text:
Some people respond to the question why businesses prefer outsourcing to the Philippines with, "Because labor cost is low." The follow-up comment would be, "But it's not a good idea because penny wise is pound foolish." Although this may be the outlook some still have about international outsourcing, they are increasingly in the minority.
A $262 billion prediction for outsourcing in 2020 is proof enough outsourcing plays a major role in businesses today.
Where India was the main outsourcing country for call centers, the Philippines has taken over. Outsourcing is fast becoming the country's main revenue source. The call center industry alone is responsible for 10% of the economy of the Philippines.
So, why does the Philippines stand out as the international outsourcing choice for many businesses? Three words—Time, Money, Skills.
Freeing Up YOUR Time
For the business to run smoothly, there are different levels of importance and urgency linked to tasks. Some tasks may seem mundane and unimportant; yet, these tasks help turn the wheels of the business.
These non-urgent and low priority tasks cost YOU time and money. The time spent on data capturing, writing an email, making a phone call, and all that is the time you could've spent on income-generating activities.
The key to outsourcing is to delegate. The moment you delegate these tasks, you free up time for important tasks – tasks only you can do as the leader, the CEO, the boss of the business — essential, high priority tasks.
Outsourcing to the Philippines allows you to spend your abilities and skills on the tasks for your level of expertise. By outsourcing, you delegate other tasks that are low on your priority list but need to be done.
24-Hour Business with Time Zones
How often have you said, "There's just not enough time in the day to accomplish everything? If only I had more hours in the day…"
You can have extra hours in the day by making use of time zones.
The time difference is one of the major reasons businesses prefer outsourcing to the Philippines. Depending on where you are in the U.S., the time difference varies between 12-16 hours. In other words, while you sleep, your business is making a profit. Tasks are being completed remotely in the Philippines.
This allows you to start your business-day effectively without wasting time. You can continue and build on the work done during the night. Data was captured, orders processed, products distributed, and global clients served.
Your decision to outsource can potentially double your business capacity overnight. You've also increased the quality of service provided to clients. Now your business responds to customers' queries and concerns globally, night and day.
By outsourcing to a time zone opposite to the United States, you are effectively running a 24-hour business.
Economical Outsourcing
Money is the oil that makes the wheels of your business turn. As your business grows, your profit increases, but so do the costs.
The cost of living in the Philippines is by far more economical than in the United States. There is a 154% difference in rent and consumer prices. Your grocery bill could be 118% less. The equivalent of $1 is about 45-50 Philippine Pesos.
The average salary for a Filipino call center agent is about $4,500 per year. The same call center agent will earn around $29,700 per year in the United States.
Outsourcing to the Philippines is a good economical choice for both parties—for your business and for the recipient. Money-wise, it makes more sense to outsource to the Philippines than to use local outsourcing.
Economically, it makes sense for the Philippines, too. With the growth of the outsourcing industry, Filipinos' quality of life has improved. Instead of leaving loved ones behind to find work in other countries, there is now ample work opportunity at home. Remote work has opened doors for many Filipinos.
English Language and Culture Adaptiveness
The Philippines has more in common with the United States than most people realize. From 1898 to 1946, the United States occupied the Philippines. During this 50-year period of occupation, the United States impacted the Philippines in terms of introducing new opportunities for education, including, of course, the language. Most school textbooks are now in English as a result.
The United States also sent 540 qualified teachers to the Philippines and Philippine scholars went to America. American English was taught. The accent is American for the most part, which makes it easier for communication and language-dependent assignments.
Today, English is one of the 2 official languages in the Philippines. The national language is Filipino, but the language of government and education is English.
The language barrier is barely visible when outsourcing to the Philippines. At least half of the population speak English. Therefore, communicating when outsourcing isn't a problem. Secondly, it's possible to outsource English vocal and written assignments. With the expansion of project types in the outsourcing industry, the ability of Filipinos to write in English has become a major benefit. Hence the attraction to hire Philippine virtual assistants. Fluency in English allows for more complex tasks and the ability to negotiate or discuss business matters.
This combination of Eastern and Western culture, furthermore, make Filipinos adaptive to any type of business culture. The ability to adapt to the client's way of doing things is a major benefit to businesses and workers alike. Many Eastern countries can't adapt so easily to Western culture, and vice versa.
Hard Working Skilled Talent
In addition to being able to speak English, Filipinos are skilled. The literacy rate is 95% in the country. About 500,000 graduates from universities join the job market yearly.
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) is a lucrative career in the Philippines. Filipinos covet BPO contracts. It is no longer the last resort when looking for a job. The outsourcing industry is supported by the government. BPO skills are also taught at the university level to promote a career in outsourcing.
With time differences being common, Filipinos are flexible and easily adapt to working unusual hours. They work hard, are loyal, service-oriented, and work with integrity. Businesses can therefore safely outsource to the Philippines.
The average age in the Philippines is 23 years. This means Filipinos are a nation of adaptable youth who grew up with technology. Their familiarity with technology, proficiency in the English language, and their skills are beneficial to any business who outsource.
Outsourcing to the Philippines is a Winning Strategy
Call centers, internet marketing, IT services, and virtual assistants are commonly outsourced. The Filipino market offers skilled and experienced workers in these popular areas.
Taking into consideration:
- that the country speaks English,
- the economic sense of outsourcing to a country with low cost of living,
- the highly skilled and experienced workforce,
- and support from the government for the outsourcing industry,
it is understandable why the Philippines is one of the top 10 international countries that businesses outsource to.
Knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) to the Philippines is a trend to look out for in 2018. Outsourcing high-level tasks that require skilled professionals will increase. No longer is outsourcing restricted to low-level tasks.
What trends are you planning to follow in 2018? Is the Philippines on your list of countries to outsource to? Will your business contribute to the estimated 7 million outsourcing projects this year? What are your plans for outsourcing? Get those jotted down to help you plan for making smart hiring decisions.
Do you need help with your outsourcing strategy? Contact Nathan to talk about your hiring needs.
Retha Groenewald is a web copywriter and published author. Her versatile background gives her the freedom to write for the B2B and B2C market. Her writing is featured at Christian Web Copywriter and at Writing That Breathes Life.
Retha Groenewald is a web copywriter and published author. Her versatile background gives her the freedom to write for the B2B and B2C market. Her writing is featured at Christian Web Copywriter (http://christianwebcopywriter.com) and at Writing That Breathes Life (http://rethagroenewald.com).


