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Attunity now offers a complete set of EMC-qualified solutions for loading data to both the Greenplum Database and Greenplum HD, facilitating different types of analytic processing to enable customers to capitalize on the value of Big Data Analytics.
BURLINGTON, MA (PRWEB) January 16, 2013
Attunity Ltd. (NASDAQ: ATTU), a leading provider of information availability software solutions, announced today that EMC Greenplum has officially qualified Attunity RepliWeb for Enterprise File Replication (EFR) and Attunity Managed File Transfer (MFT) with EMC Greenplum Hadoop (HD). Attunity RepliWeb for EFR and Attunity MFT were designed as high-performance, easy-to-use solutions for automating, managing and accelerating the process of making data available for Big Data Analytics with Hadoop. The Attunity products, launched earlier this year, are the first and only solutions currently qualified by EMC for Greenplum HD.
Hadoop, the open-source programming framework for large-scale data processing, has rapidly emerged as one of the leading solutions for Big Data analytics across unstructured data. However, the efficient and timely movement of Big Data into Hadoop continues to be a major challenge due to the exploding amounts of unstructured and machine-generated data that companies generate daily from various, disparate sources. The Attunity EFR and MFT solutions help enterprises that want to capitalize on Big Data analytics to better support decision-making and thereby improve their competitive position.
"According to results from Unisphere Research's new 2012 study, 'Big Data, Big Challenges, Big Opportunities', only 19% of organizations are completely confident that their current IT and data infrastructure will be up to the task of handling the data management requirements of Big Data in the coming years," said Thomas J. Wilson, President of Unisphere Research, the market research unit of DBTA. "Now is the time for forward-looking organizations to re-examine their data management processes and evaluate new technologies, including solutions supporting Hadoop and cloud adoption."
"Attunity is very pleased with the qualification of Attunity RepliWeb for EFR and Attunity MFT for Greenplum HD and we look forward to continuing our partnership with EMC Greenplum to ensure that the critical market challenge of the Big Data bottleneck is solved," said Itamar Ankorion, Vice President Business Development and Corporate Strategy at Attunity. "Attunity now offers a complete set of EMC Greenplum-qualified solutions for loading data to both the Greenplum Database and Greenplum HD, facilitating different types of analytic processing to enable customers to capitalize on the value of Big Data Analytics."
About Attunity
Attunity is a leading provider of information availability software solutions that enable access, sharing and distribution of data, including Big Data, across heterogeneous enterprise platforms, organizations, and the cloud. Our software solutions include data replication, change data capture (CDC), data connectivity, enterprise file replication (EFR) and managed-file-transfer (MFT). Using Attunity's software solutions, our customers enjoy significant business benefits by enabling real-time access and availability of data and files where and when needed, across the maze of heterogeneous systems making up today's IT environment.
Attunity has supplied innovative software solutions to its enterprise-class customers for nearly 20 years and has successful deployments at thousands of organizations worldwide. Attunity provides software directly and indirectly through a number of partners such as Microsoft, Oracle, IBM and HP. Headquartered in Boston, Attunity serves its customers via offices in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific and through a network of local partners. For more information, visit http://www.attunity.com or our In Tune blog and join our community on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal Securities laws. Statements preceded by, followed by, or that otherwise include the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "will", "should", "would", "may" and "could" are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. Because such statements deal with future events, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially from Attunity's current expectations.
Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: risks and uncertainties relating to the acquisition of RepliWeb, including costs and difficulties related to integration of acquired businesses, the combined companies' financial results and performance, and ability to repay debt and timing thereof; our liquidity challenges and the need to raise additional capital in the future; market acceptance of the Attunity Replicate and the development of a market for such product; timely availability and customer acceptance of Attunity's new and existing products; any unforeseen developmental or technological difficulties with regard to Attunity's products; changes in the competitive landscape, including new competitors or the impact of competitive pricing and products; a shift in demand for products such as Attunity's products; unknown factors affecting third parties with which Attunity has formed business alliances; the impact on revenues of economic and political uncertainties and weaknesses in various regions of the world, including the commencement or escalation of hostilities or acts of terrorism; and other factors and risks on which Attunity may have little or no control. This list is intended to identify only certain of the principal factors that could cause actual results to differ.
For a more detailed description of the risks and uncertainties affecting Attunity, reference is made to Attunity's latest Annual Report on Form 20-F/A, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the other risk factors discussed from time to time by Attunity in reports filed or furnished to the SEC. Except as otherwise required by law, Attunity undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
© Attunity 2013. All Rights Reserved. Attunity is a registered trademark of Attunity Inc. All other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Press contact:
Melissa Kolodziej, Director of Marketing Communications, Attunity
Tel. 781-730-4073


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Friday, December 02, 2011 - Kaja and Artur - Broke CZ Boys - FULL CONTACT
Kaja and Artur - Broke CZ Boys - FULL CONTACT
Kaja Kolomaz is a great looking guy and we moved quickly to do a solo with him, then we scheduled him for a Broke Czech Guys shoot to see how far we could take him. We lined up Artur Lafek to be with him and what a great pairing they made. Artur starts by rubbing Kaja chest, and then they are told to kiss. Kaja seems a little reticent, with his eyes looking towards the camera often, but they are soon doing it very well. Artur licks and sucks on Kaja's nipples before he it told to do the same for Artur. He licks the nipples and then the armpit, with his hand rubbing over Artur's chest. Then they slowly open the jeans, so they do that, kissing each other as it happens. Then Artur goes down and starts sucking on Kaja's already swollen cock. The cock gets very hard, and Kaja's jeans are soon removed completely, as Artur also has hold of his own hard cock. Then they change so that Kaja can suck for the first time. He seems to do it very well, going up and down on that cock. Then he licks the cock and the balls, moving up and down the shaft. So he has already done very well for his first time and he is then told to rim Artur's hole, he takes that command in his stride and gets down to it without flinching. Next the guys move to a 69, with Artur on top, with his cock fucking in and out of Kaja's mouth. Then comes the big moment, Artur is told to fuck Kaja's ass,so they get in position and Artur slides his dick into Kaja's tight hole. Once it is in Artur starts to fuck. Kaja is feeling it, as his expression confirms, but he takes it like a man. Artur makes sure that dick goes in real deep, fucking in and out very well. Artur changes position, with Kaja laying flat, and starts to fuck much faster, with Kaja feeling it more. Then into a full doggy style and Artur fucking even faster, and spanking Kaja's ass as he does. Kaja really feels it now but he keeps taking it, moving to sit on Artur's dick and riding it. He cock flaps about as he bounces on that throbbing cock. Artur is ready and blows his load over Kaja who then sucks the cock dry. Artur kisses Kaja and wipes some of that cum over his lips and kisses him again. Kaja is wanking himself as he wants to cum. Then he blows his load as Artur diddles his hole with a vibrator. Artur then takes some of the cum and pushes it into Kaja's mouth, rubbing all round his mouth before kissing him. What a great entry for Kaja into guy-guy sex, and didn't he do very well? Artur to was great, as always. Together they made a perfect team.
... more about Kaja and Artur - Broke CZ Boys - FULL CONTACT further in this newsletter
Our Coming Soon Set Preview
We have a lovely duo with Honza Copak and Drew Hemcak. Both are very good looking guys and seemed like a natural pairing. We first see them outside, taking in the sun near a fountain. Sitting by the fountain Honza decides he needs cooling down a bit, and steps into the fountain and sits again. Luckily there was no policeman to see him doing it. Then Drew strips of his shirt and joins Honza. They both get very wet, but at least they are refreshed. They then leave the fountain and go indoors for fun of a different kind. They kiss and strip each other naked and Drew immediately goes to work on Honza's cock, sucking it into his mouth. Honza reciprocates, as Drew lays across the bed. His big,hard cock is throbbing in Honza's mouth. Honza loves that cock as really works on it, then they swap positions so that Drew is sucking Honza's big fat cock, while wanking his own. Next they do a 69, with Honza kneeling over Drew. They suck each other and Drew slips a finger in Honza's ass. He wants more of that ass, so they move and Drew rims Honza before sliding his massive cock into that ass. He fucks hard and fast, with Honza feeling every thrust. Drew wants to go deeper and they move to a spoon position so he can achieve it. His cock is filling Honza's hole and Honza is loving it. He wants to ride that cock and sits on it, bouncing up and down he takes that cock real well. They then move to a missionary postion and Drew really slams his cock in that ass, pounding the hole. Honza is in heaven and wanks himself to a cumshot while Drew is fucking him. Drew fucks even harder and suddenly he is ready and pulls out to shoot his load over Honza's face. Honza sucks the cock back into his mouth to get the last of the cum, to bring a wonderful scene to a very good end.
You can also watch my Vlog for this Newsletter by clicking the video above or over at the Blog:
I'm getting ready to go down to the Battle of Austerlitz re-enactment tomorrow, in Slavko, nee Austerlitz. I try to attend every year. Last year Mike came over from the USA for the battle, there was a blizzard and we couldn't attend. Weather for tomorrow, no rain, no snow, and kind of warm. Should be a great outing, knock on wood. I'll post a video of the battle on YouTube as soon as I can get back to Prague and edit it. The battle was actually fought on the 5th of December, but that's Santa Claus day all over Europe, so they usually re-enact it the Saturday before. I'm really looking forward to it. Watch my Vlog for more details.
MESSAGE ABOUT LINKS TO THE OLD WH WEBSITE - WILLIAMHIGGINS.com ARCHIVES:
Please be aware that the link www.williamhiggins.com takes you to this brand new website now. If you bookmarked our old website in the past and you want to keep the bookmark as a shortest way to access the old WH website you need to change the link in the bookmark to:
You do not need to remember this link, you can conveniently get to the old WH Website - WilliamHiggins.com Archives anytime you need through the "WH 2001-2010" in the top menu of the new WilliamHiggins.com website.
Today's Weather in Prague
We have launched our all new Kink only site with no solos. It's not for the feint hearted. Do take a look (if you dare):
At present, Members of CzechGuysNextDoor will be able to access the new site with their user information. If you have problems, write email@example.com
Latest Sets At Our NEW STR8HELL.com Website
Open Set "Jirka Buzek - SPANKING"
Open Set "Jan and Paul - DUTY BOUND"
Members of CzechGuysnextDoor.com - to log in the member's section of the new STR8HELL website use your present username and password, if you forgot your password or encounter a log in problem please feel free to contact us at: email@example.com
Non-members - you are welcome to browse our complete content - each regular set contains free video preview and free photos, if you decide not to become a member of our website you can also buy sets separately (we huge, well organized and easy to search library of models - there is always few models you may like) you can pay only for what you really want see ;-). You are always welcome to come back.
All members of www.CzechGuysNextDoor.com get a free access to STR8HELL.com till the end of November 2011!
Please use your present CzechGuysNextDoor username and password to log into the members area.
We have terminated updates to CzechGuysNextDoor.com website. CzechGuysNextDoor.com website will stay online, but now only as an archive of all CzechGuysNextdoor.com sets. Anyone who wants to access CzechGuysNextDoor.com Archives needs to have a STR8HELL.com membership. STR8HELL.com will continue with most of the czechguysnextdoor.com projects. Anyone who joins STR8HELL.com will gain access to two websites STR8HELL.com and CzechGuyNextDoor.com Archives which contain 2500+ sets. STR8HELL.com has exactly same features and controls as NEW WilliamHiggins.com website.
Direct access to CzechGuysNextDoor.com website is now through the link: archive.czechguysnextdoor.com or through "Archive Sets 2004-2011" links on the new STR8HELL website.
Thank you for your loyalty to CzechGuysNextDoor.com website,
William Higgins
BurnDVD.tv Website Latest Updates
Starting today you can download our videos in Full HD quality 1920x1080px!
Please remember that most of the videos available on BurnDVD are easily able to be downloaded with a single link, but some of the very large files, such as the newsletter DVDs have to be split into three separate links, as detailed below.
The videos with very large file sizes are now split into more than one part, using a program called HJSplit. If you wish to buy one of these larger videos to Burn to DVD, you will receive a link for file and then it is a simple process to join the downloaded files together to make the .iso file for Burning to DVD.
You can see all the available videos at www.burndvd.tv
Before downloading any videos to burn to DVD I advise you to read the BURNDVD Manual, which explains how you can burn the file to DVD. The file is an ISO file which contains all the required DVD files. The process for burning to DVD is fully explained.
The BurnDVD manual is easy to follow, with a step by step guide. Burning a DVD is easy to do, though it is helpful if you have previously burned DVDs or CDs.
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Our Latest Sets at www.BurnDVD.tv
Today we have a great Broke Czech Guys scene with Kaja Kolomaz and Artur Lafek and Duty Bound with Jan Subrt and Paul Fresh and Jakub Buldra erotic video:
The direct link to "Kaja and Artur"
The direct link to "Jan and Paul"
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subset: commoncrawl


