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As mentioned in the first article of our series Forgiveness (click here to read it), it is common that we feel hurt when situations do not turn out as we expect, or people do not act the way we want. But, if, sometimes, even ourselves do not act the way we thought we would, or do not say what we thought we would, how could we expect something from others? This is the starting point for releasing control.
Thinking we have control over other is an illusion. It emerges from the idea that we are superior, in some way, or that we have more capacity, whether we are parents, teachers, bosses, leaders, elders, partners, lovers, etc., and that we inspire respect. This control relationships are based on the idea that every person that depends on us, whether physical, material or emotionally, can be controlled by us, and, actually, we are only able to see whatever confirms that idea, that is just the manifestation of other people fears, and has nothing to do with respect. But, Are we able to perceive that each person is deciding according to their own fears and the position that decide to assume?
So, do we really have control over something? The answer is Yes, over our own selves through self-knowledge. When we decide to release external control to allow us feeling within ourselves, we get to understand what really motivates us to express ourselves and live in a certin way. Where does our love for control come from?, from our own insecurities? When we know ourselves from within, we gain confidence, are aware of what we can do, understand and respect our limits, and that shows us that external control is not what we think. If we are able to feel good with ourselves, live enjoying what we like and express ourselves in the most objetive way possible, what do we want to control others?
We can commit to having control over what we express, or do not, how we nourish ourselves, the physical activity that we give to our bodies, to choose people with whom we feel most at ease, to create our environment and allow that, what is born from there, flows, bringing learning and growth.
About this matter we still have two topics to integrate, the next article is focus on learning to accept the truth. See you then 🙂


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This is not to say that real human interactions are not ritualized to the point of mechanic in some ways, but that procedural rhetoric about human life nearly always makes a specific argument: life works this way, life works that way.
Viewing entries in
The problem with today's big-budget video games is not that they aren't Citizen Kane– it's that they are too much like Citizen Kane.
Here it is, I think: the moment the world of video games definitively chunked up into discrete groups and congealed. The emulsifier we used to have, this kind of shared sense of exploring a new medium, simply isn't working any more.
In many ways, it's like naming a band: technically, you can do anything, but if your idea is at all clever, someone else has probably done it first. And really, the name shouldn't be too clever, otherwise the joke gets in the way of what, ultimately, should be a desire to express the group's ethos sincerely.
Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed games have historically opened with a title card that reads, "This game was developed by a multicultural team of various faiths and beliefs."
To be an artist (or a craftsperson) and make something about today's wars that's corporately antiseptic and palatable, you often have to purposely leach the commentary away; you have to dance around the fact that there's a lot of war in your game and that you have nothing at all to say about it.
By saying that Vanquish is a great game but could benefit from better story and characters, Clark implicitly proposes a mythical beast— the kind with the head of one animal and the body of another
Much of the consternation about games and art seems to arise from the application of a critical apparatus from some different medium– literary or filmic– and finding games disqualified to be considered at all.
Imagine you start a new game and are immediately presented with the following scene: on the left is a small bunny rabbit sitting on a small hill. Every once in a while it snuffles in the grass.
On the right is an enormous demon wreathed in flames.
Kane and Lynch are totally bad-ass dudes. You know this from the very start because their names are "Kane" and "Lynch".

subset: commoncrawl


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Calls to a charity supporting people in mortgage distress almost doubled in the past two years, challenging perceptions that the country's economic woes are over.
The Phoenix Project says the number of calls it got jumped 71% since 2013, totalling 5,431 last year.
It also provided 4,000 financial, legal, and/or counselling consultations last year, up 1,000 on 2014, and it says it is in contact with 70 families weekly to provide ongoing support.
Its chief executive, William Prior, said: "Despite talk about economic recovery, there remains a significant, hidden problem with mortgage arrears in Ireland."
One in eight of all residential mortgages in the country is in arrears of at least three months and Mr Prior said the psychological toll on those in arrears was particularly heavy with one in 10 of all those assisted by the charity reporting they had considered suicide.
He also said the problem was devastating for family relationships. "We estimate that approximately 60% of our clients in 2015 were women who were separated or in the process of going through legal separation. They typically report that financial difficulties are the main reason for separation."
The charity yesterday published its annual report, warning that 50,000 family homes could be repossessed over the next few years, making an extra 120,000 people homeless.
Its warning is based on Central Bank reports of the number of 'loss of ownership' solutions proposed by financial institutions for mortgages in serious arrears, but it also tallies with the most recent mortgage arrears statistics which put the number of residential mortgages in arrears for a year or more at the end of last September at 50,400.
"More worryingly, if the European Central Bank interest rate rises from its current low, many more borrowers who are now meeting full repayments will fall into arrears," said Mr Prior.
"The Central Bank's own statistics show that 33.8% of borrowers who have arrears have agreed long-term solutions with financial institutions, while 66.2% of borrowers have agreed short-term solutions. If there is an increase in interest rates, the long-term solutions in place will no longer be affordable."
The Phoenix Project says it has negotiated agreements on behalf of 18,000 borrowers to enable them stay in their homes since 2008, and is urging the Government to adopt a range of cost-neutral solutions to the problem.
Among those solutions are the far wider use of split mortgages, the extension of mortgage terms to cover the lifetime of the mortgage holder and/or to pass to the next generation, and the introduction of fixed long-term low interest rates.
The charity also says repossession should be prohibited unless the home- owner has alternative accommodation, and it says provisional waiting lists for social housing should be created so that people could get on the list before surrendering their home and not have to wait until they are on a list to apply for rent allowance.
Phoenixproject.ie, mabs.ie (Money Advice and Budgeting Service), and backontrack.ie (Insolvency Service of Ireland) offer further information.
© Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved


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Wintertime calls for an assortment of sweets at holiday parties, potlucks, and family get-togethers. I love this particular brownie recipe I learned in Spain because it is rich, but it is not too sweet. What makes this brownie dessert unique and delicious is the combination of dark chocolate and the small addition of coffee grounds (true to Spaniards' appreciation of coffee). Enjoy this sweet (but not too sweet) treat with family, friends, or co-workers. Happy holidays to you and yours!
Large mixing bowl
Small mixing bowl
Fork or whisk for beating eggs
Hand-held blender (optional)
Small cooking pan or dish (recommended: 8 x 8 inches)
Piece of paper towel or small plastic bag
2 bars of room-temperature dark chocolate (70–80% cacao recommended, and each bar should be about 3 – 4 ounces)
8 tablespoons of sugar (or other sweetener)
1 stick of butter or margarine
5 whole eggs
1 tablespoon of coffee grounds
1 tablespoon of baking soda
½ cup of flour
About ½ cup of small chunks/pieces of walnuts without the shell (optional)
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. To prevent sticking, use the piece of paper towel or small plastic bag to spread a thin layer of either butter or margarine onto the pan. Then, evenly sprinkle about two tablespoons of flour onto the butter- or margarine-covered baking pan.
3. Melt the two dark chocolate bars in the microwave with the butter in the large mixing bowl. Stir the chocolate and butter mixture together periodically to keep the mixture from sticking to the bowl. Total melting time should be approximately two or three minutes.
4. Beat all the eggs together in the small mixing bowl.
5. Next, combine all ingredients together including the dark chocolate and butter mixture, the eggs, the flour, coffee grounds, yeast, and sugar. Mix all ingredients well. If using a hand-held blender, mix by hand afterwards to even out the texture and prevent bubbles. Finally, mix in the nuts once the mixture has developed a uniform texture.
6. Pour the mixture into the greased and floured dish, and bake it for about 40 minutes or until the top layer is flakey.
7. Allow the brownie to cool for a few minutes, and then serve it warm with coffee if desired.
Seasons of consumption: Fall, winter
Have you ever tried a brownie with a hint of coffee in it? What's your favorite winter treat?
© 2016 Melanie Glover. All rights reserved.
First image above: Shutterstock.


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Two great trail races in two beautiful places! Click the images to learn more…
Silverton Ultra Marathon
97% Single Track Trails in a Single-loop course – 11 miles on the famous Hardrock 100 course, 23 miles along one of the most spectacular sections of the Colorado Trail, down the deep Animas River Gorge and circumnavigate the majestic Engineer Mountain.
- Date: August 1, 2020
- Registration Opens – December 14, 2019
- Location: Silverton, CO
- Distances: 100K and 55K – Both single loop courses. 55K is the same as the 100K minus the southern loop around Engineer Mountain.


