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La Shaguita Comes Out
It was springtime in San Francisco, and I was finally finished with men. I was nearly 27, young compared to many others, yet I had still missed those formative, post-pubescent years of love-making and courtship that everyone around me seemed to have had. At times I had convinced myself that I was asexual, and for years I wondered if romantic love was just a mental illness or a figment of everyone else's imagination. But suddenly something woke up inside of me, and my turbulent attempt at straightness came to an end.
I remember going out for drinks with the last man I ever dated. It was a crisp San Francisco evening and we started by walking up Kite Hill, which ironically is located in the very gay Castro District. A queer feeling came over me that evening as we overlooked the lights from the hill and then proceeded to have wine on Castro Street itself. I don't know why I felt it so strongly that particular night. I just know that this time, I actually listened.
"I feel like a lesbian," I thought to myself.
That was when I decided to finally go for the ladies.
It's amazing how quickly change can happen once you decide you want it. After years of never meeting a woman I'd have a chance with, I suddenly met a fellow lady lover who stole my heart in a second. It was karaoke night at a queer-friendly bar called El Río. She was a friend of a friend, and somebody happened to tell me she was a lesbian. We made eye contact as I sang "Unbreak my Heart" by Toni Braxton without realizing how soon those words would reflect the state of my soul.
I was too enamored to heed to my friends' warnings that we had nothing in common, that she needed more time to get over her past relationship, that what was happening between us had red flags all over it. None of that mattered.
My life was now poetry, and that made the torture worth it.
I was so excited to be a liberated lesbian that I may as well have purchased a megaphone to shout it to the world. I came out to everyone I knew within about a week of realizing I had fallen in love. I suddenly understood why people decide to get married, write love poetry and sing songs about love. A whole other level of the human experience made sense to me in a way it never had before. And the most beautiful part was that the love was so all-consuming that I felt like I shared a bit of it, in a platonic way, with everyone I came across.
In a matter of months, she was ready to move on. I didn't want to accept it. We had seen the love of the entire universe in each other's eyes, or so my hormones made me think, and I didn't understand how she could walk away from it all so coldly. It didn't occur to me that the love could have only been one-sided, or that our absolute lack of common interests and values were not the basis for a solid relationship.
When it was over I couldn't get her out of my mind. Her apartment, once a source of my most intimate joy and turmoil, was in between the metro station and my apartment. There was no way to avoid the area on my way home from work. This meant that every day I walked past the bar where I had my first lesbian kiss, the restaurant where she showed me that there's no reason to eat macaroni and cow cheese when you can eat macaroni with goat cheese (I've since become a vegan except when I'm in Switzerland), the karaoke spot where I had sung "Unbreak My Heart" that fateful night of spring.
I was taking flamenco classes at the time, and it occurred to me that maybe I should move to Spain, study flamenco, and become a lesbian podcast superstar from abroad. I had already recorded the first episode of my brand new podcast. It was called "How to Survive a Lesbian Breakup," something I still wasn't sure I would be able to do. Ironically, most of the episode was recorded in my closet, the quietest and most solitary part of my apartment.
Nobody believed me when I started announcing I was leaving, and I scarcely believed it myself. Yet months later, I was all by myself in the southern Spanish city of Seville. When I left I had no idea if I'd have enough work to sustain me, but luckily I've been able to support myself through freelance translations and voiceover jobs.
I know it sounds like a dream, but the transition was rough. I went from having a solid friend base to zero friends in a place I couldn't quite bring myself to love, despite the incredible privilege I had to live on my own in such a beautiful city. Panic attacks and a general sense of doom became a part of my daily routine. I wasn't sure if I had made the right decision, but I was determined to create a new life for myself. I was also really excited to meet some new babes.
Navigating the girl scene in Seville isn't hard to do because there almost isn't one, at least on the surface. I feel like this is the case in most medium-sized or even larger cities in the places I've traveled - the lesbian scene is nearly invisible until you find your way into it. There's an LGBTQ-friendly part of town called the Alameda, which has a few male-heavy gay bars in it. There's tinder, and a few lesbian dating apps. The lesbian bar I went to when I first got there closed down a few months later. I had a couple flings with girls I would never want to be in a relationship with. Both of them involved me doing awkward things like crying in the bedroom, convinced I would never again make true love.
With Seville as my base I decided to take my podcast to the road. I wanted to document what lesbian living and loving is like in different countries around Europe. A whole new world was soon to emerge for me. I realized that when I travel as a lesbian, I can make acquaintances and friends fairly easily by going to the local lesbian bar(s) or parties. This requires a certain level of coordination considering that there is not always a bar, and parties tend to happen only at certain times of the month. Despite the complications, I've ended up meeting loads of lady-loving-ladies while traveling, many of whom have become impromptu travel guides who tell me about their lives and show me their favorite parts of town. It's a pretty sweet deal, and I hope to return them the favor someday.
I should note that I'm generally femme-presenting although at times I can go a bit andro. I'm rarely seen as a lesbian to the unknowing eye. This reality, along with the whiteness of my skin, has affected my travel experience in multiple blatant and less-blatant ways, including that I may be safer than others when exploring areas with questionable records of homophobia, xenophobia and racism.
I've noticed certain similarities for lesbians in the different countries I've visited. For example, everywhere I've gone, lesbian women or bisexual women with female partners have told me that they only feel comfortable showing physical affection to their loves in certain parts of town. Lyon, once voted the "gayest city in France," is no exception to this phenomenon. There are lots of LGBTQI-friendly events and bars, including the only remaining lesbian dance club in the country. But even in the city center I witnessed first-hand when a new acquaintance was called "the devil" by a passerby, who told her that if she wasn't with her friends he would have beaten her up. She was the only butch girl in a group of femmes who, unknown to the stranger in the street, were also lesbians.
Warsaw, Poland was a far more accepting city than I had imagined, although influence from the Catholic Church and right-wing groups is still extremely strong. I arrived right on time for the yearly LGBT Film Festival and was able to make acquaintances my first day in town. Several ladies told me to avoid showing affection to my (non-existent) lover in a certain part of town called Praga, which has historically been rife with crime and alcoholism, but is slowly gentrifying like cities across the globe.
I was told the city center of Warsaw is generally accepting for women, although it is very rare to see gay men showing affection. Nonetheless, someone mentioned that a man unleashed his dogs when she was holding her girlfriend's hand in public in an area she thought was relatively safe. Fortunately the dog was nicer than its owner and didn't go through with the attack. The offices of two of Warsaw's LGBTQ organizations, Lambda Warszawa and Campaign Against Homophobia, have been vandalized multiple times this year alone. But there is also a powerful counter-current to this injustice, as well as a thriving lesbian and gay scene.
No city is immune to situations similar to the ones I've noted above, not even cities famed for their openness like San Francisco, London or New York. Once in a restaurant in London, for example, a man started shamelessly taking pictures of me and the girl I was dating. We were close enough for it to be clear that we were a couple, but we weren't showing extreme amounts of affection. That being said, London has one of the best lesbian party scenes I've ever experienced.
When I first fled from the closet, I only had vague suspicions that my newfound lesbianism would bring me around the world as the host of a lesbian podcast. I've always been a traveler at heart, and being single can help with this. Living on the road has become my norm. I've spent my summer in Switzerland, I'm heading back to Spain soon, and I plan to cover lesbian rights and visibility in more Eastern European countries during the spring.
Coming out in my late 20s was like living a second adolescence, with all its glorious ups and melodramatic lows. For the most part I've been single since then, but my time on the road has certainly helped me put things into perspective. If I do fall in love again, I'd like to think it would take more than two weeks to happen. I've learned to be more selective about the behaviors and personalities I'm willing to accept in a relationship. I've learned to respect myself as an independent, traveling woman who so far has had the privilege of creating the life I want. And I've had the honor of meeting many women around Europe and the Bay Area who share their time, concerns and realities with me and my listeners.


