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Three Reasons Why No One's Watching TV Dramas
Since the strike ended (feels like three years ago) shows like Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, and House have seen ratings dip. Television people—who are always scratching their heads, every day, it is their whole job—are running around, desperately trying to come up with ANSWERS. Bill Carter ventures to help them in the New York Times today, saying it's serialized story lines that are keeping people away, while The TV Addict wonders if it has anything to do with videogames. What's happening here? Why is everyone tuning out? Find out after the jump.
1) People Forgot What the Hell Was Going On
People are easily confused. Serialized television is hard to understand when you stop in the middle and then start up again on some arbitrary date. In the countless interviews magazines and newspapers have done with actors and other creative types on television shows, many have said things to the effect of "Oh we were just humming along, picking up momentum. It was such a bummer to have to stop." (Desperate Housewives' reinvigorating Dana Delaney storyline comes to mind). When there was nothing left for audiences to see, for an indefinite time, they slowly steeled themselves to cope with the bitter loss. It was time to move on and forget. And that's not easy to undo. It takes time and therapy. This is why comedies have done fine; there's no difficulty jumping right back in. My advice is to just let it be for now, then come back, publicity guns blazing, in the fall. That's what people are used to.
2) Like Adopted Gypsy Children, Viewers Secretly Wanted to Run Away
Many people don't like their addictions (I should know). But you suffer through them anyway because they're a part of you. If cigarettes were to just suddenly disappear one day, unavailable for months at a time, I'd probably quit once and for all. And I'd be happy about it. The same can probably be said for Ugly Betty or CSI. What better time to open a book, take a walk, or, more realistically, ramp up one's porn viewing and knickknack shopping on this creaky old internet? People, I think, were secretly glad for all this extra time in their lives. And now they don't want to cede it back to the glowing box, Dr. House MD be damned. I advise the networks to alter the way they relate viewership to advertisers, at least for the time being. Emphasize the quality and loyalty of the viewers who've stayed on. Everyone else will realize that they were rash and foolish to leave. They'll come crawling back. They always do.
3) Grand Theft Auto
America is a violent and hormonal teenage boy. People want things blown up, and they want them blown up now. I really have no sense of just how big this game is, but the computer and news people are telling me that lots and lots of people are playing it, often until the wee hours, instead of doing their civic duty and watching TV. If you can shoot/rape them yourself, why watch someone else do it on SVU? This, obviously, will blow over, once people beat it or get bored or realize they've been alone for three days and haven't said a word aloud in hours.
Basically, I don't think the nets should be too worried. These are just inevitable post-strike aftershocks. The main thing is to just focus on the fall, while churning out that popcorn reality garbage that people so love in the summer. And hey, CW. While you're at it, why not show some reruns of that summer series from long ago, Young Americans? I really miss that stupid show.


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Read this article to learn about the history and types of benefits in employee benefit programmes!
History and Growth:
The benefit programmes have originated in the mid twentieth century when the Philadelphia charter, 1944 declared, "Labour is not a commodity. It is entitled to a fair deal as an active participant in any programme of economic development and social reconstruction."
The Directive Principles of state Policy enshrined in the constitution of India press for these benefits and later the five year plans had given considerable stress on social security benefits and welfare and improvement in the payment of wages. In India many companies such as TISCO, Delhi Cloth Mill, Calico Mills, Empress Mills etc. and now several others have started providing employee benefits.
After the trade unionism gaining momentum the employers under pressure from them initiated the benefit programmes. The Govt. of India passed various act such as payment of Gratuity Act, Payment of Bonus Act, The Factories Act, Employees state Insurance Act.
These legislations provided impetus to the employees benefit programmes. The responsibility of implementing lies on employers. With growth of trade and commerce and business in India all companies were in a race to implement various benefits to the employees for attracting talented young men and women.
Now-a-days the competition has become fierce hence all the important companies in India have started launching novel and attractive benefit schemes to attract workaholics. And their efforts are bearing fruits. This trend has to continue because Indian talent has become more discernable making evaluation and comparison of benefit schemes.
More efforts are now being made by the employers to offer schemes of benefits to the new recruits for selection. Now selection lies with the talent and not the companies. There is now several lucrative benefit schemes are launched by the companies where employees are at gain.
Some such plans are:
(a) Golden parachute is a plan according to which an employee receives salary in lump sum or over a period of time in case of loss of job due to acquisition of firm by other firm. Here the loss of employee is insured,
(b) Cafeteria Scheme is a flexible benefit plan where employees have more choices in selecting the most suitable plan for him from among several plans,
(c) Goal planner is an automatic investment introduced by oracle.
There are several beneficial plans are launched by several companies globally. Now there is global competition between companies to pool in the talent available globally. The government is also involved in supporting workers assistance programmes.
Types of Benefits and Services:
The following are the significant benefits and services available to the employees:
1. Payment for Time not Worked:
Companies make payment for time not work such as payment for sick leave, holidays, vocations, voting time, witness time, on the job time such as lunch break, coffee break, reporting pay, rest period, payment for time spend for collective bargaining.
2. Employee Security Payment:
These include payment made by the employer to employee's pension, accident insurance, saving plans for health, payment made under workmen's compensation Act. Disability benefits.
3. Payment for Rest Period:
At the workplace employees exert and hence they need to rest. So rest hour or coffee break is provided to them to rest and get refreshed. This is provided to divert the attention of the employee from the job. It soothes him mentally and physically.
4. Holidays and Vacations:
Several paid holidays are granted in every country. In India these include Republic Day, Independence Day, Diwali, Id, Christmas, Mahavir Jayanti, Gandhi Jayanti, Gurunanak Jayanti, Id-e-Miladunnabi, Chatrapati Shivaji Jayanti, Holi, Rakshabandhan are some of the prominent holidays which are paid holidays. Some paid vacations for a period of a fortnight or a month is provided to the employees. The vacation provides employees to get refresh and enjoy time with their families and return to work with renewed vigour and enthusiasm.
5. Sick Leave:
When an employee suffers from some illness he is provided sick leave or medical leave with pay.
6. Severance Pay:
In case of termination of the job by the employer a severance pay is made to the employee. This is the onetime payment made to him.
7. Study Leave:
This is also known as leave of absence which is meant for further study by the employee. This is the sanctioned paid leave given to the selected employees.
8. Compensation Benefits:
These benefits are given to those employees who cannot work owing to occupational injury. Employers contribute funds under the Workmen's Compensation Act.
9. Insurance Benefits:
Employers offer life, health and accident insurance programmes to their employees. This scheme is for individual or the group.
10. Bonus and Awards:
Bonus on festive occasions is paid to the employees. Attendance bonus or for quality workmanship bonus is paid. Safety awards, profit sharing, good service bonus are paid to the employees.
Employee Services:
Certain services are provided to the employees by the organizations in addition to the above fringe benefits.
The services are:
1. Canteen:
Through canteens the lunch, snacks and other food are provided at subsides rate.
2. Transportation:
This facility is provided to the employees and their children for taking them to schools/colleges.
3. Housing Accommodation:
Housing accommodation in provided to the employees at subsidized rate having all the facilities in the colonies such as, play ground, swimming pools, recreation halls, schools, garden, clubs etc. This creates excellent living and comfort.
4. Financial and other Services:
Loans are sponsored by the organisation, purchasing of goods needed by the employees is done through departmental stores.
5. Medical Aid:
Medical facilities are provided to the employees through clinics and hospitals.
6. Flextime:
Flextime is a scheme of working hours in the factory or office. Through this scheme, a choice is given to the employee to choose his working hours according to his comfort e.g.: the options are 7.00 am to 2.00 pm., 10.30 am to 5.30 pm., 3.00 p.m. to 11.00 a.m. The worker can opt for any time schedule for work.

subset: commoncrawl


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I mentioned the other day that we had received an offer on The Corn House, but weren't sure if it would actually lead to a contract or not. While I wasn't confident it would happen, we were able to get the property under contract today, and we're scheduled to close in early March.
This was the first rehab we'd ever done, and suffice-it-to-say, we've learned a lot since that project started. The biggest lesson was around forecasting financials and ensuring that we're making smart purchases. It's amazing how in less than a year we've gone from having no idea what to look for in a property to mentoring other investors on how to find, evaluate and capitalize on great deals. I can't tell you the number of emails I get each week asking for advice, requesting the spreadsheets I created to do my analysis or running a potential deal by me to see if I think it's any good.
Anyway, when we bought The Corn House, we had no idea what to look for, how to estimate rehab costs or how to properly analyze a deal. So, it's not surprising that this project isn't going to generate much profit for us ($4-6K at most); but it's certainly nice that our very first investment will generate a profit, and more importantly, our buyers are getting a great house for the price.
I'll have more to say about the deal — including financial details — as we approach closing and once I've done my final accounting on this property.
Btw, The Second Chance House is now formally under contract as well, and is scheduled to close the week of February 23…


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Fed. Circ. Mostly OKs $37.6M Dairyland Nuke Waste Award
Both Dairyland and the U.S. government had been unsatisfied with the award granted by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, which included $16.6 million for storage costs, $12 million for investment in a private storage facility and $6.1 million for overhead costs.
The appeals court said...
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After graduating from high school, you're faced with a lot of choices. Some students choose to fill out a college application for a bachelor's degree program right after they finish school, but some seniors consider earning an associate's degree. What are the benefits of an associate's degree, and is this type of qualification right for you?
One of the most obvious benefits of earning an associate's degree is that it can be completed in around two years. The degree is typically awarded after 60 course credits, which equals around 20 classes. One advantage of this approach is that you could get a job much sooner than students earning their bachelor's degree.
Another benefit of getting this degree is a higher salary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), graduates of associate's degree programs earned more than $150 per week on average more than high school graduates in the workforce in 2010.
Some employers, especially those in more vocational fields, only require an associate's degree from prospective employees. Predictions indicate that by 2018, almost one-third of new jobs will require at least an associate's degree, meaning that students who choose this route will be more adequately prepared to enter the workforce than high school seniors.
Many professions and fields that require an associate's degree are in demand. For example, many degree programs in fields such as nursing, electronics and liberal arts professions like design are ideally suited to associate's degree-level education and, according to the BLS, job creation in these fields is expected to increase over the next six years.
Typically, associate's degree courses are divided into two categories. The first are programs that teach a more skills-based curriculum and prepare students to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. The other category includes majors where an associate's degree prepares them for continued education at the bachelor's degree level. This type of education path is sometimes referred to as a transfer degree program. Students can apply the course credits they earn in their associate's degree program towards their bachelor's degree, preparing them for the coursework at a higher education level.
Like any qualification, there are pros and cons to studying at the associate's degree level. Talk to your parents and your college admissions adviser about your career plans and your choice of major. An associate's degree may be ideal for you if you want to enter the workforce sooner, or if you want to give yourself an edge when you fill out a college application for a bachelor's degree program.