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Sara (American Tribal Style®)
Sara began belly dancing in 2011. After trying several styles, she was drawn to the positive and proud form of American Tribal Style, which speaks to Sara's love of strong community, her passion for music and movement–not to mention the glorious pageantry of the costumes. All these elements are woven together celebrating the past, present and future of communal dance. She continues studies with her teacher Mimi, and attends as many workshops as possible to further her knowledge of American Tribal Style® bellydance.
In 2013, Sara continued her ATS® training by attending the FCBD® American Tribal Style General Skills/Teacher Training with masters Carolena Nericcio and Mehga Gavin. There, she earned her TT Certification. Sara has Sister Studio status, meaning anywhere she teaches a "Sister is in the Studio" following the FCBD® teaching format & guidelines.
She is currently working towards her Sister Studio Continuing Education certification for the third year, and hopes to attend Teaching for the Teacher and Advanced Teacher Training at the FCBD® Mothership in San Fransisco in the future.
Photo credit: MJ Richard
Twisted Dance Collective • Greensboro, NC • firstname.lastname@example.com


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"Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words."
[Herewith, the third guest post from a writer friend, all of whom do this a lot better than I. Makes me think I should rent this space out. You'll see the potential wisdom of that once you've absorbed this charming post from Doris Reidy, whose new novel, Every Last Stitch will be available in a matter of days. Remember her name; you'll want to read every word she's willing to share!]
Does it really get easier, as my writing teacher, Josh, promises? Will books three, four, and more, trip merrily from my keyboard, now that two novels are finished and I've gained some experience?
Well, I've learned some things. I'm still a "pantser," one who writes by the seat of her pants, forsaking outlines to wander down any attractive lane. But I now write in sequence. It was tempting, when I first began, to write scenes or character sketches in no particular order. I could indulge whatever was simmering on my brain's front burner, planning blithely that I'd do all the weaving together at some point in the future. I thought I'd remember all the plot twists and turns that came to me at three a.m. I thought, for that matter, that I'd remember my characters' names and traits. Guess what: I didn't. They changed their names and hair color between Chapter One and Chapter Twenty-Two. Things happened that altered them, so good guys went bad, and new people cropped up in unexpected ways. Spackling it all together at the end was pure torture. I've learned to tell my story linearly, to keep a running chapter synopsis, and a description of characters, including their full names, ages and descriptions.
Then there's plotting. And pacing. And verisimilitude. Syntax and punctuation and dialog. Adverbs and adjectives and stative verbs. That dodgy old shape-shifter, point of view. All traps for the unwary that snag me time after time. The idea that first comes to me wears only lovely bones. Somehow, I have to put flesh on those bones and make you want to keep reading.
How much flesh is just right? I write short. I've pretty much said all I have to say in 50,000 or so words. My first readers constantly yank my arm and say, "More here." "Expand this." "What happened next?" This is especially apt to happen when my writing horse smells the hay in the barn marked "The End," and races headlong toward it. (Did I mention the terrifying tug of tempting metaphors?)
And that brings me to my darlings. How it hurts to kill my darlings! And yet, they must die: the plot twist that ultimately goes nowhere; the phrase that makes me smile smugly at my own brilliance; the character I thought would carry the story, but who turns out to have jelly-legs. They gotta go. Usually, somebody has to tell me to kill them, but as I continue writing, I can sometimes see it for myself. That's progress, painful as it is.
Why do it, then? What makes it worthwhile to sit alone in a room staring at a computer screen, trying to hammer out a page or two? Writers, by definition, must have healthy egos. I need to believe that I have something worthy to share, and that you will be interested. Maybe you'll even say something nice about it! (See "ego" above.) Or maybe, at heart, it's the same instinct that made some prehistoric human mix up a batch of paint for the cave wall. I want to tell you a story, a story about what I see and hear and think. I want to engage you, because then we connect. And connection, not the Hokey-Pokey, is really what it's all about.
Doris Reidy
[Here's a sneak peek at the cover of Doris' new book, Every Last Stitch. As soon as her editor quits foolin' around and finishes the last few fixes, you'll be able to grab a copy. The signed ones are the best; drop me a line if you'd like to get in touch with Doris so she can arrange to send you one.]


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You may reach us by phone at (021) 7590-6606 or fax at (021) 7511055Or send us an e-mail:
Don't forget to register your email by clicking Harley Davidson symbol below so that you will get inform if the website has been updated. Thanks.....


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The boys from the bike rental place are back, just as we'd almost forgot about them. There'll be no forgetting about them too soon as they come bounding back into our lives with their new track 'Carry Me'. This is the first single taken from their new album due for release on February 3rd.
It sounds as if the band have kept the strongest elements from 'A Different Kind of Fix' but this new single brings in other elements which could see them moving towards almost deep house or dance music. Who knows what's next? We'll have to wait til February but until then, here's something to keep you BBC fans going.


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I take a picture of her in my mind. I record her words in my heart. If I can, I snap a picture. If I can, I write it down.
I do this for the day she yells at me, or mumbles under her breath if she's learned anything at all, "I hate you" or "You don't understand me" or "It's not fair" in ten years.
Please, let it be ten years before that is here.
It will still feel like it is tomorrow.
I do this for tomorrow when she melts down into a puddle of a child before nap time.
I do this for myself so that I can calmly scoop her up and into my arms because I remember her.
She, in her pink tutu and ruby red slippers, frolics down the street brushing the blond wisps of hair out of her blue moon eyes.
"Mama, I love you like a rainbow loves. Big and colorful, and so big."
Hop, skip, twirl. Light, free, joy.
The sun shines brightly on what's left of her blond pig tails.
I use these snapshots to pad my heart. For all of the tomorrows to come.


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053 Mickey Levy Berenberg Capital: Economic outlook 4 Europe, China and US
Engage has Berenberg Capital's Chief Economist Mickey Levy to discuss problems in the global economic outlook. Europe, China and United States all reviewed for key areas and connections. "Europe's outlook is pretty dismal for the future." What can the ECB to grow the economy? "The honest answer, there's really nothing they can do."
This week on Engage, we discuss the biggest, baddest gravitational pull on the markets: Fed policy. Williams College Ken Kuttner joins to discuss his paper "Unconventional Monetary Policy." Why did the Fed do it, how effective was it and what challenges it presents now. See www.andrewbusch.com/research/ to get my full research note on the problems…
This week on Engage, we do an 8 minute flashcast w/Andy covering Federal Reserve rate policy, US domestic policy and technology. And we use gravity and planets to explain how these 3 market narratives tug and pull on asset values.
EP050 Vident Economist Jerry Bowyer: markets, politics and investing
This week on the show, we bring on Vident Financial Chief Economist and editor of Town Hall Jerry Bowyer. We cover top market narratives driving asset values in the global financial system. Federal Reserve policy, US trade policy and the 2020 election all covered including how faith plays a role.
EP049 USDA Deputy Chief Economist Dr. Warren Preston
This week on Engage with Andy Busch, we review the USDA's 2019 outlook for the farm economy and incomes. We cover the impact of China's demand on US agriculture products, US-China trade negotiations and the USMCA. Interesting point: off-farm income equally important as on-farm income to sustain US farmers.
EP048 AAF Douglas Holtz-Eakin: China trade, Mueller report and Congressional oversight
This week on Engage with Andy Busch, we bring on AAF President and former CBO Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin. We cover the big topics dominating the markets: China trade negotiations, the looming Mueller Report and Congressional oversight by Democrats. Therapy dogs necessary!
047 Piper Jaffray Justin Hoogendorn, Head of Fixed Income and Strategy
This week on Engage with Andy Busch, we dive into the unusual world of municipal bonds and why they provide high returns. Federal and state tax benefits can provide a 50% pop to additional income for investors. GO and revenue bonds broken down and discussed. Chicago, Puerto Rico and Orange County reviewed.
EP046 TRACK RESEARCH ROBERT SAVAGE on US dollar
This week on Engage with Andy Busch, we go down the foreign exchange rabbit hole with Track Research CEO Robert Savage. The Federal Reserve, China's PBOC and the ECB discussed for policy implications and how this influences the global currency markets. FX markets are always my starting point for analyzing the financial markets!
EPO45: Tilt-A-Whirls and The Markets: how the Fed is making investors queasy
In a stunning shift of interest policy, the Federal Reserve signaled they are on hold for raising rates in 2019 and they indicated they made a mistake with quantitative tightening. This week on Engage, we bring on one of the best economists in the business, Natixis Joe Lavorgna. Jobs, inflation and growth are all dissected…
EP044 Blockchain: mutual mistrust=trust
"Blockchain is a foundational technology whose impacts could reach into every corner of the world." This week, Engage covers the hottest fintech story impacting market structure and governance. Why is mutual mistrust a key element for creating trust with this new technology? We bring on Wharton Prof. Kevin Werbach to discuss his new book, "The…


text: Your face Lord, I will seek. As we echo the words of David, it is extremely important that we as a church family continue to pray together and depend upon the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. Let's gather to spend some time seeking the Lord in prayer and petition. We will meet together from 6:30-7:30pm on February 03rd at MetroNorth to pray for one another, our church family, and our city.


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Over the weekend. Not the greatest pics, sorry.
Did not know this existed - the Infiniti... convertible something (or was it some kind of custom build?):
And then this:
Not *just* another average car with a Landau top. Oh, no.
Mercury Sable. P R E S I D E N T I A L
I didn't want to be really obvious with the picture taking. But what, exactly, is "Presidential" about this car?


text: News Home News Posts in September, 2018 Dr. Bryan Barootes Receives Mentor Award Monday, Sep 24, 2018 Bryan Barootes, MD, was recently awarded the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine (CASEM) Educator/Mentor Award at the 2018 CASEM Annual Meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia. CASEM is the ... Share This Post: Read More Memorial Health System Named #4 Top Place to Work in Lake Charles Monday, Sep 24, 2018 All the great things that make Lake Charles home to thousands of families and individuals also make it a haven for job searchers of all stripes, some looking for the very first time, others seeking a ... Share This Post: Read More Free Seminar: Everything You've Wanted to Know About Sleep Apnea But Were Too Tired to Ask Tuesday, Sep 11, 2018 Sleepless nights or lack of sleep is a problem that affects millions of Americans. Not getting a healthy amount of sleep can not only have a negative impact on your overall health, but can impair your ... Share This Post: Read More


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Author calls on Muslims to reform
MUSLIMS must get their "act together" and reform Islam to avoid a bloody future, Somali author Ayaan Hirsi Ali says.
Ali, 37, who has renounced her Islamic faith and considers herself an atheist, was speaking in Sydney as part of the Writers Festival.
The author of Infidel survived a civil war, female circumcision and escaped an arranged marriage in her homeland before fleeing to the Netherlands.
She says Muslims must examine their religion and "review the example of the prophet Muhammad. Muslims are not used to criticising Islam, they are not used to criticising the prophet Muhammad", she told a sell-out audience at the Sydney Theatre.
"That's what this century has opened up with September 11 - it was an attack on the West but it was also an attack on Islam itself," she said.
"Because if we who were born into Islam do not get our act together and reform our faith, our future might be that we tend to clash even more. It will only get more bloody.
"If Islam is reformed I think the people who will gain the most are women.
"As a woman after I left the circumstances where the rule was Islam, I gained my personal freedom.
"Reforming Islam, changing it from what it is now, will benefit women and as women benefit from it they will become educated, become owners of their own bodies and their own destinies."
But, she said mothers must also take responsibility for the way they raise boys, to teach them to have respect for women.
"As woman we make men, we bear the boys. It's really important how you bring them up. If we encourage the mentality that they are wild dogs and that we are raw meat, that's how they will behave."
Ali has had an around-the-clock guard since 2004 when death threats were made against her because of her outspoken views on Islam.


