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ValidR software
The ValidR software manages a combination of various disciplines and activities. Built on our IAVS-M2 measurement equipment, ValidR guides you simply through the entire validation process:
- Management of validation and reporting protocols
- Design of a validation plan, the basis for the measurements and the final report
- Direction and guidance in performing the measurements
- Automatic generation of partial and final reports.
With ValidR you design and manage structured protocols to define the necessary process settings and operating instructions in relation with:
- the specific process parameters of each process/load combination;
- the applicable standard for the validation and its assessment criteria;
- automatic calibration of thermocouples before and after the validation measurements;
- performing the actual measurement of the processes including instructions for loading, positioning of thermocouples and all relevant comments
- and other settings, eg. for the graphical display in the report.
Figure: Validation protocol with thermocouple arrangements.
This support clearly contributes to a good reproducibility especially since independence in the operations is requested. Because of this, also the results of successive validations become comparable, which creates an overview of the process in time.
In addition to these measurement and calibration protocols ValidR also has reporting protocols. Initially these relate to the standards, requiring reports on the identification of the machine to be validate and on eventual primary technical defects. In addition however, free text protocols can be added, which allows the user to insert other sections into the final report.
The following European standards and Dutch guidelines are available in ValidR:
- EN554: Validation and routine control of sterilization by moist heat
- EN285: Sterilzation - steam sterilizers - Large sterilizers
- EN13060: Small steam sterilizers
- EN17665: Sterilization of health care products - Moist heat
- D6101 : Vacuümlektest (Vacuum Leakage test)
- D6103b: Validatie van stoomsterilisatieprocessen voor medische hulpmiddelen
(Validation of steam sterilization processes for health care products)
- R6103: Validatie van stoomsterilisatieprocessen voor medische hulpmiddelen
(Validation of steam sterilization processes for health care products)
- R6105 : Controle op primaire technische gebreken bij stoomsterilisatoren voor medische hulpmiddelen in ziekenhuizen
(Checking primary technical failures in steam sterilizers for health care products in hospitals)
- R6106 : Controle op primaire technische gebreken bij stoomsterilisatoren voor medische hulpmiddelen
(Checking primary technical failures in steam sterilizers for health care products)
- R6107 : Validatie van stoom/watersterilisatieprocessen voor waterige vloeistoffen in gesloten containers
(Validation of steam/hot water sterilization processes for liquids in closed containers)
- R6108 : Validatie van stoomdestructie (Validation of steam destruction)
- R6111 : Validatie van heteluchtsterilisatieprocessen (Validation of hot air sterilization processes)
- R6112 : Controle op primaire technische gebreken bij heteluchtsterilisatieprocessen
(Checking primar technical failures in hot air sterilization processes)
- R6151 Validatie van thermische desinfectieprocessen voor medische hulpmiddelen
(Validation of thermal disinfection processes for health care products)
- EN15883: Washer-Disinfectors: Requirements and tests
Relevant new standards are added and existing standards adapted to the latest state of affairs regarding the development of these standards.
Furthermore, customer-specific standards can be provided on request if special (different) processes must be validated.
The validation plan
With the predefined protocols as a basis, you set up a validation plan with ValidR, in which all the steps required for the implementation of the validation are arranged. The plan with all the measurement protocols for the processes to be measured and supplemented with reporting protocols thus forms a clear guideline for the measurement session and also serves as the basis for the final report.
Figure: ValidR measurement session consisting of 15 protocols/paragraphs.
The validation plan is stored in a clear file structure and it can also be repeated at the next re-validation. Responsibilities for setting up the plan (and the underlying protocols) and the execution of the measurement session are separated by means of applicable user privileges.
During the measurement
During the validation the validation plan shows which measurements should be performed. After following the instructions for proper loading and placing of thermocouples, the process is started and the measurement results are displayed on screen in real time, numerical and graphical presentations with selection and zoom capabilities. The applicable standard criteria are online checked and verified and eventual special findings such as deviations are reported directly. This creates a direct insight into the process performance during validation . Also during other types of process examination or maintenance, this information is particularly useful for the analysis of the process performance.
ValidR is multi-tasking and it can therefore perform another scheduled reporting protocol, while a measurement runs in the background. This efficiently uses the waiting period, which typically exists during the measurement cycle.
Afterwards the measurement results are stored with the validation scheme in a single data file (if required, the entire data set can be copied and further processed elsewhere). The validation engineer adds other metrics, such as readings from designating instruments, and notes to record his personal findings and comments.
The measurement results are retrievable in tabular or graphical form, so any detail can be analyzed and discussed immediately.
Graph: Steam sterilisation process.
Results analysis
At the end of each measurement the results can be further analyzed for anomalies, and/or settings and criteria may be otherwise applied.
Figure: Analysis of registrated measurement data.
In addition to the overall assessment of the process flow in the graph, it is possible to change certain settings of the measurement protocol afterwards. If the registration fails, eg. due to a faulty thermocouple, it can be suppressed in the results; or yet a graph definition is changed to improve a certain part of the picture. Also certain test criteria may be applied differently, if permitted by the standards definition.
ValidR can summarize the actual measured values and test results in different (sub) reports:
- a short report with a brief summary of the measurement;
- a comprehensive technical report with readings, charts and test results per measurement;
- separate graphs with temperature and pressure curves, enlargements, hot/cold curves and legends;
- and a composite final validation report.
All reports are available in MS-Word format and they may be possibly further processed and stored from there, while of course maintaining the validated measurement results. And thanks to the existing reporting protocols, all textual report parts are already filled out during the validation, so that in the end the complete final report can be generated with a single mouse click. This will save you writing reports afterwards and you can also directly present your substantiated findings to the appropriate expert/customer. Also a preliminary process release, subject to the completion of the final report is then no longer necessary.
You can download a demo final report (in. Pdf format) here. This report was generated entirely on the basis of the protocols and measurement results of the measurement session shown above.


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I have been patiently waiting for a design from the house of Fendi to wow me. I mean the kind of wow that is undeniable, the feeling you get when you see a bag that you absolutely must have! Not saying that this bag is it, but it could be, in a different version. While the Fendi Patent Shoulder Bag has a shoulder strap, the chic way to carry it is sans-strap as an oversized clutch. The oversized bag from Fendi was spotted on the Spring 2008 RTW runway in various forms, my favorite being the multicolor hues and oversized stitching (similar to the multicolor Doctor Frame Bag). I am still waiting to see that bag in person and see how much it wins me over (it could be the bag that turns me back on to Fendi). So this bag, the patent shoulder bag, is slightly reminiscent of what I am yearning for. The good news is this is easy to wear, at all times. Th black patent leather will carry over for seasons and the fold over top is a nice finish. This is ok, but I am waiting for stunning! Buy through Net A Porter for $1680.
P.S. Please consider supporting our small, bag-loving team by clicking our links before shopping or checking out at your favorite online retailers like Amazon, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, or any of the listed partners on our shop page. We truly appreciate your support!

subset: commoncrawl


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The Annual 'Dusting of the Plaque' 2009
"A Middletonia Review"
I went to my first 'Dusting of the Plaque' event at the Olde Boar's Head on Saturday. I thought I might do a little write up here and get some pictures for a nice little article on the do. However it wasn't to be!
The event is held in memory of the late local musical legend that is Pete Cowap. I believe this years was the 10th anniversary of the establishing of the event and many die-hard fans and musicians continue to pack out this venue to pay tribute to Pete, perform their own music, catch up with each other and generally have a great day!
It soon became clear to me that I should have gotten there well in advance of the 1pm kick-off to secure myself a seat to be held on to for dear life, but nobody warned me of this in advance! I got there shortly after 2pm hoping to chat to a few people and take some photos of the artistes' performing and write short reviews on them.
After some time waiting to be served at the bar, it was evident I had no chance of getting anywhere near the 'sessions' room where all the action was! The whole place was overflowing with people spilling onto the street at the front and in the beer garden at the rear. As for the sessions room itself, there were literally queues at both doorways in, and it was a case of waiting for someone to come out before one more could squeeze in!
I did however manage to get into the Long Street entrance for a while and caught part of Tony Auton and his bands' performance which was very impressive. A friend of mine has always raved about them and now I know why! Very talented guys that more people should know about. Unfortunately it wasn't worth trying to get any pictures because from that doorway we were looking largely at the back of the bands members heads!
I felt it was such a shame I couldn't really get to see more of the acts which were billed to be Hard Times, Rock of Ages, Tom's Rigg (All sixties beat), Victor Brox (Blues), Stringtheory (Country/rock), Red Hoffman (Blues/soul), WYSIWYG (Rock), Random Harvest (Eagles sound) and Palomino (Buddy Holly). There were some rather 'colourful' characters walking around, as musicians often are.
I spent most of the day in the beer garden where you had at least a little breathing space around you. The event is so popular that the venue is much too small to accomodate it, although as this is where 'the plaque' is, it can hardly be held anywhere else!
I noted various comments such as, perhaps they could give over a room on the other side of the pub to another performing area so that two of the acts could play simultaneously and people get a choice which one they want to watch allowing them more chance of seeing who they want to see the most, or even in the beer garden.
Failing this, I noticed you couldn't hear any of the music from the beer garden even though there is a large speaker on the wall out there. This is probably connected to the juke box but I can't see much being involved in connecting this so people can at least hear the bands playing and still be able to enjoy the music, even if they can't get in the room to watch the performance. After all the switch over to enable this would only have to be done once a year.
So that concludes my personal experience of my first 'dusting'. Perhaps the pub and organisers could think about some of these ideas for next years event as the opinion was shared by others settling for the comfort and space of the beer garden who also were a little disappointed they couldn't get to see more of what they went to see. Still bearing this in mind I had a very enjoyable day out and Pete's plaque continues to sparkle for another year!
Written by the editor. 26.04.09.
Some pictures supplied by Danny Hardman
See further comments on letters page in 'Community'


