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SOURCE: Warner Bros. Records
January 17, 2014 11:03 ET
Joined by The Band Perry, Neal McCoy, Dan + Shay
Joined by The Band Perry, Neal McCoy, Dan + Shay
NASHVILLE, TN--(Marketwired - Jan 17, 2014) - Just off the heels of his sold-out Ten Times Crazier 2013 Tour, Blake Shelton announced today that he will be heading out on a 20+ date Ten Times Crazier Tour 2014 with sponsors including Pepsi. The tour kicks off in June and will visit cities including Chicago, Ill., Los Angeles, Calif., and New York, Ny. (full list of cities below). Blake will also be headlining various fairs and festivals throughout the US and Canada. The first opportunity for fans to buy tickets to the Ten Times Crazier Tour 2014, will be through Live Nation's Country Megaticket 2014 sales campaign, where fans can purchase multi-show country music packages at Megaticket.com beginning next week. The tour will feature his current single, "Doin' What She Likes," which is the 4th single off the CMA Award-winning and GRAMMY-nominated Country Album of the Year, Based On a True Story..., and is rapidly approaching Top 20 on the charts. His previous hit single, "Mine Would Be You" shot to the top of the charts giving Blake his 10th consecutive No. 1 (15 overall).
"I cannot wait to get back out on the road," said Blake. "I had so much fun playing songs from Based On A True Story... and getting to see the crowd's reaction to those songs was unforgettable. It is one of the most validating things for an artist like me, to have people sing along to your songs...it means what I'm doing is right and no matter what I'm doing, whether it is The Voice or a TV special, absolutely nothing compares to playing live for me."
See what critics had to say about 2013's Ten Times Crazier Tour:
"Shelton ... is on pace to sell some 600,000 tickets this year and finish among the top touring artists for any genre." - Ray Waddell, Billboard
"Blake has such a stage presence and entertains and interacts with the crowd so well... He could follow behind the greats like George Strait, Johnny Cash, & Merle Haggard." - Melissa Gibson, All Access Magazine
"...after 13 plus years in the game, Shelton's winning streak continues." - Claudia Perry, Chicago Tribune
"Shelton can keep a sold-out crowd of more than 20,000 on their collective feet for two solid hours." - Chuck Yarbrough, Cleveland Plain Dealer
First Announced Cities of the Ten Times Crazier Tour 2014:
Austin, TX
Dallas, TX
Little Rock, AR
Chicago, IL
New York, NY
Darien Center, NY
Albuquerque, NM
Phoenix, AZ
San Diego, CA
Fresno, CA
Sacramento, CA
Mountain View, CA
Spokane, WA
Tacoma, WA
Vancouver, BC
Boise, ID
Salt Lake City, UT
Denver, CO
Las Vegas, NV
Los Angeles, CA
*On-sale information and a complete list of dates, cities, and venues will be announced shortly. Stay tuned to www.BlakeShelton.com for more info.
About Blake Shelton
GRAMMY nominee, Blake Shelton, is CMA Awards' reigning "Male Vocalist of the Year" for the 4th consecutive year, the 2013 recipient of "Album of the Year" for his current platinum-selling release, Based On a True Story.... and is a coach on NBC's Emmy Award-winning musical-competition series "The Voice." Blake is one of the "most versatile of contemporary country singers" (The New York Times). Just off the heels of his multi-week No. 1 smash hit, "Boys 'Round Here," the follow-up single "Mine Would Be You" raced to the top of the charts to mark his 15th No. 1 (10th consecutive) single. "Mine Would Be You" topped the charts for three weeks, making it one of the longest-charting country singles of 2013. His current single, "Doin' What She Likes," is rapidly approaching Top 25 on the country airplay charts. Blake has earned a host of other awards and nominations, including three GRAMMY nominations this year for Country Album of the Year and Country Solo Performance and Country Song of the Year nods for "Mine Would Be You." His infectious multi-week No.1, "Honey Bee" still holds the record for the fastest-selling digital Platinum single for a male country solo artist, "To A Purist Mr. Shelton is a savvy student of tradition. To A Would-be outlaw he's forever adding a wink. He's a star who is only as explicit as you want him to be," Jon Caramanica, The New York Times. Blake Shelton's passion for country music and his commitment to mentoring his teammates from The Voice make him an incredible ambassador for country music. For more information please visit: BlakeShelton.com and follow on Twitter at @BlakeShelton.
About The Band Perry
The Band Perry has ascended to dizzying heights since releasing their self-titled debut album on Republic Nashville in 2010, which scored the sibling trio a string of hits, including the quadruple-platinum "If I Die Young" (#1 on Billboard's Country and AC charts); platinum "You Lie" and gold "All Your Life" (#1 Country). Fronted by Kimberly Perry and rounded out by her younger brothers Neil and Reid, the band has amassed over 10.3 million tracks sold from their platinum debut and gold sophomore release PIONEER, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart and #2 All Genre. In addition to acclaim from top critics across the country, PIONEER has produced two consecutive #1 Country smashes -- the platinum "Better Dig Two" and gold "DONE.," which earned Neil and Reid their first chart-topper as songwriters. Their current single, "Don't Let Me Be Lonely," is in the Top 5 and still climbing at Country radio. The Band Perry has also enjoyed sold-out headlining dates and are currently out on their first global headline tour, WE ARE PIONEERS World Tour. In the past year, they have taken over the American television airwaves with unforgettable performances on the ACM, CMA, Grammy and Billboard Music Awards as well as American Idol, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Ellen, The Talk, The Arsenio Hall Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Show with David Letterman as well as a banner performance of "CMT Crossroads" with rockers Fall Out Boy. Their showering of honors include multiple ACM, CMA, and CMT Music Awards, as well as GRAMMY, Teen Choice, AMA, ACA, and Billboard Music Award nominations, all of which has cemented the sibling trio as one of the hottest acts in recent history. For tour dates and more, visit thebandperry.com / thefansperry.com.
About Neal McCoy
No doubt about it, in the 20 years since he released his first single, Neal McCoy -- the one-of-a-kind country singer and consummate live performer -- has enjoyed every minute of his long, successful career. Even with 11 albums, over 25 charted singles and countless thousands of touring miles already under his big belt buckle, the Longview, Texas-based artist has no intention of slowing down. Whether he's delivering a stirring version of "America the Beautiful" in front of 65,000 standing, cheering fans in Texas Stadium or performing for troops in any number of harrowing, far-flung locales, or coming out of nowhere with a Top-10 comeback single on his own independent label, critics, radio programmers and legions of diehard fans have come to know that they can always expect the unexpected from Neal McCoy. For all of his success in the record business, McCoy is, always has been, and always will be, in the entertainment business. In fact, now that James Brown has left the building, McCoy could easily adopt the appellation of "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business." For more info, please visit Neal McCoy.
About Dan + Shay
Nashville newcomers Dan + Shay became the most added new duo of 2013 at country radio with their breakout debut hit "19 You + Me." Already Top 20 on the charts after only 13 weeks, the track was written by the pair along with Nashville songwriter Danny Orton. The nostalgic feel-good single is the first track from their forthcoming album, due out later this year on Warner Bros. Records. Made up of Dan Smyers, a Pittsburgh, PA native, and Shay Mooney, originally of Natural Dam, AR, the two realized they had a special musical connection after meeting at a party at Smyers' house, in his tented out living room only one year ago. What started as a late night jam session among new friends, led to daily writing sessions that resulted in songs which quickly caught the attention of publishers, label heads and radio programmers alike. Written entirely by Smyers and Mooney, and co-produced by Smyers, Scott Hendricks and Orton, the duo are putting the finishing touches on the yet to be titled debut album. Dan + Shay are excited to bring their infectious original sound to fans on the upcoming Blake Shelton tour. For more info, please visit danandshay.com, and follow @danandshay
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Store Hours:
Monday 10-6:00
Tuesday 10-6:00
Wednesday 10-6:00
Thursday 10-6:00
Friday 10-6:00
Saturday 10-5:00
Sunday Closed for rest, family, and play!
Bop to Tottom is located in heart of the Historic District of Uptown Kingston, which is 90 miles due north of the Big Apple a/k/a New York City. We are nestled in the Hudson Valley where the Catskill Mountains meet the Hudson River. Uptown Kingston was the first capital of New York State,and is loaded with historical architecture, quaint neighborhoods, restaurants, cafes and art galleries, and a terrific Farmers Market on Saturdays.
All the local folks know us well – we're not shy – just ask our UPS man. We will make every effort to help you with anything you might need while visiting. We're happy to give you directions, tell you the best places to eat, or give your dog a treat as we are a very dog friendly crowd.
Our customer service is beyond compare…accessorizing the right outfit from start to finish is one of our specialties. We also can assist in being a personal shopper for a special occasion. Its what we do here!
In addition, for the 10 years we've been open we have eagerly supported our community donating to lots of local charities and fundraisers. It is our belief that everyone should do their part in making a strong community and we practice what we preach.
We are open Monday – Saturday being closed on Sundays (gotta take a day off to do laundry and clean the house!)
We do however have extended holiday shopping hours being open 7 days a week in December.
We'll accommodate your needs whenever we can!

subset: commoncrawl


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18 November 2012
The Croydon Green party have been out and about in Croydon North this weekend, speaking to residents.
A group of members from the Croydon Green Party, including parliamentary candidate Shasha Khan, have been hearing from people living in South Norwood about how they feel on a wide range of issues, including the proposed Beddington Incinerator, the amount of rubbish on local streets and the fear about decreasing police numbers.
Liam Fretwell, Media Officer for the Croydon Greens, said: "It's great to be on the doorstep, hearing from real people with real concerns. We've learned that there's a real hunger in Croydon North for a change."
He continued: "We were proud to be out there, cutting through the political bickering that has blighted Croydon politics for so long and getting right into the heart of what makes Croydon such a great place: the people who live there. The dissatisfaction residents of South Norwood are feeling, with both the Tory council and the Labour ward councillors – not to mention the choice of Labour candidate – is something we Greens are perfectly set to remedy. A Green MP on November 29th is exactly what Croydon needs and we can see now that amongst Croydon residents there's real hope for a brighter future."
The party will be out again repeatedly in the lead up to the by-election, which takes place on November 29th. If you want to ask Green Party candidate Shasha Khan about any issues or concerns you may have, or if you just want a chat, please contact Shasha at firstname.lastname@example.com .uk alternatively you can follow us on Twitter ( @croydongreens ) or like the 'Shasha Khan for Croydon North' Facebook Page.


