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The tourism is gaining pace in the modern era. The love for vacation and the love for spending money on the refreshment area have demanded the better support of the tourism industry to bring more innovative support. Proper management of the resources and the better understanding of the financial needs of the organisation mark the smooth operation. In the following assignment the environmental conditions and its impact is described well. The different structures of business organisation are discussed descriptively. Tourism and its option in satisfying the needs of the customer are observed here in the assignment.
Description of the travel and tourism business environment along with the the examples of the organisation (P1)
The tourism sector has gained ample space in the development of the organisation. In recent days it is seen that there have been great development on the smooth operation of the business. It is noticeable that the rise in the tourism organisations has provided a lot to the economic development to the organisation. As supported by Abou-Shouk et al. (2016, p.320), the availability of the funds can be better understood with the proper aspect of the organisation in the society. There are problems and issues in the organisation, succeeding the issues in the organisation, marks the success of the organisation at a long term basis.
The consequences and the effect of the environment related to the organisational development can be carefully described with the helps of the PESTLE analysis. As suggested by Ali et al. (2016, p.220), PESTLE analysis helps in the better understanding of the external constraints of the business development. Every single factor of the business environment marks the smooth or th rough running of the organisation. The development of the organisation and the smooth operation of the environment depends upon the proper execution of the plan to mitigate the problem of the PESTLE factors and bring to the use of proper development of the organisation.
Public Sector and Private sector The sector under the direct control of the government or the undertaking of the government is called the public sector. On the other hand the control power remaining in one body apart from any government is called the private sector. The environmental factor marks the every organisation without the discrimination of the sectors. According to Becker (2016, p.51), the PESTLE analysis of the public sector and the Private sector would certainly help in the understanding of the factors of the changes. In this case the public sector company indicates the Visitbritain tourism organisation.
P Political: The political factors determine the political changes in the surrounding of the organisation. The changes in the power of the ruling party of the changes in the policies in the society. In the words of Char-lee et al. (2016), the changes in the power and the policies mark the rise in the chances of the changes in the sole policy of the public sector organisation. The recent change in the prime minister along with the change in the policy have marked the urge to change the policy of the tourism organisation
E Economical: The change in the recent price rate and the change of the denomination have marked a great deal to the tourism organisation. The smooth operation of the tourism organisation has been hindered. The policy and the selling procedures of the organisation have also been affected by the change in the economical factors.
S Social: The social factor marks the demographic and the state and the preference the society. The change in the taste and the preference of the society marks the rise and the fall of the sale of the services of the tour and travel organisation. As per the observations of Chiang et al. (2016, p.575), the growing population and the rising need of vacation in UK have marked the urgent need of making proper procedure to tackle in the success in the grip.
T Technological: The rise in the technological effect and the fast innovation along with equally fast obsolescence of the technology, there has been changed in the policies among the tourism industries. The tourism industries in UK however have managed to maintain the pace of the ever changing technological growth.
L Legal: The legal factor marks the changed the marketing policies. The implementation of the ICT's has marked the need of the proper security in the avouching of the vacation to the tourist. In the opinions of Holden (2016, p.78), the change in the policies have managed to make the organisation to understand the importance of security and privacy.
E Environmental: The considering effect of the CFC's in the atmosphere have marked the rise in the awareness of the organisation to make a kind effort on the minimising of the effect on the rise in the temperature. The organisation has managed to implement changes in the policies to make the effect less.
Description of the organisational and financial characteristics of the different types of travel and tourism organisations (P2)
The tourism organisation comprised of the private public and other organisation with different form of management. The difference of the management marks the difference in the management of the organisation. The financial consideration in the organisation of the UK is different at the stages of initiation. The financial consideration of the companies in UK makes the prime difference in the operation of the companies. Rise in the organisation and the operation of the organisation in supporting of the refreshment needs of the customers marks the actual achievement
Companies: Company is a legal entity from the constituting member. As per the suggestions of Hyder and Bigné (2016, p.312), the separate entity concept works perfectly in the companies. Similarly, the companies in tourism sector are marked with the separate entity concept. The company have limited liability and provide much support to the members of the organisation. Company provide with extra benefits and vacation pricing which motivates the workers of the organisation
Partnership: A partnership organisation is an organisation which is formed with the pool of money, skills and other resources to share profit and loss according to the memorandum. In the words of Lin (2016, p.130), the absence of the organisational report and evidence of the memorandum makes the relation of the partners in the organisation.
Government companies: Government companies are the companies incorporated under the Companies Act companies 1985 or 2006. Government companies in UK are partly government undertaking and fully undertaken government company. The companies provide with dividend and other benefits to the shareholders.
Methods and opportunities used by travel and tourism organisations to gain competitive advantages (P3)
The improvement in the organisation depends upon the proper management of the resources and the proper management of the risk. There is risk and opportunities in and around organisational environment. The achievement of the organisational goal and the reaching of the objective seems to be the most important motto. As supported by Marques and Santos (2016, p.15), the opportunities and threats related to each other and needs to be managed properly to deliver the best of the organisational success. Below is the example of travel organisations achieving their objective with the help of the strategy and management of the risk in the organisation.
This is a privately owned company in UK. Rise in the company is mainly due to the systematic procedures of maintaining the funds and the strategy. Virgin is owned by Richard Brosnan. the prime objective of virgin is to make maximum profit out of the proper budgeted scheme in the market. the reputation of Virgin among the society is quite high. They follow sustainable form of business and manages the resources well enough. Flights, hotel booking, vacation planning are some of the services provided by Virgin. According to Mendola and Volo (2017, p.542), the achievement of an organisational goal can be easier only with the proper following of the sustainability. CSR of Virgin is also remarkable, due to the often charities in the society. the demand for the company service is high among the society, because of the variety range of service provided by them. The company provide with timely dividend and equity to its shareholders, which helps in the maintaining of the shareholders trust. In addition to the above benefits, the Virgin promotes new service and benefits timely. This providing of services and new products helps the company to retain its popularity from the competition provided by the rival companies. The company also provide with smooth training to its staff, updating them about the new products, and preferences of the customer.
This is one of the most renowned tourism organisations in UK with much supported stakeholders in the society in UK. Opportunities and success flows in this organisation with the better management of the resources and financial support. As supported by Mihalič et al. (2016, p.14), the rise in the reputation of the organisation is marked by the better management of the satisfaction of the customers of the society. The achievement of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation is based on the better supporting of the needs of the customer with `promoting new products and vacation tours. The organisation provide with an excellent customer care support. As suggested by Unger et al. (2016, p.150), the proper support care to the customer marks the proper rising to the reputation. The organisation provides with proper innovative pricing policies which satisfies the interest of the customer in the society of UK. The organisation managers the need of the customer by the innovative
Business case for travel and tourism enterprise with financial constraints (P4)
In order to get enlightened more about Caribbean Tourism Organisation, a business case is being produced which contains objectives of their business organisation in order to flourish more across the world. The objectives that are projected in the organisation during the fundraising event few years back include making profits from huge investments and accumulate savings to meet debts and loans of the company. For stretching ahead the wings of the business, Caribbean Tourism Organisation pursue few predominant goals and objectives which include full coverage of costs, planning and scheduling activities, creating financial plans as well as strengthening its financial base in the market. Among the various marketing strategies formulated in the organisation, the most salient ones include pricing strategies, promotional agendas, mock-ups and action plan.
During the event, the company made deep forecast on cash inflows and cash outflows. Generally, in the words of Mihalič et al. (2016, p.13), cash inflows of the company included the value of start-up capital and sales. The expenditures otr the cash outflows included purchase of raw materials, outstanding payments, repayments of loans, overhead expenses and purchase of fixed assets. The company kept a record on net cash flows as well to deal with the forecasted budgetary expenditures to take place during the planned event.
The business case of fundraising event had been realistic since it had fetched great profit and met all the targeted objectives. Caribbean Tourism Organisation had set productive competitive advantage preparations and policies to deal with market competitiveness. It ultimately resulted in raising funds or money for the charitable purpose. Besides, the financial constraints faced by the organisation included loan, public funding as well as inheritance (Wu et al. 2016, p.175).
The study reveals about the market of the tourism industry to which it belongs and enlightens about the characteristic features of any organisation. The PESTLE analysis above has described the factors related to the environment and its impact over the operation of the public and private sector companies in UK. The Tourism companies in UK face problems and issues in terms of the taste and the preferences of the customers but with suitable management in the organisation, they perform well in the satisfaction of the customers. The study have also revealed that the financial constraints are inevitable in the organization but the proper management those define the ultimate company.


