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Note: This is the 2014–2015 edition of the eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or click here to jump to the newest eCalendar.
Sociology (Arts) : The demise of Communist Party rule between 1989 - 1991 throughout Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. The societal implications (e.g. class formation, gender relations, nationalism, corruption, religious freedom) of these dramatic economic and political changes.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2014-2015 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2014-2015 academic year.
Prerequisite: SOCI 210.


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We've all struggled with gift buying, especially for the men in our life. It can be so hard to find a unique gift that is still nice and practical. I was super stoked to be asked by JORD Wood Watches to review a wood watch of theirs! The most unique, yet stunning watch I've seen, enjoy some beautiful photos and my thoughts.
I was gifted a wood watch from the Cora Series, the Koa & Rose Gold option priced at $275 US which is roughly $367 AUD. Smokes, it's a bit of an expensive one. However the quality is certainly stunning. The watch arrived in this pretty, but unnecessarily large (compared to the watch size) wooden box. The box is quite fancy with like a hidden draw below which currently contains the dehumidifier packet thingo it came with.
You can choose for the watch to come pre-sized (which is great) and they just leave the extra links in the box (incase your wrists get fatter?). Mine was still a bit large on me, but I had a watch-obsessed friend decrease the band size for me. You can buy very cheap tools online to resize the band yourself. It is an automatic watch, as long as you where it at least 8 hours a day. I forget to wear it on days I don't work, so it doesn't end up being the right time at least once a week, whoops! I hear you can buy a special watch case for automatic watches that will spin them around when you're not wearing it so it will keep time.
This JORD Wood Watch's best feature is definitely the transparent back where you can see the intricate workings of your watch! It's so cool watching everything move around in there, ticking along.
I think this could make a great gift. At almost four-hungie-wowzahs it is out of my price range. However, later on if I know a family member is very keen on Wood Watches, this would be my pick! The quality is honestly great, leagues above anything you'd find at Kmart/Typo/Target.

subset: commoncrawl


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Just beyond the marginsThe confluence of the Narayani and Rapti rivers, at Golaghat Village, Meghauli Municipality, some 30 km southwest of Bharatpur
Tiku Gauchan
But on the fields belonging to Golaghat's farmers, there are ominous signs all around. The stalks of corn that were planted there months ago are now bent and crushed, and the signs all point to a rhino's having forayed into the area recently: there are large mounds of rhino droppings dotting the fields. The farmers in this corner of Chitwan live with two perennial fears: of the rivers' overrunning their banks during the monsoon and of the wild animals' eating their crops year-round. Many families have given up on farming as a livelihood altogether: the menfolk have mostly left for the Gulf and the women subsist on the scant harvests they can rustle up in their small landholdings. And then there are families like Ram Kumari Kumal's, who have nothing to go on.
On a recent trip to Meghauli, I came across Ram Kumari, whose house lies just half a kilometre north of the Narayani-Rapti confluence. She was seated on the porch fronting her house, just across from the courtyard, which abuts the road that snakes all the way to Bharatpur, the headquarters of Chitwan. The house was a small hut made of mud, fortified by reed stalks from the nearby buffer-zone forests and topped with a tin roof. On the courtyard were a she-goat tethered to a stake, a hen confined to a nesting area made by a basket placed over it, and another mother hen racing around the yard with her brood of chicks. Across the courtyard, past a tube well and beyond a short hedge, lay the family's fields, on which had been planted corn and pulses. Two katthas of that family plot is farmed by Sita Kumal, Ram Kumari's daughter-in-law.
As I approached Ram Kumari, she stood up to talk to me, and I noticed that she had to lift her right arm, which hung limp, with her left, in order to walk towards me. Her left eye seemed to bulge and walking seemed to take quite a bit of effort. As I got talking to her, I learned that she had suffered a stroke some six years ago, when she had been foraging for firewood in the nearby forest, and had to be carried home by villagers.
Ram Kumari, who is 45, in many ways represents how difficult it is to get by for the most vulnerable members of society living in an area that is prone to floods and incursions by wild animals. The buffer zone's deer, rhinos and wild boars eat the crops growing in the family's field, and during the monsoon, the Rapti and Narayani rivers inundate the entire area. There is no early-warning system in the village, and the villagers have to make a run for it when the flood water sweeps everything in its path. For someone like Ramkumari, who can barely walk properly, getting away can be exceedingly difficult.
Today, Ram Kumari is on amlodipine, as recommended by the doctors in a Bharatpur hospital. The medicine keeps in check her high-blood pressure, a condition that probably caused her stroke. Sita says that she and her husband would help Ram Kumari get over the lingering after-effects of the stroke if they could, but they do not have enough money.
It's not that Sita and her husband haven't sacrificed much for Ram Kumari. Just until last year, Sita and her husband were working in an office pantry in Gurgaon, India, making tea for the office staff. Ram Kumari was being cared for by her husband, but then he died after suffering a stroke six months ago. Sita and her husband decided to quit their jobs, and together with their six-year-old daughter, returned to their village, to take care of Ram Kumari.
But things haven't been getting better for the family. Sita's husband cleans rooms at a hotel in Sauraha, for which he gets paid Rs 5,000 a month. Sita farms the two katthas of land that has been bequeathed to her and her husband; but she doesn't have much hope that the crops will survive till harvest time. Sita worked at a thread mill for a few months recently, but the workplace was too dusty to continue working in, and the mill itself has now shut down. The chickens running around in the yard are not being reared to be sold, and thus do not figure as a source of income for the family. They will be sacrificed during ceremonies to propitiate the gods. The goat in the family's yard actually belongs to their neighbour. Ram Kumari and Sita are only taking care of it on the neighbour's behalf. When it has kids, the neighbour will get the goat back and the kids will be shared between the neighbour and Ram Kumari's family.
The family will probably never be able to afford the treatment needed to alleviate the problems brought about by Ram Kumari's stroke. Sita's daughter is already of school-going age, and the family must save to put her through school. For families such as Ram Kumari's, who can't make a livelihood through their farms, one major illness in the family can affect everyone.
Ram Kumari's village is just 30 km away from the bustling cities of Bharatpur and Narayanghat—fast-growing cities whose main roads are lined with luxury resorts, supermarkets, housing colonies and hospitals. The road that leads into the deep interiors of Meghauli is lined with business ventures propped up by remittance money: bike repair shops, restaurants, fish ponds and chicken farms. But as the road approaches Meghauli, the concrete houses give way to mud huts and brown fields.
Amidst this browning landscape, Ram Kumari still clings onto a story of hope that she has created for herself. She wants to believe that the spirit of her late husband, who cared for her until his death, now resides in the goat she is looking after. She hopes that the goat will give birth to female kids—for that will mean she can then start a small goat farm with their offspring.
It's a hope as dreamlike in its contours as the confluence point that lies a little to the south of her mud hut.


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Mass March for Gaza
Gather at City Hall Plaza. We will move to the JFK Federal Building, from where the march starts at 5:30pm.
As the Israeli assault on Gaza enters a month, with over 1900 Palestinians killed already, join us in a march of solidarity with the Palestinian people to demonstrate against the US government's enabling role in the massacre, including the $3 billion in aid every year as well as its unconditional political support for the land siege and naval blockade that renders Gaza as the world's largest "open air prison."
The march will also be targeting Hewlett Packard (HP), as one of the companies complicit in the occupation and colonization of Palestinian lands, and hence a target for the Palestinian called - and led - Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Besides providing numerous other services to the IDF, HP developed and maintains the automated biometric access management system that controls the movement of Palestinians and specifically Palestinian workers through checkpoints in the West Bank and Gaza.


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"Cultivating the Homestead Community"
I hope all of my US readers had a fantastic Thanksgiving Day celebration last week! Feeling thankful came really easy for me this year… God has blessed us generously, and I'm finding that sometimes the biggest doses of thankfulness can be found in the smallest things. 🙂
Other than that, my life has revolved around MILK this week.
1. Get up in the morning to milk.
2. Start a new batch of cheese to keep the milk from taking over my fridge.
3. Go back outside that evening to milk again.
4. Repeat.
This is the first year I've had an official cheese press and I'm having waaaaaay too much fun. So far I've done farmhouse cheddar, Gouda, and Romano– and I'm planning on doing a bunch of mozzarella and ricotta this coming week as well. Right now we have milk coming out of our ears. In another month and a half, we'll have nothing when we dry up the cow–but such is the cycle of seasonal food.
Oh! I almost forgot–today is the LAST DAY to grab my ebooks, along with a bunch of others, for 67% off when you use the coupon code BLACKFRIDAY13. Click here for the full list. These prices are as low as you are every gonna see them, so take advantage of the pricing while you can!
So what happened on YOUR homestead this past week? I wanna hear!
This hop is hosted by The Prairie Homestead and New Life on a Homestead.
Did you share any homesteading related posts on your blog this week? If so, we'd love to have you link up below! Even if you don't have a blog, we always welcome your comments!
Some Simple Guidelines:
1. Please remember that the Homestead Barn Hop is meant to be a place to share homesteading related encouragement and inspiring ideas specifically related to homesteading. In an effort to keep our weekly round-up clutter free, links which are not specifically homestead related, and any promotions such as giveaways, contests, carnivals, etc, will be deleted in order to maintain the integrity of the Barn Hop.
2. Please remember this is a family-friendly link up. Any pictures or posts linked to the hop which aren't appropriate for our children to view or read will also be deleted immediately. We're pretty conservative, so we ask that you use good judgment and err on the side of caution.
3. Make sure that you link to your Barn Hop post, not your blog's main page, so your guests won't have any trouble finding your great tips.
4. Please link back to the Homestead Barn Hop in the post that you share. Feel free to grab the banner at the top of this post to link back to us with.
5. Occasionally there is a problem posting due to glitches in the internet or the Linky Tools. If you have difficulties posting and it does not show up immediately, please wait a little while and try re-posting (this helps avoid double posting). We're sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, be we do not have absolute control over the internet. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
Have fun, get to know some new homesteading friends, and be sure to join us every Monday!
(If you are reading this post via email, click through to see all of this week's links!