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Dwyane Wade has asked a Chicago judge to suspend his ex-wife's right to visitation with their two children after a weekend incident that delayed the boys' return to his custody and led to her arrest.
Wade's attorney, James Pritikin, filed an emergency motion and appeared in court Tuesday to have it heard, hours before the Miami Heat guard was to play in Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
A hearing was set for June 26, which would be the date of Game 7 if the Heat and Thunder extend the series to its limit.
Wade told The Associated Press that his sons have been with him in Miami since about 6 a.m. Sunday — "That's what mattered most to me, getting them here to be with me on Father's Day," he said — and that the incident has not adversely affected his play in the championship series.
Siohvaughn Funches-Wade was charged with two counts of attempted child abduction, two counts of unlawful visitation interference and one count of resisting arrest, Cook County Sheriff's spokesman Frank Bilecki told The AP on Tuesday. Another woman at the home at the time, Nadgee Alarcon, was charged with one count of resisting arrest, Bilecki said. All the charges are misdemeanors.
– Reported by Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press


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Accessing computing power and software over the Internet offers flexibility, savings
At a time when the global economy is full of uncertainty and no one knows how long U.S. recession conditions will persist, businesses are watching the bottom line closely. At times like this, no one in the company plays a more important role than the chief financial officer.
One must remember that a CFO's financial responsibility goes far beyond simply saying "No." They must be responsible and prepared to offer the company solutions that not only cut costs but also are wise investments. A CFO must look to be more frugal without impacting the health of the business, and to promote innovation without breaking the bank. In a word, it means looking for ways to do more with less. And it means having better understanding and control of business processes, while still remaining flexible and open to new opportunities.
Unfortunately, walking this tightrope is not always easy, especially under difficult economic conditions. The effort of gathering the intelligence that's required to make these important decisions is a monumental task, since most businesses have their information stored in many different "silos" and software applications. Then, the task that can really be daunting is integrating this information to a state where it can inform corporate strategy.
The methods for financial analysis have traditionally involved a throng of accountants, unwieldy spreadsheets and also the process of having to catalogue every investment, as well as every asset, inventory item and so on. This approach can take weeks if not months to compile; it usually costs a great deal; and it is clearly not suitable for business agility. When all is said and done, when the downturn is at the doorstep, speed matters most.
The method of some companies is to look to costly integration or business applications to get a handle on all this data. It's true this can provide more transparency and more agility. However, both of these methods - integration and buying new applications - are time-consuming to implement, potentially very expensive to purchase, and don't easily allow for the possibility of business or process change.
When change has to happen right now, costs have to be controlled, and extensive investments in infrastructure are out of the question, there is a better way. A new breed of integrated applications delivered via the Internet, or in the "cloud," has matured since the last economic downturn in the early 2000s, and in the wake of nearly universal broadband access for businesses, this breed of application is increasing in appeal.
These applications help to catch up business bookkeeping with modern business processes, while at the same time driving down sunk costs and freeing up staff. And by serving customer, finance, marketing and other data from one single database, accessed online, it is possible to have a real-time dashboard for all business operations - with everything from inventory levels to profits by region.
Traditionally with enterprise software, growing revenues and profits brought with them less desirable growth - bigger server rooms, larger IT departments, expanding costs, and the associated bureaucratic and administrative headaches. When a business grows, a good business management system needs the capability to grow with it, yet without all the physical overhead.
Flexible subscription pricing models and the lack of an IT footprint make cloud computing offerings relatively easy and quick to implement, and this way it is possible to add new employees and partners in any location in the world, at any time, without the need for a visit from IT technicians, trainers and security experts. And if business realities demand cutbacks in headcount, unused seat subscriptions can be allowed to lapse.
One other appeal of the cloud: As these Web-based services are commonly paid via a monthly subscription, they can be booked as operational instead of capital expenditure. In addition, depending on the need of the organization at the time, offerings can be added or dropped as required. Go and compare that freedom to all the front-loaded fees associated with seat licenses for on-premise software. Those licenses become wasted, sunk costs, which compound a difficult situation with the pain of an unwise investment in what the industry knows as "shelfware."
One company that experienced this cloud computing dividend is Asahi Kasei Spandex America, which switched from an on-premise IT solution that cost as much as 3 percent of its revenue per year to maintain, to a cloud-based system that took the cost down to 0.1 percent. That's real impact on the bottom line from a baseline costs perspective, and that's before they even accounted for their newfound responsiveness and business transparency.
Change also can bring expansion and exploration. Just because there is a global slowdown doesn't mean a global business has to go into retreat. On the contrary, it is well documented that challenging times often spur inventive and timely pushes into new markets.
Imagine, however, if an organization is ready to enter a new market, but can't smoothly manage new currency conversions, or lacks native support for a country's tax laws. The cost to meet these requirements can sometimes prohibit corporate expansion. But this doesn't have to be the case: A business management system really should be designed to provide all businesses - from established multinationals to those just getting started overseas - with comprehensive language, currency, reporting and tax support to streamline international sales. A system that is based in the cloud is updated in real-time every time a change is made in international tax systems.
In the current difficult economic environment, there is a great need for more agility from businesses so they can identify opportunities and weaknesses and rapidly develop strategies for success with them. At the same time, immense pressure is being placed on organizations to rationalize their fixed and recurring costs.
For good reason, the analyst firm Gartner earlier this year placed cloud computing at No. 2 in its ranking of Top 10 Strategic Technologies for the year, praising the built-in elasticity and scalability that it offers. And Merrill Lynch has estimated that 12 percent of the worldwide software market will go into the cloud within the next five years. The fact that this "Holy Grail" of corporate accounting is no longer simply a pipe dream, and actually saves money in real terms as well as through streamlined work processes, is reason enough why CFOs will continue to put pressure on their IT departments to look to the cloud.
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Welcome to the IYG activity center!
IYG's LGBTQ Youth Activity Center is located at 3733 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208. All youth ages 12 - 20 are welcome.
Wednesday & Thursday from 3-9 PM
Friday from 3-11 PM.
You do not need a referral to come to the IYG, you can just show up! Each night we have youth activities planned, free dinner, and plenty of space for you to hang out, get on the computer, relax in "The Pit," read LGBT-themed books in our library, attend an open or closed group (with permission), and meet new friends!
It's sometimes a good thing to come for the first time on a Wednesday or Thursday. There's usually only 20 - 30 youth and it's a little less intimidating and easier to meet people. It's okay to come on Fridays, but it's not unusual for there to be 70+ youth and can be a bit overwhelming. It may look like everyone knows each other except you, but that's really not the case! We just want you to feel welcome on your first visit...we want you to come back!
Need more info? Contact IYG's Program Manager at 317-541-8726 or email.
IYG has a jam-packed schedule with groups and activities every night we are open. Click here for a list of programs and descriptions.
We have a list of frequently asked questions that you might want to check out!


