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My estrogen count is way way up. My new doctor confirmed my PCOS diagnosis yesterday after an ultrasound. She said that my estrogen is elevated because I haven't ovulated in months. So, I have started taking progesterone to induce a period, then I'll take clomid to induce ovulation. Hopefully, this will start the old ball rolling. Can extra estrogen make you beastly? I am wondering.
So, the whole point of figuring out this PCOS thing, and getting my body in gear, is because I am, at least now, not ovulating and therefore infertile. Hubby and I have been thinking about having another child.
Let's make a list of priorities:
- Keep a close eye on the health of my dad and grandma, and be the health bouncer in my family.
- Spend time with my family.
- Get healthy.
- Get my billable hours on track at work.
- Get City and related stuff in order.
- Enjoy being an adult.
- Take on a hobby.
- Think about having another baby.
- Think about running for office again (I really want to take a term off).
Why do I feel selfish and kind of sad? Am I depressed? I just don't feel like myself! I am going to go back through my old blog posts, and remind myself that I am usually a happy person who feels well!!!
Ow. The headache has moved on to the top of my head, my temples, and behind my ears, despite the acetominophen I just took. Maybe I should wait until I feel better before I make any Life Choices.


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My favourite thing about summer, is the lovely summer evenings, when its a lot cooler then in the day, where you still get a nice warmth that doesn't leave you feeling all sweaty and uncomfortable.
If its been a particularly nice day, I like to prolong the day by either eating out with friends,at a restaurant that has a nice outside dining area, or taking leisurely walks along the sea front /riverside or park.
I always like to refresh my look for evening, restyling my hair, selecting a a new outfit and creating a summery make up look, that I know wont melt off my face:/
If you read my post "whats in my summer make up bag", you already know that I love using orange colours for my summer make up looks.
Well my latest orange lipstick added to my collection is the neon orange from MAC.
which might be a tad too bright for some peoples liking, but I love it!.
As its such a statement colour, I decided just to wear all white and tie my hair back, making it all about the lipstick.
As the colour is so vibrant, Bronzer and shimmer was a must to complete the look!
If you would like to create the look yourself, below are the products I used.
1. Mac Studio fix fluid foundation
2. Sleek make-up Faceform blush & contouring palette in light
3. Gosh giant sun powder metallic glow
4. Miss Sporty studio lash eyeliner
5. Neon orange mac lipstick

subset: commoncrawl


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The problem with those scenes are that they seem to be building up to something greater; something that will conclude in an epic finale. It is what follows after that hour of exposition that is mishandled. The fighting sequences lasted far beyond their welcome. The film could have been over at three different points; and the second point would have made for an epic ending. However, it seems that Snyder was more interested in matching the megawatt legend of Superman with some worthy action sequences. In truth, they are at times amazing. But not only do they drag on, they seem more like the handiwork of a kid who's having fun smashing things around until there is nothing left. It's kind of grating. Snyder lacked self-control in that aspect.
The other problem I encountered with the film is the lack of fleshed-out characters. This would not be a complaint of mine in a superhero film if Diane Lane and Kevin Costner's characters weren't so well fleshed out, making the rest of the cast somewhat/for the most part pale in comparison. Lane and Costner were actually able to give life to their characters. They're e very talented duo. Unfortunately, let's be real, there is just no way that Clark's parents would ever be involved in an epic fighting scene with the bad guys. Instead, we are treated to characters I gave two shits about fighting/fighting to live. For example, Laurence Fishburne has a minor subplot where he has to save one of his employees from the rubble. The scene plays out all dramatically-like until at the very last minute...well, you see where this is going. I wouldn't have given a damn if any of those characters perished. I didn't care for them. They were not part of Clark's main narrative. They didn't receive the proper attention prior to their problems being revealed. I cared much more about the buildings and streets being destroyed, and felt sadder for the city workers who'd have to clean that shit up in the next few months (or years).
Henry Cavill does a commendable job as Superman. He not only looks the part but he embodies everything I've personally come to associate with the character. The vulnerability, the sheer will, the steeliness hiding a sense of not belonging. Superman is a lost soul, a God above men. He bottles everything in, but what lies beneath the surface should feel palpable. Cavill accomplishes just that. I hope his character gets to be more fleshed out in the sequels because there is a lot of promise there. Amy Adams is great as Lois Lane, but there really wasn't that much chemistry between her and Cavill. Not only that but there doesn't seem to be as much to do with Lane's character in this film. She is shoved down our throats. When Superman boards Zod's spaceship, the Kryptonians also ask that Lois boards as well. But I ask why? They did not need her. Her relationship with Clark wasn't evolved yet for them to even know to/consider to use her as a safety net. Amy Adams is in the movie only to serve as a way for Cavill to do Superman stuff and save a damsel in distress.
|I just wanna punch him in the face. Thank you, Superman
|Should have been the main villain


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iPhone Download: Stick To It (Your Goal)
Happy Monday everyone! Hoping to encourage your work week with a fun (free) iPhone background for you! Please download here and if you like it - SHARE with friends, family, and via social media with credit to Molly Jacques. Background is for personal use only.


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Memorial Day marks the traditional start of summer, but for some boaters and their families, it may be a tragic ending. Last year, a 37-year-old man drowned in the Chesapeake Bay when a small boat capsized in the early morning hours. Seven people out fishing on Memorial Day on Whitehall Bay near Annapolis had to be rescued when their motorboat hit a sandbar and capsized. In North Carolina, a woman died and a man was seriously injured when their boat hit a dock on the shore of Lake James, bringing the total of fatalities related to boat accidents in that state up to 16 before the summer had even started.
Summer is peak season for boating accidents and drowning in U.S. waters. More than half of all boating accidents take place during June, July and August. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, three of the five leading causes of recreational boating accidents in 2014 were:
However, alcohol use is by far the greatest contributing factor when it comes to fatal accidents on the water. Boaters should be aware that the legal limit for blood alcohol content is the same (0.08 percent) for operators as for drivers. The leading cause of death in a boating accident is drowning. In 2014, 418 people drowned as the result of recreational boating accidents, and 337 of those who drowned were not wearing a life jacket. Alcohol use and failure to wear a life jacket is a particularly dangerous combination.
At Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban, we want you to enjoy a safe, pleasant summer. Those who take to the water must realize that safety always comes first, and that many of the "rules of the road" apply equally on the water. Boaters should observe posted speed limits, yield the right-of-way when appropriate, always wear a life jacket, and refrain from alcohol when operating a boat.
If you have been injured or have lost a loved one in a boating accident, contact Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban Our attorneys have more than 200 years of combined experience in accident cases. Call us at (888) 351-1038 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
(888) 351-1038
Our trained operators are ready to assist.Start Chat
Available 24/7 — We'll come to you


