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One of my best friends and I frequently have conversations that spur on blog posts or topics that I cover on my podcast. We even joked last week that one day I will have a book written about all of the interesting concepts he and I discuss and he's going to open it up to find out it's literally everything he ever said and I will have zero input what so ever. He's scheduled to come on the show soon, and when he does you all will understand why I like to discuss things with him. In the mean time he's also my speech critique specialist. Whenever I do a public speaking engagement I generally go to him first. A few weeks ago he reciprocated and asked me to critique a best man speech he was giving. This week he gave the speech at a wedding and knocked it out of the park. So I'm totally ripping off some of the things he did to share with the world what I think goes into giving a killer best man speech.
We aren't all blessed with the ability to deliver a joke. If you aren't that person, you know it or someone else does and hopefully they have told you. That's ok if you can't open with comedy just tell a story that is interesting. If you're the best man you probably have a child hood memory that you can share that people will resonate with. For my buddy it was endless one on one football matches with the newly crowned groom in their adjoining front yard. People eat those things up. They're happy memories, and most people played in a friend in their yard.
Don't leave out the Bride. After all it is her day. So if you are telling a story about the groom you need to tell one about the bride as well. If you think you don't have one you aren't trying hard enough. There are two ways to tell her story. One just talk about the day you met her and what you saw in her that made her perfect for your best friend. I hate to say this but in case you hate the bride to be, FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT. Still struggling? Find her best friend that you know, or her Mom or Dad and ask them what they think is so special about their daughter (this can also help for later on in the speech.)
Hopefully to this point you have had the crowd in stitches. If you have they're thinking "Oh this is a funny best man speech nice. Nothing sentimental that will make you cry." Congratulations you have softened them up and they aren't ready for you to wrench their heart out and Mom and Grandma forgot to get the Kleenex ready. When ever I have spoken at weddings I have always asked for a conference call with both the parents of the Bride and Groom. If they are no longer together you have more calls to make. Do not, DO NOT, leave anyone out. Weddings are absolutely a time of people feeling left out and like they weren't important enough, even though the day should only be about the bride. Mom and Dad are probably footing the bill on both sides too, so they deserve some input.
Ask them all what they think is so special about the Bride and Groom's relationship. Ask them if they have any funny stories about the Bride, Groom, or both of them. Ask them what it was like the first time they met the Bride (if they are the groom's parents) or the groom (if Bride's parents). You are bound to get some great material out of this. If you are like me you will need to take notes during every conversation so you can review it all in speech writing later. After you've laid all of your funny anecdotes on the crowd insert that tear jerker about the time Todd Saved Mary's puppy from an untimely demise (not all heroes wear capes).
A part of being funny is sharing that interesting story about the time Todd was so drunk he flooded the entire dorm because he went to sleep in the shower with his blanket. If you're going to tell an embarrassing story or make a joke just ensure it's not about something that is a weakness of the grooms. I.E. if the best man makes a joke about the groom being ugly and the dude isn't the greatest looking guy, that is poor form. If you think you're going to make an ass out of the groom, then be sure to make more of an ass out of yourself before doing so. Or at least close out with such a wonderful ending that no one remembers that as the highlight of the speech.
I talk a lot about public speaking in episode 10 of the podcast. You can check out some of my go to tactics there. I won't belabor the point but this is a really important day. You only get one chance to get up there and crush this. You don't have to be too worried about bombing because thousands of Best Men have done it before you. What you should focus on is the fact that the groom and the Bride chose you to get up there and say something nice about them. You don't want to miss an opportunity to make them feel amazing about each other on the one day they absolutely should.
If you memorize the speech you can always improvise later once you hit your stride and warm up the crowd. People like to watch a best man speech where the best man makes eye contact and actually talks to the Bride and Groom. If you have the speech memorized it is that much more likely you will do so. If you have to revert to paper, do so, just remember to take breaks and look up at the Bride and Groom and smile. If you get up their and lose your shit, you always have your safety blanket.
My friend who gave one of the best, best man speeches I have ever seen this week didn't just rehearse. He called me and rehearsed the speech multiple times. He didn't just send me the speech he wrote with a comment that said, "can you look this over?" He delivered the speech just like he would have on game day. I sat there and took notes and we discussed how he could make it better and what he should leave in or take out. He went back through and made some changes and we went over it again.
We went over delivery, tone, what jokes would hit, what jokes may not hit. We treated this with the level of attention it deserved. You should too. This way if anything odd arises on game day you are ready to respond to it. In the end my friend's speech crushed because of his dedication to delivering an awesome best man speech. Treat it with that level of attention to detail and you will crush it too.
It seems like a lot of work for a 5 to 10 minute speech but you don't want to blow this. As I said before, someone selected you to go up there and be the one to stand next to them on their wedding day. In the old days your position "standing up" for the groom meant that you were supporting this marriage and you would work to see it through. It still means the same today. You're the one who will get up there and give a speech that will set the tone for the dancing and partying to follow. Treat it as such. Give your best friend and his new beautiful bride another of many moments to remember.
John McCarthy is a Father, Son, Husband and former Marine Infantry Officer. He serves his local community and just wants to push people to be better humans. Check out the Tough Talk Podcast and other writings on this website to learn more.


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WaterMax® is a patented, comprehensive water softener system that is highly efficient in conserving your water, salt and your time.
The computerized solid-state Systems Control, along with our exclusive directional flow screens, is built with the most advanced manufacturing materials and processes. Our innovative engineers have won 7 U.S. patents, ensuring that WaterMax® provides years of its world-renowned water treatment in your home.
The WaterMax water softener ensures that your entire house receives the benefits of soft, clean water. Food tastes fresher, clothing will feel softer, and that film around the tub will disappear!
The WaterMax® doesn't just do good work, it also looks good while it's working! Its style is as impressive as its operational capabilities. Take a look and decide for yourself if this system will look just as good inside your home.
A 12-volt low voltage power supply powers the Systems Control, while the solid-state Smart Touch Control's flexibility makes it possible. WaterMax® regenerates on demand, by calendar or by exact water usage. Other features include:
- Full Color Touch Screen Controller
- Easy to Set
- Maintains program settings during power outages
- Absolute Brining – Never Wastes Regenerant
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- Gallons or Liters
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- Tested for over 100,000 cycles with no detectable wear
- Valve piston is controlled by WaterMax® exclusive magnetic technology – no solenoids or switches.
Fill Plug:
Provides easy media accessibility for maximum serviceability as water conditions may change… a costly add-on with conventional units.

subset: commoncrawl


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Home Is 28,000 Square Feet of Luxury for Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan's new manse is ginormous, but let's get real, Is there any other type of mansion? Although the finishing touches are being sorted out, it appears that the 28,000-square-foot Jupiter, Florida space is nearly completed. Construction work has been going on for about three years — that work reportedly cost Jordan $7.6 million. The three acres on which the home was built were bought by Jordan for $4.8 million. Simple arithmetic values the property at $12.4 million total.
The expansive structure has eleven bedrooms and a theater room with a special ventilation system that's perfect for cigar-loving Jordan. Other amenities include a guesthouse, a pool house, and a guard house — the proud owner of six NBA championship rings will want for nothing in his new abode, that's for sure!
Jordan's Jupiter home represents his induction into the town's exclusive Bear's Club community, famous for its sprawling golf course. That must have been an important selling point for Jordan as the famous shooting guard is now an avid golfer. Other athletes living nearby include Tiger Woods, Keegan Bradley, and Dustin Johnson. No doubt Jordan will fit right in. And if he doesn't feel like golfing, he can always go for swim in the surrounding postcard beaches.