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SOURCE: The Tech Museum of Innovation
November 14, 2014 11:39 ET
10 Worldwide Laureates Also Honored for Their Use of Technology to Benefit Humanity
SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwired - November 14, 2014) - Ted Turner, the visionary and entrepreneur who revolutionized the telecommunications industry, founded CNN and the United Nations Foundation, and serves as Chairman of The Turner Foundation, received the James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award before an audience of more than 1,200 guests Thursday at the 14th annual gala of The Tech Awards, a signature program of The Tech Museum of Innovation. The event also honored 10 international laureates who are using technology to benefit humanity.
"It is truly an honor to receive the James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award and to join such a stellar roster of past recipients," Turner said in his remarks at the gala.
Sponsored by Applied Materials, Inc., the Global Humanitarian Award honors individuals whose vision and leadership are focused on combating the world's greatest problems.
Turner joins a remarkable list of past Global Humanitarian Award recipients, including inventor Dean Kamen, Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy, social entrepreneur Jeff Skoll, education and cross-cultural dialogue advocate Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Nobel laureate and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Applied Materials Chairman Emeritus James C. Morgan, who inspired the award a decade ago.
"Ted set out not only to change the world, but to make it better," said Applied Materials Executive Chairman Mike Splinter at the gala Thursday night. "Through the Turner Foundation, he vigorously pursues efforts for improving air and water quality, developing a sustainable energy future, safeguarding environmental health and habitats, and advocating for policies to curb population growth. With his historic pledge of $1 billion to the United Nations Foundation, Ted stands as a role model for others to commit great wealth to great purpose."
Presented by Applied Materials, The Tech Awards has recognized 277 laureates since its inception in 2001. This year's laureates, once again, are doing life-changing work that affects people in nearly every corner of the globe. They include Nanoly, a team of young scientists from the University of Colorado who developed technology that eliminates the need to refrigerate vaccines, and myAgro, which provides a mobile platform for West African subsistence farmers to save money for seed and fertilizer.
For their commitment to applying technology in practical ways to solve some of the world's most challenging problems, the laureates were given a week of unique Silicon Valley business experiences and training plus an unrestricted cash award of up to $75,000. The laureates are selected by independent judging panels whose members include former laureates, scholars, and experts from the private and public sectors. They are coordinated by The Tech and Santa Clara University Professor Craig Stephens.
"The Tech Awards give us all the chance to do our job as humans," said Tech Museum of Innovation President Tim Ritchie at the gala. "Through this program, we support innovators in their efforts to use technology to ease burdens, elevate dignity, and create opportunities."
The Tech Awards also honored Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy, with the inaugural Laureate Impact Award. Khan was a laureate in the Microsoft Education category in 2009.
The gala was hosted by Simran Sethi, a journalist and educator named one of The 20 Most Influential Women in Green. The evening unfolded against the backdrop of an exhibition specially curated for The Tech Awards that included some of the world's most iconic photographs projected on towering screens. The gala included performances from Silicon Valley community chorus Resounding Achord, and Doug Menuez presented guests with his book, "Fearless Genius," which captures key moments in the careers of Steve Jobs and more than 70 other innovators.
The event raises more than $1 million for The Tech's educational programs.
Here are the laureates of The Tech Awards 2014. All laureates receive a $25,000 cash award, and winners selected in each category, noted below, receive an additional $50,000.
Intel Environment Award
Inventive Power (winner): Developed solar technology to generate thermal energy in industrial and commercial sectors in Latin America.
Source International: Provides technology and training enabling members of poor Latin American communities to examine their water, air, and soil for chemical contaminants.
Microsoft Education Award
Gooru (winner): Provides an online platform for educators worldwide to personalize and share instructional content customized to each student's needs.
Worldreader: Provides more than 200,000 young people around the world with training and e-readers with extended battery life.
Katherine M. Swanson Young Innovator Award
Nanoly (winner): A team of young materials scientists from the University of Colorado is developing technology that eliminates the need to refrigerate vaccines.
PAK-Energy Solution: Developed an affordable biogas unit for heating and cooking in Pakistani homes.
Nokia Health Award
Gradian Health Systems (winner): Developed a machine to deliver anesthesia without compressed oxygen or continuous grid power.
Operation ASHA: Created a system to monitor and track antibiotic delivery to tuberculosis patients in India.
Flextronics Economic Development Award
myAgro (winner): Provides a mobile platform for more than 5,000 rural subsistence farmers in West Africa to save money for fertilizer and seed for the next planting season.
Sanergy: Building healthy, prosperous communities in Africa's informal settlements by making hygienic sanitation accessible and affordable.
Key sponsors supporting The Tech Awards include Applied Materials, Flextronics, Intel, Microsoft, Nokia, The Swanson Foundation, Bank of America, Qatalyst, Seagate, Qualcomm, Royal Bank of Canada, Micron Technology, NASDAQ OMX, Frugal Innovation Lab of Santa Clara University, Ernst & Young, GoDaddy, Google, Inc., KPMG, The Sathaye Family Foundation, Dan & Charmaine Warmenhoven, Wells Fargo, Xilinx, Advocate Creative, Almaden Press, Banducci Consulting, Martine & Ivo Bolsens, Alan Chiu, City Lights Limousines, Joshua Cohen, CreaTV, Dazian, Event Architects, Fluidware, Forbes, The Forgotten International, Hayward Quartz Technology, Hilton San Jose, Iron Horse Vineyards, J. Lohr Vineyards & Winery, KAM Pics, Kiva.org, Kay Kleinerman, KQED, LinkedIn, Ben Mangan, Arun Mathew, NBC Bay Area, PureMatter, Resounding Achord, San Jose Marriott, San Jose Mercury News, San Jose One Connection, School of Music and Dance at San Jose State University, Scott's Seafood, SignatureWines.com, Stanford Business School, Stanford Social Innovation Review, SunEdison, Tina Tam, Team San Jose, Telemundo, YouNoodle
About The Tech Museum of InnovationThe Tech Museum of Innovation is a hands-on technology and science museum for people of all ages and backgrounds. The Tech -- located in the Capital of Silicon Valley -- is a non-profit, experiential learning resource established to engage people in exploring and experiencing applied technologies affecting their lives. Through programs such as The Tech Challenge presented by Cisco, our annual team-design competition for youth, and internationally renowned programs such as The Tech Awards presented by Applied Materials, The Tech endeavors to inspire the innovator in everyone.
About Applied MaterialsApplied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) is the global leader in precision materials engineering solutions for the semiconductor, flat panel display and solar photovoltaic industries. Our technologies help make innovations like smartphones, flat screen TVs and solar panels more affordable and accessible to consumers and businesses around the world. Learn more at appliedmaterials.com.
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Appeals Court, 2-1, Gives Texas OK to Use New Voter ID Law SB 5 Voters must execute a declaration that they face a reasonable impediment to vote without photo
A divided federal appeals court has stayed a lower judge's ruling barring Texas from implementing a revised version of its voter identification law. A panel of the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals voted, 2-1, to allow Texas to use the revised voter ID measure known as SB 5 beginning next year. In the meantime, interim rules used in 2016 will be in effect, the appeals court declared.
"The State has made a strong showing that it is likely to succeed on the merits. SB 5 allows voters without qualifying photo ID to cast regular ballots by executing a declaration that they face a reasonable impediment to obtaining qualifying photo ID. This declaration is made under the penalty of perjury," Judges Jerry Smith and Jennifer Elrod wrote in a joint order Tuesday. "The State has made a strong showing that this reasonable-impediment procedure remedies plaintiffs' alleged harm and thus forecloses plaintiffs' injunctive relief."
The decision faulted U.S. District Court Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos for going beyond the scope of a previous 5th Circuit ruling, based on a 4th District Court ruling that North Carolina's voter ID law was based on race. Graves added that preserving the status quo would mean returning to the procedures used during last year's elections, rather than letting Texas go through with the process set up by the new law. Those procedures include voters presenting any of the following:
Besides the ID already authorized, listed below, the following have been added:
Also if you use any of these new ID's, you must also complete and sign a reasonable impediment declaration. This form will be provided to you if you should need it at the polling location.
The reasonableness of your impediment to obtaining the previously required ID shall not be questioned by election officials.
Other acceptable IDs
Voters should bring their voter registration certificate or other identification to the polls, along with a valid photo ID.
Although Texas faces a legal showdown in federal court over the new voter photo ID law passed by the Legislature. The law still faces claims that it discriminates against minority voters.
"We objected to a photo ID requirement in Texas because it would have had a disproportionate impact on Hispanic voters," U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder explained to a conference of black clergy in a speech about the continued need of protections under the Voting Rights Act.
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Texas-prepares-for-court-3623744.php#ixzz1zUFlpb2e
LWV-TSC sponsored "Voting Matters," a presentation to help people in our area understand the new voting regulations and also to strategize about ways to help people secure their photo IDs if they need assistance.
High School and College Campus Voter Registration Campaigns
To help, contact: firstname.lastname@example.com OR firstname.lastname@example.com
Texas ranks last among the states in the percentage of people who are eligible to vote who actually do vote. Though Smith County's record is slightly higher than the state average, it is still dismal. The passage of a photo ID regulation adds even more difficulty to the task of registering, informing, and motivating voters to vote.
Those voters just reaching voting age are among the least motivated to vote. A July 1 New York Times article reporting on a recent Gallup poll projects, "Among all 18- to 29-year-olds, the poll found a high level of undecided voters; 30 percent indicated that they had not yet made up their mind. And turnout among this group is expected to be significantly lower than for older voters." For full story: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/02/us/politics/economy-cuts-into-obamas-youth-support.html?_r=1
The High School Registration Project is one strategy LWV-TSC will undertake in 2012-2013 to improve these statistics. The plan calls for convening a community coalition of several organizations to organize and implement a county-wide approach to engaging young voters. This project will make good use of the experiences of the LWV High School Registration Pilot Project in 2010 and the excellent manual developed on the basis of those research findings.
In addition to registering students to vote, this project will also assist those who do not have government issued photo IDs, now mandated by state law, to secure them. Furthermore, the project will recruit student volunteers to help family and friends register and vote.
Please volunteer to help ensure that young people in this area understand that voting is important and help prepare them to take an active part in civic life.
Calendar: March 6, 2018 Primary Elections
Feb. 5—Last Day to Register to Vote
Feb 20-Mar. 2—Early Voting
Feb. 23—Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail
Mar. 6—Last Day Ballot by Mail May Be Received.
Mar. 6—Election Day
Photo ID Required for the March 6 Election
Voters will be required to show a photo ID in order to vote in November. You must now present one of the following forms of photo ID when voting in person:
-Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
-Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
-Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
-Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS
-United States military identification card containing the person's photograph
-United States citizenship certificate containing the person's photograph
-United States passport
ID must have expired no more than 60 days before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place.
For more information, read this document from the Texas Secretary of State.
A Guide to the 85th Texas Legislature
Link to the Current Capitol Guide
Electing the President: A Guide to the Election Process
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Create lyrics explanationSelect some words and click "Explain" button. Then type your knowledge, add image or YouTube video till "Good-o-meter" shows "Cool" or "Awesome!". Publish your explanation with "Explain" button. Get karma points!
Phish – Free Bird lyrics
If I leave here tomorrow,
Would you still remember me
For I must be traveling on now
There's too many places I gotta see
And if I stay here with you girl,
Things just wouldn't be the same
For I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
and the bird you cannot change
and the bird you cannot change
Lord knows I can't change
Lyrics taken from http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/p/phish/free_bird.html


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Rihanna keeps it cool and 'unsexy' for the latest edition of T magazine which features the singer and other entertainers referred to as 'The Greats'.On Dating, Rihanna says:
''Guys need attention,'They need that nourishment, that little stroke of the ego that gets them by every now and then. I'll give it to my family, I'll give it to my work — but I will not give it to a man right now.''
On what turns her on, she says:
''I'm turned on by guys who are cultured. That'll keep me intrigued. They don't have to have a single degree, but they should speak other languages or know things about other parts of the world or history or certain artists or musicians. I like to be taught. I like to sit on that side of the table,'
More photos below:


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Fertile Edges
Regenerating Land, Culture and Hope
Maddy Harland, the editor of Permaculture magazine, offers a unique, frontline take on the environmental successes and challenges facing this planet and its people over 25 years. She explores the rise of permaculture globally, from its origins in Australia in the 1970s to its current activities in over 170 countries worldwide, and describes positive developments of this global movement and the huge potential it has yet to achieve.
Amid a wealth of permaculture's solutions and the ecocide of "business as usual," Maddy interfaces practical permaculture and global transformation with deep ecology. This is a potent and entertaining cocktail. She writes of regenerative culture, earth restoration and social permaculture, long before they become core permaculture ideas and practices. Her deep connectivity with the natural and human worlds – a love for the changing of the seasons, of landscapes and species – and all that our differing cultures and spirits have to offer one another add another dimension of heart. These writings, based on her editorials from the mid-1990s to the current day, are a call to arms amid the enormity of world events and offer pathways to hope and strength in times of crisis. This is a treasure trove of inspiration.
Reviews and Praise
"Maddy Harland's work and life are an inspiration to anyone who dreams of devoting their energies to regeneration of land and community, and making a right livelihood from that work. As editor and publisher of Permaculture magazine, she has a global scope and more than two decades of her own thoughtful, protracted observation of the growth and development of the permaculture movement. A really valuable resource!"–Starhawk, permaculture teacher, activist and author of The Spiral Dance.
More Reviews and Praise
"Maddy Harland's regular columns have, in turn, offered inspiration, a shoulder to cry on, rousing calls to arms, space to mourn and lament and signposts to stories to sustain an activist's heart. They are essential reading for many. Gathered in one place, they offer a fascinating history of the development of permaculture, its ups and downs, its breakthroughs and its epiphanies. To have them gathered in one place is a joy. Give yourself a treat, and swim in their deep, wild waters."–Rob Hopkins, co-founder of Transition Network, author of The Transition Handbook, The Transition Companion, and The Power of Just Doing Stuff
"About the same time Maddy Harland started penning this collection of essays, I went through a great change in my own life, leaving behind 20 years as a successful environmental attorney (punishing the bad guys) and embarking upon 30 years of permaculture teaching and design (aiding the good guys). Tracing her evolution through these pages I sense us as two vines curling up a trellis. As we reach the overarching part, Maddy has brought forth this truly amazing fruit. It packs lessons learnt along the way into nutrient-dense nourishment for the soul. Have a bite. It's delicious."–Albert Bates author of The Biochar Solution, Pour Evian on Your Radishes and The Paris Agreement
"Permaculture magazine has served the good cause of caring for the land and for the people for 25 years under Maddy's editorship and leadership. Her editorials have been outstanding. Maddy's thoughts and words are timely, inspiring and filled with wisdom. I am delighted to know that these editorials are now being brought together in a book. It is a wonderful gift. May the permaculture movement go from strength to strength and may this book reach thousands of hands!"–Satish Kumar, author, peace activist and Emeritus Editor of Resurgence & Ecologist magazine
"Fertile Edges charts a movement ahead of its time, whose agenda of growing the ethics of people care, earth care and fair shares is ever more urgent and pertinent. These pages bear testament to Maddy's role beyond editor of Permaculture magazine as a teacher, author, activist, healer, visionary, nature connector, friend, community builder, feminine leader, systems thinker, mother, gardener and lover of life. Her voice of courage is a clarion call to anyone who has a rumbling in their belly, a hunger for a world of radical care and vital connection."–Looby Macnamara, permaculture teacher and designer and author of People & Permaculture and 7 Ways to Think Differently
"Reading Maddy's collected thoughts from over the years as she raises her family, documents a growing body of knowledge of immediate and urgent importance, while observing humanity crashing and burning its way through selfish, absurdist, feudal, materialist collapse is breathtaking and strangely rollicking good fun."–John D. Liu, film maker and founder of the Ecosystem Restoration Camps movement
"Set against the enviro-political landscape of the past 25 years, Maddy's personal tale is fluidly woven throughout Fertile Edges showing a journey of growth and passion that has been reflected in the rise of consciousness of so many who have been effected by Permaculture magazine. The book reminds us of the importance of our individual right livelihood choices to influence our changing planet and provides hope and inspiration for our future."–Ben Law, woodsman, author and eco-builder.
About The Author
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|November 6, 2017
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I'm not entirely sure how to best go about saying this so I'll keep it brief.
To all those who knew him and were friends with him, Marquez, real name Nick Lewis, was killed tragically in a motorcycle accident several weeks ago. I initially found this out via posts on his Facebook wall, and verified that this did occur with a close real life friend of his.
Marq was a truly amazing friend to game and shoot the breeze with. Helpful, genuine, and always humorous, Marq turned the longest days on FFXI into the most enjoyable I have had.
Thanks for everything Marq. You're already missed. RIP.


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Rust and Bone Trailer (2012)
17 May 2012 Drama, Romance 123 mins
Put in charge of his young son, Ali leaves Belgium for Antibes to live with his sister and her husband as a family. Ali's bond with Stephanie, a killer whale trainer, grows deeper after Stephanie suffers a horrible accident.
Watch the official Rust and Bone 2012 trailer in HD below or find more Rust and Bone videos on Vidimovie.


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Being a strong proponent of active care I encourage many people to become more active, to move with better quality, and to then move more frequently. For the majority, I think this is quality advice, but as with all clinical interventions a key component lies in knowing when not to apply that strategy. Active care may be contraindicated in a few different conditions, but one is in those experiencing concussion symptoms.
Recently I had the opportunity to attend the 9th Annual Sports-Related Conference on Concussion and Spine Injury (May 18, 2012). While I must admit that my background in concussion management is not as strong as I would like it to be, I felt compelled to attend to strengthen my understanding so I would better be able to discuss this hot button topic with my patients and community. Ultimately I see my role as a chiropractor in recognition of symptoms, prescription of sparing advice, reassurance, and referral for appropriate monitoring. To do this effectively I needed to know more. I found this conference to be a top notch assembly of exceptional health care professionals, former elite athletes, and researchers. I left with an appreciation for all that goes into studying and managing concussions and appreciating that there is still a lot to learn. Some points of interest, reviewed concepts, and things that peaked my curiosity below.
From William Meehan III, MD, the history of concussion was discussed. It was known from the slaughterhouse that rotational acceleration was necessary to stun the animal and that blunt head trauma alone (head stabilized during the trauma) did not produce the dazed reaction they were looking for. {Upcoming post on how often we know things before science catches up…. Soon.} The role of second impact syndrome or repeated concussion is a hot topic these days, but was first described by Gronwall in 1975 who noted in his research that the 2nd concussion commonly took longer for recovery of symptoms. Why are we sometimes so far behind ourselves?
(Overview) Management of a concussion:
- Rule out other injury (on the field ABCs, then consider fracture, intracranial hemorrhage, and other life threatening conditions)
- Physical rest (avoid working out so ATP & glucose is not stolen from the brain where it is needed for recovery efforts.)
- Cognitive rest (avoid mental activity using precious ATP & glucose that's needed for healing.)
- Emotional rest (same rationale as above)
- Follow up and reassess for patient to be symptom free.
- Evaluate with PCSS- Post Concussive Symptom Scale
- BESS Balance Error System Score: Double leg stance, Single leg stance, Tandem Stance (20s)
- Neurocognitive (ImPACT and similar tools): Verbal memory, visual memory, processing speed, & reaction time
- When symptom free return to participation (RTP) stages
- Rest (physical, emotion, cognitive; as described above)
- Light aerobic
- Sport specific (low intensity) training
- Non-contact training drills
- Full contact
- Game play
Neuropsychologist Alex Taylor, PsyD reminded us that concussion is a silent disease. Those suffering with it often appear healthy and normal. Considering that 90% of concussions do not involve a loss of consciousness, MRI and/or CT are likely to be negative, and there are no dramatic outward signs (seizures, emesis, blood, bruise, cast, splint, etc), these injuries can often go under appreciated. Particularly in students this can include parents, teachers, coaches, and friends.
He also noted significant role of computer based testing. His explanation was that this testing was more sensitive than symptom reports only, but he emphasized the greatest sensitivity when combining the two:
– 64% accuracy with symptom reporting
– 83% accuracy with neuropsychologic (computer) testing
– 93% accuracy when combining both (the comprehensive approach is best).
– As each individual recovers differently, evaluation and reevaluation is essential.
From Robert Cantu, MD – Ways to prevent concussions:
– avoid taking unnecessary hits (non-contact practice)
- CTE is more about repetition that significance of trauma; observe the most frequent positions in football – linebackers & lineman; mores than receiver.
- Consider 'hit' count for kids, similar to pitch count in baseball. Considering that pitching produces surgically repairable injuries and head trauma causes irreparable damage this should be given strong consideration.
– proper technique (don't lead with the head)
– adequate hydration
– having the right genetics (good luck modifying this risk factor)
– rules changes
– strengthen your neck *** see discussion below***
My side comment: (Note: I have no strong evidence to support this, just my thoughts.)
Dr. Cantu was not the first or last to note 'neck strength' as a primary factor in concussion prevention during the conference. As this was discussed my mind immediately jumped to the role of 'core strength' in prevention of back pain. Core strength is/was commonly discussed as being preventative for back pain. Research on this tends to be less decisive than the commonly accepted statement that a 'strong' core is protective for the back. I wonder if this statement on 'neck strength' is equally well liked for it's plausibility, but will also result in marginal or less than perfect correlation during research. I suspect that the role of 'timing' of neck muscle activation plays a more significant role that 'strength'.
This was demonstrated well in Cholewicki's work. [Here or even more clearly here.] To look at this in more common terms, let's compare it to a car accident. I don't think the 'strength' of the brake is the best determinant of injury during a motor vehicle accident, it is much more likely that the 'speed' or 'timing' of applying the brake has a more significant correlation on how well injury can be avoided. Particularly when considering the role of external perturbation in Cholewicki's study and the fact that some of the concussion-causing trauma is unanticipated. The natural timing and response of the cervicocranial stabilizers appears to have the best chance of being protective by mitigated rotational forces. (Again, this is just my speculation.) During a brief conversation with Dr. Cantu he noted that he was unaware of any research done on concussions and cervical timing.
Childhood concussions with Dr. Gerard Gioia – a wealth of info, but this one resonated with me as it sounds much like what we (should) do to properly manage so many NMS conditions. Have them do activities they can tolerate, help them learn what they can and can't do, and "Teach them the sweet spot". This results in active rest and active management which is then gradually increased.
Clinical Pearls:
-Younger brains need to be managed more conservatively.
-For unknown reasons, concussed females show a greater decrease in neuropsychological scores than males.
Ted Johnson (former NFL All-pro middle linebacker (paraphrased):
This is an exciting time for medical providers and scientists with all the new research. It's a terrifying time for patients as there is much attention, but so little is known.
Most of my concussions came in practice, not in games.
Players don't know the long term effects of concussions. I didn't know & don't tell me I did!
Before meeting my current concussion specialist, I was recommended for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) because they didn't know what else to do with me.
Links of interest:
Ted Johnson @ Harvard Concussion Conference NESN story & video
Ben Utecht: Tell me if his story makes you wonder about the significance of these injuries. Not only did he not recall being at his friends wedding, he didn't recall that he sang at the wedding. Doesn't seem like an occasion you should need photographic evidence to refresh your memory. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_
CDC Concussion info (with good video for the lay public)
Mass Dept of Health Concussion resources


