text:
Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman juror: Race did not play a role in shooting of unarmed teenager
The six-member jury that acquitted George Zimmerman did not believe race played a role in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, the first juror to speak publicly about the trial said Monday night.
The juror, identified only as Juror B37, told CNN's Anderson Cooper that she and the other jurors believed the screaming voice captured on a 911 recording belonged to Zimmerman, and lent little credibility to a key witness who spoke to Trayvon on the phone before he died. They also put limited faith in the testimony provided by Trayvon's parents.
"They said anything a mother and father would say," said the juror, who said she wanted to keep her identity secret and was almost invisible in deep shadow.
Juror B37 said she believed Trayvon was the aggressor — and added she had "no doubt" that Zimmerman feared for his life during the confrontation in a Sanford housing complex.
"I think his heart was in the right place," she said of Zimmerman. "It just went terribly wrong."
"Do you think he's guilty of something?" Cooper pressed.
"I think he's guilty of not using good judgment," she responded.
Zimmerman, the juror said, was "overeager to help people." She added that she believed he was "was pretty consistent and told the truth" to investigators.
Although Juror B37 said she was sympathetic to Zimmerman throughout the trial, she said the jury was initially divided. Three members of the all-female jury wanted to find Zimmerman not guilty, two believed a manslaughter verdict was appropriate, and one supported a finding of second-degree murder.
All six members found the law to be "very confusing," she said.
But after reading the definitions of second-degree murder and manslaughter "over and over," the jurors reached consensus.
"He had a right to defend himself," Juror B37 said of Zimmerman. "If he felt threatened, that his life was going to be taken away for him or he was going to have bodily harm, he had a right."
Before ending her interview with Cooper, Juror B37 broke down in tears.
"I want people to know that we put everything into everything to get this verdict," she said. "We didn't just go in there and say, we're going to do guilty/not guilty. We thought about it for hours and cried over it afterwards. I don't think any of us could ever do anything like that ever again."
What is known about Juror B37 came from her comments as she was being interviewed by both sides before trial began, that she is middle-aged, has two grown children, once had a license to carry a concealed weapon and worked for a chiropractor for 16 years.
The judge in the case has said the clerk's office will not make public the names of the jurors for a matter of months, but that doesn't ban jurors speaking out.
Despite keeping her identity secret, Juror B37 has already secured an agent to peddle an as-yet unwritten book.
The woman's literary agent, Sharlene Martin of Martin Literary Management in Washington state, released a statement Monday saying Juror B37 had contacted her after being approached by multiple media outlets for appearances.
Juror B37's comments on CNN stood in sharp contrast to interviews with civil rights leaders, who on Monday intensified their calls for the U.S. Department of Justice to file federal civil-rights violation charges against Zimmerman.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network, criticized Florida prosecutors for not being aggressive enough, and urged the federal government to determine whether Trayvon's civil rights were violated.
"There is no double jeopardy here because they specifically said this was not about race," Sharpton told the Today show. "It opens the door for the federal government to investigate what [Zimmerman] meant when he said, 'They always get away.'"
To turn up the pressure, Sharpton promised demonstrations in 100 different cities on Saturday, each "led by ministers pressing the federal government to protect our rights."
Responding to Sharpton and other leaders, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said Monday he shared some concerns about the case — and pledged to continue an ongoing Justice Department investigation into possible violations of civil-rights laws.
Holder called the shooting "tragic" and "unnecessary."
"We are committed to standing with the people of Sanford, with the individuals and families affected by this incident, and with our state and local partners in order to alleviate tension, address community concerns, and promote healing," Holder said at the anniversary celebration of the predominantly African-American Delta Sigma Theta sorority in Washington. "We are determined to meet division and confusion with understanding and compassion — and also with truth."
So far, however, the FBI has found no evidence that racial bias was a motivating factor in the Feb. 26, 2012, shooting. Agents investigating the case last July determined that Zimmerman had not expressed racial animus at any time before the confrontation with Trayvon in a Sanford housing complex.
President Barack Obama also weighed in Monday, but did not address the federal investigation. Instead, the president used the case to push for a series of gun control measures that were defeated earlier this year after an elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn.
"The president wanted to convey that he felt that the death of Trayvon Martin was a tragedy for his family, for a community, but also for the country," White House spokesman Jay Carney said. "And he wanted to express his view… we should ask ourselves if we are doing all that we can to foster compassion and understanding in our communities and to stem the tide of gun violence. As well as how we can prevent future tragedies like this from happening."
Holder and two other Cabinet members — Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan — will speak Tuesday at the annual NAACP conference in Orlando, not far from Sanford where the shooting took place. They are expected to speak about gun violence.
In Miami, faith-based leaders are heeding Sharpton's call and planning a demonstration for 10 a.m. Saturday in front of the U.S. Department of Justice Building, 99 NE Fourth St., Bishop Victor T. Curry said.
"When it comes to cases like this, we have not had much success on the local or state level," said Curry, the senior pastor at New Birth Baptist Church and president of the South Florida chapter of the National Action Network. "It has always been the federal government having to step in and right some of the wrongs."
Curry said he had been urging congregants to remain calm "even if the verdict didn't go the way many people thought it should have gone."
"All we can do is ask the Obama administration's attorney general, Eric Holder, to consider opening the case from the federal level and investigate it," he said.
Additionally, a student group known as the Dream Defenders is planning a Tuesday morning rally at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee.
"We will be going to Gov. Rick Scott's office to make some demands on behalf of the youth of Florida," said Ahmad Abuznaid, 28, the group's legal and policy director.
Among the demands: the repeal of the "Stand Your Ground" law, which gives a person immunity from prosecution for using deadly force if the person reasonably believed he or she was in danger.
Miami Herald staff writer Marc Caputo and staff researcher Monika Z. Leal contributed to this report. McClatchy Newspapers White House Correspondent Anita Kumar contributed reporting from Washington.


text:
Diabetic Renal-Retinal Syndrome: Pathogenesis and Management Update 2002
Fresh insights into the pathogenic mechanisms by which hyperglycemia induces tissue and organ injurt are the basis for rapidly evolving promising therapies in diabetes. Especially promising as targets for intervention are products of oxidative stress, including kinins and growth factors. Improving results of renal replacement regimes now incorporating pancreatic islet transplants are able to delay and prevent end-organ damage in diabetic individuals. The evolving story of the taming of diabetes is of direct concern to nephrologists, endocrinologists, ophthalmologists, primary care physicians and medical students.
Please visit Help Page for Questions
regarding ISBN / ISBN-10 / ISBN10, ISBN-13 / ISBN13, EAN / EAN-13, and Amazon
Home | ISBN Directory | Affiliate
Program | Contact
Copyright © 2003-2014 AllDiscountBooks.net All rights reserved.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Median house prices continue to remain unchanged, Commonwealth Bank Property Value Guide shows
21 April 2005
National and state median house prices continue to remain mainly unchanged in the March 2005 quarter the Commonwealth Bank Property Value Guide shows. Despite the interest rate speculation and the increase in interest rates during the quarter national house prices continue to remain unchanged.
Geoff Austin, the Commonwealth Bank's Executive General Manager Retail Products, says that Queensland and Western Australia were the only states to experience price increases over the quarter. In comparison, the ACT experienced a price decline with the rest of Australia experiencing no changes.
"Queensland's median house price rose 0.7 per cent and Western Australia's rose 5.7 per cent this quarter, with ACT house prices dropping 2.5 per cent. The rest of Australia remained unchanged from the December 2004 quarter confirming the housing market has reached a plateau," he said.
"In comparison to house prices, median unit prices increased over the quarter across the country with the exception of Northern Territory and Western Australia"
The Northern Territory was the only locality to record a drop in unit prices this quarter, down 7.7 per cent. All other state's median unit prices were up slightly on the December quarter, with the largest increase of 6.3 per cent in Tasmania.
Mr Austin said: "With interest rates having risen late in the March quarter, and with speculation in the market of a rate rise leading up to the change, it was interesting to see that national median house prices were unaffected. We watch with interest to see if any further rate rises will lead to a change in house prices. The March 2005 quarter is the fourth consecutive quarter where national median house prices have remained stable."
Details about median property price movements at a national, state, regional or postcode level can be found in the Commonwealth Bank Property Value Guide, which is a free online service and a vital starting point for potential home buyers researching the property market.
For more information go to www.commbank.com.au/propertyvalueguide
Notes to editors:
- When referencing data from the Commonwealth Bank Property Value Guide, www.commbank.com.au/propertyvalueguide must be quoted clearly as the source
- The Commonwealth Bank Property Value Guide is an information service created to provide timely, accurate property price information to media and the public
- Tailored property price information to suit a customer's specific needs can be extracted from the Commonwealth Bank database at your request. Information is available from national to postcode level and can be broken down into month-to-month figures from April 2003
- Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia Loan Application Data. No responsibility is accepted for the accuracy or completeness of this data. This information is an indicative guide only, based on the Bank's knowledge of the fluctuations in the property market and median property values in the areas selected
- The data provided in this release is based solely on property value data (purchase of existing and purchase of newly erected dwellings) collected throughout the Commonwealth Bank's loan application process
For further media information please contact:
Patrick Southam
Telephone: (02) 9378 5965