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Posted on December 19th, 2011, 20:11
Today, the product leadership is generally defined on the basis of how fast a quality product or good can be launched at less expense. Organizations have been compelled to innovate on such products and goods and simultaneously on the technology that helps in minimizing the expense of the product development cycle. Hence, product engineering services has attained a prominence for almost any manufacturer.
Demand for Product Engineering Services
Today, enterprises of all size and types face the challenge to set up high-quality products, and introduce fresh features that keep them ahead of the competition and personalize the products for multiple technologies, customer needs as well as languages. All of this is done by bringing down the risks and expenses. Eminent market players in product engineering services make use of the Scrum and Agile based methods for distributed product engineering. These service providers play an instrumental role in catering to the market demands as well as to the end users.
Today renowned Product R&D services organizations have come up with product engineering in every stage of the software product development lifecycle. That is, right from the conceptualizing of the product to the product extensions. The main focus areas are as follows:-
The product localization would include the following phases:-
The Product personalization & implementation includes the following as listed below:-
Mulling on the similar lines, let us have a look at the product extensions:-
Today, the top service providers expand product support infrastructure and was especially set up for software companies, where as the product assisting group is a mix of technology and domain expertise. These service providers also specialize in solutions for the mobile application development.
Also read on - Logistics and supply chain management, QA Services
Posted on December 15th, 2011, 23:36
Todays competitive market scenario, lead generation is key to generating quality business to business sales-ready leads. All companies employ different lead generation techniques to increase conversion rates and boost profit margins. However, only a few succeed in closing deals. Why is this? Most companies blame lack of funds for not being able to put on a good show. They consider it the greatest impediment to the successful attainment of their target margin. But, in fact, it is the shortcomings in their lead generation strategy and not shortage of funds that contributes to bad sales figures.
Most companies lack focus when it comes to strategically planning their lead generation approach. They are so caught up in the perceived problem of not being able to spend enough money on advertising that they fail to explore alternative means of boosting sales. Actually, an effective lead generation strategy has nothing to do with budget as its success depends more on planning and implementation. Spending money on advertisements and brand building does not guarantee any results if the lead generation techniques employed are not up to the mark. Effective lead generation techniques implemented even on a minimal budget can assure high quality leads.
Though companies are aware of the fact that lead generation is critical to leverage their businesses, they are not sure about the ways to make it most effective. They employ two or three techniques to generate leads, and that is all. They continue with the same marketing automationstrategy without making any effort to evaluate whether it is serving the purpose or not, thus failing to achieve positive results.
Today companies have a myriad of choices to generate and Lead nurturing programsThe catch is that they need to implement the most effective techniques that suit their businesses to get more sales. Imitating the lead generation techniques employed by other companies would not yield any results as the success of any technique depends on the companys objectives, target audience, expected profit margin and so on. What is the most effective lead generation strategy? Here are some pointers on the most effective lead generation strategies that work the best for all businesses.
However, the process does not end here. Companies need to constantly evaluate the techniques and, if necessary, try new ones as well. This can be done with the help of good lead generation software. However, the greatest benefit of implementing such a strategy is that it helps companies with effective lead generation and lead nurturing.
Posted on December 15th, 2011, 23:27
Globalization has opened up new avenues for companies and organizations to explore. However, with economic uncertainty looming large, companies and organizations are under increasing pressure to cut down their costs and the first casualty of such volatile economic and market conditions would often be corporate travel. But in the current business scenario where globalization has resulted in companies having partners, branches, and associates regionally as well as worldwide, corporate travel has grown from being a mere choice to a necessity.
With today technology there can be no shortage of communication devices that favor business communication but it can never be a substitute for face-to-face business meetings. Though switching to informal means of communication such as teleconferencing, emails, videoconferencing saves time, money, and effort; it lacks the effectiveness that business meetings bring forth. Business meetings play a greater role in building, fostering and fortifying relationships when compared to other forms of business communications.
When the global economy is faltering something needs to be done to rein in expenses and therefore companies and organizations cannot be blamed when they resort to drastic measures such as cutting back on business travel. However, when considering the advantages of business meetings, it is important that the companies and organizations take a moment to ponder whether such cutbacks are actually worth it. Instead of restricting business travel budgets and thereby forgoing the immense advantages of business meetings, companies and organizations must manage their travel and expenses smartly. And the most apt way of doing it is to get the help of good travel expense management software.
Benefits of Travel Expense Management Software
The benefits of having travel and expense management software are manifold. Let us look at some of the significant benefits.
· It helps to reduce drastically the costs i.e. not only the travel costs but also the travel administration costs.
· Each company and organization has its own internal rules and policies regarding business travels. The software ensures compliance not only with these rules and corporate policies but also with tax laws and regulations and thus secures hassle free business trips.
· It cuts down the drudgery involved in traditional approach that of manual paper based processes thereby accelerating the travel claim approval process.
· It enhances employee satisfaction, as the processes are more organized and systematic.
· It helps in better cost management through its effective travel spend analysis.
To be brief, travel expense management software provides companies and organizations greater control and end-to-end visibility, which helps in effective management of business travels and its expenses.
Also read on -
Purchase order software, eGovernment
Posted on December 5th, 2011, 22:15
The technological innovation and the digital world have brought in the biggest challenge for the business houses- the informed consumer! In this world of the Internet when business is conducted across geographical boundaries through the World Wide Web, marketing strategies also need the digital touch. With information on each and every item being available at the click of the button, the empowered buyers and consumers are at the helm of taking a greater control over the marketing practices.
To survive through the cut-throat competition, organizations make use of the World Wide Web to market their products and services. Lead generation today involves the use of the Internet to generate consumers and buyers interest for any services or products. Generation of lead has always been one of the strategies of business, but todays digital world has made it spread it wings to larger and wider market.
With many tactical methods available for lead generation, all of which fall under the general umbrella of advertising, the use of search engines and referrals from existing customers generally generate quality leads. Quality leads refer to those, which have the chances of reaching the final stages of purchase. Lead generation is used by most of the industries today because of its win-win situation. In other words, through the lead management method, both the buyer and the seller are benefited.
A number of service providers specializing in lead generation, help organization by providing with quality business leads. Through self-owned websites or in partnerships, these service providers advertise for the clients products or services on the Internet. For the business on the other hand, this process enables them to determine pricing as per lead basis, besides other factors.
The technological developments have given rise to high quality lead generation and market automation solutions. Such platform helps organizations to identify, capture, and convert online leads into sales opportunities by providing unmatched lead intelligence. This lead generation software not only identifies anonymous website visitors, but with the help of the lead intelligence features can analyze their interests. The inbuilt features of this software includes understanding the buying behavior of the consumers and website visitors which apparently helps the marketing teams.
The lead generated with the help of the lead generation software empowers the marketing and sales team of the organizations in providing with high quality information of the prospect from every angle. Further, this facilitates the marketing teams to focus on lead nurturing best practices which in turn paves way to close deals faster, shorten the sales cycle and improve the productivity and revenue for the organizations, irrespective of this being a B2B sales or a B2C sales.
Also read on - Marketing automation software
Posted on December 2nd, 2011, 2:55
A plethora of choices have instigated the customers hunger for more products. This has led to rapid proliferation of retail stores that endeavor to cater to every age group and satisfy each individuals need. However the retail store operations are massive projects that do not have sufficient and efficient IT processes and infrastructure. The business processes lack high visibility and this proves as a major hindrance for employing important decisions. To succeed in a business you require supporting tools that empower your business to render some impactful results.
The retail store needs robust, reliable and secure IT processes that provide a forceful impetus for retaining customers and strengthening relationships with them. A myriad of processes are involved in the business such as inventory management, logistics management, transportation, audit management, customer relationship management, compliance management, vendor management and many more. If these management processes are not executed cohesively and comprehensively it will affect the end result adversely causing many losses also. Thus a business needs solutions that deploy automated processes to facilitate the purchase operations and returns management functions.
The retail store solutions demonstrate responsible audit management roles with impressive weight assigning, tracking, monitoring and report generation capabilities. They enforce the best practices for compliance management by monitoring the customers response right from the resolution seeking stage to the final closure stage. Agility is one of the basic factors that help a business to emerge as a strong contender, and to remain agile the business has to employ intelligent and practical application lifecycle management tools.
The application lifecycle management tools have to be extremely flexible and possess real-time capabilities for encouragement of collaboration amongst the various processes. These tools should have the qualities to assess the business objectives and provide customized solutions that are in alignment with the objectives. High levels of visibility provide the business with the advantage of controlling the business and optimizing the processes for improved gains.
Many ecommerce potentials have been discovered through the social and mobile mediums. Businesses are being provided with an opportunity to embark on aggressive marketing campaigns without investing huge sums. The ecommerce solutions that have initiated online storefronts, catalogs and shopping carts have provided businesses with extended revenue generation options. These solutions provide web-based administrative functions for inventory management, coupon codes and gift certificates. They facilitate online auction engines based on open source software development libraries. The websites are optimized to provide the users with enriched experiences. They provide robust, secure and scalable platforms for location based shopping services through mobile devices.
Also read on - QA services, Business Intelligence tools


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Definite need for speed!
Sui Cheang's MOTORWAY (2012) has a little bit of everything: fast cars, action and drama. The significant draw of the film is the racing scenes that highlight the "technical driving" skills of both the police officers and the criminals, executing stylistic maneuvers with a lot of skill and focus behind them. Motorway is a fun film in terms of plot and character development. The type of film you would enjoy on a lazy afternoon.
Cheung (Shawn Yue) is a rookie cop on the secret division of the Hong Kong Police Department known as the "Stealth Riders," a team of talented drivers with an objective: track down dangerous illegal drag car racers. With the help of his veteran partner Lo (Anthony Wong), he hunts down a famed drag racer, Jiang Xin (Guo Xiaodong), who has never been captured by police. The two officers risk their personal safety to catch Xin and restore peace to the streets of Hong Kong.
Although Motorway's characters fall into a set of cliches–ambitious rookie cop, mentor veteran, the stoic all about business criminal etc., the role performances are brilliantly executed. Cheung is the typical rookie cop–he is extremely passionate about his job, have an absolute admiration for fast cars and driving, and does not like to be out shined criminal competition Cheung is so motivated he modified his police car with special equipment to make it go faster. Lo (Wong) is a sort of father figure to his younger colleague–making sure he does his reports on time, keeps him level headed, and advises him on his driving techniques. The story moves along smoothly. There isn't one character that specifically stand out, however, are not boring.
The fantastic action in the film are the racing scenes, which are numerous. The intensity is not on the Fast and the Furious level, but is impressive considering Motorway was not produced by an elaborate Hollywood studio. You get to see a nice collection of stylish cars, and the film due to the blandness of the DVD quality, doesn't clearly depict the detailed uniqueness of the vehicles. The lighting is poor in a few scenes however, the overall the presentation is visually pleasing.
Hong Kong cinema buffs and fans of the Fast and the Furious films will appreciate the work director Cheang put into Motorway. A nice addition to any "fast cars" DVD collection.
Motorway DVD special features include:
- The Making of the "Motorway" film
- Trailer Gallery
"The Making of Motorway" is a short featurette showing the work that went into creating the racing scenes, such as using camera cars to film road scenes, careful and thoughtful planning of what streets to use for maximum potential of the cars and the effort that went into each twist and turn. Cheang's enthusiasm for creating a purely Hong Kong racing film is obvious, and his production team seems to have been just as enthusiastic in making a film that was also inspirational from a driver's perspective. The DVD presents in a widescreen presentation. The 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio is in both Cantonese and English with optional English and Spanish subtitles.
Artwork and supplementary materials courtesy of © 2013 Lionsgate Home Entertainment. All rights reserved.


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Maybe you're coming to try some of the newest items being produced at Fork, maybe you're coming to pick up some tasty treats for the holiday, or maybe you just want to have a couple drinks. Either way, you're not going to want to miss Fork's winter market.
More details to come, but think Grand Opening event...just a bit colder.


