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Saturday, 15 January 2011
Crazy lady?
Tonight is one of those times.
Before I tell you my story, I want to state that I know 100% that my disease is real and that my symptoms aren't in my head. But sometimes, like tonight, the thought does cross my mind.
Ok so, I was out with friends for a birthday night out. We went to dinner, then a bar, then a club. I was fine until about an hour and a half into the club (where there were no seats) and I could start to feel my right foot toes tingling, which for me means...uh oh..swollen toes are coming very soon. So I waited a bit, it was getting worse, so I made my excuses to leave.
Nothing strange so far..BUT..the reason I'm really confused is this. 2 days ago I was in London with work, on a fashion shoot. I spent all day in airports, then on my feet for about 6 hours filming, then airports again. And it was only in the airport queue for security on the way home that I noticed anything funny about my feet.
Where as tonight, all it took was an hour and a half. Yes, of course the disease varies from day to day, I know this. But what confuses me is this - I was REALLY bored tonight in the club. The music was crap, the chat was crap and I just didn't want to be there. On the shoot, I was having a blast and was really busy working and not really thinking about anything else.
So....even though I KNOW it's silly and it's not in my head.. is it any wonder that sometimes I question myself?? I can't help but notice a pattern...if I really want to do something and I'm enjoying myself I get through it better. If I'm bored and want to go home anyway, my foot seems to swell more.
I don't know what to make of it. Am I unconsciously using my RA as an excuse to leave things I don't want to do? Or is it just a coincidence that my flares happen during dull nights out? I'm definitely not imagining the flares. But I wonder if somehow I pay attention to them more when I'm not having fun. I think I'm going mad. Oh well! Stupid disease.
4 comments:
First of all, of course you are right on when you say the disease varies from day to day. I also thing that this is absolutely not in your head. I really feel that we are good at ignoring pain when we are doing something that that keeps us very busy and/or is something we love. I know distraction doesn't take away the pain, but it helps. When you are bored, you have way more time to focus on what's going on in your body.ReplyDelete
I have to admit that I have used the "RA excuse" a few times in the past. However, I didn't actually feel any more pain/swelling at the time, I just said that I did. I really don't think you are bringing this on yourself.
- Anonymous16 January 2011 at 11:49
I'm with Pony. I'm absolutely more able to handle and even, at times, completely ignore pain when my mind is occupied with doing things that I enjoy--at least until I slow down. Sometimes being physically active, like you were during the shoot, also keeps me distracted. With physical busy-ness and mental occupation, there's just no room in my mind for pain, too, unless it's truly severe.ReplyDelete
When I'm bored or idle (or both) and in pain, it becomes impossible to distract from.
And, like you, I've noticed this strange phenomenon, as it has happened so many, many times over the years. In fact, once I noticed it, I've gone out of my way to distract myself during flares in order to "block" pain. It can be really effective and a powerful tool. Please never think that your RA pain is bogus--it's not. I may be "all in your head"--ALL pain sensations originate in the brain--but the ability to block it is a real gift. Be glad for it, not worried!
Hugs for you, Squirrel. Here's hoping the next week and month will be pain free, and if it's not, that you'll be able to achieve distraction and relative comfort.
Thank you both! It's all so frustrating. Despite all these strange goings on and the flare ups I still feel very lucky to be able to enjoy the things I want to do for the most part. But like every RA sufferer, I really do miss knowing for sure that I could do everything, fun or boring, at any time. Thank you for the words of encouragement and support, it's good to know that you've experienced similar things. Hope you're both well :)ReplyDelete
I agree with Pony, it is absolutely not in your head! It definitely helps being wrapped up in something you like, but somedays that doesn't even help. If your mind is not occupied, you have more time to dwell on pain and once you start thinking about the pain it will get worse. You're SO right ... stupid disease!ReplyDelete


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Phoenix >> The serial stowaway who served only three days of a six-month jail sentence for violating an order to stay away from Los Angeles International Airport without a ticket was arrested again Tuesday when police spotted her loitering in Phoenix's airport.
Marilyn Jean Hartman, 62, was arrested near the baggage claim area at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on suspicion of criminal trespass, said Sgt. Trent Crump, a police spokesman.
Police were requesting a mental health evaluation for Hartman, who last month asked for jail when prosecutors in Los Angeles offered her a program designed to help her.
Phoenix airport workers recognized her at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday "loitering around a checkpoint," and Crump said she "again was not in possession of an airline ticket."
It wasn't the first time Hartman has been spotted at the Phoenix airport.
She was removed from Sky Harbor on Aug. 20 and given a trespass warning after she attempted to enter a security checkpoint without a ticket, Crump said. That was just four days after Los Angeles County jail officials released her from custody early because of jail overcrowding.
Before he sentenced Hartman to 177 days in jail for violating an order to stay away from Los Angeles International Airport without a ticket, Airport Court Commissioner Alan Rubin told her: "This has got to stop."
Police did not know how she got to Phoenix after her release from the detention center in Lynwood, and did not know if she had an attorney who could speak on her behalf. In Los Angeles, she was represented by the Public Defender's Office.
Arrested six times trying to slip onto flights undetected at San Francisco International Airport, Hartman tried at least three times at Mineta San Jose International Airport to get to a plane before she finally went past a security screener who was busy checking a family's documents on Aug. 4 and flew to Los Angeles, law enforcement officials said.
Los Angeles Airport police arrested her when her flight landed.
In February, Hartman was sentenced to 18 months probation in San Mateo County after she was arrested for attempting to board three Hawaii-bound flights at San Francisco International Airport on three separate days.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Valentines Day Collage
1 comment:
- AnonymousMay 7, 2014 at 6:47 AM
Hello there,ReplyDelete
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Kind regards


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Consumers are migrating away from PC-based Internet usage and are increasingly using mobile devices as their default gateway to the Internet. According to IDC, the U.S. is leading this trend, with Western Europe and Japan only about two years behind.
In the United States, the number of people accessing the Internet through PCs will shrink from 240 million in 2012 to 225 million in 2016. At the same time, the number of mobile users will increase from 174 million to 265 million, and in 2015, there will be more U.S. consumers accessing the Internet through mobile devices than through PCs.
Some other findings from IDC's report include:
- The share of users accessing social networks such as Facebook on their PCs will decline from 66% in 2012 to 52% in 2016.
- Worldwide mobile advertising will grow from $6 billion in 2011 to $28.8 billion in 2016.
- Worldwide business-to-consumer (B2C) m-commerce spending will grow six fold between 2011 and 2016, reaching $223 billion at the end of the forecast period.
Karsten Weide, program vice president, Media & Entertainment at IDC thinks this is happening because the PC was never truly a consumer product. She went on to add: "Many consumers use them because there was no better alternative. Now, with the huge and growing installed base of more user-friendly tablets and smartphones, there are."


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Sarah Jessica Parker & Matthew Broderick: Lunch with the Twins!
Sarah Jessica Parker and her husband Matthew Broderick have a family day out with their twins Marion and Tabitha on Friday (November 2) in New York City's Upper East Side area.
The 47-year-old actress and 50-year-old actor brought their 3-year-old twins out for lunch at Nello's restaurant.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Sarah Jessica Parker
SJP and Matthew, who have a residence in Downtown Manhattan, were forced to relocate temporarily after Hurricane Sandy left them without power, according to the New York Post. Sarah Jessica was spotted returning to her residence briefly to grab some supplies on Halloween.


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New Delhi, Nov 17: Television actress Aashka Goradia Friday turned the latest celebrity contestant to be voted out of the sixth season of reality show "Bigg Boss".
The 27-year-old actress was quite active, when it came to doing tasks or household chores, during her stay in the house.
Although she mingled well with the all housemates, Aashka struck a close bond with Delnaaz Irani, Sana Khan and Urvashi Dholakia on the show.
But due to frequent conflicts and unpleasant behavior of the housemates, the actress eventually started maintaining distance from everyone.
Aashka is known for playing a vamp in many shows, but the "Bigg Boss" house brought out her sensitive side. Unable to handle pressures, she was often seen crying in the house.