text:
On August 4, Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Kondō Seiichi attended the opening ceremony of the 35th All-Japan High School Cultural Festival in Fukushima Prefecture, and came away deeply impressed by the determination of the students and their expressions of hope for the future.
I thought this opening day would never come.
How can I enjoy myself, I thought, when so many others are suffering?
Eventually, I understood that there is more than one way to honor the dead. You don't have to hold your hands in silent prayer; singing works too.
The opening ceremony for the Fukushima National High School Cultural Festival was held on August 4 in the city of Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture. The lines above come from a play performed by the host students of Fukushima during the opening ceremony. It was one of the highlights of the occasion.
The National High School Cultural Festival takes place in a different prefecture every year, jointly sponsored by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the All Japan Senior High School Cultural Federation. Following qualifying heats held all over the country, the festival brings together the winning teams for events in some 20 categories—from local folk performances and orchestral music to drama to photography. It is truly a celebration of the arts. This year's festival, the 35th, had been scheduled to take place in Fukushima long before the tragic events of March 11. High school students throughout the prefecture had been looking forward to the events for years. Students had come up with a design for a mascot called Pêche-kun, based on the prefecture's delicious peaches, and steady progress was being made on finding venues and arranging accommodation for the thousands of students expected from around the country.
Then, with less than five months to go to opening day, the massive earthquake and tsunami of March 11 wrecked everything. Students looked on in horror as their homes, families, and friends were swept away. Surely, everyone felt, the festival would never go ahead after this. For the students who had worked so hard on preparations for the festival, it was a cruel blow indeed. As the extent of the tsunami damage became clear, and as details began to emerge of the situation at the nuclear power station, the mood of pessimism only deepened. One regret after another came to them. The lines of the drama go on:
If I had known that I would lose people so suddenly, I would have done more to cherish them while they were still here.
I have made up my mind: From now on, I will cherish every moment, every person.
Despite everything, the students refused to give up hope. In late April, with reconstruction work underway, the cherry blossoms in bloom, and the nuclear crisis moving at long last toward resolution, Fukushima Governor Satō Yūhei decided that the festival should go ahead as planned. Students not just from Fukushima but from all over Japan were delighted to know that all the time they had spent preparing and practicing had not been in vain. Even so, with work progressing slowly to restore essential services, daily life had yet to return to normal. And many people were still missing. The students of Fukushima were unsure of themselves: Was going ahead with the festival really the right thing to do? And even more unexpected difficulties lay in wait. People started to avoid Fukushima. Overreacting to the situation, people—not just overseas but in other parts of Japan too—started to shun vegetables and beef from Fukushima, even though there was no evidence that products from the entire prefecture had been uniformly affected by radiation. This unexpected rejection left deep emotional scars on many students, as expressed in the following lines:
I feel sorry for people who jump to conclusions, led astray by prejudice and misleading information.
Even after what happened that day, the thousand-year-old cherry tree still blossoms, gentle and proud.
How can I learn to live like you?
Venues for events in eight of the categories had to be changed. Several of the original locations were inside the 30km evacuation zone around the nuclear power station, and others suffered damage in the quake. Finding alternative venues was not easy, as many of the municipal halls and gymnasiums in the prefecture are still being used as evacuation centers. Eventually, organizers decided to relocate two events outside Fukushima and hold the remaining 15 at a variety of locations within the prefecture. Naturally, careful steps were taken to monitor radioactivity levels at all the venues. Meanwhile, the students were learning important lessons:
For the first time I realize how precious the little moments of happiness are that I always took for granted.
From now on, the people of Japan must learn to think of others.
Besides those who suffered from the tsunami itself, many students were living in a state of suspension, stuck in evacuation centers or staying with relatives after being forced from their homes by the nuclear problem. Even those that hadn't suffered directly often needed time away from rehearsals to care for friends and relatives. In spite of all their difficulties, the students continued to throw themselves into their preparations. After long months of hard work, the opening ceremony went off without a hitch on August 4.
Some 11,000 high school students, including 8,346 from outside the prefecture, gathered in Fukushima from all over the country. Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino and their daughter Her Imperial Highness Princess Kako were also in attendance, spending a night in Aizuwakamatsu to take in choral performances and visit several venues, including a school for the handicapped. Naturally, they were received with great enthusiasm wherever they went. This gave students hope:
This is not the end; we will start again from scratch
Since that day, my ambitions have changed. Now I want to do something for Fukushima, the land that I love.
One of the things that made the drama so moving was that the students were addressing the audience in their own words. The script had not been written for the students by their teachers. The organizers had called for submissions from high school students who had been personally affected by the disaster, encouraging them to express their feelings in their own words. The script had been put together from these submissions.
Everyone in attendance was thrilled by how well the ceremony went. When the formalities were over, the governor and I made no effort to hide our delight. There was a tear in every eye. No one was in any doubt that the decision to go ahead with the festival had been the right one. Backstage, we passed on our congratulations to the local high school students who had been looking after us. "You've all done really well," we told them. "Tell everyone how impressed we are." One girl, who had been all smiles until then, suddenly began to cry. No doubt she was remembering all the hard work and sacrifices she and her friends had put in to get here, as well as the trials the people of Fukushima prefecture had gone through and the damage the disaster has done to Fukushima's reputation nationwide and around the world. But it was not long before her smile returned. The earthquake and its aftermath have made people in this corner of the world remarkably strong.
The following lines from the drama moved everyone who heard them, and even provoked a sense of guilt in some:
Recently, I learned for the first time that the movie monster Godzilla was created by radiation.
But we are not Godzilla. We are just normal people, trying to live normal lives in our beloved Fukushima.
We have lost nearly everything. But hope remains.
(Written on August 5, 2011)
In This Series
Cultural Perspectives on Disaster and Recovery
We Are Not Godzilla! Japan's High School Students Come Together in Fukushima (August 5)
Young People of the World, Come to Japan! (July 4)
Time for the Japanese to Tap Their Latent Strength (May 10)
Kondō Seiichi
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1946. Joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1972. Served as director general of the Public Diplomacy Department, as ambassador to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) from 2006 to 2008, and as ambassador to Denmark from 2008. Commissioner for Cultural Affairs since July 2010.


text:
This week I said goodbye to one of my all time favorite games on my PC, Asheron's Call. I don't think any other game has consumed me so much as this one MMO. During my time with this game, I met and made so many friends that I keep in touch with to this day.
Board game wise, The Princes of Florence made it to the table and I was really impressed with this one. I always enjoy when people bring older games from their collections that I haven't played.


text:
Hi everyone,
Hope you enjoyed your break from labor this past 3-day weekend. I was home in Oakland suffering through 100-degree temperatures, which is unheard of because that's an all-time high. On top of that, no a/c. No bueno. Well, I survived to send you a few links this month. As always, feedback is appreciated.
Happy reading!
It's 2011 and Samuel Andresen-Anderson hasn't seen his mother, Faye, in decades—not since she abandoned the family when he was a boy. Now she's reappeared, having committed an absurd crime that electrifies the nightly news and inflames a politically divided country. To save her, Samuel will have to embark on his own journey, uncovering long-buried secrets about the woman he thought he knew, secrets that stretch across generations and have their origin all the way back in Norway.
What grabbed me was the story structure. It combines different storytelling devices (like a "Choose Your Own Narrative"), spanning generations and character arcs to tell a compelling story that is really innovative. Plus it made me nerd out on the 1968 Chicago riots and Allen Ginsberg.
Strippers, Insane Asylums, Assassination, and Termites: Inside the Insane History of the World's Greatest White House Replica
There are many White House replicas around the world. None are more gaudy, ambitious and infamous than the former Louisana governor's house built by Governor Huey Long. Today, the house still stands but has remained vacant since 1961.
Angelyne's Real Identity Is Finally Solved
There are a lot of people in Los Angeles who are celebrities just for being well-known. Think Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian. Way before them, there was Angelyne, known for her blonde bombshell looks and her pink bubble gum Corvette. The car had such a presence in the Valley when I grew up, that I met her once and she signed my arm… with a sharpie.
The Don'ts That Turned Alexis Ohanian into the Leader He Is Today
Alexis Ohanian is back at Reddit and excited to pick up where he left off. As he starts this new chapter, he's looking back at the things he didn't do that made all the difference.
Dive past the bolded titles on the surface, and into the answers. That's where you'll find real gold. Alexis gives real examples over the past ten years that shape him into who he is today. I love the bit about his New York press tour.
Good News for Young Strivers: Networking Is Overrated
Success is supposed to come to the suave schmoozers. But accomplishing great things helps you make connections, too. Action and creation bring about stronger connections than trying to go after the network first.
My latest YouTube obsession is Vox's Earworm. Each week they dissect a seemingly innocuous part of a song or trend in music by going back in time to how it all started. And on top a fascinating video, you can rock out afterward to Spotify playlists they create around the episode.
If you want to go down the YouTube hole, check out this video about the greatest rappers of all time.
Not only do I create lists of things I've read over the previous month (that I like), I also make mixtapes of new music every month. Yeah, I'm that guy.


