that will have you flying through the air with the greatest of ease. That's right, we now have our very own trapeze school! You can find it on Constituyentes, the street you cross as you head out of Cabo on the fourlane, across from the soccer field. It's in front of the Cascadas hotel.
Flying Trapeze Cabo is run by Jesus Ayala, who has been flying through the air for 14 years. The trapeze is something that everyone, locals and tourists, young and old (their youngest flier was four, the oldest was 85), can enjoy. The only physical limit is that you have to be able to hold your own weight in your hands and have no back, neck or joint injuries. OK, so that pretty much eliminates most of our creaky old readers, but continue on.
Jesus has flung all types of kids and adults, including people who were blind, deaf or mute, had Down syndrome, autism or some type of affliction. That should tell you how easy it is to get started on the trapeze.
First, the instructor takes you to a trapeze that is low enough to the ground that you can reach it easily by standing on a few foam mats. There, you are taught how to grab the bar, how far apart your arms should be, how to get your knees hooked in the trapeze and the ideal position for swinging.
Then, you are taught how to jump off the platform, which is very easy when you're on the ground, not so much when you're up on a small platform that's 20 feet or so from the ground. A thick belt that has bungee cords attached to it is strapped around your waist in case you fall as you climb the ladder to the platform. Once you're up, you are unhooked for a split second, then rehooked to the cables so you can fly.
The bar is brought to you, you grab on and then it's show time. The instructor yells out "Ready," not to confirm your readiness but as a signal to bend your knees. At the sound of "hup," off you go! The thrill of swinging through the air is hard to describe, but it's very empowering, freeing really.
The next move you learn is to hook your knees around the bar. It is very important to follow the instructions; when the instructor tells you to, you have to use your momentum to hook your knees onto the bar. Once you do it, you feel like a pro trapeze artist.
After that, you learn how to let go of the bar and keep your knees hooked while arching your back and extending your arms. The instructors tell you how and when to let go of the bar, which is quite nerve wracking even when you know there is a net underneath to catch you. You have to get this move just right before a trainer will interact with you in the air (you on one trapeze, them on another). Once you have that move down, one of the trainers takes your hands while swinging himself on another trapeze, and then you let go of their hands and fall back onto the net.
The trapeze crew has worked in summer camps, circus schools and hotels. The majority of trainers come from Mexico City. They all speak English, and some speak French, Portuguese and even Italian.
The trapeze school is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the last class starting at 4:30 p.m. They can stay open later for private parties, if requested. Classes are $75 USD for adults and $26 for children ages four to 10. There is also a 10-class package offered, which ranges from $156 to $209.
If you've always fantasized about running away to join the circus, here's your chance. Go to www.flyingtrapezecabo.com to book a class and fly.


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21 July 2014
Spilt tea
I have a client who, instead of sending out an Christmas card to her friends and associates, used to send out an annual card celebrating the Boston Tea Party. It was her way to be distinctive and to avoid offending people who didn't celebrate the religious holiday. She had me design and illustrate several years' worth. Sadly, in 2009 she had to abandon the tradition, as both the name and iconography had been co-opted by the emerging right-wing political movement.
A few years ago I found a Tea Party website that was using many of my illustrations unpaid and uncredited. The unpaid part didn't bug me as much as the fact that I am about as politically far from the Tea Party as one can get. Even still, my reaction has been to shrug it off. You make things and they go out into the world and then other people do things with them. I wouldn't want it differently.
Perhaps I can afford to take this position because I have a day job and am no longer reliant upon my work-for-hire or because I will probably never produce anything popular enough that it would be to my advantage to actively enforce my Copyright. But also: My work is often derivative or transformative, and I have a great love for remix culture: mash-ups, parodies, works that are in conversation with existing works, and I don't think the fantasy of intellectual property ultimately serves artists or art very well. We hold fast to the Romantic ideal of the Artist's Vision, a vision that is profound and powerful but also in peril of being destroyed through the misuse or abuse of the artist's work. But that's only one way of viewing the creative process, and it's a way founded ultimately on ownership of ideas. An alternative is to see cultural production as an ongoing conversation or game spanning media, genres, and themes. We join in as we are able and make use of what's at hand.
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Summer at Bates is in full swing!
Welcome to our first blog!
I am very excited to be writing to you from Maine. This is my first summer here (I grew up in Vermont) and I absolutely love it so far.
My summer began with a two week scouting trip to the Galapagos with the chair of my department, Don Dearborn. We were visiting the archipelago to plan a NEW short term course to be launched in 2014. At Bates, we have short regular semesters (12 weeks rather than the normal 15 weeks), and as such we are able to offer a 5-week term from April to May which we call Short Term. We had a great time and are very excited to bring ~18 students next year. We are partnering with IOI on Isabela Island, a non-profit organization that seeks to merge higher education with local development aid in education and conservation. My friend and colleague, Johann Besserer, started IOI in 2006 and the institute now partners with several colleges and universities from the US, including University of Miami, University of Connecticut dental school, and University of Hartford.
Upon return from the Galapagos in mid-June, research started in my laboratory. I have four talented undergrads this summer who are working on three different research projects. Our lab studies how molecular pathways signal developmental processes. We are interested in this question as it relates to two transcription factor families in the model organism, the zebrafish. Transcription factors are proteins that help initiate (or repress) the expression of genes. We are using zebrafish because they are easy to keep in the lab, have lots of genomic and molecular resources, have external fertilization, and rapidly develop. My students have been working really hard in the lab the last couple weeks learning lots of techniques and we are hoping that our zebrafish start breeding so that we can get our experiments going. Stay tuned for their updates throughout the summer!


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People who want to lose weight quickly often look at a lot of rapid weight loss programs, and all sorts of other ways, to help them to achieve their goals.
Sometimes it even seems worthwhile trying something that is not safe, may not be healthy, or that may even be a potential risk to their health.
When people get to this point then it's time to step back a little and to get things into perspective.
Losing a few pounds or kilos on your weight scales can be achieved quickly.
It can also be achieved Safely.
best diet program, hypnosis for weight loss, meal plans for weight loss,
Unhealthy weight loss does not last.
By unhealthy weight loss I am talking about using diuretic tablets to get fluids down, or by starvation diets, or purging programs to clear the bowel. While these things can make a difference on the scales, they are not going to help you reach your real goals of less body fat and a better body shape.
What happens with any rapid weight loss program like that is that the weight coming off is the water that your body need to function properly, or the healthy fats that are inside your chest cavity and that you cannot even see, or it is emptying the bowel and because of that the weight will be replaced the next time you have a decent meal.
In extreme cases starvation weight loss comes by your body eating your own healthy muscle tissue.
If you want to lose the weight that makes you look overweight then your aim should be to lose cellulites, the stored unnecessary fat that is around your waist, your hips and your thighs.
How do you do that?
You start by recruiting your body to work with you rather than against you!
What do I mean by this?
If your metabolism is low then your body believes you are starving and will work to gather food and store fat to protect you. In that case whatever program you undertake is doomed to fail, unless you get your metabolism up and running again.
If your metabolism is strong then your body will relax and will not want to be carrying the extra 5, 10, 20, 30 pounds or kilos that it has stored up and it will work with you to actively reduce the weight.
Weigh loss is easy if your body is working with you and extremely hard if you are fighting against your body for every tiny drop in weight.
Having a rapid weight loss program that gets your body working with you, and getting your metabolism to a healthy level, is not hard. It really only requires you to be giving your body everything in needs on a daily basis to feed your muscles, your vital organs and to support body function at a cellular level.
This means the foundation of an effective rapid weight loss program is good nutrition. If you can begin the process of losing weight with enough nutrition, in a form that you body can use it, and still keep the calories you are eating under control then you can lose weight, feel great, and increase your energy, all at the same time.
Ideally, you can do all this and still eat the foods you love.
Start with the basics and get the nutrition right and your rapid weight loss program can give you everything you are looking for.
There are a number of ways to get the nutrition right but scientific studies are now telling us that with the deficiencies in the food we can buy in our supermarkets there is a need for supplements to add into our diet.
If you chose to use a protein shake with some tablet supplements as the foundation of your rapid weight loss program then you have the best chance of getting the nutrition right.
This will let you raise your metabolic rate, increase energy and feel great as you trim down.