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DOVER — Nothing erases the sting of a disappointing season like a win in a Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl game. Just ask the Dover High School football team.
Last year, the Green Wave avenged a close loss in the Division II championship game with a resounding 41-21 Thanksgiving Day win over Portsmouth, which had won Division III championship just days earlier. Dover finds itself in a similar situation this year. After a 3-7 season which saw the Green Wave come tantalizingly close to wins against three teams that made the playoffs, Dover gets another chance to knock off the D-III champs on Turkey Day.
"There's still a sour taste in our mouth after some of those close losses," said Dover senior running back Colin Shaughnessy. "But we stayed together as a team the whole season, through all the ups and downs, all the close games that turned out to be losses."
The Green Wave and Clippers will meet today at 10 a.m. at Tom Daubney Field. Portsmouth (9-2) is coming off a 54-27 win over Goffstown for its second straight D-III championship.
Dover was more competitive than its record indicated. The Green Wave missed the playoffs, but proved they could play with the best teams in the division. Dover rallied from two touchdowns down to lose by a point at Keene, lost to eventual champion Winnacunnet in overtime and lost in the final minute to Bedford — all teams that made the playoffs.
"We were in some games," Dover coach Ken Osbon said. "The differential, point-wise, in the games we played against teams in the playoffs is real low. Our guys competed."
Dover's numbers were low, which meant the deck was stacked against the Green Wave from the outset. But the Green Wave fought through the adversity and stayed healthy enough to take three playoff teams to the wire.
"It was a tough season," said Dover senior running back Noah Boucher. "We all wish it had gone better. We had our sights set on the championship, but that didn't happen. So now we're going to work with what we've got and try to beat Portsmouth."
Osbon said his staff's approach this season was to give the players the full "Dover football" experience, meaning despite the low numbers, the team would work and perform at the same level they every team in the past had.
"For the most part, I think they really did that," Osbon said. "I wanted to make sure they had the Dover football experience no matter what was going on with our numbers. To send the message that in life, challenges will always come. But the answer isn't to walk away and quit, the answer is to work harder and solve problems."
Last year, the Dover players werent' giving much thought to the Thanksgiving game as they made their run through the D-II tournament. This year has been starkly different, as the Green Wave missed the playoffs and have had more than two weeks to focus on Portsmouth and Portsmouth only.
"After making the playoffs the last two years, you feel like you should be there," senior linebacker Eric Wilson said. "But it's been fun to get ready for Portsmouth. We're trying to beat them for the fourth time. We don't want to lose to them now."
All indications are that this morning's game will mark the last time the two teams will meet on Thanksgiving, at least for a while. Portsmouth athletic director Rus Wilson said that the series will definitely end after today's game, but Osbon hopes it can be resurrected, if not next year, then at some point down the road.
"I certainly would like to see it continue," Osbon said. "I think we've had great games and we're a natural fit for those guys. We've been playing a long time, almost 100 games. When you look around the country at rivalries that have been around for 100 games, there aren't many."
Dover leads the current series 4-2 and has won three straight. The Green Wave rallied for its last two wins, overcoming a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to post a 25-19 overtime win in 2010, and coming back from 14 points down early in last year's contest to pull out a 41-27 win.
"We want to go out on a good note," Shaughnessy said, "and walk off into the sunset."
Dover proved it could play with the best
DOVER — Nothing erases the sting of a disappointing season like a win in a Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl game. Just ask the Dover High School football team.


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Sandacious Guru Friday 08/10/2010, 13:16
I've played mono-Roots in ELO recently and I've been enjoying a pretty solid success rate.
I've seen a lot of complaining about Roots been wrecked by bans, but SoA is such a fearsome bonus that even cards not often used, like Amanie or Jerry, are still forces to be reckoned with in the right situations. Also, no-one seems to be fielding many Stop: abilities because Roots and GHEIST aren't such major players, so Roots are even better.
I can only attribute these complaints to a lack of imagination on the parts of players who seem to think the only options are to use the clan's best cards or not to use the clan at all. There's a huge difference between unstoppable and unplayable, and Roots are in between, not swinging suddenly between one and the other.
Vinyl-Scratch Titan D-Versified Friday 08/10/2010, 13:33
What is there to get about it. *Sigh* why can't people use a dictonary to find what it is.
it [ it ] CORE MEANING: a pronoun used to refer to an object or an animal, and sometimes a baby
It's a lovely baby.
They've had the dog a week, and they still haven't thought of a name for it.
TU-Kass Veteran Team Uk Academy Friday 08/10/2010, 15:51
Rocket, here "it" refers to the people who complain about very good cards being banned. And here's me thinking that people were both objects and animals...
HighFidelity Titan Friday 08/10/2010, 16:00
"Rocket, here "it" refers to the people who complain about very good cards being banned. And here's me thinking that people were both objects and animals..."
Sarcasm is "a sharp, bitter, or cutting expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt."
see also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcasm
Vinyl-Scratch Titan D-Versified Friday 08/10/2010, 16:31
@Lord, I took that definition from a web dictionary. Also no need to be so serious
UM_AaaBattery Moderator URBAN MADNESS Friday 08/10/2010, 17:58
Most decks work even if you ban there main cards.


