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Regular price: $27.99
When some well-deserved R & R turns into a volatile situation for Skylar Watkins, she knows her team will never get to her in time. Her only hope is a promise once made....
When Caleb Devereaux's younger sister is kidnapped, the scion of a powerful and wealthy family turns to an unlikely source for help: a beautiful and sensitive woman with a gift for finding answers others cannot....
As a flight attendant, Rayne Jackson is used to cancellations, but she never dreamed her latest would lead to a whirlwind tour of London with a handsome stranger....
Dakota James's life has become the stuff of nightmares. The leader of the Ansar al-Shari'a terrorist group has become obsessed with her, determined to take her as his wife....
For Logan Anderson, moving on from a traumatic past means moving back to his hometown of Castle Rock, Colorado, to start a personal-security business with his brothers....
As Jules struggles to fight her growing attraction to the brooding K9 officer, another threat lurks much closer to home. And this time, there's no escape....
When some well-deserved R & R turns into a volatile situation for Skylar Watkins, she knows her team will never get to her in time. Her only hope is a promise once made....
When Caleb Devereaux's younger sister is kidnapped, the scion of a powerful and wealthy family turns to an unlikely source for help: a beautiful and sensitive woman with a gift for finding answers others cannot....
As a flight attendant, Rayne Jackson is used to cancellations, but she never dreamed her latest would lead to a whirlwind tour of London with a handsome stranger....
Dakota James's life has become the stuff of nightmares. The leader of the Ansar al-Shari'a terrorist group has become obsessed with her, determined to take her as his wife....
For Logan Anderson, moving on from a traumatic past means moving back to his hometown of Castle Rock, Colorado, to start a personal-security business with his brothers....
As Jules struggles to fight her growing attraction to the brooding K9 officer, another threat lurks much closer to home. And this time, there's no escape....
Eveline Armstrong is fiercely loved and protected by her powerful clan, but outsiders consider her "touched." Beautiful, fey, with a level, intent gaze, she doesn't speak. No one, not even her family, knows that she cannot hear....
Daxton Chambers loved being a part of the oldest and most distinguished law enforcement agency in the state of Texas: the Texas Rangers....
When the new girl in town, Eliza "Izzy" Forrester, decides to hit the local drinking hole, she's not ready to meet the town's good, solid guy....
In the frozen waters of the Arctic, Marine bioterror expert Joe Rush races to save a submarine crew from a lethal threat....
Jake Callaghan has been running the family's Irish pub for years now. When he sees Taryn standing out alone in the rain, he rescues her....
It's been a year since ex-Navy SEAL Ethan Kelly saw his wife Rachel alive. Now he's received an anonymous phone call claiming Rachel is alive. To find her, Ethan will have to doge bullets, cross a jungle, and risk falling captive to a deadly drug cartel that threatens his own demise.
What disappointed you about The Darkest Hour?
The book is littered with Alpha males, a big ol' family of alpha males with alpha male buddies and alpha male adopted friends. I was just waiting for a scene where they all got drunk, beat on their sculpted naked former military chests, and chanted cadences together. But the over the top masculine posturing was killed by the number of times these brawny boys started bawling. I admit it, it's me and my own jaded bias against men crying, but seriously the dad cried, a brother cried, and Ethan must have broke down crying at least six times. Man up Ranger's, former Marine, and former Navy Seal, this Army Vet thinks you're all pathetic.
What was most disappointing about Maya Banks's story?
I had to suspend my disbelief too much in order to get through the plot mechanics of this book. If you are a stickler for how the world really works, this book will annoy you. We're going to launch some spook mission into drug cartel territory, but we're not going to do a trace on who sent the Fed-ex package. A wayward teen is taken in by a schoolteacher, but no one in county social services or child welfare is notified. A body was incinerated so badly dental records couldn't be used to ID the body, but her wedding bands were only marred and not a puddle of melted goo. I know, I know un-plug your brain and try to enjoy it, but there were a lot of these kinds of things. They piled up on me making the read careless and messy.
What about Harry Berkeley's performance did you like?
Poor Mr. Berkley, I love him for uttering such terrible lines with professional conviction. I really did start laughing after awhile when he had to abide with the overuse and repetition of the word "baby." Baby, oh baby, I love you baby.
What character would you cut from The Darkest Hour?
The repetition and pacing was terrible. We hear Ethan make all of these confessions and long drawn out monologues about his love for Rachel. Then Rachel reunites with one brother and he hugs her, and tucks hair away, and monologues about family and how much everybody loves her. Then she meets with another brother and it's a different brother but the same scene all over. Then Rachel reunites with a friend from high school, who is an adoptive friend of the family, and he's hugging her and telling her how much her family loves her and it's all going to be okay. Yes, we get it, everybody loves Rachel, wants to hug her and touch her hair, but I just wanted to ready the story, not read a different version of the same scene six times. So maybe not one specific character, but five of those six scenes could go.
Any additional comments?
So many good ideas, so many interesting characters, but in the end these elements were the only thing keeping this book from becoming nauseating. This is the most sappy and overdramatic book I've read in a long time.
15 of 15 people found this review helpful
I loved this book! After listening to this 1st book in the series, I have already purchased the rest of them. The narrator was great, I love a strong male character especially when the narrator has a strong male voice!! If you love Maya Banks, you will love this series, it may just be the best one yet!
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
Don't be silly like I have been, and wait to get started on this series! For over a year now, I saw the reviews of the KGI series, and it just didn't seem like something I would be interested in. I like action, but I'm much more of a romancer. This book had an excellent balance of action, suspense, humor, sass, and toe-curling hot romance. It was nearly perfect. The narration was excellent, and the overall storyline had me riveted from the very beginning. I've always been a Maya Banks fan, but I haven't listened to anything from her in quite some time. My interest is highly piqued and I'm burning through my credits with this one. This is a series that I know I will get lost in and binge on for days on end.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I fell in love with KGI series after reading The Darkest Hour. If you are in the mood for heartbreak, forgiveness, and redemption then this is the book for you! As always I hate giving anything away but this book made me run out and buy all of the books in the KGI series. Maya Banks has the unbelievable talent with her writing to draw a person into the story and anchor you not only to the main characters but to the secondary characters. So much so you anticipate their stories just as much as the main story.
Harry Berkeley is an amazingly talented reader. He brings such warmth to each of the characters and is the perfect complement to Maya Bank's writing talent. Now if Recorded books and Audible would get book two out before book six comes out next year!
13 of 15 people found this review helpful
4 stars
This was a very good story. I really liked both Ethan and Rachel and enjoyed seeing them come back together and work things out. I really like Maya Banks work and will be continuing with this series.
Ethan is an ex-SEAL and, when the story begins, is trying to get through the year anniversary of the death of his wife, Rachel. He's torn up and can't get past loosing her and just wishes there was some way he could go back in time or get her back. Impossible right? Well Ethan thought so too until he gets a package with pictures of someone that looks like Rachel. The information indicates that Rachel is being held in drug cartel camp down in South America. He's afraid to hope and goes to his brothers, who run a "Special Ops" company, for help.
3 of Ethan's brother's run KGI (Kelly Group International), which is a company that performs Ops like hostage/kidnap victim recovery & intelligence gathering among other things. When Ethan brings them the info he received, they are all in for planning a mission and going in to save her. Since the area she's supposed to be in is near where she was supposedly killed while on a aid mission for a charity a year before, they're hopeful it's really her. Because of her imprisonment and drugs that her captors used on her, Rachel doesn't remember much of anything except her name and Ethan's face. She almost wondered if his face was a figment of her imagination but thinking of him made her feel safe. When her rescue comes, she's so messed up that Ethan is the only one she'll trust, not remembering any of his brothers at first. There is a little bit of an issue getting out but they manage and everyone gets out whole, if slightly banged up.
Rachel has some recovering to do and Ethan stays by her side while it happens. She starts remembering some of his brothers but things are still iffy on her memory and recovering from the drugs takes a lot out of her. Ethan, being thrilled to have Rachel back in his arms, does everything he can to help her recover. They bond back together as she heals and they start getting back in to their relationship. Rachel's memory is still fractured and she doesn't remember much. Ethan is glad of this because before he thought she died, their marriage had been in a bad spot. Ethan was to blame and is hoping he can convince her of his love before she remembers so he can convince her to give him another chance. He takes care of her and she starts to settle in to being back home and meet people she doesn't remember that she used to know. Things go pretty well in this regard but there are difficulties. One of these is unintentionally caused by a homeless girl, Rusty, that Ethan's parents took in. I liked Rusty and hope she sticks around in the series...she seems like she'd make things interesting.
Most of the issues Rachel has settling in are to be expected but she does get run off the road at one point but they don't think anything of it at the time. Things are going pretty well when Rachel finally remembers about their marriage issues. Ethan tries to explain and does but they still have more talking to do when things go wrong and Rachel is taken by some bad guys who try to kill her. She gets past this danger just to have another attempt on her life. It becomes obvious that her faulty memory is hiding something that someone doesn't want to come out. In the end, the truth comes out and the bad guy is arrested. Rachel and Ethan talk things through and confirm that they love each other and want to make things work and then they start working their way to a HEA.
I thought this story was very good. Ethan and Rachel are flawed people but realistic and I really enjoyed seeing them get another chance at love. The characters (secondary characters included) are great and the story is interesting. I'm looking forward to trying the next book in the series. I'd recommend this book. Thumbs up. :)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
Of course we all have our own individual preferences and the only way one knows if you like a book is to listen to it yourself. I am a fan of MB books and I found myself, forcing myself to listen to this book until the end.
I was disappointed to find this story boring, sickeningly filled with overdone "lovey doviness", and a ridiculous amount of mundane descriptions. At points, I found myself speaking out loud in frustration. Don't get me wrong there are some good points in the story, but overall it leaves a lot to be desired. The narration unfortunately left even more to be desired. When I listened to the preview snippet I thought the sexy accent would surely heighten the enjoyment, but OMG he was so very boring. I am a fan of Kresley Cole, J D Tyler, Jeanine Frost, and Gena Showalter to name a few, and was hoping the KGI series would be of their caliber, like MB's other books. As a MB fan, I'm hoping the KGI stories get better and am going to try Book 2. But, If 2 is as bad as Book 1, then I will not be able to recommend them at all.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Is there anything you would change about this book?
Usually I expect more from Maya Banks. Since I finished her Sweet Series...I was expecting the same hot and heavy love scenes with a great set of characters to really enjoy. This book was okay..not great...the love story is pretty much predictable. I would say Maya does layout the Kelly Clan well enough that you may want to explore their individual stories. However, these books will not be a must have in my library. There was not enough drama or action to keep me wanting more.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
What made the experience of listening to The Darkest Hour the most enjoyable?
The Kelly family dynamic.
What other book might you compare The Darkest Hour to and why?
That other family of tough guys with a little psy powers thrown in. What was it called?
Have you listened to any of Harry Berkeley's other performances before? How does this one compare?
I haven't listened to this narrator before. It took me a while to get used to him as his style is a little aggressive. Many sentances start off more explosively than expected. He did a good job of making it easy to tell the different character apart but he made Rachael sound even wimpier that she was, or maybe she just was.His womens' voices were pretty good. He didn't use a grating falsetto - he did pitch his voice a little higher than the mens voices, but her relied more on intonation and timing to feminize them and I thought it worked well.
This book was a little lighter on the *hot* scenes that others by this author. The narrator did a good job when the going did get steamy-he didn't hesitate and he didn't sound unaffected either - I liked it!
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
I guess, I did. Even though I found myself taking to the characters - "don't be so stupid.." etc.
Any additional comments?
Really I want to give this a 3.5. The premise was good and I like books that are as much emotion driven as action driven so that was ok. But the dialog dragged. Seemed as though someone said " Are you ok?" on every page. Rachael's ordeal was pretty tramatic so I guess she deserves some slack but she did tend to internalize everything and then decide to talk to - her brothers in law? Get a clue girl - talk to your husband! And Ethan - big boys do cry. He spent so much time hesitating while he tried to cover his feelings that he was either emotionaly absent when Rachael needed him or actually physically absent from the room every time anything bad was about to go down.I am going to read the next in the series but if it doesn't pick up a bit I'm done.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Well unfortunately I've been a bit slow to listen to this series because Audible released them out of order and I wanted to wait and listen to them in order - which I'm so pleased I can now do and hey, better late than never.
This was a great listen (as most of Maya's books are) and it hooked me in from the start as grieving drunk ex Navy Seal's greatest wish is granted as he finds out his wife could still be alive and asks for all his brothers in the KGI Team to help free her.
There's action, thrills, passion and heartache as the story unfolds and we learn about all the characters involved in the KGI Team as well as the two main characters and their on/off relationship which is sorely tested. I thought the sex/passion scenes were a wee bit 'tame'' for M.B.'s usual books but it was still a very enjoyable listen.
Worth a credit? Yes absolutely, and I'm looking forward to the next one.
10 of 13 people found this review helpful
I listened to the later books first because they were the only available on audio and liked them all. This one was no exception. I like the characters and story lines of each book. The heroine in this one was brittle but still strong if that makes sense. Not an easy balance to keep.
I'm waiting for the rest of the series to be put on audio. My eyesight is very poor and I can't read printed books so audio book mean a lot to me.
I love Harry Berkely. I try not to let a bad reader ruin a book but when there is one you like this much it makes the book better.
6 of 8 people found this review helpful


