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How an Objectively Crappy Movie Changed My Life
You ever have one of those blog post ideas where you've got the subject matter, even know the story you want to tell, but honestly have no idea what the point of it is? Welcome to today's post. I'm not saying it isn't interesting, just that I always feel that any blog I put on here should serve a purpose. Advice, information, even a warning to stay away from a new kind of liquor (Yup. Still bitter about that.), there's usually a method to my madness, a reason for tossing things on here. This one… I really don't know what anyone else will get from it, except maybe feel a little less silly about things that have impacted their lives. Yeah, yeah I can work with that, seems like a good enough reason. So, without further ado:
How an Objectively Crappy Movie Changed My Life
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard. Overall, not great. It had some funny moments (Will Ferrel falling to his death dressed as Abe Lincoln still cracks me up) and a pretty decent cast, but the story was weak and the protagonist unlikeable. Anyway, none of that is really important. The movie is about a group of people who specialize in selling cars, helping out failing businesses. Lots of fast-talking, sales pitchy stuff going on.
Going to take a step back to tell you about Younger Drew at the time he walked into the theatre. I'd just lost a job I kind of liked and was working one that bored me senseless. No More Ramen was wrapping up and I didn't know if I was going to have another project to follow it. I was lonely for the friends and fun I'd left behind when I graduated college. Life was okay. Not great, but pretty flavorless. It was tofu. It was getting by.
Back to the movie, there's a part in it where the protagonist, Jeremy Piven's character, is selling a car to someone, and he uses a quote from Henry David Thoreau to get him to go for it: "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation." It isn't a huge piece of the movie, just a throwaway scene meant to show the wide range of skill and resources this man could employ to move cars. Plenty more just like it. So the movie keeps rolling and I go home wondering what I'll do for dinner and dreading work in the morning. Life goes on.
Except it didn't, not entirely. For the next few days I couldn't get that quote out of my head. It was always there, dancing behind my usual thoughts, ready to pop out without warning. I found myself saying it to myself without intending to. That quote haunted me more effectively than the most determined poltergeist, and I couldn't for the life of me figure out why. Then, one day, sitting at my desk filling out forms, I knew why I couldn't stop thinking about that line.
I was a piece of that mass. I was quietly, fervently desperate for something, anything to come along and change my life.
I was absolutely miserable. I just hadn't noticed it until then.
As you might recall from my article about being fat, I have a knack for recognizing moments in life that represent conscious choices. This was one of them. I was unhappy with the way my life was going, and if I did nothing then that was still a choice. Trust me on this guys, inaction is unquestionably you making a choice. So, I could do nothing, let the fire of my life keep sputtering down until it was nothing more than a candle's fart, or I could start trying to make things better. I could try to be a blaze. But how? What did I love? That answer, at least, was an easy one. I loved writing. And even if my site was viewed by almost no one back then, the rush I'd gotten from creating a book and interacting with people who actually enjoyed reading was something I was hungering for more of.
I quit my job two days later, the only time in my life I've ever purposely left a job without having a new one secured. The day after that, I sat down and started outline work for my next book, which ultimately grew into the series still running today, Super Powereds. Looking back, I think I might have picked the idea of super-heroes finding their place in the world because I was doing the same, and because super-heroes are freaking sweet.
I had to find a new job, of course. Life isn't a movie and success doesn't manifest because you decide it should. It was a better job, though, and one I could write at when I had downtime. Four years later I'm scheduling book releases and, while not to independent author status yet, I've gotten a lot closer than I ever was before. All of it thanks, in no small part, to you guys and your awesome support. Thanks to people who helped keep me afloat when times were rough. Thanks to fellow web-authors who've given me advice and encouragement.
And thanks to a throwaway line in a crappy movie about selling cars. Sure, you could argue I might have read that somewhere on my own eventually, but I haven't noticed seeing or hearing it since that movie. Even if I did, who knows if I'd be in the right mind frame to realize its significance in regard to my life. No, credit where it's due, I owe a lot to that film. You never know what piece of art, good or bad, will have an impact on someone. Maybe that's the takeaway from this story, in the end. To all you writers, directors, painters, and every other kind of artist still struggling to make the leap from amateur to pro, never forget that the impact of what you create isn't measured in sales or star reviews. It's possible you're touching more lives than you ever imagined. So keep at it.
"The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation."
I no longer count myself in that mass. If you do, then maybe it's time for a change.


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Rewrite – Fundamental Pessimism
What would you sacrifice for her?
What separates Rewrite from previous Key visual novels, I think, is that it's innately defeatist.Continue Reading "Rewrite – Fundamental Pessimism"
What would you sacrifice for her?
What separates Rewrite from previous Key visual novels, I think, is that it's innately defeatist.Continue Reading "Rewrite – Fundamental Pessimism"
「三杯のコーヒー」 (San Hai no Kōhī)
"Three Cups of Coffee"
Have I been too hard on Rewrite?Continue Reading "Rewrite – 14"
「君とかわした約束」 (Kimi to Kawashita Yakusoku)
"The Promise I Made With You"
Finally, we've come to the end. Of everything!Continue Reading "Rewrite – 13 (END)"
「滅びの歌」 (Horobi no Uta)
"Song of Ruin"
What exactly is it that drives fans to disown an adaptation?Continue Reading "Rewrite – 12"
「カウントダウン」 (Kauntodaun)
So… are we counting down to the story's climax, or the story beginning?Continue Reading "Rewrite – 11"
「ただ、友として」 (Tada, Tomotoshite)
"Simply, As Friends"
A 55 yen of coffee will save the world!Continue Reading "Rewrite – 10"
「回り始める運命」 (Mawarihajimeru Unmei)
"Fate Begins to Turn"
Ex! Po! Sition!Continue Reading "Rewrite – 09"
「我が名は篝ちゃん」 (Waga na wa Kagari-chan)
"My Name Is Kagari-chan"
Oh hey, the show's starting.Continue Reading "Rewrite – 08"
「失われた場所」 (Ushinaware ta Basho)
"Place of Parting"
And now, the genre shift.Continue Reading "Rewrite – 07"
「オカ研活動記録」 (Oka-ken Katsudō Kiroku)
"Occult Club Activity Log"
One of my chief fears is that a rushed adaptation necessarily loses subtlety, and I don't know if Rewrite can afford more of that.Continue Reading "Rewrite – 06"
"Asahi Haruka"
Even with the undeniable mediocrity at parts, perhaps I can still convince you that Rewrite is worth watching. Or at least will be.Continue Reading "Rewrite – 05"
「いつかあの日に帰るまで」 (Itsuka Ano Hi ni Kaeru made)
"Until We Return to Those Days"
Er… was that it?Continue Reading "Rewrite – 04"
「ウェルカム、超常現象」 (Werukamu, Chōtsune Genshō)
"Welcome, Supernatural Phenomena"
It's hard to tell whether Rewrite is simply not explaining itself, or if it is intentionally obfuscating.Continue Reading "Rewrite – 03"
「青春が始まる場所」 (Seishun ga Hajimaru Basho)
"Where Youth Begins"
From laser squids to youth drama, Rewrite is about many things. But ultimately, about only one thing.Continue Reading "Rewrite – 02"
「世界か、自分か」 (Sekai ka, Jibun ka)
"The World, or Myself?"
There is a very fine line between surrealism and bad writing.Continue Reading "Rewrite – 01"