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Nov 04, 2011
Keep the Promise: Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) report published by the United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan highlights case studies, UN and partner organisations' projects and opportunities available in India for achieving the MDGs.
Keep the Promise: Millennium Development Goals
Published by: United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan
The United Nations adopted eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the year 2000 which has become a universal framework for development to achieve better future for all. The Goals have galvanized unprecedented efforts to meet the needs of the world's poorest. The global community decided to achieve these goals by 2015.
The publication Keep the Promise: Millennium Development Goals throws light on various MDGs and explains the opportunities offered by India to achieve those MDGs through various case studies.
"The UN firmly believes that Goals remain achievable through national ownership and inspired leadership, both of which are indispensable to accelerating progress on the MDGs. We believe that the MDGs are achievable even in the poorest countries; it is only a question of strengthened institutions at all levels, effective implementation for inclusive growth and coordinated action by all relevant stakeholders," points out the report.
"To achieve inclusiveness in all these dimensions requires multiple interventions, and success depends not only on introducing new policies and government programmes, but on institutional and attitudinal changes."
This publication, Keep the Promise, highlights such changes. At a time when the race to end poverty is at such a crucial juncture, this publication upholds, celebrates and renews the concerns for the human condition. These images are an inspiring narrative of people and processes from across India that have triumphed over odds to bring the benefits of development to the poor and marginalized.


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The IPG team is comprised of seasoned industrial real estate brokers with vast experience in Utah and markets across the nation. We're committed to building relationships that last based on repeat successful and great service. Get in touch and find out how we could help improve your business.
Michael Jeppesen, President, Managing Broker
An award-winning industrial real estate agent, Michael Jeppesen has over two decades of experience and an extensive background with institutional portfolio sales, leasing and asset management. Michael founded IPG in 2005 to serve the industrial real estate market in an entirely new way. IPG would be laser-focused on industrial needs and offer top-of-class customer service, sticking with clients to see them through the complexities of major transactions and business transitions. Today, a thriving IPG helps businesses across the nation improve and grow.
Jeremy Jensen, Senior Vice President, Associate Broker
For nearly twenty years, Jeremy Jensen has immersed himself in property development, investment, management and brokerage services with institutional and private clients all over the country. As Senior Vice President of Industrial Properties, Mr. Jensenhas an innate ability to create trust and provide honest, straightforward solutions to challenging real estate situations. He has vast experience as a broker, and as a principle in both development and investment transactions, giving him a solid understanding of what it takes to create attractive outcomes for his vast array of clients.
Candace Keller, Vice President/Relationship Manager
Candace has a professional background in client relations which is being put to use in helping IPG keep focused on our most valuable asset: our clients. She gets to focus on implementing initiatives that deliver value and keep IPG top of mind with our past, current and future customers. She finds it incredibly fulfilling being able to put a smile on someone's face by focusing on customer-driven business.
Tammy Zaelit, Executive ASSISTANT & Office Manager
Tammy's background in accounting and her proven organizational skills keep the IPG office running smoothly and at top capacity. For clients new to IPG or those seeking new services, she can pull together a customized, in-depth proposal highlighting how IPG could improve your business. Give her a call to learn more about IPG's services.


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"When I say I want to photograph someone, what it really means is that I'd like to know them." --- Annie Liebovitz
My thoughts exactly. Let's get to know each other. Email me - join this project - there is nothing more beautiful on this planet than connecting with each other.


text: Physicists at Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., reported the 3-D degenerate Raman sideband cooling of cesium atoms to 290 nK and a phase-space density nearly three orders of magnitude higher than that produced with the free-space optical molasses technique. Their study appears in the Jan. 17 issue of Physical Review Letters. The researchers prepared 3 x 108 cesium atoms in a magneto-optical trap at room temperature. A 3-D far-detuned optical lattice from a 100-mW distributed Bragg reflector diode laser induced degenerate Raman transitions in the sample, which yielded a phase-space density nλ3dB = 1/500 at a density of 1.1 x 1011 cm-3.


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Our beauty school located at 833 Ferry Street in downtown Lafayette is an easy commute from Delphi, Monticello and other local communities just a few miles west of Interstate 65. Its close proximity to Purdue University also adds to the positive learning atmosphere found throughout the area.
The Lafayette beauty school is a product of the 2013 merger between Tricoci University of Beauty Culture and Lafayette Beauty Academy (LBA). For almost 50 years, the Lafayette cosmetology school and its graduates have been highly sought after by salons and spas for their skills, professionalism and attitude. Today, we carry that reputation forward and are once again raising the bar.
If you're looking for cosmetology schools in Indiana or a program in Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology/Manicuring, or Instructor Training, we encourage you to visit our campus and see our facilities for yourself.
Interested in taking a tour of our Lafayette campus? You can either apply online or call us to schedule an appointment at 888.616.9051.
The most current, technically precise and versatile education available in the cosmetology training field today. Learn to become a Hairdresser, Hair Colorist, Cosmetologist, Stylist, Nail Technician, Make-up Artist, or Esthetician.
Our curriculum focuses on creating a secure foundation of the scientific building blocks for skin: its function, properties and needs. Learn to become a Facialist, Waxing Specialist, Body Treatment Specialist, Medi-Spa Esthetician, or Make-up Artist.
A robust curriculum that includes advanced sterilization, advanced nail treatment techniques, and extensive personal and business training. Learn Sanitation, Anatomy, Statute and Rules, Manicuring, Pedicuring, Chemistry, Salesmanship and State Laws.
This 3 day per week schedule allows our students to continue to "earn while they learn" to be a teacher. Learn to become a Cosmetology Instructor, Cosmetology Instructor with Experience*, or Esthetics Instructor.
Federal student aid programs (i.e. Title IV) are available for students who qualify. A TUBC Financial Aid Coordinator can assist students with these programs and other financial assistance options to make Tricoci University as affordable as possible. Please call 888.616.9051 for more information about financial assistance programs.
For more information on this campus and its programs, please visit our Consumer Information section.
Tricoci University student salons are a great way to experience high-level salon and spa services at very modest prices. Student salon guests can walk-in or call in advance for an appointment to enjoy these services—an appointment is highly recommended. For salon appointments, please call 765.742.0068.
NOTE: Not all services are available at all times. Hours may vary by program.


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Archived - Canada at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development 2009
Archived information
Archived information is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please contact us to request a format other than those available.
Report on Operations Under the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Agreement Act
- All Years -
PDF Version - [1.01 MB]
Table of Contents
Foreword by the Minister of Finance
Mandate and Role of the EBRD
Countries of Operations
Canada and EBRD
Benefits of Membership
Role of Canadian Government Departments
Canada's Contribution to Ordinary Capital Resources
Canada's Contribution to Special Funds
Canada at the EBRD: What Happened in 2009
Impact of the Economic and Financial Crisis on the EBRD's Countries of Operations
The EBRD's Response to the Crisis
The EBRD's Fourth Capital Resources Review
Canada's Voting Record in 2009
Canadian Policy Priorities for 2010–2012
Assessment of Progress on the 2009 Priorities and Planned Actions Going Forward
1. Governance and Accountability
2. Institutional Effectiveness
3. Environmental Sustainability and Gender Equality
1. EBRD Membership
2. EBRD Governance and Oversight
3. How the EBRD Works
4. 2009 Governor's Speech
5. Summary of Transition Report 2009: Transition in Crisis?
6. CIDA Programming in EBRD Countries of Operations


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Mr. Movie
'Zohan' is Sandler's worst offense yet
Adam Sandler's superstardom is based on plots crammed with lewd, suggestive and often objectionable bathroom humor that borders the hard edge between PG-13 and R. This is stuff your average 15-year-old finds funny.
But Sandler is 40.
This symbol of what passes for American Gen X humor has a long list of bad movies. Regular readers know I complain about them a lot. They are rife with obnoxious fart jokes and unnecessary perverse sexual references that detract from the ability of this talented actor and comedian.
Nothing Sandler has done to date is as offensive or as disgraceful as You Don't Mess with the Zohan. And it isn't because of the supposed-to-shock-you nude shots of his backside or when he catches food items in his butt cheeks.
That's typical.
Co-written by Sandler and the equally insufferable Judd Apatow of Knocked Up fame and Saturday Night Live veteran Robert Smigol, Zohan casts Sandler as a Mossad agent who fakes his death and moves to the U.S. to become a hairstylist.
With a fondness for hairstyles and dress that died with disco, the only clients Zohan attracts is little old ladies ranging from the late '70s to close to 100. As a reward for their business, Zohan has sex with them.
It hits a new level of American cinema low. Sandler should be ashamed.
Mr. Movie rating: 1/2 star.
Rated PG-13 for crude, mature themes, brief nudity. Opens today at the Carmike 12 and Fairchild Cinemas 12.
Kung Fu Panda
Jack Black voices the character Po. He's a kung fu-crazed buffoon selling noodles with his dad. A kung fu master has a vision of an evil, near super-powered leopard escaping his prison and wreaking havoc on Peaceful Valley. An ancient prophecy says the chosen one will save the day.
A comic twist of fate gets the overweight and nonskilled Po chosen as the chosen one.
Kung Fu Panda is a kick from opening scene to the hilarious ending punchline. And it plays perfectly to the comedic vocal skills of Black. Sharing the mic time and the fun are Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Seth Rogan, Lucy Liu, Jackie Chan and others.
First-time directors Mark Osborne and John Stevenson also do a wonderful job of mixing near three-dimensional drawings with real-life scenery. Though they don't plow new ground, the animation is stunning.
Most kung fu films are simple stories with a simple lesson. Visuals punctuate them. Kung Fu Panda gives you both and some terrific laughs. It's the first truly kid-friendly animated feature of the year, and it'll keep kids from 3 to 93 glued to their seats and the screen.
Mr. Movie rating: 4 1/2 stars.
Rated PG for some mature themes. Opens today at the Carmike 12 and Fairchild Cinemas 12.


