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Organic Staircase from American Tulipwood for Amot Atrium Tower
Sculptural staircase bends and swoops to create fluidity within the spacious office tower
Variety of species: Hardwoods from America offer specifiers, manufacturers and end-users around the world a great variety of colour, grain and character; from the warm, darker tones of walnut, red alder, elm, cherry and red oak to the lighter hues of white oak, maple and ash. There are over 20 commercial species alone in the AHEC's Species guide and the real advantage for the manufacturer is that both veneers and solids are available in most species ensuring a good fit for any project.
Standard Grading: American hardwoods are traded under a Standard set of Grading Rules that have been accepted throughout the hardwood industry. These Rules were established over 100 years ago by the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) and provide consistency and a common language that both buyer and seller can work with to produce successful transactions over and over again.
Sustainability: No other country can boast the success the Americans have had in the sustainability of its hardwood forests. Due to the intensive application of Best Management Practices (BMP), the hardwood forests in America not only support a vibrant healthy stand of timber, but also huge populations of wildlife, clean rivers and streams, and a host of recreational activities. The net volume of hardwood growing stock in the USA increased from 184,090 million cubic feet in 1953 to just under 400,000 million cubic feet in 2007.
Hardwoods can be used for a wide range of applications. Some of the most important application categories for hardwoods are listed below.
Hardwoods are commonly used for all aspects of interior joinery including; ceiling and wall cladding, doors, partitions, stairs, handrails, internal window frames, fitted cabinets, skirting's, frames, mouldings and veneered panels. Prior to selecting a species it is important to ascertain that the gluing, finishing and machining properties are suited to the application. It is also important to note that some species are more stable than others in conditions where the ambient moisture may be changeable. Most commercially available American hardwood species machine and finish to a high standard and can be sourced in a range of specifications to suit most interior joinery applications. There is also a spread of colours from the light clean look of the maples and ash, the red hues of cherry, red alder and red birch, the distinctive grain of red and white oak, through to the dark rich brown of black walnut.
Hardwoods are often the material of choice for high quality performance furniture of all shapes and styles. The wide range of natural colours and grains available provides a great choice of look and fashion to suit most environments. Many species can also be stained to alter their surface appearance. Prior to selecting a species it is important to ascertain that the gluing, finishing and machining properties are suited to the application. American hardwoods are ideal for most furniture applications and can be found in products worldwide, from mass produced tables and chairs to custom design hand crafted furniture made to last a life time.
Wooden flooring is becoming increasingly fashionable not just for it warm feel and look but also for its practical and long lasting performance. Wooden floors are seen as an investment and really can add value to a property. Of course the quality, performance and price of products can vary enormously so it is important to source the right product for any given application. Hardwood species are very widely used in flooring as many of them have natural hardwearing properties. Many American hardwoods are known as prime flooring species; such as red oak. White oak, ash, hickory and of course the hardest wearing of all, hard maple – perfect for gymnasiums and sports halls. Even slighter softer species such as cherry and walnut can be used very effectively for high traffic uses with the help of high performance coatings and finishes.
For exterior applications it is important to ensure that the wood species selected has the necessary protection to withstand decay and weathering. Establishing the potential hazard application will determine what protection is required. For example joinery that is south facing and very exposed will be more at risk of deterioration. Ground contact or marine use would be the most hazardous conditions. It should be noted that the sapwood (often lighter coloured outer edge of the tree) of all species is non durable and will decay and rot in the right moisture conditions. If sapwood is present it should be treated with suitable preservative. The heartwood of some hardwoods can offer natural protection against decay and these species are classed as durable. (The degree of durability may vary). However, non durable hardwood species can also be used externally providing they are treated. Treated hardwoods will usually need a coating or finish to ensure the maximum performance of the preservative, but naturally durable species, such as oak, can be left to weather naturally.
Please select a species to view all related case studies, data and images
Sculptural staircase bends and swoops to create fluidity within the spacious office tower
an atmosphere where products and architecture come together in a harmonious nature filled with plants and natural light.
The commitment to seasonality and sustainability of Hunters' Roots Cafe and Juice Bar.
Last week nearly 150 European hardwood importers, architects and American hardwood exporters came...
The American Hardwood Export Council has collaborated with Alison Brooks Architects, Arup and the...
The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) has launched a European wide campaign called Grown in...
"Despite the different oil and fire retardant coatings, the distinctive white oak colour tone remains consistent, and we are delighted with the end result."
- Mark Sette on American white oak at the Antwerp Museum, Belgium
Download or order your free Guide to SpeciesDownload it now


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Victoria Falls is a destination split between Zimbabwe and Zambia but both offer accommodation ranging from large family-friendly hotels close to all the action to intimate honeymoon-perfect lodges set on the banks of the scenic Zambezi River. Several are within easy walking distance of Victoria Falls but wherever you're situated, you'll have access to this world-famous waterfall as well as to the many activities available in the area.
Accommodation on the Zambian side is spread out on the banks of the Zambezi upstream from Victoria Falls and is best for romantic river chalets and luxurious suites; accommodation on the Zimbabwean side includes grand colonial-style hotels and a golf resort as well as comfortable riverside lodges offering good value for money.
Our selection of top accommodation in Victoria Falls is comprehensive and diverse but if you can't find what you're looking for, let our experienced Africa Safari Experts suggest the perfect hotel, lodge or private villa to suit your holiday needs.
Set on a 50 000-hectare private game reserve, the luxurious Matetsi River Lodge in Zimbabwe offers both an authentic safari experience & easy access to Victoria Falls.
Combine the drama of Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls with a safari at this tented camp, overlooking a waterhole in a private game concession .
Stroll to Victoria Falls from the comfort of this charming, colonial-style hotel, the undisputed "Grand Old Lady" of this great destination.
Sindabezi Island Camp is a private eco-friendly stayover alongside the Zambezi River in Zambia that delicately balances intimacy with unrivalled guest privacy.
A top choice for honeymooners & independent travellers, this tucked-away lodge has amazing accommodation overlooking the Zambezi River.
Plush splendour on the banks of the Zambezi River almost right where the Victoria Falls plummet to earth, the Royal Livingstone is arguably Zambia' finest hotel.
An exclusive island location, indulgent spa & idyllic riverside suites make this luxury lodge ideal for a Victoria Falls honeymoon.
Tankiso Ngidi