text:
Contact Us
- Phone: (817) 469-8224
- Email:
- Address:
201 E. Sublett Road, Arlington, TX 76018
Service Times
- Sunday: 8:30a, 10a, 11:45a
If you have a prayer request, submit it on Prayer Wall. You can either make your request public, or have the Prayer Team pray for you. You can denote that on your request.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Here is the log for this meeting:
19:01 ( xq) Just would like to get a few things started for the future 19:01 ( xq) :) 19:01 ( Flare183) I understand 19:01 ( xq) And get some input 19:02 ( Flare183) I understand 19:02 ( xq) First topic: Our Launchpad group (South Carolina LoCo) is currently a moderated group. I would like to make it unmoderated and open to all :) 19:03 ( xq) A lot of other LoCos do this and it really allows more "openness" and people are more likely to join up. We still get notified of joiners, and can still contact them. They also still get assigned an automatic date of expiration. 19:04 ( xq) I just think it is more inviting and will give us more members :) 19:04 ( xq) recluse2: ping? 19:04 ( xq) dantalizing: ping? ;) 19:05 ( Flare183) xq: ok 19:05 ( xq) dantalizing, by the way, is our mentor from the approved FL LoCo group. He is here for us on our path to approval. :) 19:05 ( Flare183) xq: Alright 19:06 ( Flare183) dantalizing: Nice to see you here :) 19:06 ( xq) He is also their leader and an administrator on the US-LoCo Team Council. 19:06 ( Flare183) :O Nice! 19:07 ( xq) But that's one idea for promoting openness and driving members 19:07 ( Flare183) ok 19:07 ( xq) I think having the group "restricted" may actually deter more people than it helps 19:07 ( Flare183) True 19:07 ( mrvertigo) i concur 19:08 ( xq) People may think "Oh, no...another process" 19:08 ( xq) I know I do when I see it :) 19:08 ( Flare183) lolz ok 19:08 ( *) Flare183 pokes ]K[^Omegadoom 19:08 ( xq) Next up: To Do List with Assignees 19:08 ( ]K[^Omega) ;) 19:08 ( Flare183) ahh there you are 19:08 ( xq) We need to start keeping up with our road map and to do items that come up and who's doing what 19:09 ( ]K[^Omega) yes I am here 19:09 ( Flare183) ]K[^Omegadoom: k Just checking 19:09 ( xq) https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SouthCarolinaTeam/RoadMap 19:09 ( xq) Yes -- there is this. 19:09 ( xq) But we need to get more specific. 19:09 ( mrvertigo) is there a way we can streamline the roadmap process, have it updated on the site? 19:09 ( xq) There's also this: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SouthCarolinaTeam/Projects 19:09 ( Flare183) ok 19:09 ( xq) mrvertigo: That's what I'm hoping for. Or on the Wiki. 19:10 ( xq) Let me pull an example. 19:10 ( Flare183) xq: I should be starting a Linux users group at Tri-County Tech. But I will need some help in doing so. 19:10 ( Flare183) I just wanted to let you know 19:10 ( xq) https://wiki.ubuntu.com/MassachusettsTeam/ActionItems 19:11 ( xq) I think that's a good start. Or using a "table" with to-do items with assignees, like a project. 19:11 ( Flare183) Alright 19:11 ( xq) People don't need to feel like this is a job at all (no one needs to feel pressured) 19:11 ( xq) But we need to at least get a wrangle on what is going on and who is doing what :) 19:11 ( Flare183) True 19:12 ( xq) For example: setting up that LUG :) 19:12 ( xq) Or setting up planet syndication for ubuntusc.com 19:12 ( mrvertigo) is there a widget or adin with our current cms that will allow us to assign people certain tasks and allow them to update their own status? 19:12 ( xq) Or our own planet for our own members (and their blogs) 19:12 ( xq) All of those would be good action items 19:12 ( xq) mrvertigo: I think the Wiki would be fine, we can just make a simple template/table 19:12 ( Flare183) xq: I could setup the RSS Syndication 19:13 ( Flare183) I done it, back when I had my domain on your server xq 19:13 ( xq) mrvertigo: The wiki is great for that and is great for collaboration/updating and supports diff/changes 19:13 ( xq) Flare183: Yep, then if need be we can sync it using RSS or XML to the website if we want 19:13 ( Flare183) Yup, Exactly 19:14 ( mrvertigo) *silly idea can we start a ubuntu sc twitter to microblog meeting announcements, other progress? 19:15 ( Flare183) mrvertigo: Actually I think that's a good idea 19:15 ( Flare183) What do you think xq? 19:15 ( xq) Me too 19:15 ( Flare183) Alright! 19:15 ( xq) On identi.ca most likely, using it's group feature 19:15 ( ]K[^Omega) yup good idea 19:15 ( xq) Since that's where the *most* !ubuntu action is 19:15 ( xq) :) 19:15 ( Flare183) True 19:15 ( mrvertigo) can i nominate myself as its keeper? 19:16 ( xq) http://www.ubuntu-massachusetts.com/community/updates/ 19:16 ( xq) That is how Ubuntu MA did theirs, a lot of other LoCos are following suite 19:16 ( xq) So they are on social services 19:16 ( xq) http://identi.ca/group/ubuntuma 19:17 ( xq) Feel free to use the same naming convention 19:17 ( *) Flare183 wishes that jcsteele were here 19:17 ( xq) Flare183: I think he's been very busy lately 19:17 ( Flare183) ok 19:17 ( xq) He just gave me his skype name over e-mail :\ 19:17 ( xq) I hope he becomes more available 19:17 ( Flare183) I was going to work on the blog and everything, but I still can't get loggined into the site 19:17 ( Flare183) xq: Yeah me too 19:17 ( xq) myrtle is busy lately too, I hope he's okay with those fires in myrtle beach... 19:18 ( *) mrvertigo is same with Flare183 19:18 ( xq) I can't either... 19:18 ( xq) I'm going to try to get him tomorrow morning on Skype 19:18 ( Flare183) Hmm weird 19:18 ( Flare183) Alright 19:18 ( xq) Setup an alert for myself every morning ;p 19:18 ( Flare183) Keep us posted 19:18 ( Flare183) alright :) 19:18 ( Flare183) lolz 19:19 (A) (*) Flare183 has quit (Remote closed the connection) #ubuntu-us-sc 19:19 ( xq) I'll take on setting up a todo list on the Wiki with some of the above items 19:19 ( xq) And you guys can take a look in the upcoming days 19:20 ( xq) mrvertigo: feel free to setup the identi.ca group and post it on the forum/let us know here :) I'll join up immediately 19:20 ( xq) and we can post it on the site as soon as we can 19:20 (A) (>) Flare183 (n=Flare183@botters/flare183) #ubuntu-us-sc 19:21 ( Flare183) I'm back 19:21 ( Flare183) Sorry about that 19:21 ( xq) np 19:21 ( xq) Crazy laptop? ;) 19:21 ( mrvertigo) i'll do identa.ca and twitter and post results here 19:22 ( xq) Twitter doesn't really have groups, just hash tags and user names 19:22 ( Flare183) Nah Compiz went nutty 19:22 ( xq) ah 19:22 ( xq) Going to do the username route? 