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When we turn pro, we give up a life with which we may have become extremely comfortable. We give up a self that we have come to identify with and to call our own. We may have to give up friends, lovers, even spouses.
To feel ambition and to act upon it is to embrace the unique calling of our souls. Not to act upon that ambition is to turn our backs on ourselves and on the reason for our existence.
Are you getting your Ph.D. in Elizabethan studies because you're afraid to write the tragedies and comedies that you know you have inside you? Are you living the drugs-and-booze half of the musician's life, without actually writing the music? Are you working in a support capacity for an innovator because you're afraid to risk becoming an innovator yourself? If you're dissatisfied with your current life, ask yourself what your current life is a methaphor for.
The difference between an amateur and a professional is in their habits. An amateur has amateur habits. A professional has professional habits. We can never free ourselves from habits. The human being is a creature of habit. But we can replace bad habits with good ones. We can trade in the habits of the amateur and the addict for the practice of the professional and the commited artist or entrepreneur.
Both addict and artist are dealing with the same material, which is the pain of being human and the struggle against self-sabotage. But the addict/amateur and the artist/professional deal with these elements in fundamentally different ways. (When I say "addiction" by the way, I'm not referring only to the serious, clinical maladies of alcoholism, drug dependence, domestic abuse and so forth. Web-surfing counts too. So do compulsive texting, sexting, twittering and Facebooking.)
When we're living as amateurs, we're running away from our calling - meaning our work, our destiny, the obligation to become our truest and highest selves.
We were amateurs living in the past or dreaming of the future, while failing utterly to do the work necessary to progress in the present.
The artist and the professional, on the other hand, have turned a corner in their minds. They have succeeded in stepping back from themselves.
Addiction replaces aspiration.
The question we need to ask of a shadow career or an addiction is the same question the psychotherapist asks of a dream. "What is our unconscious trying to tell us?"
The life we call "normal" isn't normal at all. A spouse and kids, a mortgage, a 9-to-5 job... who said that was life? What's so great about working in a factory or a cubicle? You and I, who are artists and entrepreneurs, live a life that's closer to natural, if you ask me. We migrate, too. We follow the muse instead of the sun.
All addictions share, among others, two primary qualities. 1. They embody repetition without progress. 2. They produce incapacity as a payoff.
Distraction and displacement seem innocent on the surface. How can we be harming ourselves by having fun, or seeking romance, or enjoying the fruits of this big, beautiful world? But lives go down the tubes one repetition at a time, one deflection at a time, one hundred and forty characters at a time.
Resistance hates two qualities above all others: concentration and depth. Why? Because when we work with focus and we work deep, we succeed. (...) Resistance want to keep us shallow and unfocused. So it makes the superficial and the vain intoxicating. Have you checked your e-mail in the last half hour? When your sit down to do your work, do you leave your web connection on? It can be fatal, keeping up with the Kardashians.
I didn't talk to anybody during my year of turning pro. I didn't hang out. I just worked. I had a book in mind and I had decided I would finish it or kill myself. I could not run away again, or let people down again, or let myself down again. This was it, do or die.
That was what I did at night. I read all the stuff that you're supposed to read in college but never do, or if you do, you're not paying attention. I read Tolstoy and Dostoevsky an Turgenev...
During that first year (of turning pro), I sometimes thought to myself, "Steve you've got it lucky now, no distractions, you can focus full-time. What are you gonna do when life gets complicated again?" In the end, it didn't matter. That year made me a pro. It gave me, for the first time in my life, an uninterrupted stretch of month after month that was mine alone, that nobody knew about but me, when I was truly productive, truly facing my demons, and truly working my shit.
The amateur fears that if he turns pro and lives out his calling, he will have to live up to who he really is and what he is truly capable of.
The difference lies in the way the professional acts in the face of fear.
The amateur identifies with his own ego. He believes he is "himself". That's why he's terrified. The amateur is a narcissist. He views the world hierarchically. He continuously rates himself in relation to others, becoming self-inflated if his fortunes rise, and desperately anxious if his star should fall.
Though the amateur's identity is seated in his own ego, that ego is so weak that it cannot define itself based on its own self-evaluation. The amateur allows his worth and identity to be defined by others. (...) He is imprisoned by what he believes he ought to think, how he ought to do, and who he ought to be.
Paradoxically, the amateur's self-inflation prevents him from acting. He takes himself and the consequences of his actions so seriously that he paralyzes himself. (...) By these means, the amateur remains inauthentic. He remains someone other than who he really is.
The amateur has a long list of fears. Near the top are two: Solitude and silence. (...) The amateur prizes shallowness and shuns depth. The culture of Twitter and Facebook is paradise for the amateur.
The amateur, the addict and the obsessive all want what they want now. The corollary is that, when they get it, it doesn't work. The restlessness doesn't abate, the pain doesn't go away, the fear comes back as soon as the buzz wears off.
In his heart, the amateur knows he's hiding. He knows he was meant for better things. He knows he has turned away from his higher nature.
The amateur sits on a stool, waiting to be discovered.
The amateur lives in the past. The payoff of living in the past or the future is you never have to do your work in the present.
The sure sign of an amateur is he has a million plans and they all start tomorrow.
Exile, failure, and banishment can be good things sometimes, because they force us to act from our own center and not from someone else's.
Fear of self-definition is what keeps an amateur an amateur and what keeps an addict an addict.
Here's the truth: The tribe doesn't give a shit.
There is no tribe.
That gang or posse that we imagine is sustaining us by the bonds we share is in fact a conglomeration of individuals who are just as fucked up as we are and just as terrified. Each individual is so caught up in his own bullshit that he doesn't have two seconds to worry about yours or mine, or to reject or diminish us because of it.
When we truly understand that the tribe doesn't give a damn, we're free. There is no tribe, and there never was.
Our lives are entirely up to us.
(...) what we are most afraid of. This is what we know in our hearts we have to do.
What changes when we turn pro is we stop fleeing. When we turn pro, we stop running from our fears. We turn around and face them.
When we turn pro, everything becomes simple. Our aim centers on the ordering of our days in such a way that we overcome the fears that have paralyzed us in the past.
It changes what time we get up and it changes what time we go to bed. It changes what we do and what we don't do.
When we were amateurs, our life was about drama, about denial, and about distraction. Our days were simultaneously full to the bursting point and achingly, heartbreakingly empty.
Turning pro changes how people perceive us. Those who are still fleeing from their own fears will now try to sabotage us. (...)
They will try to entice us to get stoned with them or fuck off with them or waste time with them, as we've done in the past, and when we refuse, they will turn against us and talk us down behind our backs.
At the same sime, new people will appear in our lives. They will be people who are facing their own fears and who are conquering them. These people become our new friends.
When we turn pro, we will be compelled to make painful choices. There will be people who in the past had been colleagues and associates, even friends, whom we will no longer be able to spend time with if our intention is to grow and to evolve. We will have to choose between the life we want for our future and the life we have left behind.
Turning pro is like kicking a drug habit or stopping drinking. It's a decision, a decision to which we must re-commit every day.
Twelve-step programs say "One Day at a Time." The professional says the same thing.
Each day, the professional understands, he will wake up facing the same demons, the same Resistance, the same self-sabotage, the same tendencies to shadow activities and amateurism that he has always faced.
Turning pro is like Pearl Harbor or 9/11 or the assassination of Present Kennedy. We never forget where we were when it happened.
Carl Jung said that a person might have five "big" dreams in her life - dreams that provoke a big shift in consciousness - and this was my first.
From that moment I changed the way I approached songwriting, I changed how I sang, I changed my work ethic, and I changed my life.
I hadn't written anything good. It might be years before I would, if ever did at all. That didn't matter. What counted was that I had, after years of running from it, actually sat down and done my work.
The essence of epiphanies is the stripping away of self-delusion. We thought we were X. Now suddenly we see we're minus-X. We're X divided by infinity.
What we have gained is the truth. Our bullshit falls away. The scales drop from our eyes. In that moment we have two options:
We can reconstitute our bullshit.
Or we can turn pro.
In The War of Art, I listed the following habits and qualities that the professional possesses that the amateur doesn't:
1. The professional shows up every day
2. The professional stays on the job all day
3. The professional is commited over the long haul
4. For the professional, the stakes are high and real
5. The professional is patient
6. The professional seeks order
7. The professional demystifies
8. The professional acts in the face of fear
9. The professional accepts no excuses
10. The professional plays it as it lays
11. The professional is prepared
12. The professional does not show off
13. The professional dedicates himself to mastering technique
14. The professional does not hesitate to ask for help
15. The professional does not take failure or success personally
16. The professional does not identiy with his or her instrument
17. The professional endures adversity
18. The professional self-validates
19. The professional reinvents herself
20. The professional is recognized by other professionals
The linebacker and the Army Ranger go into action as part of a team. But the artist and the entrepreneur enter combat alone. I take my hat off to every man or woman who does this.
The amateur tweets. The pro works.
The professional knows when he has fallen short of his own standards. He will murder his darlings without hesitation, if that's what it takes to stay true to the godess and to his own expectations of excellence.
The amateur spends his time in the past and the future. He permits himself to fear and to hope.
The professional has taught himself to banish these distractions.
When Stephen Sondheim makes a hat, he is thinking of nothing else. He is immersed. He loses himself in the work and in the moment.
What do we imagine we're going to find in our Inbox?
Krishna said we have the right to our labor, but no to the fruits of our labor. He meant that the piano is its own reward, as is the canvas, the barre, and the movieola.
The professional does not wait for inspiration; he acts in anticipation of it.
He knows that when the Muse sees his butt in the chair, she will deliver.
When we make someone into an icon, we give away our power. We say to ourselves (unconsciously), "This person possesses qualities I wish I possessed. Therefore I will worship this person in the hope that quality will wear off on me, or I will acquire that quality by virtue of my proximity to this mentor/sensei/lover/teacher/hero."
In my experience, when we project a quality or virtue onto another human being, we ourselves almost always already possess that quality, but we're afraid to embrace (and to live) that truth.
The amateur is an acolyte, a groupie. The professional may seek instruction or wisdom from one who is further along in mastery than he, but he does so without surrendering his self-sovereignty.
The amateur hoards his knowledge and his reinforcement. He believes that if he shares what he possesses with others, he will lose it.
The professional refuses to be iconized. Not for selfish reasons, but because he knows how destructive the dynamic of iconization is to the iconizer. The pro will share his wisdom with other professionals - or with amateurs who are committed to becoming professionals.
The pro mindset is a discipline that we use to overcome Resistance. To defeat the self-sabotaging habits of procrastination, self-doubt, susceptibility to distraction, perfectionism, and shallowness, we enlist the self-strengthening habits of order, regularity, discipline, and a constant striving after excellence.
When we do the work for itself alone, we're like that Marine who sleeps in a foxhole in the freezing rain but who knows a secret that only he and his brothers and sisters share.
When we do the work for itself alone, our pursuit of a career turns into something else, something loftier and nobler, which we may never even have though about or aspired to at the beginning.
It turns into a practice.
The truth was that, I was enjoying myself. Maybe nobody else liked the stuff I was doing, but I did. I was learning. I was getting better.
The work became, in its own demented way, a practice. It sustained me, and it sustains me still.
A practice has a space, and that space is sacred.
When we convene day upon day in the same space at the same time, a powerful energy builds up around us. This is the energy of our intention, of our dedication, of our commitment.
(...) the achievement of mastery in any field, be it brain surgery or throwing a split-finger fastball, requires approximately 10,000 hours of practice. But the key, according to Mr. Gladwell, is that practice be focused.
It must possess intention.
The sword master stepping onto the fighting floor knows he will be facing powerful opponents. Not the physical adversaries whom he will fight. The real enemy is inside himself.
We may bring intention and intensity to our practice, but not ego. Dedication, even ferocity, yes. But never arrogance.
The epiphany is everything. When we see the gaping holes in our practice (or discover that we have no practice at all), no one has to school us in time management or resource allocation.
We know what we have to do.
The professional trusts the mystery. He knows that the Muse always delivers. She may surprise us. She may give us something we never expected.
Good things happen when we trust the Mystery. There is always something in te box.
Two tenets for days when Resistance is really strong:
1. Take what you can get and stay patient. The defense may crack late in the game.
2. Play for tomorrow.
3. We're in this for the long haul.
Our work is a practice. One bad day is nothing to us. Ten bad days are nothing.
In the scheme of our lifelong practice, twenty-four hours when we can't gain yardage is only a speed bump. We'll forget it by breakfast tomorrow and be back again, ready to hurl our bodies into the fray.
The amateurs believes that she must have all her ducks in a row before she can launch her start-up or compose her symphony or design her iPhone app.
The professional knows better.
(whatever happens...)
Keep writing.
Keep composing.
Keep shooting film.
Athletes play hurt. Warriors fight scared.
The professional takes two aspiring and keeps on truckin'.
The professional knows that, in the course of her pursuit, she will inevitably experience moments of terror, even panic. She knows she can't choke that panic back or wish it away. It's there and it's for real.
The pro sits chilly.
She focuses on the horse and the wall. She keeps her seat.
In truth, I practice my own form of shamanism every day. As an artist, I seek to access unseen powers. Evil forces are out there - Resistance, self-doubt, self-sabotage. How many other malign entities are hovering each morning over me and my huevos rancheros?
Then there are the good forces. Inspiration, enthusiasm, courage. New ideas, brilliant breakthroughs, insights, intuitions. Where do these come from? I don't know. How can I access them? I have no clue.
Yes this is my business This is my life.
I have a code of professionalism. I have virtues that I seek to strengthen and vices that I labor to eradicate.
"There is a second self inside you - an inner, shadow Self. This self doesn't care about you. It doesn't love you. It has its own agenda, and it will kill you. It will kill you like cancer. It will kill you to achieve its agenda, which is to prevent you from actualizing your Self, from becoming who you really are. This shadown self is called, in the Kabbalistic lexicon the yetzer hara. The yetzer hara, Steve, is what you would call Resistance."
Mussar was a code of ethical discipline. Its first tenet was "identify the sin." The second was "to eliminate it."
What they called Mussar, I called turning pro.
Our job, as souls on this mortal journey, is to shift from the seat of our identity from the lower realm to the upper, from the ego to the Self.
The struggle is not only to write our symphony or to raise our child or to lead our Special Forces team against the Taliban in Konar province. The clash is epic and internal, between the ego and the Self and the stakes are our lives.
In the end, the enterprise and the sacrifice are all about the audience.
They're about the readers, the moviegoers, the site visitors, the listeners, the concertgoers, the gamers, the gallery-goers - a group which, by the way, includes you and me.
We're the audience.
In the hero's journey, the wanderer returns home after years of exile, struggle and suffering. He brings a gift for the people. That gift arises from what the hero has seen, what he has endured, what he has learned. But the gift is not that raw material alone. It is the ore refined into gold by the hero/wanderer/artist's skilled and loving hands.
You are that artist.
I will gladly shell out $24.95 or $9.99 or 99 cents on iTunes to read or see or listen to the 24-karat treasure that you have refine from your pain and your vision and your imagination. I need it. We all do. We're struggling here in the trenches. That beauty, that wisdom, those thrills and chills, even that mindless escape on a rainy October afternoon - I want it.
Put me down for it.
The hero wanders. The hero suffers. The hero returns.
You are that hero.