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August is shaping up to to be the month with the least number of books read and reviewed since I started putting reviews on-line seven-and-a-half years ago. It's partially because I've been putting a lot of time into Snit, partially because of the Olympics (remember them?), but mostly because I've been otherwise occupied.....playing video games.
Yes, it's true. If I were a member of the Truly Literary Blogosphere Establishment, I'd probably have to turn in my badge and my tie tack; fortunately, my deep and abiding love of genre fiction has saved me from such a humiliating fate.
And the game I've been playing recently is an RPG called Dark Cloud 2, which, frankly, is almost too goofy for words while remaining an enjoyable game. Computer games aren't known for having deep, complex, satisfying plots, but this one is silly beyond the conventions of the medium.
You start the game as Max, a kid who likes to build things. He's the son of the wealthiest man in town, but he prefers to spend his time doing odd-jobs for Cedric the inventor. You live in the little town of Palm Brinks, which has been completely shut off from the outside world for some years now. No one knows why, and no one really seems to care, and somehow life goes on--with a pretty good standard of living, needless to say. Heaven knows where all of the manufactured goods come from.
Anyway, a circus comes to town. A circus comes to town? But Palm Brinks has been completely shut off-- Oh, never mind. A circus comes to town, and the ringleader, an evil-looking clown with an evil-laugh, is after a red stone that Max wears on a chain around his neck. Max is forced to flee into the sewers (you knew there'd be sewers didn't you? You haven't played this kind of game much if you didn't expect sewers) where you have to fight for your life against sewer rats, frogs, evil mincing clowns, evil balloon-headed creatures, and a variety of stranger things. You're armed only with a small pistol and your trusty adjustable wrench, which by the way makes a really good club.
After you leave the sewers, you discover that the reason Palm Brinks has been cut off from the outside world is that the outside world is almost completely destroyed. And then you meet a red-headed girl named Monica, who wields a great big sword and a magic armband, and has a blue stone that matches your red stone. Whoa. Plus, she's from the FUTURE. Wow! Plus, she has a pony-tail that goes down to her knees, and looks really cute in pumpkin shorts. Woo-hoo!
Pumpkin shorts? That's what the game calls them. I don't see anything pumpkin-like about them, myself.
Anyway, Monica tells you that the future isn't what it used to be; somebody's been changing things in the past to destroy the future. She's come back to fix things, and she wants your help. Fixing things, it turns out, involves the restoration of "origin points". You go to the place in the Past (that is, in Max's era) that matches a place in the Future, and then you build houses, persuade people to come live in them, and so forth, so that everything that's needful is there for it to develop into what it's supposed to be in Monica's time. As you do this, you can travel to and from the Future and see how things are working out. And really, you have to do this--the reason you pick the places to restore that you do is because there are people in the future whose help you need who won't exist unless you restore their places.
In the meantime, you spend a lot of time fighting your way through dark forests, deep canyons, sea caves, and who knows what all, slaying fearsome monsters, collecting the raw materials you need to do your building, and levelling-up your weapons. That's right; the game system is a little odd. In most RPGs, your character gains endurance, strength, and so forth as he or she gains experience. In Dark Cloud 2, it's your weapons that gain experience. At the moment, for example, Max is wielding the dreaded Poison Wrench and a machine-pistol called Star Breaker, while Monica has a claymore.
Oh, and occasionally you have to go fishing. And sometimes you have to play golf. No, really. When you're not indulging your photography hobby, which is essential to completing the game.
You fight a variety of weird monsters, including Auntie Medusa, the Weird Old Spider Lady, a variety of walking skeletons and elemental spirits, vicious moles, walking plants, pirates, walking fish, tree creatures, golems, elephants, dragons, the Rainbow Butterly, weird robot things, and dog statues, among other things. You meet a variety of odd people. You go many odd places, and get to listen to lots of awful nonsense about sages.
It's a Japanese game, of course. Monica the cute redhead should have given that away; every Japanese video game I've played has a cute redhead, though usually she has pigtails that stick straight out to the sides instead of a ponytail.
It's a fun game, though, and I've been enjoying it--even if I've been fast-forwarding through some of the dialog because I don't want to try to explain it to the kids, because it's so doggone goofy.
Anyway, I'm about halfway through. I'm trying to fit in some books, though. Wish me luck.Posted by Will Duquette at August 18, 2004 06:11 PM


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Hey Everyone,
You all know I adore warm-toned makeup so I thought I would challenge myself by using cooler tones for this look. I'm obsessed with how this look came out, it would be perfect for any formals or proms coming up or for anyone who loves silver sparkly glam! Another bonus of this look is that all the shadows come from the Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette!
As always I filled in my brows with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in the shade Dark Brown and then I used the Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer in Vanilla to tidy up around the brows. I then used the shade Thirteen to set my lids in place and then I used the shade Combust to act as the transition shade, I buffed this just above my crease and layered it a few times to build the pigmentation. I then used the shade Password and blended this through the crease (just below Combust) again I layered this a few times to build pigmentation. I also packed this shade over the outer two-thirds of the lid to help deepen this area.
I then went on to the shade Dagger, again I blended this through the crease, but not as close to the inner corner as before. I then took this shade over the outer third of the lid and made sure to blend well with the shade Password for a seamless transition. To further deepen the outer corner I applied the shade Black Market with a pencil brush and blended it with the previous brush.
If you are finding it difficult to blend try working through the previous shades you have applied with the brush you used to apply it, this will help create a seamless blend.
To create my winged liner I used the Kat Von D Ink Liner in Trooper and then tight-lined using the Sephora Collection Waterproof Eye Pencil in Black. For the lower lashline, I first used the shade Password and then darkened it with Dagger before smudging along the lower lashline with Black Market. I then applied some mascara and Eylure Lashes in the style 117.
For the lips I applied Lola Make up Cherry Lip Liner, then Lola Makeup Merry Berry Lipstick to the outer portion of my lips. To enhance the ombre further I tapped some highlight on the centre of my lips and used a lip brush to blend.
I just created a YouTube Video for this foundation routine, watch it here!
For my foundation routine, check out the All About That Base post.
Charlotte xx
Instagram: @charlotte_tudge_makeup
Facebook: Charlotte Tudge – MUA and Blog
Twitter: @charlottesbblog (note the 2b's)


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The villa itself is built following the typical Spanish style with a cool veranda and archways, beige painted walls and a cozy living room with chimney. There is a very spacious and comfortable lounge upstairs with a built-in bar making it easy for you to enjoy this villa at any time of the year. The bedrooms are particularly spacious and one has an en-suite bathroom with a circular sunken bath. So if youre looking for a quiet, yet accessible spot to enjoy your holidays and love dining outdoors, this villa is perfect for you.
This impressive villa has 500 sqm set on 20.000 sqm of private land. This property promotes a warm and welcoming atmosphere from the moment you step inside. A truly outstanding villa with finishes of extremely high standards. Nestled in the middle is the mainhouse, which has the living room, dining room and a fully equiped kitchen and two bedrooms. The other bedrooms are attached to the house and have their own seperate entrances. Ibicencan furnishings have been use throughout. It has private and secluded garden areas, several terraces and a private swimming pool.
A traditional house with all modern facilities for your comfort. The original garage is turned into a huge gamesroom with an amazing selection of games. Fully equipped in every sense of the word: one of the bathrooms is especially adapted for wheelchairs and all bathrooms have floor heating. The house has air conditioning, wifi and there is a tv in all the bedrooms.
Traveling with family, and especially when traveling with children, can be a stressful time. At Rent Ibiza Holiday we do not want that to happen so if you choose one of our family villas, everyone will have their own space to stay together but not scrambled. Spend great family moments by the pool or organize a barbecue, great family moments are not at odds with the space and intimacy that a family also needs.


