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The Comeback Of Paternalism?
Mrs. Clinton wants us to be healthy -- depending, naturally, on how we define health.
Is it a matter just of knowing the federal government will get you in somewhere to do something for you when you need care of one sort or another? If so Mrs. Clinton may be your candidate. Her ideal is universal coverage: something for everybody, at an estimated cost of $110 billion a year.
John Edwards is in the same general vicinity, with his $90 billion to $120 billion plan. By comparison, Barack Obama is a piker, proposing to top out at $65 billion.
On one point the Democrats seem unanimous: America yearns for the comeback of paternalism.
Maybe it does, and maybe it doesn't. What fascinates is the spread of the perception, as relayed by the Democratic presidential field (and encouraged by the media), that government isn't the problem at all, never mind what Ronald Reagan might have assured us. The problem, we keep reading and hearing, is too little government. It could almost be the '70s again, or, worse, the '60s and the onset of the Great Society.
Pure unstained affection for small and limited government isn't precisely woven into the American character. What turned Americans off in the '70s, concerning their government, were the high taxes, bureaucracy and incompetence that resulted from attempts to run and regulate life. Thirty years later, memories seem to have faded. When the Democrats offer to oversee health care, many heads nod affirmatively.
The New York Times reassures us no Democrat "is proposing a 'single payer' [health care] system run by the government." Rather, "Their political goal is to head off opposition from those who fear that their own coverage might suffer in the course of covering some 47 million people."
The Democrats would mandate more or less universal coverage: everybody -- meaning everybody -- legally compelled to buy health insurance. No insurer could refuse anyone. For the insured there would be what the Times calls "a menu of options." To pay for such a banquet, Congress would raise taxes on "the rich" and cut unspecified "costs."
Are we ready? The Democrats appear to think so. They might just be in for a surprise.
If the Democrats' health care plans don't add up to full-fledged socialized medicine, still they compromise freedom and respectable economics in ways many Americans are unprepared to endorse. For instance:
1. Under the Democrats you couldn't choose not to have health insurance. Caesar says there'd be no such privilege.
2. There would be a menu of options, all right -- one designed by the government, rather than the marketplace; inevitably slower to recognize and respond to consumer needs, inasmuch as "expert" planners never need to ask what people want. The planners' mission is to save people the trouble of figuring out what they want.
3. What should be the overall cost of a health care system? That's something else the government would figure out, thanks. Though of course voters could depend on the paternalists of Washington, D.C., to let them know the answer eventually.
4. Along with the cost of answering, as expressed in tax collections. Never mind that bumping up tax rates crimps economic growth (not to mention the rights of producers).
5. Another good thing not to mind is the certainty of expanding programs and costs as the planners and paternalists encounter new opportunities and challenges. No government undertaking ever stays its original size.
A certain kind of mentality puts a higher premium on the plans of experts than on the decision-making capacity of citizens, which is why we can't escape completely the calculations of the health care gurus. You see, a guru knows. The Democratic presidential candidates are gurus. If we dumb members of mass society don't entirely understand our best interests, we may count on the likes of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards to wise us up.
With growing titillation, Big Brother -- or Sister -- casts a watchful eye our way.
COPYRIGHT 2007 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.login to post comments | William Murchison's blog


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Eli Zabar is taking over the Amagansett Farmers Market! In two weeks, you can have your peaches back, for $15.99/lb. [Newsday
]Want to "fine-tune" your relationship with your offspring? Do like Kelly Killoren Bensimon and hire Woody Allen's "supernanny." [Page Six]
Russell Simmons thinks art can "redefine rich," and I can't help but believe him. [Hamptons.com]
The Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons encourages you to "Get Wild," and pose with rehabilitated woodlanders.
Two Suffolk Country Starbucks close, forcing Buckers to drive 5 more minutes to get their over-roasted caffeine fix. [Newsday]
Good Ground Cemetery invaded by ghost-seekers, if no ghosts. [Southampton Press]
[Image via NYMag]

subset: commoncrawl


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Like other Indian states, Himachal Pradesh also has it's own cuisines and some of them are popular in some parts of the state. I am not a foodie but thought of compiling this list of popular Himachali Cuisine enjoyed. I have also tried to add some links to recipes shared by experts.
Dham धाम is most popular Himachali cuisine and it's not a single dish but an array of dishes prepared in very special way. Dham preparation varies from one region to another. Like dishes served in Kangra Dham are different than what you experience in Mandi Dham. Do click on the link to know more about Dham - what is dham, when it's prepared, who prepares and how it's served etc. No celebration is Himachal is complete without Dham.
Sepu Badi सेपु बड़ी is made up of Mah daal. Mah dal is kept in water overnight and paste is made in grinder. Cuboids of this paste are fried. Now these fried pieces can also be kept for few weeks. And then fried in coriander, onion, garlic, tomatoes to make delicious gravy. Sepu Badi is one of the popular dish in Mandi Dham as well.
Rehru रेहरु - Himachalis make their own kind of Kadhi. Rehru is form of Kadhi which is made quick and with fresh lassi. It's so simple to make Rehru. A quick Tadka of coriander with pinch of salt & turmeric. Since most of the houses have easy access to Lassi, Rehru is common side dish in Himachal. कचालू कड़ी is another form of Kadhi which is popular in Himachal. It's also called Khairu.
Aloo Palda आलू पलदा - Potatoes with thick gravy of curd. In my childhood, I was never able to differentiate between Kadhi and Aoo ka Palda. Because most of the time Kadhi was also made using curd and hence very thick. But gradually I learned the difference. It's very yummy dish and you may want to check it's recipe here.
Jhol झोल - Like famous rice-curd from south, Jhol is rice cooked in buttermilk. Rice is simply put into buttermilk and boiled. At times salt is also added before boiling while some enjoy adding salt while serving. It seems that people used to enjoy Jhol with sendha namak in early days.
Mittha मिट्ठा - As the name itself says it's sweet dish which served at the beginning of a meal. In some parts of Himachal it's served at the end of a meal. Mittha is made up of various things but Pumpkin Mittha ( कददू मिट्ठा ) and Badana Mittha are most popular. Sweet Fennel, small pieces of coconut and Raisins are also added. Mittha is not made everyday but on special occasions and if there are guests at home.
Sidu सिड्डू - It's a kind of bread which is made by wheat flour. This is usually served with ghee or dal. More about Sidu and it's recipe can be checked here.
Babru बबरू - Babru is usually cooked on auspicious occasions and the process of making Babru is very interesting. Wheat flour is fermented and then fried in oil. They are soft and sweet. Babrus are packed & sent to relatives when you have a function at home and want to invite your loved ones. Gradually readymade sweets replaced this tradition but still it's followed in small villages. Babroos are also made to celebrate birthdays. My Grandmother makes Babru on my birthday. Before distributing to all families in the village, a few are served to God.
Days like these I feel proud. When someone makes a dish from #indiaonmyplatter and this is the result.. #Repost @d.srujan ・・・ Himachali Chana Madra ( or Madhara ?) and Fulkas for dinner! Madra is a curry made out of legumes ( usually Chana, Rajma or Urad Daal ) with curd / yogurt as the base and fresh spice mix out of cloves, cinnamon, pepper and cardamom fried in mustard oil. It is a refreshing change from Chana Masala and Chhole version of Chickpea curry because it is a No Onion No Garlic No Tomato gravy. The recipe is adapted based on Maah ka Madra from @saranshgoila 's book #IndiaOnMyPlatter . The only change I have made it replacing Urad Daal with Kabuli Chana / chickpeas. Saransh, the curry is so fragrant, my whole kitchen smelled of freshly ground spices after making it. Thanks a lot for the recipe! ☺☺ And finally, I think managed to learn how to cook with mustard oil, so it was another Yay of the Day! Ingredients: 1/2 cup of dried chickpeas, soaked in water for about 6-8 hours, yielding about 1 cup finally, 1 black cardamom or 3-4 green cardamom, shelled / seeds removed 3 cloves, 3-4 peppercorns, 1/2 inch piece of cinnamon, 1 tbsp of rice flour, mixed with 1/4th cup of water 2 tbsp mustard oil, 1 tsp cumin seeds, pinch of asafetida (hing), optional, 1/2 tsp coriander powder 1/4th tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp chilli powderSalt, to taste 3/4th cup thick curd / greek yogurt, beaten, coriander leaves, for garnish Method continued in the comment below. Clickable link to the recipe available in the profile. #madra #madhara #chanamadra #chickpea #yogurtbasedgravies #himachalicuisine #indiancurries #vegetariancooking #indiancuisine #whatsfordinner #whatsonmyplate #vscocam #vscofood #whatvegetarianseat #himachalifood #sadakchef #pahadikhana #pahadicuisine #kumaonicuisine #unusualcurries #unusualsabzis
Chana Madra चना मद्रा - Madra is thick gravy and rich in ghee. There are different types of Madras made in Himachal Pradesh but Chana Madra is one of the most popular. Chana Madra is specially included in Kangra Dham. When I searched, I came across this brilliant post which shares the recipe of Chana Madra - Check out
Kadoo ka Khatta कदू का खट्टा - Since Pumpkin is found in abundance and can be stored for a longer period of time, it's used in lot of Himachal Dishes and the most popular is कदू का खट्टा.
Daal Maah दाल माह (काली दाल ) - Black Lentils or Mah dal is favorite dal of Himachalis. And it's one of the important dishes served in Dham. It's usually spicy and thick. I see some relation of Kali Dal and Dal Makhani, as both Punjab & Himachal are adjacent states. In fact, some part of Himachal was earlier in Punjab.
Ainklee or Patande पटांडे - It's a bread made up on rice flour. Looks more like Dosa but since ingredient is different it's taste if very different. Usually consumed with sweet milk or Mah daal. And Desi ghee in Mah dal is preferred when you want to enjoy Ainklee. It's made in most of the house on Diali Night. Ainklee is also made on some special occasions at home.
Tudkya Bhaat तुडकिरा भत्त It's basically fried rice. Many times remaining veggies are fried in rice. This is a very generic term used and ingredients vary from one part to other. Usually Tudkya Bhaat is also made from left-over food from Dham.
Rahra Chicken राहरा - Although mutton is popular non-veg dish in Himachal but when Chicken is preferred over mutton, Rahra Checken is made.
Malpua मालपुआ Malpua is quite popular in other states of India. It's sweet dish made up of wheat flour/maida and dipped in sugar syrup.
Daal ke bhalle दाल के भल्ले - It's very time taking process. Usually urad dal is put into the water for few hours and then make paste of it. Then some spices are mixed in this paste. Bhallas are made in desi ghee and then soaked in salted water. Preparation process varies from one part of Himachal to another.
Kachalu Kadi कचालू कड़ी - Colocasia roots ( अरबी ) is called कचालू in Himachal. If you are aware of Kadhi Pakoda, this form of Kadhi has fried कचालू instead of pakoras. This is usually served with मक्की की रोटी ( Corn Bread) and usually preferred in winters, but it's not that कचालू कड़ी is not made in other seasons.
Auriyali Moong dal औरियाली मूंग दाल - Kashundi ( Mustard seed ) is known as 'ओरी ' in Himachal. And moong dal is made with Kashundi. This is usually part of Dham, but also made as regular meal at home. Usually it's खट्टी dal.
Patode - And how can I miss patode. There are very tasty and usually enjoyed with tea. It's a substitute for pakoras. At times, it's also used as subzi. Some people enjoy patode with jeera chachh. Check out the link to see other alternates and recipe.
Patode - And how can I miss patode. There are very tasty and usually enjoyed with tea. It's a substitute for pakoras. At times, it's also used as subzi. Some people enjoy patode with jeera chachh. Check out the link to see other alternates and recipe.
While compiling this post, I realized that writing about food and recipes is difficult to explain in English as compared to Hindi. Probably I need to read more food blogs and the recipes shared on these blogs.
If you have ever tasted any of these Himachali Cuisines, do share your inputs and I would appreciate if you can share photographs. And do feel free to mention in comments if I missed anything which is specific to Himachal Pradesh.
If you liked this post and found it helpful, I would request you to follow these things when traveling -
- Manage your waste well and don't litter
- Use dustbins. Tell us if you went to a place and found it hard to locate a dustbin.
- Avoid bottle waters in hills. Usually you get clean water in hills and water bottles create lot of mess in our ecosystem.
- Say big no to plastic and avoid those unhealthy snacks packed in plastic bags. Rather buy fruits.
- Don't play loud blaring music in forests of jungle camps. You are a guest in that ecosystem and disturbing the locals (humans and animals) is not polite