text:
In many films we hear voices whose bodies we never see, but who could plausibly be part of the narrative or story.
Michel Chion calls these voices ACOUSMÊTRE (see Glossary) , which he defines as:
An invisible character created for the audio-viewer by means of an acousmatic (84) voice heard either offscreen, or onscreen but hidden (behind a curtain or other obstacle). The voice must occur frequently and coherently enough to constitute a true character, even if it is only ever known acousmatically and so long as the carrier of this voice is theoretically capable of appearing onscreen at any moment. In film, the acousmêtre is distinct from the voiceover that is clearly external to the image: an acousmatic character is defined by the edge of the frame, a space where it could appear at any moment, but whose position outside that frame seems to confer on it certain powers over what's within the frame (e.g., Norman's mother in Psycho, Mabuse in The Testament of Dr. Mabuse). The
cinematic imaginary regularly bestows on the acousmêtre the powers of ubiquity (being everywhere), panopticism (seeing all), omniscience (knowing all), and omnipotence (being all-powerful).
- The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933, Fritz Lang)
- The Wizard of Oz (1939, Victor Fleming, George Cukor)
- Psycho (1960, Alfred Hitchcock)
- 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968, Stanley Kubrick) : Hal 9000 computer
- Her (2013, Spike Jonze) : the voice of Samantha
- Birdman (2014, Alejandro González Iñárritu)


text:
Had I suggested just 15 years ago that we should expand the Canada Pension Plan to provide larger benefits on a broader range of wages, I would have been laughed out of town.
Prior to 1998, the CPP was seen as leaning against death's door. Young Canadians were told to expect no benefits from the CPP when they retired.
But because of the significant reforms of 1998, CPP is now healthy for as far as the eye cannot see (the same is not true for the QPP, but that's another story). It is so healthy, in fact, that many observers are suggesting it should be expanded to provide larger benefits.
This could be done in two ways (or a combination thereof). Currently Canadians contribute 9.9 per cent of wages (split between the worker and the employer) to the CPP. In 2001, the rate applied to wages over $3,500 and up to $48,300 -- the "year's maximum pensionable earnings."
Benefits accrue at the rate of 25 per cent of the adjusted (indexed to the average wage) average of recorded employment earnings over roughly a 40-year period of time. So, one way to expand the CPP would be to raise the 25 per cent benefit rate. Another would be to raise the year's maximum pensionable earnings (the YMPE). Or both.
Sounds pretty straightforward. But it isn't.
Prior to 1996, the contributions Canadians made to the CPP were not large enough to cover the benefits being accrued. In fact, out of today's 9.9 per cent contribution rate, a full four per cent goes to covering past legacy costs (the previous unfunded liability). Thus, it would be possible, if we started a fully-funded CPP today, to do so at a contribution rate of about 5.9 per cent.
If, however, we wish to expand the 25 per cent benefit rate only for retirement benefits, and we do not increase any of the ancillary benefits (orphan's, disability, death, etc.) we could fund a new benefit tier with a contribution rate of no more than five per cent of benefit accruals.
This sounds good at first glance, but, in fact, it creates a series of complications. For example, let's say we wish to move from a 25 per cent benefit rate to 50 per cent. This would require a 14.9 per cent contribution up to the YMPE. Double the benefits for 50 per cent more cost. Sounds good.
But think about poorer workers. Having paid a 14.9 per cent contribution rate over 40 years, they will now receive a 50 per cent CPP benefit when they retire. But this is immediately deducted from their guaranteed income supplement at a clawback rate of 50 per cent and, depending on their province of residency, they could lose another 50 per cent from their provincial benefits (e.g., Ontario Gains) for a total 100 per cent clawback.
That means a 50 per cent increase in contributions but no net gain in disposable income from government sources. How many workers would vote for that?
To avoid the impact of the GIS clawback, we could exempt a portion of employment earnings (say up to $30,000 a year) from contributions and benefit accrual. Or, maybe we should leave the benefit ratio at 25 per cent but increase the YMPE.
Again, the value of the ancillary benefits is important to this analysis. If, as assumed above, we don't increase ancillary benefits at all, and accepting the current CPP funding formula, then the required contributions would be 9.9 per cent up to the YMPE and five per cent above it.
Again, what politician would want to try to win votes with a new system in which poorer workers have a 9.9 per cent contribution rate for their first tier benefits and higher-income workers only pay five per cent for their second tier of benefits?
A hard sell.
Finally, under any proposal that uses an expanded CPP, the new benefits will not be fully available for 40 years. Until then, only a fraction would accrue.
At the end of the day, it takes at least seven provinces with at least two-thirds of the Canadian population to amend the CPP. This includes Quebec. This is not an easy task, as can be seen today.
To date, the provinces have not seen a proposal for an increased CPP that meets with their approval.
Once one understands the issues more fully, one can see why.
Rob Brown was Professor of Actuarial Science at the University of Waterloo for 39 years and a past President of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries. He is currently an expert advisor with EvidenceNetwork.ca, a comprehensive and non-partisan online resource designed to help journalists covering health policy issues in Canada.


text: Too Do is the perfect app to organize your time and improve your days. You can use a simple menu with categories, tag and more. There are also 4 smart categories: - All Inboxes: All To-Do are displayed - Today: It's a simple calendar to organize your time - Favorite: Your Favorite To-Do are displayed P.S. You can add your To-Do to Favorite Category with a double tap - Search: You can search your To-Do P.S. You can search your entire Tag with # The categories are an efficient way to organize your To-Do. You can choose the name and the color. The tag, instead, is an other way to organize your To-Do. It's more precise and it can include different categories. You can create your To-Do by the main menu(+ button) or your tags and categories. You can choose its name, the expiration, its category and tag(not required). We have also considered the design and the user experience and you can custom the main app. By the settings app you can choose the theme and switch between light and dark mode. We hope you enjoy it and positively review it.