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In case you didn't know, Dan Rutherford is the Illinois Treasurer and is running in the Republican primary for Governor of Illinois.
He has participated in several debates recently and was asked and answered many questions.
But Sugar Buzz Chicago wanted to know the answer to more more question: What is your favorite meal?
According to his mother Carol, Dan Rutherford's family once owned a pizza restaurant. Maybe that's why Dan's favorite meal is pizza. He likes bacon, sausage and onions on it, although not necessarily on the same pizza.
Dan's favorite dessert is Carol's homemade vanilla-almond ice cream.
Filed under: Uncategorized


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We begin with a moment of silence.. or at the very least, a moment of sheer annoyance. My favorite contestant, Mary Beth, was kicked off of Food Network Star Sunday night. Her personality was top-notch. Her food looked/sounded wonderful, but according to the selection committee, it lacked flavor and proper execution. I believe she had "it" and could've gone far. What do I know?
Now, back to regularly scheduled food fun.
As I've already written, not everything I make gets rave reviews.
Case in point: Sunday's dessert. I had leftover rice (see Katy's Chicken and Rice from previous entry), so I decided to concoct an Earl Gray rice pudding. I infused coconut milk and heavy cream with the tea leaves and added a few more yummies to it. Unfortunately, I believed that there was more liquid than rice, so I added another package of already cooked brown rice. It cooled to become a thick cup of rice with decent flavor. There was no creaminess. I was told it looked like a Rice Krispies Treat. Lesson learned. But, that, dear readers, is what I do. I experiment and have fun. If it works, great. If not, I learned something. Next time, less rice is more.
I also learned how to fry okra. Coming from New York and ultimately Florida, fried okra wasn't something I'd usually have. We got a nice bag of freshly picked okra from a family garden. I sliced it up and put it all into a bath off eggs, heavy cream and pepper.
Then, in a resealable bag I put yellow corn meal, flour, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt and pepper… Combined the wet okra with the dry mix, fried it all in canola oil and then salted it all as it cooled. YUM. The okra remained bright green, but had a crunchy, salty coat with a kick.
So excited for my next trial-and-error in the kitchen. That means, for now, I'm gone dishing – with hopes of a new recipe headed your way soon!
Tip: Keep fast food condiments… well, most of them. Last night's dinner was a stuffed pork tenderloin that I glazed with a few packets of duck sauce from the nearby Chinese Restaurant. I also use packets of Chinese hot mustard in my egg and chicken salads. I won't keep the soy sauce because it's loaded with sodium and I always have a bottle of the low sodium kind in the fridge. I've also used taco sauce packets for nachos or a homemade taco salad.


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Welcome to Riverside Apartment, a luxury holiday apartment in the centre of the city of Perth with views overlooking the River Tay. Sleeps 2 i one large double bedroom.
Situated in a historic Grade B listed building Riverside Apartment enjoys uninterrupted views over the River Tay towards Kinnoull Hill and beyond. The centrally located first floor apartment provides a luxurious, personally overseen alternative to hotel living for tourists and those in the area for business purposes alike.
Built in the late 19th Century as the Harbour Masters Building it has sympathetically been converted into apartments whilst retaining many of its original features. The location of this historic property within the heart of Perth ensures that the numerous amenities on offer such as fine restaurants and shopping are within walking distance.
Internally the property offers bright and comfortable accommodation which is finished to the highest of standards. All apartment windows overlook the river Tay. The apartment has one large double bedroom with king size bed and generous fitted wardrobes. Bedding is finest Egyptian cotton with goose down duvets and pillows.Sitting room comes with reclining chair and settee, Large hd tv with complimentary cable tv, telephone and high speed broadband service. Dining kitchen is bright and modern coming fully equipped with oven, hob, dishwasher, washing machine, fridge freezer and microwave. Shower room is tastefully fitted out with quality fittings and marble floor.
Digital radio, iron and ironing board are provided with highchair and travel cot available upon request free of charge.


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Today we have Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma Peterson's house. I hope I don't get sick today. It is also Mom's birthday today. Happy Birthday Mom!
Well I just caught Mike's cold he had last week. He could barely speak. Great for me because I can't take any kind of medicine to rid me of it because I'm pregnant. I also had bad dreams last night about babies. One was that there was this pycho baby in the house who reminded me of my cat Topher. He was mean like him. Bitting and scratching me all the time. Then I had a dream about adopting and little girl but she could talk somewhat at 6 months old and she said that she was abused before she came there. She was so beatiful and I wanted to take good care of her.
Work is good. Mike didn't get the job for Sakai Spice (frown). It sounded like an excellent job. So that sucks. My eyes are getting worse. I need to get them checked again. Well thats all for now.


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In October, I attended a Wise Working Women networking meeting with guest speaker Elizabeth Gifford Maffei of BEmpowerfulU Coaching. She's an intuitive coach, and her discussion was on how to ask and listen to the angels in our lives. Now, as a non-religious but spiritual person, I'm not one for using such definitive terms as "angels" but I've learned through experience and study not to get caught up in the semantics. Sure enough, should she have replaced "angels" with "energy" or "muses" or "spirit guides," she would've been speaking the same language as any other spiritual leader or creative writing teacher.
For me, the most significant message was in her conclusion.
"Do not say 'I want,' tell yourself, 'I am.' I am going to get that job. I am going to make $10,000 this year. I am going to find love. I am going to, fill-in-the-blank."
We all clapped, she took her seat and it was time for the raffle. Elizabeth brought a small angel carved from aventurine (pictured above) – a green stone perfect for healing and balancing the heart chakra. I wanted it. So naturally, I was telling myself, "Oh! I want it!" But in the moment before our hostess, Tracy pulled a name, I adjusted and told myself, "I am going to get that angel."
I suppose you can guess where this story ends. I got the angel and named her Ava, short for aventurine so I'd remember what she was made of.
And as a result, I am now becoming aware of how often I say to myself, "I want…"
For instance, I want to be able to grab my foot behind my head in pigeon pose. Or, in more technical terms, I want to be able to get into Both Hands to Feet Bound One-Legged King Pigeon Pose 1 or I'll settle for One-Legged Pigeon Pose 1.
Right now I can do this:
On the other side:
As you can see, I've got a long way to go. But, with Elizabeth's advice, "I AM going to reach my foot by the end of 2018."
It will be in large part due to the fact that I told my yoga coach Tracy (the very same who was hostess to our Wise Working Women meeting I mentioned above) about my goal. If I hadn't I would've ended up hurting myself. Big yoga lesson right here: when you see a pose you want to do, don't hit the mat and try to force your body into it. Most likely, if it's an advanced pose, there are other poses and stretches to do in order to build up to it.
As is the case with my 2018 goal pose. And, Tracy being the amazing yoga teacher and wellness coach she is, she provided me with personalized instructional videos for me to refer back to. The one below is to help safely work into a split which I'll need to be able to do in order to pull my foot high enough to reach it.
Other poses she instructed me to use:
All of them involve opening the hips and stretching the hamstrings and the psoas. All of which are crucial to succeeding in reaching my foot.
So, from now on, my mantra is, "I am."
I am going to get stronger.
I am going to be more flexible.
I am going to get into Both Hands to Feet Bound One-Legged King Pigeon Pose 1.
I am getting my yoga teacher certificate.
I am going to focus on my body this year – caring for it and building its strength.
What is something you want that you can change into an "I am" statement? Leave me a message in the comments.
Do you have a mantra helping you be a zen mama? Or a lesson you've learned along the way you want to share with other mamas to help them be more zen? Contact me if you're interested in posting it here on Zen Mama Mantras.
All yoga pose photos were taken from my copy of "2,100 Asanas: The Complete Yoga Poses" by Daniel Lacerda.