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The CFWMC began operations in the fall of 1983 in donated space in the basement of the Sharon Herald. In the first full year of operations, the Warehouse distributed over 350,000 pounds of food through 8 agencies. In 1984, we were able to purchase a van with a grant from the O'Brien Children's Foundation. In 1986, we moved into a building in Farrell, which was donated by First National Bank.
Opening the CFWMC, 1983. From left to right: Rev. Dr. Samuel Perry, Mrs. Patricia Campbell, Rev. Dr. Richard McCandless, Monsignor Michael Polanichka, Sentator and Mrs. Arlen Specter, Rev. Thomas Dugan, Executive Director Michael Wright.
As the 90's approached the Warehouse undertook numerous projects to upgrade its operations.
Staff members were added, and the operation of the Warehouse became computerized with a grant from Apple Computers to keep up with the increasing number of families seeking emergency food assistance.
The new decade saw the installation of an overhead door to assist in loading and unloading trucks and the purchase of another electric forklift to assist in warehouse operations. The Warehouse also procured freezers for seven food pantries under a program sponsored by the state.
1992 saw the Warehouse become a partner with the KDKA Turkey Fund drive. This program benefited all member agencies with the CFWMC being the conduit for turkey certificates raised by KDKA during Thanksgiving. In 1997, The Herald initiated the annual Good News Turkey Fund, which brought in 1,100 turkeys just in time for the Christmas holiday!
The outside of the old Warehouse, located in Farrell, PA.
Celebrating five years of serving the community, 1988. Board members and members of the community tour the old warehouse in Farrell. Our Executive Director (then Administrative Assistant) Lori Weston is pictured on the far right!
The new century began with a smooth ride, but decreased grants and government commodities for the Warehouse soon became a challenge to overcome.
In December of 2005, Executive Director, Michael Wright (the first executive director) resigned to take another position and passed the directorship to Lori Weston, who had been with the CFW for 20 years. Mimi Prada came on board in January of 2006 as the new Agency/Public Relations Coordinator.
By 2007, we had distributed a cumulative total of over 19 million pounds of food, and our Board of Directors began an active search for a new building, after realizing we had outgrown the building which served as our home for so many years.
The Greenwood Group heard of our need to expand and generously donated a significant amount of money to kick off our capital campaign, as well as offered their building in Sharon! This was the beginning of many, many miracles that brought us where we are today. Our capital campaign exceeded our expectations and our building renovations were finished in time for us to move in on March 31, 2010!
On June 24, 2010 the CFWMC held a public dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony.
The front door of our new Warehouse, located in Sharon. 2010.
Former Board President and current Advisory Board member, Bill Boyle, and Lori Weston giving a plaque to Richard Stigliano, part of the Greenwood Group, as a thank you for our new building. 2010.
One of the beautiful works of art in our Community Room, painted by Betty DiGiorgio.
Mimi, Rich Morgan, and Lori at our First Annual Race to End Hunger. 2010
Mimi on our new walker/stacker. 2015.
2010 continued to be an exciting year for us. Our first Annual Race to End Hunger took place, with Rich Morgan of WKBN as our celebrity runner, our mascot "Myron the Hunger Awareness Ape" made his public debut, our Backpack Program moved on site, and our claim to fame --we are rated in the top 20 food banks across the country in spite of the fact that we are one of the smallest staffed food banks! Another crowning moment for us was the completion of the artistry of Betty DiGiorgio in our Community Room. Her works of art depict the essence of the community gardens and the beauty of healthy, nutritious foods.
In the last couple of years, the CFW has continued to expand in many ways. With the acquisition of a new refrigerated box truck the Warehouse has been the recipient of over 163,000 lbs. of donated food from our local stores– food that has been frozen to retain its quality. Our first year of gleaning from our four community gardens, Boaz Fields, sponsored by the local United Methodist Churches, resulted in over 18,000 lbs. of fresh produce. With the installation of a new cooler and freezer which increased respectively 3 times and 4 times the amount of space we had, we are able to accommodate the incoming bounty of produce and frozen products. Our warehouse space increased by 10,000 square feet of space and a donation of racking and shelving from Walmart gave us ample space to store more product than ever before, which allowed us the capacity to accept full truckloads of nationally donated product – cereal, juice, corn, beans, fresh potatoes and much more. This increased amount of food gave us the ability to assist the growing number of families/individuals seeking emergency food in Mercer County.
In the last five years, the number of households receiving food assistance has risen from 3,100 to over 4,200 households – over a 26% increase! Then in 2010 we reached 1.2 million lbs. bringing us to a cumulative total of over 23 million lbs. of food through five procurement avenues – nationally donated product thru Feeding America, government commodities, wholesale purchased, locally donated and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program for Seniors.
In 2011, we began our successful Empty Bowls event, which is held on an every other year basis. In 2012, we received several grants that allowed us to bring the PA Mobile Ag Ed Science Lab to the Warehouse. The Mobile Ag Ed Science Lab was part of a week-long "Farm Day in Town Field Trip" for area first-graders. The aim of the field trip was to teach kids about healthy foods-both kids and adults loved it. As of 2015, this has become a yearly field trip.
In the past two years, we've been the recipient of over $163,000 in grant money from Wal-Mart- money which has enabled us to distribute more food (1.3 million pounds in 2014- a 26% increase over 2013), expand our staff, and purchase a new, much-needed, van!
Thanks to an additional grant from Wal-mart in 2015, we were able to purchase a second new van- this one with both freezer and refrigeration capabilities. This grant and a grant from PASS (Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System) enabled us to to begin a produce program, Harvest Helpings. Thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, we, along with other PA food banks, have also launched a fresh milk program, called Fill A Glass with Hope. We've also expanded our Backpack Program into 3 more school districts. The Backpack Program is now in 8 school districts and 16 schools in Mercer County!
We know without a doubt that all we have done has only been possible with God's blessing and the work and generous gifts of our many volunteers and donors.
The Community Food Warehouse belongs to you – the community – who has faithfully supported us with your prayers, your time, your funds, your love and encouragement. From our hearts, thank you from all of us here at the CFWMC. May God bless you as you have truly blessed us.
Sue Ference and Nick DiBucci of Wal Mart present Lori and Mimi with a check for $60,000. 2014.
The new van!


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Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine said a tender is being prepared for the award of a contract to install Solar Photo-Voltaic panels and solar powered distilled water stills into twenty-five schools across Trinidad and Tobago.
This according to Ramnarine will ensure that all students using a library or IT room will experience first-hand a classroom lit only by renewable energy. Ramnarine made this announcement in his address at the Inaugural Installation of Solar Lighting at Community Centres at Malabar Phase iV Community Centre , Malabar, Arima recently.
He said NEC with funding from the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs (MEEA) under the Government's PSIP is preparing a tender for the award of a contract to install Solar Photo- Voltaic panels and solar powered distilled water still into 25 schools across Trinidad and Tobago. In recognising the need by both students and teachers to learn first-hand about how this all works, the Minister has funded an intensive training programme in collaboration with UWI and UTT to train about 100 treachers and technicians from TT to be able to deliver lessons on renewable energy and energy efficiency.
The main priority of the ministry remains the increased production of oil and gas to sustain our many world class facilities and provide citizens with fuel for transport and generated electricity. On this note Ramnarine took the opportunity to inform the population that TT has now become the second country in the world to generate all its electrical power from the cleanest fuel natural gas. This as many other first world countries still heavily depend on diesel, coal and fuel oil for power generation. Ramnarine told his audience that while renewable energy does serve as an adjunct to conventional power generation, we cannot say in any short space of time that it will completely replace it in TT.
What is key in our own timeline is the recognition of energy as an essential commodity and should treat it with the respect it deserves. Sadly TT remains one of the least energy efficient countries in the Caribbean region and partly because all enjoy the lowest electricity prices, some may gasp in awe as they consider what are already high electricity bills, but one must keep in mind if they lived for example in Dominica one will be paying ten times that same figure.
Ramnarine said what we are guilty of then is encouraging a culture of wastefulness with regard to energy. "Too often unnecessary lights are on, clothes are packed into a dryer even on hot and windy days, doors are left open in air condition rooms. All in all we take energy for granted Ramnarine said.
He said the solution is not as simple as increasing the electricity prices to punish people, but an approach to inform and educate them about simple ways to stop this unnecessary wastage.
Source: Newsday.com


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There's a powerful message in How to Miss a Childhood.
Connie gives her perspective on teaching children to share in On Forcing Children to Share (and Socialism).
I was inspired by Susan's "One a Day" Series to think of little ways that I can show my husband how much I love him.
I'm continuing to work on losing a few pounds, so I read through Katie's Five Keys to Weight Loss with Real Food.
Crystal shares some great tips in A Beginner's Guide to Freezer Cooking.
I've found even more to admire in Lisa's house in The Organized Homeschool.
This afternoon we'll be attending our daughters' piano recital. It's always a blessing to see how much all that practice pays off!!
Have a wonderful weekend!


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Photography – the most lucrative, fun and adventurous profession. With a recent boom in media, fashion and advertising, the opportunities in this profession are flourishing. Sometime back being a professional photographer might not have appealed the masses but now lots of people want to try their hand in this creative field. This leads us to our next question, how to go about pursuing a career in photography.
One way is you buy a DSLR or a point & shoot camera which is very common these days and just go about clicking pictures; there are various forums online which help you in guiding how to click great pictures. There are a lot of tips & tricks available online in the form of blogs, e-books, tutorials, etc to help you in becoming better at this skill over time and gradually taking a leap into Photography as a full-time career. We are mentioning a few sites which can help you in this process:
The other way is a step by step process for those of you who know that Photography is your calling. We would suggest that you go for some photography courses to get your basics in place. Going for a course will not only get you a certificate/diploma/degree which will be recognized in the industry when you are struggling to begin your career; it will also be a good place to network with your peers and teachers.
Topics covered
Top Photography institutes in India
- Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi provides a Certificate course in Photography.
- Osmania University, Hyderabad provides a degree course Bachelor in Fine Arts (Photography).
- A.J. Kidwai Mass Communication Research Centre, Delhi provides a P.G Diploma course in Still Photography & Visual Communication. (This is a private college affiliated to the Jamia Millia Islamia University).
- The Indian Institute of Digital Art and Animation (Kolkata) provides two full-time degree courses – Bachelor of Visual Arts (Photography) & B.Sc Photography & Cinematography.
- Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT), Noida offers a 3-month Diploma program as well as a 1-year P.G Diploma program in Still Photography & Journalism.
- Sir JJ School of Applied Art, Mumbai provides a 2 years Master of Fine Arts Course and a 1 year part time Apprentice Training course.
- Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts & Communication (SACAC), New Delhi. Offers a 1 year P.G Diploma in Creative Photography and a 2 month Certificate Weekend course in Still Photography.
We have further consolidated a list of other institutes offering various courses in photography:
Degree Courses:
- Fergussan College, Affiliated to University of Pune
- Symbiosis School of Photography (SSP), Pune
Diploma Courses:
- Delhi School of Photography, New Delhi
- The Light and Life Academy, Ooty
- Bharati Vidyapeeth's School of Photograph, Pune
- FX School, Surat
- Indian School of Photography, New Delhi
- Jewellery Design and Technology Institute (JDTI), Noida
Certificate Courses:
- Harkisan Mehta Foundation Institute of Journalism and Mass Communication (HMFIJ), Mumbai
- Delhi School of Photography, New Delhi
Photography equipment/gear required:
To pursue a career in professional photography, you need to have a few basic and few specific types of equipment/gear. Talking about the monetary investment, the fee structure varies depending upon the course. Camera – the instrument for photography is another huge investment along with other types of equipments like different lenses, tripods, filters, etc.
Apart from monetary investments, this profession demands a lot of time. There are no fixed hours of working. The more you click the more expertise you gain. Your work doesn't end at clicking; editing the pictures is a huge task in itself. This is quite a time-consuming profession, however, don't lose your heart – remember 'Rome wasn't built in a day'.
👉 Know about Career as Visual Communication Designer
Salary Structure
As a photographer you have a lot of options, you can choose to freelance, work full-time or even start your own business. To help you kick start your career you can assist some of the senior photographers wherein you may earn anywhere between Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,500 per month.
Remuneration depends on the type of photography you choose – Commercial and advertising photographers are highly paid likewise photographers involved in photojournalism like those working for discovery, TLC or national geographic also earn handsome amounts.
Freelancing can fetch you anything between Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 for a project depending upon the kind of assignments and your experience. With a good portfolio and exposure, you may even get paid more than this.
In a full-time job, as a fresher, the pay may vary from Rs 10,000 to Rs 40,000 per month depending on your skill and the creativity you add to your work.
A career in photography could be the best career choice for those who are passionate about this field. Photography is part of the service industry. We provide the product as demanded by our clients. Remember no matter what the customer is always right. Never lose a client. Behind every perfect shot, there are thousands of clicks. In this career perseverance is the only key. Initially, you might have to settle with mediocre pay but don't you worry child. Once you know how to get your angles right then the ball is certainly in your court.
This career comes out of pure passion and the level of contentment one achieves by following their passion is unbeatable. So pull up your socks and be ready to be a new trendsetter in the world of photography.
Also Read:
- Career in Dance
- Career in Drama
- Career as a Singer
- Career in Modelling
- Career as a Choreographer
- Career as a Flim Maker
- Career as a Flim Editor
- Career as an Actor
- Career as a Production Designer
- Career as a Flim And Video Designer
The iDC Editorial Team brings in a collective work experience of more than 25 years in diverse fields spanning from career counselling, management consulting, engineering, and technology to science, finance, and humanities. The team's key competencies are in research and analysis of careers, jobs, and industries. The team boasts a few best-in-class writers on careers and education.