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IBPS has decided to cancel the evening session of clerical common exam held on December 15.While many candidates were heaving a sigh of relief for completing a major test, this news is bound to keep on feet.The dates for reexams have also been put up.
To fill clerk vacancies arising in 20 public sector banks, common written examinations are conducted by Institute of Banking Personnel Selection.The exams were scheduled to be held in batches on Dec 15,16, 22 & 23 owing to computer based online mode.
Evening Session Scrapped
What could be more worse than knowing a major testing process that you had attended is being scrapped.It has exactly happened 2 days after the event putting many participants in a sense of shock.
An announcement from IBPS declares the cancellation of online clerk exam - December 15 (1:30 PM session).It also advises candidates to be ready for the online re-exam either on December 29 or 30.
Individuals affected in this move shall be notified individually via email and SMS about their test venue/time etc.
** Update: Re-Exam call letters are now available for download on IBPS website here
Those who were part of the CWE on 15 (morning) & 16th need not worry as this latest development pertains only to the evening batch.And does not have any bearing on other sessions.
Same Question Paper for both Shifts?
The institute has stopped by just citing 'unforeseen circumstances' thereby not divulging any reasons for cancelling its first ever online test for bank jobs.
But candidates seem to know the cause for this debacle.Right after the examination many had shared their reviews about clerical exam on our website that predominantly pointed these
- Most questions from general awareness & computer sections asked in morning were repeated for the evening session
- Some say the maths questions did not carry correct answer options.
Whatever be the reason, one thing is known – Re-exam is to happen in the last week of December.
Will applicants posses the same enthusiasm and turn up for the tests once again is the question now.


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"Esprit de Corps" is a series of events to promote, encourage and motivate all ages to become physically active as a means to participate in Art. A gift to the people of Berlin by our temporary collective "E.T.", comprised of myself and six other contemporary multidisciplinary artists who united forces 'to take over the art scene' in Berlin for a short moment of time. As part of our schedule of activities of Month of Performance Art, "Human Chain" was held at Mauerpark.
A human chain is a form of demonstration in which people link their arms as a show of political solidarity. It may also refer to people holding on to each other in series to reach precarious spots. or it may also refer to people walking shoulder-to-shoulder in the event of searching for missing persons in water or on land. Our "Human Chain" was a form of solidarity between the artists in the collective and an opportunity to navigate precarious descent into the cavity of karaoke at Mauerpark.


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Richard Doyle was born in England to parents from Ballingate on the Wicklow Wexford border, and Raheen on the Wicklow Carlow border.
His father Peter Doyle was a member of the London Metropolitan Police who retired back to Ireland and bought a farm at Beechmount on the Shilleagh road just outside Carnew. Peter Doyle was tall, which was a requirement of the job as you had to be able to stand on your hat and look over walls. His sons were also tall, the tallest was Richard who in his lifetime was reputed to have been 7ft tall, so tall that when stopped by a Garda, the officer believed he was the back seat passenger and that the driver had already made his escape.It was only when Richard got out of the car he realised his true height.
Richard Doyle married Eileen Murphy from Franeystown, Co. Kilkenny. They farmed for a time at Beechmount which later passed to his brother Morris, then ran the shop in Kilquiggan village.
He was recorded as the tallest man in Ireland by Terry O Sullivan of the Sunday press. He died in 1968 and is buried in Tomacork cemetery outside Carnew At his wake in Kilquiggan he was measured and his height was recorded as 7ft 4 inches, so tall two lengths of timber had to be attached to the end of the bed to allow him to be laid out properly.
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County Wicklow Heritage > http://www.countywicklowheritage.org/


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Project of Primary Information Services* primaryinfo.com *Anyone can Post by email* email@example.com
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Business Plan ?
Posted by Primary Information Services at 5:16 PM No comments:
Monday, February 23, 2015
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Friday, February 20, 2015
Friday, February 13, 2015
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
about 3D Printing
- 3D printing or additive manufacturing offers several advantages over traditional subtractive processes - the technology allows for speedier, one-off production of products in-house. more about it here
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Friday, February 06, 2015
Algae event 2015
Algae event 2015
Tuesday, 2 June 2015
Dear All,
In conjunction with the EUBCE 2015, ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, the INTERREG IVB 'EnAlgae' project, EUBIA and RE-CORD are organising the Parallel Event aimed at:
understanding the sustainability of algae production and utilisation
and their use in biorefineries.
and their use in biorefineries.
The event will be structured in oral sessions and visual presentations.
Scientists, researchers and project developers wishing to present already completed or ongoing projects, should apply using the online form available at:
Scientists, researchers and project developers wishing to present already completed or ongoing projects, should apply using the online form available at:
by Monday 2 March 2015 close of business.
The Science Board will select the contributions to be delivered as oral or visual presentations. All the presented final contributions will be published in the EUBCE 2015 Online Proceedings.
Please do not hesitate to contact Ms Anna Salimbeni at firstname.lastname@example.com should you have any queries.
With kind regards and looking forward to exciting sessions,
On behalf of the organizer group,
Shaun RichardsonSwansea University, UKProject Coordinator for the Energetic Algae (EnAlgae) project
Posted by Primary Information Services at 7:04 AM No comments:
Monday, February 02, 2015
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Tax reform proposals swirling around Washington, D.C. right now make some sweeping changes to the tax benefits that homeowners have come to depend on. For taxpayers in Washington state, these changes could have costly consequences.
More than seven of every 10 hard-working homeowners (72 percent) in our state have a mortgage, and 839,530 of them claimed a deduction for mortgage interest (MID). These deductions totaled about $8.6 billion in 2015.
This deduction, however, will likely have significantly less value if Congress goes through with a plan to double the standard deduction; far fewer homeowners would itemize their taxes, taking the MID off the table.
The most recent IRS data available shows that at a marginal rate of 25 percent, the average taxpayer saved $2,564 in taxes in 2015 as a result of mortgage interest deduction. Congress is looking to reclaim those savings, taking it right from the pockets of homeowners.
The mortgage interest deduction isn't the only deduction homeowners will lose out on, either. Homeowners are currently allowed to deduct the property taxes they pay to state and local governments, but that deduction is in jeopardy. That means homeowners will experience "double taxation" as their income is taxed at the federal level and then again for state and local property taxes. Although House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady issued a statement over the weekend indicating plans to partially restore itemized property tax deductions, any tax overall proposal that undermines existing incentives for homeownership would harm working-class families.
In 2015, IRS data show 950,010 taxpayers in Washington claimed a deduction for local real estate taxes. On average, these taxpayers subtracted $4,692 from their taxable income. The total amount deducted was nearly $4.5 billion.
If the MID and real estate tax deductions were eliminated, the loss would not be a one-year event; homeowners lose out on these potential savings each and every year.
Tax reform is important, but the final product should reflect the tremendous value that homeownership offers the community. Homeowners pay 83 percent of all federal income taxes.
Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, representing Washington's 1st District, and Congressman Dave Reichert, from the 8th District, are members of the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means, the chief tax-writing committee of the United States House of Representatives.
If you believe tax incentives for homeownership should be preserved, you'd be wise to let these two legislators and other Representatives know where you stand.
Sam DeBord is 2017 president of Seattle King County REALTORS and is a managing broker at Seattle Homes Group Coldwell Banker Danforth.


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New from #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, a dark, fantastical story about this world . . . and the underworld.
When Pierce first sees him, she thinks he is a murderer. She's right about one thing -- he does take lives. But not in the way she ever imagined. Pierce is drawn to the dark stranger even as she tries to uncover the mystery surrounding the tragic death of someone close to her. As she gets closer to the truth -- and the stranger -- unexpected secrets are revealed, even in her own heart.


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DAVIS, Calif. (AP) Neal Monson scored a career-high 20 points and UC Davis beat Holy Names 74-49 on Saturday to snap a six-game losing streak.
Siler Schneider added 18 points and Lawrence White a career-high 14 for the Aggies (5-8), who made 30 of 54 shots for 57 percent despite only making 1 of 12 3-point tries.
The Aggies did most of their damage inside, using a 46-26 rebounding advantage to score 54 points in the paint. Georgi Funtarov had nine rebounds and Monson and Garrison Goode eight each.
UC Davis outscored Holy Names 20-4 over the first eight minutes. The Aggies led by 23 at halftime and their lead didn't dip below 18 points in the second half.
Jonathan Cortez had 11 points and Reece Wible 10 for Holy Names. The game was an exhibition for the Division II Warriors.
The Aggies open Big West play at UC Irvine on Thursday.


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It's sort of surreal when your life is going along swimmingly, then you suddenly you find yourself chanting like Dori from Finding Nemo..."Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming"
In the space of the last 10 days, my refrigerator died. Then the washer went out. Then, our neighbors decided to "teach us a lesson" and had someone back out of their driveway so fast, it buckled in the door on D's car...and of course they took off. UGH Mean people. So I called the city on them for parking in the yard. I plan to call the city on them every few days til they get the hint. And, I plan on calling the cops on them if they decide to let off fireworks. I'm not a happy camper.
As if that wasn't enough to make someone curl up in a ball and cry, Little Miss got sick. Not just a little sick. She got the worst case of Hand Foot and Mouth our dr had ever seen. She was admitted to the hospital Monday. We were finally released today. She's still not really taking fluids or eating much. She'll drink with a syringe. But she's hydrated and she's home.
Meanwhile, I'm having surgery on Tuesday. I'll be offline while I'm recovering in the hospital for a couple days.
Heaven help me with what the house is going to look like! Yikes!


