text:
See Nefsis in action, watch our video demos.
New features showcase integrated collaboration tools and
easy-to-update advantages of cloud-based video conferencing
SAN DIEGO — February 16, 2011 — Online video conferencing
services innovator Nefsis® today announced new advanced
whiteboarding features. The new features highlight the advantages of
cloud-based video conferencing which include built-in collaboration
capabilities that are easy to update, versus alternative infrastructure
hardware solutions whose feature-functionality is fixed.
Nefsis is a cloud-based video conferencing software and online
service solution for business. It includes multipoint HD video
conferencing for desktops and rooms. In addition, Nefsis includes
built-in advanced collaboration capabilities providing all the tools
customers need for productive online meetings. In addition to
whiteboarding, Nefsis includes application and desktop sharing,
annotation over live applications, PowerPoint® presentation and
document sharing, media sharing (playing movie files), electronic
hand-outs and more.
Nefsis whiteboarding is more than just a raster image paint
program. It includes a full multi-layer model that allows the
presenter to copy-and-paste graphics and text, and use a variety of
tools to move, stretch, delete and re-color objects, plus several
pointing and highlighting options to suit different presentation and
drawing styles. This is live collaboration for multiple presenters,
with visual cues when more than one presenter is active. These
premium features are beyond simple screen sharing utilities and most
web conferencing products.
In addition to its own online whiteboard, Nefsis is compatible
with any third-party physical whiteboard or electronic markerboard
product whose output is a standard Windows application. The latter
is easily shared in any Nefsis multipoint video conferencing
The new advanced whiteboard features are automatically available to
all Nefsis Professional subscribers and trial users. For a free
14-day trial of Nefsis Professional, please visit the Nefsis
About NefsisHeadquartered in San Diego,
California, Nefsis is a specialist in video conferencing software and
online services for business. The Nefsis approach combines cloud
computing and multi-core processing to deliver effortless video
conferencing to employees, customers and business partners anywhere
they have Internet access. Nefsis is especially popular among
small-to-medium sized organizations, where its high-quality video,
security controls and easy implementation deliver exceptional value.
For more information, please visit the Nefsis website or call
+1 (858) 715-0970 in the Americas or +44 (0) 870 224 0415 in the UK and Europe.
Xenia Moore
Public Relations Manager
Phone: (858) 715-0970
[email protected]
Internet Video Conferencing Online Services
How Nefsis Multipoint Video Conferencing Works: Cloud Computing
Whiteboarding & Advanced Collaboration Features
Nefsis is a registered trademark of Nefsis Corporation.
All other trademarks mentioned are property
of their respective owners.


text:
Seattle & Tacoma Area Boys Soccer Summer Camp at the Wilson Playfields
About Revolution Boys Soccer Camps – Wilson Playfields, Kent, WA
Kent, WA
Camp Dates
July 17th – 20th, 2023
Day Camp – $399 (9am-3pm)
Half Day Camp – $249 (9am-12pm)
Open to boys from the ages of 6-16 (**Portions of the camp will be co-ed**)
Revolution Soccer Camps is excited to be back at Wilson Playfields in Kent, WA this summer for a boys soccer camp. This camp is open to boys ages 6-16. Campers will learn individual technical skills, positional play, team concepts, and will scrimmage daily. We also hold many fun contests during the week for great prizes. Join us for an unforgettable week of soccer and fun!
Camp Director
At Revolution Soccer Camps, you'll receive individualized soccer training through a superior curriculum regardless your age or ability level. We want young soccer players to improve in every aspect of their game; our camps put a focus on individual skill development while incorporating drills and scrimmages which emphasize teamwork.
Daily Skill Breakdown
- Footwork & Ball Control
- Dynamic Warm up
- Agility & Ball Control
- Technical Skills Training
- Shooting, Passing & First Touch
- Tactical Skill Training
- Focus on Field Awareness & Position Specific Training
- Game Based Learning
- Competition- Small Sided Games & Camp Scrimmages
Soccer Staff
- Low Camper to Coach Ratio
- Groups based off of age & ability level
- Fun, energetic and experienced staff

subset: commoncrawl


text:
It's been an exhausting week packed with tons of assignments, hands-on work, and lectures. Today we continued our work with Ruby, focussing on object-oriented programming. We learned about classes for making different instances, initializing arguments when a new instance is created, and methods.
Later in the afternoon we looked at inheritance and how we can set up classes that inherit methods of other classes. Everything made sense to me, but when it comes to tackling hands-on projects, sometimes I have trouble figuring out where to start. Since we're covering so much information every day, it's easy enough to stumble here and there.
After class, I attended a talk held by GA's JavaScript Guild. The speaker focused on regular expressions, which is a very powerful way to find and replace text in strings. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about these powerful patterns that I've somehow managed to use in a couple of my projects thus far. Now that I understand them a little better, I'm looking forward to playing around with them even more.


text:
The Gracie upholstered headboard is a beautifully upholstered headboard that will add a touch of luxury to any bedroom. The Gracie headboard has a modern piece, showcasing the narrow panelled design.
The headboard can be paired with any of our standard UK sized divan bases from our Divan & Ottoman Bases Range.
Hand made in Great Britain, the Headboard frame is manufactured using traditional methods.
Whats Included:
- Headboard
- These are British hand made beds, made right here.
- Manufactured in West Yorkshire and delivered direct to your door for FREE.
- Luxurious design, strong build and a great looking bed.
- Bed requires some assembly.
- Storage Box and mattress not included
- If you require a mattress – please click here.
- Images of the slatted bed are for illustration purposes only.
- This item will be made to your order specifications.
Single: W: 3ft x H: 48 inch
Double: W: 4ft 6 x H: 48 inch
Kingsize: W: 5ft x H: 48 inch
Superking: W: 6ft x H: 48 inch
Double: W: 4ft 6 x H: 48 inch
Kingsize: W: 5ft x H: 48 inch
Superking: W: 6ft x H: 48 inch


text:
Ühelt poolt ei taha ennast korrata, tahaks areneda. Samas on kordamine mingil määral vältimatu. Et sviiter oleks sviiter, peaksid tal olema teatud tunnused: reeglina ei ole see eest lahtine (muidu oleks kardigan, hõlmikjakk jms), tavaliselt on ka varrukad (muidu oleks vest). Kui koome raglaani, siis vaatamata võimalikele variatsioonidele on kõigil raglaanidel põhiolemus sama (ja nõnda on kõigi põhikonstruktsioonidega). Mustritega on selline lugu, et on mõned lemmikud, aga kui lõng või konstruktsioon on teistsugune või on koguni rätik ja, ütleme, mitte seelik, siis on see kordamine suhteliselt tinglikus mõttes. Mõnikord on aga mõningane kordamine sunnitud.
On one hand you don't want to repeat yourself, you want to grow. On the other hand some kind of repetition is inevitable. In order for a pullover to count as a pullover, it must have certain features: as a rule, it is not open at the front (otherwise it would be a cardigan, a wrap jacket etc); usually it has sleeves (otherwise it is a vest). If we knit a raglan, then all possible variations notwithsdanding, all raglans have essentially the same features (and this is true about all basic constructions). As for stitch patterns, some are favourits but if yarn or construction is differen or, say, you are not making a shawl but a skirt, then this is a relatively minor matter to count as a repetition. But sometimes you have no other way but to repeat yourself to a certain degree.
siin. Ravelrys kudusime koos sakilise mustriga kimonotoppe.
Approximately a year ago I wrote about this top here. On Ravelry we knitted together kimono tops with a zigzag pattern.
What happend? First of all, I really like this stitch pattern. Second, the yarn Primula (Lana Gatto), 50 g/158 m, 67 % cotton, 33 % rayon is "guilty". I wanted to try out a new construction. I will better not start talking about colour choice of summer yarns, all my friends will laugh, everyone knows that I have a problem. Anyway, the colour is very dark blue. The colour was decisive and the fiber composition is fine, too, but the yarn is relatively slippery and splits easily, not a good way to try a new construction. It became clear that it is moody as far as stitch patterns are concerned. The best are patterns based on stockinette. I noticed that the gauge is almost the same as that of the black top (the yarn I used for that one, Cotton Stretch, is excellent, I highly recommend it). Then I started working in the same pattern, albeit with minor modifications.
The top is not completely dry yet. Today is a sunny weather and I hope one can wear summer knits now.


