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Cubitts: Challenging the experience in eyewear
Tom Broughton is the founder of Cubitts, a new emerging challenger in eyewear offering modestly priced spectacles and sunglasses in classic British styles. The UK's optical goods market is worth an estimated £2Bn with three major companies: Specsavers, Boots and Vision Express, collectively controlling over two thirds of the market.
Despite many independents in the industry being squeezed out by these three brands, Cubitts quickly established a strong and loyal following, and since being awarded The Guardian's 'start-up of the year' in 2014 they reported a 300% increase in sales the following year. We went down to Cubitts' second London workshop in Borough to better understand how they've built the brand since launching in 2013.
What did you see as the opportunity in eyewear? What needed fixing?
I just had so many experiences where I'd go into a brightly lit, clinical, plasticky environment, get thrown through an eye test, and have a whole bunch of numbers and terminology that I didn't understand imposed on me. I was then expected to make a purchase decision which may cost me £500, without understanding any of the context. "Do you want an anti-scratch coating? Or an anti-glare coating? Or UV coating? Or do you want a higher index lens?".
Whenever leaving those experiences, I always felt perplexed at what had just happened. None of it was enjoyable, there was always a niggling doubt that I'd been up-sold. So I just thought: It shouldn't be like this.
What do you stand for as a brand? What is Cubitts challenging?
When we first started the company, we wrote down the very principles of how we would market and sell our product, one of which was that we would never unnecessarily up-sell, ever. All of our coatings are included in the price so every frame we sell has anti-scratch and anti-glare. We don't even give people the option.
We'll also choose an index of a lens based on what the customer I think cares about, which are lenses that don't pop out of the frame and look like milk bottles. So we, as the professionals, would make these decisions in the customer's best interest and not ours. What we're really challenging is the whole customer experience of buying frames.
How did you approach reinventing this customer experience?
Before we launched we did a bunch of consumer research amongst spectacle wearers. It became quickly apparent that during the purchase process there were consistent pinch points that people didn't like.
They didn't like the up-selling, but also the relationship with choice. Choice is a funny thing; people like it but they don't like too much. People value freedom from choice, and they would tell us their experiences of big High Street opticians where they were faced with a bank of frames, in no real order and no guide to navigate through it.
We wanted to devise a new experience, which would address these concerns.
Firstly, we agreed we would only ever offer 20 shapes in both optical and sunglasses, and that when we introduce new styles we'd retire some older ones.
We would then try and get to a point where every frame was available in every colour so people could approach it like a grid, with three key elements: shape, size and colour. People understand it this way. We provide choice but not too much.
It's understanding that a consumer, when they buy something, has a whole bunch of decisions. Some of which they enjoy making, some of which they don't. So if you take away the ones they don't and simplify their options, they can focus on the fun stuff, like trying frames on in different colours.
The other thing we learned from our research was this sense of pressure. That you're making a really important purchase decision, often on your own with a sales assistant peering over your shoulder. So we thought let's do it a differently, which has manifested itself in various ways.
Originally, when we were just an online business it was our home trial service: sending four frames to customers to try free of charge for five days, ask their friends etc. and that's worked really well. Again, it's just another way for people to touch and feel the product.
What's your relationship with King's Cross? Why does this form such a large part of the brand's identity?
I thought that specific area of London represented some of the principles that I cared about as a brand. Somewhere that is authentic, and not too showy in a Chelsea or Knightsbridge kind of way. Perhaps King's Cross is a little bit of rough around the edges, but it feels like London. Proper, working London.
It's quite a specific cachet isn't it? Not like a brand using London or Paris etc...
That specific area of London had the sort of characteristics we felt best represented what we wanted to convey. It was a very traditional part of London which historically hasn't always been looked upon favourably. At the start of the industrial revolution King's Cross was the artery for all goods coming from the North of England. It was sat quietly, whilst serving and booming this whole city. That's kind of how we wanted to be as a brand.
I'm not sure that every customer will be going around wearing a Cubitts frame thinking "this is a reference to King's Cross", but it was important for us to have this consistency and relevance running right through the brand and our product.
What are some of the ways this idea is manifested?
The main thing is the shape of our rivet: the butterfly rivet. If you walk around King's Cross Station, particularly Granary Square, and look down at the pavement you'll notice the original wrought iron keystones. The purpose of these was to hold large granite blocks together upon which sat the cranes carrying goods from the canal before they were loaded onto little trains that went into the goods yard.
They were interesting geometrically but the fact was that form followed function. The reason they're in this butterfly shape was that in order to support the cranes using bricks and mortar alone would just crumble under their weight. I thought: That's a really neat principle to carry through our frames, thus all of our acetate frames are held together by this very rivet.
Our logo features the silhouette of the butterfly shape, split vertically in half to represent K and X of King's Cross. All Cubitts' frames are then named after streets around King's Cross, many of which were developed by the Cubitt Brothers, so we try to have touch points which always reference the area.
We heard in an interview recently that consumers are increasingly voting with their spend. Generally, being more conscientious about which brands they give their money to. Why do you think this is happening now?
I was speaking to somebody about this the other day, but he was talking more specifically about how fashion retail goes in these ten year cycles, for example, how the 90s was all about brand. The brands then defined who we were like t-shirts with big Prada and Gucci logos on them, and frames also with obvious logos emblazoned on the side. The 2000s became about a movement from kind of seasonal to fast fashion with the emergence of The Inditex Group, H&M and this new breed of fashion retailers.
Then his belief, which I definitely agree with, is that now it's become much more about having a direct relationship with individual brands for specific products. It's about caring more about the the story of the brand, its heritage, that thing of value floods to scarcity.
Yes, you can go online and buy something on Amazon in ten seconds and it can be delivered for delivery that day, but people are now seeking something which feels more scarce, and more rare, and brands that have some real depth to them.
What's the ambition for the brand? What does success look like for you?
We want to be a global brand. I think that is hugely important for a British spectacles brand. Given that the first pair of spectacles was made in London in the 1700s and for hundreds of years the UK led the way in frame and particularly lens design, it just seems crazy that there isn't an internationally recognised British eyewear brand.
How big a brand do we want to be? Who knows. Two years ago we didn't exist and now we have two shops and an ever growing customer base so only time will tell. It's kind of crazy right now. I regularly see people wearing our frames that I remember being just a little sketch on a notepad.
Tom Broughton on creating an amazing brand experience.
1. Do your consumer research. Understand what needs fixing.
2. Think about the small things - collectively they can change the way a customer thinks about an experience.
3. Recognise that the context is as important as the product.


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Our hosting provider, DreamHost, just took a giant step and hired a new CEO, Simon Anderson. We have a long relationship with DreamHost and it's always a pleasure to hear from them—I love their hysterical newsletters and snarky blog posts, but they have just outdone themselves in their press release announcing the new CEO.
The thing I love most about DreamHost (other than their outstanding hosting services, that is) is that they never take themselves seriously, no matter how successful they get. They have been a great partner and it's fantastic to see their continuing growth. I think this press release does a great job of showcasing the DreamHost I know and love. Check it out:

subset: commoncrawl


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This on-drone Antenna Modification will significantly increase WiFi performance !
Check out the video and pics here: http://www.DroneMod.com
The Wheel Antenna Mast Mod will do two things:
- 1) Drastically reduce video jitter and dropouts when rotating the drone at a distance.
- The stock AR Drone is well known for this problem. When downrange, the camera nose must face directly away or towards you to have the best video downlink.
- Using my Nexus 7 Tablet and no WiFi Range Extender or booster, I flew out to nearly 700 feet and was able to fully rotate the drone and maintained a video downlink.
My Galaxy Nexus Phone; close to 400 feet.
This was in an open area with no WiFi interference.
If you have a magnifier lamp, decent soldering iron with small tip, and good soldering skills, then you can perform this mod.
External Antenna Mod - Installation Procedures: http://www.dronemod.com/How_to.html
Several Options:
- 1) Install the Antenna Mod kit yourself
2) Send in your Main Board (DroneMod will install the mod for you)
3) Send in your entire drone (DroneMod will take care of it all)
4) DroneMod can provide a brand new Main Board with the antenna mod
Installation Services: http://shop.dronemod.com/Mod-Services_c4.htm
Know this about flying the AR Drone with an RC Mod:
- VLOS = Visual Line Of Sight
- If you are using an iPhone or iPad "control device", then an RC Mod might help you gain some control distance. Some control device's do not have a good WiFi radio. That is the limitation. Not the fact that the AR Drone is a WiFi controlled flying machine.
- An RC Mod does nothing to help you fly via FPV. You are relying on the AR Drones WiFi video downlink anyway so might as well keep WiFi controlled flight too.
My WiFi Range Extender setup enables me to fly out to One Kilometer (3280 feet) and back.
Check out some of my YouTube videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/garrock55


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Saturday, April 1, 2017
BUSHKILL, PA (Spring 2017) – Encounter first-hand the natural beauty of the Pocono Mountains on a paddle down the scenic Delaware River located in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, then stay at The Villas and Fernwood Resort in the Poconos after your float. The Resort's canoeing getaway river package includes a two-night midweek studio villa stay and two canoeing vouchers starting from $204 per night. Gina Bertucci, spokesperson for the Resort, said, "The crystal clear water, spectacular rock formations, lush mountains, and abundant wildlife quickly inspire you with their natural beauty. It is extremely relaxing and an amazing way to experience the river. Edge of the Woods Outfitters provides the experience and they have received many accolades for their great customer service and desire to have guests truly enjoy the beauty of the river."