subset: commoncrawl


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I just think that steppers don't have small enough step size to do what Fabitosh is proposing.
Nice looking experiment. Good show!
You talk about photo-transistors, but the devices in your photo look like photo-voltaic cells?
Couldn't you implement a "micro-stepping" scheme, either by using a driver chip that implements it, or by building a custom driver that can output a varying voltage to the coils (instead of the regular on/off scheme), to allow you to position the rotor between coils...?
Yes, but that would quadruple the complexity of the project and Fabitosh seems to have his hands full already.
You seem to have these connected as if they were photo-sensitive resistors. Aren't they photo-voltaic cells? They should generate some small voltage upon exposure to light. What happens if you just connect the - side directly to ground and the + side directly to an Arduino analog input pin?
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By Tiernan Ray
Barclays Capital's networking equipment analyst Jeff Kvaal today cut his ratings on shares of Adtran (ADTN) and F5 Networks (FFIV), writing that "Following a summer recovery in networking stocks and the unlikely outlook for significant recovery in growth rates, we adopt a more defensive stance in our networking coverage."
Kvaal cut shares of F5 to Equal Weight from Overweight, while cutting Adtran from Equal Weight to Underweight.
Kvaal's "checks" of the industry, and a survey of corporate CIOs, he writes, "suggest growth is not likely to recover either imminently or materially," with European demand having been more resilient than expected, but the US "uninspired." Despite that, the stocks have "in aggregate recovered >50% from their one year lows."
Shares of F5 are down 2% this year, but up 16% or so since hitting a low on July 24th.
Kvaal has a $105 price target on F5 and thinks a slowdown in the "application delivery controller," or ADC, market makes it hard to justify the stock multiple:
We believe the core ADC market is settling into a 12-15% growth range, which is incompatible with FFIV's 20x PE multiple. We do expect impending ADC product launches to sustain rather than boost F5's ~15% growth in product revenues.
F5 does, he acknowledge, have a bright future selling upgrades to the ADC, such as "deep packet inspection," and it can take share while Cisco Systems (CSCO) "realigns" its own ADC product offerings:
In the meantime, as Cisco realigns its ADC business, F5 should continue to take share from Cisco in the near-term. We estimate Cisco's current ADC revenue annual run rate is approximately $100mn to $150 million. According to DellOro, Revenues declined 21% YoY in 2011 to $186mn from $235mn, or less than 1% of Cisco's over $40 billion business. Meanwhile, Cisco's market share has declined from over 30% five years ago to just 11% exiting 2Q largely to F5 and Citrix. Assuming F5 can capture half of Cisco's ADC business in calendar 2013, we estimate it could add approximately $0.20-$0.25 to our low end EPS of $5.16 (consensus $5.40). At our 20x multiple, this could add roughly $5 to our target price.
As for Adtran, whose shares are down 46% this year, and which on Wednesday said Q4 results would come in lower than expected, Kvaal cut his price target to $13 from $18. He notes the company has strong management, and gets a premium from investors for that.
But the company's problems may not be just cyclical but longer-term in nature.
For the moment, sales to carriers simply aren't holding up:
We also note that international revenue, which had been a growth driver in 2010 and 2011, has clearly slowed, though comparisons are difficult as Telmex and NSN muddy the picture. We believe neither Telmex nor NSN sales are growing materially. Internetworking – enterprise gear – has also fallen materially from 15% growth in 2010 and 2011 to a 7% decline in 2Q12. Macro is obviously a contributing factor but is unlikely the entire story as the broader networking market has not fallen as sharply. Based on our expectation that soft carrier capex will continue to impact ADTRAN beyond.
Shares of F5 are down $3.65, or 3.4%, at $103.78, while Adtran stock is down 31 cents, or 1.9%, at $16.36.


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- Embossed Volcom Stone logos
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- Brand: Volcom
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(Woonsocket, RI) Woonsocket Mayor Leo Fontaine greeted the final approval of the Landmark Hospital sale as one of the most important, if not the most important, news items of the last several years.
As has been reported in the past, Prime Health Care System is the most recent suitor for Landmark Medical Center and the Rehabilitation Center of Rhode Island. As part of its offer to purchase Landmark, Prime did not ask for any requirements or concessions from the City. Prime, which is a for profit hospital holding company with twenty six hospitals in its network, has represented it will do its fair share to support the community as well as make as much as $30 million in investments to improve the hospital, especially its emergency room.
"It is hard to put into words just how important it is that the Department of Health and the Attorney General have signed off on the Landmark deal," the Mayor said, "after all these years of uncertainty for the employees, patients and people of the City, I am happy and thankful that the authorities have given Landmark the go-ahead and our community hospital will remain open."
The Mayor continued, "I want to congratulate the Special Master, attorney John Savage, on his capable management of the hospital through years of receivership, and Rick Charest, the chief executive at the hospital, whose persistence and leadership were vital to keeping Landmark operating. Having worked closely with John and Rick over these last years, I know these two men and their staffs spent many long hours doing all of the paperwork and negotiating required to get this deal done, while running a full service hospital. "
"I also want to thank the employees of Landmark, who not only came to the table, but went well above and beyond to help drive this process forward. I hope the over eleven hundred people whose job security is tied to Landmark can rest a little easier now that the deal is done."
The Mayor went on, "Over these past several years, I have met with many hospital company owners and managers and testified at numerous hearings, as have members of my administration, the General Assembly delegation, and many, many citizens of the City and nearby communities, to support a new owner taking over Landmark and keeping it open for our City. Working together we have accomplished a truly great thing for Woonsocket. I also want to recognize the hard work of Woonsocket Economic Development Director Matt Wojcik and State Senator Roger Picard who have both worked diligently throughout this ordeal."
Mayor Fontaine has incorporated the prospect of a renewed operation at Landmark into his economic plan for the future of the city. By designating the a radius of space around Landmark Medical Center as a specific medical overlay district, Fontaine hopes to attract new doctors offices and other medical related industry that would support the hospital while generating new jobs and investment for the city. "There is a lot of work that needs to be done yet – we need to press on with the idea that the hospital can help drive the economy of the City, and support it every way we can. If the past several months are any indication, we will be successful."
"In conclusion, and this is the best saved for last, I want to welcome Prime Health Care System to the City of Woonsocket. Congratulations, and we look forward to working with you."