text:
The Amorettes
In the beginning of April the great fourth album 'Born To Break' of the Scottish trio The Amorettes was released on which they clearly showed lots of progression in comparison to their previous releases. The record was as a result of that very well received by both the press as well as the fans and that was certainly deserved in my opinion. Lords Of Metal had a chat with female guitarist/singer Gill Montgomery about her background, the early years of the band and of course the fantastic new album.
By: Sjak | Archive under hardrock / aor
Hi Gill, how did you get interested in music in the first place and what were some of the artists that triggered that interest?
It was in my highschool period that I started listening to music. There's wasn't too much rock and roll in my house going on, so I heard a lot of it through my friends at school. Since there was a group that was very much into Metallica, Iron Maiden and Led Zeppelin I got in touch with the heavier side of rock as well, which triggered the idea to start up a band ourselves back then. At that time when I was about fifteen years old I was very much into bands like Led Zeppelin and Cheap Trick and it just kind of grew from there.
When did you start singing and playing guitar? Which singers and guitar players influenced you during the years?
I started playing in a band that my friends and I formed during those highschool years. Back then I didn't know how to play the guitar yet and since I was too shy to take any lessons because I didn't want anyone to hear me play, I just taught myself. At first I was only singing in the band and I was really into Joan Jett and other women with powerful voices. As I became a bit bored with just the singer role, I decided to learn how to play the guitar as well. I started with some simple stuff like Poison, Kiss and The Ramones and developed from there until I had enough courage to start up my own band.
Did you play in other bands before founding The Amorettes? If so, in which one(s) and did you record any material with them?
Not really as I already met Hannah when going to college and we both had the idea to start up an all-female band. We couldn't find enough girls however that liked the old-school type of rock that we did, so therefore the first line-up of the band also had male members. We wrote some songs and practiced quite a lot, but we never played these tunes live.
You met Hannah already in college, but how did Heather get in?
It took us a couple of years to find the right girls to join the band and we started giggin' as the Amorettes back then. We couldn't find a singer, so that's why I took on the vocal duties in the band. The bass player we had at that time was no longer interested and decided to leave, so we had to find a proper replacement for her as we had a lot of shows booked already. At that time Hannah mentioned that her sister just had bought a bass guitar, so maybe we could ask her to join. So we did and Heather had to learn the whole set in about a week time, but she managed to do so and became part of the band.
Why did you decide to call the band The Amorettes?
We just got the band name from a book of names. We were just flicking through it one day as we were really struggling to find something that we would all agree on for our band name. We found the name Amorette in the book and we all agreed that The Amorettes had the right feel and would fit perfectly for an all-girl group.
The first album 'Haulin' Ass' was already released in 2010 as an independent release. Was this a deliberate move or were there no record companies interested at that time? What did this album do for the band? Was it able to put you on the map?
We were still very naïve back then and we really didn't think about record labels at that point, so we didn't really approach them. We just pulled all our money together and we booked a studio and just recorded the songs. We sold the album from the back of our cars so to speak and it was really good to have a product on the market. We didn't know what we were doing back then and we had no manager to guide us, but we've learned very quickly from then onwards. We did sell about a thousand copies of the first album, so it was able to get our name out there and get recognized.
Then it took you about five years to come up with the successor 'Game On'. Why this long hiatus between these two albums?
'Haulin' Ass' was kind of a slow builder and we didn't really have a plan at that point. It wasn't until a few years later in 2014 that we just decided to try to do this for real. We got ourselves a manager and a record deal and started to work on our second album. The reason why it took so long was just that we didn't have a plan and that we were still very naïve at that time.
The second album was released via Off Yer Rocka Recordings. How did you get connected to them and what do you think about the work they did for this second album?
We were kind of recognized by Off Yer Rocka as we applied for some sort of "battle of the bands" competition. The winner of that competition got to play on Hard Rock Hell, which is a big festival in Wales. We didn't win the competition but we were asked to play there anyway because they really liked us. Johnny, the owner of the label, has always been a good friend of ours who helped us find our manager as well, but the competition got us really on their radar and that resulted in releasing two albums on the label.
The successor for 'Game On' was already released one year later and 'White Hot Heat' featured Luke Morley and Ricky Warwick as co-song writers. How did you get them involved and how do you look at the progression that you made as a band on that album?
We met Ricky on tour with his band Black Star Riders and on that tour he approached our manager stating that he liked my riffs and liked to write with me and so we did. We met Luke when we supported his band The Union and when chatting to him he was very interested in working with us. We kept in touch and when we needed a producer he was the obvious choice to fill in that spot, but I also did write a couple of songs with him. I definitely think that the song writing has opened up a lot and has become more natural and substantial. There's more to the songs on this third album than on our previous two, which were a bit more one-dimensional.
For your new and fourth album 'Born To Break' you switched record companies and this one will be released by SPV, so how did you get the record deal with them and is it a one or multiple album contract?
The record deal is just for this one at the moment. SPV became aware that we were released of our contract with Off Your Rocka and they got in touch with us and made an offer for releasing this fourth album of The Amorettes. We had some good talks with them, everything went really smooth and we're looking forward to working with them, hopefully in the more long-term future as well.
When did you start with the actual preparations for 'Born To Break' and what was the intention that you had when starting the song writing process for this new one?
It was probably about this time last year that I really started the work for this new one. In the beginning you just don't know where to start and I have this bad habit of discarding a lot of ideas, which forced me to start with a clean sheet. I really wanted the structures to be more focused and working with Luke on the last album really helped me in doing that. Overall I think that the new material is a bit more structured and balanced.
Are you the only song writer in the band or do Hannah and Heather also contribute?
It's mostly me. They come up with some ideas and things, but they have a lot of faith in me I think. They like the stuff that I write so they don't bother too much with the song writing process.
What are typical elements that need to be present in a great Amorettes song before you decide to release it on an album?
I think I'm getting a lot better in structuring a song, but in the first place it has to be memorable. If you can remember it straight away, then you're probably on to something good. Thick choruses and great melodies make a song memorable, so those are elements that need to be there in a good Amorettes song for sure.
The first single and video from the album is 'Everything I Learned I Learned From Rock And Roll'. Why did you choose for this particular song and will you release more singles and videos from the album?
I chose this song as the first single as I was so excited to get this tune out there. I was really pleased how this song came out and it's really catchy. We had been away for quite a long time and we wanted to come back with a bit of a bang and to me 'Everything I Learned I Learned From Rock And Roll' was a song that was real punchy, but still quite melodic. I just thought that this one might make the boldest statement first and foremost. We would love to release more videos from the record, but there are no concrete plans on this yet.
How important are singles and video nowadays for a band like The Amorettes as there are not too many broadcasting possibilities anymore besides YouTube?
There are very few radio stations that play rock music besides the smaller ones and it's mostly YouTube where people tend to search for new music nowadays. Because of that it's still very important to have a video out, because you need to have presence on YouTube to be found by people.
I know it's always a difficult question, but if you had to pick one song from the new album that would represent The Amorettes best at this moment, which one would that be and why?
Oh…I really love 'Born To Break' as I think it's still one of the fast songs and we've always had the reputation of being a high-energy band, especially in a live situation. Next to this one there's also 'Comin' Up The Middle', which is also a high-energy song which shows what The Amorettes are all about.
Did you record more material than the twelve songs that are to be found on this new album? If so, which ones and what is going to happen with them?
We actually came down to fifteen songs and we pre-recorded all of them at first. In the end we recorded thirteen songs, but I still had to do the vocal parts for that last one. We knew however that the twelve that were fully recorded were the ones that were going to be featured on the album anyway, so we left out the thirteenth track for the moment. It has a great riff however, so I'd love to finish it someday and maybe use it for an EP-type release.
One of the songs that stands out is the closing track 'Want It Bad', because it's so different from the rest. Why the urge to write a song that's so different from the rest and was it intentional that you used it as the closing track?
This was one of those songs that I originally wanted to discard, as it wasn't a typical Amorettes song and I didn't really know what to do with it. I played it to Luke and he said that this was one of his favorites from the entire album, so let's just record it the way it is. I'm a big Dio fan and the atmosphere of the song represents that a bit. Originally we wanted to speed things up a bit, but Luke didn't let us get away with that. Because it was so different from the rest it had to be placed first or last on the album, so we made the conscious decision to make it the album closer.
Who was responsible for the artwork and what was the assignment that you gave to him for the creation of the cover?
I did all the artwork myself. We were running out of time and we couldn't really decide on what to do for the cover artwork, so I decided to give it a shot. This design was one of the first things that I came up with and everybody really like it. We didn't want to have a picture of us on the cover again and everybody like this design with the skulls and the heart. It's a bit cliché, but that's just the kind of thing that we love.
What are you own personal expectation from this album? When will it be a success for you?
I'm quite nervous about it actually. I really hope it will do well as I'm very proud of this one. I think it has become a better record than our previous ones because of the more mature song material, but you never know if the music fans will appreciate it as much as I do.
You've played some gigs in Great-Britain as support for The Dead Daisies in April, what more can we expect in 2018 concerning your touring plans?
We've not got a lot confirmed at this moment, but we do have quite a number of offers coming in. It's still too early to announce these yet, as we still need to work out some of the details. We like to play as much as possible and do as many tours and festivals as possible, but it's too early to announce anything yet.
Have you never felt the need for a second guitarist in a live situation to make the sound fuller when you're doing your guitar solos?
We have always been on the look-out for a singer as I was never really interested in singing. We've been looking for a guitarist as well, but things just never really fell into place. Maybe it's also quite hard to bring somebody new in at this late stage. We're still a three-piece now and we're happy with that.
You're still very young, so what do you want to accomplish with The Amorettes on a more long-term perspective? What are some of the dreams that you want become reality?
The aim is just to play more places as we absolutely love touring. Expanding geographically further into Europe, touring new places and venues and meeting new people is what we would love to do.
Okay Gill, I would like to thank you for your willingness to answer my questions. Is there anything that we didn't cover that you want to express to our readers?
I hope that your readers will check out our new album and visit our shows when we play in your territory!