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Just Me and the Geese
Today's run was brought to you by the lovely Chicago winter temperature of 16 degrees. Why run yesterday in the 50 degrees when you can call yourself a winter warrior and run today? The fun thing about running in the cold is the respect and head nods you get from other runners. Like, I get you bro. I am doing this stupid thing too. In other news, I am participating in Fleet Feet's #RunChi. The goal is to keep working out through the winter and rack up 100 miles of running (although cross training counts towards the end goal too). You have from now until New Years Eve to log your miles. Check it out!
P.S. That awesome line on my head is from my ear warmers. Super sexy right?


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Is drinking cold water bad for a person?
Staying hydrated is vital for our health, but there is some debate about the best temperature for water to be when people drink it. Some advocates believe that drinking cold water can be bad for you. Consuming enough water every day is essential for supporting all bodily functions, including digestion and metabolism, getting rid of… Read More »


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A minor subplot in Carl Hiaasen's novel Lucky You involves protagonist Tom Krome trying to divorce his wife. But Mary Andrea Finley Krome won't agree to the divorce – not because she's madly in love with Tom (she's as sick of him as he is of her) but because no woman in her family has ever got divorced, and Mary is damned if she'll break the chain. Tom's hapless attorney finds it almost impossible to serve papers because Mary Andrea, an accomplished actress, travels all over the continental US starring in various stage productions under different names. One of the shows is a musical version of The Silence of the Lambs, featuring the chorus line:
Oh, Hannibal the Cannibal
How deliciously malicious you are!
Oh, Hannibal the Cannibal. How he's woven himself into pop culture. He's been played by at least three different actors in a range of media, parodied in countless animations and sitcoms. Writers and readers are preoccupied with serial killers: there's probably more fictional serials that ones that have actually existed, but in his wit and insights Lecter is king of a bloated subgenre. (Only Dick Dart, villain of Peter Straub's The Hellfire Club, comes close.) We'll never forget what happened to the luckless census taker who tried to 'quantify' Dr Lecter, and when the last Home Secretary imposed a ban on books for prisoners, it was a line of Lecter's that immediately came to me: 'Any rational society would kill me, or give me my books.'
In The Strange World of Thomas Harris, David Sexton's analysis of the Lecter mythos, he quotes criminologist Elliott Leyton, who argues that the Hannibal books are great fiction but bad criminology. As fictional serial killer, Lecter is erudite, urbane, empathetic, sociable, multilingual, curious and self aware. Real serial murderers, Leyton says, tend to be 'without intellectual or physical attainments, they are often uneducated and virtually illiterate… in sum, they are dull, unimaginative, socially defective, vengeful, self-absorbed and self-pitying human beings.' But Sexton argues that the Lecter novels were never meant to be realistic: 'The Hannibal Lecter stories have about the same connection to social reality as, say, the stories of Bluebeard or Dracula.' This isn't detective fiction – it's the gothic high style.
Readers and critics alike loved the first two Lecter novels, in which the psychiatrist – incarcerated for a string of elaborate slayings – assists the FBI in solving other crimes, before escaping at the end of Silence of the Lambs. Hannibal, featuring the adventures of a fugitive Lecter, was seen as a betrayal of the mythos – bad fiction and bad criminology. None was more harsh than Martin Amis, and it is worth getting his War Against Cliché anthology for his marvellous hatchet job alone. Amis noted that the Hannibal of Hannibal is loaded with a plethora of pretentions: 'curator of the Capponi', opera at the Teatro Piccolomini, playing an 'ornate clavier' and eighteenth-century Flemish harpsichords, related to Balthus, the Viscontis and Machiavelli, 'Anatole figs still weeping from their severed stems' – Harris has made him 'that awesome presence, a European aristocrat.'
I don't think it's unfair to see Harris as one of those Americans who goes gushing crazy over Old Europe. Wouldn't a Baylor alumnus from dustbowl Mississippi love to know someone like Hannibal? The Europe he depicts in Hannibal is bathed in sepulchral grandness, a dream of great cathedrals, shimmering women and cold, fine wine. (The TV show replicates this, having FBI agents pursue Lecter on Orient-Express style steam trains and through the cobblestones and frescoes of medieval Florence.) European luxury is contrasted with the mediocre squalor of the new world: when Lecter returns to America he has to smuggle himself on a coach trip and he's appalled by his fellow passengers, their weight and smells and children and shitty processed food. 'Elemental Ugliness,' Harris writes, 'is found in the faces of the crowd.' Hannibal antagonist Mason Verger is a meatpacking heir out for revenge after Lecter had him paralysed and induced him to cut off his own face in a PCP trance. Mason is a predator, but with none of Hannibal's style. This is where the American dream ends, Harris is saying – faceless paralysed rich boys, drinking Martinis spiked with children's tears.
Amis perceived in the book an authorial disdain for the masses: Harris 'severs himself from the commonality, and it is precisely this severance that has demolished his talent.' Hannibal is a predator who predates the messy compromise of democracy – he comes from a time where what matters is power and sensation. Class has always impacted on the crime genre. (Overrated true crime writer Anne Rule, in The Stranger Besides Me, flutters and trills over the handsome Ted Bundy and struggles to believe that such a nice young Republican boy could have committed all these murders. One pities the homicide detectives she followed around.) It has also partially formed the horror genre. The vampire wears evening dress in his castle and exercises droit de signeur on the peasant villages below. Harris gives Lecter all kinds of supernatural resonance – he says as authorial comment that 'It is an axiom of behavioural science that vampires are territorial, while cannibals range widely across the country.' Elsewhere he's compared to Job's devil – going to and fro in the world, and probably having a good time.
What matters is predation and power. Even the language of religion is harnessed into power relationships: Lecter reflects that 'his own modest predations paled beside those of God, who is in irony matchless, and in wanton malice beyond measure.' What matters is power and sensation. As Sexton says, taste isn't kind. The ending of Hannibal, where Clarice Starling goes from being Lecter's pursuer to his rescuer and lover, seems improbable (Amis: 'It's hard to think what woman would be capable of diverting Hannibal for more than five seconds. Mata Hari? Baroness Orczy? Catherine the Great?') but makes perfect sense in this context. Starling has worked her way up from a modest background but is still held back by a patrician FBI personified by the moronic Paul Krendler. Sexton highlights her line 'Damn a bunch of self improvement. I want a good dinner' as the moment she decides to give up banging her head against the wall and succumb to the life of easy wealth offered by Lecter. A triumph of evil all the more striking because Lecter appeared to have seduced his creator as well as the heroine.
The disappointment of the Lecter novels is that Harris never gave Hannibal an effective opposition. I would love to have seen someone who could challenge the doctor intellectually and stand up for the commonality and democratic secularism. It's true that the devil has a certain style but there is a kick and a pleasure in empathy, compassion, generosity too. Contra Sexton, these days taste is often kind.


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simple but totally different experience for my daughter this morning. it goes with a glass of warm milk… she loved it! well, after getting her consent of course for my stress management in the morning…
- pancake mix
- chocolate chips
- butter
prepare the pancake mix as directed on the box. pour the batter on lightly greased frying pan with butter. then sprinkle few chocolate chips on top of the batter. When edges are rather dry and bubbles are popping and bottoms are nicely browned, about 2 to 3 minutes, turn over and cook the other side until browned, about 2 minutes longer. serve warm…


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Made in the Now T-Shirt
Role: Design, Lettering, Illustration
made in the now
I was asked by Australian studio Made in the Now to create a response to the week's breaking news: Obama's gun control proposal. This design focuses on President Obama's act of signing the 23 executive orders.
The script was created with a single, unbroken line and the design was silkscreened on a limited edition T-shirt and sold online for one week only.


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Limited Editions on Canvas
The Limited Edition Giclees on canvas are created on artist's canvas using the finest archival inks and museum varnishes and are enhanced in oil by the artist.
Recommended sizes are listed below, for custom sizes please request via email@example.com
Limited Editions on Paper
The Limited Edition Giclees on paper are created on watercolor paper using the finest archival pigmented inks. The edition of 195 includes 95 on canvas and 100 on paper.
Free shipping on all domestic orders.
Works on paper are rolled and shipped in a mailing tube.


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Uppsala university Equal Opportunities Programme
- Act number: UFV 2014/455
- Decision maker: University Board
- Decision date: 2016-06-16
- Processing body: Human Resources Division
- Document type: Programmes
About the document
Table of contents
Uppsala University is a place of work and study for over 50,000 people, a population equivalent to a small Swedish town. Here, everyone should be able to work, act and influence on equal terms. In our Mission and core values, we write that:
Uppsala University will be an inspiring environment in which every employee and student is able to develop personally, professionally and academically, where a diversity of experience and individual initiatives are nurtured.