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If having more fun at work can help boost productivity, how can HR encourage the right amount of enjoyment in the organisation while maintaining professionalism?
Can introducing table-football, office pets and giant beanbags really foster a more positive work environment or do organisations need to achieve a more subtle, cultural shift?
This Personnel Today webinar, in association with BrightHR, looks at finding the right balance of play
Play and professionalism at work: boosting engagement while maintaining standards
and professionalism. Learn how fostering a culture of play at work could save organisations money through reduced absence, higher productivity and enhanced creativity.
Watch this webinar to learn how to:
- how younger generations are influencing the modern workplace;
- about changing perceptions of professionalism;
- what is "fun" and how it can be encouraged;
- how moods and emotions affect behaviour; and
- about potential downsides of fun in the workplace – where are the boundaries?
The webinar will also look at how demographic groups, industry sectors and size of company affect the importance of fun and play in the workplace. Should fun occur naturally or can it be organised? Should work itself comprise playful elements that engage workers?
Personnel Today editor Rob Moss hosts this 60-minute webinar which will include a Q&A after presentations from our two speakers.
About our speakers
Rob Briner is professor of organisational psychology at the University of Bath and scientific director at the Center for Evidence-Based Management, which seeks to identify ways of increasing evidence in management practice. His interests include the relationship between work conditions and psychological wellbeing, the psychological contract, and work/non-work relationships.
Paul Harris is chief marketing officer and co-founder of BrightHR, an HR software solution that provides businesses with an easy way to arrange their day-to-day HR needs. BrightHR, together with psychological wellbeing consultants Robertson Cooper, published It Pays to Play, a research paper looking into the impact of fun on workplaces.
This webinar was originally broadcast on Tuesday 23 February 2016, 11:30am GMT


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- Academics
- Admissions
- Research
- News & Events
- About
Please note: VCUQatar reserves the right to cancel classes for which not enough participants are registered. Already paid fees will be refunded.
Please do not purchase materials until VCUQatar has sent final course confirmation.
On occasions, there may be some more materials to be bought and brought in if and when advised by the instructor.
Most of the materials are available from any art supply shop, for example:
Participants must buy their own materials
Tarek El Debsi is a marketing specialist and a professional art director. He has more than ten years of experience in print media, advertising, marketing, and the publishing industry. He was the head of design and production at Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing (currently HBKU Press) and worked in digital communication and marketing at the HBKU Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI). He is currently working as a senior marketing specialist in Hamad Bin Khalifa University's Communications Department.


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( Eddie Janssens, Wikiportrait )
I can't help myself.
Every time I encounter yet another gushing media tribute to the latest commentary from Paul McCartney, I'm visualizing former SNL cast member Dana Carvey doing his spot-on impression of the iconic musician-composer turned vegetarian huckster.
(Check out the video here and tell me I'm not wrong).
Now, Sir Paul has outdone even his own overblown pronouncements about how the rest of us are supposed to arrange our lifestyles. He announced in a lengthy interview in the UK newspaper The Telegraph that "Meat-free is the new rock 'n roll."
The comment appeared in conjunction with National Vegetarian Week, as McCartney waxed ridiculous on the 25th anniversary of the launch of the veggie entrée line marketed by his late wife Linda McCartney.
We seriously need to qualify that statement.
Paul McCartney, for all his formidable talents as a composer, arranger, musician and entertainer — he was one-half of the all-time most creative songwriting team in pop music history — cannot claim any connection to the legacy of rock 'n roll, nor can the rest of the Beatles, nor can any of the other bands that were part of the so-called "British Invasion" of the mid-1960s.
While the Beatles certainly recorded their share of early rockabilly and Motown classics ("Rock and Roll Music," "Please Mr. Postman" and "Twist and Shout," the latter a No. 1 single penned by Phil Medley in 1961 and subsequently covered by everyone from The Who to the Isley Brothers to Ferris Bueller), McCartney, et al., were neither contributors to nor pioneers in the rock genre.
But speaking of pioneers, here's who McCartney is now claiming to be the originator of the vegetarian movement into which he continually inserts himself as guru and champion: Linda McCartney.
"[Linda] very much started the vegetarian movement," he explained in a video accompanying the interview, noting that it wasn't easy going veggie back in the 1970s.
"You wouldn't have believed it," he said. "We've forgotten how alien a meat-free diet seemed to most people in the last millennium. These days, vegetarians have never had it so good."
Truckers Were the Target?
That wasn't always the case, as he recalled about his early days as head of a family of confirmed veggies.
"Driving up the motorway, we wanted a snack, and we'd pull in the Fortes filling station," he said, "and it was ham sandwiches all round."
Doesn't sound so bad, but apparently it was hell on earth for the McCartneys as they traveled England's backcountry.
Thus, it makes sense, as Paul and Linda's daughter Stella explained in the video, that the first vegetarian products introduced under the Linda McCartney Foods brand connected with that formative experience.
"She launched her foods with the truckers on the M-40 motorway (see the publicity photo below from that PR event)," Stella said, "and they loved them!"
Really? Take a look at the guy on the far right. His reaction doesn't convince me he's ready to embrace the vegetarian lifestyle; he looks like a lot of people do when they first bite into a veggie patty masquerading as a hamburger.
But connecting "meat-free" with rock 'n roll isn't the most outrageous statement the newspaper quoted McCartney pronouncing.
Along with his fond hope that Linda McCartney Foods will "spread everywhere in the world" (cha-ching!), he offered a bold prediction that rivaled his former bandmate John Lennon's hubris in claiming that "[The Beatles] are more popular than Jesus Christ."
Sir Paul ended the interview by proclaiming that, "In 25 years, vegetarian food will be the norm."
I only hope I'm still alive in 2043 to take issue with him on that flight of fantasy.
Editor's Note: The opinions in this commentary are those of Dan Murphy, a veteran journalist and commentator.