text:
About Us
Founded in 1944, Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley (BGCSV) is a non-profit youth development organization that offers innovative and effective afterschool and summer enrichment programs primarily for low income, at-risk Santa Clara County youth ages 6-18 years. BGCSV serves 5,000+ regular members at 40 Clubhouses locations in San Jose, Morgan Hill, Gilroy and beyond. The majority of the youth we serve are living in economically depressed, high crime neighborhoods with an absence of positive adult role models or mentors.
BGCSV takes a holistic approach to creating well-rounded, confident, and healthy youth and aims to provide programs and services that speak to all aspects of a child's development. To achieve these goals, comprehensive curricula are provided within the following Core Enrichment Program Areas that address the academic, linguistic and cognitive growth, and emotional and social needs of youth. Core Program Areas are age and developmentally appropriate; are supportive of the diversity of children and families served, including culture and language; and are operationally efficient and effective.
Closing The Gap For Youth
Silicon Valley's future prosperity is dependent upon growing a middle-class workforce ready to meet the global demands of a knowledge-based economy. We know that the path to building our future workforce is preparing local youth with the skills required to succeed in college and a career. We aim to help close the opportunity gap to achieve greater economic, political, and social equality among disadvantaged youth and the communities in which they live.
Our History


text:
What can we say? We like to party and we are passionate about what music can do for the human spirit. This passion inevitably evolved into helping others throw unforgettable parties and events for every occasion. We believe it's the little things that can really go the extra mile when it comes to making a good night a fantastic one, and this is why we go above and beyond for all of our customers.
We pride ourselves on being one of the leading suppliers of DJs in Melbourne and this is reflected in our professionalism, reliability and ability to communicate with our clients. If you've worked with us once, we're confident you won't need to find another DJ hire service again.


text:
Indiana artist and sculptor Gabriel Dishaw has added quite a few beautiful additions to his series of Star Wars helmets sculpted from recycled machine parts. Previously, we wrote about his "Darth Vader Upcycled #2" and "C-3PO Woody" helmets. Gabriel's recycled pieces of art are available to purchase online at Etsy.
images via Gabriel Dishaw
via Bonnie Burton


text:
Finding a local invisalign dentist near you is now easier than ever. With up to 20 locations, finding a local invisalign dentist to get your invisalign is only a few miles away.
The internet has made it easier for people to find local businesses. It is especially true with the help of our website. Our process is not hard at all, and you will find a dentist who can help you quickly.
We introduce you to the best Invisalign orthodontists near you based on your location, case, and budget, and then we connect you with one of our top Invisalign orthodontists near me that meet your needs.
With Invisalign, you get straight teeth that are easy to maintain, sleek, and overall look better than braces.
get you the Invisalign you need in a nearby Orthodontist that will provide you with all you need to show off your amazing smile! With a few clicks of a button, you can find an Orthodontist just a few miles away that will take care of your smile for you.
Our website also provides information on payment methods, locations, schedules, and more, so patients can make an informed decision before they choose an Invisalign near me treatment and start there.
Invisalign Near Me Deals is the leading source of information regarding the best Invisalign treatment providers in Southern California. If you are interested in finding out more about Invisalign deals in your area, you can explore the options on our website.
We make it easy for you to compare prices and services from different practices. You can find dentists that do Invisalign near me by searching by city or state around your location and other categories.
Invisalign Near Me Deals it's the fastest and most effective way to help you find an Invisalign orthodontist near me. We will help and guide you on the way to achieving a beautiful smile.
If you want to have that perfect smile with straight teeth, with us, you can find the best Invisalign dentist near me. We help patients get the smile they deserve. Our company prides itself on providing information on the best Invisalign services.
There's no need to wait any longer for a better smile and a new sense of well-being and self-confidence. Our team has all the information you need; schedules, offers, dentists, and exact locations. You can find the perfect Invisalign near me just a click away!


text:
The states have sued the administration for having slashed federal funding for their low-income populations. The state of Minnesota has filed a new Trump administration lawsuit, challenging the decision to cut federal funding for the state's public health care program. The program is designed to assist those who are employed but who remain below the poverty line. Attorney General Lori Swanson first announced the legal action at the end of last week. The purpose of Minnesota's Trump administration lawsuit is to stop the federal government for being able to put…Read More
Tag: Minnesota insurance
Minnesota auto insurance company to refund $315,000 to over 1,600 drivers
Farmers Insurance Exchange has been accused of unfair pricing practices and is reimbursing affected policyholders. Minnesota auto insurance company, Farmers Insurance Exchange, is responding to accusations of unfair pricing practices with a refund to more than 1,600 drivers in the state. The policyholders affected by the pricing practices in question will be receiving a portion of a $315,000 total amount. The insurer is providing the refunds in response to an investigation into the way it was setting its rates. The Minnesota auto insurance provider underwent a pricing practice examination. The…Read More
103K Minnesota health insurance customers need new coverage for 2017
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is stepping out of the state's insurance exchange next year. Over 103,000 Minnesota health insurance customers are losing their coverage at the end of this year. This means that they will need to find a new health plan to protect them against medical expenses in 2017. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota has announced its departure from the state's insurance exchange. It is for that reason that so many individuals and families will need to scramble for new coverage in 2017. The…Read More
Older consumers in Minnesota claim to have been scammed by state's health insurance exchange
Consumers worry that they have turned over assets unintentionally Some residents of Minnesota claim to have been scammed through the state's health insurance exchange. The consumers are all either 55 or older and claim that they have been tricked into turning over assets while signing up for the coverage that they need. Consumers have been using the state's insurance exchange, called MNSURE, to find policies, but some have reported problems when enrolling in the exchange system. The group of consumers claiming they have been scammed may face significant financial pressure…Read More
Minnesota extends health insurance to some 64,000 people
Many had been set to lose their insurance coverage in 2016, but state officials ensure they will have the policies they need An estimated 64,000 people in with public health insurance coverage in Minnesota were set to lose their coverage in 2016, but the state has decided to extend this coverage into the future. This will ensure that these people have the insurance coverage that they need, allowing them to avoid a federal fine that will be issued to those without active health insurance policies. The 64,000 people that were…Read More
Auto insurance laws in Minnesota change for 2016
Drivers should be aware of the new requirements and make sure to have their proof of coverage handy. For anyone in Minnesota who is getting set to purchase a new car, is purchasing a new auto insurance policy or who is renewing a policy will need to be ready to comply with the new laws. Part of those new regulations involve having to provide proof of insurance information at certain times. For instance, for residents of the state who are looking to renew their license tabs on an existing vehicle,…Read More
The health insurance deadline for enrollment extended through MNsure
Consumers in Minnesota will now have until December 28 to purchase the coverage they need for next year. The health insurance deadline for purchasing coverage through MNsure and insurers in Minnesota has now been extended in order to allow consumers a longer open enrollment period in which to purchase plans that will become effective as of 2016. Shoppers who have waited until the last moment can now buy a policy as late as December 28. The announcement from both MNsure and the insurers for the health insurance deadline has meant…Read More