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If you're a fan of photography in general and want to make something that could not only spread the subject in mind but also give you the opportunity to make some money in the process then you should have a photography app made. Although there are many that have been developed and distributed already, you shouldn't feel discouraged to try and have one that's made.
Besides, right now, you don't really have to have the skills in computing or coding just so you could have an app constructed. That's because nowadays, you can just contact a company that provides mobile app development services to people. By getting experts, you'd be able to experience convenience and make your dreams come true. To have more information about how it would be possible for you to have a great app for photography, read more.
Basically, you essentially have to have ideas about what your app is going to look like and what it would be capable to do before you contact a development company to aid you with your concerns. Although such groups already have templates or recommendations, you have to understand that having personal touches with the product that you want to be made can be quite advantageous.
After all, when your app would be unique and out in the market, you would have many who'd be willing to purchase from you since a lot of those who are downloading applications are looking for things that are different online. You have to consider that it would be best for you to give more than just something that's useful and many have already profited from distributing things that are entertaining. If you're going to make an app, you ought to have one that looks great and has the features that can really help users convert their regular photos into unique things.
Technically, it would be ideal for you to have an app that's cross-platform since you can't be sure who's going to buy your program from you. You have to understand that although many are using iOS devices, a lot are also using Android machines.
Aside from that, it is important that you create a photography app that has a nice and easy-to-use interface for the convenience of users. Moreover, it is important that you build an application that can important and export photos of various sizes and that have numerous tools for simple and intricate editing so that you would gain a lot of paying customers.
Since it's a strategy that could let you increase the number of users or buyers that you have, on your app, you ought to have features that would let you direct users to your official website easily or have your app promoted freely. A lot of developers do this right now and you should get help from a company that could help you make an app that would not only be usable to customers but be ideal for marketing.


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Hosting Skating in Central Park has been a tradition of mine for nearly 20 years! There is something so magical about being in New York in December. The weather is cold and crisp, sometimes there is snow. Watching the skaters glide by so gracefully (some not so gracefully, but kudos for trying!) and more often than not, I get the privelege of watching someone drop to a knee and ask THE question. Magical.
This year I'm not sure if there were any proposals because I was distracted by another wondrous event; a visit from the abso-freaking-lutely incredible Ms. Cyndi Lauper! Talk about holiday sparkle and spirit! There's an undeniable magic about this girl who wants to have fun, and wants everyone else to as well!
She is kind and honest, sincere and giving, and just as beautiful as when I first viewed her in a music video around 1985. A determined activist, nothing keeps this feisty lady from living her life true to her passions, convictions, and colors!
I so enjoyed our chat and meeting her handsome and gracious husband, David. Listen in as we talk about Christmas traditions, hard candy, and oranges on the radiator!