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Swap out the Rossini Blue Cheese with Cambozola for a milder blue cheese flavour.
Preparation time: 5 minutes•
Cooking time: 0 minutes
Serves: 12 people
*This recipe makes 12.
1. Using a sharp knife, cut a slit in each date and stuff with blue cheese.
2. Arrange the stuffed dates on a serving platter and sprinkle the almonds on top. Drizzle with honey and garnish with thyme sprigs.
Be the first to add a review.
Please note that all submitted reviews & comments will become the licensed property of SuperValu, https://supervalu.ie/


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New Products Available!
Today is the day... October 2nd! And that means all of the new products revealed at convention are available! Take a look below to see what the new products are, and how to get them at the best price!
I am so stoked about every single one of these products and I know you will be too! You can learn more about them on this blog post I did last month! We have 6 new single oils, 3 new oil blends, a new diffuser, and the On Guard Hand Sanitizing mist!
Purchasing Oils
So you're ready to buy your oils! I'm so excited for you! You're going to feel super empowered once you have these little beauties in your hands for life's little emergencies!
Your first option is to purchase your products at Retail. Ew! Who wants to spend full price on anything these days?! I for one, believe that we are friends. If you are here on my website and you are poking around, we are friends. Friends don't let friends pay retail and that is the gosh darn honest truth hands down.
Your bestie wouldn't pass up the opportunity to give you a coupon or promo code for something that she knew you loved right?! Same goes here, you can pay full price, but I'm not going to advocate for it! You deserve to save your dollars and get a whopper of a discount!
Soooo, I will share the two different wholesale options that get you the best prices, and allow you to order all of the products doTERRA has to offer at 25% off! Whoohoo!
There are so many incredible benefits to having your own membership! Take a look!
-save 25% and more off of oils and wellness products
-receive FREE product every month
-resources, education, and continuous support
-no strings attached business opportunity you can use or refuse at any time
-exclusive program for Loyalty Rewards
-exclusive and private Facebook community for all your oil and wellness questions
You have the option to open up a wholesale account and order as a customer as often as you want, and STILL get that 25% wholesale discount! Pretty sweet, right? Also, no monthly fleas here! haha! We do have an amazing Loyalty Program that you can earn up to 30% of your purchases back in points for freebies as well! This option is awesome and definitely the way to go if you are planning on buying more than one bottle of oil... ever. Not only will you get that fan-freakin-tastic wholesale discount on all of your oils, wellness products, skin care, etc., BUT your membership is good for an entire year with the purchase of an oil membership kit! After your year is up, and you are ready to renew, your renewal fee is a simple $25 and includes a 15mL bottle of peppermint! Woot!
This option is available to Wholesale Customers for upgrade at ANY time during their membership! You are entitled to all of the same benefits that come with a Wholesale Customer Membership, but you have the opportunity to make some real money with an essential oil and wellness business! Your wholesale account comes with a free website where you can share oils with others, and help them support their homes and bodies! To earn commission with your account, simply order the products you want for your home through the Loyalty Program, and meet those requirements! Simple! We can totally break this down more once you are ready to get going, as it is part of your FREE 1 hour consultation with me!
No matter which one of these you identify with, I am here to help you. You will get the best pricing on all of the beautiful new products just released, plus so much more! Any questions, concerns, victories, recipes, or anything you want to share with me is a-ok!


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"The work effort was beyond our expectations and extremely thorough. Good communications was at the core of each phase of the project and was timely. We have shared our enthusiasm for The Avascent Group with others and expect our long-term relationship will continue."
In Avascent's nearly 30 years of supporting defense and government industry clients, we have developed a thorough and proven approach to addressing our clients' most pressing challenges. In our experience, complex strategic challenges like those faced by our clients require an approach that is comprehensive, independent yet collaborative, and above all results-oriented:
- Comprehensive. Our comprehensive approach considers all dimensions of strategy, from macro market dynamics to evolving customer preferences, from technological change to the changing competitive landscape. Moreover, we recognize the interdependencies between organizational enablers and how these affect strategy and its implementation.
- Independent, objective and data-driven. In all of our work, we bring a data-driven and analytic approach that places central emphasis on rigorously testing assumptions against outside perspectives. We find that independent, objective analysis is the best way to ensure that strategies are well grounded, realistic, and executable.
- Collaborative and flexible work style. We bring an agile, responsive and client-driven approach that can adapt to changing needs and requirements. By understanding client needs up front, and keeping leadership abreast of developments throughout our work, we are able to align our efforts with management's highest priorities. Moreover, our transparent and traceable approach helps build confidence in the ultimate outcome and permits our clients to fully absorb the implications of our work.
- Results-oriented and actionable. We typically utilize both top-down and bottom-up approaches to ensure proposed recommendations are realistic and feasible given the realities of the market. Our goal is to help clients identify their strategic options and systematically weigh the trade-offs among each in terms of risks and potential rewards. We help clients frame their decisions clearly so that they can take well-informed, decisive action.


