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October 2014—Southlake, TX: Gauge Capital LLC ("Gauge") is pleased to announce the final closing of its debut private equity fund, Gauge Fund LP ("Fund"). Gauge began fundraising in April 2014 with a target of $175 million, and in September held an oversubscribed final closing at its self-imposed limit of $250 million in commitments.
Gauge's primary aim is to assist its portfolio companies with long-term value creation through transformational change, as well as organic and strategically acquired growth. The Fund intends to make $10-40 million equity investments in eight to ten companies over the next several years. Gauge primarily targets businesses in three sectors:
– Healthcare Services
– Business and Consumer Services
– Food Services
Gauge seeks to create value in part by aligning interests with limited partners and with portfolio company owners and managers. Collectively, the general partners are the largest investor in the Fund. Consistent with past practice of the general partners, Gauge seeks investments where managers and owners with ongoing involvement maintain ownership levels that are materially greater than levels in typical buyout transactions. The Fund has already completed one such investment.
Limited partners include a range of sophisticated institutional investors, including endowments, foundations, family offices, and asset managers. "We are pleased with the reception we received from the institutional investment community," said Partner Whitney Bowman "and are especially thankful for the numerous operating executives in our targeted sectors who have invested in the Fund."
The firm was co-founded in 2013 by Managing Partners Drew Johnson and Tom McKelvey, who each have over 20 years of experience as investors, operators, board members, and advisors, primarily in the middle market.
Harken Capital Securities, LLC (member FINRA, SIPC) served as exclusive placement agent, and Ropes & Gray LLP provided legal counsel to the Fund.
For more information, please visit www.gaugecapital.com or contact Whitney Bowman at email@example.com or 682-334-5805.

subset: commoncrawl


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Williams sisters advance to French Open doubles final [Updated]
About an hour after her upset loss to Samantha Stosur in Wednesday's French Open singles quarterfinals, Serena Williams was back on the court with her sister, Venus, for the doubles semifinals.
After a rough start, the day ended up getting much better for the Williams sisters, who advanced to the doubles final with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Liezel Huber of the United States and Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain.
The top-seeded Williams sisters are seeking their fourth straight Grand Slam title and 12th overall. They won the French Open in 1999 and will need to defeat the 12th-seeded pair of Kveta Peschke of the Czech Republic and Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia to do it again in 2010.
Also Wednesday at Roland Garros, four-time men's champion and second-seeded Rafael Nadal defeated No. 19-seeded Nicolas Almagro, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (3), 6-4, in an all-Spanish quarterfinal.
Nadal will face Austraian 29-year-old Jurgen Melzer (the 22nd seed), who advanced to his first Grand Slam semifinal by beating third-seeded Novak Djokovic, 3-6, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (3), 6-4.
[Correction: An earlier version of this post incorrectly listed Melzer as Australian.]
Follow the results: men's singles, men's doubles, women's singles and women's doubles.
-- Chuck Schilken
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Photo: Serena, left, and Venus Williams after their victory on June 2, 2010. Credit: Christophe Ena / Associated Press


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Today's post is a guest post by Lewis Bezinna. Lewis is the Founder of RemovemyBackground.com, Image Editing Specialists in providing Background Removal service for Amazon and eBay sellers. You can find out more at: http://www.removemybackground.com.
In recent times, having fantastic looking e-commerce photos has become paramount to success for online retailers. There exist all sorts of impressive statistics that show how important it is to have clean, simple and professional looking product photos. This applies to all online retailers whether you sell on your own website or on one of the many online Marketplaces that exist today.
But what anyone new to selling on Amazon and eBay may not know is that your product photos also need to meet certain Marketplace Guidelines. Fall foul of Amazon's strict Image Guidelines and you could easily see your listings, and even your account, suspended!
Are you one of the many people who struggle to keep up to date with Amazon's Photo Requirements? Do you spend hour after hour learning how to use Photoshop, trying to remove backgrounds of images and wasting all your valuable time in doing so? There is a simple and cost effective solution… outsourcing!
The rise of online marketplaces has been matched by all manner of online tools and services designed to assist online sellers. One of those services is Online Image Editing. Such companies specialize in optimizing digital images for any kind of e-commerce platform. This basically entails removing the background from an image and replacing with a pure white background. Recognizing the potentially huge demand from Amazon and eBay sellers, the majority of these Editing companies have familiarized themselves with Amazon and eBay's Photo Guidelines and now offer an 'Amazon & eBay compliant' Editing service!
What does this mean for Amazon and eBay sellers? It means no more sleepless nights worrying about their product photos! Sellers can simply log on to their preferred Editing site, and in just a few clicks, select the marketplace Guidelines their images must meet, upload their images and then sit back and wait for their edited images to be returned to them. Not only does this free up their valuable time to do other things, it also provides them with professional looking photo's which will in turn lead to increased sales! The majority of these companies offer a FREE TRIAL so the client gets a chance to see the quality of the editing and how the process works.
Most online editors will ask to see your images first and then quote you a price according to the level of difficulty in carrying out the work. They use what is referred to as a Price Complexity Scale. So whilst the prices quoted on the first page of their website may seem really great value, more often than not, your price per image has suddenly ballooned after they have inspected your photos!
We prefer to charge our clients one price per image regardless of how difficult it is to edit. That way, the client always knows right from the start how much it is going to cost them and how long it is going take. The process is very quick. Register an account in seconds, select the eBay & Amazon service and upload your files. It's as simple as that! We do the rest. As soon as your files are ready we email you a link for you to download your amazing new images.
Take this example of a recent image we edited. The photo has been taken in a poorly lit area and as a consequence looks dull and unappealing. After removing the background and brightening up the image we now have a simple and beautiful image that will sell sell sell!
There are many Amazon and eBay sellers already currently using such online editing tools and services. So don't let the competition get a head-start on you, start looking into outsourcing you're editing… today!


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Thursday, November 3, 2011
Plushka Xmas Gift Guide - Handmade Christmas Cards
Guest Blogger - Plushka
Every year, I try to buy handmade or make gifts myself but paper craft is something I just not attempting to tackle. Firstly, I am not that good at it and secondly there is just so many talented gift cards designers to buy lovely cards from! As most of mine and my husband's families live abroad, sending Christmas cards is something that we love doing every year. I always have fun picking something handmade and unique. They accompany gifts nicely and make them a little bit more special and personal. If you are buying handmade gifts this Christmas, why not go all the way and attach a sweet handmade Christmas card too?!
Click the photos below to visit the madeit items.
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Well, we were SUPPOSED to be a part of the Live Below the Line challenge this week. However, A ended up with a partially dislocated elbow over the weekend (very hard--how can you explain everything to a little one who is so young?). HH and I were sleep deprived Saturday night and spent Sunday in the ER. Poor baby! She was definitely not happy with the doctors, nurses, and X-ray technician.
We returned to the orthopedist this morning. Fortunately, A's elbow was fine. Either it reset itself or the ER doctor reset it. I am just really glad that she is feeling better.
Unfortunately, with all the chaos I was not able to get ready for our challenge. We decided that all three of us will take this on next week together. M was disappointed (I think she had mentally prepared herself for this), but she understood. So check in with us next week to see how it's going!


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Application for Autodesk® AutoCAD® for shop detailing of structural concrete and steel structures.
This plugin helps managing groups of level indicators, often used in architecture and building design.
Import & export objects between Google Earth™ and Autodesk® AutoCAD®
TotalBoundary easily generates outlines of complex drawings.
Bolts3D Metric parametrically creates bolts/nuts/washers for easy placement in 3D Structural Steel models Choose from three different insertion types Down, Side or Up.
Weld2K delivers a clean and simple user dialog interface for adding ANSI/AWS Welding Symbols to contract documents. Parametrically creates an unlimited number of Weld Symbols on demand.
Identify Northing and Easting of a point on the screen
$10.00 App Sale - Available Sections Include: Standard C Section, Downturn Lip C Section, Standard Z Section, Downturn Lip Z Section, Cold Formed Z, U Section, and Jamb Stud.
Easy selection and placement of Light Steel Framing Members in your 3D Models. Standard C Section, Downturn Lip C Section, Standard Z Section, Downturn Lip Z Section, Cold Formed Z, U Section, Jamstud
Import Survey Points and Linework into Autodesk® AutoCAD®.
$10.00 App Sale - Bolts2D Metric parametrically creates bolts/nuts/washers in plan or elevation views for easy placement in steel details. Additional module included is Slotted Holes.
A basic recursive random tree generator in 2D and 3D.
3D PDF Maker for Autodesk® AutoCAD® allows you to create interactive 3D PDF documents connecting to AutoCAD, or by processing DWG and DXF files exported from AutoCAD.
This app provides an easy way to create wood beams, joists, rafters, plates, hips and valleys, and trusses, along with tags and beam schedule, using Autodesk® AutoCAD® Architecture or MEP.
Why spend 15 to 20 minutes creating a Bar Joist when you could do the same thing in 30 seconds by using the Joist2K program? Joist2K module includes the K, VS, LH and DLH Series and Joist Girders.
An add-on productivity package for AutoCAD® Architecture and MEP versions 2013 through 2020. It contains additional commands and plug-in features to increase your efficiency every day.
Automatically search and print drawings (formats) in multiple open Autodesk® AutoCAD® documents
Background color changer for OSNAPZ.
You can insert text bubbles to lines, curves, or draw leaders with it, or quickly make a schedule from text bubbles and/or other blocks.
Inserts Text Bubbles at end of lines, arcs, polylines, splines and leaders or at any other location of your choice. Renumber the text bubbles quickly as needed.
App to quickly copy a rectangular window of selected objects out from your drawing, and trim everything outside the window's edges. The result can be copied to the current drawing or to the clipboard.
JTB Rebar is a BIM-like Rebar Callout - Automatic Rebar Table - Dynamic Beam Detailing app for Autodesk® AutoCAD®.
JTB Rebar is a BIM-like Rebar Callout - Automatic Rebar Table - Dynamic Beam Detailing app for Autodesk® AutoCAD®.