text: There is no shortage of barbecue restaurants in Texas. You'd be hard-pressed to find one that hasn't been awarded some accolade for its tender and juicy burnt ends or fall-off-the-bone ribs. The Slow Bone is one among the masses, and is a Dallas-based force to be reckoned with. The brisket is tender and juicy, and the ribs do fall off the bone, but have you ever had golden, expertly fried chicken to accompany your rack of baby backs? The Slow Bone is known for its barbecue, yes, but don't leave without at least a bite of the fried chicken... you didn't wait in line to miss out.

subset: commoncrawl


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LIFFORD Strabane AC is delighted to announce the fixtures for its annual Spring 3 Race Series for 2016.This is the fifth anniversary of the Series which is now firmly embedded within the sporting calendar in the North West.
It is also the traditional kick start for 5K runs, pre season training and burning off the Christmas turkey.
In 2015, the club had its biggest numbers ever taking part with nearly 400 participants at each race, from the serious runner through to recreational runners, joggers and walkers.
Yet again, the club is delighted to have Dalys XL Supermarket, Lifford on board as partners and sponsors for the Series.
The Series itself sees three races held in three different venues, St Johnston (10th January), Raphoe (17th January) and Lifford (31st January), from which the club draws much of its membership and support.
Due to a late change this Sunday's race will now start in Carrigans and not the traditional start/finish in St Johnston. It is exactly the same race except for the start/finish change. Registration will take place in the Carraig Inn in Carrigans between 8.30-9.30am.
All three events also provide a unique opportunity for the local communities to come out and take part in a family friendly environment promoting health, fun, and providing no small measure of entertainment.
Each race participant will receive points, which are accumulated towards the overall Series winners across a range of race categories.
All three courses are AAI certified for accuracy and with chip timing at each of the races, participants can be assured of accurate times for each 5K event.
The Lifford club is constantly striving to enhance the quality of its event experience with some of the key features including Quality Technical T-Shirt for participants who compete in all 3 races. Chip Timing; Prizes for Senior, Junior, 40+, 45+, 50+, 55+, 60+; Spot Prizes at each race randomly drawn from all race participants; SMS result for each athlete to mobile phone; Perpetual Shield for Overall
Senior Men and Senior Women categories; Prizes for first 3 in all categories; First Aid; After Race Refreshments; Courses Officially Measured with Km markers; AAI Permit; Early start times.
For all those looking to kickstart 2016 on the right footing, this is the Series for you. Three races, three venues and an opportunity to benchmark a time in January against the same courses later in the year.
For any queries, please contact Race Director Brendan O'Donnell on 086-6007847, email liffordstrabaneac@ gmail.com or Facebook Lifford Strabane AC
Meanwhile it was great to see so many from the club turning out at the Sigersons 5K in Strabane last Sunday morning. Races at this time of the year are a useful benchmark to see where everyone is at, how the endurance built up over the Winter has progressed and from which the season ahead can be built upon and new goals set.
A better morning weather wise would have swelled numbers further, but with 150 taking to the start line, it was still a good turnout. It was also great to see so many from both the Strabane and Lifford
areas running under the banner of the newly amalgamated club and supporting the Sigersons event.


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Race For Life - Salisbury
Race for Life brings millions of women together to support our life-saving research.
Just by signing up you'll make a difference and whether you raise £10 or £200, every penny matters.
So which event is for you?
A 5k is great for all ages. Run, jog or walk the only thing that matters is that you're part of it. Want to push yourself further? Join a 10k.
Or take on Pretty Muddy, an obstacle course that sees women of all abilities crawl through tunnels, bounce on space hoppers and slip down mudslides.
Whichever event you choose and whether you do it in a tutu or just an old pink t-shirt, THIS IS BEATING CANCER.
Race for Life Salisbury is being held at Hudson's Field on Sunday June 9th 2019 - take part for you, for a loved one, for everyone affected by cancer.
Sign up for Race for Life Salisbury - 5k
Sign up for Race for Life Salisbury - 10k
Check out the photos from last year's Race for Life in Salisbury:
Showing images 13 to 24 of 526.
Volunteer at Race for Life
Setting up the course, cheering on participants, stirring mud at an obstacle, handing out medals, giving your time.
Our events simply couldn't happen without the help and support of volunteers.


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Has your Joomla Web Design been designed badly? (Groan), we are able to make joomla look unique, beautiful and profitable again! Require an Advanced Website Design Joomla Web Design? Today could be the Day! Increase the potential and visibility of your business today.
Contact our web design company for a free consultation about your web design, graphic design, SEO, corporate branding, web solutions, or web Boost the potential and visibility of your business today.


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Robert O'Connor
Bewildering Stories biography
During his thirty-five years of university teaching, Dr. Robert O'Connor covered a wide variety of courses that frequently included Honors Composition, British Romantic Literature, and Fantasy and Science Fiction.
His poetry, fiction, critical articles, and book reviews have appeared in the New Mexico Quarterly, Outer Bridge, The Wordsworth Circle, The Lamar Journal of the Humanities, The Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts, and elsewhere.
He and his wife Jean live in Moorhead, Minnesota, along the banks of the Red River.
Copyright © 2015 by Robert O'Connor


text: The Vomero is certainly one of the most famous and exclusive areas of Naples. This neighborhood, which extends over the hilly part overlooking the city, was born thanks to the Viceroy Don Pedro de Toledo, who attracted great noble families of court to Naples, and therefore had to build new houses. for its particularly healthy position.


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Palais Royal
The Palais Royal is a building in Paris. Originally built for Cardinal Richelieu to house his large art collection an was called the Palais Cardinal. It wis started in 1633 an wis completed in 1639. When Richelieu died in in 1642 it wis left to the young Keeng Louis XIV who renamed it the Palais Royal. Eventually gave the keeng gave the property to his younger brother Philippe o Fraunce, Duke o Orléans in 1692. Philippe's son Philippe, Duke o Orléans, Regent o Fraunce also lived here. The future Philippe Égalité also made some structural additions in honour o his 1769 marriage to Louise Marie Adélaïde de Bourbon, Mademoiselle de Penthièvre. The future Keeng Louis Philippe I o the French wis born in the palais in 1773. Today the the building became the home o the Conseil d'État (Council o State).
Ither wabsteids[eedit | eedit soorce]
Media relatit tae Palais Royal at Wikimedia Commons


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Sandvik Process Systems, an area within the global Sandvik Group, is among our longest standing accounts and a client for whom we provide a wide range of copywriting, PR, design, advertising and marketing services.
Our most recent campaign has involved the launch of Sandvik's steel belts in the meat processing market, a project for which we handled everything from initial creative concepts, illustration and copywriting through to delivery of advertising, sales literature, exhibition materials and a series of editorial and technical articles.
Other campaigns and projects handled throughout our long and close relationship with this client include script writing and storyboards for promotional videos; production and authoring of interactive DVD presentations; technical illustration and animation; and web usability consultancy.
As a group active in more than 130 countries, Sandvik's preferred voice is International English, a combination of British and American spellings and grammatical rules. One of our key roles is to take copy that has been translated from German and edit / rewrite it in good English, and in compliance with the company's style guide. This approved copy can then be localised (or indeed localized) for specific regional markets.
This is the default popover content, before Flash replacement


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Microsoft has launched the Windows Phone Word Flow keyboard for iOS and it is the exclusive Windows Phone keyboard.
The Keyboard is rated for the fast typing capabilities and excellent recognition skills.
IF you Do not know that the World's fastest typing has been achieved on Word Flow and the keyboard supports custom themes and one-hand typing features.
You can download it Free on the App Store (US App Store) after the beta period completes.


