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18+ (21+ in U.S.) - Terms and conditions apply.
Review of bet365Nothing is left to chance at the world leading sports betting behemoth bet365
- Unbeatable odds on even the most obscure betting markets
- Twice the number of live streams each year compared to any given operator
- More In-Play action and pre-game opportunities than any other betting site
100% up to €100*
in Bet CreditsUp to €100* in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit €5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. *or currency equivalent
Review of UnibetUnibet has provided online sports betting 'By Players, for Players' for over twenty years, and they show no sign of stopping
- Hard to beat odds on a slick modern platform
- Award winning apps, especially handy for In-Play betting
- Watch and bet on hundreds of live streamed events daily
- Home to win in FC Barcelona - FC Bayern Munich? Get the best odds here, +250.
Money back up to €25*
100% on 1st bet*Currency Equivalent refers to a Unibet currency calculation, not the current exchange rate. For example, €25 Risk-Free Bet is £20, 30 USD, 40 CAD. More currencies available.
Review of BetfairRedefining the online bookmaking scene at the turn of the century with Exchange Betting, Betfair is still miles ahead in the segment
- Be your own bookmaker or take on other punters' bets
- Competitive odds in the 'regular' sports book are also available
- The Exchange is a dream come true for Golf and Horse Racing punters
No offer available for this bookmaker in your region
Review of 888 SportThe international poker powerhouse is no stranger to sports, and 888 gives even the best betting sites a good run for their money
Bet $/€10 get $/€30
credited as 3 free bets18+ New customers only – Min. deposit of $/€10 using promo code 30fb - A qualifying bet is a 'real money' stake of at least $/€10 placed on any sports market - Min. odds of 1/2 (1.5) - Free bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days - Free bet stakes not included in returns - Deposit method and withdrawal restrictions apply & Full T&C's apply
Review of bwinIconic bwin has been at the forefront of online gambling for two decades and sports betting is where they really shine
No offer available for this bookmaker in your region
Review of BethardHard to beat odds and impeccable interface at Zlatan Ibrahimovic's co-owned betting site
No offer available for this bookmaker in your region
Review of LeoVegasThe 'King of Mobile' might be relatively new to the sports betting market, but be sure they are aiming for the lion's share of it
No offer available for this bookmaker in your region
Reviews of Betting Sites - Data over Design
Besides fulfilling some minimum requirements - of holding a valid gambling license, ensuring that personal data are kept safe, and that games are fair – we here at ThePlayer.com have six main focus points when we evaluate a betting site.
- The Bets - sports available, type of odds, quality of odds, VIGs, etc.
- The Basics - usability, responsiveness, In-Play betting interface, etc.
- The Bits - extras like Cash-Out (Buy-Out), Bet Builders, mobile experience/apps, etc.
- The Bank - payment methods, withdrawal times/fees, limits, etc.
- The Bonuses - welcome bonus, recurring promotions, terms and conditions for rewards, etc.
- The Business - dependable company, other gambling verticals, licenses, etc.
These six areas have been selected for their measurability, which we as a data driven comparison site prefer over more subjective aspects like design and categorisation. It is easy to measure how fast a site loads, not that easy to measure 'how good green looks'. Odds can be measured and compared, preferences in layout, not so much. We will offer our opinion on subjective matters but we will not let them determine our overall rating of a sports betting site. We will let the numbers talk, and leave the subjective to you, The Player.
What makes a good betting site?
The areas mentioned above are the building blocks of all online betting sites, and some bookmakers will build a castle, while others a shed - but some of us prefer to keep it simple, so what is most important is to identify what your needs are, and be aware that different betting sites are good at different things.
Sports betting is a very competitive business and being the best at everything is not possible – risk has to outweigh reward, and eye-catching odds are paid for by not so attractive ones. With this in mind it becomes obvious that it will not be financially feasible for a bookmaker to offer the best odds, in all markets, all the time. Fortunately for us, sports betting odds speak their clear language and by comparing odds we can make sure that we place our bets at the right time, and at the right place – but it might not always be at the same betting site.
The first week of Premier League or the NFL will have betting sites do everything they can (raise their odds, offer bonuses, etc.) to draw in new players, or reactivate old customers, only to lose focus completely a couple of weeks in when something else is in the spotlight. Some betting sites will chose to not even try to compete for the mainstream events and instead put their effort somewhere completely elsewhere. These are the kind of dynamics that drive betting markets, how good betting opportunities arises, and what we here at ThePlayer.com specialises in.
The best betting site will be the one where you get most value for your next bet
What we are trying to get at is, that to be able to fully utilise the services provided here on ThePlayer.com, you might have to sign up for several betting sites, and place your bets accordingly. For the casual gambler this might be overkill, but if you put down a lot of bets the fractions will add up over time.
Restricted Countries
If you reside in one of the below regions/countries you are either regulated locally by a licensing scheme (if you can click a region we will have you covered) or prohibited from online betting. If you do not find your country here, you are probably welcome to bet online with any of the sites above, but it is up to you to make sure that online betting is legal in your jurisdiction, and we make no claim as to this being a complete list.
- Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan
- Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bonaire (Sint Eustatius and Saba), Botswana, Bouvet Island, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Territory, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi
- Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic of), Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Curacao, Cyprus, Czech Republic
- Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic
- Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia
- Fiji, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories
- Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana
- Haiti, Heard Island, Holy See (Vatican City State), Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary
- Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland (sports betting prohibited), Israel, Italy
- Jamaica, Jordan
- Kazakhstan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan
- Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania
- Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Micronesia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar
- Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island
- Oman
- Pakistan, Palau, State of Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pitcairn, Poland, Portugal
- Réunion, Romania, Rwanda
- Saint Barthélemy, Saint Helena (Ascension and Tristan da Cunha), Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin (French part), Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sint Maarten, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, South Sudan, Spain, Sudan, Suriname, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria
- Tajikistan, Tanzania (United Republic of), The Faroe Islands, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos, Tuvalu, Uganda,
- United States of America (except Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania) (and its dependencies, military bases and territories including but not limited to American Samoa, Guam, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands), United States Minor Outlying Islands, Uruguay, Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu, Virgin Islands (British), Wallis and Futuna, Western Sahara
- Yemen
- Zambia, Zimbabwe


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Fri, 24 May 2013
ACube products shown in Madrid
We would like to thank the fellows at Amigastore.eu. They did a wonderful job to show our products at the Retro Madrid event.
They could show AmigaOS to a lot of people. Just see the following pictures:
Remember that you can purchase a lot of Amiga products on their online shop: http://www.amigastore.eu/

subset: commoncrawl


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Product Description
We are all very familiar with legends like Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi. However, there are thousands of sons and daughters of India whose contribution to this country has been priceless. The Great Indians is a 594-page tome of 300 such notable individuals profiled in the One India One People magazine since its inception. It takes a look at the lives of the great Indian personalities who have contributed to the betterment of India be it in the area of freedom struggle, politics, science, technology, theatre, music , etc. They served the country with passion, courage and determination and in doing so, changed the way we think and live.


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For your budding Picasso09/15/2009 at 11:52 am | Posted in Crafty, Reading | Leave a comment
Tags: Kids, kids' artwork, Reading, Real Simple
Since I can't do much on my feet, I've been catching up on back issues of Real Simple. After finishing the latest US Weekly, of course. I'm a sucker for celebrity gossip, and what better way to cheer me up than some hard-core investigative reporting on the next Sex and the City movie?
This article (from Real Simple, not US) about what to to with kids' artwork is great. Small Fry is only 19 months old, but we already have quite a collection of paint-smeared construction paper. Her very first piece of art was a carrot. I love it.
My neighbor uses the clothespin technique to display her kids' work, and it looks especially cool in front of a window.
Crafty08/24/2009 at 9:18 pm | Posted in Crafty, I take too many pictures | 6 Comments
Tags: I take too many pictures
I made this. Me. She-who-does-not-craft. With some help, of course (thanks Mom). It felt so good to give this gift, I might just have to do it again.
Embroidery pattern: Hooty Owls
Funky fabric on the back that I forgot to photograph: Lava Bloom
Blog at WordPress.com.
Entries and comments feeds.


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Kim Kardashian Makes A Good Point About Bruce
On Friday, during his interview with Diane Sawyer, Bruce Jenner said that Kim Kardashian has been the most accepting of him. Now, his step-daughter has made a statement about Jenner's transition, and that's all the confirmation we need that Jenner was telling the truth about how accepting she is. The middle Kardashian sister went on The Today Show to speak about Jenner's interview and how her family feels, and Kim made a very important point about learning someone is transgender: it doesn't matter if you understand, you just need to love and support that person.
I know it's not something you or I could really fully understand. But, I don't even think we have to. I think as long as he is happy and he wants to live his life, however he wants to live it, that just makes me happy, and I support him 100 percent.
Fans of Jenner have been mostly encouraging of his decision to come out as "for all intents and purposes ...a woman." But there are many people who are still confused. After all, they saw him live life as a man for over 60 years, and now he's saying he wants to live life as a woman. What's important to remember is that, while this is brand new to us, it's been on Jenner's mind his whole life. He's had decades to figure out what he wants, and to understand himself. So it's unlikely everyone is going to understand it just days after finding out.
And as Kardashian points out, we may never fully understand. Unless you've experienced being assigned the wrong gender at birth, it's hard to grasp how someone could feel that way. But it's not important that we understand; it's important that we try, and that we support Jenner on his journey. It's important to know that it's happening, and that what Jenner needs is love and acceptance. Like he said during his 20/20 interview, "Have an open heart and an open mind."
Editor's Note: Per Jenner's stated preference, Bustle will continue referring to Jenner using he/his pronouns for the time being. We will follow his lead and make any changes to this policy as needed in the future.
Image: Getty Images