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Meshing it all together
I need to mesh 250 (2gig) servers and 130 (1gig) storage devices so that each server has any to any connectivity and full 2 gig throughput. I can create 2 logical 1 gig devices per storage device and use the 2 ports on the storage device together to provide 2 gig throughput. How do I mesh it all together?
There are few things about this question that need clarification. Does this mean any of the 250 servers can communicate with any of the 130 storage devises? I think that's what is being asked. Or does it also include server-to-server connections. There was also a question about trunking sessions over two links to achieve higher bandwidth.
First off, a single storage I/O connection today cannot be divided up over two separate links. It is essential that the order of I/Os be preserved for integrity purposes and there is no way to do that with 100% accuracy when two separate links are used. A single path will be chosen and there will be no deviation from it for the length of the session.
Second, if you are talking about 250 servers and 130 storage ports in a mesh, you would probably need 32 port switches. This is a pretty big mesh, and from my limited understanding of mesh topologies it is not something to be taken lightly.
Third, the number of storage devices appears to be too small to match the number of servers. Why 130 storage devices and 250 servers.
Fourth, if every server can access every storage device, does that mean that you want them to access the same data on the same volumes, or do you want them to access data on different volumes on storage? If the latter is true, do you need to create 250 partitions on each storage devices? This would be virtually impossible to manage. If you want them to share data on this storage, then you would likely go crazy trying to implement a lock manager across 250 servers. I don't know for sure, but it probably can't be done.
Maybe I missed something in your request, but I'd be afraid of taking on an impossible task.
Marc Farley
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/ 11.5.10 / 11 Comments / losing weight , Marvelous Mondays
This Week's Challenge: Healthy Eating is the Secret to Painless Dieting!
It seems like forever since I last got to actually visit bloggy land. I scheduled all the posts last Monday and have had rare and very short opportunities to do or say anything since then. As it is, I've got mail everywhere and a mess to unpack and put away before I can really spend some time catching up on everyone's posts and comments. Hopefully, I'll see you tonight!
The Secret to Painless Dieting!! I'm going to share with you today the post that I put up yesterday on my weight loss support blog (really it belongs to all our members) which I only started three weeks ago. I've lost nine pounds and changed my eating style...and now even my activity level, dramatically since then. But the biggest change started the Thursday before last.
See if this isn't challenge enough for anyone's week!!.....
I just had to tell you about an incredible change that has taken place for me since we started our weight loss group, "Gettin' Thin Together. three weeks ago. I have not ever had to go hungry or have felt any cravings of any kind!! I never knew that my battle was caused by the ups and down caused by my body craving bad sources of carbohydrates and the sugar and insulin rush that results. Except for the first day, I have not had to fight cravings any more. The only battle I fight now is the battle of the 'mind'--the mental desire for foods that don't help my body stay healthy but actually harm me. I never wanted to admit to myself that junk food hurts us, just like alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes. If I hadn't eaten tons of it in the past, I could probably 'indulge' now and then without it hurting me. But after years of junk, my body just can't handle it any more without knocking my body's systems out of whack.
I almost entitled this post...thing I didn't eat this last two weeks, but didn't mind! I had to eat healthy through Mother's Day dinner, Pizza night with friends, dinner at Saltgrass Steakhouse with hubby's boss, a four day speech and debate tournament, went to Chick-fil-A with friends, and attended a church potluck all in the space of a week and half. My daughter, who knows how much I have struggled with food and that I have never stuck out any kind of diet since she was old enough to remember, told me, "I keep pinching myself, thinking I'm going to wake up and Mom will be back to her old comfortable ways." She's so happy to finally have a partner in her efforts to stay thin and healthy! Together, we are going to help the whole family get on a better track before it is too late for the guys!
Here is what I didn't eat in the last week and a half...lasagna, ice cream bars, shakes, Starbucks' vanilla coffee in a bottle, sausage pizza, ice cream, cookies, deep dish brownies (warm), chili frito pie, chicken fried steak, and Chick-filet's famous chicken sandwich with fries, chicken quesadillas, fajitas with cheese and sourcream.....should I go on? I never, in my whole life, could have imagined being able to turn down these opportunities to treat myself. And I never thought I'd buy a bottle of water as long as I live, but I've done so three times now!
This is basically a list of all my favorite foods! It was as if the Lord was trying to show me, that nothing was going to derail me as long as I was willing to give these yummy things up for as long as it takes. I've not only lost three more pounds, but at least three inches in my stomach, the lumps on my hips are gone, my extra chin is gone--I'm losing weight everywhere!
I look fantastic compared to two weeks ago and feel so much energy that I'm always amazed that I can fall asleep at night! And I do sleep great...like a log! I could hardly believe that I NEVER got tired at our tournament like I normally do and I drove straight to Austin (from Houston) on Wed. and straight home afterward on Sunday without any tiredness. I even cooked Mother's day dinner because everyone else was too tired to help...but I felt fine. (Tim did cook the steaks though.:o)
My husband is so amazed about my energy that, as skinny as he is, he wants to follow my diet so he can have my energy. He just can't get over it! I'm quickly getting into old clothes too--thank goodness!. Five friends have started doing what I'm doing just to look and feel as I do right now. I haven't been able to wear this black and white blouse in a year or the capris either!
Now, before I tell you what I'm eating and not eating, I have to tell you that at 47 I have been on every diet imaginable and every one was either really strange and not good for my health, or very hard to stay on because I was always fighting the urge to eat something yummy. It was a constant battle not to 'cheat' and I was always hungry. For years, I weighed 125lb. (after losing from 185 after my second baby) but although I maintained that weight even through three more pregnancies (minus the normal gain of a pregnancy which I quickly lost), I was still miserable the whole time! Until seven years ago, I pretty much kept it under 140. It was worth 'starving' to stay thin but it was never easy. I never felt FREE of the battle between what I wanted to eat and what I ought to eat to maintain my weight. And I never felt good...but rather kind of tired or irritable.
I never knew why I started slowly gaining again unless it was simply that I grew tired of the battle and began giving in to the cravings even as my metabolism slowed down--kind of normal for 40 I guess. But it was so discouraging, because I hated getting bigger and not looking pretty any more. I also had no idea, at the time, that as I ate more junk food and processed foods, that they were the reason I started feeling less energetic and even scatter-brained. I thought it was just the normal results of middle age creeping up on me.
Am I the only one who has noticed that almost EVERYONE is overweight?? It wasn't so ten years ago, but it is now. Even teenagers and children are overweight! Well, although it was you guys who inspired me to try ONE LAST TIME....I was still getting absolutely no where. The old ways of losing weight were just not working or I just couldn't bear to try them again. I couldn't stand the thought of getting on our weight loss group's Linky List the third week and have to tell them that I lost nothing, but I was afraid that is what I was going to have to do. I guess the Lord knew that I was now desperate enough to try something I never had before--stop eating junk food regardless of how many calories it had or didn't have. I wanted diets that allowed me to keep indulging in sweets and salty snacks, processed foods, bread and cheese and diet coke and fake candy bars and especially fried foods. I felt like as long as I kept it under 1300 calories a day, that it didn't matter 'what' I ate.
but several inches in all the right places!! Mike Huckabee who lost over a hundred pounds, wrote a book that describes it in the most simple terms, Quit Digging Your Grave with a Knife and Fork. I read the book a year ago, but at the time...
The first day was the hardest! I was filled with cravings the first day, and couldn't think of anything to eat that wasn't on the 12 stops list. My nutritionist also told me that I needed to eat NO MILK, MILK PRODUCTS OR CHEESE right now due to my allergies. Was she out of her mind?! All I could think of was SO WHAT WAS LEFT TO EAT?
I had never wanted an apple, orange, or raw vege, and only included cooked veges because I ought to. The main part of the meal always had plenty of carbs and the most important part of the meal, was the carb part. Our normal dinner was casserole with pasta or main meat and potatos, pasta, or corn...a starch on the side. The vege was an 'extra'.Veges and fruit never made it to lunch very often and rarely at breakfast. Certainly my snacks were never healthy and special occasion meals were the worst of all!. It's amazing how many special occasions we have in our lives...or excuses to indulge.
But starting the Thursday before last, when several of my friends and I were discussing a yeast free diet that was helping several of them lose weight very easily while gaining energy, I have stopped eating all the things on the list!
Snacks should be smaller versions of meals with the same balance so that you don't get food cravings. You know you have eaten too much of one food group if you find yourself hungry before four hours or craving something or sleepy in the middle of the day.So what do I eat? The general rule is piece of meat the size of deck of cards, two fists of veges, and one fist of fruit and a mall quantity of good fat. (olive oil, coconut oil, real butter), PLUS 1/2 cup whole grain bread (homemade or health food store) oatmeal, or brown rice per day.
At home:
Breakfast (a good protein shake with greens plus (lots of vitaimins and fiber) or
(1/2 cup oatmeal if no brown rice in the evening)
Protein: Eggs and turkey bacon,
Small fat: butter or coconut oil
Vege: sliced tomatoes or sauteed spinach, or low salt V8 juice
Fruit: apple, orange, strawberries, pineapple or melon (no grapes or bananas--too much sugar)
Canned Tuna or Chicken, or natural (no nitrates added) lunch meat: turkey breast, ham, or roast beef
Salad with lots of fresh broccoli, tomatoes, cucumber, green onion, bell pepper (no carrots--insulin)
Fruit: same as above
Salad dressing: homemade mayo or salad dressing with no sugar or chemicals added
Lean meat of any kind except (No sausage or hot dogs)
Steamed veges with butter or olive oil (no potatoes, carrots, corn, peas, or starchy stuff)
1/2 cup brown rice (if no oatmeal in the morning)
Fruit salad or frozen fruit with a little Soy or Almond milk poured on top w/ stevia.
sauces like : Salsa, homemade spaghetti sauce, healthy sweet and sour sauce.
Snacks...any time I'm hungry....1/2 a fruit or vege and 1/4 cups nuts or couple slices avacado, and a slice of lunch meat (healthy)
Salsa and Bell Pepper slices, with avocado.
Drink water most of the day and before every meal. Also can have tea or coffee. Use lactose free milk sparingly. Lemon juice, water, and stevia for lemonade.
ON THE ROAD--Eating at SIX RESTAURANTS and Four Day Tournament/Convention...here's what I ate....
I bought a little cooler like Mike Huckabee does. I planned ahead of time what to eat at the tournament and restaurants. I brought my own little bottle of olive oil which I could sprinkle on any veges available. I also sprinkled the veges with lemon juice and salt and pepper. I didn't touch any salad dressings provided.
At Steak House
Steak or Grilled Chicken Breast
Veges or Salad on the Side
Water or tea with sweetner I brought myself
No cheese, or dessert, or bread
At the Buffet at tournament :
Meatballs or lunchmeat, fajita meat (when it was a casserole I ate tuna that I brought from home, straight from the can!)
Veges trays doctored up with lemon juice and olive oil. Ate raw sometimes before I got the olive oil.
Lots of fruit! Ate a lot that I brought myself.
Nuts on occasion.
Drank water and hot tea.
At Mexican Restaurant: Fajitas with bell pepper and onions without the tortilla. No cheese, rice, beans etc. Taco Salad with salsa on top. No dressing, taco shell, sour cream, or cheese., Fruit from home.
At Whataburger: Grilled chicken sandwich with no bun. Ate apple I had in the car.
At Wendy's: Side salad, and Hamburger with no dressings, cheese, or bun. They put it in a salad container. Fruit from home.
AT Chick Filet- Banana...ate the rest of my lunch at the tournament (canned tuna, fresh veges, nuts)
At Starbucks - Iced Caffe Latte with Soy Milk and my own stevia from home.
That's it and three pounds later my friends were shocked at my energy, enthusiasm, lack of sleepiness after 16-18 hours days judging... on the last day from 7:00am to 2:00am! Woke up at 10:00am the next morning feeling great. Drove all the way home and made Mother's day dinner and watched a movie with hubby. NO CRASH!! for the first time ever in three years of tournaments! I also lost most of my bulging stomach and my lumpy hips and double chin. It was amazing!
If you would like to feel ten years younger...try these 12 Stops. If you want to understand the nutritional theory behind this approach and why processed foods are making everyone, regardless of age and background, gain weight (and get some great recipes)...read Your Fat is Not Your Fault!
Read about it here:
11 comments:
- Caroline said...
You look marvelous in the first picture!! Congratulations. We are dairy, peanut and gluten free over here ... dairy and peanut due to significant allergies for my son, gluten for me (I also have autoimmune thyroid disease) -- allergies have been a blessing as they have made us so much more aware of what we are eating and made us make just about everything from scratch ... I will peruse your outline again - energy is an issue I could work on. Would love to have all day energy. And sleep - though much better than it was when my thyroid condition was undiagnosed it can sometimes be an issue .... Keep it up!
- Anna said...
Excellent! I too have been trying to eat healthier. I've been successful before, but gave up. My goal is to reduce the processed foods and boxed foods, "bad sugars", sodium, "bad fats", etc.
I try to have home cooked meals and more fruits and veggies. It's a slow process right now as I also have hubby and 2 teenagers to "convert" too. I've been averaging about a pound a week.
- Beautifully Veiled said...
- GlorV1 said...
Good for you Donna. I am basically moderating and also trying to cut back on processed foods. Keep it up, before long you will be back at 125. :D Take care.
- Geetha Srinivasan said...
Dear Donna,
I'm glad i read through this post today. When i was pregnant i was so conscious of what i eat, i even maintained a small journal to keep track of my protein intake everyday.
But nowadays i've been busy with the baby, i'm only able to make sure i get a balanced diet during lunch. My breakfast has been quite the same milk, cereal, fruit. My dinners have been really bad. I'm just lazy to fix a proper meal.
Now that i confessed about my bad dinner habits it does not mean i'm going to go change it overnight. But i'm telling myself that i'll start reviewing it alteast once a week. And i'm sure i'll get better at it because you know what there are times when i wake up in the middle of the night and go get myself a big glass of warm milk. As i'm still nursing Sripathi i sometimes feel guilty if i don't eat a balanced meal.
And now after i post this comment i'm going back into that kitchen to get that milk.
Good night and thanks for being there Donna.
BTW i liked ALL your pictures on the post and tell Rebekah she looks pretty in purple.
- Geetha
It looks like you have found the hidden secret! It's not about starving, eating cardboard-like foods or elf sized portions..it's about trying new foods, improving old recipes and thinking before you eat. I'm so proud of you!
- Shona Cole said...
great job Donna!
you know we have been carb free for a while now too, Mark has lost 25lb, and I am down 16lb, but more than that I am not falling asleep in the day and not having the ups and downs. I truly believe that carbs are BAD NEWS. I don't think I will even eat a potato again and sugar! no way. We are using SOuth Beach as the recipes are SO GOOD and the reason we often fell off good eating before is that we missed yummy food. Now we have options.
You know the Muchas and Frank Baumann have also lost a ton not eating carbs! perhaps the rest of our church will catch on, GCC buffet will never be the same!
so glad you are on this journey too.
- Laura said...
Dear Donna,
What an inspiration you are for mothers and wives everywhere. I especially like your honesty and simplicity. Thanks for being such a terrific role model...and keep up the good work!
Blessings to you and your family,
- Maria Killam said...
9 pounds, yaay! Donna you rock, and what a great long post to teach us how to have your results!!
- Trudy Callan said...
Donna, this is some good stuff you have written here is quite an accomplishment. The way you are now eating is the way I have been eating for years, overall. I have times of splurging. I may splurge at church or other places sometimes, not always, only because the majority of the time, especially at home, I eat well. I don't bring junk into my home, and I always have lots of fruits, veges and nuts for snacks. Our beverage of choice is water. We rarely drink juice, and we don't drink milk. I do drink, tea, though. Yumm! I hope you will change your menu plan you post on your blog to reflect your new way of eating so that we can all benefit. I love having plans laid out for me.
You are looking really great. I love the way you look in the photo of the floral skirt and white top.
- This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.