text:
Lost On A Country Road
There are many urban legends and downright scary stories about driving down a country road — running out of gas, seeing No Trespassing signs, seeing a ghost . . .
This real ghost story is a bit different — and maybe familiar. Yes, there is a ghost involved and a cemetery — an interesting combination.
Normally, I've heard, ghosts don't hang out at cemeteries. They're busy haunting houses and hospitals, nursing homes, etc. They may be looking for closure . . . and some don't realize they're dead. That's the strange thing . . . when you're not sure you saw a ghost or not.
Yes, this is my story — one of many real ghostly encounters.
This "ghostly encounter" took place years ago — I would say 35 to 40 years ago. I was driving down this country road, lost in thought . . . and lost.
I obviously made a wrong turn somewhere along the way. There were miles and miles of farm land. Fields of I don't know what. I did see abandoned trucks and tractors in a field here and there. An old barn falling apart. Yes, there were "no trespassing" signs scattered here and there . . . and an old cemetery. There were a few cards parked outside. There was a funeral going on. I thought I'd stop and ask for directions after the ceremony.
For some reason I parked my car, got out and began walking among the headstones.
One caught my eye, it was overgrown with weeds. I started clearing the weeds away. The date on the headstone was 1849, 100 years before I was born. The death date was my birthday . . .
I felt a chill . . . more like a tingle . . . it wasn't uncomfortable, but it wasn't comforting either. The name on the headstone was nothing familiar to me or similar to my name at all — we didn't share the same initials — just the death day (my birthday) and the year (100 years before I was born).
As I was clearing away the weeds, I was basically talking to myself and wondering who this woman was and what her life was like . . . I also wondered if there was a connection — besides her death day was my birthday with a 100 year gap.
Obviously, I was a bit fixated on it — as I am now recalling my paranormal experience.
I heard a voice behind me. "Hello. Thank you for clearing away my grave."
I thought I heard her wrong or maybe it was "her grave" in regards to being a relative.
I immediately stood up and apologized for intruding . . . but no one was there. But off in the distance, I did see a woman walking away. I ran to catch up with her.
I was so caught up in what had happened that I didn't ask for directions, but I wanted to know about the woman who's grave I just cleared.
The woman seemed very relaxed and spoke of "Margaret", the woman who died in 1849 as though it was yesterday.
"It was a beautiful day and a lovely ceremony. Paul, Margaret's husband was devastated. Their four young children — the youngest at home . . . Margaret died in childbirth. It was a girl . . . "
My head was whirling with questions — was this woman Margaret or the daughter — but that would make her over 100 years old — it wasn't possible . . . maybe the granddaughter of Margaret???
Would she refer to herself in the third person if this woman beside me was Margaret??
I didn't care if this woman thought I was a bit coo-coo . . . so I just asked, "Are you Margaret? The woman who died in childbirth?"
She did laugh, but not in a cruel way, "Of course I am!"
Oh my gosh!!! She was a ghost!!! She had to be . . . or she was goofing with me.
"So . . . " I began, but stopped. I couldn't take in the fact that I was seeing and having a conversation with a ghost . . . So I did what I do when I'm nervous . . . I started babbling about how I was looking for my grandmother's house which had been bought and moved out in the country. "I must have made a wrong turn and I ended up here. I found this overgrown grave and started clearing away the weeds . . . and now . . ."'
"I brought you here."
"What? Why?"
"You passed your grandmother's house a few miles back. You wouldn't recognize it, the beautiful porch is gone and I didn't think it would be right for you to see it. Keep your memories of how it once was and the good times you shared there with your grandmother."
And then she was gone!! Gone, gone . . . I didn't see her walk away, she just vanished.
I did see a ghost . . . she did do me a favor by not allowing me to see how my grandmother's house had changed with the move . . . I suppose I did her a favor by clearing her grave of weeds . . .
But . . . I believe I received so very much more than she received from me . . . Or, perhaps, it was mutual to a degree of a ghost being able to have a conversation with a living person . . . a conversation, just like one would have with another living person . . .
Thanks for stopping by!


text:
Six new species of Scytodes from the Amazon region in northern Brazil are described: S. piroca n. sp., distinguished by a needle-like embolus covered by a wide concave distal projection; S. vieirae n. sp., distinguished by a bifid distal area of the bulb; S. auricula n. sp., distinguished by a sickle-like embolus, distal projection with truncated tip and very small apophysis, all from Parque Nacional da Serra do Divisor, in the state of Acre; S. balbina n. sp., from Balbina, distinguished by the male palpal bulb with a very long and distally curved embolus and a flattened distal hyaline projection and the female's large and laterally expanded seminal receptacles with a sclerotized area adjacent to their bases; S. mapia n. sp., from Rio Mapiá, Borba, distinguished by a triangular fovea that does not project anteriorly and by the semicircular shape of the larger pair of seminal receptacles, both from state of Amazonas and S. altamira n. sp., from Cachoeira, Altamira, in the state of Pará, distinguished by the bulb's leaf-like embolus and the distal area, with several projections.
Araneae, Brazil, Scytodes, Scytodidae, new species.


text:
Nitro Circus 4 Lock 'N Load.
Travis Pastrana once again coming with the best of the best! This is a must see video!
Your Price: $29.95 In Stock!
Thor Relish Video
Your price: $24.95
The motocross industry is expressing admiration and thrill about this 16mm film that showcases all of the leading THOR Supercross and Freestyle athletes. This is a film unlike anything seen before, something that has been much desired by motocross professionals and enthusiasts alike. This film documents the candid personalities and opinions of the riders that everybody wants to know more about, such as Chad Reed, Jeremy McGrath, Ezra Lusk, Tim Ferry, Grant Langston, Sebastien Tortelli and Nate Adams. Running time 42 minutes. Bonus footage on DVD. (suitable for all ages)


text:
Jack-Jack Parr
From Brickipedia, the LEGO Wiki
|This article or section contains information regarding scheduled, forthcoming or expected future minifigure(s).
The content may change as the release approaches and more information becomes available.
|Jack-Jack Parr
|[List of appearances]
Jack-Jack Parr is a Juniors Disney The Incredibles 2 minifigure released in 2018.
Appearances[edit | edit source]
Video game appearances[edit | edit source]
Gallery of video game variants[edit | edit source]
Sources[edit | edit source]
view · talk · edit Juniors minifigures
|Child | Clerk | Customer | Dad | Evil black knight | King | King's knight | Mom | Princess | Road worker
view · talk · edit Disney figures


text:
In 1969, the nine members of my family piled into this station wagon and pulled a boat into the great land of the north.
We were in for an adventure, a cabin in the woods. A cabin in the woods on the shores of huge lake. I was four and although I don't remember the drive, I do remember being there for the first time.
I can't believe it, but I just found the driveway on Google Maps.
View Larger Map
In 1969, that was a dirt road and things like power and sewer lines were but a dim memory.
Every summer after that we'd pile into the station wagon and go back. We had no plumbing and no electricity but what we had was wilderness and each other. I don't have any interior shots of the cottage, but if I did, you'd see a kitchen sink with a hand pump. The water that came out of that pump was from the lake and was for washing only. Drinking water came from another pump about a hundred yards down a path into the woods.
Even now, the region of Ontario where we'd go is remarkably isolated. And to us, living for a couple of weeks at a time without plumbing and electricity was a badge of honor. All credit goes to my Dad for that. From an early age we learned that not having modern conveniences wasn't really that big a deal and it made us appreciate them when we did get back to civilization.
Being in another country at an early age taught us a thing or two about seeing the world as more than the small part of it we knew. As we got older we'd trek out of the bush for long enough to visit places like Ottawa, Toronto and Kingston and see first-hand that not all Canadians lived like the subsistence trappers we knew from the back country.
Those early experiences embedded in me a profound respect for wilderness, for modern conveniences and above all for Canada. I can never thank my parents enough for introducing us to a world we could have never known otherwise.
I don't think anybody thought about generational legacies when we piled into the car in 1969, but that's precisely what's happened. I don't think there's been a year since then that "our" lake wasn't swum in by someone who shares my last name. I haven't been back in years but hearing my nieces' and nephews' stories about their adventures and discoveries is an absolute thrill. It reminds me too that I need to go back.
My siblings have families of their own now, and every one of my nieces and nephews has an indelible mark placed on them by that place and their marks match mine. It's good for the soul to know what it's like to pump water or to go to sleep to the sounds of the whip-poor-wills and loons or to catch and eat your own dinner.
So thank you Mom and Dad, thank you wilderness and last but not least, thank you Canada.


