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Health club owners generally want to focus on selling, marketing and training, but often day-to-day administrative tasks make it impossible. However, manufacturers are developing more and more software to free up club owners to do those primary activities.
More health clubs are using software programs for a variety of functions, such as accounting, scheduling, marketing, training and selling, and they increasingly are realizing the benefits of doing so.
"Even the smaller clubs are realizing they need a better, more accurate way to organize their database and priorities, to work more on the development of their business," says Sean Kirby, national sales director at ASF International in Denver.
One of the main areas of savings for fitness clubs comes with the automation of enrollment. Plus One Fitness, which manages corporate fitness centers, has developed an electronic and paperless enrollment process in which the company sends an e-mail invitation to each employee. The e-mail points them to the enrollment process where they fill out their profile information, the waiver and billing information.
The system saves money and staff since fewer employees are needed to enroll thousands of members at once, according to Tom Maraday, senior vice president, Plus One Fitness in New York.
"It's enabled us to be more efficient in the way that we manage members as they go through the process," he says. It also has allowed a new world of electronic marketing and data collection. Members are able to interact online with their accounts, billing and exercise program.
Software programs also can assist club owners in developing large databases of information about their members, which helps club owners in marketing and retention efforts.
ASF's Club Pro 3000 software houses a membership database for check-in, financial information and other member reports. Club owners can access membership and club information live via the Internet on virtual pages, which is more secure than accessing the information on a saved file, Kirby says.
Online, health clubs can enter data, make changes to membership, access financial reports, and access some of ASF's marketing programs, all of which update instantaneously.
ASF synchronizes the club's desktop with its mainframe backup so the next time a club updates from ASF's mainframe it is synchronized immediately. The advantage to that is that the clubs can update and synchronize as frequently as possible, Kirby says, so clubs have current and accurate information.
Sales is a large part of the fitness business, and several manufacturers have software to help drive sales. One of the larger companies is Aphelion, which provides salespeople with the ability to display all of a club's membership plans on a pop-up window. The program, called Sales Maker, also offers information about each membership plan and payment options, including the ability to offer discounts, change down payments or alter the length of a plan. The program also can collect information about the new member and print out a contract, complete with the club member's signature.
Club owners also need software that helps them manage their clubs. CSI Software in Houston offers a membership management module that maintains membership information. Anything from membership type, family members, billing information, activity preference and medical limitations can be maintained with this software. The program can generate reports as well as letters, mailing labels, mass e-mails and more in a variety of formats.
Another available software program is ASF International's daily business review. This software updates month-to-date totals for health clubs. The program lets owners know what they did month to date this month vs. last month and vs. that month last year. The program can project dues and can even compare dues to expenses.
"Now, instead of an owner calling up the manager and asking how they are doing this month, [the owner] can call the manager and tell him or her how they are doing this month," says Kirby.
Programs such as this give owners the control and makes them the entrepreneur, Kirby says.
"What owners forget is the value of their time," says Kirby. "While they may be able to do it themselves, if they can use their time for more project-oriented growth projects, they can truly grow their business."
The front desk is one area where software has made a big difference. The days of sign-in sheets is over at most clubs, something that has sped up the check-in process and with the right software can also improve interaction with members. Much of the front counter software that is available allows staff to track members, not only with their workout schedules but also personal information such as birthdays and anniversary dates.
Aphelion's front desk software, ProShop, offers many of these functions and more. The ProShop software offers member check-in, employee time clock, class tracker and scheduling calendars. The check-in function allows staff to make appointments, track guests, identify when a member owes money, and alerts front counter staff of a member's birthday among other things. The system also tracks guests to allow for follow-up calls by sales staff.
Accounting issues may be one area that owners desire the most help. The time and expense to perform accounting functions can be cut considerably with the right software.
CSI Software offers one of many accounting programs out there for health clubs. The company's accounting package covers point-of-sale (POS) transactions, accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory and general ledger reports. With the accounts receivable, a club can bill in several ways: monthly statement, electronic funds transfer or online credit card draft. For clubs with multiple sites, the software allows clubs to charge anywhere using the system but bill centrally. The accounts payable program not only prints checks, reconciles bank accounts and produces expense reports, but it also allows club owners to track bank accounts, cash flow, checks, invoices and vendors.
Using the company's POS module, which is integrated with the front desk operations, membership, scheduling, lockers and class registration, members can pay charges during the check-in process or when using any of these other services. CSI also has an inventory control program that can keep track of stock on hand and determine when to re-order items.
One of the biggest headaches for club owners is keeping track of commissions. There's few things worse than dealing with complaints about commissions once a month. A few companies offer software that helps club owners track commissions.
Houston-based Aphelion offers software that tracks employee sales, commissions and bonuses, producing a report at the end. The program is adaptable to each club's way of doing business. If a club pays commission upon sign-up of a new member rather than payment by the new member, the module can be adapted to that. The program also allows club owners to set up contests and teams and to track the progress of each without much extra effort.
Computers have even invaded the personalized area of personal training. Now, members don't even have to go to the gym to get a workout that suits their lifestyle and goals. Using Plus One Fitness's My Fitness Expert, corporate fitness centers can offer members online personal trainers who develop an individualized workout program for them. A fitness expert at the corporate club develops the program based on answers to a questionnaire filled in by the member listing his or her goals, lifestyle, available equipment and time constraints. The routine is then available to the member through a Web site. At any time and in any location with access to a computer — or even just a Palm outfitted with a browser — the member can log on and view or print out their personalized routine complete with photos of what the exercises are to look like. If questions arise, the member can e-mail the fitness expert that developed the routine.
"The way we've used it is as an in-house facilitator so while traveling, they can stay in touch," says Behzad Amiri, director of business development, Plus One Fitness. The member may initially go through the workout at the club with the assistance of a trainer, but then the individual can go on the road and perform the program on his or her own.
Members at most corporate fitness centers managed by Plus One Fitness can access this service for no extra charge. Non-members can also use the service for a monthly $30 fee.
CSI Software offers a Health Lifestyle Assessment program to help members develop a healthier approach to life. Part of the program, Exerdiet, designs a healthdiet. Another part of the program, General Fitness Assessment, can determine a member's level of fitness and with Exerlog, can develop an exercise program that logs a member's activity.
Marketing is also an area ripe for software development. ASF International has developed a program called Pass A Friend. It is a referral program that offers four bar-coded passes in mailings to members. The mailing asks the member to give out the passes to friends. When the friend brings in the card, it is scanned as an unused card, prompting the health club staff member to get the name, address and phone number of the friend. If that person later joins the club, it can be tracked through that initial contact as a new sale. Through the bar-coded pass, an owner can track how many passes he or she sent out, how many of those people visited and how many joined. The ability to track all of this allows the owner to see their show percentage and to determine the need for any changes, whether in the number of passes sent out or in the time allotted for a visit on the pass.
The use of more and more software and applications at clubs has been a major boon for club owners.
"We've seen this as a great way to save money for the people that we work for — our clients — because we've been able to use these applications to reduce workforce," says Maraday. "By providing our platform, we've been able to reduce the cost of doing business. That's going to be vital as we go forward. Even as we come out of this [bad economy], they are going to be analyzing this closely."
In fact, the benefits seen today will only create more desire for additional software designed for the health club industry. Some of the new applications will come from outside the industry, such as an increased accessibility of all of these programs on Palm pilots and smart cards.
Plus One Fitness's Amiri says that community-based software will be the wave of the near future with message boards and online chats through clubs' Web sites.
"That makes sense," Amiri says. "Fitness centers are really communities where people can discuss and find out information."
With the future at hand, that interaction in an increasingly automated world may become even more vitally important.
Software Prep
Prior to installing or updating software or applications, club owners need to ask the following questions:
- Do I have the proper hardware ?
- Is this an ASP or desktop software?
- What kind of integration capabilities does it have?
- How updated is the information going to be?
- Is there an additional fee for tecnical support and upgrades?
- Am I tied to a contract?
- What is my upfront cost?


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Hundreds at St. Louis festival promoting peace
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Hundreds of people gathered Sunday in St. Louis' largest park for a festival encouraging peace over violence -- an event that took on new resonance after the fatal shooting of an unarmed black 18-year-old by a white police officer.
Peace Fest 2014 was already in the works before Michael Brown was killed in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson. But the shooting and the nightly protests it touched off have put a larger spotlight on the event.
"I think this is divine," said James Clark, vice president of community outreach for Better Family Life Inc., the nonprofit that organizes the festival each year. "The whole world is watching Peace Fest today."
Tracy Martin, the father of slain Florida teen Trayvon Martin, was scheduled to speak at the event at Forest Park, a move that was also set prior to the Aug. 9 shooting of Brown. Organizers said a representative of Brown's family would join Tracy Martin.
Trayvon Martin, 17, was also unarmed when he was shot and killed in 2012. George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer who said he shot Martin in self-defense, was acquitted.
The nightly protests in Ferguson have been mostly peaceful in recent days, a contrast to images of police in riot gear firing tear gas canisters at angry protesters in the days after the Brown shooting. Tensions briefly flared then subsided late Saturday night and early Sunday.
Niesha Thomas, who attended Peace Fest, said she hopes the event marks "a new start" in which people put "irrelevant, unproductive" disputes behind them. Musical performances were interspersed with speakers urging people to choose peace over violence.
"This should be a pivotal point where we move forward," Thomas said.
But that might not be so easy. A grand jury has started considering evidence in the case and some local residents and officials have said they're concerned that a failure to return an indictment against Ferguson officer Darren Wilson could stoke new anger in the community.
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon reiterated his support Sunday for sticking with St. Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch. Brown's parents and others in the community have expressed concerns that the office would not be impartial because of McCulloch's ties to law enforcement. McCulloch's father, mother and other relatives worked for St. Louis police, and his father was killed while responding to a call involving a black suspect. He has said he will not remove himself from the case.
"He was elected overwhelmingly by the people a number of times. He's been through a lot," Nixon said on NBC's "Meet the Press." ''Certainly, with this level of attention, I think everyone will work hard to do their best work."
The federal government also has launched its own investigation into the shooting.
Associated Press writer Alan Scher Zagier in Ferguson contributed to this report.

subset: commoncrawl


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Cold Calls from Brokerage Firm Imposters—Beware of Old-Fashioned Phishing
Recently, FINRA has received reports that scamsters are posing as employees of at least one well-known brokerage firm to obtain personal information. In a new twist to Internet "phishing schemes," which use spam email to lure you into revealing everything from Social Security numbers to financial account information, it appears that some fraudsters may be resorting to a time-tested method—the telephone call.
Scam Details
In this scam, fraudsters cold-call potential victims, posing as associates of a well-known brokerage firm. Some of the people who have received such calls are actual customers of the legitimate brokerage firm. The fraudsters claim to offer information about certificates of deposit (CDs), citing yields well above the best rates in the market. The imposters say their supervisor will follow up with more details about the CDs, and sometimes send potential victims applications and forms to transfer funds in an effort to collect additional information. Armed with this information, the fraudsters may attempt to steal the person's identity or money from an account.
If You Receive an Unsolicited Telephone Call
Never provide personal information or authorize any transfer of funds to any unknown person who calls you. If you aren't sure if the caller is legitimate, take these steps to avoid losing money:
- Call the customer service center or compliance office of the firm the caller claims to work for—using the number on the firm's website or in a publicly available telephone directory. Verify the caller's identity and the legitimacy of the recommended investment.
- If you have an account at the firm, check caller ID (if you have it) for the firm's name and telephone number. Be wary of an "unavailable' or unfamiliar telephone number. However, sophisticated fraudsters can deliberately falsify a phone number for caller ID purposes (known as caller ID spoofing), making it all the more important to call the firm directly.
If You Think You've Been Scammed
If you believe you're a victim of this scam, act quickly. Contact your financial institution immediately to report a loss or theft of funds through an electronic funds transfer. If you believe your identity has been stolen, follow the Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft action plan to protect yourself. FINRA also encourages you to file a complaint using our online Complaint Center or send a tip to FINRA's Office of the Whistleblower.
Additional Resources
- FINRA Alert: "Phishing" and Other Online Identity Theft Scams: Don't Take the Bait
- FINRA Alert: Avoiding Investment Scams
To receive the latest Investor Alerts and other important investor information sign up for Investor News.


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Siblings, mutant worms, and a schizophrenic crossdresser, oh my!
There are few games that are as crazy as Resident Evil: Code Veronica. It can be considered the turning point in the Resident Evil series, where things just got plain nutty and were not worth caring about if it didn't make sense. The Redfields make their way outside of the U.S. in search of Umbrella Corporation and Wesker, previously presumed dead, has returned and cemented himself as the series' super-human ultra badass villain. Not to mention, a whole slew of newer and weirder creatures mutated by whatever alphabet letter virus has been unleashed, as well as a schizophrenic crossdressing weirdo bad guy and a hilariously obnoxious Canadian who everyone loves to hate.
Fans of modern Resident Evil games will scoff at how primitive Code Veronica plays these days. It's one of the last few, if not the actual last game in the series to feature the "tank" control scheme Resident Evil was known for. Funnily enough, even though it was originally released on the Dreamcast, Veronica plays relatively stiffer than Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, which came out around the same time and, although it was still cumbersome, featured some new nimble moves like dodging. For a fan like me, though, it only took a few minutes to reacquaint myself with the controls; granted, new players will hate it for a little while longer.
Combat is somewhat easier in this version of Resident Evil thanks to a built-in auto-aim feature, but that doesn't rid the game of some kinks that you would do well to learn early on, like not unleashing clips of ammo on monsters during their "stagger" animation that prevents them from being damaged. Code Veronica is also one of the stingier games in the series in regards to ammunition, with a finite amount that has to be used sparingly if you ever hope to make it through to the end. This is one of those games where it's extremely easy to get screwed out of options, forcing you to restart.
Frustrations aside, Code Veronica is still a very charming game. Characters are super cheesy and the dialogue is just plain bad, to the point of being hilarious. The story here, like I mentioned before, is ridiculous but a ton of fun to follow through for fans who might have missed this particular entry in the long-running convoluted series. The X version of Code Veronica added a few new cutscenes that add a little more backstory to Wesker's return, but besides some extra instances of horrible voice-acting, it was basically a re-release of the Dreamcast original.
Similar to the Resident Evil 4 re-release, Code Veronica X HD gets its share of Trophies/Achievements, but they are again limited to only 12. Most are earned with a normal playthrough, with a few exceptions like having you go through the game only saving once and not dying. Once you're done with the main game, you can savor the awesomeness of battle mode, Mercenaries mode's forefather, where you're locked in an arena and forced to kill enemies as fast as possible.
In terms of the HD in the title, there was very little actually done to this game's visuals or the presentation, per se. We do get a nifty widescreen aspect ratio to gaze at, but the graphics are the same thing you'd see in the original releases along with the intact soundwork. Coming fresh from Dead Island and hearing absolutely horrific "voice work" for the zombies in that game, it was absolutely laugh out loud funny to go back to the "ughs" and "aghs" of the old Resident Evil ghouls.
Even so, it's not really fair to judge Code Veronica solely based on how old of a game it is. Yes, it feels extremely stiff and archaic at spots, but it's still playable and totally worth diving into. Whether you are interested in discovering where this trip to a remote prison island takes you or if you only want to relive your early 2000s scares, Code Veronica is still a fun and relatively long Resident Evil adventure.
Review based on Xbox 360 version. Code provided by publisher.


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Susan Vowels
Follow Prof. Vowels [@theMISprofessor] on Twitter:
My teaching and research page
B.A., St. John's College, Annapolis, 1974
M.B.A., University of Delaware, 2001
D.B.A., Wilmington University, 2018
I am interested in the way information systems, particularly emerging technologies, impact firm performance. As an example, Radio Frequency Identification, sometimes known as electronic bar codes, has been shown to impact day-to-day logistics in a variety of ways; I've identified a potential application of the technology in a way that could dramatically reduce the cash-to-cash cycles of retailers. Ultimately, information systems are nestled in business processes, and thinking in enterprise terms offers insights into its value. I am also interested in the ethical practice of business through management information systems as well as social responsibility as practiced by for profit, not-for-profit, and other organizations.
Washington College is a member of the SAP University Alliances. Concepts covered in Management Information Systems, Enterprise Resource Planning Systems, and Business Analytics are heavily supported by the use of SAP software. Business Analytics also make use of SAS Visual Analytics provided through the Teradata University Network, and Tableau's data visualization software, provided through the Tableau for Teaching program.
BUS 304 Management Information Systems
BUS 315 Enterprise Resource Planning Systems
BUS 316 Business Analytics
Previous courses taught:
GRW 101-40 Social Responsibility: A Global Perspective
BUS 203/204 Quantitative Methods I & II
BUS 394 Business Intelligence (Special Topic)
GRW101-40 Good Works: Global Agents for Social Responsibility
CNW 102-69 Life Changers: Disruptive Technology and the Human Condition
CNW 102-54 Business in America
Thoughts on Management Information Systems
Aristotle teaches us that our humanity is defined by our participation in society. Of the myriad of social structures in which human beings participate, one that is quite remarkable is the business enterprise. Businesses, like other social structures, are based on the communication of various types of information. The study of Management Information Systems (MIS) examines information creation, transformation, and dispersion within the context of modern commerce and through the use of Information Technology. In studying Management Information Systems, we are able to touch every facet of business management, from strategy to tactics, from payroll to manufacturing, from customer service to business intelligence. Examining businesses through the lens of MIS provides valuable insights into business challenges as well as practical solutions.


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New Ellsworth Air Force Base Leader Set to Start
RAPID CITY - A new commander at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota is expected to take over next month.
The Rapid City Journal reports that Col. Kevin Kennedy, the director of the Air Force Strategic Studies Group at the Pentagon, will replace Col. Mark Weatherington.
Weatherington has served for two years as commander of the 28th Bomb Wing.
Kennedy has worked in the Air Force as a B-1 instructor pilot, squadron weapons officer and weapons school instructor. He has 3,200 in the B-1 and T-38 airplanes.
Before attaining his post in the pentagon, Kennedy served as 28th Bomb Wing Chief of Safety, 34th Bomb Squadron Commander, and 28th Operations Group Deputy Commander.
Base officials would not talk about Weatherington's next assignment.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Halloween is fast approaching and drivers should expect more pedestrians walking in or around the roadway. Children, as well as parents, should be aware of the dangers associated with walking close to the roadway.
South Carolina Law requires:
SECTION 56-5-3160. Pedestrians on highways.
(a) Where a sidewalk is provided and its use is practicable, it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway.
(b) Where a sidewalk is not available any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk only on a shoulder as far as practicable from the edge of the roadway.
(c) Where neither a sidewalk nor a shoulder is available, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk as near as practicable to an outside edge of the roadway and, if on a two-way roadway, shall walk only on the left side of the roadway.
(d) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any pedestrian upon a roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
When you're walking:
• Walk facing traffic and be prepared to take evasive action if a vehicle approaches in your direction.
• Wear some type of reflective material or light colored clothing so drivers can see you walking close to the road. Try to put on reflective wrist or ankle bands that can show movement. Drivers can see the movement and identify it as possibly being a pedestrian.
• Parents or guardians should monitor the event closely and be prepared to help children cross roads in their neighborhood constantly looking for traffic.
• Use crosswalks when available or cross at intersections that are lit with street lights.
If you're driving:
• Scan the road ahead
• Prepare to stop for pedestrians crossing the road
• Lower your speed
• Focus on driving and don't be distracted
When vehicles and pedestrians are close to each other, don't assume they see each other and proceed with caution. Drivers and pedestrians should try to make eye contact.
For those planning to attend events Halloween night which may be serving alcohol, try to remember some things that will make this Halloween safe for everyone.
• Have a designated driver
• Arrange for a taxi
• Call a friend to pick you up
Please remember the roads we are traveling on will possibly have those little ones out for Halloween. Make safety your first choice — don't leave this to chance.
Remember your best defense in any collision is your seatbelt. Buckle up; your life may depend on it.
If you would like a trooper to speak at your school, business, civic group, and church or for more information, please visit our website at www.SCHP.org
Cpl. Bob Beres' column appears every other week. Send questions and comments to email@example.com


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Form sent successfully. We'll be in touch!
Form sent successfully. We'll be in touch!
Monday 12 pm - 5:30 pm
Tuesday - Sunday 11 am - 5:30 pm
28316 SW Amsterdam Ave
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-8602
From I-5: Take Exit 283 for Wilsonville Road. Go east on Wilsonville Road for about 3/4 mile, then take a right on Brown Road. Go around the roundabout and take the third exit onto SW Barber Street. At the next roundabout, take the first exit onto SW Costa Circle East. Drive about a 1/4 mile. The Sales Office will be on your left.


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|A Key lime pie made with cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk and Key lime juice in a coconut graham cracker crust and served with minty whipped cream.
Coconut Key Lime PieCoconut Key Lime Pie. I love lime. I absolutely love it. Pair that up with some sweetened condensed milk and I am in heaven.
Traditionally Key lime pie contains egg yolks and is unbaked, though that is rarely done these days, since most fillings with egg are now baked. Some say that baking the pie completely changes its flavor and texture though and use pasteurized egg yolks to squelch the fears of using raw eggs in an unbaked filling. Key lime pie also sometimes has an egg white meringue on top, though I prefer mine plain with only a dab of whipped cream.
This recipe simplifies all of that and skips the eggs altogether, relying on the reaction between the acids and the sweet milk to provide adequate thickening. But, there is also a pleasant surprise of coconut in the crust.
Key limes are a summer fruit, so look for them at peak during the months from June through August, though imports from Central America and Mexico make them more available year round. Floridians would tell you that it's only authentic Key Lime pie when made with limes grown in the Florida Keys. No worries. It'll still be good, so if you can't find Key limes, substitute regular Persian limes. Key limes are more aromatic and acidic - just a bit more tart than regular limes. Freshly squeezed juice is best, but if you can't find either types of limes, look for bottled Key lime juice.
Do take the time to make the minted whipped cream because it is amazing with this pie. Garnish each serving with a bit of lime zest, or a lime twist, or just eat it naked. It's a refreshing pie, perfect for winding down the dog days of summer.
For more of my refrigerated and icebox desserts, visit my page on Pinterest!
If you make this or any of my recipes, I'd love to see your results! Just snap a photo and hashtag it #DeepSouthDish on social media or tag me @deepsouthdish on Instagram!
Recipe: Coconut Key Lime Pie©From the Kitchen of Deep South Dish
with Minty Whipped Cream
Prep time: 20 min |Cook time: 10 min | Yield: About 8 servings
- 1 sleeve of graham crackers, crushed
- 1 cup of sweetened coconut
- 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
- 1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 (14 ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup of Key lime juice (about a dozen Key limes)
- Minty Whipped Cream, recipe below
- Lime zest and/or toasted coconut for garnish, optional
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together the crushed graham crackers and coconut; add the butter and stir together with a fork until crumbs are well coated. Pour into pie plate and spread evenly. Press crumbs into the bottom and sides of pie plate. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until just lightly browned. Set aside to cool. Can also use a store bought graham cracker crust.
Combine the cream cheese and condensed milk and beat on medium speed until well blended and smooth. Turn to low and slowly add the lime juice, mixing until fully incorporated. Pour filling into cooled crust. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Garnish before serving.
Minty Whipped Cream
From the Kitchen of Deep South Dish
If you have room, stick your mixer bowl and whipping attachment in the freezer for a few minutes to get them both very cold. Add the cream to the bowl and whip on medium high until it begins to thicken slightly. Reduce speed and sprinkle sugar into the cream, add extract. Beat until stiffened.
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of mint extract
Note: Key limes are only authentic if they are grown in the Florida Keys. Summertime is the peak season for them, generally June through August, though you can find what is referred to as "key" limes from Central America and Mexico other times of the year, as well as Texas and California grown "Mexican" limes. Check your supermarket juice section and the area where they keep cocktail mixers for bottled Key lime juice. To substitute, for every cup of fresh lime juice needed, you'll need roughly 20 to 22 Key limes, or 8 to 12 regular (Persian limes).
Source: http://www.deepsouthdish.com
Requires Adobe Reader - download it free!©Deep South Dish
☛ Are you on Facebook? If you haven't already, come and join the party! We have a lot of fun & there's always room for one more at the table.
Fresh Strawberry Pie
Chocolate and Pecan Dixie Pie
Old Fashioned Buttermilk Chess Pie


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Christian messages banned in Buffalo
Big Brother cops threaten arrests 'by their orders'
A federal lawsuit has been filed against the city of Buffalo, N.Y., alleging that police threatened to arrest a Christian for peacefully handing out tracts and talking with passersby who were willing to chat with him on public property.
The complaint was filed by the Alliance Defense Fund on behalf of Gregory Owen.
While handing out tracts to willing recipients on a public street during a public festival, Owen was approached by a police officer who declined to identify himself but told him that the Buffalo Police Department is "the law" and he should stop handing out tracts.
According to the lawsuit: "Subsequently, another police officer, Officer Slomka, arrived on the scene. She quickly informed Owen that they could not hand out tracts in the festival and explained that the prohibition was 'by our orders.' Owen asked for her name, and she replied: 'Slomka, write it down.' Owen advised that he believed the tracts to be free speech; nonplussed, Officer Slomka reiterated that they couldn't hand out tracts there and had to go outside of the festival area to continue with their expressive activity."
Then, "Owen inquired as to whether they would be arrested if they continued to hand out tracts in the festival area, to which, Officer Slomka replied: 'Yes.'"
Nate Kellum, one of more than 2,100 attorneys in the ADF alliance, said people of faith "shouldn't be threatened with arrest for peacefully expressing their beliefs."
"The Constitution and court precedent in these types of cases is clear: Officials cannot toss someone out of a public event simply because they don't like the views he's expressing," he said.
"This is a classic example of free speech that the First Amendment protects," he said.
City officials declined to respond to a WND request for comment.
The dispute developed as Owen, together with a friend and members of his family, walked up and down Hertel Avenue during the Buffalo Italian Heritage Festival and handed out Christian literature.
The lawsuit explains he was on a public street in a section of town known as "Little Italy."
Officers eventually claimed that his speech violated a permit granted by the city to festival organizers.
However, ADF reported: "In truth, the city issued a non-exclusive use permit to festival organizers that does not prohibit members of the public from exercising their free speech rights protected by the First Amendment. The event was free and open to the public, and the street remained at all times a public thoroughfare."
ADF Litigation Staff Counsel Jonathan Scruggs argued "exercising your constitutionally protected free speech rights is not a crime."
"Threatening to arrest Christians simply because they choose to exercise those rights in a public place is a clear violation of the First Amendment," he said.
The filing also notes that while officers were detaining the Christians, they witnessed another group of people handing out literature, unmolested by police. Owen "pointed out the differing treatment and suggested that they (his group and the other two gentlemen) were being singled out because they are Christian."
He then tried to hand out tracts again.
"But Officer Slomka physically prevented Owen from distributing tracts, snatching the tracts out of Owen's hand. She warned Owen, 'I'm not playing, if you hand out one more tract, you're going to jail,'" according to the complaint.
Ultimately, the complaint said, a Capt. Blosat ordered Owen and the others to leave the public street.
The case alleges violations of freedom of speech and due process and seeks a judgment that the Buffalo police were in violation of Owen's constitutional rights.
"The ban on Owen's literature distribution continues to chill and deter Owen's religious expression," the complaint states, especially, since Owen "observed that these decisions appear to turn on the message."
The dispute is just the latest in a number of cases in which municipalities have infringed on the free-speech rights of Christians. Cases have included bans on Christian speech at city festivals and the confinement of Christian street preachers to designated "zones."
A recent case arose in Dearborn, Mich., where authorities sought to prevent a minister from speaking in public. City officials, who recently had been ordered to pay $100,000 for violating the rights of Christians, demanded the pastor sign a "Hold Harmless" agreement that essentially required the minister to "surrender all of his legal rights" in order to speak on public property.
That dispute was argued by the Thomas More Law Center on behalf of a pastor who preaches on radical Islam, Shariah, same-sex "marriage" and other hot-button topics.


text: Perfume-haver, Fleshbot award winner, actor, James Bond comic relief, and delightfully incurable Scot Alan Cumming just Tweeted a link to this 1992 Lee jeans commercial. On his blog, Cumming explains why he thinks he was cast — the director, Paul Weiland, went to see Cumming in a play, noticed he was driving a "beaten up Citroen 2CV," and took pity. "I think he felt sorry for this starving artist and so put me in several of his commercials over the next few years. Bless him!" And bless you, Alan Cumming, for being you.


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Mens Bruno Sohnle Stuttgart Lady Automatik Automatic Watch 17-12174-247
We Price Match!Seen it cheaper?
Bruno Sohnle Stuttgart Lady Automatik 17-12174-247 is a functional and handsome Gents watch. Case material is Stainless Steel, which stands for a high quality of the item while the dial colour is Silver. The features of the watch include (among others) a date function. 50 metres water resistancy will protect the watch and allows it to be submerged in water for periods, so can be used for swimming and fishing. It is not reccomended for high impact water sports. The watch is shipped with an original box and a guarantee from the manufacturer.
This watch is supplied with:
- check Official Bruno Sohnle presentation box
- check Official Bruno Sohnle guarantee
- check Instruction manual (where applicable)
This product can be shipped to:
- UK (United Kingdom) ONLY
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Should you find any item not to your liking, simply return the unwanted item(s) to us using the enclosed returns form and your purchase will be refunded in full. We assure you of a smooth, easy, and zero hassle returns procedure if you change your mind for any reason. Please note that earrings and other items of body jewellery cannot be returned for refund as unwanted items in the interests of hygiene. Currently, refunds are processed in an average of 2 days after receipt (Live statistic)
FREE Click & Collect for orders over £25.00 from any mainland participating partner showrooms* (excluding airports and orders paid for by PayPal or Interest Free Credit). For more information on our new Click & Collect scheme please see this link (*UK only)
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The Bruno Sohnle watch collection for men and women has timeless designs that are functional, making them suitable for everyday wear, and also highly decorative pieces that you'd be proud to display. From the watch faces to the straps, a winning combination of tradition and progress embodied in each Bruno Sohnle watch. The precision of quartz movement meets classical artistic design in Bruno Sohnle watches, resulting in a collection that is both inspiring and decorative. A watch may have a functional role to play, but the Bruno Sohnle philosophy states that just because something is functional does not mean it cannot also be beautiful. The technical perfection and aesthetically-pleasing design are what make Bruno Sohnle watches unique.
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Yellow + Blue Trunks
Yellow + Blue Trunks
from 25.00
Orientation: Vertical
Sizing Info:
Paper Type:
Digital prints are created from original illustrations by Randy Reeves. Printed on either white lightweight linen cover stock with matte finish or white poster paper with gloss finish, based on sizing and selection. All prints are signed by Randy on the back.
Sizes 16 x 20" and up are currently available on white gloss poster paper only.
Tax + $9.50 flat rate shipping added at checkout for all prints.


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This intermediate Kit combines the aromas presented in the Red Wine and the White Wine Kit. These 24 aromas/reference molecules are directly linked to the molecular composition of red and white wine (including Champagne). They enable the 24 most common aromas found in red and White wine to be memorized and identified. Memorizing these aromas provides an accurate and coherent vocabulary to further stimulate our appreciation of fine wines.
Two beautifully illustrated manuals accompany the kit covering the Le Nez du Vin instruction method, as well as a detailed description of each aroma, its corresponding molecule and a listing of wines in which they can be found.
Features of the Make Scents of Wine Intermediate Kit - 24 Aromas:
- 24 aroma vials
- 3 manuals
- Presented in a cloth-bound book
Aroma List of the Make Scents of Wine Intermediate Kit - 24 Aromas:
01) Lemon, 02) Grapefruit, 03) Pineapple, 04) Lychee, 05) Muscat, 06) Pear, 07) Strawberry 08) Raspberry, 09) Blackcurrant, 10) Blackberry, 11) Cherry, 12) Hawthorn, 13) Honey,14) Violet, 15) Green Pepper, 16) Truffle, 17) Liquorice, 18) Blackcurrant Bud, 19) Vanilla, 20) Pepper, 21) Butter, 22) Toast, 23) Roasted Hazelnut, 24) Smoked
Collections: Wine Aroma Kits, Wine Education, Wine Tasting


text: 4 Jul 2018 0 2018 Chevy Equinox Premier-28 by Zeid Nasser 206 Share Previous: 2018 Chevy Equinox Premier-28 Related posts About The Author Zeid Nasser There are no comments yet Why not be the first Leave a Reply Cancel reply More posts in category Recommended for you Pre-Owned vs. Brand New: Which Car Should You Buy? Buying a car is a major decision that requires time and research. Aside from… The Intelligent Driver Toggle navigation Home News Reviews Auto Shows DIY About Latest Pre-Owned vs. Brand New: Which Car Should You Buy? August 16, 2019 How Will Autonomous Cars Change Driving Laws? August 7, 2019 What Are The Car Repairs We Should And Shouldn't Do Ourselves? August 6, 2019 Social facebook twitter


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There is a charge for material used in course packets sold in college bookstores or sold by the educator. Professors who want to copy materials for course packets should contact the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC), Academic Permissions Service, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923; 978-750-8400 (phone) or 978-750-4470 (fax).
All text at the Curriculum Standards webpages (all links through www.socialstudies.org/standards/) may be used and published freely. (A fee is required for excerpting from the book National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies: A Framework for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment beyond what is available online. Please contact NCSS Publications Department as listed below.)
NCSS Position Statements may be copied and republished at no charge.
- Authors of articles published with NCSS retain the right to republish material from their articles in another publication. Authors do not need to receive NCSS permission in writing to do so.
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text:
Re: 1190: "Time"
Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 3:03 pm UTC
descor wrote:
That's a mighty narrow sand bridge. Bets on how many TimeFrames it'll last before Cueball breaks it?
My Bet is 10, He drops a bucket of sand that he is passing to Megan and takes out the tiny bridge and the tower. He will then throw the bucket off to the right which will somehow protect the right tower from the rising sea (Which is big) or the River (which is small) and save the precious Right Flag!
Alternatively, the Right Flag could be used to majestically top the new castle. Oh what a NewPix that would be!


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Health news : Study finds no heart benefits from selenium
Taking extra selenium supplements offers no protection against heart disease – at least among people who already get enough of the mineral in their diets, according to a new analysis of past research.
In the review of 12 studies that included close to 20,000 people, there was no difference in the number of strokes and heart attacks, heart disease-related deaths or deaths from any cause among participants randomly assigned to take selenium or nothing.
"We need to, in a sense, erase some of the misconception around the indiscriminate and widespread use of supplements containing selenium," said Dr. Saverio Stranges, from the University of Warwick Medical School in Coventry, UK, who worked on the review.
Still, he added, "We do need evidence from clinical trials from less well-nourished populations where dietary intakes of selenium are lower."
Selenium is found in meat, bread and some nuts. Plant foods also contain varying amounts of selenium, depending on how much is naturally present in the soil where they were grown. In supplement form, it costs about $2 for a month's supply.
The Institute of Medicine recommends most U.S. adults consume 55 micrograms of selenium per day.
Past nutrition surveys suggest some 99 percent of Americans have plenty of the mineral in their blood.
Most of the data in the new analysis came from men in the U.S., with smaller trials from Europe, Australia and China also included. Participants were randomly assigned to take a daily selenium supplement – anywhere from 100 to 800 micrograms, depending on the study – or a placebo pill or nothing.
Those trials were initially designed to look at whether selenium affects the risk of cancer or other conditions, but also included data on how many study volunteers went on to have heart disease. Studies lasted anywhere from a few months to five to eight years.
On every heart-related measure – as well as cholesterol and blood pressure readings – there was no effect of supplementation, according to the review published in the Cochrane Library.
However, the studies did show a slightly higher risk of hair loss and skin reactions among people taking selenium.
Nutrition scientist José Ordovás, who has studied selenium at Tufts University in Boston, said it's also possible selenium may increase the risk of diabetes or high blood pressure at large doses.
Like other vitamins and minerals, he told Reuters Health, it may be best to get a moderate amount of selenium through diet – not too little, not too much.
Selenium is incorporated into so-called selenoproteins, a type of antioxidant. For that reason, researchers have believed selenium supplements might help prevent a range of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.
It's possible supplements may still help people in countries where the soil is low in selenium, or those who are sick or elderly and nutrient-deficient, Stranges told Reuters Health.
But at least in the U.S., the majority of people seem to get enough selenium naturally to optimize any antioxidant effects of selenoproteins.
"It's difficult to justify additional benefits of boosting selenium levels with supplements, in terms of antioxidant actions and therefore prevention of chronic disease," he said.
Ordovás, has collaborated with Stranges but wasn't involved in the new review, agreed.
"For people that are well-nourished and don't have any known disease, I don't see any reason to recommend supplementation with selenium, at least for the prevention of cardiovascular disease," he said.
SOURCE: bit.ly/YIN3MI The Cochrane Library, online January 30, 2013.


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Super Ensuite Site
Up to 6 Guests
- Pets Not Allowed
Estimating your equipment size
We are looking for an estimate of the size of your Caravan, Motorhome, Camper Trailer, Tent etc. once it has been set up or fully extended (outside to outside)... excluding your vehicle.
Caravans, Motorhomes, Camper Vans, Camper Trailers
Please include your tow/draw bar in the estimate.
Widths are generally around 4 – 5 metres (13.12 – 16.4 feet).
Note: Include annexes of pullouts in width.
|Average Lengths:
|4 – 12 metres (13.12 – 39.37 feet)
|7 – 14 metres (22.97 – 45.93 feet)
|5 – 7 metres (16.40 – 22.97 feet)
|Fifth wheelers
|7 – 14 metres (22.97 – 45.93 feet)
|Camper Trailers
|5 – 8 metres (16.40 – 26.25 feet)
Note: Do not include the size of the tent pegs
|1 person
|1 × 2.5 metres (3.28 × 8.20 feet)
|2 person
|1.5 × 2.5 metres (4.92 × 8.20 feet)
|3 person
|3 × 2.5 metres (9.84 × 8.20 feet)
|4 person
|4.5 × 2.5 metres (14.76 × 8.20 feet)
|5 person
|6 × 3 metres (19.69 × 9.84 feet)
|6+ person
|7 × 4.5 metres (22.97 × 14.76 feet)
Please be advised that Site sizes vary from park to park and within each park. Sites will be allocated based on the measurements provided during the booking process and it is the responsibility of the guest to ensure estimates are as close to accurate as possible.
If you are unsure, we would prefer you to overestimate or give us a call on 1300 738 044
This is a large site with a concrete slab. The ensuite has a full sized bath with a separate shower, the toilet is in a second room. Shelving in the hallway allows lots of storage space for your holiday gear. There is parking for two vehicles or a car and boat.
Site sleeps up to 6
Maximum of 6 adult(s)
Maximum of 5 children
Maximum of 6 people accommodated
Surface Concrete Slab
No pets allowed in the Site
What's on your site?
Surface & Style
- Concrete Slab on sites
- Tree/ Shaded Site
General Features
- Power Outlet(s)
- Water Tap
- Light
- Sullage
- Car parking - On Site
Plus enjoy all the park facilities and fun activities on offer at BIG4 Swan Hill, as well as the many things to see and do around Swan Hill.
You need to know
TERMS AND CONDITIONS A credit card deposit is required at the time of booking. The Park will process the charge against your credit card and send confirmation to the email address supplied. Changes and Cancellations – Changes and cancellations for stays during high season must be made more than [60] days prior to arrival. If a cancellation is within [60] days of arrival the payment is forfeited. Cancellations at other times can be made up to 9am on the day prior to arrival. An administration fee of $20 will be charged on all cancellations. Reception hours are 8am to 6pm and 8am to 7pm during daylight saving. Guests arriving outside these times must contact the park during reception hours to make alternate arrangements. Guests who fail to arrive on the designated day will forfeit the cost of the their deposit. Special requests are on request basis only and are not guaranteed at the time of booking. Please contact the Park for confirmation. A credit card must be produced in the name of the person staying at the Park on check in. Any damage caused may be charged against that card. A minimum stays apply between Christmas and New Year (7), Easter (5), and during long weekends (3). There is no charge for children under 2 years. With the exception of medically certified guide dogs, dogs are not permitted. Check out time is 10am. A late check out can be arranged at an extra charge where available. Check in time for cabin and ensuite sites is from 2pm and powered and unpowered sites from 11am. We reserve the right to refuse a booking at any time from any person reasonably believed to: • Not be the person named on the booking request • Not be the person named on the credit card or not be authorised to use the card • Not be able to pay for any charges incurred • May cause damage to the property of the Park or other guests • May exhibit socially unacceptable behaviour • Be younger than 18 years and not accompanied by a responsible person over that age • Pets accepted at managers discretion; by concealing a dog or other unauthorised animal We reserve the right to eject guests from the park who are deemed by management to be behaving in a socially unacceptable way; causing damage; disturbing other guests; using unacceptable language or otherwise breaking Park Rules. No refund will be given and charges will apply for any damage caused. Australian Standards relate to the use of bunk beds and state that: "Children under the age of 9 years are not permitted to use the top bunk. Children must not play on the top bunk" Please take this into consideration when making your booking. BIG4 Holiday Parks of Australia Pty Ltd is not the owner of any particular BIG4 Holiday Park. BIG4 Holiday Parks facilitates this booking service and is not responsible for the provision of services, standard of facilities or payments received. All bookings are made directly with the individual owner of this BIG4 Member Park and therefore BIG4 Holiday Parks will not accept any claims for refunds or credits.
More Caravan & Camping Sites
Ensuite Powered Site
- Max people: 6
Recently refurbished large ensuite on a grassed or slab site suitable for all sorts of camping from tents to large motorhomes.
Basic Ensuite Powered Site
- Max people: 6
Large ensuite on a grassed site suitable for all sorts of camping from tents to large motorhomes, these ensuites are due to renovated so are a little…
Powered Site
- Max people: 6
Powered site. Dog friendly sites available on request at manager's discretion.
Unpowered Site
- Max people: 6
Grass sites. Dog friendly sites available on request at manager's discretion


text:
so i got some interest but apps started
Gamma World/ Fallout/ Shadowrun d20 rules
Gamma World Meets Shadowrun Meets Fallout - Forum
D20 System - Inverse World
I am looking to start a Gamma World game with some changes. Magic exists in the world and parts of the world have a Shadowrun feel. The starting is taken from Fallout, living in a fall out shelter and have to leave it to find out what happen to the outside world.
If more people apply I will take a max of 8 PCs. See game area for rules.
Game Description:
There is a crash and the lights go out. Living in a fall out shelter all your life this has never happen. You have trained for this.
Looking for crew members in space opera visiting Fading Suns, Shadowrun, Warhammer 40k, d20, Travellers, Star Trek, Star Wars, Star Gate to name a few systems


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How well do you know the Code? Think you can spot violations the original installer either ignored or couldn't identify? Here's your chance to moonlight as an electrical inspector and second-guess someone else's work from the safety of your living room or office. Brian, who has a knack for finding shoddy electrical work, did the dirty work and found this mess. Now it's your turn to identify the violation.
Find the Answer
This photo shows an all-too-common installation mistake: An outdoor box supported by a single raceway. This particular installation is an obvious and clear violation of 314.23.
The third sentence in 314.23(F), which covers raceway-supported enclosures that are providing support for devices and/or fixtures, says "It (i.e., the box) shall be supported by two or more conduits threaded wrenchtight into the enclosure or hubs." The next sentence indicates that "Each conduit shall be supported within 450mm (18 in.) of the enclosure." Although the requirement given in the third sentence of 314.23(F) for raceway-support of an outlet box has been met, the rule presented by the second sentence — use of two conduits threaded into the box or hubs — has not.
It should be noted that raceway support of outlet, device, junction, and pull boxes has long been permitted by the NEC, but with certain restrictions. In addition, use of the raceway-supported box to provide support for devices and fixtures has also been acceptable for some time. In this photo, we see an outlet box-mounted incandescent flood light and a photoelectric switch that controls the light, which is specifically permitted by the Code, but only in accordance with the rules of 314.23(F).
The first sentence of part (F) in 314.23 states, "An enclosure that contains a device(s), other than splicing devices, or supports a luminaire(s), lampholder or other equipment and is supported by entering raceways shall not exceed 1,650 cm3 (100 in3) in size." This application meets that stipulation, but the wording used in that sentence actually recognizes the use of an outlet box to support more than one device and/or fixture, provided the box is not more than 100 in3. However, a certain amount of common sense must be exercised when applying this rule. Obviously, the number and size of devices and/or fixtures should be limited to ensure the box, which may be no more 100 in3 to satisfy the specific verbiage used in 314.23(F), is capable of actually providing support for the attached equipment. This is a different approach that the Code takes when dealing with ceiling and wall outlet boxes that support fixtures as covered in 314.27(A).
In part (A) of 314.27, the NEC requires that ceiling-mounted outlet boxes supporting fixtures "shall be designed for the purpose and shall be required to support a luminaire (fixture) weighing a minimum of 23 kg (50 lb)." For wall-mounted outlet boxes, the Code places the same mandate on the design of the box. As we have seen, for raceway-supported boxes that are providing support for devices and fixtures, there is no limitation on the number or size of the attached equipment, which essentially requires the installer and inspector to determine the "maximum" number and size of devices and fixtures.


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Op-Ed, Financial Times: Peter Oppenheimer - There is Plenty of Life in this 'Investable' Equities Rally
Amid all the angst over Spain's banking and fiscal crisis, the relative buoyancy of financial markets has passed almost unnoticed.
Such optimism in the markets may seem at odds with the stream of economic and budget gloom. But, in fact, the rally has been under way for some time. Despite the obvious headwinds of economic stagnation, the slowdown in the US and Chinese economies and the repeated speculation that the euro system may be about to collapse, equities have been among the strongest performing asset classes in the year to date. The MSCI World index has risen 14 per cent, the Stoxx Europe 600 is also up 14 per cent, while US Treasuries have returned 4.5 per cent (all in US dollar and total return terms).
One of the biggest explanations for these different returns comes down to valuation. After years of derating, equities may have reached a point where they have more than adequately reflected the economic stresses and risks brought on by the financial crisis. At the same time, the relentless decline in interest rates over the past three decades has pushed up the price of many government bonds to levels that no longer offer attractive returns to maturity.
Both the derating of equities (from unrealistic highs during the late 1990s technology bubble) and the re-rating of bonds (as inflation continued to surprise on the downside) were necessary given the starting points. The onset of the financial crisis has merely extended and exaggerated these trends as investors have become increasingly sceptical about the ability of economies to grow as they struggle with record amounts of debt.
The European sovereign debt crisis is the most recent in a long line of problems to have emerged as the huge global savings and investment imbalances have begun to unwind over the past five years. The European Central Bank's bond purchase proposal in August has helped to reduce some of the systemic risks associated with the debt crisis by finding a way to break the intractable political cycle that was acting as an obstacle to a workable solution.
It is clear that a fall in the equity risk premium (the additional rate of return investors require for investing in equities over and above what they can get on relatively risk-free assets such as bonds) has been the main driver behind the rally in risky assets since July. In July the equity risk premium was as high as 9 per cent. Over the past two months it has fallen to 8 per cent on our estimates. This is still very high by historical standards: the long-run average is close to 4 per cent. It is not surprising that the ERP remains unusually high, given the current macro dislocations, but our estimate of the appropriate level of the ERP is about 6.75 per cent.
We estimate a 1 per cent fall in the ERP, all else being equal, is worth about 20 per cent on the broad European equity indices. Although some of this may be achieved via a further rise in "risk free rates", such as for German Bunds, there still appears room for a further moderation of about 50 basis points over the coming months.
From a political perspective, the main risks may be shifting to the US given the impending "fiscal cliff" that the US is likely to reach by mid-February. Should Congress not act, the government would be forced into a drastic reduction in expenditures, pushing the economy into a recession that is not being priced into equity markets.
The other key driver for markets will be economic activity. Recent data suggest that the momentum of the global economy and, thus, corporate profits, remains moribund but is probably not deteriorating.
On the positive side, many central banks have increased their support through policy actions aimed at kick-starting growth. While there is a debate about the effectiveness of these policies, at least it is something.
Growth is unlikely to be strong in 2013, but risky assets typically perform well when the momentum and growth rate of the global economic cycle start to improve even if growth levels remain subdued. So far, such an improvement does not appear priced in.
While these issues will determine the trajectory and volatility in markets over the remainder of the year, the longer-term prospects are more positive, at least for equities.
Ultimately, what is most important is not just the pace of economic activity and corporate profit or dividend growth but the outcome relative to the expectations priced in.
After years of derating to correct the over-optimistic expectations of the late 1990s, the uncertainty associated with savings and investment rebalancing have left valuations at levels that imply an unrealistically negative scenario, as long as the worst political tail risks can be contained. That is still the "investable opportunity".
Peter Oppenheimer is chief global equity strategist at Goldman Sachs


text:
FIFA Soccer (2012)
(Fifa series)
Playstation Vita
In Verzameling
Electronic Arts
EA Sports
Vita Card
EA SPORTS FIFA Football on PS Vita delivers the first true next generation football experience in the palm of your hands. Enjoy the award-winning FIFA console gameplay, HD graphics, and the largest feature set ever created by EA SPORTS for a handheld device. The same physics-based, data driven technology that powers FIFA gameplay on PlayStation3 drives FIFA Football on the Vita across eight different game modes, including authentic 11 versus 11, Be A Pro, Tournament Mode with over 50 real-world competitions, a full in-depth Career Mode, and head-to-head online. Innovations that utilize front and back multitouch screens create an intelligent and unique gameplay experience. Touch Screen Shooting delivers pin-point accuracy and removes the element of "hit and hope" from shooting, Touch Screen Passing opens up the field of play for more creative, precision passing, and Touch Screen Free Kick Control enables players to swipe a finger to aim and curl the shot around the wall. Plus, compete with over 500 officially licensed clubs in 11 v 11 matches in authentic stadiums from around the world.
Award-winning FIFA gameplay-Experience the same authentic, responsive and intelligent gameplay as the console game.
HD Graphics-Stunning player models, graphics and animations in High Definition.
Touch Screen Shooting- Enjoy complete control over shooting-the most rewarding part of football-by removing the element of "hit and hope." Pick a spot precisely from the back touch screen and then finesse a shot with pin-point accuracy.
Touch Screen Passing- A more intelligent and creative way to play and distribute the ball. Make decisive passes with precision and ease utilizing the front touch screen.
Touch Screen Free Kick Control-Enjoy creative new ways to take free kicks and score utilizing optional touch screen controls on set pieces. Swipe your finger to aim and curl a shot around the wall for the match-winning goal that lifts your club to victory.
Touch Screen Defending-Take control of a specific defender simply by tapping on the player using the front touch screen, taking all the guess work out of auto switching.
Career Mode-Play or manage your way to glory through an authentic experience that mimics the real-world game. Begin as a real player or created player and evolve into a player-manager and manager-or just begin at the top-and enjoy a 15-season career. Enjoy authentic tournament structures and results, a Calendar system featuring simultaneous simulations that accelerate game flow, Team Management system for player comparisons, and Friends Leaderboards to compare stats and earnings.
Be A Pro-Create yourself in game and become the next football legend. Build your reputation, and develop your skills to ultimately compete for your favourite club and national side.
Tournament Mode-Compete in over 50 real-world tournaments from around the world. Play with/against friends in leagues ranging from the Barclays Premiership to the Bundesliga.
Head-to-Head Online-Play head-to-head online against a friend in authentic 11 v 11 matches.
Training Mode-Master Touch Screen controls, perfect set pieces and practice moves before playing games.
360° Fight For Possession -True freedom in man-to-man interactions, transforming physical play from individual lateral jostling to full 360° collisions involving multiple players.
Be A Goalkeeper-Experience the thrill of the one-on-one battle, diving to make a save from a free kick, punching balls safely out of danger, and the pressure of keeping a clean sheet. Learn the position, track stats, complete achievements and test yourself against the best players in the virtual world.
Unmatched Authenticity-Compete with over 500 officially licensed clubs in 11 v 11 matches in authentic stadiums from around the world.
Product Gegevens
Aantal Disks
Persoonlijke Gegevens
FIFA Soccer at Game Collector Connect


text:
Short Bob Hairstyle For Thin Hair
This is perfect for baby fine hair. Blunt cut layers can be stacked in and onto of each other to form a full bodied look. Layers which move and swing on top of each other never being weighted down by anything leaves a great look for those looking for more.


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text:
It's been a couple of weeks since the Giro and the end of my first season of racing in Europe. There wasn't much time to unwind afterwards and within a couple of days of finishing the Giro I was back in the office in Melbourne, squirming in my powersuit and trying to remember how to put on make up. It's good to be back, and once I stop feeling like a steamroller has run over me, stalled, and then backed up for good measure, I'm sure I'll be itching to race again. But right now I'm still pinching myself that I was over there at all, and struggling to believe that it wasn't all a crazy, fun, exhausting dream.
I promised I'd write a wrap up of Europe and here it is. Or maybe we can call this Part I, because there are so many stories to tell that I can't fit them all here... and judging from my boyfriend's reaction to my 3-hour monologue, some of my stories aren't as exciting as I think they are. So maybe small installments is the way to go.
I've been meaning for a while now to share with you my story of the Local Rider. This makes me giggle just thinking about it, in the same way that you giggle when you remember the time when you walked out of that restaurant with toilet paper trailing out of your trousers.
During the Giro, there were a number of jerseys awarded - leader's jersey, mountains classification, sprinters' classification, young rider etc. Especially towards the start of the tour, I still couldn't recognise most of the famous riders, so the jerseys were quite useful in helping me know, for example, which one Marianne Vos was. But it was fair to say that I still had some trouble knowing some of the riders apart. So anyway, there we were in the middle of stage 2, and this GIANT of a rider comes near me in the peleton, wearing a hideous bright purple jersey. She's giggling, bumping into people, apologising, giggling again, and generally looking like a walrus in the pack. So I was looking at this rider, and the jersey, and trying to work out which team she was from. The jersey was pretty plain - just horrible and magenta, with 'Safi-Pasta' written on it. It reminded me of some of the jerseys I wore in my early cycling days, when I was too poor to buy a team replica jersey, and too crap to get a sponsored one. The knicks gave me no clue either, as they were just black with no team logos. They reminded me of the generic knicks they gave out in the Tour of New Zealand a couple of years ago to riders in composite teams.
Then I realised. This wasn't a team rider at all. This was a local rider, whom the organisers had allowed to ride in the Giro as a gesture of goodwill to the people of Italy. It had to be. How nice, I thought. Here is a local rider, doing her best to fit in maybe a ride a week down to the shops, whose dream it was to race in a big race but who would probably never have had the opportunity or talent to do it. And sure, she can't ride - I mean, there she was, bumping into people, knocking handlebars, laughing - but good on her for having a go. She is probably having the time of her life. I made a mental note not to go near her, and spent the rest of the stage thinking kind thoughts about the generous spirit of the race directors.
It wasn't until after the stage, when we were in the team car heading to the next hotel, when we started talking about some of the riders and the jerseys they were wearing. There was Ina Teutenberg in the leader's jersey, some chick in the mountains jersey (sorry, no disrespect intended, I just can't remember who you are), Marianne Vos in the young rider jersey, Kirsten Wild in the sprinters jersey.... Hang on, I said. Bronzini was in the Sprint Queen jersey. I saw her. It was blue.
Oh no, the girls said, Bronzini was in the blue jersey for the highest-placed Italian rider. The Sprint Queen was that awful purple jersey. Kirsten Wild was in it. You know, rides for Cervelo. One of the best sprinters in the world. Black knicks, bright purple jersey. Unbelievable rider. Coming second in the world cup standings. But boy, that's an ugly jersey.*
*PS - Congrats to Local Rider for winning the latest world cup in Sweden last week.


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Twitter Strikes Deal With NFL
Football League Will Produce Short, Ad-Supported Highlights for Site
The National Football League has reached a deal with Twitter Inc. to make football highlights and other content available on the social-media service, the latest big partnership aimed at capitalizing on the intersection of tweeting and TV.
The NFL will have a team dedicated to producing "programming" for Twitter users seven days a week, including in-game highlights from Thursday night games on the NFL Network, and clips from games on other networks such as CBS and Fox once they have aired. In addition, the NFL will serve up content including news, analysis and fantasy football advice.
The initiative is part of Twitter's Amplify revenue-generating program that lets TV content owners distribute programming in users' Twitter feeds, with short ads embedded. The companies share the ad revenue.
The NFL and Twitter have pre-sold ad inventory, netting cash in the low eight-figure range, according to a person familiar with the situation. One of the main sponsors for the regular season and playoffs is expected to be Verizon Wireless, a joint venture of Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group PLC.
Verizon will be the exclusive Twitter advertiser for the Super Bowl. Earlier this year Verizon agreed to pay $1 billion over four years to significantly expand its rights to air NFL games on cellphones through an NFL Mobile app.
In recent months, Twitter has signed up an array of media partners for Amplify including A+E Networks, The Weather Channel and BBC America. This week, CBS Corp. CBS.A -2.01% said it would participate by, for example, tweeting out clips that promote some of its shows.
Sports-TV giant ESPN, majority owned by Walt Disney Co. , was an early pioneer of the Amplify initiative last year and expanded the relationship significantly this spring. For this college football season, ESPN is embedding highlights of games in Twitter feeds, each with an eight-second Verizon Wireless ad.
But the NFL hasn't granted ESPN the rights to tweet clips from Monday Night Football, its highly watched pro football telecast, according to a person familiar with the matter. The NFL will be able to tweet highlights of Monday Night Football games itself once they air.
The partnership with Twitter is a significant move for the NFL, which is generally very protective of its digital distribution rights. The deal will significantly expand the audience that can view NFL content on mobile phones. Currently, Verizon subscribers have the NFL Mobile app, and DirecTV Sunday Ticket subscribers also can get football content on their phones, but any Twitter user would be able to see the Amplify highlights.
Hans Schroeder, senior vice president of media strategy and development for the NFL, said the league sees the opportunity to take advantage of the "real-time nature and the broad reach of the conversation on Twitter" and to "take some of our best content to our most avid fans."
Media companies and Twitter are aiming to take advantage of the high usage of Twitter to comment on TV programming, especially sports events. Advertisers are looking for every avenue possible to get their message through to consumers who now often time-shift TV and fast-forward through ads.
Twitter is ramping up the TV partnerships as it prepares for an initial public offering. The company filed confidential paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this month. Currently, the company mostly generates ad revenue from sponsored tweets that appear in users' feeds.
EMarketer Inc. estimates Twitter will generate around $1 billion in ad revenue globally in 2014, up from $583 million this year. The company hasn't disclosed its ad revenue.
Adam Bain, Twitter's President of Global Revenue, said putting the NFL's "highly coveted content" on Twitter "will not only offer our users a unique programming schedule which will deepen their engagement with our platform but will also provide our sponsors with a value proposition that few other partners can bring to the table."
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Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Community Development (CD) Bank Resource Directory
This directory provides easy access to information for a sampling of organizations that can provide resources to banks interested in investing in Community Development (CD) Banks or Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). It also provides materials of interest to banks considering converting to a national CD Bank or organizations considering forming a CD Bank. The activities are organized under the following categories:
- OCC's Community Development Bank Resources
- Federal Resources for CD Banks and CDFIs
- Advocacy Organizations and National Intermediaries
Definition of Community Development Banks (CD Banks) and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).
Community Development (CD) banks are depository institutions with a stated mission to primarily benefit the underserved communities in which they are chartered to conduct business. A CD bank pursues this specialized mission by providing financial services to low-and moderate-income (LMI) individuals or communities or benefiting other areas targeted for redevelopment by local, state, tribal, or federal government. CD banks must meet the same safety and soundness, statutory, regulatory, business planning, and procedural requirements as all other national banks.
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are mission-driven financial institutions that create economic opportunity for individuals and small businesses, quality affordable housing, and essential community services throughout the United States. Four types of institutions are included in the definition of a CDFI: Community Development Banks, Community Development Credit Unions, Community Development Loan Funds (most of which are non-profit), and Community Development Venture Capital Funds. Some, but not all, CDFIs are certified by the CDFI Fund. Certification is often necessary in order to receive support from the CDFI Fund.
|Publish Date
|OCC Insights Report Highlights Bank Partnerships with Community Development Loan Funds
|OCC Newsletter Focuses on National Bank Community Development Investments
|OCC Publishes Newsletter Highlighting Community Development Venture Capital Investment Opportunities


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dustu wrote:If you have a chance, can you rate it on this site: http://simplici7y.com/items/fart-or-die ? My initial reviews (vers 1.0) were not so great so I seem stuck at 2 stars.
I don't think scores on Simplici7y really matter that much. I wouldn't worry about it.
dustu wrote:So I may remove some of the extra weapons on some levels. On Total Carnage, however, weapons do help. So I'll have to weigh carefully what makes sense from a total carnage point of view (if that makes sense
I guess you could remove weapons and ammo from some levels. As long as you remove some monsters to compensate.
And if you want levels where players use more "strategy" than "run and gun" then you need to change your level design: Big empty rooms and long straight hallways are not conducive for dynamic combat. You need more detailed rooms with various forms of cover. Narrow hallways with no room to manuever are almost always bad combat space design and you should avoid having the player fight monsters in them.


text: I am a bit of a perfume junkie. If you have been followinng this blog for any significant length of time you may have figured that out yourself. I think I have a slightly accute sense of smell and an infidèle addiction to perfumes. But there are a handful of scents that I truly, truly love, and will hold onto for… Read more →


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The RGA4H is identical to the RGA4, but has the benefit of an additional steadying handle. Like the RGA4, the RGA4H is a three way retrieval block fitted with an up/down winch mechanism and the standard fall arrest capability. This unit can be used as a standard fall arrest block, but in the event of a fall, the operative can be winched up or down to safety almost immediately. As most rescue systems lower the casualty, the RGA4H can raise the operative to safe area, if the area below is unsuitable.
The RGA4H can also be fitted to the RGR1 tripod for use in the confined access industry, as it can lower a worker into an area where no ladders are fitted.
The RGA4H has a working length of 15 metres.
Conformance: EN360, EN1496 A/B


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BOSTON – It's starting to feel normal again for Carson Smith.
The Red Sox reliever worked around a pair of singles by the Rays on Saturday to toss his second scoreless inning of the week; this one was presumably less stressful, coming in the seventh inning of a 9-0 game rather than the 18th frame of a tie one on Tuesday.
"Overall, I'm pretty happy with where I'm at," said Smith, who struck out his old Seattle teammate Brad Miller on a backdoor slider and then generated a ground-ball double play to escape the inning on Saturday without any damage. "It felt good to get out there and work through some adversity and get outs when I needed to."
"The action and life is there," Sox manager John Farrell said. "The slider has got some good shape to it. As he does frequently with that action, he puts the ball on the ground for a double play. I like the fact that he's throwing the ball over the plate and throwing strikes, not being tentative."
Boston's bullpen has performed exceptionally of late, and the Red Sox are presenting Farrell with plenty of options for a potential postseason relief corps. But despite missing almost all of the last two seasons due to Tommy John elbow surgery, Smith remains a tantalizing one. His stuff is still electric. Even when his fastball isn't at its pre-surgery velocity, his slider is a considerable weapon, as he showed on Saturday.
Smith is still waiting for the chance to really let it go in a relief appearance; the two quick singles on Saturday limited his opportunities to throw that slider the way he wanted to.
"I have two different sliders. They may look the same on TV, but I have an early-count slider and a late-count slider," he said. "I didn't get to really use my late-count slider with a right-handed hitter in the box. That's my bread and butter.
"I didn't really give myself a chance to let the ball go, but hopefully I get to do that next time."
Craig Kimbrel and Addison Reed will be the late-game pillars for the Red Sox in the postseason. Brandon Workman, Joe Kelly and Matt Barnes have all pitched in high-leverage at various times this season. There might not be room for Smith on a playoff roster.
Farrell and the Red Sox have been steadfast in tempering expectations for Smith this month. The manager said in late August that merely getting Smith through the season healthy and into a normal offseason would be a plus.
On Sunday, Farrell said the team isn't prioritizing back-to-back appearances for Smith — yet.
''Right now, that's not a priority. The priority right now is to continue to get this spaced repetition that's been there through his rehab,'' Farrell said. ''If we get into the final 10 days and he's making continued progress, I wouldn't rule it out.''
This time last year, Kelly worked his way into the mix with a lights-out September that saw him strike out 20 and walk three while allowing one run in 14 innings. A similarly dominant month from Smith could convince the Red Sox to take a chance on the high-ceiling arm out of the pen for the playoffs.
Smith isn't thinking along those lines at the moment.
"Honestly, that's not my decision. I just know I can take advantage of every opportunity I have," he said. "That's what I'm focused on. As often as I get in there, I'm going to try to do my best to compete and show them the pitcher I was before."
Wait and see: With Hurricane Irma hitting the Tampa area on Sunday, the Red Sox were in a "wait-and-see" mode regarding the status of their series next weekend against the Rays at Tropicana Field.
Tampa Bay had already shifted its next series against the Yankees to Citi Field on Monday through Wednesday.
"Our schedule is flexible," Farrell said. "Our concern is with the people in that area."
Lineup changes: Eduardo Nuñez was out of the lineup as expected a day after departing with a right knee contusion. Nuñez will receive treatment over the next two days, with the Red Sox hopeful he can be back in the lineup on Tuesday.
Dustin Pedroia got the day off as planned with Brock Holt playing second. Hanley Ramirez also got the day off. Sam Travis played first base and Mitch Moreland served as the designated hitter. Xander Bogaerts hit in the leadoff spot.
Travis had a base hit, but Holt and Bogaerts each went hitless.


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"Let me tell ya 'bout the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees…"
Yeah, "nature-lover" me was sitting out on the back deck-porchwhatchamacallit the other day and I actually got to watch the birds and the bees.
You need to understand that this was a real accomplishment for someone whose idea of roughing it is a hotel bed without silk sheets. Also, I spend a majority of my time in my office-study just off the deck-porch-thingy reading, researching and writing as we writer-types are wont to do.
Oh, yeah, I was a Boy Scout all right and I got my Nature and Camping Merit Badges, among a couple of dozen-plus, but a real outdoor type I'm not.
It was a nice, cool spring day. In our "new home" (that's in a location sense not construction-wise) we have this area on the back of the house that is a concrete slab. About two-thirds of it has a corrugated metal roof over it.
In this area, we keep our grill for outdoor cookouts. There are some outdoor-deck type chairs (made for comfort first) and three small endtable pieces for, you know, a place to set your iced tea glass while enjoying a spring day.
So, I decided to "soak up a little nature," read a book and watch Sawyer, the former Famous River Wonder Dog now known as Le Pup Savage in honor of his conversion to Cajunhood.
There are a lot of birds that come and go via some sizable "garden-type" trees in our backyard. They eye all of the shrubs, flowering bushes and flowers that Life Mate has "green-thumbed" into a couple of new flower beds she's created since we assumed occupancy of this new domicile only 10 discreet minutes from our son's home.
For a couple of Mom-fixed meals a week, The Boy (as he has been known for most of his 32 years) does some house-tending and Sawyer-sitting when something necessitates our being gone for a few days.
But, I digress. Back to the birds and the bees.
While in the rarified air of nature (for me, except a 30-minute walk of the dog each day), I began to take closer note of all of that bird and bee activity. I do watch the birds come and go in my window-ringed Man Cave but this little outdoor sojourn was an initial spring exposure to the bees and other creatures that inhabit our "back 40."
Sonny and Samantha Squirrel beat a steady path either atop the 6-foot privacy fence or on its horizontal braces. Simon and Sally Sparrow found a bug here and there in the grass and on the uncovered portion of our "patio."
After taking in all of this for a while, a buzzing sound nearby got my attention. I hadn't noticed any wasp or yellow jacket nests anywhere on our patio's covered area or I would have torched those suckers or found a killer spray and drowned them in it.
Overhead there was a bumblebee lighting on the end of one of the rafters that holds up the patio cover. I watched for a bit as they flew errands, then returned to the rafter with, I assumed, the grocery shopping. While watching and listening, I discovered their names were Barney and Bessie Bumblebee.
What I have learned about the bumblebee clan, with regard to threats and dangers, is that they aren't aggressive unless you mess with them or their home. Hey, I feel the same way…live and let live. I also know that they will only sting you if they feel threatened or you actually mess with them.
And, most importantly, if they sting you they die. One stinger dart, that's it. I always figured they weren't suicidal. After all, it appeared that Barney and Bessie were just setting up housekeeping, so no harm, no foul.
That's what I observed about the birds and the bees. Then, I moved indoors for my afternoon snack. I don't like sharing.
WILLIS WEBB is a retired community newspaper editor-publisher of more than 50 years experience. He can be reached by email at email@example.com.


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The 7th BCSG book:
The Technical Edition
Please note that the Seventh BCSG book, The Technical edition is now sold out!
Welcome to the British Carp Study Group (BCSG) website...
The BCSG is a national single species organisation for experienced and successful carp anglers. It`s main purpose is social, encouraging the free exchange of information between members who, by the nature of the standard required for membership, are some of the most experienced carp anglers in the country. It is a non-political organization and therefore does not have a political agenda. However, it is a group member of the Angling Trust.
The group offers a wide range of benefits to members, including a strong regional structure and local meetings, fish-ins, a members only website and forum, and access to our own three fisheries. Members also receive and are expected to make contributions to `The Carp`, the twice yearly BCSG magazine.
Membership of the BCSG is open to anyone, although to be accepted there are qualifying standards and you will need to have been carp fishing for at least fifteen years and able to demonstrate angling success on a number of waters. This is because we want membership of the BCSG to be something that carp anglers aspire to and we hope it will be the ambition of many carp anglers to obtain membership.
About Us
Learn more about the BCSG and its history since it was established in 1969.
Apply to join
If you would like to join the BCSG click the apply button below for further details.
Website design & maintenance: Hooked on Websites


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Re: 1982: "Evangelism"
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 3:04 pm UTC
rmsgrey wrote:SDK wrote:rmsgrey wrote:I can use my size 9 shoes to get distances in feet just by counting; getting distances in meters means multiplying by 0.3 (which introduces an error, but if I cared about precise measurement, I wouldn't be using my shoes to measure it).
One meter is approximately one stride length, either a long stride or a normal stride depending on your height. Also, multiplying by 3 (not 0.3) is very easy if you insist on measuring things with your shoes (which is slow and annoying).
A yard is closer to a stride, but still a bad approximation - average stride length is around 78cm for males; 70cm for females. And multiplying by 3 without also dividing by 10 would make my bed 21 meters long - or longer than would fit in my house and the house next door combined (measured parallel to the road). Doing the conversion isn't terribly challenging, but it is more work than just counting off the measurement (and pacing out yards is easier than pacing out meters for most people).
The point is that most imperial units were originally picked to be convenient for what people wanted to measure, while metric units are chosen to be convenient to convert between, and/or define by experiment rather than by comparison with a pre-calibrated measure. For example, the meter was defined as one ten-millionth of the (surface) distance between the equator and the poles - and slightly misjudged, so that the arc is about 17km short, but that's not terribly relevant here - the main point is that yards and feet were developed to be easily used for everyday things; meters were defined to be convenient for cartographers, and approximately the same as yards.
SI units are chosen to be approximately the same magnitude as imperial units, so the individual benefits of imperial units for their specialist purpose are generally going to be small, but that doesn't mean they aren't real.
This. Metric measurement in practice jumps from units for tiny things (MM, CM) to units for fucking huge things. There's no metric equivalent of a foot. Standard has yards which are on the same scale as a meter, but most standard lengths are given in feet. I think people find feet a more natural unit of measure, because it's suited for the scale of things they'll interact with during their day.
Same with temperature. In standard subzero weather you better fucking bundle up, in metric subzero weather I don't even feel like I need a jacket sometimes. If it's dry and not windy, a standard t-shirt is enough. Standard was calibrated based on body temperature, so it more accurately reflects the experience of temperature.