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When you work with brands using channels like Facebook and Twitter on a daily basis, you become very familiar with some of the pitfalls companies can fall into – and what results they seem to generate.
I've never been one of those people who likes to kick-up a stink when a brand makes a mistake but I like to keep a close eye on what trends seem to annoy customers most, if only to learn from them for the future.
As well as my own experience, I decided to do a bit of amateur research this week. I asked people to reveal what they find most annoying about brand behaviour on social media platforms, with a particular focus on Facebook and Twitter. Below is the culmination of that research.
1. Sell, Sell, Sell!
If you want to guarantee a fanbase of annoyed and frustrated customers, use your social media channels EXCLUSIVELY as a sales tool.
Just like in a real life brand/consumer situation, people hate to feel like they're being sold to (badly!), so avoid treating your social feeds as sales-spam territory. Naturally you're going to want to promote sales on a regular basis (unless you're advanced enough to be measuring your effectiveness through less obvious metrics – in which case, good work!) but you need to make sure this sales content is pushed in a respectful and intelligent way.
A number of recent studies have pointed to the desire for 'discounts and offers' as one of the key reasons people follow a brand, but overdoing it may stop people from following you, or at the very least stop engaging with you. It might look like a quick win now, but in the long term it will do more damage than it's worth.
2. Treat your social customers as a nuisance
If you want to drive people away from your brand, treat them like they're a real thorn in your side. Take a long time to reply to some, ignore others – make them feel like they should be grateful that you're even talking to them!
If a customer has taken the time to connect with you – whether it be through 'liking' your brand, following you on Twitter or even just coming to your website, you need to reward them by showing them some common courtesy. I've lost count of the number of times I've been disappointed by the response time I've experienced when talking to a brand. Even if you just tell me that you're "looking into it" and give me an estimate of when I can expect a reply, I'll be satisfied.
Worse still are the brands who completely ignore quesions from consumers. I don't know about anyone else, but if I visit a Facebook page and see a bunch of (older) unanswered enquiries, I'm not going to trust them with any of my hard-earned money. Even if you're taking your response 'offline', at least acknowledge this on your page to show other consumers that you're dealing with it.
3. "Facebook, Twitter – it's all the same isn't it?"
Want to make it look like you don't know what you're doing, and spending very little time getting to know your community? Then post exactly the same content to all the channels you have presences on!
This one is a bit of a personal bug bear of mine, but it relates just as easily to brands as it does to users. If you decide to use exactly the same content for your Facebook page and Twitter feed, chances are you're going to be annoying any of your fans who happen to have followed you on both channels. Not to mention the fact that sandblasting generic content to all channels makes it look like you've put very little thought in to your interactions.
By all means link the two together and occassionally cross-pollenate relevant content, but make sure you tailor content to the channel. Even at the most basic level, Facebook and Twitter have different character restrictions, so posting the same thing to both is missing a real opportunity to successfully engage your followers.
4. Act like a spammer
As all Facebook users will know, seeing too much content from one source in your feed (whether it be an annoying school friend or a brand you've followed) can be a real pain. It's a brilliant way to annoy fans and create a backlash from users!
Following on from point 3, one of the biggest differences between Facebook and Twitter is the way people use their feeds. Whilst posting five or six updates to Twitter is seen as the norm, doing the same on Facebook can produce very different results. Not to mention the fact that Facebook will often collapse multiple updates in to the same (hidden) box on a user's feed, spamming a feed can actually have the opposite effect, reducing the exposure you could be getting.
As a rule of thumb, I've found that around two posts a day from Facebook is acceptable to most users, while with Twitter you can be doing upwards of ten without anyone even batting an eyelid (providing they're not all being shot-out in a row of course).
5. Beg for more
If Oliver Twist has taught us one thing, it's that nobody likes people who beg for more before bursting in to song. Or something like that anyway. Why not make your existing customers feel like they don't matter by continually begging for MORE MORE MORE?
This one applies just as readily to celebrities as it does to brands: Asking your existing customers to help you find even more followers/fans (without rewarding them for doing so – which is significantly different) just gives the impression that you're taking your current fans for granted.
Worse still are the brands who run promotions to find more followers, offering rewards to the new followers ("We'll give our 100,000th followers a free holiday!") without offering anything at all to the existing followers – a group of consumers who were both there from the start and loyal enough to continue following you while you grew and expanded. These are the people you need to think about rewarding first, not the fly-by-night, prize-loving gadabouts who will follow anybody who flashes a shiny object in front of their eyes…
6. "New customers only"
Anyone who can remember those annoying Nationwide Building Society adverts from the late 90s will know how annoying it is to be told a promotion is 'open to new customers only'. But social media is completely different, isn't it? Those customers won't mind, will they? No, surely not…
I suppose this is a lesser of two evils point compared to some of the others, but it's still worth mentioning. The fact that you're running promotions on your social channels is a great start, and should be applauded. So don't go and ruin it all by only opening the promotion to new customers, or people in a certain demographic, while happily broadcasting it widely to everyone. Social networks are brilliant for targeting content, so do this wisely.
Worse still are those brands that broadcast messages to irrelevant consumers, simply in the hope that those consumers will tell their friends who might be relevant. Don't be that brand! I got quite grumpy with a promotion I tried to take part in on Klout a few months back – the brand in question essentially told me: "You're not really our type, sorry. But maybe tell all your friends about us, as we might like one of them more maybe? Thanks!". Left a bad taste.
7. Use an RSS feed from your blog – nobody will mind!
Until recently I thought this had all but died out, but a few examples I've seen this month have shown that the auto-post RSS-feed spammers are alive and well. So why not join them? It's much easier than writing real content!
Whilst I appreciate that this can be a really easy way to populate a Twitter feed in particular, nobody wants to follow a brand that uses an RSS feed of its blog or news page content in place of real content. It's lazy, it's rude and quite frankly, I wish Twitter would ban it. Harumph!
At the end of the day, if you can't be bothered to spend a small amount of time writing original content for Twitter, why do you even want to use Twitter in the first place? If you're not going to monitor your feed for replies, messages or mentions of your name, you might as well not bother.
8. Promote one channel on the other, over and over again
"We love all our children the same… though Toby is our favourite!" – you know the drill. You might well have decided that Twitter is the best channel for your business, and are only keeping your Facebook page because "you've got to, haven't you?". So what's the harm in just telling your Facebook fans that they can find you on Twitter, on a daily basis? Right?
Going to back to one of the earlier points, nobody minds if you use both Facebook and Twitter simultaneously. That said, there are a number of caveats, some of which we've already highlighted. But if you are going to use both, make sure you don't target content on one channel which is heavily promoting another. If people have chosen to follow you on Facebook, they're not going to like being continually reminded that you're running much better promotions on Twitter.
Another obvious benefit of running distinct promotions on each different channel is the tracking you can do. Above and beyond direct traffic you may or may not gain, how do you know which channel drove the consumer to your website from your competition? Distinct entry methods, codes and little differences can be a great way to track where the user came from in the long run.
9. Don't repeat yourself. Don't repeat yourself. Don't…
We all know it can be a bit tiring to think up engaging content EVERY SINGLE DAY, right? So why not just post the same thing over and over? Nobody would mind that, right? After all, people don't visit your page every day, so they'll never notice…
I should add a caveat before I begin: recent studies have highlighted that posting the same piece of content a couple of times can give you positive results, particularly if it allows you to catch a completely different audience or timezone. But the examples used are people who post one bit of content a couple of times over 24 hours, hidden amongst a lot of other engaging content. Not the same tweet, posted several times a week at exactly the same time.
Frankly, this should be obvious: nobody wants to be spammed with the same thing over and over, so just don't do it, okay? Simple.
10. Brush the nasty bits under the carpet
Every brand gets negative feedback from time to time – so who's going to care if you hide these, delete them or just pretend they don't happen? Nobody, right?
Deleting negative (but valid) feedback from customers is still very much alive and well on a lot of Facebook pages, sadly. You can see why people might think it's a smart idea – after all, all that ugly feedback can really put a downer on all your lovely questions and posts. But it'll only snowball in to something worse if you ignore it, or worse still, delete it. Deal with it quickly and fairly. You'll probably end up looking better because of this than if you'd just deleted it in the first place.
Most people aren't stupid. A Facebook page with millions of happy customers and not a single piece of even slightly-negative feedback is going to stand out like a sore thumb – people will lose trust in you, which is bound to end up in tears. So avoid getting in to this situation in the first place. It'll work out better in the long run.
So there we have it – 10 examples but hopefully some helpful advice too. What did I miss? Let me know in the comments!


