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MAURO, Danny
Last updated: February 22, 2018 at 16:07 pm
Producer, director and writer of four documentary and lifestyle series in the undersea genre: Sport Diver, Undersea Explorer, Undersea Adventures, and The Blue Realm. He has developed and filmed over 105 programs about the marine environment. After graduating with a film and television degree, Danny worked in broadcasting, educational and corporate video production. During his early freelance career he became a certified scuba diver, and at 27, he created a television series examining the world's most intriguing undersea realms, 'Sport Diver'. Danny began production of his first High Definition series 'The Blue Realm' in 2003. The thirteen-part series began airing in 2004 on Discovery HD Theater, Discovery Canada and National Geographic International.
Interview by Neil McDaniel in DIVER Magazine
The Accidental Underwater Filmmaker
How did a nearly broke film-school student end up becoming Canada's most prolific producer of underwater films?
For Sault Ste. Marie-born Danny Mauro it all started with a serendipitous mix of his love of scuba diving, an off-the-wall idea for a diving travelogue, dogged determination and a healthy dose of good fortune.
I first met Danny Mauro back in January 1994 aboard Mike Lever's first charter boat Nautilus I. At the time Gary Bridges and I were still shooting underwater film with an ancient 16 mm Arriflex M in a Jordan Klein Mako housing (that was once owned by the redoubtable Stan Waterman, who used it to film the classic Blue Water, White Death—but that's another story…). Danny was out west producing a segment for Sport Diver about BC's Emerald Sea.
We hit it off and the friendship evolved into a decades-long collaboration making underwater films. For me it was a terrific opportunity to shoot at diverse locations around the globe, encountering some of the ocean's most amazing creatures, including giant octopuses, humpback whales, sharks aplenty and perhaps my favourite, giant manta rays.
Besides the dive travel, I also had the unique opportunity to learn plenty about the nitty-gritty production part of filmmaking. Danny's long experience working as a one-man band—producing, directing, shooting, script-writing, editing and marketing his own shows—enabled him to think fast, shoot efficiently and get exactly what he needed for each story. To this day I have never seen anyone better at 'Run and Gun' filming. Danny is also a modest guy who doesn't go around blowing his own horn, but consider his amazing film career. In 1985 he started film school, turned pro in 1988 and went on to produce an astounding 105 programs, including a one-hour National Geographic special called Shipsinkers.
DIVER's Neil McDaniel asked Danny to reflect on his rich career as a filmmaker and share some of the trials and tribulations encountered along the way.
DIVER: How did you land in filming as a career path?
Danny Mauro: Right out of high school, I finished a mechanical engineering degree at Humber College in Toronto in 1984 and took an apprenticeship in industrial refrigeration. I hated it immensely. After getting assaulted in a nursing home (an old guy thought I was stealing his air conditioner and cracked me on the head with his cane when I wasn't looking), I quit my five-year apprenticeship only six months in. My high-school friend Rick Bold was going to film school and on a whim I applied in June 1985. I got in but was fifth on the waiting list as I had applied so late. I showed up at Confederation College with everything I owned in my truck and was headed to Calgary if things didn't work out. They wouldn't let me in as I was so far down the waiting list and no one had cancelled. I threw a bit of a tantrum in the admissions office, slapped $700 cash down on the counter and demanded they enrol me that day…and they did! The head of the film department shook his head in disbelief, but as five people didn't show up for the first day of class, he shook my hand and said, "Welcome to film school."
DIVER: What was your first experience with a camera in your hands?
DM: My very first gig while still in film school was as a camera assistant for the World Cup of Ski Jumping in Thunder Bay. Because I could ski, they let me ferry Betacams up and down the hill. When the camera guys were on breaks, I'd film the jumpers.
I was hooked. All I wanted to do was operate a camera. I turned 23 and graduated lm school in 1987. I swapped placement intern jobs out of college with my buddy Rick and he ended up in the sound department on a film in Alberta and is still doing sound work to this day. I opted to do his editing internship in Vancouver. Back then you were a tape operator stuck in a dark room shoving tapes in and out of machines, and I hated it. To try to keep my job, I ended up in the bowels of the building doing quality control and shrink-wrapping porno tapes. In the 80s, all porno in Canada came out of BC via mail order. Upstairs, they were editing big budget Disney films and music videos, while downstairs I was wading through thousands of porn titles like "She Male Whorehouse"… I didn't last long. I did manage, however, to sit in on music video edits with Tom Cochrane/Red Rider and 54/40. That was cool…
DIVER: How did you finally break into the production business?
DM: After a year of bumming around, learning to scuba dive, backpacking, steelmaking in Sault Ste. Marie and eventually moving to London, Ontario in 1988 chasing my girlfriend Carol (to whom I'm still married), I finally landed my first professional job in 1989 as a cameraman at a small corporate and educational production company that occasionally did TV work. Within a year I persuaded a bunch of their corporate and broadcast clients to hire me, sold everything I owned, bought my first Sony Betacam and went freelance. I had a great career for a couple of years until the GST came along in 1992 and most of my freelance clients dropped me due to budget constraints. I had been cutting my freelance teeth on low-budget TV production as a cameraman/director with RV Vacation Adventures. This was guerrilla, one-man band filmmaking, driving around in RVs all over North America. My freelance gigs were eclectic, one day interviewing the Prime Minister, the next in an abattoir filming a butchering training video, the next filming in jails across Ontario. Every day was different and I loved it. I also got some freelance work in the Cayman Islands for DiveVision, an ill-fated attempt at marketing videos to scuba shops and diving resorts. But it planted a seed in my mind…an ultra-low-budget travelogue, sort of like a fishing show for divers.
DIVER: How did you make the move into underwater productions?
DM: I bartered my camera services with the bankrupt producer of DiveVision and acquired my original footage from the Cayman Islands, found a TV personality who happened to scuba dive (Doug Paulson, formerly with CTV). I propped him up in front of some yachts in Toronto harbour for stand-ups and extras and shot a pilot for $3,000. The guys from RV Vacation Adventures thought it was pretty good and suggested I change the original title Scuba Diver to something more catchy and we came up with Sport Diver. Instead of submitting it to regional networks, I shot for the moon and sent it to TSN. A few weeks later, Rick Brace (then head of TSN) called me and said "Are you the guy that did that scuba pilot?… Can you give us 12 more episodes by Christmas?" I said sure I could. I hung up my big brick Nokia cell phone, did a little jig on Queen Street in Toronto and then realized I had no money, no sponsors and no prospects (TSN did "barter acquisition," basically no money but you were given commercial time to sell to your sponsors). I didn't care. I sold our house, car and everything else except my camera gear and started to plot the first season.
DIVER: So now you were actually the producer of a TV series… How did that go? Where did the money come from?
DM: My first real sponsor was P. Lawson Travel (now Carlson Wagonlit) and a fellow named Bob Shaw. He loved to scuba dive and thought I had a good idea. He offered me $10,000 in travel credit to go wherever I wanted to film. So I picked the Caribbean and slammed together 12 additional episodes in less than six months. My second sponsor was Mares, a scuba gear manufacturer that gave me about $5,000 in scuba gear. In return, I shot and edited some low-budget commercials that ran on the show on TSN. I still didn't have any real money coming in and took the odd freelance job to keep a afloat. But I was going broke… fast. In those days, I travelled with one assistant (my electrician cousin who happened to scuba dive, or another film student on a grant from the National Film Board) and wore every hat… cameraman, director, producer, writer, editor. We shot all the underwater footage using Hi-8 video cameras in Amphibico housings.
The first season was crazy, months on the road flying from island to island, begging for free accommodations, meals and diving and making lots of promises for TV exposure. Luckily, the show was hugely popular on TSN and sandwiched between fishing shows like Bob Izumi's Real Fishing or Canadian Sport Fishing. Oddly enough, I always beat them in the ratings and was the highest-rated independently produced show on the network. The problem was that the Nielsen ratings skewed from 2 to 89 years old and sponsors wanted that coveted male, 18 to 39 demographic. I couldn't give away advertising space on the show. It was tough.
Then something amazing happened. Rick Brace called me to say that he thought there was a market for Sport Diver overseas. He asked if he could sell it in Japan and quickly sold the first 13 episodes there. I got paid peanuts and had a screaming match on the phone with Rick about how I was getting the shaft. But the writing was on the wall—international sales were the way to make a living. I hired a distributor and mid-way through Season 2 it started to sell like hot cakes. By the end of Season 2 it was running all over the world. I then sold it directly to the fledgling Travel Channel in the US and by the end of Season 3, it was airing in over 50 countries. It was a juggernaut. I was 27 years old with a hit TV series. It lasted four seasons and 52 episodes.
The other key development in the early series work was meeting my two long-time underwater cameramen, Jim Kozmik, then a veteran cop in Toronto with lots of vacation time and Neil McDaniel, a respected film guy in Vancouver.
Up until I met Jim and Neil, I did my own underwater camera work with Amphibico housings but I was much better at the topside filming and directing. I handed most of the underwater work to the pros and things really took off. Both those guys deserve a lot of credit. To this day, Jim and Neil are two of my best friends.
DIVER: How did Sport Diver spin into Undersea Explorer?
DM: In 1996, I had a falling out with my original TV host Doug Paulson which coincided with some key sponsors backing out so I decided to wrap up Sport Diver at 52 episodes. I got tired of the grind of trying to do lightweight travel-based shows and wanted to do more documentary-style programming with stronger stories. A new network was launching in Canada in 1996 (Outdoor Life) and they actually paid a license fee for shows. So I pitched them hard on a new series, Undersea Explorer, and they signed on. The pilot was about sharks and the series quickly became successful and did well overseas. It lasted three seasons and 39 episodes but still remained a low-budget, half-hour series like Sport Diver. I also started to work with some amazing editors on the west coast after five years in Ontario, especially a great sound designer and music editor named Tony Moskal. He was keen to branch out into video editing and that's how everything began evolving toward the High-Definition realm.
DIVER: When did you come up with the idea for a High-Definition series?
DM: After 52 episodes of Sport Diver and 39 Undersea Explorer titles, I was getting a little burned out on the low-budget, half-hour-show treadmill. I met a terrific cameraman in California named Tom Campbell and he called me up one day in 1999 to tell me about a remarkable new wide-screen video format called High-Definition. He had a lucrative gig with a wealthy Saudi prince who flew him around the world to film underwater. We struck a deal whereby I would film the wrap-around stories and interviews and then use some of the underwater footage that Tom shot. Foolishly, I took every nickel I had made on my first two series and borrowed a lot of cash to buy one of the first Sony HDCAM cameras to film this new venture. I hired Neil McDaniel and my sound-guy buddy Rick Bold and headed to to Bonaire with a dozen back-breaking cases of equipment including a new Amphibicam Pro housing for the full-size Sony HD cameras.
Our plan was to lm an odd story about reef squid and some scientists who claimed the animals had a body-signalling "language". It was the pilot for a new venture I called The Blue Realm. I wanted to make a high-quality, blue-chip series to rival anything the BBC, CBC or other networks could do, but at a fraction of the budget. It didn't quite work out that way…
Tentacles, The Blue Realm pilot about cephalopods (squid and octopuses) was not well received. No one was buying HD shows at the time and it appeared we were still a few years ahead of the coming HD curve. At that point, with equipment costs, shooting and editing the pilot and trying to keep moving forward,
I was almost a quarter of a million dollars into the venture with nothing to show for it. Everything pointed to throwing in the towel, cutting my losses and moving on. I even thought about going back to freelance work but that didn't pan out either as I had lost touch with all my former clients. In utter desperation, I decided to film a second Blue Realm episode called Shark Business. It was a more high-adrenaline program with faster pacing, rock and roll music and some 'danger' elements. It was an absolute Hail Mary and I would have been forced to file bankruptcy
if it had failed. I submitted the two completed HD shows to Discovery Channel Canada (the original pilot and Shark Business) and hoped for the best. It took what seemed forever, but a wonderful lady named Shannon LaMorre called me up one day and changed my life. They wanted to buy the first four episodes of the series, two of which were just ideas on paper! Shortly afterward, National Geographic International picked up Tentacles and Shark Business and that paid the bills and got the series off the ground. Discovery Channel International HD signed on a bit later and the series ran around the globe.
We shot and edited four one-hour shows those first couple of years from 2001 to 2003 and the programs did relatively well internationally and in Canada. But there didn't seem to be any interest in making more titles beyond the first four. I sold my HD camera gear at a tremendous loss and felt the time had finally come to hang up my spurs. I was only 39 years old and had just paid off the debts of the first four shows! It was yet another tough stretch but luckily Undersea Explorer and Sport Diver continued to sell in syndication and I was able to keep afloat. A few years passed where I hardly filmed anything. On a whim, I contacted Discovery Canada and they disclosed that they were launching a new HD network and wanted more titles. The ratings were good for Episodes 1 to 4 and they agreed to commission four more. This time I did it right and hired a real producer named David Springbett from Asterisk Productions who helped access tax credits and grants to partially fund the second round of new shows. These were some of the greatest adventures of my film career… crazy sharks, manatees and dugongs, humpback whales and whale sharks. My sound and music designer Tony Moskal was turning into a world-class editor and elevated the quality of the shows to a much higher level. I continued to work with Jim Kozmik, Neil McDaniel and Tom Campbell and we put out some terrific stories and actually had some budget to do it right.
It all pretty much came crashing down… yet again… with the economic freefall of 2008. Virtually every TV market was claiming poverty and wasn't buying new shows. It looked like the end indeed. I had built a few homes during the lean stretches and got hooked on log and timber frame construction. I sort of switched careers in 2010 and thought my filming days were over. I became a salesman and sat on my butt answering the phone and doing home shows. I still felt that I had some underwater stories left to tell and tried in vain to pitch more Blue Realm shows. My distributors were tenacious though and managed to wrangle a final meeting with Discovery Channel for a third round of Blue Realm titles. Budgets were tight, but ratings were still good on the older shows and they reluctantly agreed to partially fund five new ones to round out the series at 13 one-hour titles. We had no international partners for co-productions and it was hell at times, but from 2011 to 2013 my original crew (Jim, Neil, Tom, Tony and I) shot and edited another five great one-hour episodes to round out the series and then called it quits. In Canada, The Blue Realm continues to air on TV Ontario, Knowledge (BC), Animal Planet, Discovery Channel and National Geographic Wild.
DIVER: During those two decades video camera technology improved by leaps and bounds, and editing also underwent a revolution with the change from linear to non-linear. How did that change your work flow?
DM: The change over to non-linear editing was a strange time. I resisted it for a few years as it was so onerous technically. There were enormous bugs initially and I remember other producers literally crying when they'd have a computer crash and lose all their work. But when I did go non-linear… Wow… It completely changed everything. Instead of trying to cut a show to time and structuring the scripts so I could toss away extra material, I could now edit the shows a bit longer and take out the weaker segments without losing a generation or more. That changeover happened when I moved to BC in 1995 as my editing facility Pastiche Productions was just going non-linear. That was also around the time I switched from one-inch tape masters and submasters, down to smaller Digi-beta tapes, another major sea change.
DIVER: How would you assess your legacy in the underwater production business?
DM: At the start with Sport Diver I just felt there was a niche TV market for an ultra-low-budget travelogue type of a show. I really love diving and although I'm not a big fan of boats as I get sea-sick, boats came with the territory. Over time I grew into the role of producer and eventually embraced everything about it. I can't imagine a cooler profession and I filled up four or five passports over the years.
The Blue Realm was totally different, a chance to produce classy, well-researched High-Definition programs with enthusiastic scientists and plenty of stunning underwater images. I like to think we put out a hell of a lot of good programming that rivalled anything out there. And we did it on a fraction of the budget and with a small crew compared to the big boys. Jim, Neil, Tony, Tom and I had a lot of fun over the years. I'm also very proud that all of our stories had strong environmental themes. I've seen tremendous change for the worse over the past 25 years and I'm especially passionate about shark conservation.
And you never know, maybe we still have some more filming to do. I was just offered 100 freelance shooting days on a series about the language of whales… I just have to convince my wife!