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Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple
- Mark Robertson
- 10 April 2008
(Warner Bros)
The completely addictive nature of their debut single 'Crazy' set the bar just a tad high for Danger Mouse and Cee-lo Green (for they are Gnarls Barkley). The chances of lightning striking twice was remote but they've shown their chops as composers of deft tracks that seamlessly blend 40 years of black music into one futuristic, soulful mumbo-jumbo jet.
The shuffle beats and guinea pig-like wails are appealing in their own ways – Cee-lo is in possession of an incredible set of pipes – but there's a self-conscious orderliness that has crept into their shtick, but this is a little too polite in places to really explode as you hoped it would. Good, just not crazy good.


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I may not impact the world, but it's the little things that impact MY world. And most of them are food!
Friday, 20 April 2012
Post-Surgery Update
6 comments:
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I hope you got some info. today that has helped you to understand what is going on with Zappy MKII and went some way to putting your mind at rest :)ReplyDelete
I chuckled at your thoughts about what's in your room, I have many of these items as well, particularly a few half written love stories written by my teenage self that I wouldn't want anyone to read either! So corny to read over, but still fun to look at every now and then :) So what ever you do, don't throw them out. Maybe we should both buy strong boxes with a combination lock to store these treasures in, that way we can still get to them when we need a laugh! :)
(....well, maybe our holey undies can go, they probably don't need to be kept under lock and key!)
I'm sorry that you're having all these troubling thoughts, everything seems so much worse when we're scared. But good on you for being pro-active, trusting your gut and scheduling an earlier meeting to possibly get some answers, much better than sitting at home, waiting for the later date and feeling like you are losing your mind! :)
Again, I hope today was positive for you,
Sending you a big hug!
Erica :)Replies
Thanks Erica :) As it turns out, I'm just a nutjob. There have been a few hiccups with my heart but nothing as bad as I thought. Fingers crossed it stays that way and I can learn to wrap my head around it!Delete
I agree with Erica, I hope the doctors have some answers for you now, or at least a path forward? People are thinking of you, not that we can do much to help :-)ReplyDeleteReplies
The doctor I saw didn't have many answers but he's not my usual doctor. Can't wait until mine comes back. On the plus side, I did an online assessment for travel insurance the other day, and Covermore seems to think that I'm a low enough risk to insure... so that is, in a way, kind of reassuring!Delete


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Say AHHHH… It's Time For A Check-Up!
Happy Earth Day 2017, everyone! I figured today was as good a day as any to drop you all a line and update you on what the TH43 crew has … Continue reading
Our Funky, Colorful Roof
The folks who make our primary roofing material (and the ONLY thing on our tiny house that we never changed during our entire design process) have done a nice little … Continue reading
A GLAMOURous Tiny House Life
I am so pleased to have been included with two of my tiny house heroes in an article about maximizing and customizing a tiny house to suit the needs of … Continue reading
TinyHouse43 v1.0 Video Tour
Greetings! I have posted a pair of heavily detailed video tours of our tiny house to our own YouTube channel called TINY HOUSE FOR THREE. I've also embedded them at … Continue reading
Reality Bites
This should probably be two posts, but that's just not how I roll. Grab some coffee and a snack. This'll take a minute… I don't want to write this post at … Continue reading
TinyHouse43 is Officially a Tiny House Travel Trailer in Texas!!
Big day today!! I've been stressing out for over a year about the day we would attempt to re-title our "flat bed trailer" into an "RV Travel Trailer," and at … Continue reading
T-Minus 5 Days to Launch!
Okay, okay, I know… I've been a lazy blogger for the past few months. But, with good excuse I swear! We are a short 5 days away from departing Texas … Continue reading
A Slacker's Tale
So, I'm not *really* a slacker in life, but I have definitely been far too distracted with work and actual building on the tiny house to do much in the … Continue reading
Our Jamboree Weekend & Scouting Trip: A Redux
It's been two weeks and two days since about 40,000 people descended upon the Western Museum of Mining & Industry in Colorado Springs for the very first Tiny House Jamboree, … Continue reading
Is there a handyman in the house?
So, I'm thinking I'm going to need to hire a really good handyman/woman to help Brandy finish our house on time. I've taken as much time off as I can … Continue reading


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CPAR works in partnership with vulnerable communities and diverse organizations to overcome poverty and build healthy communities in Ethiopia, Malawi and Tanzania through projects that address the determinants of health, including clean water and sanitation, food security and nutrition, and secure livelihoods – as well as access to Primary Health Care.
Through participation in CPAR projects, communities identify gaps and existing assets which, combined with the capacity building inherent in all of CPAR's programs, results in progress that multiplies as project participants pass on their learnings to others in their community long after project completion.
In Canada, CPAR engages students, professionals, other NGOs and the general public as we work together to improve the health of communities in Africa.


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X-raying the Cash-Cow - a Lesson in using Bottlenecks to Make More Money
I've been travelling from Manchester airport to Edinburgh, weekly for a couple of months now.
Something odd happened today: it took well less than 5 minutes to get through security, down from the normal 15 - 30 minutes, and that had an interesting knock on effect, - the waiting area is extra full and there are big queues in all of the shops - and it provides my imagination of a fascinating example of how bottlenecks can cost/make businesses a lot of money.
I'm not sure what happened to speed up the security process, although it might just be that they put more staff on the machines. Whatever it was, it looks like their check-in bottleneck has, perhaps temporarily, moved from the security scanners to the shopping/waiting area.
Let's say the security scanning process is 15 minutes faster today. Let's say most passengers previously spent 45 minutes waiting in the shopping/waiting zone before they got called to their gate. They're now spending 60 minutes there. There are now roughly 1/3rd more passengers in the waiting zone, and the seats are all taken. There are roughly 1/3rd more customers in the shops, and, the way queues work, small changes in demand can cause them to grow disproportionately, and (to me) it looks like the queues are 3 or 4 times bigger than normal. Those queues sound good but shops want customers paying, not queuing to pay, and not walking away because the queues are unbearable.
If the check-in bottleneck has moved permanently, then maybe the shops should start looking at their checkout processes and speed them up a smidgen so they don't lose sales from people like me who won't queue unless desperate? They should milk that cash-cow.
Likewise, maybe the airport will, after a while, once everyone agrees the cash cow is hanging around, threaten to slow the security down,again, unless the shops agree to pay higher rentals?
I'm guessing it cost the airport 3 extra security staff to speed up their security. Maybe it was 6. Who know? I'm guessing. But let's say it cost them £250k a year. I bet the increased spending in the shops (provided the shops increase their payment capacity so they can milk the cash cow) is worth at least £250k a month, probably more.
It's funny, I've been spending my time in security, over these recent months looking around contemplating how they might speed up the security process. When you learn TOC you tend to do that; it's frustrating but it fills in time. I'd always looked at it from the point of view of a customer, someone who was stuck inside the system. It wasn't until I saw the queues in the shops that I put my business eyes on and saw a cash cow there waiting to be milked.


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I was so excited to receive the PowerStand by PowerSkin, this small triangle type wedge shape will keep your cell phone usable when you normally run out of power. Just throw it in your purse, when your cell phones battery is low, plug the PowerStand into your cell phone and you will be back in business.
This is a must have, much needed product.
Anyone and everyone with a cell phone would love to have the PowerSkin PowerStand. Makes a PERFECT stocking stuffer.
Now with the Buy One Get One Free 48 hour sale on their popular phone & tablet portable charger, the PowerSkin PowerStand, you have no excuse to not pick one up. Starting tomorrow Tuesday, December 16th & Wednesday December 17th, you'll get 2 PowerStands for the price of one ($39.99, plus free shipping) - keep one for yourself and give one as a gift. The PowerStand is able to charge all tablets and mobile phones, including the iPhone 6/6Plus
(that's $20 for an iPhone portable charger!).
The coolest part is:
Stick-N-Go Power
Our patented Heat-injected soft rubber suction cup design design allows for quick, on the go power, only when you need it.
The PowerSkin PoP'n and PowerStand can stick right onto the back of smooth surfaced phones and cases
and can be quickly and easily removed.
Need to share a presentation, pictures, watch a video, or even use your camera to apply makeup? PowerStand makes hands free screen viewing easy with the suctioned kick stand and portable charger. No longer worry about Youtube or Netflix videos draining your battery. PowerStand charges your phone lets you easily view the screen without having to hold it.
You can't pass up this great offer.
Buy ONE get ONE FREE.
another great special from PowerSkin
PowerSkin also has a great Travel Bundle promo - Buy the multi-device charger, PowerSkin Recharge and get a FREE Tablet Spin-Pad Grip, a $109.98 value for only $59.99, a savings of $49.99.
CLICK HERE - Recharge's powerful battery easily charges cellphones and tablets, and is remarkably lightweight and portable, perfect for road trips, holiday travel & keeping the family's devices charged & the kids occupied.