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ModularCSS is a Lua module that can replace modular portions of a wiki's cluttered CSS code with an imported stylesheet generated server-side through simple bulleted list configuration pages.
This script is best used as a way to quickly deploy minor, yet bulky CSS edits with minimal effort or as a way to provide easy wiki customization for those less adept utilizing CSS. Further uses include letting non-sysop wiki staff modify non-essential CSS through the sandboxed configuration pages.
Base Install
The basic install comprises of prepping the base module for use on your local wiki. Sub-modules will need to be imported later as the standalone base module lacks any functionality.
Step 1: Importing the base module
This module should be installed locally in a page titled Module:ModularCSS. This module page should be fully edit protected as to prevent unauthorized changes to the wiki's CSS. (See Help:Page protection#Step by step for help protecting the page.)
The content of the page should comprise of the following:
return (require "Dev:ModularCSS")
Step 2: Creating the rendering page
The generated CSS code will need to be rendered on a local wiki page. It is suggested that the host page be located at MediaWiki:Custom-ModularCSS-render (or another page in the MediaWiki namespace), as this will prevent local editors from modifying the page and compromising the wiki's CSS.
The selected host page should comprise of the following:
Step 3: Importing the stylesheet
Now that the stylesheet has been generated at your selected rendering page, it will now need to be imported on your wiki's local MediaWiki:Common.css. Add the following to the very top of the page:
@import "/index.php?title=MediaWiki:Custom-ModularCSS-render&action=raw&templates=expand&ctype=text/css";
The above
@import statement will need to be modified if the rendering page is not located at MediaWiki:Custom-ModularCSS-render.
Step 4: Verifying setup
After completing the second step, you may have noticed the following on your wiki's rendering page:
/*Module:ModularCSS:59: No ModularCSS modules were imported!*/
This indicates that the module was successfully installed (although no sub-modules were imported) and the rendering page is functional. However, it does not confirm that step 3 was successful.
To confirm that the whole setup was successful, you can import the MetaVerifyStatus module. To do this, add
.import "Dev:ModularCSS/MetaVerifyStatus" on a new line at the end of your wiki's local Module:ModularCSS page. The module page should now look like:
return (require "Dev:ModularCSS") .import "Dev:ModularCSS/MetaVerifyStatus"
You can now go to the Special:ModularCSS page to verify the status of ModularCSS rendering at any time. To get the latest rendering status, you will need to clear your browser's cache. The cache should be cleared and the status page should be checked after every ModularCSS configuration change.
If Special:ModularCSS still shows an error (saying there's "no such special page"after clearing your browser's cache, check MediaWiki:Custom-ModularCSS-render for a rendering error message. You may be able to use this error message to troubleshoot.
Adding Modules
- Modules available for import are listed in "Available Modules".
To add sub-modules, simply append an
.import statement (or
.importlax to use the less restrictive configuration page) followed by the path to the module on your Module:ModularCSS page. The path of modules hosted globally here on the dev wiki are prefixed with "
Dev:", while modules hosted on your local wiki can be imported with the "
Module:" prefix.
return (require "Dev:ModularCSS") .import "Dev:ModularCSS/MetaVerifyStatus" .importlax "Dev:ModularCSS/HideSpoilerTitle"
Each module imported has an associated configuration page used to modify the generated CSS. Refer to the individual module's documentation for configuration page details and format. Using
.importlax instead of
.import will use that module's non-MediaWiki configuration page, which allows content moderators to edit the module's CSS configuration.
Developing Modules
Modules will need to return a table consisting of 2-3 key-value pairs:
- page
(string)The full page name of the default configuration page. The suggested format of configuration page's name is MediaWiki:Custom-ModularCSS-descriptor-thing (for sysop-only access), or Project:Descriptor thing (for non-sysop access, e.g. content moderators).
Special:BlankPagemay be utilized instead, should the module not require configuration.
- public_page (optional)
(string)The full page name of the less-restricted configuration page. If this is provided, it is suggested that the
pagevalue be of the strict configuration page.
- main
(function)The function that will take an argument consisting of the parsed bulleted list in a Lua table format. Must return a
stringof the module's generated CSS.
Note: List items in the configuration page should not be "parent", "self", or "getValue" as they are reserved for table properties/methods. In addition, there cannot be duplicate items on the same level of an item.
Parsed list
The parsed table passed to the
main function represents the hierarchy of the bulleted list. The items are stored with their item name formatted as the key (spaces substituted with underscores) and the value a table of the sub-items. Each item has two properties and one method:
- parent
(table)The parent item. This value is
nilfor first level items.
- self
(string)The raw value of the item. e.g. If the item is "item name", the value stored in
selfis "item name" (and the key of the item is "item_name").
- getValue (method)
(string)Gets the value of the item's "first" child. Equivalent to
This method should be used for 1 to 1 key-value configuration pairs.
Source List:
- First Item
- Second Item
- Third Item
- Second Item
- Fourth Item
local psuedo_parsed = { ["First_Item"] = { ["Second_Item"] = { ["Third_Item"] = {} } }, ["Fourth_Item"] = {} }
print( parsed.First_Item:getValue(), --> Second Item parsed.Fourth_Item.self, --> Fourth Item parsed.First_Item.Second_Item.parent, --> <table of First Item> ) for key in pairs(parsed) do print(key) end --[=[ for loop output First_Item Fourth_Item --]=]
Available Modules
- See "Adding Modules" for details on how to import.
The following are list of all modules hosted on the dev wiki available for import. Stable modules will not error if the configuration page is improperly formatted.
|Development Status
|Hides the titles of pages deemed to be spoilers. Configuration page details and formatting is subject to change.
|Experimental Beta
| Configuration page:
Project:Spoiler titles (subject to change)
|States the successful rendering status of the whole ModularCSS configuration. If an error appears, even after clearing your browser's cache, an error has likely occurred in one of the sub-modules.
|Creates styled user links for message wall and forum threads.
|Broken af
|Configuration page: TBD
Importing errors
- No ModularCSS modules were imported!
- No sub-modules were imported on the Module:ModularCSS page, and thus the module cannot render any CSS. To add sub-modules see "Adding Modules".
- Invalid module request! Not a string.
- Your
.importlax) statement is not formatted correctly. See "Adding Modules" for details on proper imports.
- Non-existent module requested: <MODULENAME>
- The module you have attempted to import is invalid, or otherwise does not exist. This may be because you're using the wrong prefix (e.g. "
Module:where you should use
Dev:, or vice versa), you misspelled the module's name, or the module was moved or deleted.
Configuration errors
Configuration errors not listed here may be listed in that specific sub-module's documentation page. You may likely find that module's doc page in "Available Modules".
- The config page "<CONFIGURATION PAGE>" does not exist on this wiki.
- The configuration page for one or more modules has not yet been created on your local wiki. This may be because you forgot to create the configuration page at "CONFIGURATION PAGE", or you accidentally used the wrong import statement (e.g. using
.importlaxinstead of
.import) and have configured the wrong config page.
- Duplicate value in the same bullet level!
- You have created a duplicated value underneath an item on a configuration page. For example, the following is invalid (two "Color" items):
- ConfigItem
- Color
- #ff0000
- Color
- #00ff00
- Color
- ConfigItem


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"In intercourse between men, one of the partners typically assumes the role of an insertive partner .
Top, bottom and versatile, with regard to sexual activity between males, refer specifically to the penetrative.
The terms top, bottom, and switch are used to describe roles for the duration of a The terms sadism and masochism, while reflecting a "do" vs. "done to".
So, with the help of some experts, let's take a moment to dismantle what you think you know about topping and bottoming. Miller argues that gay men should examine their relationship with power. One way to question this, he posits, is to approach something other than penetrative sex.
[Note from the authors of "Seriously, Science?": After nine years with Discover, we've been informed that this will be our last month blogging on.


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Gin Drinkers Will Toast These UK Cruises
Cruise Line & Cruise Ship Gabe Zaldivar March 20, 2017
Whether you like your martinis shaken, stirred or tossed in your mouth by the bucket, you will probably appreciate Dorset Cruises' latest offerings.
The luxury charter cruise line (h/t Gloucestershire Live) announced a couple of gin cruises that will have you wading in sophistication and British beauty. The website offers specifics behind the two cruise options, something Gloucestershire Live claims is a UK first in regards to this particular spirit.
The Artisan Gin Cruise takes off on the Dorset Queen through select Fridays, beginning on April 21 and lasting until September 1. This option is thanks to Artisan Drinks BCN and its expertise in fine gins.
Soon you will be an expert as well: "Our Gin Guides will introduce our hand selected artisan gins and give you a masterclass on each, their back story, botanicals and any other gin related matters."
A £35 ticket will get you entry for one person and three hours around the area, highlighting Brownsea Castle, Millionaires Row at Sandbanks and the islands of Poole Harbour. You also get three cocktails and canapés served while on board.
For £300, you get your very own VIP table, which is the only way to sip on gin, really.
Now if the above was an introduction to gin and its complex flavors, then the Conker Gin Dorset Cruises option is a way to meet the actual people behind the libation.
The website explains: "Just 28 VIP guests will cruise the beautiful Poole Harbour aboard our 1938 vintage motor yacht, Dorset Queen, and experience a private gin masterclass with a Conkerer from the Conker Spirit distillery."
READ MORE: A Dedicated Gin Hotel is Coming to London
The Poole Harbour cruise sets sail Tuesday, April 11 (Sandbanks) and Tuesday, April 25 (Wareham). The price for this particular cruise is £125 and includes three cocktails, dinner and an actual signed bottle of Conker Gin.
Aficionados of this complex liquor now have a wonderful opportunity to bask in spring's warmth, savoring the landscape and its beauty, all with their favorite sip in hand.
For more information on England
For more Cruise Line & Cruise Ship News
You may use your Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook information, including your name, photo & any other personal data you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on TravelPulse.com. Click here to learn more.LOAD FACEBOOK COMMENTS


