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In Search of the Missing Link
Citing Internet sources in legal decisions and scholarship is the new normal -- and so are disappearing web pages. Scott McLemee clicks through.
Among the duties of the Judicial Conference -- an august body consisting of federal judges, overseen by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court -- is the fostering of "uniformity of management procedures and the expeditious conduct of court business." And so it was that, four year ago this month, the Conference issued guidelines for citing Internet materials in judicial opinions. A brief statement regarding the new policy was posted to the Web, as you do.
Not long ago Raizel Liebler and June Liebert, two librarians at the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, needed to refer to the Conference's announcement in their paper "Something Rotten in the State of Legal Citation: The Life Span of a United States Supreme Court Citation Containing an Internet Link (1996-2010)," which appeared a couple of weeks ago in the Yale Journal of Law and Technology. But the link for it they had filed away while doing their research was now dead. In the meantime, the document had migrated to another URL, so no damage done. In a footnote, the authors said, "The irony of being unable to access a website we wanted to cite in an article about the ephemeral nature of websites, including discussion of reasons to avoid citing websites, was not lost on us."
Perhaps it counts as ironic in the colloquial American sense (i.e., "odd but not remotely ironic") but otherwise it's just par for the course. The earliest recorded use of the phrase "link rot" – referring to the breaking of a link either through the removal of a web page or its transfer to a new address without a redirect from the original location -- is from 1996. Like another colorful expression, "spam," it began as slang among the digital cognoscenti for a while before entering wider usage as the problem itself became a fact of life. By 1998, papers in library science and Internet research journals were taking up the instability of online information sources. A number of studies over the past 15 years have confirmed one's gut feeling that up to a third of links, and possibly more, are broken.
What would really count as ironic would be doing research on the ephemeral nature of websites and finding that every single link you consulted was in good working order. After which lightning would probably strike you twice.
It's a nuisance, certainly, but link rot also looms as a serious problem for the disciplinary production of knowledge, which relies, in part, on the existence of stable and documentable sources of information. Citation allows others to examine those sources -- whether to verify them or assess how accurately an author has used them, or as a basis for further research.
Broken links in the bibliography are, in effect, broken links in an argument. That is particularly true given the role of law blogs, a.k.a. "blawgs," as a source of real-time legal analysis and commentary -- something the traditional, rather slow-moving law review can't do. Around the time the Commission put forward its suggested practices for citing online materials, John Doyle published an article with the wonderfully sonorous title "The Law Reviews: Do Their Paths of Glory Lead but to the Grave?" Doyle, an associate law librarian at the Washington & Lee University School of Law, concluded that the survival of the review format (let alone the chance of having any effect beyond building ambitious students' résumés) depended on making articles available online with almost blawgish rapidity.
So as judicial opinions and scholarly legal debates depend more and more on documents or professional exchanges originally housed on a server somewhere, their evidence and context become vulnerable in ways Blackstone could never imagine. (The link to a history-making law review-article debated in the 2020 presidential campaign may work just fine -- but what about the material cited by the author?)
Broken links in the bibliography are, in effect, broken links in an argument.
In their recent paper from the Yale Journal of Law and Technology, Liebler and Liebert focus on link rot in a specific and definitive body of texts: the opinions handed down by the Supreme Court of the United States from the 1995-96 through the 2009-10 terms. "Our initial hypothesis," they write, "was that the Supreme Court would use very few Internet citations due to the ephemeral and unreliable nature of those sources."
What they actually found was that the Justices used 430 online citations over the Court's 15 sessions -- with links appearing in 144 cases, representing about 14 percent of the total. "Of the URLs used within the U.S. Supreme Court opinions during our study period," the authors report, "we found that 29 percent of them were invalid."
This was almost double the rate of link rot found in a 2006 study of Supreme Court opinions, but in keeping with the level of URL breakage that investigators have noted in other legal texts. For example, the latest report from the Chesapeake Digital Preservation Group – a collaborative project of the Georgetown and Harvard law libraries and the state law libraries of Virginia and Maryland -- shows that almost 37 percent of links in a random selection of documents from the past six years had gone dead. The rate was higher for a sample from 2007-8; by now, 44 percent were broken.
In 2009, the Judicial Conference suggested that clerks download the Internet sources cited in an opinion and include them as attachments made available, along with the opinions themselves, through a legal files system such as PACER. Liebler and Liebert say that the level of compliance by courts is unknown – and the very effort raises copyright issues.
The Supreme Court prints out the Internet resources cited in its decisions, "which means," the authors note, "that access to the archive is limited." They suggest that the Court make its holding available by partnering with the Internet Archive – and the Chesapeake Group hopes that its own collection of documents "will lay the foundation for what could become a nationwide program to preserve materials supporting legal research, practice, and scholarship in the U.S."
It's a start. But what about something grander -- something audaciously bold but almost incredibly obvious? Why not draw upon the combined legal brainpower of the judiciary while also taking head-on the implications of what Edward Snowden has revealed? For it sounds like the phantom content of dead links lives on in the matrix of the National Security Administration's record-keeping. As it is, most of that data is just going to waste -- so drill, baby, drill.
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Google Sandbox Effect update at the bottom.
A lot has been written about the so called Google Sandbox Effect in SEO forums over the years, but not much of it is backed by reality or SEO facts. In 2004 Google had a major search engine algorithm update, this resulted in many new sites loosing recent SERPs and an increase in difficulty in getting a new site ranked in Google.
Google makes a lot of algorithm changes, but this one hit a lot of websites.
The Google Sandbox Effect
The original description of the Sandbox Effect was a new site that had gained some good SERPs suddenly lost them all and was sent to oblivion.
The Sandbox initial signs were a new site with some good SERPs suddenly loosing them all for no good reason!
However since the initial drop of new sites in early 2004 as an SEO consultant I've not seen this effect on any new sites I've registered/dealt with since (well over 200 new domains as I update this article in June 2014) this has lead me to believe the original description is wrong and I have an SEO theory why.
When Google updated it's algorithm to made ranking in Google much harder and some new websites that just started to rank well in the old algorithm got caught in the middle of this update, as you'll discover it's not the age of the site per se that's the problem, it's other factors (age and quality of links/PR) that keeps a site in the sandbox.
The Google sandbox isn't a real SEO effect, although you will still see webmasters wrongly attribute poor rankings and even slow indexing to the sandbox: there's a comment below from February 2014 that states they can confirm the sandbox exists because it took over a week for their new site to be indexed. No one who understands SEO would consider a website not being indexed in a week as it being Google sandboxed, slow indexing is almost always due to a lack of backlinks, Google can't find the site to spider and index it.
To be considered sandboxed a site must be new and first rank well for SERPs, then loose them for no reason.
Google Algorithm Updates
Prior to this Google update a new site could rank quite well in about three months if it was optimised and had a strong link campaign, the links had an effect on Google rankings after just a few months. Anyone with a website registered in 2004 or later knows this is no longer the case, doesn't matter what you do a new domain (we've tried thousand of links to a small number of high quality links) will not rank well in Google until it's aged.
The age of a new domain at first sight seems to be the main sandbox factor, but there is no obvious pattern, some report crawling out of the sandbox after 6 month, others are still stuck in the sand a year or more later.
Is the Google Sandbox Ageist?
This aging before ranking has been mistaken for a filter on newly registered domains, this isn't the case. We've run a series of SEO tests using a combination of newly registered domains and domains registered up to 5 years ago that have not been marketed at all (PR 0) or not very well (PR below PR4).
If the age of a domain caused the sandbox effect we'd expect to see all of our test domains that are over a year old to rank much quicker than a newly registered domain. We didn't see this at all, there were differences, but not due to the age alone, but the PR/links to the domain.
Testing the Sandbox Effect
Below you'll find a few examples from the 20 plus domains tested.
Bought a domain mid August 2005, it was originally registered October 2002, it was not indexed in Google (was redirected to another site) and so had no links to it. It had been indexed in the past (years ago), but the domain was reported as PageRank 0 home page after the redirect was lifted. Basically this site was equivalent to a newly registered domain in all aspects except it's original registration date.
Added a large site to this domain and enough links to make a few PR4 pages at the next PR update. As I write this I've owned the site for just over two months and it's traffic is similar to what I see with a newly registered domain (low traffic).
Another site I bought mid August 2005, it was originally registered August 2004, it had a few pages indexed in Google and so had a few links to it (not enough to rank well though). The home page was PR2.
Added a large site to this domain and added enough links to make one PR5 page and a few PR4 pages at the next PR update. As I write this I've owned the site for just over two months and it's traffic is similar to what I see with a newly registered domain (low traffic) though slightly higher than the first site above (not enough to warrant excitement though).
Another site I bought mid August 2005, it was originally registered October 2003, it had a few pages indexed in Google and so had a few links to it (not enough to rank well though). The home page was PR3.
Added a large site to this domain and added enough links to make one PR5 page and a few PR4 pages at the next PR update. As I write this I've owned the site for just over two months and it's traffic is significantly higher to what I see with a newly registered domain. If this was a domain I registered for the first time in August this year I wouldn't expect to see this traffic for another 4 or more months. I wouldn't consider this site fully out of the sandbox, but it's on it's way.
None of the sites above have any really difficult SERPs, the ones with more traffic have more SERPs than the others.
Another site I bought mid October 2005, it was originally registered September 2003, it had quite a few pages indexed in Google (but they had been deleted recently) and so had links to it, a lot of links to it. The home page was PR5 and I've found one PR6 page on the site and many PR5 pages.
I added a large site to this domain and added no links so far. As I write this I've owned the site for less than a week it's traffic is significantly higher to what we see with a newly registered domain. If this was a domain we registered for the first time in August this year I wouldn't expect to see this traffic for another 6 or more months.
What's interesting about this last domain is it's immediately obtained some semi competitive SERPs. You don't see this with newly registered domain, so this domain is out of the sandbox by a long mark and I expect to make a lot of money from it as the new site is fully indexed etc…
Update: wrote the above in late 2006, domains register over the past 7 years have pretty much followed the same pattern. Brand new domains don't rank for over 6 months for anything competitive, if a site was registered years ago, but not developed (no backlinks) again it's like a newly registered domain. Buy a domain with valid backlinks (this is important, no point buying high PR expired/dropped domains, their links and PR are reset) and a site can rank for SERPs based on the number of backlinks, their quality, age etc… So you can skip the sandbox by buying domains that are a year plus old AND have a reasonable number of backlinks.
SEO Link Building Delayed Benefit
The results are clear, Google delays link benefit since the 2004 algorithm update. Or to be more precise delays the link benefit more than it used to, there's always been a delay (usually a Google update or two).
The delay on a new link seems to be around 1 year.
That doesn't mean a link today will do nothing for your website rankings for a year, but it won't pass the entire link benefit for about a year, after 9 months it might pass most of the SEO benefit.
This is not the same as passing PR, PR is just the value Google assigns to a pages backlinks, as soon as Google indexes a new link and does a PageRank update that shows the new PR values, the PR is reported.
Why Doesn't Google Trust Webmasters Anymore?
There's a little more to it though than the age of links to a site, I have websites that are well over 1 year old with PR5, PR6 and even PR7 home pages, these have stable links for over a year and their traffic tends to increase over time. I added a new section to one of these sites (PR7 home page) recently and with just one link from the home page (results in a PR6 'home page') thousands of pages were indexed and that section received 6,000 new visitors a day almost immediately!
Everything I put on that site does well because it's got a lot of high quality stable links, that site seems to be trusted by Google and so the INTERNAL links to INTERNAL pages are given full SEO benefit immediately. Had we added the same content to a newly registered domain or one of the test domains above we'd be lucky to see 300 visitors a day, even if we added the same high PR links to it (I've tried it).
In my experience what we are seeing here is a delay in ranking from links and a kind of trusted domain status when a domain reaches a certain stage, it's like a PRX link to a non-trusted site isn't resulting in a quick SEO benefit like you would have seen before 2004. Now it takes 6 or more months for a new link to transfer significant benefit and longer for full benefit.
I've speculated this is to thwart the text link sellers, a webmaster purchases a bunch of text link ads and sees their home page PR jump, but three months in no significant traffic increase to warrant the cost.
Hold on 6 months and see some ranking benefit from the links and the longer you keep the links better it gets. The problem is how many webmasters are going to hold on those 6+ months with no guarantied ROI!
Note: wrote the above late 2006, in 2014 still see the same effect of internal links vs external. Much harder to get a PR7 home page these days mind you :-( As more pages are indexed in Google the total PR for the entire Internet remains the same, so what made a PR7 in 2006 might only create a PR5 today.
How To Cope With a Sandboxed Site
What can a webmaster do about a sandboxed web site? Quite a bit, they can treat the site as though it's not sandboxed working on link campaigns, optimizing content, adding new content etc… since eventually if you add enough stable links and are patient your site will leave the so called sandbox. As you've seen above with the SEO tests a possible stepping stone over the sandbox is to buy domains with links to them that are already out of the sandbox (not expired/dropped domains), this can be expensive though and you need to be very careful not to be conned.
During the search for test domains I found plenty of PR5, PR6 and even PR7 domains that didn't really have that PR, they had been redirected to a high PR page which temporarily gave them high PR! Redirect a domain to a PR7 site and when you remove the 301 redirect the domain temporarily shows PR7, easy to con a newbie to buying domains with fake PR.
Google Sandboxed Effect Update
July 2008 and little has changed. Over the past couple of years I've registered and dealt with many more domains and still see the same slow rankings gains I saw when the Google Sandbox was first reported.
Register a new site today and it's going to take about a year to be in any chance of ranking for any competitive SERPs.
Tried circumventing the Google sandbox by buying old domains with PR that had expired, (you can buy them at auction) at first they did much better than a comparable newly registered domain, but as time passed they tended to drop their initial PR: pretty much did those tests just before Google started resetting the PR of dropped domains. No SEO value in buying dropped domains with PR reported over buying a new domain with no PR.
Unfortunately Google resets expired domains PR/links so it's not the way to go to avoid the sandbox. I'm afraid you have to either buy a domain with aged PR/links that has not expired or build up it's PR/links over time.
Update 2014, I've not changed my opinion of the above over the past 7+ years, the Google sandbox as first described does not exists, a link benefit delay does appear to exist and seems to be a delay of around 9 months to a year. Almost impossible to narrow it down to X months delay, work on the principle it's at least 6 months, but probably not above 12 months.
For a new website treat it like any site, add content, slowly build backlinks and wait patiently for Google to take the links into account.
David Law