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Enhance with
Enhance with
A fantastically varied line-up of PlayStation Move games is just around the corner. Get a sneak preview here...
DanceStar Party
So you think you can dance? DanceStar Party on PlayStation 3 will give you the opportunity to prove it alongside some of the biggest pop acts on the planet, with 40 of the catchiest tunes accompanied by original music videos. There are 160 body-rocking dance routines to master, and you'll earn extra points by hooking up SingStar microphones and recruiting your friends to belt out those choruses.
Fine-tune your performance using the precision of PS Move, and get ready to tear up the dance floor on PS3.
Resistance 3
War with the Chimera has left 1950s America devastated in Resistance 3 on PS3. As Joseph Capelli, arm yourself with the ultimate secret weapon as you join up with pockets of human resistance: the PlayStation Move sharp shooter.
Pin down and destroy the brutal alien invaders with unparalleled accuracy, as you wield a range of new weapons in the fight for humanity's survival, including the Bullseye and the Marksman. Join the fightback on PS3 on 9 September 2011.
LittleBigPlanet 2 Move
Sackboy is on the move in his latest and most extensive downloadable content yet. The LittleBigPlanet 2 Move pack features exciting new Play mode missions as well as a raft of new tools and materials to inspire you in Create mode.
Use the Brain Crane to levitate objects, create levels and mini-games using the Movinator and take advantage of the PS Move motion controller to give your creativity a huge boost when the LittleBigPlanet Move pack hits PlayStation Store in September 2011.
Medieval Moves
Epic adventure runs through the very bones of Medieval Moves on PS3, as the dashing Prince Edmund becomes the skeletal Prince Deadmund. He's not about to let being dead scupper his plans to reclaim his castle from the evil sorcerer Morgrimm, however.
Seamlessly transform your PlayStation Move motion controller into a sword, a bow and throwing stars with a flick of your wrist as you battle through an undead army in this vibrant fantasy.
EyePet & Friends
Nurturing and befriending your own pet was the enchanting purpose of EyePet Move Edition. Now, you'll see why two cheeky pets are better – and more of a handful – than one in EyePet & Friends on PS3. The intuitive control of PS Move lets you interact with your pair of pets and earn rewards for everything you do, helping you to create toys, outfits and special items for your new friends.
Teach your pets tricks and, best of all, watch as they play with you and each other, forming strong bonds along the way.
Carnival Island
A mysterious carnival has lost its magic, its attractions left forgotten and forlorn. It's your task to revive it in Carnival Island on PS3, using the PS Move motion controller to play classic fairground games such as Ring Toss, Hoops and Shooting Gallery.
As you master each game and all its variants you'll unlock new abilities and improve your skills, breathing life back into this once great funfair.
Move Fitness
Get into fighting shape with PS Move, as Move Fitness kick-starts an intensive fitness schedule on PS3 under the guidance of your own expert trainer. Use two PS Move motion controllers to get fit in your own living room with boxing-based routines and compete with your friends online via PlayStation Network to see who is making the most progress.
Let off steam and beat stress in this knockout exercise experience on PS3.
Start the Party: Save the World
Battle through more than 20 mini-games against your friends in a bid to reveal the hero on your sofa in Start the Party: Save the World on PS3. Journey into outer space, under the sea and through time as you race to save a world in peril, alongside or against your friends in thrilling multiplayer modes.
Turn your PS Move motion controller into a ray gun, a mallet and even a baby dinosaur in the quest to rescue the planet on PS3.
And that's not all...
More games are on the horizon, ready to immerse you as never before thanks to full PS Move support. The House of the Dead: OVERKILL Extended Cut is the gory tale of a fight for survival in the zombie-infested city of Bayou, brought to life on PS3 with stellar stereoscopic 3D visuals.
Another familiar name, James Bond star Daniel Craig, is back on PS3 in GoldenEye 007: Reloaded. The classic Bond game, GoldenEye, is updated and lets you turn your PS Move motion controller into 007's famous Walther PPK.
And prepare to head to Columbia in 2012, the city in the sky featured in BioShock Infinite, as you attempt to save a girl named Elizabeth from the ominous Songbird in this stunning vision of a parallel future.
|Publish date:
|Tue Nov 08 10:00:00 GMT 2011


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Take a trip to the islands with this fun fruit dessert, with kiwis and more dipped in a rum-and-coconut yogurt.
Use a mini food processor or blender to finely chop the pineapple.
For the best flavor, purchase flaked coconut and toast 3 tablespoons. Arrange a single layer of coconut on a small cookie sheet and bake at 350°F. for 2 to 5 minutes, or just until golden. Keep a close watch on the coconut; it scorches easily.
Prepare the dip up to one day in advance; cover and refrigerate. Stir before serving.
© 2017 ®/TM General Mills All Rights Reserved


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Universal Fit
Rosewill RHTS-12004 3.5mm Golden-Plated Connector High Fidelity Passive Noise Isolating Rosewood Earbuds
" These were free on Cyber-Monday; thank you to the Deals thread! If you got these on the deal or not, let us know over here --> http://www.head-fi.org/t/639086/rosewill-rhts-12004-quite-shocked-at-the-quality#post_8942097 These Rosewood RHTS-12004 woodies are really a nice surprise. They definitely have the..." --iPhone IEM
Nike HJ080 Skylon Flight Metal 3-way Sport headphones
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Nike HJ020 Flight Sport headphones
These Sport Headphones are specifically designed for runners and riders. The behind the head design with rear cable exit improves stability and comfort. They feature soft, sweat resistant earpieces. plus they sound great.


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September 21, 2013
James Loughran
Stories this photo appears in:
Meet your school board candidates: Part 1
Elections for the Moffat County School District Board of Education will be coming up in the next several weeks, and with five seats on the seven-member board open, the race is on for 11 candidates to fill the positions, and at least two of them will be filled by newcomers with board members Sandie Johns and Karen Stillion term limited. The Craig Daily Press sat down with some of the candidates to get an idea of why there's so much interest in the campaign this year. CDP also will be running candidate profiles in the Sept. 28 Education section.
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text: I have news for you. We are the better team. Were the big brother. People might say they are the big, bad Giants, but we are not the same old Jets. To me, it seems clear that right now we are the better team and we are going to remain the better team for the next 10 years. Whether you like it or not, those are the facts, and thats whats going to happen. I know its going to happen because our style of football is different. We are going to take over the town whether the Giants like it or not, so those fans on the fence that like both teams are going to be Jets fans in the end. The truth is, if I am going to watch one game, I am going to see the Jets, without a doubt. We are better.


