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article | December 21, 2012
There are a lot of bloggers out there, but not so many good ones. So what makes for a good blog? In this post, I'll walk you through the framework of a great blog.
The value of a blog post is measured by its quantitative and qualitative attributes.
Your blog needs to generate results. Results equal leads. Marketers must be able to measure the results generated from their blogging. It's all about ROI. Here are four must-have metrics, in ascending order of importance:
- Views – A no brainer. If no one is reading your blog, that's a problem. You need to track the number of overall views and look for trends.
- CTA Conversion Rate – Every post needs to have a CTA (Call to Action). If it's a good post, it will drive the reader to action. Track how many of your readers "click" on your CTA
- Social Shares – To drive awareness in the market place, you want social shares. The more social shares, the more views. The more views, the more leads. Make sure you make it easy for your blog to be shared.
- Form Conversion Rate – The pièce de résistance. Clicking on your CTA is one thing. Your offer must be so valuable that giving up name & email is worth getting it. If you want to generate leads, you want a high form conversion rate.
In descending order of importance, you should rate your blog according to:
- Blog Title – The average corporate email user gets 112 emails per day. With so much noise, it's difficult for any single piece of information to get noticed. Great blog titles help you rise above the fray. They are the headline. Here's a quote from David Ogilvy on the importance great headlines:
- Hierarchy of Sales Message – The ultimate purpose of your blog is to pull the reader through their buying process. Your sales message should pull them through and ensure they buy from you. In the SEC's recent book, The Challenger Sale, they identify five levels in the hierarchy of a sales message:
- General Information: Information that covers generally just about everything. These are the posts we always delete.
- Accepted Information: Credible & relevant information, but not too interesting. These posts we mostly likely never read.
- Thought Leadership: This is new perspectives or new data that teach us something. We probably couldn't have found this information on our own.
- Insight: Beyond thought leadership, insight breaks your customer's paradigm and drives a change in behavior.
- Commercial Insight: Like insight, Commercial Insight breaks the customer's frame of mind. It also drives action. The BIG difference is that it leads the customer back to you. You are the only solution able to help them act on the insight provided. A very high bar, but worth the effort.
- Persona Match – Your blog writing must be purposeful. It must be directed to your Buyer Personas. It must resonate with your Persona's goals and objectives. For example, this post is not directed to the CFO of a F500 company. Rather, it is addressed to the marketing leader of a growing company.
- Body – Writing the body of your blog post has one goal: communicate as effectively as possible. Think "Easy to Understand". Often bloggers get caught up in the ethereal and lose their audience. Or they use long-winded sentences that only confuse the message and the reader. I will cover 10 tips for writing clear body copy in a later post.
- Tool / Offer – You should strive to offer something of value in every post. Something like the Blog Grading Tool. The purpose of the tool is to entice your reader to "declare" themselves. If they want it enough, they'll cough up a name and email. So make sure your tool doesn't disappoint.
Key Takeaway: There is a direct correlation between great blogging and lead generation. If you want your blog to generate leads, measure both its quantitative and qualitative attributes. As a marketing leader, do it every day for at least three months. This will instill consistency and excellence in your blog-writing team.


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Stage 8. Late Adulthood: 55 or 65 to Death
Ego Development Outcome: Integrity vs. Despair
Basic Strengths: Wisdom
Erikson felt that much of life is preparing for the middle adulthood stage and the last stage is recovering from it. Perhaps that is because as older adults we can often look back on our lives with happiness and are content, feeling fulfilled with a deep sense that life has meaning and we've made a contribution to life, a feeling Erikson calls integrity. Our strength comes from a wisdom that the world is very large and we now have a detached concern for the whole of life, accepting death as the completion of life.
On the other hand, some adults may reach this stage and despair at their experiences and perceived failures. They may fear death as they struggle to find a purpose to their lives, wondering "Was the trip worth it?" Alternatively, they may feel they have all the answers (not unlike going back to adolescence) and end with a strong dogmatism that only their view has been correct.
The significant relationship is with all of mankind—"my-kind."
(From) The Developmental Stages of Erik Erikson By Arlene F. Harder, MA, MFT
I was talking with a friend today, and she was telling me about being at work and wishing it was Friday, and her plans for that evening of working on a project with her daughter, house cleaning and laundry to be done. I said to her, "Your life must be filled with joy!" She said it was, and I'm know it's true. I have had the great fortune of being able to spend a lot of time with her, her boyfriend, and children. I hope it is a joyful life for them, because it certainly gives me a great deal of joy to watch them!
But, in talking to her today I felt melancholic for those days in my life. It dawned on me that those days are behind me. This of course caused me to reflect on where I'm at in life now. I studied Erikson's developmental stages years ago in college and looked up the previous passage to refresh my memory as to where I'm supposed to be at this point in life! What follows is a first attempt at deciding if I have reason for Integrity or Despair.
I would suppose that an assessment of one's life should begin with looking back to one's youthful hopes and dreams, then determine what was accomplished and what was not. But my problem is that I don't remember having any…LOL. Though, I guess that's not entirely true, "Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll" was my mantra from age 13 on. Even though I'm not particularly proud of it, I guess I did accomplish my youthful goals! Got strung out on every drug that was available at the time, and in the end, became a gutter hugging drunk. Had sex with hundreds of women. And certainly remember spending hours upon hours laying on the floor wasted/tripping or drunk listening to rock and roll! So, from this perspective I lived the life I set out to as a youth. Now is this a reason for Integrity or Despair?
In very early recovery this seemed to be a reason for despair. I was broken as a human being. My life up to this point was a source of a great deal of shame. I joined A.A., N.A. and S.A. in a desperate attempt to not only put that life behind me but to block it from memory. Fortunately, the twelve steps (particularly 9-12) helped me to put this youthful life in perspective. There is a passage in the Big Book that sums up my view now on this period of my life:
Showing others who suffer how we were given help is the very thing which makes life seem so worth while to us now. Cling to the thought that, in God's hands, the dark past is the greatest possession you have — the key to life and happiness for others. With it you can avert death and misery for them.
So, it would seem that God has turned what would have been a source of Despair in my life into a source of Integrity!
Update on "Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll": Have been in recovery for 19 years, leaving drugs/alcohol completely behind; have been in only three short term relationships since recovery, not entirely leaving sex behind but at least dramatically cutting back – progress not perfection in this area…LOL (will do a posting on these relationships soon); I don't listen to Rock any more, but have been know to listen to Smooth Jazz for hours. I tell myself this is not the same, but maybe I'm just rationalizing…LOL!
I would suppose that the next thing to assess is what has or hasn't been accomplished in my life that I wanted to since recovery began. I been trying to think of anything I wanted to do but haven't. But I am finding hard to think of anything. I mean, there are things like "skydiving"…LOL. But, considering I have had real opportunities to do it and have backed out, I guess I really don't Despair over not doing it! There is one thing I regret not accomplishing, having not found a long term intimate relationship. My friends assure me it is only a matter of time before I do…LOL. But, considering my track record so far: my relationships in recovery have been few and far between AND short lived, I am not hopeful. My last two Ex's suggested that my relationship with them was but a training ground for the "real" one to come. If that is the case, I may have too much to learn before I am ready! Now is this a reason for Integrity or Despair? The verdict is still out on this one. So many people seem to be wrestling with this same issue, I'm not unique (Who knew?). And perhaps, there really is still time. Hope springs eternal.
As I look back over my time in recovery, I have accomplished some things I could not have imagined in my youth. I have raised a daughter who never saw her father drunk or high, and who knows I love her. Beginning with a 9th grade education I got a bachelor's degree (BSW). I had a career where I rose to the top, and the performance of my job effected thousands of co-workers. I have sponsored so many people, many of which got AND stayed sober. I have gotten to participate in the transformation of so many lives. I founded numerous A.A. and N.A. groups (the oldest will be celebrating its 18th anniversary in June, "Aragona" A.A. group in Va. Beach). And have had the privilege to serve in just about every service position there is in the fellowships. There are two accomplishments in my recovery that go far beyond what I could have hoped for at any point in my life. The first is to experience the giving of love on all levels. From the 12th step call on the unknown drunk who didn't want or understand unconditional love, to the intimate caress of a woman who could (even if for only brief moment) want and accept unconditional love. The second accomplishment is to receive the unconditional love of so many friends and strangers. What an incredible gift the giving and receiving of love is to my life.
Erikson says it is at this point in life we ask ourselves, "Was the trip worth it?" The answer seems to be "Yes". Since I'm just entering this final stage of life I'm sure that this assessment may change over time. But for now it will do. As I review what I have written, I have at this moment a sense of Integrity about my life. And hopefulness, my life is not over and many of my accomplishments can be enhanced or built on. Also, many can be enjoyed for years to come. And who knows, perhaps some day I'll find someone to share it with!
We have shown how we got out from under. You say, "Yes, I'm willing. But am I to be consigned to a life where I shall be stupid, boring and glum, like some righteous people I see? I know I must get along without liquor, but how can I? Have you a sufficient substitute?"
Yes, there is a substitute and it is vastly more than that. It is a fellowship in Alcoholics Anonymous. There you will find release from care, boredom and worry. Your imagination will be fired. Life will mean something at last. The most satisfactory years of your existence lie ahead. Thus we find the fellowship, and so will you. ("A Vision for You" Big Book)