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Hearts that Flourish
5,10 €
5,10 €
I guess everyone has at some point found themselves drawing hearts, the both rounded and edgy shape is addictive for many reasons. Hearts lined up together make me think of baking cookies but let's try to make a shawl instead!
This triangular shawl has increases built into the hearts making the center stitch less pronounced. Yarn requirements are variable since the number of repeats can be changed. The pattern is charted, wrong side rows are a combination of knits and purls.
Vermillion shawl used 1.2 skeins Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light [100% merino, 420 yd/384 m per 100g skein] on 3.75 mm (US 5) needles. Gauge: 20 stitches = 10 cm in Hearts and Purls. Blocked size A x B: 130 x 58 cm (51 x 23 inches).
Fuchsia shawl used 1 skein Malabrigo lace [100% Merino, 470 yd/430 m per 50g] on 3.5 mm (US 4) needles. Gauge: 22 stitches = 10 cm in Hearts and Purls. Blocked size A x B: 70 x 145 cm (28 x 57 inches).

subset: commoncrawl


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Friday, 30 July 2010
Thanks from Soggibottom
Thanks guys, for all the beautiful comments and emails
we have had with reference to our beloved. Hannah
As you can see life at the cottage goes on.
With Frank, Amie Soto Blossom, Mew and Fluffs.
12 comments:
- Karen~The Barely There Primitive Bear said...
I wasn't sure of what you meant
about Hannah, I am so sorry. I
know how you feel, I have lost
many cats. :( ...Take care.
Bear Hugs~Karen
- 30 July 2010 at 18:36
- Dolores said...
I hope the rest of the fur family are doing well and not missing her too much.
- 30 July 2010 at 19:01
- Allie said...
Sending you and the fur gang big cyber hugs, sweetie!
- 30 July 2010 at 20:32
- Victoria said...
I hope you're all feeling better after the loss of your fur baby:( I'm sure they sense the loss.
My husband works with a guy who had a cat that meant the world to him, it passed away a few months ago and he swore that he'd never get another one because he was so sad over the loss. A couple of weeks ago he adopted 3 kittens from the shelter!!! He's out of his blue stage now and enjoying them so much:)
- 30 July 2010 at 22:06
- Christine said...
Sad news :-(
Just enjoy each other's company.
- 30 July 2010 at 22:36
- Lisa said...
So glad you all are ok. The animals can seem to feel it when one is gone.I know you do. I have to smile as I felt that it would be nice not to be so crowded and yet it felt so empty here without Casey, even with the other two still under foot. Hug the babies for me ;)
Hugs, Lisa
- 31 July 2010 at 06:06
- Tweedles -- that's me said...
Were sending you and all your fur babies lots a love and hugs.
Thank you for sharing all those precious faces with us.
We all understand how much we love our "fur babbies".
Who is peeking in the cottage window with a boquet of carrots?
I think maybe you should get your cooking pot out. The bunnies want to come in and make you some carrot soup.
- 31 July 2010 at 06:12
- purplecat said...
Oh no, how awful, thinking of you Midge and all at soggibottom :)
- 31 July 2010 at 09:12
- Angela Richardson said...
I have just come home after a week in London and was so sorry to hear about Hannah.
Hope you are all doing Ok.
Take care,
- 31 July 2010 at 09:56
- ittybittyandpretty said...
sorry to hear of your loss. a stray cat has recently come into our lives and i think it is the luckiest cat in the world...showered with hugs and kisses all day and fed till it pops!! i have really taken to her, more than i thought i would. i hear myself talking in a mushy voice to her and stealing a cuddle more than once a day :)
sending you kisses
- 31 July 2010 at 11:13
- Meadowbrook Cabin Primitives said...
What a wonder filled blog you have, my dear !
Those are the sweetest bears and the cutest puppy ever !
Love your prior post's photos of the countryside... Quaint ! As I probably will never get overseas, it is so nice to see the pictures of England and other countries.
- 31 July 2010 at 17:59
- WoolenSails said...
You have such sweet animals and they offer comfort as only our furry guys can.
- 1 August 2010 at 03:52


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2012-10-26 21:39:37
A 21-year-old man has been charged with assault after a teenager was punched unconscious and had his head stamped on repeatedly, police have said.
The incident happened in Broad Street, Birmingham, in the early hours of Sunday, 9 September.
Dale Marcus Walker from Hockley has been charged with affray and three counts of assault.
Birmingham Magistrates Court remanded him in custody to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on 5 February.
'Substance' sprayed at taxi driver at Birmingham station
This is the 'best pasta sauce in the world' - and it has only three simple ingredients
Alleged hammer attack at shopping centre
Thousands expected to bid farewell to Birmingham's 'King of Scoops'
Man suffers head injuries in horrific machete attack in Wednesbury
Sawn-off shotguns hidden under stairs
Terrified shoppers flee Merry Hill shopping centre after alleged hammer attack in food court


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..encouraging women in their high calling of being keepers at home, help meets to their husbands, and nurturing, loving mothers to their children..
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Wordless Wednesday (almost)
Can you see the disappointment on Asher's face that he has watch Aaron mow the grass instead of mowing it himself?
Fact is, Asher is a bit younger than Aaron (16 months to be exact), and not quite ready to handle the mower. Maybe next year, son. :)
Have a wonderful Wednesday, friends!
"This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." ~ Psalm118:24
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New York Jets safety Bradley McDougald has made a career out of being the other guy or the fallback option, going back to college recruiting. Once again in his football life, he is playing the role of afterthought -- the perceived throw-in to the Jamal Adams trade with the Seattle Seahawks.
That notion prompted a chuckle from Charlie Weis, who coached McDougald in his final season at the University of Kansas and theorized (correctly) that McDougald wasn't a last-minute "ask" by Jets general manager Joe Douglas.
"This wasn't Kevin Costner in 'Draft Day,'" Weis said in a phone interview, referring to the fictitious GM and his on-the-clock wheeling and dealing in the 2014 film. "Joe Douglas knew exactly what he was asking for."
The Jets targeted McDougald because, even though he doesn't possess Adams' youth and elite physical traits, he is a proven starter whose overachieving mentality has allowed him to overcome long odds throughout his career. He was undrafted out of Kansas and cut twice by his first team, the Kansas City Chiefs, yet he has managed to start 78 games, including three in the postseason.
Those who know McDougald describe him as a "glue" player, hard-working and team-oriented. And his production is sneaky good -- five straight seasons of at least 70 tackles and five interceptions over the past two.
BM30 is in the house and ready to work ‼#TakeFlight | @BabyLead pic.twitter.com/2IDnaKfZDs— New York Jets (@nyjets) July 31, 2020
"He'll be the forgotten player because everybody is talking about Jamal Adams," said Weis, a former longtime NFL assistant. "He'll step in as a starter, and all those things that people complained about at the end -- Jamal going against the head coach and the media and all that stuff -- Bradley is just the opposite of that.
"This is going to be a very, very good pickup for the Jets, not just as a replacement for Jamal Adams, but to improve the chemistry in the building. Chemistry is greatly undervalued. All of a sudden, you've got a team guy coming in."
When he received a welcome-to-the-team call from Douglas, McDougald made sure to ask for the cell numbers of coach Adam Gase and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, among others. He wanted to reach out and tell them he was ready to go to work.
McDougald, 29, admitted he was "kind of stunned" by the July 25 trade, which also included Seattle's 2021 and 2022 first-round picks. "I felt abandoned, like they just kicked me out, like they didn't care about me or valued me there."
That feeling didn't last long. He quickly spun it into a positive, rationalizing it this way: The Jets want me to replace their best player.
Been there, done that.
When the Seahawks' celebrated "Legion of Boom" secondary started crumbling in 2017 and 2018, with injuries to safeties Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas, they turned to McDougald to alternate between free and strong safety. Coach Pete Carroll, who can evaluate defensive backs as well as anyone, thought enough of McDougald to reward him with a three-year, $14 million contract in 2018.
"Super smart and he makes plays," said former NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall, a member of the 2018 Seahawks. "A lot of these guys can't make plays. The ball is in the air, they drop the damn interception, they miss the tackle or they make mental errors. That's not him. He's a solid, solid, solid player. The year I was there, he was having a borderline Pro Bowl year. He's that good."
McDougald will draw the spotlight because he's replacing an All-Pro, but do you really think he will be intimidated by the Adams factor after taking over for Chancellor and Thomas in Seattle? Come on. Adams won individual honors; Chancellor and Thomas forged a championship legacy.
"This isn't me being here to replace Jamal," he said. "This is me here as a fresh start, just the same way I couldn't be Kam and I couldn't be Earl, but I still found my way to be successful. It's the same way with this."
McDougald describes himself as humble, yet he projects an unmistakable air of confidence. He's not afraid to do it his way. A high-school star in Columbus, Ohio, he backed out of a verbal commitment to Ohio State because he was a "last-offer guy" and was told by the coaches that he would have to take a red-shirt year. He felt he was good enough to play right away, so he decided to blow off his hometown school. That took chutzpah.
"I really felt I could add value to a program right then and there," he said. "I never let a school define me or a big name define who I was."
He ventured off to Kansas and enrolled at the perennial Big-12 doormat, winning only 11 games in four seasons. Weis, hired for McDougald's senior year (2012), immediately identified him as an NFL-caliber player and notified his NFL contacts about his potential. It wasn't enough to get him drafted, but he landed a free-agent contract with the Chiefs. He eventually got to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he became a full-time starter in 2015.
"One of my biggest strengths is my cover skills," McDougald said. "I like to match up on the other team's best tight end and follow him around, and try to be as disruptive as possible. I've had some success against some of the biggest-name tight ends in the game."
Now he joins a new conference, another stop on his football journey. He goes from a winner to a loser, but he sees the silver lining.
"As an undrafted kid," McDougald said, "this is all you ever wanted -- an opportunity to go and play and prove yourself."