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Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
Toward the end of his undergraduate days at Oberlin College in 1970, Luther K. Robinson, the son of a Ford plant worker and a hospital housekeeper, who planned to go to medical school, was given "the talk" by one of his professors.
"He said to me, 'Do you know that it's hard to get into medical school?' " Robinson recalled. "I told him yes, I knew that. He said, 'You're not the strongest student in the division.' I said I knew that, too. He asked me, 'What are you going to do if you don't get in?' I told him that I was going to get in. He asked me how I knew that. I told him, 'Well, I'm going to be a doctor, and if I'm going to be a doctor, then I'm going to have to go to medical school.'"
Robinson's determination to pursue medicine has served him well. Earlier this month, the professor of pediatrics at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and the Division of Genetics at Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo was honored with the 2013 Excellence Award of the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in Washington, D.C.
He was recognized for his career-long dedication to studying and screening children for fetal alcohol syndrome, advocacy for better support for patients and the prevention of FAS. In addition to his clinical practice, he has an active research program, funded primarily by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Addiction. With national and international collaborators, he has conducted screening and longitudinal studies of children with FAS in the U.S., Africa and Europe.
After graduating with his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1974, Robinson served in the U.S. Public Health Service in San Diego and then did his residency in pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego. His plan was to go into private practice. But then came his rotation with Kenneth Lyons Jones, considered the father of the field of FAS, first identified in 1973 by Jones and his mentor, David W. Smith at the University of Washington.
"Jones is an incredible teacher, who really invests in his trainees," Robinson said. "That rotation changed the way I viewed my career."
He held a postdoctoral fellowship in dysmorphology (birth defects that lead to physical disabilities) under Jones and then became assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston.
Robinson, who is board certified in pediatrics and clinical genetics, was interested in birth defects and how a mother's health affects the baby, particularly in the minority community.
"One of the doctrines of the practice of medicine is that early recognition improves outcomes," he said. "I wanted to help provide better recognition of genetic and environmental disorders, especially in underrepresented populations. The data suggest that FAS is more prevalent among minorities, but this is a preventable birth defect."
In 1987, he took an assistant professor position at UB and at WCHOB, attracted by what he recognized as the university's longstanding and nationally recognized tradition of clinical excellence in the department of pediatrics.
"I thought Buffalo was going to be a blip on my CV," he noted, smiling. "I've been here 26 years."
Robinson is director of dysmorphology and clinical genetics at WCHOB; he works with other genetics professionals to meet the diagnostic and treatment needs of patients with known or suspected prenatal exposures to neurotoxic substances, such as alcohol.
Since he began studying FAS, he said the number of cases, roughly 1 in every 1,000 live births in the U.S., has either stayed constant or seen a slight increase. The rate is especially high in poor urban and poor rural populations, he said.
"We've known about fetal alcohol syndrome since 1973, but people get mixed messages," he said. "They'll hear: 'Have a glass of wine when you're pregnant, it'll relax you,' or 'Dark beer is good for your milk.' But there is no safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The recommendation is: Just don't drink during pregnancy. Period."
Fetal alcohol syndrome is a recognizable constellation of birth and developmental disabilities, including small stature, slight build, small eyes and smaller than normal head circumference. Additional physical symptoms include improper development of the space between the nose and upper lip.
But by far, the most detrimental result of fetal alcohol syndrome is that it causes improper development of the nervous system, leading to lifelong learning and developmental disabilities.
"It's not glaringly obvious which children have fetal alcohol syndrome," said Robinson, although specialists can usually identify them by their facial characteristics. "These are kids who are often described as willful, impulsive, hard to manage. They are told by teachers and administrators that they just have to work harder in school. But with fetal alcohol syndrome, there has been an insult to the developing brain that leads to these problems."
Treatment for fetal alcohol syndrome is largely focused on school and behavioral support for the child, including physical, speech and occupational therapy provided by the New York State Department of Health. Robinson's division at WCHOB also works closely with a support group for parents.
When diagnosing a patient, Robinson tells the mother that alcohol crosses the placenta and can harm the baby. "I try to depersonalize and destigmatize the birth mother," he said. "Both the child and the mother are in need of intervention. Sometimes, the recognition of the child's birth defect will get the parent to change her behavior."
However, most of the time, the caregiver Robinson is dealing with is not the birth mother.
"In clinical practice, 90 percent of children diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome are in foster or adoptive care," he said. "That statistic just underscores the disruptive effect of alcohol."
Robinson was an inaugural member of the Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. He has also worked with the New York State Department of Health Congenital Malformations Registry in tracking the prevalence of birth defects.


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How it works Virus
Computer viruses generally can damage computers and software can not directly damage the computer hardware but can lead to damage in a way that forces the program to load over process to a particular device. Negative effects of computer viruses is to multiply themselves, which makes the computer resources (such as memory usage) to be reduced significantly. Nearly 95% of virus-based computer operating system Windows. Malignant viruses that will damage the hardware.
Types of Viruses
A computer virus is a general term to describe any kind of attack against computers. Categorized by the way it works, computer viruses can be grouped into the following categories:
This makes computer resources (hard drive) into it's full of worms.
- Trojan - Capture data on infected computers and sends it to the trojan maker itself.
- Backdoor - Almost the same as the trojan. However, Backdoor usually resembles the files just fine. Spyware - Virus that monitors the infected computer.
- Rogue - is a program that mimics an antivirus program and displays antiviral activity as normal, and giving false warnings about the virus. The aim is that users purchase and activate the fake antivirus program and make money for the rogue virus makers. Also rogue can open security holes in computers in order to bring in other viruses.
- Rootkits - The virus that works like an ordinary computer systems work only.
- Polymorphic viruses - Viruses are fond of change so that can not be detected.
- Metamorphic viruses - viruses that change the encoding itself to be more difficult to detect.
- Phone viruses - viruses that run on mobile phones, and can cause various effects, ranging from cell phones damage, steal data in mobile phones, to make calls discreetly and spent toll of cell phone users.
Virus attacks can be prevented or overcome by using antivirus software. This type of software can also detect and remove computer viruses.
so virus is really bad for computer user and useful for the virus maker .


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Lame Colorado College Ads Peddle Season Tix
31 comments:
- msbdu said...
Wait a minute, do you mean to tell me that for all of these years people have been paying to see CC lose?
Why in the world would they do that?
- Friday, July 23, 2010 at 9:41:00 AM MDT
- dggoddard said...
Turns out they've been "overpaying" to see CC lose.
Now the losing will be more affordable.
- Friday, July 23, 2010 at 9:47:00 AM MDT
Apparently there isn't a media ethics class at CC. When they state that they "usually beat DU" one would make the assumption that CC would have a better than .500 record against DU.
Too bad the record book doesn't back up that claim:
DU vs. Colorado College 1949-50 to present
DU Leads the series 154-107-14 (.585)
DU has outscored CC 1,276-1,101
I guess CC doesn't cover things like to "Don't make claims that can be easily disputed by facts" in their TV Production class. They were probably too busy writing jokes as weak as their playoff record to worry about production value or the truth.
- Friday, July 23, 2010 at 10:26:00 AM MDT
Lowering ticket price? Further proof that you get what you pay for in this world.
- Friday, July 23, 2010 at 10:39:00 AM MDT
Can't coach + can't play = can't act.
- Friday, July 23, 2010 at 10:57:00 AM MDT
How embarrasing for CC.
- Friday, July 23, 2010 at 12:40:00 PM MDT
Wow, always good to see Scotty O on camera. He's an inspiration to us all. He and those two clowns in the video probably have the combined IQ of a turnip.
- Friday, July 23, 2010 at 2:48:00 PM MDT
at least North Dakota doesn't have to come up with bad commercials from players to sell tickets oh wait that's right the Ralph is sold out every game 11,000 plus so they don't need too..hands down UND and the Ralph is the best college athletic experience in the world....8 in 11
- Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 12:48:00 AM MDT
- MagnessMan said...
It's clear that the school is struggling to draw people. It's a very strange market down in the Springs.
- Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 1:21:00 AM MDT
It's a bad economy. End of story! To boot ~ this an add only posted on the CC site. Times are tough. You all are shamefull!
- Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 2:00:00 AM MDT
Hey billy douche ~ it's a lot closer i recent history ~ and in CC's favor! We can ~ with no doubt~ say ur iq is less than 57 !!!
- Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 2:09:00 AM MDT
I wonder how CC is financing this reduction of season ticket prices. Are wealthy donors subsidizing this? If so, it sounds like "wealth redistribution" and I wonder how all the "good" conservatives of da Springs would handle that...
- Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 9:18:00 AM MDT
CC is losing season ticket holders, and when they surveyed why season ticket holders are not renewing, "price" was the primary answer given. That answer has several dimensions to it - there is an economic rationale that people are genuinely squeezed in a tough economy. But there is also the reality that with the Tigers' late season collapses in recent years, there are probably a number of season ticket holders that are tired of financing such endings and want to spend their money on other things.
Colorado isn't North Dakota, where the winter entertainment options are more limited and where UND hockey is the state's largest athletic attraction.
Dropping prices is risky - you risk devaluing your product and showing your long term season ticket holders that they were "over-paying". The upside is that CC is hoping that more people will be attracted to the lower price. We'll see.
In any event, the new commercials are a real step down from previous CC marketing efforts in terms of quality, and it makes the program look too cheesy and low budget. The "Witness" campaign a few years ago was much better than this,,,
- Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 11:18:00 AM MDT
Rocky's Auto has more entertaining commercials.
- Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 12:53:00 PM MDT
I am just wondering how the losses are being covered. Is there a wealthy donor who is subsidizing this price decrease? If there is, how would da Springs' neo-con population react to such a "redistribution of wealth"?
Or, is CC going to take it out of the hockey program's travel, recruiting or equipment budgets?
Whatever the reasoning, however the lost revenue is recovered, there is one thing which shall forever be known down there:
- Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 12:54:00 PM MDT
Now WITNESS this:
cc SUCKS!!!!!! (and so do their cruddy commercials)
- Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 12:56:00 PM MDT
If I were in a recruiting battle with CC, I would show this pathetic, stupid video to the recruit and say, "This could be YOU in three years...now how about agreeing to sign an LOI with us and forget those idiots. Are you a hockey player or a crappy thespian?"
- Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 12:59:00 PM MDT
1:53 - is that you Jay?
- Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 5:13:00 PM MDT
Holy Shit I didn't even make it to the end. Had to turn it off. The Tigers are to be commended - this is a new low. It's bad enough your student-atheletes haven't been able to take a national championship since 1957.... but why oh WHY must you use the players as scapegoats and tools? They look gay enough on the ice as it is.... don't make them act like little bitches for a camera...... have you NO dignity????
- Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 7:04:00 PM MDT
- big lady dick! said...
DU will finish the season below .500. Talk shit now because you won't have much to say when the season starts. Wait… maybe your coach will have a fit and fling a few water bottles… Enjoy the basement bitches! Make sure to come suck a fart out of my ass at the CSW!!!
- Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 10:23:00 PM MDT
You got spunk, kid. Same cut & paste response using 2 different screen names on 2 different threads. Hey - atleast you care. Love, your friends up north.
- Sunday, July 25, 2010 at 6:54:00 AM MDT
Colorado College dropped its football, softball and water polo programs in 2009 so the Athletic Department is probably spewing less red ink these days.
If CC had a business school they'd quickly understand that dropping prices is a risky way to increase sales. Its far smarter to keep prices the same and offer "value or deals" (free hot dogs/cokes or T-shirts for example). When the economy went sour, McDonald's didn't lower the price of Big Macs. They revamped the $1 Value Menu and offered lower cost alternatives. Season Tickets are Big Macs, games against Bemidji are dollar cheeseburgers.
Every customer is going to complain about "high prices" but offer a winning product and quality service and most businesses will thrive.
- Sunday, July 25, 2010 at 7:20:00 AM MDT
LAME! Just like their hockey team!
- Sunday, July 25, 2010 at 11:50:00 AM MDT
Even featuring bilingual stupidity!
- Sunday, July 25, 2010 at 5:40:00 PM MDT
Those guys are about as good of actors as they are players. maybe when they can start playing well they can stop selling bargain bin tickets
- Monday, July 26, 2010 at 4:37:00 PM MDT
all kiding aside - look at ticket sales DU vs CC. They are not worlds apart but CC gets more butts in seats. That's a fact.
- Monday, July 26, 2010 at 6:44:00 PM MDT
DU has a smaller building and sells out more games than CC.
Factor in that DU competes in the same sports market as the Avs, Rockies, Broncos & Nuggets.
Also factor in that DU hockey brings in far more revenue than CC thanks to the on campus arena, far higher ticket prices and 100% control of concessions and parking.
- Monday, July 26, 2010 at 8:54:00 PM MDT
so you admit it dog fucker??? we sell more tickets?
- Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 11:37:00 PM MDT
you pay more? sounds like fun???
- Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 11:38:00 PM MDT
Great... You sell more tickets!! Fantastic you win. Wooooooooooooot. That and your participation banners are something to be proud of.
- Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at 7:19:00 AM MDT
Wow. After reading a few of these comments, I have to admit that DU has some of the most classless fans around. Sorry fellas :)
- Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at 6:18:00 PM MDT