text:
Depending on who you ask, this year is either the best or the worst to sell your home… as usual.
The real estate market experiences bumps and dips just like every other market, and this will likely never change. But the homes most impacted by these fluctuations are typically the less desirable dwellings—they will sell faster in a boom market and languish longer in a slump.
Desirable homes will always move because they make the stressful, time-consuming and expensive process of moving so much easier!
If your home is currently on the market but hasn't sold or you are contemplating listing this year, find out which energy efficiency upgrades can really make an impact on how quickly your home sells!
Why Energy Efficiency Is King in Residential Real Estate
Residential customers continue to report an ever-widening gap between household net income and annual energy and utilities expenses.
Let's take the last eight years as an example. Energy costs across Canada rose by 34 percent—except in Ontario, where they rose by a whopping 71 percent. If that isn't bad enough on its own, prices for electricity more than doubled at a time when annual net income remained stagnant.
In Toronto, homeowners reported spending an average of $201.23 per month on hydro. On average, families in Ontario spent $60 more than families living in any other province throughout Canada.
So it just makes sense that families shopping for a home anywhere in Canada, and in particular Ontario, want to make sure they can afford to keep the lights on once they move in! This makes energy efficiency upgrades king in the current residential real estate market.
Which Energy Efficiency Upgrades Can Boost Home Buyer Interest
With statistics like these, it is fairly safe to say all energy efficiency upgrades will be of interest to a potential home buyer.
In fact, Consumer Reports states that energy efficiency is second only to community safety ratings on the majority of homebuyers' priority lists.
However, certain upgrades can more easily be quantified into immediate energy savings. These are the upgrades most likely to kindle a gleam in a homebuyer's eye.
Energy efficient windows
The Financial Accountability Office of Ontario states that the average Ontario homeowner spends $2,358 on energy annually.
According to Energy Star, upgrading your home's windows to high efficiency Energy Star-certified windows can save anywhere from 7 to 15 percent on annual energy bills.
So right away, your buyer stands to save from $165 to $353 just from purchasing a home with energy efficient windows installed.
New HVAC system
It is true most buyers don't eagerly anticipate the part of their home tour where they get to view the HVAC unit. But what will grab a buyer's attention straightaway is mentioning that the air conditioning and heating has been recently updated.
For first-time homebuyers in particular, it can be especially important to control for major expenses going in. Being able to purchase a home where the HVAC system is brand-new and still under manufacturer warranty is thus a huge plus for this category of buyers in particular.
Another huge perk that comes from an HVAC upgrade is an immediate boost in energy efficiency.
Let's say your current furnace has an AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating of 80. You upgrade your furnace to a new energy efficient Energy Star-certified unit that has a 96 AFUE rating.
Right there, you have reduced HVAC energy purchases for your prospective buyer by 16 percent annually—a potential power bill savings of $377.
Smart technology
While wired homes are a thing of the past with the advent of affordable wireless technology, "smart" upgrades are visibly in demand.
Simple programmable systems with remote (mobile or tablet) access control make managing today's variable, active family life easier and more affordable.
Better still, one research survey demonstrated how power savings can be up to 18.7 percent with effective use of smart home technology. This represents a potential annual energy savings of $440 per year.
Weather stripping, insulating and sealing
If you thought light bulbs were not glamorous, try weather stripping! But today's homebuyers are often surprisingly knowledgeable about insulation grades, weather stripping, sealing and other energy efficiency aids.
Energy Star estimates that simply insulating and sealing your ductwork can boost annual energy savings by up to 20 percent or more.
Energy Star states that, on average, residential customers spend 29 percent of their annual energy budget on heating and 13 percent on cooling, adding up to 42 percent. This means a 20 percent savings would be $198 per year.
LED lighting
Replacing standard light bulbs with long-life, highly efficient LED lighting can measurably trim lighting costs.
One study comparing incandescent and LED bulbs showed a clear cost difference of $170 over two decades.
It might not seem like much until you consider that the average lifespan for a $1 incandescent light bulb is 1,200 hours and the average lifespan for an $8 LED bulb is 25,000 hours! That is a lot of light bulbs your new buyers won't ever have to purchase or change.
Adding Up the Energy Savings
So now let's take a look at how much your homebuyer stands to save during their first year after move-in day if you make each of these energy efficiency upgrades: $1,385.
If you recall, the average Canadian homeowner reports spending $2,358 per year on energy costs. With a savings of $1,385, the energy efficiency upgrades you just made trim away more than half of their household utility budget starting on day one!
Get in Touch
Do you need some expert guidance on maximizing the potential resale value of your home by improving its overall energy efficiency and reducing its carbon footprint? We can help!
Contact us online or give us a call at 905-549-4616.


text:
A brief post. Ostensibly.
I wasn't feeling well last night and nearly lost my dinner around 2 o'clock this morning. I eventually got back to sleep, but it was even harder than normal to get up at my usual time. We left the house late. Realized I'd left my lunch on the counter. Left a second time, driving for some distance before I realized that my parking pass was in Patricia's car. We doubled back a second time to retrieve it. Despite all this silliness, I was only 20 minutes late this morning. Sorry, guys.
I spent my lunch hour transcribing the last couple pieces of the Julia Kirkey interview. I have about 10 minutes of material left. I had no idea this would take so long. Frigging iron deficiency has been affecting me in many ways. The good news is that this will be a good interview, maybe even a very good one, with a fair amount of controversy. It will also be very long.
After that I have to transcribe the Mike Cranston interview. And I have been trying to connect with Ron Roberts, but the guy is never home. From what I can tell, he only worked at CJCH for a couple of years in the 1950's before going to Ontario and eventually ending up in television, I think locally. I really don't know much about the man, or that era of Halifax radio. I look forward to learning stuff and sharing it with you, my 4.7 readers.
Speaking of which, if there is someone you would like me to try to interview, preferably in the radio field, let me know and I will see if I can make it happen. I am fairly well known in radio circles. Kids applying to the radio course at NSCC have cited my interviews as a reason they wanted to get into the biz.
Andrew Chiasson also interviewed me and Frank Cameron and Wayne Harrett as part of one of his projects this Spring. I keep meaning to link to the interview so that you can listen to it as well. Assuming you care that is.
Anyway, you can hear the interview right here. Scroll down to "Major Project", and you will hear us talking about the art and history of DX'ing, the process of listening to far away AM radio stations. Yes, I still do that. My car has an excellent AM tuner. I know that I can fire up my browser and go to live365.com or something, and hear whatever I want to; but there is still something about being able to pick up a radio station at night from hundreds of miles away. It is almost like being sneaky about something.
But play it back and let me know what you think.
See you tomorrow.


text:
Stanford Rountable Suggests Advances in Neuroscience
We still know remarkably little about how the brain works. It is one of the most complex systems in the world, endlessly flexible and amazingly self-healing, but after decades of study, much of the brain is still a mystery. Saturday, October 6, the speakers at the "Gray Matters" 2012 Roundtable at Stanford gave a sense…Read


text:
What I want to do
I'm thinking about easy to make and easy to manufacture paper linkages that require few materials and minimize slack or flexibility but are easy to open and close.
My attempt and results
Buttons are easy and familiar but require a needle and extra thread to install. The "lashing" style is a nice alternative but I'm not sure of its durability. What's nice is that both can be done under tension.
I originally thought of this type of envelope closing technique:
Rubber bands can be used for either type, and are easier to install but less firm, since they're elastic.
Questions and next steps
I'd like to try this out on the attachment between the Oil Testing Kit and the Spectrometer v3. I wonder how durable it is and how rigid the connection can remain. Maybe three points of connection?
Why I'm interested
Especially with the die cutting and paper cutting methods we're using to manufacture the spectrometer kits, cheap, easy, but reliable and removable connection techniques with paper would be really useful. So this is a bit of an abstract set of tests but I hope they'll help us out with future designs.


text:
Head to https://billing.tito.io and log in using your Tito credentials.
From here you can view your plan and billing information, download your invoices, and view your statement for a breakdown of your Tito fees.
If you have any follow-up questions, drop us a line at email@example.com or chat to us in-app and we'll get back to you as quickly as we can.


text:
DirectMail2.0 Podcast-
We're super excited to announce our very first podcast interview with Deborah Corn at The Printerverse.
Wondering how online marketing can enhance direct mail marketing?
Take a look at this in-depth explanation of what we do, and how we can help direct mail marketing results skyrocket!
Product Highlights-
Unlimited Mail Tracking –
Give each and every one of your clients the ability to track their mailing campaigns. The price of this service is fixed for you, so the number or length of mailing campaigns does not affect your
low monthly fee!
But how does this benefit you?
When your client gets access to their Unlimited Mail Tracking dashboard, they'll be able to see what else DirectMail2.0 has to offer including: Call Tracking, Online Follow-Up & Social Media Follow Up.
When they hover over the other available statistics for them they will see a "Learn More" button that will make them automatically intrigued. When your client clicks on the "Learn More" button, an e-mail will go to you so that you can follow-up and upsell them right away.
This helps the product sell itself and thus getting all your customers fully on board with all that DirectMail2.0 has to offer!
Call us at 800-956-4129 and we can tell you more about Unlimited Mail Tracking!
Meanwhile in DirectMail2.0 Headquarters-
We're super thrilled about 2018! Our executive team had an amazing planning meeting for the year ahead of us. We're always looking for new ways to keep direct mail hot & trending. Our #1 goal is to make our partners happy with their DirectMail2.0 results!
That's it for now!
Do you have any questions? How has your experience with our platform been so far?
We'd love to hear from you!