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Welcome to my art blog where I post recent photos of my work and journal about my life as an artist. Although I spent my early childhood in the Catskill Mountains or New York, I now live and work in Tulsa Oklahoma. It is from my early life in the mountains that I developed a love of the natural world which now includes vast prairies and endless skies. My goal is to see and respond to the beauty that I find around me with a paint brush, paint and canvas.
Tuesday, November 01, 2016
Osage Hills State Park in fall
There is nothing I like better than sitting in nature w a canvas and paint. I especially like being near running water. As luck would have it it was a very cloudy day as we visited Osage Hills State Park this weekend where I did this little sketch on the edge of this sweet little creek.
Here it is on my ebay auction this week... Click Here for Auction
Posted by Margaret Aycock at 3:00 PM
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I hope everyone had a good Mother's Day! Mine was just alright-nothing too exciting or special! Highlight would be hubby gave me money to spend at LSS!! The boys had a great time making picture frames to give to their grandmas, great grandmas and godmothers! We got these great wood frames at Joann's, acrylic paints, and scrapbooking flowers and brads. I made the flowers and put a glue dot on the back of each and the boys picked the colors to paint each person's frame and the put the #'s and flowers on the frames. I think Joseph has an eye for art as he picked only flowers that would coordinate with the frame and then he did a fancy design. Can you guess which are his? He did 2 of these.
Nicholas was not as interested and he was coming up with some creative ways to paint his frames! I have to say this was VERY hard for me to sit back and let them do it their own way and not fix them or their mistakes! And I have to say they did VERY good for me not interfering! I did tell them the correct order to put the #'s though!
I had an interesting National Scrapbooking Day! It started with my friend had to go to the Dr that morning before we left for the 12 hour crop at the LSS so we got there a little late, but we GOT THERE! We then thought we were going to have to share a small table with more people and then after we went shopping to see all the new goods we found we didn't have to share! :) But it was the joke of the day that we were in solitary confinement as we were the last table in the WAY BACK CORNER! The crop was a blast as always, though I felt bad for my friend as she was not feeling good at all! Well I actually was starting to get on a roll and get some LO's done when dh called and was having issues with the boys, well then I was upset thinking about what was going on at home and lost my groove. Then I got a phone call that something was wrong with Nicholas! Apparently he was constipated, and we didn't know as he was pooping several times a day, and he was pushing SO hard he made his insides come out! I told dh to call the Dr and he called me back and said he ds needed to stop pushing and it should go back in and if it doesn't go to the Emergency room!! And if it did go back in we needed to give him an Enema and Miralax, so dh was freaking out about how would he get to the store with them and I NEEDED TO GET HOME RIGHT NOW! Problem was I had a days worth of scrapbooking mess to clean up AND I was 1 hour away! I called my brother's girlfriend to see if she could get to my house faster as my mom was far away the day too and she was the first person who came to my mind! Well she got there and helped dh out, when I got home Nicholas was back to normal and we could wait till the next day to give the enema, and that was NOT a pleasant experience! Well he is fine now and we just need to give him Miralax once a day for 2 months. Definitely a day I will NEVER forget!! So here are my 2 creations I did get done that day.
The first one is made with my prize from Scrappy Girl Designs and the second one I finally used some of the Thomas paper I have had forever now! I still have to finish the journaling on the second Layout. I also just had some fun completing a layout for a Dixie Pieces color combo challenge, I had to use orange, brown and blue. So I finally got some of my Basic Gray Archaic chipboard and a paper pack I have been wanting to scrap the pics from the Dinosaurs at the Field Museum.
Well I could go on forever it feels there has been so much, but the natives have gotten restless and the upstairs has become a race track, so I better go attend to them! ;)


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And Talking of That Podcast….
….here it is!
Episode 1a (or 0, or any other name you want to give it that indicates that it's not the first 'proper' episode) of Fundamentally Flawed
Remember, this is the first test episode, recorded in a rather ad hoc manner. Jim, Peter, and I discussed various topics, and managed to entirely fail to get started on Peter's series about the historicity of Jesus.
We'll probably be recording another show during one of the evenings this week, there's a whole lot of mileage to be got out of Joe Cienkowski's failed church.
Hope you enjoy the initial test episode.


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Purchase this article with an account.
Kristina Holbrook, Kerry Cotter, Paul Andrew Yates; Comparison of two diabetic retinopathy screening program models within a single primary care practice. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2014;55(13):5564.
Download citation file:
© ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)
To evaluate factors that determine the effectiveness of tele-ophthalmic screening programs for diabetic retinopathy (DR) by comparing two successive implementations at a primary care practice that serves the largest population (N=2570) of adults with diabetes mellitus at the University of Virginia.
In 2006, a DR screening program was established using the Optos wide-field retinal imager (Optos Program). Digital images of each eye using the non-mydriatic, 200-degree retina view were obtained by multiple nurses at physician request and read by a UVA ophthalmologist in a time frame consistent with the patient's ongoing consultations. Results were communicated to the ordering physician. The program was active until 2009, when the system was removed due to unsatisfactory outcome measures relative to cost-effectiveness. In September 2011, a revised DR screening program was established at UMA (DRS Program). A single medical assistant obtained one 45° macula-centered image of each eye using a refurbished non-mydriatic camera (Topcon TRC-45N). The images were read by an ophthalmologist. Results and ophthalmic follow-up recommendations were shared with the ordering physician and patient within 48 hours of screening. To evaluate program success, we compared number of patients screened, number of cases of DR, number of patients identified with other retinal pathology, and the ophthalmic follow-up visit compliance rate in patients with suspected DR.
The Optos Program screened 186 patients in 36 months and the DRS Program screened 1348 in 26 months. DR was detected in 29 (16%) patients in the Optos Program and 253 (19%) in the DRS Program. Positive screens (with DR) identified via the DRS Program were more compliant with their ophthalmic follow-up visit recommendation (71% compliance) than those identified via the Optos Program (34% compliance).
Multiple factors enabled the success of the latter program. The designation of a full-time nurse / photographer and integration of screening into the nursing workflow (a standing order is used) contributed to program success. Time associated with image transmission, review, and communication of results (< 48 hours) was decreased through the latter program. Directly involving the patient in the scheduling of the ophthalmic follow-up appointments contributed to the improved follow-up appointment completion rate.
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Opening up your mail box and finding a handwritten enveloppe with the cutest Christmas card in it and warm Christmas wishes: there is nothing better! But oh right, you actually need Christmas cards to send to people to make them feel that good. No worries, we got some right here.
They are cute, they are fluffy, they are funny, they are the Nûby Christmas animals waiting for you to share them with all your friends and family!
You can download you favourites (or all of them) below, to start spreading the Christmas cheer.
And if you have no idea where to send them; our offices also love some Christmas post from time to time ;-).


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The SaaS startup from Finland — Happeo recently announced that it has raised $8M funding from leading international investors including DN Capital (UK/Silicon Valley), Maki.vc (Helsinki), and Vendep Capital (Helsinki).
The additional capital will be used by Happeo to expand upon its rich suite of integrations, making it possible to launch Linkedin, Google Chat, and Slack this quarter. The funding will also be used to expand the global presence of the company, following the opening of its Amsterdam office earlier this year.
Happeo is an all-in-one digital workplace platform that empowers internal communicators to connect with employees in entirely new ways. The platform brings together intranet, collaboration, and social networking into one unified solution. Large enterprises and organisations, such as Randstad Sourceright and Groupe Chantelle, use Happeo to reach, engage, and listen to more than 220,000 employees worldwide to create a seamless employee experience.
The Happeo SaaS platform provides software solutions to use on daily-basis into one unified platform, allowing employees not only to connect and collaborate in new ways but also to work more efficiently.
"By bringing together enterprise CMS, social intranet and collaboration in a single platform, Happeo has created a solution that will be critical to the digital workplace of the future. We are delighted to join Maki.vc and Vendep in Happeo's first institutional funding round," says Steve Schlenker from DN Capital.
Since officially launching its platform in 2017, Happeo (formerly Universe) has been nominated as one of the most promising startups by the European Union, and today already more than 220,000 employees are working with the Happeo digital workplace.
"Traditional employee intranets are dead, because they host static and often outdated information in isolation, offering no value to the employee," says Perttu Ojansuu, Co-Founder, and CEO of Happeo. "Happeo is providing organizations with a totally integrated digital workplace, serving as a central hub for employees to access company resources, collaborate, and connect with each other. This massively improves employee experience and drives our clients' growth."
By integrating enterprise collaboration tools, Happeo brings together essential tools including calendar, files, conferencing, and projects, even CRM and HR-systems – in one digital workplace. The platform is enriched with knowledge sharing and social networking features directly driving engagement, productivity, and an enjoyable employee experience.
For more updates, stay tuned to Silicon Canals.


