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A few weeks ago, I decided that I definitely needed to start wearing makeup again. But there was a problem.
I'm not sure if I've ever even mentioned it.
You see, I'm a ginger. I know, I know. It's so surprising. I've never even had the courage to tell my parents. But it's a relief that I can finally bring it up.
Being a ginger means a lot of things: not getting to wear orange, buying sunscreen by the palette, having my parentage questioned, being touched without my permission, and having limited choices in makeup. Or so I thought.
As I perused the Internet for makeup suggestions for redheads, I came across article after article by non-gingers that, more often than not, had no actual redheads in them.1 I was beginning to lose hope when I came across this video featuring makeup artist Mary Greenwell. She was explaining how she did Jessica Chastain's makeup. I figured that a professional makeup artist who has worked with a natural redhead might know get shit when it comes to makeup for redheads. In the video, she said redheads can wear any color.
After recovering from the massive fainting spell that caused, I began to wonder if that could possibly be true. So I got myself some lipstick2 and decided to try out her theory. And to save my fellow gingers3 from having to look at pictures of Emma Stone & Christina Hendricks, I decided to post about it.4
I don't have any dark lipsticks, nor do I have any neon/vibrant color lipsticks. I want to buy some plums and darker shades, but, because I can't otherwise see myself wearing them, I will only try vibrant ones if someone else foots the bill for them.
In all of these pictures, the only makeup I have on is the lipstick that I'm demonstrating.
First, we've got L'Oreal Collection Exclusive's shade of red for the lovely, and blonde, Blake Lively. I know, I know. I've complained about the makeup tips for redheads featuring non-redheads, so it might not make sense for me to try the shade of red created for a blonde, but I figured that I might as well check it out. Not the greatest reason for trying something out, but I regret nothing.
Now, we have NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Addis Ababa. I was confused about why the lip colors for NYX's Soft Matte Lip Cream were names of world cities.5 Depending on the lighting, this can look anywhere from almost nude to hot pink. And still, I regret nothing, except maybe trying a red lipstick first because those are hard as fuck to get off of your lips.
Third up is NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in San Paulo. I was confused when I saw the name of this lip cream and it was San Paulo instead of São Paolo, but I guess geography isn't everyone's forte. But, hey, regrets are still few and far between for me.
Numero four is NYX Butter Gloss in Peaches 'N Cream, which I liked a lot more than I thought that I would. Honestly, it was the easiest thing from NYX to apply. Don't get me wrong, I liked everything from NYX. The brand has excellent quality, but it can be a little difficult to apply. The butter gloss didn't seem to have that issue, though.
And at number five, also known as the best number ever, there's L'Oreal Collection Exclusive's shade of red for Julianne Moore. Since she's an actual ginger, I figured whatever looked good on her might look good on me. And, tada, I think I was right. It was a little orange-y, but not in a bad way.
The sixth shade is L'Oreal Colour Riche in Fresh as a Rose. I think this is one of the most subtle shades of lipstick that I've ever worn, but it still manages to be very pretty. I've always preferred wearing pink or rose lipsticks more than other shades, so I like that I have this very strong, subtle contender for when I'm having a subtly pink lip day.
But number seven, CoverGirl Colorlicious in Give Me Guava, is the most subtle overall. I don't think it's quite as pretty as Fresh as a Rose, but it definitely gets points for subtle. It kind of looks like my lips are just really wet, which might be attractive unless you start thinking about slobbering dogs, which I tend to think of because of all of those years where we had basset hounds.6
Honestly, I sort of expected this one to have more brown show up in it because it looks sort of brown in the container, but I'm glad that it didn't.7
I liked number eight, CoverGirl Colorlicious in Whipped Berry, quite a bit more than Give Me Guava. The color just really pops and I'm almost willing to look past how wet it can look.8
And, finally, number nine: NYX Matte in Perfect Red. I think that I like it best of the red lipsticks, but that might be because it was the first lipstick that I got after this must-wear-makeup feeling started, so I've actually worn it the most of any of the others. It stays on for a long time, too, which is pretty fucking awesome.
Colors 1, 5, 6, and 9 are in lipstick form, while 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8 are in lip gloss or lip cream form.
And this post was a little more work than I thought it would be, but it was still fun.
OMG. Emma Stone, Christina Hendricks are NOT redheads. A bottle of dye does not a ginger make. Stop saying they're redheads. ↩
By got myself, I mean that I bought them and the comments listed below are not influenced by any company, spokesperson, etc. They are my opinions and words. ↩
Because I'm nice, not because I'm a shill. ↩
You're welcome. ↩
Or attempts at the names of world cities. ↩
There is nothing wrong with dog slobber lips if they're on a dog. ↩
Even if it gives me slobbery lips. ↩
It was only the CoverGirl that had the sloppy slobber look, so I think it's just something about the way that they make their lip glosses. ↩


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The men in my life!
It is a privilege to be your wife and mother!
It is a privilege to be your wife and mother!
Posted by Allison at 2:44 PM 4 comments Links to this post
We had a fun Halloween! I found an cute little dragon costume for Colin, so (with mom's help) I made a knight in shining armor costume for Isaac. We went to our ward party on Friday night and to Michal and Jared's annual Halloween party on Saturday. We even managed to get Isaac away from the train table long enough to go trick or treating at three or four neighbor's houses.
Posted by Allison at 3:44 PM 5 comments Links to this post
I have had the pictures for this post uploaded for a month now, but I can't seem to get around to writing the post.
Posted by Allison at 2:55 PM 2 comments Links to this post
Posted by Allison at 7:51 PM 4 comments Links to this post
Now it is Colin's turn to preform.
And just in case you want to see more of the same thing...
P.S Isaac thinks it is hilarious when try to get Colin to smile. Whenever we start talking in silly voices and saying, "Give me a smile, come on, give me a smile..." he giggles like crazy!
Posted by Allison at 3:57 PM 2 comments Links to this post
A couple weeks ago when Isaac's cousins came to visit we had an impromptu dance party in our front room. Forest had created several family slide shows set to music that we were watching on our TV. When the music changed from a slow soft song to one with a beat Isaac, Emily and Noah got up and started to dance. Emily decided that it needed to be a dance contest and put on her show with all her serious moves. After each song she asked us, "Who won? Who won?" Isaac was encouraged by the fact that not only did he have a couple dance partners, but he defiantly had an audience. He pulled out some pretty good moves himself. :) Watch out ladies!
Here is a quick slide show of some of the moves that I caught on camera.
Here is one of the videos that I caught of the event. Unfortunately, the lighting in the room was kind of dim and my video camera is low quality so the picture is pretty grainy. Plus, I have to apologize in advance to Emily. I am afraid that I was focusing on Isaac and often cut off her head and miss some of her dancing.
Let me know in your comments who you think "Won" the dance off. I'll be sure to let Emily know.
Posted by Allison at 11:52 AM 4 comments Links to this post
Posted by Allison at 11:08 PM 5 comments Links to this post

subset: commoncrawl


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When a typical 40-year-old uninsured woman in Maine goes to the new state exchange to buy health insurance this fall, she may have just two companies to choose from: the one that already sells most individual policies in the state, and a complete unknown—a nonprofit start-up.
Her counterpart in California, however, will have a much wider variety of choices: 13 insurers are likely to offer plans, including the state's largest and best-known carriers.
With only a few months remaining before Americans will start buying coverage through the new state insurance exchanges under President Obama's health care law, it is becoming clear that the millions of people purchasing policies in the exchanges will find that their choices vary sharply, depending on where they live.
States like California, Colorado and Maryland have attracted an array of insurers. But options for people in other states may be limited to an already dominant local Blue Cross plan and a few newcomers with little or no track record in providing individual coverage, including the two dozen new carriers across the country created under the Affordable Care Act.
Maine residents, for example, will not see an influx of new insurers. The state has an older population and strict rules that already have discouraged many insurers from selling policies, so choices will probably be limited to the state's dominant carrier, Anthem Blue Cross, and Maine Community Health Options.
"What we're seeing is a reflection of the market that already exists," said Timothy S. Jost, a law professor at Washington and Lee University in Virginia who closely follows the health care law.
Obama administration officials estimate that most Americans will have a choice of at least five carriers when open enrollment begins in October. There are signs of increased competition, with new insurers and existing providers working harder to design more affordable and innovative plans. In 31 states, officials say there will be insurers that offer plans across state lines. The exchanges will be open to the millions of Americans who are uninsured or already buying individual coverage. Many will be eligible for federal subsidies.
But the insurance landscape will be highly varied, with some of the states that have been slow to embrace the law potentially offering the fewest options—and plans with the highest premiums—in the first year.
People in certain parts of the country may not have the robust choice of insurers that the law sought as a way to keep premiums lower and customer responsiveness high. These people are likely to have few brand-name options to choose from, and they will be gambling on plans offered by insurers new to the individual market as well as brand-new carriers. The choice of providers and costs could also vary as a result.
(Read More: Rise in Alzheimer's Patients Creates Health Care Plays)
As people become aware of the differences among the exchanges, "some of the laggard states are going to end up changing," said Ron Pollack, the executive director for Families USA, a consumer advocacy group that supports the law.
Whether the law ultimately accomplishes its aim of making the insurance markets nationwide more competitive—and plans more affordable—will only become clear over time. Experts expect some insurers to drop out after a year or so, while some other companies may decide to enter, depending on how the markets evolve. Insurers will have to figure out how to offer plans that most people can afford but still provide coverage to those with expensive medical conditions—and, for investor-owned plans, how to make a profit in the meantime.
"A rush to judgment will be just that," said Dan Mendelson, the chief executive of Avalere Health, a consulting group. "It's not going to be possible in 2014 to make a strong valid judgment of whether the exchanges are working or not."
Insurers already active in the market are the most likely to show up on the exchanges. Blue Cross plans, for example, have already established relationships with local hospitals and physician groups, as well as state regulators. "We don't have to recreate the wheel because the Blue plans are already there," said Daniel J. Hilferty, the chief executive of Independence Blue Cross, a nonprofit headquartered in Philadelphia.
In California, Anthem Blue Cross, Health Net, Kaiser Permanente and Blue Shield of California will remain big players. Most likely to be missing from any given exchange are many of the national insurers, whose business is focused mainly on providing coverage to workers through their employers—companies liked UnitedHealth Group, Aetna and Cigna.
WellPoint, which operates Blue Cross plans in 14 states and is the nation's largest provider of individual and small business policies, has little choice but to compete because many of its customers will be buying insurance on the exchanges.