subset: commoncrawl


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Shopping! Everyone does it. Some of us shop for 'needs' others for 'wants'. Either ways, if you are going to shop, why not make an earning of it? Shopping online offers more opportunity to do this, allowing you to nab the best deals, earn cash back and double your savings while you shop. It could turn out to be a win-win for everyone.
Here are some easy tips that will help you shop smarter online and stretch that dollar.
Escape the dynamic pricing trap: Delete Cookies, Clear Caches & Go Incognito
Fact and Fiction: The Truth About Browser Cookies
Dynamic pricing is a strategy online retailers use to offer different prices to different customers based on demand, market factors and each user's browsing and spending patterns. This technique has become more sophisticated now that websites can track your internet surfing and gain an intimate knowledge of your online behavior. Retailers use this data to determine your price point, which means when you go to purchase a product, you may see a higher price than someone with different spending habits using a different computer.
The best way to avoid getting charged a higher price is to erase your browser's cookies and log out of your account. You can also try using your browser's version of a "private" or "incognito" window, so cookies aren't saved during your search.
Use Cashback and Rebate websites
Ebates Cashback Made Simple: You Already do it, get paid for it!
A good shopper always looks for the lowest possible price at checkout. Cashback websites allow shoppers to take advantage of affiliate marketing schemes by paying cash rewards to shoppers when they click through them to shop at specific online retailers. You'll have to sign up to the cashback site, log on and search for the online retailer you want to buy from Your visit is then tracked. If you buy something, an amount is put into your cashback site account once the transaction is processed. You can then withdraw this once it arrives in your cashback account.
Quidco,TopCashback, Ebates, BeFrugal, Swagbucks.com are good examples of Cashback sites. And below are some reasons why using them makes sense:
- You can buy a surprising number of different products and services through cashback sites, including groceries, entertainment, dating services, online banking, flights,
- Using a cashback service doesn't prohibit you from applying other discounts, (discount codes you've received via e-mail or found online) or cashback credit cards (which typically give you a 1-2% rebate on all purchases). In fact, Rick Broida, who writes CNET's popular Cheapskate blog has come up with the smart and interesting Triple Dip Savings Equation i.e. cashback service + cashback credit card + coupon code = triple-dip savings. Just when you thought your lowest price at checkout could not get any lower!
- During certain times in the year, some Cashback sites offer In-store, Double and Triple Cashback for your purchases.
- You can earn more cashback by referring others and some sites will even give you a percentage of their purchases.
Shop at Discount sites
When you are shopping online for bargains on electronics, accessories, clothing, and other products, finding the best deal is key and when 50% off from the store just won't do it, it's time for you to consider shopping at Discount and Bargain Shopping Websites like Amazon, K-Mart , Walmart and eBay.com (eBay even gives you cash back in the form of "eBay bucks"!). While these offer an extensive selection of products from competitive leading Brands at discounted prices, there are plenty of additional sites like Slickdeals, Fatwallet and Dealnews that can save you a bundle as well.
Look for Free Shipping
33 Online Stores with Free Shipping and No Minimum
Studies by Forrester – a leading U.S Market Research & Advisory firm – have shown that shipping and handling fees are the number one factor driving shopping cart abandonment. While shipping costs are based on the origin and destination, weight and type of logistics service provider that the retailer & shopping website uses, the cost of shipping continues to be a barrier to shopping online.
You can solve this problem in 3 ways. Shop from online stores like Front Row Shop and Nordstrom that offer free shipping with no minimum, or better yet, from Madewell.com and Asos that offer free global & international delivery. Secondly, make purchases on days where free shipping is offered because several online stores do this and they do so frequently, usually over weekends and national holidays. If all else fails, at the time of checkout, use the 'ship to store' option instead of the 'ship to home option'.
Search for Coupon Codes, Store's Cash Back Credit Card & Reward Programs
What Science Says About Discounts, Promotions and Free Offers
Google is a great place to start if you are looking for coupons online, but you can also use cashback sites and browser plug-in like Coupons at Checkout or Honey. These will automatically find (and insert) viable codes for whatever store you're shopping at. It's really that simple.
Don't forget to use the Coupons, Cash Back Credit Card & Reward Programs that the stores themselves give you. Sometimes, you'll notice additional discounts being offered to you like 40% extra off already reduced clearance and sales items. Studies also show that 54% of shoppers will purchase products left in their shopping carts, when those products are offered at a lower price by retailers meaning that you need to stay alert for stores offering additional discounts on your intended purchases.
Word of Mouth: Refer a Friend, Write reviews
Ebates Refer-A-Friend: Earn $75 For Only 3 Referrals!
If after using coupons, store rewards and cashback you thought you'd found the best possible lowest price for your purchase and that was that, think again! Your opportunity to save does not end at checkout. Referring a friend (to a product, service, subscription or website) writing reviews, taking surveys and making recommendations also pay these days.
Cashback sites often give a user cashback by referring others. 55% shoppers find reviews important for making purchase decisions. Shopping Sites like Amazon and others provide affiliate links to users and when those users write reviews for particular products they have purchase through Amazon and other potential buyers click on the link and purchase the same product, the site gives credit to you by sharing a percentage of their purchases.
Shop Sales and Clearance items
Why Shoppers Just Can't Resist Clearance Sales
This is one of the best way to get what you want – a quality product – at the price you're willing to pay for it. All it requires is a little patience. Eventually all products go on sale or clearance – slashing prices to almost 80-90% of the original product value! – to make room for newer models and fresh inventory and what was once a task to fight crowds and sift through rows of inventory to find clearance items is now one click away with the reality of online stores. These websites often have a noticeable 'Clearance' or 'Sales' section and the software allows you to filter through the entire stock based on brand, price, gender and customer reviews or bestsellers. Shopping just got way easier and cheaper!
So, there you have it 7 easy tips to earn cash while you shop and 1 big reason why being a shopaholic is always fun!


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Stories of hope in international development
Guided Tours:
Friday: 7:30pm
Saturday: 11:00am / 12pm / 1:30pm / 3:00pm / 4:30pm / 5:15pm
Sunday: 10:15am / 12:00 pm / 1:30pm / 3:00pm / 4:30pm / 5:45pm / 6:45 pm/ 8:00pm
Presentation on Friday, January 15, at 8:15 pm, 4th floor conference room, with Joakim KOECH, Principal, Card. Otunga High School, Nairobi, Kenya, and Abby HOLTZ, High School Teacher in Maryland. To download the invitation, click here: Generating Beauty: New beginnings at the ends of the earth
In this exhibit, three case studies illustrate the lasting impact that the AVSI Foundation and its unique method have had on the lives of people living in poverty and marginalization around the world. From Ecuador to Kenya to Brazil, the Exhibit opens up windows into the pockets of beauty and new life which have been generated where AVSI and its partners have been present. Faced with the expansive suffering and inequalities that exist in the world, many times we fall into either indifference or idealism. AVSI Foundation presents this exhibit to tell the story of people so certain that reality is positive that they have gone to the ends of the earth to affirm this conviction.
Whether in the area of community support for women and children, in responding to malnutrition or in addressing the need for quality education, the exhibit portrays how AVSI's method of accompanying people along the path of life does in fact bear lasting fruit. It is a method which prioritizes relationships, freedom and the infinite dignity of all human persons.
"If poverty has an antidote, it may well be beauty. Beauty in its deepest truest sense: the echo of, or residue of, or nostalgia for some greatness in ourselves that we have forgotten," writes journalist John Waters in his introduction to the exhibit which he curated on behalf of AVSI Foundation.
The stories of real people whose lives have been radically changed persuade us that true human development arises from a truly human gaze, as if by contagion, person to person, dignity sparking dignity. And that generates an infectious beauty in the world.


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In the past year I've started a new business, taken on a ton of freelance work, and to top it all off, had a baby. With all that going on, I haven't had much time to keep up the blog- or even to eat, to be honest. That's why it's so fitting that I get back to my Paris Paysanne baby with a post on cooking with kids.
In Season: Cherries + Short Stack Cherry Crumb Cake & Chocolate Cherry Tart Recipes
I get a little obsessed when it comes to foraging, I think it's because foraging seasons are so fleeting. In the blink of an eye bear's garlic will go to flower, nettles become stalky and unappetizing, and wild strawberries dry under the early summer sun. Of all these forage-ready fruits and flowers, cherries seem to be the most short-lived.
First of all, the weather has to be just right to have any cherries to start with- a cold winter, frosts, or a late arrival of springtime sun will delay or prevent the arrival of cherry blossoms and cherries themselves. Then there's the birds, who are often quicker to harvest than humans (and don't need to drag out a ladder to get the ruby red fruit hanging from the higher boughs).
Even in a perfect year, with the perfect earlier-than-the-birds timing, cherries ripen and fall from the tree with such speed that you may find yourself stomping on more fruit underfoot than you grab overhead.
So you can see why I step to at the sight of the first red cherries bursting from the branches of cherry trees in our village. About a week ago, our generous neighbors sent me a text announcing "Cherry season is open! Come and pick whenever you want!" At 8 1/2 months pregnant, I was dissuaded from climbing a ladder (or the cherry tree itself, a precarious endeavor pregnant or not) and so had to wait until my boyfriend had time off to come help harvest.
I managed to remain patient until the weekend, when we crossed the street to our neighbor's yard, armed with baskets and bags to fill with fresh-from-the-branch fruit. I get greedy when it comes to free fruit, which I think is a quality if not a vice, I think the bird's are fine with sharing, and I have big plans for each cherry that ends up in my panier.
Cherries are great raw, served simply in a bowl as a dessert, but if you have a ton of them, why not have some fun? I took cherry season as an opportunity to try two new recipes- both from the Short Stack Editions Volume on Cherries. The Chocolate Cherry Tart is a decadent and rich way to end a dinner party and the Sweet Cherry Crumb Cake turned out to be a great way to start your day (paired with a cup of coffee, yum!!). As the heat wave hit its stride, we kept the crumble cake in the fridge and ate it fresh as a midday goûter as well.
Sweet Cherry Crumb Cake
from Short Stack Editions "Cherries" by Stacy Adimando
For the crumb topping:
2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (55 grams) rolled oats
1 firmly packed cup (120 grams) light brown sugar
1/4 cup (55 grams) cane sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup (225 grams) + 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into medium sized cubes, then left out to soften
For the cake:
1 pound (450 grams) sweet red cherries
3/4 cup (170 grams) + 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, sofftened
2 1/4 cups (280 grams) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups (300 grams) cane sugar
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup (240 grams) full-fat sour cream
Make the crumb topping: In a large bowl, add the flour, oats, both sugars, cinnamon and salt; stir to combine. Add the butter and mix with your fingers, being sure to incorporate all the sugar from the bottom of the bowl, to form a moist, crumbly texture. Cover the crumb mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you're ready to bake the cake.
Make the cake: Pit the cherries using a method that will keep the flesh of the fruit intact. Place them in a medium paper towel-lined bowl to absorb excess juices. Refrigerate the cherries while you prepare the rest of the cake.
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat it to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9-by-13 inch baking dish or pan with butter and set it aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt: whisk briefly to combine. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer), beat the butter and sugar at medium-high speed, scraping down the side of the bowl as needed, until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat at medium-low speed until incorporated. With the mixer at low speed, alternate adding the flour mixture (in three batches) and the sour cream (in two batches), beating just until incorporated, and starting and ending with the flour mixture. (Stop the mixture between each addition and/or stir in the last few batches with a spoon so as not to overmix.)
Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread it evenly to fill the corners. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the batter.
Bake the cake, rotating the pan halfway through, until the crumbs are golden brown and a cake tester inserter into the center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Let the cake cool before serving.
Chocolate Cherry Tart
I switched out the chocolate crust for this tart with my recipe for Zesty Hazelnut Crust (I left out the zest in this case) get the recipe here. Bake the crust for 20-25 minutes (or until golden) then remove from oven and let cool before adding the filling.
For the filling and topping:
1 cup (240 grams) heavy cream
10 ounces (280 grams) bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 large egg plus 1 large yolk
1 teaspoon orange liqueur, such as Cointreau
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Flaky sea salt, for garnish
15-20 whole cherries, pitted and halved vertically for garnish
Homemade whipped cream for serving (optional)
In a medium saucepan, bring 1 inch of water to a simmer over medium heat. Set a heatproof bowl over the pot without touching the water; add the cream and chocolate and cook, stirring frequently with a rubber spatula, until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is well combined. Remove the bowl and set aside to cool slightly.
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and egg yolk. To temper the egg so it doesn't scramble, whisk 1 to 2 tablespoons of the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, then slowly whisk the egg mixture into the larger bowl of chocolate until it's completely combined. Stir in the orange liqueur, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
Pour the chocolate filling into the tart shell, using a spatula as needed to help spread the filling evenly in the shell. Set the tart pan on a baking sheet and bake until the filling is just set but jiggles slightly when the pan is shaken, 18 to 20 minutes.
Remove the tart from the oven and sprinkle generously with flaky sea salt. Let the tart cool completely, then top with the cherries, cut side down. Slice and serve with whipped cream, if desired.
Citrus Bars with Zesty Hazelnut Crust
Citrus is our reminder of the importance of gratitude. At the end of the winter, when our immunity against seasonal colds and our patience for eating rough root vegetables has hit its breaking point, these bright orange and yellow gems come to our rescue.
The intoxicating odor of citrus fruits has unfailingly seduced me throughout the month of February, and my citrus binges became pretty serious in March. On a recent trip to Paris, I stocked up on fresh fruits and veggies at the fabulous Terroirs d'Avenir, paying no heed to the extra baggage I would be dragging along with me to the train station.
I couldn't bear leaving the beautiful bergamot and hefty grapefruits behind, imagining the lovely breakfasts that would help me start off the coming days. It wasn't until I saw a photo posted by my friend Stacey of The Modern Domestique of a lemon bar she made with Meyer Lemons from her parent's garden that I thought of an alternate use for my citrus haul.
Full disclosure: these are mostly lemon bars, but I encourage adding that extra quarter cup of juice from something else: whether it be bergamot, grapefruit, clementines or even limes- just to experience the full scope of these lovely tart and bitter, sweet and sour fruits, plus the extra zest really perks up the hazelnut crust!
Be sure to save all the shells and peels of the fruit to put in a large jar of water and make a refreshing, vitamin c packed beverage to enjoy throughout the day.
Citrus Bars with Zesty Hazelnut Crust
For the crust:
1 cup (100 grams) shelled hazelnuts, lightly toasted in a dry pan over high heat
2 cups (230 grams) all purpose flour
2 tbsps granulated sugar
1 tsp coarse sea salt
1 cup (225 grams) salted butter, cold and cubed
1-2 tbsps ice water
Zest from one of each citrus fruit used in the bars (lemon, bergamot, grapefruit, etc.)
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9" X 13" oven safe pan with butter or cooking oil. In a food processor or blender, pulse together flour, hazelnuts, salt, and sugar. If using a food processor, add cubes of butter directly to the mixture and pulse until it becomes a course meal. If using a blender, transfer the mix to a bowl and do this part by hand. Add the ice cold water as needed if the dough gets too dry. Press the dough into the bottom of the oven safe pan, creating an even layer. Bake for 20-25 minutes (or until golden) then remove from oven and let cool.
For the bars:
5 large eggs
1 1/2 cup (275 grams) granulated sugar
3/4 cup (180 mL) lemon juice (4-5 large lemons)
1/4 cup (60mL) juice from 1 bergamot, grapefruit, lime, or other citrus fruit of your choice
1/4 cup (30 grams) all purpose flour
Zest from all the fruits used
Powdered sugar (optional)
Whisk together eggs and sugar until combined (color should become a pale yellow). Stir in juices and zests. Sift in the flour, stirring it in as it's added. Pour the mixture over the warm crust and bake 15-25 minutes, or until set. Remove from oven and let cool before cutting into squares. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving if using.