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Picks and Pans Review: After the War Was Over: Hanoi and Saigon
by Neil Sheehan
In 1989, a year after publication of A Bright Shining Lie, his Pulitzer-prizewinning account of America's disastrous involvement in Vietnam, Sheehan returned to the country where he had been a war correspondent in the '60s. What Sheehan found he records here in just 131 pages, albeit with the same diligence and insight he brought to his massive, earlier study.
Whether he is visiting Hanoi's understaffed, outdated hospitals or touring the last site of the once-secret Communist headquarters in the south—thatched huts that housed 500 to 600 intelligence and operations people—the facts accrete to give haunting resonance to the question Sheehan first asks upon his return: "Why in the name of God had we bombed a country as poor as this?"
At first surprised to find "a lack of animosity everywhere we went in the North," Sheehan learns through his talks with peasants, politicians and his own guide-interpreter that this friendliness has less to do with America than with Vietnam's long-standing conflicts with China. While both France and the United States have left indelible marks on the country, it is China that Vietnamese regard as the ultimate threat to their independence.
In the south, Sheehan's most compelling interview is with Nguyen Van Linh, the general secretary of the Vietnamese Communist Party. Often referred to as Vietnam's Gorbachev, Linh has steered the country toward economic reform since 1986. Now in his late 70s. he survived imprisonment under the French, manhunts in the south during the American conflict and postwar political struggles. His very existence seems living testament In a people whose ingenuity, guile and resoluteness forced a superpower into a painful reexamination of itself.
Convinced when he first arrived in Vietnam nearly 30 years ago that "we were in the right war in the right place," Sheehan on his return seems continually struck by a sense of wonder that he could ever have held that once-cherished conviction. (Random House, $17)

subset: commoncrawl


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It was reported last month that actress Anne Hathaway was on a crash diet in a bid to lose 16 pounds in 20 days for her role in Les Misérables. However a representative of Anne Hathaway has dismissed the rumours, claiming that she is only losing a few pounds and it is not as extreme as it has been made out to be.
The rep explained, "She is losing weight for the part, but not that much. Just enough for her to look more frail, as she is playing a dying prostitute. She is consuming more than 500 calories. [The tabloids] are making something of nothing, as usual."
Anne Hathaway is part of an all star cast for Les Misérables, which includes Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Amanda Seyfried. Les Misérables is being brought to the big screen by director Tom Hopper, who won an Oscar for his previous movie The King's Speech.
Les Misérables is set to be released in the US on December 14, 2012 before being released in the UK on January 11, 2013. Anne Hathaway can next be seen as Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises, which is released on July 20.