subset: commoncrawl


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Art Gallery of Burlington
1333 Lakeshore Road, Burlington ON L7S 1A9
hours: Mon 9am-6pm, Tues-Thur 9am-10pm, Fri & Sat 9-5, Sun 12-5.
admission: Unless otherwise noted, all exhibitions and related activities are FREE.
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ArtGallBurl.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArtGallBurl.
Linkedin: http://bit.ly/2woFwcd.
Google+: https://plus.google.com/105933782131550202436.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/BurlingtonArtCentre.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/artgallburl
TAG: Canadian, Clay and Glass, Contemporary, Drawings / Ink / Pastels, Fundraising Auctions, Halton, Mixed Media / Collage, Modern, Ontario Association of Art Galleries (OAAG), Other Fine Craft: metal, jewellery, stone, bone, Other Fine Craft: paper, book arts, wood, leather, Paintings (oil, acrylic, encaustic, egg tempera, w/c, pastel), Photography / Lens-based, Printmaking (woodcut, engraving, etching, lithography, screenprint, monoprint, etc.), Public Galleries / Museums, Sculpture / Assemblage / Installation Art, Textiles / Fibre Art
Dec 1, 2018 - Jan 27, 2019 | reception Fri 30 Nov, 6-9pm:
Dancing on the Grave. Patrick Thibert and Dil Hildebrand. The exhibition brings together the works of two di ... more
Dec 1, 2018 - Jan 27, 2019 | reception Fri 30 Nov, 6-9pm:
Tom Wilson: Beautiful Scars. Tom Wilson is a Canadian cultural icon from Hamilton, Ontario, who is well known for his musi ... more
Oct 13, 2018 - Jan 6, 2019 | reception Fri 30 Nov, 6-9pm:
Home Grown. Over the years, the Burlington Potters' Guild has produced a large number of artists whose work has been collected by the Permanent Collection of Contemporary Ceramics at the AGB. Some of these artists have been long-ti ... more
Oct 27, 2018 - Jan 13, 2019 | reception Fri 30 Nov, 6-9pm:
Paper Thin. Porcelain is known for being translucent, so fine that light can be seen through it. This quality however is not only the product of the clay body itself, but from the thinness of the piece. Porcelain is a remarkably difficult mate ... more


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Rep. Louise
Slaughter Went To Washington D.C. To Kill
Congresswoman Louise
Slaughter reintroduced a bill that would give women in the
military the ability to get an abortion on-base in cases of
rape.While speaking of the Republicans' desire to defund
Planned Parenthood, Louise Slaughter accused the newest Republican
members of congress of having gone to Washington D.C. to kill women.
(She likes lying about people in such a manner. I found that out
personally, while fighting her over the health care bill.) Well the
truth is, Louise Slaughter went to Washington D.C. to kill
babies.I'll say it again, " Louise Slaughter went to
Washington D.C. to kill babies."Louise Slaughter is the most
pro-abortion congress-person in D.C. She never quits. She actually
took the floor over "Tiller the baby killer," and whined over his
loss of life in his "church," saying that a church should be a safe
place for a [baby killer]. I recall wishing I could have been there
to yell out, "A womb should be a safe place for a
baby!"Babies are no less human if they came to be due to
rape. I will never forget a Phil Donahue show that featured people
who had come to be from rape. They were the nicest, most sweet
people and very thankful to be alive. Their message was to please
not kill others like them. --And let's remember what
abortion-on-demand is. It is a brutal killing of an innocent baby,
brutal! It is no more okay to brutally kill a baby of rape, than it
is to kill any baby.We need to fight this. Even if some
conservatives do not agree with me that rape babies should be just
as protected as any other babies, those "some" should agree that
allowing abortions of any kind to take place on our military bases,
is not only a step in the wrong direction in ending
abortion-on-demand, but that the next step would be abortions for
any reason. This is how the liberals do things, one step at a time.
Check out the bill and see who the current cosponsors are:
J.M. Smith - © 06-08-11
Home© Debra J.M.
Smith -


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79 members300 Comments 28 Likes
24 members23 Comments 7 Likes
Robert Orth has not received any gifts yet
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 9:00am 0 Comments 2 Likes
Discover the Love that begins in you, undivided flowing like the dew fall. Feel your own power, and realize that this is the energy and love that sustains all. A similar energy exists in the Earth, water, wind, and fire. So too it is in every color of the rainbow, the Sun, moon, and the stars in the heavens above. They all draw upon this one elixir of life. The time is now to open your heart and find out your only resource is the Source. The…Continue
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 8:57am 0 Comments 1 Like
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 7:37am 0 Comments 4 Likes
Discover the Love that begins in you undivided flowing like the dew fall. Feel your own power, and Realize that this is the energy and love that sustains all. A similar energy exists in the Earth, water, wind, and fire. So too in every color of the rainbow, the Sun, moon and the stars in the heavens above. They all draw upon this one "bread of life" open your heart and find out your only resource is the Source. The magnificense is you, the creators power is in the creation, You are…Continue
Posted on December 9, 2012 at 10:53pm 3 Comments 4 Likes
Destruction or Creativity the choice is yours. Whether it is through suffering or joy or most likely even a combination of both it seems inevitable. We must return back to the one creator of all. We must destroy what does not work and create a new way that benifits all. Rebirth or a baptism by fire on a grand…Continue
Welcome to Humanity Healing Community! Thank you for joining our community of like-minded souls devoted to enacting change through Spiritual Activism. You are very welcome here.
With each friend comes the questions: How do we truly know each other? What adventures have we been on already together and what do we have written to experience together this go round. Each friend is a mystery and an adventure in one.
A very quick overview to help you navigate your way around our site:
The tab 'Lobby' takes you to our main front page, 'The Self' tab takes you to your page, the 'Connect' tab is where you will find our groups, all of our members and the management are under the Oversoul tab; 'Media Center' is where you will find all of our videos, and the videos that members have uploaded as well.
You will find a more in-depth overview to help you navigate this site in the group 'Member Orientation Station' which you will find by looking under the 'Our Groups' tab, (under the Connect tab) along with all of our other groups.
Together we can make this world a better place for all Humanity.
Please don't hesitate to ask me or another manager if there is anything we can help you with as well. Take your time and enjoy finding your way around. - David
We invite you to also visit:
Welcome Robert
Hello and Welcome Robert ~
t is my greatest pleasure to welcome you
to Humanity Healing.
We are a family of spiritual and caring individuals
whose Light and Teachings really do encircle the Globe. ♥♥
The Administration and Managers would like you to make yourself
at home and find within this community a haven
of peace, healing, love and enlightenment.
If you have any queries or need any advice,
please do not hesitate to ask one of the Managers.
In Light and Love
Our new Facebook Page
Welcome to our network of like-minded souls. Please make yourself at home and start interacting as your wish. We are very happy to have you here with us, namaste!
© 2018 Created by Humanity Healing International. Powered by


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Thanks to Andrea from Cent's Saved for sharing these free marriage tools!
- FIVE Essentials for a Thriving Marriage prayer card – A great inspiration for your marriage, with practical "every day" reminders to help you and your spouse stay on track.
- Intimacy Unveiled CD – FamilyLife co-founder and President, Dennis Rainey, unveils the essential biblical truths about sex in your marriage.
The site asks for your name, address, and requires you to create an online account. The freebies are from a six session video marriage conference called Learn About the Art of Marriage.
I have not seen either of these, but sometimes these sort of things will show you areas that you may have forgotten to discuss. It is a great starting place to see if you and your fiance agree on the more important marriage topics.


text: Knauf Insulation is the UK's leading insulation company. It represents one of the most respected and progressive names in European building products. Formed in 1946 as Fibreglass Insulation it has been previously known as Pilkington Insulation and Owens Corning before the involvement of Knauf with KnaufAlcopor before finally becoming known as Knauf Insulation. Knauf Insulation is active in more than 35 countries with 30 manufacturing plants and over 5000 employees across the globe. The company, which is part of the German family-owned Knauf Group, continues its strong and steady operational and financial growth, having achieved a turnover well in excess of € 1 billion in 2010. Knauf Insulation is the only UK manufacturer of glass mineral wool, rock mineral wool and extruded polystyrene insulation products, giving an unrivalled range for building, H&V, process and appliance insulation, as well as fabrication applications. as part of their plans to increase employee flexibility they have asked Maxim to help with a range of upskilling training programmes to help achieve their ambitious growth plans over the next five years. We will be covering training over the following disciplines: – Mig Welding, Basic Hydraulics, Puematics and Arc Welding. Having completed that foundation stage we will be helping the employees to implement higher grades of the same training.