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Christmas at All Souls Anglican
Please consider joining us this Christmastide season. You will find us at our hosts: 520 South Kings Highway, Cherry Hill NJ 08034 • Friday, Christmas Eve: We join with our hosts Covenant Presbyterian for Candlelight Lessons and Carols at 6:00pm. Next, on Christmas Day and St. Stephen's Day we continue in Anglican worship according to a modernization of … [Read more…]


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MANILA — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the arrest of his fiercest critic in Congress after revoking the senator's amnesty for involvement in unsuccessful military uprisings years ago.
Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV condemned Duterte's move, which was made public Tuesday, as illegal and draconian but said he would not resist arrest. After Senate leaders said they would not allow his arrest in the Senate, Trillanes said he would stay within the building while arresting officers waited outside in a looming standoff.
"We're living basically in a de facto martial law environment of the '70s kind," Trillanes told a throng of journalists and followers, referring to the martial law declared by dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1972, which is regarded as a dark chapter in Philippine history.
Some opposition politicians and followers visited the Senate to show support for Trillanes, a 47-year-old former navy officer who was detained for years before his election to the Senate for involvement in three military uprisings from 2003 to 2007 to protest official corruption.
Duterte ordered the Department of Justice and the military to pursue criminal complaints against the senator after his amnesty was invalidated. Military spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo said Trillanes "will be reverted to his status as active military personnel subject to military law and military discipline," adding that a military court may be reconstituted to try him.
Trillanes received an amnesty under Duterte's predecessor, President Benigno Aquino III. Several young military officers who were detained for joining failed coup attempts and uprisings against Aquino's predecessor, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, were also granted amnesties, but only Trillanes' has been voided so far.
Trillanes said his lawyers would petition the Supreme Court to fight the move by Duterte, who is on a visit to Israel.
"They're bending the law to be able to do their political objective, which is to persecute the political opposition," Trillanes said.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra told a news conference that Duterte signed a proclamation last week voiding Trillanes' 2011 amnesty because the senator had failed to comply with all of its requirements, including a clear admission of his involvement in past coup attempts.
Trillanes cannot invoke his congressional immunity from arrest because the crimes he allegedly committed, including rebellion, were serious and punishable by life imprisonment, Guevarra said.
During a televised Senate session, however, Trillanes showed video footage and news reports denying Duterte's basis for voiding his amnesty. The news reports showed an image of his amnesty application, which officials said they could not find, and carried remarks by Trillanes acknowledging his participation in the uprisings.
Opposition Sen. Franklin Drilon said all rebellion and coup-related cases against Trillanes were dismissed by a court after he was amnestied. The government could not renew those cases now because it would amount to "double jeopardy," which is forbidden, Drilon said.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque told reporters in Israel that the move against Trillanes was not political persecution, saying the government was just enforcing the law.
Duterte has openly expressed anger against Trillanes, who has accused him of large-scale corruption and involvement in illegal drugs. The volatile president has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Aside from Trillanes, another opposition senator, Leila de Lima, has been detained after being accused by Duterte of involvement in illegal drugs, a crime she has vehemently denied. A former human rights commission chief, de Lima investigated Duterte's alleged role in extrajudicial killings when he served as mayor of southern Davao city for years.
Another Duterte critic, Maria Lourdes Sereno, was ousted by fellow justices from the Supreme Court in May after the government alleged that her appointment by Duterte's predecessor was legally flawed and petitioned for her removal.
Prominent Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim, who delivered a speech Tuesday at a business forum in Manila, said he was unaware of details of Trillanes' case when asked for his reaction at a news conference. But Anwar added that he would "certainly want" Duterte "to continue to ensure that there is a vibrant democracy and respect for the rule of law in the Philippines."
"My consistent view is that you cannot abuse power to victimize the opposition or dissidents," said Anwar, a former Malaysian deputy prime minister who spent years in jail after being convicted on sodomy and corruption charges that he says were politically motivated.
Story: Jim Gomez


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People who want to write about winged beings from Heaven often miscall them "angles." A triangle has three angles. The Heavenly Host is made of angels. Just remember the adjectival form: "angelic." If you pronounce it aloud you'll be reminded that the E comes before the L.
This is the tenth year of the Common Errors in English Usage calendar. To celebrate, we are bringing back some of our favorite interesting, funny, but sometimes merely silly entries through the years before going on hiatus in 2016.
Enjoy the calendar? Buy the book!


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Machine Learning for Beginner (AI) - Data Science
What you'll learn
- Fundamental of Machine Learning; Introduction, types of machine learning, applications
- Supervised, Unsupervised and Reinforcement learning
- Principal Component Analysis (PCA); Introduction, mathematical and graphical concepts
- Confusion matrix, Under-fitting and Over-fitting, classification and regression of machine model
- Support Vector Machine (SVM) Classifier; Introduction, linear and non-linear SVM model, optimal hyperplane, kernel trick, project in Python
- K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) Classifier; Introduction, k-value, Euclidean and Manhattan distances, outliers, project in Python
- Naive Bayes Classifier; Introduction, Bayes rule, project in Python
- Logistic Regression Classifier; Introduction, non-linear logistic regression, sigmoid function, project in Python
- Decision Tree Classifier; Introduction, project in Python
- Basics of Python
Learn Machine Learning from scratch, this course for beginners who want to learn the fundamental of machine learning and artificial intelligence. The course includes video explanation with introductions(basics), detailed theory and graphical explanations. Some daily life projects have been solved by using Python programming. Downloadable files of ebooks and Python codes have been attached to all the sections. The lectures are appealing, fancy and fast. They take less time to walk you through the whole content. Each and every topic has been taught extensively in depth to cover all the possible areas to understand the concept in most possible easy way. It's highly recommended for the students who don't know the fundamental of machine learning studying at college and university level.
The objective of this course is to explain the Machine learning and artificial intelligence in a very simple and way to understand. I strive for simplicity and accuracy with every definition, code I publish. All the codes have been conducted through colab which is an online editor. Python remains a popular choice among numerous companies and organization. Python has a reputation as a beginner-friendly language, replacing Java as the most widely used introductory language because it handles much of the complexity for the user, allowing beginners to focus on fully grasping programming concepts rather than minute details.
Below is the list of topics that have been covered:
Introduction to Machine Learning
Supervised, Unsupervised and Reinforcement learning
Types of machine learning
Principal Component Analysis (PCA)
Confusion matrix
Under-fitting & Over-fitting
Linear Regression
Non-linear Regression
Support Vector Machine Classifier
Linear SVM machine model
Non-linear SVM machine model
Kernel technique
Project of SVM in Python
K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) Classifier
k-value in KNN machine model
Euclidean distance
Manhattan distance
Outliers of KNN machine model
Project of KNN machine model in Python
Naive Bayes Classifier
Byes rule
Project of Naive Bayes machine model in Python
Logistic Regression Classifier
Non-linear logistic regression
Project of Logistic Regression machine model in Python
Decision Tree Classifier
Project of Decision Tree machine model in Python
Who this course is for:
- Beginners of Machine learning developers curious about machine model
This is Moein Ud Din, I am instructor of mathematics, a programmer of Python, Artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, image processing, NLP and an animation geek. It's my passion to pass my knowledge what I know to the desired entities. Kinda quintessential person, always hounding to make things ideal. I have plan in future to prepare more mathematics and IT courses, would love to make things change in my own certain way. Critics are most welcome as long as it helps me and my students. Best wishes


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- Overall Rating: 3
- Location: Dean, Hampshire.
- OS Explorer Map 132, 'Winchester, New Arlesford & East Meon'.
- Starting OS Grid Reference: SU564216
- Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 99' 10" W001 19' 80"
- Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU562205
- Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 98' 10" W001 20' 10"
- To see: not much.
- ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!
Where the hedgerows open out, the lane offers a pleasant view over Stephen's Down, which follows the line of the lane above and to the west (see picture). The lane ends somewhat randomly where it reaches a terrace of cottages, which are part of the complex of the beautiful Dean Farm. A decent yet unremarkable lane in an area full of decent yet unremarkable lanes.