subset: commoncrawl


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Easy French Terry Dress is rated out of 5 by 22.
Rated 5 out of 5 by EvelynSP from Best dress from Garnet Hill so far This dress fits perfectly, the fabric is soft and sturdy, looks like it is going to last wash after wash. I wore it one time, washed it one time, very good quality material. And great style. I am 5'8", 150 lb, ordered the size 10 or M, very good fit.
Date published: 2017-08-06
Rated 5 out of 5 by SLRMOM from Love This Dress I purchased this dress for a trip to the beach. I am a fit mom and enjoy wearing athletic dresses more than shorts. This dress is great for casual everyday wear. It fits well and is not frumpy.
Date published: 2017-08-02
Rated 5 out of 5 by Beschbum66 from Love Love Love this dress! So comfy, like being wrapped In a soft cotton robe. Slightly heavier weight gives it shape and will be perfect for autumn and cooler summer evenings. I got the brown stripes which are subtle enough to add dimension without adding lbs! That said I did Exchange for next size for a bit less cling on my body. Perfect! And thank you GH. The exchange was easy peasy.
Date published: 2017-07-30
Rated 5 out of 5 by BlueBeardLover from Perfect Summer Dress: Comfy, Flattering, Versatile Just BUY it. Dress feels comfortable as PJ's, is immensely flattering (even if many straight styles or patterns don't suit you,) looks spirited without being inappropriate at any age, can be dressed up or down (as put-together as work outfit; as casual as jazzy beach cover-up; & many in-between occasions.) Strongly recommend — conjures Summer & carefree, beautiful in unselfish-conscious way. Disarming, really. Timeless, ageless. Why are you still reading this review? Go get it. You'll love it.
Date published: 2017-07-12
Rated 5 out of 5 by Emms from Great Travel dress My first review, but long time shopper at GH. I love this dress-- fit, fabric, comfort-- and pockets!! Substantial thickness, but still cool. Like another reviewer, if this came in other colors, I would buy more!
Date published: 2017-06-21
Rated 5 out of 5 by GLDNmom from Nice throw on dress Casual dress for day or informal evening. I am 5'5, 145 lbs and the medium fit well. Looks great with a jean jacket. Got compliments.
Date published: 2017-06-03
Length and Color
#1 What is the length (at the longest point) on size L? #2 On the dark navy stripe, is the contrasting color ivory, grey or something else?
The length for the large is 37". The contrasting color is white.
Date published: 2017-04-20
Product:41221-Easy French Terry Dress


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Joshua Edelstein - Radio Free Asia
Joshua Edelstein is a Web designer/programmer/sysadmin from Washington DC. He has a B.S. in Chinese Languages from Georgetown University and has been developing multilingual fonts since 1987.
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In The Good Ole Summertime
Hi, Everybody!
I am back to blogging after moving into a new place and studio!
Our May recital was our grand finale to the piano year, and almost everybody was able to be there on a Thursday night. This gave most students an opportunity to play their well rehearsed repertoire in front of a very friendly audience.
After the wedding of my daughter and reunion with friends and family, I have returned from Maryland and Pennsylvania ready to begin lessons in July. There are plans for a summer recital, to be announced at a later time . Want to brush up on theory, rhythm, note reading, and Festival Preparation? Summer is a perfect season to both maintain your repertoire and learn new pieces for upcoming festivals, like the Jazz Festival scheduled for November.
New educational free interactive piano apps are available now to make learning fun. Rhythm Cat is a popular app for your counting/rhythm skills. Piano Maestro and Music Tutor are good for sight-reading and rhythm. The Flashnote Derby app is available for androids for $2.99.
I look forward to seeing you soon for more piano fun!
Nancy Hansen