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subset: commoncrawl


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We will be having our Awards Picnic this year on June 23rd at Larson Park in Webster Groves. Here is a map to the park: http://tinyurl.com/6wvktfh
With the 50th celebration coming up in the Fall, we thought we'd make the awards banquet a bit more casual. We'll have Burgers, Dogs, and Beer, and will appreciate it if everybody can bring something to share.
We have the park starting at 1:00, will attempt to have food ready by 3:00, and will do the Award presentations at 5:00. An RSVP with how many you're bringing would be nice (for food/beer planning)


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Technology Could Favor Investigators In Boston Attack
Robert Siegel talks to Bryan Cunningham, an information security and privacy lawyer, about how a typical terrorism investigation unfolds. Cunningham was a prosecutor in the Clinton administration, worked in the FBI, and investigated Sept. 11.
Well, joining us now - for real, this time - Bryan Cunningham, a former CIA officer, who was also a deputy legal adviser to the National Security Council. And I want you to put us in the shoes of the investigators, at this moment. What would be their top priorities; what would they be looking for?
BRYAN CUNNINGHAM: Well, of course, as the victims, and the people of Boston - and of course, all our thoughts and prayers are with them - are just worried about being safe and going - finding their loved ones, the investigators - federal and state and local law enforcement and intelligence officers - are going to have a couple of priorities in the immediate aftermath. Obviously, the first one is to deal with the injured; make the location safe. The second one - and these are going to be pursued pretty much simultaneously - is to figure out if the attack is over; locate and disarm other devices, determine if there's other threats locally.
And one of the things we always worry about is the kind of multiple-staged attacks that happened on the battlefield in Afghanistan and Iraq; where the initial attacks actually were primarily to lure in first-responders for a larger attack. Looks like, mercifully, that did not happen in this case. But...
SIEGEL: But as investigators are doing all that, are they - can they begin, and are they simultaneously gathering accounts from the witnesses and looking at material evidence and looking at pictures, to try to figure out who did this?
CUNNINGHAM: They will be, both from the standpoint, Robert, of figuring out if there's follow-on attacks, catching the people who did this; but also from a law-enforcement perspective of trying to be sure that they can prove that in court, in the future.
We actually, in this case, have three big advantages that you don't have a lot of time in these kind of incidents. One, because the marathon is such a big iconic event, we already would have had an incident command center and process in place in Boston with most of the right people there. Two, apparently, according to reporting, we've recovered one or more devices intact, which gives us a huge investigatory leg up. And three, there's just orders of magnitude more data available and software to analyze it quickly than even five years ago - fixed cameras, squad car videos, automatic license plate readers.
Everybody's phone, of course, now has a video camera - and lots of information about cellphone data, cellphone calling records. For example, if these devices were detonated by cellphone, they'll be very quickly able to make a lot of investigative headway out of analyzing all of that data that just wasn't around certainly at the time in 9/11.
SIEGEL: So are you saying that technological environment these days favors the investigators? It gives them some advantages. I just want to take the one hypothetical in our last minute here. If, indeed, there are devices that have been found that were not detonated, what do you look for? What is - what can that tell you about who made the bombs and who's responsible?
CUNNINGHAM: Immediately, you can determine the sophistication level of the attackers, which may tell you something about whether this was foreign or domestic. In addition, for organized foreign groups, bomb makers typically have signatures - the way they do the wiring, the kind of explosives they use, the way things are put together. And the government and our allies have become very sophisticated at being able to very rapidly link those back to particular individuals and groups. As I said, the advantage here is we don't have to reconstruct the devices. We have one intact.
SIEGEL: Well, Bryan Cunningham, thanks a lot for walking us through that scenario.
CUNNINGHAM: Absolutely.
SIEGEL: Bryan Cunningham, ex-CIA, used to be deputy legal adviser to the National Security Council back in the days of Condoleezza Rice. Melissa?
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Welcome to the D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself) Section of our website.
Truthfully, we do not recommend that unlicensed individuals attempt much on their own. Most states allow people to do whatever they want in their own home. It is important to decide how much you are willing to risk to save money, as even the smallest job could cause a safety hazard.
In Minnesota, homeowners can pull their own electrical permits for work in their homes. However, some homeowners insurance will not cover damage or fire caused by the electrical work of an unlicensed person. If you are planning to attempt electrical work on your own, be sure to check with your homeowners insurance before you start. Doing your own electrical work may end up costing you much more that it saves you.
The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and Bonafide Electrical Co. bears absolutely no liability to the work you perform.