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Official CPS Song of the Day
The part of the church where the silliest things happen. Conversations that sound like they belong in the youth room will be moved here.
- Jocose
- a large Chinese man named Wu
- Posts: 21361
- Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:00 pm
- Location: Moonbase Alpha
- Contact:
Re: Official CPS Song of the Day
"And for Freds sake, DO NOT point anyone towards CPS or you'll put them off of both Christianity and pipe smoking forever." ~ FredS


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Guided Snowshoe Hike in Yosemite
- Discover the stunning winter scenery of Yosemite National Park on a guided snowshoe hike that goes deep into the frozen landscape. Join a group of beginning snowshoers, or take on an extended trail for this 4- or 6- hour adventure, and watch for the tracks that deer, coyote, bobcats and bears leave in the pristine snow. See the Yosemite Valley or the High Country, take in views of soaring rocks with an icy glaze, and experience the remarkable tranquility of this park's quietest season.
- Learn More
- Free Cancellation


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Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Am I THAT mother???
Yes my friends....I'm terrified to find babysitter for my kids.
We have been fortunate enough that we haven't had to put our kids in daycare. Our parents are amazing and bend over backwards to help us out on that front. If the Hubs and I want to have a date night, we schedule it around our parents schedules. If we don't have a parent to watch the kids, we just don't go out. The kids have only been watched by 1 non-family member...ever....and it's only because it was my USF graduation and everyone wanted to be there for it. So it was the Hubs's boss and it was only for 3 hours. And I was stressed those entire 3 hours.
It's not that I don't believe in babysitters. Heck, I babysat my entire middle school/high school years. But the thought of leaving my kids with a teenager pushes me to the max. I start itching, breaking out in hives, having chest pain....full on panic. I've tried to avoid this part of parenthood with all my might but I've realized (with the prodding by a handful of people) that it's time to take the plunge. Time to face the extreme anxiety inducing dilemma head on and find a babysitter. And you know what, one fell right into my lap! An adorable young lady, who I have known since she was in Kindergarten, just happens to love my kiddos and loves to babysit. My mom even gave her the stamp of approval (she's a former student at my mom's school who just graduated middle school). So I sucked up the anxiety and asked her if she'd be interested in sitting for us and her face lit up. She gave me her number and told me to text her whenever (weird that I'm now texting a 14 year old).
There. I had done it. I had conquered my fear.
Yeah right!
The anxiety heightened more than I ever imagined. Now I have this cute girl hoping that I'll call her. Now I have this girl who actually wants to babysit for me. Now I have to let her watch them. Without us. OMG!
So what did I do? Ignored her for a while (great strategy I thought). But out of the blue, I get a text from her saying "Hi Jessica! It's ________". She's just saying hi. How cute yet how weird?!? I said hi back then got a text that took me about 10 minutes to decipher (I am just not cool enough to understand teenage text abbreviations). But I figured it out and found out what she charges, what hours she's allowed to babysit, and her summer plans. She seems excited.
Does this mean I have a babysitter?
Does this mean I have to leave my kids with her?
Does this make me a I'm a legit crazy person for stressing over a babysitter?
I'm sure it does.
Could someone pass me some Benadryl? I think I'm breaking out in hives......
2 comments:
Oh my gosh... I totally understand what you are saying! I mean, I don't have to worry about getting a babysitter for awhile.... but I remember watching babies who were practically newborns when I was 12 years old. Plus a sibling or two! What were those parents thinking?? I mean... I WAS an amazing babysitter (ha ha) but I can't imagine leaving my newborn with anyone but our parents. (And I still have 5 1/2 months til I have to worry about that) But seriously, has the babysitting world changed? It seems like girls just aren't interested in babysitting like I was at that age... and they just seem so YOUNG! Scary!ReplyDelete
I can imagine it's really tough! Sounds like you've got a good prospect, though! Could you maybe have her come over to play with the kiddos for an hour or so when you're home so you can see how that goes (just stay in another room or something)? Maybe being able to watch her with them before actually leaving them alone will put your mind at ease a little bit?ReplyDelete
Because we don't really know anyone (with kids, anyway) around here, I know when it comes time for us to find a babysitter I'll be a nervous wreck. You're lucky you've been able to put it off so long! :)
I'm sure it will be ok! Good luck!


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Obama's Tactical Gift to McCain
There is now one question in American politics: With the Republican Party in such bad shape -- measured by polls, voter registration and general enthusiasm -- why isn't Barack Obama in better shape? (Most national polls show him slightly ahead.)
For some, the answer -- or at least part of the answer -- is simple: because Obama doesn't look like the presidents on American currency. But race in America is anything but simple, and polls seem powerless to measure its political influence. There is clearly an undercurrent of prejudice in parts of the electorate, evident even among some Democratic primary voters. There is also massive enthusiasm among younger voters to break the color barrier in the Oval Office, coupled with large increases in African American primary turnout. These unpredictable factors may well balance in Obama's favor, which would speak well of the country.
There are explanations enough for a close presidential race without recourse to race.
First, while John McCain still lacks a unifying theory for his campaign, his tactics show marked improvement -- progress that coincided with campaign personnel changes that included the elevation of Steve Schmidt to head day-to-day operations.
Sometimes the right issue can be even better than the right theory, and for McCain the energy issue has been a gift. There is perhaps no other topic in American politics today on which the public is angry, seeks action and agrees strongly with Republicans. McCain's approach is to do it all: drilling, nuclear, alternatives and conservation. Obama's approach has been reactive and irrelevant. What would his redistributed windfall profits tax do to produce energy or reduce the need for it? And Obama is hamstrung by a coalition that insists we will not drill our way out of this problem -- which is true but beside the point. No single approach will solve the problem in the short or medium term. And a nation in an energy crisis has every justification to extract its oil and natural gas while it pursues alternatives to oil and natural gas.
Second, Obama's tactics are undermining the unifying theory of his campaign. During the primaries, Obama presented himself as someone different, better and special. He would not only improve the economy and the health-care system, he would transcend old divisions and heal a broken land. Supporters embraced him as inspirational; detractors criticized him as messianic. Few doubt that he set the highest rhetorical goals since the New Frontier.
Since the primaries, Obama has made a tactical decision: He refuses to be painted as a liberal. America may be a discontented country, but it remains a center-right country. Democrats who understand this fact -- such as Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton -- become president. Democrats who don't lose elections.
But since Obama's short public career has been conventionally -- in some cases, extremely -- liberal, his tactical shift to the center has been startlingly obvious, on issues from guns to terror surveillance to Iraq, and now (reluctantly) to oil drilling. Says Peter Wehner of the Ethics and Public Policy Center: "Obama's political calculation may be correct, but it still involves a price. It has shattered his claim to be different. It calls into question his political character and leaves the impression he is consumed and defined by ambition."
At least temporarily, Obama's tactics have raised a damning political question: Who is this man? And the McCain campaign has begun to cleverly exploit these concerns, not with a frontal attack on his liberalism or his flip-flops but with a humorous attack on his "celebrity" -- really a proxy for shallowness. The argument is powerful: McCain has roots and convictions. Obama has fans and paparazzi. And Obama's European trip -- more Princess Diana than John Kennedy -- served only to confirm these impressions.
All this sets up a fascinating convention season. Will McCain be able to describe some compelling vision -- some combination of maverick, reformer and patriot -- that unites and justifies his campaign? Will Obama be able to reignite the inspiration of his campaign without overreaching into self-absorbed, second-rate Ted Sorensen? Will he be able to define an idealism that offers something more than himself as the ideal?
Even after his worst few weeks of the general election campaign, Obama remains in the lead. And he remains a far more talented and compelling figure than either John Kerry or Al Gore. McCain still swims upstream, but the current may run weaker than we thought.