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Rick Vazza, Professional Story
Hi, I am Rick Vazza, founder and financial planner of Driven Wealth Management. Growing up in Massachusetts, I always thought I would enter the family real estate business. While studying undergraduate courses at Providence College, I witnessed the financial recession hit our family business head on. The recession had more than just a financial impact. I watched as financial issues caused the destruction of family relationships. Witnessing this first hand, I became determined to never allow money to control my life. I realized the family business and real estate would have to wait. I had another calling.
Upon graduating, I immediately pursued the most difficult designation to achieve in the financial industry, the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) charter. The knowledge gained from earning the charter provided me the expertise to confidently conduct detailed financial analysis, invest, and manage money.
I quickly realized however that investing provides only a piece of financial confidence.
I earned the CFP® (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™) designation to learn the fundamental skills of comprehensive financial planning. The designation covers topics such as Cash Flow Management, Education Planning, Insurance Planning, Estate Planning, and Retirement Planning.
While studying for both of these designations, I worked for Fidelity Investments. At Fidelity, I spent time doing everything from learning the basics of account processing in the back office, to eventually advising high net worth clients in New York City.
I transitioned to SunTrust in order to be directly involved in investment decisions. At SunTrust, I served as Vice President and Portfolio Manager for high net worth clients in the Washington, DC metro area. In this role, I developed and managed investment strategies on behalf of clients in order to meet their goals.
As someone with a passion for business, I wanted to partner with more business owners and entrepreneurs.
Unfortunately, I noticed a few problems in trying to do so:
- The financial industry traditionally charges on the investments they are managing, but most business owners don't have sizable investment accounts – their net worth is in the business after all!
- Standard planning topics weren't interesting or relevant to business owners – diversification and stock market returns don't seem attractive when your business has a high return on capital.
- Owners are weary of "financial advisors" just trying to sell them life insurance.
I founded Driven Wealth Management to address these problems and partner with business owners and their families by:
- Charging a fee for service (like a consultant), not requiring a fee on assets.
- Helping business owners grow their largest asset (company) using expertise gained through earning the CFA designation by focusing on business metrics and strategy.
- Using the expertise gained through earning the CFP® designation to explain how business decisions impact the personal and family planning of the owners and ensuring they continue to build their net worth without overlooking any blind spots.
My Personal Story
I am married to my incredible wife, Whitney. We met during our last semester of senior year at Providence College. I am from a little south of Boston, MA while she is from Albany, NY. After several years in Brooklyn and Washington DC, we now live in sunny San Diego, CA, where you can typically find us walking our one-eyed French Bulldog, Copper, around the neighborhood.
We are big foodies and love trying new restaurants and recipes. From weekends devouring the "ramen burger" at food markets in Brooklyn, to tailgating the opening of Franklin's Barbecue in Austin, there's no food fad we won't try. Travel is our second love. Along with a cross country trip, we have been fortunate to spend time in Milan, Venice, Dubrovnik, Prague, Amsterdam, Barcelona and took the honeymoon of our dreams to the Maldives. We consistently contribute to our travel fund to make these trips happen!
I love to play just about every sport, whether it's to improve a skill or just a way to meet new people. You can typically catch me on the golf course, or playing softball and soccer with rec leagues. I am also an avid reader that rotates between fictional authors, such as Dennis Lehane, biographies of history's greatest influencers, such as Winston Churchill, and of course financial classics like "Reminiscences of a Stock Operator".
I am the oldest of four siblings. Despite living in different parts of the country now, the highlight of our year is our visit back to Massachusetts when my whole family gets together.


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It is a well-known fact that there has been extensive documentation of African traditional arts in post-colonial Africa, which has contributed to the growing accumulation of field recordings in Africa that could form the nucleus for archives in individual African countries. These include private collections as well as recordings at broadcasting and television stations; government ministries such as Tourism, Culture and Information; museums and academic institutions. Sadly, these precious traditions – which have been expensively captured – are often not properly managed
in their host institutions. The caretakers of this heritage mostly sit by as collections deteriorate and sometimes are disposed of due to lack of institutional support. Such practices prevail in most African archives. This paper proposes a new mode of consciousness of the value of audiovisual heritage materials by comparing them with human babies. This new archival management principle, 'the baby nursing model', has been adopted and practiced at the University of Ghana and has achieved positive results.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18146/soima2015.4.18
This article is part of the book 'SOIMA: Unlocking Sound and Image Heritage'


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Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
Ticket Prices
Gates open to the public at 12:00 noon both Saturday and Sunday. The fun continues through 12:00 midnight on Saturdays and 6:00 p.m. on Sundays.
General Ticket information:
Adult Ages: 13 – 61 years
Senior Ages: 62+ years
Children Ages: 3 – 12 years
Children 2 years and under are FREE
Pre-purchased admission tickets are non-refundable and can not be transferred to other weekends of the Oktoberfest.
Burgermeister Party Pack
Available every weekend.
Party Like The Burgermeister and Enjoy Everything Oktoberfest! This package includes admission both Saturday & Sunday, annual commemorative 16 oz. beer stein, one beer ticket, one German meal ticket, and a set of party beads. (Must be 21 years and older to purchase)
Über Burgermeister Party Pack – Available On Line Only
This is the ultimate Oktoberfest package. The Über Burgermeister Party Pack includes admission both Saturday & Sunday, one-liter Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest stein, two beer tickets (good for one beer in the one-liter stein), a German meal ticket, and a set of party beads! (Must be 21 years or older to purchase).
Burgermeister Bucks
Burgermeister Bucks are sold in $2.00 increments in books of either $40 or $80. They can be used to purchase food and menu items at the German Kitchen, the Munich Grill, Food Court and the Sports Park Grill. They are also used to purchase beverages (including beer, wine, soft drinks, etc.). Burgermeister Bucks are non-refundable, have no cash value, are equivalent to $2.00 each, and expire at Midnight on November 2nd, 2019. Must be 21 years and older to redeem coupons/tickets for alcoholic beverages. Must present valid photo I.D. PLEASE NOTE: DOES NOT INCLUDE ADMISSION!
* $40.00 and $80.00
Oktoberfest "Unplugged" Weekend Package
One Time Only – Friday, October 18th, 2019
Oktoberfest gets "Unplugged". We invite you to an intimate evening of fine German foods paired with a variety of beers and spirits. You will be treated to an inside look into the history and early beginnings of Oktoberfest. This package includes Friday evening's festivities featuring a five-course German pairing dinner, live entertainment, a commemorative one-liter stein, an intimate evening of fun, and as a bonus if you choose the all-inclusive Weekend Package . . . Saturday and Sunday event admission.
* $157.00 each for the Weekend Package
* $122.00 each for Friday Dinner only
2019 Pricing:
Please note the new Early Bird Special this year – Pre-purchased ticket prices good through August 18th. In other words, Buy Early and Save using the "Buy Now" link above!
Click on the image below if you'd like to download a copy for printing.


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(businesspress24) - London, UK, May 23, 2018: The Independent Networks Cooperative Association (INCA) today pledged its support to UK Chancellor Philip Hammond''s full-fibre broadband targets - and called on the Government and telecoms industry to ensure a collaborative approach.
Speaking at the annual CBI dinner, Hammond pledged to make full-fibre connections available to most homes and businesses by 2025 to help Britain thrive in the post-Brexit economy. Some experts have already cast doubt on the plans, saying small and mid-sized towns would miss out.
But INCA CEO Malcolm Corbett believes the plan is achievable with the right approach
"There is no reason why most of the UK cannot be served by full fibre and our members are fully supportive of making this happen," he said. "However, there are steps that need to be taken in order to make Philip Hammond''s goal a realistic one. For one, we need to see more collaboration between the industry''s big players, such as BT Openreach and Virgin Media, and the altnets, to enable a future-proof digital infrastructure to be built quickly.
"We have no doubt that there is investment available to deliver future-proof connectivity across Britain but there are many challenges and barriers to digital transformation. The Government can help a lot by taking a more co-ordinated approach between departments involved with local government, planning, transport and utilities."
According to Corbett, INCA''s members have already revealed plans to invest in new full fibre and high-speed wireless networks. By 2025, they aim to reach more than 14 million premises - 50% of the UK - with full fibre.
A recent report by INCA and Point Topic showed the altnet sector currently reaches 1 million premises with full fibre and up to a further 2 million with wireless broadband services.
These latest figures place altnets collectively as the third competitor in new full fibre infrastructure provision, alongside BT Openreach and Virgin Media. The altnet sector has been buoyed by announcements of more than
"A properly competitive, healthy and functional broadband market ultimately means the UK will achieve its full fibre and 5G goals much faster than simply relying on incumbent networks," said Corbett. "With the right continued support, the altnets will have a very big role to play in meeting the UK''s digital infrastructure targets."
For more information about INCA, visit: https://www.inca.coop/.
More information:
The Independent Networks Co-operative Association (INCA), was established in 2010 as a co-operative trade association for next generation broadband services. INCA brings together the most innovative thinkers in the independent alternative network sector, creating new digital infrastructure in the UK and Ireland.
Date: 05/23/2018 - 18:25
Language: English
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Faux Taxidermy Skull Wall Decor. This replica faux cow skull is the perfect addition of southwestern home decor to your entryway, living room, or office. The piece is made of resin and the face of the skull has intricate carvings. The skull has been painted white and the removable horns have been painted bronze. Each piece is custom made to order, so please allow 2-4 business days for production. If you need the item sooner, message us and we will try our best to accommodate your needs.
MEASUREMENTS:- 19″ tall- 16″ wide- 7″ deep.
WEIGHT:- 2 lbs.
HANGING INSTRUCTIONS:- Keyhole like mount molded in the back of the skull- Use a strong nail or screw We love making custom skulls, please message us to start working on a unique piece!


text: LATMG's Local Values is the largest and most comprehensive Total Market Coverage program in the country. Local Values combines the home delivered Los Angeles Times with a portfolio of targeted distribution programs to provide unduplicated coverage to 3.9 million homes and over 82% penetration in our market. Targeted delivery channels include our Times Community Newspapers, our home delivered Spanish language weekly Fin de Semana, shared mail via the USPS, private carrier home delivery, and home delivery via our Sunday Select program – 'Los Angeles Times Select'. By combining the "best of the best" delivery programs with our award winning editorial, Local Values provides consumers with the highest value advertising marketplace in Southern California.


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Hospitality Insurance
Hospitality Insurance
Protecting your Business!
Hospitality Insurance
We offer hospitality insurance for commercial property, general liability, liquor liability, assault and battery, and excess liability insurance coverage to businesses that serve or sell liquor.
In today's world, businesses can be held liable for practically anything. That is particularly true in the hospitality industry, where businesses may be named in lawsuits for incidents that occur off premises or are only remotely connected to the establishment. Unfortunately, you can not prevent lawsuits, but you can insure your establishment to cover incidents.
Hospitality Insurance Group
Hospitality Insurance Group offers the assurance and peace of mind that comes from knowing your business is protected from unexpected claims.
Whether you are a bar, restaurant, social club or just holding a one day event that involves the sale or serving of alcohol, the experts at Hospitality Insurance Group will ensure you have the coverage you need.
- Bars Taverns
- Liquor Stores
- Social Clubs
- Nightclubs
- Convenience Stores
- Restaurants
- Special Events
Hospitality Insurance
Protecting your Business!