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Riverstone World Missions
Proclaiming the gospel and touching lives in practical ways
We are a Christian non-profit organization with the mandate to proclaim the gospel and help provide practical ways of improving people's quality of life. We preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and plant churches, but we also research and help provide programs that aim at meeting needs affecting our communities.
The Lord Jesus who said, "Go ye into the world..." (Mark 16: 15) also looked at the multitude of people who needed food and told the disciples, "Give ye them to eat..." (Mark 6:37). Jesus met people's needs that is why we are here to help meet people's needs.
Our History
Riverstone World Missions was founded and registered in the state of Texas on July 17, 2014. As an organization, we have the mandate to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. In this ministry, we also look forward to helping people in practical ways in order to alleviate suffering due to poverty and other maladies.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to call people to Christ and help them improve their quality of life in practical ways.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to see people in this world respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ and help them live in good health, equipped and skilled so as to live their lives with dignity.


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As reported earlier, at 7:10pm on Wednesday central Italy was shaken by a strong, shallow 5.4 magnitude quake which was felt as far away as Rome.
However it was an aftershock which struck two hours later at 9:18 pm, and which was 8 times stronger and measured M6.1 according to the USGS, likewise striking at a shallow, 10-km depth, which brought up vivid memories of the August 24 earthquake which destroyed the hilltop village of Amatrice and other nearby towns, leading to 300 casualties. It was the second quake which according to AP resulted in crumbling churches and buildings, knocking out power and sending panicked residents into the rain-drenched streets.
The epicenter of the first earthquake today was Castel Santangelo Sul Nera, near Perugia,
but the more powerful aftershock hit the area centerd on Visso.
One person was injured in the epicenter of Visso, where the rubble of collapsed buildings tumbled into the streets. But the Civil Protection agency, which initially reported two injured, had no other immediate reports of injuries or deaths. Because many residents had already left their homes after the first one struck just after 7pm., with plans to spend the night in their cars or elsewhere, they weren't home when the second one hit two hours later, possibly saving lives, news reports said.
"It was a very strong, apocalyptic earthquake – people were screaming in the street, and now the lights are cut off," said Marco Rinaldi, the mayor of Ussita, a community of 400 that was also affected by the earthquake. "Many houses have collapsed. Our town is finished."
Speaking to Sky TG24, Rinaldi said that "the facade of the church collapsed. By now I have felt many earthquakes. This is the strongest of my life. It was something terrible. The second quake was a long, terrible one.'
#Earthquake #terremoto buildings collapsing near the epicentre #visso #ussita #Italy pic.twitter.com/DHqzonGl39— Robin Monotti (@robinmonotti) October 26, 2016
The mayor said two elderly people were rescued from their home, where they were trapped. He said they appeared to be in good condition. Some 200 people in Ussita will sleep in the streets, given the impossibility of putting up tents in the night.
Rubble covers a car in Castel Santangelo Sul Nera but the full extent of the
damage will not be clear until daybreak
A church crumbled in the ancient Perugian town of Norcia, famed for its Benedictine monastery and its cured meats. A bell-tower damaged on Aug. 24 fell and crushed a building in Camerino, the ANSA news agency said. Elsewhere, buildings were damaged, though many were in zones that were declared off-limits after the Aug. 24 quake that flattened parts of three towns.
This medieval church has been destroyed by tonight's quakes
"We're without power, waiting for emergency crews," said Mauro Falcucci, the mayor of Castelsantangelo sul Nera, near the epicenter. Speaking to Sky TG24, he said: "We can't see anything. It's tough. Really tough." He said some buildings had collapsed, but that there were no immediate reports of injuries in his community. He added that darkness and a downpour were impeding a full accounting.
Experts say even relatively modest quakes that have shallow depths can cause significant damage because the seismic waves are closer to the surface. But seismologist Gianluca Valensise said a 10-kilometer depth is within the norm for an Apennine temblor.
Amatrice Mayor Sergio Pirozzi said residents felt Wednesday's aftershocks but "We are thanking God that there are no dead and no injured."
Still image from video shows damaged building after an earthquake in Visso
Wednesday's temblors were felt from Perugia in Umbria to the capital Rome as far north as Veneto. It also shook the central Italian city of L'Aquila, which was struck by a deadly quake in 2009. The mayor of L'Aquila, however, said there were no immediate reports of damage there.
A section of a major state highway north of Rome, the Salaria, was closed near Arquata del Tronto as a precaution because of a quake-induced landslide, said a spokeswoman for the civil protection agency, Ornella De Luca.
The mayor of Arquata del Tronto, Aleandro Petrucci, said the aftershocks felt stronger than the August quake, which devastated parts of his town. But he said there were no reports of injuries to date and that the zone hardest hit by the last quake remained uninhabitable.
"We don't worry because there is no one in the red zone, if something fell, walls fell," he said.
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi returned from a trip inside the country to chair an emergency meeting in Rome, and has canceled a planned TV appearance.
* * *
Perhaps the biggest threat is that today's quakes were actually aftershocks of the magnitude 6.2 earthquake from two months ago. Because they were so close to the surface, they have the potential to cause more shaking and more damage, "coupled with infrastructure that's vulnerable to shaking," said U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Paul Earle.
"They have a lot of old buildings that weren't constructed at a time with modern seismic codes," he said. Given the size, depth and location of the quakes, the USGS estimates that about 24 million people likely felt at least weak shaking. This original quake was about 20 kilometers (12 miles) northwest of the original shock, which puts it on the northern edge of the aftershock sequence and two months is normal for aftershocks, Earle said.
"The earthquake today has further disrupted the tectonic plates, and in the coming hours we may see aftershocks of today's earthquake on top of those from August 24," Salvatore Mazza, the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology told RAI News24. It is likely that more quakes are coming.