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University Leadership
Campus Culture
Undergraduate Studies
Postgraduate Studies
International Studies
Study at SDJZU
Study guide
Contact us
University Union
Students Activities
Campus Scenery
Information about Alumni
Date: May 11, 2013
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: 500 Lecture Hall
Abstract: Sponsored by our university, ACEA is constituted by Shandong Jianzhu University,Anhui Jianzhu University,Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture,Dalian University of Technology,Hebei University of Engineering,Hebei University of Architecture,Jilin Jianzhu University and so on. By inviting domestic construction company and other famous enterprises ACEA plans to enhance core competitiveness of the schools and improve social impact of corporate members effectively.
Shandong Jianzhu University
Fengming Road , Lingang Development Zone, Jinan 250101,Shandong Province, P. R. China
Tel & Fax: +86-531-86367302 E-mail: international @ sdjzu.edu.cn


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Comma usage can be tricky. Here are some basic tips to resolve comma dilemmas that sometimes have us scratching our heads.
Comma Usage in Lists
Separate items in a series with commas.
The Chicago Manual of Style recommends using the serial comma to avoid confusion. (Note that the AP Style used for journalists in newspapers omits the serial comma, but most major English style guides recommend using it.)
Correct: I need to buy some apples, bananas, and flour.
Incorrect: I need to buy some apples, bananas and flour.
Another type of list is a list of adjectives.
When you have two or more adjectives that can be separated by the word "and," they are separated by a comma.
Correct: She threw back her head in a loud, happy laugh. ("Loud and happy laugh" makes sense.)
Incorrect: She threw back her head in a loud happy laugh.
Correct: We walked up to the red brick house. ("Red and brick house" doesn't make sense—in this case, because red is describing brick, not house—so we don't use a comma.)
Incorrect: We walked up to the red, brick house.
Comma Usage with Relative Clauses
A relative clause is an informational phrase that starts with the word which or that (the word that may be removed) or who/whom/whose. When these clauses are restrictive, or required in the sentence, they are not set off with commas. If they are nonrestrictive, then they are set off with commas.
Correct: She is the one who told me to come here. (This is a restrictive clause. You cannot omit who.)
Incorrect: She is the one, who told me to come here.
Correct: I can't find a good way to wrap up a scene in the book that I'm writing. ("I'm writing" is a restrictive clause. But also note that the word "that" can be removed and the sentence is probably better for it.)
Incorrect: I can't find a good way to wrap up a scene in the book, that I'm writing.
Correct: The chair, which looked unsteady to begin with, broke apart when he dropped into it.
Incorrect: The chair which looked unsteady to begin with broke apart when he dropped into it.
Comma Usage with Participle Phrases
A participle phrase is a descriptive (adjective) phrase that begins with a participle. A participle is formed by adding -ing to the end of a verb (present participle) or by adding-ed, -d, -t, -en, or -n to the end of a verb (past participle).
If a sentence starts with a participle phrase, then the phrase needs to be followed by a comma.
Correct: Clutching his stomach in pain, he continued to laugh uproariously.
Here, "Clutching his stomach in pain" is a present participle phrase describing "he."
Incorrect: Clutching his stomach in pain he continued to laugh uproariously.
Correct: Taken from her mother, the baby began to cry.
"Taken from her mother" is a past participle describing "the baby."
Incorrect: Taken from her mother the baby began to cry.
If the sentence ends with a participle phrase, and the phrase doesn't immediately follow the word it's describing, then the phrase needs to be set off with a comma.
Correct: "No way," she said, giving him a glare.
"Giving him a glare" is a present participle phrase that describes "she." It doesn't immediately follow the word "she," so it has to be preceded by a comma.
Incorrect: "No way," she said giving him a glare.
But if the phrase immediately follows the word it's describing, you don't put in the comma.
Correct: She watched the monkey swinging from the bars.
Incorrect: She watched the monkey, swinging from the bars.
Comma Usage with Appositives and Parentheticals
Commas set off nonrestrictive appositives (appositives rename a noun) and parentheticals (which are explanations or comments inserted into a sentence).
Correct: Karen's husband, Jack, ran to the store for cookies. (Jack is an appositive, and it is nonrestrictive because it is not necessary information for understanding who the sentence is referring to because Karen only has one husband.)
Incorrect: Karen's husband Jack ran to the store for cookies.
Correct: My sister, Karen, loves those cookies. (Correct if I only have one sister.)
Correct: My sister Karen loves those cookies. (Correct if I have more than one sister.)
Correct: Those cookies were, I must say, delicious.
Incorrect: Those cookies were I must say delicious.
Comma Usage with Independent Clauses
Independent clauses are phrases that can stand on their own as sentences. They can be joined together by a comma and a conjunction (the conjunctions for, and, nor, but, or, and yet).
Correct: I really wanted some cookies, so we made a run to the store.
Incorrect: I really wanted some cookies so we made a run to the store.
Correct: He came home with the cookies, and we all shouted for joy.
Incorrect: He came home with the cookies and we all shouted for joy.
Make sure to include the conjunction, or you will have created a comma splice like the one below, which is incorrect.
Incorrect: He came home with the cookies, we all shouted for joy.
Comma Usage with Dependent Clauses
When a dependent clause (a phrase that can't stand on its own but that still has both a noun and verb) starts a sentence, it is always followed by a comma. If it's at the end of a sentence, it is not preceded by a comma. You can recognize a dependent clause by looking for subordinate conjunctions, such as because, when if, although, and even if (basically, any conjunction that isn't a coordinating conjunction).
Correct: We sent him to the store because we were all craving cookies.
Incorrect: We sent him to the store, because we were all craving cookies.
Correct: Though I was too lazy to make cookies, the store was just around the corner.
Incorrect: Though I was too lazy to make cookies the store was just around the corner.
Comma Usage with Introductory Phrases
A comma always follows an introductory phrase or word.
Correct: After calling everyone for cookies, the treats were all devoured.
Incorrect: After calling everyone for cookies the treats were all devoured.
Correct: Wow, I didn't know cookies could be eaten so fast!
Incorrect: Wow I didn't know cookies could be eaten so fast!
Correct: Yeah, that's crazy.
Incorrect: Yeah that's crazy.
Other Comma Usage
Commas are used in a few other instances:
- To separate homonyms and avoid confusion ("Whatever it is, is how it has to be .")
- To set off the year in a month-day-year date format ("On January 16, 2018, we went to the store for cookies.")
- To separate elements in addresses ("He drove to 123 Fake Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT, to get the cookies.")
- To set off quotations (She replied, "Those cookies were great!")
- To set off direct questions ("I was wondering, what am I doing here?")
We hope this reference will help you determine when you should and shouldn't use a comma. Feel free to refer back to it as needed! If you have any questions about comma usage, let us know in the comments below.
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To include or not to include
by Aaron Bertrand
One of the greatest obstacles faced by ASP developers is the ability to dynamically include files. Since #include directives are processed BEFORE the ASP code, it is impossible to use if/else logic to include files. One of the greatest obstacles faced by ASP developers is the ability to dynamically include files. Since #include directives are processed BEFORE the ASP code, it is impossible to use if/else logic to include files.
Or is it?
Depending on what you are doing within your include files, and how many you are including, it IS possible to use if/then logic to make use of includes. While it is not feasible for all situations, and it is often an inefficient solution, it can occasionally be quite a handy workaround.
Let's start with two sample HTML files, 1.htm and 2.htm. For the sake of simplicity, they contain very simple code:
-
<% else %>

<% end if %>
Now try accessing the page in these three ways, and experiment with the results:
- http://yourserver/file.asp?param=1
Of course you can perform this kind of include logic based on various conditions, such as the date, the time, or the user's browser.
Please note that in the above example, BOTH include files are processed. So, the more options you have, the less efficient this kind of solution will be. When the number of possible includes start getting a bit high, you could try something like this:
- <%
if request("param")="2" then
filespec = "2.htm"
filespec = "1.htm"
end if
filespec = server.mapPath(filespec)
scr = "scripting.fileSystemObject"
set fs = server.createobject(scr)
set f = fs.openTextFile(filespec)
content = f.readall
set f = nothing
set fs = nothing
The FileSystemObject is useful for many things, and it fits into the dynamic include paradox quite nicely.
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1. From the idea to the project: tell us about your project, how did it start, what does it start from?
My furniture always stands in relation with the spaces and buildings that I create. I am interested in creating spaces that people adopt and fill with life. You only create such spaces when you think in a holistic way. That is why for me - as an architect - interior spaces and their furniture are always part of the building.
2. What does design mean to you?
For me design is a difficult term. Design tends to quickly drift into formalism. It is important for me to work in a conceptional, non formal manner. The design of a house, a square or a piece of furniture must always make sense. It is important to clearly work out typologies. A house must be a house, a chair a chair and a table a table.
3. Which values connect you with 5VIE? Why did you choose this district?
I find it interesting that a buzz around the arts, culture and architecture is being created for the area and the whole town. This corresponds to my way of thinking about cities. The community is being involved, streets and squares are revived and that's what urban life is about.
4. Which are your sources of inspiration?
Everything inspires me. I travel a lot and I love to spend time in public spaces. When I'm in Rome or Padua for example, I don't visit the whole city, only a square or a restaurant. A single square can make you understand a whole city. It is the small scale that makes you grasp a lot, because from the small the big arises. The vibrant and well functioning squares of old European cities exemplify how important the role of a communicative public space is for the city. I draw my inspiration from such observations.
5. How do you define your style?
The historians are there to describe my style.
6. In your opinion, what is the relation among drawing, handicraft and industrial production?
The drawing is always a command for crafts to produce something. I come from an old stonemason family. The sense of the material, of its joining and the kind of craftman's view, forms the foundation of my understanding of architecture. In the cultural history of mankind craftsmanship plays a crucial role. Industrial manufacturing today enables dimensions that could no longer be achieved with pure craftsmanship. It is important not to lose sight of the historical relationship between craftsmanship and industrial production. If industrial production respects craftsmanship and detailing it will result in a further development of the crafts.
7. In your works, what is the relationship between the poetic component and the influence of technology?
I have great respect for the influence of technology. It often becomes an end in its self. "The hand that guides the pencil often knows more than the one determined by the computer mouse." A renowned German architecture critic wrote this recently about my project sketches. I always try to approach the initial draft and the building process of my work through craftsmanship. I'm interestedin creating spacial atmosphere. This works through the sensuousness of materials, their processing and joining, the feeling of wood, the scent of leather, the creaking of a floor…
8. What does the future of design look like?
The future of design? Difficult to tell.