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Dick and Betsy DeVos have been regarded as among the biggest philanthropists in the United States. When it comes to their philanthropic endeavors, education is one of the leading causes they contribute to on a regular basis. Betsy DeVos has talked about her views on education and what direction it should head into. She has stated that offering private charter schools often provides a better quality education for students. Betsy has also revealed that she believes that private charter schools are a better educational option because they allow parents to send their kids to the schools they want to attend. As a way to make charter schools widely available to the public, Betsy says that the government should provide vouchers to parents who want to send their kids to these private charter schools. With more access to private schools, children will be in better position to get a better quality education throughout their lives.
Similar to his wife Betsy, Dick DeVos often provides funding for a number of educational programs. Each year, Dick funds a scholarship program that enables students to attend business school. With his funding, a number of individuals have had the opportunity to complete master's degree programs in business administration. As a result, these students were in position to advance their careers into top level management positions. Since business school can be quite expensive, Dick's scholarship program has proven to make attending business school more affordable for those who are really waning to complete this particular educational program.
Dick also provides charitable donations to arts organizations. Every year, Dick provides funds to arts centers that hold events and exhibitions. One of the things he donates his money to is professional development. He uses his money to finance programs that will teach the managers and directors on how to run their organizations more efficiently. His funds are also used to help the organizations raise money for more programs and events that will provide a better overall experience for those who attend. Along with providing funds for professional development, DeVos also helps finance events where artists can showcase their work and receive incentives.
Since Dick is a former businessman, he donates a lot of his money to business development. He uses money to help startup companies get the capital they need in order to launch their business. Dick also uses funds to help existing companies expand. On a regular basis, he provides funds for companies to acquire property, inventory and equipment that will allow them to operate more easily. With his contributions, Dick has helped a number of companies get the capital they need in order to become more profitable as well as stimulate the overall economy.


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Mumbai: Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) refused to certify the film, "Lipstick Under my Burkha" stating that "the story is lady oriented, sexual references and use of abusive words, among other reasons".
The film is directed by Alankrita Shrivastava, and is the story about four women in a small town in India who chase their dreams through discreet acts of rebellion.
Director Kabir Khan and others have slammed over the CBFC's denial of a certificate of this film. The film's director Alankrita Shrivastava said she is determined to ensure that the Indian audiences get to watch the film.
However this movie has won the Oxfam Award for the 'Best Film on Gender Equality' at the Mumbai Film Festival and 'Spirit of Asia Prize' at the Tokyo International Film Festival.


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To my mind, there are few more welcoming sights than a candlelit flower shop on a cold crisp winter's night.
I am back at Knighton Flowers in Leicester for a book signing. And my journey up here has been past frozen fields and white, shrouded hedges.
The shop is scented with a spicy mix of blooms, fragrant candles and mulled wine.
There are canapes from the local restaurant - and on my 'signing' table a huge plate of chocolates.
I met Natasha, Michelle and their assistant Stuart when they helped me with photographs for my most recent book. Many of the shots we took on that day found their way into the pages, and I was very grateful for their enthusiasm and skill with the styling.
And of course, the cake they had fed me during my visit!
Pretty in Pink
With snow still fairly thick on the ground, a flower shop can be a cold place to be. So Natasha is taking no chances.
Knighton Flowers is a festive mix of deep reds and bronze with juicy, citrusy highlights.
Even the bath bombs look good enough to eat.
We chat about some of the new flower varieties the girls have fallen in love with - one I particularly like the sound of is a rose the colour of old linen, called Quick Sand.
I also fall in love with some vintage bouquets a local friend has made out of old broaches, beads and buttons. Perfect for a sparkling wintry wedding.
Later as we leave to go to Michelle's house for supper, the snow starts to fall. In the distance I can see some customers wandering up the road clutching the flowers, books and lanterns they have bought.


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Just A Natural Reaction To Being That Close To Prince Hot Ginge
I always knew that on the inside I'm a just young British girl in a shiny purple puffy coat, leggings and Burberry rain boots.
During a charity polo game at The Beaufort Polo Club in Gloucestershire, England, Prince William and Prince Hot Ginge strutted through the field when one of his devoted disciples took a picture of him and then gave birth to a huge ball of excitement right there on the grass. I said in the headline that this is just a natural reaction, but this is actually a pretty subdued reaction to being that close to PHG's royal bag of treasures. I would've prolapsed and dragged my innards across the grass to get PHG to autograph my nipple plate and most hos would've been tripping over the ovaries falling out of their snatch to get to him.
So yeah, this girl totally played it cool.
Pics: Splash


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Entry-Level IT Technician - Events Software
- Recruiter
- Location
- Stevenage
- Salary
- £19000 - £20000 Per Annum DOE (International Travel)
- Posted
- 26 Jun 2018
- Closing date
- 24 Jul 2018
- Ref
- Contact
- Guru Careers
- Industry
- Arts & heritage, Events, Theatre, Venue, General, Technology, Infrastructure, IT project management, IT support
- Job function
- Job level
- Entry level
- Hours
- Full time
- Contract
- Permanent
- Listing type
- Job vacancy
- Education level
- A levels/Advanced GNVQ
Entry-Level IT Technician / Junior Web Support Exec
An Entry-Level IT Technician / Junior Web Support Exec (with HTML and CSS skills) is needed to join a small tech start up in Hertfordshire. This is a rare opportunity for a talented candidate with a strong interest in Computers / Web Design or Web Development to play a key role assisting in the delivery of software based solutions for global events.
Leading the way in Radio-Frequency Identification technology this innovative company delivers identity and tracking solutions for global events ranging from large scale sports tournaments, to music festivals and conferences. Due to continued success they are now seeking an Entry-Level IT Technician / Junior Web Support Exec with excellent communication skills and the desire to progress their career into a Project Management role to join their talented team.
Joining as an Entry-Level IT Technician / Junior Web Support Exec you will utilise your understanding of CSS / HTML, IP Networks and windows to provide vital assistance to Project Managers and clients ensuring the software for global events run like clockwork whilst helping to write the user manual. Expect to attend the events yourself on occasion to provide adhoc assistance to clients and stakeholders as required. There will also be some warehouse / onsite hardware work.
To qualify. You should be an Entry-Level IT Technician / Junior Web Support Exec / IT Technician / Junior Web Support Executive / Event IT Tech / Junior IT Support Assistant / Graduate Web Developer / Graduate Web Manager / Web Support Assistant / Software Support Engineer or similar with a CV that demonstrates:
- You are a super organised IT / Computer Science / Web Design / Web Development graduate / college leaver or similar;
- Skills with HTML & CSS (these will be tested at interview);
- Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal;
- Good troubleshooting and problem solving abilities;
- You are hard working with a desire to acquire new skills;
- The willingness to work evenings / weekends and internationally as and when the projects require.
Any experience or exposure to the events / hospitality industry would be a bonus.
You will need to have a valid passport, a full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle.
This is a great opportunity for an eager and hard-working Entry-Level IT Technician / Junior Web Support Exec to join a fast paced company where they will get the benefit of learning from top industry professionals and grow their skills along with a rapidly growing company.


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Okay I'm excited because this blog was a lot easier than I thought to set up and make look the way I want. I haven't blogged since Xanga in high school, hehe. But it is really late on a Sunday night and I have class early tomorrow. Unfortunately my body is still on the weekend schedule and does not want to go to sleep.
There's a lot of noise outside my window right now (my room faces the street). Click-clank and scraaape. At first I thought it was my music, or one of my roommates still up. But, nope, one of our neighbors is removing all their empty beer bottles from the vicinity of their living room and dragging them to the street for trash day tomorrow. Oh, Philly.


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As Congress works to put the final touches on the financial bailout, the Michigan Campaign for Change organized a series of upcoming local forums on the national economic crisis.
Sam Williamson, a retired economics professor from Miami University of Ohio, and Charles Saad, a retired financial advisor will lead the forums in hopes of clearing up the issues and help explain how individual families will be affected by the proposed $700 billion bailout that is expected to be approved this week. While both Williamson and Saad said the events are open to the public, they are not hiding their support of Sen. Barack Obama.
The first forum will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30, in the main room of Boyne City's City Hall.
Williamson has published his articles in the American Economic Review and the Journal of Economic History and specializes in economic history, pensions and the economics of social security. He will begin the evening programs by explaining the national banking system and how the recent collapse occurred, and then take questions from the audience.


