text: PureCajunSunshine Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 (edited) In view of the times, I'd like to share an article from my blog with you. http://purecajunsunshine.blogspot.com/2009...ed-to-know.html Everything you need to know about alcohol-free elderberry syrup for preventing colds and influenza Elderberry is considered by many herbalists and satisfied users to be nature's answer to Tamiflu, a drug that is commonly used to nip influenza in the bud. Elderberry works in a similar way by preventing the virus from adhering to human cells and multiplying. Traditionally, elderberry preparations are taken early enough to head off a massive viral invasion right from the start. Sambucus nigra is the most researched medically potent species of elderberry, and it is so highly regarded in Europe that it has been called the "medicine chest of country people". It grows wild in most of Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia. Native Americans and the Pioneer settlers found elderberry useful, but historical accounts suggest that they may have not regarded the American species of elderberry as much as Europeans do their own. It's possible that the European species may be a little more potent than the American species of elderberry. The jury is still out on that debate. Some herbalists are leaning towards the same slant as Richo Czech of Horizon Herbs in Oregon, who says that the European native Sambucus nigra "…is the most tried-and-true species for medicinal use." He also notes that the berries are about twice as big as the berries of other species. If something should ever prevent me from making a cold and flu preventative from the traditional European Sambucus nigra species, I would gladly use elderberries from commercially available cultivars such as the York and Nova species. They are available from nurseries such as Henry Fields and Gurneys. (I would steer clear of other cultivars sold for ornamental landscaping use.) According to more than a few devotees, the York and Nova cultivars are said to work very well in warding off the common cold and influenza. As a personal preference I am cultivating the European elderberry species Sambucus nigra from seed, and will continue to buy the dried European berries to make my preparations with until my little 'orchard' becomes established. Herbalcom and Frontier Herbs are two of my favorite sources for the berries. Interestingly, after years of searching, I have never found any commercial sources for elderberries from cultivars or American elderberries, only berries from the imported European Sambucus nigra species. Elderberry has been proven effective against a wide range of influenza viruses including human, swine and avian strains Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu made elderberries internationally famous through the well publicized research and laboratory studies conducted at the Hadassah Medical School of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. It was demonstrated that Sambucus nigra species of elderberry was effective against a wide range of influenza viruses including human, swine and avian strains. This led to the development of a popular elderberry syrup preparation called Sambucol. Even if the preparation is taken too late to act as a preventative, controlled clinical studies in 1995 also demonstrated that Sambucol could reduce the severity and duration of influenza by half. At a press conference held January 19-20, 2006 at the Royal Society of Medicine in London, the results of exciting new research on the patented elderberry formula were presented. Speakers included the developer of Sambucol, Dr. Mumcuoglu and Professor Hannoun of the Pasteur Institute. Imagine the excitement of hearing the announcement that the elderberry-based Sambucol was found to be at least 99% effective against the Avian Flu (H5N1) virus in cell cultures! Laboratory trials verifying this were held in a prominent research institute associated with the University of London. Retroscreen Virology, Ltd. concluded that the elderberry preparation "significantly neutralised the infectivity of the virus in cell cultures". Although elderberry is effective against the H5N1 viruses in a culture dish, without human 'guinea pigs' there is no way to conclude that it is as effective in humans, but all indications look good. Science is beginning to realize what European country folks knew all along. Elderberry is good for preventing cold and influenza infections. According to many herbalists and satisfied users, traditional homemade elderberry tinctures and non-alcoholic syrups work just as well as Sambucol. How well does a non-alcoholic elderberry preparation work? The original and well-researched Sambucol formula was made with an alcohol-based extract with a bit of glucose added. Some modern-day herbalists speculate that only alcohol-based elderberry preparations will work. Others speculate that the application of heat could be detrimental to the effectiveness of elderberry. I am happy to tell you this is not true. For over a decade, I have made and given away to family and friends, many gallons of a very potent non-alcoholic elderberry syrup made with heat. I make my decoction by gently simmering elderberries in water for hours over a medium-low fire. The result is a fine tasting juice and syrup that has worked splendidly against every challenge of cold and influenza viruses put to it. It works so well that every year friends and family (as well as their friends) always ask for more. Apparently the same medicinal resins and other properties can be extracted in a long slow simmering process over low heat, as can be extracted with alcohol. Before I share my recipe with you, I'd like to alert you to a few things you should know. IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT ELDERBERRY AND PANDEMIC INFLUENZA One of the things that make some influenza strains more deadly and worrisome than most ordinary strains is that they can cause a young healthy person's immune to kick into overdrive. In this case, too much of a good thing can become deadly because of the overproduction of cytokines. Some cytokines promote mucous production. Unfortunately when too much mucous is produced, it can quickly become a life threatening situation because the patient can literally drown in his own fluids. In recent years, some herbalists and pandemic flu speculators (affectionately known as flubies) have debated a valid question: Could the immunostimulant properties of elderberry worsen the cytokine storm associated with a deadly strain such as H5N1 and others? On the other hand, elderberry also increases levels of the cytokine IL-10 which is a known immunosuppressant. This could very well 'balance out' the cytokines with immunostimulating effects. Another natural check and balance system at work? Of additional interest is the fact that elderberry is useful for treating bacterial sinusitis because it reduces excessive mucus in the sinus cavities, promotes better drainage, and reduces nasal congestion and swelling of mucous membranes. In that light, it seems that elderberry would be beneficial during a mucous producing cytokine storm. To date elderberry has not yet been tested in humans against the strain of the dreaded H5N1 avian influenza that has worried the medical community for the past few years. No one really knows what elderberry preparations will do in the face of an influenza induced cytokine storm. Experts agree that limiting the initial viral load (such as with Tamiflu) seems to be one of the best ways to survive the more deadly influenza strains. It is commonly understood that if the viral load is dramatically reduced, especially in the beginning stages of infection, then the body's response to it--the deadly cytokine storm--is reduced as well. Elderberry is a time tested remedy with a great reputation for preventing and inhibiting ordinary influenza in humans, if taken promptly and regularly. It does the job so well, that my personal pandemic influenza plans include taking elderberry syrup as a preventative. If for some reason, I am stricken with a pandemic flu, I plan to continue taking elderberry, but at a higher and more frequent dosage. I am not suggesting that anyone else do as I do, but that you should explore all your options, including professional medical help if confronted with the possibility of a life-threatening illness such as pandemic influenza. Because this issue is so controversial in the face of certain deadly strains of influenza, I am monitoring several news portals very closely for any new findings that I need to know. If it is ever determined that elderberry is harmful to take during a full blown pandemic influenza infection, a change in my plans would be in order. Go here for a list of up-to-the minute news and intelligent discussions about pandemic influenzas: http://purecajunsunshine.blogspot.com/2007...aking-news.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PureCajunSunshine's Recipe: ALCOHOL-FREE ELDERBERRY SYRUP AND JUICE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Dry Stuff In some cases, herbs and other natural remedies are not substitutes for professional medical care. I urge you to seek the best professional medical resources available to help you make informed decisions in all health matters, especially concerning pandemic influenza. This educational information is intended to increase your knowledge of traditional usage of plants. It is not meant to diagnose, prevent, prescribe or to administer in any manner to any physical ailments. In any matters related to your health, please contact a professional health practitioner. IMPORTANT CAUTIONS Avoid any kind of elderberry preparation if you have a known allergy to plants in the honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae) family. Don't consume raw elderberries or uncooked elderberry juice, which may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal pain. It is understood that cooked elderberries are safe and completely free of any cyanide toxicity. Don't take elderberry if you are undergoing chemotherapy. Elderberry may increase the effects of some cancer chemotherapies, which may also increase adverse effects as well. Patients using theophylline should consult with a medical professional before using elderberry preparations. The quercetin in elderberries may inhibit xanthine oxidase, and may also affect theophylline levels. Elderberry may lower blood sugar levels. If you are a diabetic, monitoring and medication adjustments by a qualified health professional may be in order. About sugar concentrations in elderberry syrup A 65% or more sugar concentration in a water-based syrup is self-preserving, without the need for refrigeration. A lower sugar concentration may invite mold growth. For long term storage and extra insurance against harmful mold growth, I prefer to increase the sugar concentration to 70%. A sugar-free, or lightly sweetened elderberry preparation can be made by simply omitting the sugar in the following recipe. If you omit the high sugar content, the final product must be frozen and used within six months, or else refrigerated and used within three days. Without alcohol or a high concentration of sugar as a preservative, the elderberry juice will likely promote the growth of molds that can cause spoilage. An elderberry tincture made with alcohol works great, but it may not be suitable for work or school. Teachers and traffic cops may also agree. Alcohol-free elderberry juice and syrup to the rescue! Why I don't like to use honey or glycerin in making elderberry syrup Because glycerin does not affect blood sugar levels like honey or sugar, it is sometimes used in making certain herbal extracts, such as echinacea. Unfortunately, glycerin is a very poor vehicle for extracting medicinal oils and resins in some herbs and berries, and elderberries are definitely resinous! Ask anyone who has ever made elderberry juice! When making juice from fresh elderberries, you will notice that utensils are soon coated with a dark and oily residue. Honey is nice for flavoring, and it has enough sugars to preserve itself, but not enough for making a shelf stable grade of medicinal elderberry syrup. How I use elderberry juice and syrup to ward off colds and influenza I've found that the very best time to start treating a cold or flu virus with elderberry is at the very earliest stage, BEFORE the virus has presented itself in full-blown symptoms. As in "I think I might have been exposed but I'm not feeling bad yet", or maybe "I think I may be coming down with something, but I'm not quite sure". Elderberry works by preventing the virus from multiplying. Cold and flu viruses multiply so rapidly that it is critically important to begin treatment while they are few in number, and before they have a chance to mount a massive attack. Although elderberry syrup can be taken alone, it is so highly concentrated (and quite sweet) that some people prefer to mix it with water or juice. Some of my favorite ways to take it is to stir a couple of tablespoons of elderberry syrup into a glass of red wine (delicious!), or grape juice, or into an old fashioned 'shrub' style drink (2 tablespoon elderberry syrup along with 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar stirred into a glass of cold water). For more shrub ideas see http://purecajunsunshine.blogspot.com/2007...summertime.html The advantage of elderberry syrup is that it needs no refrigeration, so it's ideal for work, school or travel. DOSAGE GUIDELINES AND TIPS Approximate guidelines are given here, not exact dosages. Doses may vary more or less, depending upon the level of risk, along with many other factors such as an individual's immunity, weight, etc. In the event of possible exposure to colds and flu, I would consider taking more frequent doses of sugar-free or lightly sweetened elderberry juice at home, reserving the self preserving, but sugar-laden syrup for situations when no refrigeration is available. Individual doses of juice can be frozen and popped into a plastic covered cup or other tightly capped container and tucked into a lunchbox, book bag, purse or briefcase. (Warning: elderberry juice will stain! Make sure containers are leak proof.) If I suspect that I have been caught 'off guard' without my elderberry preventative, and start feeling even the barest hint of "something coming on", I immediately start taking elderberry at approximately the same doses given above, or perhaps more frequently if the situation warrants it. Sometimes I can 'feel' it when I have not had enough (feeling more poorly). This is a clear signal for me to immediately ramp up the dosage and frequency a bit. If I get up during the night, I make sure to take another dose. Umm, please don't go crazy and overdo it, or else you may find yourself dealing with a powerful diuretic and laxative action! Don't ask me how I know. Adults: If the risk of exposure to ordinary flu is high, I usually take one to two tablespoons of the sugar-free juice, or two tablespoons of elderberry syrup every four to six hours as a cold and flu preventative. Children: In my house, little kids take kid doses. For children under 12 years old, I use about half the adult dose. Toddlers get half of that. Keep elderberry syrup out of the reach of children because the little rascals may try to sneak extra 'doses' when you are not watching. Elderberry also makes a fine pancake syrup. Yum! Pregnant or Nursing Mothers: Some herbalists prefer not to give any herbs to someone who is pregnant or nursing. Other herbalists like myself feel that, if faced with a deadly pandemic influenza outbreak, the risk of dying from the virus far outweighs the risk of consuming a fruit product such as elderberry. However, pregnant women should not take large, frequent doses of elderberry or any herb, for that matter. Although I am not aware of any human contraindications in normal usage of elderberry syrup, I have read that insanely high concentrations of pure elderberry extract given to laboratory rodents have sometimes caused spontaneous abortion and birth defects. If I were pregnant, I would only take elderberry only if I were at high risk of being infected by a particularly deadly strain of flu. RECIPE RULES 1. Elderberry stains. Everything. Just be careful and rinse off spills immediately. 2. The aroma of cooking elderberries is pretty stout and lingering. If you have a range hood exhaust fan, use it! Open the windows! (I cook my elderberries on my covered porch with an electric hotplate.) If you live in bear country, keep the shotgun handy. The aroma of elderberries is bearbait extraordinaire and may provoke home invasions. (The bears are berry crazy in the mountains where I am living now.) 3. Don't use a metal cooking vessel to extract medicinal properties from herbs, roots or berries. A glass pot is best. An enamel coated metal pot is fine, as long as there are no chips exposing the metal. 4. Start off with cool water (not hot) and gradually bring to a low simmer over medium-low heat. (This little trick also brings out maximum flavor when cooking soups and stews.) 5. If you can, try to cook elderberries in larger rather than small amounts. 6. Regular canning jars and lids are perfect for storing elderberry syrup. Make sure to sanitize the jars and lids just before using. More on that later. 7. Keep everything clean, clean, clean. The last thing you want to see when you need elderberry is a jar of spoiled syrup! THE RECIPE, FINALLY! You will need a ratio of ¼ cup of dried elderberries for every two cups of water. You can make more than this amount, but try to maintain this ratio. To help promote maximum extraction, I like to soak the dried berries in water for a few hours first. Overnight in the refrigerator is even better. Cover the pot loosely with a lid, enough to allow steam to escape, but not too rapidly. Gently simmer the water and berries together over medium-low heat until the liquid volume is reduced by about almost half of the original volume. For a large pot, this make take a few hours. Don't allow the brew to come to a full rolling boil. When elderberries are decocted in hot water, you may see a few very small 'oil slicks' form on the surface of the water. This is a good thing! The longer the berries cook (over low heat), the more medicinal resin is extracted. To increase the extraction process, stir and mash the berries against the side of the pot with a large spoon from time to time. Don't try to skim it the oily stuff off, you want it to stay in the brew. After a few hours, when the liquid in the pot has been reduced by about half of the original volume, allow to cool a little before straining the berries out. Strain the berries through a colander, taking care to squeeze all the juice and goodness out of the berries. I don't like to use cheesecloth or any other fabric for straining elderberries because the resins and other medicinal goodies will stick to the cloth. At this point, if you have opted for the sugar-free preparation you will need to preserve the juice it by freezing it (use within six months), or you can refrigerate it if you can use it within 3 or 4 days. To make a shelf-stable and self preserving 65% sugar syrup, add 2 1/8 cups of sugar to every cup of elderberry juice. Reheat and stir until all the sugar is completely dissolved. Pour the hot syrup into hot canning jars that have been sanitized first by boiling in water for at least ten minutes. Jar lids need to be hot, as well. Simmer, do not boil the canning lids. Overheating the canning jar lids at a higher heat than a simmer (about 180*F. or so) may result in a seal failure. After pouring the hot syrup into the hot jars, wipe the jar rim with a clean damp paper towel to ensure nothing is there to interfere with sealing. Fill the jars to about ¼ - ½ inch from the top. Wipe the rim with a piece of a wet paper towel before positioning the lid. Screw on the band firmly and allow the jar to cool slowly. From time to time, you may hear 'pings' as the jars cool and a vacuum forms, pulling the lids down tighter. For longer term storage, I prefer to bump up the sugar concentration a wee bit more to 70% . This translates into adding 2 ¾ cups sugar to every cup of elderberry juice. It may be overkill, but I have never seen a batch of elderberry syrup go bad at this rate. Although elderberry syrup can last for years, I like to rotate my stock on a 6 month basis for maximum freshness. Store in a cool, dark location. Copyright 2009 PureCajunSunshine / Mrs. Tightwad This copyrighted material may be reprinted by you for noncommercial use, if the following credit is given: This article and recipe is an excerpt from Mrs. Tightwad's Handbook #2: HOW TO MAKE HOME REMEDIES THAT REALLY WORK. For more information, see the left sidebar on this site: http://purecajunsunshine.blogspot.com/ Edited May 15, 2009 by PureCajunSunshine Quote Link to comment