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When Revel MA student Mrs. Beanah Greenberg learned that she would receive the Shevach ve-Hodaah Teacher's Award at Shevach High School's annual dinner, she knew who she had to thank. "I really feel that the award in great part belongs to you and wanted you to share in my achievements,"she wrote in a letter to her Revel professors. "As a result of the scholarship gained and the methodology that I learned at BRGS, my skills as a teacher of Tanakh on a High School level were immeasurably enhanced."
Tag: War
In the Line of Fire
Professor Avri Ravid Reflects on Experience as a War Correspondent During the Yom Kippur War
Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Addresses Hundreds of YU Students on "Israel's War Against Terrorism Seen from a Halakhic, Political, and Theological Perspective."
Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, chief rabbi of Efrat, Israel, addressed a packed crowd at Weissberg Commons on Wednesday, Feb. 4, on "Israel's War Against Terrorism Seen from a Halakhic, Political, and Theological Perspective." His message to hundreds of students was that "Our common humanity has the power to overcome all barriers."
War, Terrorism, and Telling a Story
New York, NY, Nov 2, 2003 — Terrorism, the war in Iraq, and continued violence in Israel sparked the guiding theme of tolerance and conscience for this year's Yeshiva College Book Project: "How to Tell a True War Story: War, Memory, and the Individual." To put current events into historical perspective, this year's Book Project […]


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Sep 01, 2020 - California based WaterField Designs introduces the Field Sling and Field Backpack. Designed to carry essentials on errands or creative explorations, these multi-compartment daypacks include a built-in, padded sleeve for a 13-inch MacBook Pro or 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Full-grain leather on black ballistic nylon or brown waxed canvas create a professional or more casual look. A gold, water-resistant, nylon liner makes it easy to find items inside the bag and pockets.
Jun 24, 2020 - San Francisco based manufacturer of custom-fitted laptop sleeves, bags & cases for digital gear, WaterField Designs introduces the compact Outback Duo, a minimalist laptop brief with dual padded compartments to protect two MacBooks or a MacBook and an iPad with additional space for daily work necessities. With a premium leather flap & in-case charging capability, the ultra-slim Outback Duo laptop bag keeps both devices protected and within reach whether working from home or safely at the office.
Jan 02, 2020 - California based WaterField Designs kicks off the new year with the new handcrafted Mezzo Backpack. With its tapered shape and small frame, the modern Mezzo Backpack is ideal for carrying a MacBook Pro, an iPad, and and other office necessities along with after-work leisure gear in comfort and style. Early adopters through January 10 can choose one of two unique buckle closures and will receive a complimentary WaterField Tech Pocket with their purchase.
Jan 24, 2019 - San Francisco based designer, WaterField Designs introduces the Sutter Slim Backpack, an efficiently-designed backpack for professionals with padded MacBook Pro and iPad compartments and balanced pockets to carry office essentials in a sleek profile. The svelte aesthetic looks sharp with professional office attire or more casual travel wear. YKK waterproof zipper secures exterior top pocket for ultra-convenient, quick access, especially when the bag is set down or resting on suitcase handles.
Nov 20, 2018 - California baed WaterField Designs announces four luxurious leather desk accessories ideal for holiday gifting. Artisan-crafted from thick, full-grain leather, the new Leather Charging Valet, Desk Pad, Mouse Pad, and Stylus Pencil Case organize and bring elegance to any dresser, nightstand or workstation. Forged from thick leather held together with stainless steel rivets, the Charging Valet includes an opening for power cords, so iPhones and Apple Watches can remain flush while charging.
Nov 14, 2018 - WaterField announces two new cases for transporting Apple's Mac mini: a custom-fitted Mac mini SleeveCase and the Mac mini Travel Case, a sleek, minimalist bag for carrying the Mac mini, keyboard, mouse or trackpad, and multiple cables; everything but the monitor. The TSA-friendly case opens like a book to reveal four soft, padded pockets two on one side. For a casual-professional look, both Mac mini cases are available in rugged, tan waxed canvas or black ballistic nylon.
Oct 09, 2018 - California based WaterField Designs today announces the sumptuous, full-grain, distressed Vero Leather Sleeve in custom-fitted sizes for Apple MacBook Pro 13- and 15-inch models. Handcrafted from the strongest part of the hide, the leather laptop sleeve is built to last and develops a beautiful patina over time. An ultra-plush liner cushions the MacBook Pro inside. Slim and elegant, the Vero Leather Sleeve ups the style quotient for any professional.
Apr 17, 2018 - California based WaterField Designs brings back the iconic Rough Rider Leather Messenger with its original Old-West charm and ruggedness. Now revamped with a plush, padded laptop compartment, a pass-through to slide over wheeled suitcase handles, and gorgeous new leather accent colors. The new padded laptop compartment readily fits up to a 15-inch MacBook Pro, and the thick, full-grain leather develops a stunning patina over time. Shipping begins by May 4, 2018.
Jan 16, 2018 - WaterField Designs launches the Atlas Executive Athletic Holdall, a sophisticated briefcase-workout hybrid bag designed to help professionals achieve optimal work performance and maintain a healthy lifestyle. With separate compartments for tech gear and fitness attire, the Atlas Holdall eliminates the need for fitness-conscious professionals to manage multiple daily bags and puts exercise squarely into the equation every work day.


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Jury finds renowned Suffolk harpist and former teacher guilty of all charges in trial of indecent assault of schoolboy
PUBLISHED: 15:09 31 January 2018 | UPDATED: 15:19 31 January 2018
A former Suffolk teacher and a renowned harpist accused of sexually assaulting a schoolboy more than thirty years ago have been warned they are facing jail sentences after being convicted by a jury.
Before Ipswich Crown Court were Richard Barton-Wood, 68, of Church Street, Wymondham, and Danielle Perrett, 59, of Bridge Street, Alpheton, who has played the harp for The Queen and several prime ministers.
Barton Wood denied seven offences of indecent assault and one offence of attempted indecent assault. The jury found him guilty of all the offences by majority verdicts after nine hours of deliberations
Perrett denied six offences of indecent assault and was found guilty of all the offences by majority verdicts,
The offences date back to the 1980s.
Judge Rupert Overbury adjourned sentence until the week commencing February 26 and warned Barton-Wood and Perrett they were facing jail sentences.
He granted them bail and ordered them to surrender their passports within 24 hours.
During their trial at Ipswich Crown Court the court heard that the teenager had travelled to London with Barton-Wood, a former Claydon High School teacher, to watch Perrett play the harp for guests at a hotel.
Following the performance the teenager and Barton-Wood, who was engaged to Perrett in the 1980s, went to her flat and the boy was given her bed to sleep in, said William Carter, prosecuting.
"As he lay in that large bed Danielle Perrett came into the bedroom and he watched as she got undressed and got into the bed and cuddled up to him and got on top of him," said Mr Carter.
He said Perrett had sex with the teenager who later described her as "smelling of roses".
"He found her attractive and he thought she was nice and the sex was nice. They stayed in bed afterwards and fell asleep," said Mr Carter.
He said that Barton-Wood had come into the room and got into bed with them and had started touching the victim's genitals but the teenager had turned away.
The next morning the boy was having a shower when Perrett joined him and performed a sex act on him.
Mr Carter said the victim of the offences had been sexually assaulted by Barton-Wood on his boat which he kept at Pin Mill and at a house in Debenham.
Giving evidence Barton-Wood denied having any sexual contact with the victim and Perrett claimed the teenager had pushed her against a wall and rubbed himself against her in her bathroom.
They said that when the victim contacted them following the offences they thought he was going to blackmail them.
If you value what this story gives you, please consider supporting the East Anglian Daily Times. Click the link in the orange box above for details.


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Few are strong enough to wear this shirt with pride. For those who do, just know you hold a special place in my heart.
*I recommend washing cold and drying on the lowest heat, I personally do this with all of my clothes but with any graphic it always prolongs the life of the graphic and prevents bad tearing and what not you see on old shirts. Hang drying will most likely make the shirt last forever.*


