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In Mark 10: 17 – 27, a disappointed rich young man walked away from Jesus when He told him what was needed to become perfect. Strangely enough, I have always been attracted by this passage. My focus, however, is not the obvious message. Instead, I look at what may be the more powerful underlying message of Jesus which sheds a different light on the fate of the rich man and reveals hope to the rest of us.
The Rich Young Man Walks Sadly Away
Often I have heard speakers set aside the essential message of the story. They emphasize the surface meaning that those who possess much materially will find it harder to be poor in spirit. The rich have difficulty relying solely on God, unlike the poor. Jesus states it clearly enough: "Children, with what difficulty will they who trust in riches enter the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10: 24) So what does the rich man do when Jesus tells him to sell his possessions and come and follow Him? He walks sadly away. Here is where the young man is generally assumed to have utterly given up on his ideal of reaching heaven. But, let's look deeper into Mark's Gospel passage.
Things to Notice About the Rich Young Man
We first catch sight of the rich man as he was "running up" to Jesus and "fell upon his knees before him." These are actions of a man filled not only with the determined desire for something but also a man who has great respect for Jesus. He is quite different from the Sadducees and Pharisees who hound Jesus only to trip Him up. The young man is honest and worthy, only asking a question to find out how he can gain eternal life. This the question which has occupied the minds of all true Christians throughout the ages.
Notice how the rich man addresses Jesus: "Good Master…" Then, almost as if to set the young man straight, even curb his enthusiasm, Jesus answers, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but only God." Jesus goes on to quote the commandments, which the man assures Jesus he has kept all his life. Jesus, who sees into the heart and already knows the virtue of the young man before Him, "looked at him with love." Could it be that because of the uncommonly just life the man has led up to this point, he has attained the insight, by grace, to see Jesus as the "Good Master,"? Does he recognize Jesus, without even realizing it, as his own Lord and God? However the young man has gained this insight, Jesus artfully points out the truth of his discovery and by what authority He speaks to him before He answers the question.
The Blow Delivered
Finally, Jesus delivers the hard blow to the rich young man. "You lack one thing; go, sell whatever you have, give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven." Imagine Jesus saying to any of us, "You lack one thing." That would mean, you've done everything necessary in order to possess great riches in heaven, except one thing. What a compliment! He is pleased with your life thus far. Then, not only does He tell you the secret to eternal happiness, but He handpicks you to be one of His followers, by adding, "come, follow me." Can we truly fault the rich young man for hanging his head and walking away at the unsteadying blow of that moment?
For this young man, Jesus had only recently arrived on the scene. Jesus was nourishing the crowds with words of wisdom, hope and an unconditional love that struck to the core of every open heart, including the rich man. From his reaction, giving up his many possessions had apparently never crossed his mind. He was certainly not expecting this to be the answer to his pressing question. To say "yes" to such a notion would mean to toss away, in an instant, everything that had made him feel secure through the years, and become totally reliant on the Good Master.
Our Advantage
We, on the other hand, have the benefit of knowing Jesus more fully. Catholics have the rich context of the Bible, Church Teaching guided by the Holy Spirit, and 20 centuries of Holy Tradition. In addition, we have the powerful examples of the saints from every walk of life. Through their lives they denied themselves without reserve to follow Christ, reaching the heights of abandonment and the peace of selfless love. We have all this to solidly confirm the validity of every word Jesus spoke. In all honesty, even those of us who aren't "rich" were asked to give up all our possessions in exchange for greater riches in heaven, we would at least give pause. Perhaps we would even retire sadly to ponder our prospects.
Is There Hope for the Rich?
When the rich man retreats, the disciples of Jesus seem to be unsurprised, perhaps even sympathetic at the young man's departure. Yet Jesus not only reiterates Himself but punctuates His statement with a vivid analogy. He informs His disciples, "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." To this statement, the disciples do indeed respond with great surprise, saying, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus' astonishing answer is at the same time utterly consoling. "With men, it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God."
Given the virtuous status of the just young rich man when he arrives at the feet of Jesus, the way Jesus sees into his heart and looks at him with love, the instant recommendation from Christ that he leave everything and follow Him, I don't think we can conclude that the young man never accepted Jesus's offer. In fact, I think quite the opposite would be more likely. Jesus was ever ready to teach His disciples new lessons on what it meant to be His follower, He knew what words would most effectively benefit the young man for his salvation, as well as the words which would help His disciples understand His mercy and love for them.
The rich young man had everything going for him. Not because he was wealthy but because of the virtue he had acquired through following the commandments of God faithfully all his life. Jesus already knew him through and through. He must have known, too, that he would not be able to embrace His challenge immediately like Matthew, the tax collector. But that was okay. It gave Jesus the opportunity to reach out to those around Him and through time to all of us. Jesus revealed what the power of His grace and mercy is like. If the heart is open to grace, God's mercy can accomplish in us what would otherwise be impossible for us to accomplish on our own.
A Lesson For Us
Jesus gives the rich young man no less a chance for salvation than the rest of humanity when He says that "for men, [attaining salvation] is impossible, but not with God." Our God is not one to turn His back on those who strive to be faithful. Indeed, it seems to me that He is most eager to help those with His grace who have fallen out of weakness. They can say with St. Paul, " For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12: 10) Did the rich young man return to take up Jesus' challenge? I like to believe he did. It gives me hope in the unfathomable mercy of an ever faithful Father, who never tires of drawing us to Himself in persistent love.
Just like with the rich man who went away sad, discouragement will get the best of everybody. This will many times during our lives when challenges in life seem too daunting. The important thing is to bounce back in faith, to continue to practice virtue to the best of our abilities. Thereby we remain open to the workings of grace in our souls. In the end, our eyes are cast on the inestimable treasure we were able to store up in heaven, not just for ourselves, but for many others as well.


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Another day at the Dump !
Andrew and Tom Starting the Hole and Mike Holding a Duffy's Malt Liquor and a rare Crown Top from Memphis.
A close-up of the rare bottle - J.J. Heinrich / Ed-Dor-A Memphis , Tenn. We've never seen this bottle before. Also a shot of the Amber Coke still in the ground.
The Coca Cola Master ! We all think that in a past life, Darren used to be a Coca Cola Salesman. When he finds them now, he gets a little bit more return for the deposit.
Tom holding another one and guess who got the one Andrew is holding - your right - Andrew. That about wrapped up the day. See you next week !

subset: commoncrawl


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|EFFector 18.44
|Monty Solomon (email@example.com)
Thu, 5 Jan 2006 08:46:41 -0500
EFFector Vol. 18, No. 44 December 16, 2005 firstname.lastname@example.com
A Publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation
In the 360th Issue of EFFector:
* PATRIOT Act Renewal Blocked in Senate!
|Post Followup Article
|Use your browser's quoting feature to quote article into reply
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|TELECOM Digest: Home Page


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Monthly Archives: October 2018
The famous Blue Train comes to Welshpool
The famous Blue Train, running for more than 950 miles over two days from Cape Town to Pretoria may cost around £1,000 for the most luxurious single journey option but local people around Welshpool can get a glimpse of the fabulous veld scenery of South Africa and of its trains much more cheaply and without ever leaving Wales thanks to the next speaker at the Towns popular railway club.
Simon Bowden, who is a senior volunteer driver on the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway and the organiser of the Thames Valley Area Group, will give a talk on the Railways of South Africa and Zimbabwe on Monday 15th October 2018 at 7.30pm in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall.
The meeting has been organised by the Welshpool Area Group as part of its Autumn and early Winter series of meetings. Non members are welcome to attend as well as members. A donation of £3 to cover expenses is requested and there will be light refreshments and raffle.
Further details are available from Steve Page (Vice Chair) on 01686 650102.
Are there any WAG members who could help for an hour or two at the Model Railway Exhibition at the Town Hall Welshpool on Saturday 27th October from 9am to 4pm. The help needed is with the W&L Sales Stand for the WLLR. Anyone who can help should contact firstname.lastname@example.com


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Looks like there's some interest in how I boot into Linux, so here's how to do that.
A 64-bit EFI, by default, will try to boot from its EFI partition, from the file
We put our kernel image at this position, EFI will run the image directly and the kernel starts the boot process.
Since we have no bootloader to tell the kernel what its command-line parameters are, we need to compile these in. Relevant kernel configs are:
This will produce a file executable by your EFI.
CONFIG_CMDLINE="root=PARTUUID=abcdef12-3456-7890-abcd-ef0123456789 rootfstype=btrfs quiet"
And this is what the kernel will boot, insert your parameters here.
Since so little is known about the system when the kernel starts, you can't just use
/dev/sda1 or similar to specify the root partition, you'll have to use the PARTUUID. (You can, but the device order is not guaranteed and any info inside the partitions, like LABEL, isn't known yet). You can get that using:
# blkid (...) /dev/sda3: LABEL= (...) PARTUUID="abcdef12-3456-7890-abcd-ef0123456789"
Should you ever need to boot with a different command line (e.g. for rescue purposes), you can use an EFI shell.
Now, compile your kernel and copy the image to your EFI partition, for example like this (when the EFI system partition is mounted as
# cp /boot/vmlinuz-4.4.0-gentoo-r1 /boot/efi/boot/bootx64.efi
And that's it. More can be found in the Gentoo or Arch Wikis.
Should you run a Windows as another OS, its bootloader will already be at the
bootx64.efi spot. In this case, copy the kernel image to a path of your liking, for example
/boot/efi/kernel.efi. You can register this file as something to be available to boot with:
# efibootmgr -c -l '\efi\kernel.efi' -L 'My Linux Kernel'
When you update your kernel, you can simply overwrite
/boot/efi/kernel.efi without the need to re-register it.
You can get the boot order by running
efibootmgr without any arguments, and control it with
-o, for example:
# efibootmgr -o 0000,0003,0001,0002,0005,0004
Bonus: If you want to reboot into Windows once (so you can skip mashing that key to get to your bios' boot menu), you can use:
# efibootmgr -n <your_windows_boot_id>


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making of our finest cashmere
every single pink maharani product goes through a detailed 18-step process completely handmade in the hands of master artisans who have been hand weaving cashmere since the beginning of the 18th century. Their knowledge and skills have been passed down from generations. We have beautifully illustrated the most important steps and further explain each sub-process in detail.
our impact one shawl at a time
The moment a pink maharani shawl adorns your shoulders, you change the life of one teenage girl from the urban slums of Bangalore and a kindergartener by bring light into their lives. With each purchase, a vulnerable girl going through her menstrual cycle is provided with knowledge and support for one entire year and a child living in the remote regions of India without electricity equipped with a solar-charged light bag.
the story and the strategy
making impact one shawl at a time
the sudden increase in demand for fine cashmere shawls since the 90's has given rise to many counterfeits and blends making it almost impossible to distinguish between the actual and fake. Plus in spite of the demand, very little has trickled down to the nomads and artisans who are the back bone of this industry.
pink maharani envisions to offer the finest and most exquisite 100% handwoven cashmere shawls that are ethically produced. We care for the goats dearly and empower the artisans to make sustainable livelihoods. Our mission is also to educate the consumers of the painstaking work and love that goes into making pink maharani products.
pink maharani is the house of the finest handwoven cashmere which closely works with the artisans and small families to completely handmake its product. In order to further our commitment and impact, we also directly adopt and sponsor two children projects in India.
our impact so far
families of men and women supported who are goat herders, spinners, weavers, dyers, embroiderers and washers to generate sustainable livelihood
school-going girls equipped with menstrual hygiene awareness program and free supply of sanitary napkins for one full year
solar light bags distributed to kindergarten kids living in remote regions of Ladakh, Srinagar, Jaipur, Bodh Gaya and the slums of Faridabad


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Coming from the A14, exit Grimma, you continue the Wurzener Straße (B107) towards Grimma.
After 1,9 km you turn right behind the sports stadium on the Friedrich-Oettler-Straße (B107) and after about 140 m you turn left into the Nicolaistraße. Following the Nicolaistraße you will reach the Weberstraße, where you will see the Tuchmachergasse after some meters.
Turn right into the Tuchmachergasse and use one of our company´s parking lots.


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Nicky Butt is still waiting to make his Newcastle-Sunderland derby debut – and he's been at Newcastle almost 4 years now, and the 32-year-old's frustration is magnified because his former team mate and captain at Manchester United, Roy Keane, is now of course manager of rivals Sunderland.
Since joining Newcastle in the summer of 2004, circumstances have been such that Nicky has yet to feature in North-East football's most high-profile match-up.
Roy Keane – will have Sunderland very well prepared for Saturday
Unfortunately, like Alan Smith before him, Butt was booked for the fifth time this season on Saturday, when he fouled one of Portsmouth's best players on the day, Papa Bouba Dioup.
Nicky talked today about his disappointment at missing out again on the derby game:
"I'm devastated,†"It's a game I'd have loved to play in, I haven't played in one yet in the four years I've been here.â€
"Being close to Roy as well it was one I was really looking forward to but it's not to be, so I'm disappointed.â€
Keane and Butt have houses next door back in the North-West and they are always in regular communication. Nicky thinks this is a perfect situation for the outspoken Irishman and he expects Roy to rise to the occasion on Saturday.
"Roy will prepare his players well,†"It's the sort of occasion he'll relish being the sort of person he is.â€
"I only know him as a player, I've not worked under him as a manager, but as a person and a player he relishes the aggressive part of the game and I'm sure he'll be looking forward to it.â€
Nicky was asked if Roy Keane is the most driven person he has ever played with, and Butt didn't hesitate much as he quickly responded.
"Yeah. I've played with a lot players who are driven but the way he stood up and spoke was different to anyone else "When you had someone like that in your team you're always happy.â€
"Roy was as intense in training as he was in games. Going off the lads I've spoken to who work under him as a player, he's the same as a manager. He was a manager for us on the pitch.
"He always said in conversation that he wanted to go into coaching and management and be very successful.â€
This is a dangerous game for Newcastle and we're sure that Sunderland fancy themselves to be able to take all 3 points on Saturday. That's the very last thing we want to happen. A win would right the Newcastle ship before the international break and all Geordie supporters have to hope that Big Sam's team can get the job done on Saturday.
But we can hardly be accused right now of being in top form.
Comments very welcome.
10 comments so far
Bend over Roy Nicky wants ya Butt : )
On a serious note I think we will struggle against the mackems who have been unlucky not to get something from many of the games this season and have played quite well too.
This will be a bridge too far again for Sam and his negative tactics or lack of tactics will be sussed out by Keane long before a ball is kicked.
So strike me down !!
Judging by the poor show that the great unwashed put in against Man City I realy dont think we have much to worry about. If Kean is just going to send out a group of thugs because of it being a derby then skill, class, experience, speed and overall performance should see us through quite comforatably. 3 – 0 Toon. at least 1 of the great unwashed to get sent off !!
this season with keane in charge , im finding it harder than normally to hate the mackems , really admire the guy's character , and with the backing he is getting i can see him doing well there , lets face it he brought sunderland back into the prem far to early and i dont think the had the players in place to deal with it . hopefully he can keep them up this season and build from there , as much as we despise our unwashed neigbours , the prem isnt the same for newcastle without our local derby .


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Microsoft is putting some additional horsepower behind its Dynamics 365 business applications, with the addition of new artificial intelligence tools and mixed reality capabilities.
Dynamics 365 combines customer relationship management software and enterprise resource planning under an umbrella of productivity apps. It's not the catchiest offering, but the company said Dynamics 365 hit $1 billion in billings last year, and revenue from the program has grown 60 percent since Microsoft began disclosing it in the third quarter of 2017.
The new applications introduced today are designed to help make life easier for salespeople, customer service personnel and marketing teams. The apps are meant to give businesses "out of the box" AI capabilities without having to bring in a bunch of experts.
RELATED: Hands on with the newest Microsoft HoloLens apps that transformed me into a top-notch engineer and space planner
In addition to the new AI-powered apps, Microsoft is bringing a pair of recently introduced mixed reality programs into the Dynamics 365 fold. Unveiled at Microsoft Build earlier this year, Remote Assist and Layout are apps for the HoloLens mixed reality headset meant to appeal to "first-line workers," people who don't sit at desks all day and have direct interactions with either customers or equipment.
Remote Assist lets users fire up a video call with a real person elsewhere through HoloLens. The person on the other end can see through the eyes of the HoloLens and annotate the field of vision with directions. Layout lets users virtually plan out areas, such as manufacturing facilities, by dropping digital versions of large equipment into the real life space.
While introducing the new capabilities for Dynamics 365, Microsoft pointed to a recent article from MarketWatch opining that the service is giving Salesforce a run for its money. It was interesting to see Microsoft explicitly call out a competitor as part of a larger point that the company is taking market share from established top players in a variety of areas, such as cloud computing with Azure and productivity tools with Teams.
Here's how Daniel Newman, principal analyst at Futurum Research, concludes his take on Microsoft's surge with Dynamics 365:
Salesforce has never faced real competition in the CRM space, at least until now. If Microsoft gets this right, Salesforce could be looking at a very tough fight over the next few years.
Much like Azure has taken a meaningful chunk of the market from Amazon's AWS in cloud, I believe that within the next year Microsoft will start to do the same to Salesforce.