text:
The ranks of professional women in America grow annually and the pace has quickened, but less than 2% of the nation's major corporations tap women as chief executives. Why, with 63 million working women in America, has the proverbial "glass ceiling" suffered only a small handful of cracks from those who've managed to break through to the top floor?
Myriad reasons have been floated, all of which seem plausible as contributing factors. There's old-fashioned discrimination, stemming from the socialization, of generations gone by, that conditioned men (and many women) to believe that women belonged at home, taking care of the kids. Attitudes have changed a lot over the years. But change is sometimes excruciatingly slow.
Another reason is that while women now make up about half of all graduate students in law and medicine, they account for only about a third of all M.B.A.s.
There is also the matter of many more women than men choosing to get off the career track--permanently or temporarily--in exchange for more time with their families. But that, too, harks back to the original question of discrimination. More women than men might be making that choice, after all, because it's the choice they're expected to make.
In her new book, Climbing the Corporate Ladder in High Heels ($15, Career Press, 2006), Kathleen Archambeau sets out to help professional women navigate the challenges in striving for corporate success, while maintaining some semblance of a balanced life. "You can have it all, just not all at once," goes her prevalent theme, as she suggests that success in reaching the upper ranks of corporate America will require some sacrifice on the personal front. In some cases, she argues, a successful climb only serves to trap women in the company of those they'd maybe rather not keep.
"Hitting the glass ceiling can do more than give you a headache; it could give you a permanent head injury," Archambeau, a former
Archambeau does offer up a laundry list of corporations rated highly by women's groups as being "female-friendly" thanks to their support for things like flex time, mentoring programs and generous family-leave policies. Hewlett-Packard,
Archambeau makes liberal use of the term "good ole boy network," to the point where she'd have an unsuspecting reader believing that all white, male corporate executives across the country are not only on a first-name basis with each other but also belong to a secret skull and bones-type society for the express purpose of keeping women out of their world.
While it would be ridiculous to think gender bias isn't still prevalent in society, Archambeau seems loath to admit to any progress at all since Gloria Steinem's arrival on the public scene four decades ago. And so her gender bias assertions seem to be right out of 1976. Many of them are dated at best, downright absurd at worst.
For example, in touting the hurdles that Oprah Winfrey overcame during her rise as a television star, Archambeau claims that women are generally ousted from playing big roles in TV news by age 40, while "balding, paunchy men" routinely stay on the air way past their 60th birthdays. Apparently, she hasn't tuned in during recent years to see Katie Couric, Connie Chung, Greta Van Susteren, Paula Zahn or Barbara Walters gracing the airwaves. (And would anyone actually describe Tom Brokaw or Brian Williams as bald and paunchy?)
Archambeau also throws out an assertion that while women now make up 50% of the U.S. workforce, they still handle 90% of household and child duties. Huh? Most men I know would say that argument has little to do with the reality of their lives. Considering that little statistical nugget is based on a single source--a 2003 study by University of California, Berkeley, sociologist Arlie Hochschild--some skepticism is in order.
Still, rhetoric aside, Archambeau does hit on some important issues. For instance, she stresses the importance of team building and the willingness to share credit at work, rather than scheming for individual credit (what goes around comes around). For a 50-plus employee in the high tech world who has become unenthusiastic about late-night pizza parties with twenty-something colleagues, maybe it's time to "power down" the career by thinking about consulting or teaching. And is work taking so much time that you've taken to "outsourcing your life" by hiring a housekeeper, baby sitter, personal trainer and gardener? If so, maybe you're in the wrong line of work.
Archambeau also offers expertise on work productivity, networking, salary negotiations and other work-life issues. Those who filter out the nonsense and absorb her substantive insights will come away with some valuable advice.
Want to buy Climbing the Corporate Ladder in High Heels at a Forbes.com members' discount? Click here.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians' Four Winds Casinos are pleased to announce a performance by Motown legend Smokey Robinson at Four Winds New Buffalo's Silver Creek Event Center on Friday, May 29, at 9 p.m. Eastern. Tickets for the concert can be purchased beginning on Friday, February 6 at 10 a.m. Eastern exclusively through the Ticketmaster Web site, www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling (800)745-3000. Ticket prices start at $50 plus applicable fees.
Singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson has been bringing Motown hits to audiences around the world for over four decades. He started The Miracles, which dominated the R&B scene throughout the 1960s and early '70s with hits such as "Shop Around," and has received numerous awards, including the Grammy Living Legend Award. He was also inducted into both the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Mr. Robinson's solo career includes many favorites, such as, "Just to See Her," "Quiet Storm," "Cruisin'," and "Being with You." In all, Mr. Robinson has more than 4,000 songs to his credit and continues to perform in front of sold-out audiences. More information about Smokey Robinson is available at www.smokeyrobinson.com.
Four Winds New Buffalo's Silver Creek Event Center is a 1,500 seat, multi-use facility that is located next to the casino floor. In addition to hosting concerts, the 17,000 sq. ft. event center can be reconfigured to host a variety of meetings, special events, conferences, and banquets. Details on concerts at Silver Creek Event Center are available at www.fourwindscasino.com/events.
Reservations and Information
To make a hotel reservation at Four Winds New Buffalo or for more information on Four Winds New Buffalo, Four Winds Hartford, or Four Winds Dowagiac, please call 1 (866)-4WINDS1, (866)494-6371 or visit www.fourwindscasino.com. Additionally, be sure to like Four Winds on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fourwindscasino and follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fourwindscasino for information on the latest offers and promotions.
# # #