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The Sword of Light of Nuada is one of the four treasures outlined in the Book of Leinster wherein is also described the origins of the people known as the Tuatha Dé Danann of ancient Ireland.
The original term, Claidheamh Soluis (Scottish Gaelic) is translated to "Sword of Light," or "Shining Sword," or a "White Glaive of Light," that originates from Scottish-Gaelic folktales.
The sword is regarded as a god-slaying weapon from Irish mythology. It is said to have once belonged to Nuada Airgetlám, the first king of the Tuatha Dé Danann, whom named it Claímh Solais (phonetisized Klau-Solas), the sword of light. It was described as a fiery sword of glowing light, engraven with spells, and reputedly undefeatable once unsheathed.
It came from the mystical island of Findias, whose location was unknown but described generically as "in the north."


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Main features of KashFlow are:
Simple yet powerful, KashFlow is an accounting software packed with all the goodies specifically created for small businesses. Customizable invoices, automated recurring purchases, speedy notifications to suppliers and customers, easy to make quotes and estimates certainly do more than improve productivity.
The one thing that we cite about this software in our KashFlow reviews is that, with its payroll service, business owners and payroll managers can easily track and perform payroll related operations. This particular feature meshes well with the accounting function, enabling you to produce and send customized reports, inflow and outflow of funds, which can be exported to PDF and Excel (CSV).
Customer and supplier management. becomes a tad easy for KashFLow users and saves you time and money as well. WIth KashFlow, you can create reports with PDF attachments and send them to your clients. Plus, KashFlow works well with MailChimp, which allows you to make personalized emails to your customers and suppliers for no charge.
Security is also topnotch as KashFlow runs a very secure interface with its accounting software, giving you peace of mind whenever you enter data to the system.
While the system is hosted in UK, business from all over the world can enjoy KashFlow's advantages.
More than just its user-friendliness and functionality, KashFlow is also a cost-effective tool that business owners can rely on for their accounting and financial management demands.
The following KashFlow integrations are currently offered by the vendor:
KashFlow pricing is available in the following plans:


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As most smart phone or tablet users know, it is easy to utilize simple gestures on a touch screen.
Multi-touch displays have the potential to make us more productive in design. Traditional input devices such as the keyboard and mouse will still be around for many years, but touch can supplement these devices.
At the recent PLM Connections event, we showed how multi-touch technology can be used in the design process.
What do you think? Will your next CAD/Design computer support touch?
This is nice!. How do you take notes and screen capture for different ideas? What if you want to take notes for specific or annotations?
Can we use touch screen interface suddenly after install NX on touch screen device
or Do we need to setup before using it ?
Hello @ittipol,
A special Touch screen interface is always available Since NX 10.0. Wheter you use a touch device or not.
Chech under roles --> Presentations --> Here you will find 2 touch options, which will change the layout of NX, in order to optimize the uses of touchschreens.
In the documentation you will find more info on in the touch screen interface.
Kind regards,
Thank you so much Dennis.
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Content fuels growth and we're ready to tackle any hurdle.
What We Do
E-commerce Content Strategy, Development and Management
Editorial and Blog Management
Content Audits and Analysis
Copy-writing/Web Copy
Custom Content Creation
Social Media Strategy and Management
Training, Consulting or Advisory
Content Marketing Strategy and Management
Video Marketing
Content Partnerships and Syndication
Website Optimization
SEO and Analysis
Editorial Calendar Creation/Management
Need an extra set of hands?
We'll step in and help achieve your business goals with our content expertise. Lets chat to build your content needs.


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Don't let the term, "Branded Content," intimidate you. This just means content that reflects either your personal brand or what your business offers, whether that is service or product. As you might have figured out, branded content, if done well, can be deployed as a highly effective tool for your lead generation.
For my August meetup event, I invited back branding & lifestyle photographer, John DeMato from DeMato Productions, to tackle two commonly known obstacles associated with the content creation process for businesses.
How to stay consistent: While we all know consistency is key when it comes to content creation, it can be challenging for business owners whose main job is to run their businesses,
How to keep your content interesting & engaging: Often, when we focus on generating interesting & engaging content, we face "performance anxiety." As a result, we ended up posting something sub-par or not posting at all.
John appeared at my November event last year entitled, Make Your Mark: A Winning Strategy that Translates Your Brand. This fireside chat was well received among my members, so it was a no-brainer for me to bring him back on the subject of content creation for entrepreneurs.
Because I wanted this event to focus more on "how-tos," John put together a value-packed masterclass.
Is this You?
"It all started from one client whom I've taken so many great photos for," said John.
"Later I found out this client ended up not using the ones I have taken and used some stock photos instead."
This is not because the client wasn't satisfied with John's photos. It was that she did not know how to use those images in her content strategy. She couldn't connect the dots between the stunning images John took and her brand story.
This challenge isn't unique. I have personally faced this situation on numerous occasions.
John realized he could help his clients not just by offering branded photos (and creative direction needed to produce them), but with assistance in taking it one step further, to utilize them in the most impactful way.
"I hear these all the time from my clients."
John is talking about three excuses people have for not keeping up with their content creation effort and not posting consistently on their social media and their site.
Are you ready to find out what they are?
"I don't know what to post on days I haven't done any client work."
This comment stems from the deep-rooted belief that you should only post about what you do in your business in real time. So, if you haven't done any client work, you have nothing else to talk or post about.
"This is not the case at all. Actually, this is the best time to curate and plan out your content," said John.
Not everything has to be posted in "real time."
Some are already familiar with social media scheduling tools such as Hootsuite, Buffer, SocialJukebox, and MeetEdgar.
When you are not too busy with your core business, you can clear your head and work on how you want to curate your content throughout the week (or for the entire month.)
John shared, "I am 2 months ahead with my content."
"But it wasn't always like this. I have been consistent for about a year now."
"Sometimes, I stress all day about what to post, then throw something up because I feel like I have to post something every day."
This is the case of "performance anxiety."
It makes the matter even worse by stressing over what to post. The stress paralyzes your creative thinking, so you are left with more anxiety and no posts.
John shared that, "In that moment, you might as well not post anything because whatever you decide to throw up will not be aligned with other content you have posted, there is no continuity. So, you end up sending mixed messages, and that can be a turn-off to your audience."
Oh dear. This is serious.
At this point, I sensed everyone in the room was realizing how curation and planning must be put in place to make it happen. This was recurring theme of the night, and John made this point very clear from the beginning of this masterclass.
"My life is boring. What am I supposed to write about (other than what I do)?"
While "over-sharing" is a big no-no in the world of professional social media, it can be paralyzing to not know what to post. Either they are unsure what to post outside of their work, or they are holding back and not sure how "vulnerable & personal" they can be without crossing the line.
I truly sympathize with this one. I doubt clients really believe that their life is boring. It's more that they are stuck in self-editing mode because they don't know how much sharing is appropriate for their business.
John talked about how looking beyond "what" and "how" to dig deep with "why."
Here are some helpful questions to get on-brand posting inspiration:
"Why do you do what you do?"
"When are you energized during your work?"
"What is your favorite moment when you serve your clients or customers?"
Your answers to these questions will likely include some examples and stories, and that is where you need to be with your content. This way, you don't have to be concerned with crossing the boundaries. Instead, through your personality and stories, you will convey the reasons your audience should work with you without mentioning it.
John's story of quitting his job four years ago, which he shared at the event, perfectly illustrates this point.
As a portfolio-driven photographer, he was positioning & operating as a transactional business. In the beginning, he was posting his work with no captions or stories behind those headshots.
It was a hard sell because, although the images were beautiful, they did not act as a bridge between his capabilities as a photographer and how his prospects would feel if they were to work with him. This is the gap many business owners can relate to, and this is one of the reasons why, even if they post consistently, they don't get much traction.
John now has shifted his approach to provide value through his content. He incorporates his own stories and unique point of view that people gravitate towards. His photographs act as the "visual punctuation" to accentuate his content, instead of just letting pictures speak for themselves.
In John's words, the ultimate goal of your content should be to make people feel like, "I care about this person beyond what he or she can do, and I want to follow them."
4 Steps to Generate Consistent Content Ideas that will Convert into Valuable & Memorable Social Media Content
Here is the simple, four-step process John mapped out, which he actively uses to help his clients achieve consistent content creation.
Step 1: Belief & Commitment
Believe that what you offer is important and that there are people who need your help.
"You can talk about tools and fancy images later. It all has to start from you," said John.
If you doubt your capability or offerings, it will show. People will pick up on it. So, ground yourself with the belief that you and your services are needed, and own that feeling day in and out.
Then, the next step is to commit to a set schedule. You don't need to post every day from the beginning. Just come up with something you can stick with.
John added, "Don't get hung up on metrics. Don't let yourself discouraged by it. It is not about how many likes and comments you get, especially in the beginning."
The idea is to first get used to the idea of consistent posting so that you and your business can be top of your audience's mind. Then, you can worry about metrics later.
Step 2: You don't need to change the core messaging. Explore a variety of ways to convey it.
To make his point, he shared the time he spent working as a TV producer for the Maury Povich show, which featured two themes: Paternity & Cheating.
As you can imagine, this cracked people up a bit!
Episode after episode, it was all about paternity testing and cheating spouses.
Talk about running low on new content! But the show has run for 27 years. How?
It's in unique insights (a.k.a. story points) that were crafted to create variety.
You can apply the same method as a strategy to explore different ways to convey your core message. When you just talk about what you do, you feel like you have nothing more to say. You can push yourself beyond this point to create different angles and perspectives.
More on "how to go about it" later with the example John presented.
Step 3: Have a process of taking down your ideas.
"How many of you had a moment when this amazing idea popped up while you are walking down the street or having a conversation with someone on the phone, and you felt this is going to be your break right here & right now?!"
John continued, "Then you decide to victory-lap in your head about how great this idea is, but you forget to do the one thing – write the damn thing down. And, 10 seconds later, it's all gone!"
"The whole purpose of crafting a well-curated social media presence is to capture those unique moments, unique insights and unique thoughts."
Active documentation of those ideas throughout the day will eliminate content block.
John elaborated that the great benefit of this practice is that you get to start from the raw and unfiltered ideas. You can scan through your list of ideas and focus on developing them systematically, instead of feeling the pressure to start from scratch
"You no longer need to work out of deficit; now you are working out of abundance."
You now know how to open yourself up to a completely different way of acquiring content ideas.
Step 4: Create a Process that Optimizes Your Brainstorming Session
Free-writing doesn't work for many.
"With free-writing, you are just allowing yourself to roam your thoughts to go all sorts of places (without a structure.)," said John.
Sometimes, this method can work, but often it does not guarantee consistent content creation. Instead, what you need to do is to create a process that narrows and focuses your attention.
The "Idea Nugget Generator" is the system John came up with to help his clients organize their ideas. He has a workbook that outlines several themes to sort ideas, which helps add more variety to their content. It also allows them to plan their content calendar by mixing up these themes over time.
Putting It into Practice with One of the Idea Buckets
I always want my events to be as interactive & engaging as possible. John offered an idea to implement one of his "idea buckets" on the spot using our smartphones.
This was an awesome way to empower business owners who may believe all the photos they use need to be "professionally taken" (because selfies can dilute their brand). In this case, they are missing out on huge opportunities. Data shows people have more affinity towards raw footage (video) and spur-the-moment photo images. These are the best medium to showcase who you are and what you can do for them.
Pick an Object that Emotionally Resonates with You.
Why does this matter?
John explained,
"While you do want to talk about your expertise, posting something like this, something that is deeply connected with you & beyond what you offer, will build rapport with your audience."
"This opens up a conversation with your audience. Now they see you in a different way. They see you as a human, they see you as someone they want to invest their time in, and they want to trust you."
This is an easy practice that everyone can plan ahead of time and incorporate into their social media feed.
John first shared a perfect example of this method by showing a photo he took for one of his clients, Shir, an Excel Instructor. The image connects his approach of breaking down something complex (Excel) to a step-by-step process, just like the way you play with Rubik's cube. In the end, Shir empowers people to make the complex simple.
That is the story behind this image, and Shir can now use it to explore valuable branded content.
Do you see the difference?
Isn't this far from what you thought your content should look like?
That's the whole point. An image like this may look like it has nothing to do with what he offers. But, there is a common thread between the way you can systematically solve a Rubik's cube and the way Shir teaches his clients to approach Excel.
This sounds like a relatable and approachable story, doesn't it?
Once John made this point clear, we moved on to put this method into practice by using our smartphone to snap an item we care about, and here are some results:
This was a fun & resistance-free way to get our feet wet for more creative ideas.
Key Takeaways
While there were golden nuggets coming out of John's mouth every minute, here are the key takeaways to rewire your old thinking about content creation.
Ideas don't get generated by sitting at the desk.
Capture, capture, and capture your raw ideas that are free from overthinking.
Having idea buckets can help you organize your ideas.
Once again, a million thanks to John for the evening. You can learn more about his projects and courses that can help you revive your content creation process here. He is, as you guessed, very active on all social media platforms. My favorite place to see his work, hands down, is on Instagram. I encourage you to follow him so that you can use it as the source of inspiration.


