text:
375. Good afternoon, gentlemen, I apologise
for keeping you waiting. Would you be kind enough to identify
(Mr Mulligan) I am Chris Mulligan, Director
General, Greater Manchester PTE.
(Mr Preston) I am Kieran Preston, Director General,
West Yorkshire PTE.
(Mr Scales) I am Neil Scales, Chief Executive and
Director General, Merseytravel.
376. Do any of you have any general remarks
you would like to make?
(Mr Mulligan) No, we are ready to take questions.
377. Can I ask you, firstly, does your Group
believe that sufficient funds are allocated to the railways in
the Government's ten year plan?
(Mr Mulligan) We are extremely impressed by the scale
of funds allocated generally in the 10 year plan, in the order
of £180 billion. The £49 billion over 10 years looks
extremely impressive. As an accountant and somebody who has had
long experience of dealing with the private sector, I find the
two thirds private sector, one third public sector components
of that 49 billion allocated to rail something thatlet
us put this way, I remain to be persuaded whether that money will
come through from the private sector. I say that based on experience
of dealing with Metrolink. A lot of people have the impression
that the private sector are bold buccaneers and take a great deal
of risk. My experience is to the contrary, unless the private
sector is very, very clear about its down side risk as well as
the upside potential it will discount the amount of money it is
prepared to put in. We are dealing here with an industry which
is absorbing approximately over £1 billion a year of public
subsidy. We are dealing with 20 year franchises. We are dealing
with an industry which is particularly vulnerable to the economic
cycle. I just wonder whether some of those private sector funds
are going to materialise.
(Mr Preston) It is very difficult to gauge whether
the level of investment is appropriate. What I found to be quite
useful, if you look back at the 10 year period, which I did recently,
from 1984 to 1995, and compared rail investment in the United
Kingdom with rail investment across 14 European countries, our
investment lagged between 50 per cent and 150 per cent, depending
on which year you looked at. If you take the sum in the 10 year
plan and bring it to a comparable pricing basis it actually does
compare very favourably as a per capita percentage and as a percentage
of GDP. In the last two years it starts to tail back again. It
is a useful comparator.
378. If you have a note on that the Committee
would welcome that.
(Mr Preston) I would be happy to do that.
379. Do you think Railtrack will be able to
deliver the investment programme over the next five or 10 years
that Government is looking for?
(Mr Mulligan) I think that we have seen a great deal
from Railtrack about what they propose to do. In terms of delivery
enhancement, at this point in time we have yet to see any major
expenditures. One of the points that concerns us as a Passenger
Transport Executive Group is we ought to have, to a greater or
lesser extent, major enhancement schemes which we wish to sponsor
with Railtrack over the next four or five years. One of our current
experiences is the very great difficulty because of the sheer
work load, I do not want to be unkind to Railtrack in getting
them to focus on these particular schemes, apart from the immediate
380. Do you think that the Government's investment
programme over the five or ten years can be delivered within the
present structure of the industry?
(Mr Mulligan) There are three main components, one
is what the public sector will put into the network. I am fairly
confident that money can be found, provided over the next five
or ten years there is a cross party consensus. We need to see
what the replacement franchising produces in terms of the investment
the private sector is prepared to make. I have already expressed
some scepticism on that. As far as Railtrack is concerned, what
I am not absolutely clear about at the moment isif I take
my own case in the northwest, we will have a major congestion
problem in and around Greater Manchesterwhether or not
they will have the physical resources or the financial resources
for the next four or five years to make any impact on that.
381. You have, understandably, Mr Mulligan honed
in on Railtrack, which is my first question. My question was more
to do with the structure of the industry Railtrack and train operating
companies. What is your view about what is now understood, and
generally accepted, about the owner fragmentation of the industry
on privatisation, which we still have? Do you think that structure
will deliver the investment that the Government are seeking to
(Mr Mulligan) I have my reservations, particularly
from our experience over the last few years in the northwest,
and I suspect in the northeast, with the franchises there. That
the way those franchises were left over a seven year period, to
put it mildly, was over-optimistic in the case of OPRAF in terms
of what those businesses could invest in. The lowest possible
bid was accepted. Both I and my two colleagues here have had to
deal with franchisees who have been making very substantial losses
each year. In terms of being partners in a public sector/private
sector investment it has not worked. What is absolutely essential
in the next phase of replacement franchising is that our partners
are robust financially and in other ways in order to participate.
382. Is that the only change, the one you have
referred to, that you think is required to the structure to make
sure, or as sure as possible, that the investment programme the
Government have announced will be delivered.
(Mr Mulligan) It will make a major difference.
383. Are there any other changes?
(Mr Scales) I think the current Regulator is now a
lot more robust than the last Regulator. If we make train operating
company franchises longer that will make a difference as well.
As long as we keep our eye on the ball and make sure what is in
the plan is delivered I think we will be a lot better off. We
are where we are and it is really a matter of working with the
constraints we have.
384. You are here representing the Passenger
Transport Executive Group and my final question is this, we heard
on many occasions from Mr Corbett, the Chief Executive of Railtrack,
that Railtrack does not put profits before safety, do agree with
(Mr Mulligan) That is a very difficult question for
us as a Passenger Transport Executive to answer.
385. You are in the transport field, you keep
a very close watch on these things.
(Mr Mulligan) In any business there has to be a balance
between the profitability of that business and
386. I will rephrase my question, have Railtrack
got the balance right?
(Mr Mulligan) I cannot answer that question, because
I am not close enough to the issue to give you the answer.
387. Would any of your colleagues venture an
(Mr Preston) Listening to Mr Knapp it seems to me
that we all need to know probably more about how Railtrack is
actually managing its business. The Regulator has talked about
the need for the very clear register of assets, their status,
priority for expenditure and investment between those assets,
of course including emphasis for spending on safety. My own view
is, looking at it from an organisational way, how is that process
managed. I do not think we know enough about how they are managing
their business and how they are building the capacity.
388. If you do not know enough, Mr Preston,
how can you come to a judgment or no judgment, as the case may
be, about the balance between safety and profits?
(Mr Preston) They have to demonstrate more openly
what their programme is and their priorities and how they are
going to deliver it. That is my view.
389. Just taking that line of questioning on
a bit further, in your evidence did your group not say that you
were concerned that focus on safety, post Hatfield, might detract
from investment on the network?
(Mr Mulligan) I think the point that we were driving
at is that the focus on safety is absolutely unchallengeable.
Nevertheless, you can look at it in a number of ways. If the problem
is one of backlog maintenance over a number of years, everybody
in that type of business is well aware that one gets into a situation
of having to make major capital expenditure. I can think of a
parallel in the old Manchester Metrolink, where when we have had
a railway line vested in us by Railtrack, or before that, British
Railways, the first thing that has been done is that the private
sector have been over every inch of that railway and made certain
that the bridge structures, the track and other significant issues
are all put right before they take on board the operation and
maintenance. Therefore, one ends up with a very large capital
outlay at the outset for the very simple reason that the private
sector looking at a particular railway line will be looking at
whether it is going to take the risk associated with the bridge
that might fall down, whether it is in five years, 10 years or
15 years. What we are seeing now is a bringing forward and a capitalisation
of the essential safety expenditures. The only question that we
posed in our evidence was whether that was going to come out of
the sum of £49 billion or whether it was going to be provided
for separately.
390. You started off by saying safety was unchallengeable
and then began to challenge it.
(Mr Mulligan) I do not challenge the
need to have a safety expenditure. What I am asking, I thinkthe
query we have madeis to what extent in terms of the £49
billion set out in the 10-year plan will that safety expenditure
come out of that sum of money or will it supplemented separately.
391. Let us assume that a Safety Bill is there
and we all accept it is unchallengeable. I am not sure the Committee
will accept that it is unchallengeable, I am not sure that Mr
Corbett and yourself will accept that it is unchallengeable. If
a chunk of capital expenditure is to be made to bring safety up
to a certain level, where would that money come from if it is
not going to come from that £49 billion, given that the Regulator
has said he is only going to allow the asset base for Railtrack
to be increased to a certain level?
(Mr Preston) If you look at the £52 billion in
Railtrack's network management statement, they are very clear
about how much they will be spending on maintenance and how much
they will be spending on renewals. The big question mark actually
is on the other £30 billion, only £4.2 billion of which
is committed to enhancing and developing the network. £25
billion is uncommitted. They surely have schemes they would like
to deliver, but it is not committed and a large proportion of
that depends on the extent to which Railtrack get at the partners
to deliver those enhancements. Our concern was that, of course,
what has to be spent to deliver safety has to be spent, but the
temptation surely must be to spend from that £25 billion.
If that is the case, the question is, how does that money get
replaced in terms of enhancement to the network?
392. Do you think the regulatory framework is
right? Should it be more flexible?
(Mr Preston) I think, As Mr Knapp said, Tom Winsor
has done quite a good job. He has had a very difficult job to
do and I think he has had to get a balance between flexibility
and certainty. He has put in £5 billion more over the next
five-year period. He has reduced the fixed element of access charges
from 93, 94 per cent to 80 per cent. There is 20 per cent variability,
so there is some incentive for Railtrack to develop the network.
He has introduced a capacity charge, which we are not particularly
happy about. In our areas there might be a chance to talk about
that. There is also a volume incentive. I think he has done quite
a good balancing act within the parameters of his instructions.
393. Within that framework, do you think the
PTEs have sufficient influence on things like capacity, reliability
and those sorts of issues?
(Mr Preston) We have had a lot of opportunity to respond
and work with the Regulator, and he has taken on board some of
our comments, particularly in relation to calculating fixed access
charges and their allocation. We are not happy with the capacity
charge element, because it will clearly apply mostly on congested
parts of the network, such as we are experiencing in metropolitan
areas. Initially we can live with it, because whatever costs are
associated with it will be passported through the Government to
the SRA and to the passenger transport authorities. Our concern
is that when we seek to enhance or develop the network in a largely
social railway, we will not be able to compete with the bigger
commercial of intercity trains. That is a very real problem.
394. One final question. Within this complex
regulatory framework and complex business structure that the railways
have these days, is safety sitting in the right place?
(Mr Mulligan) I think we have been down this track
before in the previous evidence. I think we have stated that we
thought safety should be dealt with by an independent body. I
think that, in our opinion, wherever it is, safety has to be the
number one priority both for Railtrack or anybody else looking
after it.
395. I want to ask you, Mr Scales, you did say
that some of the liaison with franchise operators and Railtrack
was poor. What ought they to do to improve their consultation?
(Mr Scales) They need to be a lot more transparent,
Chair. They need to take on board the views of the stakeholders.
The case in point in the evidence was Lime Street station where
they came and imposed a solution on Mersey Travel and the train
operating companies. They need to be a lot more open in what they
are doing, they need to have a clear direction and they need to
take people on board with them, because we do have some good ideas
396. You have, presumably, all of you, addressed
to them the kind of worries that you have about the competition
that you see between your own projects and those of, for example,
the intercity lines?
(Mr Mulligan) Yes. I think particularly in the Regulatory
Framework we have made very clear representations to the Regulator.
You can take the case of Manchester, which is a major problem
in terms of capacity, that if the rationing of spare capacity
is going to be done by price, then obviously the commuter services,
unless one applies social cost benefit analysis, are going to
lose out to those services which are more profitable. As yet,
we have made representations to the Regulator, various mechanisms
are being developed, and we want to see how those sums work out
in practice. One expects that if the normal principles of pricing-off
apply, then we will find that the enhancement of changes we wish
to make for the benefit of commuters in strictly financial terms
may not be as advantageous as giving those paths to intercity.
Whereas if you look at it from the other end of the looking glass,
if I can say that, then it is certain that cost benefit analysis,
the benefits to integration, all the things that the Transport
Bill and Act is about, may not be delivered as effectively.
397. Have you had direct talks with Railtrack
about that, because it is so fundamental with the way you operate?
You have obviously been talking to the Regulator, but do you have
direct talks with Railtrack on something like that?
(Mr Mulligan) We regularly talk to Railtrack about
the sorts of schemes that we think are going to be absolutely
necessary. If I can talk specificallyI think it is a United
Kingdom problem, certainly a North Western problemthere
was recently a meeting with Cumbria, Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater
Manchester and Merseyside, plus business representatives, where
they said the resolution of the capacity problems around Greater
Manchester around Manchester City centre was so important that
it was the number one public transport project for the whole region.
We have spoken to Railtrack about that and we are talking telephone
number type solutions. There is no doubt that Railtrack are willing
to take these forward in design terms. The thing that makes me
extremely anxious is with the West Coast Mainline due to be coming
into Manchester quite shortly, with the Trans-Pennine Express
being introduced ahead of the northern franchise that that sort
of investment needs to be timed to coincide with those franchises.
I have no comfort at the moment that timing will match, therefore,
we are going to have a period of yearsmembers will realise
that for a scheme, from design to completion, can take five to
ten years. What we shall end up with is trying to get a quart
into a pint pot, or more like a gallon. We are already at absolute
capacity at the moment and these issues have been discussed with
Railtrack. We have made it quite plain, both my own authority
and Merseyside, we do not want to see a short-term solution adopted
to what is a long-term problem. The appropriate time to do it
is shortly, now when we are bringing on the replacement franchises,
both Trans-Pennine, and in the next 12 to 18 months the northern
398. On this issue you told us that the discussions
between yourselves and the regulator are robust and there is a
certain measure of disagreement. What is the position as far as
the Strategic Rail Authority is concerned, have you come to some
agreement? Are you still snarling at each other?
(Mr Mulligan) I hope we have never snarled at each
other particularly. We have differences of opinion from time to
time. On that difference of opinion, largely we are responsible
in our metropolitan areas and, indeed, the Shire areas to produce
local transport plans which take an overall view of what is best
for our particular area, whether it be bus, whether it be rail,
or a metrolink in the case of Greater Manchester. If an authority
determines that a rail-based solution is the best solution for
that area and is prepared to finance, out of resources made available
by Government, a contribution to that we find that the proposal
that SRA may, which is by its very nature a monofunctional body,
evaluate the land use transportation plan as well as the transportation
plan against its own criteria, is going to be quite difficult.
This is why we have said in our evidence that we think that the
money for major railway schemes in metropolitan areas, in particular,
should be coming through Government. I have to say in my conversations
with the chief executive of the Strategic Rail Authority and the
directors of Railtrack they do not disagree with that opinion.
399. They do not disagree with it, but the present
legislation just going through the House is not going to establish
that position. There is nothing to stop them voluntary agreeing
that it should happen.
(Mr Mulligan) The means of funding is not an issue
for legislation, it is an issue which is determined by the DETR
in the way it deals with the SRA. We do find it deeply disappointing
that the legislation does not oblige Railtrack to take account
of local transport plans, because that is totally illogical if
the Government wants integrated transport and its chosen vehicle
is the local transport plan. In the interests of joined-up Government
there should be a reference in the remit of the Strategic Rail
Authority to take account of those local transport plans. Whilst
my discussions with the Strategic Rail Authority and those of
my colleagues are, on the whole, at the moment very constructive
I would like greater clarity about how the Strategic Rail Authority,
with limited capital funding, is going to prioritise schemes in
an environment where the Government is after fully integrated
public transport in some of the major metropolitan areas.