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When David Wegner went looking for a checking account in January, he was peppered with offers for low-end financial products, including a prepaid debit card with numerous fees, a short-term emergency
"I may as well have gone to a payday lender," said Mr. Wegner, a 36-year-old nursing assistant in
Along with a checking account, he selected a $1,000 short-term loan to help pay for his
An increasing number of the nation's large banks — U.S. Bank,
Banks say that they are offering a valuable service for customers who might not otherwise have access to traditional banking and that they can offer these products at competitive prices. The
In the push for these customers, banks often have an advantage over payday loan companies and other storefront lenders because, even though banks are regulated, they typically are not subject to interest rate limits on payday loans and other alternative products.
Some federal regulators and consumer advocates are concerned that banks may also be steering people at the lowest end of the economic ladder into relatively expensive products when lower-cost options exist at the banks or elsewhere.
"It is a disquieting development for poor customers," said Mark T. Williams, a former Federal Reserve
"We look at alternative financial products offered by both banks and nonbanks through the same lens — what is the risk posed to consumers?" said
Analysts in the banking industry say that lending to low-income customers, especially those with tarnished
While banks have offered short-term loans and some check-cashing services in the past, they are introducing new products and expanding some existing ones. Last month, Wells Fargo introduced a reloadable prepaid card, while Regions Financial in
The Regions package is meant to attract the "growing pay-as-you-go consumer," said John Owen, the bank's senior executive vice president for consumer services.
The packages are the latest twist on "cross-selling," in which lenders compete to win a larger share of customer business with deals on checking, savings accounts and
Reaching the so-called unbanked or underbanked population — people who use few, if any, bank services — could be lucrative, industry consultants said. Kimberly Gartner, vice president for advisory services at the Center for Financial Services Innovation, said that such borrowers were a $45 billion untapped market.
Mr. Wegner, the U.S. Bank customer, said that once he mentioned that he needed a bank account, an employee started selling him prepaid cards, check cashing and short-term loan options. Mr. Wegner, who makes about $1,200 a month, said that he felt like a second-tier customer.
"It was clear that I was not getting the same pitches that wealthy clients would," he said. Since that initial visit, Mr. Wegner said he avoided the branch so he was not approached with offers. "I go through the drive-through now," he said.
Bank payday loans, which are offered as advances on direct-deposit paychecks, are a particularly vexing part of the new pitch from lenders, consumer advocates said. The short-term, high-fee loans, like the one Mr. Wegner received, are offered by a handful of banks, including Wells Fargo. In May, Regions introduced its "Ready Advance" loan after determining that some of its customers were heading to storefront payday lenders.
The loans can get expensive. When the loan comes due, the bank automatically withdraws from the customer's checking account the amount of the loan and the origination fee — typically $10 for every $100 borrowed — regardless of whether there is enough money in the account. That can lead to overdraft and other fees that translate into an annual interest rate of more than 300 percent, according to the Center for Responsible Lending.
Lenders are also joining the prepaid card market. In 2009, consumers held about $29 billion in prepaid cards, according to the Mercator Advisory Group, a payments industry research group. By the end of 2013, the market is expected to reach $90 billion. A big lure for banks is that prepaid cards are not restricted by Dodd-Frank financial regulation law. That exemption means that banks are able to charge high fees when a consumer swipes a prepaid card.
The companies distributing the cards have drawn criticism for not clearly disclosing fees that can include a charge to activate the card, load money on it and even to call customer service. Customers with a "convenient cash" prepaid card from U.S. Bank, for example, pay a $3 fee to enroll, a $3 monthly maintenance fee, $3 to visit a bank teller and $15 dollars to replace a lost card.
Some smaller banks even offer prepaid cards with credit lines, which carry steep interest charges.
"This is a two-tiered, separate and unequal system and it is worsening," said Sarah Ludwig, a lawyer who started the Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project.
Some lenders are even styling their offices to look like check-cashing stores. In June, Redstone Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in Alabama, will open two stores that are designed to look exactly like check cashers.
One of the stores, in Decatur, Ala., is part of a run-down strip mall and includes a sign that says "Right Choice, Money Services." An adjacent store, not affiliated with Redstone, advertises loans for people who "need money fast."
"It looks like a check casher, but once you get inside you get the best of both worlds," Peter Alvarez, Redstone's emerging markets manager. The stores will offer traditional checking and savings accounts alongside prepaid cards, money transfer and bill paying. "We wanted to attract people who wouldn't naturally come to a bank."Continue reading the main story


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Summer Beach Dress Up
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Summer Beach Dress Up game information:
The summer vacation is coming. Where will you spend this hot summerGoing to the seaside must be the best choice. There you can enjoy the blue water and sky. You can swim with happy fish Come onBring your swimsuit and swim ring to take a vacation on the cool beach
How to play:
This game is played with mouse only
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Do you want to meet some of our great ionians? Chat about Marketing Apps? Stalk our booth for some swag?
We say YES to all of it. We love making new friends, and catching up with old ones, while we are on the road. We're super friendly, I promise!
Check out where we'll be in May. This changes by the minute as we are constantly adding new events to our roster, so don't forget to check our Events page often.
- May 6-8, 2014: Ektron, Boston, MA - ion's Scott Brinker keynotes, "Thriving at Inspiring Intersection of Marketing and Technology." Get the details here.
- May 8, 2014: MOCCA, New York, NY - ion's Scott Brinker presents, "Marketing Technology Landscape." Get the details here.
- May 9, 2014: Marketing Profs Virtual Conference - ion's Scott Brinker presents, "Strategically Navigating the Massive Marketing Technology Landscape." Get details here.
- May 14-16, 2014: Marketing & Operations Technology Summit, Sonoma, CA - ion's Scott Brinker presents, "The Golden Age of Marketing Software." Get details here.
- May 21-23, 2014: Sirius Decisions, Orlando, FL - ion's Mary Ward co-presents with customer, Dell, "From Landing Page to Marketing App: The Evolution of Digital Experiences." Get details here.
We hope to see you soon!


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What is Shop Shelving?
Shop Shelves and shelving units are the basic retail equipment around which most supermarkets are built.
In most cases the shop shelving is such a familiar item that most people don't even notice it despite it's importance. Most retail shelving systems are made of steel which is normally powder coated to a neutral colour such as RAL 9001. Sometimes a more vivid colour is used for promotional shelving units or for particular products within the store such as wines and spirits for example.
There are two main types of supermarket shelving, single sided shelving mainly used against walls and double sided retail shelving normally called gondola shelving that is free-standing in the centre of the store. The gondola shelving is normally arranged in long runs to create the familiar aisles seen in supermarkets. On the end of a gondola aisle is often an end bay which is a single sided unit regularly used for special offers or promotions.
Retail shelving units are often called shelving bays and the important feature is the layout of the main load bearing uprights or posts that hold the shelving brackets, these uprights are designed to be shared between adjoining bays so a continuous run of shelving can be created. The shelving bays are not separate units placed next to each other as people often think. For this reason when shop shelving is sold it is normally as a bay with just the one upright, this can then join to another bay and then another and so on to create the continuous run of shelving required, at the end of the run a final upright is required which is often referred to as an end of run leg, finishing leg or simply a finisher. The end of run leg also has either one or two base feet attached to one end of it, the base feet have adjustable feet on them to level the shelving bay, single sided shelving units have one base feet on the uprights to create an L shaped part and for gondola shelving each upright has 2 base feet to create a T shaped part.
In most types of supermarket shelving there is a base shelf, these normally sit on top of the base feet and cannot normally be tilted from the horizontal position. The base shelf components are normally no different in design to the upper shop shelves they just don't require a pair of brackets or arms to support the shelf as this is incorporated into the base feet. The base shelf is often used for the heaviest items as the load capacity of the base feet is higher than the shelving brackets. In many cases the base shelf is one size deeper than the upper shelves to provide stability to the shelving unit and to increase visibility of the products on the base shelf. Sometimes in larger stores all the shop shelves are the same depth, the upper shelves should rarely if ever be deeper than the base shelf.
On the front of the shop shelves there is normally a flap to allow plastic epos strips, sometimes called ticket edging or pricing strips to be attached to show prices for the products on the shelves. Epos strips are usually available in a range of colours to match the store colour theme or sometimes to differentiate the products displayed in different sections of the shop.
The shelving bays are held together by back panels which join the shelving uprights together to form the shelving bay, in most cases the back panels are plain, meaning just a flat surface, but perforated back panels with pegboard hole patterns are available to facilitate pegboard hooks for hanging products such as bags of sweets. Plain and pegboard back panels can usually be mixed on a single shelving bay for example plain back panels at the bottom with shelves in front of them and pegboard back panels above for hooks and hanging products. Specialist back panels that mimic slatwall are also available for slatwall accessories. On single sided units back panels are normally just placed on the front side of the shelving uprights, for gondola shelving back panels are used on both sides of the shelving uprights, single sided shelving bays that can be seen from the back for example gondola end bays have back panels on both sides too.
Below the base shelf there is often a plinth sometimes called a kicker, some attach to the front of the base feet like back panels and have the advantage that they can be removed for cleaning under the base shelf without moving the shelf, other types slide into the front of the base feet but these often require removing the base shelf first.
On the top of gondola shelving and end bays there is sometimes a top cover which clips over the top of the back panels and hides the gap between the two sets of back panels and provides a neat finish, these are particularly important for lower height gondola where customers will be looking down onto the top of the gondola.
In most shelving systems the upper shelves can be tilted so that the front of the shelf is lower to display the products better, in this case a shelf riser is required along the front of the shelf to prevent products falling off. Shelf risers can be attached in many ways, most commonly a groove along the front of the shelf just behind where the epos strips attach is used, sometimes the shelves come with a series of holes near the front of the shelf to hold the riser. Risers are available in a wide range of materials such as wire mesh, clear acrylic or a toothed plastic design. If necessary the shelves can be divided front to rear using dividers, the toothed plastic risers are designed specifically with this in mind so that dividers can be slotted into the teeth in the risers where required, in this case a riser is required in the rear shelf groove as well as the front groove.
How do I assemble Retail Shelving?
The following videos demonstrate how to assemble various layouts of shop shelving.
How to Assemble Gondola Shelving
How to Assemble Magazine Display Shelving
How to Assemble Internal Corner Shop Shelving
Where Can I Buy Shop Shelves?
There are many sites where you can buy shop shelving such as the two sites listed below that have lots of helpful information too.
Shelving Megastore - Shop Shelving, gondola shelving and storage racking
South West Shopfittings - Shop Shelving and Shop Fittings
contact us by email