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Kevin Berne/Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Kevin Berne/Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Two very different but equally captivating shows can be seen within a few hundred yards of each other as the Berkeley Repertory Theatre and the Aurora Theatre present thought-provoking works, both without ntermissions.
Mary Zimmerman's mesmerizing Tony Award-winning adaptation of Ovid's "Metamorphoses" not only reminds us of the timelessness of Ovid's stories but also enriches us with its creative splendor. Stunningly designed by Daniel Ostling with exquisite lighting by T.J. Gerckens, the production features a large pool of water where much of the action takes place. The "gods" appear on a catwalk above the action and a pseudo-classic doorway hints of worlds beyond.
The production explores the gorgeous, destructive and transformative nature of water as the various myths of passion, betrayal and hope unfold. The story of Midas and his love of gold frames the action beginning with King Midas (Raymond Fox) asking the gods to make everything he touches turn to gold (unfortunately his daughter decides to jump into his arms at this point) and ending with him reversing the spell and returning his daughter (Sango Tajima) back to a little girl.
In between, the myths of Orpheus and Eurydice, Narcissus, Eros and Psyche and many more float to the surface in the magical hands of writer/director Zimmerman and her astonishing cast (Steven Epp, Raymond Fox, Rodney Gardiner, Benjamin Ismail, Louise Lamson, Felicity Jones Latta, Alex Moggridge, Sango Tajima, Lisa Tejero and Suzy Weller).
While a fascinating spectacle to watch (except maybe for those seated in the front row!), the use of so much water poses many challenges to the cast and crew. Lights have to be protected, non-skid surfaces created, heaters and dehumidifiers employed and costumes designed to withstand long periods in the water. Actors not only have lines, characters and blocking to learn, but they must also find ways to keep their skin hydrated and hair healthy.
Producing "Metamorphoses" presents a monumental challenge for theater companies, but one that Berkeley Rep (which also produced the show 19 years ago) easily navigates. Obviously, audiences must agree, as the production has been extended for two weeks. You now have the opportunity to see this unique show through March 24 in Berkeley Rep's intimate 400-seat theater at 2025 Addison St. in Berkeley. Call 510-647-2949 or go to www.berkeleyrep.org for tickets or more details.
Also at Berkeley Rep is "Paradise Square: A New Musical," which has been extended through Feb. 24. Set in 1863 in a 20-block area of Manhattan, the musical tells of black and Irish Americans who live side of side, work together, marry and for a brief period realize racial harmony.
Just down the street at 2081 Addison St., the Aurora Theatre is presenting Scottish playwright David Greig's new version of August Strindberg's "Creditors." Quite different from one of Greig's early works, "Charlie and The Chocolate Factory," this three-character work examines a sexual triangle of deceit and passion as one man fills another's mind with doubts about his wife.
The powerful psychodrama shines a light on the dark side of chauvinism and obsession, which seems appropriate given the current political climate. Although Strindberg's work is 131 years old, his ideas of fidelity, hypocrisy, honesty and accountability resonate today, especially with Greig's contemporary adaptation.
Barbara Damashek directs the Aurora production with a skillful hand, keeping the pacing tight and the tension high as the story of artist Adolph (Joseph Patrick O'Malley), his friend Gustav (Jonathan Rhys Williams) and Adolph's wife, Tekla (Rebecca Dines), comes to life on Angrette McCloskey's soft grey period set. Kudos go also to costumer Christine Crook, who fashioned lovely period designs with attractive touches of bright red on Tekla's flowing gown. For tickets, call 510-843-4822 or go to www.auroratheatre.org.
Pleasanton: The Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre continues its successful run of the ever-popular "Mama Mia!" featuring Laura Diestler Park as Sophie and Joy Sherratt as Donna. The show runs through Feb. 20 at the Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave. in Pleasanton. For tickets, call 925-931-4848 or go to www.pcrtproductions.org.
San Francisco: Always ready to have fun, the Exit Theatre presents "Burlesque Extravaganza" Feb. 20-23. The festival features four unique evenings with more than 35 of the Bay Area's sultriest sirens. It all takes place at 156 Eddy St. in San Francisco. Go to www.theexit.org for more information.
If you love blues and jazz, you can't do much better than the songs of Billie Holiday. Thanks to performer Doris Bumpus, you not only hear some of Holiday's most popular songs, but you also get a glimpse into this legendary singer's life as she struggles with racism, abuse and addiction.
"Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill" tells Holiday's story by reliving her final concert, given just four months before the singer's death. The show will be performed at 4 and 7 p.m. Feb. 17, March 17, April 21, May 19 and June 16 at the Speakeasy's Palace Theatre, 644 Broadway in San Francisco. Go to www.boxcartheatre.org for tickets.
Sally Hogarty can be reached at email@example.com. Search for "Curtain Calls" by Sally Hogarty at eastbaytimes.com to read more of her reviews online.


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The Story of a Loyal Wife/ Главная / Russkiy Mir Foundation / Publications / The Story of a Loyal Wife
The Story of a Loyal Wife
Anna Grigoryevna Dostoyevskaya, maiden name Snitkina, was born to a common Petersburg official. Still a child, she absorbed herself in Dostoyevsky's works. After studying stenography, in 1866 she participated as stenographer-typist in readying the novel The Player for publication. Anna then met Fyodor Dostoyevsky in 1867, agreeing to become his wife.
Despite a large age difference (Dostoyevsky was 25 years older), the marriage proved a success. Dostoyevsky had initially been rapturously in love with his first wife, Maria Dmitrievna Isaeva, whom he married in exile in Kuznetsk. However, the feelings later cooled. Doestoyevsky and Isaeva were too different in character and interests. Maria passed away in 1864 in Tver from consumption.
Three years before his wife's death, in 1861, the author, then 40, met Apollinaria Suslova, a 22 year-old non-degree student at the university where Fyodor Mikhailovich gave lectures. She was in love, so confessing in a letter to Dostoevsky. A stormy romance ensued – both of them were very passionate by nature. The Christian Dostoyevsky and feminist Suslova, who demanded Dostoyevsky should divorce his already sick wife – formed a combustible combination. It was no coincidence that "love-hate" relationships and infernal heroines become a trademark of the author.
Even after his wife's death, the relationship stayed jittery: Dostoyevsky proposed to Apollinaria, but she refused.
Torturing both, the romance reached its end, though even after separation Dostoyevsky still had feelings for Suslova. Thereafter, Suslova burned many compromising papers, including the author's letters. Thus the secrets of their stormy relationship faded away, the 40-year-old Suslova later marrying young Vasily Rozanov (he was 24), later a famous publicist and philosopher, an equally stormy relationship.
After two arduous novels, Dostoyevsky finally met a calm, practical spouse, wholeheartedly sharing his interests. It wasn't easy: Dostoyevsky's feelings for Suslova remained alive during their honeymoon.
Marriage to Anna was a boon for Dostoyevsky. She was Dostoyevsky's first reader and critic. She not only became his friend and intellectual peer but also ran his affairs. And she bore him four children. Yet it wasn't all so sanguine: opposing the marriage was Dostoyevsky's kinsfolk, especially his stepson from his marriage with Maria Isaeva.
After the wedding, the couple went abroad. Once in Baden-Baden, Dostoyevsky began gambling. After winning 4,000 francs at roulette, he couldn't stop and lost everything he had with him, including his wardrobe and wife's items. They lived almost a year in Geneva, sometimes lacking bare necessities. On March 6, 1868, their first daughter was born, named Sofia, who, to the parents' woe, died three months later. In 1869 in Dresden, the Dostoyevskys gave birth to their daughter Lyubov. Upon returning to St. Petersburg two sons were born – Fyodor and Alexei.
Dostoyevsky was impractical. He famously signed contracts with publishers that were unprofitable for himself. His wife took over his monetary and publishing affairs, enabling the author to freely pursue writing. She held talks with publishers and oversaw printing, even researching the market and independently publishing his essays.
One can tell what kind of person Anna was from the following story, which she wrote in her diary. During a stroll, Dostoyevsky expressed doubt in women's ability to be consistently and steadfastly forceful in achieving goals:
"It quite angered me in my husband," Dostoyevskaya wrote, "that he rejected any strength of character in women of my generation, any steadfast and continual aspiration towards achieving stated goals. <…> This argument encouraged me, and I told my husband I myself would show him that women can for years pursue an idea capturing her attention. And since at that moment I did not see any major task before me, I said I would start with the activity he just mentioned; from that point I would start collecting stamps."
She added to her stamp collection all her life, becoming one of Russia's first famous women to seriously engage in this hobby. Moreover, she spent not a kopeck from the family budget on her hobby. They were all taken from letters or gifts.
The family was soon free of debt, which also resulted from Dosteyevsky's quitting roulette forever. He tremendously valued his young wife (upon his death Anna was 35); the author dedicated to her one of his best novels – Brothers Karamazov.
After Dostoyevsky's death, Anna Grigoryevna never remarried. She carried on her husband's memory, collecting his letters and manuscripts, and designing Dostoyevsky's room in the Historical Museum in Moscow.
Anna Grigorievna Dostoevskaya long outlived her husband. She died in Yalta in the arduous year of 1918.
Alexander Ryzantsev