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UK Tourism To Reach "Record Levels" in 2018
UK Tourist Numbers 2017 & 2018 Estimates
2017 has been an epic year for UK tourist numbers. Every single year more and more visitors are looking to come to the United Kingdom and see what the British Isles have to offer. 2017 figures are impressive looking numbers given the current political climate. In addition, an official 2018 estimate has now been communicated.
Financially, spending by overseas visitors has changed compared to the previous year too. Many factors have influenced this. These factors have both been at national, and regional level.
So, how will the UK Tourism sector perform next year? Read on to find out more.
2017 Tourist Numbers for the UK
Numbers suggest the UK welcomed 39.9 million visitors in 2017. This is a sensational number despite growing uncertainty in the European community because of Brexit.
Brexit however, has been a double-edged sword for tourism in the United Kingdom in 2017. This is because it has been partially responsible for the weakening of the Pound Sterling.
A weak currency is actually a positive contributor to UK tourist numbers. This is because it makes the area more attractive to overseas visitors, who can get more Pounds for their local currency.
According to Visit Britain, visits to the North West of the country grew by 14% in the first two quarters of the year. The highest UK tourist numbers growth in the UK region equal to Scotland and the West Midlands.
It seems more and more people are choosing to visit other areas of the country like the North West, which includes fast-growing. diverse cities like Liverpool and Manchester.
These cities are currently experiencing exciting growth in their local economy. This is partly due to the large increase in startups and businesses in the creative and media sector in the region.
As a result, more money is becoming available for the leisure and tourism sector here. This creates a domino effect of an increased awareness of the area as a tourist destination, and in turn an increase in visitors.
Tourist spending in the North West region also grew by 40%, way more than any other UK region. Many new hotels and attractions have been built or upgraded in the area over recent years.
It seems like this, along with the weak Pound, is having a really positive effect on spending, adding £684 million to the local tourism economy there. In Scotland, spend was also up 35% to £956 million.
The USA, Germany and France are still the most popular guests to come to the United Kingdom on a yearly basis. Between the three countries, there was a combined spend of close to the £2 billion during this time. In terms of numbers, over one million people visited from each of these countries over the two quarters mentioned.
It seems that Germany, America and France love to holiday and visit Britain. It's also apparent from the figures that it is not just London getting all of the attention anymore too.
What is extraordinary though, is the growth in UK tourism numbers from China. In the first two quarters of the year; they increased 72%!
UK Tourist Numbers Forcast for 2018
So, after a great year in 2017 how does the next year look? Forecasting can be a difficult task. There is a huge uncertainty surrounding Britain at the moment. At the beginning of 2019, the country will leave the EU, and no clear terms are defined yet. As a result, this could still significantly change the outcome of this forecast.
Despite this. Visit Britain figures estimate that UK tourist numbers will exceed 40 million for the very first time in 2018. A new record! It is also estimated that spend by overseas visitors will increase 6.8% to nearly £27 billion next year. So, at a time when British tourists are uncertain about their passports and travel future, it seems the UK is still a strong destination.
The World has seen huge improvements in price and competition on travel packages over recent years. In addition to this, advancements in technology and data have made it much easier to find an adventure suited to our needs.
There is now a huge number of price comparison engines available to find and book the perfect holiday. This is not only a positive contributor to record UK tourist numbers, but a global benefit, making it easier for us all to experience the beautiful World.
Thinking about visiting the UK? Check out what Liverpool has to offer.