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Lincoln Heights School, Auckland, has been part of KickStart Breakfast since 2009. We reached out to principal, Leisha Byrnes, to find out about one of their very special people within their school who supports their KickStart Breakfast club!
"In every school there are heroes. In our school Gordon is ours, he doesn't wear a cape or leap tall buildings, but he does make a difference. Every day he turns up and runs our well attended and much appreciated breakfast club. It's a fun place to come and have a warm and nutritious start to your day. It's not the set up of the tables, the buttering of countless pieces of toast or milk that he pours onto cereal every day that makes him so amazing, but the values that he encourages in our children and the time he takes to get to know each and everyone that makes a difference to them.
If we didn't have the support of the KickStart Breakfast programme, being able to provide a healthy breakfast and have an amazing person nurturing our children would be just another barrier to them being well fed, ready to learn and feeling a sense of belonging. Gordon has a heart for our children and staff and is driven to ensure all children have positive learning experiences and know they have a place they belong. His great sense of humour and ability to relate to both children, their families and our wider community makes him a taonga the school community is lucky to have"
We know there are many more 'Gordon's' out there supporting our KickStart Breakfast clubs! If you'd like to share or thank-you local heroes, send the team an email at [email protected]
Silverstream School in Mosgiel, are one of our newer schools who joined the KickStart Breakfast whānau in term three 2018. Principal Greg Hurley shares how the KickStart Breakfast programme has become part of Silverstream's culture and values.
"We have a real sense of aroha and community at our school so offering a chance for our children, staff and parents to pop in for a nibble, cuppa and a chat is invaluable. We have several parents who encourage their children to come for a second breakfast (or alternative breakfast) to support us in making the hungry/disadvantaged children invisible. No one knows who hasn't had breakfast or what their motivation is to be at our KickStart breakfast. Staff members join in regularly to connect and chat and the kids LOVE this too. Mrs Gray runs a great programme and sometimes brings in special treats like fruit bread or milo as a surprise addition to our KickStart Breakfast menu.
The children that need this support are far more alert, active and happier than they were prior. We believe they display a stronger sense of belonging too which is crucial to their learning and engagement. They know they are safe, secure and cared for. They are part of a special team and this contributes substantially to the pride and mana in our community.
Kia kaha KickStart!
Buller High School, our 2019 KickStart Breakfast Club of the Year winner, share their experience and how their breakfast club has evolved since starting in the programme in 2013. HOD Food & Nutrition and Breakfast Club Coordinator, Jude Eakin share's how the school's engagement with the programme continues to grow each year with integrating the senior hospitality and food technology students learning into their KickStart Breakfast club.
'Watching the students who turn up every day to make their school a better place. Every year we get more students and staff signing up to help and every year their level of commitment deepens.
We are open to all students in the Buller area and their whānau, parents, siblings, grandparents. – this inter-generational approach is effective and inclusive. It also makes the transition to high school less threatening for our primary students. We have great support from the primary schools and Homebuilders, they visit frequently and often help. It's priceless to have such open channels of communication with our primary schools.
We run a barista training course where the students work shifts at Breakfast Club serving visitors and teachers a great cup of coffee and when it's cold – hot chocolate for our children. Having whānau bring their children in and sit down to have a coffee. We are given frequent donations of local fresh fruits and vegetables.
Our L3 Trades hospitality students prepare meals to be served at Breakfast Club as part of their training. Our senior management team come in once a week and work with the students, this gives the students and visitors a chance to chat informally and create relationships.
The whole school, students and staff take this venture seriously and have pride and a sense of ownership in the club is its strength. We knew that providing a great breakfast to our students would be useful and would help improve both attendance at school and engagement in class. We were surprised at the extra benefits that have become clearer as time passes – the relationship building between staff, family and students, and the opportunities provided for our students to show leadership and manaakitanga.
We would like to thank KickStart Breakfast for giving us the foundation to build a breakfast club that we are proud of, we couldn't have done it without you."
When KickStart Breakfast first started in 2009, Manurewa Intermediate was one of 200 decile 1-4 schools to join the programme. Deputy Principal, Greer Doidge, shares the impact KickStart Breakfast has had on their tamariki and school community.
"Manurewa Intermediate holds Breakfast Club every day of the week and about 150 children attend every day between 7.30 and 8.30. Breakfast Club is also held at playtime for those who may have come late to school. The goods and service provided by the KickStart Breakfast team have been invaluable in ensuring our kids have a good healthy meal to start their day of learning. Many of our children currently live in emergency housing or overcrowded accommodation and supplies of food are limited. By having breakfast available at school, we have been able to ensure that all children eat at least once a day.
We run Breakfast Club as a competition so that the social stigma of needing to eat because of poverty is replaced by a healthy competition - this has also created a little social community amongst the Breakfast Club children that is delightful to witness. The impact of this socially acceptable intervention cannot be undermined. Before this was available, parents would often keep children home as they were embarrassed that their children had not eaten. Children would be lethargic in class from eating cheap substitutes for breakfast and with the introduction of healthy Weet-Bix and milk, children are notably more able to engage and are much more attentive.
This has been a factor in improving their attainment AND our attendance is over 90% schoolwide so this has had a big positive impact on whether children come to school or not too. We are indebted to our sponsors and supporters at Kickstart for allowing us the resources that make a real difference to our kids' lives."
Manurewa Intermediate has been recognised several times within our KickStart Breakfast annual awards with year 8 student, Hailey Brown receiving this year's 2019 Student Champion of the Year!
To celebrate the KickStart Breakfast's 10 year birthday, we are running a competition for all our schools from 6 November till 15 November. All you have to do is to share your KickStart Breakfast club's recipes with the team by emailing to [email protected] and be into win a Sunbeam Two Way Blender. There are 10 blenders up for grabs for your breakfast club!
To enter, please download the template and record your breakfast creation! Remember to ensure this includes Anchor™ milk and Weet-Bix™.
For the competition's Terms and Conditions, please click here.


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Man Allegedly Threatens To Shoot Up Polling Place, Then Mugs For The Camera
Christopher Queen allegedly became irate after being told he wasn't registered to vote and claimed he'd been promised a gun if he voted "straight party."
A Pennsylvania man flashed quite a smile after he was arrested for allegedly threatening to shoot up a polling place on Election Day.
Christopher Thomas Queen, 48, of Claysville, Pennsylvania, allegedly "became upset, told the poll workers he was going to go get a gun and come back and shoot them," after being informed he wasn't registered to vote, Melanie Ostrander, Washington County's assistant elections director, told the Associated Press.
Witnesses at the South Franklin Volunteer Fire Department, which was being used as the polling center, said Queen claimed he had been promised a gun and money if he voted "straight party," according to WPXI in Pittsburgh.
Things escalated quickly afterward and left volunteers visibly shaken, WPXI reported.
Not only was he grinning during his mugshot, but video taken by a local outlet shows him smiling wildly and appearing to laugh during a perp walk.
He was charged with terroristic threats and disorderly conduct for the allegedly threats.
It's not clear if Queen has a lawyer who can speak on his behalf at this time. In court, Queen said he doesn't own a firearm, according to WPXI.
"No comment," Queen told a reporter who approached him outside of the courthouse. "This is going to go to trial."
While the nation's midterm elections were often a heated affair over the last few months, things were largely peaceful on Election Day, with the exception of Queen's alleged threats and an incident in Texas. In that case, according to the Associated Press, a white poll worker was cited for misdemeanor assault after allegedly bumping a black voter during a dispute in which she also allegedly said, "Maybe if I'd worn my blackface makeup today you could comprehend what I'm saying to you."
[Photo: Associated Press]
Crime Time is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. Sign up for our Crime Time Newsletter and subscribe to our true crime podcast Martinis & Murder for all the best true crime content.


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Cape Town - kykNET's popular dating reality show Boer Soek 'n Vrou is back for its twelfth season with the announcement of the ten farmers who are looking for love.
This year's farmers, who are between 26 and 51, were introduced during a special episode on kykNET (channel 144 on DStv) on Sunday evening.
Nine of the ten male farmers are looking for a female companion and the remaining one hopes to find the ideal male partner.
For the first time ever an openly gay male will take part in the Afrikaans reality show. In a truly historic moment Damian, a 37-year-old cattle and sheep farmer from Bapsfontein, is bravely breaking new ground in a TV show that has a largely conservative Afrikaans following.
Like previous seasons viewers will follow the love journey of the five farmers who receive the most letters, which will be aired over 13 episodes from October. Afrikaans singing sensation and actress Leah has also returned for a second stint as presenter.
Five farmers are from the Western Cape, two from the Northern Cape, two from the Eastern Cape and one from Gauteng.
Now it is time for those who are in search of a soulmate or spouse, whether they live in the middle of a city or in the countryside, to write letters to these ten contestants. (Meet all the farmers here.)
Anyone who wants to write to any one of the farmers need to be older than 21 and be unmarried.
If someone want to write a letter and get to know the farmers, they need to do the following before midnight on 30 May: Visit the kykNET website for more information: www.kyknet.tv, call 079 335 5137 or send an e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Everything's made at home this season with Pampered Chef! Explore our new recipes, products and updated products from our most-loved collections.
It's a Great Time for a New Beginning
Balancing work and family demands in 1980 left our founder Doris Christopher hungry for a better option, so she created the "cooking consultant" opportunity. Today, the job of a cooking consultant couldn't be more relevant. In our booming "gig" economy, working with Pampered Chef offers thousands the best path to building a business that is scalable, flexible, accessible, and profitable.
Written In Stone
Pampered Chef's heritage is written in stone—stoneware, that is. It's been in our product line since the very beginning, so we know a thing or two about doing it right. Our stoneware is the best around: Many happy customers have had their favorite pieces for decades.
All our stoneware, whether it's glazed or unglazed, shares the same amazing cooking properties, so you'll get outstanding results.
Cooking Up Next Generation Chefs
Remember home economics class? It's likely that many of the kids in Generation Alpha will never have that experience. At Pampered Chef, we believe that cooking has the power to help shape our kids' futures for the better, and we're developing a line of products geared at bringing kids and parents to the kitchen together to build skills that will last a lifetime.