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subset: commoncrawl


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The main battlegrounds in the military sense are the Middle East, the Ukraine and Libya. What we see in each of the places is the Nazionist faction fighting desperately for survival. In Libya and the Middle East they are fighting to seize oil resources needed to stave off bankruptcy. In the Ukraine, the Nazionists, in addition to seeking gas, are fighting to create a new homeland for themselves after an expected expulsion from Israel and the United States.
On the financial front, the European Union is struggling to prevent the new Greek government's vow to cancel debt from destroying the EU financial system. In the United States the corporate government is frantically trying to scrape up survival money before February 17th, the time they have been given to find funds after missing a January 31st payment deadline.
There are also many other incidents taking place around the world connected the ongoing battle to end Babylonian debt slavery and free humanity.
Let us start with a closer look at what is happening in the Ukraine. According to Russian intelligence, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's real name is Valshman. Citing New York court records, the Russians say he is a dual Israeli US citizen of Romanian ancestry who took on his wife's name to appear Ukrainian. He was installed in power by a Nazionist mercenary army as part of a project by a faction of Ashekenazi Jews seeking to reclaim their Khazarian homeland. According to the Times of Israel
"A blue-ribbon team of scholars from leading research institutions and museums has just issued a secret report to the government, acknowledging that European Jews are in fact Khazars."
The realization dawning on many Jews of European ancestry that Israel was never their ancestral homeland, together with dismal independent survival prospects for that colony of brainwashed militants, is what has led to the ongoing project to create "Khazaria 2.0" in the Ukraine.
This brings us to the mysterious fire last week at a Russian depository of ancient Slavic documents and many other rare and valuable documents. Was this arson aimed at destroying historical evidence backing Slavic claims for the Ukraine? It is a good guess.
In any case, the plan to create a new Khararia is not going well at all. For one thing, the would be Kharazians (not to be mistaken for citizens of the modern nation state of Khazakhstan) are using not very eager foreign mercenaries to fight for them against people fighting to defend their ancestral homeland. For another, the Western oil companies, who were the source of much of the financing for the mercenary army, are getting cold feet. Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Marathon and Eni have all recently announced they are leaving the region. If I was a betting man, I would not bet on Khazaria 2.0.
The situation in the Middle East is also looking grim for the Israelis and their ISIS mercenary army. What is going on with ISIS in the Middle East is really an American civil war by proxy. On the one hand, you have the Pentagon fighting against ISIS. On the other hand, ISIS recruiters captured in Pakistan and elsewhere are saying they are getting their funding from the United States. ISIS fighters are being treated in Israeli hospitals and ISIS propaganda is being sent out the world via Jerusalem, according to British intelligence.
So here we have Pentagon troops fighting American financed mercenaries using US weapons and headed by an "El Bhaghdadi" who is really Mossad agent Simon Elliot. If this is not civil war by proxy, what is it?
A clear sign of this seen in the corporate media is the bitter rift between Pentagon spokesperson Barack Obama and top Nazionist Benyamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu is set to make a speech in March to the bribed acting troupe known as the US Congress and Senate. Obama is telling Netanyahu he is not welcome. CIA sources, meanwhile, are saying that Netanyahu is going to be killed by his own people.
It is also now increasingly clear that the whores in Congress and the Senate are no longer being offered the fascist security presence they are used to. Take a look at this widely broadcast video to see what I mean.
This sort of event inside a government hearing would have been unthinkable a couple of years ago. Many of the protesters seen there calling Henry Kissinger a war criminal are, by the way, Jewish, according to a Washington based source who works with them.
Meanwhile, the US corporate government faction supporting Obama is also in trouble. The Asian elders refused to roll over US corporate debt that came due on January 31st, according to Chinese government sources. That is why the Obama regime is trying to finance itself with a series of drastic tax hikes mislabeled "Obamacare." Obama has also announced plans to seize money being earned or held overseas by US corporations.
The backing of the US dollar with gold is also adding to US woes because a strong dollar is very bad for the real US economy. In January, 87% of US companies lowered their earnings expectations because of the impact of the strong dollar.
They are hurting because they cannot competitively export with the dollar at current rates. As mentioned many times in the past, the interests of the international US dollar and the US economy are at odds. The US dollar is now linked to gold, the Chinese Yuan, the Pound Sterling and the Swiss Franc. It is not an American currency. The Americans need to issue their own independent currency.
The financial situation in Europe is even worse than that of the US. It turns out the reason the EU is so reluctant to reduce Greek debt is that a house of cards of over $100 trillion worth of derivatives would collapse if the Greek bond card was taken out at the bottom. However, the new Greek government is determined to stop the looting of the Greek economy to support bankers. Symbolically, one of new Greek President Alexis Tsirpas's first moves as President was to lay flowers at a spot where Nazis murdered members of the Greek resistance during World War 2. He claims Germany still owes Greece 160 billion Euros in compensation for Nazi war crimes. Tsirpas has been assigned Russian special forces troops to prevent his assassination, according to US naval intelligence.
Now, the French, Spanish and Italian governments are all now supporting the cancellation of Greek debt. This is because they are all also being crushed by debt burdens.
Another sign the Western Babylonian debt slavery is in trouble is the fact that 16% of government bonds issued worldwide now offer negative interest rates. Denmark has even started issuing mortgages with a minus 0.3% interest rate. This sounds like a bargain until you realize that all the bank is doing is putting numbers in a computer saying they have rights to 20 or 30 years' worth of a large percentage of the mortgage holders' hard earned income. People are catching on to this now in increasing numbers and have begun to demand the abolishment of debt slavery.
There has also been a break in the ongoing secret investigation of cabal nuclear terror incidents like 311, according to MI5 British intelligence. UK Prime Minister James Cameron "has been connected to arms deals ever since his first job at Conservative Central Office on coming down from Oxford. This involved the brokering of six nuclear warheads manufactured in a joint South African – Israeli project in the 1970's -80's through John Bredenkamp." Israel's Netanyahu has also been extensively fingered by the Pentagon and others as being involved in nuclear terror incidents including 311. These people will soon have nowhere to hide and no-one to protect them.
The "purported beheading" (as multiple corporate media reports put it) of a Japanese journalist last week by ISIS was another turning point. The Japanese know who is really behind ISIS and will be seeking revenge.
Finally, there was one very promising bit of information sent to this writer last week by Jewish Kabalists. They claim the recent false flag incident in France involving the supposed murder of journalists at the magazine Charlie Hebdo was a secret message. According to them, Hebdo means seven (hepta in Greek) and symbolizes not only the Sabbath but also a once in seven years rest for the land jubilee or cancellation of debt and redistribution of assets. From the book of Deutoronomy: "At the end of every seven years, you shall celebrate the remission year. The idea of the remission year is that every creditor shall remit any debt owed by his neighbor and brother when God's remission year comes around." They also spoke of a once in seven seven (49) years jubilee when not only was debt cancelled but land was redistributed. It sounds like they are trying to negotiate a surrender
Benjamin Fulford - February 1, 2015: Why a future planning agency
By Benjamin Fulford
February 1, 2015
I first came to Japan in 1980 I was amazed to see fish swimming in the
rivers in downtown Tokyo. Japan of the 1980's was by many standards the
most advanced nation on earth. By 1985, after decades of sizzling
economic growth, they had the highest per capita income on earth, the
lowest gap between the rich and poor in any developed nation and a very
healthy natural environment. They also were the greatest creditor nation
on earth, having supplied cars, electronics and other goodies to the
rest of the planet often in exchange for IOUs.
of the reasons I chose to go to university in Japan was to study the
system that had made this miracle possible. This is how it worked.
Japan's government was run by a combination of highly talented
bureaucrats, industrialists and politicians with deep roots in their
local constituencies. They presided over a system that was a combination
of central planning, free market capitalism and socialism.
the apex of the system was an organization known as the Economic
Planning Agency. It was run by a group of about 30 members of the
bureaucratic, industrial, academic and political ruling elite. They
would come up with a 5 year plan for the country. Politicians would
explain in detail what their voters desired. Bureaucrats would explain
exactly how much money there was available to realistically meet their
desires. Industrialists would explain what could be profitably done to
contribute to the plan. The country as a whole also had a mission: to
overtake and surpass the West.
The system was not
like the central planning of Stalinist economies, where even such thing
as the amount of toothpaste was centrally planned, because it was based
on market forces.
The plan might, for example, call
for doubling the amount of roads, sewers and port facilities over a 5
year period, and would allocate the money for this. However, it was
private companies who bid for the actual work. Furthermore, companies
were free to carry out their own independent activities regardless of
the bigger plan.
The only countries that had systems
arguably as good as the old Japanese system were the Scandinavian
countries, Germany and Canada.
In 1985 the US
government set out to destroy this system out of what I can only
describe jealousy and fear of being over-taken. George Bush Sr., then
vice-president, ordered Japan to dismantle this system and hand economic
control over to American oligarchs (gangsters). When the Japanese
refused, they shot down Japan airlines flight 123 on August 12, 1985. On
September 22nd, 1985, Japan signed the Plaza Accord that signaled the
beginning of the systematic destruction of the Japanese economic system.
Since then, Japan's economy has been looted to the tune of about $5
trillion by American and European gangster oligarchs.
system that created the Japanese miracle was by no means perfect. One
flaw was the system of forced early retirement of low paid bureaucrats.
This meant that bureaucrats, instead of thinking of the greater good of
their country, had an interest in currying favour with the companies
they regulated in exchange for cushy, post-early retirement jobs. The
other problem was the system of lifetime employment. While this did
create employee loyalty to firms, it was also a feudal system that made
it almost impossible for people to change jobs. The political system was
also radically biased in favour of rural citizens and against urban
Singapore, to this day, has a better
system, where bureaucrats are not forced to retire early and get paid as
much as their private sector counter-parts. That is why Singapore keeps
sizzling along to this day.
In any case, China's
Deng Xiaoping carefully studied the Japanese and Singaporean systems and
adopted them to China. That is one of the main reasons for China's long
economic boom.
The West would do well to create its
own, improved version of this system. That is why I have been proposing
creating a future planning agency. This is different from the White
Dragon Society, which strongly insists on ending poverty, stopping
environmental destruction and expanding earth life exponentially into
the universe. This is simply a personal proposal, based on 30 years'
experience as a geopolitical journalist.
The future
planning agency I propose would have an initial funding of $7 trillion.
That is the amount of money the Japanese have legitimately earned since
World War 2. It is based on cars, electronics and other real things sent
to the rest of the world. This is different from gold carefully hoarded
in caves over the millennia by Asian dynastic families or fantastical
numbers put in computers by Western Bankers. It is based on actual
The future planning agency would exist
in harmony with existing institutions and not replace them. It would
recruit some of the best brains from all over the world in the fields of
government, business, academia etc. Their job would be to study and
make real the wishes of the people of the planet, as expressed through
the internet and opinion surveys.
Here are some
possible examples of what such an agency could accomplish. First, it
would accept bids and plans for a massive campaign to turn the deserts
green. Many competing plans would be allowed to go ahead and those that
succeeded would be copied and improved upon. Such an effort could double
the amount of land now available for agriculture and nature preserves.
the case of the oceans, the agency could hire the navies of the world
to stop the unsustainable over-fishing that is destroying the ocean
eco-systems. Within 5 years it should be possible to increase the amount
of fish 10 fold. Feeding the ocean with nutrients may make it possible
to further increase this 100 fold.
Another project
it could oversee would be to make sure every child on earth is well fed
and well educated. Human brains are the most under-utilized resource on
the planet. Allowing all those young minds to reach their full potential
would unleash wonders we cannot even imagine at present.
are just ideas meant to form a starting point for a debate about what
sort of system we could create to allow us to successfully navigate into
the future. It is not a final plan. Nor is it a plan for a single
central world government. Many competing corporations, governments,
charities, foundations, etc. could all work in harmony with the future
planning agency.
In any case, let us look at what we
now have in the West. The system of unfettered capitalism is based on
the "profit motive" which is a nice way of saying human greed. It has
created a black hole sucking up all the world's resources and wealth
into the hands of a tiny, rapacious elite. They spend the world's
savings on a military industrial complex meant to preserve their power.