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In post #18, "So what do I want for Christmas" I was torn between asking Santa for new Specialized road shoes or a Garmin Virb. As you know I chose the shoes but the profound thing is they ended up being involved in me missing some time on the bike (that is I pinched a nerve in my foot) which I am happy to say is nearly all resolved due to refinements.
Now that I am on the bike again and getting out there, I am enjoying my new shoes and my new Garmin Virb – yeh!!!! Yes, I couldn't help myself and bought one with a bike mount for the handlebars and started taking video and pics like the one above on the road to Church Point.
This year I have come to terms with the fact that racing is not where I am heading and that exploring on my bike is, so I have found the Virb is adding to that experience. In addition to me enjoying being out there on the road, appreciating the visual world I live in, feeling the wind in my face as it cools my sweat and having the time alone with my thoughts, I have now found a way to continue the ride when I get home.
As you may have noticed I really enjoy combining technology with riding. My after ride ritual is loading up the Garmin 810 data in Strava and checking routes, seeing the pics from Instagram that I took and seeing if I improved on any segments.
Have you ever used Google street view and had to client through 100 clicks to see the road as if you were riding it? I have so now I am starting to build a video library of rides and published them to Pinterest, each showing the Strava segment number and its details, and a video of the climb, descent or TT.
That way other explorers can get a feel for the hill or destination before they get there and see the elevation and gradient as the ride progresses.
Check them out here: @cyclingBTD/Strava-Segments on Pinterest.
I started with Mosman NSW Australia which is where I live as it has some great hills and views, and I have started moving north to Manly and up the northern beaches. After that, I will start to head out and do the segments in Sydney I have done before and also go and find some new ones.
I hope you enjoy it. Let me know if you create your own Segments page on Pinterest and we'll cross reference them or if you publish to YouTube, I can Pin them.
If you need to know technically what I do, I load the videos from the Virb into Virb Edit on the PC, export at 720 to mp4 and then upload it to YouTube, then post the YouTube on Pinterest. Be aware that some of the video exports can be 1/2Gb or more.
As a side note and for fun, I also like to edit a few videos and put them on Instagram @CyclingBTD
The road, it takes you places.


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Product description
For cutting rough grass and general roadside or field maintenance. The flat blade on this tool is ground on both sides so it can be used left or right handed.
Key features
- Anglesey shaped blade
- 6" (150mm) Hardwood handle
- A great tool for trimming undergrowth
- Blade length 16" (402mm)
- Blade size no. 1
Price (ex VAT):
Product Code: 1892010680


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The first step to providing engaging hospitality is seeing people as individuals...not as customers. Customers are no name bodies who shop, stand in line and fill out surveys. Individuals ask for coffee 135 degrees, like getting to know the manager and take the time to make personal videos and post them on Tripadvisor. Customers, in aggregate, don't connect with you, individual people do. Just like it's easy for an industry or business to discount the validity of customer opinion polls, it's easy for a person to forget an average experience...because there's no emotional connection, it's not personal. Taking the time to get to know someone forces you to treat them better, like a friend or neighbor. It forces you to have conversations...instead of transactions. It forces you to care...like it really matters what they think of you.
Individuals form opinions about your business based on how you treat them, not what your customer service policy is or mission statement dictates. And, the more choices they have, the more this personal part matters. Companies that excel in engagement, that take the time to demonstrate caring, will win.
Your job is to make every part of your business more personal and engaging...your website, the call center, the signage, the front counter, the menu...everything. Lead people along a path of meaningful delivery, from beginning to end.


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Metal Sculpture, Retail Display, Lighting, Merchandising Fixtures, Architectural Signs & More.
Bird on the Wire Studios is a creative manufacturing facility in East Knoxville, TN whose projects range from residential interior redesign to retail design and build-out, to the design and manufacturing of large-scale corporate sculpture, signage, lighting, and merchandising elements.
We work with architects to refine, collaborate on, and execute their designer's vision for new commercial build-outs and re-builds while focusing on the digital brand architecture and voice to ensure all tangible, branded elements, both interior and exterior, are created beautifully, built to last, and ensure brand recognition.
We work with interior designers and architects to re-imagine residential spaces and create the perfect pieces to represent our shared vision while illustrating the personality of the homeowner.
We work with small business owners, NPO's, and corporate clients to breathe phsyical life into their brands by designing and manufacturing signage, branded sculptural elements, and event spaces.


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Pomegranate Avocado Toast
Hello beautiful people!
Can you guys believe its almost Thanksgiving? I mean wow. Time is just FLYING and 2016 has been, well... interesting. To say the least. For all of us. But as the year winds down and the holidays come around, I say we embrace these last few weeks of the year and make the most of them!
Thanksgiving is definitely my favorite holiday. Obviously I love to cook and be in the kitchen. And to spend my day cooking, being around family, and sipping wine... to me that is perfection.
The 4-day weekend is nice too ;)
Okay. So about this Pomegranate Avocado Toast...
It is PHE-NOM-E-NAL.
You can see from the pictures that it's quite a simple toast. It's just your standard sourdough-olive oil-avocado blend. But when you add pomegranate seeds... it just takes the toast to a whole new level.
The pom seeds are a crunchy, sweet addition. And you don't lose the savory aspect of the toast, like at all really. It's just a simple flavor game changer.
You can find the recipe card below. Please try this one out if you haven't already. It's so yummy for breakfast, lunch, or snacking and literally takes about 30 seconds to throw together.
xoxo. cort.
bread of choice, I like sour dough & ezekiel bread
1-2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 avocado
pomegranate seeds
alfalfa sprouts (optional)
salt and pepper, to taste
Toast bread if desired. Spread with olive oil.
Add avocado to your toast.
Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and salt & pepper.
Top with alfalfa sprouts.


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Something great happens when you focus all your attention on one industry. You become great at what you do. You become an expert in your field. You offer the best product to your customer.
Catering solely to the Foodservice E&S Industry gives us the unique advantage of offering preferred service, personal attention, and a distinctive edge in advertising for every client we serve.
Our company became a CFI client in 1998 and since that time we've been extremely impressed with their print, catalog and marketing services. They have done everything from helping us develop new branding materials to quarterly sales flyer layouts to producing our product catalogs. CFI acts like a true partner and understands the needs and budgetary constraints of our business. Their team provides excellent service and is always accessible on the phone, regardless of the situation. I have always found CFI team members to be highly responsive and knowledgeable. Most important, they possess exceptional print and design skills. CFI is one of the best marketing firms we have ever worked with. They are professional, collaborative and courteous—a pleasure to have as part of our business team.
As a marketing manager, I spend my time juggling many projects. Relying on CFI to do our sales collateral has been the best decision we have ever made. The project managers keep track of important deadlines, provide creative design options, and produce superior-quality professional materials. All this while handling the process seamlessly.
CFI is very professional and very thorough with regards to publishing my FES sales brochures. All vendor information submitted is verified and proofed before publication. I appreciate the constant communication between CFI and the client, for excellent results.


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Vinyl, inkjet prints on vacuum formed acrylic, metal, wood
Generating Change is an architectural intervention which borrows the material language of the show room, brochure, and devices used for design in urban regeneration. The installation which was presented at Vulpes Vulpes, London, shows photographs of the dirt and remnants left in a building site of a former factory that is now being redeveloped into luxury housing. The images are vacuum formed over 3D terrains printed from a digital map of the area; the ruin in reality is fused with the digital ruin, and refers to the renders of a futuristic space.


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Eric Clapton Rips Through 'Layla' From 1974 Concert (Premiere)
By the mid-1970s, Eric Clapton had firmly established himself as a solo artist, thanks in no small part to his acclaimed 1974 album "461 Ocean Boulevard," the follow-up, "There's One in Every Crowd" and the accompanying tours that yielded the live album "E.C. Was Here." Now the guitarist is revisiting all three as part of "Give Me Strength: The 1974/1975 Recordings," a collection featuring remixed, live and previously unreleased songs from the albums and tour, including this version of "Layla," which premieres today on Speakeasy.
Clapton originally recorded the song on his 1970 collaboration with Duane Allman, "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs." Allman doesn't appear on this version, captured on July 20, 1974, at Long Beach Arena in California, but Clapton burns through the track with devastating urgency as the song builds toward a crashing conclusion that leaves off the elegiac coda that brought the tune to a close on the album.
"Give Me Strength" will be released Nov. 26 on Universal in several configurations: as a two-CD collection of studio outtakes available here for pre-order, as a five-CD and Blu-ray collection of studio outtakes, live recordings and more available here for pre-order and as a 3-LP set available here for pre-order. "Give Me Strength" will also be available on iTunes.
What do you think of this version of "Layla?" Leave your thoughts in the comments.
For more music news, follow @erdanton.


text: The structure and goal in my clinics and show training program is to promote safety through basics. Reinforce the enjoyment of learning and accomplishment without stress. I have a lot of fun with each rider and it's interesting to see their reactions as they succeed at what they thought they couldn't do.