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For whatever reason, I've recently decided to upload scans of band gig posters from my early days in Sydney, when I used to regularly go out and see at least two or three bands a week. I'm talking 1979 - 1990 ish here. At that time, Sydney had a healthy, thriving pub band culture which fostered the careers of many of the top Aussie export bands of the last couple of decades. The Angels, The Radiators, Midnight Oil, INXS, (Le) Hoodoo Gurus, The Church, etc etc etc. Anyway, being a lifelong collector of strange and irrelevant things, I find myself with scraps of paper, flyers, set lists, coasters and more from many of the gigs I attended, so at least I have something to remember them by. Most of that era is a total blur in my memory, but I just know that I had a really good time, and my tinnitus and foggy brain was worth it all.
Now, I'm not claiming to be any kind of expert or authority on any of these bands, or the era in general, I'm just sharing what I remember, and a few bits and pieces that may bring back memories for some. Feel free to add your own recollections, tell me if I'm wrong, share stories of gigs you went to.
You can click on them and they get bigger.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Chequers Gig Guide
Check out this one. I never even heard of this place, although that doesn't mean I wasn't there at some point. They obviously got some good acts in there. Early days for INXS and the Angels - "first city gig"! June 28th would have been a good night... Icehouse were still known as the Flowers, and the Numbers were being recorded live for Double Jay. I wonder if they recorded INXS while they were at it?
Anyone remember Chequers?
26 comments:
- Toni said...
I worked at Chequers in its next incarnation as a theatre restaurant. We were told that Shirley Bassey had played there in the 60's.
- July 27, 2008 at 5:33 PM
I went to some killer gigs there - Ramones, THe CUre, very early Sunny Boys. Great venue
- January 29, 2009 at 10:43 PM
- Tezza said...
I managed to get to see Shirley Bassey with my first love at Chequers in the 60's & it was a huge cost for me at the time but it was just spectacular, a night to remember.
- January 31, 2009 at 9:51 PM
- SYDNEYmarianne said...
yes, i saw sunnyboys and many others there, saw the vapors there ....
was it called
rags .......??
RAGS was the punk nite ?
anyways, i was there .....
so many killa bands played there .
- March 30, 2009 at 9:17 AM
- SYDNEYmarianne said...
rags/ chequers was just across from the civic
so we were always in there and always
pretty damn drunk .
so memories as hazy.
loved the civic,
the civic was home .
what was the landladys name ?
she used to look after us .
- March 30, 2009 at 9:18 AM
I was at all these gigs and more. Chequers and the Bondi Lifesaver were my haunts in 1980, I was also at the Lifesaver the last two nights it was open. Three top bands with anything up to six hours of music at five bucks and a dollar a drink, those were the days.
- June 11, 2009 at 12:46 AM
- Unknown said...
AC/DC played their first ever gig at Chequers in 1973.
- September 17, 2009 at 10:54 PM
- takdog said...
This poster is an absolute classic like chequers was .as much as i liked the civic it will never be remembered with the same fondness
- October 17, 2009 at 5:19 AM
the night bon scott tried to pick up a friend of mine and was knocked back, or the night rose tatto started a brawl onstage....those were the days
- November 26, 2009 at 7:08 AM
- Bing said...
I am glad someone else remembers seeing the CURE at Chequers!!!
(It is NOT in their tour date archives)
I went with my brother, but I cannot remember the date ???? anyone ????
I am glad it wasn't just a dream !
PS Mark ..Great to see this period kept alive here THANKS
- June 16, 2010 at 12:28 PM
I saw the Cure at Chequers as well. Not sure what the date was though I remember it was the last day of school, not sure if it was for the term or for the year. So I can't really help with the date.
- October 25, 2010 at 1:58 PM
yep. can't remember the date(or even the year) that i saw the Cure at Chequers but I do remember it was so bloody loud 'cause the place was like a basement.now I'm seeing them at SOH and they'll be playing the exact same early songs. woohoo
- May 16, 2011 at 10:15 PM
I have fond memories of seeing Feather (Blackfeather) every week at Chequers in the late 1970's, must have been 1978, with Swanee/ John Swan as lead singer, Stuart Fraser as a young kid on guitar, Warwick Fraser on drums, and Mark Mitchell, Tony Mitchell's brother was also on guitar or was it bass? Fun times out on the town with friends.
- August 25, 2011 at 2:43 AM
- Jeff said...
I was there for all the postered gigs and more in 1980, a veritable who's who of Aussie pub rock at the time. The Oils gig filled it to above capacity and a later Chisel show packed even more in. Chequers and Bondi Lifesaver were unbeatable venues.
- March 26, 2012 at 11:21 AM
Here's a few I went to, with dates:
The PRESS + LIPSTICK KILLERS - 25 AUG. 1979 (this was when it had changed named from Chequers to 'Rags' - all other gigs below where at 'Chequers' again)
SUNNYBOYS (first ever gig) supporting LIPSTICK KILLERS - 15 AUG. 1980
...it stopped having cool gigs around this time. Also saw the Troggs there sometime in the 70's. It became an Asian massage joint sometime in the mid-80's and stayed that way for years...may still be?
- April 3, 2013 at 10:59 AM
The Cure played the Capitol Theatre on 17 Aug. 1981 (so the Chequers gig may have been around then)...a Monday night...(we raced outta there and down to the Gov's Pleasure to see the Sunnyboys straight after).
- April 3, 2013 at 11:02 AM
- The Bear said...
I had the pleasure to play there in Johnny Dole & The Scabs Thursday 5th May 1977. We were asked to leave after the first set, this was just before Punk Rock was viable and had a bigger following, then around the mid 79 ALL the Punk Rock bands at that time got a chance to play there!!
- July 3, 2014 at 7:47 PM
- gaxfax said...
I was at the Cure gig, must have been around 1981, sounds right. Fantastic gig, excellent sound. I had heard a lot of bands working around the Sydney scene since 1980, trogging mostly and The Cure had a big fat sound that oozed out of the front of house speakers like electric molasses. Awesome.
- November 28, 2014 at 8:46 AM
- john77 said...
Hi - I have the gig poster for the Cure gig :)
- April 24, 2015 at 3:00 AM
I managed Chequers during this period, and worked every gig we were only open which was only for about 6 months in 1980. The police shut us down which is a story in itself. The Cure certainly played there on their "Get a dose of the cure" tour. The Ramones were another overseas head liner.
- April 28, 2015 at 1:37 PM
- Bing said...
Hi Hopguy , l couldn't recall the date.
Was there a support band ?
John77 has a poster maybe he could let us know
Great period for LIVE music !
- September 6, 2015 at 7:26 PM
- john77 said...
Here is the best Cure gig guide
here is a link to the 1981 Chequers date
hope that helps - no mention of a support band but prob because they don't know rather than there was not any
- September 6, 2015 at 8:48 PM
- Bing said...
Thanks John, l thought it was earlier , 1980 ?
Maybe Hopguy can confirm 100% that it was during his time as manager there.
lt's interesting to note the other date (1980 - 08 - 20) in your link John
Below the poster in the VENUE section
Somethings odd !!
- September 23, 2015 at 2:20 PM
Saw the Ramones play. One of my favorite memories of the time. It was too and sweaty. Johnny Ramone threw out picks. One landed in my arms. I still have it today.
- February 27, 2016 at 5:48 PM
Didn't The Numbers re-appear in the early 90s as The Maybe Dolls?
- July 2, 2017 at 2:40 PM
Chequers Gig was for the reopening as a music/rock venue in 1980.The Nightclub had been closed for some time .WARD 13 were a regular band as well as Chris Turner (ex Buffalo,Rose Tattoo + many others)He played there every week for 4 years.. I believe WARD 13 have remastered some old video and will be putting out a you tube video soon..Chris Turner is associated with Big Rock Records and has Recorded some blues CD's with Alex Smith ex Moving Pictures They play under the name iif The Old blue dogs.Irish John of WARD 13 is Recording an album with Chris Turner ,this should be out in a couple of months .ROSE TATTOO are playing a memorial gig for the late Pete Wells a founding member of the band, next month with special guest Lucy Desoto and her old band the handsome Devils .The Angels still perform with a new front man since 2011 Dave Gleeson who also fronts The Screaming Jets ,The Angels will feature on Rock The Boat Cruise in 2019
- March 29, 2019 at 11:34 AM


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My new desk is in the corner. My old desk is right in front of the door with the glass pane that folks peer in every time they walk by. It makes me sad :(
Now, people will have to walk in and peer around the bookcase in order to see me. now I can fully enjoy my new chair and slouch and nap, I mean relax a bit more at work.


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The Forum raised the issue of the efficiency of territory management within project activities
On January 17, an expert discussion "Estimate the Inestimable: Effective Territory Management within Project Activity" was held. In accordance with the main topic of the 10th Gaidar Forum, the problem is highly relevant, since it is directly related to the national development goals.
The moderator of the meeting, Anton Emelyanenko, project manager of the Association of Innovative Regions of Russia, outlined the main problems: what is the success of projects in the public sector? what motivation tools to choose for regional leaders to achieve strategic goals? how to plan achieving results and evaluate them? how to synchronize strategic goals along the "federal center - region - municipality" line?
The meeting began with a speech by Oleg Bilev, Director of the Center for Project Management at RANEPA. He noted that one of the main tasks that the state faces today is the implementation of national projects and the achievement of national goals. "We need to start doing something, based on the intended results," said the expert. "When making forecasts, we say that everything will be fine, but the important point is not to be afraid to talk about the problems that exist and interfere with our actions," said Oleg Bilev. At the discussion, it was noted that an information system for monitoring national projects is being created, and it will include everything up to the details of a certain kindergarten construction. According to the expert, this system will be the only source of truth for all levels. It will save the authorities from unnecessary paperwork and allow seeing an objective picture of life in the regions.
During the discussion, there was a dispute about whether changes are needed in Federal Law No. 172 "On Strategic Planning in the Russian Federation". Denis Gainulin, Deputy Director of the Department for Macroeconomic Analysis and Forecasting of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, said that no adjustments are expected, since the legal framework fully complies with the activities of the strategic planning system. Oleg Bilev expressed the opposite opinion: "Changes are necessary, because only then the three levels of project activity will be agreed: strategic planning, state program, and budget planning".
Denis Gainulin told the audience about the strategic planning system. He stated that one of its principles was the transition from the circulation of documents to the circulation of data. The main components of this system are: goal, indicator, risk and threat, and resource. "Our key challenge is learning how to work with the data that we already have. We want to introduce a new reporting system, under which the regions will draw up reports using a completely new approach, "the speaker concluded.
The representatives of different regions spoke during the discussions: Otabek Khasanov, Evgeny Bogdanov, Lev Reshetnikov, Dmitry Razumovsky, and Dmitry Voloshin. Great interest was aroused by the speech of the head of the Khimki city district. The expert said that the city is actively engaged in the development and implementation of project management. For this, a special structure has been created – the project office, which includes one person from each department. "The work is evaluated based on the achieved results, which excludes all excuses. We set specific goals and objectives for specific commitments, this allows us to achieve maximum results," said Dmitry Voloshin.
The discussion was concluded by the speech of Anton Serikov, partner Relationship Manager at the autonomous non-profit organization "Russia: a country of opportunities". He spoke about the formation of a new personnel policy, which is currently being implemented. The ideology of the organization, in which he manages his department, is aimed at promoting of talented and active youth. Anton Serikov noted that "Russia: a country of opportunities" is just one of the projects that ensures the movement of young people along social elevators.


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Register Now | January 21, 2016 | 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. ET
Unintentional and violence-related injuries and deaths can be caused by a number of events, such as motor vehicle crashes, homicide, suicide, domestic and school violence, and child abuse and neglect.
This Healthy People 2020 webinar on injury and violence prevention will focus on activities and interventions related to teen dating violence. Join us on Thursday, January 21 at 12:00 p.m. (ET) to learn how a community-based organization in Colorado is working to address dating violence through the Safe Dates program. Speakers: Dr. Phyllis Niolon (CDC/NCIPC) and Ms. Angela Sillas-Green (Safe Dates Program in Colorado) .
Free continuing education credits (CME, CNE, CHES) are available!