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Hi! I'm Christian Antoine. I'm an Agile instructor and Coach with the Collaborative Leadership Team.
I want to talk to you about the framework and how it's set up to help you. Let it work for you. When people learn a different way to approach their work, change brings about anxiety. I've learned to explain the framework this way to help people figure out that it's okay.
When we look at it this way, the framework is actually set up to make sure we don't get too far down the road before we find out if we're on track or not. And, when we look at it this way, we start with the product vision. If we miss it in the vision, we'll catch it during the road map. If we miss anything in the road map, we'll catch it during the release plan. If we're missing anything in the release planning, we can catch it in sprint planning. If we miss it in sprint planning and we start the sprint, we'll catch it during the daily scrum. If we miss it during the sprint, we'll catch it at the sprint review. If there's something going on with the team, we'll catch it in sprint retro.
Either way, the whole intent of the framework is to make sure we're getting the right people to have consistent conversations to determine if they're building the right product and they're building the product right. So just start. Start with just enough, let the details flush out as you go and trust that the framework isn't going to let you hurt yourself.


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Gosh, do I love me some soft-serve. Growing up by the Jersey Shore, it was a summertime staple at the boardwalk. Not vanilla, not chocolate, but the SWIRL. Some places would do an orange-vanilla swirl, too--because life is all about choices. And sometimes you choose to have a soft-serve equivalent of a creamsicle.
Well, today (August 18) is National Soft Ice Cream Day, and in celebration, I'd like to share 13 points of interest regarding this sweet manna.
1. Carvel claims to have invented soft serve. Suffering a flat tire in the early 1934, Tom Carvel pulled into a parking lot and began selling his melting ice cream to vacationers driving by. He sold it rapidly, and had an ephiphany: a fixed location and soft (as opposed to hard) frozen desserts were the way to go. In 1936, Carvel opened his first store on the original broken down truck site and developed a secret soft serve ice cream formula as well as patented super low temperature ice cream machines.
2. Dairy Queen also claims to have invented soft serve. In 1938 in Illinois, J.F. McCullough and his son, Alex, also claim to have developed a soft serve formula. They sold 1,600 servings in two hours, and were officially ice cream men from that day on.
3. What's in soft serve? Mostly air, but depending on where you get it, it could also include a treasure trove of not so desirable ingredients, such as stabilizers, corn syrup, and even magnesium hydroxide. Read more here.
4. DIY: at Scoop de Ville in Philadelphia, you can choose an ice cream flavor, choose mix-ins, and they will use a machine to render the ice cream into soft-serve. Since theirs has no stabilizers or additives, they make each cup or cone to order. It's very good!
5. Fun place to visit: Stew Leonard, the "Dairy Superstore", with locations in NY and CT, makes their own soft-serve daily--while the most popular flavor is vanilla, they also have a fantastic strawberry variety.
Source: anothermag.com via Cake on Pinterest
6. Lost in Translation: in Israel, they call soft-serve "American Ice Cream". In Japan, it's called "softcream". In parts of Europe, it's referred to as "soft ice".
7. Sweet fusion: This nostalgic treat has inspired some fusion foods: in Brooklyn, you can get soft-serve kefir.
8. Go Bananas: If you're vegan, or want to pretend you are, banana soft serve will serve up some vitamins and minerals as well as soft serve tastiness.
Source: 27.media.tumblr.com via Cake on Pinterest
9. Soft-serve is lower in fat than ice cream (it's made with 3-6 percent milkfat, as opposed to hard ice cream's 15-ish percent), but don't think that means it's health food. Refer to #3.
Source: disneyfoodblog.com via Cake on Pinterest
10. Fascinating phenomenon: Dole makes a series of "enhanced fruit" soft-serves, most famously the Dole Whip sold at Disney.
Source: stuff.icanhascheezburger.com via Cake on Pinterest
11. Who prefers soft-serve over hard ice cream? You can read an essay on this important subject here.
12. Guilty pleasure: You can make a chocolate soft-serve at home that tastes like a hybrid between a frosty drink from Wendy's and chocolate soft serve. YUM.
Source: google.com via Hanna on Pinterest
13. Here's another at-home version, this one a fancier version of the Mr. Softee version. You're welcome.


