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Becoming a successful blogger is all about building credibility. Credibility is the quality of being convincing or believable. In order for your readers to trust you as a blogger, your site needs to come across like you know what you are doing and that you've got this blogging thing down (even if in reality you're still trying to figure it all out…ha!). In order to look credible, there are 5 blog investments worth making that will absolutely add to the value and credibility of your blog. Let's take a look at what they are:
Whether you realize it or not, your domain will impact the success of your blog. If you've set up a free blog on WordPress.com or Blogger, simply losing the worpdress.com or blogspot.com extension on your url will add so much credibility to your blog (see links at end of this section for tutorials on how to accomplish this). GoDaddy is a great place to search for and purchase a domain. Although harder to find these days, try your best to use a dot-com domain as they come off as more credible. If the dot-com extension isn't available, you can also get away with a dot-net extension or dot-org (if you are non-profit), but try to keep away from all the other extensions as they tend to diminish credibility.
Most domains are inexpensive to purchase—however, don't be surprised if it costs a little money to secure the golden dot-com domain. Some domains, especially good ones, may cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The designerblogs.com domain, for example, was a several hundred dollar investment when I purchased it 9+ years ago. I remember how scared I was to drop that much money into the purchase of a domain, but it has proven to be one of the best investments I could have made.
Lastly, make sure your domain is simple and something that can be easily remembered. Nobody will ever remember your url if it is too long. Using strong keywords in your url is a great way to get an easy boost in your SEO, but only use keywords if they make sense and fit your brand. Using a completely original name for your blog and url is also a great way to go (Google, Uber & Yahoo are great examples of this). Your domain is a representation of your blog and brand, so don't be afraid to invest a little time and money to secure the perfect one.
How to Use a Custom Domain on Blogger
How to Step Up a WordPress Blog
Getting a hosting plan (a.k.a. moving to self-hosted WordPress.org) is one of the best investments you can make because it allows for unlimited growth. Free blogging platforms like Blogger and WordPress.com are great, but very limited when it comes to design, customization, and potential for growth. If you are a serious blogger, self-hosted WordPress.org is where you need to be.
I know it might seem a little overwhelming to move to self-hosted WordPress especially if you've been blogging on Blogger or WordPress.com for a long time, but hey, that's what Designer Blogs is here for! Hire us and we'll transfer all of your content and help you make the move as seamless as possible. As with any new thing, there is always a bit of a learning curve, but once you settle into self-hosted WordPress you'll love it and be so glad you made the switch.
The tutorial linked below will walk you through the steps of purchasing a hosting plan (we highly recommend Bluehost) and installing WordPress. From there, if you need help transferring all of your content, contact us and we'd love to help you!
How to Purchase a Hosting Plan and Install WordPress
You only get one chance to make a great first impression with your blog, so make it a memorable one for your visitors with an impressive blog design. Yes, content is key, but if someone finds one of your blog posts on Pinterest and then clicks over to your blog to read the full article and your blog design is unprofessionally slopped together, it's going to detract from your content instead of enhancing it like a good blog design should.
Think of it this way: The content of your blog is like a cake, but the cake isn't going to look that appetizing if the icing on the cake is a disaster. Your blog design is the gorgeous icing that entices your visitors to want to delve more deeply into your content.
Having a great blog design shows you are committed to your blog and adds to your credibility as a blogger. Readers are going to make more of an effort to visit and re-visit your blog when they see effort is being invested into it. Having a stunning blog design will also positively increase your blog traffic because people are more likely to link to, share, and pin blog designs they find impressive.
Investing in a blog design doesn't have to be expensive. Here at Designer Blogs we have a huge selection of very affordable (& not to mention gorgeous) blog templates for Blogger & WordPress that start as low as $15. Or you can invest in a more semi-custom premade theme, which include our most popular add-on items and installation for $75. If you want to really impress your readers, you can opt for a 100% unique, fully custom blog design or website design where you'll work closely with a designer to create your dream look. We have design options available for every budget. Check out each of our shops below for more info:
Blog templates
Premade Blog Themes
Custom Blog Design
Custom Website Design
Photography has become one of the most important skills bloggers need to learn in order to create a successful blog. Think of the most popular blogs you follow. What do they all have in common? Great photography! Social media networks like Pinterest and Instagram are so visually driven that if you aren't using great photos, you're going to be missing out on the loads of traffic those sites could be driving to your blog. The better your blog images, the more likely those images will be shared across social media networks which will directly increase your traffic and the profitability of your blog. Here are three tips that will help take your blog images to the next level:
Purchase a good camera and learn how to use it
Most photographer's and bloggers swear by their DSLR cameras, but that may not be what you need. Think about what you plan to do with your camera. Do your research. Start out with a camera you feel you can handle. Many photographers say that you shouldn't buy an expensive camera until you grow out of the camera you have. You can always upgrade your camera and lenses as your skills develop. Take a photography class so you can learn how to use your camera to its fullest potential. A few great photography classes are listed below.
Nicole's Classes Photo 101
Tasty Food Photography eBook
Take advantage of styled stock photos
If you struggle in the photography department or simply lack the time to do constant photo shoots, take advantage of the thousands of professional stock photos available to you online. You can find a list of free stock photo sites here or you can find styled stock photos for purchase at the links listed below. With so many great resources available, there really is no excuse not to be using high-quality photos on your blog.
Creative Market
The Styled Stock Library
Learn how to use a photo editing program
Learning how to edit and add text to your photos is an important part of creating a great blog packed with pinnable images. Although I use and highly recommend Photoshop, there are other less expensive and even free options available to you. A few great photo editing programs for you to try are:
It's impossible to build a successful blog without investing in knowledge. Things in the blogging world are constantly changing, so even bloggers who think they've mastered everything still have much to learn! If you don't have a lot of money in the beginning, start by searching for blog tutorials and tips by knowledgeable and experienced bloggers. We have a whole slew of blog tutorials and blogging tips you can start with that will share the basics to growing a successful blog.
Even though there are endless amounts of free information available to you, to really take your blog to the next level may require you to spend a little money on a good eBook, webinar, eCourse, and/or attending a good blog conference (I've linked to an exceptional one below). Yes, most of these, especially attending a blog conference, may require you to drop quite a bit of money, but the amount of knowledge and inspiration you'll walk away with will far outweigh the costs. Blogging conferences give you the opportunity to learn from the best. They also provide you great networking opportunities with sponsors and fellow bloggers. All of these are great investments and will leave you empowered and motivated to really take your blog to the next level.
Be sure, however, that you implement what you learn as you go. Some people get so caught up in learning, learning, learning that they overwhelm themselves with knowledge and end up not knowing where to start. Learn a little, then implement. Learn a little more, then implement. Implementing knowledge all along your blogging journey is the key to growth and success!
What other blog investments have you found to be worth making? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.


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Short Story Contest
Have you written a story all Albertans should read?
Send it to us! You could win $1,000
and have your writing published in Alberta Views.
Deadline to enter is July 2, 2019.
Congratulations to our 2019 winner, Rona Altrows!
Details for the 2020 short story contest will be posted in spring of 2020.
2019 Contest Rules
1. The contest is open to all current or former residents of Alberta except employees of Alberta Views.
2. The fee for entering one piece of fiction is $30. There is no limit to the number of stories you can enter as long as each is accompanied with an entry fee.
3. Each entry fee includes a one-year (10 issues) subscription to Alberta Views. If you subscribe, each entry fee will extend your subscription for another year. Alternatively, entrants may gift their subscription; please include name and mailing address of gift recipient on your cover letter.
4. Stories must be no longer than 3000 words.
5. Entries sent by mail must be accompanied by a single cover page that includes the following: Your name, complete mailing address, telephone number, and email address, the title of all your entries and the word count of each entry.
6. All entries in this contest will be judged anonymously, on merit alone. The author's name must not appear anywhere on the pages of the story.
7. Entries must be typed, double-spaced, on 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper. Please use Times New Roman, 12pt font. Please do not send originals.
8. Entries must not be previously published. Should an entry be accepted for publication elsewhere after the contest deadline but before the winning entry has been announced, the author must notify Alberta Views immediately.
9. The judge's decision is final. One winner will receive a prize of $1,000, and at the discretion of the publisher, the winning entry will be published in an upcoming issue and edited for consistency with Alberta Views's house style (font, spacing, etc.).
10. The deadline to enter submissions is July 2, 2019.
To enter online:
To pay your fee: Click here to pay online, mail a cheque or call us to pay over the phone.
To enter via mail: Print your entries and your cover letter, then mail them, along with your payment.
We must receive both entries and payment before the deadline in order for entries to be eligible.
Contact info:
Alberta Views 2019 Short Story Contest
208–320 23 Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2S 0J2
Toll free: 1877 212 5334
Email: email@example.com
Q: Do I get feedback about my story? A: Story evaluations will not be offered.
Q:Does the story have to be about Alberta? A: You must be a current or former resident of Alberta; the story itself does not have to be about Alberta.
Q: Should I include the title of my story in the word count? A: No, your word count should not include the title of your story.