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Apple adds to iPad Pro line with new 9.7-inch model, 256GB options
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Handhelds
During its Let Us Loop You In event, Apple announced an expansion of the iPad Pro lineup, introducing a new 9.7-inch model that brings over all of the features from the larger 12.9-inch version, including support for the Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil. Apple actually improved upon the specs of the larget iPad Pro, bringing features like True Tone display (which adjusts the white balance of the display on the fly, depending on the lighting conditions of the surrounding area), and better cameras to the mid-sized model - you get a 12 megapixel camera on the new model, compared to 8 megapixel on the larger version, and the front camera is 5 megapixels rather than 1.2 megapixels. Additionally, Apple is providing a rose gold color for the 9.7-inch iPad Pro.
One other change to the iPad Pro lineup is that, for the first time ever, iOS devices will be sold with a 256GB option. This applies to both iPad Pro models. You can pick up the new 9.7-inch iPad Pro starting at 32GB for $599, 128GB for $749, and 256GB for $899 for the Wi-Fi models. If you want Wi-Fi + Cellular, pricing is $729, $879, and $1029 respectively.
Read More | iPad Pro
iPhone SE: An iPhone 6S in an iPhone 5 body for $399
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Apple, Cell Phones, Handhelds
During its Let Us Loop You In event, Apple announced the new iPhone SE. Citing the demand from iPhone owners who don't want a larger display than what was offered on the iPhone 5 series of devices, the iPhone SE maintains the 4-inch display that was found on the iPhone 5 and 5S, but upgrades everything under the hood. It's powered by the far more capable Apple A9 and M9 chips, which are found in the current iPhone 6S flagships. The camera is also brought over from the latest models, giving the iPhone SE an upgraded 12 megapixel camera which supports Live Photos and shoots in 4K. Apple Pay support is also onboard, as is 802.11ac Wi-Fi and "Hey Siri" hands-free control. All-in-all Apple says the new iPhone SE is twice as fast as the iPhone 5S that it replaces.
The iPhone SE starts at $399 for the 16GB model, which makes it the cheapest iPhone ever. If you need more storage than that 16GB, there's also a 64GB model for $499. You can order ir starting on March 24.
Read More | iPhone SE
Apple announces new Apple Watch bands, drops price to $299
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Apple, Wearables
During this morning's Let Us Loop You In event, Apple announced a few new Apple Watch bands. The company announced a new woven nylon band, with a four-layer construction, and will be available in blue, pink, and orange. The current bands also get new colors, like a yellow sport band, aqua blue leather band, and a space black Milanese Loop. Additionally, Apple announced a price drop on the Apple Watch - the Apple Watch Sport now starts at $299, a $50 decrease from the previous $349 price point.
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Laptop Prices Got You Down? Here Are the Best Chromebooks
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Google, PC / Laptop
Are today's laptop prices starting to worry you? If you have a laptop that's about ready to hum its last and need a replacement, there are inexpensive and dependable computers out there…if you know where to look. We're specifically talking about Chromebooks, those lightweight laptops that run Chrome OS and come with much cheaper specs than the average mobile machine. Even the best Chromebooks are limited in some ways: Because they can only run Chrome and have very limited storage, most of their work needs to be based in the cloud, on the web, or on more simple apps. However, if you don't need to run any demanding programs or save up a lot of data, they can be a very effective solution to your laptop vs. wallet problem. Here are several of our top picks for the best Chromebooks and why they shine.
Toshiba Chromebook 2 - $400
It's common to expect not-so-impressive specs on a Chromebook, so when one of these computers actually has impressive features, it's worth talking about. This Toshiba Chromebook 2 has a particularly great HD, 1080p screen: At around 13 inches it isn't huge, but it is bright and beautiful, and makes this Chromebook an entertainment device in its own right. The other features include 4GB of RAM, a Core i3 processor, and only 16GB of storage, so remember to take it easy and stream your entertainment instead of downloading it.
Click to continue reading Laptop Prices Got You Down? Here Are the Best Chromebooks
Bleeding Edge TV 575: Keurig Kold Drinkmaker review
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Features, Household, Podcasts, Product Reviews, Videocasts, Videos
I bring you my Keurig Kold review in this episode! This is a soda machine that uses Keurig Kold pods to make sodas, teas, mixers, sports drinks, and other cold drinks on demand, right from your home. There is no CO2 canister to mess with, and no syrup bottles either - the magic is in the pods, which contain the syrup needed for the Keurig Kold Drinkmaker to make your drink and have it come out nice and carbonated.
I'll let the video do the rest of the talking - check it out to see the Keurig Kold in action, find out if it can make a great glass of homemade Coca-Cola, and see if it's worth the money overall.
You can pick up the Keurig Kold Drinkmaker now.
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Bleeding Edge TV 576: HTC One A9 review
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Apple, Cell Phones, Features, Handhelds, Podcasts, Product Reviews, Videocasts, Videos
This is the HTC One A9 - this isn't an iPhone. But, if you wish you could get an Android device in the shape of an iPhone, well, here you go. HTC says that it sold aluminum unibody devices before Apple did, and they're right. Ever since the One M7 at the start of 2013, HTC has been promoting its signature aluminum unibody design, characterized by a particular mix of subtle curves and precise straight lines. But hey, the camera, camera flash, and even corner radius on the A9 device matches the iPhone 6 and 6s, and those antenna bands look awfully familiar as well.
If you read the One A9's spec sheet, you'd probably think of it as a mid-range phone with nothing special about it. But that's why spec sheets should be ignored for the most part. Using the One A9 shows what happens when a phone makes the most of its components, resulting in a device that compares favorably with most other companies' flagship smartphones.
The HTC One A9 is a good phone. However, the price is the issue. $500. Decent battery life, above average performance, decent software options, decent camera. This is a mid-range phone with mid-range specs with an expensive price tag. It doesn't compete in a market where you can drop $500 on a Nexus 6P flagship, Galaxy S6, or the iPhone 6.
When the A9 launched at $399 In the United States, that was the time to pick one up, despite the insane backorder. The metal unibody frame is nicer than what you will find on the Nexus 5X.. But after a week, the price increased to $499, and that 25% jump in price means that the One A9's value diminishes greatly. Now you compare it to the Nexus 6P, which many consider to be the best Android smartphone to date. No way HTC is winning that contest, even if simply for the fact that the Nexus device includes long-term assurance that you will get Android updates faster and for a longer period of time.
You can pick up HTC One A9 now.
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Unboxing Live 187: Eero Home Wi-Fi System
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Features, Internet, Networking, Video Games, Videocasts
Eero is a new player in the home Wi-Fi space, and the company claims that its Home Wi-Fi System can put an end to those Wi-Fi dead zones for good. In the box you'll find three Eero units, one of which needs to be plugged directly into your main router using the included Ethernet cable. Two more units simply need to be plugged into wall power in order portions of your home. The three Eero devices then essentially team up to create one mesh Wi-Fi network in your home that is broadcasted from those three locations, eliminating areas that would otherwise have a weak (or non-existent) Wi-Fi signal. In this episode I open up the Eero Home Wi-Fi System and give you a closer look at the hardware.
You can get the Eero Wi-Fi System now.
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Unboxing Live 186: Wolf Link Amiibo + Zelda Twilight Princess HD
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Accessories, Features, Video Games, Videocasts
Nintendo sent me an early copy of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD bundle, which includes the exclusive Wolf Link amiibo. In this episode, I open up the Twilight Princess bundle, and give you an up-close look at the unique Wolf Link amiibo figure. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD is a Wii U remake of the Nintendo GameCube and Wii game, Twilight Princess. It's the second remaster of a Zelda title on the Wii U, following The Wind Waker HD.
Twilight Princess HD features reworked graphics with primarily new textures, giving the game a cleaner look and feel. The original had just a 480p resolution on both the GameCube and Wii, Twilight Princess HD instead has a 1080p resolution, resulting in additional clarity, especially for faraway objects and precise aiming. Most textures in the game are touched up with added details, with notable examples including Link's hair, Zant's armor, and several background textures.
You can get the Twilight Princess Wolf Link bundle now.
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Bleeding Edge TV 574: KANOA Wireless Earbuds
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Accessories, Wearables, Features, Podcasts, Portable Audio / Video, Videocasts, Videos, Wireless / WiFi
With the rumors that Apple will be removing the headphone jack with the introduction of the iPhone 7, many are hoping that wireless Bluetooth headphones and earbuds will be available in a big way come this fall. I ran into Kanoa at CES, makers of an amazing pair of truly wireless Bluetooth earbuds.
With Kanoa, there's no wire connecting the earbuds to your device or to each other. In addition, no wires are needed for charging either, as the earbuds are charges in a wireless case. Kanoa earbuds also allow you to hear the ambient noise around you if you choose - so, when you are out bike-riding and listening to music, you can also hear important cues around you.
You can pick up the KANOA Wireless Earbuds now.
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Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes Is a Surprisingly Great Mobile Game
Posted by Chris Pereira Categories: Portable/Mobile, Reviews, Role Playing Games
Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes, a role-playing game released for mobile platforms last fall, initially struck me as a game I could skip without a second thought. It had the appearance of a cheap cash-in meant to capitalize on the launch of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. Although I'm not generally not the sort of person to write off a game for being free-to-play (some of my favorite games don't cost a dime to start playing), there's something about the combination of that business model, mobile, and a major franchise that made me assume it was not worth so much as a download.
I was wrong.
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Dinner ready in 30 minutes! Enjoy this zesty chicken and rice casserole with roasted red peppers – a hearty meal.
Kalamata olives are wine-vinegar-marinated Greek olives. Each deep purple, almond-shaped olive is slit lengthwise so that it soaks up lots of marinade. Kalamata olives are packed in olive oil or vinegar. Look for them next to other olives at the grocery store.
To reduce the fat in each serving of this recipe by about 7 grams, use light Italian salad dressing in place of regular dressing.
Try roasting a fresh red bell pepper for this recipe. Broil the whole pepper until its skin chars and blackens, then immediately place it in a small brown paper bag. Fold the bag to seal it, and set it aside for 10 minutes. Peel the pepper under cool running water, then seed and chop it.
© 2017 ®/TM General Mills All Rights Reserved


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Devil's Club Root Bark (Opiopanax horridum)Latin Name: Opiopanax horridum
Common Names: Devil's Club Root Bark
Devil's Club Root Bark, or Opiopanax horridum, grows in the moist forests of the Pacific Northwestern United States and Canada. Another common name for these herbs is the Devil's Walking Stick. It is a large deciduous shrub that grows approximately six feet tall and wide, although in ideal conditions in rainforests it has been known to reach larger proportions of more than fifteen feet. These frost tender herbs go into flower during the summer months. The "devil" reference in this herbs' name refers to the spiny thorns that cover the stems of the plant. The term "club" refers to the flowerhead of the plant, which consists of umbels featuring small, five-petaled flowers. The name Opiopanax horridum is the Latin name for the plant, the first word being the genus and the second the species. Horridum also refers to the fact that the plant has prickly spines, and thus the Devil connotation.
When these bulk wholesale herbs are made into a decoction, which is when the herbs are mashed and then boiled in water, releasing the plant oils, these dried herbs may be used in steamy bath water.
These quality bulk herbs come from United States suppliers. We process Devil's Club Root Bark in our own facilities, ensuring quality testing which is independently verified at every step of the process.
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@ marnanel: Sounds like you are best finding another country.
Come to Canada, at least we respect and are knowledgeable about other countries and cultures. The condescension of your child's teacher and your bank is not worth tolerating.
@ marnanel: Sounds like you are best finding another country.
Come to Canada, at least we respect and are knowledgeable about other countries and cultures. The condescension of your child's teacher and your bank is not worth tolerating.
Bailout, schmailout.
For I wrote a book, you see, .... It was about how, if you sack too many people, or you underpay and impoverish too many people, there aren't enough customers left to sell things to, and the economy goes to hell. I wrote it in 1998 and nobody attacked any one of the arguments. They tiptoed away from the argument. They were above such things.
And lo, it has come to pass. Americans too impoverished to buy houses had stopped making their payments, and cash their creditors owed to lending entities further up the money chain could not be paid either, and like bird flu the illness swept across the planet, and here we are. And I was right; and Michael Costa and Peter Costello and all the neocons and Friedmanites and Tim Blair were wrong. And we are now in big trouble.
Decide how long Alan Greenspan should spend in gaol. For he nearly wrecked the world, in my view, with his one percent interest rates and house loans to fools as dumb as Barney in The Simpsons, ... Decide how long George Bush should spend in gaol for squandering a trillion dollars (thus far) on two needless unending wars and another trillion thus far bailing out his upperclass coke-sniffing accomplices who like him couldn't add.
And, boy, they really couldn't add. They thought the dollar could be floated for instance, and China's command economy with its fixed undervalued currency and low house prices was doomed to fail. They thought they'd won the Cold War against such barbarities, and socialist command economies didn't work. And they borrowed money from China, trillions of dollars from China, to prove their system worked better. China, which quietly won the Cold War by lending it to them, if you care to add up the figures.
Via Jos Kirps's Popular Science and Technology Blog, we learn that complete source code for the final release of Multics has been released by Bull Technologies and made available by MIT.
But when you wrote,
No wonder everyone wants to move to web apps.
I initially thought you were being sarcastic: Because of course then, "this application may from time to time act like the web application it really is, and have unpredictable latencies or unreliable operation, ..."
But perhaps you were earnest, and were saying that people perceive web applications to be more reliable. Well, perhaps they can be a smooth experience, where your connection (and server) is fast, low latency and reliable. But in general it's not going to make the issue go away... Firefox is one of the few applications that crashes for me on OS X. :)
New HTML Parser: The long-awaited libxml2 based HTML parser code is live. It needs further work but already handles most markup better than the original parser.
Keep up with the latest Advogato features by reading the Advogato status blog.
If you're a C programmer with some spare time, take a look at the mod_virgule project page and help us with one of the tasks on the ToDo list!