text: We try our best at Looks A Lot Alike to ship quickly for as little as possible. Shipping to Canada and the US is a reasonable $3.99. This is what the postage pays for. Shipping is swift (3 business days). All packages are shipped first Class with tracking. Your tracking number will be sent out to you once your package has been mailed. Please allow 2 days to package your jewelry prior to shipping. Each piece of your jewelry will come in its own package for safe keeping.


text:
Why is it that B2B customer experience (CX) ratings fall so far behind their equivalents in the B2C market?
Global consulting firm McKinsey reports that B2C companies tend to receive satisfaction ratings between 65 and 85 percent. By contrast, B2B firms tend to receive approval ratings under 50 percent.
Plan for the Uniqueness of B2B Selling
Perhaps the most obvious explanation is the sheer complexity of shaping a B2B CX effort. In a blog post last year discussing the methodology behind its newly-launched B2B Tech Customer Experience Index, research firm Forrester highlighted three major differences between CX in the B2B buying world compared with B2C consumers:
- The number of stakeholders involved is larger: Simply put, B2B buying decisions pass through many decision makers, increasing the chances of dissatisfaction at any step along the way.
- Different stakeholders become involved at different stages of the sale: Your customer-facing staff will encounter very different customer profiles with very different needs throughout the entire account lifecycle — from the savvy IT manager to non-technical end users. As a result, there are many more points where the customer experience can break down.
- Channel partners are often key to the sales effort: Because many B2B firms sell through channel partners, those partners can have a huge effect on how a B2B product is perceived and delivered, but also have silos and bottlenecks within their own organizations that must be taken into account.
Clearly, CX in the B2B world is much more complex than its counterpart in the consumer world. As you map your customer journeys, improve your various customer experience touchpoints and address your CX pain points — be they your website load time, the quality of your blogs or your social media presence — it's also worth focusing on some of the more commonly overlooked CX touchpoints, too.
5 Vital, but Overlooked CX Touchpoints
Although some of these points may be more typically associated with the B2C customer experience, the notion of harnessing the power of personal relationships is also extremely relevant to the B2B space.
Here's a list of five important but often overlooked CX touchpoints that your B2B business can benefit from thinking about:
1. The brand advocate touchpoint
Research has shown time and again that people trust other people more than they trust brands. That means that reliable, established and trustworthy individuals endorsing your product or brand, even in the B2B space, may be the best touchpoint your company can hope for.
Of course, you can't control a brand advocate in the same way you can control other aspects of marketing and sale. All the same, the ROI associated with cultivating brand advocates as a company touchpoint can be very significant.
2. The upgrade touchpoint
Research has also shown new customer acquisition to be far less efficient and more expensive than retaining and upselling to existing clients. That's why it probably makes sense to focus your B2B company's energy on improving the quality of your upselling techniques.
For example, if you sell software, sending timely, personalized and well-structured upgrade emails provides a crucial touchpoint for expanding and evangelizing your company's products and solutions.
3. The invoice touchpoint
No customer gets excited about receiving an invoice. Unless the final total is less than expected, invoices will naturally induce negative emotions. This might just be a fact of doing business, but there are customer-oriented ways to limit the pain of receiving an invoice.
You can turn this touchpoint into a less negative experience by making your invoices clear, transparent and easy to understand; using positive language, providing a range of payment options and including personalized suggestions about ways your customers can use your service more efficiently.
4. The marketing simplification touchpoint
Despite offering literally millions of products for sale, Amazon simplifies and adds value to the customer experience by making recommendations based on previous purchases.
How can you mirror this in the B2B sector? Avoid giving people too many choices. It might sound counterintuitive, but in the world of B2B tech, we see countless companies that pack their websites with enormous lists of specialty products and services.
Remember that when you advertise everything you do, you complicate the customer experience. Simplify your website navigation to create an upside-down funnel, where your high-level offerings come first and encourage visitors who are interested in specific topics to drill down for more detail.
5. The partner touchpoint
A final overlooked touchpoint is your channel partner relationships. Many companies sell their products through third-party vendors who, in effect, represent your brand.
Help your partners leverage your marketing messages by giving them access to useful content they can reuse when pitching your product. Provide them with appropriate training. Offer them the same outstanding customer support you would provide to your other customers and prospects. Don't risk having your reputation tarnished by someone else's mistakes.
Stay Holistic to Keep Your CX Cutting-Edge
In short, the importance of mapping your B2B customer touchpoints can't be overemphasized. While it's essential to cover the basics such as having a great website, readily available salespeople and a best-in-class customer support team — cutting-edge B2B companies also invest in email, mobile search, digital advertising and social media to create a holistic CX effort that truly stands out.


text:
Just a couple of days after announcing its new BBX platform for smartphones and tablets, Research In Motion is facing a legal threat over the name.
The new operating system combines RIM's QNX OS, currently used in the PlayBook tablet, with the existing BlackBerry OS, and will power both types of device.
But Albuquerque, New Mexico-based Basis International says it's trademarked the name BBx, and has been using it for years for its operating system-independent language, database and toolset.
RIM's choice of the same three letters is confusing and could potentially harm Basis' reputation for enabling cross-platform application development, it says.
"We have thousands of product licenses installed worldwide with the 'BBX' prefix that run on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and other proprietary UNIX OSs from IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and Sun, with mobile clients running Apple iOS, Google Android, and Windows Mobile," says Basis chairman and CEO Nico Spence.
"We are fielding numerous customer inquiries voicing their confusion about the RIM announcement."
"Ironically, BASIS' BBx may aid RIM in its quest to grab a share of the application market for mobile devices in that any application created with BASIS' BBx for the Android or iOS mobile devices will also run on BlackBerry products," says Spence.
Basis has sent a cease-and-desist letter to RIM, requesting a response by the end of the month.


text:
Folks in Western Canada aren?t familiar with cross-country racing, so can you tell us what it?s like?
It?s just really high speed. A lot of people struggle with the speed of it, but for the most part, you know what?s coming on the courses because you usually get to do a parade lap?except at the I-500 and bigger races like that. In a cross-country race, things can go bad in a hurry, I know that much. You?re going 100 miles per hour down the ditch so things can get sketchy.
What are some of your greatest accomplishments?
I?d say my biggest accomplishment that I?m most proud of is my ?07 season. I was ranked second in the world on the WSA (World Snowmobile Association) series in Pro Stock and Pro Open. As well, I got a silver medal at X Games that year. That was a really good year, and then in ?09, I got another bronze medal at X Games and then this past season the gold medal in hillcross. And I think I have five cross-country championships now.
The 2015 Winter X Games was your first introduction to hillcross, so what did you think of it?
It was cool. It?s just such a short burst. It?s not a long adrenalin feel, but it was really fun. All the guys I rode with were fun, but it was pretty much what I expected coming in. Preparing for it, I rode up a hill twice maybe. I got to ride with Tucker (Hibbert) and I rode on the snocross track for two days prior. I tried to get some of my timing back and my rhythm from my snocross days. It all came back relatively well and felt good, so yeah, I was confident going in.
Ryan Simons added a hillcross title to his resume when he took home a gold medal at the 2015 X Games in Aspen, Colorado. Lissa Marsolek photo
How did it feel to win?
It was a big relief more than anything. I had a lot of people behind me on the event. I never could have done anything without them. The guys at Speedwerx put in a ton of time and effort. Steve and Jeremy worked day and night getting tuning done on the sled. With them and my mechanics, I wouldn?t have been able to do any of it. My mechanics have been behind me for years and years. To get a gold for them was pretty cool. Crossing the finish line, I was just like "phew, this is done. I?m over with it, finally."
What are your plans for the upcoming winter?
I?ve had a couple of people ask me that and I don?t honestly know. I will be doing hillcross at X Games again. I?m expecting everyone to step up their game so it?s not going to be easy. All the riders that rode last year are talented dudes so it will be good. And then the Iron Dog, that?s going to be my main focus for the year. If one of my teammates wants me to ride with them for the Soo I-500, I?ll do that again. I?d love to do it all. I?d love to do the whole cross-country series again and the I-500, but with the company and everything at home, it?s a time thing now.
Do you ride much in the backcountry?
No, and I love it. I always got super cool sleds back home to ride and I?d love to do that stuff. That?s another part of the reason why I?m not doing the whole cross country series. (I want to) spend more time with family and friends and enjoy my snowmobile a little bit.
What kind of riding do you like?
I like mountain riding. I like getting out to Blue River, Valemount, Revelstoke or Golden?any of those places. I?ve been fortunate enough to ride a few places across Alaska, Colorado and Yellowstone, Montana.
Simons will defend his title in hillcross at the 2016 X Games, but his main focus for the upcoming season is on winning the notorious Iron Dog Race. Lissa Marsolek photo
What sleds do you currently have in your garage?
As we speak, it?s the lowest I?ve ever been on sleds. All I have are my X Games medal sleds that are hanging on the wall. My gold medal sled is on its way here. I haven?t seen it since Aspen so I?ll have that here soon. And then I have four new sleds that should show up here in the next month or so. Two M?s and two trail sleds of some sort that I can ride around here?one for me and one for my girlfriend.
Of the racing disciplines you?ve tried, do you have a favourite?
I?d say snocross, just for the fact that it got me to where I am today. Without it, I wouldn?t have a career in snowmobiling. And it?s definitely the most demanding snowmobiling aspect I think anybody can do. It?s the hardest and I did fairly well at it, and it was just a large chunk of my life so definitely snocross.
Are there any sponsors you?d like to thank?
Arctic Cat, Speedwerx, Christian Brothers Racing, Fox, Carver Performance, those are my main sponsors that have really helped me out. And there?s tonnes of people who have been by me, friends and family. It?s not something you do by yourself, especially snocross. You basically have to decide if that?s your life or not. It?s a seven day a week, many, many hours a day job for seven months of the year.