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|Edam 03.17.2016 15:48
Lisa StevensWay back around the turn of the century I used to play for a Drow clan on one of Richterm's NWN servers. When mod's/devs appeared in game to observe or interact with players they often turned up as a very cute and rather invulnerable baby dragon. It was a nice touch.Bringslite
|Midnight 03.17.2016 20:53
The problem with the focused fire was that the game visibly combined multiple damage values together when they hit simultaneously.
So instead of seeing 200, 200, 200, 200… if enough comes in at once you see 800.
When you know no one can cast an 800 point feat, and you haven't seen combined damage values before (everything was new to everyone in a new game) then you start to look for explanations.
Having a GM on scene makes it a quick leap to how something that seems "impossible" can be possible.
It was a WRONG quick leap, but it highlights the hazards of GMs being at PvP.
By the way, you guys can always join us in PvP on Elder Scrolls Online, or Ark.
Do gaming companies do something like "club courtesy"?
(If you work at a nightclub here in Hollywood all the other nightclubs, in the same music scene, tend to let you in for free as club courtesy).
He who wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.
-Edmund Burke
|Edam 03.17.2016 21:47
I think it may be more than visibly.
We have on occasion (but not in a repeatable fashion) managed what appears to be a "oneshot" of single mobs, without alerting their friends, as a result of simultaneous combine fire.
|Lisa Stevens 03.18.2016 00:58
Unfortunately, there aren't enough Bloodstone Swords anymore to mount a defense. Right now, there is just Bob and I with characters. I am hoping when New Corp comes online that they will bring a lot more new devs to the Swords and then we could defend our holdings. But right now, we are pretty ripe for the picking and it would most likely be me by myself trying to defend stuff. Not exactly the group PVP I would like to participate in.
|Lisa Stevens 03.18.2016 01:00
That is very true. And like the chickens we are, we never showed up. Actually, if I remember, we didn't even know we were feuded until it was almost over. I think we were shipping a build and it was all hands on deck getting that out the door.
|Bringslite 03.24.2016 19:08
If you had to make a guess at how many active players you would feel comfy(not needing expansion) with the size the map currently is, what would that be?
Virtute et Armis
|Decius 03.24.2016 19:56
Not the intended audience, but I'll hazard 3000 players with a peak of 500 online for normal weeks and 800 or so, enough that a typical outing resulted in seeing at least one random character and having to decide what posture to take regarding them.
|Midnight 03.25.2016 05:26
The original EE plans were going to limit the population increase to 2,000 a month before OE.
I remember being in a hurry not to be shut out.
I'm not sure how soon they could have opened more map or enabled new settlements, but I got the impression there might be 10,000 or 20,000 players before opening more map.
It's hard to say how many players we could have before it starts feeling crowded. That would depend somewhat on the community, and so far, it is a fairly cooperative community. If it was more like a normal MMO audience, I'd expect that conflict and the doesn't-play-well-with-others crowd could make it feel crowded at 5,000. The current community could probably handle 15,000 more folks like itself, though.
If you're still sitting the game out, I would like to remind you the game has an awesome and helpful community that you just don't see anywhere else. We do get snotty with each other as forum warriors, but there really is an amazing amount of decency towards each other (and especially new players) in the game. When the game gets to whatever state you're waiting for, and you finally join, I think you will be amazed at the community.
He who wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.
-Edmund Burke
|Bob 03.25.2016 13:23
With the current map, I don't even start to think about crowding issues until we hit 10,000 active players. At that point, I'd want to make the remaining settlement hexes operational, which in turn would raise the number to 15,000 without any risk of overcrowding. Beyond that, the question of exactly how many players we could handle before things start to feel crowded gets very complicated, since it's so dependent on how active those players are and how many are logged-in simultaneously during the busiest times each day, but I'm sure we could handle significantly more than that before we'd absolutely have to add on to the map.
|Bringslite 03.25.2016 16:40
Considering the empty Land Rush settlements, the as of yet unsettled spots, and "original mechanically working" settlement pop projections that is closer to what I thought you would say.
Virtute et Armis


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2GG's second S-tier event is set to kick off this weekend. Nairo saga looks to celebrate on of the community's favorite stars while also providing a spectacular tournament. As is the way with 2GG, most of the top PGR players are in attendance, along with hidden bosses from around the world. In any event of this magnitude, there are plenty of stories to examine. Here are the top five storylines for Nairo Saga.
5. Cleansed ANTi
The first six months of 2017 have not been kind to everyone's favorite Twitter character. We had barely seen ANTi grace a Top 8 all year. Then, in true ANTi fashion, the young star returned to power at Greninja Saga–making Top 8 and defeating ZeRo along the way. Before that win, the book on ANTi was written for this PGR season. Now, with a strong win and another high finish under his belt, he's just one S-tier win away from rejoining the top 10 conversation. Will we see new pocket picks? Another exciting popoff? At this point no one can possibly predict how ANTi will perform this weekend, and just how far he'll go.
4. Cosmos is Here
If you're new to the Smash 4 scene, you may be unfamiliar with Cosmos. He's a Corrin main who showed a great deal of promise in a few events last year. Many top pros call him the best Corrin in the game. Unfortunately, due to school demands he has been unable to travel to major tournaments. This weekend, we'll finally see Cosmos at a high profile tournament. Corrin is a character with plenty of potential, but the mains of the character have yet to truly impress in bracket. Will this weekend be Cosmos' big debut? Will he finally show just what Corrin can do at the top level?
3. The Naifus
Civil War had the Japanese, Greninja Saga had the frogs, and Nairo Saga has the Naifus. True to form, 2GG has worked tirelessly to not only celebrate Nairo, but the dedicated fanbase he has cultivated. Several mainstays of his "Naifu Wars" online tournament series have been flown out to compete this weekend. We've seen great moments from Icymist, and already discussed Cosmos, but there are several other names on their way to SoCal. In particular, many eyes will be on Twi. Samsora has shown us just how far a Peach main can go, will Twi continue the trend?
Remember, these players, along with some high profile Zero Suit Samus mains, were funded by the community to compete. Most of the frogs, who were similarly funded, drowned early at Greninja Saga, perhaps the Naifus will prove themselves more equal to the task at hand.
2. The 2GGC
Remember how this is still a thing? You'd be forgiven for forgetting, but the winner of Nairo Saga will automatically qualify for the 2GGC finals in December. So far we've seen ZeRo, Dabuz, and Ally punch their tickets. Will someone play gatekeeper yet again, or will a fourth contender lock in their spot?
Don't forget, in addition to victory, players can also qualify for the finals by earning enough points across the full circuit. Like Civil War, Nairo Saga will be worth double the points. Fatality leapt ahead of the competition by coming in second at Civil War due to the bonus points. One good run at Nairo Saga could open the door for anyone.
1. Nairo's Promise
At Civil War, Nairo stood on the stage next to Champ as they announced Nairo Saga. When Nairo took the mic, he promised the community that the 2GG Saga Curse would be broken at this event.
So far, no player has ever won their own saga. The best player in the world, ZeRo, failed to even reach Grand Finals at ZeRo Saga. The Midwest collectively fell short at Midwest Mayhem Saga. No frogs even came close at Greninja Saga. The curse remains the most difficult matchup in all of smash. Nairo is coming off a strong win at Momocon. He has momentum, and the community behind him. Will it be enough to overcome an undefeated curse?
This weekend promises plenty of high level competition, with lots of fun to spare. 2GG have become the masters of theming their events, and everything about Nairo Saga celebrates everything that makes Nairo so special to the community. Civil War was the biggest event in Smash 4's history, but Nairo Saga may be the best theme 2GG has ever devised. Be sure to follow 2GGaming on Twitter for all updates, stream links, and more memes than you can possibly handle.


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Resources in the Joseph Campbell Writers' Room have been donated by supporting organizations committed to the practice of story and/or study of myth. Contributions from Joseph Campbell Foundation, Jung Institute of Los Angeles, Mythouse and Philosophical Research Society range from works on cultural and comparative mythology to depth psychology and the study of story.
Tools within the resources include shelves dedicated to symbolic imagery, archetypal character, motifs and mythic story structure. These are designed to support the symbolic and archetypal development of mythic imagery, character and narrative.