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Green and open spaces for Bacolod
The Visayan Daily Star, Conservation Matters, 29 August 2016
On Saturday, the heavy rain inundated several places in Bacolod City, causing not only traffic jams in major streets, but also anxieties and panic because the rushing water entered a number of houses. From the photos posted on social media, Facebook in particular, you could see numerous streets looking like rivers. The situation clearly indicated the need to evaluate the existing drainage system and other waterways of the city, since heavy downpours these days are normal occurrences, with the advent of the changing climatic pattern of the world.
With the increasing population and migration from other cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental, in addition to the phasing in of more investments, infrastructure development and other economic opportunities, Bacolod is getting congested, and, therefore, it is also important to consider the design of the city in terms of land use and overall urban planning. Aside from flooding, the city is already facing traffic issues, solid waste problems, informal settlers and dwellings, and other concerns that are basically associated with zoning and local law enforcement, like vandalism, sidewalk vending, and improper parking.
For one, there is a need to develop and implement a comprehensive drainage system plan that should be integrated into the whole development master plan of the city. This should be coupled with the cleaning and clearing of all waterways and the strict imposition of ecological solid waste management. Aside from relying on centralized garbage collection scheme, it is important to encourage or even enforce community level waste disposal system. In most cases, drainage are clogged with solid wastes that are emanating from markets, households, or from individuals who just throw away plastic containers anywhere at their convenience.
One thing that Bacolod could also innovate is the promotion of green and open spaces, because they can help absorb rainwater. It can be implemented as part of the requirements for any development of a particular site and establishment, especially those requiring a large area, such as housing subdivisions, malls, and educational facilities, among others. Even in designing roads and parking lots, green spaces can be incorporated. Easements of waterways should be cleared from settlement and infrastructures, and can be developed as greenbelts and parks.
During the past 10 years, infrastructure development in Bacolod was enormous and many spaces have been cemented and if the drainage was not properly considered, naturally, rainwater will find its way to the streets. This particular scenario occurred in Mandalagan last Saturday, because you can hardly find now open spaces along Lacson Street. Most commercial establishments occupying the area made use of every space for concrete structures. Some vendors are also using portions of path walks along this area.
I am hoping that Bacolod City will further acquire property or partner with civic-minded lot owners for the establishment of more city parks that are not fully cemented but would promote green and open spaces. While basketball and covered courts are being promoted in the different barangays, why not Bacolod also allocates funds for the establishment and maintenance of barangay tree parks? It is interesting if these tree parks would be planted with native floral species that may attract colorful organisms, like butterflies.
One ongoing development that is worth looking into in Bacolod City is the construction being undertaken now by the Ayalas at the property of the provincial government along Capitol lagoon. I've learned that the contract between the province and the Ayala Land includes the redesigning of the lagoon and a friend told me that the entire development of the whole area would consider green architecture and landscape design.
Another important site in Bacolod City that should be designed incorporating green and open spaces is the reclamation area, since it is not yet fully covered with infrastructures. The development of SM at the reclamation did not consider green spaces since it fully cemented the whole area it occupied, including parking lots.
Bacolod is a relatively small community and how about promoting and implementing bike lanes so that people would be encouraged to use bikes instead of motor vehicles? In a way, this would also promote healthy living while easing the traffic.
There are so many opportunities for Bacolod to showcase it as a modern urban community that promotes healthy living, clean environment, and more green spaces if only local officials will go back to the drawing board .*
Climate change nightmares – RollingStone
The Point of No Return: Climate Change Nightmares Are Already Here The worst predicted impacts of climate change are starting to happen — and much faster than climate scientists expected
Energy exploration and development in protected areas
Several protected areas in the Philippines are now confronted with proposals for the exploration and development of energy resources. The Northern Negros Natural Park in Negros Occidental is one of these PAs being eyed for geothermal survey. Other PAs known to me that have similar energy issues with the NNNP are the Naujan Lake National Park in Oriental Mindoro and the Bulusan Volcano Natural Park in Sorsogon. Although not officially listed as a PA but recognized as a key biodiversity area, Mt. Talinis, or Cuernos De Negros, is another site proposed for the expansion of a geothermal project in Negros Oriental.
These energy proposals in PAs are actually not new, since geothermal projects already exist in the Mt. Kanla-on and Mt. Apo Natural Parks in Negros and Mindanao, respectively. However, circumstances on how these projects entered in the two PAs were different from the current status of the NNNP and all other declared natural parks and strict nature reserves, which are already placed under the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act, or Republic Act 7586.
Geo-scientific study
I've learned from Provincial Environment and Management Office personnel of Negros Occidental that the Lopez-controlled Energy Development Corp. has presented its proposed geo-scientific study to the NNNP Technical Working Group. The EDC has similarly sought endorsement for this proposed study from different local government units in the province. The EDC has an existing geothermal service contract with the Department of Energy covering Mount Mandalagan, a thickly forested mountain range that accounts for a large part of the NNNP. Reportedly, about 20 megawatts of geothermal energy can be sourced out from the site, but it is only an initial estimate based on available information. This is probably the reason why it is necessary for the EDC to conduct further study in NNNP.
This proposed study, once implemented, would not in anyway entail damages to the environment and biodiversity of the NNNP. A geo-scientific study does not involve use of heavy equipment, landscape alteration, cutting of trees, wildlife displacement, and other disturbances. Moreover, geothermal is a renewable resource and clean energy source that may be able to substitute non-renewable and dirty sources of power.
Important considerations
It should be understood, however, that the NNNP is a declared PA. Several provisions of
the NIPAS Act require serious considerations before any decision is made on the EDC proposal. Aside from legal concerns that maybe subjected to numerous interpretations, we need to discern and evaluate, too, the very purpose of establishing a PA, and how valuable it is in terms of biological diversity, ecosystem services, and other crucial and long-term benefits it offers to the environment and people.
It is not a question of choosing between "the devil and the deep blue sea", or "the good and the bad", just like these sayings usually imply once we are pressed with difficult choices and decisions. This is a matter of exploring more viable options and alternatives so we can both address the maintenance of ecological balance for our survival and common good, and the pressing requirements of renewable energy sources that will not destroy our natural environment.
It is very vital to take into account ecological concerns, especially in areas where natural ecosystems are already badly impaired and require immediate rehabilitation. Negros, for instance, had lost most of its natural forests, and where a good number of endemic species of flora and fauna is highly threatened, some of which are restricted only to this newly declared region of the Philippines.
In my opinion and understanding, having been provided with the opportunity to work in several PAs for the past two decades, and to participate in some deliberations and consultations on the proposed NIPAS Act, before it was enacted into law in June 1992, it is the intention of RA 7586 to spare PAs categorized as a strict nature reserve or natural park from energy study or survey, exploration, and utilization. The energy development in PAs was one of the contentious issues taken up during the drafting and consultations of the proposed NIPAS Act almost three decades ago.
NIPAS Act energy provisions
Framers and authors of the NIPAS Act provided adequate measures to safeguard declared natural parks and strict nature reserves from energy exploration and utilization, as they included a specific prohibition on energy surveys in these sites. Section 14 of the NIPAS Act articulates, "Consistent with the policies declared in Section 2, hereof, protected areas, except strict nature reserves and natural parks, may be subjected to exploration only for the purpose of gathering information on energy resources and only if such activity is carried out with the least damage to surrounding areas".
The same section of the NIPAS Act further states, "Surveys shall be conducted only in accordance with a program approved by the DENR, and the result of such surveys shall me made available to the public and submitted to the President for recommendation to Congress. Any exploitation and utilization of energy resources found within the NIPAS areas shall be allowed only through a law passed by Congress". These two last sentences of section 15 of RA 7586 seemingly refer to protected areas that are not categorized as a strict nature reserve or natural park. The NIPAS Act offers other PA categories where energy exploration may be allowed.
Section 15 underscored the policy declaration set forth in Section 2, which claims, "It is the policy of the state to secure for the Filipino people of present and future generations the perpetual existence of all native plants and animals through the establishment of a comprehensive system of integrated protected areas within the classification of national park as provided in the Constitution".
The policy declaration acknowledges the profound impacts of human activities to all components of the natural environment, citing the effects of increasing population, resource exploitation, and industrial advancement, while clearly recognizing "the critical importance of protecting and maintaining the natural biological and physical diversities of the environment, notably on areas with biologically unique features to sustain human life and development, as well as plant and animal life".
NIPAS Act intention
With these enunciations of RA 7586, it is clear that surveys for energy should not be allowed in natural parks. Some may claim that a geo-scientific study is different from exploration. If I will make a reference to what I've learned from various presentations of the EDC, it is true, because exploration, in the parlance of energy companies, involves locating energy reserves and drilling. However, "exploration", as being referred to in the NIPAS Act, means the gathering of information on energy resources. I am wondering if the proposed geo-scientific study of the EDC will not entail generating data on energy resources in the NNNP. Given the existing geothermal service contract of the EDC with the DOE covering Mt. Mandalagan, the proposed study presumably would include survey on geothermal resources in the area.
Regardless of the associated provision of RA 7586 granting authority to Congress to pass a
law for any exploitation and utilization of energy resources found within the NIPAS sites, it is doubtful how the lawmaking processes will proceed if prior gathering of detailed information on the potential energy resources at the targeted natural park or strict nature reserve has never been allowed. It is precisely the motivation why the NIPAS Act prohibits gathering of information on energy resources in natural parks and strict nature reserves, because it aims to protect these areas for the ultimate goal of "securing for the Filipino people the perpetual existence of all native plants and animals," and not for any form of energy exploration and development, either it is renewable or not, or with least damage to the environment.
Mounts Apo and Kanla-on
One may further ask why geothermal utilization was allowed then in Mt. Apo and later on in Mt. Kanla-on (then spelled Canlaon)? When the geothermal reservation was sliced from the Mt. Apo National Park in 1992, it was only a few months before the NIPAS Act was enacted. On the other hand, Mt. Kanla-on was not yet declared as a natural park when the former government-controlled Philippine National Oil Corporation-EDC proposed its geothermal project in the area. In fact, it was the main reason why the PNOC-EDC insisted and worked hard for the exclusion of its proposed geothermal site from the proclamation of the MKNP in 1998.
NNNP declaration
Presidential Proclamation 895 declared the former Northern Negros Forest Reserve as a protected area under the category of a natural park, and it is now called the NNNP. The NNNP has an estimated land area of about 80,454.50 hectares, covering Mounts Marapara, Canlandog, Silay, and Mandalagan in the northern part of Negros Occidental. It is being managed in accordance with the NIPAS Act, as mandated by its proclamation.
Extractive resource uses are not allowed in natural parks, and supposedly, they are being maintained to protect outstanding natural and scenic areas of national or international significance for scientific, educational, and recreational purposes. The biological and ecological values are important factors for the NNNP's designation as a natural park.
The PA has the largest remaining intact forests in Negros Island, and where limited and yet biologically diverse lowland forests still exist. It is habitat to numerous endemic species, and accounts for several ecosystems that provide various ecological services, such as watershed and carbon sink. It helps mitigate the impacts of natural hazards and risks, like heavy flooding, landslides, and soil erosion, among others. Its potential for nature-based tourism could not be understated, because it has several scenic and beautiful attractions.
Geothermal development impacts
The valuation and accounting of the NNNP's ecological services may likely outweigh the benefits from 20 megawatts of geothermal energy that may be generated from this area. Geothermal is a clean source of energy, but its development entails adverse impacts to the environment. In Mounts Kanla-on and Apo, geothermal development involved forest clearing, since specific sites where geothermal can be sourced out were forested. Access roads, which connected the different drilling pads, were constructed to tap the geothermal energy. Clearing was further done in every one-hectare drilling pad and plant site.
The consequence of forest clearing is the loss of vegetation comprising not only of trees, but other native floral species and organisms, too. Once forest is cleared, it will dislocate faunal species that used to inhabit there, and further add threats to the endangered wildlife in surrounding areas. It will affect the source of our water, since the forest and its immediate environs are natural water reservoirs. Geothermal development will ultimately alter and modify nature designed and created landscapes.
Other major issues
The NNNP is already facing numerous issues. More than half of its area is now heavy with permanent settlement and agriculture, community centers, and infrastructures, to name a few. There are pending proposals to exclude certain parts of the PA for declaration as alienable and disposable lands, and relocation site for rebel returnees. Several private vacation houses and resorts were constructed in the area without permits. These challenges have yet to be resolved, and here comes the proposal on geothermal energy. Do we want to maintain the NNNP as a PA, or do we want to disestablish it for other purposes? The disestablishment of the NNNP as a PA is still an option, if we don't care enough for the remaining gifts and wonders of nature found in NNNP, and the associated benefits they offer to present and future generations.
Energy requirements
How about the pressing needs of energy today and in the future? Shall we continue relying on fossilized and other non-renewable energy sources? Are there no other viable renewable energy resources, except geothermal? Arlene Infante, an entrepreneur who is privy on energy issues, has only this to say, " Our solar farms are sprouting like mushrooms, and we don't need to compromise our last remaining forests and water source."
Lawyer Eli Gatanila, a realtor who also follows energy development in Negros Occidental, provided me with a list of solar energy projects in the province, and they are quite promising. Based on the list, there are already four operational solar power plants with a combined capacity of 261.6 megawatts in Negros Occ., while two others, with a total capacity estimate of 80 megawatts, are under construction. Can we not rely on these power sources? I am sure there are pros and cons between geothermal and solar energies, but one good thing in solar power plant was no forest clearing has been done on its development in Negros Occidental.EAG*
- Mt. Kanla-on reopens for mountaineering
- The Twin Lakes of Negros Oriental
- Rafflesia speciosa found in another site of the Mount Kanla-on Natural Park
- Some concerns on the reopening of Mount Apo for mountaineering
- Flowering trees in Mount Kanla-on gaining public attention
- Green and open spaces for Bacolod
- Climate change nightmares – RollingStone
- Energy exploration and development in protected areas
- Commendable collective efforts: Putting off grassfires in Mt. Kanla-on
- Closing a mountain for mountaineering: The story of Mt. Kanla-on
- The KGB of Mount Kanla-on
- Negros species vulnerable to extinction
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The usual drill is to wipe the effluvia of birth off of newborn babies, cleaning them up and readying them for snuggling.
But in a fascinating departure, researchers have begun to experiment with the opposite: collecting birth-canal bacteria and wiping them onto babies after birth.
Why in the world? For good reason: to explore whether it might help babies delivered by C-section to restore some of the vaginal bacteria that they would have been exposed to if they'd gone through the birth canal.
Why do that? On the theory that altered bacterial populations could help explain why C-section babies tend to have higher odds of asthma, allergies, obesity and other health risks.
Dr. Maria Gloria Dominguez-Bello, an associate professor in the Human Microbiome Program at the NYU School of Medicine, presented some preliminary results on that research at a recent conference of the American Society for Microbiology here in Boston. Those initial findings suggest that indeed, using gauze to gather a mother's birth-canal bacteria and then impart them to babies born by C-section does make those babies' bacterial populations more closely resemble vaginally born babies — though only partially.
Many questions remain. But the research sounded so intriguing — and the intervention so simple, if it gains medical approval — that I asked Dr. Dominguez-Bello to discuss it. Our conversation, edited:
Your poster reports that there were six vaginal births, seven C-sections and four C-sections in which the babies also received the 'inoculum' of vaginal bacteria. But it wasn't clear to me: To what extent did the mothers' bacteria restore a more normal balance of bacteria in the C-section babies? A little or a lot?
When we analyzed the sharing — how many microbes any site of the baby's body share with their mom's vagina — we doubled the number of bacteria that the C-section babies were exposed to. But the vaginal process was six times as much. So the vaginal delivery still exposes the baby to a lot more.
In other words, if we got one bacteria in the C-section baby that is associated with the vagina, we got two in the inoculated C-section but six in the vaginal births. So those C-section babies still don't have the full exposure of the vaginal babies.
That's logical because during labor, the baby is rubbing against the mucosa of the birth canal for a long time and bacteria start growing even before the baby is out — growing and colonizing the baby during birth. In half an hour, you get multiplication of bacteria. If the baby gets one cell, an hour later the baby has probably four of those cells and five hours later, it's exponential.
Also, C-sections involve antibiotics. There is no C-section without antibiotics, and we don't know what the effect is of that gram of penicillin. If it's good enough to kill strep B, I'm sure it's killing a lot more than that community of bacteria.
If your research pans out, using this gauze technique for C-section babies would seem to be such an easy intervention. I imagine there might already be women saying, 'I want to do that.' Possibly even, 'I want to schedule a C-section and do that.' What would you say to them?
I would say labor is a very complex process and labor is far more than inoculating the baby. And it's a process that we don't fully understand — what's its adaptive value, why is it important? Continue reading