subset: commoncrawl


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I hope you had a great time ringing in the new year. We sure did. My husband and I decided to keep out celebration to just the two of us (and our dogs) this year. I really wanted to go to the snow, but it just wasn't possible for us this year. However, I had a great time staying here and I might venture to say it was my favorite NYE to date. We got dressed up and walked down to our favorite sushi joint where we treated ourselves to all of our favorite sushi and rolls, plus a couple of new things. Then, we walked home and made these amazing desserts, inspired by those seen on Oprah this week:
We soaked some strawberries and blueberries in champagne for an hour or so. Then, we layered said champagne-soaked berries with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. It was DE-licious. So good. I want to soak all my fruit in champagne.
I though I wasn't going to make it until midnight as I was really full and sleepy, but I managed to stay awake until 12:30! Go me! It was a great New Years Eve and I'm so happy I got to share it with my amazing husband.
The next morning I got breakfast in bed (I told you my husband was amazing) and watched the Rose Parade on HGTV. Did I mention they're coming in two very short weeks?? Well they are. Last week I went to the gym six days in a row. New Years Day was my one day off and today I was back in the gym. I haven't really been dieting, but I promise I'm going to start that tomorrow. I'm thinking low carb, but also low fat. We'll see if I can handle it. I'm not so good at dieting…
My husband went to a hockey game with a friend last night, so I went over to my parents' for dinner. They bought live crab and it totally freaked me out!
I was very disturbed with how much they were wiggling around and couldn't watch as they put them in the pot of boiling water. I didn't have a problem eating them, though…
For dessert, we re-created the layered champagne berry delights, but added some sparklers!
I plan on having this same dessert as often as possible.
With just two weeks until filming, I have a whole lotta stuff to get done. I'll post a list of everything I need to do and update as I check stuff off.
How was your NYE and NYD? Do you have a quiet celebration or a big loud crazy one?


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Posts Tagged 'wedding dress'
Wedding Planning
Posted January 5, 2011on:
I'm taking off a day from work today with 2 of my daughters to go to Manhattan to find material for Blima's wedding. She wants the color purple for all the family and I'm happy to report if you don't already know that purple is a hot color this season. I think I'm too old to actually wear all purple (I'll feel like a huge grape) but a shade of it will work for me. I usually provide dresses for all the grandgirls and I'm happy to report that was already taken care of! We are now trying to decide if all the guys should wear purple ties (or socks— just joking) or just buttoneers. They seem to be balking at the buttoneers, but I'll just threaten them a little more. 😉
Chanukah Extravaganza
Posted December 9, 2010on:
- In: Musings
- 3 Comments
We recently had our annual Hanukah party and it certainly was easier for me this year. No one let me do anything, no cooking, no preparing, no clean up! That's the way to do it. All my kids that live in NY and NJ came with their kids and we had a very full house. I am now broke again because I give each one of my grandchildren $8 and there are more and more of them every year, thank G-d.
Mazal Tov!! For all of you that know my daughter, Blima [and for those of you who don't, too bad on you], she got engaged Wed. night. He went the whole hog and hired a violinist and asked her on one knee. She is very happy and plans to get married in early March. That just means that the mother, moi, has to start getting busy making her gown because I've made them for all my other daughters and she wants one, too. Dumb me.
My Daughter's Chupa Quilt
Posted May 24, 2009on:
- In: Pictures
- 6 Comments
Here is the picture of the quilt I created for my daughter's Chupa. It was part of the "ceiling" of the Chupa.
- In: Pictures
- 4 Comments
The wedding finally came and passed (more on that another time). Below is a picture of my daughter in the wedding dress I made! Yay!
My Life Updated
Posted May 7, 2009on:
We've been very busy with alot of happy occasions in the past month. my daughter-in-law had a boy, her third. my daughter had her first baby, a boy. For us that meant 2 circumcisions. one was in Lakewood NJ and one in Cleveland Ohio. we also had Passover which is always a well attended affair in my house. My son in highland park made a bar mitzvah for his second son and that was a weekend affair. My daughter came in from Argentina and we are happily busy with her. Tomorrow night we are having an affair for redeeming the first born. on may 13 my daughter is getting married. Oh what fun!!!! But exhausting.
Daughter's Wedding Project: Chupa
Posted May 3, 2009on:
- In: Musings
- 2 Comments
If given the choice between sewing [even with a deadline, my daughters dress] or quilting, there is'nt much of a toss up. But since I have to justify quilting instead of sewing, I got involved into making a chupa for her. A chupa is a covering that jewish brides and grooms have over their heads during the ceremony. I wanted to try the Ricky Tims kaleidescope. It came out beautiful! I gave it to our longarm quilter to finish and now its full-time on the bridal gown!
I've been working on my daughters dress. The train, which is the focal point of the gown, is finished but now I have to figure out how to attach it to the skirt. I have some organza flowers from the train that I think I will use; pictures to come. I used one pattern for the bodice and another for the sleeves and they are not going together that great, so that's the project for tonight.


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One of the most beautiful gardens that we visited during our travel in the Loire Valley in October. The gardens of the castle of Chenonceau. 3 main garden, Catherine de Medici's garden at the right side, Diane de Poitiers' garden at the left side and the vegetables garden back. In the vegetables garden, the vegetables are combined with flowers; there are more flowers than vegetables.
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Slots for fun only
1) Yes, there are faster frameworks out there. The fastest ones I've found are GO or JAVA based (Netty, Revel, Undertow, etc) but it depends on the task and your architecture.
2) Yes but only if you really never want to index any fields in your datasets other than the IDs for searching, joining, aggregate queries, etc. It starts off a great idea for a limited feature set but once you need to dig into the relational aspect of the data, you realize it's all denormalized and not designed to scale. It ENTIRELY depends on your data model.
3) We don't use PHP. Our APIs do not require inlining code and HTML, we're all JSON based (with some exceptions for our Poker product, which is also raw socket connection based)
4) Our entire infrastructure is on AWS/EC2. I do recommend it, especially considering they slashed their prices BIGTIME starting in April. However, if you are planning on using a service like Flox, AWS/EC2 may not be necessary.
6) I've evaluated Flox and it is great for 99% of games. However we built our backend systems before PaaS guys like Flox even existed, so we are too late to the party to easily convert over to them. However, for indies, it's hands down the best way to go. I love Gamua to death, so i would definitely recommend Flox for the simplicity of their APIs and documentation. Last I checked they don't have Push Notifications but once they do, it'll be an extremely great choice.
As your game grows, you'll be faced with architectural regrets. Things like doing email campaigns, analytics, push notifications, segmentation and AB testing of game tuning data.. there's a LOT that goes into it once you reach a certain level, and a lot of times a PaaS service doesn't offer all the features your business needs to grow. It's just something to keep in mind.
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Recently, I settled a multi-party, multi-action motor vehicle accident claim at the third pre-trial, which occurred on the eve of trial.
At the second pre-trial, some months earlier, the court had ordered a "hot tub" involving the four liability engineers.
Rule 20.05(2)(k) of the Rules of Civil Procedure provides that, where a summary judgment has been refused, or granted only in part, the court may give directions, including that any experts meet, on a without prejudice basis, to identify the issues on which the experts agree and disagree, to attempt to clarify and resolve any issues and to prepare a joint statement, setting out the areas of agreement and disagreement and the reasons for it. The court may order such a meeting if, in the opinion of the court, the benefits that may be achieved are proportionate to the amounts involved or the importance of the issues involved in the case and there is a reasonable prospect for agreement upon some or all of the issues or the rationale for opposing expert opinions is unknown and clarification would assist.
By virtue of Rule 50.07, if a proceeding is not settled at a pre-trial, the presiding judge may make such order, as the judge considers advisable with respect to the conduct of the proceeding, including a meeting of the type just described of experts.
Pre-trial judges are now ordering (or suggesting) these meetings or "hot tubs" on a more frequent basis. My experience involved engineers but it could easily have involved damages experts in another setting. In particular, often times, there are huge differences between future care cost experts and that could, as well, be the subject matter of one of these meetings.
With this background, I offer the following comments.
These meetings are only to be ordered when they make sense on the basis of proportionality. The fact is that such meetings are expensive as, in the case that I was involved in, the four experts met for the entire day and subsequent exchanges between them occurred before they were able to issue a joint statement. Clients involved in smaller claims may not wish to go down this road and counsel should be prepared to voice that concern when the pre-trial judge raises the idea of a "hot tub."
The issue of expense is, of course, increased if counsel are to be involved in the meeting. In our case, counsel allowed the engineers to meet alone, although things may have occurred differently with different experts.
As mentioned, these meetings, and the product of these meetings, are without prejudice. However, the reality here is that agreements achieved, or gaps in opinions that are identified, will have real world results. An expert who has agreed to a point in a "hot tub" setting as being correct is unlikely to take a different position when in the witness box.
In every case, counsel should meet and brief their expert as they would for trial.
As you can appreciate, the skill set required of an expert for this task may be different than the skill set required to review evidence and prepare an opinion, present that opinion at trial and be subject to cross-examination. In a "hot tub" setting, the expert will require not only a grasp of the underlying substance but, as well, a strong personality, people skills and even negotiation skills. Not every expert will be well suited to this process.
In my recent experience, certain gaps in the opinions of the opposing engineers were identified during this process. I feared that the "hot tubbing" process would simply allow the opposing experts to back-fill their opinions to somehow fill those gaps by delivering supplementary opinions. That occurred to some extent but, in the end, I believe that the gaps identified during this process allowed the claims to settle. So it was worthwhile.
Choosing an expert is an important task in the life of a lawsuit. Not every expert is a professional witness. Now counsel should bear in mind that their expert, whether a liability expert or a damages expert, may be required to participate in a meeting of experts following the pre-trial and before trial. The skill set required to succeed in that arena should be considered when experts are being retained.
Counsel, with their client's input, should be prepared, at the pretrial, to address the issue of whether a hot tub makes economic sense in their particular case if the pretrial judge raises the question.