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Dear (s)
Bliss, the monthly newsletter of Srinivas Youngmens' Association [SYMA] is here.
click here to download : SYMA Bliss 112012
click here to download : SYMA Bliss 112012
The issue details :
v The Eye Camp conducted by SYMA on Independence day, when more than 150 patients were screened and 15 performed 'free cataract' surgery at
, Pammal. The camp was inaugurated by cine fame Gangai
Amaran Sankara Eye
v Of the 'Diabetic and Cardiac Care' camp held on Gandhi Jayanthi day, when around 165 persons were screened. In this camp, BP, sugar, ECG and Echo tests were conducted.
v Of the rally organized by SYMA for spreading awareness of 'dengue' and for keeping the environ clean, without water stagnation and eliminating breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Every issue of BLISS contains a Q – and this time it is on 'Bagel' the ring shaped doughnut bread, do you how this is associated with Sports and what is Golden Bagel Award
All this and more, read our issue of Bliss.
Join SYMA, support of social activities; together we will strive for betterment of the Society
With regards –
S Sampathkumar
Secretary – SYMA
Editor Bliss.


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Are Dissolution and Cancellation the Same?
This post is about dissolution and cancellation of limited liability companies (LLCs) in California.
It is based on an Avvo question that I answered. Please see What is the difference between a canceling or dissolving LLC?
Dissolution and Cancellation are Different…
Dissolution (and winding up) of a limited liability company is the process that the LLC goes through to get ready for termination of its existence (i.e., cancellation by the Secretary of State).
Cancellation is the process that the Secretary of State goes through that results in termination of the LLC's powers, rights, and privileges after the LLC has gone through dissolution and winding up of its affairs.
…But Work Together
Put another way, dissolution and cancellation are the two steps that must be taken, by two different parties (the LLC and the State), for an LLC's existence to end. While both steps usually are required, they are not the same thing (if they were, two different terms probably would not be used).
So, in most cases, dissolution proceeds pursuant to Corporations Code Section 17707.01, and cancellation occurs pursuant to Section 17707.08(c).
However, if the LLC has not conducted any business, it may go immediately to cancellation – there is no need for dissolution and winding up. See Corporations Code Section 17707.02 .
Please note that whereas (in California, at any rate) dissolution applies to both LLCs and corporations, cancellation applies to LLCs but not to corporations.
For more information about dissolution of such entities, please see How to Kill Your Company when that's the Only Choice.
Dana H. Shultz, Attorney at Law +1 510-547-0545 dana [at] danashultz [dot] com
This blog does not provide legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice, please contact a lawyer directly.
Business Entities


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Awarded Microsoft MVP Award for 2013
This afternoon I received an email from Microsoft to tell me that I'd been awarded the 2013 Microsoft MVP Award for ASP.Net/IIS! This is my sixth MVP Award and I've mentioned before I am extremely humble to be associated with a great group of less than 5000 technical people around the globe. I'll be aiming to continue my efforts to help the community and deliver as much content as I can to aid and spread knowledge.


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It's only been less than a year since Frank Ocean dropped his last album, Blonde, but it seems like forever ago that nobody knew where in the world Frank Ocean was. After dropping his Grammy-winning Channel Orange in 2012, Frank all but disappeared entirely, only to emerge with a visual album and a studio album that was far more daring than his first.
In a bit of good news for Frank Ocean fans and music nerds out there, the critically acclaimed Dissect podcast, which recently partnered with Spotify to release a third season, will be focusing their attention on Frank, first with a six-episode mini series about Channel Orange, and then an entire season on Blonde. Dissect typically focuses on a single album per season, with the past two seasons bring in-depth analysis to Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly.
In an interview with Pigeons & Planes, host Cole Cuchna discussed why Frank Ocean made such a compelling subject for the new season. "Beyond his music, which is always first and foremost in my mind, Frank Ocean has an incredibly interesting story," said Cuchna. "As I was researching his music and his background, I realized that his art and his personal actions move in parallel in pursuit of the same thing: truth and authenticity."
The third season of the podcast will officially premiere tomorrow, May 15th, exclusively on Spotify. Each episode will premiere on other podcast platforms a week after its initial Spotify release.


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Horror Movie Locations
Living in Los Angeles, we have the chance to be able to drive around and visit some of locations where they filmed some of our favorite horror movies. Here are just a few of the scary locations that we've stopped by over the years. We'll try to update this with as many more locations as we come across.
The Myers House
The Strode House
Opening Shot of Haddonfield
The Hedge
Annie's House
The Hardware Store
The Gate to Smith's Grove Sanitarium
Street where the Doyle and Wallace houses are located across the street from each other.
The Doyle House
The Wallace House
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The IDC's latest numbers are here and it is reporting that tablet numbers have increased by 6.7% in the quarter just gone, and 49.5% year-over-year. Apple enjoying shipping just over half of the 27.8 million slates across the world, but they lost a considerable amount of market share.
The iPad maker had 65.5% of the market in Q2, but dropped down to just 50.4% of the market in Q3 - a huge drop. IDC says that this is because people were holding off for the iPad mini - but I don't agree with that. There can't be that many people in the market knowing three months out that there was definitely going to be a new iPad on the market.
Samsung were number two, increasing their market share to 18.4% thanks to their Galaxy Tab and Note 10.1 products, with Amazon and ASUS having a great quarter also. Kindle Fires and Nexus 7's helped them ship around 2.5 million of each.
As for my predictions - Apple will continue this drop, their brand is losing power and people don't need a second, or third tablet. Unless they change it dramatically, and make the iPad something that not only completely blows away the competition, but is something different entirely, do you really need an even thinner, lighter, more Retina-bursting tablet?


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Enreal from journals of Enreal tagged me for this one – kind of a strange one but fun all the same. Thank you Enreal for putting a question that has had my head wrapped round a pole for the last couple of days. It is something I have often thought about and I never stay with just one person.
Enreal called this a YouYou and not a Meme… think she is spot on in a way… ok now for the rules:
- Choose whose brain you want to pick.
- Ask a question about what you always wanted to know from that person, never mind whether it may be indiscreet – so be cautious
- Tag (with a TrackBack) the person
- Oh, yes, and of course answer the question that you were asked, more or less detailed
The question posted to me? if you could spend one hour in someone else's shoes… who would it be and what would you do?
My answer is Nelson Mandela. I choose to be in his shoes for that hour not because he is South African, not because of any reason other than the fact that I feel he is one of the most influential people alive today. When he walks into a room world leaders listen, they pay attention and they all want to be seen rubbing hands with Madiba.
As Mandela for an hour I would call two meetings. One for all the world leaders and the second for the leaders of the African nations. I would address all the leaders I world and point to each single one in turn and tell them to wake up, shake up and leave their ego's at the door. They have a world to heal not to manipulate and warp to their own benefit. In both meetings there will be discussions about the children that starve while they play war games as if it were Risk. In the Leaders of Africa meeting I will just put on a slide show of all the starving, malnourished, dying children. I will play it through and say thank you while looking at each and everyone. Thank you for killing our nation.
Hmmm either Mandela or Carmen Electra, some days I just want to know what it is like not to have an ironing board where cleavage should be.
Now my question, it is to each and everyone of you that go to this point. I can't tag there are just too many people and I will be here till next month. I have little patience… anyway's back to the question
If I handed you a magic wand for a day, what would you do with it?
Funny, straight, serious, curved, square, round… doesn't matter, if you're up for the challenge go wild with it!