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This entire week, we are featuring the work of author Lester Picker. I'm so excited to announce we are giving away 5 autographed copies of The First Pharaoh and 5 autographed copies of The Dagger of Isis! All you have to do to win is leave a comment on this post and include your email address. After July 7th, Lester will choose the winners from the copies and contact you directly.
Now sit back and enjoy learning more about Lester and the real reason why he loves writing so much!
The 'Real' Reason I Write
"I write for the same reason I breathe; because if I didn't I would die."
Isaac Asimov
Lester Picker
Author of
If I could get away with just that Asimov quote as my entire blog I would, because nothing sums up how I feel about my craft as does that snippet. I've been writing since I've been a child. In the fifth grade I won a city-wide writing contest and since then I was hooked. Perhaps addicted would be a better word.
I currently have more than 650 published articles in dozens of major national magazines and newspapers, as well as two non-fiction books and four novels, plus some chapters for anthologies. Oh, and a lengthy and utterly b-o-r-i-n-g doctoral dissertation thrown in for good measure. I've been a weekly columnist for a major newspaper, a monthly columnist for several magazines… thankfully, the list goes on since my first sports reporting for a hometown newspaper way back in 1969 and my first magazine cover story in '74.
I love the art of writing, whether fiction or non-fiction. I like to think that my writing has evolved. Today I prefer the rigors and joys of fiction writing to the non-fiction, reportorial variety. But no matter the form, give me an idea, the Internet and a deadline and my heart starts pumping adrenalin like that cub reporter I was in my twenties.
I could say that I feel good about educating the reader about some medical advance or perhaps a new financial instrument to help send their kid to college, as I've done countless times in my career. But, deep down I'd be lying to myself.
On the other hand, I could easily put up the argument that what I love most is the crafting of the fictional story arc, the background research, the plotting, the character development, the internal conflict, creating the story momentum, the climax, the ending. Lies, lies and more lies.
The unadulterated fact is that I write because if I didn't I would die. Okay, not a dramatic, real-life denouement, but surely an interior one. The death of my soul, life force, chi, call it what you will. There have been times in my life when life itself came between me and my writing for weeks or months. During those times my nerves feel raw, I feel listless, aimless. Not a pretty picture. Not fun to have around.
Then an idea starts to percolate. I wake at night and jot down a few illegible scrawls. An internal buzz begins to simmer deep down. I type a few words and they magically morph into sentences, then paragraphs. I'm in the flow. I can breathe.


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Joseph Tamargo obtained an M.F.A. degree in Photography from University of Miami and a B.F.A. degree in Photography and Video Art from Florida International University. He undertook additional graduate studies in Photography at Florida International University, and Non-Silver Photography and History of Photography at University of New Mexico.
He has taught photography at University of Miami School of Communication and repeatedly organized workshops at Universidad del Pacifico in Santiago, Chile. Since 1986, he has taught and directed the photography program at the Wolfson Campus of Miami Dade College.
He has won many awards, including the 1998 Best in Photography award at the Hortt 40th juried Art Exhibition in Fort Lauderdale and Mnemeiss Award from Universidad del Pacifico for contributions to promotion of Chilean photography.
As recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship to Chile, Mr. Tamargo engaged in a series of lectures and research initiatives which have spawned on-going linkage arrangements between Miami Dade College and Chilean universities. Mr. Tamargo's body of work is well known in Santiago, Chile as well as in South Florida where it has been exhibited in significant galleries and other art spaces. A widely published artist, Mr. Tamargo's work is in important corporate, private, and public collections at home and abroad.


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With the help of workers from Modern City Records, a button and LP manufacturer based in Lyon, France, Visual Vitriol assembled a Texas punk poster overview that spanned six walls throughout the compound, Grrrnd, which is a legal squat made from the remains of an abandoned business complex in the warehouse district of the city. The event also featured an armful of bands that pierced the neighborhood with their intense musical barrage.
Helpful crew members and band legionaries, who not only aided the show but also pressed the Texas Biscuit Bombs LP art and inserts, consisted of members of well-known bands from the dank district, including the furious pop-punk mutants Telecommande, who routinely yanked riffage from the Spits in crazy tuneful glee, and the Dischord echoing emo-bursts of 12XU, plus the impromptu band Validation, who covered a whole slew of Texas punk "hits" deep in the brutal sweaty night, including forceful songs from Really Red, the Dicks, Big Boys, and Offenders.
One of the intriguing features were two larger-than-life sized blow-up pictures of Biscuit of the Big Boys that were placed on the walls behind both stages and illuminated throughout the entire concert. The ghost of Biscuit, and his own uncanny art and spirit, shaped the festivities until the very end.
The poster show featured an array of over-sized flyers from Portland, a much-compressed historical wall that spanned thirty cross-cultural years, and a whole room dedicated to the art emanating from Texas itself, with entire sections devoted to Really Red, Tim Kerr of the Big Boys, and Randy Biscuit Turner of the Big Boys, not forgetting another timeline that highlighted a wide swath of Texas greats, like the Hates and Mydolls.
Visual Vitriol, Left of the Dial, and David and Julie would like to thank the owners and operators of Modern City, Celine and Remi, for their prolonged dedication to the cause, and their deep sincerity in regards to the historical and cultural importance of both Biscuit and punk art in general.


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MAASA's purposes are to foster the study of American culture in all its aspects, to provide a forum for communication and discussion among its members and the general public, and to promote scholarship by the publication of the journal, American Studies. These ends are to be achieved by the organization of regular meetings, by recognition of outstanding contributions to American Studies, and by cooperation with the national American Studies Association.
During MAASA's spring 2015 board meeting, the board approved the following statement regarding the University of Illinois and Steven Salaita:
The Mid-America American Studies Association (MAASA) is an organization of students, teachers, and scholars in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. A regional affiliate of the American Studies Association, MAASA is committed to the regional, national, and transnational study of American cultures and to the promotion of scholarship through the publication of our international journal, American Studies.
The MAASA Executive Board calls upon the administration of the University of Illinois, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise, President Robert Easter, and the Board of Trustees to reconsider their decision to rescind the offer of a tenured faculty position in American Indian Studies to Steven Salaita. Due to his membership in the American Studies Association, Professor Salaita would have become a MAASA member by virtue of his transition to Illinois. We regret that this decision has precluded his affiliation with and contributions to our region.
As a documented reaction to personal political speech and donor pressure, the decision to rescind Professor Salaita's offer of employment constitutes a violation of academic freedom and freedom of speech. In order to rebuild the damage this decision has done to the reputation of the University of Illinois and to the capacity of its faculty to engage in effective teaching, research, and outreach, we urge the University's administration to demonstrate proper regard for faculty governance, to respect the autonomy and integrity of the UIUC American Indian Studies Program, and to restore Professor Salaita's appointment as a member of the faculty.
Members of the American Studies Association who live in the MAASA region (Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) are automatically members of MAASA. Full members also receive a subscription to the journal American Studies. To apply for full membership, fill out the Membership Form and send a check or money order to:
Managing Editor
American Studies
1440 Jayhawk Blvd, Room 213
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045


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Now is the time (if it wasn't weeks ago) for investor relations people to get on top of the question: What impact will President Obama's healthcare overhaul have on our companies?
The ObamaCare question will be asked in first-quarter conference calls and one-on-one conversations, and companies ought to disclose the material impacts either before first-quarter earnings or in their normal reporting.
Already the disclosures have begun to emerge after the president's March 23 signing of the new government framework for health insurance. For example:
- AT&T said Friday it will take a $1 billion noncash charge when it reports first-quarter earnings. In a brief 8-K, the phone company said the charge reflects loss of a tax benefit for subsidizing retiree healthcare costs. AT&T also said it will review its health benefits in light of the new law and the added tax burden.
- 3M issued a news release and filed with the SEC on Friday, saying it expects an after-tax charge of $85 to $90 million, about 12 cents a share, when it reports first-quarter results. 3M did a more thorough job of explaining: ObamaCare eliminates a tax benefit for company payments that subsidize retiree prescription drug coverage. Under the new law, the extra tax bite doesn't hit until 2013, but the change reduces the value of a deferred tax benefit on 3M's books, so GAAP requires a charge now.
- Caterpillar filed an 8-K estimating its tax hit at approximately $100 million, again to be recognized in Q1. Deere & Co. estimated its charge at $150 million, AK Steel at $31 million … and we can expect many more.
These filings with the SEC are not about politics, but bookkeeping, of course. Just another development that may require an 8-K and explanation in the next 10-Q. But editorial writers were quick to seize on the announcements as an "I told you so" moment on ObamaCare (The Wall Street Journal here, Investors Business Daily here). And now Congress wants to call these evil companies on the carpet for – the horror – disclosing the cost of the new healthcare law in a timely manner.
Update: The American Benefits Council, speaking for 300 large employers, on Monday called for repeal of the tax increase related to retiree prescription benefits. White House response: Buzz off.
Without wading further into the swamps of Washington, let's just pay attention to our own duty as investor relations people: Each of us should be asking internally – if we haven't already – what impact the health overhaul law will have. And how we need to disclose that, either now or with our upcoming quarterly results.
In a broader way, investors will be looking to companies in the biopharma, medical equipment, hospital and other health industries to provide analysis and forward-looking perspective on how ObamaCare will help (or hurt) future results.
© 2010 Johnson Strategic Communications Inc.