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I am not a writer.
Sure, I wrote this book, but I am not an actual writer. At least, I don't think of myself that way.
I'm a graphic designer by trade, and I took some time off from work when my kids were babies. I knew I'd eventually have to go back to a salary to help pay the bills, but I was going to milk living in yoga pants and not showering until dinnertime for as long as I possibly could. There was nothing about wearing heels and lipstick to an office that I missed, but the slothfulness did come with a cost. While I certainly didn't miss the work, I missed having something—anything—to myself. Endless games of peekaboo and board books were not as fulfilling as I thought they would be; I felt like I was drowning in boredom and lame nursery rhymes. So, on a whim, I started a blog.
It seemed like as good a solution as any: I'd be able to keep a baby book of sorts for the kids—kind of a modern-day love letter—and it would give me something to focus on between laundry, diaper changes, and grocery shopping. Plus, it meant I wouldn't have to send those annoying picture-filled e-mails to friends and family. What did I have to lose? Nothing, it turned out, but I had no idea just how very much I would gain.
I wrote about my struggles to get the "perfect" photo of my children and my frustrations with the terrible twos. I shared cute little pictures and art projects and stories, but I never dreamed that anyone not closely connected to me would ever read them. But a few weeks in, something amazing happened: I got a comment from someone other than my mother or my best friend. Someone, from thousands of miles away, who had somehow found and related to me. I clicked on her name and found that she had a blog of her own, where she, too, shared her views on motherhood and parenting. They were different from mine but fascinating to read about. From there, I clicked around and found that there were hundreds, thousands of moms writing about their lives and views. It was a whole wide world I'd accidentally fallen into. And I was hooked.
As my site grew, so did the sense of community. Where I once felt alone in my feelings of exhaustion and imperfection, I suddenly had other moms from all around the world understanding and relating to me. Likewise, the honest thoughts about motherhood that had existed only in my head started creeping up on the blog. I began to consider my posts as facilitators for the larger discussion that took place in the comments. People added their own experiences and stories, and I laughed and cried and learned from them. We all have stories to tell, and I loved that people were using my space to open up with their own.
A few years after starting my site, I added an anonymous confessional, sensing that there was so much more my readers might say if they could do so without leaving a username or picture. The reaction was amazing. Some confessions were sad, some were pee-in-your-pants funny, and some were brutally honest, but they were real. You'll see confessions at the start of each chapter and that's where they're from. Real moms leaving real thoughts, without fearing judgment or negative reactions. I'm sure you'll be able to find reflections of yourself in at least a few of them. We're really not all that different from one another.
It's my hope that this book will act in much the same way my blog does. While you may not be able to comment on posts the way you would online, the book may inspire you to connect with people—to talk about some of the funny stuff and the hard stuff—in ways you might not have before. Open up with your friends about how hard it is to raise a girl. Admit to your neighbor how much you despise the pool. Use this book as a lifeline when you find yourself drowning in mommyhood.
To my Scary Mommy community members: Thank you. Thank you for showing me a side of me I never knew existed and for making a dream I never knew I had come true.
Mommy Confessions
• I confess that most days, I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing. Everyone thinks I have it all together—good wife, good mom, successful career—but I really don't. I'm ready to stop pretending to be perfect now.
• I tried for seven years to get pregnant and now that I'm a mother, I wonder whether it was all worth it.
• If I have to watch Barney one more time, I may have to stick a fork in my eye. Actually, then I'd get some attention. Maybe not such a bad idea.
• I sometimes try to get sick, just so I have an excuse to go to sleep at 6:00 p.m.
• I joined a gym just for the free day care. I drop the kids off and read magazines and blogs in the locker room.
• I pretend to be happy being a stay-at-home mom but sometimes I feel like I'm slowly dying. I cry every night in the shower. This isn't what I thought it would be.
• I kiss my young teenager good-bye in the morning as she leaves for school, rising above the hormone-fueled snarling and histrionics. Then I close the front door and flip her off, with both hands.
• I miss the career I gave up more than I miss my son when I go to the grocery store. But I always get to go back to him.
• Hidden in the pantry in a box labeled "flour" is top-of-the-line chocolate and a few joints. I rarely resort to it, but it's a comfort knowing it's there.
There are a million ironies in motherhood: The day you decide to change the sheets will inevitably be the night your child wets the bed. With a million toys in the house, your baby will without a doubt prefer to play with pots and pans from the kitchen cabinet than with any expensive learning game, and your kids will always fall asleep early for the sitter who gets paid by the hour to entertain them. It's unfair, uncool, and unjust, but, unfortunately, it's the way it is. Perhaps, though, the biggest irony out there is that despite never actually being alone (can you remember the last time you peed in peace?), as a mother you can feel totally isolated.
A few years ago, I was a stay-at-home mom to three kids, ranging in age from a newborn to a four-year-old. I was living in a new house, in a new town, among unfamiliar neighbors. It was lonely and overwhelming and I was bordering on miserable. A fellow mom from down the street stopped by our house to introduce herself and ask how my days were going. Half joking, I responded, "The baby is a bit of an asshole, but he'll grow out of it. We'll survive." The look on her face was enough to let me know not only that I had offended her, but that we would not be spending our afternoons commiserating together. She had three young kids, as well—was she not going slowly insane, too? Did she not long for an afternoon without kids wiping snot on her jeans and a baby spitting up constantly? Did she not lock herself in the bathroom, ignoring the whining on the other side of the door? Apparently not. Or she faked it a hell of a lot better than I was able to.
We like to paint motherhood as a picture-perfect experience, filled with idyllic children and beaming mothers. A perfect newborn peacefully resting on his mother's chest. A toddler taking tentative first steps into the loving arms of his mother, who is smiling proudly and wiping tears of joy from her cheeks. A mother's long, blond hair trailing in the wind as she holds hands with and runs alongside her beautiful, impeccably dressed children. A mother and daughter sipping tea and painting each other's nails, telling each other their deepest secrets and dreams. A mother leading Girl Scout troops and chairing PTA events and fluffing her daughter's prom dress before her nervous date knocks on the front door.
Those moments of motherhood are indeed miraculous and joyful; they can also be few and far between.
What if that baby never latches properly and breast-feeding becomes a nightmare that results in both baby and mother sobbing for hours on end? What if instead of happily reading together with her child for hours, the mother of a tough toddler wonders, just for an instant, whether there is something more to life than puzzles and ABCs? What if a mother, once her teenage child leaves the door, breathes a sigh of relief that the drama is temporarily on hold and drinks a glass of wine alone in the bathtub?
Do these things make motherhood any less perfect?
Of course not: they make motherhood real.
Motherhood isn't a chain of wondrous little moments strung together in one perfectly orchestrated slide show. It's dirty and scary and beautiful and hard and miraculous and exhausting and thankless and joyful and frustrating all at once. It's everything. Anyone who claims that motherhood is only the good stuff is simply in denial (or she's on some serious drugs). Admitting that this job isn't always easy doesn't make somebody a bad mother. At least, it shouldn't.
We're all on this ride together. We are not the first ones to ever accidentally tell our children to shut up, or wonder—just for a moment—what it would be like if we'd never had children. We aren't the first mothers to feel overwhelmed and challenged and not entirely fulfilled by motherhood. And we certainly won't be the last.
Nothing can be lost by admitting our weaknesses and imperfections to one another. In fact, quite the opposite is true. We will be better mothers, better wives, and better women if we are able to finally drop the act and get real. Who are we pretending for, anyway? It is my hope that no other mother feels as alone as I felt those first few months of motherhood. There are millions of us mothers, all feeling the same way, all across the globe. All we need to do is find one another.
Scary Mommies of the world, unite!
The Scary Mommy
Please solemnly recite the following before proceeding:
I shall maintain a sense of humor about all things motherhood, for without it, I recognize that I may end up institutionalized. Or, at the very least, completely miserable.
I shall not judge the mother in the grocery store who, upon entering, hits the candy aisle and doles out M&M's to her screaming toddler. It is simply a survival mechanism.
I shall not compete with the mother who effortlessly bakes from scratch, purees her own baby food, or fashions breathtaking costumes from tissue paper. Motherhood is not a competition. The only ones who lose are the ones who race the fastest.
I shall shoot the parents of the screaming newborn on the airplane looks of compassion rather than resentment. I am fortunate to be able to ditch the kid upon landing. They, however, are not.
I shall never ask any woman whether she is, in fact, expecting. Ever.
I shall not question the mother who is wearing the same yoga pants, flip-flops, and T-shirt she wore to school pickup the day before. She has good reason.
I shall never claim to know everything about children other than my own (who still remain a mystery to me).
I shall hold the new babies belonging to friends and family, so they may shower and nap, which is all any new mother really wants.
I shall strive to pass down a healthy body image to my daughter. She deserves a mother who loves and respects herself; stretch marks, dimples, cellulite, and all.
I shall not preach the benefits of breast-feeding or circumcision or homeschooling or organic food or co-sleeping or crying it out to a fellow mother who has not asked my opinion. It's none of my damn business.
I shall try my hardest to never say never, for I just may end up with a loud mouthed, bikini-clad, water gun–shooting toddler of my very own.
I shall remember that no mother is perfect and that my children will thrive because of, and sometimes even in spite of, me.
An Honest and Irreverent Look at Motherhood: The Good, The Bad, and the Scary
Confessions of a Scary Mommy
An Honest and Irreverent Look at Motherhood: The Good, The Bad, and the Scary
Sometimes I just let my children fall asleep in front of the TV.
In a culture that idealizes motherhood, it's scary to confess that, in your house, being a mother is beautiful and dirty and joyful and frustrating all at once. Admitting that it's not easy doesn't make you a bad mom; at least, it shouldn't.
If I can't survive my daughter as a toddler, how the hell am I going to get through the teenage years?
When Jill Smokler was first home with her small children, she thought her blog would be something to keep friends and family updated. To her surprise, she hit a chord in the hearts of mothers everywhere.
I end up doing my son's homework. It's wrong, but so much easier.
Total strangers were contributing their views on that strange reality called motherhood. As other women shared their stories, Jill realized she wasn't alone in her feelings of exhaustion and imperfection.
My eighteen month old still can't say "Mommy" but used the word "shit" in perfect context.
But she sensed her readers were still holding back, so decided to start an anonymous confessional, a place where real moms could leave their most honest thoughts without fearing condemnation.
I pretend to be happy but I cry every night in the shower.
The reactions were amazing: some sad, some pee-in-your-pants funny, some brutally honest. But they were real, not a commercial glamorization.
I clock out of motherhood at 8 P.M. and hide in the basement with my laptop and a beer.
If you're already a fan, lock the bathroom door on your whining kids, run a bubble bath, and settle in. If you've not encountered Scary Mommy before, break out a glass of champagne as well, because you'll be toasting your initiation into a select club.
I know why some animals eat their young.
In chapters that cover husbands (The Biggest Baby of Them All) to homework (Didn't I Already Graduate?), Confessions of a Scary Mommy combines all-new essays from Jill with the best of the anonymous confessions.
Sometimes I wish my son was still little—then I hear kids screaming at the store.
As Jill says, "We like to paint motherhood as picture perfect. A newborn peacefully resting on his mother's chest. A toddler taking tentative first steps into his mother's loving arms. A mother fluffing her daughter's prom dress. These moments are indeed miraculous and joyful; they can also be few and far between." Of course you adore your kids. Of course you would lay down your life for them. But be honest now: Have you ever wondered what possessed you to sign up for the job of motherhood?
I shall remember that no mother is perfect and my children will thrive because, and sometimes even in spite, of me.
I shall not preach to a fellow mother who has not asked my opinion. It's none of my damn business.
I shall maintain a sense of humor about all things motherhood.
- Gallery Books |
- 176 pages |
- April 2012


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|Bud Luckey
Donnie Budd was a hillbilly fiddler who fiddled and sang songs about numbers from 2 through 6. He was voiced by Bud Luckey, who created and animated his segments for Season 3 of Sesame Street.
Some of his songs were re-recorded for The Count Counts. On this album, the singer was identified as the Amazing Slim and was voiced by Jim Henson.
- Country #2 (Two Toucan Two-Steps) (EKA: Episode 0353)
- Two toucans do a two step. This segment was included in the videos Learning About Numbers and The Great Numbers Game. In the song listing on the back cover of The Great Numbers Game, this song is called "Country Two". This song was also featured on the Out of This World (soundtrack) sung by The Count.
- Country #3 (Three on Lady's Lap) (EKA: Episode 0354)
- Three boars, Pekingese dogs, and snapping turtles get together on a fat woman's lap. This song was included in The Count Counts, where the singer was identified as "the Amazing Slim and His Counting Fools, with 'Red' Sales and His Son Seth" and the song was titled "The '3' Song."
- Country #4 (Four Lions at My Door) (EKA: Episode 0344)
- Donnie sings about the number four when he is suddenly visited by four lions. This segment was included in Learning About Numbers and The Count Counts (which gives the title as "Four Big Lions"), and in the Shalom Sesame episode "Kibbutz".
- Country #5 (Funny Farm) (EKA: Episode 0441)
- Dogs, chickens, cats, frogs, and cows make the wrong sounds.
- Country #6 (Six Snails) (EKA: Episode 0346)
- This song was included in The Count Counts, entitled "Country Six." In this song, the eponymous half-dozen snails leave silvery trails in their wake. These trails become other things, like nails (the tips of which turn into sails on boats).


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sogood wrote:There are always new research papers being published on the matter of calorie/weight control. Here's a good one and one that makes good sense.
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/diet-an ... 1tjef.html
The associated new calculator is at,
IME, dietitians realize a consistent weight loss rate is reliant on a consistent Calorie deficit, as bodyweight declines.
I've never heard an Australian dietitian give advice such as reduce your food intake by one latte per day to attain a consistent rate of wt loss.


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【Management Termination of LOISIR HOTEL ASAHIKAWA 】
Please be informed that September 30th 2015, LOISIR HOTEL ASAHIKAWA has left the Solare Hotels and Resorts network.
Solare Hotels & Resorts wish to thank you very much for your encouragement and support over the years for the LOISIR HOTEL ASAHIKAWA and hope to be able to serve you at our other hotels and resorts located throughout Japan.
Our Hotels in Hokkaido Area


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Maps and Directions to Everglades Holiday ParkFrom I-75, take Griffin Road and go west past U.S. 27. The park will be directly ahead.
From I-595, take I-75 south to Griffin Road and exit west. Go past U.S. 27 and the park will be directly ahead.
Google map
Everglades Holiday Park21940 Griffin Rd.Fort Lauderdale, FL 33332Office: 954-357-8868, ext. 0 (Markham Park & Target Range)


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PA SWAG 7 on 7 top performers
The PA SWAG Northeast Elite 7 on 7 Tournament took place this past weekend at Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School in Pennsylvania, and many top prospects were on hand. As always, Rivals.com was on the scene to break down the top performers combined for both days of action. Led by Elkton (Md.) Eastern Christian Academy cornerback Brandon Watson, who has offers from Boston College, Connecticut, Rutgers and Temple, here's a breakdown of the best.
1. CB Brandon Watson, ELKTON (MD.) EASTERN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Whenever the football was in the vicinity of Watson, it was either getting intercepted or it was going to be an incompletion. As Flash Training worked toward another 7 on 7 title, Watson was dominant in coverage. He consistently got a good punch at the line of scrimmage in man coverage, and when playing off he closed quickly on the football. As receivers attempted double moves, Watson ran with the opposition step for step, showing great change of direction. The most impressive part of Watson's day was successfully defending a number of jump balls in the end zone against taller receivers.
2. WR Chris Godwin, MIDDLETOWN, DEL.
Godwin has excelled at previous camps, and he continued that trend. Godwin is a thick receiver who continues to learn how to use that size to his advantage. He was a nightmare matchup for a majority of the defensive backs he faced, and his combination of size, strength, route-running ability and hands made him one of the more dynamic players at the tournament.
3. ATH Montae Nicholson, MONROEVILLE (PA.) GATEWAY
While he is considered more of a defensive prospect, Nicholson stood out on the offensive side of the football. Nicholson ran his routes with precision, making his quarterbacks look good as he corralled any passes thrown in his direction. He made one of the highlight touchdown grabs of the weekend as he leaped over two defenders on the goal line to come down with the score. Looking closer to 210 pounds, Nicholson moves extremely well for an athlete his size.
4. QB Andrew Ford, CAMP HILL (PA.) CEDAR CLIFF
Ford was one of the more impressive prospects during the event. Possessing solid size and better than expected arm strength, Ford dissected most of the defenses he faced. He also showed the ability to throw a nice deep ball and, probably most impressive, he made extremely smart decisions on a consistent basis. Ford has two offers, but with a number of schools coming through to check him out this spring, it will be a surprise if that number does not grow quickly.
5. ATH Curtis Samuel, BROOKLYN (N.Y.) ERASMUS HALL CAMPUS
Despite inconsistent play from his quarterbacks, which resulted in limited opportunities, it was still easy to see why some of the better programs in the country have offered Samuels. When put into open space, he showed a tremendous ability to make people miss, a nice burst and top-level athleticism.
6. QB David Sills, ELKTON (MD.) EASTERN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (2015)
The windy conditions made it difficult to throw the ball, especially on vertical routes, but Sills found a way to throw catchable footballs to his receivers in stride. Although as a young quarterback he could stand to get stronger, Sills' decision making was the most impressive part of his game. He didn't force throws; he calmly went through his progressions and made the correct decisions.
7. WR Freddy Canteen, ELKTON (MD.) EASTERN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Canteen got the job done on both sides of the ball during the tournament. During the first day, he was one of the defensive leaders as his Flash Training squad did not allow a score. On Day 2 during the playoffs, Canteen excelled in finding openings across the middle and his impressive route running was highlighted by a few double moves that led to easy scores.
8. RB Quadree Henderson, WILMINGTON (DEL.) ALEXIS I.DUPONT (2015) After an impressive showing this year at the NLA event in Ohio, Henderson worked out of the slot for Team Delaware. He made a number of acrobatic catches while showcasing the ability to make defenders miss in the open field to gain yards after the catch, which is rare in this setting.
9. RB Daquan Worley, COATESVILLE (PA.) COATESVILLE AREA SENIOR
While he also made plays on the offensive side of the ball, Worley was assigned the task of guarding the opposition's best receiver and he didn't disappoint. Worley has added quality weight in his upper body over the past year, which allowed him to physically match up with some of the bigger receivers throughout the tournament. Worley did a great job of recovering and making a play on the football on the few occasions that it looked like he was beat.
10. QB Darius Wade, MIDDLETOWN, DEL.
The recent Boston College commitment showed many of the skills that his future ACC school can look forward to. He improved nicely as the event progressed, and despite occasional windy conditions, he consistently moved his offense. The lefty showed good zip on the ball and nice touch when necessary, and he threw well on the run.
11. WR K.J. Williams, BETHLEHEM (PA.) LIBERTY
Inconsistent play at quarterback made it difficult for Williams to have the type of day we are accustomed to seeing from the Rivals250 WR. Williams did his best work across the middle of the field during this event. He would attack the football in traffic, showing great concentration and strength.
12. WR Troy Simons, PITTSBURGH (PA.) RENAISSANCE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
No longer under the radar after making the top performers list at the previous weekend's NLA event in New Jersey, Simons showed great body control to adjust to the ball in the air on vertical routes. As seen last week, he excelled in jump-ball situations. He used his long frame to come down with the football as he led Team 412 to the championship game.
This was the first time we've seen the Florida StateClick 13. QB J.J. Cosentino, PITTSBURGH (PA.) CENTRAL CATHOLIC Here to view this Link. commitment live, and it is evident why Jimbo FisherClick 13. QB J.J. Cosentino, PITTSBURGH (PA.) CENTRAL CATHOLIC Here to view this Link. was aggressive in pursuing the Western Pennsylvania signal caller. Cosentino has legit size, sound mechanics and a live arm. The biggest knock on Cosentino at this event would be that a few of his throws on underneath routes got away from him, but his stable of receivers made plays on the football.
14. TE Trey Klock, HUMMELSTOWN (PA.) LOWER DAUPHIN
Our first chance to see Klock in person was not a disappointment. Every bit of his listed 6-foot-4, 260-pound size, Klock moved well, showed good feet and ran nice, crisp routes. He was used as a red-zone target numerous times during the event because of his size, which resulted in several short touchdown receptions. He also showed reliable hands, even getting low to catch a couple of underthrown balls.
15. WR Marcus Johnson, PITTSBURGH (PA.) UNIVERSITY PREP Following in the footsteps of his teammate Simons, Johnson used the PA Swag 7 on 7 as his coming-out party. Johnson's length and leaping ability allowed him to grab errant passes throughout the day, and his deceptive speed caught teams off guard as he constantly got behind the defense. He needs to add bulk because some of the defensive backs controlled him once they got their hands on him, but Johnson was one of the pleasant surprises of the weekend.
Shawn Brown and Mark Pszonak contributed to this report.
Click Here to view this Link.


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Style # 215344
With a luxe polyester chiffon fabric, sexy crossover neckline and waist-cinching self-tie, this bebe dress is sure to create gorgeous day or night looks. Try yours with a statement necklace and a pair of strappy sandals.
- 100% polyester
- Center back to hem: 37" (94 cm)
- Dry clean
- Imported
- Model is 5'9" and is wearing a US size S


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CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) - A picture helps keep a moment from running away. After losing his wife to lung cancer, a Cincinnati father re-created the pictures they took on their wedding day with the couple's daughter.
On Ben and Ali Nunery's big day in 2009, they posed inside their new, and still empty, house. The backdrop of a soon-to-be-decorated home in the photos help to capture the newlyweds' moment of excitement, happiness and love.
In March 2011, 31-year-old Ali was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer called Sarcomatoid Carcinoma. She passed away eight months later, leaving behind her husband and a 1-year-old daughter named Olivia.
Ali's sister, Melanie Pace, took the wedding photos and posted them on her professional photography blog, 'loft(3) photography'. In December of this year, Ben and Olivia moved from the home -- a place that holds memories of Ali.
With the house empty once again, Ben asked his sister-in-law Melanie to take pictures of him and his now 3-year-old daughter.
Melanie was able to recreate the original wedding day shots with ones of Ben and Olivia. Where her mother once stood, Olivia stands.
And the outcome is powerful.
Copyright 2013 WXIX. All rights reserved.


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A beautiful, Intelligent, sophisticated, well spoken girl. Not easily reassured. Complex in many way's but extremely lovable. Confident in most but there natural beauty. Their favorite flower is the bleeding heart. They like natural earth tones. They are very affectionate and loving. When in a relationship they are very committed and dedicated. They are honest and genuine people. There classy and chic. There themselves no matter what and when it comes to peoples opinions of them they hear them out but don't take it to heart. They are emotional yet self-assured. They do not accept correction easily and have the personality of a leader. School is usually there main priority and they love being in relationships. Single bores them easily.
Chastery is not a common name. Girls with the name Chastery are hard to come by but when you do don't mess up. When they love they LOVE.
by BeautifulIndividual May 19, 2011
buy the domain for your cat site


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How To Become A Mining Engineer in Arizona
In order to qualify for Mineral Engineering jobs in Arizona, you should compare all available technical schools in your target area, as well as consider taking some of your mining engineering courses online. Check with each engineering school below for assistance with certificate program requirements, degree prerequisites, and class registration. You may request information from several different schools below, without making a commitment.
To prepare for Mineral Engineering careers in Arizona, you need to complete a technical education in your specialty area, as well as consider taking part of your required courses online. Which college degrees give you the best chances of finding employment after graduation? As the entrance requirements for engineering programs vary, learn about the various specialization options available. Check with the mining engineering department for course registration deadlines, and engineering program requirements.
Mining and geological engineers design mines to safely and efficiently remove minerals such as coal and metals for use in manufacturing and utilities. Geological engineers in particluar are charged with searching for mineral deposits through satellite data and ground sonar, and then evaluating potential digging sites. Once a site is identified, they plan how the metals or minerals will be extracted in an efficient and environmentally sound way.
A Professional Engineering (PE) license, which allows for higher levels of leadership and independence, can be acquired later in one's career. Licensed engineers are called professional engineers (PE). A professional engineer can sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public. State licensure requires a degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program, a passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, and 4 years of work experience. The initial FE exam can be taken after one earns a bachelor's degree. Engineers who pass this exam are commonly called engineers in training (EIT) or engineer interns. Beyond major requirements within the mining engineering department, you may consider Hodges University agronomy as a complementary elective.


