text:
Will Coggin, a senior research analyst at the Center for Consumer Freedom, wrote in The Hill last week that "Vermont became the first state to mandate de facto warning labels on genetically improved foods (GIFs), also referred to as GMOs."
As bland as that sentence sounds, it and those that follow are loaded with inaccuracies and red herrings. This is not surprising in a piece that attacks GMO food labeling – a concept that Americans strongly support, according to poll after poll. And it's not surprising coming from a person who calls himself "a frequent critic of radical activists who seek to take choices away from Americans and put farmers out of business…"
Let's start with the phrase "genetically improved foods." Most Americans use the acronym GIFs to mean those stupid-funny videos featuring cats falling over or riding in clothes dryers, tailor-made for wasting time on the Internet. The phrase "genetically improved" is just cynical spin concocted by food industry public relations types who know that the more familiar terms – genetically modified organisms and genetically engineered – cause Americans to ask which foods exactly have been modified or engineered.
As someone who wants to protect consumer choice by giving people the facts they want, I'm puzzled at the food industry officials' strong aversion to labeling. They complain it's an undeserved warning label, but it's not. That label on orange juice that says "not from concentrate" isn't a warning – just a fact. The federal Food and Drug Administration requires 3,000 other processes, additives and ingredients to be labeled.
Coggin writes that labeling of GE food "is not a food safety issue." I couldn't agree more. We don't label unsafe food in the United States, we take it off the market. That's why you don't see food with a big red banner, "Warning: Contains E. Coli."
As a representative of what Coggin dismisses as "radical green group," I agree that there should be a federal standard for GE labeling. But we at EWG call the "solution" that Coggin is promoting, the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, sponsored by Rep. Mike Pompeo, (R-Kan.) the Deny American's Right to Know, or DARK Act.
It's pretty ironic that someone who works for an organization that claims to protect consumer choice would support legislation that would ban the FDA and states from requiring labeling including Vermont's law that Governor Peter Shumlin signed into law last week. Instead, the DARK Act would enshrine the existing voluntary labeling system that has been an abject failure. Thirteen years ago, the FDA established a system to allow companies to label their food as genetically engineered or containing GE ingredients. Not one company has done so. Pompeo's DARK Act would even allow the food industry to sell products containing GE ingredients as "natural food." You can't get much more opposite from natural then genetic engineering. Maybe Coggin actually works for the Center for Consumer Confusion.
Here's the real solution for protecting consumer choice: the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act introduced by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.). This legislation would bar GE foods from the market if they aren't appropriately labeled. It would give all parties, even those companies spending millions of dollars to defeat labeling efforts around the country, a voice in the process, as opposed to the DARK Act, which would silence the voice of consumers and policymakers who want to keep them fully informed about their food.
To answer Coggin, I hope that labeling of GE foods will give the 93 percent of Americans who support labeling the information they deserve.
Coggin claims that "consumers have been hoodwinked into believing GIFs are bad" by EWG and other advocates for labeling. Our response: the Grocery Manufacturers Association and major food companies spent $70 million to defeat labeling ballot initiatives in California and Washington in the last two years. This despite many of these companies being subject to labeling requirements in 64 other countries. Consumers can't be blamed for believing that these companies have something to hide. And it's not as if there's a popular groundswell of support for the anti-labeling lobby. The anti-labeling effort spent $22 million in Washington state and only $550 came from in-state donors.
Coggin claims that data produced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency show that the proliferation of GMO crops has reduced the need for herbicide. But Charles Benbrook, the leader of a program on sustainable agriculture at Washington State University authored a study in 2012 that estimated that herbicide-resistant GE crops led to a 527 million pound increase in herbicide use in the U.S. between 1996 and 2011.
Not all food companies oppose labeling. Chipotle, Ben and Jerry's, Clif Bar and Company, Nature's Path, Hain Celestial, Stonyfield, Organic Valley and Earthbound Farms and many others support it. Representatives of several of these companies went to Capitol Hill last month to urge their legislators to do likewise.
Here's what the Grocery Manufacturers Association's talking points nor Coggin's blog nor Rep. Pompeo's legislation show: a real concern for consumer choice. What they and their allies actually support is continuously raising the red herring of safety to keep consumers in the dark. The Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act is the approach that will protect consumer choice.
Now excuse me, I'm going back to looking at cat GIFs.


text:
Who We Are
Many people in the world today experience unjust suffering only because they lack the basic resources to embrace a better future.
We exist to empower communities through wholistic sustainable development, meeting physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
••• Our Story
One of our co-founders has a very unique laugh. We decided to put this laugh on a ringtone to raise funds for clean water and spread awareness. Let Them because many people who are suffering are full of joy, but their suffering prevents them from having a better future; LOL (Laugh Out Loud) because we are using laughter to bring them hope.
We are a community here (in Buffalo, NY) with a community there (in Sierra Leone, West Africa).

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Debut goal for hard-working front-man...NEW BOY, Tom Bradshaw, says he is 'over the moon' after opening his goalscoring account in our opening day draw with Port Vale.
The 22 year-old raced onto a pass from Ashley Grimes before cooly lifting the ball over the onrushing Sam Johnson to get Walsall back on level terms.
"It was a little frustrating being on top and not being able to convert our possession into goals," he said. "So when the chance finally came, it was a brilliant feeling to see it go in and get the clubs first goal of the season."
Tom Pope had put the hosts ahead on 25 minutes but after Bradshaw's 59th minute leveler, The Saddlers looked the more likely to claim all three points.
"The team spirit we've got in the changing room is first class," he added. "I think that showed on the pitch and even after they scored I felt we were on top and a goal was coming.
"Once we got one back we kicked on again and had the upper had for the rest of the game.
"On another day we go on to find a winner but it wasn't to be. I think we deserved to get the win on the balance of play."
Over 1,100 traveling fans applauded Bradshaw off the pitch after he was substituted in the second half and the clubs large away following surprised the former Shrewsbury man.
"That's the most [away fans] I've ever seen at Vale Park. It was very impressive looking up into the stands and seeing all those supporters.
"I said to the lads when I came off, I didn't realise just how many there was until I stopped and looked. I was quite taken aback and the reception I got when I was taken off was hugely appreciated."
We would like to apologise for the lack of live commentary on Saddlers Player at the weekend after Port Vale failed in their obligation to provide us with a working ISDN line. Fear not, as we will be broadcasting live and direct from Southend United in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday evening...


text:
If there is one thing that sends the entire planet into mass panic, it's the fear that we may someday lead to the destruction of the human population as a whole. However, in a controversial opinion piece, American philosopher Todd May suggests that it may not be a bad thing in the bigger picture.
Imagine you are sitting and reading your morning paper, coffee in hand, only to come across an opinion piece in The New York Times that suggests that, morally speaking, of course, human extinction wouldn't be an entirely bad situation. Is it any wonder that May has been faced with a fair share of criticism? The truth, he may have a point – on a strictly moral level of course.
Now, May didn't just drop that hard truth bomb and walk away, he took the time to explain his thought process carefully. He's not saying that it wouldn't be a tragedy if the human population were to face mass extinction tomorrow, it certainly would be. However, he argues that we, as a population, are doing such 'bad' things to the world around us that our extinction may be the only way to stop the negative impact that we have on the rest of the world. In short, our removal from the planet would free other beings from the pain and suffering that we cause them, allowing them to live a happier life.
Now, time for a little honesty and tough love – reading that statement, you can't honestly argue his point. Not entirely anyway. The rocky relationship between the growing human population and the environment has long been acknowledged and studied. In fact, one of the greatest fears many have regarding the risk of human extinction is that our population will continue to grow and multiply until the Earth simply can't support us any longer given the incredibly negative impact our population growth has had on the environment.
Take a look around us. From widespread deforestation and environmental destruction paves the way for new buildings, buildings, and farming practices to support our growing needs. We have hunted, fished and poached some creatures completely into extinction, while the IUCN Red List currently warns that there are more than 26,500 species currently threatened with extinction. Meanwhile, the pollution that our modern way of living is continuing to pump out into the natural world continues to grow and spread, destroying ecosystems and causing widespread problems. In his article, May points to a New York Times article discussing the many changes that we have seen and will continue to see in Yellowstone National Park – a very real example of our impact including photographs and a time-lapse video.
If we are so toxic for the environment as a whole, why then do we have so much sympathy for our own plight. Obviously, there's the fact that it impacts us directly, and we are wired to seek survival, but it goes deeper than that. May points to the well-known dramatic tragedies including Shakespeare's King Lear. While we acknowledge the wrongs committed by the tragic character, we are still sympathetic of their plight.
"There is one more tragic aspect to all of this. In many dramatic tragedies, the suffering of the protagonist is brought about through his or her own actions…" May goes on to conclude, highlighting some of his biggest fears of this complex topic. "…It may also turn out that it is through our own actions that we human beings bring about our extinction, or at least something near it, contributing through our practices to our own tragic end." Whether you agree with his statement that this may actually have a positive moral side to it or not, the risk of human extinction is a very real topic we need to address and fast.
Feature Image Source: ractapopulous | Pixabay


text:
Ranunculus Hot Pink - Bulk and Wholesale
30% discount will be applied to your shopping cart!
|Experience the enchanting allure of hot pink Ranunculus, boasting delicate, layered petals and stunning hue that bring elegance and grace to floral compositions.
NOTE: To allow for necessary time to cut & ship your flowers from the farms, orders MUST be placed a minimum of 3-4 business days in advance. If you need items sooner, please call us directly for further assistance.
hotpink | medium fragility | Ranunculus | year-round |