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The timeshare, long term holiday products, resale & exchange Directive
Buyers of timeshare have been protected through Europe wide legislation since 1997 and in 2011 an updated Directive (2008/122/EC) was introduced, giving consumers enhanced levels of protection. As this is a 'maximum harmonisation' Directive, the same obligations on business apply across the whole of the European Union and consumer can make more informed choices.
The new Directive applies to the sale and marketing of the following types of contract:
- 'Timeshare contract' – a contract of a duration of more than one year under which a consumer, for consideration, acquires the right to use one or more overnight accommodation for more than one period of occupation. This includes, for example, timeshare rights in accommodation within a pool of accommodation or which allow use of accommodation within a pool of accommodation
- 'Long term holiday product contract' – a contract of a duration of more than one year under which a consumer, for consideration, acquires primarily the right to obtain discounts or other benefits in respect of accommodation in isolation or together with travel or other services.
- 'Resale contract' – a contract under which a trader, for consideration, assists a consumer to sell or buy a timeshare or a long term holiday product 'Exchange contract' – a contract under which a consumer, for consideration, joins an exchange system which allows that consumer access to overnight accommodation or other services, in exchange for granting to other persons temporary access to the benefits of the rights deriving from that consumer's timeshare contract
The key elements of the new Directive are:
- A 14 calendar day cooling off period must be provided – on a standardised form – wherever people buy in the European Union. If it transpires that the trader has failed to provide all of the relevant key information then the period can be extended for up to 3 months and 14 days from the start date. If the consumer receives the missing information within 3 months from the start date the withdrawal period ends 14 days after that date.
- Contracts and all other supporting documentation must be accurate and honest. Important key information must be provided in advance of a contract being agreed and on a standardised form.
- The Directive establishes that consumers can elect to receive pre-contractual information and the contract itself in the language of the Member State in which they are resident or of which they are national.
- All ancillary contracts such as an exchange agreement or a linked loan or finance agreement are automatically terminated if the consumer cancels during the cooling off period.
- The Directive goes further for long term holiday products as payment for such contracts must be made in annual instalments of equal value. Additionally, such contracts can be terminated without penalty as from the moment the consumer receives the invitation to pay the second instalment.
- There is an absolute ban on upfront fees either directly or to third parties, so deposits may not be taken during the cooling off period. The trader is not permitted to accept any consideration (eg guarantees, reservations of money on account, acknowledgment of debt) in advance of the end of the withdrawal period.
- Timeshare cannot be sold as an investment.
In 2015, the Commission adopted a report assessing the Timeshare Directive's application. According to the report, the Directive has had a 'positive impact' on consumers' protection and there is no need to modify any of its provisions.
There has, however, been a sharp increase in the number of problems experienced by consumers in relation to long term holiday products, showing that both compliance and enforcement must improve. Awareness raising efforts amongst Member States are recommended.
A full copy of the Directive, can be viewed at http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32008L0122&from=en


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Proximity is a very subjective thing.
I'm sure you've noticed.
I'm not much a fan of being in close proximity to people, especially those I do not know, those who have offensive body odor, or those who are creepy and remind me of people who would drive windowless vans asking kids to help them find their puppy.
I mean, can you blame me?
Just sayin'.
Some people do not understand the concept of proximity. They think whatever works for them will automatically work for me.
Sometimes, I'll be in a store and someone will walk up thisclose to me, reaching all over me for different things in the dollar bins or hop onto my back for a piggy-back ride while we're waiting in line.
Usually I purposefully forget to leave my "Yes, I'm okay with you sitting on my lap in public you freaky stranger" sign at home, so I wonder why these people think this is okay.
I don't want to seem totally judgmental, but I probably wouldn't mind as much if these people were, you know, kind of good looking.
Think about it: if some haggard, frumpy looking girl was reaching all over you for one dollar sprinkles and rubbing her womanly parts all over your back while you were in line, you'd obviously be a little freaked out… or maybe not, I can't assume anything. Maybe you're into that. I don't know.
But if a nicer looking girl, maybe one who smells like an inoffensive perfume were to, say, sidle up to your side and begin conversation with her face inches from your own, it wouldn't be as bad… unless she has dragon breath, in which case, I apologize, but that is unforgivable.
No one should ever, ever have bad breath. Have you seen the end caps in grocery store lines? Chock full of mints. Gum. Strips. Sprays. And there's this thing called toothpaste, so really, there are zero excuses for punishing your teeth and tongue and other people by your stinky mouth.
Either way, some people don't understand the whole closeness thing, and it's kind of awkward to bring up. Usually, when people get a leeettle too close for comfort, I'll gently step back or away in a not-too-obvious way, hoping they get the hint. Some do. However, some do not. And those people should be punished.
In most of my classes, I sit in the second seat (first seat is too eager, and anything in the back has a potential of falling asleep/texting uncontrollably/leaving the class thinking "wtf did I just learn for 90 minutes?"). Because I'm a second seater, I always pull the first desk up a couple inches, then move up my seat a few, ensuring there is PLENTY of space between all three of our desks.
I know, I'm really considerate.
And in most classes, this has proved to be successful. The people behind me don't knock their knees against my chair legs, resulting in that oh-so-annoying shaky note-taking, and I don't disturb my front desk person with my ever shifting crossing legs. The world works well this way.
But I have one class where I am consistently bombarded with proximity challenged folk who do not understand the concept of personal space.
The third desk person in my row consistently outstretches his putty-like arms and legs, so I'll occasionally look down at my backpack and discover a dirty sneaker inches from my designer handbag…which is weird, since I always leave like, a foot distance between our desks since he's becoming a repeat offender.
In the same class, I have shared one (ONE!!!) conversation with a particular individual who has decided that our single conversation must mean we're BFF's and that it's totally okay if he like, invades my personal space whenever possible. Put together in a group? Great! I'll basically SIT ON HER LAP. Spot her alone at lunch? Awesome! I'll happily annoy the living sh*t out of her while she's doing math, because staring at a page of viciously highlighted notes about polynomials can't mean she's actually working.
And what do you say to these people when they've become so offensive? Sorry, the lap dog position has been filled–by an actual dog. Can you like, leavemethehellalone?
It's not that I'm unfriendly. It's just that I have a very large personal space bubble for a reason. A) it prevents me from contracting infectious diseases (I ensure it's large enough that coughs, sneezes and gross, obviously sick people do not interfere in it); B) it protects me from unwanted attention, either from horndog boys, or the creepy girl at McDonald's who has an obvious crush on me (so says my boyfriend, anyway); and C) anyone else I deem unacceptable to get too close to me.
Maybe I should get a legitimate bubble to surround myself in? Or when someone comes too close, scream "PERSONAL BUBBLE INVASION!!!!" like a maniac and hope they'll back off at the sight of a girl freakishly screaming obscenities. Or maybe they're into that. You never know with people these days.
To avoid large hamster wheel bubbles and being kicked out of class from screaming, I decided that maybe I should just make these Cake Batter Krispy Treats to throw at people to divert their attention to something far more interesting and delicious. While I'd love to hoard these for myself, I find they are easily attractive to others–the pan was devoured in minutes from my family, who must have like, super sugar senses or something, considering I said NOTHING about the pan of sprinkled goodness in my kitchen and it was inhaled.
See? These krispy treats will SAVE YOUR LIFE.
You're welcome.
Cake Batter Krispy Treats *from Jessica's amazing recipe at How Sweet It Is!
3 Tablespoons butter
1 10oz bag marshmallows (about 40 large) or 4 cups mini marshmallows
1/3 cup cake mix (just the powdered mix–I used yellow)*
6 cups puffy rice cereal
Rainbow sprinkles (I used a LOT, but about 1 cup is needed)
1. Lightly grease a 13×9 inch baking pan with cooking spray; set aside. Put your cereal in a large bowl, and set aside.
2. In a medium/large saucepan, melt butter and marshmallows over medium heat, stirring constantly, until marshmallows begin to melt. Gradually add cake mix, one spoonful at a time, stirring to combine. Once cake mix is completely added and mixture is melted (all marshmallows are melted), pour hot mixture into the bowl with the cereal, tossing cereal and mixture to coat completely. Add half of the sprinkles (1/2 cup).
3. Spread mixture into your prepared pan, creating an even layer. I find it's easiest to use a rubber spatula that's been sprayed with cooking spray–prevents sticking. Once your mixture is in the pan, sprinkle the top with your remaining rainbow sprinkles.
4. Allow treats to cool completely, about 1 hour. Cut into squares and serve. Store airtight.
*Using this amount of cake mix provides a subtle cake batter taste to these treats. If you'd prefer something stronger, increase your amount to 1/2 cup and experiment with more or less. Also, try using Funfetti cake mix instead of yellow.
I'm glad I got to enjoy one of these before my family swarmed in on them like vultures.
Is it bad that I've addicted them silly to my creations? Is it bad that I don't really care? I'm evil.
Know what else is evil? Not making these. It's be unforgivable. Pretty much the equivalent of having dragon breath. A huge no-no!
Stay tuned! My video (and an original recreation of a childhood classic treat!) is going to be posted SOON!
Have a good weekend!
xo, Hayley