text:
OK, I've moved. I'm in. I am 100% back in London and things are just about getting back to normal after that whole 'quit my job, travel the world' situation that just kind of happened. I can't even believe that that was this year, it feels like decades ago already!
So yes, I am super late with this post because when I am not unpacking or working, I am prioritising sleeping and eating, even though I really do want to be blogging. But there were some super lovely things that happened last week, so let's just dive right in:
1) Moving day went surprisingly well. I mean, aside from my beautiful vintage armchair getting wedged in a doorway, my key getting stuck and getting a thousand bruises on my legs from carting boxes up the world's narrowest spiral staircase. BUT I'M HERE NOW SO IT'S OK.
2) Thanks to the wonderful Fii answering my Twitter plea, I found a reasonably priced stockist for the cleanser I fell in love with in Seoul and I've ordered three! It's this one, FYI:
|Image source
3) I've found a lovely little coffee place around the corner from my flat which does a stellar latte and has some rather pretty floor tiles to stare at whilst I wait for my caffeine fix.
4) I had a final evening with my family before moving out (again) and we played Scrabble. I came last which never happens and I drank a lot of gin to make up for it.
5) Erica and I went to the launch of a new brekkie and lunch spot in London Bridge called Carve. They serve up individual portions of meaty meals, fresh from the carvery with some bloody delicious sides to go with it. One of my favourites was the fish cakes with scrambled eggs for breakfast, and the pork belly with mac & cheese for mains.
6) I came home to a lovely bunch of flowers from my housemates to welcome me to my new home. So sweet of them!
7) On Monday I saw the wonderful Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros at Islington Assembly Hall with Charley, Ashley and her husband Marc. We had a good old sing-a-long and I came home hoarse but happy.
|Pic by Charley
This week is shaping up to be flippin' amazing so I'll try and keep on schedule for next Tuesday's Added Extras!


text:
All participants are required to show a valid passport while traveling to Turkey. Citizens of some countries are required to obtain visa before arrival from the Turkish Embassy or Consulate and some may obtain e-Visas via the website www.evisa.gov.tr before arrival. The most updated visa information can be received from the website of the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs; www.mfa.gov.tr
- Citizens of 75+ countries may travel to Turkey without visa.
- Citizens of 100+ countries may travel to Turkey with e-visa.
- Citizens of many countries may obtain visa easily at Turkish airports.


text:
HN Male Termination for HN Female Connections
Nickel Plated Brass Body
Silver Plated Brass Center Pin
Delrin Dielectric
PLEASE NOTE: remaining stock will have NO retention chain, contrary to the picture. These being a surplus lot item, they will have various markings on them due to use wear.
This HN Male Termination for HN Female Connections is one of several thousand RF products available from Max-Gain Systems, Inc.
This termination is made from a Solid Brass body that is precision machined and plated with Nickel for superior performance and value. HN Male Termination for HN Female Connections does provide a retention chain and an impedance-matching termination.
Other Reference #(s): 74868 | DA-12/U | 89014-C
HN-13 (Better)
About Max-Gain Systems, Inc.
Max-Gain Systems, Inc. carries a full line of in-series, between series, right angle, T-shaped, quick connect, handie-talkie (BLACK), pigtails (coaxial jumpers), etc… RF adapters. Our RF adapter lines are constantly expanding. We keep our RF connector and adapter lines in stock. We ship both retail and wholesale quantities. To become a dealer / wholesale user, contact us with your potential usage.
Max-Gain Systems, Inc. is the number one supplier of fiberglass round hollow tube, square tube and round solid rod to the antenna manufacturing industry. We produce millions of feet a year for hundreds of different industries including but not limited to: marine / boating, aeronautical, agriculture, construction, emergency services, etc…. We have the unique ability to sell one piece or even a semi-truck full. Feel free to prototype using our fiberglass tube and rod then contact us for a quote on a production run. At production run quantities we can cut to your desired lengths at no additional charge, and we can also perform several different fabrications (example: drilling holes in precise locations along a tube) to ensure your delivered material is ready for assembly. We have several accessory items designed for our fiberglass including but not limited to: couplers, telescoping clamps, ferrules, etc…


text:
Criminal, DUI and Juvenile Defense Lawyer Serving the Bay Area
Robbi Cook graduated from Tufts University magna cum laude with a degree in Psychology, and then earned her J.D. Degree from Boston University School of Law. Ms. Cook practiced civil litigation and juvenile law, in Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia, before she moved to California in 1997. She was a staff attorney with the Hawkins Center, a non-profit legal services agency in Richmond, California until 2005, when she founded the Law Office of Robbi Abrams Cook in the East Bay, specializing in criminal, DUI and juvenile defense law. Since then, Ms. Cook has defended hundreds of clients in criminal and juvenile trials and hearings.
Her practice has allowed Ms. Cook to fully realize her passion for fighting for the accused and the protection of their Constitutional Rights.
Ms. Cook is a member of a number of professional organizations, including the Alameda County Bar Association, the California Public Defenders Association, the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, and the California DUI Lawyers Association.
She treats every client with respect and integrity.
If you need a top notch Criminal, DUI or Juvenile lawyer who will fight for you, call Robbi Cook at 510-208-5051.


text:
The Greedy Dog
Narrated by Zarke Goite
The dog went to a funeral service of an old well-known dog. She saw a big piece of meat and grabbed it and went out.
"I must eat this good meat with my child," she said, and went fast to reach home safely with the meat.
As she was going home she was about to pass a pond. She looked into it and saw the reflection of the meat she had in her mouth. It looked bigger than the one she was carrying. She wanted to take the bigger one which she saw, so she opened her mouth and let go of the meat she was holding. When the meat fell into the water it was gone. She was still trying to catch the one that she had seen.
And so she went home crying in regret because she had lost what she had.
|< Prev
|Next >


text:
The Regina Police Service is proud to announce that it has been named one of Saskatchewan's Top Employers for 2012. The Regina Police Service earned this distinction in 2011 as well. The winners were announced today in a special supplement published bySaskatchewan's largest daily newspapers, the Regina Leader-Post and the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix.
The Regina Police Service, with 533 full-time employees, achieved the Top Employer distinction through a selection process offered by Mediacorp Canada Inc. This process considers a number of factors that distinguish one employer over another when it comes to attracting quality candidates in an increasingly competitive job market. Among those distinguishing characteristics: the Regina Police Service…
- …provides maternity and parental leave top-up payments to new mothers and fathers as well as adoptive parents (to 95 percent of salary for 17 weeks) along with a health benefits plan that extends during their leave;
- …helps employees balance their personal and working lives through a variety of alternative work arrangements, including flexible hours, compressed work week and an earned-days off program;
- …encourages ongoing employee development with generous tuition subsidies, subsidies for professional accreditation, in-house and online training programs, a formal mentoring program and career planning services;
- …provides long term peace of mind for life after work with generous contributions to a defined benefit pension plan.
Information about the Regina Police Service, as one of Saskatchewan's Top Employers, is also available at: http://www.eluta.ca/top-employer-regina-police-service .