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Hi all!
I'm proud to introduce you to the new website HiLo Bikes. The new HiLo Bike is a huge improvement from the 'Ligfiets 4.0' (EN: 'recumbent bike 4.0') and seeks to become the ultimate bike. Guaranteeing fast and healthy cycling, providing ultimate comfort and weather protection and creating unparalleled safety compared to other faired bikes.
The current status
Right now we are testing and improving the HiLo Bike prototype. More pictures and videos will follow!
Several accessories are being designed and will be tested with the prototype soon.
Please follow and like us:


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What Are Smart Goals and Are They Effective?
What is it you'd like to accomplish in the new year?
No matter what you'd like to do, creating goals is essential for both personal and professional progress. Goals help you to stay focused and ambitious to succeed, they help you stay motivated and keep your momentum going; and yet, so many people don't set goals for themselves.
Put simply: Many goals are unhelpful from the start.
That's no reason to shy away from setting goals for yourself. The key to setting actionable, achievable goals that you can accomplish and be proud of is to make them S.M.A.R.T.
What are smart goals?
If you've never seen that term before you may be wondering, "What does smart goal stand for?"
And that's a fantastic question.
However, let's first look at the definition for a regular old goal. Business Dictionary defines a goal as "An observable and measurable end result having one or more objectives to be achieved within a more or less fixed timeframe."
That's a little vague, and procrastinators the world over know there's nothing more flexible than a "more or less fixed timeframe." (Amirite?)
Smart goals take these wishy-washy, vague goals and turn them into actionable drivers of progress and results.
A smart goal is
- Specific – clearly defined and identified
- Measurable – quantifiable, able to be measured
- Achievable – doable and realizable
- Realistic – practical and able to be completed
- Timely – clearly defined dates and times by which they're done
Why are smart goals effective?
When you create a smart goal and use the parameters above to define it, you're outlining a detailed path to success. Smart goals force you to think practically and realistically, and break down your lofty ideas into achievable action plans. They encourage you to focus your efforts on using your time wisely, and that's something just about anyone can benefit from.
What is a smart goal example?
You didn't think we were going to leave you hanging without an example or two of smart goals, did you?
Let's set the stage with a regular, open-ended goal (the type you're likely used to seeing) and turn that into a smart goal.
Francesca, an entrepreneur and blogger, decides that her goal is to finally give her blog and website the refresh it's long needed. She's hoping that by giving her site a facelift, she'll be able to increase the time people stay on her blog and also increase the number of purchases they'll make through her sponsored links and ads.
But where's the accountability in that goal? Where's the timeliness and measurability?
There's nothing in a vague goal like "refresh my site and blog" that sets parameters to help you achieve it. Let's dive into how we can turn this large, indefinite goal into smaller smart goals that are easier to achieve.
How can we make the goal specific?
What does "website refresh" encompass?
- Updating images and logos
- Updating social media links in the footer
- Improving the checkout process
- Making contact information easy to find
- Changing blog layout
How can we make the goal measurable?
Include things in your goal that can be quantified. Here's what we mean:
- Bad: Update images and logos on my website.
- Good: Update 5 images on my website every day and update my logo.
You can measure whether or not you achieve that goal because you'll know whether or not you actually updated 5 images per day.
How can we make the goal achievable?
How do you make sure your goal is doable?
It's time to revisit Francesca. What you may not know about her is that for her day job she's an EMT and works crazy hours. Her technical know-how is limited, she's not using a website builder to take the stress out of website creation, and she outsourced building her site to begin with.
Is updating her website doable right now? Probably not. Let's make it doable by including an element like:
- Switch to using a website builder.
- Website builders, like Domain.com's, provide drag and drop elements to make edits and modifications to your site a breeze. They make a seemingly difficult task like "updating a website" very doable for those of us who don't have a 4-year degree in computer coding and programming.
How can we make the goal realistic?
To make a goal realistic, consider setting time aside for it on a regular basis.
"Update my site" is a lofty goal for someone who is busy and doesn't have experience with coding websites. Switching to the website builder makes Francesca's goal more achievable, but realistically, she needs to set time aside to do it. Here's what she could add to her goal to make it just a little smarter:
- Set aside 30 minutes per week to work on the site.
How can we make the goal timely?
Francesca thinks that by saying she'll update her site "in the new year" she's being timely. But a year encompasses 12 months and that's a lot of time to push off the task of updating a site.
She can make her goal timely by giving herself concrete deadlines, like this:
- Update the contact information on my about page by the end of January.
Putting the smart goal together.
Ok, we've gone through all the elements of a smart goal and we're ready to put them together to see what a smart goal looks like compared to a general goal.
Original goal: Update website in the new year.
Better, smart(er) goals:
- Set aside 30 minutes each week to update the contact information on my site to be completed by end of January.
- Using a website builder, dedicate 30 minutes each week to updating the images and logos on my site and to be completed by end of February.
Smart goals keep you accountable.
Smart goals don't leave wiggle room for interpretation or procrastination. They make you think realistically about what's achievable and what isn't, and they're time bound, so you can't push your goal off until December 31st of next year.
Looking for more inspiration to get on track next year? Here are 10 productivity tips to help you succeed.
How else do you stay on track and motivated? Let us know in the comments.