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Digital Content Manager
- Full time position, in central London
- Start: Immediate
- £28,000-33,000/year, depending on experience
The successful candidate will join an award-winning startup and will be leading the content creation strategy of the company. This role will have a lot of responsibility and freedom and so you must be a self-starter, reliable and able to organise and manage yourself in a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment.
The Digital Content Specialist is responsible for delivering creative content for Whichit and its clients, as well as initiating and producing compelling and persuasive content across various platforms (website, social media channels, blogposts and more). The ideal candidate will maximize opportunities for engagement, click-through and conversion by producing onsite copy, high-quality content, product descriptions, email marketing, and more, as required.
key Responsibilities:
- To produce onsite copy, meta content, features, product descriptions, help center, blog posts, press releases, white papers, guides, guest posts and other content as required.
- To produce content for social media campaigns for Whichit and its clients.
- Manage Whichit's social media presence and increase engagement across all platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
- Plan and create content for newsletters and Email marketing campaigns.
- To develop SEO-friendly web content for Whichit with compelling and persuasive marketing copy, that maximises opportunities for ranking, clickthroughs and conversion.
- To monitor and track content in order to measure and report on success.
- To actively and frequently propose new and improved outreach ideas.
- Work as part of the Creative team and work closely with the Marketing team to understand client objectives and contribute to campaign strategy with creative, innovative ideas.
- To respond to internal / external briefs within specified timelines.
- Educated to degree level in English, media studies, communications studies, Marketing, journalism, PR or an equivalent specialism, preferably within a digital media environment.
- At least 2 years proven experience & success in writing professional web and marketing copy.
- Proven experience in writing press releases, news articles and press statements.
- Self-motivated, driven, with a can-do, problem solving attitude.
- Highly creative and full of ideas and content generation skills.
- Excellent communications skills, with a solid knowledge of English grammar and the ability to present ideas in a clear and concise way, both verbally and in writing
- Analytical, with the ability to interpret information, news, data and research quickly.
- Excellent working knowledge of major social media channels including Facebook and Twitter.
- Proactive and highly organised, with strong time management and planning skills - able to meet tight deadlines and remain calm under pressure.
- Understanding of SEO.
- Strong MS Office skills (especially Excel).
- Native-level English, both spoken and written (essential). Additional languages – a plus!
- Eligible to work in UK (no sponsorship)
- Within reasonable distance to commute to central London office
Bonus Points:
- Experience working with the media, journalist or pitching stories to the media.
- Extensive blogging experience.
- Previous experience working in startup companies.
- Previous experience working in SaaS / B2B companies.
Application guidelines:
- CV's over one page are strongly discouraged.
- Please include a cover letter of no more than 350 words.
- Include 2-3 examples of previous content you've created, preferred as links.
- Include links to personal Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn profiles.
About Whichit
Whichit is an innovative marketing solution that enables brands and publishers to increase user engagement, open new revenue streams & gain user-related insight.
The company's main product is Whichit for Advertisers – An interactive content platform that enables marketers and advertisers to create Interactive Commercial Content in minutes, and launch it across multi channels. The Whichit Ad unit can be delivered on publishers' web pages; social channels; Ad-networks; native mobile and in-app.
About the Company
Whichit is a high growth startup, based in central London, in the middle of the startup sense and lead by professional and experience entrepreneurs.
The company won several awards for its products and services, such the 'Start-up of the Year EMEA' by Facebook, the Sirius Programme by the UK Government, the 'People Choice Award' by the Duke of York and the Innovate UK for its technology.
The Whichit team is a young, strong, sophisticated group of academic and professional experts in B.Sc. and Management, with exceptional abilities, experience and knowledge with crosses domains in the most leading companies like IBM, Ness Technologies and Mentor Graphics.
Please send your C.V and cover letter to: firstname.lastname@example.com
Mention in job title: "Digital Content Manager"
Only suitable applications will be responded.


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You might have already forgotten the melody of Chinese music for years.
It is very hard to hear them nowadays.
Let's recall and play the beautiful Chinese songs with Erhu ( Er-hu, Chinese Violin ), Pipa ( Chinese Lute ), GuZheng ( Chinese Zither ), YangQin ( Chinese Hammered Dulcimer ), Dizi ( Chinese Flute), etc., since it possesses our cultural spirits.


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According to section 856.011 Florida Statutes, the crime of disorderly intoxication is defined as, a person that is intoxicated and "endanger[s] the safety of another person or property, and no person in the state shall be intoxicated or drink any alcoholic beverage in a public place or in or upon any public conveyance and cause a public disturbance."
Disorderly intoxication is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail, six (6) months probation and a $500.00 fine.
The statute allowing police officers to arrest people for disorderly intoxication is extremely broad. Being drunk in public by itself is perfectly legal. Being loud, in and of itself, is not crime either. However, once someone is visibly intoxicated and causes a public disturbance that endangers the safety of others and causes a crowd to form, you may face the charge of disorderly intoxication.
People charged with the crime of disorderly intoxication do not tend to be hardened criminals. Most of the time they are individuals having a bad day dealing with the potential consequences of making a bad decision as a result of the consumption of alcohol. Despite being a less serious crime, the crime of disorderly intoxication should not be taken lightly as there are still harsh consequences one faces when charged with this crime. It is imperative to seek the help of a Miami criminal defense attorney that will ensure your rights are protected.
Led by attorney Daniel Izquierdo, the Izquierdo Law Firm will work tirelessly to ensure that your rights are protected. I understand that any person charged with a crime is innocent until they are proven guilty. Izquierdo Law Firm will seek justice in your case and do so in an Aggressive, Personalized and Compassionate manner.
No matter how severe the charge may be, the consequences that may result are serious–both in the short term and long term. Izquierdo Law Firm, a Miami Criminal Defense Law Firm, understands the stress that this can cause a person and their loved ones.


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Would you like to download Imagenes De Iron Man? Just select the image you like from the list of 28 wallpapers below and download it for free and without registration. It's easy and very simple. Markinternational.info offer you a huge collection of wallpapers, which is replenished by our users every day, so we advise you to spend a bit of your time to explore new and interesting wallpapers for your desktop on our website. Create yourself a positive mood for the whole day!
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|Search Results (55 videos found)
|Touch-Sensing Input Devices
Video Figure from CHI 1999 Paper. Author(s): Ken Hinckley & Mike Sinclair
Genre: Educational
Keywords: CHI; input devices; interaction techniques; sensor technologies; haptic input; tactile input; touch-sensing devices
Duration: 00:02:48
Popularity (downloads): 455
|An Efficient Text Input Method for Pen-based Computers
Video Figure from CHI 1998 Paper. Author(s): Toshiyuki Masui
Genre: Educational
Keywords: CHI; Input devices; Pen-based input; Predictive interface; Hand-held devices
Duration: 00:02:18
Popularity (downloads): 432
|TIME: Three-dimensional Input, Modification and Evaluation
Video demonstration from the 1996 CHI conference. Simple intuitive manipulation of three-dimensional objects is needed for the conceptualizing phase of design. Present CAD systems do not allow for the...
Genre: Educational
Keywords: CHI; Tactile or gestural I/0; visualization; input devices; two handed input
Duration: 00:04:35
Popularity (downloads): 450
|ACM UIST 2000 - Sensing techniques for moblie interaction
They describe sensing technique motivated by unique aspects of human-computer interaction with handheld devices in mobile settings. Special features of mobile interaction include changing orientation and position, changing venues,...
Genre: Educational
Keywords: UIST; input devices; interaction techniques; sensing; context awareness; mobile devices; mobile interactionm sensors
Duration: 00:02:46
Popularity (downloads): 540
|NaviPoint: An Input Device for Mobile Information Browsing
Video Figure from CHI 1998 Paper. Author(s): Kiyokuni Kawachiya & Hiroshi Ishikawa
Genre: Educational
Keywords: CHI; input device; information browsing; user interface; PDAs;hand-held devices; mobile computing
Duration: 00:02:47
Popularity (downloads): 462
|ACM CHI 2000 - Multiple computer user interfaces: "Beyond the Desktop" direct manipulation environments
Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) are mainly designed for a single computer and a set of single input devices. However, when we simultaneously use many and different types of computers and...
Genre: Educational
Keywords: CHI;
Duration: 00:06:19
Popularity (downloads): 468
|The Rockin' Mouse: Integral 3D Manipulation on a Plane
Video Figure of CHI 1997 Paper. Author(s): Ravin Balakrishnan, Thomas Baudel, Gordon Kurtenbach & George Fitzmaurice
Genre: Educational
Keywords: CHI; 3D interaction; input devices; integral motion; mouse; 3D graphical manipulators
Duration: 00:01:36
Popularity (downloads): 722
CLAPOTI, a voice communication assistive technology, aims at offering a communication support system allowing better communication, adaptable to users and strongly varying in needs. CLAPOTI allows voice communication by typing...
Genre: Educational
Keywords: user-centered design;disability;virtual phonetic keyboard;
Duration: 00:05:06
Popularity (downloads): 1186
|ACM CHI 1994 Issue 97 - The Chameleon: Spatially Aware Palmtop Computers
Using rapid prototyping techniques, the Chameleon system explores a new style of interface concept that combines handheld devices, powerful computation with 3 dimensional graphics and spatial sensing. Our futuristic...
Genre: Educational
Keywords: CHI; 3 dimensional control and displays; palmtop computers; novel interaction techniques;
Duration: 00:05:33
Popularity (downloads): 425
|ACM UIST 1997 - Pick-and-drop: A direct maniulation techinque for multiple computer environments
This paper proposes a new field of user interfaces called multi-computer direct manipulation technique that can be used for data transfer between different compuers as well as within the same...
Genre: Educational
Keywords: UIST; computer augmented environments; direct manipulation; drag-and-drop; graphical user interfaces; input devices; multi-computer user interfaces; pen interfaces; stylus interfaces; ubiquitous computing
Duration: 00:04:04
Popularity (downloads): 567


text: Welcome to my blog, a wannabe writer's tale of that long treacherous journey to writing a novel, getting an agent and that golden prize publication! Here I will be sharing tips and resources I've picked up along my journey that will hopefully help other writers navigate their equally gruelling quest. Any thoughts or comments please email me or fill in the form below.