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Tuesday, 19 May 2015
The Vegan Kind Subscription Box - May 2015 #TVK19
May is a good month for subscription boxes. Not only does my monthly Vegan Kind box arrive, but so does my Vegan Kind beauty box which comes each quarter (you can read more about the last TVK Beauty Box in my post here and a full review of the latest box is coming soon.)
Posted by emily at 08:00 No comments
Saturday, 16 May 2015
Tea on the... Wear?! A visit to the Good Apple Cafe in Sunderland
On Wednesday I took a day off work to take Andrew to have some minor surgery (don't worry - he's fine!) Afterwards we headed to Sunderland for a spot of lunch and I couldn't resist snapping this pic at the Good Apple Cafe - let's be honest, I need this tea light in my house.
Posted by emily at 16:06 No comments
Saturday, 2 May 2015
Vegan Tuck Box Subscription Box*
Honestly when subscription box time rolls around it feels like vegan Christmas in our house. So when the lovely people at the Vegan Tuck Box asked me if I wanted to give one of their subscription boxes a try it was a total no-brainer.
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© Tea on the Tyne | Vegan and Cruelty Free in the North East | All rights reserved.


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BEIJING (AP) — China is not building an environmental monitoring station on a disputed South China Sea shoal, the foreign ministry said Wednesday, apparently denying remarks made by a local official last week.
The Philippines, which also claims the shoal, had sought a clarification from Beijing.
Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said reports about the facility on Scarborough Shoal had been checked and were found to be false.
"That does not exist at all," Hua told reporters at a regularly scheduled news briefing.
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The official Hainan Daily newspaper had quoted the top official in Sansha City, which administers China's island claims, as saying that preparatory work on the station was among the government's top priorities for 2017.
Such a move would likely renew concerns among Beijing's neighbors over its assertive territorial claims in the sea. Calls to Sansha government offices rang unanswered Wednesday.
Beijing seized tiny, uninhabited Scarborough in 2012 after a tense standoff with Philippine vessels. Manila said Wednesday it had asked for a clarification of the earlier remarks by Shansha Communist Party head Xiao Jie.
Acting Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo told Filipino reporters in the Thai capital, Bangkok, where President Rodrigo Duterte is visiting, that his department asked for clarification of the reported planned construction on Scarborough Shoal.
"I think the president has been very clear — we want to have a peaceful, diplomatic settlement of disputes but we will not fail to protect our national interests if necessary," Manalo said.
Asked if a diplomatic protest would be filed, he said Manila will wait for China's reply.
But Manalo said he considered it a good sign that China was interested in concluding a framework for a "code of conduct" with 10 Southeast Asian nations that aims to peacefully manage disputes in the South China Sea. He said there could be progress on the framework when China hosts a meeting in May.
China's construction and land reclamation work in the South China Sea have drawn strong criticism from the U.S. and others, who accuse Beijing of further militarizing the region and altering geography to bolster its claims. China says the seven man-made islands in the disputed Spratly group, which it has equipped with airstrips and military installations, are mainly for civilian purposes and to boost safety for fishing and maritime trade.
Prior to the announcement, South China Sea tensions had eased somewhat after Beijing erupted in fury last year following an international arbitration tribunal ruling on a case filed by the Philippines. The verdict invalidated China's sweeping territorial claims and determined that China had violated the rights of Filipinos to fish at Scarborough Shoal.
China has since allowed Filipino fishermen to return to the shoal following Duterte's calls for closer ties between the countries, but it does not recognize the tribunal's ruling as valid.
In her remarks, Hua reiterated Beijing's desire for good relations with the Philippines, a U.S. treaty partner that has been drawing closer to China since Duterte's inauguration last year.
China will "cherish the good momentum of the bilateral relationship and will be committed to pushing forward the sound, steady and rapid growth of the relationship," Hua said.
Scarborough has no proper land mass and any structure on it would likely have to be built on stilts. Known in Chinese as Huangyan Island, it lies about 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of the main Philippine island of Luzon, and about 600 kilometers (370 miles) southeast of China.
China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei have long contested ownership of the South China Sea, which straddles one of the world's busiest sea lanes and is believed to sit atop vast deposits of oil and gas.
Associated Press writer Teresa Cerojano in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report.


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In this message, we will show you the enemy is attempting to silence the voice of the Holy Spirit in the Church today by convincing ministers of the Gospel to
Ricky Scaparo is the pastor and founder of the International Ministry End Time Headlines. This ministry was launched in 2010 and has exploded attracting hundreds of thousands of followers and subscribers via the website (endtimeheadlines.org) and social media streams. Ricky provides resources to equip believers and to inform the discerning of the signs and seasons in which we are in. His mission is to inform his readers and viewers of prophetic events and how they are unfolding before our very eyes through news and headlines presented from a prophetic perspective in light of the Holy Bible.