text:
The problem of surgical items being inadvertently left in various body spaces after an operation, has been with us since the practice of surgery began. Retained Surgical Items (RSI) is the preferred term rather than retained foreign bodies or objects or uRFOs. Foreign objects include swallowed pennies, pins, shrapnel, bullets and other objects while surgical items are the tools and materiel that we use in procedures to heal not to harm. Retained surgical items are a surgical patient safety problem.
Here we have followed the AORN classification of surgical items and placed them into four groups; soft goods, sharps, instruments and small miscellaneous items. We have outlined safe strategies to prevent retention of each. It has been estimated that 2000 – 4000 RSI cases occur each year in the United States although we know from reporting systems that there is a wide spectrum of occurrence. Many hospitals have had no events for years while other facilities grapple with an event every quarter.
Requirements for state reporting vary as does the definition of what is considered retention. The National Quality Forum (NQF) definition is most frequently referenced. In 2011 the NQF reviewed all Serious Reportable Events (SREs) and posted on their public website the definition of when it is after surgery and all the SREs including unintended retention of surgical items.
RSIs can be discovered hours to years after the initial operation and a second operation may be required for removal. This type of case is a "canary in the OR coal mine" and is reflective of system problems in the operating room. It is rarely the result of a single individual error. New ways of thinking about human error and OR practices and understanding systemic changes in OR culture are required to prevent this event. System fixes require knowledge and information, a winning strategy, consistent multi-stakeholder engagement and leadership.
The most frequently retained surgical item is the cotton gauze surgical sponge which is available in a number of different sizes. Most reports of retained sponges refer to the 4"x4" raytex (an acronym we have coined to refer to a radiopaque textile) or the 18"x18" laparotomy pad. There have also been cases of retained OR towels. The most common sites are the abdomen/pelvis, the vagina and then the chest, although sponges have been retained in surgical wounds of every size and after almost any operation. Increased appreciation has occurred around the problem of retained vaginal sponges and miscellaneous items left behind after spontaneous vaginal births as well as elective gynecological operative cases. This has led to efforts to move better safety and preventive strategies to labor and delivery areas in addition to the OR and other procedural areas.
With retained sponges under better control, now we are seeing increased reports of retained small miscellaneous items, devices and unretrieved device fragments. These include intact but separated parts of surgical items, some of which are not radiopaque, broken pieces of instruments, small microneedles, trocars, guidewires and sheaths. These events occur in the OR and throughout the hospital and involve a wide variety of procedural items and an expanded list of provider stakeholders. The preventive strategies for these types of items are not applicable only to the OR since retained guidewires, sheaths and catheters are found after interventional vascular, cardiac and radiological procedures. Various types of providers now must develop standardized processes to account for all of the tools and parts of devices. Practices originating in the OR can be shared with these other clinical groups to help prevent retention and speed accountability.


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Let's face it: life is a battle. Every day is a journey filled with many obstacles to overcome. In the Bible, God describes an even larger battle that's ongoing. It's the battle of good against evil. In the beginning, sin entered the world through Adam & Eve. We've all done it. We've all sinned. At one point or another, we've chosen to satisfy our own selfish desires instead of following God. In the battle of life, sin is on one side of the battlefield. What's on the other side though?
In 1 John 4:8, we see that whoever doesn't love, doesn't truly know God. In the last part of that verse, we read that God is love. In this battle of life we speak of, sin is up against it's nemesis: love. These two are like water and oil. They simply don't mix. It's a battle out there. Here's why…
Selfishness is the Root of Sin
Sin comes in many shapes and sizes. We've all been there at one point or another. We've all fallen short. We've all stolen the cookies out of the cookie jar when we shouldn't have. Everyone has lied, cheated, or taken unethical shortcuts. The truth is, nobody is perfect. We've all sinned because we want to satisfy our own selfish desires. We've taken the cookies because they seemed desirable at the time. We've lied because it seemed to be the best thing to make ourselves look good. Selfishness is behind all sin.
Humility is the Root of Love
A constant theme of scripture is the idea of humility. We're told to have a realistic view of ourselves. We shouldn't think too highly of ourselves, and at the same time we shouldn't think too less of ourselves. No matter how much you don't want to hear it, you're not God. At the same time, you aren't dirt. You're somewhere in between. As followers of Jesus we're called to love just like he did on the cross. Jesus paid our price on the cross. He didn't shed his blood for any of his own purposes, but for our benefit. He was humble and he did it because he loved. Love humility in action.
Love is a Direct Attack on Sin
Life is a battle. It's sin against love. Satan is pushing for sin. He wants to push you and me into a lifestyle of selfish pleasures. God on the other hand is pushing for something more. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, paid our price in full, so that we could live. He wants us to share this good news of love with the world, by speaking words of love and living a life of love. He wants us to fight sin with love!
Everyday we have a choice. We can either satisfy the desires of the flesh, or we can choose to put others before ourselves. Today, I choose love. I hope you do too. Join the fight. Let's destroy sin with love. As always, don't forget to comment below and subscribe to occasional email updates.
(Photo by Flickr User: photosteve101)
2 Comments
Lorie Styes Givhan April 23, 2015
Good mini sermon Pastor Scott! Always enjoy your insights into God's love for us all. Thanks


text: The Ticonderoga Federal Credit Union annually marks the Christmas season by raffling 6-foot-tall, toy-filled Christmas stockings to local children. Winners this year are Aidan Ross of Ticonderoga, pictured with his grandmother, Susan Ross, at the Ticonderoga branch, and Emma Simpson at the Port Henry branch. A stocking was also awarded at the Elizabethtown branch.


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Day Phone: 949 922-5681
Cell Phone: 949 922-5681
Fax Phone: 206 666-3776
Melinda Dewey Coaching Profile
Melinda has been a full-time wellness professional since 1989, following a very successful career in corporate finance and management. With certification and experience in multiple modalities and coaching skills, she coaches 1:1 and group coaching calls, and is a workshop leader, faculty member and mentor.
CERTIFICATIONS and TRAINING
• Board Certified Coach * Guiding Mindful Change Coach and Employee Wellness Coach • Licensed HeartMath 1:1 Provider and Coach for stress management, personal growth and better health • HeartMastery coach, mentor and live group coaching call facilitator • Conscious Body Method Wellness Coach • Wellness Coaching Specialty training at Institute of Life Coach Training • Transformational Breath Coach and Senior Trainer • Corporate telephone Wellness Coach to Fortune 100 corporate employees across the nation for 6 years.
Her approach is to empower coaching clients with collaboration, respect, deep listening and asking powerful questions, so they can identify and fulfill what is most important to them.
Professional & Life Experience
Alter. Health Care Provider
Business Owner
Project Manager
Coaching Niches
Health & Fitness
Life Design
Mentoring New Coach
Midlife Issues
Time Management
Coaching Methods
In Person (Group)
In Person (1 on 1)
Telephone (1 on 1)
Telephone (Group)
Coaching Fees
Less then $150 per Hour
Coaching Roles
Discussion Facilitator
Coaching Certification
Board Certified Coach: Yes
Certificate Expiration: May, 2017
Coaching Languages
Complimentary Offers
Complimentary Sessions
Complimentary Materials


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Generic competition for Pfizer Inc.'s blockbuster cholesterol pill Lipitor is starting to cut into the bottom line of the world's biggest drugmaker, as expected.
The best-selling drug in the industry's history saw its U.S. patent expire on Nov. 30, ushering in a rival's generic version and an authorized one Pfizer markets with a partner. But brand-name Lipitor hung onto about a third of the market in the first quarter _ far more than normally would be expected _ thanks to Pfizer offering big insurer rebates and discounts to patients who stayed on its brand for now.
With the first full quarter of generic competition to Lipitor and copycats of two smaller drugs reducing revenue by a combined $1.3 billion, Pfizer said Tuesday that its first-quarter profit fell 19 percent. However, that was mainly due to a whopping $2.64 billion in legal, restructuring and other charges.
The world's biggest drugmaker still beat Wall Street's profit expectations but narrowly missed its sales forecast.
New York-based Pfizer lowered its adjusted profit forecast for 2012 by 6 cents, to $2.14 to $2.24 per share, excluding about 90 cents worth of charges. Analysts had predicted $2.26 per share.
Pfizer said it lowered that forecast and cut its expected 2012 revenue by $2.5 billion to between $58 billion and $60 billion because of its deal to sell its infant-nutrition business to Switzerland's Nestle SA for $11.85 billion early next year.
Previous forecasts had factored in the steep drop in revenue from Lipitor, which had peak sales of $13 billion. Pfizer is offering the rebates and discounts until more generic versions hit drugstores on May 31, when prices will drop much more.
In the latest quarter, Lipitor sales fell from $2.4 billion to $1.4 billion, mainly due to a 71 percent plunge in U.S. revenue. However, CEO Frank D'Amelio said in an interview that U.S. market share was "was 2 1/2 times higher than what we would have expected" without the deals.
The maker of Viagra said net income was $1.79 billion, or 24 cents per share, down from $2.22 billion, or 28 cents a share, a year earlier.
Excluding one-time items, Pfizer would have made $4.43 billion, or 58 cents per share. Analysts expected 56 cents a share, according to FactSet.
After-tax charges included $1.07 billion for adjustments to the value of acquired businesses, $115 million in acquisition-related costs, and $1.45 billion for a mix of restructuring and productivity charges, a write-down on a drug compound acquired when Pfizer bought fellow drugmaker Wyeth in 2009, and legal fees.
Those included a $450 million charge for a confidential agreement announced Tuesday to end a lawsuit with Brigham Young University and a professor there. The suit concerned companies that Pfizer bought allegedly breaching a 1991 agreement on research involved in the discovery of blockbuster painkiller Celebrex.
Revenue totaled $15.4 billion, down 7 percent from $16.5 billion a year ago. Analysts were expecting $15.46 billion.
Sales in the U.S. fell 15 percent to $5.95 billion, from $7.02 billion. International sales edged up 1 percent, to $9.45 billion.
The nutrition deal is to close in the first half of 2013. Pfizer plans to use the proceeds to continue buying back shares to keep boosting its stock.
The company also is planning to spin off or otherwise divest its animal health business, sometime between this July and July 2013.
"We are building two strong cores, an innovative core and a value core," with consumer health products helping boost both, CEO Ian Read told analysts.
Pfizer shares edged down 12 cents to close at $22.78. But that's up about 36 percent since Read became CEO in December 2010.
Still, analyst Steve Brozak of WBB Securities said when company executives keep highlighting share buybacks rather than acquisition plans, "this is the epitome of quiet desperation." He said the company doesn't have enough drugs in development to replace Lipitor's revenue.
Other analysts were more positive.
Linda Bannister of Edward Jones said Pfizer's earnings beat was driven by greater-than-expected cost controls, adding that she's "pleased with Pfizer's ability to execute on its strategy to divest noncore assets and concentrate" on prescription drugs.
Bannister, who has a "Buy" rating on Pfizer, noted it "has several late-stage pipeline products that are expected to be approved in the near term," including potential blockbusters Eliquis for stroke prevention and tofacitinib, the first new pill in a decade to delay the worsening of rheumatoid arthritis.
Eliquis could get U.S. approval on June 28; tofacitinib faces review by an expert panel on May 9.
Revenue from prescription medicines fell 8 percent to $13.07 billion. After Lipitor, the second best-selling drug was Lyrica, for fibromyalgia and pain. Its revenue jumped 16 percent to $955 million.
Linda A. Johnson can be followed at http://twitter.com/LindaJ_onPharma