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Unite's finance and legal sector is comprised of over 130,000 members throughout all major employers in banking and insurance.
Unite campaigns tirelessly on the issues important to our members, including pay, job security, divestment, offshoring and outsourcing, as well as cutting edge campaigns such as the Robin Hood Tax.
In this section you will find all of the latest news from Unite within the Finance and Legal Sector, as well as information on our latest campaigns, how you can get involved and useful resources and information about Unite in your organisation.
Join Unite today to have your voice heard and become part of the largest finance and legal sector union in Europe.
Dominic Hook and Rob MacGregor, national officers


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Assorted pictures of some of the Unlimited drivers here
for the 1996 Gold Cup race. If you're looking for more
info about them, visit the UHRA home page.
Dave Villwock
1996 Gold Cup winner in the PICO American Dream!
Mark Tate
Driver of Smokin' Joe's, Mark lives in the Detroit area. Due to damages incurred when Bud flipped onto and over his boat, he was unable to compete for the Gold Cup this year.
Mark Tate
Another pic of Mark. A bit dark but we still like it.
Chip Hanauer
Spending a moment with some Cub Scouts.
Chip Hanauer
Chip started as driver of Miss Bud, but was later replaced by Mark Evans due to injuries suffered in a collision with Smokin' Joe's.
Mark Evans
Starting the event driving for the Miss Wellness Plan, Mark replaced Chip in the Miss Bud. Mark was replaced by Ken Dryden (no pic).
Steve David
Driver of the Miss Sexy Specs talks with the boat owner & crew.


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Tuesday, 19 December, 2017
After a huge response from concerned members of the public volunteering to help get New Mills Festival on a firmer footing for the future we are very pleased to announce the first in a series of events and fundraisers for 2018 that will see the return of the full festival programme and Lantern Procession in 2019.
By Denise Ead on Sunday, 10 December, 2017
Southend-on-Sea's loss is Marple's gain! Pam Ellis moved to Marple three years ago and "loves the place". She finds "being semi-rural", inspires her to make unique and beautiful pottery. Pam has developed her skills over the years, first attending classes down south and more recently, locally.
Sunday, 10 December, 2017
It's been a great year for Hawk Green Cricket Club with two championship wins.
Sunday, 10 December, 2017
Marple's Seed Community Cafe, inside the Methodist Church, enjoyed a grand opening by the Mayor and Consort of Stockport Clr Linda Holt and Ken Holt.
By Diane Inglis on Tuesday, 05 December, 2017
Marple District Rambling Club has found a special way to commemorate its 50th anniversary in the form of a book of walks.
By Avril Marsh on Tuesday, 05 December, 2017
Kindred spirits in Kinder Mountain Rescue Team are Amanda Howlett and Alison Aldridge, two of five female hill team volunteers in this 50-strong squad. Their wish 'to give something back' means they don't mind the 24/7, 365 commitment, their love of energetic outdoor sport keeps them at peak fitness, they enjoy the camaraderie and hope their example will encourage more women to join.
By Denise Ead on Sunday, 03 December, 2017
Rob Wilson has put his talents to good use by raising over £1,500 for the 'We love MCR charity'. This charity supports the people of Manchester and formed the emergency fund set up to help those recently injured in the Arena bombing.
By Diane Inglis on Sunday, 03 December, 2017
A Marple woman has received a Charity Champion award from Scottish Power for her help in developing an initiative to reduce stress for hospital patients in intensive care.


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The scientific, almost stringent and exact aspects of the environment are reflected in my obsessive attention to detail. In contrast, the spontaneous aspects of nature are present in the organic and fluid aliveness of my compositions, often created through allowing myself to enter a flow-state.
This lot ships from Sunnyside, NY, US.
Ova Obsessive, 2014
Lot Number 24
Ink, fibreglass
Dimensions Variable - Height: 30 inches Weight: 36 pounds
Online bidding for this work ended on April 26, 2014 at 3:00pm ET.
Interested in this work? Contact us.
This auction benefits
Faberge Big Egg Hunt Learn More
Sponsored by Fabergé, the event is 100% charitable, raising money for children in NYC through Studio in a School, and conservation efforts through Elephant Family.


text: I will be flying from the West Coast to FLL and arriving at dinner time, can you please tell me what places are open for a quick bite before I start my two hour drive across the "alley" to Naples. Is there a Cracker Barrel or Mel's Diner or something like that open on Thankgiving Day where I could have a quick bite to eat? Thanks for any and all suggestions for this area. I look forward to your replies.


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Lyker Suit
AU$ 130.00 including VAT
Cut from soft, stretchy ribbing, this simple suit is so comfortable you'll want to wear it everywhere. Insert panels in the back give a flowing, drapey fit. The low waist and tapered legs add sporty nonchalance. Style the neck and waistline to make it your own.
Straight Fit
- Adjustable waistband
- Legs narrow down from waist to hem
- Button closure
Model is 1.76m and is wearing a size S (Chest 86cm, Waist 63cm, Hips 90cm). See size guide


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Card Sleeves 65-pack Standard Size: Gurren Lagann BeachDeck Protector Sleeves 66 x 91 mm
By Ultra Pro
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Our Deck Protector sleeves are produced with archival-safe polypropylene materials and feature Ultra PRO's hologram quality seal. Sized 66mm X 91mm, they are designed to store and protect standard sized gaming cards and are packed in 65-count peggable packs.
65 Sleeves Per Pack


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roblems arise in other forms of written communication that require translation. Advertisements, for example, are almost always translated into the language of the country in which the products are being sold. Documents such as warranties, repair and maintenance manuals, and product labels also require translation. In addition, some multinational companies must translate policy and procedure manuals and benefit plans for use in overseas offices. Reports from foreign subsidiaries to the home office may also be written in one language and then translated into another.
Sometimes the translations arent very good. For example, the well-known slogan "Come alive with Pepsi" was translated literally for Asian markets as "Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave," with unfortunate results. Part of the message is almost inevitably lost during any translation process, sometimes with major consequences.
Barriers to oral communication
Oral communication usually presents more problems than written communication. If you have ever studied a foreign language, you know from personal experience that its easier to write in a foreign language than to conduct a conversation. Even if the other person is speaking English, youre likely to have a hard time understanding the pronunciation if the person is not proficient in English. For example, many foreigners notice no difference between the English sounds v and w, they say wery for very. At the same time, many people from North America cannot pronounce some of the sounds that are frequently used in other parts of the world.
In addition to pronouncing sounds differently, people use their voices in different ways, a fact that often leads to misunderstanding. The Russians, for example, speak in flat level tones in their native tongue. When they speak English, they maintain this pattern, and Westerners may assume that they are bored or rude. Middle Easterners tend to speak more loudly than Westerners and may therefore mistakenly be considered more emotional. On the other hand, the Japanese are soft-spoken, a characteristic that implies politeness or humility to Westerners.
Idiomatic expressions are another source of confusion. If you tell a foreigner that a certain product "doesnt cut the mustard," chances are that you will fail to communicate. Even when the words make sense, their meanings may differ according to the situation. For example, suppose that you are dining with a German woman who speaks English quite well. You inquire, "More bread?" She says, "Thank you," so you pass the bread. She looks confused, then takes the breadbasket and sets it down without taking any. In German, thank you (danke) can also be used as a polite refusal. If the woman had wanted more bread, she would have used the word please (bitte in German).
When speaking in English to those for whom English is a second language, follow these simple guidelines:
Try to eliminate "noise." Pronounce words clearly, and stop at distinct punctuation points. Make one point at a time.
Look for feedback. Be alert to glazed eyes or signs of confusion in your listener. Realise that nods and smiles do not necessarily mean understanding. Dont be afraid to ask, "Is that clear?" and be sure to check the listeners comprehension through specific questions. Encourage the listener to ask questions.
Rephrase your sentence when necessary. If someone doesnt seem to understand what you have said, choose simpler words; dont just repeat the sentence in a louder voice.
Dont talk down to the other person. Americans tend to overenunciate and to "blame" the listener for lack of comprehension. It is preferable to use phrases such as "Am I going too fast?" rather than "Is this too difficult for you?"
Use objective, accurate language. Americans tend to throw around adjectives such as fantastic and fabulous, which foreigners consider unreal and overly dramatic. Calling something a "disaster" will give rise to images of war and death; calling someone an "idiot" or a "prince" may be taken literally.
Let other people finish what they have to say. If you interrupt, you may miss something important. And youll show a lack of respect.
As we know, misunderstandings are especially likely to occur when the people who are communicating have different backgrounds. Party A encodes a message in one context, using assumptions common to people in his or her culture; Party B decodes the message using a different set of assumptions. The result is confusion and, often, hard feelings. For example, take the case of the computer sales representative who was calling on a client in China. Hoping to make a good impression, the salesperson brought along a gift to break the ice, an expensive grandfather clock. Unfortunately, the Chinese client was deeply offended because, in China, giving clocks as gifts is considered bad luck for the recipient.
Such problems arise because of our unconscious assumptions and non-verbal communication patterns. We ignore the fact that people from other cultures differ from us in many ways: in their religion and values, their ideas of status, their decision-making habits, their attitude toward time, their use of space, their body language, and their manners. We assume, wrongly, that other people are like us. At Vons, management has spent a great deal of time learning about the cultural preferences of the stores Hispanic customers.
Religion and values
Although North America is a melting pot of people with different religions and values, the predominant influence in this culture is the Puritan ethic: If you work hard and achieve success, you will find favour in the eyes of God. They tend to assume that material comfort is a sign of superiority, that the rich are a little bit better than the poor, that people who work hard are better than those who dont. They believe that money solves many problems. They assume that people from other cultures share their view, that they dislike poverty and value hard work. In fact, many societies condemn materialism and prize a carefree life-style.
As a culture, they are goal-oriented. They want to get the work done in the most efficient manner, and they assume that everyone else does too. They think they are improving things if they can figure out a way for two people using modern methods to do the same work as four people using the "old way." But in countries like India and Pakistan, where unemployment is extremely high, creating jobs is more important than getting the work done efficiently. Executives in these countries would rather employ four workers than two.
Roles and status
Culture dictates the roles people play, including who communicates with whom, what they communicate, and in what way. In many countries, for example, women still do not play a very prominent role in business. As a result, female executives from American firms may find themselves sent off to eat in a separate room with the wives of Arab businessmen, while the men all eat dinner together.
Concepts of status also differ, and as a consequence, people establish their credibility in different ways. North Americans, for example, send status signals that reflect materialistic values. The big boss has the corner office on the top floor, deep carpets, an expensive desk, and handsome accessories. The most successful companies are located in the most prestigious buildings. In other countries, status is communicated in other ways. For example, the highest-ranking executives in France sit in the middle of an open area, surrounded by lower-level employees. In the Middle East, fine possessions are reserved for the home, and business is conducted in cramped and modest quarters. An American executive who assumes that these office arrangements indicate a lack of status is making a big mistake.
Decision-making customs
In North America, they try to reach decisions as quickly and efficiently as possible. The top people focus on reaching agreement on the main points and leave the details to be worked out later by others. In Greece, this approach would backfire. A Greek executive assumes that anyone who ignores the details is being evasive and untrustworthy. Spending time on every little point is considered a mark of good faith. Similarly, Latin Americans prefer to make their deals slowly, after a lengthy period of discussion. They resist an authoritarian "Heres the deal, take it or leave it" approach, preferring the more sociable method of an extended discussion.
Cultures also differ in terms of who makes the decisions. In american culture, many organisations are dominated by a single figure who says yes or no to every deal. It is the same in Pakistan, where you can get a decision quickly if you reach the highest-ranking executive. In other cultures, notably China and Japan, decision making is a shared responsibility. No individual has the authority to commit the organisation without first consulting others. In Japan, for example, the negotiating team arrives at a consensus through an elaborate, time-consuming process (agreement must be complete there is no majority rule). If the process is not laborious enough, the Japanese feel uncomfortable.
Concepts of time
Differing perceptions of time are another factor that can lead to misunderstandings. An executive from North America or Germ