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All posts tagged "Drew Barrymore"
Red Carpet
MISS YOU ALREADY Screening in NYC – Drew BarrymoreOctober 26, 2015
MISS YOU ALREADY Screening in NYC - Drew Barrymore
Movie News
Drew Barrymore Joins Adam Sandler In (Yet) Untitled Warner Bros' Comedy!March 12, 2013
It's official – Drew Barrymore will join Adam Sandler in an upcoming (and still untitled) comedy...
Movie News
Adam Sandler Boards Warner Bros. Romantic ComedyFebruary 22, 2013
Adam Sandler has signed on to star in an untitled Warner Bros. rom-com, formerly titled Blended,...
Movie News
Drew Barrymore Signed On to Helm WHEN THE STREETLIGHTS GO ONDecember 13, 2011
Well, it's that time of year again when 'Black List,' which is the compilation of most...
Movie Trailers
BIG MIRACLE Movie TrailerSeptember 23, 2011
The first trailer for Ken Kwapis' drama about whale rescue, Big Miracle, starring Drew Barrymore and...
Movie News
Drew Barrymore to Direct Heist SocietyJuly 1, 2011
Well, it definitely looks like Drew Barrymore is quite serious about her future projects. Apparently, she's...
Movie News
Drew Barrymore On Her Directorial Project How to Be SingleApril 17, 2011
Yeah, you already know what we're talking about, so let's get straight to the point. Drew...
Movie News
Drew Barrymore to Direct Romantic Comedy How to Be SingleMarch 16, 2011
Anyone single out there? Yeah, I know, I have the same problem, but it looks that...
Movie News
Kristen Bell Joins Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski in WhalesJune 22, 2010
If you're not so familiar with Ken Kwapis' new project titled Whales, then we're here today...
Movie Trailers
Going The Distance TrailerMay 23, 2010
Check out the first trailer for the romantic comedy Going the Distance, starring real-life couple Justin...


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This section contains 1,608 words
(approx. 5 pages at 400 words per page)
Chapter 8-10 Summary
In chapter eight Vicki is holding the piece of the angel wing in her hand. This is the only solid evidence that she and Tony have been able to find. They have been side tracked so easily by the other things that have been going on in the castle. Vicki and Tony roll out the maps to see what they can determine about the layout of the castle. There is a line between the Count and the Countess's bedroom. Tony and Vicki realize it must be a secret passage. They also notice that there seems to be a secret passage out of Irma's room meaning that she could have gotten out of her bedroom even with the door locked. Just then George knocks and announces that the services for the body will be held that afternoon. At the graveside Irma is...
(read more from the Chapter 8-10 Summary)
This section contains 1,608 words
(approx. 5 pages at 400 words per page)


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California | Local
You are here:
Fake LAT Home
California | Local
LAT uncorks redesigned redesign
Thrilled by a 50% jump in circulation after the paper's recent makeover, Times editors announce additional changes.
By Abby Robcarian Reporting from a 2nd-floor newsroom desk
Defying media doomsayers, the L.A. Times attracted 400,000 new subscribers this week after unveiling its "better, bolder, brighter" format.
The groundbreaking changes included a slightly larger L.A. Times logo,
hand-drawn portraits of columnists, and section labels color-coordinated with Department of Homeland Security terrorism threat levels.
The reaction was jaw-dropping. At a Starbucks in Glendale, one newspaper reader was mobbed by young people who put down their iPods and asked, "Wow, where can I get one of those?"
And a Laguna Beach man marveled over how much easier the new look is to navigate. "I never used to be able to find the Sports section when the giant label at the top was printed in black ink," he said. "Now that the word 'Sports' is blue, finding the section is a snap. Clearly, these changes are designed to better match my lifestyle and reading habits."
Times staffers were elated. "All this angst about newsroom layoffs was apparently unfounded," editor Stan Russton said. "The solution to declining readership is cleaner typography and stippled portraits of columnists."
More changes are in the pipeline. "When Phase 2 of the redesign rolls out, portraits of the paper's signature columnists will be upgraded," Russton said. "Joel Stein's picture will be fashioned by a neon artist; Patt Morrison will appear in the pointillist style of Georges Seurat; Chris Erskine receives a mosaic makeover; and T.J. Simers gets the Jackson Pollock treatment. Unfortunately, because of budget constraints, the paper's other columnists will be stick figures or smiley faces."
Phase 2 will also feature ransom note lettering for the main L.A. Times logo (see photo, upper right), to symbolize that the newspaper is being held hostage by Sam Zell.
Robcarian is a staff writer. For now.
When product mascots attack!
Burger King character's homicide arrest is latest in a string of assaults by corporate icons.
300,000 die in two-car crash
Test run of the world's first nuclear-powered automobile ends in disaster, but driver walks away without a scratch.
Copyright © 2008 by Roy Rivenburg


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Follow @SIEie_IAC
Index of all issues
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For earlier issues, please browse the Index
The newsletter of the SIE de Investigación y Enseñanza
N. 22 - October 2007
SIEminar: "GPUs: supercomputing in a desktop PC" - 24 October at 12.30
IRAF is dead ... no, it's still alive and kicking
KDE quirks and solutions
KompoZer, a new Web authoring tool
SIEminar: "GPUs: supercomputing in a desktop PC" - 24 October at 12.30
recent paper on using Graphics Processing Units
(GPUs) for calculating N-Body simulations woke up our curiosity for these monster crunching creatures (you can see a
Real-Time N-BODY simulation accelerated by GPU
at YouTube), and we invited two experts (and regular IAC collaborators) to give us a primer on this field: Dr. José M. Rodríguez Ramos and Ing. José G. Marichal Hernández (ULL)
They will give us an introduction to GPUs and how they can be used not only for graphical applications, but also for general programming, and how we can turn an ordinary PC into a 1 TeraFlop machine by just adding 2 graphical cards, for less than 1000 Euros. As an example of their use for scientific programming they will show how to calculate FFTs for an Adaptive Optics problem. You can get more information (in spanish) about this talk at the
SIE Talks and Courses page
IRAF is dead ... no, it's still alive and kicking
As you have propably already heard, a couple of years ago NOAO slashed its official support to IRAF, whose development continued thanks to the efforts (on a voluntary basis) of some of the IRAF developers and with an important community participation through the
website and forum. Now NOAO has resumed its support to IRAF, and major revisions and new functionalities are planned, as described in
and presented in the IRAF BoF at the ADASS XVII Conference in London a couple of weeks ago. In particular, a new 2.14 beta release will be soon available, with a stable, final 2.14 release expected for early next year: this version will contain various improvements to the core system, plus new packages, in particular one to access data archives and catalogs from within IRAF. The new Ximtool display will work, at last, in 24-bit depth. Not only regular IRAF users, but even President Bush and his staff have been quite impressed by these very good news:
KDE quirks and solutions
While being a great Desktop Environment, from time to time KDE may display some bizarre behavior. So far we have detected a couple of major problems, luckily both with a easy and quick solution:
Upon loggin in from the console, the message "Your session only lasted less than 10 seconds" appears, and the login screen is showed once again. The solution is to select KDE from the session options, and, after we have logged in, execute the command:
switchdesk KDE
. This should fix the problem once and forever.
All of sudden, windows become "fixed". When clicking on the edge of the window or on the window bar, the cursor changes to the correct shape (for instance an arrow) and it moves as expected. However, the windows themselves can not be moved or resized (though they can be minimized), something which can become quite annoying. If this happens to you, just type in any terminal:
kwin --replace &
, and Bob's your uncle!
KompoZer, a new Web authoring tool
First it was Mozilla Composer. Then, after Mozilla Composer was no longer developed and supported, NVU came, with the ambition of becoming a powerful, open source alternative to such professional tools as Dreamweaver or Frontpage. Unfortunately, NVU only went so far as version 1.0 in March 2005, then it just stopped there. Now, a new project called
tries to build upon NVU's experience, and looks quite promising. We have not tried it out though - just had a quick look -, but we invite anybody interested in it to download and play with this package, which is available for Windows, Linux and MacOSX as well. If you think KompoZer is good enough that it should be installed IAC-wide, just let us know.
SIE de Investigación y Enseñanza
:: N. 22 - October 2007 - Contact:
Last update: October 2007 –
SIE de Investigación y Enseñanza
– Contact:
Site Map


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Burberry's TB monogram summer collection is going virtual. The luxury label created a new video game that lets characters dress up in its latest collection. Called "B Surf", Burberry's new video game is a surfer-themed adventure where players can dress their characters in the brand's newest collection and challenge friends to competitions. Players have the opportunity to win real-life prizes including a limited-edition monogrammed surfboard and Burberry-branded bucket hats. Burberry is offering in-game prizes as well, such as special face filters and AR-themed characters.
"B Surf" is Burberry's third video game, but first multiplayer game. The brand released its first video game in late 2019, called "B Bounce", which was available in 40 countries. At the beginning of the year, the luxury label released its second video game, "Ratberry", which served as an extension to "B Bounce". Both games were played by millions of consumers around the world, so it makes sense that Burberry would extend the successful marketing effort to another gaming initiative. By making "B Surf" multiplayer, Burberry increases the chance for players to share the game with their friends, potentially increasing engagement and audience participation for the brand. The newest game is available on Burberry's website, Chinese messaging app WeChat, and luxury shopping site Farfetch.
Burberry's continuation into the video game industry follows a larger trend amongst luxury fashion labels to embrace alternative, digital marketing initiatives. For example, fashion brand Gucci is active on Snapchat, while Valentino has promoted its fashion on Nintendo's Animal Crossing. As gaming increases worldwide—in addition to a surge during the Coronavirus pandemic—Burberry could raise its brand exposure and grow a loyal consumer base of gamers. By making "B Surf" compatible with mobile devices, Burberry could further boost its image, as mobile devices are not only the most popular gaming platform in the world, but increasingly used as tools to assist in luxury product research and discovery, according to a Gartner report. As "B Surf" is not as competitive a game as others, Burberry could draw in both casual gamers and luxury lovers looking for a lighthearted and stylish gaming experience.
Burberry is once again embracing digital media to promote its popular TB monogram collection. With millions of consumers remaining inside this summer, Burberry's attention-grabbing video game could help gamers play with friends from far away, while staying up-to-date on Burberry's latest collection.
Credit: Gartner Daily Insights – Click here to view the article
More related articles: Animal Crossing Could Set New Horizons For Business Opportunities, Burberry to Introduce Sustainability Labels to Its Products, and Can Virtual Influencers and Avatars Change the Face of Chinese Ecommerce?
Merchandising and Design Experts (MADE) specializes in trend forecasting and market positioning foresight for the fashion and retail market. Delivering researched and highly relevant insight on market conditions, emergent opportunities, and key products. MADE bespoke reports help clients to identify and capitalize on current and future market trends. For more information about these topics and market trends and strategy please contact MADE Trends.