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"Black Swan": it's a mystery and a bit of a thriller
By Michael Russnow
hollywoodnews.com: Black Swan: A Must See Even if Ballet Ain't Your Thing.
I don't go to the ballet and have only seen one a long time ago. Interestingly, it was Swan Lake performed, as in the film Black Swan, at Lincoln Center in New York City.
It is an art form that doesn't interest me and I say this at the outset, because, as in the case of The Fighter, about which I recently wrote, though I'm not drawn to the arena I was captivated by the motion picture itself.
Like The Turning Point and Billy Elliot, two major films that dealt with similar subject matter, Black Swan is elevated by a story of conflict, hopes, unfulfilled dreams and the fear of failure, and in those areas the movie soars.
Plus, it's a mystery and a bit of a thriller, as we're not really sure what's going on at the beginning when we meet the young ballerina Nina Sayers, played so movingly by Natalie Portman. We see red marks on her body and it appears that perhaps her career will be cut short by a serious illness. Maybe it's leukemia or Hodgkins, we don't know. But we are saddened by the prospect, and that's all I'm going to tell those of you who haven't yet seen the film.
We are introduced to her mother, Erica, portrayed by the always surprising and still beautiful Barbara Hershey, and though we might be expecting a ballet version of Mama Rose, it's not quite so. There are similarities in the sense that there is a competitive drive she instills in her daughter, but it's not pathetic and there's no cruelty. She has missed her own chances and, yes, there may well be a vicarious thrill she experiences in her daughter's success, but she is loving and genuinely cares.
We also see the political world of ballet, the cutthroat competition exhibited by newly arrived dancer Lily, played by a fairly transparent but intriguing Mila Kunis. Lily is alternately likable and devious, and to the audience it's clear she wants to be the star, and the only way to get the principal role is to get rid of the timid and haunted Nina, whom she aggressively befriends.
All this, as Nina fights to become the White/Black Swan and to seduce the choreographer with her persona. However, Thomas Leroy, played in a tough, yet loving manner by French actor Vincent Cassel, would prefer a true sexual dalliance, as he'd had with the soon to retire, now over the hill ballet star, Beth MacIntyre, whose performance is conceived so well by an embittered Winona Ryder.
The writing by Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz, John J. McLaughlin, with the story by Heinz is taut and unpredictable, and the melodrama is kept to a minimum as any good suspense mystery should be. And it's wrapped together in a wonderful package by director Darren Aronofsky to such an extent that you are gripped from almost the beginning right until the captivating end.
To read more about this article go to huffingtonpost.com/michael-russnow
Michael Russnow's website is ramproductionsinternational.com
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Superfoods are foods that are beneficial to someone's health above the call of duty. I have listed some below that may help you feel better. Eating food whole is better than any supplement. These foods are either curative or preventative in nature.
Those of you who know me should be aware of my shameless promotion of avocados. I have looked for reasons not to put them as my favourite superfood, but can't find any.
Avocado is my go – to food when I need healthy calories and fat along with a ridiculous amount of fiber. There is also a good amount of protein in avocados. Its texture makes it and the banana the fruits of choice to smoothen your smoothies.
Here's how to know if your avocados are ripe. It takes a while, but you'll become an expert avocado connaisseur in no time. I would recommend no more than one regular avocado a day, due to the high fiber content that may be difficult to digest in abundance.
2. Greek Yoghurt
Greek yoghurt is a fantastic source of protein at 18 grams per serving, compared to half that amount for ordinary yoghurt. I have purposely pictured a 2% fat yoghurt for 2 reasons : yoghurt fat can be good for you and there are chemicals at work in taking fat out of dairy products. Make the choice that's right for you.
3. Kefir
There's so much talk about Probiotics these days. Thanks to the damage processed and sugar rich foods have done to our digestive enzymes, more and more of us need Probiotics to help us digest some foods that have suddenly become indigestible. These include mainly fibrous foodswhich, ironically, are the ones that help us digest.
For years, Probiotics have tasted terrible. Nowadays they're delicious. I recommend the plain flavoured ones because of their low sugar content. I usually make them flavourable by adding maple syrup, a great sugar alternative.
4. Pears
Pears have overtaken apples in keeping the doctor away. They are rich in fiber and comparatively low in sugar. Here's why you need them as a staple fruit.
5. Hemp
Hemp has more pure amino acids than any other non – meat product. This means no other food not coming from an animal has more essential proteins than hemp. Hemp is great for people working out and who want to both lose and gain weight. It can be taken in seed or flake form. But take it! Sprinkle it on your salad or anywhere else. It's good for you!
6. Raspberries
It took me a while to like raspberries. That's because I was eating when they weren't fully ripe yet. Raspberries have great anti – inflammatory and anti – oxidant properties. Paleos and others who avoid fruit raspberries as it is not considered a fruit by many. Or maybe because it's just very essential as a regulatory food.
7. Maca
One of many Incan superfoods, Maca has numerous health benefits. It's a powder to be sprinkled on something every morning. Its high Vitamin C concentration will give you a boost and will keep your immune system active and well.
8. Almond Butter
The above almond butter jar costs between $15 to $20 a pop. But it is worth the price considering the powerful impact of fiber and protein and energy that it supplies our bodies with. Almond butter has overtaken peanut butter as the king of nut spreads. It is best eaten organic, raw, and smooth. Like the avocado, people with digestive problems need to start with smaller amounts and work their way up.
9. Alfalfa
We've all seen alfalfa on fancy sandwiches or as a topping on healthy salads. It is one of the premier sources of digestive enzymes. Put it on top of anything. Every meal. It's really helpful and necessary as a staple in your fridge.
10. Quinoa
Another Incan staple superfood, quinoa is unquestionably essential in helping promote wellness . Second to essential amino acids to hemp when it comes to meatless foods, it is also high in fiber. On top of quinoa salads, I have now discoveredquinoa cereal and quinoa porridge, the latter being a great alternative to the hard-to"-digest oatmeal porridge. Such a polyvalent food, it's hard to not have a permanent spot for it in your cupboard.
Making this list was difficult, especially with about a half dozen other choices I had to leave out. What are your favourite superfoods?


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# slump - Friday 3 July, 2020
'Conversations in the dressing room should stay in the dressing room'
Four defeats in a row, 16 losses in 21 league games, games against United, City, Spurs and Leicester to come – Bournemouth are in big trouble.
# slump - Wednesday 4 March, 2020
Gerrard 'even more disappointed' as Hamilton inflict fifth defeat in as many weeks on Rangers
Rangers have now dropped 13 points in five weeks, and trail Celtic by as many following another shock defeat.
# slump - Friday 1 March, 2019
Dortmund's Bundesliga title bid suffers another blow with surprise defeat
Ji Dong-won scored a goal in each half as Augsburg beat the league leaders 2-1.
# slump - Saturday 8 September, 2018
Luke Shaw stretchered off as Spain puncture England's feel-good factor at Wembley
England suffered their third consecutive competitive defeat in a game marred by a serious-looking head injury to Luke Shaw.
# slump - Tuesday 12 June, 2018
Ireland one match from U20 World Cup relegation after being torn apart by 6-try Scots
Noel McNamara's men will have to beat either Georgia or Japan to play in this tournament again next summer.
# slump - Friday 9 February, 2018
'Full panic mode': Asian markets take fresh beating as global slump continues
Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai were the biggest hit.
# slump - Monday 30 October, 2017
What's gone wrong at Real Madrid this season?
They trail La Liga leaders Barcelona by eight points at this early stage of the season.
# slump - Thursday 24 August, 2017
Erratic start to FedEx Cup play-offs for McIlroy as he posts opening round of 73
The world number four is well off the pace at the Northern Trust Open.
# slump - Thursday 11 May, 2017
Murray slump continues with shock exit while coach-less Djokovic advances
The Scot's form struggles are a concern just weeks out from the French Open.
# slump - Saturday 25 March, 2017
Connacht's dismal run in Glasgow continues
Tim Swinson, the home lock, saw red for a swinging left-arm smash on a player in green.
# slump - Wednesday 18 January, 2017
After losing just twice in 2016, Real Madrid have now suffered two defeats in a week
Zidane's men slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey tonight.
# slump - Saturday 14 January, 2017
'We know we're close': McCloskey vows to improve Ulster fortunes with a little extra focus
The struggling northern province go to Exeter in need of a win tomorrow.
# slump - Saturday 24 September, 2016
Williams piles woe on Connacht as defending champs stay rooted to foot of Pro12 table
Niyi Adeolokun had given Pat Lam's men a first-half lead in Wales.
# slump - Friday 11 March, 2016
McIlroy jumps to Spieth's defence as the world number one struggles again
Jordan Spieth carded a five-over-par 76 on day one of his title defence at the Valspar Championship.
# slump - Thursday 22 January, 2015
It's not the best time to order stuff from America...
Something big happened today…
# slump - Saturday 20 December, 2014
Ulster's indifferent form continues as mistakes cost them dear in Wales
Neil Doak's side were far from their best with confidence levels clearly low.
# slump - Saturday 13 December, 2014
Dortmund's despair continues as they lose again to remain in bottom three
Jurgen Klopp's side were beaten 0-1 by Hertha Berlin – the club's 9th league defeat of the season.
# slump - Thursday 4 December, 2014
Fine Gael hasn't been this unpopular in a decade
Enda Kenny's own satisfaction rating has fallen too in the latest poll, making him the least popular party leader in the Dáil.
# slump - Tuesday 28 October, 2014
Jurgen Klopp admits his Dortmund team are struggling with 'the fear of not winning'
The German club have lost six of their first nine games in the Bundesliga this season.
# slump - Friday 3 October, 2014
These fed-up animals perfectly represent your Friday afternoon slump
You're ALMOST THERE.
# slump - Wednesday 1 October, 2014
Lame Liverpool slump further in Basel
Marco Streller's second half strike was the game's only goal.
# slump - Thursday 31 July, 2014
Samsung blames slow smartphone sales and increased competition for profit slump
Slow global sales of smartphones and tablets and rising marketing costs to shift stock were some of the factors Samsung cited as its net profit fell by nearly 20% in the second quarter.
# slump - Wednesday 30 April, 2014
Twitter stock falls despite growth in revenue and users
The service surpassed Wall Street's expectations thanks to a sharp increase in advertising revenue, but its slow growth rate has left investors concerned.
# slump - Wednesday 12 March, 2014
Soros predicts '25 year slump' in Europe without action
Investor warns of Japanese-style economic slowdown on the horizon.
# slump - Sunday 29 December, 2013
Global shrimp crisis is hitting menus across the world
Early Mortality Syndrome in shrimp farms in Thailand is causing havoc to restaurateurs across the world.
# slump - Thursday 3 January, 2013
Opinion: Connacht need Dan Parks back in form to end losing skid
The Scottish international's kicking stats have dropped to 50% during a run of three successive defeats.
# slump - Friday 28 October, 2011
Retail sector slump continues as sales weaken in September
Retail sales were down 3.9 per cent in September when compared to the corresponding month in 2010.