text:
Ultramarathon Daily News | Tuesday, Sept 11
After 17 years, it still feels strange typing that date, doesn't it? Whew, where was I back then? I'd recently moved to Sacramento from LA, had begun dating Sam, and I was living in an attic and had my own urinal. I was working as a legislative analyst healthcare trade association on my way to becoming a lobbyist and campaign consultant and felt like I was growing up. Running wasn't part of my life (I'd taken a ten year hiatus), but looking back, I sure wish I'd been up at Squaw to watch Jurek and Ann Trason take off en route to wins at Western States (his third, her freaking twelfth.) A lot has changed, but a lot has stayed the same and I'm grateful for all the experiences.
But let's get on with the important stuff…Be sure to read Dylan Bowman's heartbreaking tale from TDS. He went in to the race in perfect shape, primed for a standout performance, executed flawlessly and was in the zone…and then…read it all right here.
The five ladies of South African running, including the incredible Frith van see Merwe, the OG female barefooter Zola Budd, and a 'melanin-enriched' Blanche who ran through apartheid and is still making an impact today.
More on African barefooters…here's a quick video from the 1960 Olympics with the incredible Abebe Bikila.
Mario's Morning Shakeout. Check it out for Mario's smart take on what's going on in the overall running world.
Ellie reminds us why and how to be better stewards of the trails and the outdoors.
David Roche writes about disordered eating in male athletes.
Nice and short essay about taking the other path. It'll make you feel good.
I really like George's take on the important part of running, and that's the process.
Industry news: China's Anta Sports makes a bid to buy Amer Sports, which is the parent company of Salomon and Suunto, among other outdoor brands. The bid is widely assumed to be a step forward in capitalizing on the momentum of the 2022 Winter Games, which will be held in China. (I'm trying to envision a scenario where Beijing steps in and, with political/business partners involved in this new acquisition, add mountain running to the Games and use Kilian and other Salomon athletes to promote it. Possible???)
Good, basic tips for success from one of our country's top runners.
Excellent article by Joe Uhan about the really important parts of being a well-rounded endurance athlete. Save this, bookmark it, and review it every few months.
Quinn started running in the late 1960s/early 1970s, apparently to prove her husband Patrick wrong.—And other funny stories from The Race for the Ages.
Two Trail Sisters attempt a three day trail running adventure on an island in the Great Lakes, but have to make some changes due to foul weather. Good story about planning an adventure and adapting to the conditions.
Marshall Ulrich struggles with aging after DNFing at Badwater this year. Good and real read from one of the most important endurance athletes of our time. And here's our interview with him from 2011.
Bookmart this too: Koop's seven strategies for recovery after an ultramarathon.
Some pretty good tips for crewing an ultramarathon (from, uh, someone I could watch all day.)
Today is a really big day for me. Late last year I had the idea to start a kids track, xc, and trail running club at my kids' elementary school, and today is our very first practice. We've gone way past the initial 40 student limit and now have sixty five 1st-6th graders signed up and a whole gaggle of awesome parent volunteers who'll help out and motivate this next generation of runners. Walking, jogging, pilates, and agility training are on the schedule for today and we'll gradually move into trails later in the season. Big huge thanks to Zone Perfect nutrition bars, to The North Face, and to Athletic Brewing (yes, the team is partially sponsored by a brewery…) for recognizing the importance and need for programs like this and for stepping up with support. We could not do this without their support. (Any shoe brands with kids sizes out there want to offer a discount? We've got some student athletes who could use the help.) Additionally, we're working with Oiselle's "Bras for Girls" program to help make the transition easier for our older girls. This whole team has been a dream of mine and today is day one. Let's do this.


text:
Camp O'Donnell
Provost Marshal Report 19 Nov 1945
Prepared by the Office of the Provost Marshal General 19 November 1945
Camp O'Donnell
Prisoners too weak to continue, many of them
sick and delirious, were killed if they fell out of line. Three
Filipinos and three Americans were buried alive. An American
Colonel attempting to help some soldiers who had fallen out of
line was severely horsewhipped. Another who asked for food for
the prisoners was struck on the head with a can of salmon by
a Japanese officer. Continual efforts were made to terrorize
and dehumanize the prisoners. In six days, Major Dyess marched
135 kilometers and was fed one mess kit of rice.
Finding a sufficient number of able bodied
men among the prisoners to bury the dead was not the least of
the problems with which the camp authorities were confronted.
It was not unusual to have several of the burial detail drop
dead from exhaustion and overwork in the midst of their duties,
and be thrown into the common grave which they were digging for
their dead comrades. Not infrequently men who had collapsed from
exhaustion were even buried before they were actually dead.
On 19 July 1942, Colonel Duckworth, Captains
Le Mire and Keltz, and 52 enlisted men, some of whom were formerly
at Little Baguio and Corregidor, arrived, thus bringing the hospital
personnel nearer to its proper strength.


text: Alphabet conceived for the typographic installation of the exhibition organized in the workshop with the designers from Change is Good. Applying in the space letters created with 5 cm width adhesive tape, the words perform a game among the false friends from the students' native languages. While transposing this concept to the type design field, I have created a typeface whose letters are decomposed in four fonts/layers. Its manipulation allows for a wide array of chromatic interactions.


text:
Bristol Florist 780 King St, Bristol, CT 06010
Local: 203-996-4876Email Us
- 780 King St, Bristol, CT 06010
This exquisite plant is a luxurious way to celebrate a wide variety of occasions. Planter is 4 in diameter, plant size will vary.
All items featured on this site represent the types of arrangements we offer and may vary depending upon availability in certain regions. Substitution Policy


text:
- Home
- Departments
- Public Works
- Engineering Department
- Civil and Private Development
Civil and Private Development
Guidelines for Residential / Commercial / Industrial Development
The City of Cleburne's Engineering Services Department is responsible for the review and release of all development projects after they have received approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. Engineering Services is also responsible for ensuring that the development of roadways, grading, drainage, water and sewer are to the standards set by the City of Cleburne.
This is a general guideline outlining the Engineering Services Department Development Process. A Project Checklist is available on the Civil Plan Review Application For Development to assist you. Keep in mind that additional information may be required depending on the specific development project.
- Development of Construction Plans
- Pre-construction Meeting
- Construction Phase
- Final Acceptance
Impact Fee Study
The City of Cleburne requires impact fees for water, wastewater and roadways. These fees must be paid before connecting to the CIty's water/wastewater lines and before a building permit will be issued. The Land Use Assumptions and Capital Improvements Plan Report for Water, Wastewater, and Roadway Impact Fee Study is available for citizens to view.
More Information and an FAQ can be found here.
Citizens can view the Impact Fee Study online with the link below: Impact Fee Study
Physical copies can be at the following locations:
- Cleburne Public Library
302 W Henderson St, Cleburne, TX 76033
- Cleburne City Hall - City Secretary Office
10 N Robinson St, Cleburne, TX 76031
If you need assistance with any of the information on this page, please contact the Engineering Services Department at -817-556-8869.


text:
Using OTRS
What is OTRS?
OTRS is IXIASOFT's online ticket-reporting system. It enables you to easily report any issues or problems you encounter. It also enables you to ask any questions that are not answered by the online help or PDF documentation.
Not only does OTRS record the initial question, it also keeps track of IXIASOFT's responses to you and your replies back to IXIASOFT. After your initial submission, you receive e-mails for each communication. You can respond directly to these e-mails if that is more convenient for you, and your responses are recorded in OTRS with the ticket.
Within OTRS, you can view a list of all your tickets and their statuses, to quickly see all resolved and outstanding issues that you have—all in one place.
OTRS stands for "Open-source Ticket Request System." You can learn more about it at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OTRS.
How do I use OTRS?
Using OTRS is very simple. During your implementation, you received an URL, or Web address, for OTRS. You also received a login and initial password to OTRS. You access the URL via a Web browser and log in. From the OTRS screen, you can create a new ticket, review existing tickets, attach files to the ticket, respond to IXIASOFT comments on the ticket, and close the ticket when it's successfully resolved.
Always submit a new ticket for each new issue. For updates to existing issues, please update the existing ticket. If IXIASOFT support staff determine that a new issue is related to an existing issue, we will merge the two to ensure that all responses are kept together.
To access the OTRS ticket system, use the following link: http://otrs.ixiasoft.com.
To submit a ticket via e-mail, use the following address: email@example.com.
When should I use OTRS?
You should use OTRS any time you have a question or encounter a problem when using IXIASOFT CCMS after your initial implementation phase. While you might want to send these questions or issues directly to someone at IXIASOFT, it's much more efficient to submit them via OTRS because that way, both you and IXIASOFT can track the progress and keep the entire conversation together in one place, rather than scattered throughout multiple e-mails. In fact, if you send the question or issue directly to someone at IXIASOFT, he or she will often forward it to OTRS anyway, for just this reason.
Who can access OTRS?
Certain users that you designate as ticket reporters each have their own unique login. Each user receives the factory-default password initially, which they are expected to change as soon as possible.
Who should enter tickets into OTRS?
During implementation, you select a few key users or support staff in your organization to handle the initial reporting of issues from CMS users before a ticket is submitted to IXIASOFT. These people should be those who are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of IXIASOFT CCMS and the Output Generator.
Many times, the issue that users experience are due to misunderstandings or incorrect use of DITA and/or the CMS according to your organization's guidelines. Limiting OTRS usage to one or two users helps ensure that your team is not entering tickets for questions or issues that you could easily resolve internally, or that multiple people are not entering similar tickets.
What information should I include in an OTRS ticket?
The more information you include, the better IXIASOFT support is able to start resolving the issue right away. Please include as many of the following items as apply:
- a description of when the problem occurred and steps to recreate it
- log files (Output Generator, Eclipse, Textml)
- CMS, Eclipse, and Output Generator build numbers
- pertinent configuration files from the CMS or Output Generator
- pertinent DITA files from the CMS
Before you report an error, check to see if there was a job running in the background or if another user was doing a large operation such as changing the status of many topics at once. These things can cause an error that would not otherwise occur.