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Tell us about your role at Accenture.
I'm a management consultant on the Digital Store team within Accenture North America Retail. With digital becoming such an integral part of shopping today, we have an entire group focused on helping clients drive change by integrating digital into every aspect of a shopping experience.
How did you first learn about the opportunity to join Accenture?
I went to a Military Service Academy Career Conference in 2015, which consisted of companies pursuing Service Academy graduates. I attended the U.S. Air Force Academy and graduated in 2007. After I got out of the Air Force and spent a couple years working for a large retailer, I wanted to transition to retail consulting. I think Accenture has done a fantastic job of gaining visibility as a veteran employer.
Before joining Accenture, you served in the U.S. Air Force for five years. What led you to first join the military?
I grew up in a military family, so I had familiarity with the lifestyle and what it meant to serve. My dad was in the Army, and my sister went to the Air Force Academy. Then, 9/11 happened when I was a senior in high school. I remember that day like it was yesterday as I'm sure anyone does in America. After that, there was a moment when I felt a compelling desire to do something more. During my time in the Air Force, I worked as a missile operator. We pulled long shifts, working underground in a silo. I managed the security and maintenance of the missiles around me.
How has your experience in the military influenced your career or work experiences?
It taught me a lot about hard work and sacrifice from an early age. There is nothing about the military lifestyle that is glamorous. The first priority is always the mission. It is necessary to have a strong work ethic and perseverance, so that was an influential factor in my work ethic after I got out of the military. You do what you have to do to do your job well.
Given your experience in the military, what does Veterans Day mean to you?
I reflect on those who choose to get up every day, put on a uniform and make so many personal sacrifices—themselves and their families. I fortunately never had to deploy, but I have seen first-hand the effects it has on families. I've lost several friends and classmates since I graduated in 2007. I am forever indebted to those who fight for the freedoms we exercise every day.
You previously worked as an executive team leader at a large retailer. How has that experienced equipped you with insight and tools for serving Accenture's retail clients?
It has been immensely helpful. I had the opportunity to walk in the shoes of the retailer. With such an up-close experience in stores, I am able to better understand store processes and pain points. When I'm working with a retailer, I think about what is realistic to implement in the store. I can relate to what they do, so it helps with building relationships with clients.
At my previous job, I led the rollout of two major store apps, which meant I was also part of the associated culture shift from both a customer and employee perspective. Successful change management is an important part of how Accenture helps retailers to be competitive, especially amid their digital journey.
Retail is changing every day, with digital being a driving force. Where do you see the industry headed in the next three to five years?
I think customer demand and expectations are increasing now more than ever. Some are struggling to meet those expectations and we are in the midst of digital "everything." Many are trying to catch up and satisfy the rising need for immediacy. It makes digital opportunities today really exciting.
When you are shopping—online or in-store—are you able to take off your "work hat" and just shop?
Online, yes. In store, no. When I'm in a store, I'm constantly assessing merchandising, signage, and digital options. If there is anything unique, I take a picture of it so I have a record of different store strategies. Shopping online is so easy, and it is influencing in-store expectations. Retailers have to work harder and be more creative to drive traffic to the store.
What aspects are retailers getting right?
I look for those with digital offerings and high employee engagement. The first impression is really important, so things like merchandising and signage need to be right. Also, employee engagement should be transparent to the shopper. Employee responsibility has shifted from task-oriented to higher expectations of product knowledge. Some are doing a good job with first impressions and bridging that gap between the digital and in-store experience.
In terms of your customer experience, what is most important to you when interacting with a brand?
A seamless shopping experience is important to me—online or in-store. I rarely shop just to shop. I usually know what I'm looking for, so if it's easy to find and order, I appreciate that. If I'm shopping in-store, I check the availability of a product on the store's app beforehand if that's an option. I think digital options that are intuitive are crucial.
Are brands that are making a difference in the world more likely to get your attention, or are there other factors important to you?
Definitely. I always want to give my business to brands that have charitable initiatives. If my purchase can benefit someone else, I'm all for it. Lots of small brands with a charitable focus are popping up and those are important competitive factors for large retailers to consider.
Employee engagement is also important to me. I like to see employees who seem to be happy working there. I generally think that if employees are happy, then the business must be doing something right. It makes for that much more of a positive shopping experience.
Describe the worst retail experience you've ever had.
There isn't one experience that sticks out in my mind, but I find it frustrating when retailers aren't willing to make it right for the customer. For example, if I see a sign that says an item is $10 and it rings up at $15, it should be a simple adjustment. There shouldn't be a long price check or a manager called. Some retailers are really good at empowering employees to make it right.
What do you like to do outside of work? Any hobbies or interests?
We moved to Alexandria, Virginia several years ago, so we have mainly been busy exploring the East Coast. Since my husband is still in the Air Force and soon being stationed in Los Angeles, we'll be moving there this fall, which will be an exciting change. I'm looking forward to the beautiful weather and being closer to family.


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Jennifer Brea kept getting slammed by recurring illness as she was working on her doctorate in political science at Harvard University. But the extent of her declining health didn't hit her until last year, when she went to a restaurant and said her brain was so foggy she couldn't even read the menu.
Today, at 31, she is on medical leave from Harvard, disabled by myalgic encephalomyelitis, or ME — "the most prevalent and devastating disease your doctor has never heard of," she said. Her illness is better known as chronic fatigue syndrome in the United States, a name Brea said does a disservice to the severity of her symptoms.
"I can't drive. I can't leave my house unattended, and I'm in a wheelchair," said Brea, who lives with her husband in Princeton, N.J. "Even sitting in a wheelchair is taxing for me. It is pretty much impossible for me to do what I was doing before."
Before disease struck, she was training to be a professor and had led an active life. Before going to graduate school, she worked as a freelance journalist in China. Today, she said she is often bed-bound and plagued with "spells," which she said leave her nonverbal and unable to think.
Chronic fatigue patients no longer fakes.
"I got engaged in the summer of 2012, and for months, I was just trying to figure out how I would manage to show up at my own wedding," she said. "I got fevers and dizziness and couldn't leave the house without bumping into things or falling over."
But Brea is using what strength she does have to make a documentary, "Canary in a Coal Mine," to chronicle the lives of others living with ME. Using Skype and Facetime, patients share their stories and offer glimpses of their shattered lives in real time.
"It has been a way to deal with the anger and confusion and fear," she said of the project.
Brea recently launched a fundraising campaign on the crowdsourcing site Kickstarter with a goal of raising $ 200,000 by Nov. 22 to finish the movie, which she hopes will not only bring more compassion to those living with ME but encourage awareness in the medical community and better tools for diagnosis and treatment.
New psyche disorder could label those with ME as mentally ill
Support from the patient community has been "astonishing," according to Brea. "Some are calling it an 'uprising from our beds.'"
The name "myalgic encephalomyelitis" was coined in Britain in the 1980s and is now the definitive name used by the World Health Organization. But in the United States, the disease is called chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, an illness that affects more than 800,000 Americans, according to the CFIDS Association of America.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes CFS as a "profound fatigue that is not improved by bed rest and that may be worsened by physical or mental activity." Its symptoms can include weakness, muscle pain, impaired memory and mental concentration and insomnia.
Dr. Nancy Klimas, a neuro-immunologist with an expertise in CFS and ME at Nova Southeastern University in Florida and director of Gulf War illness research at the Veterans Administration, said the name chronic fatigue syndrome is a poor descriptor for an illness that is actually an inflammation of the brain, perhaps caused by a virus.
"I don't think there is a soul that hasn't lived to regret that name because it's derogatory and easy to dismiss as an unimportant illness," said Klimas.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Study Casts Doubt on Mouse Virus Link
A 2009 study linking chronic fatigue syndrome to a mouse virus gave patients validation and hope for a cure. Two-thirds of study subjects with chronic fatigue had the virus, called XMRV, in their blood compared with only 3.9 percent of healthy people, according to the report published in Science.
But the study was discredited later when results could not be replicated and it was discovered blood samples had been contaminated.
Klimas speculates that the illness is an autoimmune disorder that starts when patients either get an infection and "never get rid of it," or the infection actually triggers an immune response — "like a hit and run."
"What's fascinating about the film is the most difficult thing to get across to the medical community is how serious this disease is," she said. "Patients get up for a few hours and look pretty decent and then go back to bed for a couple of weeks."
She said many doctors have no familiarity with the illness and it is not taught in medical schools but it doesn't neatly fit into any one specialty.
A study in the 2005 issue of Family Practice, which surveyed the attitudes and how much family doctors knew about it, revealed 48 percent did not feel confident making a diagnosis, and 41 percent did not feel confident treating the illness.
Brea said her doctor dismissed her symptoms, telling her he thought it might be epilepsy, migraines or conversion disorder — "a kind of updated term for hysteria." She eventually consulted an immunologist in Miami, who properly diagnosed her.
Some of the patients interviewed in Brea's film have seen 20 doctors or more before getting a diagnosis.
One, 22-year-old Jessica Taylor of Rochester, England, one of the patients followed in Brea's film, contracted a virus at the age of 14 and has never recovered.
"I tried to keep going and tried not to let it affect me because I wanted to be well and do all the normal things kids do," Taylor said. "I had no time to be ill."
She spent months at a time in the hospital being fed by a gastric tube.
"I am one of the most severe cases," she told ABCNews.com. "All that time I have been bedridden completely and so I have not walked since 2006. At the moment I am stuck in the world of one room in a hospital bed at home."
Taylor said she has "stabbing pain like having hot needles pressed" into her legs and arms — "all the time." Her muscles don't work, and she often has "brain fog" and can't process information. "Sometimes I try to speak and nothing comes out," she said.
"When I am listening to people sometimes they sound like they are speaking a foreign language."
She said it took her an entire day of rest to prepare for the phone call from ABCNews.com. Fortunately, her iPad has allowed her to communicate with friends and to participate in the film. She recently filmed herself sitting on the edge of the bed for the first time in eight years.
"Being tired is not near to what I feel every day," she said. "It's beyond tiredness. It's in every cell of my body — a force so strong that it prevents me from doing everything and affects every aspect of my life."
Running a charity to benefit children and young adults with illness from her bed//