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These are general directions for using your pressure canner. The amount of pressure and length of canning time will vary with each vegetable, fruit, or meat.
In a small pan bring the jar lids to a boil before you put them on the jars and tighten firmly.
Put 2 quarts of water in the pressure canner. I add 1 tsp. cream of tarter to the water to keep the aluminum inside of the canner shiny and clean looking.
Carefully set the jars into the canner.
Put on the lid and turn the temperature on high. After steam starts coming through the vent on top of the canner, set the weight on top of the vent hole.
After several minutes the canner vent will close and the temperature gauge will start to rise. It takes about 1 minute to raise the gauge 1 pound of pressure. Adjust your temperature to keep it at the correct pounds of pressure. I always set my timer. Do not walk away from your canner unless you take your timer with you so that you have that constant reminder. Your canner is very safe to use and I have never had any accidents or close calls. But if you leave it and forget about it and the gauge goes into the black warning zone you might end up with a hole in your ceiling.
When my gauge reaches the desired amount of pounds I can usually turn the burner back to medium high and it will hold consistent pressure. A pound or two over is no deal I do not like to be under.
When the timer rings, turn your burner off and let the canner sit on the burner until the gauge reaches 0. It is very important that you DO NOT OPEN the canner before the gauge reaches 0. The canner is under pressure and you could have serious scald burns and broken jars if you do. When it is 0, you can safely open the canner and remove the jars.
I set the jars on a towel on the counter to cool.
Within a few minutes you will hear the "popping" of the lids as they seal. This is music to the ears! The center of the lids will actually pop downward. If one has a bubble and isn't firmly down within 15 minutes, it has not sealed. You may open the jar and immediately can it again using an new lid or you can put it in the refrigerator to use within the next several days. This evening I had one that acted like it wasn't going to seal-all the others had so I turned it upside down for a few seconds and it sealed. I got lucky! Sometimes it will seal and sometimes it won't. You have to do this within the first 10-15 minutes while the jars are still very hot.
I let the jars cool overnight and then I remove the rings. The lids will stay sealed and put the jars in my pantry to store.
A very helpful hint…these are words to the wise!!!!
- Always, always clean up your pots and pans immediately. They clean up easy while they are hot but if you let them sit and cool, you will have a difficult mess on your hands.
If you have a jar that does not seal for some reason, you can either recan it or eat it. When you press your finger on the center of the lid and it buckles-has a bubble in it- you will know it did not seal. There can be several reasons for this: the jar was underfilled, overfilled, the lid not tighten properly, food on the lip of the jar or the lip of the jar has a rough edge. And sometimes you just don't know!
There, I showed you how to do it! Now it is your turn and you can do it too.
For information on planting and growing snaps visit the "gardening" section on my web page http://www.hffinc.com/Beans.htm
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150 rubber whio/blue ducks were released on to the Upukerora River, in Te Anau, for the Great Fiordland Whio Race last weekend. The race was part of the Fiordland whio family fun day, celebrating Whio Awareness Month.Continue Reading...
Archives For Awareness Month
Takahē live interesting lives and, thanks to Biodiversity Ranger, Chris Birmingham, we've got our hands on the 2013 diary of one of the Maud Island locals. So, for your reading pleasure, may we present to you… A year in the life of Pitt, the matriarchal takahē':
It's January 2013. I feel it's time to leave Roy. He's a nice guy but I don't think he's fatherhood material.
We've been out here on the Peninsula now for a while, and he didn't do a great job of incubating our eggs last year, and they failed to hatch. I can't describe my disappointment when the rangers came and told me my egg had failed, and that I wouldn't be a mother this year. Again! Poor genetics they said! Pffft! There is nothing wrong with my genes, it's these men they keep trying to pair me up with! I have great Fiordland takahē genes!
Time to go. And besides, I miss the fig tree at the ranger's house. Roy never really did like figs.
Dear diary, now it's February, I packed my bags under my wing and left Roy and moved back to Home Bay. When I got here I discovered a new pair of takahē had taken over my old stomping ground.
No, no, no, no, no this is not good enough! Don't they understand the pecking order here? You can't just arrive and expect to take up the best territory! It doesn't work like that.
But wait….that Kowhai is quite a handsome bird isn't he? Strong looking, cute, and from Burwood Bush too—my old home. He's not the sharpest tool in the shed, but you can't have it all I guess. Can't say I like his girlfriend Harper much though, too clingy, he'd be much better off without her.
Dear diary, now it's' March. I knew it wouldn't be hard to woo Kowhai away from Harper. She clearly underestimated the power and charm of an older woman. I saw her off with the help of my old nemeses from up the hill, The Captain and Rangi. Rangi might be in her twilight years now, but she still loves a good fracas! And they know me well enough to stay up the hill too! Now to make Kowhai mine for good!
Couple months later
Dear diary, it's been a couple of months now since I lassoed Kowhai. I have taught him in the ways of the fig and the feijoa, and showed him how to get the most out of the rangers here on Maud. People are easy to train, takahē not so!
Winter's coming, time to batten down the hatches and hunker down.
Several months later
Dear diary, it's several months since my last entry. Things were so great for so long, now Kowhai is gone! Oh, woe is me! That strumpet Pango from over the hill came and stole him from me. Is this karma coming to burn me for taking him from Harper? Now she has paired up with Roy, and I am alone again. A girl could just cry. If takahē cried, of course.
One week later
Dear diary, it's one week since Kowhai left. I am hoarse from calling for him, but I get no reply. He must have gone off to the other side of the island. I can't even find consolation in food anymore.
Two weeks later
Dear diary, week two of flying solo. I was just about to steel myself and head over the hill to get Kowhai back from that wanton harlot, when who should turn up? Kowhai!
Seems Pango wasn't half the woman I am! I was so pleased so to see him again, but I didn't let on…too much. I let him know in no uncertain terms that if he did that again, the welcome mat wouldn't be so welcoming next time. In fact, don't bother coming back! But I love the way he grooms me, and runs around like a fool sometimes when he gets startled. This must be love?
Dear diary, we made it through winter and now it is spring. I am starting to feel 'clucky'. Kowhai and I are taking turns chasing each other round the Lodge lawn. Spring is definitely in the air! I think it's time to show Kowhai how to build a nest.
Late October
Dear diary, it's late October now, we've been busy. Building a good nest takes time. Kowhai isn't the most technically apt nest builder, but he more than makes up for lack of skill with enthusiasm!
And now, guess what!? I am sitting on an egg! A creamy little speckled orb of joy! I am so excited, and so is Kowhai. It's his second go at incubating—he tells me had a go at Burwood but it didn't work. Never mind, with some careful guidance from an old hand like me, we'll get there! I have a good feeling about this year. It's hard to believe I have been in this position many times before, but never enjoyed the thrill of raising my own chick.
Early November
Dear diary, It's early November and today the ranger came and "candled" my egg. I hate this part, though I accept it's all part of the process. I trust them implicitly with my egg so I stand up and let them take it out. I know they want it to hatch as badly as I do. They shine a torch through it and check for development in the embryo. I hear excited murmurs from them and soon my egg is placed carefully back under me. They know what I already do, it's fertile! A mother always knows. I tuck the egg back under me and smugly drift off to sleep in my warm nest. Kowhai isn't so sure and paces about outside. I reassure him with a few soft "narks".
Mid November
Dear diary, it's mid November now, and today my egg internally pipped! My little chick has broken out if its internal membrane and is ready to start pecking its way out of the outer egg shell!
I call Kowhai over, this is the most exciting part of the whole process. I talk to it, encouraging it out of its dark calcium cocoon, it talks back, peeping away and struggling to break the outer shell with its' cute little "egg tooth" on the end of its beak.
Over the next few hours it chips away until suddenly it breaks the whole end of the egg off and rolls out, a delicate little wet bundle of joy!
24 hours later
Dear diary, it's been 24 hours now since our baby hatched. Kowhai and I are beside ourselves with happiness. I know the rangers are too, they knew when it would hatch and have come to listen for it. I can hear their joy when they hear it chirping away to me! I have kept it warm under me, letting it dry out and now it is a little ball of black fluff, squeaking away like crazy, so hungry, so curious to get out of the nest. Don't be in such a hurry little one, the world will wait for you! Now the mammoth task of raising our chick begins, are you ready, Kowhai?
Dear Diary, I've been too busy raising my precious new chick to find time for my diary. Kowhai is coping being a new dad and our crazy, hungry, and now rather loud chick is getting big—I know what they mean now when they say they grow up so fast.
It has been a rough year of highs and lows, but having our new wee chick has bought a stunning end to 2013.
By Jeff Hall, Biodiversity Ranger, Mana Island.
The takahē population on Mana Island have had a few new pairings formed over recent months, as a result of the sort of behaviour that could only be likened to an episode of "Days of our Lives" or "The Young and the Restless".
While it is not always a good idea to anthropomorphise a wild animals behaviour, the antics of one of our recent immigrants does seem to warrant it.
McCaw (named when she hatched soon after the All Blacks won the 2011 Rugby World Cup) came to Mana Island from Maud Island in the Marlborough Sounds for an "arranged marriage" with one of our young lads.
McCaw spent three weeks in a large enclosure with her new suitor, Nohorua. They appeared to be getting along, but as it turned out she had other plans. The male from another pair that lived beside the enclosure had caught her eye. Within a couple of days of release McCaw left Nohorua, and used her youthful energy and good looks to split up the long established pairing of Kat and Santi.
But like all good day time television dramas these heart breaking acts had a happy outcome for some; McCaw and Santi have just started nesting. Kat – after licking her wounds and shaking her tail feathers has landed herself a younger man in Hori. But what of the jilted Nohorua you ask? His quest to find the perfect match continues.
Our takahē are well into another breeding season, with nine pairs nesting. The first nests of the season have started to hatch so hopefully we get a reasonable run of weather to help the chicks establish.
We had planned to do another egg transfer to Southland this year, but the birds had other plans. Our birds were a bit tardy in getting going while the southern "foster" pairs started earlier. The requirement for them to start around the same time was lost on the takahē, but at least they're nesting!


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Driven—A Plea of the Heart An Embrace of the Soul-Kindle Version
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Across time and space there are whispers of the heart which speak with hope of love. Driven... is a dedication of love letters for all those who drive hard in life and feel as though love has passed them by. Driven... is the second collection of prose in Carin Camen's Journey of the Heart Series which shares the beauty found in the Sunrise and Sunset of Love.
- Collection 1 — Reflections of the Heart
- Collection 2 — DRIVEN...
Free with Kindle Unlimited


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Too often, transitioning to a circular business model is viewed primarily as an investment in the company's image. While there surely is an advantage in that sense, this type of thinking misses the point. Going circular in industrial settings means saving a considerable amount of time, raw materials and money, while opening up all kinds of opportunities to innovate, diversify and develop additional revenue streams.
Today's connected/smart industry solutions allow companies to easily monitor, optimize and improve their production processes. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) devices such as sensors and connected systems provide decision-makers with new sets of data, shedding new insights on KPIs, primary products, by-products and waste management. By taking advantage of these tools, companies can increase their competitiveness along their entire value chain, ultimately leading to higher profits, all while helping the environment.


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Mark Cohen
Regional President
APG Media of Ohio
Mark Cohen is the President of APG Media of Ohio.
The APG Ohio group consists of several newspapers and their websites, including The Athens Messenger, The Athens News, The Crescent-News (serving Defiance, Ohio), Circleville Herald, Perry County Tribune, The Logan Daily News, The Pike County News Watchman, and The Courier (serving Vinton and Jackson Counties in Ohio).
Prior to Joining APG, Cohen was President of the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, and MANSI Media, an agency that placed print and digital advertising in all 50 states.
Cohen was the Publisher of the Akron Beacon Journal and Ohio.com from 2013 to 2017. Under Cohen's leadership, the Akron Beacon Journal was voted 2017 Newspaper of the Year. While in Akron, Cohen served on the boards of the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, the Akron Roundtable, the United Way of Summit County and the Downtown Akron Partnership.
With over 30 years in the business, Cohen has worked in various capacities for CNHI, Thomson Newspapers, Morris Communications and GateHouse Newspapers. He served as COO at Pioneer Newspaper Group from 2009 to 2013, which was purchased by Adams Publishing Group in late 2017.
Cohen has held several other various positions as new product director throughout his career, and he launched XL Marketing, an ad agency, while in Indianapolis, that helped design the collateral material for MANSI MEDIA at PNA
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Cohen is a 1979 graduate of Northern Kentucky University with a degree in Mass Communications. After graduation, Cohen wrote for a weekly newspaper, before joining The Cincinnati Enquirer in sales.