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This summer may be hot, but it promises to be even hotter in the supermarket dairy cases. Lured by the success of Haagen-Dazs, the super premium ice cream, ice cream companies are now battling one another for customers and for space in the frozen food cases.
Supermarket retailers say a large number of East Coast brands--large and small--have recently joined the fray. "It seems like they just discovered there's a market out here," says Richard Yates, the frozen food and dairy buyer for Gelson's, an Encino specialty food store chain.
In 1980, just two premium ice cream brands--Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream and Haagen-Dazs--were widely available here. Now, at least 23 brands--many from outside California--crowd supermarket frozen food cases.
There are so many brands, in fact, that some ice cream companies are already finding themselves frozen out. Harland Polk, vice president for sales at Hughes Supermarkets, says the premium ice cream market is near the the saturation point. "There will be some fallout," he says.


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Swann confident England can dominate in ODIs
England have swept the Test series 4-0 and won the lone Twenty20 too, but off-spinner Graeme Swann feels the upcoming five-match ODI series starting on Saturday would be a great test for the hosts.
Swann and co have so far completely outplayed India on the tour and the off-spinner said they will now look to extend their domination in the One-day series as well.
"It is a great test for us -- hopefully the conditions will suit us and we can pull off a victory. It's where we want to go in One-day cricket, we want to be an improving team and it's a good chance to start," Swann said.
"We are going to have to be at our absolute best to beat them and we are confident at the moment; that Twenty20 win on Wednesday has done no harm for our confidence at all," he added.
Image: Graeme Swann
'We are hoping to carry that on in the ODIs'
England, who replaced India as the world No 1 Test team with their 4-0 whitewash, are currently ranked fifth in the ICC ODI rankings. A series victory over India will see them climb up the ladder. Over the years, England have failed to take their superior Test form into limited-overs cricket and Swann said this is an area where they would look to work on this summer.
"This was an area we need to really watch; it can often be a bit of a damp squib after a Test series and hopefully it will be a positive rather than negative end to the summer," he said.
"It's not something we have discussed amongst us until now, but I'm sure we will soon. The summer has gone great for us; we are hoping to carry that on in the One-day series. It's a better feeling to be winning rather than losing," he added.
Image: Graeme Swann
England banking on 'X-factor' players Morgan, Dernbach
In their last two Ashes wins, where they beat Australia 2-1 at home in 2009 and 3-1 away last winter, England were unable to hold on to their form and lost 1-6 in the two seven-match ODI series that followed.
Asked about England's poor ODI record, Swann said, "I dunno ... we've missed a certain X-factor in players but I think we're getting that now in Jake Dernbach and Eoin Morgan... we're starting to find those real match-winners with bat and ball."
The five-match ODI series versus India begins in Durham on Saturday.
Image: Eoin Morgan


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We have a limited number of spaces remaining on our Folkworks Summer Schools, please contact the team at email@example.com to check availability.
Tutors: Ian Stephenson (Director), Hannah James, Catriona Price, Alexandra Wade. Chris Wood, Andy May, Greg Russell.
Concertina tutor supported by the International Concertina Association
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Folkworks Youth Summer School is a legendary week of folk music tuition and fun. The week is full of inspiration, repertoire building, sessions, songs, dancing, and friendships. The accommodation is Durham School halls of residence with our skilled and experienced pastoral staff onsite 24 hours a day.
"I surprised myself by doing things I never thought I could through the help and support of the tutors."
Big Tunes: Morpeth Lasses and The Bonnie Pit Laddie
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There are two slots of workshops to choose from, both of which contain Instrumental Tuition and Band Tuition. For the first year ever we are introducing more flexible class choices, so if you want to be in two bands – you can! (and if you would like to learn two instruments, you can!). On top of this there are some 'options' classes where you decide during the week which session you'd like to go to (these change each year but may include clog dancing, chorus songs, rapper dance).
"It is a brilliant opportunity to play and learn new tunes and meet new people."
Thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund grant, 'Pass it On – The Tradition in Your Hands' we are able to offer new activities. Participants will have the opportunity to explore more of the amazing stories and traditions behind the music and have taster sessions on traditional instruments. For the first time ever we are able to offer a dedicated
class for Clog dancers, suitable for Beginners – Advanced clog dancers (please note clogs are available for hire, enquire for more information).
"I improve more in this one week than I do in the rest of the year."
There is the opportunity to perform to your fellow students, to listen to the world class tutors in a tutors' concert, a ceilidh and more. There is a session that runs late in to the evening, allowing you to play together informally. Many well known folk musicians attended our summer school in their youth and many come back to teach with us, including our Director Ian Stephenson.
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"Youth summer school is like a date with a dementor only there are lots of them..all your tunes and ideas sucked from your body swallowed up and digested and STILL THEY WANT MORE. I love working with that amount of energy and bouncing of ideas. Totally exhausting and fabulously rewarding." Jo Freya, Folk Musician
"The Folkworks Youth Summer School was a real formative experience and I had some of the most inspiring musical moments of my life there. Being immersed in music with like-minded people my own age, in a relaxed learning environment with a variety of amazing tutors, was invaluable. Sessions, ceilidhs, workshops, concerts, friendships…and the roller-toaster! I'm very proud to have been a summer schools participant and tutor; it's had a big influence on my playing and teaching." Sarah Hayes: Youth Summer School Participant, Tutor
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Supported by the International Concertina Association and the Northumbrian Pipers' Society
Part of What's On in July and August
This Summer at Sage Gateshead sees SummerTyne Americana Festival return along with events for all the family and outstanding exclusive shows from Mercury Rev and Royal Northern Sinfonia and The Bootleg Beatles with Royal Liverpool Philharmonic