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TT22: Tax and children
In this issue of Topical Tips we consider the expensive issue of raising children. Most readers will welcome financial help from any quarter, particularly the Inland Revenue. Before this can happen the fundamental problem that has to be addressed is anti-avoidance legislation.
This exists to prevent parents gaining a tax advantage from arranging income to be generated in the hands of their minor (and unmarried) children. (Clearly, it would nice for parents if they could somehow transfer income that would otherwise be taxable at 40% to their children in whose hands there might be little or no tax to pay.)
Beware the triple condition
The anti-avoidance legislation attacks the situation where income arises to a minor child as a result of action taken by the child's parents. Thus, there are three conditions that need to be side-stepped. The first to avoid is 'parent'. If you have minor children and would like to generate income in their hands, help from grandparents, uncles etc will be a good way forward.
Often though, a direct gift to the children of capital to generate the requisite income will be deemed to be inappropriate. However, the capital can be held in trust and it is often possible for the income-producing asset to be a particular class of share in the family company. The second condition is 'minor child'. When the child attains the age of 18, the legislation has no effect!
Thus, it is usually possible for the parents' capital to be used to generate income for children embarking on higher education. Again trust arrangements are considered sensible to prevent the underlying capital being wasted. Again, a particular class of share in the family company is often a suitable asset for this purpose.
The third condition is 'income', so the anti-avoidance legislation does not apply to capital gains. It should be borne in mind that even minor children can have tax-free gains of £7,700 for the current tax year. Thus, it would be possible for a wealthy parent to make a gift to a child that could be invested in stock exchange type investments geared towards capital growth. Any income arising would be taxable on the parent, but any gains would be treated as the child's for tax purposes.
An alternative strategy would be to invest in assets that produce no income at all but which produce returns wholly within the charge to capital gains tax. An example of such an asset is a second-hand endowment policy.
Barnes Roffe Topical Tips
- Sizeable tax savings can be achieved if income and/or gains can be generated in the hands of non-taxpaying children.
- Often, the income can be produced in the form of dividends from family companies.
- The use of trust arrangements is usually desirable so that large sums of capital are not given outright to children to use as they please!
- For minor children, capital from e.g. grandparents is often a good way forward.
- Remember, gains are not treated as income.


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Label : ice-snow disaster risk daily average temperature southern China
Date: 2018-05-31
View counts: 1133
Data Abstract
Risk assessment of ice-snow disaster contributed to understand the probability and spatial distribution of that, which was of great significance for disaster prevention and reduction work. In this dataset, five indicator factors including daily average temperature, daily average precipitation, elevation, slope direction, and slope were selected to participate in the assessment work. The expert knowledge score method was used to determine the weights of the four indicators of precipitation, elevation, slope, and aspect. The average temperature was regarded as the most critical factor, which decided whether the area suffered from ice-snow disaster. The risk assessment value of ice-snow disaster was calculated, which was normalized. The dataset could be used for post-disaster related research.
Related Data
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Make better use of Excel to automate business processes, empower and deliver on
productivity, quality and ROI.
Course manual
& Excel files
10 minutes'
hotline time
Excel expertise
28 years'
"Business intelligence (BI) transform[s] raw data into meaningful and useful information.
It allows business users to make informed business decisions with real-time data
that can put a company ahead of its competitors."
Static, stagnant reports are becoming a thing of the past: Microsoft's new Power
Pivot add-in delivers the tools to generate interactive reports that allow incredible
insight for quick, confident decision-making. Delve into your data like never before
with the brand-new DAX formula language and perform some seriously powerful number-crunching.
If you work on the cutting edge and want to implement the next generation of powerful
analytical tools, this webinar series was designed for you.
The Power Pivot and Power Query series is in 7 parts. Each part is a one-hour webinar. Attend any or all. Book all
7 for 10% off. See Power Query agenda
You should be familiar with creating and manipulating PivotTables.
Excel's PowerPivot add-in is only available for Excel 2010/2013.
For attending advanced Power Pivot webinars (part 3, part 4, part 5 and part6),
you should be comfortable with the topics covered in the Power Pivot introduction
webinars (parts 1 and 2), such as defining relationships, creating calculated columns
and measures, manipulating filter context, and using DAX functions such as CALCULATE
and DATESYTD.
Live webinar format
See the presentation on your PC screen and hear the presenter either from your PC
speakers/headphones or on the telephone.
Type questions on the chat line during the presentation. Questions will be answered
by the co-presenter.
Stay engaged with multiple-choice quizzes.
Test out the webinar technology with one of the free Excel 10-minute tips webinars.
Each webinar has a main presenter and a co-presenter, who share the presentation
and question-answering. Having two makes it more engaging, and different viewpoints expressed makes it clearer.
There are a number of different AbleOwl presenters, all of whom are Excel specialists.
Excel versions
"Great. I was able to follow really easily and it flowed along logically. Good pace.
Good to have the 2 presenters i.e. who can "chat' about what's being done, giving
2 points of view etc."
Debbie, Financial Accountant, Hamilton, New Zealand
"I would like to send you a thank you for the clearly presented and well paced webinar
I took part in yesterday. This was my first ever webinar and also my first interaction
with your company and found it to be a beneficial and enjoyable experience. I look
forward to my next webinar and your tips etc."
Fiona, Office Manager, Brisbane, Australia
"The rapport between Paul and Grant was great and makes it more interesting than
a one way presentation."
Maureen, Accountant, Taupo, New Zealand


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Surefire Blank Safety Device for 5.56mm/.223 Rifles and Carbines - SF-BSD-556
The SureFire SF-BSD-556 Blank Safety Device, for rifles and carbines chambered in .223 caliber (5.56 X 45 mm), allow for realistic training using blank ammunition. This BSD closely duplicates the weight, length, and feel of it's equivalent SureFire sound suppressor. This product is designed to safely contain up to three inadvertently fired rounds of M855 ammunition without injuring the shooter or others. The Fast-Attach mechanism allows for secure attachment or removal of the SF-BSD-556 to compatible SureFire adapters, no tools required.
- Prevents injury to the user, and those nearby, should a live round accidentally be loaded and discharged
- Safely stops up to three live-fire projectiles without damaging the host weapon
- Pressure relief vent directs hot gas and debris downward and away from the shooter should an inadvertent live round be fired; also emits an instantly recognizable audio cue
- Bright yellow body color clearly indicates it as a safety device
- Emulates weight, length, and feel of an actual SureFire suppressor during training exercises that simulate entry/breaching maneuvers, cornering, and room clearing drills
- Incorporates durable, fail-safe construction and the highest-quality materials
- Orifice system regulates gas pressure generated by blank ammunition for reliable cycling of host weapons with various barrel lengths
- Fast-Attach mechanism allows secure attachment/ detachment in seconds-no tools required
- Caliber: 5.56 mm (.223 caliber)
- Ammo Type: Blank Ammunition Only
- Length: 6.3 inches
- Weight: 16.0 oz
- Diameter: 1.5 inches
ITAR Notice: Export of the commodities described herein is strictly prohibited without a valid export license issued by the U.S. Department of State, Office of Defense Trade Controls, prescribed in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 120-130.
NOTE: Blank Firing Adapter will only function properly when mounted on a SureFire Suppressor Adapter.


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For years, Josh Williams has run at least once a week along Austin's busy Hike-and-Bike Trail.
He always carries his cell phone for emergencies, and a flashlight to help him see in darkened areas.
He also carries a gun.
"It's dark, and I don't know what's out there, so I have it to protect myself and other people," Williams, 39, told Tony Plohetski in a recent KVUE News/Austin American-Statesman joint-exclusive interview. "That's what it's all about anyway, to help other people with it, not just myself."
On the morning of Sept. 15, at around 5:30 a.m., Williams was running on the north side of the trail. He heard screams from a woman, pointed his flashlight in the direction of them and said he realized that she was being sexually assaulted.
Armed good Samaritan stopped Hike-and-Bike trail sex assault, affidavit says
The crime was one of three similar incidents in a several week period that put runners' on edge along the busy path.
"I came up, pulled my gun and told him to get off of her," he said. "Get on your knees and show me your hands."
The man, who police later identified as 22-year-old Richard McEachern, ran away from the area. But based off of Williams' description and the description from the woman he attacked, police found and arrested him several days later.
He has been charged with sexual assault and remains in the Travis County Jail.
Police have not arrested a suspect in the other two assaults but do not think they are related.
At the scene of the crime, Williams demonstrated to KVUE a Velcro belt that allows him to wear his gun on his right hip. He also showed how he stopped the attack.
He has been licensed to carry the weapon, a Glock 43, for about 10 years.
He said on the morning of the woman's assault, he's glad he had it -- and that he was there to help.
Taking back the trails | How to protect yourself on your next run
Here are some self-defense tips for the next time you go on a run:
Williams has remained in touch with the victim since the incident two months ago.
"I didn't think I'd ever have to pull it," he said. "Did I want to? No, but just right place, right time."
And what does Williams think about the notion of being a hero?
"I don't see myself as being a hero," he said. "But I guess I am."


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We have a fabulous selection of workshops on many Social Justice topics such as First Nations education and rights, Reconciliation, the global climate crisis, labour organizing, poetry, art, dance, music, math, science, intersectional ways of teaching and learning, LGBTQ/ SOGI, land struggles, anti-colonialism, race/ anti-racism, historic and current struggles informing our work, democratic schools, mental health for activists, critical literacy, plus others! A PDF list of workshops is copied below and click button to download.
While our work on the above social justice issues has never been more urgent, as teachers we are also cognizant of the costs to our students' mental health if their awareness of these issues doesn't include an education about the kind of revolutionary love that Valerie Kaur describes: love for opponents, love for others, love for ourselves. There can be no love without joy. And so we need to teach for joy and for justice. Because, as Cornel West reminds us, justice is what love looks like in public.
Registration for workshops will be on site - we will post sign-up lists under each for sign up, so come early!


text: The Sleek Case for the iPhone 5/5S is an ultra-thin, super-tough polymer shell that fits tight to your iPhone 5/5S. It won't slip off, crack, fade or peel. While not designed for maximum shock absorption, the Sleek case for your iPhone 5/5S provides an extra layer of protection against scratches. The wrap of the case provides a small but vital raised edge to reduce damage to your screen when placed face down on a smooth surface. Sleek Cases for the iPhone 5/5S are fully customizable with your photos, graphics or patterns.


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XCOR's Lynx suborbital space plane
The Lynx is XCOR's entry into the commercial reusable launch vehicle (RLV) market. This two-seat, piloted space transport vehicle will take humans and payloads on a half-hour suborbital flight to 100 km (330,000 feet) and then return safely to a landing at the takeoff runway.
Like an aircraft, Lynx is a horizontal takeoff and horizontal landing vehicle, but instead of a jet or piston engine, Lynx uses its own fully reusable rocket propulsion system to depart a runway and return safely. This approach is unique compared to most other RLVs in development, such as conventional vertical rocket launches and air-launched winged rocket vehicles "dropped" at altitude from a jet powered mothership.