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'Allies Are Everywhere'
You can share the bridge building message by hosting an MBB Hugging Booth in Pride festivals across the country and around the world. If you would like to host a Mormons Building Bridges Hugging Booth in a Pride festival in a location other than Salt Lake City, please complete this simple MBB Hugging Booth application to get started.
Once your application is approved, a Hugging Booth mentor will contact you and walk you through the MBB Hugging Booth checklist as well as help you find out when and where there is a Pride festival in your area, suggest supplies and decorations for your booth, and explain how to get the MBB "FREE HUGS" banner and "Hugged by a Mormon building bridges" stickers. The mentors will answer all your questions or concerns you might have by adding you to the MBB Pride Organizers Facebook group.
If you have any concerns about whether or not members of the Church can participate in a Pride festival and remain in good standing, you can refer to Elder D. Todd Christofferson's remarks in a 2015 interview. Elder Christofferson was asked about Latter-day Saints who march in pride parades or participate in gay-friendly communities such as Mormons Building Bridges and if they can do so without the threat of losing their church membership or temple privileges.
"We have individual members in the church with a variety of different opinions, beliefs and positions on these issues and other issues," Christofferson said. " … In our view, it doesn't really become a problem unless someone is out attacking the church and its leaders — if that's a deliberate and persistent effort and trying to get others to follow them, trying to draw others away, trying to pull people, if you will, out of the church or away from its teachings and doctrines."
Mormons building bridges give out hugs in pride festivals because of their belief in the most basic doctrines and admonitions of Christ, to "love one another." Therefore giving out hugs in a Pride festival does not constitute "trying to draw others away […] from [the church's] teachings and doctrines."
Mormons Building Bridges provide a way for faithful Latter-day Saints to work within a church framework as we show love and support for LGBTQI/SSA people. To this end, disciplined messaging and dress standards are very effective.
Dress in Sunday best: dresses or skirts for women, shirts and ties for men. This has become a Mormons Building Bridges' trademark.
That said, if the "Mormon uniform" feels inauthentic, please know that you are welcome in whatever you feel is true to yourself (except clothing with political statements, those are not allowed).
Wear comfortable shoes. Water and sunscreen are also a must.
MBB seeks to provide a way for faithful Latter-day Saints to work within a church framework as they show love and support for LGBTQI/SSA people. To this end, we have found disciplined messaging to be very effective. All of your signs should be quotations from scriptures, LDS church hymns, or General Authorities. You can really make a powerful statement this way. Post pictures of your signs on the Facebook group wall to inspire others! Please DO NOT have any signs (or clothing) with political messages. If you are passionate about a particular political cause, consider marching with another group. We honor each individual's decision to march with a group that seems right for him or her. Click HERE for a list of Approved Signage.
Since first marching in the 2012 Utah Pride Parade, MBB has been overwhelmed by the loving reception we've received from crowds across the country. Nonetheless, there's always the possibility of a negative confrontation with angry individuals. If this happens–don't get drawn into contention, just say a silent loving prayer for that person, smile, and focus on the folks who are happy to see you.
The purpose of the Hugging Booth is to reach out to our LGBTQI/SSA brothers and sisters to express love and to acknowledge our inherent shared human dignity. A hug is a simple, yet deeply human gesture that conveys these ideas. It's wonderful to witness the surprise and sometimes confusion as questions are answered and feelings shared. Most people who come to visit an MBB Hugging Booth and get a "Hugged by a Mormon building bridges" sticker and a hug, leave knowing that we are sincere in our love and acceptance of all. We encourage having a mixture of allies, parents of LGBTQI/SSA kids, and LGBTQI/SSA members of the Church there to hug. It is a simple gesture, a hug, a smile, a sticker, all while looking into a person's eyes with the hope that they will know and feel that they are not forgotten.
Of course, some people want to share their story, which we encourage. Many stories are filled with pain so be prepared to just listen and try to empathize. We encourage participants to be friendly, available, and genuine. All we ask is that you convey love and recognize that as a child of God, the person you hug has infinite worth in His eyes.
Because the LDS Church has a mixed history with LGBT issues, there may be instances where individuals want to engage in discussion. If you are willing to engage, please do so by only listening and restating what you understand they have shared with you. If you do not feel comfortable engaging, you could consider a simple redirection: "I understand you feelings. Today is about love, giving you a hug and letting you know that you are my brother/sister."
-ask if the person would like a hug before giving a hug
-listen to and validate their feelings and reactions
-acknowledge each individual that approaches
-enjoy each interaction
-greet individuals with a warm smile
-be sensitive and understanding
-give a genuine hug
-argue about church doctrine or policy
-insist on giving a hug
-give the impression you speak for the Church
-get into politics
-rehash sore subjects
-worry if your numbers are few
-hand out candy, water, or other foods
If you are asked for an interview, you can never go wrong when you share your story. Why are you marching? Who did you bring with you? How did you come to this place where you want to publicly show support LGBTQI/SSA people? How are you working to make your ward safe and welcoming to LGBTQI/SSA people? Another important message to get out there: our church leaders have reminded us the being gay is not a choice, and being gay is not a sin.
There may be some, including the media, that will assume this is a Church sponsored activity. It's imperative to clarify that we do not represent the Church, we are not affiliated with the Church, and we do not speak for the Church. We are individuals, who are Mormon, who believe it's important to express our love toward our LGBTQI/SSA brothers and sisters.
Here are some examples of Hugging Booths…


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Nominated for the Australian National Trust Heritage Award 2019
My Little Architect's workshop collaboration with the Sydney Opera House has been nominated for the Australian National Trust Heritage Award 2019 in the category Education and Interpretation: 'For projects that serve to educate about or interpret our heritage in an engaging way. This may include curriculum-based educational projects and resources, and specific interpretation projects relating to a place or item.'
Utzon-activities for children at the Sydney Opera House
In connection to the Utzon100 celebration in 2018 My Little Architect has been collaborating with the Sydney Opera House on Utzon-related workshop activities for children and families – both online activities and activities at the Opera House. The outcome is 5 different hands-on activities based on our book Utzon's Universe. The workshops are all online at sydneyoperahouse.com
har vi i My Little Architect samarbejdet med Operahuset i Sydney om Utzon-relaterede workshopaktiviteter for børn og familier både online og fysisk i Operahuset. Det er blevet til 5 forskellige hands-on aktiviteter, som tager udgangspunkt i vores bog Utzons Universog er tilgængelige via Operahusets hjemmeside.
300 children have participated in the workshops at the Opera House børn har deltaget i workshops i Operahuset og 149.000 har set de online workshop-videoer.
The 5 workshops are:
Utzon's Universe: A figure of yourself
Utzon's Universe: A house in a tree
Utzon's Universe: A chair with form
Utzon's Universe: A Platform with a roof
Date Oktober 2018
Workshops developed by My Little Architect, aka Malene Abildgaard og Julie Dufour
Collaborators The Sydney Opera House
Photo The Sydney Opera House


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WASHINGTON (AP) - The New York Times has endorsed not one but two candidates for the Democratic nomination for president, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar from the party's moderate wing and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren from its progressive wing.
The paper said Sunday it had chosen the two most effective candidates from the moderate and progressive sides of the party — without stating a preference for either approach.
In passing over former Vice President Joe Biden, the paper cited his age and occasional gaffes. He and Sen. Bernie Sanders are in their 70s and face stiff competition in the early voting states that could block their paths to the nomination.
They're locked in tight, four-way races in Iowa and New Hampshire with Warren and Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana.
The presidential candidates spent the weekend grappling with how to address questions surrounding sexism and gender bias as they sought to balance support for women against concerns of a political blowback.
Businessman Andrew Yang said that the country "is deeply misogynist" while billionaire Tom Steyer said that systemic sexism exists but he hopes that half of America is not misogynistic.
Sanders appeared to downplay the problem of sexism in politics suggesting the challenges women face are similar to those he faces running for president at the age of 78.
Copyright 2020 Associated Press. All rights reserved.


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The potatoes drive themselves
We have reached a new milestone on our path towards circular energy management and CO2 neutrality with the newly built biogas plant. The biogas plant converts the biogenic residues from our production into biomethane with a natural gas quality which is then used to transport our potatoes from our potato store in Bavaria to Frastanz. This saves around 5,500 tons of CO2 every year.
Around 2,600 cars with an average annual mileage of 15,000 km could be run for one year on the biomethane produced from our potato wastes. Excess biogas is fed into our local natural gas grid in Vorarlberg.
Filling up with natural gas on the company site
The energy cycle on our premises comes full circle with the natural gas filling station, located directly alongside our biogas plant. Our potato trucks can fill up with the natural gas that is processed in the plant before they set off back to the potato store.
But it's not just trucks for potato deliveries that fill up on our premises. We have now converted the first fork-lift trucks and company cars to natural gas, so that these too can fill up on site What's more, our own employees as well as various industrial partners also take advantage of the opportunity to fill up their vehicles at our biogas filling station.


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15-year-old Devon girl dies after taking unknown substance
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a Devon teenager in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Police were informed by an ambulance crew at around 4:50am on Saturday 15th July that they had taken a 15-year-old girl to Torbay District Hospital who was unconscious after taking an unknown substance.
Police attended both the hospital and Bakers Park in Newton Abbot which was where the teenager in question was located. Sadly, the girl later died at hospital. Her next of kin have been informed and police are supporting the family.
A second girl, aged 15 is also in Torbay District Hospital but is expected to make a full recovery.
A scene guard is in place at Bakers Park as initial enquiries take place. Police currently believe that both girls had taken a new psychoactive substance, more commonly referred to as 'legal highs', and had suffered adverse reaction.
Police would like to speak to anyone who has any information in connection with this incident, including anyone who was in Bakers Park, Newton Abbot in the early hours of the morning on Saturday.
If you have any information that can assist police with their enquiries, please contact 101 quoting log number 220 for the 15th of July.


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With its relaxed tropical atmosphere, Casa Luna offers a fine selection of Balinese and Mediterranean dishes. Situated on the main road just down from the village market, it is a favorite with visitors from all over the world. Casa Luna celebrated its 20-year anniversary in 2012. Since July 1992, Ca ...More
"When a restaurant boasts more than 23 years of successful operations, plus sustained popularity with both locals and tourists, you know it's truly special." -smudgeeats.com "In central Ubud, Casa Luna, flagship café-restaurant of Janet De Neefe's hospitality empire, offers a relaxed ambience and ...More
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Meet George, the non-barking dog! Through every season, George continues to clap his teeth together instead of bark. His owners just can't figure out why or how he does it.
The sound is almost like clipping your toenails in church!
It's just the weirdest thing ever! Perhaps the poor thing is just mute, perhaps he is strangely weird.
I know it is juts an innocent dogie but… Is it juts me or that clapping sound is kind of disturbing? This dogie gave me the creeps!
However, I guess this would always be a big mystery.
The only thing i know for sure is that my neighbors would love him!