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Hi, all
Nokia has done a great job on its Series S40! Of course, they are low cost devices, but they are quite functional and bring good specifications (touch, GPS, Wi-fi, etc). In addition, the design of some of them is very pleasant and thin, for instance, the Asha family. I tried Asha 303, X3-02 and C3-00, and I liked the result!
Other good news is that Series S40 has a powerful Java ME environment. A bunch of JSRs are supported (most of them present in the whole series), specific Nokia API, e.g. Maps API (you gotta check out this one!) and In-App Purchasing, and Nokia IDE (Eclipse-based) and many other tools. Nokia is now releasing its SDK 2.0 for Series S40, along with new devices: Asha 305, 306 and 311. All of them now full touch.
Now let's stick to the post's title.
Taking the opportunity of the launch of its new SDK, Nokia is also releasing LWUIT for Series 40, a work done with LWUIT team, which built an optimised version of LWUIT for S40 with a number of styling, theming, and functional changes. This version has a total integration with some features presente on S40 devices, e.g. native keyboard and S40 gesture framework. LWUIT for S40 can be used to create applications targeted at Series 40 5th Edition and newer devices.
This optmization has provided some notable changes on LWUIT components (e.g. Form, List, TextArea, TextField, etc) so they can take advantage of platform's features and look more integrated to S40's UX. On the other hand, these changes are transparent to developers. So if you are already familiar with LWUIT's APIs, don't worry!
You can find all those changes and other useful information, e.g. installation and other resources, about LWUIT for S40 in this Wiki page.
The link to donwload is here.
Nokia, thanks for boosting Java ME for real.
See you in the next post...
This is the blog of J2ME Group on LinkedIn, which is intended to professionals, developers and enthusiasts that want to expand and share their knowledge and experience on this outstanding platform for mobile applications development.
Jun 28, 2012
LWUIT for Series S40
Posted by Ernandes Mourão Júnior at 10:41 AM
1 comment:
- Eric Simmons said...
Great and Useful Article.
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- January 5, 2016 at 5:16 AM
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Honda have a saying called 'Kick the Ladder'. It means engineers must take a leap, and not fall back on the steps that got them to where they are. What this means for their engineering, is they often end up in a place radically different from where they were. New Honda Civics are never just an iteration on the old model. Rather they are something entirely new.
Olympic climber Imogen Horrocks brought the metaphor to life.
Role: Creative Director


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Unbeatable Prices
Our company Sharm Derma Excursions is giving you the chance to enjoy all the excursions in Sharm El Sheikh by providing the highest possible standard of services to all of our Guests.
We achieve this by sending our professional tour leaders to the door of your hotel, throughout your excursion they are on hand to show and explain to you the tour, and then will drop you back to the door of your hotel.
Desert Quad Biking
We will take you from the hotel to the quad center then we will start to drive through the desert for two hours in a line with three guides who will be watching the whole group.
We will make two stops – 15 minutes each. The first one is to enjoy a Bedouin Tea in a Bedouin Tent, the second one to see the view of sunrise or sunset. We will then take you back to your hotel. The trip takes approximately three hours.
Get Connected.
We welcome you to contact us for more information about any of our products or services.
Nilipour Oriental Rugs Stunning Collection Of Fantastic Persian Hand Made Rugs.
Fall in love with the character and elegance of our antique rug collection. Genuine Oriental and Persian rugs are typically manufactured from the very best-quality natural fibers, like wool and silk. The rug pads you select also needs to be fabricated from the most effective
Essential Deals for the best Doors You Choose
Entrance doors perform several functions. First of all, they provide security, help maintain a comfortable temperature level in the room, and also perform a decorative role. If you wish, you can install the door structures on the entrance yourself. Let's consider this process in
Best 2 High Arches Sandals from Runnerlight
What happens if the feet do not always get good support when walking with flip-flops? Be careful; there is a danger behind the use of flip-flops continuously. Dr. Camilla Long from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center explains you will experience problems in Achilles
why are people are not able to use the appetite suppressant successfully?
Each and every person who is trying out a weight loss product like appetite suppressants will always be looking into the reviews of these appetite suppressants 1st. Only after looking into the reviews of these appetite suppressants, they will be able to use the


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DIRAC v1.0.2 APK FROM: MEDIOCRE, the award winning lab behind mind altering experiments SMASH HIT and DOES NOT COMMUTE.
SUBJECT: Explore the microverse with top scientists from across the world using the revolutionary DIRAC engine.
MESSAGE: Congratulations!
Thanks to the Mediated intern opportunity colocation research (MEDIOCRE) laboratory, you have been given the exclusive opportunity to work with DIRAC, the latest in computerized quantum disentanglement technology. You have been granted unlimited and unsupervised access to the DIRAC mkII Quasi-Fibonacci de-unfocusing vectorscope terminal. Through phase-distorted intermodulation inference you will be able to manually disentangle and sort through the macroscopic existence of the microverse.
Press the appropriately labeled button below to claim your shot at the understated glamour of life as a lab technician (intern).


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Four Favorites: Christmas Wish List
I always think it's interesting to see what people are looking to purchase or what's on their 'wish list'. To be honest, I do not need anything. I don't get tempted by many websites or window shopping. I'm seriously satisfied! Over the past year I've done a major closet and posessions overhaul. Both the husband and I have gotten rid of duplicates of items or have slowly upgraded to quality items that will last a long time. Expensive? Sometimes. But as the Japanese proverb says, "Buy quality and you'll only cry once". We are also big fans of the quote from William Morris "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
Needless to say I now have a very clear idea of the holes or 'upgrades' needed in my closet as well as staples that always work with me. Luckily I've been the same size for a very long time so apparel in a very classic style serves me well for the long haul. This is what I'm currently eyeing:
1. Le Specs Halfmoon Magic Sunglasses: For the past few years I've been wearing some kind of funky large sunglasses from Coach. They have a lucite boarder with a black/plum main color. Luckily I don't lose or break glasses. Can I see myself continuing to wear them for the long haul? Probably not. They're fun, but I like more structure and classic shapes. Update: I have since purchased these sunglasses from Moorea Seal that are very similar but black with a gold band. Not only are they 1/2 the price, but a % goes to non-profits!
2. LL Bean classic navy blue pajamas: Listen. I bought those adorable gold polka dot pajamas from Target last year too. I LOVED them. But they lasted a few winter months, wore out, got discolored and I chucked them. I'm over it. I want quality for something I'm wearing for hours at a time. **Update: Ask and the universe will deliver! Gap had a version on sale at the time of writing this and I scooped them up for $38! I love them!
3. Ellerby Riding Boot: In college I bought two pairs of riding boot styled shoes for probably $50 each (seen here) . One in black, one in brown. They were awesome for trudging in snow and were my everyday footware in fall and winter (I live in Virginia horse country. Anything equestrian is the norm). But the soles of the brown ones finally gave out and the black ones are on their way as well. Time for a lasting upgrade. And I only want one pair…hence, the dual tone is a wonderful option.
4. Black Structured Leather Handbag: My usual year round handbag is a Kate Spade Wellesley collection 'speedy' style in kelly green (see it here). I absolutely do not regret this purchase. I love that bag. People stop me all the time to ask about it. But there are a few occasions when that particular shade of green doesn't work well with colors that have more of a brown undertone. I'm on the hunt for a black, blush or grey leather bag that's structured. This one is from J. Crew, but you can be sure I'll be checking Kate Spade.
What's on your list?
Dietitian Nutritionist. My husband Chris and I create food and beverage photos, videos, stopmotions and recipes. And they're really cool.


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Alternatives toRemote Desktop Control
Remote Desktop Control - access your computer anywhere.
Alternative apps to Remote Desktop Control:
TeamViewer is the fast, simple and friendly solution for remote access over the Internet.
- Freeware
- Windows/macOS/Linux/Android
UltraVNC Server and Viewer are a powerful, easy to use, free software that can display the screen of one computer (Server) on the screen of another (Viewer).
- Freeware
- Windows
TightVNC is a free remote control software package derived from the popular VNC software.
- Freeware
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Remote Desktop Access directly from any browser, anywhere.
- Free to Try
- Windows


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Solution: Viewport meta tag being ignored in PhoneGap iOS
22nd May 2013
Another common PhoneGap issue I came across with no up to date instructions how to solve (seems to be for older versions of PhoneGap) is the viewport meta tag being ignored. It is actually a very easy fix. Here is how to do it in the most recent version of PhoneGap for iOS at the time of writing (2.7.0).
In your Xcode project click on "config.xml", find the tag that says "<preference name="EnableViewportScale" value="false" />", change the value to true "<preference name="EnableViewportScale" value="true" />", save and you're done.
I told you it was easy, shame it's not well documented.
Categories: PhoneGap