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Best of Brazil Tour
$9800per person
Our most comprehensive best of Brazil tour itinerary is designed especially for families looking to get immersed in Brazil's culture, beaches and eco experiences.
Our most comprehensive best of Brazil tour is designed especially for families looking to immerse themselves in the best Brazil have to offer in regards to beaches, culture and eco experiences.
You begin in Rio de Janeiro to experience the Christ statue, sugarloaf mountain and the lifestyle of the beach-going carioca. Next, we explore the baroque influences and colonial towns along Brazils Gold Road, then off to Iguassu Falls to experience one of the world's most spectacular waterfalls; Eleanor Roosevelt is said to have exclaimed on first seeing these falls: "Poor Niagara! This makes Niagara look like a kitchen faucet." We visit the Pantanal next to explore Brazil's largest wetlands; wild macaws, tucans, anteaters and gators await. Next we are off to Salvador's cobblestone streets with its African influences, music, art and carnival rehearsals. Our last stop is to Chapada Diamantina where we explore the National park by hiking and cave diving in Brazil's greener version of our Grand Canyon.
Summary of the Luxury Best of Brazil Tour:
Day 1: Rio de Janeiro
Today you will in Rio, and you have the afternoon for relaxation.
Days 2-3: Rio de Janeiro
Days two and three, are all about experiencing Rio's magnificent and main attractions.
Day 4: Belo Horizonte & Ouro Preto
In the morning, a private transfer will take you to the airport in Rio de Janeiro, where you fly to Belo Horizonte, transfer to Ouro Preto, and check in at the hotel.
Day 5: Ouro Preto
Today is a full day tour of Ouro Preto.
Day 6: Congonhas & Tiradentes
Along the way to Tiradentes, we will stop in Congonhas for exploration. Once you've arrived in Tiradentes, you will check in at Pousada Solar da Ponte.
Day 7: Tiradentes & Sao Joao de Rei
Your private guide today will take you o a full day tour of Tiradentes and Sao Joao de Rei.
Day 8: Belo Horizonte & Iguassu Falls (Brazil Side)
You will be transferred to the airport in Belo Horizonte in the morning, where you take a flight to Iguassu Falls, and a private transfer will take you to a hotel in Iguassu. In the afternoon, your tour guide will give you a tour of the Brazil side of the Iguassu Falls.
Day 9: Iguassu Falls (Argentina Side)
In the morning, there will be a half-day walking tour to see Argentina's lower and upper circuit with a private guide. You will be able to experience the base of the Iguassu Falls by taking boats to the base.
Day 10: Campo Grande & Pantanal
A private transfer will take you to the airport in Iguassu in the morning, where you will fly to Campo Grande, and a private transfer will take to the Refúgio Ecológico Caiman.
Day 11: Pantanal
Today, there is a Morning Photo Safari Tour, and as for the afternoon, there will be a horseback ride to explore Pantanal.
Day 12: Pantanal
There is a hiking tour in the morning, before getting in canoes for the Canadian Canoe Tour.
Day 13: Campo Grande & Salvador
You will be transferred to the Campo Grande airport, and take a flight to Salvador, where you will check in at the hotel.
Day 14: Salvador
In the morning, there is an African Oriented Tour with a private guide, and in the afternoon, there is a Panoramic City Tour.
Day 15: Salvador
On day fifteen, there will be a full day Cachoeira Country Ride Tour.
Day 16: Lencois & Chapada Diamantina
There will be a morning private transfer to the airport in Salvador, where you will fly to Lençois, and check in at Canto das Águas. In the afternoon, you can go on a Serrano River Tour.
Day 17: Lencois & Chapada Diamantina
Today, you will be visiting the Mucugezinho River, Pai Inácio Mountain, Pratinha Cave, Blue Cave, and the Lapa Doce Cave.
Day 18: Lencois & Chapada Diamantina
During day eighteen, we will try to reach the Sossego Waterfall, and on the way back from that thrilling hike, we will take a visit to the "Ribeirão do Meio".
Day 19: Departure from Chapada Diamantina
In the morning, you will be transferred to the airport in Lençois, where you will take your safe return flight home.
DepartureRio de Janeiro/Varies
IncludeEntry Fees5 Star AccommodationPersonal GuideAirport TransfersBreakfast
Not IncludedDeparture Taxes


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We have a business friendly atmosphere and an excellent quality of life in South Central Indiana. Employers relocating within our area find a strong sense of community, pride and heritage.
We welcome the opportunity to show you in person, why your company should relocate here.
There are many companies, large and small, that are proud to call South Central Indiana home. This region has a wide range of employers — many start-up here and maintain their headquarters in the region, while others are national companies that have a major presence in our region.
South Central Indiana : Major Employers by County
Links to the 10 counties that make up the South Central Indiana region are provided below for instant access to major employers located within each individual county. No matter whom you contact, the entire region is at your disposal.
Bartholomew County
Clark County
Decatur County
Floyd County
Harrison County
Jackson County
Jefferson County
Jennings County
Scott County
Washington County


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For the first time ever, the Flagler County school district has a finalist for the state-wide Teacher and Employee of the Year award.
Sue McVeigh, a Flagler district employee since 1987 who works in the Exceptional Student Education Department, was named a finalist as a non-instructional employee. She will be attending the award breakfast on May 17 at Legoland in Winter Haven.
Harriett Holiday, the district's human resources director, announced the news to the Flagler County School Board, which was meeting this evening. The announcement, at around 8 p.m., came just two hours after Holiday herself had learned the news.
"So how many of us can go?" Superintendent Janet Valentine asked.
"According to the message," Holiday said, "she gets three guests, and the superintendent will be invited. Her travel will be reimbursed for her to come down the night before, and she gets tickets for Legoland afterward. I don't know about anyone else."
McVeigh was honored as the non-instructional employee of the year locally at an award ceremony on Jan. 17, along with Colleen Newman, who was named Teacher of the Year. Newman teaches at Belle Terre Elementary. Newman had her own special honor earlier this month when she was one of six teachers honored by Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet. Newman received the Governor's Shine Award.
The school awards are split in two categories to ensure that those who work behind the scenes rather than as teachers in classrooms—bus drivers, custodians, secretaries, aides, administrative staff—are also recognized.
McVeigh has worked as a media aide, computer proctor, and exceptional education teacher in her years with the district. She is currently an ESE Parent Specialist, serving as a liaison between parents and the school system as well as between parents and the community. She is responsible for facilitating exceptional students' academic, emotional and personal success. She has herself implemented new programs—from parenting classes to a surrogate parent program to Exceptional Family Saturday socials–to ensure that parents' needs are addressed, and that they feel included. She was one of 12 employees in the district finals, and one of 67 in the state finals.
"She is our very first in my—wow, how many years have I been here? Way too many," said School Board member Sue Dickinson. "Thirty-two years. It's the first time we've had a district winner for a non-instruct," she said, using the short-hand for non-instructional personnel.


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Oventus' snoring treatment – the O2Vent T oral device is featured in the Channel 7 News story (link below) and is providing relief to sufferers of snoring and sleep apnoea. The device is provided by trained dentists Australia wide.
Contact Oventus on 1300 533 159 if you would like further information.
Leave a Reply


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Click Here
Keep up-to-date on all the announcements and website news!
My policy is to follow the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12); I hate spam too, and will never sell or give away your email address.
And Thy House
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
~ Acts 16:31 ~
first thought of every man who comes to Christ, is the salvation of his own soul.
Naturally, when that question has been settled in both heart and mind, his next concern
is the salvation of his family.
Chuck Overholt understood this fact well. He had slept soundly through the night only to awaken three hours before daybreak. As he stared groggily at the dotted paneled ceiling of his room, the pattern slowly formed into the likeness of Charlie. Yes, she was foremost concern in his mind, for the salvation of his dear Charlie's soul was at stake.
Overcome with care, Chuck decided to give it to the Lord in prayer. First, he thanked God for the return of his daughter, who was the dearest person, except for Christ Himself, to his heart. Then, Chuck asked God to intervene on his daughter's behalf, and somehow reach his Charlie, to the saving of her soul.
As any good parent would, Chuck knew his daughter. He knew her temperament and inclinations-- both of which could easily stand in the way for this glorious event to take place.
As Chuck lie in bed, waiting for morning to break, he recalled the time when Charlie, who was no more than four at the time, wanted to "pet" a cactus at a local zoo in Montana. She had never seen a cactus before, and was enthralled with its myriad of spines and showy flowers. Chuck told her, repeatedly, that she would get hurt if she touched the cactus, but Charlie simply refused to believe him. Chuck could still remember holding his screaming daughter while the zoo doctor extracted each painful spine with the aid of tweezers and a magnifying glass.
Charlie's inherent stubbornness was compounded by the realization that she was smarter than her father. This understanding bred a tendency to disbelieve him. When it became apparent to her that he didn't comprehend something as accurately as herself, Charlie would often dismiss his point of view, even though it had merits of its own.
When Charlie's eyes glazed over in the I'll-humor-you-because-you're-my-Daddy look, Chuck knew he was fighting a losing battle. At these times, he would pull rank and make an executive decision, rather than debate the subject any further. If she was to be saved, God would have to perform a miracle to do it.
Then there was Vera's, "fish in the sea," comment to consider. He had protested that she was too young to think very seriously about boys, or, in Mike Garner's case, men. However, he could not deny the fact, that his own mother was only one year older than Charlie when she married his father. What did the future hold for his daughter? Oh, that his life had been one of faith and Christ-like example! Charlie had grown up without Christian principles or guidance. True is the proverb, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Charlie had not been trained in the way she should go. Chuck had left her spiritually open to whoever might walk into her life and influence it, whether for good or for bad. The older his daughter became, the harder it would be to correct her before it was too late-- before his influence over her would be replaced by someone else's.
Chuck chastised himself for putting his daughter in such a precarious circumstance. How could Charlie possibly have any hope of being reached, now? As Chuck began to despair, he thought of something that Adam had told him-- if we love God, then all things conspire to our good. "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Clutching this promise, Chuck took heart, and fell asleep once more.
"He was such a cute baby! See here?" pointed Vera, holding the photo album in front of Charlie. Charlie squinted her eyes to read the inscription beneath the photo.
"Chucky, three and a half months old," she read out loud. "Chucky?" repeated Charlie, grinning at her father who had just sauntered into the living room in his pajamas. Chuck smiled sheepishly.
"Now you know," he said, flopping down into an armchair opposite the couch.