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PS4 recently got homebrew on 5.05 (currently available in retail stores) and Switch has homebrew coming around June 15th / whenever people get their dongles from Team Xecuter. Not sure about Xbox.
I personally loved modding my Wii and Wii U, really excited to do the same for my Switch!


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Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, Penny Mordaunt has launched a new UK Heath and Work strategy, at a time when stress and musculoskeletal disorders account for around 80 percent of all working time lost due to illness.
Statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show around 12,000 deaths each year from occupational lung diseases, accounting for 90 percent of estimated deaths related to past exposures at work. Last year, work related illness affected around 1.3 million workers and nearly 26 million working days were lost because of it. The economic costs are stark – totalling over £9 billion per year for new cases alone – not including ongoing costs from working conditions of the past.
With an increasing emphasis on health issues in recent years, it is estimated that a quarter of all HSE enforcement notices issued to dutyholders concern issues around health in the workplace.
The launch of the new strategy illustrates the HSE's contribution to wider Government initiatives on work and health and the Minister will be supported by HSE Chair, Martin Temple and Clive Johnson, Chair of Health in Construction Leadership Group and the Safety, Health and Environment Director at Land Securities who operate the site.
A large part of the HSE's work to drive improvements in these areas is to encourage workers and employers to get involved, engaging with people, businesses and other organisations to ensure they help make a positive change.
© International Workplace


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BT boosts Superfast Cornwall fibre broadband coverage target
The Superfast Cornwall project is now set to bring fibre broadband to 95 per cent of properties.
BT has scaled up the coverage target of its Superfast Cornwall fibre optic broadband rollout to 95 per cent of homes and businesses across the county.
The project, a joint initiative involving BT, Cornwall Council and the EU, had originally set out to bring the technology within reach of at least 80 per cent of properties in Cornwall by the end of 2014.
BT explained it has achieved efficiencies - including pioneering innovations such as the use of lightweight overhead fibre optic cables - since beginning the deployment, allowing the telecoms giant and its partners to set a more ambitious target.
Openreach, BT's local access network business, has made strong progress on the scheme so far. More than half of Cornish premises have already been passed by the fibre broadband network and take-up of the service has been higher than in many other parts of the UK, with more than 20,000 customers signing up.
Creative Industries and Communications Minister Ed Vaizey welcomed the news, commenting: "It's fantastic that 95 per cent of homes and businesses in Cornwall are now set to reap the benefits of super-fast broadband following today's announcement."
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Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.Ephesians 4:32
Forgiveness is a decision of the will. Since God commands us to forgive, we must make a conscious choice to obey God and forgive. The offender may not desire forgiveness and may not ever change, but that doesn't negate God's desire that we possess a forgiving spirit.
We must not allow a root of bitterness to spring up in our hearts.The ideal is to forgive and forget.
Love keeps no record of wrongs ]and covers a multitude of sins.
Whatever your story is, God can heal the broken pieces of your life. However, to initiate the healing process you must take the first step and forgive. The beneficiary of forgiveness is not the recipient, but the forgiver. Forgiveness begins with you.


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It's winter and I find myself floating in my 6mm suit, hiding behind my board, trying to stop the hail, the snow and the wind that is burning my face, I'm laughing and I realise I'm pretty much as stoked as a girl can be.
Winter has officially begun in Ireland and I am surfing an overhead left point close to our house with no one around. It doesn't look pumping from the road, its hidden away a little from the beach where the wind feels onshore. After years of searching for a paradise on the lower latitudes I found the wave I was looking for all this time, I had been here as a child in a van with my father and sister, sat on the rocks but had the secret hidden in some soft corner of my mind. I have been told many times that as you grow older life gets easier, the decisions answer themselves and the mind madness of youth dissipates, I didn't believe it then but wish I did.
Some friends thought I was crazy when I said I left Australia to live in Ireland at the end of summer, with no adjustment to the wet wild weather. But life here is good, its healthy and I'm growing. I surf everyday, practice yoga, and spend most of my days outside. I help the boys and the community on the few acres of land that we use for growing organic veg and a community garden, the one Irish legend Fergal Smith and Mitch Corbett started a few years ago, they wanted to change the way they lived a little and by growing veg and getting closer to nature they seem to be involved with a beautiful movement of a greener earth.
Surfing has given and taught me over the years, it has given me a deep respect for the ocean and a stronger connection to the land. The more I grow and learn the more I try to have a more positive impact on the planet. One of the biggest steps I made was to move to an almost vegan, organic plant based diet, it's better for my body and its better for the earth. We make fresh nut milk and bake bread, keep chickens and grow 40% of the food we eat, then try to use organic, ethical and cruelty free products. I know how privileged I am to be able to make these life choices and that I have come to make these changes slowly and from a world of education, I always thought that green and organic was for the upper and middle classes, but it is easy and cheap, it takes time and labour but every stage of the change has helped shape me. I know I have a thousand flaws, I know that even the best person I can be is still not enough but should that stop me from trying. I'm massively trying to cut down my plastic consumption and the amount I fly. I know the impact it is having on the planet. It is a battle I have within myself. I had always looked and heard about sustainable, ethical and organic, I thought it was unachievable but since being here I have learnt that it has to start somewhere and then as the seasons pass we all learn more, what started with some tomatoes and spuds has in turn become half way there.
As winter passes, the work on the land continues. The last of the veg is being harvested, the root veg and brussel sprouts that can be left in the ground past the frosts. We have had to get inventive with celeriac and sweed recipes and have been eating beetroot twice a day for months now. With a freezer full of home prepared meals from the abundance of food in the harvest season we eat well.
Fergal and Matt have been working with the horses and spent time ploughing the land as it should be done. The local men in the pub said they hadn't seen the land worked like that for over 40 years and it really was beautiful to be doing it right. They say that the weight of the tractors compresses the land too much. Really the earth doesn't want to be ploughed at all, Fergal, Mitch and Matt would like to be using full permaculture and bio dynamics, but again we are strolling in the right direction.
Growing in this colder climate has led us to get creative and Mitch spent last winter building an underground glass house, combining the principles of passive solar heating with earth-sheltered building, this should mean we can maintain a productive garden year-round. It now has avocado trees growing; Mitch bought the seeds back from Mexico and has been nursing them on his windowsill along with apricots, figs and lemons. What a pleasure to be eating tropical foods without the air miles. I'm hoping the lemon tree will be given a new life as it has struggled through the unsympathetic Irish weather.
Through the closer darker months you have to get creative with your time, the days are too short for more than a surf or two and the land for growing doesn't want to be walked on. We have all been busy, I've been playing on my sewing machine, trying to make swimwear out of recycled neoprene and turning old curtains into clothes like Maria Von Trapp in The Sound of Music. We may take a holiday in December, somewhere with no air miles, Scotland or Cornwall. Last winter we took the train, ferry and cycled to Amsterdam to watch Ben Howard and the band play to thousands.
The weather is cold and harsh here but my mother always said there is no such thing as bad weather, just inadequate clothing. We have a new rescue dog, so Conrads new friend is Father Ted. I am in love with them both and they make me get out of bed and walk on the beach on the cruelest of days. Matt told me staying in the cold is about keeping busy, making the most of each day and each ray of sunlight, talk often, walk more and chose how you feel. Life and how we live is our decision, the hard thing is realising that.