text:
LOS ANGELES (AP) The Phoenix Mercury's winning streak has evolved so that they don't need Diana Taurasi, Candice Dupree or Brittney Griner to lead the way.
DeWanna Bonner took her turn with a season-high 22 points to lead the Mercury to their 14th straight victory, 93-73 over the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday night.
Taurasi and Griner each had 18 points and Dupree added 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Mercury (20-3), four wins shy of the Sparks' WNBA record of 18 straight wins in 2001.
Bonner recorded a season high in the first half with 20 points and finished with 22 on 7-for-9 shooting. It was the first time this season Bonner led Phoenix in scoring.
''We had a talk recently and I wanted her to be more aggressive on the offensive end,'' Phoenix coach Sandy Brondello said. ''People talk about our big three, but we actually have a big five . it was good for her to get going. I just want her to be aggressive. She can put numbers on the board, so I just wanted her to get involved as much as she can.''
Bonner and Griner combined to shoot 15 for 18 from the field to help Phoenix shoot 54 percent overall and score 48 points in the paint. The Mercury will go for No. 15 on Saturday against the New York Liberty, but they maintain that it's not on their mind.
''I think we worked hard for it,'' Bonner said. ''Nothing came easy. But we don't look ahead. We don't look behind at what we did or what we're doing.''
Nneka Ogwumike scored 23 points and Jantel Lavender had 16 for the Sparks (10-14), who lost their fifth straight home game and are 0-2 under new coach Penny Toler. Candace Parker returned from a strained knee and had 14 points and nine rebounds.
It was a big challenge for the Sparks, who played on Wednesday and fell into a deficit early. The Mercury set season highs for points in a first half (61) and first quarter (36).
The Sparks are in the middle of five games in seven days, and Toler said they have to stay positive.
''The things we're doing are fixable,'' Toler said. ''Now I need everybody to continue believe in what we're doing. This is a tough one. These cats are hot. It's tough to play them even when you've got days between, let alone on a back-to-back. And they were coming in fresh. It was the first half that killed us.''
Phoenix led by double digits from 25-15. Taurasi made a 3-pointer early in third quarter to give Phoenix its biggest lead at 64-38 before the Sparks went on a 23-9 run finished by Candice Wiggins' 3-pointer to get to 73-61.
The Mercury's Shay Murphy scored on a drive with the shot clock winding down on the next possession and the Sparks never got closer.
Ogwumike scored 19 points in the second half but that was the main Sparks highlight on a night when owner Magic Johnson was in attendance. Toler, the longtime general manager, was hired on Sunday and said she is getting a lot of input from assistant coaches and players to ease the transition.
''I'm actually proud of them because this is a lot of distractions that we have right now and that's recognizing that even as GM,'' Toler said. ''We're trying to change some things and go forward, and it may take a minute. Obviously we want things to be instant, but it doesn't work like that.''


text:
May 3, 2008
For the third game in a row, the Bisons took an early lead, but this time they held onto it, as they defeated Winthrop 5-1 in game two.
Ben Williams got the Bisons on the board with an RBI single in the fifth. They added to their lead in the eighth, plating four more runs to take a 5-0 lead. Shane Simpkins got the offense going, driving in Allen Bolden to increase Lipscomb's lead to 2-0. The next batter, Ryan Wilkins gave the Bisons a more comfortable lead, drilling a three run homer to bring the score to 5-0.
Meanwhile, Bisons starter, Mike Dunn was impressive, going 6.1 innings, giving up just five hits. He was relieved by right-hander, Kyle Tognazzini in the seventh.
Winthrop finally got to Tognazzini in the eighth, plating a run to pull to within 5-1, but it was as close as they would get.
Tognazzini threw 2.2 innings, giving up one run on three hits, while striking out one.
Jay Moreland led the Bisons on offense, racking up three hits, while Williams added two, and Wilkins contributed three RBIs.
Dunn earned the win to improve to 4-3 on the season. With the win, the Bisons improved to 24-22.
Right-hander, Josh Smith, will take the mound for the Bisons in the series finale on Sunday, May 4.


text:
Bro John Anthony When a blessing is spoken, those words channel a power that cannot be changed or reversed. A blessing once spoken is irrevocable.
-Br. Curtis Almquist
Society of Saint John the Evangelist
Since I sometimes sign off with blessings in email messages, I'm pleased to know that the blessing is forever. And no - one does not have to be clergy to bestow a blessing.