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Visit us across our campuses and find out more about studying at UCEN Manchester, you'll be able to:
- Chat with students about their experience
- Explore our campuses
- Have your questions answered by our tutors.
Visit our Fielden campus for:
- Make-up Artistry and Special Effects
- Music
- Creative Arts and Digital Media
- The Manchester Film School
- Travel and Events Management
- Teacher Education
Visit our Nicholls campus for:
- The Arden School of Theatre
- Performing Arts
Visit our Openshaw campus for:
- Business and Management
- Computing
- Construction and the Built Environment
- Criminology and Social Justice
- Health and Care Professions
- Sport and Exercise Science
We're planning an exciting, interactive day. Follow us on social media to keep updated on what'll be on at each site @ucenmcr.
Register your place now.


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Hip-hop and electronica producer (and dandy extra-ordinaire..!) Daedelus worked with students from the Fontys Conservatory in Tilburg for a new track every day during the Incubate Festival. Like a fly on the wall, Alfred took time in the hallways and the practice rooms of the Conservatory and recorded samples of students that were studying their lessons. With those samples, he created new compositions every day and Incubate put those online as free downloads. Watch this awesome video in which he explains the process and you can actually see him do the project!
The resulting compositions varied from sketch to beat and show a very organic flow in their development, a very cool project with a very cool guy! On Friday he played a DJ set in which he incorporated the songs that were made during the week as well. Check those tracks below, they are all downloadable!


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Press the right finger for 60 seconds. You will be amazed by the effects of this trick…
Having pain or trouble in any part of the body usually means either waiting for it to pass or popping a pill to get rid of it. Most of us have some or the other trouble going on with our health and body every now and then and we find the easy way out by popping a pill. But there is a natural way to find relief and it is called reflexology.
Reflexology is the application of appropriate or needed amount of pressure onto specific points and areas on different parts of the body like the feet, ears or hands. People practicing this art believe that all these points are connected to different body parts and pressing them can have beneficial effects on those organs and on the general health of the person.
Here is how putting pressure on the digits of your hand can help you a lot.
1 Thumb
The thumb of your hand is connected to the heart in the body. Sometimes heart starts to race due to anxiety or nervousness. Or sometimes it slows down due to some problem, that's when you can rub your thumb and put pressure on it for getting the heart back into the normal rhythm and drive the anxiety away and calm yourself down.
2 Forefinger
The forefinger is connected to the colon and the stomach. Therefore if you have any kind of stomach or colon related issues, all you have to do is press on your forefinger for a minute. If you have stomach pain due to excessive eating or buildup of gas, simply put pressure on the forefinger (or you might even pull it if you like doing that) and you will be relieved of that pain and gas.
If you are suffering from excessive constipations due reasons unknown, just put pressure on the forefinger for 60 seconds and you will have significant improvement in your condition after the 60 seconds.
3 Middle finger
The middle finger is actually linked and connected to the heart, small intestine, blood and the respiratory system. If you have any trouble breathing or are breathing too heavily, just put pressure on the middle finger to get some relief from the uneasiness.
Since the middle finger is also connected to the respiratory system and the heart, every time you feel uneasy at high altitudes or cannot fall asleep especially while traveling, all you need to do is apply adequate amount of pressure, without hurting the finger and you will feel relaxed.
4 Ring finger
The ring finger is related to your moods. So whenever you are feeling angry, or sad or depressed, just massage the ring finger for 60 seconds or so and you will start to feel better. Moods are also dependent on situations and are related to your mental health, but by massaging your finger and putting pressure on it, you distract your brain and the focus of the brain turns to the massage or the pressure and given the connection between the ring finger and moods, doing so will help you a lot.
5 Pinky finger and palms
The small finger or the pinky finger is connected to the kidneys and head and neck. So every time you feel a headache or a pull in the neck, massage the pinky finger and you will find that your situation is improving.
Also related to these digits are the palms and palms are connected to the nervous system. Therefore stimulating the blood flow in the nervous system can be good for your mental health and you can do so by clapping your hands.


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Toronto, Canada -- February 3, 2017 -- Loncor Resources Inc. (the "Company") (TSX: "LN") is pleased to announce that, further to its January 24, 2017 press release, it has closed a non-brokered private placement of 4,000,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of Cdn$0.12 per Unit for gross proceeds of Cdn$480,000. Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Company and one-half of one warrant of the Company, with each full warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of Cdn$0.18 for a period of two years. The Company intends to use the proceeds from this financing for general corporate purposes. All securities issued in connection with the financing will be subject to a hold period of four months plus a day from the date of closing and the resale rules of applicable securities legislation.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or the securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold within the United States (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from such registration requirements.
Loncor Resources Inc. (the "Company") is a Canadian gold exploration company focused on two projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ("DRC") -- the Ngayu and North Kivu projects. The Company's Ngayu exploration permits cover 2,077 km2 of the Ngayu Archaean greenstone belt in Orientale province in the northeast DRC and is its main focus. The North Kivu exploration permits cover a contiguous area of 13,210 km2. Both projects have historic gold production. Additional information with respect to the Company's projects can be found on the Company's web site at www.loncor.com.
Not for distribution to U.S. newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. securities laws.
For further information, please visit our website at www.loncor.com, or contact: Arnold T. Kondrat, President & CEO, Toronto, Ontario, Tel: + 1 (416) 366 2221 or + 1 (800) 714 7938.


text: KEIRA KNIGHTLEY RETURNS TO THE WEST END Posted on Oct 22, 2010 | By London Theatre Direct Ian Rickson will direct Keira Knightley and Elisabeth Moss in Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour due to open in the West End early next year. Actors' schedules, full casting, production information, and performance schedule will be announced shortly. Tickets for The Children's Hour will be on sale soon. When a troubled teenager starts to spin a web of deceit, all around her are soon caught up in it. Karen Wright (Keira Knightley) and Martha Dobie (Elisabeth Moss) have worked for years to establish their all-girls boarding school, and now, with the school flourishing and Karen on the verge of marriage, their lives and loves finally appear secure. However, when malicious student Mary runs away from the school and seeks to avoid being sent back, she draws on hearsay, gossip, and her own imagination, to concoct a story that threatens the school, the marriage, and their entire futures. Keira Knightley came to international prominence in 2003 after starring in the films Bend It Like Beckham and Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy. For her role as Elizabeth Bennet in Joe Wright's adaptation of Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice she earned nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actress and Golden Globe Award for the Best Actress. Her film credits include Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Love Actually, King Arthur, critically acclaimed Domino, The Duchess, Atonement, The Edge of Love. Keira Knightley made her West End debut in The Misanthrope at the Comedy Theatre which earned her nomination for Laurence Olivier Theatre Award. Her television credits include the critically acclaimed remake of Doctor Zhivago, Oliver and Coming Home. Keira Knightley will be co-starred by Elisabeth Moss which will make her West End debut inThe Children's Hour. She is best known for playing Peggy Olson in the award-winning TV series Mad Men for which she has been awarded by Emmy Award. Her film credits include Get Him to the Greek, Did you Hear About the Morgans? and Girl, Interrupted. Play will be directed by Ian Rickson (The Winterling, Jerusalem, Hedda Gabler, The Weir, Mojo). News