text:
The "Call for Help" type – Gayoon, Her Pet
Gayoon bears great resemblance to a puppy dog. Cute and shy, she attracts those who are looking for an easy target. However, once Gayoon befriends Soha, an athletic, beautiful, honor student at her school, Gayoon now has someone to save and help her escape from bullying altogether. Sometimes, all you need is a reliable friend to give you a hand out of a hellhole.
The "Stand My Ground" type – Yueun, My Secret Brother
To overcome bullies, the first step to take is to let them know that you're no pushover. A victim whose past had followed her to high school, Yueun is always called on by the bullies but deals with it in silent mode. However, after befriending Hanmi, the new, rather rebellious, transfer student, a growing burst of courage allows her to speak up against the bullies for the first time.
The "Strike First" type – Lee Dongho, An Eye for an Eye
Lee Dongho had friends and did well in class. The only reason he's getting bullied is because he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. After various situations where he couldn't do anything, he decides to change the situation and go face the bullies one by one. Violence isn't the solution to any problem, but sometimes, you need to take matters into your own hands.
The "I'll Prove You Wrong" type – Kim Jaerim, Out of Control
Yuri, the vice president of the student council, picks on Jaerim because well... he's ugly. Tired of giving Yuri any other excuse to talk down on him, Jaerim vows to become an irreplaceable member of the student council and takes all the workload given to him without a word. Jaerim strives hard to prove his worth and change Yuri's opinion about him.
The "Destress" type – Kim Seunggu, Drug Candy
Now, one of the best ways to pull through bullying is dealing with the stress that comes with it, especially when there's not much else you can do (unless you quit your job). For Kim Seunggu, it's a never ending cycle that continues even after getting demoted. Luckily, Kim Seunggu has Han Yura. She's part-timer who's there to show him a good time, whether he wants to or not, and helps him forget all his troubles (even his wife).
How would you deal with the bullies? Is there anyone you recognize yourself in?


text:
Women's Halter Top and G-String Dance Bikini Set in Sparkly Purple
Regular price $ 55.00
$ 0.00
Unit price
Are you in possession of exceptionally beautiful butt? Girl if your answer is yes you gotta give Halter Top and G-String Dance Bikini Set a try. You'll be thrilled with the attention and results you get. It will accentuate the beauty of your gorgeous buns for all to see!
You deserve to be shown off!
- One Size Fits Most
- Perfect to wear for beachwear or theme party wear, etc.
- Halter adjustable cups for more or less coverage with sliding string ties for a custom fit
- G String bottom with side string ties
- Multiple string tie styling variations
- Hand Wash Cold, Line Dry
- Stretch High quality Polyamide/Nylon/Spandex (soft & stretchy), quality is guaranteed
- Made in the USA
- Fabric pattern placement may vary on printed items
- Due to monitor differences, actual colors may vary slightly from what appears online


text:
What's Plinky?Plinky was a service that made it easy for you to create inspired content. We provided a prompt (i.e. a question or challenge) and you answered. Plinky shut down on September 1st, 2014. For inspiration, head over to the Daily Post
Right Now
Tag Archives: habit
The glimmers of beginnings: on keeping a notebook
Writers are the great close observers of everything that happens in our world. The quality of the light filtering through the window in winter; the glint of the moon on snow; the sound the wind makes in empty branches; the … Continue reading
Posted in writing Tagged habit, observation, writing Leave a comment


text:
Lemmer (West Frisian: De Lemmer) is a town in the municipality of De Fryske Marren (province of Friesland), in the Netherlands. It has a population of around 10,225 (2017). and is one of Friesland's most famous water sport towns.
Things to do in Lemmer
4 based on 187 reviews
The Terrace, overlooking the boats activities is oké. Friendly service. If you go inside it's very large, busy and not really cozy. Gives impression of mass production. The food itself was not particularly little refined. (Maybe chose wrong). Excellent for easy and quick something to eat after some activity, but not to spend an evening with an exclusive dinner
3.5 based on 127 reviews
Scouting out some family history we found this place on our way back to Amsterdam. Unlike most places in Amsterdam, not much English spoken here (and sadly I don't speak Dutch). So make sure you have your translator on your phone! We needed it to read the menu. Our food was good. For some reason took longer then everyone else, but we were in no hurry. I'm sure a great place in the summer with a great view of the water. There were a number of locals there, so guessing pretty popular. Oh, almost forgot. They are very pet friendly here apparently. Dogs are pretty much allowed everywhere, even restaurants.
4.5 based on 63 reviews
4 based on 27 reviews
i had the pizza marinara and it was ok but relied too heavily on tinned fish. The vegetable lasagne was better. The service was not very good; there being one person other than the cook doing everything. And he struggled. It was a cold wet Monday when we visited so I expect they were not anticipating the ten customers there.
4 based on 15 reviews
Eher aus Mangel an Alternativen in der Umgebung sind wir in diesem Restaurant gelandet. Die Aussicht auf den Yachthafen ist schön. Die Innenausstattung, Deko usw. eher mittelmäßig (Plastikblumen auf dem Tisch). Der Service sehr freundlich, allerdings mit fleckigen Hosen und Hemd. Außerdem bekamen wir die Speisekarte erst nachdem schon die Getränke auf dem Tisch standen. Ich hatte Hähnchenfilet lt. karte mit "Überraschungssauce" und Gorgonzola. Beides konnte ich bei dem etwas trockenen, aber schmackhaften Gericht nicht vorfinden. Die Beilagen waren Standard.
4 based on 23 reviews
We were with a group of 5 and had a good experience. We all loved our food, which was the main deal. A little disappointed in the waiting staff, they seemed a little inexperienced. Therefore, no 5 stars, but the food would've be worth it!
3.5 based on 23 reviews
We ate at the Pub (outdoors). Food is just how you would love it, we chose the liver, which is hard to get right most of the time. These guys just got it right, lovely taste, lovely additions, very neatly placed on your plate with anything you could dream of, and at a very affordable price. OK, most people would go for fish when at a water site, but this simply was not on our menu that very night. Expecting not too bad quality, we were pleasantly surprised with the menu, and the servants. Don't forget, they really have a great Beer choice too !!!
4 based on 111 reviews
The Brasserie is in the middle of beautiful Lemmer right on the canal, het Dok. There is a Terrace right on the canal and there is plenty of room inside as well. They have a good menu with daily specials. The portions of the mains were quite large and very good, but the salads, chips, vegetables etc were not enough for the 4 of us. The table next to us got the same and there were only 2 people. But overall,a very nice experience!
4 based on 34 reviews
I was in the neighborhood and had to find a place to eat. When entering Lemmer, you can't miss the place.
I had a nice veal with Brie cheese sauce and it was tasty. Can't say anything else. And even the price was reasonable.
Fare food for a fare price. And good coffee made it complete. Service was correct and fast.
So... I enjoyed the place. Sometimes it doesn't need to be more.
4.5 based on 108 reviews
The city centre of Lemmer is very charming. De Specerij was recommended by the owners of the B&B we were staying, and turned out to be an excellent choice. The menu is quite varied for a Dutch restaurant, and they are not only serving fatty fish and chips like a lot of the places in the neighbourhood. We ate a nice wagyu steak, a suggestion. Prices are moderate, the atmosphere is cosy although the place is quite big. One minus: we were repeatedly addressed in German, although we are from Belgium.
ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2023 All rights reserved.