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Prenuptial agreements are pretty standard when the rich and famous get married. Considering the amount of wealth these high-profile couples have, it makes perfect sense why prenups are as common as their giant engagement rings.
But what about us common folk? Are prenups a good idea for people without millions of dollars to protect?
Depending on your finances and relationship, a prenup might be a good idea for you and your sweetheart. Here are six reasons why people without multimillion-dollar net worths might choose to sign a prenup before saying "I do."
As of 2013, 40 percent of new marriages include at least one spouse who has previously been married. Couples who have been down the aisle before are more likely to bring children into their new marriage, which adds a level of financial complication to their union. These parents often want to make sure children from their previous relationships will be financially taken care of in case of either death or divorce.
A prenup can help parents protect assets for their children, especially in terms of estate planning. For instance, state laws generally consider marital property to belong solely to a surviving spouse after one partner dies. A prenup could ensure that a portion of that property, or assets that the parent brought into the marriage, would go to the child of a previous marriage or relationship rather than the surviving spouse.
While wills can cover this same ground, having just a will that leaves your spouse less than an elective share of your estate (between one-third and one half) does not necessarily preserve assets for your children, since your spouse can make a claim against your estate for the elective share. Having a prenup that spells out what assets go to children of a previous relationship, along with a will that cements the terms of the prenup, will be a much more solid method of protecting your children.
We tend to think of prenups as being a way of protecting our wealth, but they can also protect you from your partner's debts (or vice versa). If you are entering into a marriage with a great deal of individual debt, a prenup can delineate who has responsibility for the debt payments during the marriage, as well as how the debts will be handled in the event of a divorce.
Figuring out the specific valuation of assets, such as closely-held business interests or stock options, can be tricky. These things can cause a messy delay in the event of a divorce. If either spouse is an entrepreneur or small business owner, drafting a prenup that spells out exactly how these kinds of assets will be valued will save you a great deal of heartache, time, and lawyer's fees if you ever need to split them up in a divorce.
It's common for one spouse to financially support the family while the other gets an advanced degree or other higher education. The problem with this division is if the marriage does not survive.
The fallout can happen in a few ways. Maybe, for example, the degree-seeking spouse ends up much better off financially because their new education helps advance their career. Meanwhile, the supporting spouse may be stuck toiling away for a lower paycheck. Or, in another example, maybe the supporting spouse makes good money, but the degree-seeking spouse is unable to find a job or is crippled by student loans post-divorce.
A couple who knows that one partner will work to support the family while the other goes to school may want to draw up a prenup that will make sure both of them will be financially OK if the marriage does not last.
A spouse who stays home with the children may not be bringing in a salary, but he or she is certainly saving the family money. According to a 2016 Salary.com estimate, stay-at-home parents are saving their families over $143,000 per year by doing all of the work that would otherwise have to be contracted out.
Unfortunately, there is no real way to quantify those cost savings if a marriage dissolves, which can leave the non-paycheck-earning parent at a distinct disadvantage. A prenup can do a great deal to protect both of the spouses.
In the nine community property states, which include Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin, everything purchased during the marriage is split 50/50 in the event of a divorce, no matter who made the purchase.
For most couples in these states, there is no problem with the community property laws. However, suppose one spouse purchases property on her own during the marriage? For instance, a real estate developer marrying someone outside of the real estate business might use her own funds to purchase properties as part of her business, even after they are married. If the developer wants to make sure those properties remain under her control should the marriage dissolve, then a prenup would be a good idea to protect that property.
There is a stigma to prenups, which is part of the reason why they are often seen as just being for the uber-wealthy. We tend to think of them as proof that spouses are not committed to their relationship.
However, a prenup should be mutually beneficial, and it can be a way for you and your beloved to show your commitment to each other. You should both be satisfied that you will each be taken care of in case life doesn't turn out the way you planned.
Disclaimer: The links and mentions on this site may be affiliate links. But they do not affect the actual opinions and recommendations of the authors.
Wise Bread is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.


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First of all, what a time to be alive right? I definitely cannot be the only one who wakes up everyday feeling like my reality is a dream. Nonetheless, I hope everyone is doing well and keeping safe by all means possible. So on today's post I will be answering a couple of questions I received a few days ago on Instagram and I got so excited because of the questions that I received, I love being challenged, I love giving advice where I can and I love questions that make me think deeper and that's literally all I got…
Q | Any advice on how to keep chasing your goals even when it's difficult?
A | This is a struggle everyone faces and the crazy thing is that we all tend to think that we are the only ones who don't have their lives in tact especially when all we see around us are people who are just thriving and seemingly always motivated. I can promise you that that's not always the case. One thing that never fails to help me keep pushing is looking at how much progress I've made and thinking about how far I want to go and that usually gets me excited to work on my goals again. However, I do get days when I am just negative about everything and feel like I won't ever be great then I spend days and weeks in bed and that's fine too, you know why? Because eventually, I get up and not give up so don't feel bad for not being as productive as you had hoped to be, everyday brings a different mood and it's okay to go wherever it takes you.
Q | How do you heal from a toxic relationship?
A | You let yourself feel. The reason why it is so hard to heal from a toxic relationship is because they are usually long-term and it only ever hits you at the end how bad it has been. What we naturally tend to do after leaving a toxic relationship is immediately claiming that we're good now. We feed ourselves with lies to make ourselves feel better like – "I talked to a new guy/girl until 3am yesterday so I'm totally over it right?" and "I went out with the boys/girls and had fun without breaking down, so come on, I'm doing great" but that's not how healing works. Healing requires you to face the facts – you are hurt, you feel disrespected, you feel like you are not enough so don't ignore those feelings, think about everything that's hurting you every single day and cry it out if you want. Don't put a time limit to your healing also, if you tell yourself you have healed in a week after enduring a toxic relationship for months or years, I am here to tell you that you are lying to yourself. Let it take as long as it should and avoid using distractions to convince you that you have healed. Feel then you will heal.
Q | With the services you offer from graphic design to web development, do you have a separate portfolio which you show to clients which reflects the work you've done or is there a link that leads them to the designs you have done?
A | Not yet, I am working towards putting together a portfolio which is set to go live on the 15th of November. However, if a potential client is keen on working with me and wants to see my work, I have samples that they can look through and I have also put together documents with all the necessary details about that particular service. The work I will do for clients will go into my portfolio too.
Q | Do you think your height changes how you navigate the world?
A | Well I never said strange questions aren't allowed right? So yes, it sort of does if you mean the way I conceive the world. Although there are quite a number of stereotypes around short women, I feel like I am not really affected by them that much. I mean, being short makes me feel less confident especially around taller people than me (which is literally everyone) so in most cases I tend to feel inferior, just a little.
Q | Girl! I love love your feed, which app are you using and settings?
A | First of all, thank you so much. To answer your question, I use Lightroom CC to edit my pictures which is a free app to use on your phone and I created all the settings of the preset that I am currently using on my feed and you can find it on my Shop or simply click WITH GRACE to achieve the same aesthetics I have on my Instagram page.
Q | Any advice on how to be alone and independent?
A | Being a middle-born child is pretty much the reason why and how I became independent unintentionally from a young age. I would say the best way to practice independence is by being alone and telling yourself that you are all you have and in that way, you will train yourself to fend for yourself. Also, do not forget that you can be alone and independent but still love the company of other people. So, completely closing people out can actually slow down your progress on trying to be independent because you definitely will need people too, for affection and help and don't be ashamed to ask for neither of those.
Q | What are you studying? What are some tips you can give for making extra money online?
A | I am currently not studying anything but I definitely will be taking yet another short course this year. I would say that if you want to make money online, make it in an honest way. There are thousands of articles on how to get paid from the comfort of your home and to be honest, they are all either very difficult or very sketchy. So, I would advise you to find something you are passionate about and sell products or provide services from your passion.
Q | Kahle kahle uyabuya noma awubuyi? (Are you coming back home or not?)
A | It is very hard to say right now but I will definitely be coming home at some point next year, also because I have already planned a trip to Cape Town but for now nothing is certain.
Q | What's your go-to book?
A | I don't read a lot but a book that I would read over and over again is a book titled THE POWER OF MEANING by Emily Esfahani Smith and I wrote a whole 2000-word review on it here because I just loved it so much.
R E L A T E D | The Power of Meaning | Book Review
Q | How can I gain some traction on my blog?
A | Okay this is going to sound like some crazy advice but it works for me – LOVE YOUR BLOG & CONTENT. What I mean by this is, invest in making your blog/website look appealing, add beautiful pictures that relate to your posts and make it neat with all the necessary pages too. This is advice to literally all the bloggers out there who intend on gaining traffic. Love blogging, visit other blogs and engage with them and they will do the same, promote your posts on social media in creative ways. Do countdowns to when the blog is going live to excite everyone and make sure your titles make a person who hates blogs want to read yours but avoid creating clickbaits because you will lose traffic by misleading your people.
Q | What's the next big idea?
A | Honestly? I'm trying to hold my horses now. Last year in September when I relaunched my website, I told myself that every 3 months I would start a new project that would contribute to my portfolio and since then I started releasing monthly newsletters, created a shop and started selling my presets and put together a whole bunch of services I offer and in the next 2 months I am supposed to release or start a new project and I really feel like I have been doing too much and need to focus on marketing what I already have instead of adding more for now. So from now, the next big thing will be announced in November when I launch my portfolio website with all the work I have been doing over the last 4 years.
Q | Where are you going when outside is open?
A | The question you were trying to ask here was 'Where are you NOT going when outside is open' because what you are asking from me here is a 5-page essay on where I will go once this whole things blows off. I honestly can't think of a single place I would not go to, I will be everywhere, you will have to make plans with me 5 months in advance if you're serious. Haha. This question just triggered me because I literally have so many plans.
Q | If you weren't traveling the world, what would you be doing with your life?
A | I would be working a 9-5 job back home in South Africa but there is a 100% chance I would not be happy because I made a promise to myself during the course of my degree that I would travel first right after completing my degree, then go into the corporate world.
Q | If you are a normal person, trying to take better pictures of food or nature, what are the best first steps to take?
A | If you don't know me well, this might sound like some weird dumb advice but wipe your camera. I literally say this to my friends and family probably everyday. No matter what phone or camera you are using, the photos are going to come out way better with clean lenses and this is something people tend to disregard but it has become an unconscious habit of mine to wipe the camera first before I attempt to take a picture. Another thing to consider is natural light, I really don't advice taking photos at night with lights on unless you absolutely have to, go for natural light every time. Third thing would be purpose – why are you taking that picture, what are you trying to capture and is it going to be obvious to your audience?
Q | How do you get over someone you still love?
A | This is somewhat related to the question I received about healing after a toxic relationship. I am not so big on trying to get closure but if you can do it the right way then do it. If your partner hurts you and you had to leave them or if they just decided to leave you, get your closure. Try to understand their reason behind doing what they did, ask them what went wrong and when things went wrong. When going for closure it's best to keep in mind that you are not necessarily trying to get them back, you are trying to make peace with the break-up so it's not the time to be fighting them when they express their point of view especially when you initiated the whole conversation to begin with. So I would definitely say find closure and heal.
Q | Why did you quit YouTube?
A | Haha this is such a hard question to answer because I literally didn't quit nor did I actually really start. I just threw in a few videos here and there because I enjoyed putting them together. This year I actually had planned put monthly content to upload on my YouTube channel and honestly, the pandemic kinda ruined it for me but I'll get back to it as soon as this blows off.
That's it for now, until next time