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How does PAS 55 and ISO 55 000 fit into integrated management systems
Leon Erasmus, a qualified industrial engineer at Pragma, presented a session at this year's Physical Asset Management Conference presented by Pragma, today (Monday, 13 August 2012). Erasmus, also a qualified PAS 55 assessor, addressed the issue of how PAS 55 and ISO 55000 fit into Integrated Management Systems.
Erasmus explained how the managing of engineering assets such as facilities and equipment can be a challenging task and optimising their usage is critical. "To ensure effective utilisation of an asset, one has to make effective decisions regarding systems to assist in the management of the asset lifecycle.
"A plethora of standards have emerged to assist the horizontal and vertical integration of such systems," said Erasmus. "Within the asset management field, several leading bodies and consortiums are focusing on standards development. ISO is the leading standards body that is active in the development of management system standards, and with the introduction of PAS 55 as a soon to be ISO standard, is attempting to standardise the road to effective asset management."
Erasmus continued: "The objective of this presentation is to propose an approach for decision makers to develop an effective alignment of excisting management systems with a PAS 55/ISO 55000 compliant asset management system. I also wanted to provide a comprehensive review of standards relevant to the integration of asset management systems by firstly determining the body of knowledge and associated competencies, and secondly requiring the use of systemic, information-driven, risk-based decision-making to improve competitive advantage and reduce costs."
Erasmus is employed by Pragma and is responsible for the implementation and management of the Zero Unplanned Stops (ZUPS) asset management philosophy and Focus Improvement (FI) business process. With 18 years of project management and business engineering experience in various industries and projects, Erasmus has taken responsibility for multi-disciplinary projects such as in the civil, mechanical and electrical engineering sectors, food preparation, manufacturing and distribution sectors, mining and heavy machinery, banking and financial services and FMCG business sectors to mention a few.
Pragma provides efficient and effective enablement of asset management business processes. The company provides up-to-date, accurate and useful information about all aspects of its clients assets. With an involvement of over 480 different clients over the years, the company has managed to form many long-term relationships. Pragma is involved in Manufacturing and Mining Sectors, Public Sector and the Facilities and Logistics industries.
Gina Ten Zeldam Ganswyk
Purple Pine PR & Events
Tel: 021 914 6388 / 082 578 5010
Integrated Management
August 14th, 2012
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A high quality stretch cotton makes a great base for this design. A multitude of laces is stitched on to the pants in a flattering diagonal pattern. A pretty floral lace is placed on the hem along with a delicate lace to complete the look.
No. of Pieces: 1 piece
Chic and sleek! Our new season pants will have you wanting more... 3 types of laces, beautiful embroidery in shades of cream and beige, and pleated details all come together beautifully to complete this look. A high quality thick cotton is the fabric of choice.
No. of Pieces: 1 piece (Pant)
A vibrant tribal print in bold tones with a variety of crochet laces and delicate gold decorative loops on the neckline. The boxy cut and bright pink finishes add to the charm.
No. of Pieces: 1 piece (Shirt)
A silver grey cotton tunic with an all-over embroidered pattern in beautiful tones of green with a stylish overlapping side slit. A soft and delicate lace and Chinese buttons complete the neckline, along with a frayed detail on the hemline. Chic and trendy to the max!
This gorgeous piece is pure elegance. Embroidered motifs in a soft gold are adorned with delicate little embroidered flowers in an aqua colour. A careful selection of crochet and rich shuttle laces are juxtaposed with pleats, topstitching and 'sequin-covered' pearls to add a touch of subtle luxury to this tasteful piece.
A 'Kashmiri chai' pink long kurta is beautifully embroidered on the sleeves and hemline with a variety of laces in a bright coloured pink. The soft, pure cotton is finished off with a frayed hemline and top stitches in a gold thread add further detail.
A beautiful fresh green cotton shirt with a 'petal' cuff detail and floral embroidery. An assortment of carefully selected laces add a touch of delicacy to this piece.
We love abstract and we love hints of animal! This bold unique print is a medley of laces, embroidered scallops and our signature heart patches. A black Chikan fabric borders the hemline. A cool style statement for any time of the day…
Lace, lace more lace and pearls! Our delicate light beige pants are super detailed and simply lovely! The neutral colour will allow them to be matched with almost any colour tone. Dress up with heels for further glam!
Paisleys, animal print and florals come together in this gorgeous one of a kind Ammara Khan print that is tailored to perfection as a 'lamba kurta'! A unique array of laces, including a jute ladder lace is used to enhance the beauty of the print. A rich warm palette is used in tones of a deep berry, deep amber, deep green and pops of black. A cool statement piece that will add a beat to your steps!
No. of Pieces: 1 piece (Shirt)
Our unique matching separates where we custom designed this print using the letter 'A' from our logo. The geometrics were intertwined with bows and leaves to create this chic, contemporary pattern. A bold loop lace is used along the front with floral embroidery and scallops. The sleeves are set with a box pleat and thick lace cuff. The combination of berry and rose pink is the prettiest!
No. of Piece: 2 piece (Shirt & Pant)
A gorgeous aqua coloured Karandi set with pops of a spring-pink! An array of carefully selected laces are placed all over the front, neckline and sleeves. Front slits with pipings in pink and beautiful embroidered flowers further beautify this ensemble. At Ammara Khan, our pants are always designed with great attention to detail. A curved hem detail with pink pipings makes way for a thick lace to peep out from below. A leafy patterned beautiful lace is set above.
No.of Piece: 2 piece (Shirt & Pant)
A super fun preppy set with gorgeous embroidery, an assortment of laces and a unique mix of fabrics.The boxy style high-low shirt with cigarette pants makes a chic silhouette!
No. of Piece: 2 piece (Shirt & Pant)
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Kibitz (Chat) 3.0 – New blog post chatting with Steve Cox, Vice President of Economic Development for the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce
Written by Arkansas Real Estate
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This week we were able to catch up with Steve Cox, Vice President of Economic Development for the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce. Steve recently was named as one of the top forty business leaders under forty in Arkansas by the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal. We are grateful that he took time to chat with us this week about all the great things happening in our area.
[caption id="attachment_2538" align="alignleft" width="250"] Steve Cox, Vice President of Economic Development[/caption]
Can you talk about some recent developments that have been happening in Rogers?
There have been plenty of new and great things happening throughout Rogers the past several months. Looking at Downtown Rogers, there have been 17 new businesses open since January, and two existing businesses have expanded. The historic district is over 95% occupied and there has been several groups looking at purchasing and repurposing the Peachtree building, which is the last building of size that isn't currently occupied or being remodeled.
Out closer to 540, this year we have seen the opening of Marshall's, Shoe Carnival, Homegood's, Damgoode Pies, Grubb's, The Egg and I, Bliss Cupcakes, Dickey's BBQ, The Haley Boutique, and Mojito's with more on the way.
Phase One of the Razorback Greenway Trail in Rogers is completed and Phase Two has begun and will be completed in the near future. The Rogers Aquatic Center is nearing the end of its first season and had more than double the attendance that was expected. The Rogers Sports Complex on Hudson Road has been used to great efficiency and there have been over a dozen baseball and softball tournaments held there already. The new Wayfinding Signage is partially completed with seven signs currently around Rogers. Another 50 signs will be in place by the end of the year.
Sales tax collections have had 30 consecutive months of growth in the year-over-year comparisons. The Hotel tax collections are the highest ever for the year. Since February, each month has been a record collection month.
We all know that Northwest Arkansas is a great place to live, but what would you say are some of the key contributing factors to that?
First I would like to say, that I agree with you completely about NWA being such a great place to live and it isn't just those of us who live here that say that. Rogers was listed as number 67 on the "Best Places to Live" list by CNN/Money and Money Magazine. Rogers was the only city in Arkansas to be on that list. The 2012 Milken Institute ranked the NWA area as the 41st best-performing metro area in the U.S. NewGeography.com ranked NWA as the #3 Best Mid-Sized City for Jobs in 2013. The NWA area was ranked 19th by Forbes on their Best Places for Business and Careers list in 2012. CNN/Money also ranked NWA as the 13th best metro area for small business startups.
So many factors contribute to making this a great place to live and work that I don't have the time to list them all. Our education is on par with the top areas in the nation. Every school in the Rogers School District is ranked at least 4-star, with over 20 having a 5-star ranking. We are one of the fastest growing areas in the country. NWA was the only metro area in the US to be ranked in the top-15 fastest growing areas by the US Census Bureau from 1990-2010. Our population has more than doubled since 1990 and we are set to break the 500,000 population mark in the 2nd quarter of 2014.
The quality of living is great here as well. Incomes are rising and the cost of living is low. Northwest Arkansas was ranked the 6th Most Affordable Metro Area for 2012 by the Council for Community and Economic Research. When people are able to get high-quality, good paying jobs and have an affordable place to live, it adds up to success.
Speaking of jobs, how would you describe the employment market here in Rogers and NWA as a whole?
Employment is going well here in NWA. Our unemployment rate is lower than at this time last year and still well below the state and national levels. While some argue whether we are fully out of the great recession what cannot be argued is that currently in NWA we have more people working that we did at peak employment before the recession began.
Businesses in the area are shifting out of survival mode and getting back into growth mode. Several businesses in the area have added jobs in recent months. A great example is the Tyson plant in Rogers. It now employs more than 1,100 people. Accumen Brands in Fayetteville has grown from two employees to over 100 in less than four years. Central States Manufacturing in Lowell is expanding across the nation with new plants opening each year until 2017. We have even seen local companies expand out and acquire new businesses as well.
While things are better, they are not as good as they can be. There are still people out there looking for work and I, my counterparts at the other area Chambers, and the Northwest Arkansas Council, go out there every day and work on bringing businesses to the area and helping existing businesses expand so more jobs are created and more people are working. Just in Rogers this past year we have seen over 850 new jobs created that the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce has assisted in bringing about.
That all sounds great. What is next for Rogers and for Northwest Arkansas?
There is so much on the horizon. Highway improvements are coming. Highway cone orange will be the unofficial color of NWA for the next few years as 540 will be widened to 6 lanes, all of the exits will be improved to allow easier access on and off of 540, creation of the new Eastern Bypass allowing for a new North-South route for residents, the first half of Eastern Bypass allowing for easier access to XNA being created, and creating the Bella Vista Bypass to allow for easier traffic flow from NWA into Missouri and beyond.
The AMP is relocating from Fayetteville to the Pinnacle Hills area. The new 6,000 seat amphitheater is a welcome addition to Rogers and is scheduled to be opened in June of 2014. The new children's museum coming to Bentonville will add more amenities for visitors and residents. New restaurants like Chuy's and Longhorn Steakhouse coming to Rogers. A new shopping center is going in at Pleasant Grove. New homes are being built and home prices are rising again.
All-in-all, things are going well in Northwest Arkansas and the good news is that we aren't done yet. With our partnerships with the Northwest Arkansas Council and marketing the region as whole, businesses and people from around the world are taking notice. I fully expect to see another growth wave of industry and residents to happen in the next few years as we continue to be a premier place to live and work. We will show the world that NWA is great for business and great for life.


