text:
"Think Different" was the (grammatically incorrect) mantra and slogan that Steve Jobs brought to Apple. It proved to be more than a slogan; it actually worked. How did he do it?
If Jobs' creativity could be reproduced, every board of directors in the world eventually would want to claim the magic elixir for their own company. Amazingly, in 14 years he created the most valuable company in the world. How was Jobs able to succeed where so many others have failed?
It appears that, though obviously a genius, Jobs learned how to think differently. He attended college, but quit before graduating. He took only classes that interested him (e.g., calligraphy), with seemingly little regard as to how they would affect his employability. (How many college students and their parents would embrace that approach today?)
Jobs next took an extended soul-searching trip to India. What exactly did he discover there that led to his realization of the importance of intuition? What possibly could have propelled someone with a prior rather lackluster background into becoming the revered god of creative geniuses and iconic business leaders?
In the recently released biography of Jobs by Walter Isaacson, he is quoted as having claimed that "Intuition is a very powerful thing, more powerful than intellect in my opinion." Jobs continued to speak of the importance of learning how to quiet the mind, see things more clearly, and live in the present.
Reading the above passages proved to be my own "aha" moment. Jobs figured out how to tap into his right brain! Neuroscientists have known for years that this hemisphere is where creativity and intuition, among other skills, are located. Split-brain research has yielded insights about hemispheric lateralization in injured brains where the corpus callosum is cut. There has not been as much research, however, demonstrating how healthy people can specifically activate one hemisphere over the other.
In drawing upon his intuition -- a right-hemisphere trait -- Jobs was able to visualize products that consumers did not even realize they needed as yet. I have sincere admiration for what Jobs was able to create. While serving as a public company CEO myself, I became aware of how difficult it is to achieve growth, differentiate products and foster creativity in problem-solving.
I learned how to tap into my right brain a dozen years ago by reading one of many books on the subject written by Lucia Capacchione, Ph.D. Her insights proved to be both a transformation in my personal life and very helpful in my business career. I headed a classic left-brain company. Banks are typically not considered very creative entities, although some might argue that point today as a result of the problems caused by some of the bad apples.
My challenge as CEO was figuring out what we could do to make the company grow faster while keeping our shareholders happy, creating opportunities for our employees, and continuing to take care of our customers. Juggling these three balls was clearly no easy task.
I became able to think more creatively and intuitively as a result of learning how to "think different" on demand. And, became able to fight the urge to conform by taking the familiar path in the decision-making process and staying within my comfort zone. Instead, I chose to learn a new path for thinking and decision making. By learning to quiet my mind and then use my non-dominant hand to activate the right brain, I was able to write down answers that proved to be different from what I had received in using a traditional thought process.
Sound crazy? I personally would have been highly skeptical of this process absent 50 years of neuroscientific research attesting to why it works, beginning with Roger Sperry's Nobel Prize-winning work in discovering the independence in consciousness between left and right hemispheres of the brain.
Applying this non-dominant hand technique gave me a creative edge in thinking about my company's challenges in the following decade. The company grew profitably and rapidly and achieved some major milestones along the way, including being voted as a "Best Place to Work" and as a "Top Performing Bank Based on Return on Equity to Shareholders." Often, executives would ask in amazement, "Where did you come up with that idea?" I wasn't ready as yet, however, to let the cat out of the bag.
Upon leaving the corporate world at age 50, I became increasingly intrigued by what makes some people succeed and others fail in the face of adversity, and whether or not those who succeeded had been able to tap into their own creativity to help them along the way. I conducted hundreds of personal interviews, discovering precious few who knew anything about any methods for unlocking their own creativity. A typical response was, " I wait and hope for that occasional flash of insight in the shower, listening to a song, or sleeping on it."
If the pundits are right and we are dependent on innovation and creativity to grow our economy and make our products relevant in a global market, we can't sit around waiting for flashes of creativity to occur. We need to start unlocking the creativity embedded in each of us.
I present myself as the classic left-brainer who learned how to meet and harness the power of his right brain. My creativity has not matched that of Steve Jobs, but I do know that I am way ahead of where I would have been had I stayed on the ingrained, familiar path. The good news for those seeking creativity is that you do not have to go to India or use hallucinogenic drugs. Instead, form an acquaintance with your right brain. It's ready and waiting with a brave new world of insights.
William Alan Donius is the author of the forthcoming, The Thought Evolution: Unlocking Right Brain Creativity (Release date: March 2012, Changing Lives Press).


text:
The Wrap Up: Funniest Rihanna 'Doobie' Memes From The AMAs
Last night (Nov 24) at the 2013 American Music Awards, Rihanna made history in two very different categories. She was the first recipient of the "Icon Award" and she was the first person to step on stage with a doobie—a popular hair style worn in the hair salon and before you go to bed.
Between Lady Gaga and R Kelly's oval office affair, Miley Cyrus and her cat, and TLC's performance, the songstress was in a building full of heavy hitters, but the best meme award for the night went to Rih Rih's hair. While she slayed in the style department, she failed with her hair. We hope and pray that wearing your hair still wrapped doesn't make it to the trendy list.
While you wait for your first sighting of the "Rihanna Doobie," flip the page to VIBE Vixen see the funniest memes created in its honor.
Photo Credits: Larry Busacca/AMA2013/Getty Images Entertainment/Instagram

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Staff in the School of Health and Related Research are organised into sections, reflecting teaching disciplines and/or research interests.
You can also find members of staff by the section they work in- please visit the staff pages in their individual websites:
Design, Trials & Statistics staff
Health Economics and Decision Science staff pages
Health Services Research staff pages
Information Resources staff pages
ScHARR Postgraduate Research Students are assigned to supervisors who are ScHARR members of staff.
Honorary, Visiting and other associated staff
View a full a-z list of honorary, visiting and other associated staff
General enquiries
For general enquiries please see our Contact us webpage.


text:
Your friend recommends their friend for a high-level position.
It's not that uncommon. Most of us find positions through our network.
The wisdom of this seems obvious. Hiring a referral from a friend means that they come highly recommended. Your friend wouldn't recommend a loser, right? They'd know if they had a criminal record, or if they had a habit of weekend benders.
Continue reading "How Well do Your Friends Know Their Friends?"


text:
As part of the promotion for the release of Coffee... Hot, several of the authors took turns interviewing each other. You can read the previous interview between Rebecca Croteau and me at on Rebecca's blog.
For my turn, I got to interview the fabulous Avery Vanderlyle about her story Drink to Seal The Bond
1. I love the idea of this place where werecivets, fairies, vampires, and all sorts of other creatures mix and drink the enchanted brew. What gave you the inspiration for the story?
A few years ago I'd tried my hand at an urban/contemporary fantasy novel. I wrote about a quarter of it and decided it would need another six drafts before it would be any good so I put it on the back burner. But I'd started setting up rules about the world: I knew there were Changelings who were Fay exiled from their homeland and I knew there were were-creatures of all types.
So I decided to build up the world through some short stories. "Drink to Seal the Bond" is actually the second story set in this universe. The first is "Mirrors, the Moon and the Boy" published in Storm Moon Press' Forgotten Menagerie anthology. But in that story, the were/shifter character is isolated. I wanted to explore one of these weres within her community.
In "Drink to Seal the Bond," the process of creating the brew, starting with the swallowing of the coffee fruits, is a communal rite of passage. And the celebration that is going on when Lou enters the building is also a communal celebration. Can't get more communal than an orgy.
So were-animals, coffee, sexy community celebration - that all came together. On the other hand you have Lou, who is isolated and looking desperately for partnership, friendship, community. Giving the brew magical abilities is the glue that brings these two together.
2. Have you ever had the opportunity to try Kopi Luwak?
No, I haven't. I was doing some research on it, and there's debate if it's really good coffee or if it's some kind of a fad. I don't know anything about coffee, so that was interesting to discover.
I was also saddened to learn that many places that produce it are essentially factory farms. The civets are in cages and they're fed so much coffee fruit that their diet and health suffer. I hope anyone who's a Kopi Luwak fan checks on the conditions in which it's produced.
3. Your bio says you enjoy playing D&D. So let's say that the last character you played was given the chance to drink the werecivet brew. Would they, and if so, what would they be seeking?
That's a great question. One character I'm playing is a monk, which for those not familiar with Dungeons and Dragons is a martial artist, with maybe a little bit of a philosophical bent but not necessarily a religious person. Her name is Ariana and she's from a noble family. She grew up very sheltered, but the estate steward knew martial arts and trained her. Then she was about to be married off to a man much older than her so she ran away. Not a unique origin story, but I have fun with her naiveté . But she's reckless enough to want to drink the brew, even knowing it might have unpredictable consequences.
She's definitely trying to find her place in the world, and if she could drink the brew that's what she'd want to know: how do I find my place in the world? Is there somewhere physically I should go? Someone I should meet? How will I know when I'm in the right place?
Questions we all have, really.
4. Last one, How do you like your coffee?
It's sacrilegious, given this anthology, but I don't drink coffee. I love chocolate-covered espresso beans, though. And my spouse makes a great candy with coffee beans, dark chocolate and coconut. So I like my coffee in candy, rather than in the cup.
To learn more about me and my writing, people can check out my blog at https://averyvanderlyle.wordpress.com/
Thanks Avery!
Be sure to check out the next segment of the interview on Avery's blog in a few days when she interviews Greer!
And pick up Coffee Hot, from Circlet Press, Amazon, or wherever you like to buy your ebooks!