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May 28, 2009
"Thinking Cap" by Ashley Benton. The work is part of "The Space Between," a mixed-media show that explores the gap between what's real and what's imagined. The show is on display at K. Saari Gallery through June 29.
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Fits extra large profile
Durable nylon frame with side vents
100% polarized lenses
Complete UVA, UVB, and UVC protection
No-slip Hydrolite lining
Chris Fischer and his crew are living, breathing, modern-day adventurers, and you can bet Chris has always got a pair of Costas around his neck. Fisch frames feature a no-slip Hydrolite lining and Costa's signature three-hole venting system on the front to keep things cool even when things heat up. Designed to fit an extra-large profile. Durable nylon frame. Integral hinge. 63.5mm lens size.
Each pair of Costas features 100% polarized lenses, providing complete UVA, UVB, and UVC protection. Lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.
Costa 400 Lens
Made for anyone who lives on the water. Designed for adventure and built to perform with superior clarity, contrast, and definition. Durable 400G Lenses are made of LightWAVE glass that's 20% thinner and 22% lighter.
Costa 580 Lens
Yellow light is the enemy on the water and on land. It's hard for the eye to process, and changes how you see the world. Costa 580 Lenses cut down on yellow light, allowing the eye to see more red, blue, and green. The result is purer vision with unmatched contrast, definition, and colors. 580P Lenses are made of lightweight plastic and provide excellent impact and scratch-resistance. 580G Lenses are made from scratch-resistant glass and offer the greatest clarity.
Blue Mirror Lens is made for the open water. Delivers maximum contrast and color in full sun while eliminating glare. Allows a minimal 10% light transmission.
Green Mirror Lens offers advanced visual acuity. Perfect for fishing inshore, flats, rivers, and streams. These lenses allow a minimal 10% light transmission.
Silver Mirror Lens optimizes light transmissions and enhances colors. Perfect for freshwater sight fishing or any outdoor activity with variable light.
Gray Lens maintains color saturation and natural contrast. An all-around choice for sports on water and land.
Copper Lens enhances contrast and reduces glare. Ideal for sight fishing, driving, and everyday wear.
Sunrise Lens enhances depth perception and allows maximum light transmission, so that you can see through the water more clearly in early morning or late afternoon, when outside light is low.


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Web Stories
Taylor named to Hubble committee
Posted April 29, 2004; 05:13 p.m.
The National Academy of Sciences has named Princeton physicist Joseph Taylor to a committee charged with re-evaluating the fate of the Hubble Space Telescope.
The committee was formed as a result of a decision in January by NASA to cancel an upcoming space shuttle mission that would have conducted repairs and upgrades for the space telescope. Without the repairs and corrections to its orbit, the telescope would likely fail by about 2007, at least four years earlier than had been planned.
The 20-member panel is called the "Committee on Assessment of Options for Extending the Life of the Hubble Space Telescope." It will review the safety of using the space shuttle to bring astronauts to the Hubble for a service mission. It also will examine the feasibility of alternative approaches involving robots. The committee will be chaired by Louis Lanzerotti, a consultant to Bell Laboratories and professor of solar-terrestrial research at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Taylor, the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of Physics, is Princeton's former dean of the faculty. He specializes in experimental astrophysics and shared the 1993 Nobel Prize in physics for the discovery of a type of pulsar that allowed important studies of gravity.
Contact: Tom Bartus (609) 258-3601


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Web Stories
Panel examines new book on high court, May 2
Posted April 25, 2007; 06:19 p.m.
A panel discussion on Princeton constitutional scholar Keith Whittington's new book, "Political Foundations of Judicial Supremacy: The Presidency, the Supreme Court and Constitutional Leadership in U.S. History," is set for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, in 2 Robertson Hall.
In his book, Whittington, the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Politics, challenges critics who feel that giving Supreme Court justices the last word on interpreting the U.S. Constitution threatens democracy. Whittington shows that judicial supremacy is, in fact, the product of democratic politics.
Joining Whittington on the panel will be: Ken Kersch, assistant professor of politics at Princeton; Stanley Brubaker, professor of political science at Colgate University and a current visiting fellow at Princeton's James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions; and Mark Graber, professor of law and government at the University of Maryland. Robert George, Princeton's McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence, will moderate the discussion.
The event is sponsored by the Madison Program and the Program in Law and Public Affairs.


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Our performARTS series, in conjunction with Studio Magazine, is an effort to spotlight some of the groups and troupes around town doing outstanding work in music, theatre and the arts. This week, Randy Mason takes you downtown to learn more about the Quality Hill Playhouse.
"My Romance: The Songs of Rodgers and Hart" begins its run this week at the Quality Hill Playhouse, and continues through Feb. 24.
Quality Hill Playhouse is dedicated to excellence in the live performance of works from musical theatre and the American Songbook, employing the finest local talent, and contributing to Kansas City's cultural and economic landscape.
Quality Hill Playhouse produces six musicals and cabaret revues each year in a charming 153-seat theatre. J. Kent Barnhart serves as pianist and emcee for the cabaret revues, offering interesting tidbits about the music as well as his unique, humorous anecdotes. Professional singers and the relaxed yet elegant atmosphere make for entertainment you won't find anywhere else. Discover why The Kansas City Star said it is "like being invited into someone's home."
Way to Whole Person!!!


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ACHICA > Caro London > Caro London Isabel Vanity Bag
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Caro London Isabel Vanity Bag
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Material: 100% Cotton cambric with polyester semi waterproof lining
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- 6 years ago by Jamie Peck
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One of the biggest gossip stories today is the assertion, made by multiple someones, that Ashton Kutcher has been cheating on Demi Moore with younger women and their marriage is on the rocks because of it. It wouldn't be the first time someone has run with this story. But what if the reason Ashton keeps getting caught "cheating" is because they actually have an open marriage…and they just don't want to talk about it to the press? More