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From 'The Mast'
This post comes direct from the latest White Flag Newsletter – 'The Mast'. White Flag surrenders all our skills, knowledge and expertise to youSign up to get it delivered straight to your inbox.
In the last 5 years having a facebook profile, as an individual, has become a social norm. Not being on social media almost makes it seem like you've deliberately chosen an alternative lifestyle.
With millions of people giving their personal details, preferences and attention to social media, its also become a necessity for businesses to be present on these platforms. It's now known as 'social proof' ie, you don't exist until I can find you online.
Facebook can introduce your business to practically any group of people. Facebook is the necessary business 'wing man'. But, you gotta play by facebook's rules or it won't come to the party.
Tell me about yourself …
Facebook has one of the most sophisticated advertising systems in the world. Not only does it have our personal details, but as we interact with others it monitors our 'likes' and 'interests' and the system builds up a profile of who we are and what we (most likely) want to see.
Facebook then uses that information to provide you the content you want to keep you on there longer. The longer you stay on facebook, the more valuable their platform is to advertisers and the higher their yearly revenue.
Therefore, 'facebook for business' have become a necessity for any business wanting to connect with potential customers. However, this year facebook is changing how users see information from these pages.
This year facebook is not going to help you flog your wares for free. Facebook has been surveying it's users and the feedback is: they're tired of being broadcasted to by businesses. It was putting them off and therefore it's something that facebook wants to change.
"We want [Social Media] to be more like real life … and in real life, people crave connection. People are looking to engage with others."
– Leslie Samuel
Facebook doesn't want to lose businesses (cause they are the ones paying the bills) but, more importantly it doesn't want to lose it's users – it's most precious commodity. So, it's introducing a few new features to help and some deterrents as well.
What's changing this year?
If you've been running a facebook page previously then you would have noticed the decline in total people seeing your posts. At the moment about 10% of people who 'Like' your page actually see your post (if you don't pay to 'boost' it). Facebook calls this 'organic reach'. It's basically a fancy name for "You'll get what you're given, ok!"
This biggest change for pages this year : your 'organic reach' for anything that facebook deems "too promotional", will be show to zero people – it will show up on your page, but won't be sent out to people's news feeds. If you have a promotion or an advert, then you have to pay for an advertising campaign.
Laura Donovan has put together a really simple and quick guide in her article: 'Facebook Changes You Need to Know for 2015' – business2community.com
Why are they doing this to me?!
Facebook are protecting their platform and trying to make their users as happy and engaged so they keep coming back. Because if Facebook users start to jump ship then Facebook won't have a future and they can't keep making money.
Leslie Samuel, who runs 'Become a Blogger' observes:
"Facebook has to become more human. It has to be a place where users are engaged, and for Facebook pages to continue to be successful, they have to engage their audience in a more authentic way."
What can I do?
It means you have to reevaluate your strategy for your facebook page.
It's not that people don't want to be advertised to, statistics also showed that users didn't mind seeing adverts if it was listed as such. They were just tired of marketing in their news feed that didn't provide them any opportunity to connect or engage with people or a brand.
In summary, businesses need to find content that will interest and engage facebook users; encouraging them to stay on the site longer. As well as that, your promotions / marketing will have to be paid for (hence wing man 'for hire') but facebook has been kind enough to provide some new tools to help with that.
Here are two great articles about how you can make the most of these changes and additions.
Samuels nails it all on the head in his article about:
"Why Your Facebook Strategy has to Change in 2015".
and Donné Torr gives great advice on:
"What Small Businesses Can Do To Stay In The Game"
Is facebook really all that?
Yes and no.
Facebook is a really impressive tool to help build your business and with it's current reach, yes you should definitely make use of it.
But, no, it shouldn't be your only strategy and you shouldn't rely on it.
My smart friend Darryn Altclass (who is part of xyz with me) calls facebook a 'rented' audience. Meaning, you pay money to facebook to get your audience's attention. That audience can be taken away from you anytime – you don't own it like a customer database. If you build your business via a rented audience, then you're at the whim of whatever facebook wants to do and you'll always have to pay. Not a great position to be in.
Yes, facebook needs to be part of your business strategy (at the moment). However, it's best used as one way of connecting with customers – not the only way.
Running a facebook page shouldn't be about building up 'likes'. Define what you want from your potential customer and find a way to make use of facebook's tools to help you achieve that. If social media isn't building your business then chances are that you're just building the business of social media.
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Because tiny kittens deserve to be fashion, too.
I love dressing my kids. I love finding little shops that are completely my style (uhhh, I mean my kids' style?) and then mixing and matching elements from their closets to make their looks complete. If I sound like I'm narrating Project Runway: Tiny Edition, it's because I'm pretending I am. Let's continue.
I stick to a few big companies for the most part for the basics: crewcuts (Jcrew), Mini Boden, Zara, Peek Kids, Gap. Why these? Well, they are a little on the spendy side, I realize, but with 6 kids, clothes get passed down! If I were to completely outfit my kids in Old Navy or Target clothes all the time, the clothes would wear out and I wouldn't be able to pass them down. Those just don't wash well over and over and eventually they get holes and they fade and they just aren't the best quality! Now don't get me wrong. I LOVE Target especially for lots of things like tee-shirts and for the occasional sweatshirt and legging. I definitely shop there and it's the place to get the most bang for your buck in the short run, no doubt. But if you have lots of kids and you want the biggest bang for your buck in the long run, you have to spend a little more up front.
But what's an even better perk? These brands wear so well that you can find them in many consignment stores, looking in nearly new condition and for a fraction of the cost! It's my favorite.
Franci's closet is currently my favorite because everything is so tiny and so cozy, even when it looks totally fash. I want to wear pretty much everything she owns.
Peek Kids sweater and Peek kids leggings. The leggings were passed down from Ollie and the sweatshirt? A sweet find at only $8.99!!
I pretend I'm French sometimes (oh, and Spanish. And definitely British). And what better way to let people know exactly how to speak to me than to have my baby wear a 'bien' sweater? No better way, that's the answer. A fur vest is always appropriate and the pants? Ah, I need some in my size. SO comfy and easy to put on and take off. The moccs are just icing on the cake.
Can you tell I like Peek Kids? It's because their pieces are SO simple but so sweet and versatile. I can pair them with, really, anything. And I do. The pants are from a sweet IG shop I follow and are thick and wash really well — they are actually from Olive. I'm a faithful customer of Lemons and Lace as well as Freshly Picked. You gotta love mama shops, right?
The shirt? I die. Lily got this for Franci and it's from Slyfox Threads, an awesome little shop. And then Cleo and Stella, our baby friends gave Franci these adorable leggings (you guys, they are tiny!!!) from an IG shop who just happens to be local to us. Double score. And I'm so clever. That headband is actually a bow tie but it's perfect.
Tara's babies are as fashion as mine (toot toot) and we borrowed this hat look from them. Sekilola makes the most adorable turban hats. I put one on my little ones as often as they'll let me. This sweater is hand knit by the most adorable older woman who had a booth at a craft show I attended about 2 days before Francesca was born. I had to have it. And don't for one second think I didn't snag a matching bonnet. The dress is a simple and adorable short sleeved baby doll style. Of course put together with FP moccasins and Peek Kids pants.
Yep, Peek Kids again. Their sweatshirts are to die for, and short sleeved for Spring? Sold. Okay, so these leggings. They are SUPER thick and I wasn't sure I would like them but they are perfection. They are as soft as they are thick which is what I love. So cozy and warm.
The turban shop also makes headbands. Love it. The layered look for babies is kind of equal parts hilarious and awesome. Again, Peek Kids. But these shoes? Ah, I'm obsessed. They are still slightly too big which is perfect because I can get away with them for a long time.
Here it is, my favorite casual shop (yes, I am not lying. I definitely have a favorite casual shop for my babies). CHILDHOODS!!! You guys, run there now. She opens her shop only a couple times a week because her pieces are in such high demand and I know exactly why. They are crazy-soft, crazy-cute, and wear really well. Olive has a few pieces that she's passed down for when Francesca is a bit bigger.