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Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi, known in Japan as Dragon Ball: Ultimate Blast , is a video game based of the manga and anime franchise Dragon Ball. It was developed by Spike and distributed by Namco Bandai starting late October of 2011 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 gaming consoles.
The game is a 3D fighter that allows players to take controls of various characters from the Dragon Ball franchise or created by the player to either fight against the AI, or with another player locally or online.
Source: Wikipedia, "Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi", available under the CC-BY-SA License.


text:
'The HP Pavilion dv6t (1030us) is tailor-made for frugal fashionistas.'
'general-purpose notebook'
'perfect business laptop'
'The HP Pavilion dv6-1225ef is fairly noisy.'
'I needed a laptop that was light, durable, and had a full-size keyboard for a weeklong business trip, so I brought the review unit of the 2530p with me.'
'Their compact form factor is crucial for people who need to have their PC with them all the time, especially frequent business travelers.'
'great performance'
'amazingly solid keyboard'
'the Pavilion dv4040us is a good selection for those who need storage space and memory'
'Also, this notebook has 128MB of video RAM, which is more favorable than some similarly priced notebooks.'
'The notebook's performance on the PCMark05 test suite was average for systems of this caliber, with a score of 4,835.'
'The laptop is light, too; with a 5.4-pound frame, it's definitely manageable in a briefcase.'
'Luckily, if there's one thing the $1,849 HP Compaq 2510p can be counted on for, it's reliability'
'Lacks software bundle'
'Everyone hates bloatware, even HP apparently.'
'Surprisingly, though, the low power consumption doesn't result in an impressive battery life'
'Enjoy exceptional future-ready desktop performance'
'Has 256MB of video RAM, which is more favorable than some similarly priced notebooks.'
'The nc843 is extremely well made.'
'Has 256MB of video RAM, which is somewhat more favorable than some similarly priced notebooks.'
'powered by the new AMD Turion X2 dual core 64-bit processor'
'Given its very inexpensive price, this notebook has great features for the money.'
'Relatively slow productivity performance.'
'full-size keyboard'
ReviewGist helps you find the best products to buy by making sense of online reviews.
We are currently aggregating 376,500 reviews
covering over 29,484 products.
© 2018 ReviewGist.com. All Rights Reserved.


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A GRIEVING father is considering taking legal action against a health trust in light of a damning report about it failing to investigate unexpected deaths.
Chris Lynch branded it 'ridiculous' after a leaked report showed Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust did not investigate the unexpected deaths of more than 1,000 mental health and learning-disability patients.
Mr Lynch's daughter, Joanna Lynch, died last year at the age of 30 after taking an overdose of prescription medication.
An inquest in January heard her desperate pleas to be admitted to hospital and threats to take her own life were not acted upon by staff at Southern Health.
At the time, the organisation, which runs mental health services in south-east Hampshire, said lessons had been learned and changes had been put in place to better support people during a crisis.
But Mr Lynch said the damning report suggested deep-rooted problems in the organisation.
The draft report, commissioned by NHS England and carried out by auditor Mazars, looked at more than 10,000 deaths at the trust between April 2011 and March 2015, of which 1,454 were unexpected.
It found just 195 – 13 per cent – were treated as a 'serious incident requiring investigation' and the likelihood of an unexpected death being investigated depended hugely on the type of patient.
Mr Lynch, who runs The Rising Sun pub in Clanfield, is now seeking legal advice about whether to take action against Southern Health.
He said: 'This has all the hallmarks of a systematic failure in processes, in communication and management.
'It's systematic and it's institutionalised in the practices that are going on.'
He added: 'What we did not realise is things been going on years before Joanna became involved.
'If good comes of this and other parents don't have to go through losing their own child or a relation, then it will be worthwhile. I think we were fobbed off.'
Meanwhile, Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage has spoken of her concerns.
She said: 'Although this report is in draft form, it is damning of Southern Health's investigation into the deaths of disabled and mentally ill patients.
'This is obviously of immense concern to those of us who represent families in this region. Local MPs will need answers and we have asked to meet Southern Health as a matter of urgency.'
A statement from Southern Health said improvements have already been made, including setting up a new central investigation team.
The statement added: 'When the final report is published by NHS England we will review the recommendations and make any further changes necessary to ensure the processes through which we report, investigate and learn from deaths are of the highest possible standard.'