text:
I have a fierce reading addiction, so when my friend Kristen Beddard came out with her new memoir on two of my favorite topics, kale and Paris, I had to get my copy. Bonjour Kale is ideal for your summer reading list and anyone who loves food, adventure, and travel will crush on this fun read. Check out my interview with her to get a little appetizing bite of her story.
Healthy Lifestyle
Enjoying a healthy lifestyle goes beyond eating and cooking the right foods. It's about a well-rounded approach to living -- we'll cover in this section exercise, celebrating life, and finding balance, harmony and soul.
Bonjour Kale
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo The Healthy Way
Cinco de Mayo is a delicious way to celebrate amazing Mexican fare and rejoice in sunnier days and warmer evenings. Kick off your Cinco celebration with flavorful blender drinks made with the real stuff like pomegranate and berries.
10 Day Detox Diet
The 10 Day Detox Diet by Dr. Mark Hyman is a great read for anyone who wants to do some internal spring cleaning, slim down, and feel ready when bikini weather rolls around.
No-Bake Valentine's Treats
Whip up one of these no-bake treats in no time! Plus download my new "Show Your Love" Valentine's Day dessert booklet…
Superfood Smoothie Guide
Smoothies are excellent low-cal meal replacement that you can whip up in 5 minutes — a quick fix to "reset" your body after a holiday splurge. Be sure you build them the correct way…
15 New Year's Resolutions That Are Easy To Keep
Everyone loves the prospect of a brandnew year with exciting possibilities. But how many times have you set a New Year's resolution for yourself only to find that come March, you're back to your old habits wondering how you got off track?
The Busy Girl's Entertaining Guide
This simple, chic, yet easy guide to entertaining is not only fit for the holidays but can be referenced any time you want to "put on the dog" yet don't have much time to cook.
How to Dress Up Fish
Preparing fish is one of the fastest and easiest healthy proteins to enjoy. Once you learn the easy basics of fish cookery, you'll be ready to taking it up a notch. If you want to take your fish dishes over the top with taste and nutrition, dress them up with other superfoods like fruits, seeds, nuts, and spices. Try these unique ways to celebrate healthy eating and break that boring, plain boring health food rut.


text:
|File Type
|File Name
|Publication Date
|Don't Turn Your Clean Environment into a Particle Magnet!
Non-dissipative plastics quickly accumulate surface charges that attract contaminants. If this quantity of test spheres clings to the panel on the left, just imagine how many micro-particles it attracts!
|Terra Universal ionizing Bar: Static-Decay Test
Watch us put our ion bar to the test in this simulation using a charged surface in a cleanroom. We record the time needed to neutralize the positive and negative charges, creating a static-free working area.


text:
Who We Are
We see ourselves as a fellowship of believers redeemed at great cost with the blood of our precious Savior Jesus Christ. We are a diverse collection of God's people – young and old, married and single, parent and grandparent, newborn through retirement, each one precious and uniquely designed by their Creator to fulfill His divine purpose in this generation.
Generations was birthed through a small group of believers who had a vision to keep things simple, to enable each other to focus our time toward the ministry and the people God has placed within each member's sphere of influence. We intended that our time together in weekly worship would be inter-generational, honoring the unity and opportunities that can come when young and old worship together. As a result, this vision continues to guide the decisions we make regarding our ministry together and how we allocate our time and resources. We began worshiping in a home in April of 2004. In order to accommodate the number of believers God was bringing together, we moved to Allendale in the Fall of 2005 where we met thru July 2010 in the Allendale High School. We then met at the Mocha-n-Music in Hudsonville, Michigan for 3 ½ years until their business closed in October 2013. We renovated part of the old wood factory established by Howard Miller Clock Company located at 120 W Washington, Zeeland, Michigan where we are now meeting. We hope to never lose sight of the fact that this ministry is about the fellowship of believers, not the location, size, or ownership of the building we meet in.
What to Expect on Sunday's
Our Services
Some folks are there by 10am usually so feel free to come early - service starts promptly at 11am! Please note that we do not have Kid's church, bible study, or other program's, just a congregation of folks who worship the Lord together in community. We sing both contemporary songs and classical hymns and our services typically last 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours. At times we may have a meal after, and quarterly we celebrate the Lord's supper with a special fellowship meal after. We hope to see you there!


text:
Crepe myrtles bursting with hot pink blooms = instant happy.
Happy Tuesday, y'all.
That's a gorgeous photo! I don't think I've ever seen a Crepe Myrtle before.ReplyDelete
That makes me happy too! Nice picture!ReplyDelete
Well, maybe this will get me sort of in the mood to go home, cause I have to confess: high 70's here versus 110 at home has me DREADING reality. Maybe my crepe myrtles will be worth it?ReplyDelete
I'd love to hear what you have to say. I try to reply to comments and answer questions within each post so be sure to check back from time to time. Thanks for visiting!


text:
This rich and decadent dessert takes only minutes to make with fresh summer strawberries and a sweet balsamic reduction.
Yield: serves 1
- 1 cup reduced-fat vanilla ice cream (or choice of vanilla frozen treat)
- 1 cup, or 8 large, strawberries
- 1/4 cup skim milk
- 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. light brown sugar
- Wash and trim the strawberries.
- In a saucepan over medium-high heat, add the vinegar and sugar. Stir just a minute or two, until the sugar has melted and a syrup has formed.
- Place the strawberries in a blender with the milk and scoop of ice cream. Blend on high until well combined.
- Pour in to a glass and drizzle the top with the syrup. Enjoy!!
Photos by Kacy Meinecke for DietsInReview.com


text:
For about a week, my fella and I have been on a vision quest. After being taunted by the likes of Eva Longoria from our TV screens telling of us these mysterious and splendid flavors like Sriracha, Cheesy Garlic Bread and Chicken & Waffles- we knew they must get into our bellies, pronto. [Tangent: Limited edition flavors are one of my true vices. It's as if the lovely people at Lays were reading my dream journal by offering these three for just a couple months to find a permanent one to produce based on Facebook feedback. ] The problem was we haven't seen em out, so today we decided was the day. We would devote as much time as necessary to making these ours [Tangent: Hoppin' Saturday night! Am I right?]
After hitting up Publix, Kroger and Mapco, we checked Walgreen's on a whim. [Tangent: If we had on pleated khakis and numbered sweatshirts, I swear that we'd have looked like final round Supermarket Sweep contestants in the first 3 establishments. Milling around and splitting up down the store aisles looking for the item in question. However, I have a hunch we weren't the only ones. There seemed to be a lot of dissatisfied people eyeballing the other normal everyday Lay's flavors. ] Considering it is a drugstore, their snack section is weak and I felt like all hope was lost... until I spotted a heaping barrel of those phantom potato goodies by the checkout! I can't promise there wasn't a hint of squealing.
|this is makeupless me getting STOKED in the Easter candy aisle.
Taste Test #1- Sriracha
I was worried that these chips would pack too much flavor, leaving that odd film on your tongue and that pesky chip dust everywhere [Tangent: I'm looking at you Xtreme Pringles and Flavor Blasted Goldfish.]. However, they were really yummy! At first they kinda taste like a sweet BBQ flavor, but then the spicy heat kicks in as you are about to swallow. It's a nice little surprise.
Taste Test #2- Cheesy Garlic Bread
The flavor itself reminded me of that white cheddar popcorn that you buy out of vending machines, and its definitely the most subtle of the three. [Tangent: Subtle is not a bad thing considering my favorite chip flavor is salt and pepper.] Because it is a lighter flavor, I could probably see myself eating this one the most, but as far as originality goes- I am not so sure. I wasn't wowed.
Taste Test #3- Chicken & Waffles
When we opened the bag, my ginger said that it smelled like toasted marshmallows, which made me a little wary. That is not the first impression you want when snapping open a bag of chips. Even after consuming the first one- I wasn't convinced that I liked it. But they totally grew on me....chip by chip, I started to love them more. They wore me down and eventually, that was the one I probably ate the largest quantity of. The maple flavor is definitely dominant, and you can't really taste the chicken-ness. [Tangent: These are definitely more of a breakfast chip if you are one to occasioanlly brunch out of a vending machine....as I was sometimes prone to do at my former job.] The sweet and savory are pretty damned yummy together.
I really can't pick a favorite. This vote is definitely more stressful than the one I made back in November. They all have their strong points, so I guess I wouldn't be mad if any of them won [Tangent: I am kicking myself a little that I hadn't sent them a potential flavor so I could win a million dollars!]. How's that for being a diplomatic fat kid? Have any of you all tried them? What did you think?


text:
Practise what you have learnt
Our Student are allowed to carry out different research work with the facilities in the university. Capacity Building... More »
Welcome to Wesley University Ondo
Wesley University is located at KM3, Ondo-Ife road Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria More »
The Department of Computer Science is structured to promote interdisciplinary approach to professional education in the basic disciplines of Computer Science and Engineering.
The department will provide a sound knowledge of Technical processes in Computer Science, Information Technology and Hardware System and Networks leading to the awards of Bachelor of Science degree. The courses will provide the students with technical achievement that address technological issue of national concern.
(i) B.Sc. Computer Science (CSC)
(ii) B.Sc. Information Technology (ITC)
(iii) B.Sc. Electronics and Computer Systems (ECS)
The programmes are designed to train students in the Sciences, and technology of computing systems.
The objectives of the programmes are to:
(i) Expose the students to the knowledge of the fundamentals of computer Science
(ii) Impart in the students the knowledge of Computer System and Networks
(iii) Train the students to acquire sound knowledge of hardware, software and engineering that will make them useful in private and public sectors of the world economy.
(iv) Equip the students with the capacity for research in Information Technology
5 'O' Level Credits including Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry plus or pass in Biology in addition to 5 'O' Level requirements; either (i) OND Upper Credit level in Computer Science (ii) 'A" Level passes at one sitting in two of the following subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry.
The duration of the programme is four years.
To be eligible for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Honours in Computer Science, Information Technology and Computer Engineering, the student must satisfy.
(i) The Departmental requirement by passing all the departmental compulsory courses.
(ii) The general degree requirements of the University.
(iii) the minimum requirement of – units over the four years period for UTME student and – unit over the three year period for Direct entry students.