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Should I Replace My Speaker or Replace The Amp
Should I Replace My Speaker or Replace The Amp
So, we design, make, and sell speakers, which makes you think we'd be biased, right? Wrong. Truth is, we're players just like y'all; we balance budgets and try to figure out if we can afford new gear or need to fix the car instead just like you! I've been amazingly blessed and fortunate to have made tone and guitar gear my life's pursuit for nearly four decades now, I've swapped more speakers in more amps than any other human who has or will ever live. I am the worlds preeminent authority on speaker swaps. Okay ... maybe I need to stop listening to pro wrestlers speeches, or President Trump, for that matter; but hey, if ya don't toot your own horn, who's going to? But it IS true that I have a lot of experience in this, and I'd love to pass this experience on to you. It's what I do, I'm here for you! Let's dig in.
I think I'm going to start with absolute deal-breakers, here are some times when you need to dissolve your relationship and get that amp out of your life asap. There is no speaker that can fix THESE irreconcilable differences.
- The Amp is too darn BIG for you to move, the very THOUGHT of moving it makes you determined to never play a gig outside the house: Dude, unless you are totally happy with never playing out with this amp, it's time to kick big Bertha to the curb!
- The amp is an unreliable maintenance hog: if you've spent twice as much money on keeping an amp running as it is worth, don't even THINK about a new speaker, just donate that sucker to a local landfill and MOVE ON.
- The amp is TOTALLY wrong for you: let's say you are a metal player and your amp is a Fender Deluxe Reverb. Will a speaker make that Deluxe a rockin' metal amp? Ummm, no. Time to Craigslist that little gal to some country guy and get a face melting high-gain amp with scooped midrange tendencies.
- And last, the one you already knew: your amp just plain sucks. So you got a starter pack for Christmas last year; it came with a guitar, a strap, a pick, a tuner, a "play guitar in 60-seconds" book, and ... an amp. Cheap guitars are often quite acceptable these days; amps not so much! It doesn't take you long to recognize that you are suffering from the worst of all guitar related afflictions: your tone SUCKS! New speaker? No, NEW AMP!
Okay, now ... on to when you really SHOULD replace your speaker(s)!
- You have a valuable vintage amp and you actually use it. In every case, you should replace the speaker. Collectors are a downright freakishly picky bunch. For an collectable amp to retain it;s value, it needs to be as original as possible, and one item that REALLY needs to be original is the speaker, and decades old speakers tend to be tired and can be easily blown. So, don't take the chance, just replace the speaker and put the original(s) safely in the box the new speaker came in.
- You are frickin' in LOVE with your amp, but, it needs a bit of tweaking. This is where a speaker swap really makes all the difference.Say you just bought that Deluxe Reverb re-issue and it rocks your world, but when you take it to a club you really wish it had a little more tighter bottom end and a little more clean headroom. Or, maybe your new combo has just a tad bit more of the dreaded 2k ice-pick than is appropriate for your style. THESE are the times when a speaker can take an amp from "I really like it" to "it's freeking PERFECT".
- You bought a great amp with a not so great speaker. This happens ALL THE TIME! For some reason, many manufactures still haven't figgured out that a speaker is the single most critical part in an amp ... the one and only part that actually PRODUCES the actual sound! Say you have a Fender Super Sonic Amp with the factory speaker, yes, replace it. Or maybe a vintage Lab Series L7, L5, or L9, chances are the cheap original speakers blew years ago, and if not, they are TIRED; replace those suckers! You will find you have a inexpensive amp that sounds really, really good!
- Your amp can over power the speaker(s). You lay on the volume and your speakers fart out. Ugg. Time for new speakers? You betcha!
- Your amp doesn't sound great, but when you plug it into a friends cabinet ... like magic, it DOES sound flat-out great! Yep, that's the difference between mediocre speakers and great speakers, replace away!
So, there ya have it, my decades of experience summed up in 9 bullet-points. I'm sure there are some I forgot, so y'all feel free to chime in with your own feelings. Next week I'll be looking at when to change pickups and when not to, so y'all be sure to pop in for that one. So long till then.


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Fortuna 8 Piece Outdoor Patio Sectional Sofa Set, White Gray Size : 118"Lx91"Wx32.5"H
Nestled Within Close Proximity To Forests, Rivers, Valleys, And The Pacific Ocean Rests The Fortuna Outdoor Series. Enjoy The Good Life With An Engaging Arrangement That Makes It Easy To Enjoy Conversations Together With Friends And Family. Made Of Powder-Coated Aluminum With All-Weather Polyester Cushions, Fortuna Appeals To The Modern Palate Without Overwhelming The Senses. The Fortuna Outdoor Series Is Perfect For Contemporary Patios, Backyards, Poolsides, And Other Outdoor Lounge Area. Set Includes: One - Cofee Table Three - Center Two - Corner Two - Single Sofa Overall Product Dimensions: 118"L X 91"W X 32.5"H Armchair Dimensions: 30.5"L X 30"W X 32.5"H Seat Cushion Dimensions: 29.5"L X 29.5"W X 4"H Back Cushion Dimensions: 29.5"L X 3 - 8"W X 18"H Armless Chair Dimension: 29"L X 30"W X 32.5"H Overall Corner Sofa Dimensions: 30"L X 30"W X 32.5"H Coffee Table Dimensions: 23.5"L X 43.5"W X 16.5"H Glass Dimensions: 23.5"L X 13.5"W X 1/5"H Coffee Table Space Between Legs: 22"L X 37.5"W Coffee Table Floor To Underside Of Table: 15.5"H
Weight (lbs.):191
Length (in.):118
Width (in.):91
Height (in.):32.5
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#run in the dark
# run-in-the-dark - Sunday 4 November, 2018
'I was told I had cancer and would never walk again - I'm doing a 5k this week'
"I knew if I continued I could get this broken body to move again."
# run-in-the-dark - Monday 23 October, 2017
Charity running event postponed to avoid clashing with Ireland - Denmark playoff
The charity run – Run in the Dark – joins Leo Varadkar in seeking to postpone an event due to the crucial World Cup qualifying clash.
# run-in-the-dark - Thursday 19 October, 2017
So, you want to run faster? Here are 3 tips to help you improve your 5k time this winter
There are a couple of things you can incorporate into your training to shave a few seconds off the clock.
# run-in-the-dark - Wednesday 11 October, 2017
Planning to run a 5k over the winter? Here are 10 training tips from two experts
John O'Regan and Mark Pollock on what to do and what not to do during your training weeks.
# run-in-the-dark - Monday 14 November, 2016
We can't make time but we can make the most of it - 6 ways to squeeze exercise into your day
Even those with the most demanding of jobs can find time for exercise, writes running coach John O'Regan.
# run-in-the-dark - Thursday 3 November, 2016
Want to run faster? Here are 3 easy ways to improve your times
Running coach John O'Regan on how to achieve personal bests over the coming weeks and months.
# run-in-the-dark - Tuesday 25 October, 2016
A fitness goal not written down is just an idea - get SMART and make it happen this winter
Running coach John O'Regan on the importance of goal setting.
# run-in-the-dark - Wednesday 19 October, 2016
I'm too old to run and my knees hurt! 3 myths we use to avoid running
Running coach John O'Regan says there's never been a better time to get out and pound the pavements.
# run-in-the-dark - Saturday 7 November, 2015
Race Day Preparation: 9 tips to get you over the line!
You've almost made it to the start line.
# run-in-the-dark - Saturday 31 October, 2015
These simple motivitation tips will keep you on the road to the start line
We've been training for the Life Style Sports Run In The Dark.
# run-in-the-dark - Friday 23 October, 2015
13 ways to stay motivated and keep monotony off the menu when you're running
Stay focused out there, runners.
# run-in-the-dark - Saturday 17 October, 2015
Why monitoring your progress is key to success in training
We're still training away for the Life Style Sports Run In The Dark.
# run-in-the-dark - Saturday 26 September, 2015
Why gathering momentum slowly is crucial to staying the course
We're building up to the Life Style Sports Run In The Dark.
# run-in-the-dark - Thursday 10 September, 2015
10k challenge: Your 8-week training plan ahead of the Life Style Sports Run In the Dark
It's that time of the year again.
# run-in-the-dark - Sunday 26 April, 2015
Dublin looked nice all lit up for the Samsung Galaxy S6 Night Run
Running 10k along the quays isn't the worst way to spend a Sunday evening.
# run-in-the-dark - Friday 14 November, 2014
'I hate hills' - Jamie Wall takes on Run In the Dark with encouragement from cousin Podge Collins
The Cork native had 'Team Jamie' on the streets for the annual run. .
# run-in-the-dark - Thursday 13 November, 2014
Did you do the Run in the Dark? See if you can spot yourself in these pics from around the world
Thousands of runners hit the streets from Dublin to Girona.
# run-in-the-dark - Monday 10 November, 2014
Run In The Dark training plan: It's race week, here's how to prepare
The hard work is done, it's time to enjoy it.
# run-in-the-dark - Monday 3 November, 2014
Run In The Dark training plan: getting ready for race week
Training expert John O'Regan on what you need to do leading up to the race.
# run-in-the-dark - Monday 27 October, 2014
Run In The Dark training plan: the battle to stay focused and motivated
Training expert John O'Regan on the toughest steps on your run; the couple out the front door.
# run-in-the-dark - Monday 20 October, 2014
Stop and think about how far you've come on road to success
Measuring improvements in your fitness levels is vital, writes John O'Regan.
# run-in-the-dark - Friday 10 October, 2014
'You look forward, not back!' - Mark Pollock on trying to fast-track a cure for paralysis
The Belfast native chats to us about his new film and inspiring thousands of people to run.
# run-in-the-dark - Monday 6 October, 2014
Here's your 5-week training plan for Run in the Dark
There's still loads of time to get ready for this year's event.
# run-in-the-dark - Tuesday 30 September, 2014
You've started training, now here's how to keep building that momentum
Here's the third step in John O'Regan's guide to getting set for the November race.
# run-in-the-dark - Monday 22 September, 2014
Up and running? Here are six steps to establishing a routine
John O'Regan passes on his running tips.
# run-in-the-dark - Tuesday 16 September, 2014
Before you run, here's eight important steps to keep in mind
It's not quite as simple as one foot in front of the other but it's not far off.
# run-in-the-dark - Tuesday 9 September, 2014
26.2 tips to help you prepare for your next marathon
Don't forget the Sudocream.
# run-in-the-dark - Wednesday 13 November, 2013
In pictures: Run In The Dark Dublin
The Life Style Sports sponsored events took place simultaneously in Dublin, Cork, Belfast, London and Manchester
# run-in-the-dark - Monday 11 November, 2013
# run-in-the-dark - Monday 4 November, 2013
Step 8: Getting from the couch to the Run In The Dark 5k start-line in eight weeks
It's the last full week of preparation ahead of next week's event.
# run-in-the-dark - Saturday 2 November, 2013
'You feel sick when you see things like that' - O'Sullivan on the doping scourge
The Irish athlete told us that retrospective medal upgrades could never replace the stolen thrill of victory.
# run-in-the-dark - Friday 1 November, 2013
Many Irish athletes not living up to their potential - Sonia O'Sullivan
The Olympic Silver Medallist is taking part in the Melbourne leg of Run in the Dark this month.
# run-in-the-dark - Monday 28 October, 2013
Step 7: Getting from the couch to the Run In The Dark 5k start-line in eight weeks
'It's important that you only compare you with you and not with those around you as we all progress at a different rate.'
# run-in-the-dark - Monday 21 October, 2013
Step 6: Getting from the couch to the Run In The Dark 5k start-line in eight weeks
'You need to be healthy first and fit second and that means not sacrificing health for fitness.'
# run-in-the-dark - Monday 14 October, 2013
Step 5: Getting from the couch to a 5k start-line in eight weeks
It's all about listening to your body at this stage, writes expert John O'Regan.
# run-in-the-dark - Monday 7 October, 2013
Step 4: Getting from the couch to a 5k start-line in eight weeks
Ultra marathon guru John O'Regan has us well on the road… but don't get ahead of yourself.
# run-in-the-dark - Monday 30 September, 2013
Step 3: How to get from the couch to the start line of a 5k in eight weeks
Ultra marathon guru John O'Regan has us well warmed up at this stage. Let's kick on.
# run-in-the-dark - Tuesday 24 September, 2013
Step 2: How to get from the couch to the start line of a 5k in eight weeks
Last week we strapped on our runners for week one of a two-month plan ahead of the Life Style Sports Run In The Dark. Here's the next stage.
# run-in-the-dark - Friday 20 September, 2013
How to get from the couch to the start line of a 5k in eight weeks
The Life Style Sports Run in the Dark is eight weeks away. Ultra marathon runner John O'Regan plots out a plan to get beginners from the couch to the start line in two months.
# run-in-the-dark - Tuesday 25 September, 2012
The Run In The Dark race is back – and now it's international
Now in its second year, the event boasts six official locations: Dublin, Belfast, Cork, London, Manchester and New York.