text:
It can be awkward asking someone for advice on what BDSM gear you should purchase. Especially when you're a beginner.
I completely understand, and that's why I've made this guide.
Find out, from someone with experience, what you should be looking for as you select your first set of bondage gear…
Our Pick:
Bondage Toys from Lovehoney
Our experts have chosen Lovehoney as the best shopping experience for bondage toys. If you're a beginner, they offer an amazing selection to help you get started, and have the best prices by far.
Why People Practice Bondage?
First of all, let's address the elephant in the room.
Are you weird for wanting to try out BDSM, and bondage in particular?
Absolutely not!
In fact, mental health professionals have determined that people who practice BDSM are just as psychologically healthy as the general population, and many studies indicate they tend to be even better off mentally than the typical individual.
Bondage is really about developing higher levels of trust and intimacy with your partner or partners. It's not the kind of thing you do with a hook-up.
Think about it.
Which scenario requires more trust:
- Having sexy time in a manner that you can see everything happening and have total control of your limbs to change position or leave?
- Or having sexy time with a blindfold on, your arms and legs tied down, and not knowing what your partner is going to do next?
Clearly the second scenario requires a higher degree of trust. And that level of heightened emotion is part of what makes bondage exciting.
Of course, there are other reasons that people engage in bondage, as well. Some like the feeling of being small that being restrained in certain positions gives them. Some find the aesthetic of a tied up person beautiful. Some enjoy the pain sensations or physical challenge of intense bondage.
There's no wrong reason for liking bondage, as long as everyone involved has given informed consent.
What is Consent?
Speaking of that, it's important to remember that consenting to have sex with someone and consenting to BDSM activities with them are two separate things.
If someone springs bondage activities on you without any previous discussion, you are within your rights to stop engaging in any kind of sexy or kinky activities with them.
You should also make sure to discuss these activities with any partner you would like to restrain or have restrain you, and get their consent to participate. It is NOT sexy to "surprise" someone with activities you've never discussed before.
What to Look for in Beginner Kits
You may see more experienced BDSM practitioners using rope for bondage. But this is a learned skill that requires many hours of practice before you should jump into restraining your partner with rope.
Please practice the right way to tie and rope someone and review the safety procedures before ever putting rope on your partner.
The good news is that bondage kits make restraining someone safe and easy, with fewer risks than those associated with rope bondage. It's a great place for beginners to start, to find out if bondage is something they like. And many people prefer to stick with these kinds of restraints even after they're more experienced in BDSM.
After all, BDSM is more about the experience than the particular tools you use.
Now, the point of a BDSM activity is not always for the restrained partner to be comfortable. But when it comes to your first set of restraints, you want to ease into the experience. That's why I suggest looking for a restraint set that has soft, comfortable cuffs for your ankles or wrists when you're first trying out bondage.
The items on this list are not going to be top of the line. They are very specifically for beginners who are exploring and trying out new activities or sensations. More durable items definitely got preference for making the list of recommended bondage kits because, well, when you tie someone up, the idea is that they stay tied up until you release them. A broken restraint spoils the mood.
So, here are some great choices right now.
Top 10 Bondage Kits Worth Buying
1. Tracey Cox Supersex Bondage Kit
The Tracey Cox Supersex Kit is a 5-piece set that comes with a blindfold and 4 wrist and ankle tethers.
The wrist and ankle restraints are made of soft fabric that won't hurt the skin while still keeping you or your partner securely tied up. Believe me, comfort is important, even if you plan to torture them a little, because it ensures that your experience can last longer.
The tethers secure with Velcro for easy release if things get too intense (or one of you just needs to go to the bathroom). That's part of what makes this set a good choice for those inexperienced in being restrained. Knowing you could get out provides some security while exploring new interests.
The restraints themselves are good quality for the price. The blindfold, however, is made of thin material that doesn't completely obscure view.
- Inexpensive.
- Padded and comfortable.
- Blindfold is poor quality.
2. Lovehoney Oh! Get Started Tie & Tease Kit
This kit is great for newbies because all the tools it comes with are relatively safe and require little knowledge to use.
The restraints are soft and silky, so you'll be restrained comfortably, not painfully.
And the feather tickler that is included is a great place to start for sensation play. Like the feeling of goosebumps, anyone? Because your partner will be giving them to you with this sensual set.
The Lovehoney Oh! Get Started Tie & Tease Kit comes with just 2 restraints instead of 4, making it a bit less intimidating if you're unsure about having all of your limbs tied up.
Like the Tracey Cox Supersex Kit, this set also comes with a blindfold. You can explore sensation play while restrained and blindfolded.
- Very inexpensive.
- Safe for beginners at BDSM.
- Well-made blindfold that stays in place.
- Comfortable, sturdy restraints.
- Feathers on the tickler don't play well with body fluids or lubricant and come out easily.
3. Bondage Boutique Bound to Please Under Mattress Restraint
If you squirm a lot while being pleasured (or if you have a squirmy partner), this set of restraints is perfect.
Whichever partner is restrained, you're not breaking free. That's thanks to the nylon straps connected to cuffs by metal connector rings.
The interesting thing about this kit is that there's very little chance of pulling free because the restraints are not actually tied to the bed. Instead, all four cuffs are connected by nylon leads, and you simply put the center of the leads under the mattress to hold it in place. All four cuffs are essentially connected to one another.
But the manufacturer did keep safety in mind, which I love to see! The cuffs are attached with metal pieces that are much like the end of a pet leash, so if you need to get free, your partner can quickly and easily disconnect the cuffs to let you up. These restraints even come with two different color options: black or white.
- Easily removable for safe, quick release.
- Color options available.
- Doesn't have to be fastened to the bed.
- Stronger than less expensive restraints, so you can pull on them a bit (good for squirmers!).
- Straps are adjustable, but can slip loose a bit.
- Difficult to change strap length mid-session.
4. Hot Tie & Cuff Set
The nice thing about this restraint set is that it doesn't require a bed or other furniture to use.
It's a set of four cuffs (two for the wrists and two for the ankles) that can be connected to a central connecting piece with metal clips.
The clips are very much like the clips on a pet leash and function the same way, so they're easy to use and make it simple to be released if you need to change positions. Remember, you always want to be thinking about safety when you're playing with bondage toys. It's okay to cause discomfort, but most partners are not okay with actually being injured during sexy times.
The connectors on these are fairly short, but that doesn't mean your bondage options are limited. Restraint toys can be used in many ways as long as you have an imagination (or a kinky mentor). You can, for instance, only use the cuffs on ankles so that your partner has to use tiny steps to walk.
Or you can only cuff their wrists and use the other connectors to tie them to bed post or other piece of furniture. Or, you can use this set for a traditional hog-tie with their hands and feet secured behind their back. Just make sure whoever is being tied up has the flexibility for that one.
- Versatile usage that doesn't require furniture.
- Thick, comfortable cuffs.
- The restraints are fairly easy to get out of, which can shatter the illusion of being tied up.
- Not durable for a struggling restrained partner.
5. Sportsheets Expandable Spreader Bar & Cuff Set
This is the only spreader bar set I've included in this list, but it's still a good option for beginners.
You can adjust the bar to the width you prefer to keep your legs or arms spread at a particular distance. Like many of the other restraint kits, this one comes with comfortable cuffs that attach to the ends of the spreader bar.
Rather than restraining you to a tie-off point, spreader bars keep your body held in a particular position, which introduces some interesting play opportunities. Don't worry; you still won't be able to get away easily with your ankles locked apart, even if you're not tied down.
It's a different option for partners who don't want to be tied down to a piece of furniture. Of course, it can also be used in conjunction with other restraints. There's no rule that you can only use one restraint style at a time!
- The metal is nickel-free and unlikely to cause allergic reactions.
- Lightweight but durable.
- Includes D-ring attachment point on the center of the bar, for creative uses.
- Can be loud when the metal attachments hit the metal spreader bar. Not for discreet play time.
6. Frisky Tame Me 8 Piece Bondage Set
This set is a little pricier than some of the other beginner bondage kits on this list, but if you're interested in trying out several different new toys at once, it's a good value.
It comes with 8 pieces, including a blindfold, Velcro-close collar, leash, wrist cuffs, ball gag with breathing holes, a mini flogger, and a feather tickler.
By trying out different things, you can learn what you and your partner like so you can invest in more of those kinds of toys in the future. You shouldn't rule something out until you've tried it. You might be surprised about the number of things you enjoy more than you thought you would. I like that this set allows you to do that without spending too much initially.
- Affordable variety of toys for beginners to try.
- Materials are not the best quality; not made for long-term use.
7. Evening Tea Bondage Set
The Evening Tea Bondage Set is one of only two kits I recommend on this beginner's list that includes rope. As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, rope can be trickier (and riskier) than it may look.
If you'd like to learn to restrain your partner with rope, seek out instructional tutorials or a mentor, and start with tying fairly safe areas of the body like the wrists or ankles. Cotton rope, like the black rope included with this set, is comparatively comfortable to tie with.
The set also comes with red and black Velcro wrist cuffs, a matching Velcro collar, a leash, a flogger, faux leather paddle, and a feather tickler. All of this is stored in a box shaped to look like a book called Evening Tea.
- Very comfortable, fuzzy cuffs and collar.
- Nice quality paddle and flogger for a beginner set.
- Hides your toys away on your bookshelf.
- The chain linking the cuffs is low-quality and not made for struggling in or pretending to break free from.
8. Neck & Wrist Restraints
This restraints set is different from anything else on this list.
The Velcro-close collar has an attached nylon strap with two rows of metal D rings. The wrist cuffs can be attached at multiple levels depending on which D rings you clip them to. And you can restrain the hands either in front of the body or behind.
The multiple attachment points also make it possible to attach the collar to leashes or other tie-off points. Or you can add additional ties or restraints to other body parts and attach them to the nylon strap, as well. It's a simple but quite versatile option.
And this particular set of collar and cuff restraints is made of faux leather with a soft lining that will last longer than the fuzzy material most inexpensive cuffs are made from.
- Variety of restraint and tie-off options in one item.
- More durable than fuzzy-style cuffs.
- Have to unclip the cuffs from the D rings to change the position, unlike some more expensive options that are adjustable while wearing.
9. S&M Sweet Punishment Kit
This set comes with the more traditional "police officer" style of cuffs, though they are lined with removable fuzzy black material for comfort.
It also includes a nice faux leather paddle that gives just a small amount of extra sting compared to using your bare hand (and it saves your hand for longer sessions).
Again, this is a beginner's kit, and if you find you like the sensation of being paddled, you'll likely want to upgrade to a sturdier, longer-lasting option in the future. But this one is definitely great for testing the waters.
It also has a blindfold and a "Dominant/submissive Agreement". The agreement is really more of a novelty or a starting off point for negotiations. Remember that no matter what aspects of BDSM you experiment in, what you do is always your choice and requires your consent.
Although some people do like to make written contracts for their BDSM activities, know that there are no "required" aspects. How you play is up to you and your partner.
- Fur-lining on the cuffs can be removed if you want more intense sensations from the restraints.
- Cute "XOXO" design in red on the paddle.
- If you like paddling, the paddle in this kit is not going to last long.
- The cuffs don't work for larger wrists.
10. Lovehoney All You Need Bondage Kit
Okay, this is the most expensive set on this beginner's bondage kit guide.
But that is because it includes a full 20 pieces, so you can try out a variety of kinky and BDSM activities. Don't know what you like? Then this might be worth getting.
And then once you find the pieces that work for you, you can look for higher quality versions of only the items you really enjoy. That way you don't waste money buying top of the line toys that you never use.
The set includes a blindfold, rubber flogger, sensory pinwheel, collar, adjustable nipple clamps, advanced nipple clamps, clitoral clamp, breathable ball gag, 5 meters of rope, waterproof bullet vibrator, g-spot vibrator, single-use vibrating cock ring, textured penis stroker, kegel balls, suction-cup dildo, slimline butt plug, anal beads, wrist cuffs, ankle cuffs, and an under-mattress restraint system.
- Gives you many options to explore.
- Inexpensive for the number of items you can try.
- Most of the items are definitely of lower quality, so if you like them you'll want to upgrade.
- The restraints are not particularly comfortable.
So which kit do I recommend most of these 10?
It really depends what you're going for:
Best Multi-Piece Set: If you're looking for discreet play and a well-equipped bondage set that allows you to try out multiple BDSM toys, go for the Evening Tea Bondage Set.
It is the best multi-piece set. And you can hide it in the book-shaped box it comes with.
Best for Durability and Ease of Use: Another discreet option that's easy to hide away is the Bound to Please Under Mattress Restraint.
It's durable, adjustable, and doesn't require special skills to tie to furniture. Plus, if you want to squirm in the restraints, this set holds up.
Best for Value: The Lovehoney Oh! Get Started Tie & Tease 4-piece kit is a great kit for trying out sturdy, comfortable restraints and a blindfold for an affordable price.
Those are my top 3 picks right now.
I hope you enjoy your experiences with these toys.