text:
On your path to financial freedom there are several pitfalls to avoid. The following are the top 5 danger zones to watch out for on your way to achieving your goals and dreams.
1. Burdening yourself with debt. In its proper place, debt can be leveraged to help you achieve your dreams, such as when you're buying a house, paying for education, or seeking to build credit. All too often, however, debt can also be a set of handcuffs keeping you from experiencing financial freedom. Constantly owing someone else money compounds the problem by keeping you from saving and building wealth for yourself. Do whatever you can to rid yourself of unnecessary debt.
2. Failing to save. Failing to save is a good way to ensure that you'll never achieve your financial goals. However, getting on a budget and allocating 10-15% of your income for the future is a great way to protect yourself from future crises and help you succeed in your goals. If you can't do that, then set aside whatever you can, even if it's only $50 a month. Every bit helps, especially when you consider the compounding interest on your savings (when invested). Most companies offer a retirement plan that will match your contributions by 3-6%. This is an excellent opportunity to receive free money and you should contribute to your retirement plan at least the amount that your employer is willing to match.
3. Making financial decisions in the wrong state of mind. You can seldom expect a decision made in haste or out of an emotional state of mind to come out favorably, and yet people attempt this all the time in financial decisions. Consumers are emotional beings and often make huge financial decisions on a whim. Before making any substantial decision such as buying a house, changing jobs, or retiring, etc. you should carefully consider all of the financial implications and then plan accordingly. Failing to do so could be disastrous for your financial health.
4. Making uninformed investment decisions. Successful investing is a skill that is learned and cannot be replicated by just anyone. While there are resources out there to help the lay investor know how to invest (a great resource is A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel), most investors would be better served by working with a professional who knows the markets, tax strategies, portfolio theory, and investment strategy. In a world full of financial product salesman, brokers, and financial planners it can be difficult to know who really has your best interests in mind. In an article by the New York Times, consumers are encouraged to work with advisers who hold themselves to the fiduciary standard, meaning they put their clients' interests above their own. While this seems like a no-brainer, most advisers are actually not fiduciaries and simply sell their sponsoring company's products, regardless of how well the these products actually perform. To ensure you have an advisor who is working for your best interests, simply ask them, "Are you held to a fiduciary standard in all dealings with me and my financial affairs?" If they say no, walk away and find someone who can always be on your side without these apparent conflicts of interest.
5. Failing to plan strategically for your financial future. Without charting a course for where you want to be in the future, you'll never know how to get there. Sitting down and writing down all your dreams and goals can help you determine your end-game and strategies to get there. Often this process is best tackled with the help of a financial planner in the form of a comprehensive financial plan.
In avoiding these pitfalls, you will set yourself up for financial freedom and success in achieving your life goals and dreams. For more information on planning for your financial success contact us at American Financial Planning.
I'd love to hear from you. What are some other financial pitfalls you've observed that bar access to financial freedom?


text:
Evil Insults
There are 59 evil insults and comebacks.
- You should classify your dick as a choking hazard, because little children choke on small things404
- Your mum and dad hated you so much, your bath toys were an iron and a toaster.172
- Quick! Somebody kill it before it multiplies!137
- Person: My Parents are dead...
Me: Yeah, I'd kill myself too if I had a kid like you.69
- Girls who claim that a lot of guys are after them should keep in mind that low prices always attract many customers.274
- You're so ugly, you couldn't get laid in a morgue.26
- I would have been your dad but your dog beat me to it.137
- Your mother must have had to take a double dose of laxatives to bring you into the world.94
- If shit took a look at you it would say hi mom.258
- I heard you went to a freak show and got in free!62
- If I got a penny for everyone I've met who is as beautiful as you, I'd have all the money in the world.-159
- Yo momma's so fat, she couldn't fit in this joke.-20
- You're so ugly, when you were born, your mom said "What a treasure!" and your dad said "Yes, let's bury it!"114
- Insult: You're stupid.
Comback: Just like your Dad when he thought he wouldn't need a condom.370
- Yo momma's so stupid, she had you.16
- Go and take a LONG walk off a SHORT cliff.154
- I'm the type of person to laugh at mistakes so sorry if I laugh at your face.973
- Yo mamma's like a railroad, she gets laid all over the country.47
- Why did the chicken cross the road?
To get away from you, you UGLY FUCK.135
- If you really want to know about mistakes, you should ask your parents.181


text:
I too loved the ending and did not see it coming. I often wish I was one of those readers who has it figured out way before the final turn but in this book the big twist just made the end all the sweeter.
Created: 07/09/13
Replies: 38
Join Date: 03/24/13
Posts: 11
Join Date: 04/16/12
Posts: 24
Join Date: 04/20/11
Posts: 99
I didn't get this book here, but rather from the library, so hope it's okay to join the discussion. No, I must admit that I didn't see the ending coming, but one it did it made perfect sense. One didn't have to stretch one's disbelief to have the ending be realistic and to have it explain a lot. This was/is one of the best books I've read for a while and I'm recommending it to many others.
Join Date: 05/11/11
Posts: 50
Please login to post a response.


text:
A fire caused about $100,000 in damage Thursday morning to a house off Dawsonville Highway, officials said. A woman and three teenage children escaped the fire without injury.
Hall County Fire Marshal Scott Cagle said firefighters were called to the two story, 6,000 square-foot house at 2488 Old Fork Road shortly before 6:30 a.m. Thursday.
The home belonged to Thomas Clack, who had already left for the morning, Cagle said. Clack's wife and children were asleep when people staying in a guest house behind the home spotted heavy smoke and woke them, he said. The occupants were able to get out of the house uninjured, he said.
Firefighters spent about 45 minutes extinguishing the blaze and put out "hot spots" for the next several hours.
The cause of the fire, which started on a back deck and spread up the wall into the attic, remains under investigation. It appears accidental, Cagle said.


text:
High court rejects Christian campus groups' appeal
Court Watch - POSTED: 2012/03/19 15:58
Court Watch - POSTED: 2012/03/19 15:58
The Supreme Court has turned down an appeal from Christian groups that challenged a discrimination policy at California state universities.
The justices on Monday are leaving in place a federal appeals court ruling that found that the policy doesn't violate the Constitution. The policy says officially recognized campus groups can't discriminate based on religion or sexual orientation.
A Christian fraternity and a sorority at San Diego State University sued in 2005, arguing that the policy violates their religious freedom. The groups are restricted to Christian members.


text:
Three experienced Scottish developers have formed a new game development studio in Dundee.
Stormcloud Games has been set up by Frank Arnot, Andy West and Pat McGovern, who have over 50 years of development experience between them, and have launched 45 games covering almost every genre and platform.
Some of the games they have worked on include Minecraft (XBLA), Perfect Dark (XBLA), Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Formula One, Star Trek: Conquest; Medal Of Honor: Rising Sun, NASCAR, Glasgow 2014 (Commonwealth Games) and Harry Potter: Quidditch.
The studio has already secured funding from the Prototype Fund, overseen by the University of Abertay, Dundee, to develop new intellectual property for a browser-based game aimed at six to 12-year-olds.
It is now looking for further investment for its first project, as well as new work-for-hire projects. While Stormcloud will consider most platforms and styles of gaming. The trio are particularly interested in Android, iOS and browser games, since these sectors are still seeing strong growth.
You can find out more about the company on its website.