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I like dogs more than people, and people more than computers. Interestingly, I spend my days most with computers, and more with people than dogs.
This blog is a catch-all window of my philosphies to the world. They may reagard software or storytelling. Or they might be stories from unusually interesting hours of my life.
Happy reading.


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Previously Recorded Webinars
Not ready for residential treatment, but can't go on? Now What?
Cecily Mitchell, Director of Vive Family Intensive, hosted an informative webinar to discuss our family intensives. Cecily has worked for Calo Programs as a residential therapist for several years, and for the last two years as served as the Director of Embark. Cecily shares how families benefit from these intensives, no matter where they are at in their journey towards healing. If you are concerned about your adopted child and the path they are on – this is for you.


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Friday Feature: Organic Runner Mom
In our weekly Friday Feature, we share a 5-question interview with one of the fantastic members of HealthyLivingBlogs.com. Take the time to get to know your co-members, pick up tips and tricks, blogging know-how, and recommendations from your fellow bloggers. If you're an HLB member and haven't gotten your interview email yet, don't worry, you will in time! We're working our way through a list of 2,000+ members' blogs at random.
What's your name, blog name, and how did you create your blog title?
My blog name is Organic Runner Mom. Our family owns an organic egg business so the organic lifestyle and organic food is very important to us. Also, I am an avid runner. I run everything from 5K's to marathons on the road and on trails and also love to race triathlons. Being a mom is my number one most important job and something that I love!
What can a new visitor expect to find from your blog?
Organic Runner Mom is a blog that features articles about my own personal running experiences in training and in racing. This includes stories about trail racing, half marathons and even my four Boston Marathon experiences. I also write a lot about organic food. I love to share recipes and also awesome organic food products. I also do plenty of product reviews that range from running shoes to apparel to electronic gadgets such as watches and wireless headphones. I share stories about my experiences with depression. Another topic that I cover are training tips for runners.
What is one lesson you've learned about blogging since you first started your website?
For me I have found a passion for writing through blogging. I have been able to share my passion with my readers and that inspires me to do more in my own life. Blogging can be challenging because there are so many other amazing blogs out there but through reading other blogs I have found motivation and grown in the writing that I do on my site.
What is your favorite site to visit to find motivation in your healthy living journey?
I love following the blog Run Far Girl. Sarah shares her journeys in running and in life and isn't afraid to talk about the things that have been challenges for her. She is inspirational in talking about her trail running and mountain running adventures and also in how she shares about how she has overcome an eating disorder.
What is your favorite way to get moving, burn calories and energy, and get your exercise-on?
My favorite way to get moving is to head out for a trail run. I love the endorphin rush that kicks in about 20 minutes in. I also love the challenge of running on a trail and surrounding myself with nature. There is just something so energizing about being in the woods and breathing it all in.
Tell us about your favorite SOMETHING.
I adore Skirt Sports. Skirt Sports is an incredible company founded by the super awesome Nicole DeBoom, triathlete. Skirt Sports makes the most highly functional workout apparel for women of all body shapes and sizes and they encourage every woman to get out and move. Their apparel is highly functional yet also feminine. They are always working to make better products to suit the needs of all types of athletes and women. Once I started running in their Skirts I never looked back and they have the best pockets too and the most wonderful colorful patterns!
Let's talk traveling: what is your favorite place to visit in your favorite city or town for vacationing?
Recently I had the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica with women's Quest. We were in Santa Teresa to surf and do yoga and it was amazing. The warm air, the salt water . . . I could have stayed there forever. I found a new love with surfing. There was something very powerful about being in the ocean and riding the waves. Another favorite place is Bend, Oregon because of the endless mountain and trail running opportunities. I could go back there again and again!
If you could live any place for the rest of your life, where would it be?
If I could live anywhere for the rest of my life it would be somewhere on the water. I would love to live on a lake so I could swim whenever I want to. It would also need to be near running trails so that I could escape to the woods whenever I wanted.
Do you ever experience days when you don't want to make healthy choices? How do you motivate yourself when you really need it?
There are definitely days when all I want to do is relax on the couch and my weakness is a delicious donut but I figure that it is important to allow yourself these days. No one should be too restrictive and life is too short to not indulge every once in awhile.


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White collar crimes are serious offenses. In Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, most people know about white collar crimes or fraud offenses. Sometimes, those who are charged with fraud-related offenses are professionals involved in financial transactions. A single error in documentation can lead to an investigation involving federal officials. It is important to note that white collar crimes come in various forms and one of the most well-known is the Ponzi scheme.
Ponzi scheme, a white collar crime
Our committed lawyers handle federal health-care fraud cases
In Louisiana, as in other states, investigations into alleged cases of health-care fraud are fairly common. Whether it is fraudulent billing or overbilling that leads to Medicare fraud or something else, a federal charge means that an individual will face serious penalties if convicted. Although nonviolent, these crimes are considered serious because they take money away from legitimate claims and constitute theft from taxpayers. Health-care professionals may be especially prone to fraud charges if an investigation reveals that they billed patients for services that never occurred or were never properly documented. If not dealt with properly, these charges can have life-altering consequences.
Former not-for-profit agency director faces felony charges
Felonies constitute the most serious of criminal offenses. In Louisiana, as in most states, felonies include violent crimes such as assault, rape and murder, as well as nonviolent crimes that legislatures determine to be so serious as to warrant extreme punishment. This felony category includes financial crimes against the government and taxpayers. Anyone arrested on a felony charge is subject to severe penalties if convicted. Establishing a strong criminal defense is the only real way for the accused to defend himself or herself against the charges.
What are Louisiana's penalties for cultivating marijuana?
Marijuana is one of the most commonly sold drugs in Louisiana. Despite the efforts of law enforcement authorities to stop its use, illegal distribution of the product continues. The penalties for cultivation, distribution, possession and use of marijuana vary. Possession charges are less serious than distribution and cultivation charges, both of which bring harsher penalties in the event of conviction. Understanding the penalties imposed on those who cultivate or distribute marijuana can help individuals fight any charges against them.