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Australia re-affirmed their status as the best side in the world with a crushing second Test victory over South Africa in Melbourne for an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
The Aussies wrapped up their latest win - despite a superb 99 from the tourists' all-rounder Jacques Kallis - with 40 minutes remaining on the fourth day, knocking off the ten runs they needed to win for the loss of only Justin Langer.
Langer made seven before mistiming a square drive to Claude Henderson off the bowling of Shaun Pollock.
The wicket proved academic, though, as man-of-the-match Matthew Hayden hit the winning runs with a crisp drive past mid-off.
Hayden had cracked 138 in Australia's first innings to become the highest-scoring Aussie in a calendar year of Test cricket.
Australia set up the victory by dismissing the Proteas for 219 in their second innings.
Only the admirable Kallis, who was eventually run out one short of what would have been a richly-deserved century, showed any real resistance as Shane Warne spearheaded an attack which looked as formidable as ever.
South Africa's second-innings problems began when both openers were dismissed by Brett Lee, while Boeta Dippenaar fell to a fantsatic Hayden catch at short leg.
Dippenaar drove a Warne delivery at pace but Hayden somehow clung on to it for a spectacular dismissal.
Then, Australia turned the screw, taking four wickets for just 61 runs in the middle session.
Australia v South Africa
MELBOURNE: South Africa 277. Australia 487.
SOUTH AFRICA - second innings
H H Gibbs c Gilchrist b Lee21
G Kirsten c Ponting b Lee10
H H Dippenaar c Hayden b Warne23
J H Kallis run out 99
N D McKenzie c Gilchrist b Warne12
L Klusener lbw b McGrath7
M V Boucher c M Waugh b Warne0
S M Pollock run out 18
C W Henderson c M Waugh b McGrath16
A A Donald b Bichel7
M Hayward not out 0
Extras b4 nb26
Total (75.1 overs)219
Fall: 1-24 2-37 3-74 4-107 5-120 6-121 7-157 8-192 9-215
Bowling: McGrath 21 6 43 2; Lee 18 5 52 2; Warne 24 3 68 3; Bichel 12.1 0 52 1.
AUSTRALIA - second innings
J L Langer c Henderson b Pollock7
M L Hayden not out 3
R T Ponting not out 0
Extras 0
Total 1 wkt (3 overs)10
Fall: 1-7
Bowling: Donald 2 0 4 0; Pollock 1 0 6 1.
Australia beat South Africa by 9 wkts


text:
- Sharp yet familiar looks
- Wonderfully comfortable ride
- Luxurious interior
- Abundant thrust
- Bespoke Audio could use some work
- There's no sneaking around in the Ghost, despite is silence
- There's still no value proposition--it's purely a luxury desire
Buying tip
features & specs
The 2015 Rolls-Royce Ghost is massively impressive in its comfort, quietness, and serene driving behavior, as well as one of the most luxurious vehicles available today.
The Rolls-Royce brand of 15 years ago wasn't the brand it is today. Through a careful strategy of vehicle launches, it has revived its once-lustrous image into something stronger than ever. The Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II continues that new tradition.
Updating the Ghost, or any Rolls-Royce, is a tricky matter: the need to add new features and update designs has to be balanced against the investment current owners have made in their cars. Nobody wants to have "last year's Rolls" in their garage. Fortunately, the folks at Rolls-Royce are very circumspect in their redesigns.
So circumspect, in fact, that it may be hard to notice the changes to the Ghost Series II at first. Visual cues are few and minor, though ultimately they add up to produce the desired effect: a newer, bolder look, while maintaining the core of the original.
Changes to the Ghost Series II exterior include a slightly revised front bumper, a new hood with a "wake channel" trailing back from the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, chrome inserts in the air inlets, new daytime running light surrounds for the LED headlights, and a redesign of the headlights themselves. Individually, each of these details is rather insignificant, but together, they bring a freshness to the face of the Ghost, as well as a wider, stronger frame to that face.
Under the hood, there are no changes to the Ghost for its Series II incarnation. The same 6.6-liter twin-turbocharged V-12 engine gently emanates the same 563 horsepower and 575 pound-feet of torque. In the Ghost's 5,445-pound frame (or 5,556-pound in extended-wheelbase form), that's still abundant power. Acceleration from 0-60 mph happens in just 4.8 seconds, a 0.2-second improvement from the last Ghost despite the same power output.
What is new with the drivetrain is the transmission, or rather, its programming. The eight-speed automatic now features Satellite Aided Transmission technology, allowing the Ghost Series II to predictively select gears based on the road's bends and rises. This smooths out the driving and yields an even more serene experience.
Behind the wheel, the Ghost is a satisfying car to drive. Press on the accelerator, and it glides forward—rapidly—without any seeming effort. Press on the brakes and its halts, again, rapidly if you desire, with a minimum of fuss. Turn the wheel, and you'll find slightly more feedback than in the previous Ghost thanks to a new steering configuration, and that steering wheel rim will be thicker for greater comfort. The ride quality, however, is were the Ghost truly shines.
Size, weight, and very large wheels coupled with fairly low-profile tires, are known enemies of good ride quality; it can be very difficult to tune a car to control such a combination of physics while also coddling the occupants. Rolls-Royce's engineers have figured out how.
The Ghost's large air struts, dynamic dampers, and rear-end kinematics have all be re-engineered for the Series II. The result is an incrementally, but noticeably, smoother, more settled ride. The handling has improved, too, though the physics of the Ghost's weight still rule supreme when it comes to nimbleness, or the lack thereof.
Inside the Ghost Series II, updates are equally subtle, with a slight refinishing of the clock in the dashboard and the instrument panel dials that evokes premium luxury watches; the rear seats have been slightly angled toward each other for easier conversation; and the front seats gain adjustable thigh supports. Decoratively, the Ghost also gets a new Spirit of Ecstasy inlay under the infotainment system's rotary controller, as well as extended leather upholstery options and a pair of new wood trims from the Bespoke program.
On the technology front, the Series II introduces a new WiFi hotspot to the Ghost, offering easy connectivity for any on-the-go data needs. Also new is a Bespoke Audio System, which Rolls-Royce bills as the "most exhaustively engineered and finest audio system in automotive history." That's a very proud claim, and unfortunately, in our limited time with the car thus far, it doesn't live up to the hype. Sound from the system proved to be tinny at high frequencies, muddy in the mid-range, and weak on bass—even after adjusting the settings in the infotainment system. With other luxury and ultra-luxury carmakers offering truly excellent—and unique to individual cars—sound systems from brands like Burmester, Bang & Olufsen, and Bowers & Wilkins, it's hard to recommend the in-house-developed Bespoke Audio System over the alternatives.
That one beef aside, our time with the 2015 Rolls-Royce Ghost proved that the conflicting goals of updating and redesigning the car, while preserving the investments of existing owners, has been not only met, but met brilliantly. The Ghost presents a compelling, luxurious package of features and capabilities, well-suited to its target audience: the younger half of the movers and shakers in the technology, financial, and business worlds. For those lucky, capable few, the Ghost Series II may be just what they're after.


