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It seems every other week there's some sort of new food item at every fast food chain. I think most people are too scared to break their routines to try these new, often terrifying food-stuffs but luckily, I am not too scared and am more than happy to share my experiences with you here:
Sonic: Mango Limeade
Oh Sonic and your limeades, what flavor combos will you not blindly pursue? Soon enough, you'll be throwing black currant and dragonfruit limeades at your unsuspecting victims. That's not to say that I wouldn't try or enjoy these potential treats nor that did not enjoy the treat in question. The quality of the Mango Limeade is actually quite difficult to describe so I'll break it down into an inexact sip-timeline - a sipline, if you will:
1st-5th sips: mmmmmm, refreshing and quite tasty
2nd-10th sips: kinda sticky and - is that sweet n' low I taste?
11th-end: DO NOT WANT
So the enjoyment of this drink is synonomous to that of Fruit Stripe Gum: great for the first 15%, crap for the rest.
Final Grade: C
Image from here
Jack in the Box: Mini-Sirloin Burgers
Riding on the antiquated coattails of White Castle and with a catchy tune in their favor, Jack in the Box has added tinier, crappier, expensivier versions of their already offensively terrible burgers to their surprisingly broad menu (where else can you get a pita, egg rolls, and jalapeño poppers at a drive-thru?). They give you 3 of these hambortions for ~$4 (after tax) with no fries and no drink, though you can opt for a combo if so choose for an additional 2 bucks. The price is a little baffling because a full-size Jumbo Jack only costs 99 cents, making them cheaper than their mini-sirloin counterparts.
I could barely choke my through two of these. AVOID unless you're crazy/food-ignorant and already voluntarily enjoy Jack.
Final Grade: D
Image from here
So it goes,


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Ultra Elite® Positive Pressure Full-Face Masks
Combining state-of-the-art features with MSA's precision engineering, the Ultra Elite full-face mask is our top model in this range. The ergonomic design makes this a comfortable unit, while the 5-point harness makes it easy to put it on or take it off. The distortion-free coated lens provides a wide field of vision, while the unique airflow prevents lens misting. The face blank has a single-sealing flange and comes in rubber or silicone, while the speech diaphragm makes communication easy to discern. The model has more than 40 different versions, making it the perfect mask for many different applications.
Ultra Elite Accessories
This ensemble contains several accessories for our purpose-built Ultra Elite mask. The options include a spectacle kit, adhesive protective visors, welders adapter, a mask tightness tester, and a carrying case. The sturdy carrier features a carrying strap for convenient access, while a radio communication kit ensures a user can maintain close contact while wearing the full-face mask.
Nightfighter™ Heads-Up Display System
Clearly and easily see air cylinder content when wearing an MSA Ultra Elite Facepiece. This display system includes a transmitter assembly that securely mounts to the SCBA shoulder gauge pressure hose. Sends a digitally encoded signal to the facepiece-mounted receiver. Displays cylinder contents in one-quarter increments. Features 7 LED light patterns.

subset: commoncrawl


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STL Now: Members Only
Local bars and restaurants launch exclusive programs that give customers the VIP treatment.
At one time or another, we all want to be "in the know." Several area bars and restaurants realize this truth and have recently developed members-only programs that allow patrons that exclusive experience. Sanctuaria (4198 Manchester Ave., The Grove, 314.535.9700) is taking full advantage of its impressive cocktail selection with The Sanctuaria Cocktail Club. For a one-time fee of $20, members can sample from an exclusive list of 150 cocktails, which includes classics as well as custom concoctions. Members also get access to a bevy of other perks, including monthly drawings for bottles of booze or wine and pricing specials on Sanctuaria events. Once you try all 150 libations, there are even more benefits to be had, like discounts on drinks and events.
Brennan's (4659 Maryland Ave., Central West End, 314. 361.9444) has long been a purveyor of fine tobaccos, wines and spirits, but recently they've upped the ante by transforming part of their location into a Zino Platinum Lounge. Sponsored by cigar maker Davidoff, the club is one of just a few Zinos in the US and Europe. The club offers
monthly membership levels of $35, which comes with a $35 credit for tobacco, and $100, which gives access to monthly tasting events and a private cigar locker. All members get to take advantage of the optic drink system and its 30 different single malts, in addition to the swank interior.
The Cigar Club at Herbie's Vintage '72 (405 N. Euclid Ave., Central West End, 314.769.9595) also offers tobacco enthusiasts a private space to enjoy their cigars. For $1,000 annually, members get access to the private 30-seat cigar lounge and a personalized humidor, but the benefits extend beyond a comfy place to enjoy a good stogie. Members get two complimentary five-course wine/spirit dinners annually, invitations to periodic special events and preferred status at the restaurant proper. Membership is capped at around 45 people, so exclusivity is assured.
It seems in St. Louis, being "in the know" and being a card-carrying member go hand in hand.
Zino Platinum Lounge
Photo credit: Photos by Alex Galindo


text: Current 7th graders hoping to take Algebra next year are invited to take a math skills test in Mr. Corwin's room (32) from 3:10 – 4:30 on either Tuesday, May 23rd OR Tuesday, May 30th. This 8th grade algebra class is a great opportunity for students to further challenge themselves in math and get ahead for high school! Please see Mr. Corwin with any questions.


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The company with the highest profit margin is by definition the lowest cost operator, as the lowest cost operator has a better chance of survival if business conditions deteriorate.
When investing, we are looking for a relatively High Profit Margin for a Long Term Holding stock and a relatively Low Profit Margin for a Turn Around stock.
How inflation will effect the share price?
Inflation will lead to low earning or profit to a company. Inflation means too much money is in the market that leads to money's value become lower, material cost become higher. With higher overhead, profit margin become lower. With lower price earning ratio, people/investor become less interested to shares, the share price will fall.
What is the sign of inflation?
1. Commodity Price (oil, rubber, steel) increase.
2. Interest rate high
People do not wish to borrow loan with a high interest, then business is hard to expand, economic growth is under control …


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I recently visited the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, PA. It was a dream come true to see all the great masterpieces in the Barnes collection, but I felt that twinge of guilt giving my money to the very people who stole the paintings... and big business it is! It was a thrill to see the paintings and I stayed for hours. These are (for me) the highlights of the works. Though I am partial to Matisse and the Fauves, Post-Impressionism and Picasso... I loved the entire collection. Watch "The Art of the Steal" to understand the story behind the paintings.
Saturday, May 19, 2018
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W3capture is an easy-to-use web pages capture and HTML to PDF converter which can take full size screenshots of web pages into PDF or save them as full sized images in a variety of formats, including: .PNG, .JPEG, .BMP, and .SVG. By the way, This PDF generator can also convert an unlimited number of different web pages or local HTML/HTM or TXT files in to ONE PDF file without interruption.
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MOMENTS vs MUNDANE
At NTS Camp, we believe you shouldn't have to miss important moments with your students to plan or execute your camp experience. So, don't worry about creating schedules, filling dodgeballs, planning meals, or any other mundane task. When you come to NTS Camp you focus on your students.
"I spent the first few years of ministry spending months planning and preparing for camp. By the time camp started, I was exhausted. The entire week of camp I found myself being tied up troubleshooting the problems at camp and the execution of the week. My students got very little of my time and attention. NTS Camp has a team of CAMP PROFESSIONALS that focus year-round on camp for me. I show up with my students to camp energized, with my only responsibility to invest in my students, and NTS even develops me and my adult volunteers."
Derik Idol
Professor at LU and Director of the Center for Youth Ministry
Former Student Ministries Director at 12Stone Church
The theme for NTS Camp 2019 is Movement.
We can become comfortable with conformity.
God is greater than the things that enslave us, the things that we think will bring us deliverance.
God has made it possible to move his people from bondage to freedom.
God's movement can be experienced in two parts: His action and our reaction.
It starts with His initiation, which moves us to respond.
When He says "go," we are to move.
Click on a location below to learn more, register your church, register a student, or register as an adult leader.
What Do We Believe?
NTS Camp exists to see TRANSFORMATION in the lives of students, PREPARATION for youth ministries, and CONNECTION that synergizes youth ministries and their church.
Want To Know More About NTS Camp?
Whether you're new to NTS Camp or just looking for more information, check out this page for the camp schedule and all the other info you need.
Looking To Do A Little Promo?
We've got theme graphics, logos, color swatches, and videos just waiting to be shared!