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April 4, 2009 at 3:24 pm
PastaQueen reviews items from the Home Trends store which promise to save her veggies from going bad and save her money from being stolen, all while wearing looser jeans.
Disclosure: I was sent these products for free to review.
It is not immediately obvious what a tomato saver, green produce bags, a button extender and a wrist wallet have in common. It seems like a pattern-identification question one would be asked on a Mensa test. The answer is that all of these products are sold at the Home Trends store which their public relations rep and blog reader, Kyra, sent me because she thought you guys might like them. And then I wrote about them because they're sort of offbeat. Of course, she sent them last January, and in further proof of my twit-i-ness, it has taken me three months to write about them. Someday I swear I'll live my life in the present and not a quarter year in the past.
First up are a set of Debbie Meyer Green Bags, which use SCIENCE ! to make your fruits and veggies last longer. As I discovered two years ago, some produce release a gas called ethylene as they ripen. This causes other veggies near the ripening fruit to deteriorate quickly. These plastic bags aren't just a stylish green color, they also absorb ethylene gas, so you're more likely to eat your salad instead of eating some cash by throwing out a rotten head of lettuce.
Kyra also sent me the Tomato Saver, which is a red, tomato-shaped container to store your half-used tomatoes in. It functions as well as any similar Tupperware container does, but it's a bit cuter to have the tomato sitting in your fridge. Hypothetically, you could store anything in here, like spare change. Or, if you're feeling wicked this Easter, you could make your kids go on a tomato hunt instead of an Easter Egg hunt.
I shall warn you that the Button Extender is not something you should buy for your husband or spouse. Similar to a bra strap extender, this product hooks onto the button of your jeans, giving you an extra inch or so. At first, I thought this was just a silly gag gift, but I have to admit it wasn't half-bad to wear. My figure is such that when jeans fit me in the waist, they are loose in the thighs. Typically I end up wearing pants that are a little tighter in the waist than I'd prefer because they fit everywhere else better. The button extender helped a bit in this department, but it's not something I'd wear without a shirt to cover it up.
And finally, Kyra also sent me a Wrist Wallet, which as you can guess, is a wallet you wear on your wrist. It's reversible, so you can wear it as red or black. It seems "handy" for storing your keys at the gym or if you're at an amusement park. I might consider using one when I travel to Europe so I don't end up pick-pocketed and stuck in a foreign country with no money.
If you would like the chance to win a Tomato Saver and a pack of 2 Button Extenders, comment on this entry by 11:59pm on Monday, April 6th with an idea for another product the Home Trends store should sell on their web site. A winner will be drawn randomly. Good luck!
Chocolate & Vicodin: My Quest for Relief from the Headache that Wouldn't Go Away
Earlier: I see London, I see France…
Home: Main index
33 Comments
JennC • April 4, 2009 at 8:55 pm
How about a toothpick holder keychain, so you can carry toothpicks with you everywhere you go! :D
And instead of a wrist wallet you can use a waist pouch which fits around your waist, tucked under your pant's waistband. Mine was suprizingly slim and didn't feel bulky, but it kept my passport and money orders safe and sound. They also sell the same thing for around your neck but I found that cumbersome and obvious. Also, I never opened it in public and kept my money for the day in my pocket or travel shoulder bag.
Enjoy your trip!!
Shannon • April 4, 2009 at 9:08 pm
I would like to see a solution to keep my button up blouses laying flat in the front. I am a busty girl, and the button panel bulges when I sit. So, I can either buy shirts that are way too big to prevent this or deal with the tightness around the chest area. It sucks. :)
EG • April 5, 2009 at 8:40 am
Is it bad if I'm thinking the button extender would go great on my, already elasticized, maternity jeans?
Okay, another Home Trends idea: a tupperware-like container especially for lunch salads, with a special container for dressing on top. You could push a button and have the dressing drop onto the salad. Voila!
mervtheflamingo • April 5, 2009 at 10:20 am
How about spanx for the upper back? Like a tight fitting tee that completely eliminates slight back-bulge when wearing fitted clothes. Do they already make this I wonder? Would it be called "hugz" instead of spanx?
Also, I think a lunch container (like tupperware) with a fork that ATTACHES to the lunch container via a longish key-chain like attachment so that I never lose my fork, never use disposable forks, and never forget to pack a fork with lunch!
lg • April 5, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Something to keep bananas from over ripening or maybe something handy to store once they do ( when I freeze overipe bananas in tupperware or baggie they are a watery mess when I defrost and I hesitate to use it in banana bread at this point).
Take care, lg
Carolyn G • April 5, 2009 at 5:32 pm
I really like their products. And these are great. What I would like to see if an herb keeper. I grow my own herbs but in winter when I have to buy them at the store, they go bad really fast. There should be an item that will keep them fresher for longer.
Amy • April 6, 2009 at 11:22 am
I saw an 'extra leg' on a bike site the other day. Cyclists roll up the pant leg on the chain side to avoid getting grease on it, and this is an extra fake pant leg (below the knee) that goes over your pants as kind of a sacrificial pant leg so you don't look like a dork w/rolled up pants.
Very goofy but fits right in! I can't imagine anyone wearing this. One blogger made fun of it and suggested the fake leg should have a wrist wallet type storage device built in.
Kyra • April 6, 2009 at 12:00 pm
I'm a runner and I wear mine all the time. Ran 6 miles yesterday as a matter of fact with it on. Yes, it does get damp by the time you are done. But I just toss it in the wash. It is great to carry my keys in – as well as carry my shuffle in before a race. Just don't forget to take your shuffle out of it which I did once and ruined the shuffle completely!
Tracyb • April 6, 2009 at 12:57 pm
I would like to see something like a dry erase board for my kids chores that I could keep track of when they did them. And to have something attached that I could put their money in since they get paid per chore. They only get paid .10 to .50 per chore. So something to hold change basically.
Carolyn • April 6, 2009 at 10:06 pm
I would like to see scissors on a chain (similar to a pen on a chain) because my kids always take off with the scissors and then we can't find them.
In fact, there could be a whole line of items: small stapler on a chain, ruler on a chain, tape dispenser on a chain, etc…
wilma • April 7, 2009 at 9:51 am
I think that the button extender would also be great for pregnant women–I'm pregnant, and I used a hair elastic for the longest time, but it would always fall or spring off when I went to the washroom–which isn't that great in a public place where you can assume the floors may not be in the most pristine of conditions…
Kelly • April 9, 2009 at 8:34 am
The wrist wallet will mark you as a tourist, but it might not be the worst idea to wear it in Europe. My brother got pickpocketed on a bus in Italy (and he's a pretty saavy traveler, this was like his 10th trip there, and he wasn't in a bad area). They have some seriously skilled thieves over there. The guy actually managed to get into the inside pocket of my brother's coat without him noticing. He just thought it was normal crowded-bus jostling. Being stuck in a foreign country with no cash, no ATM cards or credit cards is a pretty crappy situation to be in.
budicca • April 11, 2009 at 4:19 am
I know I am a little late for comments, but where is your review for the green bags? Did they actually work? How well? Would you recommend them?
Thanks. I've been curious about the bags, but not enough to shell out my money for them without a glowing review I trusted, and I trust you.
Comments are now closed on all PastaQueen entries. The blog is an archive only so I don't have to deal with spammers. For fresh discussions please visit my new blog at JennetteFulda.com.


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Monday, 16 May 2011
Double Embossing Technique
This week's challenge at Less is More is to create a one layer card featuring dry or wet embossing. Thanks Dame Chrissie and Diva Mandi - I've used both, sorry it took me so long to join in, it's been such a hectic weekend this morning was my first chance to have a go.
I found this technique on several blogs and have been wanting to give it a try. I've used Melon Mambo card for the base and used the Manhattan Flower Big Shot Embossing Folder. All you do is ink up the indented side of the embossing folder with plenty of Versamark ink using the Brayer and then roll through the Big Shot. I went back and forth a few times to make sure I got a good even covering of ink. Next is to just go for it and tip the whole pot of Black Embossing powder over the card and tap all the excess back in! Heat set withe the heat embossing tool and voila!
I decided I wanted a sentiment so punched an aperture with the oval punch and matched up the sentiment from Oval All on the inside.
No temptation to add gems or ribbon today at all. Here's a view of the inside, you can see I didn't wait for my ink to dry on the sentiment before I closed the card:
I feel like I could easily sleep all day today to recover after my busy weekend but Zac and Blake wouldn't thank me for that. Plus I could only imagine the chaos they'd cause if I nodded off even for 10 minutes.
So if you've not yet joined in with the latest LIMettes challenge - hop on over and have a go.
Pin It
29 comments:
I knew you must be really busy when I didn't see a card at the top of the LIM submissions this weekend!ReplyDelete
Amazing technique, it looks so striking. I'm tempted to try it but don't fancy getting ink everywhere :-)
Wow! Victoria this is stunning. So pleased you got your wish for a good pink on black, it looks fabulous. Very striking for such a simple design.ReplyDelete
Lynne xxx
We were wondering where you were Victoria... we missed you on Saturday, but I knew you had a busy weekend ahead of you!ReplyDelete
This is ACE! Your technique has worked a treat!
Fabulous card!
Thanks so much and don't keep us in suspense next time!
Lady LIM
"Less is More"
Worked brilliantly!ReplyDelete
Wow, wow!! This is absolutely stunning and you've certainly got bright pink on black!! And a super shine too. Love it!ReplyDelete
This is awesome-my first view of this technique. Really cool!ReplyDelete
What a great result. It looks fab. xxReplyDelete
Hi there, Gorgeous card, love that technique, it's worked brilliantly :0) xxxReplyDelete
This is fab Victoria, very striking. JoReplyDelete
Stunning card and love the technique very effective.ReplyDelete
wow Victoria -job done then! V striking - love it.ReplyDelete
Lynn x
What a stunning affect VictoriaReplyDelete
That will have taken some great skills!
Thanks very much
Diva LIM mandi
"Less is More"
Great Fabulous and a sense of the saucy all good stuff XOXO ZoeReplyDelete
Wow, this is fantastic.ReplyDelete
jenjoy x
This is gorgeous Victoria - love the coloursReplyDelete
Margaret x
LOVE this card! I always think of you when insernthua colour combo as you used it for the wedding card swap I organisedReplyDelete
on ILWS. This looks fab!!!
Ooooh you've got me thinking now Victoria! I LOVE this card and the technique is ver clever! I have often inked the inside of my EF's but never then embossed it...I shall be trying this! :)ReplyDelete
Lizy x
Absolutely brilliantReplyDelete
Yay! Well done! My embossing skills leave a little to be desired so all tips welcomed :-) . Your card looks fab!ReplyDelete
Hope it all went well yesterday :-)
what a cool idea... your card is just amazing!!ReplyDelete
that is clever and the results are amazing!!!!ReplyDelete
WOW!!!! This is stunningReplyDelete
This is a stunning card. Fabulous folder - and even more fabulous with this technique.ReplyDelete
Avril x
Fabulous card. Imagine pouring on the black! Awesome.ReplyDelete
love this very much.
Malyn at ThinkInkCreative
Victoria, .....WOW!!!! Very very creative!ReplyDelete
Love this dramatic card, great technique :)ReplyDelete
Wonderfully dramatic but girly too! Very impressed with how brave you are to completely cover the card like that and get such perfect coverage. xReplyDelete
Now that is fuschia! great bold, modern and yet feminine design...!ReplyDelete
Thanks for sharing,
Sarah at 183
Stunning colours & design :-)ReplyDelete
Thanks for visiting my blog, if you have time please leave me a comment as I love to read them.