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Blind & Curtain Install in North Richland Hills, Texas
Installing Blinds or Curtains in North Richland Hills, TX?
Since 1999, TC's Blinds & Tile Services has been installing curtains and blinds in North Richland Hills, Texas. They understand that curtains and blinds in your North Richland Hills home can transform a room as well as add privacy and strive to serve you quickly. They have the expertise and skills necessary to install your blinds or curtains to decorate your North Richland Hills home, including installing wall mount hardware and hanging curtains and blinds.
Call for Free Quote
(817) 381-0061
For the last 21 years, TC's Blinds & Tile Services's professionals have been providing North Richland Hills blind & curtain installation including:
- Replacement of existing wall coverings, including wall mount hardware, shower curtains, Venetian blinds, and shades
- Installation of motorized blinds, shades and draperies
- Installation of wall mount hardware
- Hanging curtains and blinds on installed hardware
Save Big! – Avoid high priced reseller installation costs. TC's Blinds & Tile Services can install your curtains or blinds in North Richland Hills TX at significant savings. For 21 years, TC's Blinds & Tile Services has been providing reasonably priced handyman services to homeowners in North Richland Hills neighborhoods. Call (817) 381-0061 to learn more about TC's Blinds & Tile Services's North Richland Hills curtain & blind installation service.
Call for FREE Blind & Curtain Install Quote
(817) 381-0061
★★★★★ - "This was our first time to use TC's and we are very satisfied. We needed grab bars in the small shower in the master bath. The man asked several questions. We had not anticipated some of them but are very pleased. He left the area very clean!"
Don Hays in Arlington, TX2019-04-11
★★★★★ - "Needed a shower update (from a 1999 build) and Tye did a fantastic job.
He did a great job keeping the bathroom as tidy as possible while doing the job."
Amy in Burleson, TX2019-01-22
★★★★★ - "Tye is the best! His talent for his craft and his creativity far exceeded our expectations. Also, he is super reliable and trustworthy. My husband and I will definitely use Tye again and highly recommend him to anyone looking for an experienced professional."
Jill in Fort Worth, TX2018-09-18
★★★★★ - "Tye is a consummate professional who took my unfinished kitchen and turned it into a showpiece! His superb skills, professionalism, and courtesy made it a joy to work with him. "
Faith R. in NRH,TX2014-01-24
★★★★★ - "We found Tye Callaway through a close friend at work who recently had her bathroom remodeled. Tye's attention to detail is unsurpassed and he listened to my wife's concerns and made great recommendations. We are thrilled with the quality of work we received and he treated our home as if it were his own. We will definitely use Tye for our next project and recommend him to anyone doing remodeling. Tye is very professional, courteous and honest and best of all a great value for the price."
Dennis S. in Southlake, TX2013-04-15
★★★★★ - "Hi Tye! I wanted to thank you for doing such a wonderful job on the tile in my shower. It looks perfect! If you ever need me to talk to anyone about your work I will certainly be happy to do that! Thank you again. Have a great day!"
Lisa C. in Grapevine, TX2013-04-15
★★★★★ - "This is commend TC's Blinds & Tile Services for a residential remodeling project that covered a master bath, another full bathroom and a third bathroom. Mr Callaway provided superior service and performed high quality work with minimal disruption to our home lifestyles. Additionally, he was punctual, cleaned up every day and courteous. We plan to engage him on additional projects. I highly recommend your consideration of TC's Blinds & Tile Services. Feel free to contact me through Mr. Callaway for additional information."
Steve D., Bathroom Remodeling in Coppell, TX2012-10-05
★★★★★ - "I think TC's services is both friendly and professional. They were quick on installing our shades and gave good advice. They immediately called after I submitted request and were ready to discuss the problem and schedule an appointment. They arrived on time the day of the appointment, completed the repairs on-site and checked other shades to see if adjustments were needed. I would definitely call TC's services first if I needed any additional assistance."
Anna, Window Blind Service in Euless, TX2012-10-05
★★★★★ - "Our house in Old East Dallas is almost 100 years old and Tye's tile work completely transformed a sunken conversation pit. Excellent craftsmanship, attention to detail, clean and rapid finish-out and honest. Highest recommendation possible and will use him on all future tile projects."
Chuck and Pat S., Home Improvement in Dallas, TX2012-10-05
★★★★★ - "We would like to thank you for the excellent job you did on the renovation of our bathroom in our new house, we appreciate the time you spent with us explaining the different options we had on what kind of tile and design we could have. We are planning another project for another bathroom and would like to have you do this one also, as time comes closer, we have given your cards to several friends who have inquired about the great job and hope this will help grow your business. Thank you again and look forward to working with you in the future."
Terry and Janis G., Bathroom Remodeling in Haltom City, TX2012-10-05
★★★★★ - "Tye did a great job on the solar screens he put up for us. He takes a lot of pride in his work. great job Tye!!!!"
Martha R., Solar Screen Installation in Grand Prairie, TX2012-10-05
★★★★★ - "I am so thankful for the services provided by TC's Blinds and Tile Services! Tye was patient, flexible, and willing to listen to my ideas and questions - which were many! He walked my husband and I through the process of renovating our entire bathroom. My husband and I were often times on the opposite side of the spectrum in which our next step should be, however, Tye was able to walk us through to a place where both us were satisfied. Tye is meticulous in his work. You know up front what will be his cost - and regardless of the time it takes, he sticks with his word. He is trustworthy and needs no babysitting. I am so appreciative of his work ethic, his attitude, his integrity, and his willingness to listen to the homeowner and their ideas. He is welcome in my home any time, and will be the go to person for any future renovations in my home. Also, he advertises himself as tile and blinds, but I truly believe there isn't anything he can't do! Feel free to call me if you have any questions regarding this recommendation. My recommendation is without reservation and I will be happy to share our experience."
Deb & Al C., Bathroom Remodeling in Watauga, TX2012-10-05
★★★★★ - "This past winter a pipe burst in the ceiling of our patio. The amount of water damage required the whole ceiling to be replaced. After nightmare situations with other contractors in the past, TC's is a breath of fresh air. Talented, knowledgeable, dependable and fair. I have never seen anyone care about perfection like TC's. It's nice to be able to turn your back and know that your job will get done. I would like to add that when the job was finished, my ceiling looked better than it did when the house was new. YES, I will hire TC's Blinds & Tile Services again." Deanna S., Outside Ceiling Repair in Frisco, TX"
Anonymous in Frisco, TX2012-10-05


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What's Hot Today
The boys, girls, groups and overs are headed to Hollywood. //feedproxy.google.com/~r/thr/television/~3/-Zrq94dINnc/story01.htm
Our Top 16 is set on season 3 of The X Factor . Over the past couple weeks as the field was narrowed down, there was much drama, a whole lot of mediocre singers, and of course some gems that stood out above all the rest. Looking back on the Four-Chair Challenge and the singers who made it to the live shows, here are my rankings of the 10 best performances: //www.buddytv.com/articles/the-x-factor/videos-the-x-factor-four-chair-51495.aspx
After 218 acts made it through the auditions of The X Factor season 3, the judges trimmed the field down to 40 acts, 10 in each category, to move on to the Four-Chair Challenge. Then the field was trimmed down to the Top 16, four in each category. Read More... //www.buddytv.com/slideshows/meet-the-top-16-acts-of-the-x-factor-season-3-48363.aspx
It was a tough road to the X Factor 2013 Top 4 Groups finalist circle, but no matter how united they seemed on their paths, the truth is that they can't all make it onto Live Shows. Who had a roxxy, er, rocky road and whose journey has been a little bit more of a wild ride? Well, some groups fell off into the canyon, and we were left in suspense just waiting to see who would get to continue on the glamourous journey? These four groups will be on our mind for a while, while the rest didn't... //feeds.wetpaint.com/~r/wetpaint/latest/excerpt/~3/dzgtBClTQ6Q/2013-10-10-top-4-groups-live-shows
There's nothing toxic about Alex & Sierra. The dynamic duo performed the Britney Spears's pop classic for their X Factor audition and despite the song's poison-laced lyrics, Alex and Sierra's natural ease around one another completely won over the judges. "You're really in love, aren't you?" judge Simon Cowell said during their introduction. "You all are really cute," Kelly Rowland chimed in. Really cute and really talented. The pair, who are both 22 and have been dating for two years,... //feeds.wetpaint.com/~r/wetpaint/latest/excerpt/~3/DiRk4BVcXUM/2013-10-10-alex-and-sierra-exclusive-interview
A handful of X Factor contestants capture our hearts strings every season, and few tugged tighter than 16-year-old Carlos Guevara. His soulful rendition of John Mayer's "Gravity" impressed us, and we couldn't believe such a mature voice came from someone who is still in high school. But while singing seems to come easy for Carlos, he's had a relatively difficult journey so far. Diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and obsessive compulsive disorder at the age of 12, Carlos suffered few symptoms... //feeds.wetpaint.com/~r/wetpaint/latest/excerpt/~3/1qRwpxr5kso/2013-10-09-who-is-contestant-carlos-guevara
The X Factor's latest elimination stage, "The Four Chair Challenge," has contestants on the edge of their seats (literally). Will they or will they stay safe for another round and make it through to the Top 16? //feeds.wetpaint.com/~r/wetpaint/latest/excerpt/~3/bQSW0h2MHvc/2013-10-09-tim-olstad-saved-from-elimination
The pressure is on! Just eight spots remain in the X Factor 2013 Top 16, with Demi Lovato's girls team and Kelly Rowland's Over 25s team complete. This week Paulina Rubio and Simon Cowell get the hot seat as the mentors for the Boys and Groups teams, respectively. Like Demi and Kelly before them, Paulina and Simon must each cut six acts who will advance to the live rounds. Paulina's top 10 boys include 14-year-old Josh Levi, 16-year-old Carlos Guevara, and 24-year-old Carlito Olivero, while... //feeds.wetpaint.com/~r/wetpaint/latest/excerpt/~3/z45KlhsmkWE/2013-10-09-watch-four-chair-challenge-performances
From almost the moment X Factor 2013 contestant Carlito Olivero walked onto the audition stage and performed "Stay" by Rihanna, he had the judges singing his praises. "I actually like everything about you," Simon Cowell said of the 24-year-old. "I like your voice. I like your charisma. I think you're really good." Born and raised in Chicago, Carlito packed his bags and moved to Los Angeles in 2010 to chase his dreams of stardom. When not working the early shift at a coffee shop, where he's... //feeds.wetpaint.com/~r/wetpaint/latest/excerpt/~3/aSoKqrRoB4k/2013-10-09-carlito-olivero-x-factor-contestant
When we last left "The X Factor's" four-chair challenge, the Over 25s chosen by Kelly Rowland were Jeff Gutt, Rachel Potter, James Kenney and Lillie McCloud. The girls chosen by Demi Lovato were Khaya Cohen, Danielle Geimer, Rion Paige and Ellona Santiago.Tonight, Paulina Rubio actually cut a few people before her chairs were full, which is nice to see. Demi and Kelly were being too soft on their categories. The boys who advanced with Rubio are Carlos Guevara, Tim Olstad, Carlito Olivero and Josh Levi. We thought she actually made four great choices, we didn't have a quibble with any of them. With Simon Cowell and the groups, we only got through the first five groups -- Girls United, Wild Thingz, Glamour and Restless Road. All four of them were put into seats, which was very anticlimactic. Tune in tomorrow night to find out which final four groups Cowell ends up with for "The X... //blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/10/x-factor-4-chair-challenge-paulina-rubio-is-not-messing-around.html
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Shin Hye will appear in the October issue of Ceci Magazine!
The theme for this photo shoot is I Love My Pet and in this shoot, Shin Hye is a kitty girl.
Check it out!
Credits: Thanks to our friends at DC Galleries!
Shin Hye will appear in the October issue of Ceci Magazine!
nice, she's really beautiful.. whatever pose she made. or whatever clothes she wear..ReplyDelete
Match so well with the cat !!! LOVE the first picture the most !!! <3
noona...^^ these pictures are so nice on me, hopefully it will be real in my dreams night by night then, heuheh... <3
anw, noona, how r u o.?? mixx ur performance @ ur new film, huhehe...^^
sarang hae yo... <3
Shin Hye is so pretty !! :DReplyDelete
gorgeous! so cute and adorable that's why a favorite in magazines and cfs.ReplyDelete