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Agency says gaming laws are 'unclear,' calls for rewrite
After years of holding together a patchwork of gambling industry regulations, the Florida Division of Parimutuel Wagering announced Friday that it is prepared to rewrite the rules regulating Florida's multi-billion dollar parimutuel industry.
"In their current form, the laws regulating the industry are unclear and do not define many standards necessary to ensure the continued integrity of pari-mutuel wagering,'' the division said in a press release announcing the first in a series of hearings for the rule-making process. "The draft rules are designed to clarify terms and maintain traditional pari-mutuel standards."
The initiative is a rare acknowledgement by a state agency that the laws governing horse and dog tracks and jai alai frontons are unclear and out of date and unclear. In the last decade, the state has spent thousands of dollars defending the statutes despite changes in gaming technology and only asked the Legislature for more authority to update the regulations.
However, the agency's effort faces uncertain legal precedence and, ultimately, may serve to force the Legislature's hand. Because of the bitter feuds within the state's parimutuel industry, nearly every significant rule change approved by state regulators has been met with a legal challenge. In many cases, the court has overturned attempts by the division to clarify the law or offer new interpretation to existing law. Despite the setbacks, the Legislature has refrained from updating the law.
As the Herald/Times first reported, a series of rulings from the Division of Parimutuel Wagering in the last year have spawned dozens of lawsuits. Regulators have allowed "flag-drop" and barrel races to be considered a parimutuel sport, permitted slot operators to run electronic roulette and craps games in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, allowed a dormant jai alai permit to be used to expand the number of slot machines at Magic City Casino, and allowed Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream racetrack in Hallandale Beach to run a one-time race in June so they could offer thoroughbred races via simulcast year-round.
Kent Stirling, executive director of the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association which won a lawsuit against the agency when it designated barrel racing as a parimutuel sport, said Friday he was surprised at the division's acknowledgement that the laws governing the industry are unclear "but it's also very accurate,'' he said.
If the agency fails in its efforts to clarify what it considers unclear law, it could tee up the task for legislators, who have also signaled they are poised to review the state's gaming laws.
The Senate Gaming Committee announced plans on Friday to conduct a series of four town-hall style hearings around the state to discuss the future of gambling in Florida and find ways to clarify the law and eliminate loopholes. The first hearing: Oct. 23 in Coconut Creek.
The first rule workshop will be held Oct. 16 in Fort Lauderdale. A draft of the rule indicates that the division is prepared to outlaw "flag drops" but allow for an alternative to the traditional quarter horse racing and impose new rules on jockeys. It indicates it will prohibit jai alai games played with only two players and will impose rules for standards of play.
The Legislature is also expected in October to receive a $400,000 report it commissioned from the Spectrum Gaming Group on the economic role of the gaming industry in Florida.


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Projects » Ninemileburn
About This Project
This project is a perfect example of Welsh Penryhn slates at their best. The original Welsh Port Madog slates were discarded with the 14"x8" Welsh Penryhn's, a more than suitable replacement.
Condensation was also an issue on the property, and a breather membrane (green Roofshield product) was fitted to improve airflow.
The finished project was a "delight" to our clients with the fixing specification bolstered due to the exposed hillside location.
Conservation roof-lights were also fitted due to the planning restrictions.


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Visions | 5576-600
Sophisticated, high styled, Vision King Bed. Delivered to your door via parcel post service. Crafted of mahogany solids and engineered wood. The smokey-aged look of the mirror panels are accented by a Silver/Gold Champagne painted finish. The footboard features raised molding with carved, raised feet. 7" high side rails add to the quality design. Finish and measurements may vary slightly. W-82", D-90", H-54" Assembly required


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In looking back on 2012, if encouraging BYOD adoptions throughout the organization was a necessary evil for CIOs to embrace with positive outcomes how should CIOs look to evolve their mobile strategies in 2013?
In 2012 CIOs realized they wanted more productivity from your knowledge workers so they joined the BYOD revolution and embraced "the consumerization of IT."
During 2012 many CIOs realized the following:
Encourage employees to access the company's resources through their personal devices rather than via company issued devices and products while at work.
Encourage employees to be productive at home or on the road by using their devices to connect with the company's systems.
Do not let the fear of cyber attacks or of compromised security stall BYOD initiatives because security issues can be resolved with the proper security team and policies.
In 2013 CIOs should realize the following:
1. Embrace the tablet. Tablets are increasingly used to perform business functions across the enterprise. Employees in the sales and customer service roles are experiencing the strongest growth for tablet use. Tablets are also being rapidly deployed with field services employees when larger screens are required for inspections and reports.
IDC reported 27.8M global tablet unit shipments in Q3 of 2012, up almost 50% over Q3 2011. Samsung showed 325% global growth of tablet sales in Q3 2012 over the same period last year, with 5.1M units shipped.
According to Gartner in a November 2012 report, "Tablets will be the key accelerator to mobility. Gartner estimates that in 2012 purchases of tablets by businesses will reach 13 million units and will more than triple by 2016, to reach 53 million units." CIOs must see the explosive growth of tablet use and encourage deployment throughout the organization where it makes most sense.
2. Big data repositories will grow faster with mobilized employees.
Enterprise CIOs have learned from experience that Business Intelligence and analytics are valuable tools that help to efficiently process big data to more effectively spot trends, opportunities, and potential crisis.
What became clear in 2012 is how mobile workers with tablets and smartphones began to add serious volume to the deluge of enterprise data – and the volume is only going to grow.
In Q4 this year, Gartner research related to big data, social computing, cloud and mobile workers, estimates that by 2015, 4.4 million global IT jobs will be created to support big data.
So the logical conclusion for the CIO is to acknowledge that now is the time of employee mobile empowerment. There are valuable lessons to be learned from the BYOD (bring your own device) and BYOA (bring your own app) phenomena.
Encourage those managers of work groups that operate under the IT radar to mobilize their teams with non-sanctioned apps. Innovation and discovery can come from all levels and work groups in the organization, not just the IT department.
CIOs who thought they had their BI strategy already implemented, are now realizing that mobile workers with smartphones and tablets are contributing a high volume of very valuable real-time data. As a result, the enterprise CIO must now adapt and have a more proactive, mobile-friendly BI strategy to capitalize on this ability to transfer data in real time and leverage it as an asset.
Lastly, custom building solutions is an important function of IT but only for very select and unique business requirements. CIOs now realize that a growing number of packaged apps may be customized for business apps can meet multiple requirements of an enterprise, and at a fraction of the cost of a custom developed solution.
Sign-up for our free newsletter to kick off your day with the latest technology insights, or share the article with your friends and contacts on Facebook, Twitter or Google+ using the icons below.


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Keene area codes can be hard to recognize when receiving a call from out of town. In fact, you probably find it pretty worthless to memorize such nominal things when there's bigger fish to fry in your day-to-day life. Let our lookup phone number in Keene database take care of this unnecessary headache for you and at the same time give you peace of mind knowing who is calling you.
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|Primary city
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|Nexicom Telephones Inc.
Christine Roy, 2019-06-15 08:27:28
Number: +1 (902) 760-1319
Call type: Scam
Rating: -5
Phishing from supposedly Revenue Canada. It was written: canadarev.com
Number: +1 (306) 378-1334
Call type: Scam
Rating: -5
Sends a message about netflix account suspension, I don't even have an account (borrow it from other people). It's spam, don't trust
Mm., 2019-06-15 08:07:12
Number: +1 (819) 384-9604
Call type: Scam
Rating: -5
Received a suspicious text. Said a email money transfer has been received at my number and a fake government of Canada link. Reported.
alex jones, 2019-06-15 08:00:42
Number: +1 (604) 328-9872
Call type: Scam
Rating: -5
this guy craigslist scammed me
Ellen Backs, 2019-06-15 04:42:59
Number: +1 (905) 535-4044
Call type: Unknown
Rating: 0
Same scammers who owned Outdoor Fabrics Canada and now have a similar business called Outdoor Fabrics Plus & Anchor Fabrics. Check Outdoor Fabrics Canada on Better Business Bureau.
chris k, 2019-06-15 04:18:22
Number: +1 (647) 519-2288
Call type: Scam
Rating: -4
cibc bank scam
sam, 2019-06-15 04:11:11
Number: +1 (416) 833-2425
Call type: Unknown
Rating: 0
no message
sam, 2019-06-15 04:10:34
Number: +1 (416) 846-5321
Call type: Unknown
Rating: 0
no message
Ray, 2019-06-15 04:00:57
Number: +1 (800) 821-5870
Call type: Scam
Rating: -5
Call showed as Eversourse saying electricity would be shut off in 30 minutes if I didn't call this # back and once I said I didn't owe money they hung up.
zibute, 2019-06-15 03:59:03
Number: +1 (647) 792-6492
Call type: Scam
Rating: -5
this phone # is from a scammer looking for $$$ -- using dating sites


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* Make a post (public, friendslocked, filtered...whatever you're comfortable with) to your LJ. The post should contain your list of 10 holiday wishes. The wishes can be anything at all, from simple and fandom-related to medium ("I wish for _____on DVD") to really big ("All I want for Christmas is a new car/computer/house/TV.") The important thing is, make sure these wishes are things you really, truly want.
* If you wish for real life things (not stories or icons), make sure you include some sort of contact info in your post, whether it's your address or just your email address where Santa (or one of his elves) could get in touch with you.
* Also, make sure you post some version of these guidelines in your LJ so that the holiday joy will spread.
1. I wish for a happy birthday blinkie similar to the one Lyn uses spike7451 in her birthday posts.
2. I wish a Gale Harold banner from the shop in my town (I left not so subtle hints everywhere in my house where folks who visit can see them hehehe)
3. I wish all my lj friends have a great holiday and new year
4. I wish I could have a Gale and Randy surprise banner with a "Merry Christmas Yvonne"
5. I wish I can get alot of money from family instead of presents so I can get my birth certificate and passport got so I can go to France in the summer
6. I wish my niece whos dad passed away last January will be able to enjoy the holiday as best she can
7. I wish for lots of frames, paints and brushes
8. I wish my dog Charlie will wear her santa suit all day (she nearly ate my hand off last year when I tried to put it on her)
9. I wish for Gale mood icons
10. I wish for a Gale banner fro my rofile page saying "Yvonnes profile"
Awesome blinkie by