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Cape Town Office Rentals – Portside – Over 18 000m² available to rent!
Everyone has to turn their heads to get a better look at the gleaming new glass building Portside as you enter Cape Town. There is no denying the fact that commercial businesses are scrambling to be the first to snatch up space here in order to have a prime position and a great view. You would think that Cape Town office rentals of this type would cost and arm and a leg, but at around R 150- R185/m², we feel at Commercial Space that this is absolutely reasonable.
If you are worried about parking and security, you can find prime parking bays starting from as little as just R1100 per month too. The fact that these Portside office rentals have come on the market at such a prime rate means that every business has the opportunity to be part of something great – and at Commercial Space we want to make this location your businesses home!
Of course you should still worry about the usual things when looking at this particular prime office rentals spot. Take into consideration what type of business you are running. The nature of your business will dictate what sort of location you should be looking at. Affordability is also a key element. Remember that by law, rental agents and property brokers will need to carry out a credit check on every applicant to ensure that they can afford the property that they intend to rent.
As your dedicated assistant we will gladly take you to view the Portside property, or similar properties that will meet with your needs and requirements. We will ensure that a suitable rate is negotiated for you and that a lease agreement that protects both parties is drawn up. In addition to this, we will provide you with information on the area. Of course if you have any problems with the lease or the property in the coming months, simply come to us and we will assist you to the best of our ability.
At Commercial Space we offer prime Cape Town office rentals at an affordable rate. While we have space available in the Portside building, we encourage you to make enquiries and applications to rent before it is too late. Avoid potential disappointment and book a viewing of this property without delay. If you are looking for office space rentals of between R 150 – R185/m² with a prime location in Cape Town and an exceptional view, then this is the property for you!


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As you might have noticed, we've taken a shine towards Adult Swim's newest comedy jewel, Venture Bros.
Pure genius.
Trolling message boards across the web, we found a common refrain amongst the show's fans as the current run of 13 episodes comes to a close &#Array; namely, when will there be a second season?
We were wondering the same thing, so we did what any self-respecting media journalist would do&#Array;
We made a sandwich.
Then we made a phone call.
Who did we call? Why, Adult Swim, of course. Straight to the horse's mouth, as it were. I wasn't going to drop the horse analogy, but then I decided it might be wise to do so before I moved to the next part of the intro, if only because the person I'm about to speak of could probably take me in a fight&#Array; Because he's wily and intense (or so I've heard). He's "wintense."
The "wintense" individual in question is none other than Adult Swim co-honcho Keith Crofford, who agreed to talk to us about all things [as].
He soon regretted that.
I owe him a Coke.
IGN FILMFORCE: So, first off &#Array; as it nears its season finale &#Array; what is the current status of Venture Bros., from a scheduling standpoint?
KEITH CROFFORD: Basically, as you know, on Halloween the show will have its season finale&#Array;
IGNFF: You mean the night before, on Saturday evening&#Array;
CROFFORD: Saturday, yeah &#Array; it's only going to be on once&#Array; I'm saying Halloween because I'm having my Halloween party that night, so I'm a day ahead of the rest of the world. But it's only on that one time, so make sure not to miss it, or set your TiVos, or whatever you do for Saturday, October 30th.
IGNFF: And you're also showing The Animatrix that night&#Array;
CROFFORD: The Animatrix is on as well, that's right&#Array;
IGNFF: As well as a very rare showing of the pilot&#Array;
CROFFORD: The Venture Bros. pilot?
IGNFF: Along with the Stroker & Hoop pilot as well&#Array;
CROFFORD: I don't think so&#Array;
IGNFF: The current schedule shows Stroker at 4am, and the VB pilot at 4:30 am&#Array;
CROFFORD: Ah&#Array; I don't look at the 4am schedule &#Array; just the 11-2. Scheduling threw in a curveball there that I wasn't aware of. You do know that the next night, Aqua Teen Hunger Force&#Array;
IGNFF: It's the all-night marathon, right?
CROFFORD: That's right. And that's why Venture won't be on that night.
IGNFF: Aqua Teen is certainly a series that hasn't run out of gas yet&#Array;
CROFFORD: Oh no, it's doing great. We're real happy with the way Aqua Teen's been going. And Venture Bros. will be going to the weekday strip after it completes its run on the 30th. It also will continue to be on Saturdays at 11:30&#Array;
IGNFF: But it won't be on Sundays anymore, right?
CROFFORD: It's not on Sundays, correct. But it will be on Monday through Wednesday.


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Bedding Allergy Myths: Busted
Allergy myths circle around almost as often as allergies do. However, one myth that is true is you can have indoor allergies where there is no pollen. Most people think that one of the biggest causes to an indoor allergy is their down bedding; although, it has been scientifically proven this is not the case. According to Dr. Nabeel Farooqui, an allergist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, it is not the down feathers that causes this allergy, but the dust mites that accumulate within your bedding and bedroom instead.
(Pictured: White Bay® Down Comforter available at The Company Store®)
How can dust mites accumulate in your comforter, you may wonder? It is possible that the down you are purchasing has not been correctly cleaned. The Company Store®'s down products are cleaned in phosphate-free soap in state-of-the-art equipment, then thoroughly sterilized to ensure dust mites stay away. This is a case where investing in a quality product helps avoid unwanted sniffles will be worth it in the long run.
(Pictured: LaCrosse® TCS® Down Comforter available at The Company Store®)
Besides ensuring you are purchasing quality down, you also have to be sure to properly take care of it. According to WebMD, you should wash your bedding in hot water (over 130 degrees Fahrenheit) once a week. The heat will kill off any accumulation of dust mites. Besides your bedding, pay attention to the air that circulates in your room. Humidity should be below 55%; use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier to keep humidity low. And of course, be sure to regularly vacuum floors and wipe counters to rid of any excess dust!
(Pictured: Dust-Mite Proof Protectors Collection available at The Company Store®)
Besides the up-keep of your bedding and household, there are other ways to stop dust mites in their tracks and that's by protecting your down. The Company Store® offers a wide variety of comforter, pillow, and mattress protectors specific to keeping dust mites out. The patented membrane-free cotton fabric provides breathable protection for your finest sheets and bedding, while the microscopic pores create a natural barrier against dust mites, pet dander, bed bugs, and other allergens that can disrupt your sleep and leave you feeling groggy all day.
(Pictured: PrimaLoft® Deluxe Comforter available at The Company store®)
Even though down is not the cause of allergies, if you could rest easier knowing there are absolutely no allergens in your bedding, down-alternative fills may be the better option for you. The Company Store®'s down alternative is filled with TCS Down Free® and PrimaLoft® that mimic down's warm, lofty, and insulating properties.
Although allergies aren't completely avoidable, you can minimize their destructive properties in your home—or at the very least stop a dust allergy from becoming a bigger problem. Be sure to prepare for the season ahead and minimize the sniffing where you can!


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APD Chief Scott Player Announces Departure
Prior to joining APD in 2017, Player was the CEO of Ansible – a role he held for more than two-and-a-half years. Player is the director and founder of Ordermentum, an ordering and payments platform for the food and beverage industry. He is also the ...
This Blog is intended to collect information of my various Intrests,pen my opinion on the information gathered and not intended to educate any one of the information posted,but are most welcome to share there view on them


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Today is time to speak about me 😉
I am a bit confused because I would like to do lot of things but the current situation is not the best. I always say: "PMA(Possitive mental attitude ". Take possitive experiences and discard negatives but learn with it.
Certainly, my current job is close to expire.
Next month I will be in another country without a job and a place to live. The only thing that I know is:
"This is an important step in my life cos the dream that I am trying to get"
Important values:
1st – Improve my english
2nd – Become a good professional
The above values should be together. I am not considering just one.
Now, there is no back step.
Yesterday, I was a bit frustrated because I have made an interview and I am feeling that my network and security skills are vanishing. I need a job as soon as possible as a Network or security engineer. I am losing competences and this is not good for me. I understand the interviewer side, but at the moment, I have been working in this field 2 years ago.
Anyway, I am sure that I am valid to work as Network or Security engineer. That's why my plan is on going.


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Clooney Youth Club are looking for people who are enthusiastic, fun, friendly and approachable to assist in our youth club programmes. The programmes in our centre would be fun, social educational and inclusive and would be provided in a safe and s exciting environment for the young people. It will involve assessing the young peoples needs and planning and delivering programmes relating to health, fitness, smoking, drugs and bullying. Volunteers would get to work directly with young people aged 4-17 years old to develop their social education, Volunteers would also
Volunteering at Clooney Youth Club would have lots of benefits such at getting training and qualifications such as child protection . Millennium volunteer accreditation (if aged 14-25). The volunteers would develop a range of skills while taking part in fun activities.
Back to Children and Young People


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The School of Interactive Arts & Technology (SIAT)
Where Experiential learning embraces experts and engagement
This fall, undergraduate students taking the Interaction Design Methods (IAT-333) course will be learning from some of the world's best, including Scott Davidoff, the human interfaces design manager for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Touchpoint 2019 Design Conference
The Touchpoint Design Conference connects SIAT's undergraduate students and program to industry in tangible ways through a one-day conference featuring inspiring and informative talks from leading design industry professionals
Grad Student Spotlight Reese Muntean
My research, broadly, explores how we embed values into technology. I am interested in the intersections of technology and traditional knowledge, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, digital repatriation, ethics, sustainability, and materiality.
Designing Mind-full apps
The Tangible Embodied Child-Computer Interaction Lab, directed by Professor Alissa Antle, conducts applied research addressing the modern needs of kids. Capitalising on the mind-body unity, the Lab design of tangible interfaces that aim to make a difference in children's lives.
SIAT offers four-year Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science undergraduate programs, as well as Joint Major programs with the School of Communication and the Beedie School of Business.
If you are interested in academic research SIAT offers two-year Master of Art and Master of Science programs, a four-year Doctor of Philosophy program, and a Graduate Certificate in Visual Analytics.
Learn about the wide range of research topics, areas and themes in SIAT as well as the cultural and disciplinary diversity of our researchers.