text:
"HAM" is getting younger! Seek knowledge, supported by digital technology, opens the way to new horizons allowing, beyond the exchange of words, the transfer of computer files, images, text data and video records. Learning new technologies is one of the prior pleasures of amateur radio! In this context, YAESU has launched a new era: FDMA, or TDMA, with the C4FM (4-level FSK) modulation provides the top efficiency because the BER (Bit Error Rate) characteristic makes digital suitable and reliable, especially for mobile operations.
- Company
- Yaesu
- Rig Expert, Daiwa & Diamond
- Hytera/REGA
- Anytone
- Alpha D.


text:
|What is happiness (apart from a dog on a beach)?
Veterinary educators teach students how to be veterinarians, but a recent paper written by Dr Martin Cake (surely one of the best names ever) and colleagues suggests that perhaps we don't spend enough time teaching people why they should be veterinarians. We assume that that is established when they decide to apply to study veterinary science.
The paper also suggests that the recent emphasis on self-care, which is very important, might have some unintended negative effects – essentially teaching "why not" to be a veterinarian. This emphasis on preventative strategies
"…risks unnecessarily demonizing their future profession, ignoring the fact that many of the known stressors for veterinarians (e.g., long working hours) are generic to all professions and are malleable through good working practices. Due to the power of human attention bias, excessive emphasis on preventative self-care paradoxically risks fostering a negative work concept…and sensitizing students to mental distress and burnout."
This is certainly consistent with feedback from veterinary students and something I've kept in mind when teaching and blogging (although I am also aware that my most read posts pertain to concerns about stress, burnout and lack of self care in veterinarians). But this paper goes much further than simply making that observation. It reviews the literature and reminds that the majority of veterinarians surveyed report being satisfied or happy in their roles.
Which raises the question, what is happiness? And how does one get there? For the author's purposes, the definition of happiness as a transient pleasurable sensation misses much of the meaning to be found in veterinary practice. Rather, the philosophical concept of Eudaimonia, traceable to Aristotle's idea that the highest happiness occurs when one achieves one's potential.
Sure, our work is unpredictable, there are multiple occupational hazards and in many cases relatively low financial rewards. But there are things our work features which aren't present in all work settings: variety of cases and required skills, start-to-finish involvement in tasks, task significance, varying degrees of autonomy and varying degrees of feedback. There are loads of opportunity to get into the flow of things. These things facilitate Eudaimonia.
The authors argue that to realise Eudaimonia veterinarians (and others) also need a swag of tools
- Self-awareness
- Personal congruence (where work aligns with personal values)
- Reflective practice
- Autonomy and self-efficacy
- Optimism and gratitude
The fabulous news is that these tools, defined and elaborated in the paper, can be taught.
Ultimately, the authors argue, in teaching future veterinarians we should be careful not to present occupational stress as an intrinsic condition of the profession but as a manageable risk. Being a vet is associated with both stress and distress as well as eudaimonic wellbeing and fulfillment, and can in fact increase lifetime wellbeing.
This is one of the most uplifting papers I've read, and I love that the answer to the question of the meaning of life is answered in the title: a life of meaning.


text:
Chuck and Terry Mencke donated an amazing prize package of Toastmasters International manuals and branded materials to the District Conference, including
- all advanced manuals,
- Competent Communicator manual,
- Competent Leader manual,
- Toastmasters International timing cards, and
- Toastmasters International timing watch.
A drawing was held during the District Conference. Every club who had a member register for the District Conference was entered in the drawing.
The winning club was announced on Saturday night at the Conference.
HRC Texas Toasters were the winners.


text:
ANYWAY, enough of that. It just makes my headache worse. On with the Montageapalooza! (That's awkward, isn't it?)
Then it has to be brought up once again that Mike and Antonia are cousins. They get along now, and their mothers especially have embraced the whole famiglia thing, but not so long ago Antonia complained about everything Mike did. That brings a montage of Mike farting and belching and being otherwise alluring in the Stew Room, much to his cousin's chagrin. She complained about it so much, it leads me to believe she was probably actually attracted to him. Eww.
|Ever notice how when Spike takes off his hat,
he resembles a grown-up Kyle Broslawski?
Hard to tell if Antonia was appalled or excited about the whole thing.
I think, instead of asking the dumb "who would you date" question, the whole gang should have played MFK for the rest of the show. As for me, I think my choices for "marry" and "kill" are pretty obvious..."f*ck" is damn difficult, however, because honestly, none of them turn me on. Angelo is handsome, but I'm pretty sure he'd need to be looking in the mirror while doing it. I've never been attracted to Fabio. Hmm...I'm forgetting Tre, who would definitely be in the running. Actually, I think I'd have to choose Stephen Aspirino. He'd be so involved in trying to decide which wine goes better with condoms that I'd be able to sneak away without him noticing....
After watching a montage of her managing not to cook, and going to the hospital to get a whole two stitches when she cuts her finger, she offers nothing but excuses. She's really quite the bullshit artist.
And then it's time for the obligatory bromance sequence. This season, we had two.
Fabio liked to kiss Blais on the side of the head, and Richard missed his wife so much, he didn't seem to mind at all.
Angelo apparently missed his ex-mail order fiancée so much, he allowed Mike to occasionally tweak his nipples. Otherwise, how could he find Mike attractive in the least?
Then there was talk about Antonia, the Black Hammer. Dale Talde is convinced that she's cursed, but Antonia claims it was all merely a coincidence that when partnered up with another chef, it was almost a guarantee that chef was going home. In the case of Jamie and Tiffani, both went home for the same challenge.
Oh, and then we had Marcel spotlighted in a sequence that had one of his tantrums set to a Housewives-style auto-tuned rap music video called "Put it on a Plate." And Muppets being rude. And chatter about Mike cheating by using Blais' idea. And a montage of the judges acting silly, including a drunken Padma who had two "gins and tonics," which raised a debate whether "gins and tonics" was grammatically correct....omg...and I'm looking at the clock and thinking "IS THIS EVER GOING TO BE OVER?"
But wait, there's more.
Elia, bitter after her early PPYKAG-ing waaaaay back in Episode 1, ranted to reporters about Tom Coliccio and his sell-out ways, how he shills for Diet Coke and serves only corn-fed beef in his Vegas steakhouse. Tom actually engages her in this silly argument, saying that he also serves grass-fed beef, and that he drinks Diet Coke. Possibly at the same time. Whatever.
And then there's a palate cleanser montage of Fan Favorite Carla being Carla - dancing, jumping around, and being her delightful self.
And I'm completely bored with this so I'm going to end it right here.
Next week: No more All-Stars! theminx is going to take a breather for a while, so no Masters recaps. I will be writing them (in a different format) on AllTopChef.com, however, so mosey on over there sometime.
Posted by theminx on Minxeats.com.


text:
Champagne Bar Set To Open In Downtown Sacramento Later This Month
By on October 9, 2018
Fizz Champagne Bar has been in the works for over a year in Sacramento. The champagne themed bar with table-side cheese service was planning a summer opening. Sadly, that didn't happen. However, there is finally a set opening day for the bubbly bar.
According to the Sacramento Business Journal, Fizz will open in DOCO on October 19, which is in less than two weeks! It'll be between Häagen-Dazs and Estelle Bakery & Patisserie.
There will be over 120 sparkling wines and champagne bottles available, and 12 available by the glass. Plus, they will serve food and have additional drinks for purchase.
View this post on Instagram
UPDATE**** Opening today 10/19 at 1130-Midnight!! Fizztastic news for your Fizz Friday! 🍾🍾🍾 We have just passed the last inspection and have been signed off by the city! Our official soft opening for the general public will be the 19th of October! We can't wait to see you then! Tag your friends and spread the good news! #Fizz #FizzInSac #Champagne #GrandOpening #DOCO #DOCPSacramento #Bubbly #PopPop