text:
Cruise Itinerary
|Ports of call
|Sat, Mar 16 2019 12:00
|At Sea
|Sun, Mar 17 2019 12:00
|At Sea
|Mon, Mar 18 2019 12:00
|At Sea
|Tue, Mar 19 2019 12:00
|At Sea
|Wed, Mar 20 2019 12:00
|At Sea
|Thu, Mar 21 2019 12:00
|At Sea
|Fri, Mar 22 2019 12:00
|Sat, Mar 23 2019 09:00
|Total length of cruise: 7 nights
Departs: Saturday 12noon (check-in 11am-12noon).
Returns: Saturday 9.00am
Cruises depart & return Denarau Marina Nadi
Saturday – NUKU-I-MANA
Welcome Aboard! Set sail over lunch through the beautiful Mamanuca islands past many famous resorts collecting some additional passengers, before arriving for a snorkel from a sand cay and discover the vista of a South Pacific sunset. Tonight book your preferred
time early for our a-la-carte Dinner.
Sunday – MONURIKI – MONU BAY
Reef Endeavour cruises to idyllic Monu / Monoriki where Tom Hanks' Castaway was filmed. Snorkel a wonderful bommie in the morning or relax on Monu beach. In the afternoon, explore Monuriki's natural film set on a guided kayak tour or from the beach before a special village choral service. The beautiful harmonies of the village choir will simply delight you. This evening join the entertainment of our Sunday Crew Show.
Monday – SACRED ISLANDS - WAYA ISLANDS
The Sacred Island is a place beautiful beyond belief. Legends tell of the great war canoe `Rogoboka' which landed here with the first Fijians. On arrival the ship's crew pay tribute to the forefathers of Fijian culture and perform the Sevusevu (gift giving) ceremony.
Spend a magical morning swimming in the aquamarine lagoons, snorkelling in spectacular coral gardens, beach combing or coral viewing from the glass bottom boat. Over lunch cruise to the Southern Yasawa islands. Enclosed by towering volcanic peaks and palm fringed beaches, Waya Island is a tropical paradise. Visit a local school this afternoon and a village and shell market. The fit will also have a chance to climb to the peak of Waya for amazing views. Don your favourite island attire for Pacific Island night tonight!
Tuesday - WAYA ISLANDS - DENARAU MARINA
Reef Endeavour sets sail and returns to Denarau Marina over breakfast at 07:30am for a 9:00am disembarkation.
Tuesday - DENARAU MARINA - TIVUA ISLAND
Ni sa Bula' is the magical call of welcome as you board Reef Endeavour for your island adventure. Cruise to Tivua Island over a light lunch and safety briefing, to explore the coral gardens, clam farms and a medicine walk through the island before enjoying a South Pacific sunset on your first day at sea. Tonight join the Captain and his crew for the Gala Captain's Dinner.
Wednesday - TIVUA – BROTHERS BEACH – NAVITI ISLAND
Start the day naturally with a morning swim & snorkel in an idyllic bay at Brothers Beach on Naviti Island. Savour the bounty of a gourmet buffet lunch as you journey to spectacular Naviti Island. Here is beauty in its original state where you can bask in aquamarine waters along white sandy beaches. Volleyball, snorkel, swim or explore the island. This evening join the festivities and entertainment of a Fijian Village at Gunu for a traditional Fijian Feast, Lovo and Cultural performance, Meke.
Thursday - YASAWA ISLAND - SAWA-I-LAU
Discover the legendary grandeur of Sawa-i-lau and the famous limestone caves at your own pace. Swimming in the cave is a wondrous experience or you could explore the adjacent blue lagoon on an escorted kayak tour. Join the guided walk to the village school, meet the children and help them practice their English. There may even be a footy game. Snorkel over spectacular coral gardens, swim in fabled lagoons or test your fitness with a climb to the peak behind the school on Yasawa Island. Try your luck at crab racing tonight.
Friday - SAWA-I-LAWU – YAQETA – DRAWAQA
Cruise the soaring volcanic peaks of the Yasawas and discover a myriad of fish in the coral reef and laze in the warm sands of Yaqeta. Cruise the spectacular channels to Drawaqa for amazing snorkelling this afternoon, you may even see a Manta-ray (seasonal). Experience
the sunset over the beautiful Yasawa and enjoy a tropical dinner under the stars (weather permitting)
Saturday – PORT DENARAU
This morning we are sail into Port Denarau for breakfast aboard. The crew bid you farewell to the wistful song of 'Isa Lei'. Disembark 9am.
This 7-night Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands Cruise combines Captain Cook Cruises' 3 night & 4 night tour of Manamuca and Yasawa Islands. You can explore more breathtaking scenery and experience more cultural events and activities. Sailins departs and return Denarau Marina Nadi. You can choose from Saturday and Tuesday departures.
- All meals (buffet & a la cart)
- Daily island stopovers & water activities
- Guided island, village & school tours
- Snorkelling & glass bottom boat tours
- Use of snorkelling equipment & mini gym
- Tropical island lovo feast & kava ceremony
- Entertainment
- Child Minding (5-10yrs) and Nanny Services (under 5yrs) at selected times
- 24 hour self-service tea & coffee bar
- Transfers from Nadi hotels
Fares exclude drinks, optional tours & services
If you need flights to get to this cruise, talk to us. We have teamed up with JetAbroad to offer you a huge range of flights at the lowest prices. You can search flights by calling us today on our contact number above.
If you require accommodation the night(s) before or after your cruise, please let us know. Our sister website HotelSaleFinder.com offers a huge range of hotel options at the lowest web rates. You can search hotels by calling our contact number above.
|Vessel: Reef Endeavour
|Length: 239ft
|Beam: 46.00ft
|Draft: 12.00ft
|Cruising speed: 14kn
|Bars/Lounges: 4
|Gross Tonnage: 3125
|Onboard Currency: AU Dollar
|Passenger Capacity: 140
|SPA Baths: 2
|Vessel: 1
|Culture activities
|Free use of all onboard facilities
|Free use of snorkelling equipment
|Gift shop
|Glass-bottomed Boat
|Guest Laundry
|Guided island walks
|Library and videos
|Marine naturalist
|Sauna and gym
|Village and island visits
ABOUT Captain Cook Fiji Cruises
Captain Cook Cruises
Captain Cook Cruises offers small-ship discovery cruises, day tours and cruising restaurants in the Fiji Islands. From the volcanic Yasawa Islands to the remote Northern Fiji Islands, we draw on four decades of cruising knowledge to create individual travel experiences you will never forget.
Discover the natural beauty, environmental diversity, culture and history aboard our fleet of explorer-style small ships. Our unique itineraries take you to places where mainstream tourists rarely venture and where you can meet the locals. Our Day Tour and Dining experiences offer tailored packages for all ages and budgets.
Captain Cook Cruises is the recipient of numerous awards including the Fiji Visitors Bureau 'Best Cruise Line', and the Fiji Tourism Awards 'Best Fiji Experience' in 2012.
The company operates a fleet of 4 vessels, and offers a choice of cruises weekly throughout Fiji. Our vessels have hosted some of the world's most prestigious events and dignitaries, and we pride ourselves on our attention to detail and customer service.
Captain Cook Cruises cater for all ages and markets, whether it is families looking for the ideal Fiji family holiday, or couples looking for the perfect Fiji wedding, Fiji honeymoon or just a Fiji vacation
Mission Statement
Captain Cook Cruises strives to be the market leader and premier small ship cruise line in the Pacific.
Our aim is to provide the highest quality of day, night and extended cruise product for our customers. We do this by being market focused and also identifying that it is not only the quality of our ships, but the high value we place in our crew and their dedication and commitment to our customers that creates this result.
Connecting Family Stateroom
Located on the main decks (B & C) and open onto outside walkways, featuring two windows. There are 6 available
Bedding Configuration: twin/double beds
Reef Endeavour Accommodation Features
- Private bathroom ensuite
- On/off air-conditioning
- Hair dryer & international shaver point 240 volt power
- Shampoo, soaps and towels
- Internal telephone
- Serviced daily
- Each cabin is approximately 14 sq metres
Porthole Cabins with Bunk Beds
Located on the lower deck (D), open to an inside passageway and have portholes.
Bedding Configuration: twin/double/bunk triple/bunk quad
Reef Endeavour Accommodation Features
- Private bathroom ensuite
- On/off air-conditioning
- Hair dryer & international shaver point 240 volt power
- Shampoo, soaps and towels
- Internal telephone
- Serviced daily
- Each cabin is approximately 14 sq metres
Located on the main decks (B & C) and open onto outside walkways, featuring two windows.
Bedding Configuration: twin/double beds
Reef Endeavour Accommodation Features
- Private bathroom ensuite
- On/off air-conditioning
- Hair dryer & international shaver point 240 volt power
- Shampoo, soaps and towels
- Internal telephone
- Serviced daily
- Each cabin is approximately 14 sq metres
Tabua Suite
A bedroom with separate lounge, chair, desk, LCD screen & DVD player, refrigerator, tea & coffee facilities and second bathroom. Located on Upper Deck (A).
Bedding Configuration: twin/double beds
Reef Endeavour Accommodation Features
- Private bathroom ensuite
- On/off air-conditioning
- Hair dryer & international shaver point 240 volt power
- Shampoo, soaps and towels
- Internal telephone
- Serviced daily
- Each cabin is approximately 14 sq metres
Reef Endeavour
D Deck
Porthole Cabins with Bunk Beds
Located on the lower deck (D), open to an inside passageway and have portholes.
Bedding Configuration: twin/double/bunk triple/bunk quad
Reef Endeavour Accommodation Features
- Private bathroom ensuite
- On/off air-conditioning
- Hair dryer & international shaver point 240 volt power
- Shampoo, soaps and towels
- Internal telephone
- Serviced daily
- Each cabin is approximately 14 sq metres
Superb dining specialising in fresh local produce is central to life aboard the Reef Endeavour. You will enjoy lavish buffet breakfasts, luncheons that feature fresh Fiji Islands seafood and a la carte dinners with a different menu every night.
Located on D Deck deck
Bars and Lounges
Relax in one of the 4 lounges or bars available onboard the Reef Endeavour. Enjoy cocktails with friends or family while taking in the passing scenery outside.
Located on C Deck
Cultural Experiences
Depending on the cruise itinerary and length you may experience the following
- Island Stopovers with guided village or school tours
- Tropical Island Lovo (traditional meal) and Kava ceremony
- Friendly Fijian crew with a wealth of local knowledge
Pools and Spas
As well as the beautiful waters of Fiji, Reef Endeavour offers a Simming Pool , Spa and Jacuzzi's onboard.
Water Activites
The Reef Endeavour offers a glass bottom boat, snorkelling and dive tenders to bring you as close as possible to the amazing underwater world of Fiji.
Stand up Paddleboarding and Kayaking may also be available.
Scuba diving tours aboard Captain Cook Cruises are operated by Viti Water Sports, a PADI5 Star Dive Centre, and cater for certified, occasional and first time divers.
- Swim through caves, coral bommies and breathtaking coral gardens are some of the highlights you may experience
- For first time divers, a gentle entrance from the shores of a tropical island will see you exploring the spectacular fringing coral reefs
- Dive sites will vary depending on the cruise and conditions and most are accessed by small boat
- Generally, two dives are offered daily wherever possible.
Reef Endeavour Photos
Terms of booking on this website
Information disclaimer
The rates on this website are often heavily discounted. This is due to our negotiated rates and bulk buying power. On very rare occasions, a rate may be displayed incorrectly due to our, or the cruise operator's error. In such a case, if you make a reservation enquiry with us at a quoted rate that is incorrect, we will notify you of any price change and give you the option to proceed or cancel. We make every effort to keep information on our site up to date, but we cannot guarantee this website is free of errors or omissions and retain the right to update or change the information published at any time.
To the extent permitted by law we/the owners of this website will not be liable to you or to any third party (whether in contract, tort, or otherwise) for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage (including but not limited to any accident, injury, delay or loss of enjoyment) arising out of your reliance upon information contained on this website, including but not limited to your use (or inability to use) any products or services described or procured through this website. When making a reservation via this website or over the phone, we ask you to agree to the terms and conditions displayed. Your reservation and cruise holiday will be governed by the terms of the agreement and any other documentation or information provided to you before you depart. Our total liability to you in relation to your use of this website and the information contained on this website will not exceed the dollar amount of the deposit we have received from you in relation to your booking. Refunds will not be made for bookings cancelled due to inclement weather. Once your cruise has commenced, if the cruise line is required to change the itinerary or cancel the cruise due to safety, maritime law, severe weather or to protect human life or health, Cruise Republic will not be required to provide any compensation. We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance. Your use of this website is governed by the laws of Victoria and the jurisdiction of the Victorian courts.
Booking information
To reserve a cabin(s), you must complete our reservations enquiry form which is easy to follow and secured with the latest encryption technology.
Alternative you can contact us by -
- Email Cruise Republic on email@example.com
- Telephone 1300 13 41 26 (Australia) or 0800 122 129 (New Zealand)
At the time of reservation you must provide us with your full name as it appears on your passport as well as your date of birth. By making a booking with us through any of the three methods you will be deemed to have agreed to our information, Terms and Conditions.
Once you have submitted your enquiry through our website, you will receive a CR reference number and a bounce back email to the email address provided. This reference number is confirmation we have received your enquiry and we will come back to you shortly with the details of your booking please be aware, this is not a confirmation and is only a summary of your booking request. We will hold the cabin in your name for up to 5 days as controlled by the cruise line themselves. On some cruises, the payment may be required on the day of booking or within 1-5 days of making the booking as controlled by the cruise line.
Once we have held a cabin, we will contact you via phone or email, to advise of availability and confirm the price and details. A booking is confirmed when you have been received an email confirmation notice and should you wish to proceed, we will provide you with our payment options to make your deposit payment (or full payment if the cruise is within 90 days). Your payment then becomes subject to the cancellation policy of the cruise line and Cruise Republic. These are stated in the terms and conditions. When your booking has been confirmed with a deposit payment we will send you your cruise booking number with the cruise line. Once you receive your confirmation, please check your details carefully and notify us immediately if there are any incorrect details, as it may not be possible to make changes at a later date without incurring a penalty. If you are booking via phone, please first make sure you have read the terms and conditions. Our reservations consultant will ask you if you have read the terms and agree to them before proceeding. The onus is always on the customer to ensure they make themselves fully aware of the terms displayed on our website.
Information disclosure
In booking on/via this website you acknowledge that we disclose your information to your selected Cruise Ship company/operator.
Once you have paid a deposit against your cruise, any changes made to the booking will incur an amendment fee of $50 plus any applicable fees set you by the cruise line. Please see the Cruise Company's terms and conditions for cancellation and amendment policy. All amendments are required to be sent in writing by the lead passenger in the booking. Fare amendments are subject to change until confirmed and paid. Any Name Changes must be completed a minimum 72 hours prior to departure
Transfer to a new cruise/fare
From time to time cruise lines may advertise lower promotional cruise fares; these fares are not always available to existing bookings, however Cruise Republic will endeavour to accommodate any request to change to the lower fare. Please note this request is at the discretion of the cruise lines so is not always possible. New promotional fares may affect your current booking, resulting in reduced on-board credit.
If we are able to transfer you at the lower promotional fare a fee of $100 will be applied to your booking. Once final payment has been made for your cruise we are unable to lower the fare.
If you choose to transfer your cruise deposit to an alternative cruise departure this will also incur a fee of $100.
Once a deposit is made towards your cruise holiday it is deemed that you have accepted our terms and conditions, so are subject to any cancellation fees. Bookings cancelled after the deposit is paid, will incur a cancellation fee of $200 per cabin plus any additional cancellation fees set out by the cruise line. There are no cool down periods. Please see the Cruise Company's terms and conditions for cancellation and amendment policy. All cancellations are required to be sent in writing by the lead passenger in the booking. Due to the issuing of refunds via Cheque by the cruiselines, refunds can take 4-6 weeks to reach us should you be entitled to any refund.
Payments towards your cruise holiday made by credit cards are subject to a transaction fee of 1.5% for Visa and Mastercard payments and 0.5% for Debit Cards. We also accept PayPal with a 1% transaction fee and AMEX which incur a 2.8% credit card fee. Payments made by domestic bank deposit do not incur any transaction fees nor do payments made using the BPAY payment system. Please be aware payments made via bank deposit or BPAY within 24 hours of your booking expiring will require a legitimate receipt/screen shot of payment emailed through.
We strongly recommend you purchase appropriate international travel insurance at the time you pay your deposit. If you do not purchase travel insurance, you may not be able to recover cancellation charges, medical costs, repatriation and other expenses that may arise if things do not go according to plan. Please note: medical care on board the ship is not covered by the Australian government or Medicare.
Some countries, such as New Caledonia, require proof of Insurance to be able to travel & cruise there. Lack of insurance may result in you being denied boarding.
Flights and Hotels
Flights and Accommodation cancellation fees and amendment fees will apply as set out by the airlines and hotels. An additional $50 per person cancellation fee applies to all hotel cancellations and flight cancellations. All fly/cruise packages are based on the best available flight and hotel at time of pricing and while we may not be able to get the exact airline or hotel we will book a similar acceptable option. Flight packages will all include a free checked baggage allowance and meals.
Onboard Credits
On selected departures we will offer you onboard credits & these may not be combinable with all cabin categories and promotions. We will send you through a confirmation which will confirm if the onboard credit is available against your booking. Making changes to your reservation could result in any onboard credits being removed. Once you have embarked the ship, the onboard credit will be applied to your onboard account to use towards any onboard purchases. Any unused portion of the Onboard Credit will expire at midnight on the last night of your cruise and is not redeemable for cash at any time.
'Guarantee' (GTY) Bookings
From time to time, we may offer you the option of making what we call a 'Guarantee (GTY) booking. This means you may book a stateroom of a guaranteed category type (Inside, Outside, Balcony) on your chosen ship and cruise. However, the exact grade, number and location of the stateroom on the ship will be allocated at the cruise lines discretion and at any time until checking in at the Port. Once your GTY stateroom has been allocated to you, we are unable to accept any changes requested by you. The benefits of a GTY stateroom are that after your booking has been confirmed, the cruise line may (at their discretion) upgrade your stateroom to a higher classed category to that originally booked at no extra charge to you. In any event, you are 'guaranteed' the minimum category you decide to book at the time of the cruise including obstructed view cabins.
If travelling with Family and Friends where you require cabins to be near one another we strongly recommend for you not to book on a Guarantee.
We cannot guarantee your cabins will be assigned near one another, on the same deck, same side or forward/aft on the ship nor accept any requests.
Complimentary Upgrades
Depending on any last minute availability the cruise lines will automatically upgrade cabins to higher categories. The upgrades can place you towards the front of the ship, midships or at the back of the ship and not necessarily on a higher deck level (i.e.: Insides Deck 10 may be upgraded to Ocean view Deck 5). As the cruise lines cannot upgrade every booking, you should book a category in which you are happy to sail.
Once the upgrade has been assigned, should you dislike the cabin location we are unable to accept any changes or requests and cannot be reversed.
If travelling with family and friends where you require cabins to be near one another we strongly recommend for you to decline the upgrades. The cruise line do not guarantee all of the cabins will be upgraded, or that they will be upgraded near one another.
Future Cruise Credits
While we are happy to apply your Future Cruise Credits from the cruiselines to your booking with us, this may affect your online discounted pricing. We will still do our best to provide competitive pricing based on the discount we can offer on the new cruise fare once the future cruise credits have been applied to your booking. Please note if Future Cruise Credits are applied after your deposit has been paid may affect your final balance.
Passport & Visa Requirements.
or all international cruises all passengers will require to be in possession of a valid passport. The passport must have 6 months validity on your return date back home.
Visa's may also be required and at the sole responsibility of the passenger. Please check with the relevant embassies or a Visa Services company for assistance.
Cruise Republic will not take any responsibility for passport or visa requirements.
Please visit the following websites for assistance -
- Passports: https://www.passports.gov.au
- Visas: Visa Link http://au.visacentral.com/?login=300041
New Zealand:
- Passports: http://www.passports.govt.nz
- Visas: Visa Direct www.visadirect.co.nz
Privacy of your information is an absolute priority to us. When you book we request whether you are interested in receiving further offers from us. If you decline, we will not email you with such offers. We also always give you the opportunity to unsubscribe and opt out of receiving these emails. We treat your details as confidential and we NEVER disclose your information to third parties other than the supplier who is fulfilling your cruise holiday.
All amendments and any cancellations must be approved through the first person named on the booking. In the case of any in-cabin disputes our contract is with the first person named on the booking and we will only follow instructions given by them.
Captain Cook Cruises (Fiji) Booking Conditions
Upon payment of the fare for the agreed cruise described on the passenger ticket and the Company's brochure and subject to the other terms of this contract, Captain Cook Cruises agrees to accept the passenger or passengers named in the passenger ticket.
Confirmation of Bookings
Bookings are confirmed upon receipt of a deposit $200.00 per person, and receipt of the Captain Cook Booking form.
An additional Cruise Republic Deposit will be payable of AUD $50.00 per adult.
Final Payments
Final Payment of the cruise fare must be made at least 70 days before sailing, otherwise bookings will be cancelled.
Reservations made less than 70 days before sailing will require full payment to be made towards the booking.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend you purchase appropriate international travel insurance at the time you pay your deposit. If you do not purchase travel insurance, you may not be able to claim for any cancellation charges, medical costs, repatriation and other expenses that may arise if things do not go according to plan.
Cancellation & Refunds
Should you wish to cancel your cruise, the following cancellation fees will apply.
All cancellations must be made in writing.
Days Prior to Departure
Cancellation Charge
At least 60 days in advance
Full refund less handing fee of $50.00 per person from Captain Cook#
59 – 30 days
Deposit amount^*
29 – 15 days
50% of total fare^*
14 days or less
100% of total fare
Cancellation fees, less the administration fee, may be applied to another cruise if completed within 12 months of the original booking.
^ Any additional fees charged by airlines, hotels or transfer providers due to cancellation or changes, will also be passed onto the passengers.
* An additional COnline Republic cancellation fee of $200 per cabin will apply.
Passports & Visas
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the necessary passports and visas.
Passengers Health
Captain Cook Cruises will require a certificate of Fitness to Travel from all passengers over 75 years of age.
The passenger must also report any pre-existing illness, disability or pregnancy or any other conditions for which the passenger may require medical attention during the course of the voyage. If any such condition arises after the ticket is issued it must be reported to Captain Cook Cruises before boarding or as soon as such illness or disability is known.
Cancellation & Refunds
Should you wish to cancel your cruise, the following cancellation fees will apply.
All cancellations must be made in writing.
Days Prior to Departure
Cancellation Charge
At least 60 days in advance
Full refund less handing fee of $50.00 per person from Captain Cook#
59 – 30 days
Deposit amount^*
29 – 15 days
50% of total fare^*
14 days or less
100% of total fare
Cancellation fees, less the administration fee, may be applied to another cruise if completed within 12 months of the original booking.
^ Any additional fees charged by airlines, hotels or transfer providers due to cancellation or changes, will also be passed onto the passengers.
* An additional Online Republic cancellation fee of $200 per cabin will apply.
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Dec. 16 to Dec. 22
Dec. 16 to Dec. 22
Arrested Persons: 5
Domestic Violence Calls: 1
Suspicious Persons/Activity: 5
Alarms: 4
Motor Vehicle Accidents: 2
Property Damage: 3
Fight in Progress:
Juvenile Problems:
Assist Other Agency: 6
Check the Well Being: 1
Stealing: 2
Peace Disturbance: 1
Armed Robbery:
Keep The Peace: 2
Driving While Intoxicated:
Drug Violations: 1
Animal Complaints: 2
Civil Matters: 12
Business Checks (after hours): 98
5-Arrested, 3-Men, 2-Women, 1-Felony, 4- Misdemeanor and 0-DWI
This is partial listing of criminal activity investigated by the Lake Ozark Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Most cases remain under investigation and any citizen with any additional information is encouraged to call the Police Department. We appreciate any and all support received from the general public. Any questions about this activity report can be made to the attention of Mark A. Maples Police Chief at (573) 365-5371.