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Recent Contributions
"One of the biggest single sources of greenhouse gases and other pollution to our atmosphere are landfills. They decompose over time creating methane and other greenhouse gases."
"In urban areas as much as 40 percent of all trash is food waste."
-- Modern Marvels Environmental Tech II
In nature this process takes months, but with an indoor composter supercharging waste for the perfect oxygen, moisture content and temperature, compost can be made in as little as two weeks.
Infographic on composting courtesy of PBS's Nature


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I blame my sentimental side on my Dad's Scottish ancestors. After all, it was a Scot – the legendary writer Robert Burns, below – who wrote the poem, "Auld Lang Syne," first published in 1787 and arguably the most sentimental words ever put on paper.
Auld Lang Syne means "Old Long Ago" in an ancient Scottish dialect. I don't know about you, but I can't sing (or even hear) "Auld Lang Syne" on New Year's Eve without a tear coming to my eye. In Scotland, where no doubt it is sung with more gusto than anywhere else in the world, they get a double dose of the song, since apparently it is sung not only to usher in the New Year but again on January 25th, known as Burns Night.
"Auld Lang Syne" is an exquisite example of how words (and words put to music) express the human experience. Who among us does not feel regret and longing about love and friendship, and the passage of time? And who does not wonder what might have been, while fearing what will be? And on what day of the year could those words put to music have a greater impact than December 31?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?
Such a bittersweet sentiment! Although it's a bit overwhelming, it is worth embracing. While New Year's leads us to somberly assess the previous year, it is also a time of faith, love – and hope.
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
Blessings to all in 2015!


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Day Out With Thomas in Squamish
Day Out With Thomas is a 2.5 year old's dream come true and a brilliant marketing event. If you haven't come into contact with a toddler in the… Read More »
RICHMOND: Cora's all-day breakfast
Cora's is an extremely family-friendly chain that was started in Quebec by a single mother named Cora. Most of its 129 locations are in central and Eastern Canada… Read More »
VANCOUVER: Edible Canada breakfast
I never assume that it's OK to bring a toddler to a restaurant. Not just for our convenience, but also for the business. It certainly isn't fair to… Read More »
RICHMOND: Guu Aberdeen
I first wrote about Guu in 2007 when they had three locations. Now the Japanese izakaya chain has eight, including Toronto. (Hi Gigi!) The one we've been going… Read More »
VANCOUVER: Big Al's American Thanksgiving
"Big Al" Robinson came to Vancouver from Louisiana 40 years ago to play as a rookie for the BC Lions. But an injury prevented him from ever playing…. Read More »
VICTORIA: Ferris' Oyster Bar
Victoria is a fantastic food destination with many brew pubs and little bistros. We tried to hit one of the local brunch hotspots but the lineups were just… Read More »
VANCOUVER: Kokopelli kid-friendly cafe
Now that I'm a parent, Kokopelli Cafe is the kind of place I wish existed in every neighborhood. It's a sweet cafe that bakes fresh pastries, makes healthy… Read More »
VANCOUVER: Red Wagon Cafe
I love breakfast/brunch. I hate lineups. Red Wagon Cafe is lined up to the yazoo on weekends. Solution: go during the weekday. The cafe feels like it's been… Read More »


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Illinois Scenic Byways
Illinois River Road Report
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Join our e-mail list to receive future specials, events and information about the
Unique Dining Along the Illinois River Road
Since driving America's Byways are all about getting off the beaten path and experiencing "Authentic America," there is no better way to truly experience the region than to explore its communities. Immerse yourself in all the region has to offer.
Explore the many unique dining options below that will help make your journey something special. Many of our communities have a selection of nationally recognized restaurants for you to enjoy. For a full list of options, please visit our Byway Community pages for information links.
Your search generated 5 listing(s).
1. Babe's118 N Plum, Havana, IL 62644
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Phone: (309) 543-9029GPS: 40.300457, -90.062251 Map It!
Area: Havana
2. Grandpa's117 W Main, Havana, IL 62644
Restaurant with a hometown atmosphere...View Details.
Phone: (309) 543-1122GPS: 40.300062, -90.06122 Map It!
Area: Havana
3. Toni's427 W Dearborn, Havana, IL 62644
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Phone: (309) 543-3663GPS: 40.294042, -90.065492 Map It!
Area: Havana
4. Town House116 W Market, Havana, IL 62644
Restaurants ...View Details.
Phone: (309) 543-5000GPS: 40.301258, -90.061095 Map It!
Area: Havana
5. Trixie's316 W Main, Havana, IL 62644
Restaurant & Gift Shop...View Details.
Phone: (309) 543-1225GPS: 40.300198, -90.064044 Map It!
Area: Havana


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I NEED A LEGAL ASSISTANT (Panama City)
Hey guys, I need your help.
I'm looking for a Legal Assistant with the following qualifications:
a. First or Second year law student.
b. Good presentation.
c. Good oral and written expression.
d. English is an essential requirement and there will be a part of the interview done in English.
We offer:
a. A base salary plus commissions for all transactions handled by the Assistant.
b. Possibility of travelling abroad depending on his/her performance.
The persona that applies will:
a. Have access to a wide range of international affairs and transactions.
b. Work in an international environment.
c. Have the possibility of learning how to handle international commercial and legal transactions.
If you know anybody, please tell them to send me their CV to:
Protected content
Thanks to all. Regards,


text:
Harry Potter star was under contract not to have dental work
Actor Matthew Lewis, best known for playing teenage wizard Neville Longbottom, has explained that he was under contract not to fix his teeth while filming his part in the blockbuster film franchise Harry Potter. Matthew, now 24, was 11 when he first won the role and had to maintain his crooked smile for the duration of filming, in order to star completely in character.
Lewis told The Independent that he had to go for ten years without having anything done to fix his bad teeth and it hit his confidence hard. He explained that he had grown taller and thinner by the time they reached the third film and the producers decided that 'they were uncomfortable with that, and thought, 'No, we need to make him a bit geeky looking', or geekier, I should say, so they put me in a fat suit and false teeth.'
As he got older, Matthew became so miserable with the costume that he asked the director of the last four films, David Yates, if he could get rid of the false teeth; he agreed but the young actor was still made to wear the fat suit. Lewis told the paper 'Looking back on it, it doesn't really bother me at all, but at the time, when you're going through puberty and you're on a film set with a lot attractive girls anyway, and then back at school as well, and you have to wear this fat suit, and have this long greasy hair – oh yeah, at the time, it was rubbish. It was really rubbish.' He has since undergone orthodontic treatment to improve his teeth.
David Yates dental work false teeth Harry Potter Neville Longbottom teeth


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The number of registered .ee domains passed 70,000
According to the number of registered domains, there are 54.4 .ee domain names per 1,000 persons in Estonia, while the number in Latvia and Lithuania is 51.7 and 52.5, respectively. The Finnish national domain .fi has been registered slightly more than the Estonian equivalent at 59.7 and the Swedish domain .se stands at 135.6 times per 1,000 persons.
Since March 2013, it has been possible to register a .ee domain for a period of up to three years. In these four months, about 490 of the 70,000 domains have been registered for two years and about 660 for three years. These are mostly renewals.
According to figures from 2013, an average of 1,130 .ee domain names are registered every month, which is 13 percent more than within the same period at 2012.


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"There are costs and risks to a program of action, but they are far less than the long range risks and costs of comfortable inaction."
- John F. Kennedy
Based in Minneapolis Minnesota, PSI offers a full selection of high quality security services. Licensed, bonded and insured, we are able to supply our clients with services that include:
- Executive Protection
- Security Driver
- Event Security
- Estate Protection
- Security Consulting
- Security Training
While our specific client list is confidential, we have served Corporate CEO's, Global Ministers, International Celebrities, Best-selling Authors and more. References are available as appropriate
Let us be your "boots on the ground" in Minnesota!
Providing practical steps for planning, budgeting, training, and implementing a fully-equipped security program.
Our comprehensive course takes your teams through the building blocks of effective, real-world subjects.
Executive Protection
Protecting and serving corporate executives, private individuals and ministry leaders that are exposed to varied levels of danger.


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Community Involvement
Committed to Community. Socially Aware.
Sense of community and social responsibility are at the core of what we do. It is our responsibility as a business to make the world a better place for our employees, our clients, and our community. It is a responsibility we take seriously.
Social responsibility begins with employees. CodeClouds provides a workplace environment that promotes peace and harmony for employees. Through social initiatives such as art exhibits, art education workshops for youngsters, and hunger relief programs, we encourage and celebrate employees' efforts to fulfill ecological and social responsibilities.
CodeClouds' community initiatives focus on sustainability and improved quality of life for the communities in which we operate. To this end, we have formed a community development forum that aims to mobilize resources for the betterment of those around us. Our initiatives include orphanage support, HIV/Aids awareness, and child education to name a few. Our efforts have made a positive impact in the lives of many people with many more yet to be reached.
Fulfilling Social Responsibility and Improving Quality of Living
Poverty and education are one of the challenging issues of society. CodeClouds have joined hands with nonprofit sectors to create an opportunity for every child in India. Providing support and strengthening the community at its best.
CodeClouds bringing joy and laughter to the children of SOS Children's Villages
Christmas is a time of celebration, laughter, and hope. CodeClouds enjoyed this Christmas with the children of SOS Children's Villages at Salt Lake. Once we went inside, the reaction of the children was moving and heartwarming. All of them got into the festive spirit.