text:
Starpress XL 50mg Tablet 15'S
Manufacturer: Lupin Ltd
Content: METOPROLOL SUCCINATE 50MG
Type: Tablet
Package Type: 15 Tablet
*Prescription Required
Offer Price: Rs. 77.40
MRP Rs. 96.75 20% Off
Qty :
Additional offers
- Free Delivery: Enjoy free delivery, if the order value is greater than INR. 500.
- Addition 3% Discount: Get additional benefit of 3% on order value if bag value is greater than INR.2000.
Substitute Products
Revelol XL 50mg Tablet 10'SMRP Rs. 64.51
Offer Price: Rs. 51.62 19.98% Off
Cardibeta XR 50mg Tablet 10'SMRP Rs. 64.55
Offer Price: Rs. 54.86 15.01% Off
Embeta XR 50mg Tablet 30'SMRP Rs. 215.38
Offer Price: Rs. 183.06 15.01% Off
Supermet XL 50mg Tablet 15'SMRP Rs. 78.79
Offer Price: Rs. 63.03 20.00% Off
Cadmet XR 50mg Tablet 10'SMRP Rs. 63.00
Offer Price: Rs. 50.40 20.00% Off
Metol XL 50mg Tablet 10'SMRP Rs. 63.08
Offer Price: Rs. 50.46 20.01% Off
Metzok 50mg Tablet 10'SMRP Rs. 71.79
Offer Price: Rs. 61.02 15.00% Off
Revelol XL 50mg Tablet 15'SMRP Rs. 97.27
Offer Price: Rs. 82.67 15.01% Off
Kimet XL 50mg Tablet 10'SMRP Rs. 143.45
Offer Price: Rs. 114.40 20.25% Off


text:
While on this side of the ocean "The Sweeney" may not be a familiar title, in the UK it's something of a touchstone. The British crime series only ran for four seasons during the 1970s, but it was enough to make a tremendous creative and cultural impact, serving as inspiration for recent show "Life On Mars." And while "The Sweeney" spawned two films in 1977 and 1978, it has been refreshed for a new generation, bringing cops Jack Regan and John Carter back into action.
Starring Ray Winstone and musician/actor/filmmaker Ben Drew, the film finds the detectives of the Flying Squad back on the streets, hunting down an armed robber whose criminal ties could go much further, while dealing with personal blowback from within thanks to their unorthodox methods. And as you'll see in this exclusive clip from the movie, introduced by Winstone himself, Regan and Carter do try and toe the legal line, even if it means letting someone they know is guilty walk away free.
Co-starring Hayley Atwell, Steven Mackintoch, Paul Anderson, Alan Ford and Damian Lewis and directed by Nick Love ("The Football Factory"), "The Sweeney" opens in theaters and will be available On Demand starting on Friday, March 1st.
Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.


text:
Jennifer hosts, I participate (though a bit late today).
- First and foremost, I have a very important request. Travel Man's grandmother (Grammy), who (God willing) will be 90 in October, has been diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in her intestines. She has consented to have surgery on May 20. Please pray for her, for Paw Paw (Travel Man's nearly-90 grandfather), and for the surgeon. Keep the rest of us in prayer, too, while you're at it, but mostly for her. We love her dearly, and would like it if God let her stay with us a little longer. She is just the dearest woman, and I know you'd love her, too, if you met her.
- Travel Man's schedule is slowing down soon (hooray!), and he'll be a less-traveled man for a time. The girls and I are looking forward to this, and I, for one, will be glad to really sleep on a regular basis. I tend not to sleep as well when he's not here. EWTN keeps me company, and the nuns' prayers help a lot, but still… It'll be really nice to have him home more.
- There are just over 3 weeks until Little Girl's First Holy Communion. She asked to receive it on May 31 so that her grandparents could see her perform in her dance recital on May 30. She is extremely happy about the idea that she'll have 17 of her family and friends here to watch. Usually, it's just the three of us watching her, and she's dreamt of ways to get her grandparents (and my Nana, too!) here for her annual show! She is in four numbers. This is something that, before Christmas, terrified her. How can she be expected to remember them all?? But now, she's relaxed and happy about it. She missed two classes last month due to illnesses, but is caught up with the rest of the class now. If she's nervous at all, it doesn't show. I'm amazed and impressed with her.
- Speaking of amazed and impressed, Big Girl has really adjusted well to playing with the older kids at soccer. She is getting used to the hard work involved, and she is learning to lose with grace, too. Last week, the team suffered its first loss to a team that was filled with "really big girls; they all looked like they were 15!" But she's there to have fun, so Big Girl wasn't pouty about it at all. Disappointed, yes (and that's natural and expected!), but bad sportsmanship was not a part of her day.
- The sun is finally out here, after days of rain, and I think I've got enough of it to mow. However, we've got a soccer game tonight, and I'm working 4:30 to 5:00 before it. I don't know that I've got time to mow today. The grass is practically up to the kids' knees again. Bleh.
- Speaking of things to pray about, we will now take a break from my Seven Quickies to bring you this message from the Cardinal Newman Society and Father John Corappi:
- I don't have anything else, really, so how about a video to watch? Here ya' go, for your Mother's Day viewing pleasure:


text:
"Refuge is always elsewhere. I fled Egypt for the United States, and the United States for France, which I will leave as well one day, and in Paris I longed for New York and a liberty lost… and in New York I longed for Egypt, and in Egypt my only wish was to escape." –Jacqueline Kahanoff
Is this how I'm destined to feel? Feet in one place, and as I set down furniture, hang paintings, choose a coffee table, measure the space between the fridge and the doorframe for a bar-cart to fit just so, picturing a colorful abstract painting with hints of pink to place above, my heart wanders, pulling me away.
Is this how I'm destined to live, my heart wandering? Is this, then, the pleasure in traveling? Your heart wanders, not tied down to possessions, to a fixed place. Maybe this explains why my trip to Zanzibar- the furthest of my wanderings, the most exotic and researched and romantic, was also the one where I felt the least free. We rented a house, and right away, I was cleaning and stocking the pantry, and planning dinner and my heart pulled nervously, frantically, outwards, onwards. I sat there, opposite an ocean of gradient blues, the horizon soft and far; and my heart wandered.
I'm one of those people who are always thinking about home improvements (the distinction between thinking and doing being paramount here), always organizing, nesting, thinking about menus and dinner. If I have a free moment, while waiting in line, while on the subway, while in the shower, my mind makes a smooth, barely perceptible turn, flowing into that place where items come into my mind and then clamor to come out of it, onto paper. Sometimes, I feel as if my mind pulls away to be set free to fly, to float, to roam, but instead comes down, bogged down by these little, inconsequential things. Are they inconsequential?
Where would my mind go, in those moments when I let go of control, and enter that cul-de-sac where items pop up to be added to one of many ongoing lists? Is this really me letting go of control? Or would letting go of control be a place beyond this space, this space merely a security blanket, a safety net, beyond which lies something else altogether?
I wish I could be easy-going, breezy and soft and light. I'm not. My mind turns quickly to lists and ifs and doubts, and I often lose steam, overwhelmed by a list that is too long and has gathered too much dust. Or else, I stop short, right at the threshold, my feet lined up right behind the starting line, too scared to continue, but with just enough of a view of the action, of what I'm missing, for guilt to gnaw away at me from the inside.
I ache with hunger. A lifetime of confusing this raw, existential hunger, with a more immediate one for a tangible form of nourishment, makes me reach for sweets when my soul aches. I reach for a slice of chocolate cake, yielding softly under my fork, rich and fudgy and moist; a pint of coffee ice cream, beads of sweat gathering on its sides as I dig in slowly with a small spoon, leaving a wet puffy ring on my wooden desk. In the moment between placing that morsel in my mouth, swallowing, and realizing it's not going down further, the hungers twist into each other, and seem, for an elusive instant, equally satiable.
On one of those days (and I have many), when hunger was calling from deep within, I followed my instincts into the kitchen and made this cake. I find combination recipes to be best on days like these- they pack a double punch of decadence, and keep you from having to make additional decisions: caramel-swirled brownies, cheesecake brownies, chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches, this cookie dough cheesecake. This cheesecake also has speed going for it, as well as a very low commitment factor: the cookie dough component comes together in just a few minutes, and you could always decide, then and there, to go no further. Otherwise, you can retreat to the couch with a small bowl, as I did, and give yourself a few minutes to gather your thoughts, and yourself. When you're ready to continue, you'll press half of the cookie dough into your cake pan, and lower it into the oven to bake into a golden, chocolate chip-studded cookie dough crust. Next, you mix the cheesecake ingredients by hand, and as you whisk, some of that energy comes out of you, and you feel a bit invigorated. The cheesecake mixture is then poured over the crust, in a thick stream of white, and dotted with spoonfuls of cookie dough, scattered haphazardly, because now is no time for perfectionism. While the cake is in the oven, you can feel your body begin to relax, to soften at the edges, the promise of a freshly baked cake whispering softly throughout your home.
Cookie Dough Cheesecake
from Maya Marom// Bazekalim
For the Cookie Dough:
150 grams (5.5 oz) butter, softened
1 1/3 cups dark brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 cup chocolate chips
For the Cheesecake:
500 grams (17.5 oz) cream cheese
200 grams (7 oz) sour cream
3 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
pinch of salt
1 tablespoon flour
Begin with the cookie dough: Preheat your oven to 180C/ 350F. Beat the butter with the sugar for two minutes, until light and airy. Add the egg, and beat until creamy and well incorporated. Add the salt and baking soda, and mix well. Add the flour and chocolate chips, and mix until just incorporated. Finish incorporating with a spatula, being careful not to overmix.
Spread about 1 cup of the batter on the bottom of your pan, creating a cookie base about 1/2 cm (1/4 inch) thick. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until slightly golden. Remove from the oven, and set aside. Lower the temperature to 160C/ 310F.
Now, for the cheesecake mixture: In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract and lemon juice, whisking until smooth. Add the salt and flour, and whisk until the mixture is free of lumps.
Time to assemble!: Pour the cheesecake mixture onto the cookie dough crust. Using teaspoons, scoop little dollops of the remaining cookie dough onto the cheesecake. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the cake jiggles gently in the center. Let cool and refrigerate.
The cheesecake tastes best cold, and is even better the following day.


text:
Light to Medium Duty Diesel Technician
Top Truck Center, Inc. is the authorized dealer for Mitsubishi-Fuso trucks in the Greater Hartford area and surrounding communities. Our staff is factory trained in all facets of dealership services which include sales, parts, service, and warranty support. We are a locally owned independent repair facility and since 1998 we have been servicing all makes and models of commercial vehicles. Our facility has a small friendly family environment and encourages technician's creativity & feedback.
We are looking for a light to medium duty diesel technician who can diagnose and repair simple as well as complex diesel truck issues along with performing routine maintenance tasks for our customer's vehicles. The successful candidate will use state-of-the-art computer diagnostic equipment to pinpoint issues and develop a cost-effective solution for each task assigned. The ideal applicant will have exceptional customer service skills and be willing to spend the necessary time explaining issues to customers and helping them understand their service needs. Our company offers a competitive salary and benefits package.
If you would like to join our honest, reliable and hardworking team the preferred skills for the position are-
- High school diploma/GED required
- 1+ years' experience as a diesel technician
- Familiarity with the latest vehicle diagnostic equipment
- Exceptional customer service skills and a friendly disposition
Please call us at 860.289.5234 to schedule an interview.