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Electronic Dance & Lounge Music Producer/DJs & Live Act
our new Release out now (16.05.19) at all stores and streaming platforms!…it's time after time! Thanx for support our music!
take a look inside!…we will show you our world of glammer.
Our last video on youtube!…see us again after the video.
Our music on soundcloud!…listen and enjoy.
Our music on spotify!…listen and enjoy.
Our last dj-mix on mix cloud!…listen and enjoy.


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Using Illustrations to Enhance The Look of Your Hub
Over the last few weeks,
the folks at Hub-Quaters have been talking more about the use of illustrations. Fellow hubbers have been posting their illustrations onto the Hub Facebook Page, sharing their creations and hopefully inspiring others to start using more illustrations in their hubs.
I'm still new to Hubpages, continually learning and experimenting with various tools and techniques, but one of the elements of writing an article that came naturally to me was employing illustrations.
Most likely, the urge stems from my time spent as a magazine stylist and in product development. My days were spent making things look pretty. So when I decided to join Hubpages and write about those topics that interest me, there was never a question in my mind not to make my hubs as visually attractive as I had time for. Frankly, it is one of the more satisfying elements of writing and nothing makes me want to contribute more than the compliments that I receive regarding my photos and illustrations.
See that line?
Following my introduction, I like to insert a graphic of some kind. It's a nice way to break before continuing with my article. I certainly don't need to insert a line or any other graphic for the matter, but it gives the reader a moment to pause.
There are many other reasons that you may choose to use illustrations in your hubs.
Aside from creating a more attractive hub, your illustrations may further explain a concept, provide an example of what you are referring to, teach a method, add humor, inject details.
These can all be achieved using illustrations. Whether you use a simple line is up to you. There are a variety of illustrations that you can use to make your hub more interesting and more cohesive.
Using an illustration as a linear break
Let's say that you're writing a hub pertaining to a business topic. Perhaps the topic is complicated and can be a bit difficult to comprehend. You may decide to insert breaks after you've discussed one or two key points. Rather than use a line, use another graphic image that either relates to your topic or simply adds a pop of color to a potentially cumbersome article.
Creating a linear image is a great way to add a short break to your hub, with little distraction to your reader. Whether it's a cluster of circles, a row of font or the simplest of sketches, it may be just the thing you need to give your hub a boost.
Don't have PhotoShop?
- How to edit images without Photoshop
This blog post lists image editing software applications and online utilities that you can use in place of Photoshop.
Lines, dashes, wiggles, dots and shwooshes
Depending on your hub topic, any one of these suggestions may work well for you. While straight lines and dashes tend to elicit a more formal look, wiggles and dots can add whimsy to your hub.
It's important that you don't forget color. Color is powerful. If your hub photos have a great deal of blue in them, consider creating blue illustrations or a coordinating color. Pulling the blue color together gives your hub a more professional look.
The three illustrations above, as well as, the eight below were made in Photoshop. I have an old version of PhotoShop and collectively, all eleven illustrations took me seconds to make. If you don't have PhotoShop, that's fine. Simple graphics like these can be created using several different methods. Try Paint.net or doodle a picture and then take a picture of your doodle. That's how I made the little flowers.
- Convert to Cartoon - Convert photo to Cartoon - Cartoonize Yourself
Convert Your Photo and Picture into Cartoon effect in one click, directly Online and for Free. PC and Mac compatible.
Using free software, such as
CARTOONIZE. There are lots and lots of offers for free software on the web. Many of the software programs turn pictures or images into great graphics that can be used in your hubs.
Below, on the left, is a photo of my german shorthaired pointer. I used the free cartoonize software to turn his photo into four very unique images.
Same free program, different application
Still using Cartoonize, I uploaded a picture of a group of fall colored leaves. This is one of the results.
Try using drawings or sketches. Play with fonts. Who knows what you'll come up with.
Don't limit yourself when using these free programs. Plug in a variety of pictures and see what the results are.
Can't seem to get enough from cartoon software? Here is a list of thirteen additional sites.
- 13 Websites That Converts Photo Into a Cartoon Character | blueblots.com
[I know, it gets addictive]
Illustrations that add movement
I've recently published a hub pertaining to my visit to a butterfly pavilion. I was able to snap many colorful pictures and didn't want to add any more color for fear my hub would appear too busy. I did, however, what to add a break here and there, so I this 'butterfly in flight' is what I came up with.
Free weekly clip art
- Welcome to Dover Publications
Sign up here to receive FREE Clip Art images every week to download and use in your hubs.
Using Dover clip art
If you are a crafter or wish to create your own illustrations and haven't yet heard of Dover clip art, be sure to learn more about this invaluable resource.
Dover publications is an archive of royalty free images. Dover publications catalogs much of their images into helpful groups, such as animals, nautical, fonts, graphics and the list goes on.
Dover books can be purchased online of at your local book shop. Many of the collections have now been put onto CD format and makes it that much easier for you, the hub creator, to use these images.
The butterfly that I used was in a butterfly book I own. I manipulated the butterfly a bit more and added a line of flight. That simple.
Change direction for visual interest
The hub capsules can be arranged in a variety of ways that make a hub interested. Your illustrations can do the same.
When creating your illustration be sure to off-set any pictures or graphs that make your hub appear to listing to one side or the other.
Adding an image that equalizes your hub can return it to a more balanced look.
Do you doodle?
Some times what your hub needs is just a little doodle. Perhaps you've written a poem and wish to add a bit of illustration. Maybe, your hub is about sharing ideas with people that don't speak the same language. Or, you are teaching your audience how to make simple postcards.
Doodling can be very expressive. Add some color with colored markers. Have your kids draw you a few pictures.
Can you paint?
Recently, Hubpages posted an illustration from Hubber Melovys on their Facebook Page. The beauty of her illustration is that it was done by a child.
Do you have your child's school art hanging on the fridge? Why not consider using that to enhance your hub articles. Have your children draw or paint images that relate to your hub topic, crop them for effect and you have unique material that you can call your own.
Use images of paper
Take a few pictures of gift wrap or craft paper that you have. Crop the image to the desired size and use that as an illustration.
Generally speaking, any designs that are sold as wrap can be used for this purpose.
Even using a sliver of the wrapping paper design adds interest to the overall look of the hub.
If you're writing a hub that explains a certain technique or design, use a snippet of paper that relates. For example, The image below is from a piece of wrapping paper I have. The technique is marbling and it has been used for centuries. Maybe some time in the future, I'll write a hub about marbling and this illustration will come in handy.
Because of the recent conversation regarding illustration, I've become acquainted with fellow hubber, Mark Ewbie.
His sketches have helped create impressive hubs and garnered Mark a large following.
Your illustrations need not be Picasso-esque, they merely need to add value to your hub.
Do you sketching talent?
Speaking of Picasso...
Picasa is free photo editing software. They also allow you to turn your photos into various effects that may be just want you're looking for.
Include something with a bit of texture
I'm sure that you have scrap paper hanging around your house. Drizzle some paint across the sheet or spatter a little across the page.
Both techniques show texture and can be created in minutes. Even before the paint has had a chance to dry, snap a photo.
While your writing your next crime tale on Hubpages, insert a little faux-blood spatter and bring your story to life.
Craft supplies need not be expensive. Buy a basic set of paints (latex works for so many projects) and buy paints that are sold in small tubes.
Look up, look down, look all around
Take stock of the surfaces in and around your house that would make a great illustration.
There are many surfaces in your home that have visual appeal. As I walked around my house I began to see possibilities in objects that I hadn't thought of before.
The lid of a tortoise shell box, a picture of a rug or a photo of a tile floor can all be turned into something unique.
You've got the POWER (Powerpoint, that is)
Whether you work on a mac or a pc, you most likely have Powerpoint on your computer. It is generally a standard program installed when you purchase your machine.
Powerpoint can assist you in creating illustrations and graphics for your hubs. Learn more here: Create Graphics in PowerPoint.
Using Illustrator to create your illustrations
If, in fact, you do own Illustrator, than you are able to create a vast amount of illustrations for you (and all your hub friends!)
Illustrator, like PhotoShop, is an expensive program. If you have a college-aged person living in your house, however, these programs can usually be purchased at a student discount. Keep in mind, that even with the student discount, these programs are still on the pricey side.
Here's a a single tutorial for turning your favorite pictures into illustrations. Cool, huh?
Where can you find more images?
By searching the web, you can locate a host of sites that provide images for a cost or for free. The possibilities of using these images is endless and turning them into illustrations, also endless.
For a great list of resources, review this list of 62 sites. Hubber, Sparrowlet, did a wonderful job of including the many sites available to you.
Craving more resources?
- Nadya_s will turn your photo into cartoon illustration for $5, only on fiverr.com
turn your photo into a cartoon illustration. Perfect for your hub avatar, too.
Don't mind payin'
There are those times that you just want someone else to do it for you. Well, it's not only possible, but it will only cost you 5 bucks. If you're looking for just the right illustration, consider checking out sites like fiverr.
- GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program
If you want to retouch your own images, try GIMP. Need help? Check out the pages on gimp-savvy, below.
Gimpin' along
While I'm partial to PhotoShop, Gimp is free. I like free, also. If you'd like to learn how to manipulate your own photos and images, I recommend that you stop by and take a look at GIMP.
Typically, there are a few tools that you need to learn in order to accomplish your immediate goals. After that, you'll just be adding to your skills set.
- Grokking the GIMP - Learning Advanced Image Editing Techniques
Grokking the GIMP is a leading book for learning advanced digital image editing techniques using (GNU Image Manipulation Program) the GIMP. The book provides everything needed to learn GIMP, including tutorials, beginning and advanced techniques.
Hey, all those pics are pretty cool, but I need to make graphs and tables
Okay, so you're a hubber who writes more about science, or politics. You need to illustrate voter response or financial decline. Try to create your own tables with the help of DataLab or investigate the tools on Office.com.
There have been an influx of hubs related to social media, marketing and branding. If you've got a hub pertaining to search engine optimization, blogging, Facebook or Twitter, you may want to check out the free charts offered at HubSpot.
An example of an altered owl design created for a retail chain
Using art and making it your own. A good rule of thumb
For years I have worked in product development. I've worked with many artists. Their work has been hung on walls, recreated as dinnerware patterns and sold as holiday cards to the masses.
Throughout the years, I have also witnessed, countless times, companies and vendors asking for "this" design on their product, as they handed you a swatch of fabric or a torn page from a magazine.
Never use someone else's work. It is disrespectful at the very least. It is theft, also.
With that said, I can also say that design is a complex, grey matter. Our creative teams used to say that if a single individual drew a picture of the ocean with three shells on it's beaches, you can be certain that a hundred more people around the world in that very same moment also drew that same images. Art is universal in so many ways.
So, who has the rights to a particular drawing, picture or design? Well that depends. Let me explain. If I purchase a gift card at the store and I want to use the art on that card-as it is-I must have the permission of the artist and I must give that artist credit. However, if I manipulate the art in such a way that it becomes my own, then I can use it as original art.
This can be a bit tricky, so always stand on the side of caution. If, after you have changed the design, it still looks similar to the original, you've not manipulated it enough. If in doubt, don't use it.
I wanted to show you an example from a project I'd worked on for a major retail company. The McCoy owl was the inspiration. The dinnerware pattern below the McCoy was the design that was eventually chosen for production.
See THAT line?
THAT line means that I really should stop here. I hope that this information has been helpful to you and I also hope that it inspires you to create your own illustrations and enhance the overall look of your hubs.
Good Luck With Your Illustrations!
I just checked out GIMP, and think I may try it. This is an excellent hub with so many good suggestions. Voted up and useful.
Awesome thanks! This hub is very helpful and motivates me. I am bookmarking and sharing too.
Amazing design tips here. I'm going to keep this hub bookmarked as a reference.
Design is so important to me too. I can't seem to just write a hub without the perfect illustration. Sometimes I'm not sure if my picture is 'free' or not. I always put credit to the website that contributed the picture.
The page breaks I have used are all found on free websites. Thank you for some real insight and help on making our hubs original and unique.
Useful hub! I recently experimented with Photoshop and I enjoyed inserting those page breaks (though not as sophisticated yet). Thanks for writing these helpful tips.
Really useful hub and beautifully presented. Voted up and shared!
Wonderful read. Illustrations add vibrancy to the hub/article. This hub has a great deal of useful info that can't really sink in at one go. Need to come back again to go over the many options you have given.
Bookmarking and sharing too.
Voted up, useful and awesome.
Wow! Thanks for teaching me so much about illustrations. I feel like I have so many more alternatives now. It is just a matter of learning them no. I really appreciate all this info.
So interesting ;useful and well presented.
Great work and I save this one for easy future reference.
Great ideas! I started using illustrations to not only spice my Hub, but to make it more original and unique! (After all, unique content is profitable!) I made line breaks for my coloring book debate Hub using a brush I custom-made on Photo Explosion Deluxe to look like crayon, then scribbled randomly with red, blue, and yellow. This adds a personal touch to the Hub while making it relevant to the subject. I'm sharing this with my followers!
Some fab ideas in your hub, I love the paint splatter. Must, must get my camera out this weekend. In all honesty, I find the line breaks between sections off-putting, but have read that they are a good thing. Thanks for your informative work.
Great suggestions and you did a wonderful job of research and explanation. I'll look into a few of these this weekend.