19:23 ( xq) It will be good to put the WP widgets on our site 19:23 ( xq) To keep the site fresh and interactive 19:23 ( mrvertigo) wp? 19:23 ( xq) wordpress 19:24 ( xq) It just monitors the feeds (RSS) and posts updates directly from those social sites on the site where we embed the code (like ubuntusc.com) 19:24 ( xq) This will also help us with "marketing" :) 19:24 ( Flare183) True 19:25 ( xq) I'm glad to see more people on IRC lately 19:25 ( xq) DivineTemplar used to be on quite a bit, but hasn't been on lately 19:25 ( xq) So if we could promote it more would be great, just hanging out in here is great 19:26 ( xq) Last topic is a "Jaunty Learning Week/Support Week" basically. What do you guys think of announcing on the forums, topic and listserv a "Jaunty Support Week" or just a set few days to help users out with Jaunty in here? 19:26 ( *) mrvertigo seconds 19:26 ( xq) It would mean being available more often though. I don't want people coming here and no one being available ;) 19:27 ( xq) So we might want to pick some days we know we'll be here or set certain hours 19:27 ( Flare183) I have school, so anything after 4:30 I'll be here 19:27 ( xq) So we might want to say "Anytime after work [5:00] between May x and May x" 19:28 ( xq) I know there's Answers, I know there's the Forums, I know there's #ubuntu 19:28 ( xq) But this would be carolinians helping carolinians :) 19:28 ( Flare183) hmmm 19:28 ( Flare183) True 19:28 ( mrvertigo) i have an unpredictable schedule and would only be available for dropin 19:28 ( xq) And maybe helping the team bond. Also secondly promoting IRC hopefully. Maybe getting us some more users in here. 19:28 ( xq) That's one of the purposes... 19:29 ( xq) Showing off how IRC can be helpful and showing we're here 19:29 ( mrvertigo) #linuxpeople may help if i can get ahold of some of my old peeps there 19:29 ( Flare183) I don't know many people that use Ubuntu up here 19:29 ( xq) So the e-mail will be phrased not only for those needing help but also those who -want to help- and those who just want to mingle :) 19:29 ( Flare183) I just remembered something 19:29 ( xq) Almost like a 3 day #ubuntu-us-sc Jaunty fest. :) 19:30 ( xq) Probably less than any other state, Flare ;p 19:30 ( Flare183) While I was at the Robotics Competition, I had ALL the Ubuntu together at once 19:30 ( Flare183) And I was at alanta 19:30 ( xq) Well maybe other than one or two, I don't know 19:30 ( Flare183) It was awesome, we had like line of people in the stands all using Ubuntu 19:31 ( xq) Nice, ATL is a nice big metro area :) 19:31 ( xq) Went to Linux Fest there in the 90s 19:32 ( Flare183) Yeah, but heres the thing; we all were from different places in the world. lolz I had to use babelfish for the first time in my life. The spirit of Ubuntu was there. 19:32 ( xq) lol 19:32 ( xq) Those are fun 19:32 ( Flare183) Yeap 19:32 ( xq) I love huge gatherings like that 19:33 ( dantalizi) ty Flare183 19:33 ( Flare183) dantalizing: Your welcome 19:36 ( xq) So, that's about it. I'll get the e-mail drafted and out and the ToDo page up. In between this meeting and next we'll make some progress on the blog/site and the social networking sites (identica/twitter). We'll also hold that support/mingle fest in here to raise some IRC awareness. We'll also open up the LP group. 19:36 ( xq) When you have the links, mrvertigo, just shoot them my way and we can add them to the site and LP page. Eventually, I'd like to rework the wording on the LP page as well. It's a bit outdated I just realized ;) 19:37 ( mrvertigo) good as done 19:50 ( Flare183) Yup 19:51 ( Flare183) xq: btw we still have a Beginner's Team Channel 19:51 ( Flare183) #ubuntu-sc-beginnershelp 19:51 ( xq) yep 19:52 ( Flare183) kk Just letting you know
SouthCarolinaTeam/30April09Log (last edited 2009-05-01 20:53:12 by c-98-216-102-135)


text:
When you toss a supposedly compostable cup, fork, or plate into a compost bin, can you count on it turning into compost?
Not necessarily.
Many items that claim to biodegrade don't break down in the amount of time allowed by the commercial composting facilities taking that waste.
Other items may be labeled "compostable," "biodegradable," or "plant-based" as a greenwashing tactic. Either way, the stuff that don't completely degrade often winds up in a landfill – despite the good intentions of consumers.
With cities such as Portland, Seattle and San Francisco launching programs to separate food waste and compostables from garbage and recycling, more and more consumers are being asked to determine whether they should put items labeled "compostable" into their curbside compost bins.
It's a surprisingly tricky question, according to Michele Riggs, who tests products for compostability at Cedar Grove Composting in Everett, Wash.
"There are a lot of products that say they're compostable," she said. "There are a lot that say they're biodegradable and bio-based and plant-based. All of these terms are different, and a lot of people superimpose them. It's really hard to determine what's compostable and what's not. Knowing your labels for real compostable products is a must."
A product may very well be partly made from plants, Riggs said, "but that has nothing to do with its compostability."
And biodegradable? Riggs said that could be anything. Only specific types of biodegradable products will break down in a composting process.
Anne LeCocq, an environmental manager for Recology, which handles Portland's food waste, said roughly 1 percent of the compost received at the Nature's Needs composting facility near Portland is "contamination" that doesn't turn into compost. A portion of that contamination is plastic that's labeled "compostable" or "biodegradable" but doesn't break down fast enough.
Nature's Needs sends compostable waste through a 60-day composting process. It sorts out the items that didn't degrade and adds them to a second batch of compost.
"Some of that material will break down if you send it through a second time," said LeCocq. "But some items will take longer than 120 days. They are compostable in theory, but not in our stream."
So, how do you know if the products labeled "compostable" will actually compost?
The best way to make sure a product will actually break down in a commercial composting process is to look for the Biodegradable Products Institute, or BPI, label, said Riggs. Or you can check for a label indicating the product has met the compostability standards ASTM D-6400 or STMD 6468.
"Those are specifications that point to test methods showing these products actually do biodegrade – that microbes are eating them up," she said.
At Cedar Grove, Riggs will label potentially compostable products with a piece of electrical tape and put them in a mesh bag with a portion of food waste. The bag goes into a pile of yard waste for two months.
When she checks back to see what's left of the items, she's hoping to see lone pieces of electrical tape. But among the thousands of products her company has tested over the years, she said, "more fail than actually pass in the end."
The Cedar Grove list of acceptable items is a handy guide for consumers trying to determine which products are likely to degrade in the composting facility near them. But Riggs notes composting conditions vary across the country.
Rachel Oster, director of external affairs for Recology, said product labels can be confusing for composting facilities, too.
"At our facilities, when plastics go across the line and we do our best to remove them before they're sold as compost, it's hard to tell the difference between compostable plastic and hard plastic," she said.
Long term, it will be important for truly compostable items to be clearly marked for both consumers and compost facility operators, she said.
"If the products are not just marketing to the consumer but really trying to close the loop, then we are going to need to know which products those are so we can leave them in the loop," said Oster. "I don't think we can really get to zero waste without looking at the containers that stuff comes in and how to turn those back into the earth the same way we do with compost."


text: Male and female baboons do not stay together after mating. Instead they mate with other members of the opposite sex. Female baboons typically give birth to a single young. Although females remain with their mothers as they grow older, males leave at about age 7 to join other troops. Baboons may live 20 to 30 years in the wild and considerably longer in zoos.


text:
Regular price
The Throwdown Leggings are sure to be your new favourite leggings. A simple design made bold, made with soft fabrics for a stretchy, supple fit.
Turn up your leg look with our built to handle tough workouts. Flat-lock seams feel chafe free with every stride and an antimicrobial gusset stops odours from fogging your focus. Plus their moisture managing fabric keeps your cool look even cooler.
The Throwdown Leggings have been developed to keep you comfortable and in control, no matter how tough your workout. Our overlay waistband offers support and coverage, with a integrated pocket adding simple, effortless style.
- Nylon / elastane construction for resilient performance
- Slim fit - wears close to the body and moves with you during every movement
- High waisted 4 inch waistband keeping close to your skin
- Speedwick technology wicks sweat from the body to help you stay cool and dry
- Wide self-fabric waistband for comfort and fit
- Premium material for enhanced finish and performance
- Flexible and durable
- Built in pocket for your convenience
- Antimicrobial gusset for preventing odours
- Flat-lock stitching sits flat against the skin and prevents chafing


text:
The Costco Connection
Costco does not carry screws, but members
will find a variety of screwdrivers and
other power tools in the warehouse and
on Costco.com.
RIGHTY;TIGHTY, lefty-loosey. We haveheard this saying our entire lives. We repeat itwhen we tighten or loosen a screw. Eventhough screws seem so trivial, they hold somuch of our world togetherThink about it: They are used in appli-ances, aircraft, watches, computers, even sur-gical procedures. And there so many shapesand sizes. The typical screw fastener's head ismade with a groove or a unique shape thatallows it to be driven into and removed frommaterials, and the body's helical ridge grabsand holds. The ends are pointed or blunt, andthe latter (also called bolts) are sometimestightened using a cap or nut.
The oldest screw fasteners were possibly
handmade wood screws that were used to
attach the matchlock mechanisms to stocks in
early firearms in the 15th century, says Witold
Rybczynski, author of One Good Turn: A
Natural History of the Screwdriver and the
Screw (Scribner; 2000; not available at
Costco). "Threaded bolts were also used to
connect suits of armor at that same time. The
concept of the screw goes all the way back to
ancient Greece and Archimedes."
It's no surprise that many folks haveworked to improve on the simple tool. Thescrew fastener was originally handmade, andfollowing by 1913. American automobilemanufacturer Henry Ford used the screws inModel T's at his Ford plant in Windsor,Ontario, saving approximately $2.60 per carin manufacturing costs. He wanted to useRobertson drive screws in all U.S.-made Fordcars, but also wanted a say in how and wherethe screws were made. Robertson refused,and the deal was off.
In the 1930s, though, Robertson's brass
square-slot drive screws were purchased for
the assembly of the wooden
de Havilland Mosquito
bomber aircraft, an order that
eventually made Robertson
a millionaire.
Enter the Phillips head
Henry F. Phillips, an entrepreneur in Oregon, knew the
importance of the cross-head
screw design: Automated production lines needed a self-cen-tering screw that could be
fastened quickly by handheld
screwdrivers without the tip
slipping and damaging the surrounding area. He developed the Phillips
screw based on a patent by John Thompson.
Thompson's patent was originally for a
perfect four-pointed star-shaped driver with a
tool that could be used to puncture, drive and
screw the fastener with the same bit and tool.
But the screwdriver tip often broke, and the
screw head was weak. Phillips bought the patent, modified the design and developed the
Phillips screw. In 1937, General Motors began
using Phillips screws in its Cadillac line. "The
; The record for the largest
screw artwork is held by an
Albanian artist who used 235,500
metal screws to create his
101.18-square-foot masterpiece,
called Currency of the Soul.
; The world's smallest screw
fastener could possibly be the
one made by Japanese manufacturer Star Micronics, measured at
a diameter of 0.3 millimeter.
; Approximately 50 screws are
used to assemble an iPhone.
A typical home electrical outlet
has eight screws.
The Guinness World Record for
the largest screwdriver is held by
Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury of
India. His screwdriver is 61. 2
inches long from tip to top.
Dr. Who's iconic sonic screwdriver first appeared in the episode "Fury of the Deep" in 1968,
and improvements of the original
prop continued to make appearances throughout the series. The
screwdriver even has its own
Apple App, which debuted for the
show's 50th anniversary.
There are too many screwtypes, variations of heads andsizes, as well as the materialfrom which they are made, tolist. However, a short listwould be: slot, Phillips,Robertson, POSIDRIV ® (devel-oped by Phillips—the com-pany was prompted to createthis type after electric screw-drivers began to be used onassembly lines), hex, Allen(fastened using a wrench orkey), Torx, tri-wing, Torq-set,Bristol, spanner (or snake-eye), spline drive, cruciform,double hex and star.—RWWFasten-atingfacSCspecial sectionhardware
the straight grooved slots in the heads were
not uniform. Drivers slipped out of shallow
slots, and the screws were easily damaged.
Tool salesman P.L. Robertson was demonstrating a spring-loaded screwdriver when it
slipped and cut his hand, inspiring him to
invent a better, safer screw. He designed a
square-socket drive using an efficient manufacturing technique, which became a commercial success.
Robertson's Milton, Ontario, Canada
firm, founded in 1908, had gained a global CONTINUED ON PAGE 46
Historical nuts
and bolts of the
screw fastener SCREW


text:
Elisabeth Hasselbeck Leaving 'The View' for Fox News Channel
After several years of being the lone conservative voice on "The View," co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck will be leaving the daytime talk show.
According to the New York Post, Hasselbeck will be joining Fox News as a co-anchor of the morning program "Fox and Friends" in mid-September.
In a statement quoted by the Post, FNC boss Roger Ailes praised Hasselbeck's professionalism and gift of gab:
"Elisabeth's warm and engaging personality made her a star on 'The View.' She has proven to be an excellent conversationalist and I am certain she will make a great addition to our already successful morning franchise."
According to the Post report, Gretchen Carlson, the lone female co-host of "Fox and Friends" will be moving to a one-hour daytime show while the other two co-hosts, Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade, will remain.
Hasselbeck is the third "View" co-host who has announced her intention to leave the program. Barbara Walters and Joy Behar have both announced they will be quitting the show.
Hat tip: Johnny Dollar.


text:
Sea explorers probing the depths of the English Channel have discovered what they say is a legendary British warship that sank in a fierce storm in 1744, losing more than 900 men and possibly four tons of gold coins that could be worth $1 billion.
The team found the wreckage of the warship, the H.M.S. Victory, last year and confirmed its identity through a close examination of 41 bronze cannons visible on the sandy bottom, Gregory P. Stemm, head of the discovery team, said Monday at a news conference in London.
The team lifted two of the cannons from the seabed and gave them to the British Defense Ministry, he said. The team's leaders are now negotiating with British authorities on the disposition of the artifacts and treasure before the divers attempt further recoveries.
"I'm surprised we've been able to keep it under wraps for nine months," Mr. Stemm said at the news conference, calling the shipwreck "a momentous discovery." He is the chairman and chief executive officer of Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. of Tampa, Fla., a publicly traded company that specializes in deep-sea exploration and recovery.
In a telephone interview, Mr. Stemm said the discovery, made far from the ship's believed resting place, was "hard to beat" in terms of raw history, lost treasure and solved mysteries. He said the find cleared the name of the warship's commander, Adm. Sir John Balchin, whose navigation had been impugned after the catastrophic loss.
The news conference was held by the Discovery Channel, which plans to show a segment about the ship on Thursday on its weekly program "Treasure Quest," which had its debut last month.
The Victory was armed with as many as 110 bronze cannons, making it one of the deadliest vessels of the age. The largest cannon weighed four tons and could fire cannonballs of 42 pounds making it the most powerful gun then used in naval warfare.
In July 1744, the flagship Victory and a fleet of warships were sent to rescue a Mediterranean convoy blockaded by a French fleet at Lisbon. After chasing the French away, the Victory escorted the convoy as far as Gibraltar and then headed home.
A furious gale scattered the British fleet shortly after it entered the English Channel, and on Oct. 5, 1744, somewhere off the Channel Islands, Victory went down with all hands. The flagship was the only vessel of the returning British fleet lost at sea.
The belief spread that the ship had grounded on the Casquets, a group of rocky islets west of Alderney that protrude a few dozen feet above the water line. The rocks are called the graveyard of the English Channel. The lighthouse keeper of Alderney was charged with failing to keep its lights on at the time of the ship's disappearance.
A month after the loss, a Dutch newspaper reported that Victory had been carrying from Lisbon £400,000 destined for Dutch merchants. At the news conference, the ship's finders said that would amount to about four tons of gold coins.
In the history of the Royal Navy, Victory was the last warship to be lost with a complete set of bronze cannons. Their high cost eventually prompted the British Admiralty to replace them with iron cannons.
For two decades, Mr. Stemm and his colleagues have probed the deep sea, using sonar and robots to discover scores of interesting wrecks and thousands of artifacts. They have found treasures valued at hundreds of millions of dollars.
Last April, the Odyssey team was exploring the English Channel when its sonar registered an intriguing blip. Investigations with a tethered robot showed the seabed covered with cannons, hull remains, iron ballast, two anchors, rigging, a copper cooking kettle and 41 bronze cannons, including 8 of the four-ton guns.
"These were the biggest cannon in the age of sail," Mr. Stemm said at the news conference. "These things are huge simply amazing."
Odyssey released a 46-page analysis of the wreckage. It said the distinctive cannons many of which display royal arms surmounted by a crown revealed their nationality and date of manufacture, and gave proof of the wreck's identity. The powerful guns, the analysis added, made Victory "the pre-eminent warship of the age."
At the wreck site, the Odyssey team also found human bones, including what appeared to be a rib bone, a skull and other remains. None were recovered, the analysis said, and the team's robot carefully reburied any that had been uncovered.
Odyssey is keeping secret the exact location of the wreck, but the company said Victory was found beyond the territorial waters of Britain and nearly 62 miles from where the ship was believed to have gone down near the Channel Islands.
At the news conference, Jason Williams, a television producer for the Discovery Channel, said four tons of gold coins would fetch about $125 million if melted down or $1 billion if sold for their historical value.
Mr. Stemm of Odyssey Marine thanked the British authorities for their cooperation with the company "in the face of complicated issues" of wreck handling and disposition.
In the proposed agreement, Odyssey would get either a percentage of the value of the artifact collection, or a percentage of the coins or other duplicate artifacts that the British government judged to be surplus.
The company has a history of collaboration with the British Defense Ministry. It has cut a deal to recover the suspected wreck of the Sussex, a British warship that sank in the Mediterranean in 1694 with a cargo of coins that may be worth billions of dollars.
Asked at the news conference when the team might return to Victory's resting place, Mr. Stemm said it depended on the Defense Ministry. But he expressed a sense of urgency, calling the underwater site "virtually impossible to protect from trawlers."


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You might be surprised to learn that I don't shop for the holidays all year long. In fact, I don't shop for the holidays until they are here and because I often host Thanksgiving, shopping on Cyber Monday is my holiday shopping jam! So many of the items my family loves can be found online and I am all in for saving myself time while I save money too. Because it's easy to get overwhelmed Read more
holiday shopping
How to Organize Holiday Coupons
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, its time to hit the stores, at least the grocery stores, and make the most of those holiday coupons. As I get ready to host 17 of us for a fabulous feast and a fun filled weekend, my first holiday expenditures always focus on food and entertaining items and I love that fellowship and family sets the tone for the rest of the year. Thanks to my GO MOM!® DIY Holiday Read more
How to Organize A Holiday Budget
Just in case you haven't noticed, the end of the year holiday season is upon us and its time to talk about how organize a holiday budget. And thanks to the planning tools in our GO MOM!® DIY Holiday Bundle I'm not worried one bit about how I'll make it all happen. Because I'm the kind of person who both loves a great deal and has to be in the actual season to decorate, entertain, and buy gifts, that means Read more
Saving Money with UPromise while Holiday Shopping
Please note that I was compensated for the content in this post. However all opinions expressed below are my own based on my personal experience with Upromise. When it comes to holiday shopping, saving money is king. But let's be honest ~ if what I have to do to save isn't easy, I'm far less likely to make the effort. That's why when Upromise reached out about this sponsored post I thought the timing was Read more
Raleigh C.Wonder #UnWrapWonder Holiday Shopping Event
Happy Holidays GO MOM! Friends! If you live in the Raleigh area, its time to tackle those last minute gifts and find something special for your holiday look. Thanks to MomTrends and C.Wonder, I have just the event to help you get it all done. On Thursday, December 12th, I'll be hosting a C.Wonder #UnWrapWonder Holiday Shopping Event at the Streets of Southpoint and would love to see you there! Thanks to MomTrends, ours is Read more
Holiday Shopping and Energy to Burn {Giveaway}
Holiday shopping can take take its toll on your energy level. Thanks to this sponsored campaign by the National Peanut Board, I'm determined not to get worn out this year. Think about it ~ shopping midnight madness sales, squeezing in a few quick errands between kids activities, or making the most of your lunch hour on Cyber Monday ~ its crunch time and so easy to forget to take care of yourself. Forgetting to eat Read more
How to Shop Now for Christmas Next Year
I love finding great deals on holiday merchandise just after Christmas! Things like picture frames, candle holders, cookie platters and more. These are all wonderful items to have on hand to share with teachers, neighbors, and friends, worth far more than you paid and bringing everyone holiday joy. However this year it seems holiday merchandise is in slim supply and we haven't even hit Christmas! I'm a modest holiday shopper, not going overboard and obedient Read more
How To Save Time and Shop Online
http://www.youtube.com/v/pnVS2HA_0LE?version=3&hl=en_US Black Friday! Cyber Monday! This year the holiday retail word on the street is there's never been a better time to shop online. The holidays can be very overwhelming when it comes to shopping because you are constantly doing it! You might be doing weekly grocery shopping but you have to buy more food for holiday entertaining. You may need to buy new clothes for your kids because they've outgrown their jeans, you know Read more


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Soundtrack review: Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (Benoit Charest and Benoit Groulx – 2015)
"Jonathan Strange & Mr Norell" is a seven-part miniseries adapted from Susanna Clarke's bestselling novel. 1806. England is beleaguered by the long war with Napoleon and centuries have passed since practical magicians faded into the nation's past. However, scholars of this glorious history discover that one remains — the reclusive and skillful Mr Norrell. His displays of magic soon thrill the nation. In London, he raises the beautiful Lady Pole from the dead and summons an army of ghostly ships to terrify the French. Soon another magician emerges and a dangerous battle between the two ensues. I can't rush fast enough to see this, where do I sign up? I remember Christopher Nolan's movie "The prestige" and how much it impressed me. This seems like a similar story and I am sold. Now the score was compose by a pair which could make you think of a magician duo: Benoit Charest and Benoit Groulx. The two amazing Benoits. One of them has an Oscar nomination while the other one produced music for Cirque du Soleil and orchestrated for Hans Zimmer and Nick Glennie Smith. Thant's enough for me.
I warm up to their music quite fast. The second cue "The magic lab" is intriguing and melodic and I like the mood swings it presents. It's a short and sweet rollercoaster of emotions and orchestral music. If the whole score is like that I will be happy. After that I can only notice that it is fun in its opening cues. I listen to "Intro of Vinculus" and I imagine someone tiptoeing and trying to play hide and seek. So far "Jonathan Strange and Mr Norell" gives me superficial feelings; it still stays at the door.
The music gets lively with "Horse sands" and so do I. This is an adventure cue which makes me feel like a kid wondering at something that looks out of this world in his eyes. But the momentum isn't kept. The score stays faithful to the on screen images I imagine, as it plays lightly and amusing, just like the opening of a magic trick. I am not drawn to that. I am waiting for the dramatic moments, for the "wow" factor. If this score wants to play like an awesome magic trick, it should own up to that. "Magic in the cathedral" gets close to my wishes as it finally explodes with an epic final section. Now that's more like it! This is what I came for.
And the momentum is kept. Seems that from that moment the score changed gear and things got a little deeper, a little more serious. The music has a wider range now. If until now it stayed quite linear the score simply takes off in a wonderful flurry of emotions and ideas. Even the waltz from this section sounds better and more appealing that the ones from the beginning. Then the haunting strings that end "Arabella's death suite"… the addictive seriousness of "Sir Pole in Parliament"… memorable moments one after the other. If I manage to look at it from a broader perspective I am starting to see a pattern, the evolution of the music of "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell", the descent from light to serious.
For me, the score takes off and never looks back. It just powers on with orchestral delights, bursts of passion and bouts of deep darkness. It's as if from one moment on the true meaning of this score was revealed to me and I wasn't just a surprised spectator but actually involved behind the scenes. "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell" is one of the nicest surprises of the year. It's dense, varied and challenging. It tells a story in its own and I don't even need the movie anymore. Do not miss this one. You will become addicted to the music of the two Benoits, like I did.
Cue rating: 87 / 100
Total minutes of excellence: 28 / 57
Album excellence: 49%
Horse Sands
Magic In The Cathedral
Norrell Summoning Gent
The Gent Calling Black
Strange Waltz
Arabella's Death Suite
Sir Pole In Parliement
Vinculus Fortune
This Stew Is Excellent
Magic Spell
The Waltz
Strange Leaving With Books
Norrell's Destiny
Jonathan's Strange Theme


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Partnership for Engineering Education and Entrepreneurship, or PIE3 for short, is a 501(c)(3) Not For Profit dedicated to inspiring K-12 kid's interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics though robotics programs in Carroll County and surrounding areas. We sponsor FIRST Robotics Teams (www.firstinpires.org) in 4 levels covering the entire K-12 spectrum. Our dream is that every child in Carroll County who wants to be on a robotics team can be.
Grades K-3 can begin with FIRST Lego League Jr. (FLL Jr.) building working models using the popular LEGO WeDo system, and presenting their work to adults at a FLL Jr. Expo. As in all FIRST programs there are no plans for the robot, and, the base kit is not sufficient to complete the robot. FLL Jr. teams worldwide learn their new challenge in September of each year and present their work in FLL Jr. expos in the Fall / Winter. Top teams may present at the World Expos in April. In Grades 4-8 kids move up to FIRST LEGO League. Teams build robots based on the LEGO EV3 "Brick" which is programmed with an intuitive graphical language. Robots compete on a 4′ x 8′ field with the object of completing as many tasks as possible by moving, lifting, touching, or otherwise manipulating LEGO models into scoring position or configuration. All robot actions are autonomous, once one of the two drivers presses the robot's button the robot is on its own until the drivers are forced to retrieve it (with penalty points) or the robot returns to its home zone. Teams compete on side by side fields with just one robot on a field, generally with a LEGO model in the center of the two tables which one or both teams might score with. The games are themed to important societal issues and teams must also present a project, which solves a problem related to that year's theme.


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1-2-3 Transformers was a toyline intended for preschool-age children, released under the Tonka brand in 2001-2002. The 1-2-3 Transformers have simplistic transformations (involving only three steps) so that small children will be able to transform them and feature electronic sounds, while Rescue Roy, the largest of the 1-2-3 Transformers, also features flashing lights. The 1-2-3 Transformers came in only two price points: "Mega" (approximately $15) and "Ultra" (approximately $30), the latter of which had only one item, and it was the first in the series.