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Ahhh. So, I finally broke down and decided to post "Dead of Night" to Literotica and Stories Online.
Lit has chapters one and two in the queue, and a request to remove "Moonlight and Magick". I'll post to SOL when Lit has them posted. SOL has a request to remove "Moonlight and Magick" in the meantime.
I found out that "Beyond Words", one of my novellas, won on Literotica for May 2008 Reader's Choice Award, Third Place. It was a $75 cash prize. Too bad it was posted in January of 2009 and I never received an email from them whatsoever about it. I've written to the person in charge about it to find out if I can still collect and why I wasn't notified.
Still, it was a nice little surprise to hear I won something for my writing. "Beyond Words" is still posted there, but it's going through a major revision right now, when I'm not in the middle of writing "Dead of Night" and editing "Moonlight and Magick".
Also, someone accepted to be my Beta Reader for "Moonlight and Magick", so that's taken care of. Sent off a copy and a list of questions for them to answer and keep in mind when the read it. No editing for them, just reading.
I'm aiming to start the submission process for "Moonlight and Magick" come the first of the year. That should give me enough time to write a query and synopsis, as well as keep up with "Dead of Night".
"Dead" is in its fifth chapter right now, which is good. I think I'm almost at 4,000 words for the chapter. Another day and it'll be done. Maybe less, depending on distractions around the house.
I did some retail therapy today while the laptop was shut down for the thunder and lightning storm we had. Went to the Dollar Store and picked up some baskets to use for organization on my writing table.
September 6, 2009
WiPs and Beta Readers and Organization, oh my!
Posted by Isobael at 8:29 PM
Labels: inane babble, writing
2 comments:
- RKCharron said...
Hi :)
Sorry I haven't been commenting.
I just found out my Google Reader was missing A LOT of the blogs I am following.
Thanks for the great post.
I loved your picture.
All the best Isobael,
- September 9, 2009 at 1:05 AM
- Isobael Liu said...
Not a prob. =)
- September 11, 2009 at 2:54 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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Hernandez gaffe highlights MLB flaw
Angel Hernandez embarrassed Major League Baseball on Wednesday night.
In fact, he did it twice.
Hernandez, as the umpire crew chief, failed to change an incorrect call despite clear evidence on instant replay. Hernandez's mistake was magnified by the circumstances: Adam Rosales' drive over the left-field wall — and it did go over the left-field wall — would have given Oakland the tying run against Cleveland in the ninth inning.
Instead, Rosales was left with a double. The A's went on to lose 4-3.
Hernandez compounded his gaffe by the way he handled it. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Hernandez didn't allow the media to record his postgame comments. While stipulating that his answers be written in print only, Hernandez said the umpires "didn't have enough evidence to reverse (the) call," Slusser reported.
That's odd. Everyone else who viewed the replays — you, me, the French judge from Skategate at the 2002 Winter Olympics — saw the ball carom off a railing above the yellow line. It should have been a home run. Period. Inexplicably, Hernandez thought otherwise.
Since this is a subtext to much of the reaction — from fans, from players, from executives around the league — we might as well acknowledge something: Hernandez is judged by many baseball observers to be one of the worst umpires in the sport. This is his 20th season in the major leagues.
Already, irate fans are calling for Hernandez to be fired. That's probably unrealistic. But what should happen — and this was the case long before Wednesday — is that Major League Baseball officials must change how they evaluate, hire and fire their umpires.
First and foremost, MLB must explain to the A's — and baseball fans at large — how Hernandez came to be a crew chief in the first place. Dana DeMuth, the regular chief on this crew, isn't working this particular series. So, Paul Nauert replaced DeMuth and Hernandez was promoted to crew chief.
How did MLB select Hernandez — one of the most combustible and least capable options — to be a temporary crew chief? The commissioner's office must provide a comprehensive answer to that question.
Major League Baseball executive vice president Joe Torre issued a statement early Thursday afternoon, acknowledging that "an improper call was made" but nevertheless affirming the judgment as "final." Umpiring supervisor Randy Marsh has arrived in Cleveland, and Torre said MLB officials have begun to "thoroughly review" the call's circumstances with the crew. But of greater importance in the long run, Torre must articulate why Hernandez was in position to make the ruling at all.
MLB commissioner Bud Selig often speaks about how much he appreciates the "human element" in baseball. And that's fine, as long as his umpiring roster is composed of the most qualified humans for the job. As Hernandez demonstrated — again — that's not the case now. The deep irony is that his blunder occurred on a home run, one of the few plays that can be reviewed through the sport's current instant-replay program.
We can't expect umpires to be perfect. We should, however, demand that they be accountable. Jim Joyce showed us how umpires can maintain their dignity and professionalism even when they blow a high-profile call.
I was there when Joyce cost Armando Galarraga a perfect game in 2010, and I will never forget interviewing a tearful, distraught Joyce after the game. Joyce, unlike Hernandez, insisted on no preconditions for the reporters who entered the umpires' room. He paced. He admitted his error. He answered all of our questions.
"There's nobody that feels worse than I do," Joyce said that night. "I take pride in this job, and I kicked the s— out of that, and I took a perfect game away from that kid over there."
That is the integrity Selig has championed. Wednesday was different: Hernandez's actions didn't reflect the human element. They exposed his hubris.
Either Hernandez — who worked second base during the game — was predisposed to stick with the original call, or he truly couldn't discern that the baseball changed directions above the wall. I'm not sure which would be worse. If Hernandez didn't see replays in proper resolution, then that's an indictment of the system itself.
Apart from this incident, MLB should move its decisions to a centralized location, as the NHL has, which would provide a better platform for expanded replay in the future. This is particularly important when the crew chief is absent, as was the case in Cleveland Wednesday night. Why would MLB entrust Hernandez with a decision he's not normally qualified to make?
Young fans, in particular, have grown accustomed to replay in football and expect calls to be right in other sports. In the Information Age, we demand a higher level of transparency from (and about) people in positions of power — sports or otherwise. And that is why Wednesday was bad for baseball.
We form opinions about players using any number of publicly available metrics. We judge a manager's lineups and bullpen moves based on the available statistics. So it's only natural that we'd like to know how umpires are evaluated. But we don't, partly because of their powerful union.
Now, it's true that umpire Bob Davidson was suspended for one game last year for "repeated violations" of "standards for situation handling." Umpire Tom Hallion was fined (along with Tampa Bay Rays pitchers David Price, Jeremy Hellickson and Matt Moore) after a heated exchange at US Cellular Field in late April. But the specifics of baseball's umpire evaluations remain a mystery to many of us, aside from the "retirements" and new hires announced each year.
That was sufficient 30 years ago. Not now. We see too much. And the sport's credibility could be compromised if MLB employs anything less than the most capable umpires.
In an ideal world, MLB would have the authority to send underperforming umpires to the minor leagues. (After all, managers, coaches and players are held to similarly high standards.) Scheduling concerns between the majors and minors, though, probably would make that impractical.
So, increased transparency should be the focus. MLB ought to borrow another page from the NHL, which posts explanatory, step-by-step videos on the league's website from discipline czar Brendan Shanahan when players are suspended. Hernandez should have stood before anyone with a camera or tape recorder to explain what he saw.
Wednesday night, umpires across baseball made countless correct calls. They are, on measure, excellent at what they do. Yet Hernandez's mistake was so blatant — and so poorly handled — that it can't be ignored. Baseball isn't perfect. But to fulfill its obligation as our national pastime, it must be forthright.


