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Live: Facebook CEO Zuckerberg testifies at congressional hearings
John Thune, chairman of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation committee, struck an adversarial tone in his opening remarks."In the past, many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have been willing to defer to tech companies' efforts to regulate themselves. But this may be changing," he said.(Reporting by William Rigby)
Long lines, protest before Facebook CEO Zuckerberg testifiesFacebook Inc Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg will strike a conciliatory tone on Tuesday in testimony before Congress as he looks to fend off the possibility of new regulations as a result of the privacy scandal engulfing his social network.
See a timeline of Zuckerberg's many Facebook apologies:Facebook has often angered users by its handling of personal information. Almost as often, its CEO has apologized:September 2006
Facebook started aggregating posts from each member's friends into a new feature called News Feed, which was not a major privacy issue but agitated many users.
Zuckerberg said: "We really messed this one up. When we launched News Feed and Mini-Feed we were trying to provide you with a stream of information about your social world... We didn't build in the proper privacy controls right away."
November 2007
Facebook introduced a feature named Beacon that told a user's friends what they just bought, unless they blocked the disclosure of each purchase. It took Facebook several days to recognize it had a problem and to quell the outcry.
Zuckerberg said: "We've made a lot of mistakes building this feature, but we've made even more with how we've handled them. We simply did a bad job with this release, and I apologize for it... Instead of acting quickly, we took too long to decide on the right solution. I'm not proud of the way we've handled this situation and I know we can do better."
February 2009
Facebook changed its terms of service, and its users reacted with suspicion.
Zuckerberg said: "We're at an interesting point in the development of the open online world where these issues are being worked out."
April 2010
The Wall Street Journal reported its discovery that Facebook allowed advertisers to access unique user IDs, which can be used to track consumers. It took the company a month to respond as the outcry from users and privacy advocates grew.
Zuckerberg said: "Sometimes we move too fast — and after listening to recent concerns, we're responding."
He continued: "In the coming weeks, we will add privacy controls that are much simpler to use. We will also give you an easy way to turn off all third-party services. We are working hard to make these changes available as soon as possible."
November 2011
Facebook signed a consent decree with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission after an investigation of its privacy violations.
Zuckerberg said: "I'm the first to admit that we've made a bunch of mistakes. Recently, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission established agreements with Google and Twitter that are helping to shape new privacy standards for our industry. Today, the FTC announced a similar agreement with Facebook."
What to know:
- Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's No. 1 mission during his Senate hearing will be to defend against calls to regulate internet-based companies.
- He is confronting combined outrage over how Russia used Facebook to spread divisive political propaganda during the 2016 U.S. presidential election and how Facebook seemed unaware that a political consultancy, Cambridge Analytica, improperly harvested personal data of about 87 million Facebook users, most of them Americans.
- The prospect of new laws that restrict Facebook and other internet companies, however, is extremely unlikely not only because of a lack of political will and the effective lobbying of technology companies but because few lawmakers want to grapple with the sheer complexity of the technical issues involved.
Facebook searches for a friend on Capitol Hill - Reuters TVReuters TVFacebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg begins his first-day of congressional testimony as lawmakers probe the social network's massive data scandal and Russian attempts to sway the 2016 election.
Zuckerberg's testimony
Top of the agenda in this week's hearings will be Facebook's dealings with Cambridge Analytica, a London-based company that counts President Trump's 2016 campaign among its past clients, or go-betweens. Cambridge Analytica has disputed Facebook's estimate of the number of affected users.
Lawmakers are also expected to press Zuckerberg closely on the 2016 election, which he anticipated in his written testimony.
"It's clear now that we didn't do enough to prevent these tools from being used for harm..." he said. "That goes for fake news, foreign interference in elections, and hate speech, as well as developers and data privacy."
Zuckerberg's testimony said the company was "too slow to spot and respond to Russian interference, and we're working hard to get better." He vowed to make improvements, adding it would take time, but he was "committed to getting it right."
Factbox: 'I know we can do better': Zuckerberg's many Facebook...U.S.Facebook Inc has often angered users by its handling of personal information. Almost as often, Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg has apologized.
Facebook's Zuckerberg faces Senate hearing but little hope for actionU.S.Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg's No. 1 mission during his appearance before U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday and Wednesday will be to defend against calls to regulate internet-based companies.
United Kingdom votes to decide the fate of Brexit, again
LONDON Voters went to the polls on Thursday in an election that will pave the way for Brexit under Prime Minister Boris Johnson or propel Britain towards another referendum that could ultimately reverse the decision to leave the European Union.


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Stratford seawall closed to fishing
Saltwater anglers have lost access to a popular spot in Stratford, where the town has banned fishing at the Stratford Seawall in Lordship.
State officials have expressed concern about the move, which town leaders say is for safety reasons.
Click here to read more.
Derbies get kids into fishing
Spring fishing derbies are a great way to introduce kids to angling, and there are several in the Nutmeg TU area.
The Fairfield PAL will hold its annual derby Saturday, April 7, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Gould Manor Park, 749 Holland Hill Road, Fairfield. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. The Fairfield PAL Trout Derby is open to ages 3 to 15; prizes are awarded for the largest and smallest fish.
The 50th Milford Children's Trout Derby, sponsored by the Milford Striped Bass Club, will be held Saturday, May 5. Trout Derby co-chairmen Shawn and Jenn Lalond have been organizing and running the event for more than 10 years. They can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.
The Stratford Recreation Dept. is having its annual Catch-and-Release Fishing Derby for children of all ages on Saturday, May 5, from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m., at Brewster Pond in Stratford. The fee is $5; register April 2-May 4 online at www.townofstratford.com/recreation or in the Recreation Dept. office at 468 Birdseye Street, Stratford.
The 15th annual Monroe Police Fishing Derby will be held Saturday, May 19, from 6 to 9 a.m. at Wolf Park's Great Hollow Lake in Monroe. The event is open, free of charge, to children 3 to 15. Prizes are awarded for the heaviest fish in the age groups 5 and under, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-15.
Fish off Short Beach Saturday
Whether you use a fly rod or spinning gear, join Nutmeg TU at Short Beach in Stratford Saturday, Oct. 21, when we fish the mouth of the Housatonic River.
High tide is 1 p.m., so we'll start fishing at 2 p.m. on the outgoing tide.
Park near the water, straight ahead from the entrance to the Short Beach restaurant.
The Mouth of the Housatonic, between Stratford and Milford, offers multiple species an excellent estuary. Access is easy from Short Beach.
We recommend Waders, Wading Stick, and Wading Boots as we plan to wade into the river for the best fishing spots. The water will also be getting colder so you should plan to bring and wear layers.
Fly fishing should bring an 8- 9-weight rod. Intermediate sinking lines are ideal or floating lines for poppers. Standard flies include Clousers, Deceivers and other Saltwater baitfish patterns.
RSVP by clicking here.
Nutmeg TU going striper fishing
Members of Nutmeg TU will meet to do some fall striper fishing at Short Beach in Stratford, 1 Dorne Drive, Saturday, Nov. 8 at 1 p.m.
There is plenty of room to fish and park.
Come meet fellow chapter members and share techniques, flies and lures. Bring a 8 or 9 weight fly rod, or a medium to heavy spinning or surf casting rod.
We will fish the outgoing tide. High tide Saturday is 12:06 p.m., low tide at 6:35 p.m. We will fish till dusk.
The rain date is Sunday, Nov. 9, with the meeting time at 1:30 p.m. Sunday's high tide is 12:52 p.m., while low tide on the rain date is 7:21 p.m