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There's something to be said for completely unplugging every so often, and even though high-tech gizmos definitely aren't necessary for getting out and enjoying nature, we here at DT we know from experience that the right assortment of tech gear can make outdoor excursions simpler, safer, and more fun. These days more and more companies are making gear that's designed to withstand the elements, so we've rounded up our favorites and put together this definitive guide to the best summer outdoor gear.
ECOxBT Wireless Bluetooth Speaker ($139)
Ever wished you could take your tunes along on a nice, relaxing river float? Well now that waterproof bluetooth speakers are hitting the market with a vengeance, your dreams are now a reality. This badboy is waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, completely buoyant and self-righting, and connects wirelessly to your smartphone in a snap. Their sound isn't the best we've heard from a wireless speaker, but it's crisp and clear in the midrange, which helps your tunes effectively cut through any ambient nature noise.
Columbia Sportswear Omni-Freeze Zero Shirts ($38 – $45)
How cool is this shirt, huh? Sorry, couldn't help it. That's what you get when you make stuff that looks as cool as it makes you feel. Columbia Sportswear has outfitted it's Omni-Freeze Zero shirts with little blue rings that absorb moisture as you sweat, drawing away heat in the process and leaving you feeling like you're wearing a little portable air conditioner. And the best part is, the shirts are pretty stylin'; long-sleeve, golf polo, tank top, v-neck- take your pick. You can even get hats, shoes and bandanas with the wearable tech.
BioLite CampStove (129.95)
This badass little biomass stove has won the hearts of techie outdoorsfolk ever since it completed it's Kickstarter campaign, and we're still in love with it two years later. It runs on nothing more than twigs and bits of wood, it can boil a pot of water in under 3 minutes, and it uses any waste heat created to power anything that charges via USB. As an added bonus, BioLite now offers a grill attachment.
Earl Backcountry Survival Tablet ($300)
If you're thinking "why the hell would anyone need a tablet in the backcountry?" rest assured, that was our initial reaction, too. But then we looked at the features on this thing. Tablets by nature are designed for maximum utility, and Earl is no different. It's almost got too many features to list here: it runs Android 4.1 and can run apps, has a flexible and durable 6 inch screen, solar panels on the back for charging, Wi-Fi, bluetooth 4.0, NFC, FRS/GMRS/MURS transceivers (two-way radios), GPS, accelerometer, magnetometer, barometer, thermometer, anemometer, AM/FM/SW/LW radios, and a 20+ hour battery life.
Petzl Nao Reactive Lighting Headlamp ($175)
Petzl's headgear already sets the bar high for headlamp manufacturers, but the NAO reactive lighting system takes things to a whole different level. It's more than just a head mounted lamp – it's got two different beams and an ambient light sensor that adjusts them in real time to fit what you're looking at. The beam will get tighter and more focused when you're looking at something in the distance, and instantly adjust to a dimmer, wider beam when you put a map up to your face. Necessary? Probably not. Cool? Absolutely.
Brunton SolarRoll ($435.00)
Solar power is great to have on the trail, but lugging around a bunch of rigid solar boards is cumbersome, awkward, and often not worth the trouble for the tiny amount of juice you get in return. If you want to maximize your solar charging and minimize weight, look no further than Brunton's line of Solar Roll products. Housed in a thin layer of incredibly durable fluoropolymer, these solar cells are thin, lightweight and flexible, and can easily be attached to a backpack or tree for maximum exposure.
SteriPen Water Purification System ($119.95)
Purifying water is a must when you're out in the wilderness, but boiling takes too long, iodine makes it taste nasty, and reverse osmosis pumps are just a pain. If you're looking to kill of waterborne illnesses in a snap, check out SteriPen – a fast, compact, and lightweight water purification system that uses high-intensity UV light to murder microorganisms in your water. The light kills 99.99 percent of all viruses, bacteria, and parasites in just a few seconds.
PowerPot ($149)
Electricity is hard to come by in the backwoods, and when it comes time to power up your gear on the trail, you've generally got three options: battery packs, solar chargers, or thermoelectric chargers. PowerPot is one of the latter. This clever little cooking pot feeds off the heat created by your campfire and converts it into usable engergy you can use to juice up any USB-powered device.
GoalZero Escape 150 Power Pack ($160)
Thinking of bringing your laptop along to get some work done on the beach? Planning on blasting your boombox all night at the campsite? When solar and thermoelectric won't cut it, you'll need something like the Escape portable power pack to keep your gadgets going. Basically a giant rechargeable battery, this badboy has a maximum capacity of 150Wh, so it'll keep your devices powered for hours or even days depending on how big they are.
Eton Rugged Rukus solar speaker system ($100)
Everyone's jumping on the wireless bluetooth speaker bandwagon, and we couldn't be happier about it. This one from Eton is pretty similar to the ECOxBT we listed above – just a tad less durable. We'll forgive it though, since this rugged little bluetooth speaker does boast one feature that most others dont – the ability to get a charge from the sun. The Rukus features a solar panel that can fully recharge itself with a few hours of sunlight.
NEMO Helio Portable Shower ($99.95)
No matter what type of camper you are, there comes a point at which you should bathe. No, you really should. The problem is, sudsing up in a lake, river or stream comes with all sorts of complications. Perhaps that's why solar showers are so desirable. Unfortunately, most solar showers are unwieldy, leaky bastard bags of frustration. Not so with the NEMO Helio, though. This foot-pump solar shower comes with a spray wand so the solar heated water inside only sprays when and where you want it. Get one, your tent-mates will thank you.
Handpresso Wild Hybrid ($116.00)
Coffee is definitely a luxury at the campsite, but nothing will put more pep in your step than a tin cup full of java before you hit the trail. For the longest time, this meant packing along a sandwich baggy full of grounds and a couple filters and brewing it like a hobo, but this nifty little gizmo from Handpresso changes all that. Using a pre-pressed coffee packets and a hand pump to get the right water pressure, the Wild Hybrid is undoubtedly the most portable espresso machine we've ever encountered.
Nite Ize Reflective Rope ($12)
There's nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night to pee, finally managing to find the tent zipper just before your bladder explodes, and then tripping on a guyline as you sprint around your tent in the dark. Save yourself from going face first into a pile of pinecones with this super-reflective rope from NiteIze. We're not sure what it's woven with, but the stuff is reflective enough to light up and become visible with just a tiny bit of moonlight.
Sony Digital Recording Binoculars ($1999.99)
Face it; nobody is going to believe that you spotted a bay-breasted warbler or a golden-crested bushtit if you only bring your standard binoculars. If you want to make all your birdwatching friends jealous at your next Thursday night bridge game, you'll need hard evidence of all the rare avian species you've spotted. With these digital recording binoculars from Sony, you can capture footage of all the wild and exotic birds you see and finally make that skeptical old bat Flora believe you.
GoPro Hero 3 ($200 – $400)
Planning on doing something insane this summer? Perhaps rafting some gnarly class V's, slacklining over a canyon, or making the world's biggest rope swing? Do the world a favor and get yourself a GoPro so you can capture your awesomeness from a first-person point of view. In case you're not aware, these rugged little cameras are waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and can shoot in 1080p or 4K. Cue Skrillex music.
Canon Powershot D20 ($350)
When you smartphone just won't cut it and your DSLR is too big to fit in your pack, look no further than the Canon Powershot D20. Not only does this thing shoot with 12.1 megapixels and 5x optical zoom, it's also just about as rugged as cameras come. Waterproof up to 33 feet, shockproof up to 5 feet, and freeze proof down to 14 degrees fahrenheit, it's easily one of the most durable point and shoots on the market.
NeverWet Superhydrophobic Spray ($19.97)
Think you might encounter some precipitation on your trip? Treat your gear with a coat of this superhydrophobic waterproofing spray and you'll never need to worry about rain ever again. Produced through a partnership between Ross Nanotechnologies and Rust-Oleum, this two-part treatment uses nanotechnology to make just about anything repel water – tents, clothes, backpacks, shoes, or even matches. And the best part? it's only $20 bucks at Home Depot.