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Norm "Whopper" Stephens
The Basics
|South East Queensland
Norm Stephens picked up the nickname "Whopper" as a tiny apprentice but was a top jockey in Brisbane for more than 30 years. He won the Stradbroke Handicap in 1948 as an apprentice which was the first of a regular stream of winners. Well known for his dry wit, he later turned to training with his best horse the STC Silver Slipper winner Ballook.
His best wins as a jockey included the Stradbroke Handicap (Ballyvista), QTC Derby (Minto Crag), Healy Stakes (Academy Star), Tattersall's Cup (Bright Shadow), Ascot Handicap (Gai Smoke, Prince Gauntlet), J.H.S. Barnes Plate (Refulgent), Brisbane Handicap (Ryes Hope), Recognition Stakes (Ryes Hope), Bernborough Stakes (Scotian), Doomben Stakes (Thurlow), Tatt's President's Handicap (Refulgent), O'Mara Stakes (Todwana), Lilley Handicap (Todwana), Hopeful-Meynink Stakes (Malarno, Glenrowan, Top Unit), Wattle Brae Stakes (Crocus Bud), Hall Stakes (Grist), McDougall Stakes (Right Vibes, Blue Roc), Albion 2000 (Rathdrum), Bribie Handicap (Misty Shadow), ITC Bloodhorse Breeders' (Crocus Bud), Easter Cup (Refulgent), Moreton Handicap (Refulgent) and June Handicap (Refulgent).
The well-known Jockey Norman (Whopper) Stephens had the sharp features and cocksure manner typical of jockeys, and Fullbrook set out to capture this distinctive aspect. Although Fullbrook is a reluctant portraitist he is responsible for some of the great portraits in modern Australian art. The painting was awarded the Archibald Prize in 1974.


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Welcome to Travel Resorts of America
ARE YOU A new MEMBER who recently became PART OF THE TRAVEL RESORTS OF AMERICA FAMILY? WELL THIS IS THE PLACE YOU NEED TO BE! LEARN ABOUT BENEFITS OF BEING A MEMBER, TAKE VIRTUAL TOURS OF OUR RESORTS, READ TESTIMONIALS FROM OUR CURRENT MEMBERS, AND MORE! AT TRAVEL RESORTS OF AMERICA WE STRIVE FOR THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. IF YOU DO TOO, THEN JUMP ON BOARD!
At Travel Resorts of America when we think camping vacation, we imagine endless sources of entertainment. With activities such as boating, rodeos, paintball and arts & crafts, each resort has its own unique source of fun! Check out our amenities page to see what activities our members love the most. Could it be the live rodeo at Rocky Fork Ranch or a reenactment of the Civil War at Gettysburg Battlefield Resort? See for yourself!
virtual tour
Click the link below to watch our introductory video for new members. In this flick you can see features of each of our resorts and get the low down on the benefits of becoming a member of Travel Resorts of America. Check out our YouTube channel to see more resort-specific videos and immerse yourself into our campgrounds!
Hopaway holiday
Access to the destination vacation planning tool www.HopawayHoliday.com, is one of the potential exclusive benefits of becoming a member of Travel Resorts of America. Think of it as a freebie – access to thousands of vacations around the world for unbeatable prices. Switch up the scenery – from campgrounds to beach side views!
Coast to Coast
Travel Resorts of America is affiliated with the Coast to Coast network, which can offer many more destinations across the Unites States to add to your travel itinerary.
Our number one goal is your ultimate enjoyment and satisfaction with your membership to Travel Resorts of America. Our members are the backbone of our organization, so when they speak up and tell us about the job we're doing, we're proud to share the good news! See what our members have to say about us:
My husband and I have enjoyed using Rocky Fork Ranch and Sycamore Lodge resorts. Utilizing Coast to Coast network has allowed us to use others in northern Indiana, lower Michigan, and northwest Ohio. Looking forward to a stay at Gettysburg in the summer or fall.
We are glad that we decided to join the Gettysburg Battlefield Resort and the Coast to Coast family. Our expectations have been exceeded. The camp sites and facilities are always clean and well maintained. We enjoy the re-enactments, pool, live entertainment and all the other great things you offer, which are too many to list.
We are proud members of Sycamore Lodge and have been for several years. Now, we truly love our membership and our experiences at the lodge. You meet so many nice people and there are so many things to do like swimming, putt-putt, sports and live entertainment on Saturdays. All we can say is buy and have fun. It sure is worth what you pay for!
Photo Gallery
Check out an abundance pictures from our resorts from around the East Coast. We have 8 luxury resorts located in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, Florida and Georgia.


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As a dedicated educator, I believe that students' accomplishments are connected to my success. In order to bring about successful teaching and learning outcomes in design education, both teacher and learner need to interact with accurate assessments and feedback. I strongly agree that students in higher education are adult learners and instructions should address pedagogy based on the critical thinking process approaching professionalism during their academic years. This pedagogical initiative is very important to the design disciplines and my teaching philosophy has focused on three criteria in commitment and engagement; 1) dealing with instruction balance between pedagogy and andragogy in terms of courses, levels and environment, 2) critical thinking process in concept development and problem-solving, 3) professionalism in design competencies.
1) Pedagogy vs. Andragogy
Pedagogy describes a traditional approach of teaching based on teacher-directed learning theory, but 'andragogy' is based upon self-directed learning theories (Knowles, 1970). Design disciplines require various learning tasks through different problem-solving processes. Both students and educators need to know one's strength and weakness in the learning process. Understanding objectives when learning design is essential for students. Educators need to perceive individual students' ability and capability in their learning. According to this matter from my teaching experiences, I have developed learning assessment based on design pedagogy. Depending on how students engage with interactive communication with other students and/or instructor for improving their own problem by himself/herself, I have observed that learners need precise instruction, in which the delivery meets the needs of the students and should be distinguished from pedagogical and andragogical direction. Educators are concerned that most students are more concerned with their GPA than the learning process. However, I am philosophically convinced that students need to be andragogically directed gradually as they transition into upper division levels. Design as visual communication often deals with visual aesthetics and functions, so that it could be subjective and objective in terms of different perspectives. Therefore, I am convinced that students need to know both aspects of successful and unsuccessful cases in the learning process. Well-balanced implementation of teaching tools between pedagogy and andragogy brings tangible results for successful teaching and learning outcomes.
2) Critical thinking process
Successful design always shows great in-depth research and process. I am convinced that in-depth visual and written research are the most important components to enhance critical thinking ability for students. Design education is a part of creative activity, but it often brings attention to educators being aware of limited concept and idea on design achievement from students' works. In general, designers demonstrate their knowledge and experiences as part of the technical skill set in creativity, but they always struggle with the visual concept and idea as the best quality of uniqueness and clarity. This phenomenon is very common in the classroom as well as students being pushed by instructor. Also, design theory and methodology are essential to develop visual concepts and ideas. I consistently demonstrate my teaching for students to fully accommodate these criteria in creativity. The methods in concept development and problem-solving are crucially logical and the profound ideas approaching the best satisfaction for the audience to understand visual concepts and ideas as interactive communication. This adoption in the learning process also supports the design ability to deal with any problem solving in a variety of subject matters.
3) Professionalism
Professionalism is comprised of time management, craftsmanship and responsibility in professional design workplaces. Graphic design disciplines are expected to deliver the professional qualifications for students to complete all academic experiences, therefore I believe that preparation of professional business tasks are important for students in design education. Designers are responsible in all aspects of commercial design to integrate with business strategies and marketing values. As business trust and engagement on the professional levels, the final product of design outcomes should be the best quality in presentation regardless of the lack of time given to complete tasks. Students should execute their creative works for audiences successfully and they need to consider that design activity is very practical, logical and professional for their future career.
During my past 10 years teaching and developing curriculum in the graphic design program at University of Nevada Las Vegas, I have demonstrated students' accomplishments based on pedagogy of educational circumstances such as assessment, interactive instructions, teaching and learning effectiveness, design competencies, etc. My enhanced scholastic research and creativity has addressed the importance of education and disciplines of graphic design and I continue my sincere respect for my students and other educators


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The three major problems with single-lens reflex cameras were size, weight, and shutter noise /shock. The OM Series solved all of these problems. Olympus created a major hit product by packing a powerful system capable of photographing everything from stars to bacteria into the world's lightest and most compact body. The factor that allowed Olympus to eliminate the three problems was the uncompromising determination of everyone involved from design through to production. Considerable effort was applied to the reduction of weight, including the replacement of minute brass screws with steel screws, which were slightly lighter.
Read more on OM system here.


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"Facing & overcoming Cancer" charity event
Relay For Life in Ueno 2014
Date: September 27 – 28 (Sat & Sun)
Place: Tokyo Ueno Park
Japan Cancer Society
Incorporated Foundation
Relay For Life Tokyo Executive Committee
Dear Sir/Madame,
In 1985, Dr. Gordon Klatt, an American colorectal surgeon decided he wanted to raise money for the HYPERLINK ("http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Cancer_Society" American Cancer Society ) in honor of his cancer patients. This first successful event raised $27,000, after which similar 24-hour events in other communities were held. People of all ages come out to bring their community together to reminisce their loved ones who have died of cancer and honor those who have survived while raising money to fight for a cure. Now, Relay events are being held in over 5,000 communities in the US and 22 countries including Japan.
In Japan, half of the population will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes. Of those, one in three Japanese lose their lives to cancer. Given this stark reality, further cancer awareness must be raised in Japan not only for compassion and support for cancer survivors and their caregivers , but to encourage cancer prevention and new drug developments.
We currently strive to move from an uninformed Japanese community to an inclusive society for a brighter and stronger future. One way to achieve this goal is by hosting "Relay For Life". With the efforts and will of 30 executive committee members who have initiated this movement, we are confident that we will overcome our current situation to overcome cancer. Last year a similar event was held in Ueno Park and we had more than 10,000 participants raising more than 20,000,000 in the process.
We are writing to invite you to join us in fighting cancer by lending your help and participation.
Thank you very much for your attention, cooperation , and financial support.
Event Outline
|Official event name
|Japan Cancer Society Relay For Life of Ueno 2014
|Date & Time
|September 27, 2014 (Sat) Noon – September 28, 2014 (Sun) noon
|Ueno Park (Taito-ku)
|Japan Cancer Society, Relay For Life Tokyo executive Committee
|Supported by
|Ministry of Health, Labor & Welfare, Tokyo metropolitan government, Taito ward,
Taito Education Committee, US Embassy(pending)
|Special Supporter
|American Cancer Society
|The Cancer Institute Hospital of JFCR
|Astrazeneca, Sumitomo Life Insurance, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Bank
|cancer survivors, family, friends, doctors, welfare workers, general public.
|Participation fee
|1000 yen per person (cancer survivors/junior-highschool children and younger are free)
|PR Methods
|Newspapers, webpage, posters, flyers, etc.
|Relay For Life Tokyo Executive Committee
Committee Chair : Daisuke Yamashita
Committee Vice Chair : Kazuhiro Matsushima
Managing Director : keiko Ito
Inside Cancer Connect Co.,LTD 1-10-22-101 Meguro honcho Meguro-ku Tokyo
Relay For Life's three goals
To overcome those doctor's words "You have cancer" and to celebrate cancer survivorship.
To provide an opportunity for survivors in the community to come together and share their experiences with cancer.
To provide an opportunity for participants to reach out and connect with survivors giving them courage that they can overcome cancer.
To gather and remember those who have fallen victim to cancer.
To offer a chance to honor a loved one who has passed away or is currently fighting the disease.
Candle lighting ceremony to the remembrance of loved ones.
To raise funds for cancer prevention, awareness, research and care services. RFL has raised over 4 billion US dollars.
Event Theme
"Be connected and live" – Connect to the future, fulfill your dreams.
"cancer can be overcome." – With the support of family, friends, society, medical staff and treatment advances, "cancer can be overcome."
Ways to donate and participate
Advertisement Support / Donation
A. Ad support One one unit —25,000 yen
1. Online banner ad on our public Executive Committee Webpage.
(1 unit) Company Name
(2 units) Company Name and link
(3 units) Linkable logo mark
* The ad is placed about one week after the donation is confirmed.
* Please entrust the committee as to the size and placement of the ad.
* Ad period: Until the end of March 2015
2. Company/Organization ad in the event's program booklet distributed to participants on day of event
(Expected # of participants: 3000)
2 or more units Ad size 88.5 mm x 50.4 mm
3 or more units Ad size 180 mm x 50.4 mm
4 or more units Ad size 180 mm x 86 mm
* Please note some adjustment may be necessary.
From the beginning until the end of the event, company and organization names can be seen at the event location's entrance. Please send inquiries to the executive committee, regarding the size and method.
B. Donated goods/services
Donated goods and services will be greatly appreciated.
C. Donations
Companies / Organizations 1unit 10,000 yen or more
Individuals 1unit 1000 yen or more
Support/Donation Deadline: September 30, 2014
Receipts are available upon request.
Bank Transfer Account Information
Donations – Sponsorship Advertisements – Participation fee
Mizuho Bank
Branch name: Marunouchi Branch
Branch code: 005
Bank account type: Ordinary
Bank account number: 2861381
Name: Relay For Life Tokyo Executive committee
(in katakana: リレーフオーライフトウキヨウジツコウイインカイ)
Transfer fee is separate.
After making a transfer, we kindly ask you to send your name, company/organization name, contact address, and transfer amount by email to the Relay For Life Tokyo Executive committee at HYPERLINK "email@example.com"
For those wishing to make a transfer via Japan Post Bank, please let us know at the same address above.
Letter of Acceptance
Attention Japan Cancer Society – Incorporated Foundation
Relay For Life Tokyo Executive Committee
Donated goods (units)
Organization/Company name
Individual name
Person in charge
Sponsor entry section/column
Please return the form to:
Relay For Life Tokyo Executive Committee
Cancer Connect Co.,LTD 1-10-22-101 Meguro honcho Meguro-ku Tokyo 〒152-0002
Please contact us if there are any questions
Relay For Life Tokyo Executive Committee


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Momenta is our joint venture with Discover
Together we provide LivingWise
- a high impact lifestyle and wellbeing service that helps
people make important, lasting improvements to their health.
Working with our teams of specialist Coaches and Advisers,
LivingWise participants are able to:
LivingWise services are developed by experts in the fields of
psychology, nutrition and physiology and map to relevant industry
With our support people become fitter, healthier and happier -
for life!
You can find out more about LivingWise by visiting our website
at livingwise.org.uk
Work Routes celebrates 100th person placed into employment. read more
Supporting our members into employment. read more


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FULTON, NY – Mary H. "Baba" Smith, 90, of Fulton, passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, November 11, 2017, with her husband and daughter by her side.
A Fulton native, Baba was born January 29, 1927, to the late Wosil and Anastasia Hudyma.
She was a graduate of Fulton High School and worked at Armstrong, Herron's, and Nestle.
She met her husband, Jim, in 1946; they married after the war and promptly got to work pouring and laying concrete blocks for the house that is still called home today.
Baba loved bowling, dominoes, yelling out answers to Wheel of Fortune, running the wood splitter for Jim, and hosting an annual family Christmas Eve party.
Among her greatest joys was watching her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild grow up.
She was one of their biggest fans, attending countless school plays, sporting events and graduations.
Baba was predeceased by her brothers, Carl and John Hudyma; sister, Anna Hudyma Malone; and daughter, Marsha Smith Orkis.
Baba is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 68 years, Jim; her daughter, Linda Smith O'Hara; her son-in-law, Bill (Carol) Orkis; grandchildren, Daniel (Lauren) O'Hara, Jennifer O. (Dan) Waistell, Kaylan O. (Matt) Normandeau and Mitchell (Sean) Orkis; great-grandchild, Brody Smith Normandeau; and loving nieces, Gail Malone Leonard and Carla Malone Gardner.
Calling hours will be held 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 15, at Foster Funeral Home, 910 Fay St., Fulton.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, November 16, at The Church of the Holy Trinity, corner of Rochester and South Third streets, Fulton.
Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, Fulton.
Foster Funeral Home, Inc.


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Mink Lashes
Best Selling Eyelashes
Luxury Beauty Brushes
How to Apply the Eyelashes
How to Apply
It is a very common problem to face when you want to start using fake eyelashes. Done right, and this is an easy task you can do everyday. Click to learn more about how to apply fake eyelashes the right way.


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Giorgio Eau de Toilette Spray for Women by Beverly Hills
Giorgio is a strong and intense fragrance for the confidant woman which became a rage when it was launched several years back. At that time, it was being sold exclusively in some boutiques but soon became available elsewhere backed by some excellent marketing. It is one of the classic women fragrances of all time.
- Top notes: bergamot and orange flower.
- Middle notes: gardenia, ylang-ylang, jasmine and tuberose.
- Base notes: vanilla, cedarwood, patchouli, sandalwood and moss.


text:
Canon Patents Possible Digital Displays for EF 70-300 F/4-5.6 IS II
The EF 70-300 F/4-5.6 IS II is expected to land sometime later this year, and we have already heard some whisperings that it may feature a digital display and now a newly published Canon patent has given us our first glimpse of exactly what those screens could look like. It appears they are able to show focal distance information and information relating to image stabilization, including a live readout of lens vibration, very handy.
Via: Digicame-info.


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(Reuters) - Cancer care provider 21st Century Oncology Holdings Inc said it was investigating a breach of its computer network, but had no indication that patient information had been misused.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation had advised the company of the breach in November but had asked it to hold off on making an announcement so as to not impede the investigation, 21st Century Oncology said on Friday.
The Fort Myers, Florida-based company operates 145 cancer treatment centers in the United States and 36 in Latin America.
The company said an investigation by a forensics firm it had hired showed that the intruder may have gained access to its database in early October.
The database contains personal information of some patients, including their names, social security numbers, physicians, diagnoses and treatment, as well as insurance data, the company said.
The FBI said on Friday the investigation remained ongoing and no further comments would be provided for now.
21st Century Oncology is notifying about 2.2 million of its current and former patients that certain information may have been copied and transferred, the company said in a regulatory filing. (1.usa.gov/1LZ28Oe)
The company said it would offer one year of free identity protection services to the affected individuals.
Reporting by Natalie Grover in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty


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"You'll never be invited to dinner at The White House" is a phrase my father has repeated to me for various things I've said and done that he doesn't think would be acceptable in high class social settings. Burping at the table is popular with me. I'm also fond of swearing, and my dad is an inspiration in that department.
My mom tells me that when I was in Kindergarten, my teacher cornered her one day and had the, "Do you know what your daughter said today?" talk. She knew exactly where all the colorful language came from.
I've toned it down a little bit. At least now I limit most of my swearing to the home. I also try to keep it out of my social media updates. However, I didn't show this restraint when I was a teenager. As the token agnostic in my pack of high school friends, I was under a lot of pressure: I had to make-up for all the swearing my friends couldn't do without going to confession (the Catholics) or doing whatever Mormons do to cope with naughty behavior. It was hard work, but I did it, and I think I did it well. Needless to say, my use of four-letter words peaked in my late teens.
Given that, I'm surprised at the number of writers who still get concerned about the use of "the F bomb" in YA manuscripts. Yes, certain publishing houses still appear to labor under the delusion that teenagers think the stork delivers babies and that people never use dirty words, but that doesn't apply to the majority. I understand that profanity can be a very personal experience and preferences can vary. I'm a fan of the F bomb, the "SH" word, and, occasionally the word for a female dog (only if it's well-deserved though.) I can't stand the "C" word and I'm not a fan of the other popular terms for "down there."
Still, I have to wonder about people who seem so concerned about profanity in books for teens. Have they listened to teenagers talk recently?
Oh well. I'm not going to let it bother me, even if it costs me an invite to The White House. I'm happy to let fly in my drafts and leave the censorship to editors.