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Germany is a beautiful, varied country with an impressive culture and endless travel opportunities, but, unfortunately, you rarely see it on top of travelers' lists. Why and how is this happening I have no idea, but I do know that its deep forests, fairy-tale castles, and picture-perfect towns are something that you shouldn't miss. Add to all these some excellent beer, the most beautiful Christmas Markets, and an abundance of activities, and you'll soon wonder why in the world you haven't visited Germany earlier. Learn more about best tourist places in Germany
The following destinations, with their splendid architecture and unquestionable charm, are hands down the most beautiful places to visit in Germany.
List of Top Tourist Places in Germany – You'll be love to explore
Berlin, Germany
it is one of the most interesting cities in Europe, and certainly the one that has changed the most in the last 20 years. Once the symbol of the Cold War, it has become Europe's capital of cool– a vibrant mix of fashion, design, music, and art.
A cultural city always on the move and a budget traveler's paradise, the German capital has something for everyone, from pulsating nightlife to more than 170 world-class museums, galleries, and philharmonics, and from stately relics that still tell the story of its turbulent past to all the promises of a glittering future.
Enrich your experience in it with a visit to the Museum Island in the Spree River and a stopover at the fabulous East Side Gallery to see paintings by artists from all over the world displayed on the it Wall. Other than that, you can go shopping to Kurfürstendamm, the city's most famous avenue; experience the Berlinese coffee culture in the Mitte (the historical center of Berlin), and get a true taste of its tremendous nightlife in the fashionable Friedrichshain area.
If you're visiting the city in winter, you're in for a treat: it hosts some of the best and biggest Christmas markets in Germany. The variety is outstanding and all of them sell high-quality products. You can choose between traditional and alternative, British-inspired and Scandinavian-themed, eco-friendly and designer-oriented– whatever it is that you're into, the city's got you covered!
Cologne, Germany
Home to one of the most impressive cathedrals in the world, a thriving art scene, and some of the most high-spirited locals, Cologne makes for a delightful European city break, whether you're looking for culture, entertainment, or pampering thermal baths. It is the fourth largest city in Germany and one of its most libertine destinations, alongside Berlin.
The most beautiful sights in Cologne include its UNESCO-listed cathedral (Kölner Dom); the Hohenzollern Bridge, famous for its love padlocks; the Altstadt (Old Town), with its lovely historical buildings and monuments; as well as the fashionable areas of Agnesviertel and the Belgian Quarter.
If you happen to be in Cologne in November, don't miss the Cologne Carnival. It is widely considered one of the greatest street festivals in Europe, and maybe the world.
The Romantic Road
Neuschwanstein Castle
Germany's most scenic drive, the Romantic Road, offers visitors the opportunity to discover the rich culture, picturesque scenery, and medieval character of this fantastic country. Running between Würzburg and Füssen, it leads travelers through Bavaria's most stunning attractions, including the spectacular Neuschwanstein Castle, the baroque city of Würzburg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber– the best-preserved medieval town in the country, and the enchanting Pfaffenwinkel region, famous for its rolling countryside peppered with quaint villages and pilgrimage churches.
Although the route is quite touristy and can get pretty busy during the summer months, it delivers one of the most authentic experiences Germany has to offer, one that combines local hospitality with history, art, culture, and natural beauty.
Speicherstadt in Hamburg, Germany.
From fascinating historical architecture to striking futuristic buildings to some of the best nightlife in Europe, Hamburg has it all. Nestled on the River Elbe, Germany's second-largest metropolis prides itself with an abundance of parks and green spaces, a treasure-packed historic center, and more bridges than any other city in the world. Fine dining restaurants line the riverbank, museums are bursting with world-class art and naval memorabilia, and its beautiful Town Hall is a marvel of neo-Renaissance architecture.
Those with more contemporary tastes should definitely visit the futuristic HafenCity district, one of Europe's most ambitious inner-city developments. This 2.2 sq km area along Hamburg's port is a striking mix of towering skyscrapers, modern glass facades, and airy promenades, with a shimmering concert hall (Elbphilharmonie) designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron and its heart.
Otherwise, the UNESCO-awarded Speicherstadt is the largest warehouse district on the planet, a remarkable ensemble of Neo-Gothic brick buildings built on oak piles and interspersed with century-old waterways.
It boasts a wealth of architectural treasures such as the astonishing Zwinger Palace– one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture, the impressive Brühl's Terrace, or the stately Dresden Frauenkirche, a Lutheran church that dominates the city's skyline.
The charm of Dresden lies in its scenic location on the Elbe River, but also in its alluring neighborhoods and glorious green areas. In addition to the charming Altstadt, where most of the city's landmarks are located, this German jewel box city is teeming with lovely spots just waiting to be discovered such as the charming Baroque Quarter– full of sweet idiosyncratic shops and eye-catching baroque houses; the lively and fashionable Neustadt; or the Großer Garten– Dresden's most delightful park.
See Also.10 Day Germany Itinerary for Tourists
Marienplatz, Munich.
Munich is the capital of Bavaria and one of the most beautiful and livable cities in Germany. Most people know it due to the world-famous Oktoberfest, but its lure goes far beyond the local beer culture.
In the "cosmopolitan city with a big heart", you'll find magnificent architecture, castles, museums, and lovely parks, but also an exuberant atmosphere buzzing with creative energy.
When it comes to what to see and do in Munich, the city has no shortage of sightseeing, fine dining, shopping, and entertainment. Most popular attractions include the Marienplatz– Munich's beating heart; the Deutsches Museum (German Museum), often regarded as the world's largest technological museum; the iconic Hofbrauhaus brewery; and the stunning Englischer Garten (English Garden).
Danube River in Regensburg.
One of Germany's oldest towns, Regensburg is overflowing with medieval charm and vibrant student life. The mighty Danube flows through its center, and narrow winding alleyways crisscross its architecturally fascinating Old Town, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Founded by the Romans as early as 179 A.D, this welcoming mid-sized Bavarian town is a treasure trove for culture and history lovers. Its most remarkable sights are the 310-meter-long Stone Bridge (Steinerne Brücke) over the Danube and the 13th-century Cathedral of St. Peter, whose marvelous Gothic spires dominate the cityscape.
Nevertheless, Regensburg has more bars and pubs per square mile than any other city in Germany, including Wurstkuchl, the world's oldest sausage tavern; and it's a gateway to some great outdoor activities, from cycling to rock climbing.
The Mosel Valley.
Most beautiful place in Germany.
Lined with picturesque terraced vineyards, half-timbered medieval villages, and hilltop fairytale castles, the Mosel Valley is one of the best Tourist Places in Germany.
This long and peaceful Rhine's tributary flows for 195 km between Trier and Koblenz, marking one of the country's top white wine-producing regions. This is a wonderful destination to escape the chaos of everyday life, immerse yourself in the German culture, and indulge in wine tasting.
Highlights include the wonderful Roman city of Trier; Cochem, with its towering castle and quaint riverfront promenade; the sleepy village of Beilstein; and the elegant Art Nouveau town of Traben-Trarbach.
One of the best times to visit Germany's idyllic Mosel Valley is late summer/early fall, when the villages come to life with sprightly harvest and wine festivals featuring street parades, live music, and delicious local produce.
Görlitz, Germany.
Arguably the most beautiful town in Germany and best Tourist Places in Germany , Görlitz lures visitors with its quiet cobblestone alleys, glorious squares, and fabulous architecture spanning a variety of styles, from Gothic and Renaissance to Baroque and Wilhelminian.
Located in Saxony, near the border with Poland, this is the country's easternmost town, and, if you cross the Neisse river via the pedestrian bridge, you can walk right into Zgorzelec, its Polish twin city. The immaculate Old Town packs around 4,000 listed buildings and a colorful array of cafés that spill out onto the sidewalks.
Görlitz's lovely historical sites have been featured in movies like Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds (2009 ), The Book Thief (2013 ), or The Reader (2008 ).
Bamberg Town Hall.
Built on seven hills, the characterful Bavarian town of Bamberg and best Tourist Places in Germany is often referred to as the Rome of Franconia. Its UNESCO-protected Altstadt is a warren of winding cobblestone streets, elaborate mansions, and beautifully preserved half-timber structures, and its beer culture is second to none.
Brightly painted fishermen's houses line the Regnitz river, the City Hall stands on an island, and its ancient 11th-century cathedral is one of the most important in Germany.