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The key to functional printing printing plant in Ji'nan is the choice of capabilities, when talking about the function of printing, should be fully aware of the:
1, functional printing is a new field that will continue to expand with the development of science and technology;
2, functional printing is the printing industry aimed at market demand, intended to expand business, has a good prospect of development in new areas;
3, since the functional printing is not new is the original meaning of the color printing, the printing on the move in other areas, other industries will also brewing with the advantage they have tried to enter the field of printing, the competition is also fierce and cruel, we must be fully prepared.
Since functional printing is a new category, the share of this market is now higher than that of the domestic packaging market of 1.3-1.4 million yuan a year, and it is smaller than that of the printing market which is close to one trillion yuan. Therefore, facing the challenge of market printing people should behoove attention, and even actively participate in the development of packaging and printing market function of Ji'nan, but we must not overwhelming, not lose their own good printing, don't start out hastily into this new, though there are broad prospects for development of the field from the actual.
Brief description of printing packaging how to mix colors
For printing and packaging products, color matching is a very important part, it directly affects the overall effect of printed matter. If you want to get a good product, you need to have a good toning technique that gives the whole print color a full picture. If you are interested in the knowledge of color matching, then pay attention to the printing knowledge of printed matter which is simply introduced by the Ji'nan printing company.
Ji'nan printing factory for printing on the printing and packaging products in, must be a reasonable idea of color, color from yellow, magenta and green three color to red, green, blue, and purple color, four bronze, olive green and black color can be composed of these new colors form. However, we must pay attention to the combination of the colors together, the feeling must be soft and harmonious. The deployment of composite color is itself a color science, the idea of good color can give us the goods we need, decorate good visual effects, and improve the quality of products.
Handbag printing is a major development direction in the printing industry. What is the purpose of that? Today, the Ji'nan printing company makes it easier for the public to understand and use it better.
From handbags, packaging, handbags, printing to use, not only for the convenience of shoppers, but also can take the opportunity to re sell products or brands. Beautifully designed bag will appeal, even if the bag printed with eye-catching logo or advertisement, the customer will be willing to repeat use, this bag has become the one of the most efficient and of high quality and inexpensive advertising media.
Handbag design generally requires simple and elegant, handbag design, bag printing process, in general, positive company logo and company name, or with the company's operating philosophy, the design should not be too complicated, can enhance consumer perception of a company or product, get good publicity, bag printing on to expand sales, to establish the brand, stimulate the purchase desire to enhance competitiveness has great effect. As to the design strategy of the handbag, the establishment of the printing strategy plays an important role in the enterprise image.


text: The capital of Italy - Illustrating Neoclassicism ArchitectureRome became the capital city of Italy in 1870, during that time a new style of architecture developed in Italy called neoclassicism. It was building style influenced by the Antiquity architecture. Later it influenced Roman architecture predominantly. After being the capital city of Italy several new buildings are constructed to house ministries, embassies and other government agencies, all of them were great example of palaces in neoclassical styles. The Best example of neoclassicism architecture is the Monument of Vittorio Emanuele II also known as "Altar of Fatherland" built in memory of around 650,000 Italian soldiers that fell in First World War.This style of architecture was an Italian architectural style developed during late 1920's which was implemented and promoted initially by the Gruppo 7 group. It was characterized through its linkages with ancient Rome architecture. The most significant example of fascist architecture in Rome is the E.U.R. district, built in 1935. It was originally visualized for the 1942 world exhibition, and was called "Esposizione 42", but eventually that world exhibition never took place because Italy entered the Second World War in 1940. Palazzo Della Farnesina, the actual seat of Italian Foreign Ministry is also an example of Fascist Architecture.Vatican CityVatican City, the smallest sovereign state of world is situated inside a circles wall in City of Rome. Vatican City itself is an extraordinary example of architectural beauty. The Buildings such as St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel which are marvels of Roman architecture are home to some of the most famous and rare artworks in the world includes exclusive works by artists such as Botticelli, Bernini, Raphael and Michel Angelo.The Centre area of Rome is surrounded by some large greeneries and exclusive ancient villas. Although most of them were completely destroyed by real estate assumption during end of 19th century but some remained untouched and they are surviving till today. That Includes:1.Villa Borghese that contains a large landscape garden in the naturalistic 19th century English style, number of buildings, museums and other attractions.2.Villa Ada, which is one of the largest public parks of Rome. It was residence of the Italian royal family from 1872 to 1878 and from 1904 to 1946.3.Villa Torlonia that was the Roman residence of Benito Mussolini. This is splendid example of Art Nouveau mansion.Rome is very rich in terms of cultural beauty and heritage. One needs to spend sufficient time in visiting Rome. The best way to experience the marvelous beauty of Rome is to enjoy a complete guided sightseeing tour of the city covering all major portions and heritages.


text: When you choose to hire a Caravan for rent in Rouen you are getting access to a number of great housing features. Included among these are washing and cleaning facilities, comfortable bedding and an area to relax and interact with guests. You dont need to settle for bland dinners when you hire a Caravan for rent in Rouen . The vehicle has its own top of the line kitchen. When you visit a new city you want to be as comfortable as possible. The inside of the Caravan comes with a number of luxury and entertainment features. There is so much to see and do in Rouen . Families and couples have both found the mobile accommodation is the best way to experience all that is on offer. Hiring a Caravan gives you access to a clean toilet and washing facilities no matter where you go. This can be an issue around the city which is just another benefit of these vehicles. When visiting the Rouen it is important to obey all of the relevant regulations in the city when on the road and an off. These include rules about where you can park your vehicle overnight. Afraid that you are going to miss out on some of the natural beauty of the city? When you have a Caravan for rent in Rouen you will be able to enjoy all of the sights. The knowledge that you can navigate the city easily is one of the most reassuring aspects of hiring a Caravan . The vehicle also features a number of security features which ensure that your items stay safe. Hiring a Caravan for rent in Rouen , has a number of advantages. One of the most important of these is access to the citys range of affordable campsites. Finding accommodation for the night in a busy city can be a struggle. When you have your own Caravan for rent in Rouen , finding comfortable and inexpensive accommodation is one less thing you have to worry about.


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Just warm, flavorful vapor! Composed of 3 strands of 28 gauge and fused together with a strand of alien wire. Stainless Steel is ideal for temperature control.
Specifications: 3x 28g/ 38g- 5 wraps- 3mm ID- .13 ohms
- Each container will come with TWO handcrafted coils (specified above)
- All wire is from Sandvik
- All coils are inspected to ensure the best quality possible
- PLEASE be aware of Ohms Law and battery safety precaution before using these builds