text:
The Stranger Things Family Fun Zone will keep the young (and young at heart) entertained from afternoon until evening with magic shows, music, science, face painting, arts and crafts, games, bounce houses, and a costume contest!
Walk up Flagler street to explore The Haunted Market featuring jewelry, gadgets, art, accessories, clothes, and trendy snacks from Miami and Downtown's best artisan pop-up shops. While the adults shop, the kids can trick or treat for toys and candy at the same stop. Make sure to RSVP for a free trick or treat bag! Walk a little further, and we have a Pup-Up Dog Park so our furry friends can join in on the fun. When choosing costumes make sure to include your pooch, because there's a costume contest for dogs too!
The middle of Downtown Fright Night has all the great food and drinks you need! With stations set up by Downtown eateries, our favorite food trucks, specialty spooky cocktails, and artisan desserts, there's something delicious for everyone. Relax and eat in our picnic area while watching the witches, ghouls, zombies, and goblins walk by.
At the far end of East FlaglerSt. lies The Upside Down, where adults can party all day and into the late night! Stop by the Hex Your Ex Bar and have a witch cast a spell on your behalf while you enjoy a specialty cocktail. We have the HITS 97.3 stage streaming classic horror movies while Miami's favorite Radio DJs spin our favorite tunes! As midnight approaches, the one and only DJ Laz takes the stage to keep the party going!
There will be a surprise dance performance, an adult costume contest with many chances to win, and OF COURSE, Rocky Horror Picture Show!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
How to Make a Martini
The classic martini is elegant and refined yet simple in its basic elements. A certainty when serving this classic cocktail is that it must be cold. But, how does one keep the drink at temperature once it has entered the hands of a guest? Jamie shows you how with flare and distinction.
2 oz gin 1 oz dry vermouth dash orange bitters
Stir with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass. Serve with lemon zest garnish.
blair frodelius 17 Jun 2009
4:24 am
Where can I buy the chilling set?
PS - Great stirring technique! What a time saver!
Joao Eusebio 17 Jun 2009
4:55 am
hi Jamie
great work w this cocktail! I work in Barcelona at this bar, where u could have half dry martinis, kind of 2 for 1!! the customer would have his first half and then would ask for his second dry martini!! but like this idea very much! Love ur videos
all the best
blair, they say ebay is a good spot to find this kind of stuff!
Robert Hess 17 Jun 2009
4:55 am
Blair, what Jamie is using for his "chilling set" here (I assume you mean the glass decanter in ice), is what is known as a "Cocktail Decanter" (Libbey makes them in a couple different sizes) simply nestled into crushed ice in a large tumbler or Old Fashioned glass.
A quick spin on the internet doesn't immediately show anybody selling the decanters in "one-offs", but in cases of 3 dozen… which probably doesn't help you any :->
Jake 17 Jun 2009
5:00 am
I"ve only used orange bitters when garnishing with a twist. Is it commonplace to pair orange bitters with the briney green olives?
Robert Hess 17 Jun 2009
5:08 am
Jake, Prior to Prohibition it would be difficult to find a Martini which didn't include orange bitters, regardless of the garnish. These day's the bartenders using orange bitters in their Martini's are few and far between, but as you no doubt have discovered with your "lemon twist" Martini's, it really makes the drink.
Chris Milligan 17 Jun 2009
1:06 pm
Amen, Robert
Trevor 17 Jun 2009
4:18 pm
Great videos, Jamie. I have to know, where can I get one of those stainless steal jiggers that you use? I have one exactly like it from OXO, but it's clear plastic. Thanks!
Robert Hess 18 Jun 2009
3:58 am
Trevor, What Jamie is using is also an OXO mini angled measuring cup, just made out of steel and not acrylic. While it's not as widely available as the acrylic one, it can still be found in some kitchen stores. You can also find it on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BGW3MQ
The steel measure does have a nicer look to it than the acrylic, but the measure marks are in a dark gray against the steel, and I find harder to see, especially in a dark bar environment. So I personally prefer the acrylic model. Now if OXO were to mark the measures in a more visible way (and add a 3/4 oz mark), then I'd be all over it.
Greg B. Carlstrom 29 Jul 2009
8:28 pm
These might be what Jamie is using:
Greg B. Carlstrom 30 Jul 2009
8:34 am
Here is a 3 oz. version.
Do you know, off hand, who makes the other glass utilized in the decanter chiller set?
Thanks Jamie!
Michael 19 Jan 2010
10:00 am
This is an excellent segment on Martini service. I think I've watched every single Robert Hess cocktail segment, and have gleaned a lot of information that has made all the difference in my home cocktail preparation.
But now, after watching Jamie's segment, I feel like this will take my drinks to even the next level. Awesome!!!
Federico Cuco 1 Jun 2010
5:56 pm
your way to serve a Martini cocktail, it seems great.
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge.
Federico, I'm a bartender in Buenos Aires. Argentina


text:
Mary Evelyn Tucker
Mary Evelyn Tucker is a Senior Lecturer and Research Scholar at Yale University where she has appointments in the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies as well as the Divinity School and the Department of Religious Studies. She teaches in the joint MA program in religion and ecology and directs the Forum on Religion and Ecology at Yale with her husband, John Grim.
Nancy Ellen Abrams
Nancy Ellen Abrams has a B.A. from the University of Chicago in the history and philosophy of science and a law degree from the University of Michigan. She is the co-author, with Joel R. Primack, of The View from the Center of the Universe: Discovering our Extraordinary Place in the Cosmos (Riverhead, 2006) and The New Universe and the Human Future: How a Shared Cosmology Could Transform the World (Yale University Press, 2011).
Carl Anthony
Carl Anthony is the founder of Breakthrough Communities, a Bay Area non-profit organization committed to building multi-racial, multi-cultural leadership for sustainable metropolitan communities in California, in the United States, and in the world. He is former executive director of the Urban Habitat Program, one of the oldest environmental justice organizations in the country.
David Begay
David Begay is a member of the Navajo Nation. He received his B.A. and M.A. from the University of Arizona, Tucson, in Political Science with a concentration in Policy Analysis and Indian Policy and Law Studies. He received his Ph.D. from the California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA, with a concentration in Indigenous Education and Application of Traditional Knowledge.
Cynthia Stokes Brown
Cynthia Stokes Brown is Professor Emerita, Dominican University of California. She devoted twenty years to directing and/or teaching in the single subject credential program. She is the author of Refusing Racism: White Allies in the Struggle for Civil Rights (Teachers College Press) and Big History: From the Big Bang to the Present (New Press, 2007).
Tom Collins
Tom Collins has taught secondary school students in independent schools for over 20 years. His academic training, continuing education, and intellectual passions are in the fields of world history, religious studies, world literature, and environmental studies.
Terrence W. Deacon
Terrence W. Deacon is Professor and Chair of the Department of Anthropology and member of the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute at the University of California, Berkeley. His research combines developmental evolutionary biology and comparative neuroanatomy to investigate the evolution of human cognition, and is particularly focused on the explanation of emergent processes in biology and cognition.
Drew Dellinger
Drew Dellinger is a poet, teacher, writer and speaker who has inspired minds and hearts around the world, performing poetry and keynoting on justice, ecology, cosmology and compassion. He is also a consultant, publisher, and founder of Planetize the Movement Press.
Todd Duncan
Todd Duncan is a cosmologist whose work is guided by the theme of better understanding how a cosmic perspective gives our human experience a larger context of meaning. He combines a research background in physics with teaching science to a wide range of audiences.
Paula González
Paula González, SC entered the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati in 1954. She earned her Ph.D. in biology at the Catholic University in Washington, DC, and was a biology professor at the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio, for 21 years.
Ursula W. Goodenough
Ursula W. Goodenough is a Professor of Biology at Washington University in St. Louis and author of the bestselling book Sacred Depths of Nature. This highly regarded book has resulted in her teaching the paradigm of Religious Naturalism and the Epic of Evolution around the world and also her participation in television productions on PBS and The History Channel, as well as NPR radio broadcasting.
Marya Grathwohl
Marya Grathwohl, OSF is a Sister of Saint Francis who has advanced degrees in Religious Studies and Philosophy, Cosmology and Consciousness. She is founder and director of Earth Hope which provides Earth-based retreats in Wyoming and Montana , education in sustainable living, and cosmology programs in prisons. She is writing her first book soon to be published by Riverhead/Penguin.
John Grim
John Grim is a Senior Lecturer and Senior Research Scholar at Yale University, where he has appointments in the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies as well as the Divinity School and the Department of Religious Studies. He teaches courses in Native American and Indigenous religions and World religions and ecology.
Sachiko Kawaura
Sachiko Kawaura has a Ph.D. in Integral Studies. She is on the humanities faculty at Nanzan University in the Department of Psychology and Human Relations. Her areas of research and study include social psychology, Native American studies, and narrative interview research.
R. Craig Kochel
R. Craig Kochel is Professor of Geology at Bucknell University, where he helped found the Environmental Center. His areas of research include fluvial geomorphology, hydrology, geologic hazards, and planetary geology.
Penny Livingston-Stark
Penny Livingston-Stark is internationally recognized as a permaculture teacher, designer and speaker. Penny has been teaching and working professionally in the land management, regenerative design, and permaculture development field for 25 years and has extensive experience in all phases of ecologically sound design and construction as well as the use of natural non-toxic building materials.
Nancy C. Maryboy
Nancy C. Maryboy is the President and Founder of the Indigenous Education Institute whose mission is preserving, protecting, and applying indigenous knowledge. She is also President of Wohali Productions, Inc., consulting in areas of indigenous science, indigenous astronomy, Native American education, curriculum development, film making and strategic planning.
Bindu Mohanty
Bindu Mohanty, a writer and teacher, has lived in Auroville, an international community in southern India since 1994. Recognized by the United Nations as an experiment in human unity, Auroville founded in 1968, is based on the evolutionary vision of Sri Aurobindo.
Melissa K. Nelson
Melissa K. Nelson is a cultural ecologist, writer, educator, researcher, media-maker, and activist. Her work is dedicated to indigenous revitalization, environmental protection and restoration, and the renewal and celebration of community health and cultural arts. In 2002 she joined the department of American Indian Studies at San Francisco State University.


text:
A Guide to Getting the Best Tour Location
Going on a tour is all about discovering new things and letting yourself go. However, these two factors are dependent on where you decide to go on a tour. Without much ado, dig deeper and get to know exactly what you are getting yourself into. This is meant to be that one rare moment in your life when you get to think of nothing else but your peace of mind. This is only guaranteed when you have the confidence of your location. Relax! After all, this is the essence of the whole arrangement.
Seek them out
All the best resorts are up for grabs when you seek them out. Do thorough research to know exactly what you are missing out on. For instance, the Ho Chi Minh City tours have taken it a notch higher through exemplary services. Do not forget that the services provided should be among the options to be weighed when looking for an ideal hiding place. Seeking them out means that you have to be on your toes at all times when looking for a great hangout joint.
Where to look
It cannot be too simple, but the fact that you have taken the bold step makes it a bit easier. Get looking from all the sources that you can think of. It is easier knowing that you have the entire backup you need to get you through. Nowadays, it is easier to get information because the sources are right at your fingertips. You have to make the smart choices of clicking the right buttons.
Heal yourself
Working on a daily basis can be quite a tough experience especially when you are without a plan. For this same reason, you have to begin working on yourself in all spheres. Heal yourself by treating yourself out to an unforgettable tour. Let it be all about your recovery. If possible, try out some more therapeutic services such full body massages.
Moreover, this should be some time alone for you to unwind. It would be even more therapeutic for you if you went alone. Your own serene company is just about what you need to heal. If possible, it should be something that you must embark on very frequently. Needless to say that healing is a slow process that must be taken one step at a time.
Take it easy
Now that you have found what you were looking for, it is okay to rest easy. Being on your toes at all times will do nothing but cause you to be. Since we are all aware that there is a time for everything, we should adhere to these words of wisdom. It is time to do something different for a change rather than to always chase deadlines.…


text: Great location and it has it's own private beach overlooking the Osoyoos lake. Walking distance to grocery store and restaurants even to the town center. It's an older hotel. Decor in rooms were quite out dated. But rooms are clean and spacious. Most rooms are facing the lake and it's amazing to listen to the waves while you sleep. Beds... More


text:
Ocean Engineering and Sciences
Environmental Resource Management
What is Environmental Resource Management?
Environmental Resource Management has become an area of national and international significance. Resource managers, typically in the public and private developmental sectors, face increasingly complex technical problems that can cut across several of the more traditional educational disciplines. In addition to the fundamentals of biological and chemical environmental processes, managers must be knowledgeable in local, region, and global cause and effect relationships of human activities in the development and utilization of environmental resources. Resource managers must also understand the legal and regulatory aspects of resource and environmental impact assessment. Recognizing these multidisciplinary needs, the master's degree program in Environmental Resource is a option in the Environmental Sciences Program at Florida Tech and includes both university course work and an internship with a regulatory agency or private company involved in environmental resource management. Graduates are well prepared to effectively interact with engineers, scientists, managers, and politicians.
Where will you use Environmental Resource Management?
Opportunities exist for Environmental Resource managers in the private, educational, corporate, and governmental sectors. Some career areas to consider are: Environmental Chemistry, Offshore Oil Recovery, Biofouling, Remote Sensing, Environmental Protection, Global Climate Monitoring, Renewable Energy, Sustainability, or Natural Habitat Restoration.
Why Environmental Resource Management at Florida Tech?
Nationally ranked academic programs and outstanding faculty await the marine science student, including "hands-on" experience that starts in the first semester. Our major facilities include:
- Evinrude Marine Center, where numerous small craft are moored for studies of the nearby Indian River Lagoon and its tributaries.
- Vero Beach Marine Laboratory, our experimental beachfront aquaculture station.
- Aquaculture Lab and Field Facility, a five-acre teaching and research facility with ponds, tanks, indoor hatchery and laboratories.
- Indian River Lagoon Research Platform a shallow-water wooden tower where research into biofouling, marine meteorology, tides and currents, and environmental change are conducted.
- Laboratories throughout the university for studies in biology, chemistry, computers, geology, marine instrumentation, mathematics, meteorology and physics, including our new wave channel.
Our Graduate Program:
The Master of Science in Environmental Resource Management requires 30 approved credits beyond the bachelors degree. The undergraduate major should be in science or engineering, or sufficient course work in the physical and life sciences to readily understand the fundamental biological, chemical and physical relationships important in environmental resource management. Students with deficiencies in their undergraduate preparation (up to 12 credits) may take deficiencies and courses for graduate credit concurrently.
Environmental Resources Management at Florida Tech is taught within the highly interdisciplinary Department of Ocean Engineering and Sciences which includes diverse faculty and staff in programs including environmental sciences, coastal management, oceanography, and ocean engineering.


text:
Promote other people's products and make money for yourself. We show you how! Create your free Affilorama membership and start today!
Affilorama gave me a easy-to-understand system to implement and an honest community of people to turn to every step of the way.
The foolproof blueprint for building profitable affiliate websites. Easy step-by-step videos mean anybody can get started making money online.
We've found you profitable niches, powerful keywords, quality content and stunning graphics. Now just put it together, turn it on, and start earning.
See how your website is performing and how it can be improved with our tools and reports — especially designed for affiliate marketers.


text:
When you hear the words 'cathedral setting,' you'd think about something used by a priest and not something that's used to perfectly symbolize a romantic relationship. But it is one of the loveliest settings for an engagement ring. It's a classic, and it's one of the favorites for couples who've gotten engaged over the years.
But how is it different from the prong and other classic settings for engagement rings? Why would you choose it among other types of elegant ring designs?
What Makes It a Cathedral?
The setting got its name from the arches that frame the ceilings, windows, alcoves and other parts of a cathedral, which is the venue for many romantic weddings in various parts of the world. The ring setting has the same arches that grace the main mounting of the centre stone.
The arches in this ring setting seem to lift the centre stone in a smooth and gentle manner, offering the ring more beauty and regal appeal.
The Fundamentals of a Cathedral Setting
The cathedral setting is often compared to the classic prong setting, especially when it comes to diamond rings, since it also allows a great amount of light into the centre stone. But it does subtly add a more graceful character to the ring with the arches.
A cathedral setting usually uses prongs to hold the centre stone, but the band splits as it reaches the centre stone. In a classic prong setting, the band meets at the base of the prongs.
Another distinctive feature of this setting is having the thinner part of the band encircling the finger, while the thicker part points to the featured stone.
The 'Architectural Variations' of a Cathedral Setting
Perhaps, jewellery designers did take more inspirational ideas for cathedral ring settings from the different types of cathedral architecture in different countries. You'll find that there are different versions of this setting today. These variations are, indeed, convenient, especially as you think of the ring design that will fit your fiancée perfectly.
- Varying degrees of arches, which give you designs ranging from slight arches to really dramatic curves to further accentuate the centre stone
- Varying widths of arches, usually according to the width of the band and the size of the stone
- Edges can be tapered, rounded or square, depending on which would best match the stone cut and the overall design
Why Build a Ring with a Cathedral Setting?
As mentioned earlier, you might find that the cathedral setting is very much similar to the classic prong setting. This is why one major advantage of a cathedral engagement ring is similar to that of a classic prong: mounting the stone using as little metal as possible and raising it from the band show much of its fire and brilliance.
But the arches of the cathedral setting provide a little extra for the ring:
- Better protection and stability for the centre stone
- More romantic and regal character without having to add any side stones or other details
- The illusion of more height to the whole ring
- The illusion of having a centre stone that's larger than it really is
If you're looking for an engagement ring that's not elaborate, but is distinctively elegant, see the rings with cathedral setting in jewellery shops. You won't even need to add accents or side stones to make it look regal and heavenly to fit your queen-to-be.
About the author: Sofia Angeli is a PR & communications consultant for companies in various industries. In particular, she brings her writing skills and passion for travel, culture, arts and lifestyle, including wedding planning and engagement rings, to the online world.


text:
lmao you can register a .GOP domain name starting today: http://t.co/QIQRIrDpeM— Matt Binder (@MattBinder) July 8, 2014
Yesterday the Republican Party began selling domains that end in .gop, which join.gop has called "the preferred domain name for all Republicans and conservatives online." The site congratulates itself on having established the first web ending affiliated with a political party, a historical moment immediately overshadowed by dissenting Internet users everywhere.
.@sundownmotel pic.twitter.com/f68tW8wJdq— Matt Binder (@MattBinder) July 8, 2014
@mattbinder "http://t.co/yUGXdoscED" is a PREMIUM domain— Kyle Shank (@kyleshank) July 8, 2014
@zettabeast http://t.co/VUDypdiF1O is allowing people to get their own .gop domain names, but pic.twitter.com/n2ZxpQHxI6— Roger Jungemann (@rjungemann) July 8, 2014
via Gawker


text:
Where to focus? Dandelions are always out first They're followed immediately by little bugs and be… A pretty purple flower, 3/4 inch across Year's first unidentified weird hover fly Anatomy of a dandelion Very small bumblebee Strolling spider Current thinking on American college campuses Tiger swallowtail has lunch Current reality on American college campuses Little purple flower Tiny white flower with yellow center Dinky purple flowers Lovely, fragrant purple flowers What was or will be a dandelion Infrared doesn't much change dandelion seedheads Cricket and Mr. Tickles Serious comic collectors attended Not something you see every day The things fathers do Artist Larry Blake Emi Olin likes to draw fluffy things with fangs Infrared street photography Human trunk Amber waves of green Federal Creek Graveyard in infrared Year's first infrared: Dandelions Real nonsmoking enjoyment He can also make vapor tornadoes A variety of "mods" on display She can blow vapor rings, too Ah, there she is Store owner hidden behind cloud Taking another hit Blowing a vapor ring Spring comes to southeast Ohio Success! The goal was to avoid touching any of the bungee c… They call it a "mud run" for a reason . . . and came up with a stick in his mouth This fellow went in head-first . . . The mud pit was, well, muddy
Posted on 04/28/2015
Photo taken on April 28, 2015
See also...
Authorizations, license
Visible by: Everyone
All rights reserved
134 visits
Year's first paper wasp, though, alas, not the last
Roy Lowry has particularly liked this photo
- Keyboard shortcuts:
RSS feed
- Subscribe to the comment feeds of this photo. - Latest comments
- ipernity © 2007-2018
Help & Contact
The ipernity Team blog
About ipernity
The ipernity Club
Guide of good conduct | Group guidelines | Privacy Policy | Terms of service
ipernity for iPhone / iPad | ipernity for Android | Developers space
- Find us on:
- Language
- English


text:
- Contact Person : Ms. Ren JingJing
- Company Name : Ningbo Yinzhou Longda Machinery Parts Factory
- Tel : 0086-574-88473087
- Fax : 0574-88344528
- Address : Zhejiang,Ningbo,Duogu Industry Zone,Yunlong Town, Ningbo,Zhejiang,China
- Country/Region : China
- Zip : 315135
Related Product Searches:Standard welded cylinder,High Quality,welded cylinder, welded hydraulic cylinder,2500PSI Double acting welded cylinder
1.Heavy duty welded construction
3.Bore sizes from 4" to 4.5"
4.Stroke sizes 8" to 60"
5.Chromed, ground & polished piston rod
6.Skived tubing
7.Ductile iron piston
8.Thread-in ductile gland
9.Urethane u-cup, metal encased wiper, teflon cap seal and wear ring
Crosstube end fittings with grease zerks
This product is a Welded Hydraulic Cylinder with a Ductile Iron Female Clevis at the Rod End & Forged Female Clevis at the Base End.This cylinder is mainly used in Agricultural & Material Handling Equipments.
Welded body cylinders have a number of advantages over tie rod style cylinders. Welded cylinders have a narrower body and often a shorter overall length enabling them to fit better into the tight confines of machinery. Welded cylinders do not suffer from failure due to tie rod stretch at high pressures and long strokes. The welded design also lends itself to customization. Special features are easily added to the cylinder body. These may include special ports, custom mounts, valve manifolds, and so on.
Welded body hydraulic cylinders dominate the mobile hydraulic equipment market such as construction equipment (excavators, bulldozers, and road graders) and material handling equipment (forklift trucks, telehandlers, and lift-gates). They are also used in heavy industry such as cranes, oil rigs, and large off-road vehicles in above-ground mining.
Standard welded cylinder


text:
Available ebook formats: epub mobi pdf rtf lrf pdb txt html
KD Sarge writes for joy and hope, and works for a living. She has tried her hand at endeavors including Governess of the Children, Grand Director of the Drive-Through, and Dispatcher of the Tow Trucks. Currently KD loves her job in a private school for children with autism. Past accomplishments include surviving eight one-year-olds for eight hours alone (she lasted about ten months), driving a twenty-foot truck from Ohio to Arizona by way of Oklahoma, and making a six-pack of tacos in twenty-three seconds.
Writing achievements include the Weightiest First Draft Ever, as well as nine other, much lighter, completed novels. She has six universes under construction. KD has won NaNoWriMo five times and NaNoEdMo twice. A widow, KD lives in Arizona with three children, two of them furred and all of them demanding.
Review by:
Beccaie Jamieson
on Aug. 21, 2011 :
Rafe spent the first twenty years of his life learning how helpless he was. He's been with Taro for two years, living under the protection of Taro and Taro's formidable sister. He's learned some new skills, but he's pretty sure he's still helpless. However, when he and Taro strike out on their own, problems keep cropping up, and suddenly Taro is the one who needs to be rescued, more than once. It's only after Rafe's found solutions--however unorthodox--that he begins to realize that perhaps he was never as helpless as he'd been taught.
His Faithful Squire is a wonderful book, written from the point of view of the very chatty and personable Rafe. If you're ever been dissatisfied by a "happily ever after" ending, you'll appreciate this look at a relationship that's not exactly new, but is undergoing new stresses. And both parties need to learn how to adapt individually and to work together as a couple. If you've read Knight Errant, the first book in this series, you'll enjoy seeing memories from Rafe's perspective, but if you're new to this universe and this author, His Faithful Squire is an excellent and very welcoming starting point.
(reviewed 5 days after purchase)
Review by:
on Aug. 03, 2011 :
Excellent m/m scifi romance continuing the story of Taro and Rafe as they leave Taro's sister's ship in order to make their own way. While Knight Errant was told from Taro's point-of-view, this one's told from Rafe's... and he's not quite as focused as Taro. :)
(reviewed 2 days after purchase)


text: Lauren Court Lauren Court is a friendly care home, located on the outskirts of the beautiful city of Chester, offering residential care. Living with us Lauren Court is a lovely home offering its Residents a choice of spots in which to relax, dine, exercise, socialise and be creative. Many of the rooms have splendid views of the garden. The pretty landscaped garden and patio, which is tended by some of the Residents, provides the perfect setting for catching up with friends and family. A popular hairdressing salon is on hand for Residents' enjoyment, as is a library and cinema room. All stylish, comfortable bedrooms and living areas are all easily accessible by wheelchair. The home's caring team has created a family atmosphere, encouraging everyone to eat and celebrate special occasions together. Residents are invited to decorate their rooms with small items of their own furniture and treasured belongings so that it feels just like home. Daily life is thoughtfully designed to support mind, body and soul. Your personal care plan Lauren Court's Home Manager makes sure that all Residents receive the kindest possible care. Our extensively trained team will deliver all the specialist care and support services that your loved one requires. Personalised care plans consider not only medical, personal and dietary needs, but also the individual's likes and dislikes, religious preferences, and suggestions from family members that might make their stay with us that little bit more enjoyable. Show more Enquire about this care home Home features Lounge Purpose Built Dining Room Quiet Room Premier Rooms En-Suite Rooms Wet Rooms Hair Salon Nail Bar Garden Specialist care categories Stroke Parkinson's Frailty Diabetes Heart Disease Incontinence Sight Impairment Hearing Impairment Latest inspection report


text:
A couple of weeks ago I was searching Pinterest for some fun activities to use in the CCD class of which I assist a wonderful teacher in the religious education of some phenomenal 2nd graders. In my searching I came across a pin that read "Catechism of the Catholic Church for the Year of Faith". This pin lead me to a flocknote page where I entered my email address and began receiving daily readings from Catechism of the Catholic Church. I enjoy my daily readings; however, I began on day 145.
I decided to stop receiving my daily readings and start from the beginning, and I invite you to accompany me. I will be using COMPENDIUM, Catechism of the Catholic Church from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and sharing my readings here with you.
Part One
1. What is the plan of God for man?
God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. In the fullness of time, God the Father sent his Son as the Redeemer and Savior of mankind, fallen into sin, thus calling all into his Church and, through the work of the Holy Spirit, making them adopted children and heirs of his eternal happiness.
May God bless you,
COMPENDIUM, Catechism of the Catholic Church
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops


text:
We are located in a beautiful Valley of Walla Walla, Washington. At Mironov German Shepherds we strive to provide our clients the best temperament dog with champion bloodlines to produce the best protection and family companion. All of our German Shepherd puppies come with health certificate.
Come visit us and pick up a puppy that is right for you. Our puppies come
with health guarantee and AKC registration papers.


text:
We have now finished our UK topographical maps and they look amazing!!!
Here are some photos of us making them.
Please do pop up and take a look at the finished results!
We use cookies to improve our website and your experience when using it. To find out more about the cookies we use and how to delete them, see our Cookie Policy.


text:
Status: Open
Know more about this business than we do? Cool! Please submit any corrections or missing details you may have.Help us make it right
Be the first YellowBot user to add photos or videos of Norris Fine Jewelry
Norris Fine Jewelry is located at 729 E Main St in Santa Maria and has been in the business of Cosmetics since 1987.
Chain Repair, Diamond's, Gold Jewelry, In House Repairs, Layaway Available, Pearl's, Precious Stones, Ring Sizing, Stone Setting, Unique Custom Design, Watch Repair
If you don't see your business listed on YellowBot, please add your business listing.
YellowBot wants to get your input! If you have a comment, find a bug or think of something neat we should do, let us know by emailing us.
© 2007-2018 Solfo, Inc. – All rights reserved


text:
Product Description
Beautiful Ocean View Cabin (pricing based on 3 person occupancy) – 935.66 per person
- Package price includes full access to all HOTS weekend events.
- Prices are per guest and include accommodations, activities on-board and taxes.
- Airfare/ground transportation are separate.
- A $250.00 deposit per person is required to lock in your cabin and is non-refundable.


text:
Etch Busters
About this pro
Graffiti-removal from glass: we clean and repair your etched, scratched, and acid graffiti-damaged glass panes on-site within hours. Worried about retagging? Out of the 6,823 panes of glass professionally cleaned of graffiti, only 24 have been re-tagged. That is a 99.9% success rate! To replace the entire pane, we charge approximately one-third of the cost.
Photos and Videos
1 photo


text:
Spend only £35.00 more to qualify
for FREE SHIPPING! (3-5 day, UK ONLY)
for FREE SHIPPING! (3-5 day, UK ONLY)
Did You Know
The J.M. Smucker Company as we know it today actually began life as a cider company. Ohio resident Jerome Monroe Smucker opened a mill in 1897 to press cider from the fruit of trees planted by American icon John Chapman, or "Johnny Appleseed" as he is probably better known!
Smucker prgressed from cider to cider apple butter and, over time, the Smucker name came to be associated with quality fruit products, first in the Ohio region and then nationally across America.
Today, Smucker's is a name attached to jams, jellies, ice cream toppings, syrups, peanut butter and more, all still made to the same high standards with only the best ingredients used.INGREDIENTS: Corn syrup, *high fructose corn syrup, water, nonfat Milk, *modified corn starch, cocoa, chocolate, partially hydrogenated cottonseed and soybean oils, contains 2% or less of: powdered sugar, palm oil, salt, vanillin (artificial flavour) *Produced from genetically modified maize. **May have an adverse effect on activity & attention in children. Imported by CL Trading Ltd. Unit 3-7 Littlemoss Business Park, Droylsden, M43 7EF


text:
N.E.R.D. Tickets
N.E.R.D. is a rap-rock band consisting of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo of The Neptunes and their friend Shae Haley. The band's sound is a mixture of hip hop and rock, with many other influences and sounds, produced by The Neptunes, the name of Hugo and Williams' production team.
N.E.R.D. to date, have released two full albums and a few singles, with one more album set to come out in spring 2008. Though they did not achieve superstar-status mainstream success with their albums and singles, the group has acquired a wide legion of loyal fans across the globe.
In 2008, N.E.R.D. announced plans to join Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco and Rihanna on the highly anticipated Glow in the Dark Tour. The tour will hit numerous North American cities and is one of the most anticipated concerts of 2008.
Overall Average N.E.R.D. Rating
N.E.R.D. Fan Reviews
N.E.R.D. Tickets Continued
They recorded their first album, In Search Of..., with the funk-rock band Spymob for worldwide release in 2002. Their second album, Fly or Die, was released in 2003 and featured the singles "She Wants to Move" and "Maybe". The album has so far gone top 10 in the USA, while the lead-off single, "She Wants to Move", has gone top 5 in the UK, top 20 in Norway, Ireland, and Denmark, and top 40 in Australia and the Netherlands. The music video for "She Wants To Move" even achieved substantial airplay on regular MTV in America for a few weeks, a rarity for any new music video.


text:
WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. — A 50-year-old injured hiker in the North Cascades said he had to fend off bears with bear spray while awaiting a rescue, a Naval Air Station Whidbey Island spokesman said Tuesday.
NAS units rescued the hiker with a broken leg late Saturday night near Ross Lake in the North Cascades, NAS public affairs officer Mike Welding said.
The hiker had activated a Spot beacon at 5 p.m. earlier that evening at an elevation of about 6,000 feet, Welding said. Customs & Border Patrol dropped food and a medical kit to the injured hiker, but were unable to evacuate him as its helicopter didn't have the necessary hoisting equipment, which led them to NAS Whidbey Island's Search and Rescue Unit, he said.
The SAR unit launched a MH-60S Knighthawk around 10:20 p.m.
"We quickly located the switchback trail down the mountain and the survivor's strobe light at 11:02 p.m.," said Navy Lt. Robert Merin, the SAR commander.
Hospital Corpsman First Class Wayne Papalski was lowered to the injured hiker. Papalski evaluated the injured man and determined he had a broken leg and dislocated shoulder. Naval Aircrewman Second Class Daniel Ismay lowered a rescue basket to Papalski and the injured hiker. After hoisting the man aboard the SAR helicopter, the crew flew him to St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham.
While en route to the hospital, Papalski administered pain medication and an IV. During the flight back, the injured hiker, currently on active duty with the Army, recalled he had to fend off bears with bear spray during his ordeal, Welding said.
The hiker's name was not immediately released.


text:
The Juice Market is my online store for those of you who don't know. Many of you asked me to do a blog post on how I started TJM and I thought it would be interesting to blog about it.
My friend and I started a blogshop called wonderstruckkk on livejournal but because we had different ways of working, we decided to part ways(only for the blogshop, we are still very good friends now!!) and that was when I decided to start my own online store, THE JUICE MARKET.
I started it in June 2009 by myself on livejournal. The name was derived from really random things. I was a fan of this american online store then, called Pixie Market and I was very inspired by them on the variety of clothes which really made it seem like a "clothes market", and so happened I was reading local magazine, JUICE. So, I just decided to combine the names, and named it JUICE MARKET. (Very anyhow right, but thank God it's pretty catchy)
With the help of my sister's friend who was a photographer, he did my very first collection photoshoot with two white cloths and a white wall at his place. I was on budget then so I think he charged me like only $10 per hour?
Here's a picture from TJM's first collection!
I was only 18 years old so I didn't know shit about putting on proper make up and poses but I just gave it a shot. I wanted to model myself to save money on hiring models too! Bear in mind, I was a penniless 18 years old girl and I didn't ask my parents for a single cent for start-up so I was on a very very tight budget.
Of course, there were times when things screwed up like getting stood up by my photographer just 2 hours before my shoot so I had to settle for my bestfriend's rooftop terrace for a NIGHT shoot.
I am somewhat a perfectionist so I kept finding ways to improve on every aspect of TJM, and also TJM was gradually getting more popular so I had bigger financial ability to pay for more professional stuff. So I moved to several studios for photoshoots, and even read up and youtube-d on model poses, learnt to use more props and started doing proper banner pictures.
Many of my friends always asked me why do I sell only 10 designs per collection when other blogshops sell 30 per collection and my answer is always " I'd rather make lesser money than to sell mediocre clothes which I'm forcing myself to just to fill up the collection" and I still stand by it till now. It may not appeal to some people but that's my principle for TJM.
Of course, I want to make money from TJM but I just think it's useless to sell clothes which I find is not nice, and tarnishes TJM rep too.
TJM continued to grow bigger and bigger only through the word of mouth. I didn't use to believe in paid advertorials because I wanted people to spread the word only if they like the products. That was quality to me. I didn't want to pay some bloggers money just to praise TJM superficially. I wanted something from the heart. But of course, over time I realised advertorials help people who don't know about TJM discover it and when they like it, they would spread it sincerely to their friends like how I'd really like it. If you realise, TJM still hasn't done a lot of bloggers advertorials.
Only did it on Tammy's, Rachel's and Mae's blog!
TJM was going well until mid 2010 when sales kept plunging so I had to find another job to maintain TJM. I didn't want to close TJM down because it was a part of me already. So I got a job at Sogurt to fuel TJM's collections which gradually picked up over time. It was really tiring to juggle between school, Sogurt and TJM but I'm really really glad Daniel was with me the whole time and he's been nothing but my pillar of strength and support. I remember I even had to borrow $xxxx from my mum so I could pick TJM up again :/ glad this phase is over!!
Then came December 2010 which was the birth of TJM's swimwear label : JUICESEA.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think TJM was the first local blogshop/online store to start a new swimwear line. What bred Juicesea was of course, my love for swimwear. I love the beach so I love swimwear but I could never find swimwear that I liked at an affordable price so it hit me an idea to start a swimwear line with bold and beautiful designs suitable for both beaches and swimming pools at pocket-friendly prices.
It wasn't easy finding a swimwear manufacturer, settling on the right material, and making sure I don't go too absurd with the designs. I had to bear in mind the conservative minds of Singaporeans but the risk-taking teenagers. And I definitely didn't feel very comfortable modelling for swimwear but I did it anyway!
The name "Juicesea" was suggested by Daniel, and I thought it was really meaningful so I heeded his suggestion, and TADAH......birth of my first label!!
This was JUICESEA's very first swimwear design which sold like hotcakes!! *phew
Viewing final sample for JUICESEA4 tomorrow (:
SIGN UP FOR MAILING LIST IF YOU HAVEN'T!! I promise you JUICESEA4 is gorgeous!!
That year was another breakthrough for TJM as we held our very first fashion show in Zouk in collaboration with Sogurt's one year anniversary! You have no idea how excited I was when I got the news. Went for my very first sourcing trip overseas with my dad and bestie (2 separate trips in a month) to prepare for fashion show, scouted for models whom till date I'm still so damn thankful for.
Preparing for a fashion show was hell of a job and I had to handle everything almost single-handedly. From costumes and matching, to finding and emailing tons of models, to sourcing shoes sponsor for my models, to getting a hair and makeup stylist and ended up doing the models' make up myself(cos my make up artist was late and only turned up 10 mins before fashion show -.- mad pissed that night), and doing a shoot for all 10 models for pre-promo advert, and dealing with late-coming model. I even forgot to do a mix for the fashion show music that Silas had to rush it out for me on the afternoon itself just hours before the show, and I had zero clue about catwalk choreography but thank God for Aaron(one of the models who was a professional model) who choreographed my entire catwalk.
In retrospect, I really have to thank every single one who contributed to the fashion show cos if not for them it'd have been a mess. It was such a success thanks to them. The applause that night and smiles of contentment on the audience's faces is something I'll never wipe off my mind.
Some pictures of the fashion show (:
My two male models who both happen to be Aaron
End of the show, don't know why I look so kp.
Eunice! She opened the fashion show and she had so much swag on! So many of my friends told me it was the right choice to put her as the first model.
Through the fashion show, launch of more swimwear, better quality photos, better modeling poses, moving to a .com domain, constantly trying to be friendlier with my customers online and provide better cs, TJM escalated and became what it is today!
It might not be as big and established like big names like HVV or Love, Bonito but someday I hope it will eventually reach that level. Running an online store is not easy, but it's never too hard for the determined ones. If you're looking to start an online store, find a niche and never say die. Be prepared to give your all, burn midnight oil, get scolded by unreasonable customers, be put under stress and deadlines that you find yourself crying not once not twice but many times, having to launch collections or do a shoot when you're sick, face your laptop and do work non-stop for as long as 10 hours a day.
I'm not complaining because the fruit that you bear one day will make you look back and say "it's all worth the hard work". The experience you get out of it , the different types of people you meet from this walk of life, and the lessons you learn that schools/books don't teach are priceless.
There will also be fun times to work! Like my recent shoot with Donna at her new studio!!
*vroom vroom*
*omg omg there's a car coming we need to move the "house"!!!!*
Hadache from my sore eyes. Did a 2 hours shoot with an eye infection which was damn bloody painful especially with flashlights flashing at my eyes non-stop.
It got so red and painful after the shoot I had to see a doctor the next day!
Here's how bad it was...
Sorry if the picture freaked you out :/
And that's just me goofing around!
I recently also went on a work trip alone for the first time! I usually had company but I decided to go alone this time. Shall blog about it next (: It will also be a mini guide to BKK!
I hope this blog post gives you a deeper understanding of how running an online store is like, how TJM was born and established.
You can ask me any questions on my formspring : http://www.formspring.me/sophiachong
I'll try to answer those I can!
Hope you enjoyed the post (:
Lots of love,


text:
Basic Japanese
JAPN 0200 S01 [CRN: 24296]Introduction to Japanese language. Emphasizes the attainment of good spoken control of Japanese and develops a foundation of literacy. This is the second half of a year-long course. Students must have taken JAPN 0100 to receive credit for this course. The final grade for this course will become the final grade for JAPN 0100. If JAPN 0100 was taken for credit then this course must be taken for credit; if taken as an audit, this course must also be taken as an audit. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by both the academic department and the Committee on Academic Standing. The East Asian Studies department wishes to provide language instruction to all interested students. If you are unable to register for this course due to enrollment limits but are dedicated to learning Japanese, please contact the instructor via email.
- Term
- Spring 2018
- Credit Hours
- 1
- Maximum Enrollment
- 18
- Course Attributes
- Second Half of Year Course
- Primary Instructor
- Meetings
09:00 - 09:50 Mon, Wed, Fri - from Jan 24, 2018 to May 18, 2018
09:00 - 10:20 Tue, Thu - from Jan 24, 2018 to May 18, 2018
- Exam Group Code
- 12