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I have received some e-mails recently saying that I am not harsh enough on some products. My response to them is that this is mostly because it is extremely rare that I actually come across bars that are truly worthy of a real laying into. Well brace yourselves as today I found a product that does in fact deserve a full on rant, so please sit back and enjoy whilst I take apart everything that was wrong about M&S's attempt at replicating the fantastic Bounty.
This bar came in a 55.0g form that I unwittingly completely devoured for an afternoon snack. Much like with the M&S version of the Snickers I was pretty unimpressed with the packaging the product came in. The shade of blue/grey just didn't strike me as all that pleasing on the eye, though I guess the small picture of the bar cross-sectioned had a relative appeal. As enticing as the small picture was, the reality was somewhat a little different. When I split one of the small bars I observed that unlike the appetising white coloured coconut pictured on pack, the actual constituents were a rather off putting grey colour. Just to really cap off what was a completely uninspiring appearance, the smell really lacked any forthcoming attributes, and with the most minor of sweet scents aside, the product failed to register any aroma worth mentioning.
Remembering back to my first experience of the Bounty I can clearly recall the fantastic way in which the lovely thick chocolate melted into what was a delicious moist coconut centre. This bar did little to evoke such memories, and more reminded me of the truly quite terrible Quality Street Coconut Eclairs that I unfortunately sampled as part of my review of that selection box - just this bar came in a much larger form of course. The milk chocolate was thin and melted away all to easily leaving the quite frankly horrible tasting desiccated coconut in its wake. Why was the coconut so horrible you ask!? Well it lacked two fundamental things - one being taste and the other a nice texture. Aside from being amazingly bland, the coconut delivered a dry, sawdust like texture that just felt horrible in the mouth. Its flavours were neither longing or memorable, which made this a truly unsatisfying product.
Overall this was a seriously poor imitation product by M&S, which never even got close to having anything like the appeal of the Bounty. The coconut element delivered none of the milky, nutty flavours of its comparator, and rather just brought a bland, lifeless and boring dominance into the overall taste. Up until I reviewed the Bounty I believed I didn't like coconut products, a fact that has been further disproved by other fantasic coconut offerings such as the Ferrero Rafaello, Lindt Excellence Cocos etc. This product however gives coconut bars a bad name, and unless your a sadist for bad chocolate bars I strongly recommend you avoid this one.
3.6 out of 10


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Even Obama and the Prime Minster can't get into this restaurant
During his recent trip to Japan, President Obama had dinner with Prime Minister Abe at "Sukiyabashi Jiro," the sushi restaurant featured in the acclaimed documentary film "Jiro Dreams of Sushi." Abe actually wanted to treat Obama to some tempura, but he couldn't score a table.
"Tempura Kondo" is where Abe wanted to take Obama. This tempura restaurant in the Ginza district of Tokyo (Jiro's is also in Ginza) has a two star Michelin rating, and the average price per person is a reasonable 20,000 yen. Granted, expensive for tempura, but if the Prime Minister of Japan wants to impress the President of the United States and decides on this place, you know it's world class.
Unfortunately for Abe and Obama, Tempura Kondo had no space for them. Customers often make reservations months in advance, and the owner refused to slide anybody's reservation just so some politicians could eat his food. "I can't cancel a paying customer, I don't care if it's for a President or whoever," said Mr. Kondo.
The tempura master:
Small and cozy.