text:
Welcome to the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our highly credentialed Essex County criminal defense firm. We feature a team of talented attorneys who are uniquely qualified to defend your rights in any Superior Court or Municipal Court criminal matter.
Our experience includes years serving as prosecutors and literally thousands of cases under our belts. We offer skilled representation in the defense of all indictable felony charges (i.e. first degree, second degree, third degree or fourth degree crime), as well as disorderly persons offenses anywhere in Essex County.
We provide knowledgeable representation in the following types of cases:
- DWI / DUI (driving while intoxicated / driving under the influence)
- Traffic Violations (speeding, reckless driving, driving without insurance, etc.)
- Drug Charges (marijuana, cocaine, heroin, prescription drugs, etc.)
- Domestic Violence (simple assault and restraining orders)
- Assault and Threat Charges (aggravated assault, terroristic threats, etc.)
- Weapons Offenses (unlawful possession and possession for unlawful purposes)
- Shoplifting (municipal court and Superior Court charges)
- Fraud and Theft (credit card theft, theft by deception, burglary, etc.)
- Sex Offenses
- Prescription Drug Charges
- Expungement (removal of arrest and conviction records)
- Criminal Mischief (vandalism, graffiti, etc.)
- Disorderly Conduct (public drunkenness, fights, threats, etc.)
If you or a loved one is facing any variety of criminal or traffic offense in Essex County, call us at 973-710-1520 for an immediate free consultation.


text:
Shop Now
Starts At:
Our classic solitaire Avens Ring featuring a prong set .50ct - 1.15ct Raw Diamond. The height of this setting is dependent on the size of the diamond used.
This ring is worn as an engagement ring, or to celebrate a milestone or rite of passage.
See the Estimated Pricing below for available metals. Actual prices will vary as diamonds are sourced for each order.
The primary image shows this ring in 14kt yellow gold with a matte finish.
Due to the handmade nature of this item, each piece is unique & the variations are considered part of the beauty of the design. Buying handmade means that you are supporting a craft and design community. Also, please note that each rough diamond is unique and these images are for reference only.
Our raw diamonds outshine conflict-free. Learn more  about our responsibly mined and traceable diamonds and gemstones.
.50ct-.65ct Raw Diamond:
.70ct-.85ct Raw Diamond:
1.0ct-1.15ct Raw Diamond:
Shining in Your Inbox
Get the latest on special offers, new arrivals, and events.


text:
A month or so ago now I was on holiday in Spain and happened to pick up a magazine in the airport. With this magazine was a free miniature Benefit Rollerlash mascara. I remember growing up I used to always pick my magazine purely based on the free gift haha. But this was a pure coincidence that the magazine I wanted actually came with a decent freebie.
This mascara was my best friend whilst I was away - and remained my best friend for a long time after I was back. This little miniature lasted a good month for me - so I imagine the full sized bottle would be worth the investment.
What I loved most about this mascara was the fact that it only needed one coat. On a morning I don't want a mascara that requires multiple applications and then ends up leaving me looking like I should be out on the town as a pose to heading to work. I look for a mascara that lengthens and curls the lashes in a more natural setting.
I found this mascara to be really conditioning for my lashes - they didn't feel clogged up at the end of the evening - and most importantly, it didn't take me any longer to remove. Once I read that this mascara was water resistant I was instantly put off, due to the fact that most water resistant mascaras take me about an hour to remove, but this just wasn't the case with the Rollerlash. Win Win.
I was then on another adventure last month and whilst on board my favourite airline Jet 2, they had some big discounts on their duty free shopping. My initial plan was to stock up on the Rollerlash mascara - as that freebie has fully bought me over, but unfortunately this was out of stock on board the aircraft. However they did do a special travel exclusive multi pack of the Benefit They're Real mascara.
This product, I have heard a lot about. I was really pleased with my purchases, because again this was another really good mascara I had discovered. The brush is much thicker than the Rollerlash and in my opinion slightly difficult to get used to, but I found this to be very long wearing - probably the most long wearing mascara I have tried to this date and the colour is very striking. However this mascara I really do struggle to remove! I don't mind paying a little more than my usual for a good mascara, but I don't want the expense of a pricey eye makeup remover just to get it off. I have been using this day and night for the last month though, so somehow I have managed to remove it, but to make my life easier - and who dosent want an easy life, I think this would be a better mascara to leave for the evenings and purchase the Rollerlash for during the day.
The next product I want to talk about is the new Benefit GALifornia Pink blush. I was lucky enough to receive this product for free, but it is so worth the purchase. I have to admit I am more of a bronzer - sun kissed glow kind of person and I think it's been years since I have used a blusher. But after trying this one out for a few weeks, I don't think I'll be without one again. I also have to mention the smell of this blusher - do all Benefit blushers and bronzers smell this good? It's a difficult smell to describe but it just reminds me of summer!
The colour when you see it, is quite striking, but I promise when you get it on it is actually rather subtle. although I suppose it could be buildable if you want more of a striking pink colour to your cheeks. I guess this could be up to you. When you first get the product it does come with a gold shimmer sunshine layer on the very top, this comes off very quickly as you can see in the photo, mine has already disappeared, and I did not notice this glow on my face, so if you want the glow - you will probably find this disappointing, but if like me you were hoping you wouldn't be left with gold cheeks then fear not! You won't be!
Along with my blush I was also sent two samples to try out - the Benefit POREfessional: pore minimising cream and the it's potent! eye cream. But I have not yet got around to trying these products out yet. With the small amount that you are given to trial - I very much doubt I will be able to get a good grasp of the product and whether it suits my skin, but I will be giving it a go over the next week.
Have you tried any of these products? or is there a Benefit product you would recommend? I'm thinking of trying out their brow products next!


text:
At approximately 10:00 a.m. this morning MFD crews responded to reports of a brush fire in the Olowalu area (north of Olowalu Store). Upon arrival, crews found an active brush fire behind a Paintball Field north of Olowalu Store. The fire quickly spread up the hillside, and through dry brush and kiawe. At one point the fire threatened some farm structures located on the Lahaina side of the burn area. Firefighters were able to protect those structures as the fire approached.
MPD and MFD personnel worked to evacuate those threatened in the area, which included a subdivision on Luawai Rd. Approximately 50 people were evacuated from 30 or so homes in the area. A shelter was established for evacuees in central Maui. As of 3:30 p.m., all evacuees were allowed back to their homes. Luawai Rd was also reopened at that time.
Throughout the day, 40 firefighters battled the blaze and as of this release it is considered 90% contained. Firefighters are also being assisted by 3 helicopters which were able to make water drops, as well as tankers and equipment from West Maui Land Co, Hawaiian Dredging, and PB Sullivan. Crews are currently dousing hot spots and will be monitoring this fire throughout the night to ensure the perimeter is secure.
It is estimated that 200 acres have burned, and there are no reported damages caused by this fire. There are also no injuries to report. The cause of this fire has not been determined.
*This story has been updated at 5:10pm


text:
They make some really beautiful music. Read full review here.
They make some really beautiful music. Read full review here.
Talked to Travie McCoy (of Gym Class Heroes fame) about his solo tour…read it here!
I had the great opportunity to go to the SXSW music festival with a media pass. It was incredible. I wrote some things while there. Here are my a couple from the week:
A review of the best music I saw on the Thursday of the festival.
A write-up about bands that played SXSW and will also play Coachella next week.
Who doesn't love Pau? He has been incredibly consistent since joining the Lakers some three years ago. He deserves a lot of credit for the team's recent success. Read the article here.
After attending the Press Photographer's of Greater Los Angeles' 75th anniversary show at the Queen Mary, I wrote a little review/overview of the show. Read it here.


text:
From food storage to cooling down a summer drink, it is a refrigerators job to keep your food icy and fresh. Many […] Read more
Open, Hermetic and Semi-Hermetic Compressors
Hermetic compressors are frequently found in air conditioning and refrigeration applications. This article explores the attributes of this type of compressor. What […] Read more
Who Invented the Refrigerator?
Most of us use our refrigerators every day to keep our food cold and to keep our beverages icy chilled. While the […] Read more
Purchasing the Right Amana Refrigerator Parts
When your Amara refrigerator needs repairing, you may begin to search for Amana refrigerator parts to fix the problem quickly and easily. […] Read more
Examining The Danfoss Compressor
Anyone who understands how refrigerators work understands the importance of compressors. These pieces of equipment are critical for making sure that any […] Read more
The Basics on Frigidaire Parts
Frigidaire is a manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances as well as air conditioners and dehumidifiers. Based on repair calls they have […] Read more


text:
Product name: Plus500
Link: http://www.plus500.com/
Founder: Gal Haber, Alon Gonen, Elad Ben-Izhak, Shlomi Weizmann, Omer Elazari and Shimon Sofer
Level of experience needed: Medium
Rating: 8/10
Plus500 provides Contracts for Difference (CFDs), different trading facilities and many innovative technological innovations to retail customers.
The company was founded in 2008 by 6 alumni from Technician Institute of Technology. It may be registered in Israel but it has its head offices in Cyprus, UK, and Australia.
Since it launched its iOS app and android app in 2011 and windows app in 2014, it has been making itself more available to the traders out there to use its facilities on shares, forex, commodities, ETFs etc. with convenience.
With strong links with some of the largest banks in the work, Plus500 provides an ultimate trading platform to all its customers.
The company believes in transparency.
All the deals that it offers to its customers are transparent in their nature with no hidden charges.
With links in the banking sector, the company provides its customers better deals and prices but all these deals are out in the open.
It hides nothing from its users and ensures to provide a safe trading platform to trade financial assets anywhere in the globe.
Who is it for?
Anyone who is into financial trading can make use of this platform. With links in USA, UK, Australian, European and Asian exchanges, it provides its users a wide range of facilities that they can make use of.
So thinking of trading shares, ETFs, Indices, commodities or currencies? Then head over to plus500.
With over a thousand other users on the same platform, you might as well land up with some great deals.
The website is quite informative for someone who knows what he is going in for. Anyone with a little know-how of the trading business can make use of this platform.
It provides support to its customers as well where they can get better insight into the financial world and the deals Plus500 offers.
The support system answers the most basic questions so that anyone who thinks that he doesn't have enough knowledge of this field can start the trading too.
All you would need to do is setup your account with the company. Once it is verified, you will be good to go.
Personally I downloaded the app back in 2014 to see what it's like to trade on a mobile platform and get a bit familiar with the whole trading world.
As you get to use a free account and also some joining bonus (for me it was €25) you can have a bit of fun.
It gave me an idea and I understood how the money could move into different directions.
I don't typically recommend it for beginners to gamble money away but to try and test it out with paper money (fake money).
Training and tools:
The company does not provide training of any sort to its users. However, it does answer the very basic questions in its "Support" tab so that the most frequently asked questions are answered for the users before they step into the field of financial trading.
This support is enough for any amateur to start up in this business and make a headway for success.
Other than this, the website allows its users many tools as well that will further facilitate its users.
Risk Management tool: These tools allow you to manage your risks before getting into a trade. It allows you to calculate your leverage, different prices that are available so that you can make a calculated risk.
Technical analysis tool: These tools make you understand the risks involved in the trade that you are using your capital for. The website discloses all kinds of risks that are involved in the transaction you will be getting into.
Video: To further facilitate the new users that login to this website, the company offers them a tutorial website as well to show them how their system works. It gives them a tour of the whole website and a better insight of how it all works.
Pros VS Cons
The platform here is good for many reasons, whilst, on the other hand, it has it's drawbacks as well.
- With links with the largest international banks, Plus500 provides you with better deals, prices with a superior execution of the process.
- The website is available in 29 different languages so that it can reach out to users from different backgrounds.
- It offers different mediums through which you can deposit and transfer your funds e.g. skrill, PayPal, MasterCard etc.
- It is open about all the risks that will be involved in the trade that you are about to invest in.
- Initial support is provided to all the customers so that they can get the initial push to get them rolling.
- The website has applications that are supported by all android and iOS devices so that you can access your account no matter wherever you are. These applications are user-friendly and quite advanced in their design so that you a good trading environment.
- The company has been hit with many controversies over the past few years that has made the users a bit wary about it. In 2015, it tried to offer a bid of $703 to an online gambling company. The gambling company walked away from it after failing to get a regulatory approval from Plus500. Other than this, in the same year, the company's stocks faced a downfall of 60% after it went on to freeze 55% of its UK based customers' accounts for anti-money-laundering review.
Final verdict
Plus500 is an effective medium for all sorts of financial trading. It provides robust solutions to the retail customers from all over the world to all their trading problems by getting them under one roof and providing them with all the help that they would need.
Surely it has its ups and downs as well but what makes it a preferred choice is the fact that the company is making headways into success.
With it getting into affiliate programs, getting into sponsorships with the countries, it sure has the potential to grow bigger and stronger.
The website allows you to create a demo account so that you can learn the basics before you get into this business with all your capital.
Do you want to get into financial trading? Then download Plus500 on your systems and get started.
However if you want to start trading effectively and get proper education, I'd highly recommend to look at something more powerful and linear in terms of training.
Jumping into the trading world without the right guidance can be a bit of a ticking time bomb.
Have a look at the review written for Tim Sykes course and reconsider your options. Plus500 is great to have a bit of fun with fake money but you'll most likely not make a giant breakthrough.
Especially when trading on a smartphone it can be very inaccurate and somewhat slow.


text:
(As of this page's last publication on June 01,2019, our records indicate that this business has ceased operations. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information. To verify, we recommend that you contact the local directory assistance service for the Orlando area.)
|9150 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
|Part of Chain:
|Houlihan's (3 area locations)
|Reader Rating:
|Great Place! - Robert, North Charleston
Great Restaurant - Lynn, York
Holy, Houlihan! It Was Great! - Christy, Savannah
|MON-SUN 9:00 am-11:00 pm
|Meals Served:
|Brunch. Lunch. Dinner.
|Other Info:
|Reservations Accepted. Water Views. Outdoor Dining. Full Bar on Site. Children's Menu Available. Happy Hour. Smoking Section. Banquet Facilities.
|Credit Cards:
If you are vacationing in Florida, you can find listings for other Florida restaurants in DiningGuide Miami, which covers all of Dade County and the Keys, or DiningGuide Ft. Lauderdale, which covers all of Broward County.
|Disney Attractions:
|Disney's Magic Kingdom EPCOT
|Disney MGM StudiosDisney's Animal Kingdom
|Adjacent Links:
|DiningGuide Daytona BeachDiningGuide Gainesville
|DiningGuide Space CoastDiningGuide Tampa
|Related Links:
|DiningGuide Florida KeysDiningGuide Fort LauderdaleDiningGuide Fort Myers DiningGuide JacksonvilleDiningGuide MiamiDiningGuide Naples
|DiningGuide Palm BeachesDiningGuide Panama City Beach DiningGuide PensacolaDiningGuide Sarasota DiningGuide TallahasseeDiningGuide Treasure Coast
|Other Links:
|DiningGuide Anaheim
© 1996-2019MetroGuide, Inc. | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions
DiningGuide, DiningGuide.Network, DiningGuide.Community and DiningGuide Orlando are service marks of MetroGuide.com, Inc.
To submit your restaurant, please use the: DiningG.U.I.-de.
To contact us at MetroGuide: Click Here.


text:
The MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Military Aerial Vehicle
The MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is one of the most widely used pieces of military equipment in service today.
Reconnaissance and Combat Roles
Developed by General Atomics of San Diego, California, the MQ-1 Predator is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which means that it is an aircraft operated without a pilot. Because the aircraft lacks a pilot, it is sometimes called a "drone" by soldiers and politicians.
Referred to by the U.S. military as a "system," the Predator actually consists of four air vehicles with sensors, satellite communications, and a ground control station that is used to help operate the unmanned aerial vehicles.
Initially designed for reconnaissance missions, the Predator is also armed with Hellfire missiles and can serve a combat role. Since coming into service in 1995, Predator UAVs have been used in several conflicts ranging from Bosnia and Pakistan to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Operational Use and Success
MQ-1 Predator UAV systems are expensive at a cost of about $5 million each. However, the aircraft has proven useful in current military operations. Military commanders praise the Predators for their endurance and ability to operate for long periods of time.
Typically, a Predator aircraft can travel as far as 400 nautical miles from its base camp and stay airborne over a designated area for more than 10 hours before returning. This has made the Predator ideal for reconnaissance missions and intelligence gathering. The longest recorded flight by a Predator aircraft was 40 hours.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles also keep pilots out of harm's way. However, the aircraft has run into problems in bad weather conditions. Several early versions of the Predators crashed due to icy conditions – drawing criticism from some politicians. These problems have since been corrected with a de-icing system.
Developed With Input From the C.I.A.
Although primarily used by the U.S. military, the Central Intelligence Agency (C.I.A) has had an active interest in the MQ-1 Predator UAV since its inception. The C.I.A. has been developing aerial drones for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering since the 1980s.
The C.I.A. helped oversee some of the early test flights and training involving the Predator system, and the agency has actively used the aircraft for some of its foreign operations – notably in the Balkans. Other countries have also expressed interest in using the Predator system for military operations, including Canada.


text:
This AAC Teachers' Webring site is owned by
Want to join the AAC Teachers' Webring?
|[Skip Prev] [Prev] [Next] [Skip Next] [Random] [Next 5] [List Sites]
The Classroom Connection
teachers' webring
is owned by Emu.
Next | List | Submit a Site
Previous Site || Application Form || Web Ring Members || Next Site


text:
Fifty Elite Orange Golf Balls
Balanced Performance.
The Fifty Elite golf ball launched an entirely new performance expectation into the 2-piece distance ball category. As the original (and only) 50 compression golf ball, Fifty offered unmatched feel in a ball that is as long as any on the market. Today, Fifty Elite is hands down the best value in premium balls, offering performance similar to balls twice the price.
- Orange color for increased visibility
- An aggressive core is offset by a responsive cover
- Explosive distance is coupled with soft feel
- Low driver spin is offset by high greenside spin
- Long carry, quick stop
- Compression: 50
- Layers: 2-Piece
- Ball Type: Distance
- Packaging: 12 Balls
- Cover: Ionomer
- Dimple Count: 302
Easy order. Quick shipment.
Easy order. Quick shipment.
I just love 'em.......
Stop wasting time looking for your ball
Easy to find which saves lots of time. Long without feeling like a brick and spins enough to stop on the greens.
Long and Soft
Super long and soft along with enough spin with your short irons/wedges I'm considering replacing my Penta with these for local tournament play


text:
It's go time! SEMDA 2017 kicks off Tuesday evening in Atlanta!
It's here! SEMDA 2017 conference week in Atlanta! There is still time to register!
We have come a very long way in a short amount of time. Are you ready to make the most of your medtech experience, concept to commercialization, in Atlanta this week?
Who will emerge as one of this year's highly investable companies like Sweetbio did in 2016? Which young companies like Myolyn and Contego will prime themselves for new investment and a pitching slot at Advamed 2017 for the winner through PitchRounds?
"We are looking to invest in companies who have found a highly valuable solution to an unmet clinical need, and it is going to be a long haul," Ib Badejo, senior director of new ventures with J&J Innovation told us. "With the regulatory guidelines that are in place, these are not short term investments that we are making. The days of an investment and quick exit are gone."
Will you find your next customers like MMA has in past years? "SEMDA serves as the central connecting hub for the Southeast medtech community," MMA's Courtney Warren told us. "We have met new companies at SEMDA that are now MMA clients. Through our involvement with SEMDA, we have been able to connect our clients with investors, suppliers, and specialists to help their business succeed."
What new regional connections will SEMDA 2017 foster in a two-day, one-stop shop of the entire Southeast medtech ecosystem? What will we learn from the plenary sessions about the state of medtech innovation in the southeast?
We will find the answers to these questions and more starting Tuesday evening in Atlanta. There is still time to register.
Don't forget, you can see the list of attendees through the conference app. And don't forget to Follow SEMDA on LinkedIn & Twitter. Join the conversation with the hashtag #SEMDA2017. We'll be posting as often as we can.
Jason Rupp, Executive Director, SEMDA


text:
Words by Matt Poe
Children of Men (2006)
Poe's Star Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (powerful, brilliant, all too real)
In a world where women have become infertile, a man tries to guide a pregnant woman to safety in the hopes of reviving a world that has become lost to war and despair.
Category: Drama, Thriller, Sci-Fi
Rated R for strong violence, language, some drug use and brief nudity
Starring Clive Owen, Michael Caine, Chiwetl Ejiofor and Julianne Moore
Written by Alfonso Cuaron, Timothy J. Sexton, David Arata, Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby. Based on the novel by P.D. James. Directed by Alfonso Cuaron
Come one, come all because Poe's Picks is back for another rousing edition. Notice anything different about the beginning of this blog? I'm sure you did; this is a smart audience. There's no Netflix rating in the header for today's film because it did not come from Netflix (cue the dramatic music).
In a shocking development in the world of Poe's Picks, I'm happy to announce I have added films from HBO Go and HBO on Demand to our film library to expand what films I'm fortunate enough to bring you here. Fear not: Netflix movies will still be appearing on the blog because it is still (probably) the most popular platform for streaming movies.
But the addition of HBO and its streaming platforms opens up a whole new palate for films to share and I couldn't be more excited. Our little blog is growing up right before our eyes and this expansion is the next step in ensuring Poe's Picks can be enjoyed by an even wider audience. After all, we don't discriminate against any streaming platforms!
Lastly, I just wanted to thank Netflix for being my first love in the world of streaming; baby, we had a beautiful run and I will always cherish the time we had together. I'll always love you. As they say, you never forget your first. But now I'm living in the lap of luxury being fed grapes while I lie in my robe atop a golden throne and it's all thanks to HBO Go and HBO on Demand.
Let's begin.
"Children of Men" is a film I had been meaning to get around to for quite some time. One of my great friends (shout out to Cotton) had told me to see it for years and I figured now was a better time than ever for a film like this. Why? Let me explain.
The movie takes place in 2027 in a world being decimated by war, fascist regimes and a general cloud of bleak hopelessness that has engulfed our planet. Immigrants are being rounded up and taken into brutal detainment camps while militias run wild, sparking firefights amongst national armies and the aforementioned militias. All this shit seems pretty bad, right?
Well, it gets worse. We learn from the get-go that the youngest person in the world has died at the age of 18 after being murdered. How, dear reader, might the youngest person left on God's good green earth be 18 years-old? That's because women have mysteriously been dubbed infertile, leaving no hope to bear children and it's basically driven everyone (rightfully so) absolutely mad.
This is the reality for all and for our protagonist Theo Faron (Owen), who spends his time like many in this world, deprived of any purpose or hope. He leaves a local coffee shop when an explosion goes off and he's simultaneously held at gunpoint and kidnapped. We learn his former wife Julian (Moore) conducted the kidnapping in search of providing documentation for a young woman.
After reluctantly helping, yet unsure of Julian's motives, Theo learns the woman Julian is helping is a young African woman who is pregnant, a divine miracle to the small inner circle who knows of her pregnancy. Their goal is to get her to safety in hopes that this child could bring forth a new generation of children. Of course, that's easier said than done.
This movie lived up to its hype and then some. It's pace is neither rushed nor too slow and the cinematography is extraordinary in evoking a sense of dystopian despair, with many shades of gray and dark brown radiating from the screen. Cuaron, who won the best director Oscar for 2013's "Gravity", proves here that he was no one trick pony with that film.
I loved the performances here and although there are some big names involved, no actor tries too hard to take the reins and that allows the film to breathe. Caine's Jasper is especially great as a pot-smoking, wishful-thinking man who helps Theo in a variety of ways. It's vintage Caine: subtle, sly, witty and touching. Same can certainly be said for our lead, Clive Owen, who I am still trying to figure out as an actor because in the right roles, he is magnetic and that's evident here.
"Children of Men" should be mandatory viewing for any film lover right now. Rounding up immigrants, the possibility of impending war and a general bleak feeling about government? Why, that sounds like some of the shit happening today!
Is this type of film a glimpse into our future? I'm not ready to say that, but it does feel very plausible in so many respects *adjusts tinfoil hat and looks out window for UFO*. Still, I don't think I'm alone in that line of thinking. I can't recommend this movie any more. Its violence comes in spurts and when it does it's very realistic, but the tension remains constant.
I think ultimately "Children of Men" is about hope, not that that is some groundbreaking revelation. It's a vision into what this world could look like when we lose hope in our fellow man and the damning consequences it would impose.
Children remind us of that. They remind us of a tomorrow and for the desire to strive to leave the world in a better place for them than it was left for us. And while they can be loud, messy and sometimes annoying (man, I'll be a great dad), there would be no hope without them.
Until Next Time.
In Good Movies We Trust,
Matt 'Roger Ebert wishes he was half the film critic I am' Poe


text:
I'm Not What I Seem
The many stories of Rita MacNeil's life
By Charlie Rhindress
Rating: 0 vote(s).
Rita MacNeil has long been recognized as one of the East Coast's great singer-songwriters. As a young girl with the dream of becoming a singer, she overcame a series of seemingly insurmountable obstacles and achieved success by believing in herself and refusing to give up. A trailblazer, Rita played an integral role in the women's movement in Canada and forged a path that was unique to her, paving the way for future generations of east coast musicians.
Charlie Rhindress first came to know Rita as he collaborated with her on his play Flying on Her Own, incorporating more than twenty of her songs into a script that told the story of her life. For this new biography, Rhindress did extensive research and interviewed many of the people who worked with her and knew her best. The story of a strong, sensitive, complex woman emerged and the result is a powerful and moving portrait of a unique woman and important artist of her times.
"I'm Not What I Seem: The Many Stories of Rita MacNeil's Life by Charlie Rhindress takes these facts and many more about MacNeil's life and fleshes out the stories beneath them. Rhindress takes a chronological approach, from MacNeil's birth (she arrived with a badly cleft palate, and her father prayed for her death), through her struggle to find her place on the musical stage, to the ebb and flow of her career, to her death. Rhindress relies on his own interviews and conversations with MacNeil and those who knew her, along with archival material..."
- Stephanie Domet Atlantic Books Today
"His book takes MacNeil from her troubled youth through the glorious peaks of her career to her sad later years of financial difficulty"
- Elissa Barnard Localxpress
CHARLIE RHINDRESS is an actor, writer and director who has worked in theatre for thirty years. He was born and raised in Amherst, Nova Scotia, and educated at Mount Allison University. As a co-founder and former Artistic Director of Live Bait Theatre in Sackville, New Brunswick, he was involved in more than eighty productions for the company during a twenty year period. His focus has been primarily on the development and support of Atlantic Canadian theatre, receiving a lifetime membership in Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre for his work. He has acted and directed at theatres across the country and appeared in a number of films and television programs. His fifteen full-length plays have been produced at theatres throughout Canada including Neptune Theatre, Theatre Orangeville and Theatre NorthWest. His two published scripts are The Maritime Way of Life, which was nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award as Best New Play, and Flying on Her Own.
This is his first book. He lives in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and is a very proud father of four.
Customer Reviews:
Publication Details:
Binding: Paperback, 336 pages
Publication Date: 25th January 2017
Format: 9in x 6in
25 colour photographs
Binding: Hardback, 336 pages
Publication Date: 3rd October 2016
Format: 9in x 6in
25 colour photographs
Binding: Electronic book text, 336 pages
Publication Date: 3rd October 2016
Format: EPUB
25 colour photographs
BISAC Code: 220.127.116.11.7.0.0, BIO004000
Imprint: Formac
Similar titles:
Other books byCharlie Rhindress
Our books are priced in Canadian dollars.


text:
For anyone who is self-employed or is aspiring to be an entrepreneur, and is willing to do the work, I will continually coach you on the great opportunity ahead. When a business idea or the opportunity to go into a sales career matches a market opportunity along with your genuine enthusiasm, you have the unique ability not to just create a thriving business, but also to create the lifestyle you desire.
Combining work with a great lifestyle would seem to be a desire in life everyone would want. However, along the path to change comes the realization that change is difficult and the business world is much more competitive than you first imagined. Newly anointed entrepreneurs will typically begin to focus on what they want, only to find the prolonged wait of receiving that prize takes longer than they expected, and thus soon quit. Others may start off on a better track by knowing the reason they want to reach an end economic result, but knowing why you want something doesn't necessarily translate into what you need to do or how to develop yourself to reach your goal.
A better method is to add another step to your development process. Absolutely discover your why, know what you specifically want and need to achieve, realize your goal and purpose, but then add the next step to help guarantee your success. It is not enough to know what and why you want to accomplish a goal, you must also answer the question who do you want to be?
Every success story is backed by an individual taking appropriate daily actions to improve their results. This is true for businesses, individual sales professionals and those who want to improve their personal relationships or health. They learned to develop the right habits that became a part of their success routine in business and in life. From how they start their day, to how they present themselves, to what they read and who they associate with. They learned to eliminate the tricks our minds attempt to play on us to get us to accept or justify why we haven't reached a goal. They received help learning how to develop accountability, and you can as well!
Accountability. How did such a great concept get such a negative reputation? Inefficient leaders, managers, and excuse makers have wrapped it into a veil of negativity and used it as the enforcer of responsibility. When you decide to create your own success, accountability becomes a central part of the equation. In order to master the component of accountability, you need first a system to hold yourself accountable but also a confidant, coach, mentor or someone you trust who has interest in your success.
I believe in coaching and accountability so much that at United Real Estate we offer 12 months of coaching through our JumpStart training program. It is a part of our franchise ownership culture that allows us to exponentially grow each year as our operators commit to bi-annual conferences, bi-weekly accountability and coaching sessions known as our Broker Amplified series.
I am proud to announce that I will be adding a new program for experienced agents entitled "Amplified Selling". I will be personally conducting regional sessions across the United States sharing proven methods to help agents increase their incomes and show them how to build the lifestyle they desired when they made the decision to enter into real estate. Freedom is realized when you have the ability to do what you are supposed to do. Everyone who achieved great success had help. During Amplified Selling, I will review what you need to know to raise the level of your success, the energy in your daily life and how to enhance all of your relationships to develop a very productive real estate business.
The first sessions will be held May 16 in Louisville, KY followed by May 17 in Lexington, KY with more locations to be announced.
All the best,
United Real Estate


text:
Norwegian Bliss begins her conveyance up the Ems River
The sixteenth ship of the Norwegian fleet is on her way to completing another milestone and closer to her delivery on April 19, 2018.
Norwegian Bliss, the first cruise ship custom-built with features and amenities for the ultimate Alaska cruise experience, departed Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany last night local time, Tuesday, March 13, 2018, for her conveyance along the Ems River, and is arriving to Eemshaven, Netherlands tomorrow, Thursday, March 15, 2018.
Norwegian Bliss completed another key milestone with only two months until her highly-anticipated arrival to Seattle, Washington where she will offer seven-day Alaska cruises throughout the North American summer.
"Today marks another historical moment for Norwegian Bliss, the most highly anticipated ship of the Norwegian Breakaway Plus class, the most successful class of our company's history" said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. "When she arrives into Seattle in June, guests will be excited to experience many new first-at-sea activities, including the largest two-level race track at sea, new dining experiences, such as Q Texas Smokehouse and Coco's a chocolate and treat shop, the Tony Award®-Winning Broadway Show Jersey Boys and much more for guests to explore."
Measuring 303 metres long, 41 metres wide, and at a gross registered tonnage of 168,028, she embarked on her journey down the Ems River and up to the North Sea in reverse, making the narrow passage through Meyer Werft's sea lock, with less than 1.2 metres clearance. This very careful manoeuvre took about two hours at a speed of only 0.2 knots. The precise navigation included a team of experienced Ems River pilots, navigation officers, the yard captain and the local German waterway authorities.
After passing through the sea lock, Norwegian Bliss continued along the river stern first, which helps with the manoeuvrability of the ship and is a key component when navigating her through such narrow passages. Her journey to Eemshaven includes cruising through the narrow passages of the Friesenbrücke Bridge in Weener; Jann Berghaus Bridge in Leer; and Ems-Barrier in Gandersum.
When she arrives to Eemshaven, she will take on additional provisions and crew members, before heading toward the North Sea for technical and nautical sea trials. This will be one of the final phases, before Norwegian Cruise Line takes delivery of their sixteenth ship on April 19, 2018 in Bremerhaven, Germany. Norwegian Bliss will then begin her passage across the Atlantic Ocean on April 21 and will arrive to the US on May 3, where she will begin her inaugural tour, the most extensive of any ship in Norwegian Cruise Line history. Events will take place in New York City, Miami, and Los Angeles, and then will conclude with a christening ceremony on May 30 at the new Pier 66 at the Port of Seattle in Washington State, followed by her inaugural cruise.
Following the preview events and christening, Norwegian Bliss will offer cruises to Alaska beginning June 2. She will spend her Northern Hemisphere summer sailing seven-day cruises to Alaska, and North American autumn season cruising to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles. In the North American winter of 2018 she will sail to the Caribbean from Miami, and in the 2019 Northern Hemisphere autumn/winter season she will cruise from New York City to Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean.
To learn more about Norwegian Bliss, please visit www.bliss.ncl.com. For further information on Norwegian Cruise Line visit www.ncl.com, contact the brands dedicated local contact centre in Australia on 1300 255 200 or in New Zealand on 0800 969 283; or follow us on the following social channels for the latest company news & exclusive content: Facebook, Instagram and Youtube: @NorwegianCruiseLine; Twitter, Periscope and Snapchat: @CruiseNorwegian.


text:
Hi Guys!!
Day two of fashion week in this gorgggg Lucian Matis coat. I have to say he is one of my favourite Canadian Designers. I have seen many, many of his shows and he never disappoints! He had kind of disappeared from showing his collections at Toronto Fashion Week for a few seasons, but made his come-back this season, and I couldn't wait!
So, Anna from Struckblog and I caught another three shows on Day 2.
Here are the highlights:
Bustle, a sportswear collection designed by Shawn Hewson and Ruth Promislow. Sportswear really isn't my thing, however, if it was, I'd be all over this collection. Don't get me wrong, I do exercise…hot yoga counts as exercise right? Nonetheless, the collection was menswear and not for women. Still, a super fun and cheeky collection. See below.
I mean….if you have models like these wearing whatever, I'd be into it. Great collection. Hot male models. I really am not complaining.
Moving on….
Selfie with Anna from Struckblog!
Pre-show selfies is a must. Ps. my front cellphone camera is horrid. Anyone else have this issue? Or do I just need to majorly upgrade?
A lovely photo-op with some other blogger gals!
As mentioned above, Lucian Matis being one of my fave Canadian Designers, brought nothing short of a stunning collection! I gawked at EVERYTHING, and would seriously wear it alllll! We saw lots of lace, beads, lazer cut pieces, and beautiful fabrics and textures.
This entire dress was covered in beads! Such a visually appealing dress. Handmade, of course!
Onto Day Three!
Day Three of Toronto Fashion Week was cold. I couldn't pull of wearing anything light. So, I opted for a Kenneth Cole knit sweater, an over-sized scarf from H&M, a wool hat from Aldo, and over-the-knee boots from Guess. Part of the outfit can be found here.
Caught in the act of selfie-ing. Yes, I just said selfie-ing. Thanks Brian deRivera Simon for capturing this! Follow my lovely friend, Anna from Struckblog!
Designer Hilary MacMillan's collection consisted of beautiful prints and fabrics such as leather, wool, and cotton. Her collection was very wearable, and made for the urban, modern woman. An absolutely stunning collection overall.
Pink Tartan by Kimberley Newport-Mimran was the last show I caught this season at Toronto Fashion Week. By Thursday I was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to spend my evening at home, with wine.
I'm also a huge fan of Pink Tartan, for her wearable and simple pieces. She never overdoes her collection, and always stays true to her designs. We saw lots of crop tops, leather pieces mixed with other fabrics, and gorgeous prints this season. She always keeps it very light and fresh.
I would rock this in a heartbeat!!
So overall fashion week is an exhausting but super fun week filled with SO MANY talented individuals! I do it every year and I don't see myself stopping anytime soon. It's just one of those crazy weeks where you have to juggle your work life, your personal life and your fashion week life and just some how come out alive!
That's my wrap on Fashion Week guys! Hope you enjoyed it! For more crazy, fun, shit that goes on in my life, follow me on snapchat at kim-marquis. xx


text:
View our Full Range of
Safety Solutions
View our Full Range of
Safety Solutions
Part of the super-strength Atlas range for ultimate protection against repeated impacts, the Atlas Polygon was primarily designed to defend vulnerable floodlight towers, masts and columns found on airport stands and the airport apron from damage.
The specially configured shape provides reinforced protection from all sides making it ideal for any ground mounted equipment or critical structures that vehicles surround.
Unique patented coupling system dissipates impact forces, preventing damage to floors.
MEMAPLEX™ material flexes, absorbs and reforms repeatedly upon impact, preventing the need for replacement.
Non-corrosive, non-scratch, non-repaint, water resistant, self-coloured and UV stabilised for minimal maintenance.
Impact absorption prevents damage to barriers and vehicles, eliminating downtime and increasing efficiency.
"As Manchester is such a busy airport, safety and security remain our top priority - especially for staff out on the airfield where there are several vehicle and aircraft movements. Due to this, we required structurally sound and low-maintenance barriers in place to protect our passengers and vehicles, which is exactly what A-SAFE supplied."