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Some arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats, need treatment, many do not. Read about your child's specific type and find a checklist for parents.
Also called DiGeorge Syndrome and Velocardiofacial Syndrome. A high percentage of children with this genetic immune system disorder are born with heart defects.
HBP isn't just a disease for adults. Teens, children and even babies can have it. Treating it can be as easy as helping your child develop heart-healthy habits.
Cardiomyopathy is a chronic disease in which the heart muscle becomes inflamed and doesn't work as well as it should. Find out what to expect.
Sometimes the heart of a child may not function properly. It's important to recognize how it's diagnosed, treated and even cured in younger children.
This childhood illness can result in long-term heart complications. Learn the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment for Kawasaki disease.
If your child is born with a heart defect today, the chances are better than ever that the problem can be overcome and a normal adult life will follow.
A heart murmur is an abnormal sound in the heart caused by defective heart valves or holes in the heart walls. Innocent murmurs are common in children, and quite harmless.
This inflammatory infection can occur after strep throat. Sometimes rheumatic fever affects the heart and can cause permanent damage.
Stroke in infants and children presents unique challenges to parents. Find resources and read personal stories of young stroke survivors.


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You want to make your child a memorable picture or want to make an amazing gift, or an interesting looking child photo manipulation, or want to create a magical and lovely image, or want to learn how to create the effect of phosphorescent stars? Then this tutorial is for you! This tutorial will show you from start to finish how to create this magical photo manipulation! Read this tutorial and learn how to create interesting effects create interesting and beautiful picture!
What you'll be creating
The first step is creating background and adding textures. The second step is adding mushrooms and bugs The next step is to add the model and create the effect of magic and neon stars. In the final stage, we will add small details and special effects. You need any version of Photoshop, inspiration, attention, good mood!
Tutorial Resources
- Model – deathbycanon-stock
- Background – rustymermaid-stock
- Snails – gd08
- Spider – Camelfobia
- Mushrooms 1 – Dracoart-Stock
- Mushrooms 2 – Dracoart-Stock
- Mushrooms 3 – Dracoart-Stock
- Light texture – xnienke
- frog – hatestock
Spider Webs – frozenstocks(Alternative)
- Nature bokeh – koko-stock
Step 1
Before you start, download all the material in one place. So it will be easier to work with them. Download resources in the best quality, using the "Download" button in the top-right corner of the page with resource on site DeviantART.com. Open Photoshop and start by creating! Create a new document. Go to File > New or the short key Cmd /Ctrl+ N. A blank document with size of 3000 pixels wide and 2000 pixels high, resolution 200 Pixels/Inch. I named the document "Queen of fungi".
Step 2
Now I have added a background picture. Go to File > Place and select the image "Moss_stock_6_by_rustymermaid_stock".
The picture should be opened to all Working field size. If you do not, then go to the resource page and download it as it is written in the first step.
Step 3
Zoom bit image, as shown in Figure. Use the Free Transform tool (Cmd /Ctrl+ T or go to Edit > Transform > Scale).
Step 4
Duplicate this layer one time (the short key Cmd /Ctrl+ J or go to Layer> Duplicate Layer…).
Now flip the duplicated image horizontally. Go to Edit> Transform> Flip Horizontal
Move not reflected horizontally (first layer background) down a bit as shown in Figure.
Step 5
Add a layer mask to this layer.
Select the Brush Tool (B) with there settings: Size: 100px, Hardness: 0%, Opacity: 100% – 50%, flow: 100%,
Step 6
On the layer mask partially remove the image. Carefully work through the background that was not prominent features. make it smooth. To help, here so I did. First – this is where I remove, it is the second kind of mask layer.
Step 7
Add texture to convert background. Go to File > Place and select the image "nature_bokeh_stock_by_koko_stock-d73dkvv".
Transform the texture on all working fields.
Change the values Opacity to 75%, Blending Mode to Overlay. A similar result can be achieved and adjustment layers, but will not look so impressive and fast. Sometimes I like such surprises. Should pay attention to them!
Step 8
Duplicate this layer (the short key Cmd /Ctrl+ J or go to Layer> Duplicate Layer…). Increase the size and place this layer as shown in Figure. Use the Free Transform tool (Cmd /Ctrl+ T or go to Edit > Transform > Scale). This is in order to make the texture is not the same type.
Step 9
Now merge the layers with texture to the one group, and add to it mask.
Step 10
Select the Brush Tool (B) with there settings: Size: 600px, Hardness: 0%, Opacity: 100% – 50%, flow: 100%.
Remove some of the texture from the center (where the girl is sitting, a tree and a little close). Remove the texture on the corners of the image by changing the brush opacity to 50%,
Add to the bottom layer with the texture adjustment layer Curves (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves… or click on icon New Adjustment Layer and in list, select Curves…).
Set points for each channel, as shown in Figure.
Step 11
Merge all layers with the background and the group with the texture in the one group "Interior" (Select the desired layers + Cmd/Ctrl + G). In the future we will return to it.
Step 12
Now add the mushrooms! All we have 3 types of of mushrooms, we do the rest :). Let's start with outer of mushrooms. Go to File > Place and select the image "More_HDR_Mushrooms_10_by_Dracoart_Stock".
Step 13
Reduce, rotate them and place as shown in Figure. I chose a place for them in a small clearing moss, so as to create the impression of the incident light from the general atmosphere
Step 14
Now use the Quick Selection Tool (W) on toolbar to select blue background and part of moss.
Invert selection (the short keys Cmd /Ctrl+ Shift + I). Go to Refine Edge… in the of top settings panel.
Step 15
In Refine Edge we change the view on "On Black". Take the brush in the window and spend it outside the of mushrooms, but not much touching them (otherwise you remove part of the fungus), to remove the remains of the background. Make the settings as shown in the figure. Press Ok.
Step 16
Now add a mask to this layer to remove the entire background.
To mushrooms looked realistically go to his mask and using the Brush Tool (B) with there settings: Size: 100px, Hardness: 0%, Opacity: 50%, flow: 100% and remove the little foot fungus where it touches the moss (only very slightly).
Step 17
Follow the steps 12 – 16 with mushrooms "More_HDR_Mushrooms_4_by_Dracoart_Stock".
Step 18
Duplicate this mushrooms once(Cmd/Ctrl + J). Then go to Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontal. Reduce their size (Cmd /Ctrl+ T or go to Edit > Free Transform).
Temporarily hide the layer by clicking the eye icon next to the layer.
Step 19
Now, of these two fungi, we will create a small glade. Hold Cmd/Ctrl and click on layer mask to select mushrooms. Select Lasso Tool (L) on toolbar. Hold Option/ Alt to take away from selection.
Circle high and rounded mushroom. Remaining mushroom duplicate 2 times (Cmd/Ctrl + J).
Step 20
Reduce mushroom and stretch it a bit wide (Cmd /Ctrl+ T or go to Edit > Free Transform) upper layer with mushroom. Place them as shown in Figure.
Duplicate it (Cmd/Ctrl + J) and place it as shown in Figure.
Go to the layer with this fungus, but that under the original layer. Using the Free Transform tool (Cmd /Ctrl+ T or go to Edit > Free Transform), Increase its size and place it as shown in Figure.
Step 21
We proceed to the last mushroom. Go to File > Place and select the image "HDR_Mushrooms_6_by_Dracoart_Stock".
Increase mushrooms, tilt the image so that the central mushroom cap was raised, but he was in a steady position with respect to other fungi and flip them horizontally (Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontal). Place them as shown in the figure. This will be our central mushroom.
Use the Quick Selection Tool (W) on toolbar to select big mushroom and part of moss. Go to Refine Edge… in the top panel settings.
Fungus cleaning principle remains the same and not to describe it to you again just repeat the steps 15 – 16.
Step 22
Duplicate this mushroom 2 times (Cmd/Ctrl + J). Transform it (Cmd /Ctrl+ T or go to Edit > Free Transform) and position them as shown in the figure. Middle mushroom need to Flip Horizontal (Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontal). Layer with the small mushroom should be higher than the other two layers, so that it was closer to the viewer.
Here is how you should get. Layer mushroom is below all layers with mushrooms. You can arrange the mushrooms as you want. I just described how they arranged for me.
Merge all layers with mushrooms in a group and name it "Mushrooms" (Select the desired layers + Cmd/Ctrl + G).
Step 23
Add a bit of wildlife. Go to File > Place and select the image of spider "spider_png_by_camelfobia-d5ilc3s".
Reduce its size and place it on mushrooms.
Go to File > Place and select the image of snails "snails_png_by_gd08-d3ioxq6".
Take Lasso Tool (L) on toolbar. Circle first second snail and duplicate it (Cmd/Ctrl + J). Be extremely careful when allocating snails. Not to miss parts!
Then go back to the original snails layer and circle third snail. Then duplicate it (Cmd/Ctrl + J). Layer with the original snails I delete.
Reduce their size (Cmd /Ctrl+ T or go to Edit > Free Transform), and the second snail Flip Horizontal (Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontal). Place the snails as shown in Figure.
Step 24
Place the frog (File > Place. Image "frog_stock_163_by_hatestock"). Reduce the size and flip horizontally. Position it so that it look was slightly above the center.
Use the Quick Selection Tool (W). Circle the frog and add a mask to this layer to remove the background.
Step 25
You have to do the shadow of the animals. Create a new layer. Go to Layer > New > Layer (Cmd /Ctrl+ Shift + N). Shadow layer must be above the frog to on it shadow was created and below the layer with the snails, not much to darken their body.
Take a Brush Tool (B). Set there settings: Size: 75px, Hardness: 0%, Opacity: 30%, flow: 50%.
Now the most accurate work with the shadow, because it will depend on the result. You slowly and gently swipe the brush over the snail and mushroom simultaneously. Under the shell can be made once. Darken the side, back and legs frog. Apply shadow on mushrooms. Remember that mushrooms shadow not only of the incident light. On the lower fungi shadow from the upper fungi. The future always be attentive to such places and do not strongly contrasting shadows.
Merge all layers with animals in a group and name it "Bugs" (Select the desired layers + Cmd/Ctrl + G). I combine all to groups, because then it is necessary apply the adjustment layers, which should flow to animals.
Step 26
Create a new group by clicking on the icon in the group at the bottom of the Layers panel. Then add a layer mask to it. Move the group "Mushrooms" and "Bugs" in this group.
Take a Brush Tool (B) with there settings: Size: 70px, Hardness: 0%, Opacity: 45%, flow: 100%.
Remove on the layer mask a little stipe, to make it look realistic. In some places I have changed Opacity: 70% to enhance the effect.
Step 27
Now you need to create realistic shadows on mushrooms. To do this, create a new layer use the short keys Cmd /Ctrl+ Shift + N. Note that this layer is applied only to a group rather than to the entire document.
Use the Dodge Tool (O) for make light and Burn Tool (O) for shadow. Set the following settings.
Draw light and shade as shown in Figure. Pay attention to animals. Draw a shadow on the back of the frog and the shells so they look realistic. Shadow paint in accordance with the light from the background.
Step 28
When we finished with light and shadow, then you have to adjust the saturation of all fungi, to make it look authentic and natural. We will add two adjustment layers. The first is Curves to give a correct saturation and gamma. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves… or icon New Adjustment Layer > Curves…
Second adjustment layer is Hue/Saturation. It needed to do a bit of dark color that closer to reality.
Here I have made such mushrooms. Not much darken them and do not do much hard light and dark tones. Otherwise, your work will not look realistic and too overexposed. I combined all the adjustment layers with groups into one group and named it "mushrooms and bugs".
Step 29
Now add some spider webs. For this I used a brushes "Spider_Webs_1_by_frozenstocks". If you do not know how to load them, you can see it in my other tutorials, or use the search :). I have three different layers with different spider webs in different places.
Let's start with the bottom layer! Create a new layer and take a Brush Tool (B). Brush name "Spider_web_5" Size: 400px, Opacity: 100%. Color to all webs – #cacaca. I specifically took not white, because that will look more natural. Place the web of between mushrooms, but that the center was in the middle. Also make sure that the edges of the web concerned fungi.
Second layer. Brush name "Spider_web_11" (Blue), "Spider_web_12" (Red), Size: 300px.
Third layer. Brush name "Spider_web_4" (Blue), Size: 256px.
But last web need a little change. Go to Brush Presets and change the settings as shown in Figure. Brush name "Spider_web_3" (Blue), Size: 200px. Because the web on different layers, created volume and light game.
Step 30
Now let's pay attention to the model! And add it to start :). Go to File > Place. Image "Little_Witch_3_by_deathbycanon_stock". Place the model in the center of the image on a piece of wood. Reduce its size little.
Use the Quick Selection Tool (W) to select a model. Be sure to circle and every part of dresses and hats. Do not worry that background emerges through the fabric pattern, then we remove it. When you select a model, go to Refine Edge…
Step 31
In this window, change the view of the "On White". Be sure to check the box for "Smart Radius", set Radius 1.0px. There is an icon on the left brush, take this brush and start painting on fabric where rayed background. Several times on one carry and you will be able to partially restore the fabric, but it's not much wash, otherwise the form will be unattractive. Just swipe it where there are remnants of the background.
Add to that the layer mask and you remove all unnecessary background. It should you get.
Step 32
Create the shadow of the kettle and girl. To do this create a New Layer (Cmd/Ctrl+ Shift + N) and place it under the layer with the model.
Take a Brush Tool (B) and set there settings: Size: 900px, Hardness: 0%, Opacity: 40%, flow: 100%. Make shadow. Near of the kettle the shadow will be more, and the edges of model dress less.
Step 33
Now we need to make the right lighting model to fit her into the general atmosphere. Create a new layer use the short keys Cmd /Ctrl+ Shift + N.
Use the Dodge Tool (O) for make light and Burn Tool (O) for shadow. Draw light and shade as shown in Figure. Note that I lightens it as out of the kettle is light. For example, a hand with a magic wand, edge of hat, neck and edge of kettle. This layer should be higher than the model layer. All the layers of the model I have combined into one group "Model".
Step 34
Now the fun part! Now we will create a brush from the stars. In Photoshop are many brushes that few know (except for professionals). Now you find them and convert it! Go to Brush Presets. In the upper right corner there is an icon settings, click on it and then select the "Assorted Brushes". In the window that appears, if you click Ok brush replaced, and if Append then brushes added to the Brush palette.
Now find a star brush in tab "Brush". Set on the main tab Size: 40px, Spacing: 32%. So the stars are not so thick, which would make dispersal. Go to tab "Shape Dynamics" and set Size Jitter: 83%, Angle Jitter: 13%, Roundness Jitter: 56%, Minimum Roundness: 25%. This values represents the minimum size of the stars, slightly tilted and perspective stars.
Go to Scattering tab and set Scatter: 1000%, Count: 1. This parameter is responsible for the the scatter stars.
Tab Color Dynamics responsible for the color of the brush and change it. Set the Hue Jitter: 29%, Saturation Jitter: 16%, Brightness Jitter: 2%. So the stars will be a different color, brightness and saturation. In tab Transfer set Opacity Jitter: 70%, Flow Jitter: 89%. So the star will not be the same. This creates an effect of depth. Be sure to check the box on Smoothing to change stars color and "blended with the background".
Save your created brush to return to it after.
Step 35
Brush is ready. Start working on the kettle and the stars. First you need to circle around the top of the kettle. Take a Magnetic Lasso Tool (L) and carefully circle the edge of the kettle. Create a new layer (Cmd /Ctrl+ Shift + N).
Take a Brush Tool (B) (Size: 600px, Hardness: 0%, Opacity: 100%, flow: 100%, Color – # 00bffc). Edge of the brush to make a point to create a small glow in the kettle. I added a layer mask and used a brush a little removed from the kettle.
To this layer set Opacity: 65%, Blend Mode: Linear Dodge (Add).
Create a new layer. Reduce the size of the brush (Size: 500px) and put a point as shown in Figure.
Set Opacity: 70%, Blend Mode: Screen. Now you can deselect (Cmd/Ctrl + D).
Step 36
Now create a new layer and place it the top. Change Blend Mode to Color, Opacity: 55%.
Take a Brush Tool (B) (Size: 125px, Hardness: 0%, Opacity: 100%, flow: 100%, Color – # 00bffc). Draw glow from the kettle to a model, on kettle edge and fabric. Try not to draw on the model's face, because it is not very nice.
Create a New Layer. Take a Brush Tool (Size: 100px, Hardness: 0%, Opacity: 30%, flow: 100%, Color – # 00bffc), make small steam eruption. Opacity to this layer – 58%.
Note the location of the layers! You should be too.
Step 37
We proceed to the stars. Create a New Layer. Select your star brush. Settings Size: 25 and 15px, Hardness: 0%, Opacity: 100%, flow: 100%, Color – # 00bffc. In the settings of the brush uncheck "Color Dynamics" to draw only one color. This layer must be above the layer with "Linear Dodge (Add)".
Create a New Layer. Brush Settings: Size: 30px, Hardness: 0%, Opacity: 100%, flow: 100%, Color – # ffbb03. In the settings of the brush turn "Color Dynamics" to become stars with different colors and shades. Opacity to this layer – 40%. Each subsequent layer to be under previous.
Now we give the stars neon effect. For this layer add a style Inner Glow… and Outer Glow… Make the settings for each as shown in Figure.
This style makes the outer glow. So you can make the effect of light or energy from object.
This style makes the inner glow. This gives the effect of neon stars and makes them view the baby and toy.
Create a New Layer. Brush Settings: Size: 40px, Hardness: 0%, Opacity: 100%, flow: 100%, Color – # ffbb03. Opacity to this layer – 100%. Duplicate the layer style from the previous.
Step 39
Create a New Layer. Brush Settings: Size: 15px, Hardness: 0%, Opacity: 100%, flow: 100%, Color – # ffe000. Opacity to this layer – 75%. I decided to add gold stars and textured. For this layer add a style Bevel & Emboss… Color Overlay… Outer Glow… Make the settings as shown in Figure.
Bevel & Emboss… This gives the texture of the stars.
Color Overlay… colors in the color you want.
Step 40
Remained the last layer. It is the latest and contains smoke. Create a new layer and load in Photoshop smoke brushes. Try different brush. Here are some basic brushes, which I used. Set Opacity to this layer 45%.
I combined all the layers with the glow of the stars and in the same group and named it "Star". Check the location of all the layers. You must be in the same way as me.
Step 41
Now let's add bokeh to the picture to make the atmosphere more colorful and magical. Go to File> Place and select file "Light_texture_05_by_xnienke".
Reduce the image and duplicate it 2 times, place two images on the top and one near the fungi. I added to layers with bokeh in group "Interior" layer mask and removed the water mark.
All three layers are of different sizes, opacity and Blending modes. On the right side is smaller than on the left. Near the fungus – smallest. Try to make the size of bokeh proportional.
Step 42
The next step is to create a blurred background. Select a groups with the background, mushrooms and animals and layer with bokeh. Duplicate them (Cmd/Ctrl+ J). Combine doubles in a single layer (Cmd/Ctrl+ E).
Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur… Set the radius 3.0px.
On blurred layer add a layer mask, used a soft brush to remove the blur from center, animals and fungi edges. Dark part of the frog leave blurred.
Step 43
I created a brush to paint a small cloud of particles near the mushrooms. Original brush was a soft brush. Save a Brush.
Create a new layer uppermost. Take your brush and draw near the small mushroom cloud. Set Opacity 80%.
That they add to the glow layer style Outer Glow with the settings as shown in Figure.
Step 44
All done! I congratulate you! I hope you learned a lot and you were a pleasure to read and learn my tutorial. Here is ready to work with all layers. Check it out!
Final Results


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One year, many successes: Our Annual Report to Customers.
Together, we're making transformation real. Discover the great things Dell Technologies and our customers have achieved in one year and how, together, we're innovating for the future.
Together, we're making transformation real. Discover the great things Dell Technologies and our customers have achieved in one year and how, together, we're innovating for the future.
Latest Press ReleaseDell Technologies Concludes Strategic Review and Reaches Agreement to Exchange Class V Tracking Stock for Equity or Cash Election OptionDell Technologies announced today that it has reached an agreement with its Special Committee of independent directors to exchange the outstanding Class V tracking stock for Class C common stock of Dell Technologies or an optional cash election. Dell Technologies Class C common stock will become publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
In The News
About Dell Technologies$80.3combined non-GAAP revenue for FY18.$12.8Bcumulative Dell Technologies investments in R&D over the past three years.180Technology that's trusted in 180 countries.99%Over 99% of the Fortune 500 rely on our solutions.
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Sigma DP2
|24.2 mm (35 mm equivalent 41 mm) f/2.8
|20.7 mm × 13.8mm Foveon X3 Sensor CMOS
|Maximum resolution
|14.06 Megapixels, 4.65 million different sensor locations[1]
|ASA/ISO range
|ISO equivalency 50-3200 1/3 EV Steps up to±3EV
|SD Card
|Focus areas
|Contrast Detect AF
|Exposure modes
|Program AE [P], Shutter Priority AE [S], Aperture Priority AE [Ae], Manual [M]
|Exposure metering
|TTL Full Aperture Metering
|Metering modes
|Evaluative Metering, Center-Weighted Average Metering, Spot Metering
|Pop-up (manual) Guide no. 6 (ISO100/m)
|Electronically controlled lens shutter
|Shutter speed range
|15 to 1/2000 seconds
|Continuous shooting
|3 frames/s, limited to 3 successive frames
|Image Processing
|Custom WB
|Auto, Presets (6), Custom
|Rear LCD monitor
|2.5 Inch, 230000 dots
|Lithium Ion battery BP-31
|113.3 × 59.5 × 56.1 mm (4.5 × 2.3 × 2.2 inch)
|260 g (9.2 oz) excluding battery & card
|Made in
The Sigma DP2 is a high-end compact digital camera introduced by the Sigma Corporation. It features a 14-megapixel Foveon X3 sensor (2652 × 1768 × 3 layers), the same sensor used in its predecessor, the Sigma DP1 and in the Sigma SD14 DSLR, a fixed 24.2mm f/2.8 lens (41mm equivalent), a 2.5" LCD and a pop-up flash.[1]
With its predecessor, the DP1, it is one of the few "compact" cameras that featured sensor with a size equivalent to APS-C. Sigma claimed this (comparatively large) sensor size would result in DSLR quality images from a small, pocketable camera. The camera does not include auto or scene modes as it is not aimed against the average consumer. The DP series are therefore targeted against professional photographers or enthusiasts seeking a compact, yet capable camera.
It was announced in September 2008, and began shipping in 2009.
Differences to the DP1 include a lens that is one stop faster, f/2.8 vs. f/4.0, 24.2 vs. 16.6mm(35mm equivalent of 41mm vs 28mm) and a faster processing chip, the True II image processor, which is shared with the Sigma SD15 DSLR.
Though claimed difficult to use, it shares many features and limitations found in rangefinder cameras such as the Leica M6, and with its mechanical-feedback manual focus, snaps images with zero shutter lag.
In February 2010, Sigma released an updated version of the camera, the Sigma DP2s. The DP2s offers a new AF algorithm, a "power save" mode and a modified rear design with new labeling of the buttons. The imaging sensor itself remained the same.[2]
In 2012, Sigma released the 'Merrill' range of the DP series, with a much improved sensor.
Sigma Photo Pro[edit]
Postprozessing of raw X3F and JPEG of all digital SIGMA cameras
Version 6.x is free Download for Windows 7+ und Mac OS ab Version 10.7 (6.3.x). Actual Versions are 6.5.4 (Win 7+) and 6.5.5 (MacOSX 10.9+).[3]
- ^ a b Sigma DP2 digital camera specifications Archived 2009-04-19 at the Wayback Machine. at dpreview
- ^ DPreview. "Sigma introduces DP2s large sensor compact". Retrieved 2010-10-17.
- ^ http://www.sigma-global.com/en/download/cameras/sigma-photo-pro/
- Sigma announces DP2 large sensor compact
- Official Specifications at Sigma's Website
- Additional reference for specifications


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Clash Of Lords it`s a new strategy game where magic and action come alive. What to do is to conquer players worldwide and plunder resources. Lead an army of towering Minotaurs or a fire-breathing dragons. Collect minerals and complete quest, wipe out devious creatures to unlock more maps and challenges.
You can collaborate with your friends and gather your forces!
To reach a high level you have to spend a lot of time in front of the computer. While not many have it but love to play a good game of strategy we offer a new Clash of Lords Hack Tool faster, with more options and undetectable which is better than the previous.
A lot of fun to use Clash of Lords Hack because that will help generating all the resources you need.
With Clash Of Lords Hack Tool you can add Gold, Jewels and Potions, upgrade Town Hall to maximum level or have dragons troops. The Tool has a familiar design and it is very easy to use.
Enjoy defeating your biggest enemies and try to reach the top!
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- very Easy to use
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- Find and press the Download Button bellow
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Download Clash Of Lords Hack for Free:
All Rights Reserved


text:
At 160-square feet, our snug room is ideal for the budget-conscious traveler. Snug rooms have all the amenities our standard rooms, albeit in a smaller space.
Two person occupancy only. Snug rooms are located on the second floor with one flight of stairs. Room does not include a view, balcony or patio. Cannot accommodate a rollaway. Please call us directly with special requests.
Rates starting from $149.


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The Mont Blanc mountain range
C024/5416 Rights Managed
530 pixels on longest edge, unwatermarked
Request/Download high-res file
Uncompressed file size: 63.3MB
Downloadable file size: 6.2MB
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Credit: ASHLEY COOPER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Release details: Model release not required. Property release not required.
Keywords: aiguille verte, aiguillette des posettes, alps, autumn, bilberry, climate change, colourful, erosion, fall, france, french alps, geology, glacial retreat, glacier, global warming, glow, green, ground cover, landscape, leaf, leaves, les drus, mont blanc, mont blanc du tacul, mont maudit, moorland, mountain, mountain range, orange, pinnacled, pinnacles, red, ridge, rocks, season, serrated, slope, snow, steep, sunlight, tour du mont blanc, vegetation, weather, white
Licence fees: A licence fee will be charged for any media (low or high resolution) used in your project.


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Routeburn/Greenstone Track is a 68.2 kilometer point-to-point trail located near Paradise, Otago Region, New Zealand that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking and backpacking and is best used from September until May.
The Routeburn Track is one of the Great Walks in New Zealand. The huts along the way are not only big but also well equipped with flush toilets, gas cookers and other nice gadgets. Of course this comes with a higher price and the necessity to book your bed in advance. The Routeburn Track gives you a great variety of landscape, from lushy forests with moss, fern and waterfalls to stunningly wide alpine scenery with tussock, crystal clear post-glacier-age lakes and a view up to the tasman Sea. Compared to the Routeburn Track, the Greenstone Track is less popular and built out. But the Greenstone Track offers a lot of variety and beauty for the eyes. The huts are of a simpler kind and without a reservation system, you might end up getting no bunk when you come in late on a busy day. The flip side is that it's substantially less crowded.
Love hiking Greenstone Caples with the Routeburn. Different scenery...Less people before getting to the Routeburn.


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25 Oct 2012 14:15:25 PM
Oh Great, Rampage Jackson Has More Shit to Complain About [VIDEO]
(Props: AXS TV Fights)
It seemed like a foregone conclusion that Quinton "Rampage" Jackson would fight new light-heavyweight hotness Glover Teixeira for his UFC farewell bout. Unfortunately, Teixeira's medical suspension could delay the meeting even further, as the Brazilian slugger may have injured his right hand and elbow while breaking his arm off in Fabio Maldonado's ass at UFC 153.
In this clip from Inside MMA, Bas Rutten drops the bad news on Jackson, who explains that he'd rather not wait six more months to get back in the cage…so what's Forrest Griffin up to these days, anyway? When Bas is informed that Griffin vs. Phil Davis has already been booked, it's tantrum time for Quinton:
"That's gonna be a boring fight! No disrespect to anybody, but that's gonna be a boring fight, I'm sorry…This is why I'm leaving the UFC. I don't understand what Joe Silva's doing. Joe Silva have a complex, something's wrong with him. The guy can't match *shoes*. What kind of matchmaker is this guy? What is he thinking? Give me Forrest. Everybody wants that, that would sell, everybody wants to see me and Forrest fight again. Everybody keeps talking about it."Read More DIGG THIS


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As a nation we are overweight, don't admit it and aren't doing anything about it!
According to a 2010 Gallup Poll, on average, 62% of Americans are overweight. Only 19% are their ideal weight and 11% are underweight.
The average man weighs 193 pounds, 12 pounds higher than the average ideal of 181. 59% of men in the US are overweight, 22% are their ideal weight and 15% are underweight.
The average woman weighs 159 pounds, 19 pounds more than the average ideal weight of 140 pounds. 60% of US women are overweight, 17% are at their ideal weight, and 9% are underweight.
Despite these facts, 57% of Americans describe their weight as "about right"! Yet, 54% of Americans say they want to lose weight, and only 27% are actively trying to do so!