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A former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, has commiserated with the victims of Wednesday's tanker fire accident in Onitsha, Anambra.
Chidoka said on Thursday in Awka described the accident as painful and regrettable.
"It was indeed a black Wednesday in Onitsha, Anambra. The loss of lives, property and businesses as a result of the accident is both painful and regrettable.
"I want to express deep condolences to the families that lost their loved ones in the accident, including that of a mother and her baby and the people that lost properties and businesses.
"I identify with them at this moment of grief and pray that the almighty God will console them," he said in a in statement by Mr Ikechukwu Okafor, his Special Adviser on Media Relations.
Chidoka, however, observed that casualties resulting from such accidents in Onitsha were always high because of the poor planning of the area.
Chidoka, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in the state, called for more government's attention and citizen engagement in the area of urban planning and public safety.
"Onitsha is an ungoverned space; divided by artificial boundaries of local governments and unattended to by a visionless state.
"It lacks coherent development plan and is not loved by residents who lack a sense of community.
"The fire on Wednesday is symptomatic of deep seated urban challenges," he said.
"As markets shutdown for prayers and sanitation, they should also shutdown for an hour or two every week for fire drills.
"The people can arrange for a fire survey from Federal Fire Service and modify their markets to enhance emergency response.
"There is need for government to engage citizens and market leadership on issues of safety," he said.


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The Water Data Collaborative is currently made up of the following groups.
Izaak Walton League of America
WDC Contact: Samantha Briggs, Clean Water Program Director
Mission: To conserve, restore, and promote the sustainable use and enjoyment of our natural resources, including soil, air, woods, waters, and wildlife.
Connection to Collaborative: Our desire to elevate citizen science and volunteer monitoring while improving the technology that groups have access to for data sharing and integration makes the Izaak Walton league an integral part of the WDC.
River Network
WDC Contact: Adam Griggs, Science Manager
Mission: River Network empowers and unites people and communities to protect and restore rivers and other waters that sustain all life. We envision a future with clean and ample water for people and nature, where local caretakers are well-equipped, effective and courageous champions for our rivers. We believe that everyone should have access to affordable, clean water and healthy rivers.
Connection to Collaborative: We are at the forefront of expanding national interest in protecting the waters of country. River Network brings our mission of encouraging diversity in the environmental movement and a desire to help engaged community members and local organizations take a stand for their waters to the WDC.
Waterkeeper Alliance
WDC Contact: Katherine Luscher, Training Director
Mission: Waterkeeper Alliance strengthens and grows a global network of grassroots leaders protecting everyone's right to clean water. Waterkeeper Alliance holds polluters accountable.
Connection to Collaborative: Waterkeepers and Waterkeeper Affiliates regularly patrol waterways, collect water quality samples, identify pollution sources, and demand that appropriate regulatory and legal action is taken. We are dedicated to defending the fundamental human right to drinkable, fishable, and swimmable waters, while combining firsthand knowledge of local waterways.
Chesapeake Conservancy
WDC Contact: Emily Wiggans, GIS Analyst
Mission: To conserve and restore the natural and cultural resources of the Chesapeake Bay watershed for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. We serve as a catalyst for change, advancing strong public and private partnerships, developing and using new technology, and empowering environmental stewardship.
Connection to Collaborative: The Chesapeake Conservancy's Conservation Innovation Center uses technology to demonstrate how citizen science data and visualizations can be used to enact meaningful landscape-informed change. While needs and best practices will differ by geography, we seek to provide examples of how to empower citizen science organizations to turn data into potential projects to improve water quality in their watershed.
The Commons
WDC Contact: John Dawes, Executive Director
Mission: The Commons is a nonprofit organization that works every day to empower restoration stakeholders with access to high quality digital services and open tool kits that use data to spark community action and improvement to the environment. In a climate where software and technological approaches are constantly changing, we work to empower others with the knowledge, processes, and technical capacity required to solve some of the most challenging problems in watershed restoration.
Connection to Collaborative: Better data leads to better decisions for a clean environment and healthier people. We partner with with organizations to access, organize, and share data that inspires action to restore our environment, meaning our mission closely aligns with the goals of the WDC.
River Watch of Colorado
WDC Contact: Barb Horn, Water Quality Specialist
Colorado River Watch Mission: Our mission is to create stewards for all water and aquatic resources through hands-on chemical, physical and biological monitoring of watershed health and utilize this high quality data to make informed decisions to preserve and restore the condition of Colorado's water.
Connection to Collaborative: Data from Colorado River Watch, sponsored by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and others, is used by the federal government, state, local, academia, and private groups to inform policy and decision making. As a founding member of the Colorado Data Sharing Network, experience in study design, monitoring for measurable results, data management, quality control and assurance, program and data management documentation and evaluation make us a great part of the WDC.
Other Links: http://www.coloradowaterdata.org
CUASHI, Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science, Inc.
WDC Contact: Jerad Bales, Executive Director
Mission: Strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration in the water science community, empower the community by providing critical infrastructure, and promote education in the water sciences at all levels
Connection to Collaborative: CUAHSI works to make all water data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR), and provides free open cyberinfrastructure to support the goal of FAIR water data, including those collected by the volunteer monitoring community. CUAHSI also provides education to the community on data management. Both of these activities are aligned with the goals of the collaborative.
Duke Nicholas Institute and the Internet of Water
WDC Contact: Peter Colohan
Mission: To facilitate the opening, sharing, and integration of water data between data producers, hubs, and users by coordinating efforts, articulating a clear vision for policies and procedures to share data, demonstrating the value of integrating water data, and providing technical and non-technical resources.
Connection to Collaborative: The Internet of Water will directly benefit from the Water Data Collaborative's efforts to make citizen science data more widely accessible and available. IoW will be able to increase connectivity between water monitoring groups with WDC's influence and work.


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Every Gal Needs A Statement Handbag!
It's true!
Have you ever gotten yourself all dressed up for a night on the town and thought to yourself that something is missing? Chances are it probably is! What you need is a statement handbag!
Something different and eye catching. Something that will turn heads and start conversations. Here at Cobalt Heights I have always made it my mission to seek out interesting and different handbags, wallets and backpack - cause why would you want to be like everyone else? In this Blog Im going to talk about just a few of the pretties we have in stock here at Cobalt Heights to give you some ideas.
First up we have the Sourpuss Floozy Purse. At the time of writing this blog it is available in Hot Pink, Glitter Blue, Black with a Lilac trim and Sparkle Pink (as shown) on hand, in stock and ready to ship. As the name suggests it is smaller than an every day handbag but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in pizzazz! This little beauty is designed to be worn on the crook of your elbow and is a perfect piece to take your outfit to the next level.
Lets say you are heading out somewhere where you are likely to still need both of your hands free but don't want to take your every day Backpack or Mini Backpack with you. How about giving one of the new Madeline Backpacks a shot? Available in 3 colours ( Beige, Pink and Black) . They are roomy and understated, what I like best about them is that they are not going to take the attention away from your outfit but they are still going to look stunning.
And last, but certainly not least here is a little bit of fandom finery in the form of the eagerly anticipated Loungefly X Nightmare Before Christmas Black and White Stripe Purse that has just landed. This is a handbag that will see you right through the day and the night and the colour scheme is going to look fab with whatever you pair it with. You will want to move fast if thuis little guy catches your eye though - last time we had it in it sold instantly!
Hopefully this blog has given you a few ideas to work with. If not then I am always happy to chat through your ideas over on Facebook - just flick me a message! I love bags and we always have new pretties on the way or just arrived x
Talk soon
Sian x


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Do you need debt settlement?
Yes? You probably need debt settlement.
What is Debt Settlement?
Debt Settlement is the process of paying off debt by negotiating settlements with creditors.
A settlement usually means paying the creditor less than the full amount due. Settlement ranges depend on a few factors:
- Debt type
- Creditor
- Financial Hardship
- Account Age
- and more!
Creditors, like credit card companies or debt collectors, agree to settlements as an alternative to potentially receiving nothing when a debtor files bankruptcy.
Wondering how you can get out of debt?
You can use debt settlement to help with:
Understanding Debt Settlement
If you can no longer afford to pay your creditors or your loans, then it's time to consider resolving your debts with creditors. There are several ways to resolve debt:
- Settling the debt aka paying less than the full balance;
- Fighting the charges because there is a legal defense to owing the full balance; or
- Paying nothing because you do not owe the debt or the debt is not legally enforceable.
We help you determine the best way for your situation in our debt settlement process.
What should I know about Debt Settlement?
Here is a quick video explaining debt settlement and how it can help you!
Frequent questions about debt settlement
How much does debt settlement cost?
It depends! We offer flat rate pricing with affordable payment options, starting at $100/mo.
How much can I save?
In general, people save 50% (even on small accounts - it adds up!)
How long does it take?
This depends on you, creditors, and the legal issues, so from 90 days up to 2 years.
What is the best way to get out of $15,000 in credit card debt?
We have a handy tool to explain it all and to help you decide. Bonus, you can have it for FREE!
What about my credit score?
If you are already in collections, the damage has been done. Resolving your collections, and making your debt more manageable is the key to long term credit score improvement. We also offer credit repair and credit counseling as part of our debt settlement legal service.
If you are looking to buy a home, debt settlement will improve your credit score and debt to income ratio.
Take the first step to your better financial future.
You'll receive:
- In-person credit consult with a lawyer
- A review of your credit report
- Recommendations for your situation
- A $250 value
During the consult, we will review your situation, documents, and create a plan of attack. We will also give you a quote for services and payment options.