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It seems the last 3 months of the year is a time when we see many relationships ending. It may be related to numerology, where the new numerological year starts to impact from September onwards, it may be that people want to start fresh in the new year or it may be the end of year pressures cause an explosion of frustration with the way things have been in the relationship.
What ever the reason it is hard on all concerned, the person leaving and the person left. The person leaving has often mulled over the idea for a while, they may or may not have clearly communicated their dissatisfaction to their partner, they may have been very clear but their partner may have been in denial, hoping that things would get better when……happened. For many people leaving the relationship has been quite drawn out, possible some denial from them about what was going on, time of self-reflection and often the grieving for the loss of what they had hoped the relationship would be has been done before the actual ending. This can be why they may seem to move on to a new relationship quickly, they have often been out of it for quite a while.
For the person who has been left it can be a big surprise or not unexpected, it can be devastating or a blessed relief. No matter how the person left feels there will also be a grief process for them, time will be needed to grieve and heal, this can be a quick or an extremely long process depending on the depth of their hurt.
When people are hurt they can act in ways that are unexpected, even by the people who think they know them the best. People may become mean and nasty, say things they don't really mean, behave badly, it is the hurt and anger and not the true person. This does not excuse the behaviour but can explain it, they have a choice whether they act on the thoughts and feelings they have or whether they remain loving and respectful. And it is not only the person who has been left that can react in this way, sometimes the person doing the leaving either wants to hurt as payback for other past wrongdoings or to push the other person away to validate their choices.
So, how do you remain loving and respectful when you feel like your heart has been torn from your chest and stomped all over, when your hopes and dreams for the future are now laying crumbling into dust, when you feel cheated on, lied to or disrespected?
It can be tough, it won't be easy, but if you can remember the reasons you love this person, accept that things can change, people can change and feelings can change, and that you cannot make someone love you or want to be with you, then it can help the process along.
Respectful endings can and do happen, treating each other with respect, being honest, not laying blame and accepting personal responsibility for your role in the relationship can all contribute to a much easier time for all involved.
Relationship Blueprints
I often have some interesting stuff in my inbox and I would like to share this gem from Isiah McKimmie
Heads up: I'm about to bust the biggest myth I hear around relationships and intimacy.
We often have a belief that we 'should' just have a great relationship. Because… everyone else does, right?
I don't need to tell you that's not really the case.
The truth is: Great relationships are something that we learn - they're skills.
We learn about relationships from our culture, parents and early caregivers.
What we learn as children about relationships form what we might call 'our Relationship Blueprints' - or 'Attachment Style' if you're the science-y type.
Some of us are lucky enough to learn by seeing our parents have a healthy relationship (and if that's you, congratulations), but honestly, most of us don't have ideal role models when it comes to relationships!
The result of not having great role models is that you:
Whatever unhealthy pattern or challenge you're experiencing in your relationship, there's a reason.
And let me promise you that reason isn't because there's something wrong with you.
You're not broken. You're not a lost cause.
Trust me on this, please.
Having great relationships is a skill that we learn just like anything else. Whatever our relationship status or stage of life.
What it takes is understanding what we learned in the first place and then taking steps to learn new skills.
Here's 3 questions to help you begin to understand what you learned about relationships growing up - your 'Relationship Blueprints'.
1. What was your parents relationship like when you were really young?
(Think about how they communicated, who made the decisions, how affectionate they were to each other.)
2. What were your relationships with your parents like growing up?
(Were you closer to one than the other? Was one (or both) of your parents absent? How did they communicate with you?)
3. What patterns do you notice when you look back on your past relationships?
(Have you had the same arguments or the same feelings in numerous relationships? Do your relationships end for the same reason? Does your current partner do something that a previous partner did that just drives you crazy?)
Post V Day
So a week post V Day, here are some tips from the lovely Dr Patti Britton
Whether you are a fan of the Cupid story—if you believe in the arrows of eros hitting their mark on February 14th or not—love, if not pure erotic energy, is in the air for the middle of the shortest month of the year. February is that time when fragrant pink roses, aromatic wax candles, fine Belgian chocolates, sappy red hearts, sweet silly cards, and magical expensive dinner dates abound.
Maybe it's time for you to focus on finding romance for yourself: Alone or with a beloved.
Here are some tips if you are single and haven't yet met Mr/Ms/M Right yet; or if you've been with your partner for a few decades and want to honor that commitment and get grooving back into those warm lovin' feelings:
Finally back on board
I have been absent on my website for almost 18 months, that's a long time for a small business. If you have followed me on Facebook you will have an idea of where I have been and what I have been up to.
So since June 2017 I have started and completed a research dissertation and graduated with me Masters in Sexology; I have ended and started relationships; I have had some terrible experiences and suffered PTSD; I have had some amazing experiences and rediscovered myself; I have moved states after 25 years leaving family and friends; I have left a career after 10 years in the one role and 12 years, in one way or another, with the same organisation; I have really become serious about my new career as a sexologist and am laying the foundations for the future, so I will be a lot more active on here.
Currently I have been in my new location for 7 weeks, and have done lots of networking, finding out who does what and where my skills will fit amongst others here. I have met some lovely people and am slowly getting a feel for where what I offer will compliment what is already here.
So 2018 has been a year of massive change, ups and downs, tears and laughter ....... watch this space as the journey continues into 2019.
December 18th, 2018
I was recently contacted by Paloqueth to do some sex toy reviews, I had not heard of them and was a bit unsure, but agreed anyway. A couple of days ago a lovely box arrived in the mail and the reviewing has begun. To see my first product review click HERE
June 04th, 2017
I am not sure why, but this last week I have seen so much hatred towards Bi people, not sure if it is with it being Pride in many countries where we come together to celebrate who we are that the division becomes more apparent.
But whatever the reason, it is not ok.
I have seen so many myths and stereotypes thrown around and it is time to bust some:
Bi people can be monogamous, they often do not even think about being with anyone else when they are with you, they do not necessarily lust for the other gender.
Bi people are just as capable of having safer sex as is anyone else
It is usually more graphic than this and about dicks and pussies. I am not sure what the issue is with certain body parts, but I am sure they have had a wash since they last had sex with the other gender.
Bi people can be faithful, they do not want to have both at the same time, they are not greedy, they can decide.
Anyone can leave you, why is it any worse if they leave you for the other gender. Personally I would find this easier to take as I am very different from a man so I cannot offer what he can.
Bi people know who they are and who they are attracted to, they can love more than one gender, it does not have to be at the same time.....bisexuality is a valid identity in its own right
Lets stop tearing each other apart, being judgemental and discriminating within ourselves. How can we expect acceptance from others when we can even accept each other....one love, one heart, one community....Happy Pride
CHANGE - the only constant
Change.......a word that elicits fear or excitement in people depending on how you see it.
Personally I see change as an opportunity to do something new and exciting but I know many others see it as something to be feared, resulting in anxiety about the unknown future.
Change has been a common theme throughout my life, moving every few years as a kid, new schools, new friends, my parents breaking up resulting in another move and new family members. The 80s saw me leave school and get married and move yet again, then life was quiet, nearly every day was the same, except along came 3 kids. There was a final move, with the husband and kids, to QLD in the early 1990s, then my marriage ending, 6 years on my own, building a life as a single mum and starting a business. The 2000s saw a new life with a new sexuality, a thriving business, going to uni as a mature age student, my first (of 3) relationships with a woman, more new homes and new jobs and finally a career and direction I was passionate about.
Some of these changes were scary, but exciting, they saw me grow, learn new things about myself and become the woman I am today. The times I found the most difficult were when I had no control over the changes, they were not my decision and there was nothing I could do about them. For a while I would stress about what to do and what was going to happen but I realised that the only thing I could control was the way I reacted to the change.
For me change also brings choice, the choice to go along with the change in a positive way and to see it as an exciting opportunity or the choice to see it as something to be feared and anxiety inducing. Most times I choose to see change as an opportunity but I have had times when that has been hard, when it was out of my control, none of the options for choices were ones I wanted, when it was hard to find the win/win in the situation....all I could see were the lose/lose. But once again I came back to the way I reacted to the change and the choice....grab life with both hands and ride the hell out of it no matter where it took me.
And even now as I approach my 60s I am in my final year of uni, yet again, looking towards another new career in a few years time and hopefully, eventually, to a final move to my happy place, a house near the ocean.
So how do you view change and the choices you can make.....welcoming it in with excitement or anxious and fearful of what it will bring?
The choice is up to you
March 19th, 2017
To the butches in my life.....thank you
While looking for journal articles on Queer Femme for my masters research I have come across a lot of research on the butch identity. Today I saw the film below and it got me thinking about the butches in my life....and I need to say THANK YOU.
To watch the film follow the link below:
To the butches in my life:
Thank you for seeing me as the queer woman I am even though others say I don't 'look' like a lesbian (whatever that is)
Thank you for opening the door, walking on the road side, holding my arm as we cross the road, pulling out my chair....all of the old fashioned signs of respect
Thank you for seeing my strength and knowing that I can do things for myself but offering anyway in case today is the day I need you to do them for me
Thank you for looking at me with eyes of desire, not objectification, knowing that I illicit that response in you fills my femme heart (and other places) to overflowing
Thank you for placing enough trust in me to show me your vulnerable side, when you do this you hold me in the palm of your hand
Thank you for being my protector when I need it, never underestimating that I can stand up for myself in a verbal stand-off and knowing I can cut someone down with a few words or a look
Thank you for being the masculine-of-centre woman that you are, without the misogynistic, privileged and patriarchal outlook that sometimes can go with masculinity
Thank you for being true to yourself, even though society pressures you to be more like me
Thank you for being you even with all misgendering, double takes and rudeness from others
Thank you for loving me in my femininity
I see you
I feel you
I understand you
I respect you
I get you
I love you
The journey to self
Last week I attended the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS) conference in Sydney and some workshops looking at your sexuality coming form the perspective of mind, body, heart and soul.
It was an interesting week of academia and self journey. You may wonder why I am going on this journey as I approach 56 years of age. I went on the journey to discover who I was and why I was on this earth back in 2001 after leaving a several decade long relationship, where I had lost who I was. So over 15 years later I decided I needed to explore myself again before I go into full time practice as a sexologist, it is always a good idea to look at your own stuff and how it will impact on your work.
What did I learn about myself last week?
I learnt that the work I did all those years ago was still having a positive impact, I may have changed an incredible amount since then but the journey was still continuing as my life experiences informed who I am today.
I am still making good choices with my heart and who I share it with, I do not expect my partner to fulfil all my needs, I can do this for myself and with the other people I have in my life. It certainly takes the pressure off them and the relationship.
We looked at our parents, our relationship with them, and their qualities and how we continue to look for the qualities about them in the people we choose to have in our lives. We explored what we wanted in a partner, in our relationships with them and in life in general, what we bring to the relationship and what actions we will do to bring about what we know is best for us.
I looked at the patterns of relationships in my life, with others and with myself, and I could see a continuing theme of passion and desire....looking for it in others, requiring validation of it in myself from others and finally being in a place where I can do it for myself.....I have come home to ME.
One of the big things I realised was the relationship I had with my body. Just like everyone else my body has changed considerably as I have aged and menopause certainly has had an impact, there were many things I was not comfortable with. But my lightbulb moment was with the fact that yes I am now about 18kg heavier than I was most of my life and certainly 15kg than I was at my previous heaviest, but my concerns about my changing body were more related to how it functioned than what it looks like. I can still find pleasure in my body, I am still a sensual being and I am still desirable, there is just more of me to desire. Maybe it does not work the same way as it used to but I will learn to work my way around that.
We also explored our past, present and future and what were our general needs, wants and desires in life. Once again patterns emerged and we looked at how we could manifest our needs and desires. This showed me that I was already on the path to have all this and more, I had put things in place to increase my passion for life, to have fun and adventure. Part of the journey was actually attending the workshop and I have more self exploring workshops planned through out the year.
I have also put in place ways to increase the passion, desire, fun and adventure in all aspects of my world. Work/life balance, trips away with my partner, time with my friends and family, reconnecting with my community, continuing and completing my studies, laying the foundations for my future career, learning and loving life in general.
The journey to yourself can be tough at times, as we may realise things about our self we don't like, we may look at things that have caused us hurt in the past....but it is all part of our growth as a human and well worth the effort and any pain that may come with it. I am glad I did all that painful work so many years ago and will continue to unpack where I am now so that I can be a better practitioner and person for may years to come.
So I am more mindful, living in the moment, being grateful and looking at life with fresh eyes.
Bring on 2017 I say....it is looking grand.
January 22nd, 2017
BDSM......what, where, why and how
BDSM or kink is often brought up and with the new 50 shades movie about to launch I am sure there will be more people curious. This will be a brief explanation and there are some great books to read, fetlife is a good website to learn more and connect with people and find out about play parties and munches (a meet and greet in a public place, often for a meal and a chance to chat and get to know people)
As you can see above when broken up the letters are actually like this: BD, DS, SM
BD- bondage and discipline
DS- dominance and submission
SM- sadism and masochism
Bondage and Discipline
Just what it says, bondage is restraint with ropes, chains or whatever you have handy while discipline can be impact play such as flogging and whipping or any other form of discipline as negotiated, with limits and safewords
Dominance and Submission
This is about power exchange and power play and quite explanatory, one person dominates while the other submits, all this is negotiated with limits, both soft and hard discussed and agreed upon and safewords
Sadism and masochism
This is about giving and receiving pain, the sadists gives and the masochists receives, once again this is negotiated between those involved with limits and safewords.
You will see that all aspects include negotiation and in some cases even a contract, limits are discussed (what you are willing and not willing to do) and the most common safe words are green (this is good, I enjoy this, keep going), yellow (maintain that level, do not go any harder) and red (stop right now). When playing where you are unable to speak (using a gag) then a sign is used, that the person giving can see and know what the receivers wishes are.
The key words when talk BDSM are SAFE, SANE and CONSENSUAL(SSC) and sometimes RISK AWARE CONSENSUAL KINK (RACK). It is important to keep this in mind when negotiating and playing:
SAFE- always play safely taking precautions to ensure that there is no permanent harm (physical or psychological)
SANE- be aware of risk, do not play under the influence of substances
CONSENSUAL- consent is sought in neogtiation and throughout play and play can be changed at any time by the use of safewords
RAK is self explanatory: when you play you are aware of the risk and engage in play consensually
The person who is on the receiving end of the play always has control of the situation, through what was previously negotiated and their safewords.
So if you are thinking of getting out there and engaging in BDSM or kink play then educate yourself, pop onto websites where you can learn and chat, attend a play party and see what you think and above all.....have fun
For more information check out Lifestyles and Sexual Practices
Richelle has had a passion for sexuality and sexual health since 2001. She has worked in the field since 2006, providing sexuality education in schools, and adult education in the topics of diverse sexualities and gender identities, LGBT health issues, sexual health and LGBT relationships.
April 2019
This is a space for me to share with you my journey as a Sexologist, the things I learn and the people I meet and what I think and feel along the way.


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The last seconds of the game. A hushed audience. Suddenly, a roar filled the arena. The team won! This local sports team is moving on to the state level, and everyone could not be less excited. "We really had a good season this year. Good players, good teamwork, but the other team just outplayed us…and I'm not saying I did anything, but I want my money back from the refs," says the coach of the losing team. As put by the modest star player, "I don't know how we won. I was just trying to make sure that the cheerleaders could see me flex a little, but I suppose that's what it takes to play a game like us." The game was very close, with the team almost unable to score in the first quarter, but later managing to hold possession. "They had trouble getting the ball for a while before I realized that they'd had the ball the entire time—I guess that's what's called a sports 'miracle'," reveals one shocked spectator. Unfortunately, the crowd erupted into pandemonium during the first five minutes of the game when people realized both teams had the same color scheme. Fans had difficulty differentiating between their players and those from opposite teams, and distinguishing between friendly and opposing audience members. A brawl almost broke out when audience members began arguing about which team had better colors. "I told him, our color is better than yours. He kept repeating, 'It's the same color.' I got really mad, needed my homies to hold me back," a participant discloses. While this team has managed to clinch a spot in the state championships, it remains to be seen whether or not it can marshal its efforts to advance. Until then, local fans can only pray the color scheme is changed for next year.
– Harsh Wadhwa
Editor's Note: Our sports crew unintentionally attended the wrong game for the wrong sport. An honest mistake. Regrettably, they are currently being held for questioning in Sochi, Russia on how they entered the country. Go team!

subset: commoncrawl


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The new Heye puzzles for 2019 have arrived at Puzzle Warehouse! Click on over to see the selection and grab your favorites while they're in stock! These go fast. HEYE PUZZLES AT PUZZLE WAREHOUSE. You can see my picks with updated links to their pages on the Puzzle Warehouse site here. There are also a few additional new puzzles for 2019 that caught my attention. "Kodak World's Largest Puzzles – 27 Wonders of the World ", Lafayette Puzzle Company, 51,300Read more
Posts filed in: Cartoon Puzzles
Heye's New 2019 Puzzles!
HEYE's new puzzles for 2019 are up on their website. You can see them all here. EDITED 1/17/2019 with links to the puzzles now available on the Puzzle Warehouse store! This year seems to have fewer new cartoon and fantasy puzzles than past year, but there are some cool new puzzles. Below are my favorites. Australian Habitat (Funky Zoo add on), Marino Degano, 1000 pieces Now at Puzzle Warehouse! Click on the images below to go to the store. ByRead more
Review: "Brewery" by Francois Ruyer, Piatnik – 8.5/10
Publisher: Piatnik (Austria), published 2017 (currently in print) Title: Brewery" by Francois Ruyer, 1000 pieces Finished size: 26.5″ x 17.4″ OUR RATING: 8.5/10 LAST FEW DAYS FOR PIATNIK SALE! The Piatnik buy-2-get-1-free sale ends on June 6th. This week I'm featuring a Piatnik cartoon puzzle by artist Francois Ruyer. View all current Ruyer puzzles in stock at Puzzle Warehouse You can also view my previous Ruyer/Piatnik reviews: The Story of Wine or Christmas Chaos "BREWERY" by Francois Ruyer REVIEW Box Quality: (8/10) The Piatnik boxes are standardRead more
The 2018 Heyes are here!
The new Heyes are available at Puzzle Warehouse! Here're some better pictures of this year's offerings. I've pulled out my favorites, but you can see them all here. "Hearts of Gold: You and Me", 1000 pieces Awesome colors and patterns in this new release–plus gold foil! "Phosphorus Tree", 1000 vertical This is an intriguing fantasy puzzle. Love the colors. "Redbird" by Victoria Francis, 1000 pieces This is my favorite new fantasy image from Heye this year. It's fantastic. "New Black"Read more
Review: "Flower's Life" by Marino Degano, Heye – 9.5/10
Publisher: Heye (Germany), published 2017 Title: "Flower's Life" by Marino Degano, 1000 pieces Finished size: 27.6″ x 19.7″ OUR RATING: 9.5/10 NEW HEYES: To see all the new 2017 Heye puzzles currently in stock at Puzzle Warehouse, click below. View all current Heye puzzles in stock at Puzzle Warehouse "Flower's Life" by Marion Degano REVIEW Box Quality: (10/10) This cartoon puzzle comes in Heye's signature triangular box. See the front above. The two sides of the front show the central area of the puzzle, the puzzle name,Read more
Review: "Rocket Launch" by Uli Oesterle, Heye – 9.25/10
Publisher: Heye (Germany), published 2017 Title: "Rocket Launch" by Uli Oesterle, 1000 pieces Finished size: 27.6″ x 19.7″ OUR RATING: 9.25/10 NEW HEYES: I've finally had a chance to review one of the new Heye puzzles for 2017. Exciting! To see all the new Heye puzzles currently in stock at Puzzle Warehouse, click below. View all current Heye puzzles in stock at Puzzle Warehouse "Rocket Launch" by Uli Oesterle REVIEW Box Quality: (10/10) This cartoon puzzle comes in Heye's signature triangular box. See the frontRead more
Review: "Story of Wine" by Francois Ruyer, Piatnik – 8.75/10
If you've up for a challenge, "Story of Wine" by Francois Ruyer is a ton of fun. The image is super cute with lots of crazy characters and vibrant color. There are plenty of jokes and mini-stories to reveal as you assemble the pieces. The Piatnik quality is very good with thick, sturdy pieces, a grid cut, a fairly tight fit, and a nice matte finish. However, there are lots of similar two-knob, two-hole pieces which make a few areas, like the random red tiles on the roofs, challenging because pieces can appear to fit where they don't go. There're also lots of repeating elements such as the big red noses. This isn't a fast and easy puzzle, but it is rewarding and very satisfying to complete. Recommended if you like busy cartoon puzzles or are looking for something to keep you occupied for a good while!Read more
Review: "Christmas Chaos" by Francois Ruyer, Piatnik – 9/10
"Christmas Chaos" by Francois Ruyer is a fun but moderately challenging Christmas cartoon puzzle. The artwork is beautifully executed with tons of color and detail. The repeating elements of similar-looking elves and gift boxes scattered throughout the image are tricky, but there are some anchoring elements such as the windows, fireplace, toys, and Christmas tree, which help fill in much of the design. I found myself referring to the box lid often to figure out which piece of elf went where. The Piatnik quality is very good with thick, sturdy pieces, a grid cut, a fairly tight fit, and a nice matte finish. If you like a little more challenge, Christmas puzzles, or cartoon puzzles, this is highly recommended.Read more
New Heye 2017!
I'm so excited that the new Heye puzzles for 2017 are here! Well, they're not here, as in physically–not yet. But we have the new catalog so I can announce them on the blog. As for an ETA for Puzzle Warehouse to get them in stock, we order them as soon as possible and will get them as soon as the distributor ships them to us. Usually that's January/February time frame. Remember if you are on the premium Puzzle of the Month,Read more
Review: "Cats in Paris" by Sven Hartmann, Heye – 8.75/10
"Cats in Paris" by Sven Hartmann is a moderately difficult puzzle from Heye. The cats in the foreground are all unique and you can figure out where the pieces go by comparing them to the large poster that's included. The sky, cityscape, and gargoyle areas of the puzzle are more of a challenge to put together, though the strong color variation in the sky keeps it from being tedious. There's lot of interesting details to discover, French cliches and tropes the cats act out. As always, the Heye quality is outstanding with sturdy pieces, a matte finish, and a wide variety of grid-cut piece shapes. If you like cats or have a fondness for Paris, you'll enjoy this one.Read more
Review: "Cat's Life" by Marino Degano, Heye – 9.75/10
"Cat's Life" is terrific fun and a perfect example of the awesomeness of cartoon puzzles from Heye. It's a fairly easy puzzle to assemble. Despite the large body of the cat and the green background, there are unique little characters (fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, among others) that inhabit every inch of the brilliant composition by cartoonist Marino Degano. Each little critter has a unique outfit, expression, or action, and you can match your pieces against the large poster that comes in the box. There are many joke and puns and pure silliness to discover as you assemble this puzzle.Read more
Review: "Translyvania", D-Toys – 8.75/10
"Transylvania" from D-Toys is a fun and easy cartoon puzzle to assemble. The different areas of blue sky, red roofs, cream castle, tan road, and green grass make this puzzle go together very quickly. The artwork is a lot of fun with dozens of characters, each with a unique costume and pose. Human tourists snap photos and watch the antics at the Transylvanian tourist attraction–loaded with rather silly vampires hanging around, cooking food, or putting on a show. The D-Toys quality on this puzzle is good with sturdy pieces, six different piece shapes (in a grid cut), and a nice flat finish. If you like cartoon puzzles, the D-Toys "Cartoon Classics" line is worth a try. Recommended.Read more


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Degrees and Certifications:
K-6 Elementary Education K-12 Reading Certification 6-12 Middle School Math Certification 2017 Craven County Elementary Math Teacher of the Year
Mrs. Merkel
My name is Courtney Merkel. I grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia and spent lots of time reading and spending time with my friends and family. I attended college at East Carolina University where I got my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education. I am also certified in reading (K-12) and middle school math. I am currently working on my Masters in School Administration and Curriculum and Instruction. This is my ninth year with Craven County Schools. Before this school year, I have worked here and at other schools here in Craven County and in California teaching kindergarten, first, and second grades. I am happily married to my husband Ed, who is a retired Marine. We have a son, Ryan who is in the Army, and a daughter Sarah Mckenzie who is a senior at Havelock High. Lastly, we have three Dachshunds named Millie, Pebbles, and Jeffrey who are also our pride and joy. I am sure you will be hearing lots of stories about my family, and I can't wait to hear about yours. I am looking forward to a wonderful school year!


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By Even Hovdhaugen
The Mochica language used to be spoken at the North-West coast of Peru and in a few inland villages. the 1st attested documentation of the language is from 1607. The language was once conventional within the zone within the seventeenth and early 18th century, yet files of the language on the finish of the nineteenth century exhibit a loss of life language in basic terms spoken by way of a couple of folks in a few villages round Chiclayo. The language died out as a spoken language approximately 1920, yet sure phrases and words have been in use in a few households as much as the Sixties. Mochica was once the language of the Chim? tradition and it could possibly were the language of the Moche tradition. Mochica used to be the language of 1 of the most pre-Inca cultures of Per?, a tradition that created the good city Chanchan and the awesome pyramids, temples and tombs from Trujillo within the south to T?cume within the north. Our major resource for the information of this historic South American language is Fernando de l. a. Carrera: ARTE DE los angeles LENGVA YVNGA DE LOS VALLES del Obispado de Truxillo del Peru, con vn Confessonario, y todas las Oraciones Christianas, traducidas en l. a. lengua, y otras cosas. (Lima 1644). The booklet includes a grammar, all of the simple non secular texts, confessional formulation, broad explanatory questions and solutions to such a lot texts, psalms, in addition to a few short non-religious dialogues and a couple of sentences in Mochica. the writer had a local command of the lanuage.
Red Gold: The Conquest of the Brazilian Indians, 1500-1760 by John Hemming
By John Hemming
This article inform a narrative of genocide, eu ruthlessness and Indian gullibility. within the sixteenth century the historical past of the Brazilian Indians used to be the background of Brazil itself. there have been thousands of natives dwelling within the 1/2 South the US that's now Brazil yet considering the fact that its conquest the local peoples of South the United States have lowered and declined. during this ebook, Hemming - writer of "The Amazon Frontier" which keeps the tale of the Brazilian Indians - tells the bleak and tragic tale of the start of that decline.
Reagan and Pinochet: The Struggle over U.S. Policy toward by Morris Morley, Chris McGillion
By Morris Morley, Chris McGillion
This ebook is the 1st finished research of the Reagan administration's coverage towards the army dictatorship of basic Augusto Pinochet in Chile. in line with new fundamental and archival fabrics, in addition to on unique interviews with former U.S. and Chilean officers, it lines the evolution of Reagan coverage from an preliminary "close include" of the junta to a reevaluation of even if Pinochet was once a threat to long term U.S. pursuits in Chile and, ultimately, to an popularity in Washington of the necessity to push for a go back to democracy. It offers clean insights into the bureaucratic conflicts that have been a key a part of the Reagan decision-making procedure and divulges not just the successes but in addition the bounds of U.S. effect on Pinochet's regime - headquartered round the problem of constructing a manageable civilian replacement that was once appropriate to either the junta and Washington. ultimately, it contributes to the continuing debate in regards to the U.S. method towards democracy merchandising within the 3rd global over the last part century.
Brazilian mosaic: portraits of a diverse people and culture by Harvey G. Summ
By Harvey G. Summ
This option of excerpts and essays delineates Brazilian tradition as exemplified via its humans. items that offer a normal assessment of Brazilian peoples are by way of 4 chronological sections, each one of that is preceded through a ancient cartoon of the interval less than exam.
Handbook of South American Archaeology
Probably the contributions of South American archaeology to the bigger box of worldwide archaeology were inadequately well-known. if this is the case, this can be most likely simply because there were really few archaeologists operating in South the United States open air of Peru and up to date advances in wisdom in different elements of the continent are just starting to input greater archaeological discourse. Many principles of and approximately South American archaeology held through students from open air the realm are going to alter irrevocably with the looks of the current quantity. not just does the guide of South American Archaeology (HSAA) supply big and large information regarding historic South the US, the quantity additionally showcases the contributions made through South americans to social conception. additionally, one of many advantages of this quantity is that approximately part the authors (30) are South american citizens, and the bibliographies of their chapters can be in particular important publications to Spanish and Portuguese literature in addition to to the newest learn. it's inevitable that the HSAA could be in comparison with the multi-volume instruction manual of South American Indians (HSAI), with its special descriptions of indigenous peoples of South the USA, that was once equipped and edited by way of Julian Steward. even if there are heroic archaeological essays within the HSAI, through the likes of Junius fowl, Gordon Willey, John Rowe, and John Murra, Steward states frankly in his creation to quantity that "arch- ology is integrated in terms of background" to the ethnographic chapters.
Regional markets and agrarian transformation in Bolivia: by Robert H. Jackson
By Robert H. Jackson
In a groundbreaking quantity, Professor Jackson seeks to find while and the way modernity supplanted the colonial period in Bolivia. the agricultural financial system, constitution of land tenure, and hacienda exertions preparations within the Andean zone are conscientiously delineated via a case learn of Cochabamba, a key quarter within the valuable valley of Bolivia, to track adjustments in styles current because the 16th century.Between 1840 and 1930, shifts in neighborhood markets and adjustments in govt rules led to hacienda vendors incomes much less and incurring higher debt, which unavoidably resulted in the insolvency of many hacienda vendors resale of colonial-era estates, and a rise within the variety of peasant landowners. those adjustments, in flip, set in movement occasions resulting in the 1953 agrarian reform movement."An bold booklet that may give a contribution to our re-thinking of Andean fiscal background, of dependency thought, and of ethnohistory."—Eric Van younger, college of California, San Diego
Simon Bolivar: The Hope of the Universe by Simon Bolivar
By Simon Bolivar
Religion, Society, and Culture in Colombia: Antioquia and by Patricia Londoño-Vega
By Patricia Londoño-Vega
This can be the 1st unique scholarly learn of tradition and sociability in Colombia through the interval c. 1850 and 1930. Patricia Londo?o-Vega offers a vibrant photograph of a few of the criteria that lowered social distances within the province of Antioquia in this interval of relative concord and prosperity. She examines 1000s of the teams and voluntary institutions which flourished at present and which introduced an increasing number of Antioque?os of other social backgrounds jointly round spiritual practices and societies, the workout of charity, a priority for schooling, and the pursuit of cultural growth.
Comparative Arawakan Histories: Rethinking Language Family by Jonathan D. Hill, Fernando Santos-Granero
By Jonathan D. Hill, Fernando Santos-Granero
This penetrating learn is the 1st to synthesize the writings of ethnologists, historians, and anthropologists all in favour of modern Arawakan cultures in South the United States and the adjoining Caribbean basin. prior to they have been mostly decimated and dispersed by way of the consequences of ecu colonization, Arawak-speaking peoples have been the main frequent language relations in Latin the US and the Caribbean, they usually have been the 1st humans Columbus encountered within the Americas. "Comparative Arawakan Histories" examines social buildings, political hierarchies, rituals, non secular routine, gender family members, and linguistic diversifications via ancient views to rfile sociocultural variety around the subtle Arawakan diaspora.
The cerrados of Brazil: ecology and natural history of a by Paulo S. Oliveira, Robert J. Marquis
By Paulo S. Oliveira, Robert J. Marquis
Whereas the imperiled Brazilian rainforest has been the focal point of substantial foreign media awareness and conservation efforts, the big grasslands of Brazil -- often called the cerrados -- which hide approximately 1 / 4 of its land floor and are one of the so much threatened areas in South the USA, have got little realize. This booklet brings jointly major researchers at the sector to supply the 1st specified account in English of the normal background and ecology of the cerrado/savanna environment. Given their quantity and threatened prestige, the richness in their natural world, and the shortcoming of familiarity with their distinct ecology on the overseas point, the cerrados are badly short of this significant and well timed paintings.


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LADY GAGA ENIGMA Headlines Grand Opening of Park MGM
Park MGM, Las Vegas' newest resort, celebrated its official grand opening this weekend with the debut of Lady Gaga's residency, the introduction of Las Vegas' first Eataly, and the launch of On The Record, a new speakeasy and club.
Check Out the Photo Gallery Below
Lady Gaga performed before a sold-out crowd for the first night of her residency, which will run through 2019. Developed exclusively for Park MGM's intimate Park Theater, the six-time GRAMMY Award-winner, Golden Globe Award-winner and Academy Award-nominated superstar's engagement consists of two separate shows, each offering an immersive only-in-Vegas experience anchored by the pop star's raw talent and sprinkled with her signature experimental performance art:LADY GAGA ENIGMA, a never-before-seen journey through the star's pop hits and LADY GAGA JAZZ & PIANO, debuting January 20, featuring stripped-down versions of her hits alongside music from the Great American Songbook.
Delivering new takes on the statement-making performances for which she is renowned and thrilling the crowd with hits ranging from "Bad Romance," "Telephone" and "Just Dance" to "Million Reasons" and "Shallow," the inaugural performance of LADY GAGA ENIGMA wowed the crowd of more than 5,200 fans who came ready to party. Opening night guests included pop superstar Katy Perry and actor Orlando Bloom; Avengers actor Jeremy Renner; Foo Fighter's lead singer Dave Grohl; current Queen frontman Adam Lambert; award-winning actress Marisa Tomei; Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba; a capella group Pentatonix; and actress and director Regina King.
Los Angeles scene-makers and twin brothers Jonnie and Mark Houston hosted the evening's official after-party, premiering their new modern speakeasy and club concept, On The Record. Hidden behind a functioning record-store entry, the club spans three rooms, including indoor and outdoor spaces, dance floors, a patio bar and three hidden karaoke rooms. It also boasts the ultra-intimate 25-seat Vinyl Parlor, where a lineup of top bartenders from coast to coast serve as Bartenders-in-Residence. Inspired by music across the decades, On The Record fuses meticulous period design and authentic music nostalgia, such as framed vinyl and a decommissioned 1963 Bristol Lodekka double-decker bus converted into a DJ booth.
Located directly on the famed Las Vegas Strip and serving as the new main entrance to Park MGM, the 40,000 square-foot Italian marketplace Eatalywelcomed more than a thousand guests for its opening reception, which featured a pasta-ribbon cutting and a proclamation of December 27 as the official "Eataly Day" in Las Vegas. Guests waited excitedly to enter the vibrant space full of unique food counters, bars, cafés and dining experiences offering traditional, authentic Italian food. Eataly Las Vegas introduces several new experiences, most notably Cucina del Mercato, or "Kitchen of the Market," an open, counter-to-table space that shatters the barrier between restaurants and store – a first for an Eataly in the United States. The venue consists of six fresh counters where guests can eat what they shop, and shop what they eat.
The debuts of Lady Gaga, On The Record, and Eataly mark the final stage of the two-year, $550 million development at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas offer an intimate luxury resort experience on a grand scale. A partnership between MGM Resorts International and New York-based Sydell Group, Park MGM features 2,700 guest rooms and suites; and the Las Vegas extension of Sydell's NoMad features 293 well-appointed guest rooms and suites. The resort's culinary program features NoMad Restaurant and NoMad Bar from Will Guidara and Daniel Humm; L.A. legend Roy Choi's Korean BBQ concept, Best Friend; Hogsalt Hospitality's renowned Bavette's Steakhouse; and the vibrant Italian marketplace, Eataly, among other original dining and cocktail experiences. Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas are located in the heart of The Strip, next to the entertainment and dining neighborhood created by The Park and the 20,000-seat T-Mobile Arena.
About Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is known for her unconventionality and provocative work, as well as visual experimentation. Gaga began performing as a teenager, singing at open mic nights and acting in school plays. She studied at Collaborative Arts Project 21, through New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, before dropping out to pursue a music career. After Def Jam Recordingscanceled her contract, Gaga worked as a songwriter for Sony/ATV Music Publishing, where Akon helped her sign a joint deal with Interscope Records and his own label KonLive Distribution in 2007. She rose to prominence the following year with her debut album, the electropop record The Fame, and its chart-topping singles "Just Dance" and "Poker Face". A follow-up EP, The Fame Monster (2009), featuring the singles "Bad Romance", "Telephone", and "Alejandro", also proved successful.
About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is an S&P 500® global entertainment company with national and international locations featuring best-in-class hotels and casinos, state-of-the-art meetings and conference spaces, incredible live and theatrical entertainment experiences, and an extensive array of restaurant, nightlife, and retail offerings. MGM Resorts creates immersive, iconic experiences through its suite of Las Vegas-inspired brands. The MGM Resorts portfolio encompasses 28 unique hotel offerings including some of the most recognizable resort brands in the industry. Expanding throughout the U.S. and around the world, the company opened MGM Cotai in Macau in February 2018. It also recently opened MGM Springfield in Massachusetts, Park MGM in Las Vegas and will debut the first international Bellagio branded hotel in Shanghai. The 78,000 global employees of MGM Resorts are proud of their company for being recognized as one of FORTUNE® Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies®. For more information visit us at www.mgmresorts.com.
About Sydell Group
Sydell Group is the creator and manager of unique hotels deeply rooted in their location and architecture. Sydell's core expertise is an ability to collaborate with original talent within the world of design, food & beverage, and retail, and bring them together in the creation of compelling new hotels that engage the communities around them. Sydell Group's diverse portfolio of award-winning properties includes NoMad, New York, and Los Angeles; the LINE LA, DC, and Austin; Freehand Miami, Chicago, LA, and New York; The Ned, London and Park MGM, Las Vegas; as well as the NoMad Las Vegas. www.sydellgroup.com.


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The Medicare Advantage market is becoming increasingly competitive with three of the largest plans garnering 55 percent of MA enrollment and new plans entering each Annual Election Period. In order to grow, MA organizations must drive down administrative costs while exceeding member expectations.
In this webinar, we'll discuss the use of predictive analytics, sales distribution channel strategies, and lead nurturing practices that help drive down acquisition costs. We'll also examine the use of technology and automation in reducing manual processing and avoidable errors in the enrollment and claims processes, and how all of these operations are integral in creating an unparalleled member experience.
Srini Venkatasanthanam
Vice President for Products
Oracle Health Insurance
Srini Venkat is a seasoned healthcare industry executive and the Vice President for Oracle Health Insurance products within Oracle's Financial Services Global Business Unit. Leveraging his 25 years of health insurance and IT product experience, Srini currently manages a dedicated team focused on delivering the next-generation Cloud applications that will transform the health insurance industry. As head of product marketing for health insurance, he focuses on strengthening Oracle's presence in the global healthcare industry segment.
Sean O'Sullivan
Executive Vice President of Product
Sean has more than 15 years of experience working in the Government Programs niche of healthcare, with a particular focus on new member acquisition and retention in Medicare Advantage. Prior to Cavulus, Sean managed call center and business process outsourcing (BPO) services for some of the nation's largest health plans. His technical expertise spans software design, computer telephony integration (CTI), Medicare Advantage member engagement and enrollment technology, to full-scale product design.
At Cavulus, Sean oversees engineering, architecture, research and development, infrastructure strategies, and execution models and he guides the strategic direction for our integrated solutions.


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The Best Attractions in Glasgow
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Get more for your money (actually, it's free) with this combined art gallery and museum. There's more than 8,000 objects on display in the Kelvingrove art gallery, including the Salvador Dali's 'Christ of St John of the Cross.' It also has a wonderful variety; meet Sir Roger the Asian elephant or spot the Spitfire plane hanging above!
Where is it? Argyle Street, Glasgow, G3 8AG
How much? Free!
Celtic Park
Glasgow lives and breathes football, with Rangers and Celtic dominating the history of the sport in Scotland. Celtic's 60,000 all-seater stadium Celtic Park in Parkhead takes some beating, while the team are currently comfortably on top in the fiercest of footballing rivalries. Before we upset Rangers fans too much, Ibrox is also a fine stadium to visit!
Where is it? Parkhead, Glasgow, G40 3RE
How much? Stadium tours cost: Adults £12, Children (under 12) £7.50
Glasgow Cathedral & Necropolis
Otherwise known as the "High Kirk" of the city, Glasgow Cathedral is nearly 900 years old and survived the Scottish Reformation, still holding Church of Scotland congregations today. Beside this perfect example of Scottish Gothic architecture is the Necropolis, a Victorian graveyard known as the "City of the Dead." This spooky space is perhaps best to visit in the day!
Where is it? Cathedral Square, Glasgow, G4 0QZ
How much? Free!
Glasgow School of Art Walking Tour
Ask a Glaswegian for the name of the person who most sums up Glasgow and there's a good chance they'll name Charles Rennie Mackintosh, an architect responsible for many of the buildings in the city. Drop by the Glasgow School of Art to be given a walking tour of some of his finest works by current students at the school.
Where is it? 164 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G3 6RF
How much? Adults £19.50, Concessions £16, Under 18 £9.75, Under 5s free
Buchanan Street Shopping
The second busiest shopping street in the UK, Buchanan Street is the place to go to find high street fashion favourites like Zara, Urban Outfitters, Diesel and many more. If you're more of a designer diva, then House of Fraser has in-store boutiques for Hermes, Gucci, Prada, Mui Mui and Anya Hindmarsh.
Where is it? Buchanan Street, Glasgow, G1 3LB
How much? Free (apart from all that shopping!)
People's Palace & Winter Gardens
How did Glaswegians live, work and play through history? You'll find out all about this in the People's Palace, through photos, films, paintings and interactive displays. Once you're done there, you can enjoy the Winter Gardens, which are filled with exotic palms and plants, and enjoy lunch or coffee at the café.
Where is it? Glasgow Green, G40 1AT
How much? Free!


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The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) released new research identifying at least $232 billion in critical public transportation investments. The report was released at the APTA's annual legislative conference, highlighting significant industry needs.
APTA analyzed the impact of investment in public transportation, including the resulting long-term productivity enhancements, and reported that $232 billion spent over 10 years would result in a 4-to-1 return of $928 billion in economic activity over the next two decades.
The report contains APTA member-specific information on regional and local public transportation projects across the U.S., from those in need of major repair or maintenance to new priorities including terminal constructions and electric bus fleets. Members identified more than $5 billion in cutting-edge electrification projects that would modernize systems nationwide.
The APTA gathers data from three key categories: projects in the Capital Investment Grants pipeline, Priority Projects, and state of good repair projects. According to the most U.S. Department of Transportation, there is a $90 billion backlog of state of good repair needs.
Click here for the complete article from METRO Magazine.


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My husband and I were fulltime Rvers for 12 years and are lifetime members of the Escapes RV Club. We spent part of our time volunteering for the national forests, national parks, and state parks working on special projects and campground hosting. Now we have a home base in Boulder City, Nevada and travel in our Lance pickup camper. We try to take several camper trips a year and rarely use commercial campgrounds. We enjoy boondocking and sharing travel information with other Rvers that we meet in our travels.
Colorado, Idaho, Utah, California
1989 Lance Pickup camper


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Global Reporting Initiative Standard Disclosures
Not Applicable
Global Reporting Initiative Standard Disclosures
Not Applicable
Our Position
Water is essential to our operations, and water supply challenges can have a significant impact on how we operate. We have a responsibility to actively manage and reduce our water use wherever possible.
1 This figure is equivalent to our water use for domestic operations, our freshwater consumption and our withdrawals from municipal sources.
2 We define our water intensity as the water consumption of our company (numerator) relative to data growth on our network (denominator). In 2018, we included satellite traffic in our total network traffic (total production). Prior to this addition, our 2018 water intensity metric would have been 17,343 gallons/ petabyte of network traffic. Learn more about how we calculate network traffic for our water intensity in our Energy Management issue brief.
Our Action
Water is important to the communities where we operate and to our own operations. The network that forms the core of our business requires a controlled and cooled environment, and water is often a critical input to the cooling equipment we use.
All AT&T sites that are fed by municipal sources are metered for total volume of water withdrawal. AT&T does not withdraw from brackish or saltwater sources.
The AT&T Public Policy and Corporate Reputation Committee of the Board of Directors has oversight over all Citizenship & Sustainability issues, including environmental sustainability and the management of company water use. The Chief Sustainability Officer reports to the Board committee several times a year to provide updates and receive input on the direction of sustainability-related work at AT&T.
- Our Operations
When we conducted our first water footprint in 2010, our water footprint was 3.4 billion gallons per year. In 2018, our footprint was 2.5 billion gallons.
Analysis of our water footprint has shown that our water use is concentrated in a small number of facilities.
- Our top 125 water-consuming facilities constitute almost 50% of our overall water consumption; and
- 40 of these 125 sites are in "high" or "very high" water stress regions, as determined by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development's (WBCSD) Global Water Tool.
Modeled after our Energy Scorecard, we have created a Water Scorecard to guide the tracking and management of water usage at our facilities and to identify water-saving opportunities using an intuitive grading system. The AT&T Water Scorecard utilizes the WBCSD Global Water Tool to evaluate water risk for the next 5 years.Through our Water Scorecard, we evaluated our top 125 water-consuming sites and other strategic locations at the facility level across the country and found that cooling towers, which use evaporation to begin the mechanical cooling cycle, provide our greatest opportunities for water-savings and financial return. These pieces of equipment, which help chill large buildings, account for 28% of an office building's daily water use on average 3 3 https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/greeningepa/water-conservation-epa_.html — and they account for an even larger nonpage in electronics-laden buildings such as data centers.
Water GoalWe are committed to reducing the water consumption of our company relative to data growth on our network by 60% by 2020 (using a 2013 baseline). 4 4 For the purposes of tracking progress toward our goal, we are holding refrigerants, engines and portable generators steady in an effort to align performance with actual emissions changes and avoid an inaccurate representation of our progress. Since 2013, when we set our first water goals, we have seen cumulative water savings of 510 million gallons. In addition, we realized 769 million kWh of annualized electricity savings associated with the introduction of free-air cooling projects and the reduction of mechanical refrigeration. The reduction of mechanical refrigeration is important to include, as those technologies consume a great deal of water.
Water Conservation
Our company provides connectivity for monitoring systems so that users can monitor their water use remotely and in real time. We use these solutions in our own operations, and work with customers to do the same.
We work with HydroPoint, a provider of smart water management solutions, to remotely monitor and manage irrigation systems in real-time. With products that retrofit existing systems, HydroPoint offers a cost-effective solution that reduces water consumption by an average of 40%.
Since launching the HydroPoint solution at 40 water facilities in 2017, AT&T has saved 60,000 gallons of water per year. Our partnership expanded in November 2018 to include 97 additional facilities, which will result in an estimated annual savings of more than $700,000 and 61 million gallons of water.
In 2018, AT&T also deployed an Enterprise Building Management System (EBMS) to 660 facilities. Leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data principles, our EBMS is designed to help property management personnel ensure facility equipment is operating optimally. This effort helps minimize mechanical cooling needs and reduces water consumption. In 2019, AT&T plans to deploy the EBMS to an additional 130 sites.
AT&T products and services can also help others manage their water use. As part of our partnership with HydroPoint, we've helped Lowe's save nearly 650 million gallons of water each year.
- Supply Chain
Water is critical to our suppliers' operations, and any impact they experience due to water-related risk may affect our future business operations. In 2018, we continued using the third-party TIA Sustainability Assessor tool to help suppliers launch and expand programs for efficient use of resources, including water.
For more information on all our efforts with suppliers, please see our Responsible Supply Chain issue brief.
Since the acquisition of WarnerMedia in June 2018 and the launch of Xandr in September 2018, we are continuing to integrate operationally and through our CSR reporting. For this reason, information for these 2 affiliates is not included in this brief, except where specifically referenced.
More Environment Issue Briefs


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All I Do Is Place The Order Online And They Call My Daughter To Set Up An Ideal Delivery Time For Her.
This cohesiveness is just another added benefit of working yourself from the work and give you a bit of detachment from your text. Theyll present you in a in a less a naïve person to a mature and responsible individual. She has been assisting students, professionals in require the right attitude towards accomplishing a successful essay writing assignment. American Ground Water Trust – Offers opportunities to college most common way of students funding their own college education.
In January 2006 at American University in Washington, DC, a team of researchersincluding members of AU scholarships,student videos,back to college, college statistics,study abroad and college stats visit In today's competitive professional world, a college degree, diploma or certificate is essential in obtaining the job of your dreams. Besides the signing of celebrity sportsmen to promote their products, Nike important skills such as people skills rather than an A+ bookworm who studies 100% of the time. A lot of groups and institutions are watching out that influence your will to make essays for your readers. The targeting strategies include among others the sponsorship of products onto the page is crucial to making your student acquisition campaign a success.


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If the numbers are any guide, most of us spend like it's going out of style.
Food. Clothes. Shoes. And why not? When you're driving around in a new $42,000 Cadillac CTS, what's $100? A pittance is what it is. A mere pittance to a person of your means.
You're bringing home the bacon. Makin' 6-figures and driving around in pure luxury, your perception of value is shaped entirely by your cash flow.
And your cash flow is killing the value of what used to be a lot of money.
Remember when you were a kid? Struttin' around with $100 instantly transformed you into the bombdiggity — not to mention the target of a good ass beating.
It was a lot of money to someone who probably didn't have much of it. You don't pay for food. No rent. You just gotta, well, live.
The tl;dr version
Here is the straight scoop if you don't want to read this entire article: If you want $100 to be worth more, stop spending so much.
The longer, more wordy version
Little to no income and little to no expenses — Instantly, $100 becomes worth much, much more.
Why? Simple: Money is all relative, isn't it?
To those who drop $80,000 a year living the life "they deserve", a crisp Ben Franklin probably doesn't impress. This is pure economics. The more we spend, the less each dollar is worth to us.
Ever hear the expression "I wipe my ass with hundred dollar bills!"? Setting aside the obvious risk of blindingly painful paper cuts in places that you definitely don't want them, this expression is [truthfully] uttered by those who earn and spend more money than most of us will ever see in a lifetime.
To them, $100 is practically worthless. But, earning $100 isn't all that tough. A day's work doing manual labor can bring in a hundred bucks. Even working minimum wage, it doesn't take long.
I never want to get to a place in life where my sense of worth is so warped that $100 becomes meaningless. If that ever happens, I know that I'm doing something very wrong. And I deserve to be slapped across the face. Why?
Because when $100 is nothing, everything in life becomes more expensive. And if the shit does hit the proverbial fan in early retirement, it takes that much more effort to climb out of the financial hole of which we willingly dug.
Keep the value of $100 high
Here's the truth: As an early retiree, we want $100 to be worth quite a bit of money, and for two good reasons:
1. We will be less likely to spend it — If we feel that $100 is a decent chunk of change, we will be more cautious before spending that amount of money. The more cautious we are, the less we spend; and, the lower our yearly expenses, the greater the likelihood of enjoying decade after decade of jobless bliss. This equation is remarkably dependable!
2. We can easily earn $100 doing odd jobs — Since $100 is fairly easy to earn, we get to the point where we put in a day's work in exchange for a value that represents "a good chunk of change". Imagine working only a single day and getting paid 5% of your monthly expenses. 5% in a single day.
If your monthly expenses were $2,000, a hundred dollar bill is a measurable portion of your budget (5%). Spend more than $6600 a month ($80,000 a year), however, and that same $100 is only 1.5% of your monthly budget — a mere fraction. It takes more than $330 to cover 5% when spending 80-grand annually. That amounts to days of working odd jobs after retirement — for just 5%.
The key is simple: Keep the value of $100 high by spending less money. The less you spend, the more that $100 will mean to your life, and the less effort it will take to cover your expenses.
Make the economist in you happy. Remember, this isn't about "being poor"; rather, it's about keeping your expenses as low as possible. Most of us want maximum benefit with minimum output…or in other words, lots of happiness without a lot of effort.
Controlled spending is the solution!


text: Contacted Uship to find a hauler for moving my boat on a trailer from Easton,MD to Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Val Vignati of KVE was super and would recommend him to anyone having goods to ship from one part of country to another. He was reliable, timely and took excellent care of my boat.


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For smarter, efficient agency operations
For fluid, connected marketing operations
The brand growth and governance hub
For professional services teams"
Links to external web pages or internal network URLs can be added to a workbox. New browser tabs open to these URLs when selected.
To do this, go to Menu and click 'Add Link'.
Complete link details:


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Live Music at Tessora's Barra di Vino
The Russell Barber Band is a blues act that plays early electric blues in a dynamic show. As he has done for many years in the Bay Area. Russell Barber celebrates Chicago and West Coast blues music tradition and always features seasoned Bay Area blues & jazz musicians to round out a night of fun.
The Russell Barber Band
Live Music at Tessora's Barra di Vino


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Renowned Star Wars photographer Annie Leibovitz has done it again, repeating what she did for The Force Awakens with a cover shoot for The Last Jedi:
Star Wars : The Last Jedi Four Exclusive Vanity Fair Covers Hi Res HD Large _ Rey and Luke Skywalker
The first cover features at least one Jedi—who may or may not be the last. Leibovitz captured Daisy Ridley and Mark Hamill on the blustery cliff on the planet Ahch-To (on location in Ireland) where Luke Skywalker was last seen with Ridley's Rey. Ridley stares down the camera and into the future of the galaxy.
Star Wars : The Last Jedi Four Exclusive Vanity Fair Covers Hi Res HD Large _ Phasma Kylo Ren and General Hux
The three First Order heavies—Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie), General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson), and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver)—on display here are looking a…
View original post 282 more words


text: Epic Awards The Epic Awards shine a spotlight on the achievements of creative groups across the UK and Republic of Ireland each year. The 2020 Epic Awards are open for applications from 1 April until 31 May 2020. Last year, shortlisted entries were put forward for the highly coveted People's Choice Award while winners and runners-up from each of the four main categories (England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales) were invited to the winners reception in Edinburgh's beautiful Central Hall on 3 October 2019. Find out about all the winners from the incredible 2019 ceremony. The Epic Awards are an annual chance for your creative group or project to be recognised for the incredible work you've done over the past year. Click on 'Enter' above to give your group a chance to be recognised with a national award. Follow Voluntary Arts on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date with news about this year's Epic Awards. 2017 People's Choice Award winners Roscommon Solstice Choir celebrating their win on BBC One's Breakfast show About Enter Rules and Guidelines Epic Awards 2019 winners Back to Home Your Creativity Epic Awards Ulverston Lantern Festival < Back to Shortlist The Ulverston Lantern Festival aims to unite their community in craft each year and 2017 was the biggest year yet. Over 8,000 people attended the 'Outer Space' themed festival in September, while over 800 lanterns were produced by locals at home and at volunteer-led workshops. Highlights included a 14-foot tall E.T. made by Ulverston 2nd Scouts, a giant USS Enterprise and a glowing Tim Peake alongside a whole galaxy of other stars, rockets and aliens. A small committee of volunteers sold lantern-making kits to help raise funds towards the running of the festival while schools and community groups were given discounted kits. The festival was supported by local businesses who helped with promotion and contributed advertising to fund a new printed programme. With a new parade route and large area to manage, volunteer stewards were recruited to become Space Port Operatives. 20 people took on this fun, fancy dress role and turned up in silver catsuits, helping to keep everything on track while wielding bubble guns. People's Choice Award Vote for this group! Website | Facebook | YouTube


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Palliative Care Conference
March 16, 2017
Experiencing a chronic and serious illness requires support and education to navigate the journey of palliative care. Patients, their families and caregivers are invited to attend this conference and learn about the resources available from experts in the field of palliative care, including spiritual and holistic practices. Healthcare providers are encouraged to attend and learn about best practices in palliative care. This is a great networking opportunity. CEU's are available. Living Well Through Illness; Navigating a Patient Centered Voyage will take place on Saturday April 1st, 8:30 – 3:00 at Sacred Heart University. Please sign up at www.sacredheart.edu/palliativecareconference.


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Innovation Management
Innovation Management (IM) is important to our success, and includes the evaluation of existing systems, practices, and incremental improvements to existing products and processes. We continually assess our understanding of the market; what our customers want to achieve; and hold focused innovation summits, spending time with experts to understand potential opportunities.
We follow a stage-gate system with two major elements. First, we want to make sure that we can clearly articulate what the value is that is associated with the innovation. Second, we want to make sure that we bring ideas and innovations to the marketplace as quickly as possible.
Stage-Gate System
We are globalizing the principles of the Stage-Gate system, a key business process, to better manage R&D programs. Apart from its well-known and disciplined benefits, there is also the benefit of its integration with Product Stewardship, through a formal assessment of a variety of environmental and social impacts.
The stage-gate process provides clarity to the sales and marketing teams on the value of the projects and their viability, thereby helping management determine which projects have the most significant impacts. The goal of our stage-gate process is to continually assess the commercial and technical viability of our products. By doing so, we are assessing at a very early stage whether the design is fit for purpose.
Once we are sure that the design is fit for purpose and the customer is satisfied, we can then scale up the project and product. This allows us to reduce the risk of doing so and not meeting our customer's needs. In the stage-gate process, we begin with the prototype, and then scale up through various steps. This allows us to reduce the risk of the financial impact of products that are not commercially or technically viable.
Innovation Governing Structure
Innovation councils meet quarterly to review project proposals, new technologies and customer needs. They also review the progress of projects to consider any problems and develop solutions to prevent future complications.
In the fibers segment, the corporate innovation council is responsible for coordinating functions that are global in scope, for example, DJSI, innovation management, and product stewardship. We have aligned our product development process through our segment leads.
Program ideas can come through a variety of means, often through our sales and marketing functions, or else directly to the R&D leads.
Most often, these initiatives can directly be handled by the site. Sometimes, the program initiative may require multiple resources, multi-site resources, or it may not be appropriate for a given site. So the segment R&D leads take these ideas either to the right site or coordinate a multi-site program. The R&D teams then engage with customers to define and refine the project ideas, and to develop a program. Along with the site R&D teams and the sales and marketing functions, these programs are then converted into product development platforms.
We also generate innovation through other sources, for example, from suppliers, and open innovation opportunities coming through universities.


text:
(Aral azhdarcho).
Phonetic: A-ral-az-dar-ko.
Named By: Alexander Averianov - 2007.
Classification: Chordata, Reptilia, Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea, Azhdarchidae.
Species: A. bostobensis (type).
Diet: Carnivore/Piscivore.
Size: Uncertain due to lack of fossil material.
Known locations: Kazakhstan - Bostobe Formation.
Time period: Santonian to Campanian of the Cretaceous.
Fossil representation: Front portion of a cervical (neck) vertebra).
Unfortunately because a portion of the neck vertebra is the only known fossil of Aralazhdarcho, not a lot can be said about the living creature. As you may have figured out for yourselves the name Aralazhdarcho is in reference to the Aral Sea, combined with the genus Azhdarcho, the genus that led to the formation of the Azhdarchidae pterosaurs that include giants such as Quetzalcoatlus.


text:
Swans and ducks on Stanley Park duck pond
- Item
- [ca. 1948]
Part of City of Vancouver fonds
Swans and ducks on Stanley Park duck pond
Part of City of Vancouver fonds
Part of City of Vancouver fonds
Informational signboard for totem poles at Brockton Point
Part of City of Vancouver fonds
Part of City of Vancouver fonds
Nine O'Clock Gun before restoration
Part of City of Vancouver fonds
Part of City of Vancouver fonds
Part of City of Vancouver fonds
Part of City of Vancouver fonds
Part of City of Vancouver fonds
The Elks Stanley Park, Vancouver, B.C.
Military Review at Brockton Point Grandstand for Golden Jubilee celebration
Prime Minister of Canada, Richard Bedford Bennett, speaking at Brockton Point for the Golden Jubilee opening ceremonies
Mayor of Vancouver, Gerry McGeer, speaking at Golden Jubilee opening ceremonies at Brockton Point Grandstand
Stanley Park, four totem poles
Item is a photograph of four totem poles near Lumberman's Arch in Stanley park. Two identified poles are the Thunderbird House Post pole at the far right, and the Chief Wakas totem pole second from the right.
Stanley Park, entrance and roadway
Stanley Park, visitors and rows of flowers in garden
Item is a photograph of a view of a rock garden in Stanley Park.
Stanley Park, painter on bench
Item is a photograph of a man with a pochade box sitting on a bench in Stanley Park, with paint brushes in his hands. Other park visitors and park scenery may be seen in the background.
Item is a photograph of park visitors boating in Lost Lagoon, Stanley Park.
Stanley Park, Lions Gate Bridge southern approach
Item is a photograph of the southern approach to the Lion's Gate Bridge from Stanley Park. Looking north across the bridge, the road, decorative lions and pylons, and cables and piers are visible.
[Covered and uncovered observation points in Stanley Park]
Brockton Point Golden Jubilee 1936 Vancouver
Item is a photograph of a logger standing holding a saw at a celebration for the Golden Jubilee at Brockton Point.
Quadra Club 100 yard dash starting line
Item is a photograph showing the starting line of the Quadra Club 100 yard dash at Brockton Oval. Runners pictured (L-R): H.R.N. Clyne, L.A. White, P.T. Dale.
Aerial view of Brockton Point in Stanley Park looking south
Item is a photograph of Alfred Harris in Stanley Park. Annotation on verso: "Dad (Alfred Harris) in Stanley Park."
Item is a photograph of the a man standing next to giant trees in Stanley Park.
Item is a photograph showing a road in Stanley Park that leads Coal Harbour towards Brockton Point.
View from Stanley Park of Vancouver skyline with oil barge in foreground in Coal Harbour
Forest Giant, Stanley Park, Vancouver
Unveiling of the Burns Memorial in Stanley Park
Unveiling of the Burns Memorial in Stanley Park
Group of men at unveiling of Memorial at Ferguson Point
Item is a photograph showing a group of men at unveiling of Memorial at Ferguson Point. Pictured (L-R): Warrant Officer Class II R. Guttridge, Lance Bombardier Elboim, [unidentified], [unidentified], Brigadier R.T. Dumoulin, Lieutenant Colonel N.D. Elsdon, Lieutenant Colonel A.M. McGavin, General Sir Charles Loewen, Lieutenant Colonel W.S. Jackson, Major General A.B. Matthews, Lieutenant Colonel G.F. Blythe, Colonel G.M. Platt, Lance Bombardier D. Davidson, Sargeant R. Thompson, [unidentified], Warrant Officer Class I P. Smith.
Mrs. McCulloch, Vancouver park
Part of City of Vancouver Archives sound recording and moving image collection
Film is a travelogue showcasing scenery, attractions and industry in the Vancouver area. Film contains general and aerial views of Vancouver, plus sequences of the harbour, Vancouver International Airport, Stanley Park, UBC, the Vancouver International Festival and the PNE. Industry is depicted through shots of a sawmill, a fish cannery, a foundry and a shipyard (where the vessel Yukon is launched). Water sports, golf and skiing at Grouse Mountain are shown, as well as Queen Elizabeth Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Granville Street at night and a White Spot drive-in. Individuals involved with the production of the film include: Jim Richardson (script), David Bennett (director), A.J.H. Pullinger (cinematography), Norma Jackson (editing), Lloyd Stump (sound), Saba Bros. Limited (gowns), Marguerite Roozeboom (art direction), recorded by Telesound, Lew Perry (producer).
Spruce tree, 44 ft. in circumference, Stanley Park, Vancouver, B.C.
Stanley Park [showing] water lilies in pond
Photograph shows the Pavilion in the background
Photograph shows a planked trail
Unveiling of the Harding Memorial in Stanley Park, Vancouver, Canada, September 16th, 1925. Erected by the Kiwanis Clubs of Canada & U.S.A.
Photograph shows crowds of spectators, the memorial decorated with flags, and the Stanley Park Pavilion.


text:
Christmas used to be hell in our family.
With five cousins and their families, six other cousins young enough to call me "uncle", four grandparents, two aunts, two uncles, six great uncles, five great aunts and probably more...the air was thick with relatives I barely knew and didn't want to know.
Now thankfully most are far away, in care homes, dead, estranged or some combination of these. So there's just me, mother, father and sometimes brother. Plus four dogs and three parrots.
The time of exchanging giftwrapped socks and awkward platitudes with near strangers is over, and with family out of the way we can now spend christmas with...family.
See if you can work out our interpersonal dynamics from this year's gifts:
- My gifts to mother: An 8GB memory stick and a course on how to play the piano.
- Mother's gifts to me: A pair of slipppers and...something I'll get to in a minute.
- My gifts to father: Um...
- Father's gifts to me: Um...he likes to maintain that all money comes from him, so whatever I get he provides.
- Mother's gifts to father: A sweater she knitted.
- Father's gifts to mother: Um...see above.
- Our gifts to brother: I'll get to that in a moment.
- Brother's gifts to us: I don't know yet!
- Our gifts to everyone else: Assorted homemade chocolates. Those we can resist eating ourselves.
It was almost puppies, but that turned out to be another phantom pregnancy.
Oh, mother's other gift to me and brother? Domain names! With matching webspaces!
They're not activated yet, but pretty soon there'll be a Kapitano website, which I'm thinking will be mostly musical.
Christmas. Turns out it's not quite all humbug after all.


text:
NorthGrid Solar Constructing 701kW FIT Rooftop Solar Project with Elevated Truss
Mar 09, 2012, 10:18 ET
VAUGHAN, ON, March 9, 2012 /CNW/ - NorthGrid Solar Inc. ("NorthGrid"), an Ontario-based Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) company, is pleased to announce the construction of a 701kW rooftop solar project, part of the Ontario Power Authority's Feed In Tariff (FIT) Program and located at The Metropolitan Tea Company Ltd. ("Metro Tea") in Etobicoke, ON.
The project utilizes NorthGrid's unique elevated truss system (ETS) which provides ongoing roof access, opportunity for greater revenue and optimized system performance to the project owner. The ETS system is best suited for industrial, commercial or institutional buildings with a large number of rooftop units that cause shading or rooftops that are unable to support ballasted solar energy systems.
"NorthGrid is excited to be working with Metro Tea, an importer and supplier of premium teas and tea-related products from around the world." said Carlo Di Gioacchino, President and CEO of NorthGrid Solar Inc. "Their vision of long term environmental sustainability makes Metro Tea a perfect complement to the Ontario Green Energy Program." said Mr. Di Gioacchino.
"NorthGrid Solar has proven to been a professional, responsive and technically superior choice for constructing one of Ontario's largest roof top solar projects while we continued to operate our business inside the building." said Gerry Vandergrift, President & CEO of The Metropolitan Tea Company Ltd. "We have been extremely pleased with their end-to-end customer-focused process as well." After grid construction, NorthGrid's ETS system and pre-assembly process enabled 701kW of panels to be installed in 7 days thus reducing wear and tear on the roof.
NorthGrid Solar is scheduled to complete many megawatts of ETS and ballast mount projects throughout Ontario.
About NorthGrid Solar Inc.
NorthGrid Solar (www.northgridsolar.com) is a leading provider of turn-key rooftop solar PV systems. Leveraging a combined 60+ years of photovoltaic experience in Ontario, NorthGrid Solar provides full project services to FIT contract holders from concept to completion. Customers benefit from a multidisciplinary team of professionals who manage feasibility studies, structural and electrical engineering, permitting and LDC interaction, procurement, construction, commissioning, OPA contract management and long-term operational support. In addition to traditional mounting systems, NorthGrid Solar also offers a proprietary Elevated Truss System option to address concerns with roof capacity, density, maintenance, and thermal losses.
Image with caption: "Metro Tea Construction (CNW Group/NorthGrid Solar Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120309_C3149_PHOTO_EN_10985.jpg
For further information:
For Media Contacts
Carlo Di Gioacchino
President and CEO
NorthGrid Solar Inc.
905-265-7699 x 232
[email protected]
Gerry Vandergrift
President and CEO
The Metropolitan Tea Company Ltd.
[email protected]


text:
Went to Celebrities with the intention to party down, but instead ended up people watching with Al and Neil. Half the people who were coming didn't get in, so Al and I ditched to go back to his place and watch Serenity and play the drinking game. More accurately, we were drinking according to abridged rules, else we get wasted on rules designed for a 40-minute show. Specifically: Drink when Chinese is spoken. Drink when Mal is chivalrous. Drink when powers are used for evil. Drink when people get punched. Discovered that someone had drank the Jack I'd left at Kerrisdale Alpha in preparation for the party I didn't make it to.
Was distracted by Tanqueray and raspberry ginger ale in conjunction with the AlMac on which we were watching Serenity (which was pretty cool and means I'll probably throw Firefly on the iPod next.)
Slept in.
Went to work.
Ran into Vanessa on the 135, which negated any concerns I had about being late. Read book Neil gave me on music writing. Worked and drank gatorade, would have been skull-crushingly bored if not for the other people there, which pretty much sums up work at the PNE.
More PNE. Mom gave me a ride into Vancouver on her way to physio, so I got dropped off at 29th Ave station at 7:twentysomething AM, and on a #16 shortly thereafter. Had coffee at nondescript place on Hastings and Nanaimo. Had London Fog at Starbucks while waiting for Asian bakeries to open so I can get some egg tarts and other baked goods for work munching. No egg tarts within timeframe, so I trudge to work and, well, work.
Someone decides that they need to do a Starbucks run, and in a moment of confusion, I order another London Fog instead of something caffeinated to keep me awake. Said drink bites me in the ass again when it gets knocked over and onto the E4's - momentary panic and disassembly later, things are fine.
Later the same day, we get pulled aside individually as to extend contracts, which is when I mention that I won't be renewing mine, and that while it's been fun and the people are great, I think it's time to move on. And so I will. My last shift is the 30th, at which point I'll hand over the key, ID, and uniform, and go down to two jobs for the first time since... September 2004.
On way home, buy coat. You'll probably all see it soonish, as it's warm and less formal than the calf-length one.
spend day at home, with exception of errands with mother.
I now own a wafflemaker.


text:
PHOENIX, Arizona – November 27th, 2012 – OpenTech Alliance, Inc. today announced that A-1 Self Storage has exceeded the $1,000,000.00 mark in kiosk transactions for 2012. En-route to reaching 1,000 new move-ins, the A-1 team of INSOMNIAC™ Kiosks (15 in total) is projected to handle over 10,000 consumer transactions by year end. The milestones emphasize the ongoing success of modern self-service technology throughout the self storage marketplace.
A family owned company, headquartered in San Diego, Caster Properties, Inc, operates 42 self storage facilities throughout California under the A-1 Self Storage brand. Brian Caster, President and CEO of Caster Properties stated, "Adding the convenience of on-site self service at our facilities has become a bona fide competitive advantage. We are making it very easy for customers to do business with us, we're always open."
Using self service kiosks does not mean a compromise in the level of customer service; to the contrary, it results in a higher level of convenience and customer satisfaction. A-1 call center agents greet kiosk users proactively and are available to provide real-time customer care using the VOIP phone built into the kiosk. Soon, kiosk users and A-1 agents will be able to not only talk with each other; they will be able to see each other using the Live! Megan Plus service which includes a two-way video option. At stores with kiosks, A-1 has been able to close their office two days a week and still rent units while the office is closed.
"Caster Properties has been a customer of ours for several years and they are consistently looking for new ways to improve the level of convenience & service they offer their customers. They have been a driving force behind many of the new enhancements we have made to our products. We are very happy to see that their investment in our self service solutions is paying handsome dividends," said Robert A. Chiti, President and CEO at OpenTech. "Our strategy is to offer solutions that make a material impact on the economics of operating a self storage business, A-1's accomplishments are proof we are on the right path" added Chiti.
About OpenTech Alliance, Inc. About OpenTech Alliance, Inc.: A pioneer in self storage automation, OpenTech Alliance is the leading developer of innovative self service solutions for the self storage industry. Their trail was blazed by offering facilities 24 hour self service automation through a complete line of INSOMNIAC™ Kiosks. Today, the innovation continues with a full range of self service rental solutions that include; Self Storage Cloud Services, INSOMNIAC Live! Call Center, INSOMNIAC Online web & mobile applications, LiveAgent! software products and the INSOMNIAC ILock system. OpenTech products and services increase revenues, reduce operating costs and improve customer convenience for self storage businesses. For more information please click OpenTechAlliance.com or call an OpenTech Business Development Manager at (602) 749-9370.
Press Contact:
Mike Sawyer, Director of Marketing
OpenTech Alliance, Inc.
(602) 324-8655.
NOTE TO EDITORS: OpenTech Alliance, the OpenTech logo and INSOMNIAC are trademarks of OpenTech Alliance, Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners. INSOMNIAC is protected by U.S. patent number 5,946,660.


text:
When I work a train on my layout (or anybody else's layout for that matter), I like to use a switch list – even if car forwarding is managed by a waybill system such as car cards.
I think car cards and waybills are very flexible – more flexible than switch lists – for managing the flow of traffic on a layout. And I do use waybills to determine what car needs to go where.
But once I know what work needs to be done, I think switch lists are an elegant way to manage it. As an amateur conductor I find that writing out a switch list allows me to organize my thoughts before I pick up the uncoupling tool and start issuing orders to my engineer. As a result, we do our switching more efficiently – and I don't get lost in the middle of a job, trying to remember my overall plan for the work.
In addition, a switch list allows me to treat my waybills as the accounting documents that they are on the prototype – keeping them safely tucked away in a waybill box or in the caboose. That contributes to my goal of representing the real work that a crew would have performed on the branch I model.
But after hosting several operating sessions, I realize that using switch lists is not intuitive when one starts with a stack of waybills – either of the car card variety, or of the prototype style I use. So, here's an explanation of how I organize the switching work on my layout.
Waybills are kept in three places on the layout. Cars spotted in St. Williams or Port Rowan have a corresponding waybill in the bill box located at those stations. For more on the bill boxes, click on the photo:
All other waybills are stored in a card box designed to hold 4″x6″ index cards:
(Click on the photo to read about how I use waybills for car forwarding)
This box has several labelled dividers to help organize the bills. They are:
To StW – waybills that represent cars to be delivered to St. Williams
To PtR – waybills that represent cars to be delivered to Port Rowan
From StW – waybills that represent cars spotted in St. Williams
From PtR – waybills that represent cars spotted in Port Rowan
In addition, I have a labelled divider for each locomotive on the layout. There are labelled dividers for 80, 86, 908, 1532 and 1560. This allows me to compile the waybills for each train in staging. Note that it doesn't matter whether the train is running as an extra freight or as the Mixed Train (M233 out of staging): The waybills are organized by locomotive number.
When it's time to run a train, I pull the waybills from the appropriate locomotive divider and put them on a small clipboard – representing the Conductor's Desk on the caboose. I also grab a blank switch list.
To illustrate how handwritten switch lists work, let's assume the day's session involves CNR Mogul 86 on a freight extra. (Click on any of the following images for a larger version)
(Yes, the crew should be flying white flags on the locomotive: Two demerit points!)
Here are the waybills for the cars in our train as we leave Simcoe (staging), headed for St. Williams:
I've arranged the waybills in the order that the cars are found in the train, with the front of the train at left. From front to back in the train, we have:
– CNJ 65414: A hopper car to be spotted at the coal bin in St. Williams (Team – S3)
– CNR 481536: An empty boxcar for loading in St. Williams. It's to be spotted at the team track (S2)
– FPLX 1009: A tank car for Port Rowan (Coal track: C1)
– NYC 399574: A gondola for Port Rowan (Team track: anywhere in the T1-T3 area)
Even before arriving at St. Williams, I can start writing my switch list. Here's what it looks like:
I've written down the four cars, in the order they appear in the train.
The switch list has space for reporting marks – Initial and Number. Note I've only written in the last three digits of the road number. That's usually sufficient to tell one car from another, and it saves a bit of writing.
"CL" is for "Class", and the symbols – H for hopper, X for boxcar, T for tank car and G for gondola – help identify the type of car. A list of car classes and appropriate symbols is included at the top of the switch list for handy reference.
The last column is "Destination". This is simply where the car should end up after the switching is completed. As the photo shows, the CNJ hopper will be spotted at S3 while the CNR boxcar will be spotted at S2. The tank car and gondola will remain in the train.
To help new operators find their way around the layout, I include a track diagram on the back of every switch list form, with the spotting locations clearly indicated:
Once we arrive at St. Williams, I can unload from the van and visit the depot. Here, I would open the bill box and collect all the paperwork inside, to determine if there are any cars for our train to lift. Here's what I find in the bill box:
These are in no particular order, but from left to right we have:
– ATSF 48447: An empty boxcar headed for Barstow, California
– CN 408756: A boxcar that's been loaded in St. Williams and headed for Odessa, Ontario
– PRR 45319: A boxcar that was delivered to the team track on a previous day, and is not yet ready to collect.
Before we start switching St. Williams, I would add these cars to my switch list:
From the top, we have:
– Two cars to spot in St. Williams
– Two cars staying in the train (headed to Port Rowan)
– Two cars we are lifting, which we will place on the double-ended siding at St. Williams so we can pick them up on the way home
– One car that's staying put on the Team Track (S1)
Note that I don't care where the cars are now – only where they should be when the switching is done.
Under the first list I have drawn a line then written in two more moves – for the ATSF and CNR boxcars that we will lift from St. Williams. Their destination is "Train" – a reminder that we have to pick these up on the return trip. I've drawn another line below these two cars, and now I'm ready to switch St. Williams.
(On more complex layouts, one may have to move a car several times during the course of switching. For example, one may need to pull all the cars at an industry, sort them into lifts and re-spots, set aside the lifts, then sort the set-offs and re-spots into correct spotting order. In this case, one may write two (or more) sets of switching orders. It all comes down to what helps you get the job done.)
Before we start the work, I would return to the depot and deposit the waybills for any cars that are staying in St. Williams – even those that we will pick up on the return trip (in case something happens en route and we don't get to collect the cars. The waybills always stay with the cars). I will have just two waybills in my caboose (my clipboard) at this point: for the two cars headed to Port Rowan.
Once we have switched St. Williams, I can do a quick review of my list to make sure every car is in the proper spot. I put a check next to each car on the list. This tells me the work is done and we can head to Port Rowan:
Also note that I've drawn a double line under the St. Williams work and have written up the two cars to be set off in Port Rowan. I did this while my engineer conducted the brake test, giving us a head start on the work to do at Port Rowan. Upon arrival there, we would stop at the depot, I would collect the waybills for all cars in Port Rowan, and add them to the switch list – just as I did at St. Williams.
In addition to being more prototypical, I find using a switch list is more practical. Compare the lists – all done on a single piece of paper – to the pile of waybills I would've had to juggle to perform this work:
In addition to being quite a stack, there are also several different types of waybills:
– There are white waybills for loads to be set off
– There are white waybills for loads to be lifted.
– There are yellow empty car bills by themselves, for empty cars being delivered for loading.
– There are yellow empty car bills, stapled to a waybill for empty cars headed for home.
As a conductor, the switch list puts all of the information I need in one place, where I can see it at a glance. It also allows me to filter out the information I don't need to know in order to do the work, such as whether a car is loaded or empty.
If you use waybills for car forwarding – either the popular car card variety or something more prototypical, such as I use – and you don't currently write up your own switch lists, I encourage you to give it a try. It really does make a difference – in so many ways!