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The Feminist International Network of Resistance to Reproductive and Genetic Engineering (FINRRAGE) was formed as a network of feminists from 20 countries who were critically concerned with the development of reproductive and genetic engineering technologies and their effects on women. These technologies force a variety of different forms of reproductive control over women. FINRRAGE emerged with a growing awareness that it was time to question the assumptions that contraceptives, new reproductive technolgies (Assisted Reproductive Technolgies) and genetic engineering are benign and neutral.
The Declaratio (Read More)


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Volunteer Coordinator
When I was little, I would save half of my allowance every week until I reached $15 (which in allowance world is huge) and then I would send it off to my chosen non-profit group: Mission Wolf, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, etc. As I grew older, my allowance savings turned to volunteering and eventually interning local and overseas organizations that promoted Human Rights and Education including acting as High Road for Human Rights Chapter Coordinator in 2008.
My entire life I have sought ways to be involved in the creation of a better world, certainly the Utopian world I imagined when I was young has been replaced with the distinct threads of reality, but I have never lost my optimism that we can change our circumstances by being engaged in, and conscious of, the world around us.
I've been involved in Peaceful Uprising for 2 years and have never found an organization that is composed of and run by such committed, astounding people. They have become not only my second family, but my tribe. I am honored to have found my place in such an exquisite essence of what I believe is the best of the human experience.
When I am not being an activist I am looking at the field of Comparative Literature and learning Italian. When everything becomes too loud, I dance to find myself and then I write because sometimes words are the only things that make sense. I have an affinity for all things Latin and continue to find myself traveling south, each time coming a bit closer to finding my latitude. I am also deathly afraid of chickens.


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Disney Cruise 2014: Day 2, at seaMarch 31st, 2014
Our first full day on the Disney Fantasy was at sea. These are our favorites for Day 2 (Sunday, February 23, 2014), with our top top top favorites starred.
Maddie's Favorites
- swimming
- ice cream
- eating jello
- *** Aquaduck *** (first top top top favorite)
- meeting Sofia
- meeting princesses
- *** meeting Anna *** (second top top top favorite)
- meeting Princess Minnie
- Mickey Bar
- Midship Detective
- meeting Minnie and Mickey in her Minnie dress
- apple juice
Cullen's Favorites
- meeting Cinderella
- swimming
- Aladdin show
- meeting Belle
- meeting Pluto, Mickey, and Minnie
- apple juice
- Midship Detective
- *** stopping by the place where we got the bracelet *** [he means the kids club open house, and he didn't list it with his favorites but said it was his top top top favorite]
Gabe's Favorites
- when Crush came to our table
- seeing how excited Cullen was at the pool
- when Maddie and Cullen got pictures with the princesses
- *** Aladdin show ***
- Midship Detective
Kerry's Favorites
- *** Aquaduck with Maddie ***
- seeing Maddie with Anna and that interaction
- Maddie meeting Sofia while wearing her Sofia dress
- seeing Princess Minnie and Formal Minnie
- Cullen seeing all the princesses and Maddie deciding to meet them at the last minute
- Midship Detective
- The waitstaff bending over backwards for Maddie and her pickiness
- seeing Crush at dinner
Day 2 Photos and Summaries
We woke around 7am and decided to give the breakfast at Royal Court a try. We knew we needed to get to Royal Court at about 8am in order to have plenty of time to make it to meet Princess Anna of Arendelle at 9:15am. Meeting Princess Anna was one of our top priorities on the trip. Maddie was very excited to meet her! Maddie wanted to wear her Sofia dress to meet the characters in the morning. She had to be very careful during breakfast to avoid getting anything on her dress! We had breakfast with Grandma. Maddie and I left a few minutes before the rest of the family to go get in line for Anna at about 9am. I'm glad that we did as there was already a good sized line forming for her! Anna was one of the most popular characters on the ship. Her lines were longer than any single character. The only line that was longer was the one where you could meet four princesses at once.
Cullen decided he didn't care about meeting Anna but he wanted to meet the princesses at 10am. Gabe, Cullen, and Grandma explored a bit and met Daisy.
They looked around a little more before Gabe and Cullen got in line for the princesses at about 9:30am. This meant that they would be in line for 45 minutes!
The interaction with Anna was awesome! She spent a good bit of time with each kid, and Maddie was excited to show her the Anna and Elsa dolls (which you can see in her photo!).
After we met Anna, we headed to find Gabe and Cullen in line. Cullen wasn't interested in meeting Sofia, so Maddie and I went up to wait for her. Maddie wanted me to take photos of her on the grand staircase.
We were second in line for Sofia which started at 10:15am. We got there well before 10am, so we were quite early. The princesses paraded out to the balcony and down the grand staircase at about 10am. The balcony is where Sofia would be meeting, so we were right next to them when the announcements were being made. A little later, we spotted Aladdin from above walking through the princess line. I went down to see if I could get a photo of Aladdin and Cullen. Cullen wasn't too sure about Aladdin, so I met him instead. Grandma was waiting with Maddie for Sofia while I got my photo.
I went back up with plenty of time to meet Sofia. Sofia showed up a little after 10:15am, and by then Gabe let a few people in front of him in line so we could catch up. Maddie loved meeting Sofia in her matching dress!
We rushed downstairs to see the princesses, and we got there just in time for Maddie to meet all four of them. The princess interaction was decent, but it felt a tad rushed (especially since we rushed to get down there!). I was surprised that Maddie changed her mind and wanted to meet the princesses since she is usually quite anti-princesses (except for Anna and Sofia).
They met Cinderella.
And Tiana (we should really see her movie).
And Belle.
And Snow White.
We walked around afterwards before deciding to meet Princess Minnie at 11am. I believe we may have done several clues for our Midship Detective in between meeting the characters. We were glad to get a lot of our big characters out of the way on this day since we knew that some of them only meet on the sea days.
After meeting Princess Minnie, we went back to the cabin to change into our swimsuits and head to the pool! We had the buffet lunch at Cabanas with Gabe's parents. Gabe's mom then joined us at the pool. Of course, an afternoon at sea is the busiest time for the pool, but we still had a wonderful time. Maddie and I got in line for the Aquaduck right away, and we had to wait about 40 minutes to ride. This was the only time during the cruise that we had a significant wait for the Aquaduck. All the other times, we waited less than 10 minutes. It was worth it, though, as we were both excited! We had an awesome first ride. Unfortunately, our photo never showed up in our portfolio. The Aquaduck photos only show up if the facial recognition works. They didn't let me take the waterproof camera on the ride, so I didn't get the video that I wanted of us going down the Aquaduck (this time!). We did take a few photos before we got to that part of the line.
Then we signaled to Gabe and Cullen below to come up and get the camera.
Maddie and I had so much fun on the Aquaduck!!! It was definitely a highlight for Maddie on the trip. It can be a little cold and windy when you get off of the Aquaduck, so we headed directly to the family hot tub. Maddie enjoyed playing with the underwater camera.
Both kids were thrilled to be in the pools. We were especially glad that Cullen was so happy in the water. He wasn't too thrilled the last time he was in a pool (which was sadly, longer ago than I care to admit!).
The kids were so happy! They also loved the Nemo splash area for kids under 7. Cullen spent a lot of time in that area throughout the cruise.
On the sea days, they had special matinee performances of the night's entertainment. We went to the 3pm showing of Aladdin, and it was my favorite show of the cruise. Gabe's mom came to see it with us as well, and we all enjoyed it. It was an abbreviated version of the movie with some updated references as well as a few changes.
After some more midship detective clues, we went back to get dressed for "formal night" (our family was not quite formal, but we still looked nice!). We had enough time to meeting Minnie, Pluto, and Mickey. I loved that we were getting to see the characters in so many outfits. I especially liked Minnie's formal wear!
Cullen wanted to meet Pluto, but Maddie opted to sit out.
We all met formal Captain Mickey. Maddie wanted to get a photo of just her with Mickey since she was wearing her Minnie dress for formal night.
Of course, it was another excellent opportunity for a family shot.
After meeting Mickey, we headed to my favorite of the rotational restaurants, Animator's Palate. On the 7-day cruise, the first night at the Animator's Palate is the Crush show.
The only downside of the Animator's Palate is that it's quite distracting for the kids! The dining room is full of video screens. Before the Crush show, the various Nemo characters and other animated fish will swim by the screens that are staged like aquariums. They also do a guessing game with the fish (like in the movie where they tell Dory how to get to Sydney). The kids enjoyed the guessing game!
Cullen was particularly distracted by the video screens!
On that night, the waitstaff really bent over backwards for our picky child. She didn't see anything on the menu that she wanted, so we asked if they could bring just plain pasta and meatballs, if they could. She was interested in the Mickey pasta, but I think it came with a cream sauce. They ended up bringing meatloaf (and no pasta). She actually tasted the meatloaf after we convinced her it was the same as the meatballs, but in a different, flatter shape. She even liked it! But when she made a face at the meatloaf, the waiters were already working on bringing her more options. They brought her the Mickey pasta and managed to get meatballs from one of the other dining rooms that night (and marinara that she could pour in just the right amount). I couldn't believe how accommodating they were despite our protests that she'll manage just fine. Maddie loved getting the Mickey ketchup each night. Look at all of Maddie's food!
We were also a big fan of the fact that they cut the kids' food for us each evening. That was awesome!
Between the entree and dessert, Crush visited with every table in the room. He visited with a group of tables at a time, and I'm pretty sure he addressed every kid in the dining room. We've seen Turtle Talk with Crush at Epcot, and this is very similar. Our kids weren't too responsive to Crush, but they still loved it.
Maddie even participated in the "swimming" dance after Crush left the dining room.
After dinner, Gabe's parents went to see some live music. We took the kids to the arcade to use the tickets that Bruno left for us. He had called us earlier in the day to see if we needed more arcade tickets, and he said we could just ask any time if we wanted more. The arcade is really small, but it was a fun diversion for the kids. They each played one of those big racing games a few times. We never did ask for more arcade tickets, since we didn't want to spend all that much time in the arcade. We had too many other fun things to do!
We then went around the ship collecting more clues for our Lost Puppies mission. The kids were having a blast with the Midship Detective. Throughout the cruise, we saw many groups of older kids who were able to roam the ship by themselves.
We returned to the room to get the kids to bed, and Gabe's mom came by shortly afterward so that we could go to do some things without the kids. We walked around a bit, checked out our photos and bought the digital package, looked around the shops, and took a "formal" photo in our even less formal clothes.
We ended up in the adult club area and watched the juggler perform. We didn't get there early enough to get a good seat, so we were way in the back. It was difficult to see everything that he was doing, but we were still entertained. We did some planning for our next day before the show started.
We returned to the room to relieve Grandma and to move our clocks forward an hour. We came up with our overall plan for the next day and went to bed!
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Saying 'No' is one of the most difficult things in the world for me.
I like making people happy. I like designing and developing awesome internet things. I also really like making money. So why the hell would I say no to projects that help me do all of these things?
OMG! People will pay me to make websites?!?!
In the beginning saying 'Yes' to every project that came my way was exciting. Hell yes! People think I'm awesome enough to make something AND pay me for it!!! While this was awesome for a while, I ran into some projects and clients that were't a great fit for me.
When you are first starting out, it's difficult to turn down jobs. If you don't work you don't get paid! It took me a while to figure out which kind of projects weren't the right fit: outside of my skillset, or outside of what I enjoyed doing, or clients that weren't the right fit personality wise. It's ok to pass on work, and odds are you probably know someone who is a better fit for the job!
Remember why you are freelancing!
One of the reasons I quit my 9-5 was so I could choose the projects I worked on and the people I worked with. While I was saying 'Yes' to everything I was forgetting the very reason why I wanted to work for myself.
After a few not so great experiences I finally trusted my gut and said 'No' to a project.
There were a few red flags (or rather animated neon flashing neon marquee tags) that came up:
- Visual design was not a priority
- Technical specs of the project were hard to pin down
- Timeline was very short
Part of me wanted to work on this project because the subject matter was cool. But my gut was telling me this will turn out badly, overbudget, over hours and may ruin my upcoming out-of-the-country vacation. So I took a risk and said NO!
Recommend someone else
I emailed the client and informed them that after the initial stages of the project, it turns out that this was just not going to be a good fit. I was short and sweet with the email and referred the client to a few other designers and developers and that was that!
I was a bit scared of saying no because this would have been one of the biggest projects to date that would have landed. I was also a bit scared because if I say no to this WHAT ELSE WOULD I WORK ON?!?!?
Long story short: other awesome work came in (thanks to other friends who pass on projects as well). I was much happier and I enjoyed my vacation.
So moral of the story: Trust your gut! Say 'No' when you need to.
Have you said no?
I'd love to hear about your experiences with saying no to a project. Did saying no turn out well? Did it turn out horribly? Leave a comment and tell me about it!