text:
Who Must Pay Court Fees?
The body or person liable to pay fees, unless the Court, a Judge or a Registrar has directed otherwise, is:
- for filing fees - the body or person for whom a document is filed;
- for setting down and hearing fees:
- if the hearing is for a cross-claim or cross-appeal only – the cross-claimant or cross-appellant;
- if the hearing is for an interlocutory application – the body or person who makes the interlocutory application; or
- in any other case - the applicant or, in an appeal, the appellant;
- for mediation fees – the applicant in the proceeding in which the mediation is being held;
- for fees for taxation of a bill of costs – the party who has filed a notice of objection under rule 40.21, Federal Court Rules 2011, or who files a notice requesting a full taxation of the bill of costs (or, if more than one party objects to the estimate or requires a full taxation, the fee is apportioned between those parties as determined by a Registrar); and
- for fees for any other service – the person for whom the service is provided.
Only one setting down and one set of hearing fees are payable if two or more proceedings which have not been consolidated are set down for hearing together. The amount of each fee is apportioned equally between the bodies and persons otherwise liable to pay these fees for the various proceedings.
Any person requesting production of a court file for inspection and/or copying of documents from it is liable to pay the production fee and per page photocopying fees for each page copied.
However, if the person liable for that fee was a party to the proceeding that the court file relates to and:
- was either exempt generally from paying any fees in the proceeding or exempt on the basis of financial hardship from paying the most recent fee which would otherwise payable by him or her in the proceeding; and
- the copies of documents are required for the preparation of appeal papers or that person has not previously requested copies of those documents
then no photocopying fees are payable. The production fee is still payable and cannot be exempted.
Updated July 2015


text:
Everyone knows that a handset purchase is just the beginning when it comes to smartphones. Beyond the phone itself, you also need extra wall chargers, car chargers, memory cards, protective cases and plenty more.
If you're on the lookout for some new accessories to support your phone, it's always a good idea to check out what's selling well on Amazon. So today, we're going to check out the five best-selling smartphone accessories on all of Amazon.
5. Samsung 64GB EVO Class 10 Micro SDXC With Adapter
Do you remember how expensive microSD cards were a few short years ago? Now you can snag a lightning-fast 48MB/s card with 64GB of storage for under $21 shipping from Amazon. How can you not snag one?
Samsung 64GB EVO Class 10 Micro SDXC With Adapter, $20.94 with free Prime shipping
4. AmazonBasics Apple Certified Lightning to USB Cable
Seriously… why on Earth would anyone pay $20 for an Apple-branded Lightning cable that's only 3 feet long when you can get a 6-foot Lightning cable that's certified by Apple for less than $10 shipping?
AmazonBasics Apple Certified Lightning to USB Cable, $9.99 with free Prime shipping
3. SanDisk Ultra 32GB UHS-I/Class 10 Micro SDHC Memory Card With Adapter
If a 64GB microSD card for $21 is too rich for your blood, here's a less expensive option for you: A 32GB high-speed micro SD card with an adapter for just $13 shipped.
SanDisk Ultra 32GB UHS-I/Class 10 Micro SDHC Memory Card With Adapter, $12.99 with free Prime shipping
2. iXCC Lightning Cable (3 Feet)
The second best seller in Amazon's cell phone accessory department is another Apple-certified Lightning cable. This one is only 3 feet long just like Apple's $19 OEM cable, but it's just $7.99 with free shipping. With a 4.5-star rating from 15,746 customer reviews, you really can't go wrong.
iXCC Lightning Cable (3 Feet), $7.99 with free Prime shipping
1. Maxboost Glass iPhone 6 Screen Protector
Last but not least, the #1 best-seller in Amazon's cell phone accessory section is a glass screen protector for the iPhone 6 that claims to be the world's thinnest ballistic glass screen protector. It has a lifetime warranty and it only costs $8 with free shipping.
Maxboost Glass iPhone 6 Screen Protector, $7.99 with free Prime shipping
Want to see what else is on Amazon's best-sellers list in the smartphone accessories section? Click here for the full list.


text:
We Develop High-End
Mobile & Desktop Software
We are a team with proven results that share a deep passion for our craft. We design, develop, and strategize with love on each project with high attention to detail as if it were our own.
About Us
Founded in 2020 by award-winning South African software developer duo: Kyriakos Ioulianou & Salvatore Barras; after successfully exiting their first company to focus fully on software development. Kysal Technologies is a full-fledged software development house with services including app dev, website dev, UX/UI design, content creation, and more.
Our team has combined 15 years of experience and has supported multiple blue label companies stretching across multiple industries both locally and abroad. Kysal Tech possesses a strong understanding of modern-day design systems, design tools, development platforms, languages, and dev tools. We strive to offer a high-end full-cycle software development service from initial consultation to software execution and post-maintenance. Learn more about our service offering below or get in touch for more information on our origins.
How We Work
Learn more about our process and how we
manage each potential client we deal with.
We consult to get a better understanding of your businesses requirements.
All projects begin with a feasibility study to optimize project management flows.
We design user experiences and interfaces using industry leading design systems & tools.
With signed off designs we select our platform, tools, and begin your development.
We offer post maintenance of projects as well assisting clients with going to market.
Our Services
We're passionate about our craft and strive to build each project with love as if it were our own.
Software Development
We offer front and back-end development and build digital eco-systems. We develop for the now and build for the future using industry-leading tools and platforms, we've designed, developed, and executed a number of custom softwares both locally & abroad.
Experience & Interface Design
We specialize in multi‑platform digital experiences. With a strong UX and UI understanding we serve as a full fledged design agency, we create products and services that provide outstanding usability while fully embracing your brand's personality.
Website Development
Your website isn't just a URL. It's an essential component of your business strategy and extension of your brand. Whether an eCommerce or brochure website we build aesthetically pleasing responsive websites using industry-leading design systems and tools.
Data Mining & Extraction
Get structured data through our cutting-edge cloud based web scraping platform. Our web scraping service allows you to extract data from almost any website and made available to you in any format required. Usable on product catalogs, yellow pages, statistical data, online price tags, text content and many more.
Content Creation
We craft content & media optimized for modern-day platforms and assist companies who want to harness the power of social media to grow their business, as well as social media retainer services for companies who would prefer to let us manage their social media presence.
Client Testimonials
As Director of Villa Simonne Boutique Hotel, I am eternally grateful to Kysal Technologies for its dedication, tremendous customer care, and continued effort in improving our online presence. They have exceeded our expectations by actually taking time to learn and understand the intricate nature of our industry, and have introduced new technology to streamline our marketing, cut operating costs, and ensure we remain competitive during a difficult economic period.
Their keen eye for aesthetics, focus on realistic goals, as well as a passion for innovation, has helped modernize our business, and after only two months of working together. I can highly recommend Kysal to any business looking to capitalize on technology in order to improve their turnover. This is more than an IT company - it is a company that builds positive relationships with its customers, invests in understanding their business needs, and will go the extra mile to translate their business goals into reality.
- Dimitri Kelaiditis, VillaSimonne.com
Get Subscribed
Subscribe for our news, product releases,
press releases and new service offerings.


text:
Sequins and Sapphires: Out of the Box
By Kathryn Kazibwe, Uganda:
When I was in pre-unit, around the age of 5, our teacher gave us a take home assignment. She asked us to create art in the most creative way we could, using as diverse and numerous materials as we could manage to find, with minimal help from adults. Of course, most of the kids did coloured drawings of people with oddly directed limbs headed to school or church. I, however, had a different creation. It was a doll made out of banana fibre. It didn't have a lot of expression on its face, in fact it was a trick tying its face from the back of its head, but I really liked it. That was the first time I heard the term 'thinking out of the box', when the teacher praised me for doing it and gave us a long lecture about it, telling us that it is the only way to shine. To my 5-year old mind, it was all gibberish.
Today, this phrase has a slot on everyone's CV, and on the lips of everyone who has a pair. If you can't think out of the box, or claim to, then you're probably dead or something. The surprising thing is that many of the people claiming to be so different are so… not! Obviously, either someone lied or 'The Box' is no longer in existence. Or maybe outside the box is another box, and another outside that one and another until we all finally emerge in Russia.
At one time, Blacks were not allowed access to some places and jobs, by their White masters. They were treated like animals, sometimes even worse, because of the color of the skin they wore. It sucked so bad until someone, some brave N-word decided enough was enough. He, and other heroes, tore through the sides of the box they had been caged in for so long and broke free, which is why I am able to do half the things I do today. I imagine that box emptied pretty quickly.
Then it was on to the next one in which women all over the world found themselves. The same men who had hated it so much when they were denied basic human rights wielded the same sword over their female counterparts without batting an eyelid. Enough has been written and said about that box, whose sides have also been demolished, although some stubborn women and men still enjoy the shade of its roof.
But, I daresay, some of 'the enlightened' are creeping back into their former boxes, voluntarily. I was at a gathering recently where someone declared that they don't like Nigerian movies, to which someone else replied something to the effect that it showed how much they were influenced by the West. A third person, a Nigerian, sought to clarify that a lot of what we get to view in Uganda are 'Nigerian home videos' as he called them, and advised us to look out for actual movies produced and directed at much higher standards.
I liked Person 3's comment. He acknowledged that there is rubbish coming out of Nigeria's movie industry, but also rose to their defense and took the opportunity to point out that that is by no means the big picture. He got me interested in finding the good movies and seeing if I'd enjoy them. My bone to pick was with Person 2. All he did was make it seem like not liking something African, just one thing, makes one guilty of being westernized, whatever that means. I doubt anything as complicated and exciting as identity can boil down to something so mundane.
Of course there is the chance that I'm thinking the way I am because I'm just another pawn on the Western board. 80% of what I watch on TV is not from Africa and I know more about the Swiss Alps than Zombo district. Maybe that explains why I have relaxed hair and electricity in my home; it's my way of saying I want to be White! I don't know.
What I do know, though, is that Africans need to achieve a level of comfort within their identity where we don't feel obliged to shun everything un-African for the mere reason that it is not 'ours'. I wish to do away with this, 'she's so brainwashed, look at her clothes!' mentality. No one knows more about being African than another, because it is the kind of thing that is dynamic beyond measure. It can't just be one thing, in this day and age. It changes from person to person, depending on what they've been exposed to and their reactions. So don't try to convince me that thinking out of the box means not reading a particular author or forcibly enjoying particular foods.
Perhaps this is what we now need to escape – cutting up beautiful greys into sharp blacks and whites to no end.