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The "Fifty Shades of Grey" movie is coming out Friday, which means you're aunt's now excited about something other than a half-off sale at Crate & Barrel. We've already shown how Abigail Ratchford's getting ready for the romantic/erotic film sensation, but she's not the only one. Glamour model Jordan Carver also shared some steamy pics with some "Fifty Shades" inspiration.
Seriously, this movie's making women do a lot of…interesting things.


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Obstacle Course Racing: Hazards of the Challenge
When I was tracking the news on obstacle course racing this week, the most frequently occurring story had to do with tragedy and dangers of the challenge.
It was one thing to hear about the score of Tough Mudders that were rushed to the hospital for heat related illness and fractures from the Wisconsin event two weeks ago. Complications from heat and broken bones can be expected of outdoor, extreme sports, so it's no surprise that challengers would have to contend with these elements.
But the tragic news of a death due to heat stroke and a paralysis from a mis-dive into the mud pit is another story. And of course, in spite of the dozens of events with no such incidences, the inspiring human-interest stories, and the tens (maybe hundreds) of thousands that have endured, it just takes one fatal incident for media and critics to latch on to. One single tragedy often magnifies risks that are inherent in many sports.
For example, studies have shown that repeated head injuries increase the risk of Parkinson's disease, putting boxers, football, and even hockey players at risk. But we aren't going to collectively boycott an anticipated matchup.
The fatality rate for Everest climbers is an estimated 2%, but we aren't going to stop dreaming about scaling this popular mountain. In fact, you may be more likely to die from one too many drinks than participating in an athletic event. But you aren't going to withhold a toast from ringing in the New Year.
It's a tragedy when sports-related deaths happen, when a casualty results from pushing your fitness & athletic threshold.
But the thrill of meeting a new physical challenge breathes life into a standard routine. If you are one of the many that have caught the fever of obstacle course racing, you're excited for the event and you'll want to prepare for the daunting task.
Train hard and race smart. Be diligent with your workouts and pace yourself on game day. Always recognize and respect those that met a tragic end and appreciate your own opportunity to seize a new athletic challenge.
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How asset-based finance has become vital to Irish growth
Proof that asset-based finance is now a truly mainstream funding product and a vital source of funding for Irish companies can be seen in the latest research from the Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA), the body representing the invoice finance industry in the UK and Ireland.
The figures show that during 2015 an average of €1.3bn in asset-based finance was in use at any one time by Irish businesses, up 3pc on the same figure for 2014, with many using the facility to fund expansion as the economy recovers.
Sales turnover generated by Irish companies utilising invoice finance in 2015 reached €25.9bn - the highest annual figure registered for Irish companies using invoice finance since statistics for Ireland were first collated by the ABFA in 2002. And figures for the end of Q4 2015 show that turnover by Irish companies using invoice finance was up 2pc on 2014.
These statistics will be discussed in more detail today at the ABFA Annual Conference which is taking place in Dublin and will be attended by 250 delegates from the UK and Ireland.
Attendees will hear how the rise in the use of asset-based finance as a working capital solution, especially invoice finance, has been driven by the recent credit crunch in Ireland when companies faced difficulty accessing finance. What many business owners don't realise is that their debtors' ledger is often the most valuable asset they own. This, however, means that valuable cash is tied up in the business and often comes in at a very slow rate, with companies often receiving payments far beyond the generally agreed credit terms of between 30 and 90 days.
This can place significant pressure on cash flow and, with less access to other more 'traditional' finance options, businesses have faced continued financial challenges. ABFA member companies, including banks and independents, will advance funding against a company's debtor balances, providing a pipeline of vital working capital to that business.
There are two main types of funding within invoice finance - invoice discounting and full service invoice finance, which is often known as factoring. Both allow businesses to release the working capital tied up in their debtor books.
In both scenarios, the finance provider will normally purchase the client's outstanding invoices, providing an immediate initial payment of the majority of the invoice value, with the remainder (less the financier's fees) paid to the client on payment by the debtor. Full service invoice finance incorporates an added service element, with the financier normally managing the credit control and collections process. This makes it particularly suitable for smaller businesses. In an Invoice Discounting facility, the client continues to manage its own credit control and collections and the facility is normally on an undisclosed basis, so the Debtor is unaware of the financing arrangement. The majority of the funding currently provided by the industry in Ireland and the UK is through Invoice Discounting facilities.
Businesses of all sizes and types in Ireland are now taking advantage of invoice finance to fuel their growth, with companies citing a turnover of up to €5m now accounting for 40pc of all funding advanced.
Funds advanced to companies registering a turnover of up to half a million for the last quarter of 2015 was €159m, while a further €72m was advanced to companies with turnover between half a million and €1m. Companies with a turnover of between €1m and €5m received €299m. Larger companies also see the benefits of using invoice finance to maximise their working capital, with €148m advanced to companies with a turnover of between €5m and €10m while €262m was advanced to those with a turnover of between €10m and €50m. In terms of bigger businesses, companies with a turnover of €50m-plus were advanced €333m in invoice finance.
In addition to an immediate cash injection, invoice finance also offers businesses an ongoing source of funding linked directly to their current sales. As the business grows and their sales increase, so too does the amount of working capital that their financier can make available to them. As the economic recovery hits its stride, having funding that automatically expands with your business is a significant advantage.
For a business looking to capitalise on a growth opportunity or avail of discounts by paying early, being able to rapidly raise and deploy funds can give you a vital edge over your competitor.
The ABFA statistics also note that a variety of sectors in Ireland utilise invoice finance, including manufacturing, distribution, services, transport, retail and construction, indicating the diversity in the types of businesses being supported by invoice finance.
Invoice finance has evolved considerably over the last 30 years and now has a deserved reputation of delivering for businesses not only during challenging times, but also through periods of growth.
Despite this growth in invoice finance, there is still an amount of unused availability which can be accessed. Of the €2.3bn in funding available from ABFA members, €1.3bn is currently in use, meaning there is a significant amount of funding still available.
As the economic recovery continues to take hold, increasing numbers of businesses are realising that invoice finance is an ideal option for getting investment plans off the ground quickly, as providers offer expertise across a wide range of sectors, ensuring the process can be smoother and quicker than seeking traditional funding products.
The time to seek finance will depend on your individual circumstances, but the time to learn more about your financing options is now. Businesses looking to learn more about asset-based finance can contact one of the ABFA's Irish members for assistance or checkout www.abfa.ie for an in-depth guide on how invoice finance works.
Deirdre Moore is chairperson of ABFA Ireland and head of AIB Commercial Finance Ltd
Indo Business


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- 03 May
Someday is here: This is 40
In my early 20s, I loved this clip from the classic film "When Harry Met Sally." It was exactly how I felt about turning 40. Sure, it would happen … someday. A very far, far away "someday."
Well, my friends, "someday" did indeed arrive. I am actually 40. I'll admit, starting in January, I was thinking, "This is the year I turn 40″ and maybe I was starting to freak out a little bit. Big birthdays have a tendency to make us reflective, don't they? We ponder what we've done and where we're headed. We feel a sense of urgency, asking ourselves, "How much more can I squeeze out of my life?"
I've done a lot with my first 40 years. I have two college degrees (never mind I'm still paying for those darn things). I have pursued my dream of working as a journalist and have had the privilege to work with incredibly talented reporters and editors. Now, I run my own business combining my love of writing and working with nonprofits and business on their PR and marketing.
For more than 15 years, I've been married to the most amazing husband and we have a fabulous daughter and three sweet dogs. My life is filled with incredible friends and a supportive family. I live out my days following Jesus and doing the best job I can as a wife, mother and business owner. Thanks finding CrossFit almost six years ago, I'm in the best physical shape of my life. I have all the comforts of a nice home in a beautiful city.
I'm one lucky 40 year old! And those are just a handful of the highlights.
And yet I know there's more on my bucket list – places to visit and experiences awaiting me. I have more to contribute to this world and, I hope, several more decades to make it all happen.
So, here's to "someday" and turning 40 – a time to take stock of my amazing life and to know that the best is yet to come!
Comments (1)
Love this! You wear "40" well Holly!! I'm blessed with your friendship (thru Crossfit) and wish you everything in your bucket list to come true!! Love you girlfriend….