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The Fat Boar
Client: Bardonrich ltd.
Location: Mold, N. Wales
Project Completion: June 2015
Project Value: £150k
The redevelopment of the Boars Head in Mold has created an airy, contemporary pub and restaurant which has proved popular with locals and visitors to the Market town of Mold.
The bar forms the focal point on the ground floor with snug seating area, log burner and garden room.
A separate restaurant is on the first floor complimented by original features.


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Cuba: Island of Dreams Lost and Found – Part I
by oldschoolrules
An email from a friend of a friends announced a trip to Cuba as part of a group I knew nothing about: the Tuskeegee Veterinary Medical Alumni Association. Of course, Tuskeegee University in Alabama — founded in 1881, with the legendary Dr. Booker T. Washington as its first president — has incomparable Old School Rules bona fides, so I was glad to learn that I could join TVMAA as an affiliate member and participate in their 2011 Scientific Conference. It was an chance to learn from a brand new group of people, removing yet another degree of separation between myself and the rest of humanity. The bonus was a visit to a place that's been on my Bucket List for over 40 years.
We flew direct to Havana from Miami, Florida on a charter flight arranged by InsightCuba, the leading provider of legal people-to-people travel to Cuba. After changing the Euros I'd purchased in the U.S. into the CUC currency that is the only legal tender for foreigners on the island — giving new meaning to the exclamation "green go!" and the designation once reserved for unwelcome Americans: gringo — I rolled my bag through the throng of families greeting relatives on arriving flights, toward the two buses waiting for the TVMAA group. Before boarding, I took a snapshot of the first thing I saw:This Old School Rules classic mural of Che Guevara, is one of hundreds of images of the dashing, brilliant young hero of the Revolution found at literally every turn in Havana. I was reminded of the common thread that linked New World Africans throughout the Americas back in the day, when civil rights in the U.S. appeared to break the mold of cloaked and ugly secrets, challenging the notion expressed by the Last Poets, that "the Revolution will not be televised". In the case of Cuba, the Last Poets were right. That's the good news and the bad news. Experiencing first-hand — or at least on "live" TV — the befores, durings and afters of everyday people saying "no" to governance that doesn't serve them, is valuable. Whether we understand the problems, agree with the solutions, recognize the leadership, speak the language — or not — it is important to know what Revolution means, because it's been happening since prehistoric times, and is the reason we have Democracy.
Revolution is a dream that never dies. It wakes the dreamer — sometimes gently, sometimes fitfully, to action or just to observation — and returns to spur the slumbering mind whenever it is needed. Cuba is still living a dream. My small glimpse of its Revolution will not be televised, but it will be blogged about, because revolution is without question one of our Old School Rules.


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We are always interested in hearing about workshops and conference geared toward makers. When we heard about the inaugural Nearly Impossible Conference last year, we were intrigued! This year they expanded to hold the conference on both coasts: one in NYC and one in San Francisco. We were incredibly bummed to not be able to make it to the conference. Lucky for us, Yvonne of Cardtorial agreed to fill is in on all the details from the SF conference.
Q: Introduce yourself!
A: My name is Yvonne, founder of Cardtorial. Almost three years ago, I began making wooden greeting cards. I've since quit my day job to work on Cardtorial full-time, designing and crafting our line of fun wooden goods with my team.
Q: How did you hear about Nearly Impossible Conference?
A: I first heard about Nearly Impossible after seeing one of the talks from last year's conference in New York. I also follow a number of this year's speakers via social media and the name sunk in that way too.
Q: Why did you decide to apply?
A: As many makers know, the life of a small business owner can sometimes be quite isolating. I work in a small studio with sometimes minimal real life interaction. I wanted the opportunity to connect with others / get out of my studio and feel inspired. I find that I shy away from these opportunities because they're outside of my comfort zone yet I'm usually pumped after going.
Q: Who is it good for (and who is it not)?
A: This particular conference was geared toward creative businesses creating products and the workshops reflected that. More practical talks included using Instagram for a product-based business and managing inventory and forecasting. The broader, and for me, most meaningful talks touched upon the difficulties of building this kind of business -- those talks, I'm sure would be relevant for any creative professional. Whether or not you're contemplating launching a business venture or are a seasoned vet (and there were a number of well-established businesses there), I think it's a great place to meet with like-minded people and get the perspective of businesses at various points in their development.
Q: What surprising information did you learn?
A: It's always interesting meeting the people behind the brand. I was completely impressed by how down-to-earth and open people in the creative community are with both their triumphs and struggles.
Q: What was the conference like?
A: A mix of panels & speakers. We had an "expert lab" which consisted of a 15 minute one-on-one with an industry expert and one semi-interactive session on naming a business / product which, for me, was less instructive than the speakers. Oh, and a mixer at the end. The day went by pretty quickly.
Q: What was the most valuable piece of information?
A: Jen Gotch had a great talk about building her brand, Ban.do. She had a slide that said, "focus on top level shit." Often times, it's easiest to do the tasks you can easily tick off your to do list. I find myself doing this all the time -- it makes me feel productive. Really, I should probably be focusing on doing the things that nobody else can or will do for Cardtorial (aka -- high level stuff). Of course, these are the tasks that require me to be the most proactive, thoughtful, and persistent.
A few weeks ago I read The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss. As a small business owner, there seems to be a never ending to-do list and I wanted to learn how to manage that / the feeling of overwhelm better. This book is all about efficiency and outsourcing and I think goes well with the message of focusing on what's important.
Q: Did you think it was worth the price?
A: Yes.
Q: Where can people find your stuff?
A: Online at cardtorial.com. At a number of boutiques and stores across the nation (and globe!).


text: May 23, 2012 The Boles Springtime Clovis, NM Family Photoshoot May 23, 2012/ Cristy Cross Thank you Boles family for an adorable family shoot. I LOVED being with your family and photographing you all in your super cute outfits. I look forward to you seeing the rest of them at your ordering and viewing session.Happy Wednesday!