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A rare and unique Lamborghini Pregunta has recently come into the market for 1.6 million Euros or $2.1 million. This car was first featured way back in 1998 at the Paris Auto Show and then at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show. It was in the possession of Carrosserie Hueliez, the Italian branch of the French prototype car specialist. It was then bought by Autodrome, which is a French retailer of rare and vintage cars. Lamborghini made the Pregunta for Hueliez after they had placed an order for a one-off concept car that was inspired by the Lamborghini's Diablo. They wanted a car that was "new, original, and impossible to confuse with any other car's shapes."
The luxury car maker was going through a tough phase during this period. In 1994 it was sold to the Megatech Group by Chrysler. It was then bought by Tommy Suharto, son of the second President of Indonesia. It finally ended up being bought by Audi in 1998. This super sleek car is constructed using the super tough and super light carbon fiber. It has the interesting feature of having rear ward facing cameras instead of rear mirrors. Its 530hp V12 engine can attain top speed of 207 miles per hour.
Even though it is based on the Diablo, it has an extreme rear wheel drive design, which is lighter, instead of the all wheel drive of Lamborghini's classic Diablo. This beauty takes inspiration from both Formula One as well as fighter jets. It has Dassault stealth external paintwork, just like the Dassault Rafale fighter jet. The Pregunta also comes with fully electronic F-1 type Marelli instruments, internal optical fiber lighting, and a GPS system. You can check it out more at the Autodrome website. You can also check out the hottest new cars by luxury car makers at the recently held New York Auto Show.


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Eating with your hands is one of the most intimate relationships you will have with your food. It is sensual, environmentally friendly, clean and your food even tastes better.
Having been brought up partly in a British-style boarding school in Sri Lanka, we were banned from eating with our hands and encouraged to eat with cutlery, though we always ate with our hands at home. Too often at South Asian formal functions in the West, I see people uncomfortably eating Indian or Sri Lankan cuisines with cutlery. It usually takes me and my family breaking the ice by using our hands and one by one others slowly start ditching cutlery. I still find this slow ditching cutlery ritual in public rather funny.
Many Indians, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans, Nepalese, Filipinos, Indonesians, Cambodians, Ethiopians, Pakistanis and others eat with their hands within the privacy of their homes. Years of colonisation has made us embarrassed of one of the most personal and intimate habits we have – eating with our hands, especially in public – and we are reluctant to use our hands to eat the very food which we love.
When Oprah Winfrey visited India a while back, she created a media storm by looking down at the Indians for eating with their hands. In Norway, there have been a handful of cases of kids of Indian and Sri Lankan children being taken into care for being fed by their parents' hands. The social services misinterpreted it as force-feeding – and hence child abuse !
why do some cultures prefer to eat using their bare hands?
When people ask the question, 'why do some cultures prefer to eat using their bare hands?', I recall this famous story:
Former Indian President Dr Radhakrishnan met with Britain's Prime Minister Winston Churchill as they sat down for lunch. Before sitting, Dr Radhakrishnan washed his hands and as the meal was served, he used his hands when eating the meal. Churchill asked Dr Radhakrishnan, 'Why are you using your hands? Use spoon and fork, it's more hygienic.' Radhakrishnan's reply was, 'Since nobody has used my hand to eat before, my hand is more hygienic than any spoon you can find.'
Today, the Western world is increasingly accepting of eating different kinds of food with our hands – burgers, chips, pizza, fruit etc. The use of cutlery has reduced dramatically and all too often we eat with just a fork.
Not too long ago, most ate Chinese and Japanese food with a fork. Now, using chopsticks is all the rage. Similarly, it's time we made the jump and start eating rice and curry with our hands too.
So, I invite you to come and join us for a South Indian vegetarian meal at Handfed and learn the joys of eating with your hands. The meal is interspersed with performances exploring the theme of eating with hands by the indomitable hairy drag diva Radha Labia and the Classical Indian dancer turned performance artist Rakini Devi .
Drop the shame. Taste your food. Smell your food. See your food and we will also teach you to touch when eating your food…
What to know more? visit handfed.org, a website dedicated to the joy of eating with your hands. It includes video and downloadable pictorial diagrams of how to eat with your hands, articles, pictures etc. #handfed #ConversationStarters
years of colonisation has made us embarrassed of one of the most personal and intimate habits we have
Jiva Parthipan is a director, creative producer and arts worker based in Sydney and working internationally with dance, performance, film and inter-disciplinary art. His work has been seen at the Tate Modern (UK), Birmingham Rep Theatre (UK) ICA- Institute of Contemporary Art (UK), Liveworks at Performance Space (Sydney), and Powerhouse Youth Theatre Fairfield (Sydney). Jiva has a MA in Performance (Distinction) from Goldsmith College, London and was a visiting lecturer at the Central St Martins College of Arts 2003-2009.


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The Golden Centuries Of Venetian Painting
1989 · Hungary
by DE LOGU, Giuseppe & Mario Abis
Hungary: Corvina, 1989. Very Good/Very Good. Second edition. Very good in very good dustwrapper. Hardcover has bumped corners and spine, smudged, rubbed dustwrapper. Please Note: This book has been transferred to Between the Covers from another database and might not be described to our usual standards. Please inquire for more detailed condition information. (Inventory #: 232994)


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Item Name & Description: Critique of a sf/f short story up to 7,500 words. I have published a number of short stories (Clarkesworld, F&SF, Tor.com, Lightspeed). If you'd like to talk about possible markets and whether your story is ready to be submitted, I'm happy to do that, too.
I'm willing to critique fanfic, but please check with me first regarding (a) fandom (my range here is limited) and (b) audience/subject material. I do militaristic sf most of the time, so if you are writing a Regency romance AU with werewolves, I'm probably not your best bet.
Starting Bid: $25.00.
Notes: Delivered within two weeks. Please have the story ready when the auction is over. You should save the story in standard manuscript format, RTF or .doc, for original fiction.
Bidding opens on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time and closes Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
More Information.


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Surrey CCC have confirmed that Mark Ramprakash has been withdrawn from today's Clydesdale Bank 40 clash against Northamptonshire as a result of an internal disciplinary process.
The former England batsman has received a one match ban as well as an automatic three point penalty for a Level Two offence.
Mark Ramprakash showed serious dissent after his dismissal against Gloucestershire on the final day of the LV= County Championship match which ultimately ended with a Surrey CCC victory.
Surrey chief executive Richard Gould said, "Mark regrets his action in returning to discuss the matter with the umpires, and accepts the imposition of a one match ban, in addition to the automatic three-point penalty as part of the ECB disciplinary process.
"The ECB has confirmed that the case is now closed."
Mark Ramprakash has expressed disappointment at the one-match suspension he has been handed by Surrey.
"VERY disappointed to be banned for one game given the circumstances," Ramprakash said on Twitter.
"I dont agree with the umpires interpretation of what happened or rule."


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How many Arsenal fans are there?
100 million
Arsenal Football Club is a London based club founded in 1886. Not too many people know that Arsenal's fans are often referred to as Gooners. Keep in mind that the name derived from the team's nickname, the "Gunners." It is interesting to know that a report, from September 2011, shows that Arsenal has an estimated fan base that has reached 100 million supporters worldwide. This makes Arsenal the third largest team regarding supporters in the world. It is important to know that Arsenal's deepest rivalry is with their nearest major neighbors, Tottenham Hotspur.