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Long Sleeve Plain T-Shirt
Limited edition long sleeve t-shirt. 👌
If you end up getting the wrong size, don't worry, once returned to our address we'll deliver the new one free on first exchanges! Email us at email@example.com for details.
Size: S M L XL
Ladies: 10-12 12-14 14-16 16-18
Affordable worldwide shipping available.


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Eternal Passion
Lani Aames
Publisher: Silver Heart Books
Jo Davison meets the most alluring man she has ever seen when she least expects it. Vincenz Cristescu is tall, dark and handsome, and his sexy accent melts her body with the heat of desire. Sparks fly between them, but evil lurks in the darkness in Shadow Valley and tragedy strikes. Jo's ordinary world becomes a realm of nightmares, and Vincenz is right in the middle of the horror. She faces the most difficult choice she will ever make—save the man she loves or destroy the vampire who murdered her best friend. Unfortunately, they might be the same person... A vampire romance novel, approx. 54,000 words or 180 pages. Eternal Passion was previously published.


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Optimizing the forex trading system parameters: USD/JPY revisited
|Written by Forex Automaton
|Tuesday, 09 June 2009 08:29
After important changes to the trading system optimization technique, I am revisiting the case of USD/JPY on the day scale. In this study, the extended range of the entry threshold parameter, same as in the previous EUR/USD study, is used. The extended, more conservative threshold values are seen to increase the returns while reducing the risk.
The basic framework remains the same: a run of the program included simulations of trading histories of 12,789 independent "virtual traders" (forex robots), each of them being an incarnation of the same algorithm, differing by the setting of the adjustable knobs. This report uses the USD/JPY day scale data covering the time interval from August 20, 2002 to March 23, 2009, with the actual trading starting in March 2006 (when the initial "training" of the system was completed). The key concepts of conditional projection distributions and profile histograms have been explained before. The trading system control parameters remain as previously defined.
What is the best stop-loss to use?
What is the best stop-loss parameter to use in forex? The answer depends on the time scale of trading, since so does the the distribution of returns. The distribution of returns gets broader with time scale; in the random walk problem, your expected root-mean-square departure from the origin grows with time as a square root. For this reason, my stop-loss parameter is not expressed in pips or dollars. Instead, it is a fraction of the root-mean-square of the series of linear returns (price differences) in the nearest subset of the price series.
The more conservative values of the trade-entry parameter, above 0.006, are seen to change magnitude of the average return for such a marginal distribution. Contrary to what was seen for EUR/USD, the shape of the curve remains similar for the black and red points. But the maximum of the return does move to the left as the entry requirement becomes more coservative, indicating, as was noted in the EUR/USD report just mentioned, that those more conservative values increase the relative weight of the situations where tighter stop-loss makes sense -- a welcome development, consistent with presence of intelligence in the forecast signal to which the entry threshold is applied.
Fig.2, showing dependence of the RMS of the logarithmic annualized return distribution (a newly introduced quantity) on the stop-loss placement, demonstrates that tight stop-loss placement generally leads to bumpier rides in returns.Note also that the red set of points, seen to have higher returns in Fig.1, is seen to have lower risk (RMS) in Fig.2.
Trade entry and exit thresholds
The entry and exit threshold parameters have been explained elsewhere. In Figures 3 and 4 I present minimum-bias (no particular selection applied to the set of traders) data for the trade entry and trade exit parameters, respectively. Compared to the previous USD/JPY optimization study, the range of entry parameter has been extended from 0.006 to 0.009, and the range of the exit parameter was extended up to 0.013. In this latter case, the step of the optimization grid has also been changed since it was concluded that the dependence is weak and featureless. In the range considered, the data favor conservative entry (high threshold) and it looks like the optimum may still have not been reached. This is similar to conclusion of the USD/CAD and EUR/USD studies. The range for this parameter still needs to be extended further to the right, until the area is seen such that the returns begin to decline simply due to the lack of trading activity. We may not be there yet.
Speaking of the exit parameter, excluding the two left values looks like the right thing to do.
Optimizing the forecasting parameter
We optimize the forecasting quality parameter, the least trivial of all, with the combined (simultaneous) cut on the parameters inspected so far. The parameter is euphemistically called Fred to avoid disclosing its nature. The combined effect of the best stop-loss and entry parameters, shown in Fig.5, bottom (to compare with Fig.5, top with no such selection) is seen to enhance the returns considerably, especially for the higher values of Fred. The shape resembles USD/CAD and EUR/USD.
The case of USD/JPY was previously noted for the particular shape of its Sharpe ratio dependence on the Fred parameter. The dependence was suggesting a Fred optimum (and Sharpe maximum) at values much lower than those one would pick on the basis of Fig.5. As already noted, Sharpe ratio as used in the "old approach" reports like the one just linked, contains biased quantities and is avoided in the "new" approach.. A possible replacement is a difference of two logarithmic quantities, the mean of the monthly annualized logarithmic returns and the RMS of the series of such returns. This is the quantity "LOG SHARPE" plotted in Fig.6. As you see from Fig.5 and Fig.6 combined, the introduction of the second moment quantity (RMS), a measure of the risk, does not change the conclusion: the values in the range 65-80 for the forecasting parameter are still to be preferred.
With this input, the preferred ranges of the trading system parameters are given in the Table.
Fig.7 presents the summary of progress accomplished so far, using the annualized return statistic. Entries in the histogram are the forex robots (algorithmic traders) and the statistic refers to their trading performance. In the course of the optimization, the initial sample of 12789 forex robots is reduced to 120 winners by trading system parameter cuts. The winners have an average annualized return of 0.68 (68%) and the RMS of the distribution is 0.19. While the mean of the distribution is the measure of return, its RMS is the measure of risk associated with choosing a particular robot, or a particular version of the trading system, and its importance is hard to overestimate.
From the analysis of various foreign exchange rates so far, it's evident that Fred is the most difficult parameter to optimize. We may end up with a single, compromise approach for all exchange rate or be forced to class exchange rates according to the similarity of the Fred optimization solutions. In either case, we must be prepared to face the worst-case scenario when we will be forced to admit that the Fred selection adds no value to the algorithm. That's why I am showing the top panel of Fig.7. This figure represents the options on the table in the absence of any Fred selection, and with the best selection of the money management aspects of the system. Even in the absence of the Fred selection, except for the very basic one, the distribution is seen to be considerably shifted in the positive direction. Fred selection (green in the top panel, or the bottom panel) shifts in even more. Returns in excess of 100% a year for the 3 years of trading are seen.
|Last Updated ( Monday, 04 January 2010 12:34 )


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- Lynn Curry
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Patient engagement in health care is improving. At least there is increasing rhetoric about the importance of engaging the patient in the process of their health care. This belated ... [more >]
There are lots of data available in the operations of public service systems but precious little is converted to useful knowledge. Despite the wealth of information flowing through p... [more >]
All systems can be improved. Systems that serve the public, particularly those with public funding, deserve ongoing attention and extra vigilance from the public served. What are we looking ... [more >]
Specificity Click-bait
June 15, 2017
3 Things Great Leaders Never Do. 5 Keys to Organizational Change. 7 Days to C-Suite Nirvana. Does anyone really believe this clickbait? This meme of false s...
FITBIT Your Strategy
June 8, 2017
We are going to assume that you do HAVE a strategy that is guiding decisions towards some well-defined goals. You aren't just reacting from one crisis to the next, right? OK then,...
Get the Little Things Right
April 19, 2017
You must be good at the little things to be an effective consultant or change agent. Any good cook knows that. And you have to take the time. Scratch made puff pastry is a wondrous thing, not a...
Align Behavior with Goals
April 4, 2017
The last two posts took up the problems of getting all organizational work aligned to real goals for that organization. The point of this effort, and it does take focused effort, is ...
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Come to the AGO to see these buttons by Kiana, a young emerging artist with a future as a brilliant cartoonist. There are 80 unique, hand-drawn pieces available! Advertisements
The vending machines will be installed for one night during the "First Thursday" party on August 1st. The theme for the night is miniatures, and that's just what fits in a 2″ vending machine capsule. Get collectible work from: Camilla … Continue reading


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As a snow and ice clearing company that's about more than just our services, we work hard to integrate ourselves into the incredible communities that we support today. Having just bought property in West Milford, we've been working hard to acquaint ourselves with the community members and really get to know the people and businesses that make up the backbone of the West Milford community.
Expanding our servicing area into a new region in 2018 has our team very excited, and we can't wait to mingle even more with the West Milford community heading into the future.
The West Milford Autumn Lights Festival
This past October, our Xtreme Snow Pros team took part in the West Milford Autumn Lights Festival: 23rd Annual Celebration of West Milford. As a celebration that is very important to the community, and one that has been going on for 23-years, we were very excited to be part of the event and introduce our team, our values and our services to all those in attendance. Taking place from 10AM until 5PM on Saturday, October 14th, over 250 vendors, children's entertainment companies, and rides were available to the friends and families at the celebration.
Starting at 10AM, the Character Parade, where children and parents paraded at the triangle starting at the Shoprite, presented kids and parents with the opportunity to sport their Halloween costumes. Princess Bella, Princess Poppy, Batman, Big Red Dog, and Blue Karate Turtle led the excursion, finishing just 1-hour later.
The Xtreme Snow Pros team took part in the daily festivities, bringing along their HET as well as several other pieces of equipment that they showcased and discussed with all interested viewers. Children were able to see the pieces up close and personal, spending time to learn about what our team does during the dangerous winter months. Working hard to network with everyone who stopped by, we had some awesome conversations with parents, students, and children thinking about going into a career of winter weather clearing and removal. To inspire that kind of excitement was really rewarding for our team.
Xtreme Snow Pros in 2018
As we head into the new year, we are planning to immerse ourselves in even more community activities, showing all of our clients that we are a transparent operation. We'd be nothing without the communities we serve, and we want to integrate our services and support into every local business that shows interest. Stay safe for the remainder of the 2018 winter, and consider what winter weather removal services can do for the longevity of your company


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Dogs have various types of fur so don't anticipate one clipper to do the same job for all the types of fur. Not all clippers can be used to all types of fur. You may consult your vet to use the ideal kind of clipper for your dog's fur. The product will get broken immediately if you use it on the wrong type of fur. The specifications required should be followed in order for the clippers last long.
You need to to take into account the functions a dog clipper offers. Innovations are sometimes added to a style of dog clippers. A few of these are speed controls, blades, motor, and the cord type. Clippers with no cords are easy to control compared to those with cords. In addition, some dog clippers allow you to change blades when they get damaged. Blades must be good quality with easily available back-ups if you opt for this clipper.
The cost of clippers with more characteristics is higher in comparison to the basic models. Users can't always anticipate to get the best features from pricy dog clippers. You could find high-quality ones in the market without the substantial price. In some cases, you simply need to consider other brands to find a product which provides the best performance for a lower price. Just be meticulous in your hunt.
Dog clippers ideal for your dogs must be used when grooming them. When the fur on your dog is thick, human clippers aren't advisable for the task because they are not meant for tough work. Safety must be your priority for both yourself and your dog so make sure you buy risk-free products. If you have any questions or comments, don't hesitate to reach us at petnailexpert.com.


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You are here: Main > Arcade and Action > Hotel Dash: Suite Success online game
Hotel Dash: Suite Success play game online
When Quinn's new travel business hits a snag, she needs Flo's patented elbow grease to help renovate and run hotels all over DinerTown! Experience a Hotel Dash as you deliver guest's luggage, drop off room service and provide extra towels and blankets! Along the way you will use your tips to decorate and restore each hotel back to its original charm. Watch out for the mysterious mishaps and accidents that threaten your progress in this fast-paced Time Management game!
People Who Liked Hotel Dash: Suite Success game also enjoyed:


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02 Nov 2018
Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd v Merit Merrell Technology Ltd – Who would be an expert?
by Mark Woodward-Smith, Group Managing Director -
Mark Woodward-Smith looks at a case where the judge gave expert advice to the experts!
Stephen Rayment explains why it is important to check the dispute resolution clause in your contract to ensure that any arbitral award can be properly enforced.
Overdue retentions can be fatal to a business, particularly when expected payments do not materialise due to insolvency. See our insight on how the industry is looking to resolve this situation


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Two months ago, travel planning giant TripAdvisor announced that it was remaking its website to offer readers a new look, a new personalized feed, and lots of new information sources that go far beyond its previous database of hundreds of millions of traveler reviews. The revamped site has now gone public, so here's a first look at how it works.
The 'old' TripAdvisor had faced growing criticism over the reliability of its user reviews. The new version still has all those user reviews-- which still show up in internet searches for hotels, resorts, restaurants and destinations.
But now, TripAdvisor wants users to become members, and its homepage now focuses on providing members with "useful and relevant advice from the people and experts they trust," as the company puts it.
And who would that be? For one thing, users can now designate family and friends they want to follow on the site to see what they might recommend. But it also lets users tap into a network of "more than a thousand trusted brands, publishers and social media influencers."
Our first impression after logging on and creating an account? The new TripAdvisor feels a lot like Facebook for travelers.
When you sign up for TripAdvisor now, you'll be asked to choose a profile photo and a cover photo-- which feels very Facebook-y. You will also be asked to designate which people or media sources you want to follow for information that will flow into a personal feed. The possibilities range from major travel media (Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, Departures, National Geographic, the Travel Channel, Outside Magazine, etc.) to little-known travel blogs with names like Tripinavan (a family traveling across Australia), Getting Stamped, Aimee (a U.K.-based "international fashion model") and the very specialized Have Halal Will Travel.
Here's how TripAdvisor describes its new personal feed: "As a member searches for a specific destination [enter the destination in the "Where to" field at the top], their travel feed automatically surfaces relevant content from the global TripAdvisor community. For example, a member planning a trip to Paris on TripAdvisor will discover helpful information such as a food critic's article on the best restaurant in the city, an influencer's travel guide of must-do experiences, a friend's review of a new hotel near the Eiffel Tower and more. You can "like," "repost" and "share" these reviews, Facebook style.
TripAdvisor started out as a popular clearinghouse of user reviews which was supported by ads. The company pivoted away from that and tried to become a travel booking site-- with mixed success. This new version seems to be continuing on that path toward being a place where we not only read reviews, but we book trips, tours, etc. The company says, "While other social media sites stop at inspiration, TripAdvisor makes inspirational content actionable. Simply click through to a business listing to reserve a table, book the adventure of a lifetime, or save money when booking the perfect place to stay -- all without ever leaving the site or app."Read Full Article
To try out the new TripAdvisor, we registered, selected some information sources, and jumped in.
Then we selected a specific destination – Denver – to see what would come up. At the top of the feed was an article from TripAdvisor itself titled "Seven ways to get a deal on a ski vacation." Not exactly Denver, but close.
The main thing we noticed about the feed as we scrolled down was the huge number of photos it included, including many from other users – a vast selection of amateur shots of Denver's Union Station, State Capitol building and Botanic Gardens, among other, along with many shots of plates of food from local restaurants. (Sure, people like to look at pictures, but some judicious editing might be in order.)
The feed also provided links to hotels in a wide range of categories including centrally located, trendy, budget, family-friendly, classic, historic, hotels with views, hotels with mountain views and so on. It also provided the option of following TripAdvisor's "top contributors in Denver," and offered many more links to restaurants (again in many categories), things to do, tours and so on.
The segmentation of hotels, restaurants and so on is more helpful when you get off the main feed page and select restaurants, for example, from the main TripAdvisor menu. Then you can see at a glance all the cuisine types and other categories available at your chosen destination.
So in terms of the good, the new TripAdvisor is a more valuable travel planning resource simply because of the sheer volume of information sources it has added.
In terms of the not-so-good, that volume can be overwhelming to the hapless user who ends up scrolling down and down the screen to see where it all ends (if it does, we didn't get that far). The increased use of photos makes it easier to look at but tends to be excessive. Which feels sort of like the bottomless feed on Facebook.
Go take a look, set up your personal feed and let us know what you think about the new TripAdvisor! Leave your thoughts in the comments.
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Chris McGinnis is the founder of TravelSkills.com. The author is solely responsible for the content above, and it is used here by permission. You can reach Chris at email@example.com or on Twitter @cjmcginnis.