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Share of renewable energy in final energy consumption
Go to latest version
Justification for indicator selection
Electricity and heat produced from renewable energy sources are generally considered more environmentally benign than other sources. Replacing part of the traditional transport fuels with biofuels could also have a positive environmental impact (e.g. reduced life-cycle GHG emissions), depending on which biomass is used, how and where it is grown and transported and which transformation technology is used. An increased share of renewable energy sources in final energy consumption is thus likely to reduce pressures on the environment and human health resulting from energy production.
This indicator is closely linked with ENER 29, and ENER 38
Scientific references
- EEA (2009) - EEA Scientific Committee, Suspend 10 percent biofuels target, says EEA's scientific advisory body
- EU (2009a) Climate action and renewable energy package (CARE Package)
- EU(2011) Recent progress in developing renewable energy sources and technical evaluation of the use of biofuels and other renewable fuels in transport in accordance with Article 3 of Directive 2001/77/EC and Article 4(2) of Directive 2003/30/EC (SEC2011)
- EU(2010) Summary of the Member States Forecast Documents Article 4 of Directive 2009/28/EC on Renewable Energy requires Member States to submit national renewable energy Action Plans by 30 June 2010. These plans, to be prepared in accordance with the template published by the European Commission (EC), provide detailed roadmaps of how each Member State expects to reach its legally binding 2020 target for the share of renewable energy in their final energy consumption.
- EU project RE-SHAPING ("Shaping an effective and efficient European renewable energy market") EU project RE-SHAPING ("Shaping an effective and efficient European renewable energy market") to assist Member State governments in preparing for the implementation of the RES Directive and to shape a European policy for RES in the medium to long term
Indicator definition
Final Renewable Energy Consumption is the amount of renewable energy consumed in the member states with actual and normalised hydro and wind power generation and the share in the total final energy consumption. The final renewable energy consumption is composed of renewable energy for heat, renewable energy for electricity and the use of biofuels in transport
The indicator is developed for measuring the contribution to the 2020 objectives on renewable energy for the EU-27. The Directive 2009/28/EC establishes an overall EU binding target of a 20 % share of renewable energy sources in energy consumption, as well as binding national targets by 2020 in line with the overall target. The overall share of renewable energy in the final energy consumption[1] includes consumption of electricity and heat from renewable energy sources as well as biofuels consumption.
[1] Final Renewable Energy Consumption is the amount of renewable energy consumed in the member states with actual and normalised 15-year hydro power generation and 4-year wind and the share in the total final energy consumption. Due to this constraints, normalized data are only available from 2004 to 2009.
Final energy consumption, Distribution losses, Consumption - Electricity generation sector: MToe
Gross inland consumption, Total gross electricity generation: GWh
Policy context and targets
Context description
Environmental context
The share of electricity consumption from renewable energy sources provides a broad indication of progress towards reducing the environmental impact of electricity consumption on the environment as renewable electricity is generally considered to have lower life-cycle environmental impact per unit of electricity produced than fossil-fuelled power plants. Increasing the share of renewables in electricity consumption will help the EU to reduce the GHG emissions from power generation but the overall impact will depend on which generation sources are being replaced in the energy system.
Emissions of air pollutants are also generally lower for renewable electricity production than for electricity produced from fossil fuels. The exception to this is the incineration of Municipal and Solid Waste (MSW), which due to high costs of separation, usually involves the combustion of some mixed wastes including materials contaminated with heavy metals. Emissions to the atmosphere from MSW incineration are subject to stringent regulations including tight controls on emissions of cadmium, mercury, and other such substances.
The exploitation of renewable energy sources may have negative impacts on landscapes, habitats and ecosystems, although many impacts can be minimised through careful site selection. Hydropower schemes in particular can have adverse impacts including flooding, disruption of ecosystems and hydrology, and socio-economic impacts if resettlement is required (for large hydro). Some solar photovoltaic schemes require relatively large quantities of heavy metals in their construction and geothermal energy can release pollutant gases carried by hot fluids if not properly controlled. Wind turbines can have visual impacts on the areas in which they are sited. Some types of biomass and biofuel crops have considerable land, water and agricultural input requirements such as fertilisers and pesticides.
Policy context
The Europe 2020 growth growth strategy aims to address shortcoming of the European economic model while creating coditions for smarter, more sustainable and inclusive growth. One of the headline targets include the objective of increasing the share of renewable energy in final energy consumption to 20% by 2020.
The Directive 2012/27/eu on energy efficiency establishes a common framework of measures for the promotion of energy efficiency within the European Union in order to achieve the headline target of 20% reduction in gross inland energy consumption. Member States are requested to set indicative targets. It is up to the Member states whether they base their targets on gross inland consumption, final energy consumption, primary or final energy savings or energy intensity. This directive has a direct impact on the renewables target since it aims to reduce the final energy consumption, thus making the renewables target easier to reach.
A Roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy in 2050 (COM(2011) 112 final). Presents a roadmap for action in line with a 80-95% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2050.
On 15 December 2011, the European Commission adopted the Communication "Energy Roadmap 2050". The EU is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 80-95% below 1990 levels by 2050 in the context of necessary reductions by developed countries as a group. In the Energy Roadmap 2050 the Commission explores the challenges posed by delivering the EU's decarbonisation objective while at the same time ensuring security of energy supply and competitiveness.
On 10 November 2010, the European Commission has adopted the Communication "Energy 2020 - A strategy for competitive, sustainable and secure energy". The Communication defines the energy priorities for the next ten years and sets the actions to be taken in order to tackle the challenges of saving energy, achieving a market with competitive prizes and secure supplies, boosting technological leadership, and effectively negotiate with our international partners.
Council adopted on 6 April 2009 the climate-energy legislative package containing measures to fight climate change and promote renewable energy. This package is designed to achieve the EU's overall environmental target of a 20 % reduction in greenhouse gases and a 20 % share of renewable energy in the EU's total energy consumption by 2020.The climate action and renewable energy (CARE) package includes the following main policy documents:
- Directive 2009/29/EC of the European parliament and of the Council amending directive 2003/87/ec so as to improve and extend the greenhouse gas emission allowance trading scheme of the community
- Directive 2009/31/EC of the European parliament and of the Council on the geological storage of carbon dioxide
- Directive 2009/28/EC of the European parliament and of the Council on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources
- Community guidelines on state aid for environmental protection (2008/c 82/01)
- Directive 2008/101/EC of the European parliament and of the Council amending directive 2003/87/ec so as to include aviation activities in the scheme for greenhouse gas Emission allowance trading within the community
- Regulation (EC) no 443/2009 of the European parliament and of the Council setting emission performance standards for new passenger cars as part of the community's integrated approach to reduce CO2 emissions from light-duty vehicles
Directive 2006/12/EC on waste requires all EU Member States to take the necessary measures to ensure that waste is treated and disposed of correctly, sets targets for re-use and recycling, and requires Member States to draw up binding national programmes for waste prevention.
Second Strategic Energy Review; COM(2008) 781 final
Strategic review on short, medium and long term targets on EU energy security.
The European Strategic Energy Technology Plan; COM(2007) 723
Focuses on bringing new renewable energy technologies to market competitiveness.
For the transport sector (see CSI 037)
Policy Targets
In 2009 the European Commission adopted a new directive on renewable energy[1] that set an ambitious target of 20% share of energy from renewable sources in final energy consumption by 2020 for the EU-27 and a 10% share of renewable energy in the transport sector.
In 2010, five countries almost reached their targets for 2020: Sweden and Romania are the closest with, 98% each of the target in 2010, followed by Estonia (97%), Austria (89%) and Bulgaria (86%) (see Figure 3).
According to a recent progress report of the EC (EU, 2011), progress in deploying renewable energy has been made across the EU in recent years. However, the report also highlights that there is still limited convergence in Member States' performance in developing renewable energy sources.
Further growth to achieve the 20% target will depend on further fine-tuning of existing policy frameworks, improved market conditions for grid access of renewable sources, fully implementing a guarantee of origin system to allow further development of renewable consumer market. In addition, a better, more integrated planning would be required to ensure not only high efficiency of investment and accelerated pace of development but also that the penetration of these sources takes place in a manner that would minimize the environmental impact within and outside the European Union.
Use of flexible mechanisms as provided by the Renewable Directive
The Renewable Energy Directive requires Member States to submit National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs)[2]; these (NREAPs) detail road maps of how each Member State expects to reach its legally binding 2020 target for the share of renewable energy in their final energy consumption and establish pathways for the development of renewable energy sources including bioenergy, creates cooperation mechanisms to help achieve the targets cost effectively and establishes sustainability criteria for biofuels.
Flexible and cooperative measures have been proposed into the directive in order to help countries achieve their targets in a cost-effective way without undermining market stability. The European target of 20% of RES share in final energy consumption by 2020 is build through an allocation of national targets based on a flat rate approach (same additional share for each country) adjusted to the Member State's GDP. As the available RES varies across countries, the Directive provides for three cooperation mechanisms[3] that will allow Member States with low or expensive RES potential to achieve their national RES target in cooperation with other member states with higher RES potential and lower production costs. The three intra EU cooperation mechanisms are: statistical transfer, joint projects and join support schemes (as described below). Additionally Member State can also import RES electricity from third countries outside EU ("joint projects between Member States and third countries").
- Member States may agree on the statistical transfer of a specified amount of renewable energy between themselves. Renewable energy is thus virtually transferred to the RES statistics of another Member State, counting towards the national RES target of the latter Member State.
- Joint projects are RES electricity or heating/cooling projects between two or several Member States; one Member State may provide financial support for a RES project in another country and count (part of) the project's energy production towards its own target. They can also cooperate on any type of joint project relating to the production of renewable energy, involving private operators if they like.
- In the case of joint support schemes, two or more Member States may decide, on a voluntary basis, to join or partly coordinate their national support schemes in order to help achieve their targets. In such cases, a certain amount of energy from renewable sources produced in the territory of one participating Member State may count towards the national overall target of another participating Member State.
According to the Member States forecasts in their NREAPs[4], ten countries expect to have a surplus in 2020 compared to their binding target. This surplus could be available to transfer to another Member State. The quantity is estimated at around 5.5 Mtoe, or around 2% of the total renewables needed in 2020. Five Member States expect to have a deficit (Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta) in 2020 compared to their binding target for the share of renewable energy in their final energy consumption. These Member States thus require transfers from another Member State or third country, through the use of the Directive's cooperation mechanisms. The quantity amounts to around 2 Mtoe (<1% of the total renewable energy needed in 2020). According to these forecast documents, the total production of renewable energy would exceed the 20% target and reach 20.3% in 2020.
[1] Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources
[2] NREAP should be submitted by 30 June 2010
[3] The Directive uses the term "cooperation mechanisms" instead of "flexibility mechanisms" in order to distinguish these mechanisms from the Kyoto flexible mechanisms.
[4] Results from the European Commission (2010), " Summary of the Member States Forecast documents" available on the website http://ec.europa.eu/energy/renewables/action_plan_en.htm
Related policy documents
Directive on Waste
Directive 2008/101/ec of the European parliament and of the Council amending directive 2003/87/ec so as to include aviation activities in the scheme for greenhouse gas Emission allowance trading within the community
2008/c 82/01
Community guidelines on state aid for environmental protection (2008/c 82/01)
Directive 2009/29/ec of the European parliament and of the Council amending directive 2003/87/ec so as to improve and extend the greenhouse gas emission allowance trading scheme of the community.
Directive 2009/31/ec of the European parliament and of the Council on the geological storage of carbon dioxide.
Climate action and renewable energy package (CARE Package)
Combating climate change is a top priority for the EU. Europe is working hard to cut its greenhouse gas emissions substantially while encouraging other nations and regions to do likewise.
COM (2011) 112 - A Roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy in 2050
With its "Roadmap for moving to a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050" the European Commission is looking beyond these 2020 objectives and setting out a plan to meet the long-term target of reducing domestic emissions by 80 to 95% by mid-century as agreed by European Heads of State and governments. It shows how the sectors responsible for Europe's emissions - power generation, industry, transport, buildings and construction, as well as agriculture - can make the transition to a low-carbon economy over the coming decades.
Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-plan); COM(2007) 723
European Commission, Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources, Brussels, 2008
COM(2008) 781 final - Second Strategic Energy Review
COM(2010) 639 final: Energy 2020 – A strategy for competitive, sustainable and secure energy
A strategy for competitive, sustainable and secure energy
COM(2012) 271 final
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: "Renewable Energy : a major player in the European energy market"
DIRECTIVE 2001/77/EC Renewable electricity
Directive 2001/77/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 September 2001 on the promotion of electricity produced from renewable energy sources in the internal electricity market
Directive 2003/30/EC, use of biofuels and renewable fuels
Promotion of the use of biofuels and other renewable fuels for transport. Directive 2003/30/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 May 2003 on the promotion of the use of biofuels and other renewable fuels for transport.
DIRECTIVE 2009/28/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources and amending and subsequently repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC
REGULATION (EC) No 443/2009 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 443/2009
Regulation (ec) no 443/2009 of the European parliament and of the Council setting emission performance standards for new passenger cars as part of the community's integrated approach to reduce CO2 emissions from light-duty vehicles.
Key policy question
How rapidly are renewable technologies being implemented in Europe?
Methodology for indicator calculation
Methodology of data manipulation:
The share of renewable energy as a percentage of final energy consumption. The coding used (in the Eurostat database) and specific components of the indicator are:
A. Final energy consumption 101700 (0000 all products), ktoe
B. Final energy consumption - Industry 101800 (0000 all products), ktoe
C. Final energy consumption - Households/Services 102000 (0000 all products), ktoe
D. Consumption - Electricity generation sector 101301 (6000 electrical energy), ktoe
E. Distribution losses 101400 (6000 electrical energy), ktoe
F. Final energy consumption - Industry 101800 (6000 electrical energy), ktoe
G. Final energy consumption - Households/Services 102000 (6000 electrical energy), ktoe
H. Gross inland consumption 100900 (6000 electrical energy), GWh
I. Total gross electricity generation 107000 (6000 electrical energy), GWh
J. Gross electricity generation - Geothermal power plants 107002 (6000 electrical energy), GWh
K. Gross electricity generation - Wind turbines (6000 electrical energy), GWh calculated as a sum of main electricity activity only (15_107046) and autoproducers (15_107047)
L. Gross electricity generation - Biomass-fired power stations (6000 electrical energy), GWh calculated as a sum of :
- industrial wastes (main electricity activity 22_108901, Main activity CHP plants 22_108902, Autoproducer electricity only 22_108903, Autoproducer CHP plants 22_108904)
- municipal wastes (main electricity activity 22_108911, Main activity CHP plants 22_108912, Autoproducer electricity only 22_108913, Autoproducer CHP plants 22_108914)
- municipal wastes (non renewable): (main electricity activity 22_108921, Main activity CHP plants 22_108922, Autoproducer electricity only 22_108923, Autoproducer CHP plants 22_108924)
- Wood, Wood Wastes and Other Solid Wastes: (main electricity activity 22_108931, Main activity CHP plants 22_108932, Autoproducer electricity only 22_108933, Autoproducer CHP plants 22_108934)
- Landfill gas : (main electricity activity 22_108941, Main activity CHP plants 22_108942, Autoproducer electricity only 22_108943, Autoproducer CHP plants 22_108944)
- Sludge gas: (main electricity activity 22_108951, Main activity CHP plants 22_108952, Autoproducer electricity only 22_108953, Autoproducer CHP plants 22_108954)
- Other biogas: (main electricity activity 22_108961, Main activity CHP plants 22_108962, Autoproducer electricity only 22_108963, Autoproducer CHP plants 22_108964)
- Other liquid biofuels: (main electricity activity 22_108971, Main activity CHP plants 22_108972, Autoproducer electricity only 22_108973, Autoproducer CHP plants 22_108974)
M. Gross production from solar (6000 electrical energy), GWh calculated as a sum :
- Main activity electricity only - Solar Photovoltaic (14_1070421)
- Main activity electricity only - Solar Thermal (14_1070422)
- Autoproducer electricity only – Solar (14_1070431)
N. Consumption - Electricity generation sector 101301 (5200 derived heat), ktoe
O. Distribution losses 101400 (5200 derived heat), ktoe
P. Origin : Biomass 109300 (5200 derived heat), ktoe calculated as a sum :
- industrial wastes (Main activity CHP plants 22_108906, Main activity heat only plants 22_108907, Autoproducer CHP plants 22_108908, Autoproducer heat only plants 22_108909)
- municipal wastes (Main activity CHP plants 22_108916, Main activity heat only plants 22_108917, Autoproducer CHP plants 22_108918, Autoproducer heat only plants 22_108919)
- municipal wastes (non renewable): (Main activity CHP plants 22_108926, Main activity heat only plants 22_108927, Autoproducer CHP plants 22_108928, Autoproducer heat only plants 22_108929)
- Wood, Wood Wastes and Other Solid Wastes: (Main activity CHP plants 22_108936, Main activity heat only plants 22_108937, Autoproducer CHP plants 22_108938, Autoproducer heat only plants 22_108939)
- Landfill gas : (Main activity CHP plants 2222_108946, Main activity heat only plants 22_108947, Autoproducer CHP plants 22_108948, Autoproducer heat only plants 22_108949)
- Sludge gas: (Main activity CHP plants 22_108956, Main activity heat only plants 22_108957, Autoproducer CHP plants 22_108958, Autoproducer heat only plants 22_108959)
- Other biogas: (Main activity CHP plants 22_108966, Main activity heat only plants 22_108967, Autoproducer CHP plants 22_108968, Autoproducer heat only plants 22_108969)
- Other liquid biofuels: (Main activity CHP plants 22_108976, Main activity heat only plants 22_108977, Autoproducer CHP plants 22_108978, Autoproducer heat only plants 22_108979)
Q. Final energy consumption - Transport 101900 (3230 motor spirit), ktoe
R. Final energy consumption - Transport 101900 (3260 gas / diesel oil), ktoe
S. Final energy consumption - Industry 101800 (5500 renewable energies), ktoe
T. Final energy consumption - Households/Services 102000 (5500 renewable energies), ktoe
U. Primary production 100100 (5510 hydro power), ktoe
V. Primary production 100100 (5510 hydro power), GWh
W. Final energy consumption - Transport 101900 (5545 biofuels), ktoe
X. Net installed capacity - Hydro power stations 117605 (6000 electrical energy), MW calculated as a sum:
- Electrical capacity, main activity producers 12_1176051
- Electrical capacity, autoproducers - Hydro 12_1176052
Y. Net installed capacity - Pumped storage plants 117607 (6000 electrical energy), MW
- Electrical capacity, main activity producers - Pumped Hydro 12_1176071
- Electrical capacity, autoproducers - Pumped Hydro 12_1176072
i. Share of RE for heat in Industry: S / (B – F)
ii. Share of RE for heating in Households, Services, etc.: T / (C – G)
iii. Total consumption in Industry and Other Sectors: B + C
iv. Total Electricity consumption in Industry and Households: F + G
v. Total RE input for heat in industry and Other Sectors: S + T
vi. Share of renewables to total final heat needs: (v + P) / (iii – iv)
vii. Hydro installed capacity excluding pumping in MW: X – Y
viii. Hydro weighted average load factor, last 15 years: SUM ((U / vii) * (vii / (SUM last 15 years X – SUM last 15 years Y)))
ix. Normalised hydro generation (excluding pumping): vii * viii
x. Total Gross electricity consumption: (I + H) * 3.6 / 41.868
xi. Electricity generation from RE with actual hydro generation: (V + J + K + L + M) * 3.6 / 41.868
xii. Electricity generation from RE without hydro generation: (J + K + L + M) * 3.6 / 41.868
xiii. Electricity generation from RE with normalised hydro generation: ix + xii
xiv. RE-e to total gross electricity consumption: xi / x
xv. RE-e with normalised hydro (15 year average load factor): xiii / x
xvi. Total final consumption of petrol and diesel for transport: Q + R
xvii. Share of biofuels in petrol and diesel consumption for road transport: W / xvi
Overall Target:
xviii. Share of RE to Final Energy Consumption: (v + P + xi + W) / (A + E +O + D + N)
xix. Share of RE to FEC with normalised for hydro: (v + P + xiii + W) / (A + E + O + D + N)
Geographical coverage:
The Agency had 32 member countries. These are the 27 European Union Member States and Turkey, plus Norway and Switzerland. Iceland and Liechtenstein are not covered in this factsheet due to lack of data for recent years.
Temporal coverage:
Methodology and frequency of data collection:
Data collected annually.
Eurostat definitions and concepts for energy statistics http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_SDDS/en/nrg_quant_esms.htm
Methodology for gap filling
No methodology for gap filling has been specified. Probably this info has been added together with indicator calculation.
Methodology references
No methodology references available.
Data specifications
EEA data references
- No datasets have been specified here.
External data references
Data sources in latest figures
Methodology uncertainty
Indicator uncertainty (historic data):
Biomass and wastes, as defined by Eurostat, cover organic, non-fossil material of biological origin, which may be used for heat production or electricity generation. They comprise wood and wood waste, biogas, municipal solid waste (MSW) and biofuels. MSW comprises biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes produced by different sectors. Non-biodegradable municipal and solid wastes are not considered to be renewable, but current data availability does not allow the non-biodegradable content of wastes to be identified separately, except for industry.
The electricity produced as a result from hydropower storage systems is not classified as a renewable source of energy in terms of electricity production, but is part of the gross electricity consumption in a country. The hydro and wind generation is calculated as actual generation and normalised generation. Normalised generation is calculated using the weighted average load factor over the last 15 years for hydro and 5-year for wind.
The indicator measures the relative consumption of energy from renewable sources in total energy consumption for a particular country. The share of renewable energy could increase even if the actual energy consumption from renewable sources falls. Similarly, the share could fall despite an increase in energy consumption from renewable sources. CO2 emissions depend not on the share of renewables but on the total amount of energy consumed from fossil sources. Therefore, from an environmental point of view, attaining the 2020 target for the share of renewable energy does not necessarily imply that CO2 emissions from energy consumption will fall.
Electricity consumption within the national territory includes imports of electricity from neighbouring countries. It also excludes the electricity produced nationally but exported abroad. In some countries the contribution of electricity trade to total electricity consumption and the changes observed from year to year need to be looked at carefully when analysing trends in renewable electricity. Impacts on the (national) environment are also affected since emissions are accounted where the electricity is produced whereas consumption is accounted where the electricity is consumed.
Data sets uncertainty
Strengths and weaknesses (at data level):
Data have been traditionally compiled by Eurostat through the annual Joint Questionnaires, shared by Eurostat and the International Energy Agency, following a well established and harmonised methodology. Methodological information on the annual Joint Questionnaires and data compilation can be found in Eurostat's web page for metadata on energy statistics. http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_SDDS/en/nrg_quant_esms.htm
Rationale uncertainty
No uncertainty has been specified
Further work
Short term work
Work specified here requires to be completed within 1 year from now.
Long term work
Work specified here will require more than 1 year (from now) to be completed.
General metadata
Responsibility and ownership
EEA Contact InfoMihai Florin Tomescu
Frequency of updates
ClassificationDPSIR: Impact
Typology: Efficiency indicator (Type C - Are we improving?)
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For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/renewable-gross-final-energy-consumption-1 or scan the QR code.
PDF generated on 21 Nov 2018, 09:40 AM