text:
I had eyelash extensions done recently (as well as chopped a few inches off my hair, but this blog post isn't about that), and thought I'd share my semi-traumatic experience and lessons learnt.
Now before you start casting judgement, I did do my research and looked at reviews and photos before engaging the lash technician. Admittedly, there weren't many reviews available for her, but I thought I'd give her a go nonetheless. I absolutely hate it when people only want services from someone with experience and do not ever give newbies a go - how is anyone suppose to get experience if noone is willing to give them a go. So I've done my duty in that aspect, and am paying the price.
This was my first time getting eyelash extensions ever. I've wanted them for a while now (I'm talking years here), and finally bit the bullet and got them done. I was mainly concerned about damaging my natural lashes, as well as costly maintenance. After doing some intensive research, eyelash extensions should not damage your natural lashes IF done right. And whilst it is costly to maintain, the idea of having long, luscious lashes 24/7 really appealed to me.
So the process took about 1-1.5 hours to complete. My lash technician (let's call her Sheila - obviously not her real name) asked me what kind of look I was going for. As a virgin at lash extensions, I had no idea. She gave me two options to help me decide - taper the lashes so its cat-eye like and hence elongate the eye or have it all the same length, which will enlarge the eye and make white brighter. Having small beady asian eyes, I would really benefit from both but obviously it's one or the other. I decided to leave the decision to her, considering she's the trained expert. In case you can't tell, she went with the one length application.
In hindsight, I should really have been concerned when it was time to open my eyes, some of my lashes were glued to my bottom ones. But to my defence, I was a newbie and had no idea.
I also experienced blurry vision the next day, but that went away after having a shower 24 hours later (to allow the glue to set). Lastly, I thought that my lashes were slightly uneven. There were more lashes placed on one eye than the other - the right had more on the inner corner, whilst the left had less/none. Other than these "slight" mishaps, I was happy with my lashes (please bear in mind, I have nothing to compare this with so thought she did a fairly good job).
Speaking of showers, I severely took the action of wiping water off your lashes/eyes for granted. It took me about a week to get used to the slight stinging sensation when you open your eyes without wiping away the water. I was extremely conscious about not rubbing my lashes and eyes in general. To dry my lashes after washing my face or a shower, I used a tissue paper to gently sweep the length of the lashes.
I was also meticulous with combing my lashes, and I wanted to avoid clumping. I brushed my lashes twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening after my shower.
Furthermore, I avoided mascara and eyeliner. I felt like I could get away without them. I also avoided eyeshadow. As a result, it took me half the usual time to get ready for work. I was also extremely confident in walking out the door without makeup because eyelash extensions really helped open up my eyes and made me feel good (I guess having not too terrible skin also helped in this regard).
7 days later, I went to get my brows done. I went to a beauty clinic, where a different lash lady works (she charges a fortune but her work is amazing). She advised me that "Sheila" has used lashes that are too thick. I did tell her she applied them two to one - i.e. for every lash, she applied two false ones to give more volume. I was also advised that my lashes are a bit clumpy too but it's not the worst set of lashes she's seen. That's a good thing... right?
Bearing in mind, I was well aware that lashes falling out is normal... in fact, I didn't even freak out when I saw three fall out (different occasions). Although, I was a bit sad and made sure there were no noticeable gaps (there weren't).
Please excuse the blurry picture. I need a new iPhone.
About 10 days later, I noticed my lashes falling out in a weird way. The extensions were falling out but not quite. The middle of the extensions were still attached to one of my natural lashes, so it seems like I haven't brushed my lashes in ages and the weird lashes were just caught up and floating about. Can you see the two weird lashes in the picture above?
I started to get a bit worried when I was removing my makeup with a wipe, and a chunk of three extensions with some natural lashes sticking out fall out. I was like awww man! Ran to the mirror to make sure my lashes didn't look too weird. Thankfully it wasn't too bad. I decided to make an appointment with a different lash technician, whom I've been stalking on facebook for a while, and her work is also amazing (unfortunately, I can't afford the lash lady from the beauty clinic, and she didn't want to touch them until they all fell out).
The lash technician I saw was brilliant, even though she couldn't save my lashes. She tried to remove the clumps and infill them but because my natural lashes were so weak from the thick lashes that was initially glued on, they wouldn't stick to the thinner lash extensions she wanted to put on. She ended up having to remove all the extensions and advised that it would be best to wait for them to naturally fall out and new lashes to grow back. This process would take approximately 4-6 weeks (which is the timeframe of the natural lash cycle).
She showed me what Sheila had done to my lashes. There are quite a number of my natural lashes that were glued on to the extensions, which formed the clumps. Zoom in and see if you can spot any.
She also told me where Sheila went wrong...
1. She didn't isolate my lashes properly.
2. Probably too much glue was applied.
3. The extensions used were far too thick and heavy. She reckons they were 0.25mm, and she used TWO of them "per lash". This lash lady doesn't even use 0.25mm, the thickest she has is 0.2mm but rarely use them. (I really wish someone told me this before I got my extensions done).
As a result, my natural lashes are now really thin and short. They also look really weak. I have to stock up on some hair, skin and nails supplements and pray that they grow back nice and strong quickly.
I can't blame Sheila, and don't hold grudges because she was simply trained incorrectly. However, please for the love of your lashes, learn from my mistake and make sure that your technician is not gluing lashes that are too thick on you!
This experience has not deterred me from getting eyelash extensions. I will get them back again when my lashes are nice and healthy, as I simply love waking up with gorgeous lashes and not having to fiddle around with mascara and eyeliner every morning.


text:
Another prompt from the news and the upcoming celebration of Father's Day.
Did you know new dads can get the "baby blues" too? Write a story about a father adjusting to life as a new dad.
Write an article about the latest research on health issues affecting dads such as:
- depression
- tips on how dads can enjoy the wonders of fatherhood AND protect their physical and mental health


text:
HR / Recruitment Specialist
Rameda for Pharmaceutical industries
Recruit and coordinate interviewing, references, and documentation for staff hiring.
Follow up on hiring decisions. Distribute, complete and process paperwork for new hires.
Work with employees to answer benefits questions and assist in processing life events and open enrollment elections.
Conduct new hire orientation and benefits orientation to build a strong foundation for new employees and increase employee engagement.
Assist in development of policies and procedures. Coordinate exit process for departing employees. Coach management and teams to promote and facilitate career growth and development.
Taking new employees on board, offering employment letters and performing related paperwork Conducting new employee orientation sessions Managing personnel agreements Providing support during contract negotiations
Developing staffing strategies Organizing training programs Preparing confidential documents for HR Department


text:
G.I.Joe Rise of the Cobra - UI Design
G.I.Joe Rise of the Cobra features a nice collection hi-tech gadgets and displays. There's everything from handheld tablets, scanners, HUDs, targeting systems and holograms.
The HUDs and GUIs in the film definitely has its own style, with a colour palette of bright colours like red, yellow, orange, cyan and green. It's also not as data heavy as say Terminator Salvation or Ironman but instead uses a lot of panels and bolder, thicker shapes.
I particularly liked the HUDs on the accelerator suits, especially how they retract when not in use and would have loved to have seen more of it in the movie.


text:
As the Head of Development of Y-Films, the youth wing of Yash Raj Films, my core job is developing films, web series and TVCs and then creative producing them and releasing them too. It's an end-to-end job from idea to development to production to promotion and release.
I have creative produced four webseries for Y-Films so far: Man's World, Bang Baaja Baaraat, Ladies Room and Sex Chat with Pappu and Papa. I've also creative produced the inception and music videos of India's first transgender band, The 6-Pack Band. I am now writing the next Y-Films series, Darr 2.0, the official reboot of YRF's iconic Shah Rukh Khan film, Darr.
SERIES: Darr 2.0
Synopsis: Darr 2.0 will feature the characters of Rahul, Kiran and Sunil from the original but in an entirely new milieu, weaved in a modern, original tale of obsession and fear in the age of cyber stalking and digital crimes. The series holds a mirror to the perilous environment of online privacy invasion and social media harassment that can take a dangerous and disturbing turn, if unchecked.
Directed By: Vikas Chandra
Produced By: Ashish Patil
Story: Nikhil Taneja
Screenplay & Dialogues: Nikhil Taneja & Shubham Yogi
Associate Producer: Nikhil Taneja
[Full Credit List on YouTube.com/YFilms]
NOTE: SUBSCRIBE to Y-Films on YouTube for more awesome series: www.youtube.com/yfilms.
Follow the blog on your left and like The Tanejamainhoon Page on FB: /tanejamainhoonpage
Follow Nikhil Taneja on FB: /tanejamainhoon, on Twitter:
@tanejamainhoon, on Instagram:@tanejamainhoon,
on Youtube: /tanejamainhoon
Liked/disliked the series? Leave your comments below!
Note: This trailer first appeared on the Y-Films YouTube channel on August 30, 2016.
Link Of Full Series: https://goo.gl/JHCE6p
Picture courtesy: Google. None of the pictures are owned by the author all rights belong to the original owner(s) and photographer(s).
© Copyright belongs to the author, Nikhil Taneja. The article may not be reproduced without permission. A link to the URL, instead, would be appreciated.


text:
Check out our volunteer page http://knowyourfarmstour.com/volunteers/ and pick a task that suits you today to go on the 4th annual farm tour for FREE! We encourage you to sign up before August 25 because we are having our first ever pre-tour volunteer appreciation dinner party at Lewis Farm. This is going to be a lot of fun with nationally-renowned BBQ man Dan Huntley, Chef Megan Lambert and some Johnson & Wales crew, KYF representatives and tour coordinators, farmers, and many more. We are thankful that this community has so many people willing to lend a hand and can't wait to thank you in person….and of course, feed you!
We really need to fill some tasks on September 15-16 still so please take a look at those days first. http://knowyourfarmstour.com/volunteers/ is the page to visit to see how we are doing.