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Ever since the end of May on nights when it is warm and wet, the rainforest pulses with what seems to be a continual din of cricket song.
The songster is a short-winged field cricket, Cephalogryllus species.
This is a pretty large cricket, measuring about 25 mm in length. They seem to be quite common but localised to some extent with small aggregations here and there.
They are subterranean. Males sing from the burrow entrances after dark on nights when the humidity and temperature is to their liking. It seems that they are silent when the temperature drops to 14C. The short wings serve only to produce the song. They are too short for flight.
You can hear a recording of this species at:
Although the loud sounds coming from these crickets reminds one of a continuous calling tree cricket (Oecanthinae), the individual calls are just long trills followed by a pause. But they are not co-ordinated so the result to the ear is a continuous trill. They are highly ventriloquial and individuals are very difficult to pinpoint. Once this is successful, it is often a bit embarrassing that the calling male was so close and yet apparently "invisible".
The crickets use their heads to move soil to the surface when they are excavating, hence the origin of the generic name. I have not properly dug the burrows to reveal their structure. This is a tedious task as the burrows meander through a labyrinth of roots and stones. The few that I have dug produce only males. Several had last instar male nymphs.
The biology of these neat insects is still poorly known. They re said to drag dead leaves into their burrows. I have never seen an individual abroad at night. Baiting with an oatmeal trail has resulted in only a few cockroaches and beetles but none of these crickets. One would assume that the reason for the males' calling is to attract females. This would seem to necessitate females moving about on the surface of the ground but as noted above, females have not been found. I have checked the oatmeal at several times during the night.
Cephalogryllus crickets seem to be very common and widespread. Similar loud calls are heard each night in the rainforest across the street from the Cairns Botanical Gardens and in the forest near the Gondwanaland section
Otte, D. Alexander, R. D. 1983. The Australian Crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae). Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Monograph 22Pp. 1-477.
Friday, 15 August 2014
Constant Cacophany
Posted by Mr. Smiley at 16:59:00
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A feasibility study is an appraisal of a business proposal designed to determine the difficulty in carrying out a designated task. Developing a feasibility study template will make your feasibility study look professional and save your time.
Before the company decide to do investment in a joint venture or a project, it usually initiate a feasible research studying the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats etc. a good feasibility study should provide a background of the business or project, description of the product or service, accounting statements, details of the operations and management, marketing research and policies, financial data, legal requirements and tax obligations.
Feasibility study different aspects of business or project operations. feasibility study usually conduct the cost/benefit analysis, the procedure is to determine the benefits and savings that are expected from a project and compare them with costs. If benefits outweigh costs, then the decision is made to design and implement the system. An entrepreneur must accurately weigh the cost versus benefits before taking an action.
Operation and time are another important factor to consider in the analysis. Operational feasibility is a measure of how well a proposed system solves the problems, and takes advantage of the opportunities identified during scope definition and how it satisfies the requirements identified in the requirements analysis phase of system development. A project will fail if it takes too long to be completed before it is useful. Typically this means estimating how long the system will take to develop, and if it can be completed in a given time period using some methods like payback period.
Before you begin designing your own personalized feasibility template, you need to know the purpose of your feasibility study. Feasibility studies address things like where and how the business will operate. They provide in-depth details about the business to determine if and how it can succeed, and serve as a valuable tool for developing a winning business plan. The information you gather and present in your feasibility study will help you develop your strategies to convince a bank or investor that your business is worth considering as an investment
During the course of building your feasibility study template, there are some guidelines you need to consider
Feasibility Study Template Scope: the scope part is used to define the business problem and/or opportunity to be addressed. The scope should be definitive and to the point;
Feasibility Study Template Analysis: the part is used to define and understand the current method of implementation, such as a system, a product, etc. the strengths and weaknesses of the current approach are identified.
Feasibility study template Requirements and solution section - how requirements are defined depends on the object of the project's attention. and the recommended solution or course of action to satisfy the requirements.
Feasibility study template evaluation and review part: this part examines the cost effectiveness of the approach selected. This begins with an analysis of the estimated total cost of the project. In addition to the recommended solution, other alternatives are estimated in order to offer an economic comparison.
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Posts With Category: 'Colon Cancer'
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
March 9th, 2018
Time to get your REAR in GEAR! Who gets colon cancer? Colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) affects both men and women, as well as people in all racial and ethnic groups. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the US Nearly 137,000 Americans are diagnosed with colon cancer each […]Read More
Colon Cancer Risk In African Americans
African Americans have the highest rates of colon cancer among all ethnic groups in the United States. There are many factors which contribute to these statistics. Environmental factors, differences in tumor biology and access to screening have all been sited as possible causes. The American College of Gastroenterology and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy […]
March 18th, 2015Read More