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Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
1.6 million New Yorkers receive $940 million annually; benefits can be as high as $7,500 when combined with federal program
The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance joined the Internal Revenue Service, local charity organizations, and thousands of volunteers across the state to kickoff Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day on Friday.
The earned income tax credit is a refundable federal and state income tax credit available to working individuals and families with adjusted gross incomes less than $50,270. Eligible families with three or more qualifying children can receive up to $5,891 on their federal income tax return, and as much as $1,767 from New York state. New York City residents are eligible for the New York City EITC credit of up to $295 in addition to the federal and state credits.
The IRS estimates that as many as one in five eligible workers overlooks the EITC when filing income taxes. Across New York and the nation Friday, EITC events were held to educate communities and encourage participation by all eligible taxpayers.
New Yorkers can begin filing their federal and state income taxes on Jan. 30.
"Of the $940 million in New York state EITC benefits paid annually, 96 percent go to families with children," said Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Thomas H. Mattox. "With benefits that average $600 and range as high as $1,700, this program is critical to the these families, particularly when combined with the federal credit. When filing your income taxes this year, it is important not to overlook this very valuable program."
"The EITC provides the households of eligible working New Yorkers with an infusion of resources that can significantly increase their income and help them on their way to financial stability," said Acting Commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Kristin M. Proud. "In tax year 2010, working households in New York state claimed $3.7 billion in federal EITC in addition to over $940 million in state EITC. This benefit is significant and one of the most important ways the federal government and the state of New York help support working families."
Noncustodial Parent Earned Income Tax Credit
New York is the only state in the nation that provides for a noncustodial parent earned income tax credit. The NCP EITC is designed to support low-income noncustodial parents who are working and paying their current child support obligation in full. In 2010, more than 7,700 noncustodial parents claimed $3.5 million in NCP EITC for an average refund of $456. The NCP EITC is yet another way that New York provides support to low-income families and encourages noncustodial parents to support their children.