text:
Sick days with colds and flus are difficult enough for non-diabetics. But for us as diabetics, it takes a lot of extra self-care.
First of all, when you are sick with colds and flu as a diabetic, your blood sugars usually go up sky high. This can lead to other complications that can put you in a comatose state. Working out a plan for sick days ahead of time is best. You can devise a plan of what to do, and have the supplies on hand just in case.
Your body under stress with illness and diabetes. To deal with the stresses of cold or flu, you body automatically releases hormones that are working to fight it off. The hormones have side effects however, which is raising blood glucose levels that interfere with your injected insulin. If taking diabetes pills, they lose their effectiveness during this time, and the result of high sugars happen as well in this case.
Type 1 diabetics may develop serious ketoacidosis leading to coma. And those of us with type 2 diabetes can develop something referred to as hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic coma, where just like in type 1, the blood sugars go out of sight. These conditions are both dangerous and very life-threatening. But a lot of times you can avoid this by following your sick days plan.
Working with your doctor or health care team on a sick day plan is really important. The plan should include in it, what to do if you need to call on your team for more help. You should also keep your plan somewhere handy so you can reach help right away.
For minor illnesses, you probably won't need to consult your doctor. But if these things listed happens, it is time to pick up the phone for help:
You can't shake a fever.
You keep on vomiting or having diarrhea all day.
You are seeing ketones on a urine test.
Your blood sugar will not go down from very high, which means 180 or more.
You are on diabetes pills and your sugars keep going up.
You cannot hold liquids at all and are becoming steadily dehydrated. Very dangerous very any diabetic.
You have other symptoms of illness you are unsure of and don't know what to do.
When you see the doctor, take medications with you including the over-the-counter drugs. They are equally important along with prescribed medications. Tell your doctor how long you have been sick and what is going on if you are unable to hold anything down.
Eating and drinking can be problematic when you are ill. You need to stick with your meal plan if able to. If not, here are some good sick day eating ideas:
1 cup warm diet soda Cold soda will agitate an upset stomach.
Soda crackers.
Dry toast
Hot plain broth eaten slowly
Sugar-free pudding
Mashed potatoes
1/2 cup Jello
Over the counter medicines may help you feel better as well, but do be careful and consult with your doctor's office on which ones are okay for a diabetic. This is very important in keeping away from unpleasant side effects leading to complications.
The key is staying in control of your blood glucose and getting the rest your body needs to heal properly. Sleeping extra is also a wonderful form of therapy and I think helps the body heal faster.
If your illness is severe enough to go to the ER, please take all of your medical information with you on your diabetes care. This is very important as I well know, when you see a doctor not familiar with you.
Do you have a great story about this? Share it!
Enter Your Title
Close Help
Entering your story is easy to do. Just type!...Your story will appear on a Web page exactly the way you enter it here. You can wrap a word in square brackets to make it appear bold. For example [my story] would show as my story on the Web page containing your story.TIP: Since most people scan Web pages, include your best thoughts in your first paragraph.
Do you have a picture to add? Great! Click the button and find it on your computer. Then select it.
Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional)
Click here to upload more images (optional)
Author Information (optional)
To receive credit as the author, enter your information below.
Your Name
(first or full name)
Your Location
(e.g., City, State, Country)
Submit Your Contribution
(You can preview and edit on the next page)
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Influenza and Diabetes Not rated yet
Click here to write your own.


text:
In recent years the components of the Avebury complex have been dramatically added to with the discovery of two huge palisaded enclosures located halfway between Silbury Hill and the Sanctuary. They were first noticed as crop marks on aerial photographs by J.K.St.Joseph in the 1950s but serious research on them didn't commence until 1987 when Alasdair Whittle of Cardiff University began a 5 year period of investigations. The layout of the site is quite complicated but basically consists of two large areas of land which were surrounded by timber palisading. One of these was circular with an inner row of palisading and the other was in the form of a letter C. Within and to the south of the C-shaped component were a number of smaller features of various shapes. The major dimension of each enclosure was about 275 metres and 340 metres respectively. The River Kennet flows through the middle of the double-ringed component. Loosely dated to around 2300BC it would seem that their construction took place after the avenues had been added to the henge. The palisading consisted of closely spaced wooden posts, almost certainly of oak, possibly as much as 3 feet in diameter and 25 feet high. The bulk of the artifacts found consisted of grooved-ware pottery, flint objects and an unusual abundance of pig bones. Evidence found seems to indicate that the enclosures were ultimately destroyed by fire. Nothing was found, however, that would indicate that they came under attack from hostile forces so the burning may have been a deliberate act.
The area of the enclosures
Sections of the enclosures which have been recorded are overlayed on this map.
There are some other examples of palisaded enclosures in the British Isles most notably at Mount Pleasant (Dorset), Dorchester, Dunragit (Stranraer) and the recently discovered monster at Hindwell (Radnorshire). The purpose of such enclosures remains something of a mystery but those at Avebury were proportional to the other components of the complex in that they were massive and represented a considerable expenditure of manpower.
The colossal amount of timber required to build these enclosures indicates that substantial woodland existed in the locality at that time. It also demonstrates the skills the builders had at felling and dressing trees, presumably with no more than flint implements.
With so little evidence of where the builders of Avebury's monuments actually lived it is the enclosures at West Kennet that may hold some of the most exciting revelations yet to come. Although current research dates them later than the henge and Silbury, this is based on some very wide radiocarbon assays. The considerable area they cover means that any excavations so far have been very limited in extent......future investigations may bring about revisions.


text:
Blackberry 9780 (Bold 3) succeeds the previous Blackberry 9700 (Bold 2). It looks similar to its predecessor, but comes with 5 megapixel camera, 512MB RAM and runs on the BlackBerry OS6. The rest of the specs are pretty much the same – HVGA display, full QWERTY keyboard, an optical trackpad, Wi-Fi, 3G with HSDPA, GPS and microSD card slot.
|Photo of Blackberry 9780 (Bold3)
Key features:
==> Enhanced email and data security via BlackBerry services
==> 2.44″ 65K-color TFT landscape display with a resolution of 480 x 360 pixels
==> Hardware four-row full QWERTY keyboard
==> Quad-band GSM support and tri-band 3G with HSDPA
==> Wi-Fi connectivity
==> GPS receiver and BlackBerry maps preloaded
==> 5 megapixel autofocus camera, LED flash
==> 624 MHz CPU, 512 MB RAM
==> BlackBerry OS v6
==> Touch-sensitive trackpad navigation
==> Hot-swappable microSD card slot (up to 16GB)
==> DivX and XviD video support
==> Decent web browser
==> Office document editor
==> 3.5 mm audio jack
==> Smart dialing
==> Compact body and solid build quality
Main disadvantages:
==> BlackBerry Internet Service account is a must to enjoy all phone features
==> Outdated and unintuitive camera interface
==> No FM radio
==> No video-call camera
==> No built-in accelerometer
If you want to buy the BB 9780 online in Nigeria, you can check the price and buy at Konga here.


text:
- thesuburbanproject7
Cheesy Pesto Chicken Bake....3 ingredients
Spray a casserole dish with cooking oil.
Spread pesto sauce on bottom, place chicken cutlets in dish and use remainder of pesto on top of chicken.
Cover with foil and bake at 375 for 30 minutes.
Take foil off and spread cheese. Put back in oven for 8-10 minutes.


text:
47+ Years Of Trusted Pest Control Services In Essex Falls
Essex Fells is a welcoming community located in Essex County, New Jersey. To help keep Essex Fells a place where people enjoy living and visiting, the pest professionals at Arrow Pest Control offer the services needed to keep area pests out of homes and businesses. Arrow Pest Control is a New Jersey pest control leader that offers modern, industry-leading pest control services. For more than 47 years, home and business owners have trusted Arrow to keep their properties free of insects, rodents, and more. To learn how we can keep pests out of your residential or commercial property located in Essex Fells, give the New Jersey pest professionals at Arrow Pest Control a call today. We would love to hear from you.
Active Pests In Essex Fells, NJ
Residential Pest Control In Essex Fells, NJ
Pests can cause structural damage, contaminate surfaces and food sources, and introduce disease. To prevent pests and the problems they bring with them from negatively affecting your home and family, turn to the pest control experts at Arrow Pest Control.
We provide the home pest control services needed to keep pests out of your Essex Fells home throughout the entire year. We offer a selection of programs to ensure that we are able to meet your home's exact needs. Our most comprehensive option is our Arrow Premier program. It provides customers with the benefits of 4 seasonal service visits, coverage for more than 30 common household pests, carpenter ant control, our termite monitoring advantage, termite control, and free emergency service. For over 4 decades, we have been protecting homes and people from pests.
Put your trust into our hands and let us help keep invasive, damaging, and dangerous pests out of your home. To learn more about our home pest control programs, contact us today.
Problems Stink Bugs Cause In Essex Fells, NJ
Stink bugs live outside during the spring, summer, and early fall but, after the weather cools, they sometimes become a big problem for homeowners. In the late fall, stink bugs congregate on the sunny sides of homes and other structures in order to stay warm. As they crawl along the walls, they find their way inside through small cracks and crevices. Once inside, they move behind walls, into the attic, under floors, or into crawl spaces, where they can stay for the entire winter. Stink bugs produce a foul odor that can overwhelm a home.
To prevent your home from becoming a place that smelly stink bugs call home, Arrow offers effective stink bug control services. This proactive, exterior treatment is implemented from late August through late November. It works to stop stink bugs in their tracks, preventing them from entering your home. We also perform exclusion work, sealing off possible entry points that these pests can use to sneak their way into your home. Reach out to us today and let's work together to keep these stinky, nuisance pests out of your home.
Commercial Pest Control In Essex Fells, NJ
When it comes to having pests in your New Jersey business, one thing is certain, it simply can't be allowed. Just one pest, seen by a single customer, can have a dramatic impact on the overall success of your business. To help protect your business and its reputation from pests, the professionals at Arrow Pest Control are dedicated to providing the customized commercial pest control services needed to keep pests out of your business and away from your customers, employees, and product.
Our highly trained, fully licensed, and experienced professionals control and eliminate pests by combining the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) with our innovative technology and modern practices.
Our pest management practices effectively control and prevent pests through pest threat analysis, evaluation, treatment, and documentation. Reach out to Arrow today to get started implementing a long-term solution to solve your Essex Fells business's pest problems once and for all.
Mini Guide To Termite Control In Essex Fells, NJ
When it comes to termite control in Essex Fells, the process can seem overwhelming. But we are going to break it down and show you just how easy it can be to protect your property from wood-eating termites.
- We start with a free termite evaluation. One of our technicians will come to your property and perform a thorough interior and exterior inspection of your structure
- We report our findings to you.
- If termites are discovered, we provide a termite control estimate that includes how and where we treat, and the cost.
- We schedule a treatment day and provide a termite-preparation checklist.
- Our experienced technicians treat your property with Termidor®, America's #1 termite defense product. Termidor is applied along your foundation or the exterior perimeter of your structure. (Once termites come in contact with Termidor, they'll be eliminated.)
- 90 days after your termite treatment, we return to make sure the termites are completely gone.
- Your property is free of termites!
To schedule a free termite evaluation, contact Arrow Pest Control today!
Pest Control Job Opportunities In Essex Fells, NJ
Seeking a position in an ever-expanding field? A profession in pest control may be right for you! This booming industry is looking for dependable, motivated, and lively individuals to join the workforce. Working for a pest control company covers a wide-range of interests including technology, business and chemistry; making it an ideal career path for many people. Whether you're looking for an occupation as a pest control technician or receptionist, a career in pest control offers ample opportunities for personal and professional growth.