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For me, switching phones didn't involve a dramatic moment of decision. It was a gradual process. I carried both the Samsung Galaxy S III and my iPhone 4S around every day for a couple of months and I kept both of them synced with the same apps and data. Any time I needed a screen in my hand, I could pull out whichever device I wanted.
It wasn't long before I noticed that I was almost always choosing the Samsung. Usually, I went for the iPhone when I needed a piece of data that could only easily sync between Apple devices: things like Reminders, and documents stored in iCloud. I switched those services over to platform-agnostic alternatives, which arguably is something I should have done even if I'd stuck with iOS.
After that, I'd only pull out my iPhone for one reason: to take a photo. The iPhone continues to kick the butts of all challengers as a camera.
I noticed that I was charging the Samsung every night and that the battery in the iPhone was lasting a whole week or more. And that's when I realised that I needed to get over a totally fake, self-absorbed stigma ("But…I'm an iPhone user. This other phone isn't an iPhone!") and get on with it.
But I'm actually a bit of a wimp, aren't I? I stepped off of one nice boat and onto another.
If you're not a tech columnist and you don't have the option of experimenting with Android and Windows Phone and Blackberry 10 without first making a two-year commitment, switching from any device platform to any other requires a leap of faith and a period of itchy uncertainty. You'll dog-paddle through choppy seas until once again there's a steady teak deck under your feet and an umbrella drink in your hand.
In the meantime, yeah: you're going to swallow a lot of seawater. A transition to Android is particularly tough because so many of the platform's problems are so well known and emphatically repeated.
I've heard them all. Hell, I'm probably one of the tech columnists who originated some of those same criticisms; I've written about and reviewed every edition of Android and every wave of phones since the beginning. But it's 2013 and nearly all flagship phones ship with Android 4.1 or 4.2. Most of the problems I complained about from 2009 to 2011 have been solved, or else they're no longer nearly as serious as they once were.
And that observation was just as important a factor in my decision to switch as any of the four big Android features I wrote about in part 1 and part 2. When Google addressed these deal-breaking complaints, they put Android in a position where the right phone could be an attractive option for me.
Fragmentation (the problem of releasing one piece of software that works on such a bewildering range of devices) is an issue with the release of Android OS updates. I'll have more to say about this later.
Fragmentation doesn't seem to affect the Google Play app library, however. I use the same broad collection of apps with every Android phone I test, and I can't remember the last time I encountered one that doesn't work on all devices. Even games, which make intense and specific demands of the hardware, are a "one size fits all" release. Accessing Android apps is no different from accessing iOS apps: it's all one big pool, provided that your phone runs a modern edition of the OS.
Malware is certainly a threat, but after a year's worth of wary exploration of the subject, I believe it to be a manageable one.
The quantity of Android malware cited in reports from Trend Micro (a maker of security software) and other researchers is shocking. The details of Android malware tell a more reassuring story. It's a familiar one: if you don't want to unwittingly install malware on your phone, don't install pirated software. That's the primary vector for malicious Android software.
Further, if you only use Android's canonical app repository (Google Play), the numbers say you'll avoid 99.5 percent of all Android malware. Want to drop the risk to almost nil? Spend all of five or ten seconds looking at the app description in the Play Store before installing. Play Store app descriptions contain much more information (including a ballpark on the number of downloads, and a list of the permissions the app requests) than the iTunes App Store. For maximum safety, avoid apps with few downloads and few reviews.
Android phones can be jailbroken (in a sense) to run unsigned software just by digging into the prefs and flipping a switch (another example of the choice, choice, choice offered by Android). That increases the risks. Android phones can also be pwned through malicious links (via sites, emails, or texts), like any other phone.
But the bottom line is this: Yes, an Android phone is less safe than an iPhone… but that doesn't make it "unsafe." The best practices I use when installing new software on an Android device are no different from what I use with my iPhone. Overall, I don't feel as though my Galaxy S III is any riskier to use.
Does the increased risk from malware make Android tougher for me to recommend to novice users? Sure. But the iPhone already wins that recommendation well before the issue of security hits the table.
Stability and Reliability
Android is less stable and reliable than iOS, but that doesn't make it "unstable and unreliable." I need to force-reboot my iPhone about ten times a year. On Android, it's… mmmmaybe twenty five? So yes, it's a higher number on Android, but no, both devices need a kick in the head so infrequently that I can never recall the last time I administered one.
And the frequency of app crashes are probably even closer. The main difference is that an iOS app crashes elegantly: it simply fades backwards into the app launcher, like one of the upper-class dames on Downton Abbey fainting into a chaise lounge upon hearing frightful news.
An Android app crashes, sometimes with a dialogue box and an error code, even. There's an argument to be made that Android is more helpful than iOS in death. When an iOS app keeps crashing, all a user can do is wait for the developer to release a bug fix, or delete the app (and all of its associated data) and reinstall it from the App Store. An Android user can see if a web search for the error code turns up an explanation of what went wrong and how to fix it. An advanced Android user can also take an active role in fixing the problem if he or she wishes, by manually clearing app caches and stores.
That said, yeah, the user would probably have preferred that the app never crashed to begin with. Anyway. Overall, I give iOS a grade of A- for stability and reliability. Android gets a B+. It's a difference that shows up easily on a yearly spreadsheet but it's difficult for me to see the iOS advantage in day-to-day usage.
Where are the apps?
Android's App Store isn't as rich as the iTunes App Store, but the two are damn close. I wouldn't have switched if I couldn't find the apps I needed to make the Galaxy S III do everything I was doing with my iPhone.
Most of the time, I could find feature-equal Android versions of the same apps I had been using in iOS. When I couldn't, I found Android substitutes that I liked just as much or even more. BeyondPod is as good as Downcast, and Press is the Google Reader app that I kept hoping to find for my iPhone.
I just can't name a single iOS-exclusive app that's important enough to me that it would prevent me from switching.
That's a subjective call, of course. Plenty of people define their phones as "the host organism for OmniFocus." Samsung could give away free unlocked Galaxy S IIIs in every box of Cheerios and it wouldn't convince those folks to switch. Also, games produced by smaller studios are typically "iOS first" or even "iOS only." I'm not a serious gamer, so that limitation doesn't affect me.
The sole significant limitation of the Android app library, as I experience it, is that the very best apps available on iOS are usually better than the very best apps available on Android. Mostly I'm thinking of the apps that Apple creates in-house. iPhoto, iMovie, and iWork are breathtaking achievements; each is an example of a developer working through the limitations of a teensy handheld device. I can't think of examples that correlate in the Android library.
This shouldn't be interpreted as "iOS apps are better." I find that it's no longer universally true that iOS apps are better designed than Android apps. Indeed, most of the top mobile apps available cross-platform have absolutely identical user interfaces across all devices.
Nor is it true that the Android editions of successful apps usually arrive long after the iOS release, or not at all. iOS has an edge there, but I find it to be a small one. The real advantage of the iOS app library is that new ideas usually land there first, and then they arrive on Android after a successful incubation period. Android users have Flipboard and Instagram and Path, but they had to wait for 'em.
I was pretty surprised and thrilled by this example: pClock, one of my favourite iOS apps of all time. You'd expect to see Evernote or Waze or other big-studio apps in both app stores. But even this tiny, esoteric app (it helps me keep track of time when I'm giving a presentation) is available for Android. I'm just not hurting for apps in any way.
The Price Of Android
Security, Stability, and Software. I can't say that Android is superior to iOS in any of these categories. But it's so close now that none of them presented any sort of obstacle to switching. The difference is so slight that they were easily obliterated by the advantages of Android, as I perceived it.
Which isn't to say that Android devices are the best phones that anybody can buy, or (oh my word, no) that the platform is free of nuttiness and frustrations.
OS Fragmentation
The largest problem with Android by far is the fragmentation of the platform for OS updates. When Apple fixes bugs or adds features to iOS, every iPhone receives it simultaneously. Android users only get this kind of simplicity and security if they own a Nexus-branded device. Those phones receive their system updates directly from Google.
The Samsung Galaxy S III shipped in late autumn, with Android 4.0 preinstalled. Google started shipping Nexus devices with Android 4.1 in July. By the time my carrier pushed the update to my phone in December, a rival carrier had already released it a month earlier… and Google had begun shipping Nexus devices with Android 4.2.
Amazing, isn't it? And the Galaxy S III isn't some freak media player manufactured in North Korea. It's the hottest Android phone from the market's dominant maker of Android devices. Sure, I'm confident that the Galaxy S III will receive updates for the entire natural life of the device. But I'm just as confident that this is going to be a pain in the butt forever.
And who's responsible for bug fixes? Another major hassle. Even a patch for a critical problem has to pass through several turnstiles before I'll receive it. First, Google fixes Android. Then, Samsung gets the fix, and it applies it to its own OS distribution. Carriers gets the update from Samsung, and then, finally, it's pushed to the customers.
Lots can go wrong at any step of the process…and this example assumes that Google and Samsung and telecoms don't waste time bickering about where the problem is.
Pre-Installed Carrier Junk Apps
Another terrible problem with Android: bloatware and crapware.
Phones often come preinstalled with page after page of apps and onscreen widgets that offer no benefit to the user, and which try to trick them into using their carrier's paid services instead of the free alternatives bundled with Android. Some carriers even lock these apps to the device, so they can't be removed.
The Galaxy S III is (largely) uncontaminated by this practice, because Samsung decided to impose some discipline. Nexus devices are free of crapware because Google wants to maintain the brand as "pure Android." But God help an inexperienced user who walks into a store and picks up any of the Android devices at the other end of this spectrum.
Power Management
I wish that Android phones were as aggressive about protecting battery life as iOS. Many Android apps can get away with keeping the GPS radio powered up long after it's needed, for example. iOS keeps a steel ruler at the ready. It raps the knuckles of an app at the first sign of power-greedy behaviour.
The Galaxy S III delivers about the same battery life as I got with iPhone 5, or the iPhone 4S. But its battery has half again the capacity of the iPhone. I wonder how much longer it would last if Android provided better power management.
That Camera!
This isn't an Android fault per se. But dear Lord, how I miss the iPhone's camera!
I performed some meticulous cross-platform camera tests last spring. I posted a series of blind comparisons to my Flickr account and was pleased to find that readers often picked a Galaxy S III photo over one from the iPhone 5.
Fab. But you don't prize a camera for taking great photos outdoors on a sunny day. The iPhone can take decent photos under anything but the most wretched of circumstances. That's why I still often carry my iPhone 4S with me. It's a tiny camera that takes terrific photos and it has both iPhoto and Wi-Fi.
The iPhone is still the only phone that has what I consider "a real camera" as opposed to "an excellent smartphone camera." Both Nokia and HTC have made solid first steps towards bringing their cameras up to that standard. But while they're pointing to their cameras as a signature feature and an object of pride, only Apple is backing up those claims with camera that's truly great from wall to wall and floor to ceiling.
Yep, I'm An Android User
As I said at the very beginning, this isn't the story of why Android is Way Totally So Much Better Than iOS. This is the story of this one dude who switched phones. Andy Ihnatko moving to Android isn't a pivotal moment in the history of mobile computing. I just thought that a detailed piece of my observations, concerns, and experiences would be of interest to anybody who's curious about Android. And given the revolutionary improvements in the platform over the past year, I thought it was timely.
Nonetheless, I held on to this article for a few weeks. I kept re-reading and re-writing, and along the way I expanded it from a newspaper column to a multipart web series. I just wanted to be extra-sure that I had expressed my opinions and my intentions clearly.
I anticipated that many would find value in what I wrote, that many others would find fault with it, and that both would make solid points when they shared those opinions. I was proven correct.
I was also correct when I anticipated that a small percentage of Android and Apple fans would unite in misreading this series as a merciless takedown that slams Apple for being a doomed, stuck-in-the-mud company whose smug pride allowed better companies to innovate their way past the iPhone. Android and Windows fans who have descended to tribalism want to see Apple die. They want it as badly as Gollum wants the Ring, and they express that sentiment with just as much dignity. Apple tribalists see the corporate logo as a tattered but proud flag that cries out for brave men and women to rally round, link arms and defend it; even praise for a competing product is seen as an attack.
The members of both of these tribes need to hear something important: it's time to stop talking about "iOS versus Android." That stage of mobile device development is done. From this point onward, we should to talk about "iOS and Android."
We should all be thrilled that consumers can choose between these two highly-polished platforms. They're being produced with creativity and pride by two companies with sharply different philosophies that target different audiences. We should also be intrigued by Windows Phone, and curious about Blackberry 10, and hopeful that the Ubuntu On Phones project evolves into something great.
I can sense that this isn't getting through to a few of these folks, so I'll be blunt: If you give half a damn about which multi-billion-dollar corporation "wins" a totally made-up contest, then you need to drop acid and spend some time in an ashram.
I switched for a wonderful reason: because Apple and Google and Blackberry and other makers are all competing with each other to produce a phone and an operating system that I, personally, will love. Has there ever been a better time to be a tech consumer?
I didn't switch because Apple has in any way dropped the ball. Apple is in fine shape. The iPhone, and iOS, are terrific products that continue to speak to people on a direct, compelling level. The iPhone, and iOS, improve and impress with each iteration, despite some well-documented wobbles along the way.
Claiming that Apple has fallen behind is nonsense. Besides the evidence of their entire product line, it denies proper credit to Google and the makers of Android handsets. Android has received so much traction and attention because it's had a hell of a great year. Google finally delivered a version of the OS that combined power, stability, and even sophistication. Samsung, HTC, and other makers finally shipped some phones that in their own individual ways were just as well-made and feature-rich as the iPhone.
And while nothing can equal the style of an iPhone 5, a good Android phone no longer looks like the remote control to a DVD player that you threw away nine years ago.
As late as 2011, the iPhone was the phone you wanted if you wanted the most powerful and sophisticated smartphone on the market. Android was the phone you wound up with if your company refused to approve the iPhone you wanted. I look at the marketplace today and I insist that these two platforms are absolutely on equal footing. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. It's just a matter of figuring out which device suits you best.
The iPhone simply no longer suits me, that's all.
I've always admired Apple for avoiding tunnel vision while still not distracting itself from a clear, simple definition of what the company is supposed to be doing. It adds new things to the product line the same way an architect adds new buildings to a property.
("A trampoline park would be awesome. But how does it further the objectives of an assisted-living facility for the elderly?")
Over the past ten years, Apple's been transitioning further away from the user of 1977, who delights to discover that their new computer came with a complete schematic and a disassembly of its boot ROMs. It's been focusing more aggressively on the kind of user who doesn't particularly care that they just bought a $1300 desktop whose RAM and hard drive can't be upgraded.
With every move and every update, Apple increases the appeal of its products to shopping centre consumers. These consumers want the document they created on their notebooks to miraculously show up on their desktops and their phones as well. They don't care about sharing it with others. They want desktops that are sleek and beautiful. They'll probably buy new ones before they'll consider upgrading the desktops they already own. They don't want to have to figure out why a feature that works with 29 of the apps they've installed doesn't work with the other six; they'd rather do without that feature entirely, no matter how powerful it is.
These are all just neutral observations, not scathing accusations. Apple's focus on consumers created iCloud, the 2012 iMac, and a simple mechanism for sharing photos to Facebook and Twitter. These are perfect products for consumers.
I still recommend the iPhone and iOS highly to people who can clearly define the function of their phones. I wouldn't say "people who don't expect very much." The iPhone is ideal if your needs are easy to anticipate. That means Apple is likely to have anticipated them. The iPhone ecosystem tends to fray when you're looking for a custom fit and a flexible tool.
The iPhone is still my go-to recommendation for people who want as few surprises as possible and the easiest phone to use and maintain. An iPhone is a delight fresh out of the box and for the life of the device. An Android phone is a delight starting around…week two, after you've made a bunch of minor adjustments that change it from "Good for the majority of users" to "great for you, personally."
That said, you should keep in mind that "easy to use" comes in two forms. The iPhone is superior to a flagship Android phone at "easy to use on day one." But it plateaus after a month. Android, I suggest, keeps getting easier to use as it continues to adjust to you and you keep learning new ways to get better performance.
The damnedest thing about my six months with the Samsung Galaxy S III – and the one line from this whole series most likely to be quoted out of context by Apple-bashers – is that my Samsung is easier to use than my iPhone.
In my experience, that is. Your needs aren't my needs, your relationship with a phone is different mine, and maybe you can even stomach the flavour of cooked broccoli.
Choice, choice, choice. Ain't it grand?
And that's the story about how and why I switched from an iPhone to an Android phone.
And in the end…
I will end this the same way I've often ended so many discussions of Apple products:
I've switched from the iPhone to the Samsung Galaxy S III because it's the best there is at the kind of things I need my phone to do. And as soon as something comes along that's better, I'll switch again.
I bet the first device that makes me think about switching from Android is something made by Apple. I still love my MacBook and haven't even considered switching, despite liking a lot of the features and concepts in Windows 8. And though I like Android as a phone OS, on tablets it's still mostly hopeless. My iPad is still the blue flannel security blanket that I must carry with me everywhere I go and it remains an indispensable part of my workflow.
I'm still an Apple fan and still glad to be an Apple user. It's a relief to know that if I'd gone through with that idea to get an Apple tattoo in 2003, I wouldn't need to get it lasered off today.
By Andy Ihnatko, Macworld.
Andy Ihnatko is a noted author, columnist at The Chicago Sun Times and Macworld, a regular on Mac Break Weekly, host of The Ihnatko Almanac on 5by5.tv, frequent speaker, Apple guru, geek extraordinaire, and an Internationally Beloved Industry Personality.