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Mike Bellah
Warning: This Column Could Hurt
Recently I've been thinking about warnings and disclaimers. In a society where the quickest road to wealth seems to be the lawsuit, every product and service has an ever increasing list.
You've read them: Don't take this drug if you're currently taking Ibuprofen, Penicillin, or Campbell's Chicken Soup. Don't operate this grass trimmer if you're under the influence of alcohol or Zen Buddhism. The characters and events in this sit com are completely made up and any resemblance to actual events and people is wholly coincidental ("The bum just looks like you, Uncle Charlie").
So I've decided that to be in line with the times I need my own warnings and disclaimers for this column. Since the emotionally unstable or intellectually gullible might place too much faith in these words--might even act on things I have to say here--I've devised a test to weed them out.
Some warnings
Please don't read this column if . . .
A disclaimer
Finally, I include a brief disclaimer, just in case any of you try to get your money back for this newspaper (if you're reading this on the web, you've paid no money, but here's the disclaimer anyway). Warning: This column might not help--might even hurt-- the following:
Respond to this column on Best Years Blog.
View others' responses to this column before January 2004.


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|1980s Warriors of the Galaxy figures plus green & orange 1990s vending bootlegs
WHAT: There are so many toy lines that came out of the Masters of the Universe-spurred fantasy craze of the 1980s--many very obscure, but also very cool. Marty Toys' "Warriors of the Galaxy" is a perfect example. These toys are very similar to DFC's line of fantasy playsets from the era in that they consisted of playset pieces and a play mat along with various hard plastic mini figures, although they combine the MOTU-type fantasy style with an outer space element.
If you visit this thread over at the Action Figure Archive forums, you can learn a lot of little details about Warriors of the Galaxy toys and see many photos of a boxed and unboxed playset, including vehicles, weapons and an electronic castle piece that came with the sets.
I don't own a full playset, but I do own a few of the mini figures that came with it. At least I kind of do. From what I have read over at the LittleRubberGuys.com forums, there were many bootlegs of the original Marty Toy figures produced over the years, and I'm pretty sure what I have are some of those. In any case, the figures were made of either gold or silver/gray monochromatic hard plastic, featuring an assortment of both beastly and heroic characters that could be used to engage in space battle. As shown in the Action Figure Archives thread linked above, there were at least 10 different characters split into either "Golden Heroes" or "Galactic Demons." I really like how strange and crazy some of the creatures look.
Warriors of the Galaxy is definitely a noteworthy piece of 1980s fantasy toy nostalgia, especially if you get into the really obscure stuff like I do. I'm hoping to add more of the figures to my collection soon.
WHEN: Circa 1983
WHERE: Sold at least in the U.S., and possibly other countries.
WHO: The original Warriors of the Galaxy figures/playsets were produced by Marty Toy, a company which I don't believe made it out of the '80s. One of the other toy lines they produced is Outer Terrestrial Creatures, a set of weird-looking little alien bendables.


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February 13, 2018
Remarks delivered by U.S. Ambassador to Canada Kelly Craft
at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute's Canada-U.S. Dinner
As Prepared for Delivery
This is a wonderful event for me because it centers on what is NOW my passion – strengthening the already close relationship between Canada and the United States.
Each of my predecessors told me — the secret sauce in doing this job is having a good rapport with your counterpart, and they couldn't have been more correct. Let me compliment you on Canada's Ambassador to the United States, David MacNaughton. David and I collaborate on a daily basis most weeks about the common challenges we face in navigating not only the Canada/U.S. relationship, but also how we on this continent face global challenges together.
We have a special relationship with other countries – but none like Canada.
We are like siblings — living next door to each other – affectionate, loyal…maybe a little competitive. We are both proud and prosperous countries.
We both have first-term heads of government who are strong-willed and charismatic. And with the ongoing trade negotiations, NAFTA surely dominates in shaping the popular sense that there are some challenging moments for us to deal with in the days and months ahead.
But the sibling metaphor can be taken a bit too far. In some ways, it can sound patronizing for an American to say to Canadians, "We are family; it will all work out fine; don't you worry."
At the same time, there is no doubt we have far more in common than anything that divides us, even on trade. This concept is my True North, my guiding core principle on any issue between our countries.
In the strongest— healthiest families— as siblings get older, they adapt to change by communicating clearly and being respectful. In that vein, I want to explain today why our President, with a clear mandate from the people across the United States, saw a need for sweeping change.
Responding to this mandate doesn't weaken our alliance. It can be every bit as strong as it has been for decades – if not stronger (my goal). With our election in 2016, the American people announced we are going in a different direction. President Trump awakened and inspired the sentiments that had been building up in the United States for a long time.
We don't want to leave Canada behind; to the contrary, we want you to understand in clear terms –we want an updated NAFTA to stimulate North America to be more competitive in the global economy.
I've learned a lot so far in my few months in Canada, but one of the most important things is how knowledgeable Canadians are about what's going on in the United States. I dare say it is not uncommon for me to find myself in conversation with Canadians from all over the country who are often more informed about American politics than some of my fellow citizens.
That's a testament to the extraordinary civic mindedness and international outlook of the people of this country. And it stands to reason that they are weighing American actions through a Canadian prism. But sometimes it is useful to look at all sides. That too becomes a challenge with today's competitive 24-hour news cycle.
It is oftentimes difficult to discern what is current news or old news, what is real or fake, what is reporting versus advocacy. There has been SO much change in the U.S. in the last year – and for that matter, the last 24 hours – that I have to tell you that a lot of Americans will openly express they don't really understand what is going on.
That's why events like this evening are so important. They bring together people, like you and me, who are concerned about future policy decisions. We both want better outcomes for the citizens of our respective countries.
People who are willing to learn and trust by engaging in "the policy debate," whatever the topic, will increase the chance for better outcomes.
I wish to thank The Macdonald-Laurier Institute for bringing us together this evening. This organization is named, as you know, after two of Canada's great prime ministers. Sir John A. McDonald, one of your namesakes offered advice about both our countries that is as relevant today as the day he uttered it:
"Whatever you do, adhere to the Union. We are a great country, and shall become one of the greatest in the universe if we preserve it; we shall sink into insignificance and adversity if we suffer it to be broken."
Our interests may not be identical, to be sure, in every instance today, but we share a lot, even in this period of fundamental change. So I am humbled to be here this evening to advance our desired win-win objectives.
In my remarks, I will discuss trade, of course, but I also want to talk about why the Canada/U.S. relationship is vibrant, cooperative, and as respectful as ever, even when the signals coming from the media and thought leaders often suggest otherwise. When two siblings have a close relationship, built on a strong and trusting foundation, the success of one leads to the success of the other.
A number of leaders traveled to Davos recently, including our President and your Prime Minister… I want to read you some words spoken at Davos:
"Over the past decades, citizens and workers have been calling for change, but too often, their pleas have been ignored…If we do nothing, and if we operate in the mindset of "business as usual", the systems will break down, and we will all fail.
"We all know that to be competitive in the modern economy, change is imperative.
And the grassroots desire for change is there – it always has been. But it's on us to flip the switch. We know what needs to be done. It is well past time that we listen, learn, and finally, lead."
Now those words were in fact spoken by Prime Minister Trudeau. I can't think of a better way to describe the wave that elected Donald Trump or the President's view about the imperative for change than what the Prime Minister said in Switzerland.
Fundamental change is difficult, regarding both domestic policy and foreign policy, but that is our mandate. There are some areas, like trade, where there are complex policy differences that need to be worked out.
But across the board, the vision of big changes to better serve every member of our society is shared by both countries. A revived America, at home and abroad, is very much in Canada's interest.
Take the administration's agenda to revive the U.S. economy. Some experts in both American political parties have claimed our economy can't possibly grow at a rate above 2% annually ever again. President Trump simply rejects that pessimistic view. From record-setting deregulation, to the major tax cuts and reform just passed, to the massive infrastructure program now being pursued, we have a common-sense, broad-based plan to grow the American economy which will in turn grow the global economy.
Look at the effects already – lower unemployment; new capital investment including companies bringing back jobs and money too long parked overseas; greater energy exports; higher business and consumer confidence; and private sector companies like BMO Harris Bank represented here tonight – sharing the wealth with their employees. BMO Harris' President and CEO, David Casper, has publicly declared: "We're pleased to share the benefits of the strong economic conditions and the effects of the recent tax reform changes with our employees and communities. Our success is tied directly to the communities we serve…"
Prime Minister Trudeau said last week on his U.S. road trip, there is nothing better for the Canadian economy than a rapidly growing America.
And just as our economies function in similar ways regarding the private and public sectors, our views of how to achieve a just and peaceful world are about as close as any two countries on the planet, even if we sometimes approach them differently. Consider foreign policy and security, where the President has pursued equally wide-ranging change. Areas of such shared vision and mutual advantage include solving the North Korea military threat; dealing with Iraq, and Syria; reforming the United Nations; and fighting terrorism. Historically, culturally, politically, these and other areas are where the U.S. and Canada will continue to lead and both countries will benefit.
When it comes to trade, think how much the economy, technology, and work rules have changed since NAFTA was originally signed.
The U.S. government and the American people want a trade deal with Canada and Mexico that will unleash jobs and economic growth, specifically for those workers who have felt forgotten and left behind for more than a decade. Canada and Mexico fundamentally want the same thing.
President Trump in his Davos speech said, "We cannot have free and open trade if some countries exploit the system at the expense of others. We support free trade, but it needs to be reciprocal. Because in the end, unfair trade undermines all." As friends and allies, let's work that out. I'm confident we can.
Now when the President asked me to consider serving as U.S. Ambassador to Canada, he promised that it would be interesting and important. And yes –he does his part sometimes to keep it interesting, like yesterday's comments on trade with Canada.
But hey, we are in negotiations and I know we all look forward to the next round in Mexico.
I expect that some who hear the slogan "Make America Great Again" are concerned about our country's engagement with the world. I'm here today to tell you that, yes the President will put America First, just as Canada will always – put Canada first. However "America first" does not mean "America alone." Goals of enthusiasm and advancement should be celebrated and replicated. It's like in the Olympics where our athletes compete with all of their heart against each other in any given event, but then cheer for each other in the finals, hoping for the best performance of a lifetime from their competitors.
I said at the beginning of my remarks that the U.S.-Canada relationship is complex. That's true. But in its most fundamental aspects, our relationship is also simple.
We are two modern, diverse, transcontinental nations with deeply shared values, who will continue to work together to ensure that our two nations and the world can be improved for every citizen around the globe.
In closing, the other namesake of The Macdonald-Laurier Institute, Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier once said:
"I am a subject of the British Crown, but whenever I have to choose between the interests of England and Canada it is manifest to me that the interests of my country be identical with those of the United States of America."
Thank you.