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Why Tally.ERP 9
- It is Simple
to use
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to implement
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to lea
Accounting and finance are at the very core
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Faith Evangelistic Center
From The Bishop's Heart
Bishops' Chosen Quote
About Us
History and Founders
Purpose and Values
Articles of Faith
Sunday School
Children's Ministry
Youth Ministry
Adult Ministry
Missions/ Outreach
Better Opportunities Mentoring Program
Tribe of Judah
Leavenworth Missions
Foreign Missions
Media/ Research
Photo Gallery
Contact Us
Meet Our Staff…
Tribe of Judah
Click Here for PDF Version of Brochure
Tribe of Judah was founded with one purpose in mind… to establish and strengthen young men in life; to teach them the purpose of being a father, husband and a friend. Our Goal is to teach them respect for themselves and others through hands on interaction, events and projects with strong role models. To help them find honor so they may walk with integrity without fear and to understand they're worthy.
The Christian walk is not a walk of selfish-ness. In fact, it is the exact opposite. Tribe of Judah aims to demonstrate the joy of helping, teaching, and reaching out to those around us. Our transcendent cause is to build leaders in our communities that will lead others to greatness in Christ.
Tribe of Judah celebrates a young man's accomplishments in life no matter how small it may seem to others. Tribe of Judah meets monthly for recreation and life discussions. Tribe of Judah participates in a number of sporting events including baseball, volleyball and basketball tournaments. Tribe of Judah's goal is for members to be taught mechanics, carpentry and a variety of other skills. Tribe of Judah is for young men age 7 thru 15 years old. Tribe of Judah is open to those older than the age of 18 as volunteers.
About Us
Missions/ Outreach
Media/ Research
Contact Us
Standard Site


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Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Duh! Tell Us Something We Don't Know Sam!
Posted by dan at 7:10 AM 1 comment:
Labels: For Better or For Worse
Monday, October 26, 2009
You're The Love Of My Life, Sam...
Posted by dan at 7:08 AM No comments:
Labels: Curtis
Friday, October 23, 2009
Sorry, Calvin... I Need People Around Me I Can Trust!
Posted by dan at 7:06 AM No comments:
Labels: Bliss
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Do You Really Expect Me To Swallow That?
Posted by dan at 7:04 AM No comments:
Labels: Garfield
Monday, October 19, 2009
You're Through As My Driver!
Posted by dan at 7:23 AM No comments:
Labels: Luann
Friday, October 16, 2009
...I Wouldn't Want To Be In Jim Bob's Shoes... Or Yours!
Posted by dan at 7:56 AM No comments:
Labels: Family Circus
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Absolutely Not!
Rare same day, adjacent panel entry; exactly as it appeared in the paper.
[Click any image to enlarge.] Cathy, Judge Parker
Posted by dan at 7:54 AM No comments:
Labels: Cathy, Same Day Panels
Monday, October 12, 2009
...A Traitor!
Posted by dan at 7:51 AM No comments:
Labels: Adam
Friday, October 9, 2009
Posted by dan at 6:57 AM 1 comment:
Labels: Foxtrot
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Now We're Getting Somewhere!
Posted by dan at 6:56 AM No comments:
Labels: Bliss
Monday, October 5, 2009
You're Also Kind, Loyal, Generous, Protective... And Very Sexy!
Posted by dan at 6:54 AM No comments:
Labels: Dilbert
Friday, October 2, 2009
Actually I Just Stopped In This Jewelry Store To Replace The Battery In My Watch!
Posted by dan at 6:14 AM No comments:
Labels: Hagar the Horrible
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