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Publishers note: This live blog has been edited, added to and rewritten to give a better overall perspective and opinion of the event – which you can now re-watch the event here.
Originally Published as: Live Streaming & Commentary: Muru-D Demo Evening #startupAUS
It was a full house last night at the Teacher's Federation Conference centre in Surry Hills, Sydney. It was a full house and everyone was there to get a good look at the first class of the Muru-D Academy backed by Telstra.
After formalities had taken place and the audience was given an overview of the program, it was time to get stuck into the pitches!
ChattyKidz | founded by Ken Taggart and Annabelle Taggart
The application makes it easy to get involved with a family learning app, combining Skype's real-time engagement with educational content. Parents build a safe, trusted network that engages the child with video chat & together share educational content in real-time. Sharing the workload and improving the academic results.
Last Nights Presentation
Kicking things off for the 2014 class, Taggart was flawless, communicating his message clearly and succinctly. Two things came across about him immediately – he is clearly an advocate and pioneer that has a passion for the EduTech space and he has done this before. Taggart sold his last venture in 2007, and was praised by Entrepreneur in Residence, Mick Liubinskas last night for throwing his hat back in the ring and kicking off another startup in a space that is in desperate need for an overall.
An impressive achievement was also revealed last night in regards to the traction of ChattyKidz. They have partnered with a company that helps families with children that find reading difficult to give them a digital distribution channel that will enable that company to have a further reach and in turn build up the user numbers on the platform. Love a good strategic partnership.
Farmbot | founded by Craig Hendricks, Glen English and Michael Warner
This AgriTech business is a revolutionary new monitoring system for farms, remote infrastructure and the environment that will provide significant cost savings and risk minimisation.
A problem such as stock without water for a day or more will result in loss of condition and even death. This can cause losses of many thousands of dollars. Farms incur significant annual costs in regular monitoring of stock water and other key aspects. Farmbot reduces the monitoring costs substantially and ensures the operator always knows the state their assets.
Last Nights Presentation
Being a country kid, growing up on a small 'hobby farm' that was surrounded by large multiple working farms, I was sold from the moment Craig Hendricks said "Farmbot, your farm on your phone". AgriTech is a really interesting space and it was very clear that this team knew the industry, the problems that it faces not just in Australia but overseas, and how to implement systems that can assist farmers that bring about the best return.
One of the major wins that the team have experienced so far is an additional $50,000 funding from SYD Ventures. The technology has also been involved in field trials since March of this year within the Central Tablelands of NSW.
Lime Rocket | founded by Michael Gardiner and Gretchen Armitage
Lime Rocket enables 'crowd games' for live audiences by connecting players smartphones to digital screens. Basically they turn smartphones into brandable & social 'remote controls' so that users can play social games and interact with smart TVs, digital signage & projections in social venues. Their mission is to create new social experiences through smartphones.
Last Nights Presentation
I have seen Mike Gardiner speak and pitch at events before, so I was expecting a fantastic presentation. He delivered on this with flying colours. It was very obvious that Gardiner has a passion for gaming. He also communicated a very clear strategy to the audience around how the company was going to achieve traction and gave a teaser to an upcoming event being held in Sydney where users would be able to experience the technology first hand.
I am not sure whether or not these guys have looked at the Asian market, but I think this would go down well over there.
Momentum Cloud | founded by Aaron Hughes and Pem Dechen
The vision of Momentum Cloud is to improve education for every child. They provide a cloud-based solution to help schools gather and manage data associated with a child's learning. With adaptive privacy and user permissions, the secure platform ensures that a child's complete profile travels seamlessly from year to year and from teacher to teacher. Using analysis tools, teachers can personalise learning for better educational outcomes for children. Students are engaged. Teachers are empowered. Parents are informed
Last Nights Presentation
Pem Dechen was awesome last night, and like Taggart a few presentations before her, spoke with passion around the EduTech space. What really impressed me last night was the calibre of people that Momentum Cloud have been able to add to their team and board of advisors. People like gaming industry veteran and renowned investor Tony McAuslan – huge win.
Momentum Cloud seem to also have been making some significant inroads into government with their product. Last night you kind of got the feeling they were teetering on the edge of something huge.
OpenLearning | founded by Adam Brimo, David Collien and Richard Buckland
OpenLearning wants to revolutionise education. Putting the power back into the hands of students. Their mantra is that learning can and should be enjoyable, ongoing, and above all effective. social and collaborative online learning platform that fosters communities around courses to make online learning more fun, effective and enjoyable. It is a social and collaborative online learning platform that fosters communities around courses to make online learning more fun, effective and enjoyable.
Last Nights Presentation
I have been quite public about the fact that I am a big fan of OpenLearning – though they are still in the process of enhancing their capabilities and scaling through partnerships with different organisations, I think it will become a widely used learning tool within the next few years.
Cofounder Adam Brimo delivered a flawless presentation and did a great job in highlighting some impressive statistics around the app such as the traction that the Writers Centre have had with the engagement and revenue made on their courses, which have saved them over 500 hours of time.
OpenLearning have also closed a further $50,000 in funding from SYD Ventures.
Pixc | founded by Holly Cardew
Pixc provides high volume image editing service that makes product images awesome so online stores can increase their sales. Their mission is to turn product images into 'awesome ones' for individuals and businesses selling online, so they can increase their online sales.
Last Nights Presentation
As seemed to be the nature of last night, Holly was extremely polished on stage, presenting a clear outline of her vision. What I really liked about her talk was that she focused on pricing and sales. Then she explained the vision beyond image editing – being film and other multimedia editing services.
There is a bit of competition in the Australian space with a recent INCUBATE startup also offering a similar service right now, however as Holly said in her talk last night having product images on sites like ebay is now mandatory so the market is full of millions of potential customers.
Pixc has also closed $50,000 in further funding from SYD Ventures.
Safesite | founded by Peter Grant, David Fontain and Leigh Appel
Safesite is a mobile application that records and communicates critical safety information across entire construction site, allowing supervisors to save time, money and improving safety culture, resulting in fewer injuries.
Last Nights Presentation
Again, I really loved how sales focused Leigh was in his presentation. He gave the audience a taste of the numbers and the potential numbers. What came across well was the in-depth knowledge that these guys have of the industry they are targeting. For me what was especially interesting were some of the US statistics on deaths that occur everyday because of unsafe work environments – pretty alarming stuff.
Vistr | founded by Jeremy Kwong-Law, Mark Collins and Alex Sze
Vistr is an online software that informs business owners of their forecast daily cash flow for the next 3 months. With algorithms that automatically forecast revenue, costs and even GST/Superannuation payments, business owners can see when their business needs cash ahead of time, and take actions today to improve their business' future.
Last Nights Presentation
Jeremy is a great story-teller. From the outset he had me hooked because he enabled the audience to immediately relate to the product, by sharing a story about his mother's business and the challenge that she was facing in forecasting and projecting cash flow etc. From there he went on to give a very engaging talk on the mechanics and technology around the application and how it can be used to enhance other finance tools business owners are already using. His argument was well informed and compelling.
Vistr has also just been approved to be part of the Xero application store.
Zed Technologies / My Film Bag | Ross Wright and Ronald Li
Zed Technologies has developed My Film Bag, which is a digital platform that allows patients to view, share and store their X-rays and scans with anyone, anytime.
Every year, radiology providers spend hundreds of thousands of dollars and thousands of admin hours in providing patients with X-ray film and CD-ROMs. Despite this cost, the images are rarely available when needed, leading to patient and referrer inconvenience and repeat X-rays and scans.
Last Nights Presentation
I am really loving the HealthTech space – and the My Film Bag product is solving a massive problem, inconvenience. I commented last night that this product would have been perfect when my father injured himself at work and needed a knee reconstruction recently was travelling to Sydney and other cities to see various doctors – carrying massive x-ray films around is certainly annoying.
Ross said something in his presentation which I really liked, to paraphrase it was along the lines of their digital product doing what digital cameras did to Kodak – a bold statement, but one that communicates his vision for the company clearly.
Given the amount of medical centres and hospitals worldwide that would benefit from this product, especially in the US – I am looking forward to observing the traction over the coming year.
The 2015 Muru-D Class
With a successful class now under their belt the Telstra backed startup academy have now opened applications for the next intake.
Interested startups can apply clicking here – applications close September 15th.


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Rotorua Canopy Tours - Specials and Packages
We've put together some great packages that we think are pretty cool.
Rotorua Canopy Tours - The Original Canopy Tour
The Original Canopy Tour is an unforgettable and enlightening adventure, perfect for all ages. Journey deep into ancient New Zealand forest in small groups, of up to 10 people.
Rotorua Canopy Tours - The Ultimate Canopy Tour
The Ultimate Canopy Tour is higher, longer and more spectacular than the award winning Original Canopy Tour.
Family, Friends, Colleagues, club members, students – you have a group of people? We have a solution. Enquire for a custom-made proposal.
Rotorua Canopy Tours - Gift Vouchers
Rotorua Canopy Tours is the perfect gift for your loved ones. Perfect for all ages this adventure will create memories that will be cherished forever!
Rotorua Canopy Tours offers an Eco-adventure experience, zip lining through native New Zealand tress in Rotorua, New Zealand. Fly through the tress while being suspended from a cable, and learn about the native New Zealand fauna and flora. The conservation story here is a great one, with the Forest Restoration Project set up to help eliminate pests, and restore the piece of forest back to what it would have been like in prior to human existence. This Rotorua activity is suitable for those of all ages, nature lovers, adrenalin junkies, families and even grand parents.
Number one on TripAdvisor in New Zealand, Rotorua Canopy Tours is a must-visit to see what all the fuss is about!


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Notes on BeagleBox, a Buildroot-based distribution for the BeagleBoard. These notes explain what software is used for this distribution and why it was chosen.
BeagleBox is a metabuild system. It downloads other packages, unpacks and patches them, then runs them to generate various components required to create an embedded distribution for the BeagleBoard (and, eventually, the PandaBoard). There are a number of top level components:
- Cross Toolchain
- Bootloader
- Linux Kernel
- TI's SGX Graphics Package
- Root file system
Cross Toolchain
Current version: 1.15.2
The toolchain is built using Crosstool-NG, which makes selection of components of the toolchain as easy as configuring the Linux kernel. NEON support is included, using softfp. The toolchain cannot use hardfp due to the binary distribution of components in the SGX package that require a softfp toolchain. Use of softfp will have an effect on performance, but there is no choice until the SGX release provides hardfp binaries or source to allow building for either.
Current version:
Linux Kernel
Current version: 3.2.23 (kernel.org)
This release of the kernel has most BeagleBoard support integrated into the configuraiton system. Only the SGX kernel support must be handled outside of the kernel build.
TI's SGX Graphics Package
Current version: 4_06_00_03
The SGX package provides hardware accelerated graphics support, specifically for use with OpenGL ES2. The package is released as an installable binary downloadable from TI's web site. The build pulls this package, unpacks it and runs the build contained within it to generate a tree that is then copied into Buildroot's custom package skeleton. From there it is picked up by the Buildroot build.
Once in the Buildroot-generated root file system, there is additional work to be done when the target is booted. An install script must be run once to generate symbollic links and prep the rootfs for use with SGX. It should be possible to run this from the host build process - the install script suggests it supports this. But it doesn't work. So BeagleBox has a firstboot init script that handles the one-time installation on the first boot of the target.
Root file system
What's still in progress
DSP support, required for video playback. At the moment I'm using the DSP staging drivers in the kernel and the DSP user space support in Buildroot. This should probably work (and I think it actually did work at one point) but it's not working right now.
Future development will be in user space, integrating the ARM Flash player (if I get permission to use it) into one or more web browsers and then working on BUI, which is the user experience layer that I hope to make similar to the Sony Bravia TV I have.


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Street lights with integrated cameras, microphones, and speakers which can detect and count people as they pass, give instructions and announcements and even communicate with other lights wirelessly. Very Orwellian sounding, and about to be very real.
The designers say the Intellistreets system can help make public safety announcements as well as being controlled to automatically change brightness depending on the number of people on the street – thus saving large amounts of energy and money. The system may also be able to detect situations which warrant emergency responses, such as fires or civil unrest.
But it is the built in cameras and microphones that are causing concern amongst critics, who are comparing the system with the telescreens of Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four and raising serious privacy concerns about the ability to record conversations without citizens' knowledge. The video below explains a bit more about the system.
Source: InfoWars article