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After years of operating robust and successful retail divisions, Affinity Group Infusion and Affinity Group FMS will be merged into a single retail-focused entity: Affinity Group Retail. To lead this business, industry veteran Bill Chiodo has been selected as president, Affinity Group Retail.
Affinity Group Retail has named Bill Chiodo its new president. In his new position, he will oversee the merger and all aspects of the organization's retail, fresh food, convenience store and e-commerce strategies and operations. Key responsibilities will include crafting an updated long-range strategic plan outlining both organic and external business growth opportunities including acquisitions and channel/segment expansion. Chiodo will also provide leadership and direction for segment business development including client and customer support, and sales and marketing execution.
"We are excited about building upon our current retail position, and are thrilled to have someone of Bill's caliber and experience to not only lead the business day-to-day, but also collaborate with me on client and customer development as well as charting our future growth. With the evolving landscape in the channel, his expertise will prove valuable as we compete for share of stomach with our multi-channel sales approach that provides the customer with a more integrated experience," said Enzo Dentico, chairman of Affinity Group, LLC.
Chiodo began his career in 1983 as part of a family food brokerage business serving Upstate New York. In 1994, the family business was sold to Boston based Morris Alper, creating at the time one of the largest retail sales agencies in the Northeast. Chiodo was named a partner at Morris Alper and served as president of the Upstate New York Division. In 1996, Morris Alper acquired several agencies across the mid-Atlantic region, and became MAI Companies where Chiodo was appointed president of MAI – Northeast Division. MAI was acquired by Acosta in 1999, creating the first national retail agency. For Acosta, Chiodo progressed through several positions, overseeing Eastern Great Lakes division, then SVP, client services for the east region managing clients across all departments. In 2011, he was promoted to EVP, grocery sales east, where he managed Acosta's East Coast business for the grocery, club, and drug divisions.
In response to this appointment, Chiodo said, "I'm am very excited to be joining Affinity Group and working with Enzo to further develop and grow the retail and fresh food business. Affinity Group is well positioned to accelerate its current growth with a talented and experienced leadership team, and as the premier local market leader with training and systems that are second to none. I am impressed with Affinity Group's focus on talent, execution and results, and believe the foundation is in place for continued growth and success. With the opportunity to build on the plans currently in place and with respect to the challenges in the industry, I firmly believe Affinity Group is well positioned with a strong model to be the best at serving clients and customers."
Chiodo is a graduate of the University of Buffalo and currently resides with his wife Kim in Clarence, NY.
JOH adds Patricia Wonderly
JOH has announced that Patricia "Trish" Wonderly has joined the Metro division as an account manager.
Wonderly joins JOH with 20 years of experience, most recently with Advantage Solutions. She has worked on various client accounts, including Alcon, DeMert Brands, Goody Products, Helene Curtis, High Ridge Brands, Merck Consumer Care, Newell Rubbermaid, Philips Norelco and Vogue International. She has also worked with various customers, including: Ahold, C&S Wholesale, Cardinal Health, Kinney Drug and Weis Markets.
"We are thrilled to have someone with Trish's background and experience on our team," said Doug Parker, VP, JOH Metro division. "She will be handling our HBC business at Giant Carlisle, Weis Markets and Rite Aid and will be a great asset to our clients and customers. We are excited to have her continue her career with us."
Wonderly will be reporting to Doug Parker
Ex-NJ Lt. Gov. joins Fulfill
Former New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno has joined Fulfill as its new CEO and president, the organization formerly known as the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties has announced.
Guadagno, who served as lieutenant governor under Gov. Chris Christie from 2010 to 2018, will lead Fulfill's efforts to alleviate hunger and build food security in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
"Our mission is driven by a desire to help those who have fallen on hard times," Jeremy Grunin, chair of Fulfill's board of trustees, said in a prepared statement. "In searching for a new CEO, we wanted someone with an established history of charitable giving and involvement; extensive connections that could bring new resources to the organization; and who could help bring greater attention to Fulfill and its programs so we can serve as a model for other nonprofits statewide.
"We have found that, and more, in Lt. Gov. Guadagno."
Guadagno, who has been a partner with Roseland-based Connell Foley for the past year, will continue in her role with the law firm — which has represented Fulfill for decades, the organization noted.
"As Fulfill's CEO, I plan to bring a voice to the growing number of our neighbors who do not know where their next meal will come from," Guadagno said in a statement. "Over the next few months, I hope to reach every corner of Monmouth and Ocean counties to raise awareness of the problem of hunger in our own backyard and to raise awareness of the services Fulfill provides to try to solve the problem.
"No child should ever go to bed not knowing where his or her next meal will come from. No parent should ever struggle to put food on their table."
Guadagno has been a Monmouth County resident for almost 30 years, including serving as county sheriff among other government roles.
"In selecting Kim Guadagno as their new president and CEO, Fulfill has found the perfect person to lead their fight against hunger," New Jersey Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Tom Bracken said in a statement. "Her experience and business expertise make her uniquely qualified to highlight and bring even greater attention to the organization and its goal of helping the people of Monmouth and Ocean counties."
Fulfill has a network of 300 food pantries and kitchens, as well as a culinary arts training program, among other services.
"We are excited to continue our work with New Jersey's first lieutenant governor as the new president and CEO of Fulfill," New Jersey Food Council CEO and President Linda Doherty said in a statement. "We know of Kim Guadagno's deep personal commitment to this organization and those in need in Monmouth and Ocean counties. She will be a fierce advocate, strong ally and effective leader for Fulfill, and we stand ready to work together and continue to fight food insecurity in communities throughout the region."


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If you work in the construction industry, you will be exposed to high levels of risk every day. These risks include dangerous machinery, working on potentiality dangerous structures, and falling objects. As a construction worker, you will be relieved to know that, in most situations, you will be able to financially mitigate these risks through workers' compensation.
Stay safe while exploring on your motorcycle
Now that motorcyclists are heading out more to enjoy the beautiful weather, all drivers need to pay extra attention to ensure they don't hit any of them. The issue with this is that many drivers won't take that step. Instead, they only worry about reaching their destination and how they can do that as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, this puts the motorcyclists in direct danger of being involved in a crash.
What to do if you see a drunk driver
Have you ever been driving across Wilmington and seen another driver behaving oddly? Maybe he is driving at night without his lights on or perhaps he is drifting a little too close to the edge of the lane.
Trucking crash causes determine liability
Semitrucks provide a valuable service to businesses and consumers, but this doesn't come without a serious risk. The size of these trucks and the weight mean that they are potentially deadly weapons that are moving about freely on the interstates. If you are struck by a semitruck on the interstate, you should determine whether you need to seek compensation or not. By seeking compensation, you are trying to shift the financial difficult to the liable party.
Common risks that daycare workers face
Daycare workers have an important job of trying to help young children to remain safe and learn while they are away from their parents. Unfortunately, there are many hazards that come along with this very rewarding job. It is imperative that all daycares have adequate safety protocol to help ensure that workers don't suffer unnecessary injuries or illnesses as a result of caring for the tykes.
Safety tips all businesses can use
Keeping a workplace clean and tidy is important for worker health and safety. Employers must ensure that they have set standards for cleanliness, especially if there are hazardous substances or conditions. The rules and guidelines that are set have to be clear, but the employer also has to provide the tools necessary to get the job done.
Spinal cord injury classifications are important
Spinal cord injuries can impact the victim in a variety of ways. It is imperative that anyone who has this type of injury understands the specifics of their injury so that they can prepare for what is to come. Many things can impact the way that the injury impacts your life after the accident. Some of these include the initial injury, the loss of oxygen and the spinal shock that occurs.


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Straightening Your Teeth Just Got Easier — and Faster
Straightening Your Teeth Just Got Easier — and Faster
Did you make a resolution to improve your teeth this year? That's a smart decision — straight teeth can completely transform your smile in a beautiful way. Having straight teeth does more than just look good — it's also better for your health.
Having crooked teeth increases your risk of tooth decay by making it harder to clean in between spaces and crossed-over teeth. This allows plaque to build up in those hard-to-reach areas, eventually turning into cavities and causing infections. Depending on the severity of your misalignment, it might even be harder to chew your food properly, leading to many more problems.
No one should have to deal with low self esteem or health issues because of crooked teeth. With so many advancements in dental technology, it's easier than ever to straighten teeth. It's faster than ever before and in most cases, can be done without traditional metal braces. How? By combining Invisalign braces with PROPEL, a treatment often called "accelerated orthodontics."
What is Invisalign?
By now, most people are familiar with Invisalign, but not necessarily how it works.
Invisalign involves clear plastic material that's practically invisible to other people. It's worn for most of the day, but is removable and can be taken out to eat and brush your teeth. You'll wear one for about 6 weeks before heading to your dentist or orthodontist for a new mold that will continue to straighten your teeth even more.
On average, it takes about one year, to achieve the straight teeth you've always wanted!
What is PROPEL?
Need to straighten your teeth in less than a year? PROPEL accompanies Invisalign as a faster way to straighten teeth. Depending on the severity and position of your teeth, it can cut the time it takes to straighten your teeth in half.
PROPEL works by stimulating the bones around the teeth. By increasing cytokine activity, it makes the bones easier to remold. If needed, it allows your doctor to target specific teeth.
You'll have a straighter smile with fewer trips to your doctor, at a comparable price to traditional braces!


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Welcome to the Dublin County Board Coaching & Games Development New Website
Our aim is to provide coaches with as much information & training to help make them the best coaches they can be - whether you are coaching children, youths or adults. We do this by providing access to to the GAA coach education programmes and a wide variety of practical workshops in football and hurling. Coach development is assumed as an all-encompassing term that refers to the process leading towards enhanced expertise. The GAA coach education systems offers programmes for child, youth and adult coaches across three levels.
Our Coaching & Games Planner for 2019/20120 is out now and workshops and courses can all be booked online. Download the full programme below!


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Type 2 diabetes, formerly known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. It is a chronic condition that occurs when glucose (sugar) level is the blood become higher than normal. This happens either because the body doesn't produce enough insulin or because the body cells don't use insulin properly which is known as insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and it is responsible for transporting the glucose from the blood to the cells. But when the glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into the cells it leads to diabetes. Untreated type 2 diabetes can result in deadly outcome.
This disease cannot be cured but can be prevented. The treatment for type 2 diabetes aims to regulate blood sugar levels with the help of medications. Type 2 diabetes can also be managed with healthy diet, regular exercise and maintaining normal body weight.
It is not quite understood why type 2 diabetes develops in some individuals. However, there are some risk factors that contribute development of this lifelong disease. One of them is high body weight. In obese people cells may become resistant to insulin. Lack of activity increases the risk of obesity thus type 2 diabetes. Genetics also plays a role in development of type 2 diabetes. Black people, Hispanics, American Indians, and Asian-Americans have higher risk of type 2 diabetes than other races. The risk also increases with the age and people older than 45 are at highest risk. You may have the risk of type to diabetes if you suffer from prediabetes which features with increased level of sugar in blood. Untreated prediabetes leads to type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes that some women develop in pregnancy increases the risk of type 2 diabetes that may develop later in life.
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes usually develop gradually and may go unnoticed for years. Common symptoms of type 2 disease include increased thirst followed by frequent urination. This occurs because glucose leaks into the urine and pulls out excess water through the kidneys. Since insulin cannot transport sugar into the cells to be used for energy, diabetics usually experience extreme hunger due to lack of energy. Loss of weight is another common symptom of type 2 diabetes that occurs despite increased appetite. Weight loss is a result of the body's inability to process the calories in the foods. The loss of sugar and water in the urine contributes weight loss as well. Type 2 diabetes causes fatigue and feeling of tiredness because of lack of sugar in the cells. Blurred vision also accompanies type 2 diabetes. Poor wound healing and frequent infections result from type 2 diabetes because of inability of the body to heal and fight against infections. Some diabetics have areas of darkened skin mostly around armpits and neck and this is known as acanthosis nigricans.


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10 Ideas For Beating The Midsummer Blues
I've noticed over the last couple weeks that every time I ask a fellow parent how the summer is going, I get pretty much the same response. "Well…you know…it's…ok…?" they answer, usually with a long sigh and a weary smile. Most kids in the area where we live are just about to hit the halfway mark of summer vacation. TheRead more


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As mentioned in previous articles, when compressing air, liquid is also brought into the air stream. When cooling, that liquid condenses and is delivered with the compressed air to your tool or application. There are a number of ways of removing or reducing the amount of liquid in the air stream. These include:
- Storage Tank Cooling Method
- After-cooling
- Air-cooled versions
- Water Cooled Versions
- Absorption Drying
- Adsorption Drying
- Dual Tower Regenerative Desiccant Air Dryers
- Membrane Type Dryer
This article will go into the details of each drying method.
Storage Tank Cooling Method
All applications benefit greatly by the installation of air receiver tanks. It is generally accepted that no receiver is too large for an application and no number of receivers are too many, and the installation of a vertical or horizontal receiver tank usually depends on physical space available.
The receiver serves many important functions. It damps pulsations from the discharge line of a reciprocating compressor, resulting in essentially steady pressure in the system. It serves as a reservoir to take care of sudden or unusually heavy demands in excess of the compressor capacity. It prevents too frequent cycling of the compressor. In addition, it serves to precipitate some of the moisture that may be present in the air as it comes from the compressor or that may be carried over from the after-cooler.
The minimum receiver capacity for certain applications may be calculated, but experience and judgment are just as important. Receivers are also used to meet heavy, short time demands of certain equipment, and the manufacturers of this equipment could supply the information on the air requirements in such cases.
The storage of quantities of moisture in receiver tanks leads to the formation of rust and scale on the inside of the tank, which can become loose and get carried down-stream in the outgoing air. This rust and scale can cause problems of blockage in air-using components and premature blockage of filters.
The reason for large volumes of liquids in the air receiver is that the tank is made of steel, and the wall temperature of the vessel is the same as the ambient temperature.
Even if the compressor is supplied with an air-cooled after-cooler, there is always a difference between the discharge air temperature of the after-cooler and the ambient air temperature (the approach temperature). As the cooling is not 100 percent efficient, the air discharging from the after-cooler will always be higher than the ambient air being used to cool the hot compressed air. This difference in temperatures is called the "approach temperature".
As soon as air leaving the after-cooler enters the receiver tank it comes in contact with the cooler steel wall of the tank, which is usually at ambient temperature. At this point, moisture starts to condense out of the compressed air as the air chills. If the air is stored in the tank for enough time, the temperature of the air in the tank will be the same as the ambient temperature, and no more moisture will condense out. At this point the air in the receiver tank is 100% saturated at a dewpoint equal to atmospheric temperature.
Air-cooled versions
An after-cooler is a heat exchanger used to cool compressed air. Reduction of the compressed air temperature will cause moisture and oil droplets to precipitate out of the air. These liquid contaminants are typically collected and drained off with a moisture separation device and drain trap (either mechanical or timed).
The after-cooler should be located as close as possible to the compressor outlet.
A heat transfer will occur between two bodies of different temperature until temperature equilibrium is reached. This transfer of heat can take place in three different ways. Generally these take place simultaneously.
- Conduction
- Convection
- Radiation
The air-cooled after-cooler looks very much like a car radiator, and acts like one as well. However, rather than coolant filling the interior tubes, the hot compressed air enters the bottom of the air-cooled after-cooler and travels within a tube system, discharging through the upper discharge port into a moisture separator. The tubes have fins, or metal plates between them to increase their surface area, and dissipate the heat more effectively.
As heat from the compressed air transfers to the cooler atmospheric air, some of the heat of compression is removed from the compressed air and carried away.
Water Cooled Versions
Water-cooled after-coolers effectively do the exact same thing only with much more control of the discharge air temperatures.
The primary difference between air-cooled and water-cooled after-coolers is that there is a flow of liquid coolant flowing in a shell and tube or a plate-fin design heat exchanger absorbing the heat of compression from the compressed air volume.
Refrigeration Drying
The refrigeration compressor compresses the refrigerant gas to a predetermined pressure and pumps it out towards the condensing coil. At this point, the refrigerant is a hot gas under pressure. This hot gas moves to the condensing coil where a fan moves cooling air across the coils of the condensing area (Air-cooled version).
The air moving across the coils removes the heat of compression and causes the hot gas under pressure to cool, forming a room temperature liquid under pressure. The hot gas under pressure has condensed to a cooler liquid under pressure, so the area in which this takes place is called the condensing coil.
The liquid refrigerant now continues on to the liquid receiver. As the compressed air flow through the dryer varies, liquid refrigerant is metered by the thermostatic control valve (TCV) to match demand. A filter, dryer and sight glass are typically in the line between the storage receiver and the TCV.
The TCV reduces the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant by throttling and flashing off some of the liquid. The cold liquid and gas mixture passes next through a venturi-type refrigerant distributor to each circuit at the bottom section of the copper tubes and ensures that they are completely flooded. The copper tubes are designed to extract the greatest possible amount of heat from the compressed air.
The refrigerant absorbs the heat from the compressed air and reverts back to a gas, then flows to the suction accumulator which prevents liquid carry-over from entering the inlet of the refrigerant compressor.
We take this simple system and apply it to the job of drying compressed air. To do this, we will add a heat load to the refrigeration system (The heat of compression in the compressed air). What you see now is a simple dryer. If the heat load remains constant at the reheated outlet of the dryer, the refrigerant compressor will continue to run, and the refrigeration cycle will continue unbroken.
What would happen if the compressed air system was operating at partial load or unloaded for some period of time? Would the heat load to the dryer become less? Yes!
The heat load is less, therefore the refrigerant coming through the evaporator will not encounter enough heat to fully evaporate. The suction from the refrigeration compressor will try to pull all of the vapor from the suction side, but the liquid is not evaporating at the usual suction pressure.
This new lower pressure, and the evaporation it encourages, lowers the evaporator temperature.
If the refrigerant compressor is not stopped, the added evaporation would cause the water in the air to freeze in the evaporator air-to-air heat exchanger. This would block the flow of air, and effectively shuts down the system.
If the refrigeration compressor is shut down, as soon as the system catches up with the incoming air load, the refrigerant compressor must start again.
Because the system was shut down, it will take a little while for the compressor to build pressure and condense the refrigerant. During this time, the incoming heat load will tend to get ahead of the dryer, and there will be an upward swing in the pressure dewpoint. In some cases, during the swing time, very little drying will take place.
As you can see, this is not an acceptable way to control the pressure dewpoint.
The hot gas bypass valve seems to be one of the more effective ways of controlling the refrigeration system to give close pressure dewpoint control. With the hot gas bypass valve installed, and with the air compressor at full load condition, the dryer would function just like the simple dryer we discussed earlier, or any typical refrigeration system. It is under a partial air compressor load situation that the bypass valve begins to function.
The load changes at the evaporator, due to the compressor modulating or unloading. There is not enough heat to evaporate all of the refrigerant and the refrigeration compressor is lowering the suction pressure. As the suction pressure goes below 33 psig, and continues to go down, ice will begin to form in the heat exchanger and begin to block the flow of air. At this point the hot gas bypass valve opens, and channels very hot gas into the suction side of the system.
This does several things:
- It maintains a suction pressure high enough so that ice will not form in the heat exchanger.
- By diverting hot gas from the condenser, it reduces the pressure forcing the liquid
refrigerant through the filter / dryer so that less refrigerant will flow into the evaporator.
- The hot gas mixes with any liquid refrigerant in the suction side, turning it to a gas.
At the same time, the injected hot gas is being cooled to an acceptable level to be drawn into the inlet of the refrigeration compressor.
Now there is an immediate demand for more dry air. The compressor goes into full load mode, and the full capacity of the compressor rushes through the dryer to be cooled down. The suction pressure immediately rises to above 34 Psig and the hot gas bypass valve closes. This, once again, puts the full pressure of the hot gas against the liquid coming through the filter / dryer, giving an immediate supply to the evaporator and stabilizing the pressure dewpoint in seconds.
This is an example of one of the methods used to control a refrigeration type air dryer.
The Air Cycle