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Franco Uomo Inspired
Let me first start with saying, if you have a man in your life that likes a good suit, you HAVE to go to Franco Uomo. They're located in San Jose at Santana Row and you won't find another suit with the amazing quality that they have.
I first met owner David at a stylized shoot, and from there we've worked together on many new projects. Our most recent project was to get my husband fitted for his very own suit that he would then wear to the 100|OCT VIP Porsche Cocktail Party. Watching my husband's face as he got to try on a suit that was made with such care and quality and having it fit like a glove was priceless. My husband has quite a few suits, but nothing has ever come close to the fit and look of the Franco Uomo suit.
Handsome, right? He felt like a million bucks and he sure as heck looked like it too! The following day we went to the cocktail party where Jake, as well as 3 other models, walked around in Franco Uomo suits and I got to photograph them all! Talk about a dream right!?
This is probably one of my favorite photos of my husband to date. I loved the way he felt wearing this suit. He had this sense of confidence in his demeanor and this extra pep in his step that was so fun to see.
These are some of my favorite from the evening... and man was it a great night! The models were handsome, the food and drinks were great, and the company was excellent. All in all, it was a great event that I was honored to be able to capture.
And take a look at those suits... I mean come on! So good looking.
I am so excited to have an ongoing partnership with Franco Uomo. Their quality and professionalism is bar none. So if you ever find yourself in the market for a solid, high quality suit, check them out and tell them I sent you. I promise you won't regret it.
Suits: Franco Uomo | IG: @francouomo
Event: 100|OCT VIP Porsche Cocktail Party | IG: @100oct
Venue: Club Auto Sport
Models pictured: Jake Williams, Navid Golemohammadi, Michael Becerra, Tim McMullen, Justin Belcher, Iryna Korolenko
Photos may be used for social media if proper credit is given to photographer and models represented in the photo.


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IN AN EXHIBIT at the Boston Public Library that closes tomorrow, Carol Ginandes '69 has brought together a remarkable collection of photographs from her 15 years of travel in Latin America.
The photographs, taken in Costa Rica. EI Salvador, Peru, and Chile, capture the complexity of Latin American life in both rural and urban settings. Ginandes, who studied under master photographer Minor White, has been photographing the people and places of I Latin America since 1968 when she went to Argentina on a Harvard Summer Fellowship.
On that first visit she did not plan on taking many pictures. But after completing thesis research in Buenos Aires she decided to explore the country with a $99 travel pass and a camera. Her photos were good enough to help secure a Fulbright to Chile the following year.
The careful presentation of the photos in the Library's Great Hall greatly enhances the exhibit. Not arranged chronologically or by country, the photos are hung in select pairs on panels that separate the show into mini exhibits with distinct themes and moods.
One panel--a series of inlaid walls and ancient colonial doors still in use--shows the passage of time richly through layers of pastel paint. A Pepsi logo can just be noticed disappearing under splotches of local color.
On others, fine photographs of ruins and landscape open up a continent containing much that is wondrous. But throughout the panels are pictures that capture single events: a group surrounding a Santiago evangelist, a Peruvian dwarf, a religious procession.
Some of these panels hold insights that are perhaps more challenging. Three schoolgirls walk arm-in-arm down a street besides a pink formal building in a better part of a Chilean town. Two wear uniform-white smocks and the one dressed differently glances over her shoulder as all are oddly compelled forward through the photo's composition.
In the photo placed beneath them, two boys cut with large knives pieces of sugar cane before walls of crumbling brick. They are cutting the cane for a snack as is common in Chile--and in the dirty sunlight, mudged and rumpled, they share a friendship as happily as the well-dressed schoolgirls above them.
When this is considered along with the next panel's photo--a meticulously maintained post-office and beneath it a wall streaked by angry acronyms and a hammer and sickle--one can't help but get a sense of that nation's social landscape.
WITH THE SHOW'S refreshing absence of shrillness, we see the part of Latin America's essence that is contrast: between the land's vast indifference and the struggle to live within it meaningfully between guarded privilege and persistent hardship.
Although Ginandes acknowledges these contrasts, she said in a recent interview that her main interest is to portray the people she encountered especially the rural, indigenous and poorer people she admires for "their close contact with the land and over-whelming good humor despite hardship."
Fortunately, in Ginandes' work there are no noble peasants or rustic archetypes, but instead there are individuals making delicate adjustments to life in difficult places. These impressions are conveyed with an impeccable sense of composition and a relationship to subjects that are compassionate but sober. The individuals own sense of importance is movingly present.
A young Costa-Rican mother holds her first child with pride-before a simple house made grand through her own decorations. An aging Gaucho upon his horse pauses, surrounded by the Argentine plains, in a moment of quiet dignity. From these photos we see that the photographer genuinely cares, and viewing these pictures, so do we.
Ginandes managed to enter the private lives of people in small towns who were unaccustomed to outsiders. She recalls sharing an afternoon with an older Costa Rican woman. Ginandes had photographed her holding a colorful parrot to the delight of a small child. As they parted, the woman said, "I will carry you forever in my heart."
Aftering seeing these photographs, the statement can be well applied to much of Carol Ginandes' work.
Read more in NewsBlaze Guts Room In Dunster House


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This week's newsletter: Oct 20th 2017
Have a lovely half term! School reopens on Tuesday 31st October at 9am.
This week's newsletter: Oct 20th 2017
Have a lovely half term! School reopens on Tuesday 31st October at 9am.
Yesterday, we held our Harvest Festival in church. The children brought in lots of gifts of food for North Paddington Food Bank. We sang some of our favourite songs, on the themes of 'Rescue' and giving thanks. The choir sang a medley based on 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' and Year 5 prayed for us really beautifully.
Here is the choir's medley:
At St Mary's we have been celebrating Black History Month throughout October. Each class has been learning about someone who was the first black person in their field in Britain. Here are some of the things they have been learning about:
Year 6 learnt about Diane Abbott, one of the first black British MPs, and held their own parliamentary debate about school uniform:
Year 3 learnt about the first black British bishop, Bishop Wilfred Wood, and made their own mitres and stoles:
Year 5 have learnt about James Peters, the first black British rugby player, who had an incredible life story!
Weekly Newsletter for Friday 13th October: Oct 13th 2017
Today is our Year 5 children's last day at Sayers Croft. They are enjoying team challenges this morning:
On Friday, Year 1 had a visit from two of our local community police officers. They are studying the first black British police officer, John Kent, as part of Black History Month.
They had a great time learning about the job of the police officers, and especially trying on their helmets! They also learnt about how to be safe and be careful with strangers.
The children slept very well and are wide awake and ready for their activities this morning. They will be caving, having a go at a low ropes course, exploring the WW2 trail and finding their way around the woods using compasses. A jam-packed day, full of adventure!
The children also celebrated a special birthday.
This year, for the first time, our Year 5s have gone to Sayers Croft Activity Centre in Ewhurst, Surrey. They are undertaking outdoor adventurous activities (part of the PE curriculum) and mapwork activities (part of the Geography curriulum), as well as team building and learning to stay away from home! Today, they tackled the blindfold trail, maze and orienteering challenge:
Here is today's newsletter: Oct 6th 2017
On Monday 2nd October, KS1 and KS2 students made their way to Paddington Rec for our school Cross Country.
Children ran the following distances:
Year 1 and 2: 600m
Year 3 and 4: 1km
Year 5 and 6: 1.6km (1 mile)
A particularly exciting race was the Year 6 girls, which was an extremely tight finish for 3rd place! Congratulations to the top 6 finishers from each year group, who will represent St Mary's at the inter-school competition at Regent's Park. Well done to everyone for participating and showing great sportsmanship!
Year 6 have been learning about Creation in their RE (using Understanding Christianity), and reflecting on what it means to them through art and poetry. Here are some of their original poems:


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Bud Light Brewed Deep in the Heart
Bud Light is commemorating its presence in the state we call home by introducing their new limited edition Texas packaging. For over 30 years, Bud Light has been serving its product Deep in the Heart of Texas. As a social media content creator, I was selected to help launch their new Texas Bud Light products by incorporating my aesthetic within locations Texans know and love. Two final images were chosen by Bud Light and shared through my own Instagram. By using the hashtags #TXBudLight #partner and tagging @budlight on the images, I was able to present the product to my followers through the social media platform.
Check out the posts on my own Instagram by clicking on the images.
There's nothing better than a beautiful December afternoon with some friends, bbq on the grill and ice cold @budlight . Keep an eye out for the new Texas Bud Light coming soon to a store near you! #TXBudLight #partner


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- What do the comments on my Student Aid Report mean?
- What do I do if my Student Aid Report (SAR) indicates there is a conflict with the data reported on my FAFSA?
- What do I do if my Student Aid Report says I haven't registered for Selective Service?
- I didn't answer the drug question on my FAFSA, can I go back and correct this?
- What do I do if my Student Aid Report says I'm in default?
- What do I do if my Student Aid Report says I have Pell Grant overpayment?
- What are some of the reasons my FAFSA would be rejected?
- What do I do if I have a Social Security Number issue on my Student Aid Report?
- What can I do if my Student Aid Report says that I'm not a US Citizen or eligible non-citizen?
- What do I do if my Student Aid Report (SAR) indicates there is a conflict with the data reported on my FAFSA?
- If my FAFSA was rejected because it wasn't signed, is there a way to correct this?
- I forgot to put a name on my FAFSA; how do I correct this?
- What are the conditions for receiving the TEACH Grant?
- I'm not sure whether I want to teach. Should I apply for the TEACH Grant?
- If I take out more than one TEACH Grant, does that change the number of years that I am required to teach?
- What is the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve?
- What is a Title I school?
- What is considered a high-need field in teaching?
- What does a parent need to know about financial aid when sending a child to college?
- Are there some specific things that parents and their student should discuss?
- What role should financial aid play in the selection of a college for my child?
- My daughter is going to college next year, what can I do now to start to prepare for paying for school?
- Is all financial aid 'free money'?
- Where does Financial Aid come from?
- When should my student apply for financial aid?
- How does my student apply for financial aid?
- If parents are divorced, which parent provides information for the student's FAFSA?
- Are there resources available in the parents name to help pay for their student's education?
- What happens if I am denied a PLUS loan?
- My child is paying for school on her own; do I have to provide my information on the FAFSA?
- If I provide my information on the FAFSA, does this obligate me to pay for my child's education?
- I have multiple children in college; do I need to complete a separate FAFSA for each child?
- What should I do if I have special circumstances not indicated on the FAFSA?
- Is the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) the actual amount that we will owe the school?
- Helpful and Important Links


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Photo gallery of Cádiz
Founded by the Phoenicians 3000 years ago, Cádiz is one of the oldest capitals in the Western world. The sunny, maritime city finds its harmony in the stately Jerez de la Frontera. The entire province is astonishing, boasting extraordinarily beautiful towns, beaches with never-ending sand and crystal-clear waters, and incomparable conditions for practicing any type of sport.