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Threadspotting: Super Bowl Xlvi Edition
by KyleGeib / None /
Now that everyone's had a little time to cool down from this year's Super Bowl… let's talk about it some more!
This edition of Threadspotting is dedicated to our own little slice of Super Bowl stardom, as one of our tees appeared during the most important part of the game – the commercials! Danny Pudi, who plays Abed on NBC's "Community," was spotted wearing "Winter is Coming" by Rachel Gottesman during the "Brotherhood of Man" commercial.
It should also be noted that Danny successfully wore "Winter is Coming" without any wardrobe malfunctions despite all the sick dance moves he busts out in the commercial.
If you want to look as fly as Danny while you're working on your choreographed dances, make sure you request a REPRINT!
Thanks Melissa for this epic sighting, and remember, as always, if you see Threadless tees in the wild, send us a note at email@example.com and we'll talk about them here... AND we'll give you some Street Team Points to boot! Enjoy!


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- Caterham
Improvement despite shunt - Kobayashi
Kamui Kobayashi thinks Caterham has made progress during Tuesday's testing at the Circuit de Catalunya despite a crash towards the end of the session.
Kobayashi crashed at Turn 3 with 20 minutes remaining of the day, but had completed 72 laps up to that point following a wet start to the day. Caterham had a difficult weekend during the Spanish Grand Prix, with Kobayashi's race ending with brake failure and team-mate Marcus Ericsson finishing 20 seconds off his nearest rival.
But despite his accident, Kobayashi believes Caterham made progress on Tuesday.
"The car went into oversteer," he said of the crash. "We changed some setting but I think straight away we had a completely different balance. I think at Turn 3 I hit the wall but I am okay. There is quite a lot of damage to the car so I'm sorry for the guys in the garage who now have a long night ahead to fix the car, but the only good thing is that it was at the end of the day after we'd got through most of the runplan."
"We completed all the programme, so we are happy and the car progressed. We used the same tyre but a little bit more heavy fuel, so I think our time was a little bit quicker than in qualifying. I think it's much better in the car."
Kobayashi said the tyre compound choice for the Spanish Grand Prix had been one of the biggest issues.
"It's not working or something, but I think the tyre is too hard and this is the biggest problem."


text:
Repeatedly...all over this board...we are "a year away" from something. From What? A Superbowl? HA!
I have a feeling people here believe we are (or at least should be) reliving 2003 this season- the season that Hass ended with a pick-6 at Green Bay. I wish we were indeed that good. That was Hass's 3rd season as a starter and Shaun was starting to run rampant in the league...it was TWO MORE years before we even won a playoff game and were competing for championships.
When all of our recent draft picks are in their primes, we will compete at the highest level. That's a couple of years away...and with the way that we find talent in the draft- we should be able to stay competitive at that point in time.
It is extremely hard to be patient with this team, because it seems like we are really close. But we have to be patient. I don't enjoy wallowing in mediocrity any more than the next guy...but we are getting better...and the path is not a straight one. Once all of our units are performing optimally, consistently, and complimenting each other...all working parallel...we will be there. Hard to do with such a young group. We'll be there soon.
It was Holmgren's 5th year when we lost in 2003. In Pete's 5th year, we'll be there ready to win at that level.
I say two years before we are serious contenders. And we should be there to stay for a while when we get there.


text:
21 Listings:
Transworld Business Advisors is a full service Business Brokerage and M&A firm with over thirty years of experience. Transworld is the fastest growing brokerage firm in the nation with over 80 offices in the U.S and hundreds of brokers allowing us to successfully connect business buyers and sellers.
Stephen Reesing
Transworld Business Brokers of Central Texas
Paris, TX
Express car wash w 11 vacuums, 1.3 acre land. Owner is absentee.
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Business listed by:
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Get free alerts via email when new businesses are listed matching your Lamar County Service Businesses search criteria.
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Premium Members also get valuable insight into the buying process via our
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text:
30 Listings:
127 Sold:
Central Texas Business Brokers has 10 years of experience serving Austin, Temple, Killeen, Waco, San Antonio, and Houston.
There are never any upfront fees and everything is confidential before, during, and after.
Central Texas Business Broker has extensive experience and knowledge in all fields of business and enjoys the reputation as one
Mike Feinman, Managing Partner
Texas Business Brokers
Louisville, KY
Fantastic Daycare/ Preschool. Licensed capacity is well over 100 and nearly every spot is full. This business shows extremely well- inside and out. It has a well documented history of success, loyal staff members and excellent location.
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Business listed by:
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text:
By: Dr Lynda Kelly, Category: Museullaneous, Date: 07 Jan 2010
The Climate Change: our future, our choice exhibition was held at the Museum from May - August 2009. Two case studies gathered detailed feedback from teenagers; and an observation study was undertaken with general visitors to track how they used the exhibition and the total time spent. Here's a summary of our findings.
Teenage Boys
A class of 13-14 year old boys were observed visiting the exhibition, and then gave detailed feedback using a list of headings to complete.
They were surprised at the exhibit that showed how much energy the human body could generate; they'd tell their friends about the energy-generating takes; they wanted to know why the exhibition was made from cardboard, how much it cost to build the exhibition; as well as:
How long will it be before [climate change] gets really bad?
How many species will be extinct in the future years of climate change?
Is climate change ever going to stop?
If we act now we can make a difference was seen as the main message of the exhibition.
Teenage Girls
A group of girls, the Eco-Warriors, were also invited in to the exhibition and after their visit were asked a series of questions.
What sort of things they are currently doing about climate change?
The actions mentioned included activities both at school and at home and related to energy saving, recycling, water saving, and sustainability. The Eco-Warriors had a well developed understanding of the issues and measures needed to counter the effects of climate change. Some examples of actions include:
After visiting the exhibition did they have any additional ideas for other things they could do?
The exhibition clearly provided the students with new ideas for action:
What do you consider to be the main messages of the exhibition?
The main messages in the exhibition were considered to be:
Looking at 3 particular exhibits what do you think we were trying to achieve?
Feedback on these three exhibits from the Eco Warriors indicates a good understanding of the intended objectives.
Flooding Sydney exhibit
World Leader interactive table
Energy dance floor exhibit
What will you tell your friends about this exhibition?
The students were very positive about the exhibition and several asked if it had been designed especially for teenagers. They considered the exhibition worth visiting; they enjoyed the experience, learnt from it and would recommend it to others.
The climate change exhibition was really good and it is made so that anyone could understand it. It hit home and if anyone had not been interested they would be after the exhibition.
Observation Study
Visitors were tracked through the exhibition and length of time spent noted. They spent between 30 sec and 40 minutes in the exhibition, with most wandering in without reading the introduction text. We found that the exhibition was not able to immediately engage young children. When parents entered, their children ran around and often headed to Kidspace so, while parents appeared interested in engaging with the exhibits, they were drawn away by their children. Little time was spent reading the labels and the majority of visitors visited only one half of the exhibition. The most attractive exhibit was the interactive table. Three visitors observed spent between 12-16 minutes at this one exhibit. It was a highly social experience where we observed that groups discussed the choices being made and their outcomes.
Postcard to the Future
Other feedback was solicited through the Postcards to the Future section of the exhibition, where visitors pledged what they would do about climate change. A selection of these are posted here.
Climate Change: our future, our choice is now showing at Scitech, Perth, Western Australia.


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It's been awhile since the official Foursquare app for Windows Phone had an update. In fact, it was way back in June when we last saw some minor bug fixes come to the popular checkin app. Since then, we've also seen the Windows 8 version launch with high praise from users.
This morning, version 22.214.171.124 has landed and while it brings a few changes to Windows Phone 8 users (more on the below), from reader tips we've received, the Windows Phone 7.x version now has the new UI. (We haven't been able to verify since we're out of town, but a few of you tipped us on that fact).
It was in May when the new version of the app launched for Windows Phone 8 users, which brought a new UI. A version for Windows Phone 7.x with the new UI was promised to arrive "a few weeks" after the re-launch though evidently that did not pan out.
For Windows Phone 8 users, while there is no changelog, we can verify a few new layout changes—for better or worse. Here's what we've noticed:
- The third tile under search has changed from 'Saved' to 'Trending'
- In the context menu (three dots), 'search' has changed to 'filter'
- New – 'Best Match' feature, found under 'Specials' allows you fine tune your suggested checkins
Actually, that 'Best Match' feature is really good. It allows you to only show things like 'open now', places where your friends have (or have not) checked in, price ranges and more.
It's also clear that with the replacement of 'Saved' with 'Trending', Foursquare is continuing to position themselves as a discovery application, instead of just a means for checkins. That's a business decision to help give direction the company, though we're sure the ongoing UI changes to force users to find new places may irk a few of you.
Regardless, if you're on any version of Windows Phone, you can download the official Foursquare app. The app was designed with assistance from Nokia, features HERE Maps and is by all accounts, one of the gems on our platform.
Pick up version 220.127.116.11 of Foursquare for Windows Phone here in the Store. You can also swipe to the right in our app or scan the QR code below.
Thanks, Sergio, Matthew and Jack, for the tips!


text:
Best Foot Forward: Make a Good Entry
They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression — and your entryway, be it a sweeping stair hall or a humble alcove, is the first impression visitors will get of your home. It's also the first place you'll land when coming home after a day at work or a long weekend away, and a sort of waystation for all the random accumulated stuff of life. So get inspired by these entry halls from our 2012 house tours.
1. Sarah's Supremely Stylish West Village Home
2. Marianna & Micah's Slices of the South
3. Paige Blackburn's Cozy Mapleton Hill Home
4. Justine & Angus Cook Up Some Style in Toronto
5. Leila & Buff's Beautiful Beach Abode
6. Julie's Artful Home in D.C.
7. Susan's Adventure for the Senses
8. Anna & Joe's Living History in Georgetown
9. Anna and Jeff's Southwest Kitsch
10. The Pineapple Housewife's Happy Home
(Images: See linked posts for full image credits)