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You'll love to be beside the seaside at the Premier Inn Hotel Bournemouth Westcliffe, near the golden sands of Bournemouth beach. Whether you're building sandcastles or boosting business, you can count on having a great stay.
Full and Continental breakfasts, a hearty evening meal, a light snack or a relaxing drink. At a Thyme restaurant you can enjoy it all at reasonable prices.
This Premier Inn will not have air conditioning until January 2016 due to the current units being replaced, fans will be available. The hotel is located near a major road, bedrooms are insulated to minimise noise.
This hotel has limited parking, which is allocated on a first come, first served basis and is chargeable at 5.00 GBP per day. Alternative free street parking is available nearby on Clarendon Road, please contact reception for details.
There are nine accessible rooms in the hotel, located on the ground, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors. They are within 6 to 50 metres (6 to 55 yards) from the entrance or lift.
At M27 (J1) take A31. At Ashley Heath Junction, branch left. At roundabout take 1st exit onto A338 signposted Bournemouth. At Bournemouth West roundabout take 1st exit (signposted Ring Road, West Cliff). At next roundabout (St Michael's) take 3rd exit (signposted Westbourne) onto Poole Road. Hotel is on the right. Please note there is very limited chargeable parking onsite, first come first served basis. Alternative free on road parking nearby.


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Mark Potok pours fuel of hate where there is no fire.
The Southern Poverty Law Center, which has long made a crusade of demonizing Conservative America, has once again put in the form of a so-called investigative report their amalgamated dismissal of Conservatives as an angry mob of racists.
This is hardly a new spin on the political climate of our nation since Democrats officially assumed control of both the Legislature and the Office of the Executive. What makes this report more disturbing than the regular slew of flippant accusations from the Left is the insidious capacity of the author to present the most disingenuous aspersions cast upon the Right in a tidy, 1,200-word package entitled Rage on the Right: The Year in Hate and Extremism.
NPR picked up on this "investigative report" while the metaphorical ink was still drying, hosting its author, the champion of white guilt Mark Potok, on Fresh Air recently to discuss his deceptive diatribe.
One needn't go beyond the title to understand the full substance and intent of the article's 1,200-plus words. For Potok (a former reporter – *gasp*), this report was just another step in a mission that long ago took him beyond the line separating perceptions from the misperceptions deemed necessary by the radical left.
In the same paragraph, Potok lumps conservative political activists (fiscal conservatives, federalists, small-government advocates, and so forth) with neo-Nazis – a correlation that can be made only when one substitute's his integrity for a liberal ideological agenda.
Potok writes:
Hate groups stayed at record levels — almost 1,000 — despite the total collapse of the second largest neo-Nazi group in America. Furious anti-immigrant vigilante groups soared by nearly 80%, adding some 136 new groups during 2009. And, most remarkably of all, so-called "Patriot" groups — militias and other organizations that see the federal government as part of a plot to impose "one-world government" on liberty-loving Americans — came roaring back after years out of the limelight.
Potok extends only a discreet gesture of truthfulness in the form of a hyperlink. If you click on the hyperlinked text "Patriot" groups and you will eventually come to the line –
Listing here does not imply that the groups themselves advocate or engage in violence or other criminal activities, or are racist.
To get to the truth of the matter, Potok need only take a small step from fact to fact. No leaps required. The fringe elements we're hearing so much about on the news – the ones spitting on politicians at rallies, breaking windows at democratic political offices, shouting racial and homophobic slurs – are NOT conservatives. They're a radical, violent minority that stands in opposition to the very principles driving the Conservative movement – "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…"
No – they are not Conservatives. These belligerents are opportunists. They've latched onto a legitimate political movement in which – because of historical divisions furthered by reports like Potok's – many are willing to accept a perceived association between politically-active Conservatives and hate groups.
The Left is all too happy to – in this instance – to see things in black and white. Unfortunately, the genuine concerns of the majority of Conservatives are being overshadowed by this fantastically choreographed liberal deception.


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UK sentencing guidelines – are regulatory breaches discovered during deal due diligence now 'more material'?
December 2016 | SPOTLIGHT | MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
Financier Worldwide Magazine
Headline grabbing fines for corporate offences have historically been the preserve of major financial, anticorruption or antitrust investigations. While companies are yet to be fined hundreds of millions of pounds for environmental, health and safety and food offences, recent sentencing guidelines now categorise penalties more transparently but also carry much higher tariffs, albeit maximum fines remain 'unlimited'.
Seven figure fines for safety offences have been handed down by Courts on numerous occasions; since the guidelines came into play on 1 February 2016, sentencing judges have indicated that these amounts are now the rule, rather than the exception. The record breaking £5m fine for a non-fatal accident handed to the owners of Alton Towers recently has made it clear that the courts are starting to use the guidelines to demonstrate the old adage, 'the bigger they are, the harder they fall'.
Add in a less tolerant attitude by society to corporate wrongdoing and the associated brand damage that can occur in the aftermath of a regulatory breach, or even following the launch of a defective product, as Samsung has found recently, then the reputational and financial materiality of breaches that are detected in corporate due diligence looks set to change dramatically.
What changes can you make to your deal due diligence?
It is the stuff of dealmaking nightmares to find out during due diligence or, worse still, after completion of a deal, that an offence has occurred and a criminal investigation and prosecution have been commenced. So, how can you manage and mitigate risk in an area where it is notoriously difficult to spot hidden or fraudulent behaviour?
First and foremost, be clear (and flexible) on what is material. The changes you make should already vary by parameters such as the target, its tangible and intangible value, its business area and associated risk profile, together with the purchaser's familiarity with the risks associated with that industry, to name but a few. However, there are some issues that we see in many transactions of all shapes and sizes that should be brought to the fore now that the risk profile of getting it wrong has increased dramatically. Irrespective of the transaction, materiality should always be kept under continuous review as issues crop up in data room reviews.
It could be an item by item 'de minimis' amount set at the outset of a transaction, or a cumulative amount by risk issue. It could be a clearly defined carve out, such as all risks to brand or reputation, or a combination of the two. Ultimately, it is for the purchaser to decide exactly what is material to them, but it would be wise not to take a one size fits all approach to defining scope and setting thresholds, especially for regulatory breaches which could result in prosecution.
A savvy purchaser who knows the sector well and is acquiring a rival or a series of smaller competitors may have a very different attitude to risk on a specific issue or range of issues than the new market entrant. In the latter case, you may even look to invest in sector specific due diligence to flag all the issues that might affect a heavily regulated business sector, such as care homes, possibly before you have even scoped materiality.
Companies must also be aware of potential regulatory bear traps. The tail cannot wag the dog and we are by no means suggesting that regulatory issues are the only concern within a transaction, but regulatory risks are wide ranging and the purpose of this article is to flag that getting it wrong can be an increasingly costly mistake.
Companies must also be wary of hidden or fraudulent behaviour. Behaviour that has gone unnoticed for many years, despite internal and external auditing is, by its very nature, hard to detect. It may be that there are lots of small compliance breaches which would not flag a concern individually, but which combined should point to a poorly managed business whose risk profile is poorer than you might expect.
Business attitudes to risk must also be a consideration. Increasingly, regulators and responsible businesses are focusing on a business' attitude to risk and the implementation of a culture of compliance to establish evidence of wrongdoing, so acquiring purchasers should do the same. Some tell-tale signs that may prompt closer scrutiny are a lack of available documents, very new documents, documents that are hard to get hold of, no one with responsibility for compliance, blank looks when basic questions are asked, or high numbers of insurance, litigation or employment claims.
In fast growth companies, regulatory breaches could be accidental – a failure to appreciate that a business has grown so big that it has triggered new regulatory reporting obligations could still be a criminal offence, but specialist advice should be taken with regard to how likely a prosecution is, mitigating risk and what any penalty might be.
In addition, companies must consider the wider implications of a regulatory breach being uncovered post-completion. The cost of a regulatory investigation and payment upon conviction is obvious for most businesses, but there can be an attitude of "it will never happen to us", or just a hope and a prayer that this will be the case.
Certain aspects may be recoverable under warranties or indemnities in the acquisition documents, or the costs may be covered by insurance, but increasingly regulatory breaches are criminal offences, which purchasers should remember, cannot be indemnified as a basic point of English law and some of the implications do not have an immediate financial cost.
Distraction from the business. For any business that has not been involved in any form of regulatory investigation, it can take a lot of manpower to deal with investigations, document requests, PACE interviews and ultimately time preparing for and in Court. Most business plans for acquisitions will not allow for large numbers of staff and management being drawn into a regulatory investigation.
Distrust between old and new. Morale is likely to take a big hit. People can quickly resort to covering themselves and blaming others. If you have retained key staff and directors, do you really want to be suing them under an SPA while asking them to help run your business?
Key personnel. With regulators increasingly looking to prosecute key individuals at management and board level, it may be the case that senior people are under suspicion and ultimately prosecuted. Can the business operate to its full potential with 'key personnel' in prison or disqualified as directors?
Insurance. Deliberate wrongdoing or failure to report issues could result in insurers declining cover. At the very least, policies will be much more expensive to purchase in the aftermath of a serious regulatory breach.
Loss of confidence. This may be market confidence in a publicly listed deal, or commercial confidence from customers and suppliers, resulting in withdrawal of supply or loss of business.
Breach of covenants. Companies may quickly find that a regulatory breach puts them in breach of the funding arrangements put in place at the outset.
Corporate memory loss. If a team of directors is removed during an acquisition, what provision is there to obtain assistance on historic offending in the event of a breach being investigated, especially if they are going to protect their own interests?
All of the above will have a significant effect on value and earnings multiples, which could quickly exceed the liability caps in the agreements.
When considering the deal due diligence of corporate acquisitions, the regulatory compliance of a seller is frequently not considered as one of the issues at the top of the priority list for buyers and their legal teams.
Areas to focus upon
As criminal liabilities are taken on as part of any company purchase and no indemnity can be made against a criminal fine, buyers are exposed to a significant risk if there are any compliance issues which are not tackled pre-acquisition.
There is no silver bullet, but you should look for a number of areas in order to get a better understanding of compliance in the target company.
First, it all starts with scope. The bigger the brand being acquired, the more limited the experience in the sector or the higher risk the sector is in terms of likely breaches, then the higher risk the acquisition and the greater the need for an understanding of compliance issues in that sector or a need to carve out compliance issues from the generic scope.
Second, top down commitment and a culture of compliance. A deeper look into the culture of the business is needed to ascertain how the policies are implemented and what the culture of compliance is within the business. This can often be hard to determine. As such, there will inevitably be an element of risk attached. One way to alleviate this risk would be to instruct an independent health and safety audit or gap analysis to conduct a review upon purchase. You would never buy a house without having a structural survey completed, so why buy a business without surveying its compliance?
Third, questioning key personnel is vital. This helps to establish their competence, especially in any compliance functions. Is the compliance function a fig leaf to demonstrate compliance on a cursory glance? Challenge replies to enquiries, documents in the data room and disclosures in conversations, where possible.
Fourth, timing is key. If a business is highly regulated, compliance documents should be forthcoming and complete at the very outset. So often, a data room is quickly populated with corporate information, property and personnel files but there is little or nothing relating to compliance. Even if a business is not highly regulated, it should give you a pretty strong impression of priorities if all the sales records are available from the off, but they cannot quickly provide basic documents such as licences, permits, risk assessments and compliance policies.
Fifth, efforts should be made to ascertain the company's key assets and whether they are likely to be compliant. If there is a breach affecting these assets, it could have a major impact on the brand and the value of the target, especially if large amounts of the deal value are attributable to a piece of polluted land, the contract that was procured with a bribe, or that dangerous piece of equipment which is key to manufacture.
Sixth, if the business is highly regulated, what formal training and qualifications have compliance officers and key personnel had to be deemed competent?
Seventh, documents are a key starting point, but the existence of a policy or risk assessment alone does not demonstrate compliance. There is no tick box approach that can be taken.
Eighth, if a company has previous convictions (or enforcement notices served against it), a further look at the compliance issues behind this could be the difference between the same offences being committed in the future and findings being applied to avoid future issues. The previous convictions of a company would pass in the sale, and would be considered an aggravating feature to any future prosecutions, regardless of who was in control at the time of the offences.
Finally, has the company learned from its past mistakes and implemented policies to ensure they will not happen again?
These sorts of assessments will provide a more detailed view as to how the business is approaching compliance, including such things as how the policies are being implemented and how staff are being trained, and what the review process is for policies and audits. These details are crucial to be able to assess any potential liabilities in relation to compliance.
At the outset of any deal, due diligence processes and regulatory compliance should be addressed in detail to prevent any future impact upon the target which could be very costly and damaging to the business' reputation and to that of the acquirer. Compliance issues should not be relegated to being a 'necessary evil' which is dealt with towards the end of the due diligence process.
Those purchasers and targets considering a sale need to review their positions to push regulatory issues up the agenda and be wary of any business that cannot lay its hands on compliance documentation, or whose key personnel seem unaware of, or unfamiliar with, key areas of compliance for that business. Current deals should be reviewed to ensure regulatory issues are being addressed.
Regulatory breaches have not suddenly become important, but the sentencing guidelines and changing attitudes to risk and compliance should make businesses looking to acquire targets look much harder at their materiality scope, outputs from due diligence, as well as challenging targets on the provision of basic business compliance information from the outset.
Philip Ryan and Hayley Saunders are partners at Shoosmiths. Mr Ryan can be contacted on +44 (0)3700 86 8915 or by email: firstname.lastname@example.com. Ms Saunders can be contacted on +44 (0)3700 86 4217 or by email: firstname.lastname@example.com.
© Financier Worldwide
Philip Ryan and Hayley Saunders