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text: I normally have great skin and have never had a problem with acne or blemishes until last month...now I have clusters of whiteheads all over my face. Dermatologist was of no help and basically told me to use Aveeno Face Wash with Salicylic Acid which I have been using and has not helped at all. I am also using a non-comodogenic facial lotion. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.Reply Follow This Thread Stop Following This Thread Flag this Discussion


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There is something to be said for the vintage feel of many so-called boudoir photo sessions. They can take virtually any person, regardless of all physical aspects, and turn them into something soft, sensual, and almost mysterious. Aside from the fact that most celebrities- on this list or not- are all of those things anyway, boudoir photos take it to the next level. Simply put, they ooze sex appeal, probably because they involve bedrooms, lingerie and/or full nudity, and a come-hither air made complete by the pouty lips and bewitching sort of look that seem to be typical of this sort of photo shoot.
Boudoir photography is no longer just for the rich and the famous. Increasingly, it is becoming something women do for a wedding gift for their fiancés/husbands, or something they do for themselves just for fun, kind of like a new and improved alternative to Glamour Shots (remember those?). And why not? These photos are fun, frisky, and can be tailored to each individual, using props or backgrounds or outfits to make each and every boudoir shoot unique.
Below I present to you 15 of the most beautiful women in Hollywood- both models and actresses- all of whom have engaged in one type of boudoir photo session or another. Their beauty and their bodies are highlighted by the nature of these photos, and I think that by the end of it, all of them will be even more attractive in your eyes, having seen them in this new yet classic light. I know they were to me.
1. Emily Ratajkowski
English actress and model Emily Ratajkowski is probably best known for playing Andie Hardy in Gone Girl (she was the student-turned-homewrecker who got with Ben Affleck's character). But she has done more modeling than anything, which is perhaps why this boudoir photo of her (one of many to choose from) is so perfect. It is one of those things in life that is perfect because of its imperfections; this photo seems more real than a lot of the ones I came across. For example, Emily is not perfectly or overly made-up; she looks natural. The bedroom is not one from a fantasy, her hair looks really messy (not sexy-messy), and she is not even wearing uber-sexy lingerie, which like the imperfect being perfect, is actually sexier. Her silk top leaves more to the imagination, and her high-topped lace panties show off her curves and flat tummy. And that pose? Now that is worthy of one of the "perfect" boudoir shots, but I still like this one better.
2…Miranda Kerr
Guys seem to appreciate a woman who wears their shirt around the house… and nothing else. It is its own variation of less-is-more, if you think about it, and it totally works. Victoria's Secret model Miranda Kerr knows how to make it work for sure. Usually all dolled up and strutting her stuff on the catwalk, it is nice to see this more laid-back- but still very sexy- Miranda, sitting innocently in bed, wearing only a men's button-up. Now a button-up alone may or may not be sexy, but the way she has it open, not one single button done, and is posing with her legs folded is quite enticing. The dimpled angel-face hails from Down Under, and she used to be a gymnast when she was younger, which may explain her awesome physique. But she is also scandalous; she released nude photos of her ex-husband Orlando Bloom onto the internet, so don't mess with this chick!
3…Eliza Dushku
Now that is a come-hither little smirk if I ever saw one! Beautiful Eliza Dushku of Dollhouse fame certainly looks dollish in this boudoir pic. Her ringlets are perfect, and her bra, panties, and thigh-highs all fit perfectly, as if they were made for her body. Eliza wears a flattering amount of makeup- not too much, not too little- and seduces the camera with those eyes that are essentially pools of sex. Lying on some kind of very soft blanket, she looks very comfortable and as if she is beckoning someone to come join her for a frolic in the throw. Known for her throaty voice and playing confident characters, Eliza has always been a tomboy at heart, although you wouldn't know it from this picture. But sexually speaking, she knows what she likes: "I love leather and it's great to be a bad girl at times. But there is a time and a place for everything. When I'm with Grandma, it's flowers, and when I'm out in town scoping guys, you know…"
4…Marion Cotillard
The fact that actress Marion Cotillard is French makes her all the more alluring, especially when she opens her mouth and that sexy accent comes rolling off her tongue. This dark-haired, blue-eyed beauty looks sensational in this photo, lying on peach silk and wearing black and animal-print lingerie. Her face appears unamused, but that is kind of the mood of the photo, don't you think? Shiny curls, blood-red nails, shadowy eye makeup, sequined heels, and a pose to die for on the bed, this boudoir shot oozes sex appeal. She often plays femme fatales (in A Private Affair, A Very Long Engagement, The Black Box, Inception, Midnight in Paris, Macbeth, and The Dark Knight Rises) and it is easy to see why. But she is not a fan of doing love scenes. Marion says, "I was always reluctant to shoot love scenes…. But in Rust and Bone we had very naked love scenes, and it was totally different… The whole day I was naked on set and I was totally fine with it." I wonder if she feels the same about a naked (or near-naked) photo shoot?
5…Kate Beckinsale
A lot of guys have a thing for Kate Beckinsale, and the reason should be obvious. The Underworld actress is fiiiine. In this boudoir photo, she looks a little sassy, and all kinds of hot. The barefoot, bed-ready beauty is keeping with the theme of simplicity for her boudoir shoot, if you notice. Bright white light streaming through a wall of windows, white linens, a white, off-the-shoulder dress, wavy hair worn down, and minimal make-up are the key features of this photo, and yet all you notice is her face and her body, nothing else. It, like her, is gorgeous. Not surprisingly, Kate has been ranked highly on all sorts of hot lists over the years, such as Most Desirable Women, Sexiest Women in the World, and Hot 100
6…Ashley Olsen
The Olsen twins, whom Ashley Olsen is one half of, are known now for being kind of oddballs, quite contrary to their bubbly, cutesie image during their childhood and teenage years. We are used to seeing photos of them as adults that make them look more alien-like than the 20-something fashionistas they are. But in this photo, Ashley, while still looking a bit disturbed, is appealing in a way that is different from both the creepy and the cute ways she usually is. Who knows? Maybe it can be attributed to the fact that there is only one of her in this picture, but then there is also her petite, curled-up figure, unclothed from the waist down. And that disturbed look is also wistful, and musing, and preoccupied, as if she has something on her mind other than fashion, boys, or Mary-Kate. And that is sexy, much more so than her frock-wearing, bug-eyed, purse-lipped norm.