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Sustainable Circular Economy
|Ahmed Z. Khan
|multidimensional sustainability evaluation of circular economy, sustainable design methods and strategies for CE, the governance of transformative/alternative/grassroots CE-initiatives
Prof. Ahmed Z. Khan, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
Project Summary
Sustainable Circular Economy – Which circularity? Evaluation, Design and Governance
Circular economy (CE) is an emerging paradigm shift in the sustainable development discourse, its practices and modes of implementation. It regroups a multitude of resource cycling concepts and is in its more transformative, radical interpretations coupled with alternative economic models (functional economy, product service system, collaborative and sharing economy, ...). The CE is claimed to support evolution towards sustainable prosperity (Cassiers (ed), 2014). However, up to now there are only few concrete/empirical evaluation studies which are able to analytically support the theoretical sustainability claims (Ghisellini et al. 2015). Furthermore, the multitude of possible configurations which could effectively combine cycling concepts, design practices and alternative economic models poses the fundamental question: Which circularity for which context by what practice? The general objective of this project is to contribute to the understanding of such "sustainable circular economy" configurations and develop a scientifically sound analytical apparatus and implementation capabilities. The project aims to achieve this by combining 3 research axes: i) configuration of evaluation tools, ii) conceptualisation of design strategies and models, and iii) analyses of governance modes. To achieve the general project aim, the project is organized as a conceptual triangle between sustainability evaluation of circularity (Wouter Achten), sustainable design (Ahmed Khan) and governance (Tom Bauler). For a transition towards sustainable circular economy we consider evaluation, design and governance equally important and necessary. Each of the 3 triangle nodes represents a research pillar which will be implemented as 3 PhD projects. Although, obviously a series of interactions among the PhDs are foreseen to consolidate common understanding and shared conceptualisations, the projects run in parallel and act on different levels (generic level vs. sector specific level) or actors/users (e.g. administrations, companies, etc.) and objects of study to avoid too strong interdependencies which might put the individual PhDs at risk:
PhD 1: Multidimensional sustainability evaluation of circular economy (Dir. Wouter Achten) in which it is the main aim to contribute to the development of a sustainability circularity evaluation framework which is able to assess circularity, environmental and socio-economic impacts of circular economy materials, products and initiatives. In this evaluation the PhD project will also focus on the interaction effect on sustainability of coupling material cycling concepts with alternative circular economic models.
PhD 2: Sustainable design methods and strategies for circular economy (Dir. Ahmed Z. Khan) of which the main aim is to develop sustainable circularity models based on the integrative evaluation of the study of the urban buildings material stock and design strategies for its reuse. To achieve this aim, the project will work on two main objectives: 1) to assess the potential and feasibility of urban mining in the particular case of Brussels Capital Region; and 2) to develop new design concepts and strategies for the effective implementation of reuse and recycling in the construction of buildings.
PhD 3: The governance of transformative/alternative/grassroots circular economy initiatives (Dir. Tom Bauler) which aims to shed light on the dynamics with which transformative CE initiatives "on the ground" interact with the more classic state-market actors of the more industrial interpretation and experiences of CE; simultaneously the objective is to observe how such initiatives configure their very own internal governance structures in order to negotiate their integrity between goals and means. Next to these 3 PhDs we see an additional need for a postdoctoral researcher to structure, organize and conceptualize the collaborative meta-analyses and integration of the results from each pillar. Overall the promotors aim to use this project to establish, expand and consolidate expertise in CE at the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB). The strategic ambition of the project is to develop the backbone dynamics to create an interdisciplinary and interfaculty center of excellence on CE at the ULB. The bird-eye perspective of the postdoctoral research in the project, and its additional role as animator of inta-ULB dynamics, will be crucial in this development.
This research is funded by:
ULB internal Funding instrument: ARC Avancés 2016-2021
Key references
Ghisellini, P., Cialani, C., Ulgiati, S. (2015) A review on circular economy: the expected transition to a balanced interlay of environmental and economic systems. Journal of Cleaner Production. In press.
Revéret, J.-P., & Margni, M. (2015) Circular economy: A critical literature review of concepts. CIRAIG, Polytechnique Montréal and/or ESG-UQAM. Montréal, Canada. Pp 75.
Sauvé, S., Bernard, S., & Sloan, P. (2015). Environmental sciences, sustainable development and circular economy: Alternative concepts for trans-disciplinary research. Environmental Development, 1–9. 8 Ogbu, L. (2010). Design for Reuse Primer. Public Architecture.
Ely, A., Smith, A., Stirling, A., Leach, M. and Scoones, I. (2013) Innovation politics post-Rio+20: hybrid pathways to sustainability? Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 31 (6). pp. 1063-1081.
EMF & Granta Design (2015) Circularity indicators - an approach to measuring circularity. 11 p.
Di Maio, F., & Rem, P. C. (2015) A robust indicator for promoting circular economy through recycling. Journal of Environmental Protection, 6, 1095-1104.
Geng, Y. Fu, J., Sarkis, J. Xue, B. (2012). Towards a national circular economy indicator system in China: an evaluation and critical analysis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 23, 216-224.
Khan, A.Z. and Allacker, K., Eds., (2015). Architecture and Sustainability: Critical Perspectives for Integrated Design, Leuven and Den Haag: ACCO Press, 448 p. D/2015/0543/17; NUR 955; ISBN 978-94-6292-088-0.
Brunner, P. H. (2011). Urban Mining: A Contribution to Reindustrializing the City. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 15(3), 339–341.
CEC-EU (2015), Closing the loop. Communication from the Commisison to the Euorpean Parliament, the Council, the European and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. COM(2015)614final. Brussels.
Swyngedouw, E. (2005) Governance Innovation and the Citizen: The Janus Face of Governance-beyond-the-State, Urban Studies 42(11) 1991-2006.
Tanikawa, H., & Hashimoto, S. (2009). Urban stock over time: spatial material stock analysis using 4d-GIS. Building Research & Information, 37(5-6), 483–502.
Weisz, H. & Steinberger, J.K. (2010) Reducing energy and material flows in cities. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 2(3), 185-192.
Di Maria, F., Micale, C, Sordi, A., Cirulli, G., Marionni, M. (2013) Urban Mining: Quality and quantity of recyclable and recoverable material mechanically and physically extractable from residual waste. Waste management, 33(12), 2594-2599.
Braungart, M., & McDonough, W. (2002). Cradle to Cradle: Re-making the Way we Make Things (1st ed.). North Point Press.
Müller, D. B. (2006). Stock dynamics for forecasting material flows — Case study for housing in The Netherlands. Ecological Economics, 59, 142–156.Gorgolewski, M. (2008). Designing with reused building components: some challenges. Building Research & Information, 36, 175–188.