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Every project has its own challenges, as much as you try to keep it on track and within budget. If you are tasked with the responsibility of managing a project, you need to consider important factors both internal and external elements that may make your project fail. Especially in the 21st century, dealing with eDiscovery challenges requires a provider with great skills and experience to render viable solutions.
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The life of a project revolves around four main areas namely initiation, planning, execution, and closure. All the products should reach the specific project requirements. If you engage the experts in eDiscovery, you could minimize the work on your side by a greater margin.
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Opening the lines of communications ensure that you will relay instructions well and your recipients will find it easy to pick the information. It is always important to keep a communication plan and follow it strictly with clear, open, and honest communication. Besides, a good manager should be in constant communication with all the stakeholders involved in the project. A reliable project manager should ensure that each member gets the necessary information on time for proper facilitation.
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When it comes to Halloween, I clearly don't mess around. This year I decided to dress up as a zombie bride, something I've always wanted to do. I put my costume together with three trips to Goodwill, a pair of left-handed fabric sheers (thanks daddy), and scotch tape to hold everything in place. For my veil I quickly fastened a yard of tulle to one of my dazzling Kristin Perry headbands. For a girl who seems to spend several hours on a sewing machine a week, I just didn't have time to put together something more extravagant in a short amount of time. But I guess zombie brides aren't supposed to look as glamorous anyways.
There are so many things to do in LA for this spooky holiday. Santa Monica Boulevard is closed off and West Hollywood just turns into a huge block party. This year us southern Californians had to deal with something that is a foreign concept to us…bad weather. By 11pm there were chipper winds and showers, not so good for my all white outfit, outrageous makeup and three inch heels. Of course it would rain on my 'wedding day'. So in this case my advice would be to wear flats for halloween, bring makeup touch-ups and never get married without a prenup (lol kidding but not kidding). But, I still had such a great night. I went to The Standard Hotel rooftop party downtown then made my way back west to Create Nightclub. My zombie self made it home in one piece, and I already have ideas of what to dress up next year.
I got my makeup done by the artist Valerie at the Nars boutique on Melrose, which is tucked between the Marc by Marc Jacobs women's store and DASH. My photos include my lovely comrade Monique Giselle (dressed as a Russian spy part of the KGB) and Jamar who is my very favorite server turned friend who works at the restaurant in The Standard Hotel downtown, you must visit him he's my favorite.
amfAR Generation Cure Event 10/29/14
I am so excited to share photos with you from my magical night last Wednesday. I attended the amfAR Generation Cure after party, a foundation devoted to ending the AIDS epidemic globally. Kelly Osborne hosted the after-party; the lilac purple-haired spunky vivacious girl was everything I have imagined. When I met Kelly I told her that I have been watching Fashion Police since high school, and told her my secret that I've always wanted a friend with periwinkle hair like herself.
The event was located at STK, a restaurant on La Cienega and Santa Monica Boulevard. The party included bite-size red velvet cupcakes topped with velvety cream cheese frosting, bubbly Brut, and gleaming golden chandeliers.
The absolute highlight of my night was meeting Chiara Ferragni. I have followed her eye-popping fashion blog for years, The Blonde Salad. Chiara, originally from Milan, has every girls dream job. From being a part of YSL Beauty ad campaigns, sitting front row at Fashion Week in Paris, launching her own shoe line, being a guest judge on Project Runway and she even wrote her own book that came out in 2012. And that's just to name a few. Chiara was dressed in the most ravishing dress made by Fendi. She was sweet and charismatic as I asked her how she was liking her stay in LA. Chiara recently hit her goal of 3 million followers on Instagram. Yes, 3 million. This girl is on fire.
I am wearing a blazer and romper from Topshop. Purse is from Urban Outfitters, tarnished silver necklace from All Saints and my shoes are made by the ever-so breathtaking Isabel Marant. They are made out of pony hair, and I frequently catch myself petting them subconsciously.
Many (possibly all) photos taken by one of my dearest friends, Nevin Samuy. I appreciate you.
Desert Vibes: Ngoc and Josh Get Hitched in Joshua Tree 10/25/14
Had the pleasure to have a desert get-away by Joshua Tree National Park, at Rimrock Ranch. My cousin Ngoc decided to tie the knot in this barren paradise. It was refreshing to not have phone service for 48 hours, so I had a reason to not reply to work emails on a Saturday. I'm overly obsessed with the succulent centerpieces in pinch pots that her and her husband made by hand. The wedding was absolutely magical and beautiful. Congrats to this lovely couple, so excited for your future together! XOXO
Of course, I went through at least 5 dress choices from when I received the wedding invitation in the mail to when I was packing my suitcase. I decided on this flowy floral dress that I bought online from Urban Outfitters that arrived in the mail a couple days before, a result of one of my impulse shopping sprees of "I-totally-deserve-this"/"I-haven't-really-shopped-in-awhile." My boots are from LF, earrings from Kate Spade, body chain from Kristin Perry and my gorgeous ring is from Androgyny Designs. Androgyny is hand-crafted in Los Angeles, and they use the most gorgeous stones and metals in their unique pieces. I got so many compliments on this geo rock ring. You have to check them out!
One of my most prized possessions is my clutch. My grandma passed away a few months ago, and when I headed out to Denver for her Irish wake I stole this pretty number out of her closet (don't tell my other cousins). I wish I could say this was some vintage Valentino, but it is just some hand-beaded adornment that says made in China. Everything she left in the purse I still keep in there: her red comb, pack of tissues and a piece of scratch paper with phone numbers written on it. I miss her so much, and having this treasure always reminds me of her.
Take Me to Wildfox! Wildfox Couture Flagship Store Grand Opening 10/16/14
To this day, I've never read a company's mission statement that I'm more in love with than the one for Wildfox Couture. "For dreamers, for lovers, for skinny dippers, for barefoot explorers, for late night chocolate eaters, for those who believe in love and themselves." Wildfox is a whimsical dream; I have always been a fan of their quirky screen tees, legendary ad campaigns and watching their swim show at Miami Fashion Week.
I am SO excited for Wildfox to have their own store and it is conveniently located in the most charming blush colored bungalow located in Sunset Plaza on Sunset Boulevard. I attended the grand opening party of the flagship store last Thursday night, and to my prior knowledge I know that Wildfox parties don't disappoint.
The party included a sushi bar, complimentary manicures, lavish floral arrangements, a ping-pong table and of course an ice cream truck covered in Swarovski crystals. Red carpet guests included Alessandra Ambrosio (who I haven't seen since I attended her birthday earlier this year, lol) and Scott Disick (who kindly patted me on the back and said "excuse me", another lol).
If you were to ask me what my favorite thing about Wildfox is, I would have to say their denim. The Marissa Boyfriend Jeans actually make my heart skip a beat, and the Marianne skinnies are the perfect compliment to any oversized tee. The denim designer, Michelle Siwy, is a dear friend of mine and her creations get more desirable by the minute. She even made overalls! I promise they're cute.
I'm also so in love with the swim collection. Probably the cutest one pieces, like ever. Roam into the store and see for yourself. My words don't do justice to how dreamy this place is. And I can't think of any other adjectives that can describe the store other than dreamy, that's why I'm so repetitive. Go visit Wildfox, it's absolutely breathtaking!
I'm wearing a lace dress from Free People, leather jacket from All Saints and earrings from Kate Spade. Pictured with my lovely friend Monique Giselle.
Restoration Hardware Store Opening on Melrose 10/22/14
I know what you're thinking…Restoration Hardware is a furniture store. But let me tell ya, this isn't an ordinary furniture store. This place is absolutely unreal. It's the kind of place you dream of having slumber parties in even though you're in your mid-twenties. Like I'm 87.3% positive that Grey Gatsby is living somewhere in there. Each room has a unique look. There are huge windows that lead into balconies that overlook all of West LA. I didn't make it to the top level because there was extra security because apparently Paris Hilton and her gal pals were up there (lol idk). This three story massive store is located on Melrose Ave across the street from Urth Café and next door to Kitson. The interior decorations are elegant and cutting-edge all at the same time. The store opening included wine tasting from their very own cellar in-store and live music. If you're ever in the Melrose District this is a must-see destination. Restoration Hardware is taking over.
I am wearing a black dress by James Perse (my go-to LBD), fur coat from Rehab Clothing (its faux fur, don't chu worry), and shoes from one of my favorite Aussie brands Senso. Wearing the lip color Heroine from Mac Cosmetics. It's a matte and it makes me feel like a diva and an alien in all the best ways. You might need it too. P.S. Babe in matching fur with me is my BFF/roommate, Birdie Lyons.
Tribute to Oscar de la Renta
One of my favorite spots in LA is Melrose Place. I discovered it a few years back when my love for Marc Jacobs was at it's peek (it's still pretty up there, just lowered with the Fall 2014 collection that I just can't bring myself to like), and lately I've been meandering the streets searching for inspiration. I usually end up staring at the mystical-garden-of-a-dream store, Isabel Marant, while sipping on a chai tea latte from Alfred's Coffee (located on the same block, highly recommended). When I gaze at the store entrance of Isabel Marant my head slowly tilts to a 45 degree angle and I wouldn't be surprised if my face looked equivalent to the heart-shaped eye emoji.
I was at Alfred's today, with a copy of the October issue of Vogue. I used to only flip through Vogue to see all the latest ad campaigns, but I recently discovered many of the cover stories very intriguing and stimulating. One of my favorite articles in this month's issue featured one of my favorite writers, Jonathan Van Meter, about how as one of the top respected fashion journalists of Manhattan he made the dramatic decision to move upstate. He reveals in the article how he became "bored with Manhattan." Reading those words actually might have physically hurt my eyes for a second.
Next, I stumbled to the article Princess Bride and my heart completely stopped. Not because of George Clooney's soon-to-be wife in the white gown, but because of the man standing next to her: Oscar de la Renta. Oscar de la Renta passed away a couple days ago but it didn't hit me until that moment I saw him on the page of Vogue, so charming with a huge grin across his face. I'm not much of a history enthusiast (unlike my sister), but I have always been fascinated with how he mastered elegance and has dressed every First Lady since Jackie Kennedy. In the article it talks about the custom gown he made for George Clooney's bride (don't remember her name, not relevant), and it brought me back to the first time I saw his bridal gowns at his boutique on Melrose Place. I knew the first time that I laid my eyes on his exquisite dresses that one day when I get married that there was no choice but to get an Oscar de la Renta, I have to have one. So here I am. At a coffee shop reading about how this fashion icon of a designer said in his interview: "Any girl from any walk of life dreams of that special dress, and I try to make that dream a reality for her." I totally forgot where I was and started tearing up like the condensation on the cup of my pomegranate green iced tea. I'm in no way an emotional mess of a girl, but something about couturier does it to me.
Before my parking meter expired, I walked a few stores down to Oscar de la Renta. Inside they have one of my favorite pieces from SS15 runway (dress with a massive bow in the back), home collection (which I didn't even know existed until now and so totally in love with it), and of course a room filled with the dreamiest wedding gowns. Here's a few pictures from inside the store. Rest in paradise Oscar de la Renta; you are responsible for my infatuation with floral patterns and one of the most brilliant fashion designers to ever walk this planet.
Inside Teal Kitty
Back from a cat nap! I am so very excited to share my turquoise dreams with you in my first apartment in LA. I'm absolutely in love with my location and couldn't be more excited to live in the city. Of course, I had to have all turquoise furniture, which I found secondhand or at flea markets. I'm beyond obsessed with ad campaigns and editorials in Vogue and Net-A-Porter, so one of my many sleepless nights I decided to cover my wall in this masterpiece. Some pictures were on my wall back home, and I took them with me because I just couldn't leave them. Like when Kate Moss was on the cover of UK Vogue in July 2013 (I think) or when Karlie Kloss did an editorial with Daft Punk. Next I'll show you all my favorite pieces in my closet, stay tuned ;)
Welcome to Beverly Glen
Walking around my neighborhood in Beverly Glen. Obsessed with all the ivy covered houses, pretty roses and quiet streets. I love this necklace because it could be worn from a day to night look. It can dress up any outfit and is most definitely a statement piece.
Photographer: Jose Gallina
Sunglasses: Celine
Shorts: Band of Gypsies
Shirt: Urban Outfitters
Mint Green for Summer
Exploring my new neighborhood in Beverly Glen! I've never worn this dress out but I love the contrast with my new Kristin Perry necklace. Enjoying the last few days off summer in the beautiful city of Los Angeles.
Photographer: Jose Gallina
Dress: Free People
Necklace: Kristin Perry
San Francisco I'm Baaaaack
Back in the bae area! Had so much fun working with photographer Adam Dillon, we instantly hit it off as BFFs. He showed me one of his favorite coffee shops in the city Blue Bottle Coffee which was maybe the best latte I've ever had. I'm totally in love with San Francisco and I can't wait to go back very soon.
Photographer: Adam Dillon
Leather Jacket: All Saints
Tank Top: Anthony Thomas Mellillo from Barney's New York
Ear Cuff: Kristin Perry
Silk Flannel: Equipment
Jeans: Rag and Bone
Necklace: Urban Outfitters
Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Desert Dreams
Made a trip out to the desert to escape for the day. I was absolutely thrilled to be shooting for Androgyny Design. I had the pleasure of meeting one of the designers, Courtney Bensik, and fell head over heels for her intricate pieces with precious metals and gemstones. Perfect for the desert vibe and a weekend getaway. Clothing provided by The Lobby and Beach Riot.
Photographer: Taylor Herron
Stylist: Sahar Hissami
Rings: Androgyny Design
Bathing Suit: Beach Riot
Dress: Free People
Hat: Urban Outfitters
Necklace: The Lobby
Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters
Glasses and Glam Lyfe
My new favorite sunglasses! Obsessed with the shape and detailing on these shades. At first I thought that these were a little too outrageous for everyday but I found that they compliment any sundress and perfect for any summer outing. These are my second pair of sunglasses I own from Kristin Perry, and I don't think I could ever have enough!
Photos by: Taylor Herron
Sunglasses: Kristin Perry
Dress: Free People
Velvet and Jewels
All about detail! I love the intensely hued color and texture of this bralette by Private Arts. Perfect to wear with anything high-waisted and/or a slouchy off the shoulder sweater. Can be worn from day to night by changing a range of jewelry or paired with a brightly matte lipstick to contrast the luster of the velvet textile.
Photo by: Taylor Herron
Bralette: Private Arts
Necklace: Urban Outfitters
Sweater: Free People
Beach Vibe
Photos by: Taylor Herron
Bandeau: Private Arts
Shorts: L' Agence
Shirt: Free People
Bracelets: House of Harlow and Charlotte Russe
Beach Riot on Diamond Street
Photos by Taylor Herron
Bathing Suit: Beach Riot
Shorts: Topshop
Flower headpiece: LF
Booties: Rag and Bone
Cheetah on Cheetah
Photos by Chris Canon
Shirt: Wildfox Couture
Shorts: Levi
Booties: Rag and Bone
Beanie: Forever 21
Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Fi takes San Francisco
Photographer: Ryan by Ryan Chua
Dress, shoes, clutch, necklace, bracelets: Charlotte Russe
Little White Dress
Photographer: Ryan by Ryan Chua
Dress, Shoes, Clutch, Necklace: Charlotte Russe
Romper City Gal
Photographer: Ryan by Ryan Chua
Romper, shoes, clutch, bracelet, necklace: Charlotte Russe


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Quantifying the Effects of Plant Invasions on Aquatic Food Webs, Fish Condition, and Aquatic Ecosystem Function in the NortheastEPA Grant Number: FP917100
Title: Quantifying the Effects of Plant Invasions on Aquatic Food Webs, Fish Condition, and Aquatic Ecosystem Function in the Northeast
Investigators: Lellis-Dibble, Kimberly A
Institution: University of Rhode Island
EPA Project Officer: Lee, Sonja
Project Period: September 1, 2010 through August 31, 2013
Project Amount: $111,000
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (2010) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Academic Fellowships , Fellowship - Ecosystem Services: Aquatic Systems Ecology
Invasive species are persistent biological pollutants that outcompete native species, alter community composition, and disrupt the flow of energy and materials through terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Numerous studies have documented a decline in habitat value for birds, mammals, and nekton (fish and swimming crustaceans) as invasive plants expand through ecosystems. However, few studies have focused on the effects of invasive plants on food webs and animal condition in the invaded ranges. The expansion of an invasive generalist plant (Phragmites australis australis) into disturbed wetland habitats, and the subsequent attempts to eradicate this weedy invader, provide an excellent model that I will use to quantify the impact of a nuisance species on overall ecosystem function.
This research quantifies the effect of a non-native plant invader on wetland ecosystems by examining alterations in food web dynamics and the condition, growth rate, and overall health of fauna residing in invaded habitats. Data will be generated using a variety of field and laboratory-based methods. The knowledge gained from this research can be applied beyond wetlands to more fully understand how invasive species affect native habitats and their associated plant and animal communities.
Specifically, my research will: 1) determine whether resources released by Phragmites are being incorporated into aquatic food webs; 2) quantify fish energy reserves, growth rate, and overall body condition in invaded, restoring, and reference marshes; and 3) investigate links between the dominant energy source and fish condition in invaded and restoring systems relative to reference marshes. I will analyze food web structure and dominant energy source via carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur stable isotopes in macrophyte, macroalgae, benthic microalgae, suspended particulate, and Fundulus heteroclitus (mummichog) samples. Lipids will be extracted from Fundulus to determine total energy reserves and will be compared with a morphometric index (Fulton's K) to determine overall fish health. Sagittal otoliths will be removed from Fundulus to reveal recent growth rate and age structure of fish populations in each marsh system.
Expected Results:
This study will be the first study to directly compare and quantify fish condition in invaded and restoring marshes as compared to reference habitat. Results will extend beyond salt marsh systems to provide significant insights on how invasive plants affect habitats and their associated food webs, and whether restoration activities are in fact accomplishing their ecological goals. Since the invasion front of Phragmites continues to advance in the United States to the south and west, managers can use this information to make plant management decisions and prioritize habitat restoration projects before introduced Phragmites takes over other biologically diverse wetland ecosystems.
Potential to Further Environmental/Human Health Protection:
This research directly supports the Environmental Protection Agency's mission to protect human health and the environment. Invasive species are arguably among the most persistent and widespread biological pollutants the Earth faces today. They pose a significant threat to ecosystems, biological security, and human well-being. They foul navigable waters and have significant economic costs. This research will provide critical information to better understand the full consequences of biological invasions, will help managers to prioritize restoration and control efforts, and will assist with the development of appropriate tools to control the spread of invasive species in order to better serve society.


text: Can't answer a phone call and want to dismiss it quickly from the Apple Watch? Rather than ignoring the call but letting it continue to ring and jingle your wrist, you can use this neat palm trick to instantly silence and dismiss the inbound call, and you don't even need to turn to the iPhone. … Read More


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My husband and I separated. I felt it was important to share this here because you won't be seeing many more posts from him {he has a few coming} and I didn't want you readers to wonder why. We have been together over 9 years and our 9 year wedding anniversary would be in February. As we all know, there are many reasons couples break up. Some of the fault lies with him. Some of the fault lies with me. What you won't see here is me bashing him. Instead, I want to share what he brought to my life and why I am so very thankful that I met him.
6 Reasons Why I'm Thankful I Met My Almost Ex Husband
1. He was {and is} a good father. He met us when Amber was 9. After we got married, he adopted her. He didn't have to think about it. He was all about it. Where another man stepped out {and hasn't been much of a father to Amber since}, Jay stepped right in. And he has loved her and taken care of her and been there for her ever since. For everything he's done for Amber, I am thankful.
2. He showed me what it is like to have a good family. His family loves each other. They help each other and are there for each other. They get together over holidays and genuinely care for each other. And when someone needs help, others step in. These are things that I was not always used to seeing in a family and it helped to paint a picture for me of what family should look like. For that lesson, and for my inclusion, I am thankful.
3. He supported my decision to go back to school. I had some college credits when we met – about 2/3 of an Associate's Degree, but that was all. So, when I wanted to get my Associate's {which meant working less hours} he was cool with it. Then, when I wanted to go on and get my Bachelor's Degree {which meant working even less hours}, he was cool with that, too. So, I am now the first college graduate in my family. I am so proud of that. And Jay encouraged me all the way. For his encouragement, I am thankful.
4. He supported me when I decided to blog full time. After I graduated college, I got a job in my field. When I got hurt and no longer wanted to be in that field, Jay supported my decision to blog full time. Four years later, and this is the only job I have. I enjoy it so much. Because of blogging, I have been able to travel, I have pretty much redecorated my entire home, I have met so many cool and interesting people, I get to hang out with my dogs all day, I am available whenever Amber needs me and I have shared experiences from my past that have hurt me, but have hopefully helped others. Blogging has enriched my life and Jay supported it the entire time. For that, I am thankful.
5. We traveled. A lot. Jay is an awesome travel buddy – the best I have ever had. And he was always super agreeable about where to travel to and what to do when we got there. I seriously doubt I will ever find a travel partner that I meshed so well with, so, I admit, I really hate to lose that. However, the last trip I went on I did solo, and it was really fun, too. So, I am thankful for all the fun trips with Jay and also for learning that I can do things by myself and still have fun, too.
6. He's still around when Amber and I need him. I bought some new furniture from Amazon and he put some of it together for me this morning. He also attempted to fix {and may have succeeded} our front door which has been acting super weird for a few days now.
Breaking Up Doesn't Have To Be Ugly
I don't think we will be getting back together. Over the time we were together, we both grew and changed a lot. So much so that we are completely different people now. People that no longer fit together. That doesn't mean that we are wrong. That doesn't mean we have to hate each other or be ugly to each other. I can't speak about his feelings, but I definitely don't hate him. I wish him the best and I think he wishes the best for me, too. Though the split is painful and fresh right now, I am still so very thankful for the time we spent together.