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New Catalog Titles: Little Witch AcademiaPost Reply
Content Overlord
Hey everyone,
Happy Monday as we kick off the week with a new catalog title: Little Witch Academia! This anime short was directed by former GAINAX animator Yoh Yoshinari, who also directed Panty and Stocking, and written by Masahiko Otsuka, also from Panty and Stocking as well as Gurren Lagann. For more information on the up-and-coming animation studio TRIGGER, be sure to visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/st.trigger!
Little Witch Academia will be available to Crunchyroll audiences TODAY at 10am Pacific Time in the following territories: North America, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Demark, Netherlands, Turkey, Latin America (Central and South America including Caribbean)
A brief background on director Yoshinari:
Yoshinari Yoh (Tokyo, 1971)
Graduating from Tokyo Design Academy, Yoshinari Yoh entered GAINAX as a professional animator and illustrator. Capable of drawing breathtaking illustrations, his works are explosive and exhibit fluidity like none other, leaving an everlasting impression to his viewers. He is a respected figure in the animation industry with fans across the world and even amongst famous directors such as Imaishi Hiroyuki. Yoshinari has taken part in many popular titles such as Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995), Valkyrie Profile (1999), FLCL (2000), Gurren Lagann (2007), Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt (2010), Pokémon (2011) and many other notable works. He now works as a lead animator at studio TRIGGER.
Akko fell in love with magic ever since her childhood days. Aspiring to become a witch like the one she saw at a magic show, Akko enrolls in Luna Nova - a prestigious witch academy. Contrary to Akko's expectations, the class is unexpectedly boring. Struggling with the unimaginative atmosphere of the academy, Akko tries to retain hopes and dreams in magic once again. Sadly, the reactions from her peers remain indifferent. Akko's only supporters are her best friend Lotte and Sucy, but her adventurous spirit remained unsatisfied. Then one fateful day, something unthinkable happens. The academy faces a huge crisis and is at the brink of destruction. Now it is up to Akko and her friends to save the day!
Ooh nice. I'd just put this on my PTW on MAL yesterday, and being able to watch it on here is always good.
Studio Trigger has it for free on youtube, what's the point of adding it here?
Oh, yes yes yes!, thanks for bringing this short to Latin America!! =D, I wanted it to watch it!.
Will it be the others 3 TBD of the catalog the rest of the proyects from Anime Mirai?!, I really hope so specially if the 3 are available in my region *-*.
It gets exposure to anime fans on CR who otherwise wouldn't have known it existed, and likely wouldn't have found it.
hatguy12 wrote:
It gets exposure to anime fans on CR who otherwise wouldn't have known it existed, and likely wouldn't have found it.
But on YT it's worldwide, I can watch it there but can't here on CR Maybe it is not their official channel
Zarobiony jestem
BTW, I just noticed that Witch Academia has like 40 minutes since streamed, but there's no signs of it in the spanish version... my question is, will it be subtitled in spanish as well? or will be english only?
I hope this sudden burst of popularity convinces whoever funds Trigger to greenlight a full season.
An entire season of cute witches killing horrible things would be a grand season indeed!
Read Umineko
Cool, I've been wanting to watch this.
Coolio! Hopefully, we'll also get to see the other Anime Mirai shorts here.
Great news. I watched this on YouTube, but it is awesome to watch it here.
Good pick, CR.
This is a pleasant surprise. I recommend everyone to watch it. It's about the same length of an average anime episode, and the art is nice to look at. : )
1) Many of us have asked to have it on CR.
2) There is only an English subtitled version on youtube, AFAIK. CR has the license to have other language subtitles, giving access to those who do not speak English as their first language.
3) It generates additional exposure and revenue for Trigger Studios, which they most definitely deserve for bringing us such a wonderful OVA!
Glad to see Little Witch Academia will also be available here, it's very adorable and deserves the exposure. Hope it helps Studio Trigger to start working on more full length series, too~
I'd love to see the other Anime Mirai works on here, too, sometime. Though I doubt they will, it'd be nice to see.


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Difference between revisions of "Aswan"
Revision as of 08:34, 24 April 2013
Aswan (Arabic: أسوان Aswān) is a city in the south of Egypt, some 680km (425 miles) south of Cairo, just below the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, with a population of 275,000. Aswan is far more relaxed and smaller than Cairo and Luxor.
Aswan is the smallest of the three major tourist cities on the Nile. Being the furthest south of the three, it has a large population of Nubian people, mostly resettled from their homeland in the area flooded by Lake Nasser. Aswan is the home of many granite quarries from which most of the Obelisks seen in Luxor were sourced. Aswan was the ancient Egyptians' gateway to Africa.
Get in
By plane
Aswan International Airport is situated 25km SSW of the city, on the west bank and just south of the high dam. Public buses don't go to the airport and security on the approach road to the terminal is tight, so it's probably worth taking a taxi, for which you must agree a price in advance. It is possible to argue the fare down to LE25, but LE30 to LE40 is more realistic (and easier) for most foreigners.
The following airlines operate services to Aswan International Airport: Air Memphis (to/from Abu Simbel) (VERY bad quality), Astraeus (to/from London Gatwick), EgyptAir [9] (to/from Abu Simbel, Cairo, Luxor), Iberworld [10] (to/from Madrid), and LotusAir (to/from Cairo)
By train
Egypt's passenger train service runs along the Nile between Cairo and Aswan. Travel time from Luxor is around three hours on 1st/2nd class AC services. Five AC express services arrives from Cairo each day, journey time is around 13-14 hours costing 57LE for second class, 113LE first class. In addition there are two sleeper trains, departing 8PM and 9:35PM from Cairo's Ramsis station, prices starts at $60. Tickets often sell out so make sure you buy them a few days in advance.
The train station is on the northern end of the city centre, a few hundred metres inland from the river. Leave plenty of time to buy tickets, as the service at the counters is slow. Mini buses depart from outside the station (turn right as you exit the terminal), and there are a number of cafes and basic hotels on the blocks between the station and the river.
By car
By bus
From Cairo there's many trains move to Aswan go to Cairo main railway stain and find your ticket take in consider book in advanced 2 or 3 day before because it's not easy to find ticket in the same day. there's 1 bus move from Cairo main bus station Al-torjoman 05:00 PM ticket cost 90LE + 10LE if they discover you are foreigner "not recommending" because the roads are really not safety and the bus arrive to Aswan the next day 09:30 AM if the driver fast! "24 April 2013"
From Hurghada (513km away)(8Hour++) there's no direct bus move to Aswan from Hurghada but there's bus come from Suez at 10:30 evening and 12:30 midnight come from Cairo and both stop in Hurghada to drop off some people (upper Egypt company), the bus is often come crowded and it's really hard to occupy a set buses cost 50LE. Tickets are sold on the bus, but be sure to ask the price at the ticket office, because the ticket seller on the bus will often raise the price 10LE or so and pocket the excess if you are a foreigner, take in consider that you maybe wait 2 hours or more before the bus arrive.
The best way to go to Aswan from Hurghada is take 8:30AM bus that move to Luxor 40LE company name Superjet beside Zahran store at Al-nasr st. the trip time 4 Hours and from Luxor take a train to Aswan (3 Hours)25LE."24 April 2013"
By boat
Dozens of cruise ships depart from Luxor to Aswan everyday. These can be booked through agents or at the actual ships themselves. Also a boat to Wadi Halfa in Sudan departs once a week.
Get around
Aswan is compact enough to negotiate primarily on foot. To access Philae, the High Dam, and the unfinished obelisks, you can take a taxi or a horse-drawn carriage. A taxi excursion to all of these sights should cost 80LE to 100LE per vehicle.
To access the sights on the river islands or on the West Bank, you will need to cross the river by motor boat or felluca. Be sure to pay attention to the price as operators try to overcharge tourists. If you take the public ferry to the West Bank, you pay only 5LE.
Aswan Town and the East Bank
The River and Islands
West Bank
Around Aswan
The souqs (markets) in Aswan are refreshingly exotic without the same level of high-pressure selling found in some tourist towns further north. You will generally find that Nubian handicrafts are of higher quality and better value in Aswan. All other goods will be more expensive than in Cairo due to shipping costs to Aswan and the lower tourist demand. Having said that, the Aswan souk is
Aswan is much less strict on drinking alcohol than Cairo or Luxor, and many of the restaurants sell Stella (Egyptian brand not the Belgian brand) and Saqqara, both of which are lagers and comparable to European beers.
Stay safe
Aswan is generally a very safe city. However, do watch out for quite blatant attempts at pickpocketing in the souq. These thieves will approach you carrying scarves, shirts or even papyrus in one hand to sell to you, while attempting to go into your pockets with the other hand. The locals know this goes on, but do not count on them to intervene. Also, women should avoid travelling alone if they are not comfortable with leering men, although they are all bluster. Most horse carriage drivers will not commit on the price when you arrive at your destination and you're expect to give more.
Internet access is available at Keylany Hotel and Noorhan Hotel for 10LE per hour; but internet speeds are very slow. Kothor Hotel has more easonably fast internet available for 5LE per hour or 10LE unlimited for your stay.
There is so much to do around the Aswan area that time can be an issue. The local people are generally very cooperative, and for a price, doors might remain opened regardless of the hour.
Get out


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Amazon Stops Processing Payments For Crowdfunding Platform For Creative Commons Books
from the weird dept
Amazon Payments has informed us that they will no longer process pledge payments for Unglue.it, forcing us to suspend all active ungluing campaigns. According to a Senior Account Manager at Amazon, Amazon has decided against "boarding fresh crowdfunding accounts at this time". Amazon has been providing payment services for Unglue.it, as it does for the popular crowdfunding site Kickstarter.Of course, that statement doesn't make much sense, given that it was already processing payments for Unglue.it. In fact, part of this news was that Amazon is requiring Unglue.it to void all payments for existing campaigns (i.e., those not yet funded). So the idea that this is about not "boarding fresh crowdfunding accounts" doesn't make much sense. Amazon has been the only choice for payments on Kickstarter since the beginning, and that seems to have gone well, so it's odd that they're now cutting off others (and, of course, opens up Amazon to wild conspiracy theories). I contacted Amazon to get their side of the story, and they provided the following comment:
We support a wide variety of businesses, but we have regulatory obligations as a licensed money services business for how we operate. Unfortunately, Unglue.it's model is not the same as some other crowdfunding services and at this time does not allow us to meet those obligations.That statement makes this all the more... confusing. They're clearly implying that there are regulatory issues preventing them from supporting Unglue.it, though I'm not sure I can think of what the concern here might be. There have been some regulatory issues around equity funding via crowdfunding, but that doesn't seem to be an issue here. If they're just working out deals for licensing books... I'm at a complete loss.