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Morning Readers!
It's the beginning of Valentine's Day week, you know, the time to scramble and get that something special for the one you love. I know I should have chosen a song about love, but that can wait for the actual day.
For this mundane Monday morning I wanted to start it off with a song that has been in my head that got me going every morning since I started staying up late watching the Olympics this past weekend. I think that Paint It Black by the Rolling Stones fits the bill perfectly! It's fun, it has an amazing rhythm, and even though it's about lost love, it makes up for its darkness, for me, by giving off the opposite effect by being so high energy. I don't know anyone who falls into sadness by listening to this song!
I hope you feel the same effect I do when you start chair dancing to this song this morning!
Until my next post, Readers!


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This December, online bookies can use pay per head sportsbook software to make plenty of cash. It starts with college football bowl games and the NFL, but bookies can also make a profit on other leagues that are heating up.
Check some highlights during the holiday month of December that should lead to plenty of profit.
Make Cash During the Holidays
Treat yourself this holiday season and upgrade your sportsbook experience. Start a 3 week trial of PayPerHead's Prime Package for just $3 per head.
Learn more about this deal and the tools you need for more cash.
Promote All College Football Bowl Games
39 College Football Bowl games take place from Saturday, Dec. 15 to Jan. 1. Those 39 Bowl games don't count the two College Football Playoff Semifinal games between Alabama and Oklahoma and Notre Dame and Clemson.
Pay per head agents should promote all College Football Bowl games. The best way to do this is to promote games in blocks. For example, on Dec. 15, the following bowls take place:
- AutoNation Cure Bowl: Tulane vs Louisiana
- Gildan New Mexico Bowl: North Texas vs #21 Utah State
- Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl:#21 Fresno State vs Arizona State
- Raycom Media Camellia Bowl: Georgia Southern vs Eastern Michigan
- R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl:Middle Tennessee vs Appalachian State
It might be a good idea for bookies to set up promoted parlays to gain action. A 5-Team promoted parlay of the 5-Bowl games listed here should drive plenty more action than if agents just waited for bettors to individually wager on these matchups.
NFL Gets Hot – Take Advantage
It's crunch time in the NFL. Set up promoted parlays each week, send out notices about specific games, educate yourself about which teams are in must-win situations.
The NFL Playoff fields will be set before the end of December. Take advantage right now.
Don't Forget NBA, NHL, EPL, and College Hoops
It's important to not forget about the NBA, NHL, and College Hoops. Already, teams are playing games that could affect seeding in the March Madness NCAA Men's College Basketball Tournament.
It's not too late to consider March Madness betting.
NHL's difficult to promote because most U.S. bettors don't pay attention to hockey until playoff time. To promote NHL, along with something like English Premier League soccer matches, bookies can set up parlays specifically involving NHL and EPL games. Those agents must make sure they attach bonus payout odds to any promoted parlays.
The NBA runs it's usual slate of excellent nationally broadcast Christmas Day matchups:
- Milwaukee Bucks at New York Knicks
- Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets
- Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
- L.A. Lakers at Golden State Warriors
- Portland Trailblazers at Utah Jazz
That's a 5-team NBA only promoted parlay that per head agents can use to drum up massive action. Not much else is going on this Dec. 25.
Utilize the NBA to garner holiday action.


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I spent an evening with this sweet family on an ordinary day. Their boy-girl twins are 5.5 and just so full of fun. There were pancakes for dinner (yes!) made by Erin and her mom while Will and his dad worked in the garage replacing a tired on his bike. They spent a bit of time outside riding bikes and tending to the fairy gardens, then headed back in for a craft, play with barbies and trucks, reading, and then a bit of movie watching on their in-home theatre in the basement before getting tucked into bed for the night.
Enjoy this glimpse of life at the Hughes home!
Also, just a heads up: I have a black friday and small business saturday deal or two in the works. One will be a special deal just for previous clients, while the other will have possibilities for anyone. Keep an eye on my facebook page and IG (@brookecollierphoto) so that you don't miss it!


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One saying that always stuck with me is "take care of your clients or someone else will"
"Like any business our clients are the foundation of our success. Before starting Vonk Digital I worked in an industry where customer relationships were built on face-to-face communication and rapport building. Your clients became your friends. In the business we are in clients often stay with us for years and years. We have seen some of our clients start with a few employees and become national lenders using our platform. That is really awesome and we will continue to be here to support all of our clients however we can." – Vinnie
Vinnie Balsamo | Co-Founder
Office: (877) 297-8055
Direct: (760) 230-0978


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We had a great Sunday afternoon performing an Air to Air photo shoot southeast of Denver with 3 beautiful aircraft. Including a Pitts SB2 and 2 Xtreme Decathalons. I love the 3 vivid colors, orange, red and blue. Many shoots are with aircraft that are white with a few stripes. We were hoping for more knife-edge and inverted images with smoke on. Unfortunately, the air was too rough for inverted formation flight and the smoke system on the Pitts didn't want to work inverted. Oh well. It was a great day toughly with friends.
Pitts & Xtreme Decathalon x2
by Mitch Bowers | Jan 15, 2018 | Air-To-Air Photography | 0 comments
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Erin Turner, Erin Turner Photography
Photography has been something I have pursued since I was a child and while my first career took me to major metropolitan cities as a television producer, visually seeing and telling a story has always been a craft I was honing. I finally had the courage to pursue photography full time in 2013 and never looked back. My job - whether I'm working with teens & tweens during a vulnerable time in their lives, women who want to experience the empowerment of a beautifully styled boudoir shoot, or a business looking to show the person and the personality behind their company - is to tell each person's story authentically. To get the the heart of what makes each of us unique and highlight that through beautiful, honest imagery. The biggest part of my job is making anyone I'm shooting feel comfortable, and I believe that is my biggest strength after years of interviewing fortune 500 CEOs to some of the biggest names in Hollywood. I know how to make everyone feel special and even more I know how to understand who they are and get to the heart of what will resonate with them and who they are speaking to. It is my greatest challenge and by far my most rewarding feat - shooting images that tell the story of who you are, no matter your background. I create relative, interesting and personal content to be used on a regular basis on Social Media, websites and blog posts so personal brands can attract and engage their tribes through stylized content.