text:
Spinach Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette/
When I started this project, I separated the recipes into categories in hopes that I wouldn't get to the end of the project and somehow have ended up with nothing but 35 recipes for salad left.
There should have been no worries there. Of the dozen or so recipes behind the "salad" divider I created in the recipe box, only about three are lettuce-based. The rest? Mayonnaise, jello, or water chestnut based.* After my first week of cooking recipes from the box and accidentally choosing a lot of meat-centric dishes, I decided it was time for a salad. I chose one of the few veggie-based salads in the box, but it still has bacon in it, so healthy is relative.
Did you hear me? I said it has bacon in it, so here're your dinner plans for the evening. You can thank me later. Not only was this the easiest recipe I've made yet, but it was also the first one I've had help in cooking, which made it even better.
*sidenote here: water chestnuts? Really? My grandmother was a woman who had to put a note next to "garbanzo beans" on one recipe to remind herself to "look in the bean aisle for something that looks like hazelnuts" but she cooked regularly with water chestnuts??
The Verdict:
4 Spoons out of five. This is delicious, (relatively) healthy, and if you garnish it the way we did, it has the perfect mix of sweet, salty, bitter, and crunchy that I think every salad needs to be really interesting. However, the bacon vinaigrette only makes enough for a couple spoonfuls per salad, and we had to add a little oil and vinegar to keep the whole thing from being too dry. It's still being added to our rotation, though!
The Recipe:
Spinach Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette
2 heads little gem lettuce, 2 endives, or 3 handfuls of spinach, washed and well-drained
2-3 slices of bacon or 4 oz. lardons, cut into small pieces**
2 tbsp sugar
4-6 green onions, sliced
2-3 tbsp white wine vinegar, diluted with 1 tbsp water
Black pepper
A Blair Addition: Serve with sliced grapes, almonds, and radishes to bulk it up and add more sustenance. Also, I suspect it would be pretty great with a slice of goat cheese and a piece of garlic-rubbed toast.
**British bacon is nothing like American bacon and tastes way more like ham. If you live here in the UK and are making this salad, use lardons or pancetta as the grease from the pork is a necessary component of the dressing.
Dry the greens as much as possible and place them on two dinner plates.
Fry the lardons, pancetta, or bacon in a skillet until cooked through but still slightly tender.
Remove the pork from the pan with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel to drain.
Turn heat to low and sprinkle sugar and onions on top of the bacon grease in the pan, scraping brown bits from the bottom all the while.
After onions have wilted and begun to caramelise, deglaze the pan by pouring the vinegar water into the pan and scraping up all the bits. (Watch your face during this step-- the vinegar will become steam and it doesn't feel great in your nose or eyes)
Pour the onions and the liquid from the pan directly onto each plate of greens. Greens will wilt slightly as you finish preparing the salads.
Sprinkle half the bacon onto each salad and give each plate a good grind of black pepper.
Garnish as desired (see above for the garnishes we chose) and enjoy!
Serves 2


text:
FRANKLIN – The disappearance of Tyvek-covered books contained in an art exhibit was not vandalism, but rather an act prompted by misunderstanding by a public-spirited citizen.
Franklin Police announced the end of the investigation regarding the missing art installment at Sculpture Park, and while the person responsible was found, those in charge of the installment chose not to press charges.
Leader of the investigation, Lt. Mark Manocchio, said the previously suspected vandalism of the property was in fact fallout by a resident who chose to take things into their own hands.
The installment was a project authorized by the town, where art students from Wheaton College were hanging 116 Tyvek-covered books in the park to commemorate the books donated to Franklin's first public library by Benjamin Franklin. They plan to redo the project in the spring, along with two other sculptures.
Manocchio said a frequent park visitor saw the books and thought that it was the work of vandals. Apparently fueled by others who felt the same, that person removed the 90-plus books from the low-hanging branches to deter what they believed to be a prank.
Because there was no evidence of vandalism, such as torn up books littered around the area, police found the situation to be strange, and likely motivated by something.
"Right out of the gate, we as the police, kind of thought it was odd," he said. "It was a misunderstanding, some miscommunication. The person felt real bad about it."
He said person who took the books was deeply apologetic and contacted Wheaton College to express that. Police did not disclose the person's name or gender.
Manocchio said that Kelly Goff of the Wheaton College Art Department would rather educate someone who had made a mistake than to file charges. Goff could not be reached by the Daily News deadline.
Manocchio said the books were thrown away, forcing Wheaton art students to have to redo the entire project this spring.
Scott Calzolaio can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com or 508-734-0389. Follow him on Twitter @ScottCaz


text:
VoIP - Quotes for Africa
Fill in the quote form and we will get VoIP companies in your area to email you free quotes today. This service is free and available from anywhere in South Africa.
Looking for a great VoIP deal? We make it easy to get VoIP quotes.
Wouldn't it be great if people came to you with VoIP solutions instead of you having to go to them? With our free no obligation service we will do exactly that. Fill in your details and we will have reputable VoIP companies in South Africa working on solutions for your VoIP requirements and sending you their best VoIP quotes.
Our database of VoIP companies is a free resource for you to use to get your VoIP requirements seen to in a very quick, easy and cost effective way.
Our aim is to provide a quality VoIP service that saves you time and ultimately money. Expect nothing but convenience, quick responses and great VoIP deals.
Fill in your details, VoIP requirements, sit back and let us do the work.


text:
The ETEC (Euro-Mediterranean Training and Employment Committee) is a multi-stakeholder network where key "green jobs" players of the participating territories such as local and regional authorities, SMEs, universities, training and labour agencies, employment centres, professional associations and trade unions from both shores of the Mediterranean Basin, engaged themselves for assuring the efficacy and sustainability of the overall EGREJOB process. The enforcement of a continuous "social dialogue" throughout the project activities was critical to the success of green and decent jobs strategies within the concerned area, through the definition of new skill needs or identification of future employability perspectives.
The Euro-Mediterranean Training and Employment Committee
The ETEC had two main tasks:
- To assure effectiveness, efficacy and sustainability to the EGREJOB process, through the effective engagement of green jobs players and the emergence of real needs and critical issues for implementing the different project phases
- To raise awareness on environmental opportunities and threats among Green Jobs players to reach a sustainable behaviour and policy change and change perspective by the identification of reforms and new policy approaches related to "Green Jobs " and "Green Skills" for training and entrepreneurship support systems in the Euro-Med area.
The Committee is composed of 33 full members and 25 ad hoc members.
The Committee held 4 general ETEC sessions and more than 50 bilateral sessions at the level of the single partners.
4 Trend Reports were released, gathering ETEC recommendation and validations over the EGREJOB phases.
A the beginning of the process, the partners were asked to identify the most relevant issues to be debated, through a survey that identified Green Jobs related themes within the Millennium Development Goals.


text:
Inventioneering Architecture
Singapore is the latest stop for Inventioneering Architecture, a traveling exhibition which has traversed the globe from San Franciso to Sharjah to Shanghai. Organised by the Swiss House Singapore, this exhibition showcases Swiss architecture and is here as part of the Singapore Design Festival.
The exhibition is held on a 40-metre-long green platform that was specially designed and built by professors and students of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology Zurich (ETHZ) and Lausanne (EPFL) and the University of Lugano (USI) to represent a cross-section of the Swiss Alps. Apart from the impressive platform, it also presents videos, books, as well as models of realised and unrealised projects made by Swiss architects and architecture students. Some of the featured firms are Studio Peter Zumthor, Studio Adrian Meyer, Studio Christian Kerez and Studio Valerio Olgiati.
The choice of location for this architecture exhibition is interesting; holding it in the middle of a gargantuan shopping mall certainly helps to reach out to a wider audience but when I was there, children were running all over and manhandling the delicate building models. I am not sure if the exhibition will survive the onslaught of grubby fingers so if you are keen to see the exhibition, it may be wise to visit it sooner rather than later.
From 22 November to 8 December at VivoCity.


text:
nicole + bryan | harbor east | baltimore engagement photographer/
When I first met Nicole and Bryan, it was love at first conversation! Our personalities clicked as we talked about our passion for living in Baltimore, Nicole's job as a teacher (my sister is one too!) and our love of their wedding venue, the American Visionary Art Museum.
Since these wonderful lovebirds officially becoming engaged while sailing, we had to capture their love along the water in Harbor East! We debated a few different locations, but when it came down to it, all signs pointed back to the Baltimore waterfront... and you can clearly see how comfortable and at ease they were there!
I love it when couples choose the location of their engagement photos because I know it will hold so much meaning to them and their relationship. If there's any advice I can offer you as you're planning your engagement session, it's to choose a spot that relates to where you met, where you got engaged or where you spend most of your time together. It's kind of like choosing your wedding venue - once your location is set, everything else falls magically into place! :)
Now let's talk about how perfectly Nicole's amazing hair and patterned dress blended with the tall grasses along the water and that golden hour glow... :)
LOVE!!! You two are seriously too cute for words.
Once changed into their casual-yet-super-cute-and-so-well-coordinated second outfits, we were off to explore the streets of Harbor East. I can't get enough of how sweet and joyful they are together! They swore they'd never modeled before, but I'm pretty sure they're pros.
We came full circle and ended our time together at the water; Light City was in full force, the sun was setting like never before and I was overjoyed to be able to spend my evening with such a genuinely adorable couple.
I am SO excited to capture your wedding at the AVAM in July and know it will be nothing short of spectacular!!!
xoxo, N


text:
Best spots for pumpkin picking NYC families love
Scope out the best pumpkin patch NYC and the surrounding areas have to offer and grab yourself a gourd or two!
Make the most out of fall with a cozy sweater, a cup of cocoa and a trip to uncover the best pumpkin picking NY—and the surrounding area—has to offer. It's go-time, friends!
As the leaves change and the air cools, cravings for a cute Jack-o-lantern and gourd kick in. Bookmark the cutest pumpkin patch NYC and the surrounding areas have on the map and bring your family for a day of seasonal bliss.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to where to pick your own fruits and vegetables near NYC
When you're not exploring the most epic pumpkin picking NY has on the menu, make sure you're watching the best scary movies for kids, indulging in the tastiest apple cider donuts in NYC and enjoying all of the exciting things to do in fall with your family
Best Pumpkin picking in NY
Albert H. Schmitt Family Farms
Even though pumpkin picking is available every day of the week, you'll want to head to this Long Island farm on the weekends to really experience all that the venue has to offer. Kids can jump around in a pumpkin bounce house, giggle their way down a fire truck slide and face their fears in a haunted maze. When hunger strikes, munch on roasted corn and wash it all down with apple cider. The Fall Festival is a hit for all ages; kids can snack on treats after they ride the animal train while parents pick out the perfect MUMs or seasonal decorations. Farm admission free. Pumpkins priced by the pound.
Decker Farm in Historic Richmond Town
Staten Island's Historic Richmond Town isn't just a chance to head back in time—it's also a great place to gear up for the autumn season. On weekends, families can take a free shuttle bus to the nearby farm and grab pumpkins to carve back home. Kids can also participate in hay rides, face painting, craft projects and the the whole can tackle the corn maze. Sounds like autumn paradise to us! Tickets $8, $6 ages 12–18, $5 ages 4–11.
Demarest Farms
If you're into pick-your-own fruits, then this Bergen County spot should be at the top of your list. Not only will pickers find peaches and apples, but plump pumpkins, too. The shop also sells pumpkin carving tools so little artists can go to town when they get home. Families will love the hayrides, a corn maze and quality time with adorable farm animals. The farm also hosts Pumpkin Picking Movie Nights—a total plus during the Halloween season. Pumpkin picking $7 per person.
Dykeman Farm
When October arrices, make sure to hop a free hayride into the fields to pluck a perfect pumpkin. If your crew is feeling extra festive, pick up some colorful Indian corn, gourds or squash to deck out the house. Drop by the children's tent for fun activities such as face painting and even corn pits. No need to tell us twice! Pumpkins priced by the pound.
Elwood Pumpkin and Christmas Tree Farm
You don't have to venture too far from home to pick your own pumpkins. At this conveniently located Huntington farm, pluck your future jack-o'-lanterns fresh from the vine. The corn maze and hayrides are fun, kid-friendly extras. Pumpkins are priced by size.
Fairfield Farms and Greenhouses
This family-owned farm and greenhouse provides fresh flowers, produce and autumn décor to the West Essex area. The fall season is the most festive, with a sprawling pumpkin patch and a five-acre corn taking up residence on the grounds. Families can chow down on burgers and hot dogs washed down with cider (cold or hot mulled, depending on the weather) before enjoying hayrides or hitting up the "Play in the Hay" area in the greenhouse and outdoor barn with a climbing tour, logs to jump over and slides. Free farm admission; pumpkins priced by the pound.
Fink's Country Farm
At Fink's, families can pluck pumpkins right off the vine and buy produce by the pound or wheelbarrowful. On weekends during the Fall Festival, the farm offers a barnyard, pony rides and hayrides, a kiddie train, a bounce house and a corn maze which can be navigated during the day, or if you're feeling brave, by flashlight after dark on select evenings. Spooky! If your little ones have a destructive side, let them blast produce out of the corn cannon or pumpkin slingshot. They'll LOVE it! Fall Festival, $15, ages 3–16 $17, includes unlimited corn maze visits and hay rides.
Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard
No matter the season, this farm and orchard is bustling. Families drop in for fun-filled events throughout the year, from an annual Easter egg hunt to Santa visits around the holidays. In autumn, this is a prime apple- and pumpkin-picking spot with fall festivals going on every weekend throughout the season. After selecting a pumpkin from the farm's many varieties, shoot an apple cannon, enjoy live music, pony rides, hayrides and a bounce house and visit with the resident animals. Various prices.
Kelder's Farm
After a round of mini golf, pick your very own pumpkin from this farm's patch. City kids can get a true taste of farm life by helping to milk a cow! There's also a corn maze (for an additional fee), a petting zoo where tots can mingle with sheep and pigs and a jumping pillow that's great for burning off extra energy before the car ride home. Various prices.
Secor Farms
This gorgeous farm in Bergen County has an impressive selection of flowers, produce and seasonal decor. Select a pristine pumpkin, then stock up on gourds, corn stalks and other decorations to spookify the house for Halloween. Hop on a hayride around the farm and past the pond, explore the corn maze, visit the animals at the petting zoo and play with toy tractors in the corn box. The family can even post up for a picnic at one of many tables (the farm serves food on weekends, or treats can be purchased at the market). Various prices.


text:
Privacy Policy
This document explains Connecticut Voices for Children's ("Connecticut Voices") policies for the collection, use and disclosure of personal information. For more details on our privacy policy for donors, see our donor confidentiality and privacy policy and procedures.
The information we collect and how we use this information
Connecticut Voices collects information by various methods including information actively provided by its website visitors.
E-mail newsletter signup page: We request information from the user on our newsletter signup page. A user may provide their name, email, and/or mailing address to receive news and other information via email and/or postal mail.
Registration forms. We use a registration form for our HUSKY Eligibility Manual to gather contact information for people who register to download this manual. We also gather contact information via e-mail or printed registration forms for events, such as meetings and public forums. We use this information to inform users of the HUSKY Eligibility Manual when we make updates to this publication and to provide information about our events.
Donations. Connecticut Voices gathers contact information from donors via our online donation form and through mailed donor forms. Name, address and other contact information will be used to provide donors with information regarding Connecticut Voices' activities including reports on new research, the status of ongoing policy debates, special events, fundraising needs, and to acknowledge donations. For complete details on our privacy policy for donors, see our donor confidentiality and privacy policy and procedures.
Google Analytics: This website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. ("Google"). Google Analytics uses "cookies", which are text files placed on your computer, to help the website analyze how users use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States . Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity for website operators and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage. Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google's behalf. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser, however please note that if you do this you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website. By using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner and for the purposes set out above.
Connecticut Voices respects the privacy of our website visitors. We protect personal information. We do not rent, sell or trade our mailing or e-mail lists. Name, address and other contact information will be used to provide visitors with information regarding Connecticut Voices' activities, including reports on new research and policy analysis, the status of ongoing policy debates, events, and fundraising needs. Connecticut Voices may provide personal information to its consultants, subcontractors and professional advisers (which shall be bound by privacy obligations) to assist with communicating with our visitors.
Opt-out and updating personal information
Electronic newsletters sent by Connecticut Voices provide recipients with the opportunity to opt-out of future automated communications. If at any time a user wishes to update his/her contact information to stop receiving our communications from Connecticut Voices, he or she may do so by contacting Connecticut Voices by phone at 203-498-4240 or via e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Changes to this policy
Connecticut Voices may amend this policy from time to time by posting an updated version on our website.
Legal disclaimer
Though we make every effort to preserve user privacy, we may need to disclose personal information when required by law wherein we have a good-faith belief that such action is necessary to comply with a current judicial proceeding, a court order, or legal process served on our website.
Contact information
For more information on Connecticut Voices and its privacy policy, please contact us at (203) 498-4240 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
This policy was last updated in March 2012.