text:
We're so thrilled to have author Hayden Thorne as our guest today, and we hope you'll help welcome her. :)
Hayden has a new book that released on April 14, 2013, from Queerteen Press, called Gold in the Clouds, a project she's here to tell us a bit more about, as well as offering an excerpt from the novel AND giving one lucky reader the chance to win an eCopy of the book! Read on to see how to enter to win.
Q. When did you start writing creatively, and who was your greatest literary influence?
A. I started out writing cartoon strips with my younger sister. We used to deface our family encyclopedias by doodling in the margins, which, obviously, didn't go down very well with our parents. But we got blank notebooks and filled those up with crazy stories and weird characters. I remember writing a comic strip about a family that got stranded on Easter Island. That was long, long before I knew that Easter Island wasn't a Robinson Crusoe type of place.
I didn't pick up the pen again till around 2000, when I got sucked into the Gundam Wing fandom. Eventually I messed around with Kaze to Ki no Uta, literary slash, and then original fiction, mostly short. It wasn't until around 2006 when I started publishing short stories for anthologies (adult, by the way). I got tapped by the editors of Prizm Books to contribute material for their new LGBT Young Adult imprint, and things snowballed from there.
My greatest literary influence is Charles Dickens. His books were one of my first forays into classic literature in high school alongside Victor Hugo, and I adored – still adore – his works. His books were instrumental in broadening my horizons from J.R.R. Tolkien to some pretty heavy stuff, and I've absorbed what I could of his characterization. I think that element right there is what inspired me the most. He's not a perfect writer and is the worst when it comes to the use of coincidence in plots, but his characters are incredible. I've always wanted to write teenagers (and even adults as side characters) who stand out in some way or other and leave some kind of impression in readers' minds.
Q. What was the first of your books to be published?
A. It was a group thing, so to speak. Prizm Books opened their doors with Icarus in Flight, Banshee, and Masks: Rise of Heroes. Those books plus additional titles from other authors.
Q. If someone had never read your work before but was getting ready to dive in, what's the one thing you'd want them to know before they purchased one of your books?
A. Hmm. That I'm no romance writer, even in YA. I remember having some readers react in shock at realizing that Desmond and Garrick weren't going to get together because their names are front and center in the series' title. But my main point is friendship developing between two completely disparate characters. I prefer to focus on other relationships involving gay kids in my stories, and I really enjoy exploring families and friends as opposed to love interests. Romance is always secondary to whatever the main conflict is.
I'm also not a writer of contemporary issues faced by gay teens. When I do write about them, it's always removed from the real world, i.e., I love playing with metaphors and symbols. By and large, I want to write gay kids as individuals who're much more than their sexual orientation. I prefer to write them no differently from the way I'd write about straight kids. My fairy tales, especially the novels, don't even make a big deal about homosexuality unless a side character decides to twist it for a reason.
Q. You've often said you write in a very niche segment of the LGBT YA market. How do you come up with the ideas for your books, especially for those like The Twilight Gods and Renfred's Masquerade which, to this day, are two of my all-time favorites?
A. The "preferred genre" for LGBT YA fiction remains contemporary coming-out novels or issues-based novels. You'll see a lot of those books being published by the larger, more mainstream presses, with occasional fantasy fiction mixed in. And there's a good reason for that, of course. LGBT kids will always need them, no matter what generation we're looking at. But at the same time, the even smaller market for genre fiction for LGBT teens is slowly growing, thanks to small, independent presses who aren't afraid of taking chances. Those books have yet to win over the majority of gatekeepers in the LGBT YA world, but they're holding steady, and I don't see them going away at any time soon. As far as the importance of speculative fiction for LGBT teens is concerned, it's just as needed as coming-out novels; if we want to help these kids find their courage to be who they are, why can't we write about them in every genre out there?
I tend to find inspiration in art: music, visual arts, literature. The Twilight Gods was inspired by a Native American folktale and is in fact a retelling of the story. When I first read the folktale, I saw so many connections between the imagery of death, the skeletons, and the marriage with the more negative beliefs that too many of us still have regarding homosexuality. But music tends to have a stronger influence on my writing. Renfred's Masquerade was inspired by Offenbach's "Barcarolle" in the sense that when I listened to the piece, a number of images and, again, connections came to mind. A masquerade, for sure, was one of them. The context of Offenbach's piece also made me think of reality vs. fantasy because the aria is sung by a doll, with whom a man falls in love and believes to be real. Plus I couldn't help but picture two people in a boat or gondola leaving—but it wasn't a happy image.
Classical music to me is the best source of story inspiration. Each piece works on my imagination in ways that are different from another, but overall, it's the emotions roused by these pieces that I zero in on and use to influence the way the plot unravels. Strong emotions tend to give rise to images, which can lead to something more, etc. I recently blogged about Carl Orff's "Gassenhauer" and how it's helping me sort through my difficulties with a story I've been having trouble with. The piece is very short, very light, and very playful—a child's song, almost. But it's helped me work out some kinks in a story that I had to set aside for the time being because the emotions affected by it really fit the tone of the story, which is very whimsical.
Q. You have a new book just released from QueerTeen Press called Gold in the Clouds. Would you tell us a little bit about the story, where you found the inspiration for it, and perhaps share an excerpt with us?
A. Gold in the Clouds is "Jack and the Beanstalk" as witnessed by Jack's gay best friend, Blythe Midwinter. It's a fantasy and a comedy along the same lines as Rose and Spindle, but it's snarkier. The novel's conflict revolves around Blythe's self-worth and the constant struggle in him regarding wealth and luck because he's poor, and he's tired of being poor. It doesn't help him any that, on one hand, his best friend happens to be a lazy little bugger and prefers to wait for Lady Luck to shower him with gold and so on, and on the other hand, his sister keeps rubbing his nose into the value of honest, hard work despite their poverty.
Inspiration for this story came a long time ago. I was toying with the idea of writing a picaresque series involving two gay kids (boyfriends, to be brief) who run away and try to find how they fit in a number of fairy tale plots, and one of them was "Jack and the Beanstalk". I pictured them both standing around the chopped-up beanstalk and staring at it forlornly, wondering why they couldn't be a part of the adventure. My rationale behind the series is like a satirical stab at different fairy tales—especially those princess ones—and how cool it would be to have LGBT kids be a part of those adventures. Or maybe even create their own or add an unexpected turn of events to one that's already existing.
The series idea died pretty quickly, but I liked the idea of telling familiar fairy tales from the point-of-view of side characters who didn't exist in the original stories. So Rose and Spindle and Gold in the Clouds came about, but for the next one, I'd like to go back and write an original fairy tale.
* * * * *
(excerpt from Chapter 2)
The sound of rumbling carriage wheels broke through the lovely calm, and Blythe looked up to watch a handsome private coach being pulled by an even handsomer team of horses along the dirt road on the other side of the river. The liveried driver sat straight and proud, his nose high even as he guided the gleaming horses with skill and confidence.
"I'd love to have one of those," Jack said in breathless tones.
"You'll have to work for it."
"I know. It's not fair, I tell you."
Blythe followed the coach's progress till it vanished behind some trees and dense shrubbery. "I suppose you can always gamble for it."
"I don't have any money to gamble with, you oaf."
Blythe tried not to roll his eyes again. "Sell something, then. One of your cows, for one thing."
"Mama and I only have one cow," Jack retorted. "I don't think she'll take to selling it. I mean, where will we get our milk?"
"Then find a job, you lazy dog!"
Jack let out a noise that sounded suspiciously like a fart, and he stumbled to his feet, brushing grass and dirt off his ragged trousers. "Dear God, you sound like Mama. Worse, you sound like a wife. I'm going home."
Blythe shook his head as he watched Jack yawn and stretch his long, bony arms, twisting his torso and cracking his back when he did.
"A wife," Blythe said. "That's what you need, Jack. A wife. Preferably a rich one."
Jack made a face and lightly slapped the top of Blythe's head with an open hand. "Don't be stupid. I'll never marry. I'd rather go off on grand adventures and come back rich."
"If so, then you'll have dozens of girls running after you and your money."
"Ha! They'll never get a penny from me!"
Blythe grinned as he threw another stone in the river. "I doubt if your mama will be too happy about that. I'm sure she'll be demanding grandchildren from you someday."
"Bah! I'll be the one bringing home the gold, not her! If she wants to stay on my good side, she'll keep her nose out of my business and let me have my way!"
A sudden movement just off to the right side of the road across from them caught Blythe's attention, and he cackled as he gave Jack's leg a sharp slap.
"Speaking of staying on one's good side, it looks like you haven't gotten that far with your mama."
A plump, red-faced woman walked into view, her ragged gown and smock as well as her bonnet caked with road dust. On one hand she held a particularly large rolling pin, and from what Jack had told him, it was never used for baking.
"Jack Wicket!" she hollered, turning her head left and right. "Where are you, you no good lout?"
Jack stuck two fingers into his mouth and whistled—a shrill siren that always set Blythe's teeth on edge and send nearby dogs howling. Mrs. Wicket stopped dead and caught sight of the boys, and if her face was red then, it turned nearly black upon clapping eyes on her son.
"Jack! What the devil are you doing? Get your lazy, bony arse back home right this instant if you value your worthless hide!" she screeched, waving her rolling pin wildly in the air. "Didn't I tell you to chop wood? Didn't I? You've had all this time, and you never bothered to do one simple thing?"
For his part, Jack looked to be taking it all in stride. He stood silently for a moment, allowing his hysterical mother to unburden herself so passionately and convincingly, before turning and saluting Blythe.
"I'll be dreaming of riches while she thrashes me," he said and then strode off, hands in tattered pockets, and sang a vulgar drinking song. As to where and how he'd learned it, Blythe couldn't even begin to guess.
* * * * *
Q. I love to ask this question because I get so many different answers: if you could sit down to dinner with anyone, past or present, first of all, whom would it be, and second, what's the one question you'd be dying to ask?
A. I'd love to sit down with John Keats and ask him how he came up with such gorgeous, gorgeous poetry. I'll probably be too emotional to hear what he'd say, though, and will likely end the conversation blubbing over how lovely he is and how sorry I am that we never get to see him write more glorious verses till his old age.
Q. Do you have a favorite fictional character? If so, whom and why?
A. I don't, sorry. There are just way too many great, memorable characters I've read that no one really stands out.
Q. Of all the characters you yourself have created, do you have a favorite, and same as above, whom and why?
A. I'd say Eric Plath from the Masks series. That boy's my free personal therapist. He's got the confidence and especially the balls to do things that would get me locked up in a convent if I even attempted any of them. He's everything I'm not, both as an adult and when I was a teenager, and it's incredibly liberating, writing him in so many adventures—especially when he shoots his mouth off and tries to sass his way out of an argument with his parents and ends up getting grounded or punished for it.
Q. Along the same lines: if you were to choose your favorite among all the books you've written, what would it be and why?
A. I'd say Renfred's Masquerade (a really tough choice between that and Desmond and Garrick). It's the novel that comes the closest to the kind of book I'd love to be known for as a writer of speculative LGBT YA fiction. It's an original fairy tale that makes use of the setting as part of the characters, so to speak, and the fantasy elements really played themselves out as well as I'd hoped. I really enjoyed the writing process, too, especially the masquerade scenes, and I even put together a playlist over at YouTube to listen to while working on the rough draft. It's also the first book I wrote where I didn't ease up on the darker or more tragic elements and was able to tie things neatly together at the end without making the conclusion implausible or, worse, laughable. I managed to do something similar with The Glass Minstrel, but Renfred's Masquerade unfolded more smoothly and less tentatively compared to the other book. If anything, how the book ended is inevitable; there really was no other way for Gustav, Constanza, and Jacopo's story to conclude, and while I was tempted to do something along the lines of a deus ex machina, I held back and let logic dictate the final events. I suppose I could sum things up by saying that this was the first book where I went all out with my imagination and didn't regret a single decision I made.
Q. How involved are you in the process of coming up with just the right cover art for your books?
A. Very involved. I usually start looking for images to use when I'm almost done with my rough draft. I collect as many links as possible and share those with my publisher. Sometimes we decide which image would work best with the book, and sometimes I decide which one and send my preferred image instead of a collection of links. My publisher takes care of acquiring the image and tweaking the graphics. If you've noticed, all books published by Queerteen Press don't have boys on their covers; that's my preference. I don't like having people on my book covers and would rather work with the story's theme. I find that I have a lot more freedom choosing images that way, and readers' mental images of my characters aren't already fixed before they start reading.
Q. How would you describe your sense of humor? What makes you laugh?
A. I think my sense of humor is dry /deadpan, and I've got my dad to thank for it. The man had some pretty powerful genes because every one of us has that sense of humor; my mom was the only killjoy in my family.
My favorite comedy series of all time is Blackadder, and that series pretty much encapsulates what I consider to be the best kind of comic writing on TV. Wee caveat: I don't care much for Blackadder I save for "The Queen of Spain's Beard" because the humor comes across as a bit strained. I think the writing vastly improved from Series II and onward.
Q. Do you have any other works-in-progress you'd like to share a few details about?
A. I'm currently expanding a novelette I've already contracted with Queerteen Press called "The Weeping Willow". It's an original fairy tale that started out pretty light and whimsical—rather sentimental, even, but we're changing that, aren't we?—that was also supposed to be a part of a new single author anthology. Unfortunately things didn't pan out with that project, so it's been shelved for now, and I'm given the green light to work on "The Weeping Willow" some more.
It's going to turn into a gothic folktale with a lot of supernatural elements worked into the main plot. There's really not much more to say at the moment since I'm practically starting over with the story, but I'll definitely be sharing more with readers as I go along over at my blog.
Q. Where can readers find you on the internet?
A. My wee corner of the web is over at http://haydenthorne.com/
**And now, on to the contest!
All you need to do to enter to win a copy of Gold in the Clouds is leave a comment for Hayden right here. Please remember to include your email address so we know how to contact you for delivery of the eBook. This contest will run through 11:59pm Pacific Time on Friday, April 19, 2013.
A single winner will be selected via Random.org and notified on Saturday, April 20, 2013 for prize delivery.
Thanks so much for participating, and good luck!**