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Guidelines to renting a property
Home is where the heart is, and choosing the right apartment is the key to happy and enjoyable experiences in Singapore. Every area in Singapore and every home has its own unique appeals. That is why it's really important to choose a neighbourhood that matches your requirements. With decade-long experience, we are able to assist you greatly in choosing the perfect home with least hassle. To maintain good security, Singapore is also more strict when it comes to immigration. Therefore, a good agent is able to advise the requirements accordingly.
Over the years, I've seen and undertaken the leasing of many kinds of property, from the really porsche good class bungalows with taps made out of gold, to old walk-up apartments in secluded locations with shocking conditions. I must say, all can be rented out if the price is right and the unit is properly maintained. The key measurement is 'you are willing to stay in it yourself'. Engaging too many agents isn't going to help you achieve a high price but instead, you are likely to end up with a lower one. My other article on 5 rules to achieve the best price will explain this in detail. To the tenants, the state of upkeep will reflect the landlord's character, and nobody will want a difficult landlord.
The minimum legal least term in Singapore for renting is 6 months. Anything lesser than 6 months will have to resort to staying in service apartments that are much more expensive. Tenants will also have to have at least a valid dependent pass or employment pass to enter a tenancy agreement. The soonest you can make an offer for a unit is when your approval-in-principal for employment pass is ready, giving your FIN number. This is where you or your agent prepares the Letter of Intent (LOI).
The LOI is signed by the main tenant, stating things like the occupants, tenancy period, required furnishing, amendments, etc, and handed to the landlord with 1-month rental as Good Faith Deposit. Usually, a verbal offer or acceptance is made before preparing of the LOI to simplify processes. While it is indicated that LOI is subjected to contract, there are exceptional circumstances where the 4 elements of a enforceable contract is valid (Offer, Acceptance, Consideration, Intention). So it is advisable to stay firm once a decision is made.
The Tenancy Agreement (TA), is the key legal document. Within the TA, there are a few key sections that a you need to know and understand:
- Diplomatic Clause- Diplomatic Clause is a clause to allow tenant to terminate the tenancy in the event of leaving Singapore. This clause will only be applicable for expatriates only and for TA with minimum lease term of 2 years. In another words, when tenants are Singaporean or Permanent Residents, the TA will not contain Diplomatic Clause. Under Diplomatic Clause, termination notice can only be served after 12 months of tenancy with a official written notice served in advance a minimum of 2 months. Should the minimum duration of 12 months tenancy or 2 months advance notice not been meet, rental will have to be paid up to the point that fulfils this condition. The landlord will be entitled to deduct the pro-rated commission (based on the balance tenancy) paid to their agent for renting the place.
- Safety Deposit– Safety deposit is 1-month rent for every 1 year lease. That means a 2-year lease will require 2 months of rent as safety deposit. This safety deposit cannot be used to offset rental, even when approaching the end of tenancy. It has to be returned to tenant once everything is made good when the unit is handed back to landlord.
- Defects Liability Period– The first 30 days of the tenancy is a defects liability period for the landlord. As tenants, it is best to go through all appliances and equipment within this period and bring up any defects to the landlord. Once this period is over, Minor Repair Clause will commence, and tenants will have to bear the charges. This is one of the most common disputes between landlords and tenants, especially when some defects occur during the 2nd or 3rd month.
- Minor Repair Clause– Due to the fact that items may be defective over time and most of the times items are not new when the unit was taken over, a Minor Repair Clause limits the tenant's obligations up to $150 per item exclusive of GST. This is a commonly agreed amount but for some higher end properties, Minor Repair Clause can be set at $200 or more.
- Air Conditioner Servicing– This is an important clause to note because most contract will state requiring tenant to sign up servicing package with a reliable air-con serviceman and have the air-con serviced quarterly. Although air-con defects is undertaken by the landlord, should the tenant not service the air-con, tenant will bear the responsibility to rectify the defective air-con.
- Stamp Duty– The cost of stamping is to be borne by tenant. Stamping is compulsory because it allows the TA to be a legal court evidences in the event of dispute. Because the tenant is the party making the offer to obtain certain rights in return, stamp duty is payable by tenant. It is similar to buyers paying stamp duty in a property purchase, not the seller. The formula for calculating rental stamp duty is a 0.4% x Total rent for whole lease term. That means, if a unit is rented at $5000 per month for 2 years, the stamp duty would be $480. Stamping can be done online at www.iras.gov.sg and upon payment, a copy of the stamp certificate will be issued. Landlords will need to hold a copy of the TA and the stamp certificate just in case of selling the unit with tenancy.
In Singapore, rent is mentioned as inclusive of Goods & Service Tax (GST), management fees and taxes, unless otherwise stated. Utility bills, television channels subscriptions, internet subscriptions or any other kind of subscriptions are under tenants' liabilities. Rent is also payable ahead. Once the TA is signed by both parties, the tenant is required to pay the first month's rent together with the balance safety deposit if any.
Once the date of handover is determined and the TA is signed, tenant can proceed to take up any subscriptions needed for the new address. The most important will be to apply for utilities to start from the day of handover in order not to have bill conflicts down the road. The landlords' representing agent will prepare a list of inventory for this handover. Each party will keep a copy of the inventory list once all items checked and signed.
Any feedbacks or enquiries, feel free to contact Henry at +65 8686 8388 or email to email@example.com. We will be glad to help. You may also visit our portfolio of leasing properties and you may just find something that suits you. Alternatively, you may fill up the form below and submit.


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Ginger Chutney with Green Chillies
This is my submission for Think Spice-Ginger hosted by Sunita of http://sunitabhuyan.blogspot.com/
Ingredients :
Sooji or bombai ravva-1 cup
Chopped onion-1
Chopped green chillies-2
Ginger-small piece
Dry red chilly-1
Curry leaves-few
For seasoning : Gram dal-1/4 tesson, urad dal ;-1/4 teaspoon, Cumin seeds-1/4 teaspoon, Mustard seeds-1/4 teaspoon and Salt to taste
Oiil-2 tablespoons
Method :
1. Heat the oil in a pan and add the red dry chilly pieces, gram dal, urad dal, mustard seeds, cumin seeds and let them splutter.
2. Add the chopped pieces of ginger, green chilli and chopped onion and fry them until they become soft.
3. Add 3 cups of water and salt and boil it on medium flame.
4. Lower the flame and add the ravva with continuous stirring. If the ravva is dry roasted for three to four minutes, the upma tastes very nice.
5. Cook it for five minutes and turn off the stove.
Ingredients :
Green grams or pesalu-2 cups
Fenugreek seeds or menthulu-1/4 teaspoon
Rice-1/4 cup
Ginger-1 inch piece
Cumin seeds or jeera-1 teaspoon
Salt to taste
Oil-4 tablespoons
1. Soak the green grams overnight along with the rice and fenugreek seeds.2. Wash and grind them with cumin seeds, salt, water and ginger into dosa batter consistency.
3. Heat a non stick pan and pour the batter with a laddle and spread it into a circle.4. Add one teaspoon of oil at the edges of the circle. Let it cook on medium flame.
5. Flip it over and add a laddle of upma and fold it. Serve on a plate. If you do not want to add upma, you can add chopped onions green chillies and fold the pesarattu.
Ginger Chutney
Ingredients :
Ginger-50 grams
Green chillies-5
Grated jaggery-2 spoons
Tamarind-small berry sized
Turmeric powder-a pinch
Jeera-1 teaspoon
Garlic cloves-2
Oil-2 tablespoons
For Seasoning : ¼ teaspoon gram dal, ¼ teaspoon urad dal, ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds, few curry leaves and 4pieces of red dry chilly
Method:1. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the green chilli, turmeric powder and cumin seeds on low flame.
2. Before turning off the stove add the tamarind and garlic cloves and fry them for one minute.
3. Peel off the ginger and cut it into small pieces and fry until they turn brown. Grind all the fried ingredients along with the salt and jaggery.
4. In the same pan, heat the remaining oil and fry the red dry chilly pieces, gram dal, urad dal, mustard seeds and curry leaves.
5. Turn off the stove and add it to the grinded chutney. It will keep for 4-5 days.
Ginger Tea
Ingredients :
Milk- ¾ cup
Water-1/4 cup
Red Lable tea powder or any other brand-1 tablespoon
Sugar-1 tablespoon
Ginger-1 inch piece
1. Heat the milk and water in a vessel on medium flame and add the tea powder.
2. After boiling for three minutes add the crushed ginger and lower the flame.
3. Add sugar and let it boil for three more minutes.
4. Turn off the stove and filter the tea into a cup using the filter.
5. Drink it hot.


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This Hour I read:
Finished Bright Hopes by Pat Warren – Total Pages to read 277
Started Wisconsin Wedding by Carla Neggers – Total Pages to read 276
Pages Read This Hour – 77
I read for 60 minutes
Total pages read: 655
Total minutes read: 9 hours 58 minutes
Completed Bright Hopes by Pat Warren…. 3 books completed – 2 out of the same series…Definitely love the series I brought along….I do love to read a series when it's about a family and/or about a community of how they find "the one" and the obstacles that they go through for love and it helps when it has a little mystery to solve in there plot as well....
I can tell you this hour was the first time I really felt sleepy… Even getting some grub made it partially better but still feeling it… hoping a brown sundae with help down the line… Chocolate!!!!
Let the Reading continue..


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hey all!
its a new month! its finally september
wait did i say FINALLY SEPTEMBER
well school has started and i feel generally crazed i mean, i have school and then golf, so im re-starting my routine, so i picked…
well, as i said before, i seem to be getting back into my routine! wake up – school- golf/art -homework-sleep
wake up – school- golf/art -homework-sleep
this is pretty much how my days have ended up
how will i try to be more 'routine' this month?
well, the definition of routine is "a sequence of actions regularly followed; a fixed program" according to google so i plan on building my routine to have more weekend time and free times on friday nights and such. i would also like more time for myself and meetings for clubs and committees that i am on!
also speaking about a new routine! i am planning on making fashion and clothing related posts on thursdays, life/school related posts on tuesdays and my series posts on sundays! does that sound good to y'all?
thanks for reading!
let me know an intention that you have for your month!
(aka kate wins!)


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WOW!!!! We had an INCREDIBLE Christmas!! It was our first time to stay home and wake up in our own home on Christmas morning. Graham came into our room at 7 and told us that Santa ate his cookies and left a scooter, tent, and shopping cart. He was SO excited and it was SO fun to watch him. Luke and Carter were clueless but had lots of fun playing with new toys. We all stayed in our jammies pretty much all day and only got out once a little before 5 to go look at some Christmas lights. Oh, and we had a white Christmas ... it couldn't have been much more perfect :)
Loving the new toys
Luke eating some cereal
Carter LOVES his new tunnel
All 3 boys love the new trampoline from Bet Bet and Snacks
Graham and Kevin had fun in the snow
If you want to see more pics from our Christmas click here: http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?albumId=8186374800105&ownerId=67994304105


text: Food & Fitness Weekly Planner Insert Perfect addition to your planner to help with weekly accountability or alongside your Crazy Runderful Training Plan! The download is in a PDF file so you may print as many as you want! Page is sized at 7"x9.25" $5.00 – Purchase Checkout Added to cart Related