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Top 10: Our favourite men with ponytails
Just like their female counterparts, ponytails on men come in all different shapes and sizes.
There's the grease-laden grunge bun rocked by musicians like Gavin Rossdale; the devil-may-care slightly frizzy pull-back Russell Crowe has toyed with; David Beckham's practical (and incredibly hot) pre-retirement game pony and Karl Lagerfeld's iconic white coiffure.
As summer approaches and we all feel the need to get that hair off our necks, we look at 10 manly ponies that tell a tale.
HELLO! Canada magazine is available for your tablet and smartphone. Get HELLO! Canada, PEOPLE, Vanity Fair and over 100 more of the world's best magazines for one low monthly price at Texture by Next Issue. CLICK HERE to sign up for a free trial.


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Making a Living Doing
What He Loves: Music
Passenger Profile: Leon Ayers, Jr.
By Kenny Kerner
Well, here comes another TAXI success storya member in his mid-40s with more songs placed in television shows than you can shake a stick at. First a performer who later switched to composing and producing, Leon Ayers has a cool story to tell. So, let's listen...
When did you first begin playing music and what inspired you to do so?
: I started playing piano at Chandler Elementary School in Detroit. I was inspired by Mr.West, the music teacher, who started an after school program after recognizing my talent. I was amazed at how he could make the piano sound like an entire orchestra. I also had a lot of support and encouragement from my mother.
How did your schooling help in your career development?
: Schooling was very important in my career development. I went to school in a time when they actually had music in the public school system, so I was exposed to music at an early age. School has introduced me to the classics, theory, harmony, melody, two- and three-part inventions, atonal, improvisation, chord voicing, the list goes on and on. I rely on all of these elements when I write. Learning these things allows me to write in different genres. As a background instrumental composer you have to be versatile.
What would you consider to be your first professional success?
: My professional success is realizing that I can make a living doing what I love. In three years I've had more success with TAXI than I ever had trying to do this on my own.
What made you turn to composing and producing?
: I don't think I chose composing, I think composing chose me. Starting out wasn't anything conscious. Songs would come to me at any time. I can only describe it as a mental radio station. I could think of a style and hear an entire score. The trick was to record all the parts before I forgot it. Now if the track was any good is another story. I've probably deleted hundreds of songs.
What was your first big break as a professional?
: I haven't had any earth shattering "big breaks" yet. My success has come one step at a time, being persistent and setting goals. Although, I may have a song in a movie this summer. That would be big! My publisher says, "It's just a dream until you see it on the screen." In the meantime, hearing my music on TV is great.
How did you get your first song placed? Describe what happened.
: My first song placement was with a publishing company. I submitted a song to a TAXI listing which was forwarded. A few days later I received a call from the publisher asking for more material. Here is a tip for the musicians who are not happy with their TAXI reviews. When I see a listing that I want to submit to, I write maybe three or four songs. I submit what I consider to be my best two tracks. If one track is forwarded and the publisher contacts you, in my experience 10 times out of 10 they will ask, "What else you got?" I think I sent five songs to them. All five were licensed and have had airplay. Don't get upset with your reviews: You can't beat the price of submissions and a critique on how to make your song better. Did you know submission fees could possibly be a tax write-off?
Why did you join TAXI?
: At first I was skeptical about joining TAXI. Everyone I talked to gave me that look. The "you're gonna waste your money" look. The idea of joining stayed on my mind for at least a year. I decided to research TAXI to see what I could find. Basically, looking for dirt. But, every article I read was positive. I even called the Better Business Bureau. I think there was one complaint and that person's money was refunded. I joined in 2003 and I'm glad I did. My first royalty check was more than enough to cover the membership fee.
How has TAXI helped your career?
: TAXI has helped me to seriously analyze myself as a composer, which has helped me determine where I fit in the music industry. TAXI was sort of a wake-up call. Am I good enough? How do my songs compare to others? What are my strengths and weaknesses? The critiques guide you in the right direction for what the industry is looking for. Aside from the "Not on target for this listing" there's lots of useful information such as, structure, musicianship, marketability, etc.
When I first joined, my production and engineering scores were 4, 5, and sometimes 6 out of 10. Now, I'm in the 8-9 range. In the past if I let anyone hear my material it had to be on my stereo, or in my car where I knew exactly what the mix would sound like. With the help of the critiques I'm able to get a mix that sounds consistent on any system. The critique didn't tell me how to fix it, but it revealed what area I needed to work on.
TAXI is another one of my one-step-at-a-time processes; giving me the contacts I wouldn't normally have access to. TAXI gets me through the door; it's up to me to build a solid relationship with the publisher or music supervisor so they will come back for more. I currently have close to 300 songs licensed. Through recommended books and articles I've come across invaluable information. One example is a quote in an article that read, "Background music is not art it's a craft." I was a little offended at first until I really thought about it. Background music is not looking for anything fancy or acrobatic 32nd notes, it's looking for a particular mood. This is when the light bulb went on for me. It turns out this is what I'm good at. This is where I fit in.
TAXI does the legwork for you. I read an article that said you have to spend as much time on marketing as you do on writing/composing. If you spend four hours writing you have to spend four hours on marketing and promoting. Marketing can be a full time job in itself. I look at TAXI as the alternative. Instead of you looking for industry contacts, THEY go to TAXI to look for you.
So you see... TAXI is thereespecially when you do start placing stuff. They give you even more opportunities to show off and earn more money. And money is good... TAXI is better!!! See ya next month!
"I just want a shot, and I feel that TAXI has given that to me."
Roger Yeardley,
TAXI Member
"The dedication you have to your members is apparent."
Tom Kovacs,
TAXI Member
"I've tried others, but they're nowhere near as good as TAXI."
Firoz Sanullah,
TAXI Member
"Wow! 6 forwards for one listing! Thanks guys, you made my day (week, month, etc!)"
Reid Power,
TAXI Member
"I wish I hadn't waited so long! Cannot thank you enough!"
Montez S.,
TAXI Member
"With help from you guys, the music is pouring out and I'm having such fun! Thanks!"
Willie McCulloch,
TAXI Member


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Vintage Jewels / Antique Haven,LLC ®
Vintage Jewels / Antique Haven / Deb Hancock, Glendale AZ
14K White Gold Filled French Knot Lovers Knot Stud 14K Gold Post Earrings
$38.00 This is a classic pair of vintage love knot earrings fashioned in 14k white gold filled with 14K white gold posts. I do not have the backs for these but can supply rhodium plate nuts. These are never worn... new old stock on original card earrings. Each knot has an approximate diameter of 7/16". They are equipped with a 14k post. The have a combined weight of 2.8 grams. The perfect everyday accessory! Would compliment any wardrobe completely. Condition is excellent and they date c. 1980s.
Jewelry items may be combined for shipping discounts. Please view my shop often as I continually add new and interesting items.
Any THREE ship for FREE if total is over $50.00. This is for multiple item orders.
We are a brick and mortar store, with a top A+ BBB rating..
Call us at 602-573-4975 with your credit card # and skip the hassle of the paper work if you prefer.
International buyers please use Pay Pal.
Pay Pal members may use the Bill Me Later option for one item or a group of items totaling $100 or greater and take up to six months to pay with no interest. Our shop is paid by Pay Pal and your purchase is shipped immediately.
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Store Wide Sale! Make Offers
GOLD Sold ONLY Online! No gold at my brick and mortar store! Offers welcome, most reasonable offers accepted.


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"The Body Scrub is an ultra moisturising blend of pure cocoa butter and Shea butter that melts at room temperature enabling rapid absorption into the skin. Bursting with natural crushed cocoa beans to remove dead skin without drying it helps to reveal brighter younger looking skin and enhance skin tone, texture and glow." The formula is really thick, unlike a lot of scrubs, meaning you have to properly scoop it out of the pot and slap it on your skin. The cocoa beans work a treat to exfoliate, as you're really able to move them around and get rid of the dead cells which make your limbs look tired and pasty.
The scrub smells amazing and really lingers... When I'm walking down the road to work I can still get a little whiff of amazing cocoa butter. What I really like though is how useful it is for the shower - with a lot of exfoliators they're really runny and so it's washed away before you can really work it into the skin, but with this it's easy to polish to perfection.
The scrub will be available in Boots in May priced £5.99


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Passover is rich in social justice themes. Here are a few ways to incorporate social action themes into your holiday observance.
Pesach, known as Passover in English, is a major Jewish spring festival, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt over 3,000 years ago. The ritual observance of this holiday centers around a special home service called the seder (meaning "order") and a festive meal; the prohibition of chametz (leaven); and the eating of matzah (an unleavened bread). On the fifteenth day of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar, Jews gather with family and friends in the evening to read from a book called the haggadah, meaning "telling," which contains the order of prayers, rituals, readings, and songs for the Passover seder. Today, the holiday is a celebration of freedom and family.
Passover Family Activities
Passover Recipes
How-to Videos
More on Passover
Congregation of Temple Israel
13111 Sterling Ridge Drive
Omaha, NE 68144