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Mandy Moore recently announced that she will be going on tour for the first time in ten years. The tour will kick off in Pittsburg, PA at the Benedum Center on March 20, 2020. Mandy will perform at the Cullen Performance Hall in Houston on April 24, 2020.
She posted about the upcoming tour on her Facebook account. She stated that she is excited to go on tour. She also stated that she will be singing some old songs and new songs. Additionally, Mandy said that she has been writing and recording a lot of new songs and cannot wait to release them.
Not only will Mandy Moore be going on tour in 2020, but she will also be releasing a new album. This will be the first album that she has released in 10 years. Mandy took a hiatus from her music career to focus on her acting career.
She released two singles earlier this year entitled "I'd Rather Lose" and "When I Wasn't Watching." Tickets for the concert went on sale on November 20, 2019. There will be concerts in Pittsburg, PA, Charlotte, NC, Birmingham, AL, Tampa, FL, Houston, TX, Chicago, IL, Salt Lake City, UT and Denver, CO.
Mandy Moore currently has a role on a show called "This is Us." She has also appeared in several films over the years. Some of her films included "Saved", "Chasing Liberty" and "Midway."
Mandy's new album will feature a collaboration with her husband, Taylor Goldsmith. Taylor is a member of a band called Dawes. Mandy and Taylor married in 2018 after dating for three years. They recently celebrated their one-year anniversary.
Mandy stated that it feels good to be sharing the musical side of her again. An exact date for the new album release has not been given yet.


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If you want to create huge buzz for an upcoming product or service, just announce you're working on it and then refuse to give any details.
That seems to be Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' strategy when it comes to development of what will be his company's first venture into the smartphone market with Amazon smartphones.
On the heels of releasing three new Kindle Fire tablets, including the Kindle Fire HDX 7-inch and 8.9-inch devices, the smartphone project remains mostly under wraps.
Amazon Smartphones Include Two Options
Multiple media reports point to two smartphone devices.
One would be a modestly priced "value" phone with an operating system similar to the existing Kindle Fires. But the phone would not be free as previously speculated, reports tech news site Jessica Lessin.
The other more expensive device would include such seemingly improbable features as a simulated 3D display screen and face recognition possibly used to customize the display to the device's owner.
But it might also include a means of scanning real world objects and calling them up for purchase on Amazon, reports TechCrunch. (Talk about showrooming!)
Here's more on both phones:
More Consumer than Business
With no release date so far, the devices frankly sound more like consumer than business technology, as were the early Kindles arguably.
On the other hand, if Amazon comes up with a budget smartphone useful enough to small business owners, it could mean at least one more option for your company's mobile technology plans.
Either way small business owners and entrepreneurs can learn a lot from Bezos who has us all talking about products that haven't even been released yet.
Smartphone Photo via Shutterstock
More in: Amazon


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Gatlinburg Cabins For Rent
When you visit Gatlinburg, the best place to stay is in one of our beautiful cabins. Our Gatlinburg cabin rentals allow you to enjoy the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains while providing you with all the comforts of home. Enjoy amenities like a fully equipped kitchen, bubbling hot tub, mountain views, and more!
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Browse all of our Gatlinburg cabins below and find the perfect one for your vacation.
Mountain Lookout
Mountain Lookout
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Price: $360 - $937
Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 5 Sleeps: 14
Mountain Lookout is a 5 Bedroom, 5.5 Bath Log Cabin located conveniently in Gatlinburg just minutes from downtown. No expense was spared when outfitting this 2800 square foot cabin, it has natural Hardwood flooring, Granite counter tops, Stainless Steel Appliances and Dining for 14. Mountain Lookout has 3 Log King Bed en suites, 1 Log Queen Bed en suite and a Log Queen Bed with a shared bathroom and each bedroom has HDTV's. This property has all of your entertainment needs covered from the Theater Room complete with Theater style seating to watch your favorite DVD's, Foosball table and Multicade arcade style game system.
Mountain Lookout has INCREDIBLE views of the Smokies and you can enjoy the seasonal outdoor pool located within the resort. The pool is typically open Memorial Day-Labor Day. Located just a short drive from downtown Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, you will find that Mountain Lookout will be a great place to call your home in the Smokies. NO SMOKING PLEASE. THIS PROPERTY IS NOT PET FRIENDLY. MUST BE 25 TO RENT. Streaming over the WiFi is not allowed. There is limited data internet service available which means checking emails, social networking and general internet browsing are okay, but you cannot stream movies, music, games or videos such as from Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Spotify or Zoom Meetings or any similar online streaming platforms. Internet Data usage is monitored.
Y'all please reach out to us for anything and rest easy knowing you're booking a cabin with the most caring cabin rental company in the Smokies 🙂 We have an awesome team of locals ready to help! We are open 9am - 8pm Monday- Saturday and 9am-6pm on Sunday for YOU. Enjoy the benefits of our full service hospitality program when you book a cabin with Auntie Belham's Cabin Rentals!
● 1 roll of toilet paper per restroom
● 1 roll of paper towels per kitchen area
● 1 small bar of soap per bathroom sink
● 4 towels and 2 wash clothes per F/Q/K bed
● 2 towels and 1 wash cloth per twin bed
● 1 kitchen set: 1 hand towel, 1 washcloth, starter kit of dish detergent
NOTE: If staying 3+ days, you may need more of these items and are responsible for providing extras. If
you want fresh towels/sheets, please bag up your used linens and bring them to our office for a linen
● Coffee or coffee filters
● Extra trash bags
● Salt or pepper
● Shampoo/Conditioner/Lotion
● Firewood for wood burning fireplace
● Charcoal for grills
● Daily maid service
● Laundry Detergent
● Hair dryer
What people are saying about this property
Great! The cabin was very nice and clean. The amenities were also excellent.
We loved it! Beautiful unit, lots of space. It would be nice to have instructions available for using the theater room but other than that the time spent here was wonderful and we'd love to come back!
You all was outstanding, my guest was very happy with their stay in the cabin
Perfect space for 3 families with kids between seven- twelve.
The cabin was perfect for us. We loved the view and had a great time while in Gatlinburg.
The cabin was in great condition. The view was perfect. The kids loved playing foosball. The Adults loved the arcade with the vintage games. Only request would be a little more bathroom counter space upstairs but not a big deal. We will look at renting these again on our next stay. Thanks.
We had a great time. Very clean cabin. Only suggestion would be to add in blinds in the 2 upper bedrooms that do not have them. Thin curtains did not block light well and neighboring cabin had bright lights on at night.
Clear communications, cabin was as advertised, clean and bug free, 2 very minor issues were immediately addressed
The cabin was perfect for our family. Beautiful, clean, comfortable and the view was breathtaking. The staff was wonderful and answered all our questions, no matter how silly. We had everything we needed for a pleasant and easy stay. Will definitely stay again
Y'all did an awesome job for us! We appreciate everything
Great job! Everybody was so helpful since the beginning! We've had to reschedule this trip over 3 years due to Covid and there was never any resistance! The staff was amazing! Will definitely stay again!
I always love Auntie Belhams cabin and love my stay. This is my 3rd time and I love each and every time more and more.
Everything was nice and clean. Just need more pots for cooking and sharper knives
Great space for the whole family. Loved everything about it
We LOVED our cabin, the location and the views!! Will definitely be back!
Very clean and all was as advertised. Great view. Everyone loved the hot tub snd game room.
The cabin was very clean and had everything needed for an excellent stay.
Everything was seamless even when we had issues with our refrigerator and toilet. Virtual checkin worked well
The stay was great an everyone helped us get the cabin an I will be stay with you all again soon it was beautiful thank you all agin
Great communication leading up to and during the visit. The cabin was amazing!
Everyone I dealt with at Auntie Belham's was extremely helpful and always responded to questions quickly!
Great cabin, great view. Low traffic and very quiet. See you next year.
We had an amazing time. The space was very warm and welcoming
My family and I really enjoyed our stay here. We had a small issue with the wifi & dishwasher but when called, maintenance showed up & the problem was fixed immediately. The place looked just like the pictures, very clean and spacious.
Very cooperative. Answered all questions. Great availability. Beautiful, well stocked cabin.
The cabin was immaculate. The only suggestion is to have live TV on the main level's tv otherwise it was great.
Accommodations were in pristine condition. Staff were prompt and professional. Rates were competitive. Proximity to events and local attractions was ideal.
This was our second time booking with Auntie Belham's this year and everything was perfect again!
Your employees were very pleasant and informative. Unit could use more closet and drawer space.
Wonderful Cabin and Customer Service - there were a few areas that were not as clean was in the past. Especially the stairs and corners. However, we would rent this cabin again - this is our 2nd visit in this cabin.(Mountain Lookout). Thanks again for a great visit and accommodations.
Its was an awesome trip we enjoyed everything about the trip. The cabin was beautiful very clean comfortable it was just a great experience for the family we really recommend coming back and recommend other people to come go with us as well
The cabin was in impeccable condition and the bed comfort exceeded my expectations. Beautiful views. Only issues were there was no cable in the main living room or basement and the AV system in the theater was not fully functional and we had to move DVD players around. Also would have appreciated a heads up about the construction going on with the cabin next door as sometimes the crew was noisy in the morning hours. Even that being said, would still highly recommend.
Loved the cabin. Very nice, simply decorated and very spacious. One of the downsides was a lot of the outlets did not have power. The patio door top lock did not work. And the shower curtain liners needed to be changed. Was excited to get in the hot tub but it was dirty and the Water didn't seem warm enough. But I would definitely stay again these were minor cons that are easy fixes. The group was extremely satisfied with the pick.
Auntie Belhams was great. However we did have a few issues at the cabin. 1st the main TV in the living room didn't work more than it did, and thats after having someone out twice. Kinda sucked cause thats were we hung out the most. There was a dumpster and port a jon right outside our cabin taking up some of the parking and not very attractive. Other than that was great. I gave 4 stars cause my issues were not with Auntie Belhams
Helpful information, Responsive office staff, Clean cabin, positive overall experience,
Check in was a breeze, office was easy to find. The cabin itself was exactly what we wanted and how the website explained it. The wifi was not that great, which caused hardly any channels to come in and that made it hard for us to watch our football game. Easy check out as well
Spacious, decor was comfortable, ample equipped with everything needed. Only need to add hooks in bedrooms w/o closets for coats etc.
Reservations were easy and convenient, staff was friendly and cabin was well kept. A very pleasurable experience and we will be back next year!
Wonderful cabin - fabulous mountain views - perfect accommodations for our family Would have loved a pool table as opposed to the fussball - but no complaints- beautiful kitchen to cook meals.
Our cabin was fantastic! Clean, roomy & it was everything we could've asked for.
The cabin was beautiful- roomy for our whole extended family- and comfortable. The view was amazing and the management was attentive.
Very good experience. Unit was rented was great. Auntie Belham's assisted us with delayed arrival situation. Also provided option for lack of internet at rental unit.
Cabin was excellent and clean. Everything was ready for us to arrive. Staff at the main office were very friendly and made it simple and quick to check us in and get us on our way to our cabin. At first we were having problems with the internet but one simple phone call was all it took and within a couple of hours, someone was at our cabin and resolved the problem. A wonderful vacation.
Everything About My Cabin was Absolutely Great, very clean And Amazing View we will definitely be visiting Again Soon!!!
Unbelievable experience!! Cabin was perfect. Great location. Plenty of space.
We enjoyed the view, the whole cabin, lovely large soft beds and so pleased that we could control the temperature settings for each floor individually . At first we were upset about construction going on, but it actually didn't bother us. We were expecting a little more Christmas decorations, because I had especially asked about that and was told it would be very decorated and there was only the Christmas tree which was very pretty. Overall very pleased.
We had a wonderful time. Loved the size of the kitchen area. The view was amazing.
Check in was easy and quick. The location of the cabin was amazing and the view is breathtaking. The only downside of the cabin is that the wall between rooms is extremely thin and does not offer much privacy. You can hear conversations in the rooms up/down the hall from you.
Cabin was beautiful! No pool table after I was told that one was being put in before our stay. The dumpster situation needs attention daily. Trash everywhere. Still had a great time.
You guys were very prompt concerning the air conditioning issue
Very clean and nice cabin. Had a great time. Wonderful experience!!!
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When you move heaven and earth to make a vacation happen for your family, you may not think about the unexpected that could possibly hamper your plans- the unexpected illness or weather or other emergency that ruins your trip. When unforeseen circumstances spoil your vacation, you shouldn't have to suffer loss on top of disappointment. Trip Preserver comprehensive travel insurance provides reimbursement coverage when things don't go as planned.
Auntie Belhams Cabin Rentals has partnered with Red Sky Travel Insurance to provide Ski Trip Preserver® coverage for our guests. Ski Trip Preserver provides trip cancellation and interruption insurance, emergency assistance and travel services, coverage for lack of snow and road closure, job loss, and family emergencies such as illness or death in the family as well as emergency medical coverage while on your trip.
Click here for more information about Red Sky Trip Insurance.
Write A Review
Vacay Stay Guarantee
The VSG gives your reservation a cancellation policy. Without the VSG you will have a zero cancellation policy and zero reschedule policy. Should you have to cancel your reservation at any point, for any reason, you will lose what you've paid up to that point. No exceptions, since the cancellation policy is offered at booking. By not purchasing the VSG, you will accept that you forfeit all monies paid if you have to cancel your reservation.
The Vacay Stay Guarantee allows for:
A 15 day cancellation policy for 1-3 bedroom properties.
A 30 day cancellation policy on 4+ bedroom properties.
For cancellations made outside of the 30 or 15 days, Auntie Belham's refunds the entire amount of your payments made minus the cost of the VSG (which is only 7% of the nightly rate).
For cancellations made inside of 30 or 15 day time frame, when the cancellation policy has expired, you will be allowed to reschedule your stay within 6 months, but no monies will be refunded. After the 6 months all monies are forfeited.
Without the Vacay Stay Guarantee, absolutely no refunds.
Absolutely no refunds for early departures for any reason including but not limited to: weather, road conditions or family emergencies. We are not responsible for such occurrences and will therefore not refund money because of them.