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Ketchum and Zito Partners Form Strategic Alliance
May 22, 2014, 09:00 ET from Ketchum Public Relations
NEW YORK, May 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Ketchum, a leading public relations agency, today announced that it has entered into a strategic alliance with Zito Partners to form Ketchum Zito Financial, a new offering focused on financial communications for transactions, earnings, restructurings, turnarounds, proxy solicitation, investor relations and crisis situations. The group also will provide positioning related to a full array of financial services institutions, including asset managers, alternative asset managers, banks and non-bank credit providers.
The alliance is being formed directly with Ketchum's financial communications practice in New York to bolster and enhance these specialized services within Ketchum's global network. The Ketchum Zito Financial team will be able to provide clients with financial communications services backed by the depth of resources and experience that comes from a worldwide consultancy combined with the decades-long expertise of an industry expert.
"Bob Zito and his firm are the right partners for Ketchum's financial communications practice, which has grown significantly in the past few years as our publicly held clients find themselves at the busy intersection of digital media and financial disclosure," said Rob Flaherty, senior partner, CEO and president of Ketchum.
As executive vice president of the New York Stock Exchange and a member of its Management Committee, Zito contributed to building NYSE into one of the most respected brands in the world. By bringing television to the NYSE trading floor and creating the daily "must-see" events of high-powered newsmakers ringing the opening and closing bells, he created global visibility for NYSE-listed companies and member firms.
Before joining the NYSE, Zito was Sony's vice president of corporate communications, spearheading the effort to rebrand the company as a global entertainment leader following Sony's acquisitions of CBS Records and Columbia Pictures. Later, he served as chief communications officer and a member of the Management Committee for Bristol-Myers Squibb before forming his own firm in 2010.
"As a former Ketchum client, I have long been impressed by the talent and loyalty of the firm's senior leadership," said Zito. "My interest in forming this partnership is based, in large measure, on existing relationships with the very people I have known and trusted for years and whom I have seen firsthand offer exceptional guidance and support to clients."
On selected client engagements, the Ketchum Zito Financial team will join together Zito Partners' specialists with Ketchum's financial communications industry experts, including Marc Drechsler, senior vice president and head of financial communications; David Allan, senior vice president, investor relations; and A.J. Goodman, senior vice president, media relations. Drechsler and his team are based in Ketchum's New York office, which is led by partner Mike Doyle. Since 2010, the Ketchum team has handled some of the largest IPOs in the United States and cross-border M&A mandates. Recently, the team handled the $2.7 billion New York Stock Exchange listing of FSIC, a business development company sponsored by Franklin Square, Philadelphia, a leading manager of alternative investment funds with more than $10 billion in assets.
Drechsler said, "Bob's experience handling complex issues, counseling CEOs and management, and spearheading brand strategy at blue-chip companies is unrivaled. Companies today need board-level expertise combined with excellence in execution. Ketchum Zito Financial will deliver on both promises, helping our clients and prospects manage their most critical financial communications needs."
For more information, visit http://www.ketchumzito.com/.
About Zito Partners
Zito Partners builds, energizes and defends brands. A boutique firm representing a select group of clients from a range of industries, Zito Partners believes in a "ready, aim, fire" approach – understand the client…develop the appropriate strategy against the key target constituencies…and execute against the plan. For more information, visit www.zitopartners.com.
About Ketchum
Ketchum is a leading global communications firm with operations in more than 70 countries across six continents. The winner of 11 Cannes Lions and an unprecedented four PRWeek Campaign of the Year Awards, Ketchum partners with clients to deliver strategic programming, game-changing creative and measurable results that build brands and reputations. For more information on Ketchum, a part of Diversified Agency Services, a division of Omnicom Group Inc., visit www.ketchum.com.
About Diversified Agency Services
Diversified Agency Services (DAS), a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), manages Omnicom's holdings in a variety of marketing communications disciplines. DAS includes over 200 companies, which operate through a combination of networks and regional organizations, serving international and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.
SOURCE Ketchum Public Relations


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Saturday, December 12, 2009
"Alternative lifestyle" is a condescending and ill-informed myth
I refer to Mr Bernard Tan's letter 'Respect is fine but don't glorify' (Dec 3).
Like Mr Tan, I have gay friends. But unlike him, I have a different attitude towards my friends.
I do not hold bigoted misconceptions and spread myths about gay people that put them in a lesser position.
It is a myth to regard the sexual orientation or identity of a person, other than heterosexual, as a lifestyle.
With all due respect to people of faith, it is a condescending value judgement, and is obviously derived from religious dogma - that identifying as homosexual is wrong and immoral.
The word lifestyle suggests homosexuality is a temptation and one that can be chosen, rather than a legitimate identity, and for Mr Tan to classify the realities and lived experiences of gay people as a lifestyle is incorrect and disrespectful.
Unfortunately, it will require a paradigm shift for people to come to fully understand sexual orientation and sexual identity. They need to be readily open to information and studies from different fields, be aware of history and also be a little more self-interrogative towards their privileges and prejudices.
Some people will always be blind to their own prejudices. They are the ones who deem any neutral or positive portrayal of what they misclassify as "alternative" to be glorification, and attempt to create moral panics to mobilise ill-informed people to continue being prejudicial towards minorities. They attempt to be righteous as they demonise and alienate other communities.
I think we will never have respect, empathy, compassion or tolerance, given how we live our lives according to misinformation and myths that wrongfully represent other people.
I believe the government, the media and all of us have a responsibility to make Singapore a land of diversity with equality. Unlike sexual orientation, most of us can "choose" to be responsible.
I support the traditional family too, because I came from one and am about to start one myself. However, I do not see a need to glorify my choice nor shove the idea down the throats of others.
Ho Chi Sam
Note: It's been almost more than a week since I sent my letter, and don't think the Straits Times Forum will publish my letter. I'm having a real dry spell in the Straits Times Forum. Very frustrating when serious messages can't get published.
3 comments:
- Augustin said...
Heya, just want to ask where do you draw the line between sexual orientation (presumably born with) and lifestyle choice? (purely non-scientific discussion)
You determine homosexuality as an orientation which is something one is born with, hard-wired so to speak.
What then of being bi-sexual or trans-sexual (feeling like you are a man trapped in a woman's body or vice versa)?
And if we accept that then what of pedophilia, necrophilia, bestiality? Can these be said to be orientation rather than choice?
Even if we do accept the premise that homosexuality is indeed orientation rather than choice, wWhen does one begin to say/admit that society sometimes has limits even for one's alleged "inclinations" ? We certainly don't indulge kleptomaniacs.
I don't mean to trivialise homosexuality and I mean no offence. I just want things to be clarified so everyone is clear. Indeed, I would love to see these issues being discussed in public forums instead of the current status quo where such topics are swept under the carpet because we're too afraid to discuss the implications.
- December 13, 2009 at 12:57 AM
- the little eastern heretic said...
you can post your letter to ST discussion board under the same topic! that way it'll get more eyeballs.
- December 14, 2009 at 7:40 PM
- Sam Ho said...
little eastern heretic, good idea but the discussion board is corrupted with self-conceited buffoons. i'm sure they wouldn't want another one in me hahahha.
augustin, hope to share the following.
sexual identity consists of many sub-domains. i shall name a few:
1) physical attraction - what kind of physicality you like, or aesthetics that pleases you. you might like plus-sized boys, or nubile girls with perky tits. it's about the "love at first sight" according to body type, human or animal or child (so there are some ethical issues here).
2) emotional attraction - you might like "tiger/dragon" women, alpha-males, or quiet persons.
3) sexual interest - how you would seek pleasure. what act or area stimulates you most, which you find most erotic. you like to be top/bottom, in a three-some, with a dog, stuff like that.
4) lifestyle choice - how you would spend quality time, and with whom. you may swing, or be promiscuous.
homosexuality is just a certain permutation of the abovementioned. some gay men, for instance, like to monogamous, polyamorous, they like certain body types, they like certain ages.
same goes for "straight" men. a straight man, for example, may like a dark-skinned slim woman with long hair, doesn't want to be married, and enjoys prostitutes in batam and geylang once in a while. that's a lifestyle. to many, it's a not-so-good lifestyle to have.
but most of us conflate homosexuality into a lifestyle, which is misrepresentative. and we assume all gay men, for example, are promiscuous and prey on your kids.
it is the religious right and moral absolutists who lump homosexuality with paedophelia, necrophelia and bestiality. centuries ago, in europe, marrying someone outside your race constitutes bestiality.
people have inclinations, but what makes an act wrong is the disrespect of consent. when two gay men want to love each other and/or have sex, it's consent to me and i don't really bother about them, or attempt to guilt-trap them.
if you fuck a dog, the dog wouldn't be able to consent to it, because it can't speak, and it doesn't have the same capacity as human beings to make the consent. so i think that is morally wrong.
some bisexual people are sexually attracted to both genders, or turned on by the sight of and interaction with certain body parts of the two sexes. it's simply based on individual taste and inclination.
queer-ness is probably inside most of us, but our behaviours are regulated by family, society and people who follow certain unspoken and unchallenged rules. this is why some GLBT folks are forced into their closets, to live a lie and to pretend, otherwise their social and economic/professional lives will suffer because there is a moral mob that is out to make them pay for being "deviant"/different.
straight people don't have to justify themselves, like saying "THIS IS HOW I FEEL! I LOVE WOMEN! OMG!!!!" and that is probably why most of us will never understand what it's like to be in the closet and coming out to justify our sexual orientation.
imagine if everyone ate pork and you don't like/eat pork. it's an ideological thing and you will suffer some dissonance if you comply with everyone else. but that's a bad example, because your beliefs/principles is your choice/choosing. but for sex, if you get an erection everything you see a naked woman dancing before you, that is something you can't suppress. so i guess there's some "nature" to it, although i wouldn't want to reduce everything to a social construct or to "nature" itself. it's a bit of both.
- December 14, 2009 at 8:10 PM