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Koh Tao → To Koh Samui Sep 28, 2019
Departure: Saturday, September 28, 2019 06:35 from Mae Haad Koh Tao
Arrival: Saturday, September 28, 2019 09:00 to Bangrak Seatran Pier, Koh Samui
Duration: 2h 25m
Class: High Speed Ferry
Facilities and services: Aircon, Snack, Steward, WC, TV
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Cancellation: Cancelation possible (check rules)
- Departure station: 5/31-32 Moo 2, Maehaad Beach, Tambol Koh Tao, Amphur Koh Pha Ngan, Surathani 84280 Thailand, Tel: (+66) 077 953057, Open: 6:00-18:30 daily.
Important notice: SeaTran Discovery no longer requires any printout at the following stations: Krabi, Surat Thani Donsak Pier, Koh Samui Bangrak Pier, Koh Phangan Thongsala Pier and Koh Tao Mae Haad Pier. You can check in at these SeaTran ferry counters with a screenshot of your voucher. There is no need to print it anymore.
- You still do need a printed voucher at Koh Phi Phi and the other stations not mentioned above.
- Please come to check-in at the counter at least 30 minutes before departure time.
- Seatran Discovery Ferries have inside seating downstairs and an outside covered deck upstairs.
Cancelation policy: +Mae Haad (Koh Tao) to Suratthani Airport 1
The following refund options are available:
REFUND 50% excluding fee (more than 27 hours before departure)
Press refund button before 2019-09-27 03:35 AM Bangkok time (4 days left).
Amount to be refunded: USD 0.00


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From cheery multi-level homes overlooking idyllic lakes to modern chateaus on charming cul-de-sacs, we have the perfect accommodations for your next visit to historic Annapolis. Our 6-bedroom vacation homes sleep 12-14 adults in comfort and style. Each comes fully furnished with comfortable and contemporary sofas, love seats, loungers and more, with stylish décor and tasteful accents throughout. You and your family will feel perfectly at home thanks to spacious living rooms with big screen TV's or home theaters, dens featuring fireplaces and mini-bars, and private bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and large walk-in closets. Our larger vacation home rentals in Annapolis, MD boast spectacular outdoor areas, perfect for entertaining. Stroll the landscaped grounds, enjoy a refreshing drink in Adirondack chairs by the water's edge, or host a cookout on your backyard patio or 2nd floor covered porch. Here, the options are endless – and they are all yours.
Click Below to Book our Vacation Rentals in the Annapolis Area Today
The Top Vacation Rentals in Annapolis Area
All of our vacation home rentals in Annapolis, MD are individually owned and professionally managed to ensure that we can provide you with the ultimate home away from home. Master suites (our 6-bedroom houses often feature multiple) include indulgent walk-in closets, modern and upscale bathrooms, and beautiful views of Annapolis's historic downtown or the scenic waterways. Guest bedrooms feature king or queen size beds and plenty of space and privacy, with high-end linens, free Wi-Fi, and charming accents to make you feel right at home. a private en suite bathroom and large walk-in shower or Jacuzzi tub.
While we feature a variety of different floorplans ranging from split-level townhouses to riverside mansions, all of our large vacation rentals in the Annapolis area feature newly renovated kitchens with modern appliances (e.g Bosch, Viking, etc.) and expansive granite countertops, perfect for preparing a family feast. These premium homes also boast luxurious outdoor pools, gardens, themed game rooms, glassed-in solariums, and private docks with slips available for your boat. Nowhere else can you find this incredible combination of value, luxury, comfort, and convenience.
We are proud to offer more than just the best selection of vacation rentals in the Annapolis area: We offer your dream home away from home. Come explore all the charm, history, and attractions our beautiful city has to offer and let us provide you with the absolute best vacation possible. Our local experts are standing by to help, or you can browse our wide selection of vacation home rentals in Annapolis, MD on our website.