7…Laetitia Casta
French model Laetitia Casta looks like she is just waiting for her man to walk through the door; she is all dolled up and sitting on the edge of the bed looking oh-so feminine. The black of her unique lingerie contrasts her fair skin nicely, and the heels add to the length of her already impossibly long legs, legs that in this photo are just begging to be wrapped around a man. Her hair off to one side, a forlorn look on her gorgeous face, and the seemingly wistful strength that this photo portrays all add to the beauty of it, as does the brownish-purple filter that falls somewhere between color and black and white. Interestingly, Laetitia is known for her blue eyes, curvaceous figure, and brilliant smile, but in this picture, you can see none of these things. Nonetheless, it is just as charming as any of the others where those things are all evident. That is the mark of a great model, I suppose; to be able to convey all kinds of emotion and not only that which you are good at.
8…Kristin Kreuk
Kristin Kreuk is mostly famous for playing Lana Lang on the CW superhero show Smallville from 2001-2009. The stunning actress, who is of Chinese and Dutch descent, poses for her boudoir photo wearing fishnets, heels, and an off-the-shoulder sweater that you know does not cover everything in front. Her pout, her curls, and her demure look all scream seduction. That she sits on the back of a sofa, in front of a cityscape backdrop, all in black and white, only adds to the feeling of this photo. Kristin has a few different boudoir shots out there, mostly in black and white, and all of them just as pretty as this one. In the others, she is posed just as suggestively, but on a bed and wearing black lingerie. As nice as they are though, there is something about this particular shot that is a little something different than the "norm" for the boudoir photo.
9…Kaley Cuoco
She can hang with the geeks on The Big Bang Theory, she can play a witch on Charmed, and apparently, she can be quite the temptress in a boudoir photo shoot, as well. I am so accustomed now to her snarky character of Penny on The Big Bang Theory that I never would have pictured her this way, but she is quite lovely. Tastefully done, this photo really brings out her features- the smooth skin, big eyes, shapely brows, and full lips that all work together to create her harmonious visage. Less is more, as they say, and in this case it is the truth. With only a sheet, and her hair pinned back, she wears only a pair of studded earrings, and because there is nothing else to focus on her but her and her alone, her beauty is a lot more obvious. It is one boudoir photo that is sexy, but not necessarily sexual.
10…Isla Fisher
Everyone's favorite red-head stuns in this simple yet elegant shot. Kind of smiling and kind of not, Isla appears relaxed, lying on a divan. Her milky white skin glows in the soft light, underneath a layer or two of sandy-colored dress. Her jewelry minimal, her hair messy-sexy, her chocolate eyes smoldering, this photo is all-around flattering of Isla, who most recently played Karen in the 2016 movie Keeping Up with the Joneses. That Sacha Baron Cohen is one lucky man to have this beauty as his wife, and upon seeing this picture, he or any man would likely have the urge to climb right in beside her on that plushy cushion. Unlike some models or actresses, Isla retains her kind face even when posing for a photo shoot, and even when the shoot is supposed to be an enticing boudoir one.
11…Minka Kelly
Minka Kelly is one of those drop-dead gorgeous women who is so pretty, people sometimes fail to notice that her body is equally worthy of awe. I love that in this boudoir photo, her body is the focus, as her face, while still beautiful, is essentially expressionless, giving the spotlight to her tan shape. The shadows play out well across her legs, toned stomach, and perky breasts, and the girly white lingerie helps, as Minka's dark locks flow over her skin and the lace. In the background a bed sits waiting, not a main focus of the picture but just there so it is in the back of our mind. A wakeboarder and horseback rider, Minka says she knew she was not cut out for modeling (I beg to differ) because, "I'm too short. I've got a big butt. It wasn't going to happen." I think she would have done just fine, at least judging by this picture.
12…Eva Mendes
Cuban-American actress Eva Mendes is known for her curvaceous and buxom figure, and while this photo does not highlight her bust, her curves sure stand out. You would never guess by looking at this sultry photo that the woman in it used to want to be a nun! Shockingly, the beguiling figure in fishnets who appears almost mischievous, once wanted to do the work of God. That is, until she learned that nuns do not get paid. Then she moved onto her second choice- acting. It has clearly fared well for her, and now Eva is better off anyway, as she does not "believe in the institution of marriage", something that would likely not have gone over well with the other nuns (or the big man upstairs). She has been dating Ryan Gosling for five years, and the two have two girls together.
13…Yvonne Strahovski
Yvonne Strahovski is the second woman on this list who is from Australia, although her family immigrated there from Poland. www.sapiecha.com The blonde beauty did a boudoir shoot, and she looks, as usual, absolutely stunning. The setting is an interesting choice, taking the theme of less-is-more to a whole new level, as the bed does not even have a mattress. Yvonne herself does not have any clothes, pajamas, or lingerie, but nor is she nude. Wearing what appears to be a black, long-sleeved leotard, earrings, and leopard-print heels of at least four inches, this is a different kind of boudoir photo, but it is beautiful just the same. Yvonne's perfect body that we see here is the result of a lifetime of being a tomboy and being physical. In her own words, "I've been very physical my whole life. I went out hiking and camping for days in the Australian forest, and when I trained at drama school for three years, we did a whole lot on stage-fighting techniques. And I was a dancer for five to 18." She also calls herself "pretty gross and crude." You cannot tell by this photo, though!
14…Angelina Jolie
Often called the Most Beautiful Woman in the World, Angelina Jolie wows no matter what she is wearing (or not wearing) in any photo or photo shoot. That is obvious. Though her recent divorce from Brad Pitt has largely taken over gossip headlines this year, these photos from a boudoir-esque photo session when Ang was younger by 20 or so years deserve a little attention too. Just look at that radiant smile. She is modeling, and maybe faking it, but you cannot tell because she honestly looks happy. Wrapped in some kind of sheer, shimmery dress and perhaps in the middle of changing, this boudoir shoot was done in what looks to be a regular bedroom, albeit one with a vintage feel. There is nothing extraordinary about the photo at all, except that Angelina glows, and looking at it, it is hard to imagine she ever played dark characters at all, like Maleficent, Salt, or Mrs. Smith. Or that in her real life, she was a homewrecker (sorry; despite her global humanitarian efforts, I am and always have been Team Jen. But that is not to say Ang doesn't look sweet, because she does).
15…Scarlett Johansson
Everyone loves them some ScarJo, and she is undoubtedly beautiful. But in this boudoir photo, she almost doesn't look like her. She retains her beauty of course, but she looks nostalgic, almost melancholy. That facial expression along with her short curls and dreamy eye makeup is a far cry from Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Jordan Two Delta, Lucy, or any of the other strong characters she has played. But here, dripping with diamonds, sheathed in a transparent lavender dress, her feet hugged by yellow heels, Scarlett is the blushing picture of the damsel-in-distress, romantic type. She looks more like her character of Griet in The Girl with the Pearl Earring or Charlotte in Lost in Translation than she does her upcoming role of Major Motoko Kusanagi in 2017's Ghost in the Shell. Either way, however- coy or aggressive, demure or bold- everything suits her just fine.
Henry Sapiecha