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I am considering moving (back) to PlusNet Unlimited Fibre Extra Broadband.
My assumption was that the line connection details would remain the same,
and typically the speeds would be pretty much the same with some differences because of load, backhaul etc.
BT inform me that PlusNet lines are capped at 66Mbps on that package.
I think that this is not true. Can anyone confirm that, please?
Plusnet say for my line ...
This means you can get our Unlimited Fibre Extra Broadband with an estimated download speed of 45 - 66Mb, and an estimated upload speed of 11 - 17Mb.
Your Minimum Guaranteed Access Line Speed for this product is 39.8Mb
Moved from PlusNet back to BT. Both gave decent service.
Moved from PlusNet back to BT. Both gave decent service.


text:
Nobody Cares About Your Marketing Degree
Web-scraping ring a bell?
Any idea what an actionable Google Analytics setup looks like?
Have you tried implementing Segment?
How many A/B tests have you run in your career?
Can you query a database without relying on a developer?
— — —
Now. We see this developing into two scenarios:
1. You answered all of these without skipping a heartbeat. In this case, we don't wanna jinx it, but we might have a potential growth hacker on our hands… Stay right there! Don't move. We'll send someone to get you.
2. You don't know what any of those words mean… but guess what? That's ok too.
Here's a controversial statement for you: marketing, as we know it, is broken. It needs fixing. No need to beat around the bush.
Whether you're a fully accomplished, 3-startups-under-your-belt entrepreneur, or a fresh off the boat graduate with a marketing degree, these are some of the skills you absolutely need to have on your resume in 2016.
Statistics, Behavioural Psychology, Programming, Product Design and UX Principles, Analytics, Branding and so much more…
These are the skills that define the marketer of the future.
These are the skills that define a true T-shaped player.
These are the skills that define a growth hacker.
Whether you love or hate the term, it doesn't matter. The traditional job description of a modern marketer isn't so traditional anymore. With all the tech and tools popping up, the role of a marketer can be filled by anyone ranging from a product engineer to a business scientist.
But now that the term "growth hacking" is making headlines more and more often, employers recognize the benefit of having a Growth Marketer, aka a "unicorn in the clouds", on their team.
At this point, the demand for growth hackers surpasses the supply. At a 7 to 1 ratio, to be exact…
So we decided to fix this disappointing talent gap, by building Europe's first Growth Hacking Academy.
The Growth Tribe Academy is fully dedicated to teaching coders, analysts and yes, people with marketing degrees, the growth hacking mentality and building a one-of-a-kind community.
This was the day our 1st academy ended and a new group of Growth rockstars emerged. We promised these students an increased chance of getting hired upon graduating… To prove that, here's some compelling statistics:
Out of a class of 21:
- 11 students (6 marketers, 4 developers and 1 data analyst) got hired by high-growth Dutch startups
- 4 students went back to their previous employers
- 4 students are currently finalising their studies
- 2 founded their own startups
Wait till you read what some of our students had to say about their experience at the Growth Tribe Academy.
Whether you're already a growth hacker or on your way, we applaud you. Knowing what you want and working hard towards achieving it is truly admirable and a story worth sharing.
Care to make your career path the ultimate success story?
If you enjoyed the article, please click the little heart below!