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Going to the Northwest Dive and Travel show this weekend?
Posted 22 April 2009 - 12:09 PM
Wetpixel will be in booth 925. If you'd like to go to the show and are interested in volunteering to help represent Wetpixel at our booth, we'd love to have you. Please email Michaela Brockstedt if you want to go!
Posted 22 April 2009 - 05:39 PM
Washington State Fish & Game will be showing off a prototype the new dive site map "Beneath Emerald Seas" which I wrote, photographed and designed for them (as well as State Tourism and Island County). It lists about 46 sites for both shore and boat dives with other information for divers. The maps will be free and available in most all dive shops in the state and available online, probably in June.
Stop by and say hi!
Edited by JackConnick, 22 April 2009 - 05:43 PM.
Jack Connick
Optical Ocean Sales.com
Nauticam, Subal, Sea & Sea, Olympus, Seacam, Gates, Ikelite, Zen, Fix, 10Bar, Kraken, Light & Motion, iTorch/I-DAS & Fantasea Line
Cameras, Housings, Strobes, Arms, Trays & Accessories. System Packages. Photo Expeditions.
Blog & Gallery: Optical Ocean Sales Blog - Flickr Galleries: Optical Ocean on Flickr
Posted 23 April 2009 - 11:20 AM
Posted 26 April 2009 - 04:52 PM
UPDATE: Wetpixel will be in booth 925.
I got a chance to look at the WetPixel Quarterly mag and bought a subscription. Very impressive work!
Posted 27 April 2009 - 08:03 AM
Jeff from Jack's Diving Locker in Kona entertaining the girls from Wetpixel
Me, Chris Huss, Kim from South Pacific Island Travel, and Terry from Underwater Sports
Me trying on the White's Fusion dry suit...it fit perfectly and is soooo comfortable! Yes, I bought it.
Jack and Sue Drafahl in the book signing booth
Ellen from Wetpixel and Jean from Aquatica
Paty and Tim from Scuba Club Cozumel
Mt. Rainier from the plane
Skype address: underwatercolours
Posted 27 April 2009 - 07:11 PM
I flew up to Seattle to help out in the South Pacific Island Travel booth and really enjoyed the show. Saturday was busier than Sunday, but we had a good crowd most the time. It was fun to see a lot of old friends too. I know that Ellen will be writing up a short report of the show
Thanks for these images Bonnie! It was a most pleasant surprise to see you at the show!
Little did I know that working at the Wetpixel booth would be so much fun. It was a momentous event for me to use my new D300 for the very first time outside of the confines of my home. What could be better than a dive show and Wetpixel for my new D300's inaugural event?
And a big, huge thanks to Jean of Aquatica. He so very kindly offered to let me borrow his 17-35 lens to use at the show. And this in spite of the fact that I'd never met him before! Guess that Wetpixel badge convinced him that I was a soul he could trust
There should be some images and a report posted soon. Most of the images were taken with Jean's 17-35, which is one heck of a fantastic lens. Jean also joined Micheala and I for dinner that night. What a great ending to a great day.
Posted 28 April 2009 - 11:48 AM
Had a great time, punto!
Jean Bruneau
Aquatica Pro Digital housings for D-800, Sigma 8mm & 15mm Fisheye, Nikon AF 14MM, AF 17-35mm, AF 20MM, AF 60MM, AF 105MM, 4x Ikelite Ds 160, and TLC arms exclusively
Posted 28 April 2009 - 02:29 PM
... and that lady second from the right was my dive buddy after the show on Sunday ...
I flew up to Seattle to help out in the South Pacific Island Travel booth and really enjoyed the show. Saturday was busier than Sunday, but we had a good crowd most the time. It was fun to see a lot of old friends too. I know that Ellen will be writing up a short report of the show, but here are a few more photos to add.
Jeff from Jack's Diving Locker in Kona entertaining the girls from Wetpixel
... Bob (Grateful Diver)


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Moses Hydrofoil (Italy). Regular Board with "A" wing.davesails7 wrote:Which foil was this?
Was it best to keep just the front strap on when you were starting out?
Maybe or maybe not.
In first hour I found it helpful to control board and laying a board during restart.
After two hours, once I removed the strap, my first observations were irrelevant.
Probably I could do the same progress trying without a strap.
It took me 15 mins to manage to stay on a board and riding without constant falling.How many days out before you were up and riding?
After 2 hours I was capable to make 200m long distances riding with the lift effect.
After 5 hours I felt very comfortable riding on a reach and upwind.
After 8-10 hours I was making some of tacks and gybes.
After 15-20 hours I felt comfortable doing full speed downwinds, more than 50% of tacks and gybes.
I consider myself as an experience rider. 10 years kiting.
Last 3 seasons only racing (90%) and strapless wave (10%).


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2:00 pm
Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting "Labeling Techniques" Sewing educator Linda Rainwater shares with Marianne a unique way to label a quilt and why it's so important to for a quilt to have a label. D
2:30 pm
Hometime "Built-In Grill" The HOMETIME crew sets an outdoor grill into a stone and granite island. D
3:00 pm
Woodsmith Shop "Library Table" Join the editors of Woodsmith as they pack a lot of woodworking into this beautiful craftsman-style library table. You'll learn tricks for fitting sturdy mortise and tenon joints and assembly tips to get everything together. Plus, discover the ins and outs of adding drawers and the best way to build a top. D
3:30 pm
This Old House "Barrington Project, Part 5 of 10" Landscape restoration specialist Kate Venturini arrives from the University of Rhode Island to create a sustainable coastal landscape with the help of local landscape contractor Henry Pereira. Builder Andy Tiplady finishes up the shingles and trim at the master bedroom porch just in time for local metalsmiths to install the custom copper gutter and scupper that will keep rain out of the space. Members of the URI Master Gardener's association lend a hand installing coastal tolerant and native plants on the site, while local sod grower Pat Hogan delivers a freshly harvested fescue/bluegrass blend that will require less water, less fertilizer and less maintenance overall. D
4:00 pm
Ask This Old House "Planting a Garden Using Native Species; Replacing a Door with a Window" Landscape contractor Roger Cook travels to Dallas to help a homeowner plant a garden using native species that are drought-tolerant. Then, general contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner remove a door and replace it with a window. D
4:30 pm
Growing a Greener World "Veteran Farmers (Jacksonville, FL)" As veterans return home from war, a troubled economy can make finding jobs in the private sector even harder. Combined with the difficulties of readjusting to "normal routines" many are finding careers in organic farming to be the perfect combination of mental therapy, healthy activity, and positive reinforcement as they re-enter the workforce, just at a time when organic farmers are needed more than ever. D
5:00 pm
Moyers & Company "Nuns, Faith, and Politics" Weeks before Republican Paul Ryan was selected to run for vice president, Sister Simone Campbell -- who heads NETWORK, a Catholic policy and lobbying group -- hit the road to protest the so-called "Ryan budget" recently passed by the House of Representatives. She and some of her sister nuns rolled across the heartland on a bus trip designed to arouse public concern over what the Ryan plan would mean for social services in America, especially its slashing of programs for the poor. Sister Simone says his budget is inconsistent with Catholic social teaching. D
6:00 pm
William and Mary William and Mary take Kate to Oxford for her university interview. Mary tries to persuade William not to smother Kate and let her find her own way around.G
7:00 pm
Outdoor Idaho "Eyes of the Forest" Mountaintop views, Idaho history and the value of human eyes searching the woods below bring the story of the state's forest lookouts into focus. IdahoPTV producer John Crancer traces Idaho's forest lookouts from 1902 to the present while visiting many of the remaining ones from North Idaho into the mountains of the central and southwest parts of the state. The show visits with people collecting, preserving and rebuilding the histories of Idaho lookouts. It also travels to the ends of roads and trails to meet people who are still spending their summers watching for fires in one of the 50 to 60 lookouts still used for fire detection.G
8:00 pm
Inspector Morse's Oxford Antony Richards, a leading authority on the "Inspector Morse" book and television series, interviews author Colin Dexter, actor Kevin Shately (Lewis), composer Barrington Pheloung and producers Ted Childs, Chris Burt and Michele Buck. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the first of 13 seasons of the television series starring the late John Thaw, the shifting scene travels throughout the university and town where Morse lived and worked.G
9:00 pm
Masterpiece Mystery! "Inspector Lewis, Series IV: The Mind Has Mountains" When a student is found dead during a clinical drug trial, the motives of an enigmatic professor are questioned. When a second death occurs, Lewis and Hathaway begin to suspect foul play, which the duo must uncover before another death occurs.G
10:30 pm
New Tricks "The Russian Cousin" The body believed to be an 18-year-old kidnapped victim is identified as someone else. The young woman's mother paid a ransom that disappeared as did her daughter.G
11:30 pm
Joseph Rosendo's Travelscope "Passage Through Chile's Tierra Del Fuego Around Cape Horn" Joseph travels around the tip of South America on an expedition passenger ship. He journeys into Beagle Channel and through "Glaciers Avenue" encountering elephant seals and Magellanic penguins.G