text:
General Info
Name: Ember Alaya
Nickname: Ember, Em, Pyro, Phoenix Heart
Age: 19
Rank: A-rank
Guild: Phoenix Flame
Guild Mark: Red; on the right side of her neck
- Appearance:
- Ever since she can remember her hair has always been a deep red color, with some black highlights underneath that goes down to her butt. The biggest issue anyone seemed to give her was of her hair, always saying it was an unnatural color to have. Though she never cared. Her lip have always been full and soft, with no other help needed. She also has a pretty large breast size, which is completely natural and definitely likes to be hidden from others around her age. She almost always wears some sort of camouflage or foresty green color as a shirt, and then camouflage cargo pants with black combat boots. She also normally wears a little back around her side, for her music and headphones or little bits of other miscellaneous objects which seem to keep her easily entertained. And her necklace, a small little phoenix bird to remind her of her duties and family, never leaves her neck, aside from when she has to clean or fix herself and she doesn't want to ruin it. She has black fingerless gloves that protect most of her hands for punching and hitting things, without the impact ricocheting and hitting her as well.
Abnormalities: She has another tattoo on the inside of her wrist, cursive letters saying 'Phoenix'. Then she has a scar on her face going from underneath her eyes to her jawline, on the left side of her face.
- Personality:
- Ember is an extremely energetic and lively person. Almost every person she meets always wants to talk with her longer, or just be with her in general. She's also protective and caring of anyone she comes in contact with, as long as they aren't trying to hurt or kill her. Her guild has always looked up to her from the moment she was first brought in as a baby. They love her dearly and think of her as a type of older sister, or if they're young almost like a mother. She's very mature for her age, of only being 19, and people believe her to be around mid to late 20's because of it. She's a hothead though, that will easily get her into trouble. She can sometimes be a little timid around others who seem too similar to her own personality. Like someone who is extremely mature as well, who would probably scold her childishness and energeticness ways. Many people can sometimes become intimidated just by her energy and power because she has just so much power in what she does, not necessarily fighting.
Though when she fights because she is forced to, she becomes feral. Like a-whole-nother person has jumped inside of her body and taken over. Her eyes darken and change into their cat-like slits and her mouth turns from a normal energetic grin to a scowl with her canines poking out of her lips. Sometimes she even gains a deeper voice and an intimidating posture (the way a feline would crouch slightly waiting for the kill) that could leave someone frightened out of their mind by just looking at her on the sidelines.
No relaxation time
Destruction of her home
She loves training as much as possible to keep herself in good shape and ready for battle at any time because that is what her family has taught her all of her life since she was extremely young.
She plays any sort of music she can, be it with her voice only, her guitar, or her drums. There is always a way for her to show her artistic side in her room with her music. She loves it greatly
Helping the little kids
She hates seeing little kids so scared and helpless. When she sees them scared, she takes them to safety and plays with them, or keeps them company until someone else can watch them and take care of them
She's been through so much pain and suffering, she doesn't want to have to deal with it anymore. It's what deeply scares her the most
She is deeply afraid of someone making fun of her for something bad she's done. It always makes her freeze up and show her timidity, something she doesn't like all too much
She fears the fact that no one will want to be with her, or stay with her. She fears she will be alone forever if she messes up something, like a bad saying, or she forgets something. She fears someone will just, leave and never look back
Her biggest inspiration, in fact her only inspiration, would be that she wants to keep her family's home and life in tact and as strong as ever. She wants to be able to take over the family guild, Phoenix Flame, and become the strong guildmaster, just like her grandfathers before her. She wants to be remembered as a great and powerful guildmaster, that was fair and understanding, though protective and rutheless against enemies wanting to hurt her and others.
Character Background
History Ember is the latest descendant of the late Phoenix Alaya. Phoenix Flame's first guildmaster who sacrificed himself to save all of Fiore. Since he passed away, the Alaya family has only had male guildmasters watching the guild and making sure everyone was where they should be in line with the guild. As Ember is the first guildmaster that is a woman, maybe it's time for history to be written for her instead.
It started with how a normal day is with the Alaya family. Ember was training with her mother and grandmother in the art of her magic. The magic that the women of the Alaya family learn in case they need to survive the most; Primal Magic. It is basically when a person-or in this case woman-may take on the traits and abilities of those they have taken a DNA sample of. The easiest way for the Alaya family to have that required DNA, is take its blood. Due to the effects of Primal Magic, it turns out that Ember has a tail, and ears of the first animal she ever took as her practice. And in this case, it was a simple and innocent black panther, so her family could see just how well she was at taking an animal bigger than her.
Though as she was practicing with her balance and breathing exercises as her grandmother and mother suggested, there was a big disturbance within their household and guild hall. The three looked at each other in confusion and worry, something was wrong, but what? Ember was the first to run through the back door to see the commotion, only to find her father and grandfather defending against a whole group of jealous and rival people from another guild. Ember barely managed to keep the whole group away from her family before they killed her father and grandfather. Something died within her that day, making it so it was hard for men to ever get too close to her again. Though at the time she mourned them greatly, and ended up creating something larger than anyone could have anticipated for a long, long time. She had managed to create an even closer resemblance to the black panther, and was able to take on even its most dangerous traits to fight the men that had dared defy the family's luxurious and ever loving guild hall.
She had managed to tap into something greater than even her mother and grandmother could ever do, and they watched in amazement as she changed more into a black panther than they did into their own respected animals. She grew longer claws from her nails, her canines grew over her lips, her tails bristled and spiked, her ears flattened and bristled as well, her eyes even changed colors and the pupils turned into slits. The men that broke into her home stared at her with confused but unwavering glances, and that was their biggest mistake, because once they did, they had no reaction time as to when she charged them and clawed through their chests, into their hearts. She says to this day she did it because they had no hearts to begin with, but everyone could see in her eyes the bloodlust and psychotic gleam that showed in someone who enjoyed what they were doing.
So afterwards, when she realized what had happened and stopped to stare around her, all the extra abilities and traits crawled away from her, and left her with teary eyes and balled fists. She had never cried so hard in her life, and vowed after that, never to cry again. And when the guild members finally came back after some relaxation time at the beach, or missions that had taken place at the time, they looked at the place, astounded and had dubbed her-with her mother and grandmother's consent-as the new guildmaster. And she swore, unless either her heir/heiress died, no one would ever forget the name of Alaya, nor their guild Phoenix Flame.
RP Sample:Ember comes from a normal family, at least for her own thoughts. She is the great, great, great granddaughter of the first guildmaster of Phoenix Flame, Phoenix Alaya. he was the man who first became big with the guild, saving many lives and helping as many as he could. She remembered tails of what all that her grandfather had done to save Fiore. The biggest one was of when he had saved the Magic Council, saving his guild from being taken away.
"100 years ago, there was a great man by the name of Phoenix Alaya. He was your great, great, great grandfather Ember. He was the founder of an amazing place for Mages, called Phoenix Flame. That's where your mother and I met each other. The guild looks like it's on fire! It's outer color is red, with yellow and orange bordering it, just like flames. Your grandfather Phoenix liked to say he brought it up from the ashes; just like the old coot himself. He was the greatest man to ever live Ember, you should be proud to have him as a grandfather.
"He managed to save many lives many different times. Like the city of Fiore itself. There was a great fire. It was dangerously close to many people, and what do you think he did? That's right, he ate the fire himself and swallowed it whole, because of his magic. Then he went after the one who attacked the town, it was a grand fight, and he possibly would have died, had the villagers not stepped in and helped him defeat the enemy. They helped because he had saved their home, their only place to live.
"And then, later on down the path of being the Phoenix Flame's guildmaster, he made the hardest decision in all of Fiore. One that no one ever had to make again. It was when he was much older and wiser, and had already settled down into the life of a normal and easy going guildmaster. He had to sacrifice himself to save Fiore from the evil clutches of his dragon. Remember the dragons that could teach humans the way of their elements? Well, Great, great, great Grandfather Phoenix was trained by the famous fire dragon. Though what was scary was he wanted to defeat the Magic Council so that he could take its money and glory, and then move on to the other cities. Though luckily Phoenix was there at the time, having a talk with some of the council members.
"When he found out about what his father-figure dragon was doing, he tried communicating and talking with him. The dragon instead, decided it would be better if everyone had just died. So, without thinking, the dragon let out a large burst of fire, trying to hit everyone in the vicinity at once, to knock them down in one blow. Except, since your grandfather was still the guildmaster, and a skilled fighter, he defeated the fire with one big swallow! Then looked up at the dragon defiantly and shouted at him, "Why are you doing this?! Why not just leave us alone?!" Though the dragon merely scowled and lunged at him.
"So, what your grandfather did instead of just let him eat him, was lunge into the dragon's mouth and shove his sword through the roof of his mouth, into the dragon's brain. Though in the process he ended up getting impaled with a tooth. Everyone looked for him and tried saving his life one way or another, yet there was nothing that could be done. Your grandfather had sacrificed his last days to saving the Magic Council, and forever afterward was known as the Dragon Slayer ofo Flames. He became the first Dragon Slayer of all time."
And so, Ember has looked up to her great, great, great grandfather in respect and envy, hoping that one day, if and when she became Phoenix Flame's guildmster, she would do all she could to save it, and Fiore just like him. She wants to keep everything peaceful and safe, just like he did to his last day."
Face claim: Eva/Molly Wei| Oban Star-Racers
Last edited by Maia on Tue Jul 02, 2013 7:28 pm; edited 2 times in total