text:
Call Centre Training & Coaching
As you think about your Call Centre and Customer Service team, what "keeps you awake at night?"
Your Customer Service Representatives:
- Are below target or inconsistently achieving their KPIs.
- Escalate calls too readily.
- Must utilise a range of counter offers.
- Have product, knowledge and systems training however are lacking in communications skills.
- Don't handle conflict well with customers.
- Are sometimes more concerned about keeping under Call Time KPIs than understanding their customer.
- Lack structure in their customer conversations.
- Induction and/or training is often focused on product and systems, not customer engagement.
Your Team Leaders Need to:
- Motivate and improve the skill sets of their people.
- Implement a retention plan to retain their best performers.
- Know how to conduct one-on-one coaching with CSRs to develop their 'conversational (soft) skills.
- Have a consistent unified approach to performance management.
- Become more "hands on" as sometimes they do not believe they need any improvement.
- Ultimately, achieve KPIs.
Click here for Call Centre Training testimonial Jet Pets Call Centre Training
KONA will assist you to get your Call Centre team through our proven A.C.T.C. Process:
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Phase 2 Customising: Training and coaching program's customised to your business and for your teams specific needs.
Phase 3 Training: Call Centre Training Workshops that are practical and fun, and fit in around your team's work load and call times.
Call Centre Training can include:
- Engaging Conversations and Building Relationships.
- Ask Questions to Positively Gain Information.
- Manage Complaints and Hostile Customers.
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- Overcome Objections.
- Make Outbound Appointments.
- Team Leaders as Coaches.
– Phase 4 Coaching: On the Job follow up and coaching is available to ensure that training content is implemented and reinforced.
Expected Outcomes
- Increase in First Call Resolution (less Escalation).
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- Drop in Average Handling Times.
For more information about how KONA's Call Centre Training and Customer Service Training will help your business grow please contact us on 1300 611 288 or email@example.com.
Call: 1300 611 288 | SMS: 0425 200 883 | Email: email@example.com
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1 in 45 children are born with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. What needs to be known is this: Almost half of the children that get Early Intervention make dramatic progress, some even recover. The fastest growing segment are considered High-Functioning, often meaning they can or will eventually function in regular classrooms, have friends, attend birthday parties and grocery stores with ease. Recovery means that these kids are indistinguishable from their peers. Their disability no longer impairs them from having a normal life. They no longer need support such as an aide in a classroom, therapies, and biological intervention. Many children make incredible gains.
See the latest RECOVERY ARTICLE from the New York Times. Leo was part of the CT study mentioned in this article.
Why is this the case now as we sit here in 2014? Technology from this last decade has brought all these children the chance for real progress and the unthinkable when we were kids, recovery. Therapeutic intervention such as ABA, dietary intervention, and the DAN! protocol has maximized the potential of our children. It's not just a given that these children spend their entire education in special education. Back when we were kids, it was one-stop-shopping with our pediatricians. Today that's just not possible and unfair to pediatricians. Twenty years ago, we only had Greenspan's Floortime Therapy for all special needs kids. Today there are numerous therapies to address our individual children's needs and the growing variety of disabilites out there. All we now know about our food supply and the environment has dramatically improved the outcome of our children.
Many High Functioning kids can learn in regular classrooms and other places. We all went to school with a kid that was quirky didn't we? Our kids CAN eventually get to that level of functioning after receiving good therapy and lots of it. Having your precious child go to school just like any other kid is a dream of every ASD parent. Just to go through that door, walk down those hallways that we all remember as a kid. The sounds of a school. The smell of the cafeteria, your papers and books.
Why don't we hear about these kids? Where are they? What did their parents do to make it happen?
We don't see them because many parents keep the label a secret so their children can lead a discrimination-free life. These parents move on, try to recover themselves, and create a new life for their family. They cannot be public about their past and support autism efforts at the cost to their own kids. Unfortunately, the stigma of being less than perfect still dominates.
Because all parents discriminate.
Parents often do not want their typical kids to play with children with special needs. It is not a concern of mine if people get defensive by this fact. It is true. After all, what has happened to this generation of children will be examined for years, and in no way the dust has settled. It's a big battleground – from the pharmaceutical companies, to government, to big offenders of environmental contamination, all wrapped up for us in a big bow. No one wants to raise their hand and be accountable. We are still in the Cover Your Ass and Let's Run and Hide phase of this pandemic.
We all discriminate. Let's face it, we all want our kids to play with the perfect friend. A mild temperament, similar or higher developmental level, good natured, doesn't hit or bit, and has a nice mom. We don't want our kids to pick up bad habits. We want them to have a positive fun experience. Parents discourage their kids to play with the 'wrong kids', those that may not look typical, wear different clothes, come from a different socioeconomic background, have strange parents, do poorly in school, or are just plain squirky.
With little information and TV movies to go on, these parents are in the dark about Autism, how vastly different each and every kid with the same diagnosis presents. They are unaware of the fact that this is THE NEW GENERATION of typical peers – 33% of the kids in elementary and preschool classrooms in America have some developmental issue. Pull-outs galore for reading, writing, and other learning challenges are the norm. Having an ASD is now part of the norm. A handful of kids for each class have services of some kind. Really.
All parents know is that they want to protect their kid. They want the best possible learning experience in school. They want to make sure they can learn without distractions in school. They can't teach tolerance because they themselves are ignorant. They don't know what to do with an Autistic kid at a birthday party, on a soccer team, or at their house for a play date. It's awkward, uncomfortable. How should they act? What do you say to the mom? They don't want THEIR kid to be affected in a negative way by an Autistic kid. Often, instinct and fear guides us parents, myself included. Sometimes that's a good thing. For typical parents, ignorance and fear make them choose the easy route - don't call, don't invite, avoid.
Each new school year parents are faced with more and more aides in classrooms with no explanation. Parents lack knowledge about this NEW GENERATION of typical peers. The irony is this - Autism is the norm, part of the typical make-up of our classrooms.
There is no leadership, no information given to parents about what makes up your typical classroom. No one sets the tone. Sadly the school district, PTA's and other organizations are not straightforward. It's discussed in small groups of parents off-the-record. Economics play a big role when districts try to accommodate special kids' needs at their various schools. They must look at their unique population of children that require services and try to accommodate everyone with what they've got - their pool of therapists, equipment, space, transportation, and lay it all out like a big puzzle. For example, one school may have a lot more special needs kids because it's newer and has the space for therapy. With no explanation, parents grumble and ask "Why does my kid get stuck with 3 special needs kids and their aides in my classroom? One child isn't even in this district!" they exclaim. This adds fuel to the discrimination fire.
Parents have NO IDEA the complexity in fulfilling a child's modified education program – while minimizing costs at the same time. Schools must consider factors like bus routes and sibling separation while attempting to maximize a child's therapy hours AND therapists hours at school. Parents don't realize that when they DO see a special child in their classroom with help, one of two things have occurred:
*The child has very significant issues that disrupt the classroom, so the school has to address them.
*The parents had to sue or fight like hell to get those services.
Because of the factors, particularly economics, schools are constantly faced with making hard choices, often playing "god" on whom is worthy of X,Y, and Z. Schools aren't in the position to automatically hand out a beautiful program on a silver platter. They do what is best economically first. Incredible isn't it??
Because the therapists filter information
Therapists are reluctant to share stories about cases where the kids make it all the way through and are blessed with a"normal" life, a life no longer disabled. They are even reluctant to share huge gains. If parents have this knowledge, they feel the parents would expect this outcome. They want the parents to be realistic and not give false hope. The benefits of sharing what can happen, what DOES happen can inspire. It can give the fuel needed for a desperate and overwhelmed parent to figure out what they need to do. This far outweighs the very small percentage of cases where you leave the parents feeling depressed or inadequate or filled with unrealistic expectations. As of August 2007, I can attest to this personally by comparing positive comments versus negative ones I get in my Inbox.
I resent the fact that providers choose to make life a bit easier on themselves, sacrificing hope for certain families. It the PARENT'S right, not individual providers or schools to filter ASD info. This makes me crazy! A friend recently shared with me "it's like a cancer doctor NOT telling a patient there is hope for recovery simply because not all patients do recover."
Some providers don't believe there is ever an end to therapy. Therefore, they do not believe in recovery because it goes against the philosophy behind the intervention they practice. Also, the new technology hasn't been played out in great numbers into adolescence and adulthood. If it's not published in a journal with science to back it up, it doesn't exist to them.
And we all know that answers don't begin in a journal. How many times have you read a piece of research, and ask yourselves why in the heck did they put money into THAT? The general public already knew THAT answer!
Research, technology, and learning grows each day. Parents are the managers. From home-life to the biological piece to the therapeutic piece. No one else is in that position. Any parent would love to share this role - impossible. Every week parents tell me how my story inspires them. "Is it worth it? All this work? All this money? This sacrifice? The confrontation with the
school district?
What if I said no? First, it would be a lie. Second, there may be many parents that wouldn't react by ACTING. Moving their obstacles out of the way to really tackle the disabling parts of ASD. Maybe they would not be as committed. Give up. Thinking that it's a fight they can never win is dangerous. Each kid can win no matter how close they get to recovery. Degree of severity, age, or other factors should not be an issue towards maximizing the potential of your child, leaving no stone unturned.
Media, and what we can do
The Autism community must press to provide training to schools, particularly education students. Medical students and nursing students, along with others in any caregiving role would be instrumental in changing the landscape on how these children are understood and cared for. The Autism community must press for articles in general magazines and more T.V. about the enormous differences within the spectrum. How about an article sharing the day in the life of a mainstreamed child, with viewpoints from other parents and their peers? Don't get me wrong, I'm happy about any Autism press. However, providing stories only about the stereotype increases awareness about Autism but doesn't provide any new information about the profile of our children today and how that impacts our children's' school experience.
We need education. Nobody is facilitating relationships between typical and ASD parents. Although Autism and Aspergers are trendy these days in media, the subject is taboo in real life. We are not utilizing the information that is so accessible for all to see, as a parent, a neighbor, a teacher, a school administrator. Early intervention funding will get a real fighting chance at passing on all levels – federal, state, and local if we raise awareness and bust this thing wide open. Thankfully, Jenny McCarthy has greatly helped in this area. I am still waiting for day-to-day changes in school.
The new normal is mind boggling. The numbers are much higher in the younger years like this and taper off as you look at middle and high school.
A great stat from the American Acad of Peds states that 1 in 6 kids born today have a developmental disorder or developmental delay.
Here is what my son's typical playgroups and classes looked like through the years so far:
New Mommy Group 0-1 year old:10 kids in total (natch, they all didn't have a dx then):
2x Autism Spectrum Disorder
2 x ADD
2x Sensory Integration Disorder
1x Speech and fine motor delay. The child couldn't be understood by his peers until he was 5
years old, so it wasn't a redefinition of criteria.
Preschool: Class of 18 kids: my kid with Autism, 3 kids with a speech delay, 1 kid with sensory
integration, one kid with ADD.
Kindergarten: 20 kids total in typical classroom in a public school. 2 kids ASD, one kid ADD, 3 kids speech and OT delays. Again, the speech and OT delays affected their ability to be understood and do any projects. The teacher had been doing the "same ole" for 20 years, so it wasn't a change in criteria here anyway.
1st grade: 22 kids in total. One kid Autism, one kid Down Syndrome, 3 kids with a behavior plan, have IEP - unsure of an actual label, 2 kids speech, 1 kid OT, and 4 kids get pulled out ofclass for reading help 2 times a week(they are barely reading, criteria could be argued here?).
In total, in our little po dunk elementary school, 12% of all kids attending have an IEP. And this doesn't include the kids that we all know need one or had one previously.
2nd grade: 3 ASD kids including Leo confirmed, and 2 behavior plans. And interestingly, the parents of typicals think the para is there to help the teacher, when in fact she's dedicated to one child. Only a few know of the one special needs child (ASD). Leo and one other boy haveASD. No one knows about Leo, and a few know about the other boy, but not in this class.
3rd grade: Update: I can see one behavior plan, 1 ADHD with occasional para, 2 ASD kids, one being Leo, and another boy I recently figured out. One child with Tourettes.
Note: I've seen many presentations of P.A.N.D.A.S. across all grade levels in elementary school.
4th grade: 4 kids that have or had IEPs previously. Leo seems to be the only kid on the spectrum (although he doesn't technically meet the diagnostic criteria). More P.A.N.D.A.S. and Lyme in all grades.
5th grade: 5 kids with issues so far. Not sure what they are yet since we are still so new. One more P.A.N.D.A.S. kid, and one behavior plan, maybe O.D.D.?? A couple of medicated kids so far. Hey, it's early in the year.
6th grade: Don't have a good sense of how many kids with issues since this is big-time middle school!
7th grade: Block teacher has two IEP meetings during conference time. I can see lots of issues around school, but not sure of how many. I know many children are farmed out to other school locations that can't tolerate school without an aide. No one seems to have aides in middle school. However, all around me I meet parents that have kids with health problems or behavioral problems. I am not so new anymore so the terrain is getting clearer.
8th grade: Great year for Leo. I see lots of high functioning kids with sensory issues and mood disorders. Lots of anxiety and frustration going on in these overcrowded classrooms. Several kids with gluten intolerance and allergies. All dealt with with prescription drugs or avoidance.
Freshman: Really can't tell since, sadly, I am not at the high school helping out. The kids I see at sports or at my home all seem fairly healthy. There are a few autoimmune/immune kids for sure, but they don't seem to do any protocol other than prescription drugs. Those are common.
*Ashley Morgan, parent of *Leo, age 15, recovered for almost 9 years. firstname.lastname@example.com
*These are alias names for protecting my son from discrimination
8th grade: Great year for Leo. I see lots of high functioning kids with sensory issues and mood disorders. Lots of anxiety and frustration going on in these overcrowded classrooms. Several kids with gluten intolerance and allergies. All dealt with with prescription drugs or avoidance.
Freshman: Really can't tell since, sadly, I am not at the high school helping out. The kids I see at sports or at my home all seem fairly healthy. There are a few autoimmune/immune kids for sure, but they don't seem to do any protocol other than prescription drugs. Those are common.
*Ashley Morgan, parent of *Leo, age 15, recovered for almost 9 years. firstname.lastname@example.com
*These are alias names for protecting my son from discrimination