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Model name: Eastern Tropical Pacific
|Author: Olson, R.J.
|Country: Not affiliated
|Modelled area (km2): 32800000
|Ecosystem type: open ocean
|Modelled period: 1993-1997
|Ecosim used: True
|Ecospace used: False
|Number of Ecopath groups: 39
|Number of fleets: 5
|Has Taxonomy: False
|Has Pedigree: False
|Is Fitted: False
Olson R.J.,Watters G.M.(2003). A model of the pelagic ecossystem in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission Bulletin. pp 135-248


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Staccato Dangle Earrings - Two-Tone
staccato |stəˈkätō|: adverb& adjective- Each sound or note sharply detached or separated from the others.
Meticulously crafted from guitar string circlets stacked in a sleek dangle style. Our most popular earrings!
-Hand crafted
-Available in 2 sizes
-Finished with sterling silver ear wires
-Arrives in a reusable organza gift bag with info card
-Shipped using zero waste materials
-A portion of the profits from each sale of High Strung Guitar String Jewelry is donated to Musicians on a Mission(MOAM).
"Our mission is to utilize the power of music to create connection and inspire giving. We raise awareness and funds for local charitable organizations through planned musical events showcasing New Jersey performers. We support the local music community by creating opportunities for musicians to connect, share and make a difference through their music."
Find out more at http://www.musiciansonamission.org
Copyright 2010 High Strung Studios.


text:
RE Investment Returns To Pre-Crisis Levels: €10,200m In 2014
20 February 2015 – El Economista
Spain became the second largest real estate market in terms of investment in 2014, behind Sweden. Specifically, investment in real estate in Spain amounted to €10,200 million during the year, a record surpassed only in 2007, just before the start of the crsis.
CBRE explains that the transactions closed during the last quarter of the year boosted this strong result. Between September and December 2014 alone, real estate investment in Spain amounted to €3,396 million, i.e. 50% more than in the same period in 2013.
These figures are in line with the trend across Europe, where investment in real estate assets increased by 32% in 2014, to €218,000 million. In the last quarter alone, investment reached €78,000 million, the highest quarterly investment recorded since 2006.
Spain was ranked as the sixth country in terms of inwards investment during the last quarter, above countries such as Norway, Denmark and Italy.
What about in terms of debt?
In terms of real estate debt, the total stock across the European continent increased by almost €23,000 million in 2014, to €978,000 million, primary due to the entry of new credit. According to CBRE, the amount of new debt issued rose by 47% in 2014 with respect to 2013, although in absolute terms this figure was less than half of the volume of debt issued in 2007.
The consultancy explains that this increase in new debt was due to the growth in the size of the real estate investment market. And the total value of investment transactions in Europe increased by 32% last year, to reach €218,000 million.
Moreover, the number of investors with an appetite for risk increased, especially in Spain; these investors tend to make more use of leverage, both to increase their purchasing power and improve their returns.
Real estate loan portfolios
In terms of the sale of non-performing real estate loan portfolios, CBRE says that the transaction volume amounted to €49,200 million in Europe in 2014, more than twice the figure recorded in the previous year.
This growth was particularly significant in Spain, where a rise of 103% was recorded, up from €3,200 million in 2013 to €6,500 million in 2014.
Looking ahead to 2015, CBRE expects the sale of real estate loan portfolios to continue and to expand into new markets, although it does also expect the pace of sale of these portfolios to decline.
"This is because of the time that the market needs to overcome a number of structural obstacles that currently stand in the way of a liquid market for loan sales in Europe", it adds.
Original story: El Economista
Translation: Carmel Drake