In-coming hot compressed air enters the air-to-air heat exchanger and flows down the inner tube of a tube-in-tube bundle. The incoming hot air is being pre-chilled by the air travelling in the outer tube, which has been cooled by the refrigeration section. As the air cools, water vapor condenses into liquid droplets. The condensed liquid droplets are then removed from the air stream in the separator and automatically discharged to drain by an automatic condensate drain trap. This pre-chilling is done to allow for the use of a smaller refrigeration unit, and increase the efficiency of the dryer package.
The pre-cooled compressed air then enters the air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger, where the heat is removed directly from the compressed air by the refrigeration system down to +35o F.
As the air continues to cool, water vapor again condenses into liquid droplets. The condensed liquid droplets are then removed from the air stream in another separator and automatically discharged to drain by an automatic condensate drain trap.
Finally, the air passes through the secondary side of the air-to-air heat exchange, where it is re-heated by the incoming hot air. The re-heating the outgoing air is to prevent downstream pipe sweating, and increasing the effective volume of the air, enabling it to do more work. It also will take longer for a pipe exposed to cool atmospheric temperatures to drop from the re-heated temperature to a point less than +35o F.
- Constant dewpoint of +35o F. (Depending on application)
- Low maintenance costs. (No chemical or desiccants to add or replace.)
- No recurring costs other than electricity.
- No afterfilter required. (A coalescing type prefilter is recommended)
- Lowest dewpoint available is +35o F. Any lower and the air-to-air heat
exchanger would freeze up.
- Some dryers have shown a problem with refrigerant leakage.
Absorption Drying
Incoming air enters the vessel near the base and passes through the mechanical separation section. Due to expansion, the free liquids and solids drop to the bottom of the vessel.
To some degree, this constitutes a pre-drying of the air.
The air then enters the desiccant bed of deliquescent materials such as water-soluble salts or shotted urea. The hygroscopic chemicals condense water vapor as they deliquesce or dissolve.
Absorption occurs until the tablets are completely consumed, at which time, they must be replaced.
Dew point suppression is subject to the following:
- Age and Composition of the deliquescent material.
- Compression of the tablets.
- The vessel configuration.
- The compressed air inlet temperature.
- The compressed air velocity. (Based on pressure)
- Lowest initial cost of all dryer types.
- No electrical hook-up.
- No moving parts.
- Simple operation.
- Dewpoint suppression is between 20o-30o F (On average).
- Deliquescent material must be added to or replaced as it absorbs and melts.
- Downtime to replace deliquescent material.
- Ecological problem of disposing of the dissolved deliquescent material.
- Cost of replacement deliquescent and of disposal of dissolved deliquescent
- Carryover of corrosive deliquescent materials into the downstream piping network
and air using components.
- Parts of the deliquescent materials can solidify in the bed, causing channels for
the air to by-pass most of the drying material. This reduces the dryers performance.
Adsorption Drying
Dual Tower Regenerative Desiccant Air Dryers
Heaterless Type (Pressure Swing Dryers)
Dual tower desiccant air dryers are used to produce dewpoint temperatures below the freezing point of water, as well as reduce the moisture content of compressed air used in critical process applications. Typical dewpoints produced by these types of dryers are -40 o F to -100 o F, although lower dewpoints are possible.
These types of dryers are typically used to dry instrument air and process air, as well as applications where airlines are exposed to low ambient temperatures, below 32 o F, and in other critical applications. Desiccant dryers lower the dewpoint of compressed air by adsorbing water vapor onto the surface of a desiccant.
The three basic types of desiccant used in dual tower regenerative air dryers are:
- Activated Alumina
- Silica Gel
- Molecular Sieve
The process of adsorption begins as the water vapor, which is more highly concentrated in the compressed air stream, moves into an area of lower water vapor concentration in the pores of the desiccant. Once inside the pores, a natural attraction of the vapor molecules to the solid surface of the desiccant causes water vapor molecules to build up on the surface of the desiccant.
As enough molecules gather, vapor changes phase and becomes a liquid. The process continues as long as the concentration of water vapor in the air is greater than the concentration in the desiccant pores. The water remains on the surface of the desiccant until it is stripped off. This is called reactivating or regenerating the desiccant.
By doing this, the desiccant may be used again and again.
In summary, in a desiccant dryer, adsorbing the water vapor onto the large, dry surface area of a highly porous material called desiccant dries the compressed air. This adsorption occurs as water vapor in the compressed air moves into the pores of the dry desiccant and is attracted to the surface of the pores.
Dual tower desiccant dryers offer a continuous supply of dry compressed air by using two identical towers each containing a bed of desiccant beads. While one tower is on stream drying the compressed air, the other tower is off stream so the desiccant in that tower can be regenerated.
In a pressure swing type regenerative dryer, the regeneration of the desiccant bed is accomplished by expanding some of the dried air to near atmospheric pressure and directing it across the wet desiccant bed. This swing in pressure produces expanded air with a very low water vapor concentration.
Because the water vapor concentration of this expanded or purge air is less than the water vapor concentration in the pores of the desiccant, water vapor moves from the desiccant back into the purge air stream. The purge air stream then carries the desorbed water out of the dryer.
Pressure swing dryers are often called heaterless or heatless dryers because no outside heat is added for the regeneration of the desiccant.
The standard cycle time for a heaterless air dryer is 10 minutes, for a -40 o F, dewpoint. (Other variations exist for varied dewpoints)
The main air stream enters tower A at the left inlet switching valve and is dried by the desiccant. The dry air is then directed by a system of check valves to the air outlet.
While this occurs, the desiccant is regenerated in the off-stream tower by throttling a portion of the dried air to near atmospheric pressure by means of an adjustable purge rate valve and orifice. This expanded air, or purge air, flows through and reactivates the desiccant in tower B.
The purge air is then exhausted through the right purge re-pressurization valve and muffler to the atmosphere. After 4 minutes, the right purge re-pressurization valve closes, allowing tower B to slowly re-pressurize.
At 5 minutes the left inlet switching valve closes and the right inlet switching valve opens. The main air stream is directed across the regenerated desiccant in tower B. As this occurs, the left purge re-pressurization valve opens, allowing tower A to depressurize. Purge air now flows through tower A allowing the desiccant in this tower to be regenerated. The bulk of the vapor is removed in the lower part of the dryer, and the upper section is used to polish the air (to remove the final grains of moisture, to arrive at the final pressure dewpoint). All dryers of this type work essentially the same way.
The flows through the dryer must be precisely controlled to prevent bed movement. If the air velocity were too great the desiccant would begin to float, or fluidize. This would cause the desiccant beads to rub together and degrade as desiccant particles wear away. This desiccant dusting reduces the useful life of the bed as well as increasing wear and tear on the valves.
Dusting also causes frequent maintenance of downstream filtration. To prevent bed fluidization, manufacturers design their dryers to have the off-stream tower slowly and completely re-pressurized before tower change over. This prevents bed jolting as well, after changeover.
On some dryers, the inlet air enters the bottom of the tower, and flows upward through the desiccant bed. This allows any liquid water and large contaminants present in the air stream to separate out in the bottom of the tower. The collected contaminants remain there until they are flushed from the system as the tower is depressurized.
The average purge air (consumption) requirements of a heaterless type air dryer is 15 – 20 % of the rated capacity of the dryer. (Not the compressed air system delivery capacity) The purge air requirement varies with the different manufacturers' requirements and designs. Another important aspect of adsorption, is the release of heat as water vapor is adsorbed onto the desiccant. This heat of adsorption is produced by the change in the energy state that occurs as water vapor is attracted to the desiccant and condenses.
Membrane Air Drying – Membrane Type Dryer
The Membrane dryer operates on the principal of selective permeation through a membrane.
As the compressed air passes through a bundle of tiny hollow (polysulfone) membrane fibers, water vapor and a portion of the compressed air flow diffuses through the semi permeable membrane walls while the dried air continues downstream.
The water vapor which has been separated from the compressed air by the differential gas pressure on the inside and outside of the hollow fibers, is purged out of the housing by the sweep air (Purge air).
The Membrane dryer must be used only with clean, oil free air. It must have a coalescing prefilter installed ahead of the dryer to remove any liquid water, oil and aerosol contaminants from the compressed air stream, as these would block the permeation's of the fibers, reducing the performance of the dryer.
These dryers are point-of-use dryers, and are sized for low capacities compared to other dryer types. The membrane dryer can be connected in parallel to increase the capacity beyond that of the single dryer.
The advantages of these dryers are:
- There are no moving parts.
- There are no consumables to replace.
- They require no external power source.
- They install directly in the pipeline.
- They can operate in severe environments, such as high or low temperatures or corrosive and explosive atmospheres.
- They operate continuously without the need for adjustment or maintenance. (Other than prefilter maintenance)
- Dewpoint suppression range is between +40 and -40 oF.
The disadvantages of these dryers are:
- They require (consume) about 15-20 % purge air. (On some models)
- Membrane dryers reduce the oxygen content of the compressed air, and can not be used in breathing air applications.
If you have any questions about this article or anything mobile compressor related, please contact us.