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This show originates from www.logicalloss.com this is show 61
I've heard that exercising at a less intense pace it burns more fat. Burning at an intense rate burns more sugar. This is true. According to buildingbodies.ca you burn "Low intensity training burns about 50% fat for energy while high intensity training burns about 40% fat for energy. This is not a huge difference.
Say, for example, walking for 20 minutes burns 100 calories. Then 50% of 100 calories is 50 fat-calories burned.
Now say 10 minutes of high intensity interval training burns 160 calories. Well, 40% of 160 calories is 64 fat-calories burned.
BOTTOM LINE: I spent some time exercising at 56% to 70% of my maximum heart rate and still broke a sweat. So if you can only workout at that pace – DO IT. Remember 60% of your maximum rate is still more calories than you will burn sitting on the couch.
Calculating your maximum hear rate
Take your age and subtract it from 220. So for me (I'm 43 for a few more days) that would be 220-43 = 177. That is my maximum heart rate. If I want to exercise at 60-85% of my maximum heart I do the following:
Multiple 177 by .6 = 106 beats per minute. This is the lowest my heart should beat during exercise.
Then I multiple 177 by .85 = 150 beats per minute. So I can st my heart rate monitor to beep when I go below 106 and beep if I go above 150 beats per minute. I use the Polar F6 heart rate monitor (they also have a ladies version)
Jillian Michaels Radio Show
Thanks to Greg for the heads up on the Jillian Michaels radio show that you can get as a podcast. Copy this URL and paste it into iTunes (advanced menu, subscribe to podcast, and pate the URL)
Now you will get other shows. However, when you first sign up you can "get" just the episodes of Jillian.
I've also signed up for the Jillian Michaels website. My first impression was "OK" but the site is very slow at times. It's $52 bucks for 13 weeks.
Logical Weight Loss 12 Week Challenge Starts February 8th
The 12 week challenge will help get you into shape for spring. There will be tools, information, worksheets to help get you energized and also help keep you on track. Sign up today at www.logicalloss.com/12weeks
Music: Lance Lopez "move"
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Save 15% on orders of $60 or more at www.finishline.com
More information about Fat burning


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NASA's Curiosity Rover has taken an Instagram-worthy sunset over the Martian horizon, signifying the icy blue color that inclines on the Red Planet when night falls. The pictures were taken by the rover's MastCam in black and white on the 15th April 2015, but Damia Bouic from The Planetary Society was able to reconstruct their actual color. What's outstanding is how diverse a sunset looks on Mars to then ours here on Earth, where we're treated to a variety of deep oranges and reds. On Mars, the sky has a red shade during the day, but at sunset a spooky blue twilight inclines on the planet. You can see the difference the between the Martian sky at high noontime and sunset below:
About Universe Astronauts Astronomy Astronomy Picture of The Day Beginners Galaxies Gallery Info Mars Missions NASA Planets Scientists Solar System Space Exploration Technology Videos


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Australian manufacturing – competing in a global market
Heather Ridout: "It costs $A45,000 to employ a process worker in Australia; it costs $A4,500 to employ the same worker in China."
The University of Sydney's workSite section
Heather Ridout is the deputy chief executive of the Australian Industry Group, one of Australia's leading employer organisations formed when the Metal Trades Industry Association and the Australian Chamber of Manufactures merged in 1998.
The AIG covers a diverse range of manufacturing industry employers - in food, IT, chemical, engineering, call centres and labour hire. Heather Ridout has established herself as an energetic spokesperson on behalf of the AIG and the ongoing development of Australian manufacturing. Ridout is also a member of the advisory board of Work and Organisational Studies at the University of Sydney.
In this interview, Ridout outlines the challenges facing Australia as it tries to reconcile a commitment to a safety net of good wages and working conditions while competing with the highly productive low wage economies of Asia.
How would you characterise the current performance of Australian manufacturing?
Manufacturing in Australia has had a couple of very good years, the best for some time, that peaked about the beginning of last year and has been easing since - but its still done very well. We created about 40,000 jobs last year, we've lost a few but generally we are still ahead; we've had a big increase in investment and R&D last year – a big increase in investment in technology last year; in a sense the industry has performed well and it's taken opportunities to develop into the future which augers really well for the future of Australia.
Are some sectors performing better than others?
Over the last year or two the goods sector has performed better than the services sector. That's going against the world economic evolution in a sense and it is hard to sustain and it's being supported by the dollar, which is giving us a chance to compete in world markets; the growth in housing and construction has been a huge support to the manufacturing sector and that's been really, really good. We've had reasonable employment growth and reasonable real wage growth and people have felt confident and interest rates – how could I forget that - have been remarkably low, even though they may be higher then in other countries they are very, very low. So people have had a big opportunity to spend and they've been doing it.
The manufacturing industry, which supplies a lot of the stuff people buy, has been the beneficiary but the future's problematic. It's difficult because those people understand that the future of manufacturing lies in being a global economic industry and what is going to make it successful is increased technology and R&D so we can capture bigger markets. Our future lies in linkages with overseas markets and overseas suppliers and that's a very complex mosaic and as we know there's a massive [manufacturing] oversupply around the world.
Any developed country has unrelenting pressure on manufacturing which is driving down prices and is happening in Australia which must tackle the balance of trade - which has been falling. That's been a huge contributor to how competitive we must be to get the benefit of all the low priced manufactured goods, but that's a threat too because we can't go on being as competitive without more opportunity. Manufacturing, no less in Australia than in any developed country, has got unrelenting pressure from countries like China. China poses a huge challenge. Ross Perot talked about the giant sucking sound from Mexico, well that giant sucking sound of lost jobs is now coming from China – it is staggering.
What sort of impact is China having on manufacturing industry jobs?
In a sense the amount of jobs, as I said in manufacturing over the past 12 months have been growing so we've done very well in an industry that that is so internationally competitive. We've done extremely well. In contrast the US has lost 2.5 million manufacturing jobs in three years. That's just mind-blowing, more than the twice the whole Australian manufacturing workforce. So you can see why the pressure is on – they might blame Japan or China but it is difficult in areas where those countries are so much more competitive.
One of our members who has operations in both China and Australia has told me that his Chinese operations are twenty times as competitive as his Australian operations. And his New Zealand operation is only 20% better than Australia. It costs him $A45,000 all up to employ a process worker in Australia, it costs $A4,500 to employ the same worker in China. I say "Oh, but they wouldn't be as productive", and he says they are twice as productive as the Australian worker. This may not be the equation in every area but was certainly in the one he quoted. And you have to add on a bit for transport costs. So you have a 20 times differential …
Chinese workers have little time off, live in dormitories far from their homes – we wouldn't want to replicate this.
But that's the classic pattern of industrialisation, isn't it? When you think of what happened in the industrial revolution, it's happened in Mexico and it happened in Australia. I think this is where organisations like the ILO haven't moved on - you can't knock a Chinese person for wanting to get a job that might feed their whole family for a month.
But it's the sheer scale -
Oh, it's just enormous and it's a really huge, huge challenge for the whole economy. But it worries me that people say China's developed more and opened up huge opportunities in natural gas iron ore – good, great, and that's going to be good for Australia – and our steel members feel they are getting a lot of business, but we don't want to say well that's all we can get out of China. We also need to make sure we're getting a share of the high value added exports – we need a balanced approach to Chinese development, not just saying well we can do what we've always done, dig up the rocks and send it there – it's not going to make Australia a wealthy country with lots of good jobs in the future – so it is a challenge for us.
China enjoys a trade surplus with Australia –
China is like that with a lot of other countries – it's a very big challenge for us to balance the books. China does have a very strong export development strategy that will evolve. They do have the advantage over us, which is why we should not get carried away by the increase in our exports to China.
Should Australia pursue individual free trade agreements or favour a multilateral approach?
Smart countries can do more than one thing at a time - someone said that once, Paul Keating I think - a very good remark although I don't think he likes bi-lateral trade agreements by the way. Australia has everything to gain and very little to lose from free trade agreements because we have such an open economy – basically we have quarantine arrangements to protect the agriculture sector and the rest we're an open economy.
How have Australia's often strained relations with Asia impacted on Australian manufacturing?
Its hard, but 60% of our exports goes to Asia, like what we were taking about with China – huge opportunities and issues with industry, and I think with trade agreements we need to put a line in the sand and mark the spot where we want to be so we can negotiate. The world has changed since Paul Keating called Dr. Mahatir's behaviour recalcitrant, and that caused a massive panic and that went on and on. Australia has a very high Asian population - an Australian born Asian population – we are a multicultural society with so much potential in our community and our Asian population, and I think our members are engaged up there. We've strengthened our relationship with Thailand, China– including last year's visit from president Wu – we've got a pretty good foothold in the region. I think Australia's relationship with China is strong so I would be very surprised if we didn't have trade agreement soon.
How well has Australian manufacturing exploitated new technologies?
I think it's been huge – investment in IT technology in Australia has been one of the mainstays that has given us strength over the past 4-5 years and it has probably been the issue along with microeconomics. There have been two big drivers - productivity which has been stellar, but the future has to be that we just don't do R&D into existing technology. We've actually got to look at using new technology in a better way. We can't say we've bought this new piece of machinery with all of this great computerisation which enables us to produce the goods. What we've got to do, for example, is was what Holden did - put in technology to create a prototype for the whole computer modelling to create a Holden Monaro in much shorter time, with greater sophistication, and a much better car using the technology. We need further technology research.
Is that why you've been speaking out about the need to lift Australia's higher education performance and funding?
Everyone thinks there's a solution to the higher ed sector and there isn't one - it's not financially viable under the current model. The injections required of public money would be enormous, the tensions that would arise between regional universities, universities that do research and universities that do no research – all that would continue. I think the government did a very good process of outlining the solution to the community and their proposals, even though they are not perfect, they go a long way to say how can we build a more viable sector in the future. Our organisation was pretty quick to point out to the private community that the public's contribution to higher education had gone far enough and the extent for future increases should be capped.
What about the Howard Government's proposal to link higher education funding to industrial relations reforms?
Well I think there are two places where is great pattern-bargaining going on – one is in the universities and the other is in the manufacturing industry. So it's a tough industrial environment, higher education, but when the Commonwealth is putting in a lot of money they would say – just like in most industries – you've got to make productivity measurable.
Is there much of an exchange between the manufacturing sector and the universities?
We would like more co-operation between industry and higher education institutions. Only 12% of our members consult with a higher education institution. Yet higher education is where 80% of Australia's research is done. There is a huge opportunity to build a richer dialogue – there is enormous potential but often that commercial understanding is missing – there are key issues that have to be resolved. But I guess one of the big issues that has to be resolved is that we need to get a better alignment between university needs and industry needs, which again is one of the issues for our members.
How do you see employment relations in the manufacturing sector these days?
We've been one of the few industrial countries who have actually continued to support a safety net which has been updated every year. The AIG have never argued against the increase of the minimum wage. We supported paid maternity leave and we supported leave for casuals. So we've been very out there trying to say you should have a reasonable amount of protection available to all workers. The issues of redundancy packages have been alarming and it is a fine ball to juggle. It's just always a balancing act.
Job security has been recognised as an issue in industrial relations – with the casualisation of the workforce. New rights were established for casuals - the workforce has changed a lot and it's not easy to run a one size fits all cases. People work differently. I suppose you and I grew up – you got a full time job and worked 38 or 40 hours a week and got holidays - but I think people have a different approach now. A lot of young people say I get a 25% loading and I don't get sick very often so this suits me.
I think it's a matter of having as much choice as you can. Employers say to their workforce, "I don't want you to work in the traditional manner." From a public policy perspective we could make people work longer, expect to update skills, so you need this combination of people who are willing to try new skills; at the same time you need people who are part time, short term …
It does create a sort of underclass -
Yes, it's an unknown territory – I am not sure we can go back. We have to be able to make our own decisions – that's the kind of community we are. The manufacturing industry employs such a range of people - they're good jobs, they pay well.
Are manufacturing industry employers committed to employee training?
You used to have the big public utilities doing huge training - and now they've stopped and that doesn't help. Manufacturing employers are all under pressure, they don't know what to teach. I think we're really in a transition. Four or five years ago they would undertake training, now they say I'm not too certain of the future. It's great to see last year employers actually making a commitment - R&D went up, which is great, and they took on more people. I don't know how long its going to last – the impact of exchange rates are huge.
The training issues need to be resolved. There are a number of solutions to it – one is looking at the qualifications and the way they are used and how they attract people into working longer. The average age of Australia's workforce is 37-38 and in manufacturing its 39 years. There is a need to train workers and it is terribly important.