text:
The router has a number of ports that allow access to the router, on each of these ports you can specify passwords to provide a layer of security to the router. There is also the option of disabling login password checking to any of the ports by entering the command to get to the Router(config-line)# section of the port and entering the no login command. In the examples the password is set to ccna with the enable secret password set to ccna2.
The enable secret password is the password you use to gain access to enable mode and to the global configuration mode on the router and is encrypted. The enable password is used when you do not specify a enable secret password. The enable password should be different from the enable secret password.
The auxiliary port is on the back of the router and is commonly used to connect a modem to. It is used to allow a remote user access
to the configuration of the router. If a modem is connected to the port, it should definitely have a password specified for it.
The console port is also on the back of the router and is used to directly connect a console to the router for configuring the router. The console is usually a PC running a program like HyperTerminal set to 8 N 1. The PC connects to the console port from the PC's COM port, the COM port uses a 9 pin to RJ45 connector, the connector uses a rolled CAT 5 cable (reversed on one end) to connect to the RJ45 port on the back of the router. This port should
allow logins with passwords if the router is physically secured. The port should be disabled if it is not regularly used or the router is not securable. This port can be very useful especially when configuring a new router or a corrupted router as you don't have to rely on IP addresses being correct or the interfaces being up.
The vty ports are specified with the command line vty 0 4 depending on your router you might have more than five (0,1,2,3,4)
virtual terminals available, in that case use the command line vty 0 X where X is the number of terminals -1. You can also specify less than the maximum, which will limit the number of sessions that can exist on the router. The Virtual Terminal ports are just that, virtual, as you can't physically see them. They are the ports that allow users to remotely access the router. If they are enabled then anyone on any of the networks that the router knows about can attempt to login. If you aren't going to be doing remote configurations on the router yourself, the vty ports should be disabled and the console port should be enabled. You can also apply a standard IP access list to the VTY ports.


text:
State Agency Approves Iberdrola-Energy East Plan
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
ALBANY — New York utility regulators have given the global energy company Iberdrola the go-ahead to buy Energy East.
The 4-0 vote by New York's Public Service Commission yesterday clears the way for the $4.6 billion deal, which includes Energy East subsidiaries Rochester Gas and Electric Corp. and New York State Electric and Gas.
Energy East also owns power companies in Maine, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, where regulators have already approved the takeover. But New York's approval comes with a series of conditions that Iberdrola hasn't yet accepted.
The commissioners, who have had Iberdrola's proposal before them for more than a year, characterized their decision as a compromise that protects Energy East's customers while not imposing conditions so onerous they'd cause Iberdrola — which is based in Spain — to nix the buyout.
"This isn't a perfect deal, and it might not be a great deal," commissioner Maureen Harris said before casting her vote. "In my opinion, it's a good deal, and I'm not willing to risk having the company walk away from it."
Iberdrola had no immediate comment except to say that it looks forward to reviewing the order to determine what steps it will take next.
Staff analysts at the PSC had argued for months against the deal because of concerns about whether it would best serve the public in terms of cost and competitiveness. They laid out a series of conditions they said the agency's decision-making panel should impose before the deal could go through.
Yesterday's approval addressed most of the issues staff analysts raised, though the conditions were significantly scaled back from their original recommendations.
For example, the commissioners required Iberdrola to put aside $275 million to offset future rate increases. That's compares with the $646 million PSC staff analysts initially proposed as a condition of the sale.
PSC staff analysts also initially said Iberdrola should be required to sell its interest in wind and hydropower generating plants as a condition of the deal. That was in keeping with a state policy that power companies shouldn't own both transmission lines and generating plants, which might give them too much control over setting prices.
Iberdrola — which has wind projects from the Pacific Northwest to Europe — strongly objected to that demand and sought help from state and federal officials, including Senator Schumer, who said he lobbied the PSC chairman, Garry Brown, to find a compromise.
The commission said yesterday that Iberdrola must sell the fossil fuel generating plants but may keep the wind energy plants as long as it commits to spending up to $200 million on wind energy development in the state. The company has publicly said it will spend $2 billion on wind energy in New York, but it hasn't made a firm commitment.
Under the terms the PSC laid out, Iberdrola would also be required to make any future investments in wind energy using money from a non-Energy East subsidiary.
"We have argued long and hard for Iberdrola's ability to develop wind power, and we very much urge them to accept this ruling," Mr. Schumer said in a prepared statement after the PSC's decision.
It's not clear, however, if the company will go along with the conditions. A spokesman for the PSC said the agency expects to issue a written order spelling them out within a few days, and it's up to Iberdrola to accept or reject the offer.