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Adult Education & Literacy Advisory Committee
The Adult Education and Literacy Advisory Committee was established in 2001 to make recommendations for the delivery of quality adult education and literacy programs and services throughout the commonwealth. The committee meets twice a year and reports periodically to the State Board of Education. The committee is comprised of members representing colleges and universities, businesses, the Virginia House of Delegates, and the Virginia Senate. The director of the Virginia Department of Education's Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education also serves on the committee as an ex officio member.
Committee Meetings
|March 7, 2019
|Agenda-This is a Word document.
|October 10, 2019
|March 8, 2018
|Agenda-This is a Word document.
|Minutes-This is a Word document.
|October 11, 2018
|Agenda-This is a Word document.
|Minutes-This is a Word document.
Previous Meetings
For information from previous meetings, go to 2011-2017 committee meeting schedule, agendas and minutes.
Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education
Heidi Silver-Pacuilla, Ph.D., Adult Education Coordinator
Phone: 804-786-3347
Fax: 804-530-4517
Committee Members
The advisory committee consists of members who volunteer their time, talents and knowledge to help strengthen adult education and literacy programs. Members are appointed by the Virginia Board of Education to serve up to two consecutive three-year terms of service.
Bruce Sobczak, Chair
- First Term: July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2018
- Second Term July 1, 2018 – June 20, 2021
- SOBO Associates, LLC, Principal Consultant
- 12612 Erika Hill Place, Midlothian, VA 23112
Bruce Sobczak is a transformational leader/manager experienced in engineering, production, quality, and workforce training operations. Educated early on in trade schools, he started his career as a third generation Tool and Die Maker. With a tenacious interest in technical knowledge, a strong work ethic, and long list of successful projects and accomplishments, Mr. Sobczak quickly advanced to manager level positions within a world-class organization without the benefit of a college degree. A believer in lifelong learning, he continued his education as a working adult earning two degrees from Chapman University, a Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Leadership with honors in 2004, and a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership in 2008. Notable positions Mr. Sobczak held include: Principal Consultant SOBO Associates, LLC, Director of Workforce Development for the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing, Director of Economic and Workforce Development for the South Orange County Community College District, Director of Manufacturing Engineering for a worldwide manufacturer, Adjunct Professor, and Private Consultant.
Mr. Sobczak is Chairman of the Virginia Board of Education's Advisory Committee on Adult Education and Literacy. He is also a member of the Crater Regional Workforce Investment Group, Workforce Development Board of Directors where he also serves as Chairman of the Business Services Committee; member of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Career Education Foundation; member of the Precision Machining Program Advisory Committee at John Tyler Community College; member of the Southside Virginia Community College Machining Program Advisory Committee; and member of the Chapman University Alumni Association.
Debra H. Cargill
- First Term: July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2019
- Adult Education Lead Teacher, Prince William County Public Schools
- P.O. Box 389, Manassas, VA 20108
Debra H. Cargill serves as the Adult Education Lead Teacher for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) for Prince William County Public Schools. She is an accomplished adult educator with extensive experience in the field of adult education including ESOL, Adult Basic Education (ABE), General Education Development (GED®), Technology, Workplace, and Family Literacy. Ms. Cargill works closely with the local Skills Source Center/One-Stop in workforce development.
Ms. Cargill holds a Master in Education in Curriculum and Instruction in Adult Education from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Administration from California State University at Fresno. She also holds a master's degree in English as a Second Language (ESL) from Hamline University.
Tammy Dean
- First Term: July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2021
- Director, Practical Nursing Program, Prince William County Public Schools
- 8909 Euclid Avenue, Manassas, VA 20111
Tammy Dean has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Educational Leadership. She has served as the program director for Prince William County Public Schools' Practical Nursing program since 2010. Prior to taking on the directorship, she served as an instructor within the program for nine years.
Ms. Dean brings a wealth of knowledge through her diverse background within the nursing career field. Throughout her nursing career, she has worked as a staff nurse in a multitude of clinical areas, including administrative nurse, nursing executive, school nurse, United States Air Force nurse, nursing instructor, and director of a nursing program.
As an innovative educator and director, Ms. Dean has written grants through local organizations to bring a state of the art simulation lab to her school's nursing program. She also assisted in the inception of Project Lead the Way Biomedical Engineering at her school. Her leadership includes establishing partnerships within the community, developing curricula, writing grants, mentoring, and supervising nursing students and instructors. She has been a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing since 2010.
Paulette Johnson
- First Term: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2020
- Assistant Director, Optimal Health Enterprise
- 14 Hopkins Branch Way, Fredericksburg, VA 22406
Delegate Kaye Kory
- Second Term: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2020
- Member, House of Delegates of Virginia, 38th District
- 6505 Waterway Drive, Falls Church, VA 22044-1328
Delegate Kaye Kory was elected as the Mason District Member of the Fairfax County School Board in 1999 and served until elected as the State Delegate for the 38th District in November 2009. She currently serves on the Finance, Commerce and Labor, and Militia, Police and Public Safety legislative committees. Delegate Kory is a member on various standing committees and commissions such as the Advisory Committee on Adult Education and Literacy of the Virginia Board of Education, the Commission on Civics Education, the Joint Commission on Healthcare, and the Virginia Wireless Communications Infrastructure Work Group. She chairs the New Americans Caucus and the Women's Healthcare Caucus in the General Assembly.
She has been an active leader of various community organizations, including the Annandale Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, Fairfax County Community Action Advisory Board, the Board (member and President) of the Montessori School of Northern Virginia, the Fairfax County Partnership for Youth, the Fairfax County Association for the Gifted; the J.E.B. Stuart Educational Foundation (founding President); the Fairfax County Boys and Girls Club; and the Hampton Court Homeowner's Association. She has been a sustaining member of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee since 2001.
Delegate Kaye Kory has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from The Western College for Women (Miami University of Ohio). She completed graduate course work from the University of Iowa and George Mason University.
Allan L. Melton
- First Term: July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2021
- Manager of Product Training, The Apprentice School, Huntington Ingalls Industries
- 4101 Washington Avenue, Newport News, Virginia 23607
Allan L. Melton graduated from the Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding in 1984 as an Outside Machinist and served as a Craft Instructor in Submarine Overhaul and New Construction for nine years. He has also served as an Academic Instructor and Trades Training Administrator. Since 2000, he has served as a Manager of Product Training of the Facility Trades for The Apprentice School. In addition, he holds a Master of Arts degree in Human Resource Development and an Educational Specialist degree in Higher Education Administration from the George Washington University.
Mr. Melton recently served six years with the Virginia Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee and six years on the Poquoson School Board. He also served on the New Horizons Regional Education Center's Career and Technical Education committee and served as the chairman for a year. In his spare time, he teaches saxophone at the Liberty Academy of the Arts, and actively plays with several local bands in the Tidewater area.
Dr. Sharon S. Mullen
- First Term: July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2019
- Principal, Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center
- P.O. Box 1500, Fishersville, VA 22939
Dr. Mullen is currently employed by the Commonwealth of Virginia as the Principal of the Vocational Training Services Division of the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville, Virginia. She has also served as the Education Director for State Operated Programs representing Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center.
Sharon S. Mullen has a Doctoral degree in Education from Nova Southeastern University, a Master of Arts in Education with emphasis in curriculum and instructional technology from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Arts from Southeast Missouri State University, with a concentration in Business Administration. She is a National Board Certified Teacher in early adolescence to young adulthood, and career and technical education. Dr. Mullen has served as a member of the Advisory Council for the Governor's Career Readiness Certificate from 2011-2012, and a member of the National Career Pathways Network since 2013.
Ellen M. Osborne
- Second Term: July 1, 2018-June 30, 2021
- Executive Director, Literacy Volunteers of Charlottesville/Albemarle
- 233 4th St. NW, Suite L, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Ellen Osborne has served as the Executive Director of the Literacy Volunteers of Charlottesville/Albemarle since 2011. She previously worked as an executive for several nonprofit organizations, including Soulforce, Inc. In addition to having over twenty years of nonprofit experience, Ms. Osborne holds a Master of Fine Arts from Louisiana State University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from East Carolina University. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in nonprofit studies from the University of Richmond.
Ms. Osborne was the recipient of the 2015 Nancy Jiranek Award, which recognizes an executive director of a community-based literacy organization who exemplifies the best in nonprofit management in the state, and through excellent programming, makes a positive impact on the community.
Anna Rice-Wright
- First Term: July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2019
- State Trade Act Program Manager, Virginia Employment Commission
- P.O. Box 1358, Richmond, VA 23218-1358
AnnaRice-Wright currently serves as the State Trade Act Program Manager with the Virginia Employment Commission. In this role, she applies her business knowledge and expertise in strategic planning, policy analysis and program development to create win-win situations; resulting in assisting trade affected workers rebuild their lives and helping employers access qualified candidates who have been recently re-trained to meet today's business requirements.
Ms. Rice-Wright has served on the Hanover County Community Service Board for ten years. She also holds volunteer positions on teen substance abuse prevention coalitions in different counties in Virginia.
Ms. Rice-Wright holds a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Criminal Justice and Political Science from East Tennessee State University. She obtained a certificate from the Commonwealth Management Institute, The Performance Management Group within the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Linda K. Seyer
- Second Term: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2020
- Regional Program Manager, Adult Education Region 8, Northern Virginia
- 6900 Twin Beech Court, Manassas, VA 20111-4357
Linda K. Seyer has over 25 years of experience in adult education, university teaching and working in overseas non-governmental organization (NGO) education programs. Ms. Seyer is currently the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) Grant Regional Program Manager ofRegion 8, Northern Virginia, Fairfax County Public Schools. Her skills and experience include curriculum development, program and project management, coaching and mentoring teachers, training delivery across many levels and settings, and developing online learning materials. Linda also serves as the Organizational Liaison for the Virginia Association for Adult and Continuing Education (VAACE).
After starting in education as an elementary teacher for four years, Ms. Seyer worked with an NGO in minority language development and Adult Basic Education in West Africa and then moved to the United Kingdom in a training and consulting role. While in London, she worked in a variety of different Adult Education settings including LEAs, universities, and career and technical colleges, as a program manager and teacher in Adult and Family Literacy, ESOL, GED-level English, and Teacher Training. Ms. Seyer also served as part of the Institute for Learning Peer Review Committee for granting Qualified Teacher of Learning and Skills status, a type of teacher licensure for Adult and Further Education Teachers in the United Kingdom.
Ms. Seyer's education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Master's in Applied Linguistics (Literacy) with specializations in Adult Literacy, Adult Teacher Training and Curriculum Development.
John Spain
- First Term: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2020
- Project Architect/Project Manager, Glave & Holmes Architecture
- 2101 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23225
John Spain is a project manager/project architect in the Urban Architecture Studio at Glavé & Holmes Architecture as well as being an Associate of the firm. John earned a Bachelor's degree from New York University and a Master's Degree in architecture from North Carolina State University. Prior to becoming an architect, John worked in residential construction for several years, learning carpentry and wood finishing skills on the job.
John currently serves as the President of the King and Queen County Historical Society, and has been lunch and learn program coordinator for the Richmond Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute. Along with his neighborhood's civic association, John has been engaged with an effort to re-balance traffic priorities on a historic, neighborhood main street in Richmond.
Senator William M. Stanley, Jr.
- First Term: July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2019
- Member, Senate of Virginia
- 13508 Booker T. Washington Hwy., Moneta, VA 24121-5819
Senator William M. Stanley graduated from Hampden-Sydney College and the District ofColumbia School of Law. He is a practicing attorney and a member of the Virginia Senate since 2011. He represents District 20, which includes all of Galax City, Martinsville City, Patrick County, Henry County and parts of Franklin County, Halifax County, Pittsylvania County and Part of Danville City. Senator Stanley serves on a number of commissions and boards, including Southwest Virginia Public Education Consortium Governing Board, Western Virginia Public Education Consortium and New River Institute. He also serves on the Manufacturing Development Commission and the Tobacco Commission. Senator Stanley is extremely interested in adult education and workforce development as he serves an area where significant numbers of adults are unemployed and underemployed. Senator Stanley has introduced legislation to address education, training and workforce development opportunities.
Senator Stanley graduated from Hampden Sydney College in 1989, the District of Columbia School of Law in 1994, and began his law practice in Northern Virginia. After his father passed away, he encouraged his mom to fulfill her life-long dream to become an attorney. After she passed the bar in 1998, Senator Stanley joined with his mother to start a law firm, locating it back home in Franklin County. They still practice law together, 15 years later in the firm of Stanley, Houchens & Griffith, with offices at Smith Mountain Lake and in the City of Salem. Senator Stanley resides in Franklin County with his wife Laura and their three children.