text:
Today was the first time I seen any detail about this, so here goes:
The new Code Geass project titiled Geass Gaiden: Boukoku no Akito (Akito of the Ruined Nation) is a side story that takes place in a.t.b. 2017 (during the time of the first "season") on the European battlefront. A platoon of young soldiers sent from Zone (Area?) 11 are sent into a military operation with 5% chance of survival.
The project will be planned out by Code Geass creators Goro Taniguchi and Ichiro Okouchi, while the production will be directed by Sunrise alums Kazuki Akane (Escaflone: The Movie, Noein, Gundam: 0083, Birdy the Mighty DECODE) and written by Shigeru Morita (Blood +, Gundam SEED, Toward the Terra). Takahiro Kimura and Akira Yasuda will return as Animation Character Designer and Mechanical Designer, respectively.
No idea of format (TV, OVA) at this time. Stay Tuned


text:
Be Different. Deliver Excellence.
Grow your managed services business by choosing a partner who will help you achieve greater success and keep your customers for life.
Slow revenue growth, high operational costs, and reputational risk are all MSP challenges you can face as you grow your Managed IT Services business. Instead of just giving you something to sell, we evaluate your specific challenges and then provide the people, processes, tools and training to help you reach your managed IT goals.
We want you to be successful! Here's a quick overview of how you can achieve growth and profitability with Managed IT Services.
What You Need
The essentials for a successful Managed IT Services Partnership.
The owner must be committed to adopting the business model, becoming the change agent within the organization, as well as assisting with the day-to-day functions and planning. The owner will construct and carry out a vision the entire organization can understand and operate.
Building a Managed IT Services business requires fundamental changes in strategy and operations. New processes that create efficiencies and control will guide you to profitability and success. We can help you develop a business plan built on best practices, customized for you.
The Managed IT Services sales cycle is different than most. It is a needs driven sale. A Subject Matter Expert (SME) sales role requires a specific skill set, as well as a higher-level of knowledge about technology's role in operating a business.
Onboarding, implementation, and the support of a Managed IT Services program requires working knowledge of computers, servers, and network infrastructure. This active role in sales and support requires the ability to build good rapport with customers.
"They do anything and everything in their power to make us successful."
– Don Katalenas, PERRY proTECH
As your partner, we can get these components in place and help you every step of the way in your Managed IT Services journey. If you are ready to grow your business, contact Collabrance for a low risk way to profitably scale your business faster.
Serious about a Managed IT Services partnership? Increase your chances of success and use our checklist that includes different resources to help you get started.
NOTE: Collabrance Partnerships are only available to U.S. only.


text:
5 Min Read
As we end another successful year at Digital Next, it's time to reflect on just how much has happened during 2016, and how we plan to progress over the next year. As co-founder of Digital Next, I have seen the team go from strength to strength in order to continue to provide results that speak for themselves.
As a digital marketing agency, we are constantly looking for new ways to be innovative and creative to push the boundaries. With a strong emphasis placed on the importance of having an online presence, Digital Next has had an impressive year which will no doubt continue into 2017 as we look towards our focus on the future.
With that being said, here are the biggest highlights of our 2016!
An investment from Scott Fletcher MBE, founder of ANS group and tech entrepreneur meant we were able to move to the next level in attracting quality clients and focusing our efforts on expanding further.
This investment means that we now have the resources to progress, as well as to demonstrate that we are a reputable agency, not only in the North West, but across the country. Together with a new finance team to take us strongly into the future, we have a solid focus for the new year that allows us to build on our foundations even further.
With a strong team here at Digital Next, we have stepped up our game in delivering results for clients, both local and global. With added PR exposure for clients and countless web development projects now live, including, Sudlows and Godel Technologies, in fact, this year has been a great break through year for us working on larger brands, one in particular being the best known tech brand in the world! We have also gained big recurring client revenue to take us into a positive new year, including some large scale search projects already underway!
We are firmly positioned now to take on large brands and service them with top class multi channel marketing, backed up with solid web development services.
Growing stronger as an integrated Search agency, we regularly innovate our service offering to ensure we are always improving and becoming industry-leaders. Revolutionising our Search offering, with a team of experts, we continue to bring huge benefits and support to our clients through creative campaigns. In the run up to Christmas we achieved some amazing results on our multi channel campaigns leading to increased revenue of 120% for some of our retail customers!
"2016 has been a great year for search and Digital Next. The technical delivery of our campaigns has paid dividends for our clients. We saw increased performance from each notable update this year across all of our clients, which is a testament to our staff from account managers & link builders to content writers.
I think 2017 will bring us some fresh challenges, especially in the form of mobile-first rankings and updates which will really keep us on our toes. When this update hits, if you're not ready, then you will be left behind."
"2016 has been a great year for search and Digital Next. The technical delivery of our campaigns has paid dividends for our clients. We saw increased performance from each notable update this year across all of our clients, which is a testament to our staff from account managers & link builders to content writers.
I think 2017 will bring us some fresh challenges, especially in the form of mobile-first rankings and updates which will really keep us on our toes. When this update hits, if you're not ready, then you will be left behind."
– Gary Douglas, Head of Search
Something you may not know is that we have our very own Digital Next team over in Melbourne, Australia, and we have seen some impressive progression throughout 2016. The Australia team has expanded incredibly over this year, with a promising future in 2017 for even bigger opportunities.
Our office in Australia is now standing on its own two feet very comfortably, with the prospect of a huge drive for more success in the upcoming year.
One of our biggest accomplishments from 2016 is becoming a Google Premier Partner. Proving that we have demonstrated great skill within AdWords in regards to client revenue growth and a sustained client base, our Paid Search team now have the resources to push on for an even bigger 2017.
Our Paid Search team have advanced knowledge in AdWords, meaning the value we can bring to clients is priceless.
London's calling…
Digital Next's partnerships are beginning to show real promise, with the foundation for partnerships in London now well underway.
So, what about 2017?
With a huge focus on the year ahead, the team at Digital Next are fired up and ready for another exciting 12 months. With a new website and branding ready for release in 2017, Digital Next are rebranding to provide a fresh outlook and a new drive for success; keep your eyes peeled!
Building on previous success, we have had a transformation of our Content & Outreach teams in order to move towards a more varied production of material which will unfold as 2017 advances.
"2016 has been a massive year for the Outreach department, we have expanded the team to strengthen key areas. Working alongside the content and SEO teams we have delivered some fantastic campaigns – boosting our client's visibility online. "
– Rob Slater, Head of Outreach
With the set-up of a promising Social Media team, 2017 is where we'll see our social offering really come into its own in order to provide another aspect of our integrated services. Continuing to create exciting campaigns for clients across a number of industries, Social is a service we are looking forward to taking on.
What is possibly most exciting, however, is our focused approach for sector-specific clients in the new year. Looking for long term digital partners, Digital Next are planning to dive into the legal and tech industries, to name a few.
What would a year in review be without the announcement of the office awards? As always, the team have voted for colleagues who have particularly stood out over the last 12 months. Drum roll…
To finish off what's been a brilliant year, I'd just like to thank the team for going above and beyond at all costs, and here's to an incredible 2017!
Finally, I would just like to congratulate our client from day one, outstanding branding on launching in the USA and other territories globally. Andy Thorne has been a hugely loyal client and friend all the way along this journey, long may that continue! Worthy note of what a long standing and continued partnership in business can bring!


text:
Two former NSW MPs could face criminal charges after the state's corruption watchdog handed down the findings of its explosive investigation into illegal political donations.
A string of prominent businessmen and Liberal MPs tried to evade election donation laws in the lead-up to the 2011 state election, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) found.
It's asked prosecutors to consider charging former Liberal energy minister Chris Hartcher over his use of blank cheques totalling $4000 which were made out to the Liberal Party.
It's also recommended charges be laid against former Labor minister Joe Tripodi – the only person found to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct – for giving a confidential Treasury document to former mining magnate Nathan Tinkler's Buildev company.
Premier Mike Baird slammed the conduct revealed in the long-awaited Operation Spicer report as "completely unacceptable", admitting the revelations had undermined the public's trust in government.
Current Liberal crossbencher Mike Gallacher, who was one of the highest-profile scalps from the investigation which began almost two years ago, would not return to cabinet in the wake of the report, Mr Baird said.
The former police minister was one of 18 individuals, including seven former Liberal MPs, who acted with the intention of evading the statewide ban on donations from property developers before the 2011 state election.
However, the ICAC was restricted from making corrupt conduct findings over electoral law breaches alone after the Baird government made changes to its legislation in the wake of the High Court's ruling on top silk Margaret Cunneen's case.
Premier Baird defended the reforms, saying the report justified the tough actions taken when a number of former Liberal MPs were dumped from the cabinet in 2014.
Those MPs "paid a heavy price", Mr Baird told reporters in Sydney.
Mr Gallacher has meanwhile remained defiant and says he will not resign from parliament despite his suspension from the parliamentary Liberal Party.
"I will continue to vigorously protest these findings. I will have more to say on them specifically when parliament resumes," he said in a statement.
Ten Liberal MPs stepped aside after being named in the inquiry, which heard allegations about the use of slush funds to disguise political donations.
ICAC's report found that between November and December 2010, the Free Enterprise Foundation was used to channel up to $693,000 in donations to the NSW Liberal Party so that the identity of the true donors was disguised.
Undisclosed political donations were also channelled through a business called Eight By Five to benefit the party's 2011 state election campaign on the Central Coast.
Former Liberal MP for Charlestown MP Andrew Cornwell and his wife Samantha Brookes were also referred to the DPP for a possible charge for giving false or misleading evidence, the ICAC report said.
Federal senator Arthur Sinodinos, who was the Liberal Party's treasurer when illegal developer donations were being accepted, escaped any serious findings of misconduct.
In a statement, the NSW Liberal Party apologised for the "reprehensible conduct of a small number of its elected representatives, members and activists, which was revealed during the inquiry".
"That conduct disgusted the honest, law abiding parliamentarians, office bearers, members, donors and supporters of the Liberal Party," it said.
Which MPs took donations from developers?
- JOE TRIPODI, ex-Labor minister – Found to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct by giving a confidential Treasury report on Newcastle port to the director of Nathan Tinkler's Buildev company. ICAC recommends a charge of misconduct in public office be considered.
- MICHAEL GALLACHER, ex-Liberal minister, now crossbench – Acted with the intention of evading laws that ban political donations from property developers and require the disclosure of donations. No charges recommended.
- CHRIS HARTCHER, ex-Liberal minister – Acted with the intention of evading laws that ban political donations from property developers, cap donations and require the disclosure of donations. Recommended charge of larceny be considered over $4000 in bank cheques payable to the Liberal Party.
- ANDREW CORNWELL, ex-Liberal MP for Charlestown – Acted with the intention of evading laws banning political donations from property developers, and requiring the disclosure of donations. Recommended charge: Giving false and misleading evidence.
- BART BASSETT – former Londonderry MP for Liberals – Knowingly solicited a donation from a property developer. No charge recommended
Other Liberal Mps Who Acted With The Intention Of Evading Election Funding Laws:
- DARREN WEBBER, former Wyong MP
- CHRIS SPENCE, former The Entrance MP
- TIM OWEN, former Newcastle MP
- CRAIG BAUMANN, former Port Stephens MP
- GARRY EDWARDS, former Swansea MP
Others who could be prosecuted for giving false and misleading evidence:
- SAMANTHA BROOKES, Andrew Cornwell's wife
- TIMOTHY KOELMA, Chris Hartcher's ex-staffer
- WILLIAM SADDINGTON, owned building supply company
- TIM GUNASINGHE, property developer's associate