text:
(Demonstration Battalion)
1948 - 1950
Photo 10D Field Marshal The Viscount Slim, KG, GCB,
GCVO, GBE, DSO, MC and Minnie together,
both veterans of the Burma campaign.
Him the boss man and Minnie from the pack mule train it really is wonderful to see them both survivors together
Stewart Meredith
He had an unusual career: Passed Cadet Course and commissioned Second Lieutenant (Emergency Commission) in the Lancashire Fusiliers, 1 May 1948. Relinquished his commission on re-enlistment in the ranks, 25 August 1949. Reached the rank of Sergeant. Commissioned again as a Second Lieutenant (Short Service Commission) in the Lancashire Fusiliers, 28 June 1950. Promoted Lieutenant, July 1950. Resigned his commission, October 1951.
He served with Maurice Taylor at Knook camp Warminster.
Football fever at the museum
By Rosemary Allen
Work on the museum collection is beginning to take place and some new objects have been discovered at the back of the museum store.
An exciting new find is a 1949 regimental football kit. There is no record of it in the museum's register and the recently retired custodian Tony Sprason has never seen it before.
The museum's assistant development office Anna Bowman has photographed it for inclusion with this article and said: "We know very little about the kit and it seems amazing that it has turned up when there is a lot of excitement about football and it's a World Cup year.
"If any of the anyone knows anything about it we would love to hear from them. It has the number 7/4 marked on the top and RS/27 on the shorts."
The recently discovered kit is going on loan over the summer to a new fashion gallery at Snibston Museum in Leicestershire, the development of which was funded by an HLF grant. The show is called The Beautiful Game and will display the kit alongside other famous strips in state-of-the-art conditions. But the new find will be back to take its rightful place in the Fusiliers' Museum when it opens in the Arts and Crafts Centre in 2008.
The Lancashire Fusiliers were
involved in the famous 1914 "no man's land" football game
during the First world War and were said to be 3-2 up before the game
was called off! These few words describe the recollections of one player
at the time: "The Germans started it, coming out of their trenches
and walking over to us. Nobody decided for us we just climbed over our
parapet and went over to them, we thought nobody would shoot at us if
we all mingled together."
C/Sgt Donald Murphy
Some time ago I contacted your site via Joe Eastwood to ask if anyone knew of my late father Donald Murphy and to ask for my fathers name to be included in the L..F.'s at rest "Book". I noticed at the time that Joe Gidmans name was also in the Column. Joe was my fathers best mate and a useful boxer I think he may have represented the Bn. I said at the time that I my mother had a picture of my father and Joe and that his family might like to see it.
Also included is one of my mother Anne) and father on their wedding day. After the 2/5th Bn. disbanded my father found his way, via the H.L I. into the Blackwatch this fact nearly led to his undoing because whilst my mum and dad were on honeymoon in Ireland, my mother being Irish and from Cork (Despite his surname this was the first time my dad had been to Ireland) Proudly announced that my father had served in the Black and Tans whilst they were in the local pub my dad told me it was the closest he ever came to spilling a pint.
There is alsoa scan of my fathers last will in which her leaves his worldly things to his mother a grim thing to have to do for someone who had turned eighteen two months earlier
John Murphy
During their stay at Warminster,A Coy of the 1st Bn made a training film about "Invasion From Landing Craft".
Mortar Accident 1949
In 1949 the 1st Bn The XXth The Lancashire Fusiliers were carrying out the duties of Demonstration Bn at Warminster.
They often made Training Films for the Army and it was during the making of one such film (possibly Methods of Instruction Part One) that an accident involving a 3 inch Mortar Bomb killed a Lancashire Fusilier and injured a number of others.
It happened on the Ranges at Imber.
The film was being made by AKC and they were filming a Mock up of a Platoon attack by D Coy 1 LF on a Concrete Pillbox.
The Platoon were supported by the Flame throwing "Wasps" of the Carrier Platoon and there was a 2 Inch Mortar smoke Screen laid down.
One of the Wasps had thrown a track and during the necessary halt to fix it,a few people gathered around.
Maurice Taylor and John"Mucky" Mason were squatting down looking at the track when a loud explosion happened quite close to the group.
Jim Costello remembers it as follows:-
"As I and some others were going to the carrier a loud explosion occured and I saw people fall to the ground. We, obviously, were outside the danger zone as A Coy suffered no casualites. I remember dashing to the nearest person on the ground who was screaming out. The right thigh part of his trousers was ripped open and blood was pulsing out of a hole in his leg. I pressed my hands over the hole but that didn't seem to have any effect. I saw a big lump of soiled, white chalk lying nearby so I tried to lick it clean and placed it in the hole. This seemed to stop the blood flow somewhat. The injured lad went a bit quiet and said, "Don't leave me will you Cossie." a few times. Then some people arrived, put him on a strecher and took him away.
Later as we waited around the Oxford carrier
I learnt that D Coy's Fusilier James, had picked up a 3in mortar bomb
near the carrier and threw it over the carrier to the other side where
it exploded and he was uninjured and had been taken away.
Strangely enough, as Maurice says, we never heard much more about the incident. Other than Lt Warren Sillitoe, I never heard anything about anybody else, even what happened to Fusilier James.
Whenever this incident flashes through my mind, maybe once in a year, I always think about Sadler knowing my name, yet I did not know who he was."
Memories of this incident would be very
welcome if anyone else has any?
1st Bn exercising their Freedom of Bury just before leaving for Egypt April 1950
Capt Derek Large, Lt Euan Inchbald ( the best shot in 1LF) with CSM "Smudger" Smith as right marker.
Capt Charles Gaw Kings Colour, Lt Trevor Philips Regimental Colour, Maj Gen Surtees
inspecting, C Sgt "Spud" Murphy escort to the Colours.


text:
The Hills' leading lady, Lauren Conrad, was spotted heading into her new home in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Here's LC carrying some pretty flowers …
No official word on whether a special new man surprised Lauren with flowers or whether Conrad simply picked them out herself for decorative purposes.
With LC on this day was high school BFF and new roommate, Lauren Bosworth, who is not pictured above, unfortunately. We'll get you next time, Lo!
Season Three's new episodes of The Hills begin Monday, March 24! Yesterday, we brought you a special preview in the form of a new trailer!


text:
Our manners contribute a great deal to our success and happiness in life. Without good manners it is difficult, sometimes impossible, to attain a high executive position, make a success In business, or attract people and make friends. Well-behaved people are leaders In every line of business or social affairs, and are also apt to be successful In their family lives. Good manners dictate not disrespecting others, no matter how justified we think that we are.
Manners have their source in violent societies where the powerful must be given signs of respect for their power, or where the consequences can be deadly, even horrific. Shaking hands, with the right hand, began as a way to demonstrate that there were no hidden knives or weapons in the most dominant hand. In some cultures, the right hand is used to wipe after defecating and to use that hand to touch another person is rude beyond belief. In our dealings with others we must always be motivated by kindness and consideration.
Hire a custom writer who has experience.
It's time for you to submit amazing papers!
order now
In order to be happy ourselves we must not only receive, but also give, and make others happy. Our face Is the first and most Important object observed by others and Its expression conveys to them our emotions and thoughts. A cheerful, kindly, smiling face will go far in attracting people to you. Think kindly of others and your face will show it; you will attain charm and poise of the natural, not superficial kind, because it will come from your heart and people will feel that it is genuine, not made to order.


text:
Ranunculus acris L. - Side-view of a young floral bud showing three
flat sepal primordial and several roundish stamen primordia on the dome-shaped
floral apex.
Hibbertia scandens (Willd.) Dryand – Top view of a young floral
bud from which the sepal primodia have been removed to show five petal primodia
and the first signs of androecial inception at the periphery of the flat floral
Hibbertia scandens (Willd.) Dryand– Top view of a young floral
bud from which all sepal primordial and all except one petal primordia have
been removed to show many stamen primordia and five carpel primordia in the
center, two of which are still barely noticeable.
Hibbertia scandens (Willd.) Dryand– Top view of a floral bud
from which all sepal and petal primordial have been removed to show many stamen
primordia and carpel primodia that have become folded.
Potamogeton densus L. – Side-view of a young inflorescence showing
one very young floral bud in top view. On the floral bud the primordia of four
tepals have been initiated. Stamen inception is barely noticeable in the lower
half of the bud.
Potamogeton densus L. – Top view of a young floral bud at the
tip of the inflorescence. Four stamen primordia have been initiated opposite
the four tepal primordia. Each of the lateral stamens arises as two separate
primordia that become confluent later on.
Potamogeton densus, young gynoecium
Butomus umbellatus, perianth initiation
Butomus umbellatus, stamen initiation
Butomus umbellatus, carpels
Cyclamen orbiculatum, sepal inception
Cyclamen coum, petal-stamen inception
Cyclamen coum, stamen differentiation
Cyclamen coum, ovary wall inception
Cyclamen persicum, anthesis, long section
Cyclamen coum, anthesis
Zea mays L., spike
Back to overview
Copyright © 2023 The Botanical Society of America. 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110 · Voice: 314-577-9566 · FAX: 314-558-9184 · Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Items posted on the Botanical Society of America's website by the author/creator are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. We value sharing, growing and learning together. In the spirit of fairness, we believe in the attribution of materials and ensuring the appropriate voices are in place when considering further use.