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Asian Responses to the Global Financial Crisis
The Impact of Regionalism and the Role of the G20
Edited by Jehoon Park, T. J. Pempel and Geng Xiao
Chapter 15: The Utility and Limits of the 'European Model' for the Regional Institutionalization of East Asia
Richard Higgott
Richard Higgott 15.1 INTRODUCTION There is a large literature on regionalism (the creation of formalized regions with agreed membership) and regionalization (the process by which regional economies and societies become more integrated).1 There is also a large and growing body of literature on regionalism and regionalization in East Asia and the Pacific; notably on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and of late on the emergence of differing 'East Asian' voices of the region as the major Northeast Asian powers vie with each other to make their presence felt. There is a growing body of literature comparing regionalism and regionalization in Europe with East Asia in particular.2 There are large bodies of scholarly literature in economics and political science on the theory and practice of institutionalism and international organization.3 This body of literature is evolving and on many issues it is not settled. Finally, there is a vast range of speculative literature emanating from think-tanks and blogs that revolves around the alphabet soup of meetings and events that take place in the region in any 12-month period (see www.eastasiaforum.org). Indeed, if the volume of literature written on a region was an indicator of the strength of regional institutional development, then the Asia-Pacific would be a highly institutionalized region. But, we are not close to a settled theory of regionalism. There are lessons to be drawn from different regions but this does not amount to what we might call a comparative theory of...
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I know what you're thinking:
Yes, he's back again. Yet another post about how he had to go off and live his life, but now he's going to be good to all his readers and followers and never leave us hanging again.
Well, no, actually. If you're a longtime reader of this website, and I know there are at least a few of you out there, then you'll know the "I'm back for good" posts are kind of a running gag on this site. Each summer, I write a post asking for forgiveness after school and work wrested my efforts away from writing, and then I promise to keep a consistent stream of content from here on out. After which, I promptly relapse into inactivity.
But I'm not going to do that this time. I won't make any promises; I'm going to show you, my faithful readers (that haven't yet found the "Unsubscribe" button), that The Future Writers of America lives on.
Yes, when I first chose the stupid acronym TFWOA to name the site in the fall of 2014, I had no idea that I would ever graduate from James Madison University, much less in three years. Equally unbelievable, I had no idea that I would still have this class project operating and producing content. Furthermore, I would have laughed at anyone that told me I'd have a completely edited and polished manuscript ready for publication. But all these events have (more or less) come to pass.
I graduated this past weekend with a Bachelor of Science in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication. Which is to say, not only am I an amateur writer with a website, but now I'm a college-educated writer. I have an obligation to share my institution-learned wisdom with the masses. As the esteemed philosopher Ben Parker stated in Spider-Man: "With great power comes great responsibility."
With a moral imperative pilfered from a superhero movie about a teenager who made the greatest recovery from a spider bite ever in order to fight his best friend's megalomaniac CEO father, I figure things can only look up from here. Hey, projects have been done for stupider reasons.
Writing for the Masses is back. Soundtrack of the Revolution is returning. Me ranting in a back corner of the web about writing and publishing and politics and everything in between? Well, that never really went away. It just evolved.
Again, don't take my word for it. Take the post next week's word for it.
Now to play us out, I turn to CCR for a similarly upbeat outlook. Until next week, I'll see y'all "Up Around the Bend":


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Are US Banks Safe=FDIC insured???
Risks in Banking
Excerpted from Bob Prechter's Conquer the Crash n the United States closed their doors. President Roosevelt shut down all banks for a short time after his inauguration. In December 2001, the government of Argentina froze virtually all bank deposits, barring customers from withdrawing the money they thought they had. Sometimes such restrictions happen naturally, when banks fail; sometimes they are imposed. Sometimes the restrictions are temporary; sometimes they remain for a long time.
Why do banks fail? For nearly 200 years, the courts have sanctioned an interpretation of the term "deposits" to mean not funds that you deliver for safekeeping but a loan to your bank. Your bank balance, then, is an IOU from the bank to you, even though there is no loan contract and no required interest payment. Thus, legally speaking, you have a claim on your money deposited in a bank, but practically speaking, you have a claim only on the loans that the bank makes with your money. If a large portion of those loans is tied up or becomes worthless, your money claim is compromised. A bank failure simply means that the bank has reneged on its promise to pay you back. The bottom line is that your money is only as safe as the bank's loans. In boom times, banks become imprudent and lend to almost anyone. In busts, they can't get much of that money back due to widespread defaults. If the bank's portfolio collapses in value, say, like those of the Savings & Loan institutions in the U.S. in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the bank is broke, and its depositors' savings are gone.
Because U.S. banks are no longer required to hold any of their deposits in reserve (see Chapter 10), many banks keep on hand just the bare minimum amount of cash needed for everyday transactions. Others keep a bit more. According to the latest Fed figures, the net loan-to-deposit ratio at U.S. commercial banks is 90 percent. This figure omits loans considered "securities" such as corporate, municipal and mortgage-backed bonds, which from my point of view are just as dangerous as everyday bank loans. The true loan-to-deposit ratio, then, is 125 percent and rising. Banks are not just lent to the hilt; they're past it. Some bank loans, at least in the current benign environment, could be liquidated quickly, but in a fearful market, liquidity even on these so-called "securities" will dry up. If just a few more depositors than normal were to withdraw money, banks would have to sell some of these assets, depressing prices and depleting the value of the securities remaining in their portfolios. If enough depositors were to attempt simultaneous withdrawals, banks would have to refuse. Banks with the lowest liquidity ratios will be particularly susceptible to runs in a depression. They may not be technically broke, but you still couldn't get your money, at least until the banks' loans were paid off.
You would think that banks would learn to behave differently with centuries of history to guide them, but for the most part, they don't. The pressure to show good earnings to stockholders and to offer competitive interest rates to depositors induces them to make risky loans. The Federal Reserve's monopoly powers have allowed U.S. banks to lend aggressively, so far without repercussion. For bankers to educate depositors about safety would be to disturb their main source of profits. The U.S. government's Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation guarantees to refund depositors' losses up to $100,000, which seems to make safety a moot point. Actually, this guarantee just makes things far worse, for two reasons. First, it removes a major motivation for banks to be conservative with your money. Depositors feel safe, so who cares what's going on behind closed doors? Second, did you know that most of the FDIC's money comes from other banks? This funding scheme makes prudent banks pay to save the imprudent ones, imparting weak banks' frailty to the strong ones. When the FDIC rescues weak banks by charging healthier ones higher "premiums," overall bank deposits are depleted, causing the net loan-to-deposit ratio to rise. This result, in turn, means that in times of bank stress, it will take a progressively smaller percentage of depositors to cause unmanageable bank runs. If banks collapse in great enough quantity, the FDIC will be unable to rescue them all, and the more it charges surviving banks in "premiums," the more banks it will endanger. Thus, this form of insurance compromises the entire system. Ultimately, the federal government guarantees the FDIC's deposit insurance, which sounds like a sure thing. But if tax receipts fall, the government will be hard pressed to save a large number of banks with its own diminishing supply of capital. The FDIC calls its sticker "a symbol of confidence," and that's exactly what it is.
Some states in the U.S., in a fit of deadly "compassion," have made it illegal for a bank to seize the home of someone who has declared bankruptcy. In such situations, the bank and its depositors are on the hook indefinitely for a borrower's unthrift. Other states have made it illegal for a bank attempting to recover the value of a loan to seize any of a defaulting mortgage holder's assets other than the mortgaged property. In such situations, the bank assumes the price risk in the real estate market. These states' banks are vulnerable to severe losses in their mortgage portfolios and are at far greater risk of failure.
Many major national and international banks around the world have huge portfolios of "emerging market" debt, mortgage debt, consumer debt and weak corporate debt. I cannot understand how a bank trusted with the custody of your money could ever even think of buying bonds issued by Russia or Argentina or any other unstable or spendthrift government. As At the Crest of the Tidal Wave put it in 1995, "Today's emerging markets will soon be submerging markets." That metamorphosis began two years later. The fact that banks and other investment companies can repeatedly ride such "investments" all the way down to write-offs is outrageous.
Many banks today also have a shockingly large exposure to leveraged derivatives such as futures, options and even more exotic instruments. The underlying value of assets represented by such financial derivatives at quite a few big banks is greater than the total value of all their deposits. The estimated representative value of all derivatives in the world today is $90 trillion, over half of which is held by U.S. banks. Many banks use derivatives to hedge against investment exposure, but that strategy works only if the speculator on the other side of the trade can pay off if he's wrong.
Relying upon, or worse, speculating in, leveraged derivatives poses one of the greatest risks to banks that have succumbed to the lure. Leverage almost always causes massive losses eventually because of the psychological stress that owning them induces. You have already read of the tremendous debacles at Barings Bank, Long-Term [sic] Capital Management, Enron and other institutions due to speculating in leveraged derivatives. It is traditional to discount the representative value of derivatives because traders will presumably get out of losing positions well before they cost as much as what they represent. Well, maybe. It is at least as common a human reaction for speculators to double their bets when the market goes against a big position. At least, that's what bankers might do with your money.
Today's bank analysts assure us, as a headline from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution put it on December 29, 2001, that "Banks [Are] Well-Capitalized." Banks today are indeed generally considered well capitalized compared to their situation in the 1980s. Unfortunately, that condition is mostly thanks to the great asset mania of the 1990s, which, as explained in Book One, is probably over. Much of the record amount of credit that banks have extended, such as that lent for productive enterprise or directly to strong governments, is relatively safe. Much of what has been lent to weak governments, real estate developers, government-sponsored enterprises, stock market speculators, venture capitalists, consumers (via credit cards and consumer-debt "investment" packages), and so on, is not. One expert advises, "The larger, more diversified banks at this point are the safer place to be." That assertion will surely be severely tested in the coming depression.
There are five major conditions in place at many banks that pose a danger: (1) low liquidity levels, (2) dangerous exposure to leveraged derivatives, (3) the optimistic safety ratings of banks' debt investments, (4) the inflated values of the property that borrowers have put up as collateral on loans and (5) the substantial size of the mortgages that their clients hold compared both to those property values and to the clients' potential inability to pay under adverse circumstances. All of these conditions compound the risk to the banking system of deflation and depression.
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Financial companies are enjoying big advances in the current stock market rally. Depositors today trust their banks more than they trust government or business in general. For example, a recent poll asked web surfers which among a list of seven types of institutions they would most trust to operate a secure identity service. Banks got nearly 50 percent of the vote. General bank trustworthiness is yet another faith that will be shattered in a depression.
Well before a worldwide depression dominates our daily lives, you will need to deposit your capital into safe institutions. I suggest using two or more to spread the risk even further. They must be far better than the ones that today are too optimistically deemed "liquid" and "safe" by both rating services and banking officials.
Safe Banking in the United States
Excerpted from Bob Prechter's Conquer the Crash
If you must bank in the U.S., or if you prefer it, choose the best bank(s) available. I believe that even in a deflationary crash, many of the safest U.S. banks have a good shot at survival and even prosperity. The reason is that relatively safe banks, if they have the sense to inform the public of their safety advantage, are likely to become even safer during difficult times. Why? Because depositors in a developing financial crisis will move funds out of the weakest banks into the strongest ones, making the weak ones weaker and the strong ones stronger. One of the great ironies of banking is that the more liquid a bank, the less likely it is that depositors will conduct a run on it in the first place.
The Street.com Ratings, Inc., formerly Weiss Ratings, Inc., provides one of the most reliable bank-rating services in America. (See Chapter 18 of the last section of this book for contact information.) CEO Martin Weiss has graciously consented to provide a practical guide for this book. Table 19-1 lists what his researchers consider the two strongest banks in each state in the union. … For our purposes, I see little point in listing the weakest banks, but if you want to know which ones they are, you can find them listed in the brand-new Ultimate Safe Money Guide, by Martin Weiss (John Wiley & Sons, 2002). Weiss' book is a good complement to this one for many reasons. Aside from banks and insurance companies (see Chapter 24), his firm also rates mutual funds, brokerage firms, HMOs and corporations with common stock.


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The problem with integration is integration.
May 21, 2018
While system integration is an advanced topic within a manufacturing facility, the inter-factory communication layer and the client-to-manufacturing layer remain inefficient.
With each organization running a unique billing and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, the administrative burden of confirming and managing a project adds significant complexity.
When projects run for a long time and are high value enough, integrating these ERP-systems becomes viable. However, for the other 80% of projects, it's simply not worth the cost and effort.
This is where ARXUM brings enormous advantages by integrating single production ordres on the blockchain.


text: I realize this is the ATV forum, but figured most people with HDHomeRun Tuners get them for ATV and may also have also have Mac's. I have a HDHomeRun Prime with a cable card. I'd like to view and record shows on my mac. What are the best viewer and DVR software for the latest mac OS? I am guessing I am out of luck as far as the DRM channels, but HDHomeRun's Mac Viewer isn't great and I can't seem to figure out how too get Plex to use the tuner.


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Design Supply and supervision of Reinforced Soil wall at Bungalow Villa premises, Lonavala, Maharashtra.Consultant
M/s BEST Geotechnics Pvt. Ltd.Product :
TechGrid – Geogrid ; Techgeo Nonwoven Geotextile ; Techfab Metal Gabions & Weld MeshManufacturer:
TechFab (India) Industries Ltd.
Height is 2meter to 11 meter, total 120 meter lengthSoil Reinforcement:
Techgrid Geogrid.Facing:
Weld meshes (Steel Mesh) as front facing for RSW. Techfab Metal Gabion; TechGeo Nonwoven Geotextile bags inside the weld mesh.Design Methodology :
BS 8006 & FHWA Guidelines for RSWTechfab India Scope :
Detailed design & drawing, supply of geo-grids, metal gabion, Nonwoven Geotextile, Geotextile bags & supervision of construction.
There is a construction of a hill top villa at Kumne village Lonavala with an interest of application of geosynthetics to their property which has natural mountain terrain, mark able elevated plinth to existing road level, heavy precipitation and deep valley at rare end side, with touch of natural green aesthetic and state of the art design & architecture.
The reinforced soil wall & Gabion retaining wall has been proposed to slope elevated terrain in concurrence to consultant & architect. Their joint views has taken into many revisions before arriving at practicable solution which encircles the entrance front view with open patio cum parking having staircase and jogging lawn promenade as a final outcome at rare deep valley portion.
Keeping the above perspective, the scope work of Techfab India Industries Ltd., was to meet:
Detailed engineering of reinforced soil walls & Gabion retaining walls, including design, material specification, engineering drawing and construction methodology;
Supply of Techgrid Geogrids, Metal gabion, Geo-bags, Nonwoven Geo textile;
Supervision of Construction.
IThe Entrance front Weld mesh wall (RSW) to be design in staircase form ( New dimension to RS Wall);
Protect the differential level of natural terrain height ranging from 2m to 11 m;
To prepare design with parameters of fill ,stone etc., as per locally available resources;
To consider The dead, Live moving Loading in conjunction to seismic activity ;
To create lush green aesthetic touch to the property as per naturally existing area.
After identifying best technically feasible solutions in line to project requirement and site conditions a Techgrid - Geogrid reinforced soil wall with steel wire mesh (Weld Mesh) facing is provided to accommodate staircase within the facing, at the entrance front. PVC coated galvanised Metal gabion wall with nailing, at deep valley portion was finalised, as the solution.
The supplied materials, Techgrid - Geogrid, geo bags, Geotextile bags and PVC coated galvanised gabion are the in house manufactured products of Techfab India Ltd., in their state of the ISO 9001:2000 certified factory under the proven and tested qualified experienced faculties having edge of national globally accredited QTP & QTC.
TechFab India Industries Ltd.
711/712, Embassy Centre,
Nariman Point, Mumbai – 400021
022-2287 6224/6225
022- 2287 6218


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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Phi Alpha Omega Chapter and the Tea Rose Foundation of Northwest Arkansas present the 20th Annual Celebrity Waiter Gala on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Embassy Suites – Pinnacle Ballroom in Rogers, Arkansas. This year's theme will be "Platinum Edition – The Best of the Best". Guests will enjoy a green carpet welcome, dinner, live entertainment, and silent and oral auctions. Funds raised not only provide college scholarships for deserving high school, undergraduate, and graduate students from our community but will also support our health and poverty initiatives.
*Celebrity Waiter was first hosted by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Phi Alpha Omega Chapter in 1998 as its signature fundraising gala.* Keisha Hines-Craft, Event Chair
The annual event, in its 20th year, is the leading fundraising event for the Tea Rose Foundation. The Foundation is looking to raise funds for young adults in the Northwest Arkansas and River Valley area looking to pursue secondary education. During the past 19 years, a total of 250 students have been awarded scholarships valued at more than $340,000. The fundraising efforts also support countless other service projects and programs.
The 2019 Celebrity Waiter Fundraising Event will include:
- VIP Reception
- Dinner
- Live Auction
- Silent Auction
- Live Musical Entertainment
- 50/50 Raffle Tickets – Ticket Prices 1-$25/ 2-$50
Gala Ticket Prices:
VIP Ticket = $100, includes VIP Reception and Gift
General Admission = $75


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Fresno City Council pulls plug on North Central fire agreement
The Fresno City Council voted Thursday to cancel a firefighting agreement between the city and the North Central Fire Protection District.
The deal, which has been in effect since July 2007, was originally for a 30-year term. But the council voted 6-1, with Councilman Luis Chavez dissenting, to terminate the agreement because it is costing the city more to provide firefighting for a 250-square-mile area of rural Fresno County west of the city than the district is paying for the service.
Fresno City Manager Bruce Rudd said North Central currently pays the city about $5.1 million per year for the Fresno Fire Department to staff its stations in Kerman, Biola and near Kearney Park, and to respond to fires and emergencies across the district. But the costs to provide 46 firefighting staff for the district are closer to $7 million a year.
The cancellation will become effective in mid-December, nine months after a termination letter that the city sent to the North Central board earlier this month.
"If they want professional Fresno city firefighters, they're going to need to pay for them," Councilman Garry Bredefeld said.
But Chavez said he wasn't comfortable with suddenly cutting the strings on the agreement. "We should keep talking with our partners," he said, explaining his vote against the cancellation.
Rudd said the city had been in informal discussions with the district for about a year but had not been able to reach a resolution. The city's termination notice to the district also canceled a scheduled April 28 mediation session between the two sides.
Tim Sheehan: 559-441-6319, @TimSheehanNews


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bass guitar electronics tshirt, bass guitar effects tshirt,active bass guitar acoustic bass guitar shirt, acoustic electric bass guitar shirt, bass guitar art
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Sony A7r video with 35mm and 55mm Zeiss lenses - something special?/
This does prove that video quality has to do with other things than sensor size and stills lens quality. The A7r footage looks nice yes, but compared to the Panasonic footage I've been shooting lately it looks like the Sony clips are shot through some kind of diffusing filter. Now whether this is applied noise reduction, I cannot say but there is definitely a softer look.
I've been wondering if my workshop / photo tours venture takes off about buying either a Sony A7s or Panasonic GH4 and I think I've pretty much decided that the GH4 is the better option. Apart from the fact that it would cost a lot of extra money to actually be able to record 4K on the Sony with the extra kit required, I like the Panasonic output a lot more, should I want to shoot 4K.
It is yet another reason why I constantly criticise the Sony FE system for not being as 'professional' as the supposedly inferior smaller sensor m4/3 equivalent. And yes 'proper' videographers and film makers will probably have all sorts of options available to sharpen the footage and may well find advantages in what Sony have to offer, particularly with the low light capabilities of the A7s, but the whole Panasonic video package seems to me to be much easier to use, have better initial quality straight out of the camera and a much more flexible and useful way to shoot a combination of high quality stills and video. While the A7r plus these Zeiss lenses turns out incredible still images, it does strike me that both the Sony FE cameras are somewhat lagging behind Panasonic in terms of video.
There's even a comparison between the GH4 and Canon 5D Mk III here at 43rumors that indicates for video the GH4 is no slouch at high ISO's either.
Now this was worth doing and it's further confirmation that I'm making the right decision in terms of my 'hybridographer' aspirations. I'm still mightily impressed by the A7r + these Zeiss primes for stills but that I think is what I will keep them for. Aside from the fact that my GX7 outfit is so light, small and easy to use, the fact that I can get better looking footage as well makes it a no-brainer for me. So in answer to the question in the title of this post - Sony A7r video with 35mm and 55mm Zeiss lenses - something special? Well for me, no it's not.
For my continuing SONY A7r OWNER ASSESSMENT - Click Here
Please note that opinions expressed in this blog are just that, opinions. What is written here is at no time intended as a recommendation or otherwise of photographic gear or practice. This is a personal blog written 'in the moment' and is primarily intended as an entertainment. I would also point out that this is not a review site and not intended to be so and the Google+ groups where you can post comments are not forums. I am the sole moderator and I will remove any post (and poster) if I think fit.
Plus the Soundimageplus blog is 100% independent. No-one sends me gear to review and I have no relationship with any manufacturer or retail outlet. I buy all the gear I use and write about. The advertisements that appear on this site are generated by Google and I have no control over the content, which differs from country to country. I do make a small income from them, which covers expenses and some small recompense for the time I take to write this, but no more than that. If you like what you read and would like to help me to continue to keep buying stuff to write about then clicking on a few adds will earn me a few fractions of a penny. It will cost you nothing and you don't have to buy anything to contribute a (very!) small amount to my coffers.
N.B. to see more on the cameras and lenses featured in this post click on the relevant labels (tags and keywords) at the bottom of this post.
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From Gangs to Ministry
Categories: Partner Blog
I was born in Los Angeles and raised in a poor community in Fresno, CA. I am intimately connected with the inner-city since I was a gang-member and school drop-out. In prison, God called me and my life took a radically different direction. I became the first in my family to graduate from university, completing a double BA in Pre-Law & Religious Studies. In struggling to find a career and move out of the kind of neighborhoods I grew up in, I felt God call me to remain.
I now work with college students from around the country and immerse them in Fresno's downtown, a city with one of the most extreme cases of concentrated poverty, with the purpose that they may experience God's work of leadership development not only in that context but also in their own lives.
One of the most recognized forces of internal oppression in the innercity community are considered to be criminal street gangs. Once considered exclusively a social problem, gangs are now a common population in the U.S. According to records, there are now over 1.4 million individual gang members in the country, with a majority of 47% identified as Hispanic, and well over 33,000 different gangs who account for about 80% of crime.
Nicholas and Ronnie are both 14 year old boys from drugs and gangs involved families that I disciple. They committed their lives to Jesus last year in our carport during our martial arts ministry bible study. Nicholas and Ronnie didn't get along because of different gangs tied into their families, but eventually they became great friends. However, in my neighborhood young people like Nicholas and Ronnie are forced to grow up quickly. They are exposed to the realities of social abandonment and poverty and at a young age, these boys have to figure out how to become "men" and continue to be exposed to the pressures of becoming gang members either from peer pressure, family ties, respect, protection, economic needs, and a desire to identify with something.
UYWI through Larry Acosta's mentorship has been a significant blessing in my leadership for the past two years. I work with inner-city youth some of who come from the most extreme cases where they are familiar with gangs and serious incarcerations. Because of my life experiences in the violent drama of the streets and prison, I wrestled for almost a decade with symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
From the moment I met Larry, he challenged me to retreat and rest in God's presence. I took his challenge, discovered its' vital importance in my life and ministry, and I now continue to practice Sabbath and retreat with my wife, Beth Paz. Although not much of a charismatic, Larry has spoken prophetically in my leadership twice and his words continue to guide my involvement in the unfolding redemption of downtown Fresno, CA.
Thank you for your prayers and investment in the ministry of UYWI.
Ivan C. Paz
Co-Director: Pink House, InterVarsity's Fresno Institute for Urban Leadership


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Best of Best – Benchmarking the Intrinsic Performance of Automotive Players
Automotive and assembly players that want to have a clear idea of their standing compared to their competitors and of how they can improve their position in the eyes of investors are good candidates for Best of Best (BoB) benchmarking. While not a panacea, this benchmarking approach gives leaders the insights they need to improve their performance both internally and in terms of the company's financial market attractiveness.
Regions vs. Segments: Granularity of Growth in the Automotive Industry
Which strategic question is more important for an automotive player: Where to play or how to play? Learn the surprising answer in Part 4 of McKinsey & Company's series on automotive corporate finance, which examines the industry through a "granularity of growth" lens.
Capital Intensity: Finding Ways to Ease the Investment Burden for Automotive OEMs
Given the automotive industry's inherent appetite for capital, contract manufacturing offers a key route for automotive players to be able to reduce their asset bases in increasingly volatile markets. Part 3 of McKinsey & Company's series on automotive corporate finance reveals how this approach can provide automotive OEMs with a new strategic choice and why it will be a core topic in future capital market discussions of company valuations in highly cyclical industries such as automotive.
Driving Change: 10 Megatrends Shaping the Automotive Industry's Future. Part 2
What trends will shape the global automotive industry through 2020 and how could they change the competitive landscape? McKinsey & Company has identified 10 trends that will a have major impact on the sector's future.
Creating Value in the Automotive Industry: Part 1
Financial markets often steeply discount automotive industry performance. Find out why, and what OEMs and suppliers can do about it in Part 1 of McKinsey & Company's series on unlocking the automotive industry's true value potential.
Perspectives on Value Creation in the Automotive Industry
Why do investors view the automotive industry the way they do, and what can OEMs and suppliers do about it? Find out by attending the Automotive & Assembly Extranet's webcast on "2013 update on value creation in automotive industry" this April 24th at 1400 CET.
Successful value-generation strategies in Automotive Industry
In 2012, volumes and profitability in the automotive industry have recovered more quickly than expected. But capital markets valuation of OEMs and suppliers generally remain below pre-crisis levels, as significant uncertainties remain regarding future profitability. Decomposing OEM and supplier capital markets performance along key drivers reveals a significant polarization between winners and median players. This Webcast will provide an overview of successful and failed OEM archetypes, and will summarize the results of McKinsey's profit pool and valuation forecast models. McKinsey experts Jean-Hugues Monier (New York), David Kohn (New York), and Harald Deubener (Stuttgart) will discuss potential strategies for OEM archetypes for how to best address this situation (strengthening existing business versus fundamental transformation).


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Before I get into the fireplaces, an update: we probably won't be shooting until January. This makes me a bit sad because I was SO looking forward to having our beautiful new room for the holidays this year. One of the things we asked for was some type of fake fireplace with a mantle just so I could hang our Christmas stockings up in the living room instead of our bedroom, but if the scheduling stays the way it is, we won't be able to enjoy that this year. Sad face. I'm not truly sad, though, because our room is being styled by someone I adore and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity.
Back to the fireplaces…
Originally, my husband and I had discussed something like this:
It is an electric fireplace that is turned on with a light switch and doesn't require a chimney. We thought this was the best option for us because a real fireplace wouldn't be possible where we'd want to put it. We talked about setting the TV into the wall above the fireplace so it didn't stick out so much like it does now. Then, I started seeing things like this on the design blogs I read:


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How To Make Prison Style Sweet and Sour Pork With Andy Roy
You learn something new everyday, and if you weren't locked up in Pelican Bay State Prison in the early 2000s, then today you are going to learn how to make a prison-style sweet and sour pork.
This 5:33 video takes the food television medium into an entirely new dimension and I don't know if it will ever be the same again.
And do you even more than one guess to figure out who Munchies is owned by?
/via Devour


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Overview : Relax Now is an herbal formula that helps with occasional stress management.*
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Jujube and passionflower help you cope with occasional stress and maintain a healthy mood*
Jujube seeds help maintain calmness*


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-> Do you had the sneaking suspicion your website isn't the marketing masterpiece it could be? You know it needs updating... but do you know what those changes should be? Besides, you are too busy to have the mental bandwidth to sort it out anyways.
-> Have you recently created a new website and are wondering if you've missed some critical aspects? You want it to not only look 'pretty', but also be a powerful marketing tool that consistently sends you new clients.
Your salon website has one BIG JOB to do: to be a strong lead generator for your business.
What is a 'lead generator' and why do you need one?
Quite simply, Lead Generation is a system that captures a new guests (the leads) attention and compels them (the generator) to either contact you with more questions or have those prospective clients self-select your services and go straight to booking appointments.
So yes...you need to use your website to be a lead generator. This is what marketing is all about...to capture leads.
If your current website isn't doing that, you are working way too hard to get clients calling.
How do you make your website a strong lead generator?
I'm afraid it's not good enough for it to be a pretty online brochure with your contact information on it. Nope...it should be working much harder than that and still look attractive. The issue for most business owners and website marketing is they don't know what they don't know. So how could you know?!
Being a salon owner, I can relate to having to wear many hats in our work. Some of those hats don't fit well (but I still wear), some of which I don't like at all (and refuse to even try it on).
But the reality is, I still have to get it done, regardless of if I'm good at it or not. For example, the items I struggle with (bookkeeping, accounting, website coding), I farm out to trusted and knowledgable experts. It would take me forever to figure out something like website coding and I would be very cranky while I was at it.
The stuff I AM good at? I do for myself and teach others...saving everyone time, money & frustration. So why don't you hand off what you aren't great at with your website and let me do most of the heavy lifting?
I have just launched a new service for business owners. This isn't even posted on my "work with me" page yet...I just wanted to share with you asap!
Re:Freshed Website Audit ($97)
Here's how it works:
1) Upon payment, we schedule a 20 min call to discuss the focus & goals of your business. This is to ensure I am making recommendations that are specific for the aesthetic feel and the business outcomes you want.
2) Before we end this call, I will give you a date when your completed website audit will be ready. The reason I'm able to give this service a such a great price is because I can fit it into my schedule where available. I promise your audit will be completed within one week.
3) During your Re:Freshed Website Audit, I will hop on to your website, open up my screen recording software and begin going through your website, page-by-page talking about what could be and should be changed. You will hear suggestions based on what stimulates excellent lead generation and integrates the focus & outcomes we spoke about.
4) When the audit is complete, it will be rendered to video and you will be sent a private link to watch at your convenience.
5) I pass the reigns over for you to follow up with the advice I've given in the video. This service is 'done-with-you' (me giving the advice and you following through with the suggestions) to help keep your marketing costs low. You can watch this video audit as many times as you wish, take notes, get started on a few points...possibly make a plan if some big changes need to happen.
Two weeks after your video is sent to you, I'm giving you 1 week of email support. If you have any burning questions or issues, this is the time to email me for help and perspectives. The intention is to keep the momentum of upgrading and fine-tuning your website changes and to help solidify your new-found knowledge of website marketing.
If it turns out you need me to take over your to-do list for your website...that could certainly be an option and we can talk about it.
Your website can be a marketing powerhouse for growing a strong, sustainable business...let's make it happen!
If you are ready to get started, click here to purchase then reply to this email and we'll schedule an intake call.


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LG announces its first monitors that use Nano IPS technology
LG has announced that it will be showing off its first ever Nano IPS technology monitors at CES 2018 in January. The new range consists of three models offering 32- and 34-inch diagonals, with one of them aimed squarely at the gaming crowd.
In its explanation of Nano IPS technology, LG says its benefits stem from the application of nanometre-sized particles to the screen's LED to absorb excess light wavelengths. This results in greatly enhanced intensity and purity of on-screen colours for a more accurate and life-like viewing experience, says the firm.
Well ahead of the CES 2018, LG made an announcement regarding its special monitors which are based on nanotechnology. IPS technology has been incorporated into the makeup of these monitors.
These TV monitors also carry the mark of the VESA DisplayHDR standard. The first monitor has a 4K UHD display with 98% DCI P3 color spectrum and HDR 600 support.What this signifies is a height of luminescence that reaches 600 as well as local dimming and HDR 600 support. You also have the added facility of hooking up two monitors.
Another monitor that LG plans on introducing at the CES 2018 has a flat 34 inch 5K Nano IPS display. It has a 21:9 ratio as far as its overall dimensions go. While you can't connect it with another of its kind, you may plug it into a Thunderbolt 3 port. You will not need any independent battery for this unique monitor.
The teaser campaign for these two monitors shows that LG is ready to display its stuff when the time is right. It wants to cash in on the high tech niche that exists in the market for its goods.
The first one of the monitors mentioned awhile back has color accuracy to a remarkable degree. A borderless display design is also another feature of this monitor.As for the second monitor, it will run at a 5K resolution. LG hasn't given all the details regarding its two monitors. It is keeping things under wraps for now.


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How to improve your bottom line through your front line
Glandore Members
Frontline employees, meaning your sales associates, reps, customer service executives and technicians, are the cornerstone of each company. They are the ones who are dealing with your product/service and connecting with your customers directly on a daily basis.
Typically, they are the first to spot a problem and can easily tell you what's wrong with your company. If you cannot take advice from those who know your customers better than you do, then how can you make positive changes to your business?
So, how can you tap into your front line in order to improve your bottom line? Here at Glandore, we've put together helpful tips to boost your bottom line through your front line.
1. Encourage regular feedback
A study recently conducted by
The Medallia Institute
revealed that although 78% of surveyed employees said that their employers had made customer service a top priority within their business, 60% agreed that their recommendations for improving customer experience had been ignored.
Your employees are nearly always accurate when it comes to assessing customer satisfaction and gauging how certain processes can be changed in order to meet an optimal level of service.
Give your workers a chance to share their insights with you. However, make sure to ask the right questions when speaking to your employees. It can be easy enough to wind up asking generic questions when gathering information, so try to ask questions which are directly related to the actions of your employees. In Medallia Institute's survey, less than half of the interviewed employees said that their executives asked relevant questions.
2. Actually implement those suggestions
There's no point in conducting hundreds of employee surveys and taking suggestions if you're going to ignore what they're trying to tell you. If you're not going to make the suggested changes, this will, in time, lead to further customer dissatisfaction.
Ignoring suggestions will also result in unhappy staff. It shows your employees that they are not valued and that your business is incapable of adapting or changing.
Acknowledging changes and suggestions by employees and customers is a sure-fire way to keep both groups happy. It shows you value their input and take on board what they say. It will also help ensure that they continue to provide feedback and suggestions, as new issues develop and the company grows.
3. Communicate before
You can conduct all the surveys you want, but they won't mean much in the long run if your employees don't know the results.
Staff will soon stop providing this much needed input if they feel that it's going nowhere. This eventually leads to a cycle of mistrust and becomes a waste of time.
Make sure that you can quickly draft up reports based on your findings and communicate this back to those who took part. Add infographics and condense your results into simple visuals in order to make them more appealing. This way, employees can engage with the ideas which they put forward and continue to develop them.
, we believe that every business should have a healthy workplace culture to achieve their full potential. We support the growth of the companies and individuals we house with our very own wellness programme. If you would like to learn more about becoming a Glandore member in our flexible office space, get in touch


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The pawpaw, a little-known native fruit, is making a comeback in Baltimore
When people think of foods native to the Baltimore area, a few readily come to mind: Crabs, of course, and oysters. Silver Queen corn. Soybeans, perhaps.
Pawpaws belong on that list, too. The intriguing — and somewhat ugly — green fruit isn't as well-known as some of Maryland's other crops, but it has a long history in the region. And thanks to the efforts of local farmers, chefs, nonprofits and city programs, it's become the fruit of the moment in Baltimore.
Pawpaw seekers can find the fruit at local farms and farmers markets this month, or forage for ripe pawpaws grown on public land.
Baltimore Orchard Project maintains a tree registry on its website with local foraging. Planting coordinator Eric Sargent also suggests fallingfruit.org as a useful resource for finding public land open to foragers.
Together with TreeBaltimore, the city's tree-planting program, Baltimore Orchard Project encourages locals to plant pawpaw trees of their own. The two organizations partner to host biannual tree fairs, which include giveaways of native fruit trees.
"There will be pawpaw [trees] there for the first 100 people who want them" at the fall Fruit Tree Fair in Druid Hill Park on Oct. 28, says TreeBaltimore manager Charles Murphy. The organizations will also be giving away other native trees and teaching those who take them about maintenance and care.
Check out the full story by Kit Waskom Pollard on the Baltimore Sun. Photo credit Karl Merton Ferron.


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GCT launches new children's gaming devices
Kid's Designer Tablet and HeeHaa handheld range designed to be both educational and fun
GCT, a distributor for the Genius brand of IT peripherals, has launched several new child-targeted gaming devices into the Middle East market.
According to GCT, electronic games for children is one of the fastest growing peripherals markets and Genius is hoping to increase its market share in that segment in the Middle East.
"Genius considers the kids gaming segment as one of the key and growing market segments. Our product development strategy and marketing initiative for kids gaming devices are based on their usage patterns. Based on our studies, we found out that game-playing kids are more active, compared to non-gamers. Also, we always promote non-violent games which help to improve their thinking abilities," said Jihad Youssef, general manager of GCT.
One of the products launched by GCT is the Kid's Designer tablet. The device is a 5-inch by 8-inch graphic tablet which is packed with games which are designed to be innovative and educational.
GCT has also launched the Heeha100, Heeha 200, and Heeha 300, which are handheld gaming devices. The built-in games on these devices are targeted at children and the devices are pocket-sized, designed to keep children occupied on the go.
"These Genius latest gaming devices are launched to the market after long thought process. The market size of the kids gaming industry is growing at a fast pace and the trends in the industry are constantly [evolving]. With these new product categories we offer kids a blend of education and entertainment," said Youssef.


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Whether you are headed just for a short trip by car, flying to a different state, or traveling oversees, this may assist pack all the essentials you would possibly need and to not forget issues. Some people recognize the beauty of having a chronological journey log, I do. But I additionally like with the ability to reference issues in a short time and never skim by means of 400 pages to discover a resort or restaurant name. In case you have not seen it, I actually have a Top Ten Time Travel Novels lens that you just may enjoy looking at.
There are travel blankets for airplanes, automobiles, tenting, or just as a useful all-goal blanket to take along. Travel Journals are nice for the ladies jetsetter in your gift checklist as they're so gentle. A gritty and humourous read about off-the-crushed-monitor travel by means of Lebanon, Korea, the West Bank, El Salvador, Nicaragua, the Phillippines and Poland by a international correspondent. The Travel Nursing Company gives you a tax free reimbursement per day that you're on an task staying in short-term housing away out of your Permanent Tax Home (Meals & Incidentals and Lodging or Company supplied Tax Free Housing). I myself love solo journey as a result of from the begin to the end of the trip.. I received the trigger.. every thing is owned by me.
Of course, we remain susceptible to a recession but if this pattern does proceed to be supported by the information then we can count on tourism and leisure to be one of many strongest performing sectors over the subsequent decade. Whether you might be touring for enterprise or pleasure, overseas, or staying in the states, the Silver Level by Travel Guard is ideal for business travel and common travel with fundamental coverage amounts and access to 24/7 journey help services.
Travel nurses work for corporations that are referred to as travel companies or touring well being care skilled agencies. I would travel to a historically vital period – just like the time of the American Revolution. Lodging is now available for RV's and tents, in addition to three-one room cabins and a family fashion journey trailer. Actually, opportunities permanent and journey have come my manner on an everyday basis since I even have been touring. This well-designed travel blanket additionally features a handy pocket for storing eyeglasses, a phone or an mp3 player. In residing the cellular life you discover house saver and journey-pleasant methods to store & transport what you employ and want most.
Local nursing colleges and nursing licensing boards also keep lists of local journey companies that hire nurses and these colleges and boards are listed in local phone directories and in directories obtainable on the Internet. Just the fitting bag for a camera, a bit of cash, and a cellphone when your women buddies go on day excursions, visiting websites or out buying They can tuck in a bottle of water and all the opposite tour data, maps and guides they need to roam round cities. You don't want to get combined up with Travel Nurse Companies that will get you in hassle with the IRS. Travel humour and travel adventure novels make exciting fiction and/or autobiographical studying as most are based on real life experiences and are a great way of seeing the world via different's eyes, particularly once you dream of travelling the world and by no means have the funds or time to truly do it. Just search for websites like Ibiza.travel, ThinkDigital.journey or Colombia.travel to see what we mean.


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The season of midterms is upon us and this blog post was inspired by my chemistry teacher at the tail end of a very long 3 hour lecture about a week before our first midterm: a student raised their hand with 5 minutes to go and asked for the most effective way to study for the upcoming exam. My teacher responded with what I found myself along the lines of saying to the kids when I would teach them a new kick in the Beginner Black Dragons class:
"Do your equations 100 times and by the end, there's no way you can't get them."
In Kung Fu, from white belt all the way to black belt and beyond, we try to teach about mastery and its importance. But as much as its talked about, I often wondered if I really understood how developing mastery improved my skill, my work ethic, and my train of thought. It wasn't until the year I graded for my black belt that I realized that 100 repetitions of one technique doesn't only improve upon your technique, but your mental status as well. After doing 100 kicks you find yourself not only pivoting into your 3-point-position with greater flow, but feeling every inch of the mechanics of the kick itself. When you're pushing though your last 20 roundhouses, your hips are aching, and you really don't want to do it anymore, you can almost feel yourself pulling the energy through the earth, transitioning it through your body, and then releasing it with the chamber and flexing of your leg. By 100 kicks you have began to realize that you are not just throwing a lame technique thats off a sheet of paper, you are stringing together a combination of moves with power, focus, and intent; and there is no greater feeling than that. I've come to realize that mastery is not simply a way to gain better technique, it's a way to gain an appreciation for your art and each and every techniques and what makes up each and every component; and realizing the purpose behind each pivot and flex. Turns out, mastery isn't just about action, but about mindfulness.
I'd like to challenge everyone reading my blog to do 100 of something by the end of the week. Whether it be 100 techniques, 100 acts of kindness or 100 math equations, do them and keep your purpose in front of you. Why are you doing this? What are you wanting to accomplish? Feel the change and the difference at the end.
"She who succeeds in gaining the mastery of the bicycle will gain the mastery of life" – Susan B. Anthony
Katelyn Wonsiak


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I became acquainted with Michael McKinney after my essay "Visiting Prison" was published in Quaker Life magazine. He wrote me via the magazine, and I responded. We have been in touch by letter ever since. Michael is serving a sentence of Life Without Parole, incarcerated in Raiford, Florida. He has spent a number of years in solitary confinement. He writes with difficulty, but with intense conviction on a variety of topics. Here is one of his essays he sent me in 2013. - Robert Moulthrop.
How Can I Change?
by Michael McKinney
How can I change?
For me, it is a matter of telling myself to keep using all the willpower I have to keep making changes in my heart. I need to remember to turn my life over to God and let him lead me wherever he wants me to go.
I can start by doing my own thinking, and not letting others dictate what I should do.
I can pray every day and ask God to help me change my ways.
I can know in my heart that I can change.
I can remember to never say never.
I can work every day to treat people better than they treat me, I can learn how to love the ones who hate me, and be kind to the ones who have hurt me.
I have to humble myself, look within myself, because real change starts from within.
I have to keep my ego in check at all times, learn how to control my emotions and not always react to my feelings.
I need to have more space around my anger, and not let my anger get out of control.
How can I change?
I just need to keep making the change I want to see. Don't try to change. Just do it. And then everything will fall into place.
I will change because I want to change, because I want to be the person God wants me to be. Because step by step, I see change every day. And I want more.


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Let's see… I'm 6 feet tall, and weigh about 220lbs… though I am trying to loose. I have (receding) brown hair and blue/green eyes.
I don't smoke or drink, don't do drugs, and as of 2016, I stopped eating meat.
I was born, December 2nd 1975, raised and still live in Minnesota, only leaving for 4 years when I attended The Columbus College of Art and Design in Ohio. I don't stay in Minnesota because I love it here, but it's what I know.
My full legal birth name was Keith James Johnson – I dropped my last name for my art and writing. Now my full legal married name is Keith James Nickolaus-Johnson… more about that in a bit.
I'm a bit of a comic book, fantasy geek – hence the name of my website. While I don't get into every aspect of the "geek seen", most of my favorite interests have to do with some form of geekerie; just look at my favorites list below. I'm also a bit of a theatre geek. I enjoy a good musical, but more so, I enjoy performing in them.
My faith is very important to me, but the word "Christian," has become associated with many things that are drastically inconsistent with the example of Jesus' life, which I feel Christians are to follow… THAT is what I believe is what it's supposed to mean to be a Christian. So I'm very cautious about identifing myself with that term these days. I don't believe Jesus was, a white republican... or democrate.
I believe in God, the maker of heaven and earth, of all that is. I believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God who, for us and our salvation, came down from heaven and was born a man. For our sake he was crucified; suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven.
I don't profess to be a good Christian; like everyone, I'm a work in progress. I believe the Bible teaches each of us to consider ourselves the worst of sinners – and that's what I try (oh how I try) to do. And as the worst of sinners, I have no place to judge anyone, because I need to work on myself before I go butting in on anyone else's life.
I just try to treat everyone the way I want to be treated.
My family is also deeply religious and I'd like to talk more about them, but can't.
It's said every family has a black sheep, but mine has a pink one in me. If you haven't gotten it from anywhere else on my site yet, I'm gay, and I'd be lying if I said, my family didn't have an issue with everything I said above about my faith and also be comfortable with my sexuality.
I need to point out, my family… they aren't bad people. They don't hate me and I don't hate them. We love each other very much and only want what is best for each other; we just disagree on what is best for me. I'm not one for pre-arranged prayers, personally, I like to just talk raw and real with God. But this traditional prayer is absolutely perfect for how I try to deal with my family and the world at large.
I have had a number of people ask about me personally, so I created this page to answer some of the questions I've gotten, to give a little look at "me" rather than only my artwork. It's just the basics; give a little insight into me and some stuff I feel strongly about. If there's anything you'd like to know that isn't here, feel free to send me an email and ask. I try to be as honestly as I can.
Favorite Colour: MAROON
Favorite Food: I know, it's boring to say, but I love Pizza
Favorite Book: Harry Potter
Favorite Movie: Star Wars
Favorite TV Show: Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel
This is John. He's simply amazing. We share a faith, and he's one of the sweetest, kindest, most talented people I know… and I think he's absolutely adorable. John is an avid Wizard of Oz enthusiast and has an incredible collection of Oz paraphernalia. He makes amazing crafts, cross-stitches and decorates our home strikingly for nearly every holiday, with an eye for colour I rarely see. He's also a gifted performer and director of theatre, and can sing beautifully.
I met John online sometime in late 2001 or early 2002. We went on a date (Arby's and a movie) and had a nice time but decided to just be friends, which is one of my favorite things about our relationship - it was founded in friendship. And that's all we were for about a year. But sometime in 2003 something happened; our friendship turned a corner and next thing either of us knew, we were dating until 2005, when I move in with him.
Now understand, to us, that was marriage. We didn't make any kind of deal out of it at the time. It wasn't legal for us to marry at the time and we didn't have any kind of ceremony because none of my family would come. We didn't even record the date. But sometime, about a year later, when my folks were still trying to talk me out of my "lifestyle choice", at some point the topic of marriage came up. I tried to explain that as far as we were concerned, John and I were married. But my parents explained why they felt a ceremony was an important part and you know what - they convinced me.
So John and I decided to have a ceremony. My family didn't attend of course, but that wasn't the point. John's family and our friends were there. We had the ceremony on October 14th, 2006, and have regarded it as our anniversary date since. In 2013 marriage for gay people was legalized and we had a tiny ceremony, in our living room with some friends (who also signed the marriage document as witnesses) and the pastor who led our ceremony in 2006. To us it was simply a legal extension of what we did back then.
Unfortunately, that doesn't change the fact that my relationship with my family has been significantly strained since the day I came out. I pray that soon they'll realize what I have about the issue, because they are missing out on getting to know a really neat person…
John and I have moved 3 times in the decade we've been together. We're still not sure if the place we're currently at is the home we'll grow old in, but for now, it is. Whatever the case, we're ever slowly trying to improve the place and whenever we make a significant change to it, I'll show it off here. Nothing yet though!
When I first met John, he had 3 cats and 2 dogs. Throughout the years since they've all past away. But John and I love animals, so we'll always have one. We thought we'd take a break after the last had passed, but less than a year later we addopted this sweetheart... Toto.
When I'm not drawing or painting, which I would do for fun even if it was my full time job, I enjoy a good book, movie or television show. John and I have an extensive collection of movies and music. And as I mentioned earlier, he and I are both fans of theatre – I know, two gay men interested in theatre, what are the chances?!
We even tried forming our own community theatre. Unfortunately we only produced 4 shows before we had to stop. Producing is a lot of work and we just didn't have the manpower or finances to continue. But I was incredibly proud of the shows we did do. Each was better than the last. Maybe someday we'll resume, but for now, we just like to perform and/or direct on occasion. Below are photos from some of our favorite productions we've been involved in.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz ~ 2007
The first show John and I produced via our theatre group, 5th Season Entertainment.
John directed & played the Scarecrow, while I played the Lion
A Grand Night for Singing ~ 2008
The second show John and I produced via our theatre group, 5th Season Entertainment.
John directed. We both were featured performers
Barefoot in the Park ~ 2008
The third show John and I produced via our theatre group, 5th Season Entertainment.
This was my directorial debue. John played a small role that we couldn't fill.
Into the Woods ~ 2008
The fourth and final show John and I produced via, 5th Season Entertainment.
We directed it together. John was the Baker, while I played the Wolf and Cinderella's Prince.
I am the proudest of this show and it's a shame I don't have more photos from it.
Guys and Dolls ~ 2010
This one I was in by myself. Nicely Nicely Johnson was a role I'd wanted to play for some time. So when I saw the audition notice, I went for it. It was one of the best shows I've ever been in.
Annie ~ 2010
This show meant a bit more to John than it did me. It meant a lot to the young lady who was playing Annie, she and her family are friends of ours. John played Warbucks, while I was Rooster. I'll say this, it's a better show than most people give it credit for.
My Fair Lady ~ 2011
Higgans was one of John's dream roles to play, so when he got it, I went along for the ride and played Freddy Eynsford-Hill. It was a smaller role for me, but I got to sing a kick butt song. And John was phenominal as Higgans.
Little Shop of Horrors ~ 2011
I did this one by myself - Seymour was the only dream role of mine I've gotten to play so far... but it was an amazing experience. This wasn't "one of..." it was my favorite show I've ever been in, and I'd do it again if I could.
Madeline's Christmas ~ 2012
John took his first professional directing gig for this Children's Theatre production at the Phipps Center for the Arts. He struggled finding someone to fill the role of Harsha, so I helpped him out. It was a cute show.
The Best Chirstmas
Pagent Ever ~ 2013
John was rehired to do the next years Christmas show as the previous. This time I joined him as co-director.
The Rainmaker ~ 2013
The director of "My Fair Lady" was having trouble filling a couple roles in this production, so John and I helpped her out. And we're so glad we did. It was one of my favorite experieinces doing a show. John played Noah and I played File.
The Wizard of Oz ~ 2014
John and I teamed up again to direct this Children's Theatre production. It was probably the "biggest" show we've directed
And that's it... for now. John's been in a couple shows besides what's seen here, but we didn't get any photos from them. It's actually been a while since I've been on stage, but I'm selective about the roles I take - a show is a big commitment no mater what role you have. That said, I've been itching for some time mow to get back up on stage. I hope I can find the right show soon!
So, do you feel like you know me better now? Like I said at the top of this page, my life is pretty much an open book. So if there's anything you want to know, just ask.
~ See ya in the funny papers!