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The warm season has just arrived and with it the second delightful collection of Ilaria Livreri, branded Insane Eleven.
It is a series of clothing articles that portrait a bright, determined woman with numerous and intense facets.
Strong and lively, when chooses to recall, in her outfits, the 80s and their rocking rhythm. The denim is the main character, contrasts between skinny and over fit.
Free and confident, moving on lines of the 70s proposing wonderful patchwork patterns, dynamics and lively like the fringes that make the whole more precious.
Bright and sensual, when choosing to shine on the seducing lines of minimal designed dresses, yet rich in glamorous details, like tears, flounces and deep necklines.
Spring Summer collection 2018 evolves Insane Eleven concept towards a more creative and luxurious mood.
The warm season brings the fresh and feminine elegance of the stylist, Ilaria Livreri, who proposes exclusively collections of clothes rigorously and proudly made in Italy.
Feminine and chic 80ies
Contrasts of colours and fabrics with a clear reference to the 80s in the outlines. Tenuous shades that suit with pop colours as the Framboise, stretch fabrics combining with bright denim and micro dot printing.
Styles are numerous, passing by the casual to the sexy look and hyper-chic, showing transparencies and a meddling of sizes in which super skinny fits merge with oversize fits.
It is considered pop the glamorous detail of the "lipstick mark" that embellishes fleeces and jackets.
Bohemian freedom.
The 70s allure it is still dominating, while the key word is FREEDOM.
It is a collection dedicated to a woman who has a delicate and agitated spirit, who is not only eclectic, adoring the mix&match of colours, but who also love the seducing black.
The sensuality is not missing, with the presence of maxi skirts crafted in a bohemian style showing refined see-through effects and transparencies.
The main character is the patchwork printing, conveyed in every possible way: from the kimono to the maxi skirt, from bell-bottom pants to the mini romper, everything enriched with meters and meters of trimmings and contrasting black fringes.
And what about the turbans? They are the MUST HAVE of the season, proposed in numerous colours and printing. Turbans complete the look bringing back the time letting you immerge completely in a bohemian atmosphere.
Contemporary glam.
This part of the collection takes inspiration from the revival need after the cold season. Light and impalpable fabrics dominate, viscose canvas, chiffon and macramé laces, bright colours such as the cherry colour softened by pastel colours as turquoise green.
Even the white colour plays a role as protagonist. Column dresses and total white looks make this summer collection simply BRIGHT!
The floral design, highlighted by the white base, it is a burst of colours. The dresses are rich in flounces, sharp tears. Deep necklines prefer jersey fabrics and they are embellished by precious details in pale gold colour.
PHOTOGRAPHER Davide Versaci
MODEL Giada Bellodi
MAKE UP ARTIST Jessica Chianetta
ART DIRECTOR Ilaria Livreri


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14K White Gold Blue Sapphire Engagement Ring
Add a Diamond!
Thank you to everyone at Danforth Diamond! My ring arrived today, and it's absolutely perfect. The only part I didn't like was having to wait for it to get here!
This beautiful 14k white gold large flower pendant has seven 2.5mm citrine set in the center. Pendant comes on an 18 inch, 1.1 mm sterling white gold chain. Part of our new designer line, this pendant has a matching ring and earrings.
Sorry, no written reviews yet.
Stock ID: 11232
Our bridal product is made to order in the USA. Please allow 7 business days for manufacturing.For faster service, please contact us at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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To arrive in Mombasa is to walk into a wall of heat, a sultry wind that smells less like the wafting coconut scent of the guidebooks than a roaring furnace fed by body odor and exhaust fumes. Loud, tropical music blares on the street corners and colorful little tuk-tuks putter down the avenues. Young guys are pushing carts piled high with bananas and mangos and pineapples and coconuts, which they're happy to part with for just a couple of cents. I spend a few mornings sitting on a bench and eating bowl after bowl of fresh fruit. Then I walk down toward the massive ramparts of Fort Jesus, where a sea breeze is shaking the palms and spiders the size of grapefruits are weaving their webs between the trees.
It's a world apart from Nairobi, and the prospect of spending the next few weeks on the coast is quickly growing on me. I saunter around with my shirt unbuttoned and dab at my forehead with a handkerchief and exchange looks with the locals that say, "Sheesh! Talk about hot!" The days are languid: men are reclined under leafy trees in the park, women hitch up their dresses and sit in the shade of a storefront, half-heartedly hawking fruit. Every morning clouds blow in from the sea and a storm erupts over the city. We run for cover and shake the water from our hair; rain pounds the street and rushes in foamy currents down the gutter. Everyone is laughing and looking up at the sky with comic distress. A few women hustle by with plastic bags wrapped around their heads, intrepidly trudging through sheets of rain. Then suddenly the rain lets up, and the clouds blow back to reveal a sky so achingly blue you want to kick off your shoes and go dancing in the streets.
One morning I meet a young guy named Amos, a bald, beaming twenty-something in rumpled blue jeans and a button-down shirt. He smiles and shakes my hand and falls into stride beside me, reflecting the conventional Kenyan wisdom that if you walk with someone long enough, you must be having a conversation by default. He drifts along, making amicable small-talk about Mombasa and weather and weather in Mombasa. When he asks, "How is New York?" I tell him about August in the city: the cloying heat rising from the black-top, the heavy, humid air. He shakes his head and says, "It is not like Mombasa," but when I fix him with a stare and say, "Worse," he seems quietly impressed. We stop for fruit salad and watch the women swishing by in their loose, colorful dresses. Nearby a young guy is sitting Indian-style on the sidewalk, hacking at a pile of coconuts with a machete.
On Moi Avenue we bump into a few girls I met in Nairobi. They're staying at a seedy backpackers' place across the street from a fortress-like mosque, and they make weary faces describing the call to prayer that blares toward their window before sunrise. We make plans to explore the Old Town, and they run upstairs to freshen up. Amos, who's been quietly standing off to the side, inches forward as they disappear into their hotel. He smiles and laughs and says it's been great fun meeting me. Then – cautiously, nervously – he presses a business card into my hand.
Amos Seda
Tour Consultant
*excursions *luxury & budget camping
*safaris *mt. climbing *reservations
"If you would like to arrange a special tour, or safari," he says. He steps back toward the curb and looks up squinting at nothing in particular, then he hands me two more cards. "To give to your friends." He says goodbye as the girls come tripping down the stairs, in flip-flops and skimpy tank-tops and blue jeans rolled all the way up their smooth white calves. We get plenty of attention from cab drivers and tour guides and men selling anything they can get their hands on. We're offered belts and coconuts and ballpoint pens. Lighters and peanuts. Thin plastic sheaths for credit cards. Piles of blue jeans.
In the Old Town, with its narrow, filthy streets and elaborate carved door frames, men idle in front of their shops and ask if we might want a mask or a postcard. One of the shopkeepers, short and earnest and looking slightly desperate, pleads, "My friend, why don't you let them shop?" So I raise my hands magnanimously and say, "Womenfolk, you have my permission to browse." This does not get the yuks I was hoping for from the girls. They go in a few shops and finger colorful, patterned wraps and beaded necklaces. Outside shirtless men are doing inscrutable manual labor: stacking massive stones, shoveling dirt, heaving dusty sacks over their shoulders. Kids run barefoot through the mud and through murky puddles. Laundry flaps from the clotheslines and balconies.
We walk through the market, with its high, vaulted ceiling and cluttered floors. Men weigh out blackened potatoes and bruised tomatoes and piles of brightly colored spices. A woman sits beside a forlorn pile of onions, sighing heavily. Men are coming up to us with wide shark's smiles, giving us looks that say, "My friend, have I got a spice to sell you." They hand us strange roots and plump packets of powder, urging us to sniff and prod and weigh them appreciatively in the palms of our hands. One guy is being awfully persistent with the vanilla, waving the raw, aromatic pods beneath my nose. I jokingly ask, "What am I going to do with a pile of raw vanilla?" and he proceeds to tell me exactly what I can do with a pile of raw vanilla. He shows me how much I need to make a cup of tea, or how I can extract the flavor for when I'm making vanilla ice cream. Then he plops the little brown bundle on a scale and flashes a real shit-eater of a grin, as if to hammer home the point that the vanilla I won't be buying is a full half kilo of vanilla I won't be buying. There's a 2007 wall calendar above his head: The Rise and Fall of President Saddam Hussein. A few birds have nested high up in the rafters, their wings rustling and flapping, feathers drifting in lazy arcs toward the ground.
Outside guys are selling thick-soled shoes and dress pants in drab, bureaucratic shades of blue and gray. Blue jeans are piled high: Sheen, Excellent, the anonymous brands of the developing world. We buy some bananas and make plans for dinner. The girls want to check out a restaurant in the suburbs, a kitschy, themed place attached to Kenya's largest alligator farm. On the way back to my hotel I'm stopped by a young guy who does custom engravings. He asks if I wouldn't like a wooden sign or rubber stamp with my name on it. His name is Mongo – a sweet, smiling kid with a soft handshake and gaps in his teeth. We spend a few minutes in the shade of a citrus tree, shaking our heads at the heat. Business is slow; he shows me a few of his handmade signs, spread out on a board he's set atop a tree stump. Just a few feet further down the sidewalk is another kid selling signs and rubber stamps; across the street, two more guys are offering the same. I offer my apologies and head back to my hotel for a quick, cold shower. An hour later, driving past in a taxi, I see Mongo standing in the shade: his hands in his pockets, a look of boredom on his face, looking up and down the street for whatever business might come his way.


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This article appears on The Local.
What makes an Italian Christmas?
With Christmas just around the corner, The Local spoke to some Italians to find out what Christmas is really about for them.
An Italian Christmas is a mixture of centuries-old regional traditions and more modern touches, often with a slight American influence. But at the heart of the holiday for most Italians is the idea of celebrating the birth of Jesus, with family and good food.
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- "Sometimes I feel like, somebody's watching me... and I have no privacy."
- ―Rockwell
The LP Hawkview grants night vision with a green tint like most night vision goggles/scopes. This entire thing was basically made exclusively for No Mercy, Terminal Decay and certain points in a few other maps. The darkness within those maps makes sniping a pain.
You can buy this if you want, but if you want to save money, just use "X" to use your flashlight.
Background Story
Before the apocalypse, armies used the LP Hawkview for reconnaissance missions or to silently kill enemies in the dark. Using amplified light technology, this scope allows the anyone who uses it to see through the night with ease.
Survivors quickly took an interest in this night vision scope and repurposed it from its former military usage to scout zombies in the dark to prevent any unpleasant surprises.
- This is extremely useful on dark maps, such as No Mercy and Terminal Decay.
- Stay aware. Zoom out constantly to get a good view of your surroundings to ward off any attackers.
- This is the only scope in R2DA so far to give night vision and to not give extra range, not including the Built-In Scope.