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(March 21-April 19)
Give yourself a break. More specifically a break from over thinking.
(April 20-May 20)
Complicated people will make you bite your tongue, otherwise if you don't, you will end up lashing them with your tongue and really give them a piece of your mind.
(May 21-June 20)
Indulgence is a-okay. It's over indulgence you need to be mindful of.
(June 21-July 22)
You are one of the most giving signs. Sometimes you give to a fault.
(July 23-August 22)
It's not up to you to fix everyone else. Don't take the stress on. Sure help, but also be sure to establish emotional boundaries.
(August 23-September 22)
Sweet hearts and people with good taste will draw you in.
(September 23-October 22)
Don't worry, it's just an overstretch of your imagination, which means your worry is not based on reality.
(October 23-November 21)
Your creativity will impress people. Maybe even to the point of them wanting to invest in your idea or craft.
(November 22- December 21)
Your good karma will be like a cup of melted gold flowing over. Why? Well big blessings are on the rise for you and even you will be surprised at all the green lights ahead.
(December 22-January 19)
You will be asked a private question or someone will ask you to perform a tedious task. They will be pleased when you actually oblige.
(January 20-February 18)
Relationships might be tiring and may even stretch your patience. Nevertheless, you will make it work somehow.
(February 19-March 20)
Do not worry if you are lacking growth right now in a specific area. Whether it's work, exercise or a new relationship, there is always room for advancement.
Copyright © 2018 Cerise Fairfax
SOUL COACHING || RELATIONSHIP COACHING || DAILY SCOPES™ (horoscopes) || WEEKLY WEDNESDAY NUMEROLOGY || SOUL COACH TIPS || AFFIRMATIONS || Add Cerise On Social Media::: || Instagram-(cerise fairfax) || Snap Chat-(cerise fairfax) || Twitter-(cerise fairfax) || Pintrest-(cerise fairfax) || G+-(cerise fairfax) || YouTube-(cerise fairfax) || Facebook-(https://www.facebook.com/Cerise-Fairfax-52899836449/?fref=nf ) TO BOOK A SESSION: Contact Cerise directly by email- firstname.lastname@example.com call or text (416) 722-5233~~ MAY GOD BLESS YOU, LOVE YOU & PLACE EVERLASTING GRACE UPON YOU ~Cerise


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Helicopter serves as ground crew
If you've been following the progress of the prairie survey crews, you know that the pilot biologists and their observers are working with ground crews that conduct thorough searches of some segments of the lines the air crews fly. This allows us to create a Visibility Correction Factor—to improve overall survey estimates. But since roads are literally few and far between in northern Quebec, a ground crew would have no access to the survey transects the pilot biologist flies. So, we take a different approach to "ground truthing" here. After the fixed-wing air crew (Jim Wortham and Scott Boomer) flies a 180-mile survey line, we use a helicopter to conduct the thorough follow-up search of an 18-mile segment of that line.
It takes Jim and Scott 10 minutes to fly an 18-mile segment at survey speed, and they get one chance to see and identify birds that are out in the open, or birds that flush, as they fly the segment. They usually have to make split-second decisions on the species and sex of the birds they see. The helicopter crew, in contrast, spends about an hour and a half on a single segment, more if there's a lot of water on the segment. We fly the perimeter of each lake, river, and large wetland on the segment at low altitude, trying to flush any birds near the edges out into open water where we can count and identify them accurately. We have the luxury of being able to hover near diving birds (like scoters and mergansers) until they surface, or of chasing birds that have flushed from the segment before we could get a good look, so we can be sure we've identified them correctly. In addition to the larger bodies of water, our pilot gives us a close look at every small wetland on the segment, and follows every little stream or creek.
Samantha Gibbs and I arrived in Toronto the afternoon of May 16, where Doug Holtby, our helicopter pilot, picked us up. Doug works for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources; he's very experienced at this work, a terrific helicopter pilot and a great guy to work with. We rendezvoused with Jim and Scott, and the next day we all flew to Chibougamau, Quebec, where we were in position to begin surveying the 10 transect lines that we have in northern Quebec. Unlike many of the prairie crews, we got lucky with the weather and both fixed-wing and helicopter crews were able to fly 5 of the next 6 days. That streak ended today, and now we're in Wabush, Labrador (right near the Quebec border) with one line left to fly in the northern Quebec area.
Water levels are lower than normal here, but I doubt if that has much effect on the breeding duck numbers. It still seems like there's water everywhere, with lakes, rivers, and string bogs as far as you can see from any altitude. It's striking to me that there are no ducks or geese on the great majority of these bodies of water and wetlands; I suppose the birds only select the most productive ones, but they sure aren't distinguishable to my eye. The most common species we see in this area are usually black ducks, scoters (surf and black), mergansers, goldeneyes, Canada geese, green-winged teal, and scaup. This is only my third year here, but compared to the other 2 years, I've seen more hooded mergansers, fewer goldeneyes, and about the same numbers of the other species.


text:
Argh, sorry readers (if there are any of you left). I dropped the blogging ball - it's been a bit adjustment this year, getting into the PhD and still writing books and doing school visits and writing articles and managing to keep myself fed and clothed. I've also been rather obsessively preoccupied with organising our Big Trip in September and October: Mj and I are going to London, then driving across the US from New York to LA via Everything, then a few days in Tokyo on the way home. It's kind of research, because my PhD novel is about a bunch of kids who blow off a Junior UN Summit and go on a road trip across the US. But mostly it will be Awesome. I got a bit addicted to Priceline, which is kind of like eBay for hotels. You specify the area you want to stay in, and the star class of your hotel, and then plug in the price you're willing to pay. Maybe you'll "win" a hotel, maybe you won't. I've booked us 4 star hotels in New Orleans, Dallas, Amarillo, Vegas and Nashville for under $60 US, and one very special 5 star hotel in London for under $200 a night. It's like gambling, but more productive!
I'm going to try and blog as much of our road trip as possible.
Thanks for all the lovely words you've been saying about Pocketful of Eyes, too! It's lovely to hear. And to all of you (and there seems to be a LOT of you) who are asking if there will be a sequel - I didn't consider it at all when I was writing, but now that there's so many requests for one... well, I'm considering it. Watch this space.


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The flowers have bloomed, temperatures have spiked, and the sun has finally come out of hibernation, which means summer is nearly here. While everyone anxiously awaits summer, teenagers, in particular, live for those precious two months of the year where there is no school, no snow, and limited parental supervision.
It's natural for teenagers to crave independence, especially during the summer months when parents are at work during the day. Unfortunately, this freedom often leads parents to worry about their teen's safety. Fortunately, technology has come to the rescue with apps and gadgets that help ease parental concerns by compiling driver report cards, sending automatic location notifications, and alerting parents to any collisions that may occur.
Family Tracker
Family Tracker is an application that allows parents to track the location of teens via their smartphones. Two of the standout aspects of this application are the geofencing technology and the Stealth Ping. Geofencing sends real-time notifications when teens leave a preset geographic area, allowing parents to know immediately if their teen isn't where they are supposed to be. In addition to geofencing, parents can utilize Stealth Ping which sends a location update from a smartphone without teen's even knowing it's been sent. Even more impressive is the fact that this application works worldwide so that parents can keep tabs on their teen while on vacation too.
OnStar Teen Driver
Onstar has always valued driver safety, and their Teen Driver system is no exception. The Teen Driver system allows parents to set up a PIN code and specific key for teen drivers. Under this code, certain safety features can be preset, like speed warnings and maximum speed limits. Parents can even choose to mute sound system volume until all passengers have fastened their seat belts. In addition to the features that keep teens safe while they're physically on the road, a driving report card keeps parents informed of teen driving habits, so they know what to discuss with their teens once they're back at home. It's an impressive app that's a no-brainer for parents who already own an OnStar-enabled vehicle.
Life 360
This app combines location and communication to ease anxiety when teens are on the road alone. Parents can instantly view on a map where everyone in their private circle is located and preset arrival alerts for common locations. The best features of Life360 are the driving analytics, crash detection, and emergency response system. Detailed reviews of driving patterns allow parents to see any phone use, rapid acceleration, hard braking, and top speeds. The application also automatically detects when an accident has occurred and calls the user involved. If immediate assistance is required emergency services are alerted and sent to the exact location of the accident while staying on the line with your teen. Once emergency services have been alerted, Life360 automatically notifies emergency contacts and circle members, so everyone knows what is going on. It's the ultimate safety application for new drivers and worried parents alike.
Watching a teenager back out of the driveway for the first time (or every time) causes every parent to worry. Fortunately, safe driving apps can provide crucial driving analytics, location alerts, and peace of mind so parents can enjoy their summer vacation just as much as their teens.
Kali Muir is an ambitious freelance writer with a BA in Communications. She was born in Canada but has since lived in Norway, Denmark, and England. Her work experience is as diverse as her past addresses, including roles in technical communication, corporate communication, marketing, and article writing. She has experience working in varied business sectors: Oil & Gas, Engineering & Technology, Clothing & Equipment Retail, and Creative Writing. Follow Kali's professional and personal journey at www.kalimuir.com, or connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter.