text:
L to R: Mary Bell Palombo, Hazel Ricketts, Louella Marshall, Jean-Marie Fallin, and Carol R. Lake
An Interview with MARY BELL PALOMBO
by Doroethy Leonard (Board Program Chair 2005 – 2010)
December 10, 2004
Mary didn't know anything about Jung. She had bought a book about Jung but she hadn't really read it. One weekend she went to a Sensitivity/Encounter Group at the CASA's Franciscan Renewal Center. There were two facilitators at this gathering, one she had already met and didn't particularly like, so she chose the other one. It happened to be Dr. Gerald Crines, who would soon become her dear friend. Because this was a small group Mary shared a dream.
Dr. Crines looked at Mary and said, "I can see you in Zurich." Mary said, "What's a Zurich?" He went on with the conference, but later he mentioned this another two times. Mary learned that Zurich is in Switzerland where Carl G. Jung lived, worked and died.
This year of 1965 was a difficult year for Mary as she lost her husband, Paul Bell, as well as her son, Dale. Her second son is Leonard Bell, an attorney living in Phoenix. Mary was pretty depressed. She said to herself, "Well, why not go to Zurich? Nothing else is working." When she arrived at the Zurich Jung Institute in Switzerland she said, "I felt I was home."
Mary's first Jung book, read by a 25 watt bulb at the Institute, was Answer to Job. Mary returned to Zurich 4 times, saying simply, "I had to." Altogether she studied 7 years at the Institute, not returning after 1972. By that time Mary was a Jungian dream therapist (also using Max Schupbach's Process Psychology for dream analysis). She was a frequent presenter at the Franciscan Renewal Center (CASA).
Mary worked with Maria VonFranz, and other Jungian's of that stature. She was working on dream analysis with Jolande Jacobe. Maria and Jolande had personally studied with Jung for some years and were considered with high regard by Jung, as well as other analysts.
Mary met and married Tullio Palombo in 1972.
One year she went to the Penurian Conference in Los Angeles, California. There were three Jungian analysts presenting at this conference, as well as three other presenters from other disciplines. Mary met a woman there who mentioned lay organizations called "Friends of Jung." Now, Mary claims she is not an activist, not a starter. However she had a dream about Jung. In this dream she goes to see him. He is in a theater, but Mary is the only person there. Jung's secretary, Mary Armstrong, calls her name and asks what she wants. Mary replies, "I want to see Dr. Jung." At this time Jung comes out into the theater. He asks Mary, "What do you want?" She replies, "I don't know." Jung then says, "Well, I will help you. What's going on in Phoenix?"
Mary taught a class called Introduction to the Psychology of Jung at the Casa about 1975. She thought no one would attend this class, but there were about 75 who came. Some wanted to continue meeting with Mary so she said it was up to them to form the group. She asked if anyone would take minutes and Hazel Ricketts was the first to volunteer. Hazel is still an active member, and served on the Advisory Board of the Phoenix Friends of C. G. Jung for many years.
Interestingly, at the first meeting to begin the Phoenix Friends of C. G. Jung, Mary had asked four people to a meeting. Two of the four didn't even show up. Still, they tried again, and this time with success.
Hazel and Mary said everyone was so excited, full of spirit and enthusiasm. They were "thirsty" for Jungian analyst speakers. However, before the non-profit status completes the organization in 1986, there were other speakers (a complete list of speakers is available). Mary remembers Scott Haasarud as the very first speaker.
The first presentation following the legal organization was the showing the Van der Post video on his relationship with Jung and this was followed by a very animated discussion. Mary was totally dismayed when the projector didn't work after someone had assured her that it would. There was a delay of 15 minutes that, to her, seemed much longer. The next day Mary saw a report in a newspaper that there had been a catastrophe at the Cannes Festival– the projector wouldn't work. Mary reflectively thought, "It's in the air." She was reassured, as she wondered about synchronicity.
The first president of Phoenix Friends of C. G. Jung was Dr. Bruce Bromley. The organization wanted someone with credentials in order to add prestige to the Phoenix Friends of C. G. Jung, and Mary says Dr. Bromley was "quite proud of his doctorate degree."
One of the early speakers was to be Marian Woodman. However, she had to cancel at the last minute. Carol Lake, an early member, filled in and "did very well!" said Mary. Marian Woodman was able to return many years later (1996). Other early speakers were John Bebee, Joan Price, Max Schupbach, Dean Franz and Estelle Weintrub
Mary was born on December 15, 1913 in Hume Illinois, and passed away in Scottsdale, AZ September 30, 2007.


text:
The City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) has launched an exciting initiative to develop a 2012 cultural plan for Chicago. The plan will create a framework to guide the city's future cultural and economic growth. The 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan will be the centerpiece to continue to elevate the City as a global destination for creativity, innovation and excellence in the arts.
Public engagement will play a key role in shaping Chicago's cultural future. In October 2011, the City issued a request for proposals to develop and produce the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan. Public community meetings will be held throughout the city during the first quarter of 2012. In the coming months, DCASE will also launch an interactive new website, www.chicagoculturalplan2012.org, where Chicagoans can submit ideas and participate in a discussion about the city's cultural future. The complete 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan is scheduled to be released in May 2012.