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Impeccable Cleaning LLC 850.974.5555
5 Star Commercial, Professional and Property Management Services in Destin, Shalimar, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Valparaiso, Navarre, Sandestin, Miramar Beach, Santa Rosa Beach and 30A, Florida.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Referral for Donna-Lee Smith Owner/President Impeccable Cleaning LLC We gladly provide this referral for Donna-Lee Smith Owner/President of Impeccable Cleaning, LLC. Donna and her team of cleaning professionals have been cleaning our Condo at the Island Princess in Okaloosa Island, Ft. Walton Beach, FL since we purchased it in June, 2016. As a new Condo owner living in another state we knew our success in being able to maintain a highly sought after condo for rental by clients would be predicated on the fact that we would be able to find, trust and select the right cleaning company for our condo. It is our requirement that our cleaning company be equally focused on satisfying our rental clients and maintaining our condo in the 5-Star manner in which we require. Donna and her team came highly recommended by other condo owners. We met with Donna and after meeting her and discussing our requirements we had no doubt Donna and the Impeccable Cleaning team were the right choice. Some of our requirements were that the condo would be cleaned as if we or Donna were going to be staying there each week and that Donna herself would be our point of contact for all communications. Our communications with Donna has been excellent. We communicate with Donna monthly via email. Each Saturday via text messaging Donna provides a quick update message reporting the condition of the condo. We use this information to refund the security deposit to our rental guests and for our comfort in knowing our condo investment is safe. On special occasions, I request Donna and the cleaning team provide additional services above and beyond normal cleaning. I have asked Donna for recommendations of repair individuals, where to purchase the best condo linens, and just about everything else we wanted to know about the local area. Some of our requests are not easy special requests and are well above the capabilities or offerings of other cleaning companies. I believe Donna will work for you to customize her offer and support your needs – just as she has supported ours. We are thankful and blessed that Donna came highly recommended to us. We know we could not successfully manage our Condo Rental LLC business from another state without the professionalism, dedication and partnership we have developed with Donna and her team.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I have been using Impeccable Cleaning services for over four years now and I wanted to express my appreciation for the company and its employees. I have never been unsatisfied with the work ethic that is performed when cleaning my house. The employees are hard working and dedicated to the task at hand and are always willing to go the extra mile to ensure my happiness. Each employee I have worked with has been extremely professional, respectful, and courteous to my wants and needs. It is a great relief to work with a company that you can trust and rely on for these essential tasks of keeping a home polished and clean. I recommend Impeccable Cleaning and Donna Lee Smith to all my neighbors, friends, and family because I know that the company will provide a level of high quality satisfaction and customer service.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I have been with Impeccable Cleaning for 6 years now and I am very satisfied. They are very detailed in their services. I travel a lot for work and have a crazy schedule but they are flexible and always available when I need them. Over the years I have recommended this service to many people and they all are very pleased with the results. Impeccable Cleaning is like family….they put personal touch on each visit to my home….highly recommend to try them!!!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ For over five years Impeccable Cleaning service has cleaned our vacation home in Gulf Shores. Their work is not average, it is superior in its ranking. They are always on time and always go above and beyond to make our condo incredibly spotless. Donna runs a very tight ship and expects all of her work done in a meticulous fashion. I have never seen a company that had such consistent results. I would highly recommend Impeccable Cleaning for all of your home, office and business cleaning needs.


text:
Technologically dependent ventilation in a temperate climate- A UK case studyMcGill, Grainne and Sharpe, Tim (2016) Technologically dependent ventilation in a temperate climate- A UK case study. In: Indoor Air 2016, The 14th International Conference of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, 3-8 Jul 2016, Ghent, Belgium.
|McGill, Grainne and Sharpe, Tim
A fundamental shift in sustainable design thinking and practice has occurred over the last few decades. In particular, the increasing application of heat recovery ventilation (MVHR) is changing the way we envisage the home environment. Instead of passive, adaptive spaces, there is an increasing trend towards the creation of airtight envelopes, where dependence is placed on technological devices to condition the interior environment. This dependence however presents a number of challenges and risks that are of particular concern in a social housing context. This paper discusses the inherent challenges of technologically dependent ventilation in airtight housing in a temperate climate in Scotland. A door-to-door survey was conducted in 36 homes which investigated occupant behaviour and perceptions of ventilation in their home. The study identified issues with occupant use and control of ventilation, with particular concerns relating to the perception of MVHR systems.
|Output Type:
|Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
|Uncontrolled Keywords:
|Heat recovery ventilation, Household Survey, Social Housing, Occupant Use, Perceptions
|Schools and Departments:
|Mackintosh School of Architecture > Mackintosh Environmental Architecture Research Unit (MEARU)
|Related URLs:
|Event Title:
|Indoor Air 2016, The 14th International Conference of Indoor Air Quality and Climate
|Event Location:
|Ghent, Belgium
|Event Dates:
|3-8 Jul 2016
|Output ID:
|Deposited By:
|Grainne McGill
|Deposited On:
|01 Sep 2016 11:57
|Last Modified:
|30 Jan 2018 14:35


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Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand is about 785 kilometres north of Bangkok. Situated on the Kok River Chiang Rai Plateaubasin, Chiang Rai covers an area of approximately 11,678 square meters with an average elevation of 580 meters above sea level. The province, which is located within the renowned Golden Triangle area where Myanmar, Laos and Thailand converge.
Chiang Rai, which was founded in 1262 by King Meng Rai, was the first capital of the Lanna Thai Kingdom which was later conquered by Burma. It was not until 1786 that Chiang Rai became a Thai territory and was proclaimed a province during the reign of King Rama VI in 1910.
Today, Chiang Rai is a travellers paradise endowed with abundant natural tourist attractions and antiquities; the province itself is evidence of past civilisation. Attractions range from magnificent mountain scenery, ruins of ancient settlements, historic sites, Buddhist shrines and ethnic villages as the province is Chiang Rai White Templealso home to several hill tribes who maintain fascinating lifestyles. For those interested in the natural side of Chiang Rai, jungle trekking is recommended along various trails.
Chiang Rai which tends to be a little more 'laid back' now competes with Chiang Mai as a tourist attraction and is fast becoming a popular escape for tourists wanting to get away from the troubles they left behind.
Chang Rai like Chang Mai is easily accessible by air which takes 80 minutes and road which takes some 9 hours on the bus. Train journeys are possible although you will need to change at Chang Mai or Lampang and take a bus for a further 90-120 minutes.


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New search tool gets billionaire's backing
Texas-based start-up IceRocket looks to edge in on Google's territory. A little money from Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban won't hurt.
Dallas-based upstart IceRocket is trying to throw a new twist on search results, along with some financial and advisory help from billionaire Cuban. The company is mixing its own Web search technology with "metasearch" features that tap into rival engines.
But it's hoping to set itself apart with features, such as more powerful image searching and an e-mail-based service that can be used on handhelds and other mobile devices.
"We don't need to recreate what (Google) is doing. There is a ton of room on the edges to do well things that they don't do well," IceRocket CEO Blake Rhodes said in an e-mail interview. Google users are now "facing an overwhelming volume of choices to the point where you always feel like you are missing something," he said.
IceRocket is part of a new generation of search engines, some of which hope to "out-Google Google," and some of which simply want to capture a narrowly defined portion of the Internet search market.
While none have anything but a tiny fraction of the audience of Google, the search giant's impending initial public offering--which is expected to raise as much as $3.3 billion--has been tantalizing for entrepreneurs and venture capitalists of all stripes.
The market is facing new competition from the other side of the spectrum, too. Microsoft has made it clear that it is devoting increasing resources to search, both on its MSN Web site and in future software products that will also search computers' hard drives, e-mail folders and other now-obscure corners of a person's digital world.
News.com publisher CNET Networks relaunched its own metasearch site, Search.com, on Wednesday.
Like previous generations of metasearch engines, IceRocket relies on some of its primary rivals, ranging from Yahoo and Ask Jeeves' Teoma to littler sites, including LookSmart's WiseNut.
Each search result provides a small thumbnail snapshot of the site it points to, which the company says will help users decide if they actually want to visit or not.
A feature still being tested enables cell phone or PDA users to send an e-mail with a search term to the site and get an e-mail back with the top five search results.
Rhodes said Cuban was an investor but declined to say how much money the Dallas entrepreneur provided.
On his Web log, Cuban said he was helping suggest features that would be useful.
"I've offered to help come up with some unique features that hopefully can allow them to separate from the pack," Cuban wrote. "To me, this is a unique way to 'design my own search engine.'"
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text:
The printable area is displayed by a dashed border in a layout. The plotter and paper size you select determine the printable area.
If your plotter reports an incorrect printable area for your paper size, you can adjust the printable area in the Modify Standard Paper Sizes area under the Modify Standard Paper Sizes (Printable Area) option on the Device and Document Settings tab in the Plotter Configuration Editor.


text:
Originally published by Eastern Alliance.
How is workers' compensation premium calculated?
- The type of business, claim history, payroll, and location(s) all impact premium.
- The basis for workers' compensation premium is this formula: Class Code Rate x Experience Modification Factor x (Employer's Payroll/$100)
- Businesses are categorized by class codes specific to the type of work their employees do. Insurance carriers charge different rates for each class code, because some types of work are riskier than others. Rates and class codes vary by state.
- Experience modification factors are related to a business's history of workers' compensation claims. If a business has a claims history that is better (safer) than average for its type of business, then its modification factor will likely be below 1.00. If a business has a worse claims history than average, its modification factor will likely be above 1.00.
- State workers' compensation bureaus calculate this experience modification factor. In some states, smaller employers may alternatively have a merit rating which can also impact their premiums based on their claims history.
- Insurance carriers use a payroll amount based non an estimate of the employers' annual payroll.
- Credits or debits may be applied to the premium, depending on a variety of factors. Charges and state assessments may be added to the premium.
- After the policy has concluded, a premium audit will likely be performed. The purpose of this audit is to compare the estimated annual payroll used to calculate the premium with the employer's actual annual payroll. If there is a difference, an adjustment will be made – either the carrier will owe the employer money (because the actual payrolls are less than the estimated payroll), or the employer may owe the carrier additional premiums (because the actual payrolls were higher than the estimated payroll).
What can be done to lower premium costs?
- One of the best things that an employer can do to protect their workers and to ultimately lower their workers' compensation premium, is to prevent accidents before they occur. Employers can do this through a focus on workplace safety. Many states permit a type of discount or rate credit for certain workplace safety programs. By improving their claims history over time, employers will also benefit from a lower experience modification factor.
- Some employers may find that loss sensitive products like dividends, deductibles, retrospective rating plans, or alternative insurance options, provide them with greater control over their insurance costs.
- Directing care, depending on jurisdiction. Some states permit employers to direct medical care through various means – medical provider panels, managed care organizations, etc. The goal of these programs is to help injured workers obtain prompt, appropriate care from providers who use evidence-based, cost-effective treatment.
- Help injured workers recover faster by using work as a therapeutic tool. Appropriate use of modified duty helps can help injured workers return to work faster, lower claim costs and restore productivity.


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