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To request an Avon product catalog, contact your Avon representative and ask for a brochure. If you do not have an Avon representative, a simple form can be filled out on Avon's website requesting information. Several seasonal e-brochures are also available online at Avon.com.Continue Reading
Avon product catalogs must be sent out by individual sales representatives, because Avon is a direct sales company. Direct Selling is a way of marketing products directly to consumers and usually focuses on the one-on-one, personal aspect of the sale. Many Avon transactions are done in the customer's own home, either through an individual consultation or in a group party setting.
Avon products can be purchased on Avon.com without having an Avon representative. However, this negates many of the benefits of purchasing a product through a direct sales company. These benefits include: trying the product before buying it, having a personal consultation to find the products best suited to your needs, having the right to cancel an order and having access to the representative for follow-up questions or advice on future purchases. A local Avon representative may also have many products in stock, so your do not have to wait to receive products or pay shipping costs.Learn more about Skin Care


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National Express runs eight buses a day from Manchester to Oxford with a connection in Birmingham terminating at the central bus station (Gloucester Green) in Oxford. It takes between 4.5 and 6 hours and costs 17 GBP for a single and 34 GBP for a return. To book in advance on the secure official website just click the button below:
For more detailed information, including maps and national and local buses in Oxford see our guide to Oxford Bus Station.
Megabus also operate a daily service from Shudehill Interchange, Manchester to Water Eaton Park and Ride, Oxford once a day. This can be the cheapest way to travel between the two cities with fares as low as 1.50 GBP one way for those who book online up to three months in advance. One thing to note is that Water Eaton Park and Ride is on the outskirts of Oxford and you will require another bus (1.60 GBP single or 2.50 GBP return) or a taxi from here to the Oxford city centre.
Another alternative is to take the train direct to Oxford from Manchester or Manchester Airport. The trains depart once an hour and take approximately 3 hours to make the trip between Manchester and Oxford.
The cost varies depending on the time of day with the morning and evening rush hours being the most expensive. If you book in advance you can get the tickets for as little as 27 GBP for a single or 54 GBP for a return ticket. Strangely it is often cheaper to buy two single tickets than one return ticket. To check train times and prices use the button below.
If you are travelling to Oxford by car, you have several options on what to do with your car when you get there. If you are only visiting for the day then it is best to use the Oxford Park and Ride facilities (free parking) located North, South, East and West of the city centre. For more detailed information including maps see our guide to the Oxford Park and Ride. If you are just visiting for a few hours then you might want to use one of the car parks located within the City Centre. For more detailed information including maps see our guide to parking in Oxford. If you need to book a rental car when you get to Oxford there are several places to pick up a car. See our guide to renting a car in Oxford .
If you decide you would like to spend a little longer in Oxford to soak up the atmosphere and visit a few more attractions why not check out some of the Oxford Hotel Deals and see if anything takes your fancy?
The Blenheim Palace Festival of Transport
(Tue 28th Aug, 2018)
This year all the vehicle shows will be held across the August Bank Holiday weekend creating the ultimate 'Festival of Transport'
St Giles Fair at St Giles
(Sun 02nd Sep, 2018)
The fair comes to St Giles for two days, lots of stalls and fair ground rides.
Oxford Open Doors
(Mon 10th Sep, 2018)
Oxford opens its doors for free! Over 150 venues and events for visitors including colleges and museums.


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DEERFIELD BEACH -- Motorists will not be allowed to park their cars between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. in metered beachside parking spaces or municipal parking lots near the beach, under an ordinance City Commissioners approved on Tuesday.
The ordinance prohibits all-night parking in municipal lots at 2049 SE First St., 149 SE 21st Ave., 2025 SE Ninth St. and at all metered sites near the beach.
Mayor Jean Robb said the parking changes resulted after residents who live in beachfront condominiums complained about late-night traffic.
In other action, the commission agreed to hire a consultant from Florida Atlantic University to help redraw election district boundaries before the March 1989 city election.
As part of the agreement, the consultant, Ronald Schultz, will provide the city with five district boundary plans and submit his own recommendations.


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I have always loved any way of preserving memories, and keeping a journal is certainly one of the best ways to make precious memories last. But for many of us, journaling began back in the days of diaries that had a lock and a key in order to protect the secrets hidden within. Keeping secrets seemed so important as a child! But the secret is out on this episode of Artbooking Made Easy, which features the top secret mini album keys on pages 42 and 43 of the Artbooking booklet.
The secret is out! We love the Cricut® Artbooking cartridge from Close To My Heart. The shapes on the top-secret--themed mini album keys are perfect for scrapbooking your big ideas and big adventures! Contact ME, your Independent Consultant to learn more.
Products Used
My Life Mini Album:
Z1906 Cricut® Artbooking Collection (cutouts and stamps)
C1575 My Acrylix™ True to Life
D1580 My Acrylix™ Catch You Later
M1026 My Acrylix™ Dotted Love
E1027 My Acrylix™ Framework Alphabet
C1581 My Acrylix™ Inspiration Flourishes
C1574 My Acrylix™ Believe in Yourself
X7177B Skylark Paper Packet
Z1849 Bronze Shimmer Trim
Z1853 Aqua Dots
Z1918 Teal Shimmer Trim
Z1921 Baker's Twine Neutral Metallic Assortment
Z1925 Chevron Embossing Folder
Z1928 Durables Triangle Studs
Z1933 Ruby Chevron Washi Tape
Z1934 Flamingo Dots
3174 Blending Pen
Colors used: Lagoon, Colonial White, Sweet Leaf, Juniper, Smoothie, Outdoor Denim, Blush, Chocolate, Desert Sand, kraft
Z1906 Cricut® Artbooking Collection
B1431 My Acrylix™ Reel Life
C1575 My Acrylix™ True To Life
X7181B Jubilee Paper Packet
Z1921 Baker's Twine Neutral Metallic Assortment
Z1931 Honey Triangles Washi Tape
Z1806 Green & Blue Epoxy Bubbles
Z1753 Sparkles Brown & Tan Assortment
Z1852 Stitch Guide
Z1204 Bone FolderColors used: Topiary, White Daisy, Cocoa, Honey, Cranberry, Indian Corn Blue