text:
A water snake glided smoothly up the pool, twisting its periscope head from side to side; and it swam the length of the pool and came to the legs of a motionless heron that stood in the shadows. A silent head and beak lanced down and plucked it out by the head, and the beak swallowed the little snake while its tail waved frantically.
Cite this Page: Citation


text: The following 7 facts make us the leading HR consultant within the food industry: The most Job offers With over 160 job offers per year, we probably offer the best career opportunities within the food industry and its supplier industries in the German-speaking countries - and many more internationally, with the International Food Recruitment Alliance. Only exclusive and "real" search assignments Our job offers are always up to date and never "fakes". There is no "race" or "fight" for candidates. We never send out candidates' profiles proactively. Absolute discretion With us, you always remain in control of your information and your job-search process. We will never send out your profile except with your express consent; first, you will be informed in detail about the open position. Learn more about our Data Protection Policy. Consulting through personal contact We know the company and its responsible employees on a personal level. This enables us to give you an accurate picture of the challenges of the new position and advise you on matching your profile.We get to know our candidates on a personal level and we remain in direct contact with you throughout the entire process, until you get hired, and beyond. Transparency and fairness We consider our candidates our clients, just like the recruiting company. We will treat you fairly and equitably. This is our approach for successful recruitment. Our candidates are successful Our objective is always to achieve long-term placements with possibilities for career development. This is our commitment and the basis of our reputation.


text:
I don't get down to the south-west of Scotland too often, it's not the easiest place to get to by public transport and, to-be-honest, there are some, but not that many interesting pubs selling 'good' beer. However this weekend one of the better ones, The Blue Bell Inn in Annan, was hosting its annual Beer Festival which meant I could visit a nearby microbrewery (Andrews Ales) and also drop into The Blue Bell for 1 or 2 (or more) festival beers on the way back.
View Annan in a larger map
Outward transport was as follows:-
  Train: Glasgow Central to Carlisle
            Carlisle to Annan
Annan is on the train line from Glasgow Central through Dumfries to Carlisle, but this journey from Glasgow somehow takes over 2 hours to complete. Instead it's far quicker to take the high-speed Virgin train to Carlisle and then head back to Annan via Gretna Green. Arriving at Annan train station I'd just missed the hourly bus to Dumfries so I decided to follow National Cycle Route 7 and walk to the village of Cummertrees where Andrews Ales is based. This took me across the River Annan via the new footbridge south of the town centre, well used today by a steady stream of runners out in the midday sun.
After this I followed the cycle path under the railway bridge when I should have turned right onto a minor road. I retraced my steps fairly quickly and although this B-road was eventually re-joined by the Cycle Route 7 there was no pavement for virtually all of the 2 mile walk (grrrr...) and I had to jump onto the the grass verge on a number of occasions. The pavement returned at Cummertrees primary school on the outskirts of the village and just along from the school I came across an astonishing row of houses at Queensberry Terrace.
These reminded me of holiday homes I had seen in Southport last year - they were all on 3 levels (with up to 7 bedrooms), had huge windows, large gardens (some with hanging lanterns), ornate balconies and all faced faced due south with (I assume) fantastic views over to the Solway Firth. I later found out that they were part of a development that was planned to stretch right up to the Solway foreshore (including a Blackpool style Esplanade), but the developers simply ran out of money. A couple are now B&Bs catering for sports activities (in particular fishing) and one was offering freshly caught salmon for sale (tempting, but it would never have lasted the journey back to Glasgow).
Andrews Ales is located at the residence of owner & brewer Andrew Emmerson, the give-away being the number of empty casks sitting outside on the driveway.
Andrew met me and was kind enough to spend quite a bit of time showing me around his setup - as always beer people are great. Having started brewing in 2010 the majority of the brewkit has been installed in Andrew's spacious garage - it's compact & bijou and has grown organically from his early homebrew days. The Mash Tun was bought from PBC but Andrew added the sparge arm himself.
The copper is/was part of an old metal chocolate container into which Andrew has installed the dual heating elements.
After the boil the wort is transferred through a heat exchanger to either a large Stainless Steel fermenter or one of the smaller plastic fermenters.
Andrew only uses hop flowers for all of his beers and for a couple of these he dry-hops at the end of the fermentation - interestingly he thinks this adds a fair amount to the bitterness (a bit of bite) as well as to the aroma.
After fermentation the beers are then left to condition for a week. He has experimented with longer conditioning times, and the beer is meant to taste better, but it's just too expensive and time consuming to do all the time. Bottling is done by hand (brown bottles only) and his recommendation is to leave any bottles in a dark cupboard for a month or so before drinking (difficult to do with any bottled beer).
A further shed (1 of 2) stores the casks and the bottles - with all the shiny insulation it's fairly easy to cool or heat this smaller space to the correct temperature.
Andrew explained that there are not many outlets (at all) in the local area so most of the casks and bottles go to Northern England, in particular the free-holds of Cumbria. At the moment it's all still part time, but in a few years Andrew thinks it might be feasible to go full time (but he's not sure if actually wants to do this). He produces 4 or 5 regular beers, he's been experimenting with fruit beers (these take a lot of real fruit) and this year he's collaborated with Waulkmill Cider to produce a couple of varieties of Snakebites. He's an interesting, knowledgeable guy (who has also been helping out at the Beer Festival at The Blue Bell Inn), and it was a pleasure to chat to him for such a length of time.
I then took my leave of Andrew, had a bit of a wander around Cummertrees and waited for the hourly bus back into Annan. I would really have liked to have had a walk down from Annan town centre to the River Solway estuary, but time pressure meant that I couldn't really afford it. Instead I had a look at the imposing Town Hall...
...where in 2010 a statue of Robert the Bruce was finally installed to watch over the town holding both Sword (representing the Soldier) and a Scroll of the Declaration of Arbroath (representing the Statesman).
Just along from the Town Hall and before the road bridge over the River Annan is The Blue Bell Inn, with the eponymous bell in distinctive contrast to the dark red sandstone building (I wonder if it still works ?).
I went in from the main road and found a large building with lots of interior wood panelling, a long central bar at the back wall with 4 hand-pulls, quite a number of shields & medals proudly displayed above the bar...
...seating areas at the front right with lots of photos & prints of old Annan...
...and a games area (with pool table & dartboards) at the front left.
It was pretty quiet in the bar itself so I took the steps down to the the large courtyard area at the rear of the building which had been setup for the Beer Festival over the weekend.
This was fairly busy even mid-afternoon (without both the Annan Athletic football supporters and the bands that would be playing later on), but it wasn't a problem to exchange cash for laminated beer tokens and then head to the 2 serving 'windows' which were separately dispensing both (a lot of) cider and a choice of about 20 casks of beer.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that they were allowing the beer to be purchased in 1/3rd pint taster glasses so that meant I could sample more than I thought before having to rush off for the train. There were a couple of local beers (Andrews Ales Sporran Lifter and Strathaven Ginger Jock), but most were from Lancashire or Yorkshire, with the Fyne Ales Feast Collaboration Black Ale also available. I certainly enjoyed the Worsthrone Old Trout (a slightly peaty red rye ale) and the biscuity, sherbety citrus of Arkwright's Tarquin Fin tim lin bin whin bim lim bus stop F'tang F'tang Ole Biscuitbarrel (crazy name (from Monty Python), not a bad beer).
I also managed to try an Elderberry Ale from the Glebe House Winery in Ecclefechan (between Lockerbie & Gretna). They normally only produce wines made from seasonal ingredients (and sell the bottles at the local South-West Farmers Markets in Dumfries and Moffat), but in addition have provided a beer for the Blue Bell Inn Beer Festival for the last few years. The Elderberry Ale was very sweet, almost completely flat, and had some definite red wine tones (not really my type of beer) but it certainly was interesting to try. I did manage a quick chat with the owner and it seems there will be a Nettle Beer available in the next few weeks so I took the opportunity to mention a couple of up-and-coming Beer Festivals (Paisley and Troon) to him. As a final act I purchased a couple of bottles (PET, not glass) of the aforementioned Andrews Ales/Waulkmill Cider collaborations for later consumption (both very nice indeed). As I walked back down to the train station I could tell the train hadn't arrived by the large throng still drinking outside the Station House pub, but since the choice was (extremely) limited I decided I could wait until Carlise for a beer.
Return transport:-
  Bus: Cummertrees to Annan (79 Stagecoach Cumberland, 40 on the hour)
  Train: Annan to Carlisle
            Carlisle to Glasgow Central