text:
There have been multiple video clips and news clips in recent months - but they won't print well....and I've not shared them all here (though I have on Facebook).
Along the way it's become apparent to others, besides Mama, that this boy has the gift of gab/ blarney and he's used it well this year. He's been invited several places to speak....too numerous for me to remember or list them all - though I will update if he sends me a list. ::wink::
Most recently, he was able to go to Chicago with a group of students and speak there at an Alpha Chi convention.
Thus, we put aside concern that homeschoolers won't know how to give a public speech or relate to their peers.
|In the Windy City
Along the way - he has taken time for fun and school (earned a 4. - way to go!).
|Jared (2nd from R) and Jamin (R) also in Student Government
|We love Larissa!
|School spirit
We're proud of you son.


text:
What New Cybersecurity Rules in Europe Mean for Financial Bodies
Very few investment management professionals spend time thinking about cybersecurity. It's considered an issue that has little influence on investors' day-to-day work, and is a domain usually covered by chief information officers. However, as we point out in a recent blog post, cybersecurity matters to everyone working in finance.
In the European Union (EU), cybersecurity has gained more and more focus by policymakers. To a large extent, European cybersecurity rules are covered by the broad Digital Single Market (DSM) initiative. The European Commission published its DSM Communication in May 2015. Just like the Capital Markets Union initiative aims at further integrating European financial services markets, the DSM is a broad umbrella framework that aims at deepening European cloud computing services and digitalisation markets through various initiatives. The Commission notes that the creation of a single digital market in the EU could contribute €415 billion per year to the European economy and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs.
New Cybersecurity Legislation
In February 2013, the European Commission published its EU-wide Cybersecurity Strategy. It proposed 14 actions to improve cybersecurity in the EU. The key proposal was for a Directive for a high common level of network and information security (NIS) across the Union. The Commission's NIS Directive proposal followed concerns over ever-increasing cyber attacks on companies on various sectors, and it is the first EU legislation on cybersecurity.
The political discussions on the proposal for the NIS Directive stalled for several months until 7 December 2015, when the representatives of the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Council (representing EU Member States) signed the final deal on new cybersecurity rules for Europe. It was a deal that involved an unusually great amount of political horse-trading, and perhaps even all the lawmakers did not believe that an agreement could be found. In particular the scope of the proposal and several basic definitions in the draft law caused disagreements between national lines as well as between the negotiating EU institutions. So why was the proposal for an NIS Directive so controversial, and what does it mean for financial institutions?
Mandatory Reporting Obligation for Financial Institutions
Both banks and financial market infrastructure providers (including trading venues and central counterparties) are included in the scope of the new NIS Directive — in Article 3, they are specifically defined as "operators of essential services". Other entities included in the scope include electricity and gas suppliers, operators of oil and natural gas, air carriers, maritime carriers, railways, airports and ports, and health-care providers.
According to the new law, the entities within the scope will have several obligations in case of a cyber attack. The "essential services" providers have to take appropriate and proportionate technical and organisational measures to manage the risks posed to the security of networks and information systems that they use in their operations (Article 14). They also need to prevent and minimise the impact of cyber incidents.
The operators of essential services also have to notify national competent authorities (national regulators) or specifically created Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs) about incidents having a "significant" impact on the continuity of the services they provide. An incident can be classified as "significant" depending on the number of people affected by it, the duration of the incident, and the geographical spread (for example, whether the incident affects services in several branches of a bank). There will be some leeway for national regulators to develop guidelines for when exactly the incident needs to be reported.
The final text places a great deal of responsibility on the essential services providers. For example, even if a financial services company has outsourced the cloud computing services to a third party, the delegating entity still holds the main responsibility of any cyber attack data breach.
Some Cyber Coordination Across the EU
In addition to the service operators, national Member States will be required to adopt a national NIS strategy defining the objectives and appropriate policy and regulatory measures in relation to cybersecurity (Article 5). Member States are also required to designate a national competent authority for the implementation and enforcement of the Directive, as well as create CSIRTs that will be responsible for handling incidents and risks (Article 7).
The Member States need to compile a list of entities that are in the scope of the Directive, and to update the list every two years. If the operator of essential services, for example a bank, operates in several different Member States, the Member States will have to consult each other on how to handle possible cybersecurity incidents.
Interestingly, several parts related to cross-border cooperation have been deleted from the final legal text, for example Article 9 on Secure Information Sharing System, Article 10 on Early Warnings, and Article 11 on Coordinated Response. The deletions indicate that several Member States have wanted to keep cybersecurity policies as national competencies. On the other hand, the Directive also notes that the Member States can adopt higher security standards than required by the NIS Directive, thereby allowing so-called national "gold-plating" (see, for example, Article 15 a).
Bigger Role for pan-European Cyber Agency
The pan-European Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA) will play a key role in many aspects of the Directive, particularly in relation to cooperation, which now becomes mandatory between the Member States, albeit in a limited form. ENISA will also provide the secretariat for the European CSIRTs Network to promote operational cooperation on specific cybersecurity incidents and to share information about risks.
Even before the agreement on the NIS Directive, ENISA has been keen on reminding the financial services industry of the need to secure its online services against cyber attacks. In early December 2015, ENISA published a report on the usage of cloud services in the European banking sector. ENISA analysed the usage of cloud services in the finance sector, and provided recommendations to financial institutions, regulators, and cloud service providers about what should be done to support secure adoption of cloud services in the finance sector. The report notes that while cloud computing is gradually being adopted within the European financial industry, the vast majority of financial institutions (FIs) still rely on in-house infrastructure. The study recommends that FIs develop a cloud strategy to define their approach to cloud computing.
Public-Private Partnership on Cybersecurity
Following the political agreement on the NIS Directive, the text will now have to be formally approved by the European Parliament and by the Council, representing EU Member States. Once the formally adopted text has been published in the Official Journal of the EU, most likely in the first quarter of 2016, the Member States will have 21 months to implement the Directive into their national laws. After that, the Member States have six more months to identify operators of essential services.
The NIS Directive political agreement is important; however, the Commission noted that the work on improving cybersecurity is not over yet. The Commission has indicated its willingness to work together with the digital security and privacy industry in Europe, with the view of establishing a contractual public-private partnership on cyber security in 2016. The aim of the partnership would be to stimulate the competitiveness and innovation capacities of the industry to ensure that there will be a sustained supply of cybersecurity products and services. A public consultation and a policy Roadmap on the partnership were launched on 18 December, with responses due by 11 March 2016.
Finalization of the NIS Directive does not mean that the European cybersecurity saga is over. As the Directive has not been as prescriptive as many anticipated, we can expect the policy discussions to continue for years to come. The increased involvement of ENISA in the policy area also highlights how seriously European lawmakers take the security of information networks — this may mean increasing responsibility be placed on financial services entities in the future. CFA Institute will continue to monitor new rules on cybersecurity across the globe.
If you liked this post, consider subscribing to Market Integrity Insights.
Photo credit: iStockphoto.com/peterhowell


text:
Madoff: The Atomic Bomb for Jewish Charities
Atomic bomb. Epicenter. Disastrous.
The adjectives can't get much worse. But that's exactly what people in philanthropy are saying about the effects of Bernard L. Madoff's demise on their world.
Madoff was a social and financial nexus mainly for Jewish charities, whose foundations and benefactors were either direct or passive Madoff investors.
Deal Journal caught up Monday with Gary Tobin, who is President of the Institute for Jewish & Community Research in San Francisco. Dr. Tobin studies Jewish charities in depth, and publishes a frequent survey on Jewish-related giving.
Deal Journal: So what are the direct effects of the Madoff scandal?
GT: There are three effects. The first is that at least hundreds of millions of dollars in foundation assets have disappeared. Major Jewish foundations have lost 50% to 100% of their assets, which means tens of millions of dollars on an annual basis won't be given away.
No. 2, Madoff is at the epicenter of Jewish philanthropic life in New York and Palm Beach, and people who invested–though clearly that is the wrong word–people taken in by him have lost billions of dollars. And those donors over a period of 10 years from now won't be giving away huge amounts of money to Jewish or secular causes.
A $250 million foundation that disappears, if it gives away $12 million over 20 years is an incalculable loss.
There's one other aspect. You've already got this climate of fear and uncertainty. We've lost trillions of dollars in housing assets, and trillions in equities and other investments. People are already remarkably cautious about giving the money away. And now the message is you can't trust where you've invested your money.
DJ: Why was there so much concentration in the Madoff funds?
GT: Specifically, Jewish philanthropy is built on social and personal networks. High-end solicitations are person to person and built in the social culture of philanthropy.
It's like finding out your brother is a murderer, it's really bad for the family, it's bad for the family of Jewish philanthropy. I think the ripples will go beyond the Jewish community. Many other organizations invested with him that were involved in the philanthropic and nonprofit world.
DJ: How does the overall stock market play into this?
GT: We know that there are tens of billions of dollars in Jewish foundations, philanthropic foundations, but that was before the stock market crash. Those are all down by 20% to 40%. Everybody is already talking about the declines and the cuts.
If you have invested your portfolio, and it's down 30% to 40%, you don't want to sell what they consider to be discounted assets to give them away. So when organizations need money the most, is when people are most reluctant to sell off assets.
Originally published here: https://blogs.wsj.com/deals/2008/12/15/madoff-the-atomic-bomb-for-jewish-charities/