text:
Caffiene & Tinnitus: Revisited
Hearing International reviewed this innovative finding at Hearing Health and Technology Matters, October 18, 2011. This update and modification of the original blog suggests that caffeine still might not be a tinnitus enhancer, but could even be beneficial. ———————————————————————————————————————– One of the world's most international experiences is coffee, but so is tinnitus….. While…Read More
Huey's Bad News
No matter where you live in the world you would have had to be asleep for the past 30 years not to know Huey Lewis & the News. Since the 1980s they have entertained us with the music of our times…..Huey Lewis, (Click to see the David Letterman Video), the group's lead singer and harmonic…Read More


text:
Copy Human Planet DVD with Aura DVD Copy
Human Planet is one of your favorite DVDs, and you want to make copies of the DVD for personal purposes? Now you can create backups of Human Planet DVD with Aura DVD Copy software.
Platform: Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 File Size: 7.6 MB
Human Planet DVD could be scratched, damaged and even completely unusable over time. So it's a wise idea to make copies before it's too late. If you have rent Human Planet from DVD rental store and the store's Terms of Use allow you to make copies of the DVD, you can have your favorite Human Planet on disc with the help of Aura DVD Copy software.
Aura DVD Copy software offers several solutions for copying your Human Planet DVD. You can copy it from DVD to DVD, including DVD-5 to DVD-5, DVD-9 to DVD-9, and DVD-9 to DVD-5. You can copy Human Planet DVD to the hard drive of your computer as DVD folder or DVD image file. If your Human Planet movie is image file or in DVD folder, Aura DVD Copy software can burn it to disc.
Download Aura DVD Copy Software to Copy Human Planet DVD
All types of DVD video discs are supported by Aura DVD Copy software. The program can burn your Human Planet DVD to DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW or DVD-RAM disc. Aura DVD Copy software will erase rewritable DVD disc for burning your Human Planet DVD to the disc. Except for the comparatively obscure DVD-RAM format, most new set-top DVD players will play -R and +R discs equally well. Older players have much spottier -R/+R compatibility.
Human Planet
Human Planet is an awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping, heart-stopping landmark series that marvels at mankind's incredible relationship with nature in the world today.
Uniquely in the animal kingdom, humans have managed to adapt and thrive in every environment on Earth. Each episode takes you to the extremes of our planet: the arctic, mountains, oceans, jungles, grasslands, deserts, rivers and even the urban jungle. Here you will meet people who survive by building complex, exciting and often mutually beneficial relationships with their animal neighbours and the hostile elements of the natural world.
Human Planet crews have filmed in around 80 locations, bringing you many stories that have never been told on television before. The team has trekked with HD cameras and state of the art gear to film from the air, from the ground and underwater. The result: a cinematic experience created by world-class natural history and documentary camera crews and programme makers.
Decrypt & Copy Human Planet DVD
Can't copy your Human Planet DVD with the default settings of Aura DVD Copy? Well, it's possible that the Human Planet DVD is encrypted DVD protection measures more complicated than normal Region Code, Macrovision and CSS. DVD protection technology is evolving. Bad sectors, fake main movie and other hurdles may have been inserted to the disc to prevent users from copying the Human Planet DVD.
DVD Decrypter can be used to both image any DVD and burn images to disc. CSS decrypting software (such as DVD Decrypter) allows a region-specific DVD to be copied as an all-region DVD. DVD decrypter also removes Macrovision, Content Scrambling System (CSS), region codes, and user operation prohibition.
To help you successfully clone Human Planet DVD that is encrypted with bad sectors or other schemes, Aura DVD Copy software has introduced the Enhanced copy method, in additional to the Normal copy method.
Clone Human Planet with Enhanced Copy Method
For copying encrypted DVDs with bad sectors and other up-to-date technologies. This method requires longer time to decrypt DVD protections and copy DVD. If Aura DVD Copy software fails to copy Human Planet with default mode, which is Normal, you may manually change it to Enhanced.
Clone Human Planet with Normal Copy Method
By default, Aura DVD Copy program will try to analyze and clone the Human Planet disc with Normal copy method. For most unprotected and CSS-encrypted DVDs, Normal method can handle them well. However, if the program finds the Human Planet DVD has bad sectors, fake main movie, it will prompt you to switch to Enhanced mode.
Disclaimer of Copying Human Planet and Other DVDs
This article is a tutorial on how to copy Human Planet DVD for backup purpose. If your Human Planet DVD is rented from DVD rental stores or online DVD rental services like Netflix, Tesco and LOVEFiLM, please read the Terms of Use of before trying to make copies of Human Planet. DVD rental stores may have limitations on use of the DVD your rent from them. Subjecting to certain terms of use and local laws, copying or cloning Human Planet DVD might be copyright infringement activity.
Aura4You provides Aura DVD Copy only as an application for assisting users to backup their Human Planet and/or other DVDs, for which they are authorized to make backup copies for personal use, in case of scratch and damage over time. Users should make sure they have the rights to clone the Human Planet DVD they have bought or rent.
Up to date, most states in the United States allow DVD copying for backup purpose and other personal uses. Making an archival backup of Human Planet DVD that you legally purchase with a decrypter tool is completely legal.
|Broadcast News
|White Material


text:
3 Best Blue Star Water Purifier in India 2021
Blue Star Water Purifier: Blues Star is one of the fastest growing industry in the Water Purifier Manufacturers. It does not need any kind of introduction or reference from anyone. Achievement of Blue Star Purifier Blue Star has sold 70,000+ water purifiers from 2016 to till the date and the next goal is to sell … Read more


text:
Beautiful, AffordableHousing in CT
Trending News
Public Notice for Current Oak Park Residents
Apr 22, 2022
Find Your Next Home
Be Part of the Vision
At Charter Oak Communities (COC), you won't just find a place to live; you'll find a home. Our mission is to set the bar ever higher, using the skills and passion of our terrific team to help residents grow and make steady progress toward self-sufficiency.
We provide attractive, affordable homes for thousands of Stamford residents, serving a wide range of needs. COC is a leading champion for innovative, creative partnerships that are redefining public-assisted housing communities in Connecticut and across America.
~ Natalie Coard, Executive Director
Quick Links
Community Oriented
provided with a home
connected to community partners/resources.
we own and manage
Getting to Know Us
We're redefining public housing, one home at a time. Charter Oak Communities is committed to providing high-quality, affordable rental opportunities for the Stamford community, designed to meet the diverse needs of residents while enhancing surrounding neighborhoods.
Resident Highlight
Johnny Taylor, resident of Clinton Manor, speaks often of how grateful he is to the staff and neighbors in his building. He feels fortunate, he says, because the facility is easily accessible for his motorized wheelchair, and he is happy to be around people who look out for one another.
Community Partners
Volunteer-powered and socially responsible, Fairgate Farm is the thriving heart of the Vita Health & Wellness District. The Farm supplies fresh, organic and locally-grown fruit and vegetables to our community and to nonprofit agencies. We offer a filled calendar of special events, including nutrition, cooking, and gardening education programs throughout the spring and summer.
A partnership of Charter Oak Communities, Stamford Hospital and the City of Stamford and in collaboration with numerous service organizations, Vita is redefining health, housing, and community in Stamford's West Side neighborhood.
For over a decade, Charter Oak Communities has partnered with Stamford's premier human services provider, Family Centers, to provide resident services throughout our communities. Our relationship with Family Centers promotes personal growth, resident leadership, and community cohesion.
We've partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Stamford — a premier facility for youth ages 6-18 — to further their mission to improve the lives of children throughout all areas and disciplines of their lives in order for them to reach their full potential.


text:
Shannon Breitzman
Denver, CO
[javascript protected email address]
(720) 638-6700
Shannon Breitzman is an agile public health professional with expertise in marijuana legalization, opioid abuse, injury and violence prevention, and behavioral health promotion. Trained in collective impact and lean facilitation methods, Shannon has a collaborative approach. She bridges mindsets and jurisdictions, crafting solutions to address shared risk and protective factors across multiple public health issues.
Shannon coordinated the development and implementation of statewide violence and injury, mental health, and substance abuse prevention and intervention initiatives for the Colorado Department of Public Health for 15 years. As branch chief, she led the development of the nation's first state retail marijuana education and prevention program and campaign, now an award-winning national model. Shannon understands the complexities of legalizing recreational marijuana and how to proactively mitigate potential post-legalization outcomes.
Stakeholder engagement is a specialty. Shannon rallied human services, healthcare, business and education partners statewide to embrace a child abuse prevention project that changed the paradigm from intervening with troubled families to building strong families through system and policy change. She brought together law enforcement, treatment and public health officials with previously divergent points of view to develop a coordinated plan to counter the state's growing heroin epidemic.
An accomplished grant writer with a 90 percent success rate, Shannon generated more than $20 million in federal and foundation funding to advance state public health education and prevention programs in Colorado. She has conducted focus groups and supervised large scale public health data collection and surveillance projects, researching child fatality, sexual violence, youth suicide and men's mental health.
Shannon has two master's degrees from Notre Dame de Namur University in California and a bachelor's degree from the University of the Pacific.
The mother of four young boys, Shannon spends her "free time" in gyms or at baseball fields, or driving to gyms and baseball fields.