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Petes Thankful for 4-1 Road Win over Troops
It took them a few minutes to get going, but once they did, the Peterborough Petes skated their way to a commanding 4-1 road victory in North Bay on Monday afternoon.
Just past the halfway point of the opening frame, Nick Isaacson danced his way through the neutral paint and into North Bay's zone. Peterborough native Matt McNamara fired a point shot toward Christian Propp, who directed a juicy rebound to Chad Denault. From one knee, Denault opened scoring.
DENNY! @Denault17 pounces on a juicy rebound to put away his 3rd of the season! Assists to @nick_isaacson and @mattmcnamara23.1-0 Petes!#GoPetesGo pic.twitter.com/Bte7l7O1c3
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) October 8, 2018
Peterborough's lead was further extended on their second man advantage opportunity of the game. Zach Gallant and Erik Čermák both got a stick on the puck before Pavel Gogolev, like he's done before, spun around and released a quick shot that found the top corner over Propp's right shoulder.
GOGO GOOOAL! @Pavel_gogolev17 goes top corner from a wide angle to extend the lead to 2-0! @CermakErik (his first @OHLHockey point) and @zachgally with the helpers.#GoPetesGopic.twitter.com/DwrJ2c6TLx
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) October 8, 2018
Despite only have one shot on net in the first eight and a half minutes of the period, the Petes held a comfortable lead through 20 minutes of play.
It took the boys a few minutes to get going, but we're up by 2 after 20!#GoPetesGopic.twitter.com/8EXLuMvOQs
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) October 8, 2018
After recording two assists on the season thus far, Adam Timleck finally netted his first goal of 2018-19. Nick Isaacson was able to hold the play at the blue line, then slipped the puck between two Battalion defenders to find Timleck streaking to the net. Just 1:10 into the period and the Petes were up 3-0.
TIMMER TIME! A nice hold at the blue line, @nick_isaacson threads the puck to @AdamTimleck who goes over Propp! 3-0 PBO!#GoPetesGopic.twitter.com/Tsj7jFS2rb
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) October 8, 2018
On their 13th shot on netminder Hunter Jones, North Bay got on the board. After Matthew Struthers and David Maier passed the puck back and forth along the boards on a power play, Maier released a shot from just inside the blue line that Brad Chenier tipped past Jones.
Through 40 minutes, the Petes continued to lead in goals, shots, and faceoff wins.
Still up by 2⃣ after 2⃣!#GoPetesGopic.twitter.com/kbWeg2ji4W
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) October 8, 2018
In his fifth game since returning from Toronto Maple Leafs training camp where he signed an entry-level contract, Semyon Der-Arguchintsev found his first of the 2018-19 season. Waiting on the doorstep, SDA released the puck from Propp's right after accepting a pass from fellow Russian Gogolev.
SAMMY! SDA gets his first of the season off a feed through the slot from @Pavel_gogolev17! 4-1 Petes!#GoPetesGopic.twitter.com/9087uaBRPD
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) October 8, 2018
A late and strange Battalion goal was called off with less than 30 seconds remaining in the game, finalizing Peterborough's 4-1 Thanksgiving road victory.
Gogolev, Isaacson, and Propp were named the games first, second and third stars, respectively. Final shots were 45-33 in favour of the Petes.
The mighty maroon and white will host two home games next weekend, first taking on the Erie Otters on Thursday before the inaugural alumni homecoming game featuring the Memorial Cup-winning 1979 Petes team. Tickets are available as follows:
Thursday vs. Erie: http://bit.ly/Oct11vsER
Saturday vs Windsor: http://bit.ly/Oct13vsWSR


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Metro Earrings
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The Metro design is the quintessential Art Deco shape. The straight and angular lines reflect the Art Deco style popular in the 1920's and 30's. In the center is an emerald cut 5X7mm stone. The size of the Metro earring is 1 inch, so very easy to wear. Be sure to check out the matching Metro necklace.


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Is the most important exotic leather processor in the world, having the largest exotic tannery in Mexico for over 30 years. Currently exports to a variety of countries around the world. America, Europe and Asia have been among the top throughout the years. We offer high quality products at a reasonable price. This has resulted in our well know reputation in the industry. For this reason we have a continuous export of products throughout the years.
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Linda owns a vintage clothing business here in Rosebud and came by this genuine Italian made vintage frame which is possibly 1950s or early 1960s. After a bit of TLC we fitted new progressive lenses for Linda and she is very happy with the result! The frame is a classic and well worth re-glazing. We often do restoration jobs on vintage/classic frames. In particular, frames from the 1940's to 1960's which have high gold content lend themselves very well to this type of restoration. They can easily be welded/ repaired and polished bringing them back to near new.Posted by Murray O'Brien on March 27, 2012


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Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
February 11, 2016
(AUSTIN) — The Texas Comptroller's office is committing $1.5 million to the Hidalgo school district to retrofit some of its aging campuses with energy-efficient building equipment through the State Energy Conservation Office's (SECO) LoanSTAR program (Saving Taxes and Resources).
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is visiting Hidalgo today to announce the loan, which will help retrofit seven schools with energy-efficient lighting, programmable thermostats and new air-conditioning units for the South Texas district, which serves about 3,400 students.
"I applaud Hidalgo ISD for tapping into a program that has saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars while improving energy efficiency all over our great state," Hegar said. "By reducing energy costs, school districts such as Hidalgo's can put more of their resources where they are needed most — the classroom."
Hidalgo officials said they expect the improvements to save the district about $150,000 per year, helping it pay off the $1.5 million loan in about 10 years.
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Allan Slaight Chair for the Study of the Conjuring Arts/BOUCLE_logo_accueil>
Carleton University
Endowed by the Slaight Family Foundation with a $2 million matched leadership gift, this Chair reflects Allan Slaight's lifelong dedication to, intellectual interest in, and scholarship on magic. Areas of research related to the conjuring arts include psychology, history, literature, communication, media, religious studies, and theatre. Focusing on perception, illusion, deception, influence, and the history of magic, the study of the conjuring arts is an evolving area that represents a respected and growing academic area of study. This is a ground-breaking and exciting opportunity to develop a new interdisciplinary academic programme and centre for multidisciplinary approaches to the study of magic and the conjuring arts.
With a PhD in a relevant arts or social sciences discipline, the Chair will have a record of teaching and research strength, with evidence of an interdisciplinary and innovative approach in any area related to magic and the conjuring arts. This includes: enchantment; wonder and the uncanny; alchemy; magical realism; healing and spiritualism; the performing body; magic and the mind; magic and the psychology of deception, persuasion and suggestion; the psychology of magical beliefs and magical thinking; magic and colonialism; magic and modernity; history, science and technology; connections between magic, cinema, theatre, gaming, and other media; intersections of feminism, witchcraft, and resistance; and practices of black, South Asian, Indigenous, queer, and trans people, and people of colour.
The successful candidate will have a strong commitment to education and outreach, the ability to collaborate across disciplines, and the skills and reputation to build a world-class academic programme and centre. With funding available for research, travel, visiting scholars, conferences, and student support, the Chair will be capable of placing Carleton at the forefront of this dynamic area of education and research and will also play a leading role in developing Carleton's strengths as a unique international resource for collections and artifacts related to magic. This is an open-rank faculty position, with the successful candidate appointed to a tenured or tenure-track faculty position, as appropriate, within a relevant department of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS). The Chair is for a five-year renewable term.
Located in Ottawa, Carleton University (www.carleton.ca) is a dynamic and innovative research and teaching institution with over 29,000 students, 950 academic faculty, 2000 staff, and more than 100 programmes of study. FASS offers 30 areas of study at the undergraduate and graduate levels and encompasses 16 departments, colleges, and schools, as well as the Carleton University Art Gallery.
A multidisciplinary search committee will begin consideration of candidates immediately and will continue until the role is successfully filled. Applications should include a letter of interest outlining a vision for the programme and centre, curriculum vitae and the names of three references (who will not be contacted without the consent of the candidate), and be submitted electronically, as one PDF file, in confidence, to:
Laverne Smith & Associates Inc.
Presentation file
Attached documents
- PDF - 418.9 kb


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Start of the year i was 94kg and gross. I went on a gym and fitness blitz, and in ten weeks was down to 86kg and looking good. That was all gym, hiit and clean diet. Routine was s huge thing too.-TW- wrote:High intensity heavy lifting will get rid of the custard guts. Provided your diet is reasonabledubby wrote:I personally can't stand running, have no interest in doing long distance as you lads do, but I do admire your dedication and discipline.
Like you gerg, my work isn't very fulfilling and I'm looking for something to dedicate myself to. I enjoy gym, and go regularly. I could do better of course, so much custard guts to remove.
Sent from my SM-G950F using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
I found when I was really into it, it made up for the lack of excitement in other facets of my life
I'm starting again. I'm 90kg at the moment, and aiming for 84kg.
Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk


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Selective illumination
Different portions of an area are selectively highlighted in response to observer proximity. An adjustable dimmer establishes the non-highlight illumination level for each area. The dimmer is overridden by observer-sensing circuitry to produce the highlight illumination level.
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This invention relates to a technique (including both apparatus and method aspects) for producing improved visual display effects.
In merchandising various types of goods, it has long been recognized that lighting is an important factor in the display of the goods to prospective customers. Different kinds of lighting have been found to vary widely in the effectiveness which they contribute to a favorable visual impact of these goods. Accordingly, numerous lighting techniques have evolved for merchandising display, including spotlighting, floodlighting, backlighting, even "black" lighting. However, despite the wide variety of existing choices, there were still situations in which known lighting techniques left something to be desired.
In particular, I have found this to be the case for those situations in which many different items of goods, or groupings of such items were to be displayed separately, but within a display area which is large relative to the space occupied by each individual item or grouping.
To my knowledge, there has been in vogue for such situations, essentially only one lighting treatment. This has involved primarily a high general level of illumination within the entire area. Within this general ambient lighting, there have indeed been attempts to further highlight certain portions. However, this has not been highly effective. Because of the bright general light level, highlighting would have had to be very intense to really stand out. Also, this technique would be exceedingly wasteful of electrical energy. Practical (and correspondingly more economical) levels of highlighting provided little distinctiveness and emphasis for the highlighted portions.
Other possible types of lighting, e.g. low general illumination with local highlighting of desired items through "pools" of light may have been considered from time to time, but so far as I know, did not find favor in practice. Likewise, it may be that consideration has been given to the possibility of providing low ambient illumination, and having attendants accompany the customers through the display area, turning on localized highlighting as they went. Again, however, this would scarcely be a practical arrangement.
All of the various possibilities contemplated above suffered from what I believe to be serious deficiencies in customer effectiveness. For example, the one with a high general lighting level plus very diverse supplemental highlighting creates too bright an overall environment, and also tends to be glary. Permanent highlighting at lower levels produced a rather "black", or non-dramatic appearance. Other possibilities, likewise suffered from various predictable merchandising shortcomings.
Turning now to a different, but interrelated matter, there is the problem of rapidly rising energy costs. This has placed a premium on measures which will conserve energy, while not adversely affecting other desirable objectives. In the field of display lighting of the type discussed above, the need to conserve energy has to my knowledge also not been satisfactorily met. For example, so-called "dummy bulbs" have been installed in multi-bulb lighting fixtures, but this simply lowers the over-all level of illumination, which is esthetically unwanted.
It should also be noted that the problems addressed above are not strictly limited to display lighting situations. They can also arise in other situations as more fully discussed later in this specification.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved technique for utilizing lighting effects in merchandising and other applications.
It is another object to provide such an improved technique which is particularly suitable for large display areas, in different portions of which individual items or groups of items are located.
It is still another object to provide such an improved technique which highlights selected portions of the over-all display area.
It is still another object to provide such a technique which accomplishes the highlighting in a manner particularly effective from the merchandising standpoint.
It is still another object to provide such a technique which is particularly efficient in electrical energy consumption.
It is still another object to provide such a technique which effectively attracts the attention of a passerby.
It is still another object to provide such a technique which is efficient not only with respect to the energy consumed by the lighting itself but also with respect to other energy needs of the premises.
These and other objects which will appear are achieved in accordance with the present invention as follows:
The different portions of a display area which are to be separately highlighted are each provided with their own lighting fixture, or set of fixtures, positioned and arranged to produce the desired localized highlighting effect when operating at relatively high levels of light intensity. Each area is further provided with its own instrumentality for sensing the presence within that area (or at least in the vicinity of the goods on display in the area) of a prospective customer. The sensing instrumentality so controls the lighting fixture or fixtures for the same area that these operate at a relatively low level of light intensity when no customer is being sensed. On the other hand, they switch to a relatively high level when a customer is sensed by the sensing instrumentality.
Preferably, control of the transition between low and high intensity is achieved by means of a light source, actuated by the sensing instrumentality and interacting with a photosensitive device which, in turn, controls the brightness of the actual lighting.
Timing means are provided for controllably delaying the return of the light level to its low intensity, after the customer's presence is no longer being sensed.
This technique ingeniously achieves a blend of many desirable characteristics. Individual portions of the display area are selectively highlighted automatically, as a prospective customer comes into their vicinity. This produces a desirable effect in several aspects. The particular goods on display in the individual portion of the area are dramatized by the highlighting. Attention is drawn to merchandise which might have gone unnoticed if the lighting had remained constant.
Distinctiveness of lighting treatment can be enhanced for each individually highlighted portion of the display area. Altogether a tremendous amount of flexibility is provided by the inventive technique, leading to vast potential improvements in effectiveness from the marketing standpoint.
Moreover, the technique is very economical in usage of electrical power, since only a selected portion of the display area is subjected to relatively intense illumination at any given time. Other portions are maintained at a low level. This in itself, saves very substantial quantities of energy. The energy savings is further greatly enhanced by the fact that this technique also reduces the heat load which the lighting system imposes on the premises, saving greatly on air conditioning expenses, and that it reduces lighting fixture maintenance costs, both as to replacement parts and labor. Analysis has shown that the savings resulting from all these causes can readily amount to thirty percent or more.
For further details, reference is made to the discussion which follows taken in light of the accompanying drawings wherein
FIG. 1 is an over-all view (in perspective) of a portion of a merchandise display area utilizing the inventive technique;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of circuitry which is capable of performing the inventive technique;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a dimmer circuit used as part of the circuitry illustrated in FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a timing circuit used as part of the controller which is part of the circuitry illustrated in FIG. 2.
The same reference numerals are used in the figures to denote similar elements.
Referring to FIG. 1, this shows a passageway 1 defined between a grouping of goods 2 disposed on both sides of the passageway 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the groupings of goods are enclosed in glass showcases 3. However, this is not essential insofar as the present invention is concerned, nor is the specific positioning of the groupings on opposite sides of the passageway. What is essential is that there is the opportunity for a prospective customer such as illustrated in phantom at 4 in FIG. 1, to be able to approach the goods in a proximity such as is conventional in display areas.
Lighting fixtures 5 are provided, positioned so as to provide the desired localized highlighting of groupings 2 when the fixtures 5 are operating at an intense light level. On the other hand, when these fixtures 5 are operating at a substantially lower lighting level, they provide only comparatively dim, and non-highlighting illumination for the groupings 2.
A floor mat 6 is provided in the passageway 1, so positioned that prospective customer 4 will virtually inevitably stand on this mat while in passageway 1. The mat 6 may be of any conventional construction capable of providing a switching action depending on whether a customer is or is not standing upon it. For example, the mat 6 may be provided with internal air passages, so interconnected that the customer might cause an increased pressure to manifest itself at an air outlet from the mat. This pressure increase is then relieved when the customer steps off the mat.
There is also provided a controller 7 (see FIG. 2), and one or more dimmer units 8, which are coupled both to mat 6 and to lighting fixtures 5. The controller 7, the operation of which will be more fully described below, centrally reglates the operation of the switching system 9 illustrated in FIG. 2, and may be placed at any convenient location. The dimmer unit 8 may, for example, have the general external configuration of a conventional electric dimmer switch, including a knob 8a, which is both rotatable and provides a positive off setting, such as by in-and-out reciprocation. For convenience, the dimmer unit 8 is preferably placed in a readily accessible position to permit its easy adjustment, although such placement is not necessary for operation.
The functioning and interaction between these elements in accordance with the present invention is as follows:
Upon sensing the presence of a customer 4, circuitry contained in the dimmer unit 8 switches the lighting fixtures 5 to full intensity permitting proper viewing of the viewing areas or show cases 3. After the customer 4 has viewed a display and has left the area, the switching device controlled by the floor mat 6 is deactivated.
Deactivation of the switching device subsequently causes the lighting fixtures 5 to be returned to their original, dimly lit, state, however this is preferably accomplished only after a delay period which is regulated by the controller 7. After the preselected delay period has passed, the controller 7 causes the dimmer unit 8 to return the lights to their original low level. This delay period has been found advantageous to permit a customer 4 to leave the viewing area or show cases 3 before the lighting is lowered.
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a switching system 9 which is capable of producing the above described inventive technique. The switching system 9 comprises a controller 7, one or more dimmer units 8, one or more sensors 10 such as the floor mat 6 above described, and one or more loads 11 such as the lighting fixtures 5 previously mentioned.
It will be noted that the components illustrated in FIG. 2 have been labeled as Area I and Area II components. These two groups of components serve to illustrate two variations in lighting technique which may be used in connection with the switching system 9.
A first lighting technique is illustrated in connection with a first viewing area, Area I, in which a single dimmer unit 8 controls a single load 11. The load 11 may comprise either one or several lighting fixtures 5 as desired. As an example, in a viewing area such as that illustrated in FIG. 1, the lighting provided to each showcase 3 by the fixtures 5 would be uniformly controlled by a single dimmer unit 8 (either of the two dimmer units 8 shown being suitable).
In general, each such viewing area is provided with a load 11, which is placed in series with a dimmer unit 8 and a power source 12, which would generally be a standard household voltage alternating current source. The dimmer unit 8 for each viewing area is also connected to one portion of the controller 7, thus permitting central co-ordination of the lighting system 9.
The dimmer unit 8 contains circuitry which is capable of maintaining the current delivered to the load 11 at a preselected low level until such time as the presence of a customer 4 is sensed. At that time, upon a signal from the controller 7, the circuitry contained within the dimmer unit 8 is then capable of delivering a maximum current to the load 11. The controller 7 is responsive to a signal from the sensor 10, located within the viewing area, which is capable of sensing the presence or absence of a person in the viewing area. The sensor 10 may be any standard sensing means such as a pressure sensitive switch, an ultrasonic motion sensor, a microwave sensor, a photoelectric sensor or an audible sound sensor.
This maximum current is delivered to the load 11 until such time as the controller 7 provides a signal to the dimmer unit 8 capable of returning the circuitry contained within the dimmer unit 8 to its original, low output state. This signal is produced as follows:
The sensor 10 for the viewing area in question, upon determining that a customer 4 has left the viewing area, will change state. This change in state depends upon the type of sensor used. However, in general such a change in state would be equivalent to that of a switch, open representing an "off" state, closed representing an "on" state. Other signals capable of operating the controller 7 are also possible. The change in state of the sensor 10 signals the controller 7 that a customer 4 no longer is found in the viewing area. In order to allow the customer 4 to leave a well-lit area, for safety and convenience, the circuitry within the controller 7 maintains the output current to the load 11 at its high level for a predetermined time. This period of time is advantageously regulated by a timing circuit 13 located within the controller 7. Upon expiration of this preselected time period, the controller 7 provides a signal to the dimmer unit 8 which returns the current output to the load 11 to its original, low state.
The above series of steps is repeated as new customers enter and leave the viewing area.
The controller 7 is capable of providing a similar switching function to a plurality of areas, each being provided with its own load 11, dimmer unit 8 and sensor 10, and each receiving an individual signal from the controller 7 as customers enter and leave the respective display areas.
By providing each section of the controller 7 with its own timing circuit 13, it is possible to vary both the lighting differential provided to a given display area as well as the period of time that full current is provided to the load 11.
A second lighting technique which may be produced by the lighting system 9 is illustrated by referring to those components of FIG. 2 designated as Area II components. This technique would be useful in providing lighting of varied intensity to different locations within a viewing area. For example, in a viewing area such as that illustrated in FIG. 1, each showcase 3 could be provided with a separate dimmer unit 8, each dimmer unit 8 being capable of controlling one of the lighting fixtures 5 illustrated.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is provided a separate dimmer unit, 8', 8" and load 11', 11" for each showcase 3. These, in turn, are controlled in unison by the controller 7, and the sensor 10' associated with that viewing area. Operation of such a system is essentially similar to that previously described, the controller 7 providing signals to the pair of dimmer units 8', 8" which in turn regulate the current delivered to the loads 11', 11". However, in this configuration one load 11' is regulated by one of the dimmer units 8' and the other load 11" is regulated by the other dimmer unit 8". In this manner the low light level produced in each showcase 3 may be separately regulated, as desired. However, the interaction of these components with the presence of a customer 4 is synchronized by the controller 7 and sensor 10'. Thus, the low levels of lighting may be individually regulated, and the high levels of lighting may be uniformly produced according to the presence or absence of a customer in the viewing area.