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Bullets Over Broadway (1994) Written and directed by Woody Allen.
John Cusack as David Shayne and Dianne Wiest as Helen Sinclair
Helen: Well, what are we going to do about that canine loving ingénue? Did you cast her because you thought she was attractive?
David: Well, she's pretty, but more importantly she has a certain… perkiness that the character requires.
Helen: Mmm, she's perky alright. She makes you want to sneak up behind her with a pillow and suffocate her.
David: This is a beautiful apartment, Helen…
Helen: Josette? My beaker of martinis?
David: …Your taste is exquisite.
Helen: My taste is superb. My eyes are exquisite.
David: What justifiable compliments.
Helen: I think at some point you're going to have to fire Olive.
David: I'm afraid that's not possible.
Helen: Ugh. How can you take her butchering your poetry? I know I couldn't stand it. Besides, no one in his right mind's going to believe she's a doctor – not even a veterinarian.
David: I understand, but it's a compromise that I have to live with and, uh, if I want the play to open I have to find a way to live with it. I plan on reducing the scope of her role if her bodyguard will let me and its…
Helen: Oh! Can you believe that character? Imagine traveling with your own private Neanderthal.
Filed under: Movie Quote of the Day


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MGM suggests wider market in Japan
MGM Resorts responded to seeming intentions to limit casino entry to tourists in Japan.
Japan.- The legal casino market in Japan may be limited to foreign players, as several legislators have suggested in the last few weeks. In response, MGM Resorts International stated that the company would consider withdrawing their investment proposal if the Congress approved that conditioning law.
Yoshinobu Nisaka, Governor of Wakayama city, revealed during last week's Japan Gaming Congress that his administration would support a casino project in the region but residents would be banned from the venue following Vietnam's regulations. According to Asian Gaming Brief, Senior Vice President of Global Gaming Development for MGM Resorts International Ed Bowers highlighted the importance of residents' participation in the development of the industry.
"If you want an IR model in your country, you need it close to large population areas and allow for local entry," stated yesterday MGM Resorts' representative at a panel at the G2E Asia Conference. The Asian gaming industry is gathered at the international event in the Venetian Macau until tomorrow. Major industry's developers are discussing relevant local issues such as the upcoming Japanese market.
Bowers said that if Japanese casinos would be limited to tourists, the investment would not be profitable as it is "not possible to invest less than $1 billion in an IR." If residents would be banned from casinos, the company would not achieve the expected revenues from its high dollar investment.


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"The children of Donna Browne of Joplin wanted to recognize their mother's lifelong passion for travel and exploration of other societies," Stebbins said. "We are delighted that they decided to honor their mother in this way."
The award will help make study abroad more affordable for MSSU students and underscores the longstanding international mission of the university. Students interested in applying for the competitive award will submit essays about how they think the experience will enrich their undergraduate education and global outlook.
"In a time of budget cuts," Stebbins said, "an endowed award helps bring attention and support to International Studies, one of our prize programs at MSSU. We hope the Browne family's generosity will inspire others to create similar endowments so that more students can afford to experience a semester in another part of the world."
The three children of Donna and Leland Browne, Kate Browne, Becky Browne and Beau Browne, recently presented the award to their mother in celebration of her birthday.
"Mom is the world's best traveler," Becky Browne said. "She reads and reads and makes careful plans so she can enjoy every minute. She and Dad have been to more than 40 countries and they are headed to India this spring!"
"The award is a good match for our mother's values and commitments because the experience of study abroad opens hearts and minds to the vitality and value of life in other places," said Kate Browne, a professor of anthropology at Colorado State University. "Studying abroad can nurture a lifelong curiosity about other societies, make clear the value of cultural diversity, and enrich the understanding of our place in a very big world."
Anyone wishing to establish a similar endowment should contact Stebbins by sending an e-mail here.
|Last Post Date


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I am Rogelio (rho-HEL-ee-oh), an Assistant Professor of the School of Computing and the Entertainment Arts and Engineering Program at the University of Utah, where I direct the Laboratory for Quantitative Experience Design. [CV]
My research focuses on the design of interactive narratives, systems where users direct an unfolding story by taking on dramatic roles. Broadly speaking, I argue that the process of design requires computationally modeling our human narrative intelligence: our unique capacity to interpret stories and use them to understand the world around us. My work involves synthesizing, designing, developing, and experimentally evaluating intelligent artifacts that codify aspects of how we imagine ourselves acting within narrative environments.
Overall, the vision I am pursuing is the establishment of a science of interactive narrative design, in which we have identified invariant properties that exist between an inner environment (a person's cognitive states), an interface (narratological and ludological discourse), and an outer environment (virtual worlds), for all such constituent parts that we can imagine.
My research has been supported by the GEM Ph.D. Fellowship, and the Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship.
Rogelio on campus
School of Computing
Merrill Engineering Building, #3450
50 Central Campus Drive
Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
Entertainment Arts and Engineering
Bldg. 72, #214
Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA


text: Section: Parts Title: FS: (6) AWE Fueling Kit Injecto Price: 250.00 Location: NY Date: December 05, 2005 Contact: Marc Email: javasuperhero at optonline.net Phone: 8456298901 Description: PICTURES. I'm selling a set of six stage 3 injectors for the B5 S4. These injectors are from an AWE RSK04 kit and flow 470cc at 3 bar. I believe that comes out to 42#. These injectors are also known as Bosch greentops or "Lightning" injectors, popular amongst the homebrew crowd. They are Bosch part #0280150558. These are not knock offs; they are genuine Bosch injectors! Perfect for the homebrewer or those running stage 3- S4s with K04s. They are lightly used and came from a car putting down 450+ HP. Nothing wrong with them. Asking $250 shipped OBO for the set of 6. Thanks, Marc javasuperhero at optonline.net 845-629-8901 URL: http://www.audifans.com/marketplace/show.php?table=pm_audifans_Parts&id=1384 -- [ This is an automated message ] [ You are receiving this message ] [ because you signed up for the ] [ Marketplace email notification. ]


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Techstart.online, Jamaica's tech startup online directory, which launched last year at our Kingston BETA event last October is resporting some some things now that they are 90days in. The directory was hatched in response to low investment support for local tech driven startups and lack of information on investible Jamaican
Tag: Jamaican tech startups
Call for the BEST of the BEST: Why Jamaican Developers and Designers Must attend Startup Weekend Jamaica
What makes Startup Weekends a great experience for all participants is having the right people attend. And by the right people we mean a mixture of Aspiring/Current Entrepreneurs, Graphics/UX/UI Designers, Developers and people with a Non-Technical background like business, Marketing & PR. Why? Because one of the crucial steps anyone
10 Entrepreneurs to pitch their Tech Ideas at the Next Kingston BETA on June 27th
JAMAICA - 10 Entrepreneurs to pitch their Tech Ideas at the Next Kingston BETA on June 27th. We have 8 Jamaican entrepreneurs based in Kingston, a Jamaican based in the USA via a Caymanian Entrepreneur who's flying in. So far from the submissions the ideas range from Mobile Apps for


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Contact Us
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
146 Bolton Road
Swinton, Manchester
Tel: 0161 736 5866
For a FREE Safe and Well visit please call:
Borough: All
Incident Date: 30 December 2016
Here's a round-up of incidents from 9:00 to 17:00 on December 30, 2016:
Bicycle fire in Rochdale
At 14:51 two fire engines from Rochdale fire station attended a domestic building bin chute fire in Low Hill Rochdale. This was a fire involving a bicycle in a bin room on the ground floor. Crews used four breathing apparatus, two hose reels and a thermal imaging camera to fight the fire and were at the scene for about thirty minutes.


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So, 'tis done. What now follows is an honest and candid account of what happened to me this afternoon, in the hope that sharing is both therapeutic for me and helpful for others. I have before me for sustenance a lovely, juicy, large glass of red wine.
I shall also try to be as witty and caustic as I can, but bearing in mind I spent much of the afternoon with what I can only describe as a Renault Espace parked up my bits, I may falter!
First, the main news: it looks like I have a polycystic ovary. Just the one - my left one looks fine, but my right one appears to resemble a barnacle-covered rock. My uterus is present and correct but filled with a whole raft of endometrial crap owing to my not having had a period since November. But the possible revelation about PCOS is enlightening to say the least - and also treatable, or at least surmountable, with ovulation stimulating drugs.
We had to wait nearly 45 minutes before being called in for the consultation proper, although I was weighed (took my boots off - every little helps) and measured and blood-pressured during the wait.
We were asked if we minded a medical student sitting in, and I said why not - after all, what's one more pair of eyes in an embarrassing situation like that?! When we went in, the consultant took a detailed medical history first from me - age at first period, menstrual cycle habits, dates I was on the Pill, any medication or allergies etc - and then from hubby. We were then asked a series of questions about our sex life - which I answered while he stared at an invisible spot on the wall.
The consultant then announced that since I was due a smear anyway, they'd do that to rule out any cervical conditions. She also explained the clinic's blanket policy of testing for a series of STIs through taking swabs at the first visit. I was tested for chlamydia after a previous relationship with a slightly seedy cad, and told her as much, but she was adamant: I was having the swabs. After that, there'd be a vaginal scan to determine the health (or otherwise, as it turned out) of my ovaries.
Right. So. The gory details. I was shown into a small consulting room - the doctor said hubby had to stay behind (to his profound and obvious relief, I might add) - which contained a small bed (avec stirrups - oh joy), a sink, a TV screen which was about to broadcast the contents of my vagina to anyone who cared to watch, and a series of instruments reminiscent of the scene in the horror movie where the psycho opens his satchel to reveal his murder kit. No, not really. The instruments came later!
The smear proceeded fairly ueventfully. The highlight was the moment where she'd opened and fastened the speculum but then tutted and said she'd have to "slip it in a bit further. It's because you're so tall - you have a long vagina," she mused. Does a girl take that as a compliment?!
So, smear and swabs successfully completed, the Renault Espace was brought out of the garage so we could commence the scan. She put a condom on it - really - and then squidged a big glob of good old KY onto the end. And then in it went - and because this is an honest account, I'll say that it entering wasn't entirely unpleasant - but I have to admit that I did experience the promised "pressure and discomfort" when she started moving it around in order to broadcast my organs.
The scan was much more thorough and in-depth, in the literal sense, than the rather basic "yep, you have sexual organs and are indeed female" slimine swipe I had at the hospital back in March. The consultant was also massively more helpful - she tilted the TV so I could see it, and explained what the various blobs were - perhaps in an effort to take my mind off the Espace doing a three-point turn, but nevertheless it was interesting. It wasn't actively painful - but it was uncomfortable, and there was pronounced discomfort when she pulled it this way and that trying to get a better picture.
The upshot of it all is I likely have a polycystic ovary. I need to have a series of blood tests taken over the next eight weeks, as well as a procedure called a hysterosalpingogram. This is to happen within 10 days of my next period, at the hospital. Basically they drive the old Espace again but this time with a slim catheter-type thing on the end which is inserted through the neck of my cervix so they can inject a load of dye into my womb and tubes, thus determining if there are any blockages. More on that later, depending when I get a period...
All in all, then, a slightly traumatic experience but one that was easily copable-with and which may also have given us a much-needed diagnosis. If it is PCOS, they can give me ovarian stimulating drugs and hopefully we'll be on the road to parenthood (albeit possibly of twins!)
Here's hoping...
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
First consultation at the clinic
So, 'tis done. What now follows is an honest and candid account of what happened to me this afternoon, in the hope that sharing is both therapeutic for me and helpful for others. I have before me for sustenance a lovely, juicy, large glass of red wine.
Posted by Barrenblog at 19:35
Labels: fertility consultation, HSG, hysterosalpingogram, ovarian scan, PCOS, polycystic ovary syndrome
4 comments:
- mutterings and meanderings said...
You're a brave woman - and you must be ecstatic that they think it's something that can be treated in a straightforward manner. I believe the lovely Victoria Beckham has the same condition...
- 15 January 2008 at 21:35
- Northcountrylass said...
Yes, you are brave. It takes guts to pull your knickers down in front of medical staff for the usual female clinical procedures, so good luck. Hope it's treatable.
- 15 January 2008 at 22:23
- queenpheebs said...
lmao @ because this is an honest account, I'll say that it entering wasn't entirely unpleasant. ur hilarious
- 5 June 2010 at 21:42
I just stumbled on to your blog yesterday after doing the one thing I was told not to do- googling! after my very own Renault Espace encounter and my very own bilateral PCOS diagnosis.
Your blog is AMAZING.
Scarpering to read more now.
- 21 October 2010 at 16:23


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The Heart of Tai Ji and Meditation
Five Treasures Retreats
at Waimana at Mana and Tara Sanctuary, Coromandel
Weekend or 5-day retreats/ dates TBA
Calm the mind, strengthen the body, nourish the heart and revitalise your spirit
Tai Ji is a way of cultivating our true nature – the harmony of body, mind, heart and spirit. An ancient Chinese martial art and moving meditation, the correct practice of Tai Ji over time leads to deep mental and physical relaxation, profound coordination of mind and body, and the liberation of the flow of energy (Qi). In our high stress world, Tai Ji is one of the most direct approaches to bring peace, alertness and creativity to the mind, and health and longevity to the body.
This retreat will be of value to both beginners and experienced alike. Beginners will learn the principles of Tai Ji, a set of relaxing exercises, a short section of the Tai Ji Form and simple pushing hands (practiced with a partner). Further instruction will be available for experienced students. There will be sitting and walking meditation, and exploration of the relationship of Tai Ji to structural alignment and body usage. Some time will also be given to the healing power of touch.
The 5 Treasures Retreat is an opportunity not only to practice traditional Tai Ji as a profound way to work with your embodied spirit, but also to explore the art of living through the practice of poetry, art, music and healing. The term master of the five excellences was used to describe Master Cheng Man Ching who was one of the most revered Tai Ji masters but also a master of art, calligraphy, medicine, poetry and music. His achievement shows what is possible for the human spirit.
Come join us for a stimulating, healing weekend or 6 days in the beautiful Coromandel. There will be opportunities to enjoy the mountain and bush walks, the hot pool, to take time to read or explore your creativity. The workshop begins with a meal at 6 pm on the Friday night and finishes on Thursday November 11 at 4pm.
Sol Petersen has been studying and teaching Tai Ji, Qi Gong and meditation for over 30 years. He teaches Yang style in the tradition of Master Huang Sheng Shyan. He is a movement coach, Structural Integration and Watsu practitioner with training in psychotherapy. Sol is a poet, musician and artist who brings a warm and humorous quality to his teaching along with a deep and confident knowledge of the Tao of Tai Ji. Sol is co-founder of Mana where he lives and teaches.
Daytime only/ full and partial participation from Coromandel locals is most welcome.
A payment plan available for those in need and there are a limited number of work exchange positions.
For information or to register contact Sol on 021893055, 078668971, firstname.lastname@example.com
or www.theradiantbody.com


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text: Bass fishermen in a boat discovered a badly decomposed but clothed body floating in the Delaware River near Fort Mifflin, south of the Navy Yard, around 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, police said. The police department marine unit boat 3 recovered the skeletal remains that appeared to be that of a male, based on the clothing, a few feet from shore, a police officer said. The body was transported to the Medical Examiner's Office. Homicide has been informed. - Bob Fernandez


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by H. Lewis Smith
It is of vital importance to be careful of what goes into the subconscious mind. Words and thoughts that are repeated often get stronger by the repetitions, sink into the subconscious mind and affect the behavior, actions and reactions of the person involved. -Remez Sasson-
Since Black/African-Americans are a part of the human race they aren't exempted from this process –UVCC-
What do… Continue reading


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1968 Topps #174: Lonnie Wright
Team: Cincinnati Bengals
Position: defensive back
College: Colorado State
Hometown: Newark, NJ
Rookie card
Wright played two seasons for the Broncos; he also played five seasons in the American Basketball Association. You can see his 1971 Topps basketball card on the Gallery's Cards in Multiple Sports page.
Buy this card at nearmintcards.com!
Grades available: nm-mt oc.


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When Google first started getting big, and the founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin realized that they were off to becoming very wealthy individuals, they decided it was time for a company motto. The motto they decided upon, as submitted by one of two Google employees, was "Don't be Evil." Basically the motto is pointed towards other tech companies for simply using, nay exploiting their users as tools towards profits and information. While the motto is not an official one, the founders did in fact mention the "don't be evil" philosophy of their mega-corporation in a 2004 letter before the company's stock went public and solidifying them as billionaires
Hmm . . . I'll leave it up to everyone else as to how you think Google is doing in maintaining that "don't be evil" philosophy, more than a decade on of its officially unofficial proclamation. Now before you rush to judgement though, perhaps you should see the demo (spoof) video below, of Google forthcoming Google Glasses:
Google Glass Workplace Demo from Serious Lunch on Vimeo.
My two cents? Well, I can't quite bring myself to think that those spectacles are 100% good – perhaps Metallica can some it up best with their 1983 song, "Am I Evil?" Yes you are Google, and apparently in the not too distant future (2014), not just Big Brother will be watching, but so will little sister, Mom, Dad, your neighbors, and that creepy dude at the supermarket, as well as countless other perfect strangers will be too. Yeah, that sounds heavenly, doesn't it?


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WooHoo, lucky number 13!
Topics for this episode include:
- T's travelogue of Liverpool for a Beatles tour. Just how small were the houses they grew up in and how did Ringo fit a drum kit into his room?
- Would you want to live in a famous house? No.
- Howard presents the "Chocolate Minute" on the history of Reese's peanut butter cup.
- Why Water Witching is still popular. Sharon gives a thumbnail outline of hydrogeology. There is almost certainly not an underground stream under your house.
- There is a gigantic natural gas fireplace in the Turkmenistan desert. But no bathrooms.
- Chuck Berry died. T was the only one of us who saw him live but it was not a pretty site.
- Then Chuck Barris died, confusing some people. If you have never watched the Gong Show it was like the worst of America's Got Talent. But there were genuinely entertaining and talented acts occasionally on the show. Here is Chuck Barris hosting Oingo Boingo in a spectacular appearance before Danny Elfman became a movie soundtrack star.
- York County man who subscribed to bizarre conspiracy beliefs kills his wife.
- The upcoming solar eclipse is being whipped up by some evangelicals as an "act of God" that signals coming End Times.
- Sharon tussles with a psychic who is extremely concerned with her online reputation and who may not understand how the Internet works. Pro tip: It behooves you to be pleasant when requesting an action be taken instead of opening with a ridiculous legal threat. This isn't the first time a psychic pulled a stupid stunt like this. It's how some people try to intimidate bloggers to remove negative information about them.
- We try not to tread on copyright claims but others are very blase about it, like when podcasts get broadcast on public radio or entire articles are scraped and posted on ad-based sites.
- Finally, Sharon gets a used book containing annoying marginalia.
And, heads up, there's a throwdown extra if you stick it out to the bitter end.
Listen here but PLEASE subscribe using Itunes, Google Play or your podcast app. Thanks!


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We love a glamorous heel, but they've never been all that useful—until now. This beautifully crafted holder keeps your pen balanced perfectly, making a stylish addition to any desktop.
Made in the United States. White finished bronze.
AHAlife is committed to help you live a conscious and inspired life.
Many of the items you discover here are exclusive to AHAlife, which is what makes our community of designers and artisans so special.
If you find one of our products anywhere else for less than it's being sold on our site, we will match it.
Our dedicated Concierge Team is here to help. Reach out any time at:


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In addition to direct sales, ITI strategically aligns with world class PLM and CAD technology companies to provide interoperability solutions in support of CAD migration and conversion requirements around the world. If you are not sure who to work with, start by contacting ITI. We can refer you to the correct partner for your region.
Select your region below to learn more about our partners:
North America
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North America
Boundary Systems provides best-in-class CAD, CAM, and CAE software. At Boundary Systems we leverage the experience and expertise of our technical staff to understand your business. By understanding your business and goals we can make recommendations that best fit your company as well as guarantee the success of your solution.
Grupo SSC is the Leading Supplier of CAD/CAM/CAE and PLM Products and Services in Mexico.
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Kx Simulation Technologies, Inc. provides an extensive range of engineering analysis solutions from the acquisition of models via scan to high-end non-linear analysis. Kx Simulation Technologies, Inc. is a certified sales support distributor for the CADfix for geometry repair and translation. Kx uses ANSYS FEA software, teaches certified ANSYS and CADfix courses, is a Certified Design Space reseller, and ANSYS Workbench Channel Partner.
Phoenix Analysis and Design Technologies, Inc. (PADT) is a provider of world class Mechanical Engineering Services. PADT offers Design & Solid Modeling, Analysis and Simulation including Linear/Non-linear Structural, Thermal, Electromagnetic and Computational Fluid Dynamics, Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing including Stereolithograpy (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Epoxy Modeling, Testing, System R&D and Productivity Solutions.
ROI Engineering (ROIE) represents several world class numerical analysis software packages in Canada. ROIE sells and supports CADfix, finite element analysis software from ANSYS, the LMS Virtual Lab series (Motion, Acoustics and Durability), ICEM-CFD and AI*Environment for complex meshing and. analysis pre-processing and ANSYS-CFX, a high end Computational Fluid Dynamics package. ROIE provides training, mentoring and consulting services in addition to software sales.
Asia Pacific
CONSYS Consulting System
Room 504, Liqin Plaza, No 1885 Duhui Road, Minhang District, Shanghai P.R.C 201108
上海市闵行区都会路1885号丽琴大厦504室 201108
Tel: +86-21-52277917
Fax: +86-21-52277919
Email: email@example.com
Web: http://www.consysgroup.com.cn/
IDAJ Co., LTD
Yokohama Landmark Tower 37F
2-2-1-1 Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku
Yokohama, Kanagawa
Tel +81-45-683-1980
Fax +81-45-683-1999
IDAJ-CHINA Co., LTD
Rm 2001 East Tower, ZhongRongHengRui Plaza, No.620, Zhang Yang Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, P.R.C, 200122
上海市张杨路620号中融恒瑞国际大厦东楼2001室 200122
Tel: +86-21-5058-8290/ 5058-8291
Fax: +86-21-5058-8292
北京市朝阳区光华路甲14号诺安基金大厦1601室 100020
Tel: +86-10-6588-1497
Fax: +86-10-6588-1499
Email: email@example.com
Web: http://www.idaj.cn/
Garden View E, #404
Parvati Nagar
Sinhagad Road, Pune
Tel +91-20-24250234
Fax +91-20-24250234
Intermesh Japan is a reseller and consulting company focused on providing cutting edge technology and processes to their customers for CAE Pre and Post Processing.
Imon Sannomiya Bldg.
10F, 8-3-10, Isogamidori,
Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi,
Hyogo 651-0086, JAPAN
Tel +81-78-230-6966
Fax +81-78-230-6967
MVT Incorporation
Room 411, Zone A, No.900 Yishan Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, P.R.C 200233
Tel: +86-21-51090998
Fax +86-21-51090998-810
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Web: http://www.mvt-inc.com/
CAD Interop a acquis une expérience de 20 ans dans le domaine des échanges de données CAO, en participant à d'importants projets de clients européens confrontés à des problématiques d'interopérabilité CAO :
- Conversion, réparation et simplification de données CAO
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- Migration systèmes CAO/PLM
Les équipes de CAD Interop et d'ITI TranscenData travaillent en partenariat depuis 15 ans pour vous fournir les solutions d'interopérabilité adaptées à vos besoins. CAD Interop est distributeur des solutions CADfix, CADIQ, DEXcenter et Proficiency pour l'Europe (France, Belgique, Italie, Espagne et Portugal).
CAD Interop has gained 20 years experience in the CAD data exchange domain, participating in many important projects for European customers faced with engineering data interoperability issues including:
- CAD translation, repair and simplification
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The CAD Interop and ITI teams have worked together for over 15 years to provide comprehensive interoperability solutions. CAD Interop is a southern Europe reseller for CADfix, CADIQ, DEXcenter and Proficiency (France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Portugal).
CAD Interop
Paris, France
No matter what your analysis needs are, our products ANSYS, CFX, LS-DYNA, Design Space, ESAComp, CADfix, LMS FALANCS, LMS Virtual Lab Motion and LMS SYSNOISE cover the entire spectrum of finite element application.
We have many references from industry as well as research and development institutes such as: ABB, Sulzer, Rieter, Alusuisse, DuPont, Bobst, Liebherr Machines, Pilatus, Mowag, Dätwyler, ETA, Endress + Hauser Flowtec, ETH Zurich, EPF Lausanne for Switzerland and Siemens, Liebherr, Head, Kässbohrer, Voith, Pöttinger for Austria and many more.
Wittenwilerstrasse 25
CH-8355 Aadorf
Tel +41 (0) 52 368 01 01
Digitread is a new company with a 20-year history. In 1993 we established what is now Digitread (formerly Summit Systems) inspired by the thinking of Michael Hammer's Business Process Reengineering. Since then we have worked with Norwegian industry promoting and implementing 3D- and PLM technology supporting our aim to create a foundation for radical improvement in their process- and competitiveness. Working with those companies and Siemens PLM Software as supplier of technology we have become more and more aware of the importance of understanding the implication of the Digital Thread and how companies can prosper by understanding the value of it and implementing solutions accordingly. Our company name is inspired by the Digital Thread but even more, on how we can help companies Tread through all the challenges facing them and turn them into opportunities.
A-9531 Bleiberg-Kreuth
Endocon engineering is a pioneering specialist for optimizing your PLM with CAx and PDM. As Siemens PLM Software service partner, we offer comprehensive know-how in the integration and application of PDM and CAD / CAM / CAE tools. This experience combined with excellent engineering knowledge form the basis for highly qualified consulting, engineering and training services for CAx and PDM processes.
endocon engineering GmbH
Lindenstraße 5/1
69151 Neckargemünd, Germany
Tel +49 (0) 6223 / 866 533 0
Via della Stazione 27
Contact: Giovanni Borzi
Fraz Mattarello 38123 Trento
Partner news
ITI is pleased to announce our membership with CIMdata!
Read the Press Release: ITI joins CIMdata to broaden reach, create opportunities


text:
Describe how savagery is seen within Ralph in Lord of the flies.Ralph was happy when he successfully hit the pig, and he did not stop it when the other boys were beating Robert.
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Expert Answers
bigdreams1 | Certified Educator
While Ralph was definitely not the most savage on the island, we do see it peek out from his charming and reasoned leadership now and again. I think Golding let us see glimpses of his not so perfect side as a commentary on human nature...that even the best among us have a dark side that comes out when civililzation is removed.
You are right...we do see Ralph's savage side when he hits the pig with his spear and he gets downright excited about it. His macho-hunter side brags to his peers and he demands to be noticed for his ability to be a hunter too.
We see it also when Ralph and Piggy join in with the chanting on the beach and do nothing when the other boys kill Simon.