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– 07/31/2009 – BURLINGTON, MASS. – July 30, 2009 – iBasis, Inc. (NASDAQ: IBAS) today announced that the Special Committee of its Board of Directors has unanimously determined that Royal KPN N.V.'s (AMS: KPN and OTC: KKPNY.PK) ("KPN") unsolicited tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of iBasis common stock for $1.55 cash per share is grossly inadequate and not in the best interests of iBasis' minority stockholders other than KPN and its affiliates. Accordingly, the Special Committee recommends, on behalf of iBasis, that the minority stockholders reject KPN's offer and not tender their shares pursuant to the offer.
The Special Committee's decision was made after careful consideration, including a review of the financial aspects of KPN's unsolicited offer, with its independent financial and legal advisors, Jefferies & Company, Inc. and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, respectively.
"After carefully analyzing KPN's unsolicited tender offer with independent financial and legal advisors, the Special Committee unanimously concluded that it is opportunistic, grossly inadequate and not in the best interests of iBasis' minority stockholders," said W. Frank King, Chairman of the Special Committee of iBasis' Board of Directors. "iBasis today is a leading wholesale carrier of international long distance calls. KPN's offer significantly undervalues the Company's current performance and long-term prospects and fails to compensate minority stockholders for iBasis' substantial growth opportunities and the numerous initiatives that are underway and expected to meaningfully contribute to the Company's earnings. Furthermore, as KPN and its representatives on the iBasis Board are well aware, iBasis recently completed the integration of KPN's international wholesale long distance voice business, which is now delivering important near- and long-term benefits. In addition, we believe the offer was timed to exploit the Company's depressed stock price.
"The Special Committee and management team are committed to maximizing value for all iBasis stockholders. We will take all necessary steps to ensure that minority stockholders receive full value for their investment in iBasis. Accordingly, the Board recommends that the minority stockholders reject KPN's offer and not tender their shares into the offer," concluded Mr. King.
Reasons for the Special Committee's Recommendation
The Special Committee has conducted a thorough review and consideration of the offer, and, after consultation with members of senior management and the Special Committee's independent legal and financial advisors, has unanimously determined that the offer is grossly inadequate, opportunistic and not in the best interests of the Company and its minority stockholders.
Accordingly, and for the reasons described in more detail below, the Special Committee unanimously recommends that the minority stockholders reject the offer and not tender their shares to KPN pursuant to the offer.
The Special Committee considered each of the following factors in support of its recommendation that the minority stockholders reject the offer and not tender their shares to KPN in the offer:
KPN's $1.55 per share offer significantly undervalues iBasis' current results and long-term prospects and does not adequately compensate the minority stockholders for their shares.
- Industry Leader. The Company is a leading wholesale carrier of international long distance telephone calls.
- The Company transported 23.5 billion minutes of traffic over the iBasis Network in 2008, a volume of traffic that positions it among the largest carriers of international traffic in the world, based on global traffic statistics contained in the industry analyst publication TeleGeography 2009.
- The Company's network infrastructure includes one of the world's largest international VoIP networks and has over 1,000 points of presence in more than 100 countries to facilitate the termination of voice traffic for approximately 800 carrier customers worldwide.
- oThe Company's VoIP network is based on technologically-advanced switchless architecture, leveraging hardware, as well as patented and patent-pending technology for quality management and advanced routing, which results in higher voice quality, call completion and call duration for the Company's customers.
- Substantial Growth Opportunities. We believe the Company has substantial growth opportunities from organic growth of its traditional business, from outsourcing and via acquisitions.
- Organic Growth of Traditional Wholesale Business. We believe the overall growth of the international voice market, particularly the wholesale and VoIP segments, present attractive opportunities. According to TeleGeography, total international voice traffic grew at a compounded annual growth rate of 14.0% from 2002 to 2008. International VoIP traffic, as a subset of total traffic, grew faster at a compounded annual growth rate of 32.8% and grew from 10.5% to 22.6% of total traffic volume over the same time period. Similar to VoIP traffic growth, wholesale traffic has grown at a compounded annual growth rate of 18.3% from 2005 to 2008, achieving 56.4% of the total traffic volume from 51.3% over the same period. We believe the Company's position as a leading wholesale carrier, and its strength in VoIP, position it to benefit from the growth in the overall international voice market, and particularly in the faster growth VoIP and wholesale segments.
- Outsourcing. We believe that the outsourcing of international voice traffic by carriers will accelerate in the coming years, as the international voice business becomes increasingly commoditized and carriers continue to realize that they do not have the scale and efficiencies of international wholesale providers. In our view, this trend is evidenced by the increasing number of such arrangements entered into over the last 18 months. Carriers such as TDC A/S, British Telecom and MTN have outsourced their international voice business to international wholesale providers to realize operational and capital cost savings. We strongly believe that our experience and expertise in outsourcing, as demonstrated by our integration of KPN and TDC's international voice business, combined with our scale and technologically advanced network architecture, including our patented and patent-pending technology for quality management and advanced routing, and our new integrated billing and ERP Systems, position the Company to capture a leading share of the emerging outsourcing market. We also note that the emerging outsourcing model generally involves a more stable flow of traffic, which we believe will provide stable profitability for this business segment.
- Acquisition. Due to the highly fragmented nature of the international voice market, we believe that there will be a number of opportunities to acquire the wholesale operations of retailers and carriers, which would permit the Company to solidify and expand its network footprint, increase its scale and geographic reach and create revenue and cost synergies. The Company's 2008 transaction with TDC A/S is an example of the acquisition of an incumbent carrier's international wholesale business in combination with the outsourcing of the carrier's own international traffic.
The offer is grossly inadequate from a financial point of view to iBasis' minority stockholders.
- The Special Committee considered the financial analyses of Jefferies & Company, Inc. presented to the Special Committee at its meeting on July 29, 2009 and Jefferies' written opinion, dated July 29, 2009, to the Special Committee, that, as of that date and based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth therein, the consideration proposed to be paid to the holders of shares (other than KPN and any of its affiliates) pursuant to the KPN offer was inadequate from a financial point of view to such holders. The full text of the written opinion of Jefferies, dated July 29, 2009, which sets forth assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken in connection with the opinion, is attached as Annex A to the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Jefferies provided its opinion for the information and assistance of the Special Committee in connection with its consideration of the KPN offer. After considering the factors set forth herein, including the opinion of Jefferies, the Special Committee has unanimously concluded that the KPN offer is grossly inadequate from a financial point of view to the Company's minority stockholders.
The offer is opportunistic, given that the Company has just completed the integration of the KPN transaction.
- The integration of the KPN transaction was completed in Q1 2009. After investing approximately $11.8 million in integration costs, the Company has only now begun to fully realize the expected synergies from the KPN transaction, as is reflected in its Q2 2009 financial results. We note that KPN announced its intent to commence the offer less than two weeks prior to our announcement of our Q2 2009 results. At that time KPN was privy to the Company's expected results for that quarter, as a result of accelerated reporting to KPN due to its majority ownership stake and its consolidation of the Company's results in its financial reporting, as well as insight into achievements in new business development and progress on the Company's growth initiatives described below.
The KPN offer does not compensate the Company's minority stockholders for a range of other initiatives being undertaken by the Company that will start to meaningfully impact earnings within the next year and beyond.
- Strategic Pricing Initiative. At the outset of this year the Company launched a strategic pricing initiative that in our view has been instrumental in shedding low-margin traffic and expanding its gross margins. We believe this initiative will allow the Company to maintain its average margin per minute, despite anticipated reductions in average revenue per minute, while also freeing network resources to pursue higher-margin growth. Although this initiative, as expected, has resulted in a drop in traffic and revenue in the short term, as the process stabilizes in the near future we believe the Company has strengthened its internal systems, policies and practices to resume profitable revenue growth. During the second half of fiscal 2009, the emphasis of the Company's strategic pricing initiative is on significantly automating and optimizing pricing which allows the Company's sales force to more efficiently sell a broader set of routes, resulting in additional opportunities to capture revenue.
- Increased Focus on Reducing Operating Expenses. The Company is currently focused on reducing operating expenses through a number of initiatives. These initiatives include reducing network transmission costs, reduction of service level agreements with KPN, further headcount reductions and a reduction in other general expenses. In addition, the Company implemented a salary freeze at the beginning of this year.
- New Billing and ERP Systems. The Company has recently completed its implementation of a new integrated billing system and a new ERP system which substantially expands the scale of the minutes, transactions and customers that the business can effectively manage. These are crucial steps necessary for the anticipated expansion of the business from outsourcing and acquisitions.
- Expansion of Higher Margin Mobile Services Revenue. The Company is placing significant efforts behind fully productizing and operationalizing its portfolio of international messaging, signaling, and roaming services. Specific services include GRX, IPX, SMS, MMS, GMS, Sigtran and RIS. We expect this effort to significantly expand our mobile services opportunities in a high-margin, fast growing market segment.
- New Sales Opportunities. The Company is pursuing a multitude of sales opportunities to initiate business with new customers and expand business with existing customers. The Company is beginning to benefit from the intensified focus on international traffic in the prepaid and unlimited mobile market in the U.S. as evidenced by its selection as international voice provider for a leading and growing U.S. prepaid wireless operator. In the voice over broadband space, which has been a Company strength for some time, the Company recently added major new customers, including a leading national player in Europe and a global Internet brand, which provides the Company with significant growth potential. The Company is in the process of strengthening its competitive position by leveraging and consolidating bilateral agreements to increase the number of countries in which it now has advantageous termination capabilities.
- Expanding Termination Footprint. The Company is expanding its termination footprint and geographic reach through the addition of new network points of presence throughout the world. A major emphasis is being placed in Latin America to expand the iBasis network presence.
- Meaningful Near- and Mid-Term Financial Impact. The Company anticipates that these initiatives will meaningfully and positively impact its future earnings and have the potential to generate significant value for its stockholders. KPN's offer fails to adequately compensate the Company's minority stockholders for this incremental value potential.
The offer is clearly timed to take advantage of the Company's depressed stock price.
- Significant Discount to 52-Week High. KPN's unsolicited proposal was launched at a time when the Company's stock had traded down approximately 69.9% from its 52-week high of $4.32 per share. The KPN offer represented a discount of 64.1% to the Company's 52-week high.
- KPN's Stated Premium is Based on a Stock Price that was Near 5-Year Lows. KPN has opportunistically timed its approach to take advantage of the fact that the Company's stock was trading near a 5-year low and, as indicated above, without having realized the full value of the Company's cost-saving initiatives, its position in the emerging outsourcing market or the synergies from the KPN transaction. Therefore we believe the "premium" cited by KPN is based on a stock price that is not representative of the value of the Company and is not nearly sufficient to compensate the Company's minority stockholders for the intrinsic value of their shares.
The offer is at a significant discount to the Company's 2008 Share buyback program.
- Between May 1, 2008 and August 31, 2008, the Board of Directors (supported by KPN's designees) approved a $15,000,000 Share buyback program as a result of the view that the Company's shares were trading at a substantial discount to their intrinsic value. Through this program the Company bought back 3,906,940 shares at an average price of $3.84 per share, including 2,153,140 shares at an average price of $4.14 per share in August 2008.
The offer is highly conditional, creating substantial uncertainty as to whether KPN would be required to consummate the offer.
- The Special Committee considered the fact that there are numerous, significant conditions to the offer. The conditions are broadly drafted and allow KPN to make subjective determinations which would enable KPN not to consummate the offer. Thus, the conditions create substantial uncertainty as to whether KPN would be required to consummate the offer.
- 90% Condition. The offer is conditioned on there having been validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of the offer a number of shares that, when added to the number of shares already owned by KPN, represents at least 90% of the shares outstanding immediately prior to the expiration of the offer.
- Market Changes. The offer is also conditioned on the absence of certain adverse changes in market and other conditions, including a condition that there has not occurred any decline in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the Standard & Poor's Index of 500 Industrial Companies or the NASDAQ-100 Index by an amount in excess of 15%, measured from the open of business on July 13, 2009. To the extent that any of these indices decline by an amount in excess of 15% measured from the close of business at the time of commencement of the offer, KPN is not required to complete the offer.
- Material Adverse Change. KPN may also terminate the offer if any change shall occur or be threatened or disclosed in, among other things, the business, assets, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or prospects of the Company which, in the reasonable judgment of KPN, is or may be materially adverse to the value of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or the value of the shares to KPN or any of its affiliates.
- Regulatory Conditions. The offer is also conditioned on there not being any statute, rule, regulation, interpretation, judgment, order, decree or injunction proposed, enacted, enforced, promulgated or deemed applicable to KPN or any affiliate of KPN or to the offer or a second-step merger or other business combination by KPN or any affiliate of KPN with the Company which, in the reasonable judgment of KPN, may seek or result in, among other things, (i) a challenge to or delay of the offer, (ii) limitations on the ability of KPN or its affiliates to exercise full rights of ownership of the shares or (iii) any material diminution in the benefits expected to be derived by KPN or its affiliates.
The offer is funded in significant part by the Company's own cash resulting in offering only $1.03 per share for the operations of the Company.
- As of June 30, 2009, the Company had cash and investments of approximately $57.3 million and $19.9 million in outstanding indebtedness, or $0.52 in cash per share. As a result, net of cash, KPN is effectively offering to pay only $1.03 per share for the remaining shares of the Company in the offer.
Stockholder Rights Plan
iBasis also announced today its Board of Directors has adopted a limited duration stockholder rights plan. The rights plan has been adopted in response to KPN's unsolicited offer and upon recommendation of the Special Committee.
The rights plan is designed to protect the Company and its stockholders from potentially coercive takeover practices or takeover bids that are inconsistent with the interests of the Company and its stockholders. The rights plan is not intended to deter offers that are fair and otherwise in the best interest of all of the Company's stockholders.
Under the terms of the rights plan, the Company will distribute to its stockholders a non-taxable dividend distribution of one preferred stock purchase right for each share of the Company's common stock held as of the close of business on August 10, 2009. Each right is attached to and trades with the associated share of common stock. The rights will become exercisable only if a person acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the Company's common stock (or, in the case of a person who beneficially owned 15% or more of the Company's common stock on the date the rights plan was adopted, such person acquires beneficial ownership of any additional shares of the Company's common stock) or commences a tender offer that, if consummated, would result in beneficial ownership by a person of 15% or more of the Company's common stock.
The rights will expire on July 30, 2010, unless the rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged.
A copy of the rights agreement will be contained in a Form 8-K to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Jefferies & Company, Inc. is serving as independent financial advisor to the Special Committee and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is serving as independent legal counsel.
Stockholders with questions about the Special Committee's recommendation or how to withdraw any tender of their shares may call the Special Committee's information agent, Innisfree M&A Incorporated, toll-free at 888-750-5834.
About iBasis
Founded in 1996, iBasis (NASDAQ: IBAS) is a leading wholesale carrier of international long distance telephone calls and a provider of retail prepaid calling services and enhanced services for mobile operators. iBasis customers include KPN, KPN Mobile, E-Plus, BASE, TDC and many other large telecommunications carriers such as Verizon, Vodafone, China Mobile, China Unicom, IDT, Qwest, Skype, Telecom Italia, and Telefonica. The company carried approximately 24 billion minutes of international voice traffic in 2008. The Company can be reached at its worldwide headquarters in Burlington, Mass., USA at +1 781-505-7500 or on the Internet at www.ibasis.com.
iBasis is a registered mark of iBasis, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements". These statements relate to expectations concerning matters that (i) are not historical facts, (ii) predict or forecast future events or results, or (iii) embody assumptions that may prove to have been inaccurate. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions and may contain words such as "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "estimate", "project", "intend", "will be", "will continue", "will likely result", or words or phrases of similar meaning. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it does not give any assurance that such expectations will prove correct. The actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" within "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 filed with the SEC (collectively, the "Periodic Reports"). All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company are expressly qualified in their entirety by the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. The Company undertakes no duty or obligation to revise these forward-looking statements. Please refer to the risk factors described in the Periodic Reports as well as other documents the Company files with the SEC from time to time.