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To get in touch, please write to firstname.lastname@example.com
Thanks to Dave Rowntree for many of the player images after 1984.
Can you help? This page is the result of the best endeavours of all concerned. If you spot a mistake or know of facts to add, or have a better photo, please get in touch using 'Contact Us' (top, right).
Back to GoS-DB Hub Find Another Player
Born: 15 March 1987
Came from: Unattached Went to: Released
First game: 13 August 2016 Last game: 14 February 2017
Appearances: 23 (20/3) Goals: 3
Born in the Latvian capital of Riga, Bulvitis featured for a number of smaller Baltic sides at the beginning of his career. His first club was Latvian side FC Daugava, with whom he spent a season before joining Lithuanian side FK Siauliai in 2008. He returned to Latvia for the 2009 season, joining FC Tranzit in Ventspils, where he made 17 appearances before moving on a half-season loan to Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the summer of 2009.
He made his debut for Caley Thistle in a Scottish League Cup match against Annan Athletic, scoring his first goal for the club in the next round against Albion Rovers. On his return to Ventspils in January 2010 he was immediately sent to a Russian Second Division club, but within a week he was back in Inverness at his request. He stayed until the end of the season and made a total of 39 appearances (4 goals) to help the Highland club win the Scottish First Division.
Upon returning to Latvia in the summer of 2010, he joined FK Ventspils, spending six months there before moving on to Slovakian side Spartak Trnava. Injuries plagued his time there and soon he was on the move again, joining Jurmala for his first spell with the club. He made over 50 appearances for them in a period that saw him make his international debut in the 2012 Baltic Cup, where he helped Latvia to win the tournament in his first two games for his country.
In the summer of 2013 Bulvitis joined one of Latvia's most successful clubs, Skonto Riga, on a three-year deal. Unfortunately, financial difficulties at the club saw him again limited to just a six-month stay. He subsequently moved briefly to Switzerland, playing for FC Aarau, before returning to Jurmala for a second spell in early 2015.
Bulvitis began his second spell in British football in the summer of 2016 when Derek Adams brought him to Home Park. By this time the centre-back had accumulated 19 international caps and two goals for Latvia, having previously played for them at under-19 and under-21 levels.
Having scored three in 23 appearances for Argyle, including a memorable brief cameo up front when chasing the game in the FA Cup replay at home to Liverpool, the 30-year-old was released by Argyle at the end of the 2016-17 season.
Four months later he returned to his home country and re-signed for his former club, six-times Latvian champions, FK Ventspils.
If you can add to this profile, perhaps with special memories, a favourite story or the results of your original research, please contribute here.
APPEARANCE DETAILS [reselect competitions]
The details below reflect appearances in all first-team competitions.
I'm very grateful to many who have helped write GoS-DB's player pen-pictures, and to Dave Rowntree, the PAFC Media Team and Colin Parsons for their help with photos. Thanks also to staff at the National Football Museum, the Scottish Football Museum and ScotlandsPeople for their valuable assistance.
The following publications have been particularly valuable in the research of pen-pictures: Plymouth Argyle, A Complete Record 1903-1989 (Brian Knight, ISBN 0-907969-40-2); Plymouth Argyle, 101 Golden Greats (Andy Riddle, ISBN 1-874287-47-3); Football League Players' Records 1888-1939 (Michael Joyce, ISBN 1-899468-67-6); Football League Players' Records 1946-1988 (Barry Hugman, ISBN 1-85443-020-3) and Plymouth Argyle Football Club Handbooks.
Greens on Screen is run as a service to fellow supporters, in all good faith, without commercial or private gain. I have no wish to abuse copyright regulations and apologise unreservedly if this occurs. If you own any of the material used on this site, and object to its inclusion, please get in touch using the 'Contact Us' button at the top of each page.


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Chia seeds come from the plant Salvia hispanica L., and were at one time a major food crop in Mexico and Guatemala. The chia seed market is projected to reach more than 2 billion USD in sales by 2022. Chia seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fats (omega-3 fatty acids), fiber, protein, calcium, phosphorous, and zinc.
Two tablespoons of chia seeds (1 ounce or 28 grams) contain about 140 calories, 4 grams of protein, 11 grams of fiber, and 7 grams of unsaturated fat. They are the richest plant source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Reasons to Eat Chia Seeds
Chia seeds contain several components that, when eaten as part of a balanced plant-rich diet, may prevent the development of various chronic diseases.
1. Digestive Health
Chia seeds are high in fiber, providing 11 grams of fiber per ounce. Being high in fiber, chia seeds benefit bowel regularity. These fibers may also lower LDL cholesterol and slow down digestion, which can prevent blood sugar spikes after eating a meal and promote a feeling of fullness.
2. Heart Health
Chia seeds are a very good source of ALA omega-3 fatty acids. Just one tablespoon of chia seeds contains 2.5 grams of ALA. Omega-3 fatty acids protect the heart by lowering bad cholesterol, blood pressure and inflammation. Inflammation can put strain on blood vessels and cause heart disease.
Ways to Enjoy Chia seeds
- Chia Gel: Chia seeds absorb water quickly. Place 1/4 cup seeds in 1 cup liquid, stir well and cover. Allow to sit for 15-20 minutes until the texture becomes a soft gelatin. Add to smoothies and soups for a thicker consistency and added nutrition.
- Chia Pudding: Mix 1/4 cup seeds with 1 cup liquid such as milk (almond, soy, or dairy) or 100% fruit juice. Allow to sit refrigerated for 15 minutes. Add nuts, chopped fresh fruit, or cinnamon if desired.
- Egg Replacer: Can be used to replace whole eggs in baking. For 1 whole egg, mix 1 tablespoon whole chia seeds or 2 teaspoons ground chia seeds with 3 tablespoons water. Let sit for at least 5 minutes or until the mixture thickens to the consistency of a raw scrambled egg.
- Cereal Topping: Sprinkle a few teaspoons into breakfast cereals (hot or cold).
- Baking: Stir into cake/muffin/bread batter.
- Stews and Soups: Stir into stews or soups.
- Sauces and Marinades: Stir into salad dressings, sauces, and marinades.


text: I'm excited to kick off Jen's OT for Kids blog! For the past 16+ years, I've worked with hundreds of children of all levels of ability and they have taught me more than I could have ever dreamed. My life as an occupational therapist has taken me on all sorts of exciting paths and learning journeys. Hopefully along the way I've also been able to touch the lives of my students as they have touched my heart. I am passionate about the importance of education and helping children feel ready and empowered to succeed in school. There are so many simple things we can do to help our kids learn and grow! I hope to share what I've learned about fine motor development and school readiness so that you too can help the favorite kids in your life. Follow along and learn and share. Together we can help our children succeed to be the best little people they can be.


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When business is going better than usual, it's easy to forget about the past. We get wrapped up in all the day-to-day business details, the unending emails and voicemails. But, I think it's important to take a look at the past and see when we hit bottom and whether we're truly bouncing back from some shaky economic times. The real estate sales at RE/MAX of Boulder, Inc. seem to be picking up, which just might be a strong indicator of an upturn in the economy and more importantly, peoples' confidence levels.
Here are some statistics for the past seven years that give the number of Under Contracts and total Sales Volume in the month of January reflecting that the bottom might have been in 2008/2009 and now we're seeing some remarkable recovery figures, equal only to stats from January 2005.
2004: 105 under contract for $43.7 million sales volume
2005: 120 under contract for $52.2 million sales volume
2006: 108 under contract for $48.6 million sales volume
2007: 101 under contract for $54 million sales volume
2008: 56 under contract for $25.1 million sales volume
2009: 62 under contract for $25.2 million sales volume
2010: 123 under contract for $52.1 million sales volume
This is a 98.4% INCREASE in Under Contracts over January 2009 and a 106.75% INCREASE in Sales Volume over January 2009. It looks like the tax credit incentives are working, at least in Boulder County. Now, if we can just get the unemployment numbers to do the same.
The Countdown Is Under Way. As of today, you have 86 days to be under contract by the April, 30, 2010 deadline, and closed by June 30, 2010 to take advantage of the tax credits.
Call us today at 303.449.7000 or 800.825.7000 or visit www.BoulderCO.com


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Is banana bread seasonal? Or is it just one of those bread situations that randomly reappears every so often, whenever there are enough over-ripe bananas floating about your kitchen?
Banana bread is weird. It doesn't feel summery, or fall-ish. It doesn't identify with any specific occasion or holiday. It doesn't have a particular vibe about it. It's just one of those "whenever the time is right" kind of breads. I think of zucchini bread in the same way.
Please note: this bread is super-delicious. However, do not do what I did and use crappily hand-chopped almonds instead of slivered/sliced almonds, unless you're completely okay with what I call the "captain crunch effect," wherein the roof of your mouth gets demolished because your food is so pokey/porcupine-y.
Banana Bread
2 very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup worth)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 TB baking powder
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
2 TB unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
3 TB honey
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup slivered almonds (or other nuts) (optional)
- Preheat your oven to 350F. Prepare your pan (you can use a loaf pan, a mini loaf pan, or a muffin pan here. Just grease lightly and/or line with parchment).
- In a large bowl, mash your bananas with a fork or a potato masher.
- Add milk, egg, butter, sugars and honey. Mix well (I used my hand-held mixer here. It's just so easy).
- Add flours, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon. Mix until just combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pan. Top with slivered almonds.
- Bake 50 minutes to one hour for a regular sized loaf, or 20-30 minutes for mini loaves/muffins. This may vary based on your oven, so make sure you do a toothpick test. A toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf should come out clean.
- Let cool at least 20-30 minutes before removing from pan.


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Future Greenland temperature evolution will affect melting of the ice sheet and associated global sea-level change. Therefore, understanding Greenland temperature variability and its relation to global trends is critical. Here, we reconstruct the last 1,000 years of central Greenland surface temperature from isotopes of N(2) and Ar in air bubbles in an ice core. This technique provides constraints on decadal to centennial temperature fluctuations. We found that northern hemisphere temperature and Greenland temperature changed synchronously at periods of similar to 20 years and 40-100 years. This quasi-periodic multi-decadal temperature fluctuation persisted throughout the last millennium, and is likely to continue into the future.
How fast and how much climate can change has significant implications for concerns about future climate changes and their potential impacts on society. An abrupt climate change 8200 years ago (8.2 ka event) provides a test case to understand possible future climatic variability. Here, methane concentration (taken as an indicator for terrestrial hydrology) and nitrogen isotopes (Greenland temperature) in trapped air in a Greenland ice core (GISP2) are employed to scrutinize the evolution of the 8.2 ka event. The synchronous change in methane and nitrogen implies that the 8.2 ka event was a synchronous event (within +/- 4 years) at a hemispheric scale, as indicated by recent climate model results [Legrande, A. N., Schmidt, G. A., Shindell, D. T., Field, C. V., Miller, R. L., Koch, D. M., Faluvegi, G., Hoffmann, G., 2006. Consistent simulations of multiple proxy responses to an abrupt climate change event. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 103, 837-842]. The event began with a large-scale general cooling and drying around similar to 8175 +/- 30 years BP (Before Present, where Present is 1950 AD). Greenland temperature cooled by 3.3 +/- 1.1 degrees C (decadal average) in less than similar to 20 years, and atmospheric methane concentration decreased by similar to 80 +/- 25 ppb over similar to 40 years, corresponding to a 15 +/- 5% emission reduction. Hemispheric scale cooling and drying.. inferred from many paleoclimate proxies, likely contributed to this emission reduction. In central Greenland, the coldest period lasted for similar to 60 years, interrupted by a milder interval of a few decades, and temperature subsequently warmed in several steps over similar to 70 years. The total duration of the 8.2 ka event was roughly 150 years. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Greenland recently incurred record high temperatures and ice loss by melting, adding to concerns that anthropogenic warming is impacting the Greenland ice sheet and in turn accelerating global sea-level rise. Yet, it remains imprecisely known for Greenland how much warming is caused by increasing atmospheric greenhouse gases versus natural variability. To address this need, we reconstruct Greenland surface snow temperature variability over the past 4000 years at the GISP2 site (near the Summit of the Greenland ice sheet; hereafter referred to as Greenland temperature) with a new method that utilises argon and nitrogen isotopic ratios from occluded air bubbles. The estimated average Greenland snow temperature over the past 4000 years was -30.7 degrees C with a standard deviation of 1.0 degrees C and exhibited a long-term decrease of roughly 1.5 degrees C, which is consistent with earlier studies. The current decadal average surface temperature (2001-2010) at the GISP2 site is -29.9 degrees C. The record indicates that warmer temperatures were the norm in the earlier part of the past 4000 years, including century-long intervals nearly 1 C warmer than the present decade (20012010). Therefore, we conclude that the current decadal mean temperature in Greenland has not exceeded the envelope of natural variability over the past 4000 years, a period that seems to include part of the Holocene Thermal Maximum. Notwithstanding this conclusion, climate models project that if anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions continue, the Greenland temperature would exceed the natural variability of the past 4000 years sometime before the year 2100. Citation: Kobashi, T., K. Kawamura, J. P. Severinghaus, J.-M. Barnola, T. Nakaegawa, B. M. Vinther, S. J. Johnsen, and J. E. Box (2011), High variability of Greenland surface temperature over the past 4000 years estimated from trapped air in an ice core, Geophys. Res. Lett., 38, L21501, doi:10.1029/2011GL049444.
Nitrogen and argon isotopes in air trapped in a Greenland ice core (GISP2) show two prominent peaks in the interval 11,800-10,800 B.P., which indicate two large abrupt warming events. The first abrupt wanning (10 +/- 4 degrees C) is the widely documented event at the end of the Younger Dryas. Here, we report on the second abrupt warming (4 +/- 1.5 degrees C), which occurred at the end of a short lived cooler interval known as the Preboreal Oscillation (11,270 +/- 30 B.P.). A rapid snow accumulation increase suggests that the climatic transition may have occurred within a few years. The character of the Preboreal Oscillation and the subsequent abrupt warming is similar to the Dansgaard-Oeschger (D/O) events in the last glacial period, suggestive of a common mechanism, but different from another large climate change at 8,200 B.P., in which cooling was abrupt but subsequent warming was gradual. The large abrupt warming at 11,270 B.P. may be considered to be the final D/O event prior to the arrival of the present stable and warm epoch. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Argon and nitrogen isotopes of air in polar ice cores provide constraints on past temperature and firn thickness, with relevance to past climate. We developed a method to simultaneously measure nitrogen and argon isotopes in trapped air from the same sample of polar ice. This method reduces the time required for analysis, allowing large numbers of measurements. We applied this method to the entire Holocene sequence of the GISP2 ice core (82.37-1692.22 m) with a 10-20 year sampling interval (670 depths). delta(40)Ar and delta(15)N show elevated values in the oldest part of the dataset, consistent with a thicker firn layer and increased temperature gradient in the firn due to the legacy of the abrupt warming at the end of the Younger Dryas interval and the gradual warming during the Preboreal interval (11.5-10.0 ka). The Preboreal Oscillation and the 8.2k event are clearly recorded. The data show remarkable stability after the 8.2k event. Available data suggests that post-coring gas loss involves two distinct types of fractionation. First, smaller molecules with less than a certain threshold size leak through the ice lattice with little isotopic fractionation. Second, gas composition changes via gas loss through microcracks, which induces isotopic fractionation. These two gas loss processes can explain most trends in our data and in other ice core records. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Air withdrawn from the firn, at four polar sites (Dome Fuji, H72 and YM85, Antarctica and North GRIP, Greenland) was measured for delta N-15 of N-2 and delta O-18 of O-2 to test for the presence of convective air mixing in the top part of the firn, known as the "convective zone". Understanding the convective zone and its possible relationship to surface conditions is important for constructing accurate ice-core greenhouse gas chronologies and their phasing with respect to climate change. The thickness of the convective zone was inferred from a regression line with barometric slope of the data in the deep firn. It is less than a few meters at H72 and NGRIP, whereas a substantial convective zone is found at Dome Fuji (8.6 +/- 2.6 m) and YM85 (14.0 +/- 1.8 m). By matching the outputs of a diffusion model to the data, effective eddy diffusivities required to mix the firn air are found. At the surface of Dome Fuji and YM85, these are found to be several times greater than the molecular diffusivity in free air. The crossover from dominance of convection to molecular diffusion takes place at 7 +/- 2, 11 +/- 2 and 0.5 +/- 0.5 m at Dome Fuji, YM85 and NGRIP, respectively. These depths can be used as an alternative definition of the convective zone thickness. The firn permeability at Dome Fuji is expected to be high because of intense firn metamorphism due to the low accumulation rate and large seasonal air temperature variation at the site. The firn layers in the top several meters are exposed to strong temperature gradients for several decades, leading to large firn grains and depth hoar that enhance permeability. The thick convective zone at YM85 is unexpected because the temperature, accumulation rate and near-surface density are comparable to NGRIP. The strong katabatic wind at YM85 is probably responsible for creating the deep convection. The largest convective zone found in this study is still only half of the current inconsistency implied from the deep ice core gas isotopes and firn densification models. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
A previously unrecognized type of gas fractionation occurs in firn air columns subjected to intense convection. It is a form of kinetic fractionation that depends on the fact that different gases have different molecular diffusivities. Convective mixing continually disturbs diffusive equilibrium, and gases diffuse back toward diffusive equilibrium under the influence of gravity and thermal gradients. In near-surface firn where convection and diffusion compete as gas transport mechanisms, slow-diffusing gases such as krypton (Kr) and xenon (Xe) are more heavily impacted by convection than fast diffusing gases such as nitrogen (N-2) and argon (Ar), and the signals are preserved in deep firn and ice. We show a simple theory that predicts this kinetic effect, and the theory is confirmed by observations using a newly-developed Kr and Xe stable isotope system in air samples from the Megadunes field site on the East Antarctic plateau. Numerical simulations confirm the effect's magnitude at this site. A main purpose of this work is to support the development of a proxy indicator of past convection in firn, for use in ice-core gas records. To this aim, we also show with the simulations that the magnitude of the kinetic effect is fairly insensitive to the exact profile of convective strength, if the overall thickness of the convective zone is kept constant. These results suggest that it may be feasible to test for the existence of an extremely deep (similar to 30-40 m) convective zone, which has been hypothesized for glacial maxima, by future ice-core measurements.
The Milankovitch theory of climate change proposes that glacial interglacial cycles are driven by changes in summer insolation at high northern latitudes(1). The timing of climate change in the Southern Hemisphere at glacial-interglacial transitions (which are known as terminations) relative to variations in summer insolation in the Northern Hemisphere is an important test of this hypothesis. So far, it has only been possible to apply this test to the most recent termination(2,3), because the dating uncertainty associated with older terminations is too large to allow phase relationships to be determined. Here we present a new chronology of Antarctic climate change over the past 360,000 years that is based on the ratio of oxygen to nitrogen molecules in air trapped in the Dome Fuji and Vostok ice cores(4,5). This ratio is a proxy for local summer insolation(5), and thus allows the chronology to be constructed by orbital tuning without the need to assume a lag between a climate record and an orbital parameter. The accuracy of the chronology allows us to examine the phase relationships between climate records from the ice cores(6-9) and changes in insolation. Our results indicate that orbital-scale Antarctic climate change lags Northern Hemisphere insolation by a few millennia, and that the increases in Antarctic temperature and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration during the last four terminations occurred within the rising phase of Northern Hemisphere summer insolation. These results support the Milankovitch theory that Northern Hemisphere summer insolation triggered the last four deglaciations(3,10,11).
Earth and Planetary Chemistry, Earth Through Space and Time, Global Change, Global Environmental Monitoring, Ice and Climate
Biogeochemistry and Greenhouse Gases, Climate Sciences, Ice in the Climate System, Past Climate Change, Southern Ocean and High-Latitude Climate Studies
Mailing Address: SIO DeptScripps Institution of OceanographyUC San Diego9500 Gilman Drive #0244La Jolla CA, 92093-0244
Location: 211 Vaughan HallTel: 858-822-2483Fax: 858-822-3310
jseveringhaus at ucsd.edu