text:
Quick Details
- Place of Origin: Guangdong, China (Mainland)
- Brand Name: ESUN
- Model Number: CLYB-G2000
- After-sales Service Provided: Engineers available to service machinery overseas
- Product type: asphalt recycler
- Chassis: Dongfeng
- Overall dimensions: 9668*2422*3138mm
- Generator set power: 80KW
- Drum Capacity: 2m3
- Pavement heating mode: Electric heating
- Heating area: 2.5m2
- Emulsion tank: 60L
- Cleaning tank: 30L
- Asphalt tank: 300L
Packaging & Delivery
|Packaging Details
|Standard seaworthy packing or according to customer requirement
|Delivery Time
|7 to 45 days after receiving deposit.
ESUN CLYB-G2000 asphalt recycling machine adopts the new drum-type electric heating, dramatically improving efficiency of asphalt heating and regeneration, with functions of pavement heating, asphalt spraying and compacting, etc. to provide one-stop solution for asphalt maintenance.
1. Domestic initiative, electric heating for the entire drum regeneration and pavement repairing.
2. Rotary regenerative hopper with electrically heating, ensuring rapid regeneration and good quality.
3. Pavement heater uses electric heating ceramic, suitable for heating all types of asphalt pavement to ensure adequate heating depth and uniformity; and the heating effects won't be influenced by temperature, suitable for pavement repair under all kinds of weather condition.
4. Equipped with generators, can heat during travelling, reducing prepare time for constructing.
5. Equipped with asphalt and emulsified asphalt heating and spraying systems, on-site mixing, ready to spray hot asphalt.
6. Equipped with roller in the middle of the machine, safe and convenient access.
7. With multi-functions, can repair asphalt pavement and asphalt regeneration, equipped with a hydraulic output interface.
|Overall Dimensions
|Generator power
|Material heating
|Infrared radiant electric heating, zone heating.
|Drum volume
|Dual-shaft horizontal type, driven by dual-motor. 76rpm
|Pavement heating mode
|Electric heating
|Heating area
|Emulsion tank
|Cleaning tank
|Asphalt tank
|Reject bin
|Road roller
|Wacker RS600A 12KN/RSB800A 15KN
ESUN CLYB-G2000 asphalt recycling machine Operation Procedures
At ESUN every step of the supply chain is important to us, that is why we put such an emphasis on our shipping services that make every effort possible to ensure your products arrive safely and ready to install. We can help our customers do everything from sending a document, to packing and shipping spare parts, to crating heavy machinery going overseas.
Service and customers satisfaction is what we care about. We are reliable and willing to help understanding your needs concerning solutions. Our professional engineers are available to provide you with training and service at any time you need.
Welcome to ESUN, a leading supplier of preventative pavement maintenance in China. Since 1999 ESUN has supplied the pavement preservation industry with quality products including sealant, patching products and related application equipment. For all your pavement preservation needs, ESUN is the source, with facilities strategically located around the China and distributed worldwide.
We ESUN attend different exhibitions and trade shows every year to promote our latest road maintenance technology and develop agent, welcome to contact us for the latest trade fair info, and welcome to our booth.
You are also welcome to visit our plant in Zhongshan or Hangzhou to comunicate with us, also we can demonstrate our machines on site for you.
Tel. Number: 0086-760-88722007
Mobile Phone: 0086-13924989208
Skype: terry4520
Official Site: www.e-sunhi.com, www.esungd.com
Add.: Jingsan road, Xi'erwei, Ma'an Island,
Linhai Industrial Park, Cuiheng district,
Zhongshan, Guangdong, China


text:
Dialogue Culture, Evolution, Fire and Consciousness
A photograph of the experiencie of the latin palomilla, april 2008
by Fernanda Ibarra
Howard Bloom says 'There is nothing, absolutely nothing individual about the universe ' and as he says so he evokes our social essence, the form in which we stretch from the individual to the collective. From the protons which in their desire for an electron formed a circle that produced something never imagined; the atom. We have 14 billion years of surprises, much has happened since the atom, living processes continued their journey, evolution continued to discover how to organize cooperative groups every time more complex. We can all recognize what it means to have the capacity for experience, sensing, environment stimulation, correspondence, attraction and repulsion which are essential qualities which contribute to the organization, to the cooperation in between simple unities (quarks and molecules) up to the most complex (human beings) that conform our universe. Its manifestation in society was our capacity to move from the clan to tribes to villages to nation-states and from there to the possibility of expansion in a global scale, or is it universal?
In the heart of evolution we find communion, movement to more interdependence and cooperation. Human beings, conscious of consciousness search for quality in experience, rhythm, creative action, synergy, flow. We long for it to be in groups, in collectives where we can 'operate' from source, in favor of the discovery of our highest potential.
World Café contributes to this goal. Within the discovery of a new story, in the support of a transition that threats life to one that is life-affirming. World Café helps us to elevate the perception of ourselves and our sense of purpose. Same that builds to the intention for organizing an event for the 'Latin Palomilla' of World Café in April 2008. Its virtue is the exploration of 'how to create a culture of dialogue in Latin America'. A noble and necessary effort in this crucial time in human history where we are searching for global sustainability within this evolutionary spiral that leads towards more cooperation and unity.
Carlos Morán from the Mexican academy of engineering tells us "Interdialogue is the key in between couples, families, industries, society, parties. In between children, parents and the educators. In between all instances of human interaction. Quality in dialogue makes a huge difference. In order to face our current global problems it is a priority to build a society which honors a culture of dialogue". Let's make a first pause, what does it mean, quality in dialogue?
The voices of the Palomilla give us several components like: define spaces of listening (safe containers), the capacity to integrate perspectives, beliefs, forms of being/doing. The skills to hold difficulty in a moment and transcend it. Conscious communication that emerges from ways of listening which are creative instead of reactive. An AHA! moment was to talk about agreements, and how the goal of a dialogue shouldn't necessarily be to reach an agreement but the opportunity for a larger understanding of the perspective and truth of the other as a way of respect to his/her freedom and expression. The questions which emerge in me are, which of the named capacities are collective? which ones begin in the individual?. If we don´t seek agreement then, how can we hold the creative tension in favor of the emergence of something new?
The limitations are sometimes invisible to the non-trained eyes. Invisible architectures like language, mental models, world views and the function of the mind/brain itself. Let me give you an example. In the most recent report of the Institute of Noetic Sciences called 'Changing the Story of our Future', which thoroughly explores our capacities for change, I read about a group of scientists which presented to a sample of republicans and democrats a series of contradictory statements made by both John Kerry and George Bush and asked each group to rate how contradictory those statements were. Scientist were measuring the participants brain activity while this occurred. In the results they didn't see any increased activation of the parts of the brain normally engaged during reasoning. What they saw is a network of emotional circuits lighting up! It seems that the brain can learn very little from new data when beliefs are challenged. The participants were literally censoring their cognitive dissonance. This findings tell us a lot about the need for skills in conscious communication to benefit any collective we as individuals which to contribute to. Carlos Mota names something vital "There are inner walls we need to break. They are not easy to see. They hurt more".
Let's continue with our exploration of the event and listen to the voice of Guadalupe Martinez de León from the University of Monterrey and member of the Latin Palomilla which makes a powerful description "Quality in dialogue allows for the magic of collectivity, which is aligned to human will, to emerge". This experience was widely expressed during our time together.
When we asked Juanita Brown about the unique contribution of Latin America to the Global World Café she answered "What Mexico and Latin America can give is that this Latin cultures really understand what magic is, magic in conversation, with truth, authenticity; like the one we have when we take coffee with our families. This kind of authenticity, intimacy, human warmth can be a large contribution to other cultures which are colder. In Latin America we dialogue with pleasure, joy and sense of human warmth. The Latins can offer this soul, heart, joy and expression so unique of Latin cultures.
There was fullness and exceptional moments within the fire of divergence, where the presence was profound, the voices said "this is real", this is what we have to hold and transcend. We are a microcosm of what we see outside. Carlos Mota speaks about two possibilities in the face of disagreements; either to collapse the process or right in the boundary generate creativity. He reminds us that this is the moment to create those capacities that will help us in facing any possible scenarios. He gives us the question "Do I have what I want to give?"
There are many moments to relate. One day and a half expanded showing us the relativeness of time. When we focus, the possibilities to generate open and time contributes with a slow step. This event was a deep breath in the history of World Café. A door for Latin America.
There is enough evidence to say that a transformation in global scale is on its way. Our future awaits us. Let's hold the lessons of evolution where communion, cooperation and diversity have been leading the creation of new forms impossible to imagine. Let's favor dialogue and conscious communication as a process for our creative explosion in favor of human potential and a glorious future for generations to come.
Fernanda Ibarra
Collective intelligence agent
Catalyst of evolutionary projects


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The style of beard worn by the U.S.'s 16th president is called a "chin curtain." Your child can look just like Abraham Lincoln with this Child Honest Abe Beard. It's perfect for school plays or any costumed event. Bring a bit of history to life!
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Greatest three days of my life
< Back 10/28/2013
It was the greatest three days of my life, seriously. The instructors were top notch and by the time we were doing open lapping on the last day I was driving faster and smoother than I ever imagined I could. There's nothing like the feeling of passing someone down the front stretch at over 100mph – but taking corners right on the edge of grip and nailing an apex perfectly is out of this world. I'm addicted!
3 Day Racing School, Lime Rock Park


text: I attended a holiday get together of UPS employees today for 3 1/2 hours and really enjoyed myself. We had management, administrative and drivers there. The best thing... it was all about people. UPS did not come up except to say it was a good time to sell stock. Any of the other retirees attend any get togethers like this?


text:
US Signs Nuclear Energy Pacts With Italy
On Thursday, Chu and Italian Minister Claudio Scajola unveiled the U.S.-Italy Joint Declaration Concerning Industrial and Commercial Cooperation in the Nuclear Energy Sector, which pledges both countries' dedication to building nuclear power plants.
They also reached an agreement regarding civilian nuclear energy research and development wherein Italy...
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Rutgers Faces Wrongful Firing Suit In Coach Abuse Scandal
Eric Murdock, who was director of player development for the men's basketball team for two years, claimed Rutgers fired him under the "false pretense" that his contract wasn't being renewed after he complained that the team's head coach, Michael T. Rice, had...
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text:
Brand new Dwarf
At the annual Red Dwarf convention (Dimension Jump) today, Robert Llewellyn - aka Kryten - posted an update on his Twitter account stating that following the successful mini-series earlier this year (2009), a 10th series of Red Dwarf has been commissioned. It will be recorded in 2010. No further details are available at present. We'll bring you more when we get it.


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My continuing hunt to complete the set of Star Realms promo cards has taken one more step towards completion. This morning two copies of the Starmarket a Trade Federation base and The Ark a Machine Cult card arrived.
The nice thing about the Star Realms app is that these two cards are in the Gambits expansion, so I'm used to playing with them.
The Ark is an amazingly powerful card and rightfully expensive. It definitely is one of my favourite cards in the game.
I also like the Starmarket probably in my top five bases in the game.
Below a photo of all the promo cards I have for Star Realms so far.
To complete the set I need to get/find two Battle Barges and a Breeding Site. But I'm a patient man, I know these will turn up and when they do I'll be there. I know there are some alt art cards that have been done for promos at various cons. However I try and avoid them because that way lies madness and stupid high prices.
8th Casual Sunday Star Realms Tournament
Oh for those interested I once more lost in the first round of the 8th Casual Sunday Star Realms tournament. I lost 2-1, all three game were close. I actually won the first game to my surprise! I had made the tactical decision to buy bases and follow a bases strategy, which is unusual for me as I normally buy maybe two or three bases at most. Towards the middle of the game I accidently scraped a Trade Federation Trading Post (I think it was), which is easy to do. As soon as I did it, it was "oh crap I didn't mean to do that". I needed to keep that base as part of my big plan. "I've bloody lost this" kept running through my head afterwards. But I hung in, stuck to the plan, kept buying and fielding the bases, and slowly chipped away at my opponents authority to get the win.
Games two and three were much more aggressive hardly any bases! In the second I hadn't scraped enough so that when I got my opponent down to under ten authority I wasn't able to finish them off, because as so often happens in this game you then draw scouts or non offensive ships. Which then gives your opponent the window they need to get back in the game and steal the win.
I'm not a store champion
We all know I'm a noob at the game, struggling to find games locally. Heck none of my local stores even run Netrunner events (but I have a plan for solving that).
However FFG do produce some rather cool looking play mats as prizes for stores to use. The fact is I'm nowhere near good enough to enter let alone win a tournament (this will come). So how does a noob or pleb like me get their hands on such good looking mats?
Well you can sometimes find a complete store kit on Amazon for around £70 plus. While eBay you are more likely to find individual bits like the play mat on sale for silly money. The play mats alone on eBay can be £40 or more. Then sometimes on the Netrunner Facebook pages stuff will pop up for sale.
It was this last place that I got the above play mat from and deck boxes. Usually the Facebook side isn't too far from the eBay price. However recently there has been a spat of sales on one of the groups from people located in Poland. Not only that they have been selling at a really cheap price compared to the other places I've mentioned above. Naturally they tend to sell very quickly. That playmat cost $15! Yep amazingly low. The three deck boxes were $5 each. Plus the postage was rediculously low as well.
So now I have two great play mats for Netrunner. Back now to trying to play more games.


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You are as old as your arteries – it's an old saying many doctors have heard.
But just how old are your arteries?
One sure way to find out is with HeartSHAPE®, a simple test from the
Wellmont CVA Heart Institute.
Once we know, we'll know a lot about your risk for a heart attack too.
The HeartSHAPE coronary calcium score test is designed to detect coronary artery disease (CAD) early and prevent heart attacks.
HeartSHAPE works by producing pictures of the coronary arteries from outside your body using a CT scanner.
From those images, your coronary calcium score is determined.
Calcium buildup in plaque on the walls of the arteries of the heart – also called atherosclerosis, or hardening and narrowing of the arteries – indicates the development of coronary artery disease.
And of those with CAD younger than 65, 80% of deaths occur during or as a result of their first (and last) heart attack. Unfortunately, that first heart attack doesn't always provide warning signs or symptoms.
Even if you're otherwise healthy, active and in shape, you could be at risk.
That's why identifying coronary calcium is valuable. It accurately shows CAD development and allows doctors to tailor a heart treatment plan to slow or stop the progression of this deadly disease.
HeartSHAPE is fast and easy. The actual test only takes about five minutes, and most people are in and out within about 30 minutes.
For the test, you lie down on the CT scanner in your street clothes. The scanner is open, so you don't have to worry about feeling claustrophobic.
You just hold your breath a few seconds, then the test is done.
There's no IV – HeartSHAPE is completely non-invasive and painless.
After we evaluate the scan, you'll receive follow up about your results, as well as treatment recommendations if your score is high.
If you haven't already been diagnosed with heart disease, you should consider having a HeartSHAPE test if you are a:
Note: If you're outside these age ranges or don't have at least one risk factor, HeartSHAPE might not be for you. In that case, you should first talk to your doctor, who can give you a HeartSHAPE referral if they think you should be tested.
If you meet the guidelines above, don't wait any longer to schedule your HeartSHAPE coronary calcium score test.
Get a picture of your heart health – and fight heart disease early. Or if your test results are good, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your heart is healthy.
HeartSHAPE is offered at several locations throughout the Tri-Cities region of Upper East TN and Southwest VA.
To schedule a HeartSHAPE test today for yourself or someone close to you, please contact Wellmont Nurse Connection at 1-877-230-NURSE (6877).
HeartSHAPE is a registered trademark of Wellmont Health System.
With HeartSHAPE, you'll know – and you'll know what to do about it. Reach out anytime, 24/7, to learn more and find out if you or someone you love qualifies.
Or call a nurse: 877‑230‑6877.
Mission: Lifeline – the only recognition we value more is yours. Mission: Lifeline helps ensure prompt, evidence-based care for life-threatening STEMI heart attacks.
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text: Filmed by Aylmer | Edited by Me | Music: "DAY 2: Jackson's Song" – Pink Slip So happy to share a fun collab (and one of my very first collabs on YouTube!) with bb girl, Eda from Luxe & Linen. If you haven't seen her blog yet, I definitely recommend to check it out, her style's seriously amazing….