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Feds Weigh In on L.A. River Restoration After Seven Years of Study
Friday's release of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers much-delayed "moment of truth" for the Los Angeles River may have advocates for a bold restoration plan in need of a moment of silence to mourn their dashed dreams.
"After seven years of study, federal officials have recommended a $453-million plan that would restore an 11-mile stretch of the Los Angeles River but leave much of its banks steep and hard to reach, disappointing advocates who hoped for a more ambitious alternative that would allow more public access," reports Tony Barboza.
Though the Army Corps' favored alternative includes hundreds of acres of habitat restoration, miles of trails, and the removal of some of the river's notorious concrete, "[a]dvocacy groups say the plan falls short and will push the Army Corps to choose a broader, more costly alternative when it makes its final recommendation in the spring."
"We don't want to make all these investments in the river and still have incredible barriers to accessing it," said Omar Brownson, executive director of the L.A. River Revitalization Corp., a nonprofit created by the city of Los Angeles.


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Web development
Budjetti $30-250 AUD
I need some changes to an existing website. I am starting a new business and need some help with photo editing, graphic design and some ongoing marketing. Needs to be fluent in English as to edit text. Thankyou
107 freelanceria on tarjonnut keskimäärin %project_bid_stats_avg_sub_26% %project_currencyDetails_sign_sub_27% tähän työhön
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Golden West Medical Center
Tucson, Arizona
(520) 792-1966
Medically Supervised Weight Loss in Tucson, Arizona
Golden West Medical Center has served the Tucson area since 1984. We are a multi-faceted progressive bariatric (weight loss) center dedicated to your needs. Our team of medical professionals at Golden West Medical Center is dedicated to providing prompt, friendly, and courteous service to our patients. Our healthcare providers have over 83 years of combined experience providing weight loss and other health care services. Our knowledgeable staff is available to assist you with all your needs, whether it is weight management, smoking cessation, or other needs. We explain the treatment options in detail and then review the pros and cons in a language you can understand. For our patients who need care by other medical specialties, we have a referral network of the finest specialists around.
At Golden West Medical Center, we pride ourselves in practicing medicine the old fashioned way. Our patients come first and are treated like family. We know our family members by name, not just a number. If you have tried and failed before with other diets and weight loss programs or perhaps smoking cessation, you will feel comfortable with our "welcome back" approach. We are here to offer that support, whenever you are ready. Golden West Medical Center has become the largest medical weight loss center because of your trust and confidence. We earn your trust the old fashioned way, through hard work and attention to detail, and we are dedicated to preserving that trust. We are ready when you are.
Golden West Medical Center is located at 230 W. Ajo Way. We are between 6th and 12th Avenue, on the north side of Ajo Way, next to Hollinger Elementary School. Maps of our location are here.
Golden West Medical Center office hours are:
For your convenience, Golden West Medical Center accepts personal checks as well as MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express cards.NEW FEATURE: Appointments may be requested online here
Contacting Golden West Medical Center, P.C.
If you have any questions about this site or Golden West Medical Center, P.C., you can contact us via email at: firstname.lastname@example.com
Or via postal mail at:
Golden West Medical Center, P.C.
Or by phone or FAX at:
Phone: (520) 792-1966
|IMPORTANT NOTICE: While this web page is intended to be informative, it can not and does not contain all information available.
It is not a substitute for consulting with your doctor. Always consult with your doctor prior to making decisions regarding any treatment.
Your use of this web site requires your acceptance of our terms of use and privacy policy.
Copyright © 2000 - 2019, Golden West Medical Center, P.C. and it's licensors - All rights reserved.


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Patent Search - Application - Filing
Do you know what to do or who to turn to when a great idea pops into you head? Do you feel your idea could enhance an already existing product or you have a brand new product idea you feel would become the next big thing. If so, read on to learn what free resources are available before you move forward.
Before you do anything, I suggest you take the time to link up with successful inventors and entrepreneurs who share how they got their product idea to market. There is so much you can do on your own before you spend out of pocket. Free resources, information and guidance is available to you.
There is a Live Free Internet Weekly Radio Show where wannabe inventors and successful inventors gather together to learn, ask questions, receive advice and guidance. The Live Internet Radio Show hosted by Brian Fried, a successful New York inventor who felt it was necessary to offer a free place for wanna be inventors and entrepreneurs who seek solid information and guidance. Each week Brian has a special guest who share their expertise how they got their product to market.
Brian Fried, the host of GotInventionRadio volunteers his time lecturing throughout Long Island public libraries, various school districts, inventors groups, Small Business Administration and other groups on the subject of inventing. Brian is also the founder of the Inventors and Entrepreneur Club of Suffolk County. Since 2007, Brian serves on the Board of Directors for the New York Society of Professional Inventors.
My name is Michelle Cesare an entrepreneur and wannabe inventor. In October 2010, I met Brian at the Inventors and Entrepreneur Club of Suffolk County in Long Island, New York. The meeting was filled with wannabe inventors, successful inventors and patent attorneys who volunteer their time. All the people who came to meeting were there for the same reason, to learn more about the inventor process. Brian took it a step further and took the time to meet with me to discuss my product idea and to offer advice to what I should do next. Because of Brian volunteering his time without asking for anything in return, I now write about Brian Fried to help him reach a wider audience online. I write articles, blogs and create free websites promoting his Live Internet Radio Show, what he does and his websites. I'm an article writer who seeks out new interesting topics to write about and felt writing about inventors, patents, product ideas and people who help other wannabe inventors would be a topic I could write about for a long time to come while helping other wannabe inventors and entrepreneurs not make the same mistakes I've made over the years. I'm here to pass along free helpful resources to help and guide wannabe inventors and entrepreneurs.
If you have a product idea and not sure where to turn to for help, I suggest logging into the Live Internet Weekly Radio Show be your first step to learn what you need to learn before you move forward. Get the answers your searching for from experienced and knowledgeable inventors and entrepreneurs. Reach your goals by following people who have succeeded getting their product idea to market.


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A preemptive multitasking kernel
OS48 is a tiny kernel OS for your Arduino sketches. It can help you to improve your productivity to develop multitasking programs on your microcontroller. The library has been written in C++ .
It works only with Arduino UNO and MEGA boards but can be adapted to others devices.
I've written a tutorial on http://www.rtos48.com/. This website contains also the ZIP library to include in your sketch and the documentation of C++ classes.
You can click directly here to download the lib.
Here an example to blink a LED and to send messages through the serial interface at the same time:
For any suggestions, bugs or questions, you can contact me at mailto:email@example.com


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i've tried everything to clear up my skin. this is the first thing in years that i've had this clear of skin. it's fantastic.
amarillo tx
This breakout fighting, foaming wash clears away dead skin cells, dirt and excess oils that clog pores and cause breakouts.Learn More
This breakout fighting, foaming wash clears away dead skin cells, dirt and excess oils that clog pores and cause breakouts.Learn More
Morning and night, lather a small amount in damp hands, then rub over face, neck, chest ... anywhere you want to wipe out dirt and breakouts. Keep out of your eyes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Can't remember to use your face wash? Keep it in the shower!
Active ingredient: Salicylic Acid .50%. Other ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Polysorbate-20, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Oleanolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Porpyra Umbilicalis Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Rhizome/Root Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol.
Dermalogica is dedicated to maintaining the accuracy of the ingredient lists on this website. However, because ingredients are subject to change, we cannot guarantee that these lists are complete, up-to-date and/or error-free. For an accurate listing of ingredients in each product, please refer to your product packaging.
A system of powerful, technology-driven formulas that deliver fast-acting, multitasking results for breakout-prone skin.
Created by the skin health experts at Dermalogica, Clear Start™ is a system of powerful, technology-driven formulas that deliver fast-acting, multitasking results for breakout-prone skin. Formulated without artificial fragrances or colors, Clear Start™ combines the best of science with nature to fight breakouts without stripping the skin. Every product contains active breakout-fighting ingredients and soothing natural botanicals that keep skin clear, hydrated and balanced.
i've tried everything to clear up my skin. this is the first thing in years that i've had this clear of skin. it's fantastic.
amarillo tx
This is the one product, after the millions tried, that helps with my teenage daughters acne. What a relief we found it!
Maia's mom
Morro Bay, CA
This product was terrible. My skin broke out with acne that was worse than I had before, in areas of my face that I don't normally get acne. My face was also very itchy, but not out of dryness! Would not recommend this product. I went back to using my drug store face wash after wasting my money on this!
Salisbury, MD
This is the best product that I have found for my sensitive, breakout prone skin. My skin looks better than it has in years!
Monterey, CA
At first I thought this was going to be a pointless face wash what would just annoy my skin but I can tell you this is the best product for my skin.It leaves my skin feeling clean and hydrated.I have used this every morning and night and my skin has stayed clear. I love this product thank you Dermalogica.
Love how clean my skin feels.
I bought along with the moisturizer. Have broken out terribly in small, breakouts across my face and neck- almost like an allergic reaction. Will not be buying again and will stick with other products (some dermalogica). Not surprised that this line of products in general has mixed reviews. I think for me, the botanicals are irritating my skin ( I am very sensitive to dyes and fragrances) and warn those that have the same issues from buying this product.
Pittsburgh PA
I've used this face wash for about a year because I received 2 as a gift and I honestly didn't see any changes. I still got acne, I still got black heads. I've always struggled with those two. This product didn't really do anything. I recently switched face washes after running out of this one but I definitely won't be purchasing this. It's over priced for a product that does nothing. For me, at least.
I use this product morning and night followed by the matte moisturizer, and it seams to be making my face worse. I have more breakouts now, then before I started using it.
Bristol Rhode Island
It took about 2 months to completely clear my skin it did get worst over the two months to clear my skin out but dermologica has saved my life I have completely clear skin. Yet my skin has become oily over time but it does get less oily when I use the toner
Medicine Hat
Hello, Please try Precleanse and Special Cleansing Gel as they are safe for the eye area. Kind Regards, Bernadette
Hello, Thank you for your interest in Dermalogica. Yes, she can use Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash, Breakout Clearing All Over Toner and Skin Soothing Hydrating Lotion morning and night. Kind Regards, Bernadette
Hello, This cleanser is ideal for a full face of acne. If you only have sporadic breakouts, try Special Cleansing Gel. Thanks
Hello , Thank you for your interest in Dermalogica. You can use this with Skin Soothing Hydrating Lotion morning and night. Kind Regards, Bernadette
Hello, Thank you for your interest in Dermalogica. Try Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash, Breakout Clearing All Over Toner and Skin Soothing Hydrating Lotion morning and night. Kind Regards, Bernadette
Hi Bariga, Thank you for your interest in Dermalogica. She should not use any exfoliants when using tretinoin. Special Cleansing Gel is a mild cleanser that will deep clean without stripping your skin. You only need the size of a pea, and its safe to use over the eyes. It is for oily, normal, or combination skin. Kind Regards, Bernadette
Hi Pam, Thank you for your interest in Dermalogica. It is normal to purge in the beginning. However, he should follow his cleanser with moisturizer to keep the skin balanced. I recommend Skin Soothing Hydrating Lotion. Kind Regards, Bernadette
It will get much better over time it's his body's way of clearing out all his pores give it about month to two months and you should see a result
Hello Emily Rose, Thank you for your interest in Dermalogica. Clear Start is for teen acne which is caused by puberty and genetics. It has a fast healing time. MediBac is for adult acne which is caused by hormones, stress, genetics, pollution, lifestyle, etc. It has a slow healing time and is also affected by aging. Kind Regards, Bernadette
Dear Ally, Thank you for your interest in Dermalogica. Everyone's skin is different so it is hard to say. Teen acne can be caused by puberty and genetics. No topical product will reverse puberty or change genetics. Therefore, the acne may not go away 100% but it can definitely be managed. The most important thing to keep in mind is to be patient and persistent with the products. Be sure to use them every morning and night for consistent results and healthy skin. Kind Regards, Bernadette
Dear Jennifer, Thank you for your interest in Dermalogica. Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash is not for the eyes, so it cannot remove eye makeup. At Dermalogica, we recommend everyone preforms a nightly double cleanse. The first step is always Precleanse (safe for the eyes and removes makeup, oils, debris, etc), followed by the prescribed cleanser. In other words, your daughter can remove her makeup with Precleanse first and follow with Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash. Kind Regards, The Dermalogica Team


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Friday, September 26, 2014
Your Tailored Suits from London Will Make Your Competition Look Bad
Money is no object Depending on who you consult, bespoke suits can cost anywhere from $400 to upwards of $10,000. When you find out how much work and dedication goes into them, the prices could probably be justified. Everything, including the made-to-measure shirts in London, is handcrafted, and only the finest materials are used by prestigious tailors such as Hidalgo Brothers. The perfect fit Put simply, this isn't a suit anyone can borrow because it is tailored to your dimensions and made to flatter your body. In addition, people who have unique physiques or body shapes prefer tailored garments since they aren't likely to find something off the rack that would satisfy them.
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