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Northport's $14M budget exceeds 2% tax cap
Northport Village has approved a budget for next year that has no layoffs or service cuts, but pierces the state's 2 percent tax-levy cap.
Mayor George Doll said it was the hardest budget he has ever done, primarily because of ever-growing mandated costs such as pensions and health insurance.
"This is a great village and there are things I would like to add . . . [and] I can't do it," Doll said after the board unanimously approved the budget Tuesday.
Next year's approved budget is $14,110,779 -- a 4.24 percent increase from this year. The 2013-14 budget includes a 4.46 percent increase in the tax levy and a 4.97 percent hike in the property tax rate, Deputy Mayor Henry Tobin said.
This equates to an additional $49.70 for every $1,000 a resident paid in taxes in the current fiscal year, he said.
The village's effective tax levy cap is about 2.28 percent, or $233,267. Mandates alone for next year cost a total of $410,418, officials said.
Tobin said next year's budget contains no salary raises, except police contract obligations. But he said the overall cost of police salaries is declining because of retirees and new hires starting at a lower pay grade.
He also said the village has put off repairs and purchasing new equipment and hasn't kept some seasonal jobs, such as workers to tend parks. Some costs from superstorm Sandy, such as accrued employee compensatory time, are in the new budget, but officials expect the majority will be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, he said.
He said the goal when devising the budget was "to maintain services, meet obligations and to keep taxes as low as possible."
The village did that, he said, "[but] it hurts that we have to raise taxes at all."
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At Walden & Schuster, S.C., we will help you move through the divorce process, get out of your marriages and set you on the path to a better future.
During a divorce, many important decisions must be made. These decisions have the power to affect not only your personal relationships, but also your finances.
Located in Waukesha, Wisconsin, our attorneys help individuals throughout Southeastern Wisconsin leave their marriages in the most financially secure manner possible.
At Walden & Schuster, S.C., we involve our clients in the decision-making process. Our lawyers explain all of the available legal solutions to our clients. Once clients understand how each strategy will affect their family today and in the future, we can work together to develop a legal response that provides them, and their family, with the best outcome possible.
Knowledgeable Property Division Attorneys
During a divorce, marital property must be divided. Deciding who gets what can often be contentious.
At Walden & Schuster, S.C. we don't let anger and hurt dictate our legal strategies. Instead, we approach our clients' divorces with cool heads and rational minds to ensure our clients' don't make decisions in the heat of the moment without considering the long-term effects those decisions will have on their lives and their finances.
We thoroughly investigate our client's and his or her spouse's finances, property holdings and investments. Once we have identified and valued all of the marital property, we develop a property division plan that ensures our client leaves his or her marriage with the property and money he or she deserves.
Contact Experienced Divorce Attorneys
The division of assets is an important step in the divorce process. Don't leave your marriage with less than you are entitled to. Contact the Waukesha divorce attorneys at Walden & Schuster, S.C. Call our office today at 262-955-8330 for a free consultation. Together, we will get you out of your marriage with the assets you need for future financial stability.


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HSBC to pay customers £4m over 'unreasonable' debt collection practices
HSBC has agreed to stump up £4 million to pay back customers subjected to "unreasonable" debt collection practices following a regulatory probe.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said on Friday that the bank has voluntarily agreed to set up a redress scheme for customers who were left out of pocket after paying unreasonable debt collection charges imposed by HFC Bank Ltd (HFC) and John Lewis Financial Services Limited (JLFS), both part of HSBC.
The regulator said that, between 2003 and 2009, customers of HFC and JLFS who fell into arrears were referred to the firms' nominated solicitors.
However, on referral, the solicitors added 16.4% of the balance to the account as a "debt collection charge". This was deemed unreasonable by the Office of Fair Trading in 2010 as it did not reflect the actual costs of collecting the debt.
Approximately 6,700 customers, the majority belonging to HFC, paid the additional charge prior to 2010 and are potentially entitled to redress.
The FCA also identified certain customers where HFC had miscalculated the interest payable on their loan.
HSBC has identified around 350 customer accounts which were affected by this particular error and has committed to repay the overcharged interest back to them.
In total, HSBC will fork out £4 million in redress and, for each group of customers, the lender will also pay 8% interest per year.
The FCA added that HSBC will proactively contact all affected customers with offers of redress.
A HSBC spokesman said: "This is a historical issue, dating back to the period between 2003 and 2009.
"We have revisited the debt collection charge and as a result a small number of HFC and John Lewis Financial Services Limited customers may be due a refund. We will be directly contacting these customers shortly."


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In several places in the Gemara (Yevamos 64b, Bechoros 44b) it is stated that holding back urine for an extended period can cause a man to become infertile. In the latter place the Gemara gives a rationale for this: "there are two holes in a man, one producing urine and the other, semen; they are separated by only the thickness of a garlic peel... if one is perforated into the other, he will become infertile."
How can this be understood according to present-day urological knowledge? I suppose that urine might indeed kill spermatozoa, but is there indeed any medically known condition in which material might leak from one set of ducts into the other?


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Magic: The Gathering Archenemy
|June 18th, 2010
|Four 60-card decks, each coming with 20 oversized Scheme cards
|Kenneth Nagle (lead), Kelly Digges, Dave Guskin, Mons Johnson
|Tom LaPille (lead), Scott Larabee, Lee Sharpe, Andy Smith, Mike Turian
Archenemy is a variant of Magic: The Gathering with an emphasis on one vs. many multiplayer games. The set utilizes new oversized Scheme cards. Four game packs were released on June 18th, 2010: Assemble the Doomsday Machine, Bring About the Undead Apocalypse, Scorch the World with Dragonfire, Trample Civilization Underfoot. The cards within each preconstructed deck have all been reprinted from various Magic sets, with the exception of one card per deck, that is a new card from Magic 2011. All of the cards are black bordered and tournament legal in their original formats.
Archenemy is a multiplayer format where one player is selected to be the "archenemy", and the rest of the players play against them. Players start normally at 20 life, but the archenemy starts at 40 life, plays first, and draws a card on their first turn. In addition to their normal library of Magic cards, the archenemy starts with a shuffled deck of at least 20 scheme cards where there are no more than 2 copies of any individual scheme card. Right before the beginning of the archenemy's first main phase, the archenemy draws the top card of their scheme deck and resolves the card, puts it on the bottom of the scheme deck, and then proceeds with their turn normally. The archenemy's opponents share their turn steps (i.e. they occur at the same time) but do not share cards, life totals, mana pools or any other resource, similar to Two-Headed Giant. The archenemy wins by defeating each of their opponents by the normal means, but their opponents all win if they are defeated.
There are currently 65 schemes, with 5 additional promotional schemes ("Perhaps You've Met My Cohort", "Plots That Span Centuries", "Your Inescapable Doom", "Imprison This Insolent Wretch" and "Drench the Soil in Their Blood") released, with the possibility of more being added in the future similarly to the manner in which Planechase has been supported. Some schemes are "Ongoing Schemes" and remain in play until a certain condition is met such as a creature entering a graveyard (e.g. "My Undead Horde Awakens"). Other schemes allow an archenemy to target an opponent (e.g. "Behold the Power of Destruction"), and some of those give the target opponent the option of being the sole player disadvantaged by that scheme or to have every opponent be targeted by a lesser disadvantage (e.g. "May Civilization Collapse").