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Welcome to the 11th Czar's blog of 2015 celebrating our World Champion San Francisco Giants!
It's the end of August, the dog days are here and the Giants are facing their biggest challenge - themselves
- The DL remains the main issue. Panik is not back yet and his back is not healed (how serious is the injury, really? The Giants are vague and that is troubling). Pence is out with an oblique (a hard to figure injury that might mean he's out until mid-September) and Pagan was due back tomorrow (but was delayed today, he is not healed either). At least Aoki is back and is playing himself into September shape.
- Bobby Evans (with an able assist from Sabean we expect) has been working the waiver wire and three days ago picked up Marlon Byrd from the Reds (an experienced 38 year old veteran outfielder with power and decent defense), and it is a good trade although Byrd is no Pence. Rumor has it that the G-Men are still in the market and are looking at infielders (they did make a run at Chase Utley but he went with the team that shall not be named).
- Blanco deserves kudos for holding the outfield together through this trying period. He is playing very well at the moment on defense and at the plate and looks like he wants to keep the starting CF job – look out Pagan.
- Duffy is playing out of his mind. He is one of seven Giants batting over .300 and if he isn't rookie of the year there is no justice league of America. His defense is good and his cat is totally cool.
- Posey on the other hand had a terrible road trip (as did the rest of the team – 2 and 5) and looks very tired. The consensus is that he needs to rest his legs for the stretch run - - but we need his bat in the line-up and his skill set behind the plate. A puzzle to be sure.
- This month has been a test and the test is not over yet. Losing 2 out of three in St. Louis and 3 out of 4 to the red-hot Pirates was not fun but we certainly did get to see playoff baseball over the last week. Game after game of one run differentials, great defense (how about that homer robbing Juan Perez catch?) and good hands (yes, we are talking about you Brandon Crawford).
- We are seeing rookies make an impact. Tomlinson is batting .326 and looking so cool doing it (Clark Kent?) that he might be up permanently before long. However his second base defense does leave a bit to be desired.
- On the pitching side Bum is already in playoff form with 2 complete games in his last three starts, not to mention 5 dingers and a pinch hit. However behind him we have issues. Heston is in Sacramento to get a rest before the September call-ups (his pitches were out of control), Cain may be back strong in September (the jury is still out), Lincecum is on the DL (expect to see him in September) and Leake and Peavy look pretty good. Vogelsong is a cipher – decent one day and throwing batting practice the next. Hudson is still on the DL but he could be a surprise activation for September.
- Finally, the bullpen looks good as long as its rested. Every one of the bullpen rotation has been beat up at one time or another during August ( Affleldt, Romo, Strickland, Lopez, Kontos and Casilla have all been dinged for home runs). They need a rest by getting the starters to go more than 5 innings. That is going to be a key from here on out. If a starter goes 6 full or 7 the bullpen has a great shot at shutting down the opposition.
- This is the time of testing. Do the G-Men have what it takes to make a another run for a ring? They are certainly capable of hitting, pitching and playing defense with the best of the NL teams. The next six games in August will answer a lot of questions, so pay close attention.
Can the G-Men take the Dodgers and make the playoffs?
- The road to the playoff's lies through Chavez Ravine. The Giants and the Dodgers are separated by a game and a half for the division lead (although the Snakes are not that far behind and are playing great ball right now).
- The wild card does not look good with six games between the G-Men and other wild card contenders, the Cubs and the Pirates (or maybe it will be the Cubs and the Cardinals in the wild card because the Pirates are so hot right now that they may overtake the Cards in the NL Central).
- The LA team with the $300 million payroll (highest in baseball and a $140 million 40% luxury tax) is busy self-destructing. The G-Men have another 6 games left against the Dodgers, who are drama personified. LA has lost 5 games in a row (the only saving grace to the Giants horrible road trip), their rookie of the year is on the bench, Puig was put on waivers, their starting infield was imported from the Phillies, they only have 2 good pitchers (one of whom, Kershaw, looks tired), their bullpen is useless until they can get to their all-star closer and their manager is looking over his shoulder at the third base coach.
- Can LA be overtaken? Yes they can and that's why September is going to be the most fun month of the season.
The Cubs, the Cardinals and the Dodgers – this is the playoff's
- The next 9 games are against the leaders – the Cardinals who have great pitching but are in a bit of slump at the moment (they look tired also) and the Cubs, who are everyone's darlings. Joel Maddon was the manager that the Dodgers really wanted and couldn't get and what he is doing to motivate the Cubs is nothing short of phenomenal.
- Can the G-Men get back at the Cubs for the sweep in Chicago last month? We will find out starting tomorrow night when Matt Cain takes on Arrieta and his 2.30 ERA.
- Then the Cardinals come into town and then the G-Men go to LA to face the Dodgers. This is not an easy schedule, to put it mildly but as theatre it can't be beat.
It's time for baseball!
Ciao, and GO GIANTS!
The Czar