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Burberry outlet
Burberry has announced that it is set to create 300 jobs with the opening of a new office in Leeds, further strengthening its ties with Yorkshire.
Subject to consultation with employees, the office, which will open in October, will bring together UK and EMEIA shared service teams from finance, HR and procurement, as well as some customer service and IT roles.
Creating a centre of excellence will make Burberry more productive and efficient by simplifying processes and fostering teamwork across functions.
Moving roles to Leeds will also generate significant savings for the business by allowing Burberry to reduce its office space requirements in London where the company will remain headquartered.
Christopher Bailey, chief creative and chief executive officer of Burberry Group plc, said: "This is an important move for Burberry as we continue to deliver on the strategic priorities we outlined last year.
"In addition to the benefits it will bring to the business, opening an office in Leeds reinforces our commitment to the UK and to Yorkshire, home of our iconic trench coat."
Cllr Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: "This is fantastic news and a real vote of confidence in Leeds as a place to do business.
"It's hugely exciting that we are the clear choice for Burberry to locate their newly-created shared service centre.
"It is testament to the value of Leeds as a destination for financial and professional services with the right infrastructure of skills, innovation and digital excellence to support that.
"We have a long and valued relationship with Burberry and will continue to work with them constructively as they continue to assess their plans for a manufacturing and weaving facility here."
Roger Marsh OBE, chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) which worked with Burberry to support the business case for this new office added: "It's fantastic to see Burberry commit its future to the City Region and recognise the strength of our professional services offer and our heritage within the textiles industry.
"I'm delighted that the LEP were able to work closely with one of the world's most recognisable brands to ensure it selected the region as the location for its new centre of excellence for business services.
"Today's announcement comes as our City Region is seeing increased levels of interest from FTSE 100 companies who see benefits such as increased productivity as a result of relocating here.
"I look forward to working with Burberry in the future and further developing our longstanding relationship with this British icon!"
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Bad MoviePosted: November 14, 2013 Filed under: babysitters, cancer, crazy train, Family, fuck cancer, grandparents, kids, loss, Mack, Mea, ranty vent, stuff and more stuff 2 Comments
I feel like I am a character in a bad Lifetime movie.
It seems that each time things are starting to move in the right direction in one part of my life, or the lives of my loved ones, something else falls apart in another area of my life or another loved one.
I am getting really sick of it.
I mean really fucking sick of it.
This morning, Mea's babysitter pulled me aside and told me that her husband has cancer. They do not know what kind yet, (they have ruled out prostate, but have said very little else to them) they just have a location, something in his lower area, most likely back/hip/pelvis area. PET test to come sometime next week, so they will know what they are dealing with.
She told me and I burst into tears. They are the closest thing to a second set of grandparents that Mea has, Mack too for that matter.
These people are more than just Mea's babysitter. I have known them since I was a child. Mack was Jimbo's girl. Every time I see him he asks me about Mack. Which is almost daily. Mea is his little cuddle bug too.
I am just sick.
I am worried about them.
I sent them flowers and candy this afternoon.
And although it is somewhat selfish, I have been worried about what it will mean for our daycare situation. I hate the thought of Mea going anywhere but there. I also don't know how they will be able to keep up with daycare, and take care of Jim's needs once they come up with a treatment plan.
I know firsthand how crazy those first several months were with my Mom, and I also know that if she had a bunch of kids around her all day long every single day that she would have gone nuts. Not to mention that it can be a little scary for the little kids to see someone they love sick. I am terrified that this is starting to be a "normal" thing that Mea has to see and live with.
I just need a break from all this stupid cancer business.
I am sure all the people who are actually dealing with it want the same thing.
It just pisses me off.
I am just so done.


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Write Your Own
Book 12 might be better known as the Book of Customizations for Lord of
the Rings Online. It will bring many new customization options for
players to give their avatars for new looks and appearances. The Outfit
system will provide players the opportunity to wear one item while
having the look of another. To aid players with a diversive amount of
appearance options, Turbine will be adding Social Clothing to allow
players a wide assortment of clothing appearances for their characters
and Ten Ton Hammer has acquired several new screenshots showing off
Middle-earths newest clothing line.
The Outfit System is one of the major character
customization options
set to launch with the Book 12 update for Lord of the Rings Online. The
Outfit system will allow players to wear their best armor but have the
look of another item of their choosing as the display design. This has
the benefit of allowing players to have a wide variety of appearances
to make sure that no two characters necessarily will look alike. To aid
in making this a more robust system, there will be an assortment of
Social Clothing made available for players to choose from and Ten Ton
Hammer has acquired screenshots of many of these items.
To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our Lord of the Rings Online Game Page.


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Dictionary: (http://www.agiledata.org/essays/keys.html)
- Key. A key is one or more data attributes that uniquely identify an entity. In a physical database a key would be formed of one or more table columns whose value(s) uniquely identifies a row within a relational table.
- Composite key. A key that is composed of two or more attributes.
- Natural key. A key that is formed of attributes that already exist in the real world. For example, U.S. citizens are issued a Social Security Number (SSN) that is unique to them (this isn't guaranteed to be true, but it's pretty darn close in practice). SSN could be used as a natural key, assuming privacy laws allow it, for a Person entity (assuming the scope of your organization is limited to the U.S.).
- Surrogate key. A key with no business meaning.
- Candidate key. An entity type in a logical data model will have zero or more candidate keys, also referred to simply as unique identifiers (note: some people don't believe in identifying candidate keys in LDMs, so there's no hard and fast rules). For example, if we only interact with American citizens then SSN is one candidate key for the Person entity type and the combination of name and phone number (assuming the combination is unique) is potentially a second candidate key. Both of these keys are called candidate keys because they are candidates to be chosen as the primary key, an alternate key or perhaps not even a key at all within a physical data model.
- Primary key. The preferred key for an entity type.
- Alternate key. Also known as a secondary key, is another unique identifier of a row within a table.
- Foreign key. One or more attributes in an entity type that represents a key, either primary or secondary, in another entity type.
Surrogate/ Foreign Keys are used to link data between Fact and Dimension table and in some cases between dimension and dimension.
Surrogate Keys:
You will find every a few synonyms for a Surrogate key – meaningless keys, integer keys, nonnutural keys, artificial key, synthetic keys, link keys etc.
I propose creating a process to generate these keys during load. These keys are numeric in type with absolutely no meaning. Keep these keys small in order to optimise the retrieval of records between tables.
Create your own algorithm (i.e. use GUID ID from a system) that always unique creates the keys over platforms
What do I mean by over more than one platform? Examine the following:
Your company is now global with a data warehouse in the US and in Africa and the same data model now you are asked. – We need to see customer globally?
You need to combine the data to one Global Warehouse – this will not work if your Surrogate keys are the same thus ensure they are unique between systems. Using the auto number on a table will only work for one database, but not when merging more than database unless you specified a seed on each database from day one – but what will that seed be?
As Per Ralph Kimball : Surrogate keys " One of the primary benefits of surrogate keys is that they buffer the data warehouse environment for operational changes" Ok so what is he saying – imagine you have used the Product code as key and the operation system re-uses product code 1 what do you now do with the rest of the old data?
So do not use a business bound soft coded values (Like product code or CIF number) as a Key this will become a major flaw in you design
Surrogate keys value
- Enables ETL Updates to do slowly changing dimensions (Separate blog entry)
- Binds table together in Dimensional Model
- This key can also be the primary key (U-key) on the table
More reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrogate_key
Foreign Key
this is a key stored in the fact and or the dimension that links to the foreign table for example you have the Customer Key as a foreign key in the Transaction Fact table in order to join to the fact table to the customer.
Primary Keys( AKA Unique key)
Key is generated on a table that is unique to the table only this can also be the surrogate key.
Normally this is a constrain on your database in order to ensure uniqueness.
More reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unique_key
{Views and opinions on this Blog does not reflect current/past employers view(s).}
Tagged: Database, Dimension table, Foreign key, Unique key


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Parx-e Volume 4
Parx-e Volume 4 will be available on the 22nd of August to give away on this website. Once they are gone they are gone.
It is an all female orientated CD with female solo artists and female fronted bands. The CD has high quality artwork and has been properly pressed.
Please Note: I Don't Share Your Information, it is only used to send out the CD to you
and to let you know it has been sent out. It isn't used for anything else and I won't contact you ever again unless you want me to
Parx-E Volume 4 Track Listing
1. Steph Hannah – Eat the Crumbs
2. De̊ǰa – Luststruck
3. Silver Cities – Lights
4. Heather Longstaffe – Gonna Take a Woman
5. Manor – Architecture
6. Courtney Jaye – Tiger's Eye
7. Girl Pilot – Bright Bones
8. Jasmine Nelson – Keep Her Close
9. Tarra Layne – Cherry Moonshine
10. Samara – So Out of Reach
11. Avaberée – Running Out
12. Annelise Collette – You Got Me Now
13. Samantha Schultz – Legend of My Life
14. Amanda McCarthy – Bad Habit
15. Miss Elm – Space
16. Shannon Hurley – the Light
17. Francesca de Valence – Beautiful Night
18. Jenny Dalton – Nightmare
19. Amanda Rogers – Cabin Muse
20. Catherine Traicos – Lost at Sea
21. Allison Gray – Time Goes by


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Both talismanic figures, both enigmatic men with prolific scoring records and both mouthy so-and-sos, but which Manchester United forward takes the cake as having the biggest swagger, the biggest ego and the most insane self-image? We thought the only thing to do in comparing the men was ditch all the stats and let the talking do the talking!
I am searching for abstract ways of expressing reality, abstract forms that will enlighten my own mystery.
We are looking for an apartment in Paris. If we don't find anything, I'll probably just buy the hotel.
Sometimes you get submerged by emotion. I think it's very important to express it – which doesn't necessarily mean hitting someone.
I think this is the best season of my career. I think my league form has been more than perfect.
My best moment? I have a lot of good moments but the one I prefer is when I kicked the hooligan.
Arsene Wenger asked me to have a trial with Arsenal when I was 17. I turned him down. Zlatan doesn't do auditions.
I prefer to play and lose rather than win, because I know in advance I'm going to win.
I can't help but laugh at how perfect I am.
When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.
One thing is for sure, a world cup without me is nothing to watch.
I don't need to be involved with a game watched by millions of people to be fulfilled.
When you buy me, you are buying a ferrari. If you drive a ferrari you put premium fuel in the tank, you drive onto the motorway and you floor the accelerator. Guardiola filled up with diesel and went for a spin in the countryside. If that's what we wanted, he should have bought himself a fiat from the start.
I know that I have a face, a look, people aren't used to seeing. A presence.
Zlatan: "do you believe in jesus?"
Ancelotti: "yes"
Zlatan: "good, so you believe in me. You can relax."
For me, I don't like it when there is too much interference in our lives. We're not children. It is our own life in our hands.
Reporter: "who will win the qualifier?"
Zlatan: "only god knows"
reporter: "it's kind of hard to ask him"
zlatan: "you're talking to him"
So there you have it. Who's Billy Bigger Balls?
Images credit: Epl news.com. Rex Features