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Which one of the following is a function? 4x - 2y2 = 9 4x2 - 2y2 = 9 4x - 2y = 9
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What's up with these Russian Billionaires!? Remember Mikhail Prokhorov, the Moscow tycoon, owner of the New Jersey Nets (NBA basketball) who threw his, ushanka into the ring to oppose Vladimir Putin for the presidency of Russia? No, you don't remember him? It's not your fault; his big announcement was two weeks ago. Who can remember that far back?
This week all the band width is going to a new pair of Russian Billionaires.Their names would be household words, if we could pronounce them.
Let's welcome to the front page of the blogosphere, and to Central Park West, The Rybolovlevs!
The Rybolovlevs bought a piece of real estate this week, the penthouse at 15 Central Park West, to be precise. Actually, they bought the most expensive apartment in New York. Here's their "official" announcement, via Forbes. (Billionairechonicles is still sulking because they didn't the break the news with us.)
A company associated with Ekaterina Rybolovleva, daughter of a well-known businessman Dmitriy Rybolovlev, has signed a contract to purchase an apartment at 15 Central Park West, New York. The apartment is a condominium currently owned by the Sanford Weill Family.
Ms. Rybolovleva is currently studying at a US university. She plans to stay in the apartment when visiting New York. Ms. Rybolovleva was born in Russia, is a resident of Monaco and has resided in Monaco and Switzerland for the past 15 years."
Weill is the infamous, former Chairman of Citibank. He and his wife, Joan, bought the apartment for $43.68 million in 2007 and "flipped" it to The Rybolovlevs for the asking price of $88 million.
Click here to see Observer's Slide show of New York's Most Expensive Apartment
On Friday, Laurie Bennett had piece, also in Forbes, in which she described a new TV show that sounds like it could be "a little bit inspired" by the sixties series, "Green Acres". It's about a Russian Billionaire and his college-aged daughter. (No mention of the mom, but those of us in the know, know that she's not around because Mr. and Mrs. Russian billionaire are working their way through a contentious, $billions-in-dispute, divorce.) The Forbes piece even suggests that Mr. Russian Billionaire might become BFF's with another Russky Billy, "who loves basketball and wants to run for president of Russia."
In reality, well at least in "show business reality", it's just a question of time before we see a Martin Scorsese or David Chase directed, HBO series, based on the lives of these characters. Seriously, these Russian bad boys all make Tony Soprano, and Nucky Thompson, and even Don Corleone, seem like a bunch of penny-ante pussies.
"Well-known businessman Dmitriy Rybolovlev", is not just some dull Russian guy who studied to become a doctor and decided to specialize in finance. He was only four years out of medical school (1994), when he joined the board of directors of Russia's largest potash producer, Uralkali. In 1996 he became chairman of the company. In that same year he was arrested for the 1995 murder of his business colleague, Evgeny Panteleymonov.
According to Rumafia.com
Panteleymonov tried to convince Rybolovlev to stop cooperating with commercial structures controlled by criminals. In September 1995, Panteleymonov was shot, and six months later the murder organizer Oleg Lomakin (Prokop) was arrested. In exchange for the promise of investigators to classify the charge to a lighter article, he said that Rybolovlev "ordered" Panteleymonov. There was no other evidence linking Rybolovlev with the murder apart from the testimony by Prokop. After a year of arrest, Rybolovlev was released on bail; later the court acquitted him.
Last month, Russian Billionaire Alexander Lebedev punched former Russian Billionaire Sergei Polonsky, during the taping of a Russian TV talk show. Lebedev later defended his two clean shots to Polonsky's head. Prior to being sucker punched by Lebedev, Polonsky had said he felt like "punching someone in the face". After "the bout" Lebedev said, "I'm not a fan of such behaviour, but sometimes if you are threatened verbally and physically you have to neutralise the threat to the best of your ability, without harming the other person." Lebvedev is the owner of the English Newspaper, The Independent. According to Forbes 2008 List, Polonsky had a net work of $1,2 billion, however, in March of 2011 Bloomberg reported
Polonsky said he's quitting business after his property developer went bankrupt.
Polonsky's Mirax Group, which started building what was planned to be Europe's tallest skyscraper before the global financial crisis in 2008, was dissolved by its board of directors yesterday, the company said on its website.
The extent of Polonsky's remainig wealth, or lack thereof, is undermined.
In other more sinister Russian Billionaire news; Exiled Boris Berezovsky, who now lives in London, is suing fellow Russian Billionaire, Roman Abramovich for $6.8 billion. Bloomberg reports that "Berezovsky is claiming that "Abramovich intimidated him into selling shares in two Russian companies for less than they were worth. Abramovich argues Berezovsky never had stakes in Sibneft or in aluminum assets which eventually became part of United Co. Rusal, rather that he was paid for providing protection in the dangerous environment of Russia after the collapse of communism."
The case is one of the biggest trials in Brittish legal history.
RT.com wrote
Abramovich admits that cash payments were made to his former mentor, but says this was just protection money, a necessary business expense at the time to benefit from Berezovsky's political capital.
Both men have disclosed damaging details of their own during the hearings, as a way of trying to humiliate each rival even more. Abramovich even passed off one payment to Berezovsky as an artificial transaction, freely admitting it was a way around the money laundering regulations. As for Berezovsky, he claims his stake in Sibneft – their company – was 25 per cent, but has been forced to come clean about how for several years he took much more than that, sometimes even more than the company's own profits.
It is this sense of lawlessness that Abramovich's lawyer will emphasize in the closing statement of his defense, reports RT's Ivor Bennett. He has already likened 1990s Russia to medieval England and it is that get-out clause both are using for their previous misdeeds. The difference is Abramovich is using it also to show that legitimate business simply did not exist at that time.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has recently acknowledged that fact in his recent televised Q&A, in which he said that this trial should be held in Russia, because that is where the money was stolen from, and that is where it should be divided.
The Independent reported
The Chelsea Football Club owner, Roman Abramovich, has unleashed his most withering personal attack yet on his former business associate Boris Berezovsky, almost three months into the £3.5bn trial between the two men.
At the beginning of two days of closing submissions at London's Commercial Court, Mr Abramovich's barrister, Jonathan Sumption QC, called Mr Berezovsky an "angry and embittered man" with "truly prodigious powers of self-deception".
Berezovsky is not the only one who has "issues" with Abramowitz. The London Times reported that
Alexander Korzhakov has told the court that Mr Abramovich's acquisition of the oil group Sibneft in a state auction in 1995 was corrupt and unlawful. "With this money was bought Chelsea Football Club, palaces and the biggest private yachts," he says.
Mr Korzhakov is a former KGB general who ran Russia's security services in the early 1990s and has accused Mr Abramovich and Mr Berezovsky of conspiring to cause "huge economic and political damage" to the Russian state. He wants the $13 billion that Mr Abramovich made from selling Sibneft in 2005 to be returned to Russia.
Korzhakov is currently a member of the Russian Parliament. He was a close aid to Boris Yeltsin, and was seen standing next to him when Yeltsin made his historic speech on top of a tank, after a coup attempt against him failed in 1991.
The London Times also noted that
Mr Abramovich's solicitors, denied that there had been any breach of Russian law in acquiring Sibneft. They dismissed Mr Korzhakov's letter as containing several inaccuracies and said that it was irrelevant to the proceedings.
According to The Independent
The Chelsea Football Club owner, Roman Abramovich, has unleashed his most withering personal attack yet on his former business associate Boris Berezovsky, almost three months into the £3.5bn trial between the two men.
At the beginning of two days of closing submissions at London's Commercial Court, Mr Abramovich's barrister, Jonathan Sumption QC, called Mr Berezovsky an "angry and embittered man" with "truly prodigious powers of self-deception".
Meanwhile, two other former Russian billionaires, Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev, are serving long sentences for the murder of Alexander Litvinenko. Amnesty International has declared them to be "prisoners of conscience"
Brittish authorities want to extradite Andrei Lugovoy from Russia. They believe that he is responsible for killing Litvinenko. Last month, according to the Times,
A court in London was told that for almost a decade, the former KGB officer was entrusted by Mr Berezovsky and his right-hand man, Badri Patarkatsishvili, to "carry out many covert surveillance and other sensitive tasks relating to Mr Berezovsky's personal and romantic life, and even his medical affairs — liasing for him with doctors and the like". The tasks included recording, at Mr Patarkatsishvili's orders, a meeting between Mr Berezovsky and Roman Abramovich at Le Bourget airport in Paris in December 2000.
It gets better. Last month Miaminewstimes.com reported that Berezovsky and Patarkatsishvili's widow, Inna Gudavadze, were defendants in a wrongful death lawsuit, brought by Patarkatsishvili's New York lawyer, Emanuel Zeltser. Zeltser's suit has been compared to the civil suit brought by the Goldman family against O.J. Simpson.
Miaminewstimes.com details a dinner meeting between Berezovsky and Zeltser that took place in London in March of 2008, shortly after Patarkatsishvili mysterious death. (Patarkatsishvili was 52 at the time.) According to Miaminewstimes.com,
Zeltser stood up and suddenly felt a bit dizzy. Berezovsky offered the services of his chauffeur and Rolls Royce Phantom for Zeltser's trip to the hotel. After sliding into the back seat, which was separated from the front by tinted glass, the lawyer slipped into a state of semiconsciousness. He would later believe he had been drugged. Soon the car pulled up beside a private jet at a small suburban airport.
A few hours later, the jet landed in Minsk, Belarus. Zeltser was seized by men and driven to a former KGB prison where he would spend the next 16 months. He was finally released after Hilary Clinton and U.S. Sen. Benjamin Cardin intervened on his behalf.
In 2003 The PBS series Frontline did a segment called "Rich in Russia". It profiled the new Russian Billionaires. For "Rich in Russia" Frontline filmed an interview with Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Five days before the program aired, Khodorkovsky was thrown into prison, and has been there ever since.
Berezovsky, already exiled to London, was also interviewed for the same documentary. He offered some candid remarks as to how one went about becoming a billionaire, after the fall of the Soviet Union. As Berezovsky explained, "The Soviet bureaucrats didn't believe that capitalism would prevail. You would give an official $10,000, and he would give you the property title. Not for one second did he expect the property to stay private. He was convinced that The Reds would return and take it back." He justified the behavior that enabled him to become one of the richest men in the world. As he put it, "we didn't break any laws, but if you considering giving bribes a crime, then all oligarchs were criminals."
Click here to see "Rich in Russia"