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I don't know what the most popular clubs are, but Greek Life is pretty big here - about 25% of the campus is Greek. If you're looking at the people who actually go out and have a social life, the percentage is probably larger. I am in a sorority (Chi Omega) and it has really helped me expand my social circle and world here at Penn. I've met people that I never would have otherwise and I love all the events we have with frats, the downtown parties we throw, and the bonding I get to do with my sisters. I'd say the majority of freshmen leave their doors open - I know we did. And even after that, when I lived in an on-campus apartment sophomore year, our door was always open. Athletic events are marginally popular - "big" games (such as Princeton, the Big 5, etc) are always packed, but only football and basketball actually draw fans. The people who go get really into it, though. Penn usually gets some great guest speakers, so those almost always sell out. We've had Bill and Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberh, Peyton Manning, etc. The dating scene at Penn is so bipolar. Either you're casually hooking up with someone (or lots of someones) or you're in a serious relationship - there's no middle ground. This annoys me because I'm not looking for anything super serious but guys won't do the "dating" thing. I met my closest friends on my hall freshman year, which I think is pretty standard. I've met more through my sorority though, and added people through those people. On a Tuesday at 2 am, I'm definitely at Blarney (one of our campus bars) playing Quizzo (a bar game that goes on every Tuesday). The game would just be ending and people would be starting to head home. The bar always gets packed and it's so much fun -if you win, you get a $75 bar tab! Spring FLing is the biggest event of the year - basically a weeklong drunk fest. THe school puts on a carnival in the Quad (a freshman dorm area) with moonbounces, dunk tanks, etc and everyone just drinks themselves silly for a week. There's also a concert - my freshman year was O.A.R. and last year was Ben Folds and Third Eye Blind. Other traditions are Hey Day (where juniors march through campus and seniors throw stuff at them to "initiate" them into senior year - this happens on the last day of classes) and Senior Week (the week in between when finals end and graduation where each day seniors have a differnt event to do). I would say people party a lot. There tends to be something going on almost every night of the week. Tuesday is Quizzo at Blarney, Wednesday is Sink or Swim at Smokes, Thursday is either Smokes/Blarney or a downtown club event, Friday is more chill just hanging out at a frat or with your friends, and Saturday is big frat party night. Greek Life is important for those who are in it, but it's not the end of your social life if you're not. I'd say it's more important for a guy to be in a frat than for a girl to be in a sorority. Last weekend I went downtown for a date party my sorority had, and again the next night for a party thrown by a frat on campus; I also hosted a Beer Olympics at my house. On a Saturday night you can go see a movie, hang out with friends, go out to dinner at the amazing restaurants in Philly...
A few popular groups are Mask and Wig, the Excelano Project, International Affairs Association, and the Penn Democrats. Mask and Wig is a all-male performing arts group that is highly talented and selective. The members must be proficient in singing, comedy, dancing, and writing sketches, and they mount a completely original production every year and tour the country performing it over Spring Break. The Excelano Project is a spoken word/poetry group that is open to participants and proves perennially popular. The International Affairs Association is the equivalent of Model UN, and is the biggest group on campus. The Penn Democrats is another large organization that is dedicated to politics from a democratic perspective. The members volunteer, hold events, and bring speakers to campus, and currently are a key part of the youth reelection campaign for the President. Depending on the dorm, people will leave doors open and be very neighborly. The Quad dormitory and Hill dormitory are best for that atmosphere, as the three high-rise dorms offer more amenities but a diminished social aspect. Many upperclassman live off-campus, and situations there vary widely. Most people make lasting friendships from their dorms and New Student Orientation, but many are also formed during traditions like Homecoming. Athletic events are not hugely popular, but big events like games against Princeton will attract more of a crowd. For most students, the highlight of the Penn social scene is the April Spring Fling festival that takes place right before final exams. A full weekend event with a concert and carnival, Spring Fling is the biggest party on the East Coast and offers entertainment from fried Oreos to bouncy castles. The party (and hook-up) scene is strong at Penn, but not everyone chooses to partake. Frats host parties very often during the year, enough so it is rare that NO parties (near campus or downtown in clubs) are slated for a particular day. The Greeks are the biggest throwers of parties, but not the only ones. You are always able to find something to do, whether it is going to a friend's performance, a muscial in central Philly, a frat party, or a movie with friends.
The most popular organization would have to be the Undergraduate Assembly. A group that I am involved with is the Society for Pre-Law Students of Color. We are hosting a conference next week (see tinyurl.com/RPAC2012 for more details). Students do not leave dorms open, typically. There are horror stories of thefts and no one wants to risk something being stolen. In smaller dorms, however, the culture may be a little different depending on the level of trust among hall mates. There is really good security everywhere as well. Athletic events are pretty popular, and there are a select few games that are promoted heavily, with free tickets given out on Locust Walk. Guest speakers come all the time, and shows presenting comedians and other artists are regularly planned as well. The dating scene is what you make of it. There are plenty of fish in the sea. I met my closest friends during my first year and continue to make friends now. when you live with a person you really get to know them. If I am awake at 2 AM on a Tuesday I am probably doing work that I procrastinated on. As with any college, people party all the time, but the majority of parties happen on the weekends. Fraternities and sororities are not that important. Only about 30% of the students here go greek, so don't feel any pressure to do so. Last weekend, I spent time with my girlfriend and went to North Philly to eat at an authentic Puerto Rican restaurant. You can do so much on a Saturday night that doesn't involve drinking: you can go to the Rave theater on 40th and Walnut, go out to dinner or bowling in Center City, or plan a trip to Penn's Landing to catch some fireworks. There is a lot of exploring to do. I live off campus so I have become a member of the greater Philadelphia community.
One popular student group is SPEC, which brings celebrities to Penn. Every year, they have famous speakers come in (recently, James Franco, Bill Cosby, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt). They also organize Spring Fling, which is one massive party for a whole weekend in April. There's a carnival in the Quad with music and food, and then there's a concert one night with people like Flo Rida, Akon, and Kid Cudi. People from all over come to Penn during that weekend. But Penn has a large umbrella of student groups on campus, and you'll most likely be able to find one that suits your interests. And if not, it's really easy to start one of your own. I started a group called the UPenn China Care Club, which raises money for orphans in China with medical disabilities, and also provides a mentorship program for children in Philadelphia who have been adopted from China. It was easy to register the club, and easy to recruit students! The social life at Penn is known to be relatively better than at other Ivies, because it has lots of nearby bars and clubs, making it easy to find something to do on weekend nights. And getting downtown is not hard either. Philadelphia has a ton of great restaurants, and going to BYOs is definitely a popular activity among Penn students. I don't think there's really a drinking stereotype, because you can find students at both ends of the spectrum. There are some who never drink, and some who are at a bar more days of the week than they aren't. It all depends on your preferences. Unfortunately, athletic events aren't too popular because the sports teams aren't that great, but football games are fun to go to nonetheless. It's also pretty easy to get involved with the club/intramural sports teams.
Most popular - Sororities, Fraternities, Penn Dems, Wharton Women, Mask and Wig The F-Word is a feminist literary magazine that publishes an issue each semester. We are a venue to spread the feminist voices of Penn men and women. Campus Crusade for Christ is a nondenominational Christian community. We hold Bible studies and large group meetings every week. Students in the Quad and Hill leave their doors open. Not in the high rises. Basketball games are pretty popular. Guest speakers are popular depending on who it is. Penn kids don't date. They hook-up. I met my closest friends through my religious community and from my freshman hall. 2am on Tuesday - I'm cramming to do my homework for Wednesday. Traditions: Spring Fling, Skimmer, Hey Day, New Student Orientation, Amy Gutmann's Halloween Party people party thursday-saturday on Saturday night you can go downtown for dinner, see a play or the Philadelphia Orchestra, go to a student performance, hang out with friends, study, etc I go downtown all the time. Go to art exhibits, shop at Trader Joe's, shop on Walnut Street, wander around Rittenhouse Square, run along the Skuykill River, etc
Athletic events are not very popular. Guest speakers are very popular - from political (Clinton) to feminist (Angela Davis). I met my closest friends freshman year - I lived in Hill House, a dorm where everyone bonds very easily because of its small rooms, and because everyone leaves their doors open. The dating scene is awful! Most people just have random hook-ups, and if you do end up dating someone, it' probably the case that they've dated someone you know. The penn traditions are one of the best things about Penn, from Spring Fling, to FebClub, to Hey Day. THe Greek scene is a little too strong on campus for my liking. Now that I'm a senior I go out a lot more on weeknights, but as an underclassman I would go to the library. I also cook with friends often as a sober activity. We try to go downtown to restaurants and bars twice a month.
There is so much to do at Penn! You'll find yourself having to skip one event for another and wish there were more hours in a day! If Greek life is your scene, there is a frat for every type of person. There is a great cafe featuring local and popular music as well as occasional political speakers, and if you venture into the Center City you can find anything. In my dorm, everyone props their doors open when they want company or goes out into the study lounge to have big group study sessions. The dorm staff sponsors cookie nights and tv dinner parties to get the dormmates together. Buildings on campus with regular events include the Women's Center, the Writer's House, the LGBT center, the student union, and each college house individually. Also, many sports and clubs have social gatherings to foster a sense of community.
Students in dorms leave their doors open for the most part (or at least they did when I was a freshman). The freshmen dorms (particularly the Quad) are great. There is an instant community and they put on tons of activities. There are hundreds of organizations at Penn. In terms of Greek organizations, there is a presence but it is not overbearing. I am in a sorority but most of my closest friends aren't. There is lots to do outside of the Greek system. The social and dating scene here is not my favorite. Penn is renowned for its population of rather unattractive guys. Most college students don't seem to want to 'tie themselves down' though so the lack of a good dating scene may not be a problem. 2am Tuesday I am definitely last-minute writing that essay that's due Wednesday.
There are many opportunities to get involved here in ANYTHING. You can do it all, from professional dance troupes to cultural organizations and anything in between. In fact, you can easily start your own movement or club. Also valuable is the freedom to speak up. Our student newspaper is widely read and is not proctored by any university professor or relation. Protests abound, and you can feel safe that there is someone here with your beliefs. Social life here is pretty good. Eventually you will get sick of the drinking and frat parties. But then you have Philly to explore, which alone is a valuable resource. You also have stores, clubs, bars, movie theaters, right off campus that are easy to get to. However, public transportation isn't always the greatest.
There are so many groups on campus. It's overwhelming how many options a person has. I've been involved a lot with the Latino community on campus. La Casa Latina is a cultural center for the Latino kids on campus. It's great because it creates a sense of community and introduces us to one another. Through La Casa, I joined the Mentorship Pathways Program which paired me with a senior English major. We went to several programs about resumes, maximizing study times, bowling, and a play. It was great. I also joined the Penn Latin and Ballroom Dance team. I had so much fun on the team. I learned Cha-cha, Rumba, Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Samba, and others. It was a lot of fun. I plan on joining Onda Latina in the future. It's a dance team that performs as a show.


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On Friday 28th November, we celebrated St Andrew's Day (a little early) with our now traditional SMART day. The children chose 3 smart skills they would like to develop and spent the day focusing on activities relating to that way of being smart. The children were encouraged to show resilience, celebrate success and appreciate that everyone is smart at something. Mrs Riordan said it best when she said our children really shine on days like these particularly our older children. The patience, encouragement and support they gave the younger ones was the living embodiment of what St Mary's children are about.
A group of parents kindly donated their time to talk to groups of children about their job and the skills that they use. We thank them greatly for this time and feel the children were given a wide range of experiences.
The St Andrew's children spent the day exploring a range of saints including making a saints alphabet. Addison and Nathan from St Andrew's team went to the cathedral to an exhibition about St Teresa of Avilia.
In these photos, you can see children being smart in different ways: number, music, 2d/3d, practical, word, nature, body, self and people.
News >


text: Hello Flightradar community, I've been tracking some aircrafts of LH since I'm a flight simulator enthusiast and have the FSLABS A320 with some LH paints and fly according to where the real aircrafts fly. In this case I noticed the D-AIPZ based in EDDF and the D-AIPC based in EDDM never returned from there last destinations a few days ago. Any idea why could this happen? The PZ last flight was registered to Malta and since then it made no other flight it didn't even returned to EDDF. Same for the PC it didnt return to EDDM from EFHK and hasnt flown since then.


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"Watchmen" is set in an alternate 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the "Doomsday Clock" - which charts the USA's tension with the Soviet Union - is permanently set at five minutes to midnight. When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the washed up but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion - a ragtag group of retired superheroes, only one of whom has true powers - Rorschach glimpses a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future. Their mission is to watch over humanity... but who is watching the Watchmen?"
Release date: 2009
Genre: Action, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Duration: 2h 42min
Director: Zack Snyder
Actors: Jackie Earle Haley, Patrick Wilson, Carla Gugino, Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Matt Frewer