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Lot #3 - This .70 acre lot is the MORE you've been looking for! Build your dream home among big, mature Pine, Aspen and Birch trees with plenty of growing Oak throughout. Walk the 101' of sandy shore and dip your toes in the clear water of Snowden Lake. Four lots available with at least 100' of frontage each and only 10 minutes from the heart of Rhinelander. Buy an individual lot, a combination of two or all four for the elbow room!
Home | Our Agents | Contact Us | Documents | Area Information | Search for Homes | Advanced Search | Map Search | Our Listings | Parcels 10+ Acres | Mortgage Rates | Wisconsin Lakes | Planning & Zoning | Home Affordability | Buyer/Seller Info | Testimonials | Our Staff |
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Frank Nero is a former elected official from New Jersey at the time voters approved casinos in Atlantic City, and was the CEO of the Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County's official economic development organization. His guest column highlights the history that casinos had on that city and how Florida should use that as a cautionary tale.
Collapse of Atlantic City casinos a cautionary tale for Miami
February 27, 2015
The casino industry is doing all it can to distance itself from Atlantic City as it lobbies for a massive expansion of gambling in Florida.
They push two basic story lines: Jobs and revenues that casinos brought to Atlantic City over the years. And the problems caused by gambling there couldn't happen here.
The American Gaming Association even has gone so far as to dismiss the economic collapse, and loss of 8,000 jobs, as "the closings of a couple of Atlantic City, N.J., properties.''
In fact, what happened there is very relevant here because it calls into question the credibility of an industry that could have a significant negative effect on Florida's economic future.
Atlantic City was a ripe target for the casino sales pitch in the late 1970s. As an elected official in New Jersey at that time, I mistakenly supported the establishment of casinos in Atlantic City. It was in serious decline as tourists had been abandoning it for years. Unemployment was high and neighborhoods were in decay. Casinos promised economic renewal.
The New York Times revisited those promises in an editorial 30 years later:
"When New Jersey authorized casino gambling for Atlantic City in 1977, gambling advocates promised that in time the casinos would help eliminate much of the blight that had long disfigured the city and would improve the lives of its residents…Poor housing, seedy motels and bars, prostitution and drug dealing — all testify to unfulfilled promises.''
The Times pointed out how casino lobbyists successfully pushed for a change in laws that governed the dispersal of casino revenues, enabling millions of dollars intended for Atlantic City community investment to be diverted to casino expansion projects. An official who wrote the original law allowing gambling there called this a "betrayal'' of a promise to citizens that casinos had a social responsibility to invest a small percent of their profits into neighborhoods and better housing.
At the time, I interviewed to become executive director of the Casino Reinvestment Authority. After several meetings with industry and local officials, I withdrew my candidacy precisely because of my concerns over this issue.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia cited that diversion of casino proceeds in a comprehensive 2009 study that questioned the social and economic value of casinos to local residents.
"Atlantic City's unemployment and poverty rates are considerably higher than those in the rest of New Jersey and the nation,,,Per capita income in the city is among the lowest in the state…Compounding the situation are a high crime rate, an active drug trade, and gang activity. Vacant houses and lots are a common sight, residents have access to few retail outlets, and the city has no supermarket. Furthermore, the level of non-casino employment has declined significantly.''
That, unfortunately, is the modus operandi of the casino gambling industry and its insatiable appetite for expansion. Build it, and promise they will come. Then move on to the next state in search of economic salvation, and repeat.
Thirty-eight years ago Atlantic City was the only venue outside Nevada with legalized casino gambling. Today, 39 states have some form of it— and their share of associated problems. Notwithstanding the gambling industry's protests, Atlantic City's collapse is far from irrelevant. It's a cautionary tale.
What we see in Atlantic City is the full life cycle of the impact of casinos on a local economy. We see the casinos cannibalizing local restaurants and retail establishments until they are out of business. We see billions of dollars flowing to out-of-state casino companies with a pittance remaining in the local economy. We see efforts to diversify local economies thwarted.
The casino industry does not want to focus on this clear picture of the impact of casinos, because the results of the failed Atlantic City experiment do not match their talking points.


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Following Arsenal's frustrating 0-0 home draw against Blackburn at the weekend, many aggravated fans voiced protests over Arsène Wenger's management of the club after what could well be another season without a trophy at the Emirates. In the large part, most fans still remain loyal to the man that led the side to three Premier League and four FA Cup titles. But, worryingly for Arsenal, there now appears to be a divide within the clubs normally loyal fan base over the future of Wenger and this was apparent at the weekend. But would Arsenal be mad to get rid of their longest serving and arguably most successful manager or is it time for fresh thinking at the London club as they look to end the six year wait for silverware?
Normally famed for its fast-paced and physical football, Wenger has gone against the grain of many managers in the Premiership and stuck with his attractive style of passing football. A great man-manager, he has regularly managed to get the best out of often young and somewhat lightweight squads in comparison to the rest of the league. And, this tendency to develop younger, somewhat raw players into more established professionals has proved popular with the board as Wenger has been able to shape and develop his squads rather than spending big in the transfer market such as Chelsea and Manchester City. And would Wenger have spent big anyway with a vast transfer kitty available to him such as at Manchester City or Chelsea?
Wenger is not without his critics. Whilst Arsenal do still play immensely attractive football, it has yet to bring any trophies since the Premier League success of 2004/05. The Arsenal manager is known for his stubborn nature and predictable tactics and perhaps it is this insistence on his footballing philosophy that, whilst honourable, has held the Club back. Maybe if Wenger showed more willingness to win ugly when it mattered and grind out results as Jose Mourinho's Chelsea did then it would be a different story. But would Arsenal fans still hold the same respect they do for Wenger were he to abandon his footballing philosophy and, in the words of Mourinho, "park the bus"?
The fans have also clamoured for a marquee signing since Thierry Henry left but, again, Wenger has refused to spend big and instead looked to nurture youngsters. Whilst it is worth remembering that the Club are still paying for the move to the Emirates, built at an estimated £400 million, they pocketed over £40 million from the sales of Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester city two summers ago.
Perhaps Wenger should take note of Barcelona's Pep Guardiola. Despite leading what has been described as one of the greatest teams ever, he hinted he could leave at the end of his contract next summer as "players get tired of coaches and vice-versa." But whilst it could be time for a change, who out there could do a better job with the squad and resources available than Wenger?
Perhaps recent events could turn out to be an over-reaction by fans. Let us not forget that they are still second in the league, made the final of the League Cup and the quarter finals of the FA Cup. And, Arsenal have had injury problems and could still close the seven-point gap on Manchester United and win the Premier League. Admittedly the team still need more leadership on the field. But, of course, tomorrow's leaders always develop from today's players and Wenger certainly has a talented squad at his disposal. But to who should fans look to to take the step up and provide this much-needed leadership? Admittedly Cesc Fabregas is a hugely influential figure when he plays, but his future at the club has been the topic of debate for several seasons now.
Having described his current team as his 'best side ever' and constantly called for patience from fans, football is somewhat cyclical and you feel trophies could come again soon. But with fans reportedly paying the highest average ticket prices in Europe for entertaining but ultimately unsuccessful football, Wenger for one will hope these trophies come sooner rather than later.
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North America's premier bamboo plywood and flooring brand.
Developed more than two decades ago on cornerstones of environmental health and sustainability, Plyboo's award-winning architectural-grade bamboo products are found in modern commercial and residential interiors from coast to coast and beyond.
What's New
See our Fractal wall panels here.
See a time lapse install of a Fractal Wall design here.
Modern and optically fascinating, the Linear Sound series of carved acoustical panels are Plyboo's most daring and innovative to date. With a noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of .7 they can be used in any interior for its function and dynamic design potential.
The need to design a bamboo floor that shattered the stereotypes has arrived. Being strong wasn't enough; this new floor had to be striking. On one hot New York City day, Stiletto was born. This floor takes bamboo flooring to the next level with its color, texture and style.
Take a walk on the wild side with Neopolitan strand bamboo flooring, our most popular bamboo floor for 5 years running. People can't get enough of the zebra striped floor, which explains why it can be found in countless homes, offices, and stores.
Architect / Designers
Smith & Fong Co. and Gala Woodworking Inc., announce settlement. Dispute settled in lieu of further litigation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 23rd, 2019 D. Angus Stocks, President Smith & Fong Co. 415.896.0577
Smith & Fong Co. and Gala Woodworking Inc., announce settlement. Dispute Read More
Formally debuted at this year's Dwell On Design show in Los Angeles, our new Plyboo Fractal panels are some of the most visually stimulating products we've introduced in a while. Part of the Read More
Plyboo on Facebook
Videos About Our Products
Learn more about our bamboo flooring and plywood with these helpful videos, which include detailed explanations and even a few suggestions and tips.