subset: commoncrawl


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Thursday, 14 April 2011
Latest Fab New Buy!
Bought this great bargain bag yesterday and its for a great cause! This Orla Kiely tote shopper is for sale at Tesco and is only £4! Proceeds go to the Children's Cancer Charity,Clic Sargent! I think you should definitely get out and buy one! I LOVE mine!
Posted by LaurenCherice at 04:29
Labels: Charity, LOVE, Orla Kiely, Tesco, Tote Bags
4 comments:
Oooh, I want one! Love Orla Kiely stuff, would really like one of her handbags, but a little on the expensive side! Maybe this would tide me over until I'm a famous designer and can afford one her other bags haha!ReplyDelete
I know, i wanted a laptop sleeve but it was £80!ReplyDelete
My friend bought this for me the other day. It is fab isn't it. I've taken it everywhere lately.ReplyDelete
I love it! I was addicted to buying the Cath Kidston ones when they was out! Lovely!ReplyDelete
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text: Share: Comments Print May 22, 2010 at 6:47 PM Game thread: Seattle at Phoenix Posted by Jayda Evans STORM WINS: Whoa! That was a finish that didn't have to be so wild. Agler appeared to get frustrated that some calls weren't being made, getting a technical foul for an outburst. That put Taurasi on the line at an inopportune time, making a FT with 23.2 seconds remaining to tie the score at 82 all. Jackson then missed and the game went into overtime. Now, who knows what might have been had Agler not slammed down the clipboard. But before the reaction, Taylor missed one of two free throws and Seattle looked ready to leave with a well-deserved, albeit closer than needed, win. Instead, Cash had to come alive in extra play, scoring seven points to regain control of the game. Jackson and Little helped to finally shut Bonner down, but she's on her way to being impossible in the paint. Seattle won 95-89, attempting a franchise-record 94 FGs. The previous mark was 91 in a quadruple OT win against Washington at KeyArena. But the most eye-popping stat was the Mercury's 24 turnovers that the Storm converted into 31 points. Phoenix prides itself on not bobbling the ball, so to have that many is a red flag. That's them; however. The Storm is off to a 3-0 start, a first since 2008 — Agler's first season with the team. They host Washington at home on Tuesday. Jackson led all scorers with 25 points and four steals while Bonner had 24 points and 12 boards. SMITH TO RESCUE?: OK, Bonner got some help inside, getting blocks and a nice layin from vet Smith. Couple that with Bonner's turnaround layin and two free throws from Taylor and Phoenix is only down 82-80 with 1:31 remaining in the game. TRAIN TIME: Phoenix stole the train from Seattle, grabbing kids out of the stands for the fourth quarter mayhem. There's a good crowd here, though, spreading all the way to the upper deck. Too bad their team is jammed up from Seattle's defense, totaling 19 miscues for 23 Seattle points and trailing 82-74 with 2:58 left in the game. Bonner is having a good outing with 22 points and 8 boards. She just needs backup. BIG LITTLE: Bird had a nice dish inside to little and the post made another while being fouled (no call) to help Seattle stay ahead 78-71 with 4:56 remaining in the game. Bird spoke about which team would impose its style and Seattle is winning. The defense is slowing Phoenix down and the Storm is clicking offensively. Phoenix has only led by one-point in this game. BISHOP DEBUT: The fouls are spreading. Cash and Willingham have four and Seattle is only up by three with 45.5 remaining in the third quarter, so Australian rookie Abby Bishop is in the game with Ashley Robinson leading the frontline. Wright and Bird are the only starters on the court as Agler tries to stretch to the fourth quarter. He made it. But it was raggedy. BREAKDOWN: The Storm opened on a 11-5 run to build a 55-45 lead with 6:00 remaining in the third quarter. HALFTIME: So much for the Phoenix offense really running through the PF spot. Mercury coach Corey Gaines squawked about how Dupree would be a huge asset, not discounting what Cappie Pondexter did for the organization, but stating that it could be filled by Dupree. Well, maybe on another night. So far, Dupree has been swarmed by different defensive looks from Seattle to account for five turnovers at the break. She's 3 of 5 from the field for six points. Phoenix is shooting 57.7 percent from the field, but has only taken 26 shot attempts compared to Seattle's 44. Jackson leads all scorers with 15 points while second-year vet DeWanna Bonner has 10 off the bench to lead the Mercury. Willingham is having a solid night, scoring eight points to help Seattle's bench total 12 points. The Storm is up 40-44. SPOTTED: It's Women of Inspiration night in Phoenix and Billie Jean King is being recognized. She's sitting down at halfcourt for an interview and after the game I'm told she's going to speak to both teams. FOUL TROUBLE: Taurasi picked up her third foul playing against Willingham. She's having another off night, shooting 2 of 5 from the field. Willingham made the free throws to put Seattle up 44-36 with 38 seconds on the clock. Smith and Cash also have three fouls apiece. BLOCK THAT: Jackson took a charge against Taurasi and blocked a shot by Taylor, so there's no love here despite the players being friends of Jackson. Seattle had a few turnovers and gave up some shots, but their defense remains way better than Phoenix's. The Storm is up 38-34 with 2:52 remaining in the first half. MERCURY RISING: Phoenix is on 6-0 run, finding gaps in Seattle's defense and getting rebounds to convert into buckets. Dupree also is finding her game with Jackson no longer primarily guarding her. The rookie Alison Lacey had a nice steal, but bricked the three-pointer that could have kept Seattle's flow going. There's 6:07 remaining before halftime and Seattle leads 32-29. WHO'S BAKING?: It's turnover city inside US Airways Center. Three consecutive missed passes with the Storm reserves on the bench allowed Seattle to go up 24-19. Jackson made an open lay and Phoenix responded with a driving layin by Ketia Swanier to close the quarter at 26-21 Seattle. The Storm only has one turnover while the Mercury has eight, which were converted into 13 points for the visitors. Seattle's bench is finally productive, totaling six points, two assists, and one rebound. CZECH THAT: Storm free agent Jana Vesela is on the court, making her WNBA debut with Seattle. She checked into the game during the timeout with 4:07 remaining in the first half. Seattle is up 20-17 with 2:53 on the clock. SOLID START: The Storm is looking good and so is Phoenix. But Seattle is up 20-12 at the first break with 4:07 remaining in the opening quarter. The highlight was actually when Agler substituted Willingham and Svetlana Abrosimova in the game with 5:05 remaining. Willingham's first play was a pretty reverse layin against Dupree. Minutes later, Abrosimova collected a Bird miss and made a put-back. Dupree then fumbled the ball against Cash's defense and a timeout was called. WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: Storm coach Brian Agler was right, Phoenix laid it on thick for Willingham. They played "We are the Champions" as GM Ann Meyers Drysdale presented Willingham with her ring three-minutes before tip-off. Former team prez Jay Perry also came over along with a hoppy Tangela Smith. In fact, both teams crowded around to applaud Willingham. Meyers Drysdale took the ring back and the game is about to start. Phoenix has had a week to prepare for the matchup against Seattle and really the season, opening on May 15 – days (hours?) after leaders Penny Taylor and Diana Taurasi arrived from overseas play. The WNBA moved its season up from its regular June start-date to accommodate for the World Championships in September, meaning many teams had to deal with late arrivals. Around US Airways Center, however, the mini-training camp is expected to be a benefit. But it could work against the defending champion Mercury (1-0), too. There could still be signs of rust since it's difficult to simulate a game. Seattle (2-0), meanwhile, has had two competitive matchups to exploit its biggest issues. The Storm used fourth quarter rallies to win, but played two different games in one impressive defensive game (Los Angeles) and one offensive game (Minnesota). Maybe both parts come together on Saturday. Former Phoenix player Le'coe Willingham stepped out on the court and received a big cheer and hugs from all of her former teammates during pregame warm-ups. She played two seasons for the Mercury, starting for the title team. The banner is in a far corner of the arena and Willingham's name is on a side panel. Everyone is healthy, including reserve C Nicole Ohlde, who missed the opener due to an injured right foot. Phoenix owned Seattle last season, winning three of four regular-season matchups. If the Mercury wins Saturday, it would be the fourth time in franchise history that the team started the season 2-0 –reaching the WNBA finals when it happened in 1998 and the league title when it happened in 2009. Here are your starting lineups: STORM F Swin Cash F Lauren Jackson C Camille Little G Sue Bird G Tanisha Wright MERCURY F Penny Taylor F Candice Dupree C Tangela Smith G Temeka Johnson G Diana Taurasi Tonight's officials are Clarke Stevens, Penny Davis, and Roy Gulbeyan. Comments


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HONG KONG — A former commander of the People's Liberation Army was expelled from the Chinese Communist Party and placed under investigation for graft crimes on Thursday, becoming the most senior military figure brought down in President Xi Jinping's campaign against corruption.
The fall of retired Gen. Guo Boxiong had been rumored since last year, and was hinted at in Chinese news reports earlier this year that laid out graft accusations against his son. But the party's announcement of charges against General Guo amounted to an emphatic rejection of assertions that Mr. Xi was losing his appetite for investigating top-level corruption, or for "fighting tigers," in his often-quoted words.
"The notion that hunting tigers has slowed can be laid to rest," said a commentary issued online by the People's Daily, the party's main newspaper, of General Guo.
He derived illicit riches from his influence over promotions in the People's Liberation Army, said the party leaders' decision, issued by Xinhua, the main official news agency.
"An investigation has found that Guo Boxiong exploited his positions to seek gain for others through postings and promotions," said the decision of the party's Politburo, an elite council with 25 members. He "directly or through family members accepted bribes, gravely violating party discipline, and he is suspected of the crime of bribery."
The Politburo said the decision to authorize a criminal inquiry against General Guo, 73, showed no official was insulated from scrutiny for misdeeds. "There will be absolutely no appeasement, absolutely no soft-handedness," the council said.
The party also acknowledged implicitly that General Guo, China's most senior serving military officer for a decade until late 2012, was deeply corrupt, if the allegations were true. "The circumstances are grave and the effects have been malign," the Politburo said in its announcement.
Dozens of other investigations since Mr. Xi become party leader in late 2012 indicate his alarm that widespread graft has corroded the readiness and loyalty of China's military.
Retired Gen. Xu Caihou, another former vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, admitted to taking bribes in return for providing promotions and favors, according to official news media accounts, and he would almost certainly have faced trial and conviction if he had not died from bladder cancer in March. Andrew Wedeman, a professor of political science at Georgia State University who studies corruption in China, estimated that under Mr. Xi about 55 senior military officers, serving or retired, have been detained in antigraft cases.
"It shows that Xi is willing to press his attack, even if it means taking on the military," Professor Wedeman said in emailed comments. "I think that the increased intensity of the anticorruption campaign is here to stay."
Before retiring in 2012, General Guo had ascended to the apex of China's military establishment as a vice chairman of the Central Military Commission. He ranked above General Xu, the other vice chairman toppled on corruption charges, and both men served in the Politburo, one of the party's innermost rings of power.
But starting earlier this year, General Guo went through the now-established pattern of defenestration for Chinese officials charged with graft. In rumors and online, he acquired the nickname of "the wolf of the northwest," a reference to the region where he had spent time earlier in his career, and also to his reputation for voracious greed.
His family came under scrutiny, and in March the Chinese military confirmed that his son, also a senior officer, was under investigation for corruption. Chinese magazines and newspapers also revealed allegations that the son and his wife had enriched themselves in illegal property deals using military-owned land.
The announcement about General Guo followed an investigation begun in April. Now military prosecutors will examine the case, and almost surely, he will face trial and conviction by a party-controlled military court.
In June, Zhou Yongkang, the party's former head of domestic security and law enforcement, was found guilty of taking bribes and other crimes and sentenced to life in prison.
Professor Wedeman said Mr. Xi's anticorruption drive may not have more targets left of Mr. Zhou's or General Guo's seniority. "That does not mean that a big tiger will not be bagged from time to time," he said.


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You don't need an MA in English Grammar (or in Literature or Creative Writing) in order to write stories. A good grasp of grammar is, though, essential: how to construct a sentence that conveys meaning, emotion, action; and how to punctuate your fine words. Fortunately, there are numerous self-help books available, books that can be very readable and – 'tis true – fun.
The Oxford Dictionary of English Grammar and Eric Partridge's Usage and Abusage are detailed listing of all the terms you'll likely encounter in English grammar, and I recommend that you have at least one (or a similar) lexicon of definitions on your bookshelf. In these books you'll discover the meaning of phrases such as transitive and intransitive verbs. Actually, you probably don't need to remember all these terms and their definitions – as long as you learn to write well.
Which brings me to a trio of books, all on my bookshelf (along with several other titles – you can never have too many books). These are of immense help with punctuation – and bad punctuation inevitably leads to poorly expressed writing.
First off is Eats, Shoots & Leaves, subtitled "The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation", by Lynne Truss. Just look at the book's title: is it "eats, shoots and leaves" or "eats shoots and leaves"? The meanings are quite different. This book is written as a series of readable essays. More direct are Grammar for Grown-Ups by Katherine Fry and Rowena Kirton and Grammar Rules by Craig Shrives.
Grammar for Grown-Ups is a straightforward guide (it says so on the cover) that covers the basics (nouns, verbs, adverbs, etc), punctuation, spelling and chapters on more complicated issues and (especially useful) on the difference between UK and US English. There are also throughout test questions, a great way to discover if you comprehend the text. The main issue I have with this book is a lack of index.
Finally, Grammar Rules: this book has the subtitle "Writing with Military Precision", and that might give away the fact that the author Craig Shrives was a military officer, who wrote it to encourage clarity in written reports. Even so, rules are rules and work in both fiction and non-fiction.
There are many others guides and no doubt you have your favourite(s) – at least I hope you do. Well-written and well-punctuated work gives you a head start when submitting your words to editors and publishers. After all, if you write, 99% of the time you want others to read, understand and enjoy your work. And even if you want to write "experimental" stories, it really does pay to learn the basic rules before you break them.
Copyright (c) 2016 Peter Coleborn


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Mathematician, engineer and inventor Joseph Maximilian Petzval is best known for his contribution to modern photography.Read More
Hungary reached the football World Cup final in 1954 and, although they didn't win, its Hungarian national team of the 1950s became legendary. This is the story of Ferenc 'Pancho' Puskás and the 'Golden Team' generation which made its mark on Spanish football.Read More
Pizza – possibly one of the most popular, tasty and simple things you can have for dinner tonight. But behind its simplicity lies a much more complex history – this is the tale of the Margherita's migration.Read More
A group of 20 young Europeans continue their journey through Eastern and Central Europe to trace the events of 1989, and Europeana has joined them. The Freedom Express study trip most recently stopped in Hungary and Romania, where the participants learnt about the revolutions of each country, and how the events in Hungary sparked the […]Read More
Article by Géza Szőcs, Minister of State for Culture: We have no knowledge of any equestrian statue on public display, or indeed, any statue at all which was completed by Leonardo during his lifetime. The well-known, small scale statuettes, like those proudly displayed in the Metropolitan, or London's Jeanneret collection, may have served as studies […]Read More
Photo: Csaba Attila Kontar, winner in the Art Nouveau category of the Wiki Loves Monuments photo contest – with his prizes from Europeana . You can view the winning image in the Wiki Loves Art Nouveau virtual exhibition. Wiki Loves Art Nouveau launched in December of last year as our first crowd-sourced virtual exhibition, featuring 50 […]Read More
We are pleased to announce the winner of the Art Nouveau category in the Wiki Loves Monuments photography competition! This picture of the interior of the Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest by Csaba Attila Kontar is the winning photo, receiving the most votes on Flickr. The photo beat off competition from 343 finalists, all entries were impressive examples […]Read More
Next week we're launching our latest virtual exhibition; Weddings in Eastern Europe. This exhibition has a wonderful selection of images, audio and video. Want a sneak preview? Here's what you can expect from the exhibition…. In traditional cultures, the wedding was one of the most important and complex of all social ceremonies, with its own […]Read More


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Will 2016 be any better?
Dear Ken Keller,
We've started to do planning for next year. In reviewing our numbers we see that overall, sales are up, but almost all of the growth is a result of a price increase we passed on to our clients as raw material costs went up. Our alternative was to eat the higher costs and have reduced margins. In my mind, we have some serious problems to deal with and while I have my own thoughts I'd appreciate you sharing yours based on what I have shared with you. – Don S.
Dear Don,
There are more than a few variables to consider as you analyze the lack of revenue growth this year.
As the owner are you just noticing the issue now at year end or did you see it coming and take corrective action when things weren't developing as you wanted them to?
If you took steps to remedy the problem, how well did the corrective actions work?
Was there a revenue growth plan in place? If you had one, did you track it through the year?
Who was the owner of the plan? Which individual was responsible for implementation and for the results?
What were the goals? Were they measurable and realistic? Was it an annual goal, or one by quarter, month, and week?
These are questions to consider as you perform a post-mortem and create a plan that will yield the results you want next year.
Let me suggest some other considerations for you to bring into your thinking.
The first is that the length of the sales cycle has to be taken into account. Far too many companies think that sales will increase in January because the new budget says it will. But if the your sales cycle is 90 days, the jump in revenue won't take place until April at the earliest unless your sales people have been out hustling in the last quarter of this year.
Second, there has to be some method of systematically tracking the flow of leads and prospects through the sales funnel. The key metric is what is happening at the top of the funnel; these are leading indicators.
As an example, you may set as an objective for your sales people to each call on ten new prospects a week. Assume that only one prospect does business with you starting in 90 days from the date of the first call.
The minute your sales people don't make the required ten new business development calls, for whatever reason, you will miss your revenue objective starting in April. And the trend will worsen as the year goes on.
Third, you need to assess each of your sales people to find out where they need help to improve their numbers. Sales people are usually proud, competitive and don't like to open up about their weaknesses.
The smart sales people, the best sales people, are always looking to improve, to sharpen their selling edge, to learn something that will help make them more money.
Your mission is to assist your sales people and provide them the tools and education they need to become constantly and consistently better.
As a starting point, you need to find out what your sales people need from you to start make the required number of new prospect calls. Is poor time management the issue? Is it the lack of lead generation? Are sales people supposed to generate their own leads? Are people tied to doing other, less important work that prevents them from being in front of prospects?
It's easy to point fingers at those in sales for not hitting the numbers. It's far better to see those in sales as the front line warriors that they are and giving them the sales tools they need to do the job you expect of them. That's your responsibility.


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Tingwall Airport celebrates 40th birthday
TINGWALL Airport turns 40 this week having provided a base for flights to and from Shetland's outer isles since October 1976.
Tomorrow (Thursday) marks four decades since the first passenger aircraft landed on the runway. At that time colour television was yet to arrive in the isles, but the oil industry had begun to make its impact on Shetland.
It was in the weeks after the opening of Tingwall Airport that BP submitted the blueprint for the Sullom Voe Terminal to Shetland Islands Council's planning department.
Oil-related charter flights, for smaller aircraft at least, became a regular sight at Tingwall, known by some as Lerwick Airport.
The first scheduled inter-island flights from Tingwall were operated by Loganair, which also provided the air ambulance service in Shetland at that time.
Scheduled flights from Tingwall to Edinburgh using Twin Otter aircraft began in April 1979 and continued until the early 1990s. Loganair continued to operate from Tingwall for almost 30 years until Direct Flight Ltd was awarded the contract to provide scheduled services in 2006.
Tingwall continues to serve island communities today with regular flights to Fair Isle, Papa Stour and Foula, as well as providing 24-hour availability for air ambulance flights and Shetland Coastguard's search and rescue helicopter.
Around 400 passengers pass through the airport in an average month, most on board the passenger flights operated by AirTask Group on behalf of the SIC.
The nine-seater Britten Norman Islander aircraft is a familiar sight across Shetland, linking the outer isles with the mainland in a shorter time than would be possible on inter-island ferries.
Tingwall is also regularly used by a range of commercial operators including helicopters on contract to the Northern Lighthouse Board and SSE.
During the summer months particularly, a number of private aircraft regularly call in from the UK and further afield.
SIC councillor Michael Stout, chairman of the council's environment and transport committee and Shetland's transport partnership ZetTrans, said: "Having lived in Fair Isle, I know how important the flights are for the communities living in Shetland's outer isles.
"Whether it's a new infant coming home, ill folk getting away to hospital, school bairns getting to spend time with their families, or the delivery of emergency supplies, the service has been an essential part of island life, and has come to mean much more than simply a way for folk to get in and out."
Stout added that he wished to thank airport staff, past and present for "their hard work and dedication in managing the airport for the last 40 years, going above and beyond the call of duty on so many occasions."
- The public are invited to attend an open door celebration at Tingwall Airport on Monday (24 October) from 12.30pm until 4.30pm. There will be sandwiches and home bakes as well as a display of historical photos and books on the airport.


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Jennifer Borrero
South Shore High Brooklyn, NY Class of 1991
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Celebrate one tradition with another – birthdays and baseball! Our birthday package includes:
- 12 picnic table tickets
- 12 party packages that include: hot dog (pizza slice upgrade $1.00/person), drink, foam finger and desert
- Ceremonial first pitch for birthday person
- Special team gift for birthday person
- A round of "Happy Birthday" to the birthday guest by the crowd!
$180.00- 12 Person Birthday Party Package
*Additional party package tickets can be purchased for $15.00/each and $6.00 for additional picnic table tickets.
1. SELECT YOUR GAME DATE: Check the schedule and select the best game date for your group. Be sure to check out our promotions schedule for special offers and giveaways!
2. CONTACT A GRIZZLIES REP: A Grizzlies group sales rep will be assigned to your group in planning your outing. All group packages must be paid in full. For customized group outings, 20 tickets must be paid in full at the time of purchase. 20% of the remaining tickets must be paid and is non-refundable. We will work with you on the addition and subtraction of tickets for your group. Call (618) 337-3000 to start your outing.
3. PROMOTE YOUR EVENT: Posters! Flyers! Emails! Make sure to get your group excited about attending a Grizzlies game together.
4. FINALIZE YOUR OUTING: Finalize and pay for the FINAL number of tickets needed with your Grizzlies rep at least two weeks prior to your outing.


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New Singapore office for Chamber
THE Irish Chamber of Commerce has opened a new office in Singapore. The office was previously known as the Irish Business Association. The new office was launched last night by Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Eamon Ryan. The Irish Business Association had been in Singapore for 18 years and claims more than 180 members. Mr Ryan described the Chamber as a "testament to the dedication and creativity of the Irish diaspora".
Cityjet passenger numbers up 48pc
CITYJET, the Dublin-based Air France-KLM subsidiary, recorded a 48pc increase in passenger numbers between Dublin and London City Airport in the 12 months to the end of February. It carried nearly 162,000 passengers to the airport once owned by financier Dermot Desmond. Meanwhile, Aer Lingus non-executive director Anne Mills is to step down from the airline's board on Monday following the expiry of her term.
Anglo seeks $2.6m loan to developers
ANGLO Irish Bank has initiated court action against two prominent Florida property developers for the repayment of a $2.6m (€1.92m) loan originally granted in 2008. Anglo is suing Izzy Ashkenazy and his son-in-law, Jonathan Agus, in a court in Palm Beach, Florida. Anglo claims the two men failed to make repayments that started falling due last September.
PC World, Currys in retail overhaul
THE parent company of Currys and PC World, which has 27 stores in the Republic, is to overhaul its retail operations by putting both brands under one store in several cases and opening new stores across its network. DSG International also published plans yesterday to improve staff training and more flexible home delivery and repair services.
Lloyds eyes profit return this year
BRITISH bank Lloyds surprised analysts yesterday by announcing that it expects to return to profit this year. Only last month it had announced an annual loss of €6.3bn. The firm cited lower than expected losses on bad loans as the reason for the optimistic forecast.
Irish Independent