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[previous chapter] [start from the beginning] Lifting Abdul's fingerprints from her phone and sending them to be run through the system had been an easy task. Now she had to wait for the results. Since hers wasn't a real emergency, it would take a few days, maybe as much as a week.
In the meantime Rosie had to be careful. Her target was sure to recognize her if he saw her sitting in a car outside his apartment. So for all intents and purposes her cover was blown, and that was a drag. She would have to start looking into a few of his associates and see what, if anything, she could pick up from following them.
That's how she got onto me.
She had noticed us, me and Claire, hanging around Abdul but so far she hadn't had much luck tracking us down. She was comparing blurry cellphone pictures she'd taken of us with descriptions of break-and-enter suspects from civilian complaints and the footage from surveillance cameras. But of course we didn't show up there at all.
We were different than the others among Abdul's retinue. Different because we looked clean-cut enough, and because we made no apparent effort to hide ourselves from view. That could mean we had nothing to hide and were of no interest to her, or it could mean something else, like maybe it could be a sign of overconfidence (a cop's best friend) or stupidity (ditto) on our part, which might prove to be a weak link in Abdul's security fence. She figured we were her most interesting option so she decided she would start following us and see where that led her.
"You're following who now?" Raymond Bouthilier had trouble keeping track, but he usually had some idea who people were, or might aspire to be, just by whom they'd been seen with. He listened carefully to Rosie's description and had to admit he'd never heard of us.
"Is the girl known to our vice brothers?" That was the name he enjoyed giving the cops who were in the business of busting up prostitutes, their johns, their pimps, and their drug dealers.
"I asked Stéphanie Villiers and she's looking into her records for me but offhand our girl didn't appear to ring any bells. Maybe she's new in the neighbourhood, or maybe she's smarter than average and finds ways to keep herself out of trouble."
"Or maybe," Bouthilier said, "she belongs to someone who doesn't like to share."
Rosie thought for a second. Yeah, that might be a possibility.
Rosie's assessment was slightly off, seeing as her targets, I mean, us, had suddenly disappeared on her. We weren't at the apartment building, where we normally spent most of our time, and as far as she could tell from keeping a distant eye on Abdul Bédard-Lellouche, we weren't with him either.
No, I wasn't throwing her a clever strategic curveball. I'd just decided to skip town with Claire for a bit and go sit on a beach in the Dominican Republic. There was a big sale on Expedia and a small lull in the business, so I asked Abdul if we could take off and he said Bon Voyage… So while Rosie was scratching her head and having anxiety attacks at the thought of having to report her disappointing lack of progress to her boss, we were sipping drinks with little parasols in them.
That made the pretty cop feel like a big clumsy moron, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a teeny bit pleased by that.


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If you have not downloaded the Google Chrome browser yet, they've just given you the perfect reason to. This Hurdles 2012 game is both addictive and a great way to instantly get carpal tunnel syndrome. My top score was 12.9. Let's see what you can do!
UPDATE: 10.6 with 3 medals is my new high.