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Our Leo's South Service Team is pleased to offer our exclusive FunCare Service Excellence, our highest personal commitment to quality service work and total customer satisfaction and loyalty in our large service area. Our award-winning team of highly trained technicians includes 3 master service techs using the latest tools, equipment, and parts to help protect your powersports investment and keep a higher resale value on your motorcycle, ATV, scooter, watercraft, or utility vehicle through proper care and regularly scheduled maintenance. We are ready to service your Aprilia, BMW, Can-Am/BRP, Spyder, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Ski-Doo, Sea Doo, Vespa, Piaggio, and CFMOTO vehicles. Whether you are in for a routine oil change, tune-up, or a major repair, we are dedicated to keeping you on the highway, back road, dirt, dunes, track, or trail—because that's where your fun is found!
Submit our Service Request Form or call 952-435-5371 to set up your appointment with us today!
Oil and tire changes can be done while you wait. Scheduled appointments are usually completed the same day.
Shaft drive fluid changes are quick and keep your bike or ATV running at top performance. Stop in today.


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As turnips and POTATOES are often boiled and then mashed, so kohlrabi makes a very appetizing dish when prepared in this way. Prepare the kohlrabi and cook it by boiling. When it has cooked soft, drain off the water and mash with a wooden or a wire potato masher. Season with salt and pepper, and add 1 tablespoonful of butter for each pint of cooked vegetable. Serve hot.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 2
by Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences (Year 1928)


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I started writing for Cooking Channel's blog recently, taking over the Meatless Monday column that goes up at the beginning of each week. While I've been known to consume my fair share of meat (see: barbecue and burgers), this was a welcomed opportunity to make dishes that carnivores may deem dull sound delicious (after all, vegetables are so hot right now).
As someone who grew up in a household where there was always a protein or two on the dinner table — except on Chinese New Year, when my family was Buddhist and vegetarian for a day — I've been surprised at how often I'm bookmarking these recipes to try at home. I tore away from this weekend's House of Cards marathon to make my own version of the eggplant stacks featured last Monday, sticking to a handful of ingredients — eggplant, tomatoes, mozzarella, spinach and pesto — and baking the rounds instead of frying them. They were filling, but not too heavy and will definitely be making regular appearances on my dinner rotation.
Here are my posts so far, plus a gallery of vegetarian recipes that I edited. Enjoy!


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Mary Karr
Mary Karre has published four volumes of poetry: Abacus, The Devil's Tour, Viper Rum and Sinners Welcome. 'Grandma Moore's Cancer' (Granta 44), her first published piece of prose, was included in her bestselling memoir, The Liar's Club (Viking, 1995). She is the Peck Professor of English Literature at Syracuse University


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Wow is August really over? August was such a fun and busy month: we relaxed more into our home, spent the last few weeks of Summer enjoying 3D Movies, Drive-in movies, quick yummy dinners, our oldest started 8th grade [I know crazy] and spend a weekend in Los Angeles seeing the sights and riding rides at Universal Studios. In addition I finally finished our Campaign Dresser & shared our mini dream kitchen, and began working on Avery's Roman Shades. I started doing monthly Instagram roundups to help remember all the fun moments the month was made up of. Feel free to follow me on Instagram @mrsclh
Row One: Eating Sushi with Hasani // I started using coconut oil on Avery's hair to lock in the moisture and keep is ends from tangling [so far so good] // I love this brand of syrups, I started using for making Homemade Lattes
Row Two: Took a mid-week vacation day and treated my kids to a 3D movie // Hung one of Avery's DIY customized roman, love the results so far // Shopped at the farmers market during my lunch break
Row Three: Visited the famous TLC Chinese Theater // Road Tripping to Los Angeles // Avery & Daddy having a blast jumping over bus benches in Hollywood
I love all the memories we made in August! Such a fun month, lets hope September is a productive DIY month around here, we just brought home a vintage dining table from the 50's along with 6 chairs!! I'll share the before on Thursday!
How was your August?


text: Service Experts in Plano is Thrilled to Help Christmas Cops Published on December 10, 2016 Christmas Cops is a wonderful organization in Plano, TX that is managed by Plano Police employees. They assist local people in need during Christmastime by collecting new coats, toys, food, and household items and then bringing them to families prior to Christmas with Santa's helpers. This year, our Service Experts Heating and Air Conditioning location in Plano was excited to collect dry good items to help the awesome cause. In the images you can see Michael Humdy, the Operations Manager of Service Experts in Plano, helping the Christmas Cops crew load up their SUV with food. To read more about Service Experts Heating and Air Conditioning and their support in their communities for all 90 centers, please visit ServiceExperts.com/Blog or our Pinterest page. Back To BlogContact Us


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Anybody who is in High School or College and is an atheist can join and discuss important issues or anything they want to discuss.
Members: 82
Latest Activity: Nov 7, 2014
Started by Dylan Alexander Fick. Last reply by Justine Robinson Aug 5, 2013. 19 Replies 0 Likes
I'm going to New College of Florida for Anthropology/Political Science! So freaking excited, just graduated from Independence High School in Tennessee this spring and I NEEDED to leave ASAP! Continue
Started by Matthew. Last reply by Matthew Jun 29, 2011. 4 Replies 0 Likes
I go to a Community College in the SW suburbs of Chicago and I am currently a first semester Freshman. One of the things that I noticed is student clubs. Including a club named GLOW (Gay Lesbian Or…Continue
Tags: Religion., College, Clubs, Discrimination
Started by Eoganacht. Last reply by Eoganacht Sep 4, 2010. 2 Replies 0 Likes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Canterbury_earthquake On the 4th of sept (NZ time) a earthquake of 7.1 ripped through the…Continue
Tags: zealand, new, earthquake


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Dreams of the Red Phoenix
Taking her grandmother's life as inspiration, the author of the critically acclaimed River of Dust returns with a story set in the dangerous summer of 1937. Widowed American missionary and now single mother Shirley Carson finds herself caught up in the Japanese invasion of North China and the rise of Communism. At first, she finds renewed purpose helping the injured. But as the Japanese take their village, a charismatic Red Army officer requests her help for his soldiers. As other Americans make plans to flee, Shirley must choose: between helping the Chinese Reds by serving as a nurse or escaping the war-ravaged country with her teenage son before it's too late.
Praise for Dreams of the Red Phoenix
"Gripping, convincing, and heartbreaking, Dreams of the Red Phoenix is powerfully evocative of the complexities of life in 1930s China. A real page-turner and thought-provoker—wonderful."
"There's a comparison to Ballard's Empire of the Sun, but this unflinching look at a brutal era in a faraway place shares truth in its own way."
"Virginia Pye vividly imagines Dreams of the Red Phoenix."
"A tale of idealism and courage, deceit and treachery, Dreams of the Red Phoenix blends religion, family, geopolitics and history into a hearty, heartwarming and heart-rending feast of fact-based fiction, one inspired by Pye's imagination and rendered with care and love."
"Pye is a remarkable writer, and it shows in this harrowing tale of loss and war."
"Superb historical fiction!"


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Bug tracking system - a necessary evil
"Software with zero bugs is a myth". Throughout the life of a software new bugs are uncovered and if not tracked properly, things can go out of hands even before you realize it. Bug tracking systems, as evident from the name is a system


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Latest topics
Community Name Contest
Mon Jan 10, 2011 9:22 am by PlasticTastic
Well, me and CloseKnight were talking about a name for our community, and because we're a pair of clueless idiots, we're asking for your help!
Basically, come up with a name for our community, and you will win some prize of sorts that we haven't decided on yet.
Please make a post here with your suggestions.
Contest ends at the on January 20th.
Rules: Must be simple to remember, and must be …
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Comments: 2
Official SMP Texture Pack
Mon May 02, 2011 3:35 pm by CloseKnight
The Official SMP Texture Pack
(More info to be posted later)
mediafire.com ?xsgvuswvc3a1px9
Comments: 0
Happy New Year
Fri Dec 31, 2010 7:34 pm by PlasticTastic
First off, happy new year to everyone, hope you had a great time, and hope you all had a great christmas.
Secondly, I'm getting my money situation sorted out so I can get a new server. Should be soon.
Cheers - Plastic
Comments: 0
Alpha and Classic Servers
Sat Nov 27, 2010 12:44 am by CloseKnight
The original classic server is now fully upgraded to version 0.975 but the player list couldn't transfer so many people lost their ranks. Also, I managed to set up an Alpha server for everyone so come on and try it the IP is 184.108.40.206 I'm gonna work on getting better commands for alpha but for now there is quite a few already up. More updates soon.
~Your Forum Dev. and Alpha Host CloseKnight
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Comments: 0
Donations and Server information
Tue Oct 19, 2010 10:46 am by CloseKnight
The new donate link is now here! The server now has the new donater rank up. I'm currently working on fixing the point and reputation system. I may add a script to make the chat box have chat rooms so look forward to that in future updates.
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Comments: 0
Forum and Donations?
Sun Oct 17, 2010 11:21 am by CloseKnight
The forums are a work in progress but are starting to look better. However we still need to get a domain name but to get one we need money. You can help by donating money in the link in the donations forum. If you donate £10 you get a special rank just for donators and you get you're own signature in the forums. We also need money to get a dedicated host so we can host the server with a faster …
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Comments: 0
Hopefully moving to 0.975 soon
Fri Oct 15, 2010 10:08 am by PlasticTastic
Comments: 1
StatisticsWe have 140 registered users
The newest registered user is mcfunkystudent
Our users have posted a total of 2804 messages in 166 subjects
Who is online?In total there is 1 user online :: 0 Registered, 0 Hidden and 1 Guest
Most users ever online was 109 on Wed Jul 03, 2019 4:35 am


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"Ales for Ashley" is an annual event to honor and remember Ashley Magness. She was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) brain tumor in May of 2014 and fought the brave fight for 22 months. Their goal is to raise awareness and funds to support GBM research.
Tickets are $30. A ticket includes: 3 beers, food, fun, games and a silent auction. Tickets will be sold in advance and at the door. They will accept cash, credit card, debit card or check for tickets and silent auction items.
*This event is after regular taproom hours but open to the public.
Proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction will be used to fund GBM research at The Winship Cancer Institute of Emory. Winship is one of 69 National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer research centers in the United States. For 80 years, Winship has coordinated and directed cancer research, education and care throughout Emory University and its health care system, Emory Healthcare. Winship is ranked first in Georgia for cancer care and is top-ranked nationally by U.S. News & World Report.
All ages welcome, root beer or cold brew coffee is available to those under 21. For those under 21 or not drinking beer, tickets are not required but donations are welcomed and appreciated!
"Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common, complex, treatment resistant, and deadliest type of brain cancer, accounting for 45% of all brain cancers, with nearly 11,000 men, women, and children diagnosed each year. The time is now to make progress against this disease!"
If you have questions please contact firstname.lastname@example.com or visit our website at www.gbmfoundation.com.


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KAABOO - Visual Artists Not to be Missed
KAABOO's three day extravaganza is set to showcase one of the biggest and most diverse music lineups ever created. From Steve Aoki to Jimmy Buffett, from the Chainsmokers to Hall and Oates to Ludacris, visitors will have zero trouble finding any and all music vibes to satisfy their musical desires. However, as huge as KAABOO's music story is, it's only one course of the sensory feast visitors are served. In addition to some of the biggest names in every music genre, KAABOO is also serving up some of the biggest names in street art, fine art, and prestigious gallery space, and all specially curated for the festival's
larger-than-life vibe.
In addition to the galleries presenting various works and the over 20 artists exhibiting, there are some 19 artists scheduled to be working live over the duration of the 3 day festival. And while I'm excited to see all of them, the 5 below are on my shortest list of must see's:
Askew One - Askew One is bringing his unique blend of traditional graffiti, etherial fine art portraiture, and brash - almost deafening color palettes to the live walls at KAABOO. With skills honed on a world stage and an art passport featuring stamps from New Zealand, Singapore, the US, and all over Europe, he is now bringing all of those talents and magic directly to the walls of KAABOO. I'd say, "make sure you do not miss him", but honestly, he's so good he'll be impossible to ignore.
Vans the Omega - Creating the perfect blends of geometry, texture, vector, and portrait, Vans the Omega is also going big at KAABOO. Combining his natural flow and emotional sensitivity on such huge scale is the perfect recipe for creating all-consuming visual experiences. Ever wonder what it's like to see a piece typically reserved for a modern museum scaled so large that it almost invites you to walk right into it? Well, get thyself to Del Mar wonder no more!
David Young V - Picture yourself walking through the streets of Orwell's 1984, Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, or more modern dystopian world like Paolo Bacigalupi's Wind Up Girl or Kristen Simmon's Article 5. Can you see the walls tagged with resistance graffiti - coded messages form the underground calling you to action against the new world order? David Young V's work combines bold, graphic, dynamic displays of letterforms, numbers, and information graphics with beautifully sensitive depictions of the kinds of characters you might run into across those strife ridden landscapes. Emotional, provocative, purposefully bold and thought provoking, David's work feels like it was lifted directly from the walls of the resistance headquarters.
Lauren YS (aka LOLO) - Looking at LOLO's work is like pulling the pin on a candy-colored pop-art grenade and implanting it directly in your brain. Messy? Sure, but so compelling! With themes that range from superheroes, unicorns, exploding snake bellies, alien bunny rabbits, pin-up girls, and dragons and with a style that feels like something straight out of a Hunter S. Thompson inspired road-trip, you may or may not be ready for Lauren's realities. But I cannot wait to see what kind of mind-bending altered reality she has in store for the walls
at KAABOO.
Caratoes - Cara To is a pop-surrealist magician. Based in Hong Kong but working around the world and across media types, Cara creates beautiful mind and space bending environments you'll happily loose yourself within - even if only for a moment. Bringing together complex themes of femininity, nature, and spirituality combined with themes that feel pulled from parts of traditional Japanese culture, Caratoes weaves gorgeous landscapes that are incredibly captivating.


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This edited volume explores different meanings of media convergence and deconvergence, and reconsiders them in critical and innovative ways. Its parts provide together a broad picture of opposing trends and tensions in media convergence, by underlining the relevance of this powerful idea and emphasizing the misconceptions that it has generated. Sergio Sparviero, Corinna Peil, Gabriele Balbi and the other authors look into practices and realities of users in convergent media environments, ambiguities in the production and distribution of content, changes to the organization of media industries, the re-configuration of media markets, and the influence of policy and regulations. Primarily addressed to scholars and students in different fields of media and communication studies, Media Convergence and Deconvergence deconstructs taken-for-granted concepts and provides alternative and fresh analyses on one of the most popular topics in contemporary media culture.
Chapter 1 is available open access under a CC BY 4.0 license at link.springer.com
Hasebrink, U.; Hölig, S. (2017): Deconstructing Audiences in Converging Media Environments. In: S. Sparviero, C. Peil, G. Balbi (Hrsg.), Media Convergence and Deconvergence. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, S. 113–133. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-51289-1_6.


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Learning to build in green
A lot of attention has been given to green building lately. With that attention has come some confusion about what precisely green building is. Other terms, like "healthy" building, "natural" building, and "sustainable" building, or development, also add to the confusion. This is a complex topic that we will try to clarify in today's "Power Play" and in the Nov. 11 "Power Play."
In a nutshell, green building strives to provide healthy, comfortable interiors for building occupants; to maximize operational savings through efficient use of water and energy; and to maximize the positive impacts of development on the natural environment, including reducing suburban sprawl, making more efficient use of existing developed areas, and cleaning up previously polluted sites.
Most buildings have the potential to become greener when remodeling – from commercial or multi-story apartments to single-family homes. Major green building categories are water and energy efficiency, indoor air quality, site design and solar orientation, building material choice, and operational and maintenance considerations.
For larger developments, the most energy-efficient measures include locating a building on a relatively small "footprint" on the site, which means going up, not spreading out. This does a number of beneficial things, including covering less ground and allowing rainfall to soak into unpaved areas, and reducing the amount of energy needed for heating by having common floors and ceilings between units that help insulate each other. It also reduces cooling loads on the building, since there is more exterior wall space to incorporate operable windows.
With operable windows and interior ventilator stacks for natural ventilation, occupants are able to adjust the air freshness and temperature to suit their own needs without using air conditioning. This measure reduces up-front costs for the builder and eliminates the air conditioning expenses for building occupants. Berkeley is fortunate to have an excellent climate for natural ventilation.
Larger buildings located near public transportation, shopping and schools will reduce transportation costs for building occupants, eliminating a major source of pollution – driving. For every gallon of gasoline burned, 20 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e – a mixture of greenhouse gases) is produced. For example, say that 30 Berkeley residents commute 27 miles round trip to work. Driving in vehicles that got a generous 27 miles per gallon, they would release 78 tons of CO2e annually in a 27-mile daily commute. If these residents used public transportation, they would generate less of CO2e and reduce traffic congestion as well.
If those 30 residents had to commute 80 miles round trip each day from the suburbs, they would generate 234 tons of CO2e annually. The news is worse if their vehicles only get 18 or 20 MPG, as many SUVs do. Eliminating the need to commute great distances is the fastest and easiest way to reduce pollution, reduce our reliance on imported oil, and improve air and water quality for all Bay Area residents.
Using non-toxic building materials is another aspect of green building. Sometimes called "healthy" building, their construction materials and interior finishes are free of the toxic ingredients that traditional building materials have. Buildings constructed with non-toxic building products have far better indoor air quality and are healthier for the building's occupants, as well as the workers who manufacture the building products.
Formaldehyde is used in plywood and wood composite boards, urea-foam insulation, and permanent-press fabrics such as drapes and upholstery. These materials continue to emit formaldehyde gas for as many as ten years, especially when exposed to heat or direct sunlight. Switching to solid wood trim and cabinets instead of MDF (medium density fiberboard) will also help improve indoor air quality. It is also safer for workers to use.
Vinyl emits polychlorinated biphenals (PCBs) and dioxin, which according to the EPA is "one of the most toxic and environmentally stable tricyclic aromatic compounds of its structural class," meaning that it does not break down easily in the environment. Vinyl building products include windows, siding and flooring, PVC pipes, adhesives, and vinyl shower curtains. Vinyl windows and siding are exposed to direct sunlight, which increases their rate of dioxin gas emission.


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According to the Twitter account of former Texans fullback Vonta Leach, the pro bowler is joining the Baltimore Ravens in 2011.
John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports the deal as 3 years, $11 million.
Leach made the Pro Bowl last year as the lead blocker for Arian Foster, who racked up over 1600 yards on the ground, and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. After the Ravens' struggles last year in the power running game, this move, along with the resigning of Marshal Yanda, loudly backs up John Harbaugh's assertion that improving the running game was a priority this season.
Ray Rice will see a lot more daylight this year running behind Leach. Not only does this move immensely help the Baltimore Ravens, but Rice's fantasy football value also gets a nice bump.
With rumors swirling this morning that Todd Heap is being wooed by the New York Jets, Ravens fans have been in an uproar. The signing of Leach should help ease those tensions, along with the overblown prevailing sentiment this week that Ozzie has somehow "lost his touch."
Still, should it be announced that Heap is becoming a New York Jet, I'm sure many Ravens fans will fall right back into overreact mode.
The team got better today. Regardless of where Todd Heap ends up.