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Why We Fear Being Known/
We live in a society that loves hiding.
At the drugstore, I walk through rows upon rows of makeup-
foundations, primers, shadows, liners, mascaras, glosses,
polishes, curlers, bronzers, powders, tweezers, highlighters-
all screaming out to me, "I will hide you. I will cover your skin,
I will hide your faults, I will hide your tired eyes, I will hide your
true face and I will convince you that you need to hide behind
me in order to walk out your door"
On the playground, I am taught to play hide-and-seek,
a childish game, but the thrill of hiding and having more
power because I am not "it",
and you must seek me
and being mysterious and unknown is nothing more than a fun game.
We are taught "it is not manly to show emotion, you must hide your feelings"
and "you're too high maintenance, no man will ever want that, you must hide your concerns"
We flit around from vice to vice to hide our true selves.
Some hide by running from friend to friend, ensuring they're tagged in all the Facebook pictures, some hide at the bottom of a red solo cup, passed out on a couch, living in this unconscious moment that they will later brag about.
Some hide in the arms of a different stranger each night, feeling as if being physically naked is far less terrifying than being soulfully naked.
Some hide in the library, study notes, highlighter, I-must-be-the-best, I-must-ace-this-test, because this defines them and they never have to truly discover themselves if they hide behind a grade point average and a scholarship.
And some hide in isolation, a desert island among social circles,
yearning for closeness but no one must get close lest they learn about the scary true parts of themselves.
I have a fear of being known.
I have a fear of people drawing near.
I like to keep my heart, and my thoughts, and my emotions, and my creativity, and my bare naked un-made-up face on lock down. I must put on a show or I must hide. We all feel this way. We all want to run and hide.
I first realized this fear when my boyfriend was simply my boy-friend and he was cute, but not for me because I am a runner and "I don't want a relationship because I like being single" and I was happy alone.
But there he was, asking to hang out more and more, asking questions about my life, wanting to know my life as if it was something exciting and beautiful and I wondered how boring his life had to be to think MY life was something worth asking questions about. His questions and wonderings made me uncomfortable.
Because I'm a hider and to reveal myself is not in my nature.
When I am hurt, or I am wounded, or I am confronted, and my pride is aching and I feel unloved,
I do what Eve did in the garden.
She realized she was naked, so she hid.
I realize my soul is naked if I tell him how I feel in the midst of a fight, so I run away and don't answer his phone calls and ignore his texts
and I hide because I am naked.
We fear to be known. We fear that if we were to truly be known, to be understood, that means that we are vulnerable. And vulnerability means that we give people a choice. Vulnerability says, "I am letting you in, I am letting you close. This is a privilege and a responsibility. But you have a choice... you can care or you can leave me." Love or pain.
Sometimes we open up and share of ourselves and it is beautiful and wonderful and just like in the movies because the lucky person we share our soul thoughts with is kind and generous and graceful and has a soft look in their eye that speaks, "I want to know more. Please, let me know you". And that approval gives us worth and makes our hearts feel warm and fuzzy.
But sometimes we open up and share of ourselves and it is ugly and cruel and mean and unjust and the lucky person who gets to hear our concerns and thoughts and emotions and pains is rude and mean and neglectful and the unforgiving sound of their voices says, "I don't want to know more. I am not interested in you. You have no value to me." And maybe it was a parent who shut you down. Maybe it was a friend who you thought you could trust. Maybe it was a boyfriend who said he loved you but really, he wanted your naked body instead of your naked soul.
Vulnerability is hard and it is scary.
But to shut up our hearts and our emotions and our thoughts and say "No, world. You have hurt me, I will not come out to play, I will not grace you with my presence today" is to deprive yourself of a beautiful, messy life.
It is to deprive yourself of the thrill you feel when you take that risk.
It is to deprive yourself of a wonderful relationships and friendship.
It is to deny the human experience which will deal you acceptance as well as rejection because life is to feel happy and sad.
But mainly, it will deprive the people, who are lucky enough to meet you, of a once in a lifetime chance to get to know the indescribably lovely person that you are. And that would be a shame.


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Two New Cameleon
Color Combos
Limited edition Giggle Bugaboo Cameleon
Bugaboo's Cameleon in navy is a popular option, so mamas are certain to fall in love with the navy and off-white combo that Giggle and Bugaboo teamed up to create. This modern twist on the classic Bugaboo Cameleon in navy is bright and stylish. The inside of the navy blue canopy is lined with off-white, brightening up all your on-the-go moments.
You can purchase it on the Giggle website for $979. Accessories include:
- Bugaboo footmuff in off-white ($130)
- Bugaboo seat liner in off-white ($60)
- Bugaboo parasol in off-white ($40)
Bugaboo Cameleon Deep Purple
The Bugaboo Cameleon is a high end stroller that's perfect for parents who want it all with no compromise. The Cameleon handles all different terrains and it certainly does it in style!
Bugaboo says the new Deep Purple color "will have you singing the Purple Rain soundtrack while you breeze through the park turning heads" -- and we have to agree.
You can purchase the Bugaboo Cameleon Deep Purple on BuyBuyBaby.com and in Buy Buy Baby retail stores for $1,129.
Bugaboo is a Product RED partner, meaning the company contributes 1 percent of all revenue (across all products) to the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. Product RED's goal is to eliminate mother to child HIV- transmission by 2015.
More strollers
By now, you know we love strollers at Pregnancy and Baby. While strollers like these by Bugaboo are ah-mazing, we also know they're pricey. The good thing about strollers these days is that they seem to be like handbags -- there's one for every budget. Read some of the latest info on strollers.
Stroller buying guide: There are so many stroller options -- jogging, lightweight, double, sit and stand, umbrella... the list goes on. Read an overview of each and determine what will best fit your needs.
Choosing a safe stroller: Looks and convenience are only a few small considerations. Safety is the biggest.
How to get fit with stroller workouts. Your stroller can be the key to getting your pre-baby body back. Find out how.