text:
Passengers aboard Spectrum of the Seas, sailing her maiden cruise from Europe to China via Dubai, have been told to avoid the open decks after dark and keep curtains and shutters over windows closed when using the lights inside their cabins.
The measures were ordered by the captain as the brand new US $940-million mega cruise ship approached the Gulf of Aden after transiting the Suez Canal. She is on a 16-night cruise from Barcelona to Dubai, and will cruise from Dubai to Singapore on May 4th.
The Safe Haven pirate drill took place this morning as we approach the Gulf of Aden. Four British security officers with guns now onboard to protect us! 😮 #cruise pic.twitter.com/J9nWcjxacB
— Cruise Lifestyle ⚓ (@cruiselifestyl) April 29, 2019
RELATED: Royal Caribbean has world's most expensive shore excursion in Dubai
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"The promenade deck has been closed to passengers until May 2nd, all curtains have to be closed to night with lights out after dark," said Laura, the editor of CruisingLifestyle.co.uk, who is a passenger aboard the ship.
On May 2nd, Spectrum of the Seas will be off the coast of Muscat, well into the Gulf of Oman, which is considered threat-free when it comes to piracy.
"Today we held a Safe Haven drill, the code word for a pirate attack, during which all passengers have to assemble within the ship, away from windows and external doors," she added.
According to Laura, Spectrum of the Seas also took on-board additional security, in the form of three armed security officers who have just safely ensured another Royal Caribbean ship Explorer of the Seas, got through the Gulf of Aden safely.
Explorer of the Seas departed Dubai in April bound for Europe. Now, it's Spectrum of the Seas' turn to run through the pirate-prone waters.
RELATED: SkyPad attraction closed on two RCL ships, Spectrum's Dubai cruise unaffected
RELATED: Royal Caribbean cuts steel for fifth Oasis-class, world's new largest cruise ship
"One other security officer was already onboard – we've been told all are top security officials from Britain," said Laura.
Spectrum of the Seas is the newest cruise ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet, having been launched just a few weeks ago. She will be one of the largest and most advanced ever to cruise from Dubai.
She is a sister ship to Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas, both of which also cruised from Dubai on their way to China in 2015 and 2016.
At 169,379-gross tons and carrying 4,905 passengers at maximum occupancy, with a bionic bar staffed by robots, a virtual reality bungee experience, sky dive simulator and North Star viewing pod, she would be a tempting target for any pirates off the coast of Somalia.
Fortunately, however, the threat of an attack on a cruise ship in the Gulf of Aden is now much reduced thanks to an international naval coalition, but Royal Caribbean is known to take the security of its brand new China-bound cruise ships very seriously.
"Although the whole experience seems slightly surreal, it's reassuring to know that every precaution is being taken to protect the cruise ship and its passengers," said Laura in a blogpost about the situation.
Categories: Middle East Cruise News


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See London's famous landmarks with this tour of Trafalgar Square, taking in the art galleries, Nelson's column and some unusual and interesting sights. London's famous square was named after Admiral Lord Nelson's illustrious victory over Napoleon's fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. It has acted as the city's magnet for visitors and, until recently, pigeons. It hosts a number of festivals, public displays and demonstrations, including regular events such as New Year's celebrations and Christmas ceremonies.
Situated in the heart of London, Trafalgar Square was first cleared as part of a grand improvement scheme by John Nash started in 1826 but was designed after his death by Sir Charles Barry in 1840. Further redevelopment was completed in 2003 to include disabled access in various parts of the square.
Nelson's Column
Towering above the crowds is Nelson's Column, topped with a one-armed statue of Lord Nelson, erected in 1843, forming the main focus of the Square. Britain's famous hero is guarded by Sir Edwin Landseer's lions dating from 1867, while the surrounding fountains were added by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1939.
Whither the Pigeons?
Since 2005 it has been illegal to feed pigeons in Trafalgar square. This act and further measures, such as the use of trained birds of prey, were designed to suppress the number of pigeons flocking here. The increasing size of the flock was deemed to be harmful to the monuments and constituted a health risk. With fewer pigeons now, more events can be staged within the square.
South Aspect of the Square
Starting at the southern edge of Trafalgar square, adjoining Whitehall, is a statue of Charles I dating from the time of his reign (1625-49). The statue stands on the site of the original Charing Cross, which marked the last resting place of the body of Queen Eleanor, wife of Edward I (1239-1307), on the journey from Nottingham to her burial at Westminster Abbey in 1290.
The Strand stretches eastward from Trafalgar Square, past a Victorian replica of the Charing Cross outside the station of the same name.
A Lively Crypt
James Gibbs's St Martin-in-the-Fields church, built in 1722, commands the north-east corner of Trafalgar Square. Apart from its beauty, it is one of London's liveliest churches, with a crypt that plays host to a cafe, art gallery, bookshop, brass rubbing and even concerts.
National Galleries
The impressive National Gallery dominates the entire north terrace of Trafalgar Square. Built by William Wilkins from 1832-38, the gallery houses the cream of European painting, with magnificent halls that are easy to navigate and to relax in while enjoying the art. The gallery's interiors were designed by E.M Barry, son of Sir Charles Barry.
Hiding behind this majestic pile is the smaller but no less important National Portrait Gallery, where you will find a fascinating record of what the great figures in British history and the arts really looked like.
The Fourth Plinth
In the shadow of the National Gallery, and in striking contrast to its old world contents, sits the Fourth Plinth in the north-west corner of the square. Since 1998 it has been inhabited by many surprising, innovative and controversial creations, including Yinka Shonibare's scaled down version of Nelson's HMS Victory in a bottle and members of the public volunteering to pose for one hour periods.
Back Down South
Walking south along the west side of Trafalgar Square you will pass Sir Robert Smirke's Canada House, dating from 1824-7 and later developed. Further southwards, you will be back at the starting point by King Charles I's statue. From here you can relax by the fountains, enjoy a meal at a nearby restaurant or venture down Whitehall to the Houses of Parliament.


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Ok, to be honest, I couldn't resist this one…
I took a few minutes after work yesterday to stop by lower Manhattan's newest tourist attraction, the Occupy Wall Street gathering in Zuccotti Park. I was an obvious imposter. I was wearing a solid navy blue suit and navy silk knit tie with double monk straps and a certain tan trench coat with a repp tie whereas some of the protesters were in some form of rags and jeans and almost all in some state of dishelvelment. But really, its true, they were. But more on an analysis of protester style later. Being that I am still in a mode of reflection I shall reflect on my time at the Occupy Wall street convention.
One of the great things about blogs is my unabated right to free speech. At this time I am not hindered in what I say by sponsors, management, editors or any other power that be greater than I. That said, I can speak my mind on this issue and tell what I saw in the most honest and raw way possible; sugar coating and filtering will be kept to an minimum. I will try to give you a perspective that I do not think conventional media outlets would give.
In order to properly understand what is going on there I think there are a few crucial facts that people must know. The first being that the gatherers in Zuccotti park are not all there for Occupy Wall Street, many of them are there for other causes. I saw posters calling for the release of Mumia Abu Jamal, socialism, communism; you get the picture… Essentially what began as a movement against Wall Street, corporate greed and the like has turned into a general calling for a variety of disenfranchised groups; a point which a PR rep from Occupy Wall Street did agree with me on. She went on to say that there will be a second march this Saturday and the movement will be joined by members of the teachers union, amongst other groups. Needless to say, Saturday shall be an interesting one.
I am not sure where many of the individuals who were there came from, especially those that were camping out there (they're not allowed to pitch tents of use megaphones though). I am pretty sure I also saw some of the homeless kids I see daily around the Financial District at Zuccotti Park. I am also relatively sure that some of the people were there just because it was a place to be and something to do. Although this is only speculation I would say chances are greater than %50 that I am right. But regardless, I will say that I am all for using ones right to free speech and free assembly and it is always good to see people using that right in a peaceful manner. So in that respect only, I fully support the protesters (I will not get into a discussion on whether or not I agree with their message).
The second thing, and the great irony of the whole situation is that the land the protesters are on is private land. It is owned by Brookfield Properties, which owns World Financial Center, among other office buildings. Given that it is private property the protesters are there at the will of Brookfield. At any given moment Brookfield Properties could decide the protesters are no longer welcome, at that time NYPD will step in and the protesters will be forced to vacate. From the impression I got from a few police officers I spoke with, NYPD cannot wait for this to happen. So you see, although many of these protesters are speaking out against 'the man' they are in fact at the will of 'the man,' one has got to love that…
Now that we have those two things out of the way I would like to paint a picture of what I saw, using pictures and words. The most important activities seemed to be the following:
sitting around typing on ones Macbook or other computer device:
Rolling cigarettes and talking about Phish/Disco Biscuits/The Dead concerts:
Jamming out:
Listening to crazies preach nonsense:
Holding up signs:
Oh, and my personal favorite, sleeping: