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It is very important for operators to keep abreast of operator licensing developments at all times. The Senior Traffic Commissioner has drafted changes to the Guidance documents governing operator licensing. A consultation closed on 27 August and one can assume they all will come into force. 'Self-employed' drivers, 'periods of grace' and continued professional development for transport manager are just three areas of note we highlight here.
Transport managers
The need for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for transport managers (TMs) is flagged up in the revised guidance and indicates that proactive action on the part of TMs is needed to 'develop and enhance their abilities'. Trigger events, where transport managers should now expect to provide 'evidence of their capacity to meet the statutory duty through continuing professional development', have been identified:
The bottom line is that TMs need to be aware that if they have not carried out 2-day transport manager CPC refresher training there will come a time when this will be an issue.
Periods of grace
Very common is the need for operator to need to seek a 'period of grace' in two main situations: the operator is unable to satisfy the financial standing requirements and / or has no nominated transport manager. Operators frequently fail to tackle these issues and need to be proactive by applying for a period of grace when necessary. Often situations are allowed to drift. In the case of transport managers it may be because they have left and cannot be replaced or have died or been incapacitated. An application must formally be made for the period of grace and it is open to the Traffic Commissioner to grant this for up to 6 months (9 months in the event of death or physical incapacity).
The documentation has been revised to remind operators that 'they are responsible for ensuring that they demonstrate the requirement is met prior to the expiry of any period of grace' and, importantly, sets out the stark consequence of not managing events properly: 'if a period of grace expires without the mandatory requirement being met then the traffic commissioner is obliged to revoke the operator licence.'
Self-employed drivers
Businesses often say a driver is 'self-employed' when this is simply not the case. Avoidance of HMRC obligations and rights that drivers would have as 'employees' or 'workers' (thereby gaining an unfair commercial advantage) can occur; or there may be simple ignorance of employment law and the way HMRC views matters.
The Senior TC view of self-employed status, in very broad terms, is: 'In general someone is self-employed if they are in business on their own account and bear the responsibility for the success or failure of that business. Conversely they will be employed if they personally work under the control of their engager and do not run the risks of having a business themselves.'
HMRC concerns with regard to the employment status of drivers stating are cited: '…. haulage operators are wrongly treating workers as self-employed or are hiring workers through their own companies in ways that are not compliant with tax laws and therefore fair competition amongst other operators. Their position is that in road haulage it is rare for someone to be genuinely self-employed unless they are an owner-driver.
Indeed HMRC has its own internal guidance for staff to consider cases relating to all industry sectors and this states 'Drivers who only provide their labour, driving vehicles owned, maintained, and insured by contractors, are likely to be employees. Drivers who also provide the means of transport, that is the vehicle, are likely to be self-employed even if they work mainly for one principal. The vehicle may be one which they own or lease…. and…Hauliers sometimes claim labour-only drivers are not employees because they are engaged on a job-by-job basis with no guarantee of future work. Even if they are engaged on a job-by-job basis, the contract for each engagement may well amount to a contract of employment…. In some cases, the regularity of work done may indicate that there is a continuous contract…..
The draft guidance does not deal with wider employment law but does mean operators can expect to have to justify how drivers, other than owner-drivers, are in fact self-employed. In certain cases 'good repute' might come into play. Traffic Commissioners do not want operators avoiding their legal and financial obligations thereby gaining commercial advantage.
What are the Senior TC Statutory Documents?
The Traffic Commissioners' stated aim is to 'promote fair, efficient and reliable transport of goods and passengers' and 'deliver a modern, effective operator licence regime that ensures operators are fit to hold a licence whilst minimising the regulatory burden on the compliant.' The Statutory Documents aim to set out how this is carried out in a manner that is transparent, fair to all, consistent and operators know where they stand.
Operators, transport managers and drivers should regard the documents as a helpful resource. The sections relating to repute, finance and transport managers deal with the 'Holy Trinity' core of operator licencing and are recommended reading. The Driver Conduct document serves as a good guide to drivers with case studies designed with driver training in mind. Many further amendments can be found within the draft documents here:
Tim Ridyard is a Partner and road transport regulatory lawyer at Ashtons Legal email@example.com tel 01284 732111
Leave a Reply.


text: Here's to the little engine that could, to the first time you decided, "Yeah, let's try this out". Here's to the long nights, to the differences in time zones, to remembering the sweet scent of her perfume, to the tickets booked, the the flights flown, to the hours drove. Here's to the ones that lasted and to growing intertwined with each other even at a distance. Here's to the surprises, to the yes's and to the I do's. Here's to you long distance lovers... may nothing ever grow in your path but happiness.

subset: commoncrawl


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Is your vehicle in need of an inspection or repairs, but you can't get it to us in normal business hours?
That's no problem here at Mersh Brothers Ltd. Once you have booked your appointment you can park your vehicle outside on the forecourt after business hours. Leave the keys in the special box with an envelope giving details about the service you have arranged. We have a similar arrangement for collection whereby payment can be made over the telephone and keys can be collected from the onsite security office.
Mersh Brothers Ltd
Bellingham Trading Estate
21 Franthorne Way
Tel: 020 8698 4794
Fax: 020 8698 2588
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Mon - Fri: 8.30 - 17.30
Saturday: 8.30 - 13.00


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How To Change The Background Colour Of An Index Page in Squarespace
So, you're wondering how to change the background colour of an index page in Squarespace?
As you can see, changing the background colour settings in DESIGN >> STYLE EDITOR applies the change to every page. Although this universal approach Squarespace has is GREAT on the whole, because it makes it simple to ensure consistency of heading styles etc across your whole site, it does have downsides – and this is one of them.
It's a really popular look right now to have an index in which various pages have different background colours; either to break the long scrolling page up or to call attention to a particular section. It's actually a perfect way to tie your brand colours into your site if you're DIY-ing and not able to produce lots of fancy graphics.
But how can you go about achieving this look, if Squarespace won't let you change each index page's background colour one-by-one?
I've made up an example site with four index pages, some dummy text and stock photos to demonstrate the super easy way of changing just one of the index pages' background colour. It involves a tiny snippet of CSS. That might sound a little intimidating to some, but if you've been thinking "Oh no, I can't do CSS!" this is the perfect way to 'dip your toe' into the coding water!!
Perhaps you've read a tutorial on changing index backgrounds before – I've seen a few doing the rounds – but the ones I have read at least, are providing a method that results in a couple of problems...
Get customisations done for you in 24 hours!
This is the method I've seen doing the rounds. Basically, you create a large image that's just a solid block of colour and upload it using the 'banner' functionality. This does indeed make that image become the index page's background but, there are a few reasons this isn't such a great method:
You have to create the image – not so easy if you don't have access to a photo or image editing software.
Having a very large image on your site slows down its performance.
Google loves performance, so a slower site = not good news for SEO
Most importantly... you can't use a Banner Overlay Colour, if you want your background image to display as, well, the colour that you want.
It also applies the 'Header (Banner)' fonts and styles to your text, which may be considerably different from your regular pages' fonts and style, depending on how you've designed you site.
In summary: this method sucks.
As you can see, uploading an image made up of my chosen green (#a5b3a2) does change the background of the Contact Me section... but it overlays it with the purple I wanted to use to overlay my Header (which, by the way can be set in DESIGN >> STYLE EDITOR). Even if you just had a light grey or white overlay, the effect wouldn't be quite as drastic but you still wouldn't achieve the exact colour you were looking for.
Two lines. That's it. It's honestly got to be the easy little bit of CSS there is.
First you're going to need to know the hexadecimal code for the colour you'd like. In my case, it's #a5b3a2.
You'll also need to find out the URL slug for the index page you want to change. This is a setting you probably haven't paid a great deal of attention to or maybe haven't even heard of but it'll take just a few seconds to find. Simply go to: PAGES >> INDEX PAGE YOU WANT TO CHANGE >> GEAR ICON >> (maybe scroll down a bit) URL SLUG
In my case, the URL slug for this index page is: contact-me. The URL slug is very often the same as the name of the page itself, especially if you haven't changed the title since creating it. In simple terms, the slug is how your website names pages. Squarespace terms it as "the exact address of a specific page or post on your site".
Now we have our hex code and our slug. We can head on over to DESIGN >> CUSTOM CSS
All you need to do now is copy+paste or type in the follow CSS:
.collection-type-index #URLSLUG
In my example, the code used would be:
.collection-type-index #contact-me
Easy, right?? As you can see the Contact Me index page has the green colour we were aiming for... while the page above (and all the others) have stayed as they originally were. You can do this with a different colour for various index pages if you like. Just change the URL slug and the hex code and you're golden! Remember though, if you ever change the URL Slug for an index page (not likely), then you'll have to go in and change it in your CSS too.
You can watch the video below for a step-by-step walkthrough. Let me know how you get on in the comments!
got a squarespace sos?
Unfortunately, I'm no longer able to reply to individual emails asking for CSS assistance or Squarespace troubleshooting due to the dozens of requests I get a week. However, if you'd like something fixing for a small fee as part of my Squarespace SOS service, you can contact me here.


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Artist: Emma Pålsson
From the genius artist who gave birth to Pussy Paradise Colouring Book, Emma Pålsson collaborates with Buddha Shop to create colour-it-yourself Psychedelic Pussy Power T-shirt, hoodie, and tote bag.
So get your fabric markers on, and celebrate Pussy Power!
Instagram: instagram.com/emmacarolinetherese
See the next design by Emma Pålsson: Respect Where You Came From


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Scientists are developing a milk-based food packaging that will be biodegradable, sustainable and ediable
Plastic is a material that has been widely used for food packaging. Most of our grocery food items like meat, bread and cheeses come in plastic wraps today. Though plastic packaging has its benefits but disadvantages often outweigh them. Plastic packaging is mostly non-recyclable and accounts for most of non-biodegradable waste which ends up in landfill and creates environmental issues.
Now, researchers have finally found a solution for that. They are now developing a food packaging that will be made from milk protein and will be safe to eat. The new packaging could be a better alternate for existing packaging materials. Not only does it will help reduce plastic waste but it will also not react with food inside and will increase the shelf life of a product.
"The protein-based films are powerful oxygen blockers that help prevent food spoilage. When used in packaging, they could prevent food waste during distribution along the food chain." Research leader Peggy Tomasula said in a statement.
To create edible food packaging, researchers working at U.S. Department of Agriculture are developing packaging films out of milk protein called casein. These films may look similar to plastic wrappings but is up to 500 times better in soaking up oxygen, thus preventing food from spoilage. Since these films are made from milk, you will not need to dump them.
Initially, researchers used pure casein to create packaging films, which turned out to be too hard to handle as they were easily dissolving in water. Then, a natural substance called citrus pectin was incorporated into it to make it stronger as well as more resistant to humidity and high temperatures.
The milk based films have potential use in a wide range of applications. Besides packaging, these films could be sprayed on cereal flakes to maintain their crunch. They can also be used inside other packaging materials to act as an oxygen absorber and to ensure long term food storage.
"The coatings applications for this product are endless," said co-author Laetitia Bonnaillie. "We are currently testing applications such as single-serve, edible food wrappers. For instance, individually wrapped cheese sticks use a large proportion of plastic -- we would like to fix that."
Currently, the packaging does not have much taste. Flavors can be added to it and it can be made more nutritious by including vitamins, probiotics and nutraceuticals into it. Researchers predict the milk-based packaging will be available in market within three years.


text: So I have been using Yousician (my last post of guitar lesson) for a while, and I wanted to share how this app works. I had the Yousician app downloaded on my laptop, and I thought I can screencast it. But, this app did not run smoothly on my laptop. The screen froze, and I could… Continue reading Guitar Lesson Progress Report →Continue reading


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The Art of Shaving Barber Opened its First Store in UAE
19 Jun, 2017, 14:53 BST
DUBAI, UAE, June 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
As a leading luxury men's grooming brand, The Art of Shaving aims to induct discerning male consumers into the "Brotherhood of Shaving"; a mission to help men achieve The Perfect Shave by elevating it from a chore into an enjoyable ritual. Inspired by the professional training and classic heritage of traditional men's barber services, The Art of Shaving is positioned to become a prestige leader in the $43 billion dollar male grooming industry which is growing at a faster rate than the female beauty business. What started with one small store in Manhattan has evolved into an extensive collection of male-focused luxury retail shops across the country - over half of which boast Barber Spas; a unique masculine service concept that combines traditional barber services with essential oil facial treatments. By October 2014 the company was operating over 150 locations nationwide and now opened its first international locations in Moscow, Doha and Dubai.
(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/524758/Barber_Spa.jpg )
(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/524762/The_Art_of_Shaving_Walk_2.jpg )
(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/524761/The_Art_of_Shaving_Walk.jpg )
The Art of Shaving Product Line
The Art of Shaving is considered the world's leading premium shaving brand with its essential oil based grooming products, high-end shaving instruments, and a retail chain dedicated to men's shaving. The brand has created a revolution in men's grooming with The 4 Elements of the Perfect Shave®, a trademarked wet-shaving regimen that centers on the methodology: Prepare, Lather Up!, Shave, and Moisturize. In addition to its signature products, The Art of Shaving offers a comprehensive range of premium shaving products and accessories including razors, brushes, tools and accessories.
Barber Spa® Services
The Art of Shaving Barber Spa® has opened its first store in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in City Walk Boulevard 2, Al Mustaqbal St., Building 10, which offers men an indulgent grooming experience in a masculine and luxurious environment. The first location in City Walk Boulevard 2 features the brand's widest range of services in a shop with an expansive Barber Spa®, which boasts 3 shave stations and an accompanying lounge.
Master Barbers are expertly trained to provide a range of services using The Art of Shaving products and pure essential oils to leave clients well-groomed and relaxed. Traditional barber services including the brand's signature Royal Shave, traditional shave, haircut, head shave, beard or goatee trim, will be available along with other services and a range of bundle packages.
Paris Gallery Media,
SOURCE The Paris Gallery Group of Companies


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Bring your friends or family to Astronomy Night and find out how much fun it is to stargaze with an ocean view! . Tonight we will start with close-up views of a 5-day crescent moon. Craters, mountains and "seas" on the surface are beautiful and inspiring. Also in view will be sparkling star clusters, double stars and our first glimpse of Jupiter in 2019! Many wonders await your discovery at the eyepiece of powerful telescopes provided by our hardworking volunteer astronomers. If you have never seen planets or deep space objects through large telescopes, you will be amazed!
Seal Beach Astronomy Nights are co-hosted by Michael Beckage, our favorite Astronomy expert! We set up the telescopes right across the street from Bogart's on the left side of the Seal Beach pier.
If you have a telescope, please feel free to bring it to Astronomy Night. You don't have to be an expert and it's rewarding to share anything you know with someone else. The star parties are great for kids of all ages and best of all provide serious entertainment at an unbeatable price. (Free, that is!)


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The Average Cost Of Home Insurance In Tennessee
If you own a home in Tennessee, you will need to have homeowners insurance on this property. It will allow you to recover most or all of what is lost. Depending upon what it covers, and how much it will pay out for damages, you will often be able to have everything replace with the right type of coverage. There are different types of home insurance coverage that you can get in tennessee. Here is a basic overview of what you can get and how much it will cost.
Different Types Of Homeowner Insurance Coverage
There are several different types of coverage that you can have. First of all, there is dwelling coverage which can pay for repairing your home if it is damaged, or completely rebuilding it if there is catastrophic damage that has been done. There is personal property coverage which can pay for personal items that you have in the home. This could include furniture, electronics, and the clothing that was destroyed. Personal liability coverage is something else you should consider. This is insurance that can cover you if someone files a lawsuit against you. There is also other structures coverage which can pay for the replacement or repairs on garages, fences, and sheds that you have on the property. Finally, there is loss of use coverage which can pay for living expenses that you will need as you are waiting for your house to be restored. Each of these types of coverage are very important to have if you are serious about making sure you can replace what is lost when your home is damaged.
What Is The Average Cost Of Home Insurance In Tennessee?
The average cost of this insurance is just about $1100. The national average is about the same. By having this coverage, you can rest easy knowing that damage that is done to your home can be taken care of by this insurance that you will pay on either monthly or annually. You should get quotes from different companies that offer this to make sure you are getting the best deal. It is something that you absolutely need to have if you are a homeowner in Tennessee.


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Tom Hardy & Wife Charlotte Riley Cozy Up While Watching Prince Harry Play Polo!
Tom Hardy and his wife Charlotte Riley cozy up on the couch while attending day one of the Audi Polo Challenge on Saturday (May 30) at Coworth Park in London, England.
The 37-year-old actor and the 33-year-old actress watched as Prince Harry played polo that afternoon.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Tom Hardy
Tom's latest movie Mad Max: Fury Road is still doing great business at the box office. It has now grossed over $239 million worldwide in just over two weeks. Make sure to go see it!


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Team Box Jamborees
Each jamboree will consist of 3 hours of intersquad box games in a tournament-style format.
- Fast-paced play.
- Quick shifts.
- Tons of reps.
- Players encouraged to be creative.
- Music playing in background.
To add to the fun and excitement, each jamboree will have a unique name attached to it based on the time of year.
- "Santa's Showdown" - December.
- "New Year's Battle in the Boards" - January.
- "Cupid's Jam" - February.
- "St. Patty's Spring Brawl" - March.
All jamborees will be held at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich (images below).


text: Little Woodpeckers are found in a large variety of habitats, but are especially common around forest borders, clearings, and second growth. Among their many habitats are humid forests, deciduous woodlands, mangroves, swamp borders, and wooded savannas. These small, plain woodpeckers forage individually, in pairs, or with a few other birds, and sometimes join mixed-species flocks. They peck and drill into bark, searching for ants, termites, beetles, and other insects. During courtship displays birds spread out their wings and tails, and swing their heads. Several subspecies exist throughout this species' large range.


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Two days after clashes broke out between two communities over alleged desecration of a religious poster, things are returning to normal in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur district.
The local markets, government as well as private schools and colleges, which were closed after the clash, reopened on 26 October, with an exception of four affected areas, Chamanganj, Fazalganj, Naubasta, and Sishamau, District Magistrate (DM), Kaushalraj Sharma said.
No untoward incident was reported from the city, but section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which prohibits assembling of a large group of people, is still in place.
As a safety measure, the police and paramilitary forces were keeping a strict vigil in the four affected areas, said officials.
The Bhannapurwa area, where two policemen who were on patrol were injured when a mob had opened fire at them on Saturday, is especially under strict police protection, the DM said.
On Saturday, a clash had broken out between two communities over alleged disrespect to a religious poster, following which police had resorted to lathicharge to bring situation under control.
Members of two communities had engaged in a scuffle after poster of a Goddess was found on the ground at Darshanpurwa under Fazalganj police station here.
As many as 2550 people, including women, were booked at various police stains in this connection.


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Clutter = chaos, right?
If you have no clue what's in your closet, you have no idea what to wear. You may open the door and find that 15-year old sweatshirt that holds a few memories from your ex.
We all know that your clothes define your core style and branding. So, it makes sense to examine our wardrobes when we're mapping out how to conquer the next step in business.
The process of removing items from your closet that are holding you back is how you create space for who you want to become. We all have a past. It's an important chapter of our lives, but it doesn't have to be the deciding factor on who we're going to be in the future.
When you're tackling a closet cleanse, the most important thing to remember is this: Who do you want to be?
When I work with clients, I try to uncover exactly where she's put the most effort in her life. That's where I can begin to understand her story. We face the same problems over and over, just in different guises. The challenge here is to take a closer look at the past and find a theme. We have to acknowledge the past in order to move forward. Otherwise, it'll keep you stuck in the same place and that's not the look you're going for.
When we see the past neutrally, we can see the present with clearer vision. When you're present with the moment you're in right now, then you can step into where you want to be.
Step-by-Step: My Best Tips for Creating a Style that Fits You Now
First things first. Get a piece of paper or your journal and write down the vision of who you are and what you want from your life. Remember to consider what you're wearing, how you interact with others, and how you show up in the world.
Your style and closet should be a reflection of that vision. It's a manifestation of what's going on inside. Like when I moved to Spain, I was conscious of what would work for the lifestyle, climate, my body image, and body shape. You have to be efficient when moving to another country and only taking what you love and works together!
Create a clean slate in your closet. Creating an environment that supports this vision of your true self will ultimately make it easier to reach your goals.
Things to remember: My advice on what to keep and get rid of differs drastically from what many other people recommend. It's a good idea to physically remove every single item from your closet. Touching these garments helps you evaluate or dismiss any value they might have.
Permission to keep: As much fun as it would be to get rid of everything and really start fresh, that's just not practical. You have to know when a piece is harming or helping your vision. As I packed my belongings into boxes that I wouldn't see for awhile, I know these items were still part of my persona, but couldn't make it to Spain. It's OK to keep some items that are near and dear, just not clutter.
Get rid of: Anything ripped, stained, yellowed, or looks tattered - think about it this way – what you keep is on a subconscious level of how you really feel about yourself. No one wants to think badly about themselves, so toss the trash and move on. You can keep those perfectly ripped jeans or the tee shirt that compliments the rocker look!
Consider carefully: Clothes that don't fit are a touchy subject. On one hand, it's not ideal to keep clothes that really don't fit. But, if they're close to fitting and you occasionally can fit into them, maybe it's a good idea to keep a few pieces. Of course, you should get rid of them if the clothes make you feel badly about yourself.
If you haven't worn it in a year: It makes sense to hold onto certain investment pieces. But, if you have a closet full of ball gowns and you haven't been to a ball in a decade, it's time to rethink their purposes. Sell them and let someone else enjoy the beauty of the garment.
Finally, fill in any missing gaps in your closet.
Making financial goals for your business is only half the equation when you're trying to become the best possible version of yourself. You have to think about what you're putting on your body, and how the fabric and fit affects your energy. It's KEY to how you're showing up in the world. A closet overhaul is really the best place to start as you step into your higher self. So ask yourself, how do you want to align yourself with your goals and vision?
Grab my Epic Wardrobe Checklist.
P.S. If you're ready to evaluate your soul style, let's jump on a call.


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By Lauren Hermanus (1 Sept 2010)
CSR means that businesses have a responsibility to the society in which they operate. One way of explaining this is to say that they have a responsibility to contribute more good than ill in the course of their operations. Another is that businesses have a responsibility to make up for the ills generated in the course of their operations, even when these operations also make positive contributions to society.
A third and stronger definition is that businesses are responsible to society – not because they have a negative impact – but because they draw benefits from being a part of society.
Being part of a society comes with all sorts of complications: hierarchies; structures; laws; rules and norms of interaction; ethics and accountability. In a society, we cannot do as we please. And though we owe one another no specific debt; a general debt is raised by the benefits we draw from being part of the system cannot be denied.
When we went out onto the street to ask people what they thought of CSR, Incite found that members of our South African society – some employed by large businesses and others not – had a lot of confusion and some interesting ideas about what exactly this responsibility means for corporates.
After initial 'um', 'what' and 'can you repeat the question' style answers, it emerged that people had very strong opinions about the responsibility of big businesses in SA:
- Corporate responsibility means making ethical business decisions, but being ethical seems to come second to making money.
- There is an important difference between businesses benefitting from and exploiting society, and consumers are sensitive to it.
- Business and society do have shared interests – for example, making sure we all have a healthy environment to live in and be sustained by into the future.
- Businesses are always responsible to both stakeholders and shareholders whose short-term interests may clash.
- Many people see CSR as CSI (Corporate Social Investment), which is about directing a percentage of profit at community projects and not really about core business.
- Others recognised that CSI was only a small part of CSR.
- The public is not necessarily convinced that big businesses in South Africa are responsible.
- Many people see it as the shared responsibility of government, big businesses and civil society to develop SA.
The business case for CSR involves building trust with consumers and so also building company reputations and legitimising operations. These are not things that are easily measured, but that does not mean that they cannot be measured at all. One clear impression we have is that the public is rather cynical about CSR and the way it is communicated – in advertisements etc. In some cases, CSR communications appear to actually have negatively impacted people's opinions of some companies.
The responses we got conflating 'giving back', charity contributions and CSI with CSR showed that there is some way to go in clarifying the latter. CSR is not about the balance sheet, showing how much profit is directed into projects. It is about how closely aligned adding value to society is to the business's core operations and profit drivers.
Our experience reinforced some of our ideas:
- greenwash/good-wash or anything that even looks like it alienates the public and fosters disillusionment;
- the communication line between business and society is broken;
- it is not just through official lines that businesses communicate to society – consumers are made aware of what businesses are doing through many different channels, including their friends and family who may be employees or customers of those businesses;
- communicating what CSR is and how businesses are doing it/being it needs to be reframed as part of corporate responsibility; and
- communication should be a two-way process – social media sites and other platforms provide so many more ways that companies can engage with the public and their customers outside of traditional advertising.


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First, I'll show you the pendant she's giving away:
And here's a bear on a bike:
Which, strangely, has absolutely nothing to do with the giveaway. I just thought it was a fun picture . . . . . .
Okay. Back to the giveaway!
Pop on over to Luv2Hav's blog to enter!
And be sure to swing by her Etsy shop! She has amazing stuff - like these earrings!
She doesn't have bears on bikes though. It would be freaking awesome if she did. I'd totally buy one of those.


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The Day After a Viral Hit
To a small blogger, like myself, a single post that generates over 1,200 views in two days is amazing. It's not Viral with a capital "v" but it's certainly viral.…
To a small blogger, like myself, a single post that generates over 1,200 views in two days is amazing. It's not Viral with a capital "v" but it's certainly viral.…
Let's get our terms straight first. SEO - search engine optimization SEM - search engine marketing SMM - social media marketing Social Marketing - PAID social marketing - paying for reach on…
This isn't about the food. It's about business. Your business and my business. My dance card is still a bit slim going into leap day and I'd like to meet you and talk about your business and the whole spectrum of online marketing opportunities that could contribute to your success. And there's no cost for our initial meeting, other than a lunch or cup of coffee.
This chart really captures how my content is performing. I am still getting between 500 and 1,000 visitors a day, in the last few months they have really been sticking around a lot more. Creating my best month ever in July at 62,000+ reads.
1. Real-time trends 2. Evergreen content 3. Use the hits 4. Focus on NEW visitors
If we believe Google is now using all kinds of social signals to give rank and value to our content, who's to say that my inclusion on Reddit at all, isn't of benefit?
And of course more important than any of these demand generation tactics is your website itself. Bad design, unclear offers, and hidden contact forms are not going to be remedied by driving 10X more traffic to those same pages.
StumbleUpon is Evolving, but the transformation may be hurting its core relevance in the social community. What is taking SU down?
What clicks have resulted in WINS? Now get more of those. Try variations. Use A/B tests. Try new CTAs. And measure everything.
1. Demand (SEO, PPC, content, email) 2. Conversion (landing page, testing, analytics, reporting) 3. Social (traffic, followers, social mentions, social "signals")


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I've had a successful relationship with the University of Notre Dame.
Here are a collection of projects I've worked on with them.
I primarily work on their football team's graphical needs, such as scoreboard and social media assets. However, I was brought on to develop and deliver a full show package for their annual "Echoes" award ceremony.


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Take the chance to visit one of Africa's most mysterious countries. Virtually closed off to tourism for decades after a succession of civil wars and political turmoil, Chad now has a few stable regions that are beginning to become accessible for tourists.
Our Chad tours visit both the capital city of N'Djamena and Zakouma National Park; one of Africa's last true remaining wildernesses, hosting lions, rhinos, leopards, elephants, buffalo and much more.
Please note that some sections of these tours travel to areas where the British FCO advises against all travel to.
We research the security of our destinations highly and safety is a priority for us, however, we advise you to do your own research as well to ensure you are comfortable with your trip.
Please note these travel warnings may also affect travel insurance for these regions, please contact us for advice on this.
We run one trip to Chad each year, every February. The tour starts and ends in the capital N'Djamena.
The tour runs immediately before our Eritrea tour so it can be linked up with both this and Sudan if required.
Visa invitations are issued 6 weeks prior to departure. Due to very few Chad Embassies around the world, we also offer a full visa service.
Our current 2019 group tours can be seen below. They are all guaranteed departures.
|Total Days
Our current 2020 group tours can be seen below. They are all guaranteed departures.
|Total Days
|Chad Safari Tour
Our Chad safari itinerary can be seen below. For anyone interested in extending their stay in Zakouma please email us.
Day 1 - Arrival into N'Djamena
Arrival into N'Djamena airport and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2 - Tour of N'Djamena
After breakfast we take a morning tour of the capital. We start off by visiting a local craft market before walking around 'Place de Nation' - the city's main square with its statues and monuments. We then walk around local markets before visiting the national museum. Here is the 6 million year old skull of Toumai, humanity's oldest ancestor. We return to the hotel for a short break and lunch before setting off later in the afternoon to visit the village of Gaoui, a traditional Chad village well known for its pottery and architecture.
Day 3 - Zakouma National Park
Today we start the long drive South East to Zakouma national park. The drive will take approximately 12 hours, passing through many remote villages with backdrops of incredible rock formations en route. Arrive in the evening to the park in time for dinner before settling down in our accommodation where we stay for the next four nights.
Day 4 - Safari in Zakouma
Today we start our 3 days of safari in Zakouma. Each day we will take an early morning and late afternoon game drive. Breakfast is served prior to our morning game drive with lunch in between the drives. After our return from the late afternoon safari, time for a shower before dinner is served. There is also a bar serving alcohol and soft drinks throughout the day and evening.
Day 5 - Search for The Big 5
After breakfast we will take a morning game drive and start our search for the big 5 (5 rhinos are to be reintroduced in April 2018). Return to the lodge for lunch before taking another game drive in the late afternoon/early evening.
Day 6 - Final Safari Day
Today we will take our final two safaris. As well as the big 5 there's also the chance to spot a large range of other animals such as giraffes, antelopes, warthogs, crocodiles, civits, foxes, hyenas, montior lizards and much more. There is also a huge array of birdlife which can be spotted all across the reserve and in particular at the watering holes.
Day 7 - Goodbye Meal
Today we drive back to N'Djamena. Arrive in the evening and spend our final night in the capital for a goodbye meal together.
Day 8 - Tour Ends
Check out of the hotel and transfer back to the airport for your flight home.
- Visa support documents
- Airport transfers
- 3 nights twin accommodation in N'Djamena
- 4 nights twin accommodation in Zakouma National Park lodge (Tinga)
- Permits for travel outside Zakouma
- Return transport from N'Djamena (4x4's, 4 people per vehicle)
- 3 meals per day in Zakouma
- 2 game drives per day in Zakouma
- Zakouma entrance fees
- Lupine tour leader
- Local guides
- Visa fee
- International Flights
- Tips
- Drinks
- Other personal expenses
- Single room supplement - £380 (we can allocate another sole traveller to share with if required, subject to availability).


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All Categories
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The DIR-600 supports the latest wireless security features to help prevent unauthorised access, be it from over the wireless network or from the Internet. Support for WEP, WPA and WPA2 standards ensure that the best possible encryption may be used while the dual active firewalls (SPI and NAT) prevent potential attacks from across the Internet.
The DIR-600 includes a Quality of Service (QoS) option. When enabled, the router improves your online experience, by ensuring that interactive traffic such as gaming, audio and video is prioritised over less time-sensitive traffic such as e-mail or file transfers.
Supreme Computers India Pvt Ltd. is a proven market leader in the supply of excellent IT Products in India. Ever since its inception in the year 1994, we have steadily risen up the ladder in this industry and are today one of the Leading IT Resellers in South India. Today we are the authorized partner for world's best IT Brands, which includes HP, Samsung, LG, Lenovo, Microsoft, Seagate, Intel, and VIVO Etc. The success of a business is not only about achieving it, but also more about maintaining. We have a team that keeps evolving with the demands of the market, thereby keeping with the flow. Goodwill and reliability also play an important part. We have been associated with the world famous brands for so long that it reflects in the way we do business.


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Public Art Committee Meeting Schedule
The Public Art Committee oversees and advises the Commission on the Public Art Program process, including the selection, acquisition, placement, and conservation of public works of art in the City's collection, and implementation of the City's Public Art Master Plan.
Meets: The Public Art Committee normally meets on the third Tuesday of every other month at 5:30 PM; regular meetings are scheduled for the months of August, October, December, February, April, and June.
Location: Normally meets in W-119, City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara St.
Meetings may be cancelled, rescheduled to another day or month, or relocated. Additional meetings may be added if necessary. It is therefore suggested that you check the website for the posted agenda or contact the Office of Cultural Affairs - Public Art Program for confirmation of the schedule by email at: email@example.com
(Note: Linked PDFs included in the Agenda may be large in size.)
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Last Modified: 08.08.13
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The original developers of EWJ 1 & 2, including creator Doug TenNapel and composer Tommy Tallarico (best known contemporarily for his stage show, "Video Games Live") have announced that they working on Earthworm Jim 3. It'll be exclusive to the retro market aimed console Intellivision Amico.
They're aiming the console for October 2020 release.
I loved EWJ as a child, I hope that the game sees the light of day.


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Our reviews, guides and instruments simplify bank cards and enable you get probably the most out of them. With a utilization-primarily based car insurance coverage , you possibly can flip your low-danger driving habits into lower premiums. Begin the quote by entering your postal code and have the yr, make and model of your car (or VIN) readily available. Liability Protection: If you happen to injure someone or damage property, funds are made in your behalf.
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Observe 15 Between 01/01/2016 and 12/31/2016, the typical estimated savings off MSRP offered by TrueCar Licensed Sellers to users of the USAA Car Shopping for Service, primarily based on customers who configured digital autos and subsequently bought a brand new automobile of the same make and mannequin listed on the certificates from Certified Dealers, was $three,335, together with relevant car particular manufacturer incentives.
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Bodily harm legal responsibility protection can also be normally cut up right into a maximum cost per person and a maximum fee per accident. Pays for your rental automotive fees while your vehicle is being repaired from a lined loss (that just means damages we or one other insurance coverage firm pays for and never general maintenance).


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You might recall that I was in England at the start of July for a conference and some "me" time. Being overly obsessed with the printed medium, I made time to peruse the bookstores while I was in Lincoln. And boy did I find some nice stuff! I have a gift for finding awesome stuff when I go book shopping, apparently (or so I think).
Here's what I found (after the fold, hopefully):
And now for the descriptions, from left to right, top to bottom (taken from Amazon):
1. Vermilion Sands by J. G. Ballard
A novel set in the fictional landscape of the future, Vermillion Sands.
(Note: Yes, that description is dreadfully short. I tried finding a more appropriate description, but none was forthcoming, I'm afraid.)
2. The Crystal World by J. G. Ballard
J. G. Ballard's fourth novel, which established his reputation as a writer of extraordinary talent and imaginative powers, tells the story of a physician specializing in the treatment of leprosy who is invited to a small outpost in the interior of Africa. Finding the roadways blocked, he takes to the river, and embarks on a frightening journey through a strange petrified forest whose area expands daily, affecting not only the physical environment but also its inhabitants.
3. The Unlimited Dream Company by J. G. Ballard
From the author of the Sunday Times bestseller 'Cocaine Nights' comes an acclaimed backlist title — in which suburban London is transformed into an exotic dreamworld — now reissued in new cover style. When a light aircraft crashes into the Thames at Shepperton, the young pilot who struggles to the surface minutes later seems to have come back from the dead. Within hours everything in the dormitory suburb is strangely transformed. Vultures invade the rooftops, luxuriant tropical vegetation overruns the quiet avenues, and the local inhabitants are propelled by the young man's urgent visions through ecstatic sexual celebrations towards an apocalyptic climax.
4. Blue Light by Walter Mosley
San Francisco in the 1960s is already crazy enough when mysterious shafts of blue light touch the lives of random strangers.
5. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
From David Mitchell, the Booker Prize nominee, award-winning writer and one of the featured authors in Granta's "Best of Young British Novelists 2003" issue, comes his highly anticipated third novel, a work of mind-bending imagination and scope.
A reluctant voyager crossing the Pacific in 1850; a disinherited composer blagging a precarious livelihood in between-the-wars Belgium; a high-minded journalist in Governor Reagan's California; a vanity publisher fleeing his gangland creditors; a genetically modified "dinery server" on death-row; and Zachry, a young Pacific Islander witnessing the nightfall of science and civilisation — the narrators of Cloud Atlas hear each other's echoes down the corridor of history, and their destinies are changed in ways great and small.
In his captivating third novel, David Mitchell erases the boundaries of language, genre and time to offer a meditation on humanity's dangerous will to power, and where it may lead us.
I'm actually looking forward to reading all of these. Hopefully I'll have some time over Christmas to do so, because the Ballard and the Mitchell are definitely at the top of my "fun reading" list.
What are you looking forward to reading?


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These resources have a cost. There are some things we just can't get for free. I think these things are of value or I wouldn't share them with you.
Hire Cause
Here's my interview with David Dvorkin, founder of Hire Cause.
Career Preparation With a "Hire Cause"
What do your children want to be when they grow up? Whatever their dream, there are professional skills, which if they develop, have the power to propel them forward in the direction of their dreams.
The challenge is that these professional skills cannot be learned in any classroom, and overworked managers are too busy to teach them in any internship. That's why so many interns are getting coffee and stapling papers for stressed out supervisors.
What if there was a fun way to develop the professional skills your children needed to pursue their dreams? What if they had a supportive community helping them along the way? And what if they could develop these skills through projects that had a positive impact on their community?
If you want your children to do well by doing good and grow their skill sets through giving back to their community, then I recommend they apply to the Hire Cause program.
A new program will be starting up this fall with a new low cost. EP kids get their lowest cost!
For under $200, you get a college course along with all materials. In this way, it's cheaper than community college, even with discounts for high schoolers. It's in some ways like EP, just not as fun. It's online readings, videos, quizlets. You go through the online course at your own pace over four months. At the end you take a test and get approved for ACE credit if you get just 50% or higher on the test. You can even retake the test. Our experience is that it's basically a full-proof way to get credit if you put any effort into the course. My 11th grader did his course in a month. My 8th grader took the full four months. They had no trouble with the final. The one older son knew every answer and finished in minutes! The final is taken AT HOME! They were proctored online.
This is basically teaching to the test, which isn't what you want if you are seeking a career that's really based on a college education. If you are looking for quick, easy, cheap college credit, this is a great way to go. It's not a college. It just gives you credit, like taking a CLEP test. They list on their site the colleges that guarantee acceptance of these credits, though some may only accept certain courses.
For the same price as Ed4Credit you get just ONE MONTH instead of four months to complete a course and take the test for credit (ACE credit). It can be done. My 17-year-old had no trouble doing that. It was very STRESSFUL fitting in the course for my 13-year-old. We had it planned out and then he realized it said you can't take the final during the last three days of your time! BE WARNED! He squeezed it in, but the month-long time limit is a lot more stressful than having four months through Ed4Credit to complete a course at your leisure (for the same price). The lessons on this site are based on videos and follow-up quizzes. There are placement tests that are supposed to show you what you already know, but you can't skip lessons. You have to pass each quiz before it lets you take the final exam. One benefit of these ACE credits is that you get to take the final exam at home! It is proctored online.
There is another option with Study.com. They have CLEP prep materials. You then take the test elsewhere when you are done. This is much cheaper. We have an Easy Peasy discount for just the first three months, so cancel after that and sign up again! Our coupon code is All-In-One-Homeschool. It's good on the CLEP and DSST membership of $60 a month and is good for 20% off (so $48 a month).
The CLEP test itself may cost $85 to take. This is the cheaper option (around $135 for a course). One course of action to consider: at the end of each high school year, buy a membership and focus full time on studying for these tests, using the placement test to just study what you need to and taking the tests for each core high school course you took, hopefully taking all the tests within a month or two. This would involve cramming, but would be the cheapest course of action. Each summer you could pay around $450 total for 12 college credits.
ONE BIG "HOWEVER": you can get CLEP practice tests free online and study on your own. There is a CLEP link on most courses to where you can learn what's on the test. Study.com would teach you to the test and the quizzes would show you know the material.
*Study.com and Ed4Credit each gave my children a free course to try. Ed4Credit gave me an affiliate link as well.


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A federal judge wants to know why Facebook members won't get any money from a deal settling a lawsuit claiming the site's "Sponsored Stories" feature violated users' privacy.
Judge Richard Seeborg rejected the proposed deal Friday, listing the lack of money for users among several other concerns, Reuters is reporting.
The proposed deal requires Facebook to pay just $10 million to charity and an additional $10 million in attorneys' fees.
The suit claimed Facebook publicized users "likes" in its "Sponsored Stories" advertising section without compensating them or giving them a chance to opt out of the feature.
A Facebook spokesman said he still believed the settlement was fair, and that he looked forward to addressing the judge's concerns.
DON'T MISS: Here Are 10 Lawsuits Against Apple You Should Know About >


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When it comes to dining, there is no dispute that Tokyo is one of the greatest: the Japanese capital has more Michelin stars than any other city in the world, including Paris. But you don't have to go to Gagnaire's to shell out the price of an air ticket for a good meal. The Japanese are famous for their perfectionism and attention to details so even little eateries in Tokyo offer great experiences. Here are four that we have tried and tested:
Soup Stock Tokyo
Cuisine Soup recipes, mostly Western-style but with a Japanese touch.
Neighbourhood There are many branches around town - the one that I went to is in Chiyoda, near The Peninsula hotel. I came here right after shopping at the newly opened Hankyu men's department store (see story here) across the street. The restaurant is right in front of an exit of the Ginza metro station.
Environment Every branch varies slightly in decor. The Chiyoda one is tiny and it feels like a deli. There are only counter seats facing the full-length windows and looking out to the street.
Food The food here is for the dieter, with each soup recipe listed on the menu with the calorie count. But the low calories haven't resulted in blandness - my shirmp bisque is to die for, and paired with a bowl of sesame rice, I had a very nourishing meal.
Service The isn't much need to interact with the staff here - you order and pay at the cashier, and then they bring you the food on a tray. But typical of the Japanese, everyone here was courteous.
Price A simple set with a cup of soup and a bowl of sesame rice starts from JPY500 (US$6)
Website http://www.soup-stock-tokyo.com
Reggie Ho
Tsukiji Sushiko
Cuisine Sushi
Neighbourhood This is a chain restaurant, and the branch I visited is in Shinjuku, near the red-light district of Kabukicho.
Environment It's a typical sushi-restaurant setting, with people sitting around the counter watching the chefs in action. The place had a very nice buzz when I was there.
Food This is one of those places where because the turnover is quick, the ingredients are always fresh. I had the Tokusen chirashi sushi - vinegared rice topped with "carefully selected" seasonal ingredients. I was presented with a beautiful bowl of seafood that included some very healthy-looking maguro (lean tuna), hamachi (snapper), sea urchin, fish roe and shrimp. With a bottle of chilled sake, it was very enjoyable.
Service The food is served over the counter by the chefs, and they seemed to be having a good time doing what they did.
Price My chirashi was priced at JPY2,100 (US$26). It's worth every dollar.
Website www.tsukiji-sushiko.com
Reggie Ho
Robataya Roppongi
Cuisine Japanese grill
Neighbourhood The restaurant is located in the Roppongi district, known for its rowdy nightlife, and sits in a little sidestreet near the Midtown complex off commercial towers and residences. Get off at Roppongi station on the Toei-Oedo line and head for exit 7.
Environment The restaurant replicates a large market stall, with fresh produce – fish, meat and vegetables – laid out before the diners sitting around a u-shaped counter. This type of arrangement helps create a chummy fellowship that strangers quickly becomes friends.
Food The items chosen from the spread are then grilled by the flamboyant chefs perched on a dais before an open hearth, who hand the cooked food to the eager guests on a wooden paddle.
Service The waitstaff are a garrulous bunch, who go out of their way to make customers feel at home with their cheeky but helpful attitude. The bantering between the chef-waiters and customers ensures a fun night for all.
Price JPY15,000 (US$187) for a five-course meal of seasonal sashimi, vegetables, seafood, beef and traditional rice balls.
Website http://www.roppongi-robataya.com/english/
Margie T Logarta
Rakoshokushu Maru
Cuisine Japanese kaiseki
Neighbourhood In the chic fashion precinct of Omotesando (B2) – where Prada's distinctive cube-like flagship store and four of Issey Miyake boutiques are located. A short walk from Omotesando Station's B2 exit.
Environment Descend a flight of stairs and turn right on the first landing (the basement is a bar) to enter into a cosy space made warm by caramel-hued wood paneling and a whimsical wall mural. The long counter cleverly helps to accommodates more diners in what is really a tight floor area.
Food Seasonal ingredients are grilled or artfully prepared before diners and arranged as only the Japanese can in bite-size portions on a variety of exquisitely designed bowls and dishes. The kujudori sumiaburi (special free-range chicken with salt and yuzu pepper) and tai no iimushi sakuraba maki (steamed rice with sea bream wrapped in cherry leaf) were memorable.
Service Most of the waiters have some knowledge of English, especially the bartender, who guided us through the specialties of the house.
Price JPY5,000 (US$62) for a set meal of eight dishes. Add JPY1,000 (US$12.50) for the sake.
Website www.maru-mayfront.jp
Margie T Logarta


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Kabul: Gunmen stormed an office of Save the Children in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, witnesses said, in an ongoing attack that has wounded at least 11 people.
"At around 9.10 am, a suicide attacker detonated a car bomb at the entrance of Save the Children's compound in police district three of Jalalabad city," Nangarhar governor spokesman Attaullah Khogyani told AFP.
"A group of armed men then entered the compound. So far 11 wounded people have been brought to hospitals."
Mohammad Amin, who was inside the compound when the attackers stormed inside, told AFP from his hospital bed that he heard "a big blast".
"We ran for cover and I saw a gunman hitting the main gate with an RPG (rocket propelled grenade) to enter the compound. I jumped out of the window," Amin said.
The attack comes days after Taliban gunmen raided a luxury hotel in Kabul, killing at least 22 people, mostly foreigners.
The Great Diwali Discount!
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Coupon code: DIWALI. Offer valid till 10th November, 2019 .
Updated Date: Jan 24, 2018 11:11:58 IST


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Parker Mouthpieces
I didn't know I needed a new mouthpiece until Michael Parker hit me up and offered to make me one. I had been playing the same mouthpiece since high school and always assumed that any deficiency was my own fault. To be honest, I didn't think I'd notice much of a difference. He asked me what I played. What I liked and didn't like about my mouthpiece and along came a component mouthpiece that was more comfortable, easier to play and left me less fatigued than I thought possible. I'm a fan. A HUGE fan. Just don't let Micheal know. It'll go straight to his head. Check out the Lance LaDuke model HERE.


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Hike of the Week: Bane Canyon, Chino Hills State Park, CA
Find fields of poppies on this spring-perfect hike in the Chino Hills outside Lake Elsinore.
Find fields of poppies on this spring-perfect hike in the Chino Hills outside Lake Elsinore.
Circle Mother Mountain for nonstop views of Rainier and a whole bunch of cascades and flora. BY ELISABETH KWAK-HEFFERAN
Scramble across the trailless desert in Joshua Tree's wild northeast corner to inner Basin Pass. BY EMELIE FROJEN
Explore the Superstition Mountains on this overnight across Red Tanks Divide. BY QUINN HARPER
Follow this 9.9-mile loop through vibrant wildflower displays and past snow-fed streams to a huge alpine lake with unbeatable campsite views of Mount Meeker.
This 6.6-mile loop features a coastal bluff with dazzling wildflower displays and a wild beach with exceptional views of the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
This little-used trail plunges 1,700 feet through wildflower country to a cool reward by West Clear Creek. Watch for cairns on this 6.8-mile hike to avoid involuntary bushwhacks.
Hike 6 miles to an island of green space nestled in L.A.'s suburbs, then climb steeply to panoramic views of the nearby San Gabriel mountains and the Hollywood Hills.
Solitude rules on this 9.4-mile out-and-back hike along Little Kachess Lake to rock gardens ablaze with wildflowers,giant green forests, and a quiet lakeside hideout.
This preserve offers plenty of big city escape. Shady forests, gentle waterfalls, and a lofty vista over the Des Plaines River are just a few stops along this 10.1-mile multi-use loop.
This 6.5-mile loop passes through sage, chaparral, and oak groves to a high plateau with panoramic views of the Santa Ana Mountains.
Satisfy your wanderlust on this 5.4-mile out-and-back, which offers stop-and-gawk panoramas of the jagged Cascades blanketed by glaciers.
This 8-mile backcountry trek serves up two mountain lakes, intimate views of Mount Rainier, and some off-trail scrambles in the Tatoosh Range.
Camp near an idyllic mountain stream on this 11-mile out-and-back into a deep, remote gorge scoured by small waterfalls in Georgia's Cohutta Wilderness.
Experience the many moods of the chaparral and wildflowers in bloom en route to an unnamed summit on this 6.8-mile hike in Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park.
This 8.3-mile lollipop loop quickly ascends 2,500 feet into the coastal hills; bring your camera to capture striking above-the-fog seascapes.
This remote, partly unmarked 10.4-mile route leads to a beautifully carved canyon with high desert views in Sycamore Canyon Wilderness.
First, check out the petroglyphs; then climb 2,500 feet to the state high point on this popular 11.6-mile out-and-back in Chattahoochee National Forest.
This 6.4-mile dayhike is a tour de force: You'll be rewarded with magnificent views, an isolated arch, and unusual plant life in Coconino National Forest.
Hike, ski, or bike a hidden pocket of sylvan wilderness just an hour from Manhattan.
Solitude. Fresh air. Big views. It all unfolds on this vigorous 5-miler along a lively mountain stream to the highest point in Hudson Highlands State Park.
This 5.2-mile desert hike is great any time, but spectacular in spring when the Antelope Buttes bloom with native grasses and fire-orange poppies, the California state flower.
This 12.1-mile loop skirts five reservoirs, cuts through forests of oak, hemlock, and birch, and gains 2,600 feet of elevation in 2,060-acre Middlesex Fells Reservation.
Get climbers'-eye views on this adventurous ramble to the peak's base--or summit--on this 3- to 5-day trip.


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Rated A for Awesome - Planet Of The Gills
Rated A for Awesome, Episode 52 - Planet Of The Gills
Series Synopsis
Team Awesome, Les, Noam, Thera, Lars and Mr Twitchy, are on a mission - to fight against all things dull, boring and mundane by rearranging it to make it awesome and fun!
Episode Synopsis
Episode 52 - Planet Of The Gills
When the team awesomises Noam's pet fish, he discovers having a piscine companion is much cooler than he thought - especially when Glickersville's hit by a full-on finned revolution, thanks to Lars' inexhaustible appetite.
Previous Episode Synopsis
Episode 08 - Lost In Character
Desperate to show her family she can party-plan with the best, Thera has the team transmogrified into superheroes for her little cousin's birthday. But when she pushes Les too deep into character, he might never come back.
Future Episodes
- 2:35pm Friday, January 25 (R)
- 4:55pm Friday, January 25 (R)
- 7:50am Monday, January 28 (R)
- 2:40pm Monday, January 28 (R)
- 4:55pm Monday, January 28 (R)
- 7:50am Tuesday, January 29 (R)
- 2:40pm Tuesday, January 29 (R)
- 4:55pm Tuesday, January 29 (R)


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Ashton kutcher who is he dating Vegas adult chat
The reality TV personality has considered leaving The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills after season 9, a source tells Us Weekly exclusively. Both parties, and the other housewives for that […] Life isn't all diamonds and rosé in Beverly Hills this year!
In one pic, the adorable tot — dressed as a […] Surely she jests?Stephen brought some of his associates, and Nikki brought hers ... Even though Stephen's officially a single guy now ... Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi is opening the doors to the new Jersey Shore crib and giving Us a look inside.That's Not Cool addresses ways teens can work against dating abuse in their everyday actions.The National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women is a comprehensive and easily accessible online collection of full-text, searchable materials and resources on domestic violence, sexual violence and related issues.Students participating in Lincoln Sudbury High School's Mentors in Violence Prevention program give a dramatic presentation to fellow students about the warning signs of dating abuse and breakup violence.Students with Boston's Start Strong program aim to promote healthy relationships and prevent teen dating violence and Shawsheen Regional Technical High School's dating awareness club meets weekly to discuss how to educate classmates about the dangers of dating abuse.Created from tragedy, Dating Abuse Stops Here, or DASH, was created to inspire and inform a community.The site offers fact sheets, information, and resources about teen dating abuse to help teens, their parents and friends understand more about this growing problem.The Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Fund was created by her parents.It's mission is to promote dynamic educational programs, particularly those in the areas of the development of healthy teen relationships, the arts and community service.
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Prairies de la Mer - Port Grimaud
Camping = roughing it?
Not necessarily!
How about spas, supermarkets, and a variety of restaurants where you can sit back and relax and enjoy your holiday? And while I still love to getting back to basics of staying on a campground - sometimes a little luxury is just what the doctor ordered. So if you've never considered staying on a campground, today's featured location just might be enough to change your mind.
After what felt like a long winter, this Aussie needed to shed the winter layers and see the ocean. We packed up the car and headed south to Prairies de la Mer on the bay of St. Tropez.
1. Tell us about your campground and the best way to get there:
Campground and St Tropez are two words that really don't belong in the same sentence. But voila, across the bay you will find a little piece of paradise, Prairies de la Mer (part of the Riviera Village group) located in the town of Port Grimaud on the Mediterranean coast between Nice and Marseille. This isn't your standard campground, and hubby reminded me that this isn't "real" camping - so let's call it "resort style" camping.
The drive from Switzerland is a long one so we divided it into two parts. First we drove from Zug to Annecy and stayed overnight in a Budget Ibis hotel along the highway, and then we continued on Port Grimaud the following day.
Tip: avoid driving through Geneva during peak traffic hours. Bad timing!
2. What types of accommodation are on offer?
This five star luxury site is spread over 30 acres and has something for everyone.
We stayed in a beach front Polynesian-style lodge that slept up to 6 people. The kitchen was small but had everything we needed from an oven, hot plate and even a dishwasher and Nespresso machine. The best part was the terrace overlooking the beach where we ate our meals. I'm not sure what the alternative would be if it rained - as the terrace wasn't covered - but we were lucky to have amazing weather during our trip. To finish it off we had our own sun lounges looking over the beach where we sipped our arrival gift of cool rosé. There are a couple of different options for accommodation available.
The website is a little confusing and doesn't mention the actual camping plots that they offer except through a single online form when you reserve a plot. Camping France indicates they have 1118 pitches. The site was exceptionally large and we didn't venture all the way over there. Other than camping pitches for both tents and vans there are mobile homes rented out from many different companies such as Bj-Riviera Holidays and Homair.
3. What facilities does the campground offer?
This place is huge! You really need a bike to explore it all. I had plans to walk over to the tent and caravan area to check out the facilities there but I just couldn't tear myself away from the sun lounger. If you trust the reviews they are also of a high standard.
There were three restaurants and two bars within walking distance from the lodges where we stayed, as well as a large supermarket and a cafe. Our lodge included a washing machine, but there were also a laundry area for those who didn't have one. Overall there was a real resort feel to the entire place.
4. What activities does the Campground offer?
You will find all the actives that you would come to expect in a resort of this size, including morning beachside yoga, a kids club, playgrounds, pony rides, bikes, hikes, or just spend your days lounging on the beach (like me). There is a new pool area opening this summer.
But you will also find the type of "entertainment" I dread: Euro-sucking machines promising iPads as the top prize, 5 minute trampoline jumps for 2 euros 50 and a tacky brightly coloured kids train that belongs only at the local fair. We got away with a 5 minute jump!
5. Breakfast, lunch and dinner: what are your recommendations?
After a morning run to the local supermarket, we enjoyed breakfast of fresh baguettes and croissants on our terrace while looking over the bay of St. Tropez - an ideal way to start the day. Lunch was a mixture of local market picnics and quick bites to eat while out exploring.
We enjoyed dinner three times onsite: twice at Les Pieds dans l'Eau directly on the beach where we all enjoyed the mussels and fish, and the kids especially loved the pizzas. Hubby and I enjoyed a kid-free dinner at Manava Plage which was almost directly outside our accommodation. We ventured once into Port Grimaud for dinner and enjoyed dinner at La Table du Mareyeaur which came recommended by the lovely lady we bought shoes from earlier in the day. She also recommended Pasta E Via and Restaurant La Marée.
6. What to see and do outside the campground?
This campground is a great place to base yourself to explore the French Riviera. With only three days to explore we stuck to these three activities.
Port Grimaud: Visit the Venice of the French Riviera which is just a short stroll from the campground. Here you can explore the streets filled with colourful houses and sail boats large and small. The town hosts a twice-weekly market on Sundays and Thursdays where you can stock up on local food and produce. We filled our basket with roasted chicken, in-season strawberries, salami, avocado, melon and a fresh baguette. Don't have a basket? You can buy one there as well as clothing and souvenirs. When the market is gone, the town is a lot quieter with boules being played. Check out their many restaurants and shops.
Rent a boat: take a 30-minute tour around the canals of Port Grimaud with an electric boat. It's a little restrictive as you have to stick to a route but it's another way to see the town.
Visit the towns above St Tropez: St. Tropez may be the sparkling jewel of the area but don't focus all your attention there. Escape the tourist-filled streets with a visit up to the villages of Gassin and Ramatuelle and wander around these mostly car-free villages, pose for photos in colourful doorways and imagine what it must be like to live here. Bring a picnic lunch along or consider one of the adorable restaurants along the main road of Ramatuelle.
Visit St Tropez: We decided on a visit to St Tropez on a market day, Tuesday, and so did everyone else. The day long market (which breaks for lunch) was heaving with people and so we didn't last too long. We escaped up to La Citadelle de St. Tropez to view the town from above and take in the maritime museum there before wandering through the much quieter back streets and enjoying ice cream down by the harbour.
But you are not limited to just these activities - consider a day trip to a local vineyard, Monarco, the island of Port Cros, or Gorges du Verdon.
7. Any tips of what not to forget.
Bring along a beach umbrella if you plan to spend days at the beach. Our lodge included an umbrella but having one to go down to the actual beach was a must. Also don't forget sand toys! Sand keeps any kid entertained for hours!
8. Best way to book?
We booked our lodge online directly with the Rivieria Villages. They do have a campsite form for bookings but I would suggest giving them a call if you plan to bring a tent or van. There are also numerous companies where you can rent mobile homes from—just Google.
9. Anything to watch out for?
Peak season. We LOVED this resort and would go back again in a flash BUT not in summer. We felt it would be too hot (the lodges do have air con though) and secondly since this is such a HUGE site, there would be too many people for my liking. We loved how our visit coincided with low season and would only consider coming back during the spring or autumn school breaks.
Also, set your expectations for the actual beach a little lower. The sand isn't very fine and may disappoint those used to the white sandy beaches of Australia or America :-).
10. What sets this campground apart from the rest?
The Polynesian feel in Europe is certainly distinctive. No it's not the Maldives or Hawaii, but hey, its a great option if you are looking for an affordable waterfront vacation. I would certainly come back or venture off to visit one its sister locations.
11. What type of camper are you?
We are a Swiss/Australian family of 5 and are wiling to try it all, VW bus - check! Mobile home - check! Caravan - check! Beachfront lodge - check! Next stop - hopefully a roof top tent! All we need is clean bathrooms and a comfortable place to sleep. Our dream is to one day own a VW camper but until then we either rent one or enjoy other accommodations campgrounds have to offer.
Do you have a favourite campground in Europe to recommend to the Simple Family Travel community? WE would love to hear from you! No campground to small, no campground to luxurious!!


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Photo Gallery: The Bellows Falls Fish Ladder and Visitor Center's Grand Re-Opening
The Nature Museum in partnership with Great River Hydro celebrated our reopening for the summer season at the Bellows Falls Fish Ladder & Visitors Center on Saturday, June 23rd. Over 100 people streamed in meet master diver Annette Spaulding, who has been diving in the Connecticut River for over 30 years.
Annette shared fascinating stories and showed artifacts she has found on her dives as she told about her life as a diver. She told about a plane wreck lost in Canada underwater for over 50 years that she lead a team of divers to discover. Annette's training as a search-and-rescue diver has had a tremendously positive impact in our local rescue community. She talked about how in the fall of 2015, she discovered Native American petroglyphs near the junction of the West River and the Connecticut River- a discovery she'd been working towards for decades.
The Nature Museum's Jay DeGregorio, a popular naturalist and environmental educator, was on hand to answer any questions and deliver free, environmental program about owls last Saturday. Our summer intern Farrin Sofield will present family programs each Friday and Saturday from 10am-11am. The family programs are recommended for children ages 4 and up. Admission and programs at the Visitor Center are always free.
This nature education center is open each weekend Friday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through September 1st. The Visitor Center is home to a series of hands-on environmental programs and exhibits for local families and passing tourists. The Visitor Center is located at 17 Bridge Street in downtown Bellows Falls, next to the Post Office building.
Visitors are encouraged to learn more about the Connecticut River watershed, the salmon and other fish that use the fish ladder, and the river's many plants and animals.
The health of the Connecticut River is vital to the health of our region. The Visitor Center seeks to inspire stewardship of the Connecticut River and all Vermont's local waterways. The Nature Museum operates the Visitor Center on behalf of Great River Hydro, owner of the fish ladder as well as the hydroelectric facility in Bellows Falls.


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Holiday Book Flood
Category: Poetry & Literature
Event Date:
Wednesday, December 13 - December 23, 2017
10:00 am
Main Library
325 Michigan
Toledo, OH 43604
Get Directions
Event Link:
Event Details:
Happy Holiday Book Club!
The Classics Gift Shop will offer our version of Iceland's Christmas Book Flood. Books are the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Our Book Sale runs December 13-23.
$7 per plastic bag of full of books
$10 per tote bag of full of books
AND, receive an extra 30% off all clearance gift items located in the Gift Shop corridor.
*For every bag of books purchased, we will donate a book from our Gift Shop corridor to a local shelter. And, receive a FREE piece of chocolate as our way of saying thank you for sharing the love of reading.
Back to All Events


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Trust Ottolenghi to create something unbelievably good with these ingredients. I mean it's CUCUMBER AND GARLIC dammit! How does he do it?! The first time I made (and ate) this dish I was reminded - again - of the genius of this guy. Simple. Simple. Simple. So, it seems insulting to try and improve it. That said, the below is just an interpretation of his dish. I'm not trying to make it better. I'm just trying to make it mine.
(Serves 2)
Stuff you'll need:
- 250g FFMM skirt steak
- 1tsp dried red chilli flakes
- 1 x tsp miso paste
- 2 x tbsp mayonnaise
- Olive oil
- 1 x tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 x cucumber, seeds removed and cut into irregular chunks (You want about 300g in total)
- 1 x tsp sesame seeds
- 1 x tsp crushed garlic
- 1 x tsp crushed ginger
- Fresh mint, for garnish
- Sea salt
What you'll do:
- In a bowl, combine the cucumber, garlic and ginger. Pour over the vinegar and allow to sit for up to one hour. (If you don't have the time, it's okay. Just let it mellow for as long as you can afford).
- Meanwhile, mix the miso and the mayonnaise in a bowl, adding additional olive oil to loosen it up
- Heat a pan until smoking hot and rub your steak with olive oil. Cook for 2 minutes per side, remove and allow to rest.
- When steak has rested, cut across the grain into strips.
- To serve, scatter your cucumber across a plate. Add strips of steak and sprinkle over sesame seeds and chilli flakes.
- To garnish, add a dollop of the dressing and mint leaves. Season with sea salt.


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Around one in four relationships start online now, and among the millennial generation, the number is likely to be even higher.
But as our smartphones become increasingly powerful, fewer of us are dating from behind our desktops, rather turning to the digital devices in our pockets.
The stigma that was once attached to online dating has well and truly disappeared – in fact, you're more likely to raise eyebrows if you're single and not on any dating apps.
Recent years have seen an explosion of dating apps, and there seem to be incredibly niche ones launching every day. For some people, swiping through fellow singles and potential romantic partners is merely a bit of fun and a way to entertain themselves during TV ad breaks.
for named portal; also 3-5% of (#31) and (#191), which offer access to the same services and communication with the entire user pool through ru and love.subdomains Yes: Premium content like additional search criteria and double appearances in others' relevant searches for "VIP membership".A couple kisses on the Pont des Arts, on February 14, 2011 in Paris, during the Valentine's day, traditionnaly the annual celebration of love.AFP PHOTO / FRED DUFOUR (Photo credit should read FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images) " data-medium-file="https://heavyeditorial.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/109184872.jpg?We have been on many dates and our phone has been pinging with notifications non-stop (trying to keep conversations going with lots of different men is actually quite the commitment – some dating apps are high-maintenance.) All the apps allow you to search for men, women or both, with all of them available on i OS devices, most on Android and some for Windows Phone, too. Tinder: Free Possibly the best-known dating app of them all, Tinder is most people's first port-of-call when entering the world of dating apps.It's super quick to join – you simply upload some photos and an optional bio, set your age and distance preferences, and away you go, swiping left or right on potential suitors.
There's a twist though: after you match, you only have 24 hours to start the conversation, otherwise he'll disappear forever.


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Property Details for MLS® # C4241732
53089 Grand Valley Rd, Rural Rocky View County
Detached Bungalow for Sale
- Size: 22.46 acres
- Price: $1,399,000
- Bedrooms: 6
- Bathrooms: 4(full) 1(half)
- Status: Active
- Year Built: 2015
If you want to live on a grand scale then look no further than this custom built home on 22 acres of privacy. The grounds are beautiful consisting of pathways, decks, picnic area, a pond, kids play area, custom in-ground fire fit, and a garden. Connects to crown lands wildlife habitat, truly an escape to mother nature. The property is located on Grand Valley Rd in Rocky View County northwest of Cochrane with paved road right to the entrance of the estate. The interior has two main levels with vaulted ceilings and a unique bonus room on the main floor. The triple 26 X 36 attached garage is insulated and boasts an in-floor heating system. Should you need it for work or your hobbies there is a large shop too (4000 square feet). This amazing property must be seen to appreciate the many features and extras it has to offer.
Contact Stephen & Maricel McDonald About MLS® C4241732
Stephen & Maricel McDonald, 403-680-0799 at CIR Realty, 168, 8060 Silver Springs Blvd, Calgary, Alberta, T3B 5K1
property information
- Property Type: Detached Home
- Style: Bungalow
- Year Built: 2015
- Lot Size: 22.46 acres
- Lot Shape: Rectangular
- Total Floor Area: 2,604 sq.ft
Community Information
- Neighbourhood: Rural Rocky View County
- City: Rural Rocky View County
- Postal Code: T4C 1W5
- Directions: From the junction of Hwy #22 and 1A go West on 1A for approx 7 KM to Grand Valley Rd. Turn north on Grand Valley Rd. for approx 19 KM. There is no 911 number on the gate but it is the driveway to the left of 53097.
- Included: Dishwasher-Built-In, Oven-Built-In, Stove-Countertop Gas
- Bedrooms: 6 (Bedrooms Above: 3)
- Bathrooms: Full: 4 / Half: 1
- Rooms Above Grade: 8
- Basement: Walkout/Walk Up, Fully Finished
- Floor Finish: Carpet, Hardwood, Stone
- Exterior Features: Flat Site, Landscaped, No Back Lane, Private Setting, Rolling Land
- Exterior Finish: Fiber Cement Siding, Stone, Wood
- Foundation: Concrete
- Roof: Asphalt Shingles
- Front Exposure: Northeast
Main Floor Room Dimensions
- Master Bedroom: 3.96m x 5.18m
- Kitchen: 3.35m x 3.35m
- Great Room: 6.10m x 4.57m
- Dining Room: 3.05m x 3.66m
- Breakfast Nook: 2.74m x 3.35m
- Bonus Room: 10.97m x 7.92m
- Bedroom: 4.27m x 3.66m
- Bedroom: 3.66m x 3.96m
Lower Level Room Dimensions
- Cold Room: 6.71m x 1.83m
- Bedroom: 4.27m x 4.27m
- Bedroom: 4.27m x 3.96m
- Bedroom: 3.96m x 3.96m
- Hobby Room: 6.71m x 3.66m
- Family Room: 3.66m x 9.14m
services & amenities
- Features: Dog Run-Fenced In, Greenhouse, Vaulted Ceiling, Vinyl Windows, Workshop
- Parking: Triple Garage Attached, Shop
- Heating: Forced Air-2,In Floor Heat System
Registration Benefits
By Creating an Account You'll Access:
- More Rural Rocky View County Listings Browse through every listing in the MLS® System and do as many different searches as you like!
- Days on Market & Financial Info See protected details including Days on Market, Taxes, Condo Fees, Possession Dates, and more!
- Save Your Favorites Star favorite listings, add personal notes, and save custom searches you use frequently!
- Real Time Email Notifications Opt in to receive emails when new properties are listed that match your saved searches!


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Have you ever gone through a period of time when everything seems to change? Like, everything?
I've always fancied myself a gal adept at navigating life transitions. Lately, however, I've felt a seismic shift happening in the form of everyday, mundane challenges—the ones that aren't by any means tragic, but you simply don't see them coming. When you start to experience enough of them in rapid fire, over a few consecutive months, they begin to feel like a conspiracy.
It all started last summer. I was running, like I do, and my right ankle met a mean rock. A painful two-mile hobble back to my car and one trip to urgent care later, I was on crutches and in a boot. My driving leg incapacitated and physical activity at a sudden standstill, I was forced to do a few things that I had never learned to do before, like sit still, stay home, and ask for help.
It was miserable and demoralizing, but on the bright side, it confirmed my suspicion that I have really good friends who will do my grocery shopping and dog walking for me—and make sure the kitchen is fully stocked with necessities like coffee and wine. I may have been cranky, but I felt loved.
That ordeal was the launching pad for so many others. After months of physical therapy and rehab, I graduated from stationary bike riding to walking to one-minute jogs over the span of four months. By the time I had built up to a solid five consecutive minutes of running, it was just enough to sense the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. Except, for the first time in seven years, I didn't have a running coach sending me schedules, cheering me on, or pushing me forward. I felt lost and lonely. And slow and fat. Self esteem? Not at an all-time high.
Around that time, I got the phone call every journalist fears, yet on some level knows will eventually come—it's the one when they tell you the company is shutting down the publication. Immediately. I was the senior editor at Running Times magazine (rest in peace), which afforded me the sweet lifestyle of residing in Flagstaff, owning a home, and blurring the line between work and play. I loved the audience, I loved the material—I loved the job. Too good to be true? Why yes, as it turns out, it was.
The news came in time for my trip home to Pennsylvania for the holidays. I was driving there, for reasons I can't explain to those who harbor rational thought. And in another act of the irrational nature, I took in a stray puppy three days before I was leaving. I packed her up with the seven-year-old dog now stricken with anxiety and panic, and we headed 2,500-ish miles east. I arrived at my mother's house four days later with a canine rodeo in tow, unemployed, and emotionally exhausted. Merry Christmas!
The following weeks were a frenzy of puppy housebreaking, contract negotiation, and absorbing the news that my mom needed help clearing out 40 or so years worth of accumulated stuff in my childhood home—so she could sell it. More wine, please.
I slept right through New Year's Eve. Hello, 2016. Please be kind.
By the time I was heading back to Flagstaff with my grandmother's china and my elementary school diary carefully packed in a few boxes wedged between the dogs, I had a new gig as a contributing editor at Runner's World. I also had a brand-new passport, which is an entirely different tale for another day. And I found a new coach who graciously and patiently is guiding me toward the fitness Promised Land.
With those several key pieces finally settling into place, it is time to get down to business. As such, welcome to E. Strout Creations, where I hope to expand my base of work and use this blogging space as an outlet—a place to practice my craft and experiment with words. Gathering page views and clicks is not my objective here, which makes it a wildly exciting place for this writer to play.
With uncertainty also comes a sense of freedom to choose new directions, rearrange boundaries, and see where you end up. It might be in urgent care. Or maybe it's somewhere better. Let's find out. Thanks for joining me.


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Humility Welcome
A dear Friend just delivered a great line that I must share.
"We welcome humility."
Let that marinate on your mind.
We welcome humility because Jesus lived it & calls us to live it as well. Love one another. Honor one another. Serve one another. Lay down your life. Be honest. Confess your sin. Share your life. And you can think of many more.
God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the...
Did you guess, the humble?
Yes, God gives grace to the humble.


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Lead Your Business Through a Digital Transformation with BKD Technologies
You're looking for a cost-effective software solution that supports your workflow, streamlines operations and provides the flexibility for your changing needs. BKD Technologies can help. Our advisors are certified in market-leading products, industry niches and functional applications. They also have a unique familiarity with the real subject at hand: your business. From information technology planning to business process reviews, you'll find our professionals at ease in your world.
Choosing a new business software system can be daunting. Selection is just as important as implementation, maintenance and ongoing support. BKD Technologies is there for you. You'll find we've channeled the right resources to answer your questions, help resolve problems and provide your company with the information, solutions and training to assist you in reducing costs, improving your competitive position and supporting your strategic goals.
Digital Transformation Resource Center
Where is your company on the path to Digital Transformation? Whether you are looking to drive profitability through efficient technology systems, leverage the cloud for a more secure and stable platform, or use the power of analytics, our Trusted Advisors' expertise in IT strategy and Digital Transformation can help you start your digital transformation journey with confidence.


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"Chuck was an amazing DJ for my sister's Sweet 16 - he really knocked it out of the park! All the kids (and adults) had a great time. He really listened to our needs and went above and beyond what we expected. We absolutely recommend Chuck for anyone with DJing needs!"
Read More
– Mindy (Burbank, CA)


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Rarely do I encounter a film that has me asking "Are you fucking kidding me?" every other scene, but I've now found a film that not only asks me that, but constantly. The thing that distinguishes this film from, oh say, Twilight* or Superbad** or any other movie that has me asking this, was that this film was actually a bit entertaining.
This film is 300.
Now, I'm pretty sure the writers heard about the battle and thought,"Hmm, there were these guys from Sparta who all died fighting the Persians. How can we use this to make a two hours film of barely dressed men running around killing each other?" Well, they came up with the script for 300, called it a good thing, and produced it to an adoring audience of college guys who like baddassery and high school girls who want to see abs galore.
I finally watched this film, though, and the thing that caught my attention the most (aside from some very sexy men), was that King Xerxes seemed to not only have a lot of warriors, but a lot of interesting warriors. I was not aware that the Persian army contained ninjas, trolls, Oliphaunts, giants, Quasimodo, goats that can play musical instruments, snake women, and a very effeminate king. Yeah, turns out that history forgot about this; who knew?
Really, though? It was entertaining, but it wasn't history. And not every film has to be historically accurate, but I honestly think that film producers could have made a film both historically accurate and entertaining. It could still be epic, but in more of an interesting way rather than an action kind of way. After all, diplomacy can be sexy; it's just finding the right kind of diplomacy to make smart sexy rather than brawn. But that's just me. And as we all know, I'm quite biased.
But I won't diss too much on 300. Its what-the-fuckery made it interesting, and it was a good watch on a stressful day. I just like to complain about how it's labelled an historic drama when it is an action movie. Because, when a giant gets stabbed in the eye and rips out the knife to keep fighting, I tend to call bull shit. But, it had a killer soundtrack, nice effects, and wasn't half bad for how Hollywood goes. So, not too bad.
– – –
*For the record, I dislike Twilight; it seems to encourage abusive relationships far too much for my liking. Plus, I'm more of a Lestat fan than an Edward fan when it comes to vampires.
**I watched Superbad for the first time a few months ago, and I honestly couldn't even finish it. I managed to watch it for an hour before completely giving up. It was crude, not funny, and lacked wit that was needed to balance out the disgusting scenes. Really, the movie was disgusting; there's no other way to put it. Superbad is honestly the only film that I have ever seen that I have hated or completely detested. It is beyond me why it has such favourable attention from people my age, and even for those who aren't. If you like this film, sorry, but I stand by what I say. I think it's absolutely horrible.


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Keep warm thanks to this tall sized Hooded Cloth Jacket with Tricot Quilt Lining by Dri Duck! Made from an optimal garment-washed 100% cotton canvas material, this performant jacket is also equipped with a quilted brushed tricot "soft touch" polyfill lining to keep you warm and comfortable throughout wear. Whether you're engaging in your favorite outdoor activity or simply looking to keep toasty, this jacket has got your back! Additional features you'll enjoy discovering include a DRI DUCK zipper pull, a three-piece hood, a quality spandex blend rib-knit trim and cuffs, oversized front pouch pockets and inside patch pockets with snap closures, an inside cell phone pocket, as well as embroidery friendly superior screen printing quality. This model comes in eight classic colors and patterns. Available in the following tall sizes: XLT and 2XLT.
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