text: With only 2 weddings left to finish off the great year of 2015, Rachel and Dan and the whole wedding party was a blast to work with. Thanks to all the GREAT BRIDES Ive had this 2015 season. I remember way back when I said I'd never shoot a wedding, too much stress, well 30 years Later and still strong. Thanks to Ron and Joanne Peter for pushing me into doing their wedding back in 1985!!! Number UNO!!!


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with all our seeds planted and lots more sunny days, our garden has sprung into life. Ted's peas all have shoots, the potatoes are really taking off and the runner beans are up to our knees! The boys water the plants, although seem to prefer using water pistols, a slightly unusual technique, but one that is a lot more fun - until they aim for the washing on the line, then they get chased away! If you have any little ones birthdays coming up, why not consider buying a watering can and some seeds as a present? They are really quite cheap to buy from garden centres, I like this yellow one for my littlest man.
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
from little seeds...
2 comments:
- Anonymous19 May 2010 at 19:00
Your post brought back some memories. I can remember tiny watering cans. I loved helping my Dad in the garden and had a tiny plot of my own. I regularly planted, dug up and replanted yet things continued to grow. The joy was always derived from sharing the gardening with my Dad.ReplyDelete
Planted some seeds this week too. Hope yours do well.
- Anonymous20 May 2010 at 14:15
A few days ago, I asked you if you would send me some dandelion seeds.. Give me a present like this, my birthday is may 26 :)ReplyDelete
my e-mail: email@example.com
there I send you my adress,
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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Vote For Your Favourite Green Product and Win a Prize
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Watch the new Avengers: Age of Ultron teaser trailer
It's finally here! The Avengers: Age of Ultron teaser trailer is available NOW on YouTube:
Marvel's AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON will hit theaters everywhere on May 1st, 2015!
U.S. Release date: May 1, 2015
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Cobie Smulders with James Spader and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury
About Avengers: Age of Ultron
Marvel Studios presents "Avengers: Age of Ultron," the epic follow-up to the biggest Super Hero movie of all time. When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth's Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.
Get set for an action-packed thrill ride when The Avengers return in Marvel's "Avengers: Age of Ultron" on May 1, 2015. Follow all the action online using #Avengers and #AgeofUltron


text: "Some days it really hits me in the heart how blessed I am in my life. The experiences I have lived, the people I have had the pleasure and or difficulty of knowing. The endless opportunities that present themselves every day for me to grow and live life to the fullest. It reminds me to take advantage of all possibilities presented to create and enjoy the life I am living. I am so grateful for my life" 🙂 – Eyoälha


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This year's NEXT conference from September 22-23 will be held under the motto, "It's me, your digital ego", highlighting people and machines, according to organisers. Around 1,300 decision-makers from the digital sector will discuss trends, users' needs and business models in future on the tenth anniversary of the event in Hamburg's Reeperbahn. NEXT is a partner of the Reeperbahn Festival and delegates at the conference will also receive tickets for the music festival.
International speakers
Chatbots, facial recognition and autonomous driving sounded like science fiction just a few years ago, but have long since become reality. Artificial intelligence is thus becoming a fixed part of everyday life prompting the emphasis this year on the interplay between people and machines. International keynote speakers like Brian Solis, a trend analyst and author, will discuss the effects of digital innovations on consumer behaviour and on business models in future.
Digital roadmap
NEXT 16 will again dock onto the Reeperbahn Festival spatially and in terms of the agenda. Decision-makers will highlight the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation. Matthias Schrader, CEO SinnerSchrader, and founder of NEXT, said: "The digital roadmap for the next ten years will be discussed at NEXT", adding, "The mixture of different people who are pushing digitalisation ahead from diverse perspectives is an inspiring moment of the NEXT conference. The blend of decision makers, designers and developers is unique in Europe."
Four main themes
The festival's four main themes are "Behaviour", "Product Design", "Platforms" und "Artificial Intelligence". Along with Solis, other international experts like Nathalie Nahai, author and web psychologist, and Golden Krishna, a design strategist and author at Google, will also give fresh impetus on key global trends and issues. Smaller group sessions with lectures, exhibitions and workshops will be held at venues across the Reeperbahn.
Delegates have a choice of 600 concerts and cultural events to visit in the evenings. The NEXT ticket is offering delegates at the conference admission to the Reeperbahn Festival, which attracts around 30,000 annual visitors.
NEXT16 is being organised by the SinnerSchrader and FAKTOR 3 agencies. In 2015, the two agencies were responsible for relocating the festival from Berlin to Hamburg simultaneous with NEXT's switch from business to digital conference.
Sources and further information:


text: dm101[TK] Report post Posted June 5, 2012 OK here is my attempt to build a Doopy Doos resin E11 Blaster. This may have been done already but… The package from the Royal Mail arrived and I eagerly opened it. Balloons and blue arrows After dumping the bits out on the kitchen table. I triple checked the box for the assembly instructions. No luck. There were no instructions. No problem how hard could it be, right? I was lucky and was able to borrow a de-milled Sterling L2A3 to compare resin parts to real steel part. This is my build thread- Craig I laid out all the bits and tried making a Bill Of Material and identifying the parts the best I could. Correct me if my naming convention is wrong. I added the YELLOW balloons to identify the parts on my Bill Of Material. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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Personalized Stadium Cups with Your Artworkbe the first!
Estimate Arrival DateDelays may occur due to COVID-19
Product Description
Personalized stadium cups featuring your custom artwork or logo will make any occasion a special one. Many cup colors and sizes available. You select ink color and size of cup. Artwork will always be centered and can be printed on both sides at no extra charge. These heavy weight cups are top rack dishwasher safe, BPA free, reusable and are made and printed in the USA. Positioning only as shown. Optional lids available.
New Orders require a one-time plate fee. The plate we created with your artwork will remain on file at the factory and be available for re-orders without additional plate fees. You will receive a complimentary proof for your approval.
Note about Ounce Size: We suggest always using a cup at least 4 ounces larger than the amount of liquid you want to fill the cup with. The ounce size shown for cups means absolute volume up to the brim. Stated ounces are intended to show approximate volume and are not an implied guarantee of exact volume.


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MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) -- As summer winds down, so does Bucky On Parade.
The beautiful statues are leaving their summer vacation spots on September 13. One group of UW Madison students and graduates made it a priority to see them all, even if it meant doing it in one day.
UW Madison student, Sarah Lawinger says it maybe wasn't the smartest way to see the statues, but there group was ambitious as they set out on the mission Sept. 1.
"We had around 10 people that really wanted to see them but it was hard to organize a day for all of our friends to get together. Finally, schedules aligned and we made it happen," Lawinger said.
Lisa Groß, Melissa Seman, Austin Larson, Nolan Carroll, Kortney Sperfslage, Logan Butson, Logan Yeager, Brycen Pratt, and Tara Bender all joined her on the exhibition.
The group started their trek in the morning and finished 10 hours later.
"I think it's important to say thank you to all the artist that put the time into making these statues," Lawinger said.
The Bucky On Parade Finale will be September 29 at the Kohl Center in Madison.


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The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago consists of two island groups, the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands. Located in the Bay of Bengal, these islands are one of the most amazing tourist destinations in the world.
Tourism in these island groups has flourished over the time. The scenic beauty of the Andaman and Nicobar islands attracts thousands of tourists every year.
The location of the islands is favourable for those planning to take the Andaman Holiday Package. Well connected by ship and air, the capital Port Blair is at a distance of 1190 km from Chennai, 1255 km from Kolkata and 1200 km from Vishakhapatnam.
Although a part of India, they lie closer to Myanmar and Thailand and thus are easily accessible. The best season to take a trip to Andamans is from January to mid May, the perfect sunny days, rest will either be full of heavy showers or cool temperature.
Port Blair
The capital of the island group, Port Blair serves as a base to travel around the islands. Also, a large number of hotels, resorts, banks, tour operators and sports complex are present here. The Aberdeen Bazaar, the Anthropological Museum and the Fisheries Museum are other places of interest in Port Blair. The Andaman Water Sports Complex serves the needs of the adventure seekers. Offering a range of activities like parasailing and wind-surfing, it is open daily.
Cellular Jail
This is undoubtedly the main tourist attraction here. Built specifically for solitary confinement, it reflects the torment that the Indian freedom fighters underwent. A sound and light show is held here every evening; it is now a memorial to the prisoners of the Indian Independence Movement.
Mount Harriet National Park
The highest peaks in the Andamans can be found in the Mount Harriet National Park. Mount Harriet is 365 m high and is surrounded by evergreen forests that are home to a large variety of wildlife. Birds like the woodpecker and the imperial pigeon predominate the area. One can trek upto the Madhuban Beach through a 16 km (10 mile) nature trail.
Ross Island
The Ross Island served as the administrative capital of the British. Situated at a distance of 2 km east of Port Blair, it can be reached by taking a short ferry ride. The area, now lies deserted and is under the control of the Indian navy. 'Smritika', the museum established by the Navy, records the lives of its political prisoners.
Wandoor Marine National Park
The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park was established in 1983 to preserve the tropical ecosystems of the uninhabited islands in the Andamans. Jolly Buoy Island and the Redskin Island are open during season. Magnificent coral reefs and rich marine life can be seen here.
Andaman and Nicobar Tourism runs a lot of hotels on the beaches, that provide perfect accommodation for the tourists. These hotels or guest houses are around the island areas itself, to provide best location to the tourists.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands are actually the peaks of a submerged mountain range extending from Myanmar to Indonesia. Supporting a staggering variety of plant and animal life, the islands are popular not only for their pristine natural beauty, but also for various adventure sports and water sports options that they offer.
The large coastline of these islands provides ideal opportunity for different water sports such as scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, para-sailing, water skiing and boating. Tourism of Andaman & Nicobar Islands must also include watching its varied marine life.
In the Islands you would not find luxurious malls and shopping complexes, but a few street markets, run by native people, are full of traditional handicrafts made up of sea shells and corals, and you can also buy tribal jewelery from the market. Some spices and sea food can also be bought, but in all, Andamans is a place to explore the charming locations, not shopping.
Last updated : Dec 8, 2011.


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I enjoy building things and I love science and technology. The quirkier and ingenious the solution, the better.
This user joined on 01/21/2016.
This rover has a Banana Pi (~Raspberry Pi) and a web server running on it. The DC motors are controlled via Python which is called from Javascript. Also working on a solar charger for more autonomy.
Thank you @Tobias for the Like of my #Minimalist Li-Ion Discharger/Capacity meter. I'd be interested to see how your #ARDUINO MPPT SOLAR CHARGE CONTROLLER is still faring these days.


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Bloodhound Shearwater 2000
The Bloodhound is used to detect the following types of espionage attack:
- Amplified wired microphone systems – Eavesdropper-type systems wired directly to the listening post via a twisted pair cabling system.
- Telephone Attacks – Both base band and attacks using R.F. modulation techniques.
- Radio Microphone Attacks.
- Tape Recorder Attacks.
- Video camera surveillance.
These eavesdropping devices contain audio amplifiers, the electric fields of which are detectable by the Bloodhound systems.
In addition to the normal usage, the Bloodhound system can be used for the following functions:
- General purpose audio amplifiers – especially on very weak and / or noisy signals.
- Cable tracing.


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Berne® Original Washed Insulated Bib Overall
You'll be ready for action with Berne Apparel's Original Washed Insulated Bib Overall. The 12-oz, 100% washed cotton duck shell is lined with a medium weight insulation. The full length leg zipper has the added feature of an inside and outside storm flap.
Sorry, this item was popular! Certain colors and sizes may be out of stock for the season.
Product Details
- Shell: 12 oz. 100% cotton sanded duck
- Insulation/liner: Heavyweight insulation quilted to 100% polyester taffeta
- Insulated high-back design for added warmth
- Outside storm flap
- Brass two-way front zipper
- Triple-needle stitched main seams
- Reinforced bar tacks at all stress points
- Adjustable elasticized straps
- Reinforced double knees
- Four needle stitching on waistband with elastic inserts
- Two deep front pockets, one with pencil slot
- Two reinforced hip pockets/left with brass zipper
- Side utility pockets
- Adjustable leg snaps
- Brass leg zipper from waist to pant bottom with snap closure at hand openings
- Heavy-duty nylon protects leg hem from wear
Welcome - This is the Customizer Tool!


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Click Here to Apply for UNICAL Post UTME Screening Form 2018.
UNICAL Post UTME Screening Form 2018… In this article you will be given detail information about University of Calabar (UNICAL) Screening Form, Screening Requirements, How to Apply for UNICAL Post UTME Screening Form, Application Deadline and other necessary updates for free.
This is to inform all UTME candidates who applied for admission to University of Calabar (UNICAL), for the 2018/2019 academic session that the Post UTME Test will be conducted from Monday, August 13 to Saturday, August 18, 2018 at the University's CBT Centre.
Candidates who scored 150 and above in the Joint Admissions & Matriculation Examination and who have chosen University of Calabar as their First Choice in their application for admission into the University for the 2018/2019 academic session.
How to Apply.
The following options are available:
- E-transact option:This option is available in all commercial banks nationwide. At the bank your are required to pay and obtain an E-transact PIN. With the PIN log into the portal http://www.Myunical.edu.ng and click on the UTME Admission Screening link then follow the instructions on the portal after login.
- Scratch Card Option: This option is available in the following banks within Calabar Metropolis ONLY:
Unical Microfinance Bank
b. WEMA Bank
c. First city Monument Bank
d. Heritage Bank
e. Zenith Bank Plc
On obtaining the scratch card proceed as follows:
- LOG ON TO: http://www.Myunical.edu.ng and click on Screening UTME link
- On the home page, enter your correct JAMB Registration NO in the box provided
- Enter the scratch card pin in the box provided
- Click on login and follow the online instructions.
- Confirm your entries and CLICK ON SUBMIT
- Print out the completed form.
UNICAL Aptitude Test = N2000
Registration Portal Opening and Closing Date.
Registration will start from Thursday, July 12, 2018, when the portal will be open. Please note that the portal will however be shut down at 12.00 mid night on Saturday, August 4, 2018.
Important Information.
- Candidates are required to come with their original UTME result slip showing the Candidate's photograph
- The Post UTME exercise is Computer Based Test (CBT).
- Special candidate with any form of disability should please indicate during registration.
- Impersonation is a serious offence and anyone caught will be handed over to the Law Enforcement Agents and may be liable to up to 5 years imprisonment
- Any candidate who fails to take part in the screening exercise automatically loses his or her chance of being considered for admission.
- Early commencement of registration is advised to avoid congestion in the dying hours.
- Candidates are advised to check the Portal from Tuesday, August 7, 2018 for their venue and time of the CBT. Candidates are strictly advised to ensure that their correct phone numbers are provided while filling the form online as the University will communicate with them directly.
Zellence Unical Office
Database Office, Philosophy Department
University of Calabar
08183626190, 07012258103
email: email@example.com
It always our pleasure, hearing from you! If you have any feedback, questions, or concerns, please use the comment box below.
Most important, don't hesitate using our share button below to inform – friends and relation via Facebook, twitter or Google+
MSF Team


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- Marie Hanna Curran
Having read an article yesterday morning suggesting ME can be bettered by both GET and CBT, I was at the ready for the surprise phone call that followed.
One which led me to speak with radio host Matt Cooper live on his show The Last Word broadcast on Today FM and also with Professor Michael Sharpe, co-author of a paper published yesterday from Oxford University.
Additionally, it's been brought to my attention today, November 3rd, the radio show is inviting people to air their thoughts re GET and the PACE trial, should you wish to do so, please follow this link.
5 views


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Image preparation
Projected Digital Images for CD Group Activities and Competitions
On activity nights you can bring images, on a USB memory stick, for critique and discussion. It can be time-consuming if members do that and interrupts the flow of the proceedings. There is also the risk that your memory stick may not be readable on the EPS laptop. It is better if you email images in advance. Details below: please note that AT needs to be replaced with @
The filename convention indicated below allows the relevant details to be extracted automatically and images organised. Please follow this convention to minimise manual intervention.
Files MUST be saved as .jpg (JPEG), and should be 1600 pixels (maximum) horizontally x 1200 pixels(maximum) vertically. It is recommended that you use the sRGB profile. Please do not submit images larger than this. Images should be submitted by email to cdgroupATedinburghphotographicsociety.co.uk . (Replace AT with @)
File names should follow the following convention: LX_nnnn_Image Title.jpg where LX=L1 or L2 (League 1 or league 2) and nnnn is your four digit membership number. Your image title may contain spaces and should be capitalized appropriately. Please note that underscores are used to separate the components of the file name and should not be used within your image title.
Full submission guidelines for the main society competitions can be found under "Members" "Competitions" "Competition Guidelines".
Images entered must be entirely the work of the photographer. Composite images are permitted provided all component images meet this requirement. For the avoidance of doubt, use of images from any other source including royalty free image banks and clipart are not permitted.
Tips on improving your images
In Feb 2019 the CD Group were visited by one of the best editors around and the notes taken during that evening are here. Notes from a visit
In October 2019 the CD Group had a demo on some very useful editing tools and keyboard shortcuts. The notes are here. Notes from demo
In Jan 2020 the CD Group had a demo on some very useful editing tools. The notes are here. Notes from 27th Jan 2020
In Feb 2020 the CD Group had a camera fun night and notes on one of the techniques are here. Still Life Shadow Swap


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Although there is often a common rationale between why a foundation gives to a specific set of organizations – their geography, size, programmatic focus, etc. – once the money is out of the door, most foundations look at grants in complete isolation of each other. They never analyze what the grants are spent on cumulatively. If they did, they might think differently.
Imagine you are a foundation that donates to youth charities in one geography – each year you get 50 applications from charities delivering various forms of youth services and every year you distribute $1 million across 10 of those charities. Though those charities may be unique from each other in their purpose, ideas and approach, what they spend money on will likely have significant overlap.
A typical youth charity might spend half its budget on frontline workers. If you are funding each small charity $100,000 per year into a budget of $500,000, you don't really have the scale to think about workforce development strategies. If, however, you look in the aggregate over a 10-year period, you might think differently. In such a case you are not just spending $100,000 over one year on one charity, but instead funding $10,000,000 over 10 years into a set of charities. Those charities are cumulatively spending $25,000,000 on youth workers over that same period. At this point the numbers get interesting.
Youth workers tend to face two key challenges. Firstly, they tend to rely on informal training given by charities that themselves do not have much capacity to prepare and develop staff – this means that the amount and quality of training is highly variable and as such the whole sector suffers. Secondly, they tend not to be given routes into organisational management and as a result many of the most committed leave the sector for higher paying roles.
If we take these two issues alone, it feels completely illogical for a foundation that looks strategically at its "end spend" to not consider supporting with some small part of its budget creating a high-end initial training programs for the 30 or so new youth workers entering the system each year across their grantees. It feels equally illogical to not spend some portion of their grants budget on a management training programs for the most promising team members.
A lack of this strategic view ends up with multiple charities suffering the same challenges at the same time in the same place and each poorly resourcing their own solutions.
When you look at the same set of charities, they are each likely spending $50,000 per year on office space and none will own their own premises. They may be spending a further $20,000 per year on activity space rental. They will likely be getting bad deals as they rely on small offices, can not pay large deposits and need relatively short-term leases due to funding insecurity. So that's $700,000 per year (the majority of your grants budget) spent badly on office and activity space. It adds up to $14,000,000 over 20 years spent by a foundation that knows this spend is coming. Give that information, the foundation could easily have bought an office space for half that money and gifted that as part of grants, using the other half to maintain flexibility. At the very least they could have supported charities to share space, sign longer leases and offer bigger deposits in order to secure better deals.
If the foundation saw that their "end spend" over 10 years included $100,000 on cheap printers that guzzle ink and break easily, could they have put half that money into a central printing function for the sector for big print jobs?
And how about the things that grantees don't spend money on? At the top of every one of these regional youth charities' wish lists there might be an advocacy function that could help bring their stories and ideas to political leaders nationally. This remains a $80,000 pipe dream for each and every one of those 10 organizations and year after year policy remains disconnected from what they see as needed on the ground. What if funders – national or local – started investing in PR, communications and advocacy infrastructure to support their grantees to overcome a common challenge and fulfill a common ambition?
At the end of the day most charities in the same sector spend money on the same things. In fact, across geographies and across sectors there is still huge overlap. The majority of foundations operating 20 years ago were spending the bulk of their budgets on the same "end spend" line items as they do today and they will be doing the same in 20 years' time, however many times their strategy changes.
If foundations took the time to analyze their data and see what their grantees were actually spending their money on, they would be given plenty of evidence that making investments in sector infrastructure is an opportunity not to be missed. It's time for foundations to start thinking more strategically and that starts with following the money.


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Pediatric Neurology
This condition is a neurological problem that results in periodic episodes of intense pain. Cluster headaches are one of the most painful types of headaches. They often strike in cyclical patterns. The person will have frequent bouts of cluster headaches, and then the headaches will stop completely for a period of time.Content by ViewMedica
A migraine is an intense, throbbing headache that may be accompanied by nausea or dizziness. A migraine can last from hours to days.Content by ViewMedica
This is a common type of headache that can be painful and frustrating for many people. It tends to start in the back of the head and then move forward to surround your head.Content by ViewMedica
A specialized branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and management of neurological conditions in newborns, infants, children and adolescents.
Our Services
- Developmental delays
- Headaches
- Neurogenetic disorders
- Strokes
- Tics
- Tourette syndrome
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Pediatric Sports Medicine
Pediatric sports medicine providers specialize in the prevention, evaluation, and management of sports-related illnesses and/or injuries that might occur to your child, teen, or young adult. Our Services Achilles Tendon Sprain or Rupture Adhesive Capsulitis Ankle Sprain Arm Fracture (incl. Elbow and Shoulder) Bursitis Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Chronic…
Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Pediatric infectious disease specialists diagnose and treat children with recurring or persistent diseases caused by infectious agents, such as bacteria, a fungus, parasite, or other rare infection. Our Services Adolescent care AIDS Asthma Cellulitis Childhood diseases Endocarditis Hepatitis Infectious diseases Osteomyelitis Pediatric care Pneumonia Sexually transmitted diseases Tuberous sclerosis Wound infection…
An area of medicine focused on the physical, behavioral, and mental health of children, from minor health problems to serious diseases. Our Services ADHD Allergy testing Asthma Childhood diseases Circumcision (infant) Diabetes management Earaches Eczema Epilepsy Infant care Migraine Newborn care Obesity Pap smear Pediatric care Physical exams…


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It has perhaps never been harder for Christian teens and young adults to stand up for Jesus in their schools, colleges and communities. If they do stick their head above the parapet, they can receive a barrage of questions from several different directions at once! How should they respond? How can youth leaders, churches, and parents give them the tools to deal with these situations?
Out of the Question is a series of animations which, rather than giving answers to remember, gives tools to equip teens and young adults to defend their faith. It's unique because it combines humorous, animated media with a narrative form which makes them more accessible and applicable (especially for those less bookish).
Animation is a great way to communicate; teens and young adults love the format ,and you can do things in animation which simply aren't possible with other media. On-line and written resources accompany the series allowing youth leaders to use these resources in group discussions.
We hope you find videos, articles and resources on our website that inspire you and your community to share Jesus – and please do feel free to share these on social media or in church gatherings. If you see something that you would like to post on another website, however, please get in touch so that we can help you.


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How do you want to do business? Let One World Direct Pick Pack And Ship your products.
One World's flexible order fulfillment technology integrates to any e-commerce site or ERP in real-time, near-time or batch mode. Why the flexibility? Because only you know how your customers behave. Do you want to build in a time lag between order placement on your site and order picking at our facility? You might if you experience a high number of post-order modifications that cascade into customer service costs and disruption. If not, then real-time integration is for you.
Once an order is released to our system, pickers are directed to your zone in our fulfillment center by tablet devices. Pickers use scanners to verify the accuracy of every order. When your order arrives at a packing station, packers then re-scan and re-verify each order, using touch-screen PCs to record all data, including packaging types. Your parcel ships using the carrier that you, or your customer, has chosen.
If building a brand is your focus, One World sources all types of gift cards, wrapping paper, embossed seals, tissue paper, ribbons, gift bags and anything else our clients need to make their brand stand out.
Custom pack slips and other inserts are printed as per your design, your brand identity and your unique needs. Some clients utilize branded shipping boxes, while others prefer plain brown boxes or padded envelopes. Boxes can be taped using customized logo'd tape.
We'll put your products in a box, but we won't box you in.
We offer you:
- 24 Hour or Same-Day Service
- Address Validation
- Branded Packing Slips
- Choice of Carrier
- Branded Boxes
- Custom Email Verifications
- Custom Gift Wrap
- Real-Time Reporting


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Renowned designer Gill Harvey has brought together her years of experience to create the Eliza Jane Howell Bridal Collection. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, Gill Harvey was originally known for her Medici knitwear collection. Named after her grandmother, the Eliza Jane Howell Bridal Collection has been designed for the modern day bride who would love to wear a dress that oozes the glamour, sophistication and decadence of the golden age of fashion. Taking inspiration from exquisite vintage gowns, the Eliza Jane Howell collection is the epitome of grown up glamour.
Prices from £885-£3000.


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Isabelle Jacopin is a French expatriate artist based in New Orleans' historic French Quarter who creates artwork that is vibrant and full of life. Her balcony studio overlooking Royal Street is filled with all sorts of lovely creations. Isabelle has a tremendous work ethic and loves being in the middle of the hustle and bustle of New Orleans' busiest neighborhood.
NCM: What part of France do you come from?
Isabelle: I was born in Brittany, which is in the Northwest of France. But I also have a studio in the Southwest of France, in Dordogne.
NCM: Did you go to art school?
Isabelle: Not really. I just studied a few months because I had to make a living early in life. When I was 18 I started painting on silk dresses, lamp shades and scarves. I was selling on the street and in the flea markets. I did that for about 10 years.
Then, by luck, I discovered a small box of soft pastels. Soon I stopped painting on silk and started using pastels. I was then addicted to pastels.
NCM: Is anyone else in your family an artist?
Isabelle: No, my mother was terrible to me when I told her I was going to be a professional artist! She told me to leave the house. She finally accepted my profession about 17 years ago when she was around 70, but in the beginning she didn't want to talk to me.
NCM: Are your children interested in art?
Isabelle: Yes, of course. They were raised in my studio. My son studied trompe l'oeil for one year. He went to a school to learn how to paint faux wood and marble. And my daughter studied Art History. She was a cultural mediator and she's studying to be an Illustrator for Children's books.
NCM: What genre do you work in?
Isabelle: My style is New Impressionist. It looks very Impressionist. But I do also have some abstract paintings.
NCM: How do you find your subjects to paint?
Isabelle: I just look around me! New Orleans has so many subjects. It is so inspiring. And when I'm in France, I love to paint the river and beautiful landscapes. But I also love music and enjoy painting female singers, especially Josephine Baker.
NCM: Whose work inspires you the most?
Isabelle: It's hard to say. As a little girl I was very attracted to Toulouse-Lautrec's work and love his pastel paintings to advertise for shoes. I also love Alphonse Mucha.
As a teenager, I was attracted to Monet's paintings. I also eventually discovered the Surrealists. I didn't have any access to art so in my family, so I just had to discover things by myself through reading.
NCM: Did you ever consider being anything but a professional artist? Ever try anything else?
Isabelle: I knew that was what I was going to do when I was very young. It was always my job and passion. Now, I'm 62 and I always tell younger people that it is possible to make your living as an artist. Don't listen too much to teachers or parents who say otherwise – if you believe in yourself, you can make a living. It's not the type of job you choose when you want to make a big amount of money, but it's a passion. If you have the ability but don't choose to pursue it, you will live your life in regret.
NCM: When did you start painting for the first time?
Isabelle: Since I was about four or five years old. I always had a passion.
NCM: Do you have any favorite medium or do you like to experiment?
Isabelle: I love to experiment. I enjoy using canvas as a base, but I also enjoy painting and drawing on plexiglass and brown paper. I'm always happy to paint with oils.
NCM: How do you differentiate your art from other people since there's so much art on the market these days?
Isabelle: Oh, I don't feel the competition or even think about it. I like to meet other artists. I'm not competitive or jealous. I love to visit artists' studios more than galleries.
A pivotal experience for me was a three week trip to Cuba. There I met many Cuban artists and worked along side them. Every Sunday I was showing my paintings and my sketches. I realized how fortunate we are here to have access to art supplies.
They taught me how they make white paint when they don't have any on the island. There was no white paint! They used shoe polish and toothpaste. I gave them all my art supplies before leaving. That was a powerful experience.
When I returned from that trip I decided I needed a medium that allowed me to paint big. I liked the texture of oils, but I hated cleaning brushes. I took a palette knife to the canvas and learned it's way easier to clean. So I started painting with palette knives. There's so much more potential with oils. I also like to paint on old newspapers and shopping bags. I try to reuse and recycle.
NCM: What made you decide to come to New Orleans?
Isabelle: My first trip to New Orleans was 22 years ago for a one month stay. I knew the day after I arrived, that the bulk of my life would be spent here. I met the right people and felt like I was home. I decided it was time to really move here after Katrina.
NCM: Do you show in a gallery?
Isabelle: I don't have a gallery right now. I open up my studio to people who are interested in purchasing art. People can contact me through Instagram and Facebook to see and purchase my art.
NCM: How do you deal with negative criticism? Has anyone ever said something to you that really hurt?
Isabelle: Since I paint a lot outside on the street, I think I learned how to focus on my work and not listen to the conversations around me. I can still hear what people say and enjoy a compliment. But to be honest, I don't have that many critics.
NCM: How do you come up with a profitable price structure for your art?
Isabelle: I'm in a "medium price" range. My work was way more expensive when I was working with galleries. I've been surprised that more people haven't jumped at the opportunity to buy my work at these (non-gallery) prices. I think some people maybe don't feel comfortable buying directly from artists.
NCM: Do you think you sell more by yourself than in the gallery?
Isabelle: It was my destiny to sell by myself! I have had some successful gallery relationships, but most of my life it was more about representing myself.
NCM: If you had to pick one favorite of all your work, could you?
Isabelle: The next one I begin – the one I have on my easel!