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Information for Students from Bangladesh
At QMU we have a long tradition of welcoming students from all over the world. Around 25% of Queen Margaret University students are international coming from over 90 countries throughout the world.
Find out more specific information to help you plan your studies at QMU.
Entry Requirements
For undergraduate courses:
We welcome applications from Bangladeshi students holding a good Higher Secondary Certificate plus an acceptable foundation or bridging programme. Students with a Bachelor of Arts/Science/Commerce (Pass) will also be considered for direct entry onto our undergraduate programmes.
For postgraduate courses:
We will consider applications from students holding a good four-year Bachelors degree from a recognised university. Students with a Masters of Arts/Science/ Commerce or Engineering may also be eligible.
English Language Requirements
You should hold a recent English language qualification in order to be considered for study at Queen Margaret University. For details of the tests and scores we accept, please click here.
Scholarships, Fees and Funding
QMU Scholarships:
The University is pleased to offer a number of competitive scholarships of up to £5,000 each for new international students undertaking their first year of study on an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. The scholarship is granted as a reduction of the tuition fee and is available to students who are self-funding with an international tuition fee of more than £9,000 for a single year of study only. Applications can be made by students who have received an offer of a place of study at the University.
Santander Scholarships:
Queen Margaret University is pleased to announce that a limited number of Santander Scholarships will be available to international students, up to the value of £5,000. Applications can be made by students who have received an offer of a place of study at the University. Please note that if you have already applied for a QMU Scholarship, we will also consider you for a Santander Scholarship and vice versa - there is no need to re-apply or to apply for both.
Further information on scholarships, fees and funding can be found here.
Please note that if you wish to apply for a scholarship award, you are strongly advised to apply for a place on the course of your choice as early as possible, as we will only consider applications from those holding an offer for a place of study. For other information on funding sources, please visit: http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning-funding-your-studies.htm.
Local Representatives
We do not currently work with any representatives in Bangladesh. For assistance in making application, please contact the International Office directly or contact your local British Council office.
British Council
The British Council have a numbers of centres around Bangladesh. To find your nearest centre, please click here.
UK Based Bangladesh Representatives
Your country in the UK
High Commission for Bangladesh
28 Queen's Gate
E: email@example.com
W: www.bhclondon.org.uk
Visit Days
Details of all planned overseas visits by QMU representatives can be found here.


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How to Win Your Unpaid Overtime Case
If you are an hourly employee, then you must be paid at a higher rate for overtime. In most cases, you are entitled to one and one-half times your regular rate of pay for overtime work. Some union contracts provide for an even higher rate.
For most employees, overtime begins after 40 hours in a single workweek. The rules are a little different for those who work in hospitals, nursing homes, and as domestic helpers, but the concept is the same. Once you hit the overtime threshold, your employer must pay the overtime rate.
Some employers try to get around the overtime rules by having employees work "off-the-clock" or at home after regular working hours. This is illegal. It does not matter where you work or if you punch in and out. If you are doing work that your employer requires you to perform, then you are entitled to be compensated for it, even if you do the work from home or without clocking in and out.
Other employers try to get around the overtime rules by mis-classifying employees as "exempt." You are not "exempt" from the overtime rules just because you receive a salary or are given the title of "manager." Your right to overtime depends on the type of work you do, not what your employer calls you or how you are paid. "Exempt" employees are limited to certain types of executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, or computer employees. If you do not fall in one of the "exempt" categories, then you are entitled to overtime compensation.
If you believe that you are entitled to overtime pay, you should consult with an experienced overtime lawyer. The consultation is free and, if you have a strong case, you will be represented on a contingency fee basis. In other words, you will not owe any attorneys' fees unless you win.
You should give your lawyer any documents you have to support your claim. The documents may include time sheets, pay stubs and other payroll records, any employment agreements, emails or correspondence between you and your employer, and employee manuals, policies and procedures. If you do not have official time records, you should keep track of the hours you work in a diary or calendar. You should also make a list of any witnesses and any co-workers who may have similar claims.
Your lawyer will prepare a complaint against your employer for violations of the federal and state overtime laws and request an award of money damages. If you win, you may be entitled to two times the amount of overtime pay the employer owes to you. Plus, your employer may be ordered to pay your attorneys' fees and costs.
To schedule a consultation with an experienced overtime lawyer, call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728.
When faced with sexual harassment in the workplace, you should take the following steps:
Object to the Harassment: Tell the harasser to stop. Tell them clearly and firmly that their conduct is not welcome and must end immediately. Do not leave any doubt in their mind that you want them to stop. Harassment is a form of bullying. Workplace bullies act brave when they think you are weak, but they often go away if you stand up to them.
Report the Incident: Tell your supervisor and the human resources department what happened. You should use your company's formal reporting process if they have one. If not, then report the incident in writing or by email. Be specific about what was said, who said it, when, and where. Keep a copy of your report.
Get Some Moral Support: Sexual harassment can cause severe stress no matter how strong you are. It is especially stressful if the harasser is a supervisor or a friend of a supervisor. Do not go through this alone. Talk to a close friend or family member about what happened and how it is affecting you. Having a trusted confidant will reduce stress and help you make better decisions.
Keep a Record: Keep a log of any ongoing sexual harassment. Write down dates, times, what was said or done, and who was involved. Keep this log separate from any personal journal or diary. In New York, you may use your smart phone to secretly record what the harasser says to you. That can be powerful evidence. (But you must be present when the recording is done. You cannot leave your smart phone in a room to record conversations when you are not present.)
Gather Your Work Product: Make sure you keep copies of your accomplishments at work. Keep copies of your work product, performance reviews, commendations, awards and anything else that shows you are a good, valued employee.
Do Not Quit: Quitting your job will make it very difficult, and sometimes impossible, to bring a claim against the harasser and the company. Before you quit, talk to an experienced employment lawyer. Your lawyer may be able to intervene and get the employer to stop the harassment.
Consult an Experienced Employment Lawyer: Getting advice from a lawyer early in the process is the best way to stop the harassment and, if necessary, build a strong case for damages. A good, legitimate employment lawyer will give you a free consultation. If you need to bring a lawsuit and have a strong case, your lawyer will take the case on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will not pay any legal fees unless you win.
Do Not Delay: You must act promptly for two reasons. First, acting immediately helps build your credibility. Second, there are strict time limits for filing a claim under New York City, New York State, and federal laws. Failing to act promptly may result in the loss of your claims.
To schedule a free and confidential consultation with an experienced sexual harassment lawyer, call John Howley, Esq. directly at (212) 601-2728.
Prepare Yourself for a Successful Lawsuit
Fighting back against sexual harassment requires more than evidence and a good lawyer. You need to be mentally and emotionally prepared to stand up for your rights. Here are some tips to get started.
Confide in a Close Friend. Tell someone close to you what is happening at work. Simply telling a sympathetic listener will relieve some stress. You will be empowered by the knowledge that you are not alone, no matter what is happening at work.
A trusted friend can help you make wise decisions. You should not make important decisions such as starting a lawsuit when your judgment may be clouded by anger, stress or fear. Having the support of a close friend or family member can help you reach a state of mental and emotional confidence.
Your confidant may also become an important witness if you decide to pursue legal action. He or she may be able to corroborate your timeline of events, the emotional impact the harassment had on you at the time, and the continuing effects today.
Get Professional Counseling. Doctors are taught that they should never self-diagnose. The same advice applies to the rest of us who lack their medical education and training.
Healthcare professionals have the training and experience necessary to identify subtle effects on your psyche. While most people in this field are by nature compassionate, as professionals they are also committed to giving you objective advice. Unlike a family member or close friend who might "pull punches" because they do not want to hurt your feelings, a healthcare professional can tell it to you straight. You need that balance of professional advice and unconditional support.
These benefits alone are good enough reason to seek professional help, whether or not you ever start a lawsuit. Seeking professional counseling or therapy before you see a lawyer will also help your succeed in court. The fact that you sought professional help, on your own, may help convince a judge or jury that your emotional harm is real.
Be Confident, Strong, and Proud. You did nothing wrong. This situation is not your fault. You have no reason to be fearful, anxious, or ashamed. The only people who should have those feelings are the people who have harassed you at work, and the people who did nothing to stop it.
The harassers are cowards. They appear to be extremely confident when harassing others and getting away with it. But truly confident people do not harass or bully anyone. The need to harass and bully others comes from a deep sense of insecurity in the bully.
Your harassers are the weak ones. When you fight back from a position of emotional balance and confidence, justice will prevail.
When you are ready for the next step, call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
Excessive "Buy Out" Clauses Turn Foreign Nurses into Indentured Servants
Many of the foreign nurses and physical therapists in New York City were recruited by staffing agencies with the promise of good pay and working visas. In return, the foreign workers signed employment contracts requiring them to work for a certain number of years. If they leave before the end of the contract term, they must pay a "buy-out" fee or "liquidated damages" to the recruiter.
These types of fees are enforceable as "liquidated damages" if the amounts are reasonably related to the actual costs incurred by the recruiters. The reasonable costs may include money spent on visa applications, travel and lodging for the foreign worker.
A problem arises when the "buy out" fees are much higher than the recruiters' actual costs. Excessive "buy out" fees are not only unenforceable penalties. Courts have held that they may create illegal contracts of indentured servitude if they unduly coerce the employee to continue working for the recruiter.
We have brought several lawsuits challenging the enforceability of "buy out" fees ranging from $20,000 to $30,000. In each case, federal judges in New York agreed that the fees were unenforceable penalties because they were not reasonably related to the actual costs incurred by the recruiter to bring the nurse or physical therapist to this country. In some cases, the nurses and physical therapists had paid for most of the costs themselves, including their own visa processing, airfare and lodging.
We have also brought claims for damages and injunctive relief against recruiters who abused foreign workers and used the "buy out" fees to deter them from leaving. The abuses included not paying the agreed upon wages, not paying overtime, refusing to process the appropriate visa applications, and filing fraudulent visa applications.
In one case, Judge William F. Pauley III held that our complaint stated a claim for violations of both the Trafficking Victims Protection Act and the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). See Javier v. Beck, No. 13-CV-2926 (WHP), 2014 WL 3058456 (S.D.N.Y. July 3, 2014).
In another case, Judge Jesse M. Furman entered judgment against a foreign labor recruiter for violations of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act and common law fraud. See Macolor v. Libiran, 14-CV-4555 (JMF) (S.D.N.Y. Apr. 13, 2016).
Foreign workers who have been abused and threatened by their employers should know that the U.S. justice system will protect them. Do not simply acquiesce to your employer's threats. Get legal advice and stand up for your rights.
To schedule a free and confidential consultation, call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728.
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act May Entitle You to Reasonable Accommodations to Allow You to Continue Working While Pregnant
As a general rule, an employee who has a pregnancy-related disability is entitled to a reasonable accommodation that will allow her to continue working through her pregnancy. An employer may not force a pregnant employee to take a leave of absence if she is able to perform her job with the reasonable accommodation.
An accommodation for a pregnant employee is reasonable if the employer provides similar accommodations for employees with other types of temporary disabilities. An accommodation may not be reasonable if it imposes an undue burden or cost on the employer.
Some examples of reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees include:
If a reasonable accommodation cannot be provided, the employer must allow a woman with limitations resulting from pregnancy to take a leave of absence on the same terms and conditions as other employees who are similar in their ability or inability to work. An employer may not impose different or greater restrictions on pregnant employees who seek medical leaves than on employees who seek medical leaves for other reasons. In other words, employers may not discriminate against pregnant women when it comes to leaves of absences.
For example, an employer:
If you have been denied an accommodation or leave of absence for your pregnancy – or if you have been fired, demoted or denied a promotion because of your pregnancy – you should consult with a pregnancy discrimination lawyer immediately to protect your rights. There are strict time deadlines and procedural requirements for filing a claim of pregnancy discrimination.
To schedule a free and confidential consultation with an experienced pregnancy discrimination lawyer, call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728.
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act provides important protections for employees who want to continue working during their pregnancy and for those who require leaves of absence to address pregnancy-related illnesses or disabilities.
The key word is discrimination. Whatever rules or policies the employer puts in place for employees who cannot work due to an illness or temporarily disability must apply in the same way to employees who cannot work due to a pregnancy-related condition.
Mandatory Pregnancy Leaves Are Prohibited
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act prohibits an employer from forcing an employee to take a leave of absence because she is pregnant, or requiring an employee to remain on leave for a period of time after giving birth. A pregnant employee who is able to perform her job cannot be forced to take a leave of absence. Pregnant employees must be treated like any other employee who is able to do their job.
In addition, if an employee is absent from work due to a pregnancy-related medical condition, and then recovers, she cannot be forced to remain on leave until childbirth. The pregnant employee who has a temporary illness or disability must be treated the same as any other employee with a temporary illness or disability.
Pregnancy Leaves Must Be Granted on the Same Terms as Any Other Medical Leave
Employers may not impose special rules or restrictions on medical leaves related to pregnancy.
The same rules that apply to leaves of absence to address medical conditions must apply to leaves related to pregnancy. For example, an employer may not fire a pregnant employee for absences if the absences are covered by the employer's sick leave rules. An employer may not require a pregnant employee to exhaust her sick leave before using vacation or personal days, if the employer allows other employees to use vacation or personal days to take time off for medical reasons.
Employers may not limit pregnancy-related leaves to a shorter duration than other types of medical or short-term disability leaves. If the employer allows employees to take a leave of absence without pay because of a temporary disability, then the employer must also allow the same type and duration of unpaid leaves for employees who are temporarily disabled due to pregnancy.
Returning to Work After a Pregnancy Leave of Absence
An employer must also hold open a job for a pregnancy-related absence for the same length of time that jobs are held open for employees on sick or temporary disability leave. If the pregnant employee used leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), then the employer must restore the employee to her original job or to an equivalent job with equivalent pay, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment.
Pregnant employees may have additional protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including the right to accommodations so they can continue working.
If you believe that you have been discriminated against because you are pregnant, you should consult with an experienced pregnancy discrimination lawyer to protect your rights. You must act quickly because there are strict time limits and procedural requirements for filing a pregnancy discrimination claim.
To schedule a free and confidential consultation, call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728.
The civil rights laws protect you from illegal discrimination, harassment, and retaliation at work. One of these laws, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 (PDA), specifically prohibits discrimination against employees because they are pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or have a pregnancy-related illness or disability.
Pregnancy Discrimination is Against the Law
An employer may not refuse to hire you, refuse to promote you, fire you, or take any other adverse action against you just because of your pregnancy. Your employer may not use your pregnancy to demote you, force you to take a leave of absence, or decrease your hours.
Your employer cannot change you job responsibilities because of your pregnancy, even if your employer believes that the change would be in your best interest. For example, your employer may not exclude you from working in a warehouse, a laboratory, or around chemicals out of concern for your health. Only you and your doctor can decide whether you should continue working in those environments.
Accommodations for Pregnant Employees
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act requires employers to accommodate pregnant women as they would any employee who is temporarily disabled. This means that a pregnant woman is entitled to be treated the same as any other employee who has a short-term disability. For example, if a man who cannot lift heavy objects due to a temporary back injury is allowed to continue working on light duty, then a pregnant woman who cannot lift heavy objects during her pregnancy is also entitled to continue working on light duty.
If you have a pregnancy-related illness or disability, you may also have rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Returning to Work After a Pregnancy
Your legal protections continue after you give birth. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), you and your spouse are entitled to up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for yourself and your child. And, once you return to work after a pregnancy, your employer must restore you to the same position or a similar one.
That said, you are not required to stay out of work for any period of time after you give birth. You are entitled to decide for yourself when you are ready to return to work.
Finding a Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer in New York
If you have been fired or otherwise discriminated against at work because of a pregnancy, then you should consult with a pregnancy discrimination lawyer promptly to protect your rights. Do not delay. There are strict time limits and procedural requirements to assert your claims.
To schedule a free and confidential consultation with an experienced pregnancy discrimination lawyer in New York, call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728.
The federal government receives about 6,000 complaints of pregnancy discrimination every year. In addition, a large number of pregnancy discrimination cases are settled by private lawyers before any formal complaints are filed.
Some obvious examples of pregnancy discrimination in the workplace are: A woman is fired shortly after her boss learns that she is pregnant; or an employer refuses to hire a pregnant woman who is obviously qualified for the position.
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act, however, prohibits all forms of pregnancy discrimination, including discrimination in job assignments, work schedules, break time, compensation, promotions, leaves of absence, and health insurance. Employers may not discriminate against employees in any of these terms and conditions of employment based on their current pregnancy, past pregnancy, or potential pregnancy.
You may also be protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. While a normal pregnancy is not considered a disability, some pregnancy-related medical conditions such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia may be. Absent undue hardship, an employer must provide a reasonable accommodation to enable you to continue working with these conditions, such as modifications in work assignments, locations or schedules.
Proving pregnancy discrimination usually comes down to four facts.
The first fact is timing. Changes in your employment shortly after your boss learns that you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant raises an inference that the change was caused by your pregnancy.
The second fact is unequal treatment. For example, if men with temporary disabilities that prevent them from lifting heavy objects are given light duty, but women who cannot lift heavy objects temporarily because of their pregnancy are denied light duty, there is an inference of pregnancy discrimination.
The third fact is statements by your employer. Obviously, if you have a statement from your employer that you are being denied a promotion because you are pregnant, that is very good evidence of pregnancy discrimination. Other pregnancy-related comments may also be considered evidence that your employer acted because of your pregnancy and not some other reason.
The fourth fact is your job performance before the adverse employment action was taken. Employers often try to explain away pregnancy discrimination by pointing to an employee's job performance or attendance record as the reason for an adverse employment action. If you have consistently received excellent performance evaluations, you should get copies of those evaluations and keep them at home. They may be important evidence if the employer tries to blame your performance or attendance as the reason for an adverse employment action.
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act provide strong protections against pregnancy discrimination. But you must act promptly if you believe that your rights have been violated. Both statutes have strict limits on how and when you can bring your claim.
To schedule a free and confidential consultation with an experienced pregnancy discrimination lawyer, call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728.
Government Alleged Female Director Was Paid Less Than Male Counterparts in Violation of the Equal Pay Act and Title VII
Two logistics and warehouse companies have agreed to pay $45,000 to settle claims that they paid a female director less than her male counterparts.
According to the EEOC, a female director of intermodal operations for the companies was paid less than three male directors. The woman learned that she was being paid less than the men when she came across a pay stub of a male counterpart after he was fired and she took over his position.
The Equal Pay Act prohibits companies from paying women less than men for work requiring equal skill, effort and responsibility that is performed under the same or similar working conditions. Pay discrimination also violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on sex.
The $45,000 settlement will be paid to the victim to compensate her for the discriminatory pay differential. The companies also agreed to provide anti-discrimination training and post an equal employment opportunity notice at the workplace.
If you have been discriminated against in terms of compensation, promotions, or job assignments, you should consult with an experienced employment lawyer to protect your rights. You may be entitled to compensation for back pay, future pay and other damages.
To schedule a free and confidential consultation, call John Howey, Esq. at (212) 601-2728.
Government Charges that Gay and Lesbian Employees Were Subjected to Hostile Work Environments Because of Their Sexual Orientation
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed two lawsuits alleging that gay and lesbian employees were subjected to sexual harassment and a hostile work environment. These are the first sexual orientation discrimination lawsuits brought by the government under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
In one lawsuit against Scott Medical Health Center, the EEOC alleges that a gay male employee was subjected to a hostile work environment because of his sexual orientation. The complaint alleges that the employee's manager referred to him using anti-gay epithets and made other highly offensive comments about his sexuality and sex life. The company allegedly failed to take any action after the employee complained. Ultimately, the employee quit to avoid further harassment.
In the other lawsuit against IFCO Systems, the EEOC alleges that a lesbian employee was subjected to a hostile work environment because of her sexual orientation. Her supervisor allegedly made comments about her appearance and sexual orientation, such as "I want to turn you back into a woman" and "You would look good in a dress." The employee was fired shortly after she called an employee hotline to complain.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits harassment in the workplace based on a person's sex. Until now, the government has only pursued lawsuits for harassment based on an employee's gender. It has not pursued discrimination or sexual harassment lawsuits based on an employee's sexual orientation.
Last year, however, the EEOC determined that sexual orientation discrimination is, by its very nature, discrimination based on sex. That was an administrative proceeding involving a government employee. The new lawsuits have been filed in courts against private employers.
The EEOC explained three rationales for finding that sexual orientation discrimination constitutes sex discrimination under Title VII. First, sexual orientation discrimination is necessarily based on an employee's sex, because sexual orientation as a concept cannot be understood without reference to sex. Second, sexual orientation discrimination is based on the employee's perceived non-compliance with sex stereotypes and gender norms, and employment decisions based on such stereotypes and norms have long been prohibited under Title VII. Third, sexual orientation discrimination punishes workers because of their close personal association with members of a particular sex, such as marital and other personal relationships.
The new lawsuits are significant because the EEOC is challenging the conduct of private employers in court. The EEOC hopes that by bringing these lawsuits, courts will recognize that sexual orientation discrimination is a form of sex discrimination.
If you have faced harassment in the workplace because of your sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, you should consult with an experienced employment lawyer to understand and protect your rights. To schedule a free and confidential consultation, call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728.
Schedule a Free and Confidential Consultation
(212) 601-2728
John Howley, Esq.
350 Fifth Avenue, 59th Floor
New York, New York 10118
(212) 601-2728


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KADOYA JAPANESE (on Denman street): POPULAR FOR SPECIALITY ROLLS
After walking along English Bay, J and I were hungry so that we headed over to Denman street where lots of restaurants are gathered. I quickly skimmed through restaurants on Urbanspoon, and found KADOYA which seemed pretty good. Kadoya has two locations in downtown, one branch on Davie Street, and the other on Denman street, right besides English Bay. I think KADOYA has relatively good sashimi and special rolls, yet the dirty menu gave me a bad impression about the restaurant.DELUXE ASSORTED SASHIMI ($19.99) had 20 pieces of sashimi consisting of Alaska salmon, Sockeye salmon, Toro, Tako, Tuna, Saba, and Tai sashimi. Everything tasted fine except for tuna sashimi which was partly frozen. It should've been thawed a little bit more. Nonetheless, this is a good deal for sashimi lover. You get better food than what you pay for.
KUSHIYAKI ($4.75) consisted of two skewers of prawns and scallops, grilled with butter sauce. It was a good start for our appetizer along with assorted sashimi.
NIGIRI SUSHI (SABA, CHOPPED CALLOP, KANI (IMITATION CRABMEAT), AND HOTATE ) was pretty descent, but hotate did not have a fresh texture.
PHOENIX ROLL ($8.99) consisted of pumpkin, cucumber inside roll, topped with salmon sashimi, imitation shark fin, and tobiko. They used vermicelli glass noodles and jelly fish as imitation shark fin. When I read the ingredients off the menu, it sounded so lame. It broke my expectation as soon as I started eating though. Pumpkin tempura, cucumbers, salmon, and masago all blended well together and gave a pleasant texture.
+ A small patio with a great view of English Bay
+ A good portion size for the money
+ Creative speciality rolls
- Dirty menu
Food 3.5/5.0
Ambience 2.0/5.0
Service 2.5/5.0
Price $$
* Closed on Monday
* Street parking
+ Beautiful English Bay


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10 Tips to Improve the Presentation Skills of Your Maths
Quite often students, although capable to perform mathematical calculations, lack the ability to present their work in a structured and logical way. This skill becomes more critical when they need to solve problems using mathematical techniques. On this short article we present ten simple tips on how students can improve their writing skills when it […]
Tags: improve maths, maths, presentation skills, writing skills,
London's Specialist Tuition Centre | GCSE, A Level, KS3, Maths, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science and English
View our courses YOU ACHIEVE WE TEACH View our subjects THIS IS SCIENCE TRUST US Our levels of study DELIVERED ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE View our Courses THAT WILL NEVER STOP GROWING TEACHING MINDS The phi difference PHI DIMENSION DISCOVER THE var htmlDiv = document.getElementById("rs-plugin-settings-inline-css"); var htmlDivCss=""; if(htmlDiv) { htmlDiv.innerHTML = htmlDiv.innerHTML + htmlDivCss; }else{ var htmlDiv [...]
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Xero is the global leader in online accounting, making small businesses better by saving time on back-office processes and giving their advisors the ability to provide higher-value, higher-impact services.
Looking to add pre-built Klips and Dashboards to your account?
See the Klipfolio Integrations Page.
Xero connection flow
In order to associate your data with the Klip you add to your dashboard from the Gallery, you will need:
- Your Xero credentials
To add a Xero Klip to your dashboard:
You now have a Xero Klip.
Note: You may need to align your data source field names with the default names in Klipfolio's Xero Klips.
Klipfolio's Xero Klips refer to Xero data by default field names. If your Xero account uses a different field name (for example, if you changed the field name) for a field used in a Xero klip, you will have to make the corresponding change in the Xero Klip (after adding it) by editing its XPath.
The following example changes the references to Current Assets and Accounts Receivable to Assets and Trade Debtors in the Xero Accounts Receivable and Payable Klip template:
- Select the Accounts Receivable Value subcomponent field to be edited.
- In the formula bar, select the field that references Account Receivable in the data source (value).
- Click XPath to open the XPath editor.
- In the XPath editor, change:
//*[Row[Title = "Current Assets" ]]//Row/Cells[descendant::Value="Accounts Receivable"]/Cell[2]/Value
//*[Row[Title = "Assets" ]]//Row/Cells[descendant::Value="Trade Debtors"]/Cell[2]/Value
- Click Simple to close the XPath editor.
- Multiple references to the same value can simply be copied and pasted within the formula editor (that is, without editing the XPath).
For more information on JSON data sources and the XPath editor, see About JSON and XML Data Sources.