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Mobile Knowledge Launches TaxiLinQ Mini at 95th Annual TLPA Conference
Latest Addition to TaxiLinQ Product Line Delivers Hard-Wired Peripheral Connectivity at an Excellent Price
Mobile Knowledge today announces the launch of the TaxiLinQ Mini vehicle logic unit. Designed to meet the evolving needs of the For-Hire industry, TaxiLinQ Mini provides a range of in-vehicle peripheral connectivity for Smartphones and Tablets. Building on the same architecture as the standard TaxiLinQ platform, TaxiLinQ Mini includes a subset of key features and functionality at an excellent price point.
Similar to TaxiLinQ, TaxiLinQ Mini is an optional companion to the Mobile Knowledge DriveLinQ application for Android Smartphones and Tablets. DriveLinQ allows Professional Drivers to connect wirelessly with dispatch systems including Cabmate and XDS, leveraging their Android Smartphone or Tablet.
Whereas the standard TaxiLinQ is ideally suited to serve as a point of connection for WiFi Tablets, TaxiLinQ Mini is intended for Smartphones and Tablets with integrated GPS and 3G/4G wireless capability. TaxiLinQ Mini connects to these devices via Bluetooth, and can be installed virtually anywhere within the vehicle.
Mr. Chris Plunkett, Mobile Knowledge Director of Product Line Management explained the role of TaxiLinQ Mini, "TaxiLinQ Mini addresses a need within the industry for a lower cost peripheral connection hub. It removes some of the higher cost elements of the standard TaxiLinQ, including WiFi router, GPS receiver, additional USB/RS-232 ports and Ethernet connectivity, for deployments where these may not be required. The result is a lower cost yet highly featured product which our clients and 3rd party developers can take advantage of."
While available with an optional 50-channel GPS receiver, the TaxiLinQ Mini typically relies upon the GPS capabilities of the connected Smartphone or Tablet. It provides a dedicated USB charging port for Tablets, able to deliver up to 2.1Amps of charging power, and supports the proprietary charging requirements of the Google Nexus and many Samsung, Motorola and other manufacturer's Tablets. The two standard USB ports each deliver up to 1.0Amps of current for peripherals including the iPP320/350 Point of Sale device for in-vehicle Credit Card processing.
In addition to its USB connectivity, TaxiLinQ Mini provides two RS-232 ports, Ignition Sense, Panic Button, Odometer Counter, and discreet Taximeter connections. The ignition sense tracks the state of the vehicle , and the discreet meter connection tracks availability of the For-Hire vehicle.
TaxiLinQ and TaxiLinQ Mini are both available as OEM products under the MobiLinQ and MobiLinQ Mini brands for third party developers looking to incorporate their features and functionality in adjacent vertical markets. They can be deployed in both 12VDC and 24VDC vehicle environments.
To learn more about the TaxiLinQ line of products, please contact email@example.com.
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WASHINGTON, DC – The Subcommittee on Energy and Power, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), today continued its review of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) with a hearing featuring testimony from the government agencies that play a role in implementing the statute: the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Energy Information Administration (EIA), and the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Today's hearing followed a series of bipartisan white papers issued by the committee examining a number of emerging concerns with the current RFS system, specifically in light of changes to the overall energy landscape in the past five years.
"This is the committee's first hearing specifically devoted to the RFS since the program was last revised in 2007," said full committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI). "The purpose of this initial hearing is essentially to perform a check-up on the RFS – what has gone according to plan and what has not. No policy is perfect, especially one that is now more than five years old. It's time to assess the RFS in light of what we now know."
"The landscape has changed since the RFS was last revised in 2007 and there are policy assumptions from then that differ from the realities of 2013," added Chairman Whitfield. "We can now look back on several years of practical experience with the RFS, and it is time to ask what that experience has taught us. It is also time to review the RFS as we continue to implement its increasing targets."
Members and witnesses discussed several implementation challenges and issues that have emerged since the RFS was last revised, including blend wall and fuel compatibility issues, impacts of the RFS on energy markets and the agricultural sector, and environmental concerns.
Joseph Glauber, Chief Economist at the USDA, described the effects of the RFS on U.S. corn production. "Corn ethanol production increased dramatically over the past decade, from just over 2 billion gallons in 2002 to almost 14 billion gallons in 2011," said Glauber. "Driven by a combination of favorable market forces and government biofuel policies, including the RFS, the increase has spurred corn production and corn use for ethanol and has been one of the factors in the recent grain price boom and overall improvements in farm balance sheets including record farm incomes over the past few years."
Christopher Grundler, Director of the Office of Transportation and Air Quality at EPA, explained that ethanol will likely continue to play a leading role in RFS implementation but warned that refiners may soon hit the "blend wall." "Both ethanol and non-ethanol biofuels can be used to meet the RFS requirements; however ethanol has and will likely continue to be the predominant renewable fuel in the market for the near and foreseeable future," said Grundler. "As the volume requirements of the RFS program increase, it becomes more likely that the volume of ethanol projected to meet those requirements will exceed the volume that can be consumed in the common blend ratio of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline, referred to as E10."
EIA Administrator Adam Sieminksi also suggested that RFS targets would not be achievable with current ethanol blends due to demand challenges and the lack of alternative biofuels. He stated, "The RFS program is not projected to come close to achievement of the legislated target that calls for 36 billion gallons of renewable motor fuels use by 2022. Substantially increased use of biofuels can only occur if they can be used in forms other than the low-percentage blends of ethanol and biodiesel that account for nearly all of their current use. The implicit premise that cellulosic and other advanced biofuels would be available in significant quantities at reasonable costs within 5 to 10 years following adoption of the 2007 RFS targets has not been borne out."
Upton concluded, "The white papers and having today's hearing have gotten the discussion off to a positive start. I look forward to working with all of the members of this committee in the coming weeks as we continue our oversight and work toward addressing the very real issues that implementation of the RFS presents going forward."


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Problems are Opportunities in Disguise
noun \ˈprä-bləm, -bəm, -ˌblem\
- something that is difficult to deal with : something that is a source of trouble, worry, etc.
- difficulty in understanding something
- a feeling of not liking or wanting to do something
- a question raised for inquiry, consideration, or solution
- a proposition in mathematics or physics stating something to be done
- an intricate unsettled question
- a source of perplexity, distress, or vexation
- difficulty in understanding or accepting <I have aproblem with your saying that>
noun \ˌä-pər-ˈtü-nə-tē, -ˈtyü-\
- an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done
- a favorable juncture of circumstances <the halt provided an opportunity for rest and refreshment>
- a favorable juncture of circumstances <the halt provided an opportunity for rest and refreshment>
- a good chance for advancement or progress
EVERYONE complains but the hallmark of a change agent is that he or she recognizes the complaining and takes the next step to solve it. Just as answers come from questions, solutions only come from problems. A shift in paradigm is all that is needed for change to take place.
As we migrate to new socio-economic systems, a key feature of this shift is to recognize that all the problems we now face are the very foundation upon which we build new systems. Many leading edge entrepreneurs such as Richard Branson's Carbon War Room project recognize the transformation as the greatest business opportunity of this century.
Problems show up everywhere in our life. Everyday, we are faced with literally hundreds of problems of varying levels of importance and our lives consist of solving those problems. Sometimes, there are problems that are so big and that affect so many people that we feel there is nothing we can do about it.
Most of us just want to get on with life and though we may be affected by a problem, we never feel there's anything we can do about it…except complain. You may complain to yourself or you may complain to others. We complain out of habit and we often don't notice or remember it moments later. The difference between a changemaker and an ordinary person is that the changemaker NOTICES their own (and other's) complaining. That noticing is the first step in doing something about the problem. The next step is to see if there is a possible solution. That step requires ingenuity.
By looking at the world from the perspective of a Changemaker, a paradigm shift occurs. Where you may see a problem, the changemaker sees an opportunity that comes from providing a solution. A big problem also implies a big opportunity because a big problem is one that affects many people. Hence, if you could find a solution to solve the problem, it makes a big impact….and that's worth paying for.


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Tune out of step with celebrity dancing shows
The revered dancer/choreographer isn't surprised so many contestants are injured while rehearsing for dance sequences on shows like Dancing With The Stars and Strictly Come Dancing – because the untrained struggle with foxtrots and tangos.
He tells WENN, "I worry that they hurt themselves because they're dancing beyond their training and when they get older it's gonna show up. It's kind of like cruelty to animals. They don't know they're hurting themselves.
"My father was a horse trainer and the care my father took with the horses, that's the care they should be trained with, but they're not and they keep getting hurt. So when I look at the contestants I think about the horses. They're dancing beyond their capabilities and that bothers me.
"I sound like some fogey about it but I know what it takes to have a long, healthy physical life. I danced all my life and you have to really get some training before you try it. You can start simple like ballroom dancing but Dancing With The Stars is extreme; it's almost like a fight."
The U.S. show, which launched its latest season on Monday night (21Sep09), has a history of injuries to celebrity contestants – Jewel and TV presenter Nancy O'Dell were forced to pull out of the last season of the show before it even started and Steve-O and Gilles Marini battled injuries on the show.


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Fireworks jsized javascript miscellaneous
Firework effect which use canvas tag new. Doesn't work with internet explorer fireworks. (but doesn't throw any firework errors) requires a div element to work. Great for adding effect year to images
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4.0 /5 on 1 buyers reviews


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I also shared with you my word for February - FOCUS, my word for January was INTEGRITY, and for March it was BELIEVE.
Well now, April is here and after some deep thought, I have a word for these 30 days - BALANCE.
****April | Balance
This is what BALANCE will look like for me in regards to Health & Fitness this month:
Health | Balance out my weekly schedule between work, running, swimming, cycling and yoga. Balance my nutrition - healthy vs treats. Get prepared for Whole30. Book a massage. Complete my physiotherapy exercises.
I've just had one of the craziest months in a long time. I've moved house (technically about three times in the month), been in a new job, travelling and generally living day by day. I lost perspective a little, things fell to the wayside when they should have been taking priority. I kinda stopped looking after myself just to have one less thing to do!
Now I'm back in my own home, with all the space I could want, it's time to regain some BALANCE.
At the end of February I used my Passion Planner to reflect on the month that had passed and also think about what I wanted to get out of March. My game changer(s) for March were swimming and organising myself to be ready to move. I have definitely been successful in both even through some hiccups.
For April, my game changers are pretty similar; swimming and settling into my home. I'll also be refocusing on the blog (the last couple weeks have been unusual and I'm also waiting for my new internet connection at home!) and getting back into the rhythm.
I'm gonna leave you with a quote from my Passion Planner... it's resonates with me for the month just passed....
Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them - Albert Einstein
Elle :)


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A peek into the pages of this month's Inside Out
It's that time again. Matilda Duffecy, Social and Senior Editor at Inside Out, has sent over a few teasers from the pages of February's issue out tomorrow.
Our new February issue drops tomorrow and we love it! This edition is actually our expert issue, and we're really excited to share our renovation dream team with our audience. We've invited some impressive experts to provide guidance on everything from sustainability, to joinery, to paint colour and more! Our cover home is that of star fashion designer Arabella Ramsay. It's a rammed-earth house on the coast and it's really unique – totally beautiful! Cover styling is by Julia Green and Noël Coughlan. Photography is by Armelle Habib.
Our very clever market editor Joseph Gardner has styled the 'best buys: sculptural vases' so elegantly. We're loving the mid-century appeal of that sideboard, too! It was photographed by Craig Wall.
This month, our former style editor, Vanessa Colyer Tay, has targeted a feature towards "nail-free" decorating. Not only are the images stunning, but it's also filled with tips for updating your home without leaving mark on the walls – perfect for renters! Sam McAdam-Cooper was the photographer for this shoot.
The Dream it. Design it. Do it. feature shares a mother/daughter duo's renovation of a Melbourne house to sell. They've done such a fantastic job! Styling is by Marsha Golemac and photography by Brooke Holm.
Oh I have serious credenza and vase envy going on! Can't wait to see more in this month's issue out tomorrow. Don't fret if you aren't in Australia though. You can read along on Zinio, Google Play, the Apple Newsstand and Nook.


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After working for 12 years in a suburban travel agency Rosemary Peart moved on to work at another agency nearby. After 7 months she was retrenched to make way for an owner to work in the business. Rosemary was unemployed for the first time in her life and at this stage decided to open her own agency. A shop was rented in Ramsgate and in 1983 Ramsgate Travel Service opened for business. There was two desks, a phone and Rosemary.
Because of her integrity and the respect she had gained from company representatives her accreditation soon followed. Australian Airlines took only six weeks - a record !!
Rosemary's ambition was to make enough to pay the rent and sell travel the way it should be sold - matching the products to the client and ensuring her own personal satisfaction with the best holiday for her clients needs, tastes and budget.
After a successful advertising campaign in the local press the business grew dramatically. In only months a second then a third consultant was needed.
In 1985, after a nationwide campaign, Viva Holidays awarded Rosemary the Most Outstanding Travel Consultant in Australia. An award with a $10,000.00 cheque!
By 1985 new and larger premises were needed and Rosemary purchased an office building just two doors away from the previous one.
In 1988 the office was nominated as an entrant in the Daily Telegraph /Commonwealth Development Bank Business Awards and Ramsgate Travel was awarded outright winner of the Very Small Business category. This award saw business expanding throughout the metropolitan region and country NSW.
More awards followed when Ramsgate Travel was awarded AFTA best suburban agency in 1990, 1991 and 1998. Justine Sealey who has been employed at Ramsgate Travel since her school work experience days has won best leisure consultant award twice.
The agency now has 8 staff.
Promotions and advertising have played an integral part in the success of Ramsgate Travel. Newspaper and radio advertising along with many promotions and functions have built a solid core of loyal repeat clients.
Rosemary and her husband John, have planned and escorted many world-wide group tours with great success.
Cruising has become one of the biggest areas of growth and is currently a multi-million dollar part of the business. Cruise advertising in the Sunday Telegraph & Sun Herald has seen a boom in bookings from all over NSW and Southern Queensland.
Ramsgate Travel has been a member and active supporter of AFTA since opening.
358 Rocky Point Road, Ramsgate NSW 2219 Australia
612 9529 3444 F 612 9529 6884 email@example.com
We've been providing travel advice and consultation since 1983 with professional and dedicated staff we offer attention to detail with our"old fashioned service" congenial and welcoming office atmosphere. Our success is built on our professional and dedicated staff, listening to our clients needs. So come in and visit and we'll endevour to provide you with the best service in the business, backed by the many thousands of clients we have looked after whilst serving the local community for the past 30+ years.
Hard to believe but I opened Ramsgate Travel Service in 1983!
Before opening Ramsgate Travel Service, I worked at South Hurstville Travel for years and then Harvey World Travel for 5 months, before being retrenched so that one of the owners family members could have my job. It was actually the best thing that happened to me as I decided to open my own travel agency!
Not one but many!
UK definitely, driving around the stunning little villages with the thatched roofed houses, colourful flower displays and the local pub with outdoor seating usually at the edge of a stream or river.
Paris and the French countryside, again just driving around but more emphasis on the War History and the French food and wines.
New England area of USA for the history and the Fall (Autumn) colours.
Canyon areas of Nevada, Arizona, California etc. This includes Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley etc. Also driving along the coast road between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Lake Louise
Too many to name. One of my favourites is Seabourn - if you have travelled on one of their vessels you would know why! The personal service and attention to detail is outstanding.
I think our staff know all these but one to remember is don't pack your medication in your suitcase.
As you know I have been limited in my mobility since my accident in Prague so I don't think my "wish list" will be fulfilled. However, a few places I would have liked to have visited include:
Africa, to go to a Game Park but I wouldn't want to see animals attacking each other
Petra. We may get there in 2015 as we have a booking on a cruise heading that way
Disco Bay, the best icebergs and ice formations
Washington D.C. to explore more of the great museums. On my mobility scooter so I can get around.
Machu Picchu and Carnivale in Rio. I definitely know I won't get to these two!
UK & Europe holidays. Especially for clients visiting for the 1st time. I love to help them fulfil their dreams.
Disneyland for the 1st time. I just loved it and wanted to take every child that I knew with me. When John and I married, Anthony, John's son was 11 years old and I just counted the days until we took him to Los Angles for Disneyland.
TRAVEL INSURANCE – if you are familiar with my accident story, you will know I was flown home from Prague on a stretcher taking up about 4 seats and a doctor and nurse by my side. This alone cost $87000. Without hesitation my insurance, CHI through Allianz covered everything!
John escorted group tours for school teachers for many years prior to meeting Rosemary. Then in 1983 together they opened Ramsgate Travel Service. Since 1983 when we opened John was a School Principal so would come into the office every afternoon after school, on Thursday evenings, Saturday mornings and when not away in the school holidays John would be here every day.
The Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls staying at the Hotel Das Cataratas.
What haven't I seen should be the question! My favourites are Oasis of the Seas and any Seabourn ship.
Have the name & address of your hotel written in the local language and carry this with you.
Pack as light as possible and make sure you have TRAVEL INSURANCE!
Wear any valuables passports, credit cards in a pouch around your neck underneath your clothing
I am very fortunate to have completed my wish list so I have renamed it my revisit list. There are lots of favourite places I would like to revisit.
South America
Rio Carnivale in South America
Justine has been with us at Ramsgate Travel Service for the past 24 years ! She started as a work experience student and has progressed through the ranks.
Hong Kong and Paris – so to make it easy when I go to Paris I have a stopover in Hong Kong to satisfy my love of both cities. Have lost track of my visits to Hong Kong – would have to be over 20!!!
As the resident person who gets "sea sick" I have seen almost every ship that has been in Sydney in the past 15 + years when it has been docked! Have cruised on lots of river boats (my specialty as no movement!!!) in Europe, including APT, Uniworld, Tauck, Scenic. I have cruised on ships on the Yangtze River and in Russia. In 2012 I faced my fear of sea sickness again, having had a bad crossing many years ago on QE2 from Auckland to Sydney in February (any wonder I was sea sick??) and did a gorgeous Med cruise from Venice to Dubrovnik on an older traditional small ship "Aegean Odyssey" and I loved every minute and didn't get sea sick. The waters were calm and I had great sea sick tablets, slept very well every night! So now there is no stopping me in 2014 as long as I can find areas where the waters are sheltered!
Always carry your phone charger in your hand luggage, as well as a change of underwear & top in your hand luggage for unexpected delays or red wine spills!
Jordan (in particular Petra), Cuba, Easter Island, Washington DC and Morocco
Europe with a stopover in each direction to break the journey
Tough decision between a Russian river cruise or Burma in November 2012, just as the country was really opening up to tourism
Pashmina for the plane, ipad with camera attachment to download my hundreds of photos, spare money and noise cancelling head phones
Talia joined our team 9 years ago and has worked within travel for the past 12 years.
I love experiencing new places, new cultures & new styles of food! The only place I've been to more than once is Bali on our annual family holidays growing up. I'll continue to keep trying new places on holidays & work trips too
I love inspecting cruise ships but I love sailing on them more, most recently I've seen the Celebrity Solstice but prior to that here's my list so far; P&O's Oriana, Fred Olsen Line's Balmoral, Regent Seven Seas – Navigator of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, I'm lucky enough to have seen all the Cunard Queens – QM2, Queen Victoria & Queen Elizabeth and prior to that the QE2, Diamond & Dawn & Pacific Princess, Oceania's Nautica & Marina, P&O's Pacific Jewel, Carnival Spirit, Holland America Line Veendam,
Don't put your trips off! You never know what's around the corner
Antarctica, Alaska, Peru, Galapagos, Southern Caribbean
South America
I recently went to Hawaii for my first time it was going to me memorable as we were staying between the iconic hotels – Halekulani & Royal Hawaiian, it became most memorable as I came home engaged!
I often forget things when travelling but I never leave home without my camera + battery charger, travel insurance and money – you can buy anything else along the way
Lorraine has been with us at Ramsgate Travel Service for the past 9 years, bringing 35 years experience in the industry to her clients travel needs.
AMERICA….in particular New Mexico/Colorado area and the East Coast New Hampshire/Rhode Island/New York. Plus all National Parks such as Bryce Canyon; Zion National Park; Grand Canyon; Monument Valley etc.
Put friends and families phone numbers in mobile with area code already in it - eg: +612, you don't have to change it back when you are in Australia.
Alaska, South Carolina, Darwin to Broome drive, Hungary and Portugal.
Kenya, Zimbabwe
Money, Passport, Travel Insurance 2 Plastic coathangers, Sunlight Soap, Hair Straightener.
Jenny has been in the industry for over 24 years, and we've been lucky enough to have had her with us for the past 9.
No one favourite but I think everyone should visit Egypt and do an Afircan Safari in their lifetime. Both are unique and incredible experiences.
Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Celebrity Solstice, Volendam, Prinsendam, Oasis of the seas, Radiance of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, Dawn Princess, Pacific Princess, Oceania Nautica, Regent Seven Seas Navigator, Silver Shadow, Pacific Sun, Carnival Spirit, Aurora and Amadolce.
Jordan, Vietnam, Morocco, Norway and Antartica.
6 weeks travelling America & the Caribbean with my family.
Lip balm, a good book and the credit card for lots of shopping !!
Janine has been with us for the past 5 years. She brings with her 24 years experience in the travel industry.
Radiance of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Volendam, Carnival Spirit, Queen Mary 2, Oceania Nautica, Pacific Pearl.
Email a copy of your passport to yourself
East Coast of USA, Canada, Kenya and Tanzania, Vietnam and Christmas Markets in Germany and Austria .
Everywhere !
Top Deck Tour of Zimbabwe and Botswana
Passport, travel insurance and a pair of walking shoes
Karen brings 14 years of experience to our team and has called Ramsgate Travel Service home for the past 5 years.
Can't narrow it down to just one. I'd have to say Italy and Canada.
Diamond Princess, Carnival Spirit Carnival Sensation, Celebrity Millenium, Celbrity Solstice, Ms Volendam, Yangzi Explorer, Pacific Jewel, Rhapsody of the seas, Nautica, Seven Seas Voyager, Queen Mary
Packing cells - just wonderful for keeping all your clothes organised & seperated in your bag, and saves space. Also always check the weight of your suitcases before purchasing as some cases can weigh 7 kilos empty which does not leave much room for shopping.
Alaska, Africa, Rio Brazil, Antartica and Vietnam.
NEw England, USA. Just picturesque in the fall.
Valley of the kings Egypt.
Noise cancelling headphones, Travellers medical kit, Inflatable neck pillow.
Merryn brings 24 years of experience to our team and recently joined us here at Ramsgate Travel Service 5 months ago.
MV Nordnorge, Celebrity Solstice
Make sure to take some local currency with you to avoid long queues at airports.
Eastern Canada, Boston, Cambodia, Croatia and Ireland.
Antarctica on my honeymoon escorting a group.
Camera, charges and travel insurance.
Cruise N Groove is back in 2017, returning by popular demand! The Ultimate Cruise n Groove Experience Includes:
8 night cruise aboard the luxurious Radiance of The Seas
Ports include ISLE OF PINES (NEW CALEDONIA), MYSTERY ISLAND (VANUATU) & NOUMEA (NEW CALEDONIA)
Back by popular demand, this cruise features the biggest line up of Australian and International artists of the Performing Arts ever assembled on water!.
7 night cruise aboard the luxurious Radiance of the Seas - Isle of Pines, and Noumea
The Ultimate UK Cruise Experience Includes:
7 night roundtrip aboard the luxurious CMV Magellan
Ports include Aberdeen, Isle of Skye, Liverpool and Dublin
Rock the Boat is back for its 7th consecutive year! The Rock the Boat 7 Experience Includes:
7 night cruise aboard Radiance of the Seas
All meals(exclu. specialty restaurants), entertainment and gratuities onboard (excluding drinks)
The Cruisin' Country Experience Includes:
8 night cruise aboard Radiance of the Seas
All meals (excl. specialty restaurants), entertainment and gratuities on board
Circumnavigation of our Island Continent in January 2018. 40 luxurious nights journeying around Australia
All meals on board L'Austral
Discover the ancient secrets of Burma with an exclusive fly, cruise & stay holiday with Cruiseco aboard the luxury riverboat, CRUISECO EXPLORER.
11 night luxury river cruise holiday
Wondrous waterways, iconic temples, bustling cities… you'll be treated to a kaleidoscope of these two great and ancient nations.
Southeast Asia is home to some of the most pristine beaches in the world.
Sailing from Shenzhen to Vietnam, Borneo and Philippines you will visit bustling and dynamic cities as Ho Chi Minh and Manila and natural paradises as Kota Kinabalu and Puerto Princesa.
Both Japan and South Korea are iconic, mysterious and combine millenary culture with modern cities.
Visit one of the 7 wonders of the Natural World in Jeju Island, immerse in the history of Hiroshima, glimpse at the beautiful coastal views of Miyazaki, and enjoy the traditional and modern atmosphere of Busan and Tokyo!
Borneo is a giant island in the Malay Archipelago that will surprise visitors not only for its natural beauty but also the mix of modern and colonial architecture. The Philippines will mesmerize travellers with its vibrant capital and magnificent coastline.
Take the journey to some of the less travelled destinations in Southeast Asia and unveil the secrets of Borneo and the Philippines.
Travelling the destinations of Southeast Asia means visiting ports with incredible cultural diversity and exotic charm.
Visit dynamic cities and ports of stunning natural beauty with the Classic Southeast Asia journey that can be done from Singapore to Shenzhen in 13 nights or in reverse in 12 nights.
Taiwan is a small nation with a lot of personality, a mix of modern cities and dramatic landscapes.
Great beaches, glorious temples, mountainous scenery, skyscrapers and influences of diverse cultures, this young nation will be revealed to your eyes in this journey aboard Silver Shadow
Experience Taiwan and the Philippines in a journey that will mix everything!
Bustling cities, old culture, stunning natural scenario, every port will hold a good surprise. What about watch a sunset in Peng Hu or take a Jeepney ride in Manila?
Hainan Island is the southernmost point in China and has not only a tropical climate, but also gold sand beaches, and a forested and mountainous interior. Visit Sanya, also known as the Hawaii of China, or visit an extinct volcano cone in Haikou.
Vietnam is full of history but also home to one of Asia's prettiest coastlines, with this journey you will visit postcard perfect Nha Trang and famous Ha Long Bay.
There's a lot to remember before your big trip, we thought we'd help you plan your dream holiday with these useful links.
Welcome to the latest edition of our Newsletter. Ramsgate Travel Service has been providing these to our valued customers for the past 32 years, informing travellers of the very latest in news and special deals.
Click to download our latest edition of Ramsgate Travel Services News.


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Anyone about to start/just started TTC number 2?(1001 Posts)
Hi ladies, I am 31 and have one DS already. After my DS I went back on the pill but have decided to stop the pill and start TTC baby number 2 and wondered if anyone was also just about to start trying or just started and we could follow each other and share as we go along. I literally have stopped my pill last week for the 7 day break, and am meant to start taking it again tomorrow but obviously won't be, so I am very literally just starting to try for number two but am very excited! That's why I thought it might be nice to go through it with other people who are also trying. I have heard some people say that after your first baby you are more fertile but I am not sure so I am really not sure how long it will take this time. Does it usually not take as long second time round? It has taken a lot for me to decide for definite that I'd like another as I had an awful time in labour with forceps and 3rd degree tears etc which really scared me and must admit I'm terrified of another scary birth experience.
mrsm22 I will also be 31 by the end of this month!
I think the second birth is usually much easier and quicker (if you have already had a VB that is) so hopefully you should be fine - obviously we have no idea how it will actually happen until you get to the delivery room! I had an emcs after being induced and not progressing. It took four days from going into hospital to having DD, but most of that was sitting around waiting for things to start happening! So I haven't really got a clue about natural birth...
And in answer to your other question, yes you are waiting for your first proper period post-pill...or a bfp!
Hello everyone, we're just thinking about whether to start ttc again soon, our DD is only 5 months old but we'd love an age gap of around 15-18 months.
mrsm22 I was quite traumatised by DD's birth, even though on paper it was a pretty straightforward, textbook delivery. I had her at a birthing centre, without any drugs, but tore quite badly despite doing all the right things (on all fours, controlled pushing etc) and then had to be transferred to hospital for stitching under spinal block. I felt really angry because I felt I'd been made to be believe it was going to be this "magical experience", and in reality it was just the worst experience of my life...
Pencils I don't really know where I am in my cycle as mine are really irregular (anything from 29-42 days over the past year, though the average has been about 35). I thought I should have ovulated beginning of this week, but now I'm not so sure... I've been feeling a bit queasy the last couple of days and am wondering if maybe I ovulated last week and could be pregnant, though I'm trying not to get my hopes up as I was convinced I was last month until AF turned up. If I haven't caught this month then I will definitely try some OPKs next month as the constant calculating and symptom spotting to pinpoint ovulation is driving me crazy!
I'm only just finishing with AF so have a couple of weeks of dtd for fun..... Then it gets serious, OPKs and legs in the air!
DuPainDuVinDuFromage - I did have a VB, a very scary one. It all went wrong for me when I got to the hospital. I had got to 5cm at hold on my own and was doing really well but stupidly demanded an epidural when I got to hospital (only because people had terrified me with his painful it gets etc) but it really slowed down my birth and I was in labour for I think it was 28 ish hours and ended up with forceps and episiotomy. Next time round I'd like to have a home birth and try with no pain relief apart from a bit of gas and air. What does everyone think to home births or has anyone had one?
Sorry ladies, what is an OPK?
Metalhead - I also was expecting a beautiful magical experience in childbirth but it was far from it. I'm just so grateful that my DH was born healthy and nothing wrong with him.
Panicmechanic - I don't think you're too old at all. My grandma was 42 when she had my dad and there were no problems at all. I think women are having babies older. In fact I'm only 31 (32 actually later this month) but only one other of my friends has children, everyone else I know wants children but not yet started and many of my friends all same age say they are still not ready.
Windywinston - sorry so many responses now that I didn't get realise I hadn't responded to yours. Your experience of childbirth sounds very frightening so I'm not surprised you're scared of TTC again. I never thought it would be such a frightening thing to give birth but it really is. I envy those people who you hear about who have these really quick 2 hour labours, no rips or tears etc. I wish that could have been me and perhaps I too would have started TTC sooner. My DS will be 2 this Dec so hopefully if it doesn't take too long I will have a nice gap. Will be worrying about childbirth again but surely next time will be better for us?! Have you literally just started TTC like me?
Can I join too? OPK says tonight/tomorrow are the times for DH to get lucky! (And hopefully we'll have a bit of luck too!)
Welcome MrsRandom78! How old is your first child?
I had a c section last time. Is anyone trying to have a vbac?
Can I join please?
I'm 23 and DH is 30.
DD has just turned 2 and I had my coil removed in march, went onto cerazette until May and we have just stopped using condoms this month.
Ever since coming of the merina, my cycles have been messed up, ranging from 26-36 for the past few months.
Pre-DD I was 28 days to the dot.
This is out first official month of TTC and I'm on CD31. I'm g
Stupid phone!
I'm g
Oh my god!
I'm going to wait until next week to test but I tested 10dpo and got a BFN so not holding out much hope.
Hi Mrsm22 - ds will be three in a few weeks (wah!). Would have liked a smaller age gap but circumstances didn't allow. Hoping we can get number 2 n the way before he turns four!!
I would like my 2nd before Dd turns 4 next October. I am on CD 6 so next week it's go go go! I just need to get rid of this cold
Just done my zumba class to try and sweat it out!!
Sorry to everyone who have had a loss or difficult time. I have no idea if I ovulate or not as have PCOS and AFs were not regular at all when on the pill. Last Wednesday and yesterday I had awful period like cramps so I've no idea if it was last week or this week if so? If my periods will now be regular I should be due on again about 15/09 so will leave it a couple,of days after that to test. We have a wedding the week after that so would like to know so I know whether to have a few drinks or not! Think I'm getting my hopes up though
mrsm22 I have two friends who tried for a homebirth with their second but both had to go to hospital because their waters broke and then labour failed to start within the timeframe they give you.
Personally I would never give birth anywhere other than hospital again. I think I'm quite disilussioned with the whole thing, and also have seen too many things go wrong in seemingly straightforward pregnancies among friends, so I'd like to have every doctor available on hand next time! But that's just my personal opinion.
And respect greenone for doing zumba with a cold! I've been trying to shake off the mother of all colds for two weeks now and feel absolutely bleurgh because I haven't been doing any running the whole time...
It's not like me at all usually but I have held back at class for months as I was pregnant so while I am not I wanted to go and give it some! Don't feel worse today....but not much better either!
mrsm22 I was never interested in a home birth even before I needed induction and then a CS - I wanted as much medical assistance on hand as possible as you never know what is going to happen! Sorry you had such a hard time with your DC, I'm sure this time things will go better.
AFish I'm not sure about VBAC or not - I think it's something that I'll only decide on much closer to the time. I kind of hope the decision is taken out of my hands either by needing an ELCS for whatever reason or by going into labour before I can make a decision because it's so hard to know what to do! I'll definitely be reading everything I can get hold of about VBACs...
I'm on day 16, AF due on the 11th. Really hope it doesn't come! I'm very much 28 day cycle. Always have been. Even after having my DD and I also suffered 2 Mc's but always went back to my normal 28 day cycle so lucky in that way!
Sorry for your losses what approach have you been taking? Every other day? Really in danger of making this all far tok stressful. With my last two pregnancies we did it on day of ovulation and one other day as we were successful. Scared it will be harder this time.
Fingers crossed AF doesn't arrive!!
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2002132Tuesday December 11th 2012, 1:22 am
Standing firm, rigidly proudly a mighty 7 inches tall. Sheen of royal blues and fire engine reds, and jet. There is something about the festive brightness of color contrasting in detail that is rather very appealing. You can easily find yourself staring blissfully at the little golden lattice and scrolling touches here and there, which clearly shows a craftsmanship from a caring eye. Although his stance is confident, he does so with the aid of a golden staff, as one of the oddest things about all of his details is that he is missing one of his little black booted feet. Escaping from under his domed crown of candy red and tinged gold is long frazzled white hair, and an equally frazzled white beard lines a face painterly swathed with bold black mustache and brows, balanced delicately to give the impression of amiable character. But somehow I feel there is an almost tamed wildness as well, like there is a mean dirty joke hiding within that tiny wooden head as his unblinking pop blue eyes stare forward, his mouth baring a thin line of ready to chomp teeth.
Introducing Peg Leg Paul (Our Nutcracker Yearly Guest)
December 10th 2012
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Sunpentown® Warm Mist Humidifier with Aroma Diffuser therapeutic relief in desert - dry conditions.
Warm-mist Humidifier provides soothing warm moisture to help relieve dry coughs, sinus irritations and itching eyes. Add your own essential oil in the diffuser to add to the therapeutic effect. Easy-to-fill 2 1/2-liter water tank provide up to 8 hours of moisture.All the details:


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October 20, 2010
Motorsport legend Jack Roush is bringing his trackside know-how to the alternative fuels market with a new venture called Roush CleanTech, that will develop and market liquid propane injection powered vehicles
October 12, 2010
We were stopped at a red light on 11 Mile Road, a broad, eight-lane boulevard in Oak Park, Mich., northwest of Detroit, and I eyed the cars and trucks alongside us.
September 19, 2010
Diesel Direct and Freightliner Trucks together have developed what they say is the first-ever diesel electric hybrid fuel truck. The innovative Freightliner Business Class M2 106 Hybrid will be used to deliver fuel to fleets primarily in Massachusetts
July 14, 2010
For many years we've been accustomed to seeing electric carts scoot around golf courses and airports, and strong, silent forklifts do heavy lifting in factories and warehouses. Now street-legal trucks are ready to haul cargo in American cities
June 15, 2010
Primitive batteries and limited range caused electric cars and trucks to lose a technology battle with the internal combustion engine in the early 20th century. But electrics have come a long way, buddy
June 2, 2010
In a Portland "market" launch of its plug-in electric commercial van, Navistar expanded on the technical side of the eStar, which it's offering in cooperation with Modec of the United Kingdom. The Class 2C-3 van is all-electric. With a range of 100 miles on an eight-hour charge, the revolutionary-looking vehicle is targeted at operations that currently use gasoline or diesel step vans in city applications.
May 27, 2010
Demand for hybrid trucks is expected to grow over the next six years across North America and Europe, and the medium-duty market will likely be the leader, with significant penetration into the hybrid secto
May 21, 2010
Well-attended educational sessions and an ever-larger trade display marked the National Truck Equipment Association's annual meeting and Work Truck Show, held in March at the St. Louis Convention Center
May 14, 2010
Navistar International's electric truck is called "eStar." It's being assembled by its Monaco RV subsidiary in Wakarusa, Ind., and it's priced at $150,000, less various government monetary grants meant to encourage purchases of the non-polluting vehicle
May 12, 2010
Over the next 25 years, energy consumption is expected to grow, but there will also be a greater use of renewable fuels within the transportation secto
May 5, 2010
Tropicana, a division of PepsiCo, has taken delivery of two new hybrid diesel-electric medium-duty Peterbilt trucks, which service downtown Chicag
May 3, 2010
Which fuels will replace oil? Nobody yet knows the answer. However, in order for the manufacturers to be able to offer vehicles that the market will want in the future, strategic decisions have to be made today
April 16, 2010
Diesel-electric hybrids are proving ever more popular in vocations such as utility trucks and pickup and delivery
March 25, 2010
LOUISVILLE, KY -- After the bitter battle on Capitol Hill about healthcare reform, a well-known alternative energy advocate predicts Congress will turn to legislation that will help the country toward a bipartisan goal of reducing our dependence on foreign oil
March 10, 2010
Recent announcements illustrate the growing interest in natural gas engines for medium- and heavy-duty commercial trucks
February 12, 2010
The terminal tractor - yard jockey, hostler, whatever you call it - has to be one of the most used, abused and under-regarded vehicles in any fleet
February 11, 2010
Eaton's electric-drive system is the one usually used by truck manufacturers who offer a medium-duty hybrid, including Freightliner, Freightliner Custom Chassis, Kenworth, Peterbilt and Navistar International. One builder that doesn't make hybrids is Ford Motor - but it does suppl
January 18, 2010
Hybrid drivetrain technology has the potential to improve fuel economy by 20 to 50 percent on medium- and heavy-duty trucks
January 4, 2010
The biodiesel tax credit expired at the end of last week, leaving biodiesel producers and truckstops in uncertainty over what the next few months may hold, and truckers concerned about possible price increases
Vermont-based Bourne's Energy, a family-owned company that delivers fuel and propane to households and businesses, has a long-term goal of producing a usable biofuel in Vermont
We offer e-newsletters that deliver targeted news and information for the entire fleet industry.
Scott Sutarik from Geotab will answer your questions and challenges
Steve Carlson from Xantrex will answer your questions and challenges
Are Your Trucks Exempt From the ELD Mandate? [Video]
Focus On...Driving the New Volvo VNL [Video]
Focus On... Volvo VNL Exterior Features [Video]
On the Spot: Mexico's Expo Transporte Trade Show [Video]
ERoad Offers Paperless DVIR
Truck-Lite Adds LED Fog Lights to Heavy Duty Aftermarket
X-Tend Tracker Bar Extension Prevents Damage from Cables
Brake Rotors Designed to Resist Corrosion


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another sunset...still at manila bay
Printable View
another sunset...still at manila bay
A sunset over the little village of Bernheck, Germany:
A sunset I took with a cheap hp camera :)
Sorry, no place else to host it, and to big to upload, and no software to resize lol
I am probably getting a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 this week, so I will take some better photos with it :p
cruising the manila bay...
Thank you. Again, another picture that reminds me of the fact that I am stuck in middle america...
very nice shot of the sun setting...
though not sunsets...they both are 6am wake up calls...
can't help but to have the song from Fiddler on the Roof in my head...
"sunrise, sunset...sunrise, sunset..."
how about sunrise? :D
out of luck, i captured this while i was about to leave the house.
My word ! Absolutely wonderful !
behind me at the time of this picture was a hellacious storm brewing...
shot in normal program mode, HH, 1/125th sec, f/2.8, ISO - 200 @7.8mm
Here is a late sunrise shot taken from the Derby ring road one morning of Ratcliff Power station powering up for the days requirements. Taken on FZ20 at f8 & 1/250th iso 100. The sepia effect is natural and was not quite as pronounced in real life. The camera seems to have accentuated it somewhat.