Other combinations are possible for use in connection with this technique. For example, several separately controlled fixtures 5 may be provided as part of a single showcase 3, each highlighting a different segment of that showcase 3. Such an effect may advantageously be used in connection with colored light bulbs, or for the production of other special lighting effects. The number of individual fixtures 5 provided as part of the lighting system 9 is limited only by the practicalities of design, the controller 7 being adapted to handle a plurality of such fixtures 5 in a wide variety of combinations.
The foregoing illustrates a switching system 9 capable of producing the inventive lighting technique previously described. The circuitry contained within the individual components above described will now be discussed in greater detail.
FIG. 3 illustrates the circuitry contained within the dimmer unit 8. The various signals produced by the controller 7, in order to regulate the current provided to the load 11 are impressed across the input 14 of the dimmer circuit 15. Various signals may be used to produce the effect sought. However, as will be shown later in the discussion describing the circuitry of the controller 7, I have selected a variable DC voltage as the signaling means. Such a signal would preferably exhibit a low voltage, near ground potential, when low currents are to be delivered to the load 11, and a relatively higher voltage, of some preselected value, when maximum currents are to be delivered to the load 11.
Upon sensing the presence of a customer 4 in the viewing area, the controller 7 would provide a high voltage level to the input 14 of the dimmer circuit 15. This voltage gives rise to an increased current through the resistor 16.
Placed in series with the input 14 and resistor 16 is the input of an optocoupler 17. The optocoupler 17 comprises a light emitting diode 18, at its input, and a photoelectric cell 19, at its output, both components being encased in an enclosure which is sealed from external light. In this manner transmission of a signal from the input to the output of the optocoupler 17 is made responsive to variations in light.
The increased current passing through the resistor 16 also passes through the light emitting diode 18 thereby illuminating the light emitting diode 18. This in turn causes the photoelectric cell 19 to change state, from a high resistance, to a low resistance.
Prior to this change in state the photoelectric cell 19 exhibits a relatively high resistance, on the order of 10 to 20 megohms. Accordingly, it has no effect on the output 20 of the dimmer circuit 15. Rather, the output 20 is essentially controlled by a semiconductor device, such as the triac 21 illustrated, and a triggering network connected between the gate inputs 23, 24 of the triac 21. A first gate input 23 is connected to one end of the variable resistor 22, and a second gate input 24 is connected to the wiper 25 of the variable resistor 22. The remaining end of the variable resistor 22 is left open. The gate inputs 23, 24 are then connected across the output 20 by a resistor 31 and capacitor 32. The capacitor 32 and the resistance exhibited by the resistor 31 and the variable resistor 22 cause the triac 21 to operate in a manner which is proportional to the resulting RC time constant. By varying the resistance across the gate inputs 23, 24, the point at which the triac 21 will change state from its normal, non-conducting, to a conducting state, may be varied. In this manner the sinusoidal current supplied to the load 11 may be chopped, and correspondingly varied. In the configuration illustrated, the output current will increase as the wiper 25 is moved in the direction of the arrow 51 shown.
A resistor 26 is provided in parallel with the variable resistor 22 to limit the lowest amount of current which may be supplied at the output 20, thus assuring that at least some light is provided when the circuit is in use.
A switch 27 is provided to enable the lighting fixture 5, to which the dimmer unit 8 is connected, to be switched off when desired.
A conventional dimmer-type control may be used as the switch 27 and the variable resistor 22. As illustrated in FIG. 2 at 52, such a dimmer-type control ordinarily has a switching member, which may be used as the switch 27, ganged with a resistive member, which may be used as the variable resistor 22. In this manner the switch 27 would be operated by reciprocating the knob 8a of the dimmer-type switch in and out, and the variable resistor 22 would be operated by rotating the knob 8a as desired. The remainder of the control circuit 15 may advantageously be placed into the housing of the dimmer control, permitting a convenient method of mounting the lighting system 9 to the existing physical structure in the viewing area.
An inductor 28 is provided, in series with the output 20, for the suppression of RF interference. The resistor 29 and capacitor 30 are provided, in series, across the output 20, to protect the dimmer circuit 15 from transients potentially exhibited by the lighting system 9.
When the photoelectric cell 19 changes state, exhibiting a low resistance on the order of 1000 ohms, the dimmer circuit 15 then is capable of providing maximum current to the load 11. The resistor 26 and variable resistor 22 are of a value such that the placement of approximately 1000 ohms in parallel therewith essentially places a short circuit across those components. Operation of the triac 21 is therefore controlled by a relatively short time constant proportional to the values of the resistor 31 and capacitor 32, thereby causing maximum current to be delivered to the load 11.
This high output current continues until such time as the input 14 to the dimmer circuit 15 is returned to its original, low state, causing the optocoupler 17 to return to its original state. Thus a high resistance is re-introduced across the gate inputs 23, 24 returning the triac 21 to its original, preset, output level.
In the above manner, a switching DC voltage level is capable of changing the current supplied to a load 11 from a low level, capable of being selected by varying a resistance, to a level of full intensity, and then back again, in response to the changes in the DC level.
In FIG. 4 there is shown a timing circuit 13 which is part of the controller 7. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the controller 7 receives a variable signal from a sensor 10 in response to the presence or absence of a customer 4 in a particular viewing area. This variable signal is introduced at the input 33 of the timing circuit 13.
Such a variable signal may be produced, for example, by selecting a sensor 10 which simulates a switch capable of sensing the presence of a customer 4 in the viewing area. When a customer is present in the viewing area the switch would close, representing an "on" state. When the customer 4 leaves the viewing area the switch would open, representing an "off" state.
In the "off" state the input 33 is an open circuit. Therefore no current is permitted to flow through the resistor 34. Switching the input to the "on" state causes a current to flow through the resistor 34, and consequently the input of the optocoupler 35.
The optocoupler 35 operates in the manner previously described, current at the input of the optocoupler 35 producing a low resistance across its output. This low output resistance permits a current to flow through the capacitor 36 to ground, thereby charging the capacitor to full potential between V+ and ground. The voltage exhibited at the non-inverting input of the op-amp, which serves as a comparator 37, is switched from its full positive value, to a value near ground potential. This causes the output of the comparator 37 to follow the input, essentially reaching ground potential.
The output of the comparator 37 is connected to the base of a transistor 38, the base current being regulated by the biasing resistor 39, 40. By bringing the base of the transistor 38 to a point near ground potential, a current is provided to the base through the resistor 39. This switches the transistor 38 "on", causing it to exhibit a low emitter-collector resistance. Accordingly, a high voltage level is exhibited at the output 41 of the timing circuit 13.
This high output voltage is then used as a signal for the dimmer circuit 15, as previously described, which in turn switches the current supplied to the load 11 to its maximum value. The high voltage exhibited at the output 41 may also be used to signal to a user the status of the timing circuit 13. To this end a light emitting diode 42 is connected from the output 41 to ground, a resistor 43 being placed in series therewith to limit the current passing through, and thereby protect, the light emitting diode 42. For high outputs the light emitting diode 42 would illuminate; for low outputs it would remain off.
The above condition would remain in effect until the customer 4 leaves the viewing area. At that time the input 33 to the timing circuit 13 would return to its open circuit condition, preventing current from flowing into the input of the optocoupler 35. As a result, the output of the optocoupler 35 would exhibit a high impedance, essentially creating an open circuit between the non-inverting input of the comparator 37 and ground.
Initially, the capacitor 36 retains its charge and the output 41 of the timing circuit 13 remains unchanged. However, the capacitor 36 is then discharged through the resistor 44, which, according to the resulting RC time constant, causes the voltage exhibited at the non-inverting input of the comparator 37 to increase at a known rate. The inverting input to the comparator 37 is provided with a reference voltage which may be regulated by the variable resistor 45 and the voltage dividing resistors 46, 47.
The output of the comparator 37 will remain near ground potential until such time as the voltage at the non-inverting input of the comparator 37 equals that at the inverting input. At that point the output of the comparator 37 will switch from essential ground to a high voltage level.
This will raise the voltage level at the base of the transistor 38 to a high level thereby preventing current from flowing through the resistor 39 to the base. This turns the transistor 38 "off", causing it to exhibit a high emitter-collector resistance. The output 41 is consequently switched essentially to ground, thus providing a low signal to the input 14 of the dimmer circuit 15, which in turn causes a low current to be delivered to the load 11, and also switching off the light emitting diode 42.
The diode 48 is provided to maintain the non-inverting input of the comparator 37 at its high level when the output of the comparator 37 changes to its high voltage level. The resistor 49 is provided as a feedback path for proper operation of the comparator 37.
Thus the output 41 of the timing circuit 13 changes state at a point which is delayed in time from a change in state at the input 33 of the timing circuit 13, and this time delay may be varied according to the resistance of the variable resistor 45. This delay period is essentially regulated by the time constant determined by the values of the resistor 44 and capacitor 36. For example, using a capacitor 36 having a capacitance of 68 microfarads and a resistor 44 having a resistance of 4.7 megohms provides a time delay capable of variation between approximately 30 seconds and 15 minutes.
The above function is repeatable according to the presence or absence of a customer 4 in the viewing area.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the output 41 of the timing circuit 13 is connected to the input 14 of the dimmer circuit 15. In this manner the controller 7 is able to regulate operation of the loads 11.
The maximum positive value of the voltage provided by the timing circuit 13 is derived from the source voltage. This is accomplished using the transformer 50 which steps down the AC power source 12 to a lower level, for rectification and use in connection with the controller 7.
Generally, the controller 7 would have a plurality of timing circuits 13, each being capable of individual regulation. In such case it is often advantageous in the interest of space and cost, to use integrated circuitry, particularly for the op-amp used to form the comparator 37. A particularly suitable integrated circuit for this purpose would be a dual op-amp, such as that marketed by Motorola under the serial number "MC 1458". In this manner two timing circuits 13 may be appropriately grouped to utilize each of the op-amps so provided.
Being provided with a variable current, the load 11 may be adapted to perform several functions. As a lighting fixture 5, the load 11 can be switched from a low intensity light to a full intensity light to provide the display effect desired, in addition to giving rise to a substantial energy saving potential. The load 11 may also be a counter, useful in determining the interest in a given display, which would be suitably adapted to advance each time the higher current output is detected. Load 11 may also be an alarm type of device which could similarly sense a presence either to warn of an intruder or to inform sales personnel of the presence of a customer. In fact, the very act of switching the illumination from a low to a high level in itself already gives an indication of the presence of a customer.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that this invention serves well to achieve the objects earlier set forth together with other advantages which are obvious from the above discussion. It is to be understood that this invention may find other possible uses. For example, in a building such as a multistory apartment building, it may serve to selectively illuminate those portions of the hallways, stairwells and other public areas which are occupied at any given time.
As is well known, in some foreign countries it is customary to provide such public areas with timed switches which have to be pressed in order to provide illumination for a given period of time. Unless the person reaches the destination in that time interval, the process has to be repeated, and this can be awkward and even dangerous if the lights go out when the user is not near a switch.
The present invention overcomes this problem. First, the presence of someone in the hallway is automatically sensed, ending the need for that person to find the switch in order to obtain a lighted environment in which to proceed. Second, the lights are maintained at a high level of illumination until after that person has left the area, not according to a fixed time period. Thus, a person may proceed in a safe and orderly fashion, at their own pace, to their destination, not being limited by the fixed time period previously used, which often did not account for those who must proceed at a slower pace for various reasons.
The capability of the invention to cause illumination to essentially "follow" persons around a space also makes possible still other important applications.
Specifically, in the many instances in which cleaning crews move at night progressively through an otherwise unoccupied office building, the invention can be used to sense the presence of such a crew in specific rooms or areas of the building, and to illuminate those areas while leaving all other areas unilluminated.
If a guard patrols such a building at night, the invention again can be used to "follow" the guard's rounds with illumination. Yet, there is no need to rely on the guard to personally turn off the illumination after leaving each consecutive area.
The great advantage of such applications, particularly from the energy savings standpoint, is believed to be quite apparent.
In addition, if used to selectively illuminate different areas of a large space, such as the sales floor of a department store, it would serve to alert personnel leaving that someone, possibly an intruder, is still present, and would even narrow down the intruder's location to a particular one of the selectively illuminated areas.
1. A method for illuminating items separated into at least one display group located in a display area comprising:
- lighting the display area using dim background lighting;
- sensing the approach of a person to said one display group;
- switching automatically the lighting from the dim background level initially provided to a level of greater intensity upon the sensing;
- sensing the departure of the person from the said one display group; and
- returning automatically the lighting to its original dim background level upon the sensing of the departure,
- whereby a display group may be highlighted with intense lighting when a person desirous of viewing the display is present and the display group may be maintained in a dimly lit manner when no person is present.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein a series of display areas may be lighted or dimmed seriatim corresponding to the sensing of movement of persons in the display area.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the returning of the lighting of its original background level is delayed after the sensing of departure.
Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
|May 1969
|August 1969
|March 1970
|Ross et al.
|April 1971
|August 1975
Patent History
Type: Grant
Filed: Jun 5, 1978
Date of Patent: Sep 30, 1980
Assignee: Novitas, Inc. (Santa Monica, CA)
Inventor: Remo Saraceni (Philadelphia, PA)
Primary Examiner: Eugene R. LaRoche
Law Firm: Weiser, Stapler & Spivak
Application Number: 5/912,442
International Classification: H05B 3702; F21P 300;