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Tell me a little bit about yourself. What's your background/career path?
I graduated with a degree in English Literature in 2001. I'd dreamt of being a journalist my whole life, but after three years of university I couldn't face picking up a pen again. I fell into B2B media sales for a large publishing house, which was tough but taught me buckets about the commercial side of business. But I missed writing and was chuffed when one of the Editors offered me some work experience writing press releases. Three years later I was managing a re-launch.
I moved into editing an international trade association magazine but was almost fired in my second week for writing an exposé on one of our members. I tried various things after that – PR, Branding, even Project Management – but couldn't find anything that married my love of words and business. That's when I met my now business partner, and The First Word was born.
Tell me about your agency. What is it you do and what prompted you to start up your own?
We're a B2B writing and training agency based in London. Our mission is to banish blah, bull and bunkum from business writing for good!
We train and coach people to become better writers at work. Everyone thinks they should be able to write well because they were taught to do it at school or at uni. The reality is often quite different! We help people to write clearly, concisely and in their own voice. We also write all sorts of copy, from web and marketing to customer service and corporate communications. Our client base is really diverse, which keeps things interesting.
Like lots of good ideas, it started in a pub. Neil and I were working in a branding and communications agency, running writing training as a sideline project. He'd worked as a writing trainer before and understood the big difference it made to people's confidence and productivity at work. We were putting the world to rights over a beer or three one night and it grew from there.
We set up the business at around the same time as the 2010 banking crisis hit. People told me I was mad leaving my job just as the recession was taking hold but I knew I had to give it a go.
I cold-called companies for six months and nothing happened. Then the phone rang – someone senior at Barclaycard had picked up a marketing postcard we'd sent them in the style of a personals ad, and wanted to talk. After a few meetings, they gave us a big contract to help them transform the way they write to their customers. That was a great day.
What do you think are the most important issues for developing your company culture?
Honesty, always looking for better ways of doing things and saying 'thank you'. We've just done our 'Happiness at work' survey to understand what's most important to our team. We asked them to give us their warts and all take on working life at The First Word. As nice as it is to get warm and fuzzy feedback, you can't make things better until you know what's broken. The results have been really helpful in shaping our business over the next 12 months.
We also talk a lot about doing the right thing – by our clients and each other. We try to be as helpful as we can to our clients but we'd never agree to cutting corners or doing something we know won't work. It's important to be able to say 'no' and offer an alternative solution. Our team knows we trust them to make those sorts of decisions with our full backing.
What have been the biggest challenges you've faced as a woman in business?
At 21, I was selling advertising in the construction press in a heavily male-dominated environment. As a woman, you went to meetings in a skirt and lipstick – full stop. I learnt that confidence and knowledge were power, but wore them like armour.
Since running my own business, I've learnt that being vulnerable, showing empathy, and not having all the answers all the time are good things. We're all human and we all have our good and bad days – that's what makes us relatable. I've struggled with imposter syndrome in the past. It's interesting how men just don't feel self-doubt in the same way. I quizzed some male friends about this recently and the consensus was that they were too busy getting on with 'important sh*t' to put themselves under that sort of pressure. I definitely think there's something in that.
The Wow Company's recent survey of 471 agency owners across the UK has the figures as female 27% – male 73%. Can you share your thoughts on this?
I'm not surprised by the ratios. One of the big issues here is juggling agency life with family commitments. I'd already been in business for a few years when I had my daughter but I don't know I'd have had the energy or inclination to do it in reverse. Those early agency days were pretty all consuming.
Fortunately 'traditional' roles are being turned on their heads and we're seeing more and more men splitting parental leave with their partners. A friend is taking six months off with his new baby and it's something he wouldn't have thought was possible in the past. I'd like to think these figures will look different in 3–5 years' time.
My other thought is how many women do actually want to run their own agency? When I tell women what I do, the usual response is: "I could never do that". Is it a question of limited ability or just limiting beliefs? I'd guess it's not the former. I tell them that if I can do it, anyone can.
Do you have a mentor, or are you a member of an agency owner community?
I'm not part of a community but we took part in brilliant mentoring programme called Innovating for Growth, run by The British Library. It's a three-month programme of one-to-one sessions with entrepreneurs and specialists, covering everything from branding and marketing to product innovation and IP. Our lead mentor Uday was a tough cookie and asked some big questions about our purpose in our first meeting. It changed the face of our business entirely. I'd encourage any fledgling agency or small business to apply!
I also have my own network of female business owners, directors and freelancers that I chat to regularly. I actually find it helpful to talk to people, men and women, outside of the agency world. The challenges of running a company (culture, growth, getting paid) are the same wherever you go. My husband is a Director of an engineering consultancy and though our worlds couldn't be any more different, he's always got a refreshing take on things.
Do you feel as a female agency founder, they offer the level of support you need? Do you need additional support that isn't currently available?
I don't feel I need support that's specifically tailored to women. There are lots of brilliant resources out there for business owners in general. I've found LinkedIn and business blogs really helpful for articles, advice and problem solving.
What other female founders inspire you?
I love what Tessa Cook and Saasha Celestial-One are doing over at Olio – what a brilliant idea to help solve the problem of wastefulness.
What do you think makes a great agency?
One where people laugh every day, and feel proud to put their name to their work.
What would be your one piece of advice to future female leaders?
Have a very clear idea in your head of what you're trying to do. That's your North Star – use it to guide every major decision you make.


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Discover the Strange But True World of Industrial Musicals
Blast Books
If you were watching The Late Show With David Letterman last Friday, you caught Dave's longtime writer Steve Young discussing a strange new book. Young and co-writer Sport Murphy — who's actually best known for the string of albums he released as a singer/songwriter on the Kill Rock Stars label — have created Everything's Coming Up Profits, a fascinating guide to the bizarre, bygone world of industrial musicals, declared "wildly entertaining" by Letterman himself.
"From the 1950s to the 1980s," explains Murphy, "American business enjoyed a sustained boom that is hard to imagine these days. Many companies commissioned, for their year-end sales conventions, elaborate Broadway-style musicals celebrating the product. These ranged from the ghastly to the grand, but there is always some level of entertaining weirdness for latter-day enthusiasts to unearth. Steve and I met about 15 or so years ago, through our mutual hobby of collecting the souvenir albums given out to the attendees at these shows. Of course, these things are rare, and fans of the genre considerably rarer, so for years Steve and I have sought some sort of outlet to share our discoveries with the wider world."
Of course, a project like this requires a multimedia approach, so Murphy and Young's website, www.industrialmusicals.com, will offer plenty of the music lovingly described in Everything's Coming Up Profits. "We'll regularly add streaming files of numbers discussed in the book, video clips, and other novelties," confirms Murphy.
So, what do Murphy and Young want readers to take away from a book about songs like "My Bathroom" and "An Exxon Dealer's Wife?" "We initially came into it strictly at the level of camp," explains Murphy, "but initial condescension eventually mutated into love and admiration. We hope to entertain the readers with these daft relics from a lost, unknown world, but also to throw a little overdue light on the talents that created it all. These people really had the goods, no less so than any mainstream entertainers, and if the subject was toilets instead of true romance, so what? Try getting by without either."


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I'm adding board support for ls1043ardb with 3.14 kernel support. I have ported all required files and during boot-up I do face some FMAN issue failed to allocate memory as per log.
21c0600.serial: ttyS1 at MMIO 0x21c0600 (irq = 86, base_baud = 25000000) is a 16550A
serial: Freescale lpuart driver
brd: module loaded
loop: module loaded
CAN device driver interface
Freescale FM module FMD API version 21.1.0
cpu 1: ! MAJOR FM Error [CPU01, drivers/net/ethernet/freescale/fman/src/wrapper/lnxwrp_fm_port.c:207 FqAlloc]: Memory Allocation Failed;
cpu 1: FQ obj - qman_init_fq!!!cpu 1:
I have used updated u-boot and below rcw & fman.
RCW: rcw_1600.bin
Fm-Ucode: fsl_fman_ucode_ls1043_r1.0_108_4_9.bin
DTS: fsl-ls1043ardb-aarch32.dts
I have used these same RCW, DTS and FMAN for 3.19 kernel and it was booted successfully with ethernet support.
On further analysis on issue in qman_init_fq function, it is failed at below part of code,
while (!(mcr = qm_mc_result(&p->p)))
DPA_ASSERT((mcr->verb & QM_MCR_VERB_MASK) == myverb);
res = mcr->result;
if (res != QM_MCR_RESULT_OK) {
PORTAL_IRQ_UNLOCK(p, irqflags);
return -EIO;
It returned EIO and the qman_init_fq function is failed. The value which receives for res is f2 which is pointing QM_MCR_RESULT_ERR_FQSTATE.
Please suggest me what could be the cause for issue and how to overcome this issue.
PFA kernel config, bootup log and dtsi file. Kindly please do the needful, thanks in advance
Vigneshwaran R


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Modern workplaces require numerous skills, but some are more important than others. Among those at the top of the list are collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving.
Providing an environment that fosters these is an important aspect of leading a company through evolution and growth. On June 7 at WINC Aichi, Conrad Heraud of Heraud Associates Ltd. spoke to American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) members and guests about one of the most critical skills: innovative thinking.
Based in Tokyo, Heraud Associates offers management development and consulting, drawing on their skills as "specialists in innovative thinking" to provide innovation auditing, build competency in innovative thinking, and help companies establish an environment that fosters innovation.
Innovative teams are the linchpin of any company seeking to bring new perspectives to how it conducts business. Creating an environment conducive to innovative thinking is key—but it isn't always easy.
"Few [team] members like to volunteer ideas, and that leaves team leaders to think that they have to come up with the ideas," said Heraud, who added that this reluctance arises from a lack of confidence in eventual success. When such fear is present, quashing ideas becomes the norm, and that can kill motivation or result in only incremental progress being made.
Generating ideas is a process, not an event, Heraud explained. "Innovative thinking is just a skill that needs to be developed, so that thinking of 10 to 20 ideas becomes easy instead of the typical three to four."
Among the eight techniques of innovative thinking that Heraud explained to the audience is identifying information from the right data, a key step that allows value to be gleaned and new ideas generated, modified, and tried.
Heraud also suggested a way of presenting concepts: introduce the idea, show the benefits, understand the value created, and only then modify the idea to fix any problems that might be detected.
The talk concluded with Heraud, most of the members, and guests adjourning to a local pub to network and ponder whether the next event should be about innovative beverages.