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The Happy House Cleaning is a London company offering wide range of cheap cleaning services for your home and office throughout all London boroughs within M25 ring. Our professional cleaners can do everything! From the 15-minute quick spot treatment of your home to the thorough top-to-bottom deep cleaning services for your office, we are the London company to call right now. You get excellent value for your money with our cheap prices and special offers. Don't hesitate to call us today on 020 7101 43 26.
Why Choose The Happy House Cleaning?
When you look for a reliable cleaning company in London to take care of your home or business premises, The Happy House Cleaning offers you the perfect balance between price and quality. You can be sure that our cleaning maids are polite, friendly and hard-working, never leaving a cleaning job for their next day.
Our goal is to establish a long-term relationship with our clients based on mutual trust and our ability to consistently provide perfect results.
Here are a few more reasons to call us right now:
- Free over the phone estimates
- Competitive flat rates from 12£ / hour
- Flexible slots: late night, weekends and bank holidays
- Our local cleaners are fully trained, vetted and insured
- We use eco-friendly solutions and detergents on request
- Our services come with 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Coverage of all London areas within M25 ring
Domestic Cleaning Services in London
Whenever you need residential cleaning, our professional London cleaners can offer a helping hand. We know how busy you are with all the work load you take home or children to look after. Why don't you take a break and leave the mundane chores to us? Be it mopping, dusting, scrubbing or vacuuming – our cleaners are the right people for every housekeeping task. Whether you need a thorough spring clean or regular service, our specialists are happy to help.
Below you can find just a few of our London services:
- Regular and one off domestic cleaning
- End of tenancy cleaning service
- Carpet and upholstery steam cleaning
- Before/after party help
- Commercial and office cleaning
- and many more according to your needs
Cleaning Services London For Your Office
We, at The Happy House Cleaning Company can take care for your commercial or office cleaning needs as well. It's good to know that people judge about a business depending on how clean it is. Even more so, if you own a restaurant or shop. You should know that you can win or lose customers based on how clean are your premises. Don't let valuable clients walk away! Give us a call and let's discuss your requirements immediately.
Professional London Cleaners
Usually, we assign a team of at least two cleaners to each job and try to dispatch the same crew to ensure a consistent service. Our employees are carefully selected and screened. Additionally, our expert cleaners are trained with emphasis, on deep product and procedure understanding in order to always provide top-quality service. They are adept in cleaning various surfaces and even the most delicate textile fabrics. Our maids will clean from top to bottom and get rid of any dirt, dust, grime and stains. Our teams are equipped with high-end professional equipment provided by the leading manufacturers in the industry.
How To Get in Touch With Us?
Book a service with The Happy House Cleaning Company on 020 7101 4326. You can call us 24/7 now. We will be more than happy to provide you with all the information you need about our services. Don't hesitate to take advantage cheap rates! We cover all major London areas and no job is too big or too small for us.


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Tough luck for WWE superstar and world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins.
Rollins will be sitting out the next six to nine months after tearing his ACL, MCL, and medial meniscus, and will not be able to see action is his much anticipated title defense against Roman Reigns at Survivor Series on November 22.
Instead, a tournament will take place at the event to name a new champion.
ESPN first broke the news on Twitter.
BREAKING: Last night in Dublin, IRL, @WWE Champion @WWERollins suffered right ACL/MCL/medial meniscus tears; out 6-9 months.
— Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachrules) November 5, 2015
.@WWE to hold tournament at #SurvivorSeries to crown a new #WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
— Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachrules) November 5, 2015
Due to the injury, the 29-year-old Rollins automatically vacates his title and is expected to be out for six to nine months.
He got hurt while attempting to do a Sunset Flip off the top rope in his match against Kane.
A look at how @WWERollins tore ACL/MCL/medial meniscus
Our 6-9 months, @WWE holding tournament at #SurvivorSeries pic.twitter.com/U2JEKOd46m
— Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachrules) November 5, 2015
Rollins has held the heavyweight belt since March 29, when he became the first man to ever cash in his Money in the Bank contract at WrestleMania 31. His reign lasted 221 days — only three day shy of the man he snatched the title from, Brock Lesnar.
The WWE has been hampered by injuries throughout the year with big names names such as Daniel Bryan, Ryback, Tyson Kidd and Jey Uso all missing time due to injury. Most recently, Randy Orton was sidelined four to six months after suffering a dislocated shoulder.
Former champion John Cena, likewise, is on hiatus until December while Lesnar is on limited appearances.
Rollins' injury leaves a massive hole to fill for theWWE, as he was the main focus television storylines during his title run and was expected to participate in a marquee match at WrestleMania 32 next April.


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Join us at the Creativity World Forum, the yearly summit of the global network Districts of Creativity, where we will host and co-host several activities. We offer 4 days of inspiration and knowledge sharing, engaging with questions as why and how creativity is essential to shape vibrant and inclusive cities and regions and how to build innovative ecosystems through cross-over collaborations. The Creativity World Forum will be held in the Danish city Aarhus, Cultural Capital 2017, where creativity flourishes! Check out our full program.
Blog: Creative Hubs Cooperate Towards WEAR Sustain
Blog: WEAR Sustain Support Event Eindhoven
The Creative Ring is connecting creatives across Europe. How? Through working together on projects, sharing knowledge, and through events. Below, you will find an overview of the events connected to the Creative Ring
Visit our calendar page for more info!
The hubs are the physical spaces where infrastructure, applications and the local community of Creative Industries and artists converge, a physical space for Creative Industries, entrepreneurs and citizens to experiment and develop their initiatives and, a physical meeting point for open collaboration at local, city and regional level. The hubs are the gateways to the Creative Ring.


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Ocean City Events, Coupons, Reviews!
Subscribe to KidsScoop! The monthly family event and savings newsletter.
If you already love Legos, you will totally love Brick Fest Live. Even if you just like Legos or you just think they are okay, you will have a good time at Brick Fest Live. It is so much more than playing with Legos although you will definitely have the opportunity to do that if you want to. At Brick Fest Live, you can make and race Lego cars. You can play golf on a miniature golf course made of Legos. You can play Lego video games. These are just a few of the things you can do at Brick Fest Live. You can also see amazing Lego creations that were created by other people including things like Lego castles, carnivals, and towns and even Lego portraits.You can also purchase anything and everything related to Legos up to and including places to store your Legos and/or customized mini figures. For more about Brick Fest Live or to find out when it is coming to a town near you go to http://brickfestlive.com/ or the Brick Fest Live blog at http://blog.brickfestlive.com/.
The Verdict is In: the LEGO Brickfest Live is Lit!
Brick Fest 2017 Baltimore
We Checked Out Brick Fest Live For The First Time
Kids Will Always Have Fun At Brick Fest Live!
Adventures with Coley & Chelsea: Brick Fest Live! #BrickFestLive #Legos #FamilyTime
Our Visit to Brick Fest Live, Buffalo
Lego Fun for Everyone
BrickFest Live! will immerse your Lego Superfan!
Brick Fest Live! Review
Lego Brick Fest Live {Review}
My Brick Fest Live LEGO Review
Lego #Brickfest Live! Everything Was Awesome!
Brick Fest Live Lego Event - Denver
Brick Fest Live LEGO Fan Experience
Brick Fest Live LEGO Fan Experience is a blast for people of all ages!
Brick Fest Lego Fan Experience, Pittsburgh PA
Brickfest Live in Monroeville Pennsylvania
LEGO Brick Fest Live! Review
All The Lego Fun
Review: Brick Fest Live is a haven for Lego Fans of all ages!
Best Kansas City Family Fun - Brick Fest Live!
Brick Fest Live LEGO Fan Experience: A MILLION LEGO BRICKS
Brick Fest Charlotte All Things LEGO
Hey #Philly ! Save On The Brick Fest Live LEGO Fan Experience 4/22-4/23 #ad #savings #pa
BrickFest: Why we'll go again
BrickFest Live! Lego Fun Is Coming To A City Near You!
Building Memories at the Brick Fest Live in Charlotte, NC #travelreview
Lego Brickfest Live Charlotte
Brick Fest Live | Ultimate LEGO Fan Experience
Brick Fest Live is on Tour Now!
Legos Legos Legos // Brick Fest Live
Lego Brick Fest Live in Philadelphia
We Got Our Brick on At Brickfest Live Philadelphia
Our Day At Brick Fest Live
Lego Brick Fest Live Fun
Brick Fest Live! A Fun Review
Build Kids Imaginations at Brick Fest Live
Brickfest Live! A Must For All Lego Fans!
Brick Universe 2015! Bring it back!
BrickFest Denver
Brick Fest Live! Denver - Review
BrickFest Live in Denver
Great Time For LEGO Fans Big and Small!!!
Brick Fest Live 2015
Our LEGO #BrickFest Experience
Fun for All Agesat Brick Fest Live
Lego Brickfest Live
Brickfest LIVE in Boston Proves to Be Fun & Educational
Brick Fest Live 2015 Boston
Our visit to 2015 Brick Fest Live! #BRICKFEST
BrickFest Live! Marlborough 2015 Highlights
LEGO Brick Fest Fun
Our Visit to Brick Fest Live!


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- software ::
Update Added screenshots
I spend a lot of time working in front of a screen (many hours in a dimly lit room) and eye fatigue is an issue. A consistent color scheme, especially one which is easy on the eyes, is important -- and it also helps to have way of doing that where the directives are not all scattered all over my Emacs-lisp setup. Enter Emacs Color Themes, available as the Debian package emacs-goodies. Aided with a HSL color picker, I set around trying to create a dark color theme for Emacs.
It does not help that I am blue-green color blind, so subtle variations are often lost on me. I do want to use color contrast to increase productivity, but I also want to avoid the jarring angry fruit salad look, and so I am in the process of crafting a logical color scheme that is high contrast enough for me, without being too unpleasing.
In circumstances where there a lot of related faces that can be viewed, for example, the Gnus group buffer, consistent and logical color choices are the only sane option. Gnus groups can be news (bluish) or mail (greenish), have states (large number of unread messages, normal, and empty). The large number unread groups have highest luminosity (appear brighter), and the empty one have lower luminosity (appear greyer), but have the same hue and saturation. Sub states and group priorities are rendered using a color series which has constant luminosity and saturation, and vary in hue by a constant separation -- so all the related groups have the same brightness ({mail,news}/{unread,normal,empty}), and a graded selection of foreground colors. It sounds more complicated that it looks. The eye is drawn naturally to the unread groups, and first to the mail, then USENET groups (which is my preference).
Similar color variations occur for individual messages in a group; high scoring messages bubble to the top, and have a higher luminosity. This color schema has made me slightly faster at reading mail/USENET. In the message itself, quoted mail messages from different people are color coordinated, with high contrast between citations that are close to each other in the hierarchy, so it is less likely that one misunderstands who said what in a long conversation.
The resulting scheme covers programming languages, Gnus, Erc, mail, org-mode, CUA-mode, apt-utils, bbdb, compilation buffers, changelog mode, diff and ediff, eshell, and more. This has allowed me to consolidate all my color directives into a single file, and is in a format that might be usable by others. See the wiki page for details about how to use and switch color themes in Emacs.