text:
Sewer Video Inspection Van Nuys
Have you any idea how we locate problems within a sewer line when it is buried underground? If you said anything about digging a large trench and removing the damaged pipe you would be incorrect. Well, incorrect in how we approach sewer repairs. In Van Nuys and the surrounding area we conduct a video inspection in order to find a problem in your sewer line.If you have never heard of such a thing, let us at Rapid Plumbing explain exactly what we do as part of a sewer video inspection.
The Digging
At one time the only way to get to a sewer problem was to excavate a whole pipe and remove it from the ground. This involved the use of heavy equipment and typically left a huge mess damaging landscaping and the look of your yard in an attempt at finding a damaged pipe. At Rapid Plumbing we use trenchless technology in locating and repairing damaged sewer pipes.
The Access Holes
There is going to be some digging in your yard regardless. The difference with trenchless technology is that we will only dig one or two small holes down to the pipe connections. That allows us access to the pipe and avoids the need for completely tearing up your property.
The Camera
Once we have access to the pipe connection locations – typically close to your building and one out at the street where your line meets a municipal main line – we can look inside. However, what we use to view the interior of your sewer pipe is a tiny closed-circuit camera. It allows us to take a very up-close view of the pipe from inside the pipe.
The Repair
Depending on what we find inside your sewer line, we will provide you with several different trenchless technology options that would be appropriate for the specific pipe repair.
Once we discuss the required repair, we will carry on and fix the problem. It can be as simple as flushing out a clog to a new pipe liner or pipe bursting the old pipe in place and replacing it with a new one.
The Result
By using trenchless technology, our Rapid Plumbing professionals will get the job done faster than excavation would have taken. This will save you a great deal of money on the cost of the repair.
Plus, trenchless plumbing repairs last for several years, over 50 years at the very least which means you won't have a problem with the pipe that was fixed ever again. Add to this that trenchless technology is kind to the environment and you have a winning combination.
Call us Today!
For your free estimate, contact us at Rapid Plumbing. We provide sewer video inspection service to the Van Nuys and surrounding region. It is an easy way to find out what is going on inside your pipes without having to completely remove them to figure out what the problem actually is. You can book an appointment by email or by calling us toll free at 1-818-938-2799.
Contact Us
Are you interested in learning more about what we have to offer you? Use the form below to reach one of our representatives.


text:
By Ania Ostrowska The Daughters of Fire (Las Hijas del Fuego) is streaming on MUBI until 22 April 2020. You …
Culture Club: Wanting to be Reading THREADS OF LIVE by Clare Hunter (& to be stitching)
By Jenny Clarke I am currently living an unintentionally minimalist life in Edinburgh; I moved myself and some essentials up …
Culture Club: Watching Barbra Streisand
By Sarah Wood I heard the news that my friend Clare had died in China. She's the first person I …
Culture Club: Reading BEDSIT DISCO QUEEN by Tracey Thorn & listening to the Marine Girls
By Selina Robertson Bedsit Disco Queen by Tracey Thorn (Virago, 2013) is out now in paperback. Marine Girls' albums Beach …
Culture Club: Watching TRIGONOMETRY directed by Athina Rachel Tsangari
We're watching TRIGONOMETRY on BBC iPlayer, directed by and starring two Femmes favourites: Athina Rachel Tsangari and Ariane Labed, back a decade after Attenberg with a new tale of loving & vulnerable bodies dancing dorkily.
Feminist Re-Imaginings Dossier (postponed)
Read all about it!
Revolt, She Said: Women and Film after '68 report
Explore the legacy of our groundbreaking Revolt She Said: Women and Film after '68 tour here. With many thanks to …
the german sisters by Sarah Crewe
A poem by Sarah Crewe, after/for Margarethe von Trotta's The German Sisters
Revolt, She Searched by Jenny Clarke
Connecting with new potential audiences for Revolt, She Said, I looked beyond the current cinema audience to the growing young feminist communities all around the UK.
So Mayer on DAISIES and/as Feminist Art
DAISIES + SAUTE MA VILLE! screened at the Lexi as part of their Summer Film School, and CdF's So Mayer went …
Read our Zine!
Including our CDFesto, a timeline of revolts and revolutions related to our film programme from 1968–1992, fabulous images from our …
A Revolting Archive by Isabel Moir
Read about ICO programmer Isabel Moir's intrepid journey into the regional film archives….thank you Isabel for your amazing work!
Grace Barber-Plentie on RIDDLES OF THE SPHINX
The Sphinx is re-emerging. It was never defeated, never fully gone, just lying dormant. It is resurrected.
Jenny Clarke reviews the BFI's Woman with a Movie Camera Summit. 16 June 2018
For me the Woman with a Movie Camera summit was a long overdue coming together….
Selina Robertson on SAUTE MA VILLE
Every action in the film counts: cooking, eating, humming, brushing, dancing, laughing, washing, cleaning and taping; this is furious feminist work.
Jason Barker on BEFORE STONEWALL
I was drawing up the power of dykes through time – the passing women of Before Stonewall, the butches and femmes, the people in the middle of nowhere just doing it.
Lizzie Borden on MAEVE
Pat filmed, edited and presented MAEVE within the five-year period in which BORN IN FLAMES was made. While we played with fake guns and planted fake bombs in downtown Manhattan, Pat travelled in and out of a real war zone.
Jemma Desai on ONE SINGS, THE OTHER DOESN'T
In One Sings and the Other Doesn't correspondences serve as journeys towards and away from each other. They are journeys toward sameness and towards difference.
Kanchi Wichmann on THE CAT HAS NINE LIVES
Stöckl's unapologetically feminist politics and stark narrative devices nod to directors such as Varda, Akerman and Chytilová, whilst the art-direction, costumes and music tap into the giddy optimism of the time.
Tara Judah on NICE COLOURED GIRLS
The film is umami: Moffatt gives us sweet tang in the "nice" girls of the title, cut in contrast with the "nasty" girls of the 1982 number one pop song she employs, Vanity 6's Nasty Girl.
Nazmia Jamal on A PLACE OF RAGE
We are all, every day now, witnessing or experiencing the sort of brutality that, to paraphrase June Jordan, is hardening us in a place of rage.
Carmen Gray on DAISIES
With irreverent energy Daisies tears apart a stifling patriarchal order in a mischievous riot of destruction; its focus upon clearing the ground, rather than organising what may come after.
Sophie Brown on CARRY GREENHAM HOME
It celebrates the joyfully fierce defiance of the protestors against systems that don't care, and explores the necessary work that comes with creating new ways of living. They are gentle angry people, singing for their lives.
Anna Backman Rogers on THE GIRLS
There could not exist a more politically apposite moment to re-watch Mai Zetterling's visionary The Girls than the one we are living through right now.


text:
Abbeyfeale Golf Club
Abbeyfeale, Limerick
Tel : (068) 32033
Course Details
|Course Name: Abbeyfeale Holes: 18 Yardage: 4072 SSS:
|The course at Abbeyfeale Golf Club consists of 9 holesd played from the outward and inward tees making an 18 hole experience. Parkland course with mature trees and rolling fairways set in the scenic South Limerick countryside on the border with the golfing paradise of County Kerry and its famous links.
press here for Abbeyfeale Golf Club course reviews


text:
At one point in the FX cartoon Archer, Lana, a co-worker of the titular character, snaps at him: "I'm sick of you getting the best assignments just because your mother's the boss. Do you know what that's like?"
His reply: "Besides awesome?"
The funniest show on TV, Archer is about the dysfunctional private spy agency ISIS, run by the mother of the protagonist. Her son, Sterling, is an impeccably dressed spy with expert-level fire-arms ability, a drinking habit and a sociopath's disregard for the feelings of anyone around him: think if James Bond looked like Don Draper and acted like George W. Bush.
In the pilot, he has to break into the ISIS mainframe to alter his business account: he had been running up a massive bill jet-setting around the world with a series of high-class prostitutes.
In a series of anecdotes told in Family Guy fashion, we find out that he dumped his personal butler's entire wardrobe out the window for improperly poaching his egg, impregnated his maid and paid for her abortion three different times and brazenly cheated on Lana when they were together.
ISIS, a satire of the omnipotent agencies typically found in spy movies, barely functions at all. The other main characters — Cyril, the nebbish accountant, Pam, the gossiping HR executive and Carol, the slutty secretary — are too busy wrapped in their own petty personal dramas to do much actual work.
Archer, oblivious and impossibly vain, succeeds mostly in spite of himself. He has the casual arrogance of someone who has been given everything his entire life; no matter how often he side-tracks a mission by hitting on hostesses, needling Lana and fretting about his wardrobe, he figures it will work out eventually.
A graduate of an elite prep school, Archer is a stereotypical member of the WASP elite.
A hundred years ago, a kind of "nobless oblige" mentality existed amongst similar scions of American families who graduated from schools like Exeter and then Harvard. FDR, born in 1882, attended Groton, whose headmaster preached that Christians had the duty to help the less fortunate and enter public service.
But as the Ivy league slowly changed from aristocratic to meritocratic institutions, with test scores replacing family connections as the key to admittance, a different kind of elite was created. They didn't feel like they owed the common people anything; after all, since they had "earned" their place on top of society, they deserved the fruits of their labor. Ayn Rand's objectivist philosophy, which preached that most of society was free-loading off the cognitive elite and would fall apart without them, appealed to their vanity; instead of going into public service, they flocked towards Wall Street.
Sterling Archer is a pitch-perfect satire of this mentality: a man who could save the world but chooses not to. When his co-workers strike for a living wage, he is completely unmoved, refusing to give up any of his bonus to "the drones". He takes particular delight in provoking confrontations with the hapless Cyril, a classic beta male who Lana takes up with to spite Archer after their break-up.
Imagine if the average American told a Goldman Sachs trader: "I'm sick of bailing out the financial markets to the tune of trillions of dollars while the economy falters. Do you know what's that like?"
They'd probably shrug and respond with something along the lines of, "Besides awesome?"


text:
The most important piece of safety gear is your very own brain. Pay attention to everything going on around you. Vehicles behind and next to you as well as in front, watch the body language of the cars and anticipate where they will go next, watch the side roads, pedestrians, stray animals running beside the road, everything. Try to avoid ever going squidding with your head - if you are too tired, sick or distracted, then you might not see that critical moment that lets you react in time to save your life.
Recommended General Safety Gear
Why a full faced helmet?
Leather is best if you can afford it and there are many companies in Perth and online that provide motorcycle specific clothing with armoured padding for your shoulders, elbows, back, hips and knees built in.
Additional safety gear to consider: