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News, Vision & Voice for the Advisory Community
Recruiters are getting renewed interest from big wirehouse teams and the $125 million deal shows that breakaway brokers can realize big enterprise value in short order
November 8, 2012 — 4:53 AM UTC by Brooke Southall
Brooke's Note: When David Hou and Mark Sear first executed a brilliant breakaway from Merrill Lynch in 2008 — complete with synchronized watches and trips up and down an elevator with their team of in-the-dark associates — it was both a coup and a turning point. See: Hou-Sear team makes house calls in five states. Until that moment, the RIA business had failed to lure away a wirehouse team that enjoyed all the perks of Wall Street glory and glamour. Heck, Hou and Sear were the advisors for top wirehouse executives. I even got a glowing report from Bob McCann himself about his former underlings when I wrote about them. So what do you do as a follow-up act if you are Hou, Sear and partners? Aside from building assets from $1.7 billion to $5.5 billion in a matter of three years, they have now pulled off a very enviable deal that more than makes up for retention or signing bonuses forgone. It shows how much enterprise value can be established in such a very short time under an RIA structure. Here are some people opining on the matter — and it was all delivered, I can tell you, with a tone of respect and admiration.
The $125 million in cash — according to an SEC filing — that First Republic Bank paid for Luminous Capital has acted as a major shot of adrenaline to recruiters who poach big breakaway teams and to investment bankers and M&A specialists who sell them. See: A $5.5 billion LA-based RIA is getting purchased by First Republic Bank.
The San Francisco-based bank, trust company and wealth management firm brought one of the fastest-growing and most profitable RIAs into its fold by not only paying a multiple of earnings that harks back to 2007 days but by simply, so to speak, writing a check. Deals of this nature are likely to involve all kinds of earn-outs, equity with a no-sell period and other types of delayed gratification.
World series-class deal
Despite the size of the deal, industry observers agree that the transaction does not appear to be one-sided. Luminous partners have literally gone from serving ultrahigh-net-worth investors to being UHNW investors. And, not only did they get a big payday, but — unlike wirehouse brokers who get bonuses — the income isn't counted as W-2 salary on their tax returns. It's a capital gain that is still kindly treated by the IRS in 2012. One source says Luminous appears to have been deliberate about reaping the low tax rate and has been shopping the practice for a while.
But First Republic may have hit its own home run. It'll suddenly gain a world of high-end banking clients. It can also use Luminous as its in-house managers for, for instance, relatively unmanaged pledged assets sitting in its possession, sources say.
"It's a very attractive valuation and outside the bands we usually see," David DeVoe, chief executive of DeVoe & Company, says in response to information communicated to him from the RIABiz source. He adds that the all-cash aspect stands out all the more considering the price paid. "That can be a negotiating point, to talk down the price."
Luminous Capital and First Republic declined to comment on any of the performance metrics or price information provided by these sources. First Republic did say that the partners of Luminous were signed to long-term deals, though it declined to say how long that long is. The companies affirmed, however, that the Luminous brand will stay intact — for now. It is expected to eventually be phased out.
Banking jolt
Mark Sear, CEO of Luminous Capital, says that he doesn't need a contract to make him want to continue to do his job.
"I'm 48. What am I going to do — sit on the beach? I love my clients; [serving them] is what I enjoy doing." See: Hou-Sear team applies Goldman Sachs marketing approach in second year as RIAs.
Besides the handsome deal, Sear says that he found that he had other incentives to become part of First Republic. High on the list is the immediate jolt it gives Luminous in providing banking services. "People need lending solutions, and we don't have them," he says.
Luminous has been frustrated by having to refer business to various banks and then having those banks provide second-rate service. The problem is that the clients hold Luminous partially responsible, he adds. Bringing banking services under Luminous' control with First Republic backing closes that quality gap.
'A godsend'
Though the deal appears plenty favorable to Luminous Capital and its personnel, it has also lifted the boats of RIAs and the RIA business in general, according to M&A people, platform providers to breakaways, and recruiters.
Shirl Penney, CEO of Dynasty Financial Partners LLC, counts himself among the admirers of the coup pulled off by Hou and Sear, et al.
"It's remarkable to consider they left the wirehouse model in late 2008 at the peak of the downturn and over the next four years as independent advisors leveraging the fiduciary model were able to essentially quadruple their business," he says. "This provides an interesting road map for other very large teams considering independence for any or all of those reasons."
As an executive at another platform provider said, not for attribution: "For us talking to breakaway brokers, this is a godsend to us. The good news, bad news for a firm like HighTower is that, good news, they can use it to value their entire business, but, bad news, the amount they pay to acquire firms could go up."
Rising tide
DeVoe says that this valuation doesn't come completely out of the clear blue sky, in the sense that valuations in general have risen to a more historically normal level during the past year. And banks in more booming times were known to pay these kinds of prices. See: M&A market reaching a new normal based on RIA-driven deals, say competing reports from Pershing, Schwab.
"It shows [valuations] may be continuing to move up, and it's a strong vote for the [RIA] business."
But the deal — even without the benefit of knowing the exact terms — had phones ringing (notwithstanding makeshift arrangements after Superstorm Sandy) at the Chester, N.J., offices of Diamond Consultants, a top recruiter of wirehouse brokers.
Mindy Diamond, principal of the firm, says she spoke, for instance, to a Merrill Lynch team leader with $15 million of production with whom she has spoken to off and on for an extended period. The issue she faces with these teams, she says, is their belief that all the landing pads of a breakaway are, at best, marginally better. The Luminous deal caught the attention of big producers as something with an aura of head-and-shoulders better.
An earlier version of this article pegged the purchase price at $200 million based on information from two industry sources. The article was changed to reflect an 8k filing made today showing a price of $125 million.
Mentioned in this article:
Diamond Consultants
Top Executive: Mindy Diamond
DeVoe & Company
Mergers and Acquisition Firm
Top Executive: David DeVoe
Share your thoughts and opinions with the author or other readers.
Ken Aguilar said:
November 8, 2012 — 5:39 AM UTC
A good example of what a joke it is to tax massive income at such low rates.
15% is just a ridiculously low rate on people that are über wealthy.
Elmer Rich III said:
November 8, 2012 — 7:10 PM UTC
I would argue they may have been underpaid and perhaps misled by a big check. Present value calculations are often done poorly or not at all.
Stephen Winks said:
November 8, 2012 — 9:11 PM UTC
Powerful manifestation of the value of fiduciary standing not possible in a brokerage format. Yet, to actually execute expert fiduciary counsel and make it scalable and easy to manage as a high margin business at the advisor level—extraordinary skill is inherent in the Luminous model which is not easily replicated—confirming broker reticence expressed by Mindy Diamond's clients.
As it becomes easier for brokers to legitimately achieve fiduciary standing through the democratization of the necessary enabling resources, how could brokers justify staying at a high cost low value added brokerage firm where they are not accountable or responsible for their recommendations, counter to their client's best interest.
Without the necessary enabling resources, brokers are jumping from the frying pan into the fire. With the necessary support—Luminous will be repeated time and again. Many of the alternatives out there today for brokers are simply an extrapolation of the brokerage business model. What is different here is Luminous has adopted an advisory business model, delivers and extraordinary level of counsel at an attractive margin not possible in a brokerage format. The multiple is more than justified as an operating advisory services business, while brokers are selling advice products entailing far less skill and far lower margins.
John Flynn said:
November 13, 2012 — 11:54 PM UTC
Why is it a joke that they are paying the capital gains rate and not the ordinary income rate. They invested long term in the company and through hard work, made the company grow. That is the definition of capital gains.
Just because it is a big number, doesn't mean that the rate should be higher. This is nothing but pure jealousy.
Stephen Winks said:
November 14, 2012 — 3:09 PM UTC
You are missing four important points: (1) A brokerage format is inadequate for advisory services as the broker is neither accountable nor has any ongoing responsibilities for their recommendations essential for advisory services and fiduciary standing, (2) Rather than selling advisory products that minimize the role, skill and responsibility of the broker, Luminous is actually engaging the authenticated prudent processes, advance technology, work flow management and conflict management necessary to actually act in a fiduciary capacity. This is valued at four times earnings, twice what a broker, who can not act in a fiduciary capacity, commands. Luminous is not using disclosure to excuplate themselves from their fiduciary responsibilities Luminous is actually expertly fulfilling their fiducuiary duties. (3) There is nominal transferable value achieved in selling brokerage advice products for those that have ambitions of selling their practices, for two reasons (a) the relationship is with the broker limiting transferability of value to a subsequent practice buyer, and (b) the range of counsel is limited to that incorporated in the advice product, very little flexibility to deal with investors and their holdings as they are. There are a lot of IARs that have been indoctinated to believe they are advisors and have fiduciary standing when that is not the case. If arbitration proceedings were to be made public—the truth would be known. (4) The tax play is a nice angle to be valued.
No joke.


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Group Night Drama took hold of "American Idol" on Thursday (February 9). The whole episode, in fact, zeroed in on the Drama — the infighting, the personality clashes, the late-night bleary eyes — and didn't make any time for actual, you know, singing.
Luckily, there were enough distractions to keep things interesting. A mean sick bug seemed to be going around with the contestants, and Patient Zero was Amy Brumfield, whom you remember as Tent Girl, or the girl who lives in a tent in the woods in Tennessee. Brumfield was down and out for most of the episode, battling flu-like symptoms, while those she came in contact with were also given a mean case of the pukes. Lesson: Perhaps tent life isn't the healthiest, most stable way to live.
Brumfield found herself in a group with Alisha Bernhardt early on, though Bernhardt's pushiness and insistence her group perform "Joy to the World" — the Three Dog Night version, not the Christmas carol — eventually drove Brumfield away. Bernhardt, a cop, eventually drove everyone in her group away after at one point threatening to fight a fellow contestant; she wound up linking up with another group and rehearsed Sugarland's "Stuck Like Glue," rather than "Joy to the World." But the group's progress was halted when group member Christian Lopez, wouldn't you know it, got sick. (No telling if Brumfield was to blame.)
Speaking of being sick, Symone Black — the contestant whose nasty fall off the "Idol" rehearsal stage ended Wednesday's "Idol" episode — made her way back from the hospital to the good news that she'd advanced to the next round but the bad news that most of the groups had already been formed. She was able to quickly link up with a group, however, and her biggest issue seemed to be that her father, George Black, embarrassed her with his level of unconditional support.
Competing with Bernhardt for the evening's Drama Queen title were Brielle Von Hugel, a Hollywood Week veteran who was in a group with Pia Toscano last year, and Brianna-Marie Bell, who turned her nose up at contestants who were unable to identify whether they were an alto soprano or a mezzo soprano. But both were outshined, however, by the cowboy-hat-clad Richie Law, a would-be Scotty McCreery who drove his team — which included wry jokester Heejun Han — with a singular vision and an iron fist. He insisted his group learn multiple harmonies and dance steps and wouldn't take "no" for an answer, and was seemingly clueless to his teammates' lack of belief in his vision. "We're gonna do this my way, and that's it," he said at one point, leading to one of many eye-rolls from Han.
The episode was all buildup, no climax; viewers will have to wait until next week to find out who stays, who goes and if all the drama was worth it.
At the opening of the episode, early favorite Lauren Gray — "I have two words for today: Lauren Gray," Jennifer Lopez said after the St. Louis auditions — was dismissed. After showing so much promise in her audition, Gray didn't even end up making it to Group Night.
What did you think of Thursday's "American Idol"? Let us know in the comments!
Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

subset: commoncrawl


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Dr Jeroen Elzerman of the London Centre for Nanotechnology has been awarded the prestigious Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award.
Jointly funded by the Wolfson Foundation and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the award aims to provide universities with additional support to enable them to attract or retain respected scientists of outstanding achievement and potential.
Dr Jeroen Elzerman's award will support his research into "Quantum photonics with spins in semiconductor nanostructures". He notes "Conventional photonic and electronic devices typically operate according to the classical laws of physics. However, both light and matter are ultimately governed by quantum mechanics. I will set up a group at the LCN and the UCL Electronic & Electrical Engineering Department to develop a new class of photonic devices that take advantage of quantum behaviour to do things that no classical device can."
The group will focus on semiconductors incorporating nanometer-sized structures in which single electrons can be confined. Rather than using the electrons' charge, the aim will be to control their "spin", the property that makes them act as tiny magnets. Elzerman says "It has already been shown that the quantum state of a single electron spin can be manipulated using lasers; the challenge now is doing the same for multiple spins interacting with each other. This is a difficult task, but it would have a large impact. For instance, coupling just a few dozen spins could already allow for applications such as efficiently simulating the behaviour of complicated molecules, which would aid enormously in the systematic design of new medicines."
For more information, please see http://royalsociety.org/news/2012/wolfsons-round-2-2012/


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A program on UCTV called "State of Minds" aired a segment on UC Davis' Stem Cell program, that featured an interview with Kent Leach, describing his work using stem cells to heal bone defects. "State of Minds" is UCTV's signature magazine program of stories from the University of California. You can watch the program here: http://www.uctv.tv/search-details.aspx?showID=20692
The program first aired this morning at 9:00 AM, but will replay frequently in March, according to the schedule below.


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'American Idol' Season 11 Debut Ratings Drop 18 Percent
While former 'American Idol' judge Simon Cowell had said that his newly launching 'X Factor' needed to pull in 20 million viewers during its September debut in order to be a success and fell well below that lofty goal, the Season 11 premiere of 'Idol' raked in 21.6 million viewers last night (Jan. 18.)
Despite topping what Cowell had hoped for for his own show, it was a bit of a disappointment for 'Idol,' as the premiere ratings dipped significantly from 2011, dropping by a whopping 18 percent.
Reuters reports that 21.6 million viewers watched last night's auditions, a steep drop from the 26.2 million that tuned in to the season 10 premiere in January 2011. Granted, new judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler made their debut at the time, so there was a natural curiosity and excitement resulting in increased watchers. But this season's inaugural stats mark a sharp decline in viewership.
Another area where 'Idol' dropped last night was the heavily desired 18-49 demo, a core group that advertisers target. The audience in that demo dropped 27 percent.
All the ratings decreases aside, the show was still the most watched program on American TV for the night.
Fox execs are also spinning the news, saying the network even predicted a downtrend for ratings, since the show has been on the air for so long.
The second night of the Season 11 premiere continues this evening at 8PM ET.


text:
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Stockholm: Sweden is sending experts to Liberia to provide assistance to help combat Ebola outbreak in the country.
According to health officials, the experts plan to build a camp for the medical staff there, Xinhua reported.
"We are sending the staff to Liberia by the end of this week. They will check the conditions for building a camp for 100-200 people," said Emilio Konig from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency.
Konig claimed that the camp would cost about 40 million SEK (USD 570,000) and was expecting to split the bill with other countries.
According to a Swedish doctor, the camp will give the medical staff a good control over the hygiene conditions.


text: Vlog Channel now up! http://www.youtube.com/user/Officiallynerdcubed My Twitter! https://twitter.com/Dannerdcubed My Webcomic! http://nerdcubed.co.uk/ So, here we go again! It's been a while but I'm back in the saddle! I'm still a bit ill so I'm a little croaky and quiet in this one. Do bear with me. :p My Twitter! https://twitter.com/Dannerdcubed Music by the wonderful Kevin MacLeod http://www.incompetech.com/ End Music "Plucky Daisy" http://www.incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/index.html?keywords=%22Plucky+Daisy%22&Search=Search


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I'm implementing some weapon shooting mechanics from code. At some point, I'd like to play fmod event for weapon fire.
I have a UPROPERTY reference
UFMODEvent* FireSound;
I call
UFMODBlueprintStatics::PlayEventAttached(Sound, MuzzleDirection, NAME_None, FVector(), EAttachLocation::Type::SnapToTarget, false, true);
(MuzzleDirection is an arrow component that points form the muzzle, it's always valid).
Sound artist loads his banks and sets up FireSound from the editor.
Problem is, this works, but fails randomly (every shot except first one can be heard…). Sometimes just inserting any kind of unrelated instruction (like print to log call) before PlayEventAttached call makes it either stop working alltogether (no sound played at all), or makes it work 100% times. I have a feeling the problem could have something to do with resource laoding, but I really can't find what I'm doing wrong.
- Davor asked 3 years ago
- last edited 3 years ago
- You must login to post comments
Please see the answer in the following post regarding early loading of some blueprints and how to make sure FMOD is loaded first. There is a good chance this could explain what you are seeing.
It sounded like something that could eplain my problems, but unfortunately we don't even use c++ base for our gamemode at this point. Is there anything in blueprints that could be using the same kind of issues?
Is there any other c++ code that uses FClassFinder? Can you search for it in your project and see if it shows up anywhere?
- You must login to post comments
Could you contact firstname.lastname@example.com and we can chase that up. I'd like to get some more details, and if possible a cut down project that demonstrates the problem.
I will, thanx!
- You must login to post comments
Please login first to submit.


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A Scam Email with the Subject "NEXT OF KIN" was received in one of Scamdex's honeypot email accounts on Sat, 03 Sep 2016 08:03:11 -0400 and has been classified as a Generic Scam. The sender was "Mr.CHRIS UGO."<email@example.com>, although it may have been spoofed.
I am an Account Officer with Union Bank Plc ,My name is . CHRIS UGO, a Banker. I am the personal Account Manager to (Engineer.Peter Paul) who was an expertrate contractor with Oil servicing Firm here in Nigeria.Here in aftershall be referred to as my client,my client passed on as a result of a heart attack. Since then I have made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my client's extended Relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace you over the Internet hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged, particularly the Union Bank Plc . Where the deceased had an account Valued at about ($6 Million US Dollars) has Issued me a notice to provide the next of kin. Or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased so that this account valued at ($ 6 Million US Dollars) can be paid to you. The sharing modality is till open and negociatable.All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this business through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you, from any breach of the law. Please get in touch with me by my email and for more detailsregarding to this transaction.(firstname.lastname@example.com Yours Faithfully, Mr.CHRIS UGO.


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It's cases like this that should prompt parents to get their kids out of government schools. Now, if parents want to do this sort of thing at home, then that's their business. The problem here is that these are how tax dollars are being spent.
As part of "school spirit week" at a Milwaukee elementary school, the student council decided on "gender bender day," where 1st and 2nd graders would come to school cross-dressed. Obviously, this left some of the parents rather speechless. They didn't like the idea of sending their 6 and 7-year-old boys off to school wearing dresses.
Oh, but they're too young to know what they're doing, so people just need to stop trying to create controversy. That's just what one school board member said:
"My son-in-law remembers having the same kind of day in a Lutheran school in Sheboygan. This is nothing new. I don't think the kids were thinking about sexual orientation."
Trending: Portland Mayor Stands By Orders to Police to Stand Down as Dangerous Antifa Rioters Attacked Citizens
It happened in a Lutheran school, so it must be just fine. And it might be true that they have little or no concept of sexual orientation at that age. But some of the kids were still left confused as to why they were being asked by their principal to come to school dressed like the opposite sex. Just because a small child may not know or understand exactly what he's doing doesn't mean it must be OK.
School officials tried to quell the controversy a little by changing the name of the day from "gender bender day" to "switch it up day" and clarifying that the activity was simply a way to have fun, and that it was completely voluntary.
As it turned out, not many students participated in the cross-dressing fun, and some parents kept their kids home that day. The ones that had the most fun participating were the teachers and other staff members. Adults.
It kind of makes you wonder who was really behind this silly "transgender day," as one parent called it. They say it was the student council who thought it up, but it turned out not to be too popular among the student body. However, adult males were more than happy to prance around in dresses and makeup; and women were delighted to walk around in male attire sporting fake mustaches.
Instead of parents getting all bent out of shape over this, they should react by taking their kids out of government schools while their kids are still young.


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1 large onion, peeled and thinly sliced
1 or 2 apples, peeled and chopped (bite size)
1 average-sized red cabbage, core removed and cut into chunks
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
butter, a knob
Oh wow. Yes, in the bathroom the other day, Roman told me how I am the person who does everything for him and Ethan (listed just about everything I do, which was nice of him to notice) and then said, "So, you can't leave us, OK?" And then I cried. No, I can't leave you, not for a very, very long time. Love. Hurts.ReplyDelete
It looks like Roman has been thinking about your childhood and your experience and is trying to process that information... those words would make any mother cry, but it must have really hit a sensitive nerve for you! On a lighter note, it is actually really sweet that he has a list in his head of all the amazing things you do every day for your family!Delete
LOL those questions made me giggle. I don't know how you'd even go about answering some of those! :o And the sex one? Wow!!ReplyDelete
Yeah, that one was quite a shocker!Delete
What about how once you're a mum you no longer have any privacy in the bathroom yourself! I love the look of this - it's so pretty and colourful. I can imagine this being very good with confit duck xxReplyDelete
That would be material for a whole new post, wouldn't it? Braised red cabbage+confit duck= heavenReplyDelete
Oh, how I miss those days and the totally out of left field conversations while sitting on the edge of the tub!
And I love the dish! I have to give this one a try too!


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Monday, 17 September 2012
Our World Tuesday - Dubai
Two words spring to mind about Dubai - "Hot" and "Tall". The temperatures were well into the 90's everyday - and more often than not broke the 100 barrier. Many of the buildings have a similar number of floors to the temperature!
A super wide angle lens would have been nice for some street shots - but I don't have one!
The building in the background of the last picture is the Burj Khalifa - the worlds tallest building, at 828 m tall. Incidentally, you can enter the Burj through the Dubai Mall - which (you've" guessed it) is the largest mall in the world. Dubai is that kind of place!
You can find more pictures from around the world at Our World Tuesday.
You can find the latest post to my other blog by clicking on the Paying Ready Attention image on the RHS of the page.
Enjoy the pictures.
32 comments:
- eileeninmd said...
Wow, the tall buildings are amazing. What a neat place to visit, but it seems like it would take a longer visit to see it all. Great shots, thanks for sharing your trip.
- 17 September 2012 at 20:36
- Fun60 said...
Such a long way to go for a short visit. It looks so new, clean and tall. Not on my list of places to visit just yet but you never know.
- 17 September 2012 at 22:15
- TexWisGirl said...
such an opulent skyline! amazing!
- 18 September 2012 at 00:06
- Andrea said...
Hi Stewart, I've been to Dubai once on my way back here from Turkey, spent 3 days with a friend's family. We did not watch more buildings rather we went to a desert safari and snow world. We don't have snow, that's why! But I saw the Burj Khalifa and the 'forgot the name of the building looking like an inverted boat'?
- 18 September 2012 at 00:47
- Sylvia K said...
What a fantastic skyline! You did indeed get some great shots for a short visit!! Thanks for sharing, Stewart!! Hope you have a good week!
- 18 September 2012 at 01:35
- Shirley said...
Looking up sure made me feel dizzy! I'm glad I didn't have to look down too! Wow what height! Amazing photo's..
- 18 September 2012 at 05:16
- HansHB said...
Awesome photos!
- 18 September 2012 at 05:32
- Adam Jones said...
Wow! What a fantastic place. I'd love to visit there some day.
- 18 September 2012 at 06:10
- Pat Tillett said...
It almost looks like something from science fiction. I've been told that it's an amazing place, to visit. Great photos (even without the wide angle lens).
- 18 September 2012 at 06:16
- mick said...
An amazing place - but I wouldn't like those high temps every day either.
- 18 September 2012 at 07:28
- Marcia said...
Those are some buildings. They rival the skyline in Shanghai which we got to see in 2010. Daughter is there now on business and seeing them every day. Amazing where work will take folks now a days.
- 18 September 2012 at 07:41
- ArtMuseDog and Carol said...
Fantastic shots as always ~ You a great creative eye~ and subject matter ~ (A Creative Harbor)
- 18 September 2012 at 07:46
- Tito Eric said...
These skyscrapers look more like modern sculptures. Architectural gems, indeed.
Visiting from Our World Tuesday
Here's mine:
- 18 September 2012 at 07:55
- Gary said...
Interesting post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
- 18 September 2012 at 08:01
- Brian King said...
I love the buildings and skyline in Dubai! Wish I could visit sometime. Love your photos!
- 18 September 2012 at 08:38
- Gail Dixon (Louisiana Belle) said...
Awesome shots of all the buildings despite not having a wide angle lens. Wowza! My friend's husband worked for Raytheon and he had to go to Dubai often. I would hear about the tall buildings but never saw pics. That area of the world is evidently very wealthy.
- 18 September 2012 at 12:13
- Gillian Olson said...
I've heard it is a "big" place. Thanks for the pictures, gives me a visual.
- 18 September 2012 at 12:48
Great shots that really capture the height of the buildings. But 16 hours on a plane? Urgh!
- 18 September 2012 at 14:02
- bettyl said...
The designs of these buildings are just incredible--way beyond anything I would think of.
- 18 September 2012 at 21:20
- Pieces of Sunshine said...
Quite a place of extremes, must have been almost overwhelming. "Home" must seem so comfortable after being somewhere like this.
- 18 September 2012 at 21:56
- EG CameraGirl said...
Nice to see Dubai through your lens. I doubt I will ever see it in person.
- 19 September 2012 at 00:15
- Liz said...
How interesting, Stewart! That's a whole bunch of TALL buildings! You have captured them well though... I love that looking up perspective. Very effective.
- 19 September 2012 at 02:59
- Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...
I have definitely heard before that is an amazing (and tall) place with lots of $$$....thanks for sharing --
- 19 September 2012 at 06:02
- SandyCarlson said...
What is possible with the resources. Wow! That's a marvelous, elegant landscape.
- 19 September 2012 at 11:12
- i stora drag said...
Very nice pictures from this awfully rich area of the world!
Stewart, if you had a couple of minutes I would love to hear what you thought of my last WBW contribution, White storks in south of Sweden!
But only if you had time! :)
Have a nice day! Greetings Pia
- 19 September 2012 at 19:35
- i stora drag said...
Thanks Stewart! Glad you visited and that you liked it!
It was very special to see the stork finding a snake and eating it too!
Me and my husband were there just about an hour, between 3 and 4 pm. We were up in the birdtower when we saw this happen, after about half an hour! Lucky us! :)
In this area they try hard to make it comfortable for the storks, so they will come back to this area, like they use to do in the fifties. /Pia
- 19 September 2012 at 20:15
- Anna said...
Beautiful photo's and what an awesome place, Stewart!
Love it...
Greetings, Anna :))
- 20 September 2012 at 04:28
- darlin said...
Woah, these are some mighty tall buildings!
16 hours, is that it? lol It took me 27 or was it 28 to get to Australia and coming home I had a 39 1/2 hour day. Talk about being confused and stuck in a time warp!
Great shots Stewart, did you only go for just the weekend? The flights would have taken up most of the weekend!
- 20 September 2012 at 13:02
- Martha Z said...
That's a very interesting skyline.
- 20 September 2012 at 13:13
- Eden said...
What a beautiful place to visit! Great shots.
- 22 September 2012 at 18:33
- Muhammad Amjad said...
I have definitely heard before that is an amazing (and tall) place with lots of ....thanks for sharing.
Overnight Desert safari Abu Dhabi
- 22 December 2012 at 18:04
- Johan Silver said...
Desert Safari Dubai is a perfect choice for your families. I love to visit there again in my life.
- 9 January 2013 at 23:20


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The SpectrumTV.com Guide offers many of the same options as your home Spectrum Receiver, including:
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text:
Windshield cracksIt's said that 30% of all insurance claims are to do with windhield cracks. It's also estimated that 70 - 80% of those claims are related to cracks that appear around the perimeter of the glass. The reason these cracks are so common is because the tension around the perimeter is excessive so any pressure in that area can lead to a crack.
Making an insurance claimMaking an insurance claim for a crack in your windscreen isn't always the wisest move. Insurance is primarily designed to deal with emergencies; accidents, serious car damage. While your windshield may be covered in your policy, your premium almost doubles when you make any sort of claim so it's worth checking out ways to fix it yourself if it's at all possible.
Page 1 of 2SuccessivaSuccessiva >>


text: If you've ever wondered what you would look like with a tattoo, or you're hosting a large event, airbrush tattoos are the way to go! The tattoos are created with alcohol based makeup, can be applied quickly, dry right away, are waterproof and will last 3 to 7 days. We have many designs to pick from and we also offer custom stencils, which can be made specially for your party (logo, name, Characters etc…)


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Results 1 - 10 of 252
[PROGETTO] SEQUOIA - A scalable quantum architecture
Data di inizio: 2013-01-01, Termine: 2017-12-31
Scientists world-wide are in pursuit of radical proposals to exploit coherent quantum states for a diverse range of applications including communication, information processing, and metrology. Similar to conventional technologies, the quantum machinery will most likely consis...
Programme: FP7-IDEAS-ERC
Record Number: 105064
Last updated on: 2018-01-22
[PROGETTO] MOTZETA - Motivic zeta functions and the monodromy conjecture
Data di inizio: 2013-05-01, Termine: 2018-04-30
The monodromy conjecture, formulated in the seventies by the Japanese mathematician Igusa, is one of the most important open problems in the theory of singularities. It predicts a remarkable connection between certain geometric and arithmetic invariants of a polynomial f with...
Programme: FP7-IDEAS-ERC
Record Number: 107034
Last updated on: 2018-01-15
[PROGETTO] INTEG-CV-SIM - An Integrated Computer Modelling Framework for Subject-Specific Cardiovascular Simulation: Applications to Disease Research, Treatment Planning, and Medical Device Design
Data di inizio: 2012-12-01, Termine: 2018-11-30
Advances in numerical methods and three-dimensional imaging techniques have enabled the quantification of cardiovascular mechanics in subject-specific anatomic and physiologic models. Research efforts have been focused mainly on three areas: pathogenesis of vascular disease, ...
Programme: FP7-IDEAS-ERC
Record Number: 106227
Last updated on: 2017-12-18
[PROGETTO] L3VISU - Life Long Learning for Visual Scene Understanding (L3ViSU)
Data di inizio: 2013-01-01, Termine: 2018-06-30
"My goal in the project is to develop and analyze algorithms that use continuous, open-ended machine learning from visual input data (images and videos) in order to interpret visual scenes on a level comparable to humans. L3ViSU is based on the hypothesis that we can only sig...
Programme: FP7-IDEAS-ERC
Record Number: 104923
Last updated on: 2017-12-04
[PROGETTO] NGHCS - NGHCS: Creating the Next-Generation Mobile Human-Centered Systems
Data di inizio: 2013-03-01, Termine: 2019-02-28
Advances in sensor networking and the availability of every day, low-cost sensor enabled devices has led to integrating sensors to instrument the physical world in a variety of economically vital sectors of agriculture, transportation, healthcare, critical infrastructures and...
Programme: FP7-IDEAS-ERC
Record Number: 107396
Last updated on: 2017-12-04
[PROGETTO] OTEGS - Organic Thermoelectric Generators
Data di inizio: 2013-04-01, Termine: 2018-03-31
At the moment, there is no viable technology to produce electricity from natural heat sources (T<200°C) and from 50% of the waste heat (electricity production, industries, buildings and transports) stored in large volume of warm fluids (T<200°C). To extract heat from large vo...
Programme: FP7-IDEAS-ERC
Record Number: 106435
Last updated on: 2017-12-04
[PROGETTO] RETURN - RETURN – Rethinking Tunnelling in Urban Neighbourhoods
Data di inizio: 2013-01-01, Termine: 2016-12-31
This project addresses important challenges at the forefront of geotechnical engineering and building conservation by introducing an entirely new workflow and largely unexploited data source for the predic-tion of building damage from tunnel-induced subsidence. The project wi...
Programme: FP7-IDEAS-ERC
Record Number: 106058
Last updated on: 2017-11-20
[PROGETTO] UNIQUE - Non-equilibrium Information and Capacity Envelopes: Towards a Unified Information and Queueing Theory
Data di inizio: 2012-12-01, Termine: 2017-11-30
Dating back sixty years to the seminal works by Shannon, information theory is a cornerstone of communications. Amongst others, it's significance stems from the decoupling of data compression and transmission as accomplished by the celebrated source and channel coding theorem...
Programme: FP7-IDEAS-ERC
Record Number: 104325
Last updated on: 2017-11-20
[PROGETTO] FIN - Theory of Fundamental Interactions at the Nanoscale
Data di inizio: 2013-01-01, Termine: 2018-06-30
At the heart of this multi-disciplinary research project lie two emerging prominent theoretical models developed by the applicant in the past 12 months, which underpin the fundamental interactions taking place at the nanometre scale. In 2010, the applicant proposed a general ...
Programme: FP7-IDEAS-ERC
Record Number: 104496
Last updated on: 2017-11-20
[PROGETTO] VASCULARGROWTH - Bioengineering prediction of three-dimensional vascular growth and remodeling in embryonic great-vessel development
Data di inizio: 2013-01-01, Termine: 2019-07-31
Globally 1 in 100 children are born with significant congenital heart defects (CHD), representing either new genetic mutations or epigenetic insults that alter cardiac morphogenesis in utero. Embryonic CV systems dynamically regulate structure and function over very short tim...
Programme: FP7-IDEAS-ERC
Record Number: 105783
Last updated on: 2017-11-20
List retrieved on: 2018-10-21


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September 4, 2008
Even before the current gas crisis, motorcycle crashes in Albany have been on the rise.
Now, in an effort to save money at the pump, more and more citizens are opting to use their motorcycles and scooters as their primary method of transportation.
In a recent WALB News 10 report, it was noted that motorcycle fatalities in Georgia are up 147 percent in six years. Albany had 43 crashes in 2006, up from just 17 in 2000. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, motorcycle crash-related fatalities have been increasing since 1997 on a national level, while injuries have been increasing since 1999.
Along with the U.S. Transportation Secretary, Mary E. Peters, who In November of 2007 , announced a broad new effort to reduce motorcycle fatalities and included her own personal crash survival story in a PSA, we would like to remind you to check your bike or scooter, wear ALL of your safety equipment and make sure you're visible to other drivers. Also, remember to ride sober!
We are all doing our part to survive the high costs associated with traveling and we all need to do our part to stay safe - not only for ourselves but also for the ones we love!!!


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Tune in for the new episode of the Tech Fetish Podcast with hosts Scott Lowe (@ScottLowe), Justin Davis (@ErrorJustin), Mark Ryan Sallee (@MRSallee), and special guest Alex Roth (@AlexLRoth). This week, the crew discusses the new Microsoft Surface Pro 3 and the future of tablets, Samsung's rumored VR headset, AT&T's acquisition of DirecTV, and Google's rumored acquisition of Twitch.
Download This Week's Podcast
Click to download this week's podcast. (Must Right Click to Save)
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romantic nights
place du trocadero
jameson heads across the pond to explore the historic beauty and modern art of london, paris, and amsterdam.
destination: paris/amsterdam/london
purpose of journey: visit friends, leave new york
never travel without: backup headphones, backup books
favorite outfit you packed: my tigran avetisyan coat, balenciaga tank top, and CDG wide leg shorts
how many pairs of shoes: 3
what are you listening to: terror jr. and jessy lanza
favorite meal: any meal we made ourselves in paris, we always got 3 different wines and 3 different cheeses
highlight of the trip: walking around any of the cities at night, they were so romantic in such different ways.
our roof terrace in amsterdam
oscar wilde's grave has been fenced off because too many people were putting on lipstick and kissing it.
local dutch transportation
the dutch royal family descends from the house of orange, so I made sure to accessorize with this hermès scarf while visiting the coffee shops.
stedelijk, amsterdam
human hair rope by sheela gowda at tate modern
my favorite piece at the louvre
facing death at dam square
centre pompidou
drunk on the millenium bridge
flying over greenland on the way back
follow jameson @pradaphilia


text: 12910page 11 of 1421213141142 Back"Kennedy for President" paper shieldObject Number: 2004.054.0022Category: ArtifactsCreator: Democratic National CommitteeType of Object: Campaign ephemeraDate: 1960Credit Line: Gertrude Strohbeck Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey PlazaDimensions: 6 × 5 1/2 in. (15.2 × 14 cm)Medium: PaperDescriptionOne paper campaign shield. Red, white and blue shield features a photograph of John F. Kennedy above the slogan "Kennedy for President."The following information is printed in black along the bottom of the shield:"Democratic National Committee, 1001 Connecticut Avenue, N. W., Washington, D. C." This is followed by what appears to be a union logo.Curator's NotesThis paper shield inspired the logo design for the Museum's latest temporary exhibit, A Time For Greatness: the 1960 Kennedy Campaign. - Lindsey Richardson, Curator of CollectionsTags 1960 presidential election Kennedy campaign Kennedy, John F. Presidential campaign All requests for permission to reproduce, publish or broadcast materials in this collection must be submitted to the Museum's registrar, using the Rights & Reproductions Request Form. Inquiries may be sent to firstname.lastname@example.com.


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This month's CCF Loves is making an old school favorite cool and modern AND doing it right here in Chicago (duh). Bridget McDermott of 84Rockwell is the creator of your new favorite handbag (which actually requires no hands at all) and making happen right here in the greatest city on earth!
April 29, 2016


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In Praise of Hypocrisy
I have a confession to make. I was naive. I believed that our Republic would be better preserved under the administration of Barack Obama than under John McCain. Mind you, I didn't think it would be preserved because Obama would be a better President or had a better understanding of the Constitution. Rather, I believed we would be safer from tyranny because Republicans would fight Obama's policies in areas where they might have acquiesced to McCain, owing to party loyalty. In short, my hopes were that Republicans would be hypocrites.
Why did I think that? Let me provide some examples. During the reign of Bush The Elder, Republicans were pro-war, pro-UN intervention, as they rallied behind Bush to enforce UN resolutions against Iraq for its invasion of Kuwait. Shortly after the conclusion of this conflict, Bill Clinton was elected President. Bill Clinton, in a manner not at all unlike his predecessor, proceeded to commit US troops to more conflicts where they would be charged with enforcing UN resolutions. This was fiercely opposed by the same Republicans who had supported it just a few years earlier under Bush. The difference, however, was that the Republicans succeeded, in large measure, in slowing down and inhibiting Clinton's agenda, both abroad and at home.
Fast-forward a few more years to the reign of Bush the Younger. Republicans once again swung back in favor of war to enforce UN resolutions (again, against Iraq). Similarly, Bush was able to pass an incredibly expensive expansion of welfare state entitlements in the form of the Prescription Drug Medicare expansion. So again, Republicans failed to put the brakes on in areas where they had successfully forestalled the same or similar efforts by a Democrat President. It is apparent that this difference was due to partisanship. Republicans felt free to oppose Big Government when pushed for by a Democrat, but felt reluctant to do so when it was being advanced by someone of the same party.
Or at least, that was the theory...
In 2008, the race came down between one of the most "liberal" (not in the classical sense) Republicans in Washington and Barack Obama. My reasoning was that, like they had done during Clinton, Republicans would doggedly resist Obama's agenda, if for no other reason than sheer partisanship. On the other hand, under McCain, many of the same agenda items might advance, but would receive no resistance from Republicans, and certainly not from Democrats who already want to see government expand in its size and scope.
My hope was that this would likewise translate to Republican feelings on foreign policy, just as it had in the transition from Bush 41 to Clinton. Yes, I eagerly hoped for Republican hypocrisy!
Things started out well enough. Republicans seemed to seethe at the very mention of Obama's name. This was a good sign. Then, RNC Chairman Chris Steele made the comment that Afghanistan was "Obama's war". Even better! Then we began to see Obama repeating many of the same policies Bush had advanced, and then some! For example, Obama called for a "new legal regime" wherein people who had been imprisoned, but against whom there was not enough evidence to bring them to trial, could be left in prison to rot for the rest of their lives. I mean, if you don't have evidence that someone is guilty, then common human decency dictates you let them go, right? So surely Republicans who already believe Obama to be a liar, a socialist, and perhaps the Antichrist himself, would be taken aback by the idea that one Barack Obama would assert the power to imprison people indefinitely without so much as evidence that they were guilty!
Republicans were silent. Indeed, most of the public ire raised came from the "Left".
Later, Obama held a Press Conference announcing that he had killed Osama bin Laden. The problem was, several of those in his own administration came out with conflicting stories about what had happened and how it all went down. On top of that, we were then told that we could not be shown any photos which would prove bin Laden's death, and that, incredibly, the body of the world's most-wanted villain had been unceremoniously dumped overboard in the ocean. Not only did this open the door for a sort of "Osama bin Elvis" phenomenon, it conveniently ensured that nobody could ever verify that he was, in fact, dead, and so we would all have to take Barack Obama's word for it.
Despite the Republican view of Obama as the Father of Lies, Republicans drank it up, conflicting stories and all.
Obama then decides to send forces into Libya to help topple Qaddafi. Okay, almost nobody saw this one coming. Fortunately, there was some tepid resistance from Republicans, but it never really built a head of steam. To this day, Obama continues our military operations in Libya without any approval of Congress, and with little to no protest from Republicans.
Somewhere along this timeline the Obama administration announced that it had drawn up a "kill list" of people marked for assassination, and that on that list were the names of two or three American citizens. Yes, for the first time in our nation's history, a President had admitted publicly to having a list drawn up of Americans to be assassinated without any kind of trial or due process. Again, there was hardly a response from Republicans, if any. A few months later, it was announced that the CIA had killed American citizen Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen using a guided missile fired from a UAV. al-Awlaki was not in a battlefield, nor was he even in a hostile country. As far as we know he was not armed, but was simply killed.
In addition to al-Awlaki, Samir Khan, an American citizen who grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina and was editor of Insight magazine, was also killed in the same drone strike, and was blithely listed as "collateral damage". Khan was, even by the Obama administration's own account, merely "a loudmouth" but had never undertaken any actual terrorist activities.
Incredibly, Obama's unprecedented act of summarily assassinating unarmed American citizens, away from any sort of battlefield or combat situation, not only went unopposed by most Republicans, it was praised!
Yet somehow amidst all of this, many Republicans still tell us Obama is a Muslim sympathizer who does nothing but apologize to our enemies and appease the terrorists. For all their disparaging talk, however, it seems Republicans must hold Obama in such high esteem as to entrust him with powers never before claimed by an American President. The idea of Obama forming secret committees to "nominate" (yes, that's the official term) Americans for assassination without any legal process whatsoever doesn't scare these people in the slightest. If such absolute unchecked power in the hands of Obama doesn't scare them, I ask you, what could possibly scare them?
I admit it, I was naively hoping for some Republican hypocrisy. I'd certainly have preferred they be consistent with their past opposition to Big Government, including Big Government foreign policy. But sadly, Republicans are no longer the hypocrites they once were...*
* It is still correct to say that Republicans, like those described in this piece, are hypocrites insofar as they espouse small government, the Constitution, and the rule of law, while simultaneously advocating the biggest of all government endeavors: imperial war and flagrantly disregarding the Constitution and the rule of law. But this isn't the sort of hypocrisy I was hoping for in 2008.
Labels: al-Awlaki, foreign, policy, Republican


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Clothes in French
Talking about Clothes in French
If you are lucky enough to have some good weather you might also need…
If the weather is no good, you may want to say that you are boiling hot, freezing cold, wet, or miserable. Here are some useful sentences…
Why not try one of these free French lessons on clothing in French or shopping in French?
À bientôt!
Marie-Claire Rivière and the Rocket French Team


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Subsea power & data cables & fiber opticals for static and dynamic applications
Subsea flexibles for all static & dynamic applications, ranging from 2" to 16"
Subsea power & data cables & fiber opticals for static and dynamic applications
Water Intake Riser able to pump cold seawater at a depth of 1000m
This month
Focus on:
BARDOT Group will be exhibiting at the 11th World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi, from 15 to 18 January 2018. Part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the event focuses on the world's growing energy challenges, with an exhibition showcasing new solutions to these challenges, and a conference dedicated to sustainability issues.
Meet our experts to discuss our solutions for Energy Efficiency based on OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion) and SWAC (Sea Water Air-Conditioning) technology.
Register for free HERE
BARDOT Group has once again demonstrated its expertise in construction and marine operations by assisting the installation of a Conventional Buoy Mooring (CBM) system in Madagascar.
A safety-focuses operation and great team led to the successful completion of the project.


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Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Holiday Classic Open Horse Show
The Holiday Classic Open Horse Show web site has been updated with the class list, entry form and sponsorship form!
The show will be held in Raleigh at the Hunt Horse Complex on April 19-20, 2014. This show has something for everyone!! Please remember that this show is a benefit for the North Central District 4-H Horse Program and the NCSU Western Riding Team. So, we need your help selling sponsorships for this show.
The money made from this show helps keep our NC District 4-H Horse Show entries low and helps provide scholarships for youth in our district, but we need you to help.
Also, if you would like to help volunteer at the show, please contact Richard Isley at 336-908-3302 to find out more details.
There are lots of opportunities to sell sponsors, volunteer, show and more!
You can find all details at the web site: http://
holidayclassicopenhorseshow. webs.com/
Posted by Amy Lucas at 11:21 AM
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Break ground in a sunny spot with good drainage to establish your backyard vegetable garden. Till compost into the soil to add nutrients. If your soil is poor quality, build raised beds no wider than 4 feet using wood or concrete blocks.
A backyard garden needs a minimum of six hours of sunlight daily to support vegetable growth. Avoid a location near a tree or other large plants that will compete for nutrients. Locate the garden close to the house to discourage wild animal pests if possible.
If you want to plant directly in the ground, mark the area with stakes and string. The size depends on how much you plan to plant. A smaller plot is easier to manage, especially for beginning gardeners. Dig the grass out of the marked area. Till the plot to loosen the soil and prepare it for planting.
For raised vegetable garden beds, choose an area that allows enough space for the bed plus space to walk around the box. A maximum width of 4 feet allows you to reach to the middle so you can tend the garden. Wood is common for raised beds, but it can rot. Concrete blocks prevent rotting. The bed should be at least 6 to 12 inches deep.


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Things To Do in HowickGo Fly a Kite in Howick
Family Entertainment Sports & Leisure Natal Midlands
Where? Midlands Crafters Market, 2 Main Street, Howick, Natal Midlands
When? Please phone to confirm times.
How? Call +27 (0)33 330-8333
How much? Price on request
Overnight? Overnight at accommodation in Howick, in KwaZulu Natal
Float with a butterfly; fly like a bee. Take to the skies with your feet in the sea. Release from a beach strip, a lawn patch or hillside; steer lines, bright flaps and power glides. Flying toys launch colours at the sun; shapes take all forms of fun. Childhoods play on a cloudy day, grown-ups engage in winged ribbon displays. Harness the breeze, capture the gust, take out your dreams and give them a dust. Strings attached, tails dispatched. Kites take flight; flyers delight.
'Go fly a kite' has never been quite such a wondrous expression. High quality professional and recreational kites custom made from parachute and paraglider fabric with light and durable carbon frames are available for delivery, inspection or collection. Windsocks, sky toys, play kites, power kites and stunt kites give wings to entertainment across a full skill spectrum. Kids rush to play outdoors and watch their kite tease the sky. Adults power up pockets of the air for a rush. Wishes for breathless bouts are replaced with hopes for draughty days. Mini kites and maxi kites make for a leisurely pastime or adventure playtime.
This sport is suitable for quiet observation from a picnic blanket or cheering in the shadow of your favourite sky racer. Daydream while gazing aloft or distract your cares while daring the heavens. An interactive activity for family getaways or a stress solution for solo escapes. A portable hobby that everyone will enjoy as a high-flyer as soon as they get wind of its pleasure. Saddle the South African skies with South African made sails. A circuit of clouds, a course of currents, a cause for celebration.
Please Note
Business details can change. All information is published in good faith as supplied by the providers. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described above, before making any travel plans.


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The Facebook Fizzle
On Friday morning I brewed myself a nice strong cup of coffee and happened to catch the debut of Facebook (FB). This was the much anticipated IPO (Initial Public Offering) of a prize race horse about to belt off the starting line. I felt that I was watching a part of history for the largest IPO in history, and BNN proudly had a real-time quote taking up the whole screen ready to go! The opening however was marred by a lengthy half-hour delay. Once Facebook shares started to trade from the IPO price of $38, FB shares went as high as $42 within minutes of opening, and settled back to a closing price of $38.23 by the end of trading day (See chart below).
This was obviously a win for day-traders who already were able to purchase their shares at the IPO price of $38 and offload them at $42, a tidy 10% return for a few minutes of work. But for those investors who bought in after the IPO, they have already lost money, and I believe they may even lose more in the weeks to follow.
Before the opening bell, the underwriters of Facebook valued the stock at $38 a share, pricing the company at $104 billion. This is the largest valuation to date for a newly public company. Throughout the day, over 580.4 million shares traded for Facebook, also making it the largest IPO by volume. According to a CNBC post, Some 82 million shares changed hands in the first 30 seconds and volume passed 100 million after four minutes. The Facebook IPO on Friday was certainly history being made on those two counts, valuation and volume of shares.
What wasn't historical was the less than stellar close of the stock price only 23 cents above its initial offering price, which disappointed many in the financial community. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, Facebook struggled to stay above the IPO price for most of the day, forcing underwriters to buy back shares to support the price. Compare this to the IPO of LinkedIn last May, where shares of LinkedIn rose as much as 171 percent in the first day of trading on the NYSE, closing at $94.25 per share from the opening IPO of $45 per share.
Some would say that the IPO price for Facebook was fairly valued by the underwriters, since it stayed near the IPO price, and perhaps it's a relief investors didn't get carried away and shoot for the moon. Others view the less than spectacular rise in Friday's Facebook share price, and lengthy opening delay, as a bad omen – an early sign of things to come. Regardless, it's too early to tell, and generally never a good idea to buy stocks on IPO day.
The Top 10 Reasons
Now that Facebook is a publically traded company, and the IPO has already debuted, here are the Top 10 Reasons why you shouldn't even consider buying Facebook:
1. IPOs Are Risky Investments
IPO's (initial public offerings) are inherently risky investments because they simply have no history. When you buy an IPO you are placing your trust on future earnings, potential growth, and your future belief in a company. Generally recent IPOs haven't fared very well.
Take the recent IPO of Groupon Inc. (GRPN) last November as an example, another online IPO megalith like Facebook. Groupon's IPO was valued at over $12.7 billion dollars, far short of Facebook's $100 billion. Groupon's IPO was also received with much optimism and hype, and shares soared eventually closing at $26.11, a 30.55% increase above the $20 IPO price. After numerous legal proceedings and questions of conduct and accounting practices, Groupon trades at $11.58 per share. This is an overall loss of over 50% for investors who bought in on IPO Day.
LinkedIn (LNKD) was another social media giant IPO launched last year in May 2011. Investors have been taken for a gut-wrenching ride on this IPO, with share prices oscillating wildly between $100 per share, down to $60 and back up to the closing price on Friday of $99.02 per share. But LinkedIn has fared much better than Groupon. For those investors who had the stomach of steel to hold their LinkedIn shares or bought at the bottom, they would have had a positive return. But for investors who sold after the initial decline in share price, this would have been a sharp loss to swallow.
IPO's are always going to be a wild ride, especially with high-profile companies. So what makes Facebook different? That's the $100 billion dollar question. 😉
2. Facebook may be overvalued
Facebook filed for an initial public offering on February 1, 2012, and the preliminary prospectus stated that the company was seeking to raise $5 billion. Before the IPO the underwriters valued Facebook at $38 a share, pricing the company at over $104 billion, the largest valuation to date for a newly public company. During the trading day, those underwriters had to buy-back shares to keep the price above the $38 IPO price.
[easyazon-image-link asin="B007TC3ZB8″ alt="The Facebook IPO Primer" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51hS%2BzI5kPL._SL500_.jpg" align="left" width="187″ height="250″]
$100 billion dollars is not pocket change. To put this amount into context, Apple (AAPL) is valued at over $494.5 billion, Microsoft at $245 billion; Google is valued at $195 billion and Amazon at $97 billion. A stalwart blue-chip stock like Johnson and Johnson is valued at over $173 billion, and Canada's largest bank, the Royal Bank, is valued at $74.5 billion.
With the lofty valuation for Facebook at top end, it's no surprise Facebook Shares barely budged in trading, and were slow off the finish line. Is Facebook the next Google or the next Apple? Should investors rush in to grab a piece of history or stand on the sidelines and wait? I believe investors should hold off on Facebook and give some time before making a decision, at least until first quarter results. The real question investors should ask themselves is whether facebook is really a $100 billion dollar company, and whether that valuation is sustainable?
In Part-2 to help understand the question of Facebook's valuation, I'll look at some of these metrics in more detail. These metrics include: the business model, the revenue model, accountability as a public corporation, potential privacy and legal issues, as well as the lack of shareholder control. It will be interesting to see how Facebook shares do on Monday morning and throughout next week. 😉
Continue to Part-2 …


text:
New oxy pill poses new risks
New pills will be hardened to make it difficult for people to crush them
Thunder Bay's Drug Strategy co-ordinator says a planned replacement for Oxycontin won't likely be much help in combating opiate abuse.
The new OxyNEO pills will be hardened to make it difficult for people to crush them. But Patty Hajdu says people will likely find a way to do it — and that could be dangerous.
"Oftentimes the compounds they're putting in the drugs themselves — to make them less divertible — are really harmful for human beings to ingest," she said — particularly if the pills are broken, chewed, snorted or injected.
Desperate determination
Sherry Tougas, a Thunder Bay resident who has struggled with drug addiction for decades, said the new pill formulation likely won't curb the drug's abuse by people who are desperate to get high.
Tougas pointed out the hurdle of a hardened pill won't stop those abusers who are "every day ... waking up in a frenzy [asking] where and how — how am I going to make my body not ache for this stuff?"
She said people will still find a way to melt down the drug or discover a means of "crushing it in a certain way…Where there's a will there's a way."
Hajdu said she worries that, if the new drug is successful in curbing Oxy abuse, people will turn to something else.
"In some communities in the United States they've seen a rise in heroin," she said. "So people will still look for an opiate."
But Thunder Bay doctor Sarah Eckler said, in theory, OxyNEO is a positive step to discourage abuse.
Oxycontin manufacturer Purdue Pharma plans to introduce the new pills early next year. The new version has been approved by Health Canada.


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Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho has revealed his delight at receiving a recall to the Brazil squad.
The 28-year-old former Shakhtar Donetsk star made a big-money move to the Premier League in June of last year and has been in fine form since making the switch to England.
He had not represented his country since Feburary 2012, when former coach Mano Menezes led his side to a 2-1 victory against Bosnia & Herzegovina, but was handed a recall by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari on Tuesday.
"I was hoping that chance would come," he told Globo. "Because the job I've done at Manchester City in recent months I was hoping there would be a space in the squad.
"This is the last chance before the finals [of the World Cup]. I was waiting for my moment. When the squad was announced I felt total joy. I was watching the internet for news, and I was very pleased."
The recall will also give Fernandinho a chance to rekindle with former teammate Willian, with whom he won four Ukrainian Premier League titles and the 2009 UEFA Cup.
"Willian is fantastic," Fernandinho said. "It was good to be with him in Ukraine, where we won several titles together… And who knows, maybe we can make a good team once again for the Selecao and win the sixth [world title]."
Fernandinho was one of 16 European-based players named in Scolari's squad for the Gillette Brasil Global Tour friendly with South Africa in Johannesburg on March 5.
The remainder of the squad will be made up of domestic-based players to be confirmed at the end of February.


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--Royal Cherry with Fawn leather interior piped Burgundy with Tan Wilton Wool carpeting, Tremec 5-speed manual transmission, 1 of only 11 Flip Tail Vantages imported to the USA. As noted on its factory build sheet, this V8 Vantage was originally imported to Canada and sold through Canadian Aston agent GT Motors. Throughout the years it has enjoyed a documented series of only enthusiast Aston Martin owner-collectors and AMOC members. Its ownership and service histories are impeccable. This V8 Vantage has been well known to Autosport Designs, Inc. having been sold and serviced by us for many years. In April 2005 and during one of its yearly service appointments with Autosport Designs, it received an engine rebuilt-conversion to 6.1 liter specifications. It is quite potent with approximately 500 HP and just as much torque! This V8 Vantage has always been maintained, service, restored when and where needed with the best intentions to keep it in excellent condition throughout. It is superb in every way! The V8 Vantage Flip Tail started the new era of the Aston supercar and for a period of time was acclaimed the world's fastest motorcar. Extremely rare, it represents not only a wonderful
left-hand-drive 1978 aston martin v8 vantage coupe burgundy 5-speed leather manual restored aston-martin rwd petrol british fast 2wd
203 West Hills Road, Huntington Station
Huntington station, 11746, New York
United States
May 25, 2016
Mar 29, 2016
Aug 3, 2015


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Jasmine Bridesmaids P206012L
- Brand: Jasmine Bridesmaids
- Style #: P206012L
- Availability: Available to Order
- $174
This is for the Long version of the style pictured.
Sophisticated sequin and satin back dupioni sheath bridesmaid dress with a boat neckline. Gorgeous sequin bodice with a triangular opening on the back. The plain satin back dupioni skirt with a sexy side slit perfectly balances with the sequin bodice.


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After five million sales, a convention that drew more than 4500 people, and countless YouTube tutorials, it's safe to say that Minecraft has been a hit, but not a hit like most others. More than just a well-executed rehash of the classic formulas, Minecraft became a phenomenon because it felt fresh and unique, and players hadn't experienced anything quite like it.
Now that the gaming world has had time to digest Minecraft's official release, one has to wonder what kind of impact such a unique and popular title will have in the long run. Years from now, will we look back and see Minecraft's most interesting elements in the games that come after it? Here are three lessons that future titles could, and hopefully will, learn from Minecraft.
The Power of Infinity
Minecraft worlds aren't truly infinite, but their maximum size is thousands of times the surface of the Earth, so they're infinite for most practical purposes. As a player moves into new areas of the map, the game algorithmically generates his surroundings in all directions (including deep underground), continually combining various terrains and biomes into blocky, Monet-esque landscapes. Despite a few logical oddities, like arid deserts that butt up against snowfields, the game's unpredictable environments create a sense that this virtual world is a real place where new sights are always waiting a little further ahead.
In most games, the boundaries of the play space are obvious, no matter how many conveniently locked doors or for-some-reason-impassable shrubs developers use to cover the world's edges. With a little suspension of disbelief, players can look past those hard limits, but invisible walls always hamper the sense of immersion. Minecraft demonstrates the value of creating worlds that aren't so claustrophobic.
Not every game could adopt Minecraft's form of algorithmic near-infinity, but the technique is a natural fit for genres where exploration is a focus. The fantasy world of a dungeon crawler, for instance, would feel far more genuine if it seemed to go on forever. Developers could even create fixed, well-crafted dungeons, then let the automated map decide where to place the entrances (as long as those entrances were kept reasonably close to the starting point, of course).
The Power of Invention
Even games that focus on user creation, like Little Big Planet and Spore, can't match Minecraft's level of authorial power. Every last cube of space within Minecraft's upper and lower boundaries can be filled in or emptied, which lets players create any sort of structure they want, from houses to castles to secret lairs inside hollowed-out mountains. But the inventive power truly opens up because of redstone, the wiring material that runs Minecraft machinery. Using combinations of block-pushing pistons, powered torches, and other basic mechanisms, Minecraft players have made some mind-boggling devices within the game world: auto-loading cannons that fire explosive rounds, automated minecart-based inventory systems, and lightning fast elevators just to name a few.
More focused interactive experiences can't be expected to match Minecraft's moldability, but the basic lesson is one other games should take to heart: "crafting" can be deeper than just creating a better sword. When virtual worlds are malleable, they seem more genuine, and more like the real world; when they're static, they seem flat and fake. If players can design their own devices, and make meaningful changes to a persistent game world, their incentive to create is incredibly strong.
The Problem of Ownership
Minecraft's virtues have a lot to teach gaming, but so do some of its drawbacks. The game's impressive level of player freedom makes griefing a serious problem. If one player builds a gigantic pyramid in Minecraft, there's nothing to stop another player from blowing it to pieces. Likewise, when a player stores hard-earned materials in a chest, he has to hide it well because there's no way to lock it. As you might expect, servers that host large number of users often rely on anti-griefing mods to keep the peace.
The items a player acquires and the things he creates are a part of his investment in a game, and it's disheartening when those things are taken away unfairly. It's likely that many Minecraft players have abandoned a particular server or the game itself because they found their hard work undone by some anonymous party. Encouraging players to explore, build, and create is meaningless if they have no way to protect their investment. Designers of persistent world games must carefully walk the line between allow player freedom and preventing player abuse.


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Founded by astronauts and creatives from around the world, Constellation is dedicated to inspiring positive action in students, decision-makers and the general public with the profound perspective shift experienced in space.
This is Earthrise.
It was taken on Dec 24th, 1968 by the astronauts of Apollo 8 and it was the first time in history our planet had ever been seen from this vantage point. It is a vision of awe and wonder, and one that has forever changed our perspective of our planet and our place in the universe.
In all of human history, only 560 people have seen the Earth from space and had the opportunity to experience what is commonly referred to as the Overview Effect.
Our founding Astronauts - from left - Leland Melvin, Anousheh Ansari, Ron Garan, and Nicole Stott.
We, the Astronauts of Constellation, are honored to be among that number.
During our time in space we have seen the true beauty and fragility of our home, and we have returned to Earth with a new perspective.
A perspective that proclaims our interdependence with each other and our planet, and emphasizes our need for profound long-term collaboration between governments, communities, non-profits, enterprise, and artists.
This feeling of awe and wonder has, to date, only been experienced by those of us fortunate enough to travel into space.
We have seen the true beauty of our home.
The emerald waters of the Caribbean
The golden tans of Northern Africa
We are at an inflection point in human history.
Many possible paths lie before us. We need to nudge our trajectory toward a future where individuals, organizations and nations set aside differences and work together for the benefit of all of humanity.
We see a future where humanity and our economy prosper because all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
And a future where leaders and decision makers in all areas use the best data available to ensure that the long-term impacts of their decisions keep us on a positive trajectory.
We believe in the hope and promise of the first Earthrise.
In 2018, our mission at Constellation is to share this profound perspective shift with students and decision-makers across the world.
We have collaborated with creatives, combining art and science to develop an experience we call Earthrise, which will evoke the awe and wonder that we experienced in space.
Photo (c) Daily Overview
Our Earthrise program encompasses three core projects:
EARTHRISE - The 100 Year Journey: a live cinematic large format presentation featuring astronauts, taking us on a journey from 1968 to 2068. It will travel to universities, festivals and conferences around the world.
EARTHGAZE: a contemplative and collective Virtual Reality experience, accompanying the presentation, simulating the profound phenomena of seeing the planet from Earth orbit.
STARGAZE: an expedition into nature to gaze up into the Galaxy, with students and astronauts, and reframe our future from this vast perspective.
These efforts will serve as the foundation from which profound collaborative tools and platforms will be built; tools from which we can develop lasting, systemic solutions to the seemingly intractable problems that we all face.
The Constellation programs will also unfold into a legacy program of university chapters which will connect and support students as they reimagine solutions for our shared future.
Finally, as we look towards the solutions of the future, we will fund & support moonshot ideas that embody the values of Constellation and will change the trajectory of our civilization.
Join our mission.
This important mission needs your support. We all have the ability to co-create a sustainable and an awe-inspired future. With your help, Constellation will spark this co-creation. More information about our programs and plans for 2019 will be announced. Please consider joining our mailing list below for more information. We are also fundraising for our 2019- programs, your donations go a long way to helping Constellation achieve its mission.
Read more about us in a recent feature on Constellation by IBTimes: http://bit.ly/2kl0WiC
For more information about our programs please contact us:
For more information on how you can collaborate and partner with us, or donate on a more consistent basis by joining our 'Constellation Circle' program, please contact our Executive Director, Guy Reid, at firstname.lastname@example.com


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Achtoon Baby
New U2 Album Info
U2 E+I Tour 2018
"I have fallen off stage on a couple of occasions. The first thing is to protect the guitar, because you can fix an ankle, you can fix a bruise, but when you break a guitar that's the end of it."
-- Edge


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April 14-20, 2013
"Week of the Young Child" is the time of year set aside for us to celebrate the fact that
children need to play
children learn through play
children learn best through play
I personally love how this week provides us as adults more
opportunities to learn and share information
with family and friends
with other parents
with unassuming strangers caught at the right place/right time
In fact there is nothing quite as satisfying as finding the perfect moment within
an ordinary conversation to transition into a discussion about child development!
(can you tell that people just love me at parties?)
Anyway, check out some of the activities that we did during our
Children's Art Studio in celebration of April...
"Month of the Young Child"
"Month of the Young Child"
We used some favorite books for inspiration...
"The Little Red Hen"
an old folk tale
"I Can Do It"- Sensory Table
Bird Seed
Recycled Egg Cartons
"The One and Only Special Me"
by Rozanne Lanczak Williams
Inspired our...
Inspired our...
"Look at Me"- Frame Decorating Activity
Small Wooden Frames
Glitter Glue
White Glue
Colored Tissue Paper Squares
And "Month of the Young Child" wouldn't be complete with an ...
"I Can"- Magnetic Letters Scramble Board Activity
accompanied by a Bilingual audiobook
"I Can! Yo Puedo!"
by Gladys Rosa Mendoza
and one of our absolute favorites...
"Me and My Senses"
by Jane Sweeny
"Using My Senses"- Fine Motor Skills Puffy Painting
Foam Squares
Homemade Puffy Paint (recipe found here)
Homemade Puffy Paint (recipe found here)
So take the time to slow down, pull up a seat, and read...
To yourself and also with a child!
To yourself and also with a child!
Next we're celebrating with... "Nine Candles"


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"There is growing concern in Israel that the faltering regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will use its stockpiles of chemical weapons as a last resort. According to a report in The Times of London and Maariv, Israel would take part in a joint military effort against the weapons of mass destruction, together with armed forces from the U.S., Britain, Jordan and Turkey. The report in The Times said some 75,000 commandos would take part in a massive ground operation against the Syrian WMD arsenal."
h/t ES


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Upside down in your mortgage? Consider credit before walking away
Short sales, deed-in-lieu deals damage credit as badly as a foreclosure
Dear New Frugal You,
Help! I'm trapped in my home. I can afford the mortgage payments, but I feel stuck. My wife and I owe way more than the house is worth. Can't sell it or refinance it. And it looks like it will be years before anything changes. Is there anything I can do? I never bargained for this. Am I really obligated to keep paying this outrageous mortgage? -- Housebound
Dear Housebound,
Housebound, you're asking a question that affects many homeowners today. The average home price is down 30 percent nationwide from its 2006 peak. In many places prices aren't expected to return to their peak for 20-plus years.
According to a one study, as of September 2010, there were 17 counties in the U.S. in which more than half of all homeowners with mortgages owe more than their homes are worth. So are you really housebound? The answer is: That depends on how you evaluate both the financial and ethical aspects of walking away from your home. Let's look at both.
First, the financial news. There are three ways that you can move out of your home without paying off the entire mortgage:
- Foreclosure: When the bank kicks you out.
- Short sale: When your lender agrees to let you sell the home for less than the mortgage.
- Deed-in-lieu of foreclosure: When you give the bank your home and walk away. Sometimes this involves what the industry calls "jingle mail," named for the sound an envelope makes when someone mails house keys to the lender.
All three will negatively affect your credit score even if you've never been late on a single mortgage payment. According to FICO, the creators of the FICO score, a short sale or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure is treated the same as a foreclosure. Your score will drop between 85 and 160 points, depending on how high your score is now.
How long will it take for your credit report to recover? If you're current with all your other payments and stay that way, your score should begin to improve in two or three years. But it will take seven to 10 years for the negative information to be rendered obsolete and deleted from your file.
During that time your credit score will affect other things. Don't be surprised if both your auto and home insurance rates increase. It will also be harder and more expensive to borrow money. It might even affect your ability to find a new job or enter college.
You'll also want to find out if the lender can come after you for the difference between the mortgage and home sale price. The rules vary by state. In some, if you have other assets, the mortgage company may force you to use them to pay the difference.
Finally, in some cases, forgiven debt is considered taxable income. A recession-inspired law temporarily blocks the IRS from collecting forgiven mortgage debt, but that exception is limited and expires after 2012.
Yet, even given all that, you may decide that a major dent on your credit score is a fair price if that's what it costs to walk away from being tied to a mortgage for 20 years.
Which leaves an ethical issue to consider. Are you morally obligated to continue paying the mortgage? Just because you can?
Some would argue that your responsibility ends with the contract. If you leave the home and it doesn't cover the mortgage that's the lender's problem. They understood the risks when they agreed to lend the money. Some would even say that the lender talked people into borrowing money that they shouldn't have borrowed.
On the other side are those who say that you gave your word to repay. As long as you are capable you need to honor that commitment, that argument goes, no matter how galling it is to face foreclosure to a bank that got a government handout to keep its own Corinthian columns from crumbling. Only you can answer the ethical question.
It's a difficult decision you're facing: years of being tied to a mortgage versus losing your home and your credit rating. But if you should decide to leave your home, the best time to do it is now. The sooner you start, the sooner you can put the damage behind you.
See related: IRS considers forgiven debt to be taxable income, FICO reveals how many points it will cut your credit score for a foreclosure or bankruptcy
Meet CreditCards.com's reader Q&A experts
Does a personal finance problem have you worried? Monday through Saturday, CreditCards.com's Q&A experts answer questions from readers. Ask a question, or click on any expert to see their previous answers.
- Closing joint bank accounts after a breakup – On joint credit card accounts, problems arise when you carry a balance. Legally, that debt belongs to both of you, even after a breakup ...
- Pros and cons of charging automatic payments to a credit card – Charging automatic payments on a credit card can be beneficial for busy consumers, but it also has its faults. Here are the pros and cons to think about ...
- Personal loan consolidation won't help win a mortgage – In trying to qualify for a mortgage, it probably won't help to consolidate several small personal loans into a big one with a higher rate ...


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How Does Jack Die on This Is Us?
How Does Jack Die on This Is Us? 9 Heartbreaking Theories
Warning: potential spoilers ahead.
This Is Us has been filled with sad moments this season, including William's recent heartbreaking death, but the most shocking twist had to be the revelation that Milo Ventimiglia's character Jack is no longer alive in present day. Since the news broke, we have been racking our brains trying to figure out how it all goes down, and during a recent episode, we finally got some closure. As Kate takes part in a drum-therapy class at an adult weight-loss camp, she recounts heartbreaking memories from her past, including her father's funeral. While the clip offers that the kids were teenagers, it still doesn't exactly answer how Jack dies. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the show comes full-circle by having him die on their shared birthday. There are a few theories about his cause of death, and we've gathered the most intriguing here.
1. Alcoholism
Even though Jack seems to have kicked his alcoholism, it may have still taken a toll on his health. It's possible that all that drinking leads to heart problems or increases his risk of developing cancer. We don't even want to think about that.
2. Heart Attack
Kate is so distraught over Toby's heart surgery, and while obviously any person would be, the storyline might have been backwards foreshadowing that her father also suffered from a heart condition.
3. Exhaustion
Now that Rebecca's music career has caused strife with her marriage, we're worried that Jack will die while she is away on tour. Perhaps the stress of balancing his work and personal life will prove to be too much and wear him down. The added exhaustion could lead to a number of health complications, resulting in his untimely death.
4. Plane Crash
Hold onto your seat, because this theory is a doozy. Some fans seem to think that Jack actually dies during the 9/11 terrorists attacks. Tumblr user just-an-outlaw pointed out that both Kate and Kevin seem to have a fear of flying, and that Kevin threw away his model airplanes after his dad's death — and that's not the only connection. Randall lives in New Jersey and Rebecca seems to live nearby. Perhaps the family moved to city sometime around 2001? While the details certainly make sense, the only problem is that the kids would have been in their early 20s, and the flashback suggests that they are a bit younger when Jack dies. Another (and way more believable) theory is based on a real plane crash that happened in Pittsburgh (the city where the Pearson family lived) in 1994.
5. Car Crash
On the note of life-altering accidents, what if Jack dies in a car crash and Kate is with him? Out of the Big Three, it seems like Kate is the most affected by her father's death. Not only does she have his urn in her house, but she got pretty emotional when she remembered his funeral during camp. In the episode "Memphis" we also couldn't help but notice how the camera spent a few extra seconds focused on the tree where some of Jack's ashes were sprinkled. Is it possible that he hit that exact tree during his accident?
6. He Goes Missing
When we spoke with Justin Hartley recently, he revealed that one of the craziest theories he's heard so far is that Jack actually goes into hiding and dies as a missing person. While we would love to believe that Jack is still alive, he immediately dismissed the idea.
7. Miguel Kills Him
OK, OK, this one is out there. Miguel probably isn't a murderer, but what if Miguel accidentally kills him? And that's why Kevin doesn't like him; not because Miguel marries Rebecca. Jon Huertas dispelled this theory in an interview with E!, saying, "What kind of show are you watching? This isn't some murder mystery!" But we're still not convinced that he doesn't have something to do with the death.
8. House Fire
Even though we're slowly starting to like Miguel, we can't wrap our minds around how Rebecca would marry her husband's best friend. Unless, of course, there is a tragic event that brings them together. Reddit user AFriendlyInternetGuy suggested that Jack might actually die a hero by trying to save Miguel in a house fire. It would definitely explain why the latter's family is never mentioned in present day and why the kids hold a bit of resentment.
9. Shooting
The latest theory about Jack's death is extremely violent. Due to the show's numerous shocking twists, some fans seem to think that Jack gets shot during a random robbery. While the theory certainly sounds crazy, there is one scene that has us questioning its validity. During the season one finale, it is revealed that Jack actually met Rebecca when he was supposed to be robbing a bar. Was their chance meeting foreshadowing how he dies?
Alas, it seems like we may not be getting answers right away, as the show's creator, Dan Fogelman, told Entertainment Weekly that the how for Jack's death is going to take much longer to reveal. "By the end of the season, you're going to know a lot of the details of the how and the ramifications of it," he said. "In terms of the detail of how he died, was it illness? Was it something tragic? Was it something else? You're not going to know that for a little bit because we want to show that in the show. So that's going to take a minute." Thankfully, the series has two more seasons to tell Jack and the rest of the Pearson family's story.


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