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About: highly pigmented powder eye shadows containing subtle shimmer. Packaged as singles in a plastic compact with a white sponge tip applicator.
Review: For less than $20, you can bag yourself an eye shadow that lasts and lasts. With 18 shades currently in the range, there are plenty of colours to choose from for the beauty lover - although the humble colour range might not satisfy makeup artists, the quality will because the pigment is really strong and it lasts on eye lids for hours on end. Each shade contains a hint of shimmer to give eyes a dimensional appearance. Because these shades are highly pigmented, the colour goes on to skin with the same intensity as you see it when in the compact and if you wear an eye primer underneath then Studio Secrets Professional Eyeshadows will be one of the most reliable purchases in your beauty bag. Would I stock these in my makeup kit? Of course - I have already started to.
Purchased: No.
Purchased: No.


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Julianna and Rick had some awesome reception details...
|Sign in book with a little fairy garden
|LOVED this table
|It was Kids coloring corner. Amazing.
|Complete with snacks in mason jars and coloring pages made from their engagement session images.
|the awesome DJ Arrow,
|Julianna's dad had a few things to say about the garder...
|Love. Julianna's face.
We love you two! Huge congrats and happiness to you.
*If you would like to use the buttons below to pin a picture or share a link on Facebook or Twitter, please be sure you are reading one specific blog post and are not sharing the home URL!*


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Interactive gamification experience. Visitors listen to several heart sounds with an interactive stethoscope by placing it to several points on a bust. The integration between the physical bust, the stethoscope and the interactive content on the touchscreen behind the bust made the experience stand out of the crowd.
More people on the booth
More contacts where made than on a regular conference
We had a 100% score after practicing the interactive game ourselves


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Every single thing I look at, I imagine how I can capture it with paint.
I am in love with the micro-moments of human reactions. Moments which cause a person to burst into unexpected laughter with another person, or when a single breath of surprised joy blankets a persons nose and mouth with their own hands, and the only expression revealed are their elated, sparkling eyes (It is almost as if they are trying to capture joy, and savor it, before they have to release it into the world). I even love those solemn reactions, when tears slowly fill up and spill over, and one single drop falls so fast, it doesn't even have the chance to slide down their cheek, or when a person kicks up the dirt left over from defeat. Maybe the dust, which billows up so quickly, is really just trying to embrace that person for comfort. Within each of these delicately brief instances, I rest, and study the light, again, taking a mental record of how I can paint it, because those are occasions where I think God may sit quietly.
My current body of work is about the search for captivating ethereal light, and reflective water within those very brief glimpses of movement. My style sits between a paradox of realism, and abstraction with the intent of unifying the irony. The same as one would try to unify spirit and form. I work with acrylics, fine oils and genuine metal leaf. I believe, the water, the light and the figurative imagery used in my work are serendipitous to those micro-moments, those flashes of our existence which are all symbolic of our growth, transport, wonder, vision, and inquisitive nature.


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The 07MK series ductable fan coils are designed for the treatment and distribution of treated air by a ductwork distribution system. These units are widely used in apartments, offices and small and large shops. Their limited weight makes them ideal for installation in false ceiling voids. All The 07MK series units are equipped with 3 speed direct driven fans. Since all the fan motors are 6 pole they revolve at around 900rpm and guarantee quiet operation.
The units are just one of the results of over twenty year's experience in the design and construction of airhandling units
The standard unit configuration is as follows:
Synthetic acrylic filer with 73% efficiency according to ASHRAE B52-68 (G2) installed on the air inlet.; inclined 4 row coil (for larger heat transfer area) with copper tubes and aluminium fins in a galvanized steel frame; one or more DIDW forward curved direct driven, 3speed fans with galvanized sheet steel casing; 10mm thick thermal/acoustic insulation with class 1 fire resistance; ducting connection flanges on air inlet and outlet.
The 07MK units are available in 4 different versions.


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George Clooney has signed on to direct a new film that highlights the Rupert Murdoch media scandal, which involved the habitual voicemail hacking of politicians and other high-profile figures by one of the worlds largest media organizations–News Corp.
The movie is an adaptation of a 400-page novel, called Hack Attack: The Inside Story of How the Truth Caught Up With Rupert Murdoch, by journalist Nick Davies, who investigated the ethics and behaviors of the Murdoch enterprise for six years.
Davies' research suggested multiple government and police payoffs, unethical journalism practices, and evidence of intercepted voicemails conspired by British journalists.
More than a dozen journalists reportedly hired a convicted phone hacker.
Clooney, who is the son of a journalist, has a passion to collaborate on creative projects where journalism and politics intertwine to recreate historical events.
"This has all the elements–lying, corruption, blackmail –at the highest levels of government by the biggest newspapers in London," he stated. "And the fact that it's true is the best part. Nick is a brave and stubborn reporter and we consider it an honor to put his book to film."
The hacking accusations began in 2005 after News of the World, owned by News Corp., published a story about Prince William's knee injury. Soon after, British royalty complained to officials that their voicemails were being hacked.
The timeline of alleged privacy invasions carried on for several years, as British press persisted in saying there was no evidence of foul play.
In January 2011, London Metropolitan Police launched an investigation and examined the allegations against News of the World.
Approximately three months later, the news company apologized for hacking voicemails from previous years and then tried to compensate those who were affected.
The massive scandal eventually led to the shutdown of News of the World, which had a 168-year media presence. Their final headline read "Thank you & Goodbye."
In June, The FBI accessed more than 80,000 emails from News Corp. that could only make matter worse for Mr. Murdoch, as the case is ongoing.
Murdoch is still voicing his opinions on current matters, despite his tarnished reputation following the international scandal. The 83-year-old said that he cannot be held responsible, and that he was let down by the people he trusted.
Principal photography for The Hack Attack-inspired film begins in 2015.


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They have been conducting a First Aid Course with 2 separate classes at different sites: the mission station and the mission school. They decided to combine the two classes at the mission school for the final day of the First Aid Course. The course participants came ready for their final exam and certificates and were delighted to find that the final exam took the form of a game instead. The group was split into two teams who competed against each other to answer questions covered in the course material. I was surprised by just how intense the competition was! The teams tied in the end, then enjoyed refreshments and receiving their certificates.
Having fun with newly learned skills (vapour inhalation for cough by the way :))
The certificates looked so good I wished I had received one too!
Here is the happy group: course instructors and proud certificate owners!
But the fun wasn't over yet. We then had to pile the van to capacity for the trip home. First, some happily obliging people had to drink the left-over juice that was splashing out of the big pot over every bump (and believe me, there are many of those). Then the Canadians and Mozambicans took turns singing songs that were fun or close to their hearts...even national anthems all the way home! It was a heart warming time for everyone.
On Thursday night another group arrived from Polokwane, South Africa (coordinated by Francois & Alta), who will be here for +/- 5 days. The two groups have had a chance to participate in optional weekend activities together.
Oh, and let me not forget our video & birthday party night when everyone watched the Lion King and ate their fill of popcorn and chocolate cake. And, yes, sang to our hearts' content.
Monday and Tuesday will be busy with orphan home visits to deliver food, final packing and farewells both for the USASK team and for us. We will drive the girls to Beira on Wednesday for their Thursday flight. Then we return home for last minute work wrap up before our trip to South Africa on Friday. From there we leave for Brazil on April 8th for 3 weeks to participate in the Brazilian mission's (Mount Horeb's) annual general meeting as well as giving input on further internal policy development. My parents (Earl and Ruth Trekofski) are already there busily working on things, so the added bonus will be some family time for us!
Next week's blog will be decidedly different since we will be in transit between continents, but as always, I will do my best to keep you updated on the latest sights and events.


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Creative Catering & Entertainment
One of the leading suppliers of creative catering & entertainment for events, parties & weddings across the East of England. With our fastidious attention to detail, amazing team and the most unique and amazing services you will ever see, you will understand why we are the choice for so many
For those times when only the best will do....
Attention to detail that is second to none
Unique & memorable
Our services will leave you speechless
More fun than you can imagine
Bespoke, personal and all with our unique brand of fun
The extra touches
The little things that will make sure your event is remembered by everyone
What's New
We are known for being one of the leaders in new and initavive ideas. If you want to be different and unique, then you need to see what we have lined up, then you know you'll be the first


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Marketing Automation
[Applies to: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0]
Find the latest SDK documentation: CRM 2015 SDK
The Marketing Automation features let you perform detailed campaign planning, manage the creation and execution of a campaign, and assess a campaign's performance.
The following illustration shows the entity relationships for this area. For more information, see Key to Entity Diagrams.
In This Section
Describes the entities used for managing marketing campaigns.
Describes the entities used for managing lists needed for conducting marketing campaigns.