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It's been a while since I last paid this blog any attention. Since my last post I've changed job, country and had a haircut.
I've started toying with iOS applications and came across the EXC_BAD_ACCESS error fairly early on. Googling around tells me this is a fairly common error with all manner of causes, many of which stem from a misunderstanding of the memory management required when working is obj-c on iOS devices.
I'll start by saying that I am a novice obj-c developer and have been spoilt for many years with modern languages that include garbage collection as standard. I understand pointers and reference and scalar variables but this knowledge has never been more pertinent than now.
I was initialising an NSDictionary as in the code snippet below. Content and username are NSString objects and type is an NSInteger, and there exactly is my error.
NSDictionary *post = [NSDictionary dictionaryWithObjectsAndKeys: content, @"content", username, @"user", type, @"type", nil];
NSDictionary stores objects (id types, or pointers to an object) with another object as the key, in this example all my keys are NSString objects. The error with my code is that type is NSInteger which is a scalar type. When attempting to store the NSInteger it is being interpreted as a pointer and therefore likely to point at an invalid memory location.
So that's my understanding of the problem, what's the solution?
Quite simple really, instead of storing a scalar type we need to store a pointer to an object, iOS provides the class NSNumber to solve the problem. So taking this into account the above code becomes:
NSDictionary *post = [NSDictionary dictionaryWithObjectsAndKeys: content, @"content", username, @"user", [NSNumber numberWithInt:type], @"type", nil];
and our EXC_BAD_ACCESS error goes away. I can tell my experience with objc and iOS is going to be a challenging but fun one!


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Jason Guggenheim joined the Boston Consulting Group in 2001 as a consultant after practicing as an attorney for 3 years in Johannesburg, South Africa. Jason studied at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg and received an undergraduate degree in finance and economics and a graduate degree in law from Oliver Schreiner School of Law at the University of the Witwatersrand.
After leaving BCG in 2002, Jason took a strategy/corporate development role in the Ventures group at Delta Air Lines. In 2004, Jason joined a 4 person team, led by the then-CFO of Delta Air Lines, who took on the restructuring of the bankrupt independent energy provider Mirant Corporation.
Following the emergence from bankruptcy of Mirant Corporation, Jason returned to BCG in 2007 to further his interest in strategy, travel and tourism, and turnaround work. Over the past few years, Jason has focused on cruiseline and airline work, serving clients in both the US and Europe.


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I've been watching the CMA Awards religiously for several years now, however this was the first year I became invested. Having been in the country music industry for a little over two years I've finally become a junkie. I have listened to every album, memorized each single, read up on the lives of these superstars and even met some insiders with stories you'd never believe. I feel like I've got this down.
Of course I say that and realize I've got quite a ways to go. But nonetheless, this year I bring you my first ever CMA award prediction list – complete with explanations. I may not have it all figured out but I'll give it a shot! Besides, awards shows are so unpredictable that any guess could be correct!
And of course I'm most looking forward to the red carpet looks anyway. Perhaps I should add another category for who will take best dressed!
Entertainer of the Year
My Choice – Blake Shelton
It's hard to argue with the success of Blake Shelton this last year. The reigning CMA entertainer of the year took no time off in continuing his popularity streak releasing a number 1 selling album and winning The Voice for a 3rd straight season. Taylor Swift with her album and worldwide tour could possibly beat Shelton, but I think some country purist voters may want to give it an artist who more embodies country music.
Male Vocalist of the Year
Could Blake Shelton win both male vocalist and entertainer of the year? Yes! Again, in a category with crazy popular artist, most who released an album and broke box office records, it's still hard to argue with Blake Shelton's popularity.
Female Vocalist of the Year
My Choice – Taylor Swift
Having won female vocalist for 3 years in a row, it's unlikely that Miranda Lambert will pull out a four-peat, especially with Carrie Underwood's face plastered everywhere from albums to tours to football to live musicals (hello CMA entertainer nod next year!) But overshadowing all that is the reigning queen of music period: Taylor Swift.
Vocal Duo of the Year
My Choice – Florida Georgia Line
They came from seemingly nowhere and now FLGA members Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard have taken the country music – and pop music – world by storm! Between their breakout hit "Cruise," their collaboration with hip hop singer Nelly, their debut album and their 3 consecutive number one hits, Florida Georgia Line will take home the trophy!
New Artists of the Year
Although Kacey Musgraves is a top contender for this award given her critically acclaimed debut album and writing success with Miranda Lambert; her year fizzled almost as quick as it arrived. Florida Georgia line on the other hand took off and never stopped going.
Vocal Group of the Year
My Choice – Little Big Town
The Band Perry released a killer album this year (and yea, I'm still bitter they were snubbed in that category) but Little Big Town had a break out year complete with an album, number one hits and awards galore including a Grammy.
Musical Event of the Year
My Choice – "Highway Don't Care" Tim McGraw feat. Taylor Swift and Keith Urban
Yes, this was Florida Georgia Line's year and their collaboration with Nelly was a hit, but it didn't receive much airplay on the country side. They could be a black horse to take home the prize but I'm betting it will be Tim Taylor and Keith 's number one smash, "Highway Don't Care."
Album of the Year
My Choice – Blake Shelton Based on a True Story
Let's be real here: Little Big Town seems to be riding off their success of Pontoon and Tornado but overall their album felt like an odd choice for this category. Kacey Musgraves' album was highly acclaimed (I LOVED it) but it failed to resonate on the country airwaves past it's debut single. Taylor Swift's Red was wildly popular worldwide, but it sounds more like a pop album than country music album. That leaves us with Carrie Underwood and Blake Shelton. I go with Blake simply because Based on a True Story was an overall great album. Carrie produced 3 amazing songs and 9 so-so songs.
Single of the Year
My Choice – Florida Georgia Line, "Cruise"
"Cruise" is a song that makes you smile and turn up the radio when it comes on (a year later and I still do it). Plus, it was a smash crossover hit with Nelly and it catapulted the once "nobodies" into a seemingly unstoppable career.
Song of the Year
My Choice - Miranda Lambert "Mama's Broken Heart"
This is the only category where I am predicting a winner yet truly believe it should go to someone else. "Mama's Broken Heart" is a fantastically written song and will win because of it's writing and who wrote it (Kacey Musgraves) not to mention who sang it. But Lee Brice's "I Drive Your Truck" is a song that hit home for so many people along with beautiful writing. For me, it should take the top prize.
Music Video of the Year
My Choice – Carrie Underwood, "Blown Away"
First of all, the song is outstanding (and was completely snubbed in the song categories). Now, mix that with Carrie Underwood's power vocals and movie like video complete with special effects and a Wizard of Oz theme and we've got a winner. Plus, she already won the CMT Music Video of the Year award for it.