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Cross and Crown Counseling
A counseling, teaching, and support group ministry of House of His Presence
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Cross and Crown Ministries is a non-profit counseling and community support ministry. We are committed to providing professional mental, emotional, and spiritual support to individuals, couples, and families. We desire to walk with you as you find healing and victory in life situations and believe that counseling produces greater results when founded upon and directed by the Word of God. Psalm 1:1-3 says "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly...But his delight is in the law of the Lord...He is like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."
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set you free.....John 8:32
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A 13 week informational presentation, discussion and support group for those who are grieving the death of a loved one.
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Pattaya PADI Divemaster Course
Become a Dive Professional
Real Divers have been training PADI Divemasters for 15 years plus, we take great pride in when our Divemasters complete the course that they leave with a smile on their face knowing they had great fun on the course learning the knowledge and skills not only to be a decent Divemaster but to go on to become a decent Instructor.
Pattaya has some great scuba diving both wreck and coral with over 30 different dive sites. While on the course you will get to dive our best wrecks, HTMS Khram, HTMS Kood, HTMS Mataphon and the famous Hardeep.
You will train on coral reefs such as Koh Rin with its North and South Pinnacles as well as the coral reef fingers and wall sites on the island Koh man Wichai plus many more dive sites.
Pattaya was a quiet fishing village as recently as the 1960s, it's now lined with brand namedhotel resorts, high-rise condos, large seaside shopping malls, night clubs, a red light district, zoos, beaches, great restaurants, every type of adrenaline sport from bungee jumping to go-carts, jet ski's, banana boating, parasailing, sky diving plus"scuba diving" these are just a few reasons why Pattaya is so popular and has Worldwide Tourism.
Pattaya is on Thailand's eastern Gulf coast which is known for its wild nightlife scene and great daytime activities that attract international holidaymakers, weekenders from Bangkok and expats. These are our customers! some will become good friends and others will be others but all together Pattaya is a fun, interesting place to become a Divemaster.
What does it take to be a PADI Divemaster?
This is what a decent Divemaster should be. He/She should have role model behavior, know how to plan and lead dives with certified divers from beginner level to experienced levels.
Divemasters should also be able to assist a PADI Dive Instructor on PADI courses such as Discover scuba diving, Open water courses, Advanced and Rescue courses and also help new Divemaster trainee's once you have gotten some training and experience yourself.Our training has been deemed as great educational fun by all those who have completed the Divemaster course with us.
The training has also kept them in great stead for many years after lots of them are now PADI Instructors and dive shop managers or owners. By those that know our methods of teaching dive Professionals they will tell you first of all we teach without the worry of giving you too much information! have you ever heard the saying don't teach them all you know, well we don't fall into that category, we also don't teach stuff that is irrelevant to your training.On our Divemaster courses you train with the bosses and staff members in the pool and ocean before you train with actual students or divers, it's a lot less stressful for you and us this way.
What is interesting about our Divemaster course?
This is where the course gets interesting; you will be training on the Pattaya islands, Samae san islands, Jomtien beach, you will be diving in Swimming Pools, diving off 12 metre Speed boats, large chartered boats and our traditional Thai boat in Samae san, real island diving like the way diving was done here in its early days, which was always fun.
You will get the chance to try different types of diving such as Wreck diving, Drift diving, Night diving etc and use equipment you probably haven't used before, like full face masks, sidemounts and Dive propulsion vehicles.
We feel this Divemaster course should be a fun learning experience with a lot of laughter and jokes but placing the emphasis on safety with great dives and training.
For us Instructors; if your "Divemasters know what they are doing and are having fun, then everyone is happy"
Why not start today sign up for the Divemaster course with PADI eLearning and we will take that price off our course price.
PADI elearning on the Divemaster course is 280 Aussie dollar which is 6,100B Thai Baht depending on the Aussie dollar.
Training Details
PADI Divemaster Course Training Requirements: You must have 40 dives to enroll on the course and logged at least 60 dives by the completion of this course. These dives must include experience in night diving, deep diving and underwater navigation. At Real Divers, we have Dive propulsion vehicles, full face masks, videography/photography, shipwreck/coral diving, side-mount diving are just some of the fun dives on our internship package.
PADI Divemaster Course Knowledge Development:
PADI eLearning is the easiest method for learning the Divemaster knowledge, diagrams, videos, quick quizzes will make the final exam seem easy.
The great thing about PADI eLearning is you can complete the knowledge in your own time and at your own pace. Then when you get to Pattaya it's just pool and ocean dives saving you time to have some fun on your holidays instead of being in the books all night.
The traditional way to learn the Divemaster knowledge is Candidates must read the PADI Dive-master Manual, watch DVD's and complete all 9 Knowledge Reviews, which does take quite a bit of time. There's 2 exams, which you need to self-study and prepare for using your PADI Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving and your Divemaster manual and slates.
PADI Divemaster Course Stamina and Water Skills:
There are a few swims and a solution thinking test that need to be completed on the course, you build up the stamina forthese swims by diving and snorkeling on the day dive trips. Here arethe swim tests. 400m swim, 800m Mask snorkel, and fins swim, 15-minute tread/float in water, 100m tired diver tow, the swims don't all need to be done one after the other or even on the same day.
The solution test is an Equipment Exchange. Exchanging mask, scuba unit, and fins whilst buddy breathing (Swimming pool) – a fun solution thinking test.
PADI Divemaster Course Rescue Assessment:
Candidates must perform a simulated rescue of an unresponsive, non-breathing diver. The exercise is a pass/fail and you do get as many goes as you like until you reach mastery. The candidate's performance must be of Instructor demonstration quality.
Being a Divemaster in training you'll be assisting with many rescue diver courses ensuring that your skills are sharp and honed.
PADI Divemaster Course Skill Demonstration:
Candidates must demonstrate the PADI 24 Basic Scuba Skills. Points are awarded from 1 to 5 with a total of 82 points required to pass. You will be taught these skills by our staff and videos.
As a PADI Divemaster, you can teach a diver the Scuba Review program (Scuba Tune Up) so you need to know how to do these skill's to Instructor demonstration quality, also these are some of the skill's that you are asked to do on the PADI Instructor examinations.
PADI Divemaster Course Required Training Exercises:
Mapping Project and Dive Briefings. Learn to draw maps and give briefings about them. Certified divers go to see the divemaster if they need any information about the dive site so you need to know how to draw maps and give good dive briefings.
Divemaster candidates must participate in at least one PADI Open Water course pool session and assist an Instructor in Four additional pool or confined water training sessions from any PADI course or program, usually being PADI Open water course or discover scuba diving.
You also need to complete at least one ocean dive on a PADI Open water training course, assist on a PADI Advanced training dive and one Rescue Diver or PADI Specialty Diver course ocean dive.
Plus three additional ocean training dives from any PADI course or program also one day supervising certified divers and leading them on a dive. We have stated the very least requirements by PADI.
As I said, we allow you to build your confidence up firstly with our staff members then actual students and divers which is a lot of fun, divers are generally nice people.
Essential Info
On the Real Divers, Divemaster internship experience shall be gained in all areas, class, pool and ocean dives. You will meet lots of new friends on the course (Students, divers, Divemasters/Instructors) as you learn your leadership skills. After you've finished this course and especially if you want to go on to be a working instructor you will realize that one of the reasons you know what you're doing is because you had a good Divemaster course.
PADI Divemaster Course prerequisites:
Be a certified PADI Rescue Diver or have an equivalent rating. (If equivalent rating the candidate must submit proof of CPR and first aid training within the past 24 months).
Have completed and logged at least 40 dives as documented by the individual's personal logbook. If you don't have the dives to start we have discounted multi-dive packages that will get you there. Note: at least 60 dives are required to complete the program.
Be at least 18 years old at the start of training.
Submit medical clearance for diving signed by a doctor, attesting to fitness to dive.
Schedule: Much of the Divemaster course knowledge is self-directed and while the motivated candidate can complete the DM program in two weeks, allowing at least 3 weeks to a month makes for a more relaxed pace and gives plenty of time for all the dive course objectives to be met. If PADI eLearning has been completed the DM program can easily be completed in 2 weeks of dedicated training.
Real Divers dedicated Divemaster internship program here in Thailand is maximum of 2 months in length inclusive of everything from all training aids, learning manuals, slates, fees, and 40 dives.
Required materials (supplied in the course cost)
PADI Divemaster Manual
The PADI Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving
The PADI Diving Knowledge Workbook
Divemaster slates and cue cards
E-RDP with manual
PADI Instructor Manual
Pattaya Divemaster course 40 dives Wreck and coral
To BOOK YOUR COURSE EMAIL email@example.com
Real Divers Training Prices
3 Week PADI Divemaster Course including, PADI Materials, Pool/Ocean 20 Training dives – 35,000 Baht.
Up to 2 Month Internship PADI Divemaster Course (including PADI Materials, pool and 40 Ocean Dives – 42,000 Baht.
Real Divers Training Prices with PADI eLearning completed
3 Week PADI Divemaster Course with PADI eLearning completed (Ocean 20 Training dives) 28,000B
PADI eLearning; about (6,100B) 280 Aussie dollar.
NOTE: There is an extra payment for PADI materials you will need for the course if you have completed PADI eLearning. e-mail for details.
Note: PADI Divemaster course there is a payment to PADI for your Divemaster application fee, e-mail for details
|Real Divers Deposit
Do you want to do more that one course? Perhaps make your way up the PADI diver ladder to professional levels. Then check out the Real Divers Internship offers, which can save you a lot of money.
Quick Facts
Duration– 3 Weeks to 2 Months
Prerequisite– Rescue Diver & EFR current past 2 years
Minimum Age– 18 years old
eLearning– Available
Next Diver Level– Assitant Instructor course


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Tell us which adventure you desire and we will make it happen.
There are only two narrow dirt roads into an unbroken swath of wilderness that stretches from the Chukchi Sea to the border of Canada's Yukon Territory. Getting into the Brooks Range requires some ingenuity and a float plane since the area is far from any airstrip.
So why go to the considerable effort of trekking into the Brooks Range? Because you will find the finest mountain terrain in North America, a wonderland of glacier carved granite and pristine rivers and lakes, all within the remote wilderness of the Alaskan Arctic Region.
Below are some of our most popular trips. We can make it happen for you.
National Park Tours:
Backpack / Float Combination:
Camping, Hunting and Fishing:
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If there is one thing I love more than anything else in life, it's a good show poster. If all I had to do was create and print posters the rest of my life, I'd be set.
Musicians release music. Whether it's a single, EP, a full studio album, or just digital download, there's gotta be something to look at. Check out my collection.
Typography is just as much about image as it is, language. Which is more important, often depends on the context, like all design. The following examples are clearly in favor of the "image". Not all logos are meant to be read, even if they say words. I know that sounds crazy but often times the most functional or the most interesting concept is not necessarily the most conventional. I think many designers sacrifice visual interest to maintain legibility which has it's place in the function of a design but when made the prominent role of text either in an advertisement, magazine, poster, etc, you ultimately leave the overall image very passive and therefore, easy to overlook. I create typographic solutions by re appropriating stylistic elements seen throughout music and film. Psychedelic letterforms reminiscent of The Grateful Dead, Jimmy Hendrix, and even some of the 60's 70's horror films like Suspiria, create strong directional yet dynamic compositions that make an audience travel letter to letter. Black Metal bands have a tradition of particularly intricate yet refined logos that although maybe near impossible to decipher, balance and symmetry make them dynamic and eye catching. Those are just a couple examples. It seems tedious but actually creates an overall more interesting statement that will last longer with the viewer. Even if they cannot read the title of your event, your clear legible website, venue, date and time will tell them where to find out more and what to expect. I believe that although certain visual tropes are popular primarily within subcultures, they eventually find their way into new demographics through creative implementation. I'm losing so many points with subculture right now for breaking down their aesthetic so... you're welcome.
Why don't you draw nice stuff? I do. It's called commercial art, and as you can see, it's not really the vibe I'm trying to curate here.
I'm not really a spiritual person nor do I practice witchcraft, however, I think we can all agree, tarot cards are pretty cool. It's pictures and metaphors which is basically the whole idea of illustration. No I didn't do a whole Tarot deck, though I would like to get around to it. Until then, here are the four scariest cards you can get from a tarot reading... supposedly.
This is my rendition of a few of my favorite Aesop's fables, from my childhood. Graphite, watercolor, india ink, and pen
A collection of digital and traditional paintings, collages, glitch work, and other various things.