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You are currently browsing the tag archive for the 'artists' tag.
Here is our first blog by one of our WONDERFUL artist!
The Importance of Knowing Things and The Utilitarianism of Craft
by: Caitlin Montague-W.
Long-gone are the days of saving scraps, mending, and reworking; so much so that the entire idea of crafting or perhaps the idea of being a craftsman is no longer looked upon with a sense of utilitarian, homemaking longing. Long winter evenings are rarely spent on handiworks, and a rainy day is more often an excuse to watch television than start and finish a project. I often wonder if the ability to create, fix and make-do even a treasured value in this day of Blackberries and Wal-Mart.
It is part of the human condition to create, it has been a matter of necessity to make things for a household, and it is a luxury to take time to craft a beautiful thing for a gift. What we make as craftsmen is an extension of our soul, it is part of our heart, passed through our hands and into a garment, onto canvas, or through a tool to a turning lathe. As craftsmen, we call upon a long line of talent before us, and as we use modern conveniences to make our crafting lives easier, one wonders if the crafter is allowing the technology to take over the technique.
We live in a world where baskets and blankets can be made in factories, in a fully automated way devoid of human hands, human hearts, and stories. The stitches and weavings and carvings passed down and developed through generations have been infringed upon by mechanisms. This not only degrades the crafts, but the craftsmen themselves. We should not be ashamed if we can only create simple, plain things, we should not be ashamed if we are able create beautiful things, what we should be ashamed of is the lack of want to learn, and the impulse to buy something crafted by machine.
Perhaps we are too busy in this life to craft, especially to craft simple things for the home, or to mend. Where have all the homemakers gone? For those with no time, I hope they find comfort in a quilt stitched without a human touch. For me, I hope to be surrounded by things with a story, made by a craftsman who takes pride in their work.
It is strange to think that the same mechanisms that provided the western world with the luxuries of free time, would then devoid us of the wont of crafting expression. As a society we must relearn and take back those skills that help make a home a home. Crafting should not become obsolete, it is important to know how to make things, and it is equally important to make them, allow others to see you making them, and to teach those others to make their own. It is in this way that we connect with each other, enriching our own lives and the lives of others with things that you cannot get on the Internet, and making bonds that go beyond the TV.
If you would like to see more of Caitlin's work, come by the shop!
My my where does the time go these days?
Friday night (6/5/09) we celebrated our 1 year anniversary! Can you believe it? And boy what a year it has been! Of course there has been highs & lows, but right now it all seems like a HIGH!
I can not even begin to think how this all would be possible without our avid customers and dedicated family members. I often try to summarize to myself (an others sometimes) what 'is' The Stash… Well my token phrase for people coming in the shop is:
"Our shop is All Local, All Handmade goods! We have over 140 artists represented, 15-ish of those are under the age of 18 too! Many of our artists are also teachers, and they offer a wide variety of subjects for classes here in the shop. We have a sewing lounge in the back, and a handwork area in the front!"
But really we are so much more! Some of them are:
- Robyn called me on the phone today, and told me that we have officially become a children's game! LOL Guess her daughter was playing at a friends house and they were playing babies & The Stash. Work it girls! Gotta start them out young you know! But 'really' if you look at our kids (there are 8 soon to be 9 between Rachael, Robyn & I) that is what they see their Moms doing every day! Guess we have made better role models than we thought if they are wanting to 'play' The Stash!
- Creative 'breath' of fresh air! There are many who frequent the shop to see what is new and to also get their own creative juices flowing. We find that the bright colors of the walls, and huge variety of artwork inspires our customers to dust off their machines & tools and get busy again.
- Local gathering spot… Many swing by with their lunch groups to browse before heading back to the office!
- Do you have something to add? What is The Stash to you? Leave a comment & let us know…
So where do we go from here? Forward…
One of our small joys for us is that now we can track where we were last year in sales and compare it to this year… I know, not to exciting to you all, but this is HUGE for us. Over time, memories fade and for us to be able to track & compare is huge. 🙂 Another hurdle, was for us to get to the point, that we felt comfortable enough running the shop to have regular hours for The Stashettes… 🙂 What a difference a regular schedule makes!
First Fridays are being planned out well in advance to give the artist plenty of time to prepare! This is always a really fun night for us, one where we can actually let loose & chat with our customers, eat a bit, drink a bit & enjoy our space.
Artists, we have around 140 right now… We are always looking for more GREAT art to share! It is amazing & awe inspiring the talent that we have in this town.
Time flies when you are having fun that is for sure! Here is to another year for us here at the shop…
Bring your families, visitors & friends! Remember to shop local & buy handmade!
Hi… Just wanted to let you know about the upcoming items that we have going on here in the shop for this week and next. So many things are happening around here! The tourists are coming in, and we LOVE to hear all their travel stories… The weather has been wonderful this summer, so many people out walking around & biking… Classes are happening, so now that school is almost out there are a few things that you can do with your kids or sign them up and have some time for yourself!
It is our 1 year birthday on this Friday, June 5th so mark your calendars to join us from 5-8 and help us celebrate!
BP Midnight Sun Festival is on Sunday, June 21st from noon to midnight and The Stash will be open & waiting for you from noon to 9 p.m. 🙂
Downtown there will be over 170 booths of food, information, and merchandise. 3 stages of 30 different performances, Midnight Sun state Basketball tournament, fun entertainment, sidewalk art, classic cars, petting zoo, Yukon quest puppies. Extreme racing, and possibly a skate park!
Solstice Smackdown!
The Stash has tickets available to purchase for Fairbanks Rollergirls 'LIVE' Roller Derby! Proceeds for the bout will go to Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living.
Saturday June 13, 2009
Carlson Center
Doors open at 6 p.m.
Derby at 7 p.m.
$10 Tickets in advance
$12 Tickets at the door
Riverboat Discovery ticket sale for Imagination Library!
We have fundraising tickets available for a Riverboat Discovery trip! All proceeds go to Imagination Library.
"Give the Gift of Reading!"
Friday June 12, 2009
Boarding: 6:30 p.m.
Trip: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Silent Auction, Refreshments
$25 for Children 12 & under
$50 for Adults
Upcoming Classes you DON'T want to miss out on!
Class Name: Beading 101
Description: Learn basic skills- crimps, wires, earrings, and how to use a crimper and round nose pliers. Leave wearing a lovely bracelet and a pair of earrings.
Difficulty level: Beginning or Easy
Date: June 5th (New date just added!)
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Cost: $35
Age Appropriateness: Age 7 years to adult
Class size: No more than 7
Teacher: Rebecca Sirevaag
Supplies: All beads, findings and tools provided
Class Name: Summer Yoga
Description: The Stash yogi, Rachael, will provide a relaxing beginning level, hour long yoga class. Bring your mat and be ready to breath!
Date: Thursdays from 6-7 p.m.
Fridays from 6:45-7:45 a.m.
Cost: $10 per class $15 per private lesson
Age Appropriateness: 13 & up
Class size: 5 person limit
Teacher: Rachael Brechan
Supplies: Bring your yoga mat!
Class Name: Crocheted Jewelry
Description: Come to make creative jewelry using yarn, beads and buttons. Learn many important tips to make a beautiful crocheted necklace and bracelet. Participants should have a basic understanding of crochet.
Date: Thursday, June 18th
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Cost: $40 per person
Age Appropriateness: 13 & up
Class size: 5 person limit
Teacher: Hannelore Grosser
Supplies: All supplies provided
Class Name: Jewelry Design
Description: Come to design creative jewelry using clay, acrylics and different beads. Make and paint your beads with wonderful colors. Learn a basic understanding of color, texture and many important tips to make a beautiful set: necklace and earrings.
Dates: Monday, June 22nd
Time: 3-5 p.m. (2 hrs)
Cost: $40 per person
Age Appropriateness: 8 years to adult
Class size: 5 person limit
Teacher: Hannelore Grosser
Supplies: All supplies provided
Class Name: Beginner's Bookmaking/ Intro to Relief Printing
Description: Students will learn basic book forms including accordion books and other folded forms, and variations on Japanese stab bindings. We will also consider the concept of "book" and try our hand at less conventional forms like boxes and folded "binders" with loose pages. During the second session students come prepared with a story, poem, or piece of writing for which they will make and print (using Styrofoam plates) a cover illustration for their favorite "book" form!
Date: June 9 & 11th (two separate one-hour sessions)
Time: 5-6 p.m.
Cost: $45 all supplies included
Ages: 8 years to adult
Class Size: 5-8
Teacher: Erinn Hatter
Supplies: All supplies provided
Class Name: Bookbinding- exploring sewn forms, Intro to Relief Printing
Description: Students will learn basic sewn book forms from pamphlet stitch to more complicated sewn bindings. During the second session students come prepared with a story, poem, or piece of writing for which they will make and print a cover illustration (using Styrofoam plates) for their favorite "book" form!
Date: June 9 & 11th (two separate one-hour sessions)
Time 6-7 p.m.
Cost: $45 all supplies included
Age: 11 years to adult
Class Size: 5-8
Teacher: Erinn Hatter
Supplies: All supplies provided
Hi… Just wanted to let you know about the upcoming items that we have going on here in the shop for this week and next.
New Product!
Wow, spring has sprung and so have our artists! We love it… There is a LARGE amount of new products in the store. Seems that everyday a new artist comes our way. Everything from pottery, jewelry, watercolors, purses, etc.
May Sale!
Many of our artists have made a point to mark some of their goodies down! Just in time for Mothers Day, Graduations, Weddings and all that comes along this time of year. So don't delay in checking these items out as they won't be around for long I am sure.
Punch Cards are now in!
The punch cards are completed & have arrived! These make the perfect gifts for classes, yoga sessions, sewing lounge hours. So be sure to ask the next time you are in for yours…
Due to the extreme beautiful weather, we are going to post-pone Therapy sessions until the snow falls again! Who wants to be inside when we could all be OUT doing fun things with out having to wear a coat! 🙂 So keep your eyes peeled for more on this in the future.
Extra Fabric to donate!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to all who donated material for the lap blanket project for the Fairbanks Alzheimer's Association. It was such a pleasure to have so many choices of color & texture to work with. And as you know, many hands make light work! BUT that has also left us with an inordinate amount of left over fabric.
Do you know of a cause that is in need of some material? If so, please email us or call us and let us know so we can contact them. We would dearly LOVE to share the wealth that we received with this project!
Hat-Attack! (A day dedicated to crocheting/knitting hats for cancer patients)
Saturday May 9th from 12-4 p.m.
Who: Anyone interested in joining who can knit or crochet! Bring your self, a friend, a relative and enjoy a day of hat making. Can't knit or crochet? Come and hang out, eat snacks and LEARN how! Or take a class before May 9th from one of our great teachers at the shop.
Details: The shop, couches, chairs will be open for all warm bodies! Please come and bring a snack if you want… Should be a fun day!
Extras: Can't make it to the Hat-Attack but still want to help? Feel free to drop off handmade hats at The Stash no later than May 31st.
Helpful hints:
- An excellent source for patterns is www.headhuggers.org
- Hats knit with brown fun fur are in demand.
- For summer, any color fun fur is good.
- Cotton hats for sleeping are desirable.
- Make sure the yarn you use is SOFT!
For more information, please call The Stash at 457-8274.
Last summer, after we first opened our doors here at The Stash, we hosted our first Non-Profit here in Fairbanks! This was the beginning of our monthly service projects called The Stash Lends a Hand!
The Stashettes hosted a Knit-a-thon for the Interior Alaska Cancer Association with Soroptimist. Soroptimist International of Fairbanks is a group of professional women who work to improve the lives of women and children. The local group has an on-going project to knit/crochet hats for women who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy.
The adult yoga class will now be meeting on Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. Please call ahead to RSVP so we can make sure we have you down on the list!
Hello out there… Just wanted to let you know about the upcoming items that we have going on here in the shop for this week and next.
Thanks so much for being a part of The Stash! Remember to shop local & buy handmade!
The First Friday Of Every Month 5– 8 p.m. Come on in, and enjoy refreshments and local art with the Stashettes! Featured artists: Jen Otey will be here doing Henna Tattoos and Kay Sampler will be here doing Tarot Card Readings! This is also the start of our big May Sale too! So come by and see what all our artists have picked out just for YOU and put on sale…
Stitch Out! We wanted to thank you all for those who donated fabric, time, sewing skills, energy and positive thoughts for our latest non-profit venture. There are blankets coming back in the door, that are simply amazing! Watch the website for updates on those, I am trying to take pictures as they come in… Also we still have some blankets left here in the store that are looking for someone to put them together. They are pre-cut, just need sewn and some love! Due to the amount of time this process has taken, we are extending the deadline out until May 31st in order to get all the blankets made up nicely. Please give us a call or come by if you want to help!
One Finger Guitar Class for Anyone Who Just Wants to Play Songs without Learning Regular Guitar Chords (or How to Play in Open Tuning)
Saturday, May 2nd, 10– 12 p.m.
Class Description: Don't have time or the inclination to learn complex guitar chords? Ken will show you how to use an open tuning and one finger on your left hand to play simple chords to accompany yourself (and others) on the guitar (or other string instruments with frets).
Open to Kids and Adults of All Ages (8-80)
Supplies: Beg, borrow, and bring any old acoustic guitar, nylon OR steel string (or a banjo, ukulele, mandolin, anything with frets AND strings—which doesn't apply to fiddles, unfortunately)
Price: $10 per person Teacher: Ken Brown
(A day dedicated to crocheting/knitting hats for cancer patients)
Saturday May 9th from 12-4 p.m.
Who: Anyone interested in joining who can knit or crochet! Bring your self, a friend, a relative and enjoy a day of hat making. Can't knit or crochet? Come and hang out, eat snacks and LEARN how! Or take a class before May 9th from one of our great teachers at the shop.
Details: The shop, couches, chairs will be open for all warm bodies! Please come and bring a snack if you want… Should be a fun day!
Extras: Can't make it to the Hat-Attack but still want to help? Feel free to drop off handmade hats at The Stash no later than May 31st.
Helpful hints:
- An excellent source for patterns is http://www.headhuggers.org
- Hats knit with brown fun fur are in demand.
- For summer, any color fun fur is good.
- Cotton hats for sleeping are desirable.
- Make sure the yarn you use is SOFT!
For more information, please call The Stash at 457-8274.
Last summer, after we first opened our doors here at The Stash, we hosted our first Non-Profit here in Fairbanks! This was the beginning of our monthly service projects called The Stash Lends a Hand! The Stashettes hosted a Knit-a-thon for the Interior Alaska Cancer Association with Soroptimist. Soroptimist International of Fairbanks is a group of professional women who work to improve the lives of women and children. The local group has an on-going project to knit/crochet hats for women who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy.
December is upon us, so I thought I should get on this blog…
I can't believe how much we are doing around The Stash every day, and it seems there is always more to DO! What is up with that? 🙂 We are only up to 102 artists right now, maybe that has something to do with it, and the fact that we took the show on the road this month too, or the fact that we are moving the shop all around to get ready for the holidays??? Hmmm, maybe, just maybe that has something to do with it… 🙂
Some other things are happening too!
Our blog is now evolving into a website (Thank you Jana Peirce). So now you can check here for the latest information on classes & events. I will still send out a couple of emails a month, but don't want to overload the in-boxes with to much.
Holiday hours! We are now open on Sundays from 12-5 p.m. during the month of December. Hopefully this will help with the holiday shopping needs! Monday thru Saturday we will continue to be open from 10-6 p.m.
Other special things???
- We are now carrying some Judaica items. Chanukah starts on December 21st, so come by and check out what we have, they are beautiful.
- Ornaments, we have a great selection of handmade ornaments for your trees, garlands, gifts and more. Everything from snowmen, angels, trees & etc.
- Scarfs… There is a huge assortment of scarves in the shop right now. All different kinds from dressy, casual, table, mantel, wool, alpaca, cotton, lacy, etc. 🙂
- Shirts! Yep, we have Stash shirts available… They have our really cool logo that was done by Jen Otey. Long sleeve are $30 & short sleeve are $15, these could be really cool gifts for the artists in your life.
- Classes over the winter break! We have several classes that will be offered during the winter break. Some for kids, some for adults, some for both… So use this time to get out of the house, and 'try' something new. Many of our artists will be offering their services during this time. Start your new year with a new talent/hobby/skill! Check back here: Classes section, often to see what the classes will be…
- Blanket Drive we are up to 35 blankets for North Star Council of Aging… Isn't that great?
- First Friday, December 5th from 5-8 p.m. is all about Warmth! We will have some artists in house. Featuring all the things that make you warm & cozy during the winter! Everything from hats, scarves, tea, essential oils, candy, mittens, blankets and more. Eat, drink, enjoy local art and be merry with the Stashettes…
Sigh! Okay, lastly, we want to THANK you for being a part of this growing community here at The Stash! We have about a week (Dec. 6th) until we turn over our 6 month anniversary, and it is phenomenal how many things have happened, and changes that have been made. Thank you to our artists who have allowed us the privilege of showing your items, and thank you to Fairbanks, for the support and remembering to Shop Local & Buy Handmade!
My friend Jennifer sent me the link to her new blog! Jen is one of the artists in the shop, does wonderful mixed media work, and will be helping Jolie refinish her desk (at a snail's pace). We have talked at length about The Stash while she is refinishing Hilda. What a neat process to watch an artist work on something from begining to end. But this little zinger was news to me today!
Jennifer started a blog, and we were her first entry called: Paradise Found 🙂
I can't tell you how unbelievably touched by this. And, well, the write up is pretty amazing too. I think that so much of my day (and probably Robyn & Rachael's too) is spent just getting the job done. We are working full steam ahead to just keep up with this momentum at the shop, and I don't know that we have realized the magnitude of The Stash.
If you can, please join and read her blog entry! I would love to hear your comments & feedback as to if this has been your thoughts/experience as well.
I will be holding my breath until I hear back from you… 🙂
Since Friday, we have been in a whirlwind it seems. A bit of let down tired that is for sure… 🙂 Can't imagine why? Getting the boutique cranked out in 3 weeks was a lot of work (3 moms, 8 kids, and a few husbands thrown in there for the manly stuff), especially if you saw it 'before' we converted it over.
Now that the store is open, we have been spending some time cleaning, resting, delighting ourselves with the customers as they come through. So nice to hear all the great feedback from them. The Stashettes feel pretty honored to carry the artwork we have AND be able to represent the artists here in our community. As I sit here now, we have 37 different artists represented in the store. Pretty cool huh? Even some are writing in their blogs about us, see here…
Our next hurdle you ask? Starting to find artists who would like to teach some classes! I am putting information together, and would love your feedback!
- What kind of classes are you interested in taking?
- What kind of classes are you interested in teaching?
- What fees should we pay the teachers?
- Class sizes?
Oh! Do I hear a challenge or contest coming on? I will put my thinking cap on about it, and see what I can do for a contest. There is also our signage that needs work! We need to do another folding sign for 2nd Street, and something above our window. Sigh, oh and the painting of the shingles outside. The list never ends it seems. 🙂
Okay, enough! I have to get back to work. We recieved more candy from Gretchen's Creations today, so need to get it tagged! (For those that are local, we have more caramels in!!! 🙂 )
Thank you to all of you for posting comments & keeping up with my blogs. Your support has been so important to Laura, Rachael & myself.
Happy Summer!


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about us
Arabica Coffee Company first opened its doors in 2003 on Merchants Rd in Galway city.Our intention from day one was to serve great coffee and fresh food, in a friendly and welcoming environment.Arabica Coffee Company, know that it is you, our customers that make our business possible. Continual improvement of our service to you is of paramount importance to us. Declan Garry founded Arabica Coffee Company. Declan, was awarded thePricewaterhousecooper's Young Entrepreneur of the year title, in Galway in 2004. Today, Arabica Coffee Co. is the west of Ireland's largest coffee chain, with locations throughout Galway city and county. 2008 will be a big year for us as we open our first store in Dublin at the docklands.We intend to grow our business and develop a national brand through a strategic franchising policy. Arabica has recently opened a state of the art head office facility in Galway city.Here we have our head office, production kitchen and training facility. It is from this location, we intend to drive forward our expansion, providing the support and training, that we promise all our franchisees. Arabica Coffee Company will develop and expand, by attracting quality franchisees. By developing a strong working partnership, both parties will develop; our franchisees will achieve their aim of developing a successful and profitable business and Arabica will achieve its objective, of becoming a leading national brand.


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"Fandom: the fans of a particular person, team, fictional series, etc. regarded collectively as a community or subculture."
For years now I have considered myself to be a part of several fandoms. As a result of this, I have tried to combine my interest in particular books and TV shows with my hobby of nail art.
I started doing nail art in late 2012 and I have been a part of different fandoms for much longer. A lot of nails I have produced during this time has been inspired by Harry Potter; however, I personally do not consider those to be my best. Because of this, I wanted to share and document two sets of nails which have been inspired by different books.
Without further ado, here are the nails:
1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.
These nails were painted almost a year ago now in time for the release of the movie starring Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort.
For this design I used a black and a white nail polish (any brand will do) and the blue I used was Barry M Matte Nail Paint in Malibu Blue.
If anyone is interested in recreating this design, the only tools I used were the brushes the polishes came with and a dotting tool in two sizes.
2. Divergent by Veronica Roth.
Later last year I decided to do nail art associated with Divergent. These nails were inspired by Tris' tattoo of the three birds which symbolised her family (her mother, father and brother).
This design is simple and cute and you don't necessarily need to be a fan of the book or movie in order to wear it.
The nail products I used for this design are Barry M Gelly High Shine Nail Paint in Lychee for the background and a plain black nail polish for the birds, created using the black from a Rio Professional Nail Art Kit. The Rio Professional Nail Art Kit is ideal for nail art because the dual applicator bottles have a dotting tool and a striper. I have been using these kits (there are many) for the past two years and personally, I love them. Plus, they are very affordable.
I hope you have enjoyed this post and these nails. I am open to any nail art suggestions whether they be influenced by books or not so please comment below. Also, if you recreate these nail designs I would love to see them so do let me know.
I would like to add that I did paint these nails myself, those are my own hands, so I would really appreciate it if people didn't use my nail photos without my permission if they are interested in sharing them.
– Lauren


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(Greek, kallos, beauty; atemon, a stamen ; in most of the species the stamens are a bean tiful scarlet color). Myridcew. Berna-navsn. Australian shrubs: lvs. Evergreen, short: fls. in dense, cylindrical spikes, at first terminal, but the axis grow ing out into leafy shoots; anthers versatile, with parallel cells opening longitudinally: fr and persisting several years.
Propagated by ripened cuttings in the sand under a hand glass, which flower when small; or by seeds, but the seedlings are slow in reaching the flowering state. Rapid growers; very ornamental; greenhouse in the north; hardy in California, thriving in any soil and without irrigation.


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Stocks briefly gained, then slipped back, following Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's speech on Monday. What's really happening in the markets?
Steve Grasso, director of institutional sales at Stuart Frankel and CNBC contributor, offered his insights.
"There was nothing in the [Fed] chairman's comments that made me feel as if the gold trade is over, or that the dollar has ended its decline," Grasso said.
"You can have these days where the gold market can sell off dramatically" without signalling the end of the gold bull.
"It's not only the big banks...the central banks" buying gold these days, Grasso explained.
"The retail investor is in the gold trade now; retail investors, funds, ETFs — you've got an underlying stability you've never had before."
"I still think equities are going to move higher; I still think gold is going to move higher."
Grasso's Recommendation:
"Stay long equities."
For Grasso's take on jobs and interest rates, watch the full interview.
- Watch Grasso's Previous CNBC Appearance (Dec. 2, 2009)
CNBC Slideshows:
More Market Points...
- Fed Will Keep Rates Near Zero Through 2010: Gross
- Gold's 'Money' Value is $4,000 to $11,000: Strategist
...And Counterpoints:
CNBC Data Pages:
CNBC's Companies in the News:
Bank of America
Berkshire Hathaway
Disclosure information was not available for Grasso or his company.


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Three Hearts and Three Lions by Poul Anderson
There's a certain irony that a novel whose primary theme is based around a Danish engineer being taken out of his own time and thrust into a fantasy world feels so out of place for when it was written.
Anderson's seminal fantasy work, Three Hearts and Three Lions, was first written as a serialised novella in the 50s, an era of classical science-fiction fantasy the most pervasive of which has to be Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. The contrast between the books is stark. Whereas Tolkien's epic feels formal and serious, Anderson's is simply (to use a Fifties' expression) a 'blast'.
The premise of the book seems clichéd now—an engineer, fighting in the resistance against the Nazis, is transported to another world. This realm is a pseudo-medieval place with features of European folklore and Arthurian legend. It is clear he is known in this world, but his own recollection is patchy and largely dormant. Gradually he recalls his own history and involvement with Morgan le Fay, and recognises a quest that awaits him.
It's tricky reading the above and thinking this will offer anything new to the modern fantasy reader. It won't. It will, however, give you a sense of where our wondrous genre came from. The story is naturally episodic, each chapter feeling like part of an ongoing TV series, and the hero, Holger's, journey throws him into a series of encounters with giants, cannibals, faeries, witches and trolls. Throughout the quest all his modern sensibilities attempt to rationalise the world
(and you can tell Anderson's SF influences here). This is both overt, such as when he uses thermodynamic principles to defeat a dragon, and covert, where his very twentieth century (OK, very 1950s) opinion on women influence the quest.
There are some stereotypes and clichés within the book—the depiction of the women slavering after Holger is pure male fantasy - but they augment rather than detract. Its humour and style are so far removed from LOTR that you can hardly believe they were written at the same time. Anderson's prose is wonderful - it is energetic and fast, with his descriptions of the world superbly done. The Holy Knight that Holger becomes was a major influence on the Paladin class in the role-playing game, Dungeons and Dragons, as were many of the monsters in the novel (notably the troll).
Any grumbles? The story is very linear in its execution, but given it was a serialised novella in its inception that's not surprising. The dialect that Anderson uses for the dwarf Hugi, and the swan-may, Alianora, grates a touch, coming over as a sort of crap Glaswegian style. I did start to warm to it in the end, although it would have been more readable written without it.
In summary, this is a classic of the genre by an excellent writer, with major influences for the half a century since it was created. It would be a great book to shove under the noses of those who think fantasy is all Tolkien-derivatives. It was a book out of its time in many ways.
I'd give it 9.5/10 - nearly perfect!
This Three Hearts and Three Lions book review was written by Ross Kitson
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The Broken Sword
Fantasy Masterworks: Book 32
The sword Tyrfing has been broken to prevent it striking at the roots of Yggdrasil, the great tree that binds earth, heaven and hell together . . . but now the mighty sword...
Three Hearts and Three Lions
Fantasy Masterworks: Book 40
The gathering forces of the Dark Powers threaten the world of man. The legions of Faery, aided by trolls, demons and the Wild Hunt itself, are poised to overthrow the Realm...
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Brock Hardwick may be struggling with a rare form of cancer, but over 1,000 people are helping to keep his spirits up.
Back in February, the 7-year-old from Portland, Maine was diagnosed with glioblastoma – a high-grade cancer of the spine and brain. The youngster currently spends his days fighting the disease at the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital.
So as a means of cheering up her son, Brock's mother, Brittney Horton, came up with a special celebration: Brocktoberfest.
CHECK OUT: Watch the Fun Reactions Over Couple's Decision to Adopt 4 Orphan Siblings
Because Brock loves Halloween, his family is celebrating the spooky holiday every day of the month. Additionally, they started asking people on social media to send Brock Halloween cards.
While the Hardwick family was only expecting to receive maybe a couple dozen cards, their postal box has become flooded with cards, packages, sweets, toys, and well wishes from people all over the world.
Since Horton first put the word out on social media, Brock has received over 1,000 pieces of mail.
RELATED: Fearless Rats Are Caring for Orphan Kittens at This Loving Cat Cafe
"It's definitely very exciting and he's happy," Horton told ABC News. "It's made him smile a whole lot more."
Brock plans on being either Captain America or the Hulk for Halloween. If you want to keep up with his goings-on, you can follow his Team Brock Facebook page.
Click To Share The Sweet News With Your Friends


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Diamonds in the Rough
by Cara Swann
5.00 · 1 ratings · Published: Jun 18th, 2014 |
A woman is victimized by a man who turns her into a prostitute. When she impulsively runs from the pimp at a truck-stop, she takes the first ride offered and finds herself traveling with a bitter Vietnam Vet who has his own inner demons to battle. Their time together on the road leads to serious personal insights -- but soon the pimp catches up to them.
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The role of the CFO is changing. CFOs are being chartered with more strategic responsibilities within organizations that go beyond traditional finance functions. A recent McKinsey&Company report found that 40 percent of CFOs now spend the majority of their time on non-finance issues.
To strengthen credibility, modern CFOs must understand the potential impact of this transition on their brand, operations, and profitability. In order to do so and stay on the forefront in evolving times, today's CFOs need insights into three critical areas:
Download this executive summary today to get started!


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Stay on target
When a smuggler and a princess love each other very much…
A pair of scientists set out to make a Star Wars parody about human reproduction, in an effort to educate and entertain the public. What they ended up with were new biological discoveries.
Don Ingber, founding director of the Wyss Institute, teamed up with staff scientist Charles Reilly to create a short film that would "capture viewers' imaginations by telling the story of a biological process that was accurate down to the atomic level."
And what better way to capture the imagination than repurposing a famous font, score, and scroll?
"In the beginning, in darkness, the struggle for supremacy has already begun. Countless agents have been deployed, and are on their way, each willing to sacrifice its life to complete the mission," the crawl reads, drumming up excitement the level of a Hollywood summer blockbuster.
"This is their destiny. But only one will be victor," it continues. "Only one will dictate the future for generations to come…"
Only one sperm, that is.
The scientists cleverly replaced starship cruisers hurtling through space toward the Death Star with millions of sperm racing to fertilize an egg.
But in doing so, they also assigned themselves the onerous task of making a multi-scale biological sperm model that realistically and scientifically depicts the little swimmers' movements.
Listen up, cause I'm about to drop some knowledge on you:
The core of a sperm's tail is the axoneme—a long tube of nine pairs of microtubules arranged around a central pair. In the final video (above), you can see in colorful detail the rows of motor proteins (dyneins) along the microtubules.
Dyneins exert force, which allows the microtubules to "slide" past each other, which causes the entire axoneme to bend and move.
"Not only is our physics-based simulation and animation system as good as other data-based modeling systems, it led to the new scientific insight," Ingber said.
Long story short: They established how dynein moves the microtubules within the axoneme, and how rows of dyneins work in unison, "like rowers pulling together in a boat."
The three-minute film, "The Beginning," takes you deeper than any high school health class ever has—from discharge to fertilization.
"Our goal is that presenting science to the public in an entertaining, system-based way, rather than bogging them down with a series of scattered facts, will help more people understand it and feel that they can contribute to the scientific conversation," according to Reilly, also a molecular biophysicist and professor animator (who previously worked at Peter Jackson's Park Road Post film studio).
"The more people engage with science, the more likely humanity is to solve the world's big problems," he added.
Like which classic movie series should take on the biological processes of metabolism and homeostasis.
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This creature looks like a squirming mass of bluish-gray slime with several long writhing tentacles protruding from its form. Veins of dark blue and black snake through its protoplasmic form.
Whip Jelly CR 2
N Medium ooze
Init +0; Senses blindsight 60 ft.; Perception -5
AC 14, touch 10, flat-footed 14 (+4 natural)
hp 22 (3d8+9)
Fort +4, Ref +1, Will -4
Immune ooze traits
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft.
Melee 4 tendrils +2 (1d4 plus 1d4 acid)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks acid
Str 11, Dex 10, Con 17, Int –, Wis 1, Cha 1
Base Atk +2; CMB +2; CMD 12 (can't be tripped)
Skills Climb +8
Acid (Ex)
A whip jelly secretes a deadly acid that quickly dissolves organic matter but does not harm metal or stone. Any melee hit deals acid damage. Non-metal armor or clothing dissolves and becomes useless immediately unless it succeeds on a DC 14 Reflex save. A wooden weapon that strikes a whip jelly dissolves immediately unless it succeeds on a DC 14 Reflex save. The save DCs are Constitution-based.
Environment underground
Organization solitary
Treasure incidental
A whip jelly, like most oozes, is a mindless hunter that spends its time prowling the subterranean world for food. Rarely encountered near the surface, the deeper one goes in the Under Realms, the more likely an encounter with one of these creatures is to occur.
Whip jellies lair in darkened dry areas. They have a natural disdain for water (though it does not harm them in any way). Their lairs contain the remains of past meals and possibly any treasure or belongings (of a metallic nature) that the meal happened to be carrying at the time of its demise.
A whip jelly looks like a bluish-gray quivering pile of goo with four long slimy tendrils jutting from its form. The creature's body is rather thick and resilient (hence the natural armor bonus, usually unheard of for ooze creatures). Its tendrils are a bit darker in color than its main body. Shoots of dark blue and black through its body give the appearance of veins.
A whip jelly attacks by whipping and striking its foes with its long slimy tentacles. A slain creature is slowly digested by the jelly over a period of days or weeks (ultimately depending on how hungry the creature is at the time).
Whip Jelly from the Tome of Horrors Complete, Copyright 2011, Necromancer Games, Inc., published and distributed by Frog God Games; Author Scott Greene.


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Hi! Im Christine Dyer I'm 27 and currently living in Melbourne. I'm also a partner, friend, bad selfie taker, part time crazy person full time procrastinator and this is my diary.
A place to share my love of food, beauty, fashion, life, my dog Sam and all things sparkly!
I'm also part of the #aussiecurves community on facebook where we partake in weekly outfit challenges and discuss all things plus size fashion
xo Christine


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By Charles Sercombe
As predicted, the city's recycling collection program will end after this Saturday.
Bill Wiitala, the chairman of the city's Recycling Commission, had earlier warned that unless volunteers stepped up, the program would have to come to an end.
"No one came forward to take over responsibilities," he told The Review this week.
He said it is possible that within a year a permanent recycling center will be established, but it would take at least $6,000 to purchase proper containers.
For several years the city offered a monthly free drop-off center, held on the second Saturday of the month at the city parking lot at Caniff and McDougall.
Recycling Commission members and supporters recently made their pitch at a July city council meeting, hoping to generate interest in the community.
Hamtramck does not have curbside recycling, which many other communities offer. The city has asked its sanitation contractor to include that service, but the company declined, saying there is no money to be made in processing recycled items.
Others say the energy costs to collect and recycle is not worth the effort.
The answer, some say, is to cut down on the use of plastic and the amount of packaging that goes into consumer items.
Some countries in Europe are reducing the amount of plastic in the waste stream.
Aug. 10, 2018


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Quick links
About Comic Stars Fighting 3.3:
Comic Stars Fighting 3.3 is a version of this interesting fighting series. This game has unique graphics, suitable for all ages, especially children and families. You can experience this game on your browser because it is a flash game.
This is one of the fighting series of the heroes in the anime. In this game you can choose Goku, Luffy, Yugi, Naruto … to fight. Each character has the same shape and skill as the original anime.
At the start of this game, you will have 10 points to increase your stats (HP, ATK and SPD). After creating the character successfully, your level is 5. You will have EXP and money after completing the stage. You can also invite your friends to play together in battle mode or survival mode.
You will have an HP bar. When you are attacked, the HP bar drops. When the HP bar is reduced to 0, you will die. You will also have a power bar and you will use this bar to activate special skills.
If you like this game, you can also play others games with the same game play such as DBZ VS Naruto, Anime Legends 2.3…
How to Play:
- Player 1 use WASD and Player 2 use arrow keys to move.
- Player 1 use J K U I and Player 2 use number 1 2 4 5 to attack.
Tips and Tricks:
Comic Stars Fighting 3.3 is an online Skill game which can be played at jun9game.com for free. Comic Stars Fighting 3.3 has a rating of 9.2 stars (out of 10) and it has been played 2.22k times now. Please go to our Skill games section if you want to play more games like Comic Stars Fighting 3.3!
- You can pause/resume/restart and turn the sound on/off on the game screen.
- You can play this game in full screen mode.


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Don't get caught out by the apostrophe in time expressions
I'm often asked whether expressions such as one one week's holiday and five years' time need an apostrophe.
The answer is yes.
These are called time expressions – or, if you want to sound impressive, temporal expressions.
So, where does that pesky apostrophe go?
It's simple. If the period of time is singular, the apostrophe goes before the s:
- One week's notice
- One month's holiday
- One year's experience
If the period of time is plural, the apostrophe goes after the s:
- Two weeks' notice
- Two months' holiday
- Two years' experience
Oh yuk – must I really?
Not everyone likes that tricksy little apostrophe, but now you know it's earned its place you can't leave it out for fear of looking silly, right?
Don't worry – if writing "I have 20 years' experience" on your website or LinkedIn profile makes you pull a face, just replace the apostrophe with OF.
"I have 20 years of experience."
Easy as that.
For more grammar and writing tips, check out my Facebook page or follow me on Twitter.


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I captured this image at Circle B Bar Reserve in Polk County, Florida. Where wading birds will be found is controlled by the depth of the water. MostLast Post By: David Roach Today, 10:20 AM
This image was created in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on 12/3/19 at 8:07AM. Image processed in Lightroom and Photoshop.
This image was created in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on 11/30/19 at 10:07AM. Image processed in Lightroom and Photoshop.
I got a brief but excellent session with some Hooded Mergansers recently. This particular image, which I intentionally titled the way I did, could haveLast Post By: Bill Dix Today, 10:03 AM
This bird is normally a ground dweller...this is the first time I've seen one on the branch of a tree.
7Dii, 100-400@360mm, 1/1000th sec, f5.6,
Captured image of this gorgeous creature in mid stride on a walkway at the edge of a public pond a few weeks ago. C&C welcome.
EOS R EF400 DO I 1.4xtc II f8 1/800 ISO 2000Last Post By: John Mack Today, 07:44 AM
Another flight image of our local Mandarin duck.
This is not a captive. A wild duck as far as anyone knows
(some say a farm escapee, but who
My initial sightings of tiger were everything I expected and nothing I wanted, word gets around there's a visible tiger and before you know it there'sLast Post By: John Mack Today, 07:36 AM
From Bosque, last month.
D500, Sigma 150-600C @ 550mm, ISO 1600, 1/3200s @ f/8 manual. HH. Cloned out some oof resting geese along the
Congratulations Krishna!!
Congratulations Ravi!!
Congratulations Haseeb!!
Congratulations Kambiz!!
This image was created in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on 12/1/19 at 4:34PM. Image processed in Lightroom and Photoshop.


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World Families Forums - Robertson Co., TN Deed: William Huddleston to Asa Harper, Jr., 24 Apr 1854 Link
|WorldFamilies has changed our Forum Operating system and migrated the postings from the prior system. We hope that you'll find this new system easier to use and we expect it to manage spammers much better. If you can't find an old posting, please check our Legacy Forum to see if you can see the old posting there.


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To go back a couple of days now that the hangover has slowly faded and a little of the euphoria of the Hydro switch on has dissipated. Monday afternoon, a quick visit to the after Turbine House
to see the weekends progress
before making our way down the road to Perthshire and to talk about land reform to some Germans on a fact-finding visit. We went down to Tom's the night before and had a very pleasant evening augmented by the arrival of Andrew from Coulston Mains. When I think about land reform it is always about people and/or communities. How they are affected by landowners who are usually absent and their actions are usually based around money rather than humanity. I have read and seen a fair bit about Andrew so knew the background of his eviction. But the hearing the story direct and quietly spoken almost left me open-mouthed. How we allow such a system to legally treat people the way he has been treated beggars belief but I bet there is a huge majority in this country who have never heard of Andrew. A tenant farmer who has worked a farm over twenty-two years from an almost derelict condition to one that is very viable and now has to leave as the laird has the law on his side. Not only that but with little or no compensation for half a life time of work put into the ground. Improvements to the soil and buildings count for nothing when the laird wants the subsidy for himself. So now three families are evicted and the farm will be run by a local contractor who has no incentive other than to sow and crop.
Next morning before the Germans arrived Tom took us on a tour of the neighbourhood. We went with Andrew and it was interesting to hear a farmer talk about what he was seeing. Basically good farm land going to ruin as it was not being cultivated. Broken and blocked drains and spectacularly ruined farm houses and steadings that were left to fall down, Tom's father's farm in this case.
All done at the whim or advantage to the laird. From Tom's window he can see five derelict farms. As he is well read Andrew has done a fair bit of research about the history of Coulston Mains and finds an exact recurrence of his own situation in 1882 when a farmer is evicted at the end of his lease and the laird reaps the rewards of his hard work. You can see why there is a demand for an absolute right to buy coming from tenant farmers and how there is such strong opposition from the establishment. I could see the German delegation were a little taken aback when we told our stories of how both individuals and communities are held back by such practises. How EU subsidies just keep the establishment in their positions, handing out monies for nothing, purely ownership of land. Also interesting to hear how certain legal firms unpick the legislation piece by piece to nullify attempts for any sort of reform. Like the fishing industry the main players want to keep everything they have and lobby to that effect. There are some very obvious exceptions but they are few and far between.
Wednesday was coarse, no other word for it. The weather gradually wound itself up to a full gale and the rain was torrential.
The morning mission was to gather a bit of wood to take to the Turbine House just as back up as the weather may put off the planned visit by the SSE boys on Thursday. If for any reason the connection did not go ahead the heating bank would have been switched on and we would have a very efficient wood drying shed.
As I was loading up the van with the wood and feeling wet, cold and wondering why on earth I was doing this, one of our retired GPs trotted by on his morning run. Thankfully as you know we did not need this operation but it made me gather some wood already prepared and dropped some off at the site. Found Jamie hard at work on yet another program for the system.
One is a safety system that if there is a failure at the Turbine House there is a shutoff that warns any cavers of any rush off water coming down the river instead of the pipe and allows them time to come back out before the water rises too much. I have found this build so interesting, all the different scenarios involving hydraulics, generation, deflector plates, control units but still from a layman's point of view.
Then it was a shower to warm up and clean the mud off before nipping down the road to bail the dinghy and take the engine off for safety. Up the road to the Inn and a relatively quiet shift until I sat down with the Hydro boys and a wee dram of Bruichladdich. Earlier the cork had popped off champagne style and I decided to make sure it was okay to drink. Sat with the boys with the dram and after they went was thinking about home when it started to go down hill. A young couple had turned up earlier and booked a room, had lots of food and went away for a wee kip. Turned back out about eightish, had a little more food and were quite happy sitting on Table 7. Then he offered to buy me a dram and I said ok and then it led another and another…………And then it was early morning. Interesting couple as we found out that he is a singer song writer, the One Direction connection, and she worked for Nick Jones. A connection with the Inn, he owns Babington House, as Rob and Son No1 have worked there, but that is another story. A good ceilidh was had and they were very grounded 27 year olds considering they were living a life so far removed from ours it could be another planet.
And then it was a very, very bad hangover.