text:
How Do SSDs Redefine Storage Performance?
Page 1:The Business Storage Revolution
Page 2:SSD Developments
Page 3:The SSD: Samsung 470-Series (MZ-SPA256, 256 GB)
Page 4:The HDDs: Fujitsu MBA3147RC (147 GB, 15 000 RPM)
Page 5:Can RAID Beat The SSD?
Page 6:Test Setup
Page 7:Benchmark Results: Access Time And 4K Random Read/Write
Page 8:Benchmark Results: Read/Write Throughput And Streaming
Page 9:Benchmark Results: I/O Performance
Page 10:Benchmark Results: PCMark Vantage Application Performance
Page 11:Benchmark Results: System Power Requirement
Page 12:Benchmark Results: Performance Per Watt Efficiency
Page 13:Conclusion
It only takes one or two modern SSDs to outperform business-class RAID arrays with four or eight hard drives. We're running a full comparison and looking at the implications for high-performance systems when you make the transition to flash-based tech.
Hardly a week goes by without some new SSD product release, and the market remains in a rather volatile state, both despite and because of this continuing growth. Solid state drives come and go, but there are a precious few, such as Intel, that deservedly stick around.
Similarly, controller vendors, including JMicron, Indilinx, and SandForce, have been making impressive progress.
Hard drive manufacturers Toshiba and Western Digital offer SSDs, although these still lack a bit of punch.
One of the latest products is Samsung's 470-series, the first toggle mode DDR-based flash SSD drive. It increases performance through the same double data rate memory technology that many of you are familiar with from PC main memory. That struck us as reason enough to grab two of these SSDs and put them up against a serious RAID array with 15 000 RPM enterprise hard drives.
Just How Fast Are SSDs?
That SSDs can beat the pants off hard drives isn't exactly news anymore. Tech enthusiasts and IT personnel also understand the value of 200+ MB/s performance, low power consumption, and physical robustness along with the potential pitfalls of older operating systems. Real tech addicts will go into the nitty gritty of I/O performance, power efficiency, and architectural details on caching, wear leveling, TRIM, and RAID support. These details can make a significant difference on the performance side of storage.
Samsung's new 470-series SSDs serve as perfect candidates for a shootout between SSDs and serious hard drive RAID arrays because the drives represent the latest technology in PC flash storage products. You won't find performance comparison with other SSDs in this article; for that, check out our most recent SSD roundup.
In this article, we compare two Samsung 256 GB SSDs against four and eight Fujitsu MBA3147RC 15 000 RPM enterprise hard drives using an enterprise-class SAS RAID controller. All setups utilize RAID 0 to maximize performance.
- The Business Storage Revolution
- SSD Developments
- The SSD: Samsung 470-Series (MZ-SPA256, 256 GB)
- The HDDs: Fujitsu MBA3147RC (147 GB, 15 000 RPM)
- Can RAID Beat The SSD?
- Test Setup
- Benchmark Results: Access Time And 4K Random Read/Write
- Benchmark Results: Read/Write Throughput And Streaming
- Benchmark Results: I/O Performance
- Benchmark Results: PCMark Vantage Application Performance
- Benchmark Results: System Power Requirement
- Benchmark Results: Performance Per Watt Efficiency
- Conclusion