text:
The wine culture
of Syria
Syria's wine culture is almost as old as its capital: Damascus was established in the 8th millennium BC and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places of mankind. Furthermore, the oldest preserved wine relic in the world was found not far from it: a grape press, dated to a period around 8,000 BC. The scholar Pliny the Elder (*23 o.24 to 79 A.D.) mentioned the Mount Bargylus six millennia later in his work Naturalis historia and described it as a massif mountain running parallel to the Mediterranean coast. This is the oldest fully preserved systematic encyclopedia. And grapes grew densely over its slopes during the Greek-Roman period. Later on it were the Christian Orthodox monks who systematically cultivated the wine in Syria, which of course was not particularly widespread. And the amount of current wineries in the country is still unkown.
At the moment we can only name one winery: Domaine de Bargylus. The Lebanese brothers Karim and Sandro Saadé bought 12 hectares of land in 1997 around Latakia at an altitude of about 900 m. They cultivated the land and planted vineyards In 2003 while founding their winery. They are following the French style by planting the varieties Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Stephane Derenoncourt, a renowned consultant from Bordeaux, assited them day by day and supported the brothers at the same time with the construction of their Lebanese winery, Château Marsyas, in the Bekaa Valley near Kefraya. At that time it was still peaceful in the region. The two Saadé brothers regularly drove across the Syrian border to their winery. Even Derenoncourt joined them every few weeks.
And both of their wines, red and white, keep impressing testers and porfesionals including the famous wine critic Jancis Robinson: "Bargylus is the finest wine produced in the eastern Mediterranean. 2006 was the year - the first vintage, which was bottled. Since the beginning of the civil war, things have change drastically and the circumstances became more difficult. For security reasons, Karim and Sandro Saadé have not been to Domaine de Bargylus since the beginning of 2011. They currently manage everything by telephone from Lebanon.
As the harvest approaches, some grapes are taken all the way to Beirut in a refrigerated container. There they analyse the grapes and decide when is the right time to harvest. A trip to Beirut usually takes four hours. The Borders are often closed though causing the the driver to get stuck and spoiling the grapes. They will try a new attempt the next day to across the crisis area. This procedure makes this wine production dangerous and cost-intensive. It is obvious that the complex export process is both extremely time-consuming and risky. Everyone hopes that the situation in Syria will stabilise as soon as possible. May the ambitious efforts of Karim and Sandro Saadé contribute to the overall prosperity of Syrian winegrowing. The first-class wines of Domaine de Bargylus speak for themselves!
Text researched and developed by Charlotte Münch. © Copyright & all other rights and/or licenses of texts on weinstore24 belong to caracter.tv.


text:
By David Jacobson, Temblor
Earthquakes are unpredictable. At this stage, as much as we would like to be able to say when the next big one will happen, we do not have the understanding, technology, or capability to predict earthquakes. Additionally, we don't know how our systems will hold up following an event. Having said that, on several Sundays from September through at least December, at 800 Occidental Ave S in Seattle, Washington, seismic activity is predictable.
The Seattle Seahawks are known for having one of the loudest and most raucous crowds in the NFL. At one point, the noise level reached 137.6 decibels, which is louder than a jet engine. However, Seahawks fans are also known for creating small earthquakes.
On January 8, 2011, on a 67 yard touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch, the combination of fans jumping, stands reverberating, and ground vibrating was enough to set off a local seismometer, which registered the shaking as a M=2 earthquake. While not substantial, this truly was a man-made earthquake.
Ever since that, the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) has occasionally worked with the Seahawks to set up seismometers to register these "fanquakes." This most recently happened last Saturday (January 7) when the Seahawks played the Detroit Lions in a playoff game. By setting up seven seismometers around the stadium, various readings could be monitored, and shown live on quickshake.pnsn.org to anyone that wanted to watch.
Throughout the game, whenever there was a big play or the Seahawks scored a touchdown, it was clearly visible in the waveforms the seismometers produce. For example, the figure below shows the waveforms right before, and after a Seahawks touchdown.
While none of the seismic activity reached the M=2 earthquake recorded in 2011, setting up seismometers around the stadium provides the PNSN not only the opportunity to have fun, but test equipment and software that could be used on a much larger and more important scale. As this operation has become more popular, the scientists at the PNSN have started running their software in a virtual cloud to handle the influx of viewers. Being able to see that they are still able to send out results despite having over many viewers is vital, since delivering information following a real earthquake will be crucial. Additionally, PNSN director John Vidale said that these types of alerts are related to the earthquake early warning system being built. So, for the sake of public safety, and science, let's hope that these "fanquakes" keep happening.
Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN)
Sports Illustrated
- Two offshore earthquakes in the Philippines: What do coastal communities need to know? - December 5, 2023
- International seismic standardization is underway - November 27, 2023
- Four magnitude-6.3 earthquakes strike in succession near Herat, Afghanistan - October 31, 2023


text:
All the webmaster SEO tools on SEMRush| filed under: Search, Google Webmaster Tools, Search Engine Marketing, Google Analytics, SEMRush, Google Webmaster, Google Search, Search Engine Optimization, SEO, Partner, SEM, Webmaster
SEMRush delivers Google Analytics, Google Webmasters, Buffer, HootSuite, Moz, and SpyFu in one powerful and useful SEO and SEM dashboard.
I just got my hands on a Guru subscription to SEMRush so I haven't had a lot of time to figure it out — check it out, it's pretty advanced and comprehensive:
Like you, I pieced together Google Analytics, Google Webmasters, Buffer, HootSuite, SpyFu, and a compilation of other little online tools. That was, until Olga reached out to me to give me full access to the entire suite of tools that make up the newest iteration of SEMRush.
I've played a little with Moz and never quite made it work for me because none of my personal sites were eCommerce sites, so I never really understood why I needed to pay between $99-$599/month. However, I can really see the value of spending that sort of money, from $99-399/month. This tool that can help me write SEO-optimized copy, domain analytics, keyword analytics, organic and paid keyword audits, SERP position tracking, brand monitoring, backlink audit, "SEO ideas," and even SEOquake, a Chrome plugin that offers inline SEO audits of sites, SERP overlays, domain comparison, and link examination.
What's more, since I never use paid ads, the strong focus on organic SEO analysis and auditing help me get outside of my own head and easily see which of the keywords that bubble up on my sites are really driving traffic to my sites rather than wasting all my time writing content that isn't organically competitive or viable no matter how badly I want these keywords and organic search results to come my way.
While it's always exciting to see when desirable keywords come up reliably in the SERP top-10, it's also fascinating for me to slice and dice the content as well. SEMRush allows you to look the success (and failure) of your site and its content based not only on whether you make the top-5 in the most obvious keywords (chris abraham, gerris corp) but also in keywords you like.
What's even more exciting than getting a top-ten result in a very specific search is to get a keyword hit that may not be in the top-5 but results in a huge volume of visitors — many more visitors than you might have been aware of.
SEMRush can do this because, behind the scenes, after properly setting up a project (which is domain/URL-driven), you stitch SEMRush together using all the tools that you've been using, singly, before: Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, YouTube, Google Analytics, Google Webmasters/Webmasters Tools, and I am sure SEMRush's proprietary analytics tools as well.
The value added of bringing all of these tools and tool kits together allow me to audit all the hard work I have been doing optimizing my content and writing content and writing for search and viability, and after all of the social media sharing and blogging, it's very interesting to see how all of this hard work has been interpreted.
It's sort of like newspaper reviews and online comments when you're producing a play or a movie: sometimes all this data can be really valuable and useful but it can also end up being such a distraction. Obsessing about what SEMRush reports about my properties will just take me away from creating good content myself.
What SEMRush tries to be is a go-to dashboard where you can quickly do a pulse check on how your campaigns are doing before you close the tab and get back to work.
A couple of really interesting tools that are in alpha and beta are SEO Ideas and Link Building tools that actually give you the tools and the project management process by which you can actually find allies in the online space and presumably partner with these sites or even work on doing some mutual link-building or mutual guest-posting.
These are my first steps and first foray into SEMRush — I am hoping that its dashboard and the way it handles projects will easily allow me to replace all the free online tools that I hack together ad hoc, Google Analytics, Google Webmasters, Buffer, HootSuite, SpyFu, etc.
Have you had a chance to try out SEMRush yourself? Why not just pop your domain URL into the widget below and see the sort of rabbit hole I have gone down a short week ago when Olga gave me the keys to the SEMRush kingdom.
Via Biznology


text:
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Reverse Confetti SFYTT
I was in the mood for some bright colors so I started my card with American Crafts 6X6 Hip Hip Hooray paper pad. The sentiment is from one of my favorite RC sentiment sets, You Make Me Smile. For the word "SMILE" I embossed in white and then used a rainbow of inks with some watercolor. I think it has sort of a tye die look to it. Quick and easy card but it makes me smile :
Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!
13 comments:
Fabulous card Diane! Love that sentiment!ReplyDelete
Eeek! Look at all those papers and colors! I'm in heaven!ReplyDelete
very cute card.. i love that stream of stars.ReplyDelete
Such a fun and colorful card Diane! Love it!ReplyDelete
Beautiful card with so many yummy detailsReplyDelete
So bright and happy! Love the mix of colors.ReplyDelete
Fun is right! The colors are so bright and beautiful too! Love this Diane!!ReplyDelete
Great card, so colorful, love the tie-dyed look around the Smile!ReplyDelete
Wow! The patterns and colors are so bright & happy--definitely a card that brings a smile!!ReplyDelete
Stunning! I love how you combine layers colors and patterns :)ReplyDelete
I love this!! The paper combo is wonderful, and I love the look of the watercolored sentiment!ReplyDelete
How did I miss this beauty?!ReplyDelete
Thanks for joining us for the January SFYTT!
Such a super cute card! I love the mix of patterns and color!ReplyDelete