text:
Radiator training consultants can provide customised training course for customers. Our training consultants have extensive training experience in AAA servers and previous networking training for large international companies.
Our basic course is normally 1 – 3 days, with participants of similar level of systems administration and AAA understanding. This course can be modified to meet any specific need of customers. We also offer specialized courses for RADIUS, Diameter, NFV, and other solutions.
Radiator training courses can be held either on-site or remotely. For a quotation or estimate, please contact email@example.com


text: Contact Us For your next legal proceeding, contact Abrams & Byron. We'll help you develop a legal plan that will help you work towards a favorable resolution.Name*Email* PhoneMessageCAPTCHACommentsThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Business Phone: 1 (304) 253-1500Email: firstname.lastname@example.com: 108 Main St Beckley, WV 25801


text: Population III (Pop III) galaxies are predicted to exist at high redshifts and may be rendered sufficiently bright for detection with current telescopes when gravitationally lensed by a foreground galaxy cluster. Pop III galaxies that exhibit strong Ly alpha emission should furthermore be identifiable from broadband photometry because of their unusual colors. Here, we report on a search for such objects at z greater than or similar to 6 in the imaging data from the Cluster Lensing And Supernova survey with Hubble (CLASH), covering 25 galaxy clusters in 16 filters. Our selection algorithm returns five singly imaged candidates with Ly alpha-like color signatures, for which ground-based spectroscopy with current 8-10 m class telescopes should be able to test the predicted strength of the Ly alpha line. None of these five objects have been included in previous CLASH compilations of high-redshift galaxy candidates. However, when large grids of spectral synthesis models are applied to the study of these objects, we find that only two of these candidates are significantly better fitted by Pop III models than by more mundane, low-metallicity stellar populations.


text:
Edited 8/11/18. I'm normally 'cautiously optimistic'. But several niggles with distribution to Australian book retailers for those using Print on Demand (IngramSpark) have recently come to light. It's time we authors said: this is ridiculous! In fact, I have just put in a complaint to ACCC about inflated retail prices.
I feel that IngramSpark promising Australian indie publishers that they can get their book listing out to 39,000 retailers/libraries is kind of false advertising. As a proud Australian author-publisher, I do NOT expect that online book retail partners like Booktopia and The Nile to not list POD books, or list them at over-inflated prices! A note from The Nile (5/3/2018) said:
"We have experienced some delivery delays from IngramSpark recently and have been forced to remove their titles. Once the issues are resolved, they will be added back again."
Actually, The Nile still stocks NONE of my books.
Retail Prices Sky-High
As an experienced user of Print on Demand, I'm fairly sure I have not done anything wrong. In fact, I list my books at a low RRP and also have a Net Sale Price for library supplier orders. It seems there is little I can do, though, about the IngramSpark distribution system and retailers listings, as much as I think it is good in other ways.
While initial problems with listing my book "How to Start a Freelance Business" were about ordering overseas, it's still listed at $30.75 at Booktopia (rather than $20, which it should be). How to explain the extra mark-up? IngramSpark might be charging these retailers for postage?
Why is it that when an Australian author puts out Australian-specialised content, provided by IngramSpark (in Melbourne), it sinks like a stone in our retailers' online stores? Is it that all self-published POD books are treated as low priority listings?
An indie publisher could apply to a distributor and get approval for Australian book sales (but now that Dennis Jones is closing, not so easy) if they have a cash reserve to fund 500+ copies. Production quality must be really high for this.
Another Book Visibility Problem
Another problem other authors have faced is: books that had little to no time on store bookshelves. Distribution on consignment does not usually mean your book sitting in boxes out the back, as Joan Isaacs of "To Prey and To Silence" found hers was. I'm guessing that hers was a strong, controversial message but not a marketable product in the bookstore staff's eyes.
As the March Writer's Grapevine tells it, Joan's award-winning book had 98 bookstore returns. Reason: damaged. Returns might also be code for "we didn't want to display that book, actually". Returns are best to be arranged to sent back to the publisher if possible, however, with IngramSpark the only option is "Non-returnable" or "Return-Destroy". Nice. Another risk for the independent publisher, to be considered carefully.
Don't be disappointed! Order your chosen book direct through Paypal, which goes to the author. Author reaches into box, pulls book out, labels envelope and sends it the same day.
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6 comments. Leave new
I've recently released a book through IngramSpark. What I've found more distressing than the book being marked up a ridiculous amount (almost double my set RRP) by Australian retailers is that some of them have listed a RRP that is WILDLY different (over double my set RRP through IngramSpark and what is listed with the ISBN) than what it should be, making people think the bookstores (barely) discounted price is a 'bargain'.
While I understand and accept that retailers are able to set whatever price they want on a book they list, I didn't think that they could list an incorrect RRP. Wouldn't this be a big 'no no' according to the ACCC's statements about Two-price comparison advertising?
I completely agree and have had that happen. You try to make a reasonably priced book and they don't follow the pricing guide set at all. I've no idea about laws, all I know is they don't do this to traditional publishers so what's the go?
I have written to the ACCC but their potted reply did not really help much as it asked me to follow up directly with Booktopia first, which is nigh on impossible for authors, rather than a customer. Use http://www.BOOKO.com.au to check all your book retailer pricing.
Thanks for this informative article, Jennifer! I'm planning on self-publishing my first novel in January, and was going to be using Ingram Spark for the first time (I'm also in Australia). Now I have some idea of what to look out for!
Very good read, and insightful. I have not used POD, but I know a friend who has. I, however, self-published a book (along with my two co-authors), and had 100 copies of our book printed up. Getting these into stores is now a seemingly impossible task.
Thanks for your informative post, Jennifer. On an author's behalf, I have produced through Ingram Spark a title due for release in a few weeks. Dymocks are showing an interest in an advance copy, but sent a message saying "I hope you have a distributor we deal with, as we do not buy direct." Can you please advise how I should identify and approach a suitable distributor?