text:
I have destructive behaviour. By that I honestly mean I am destroying myself and anything good. I do it i think as a form of punishment, my biggest issue is avoidance and numbing, they work together to break me. In the moment I feel bad so I'll do something like not let myself go out for the day, not eat/force myself to over eat or even like damage my skin. Bad stuff. Not good. Sad introduction but I do want to heal.
I need to have empathy for future Shazeda. She has to deal with the aftermath of every step, all the regret and hate and no more. Or at least less. I'm going to do some things that will make future Shazeda happy.
- Stay away from gross things. Fake vibes ew not for me. Shout "Am i bothered?" Scream "NOPE THANK YOU NEXT" if need be but Leave. That. Situation.
- Also, not loving and valuing the relationships of those who care about you is sad and should not be taken lightly. Apologise if you can, and appreciate for no particular reason. Pick a person and think good thoughts about them for 10mins. Whether you let it out as a text, call, doodle etc. is up to you but send some good vibes around. Let that be the energy that stays with you.
- Catch up on the back flow work. One way or another it needs to come out and yes I mean it needs to leave your todo list even if it's shit, as long as it's done. Gross metaphor but seriously a gross habit that future you is being strangled with.
- Pee WHEN YOU NEED TO pee I don't understand why I do it but I will hold my pee and my bladder will get mad at me. Just pee when you can. Idk random but just v necessary to me.
- When you have a feeling for better or worse it is an emotion you are going through. Do not dismiss it. Do not eradicate it. Give it 2mins and some appreciation to your heart, love yourself. Even when you're feeling ashamed and especially when you're feeling hostile.
- Drink water. Do a face mask. Brush your teeth and use mouthwash. Make your bed. Eat a piece of fruit or carbs or whatever makes your tummy happy. Sleep regularly. All the basic levels of self care to remind your nervous system that we love you and support you and just want you to do your bestest and are here to help out in any say.
That's all from me Bee! This is kind of very personal but I've been seeing some thing on anxiety and I don't really know what exactly this is related to I'm not a doctor. But these destructive behaviours need to be replaced with love and help create a change that I don't think is really talked about.
Do you have any of your own self destructive behaviours? Have you ever felt like even you were against you at some point? Let yourself breathe.
Love you. Shazeda.


text:
The katydids were singing big time last evening when Annie and I took our walk. (Today I found the shell of one on the leaves of a plant in the backyard; hence, the new banner.) Aside from the bugs' buzzing, the neighborhood seemed almost deserted. I'd say that with all this August heat that everyone was out on the back veranda having a mint julep; that is if people had verandas and still drank juleps. But by the time the sun is nearly gone, it's pleasant enough. There's a coziness about our little sub-division, as it has it's own physical boundaries, and the style of the homes and all the mature trees, give it a feel all its own, unlike many of the others out here in the county that just slide from one into the other, without a feeling of being some place.
With all the heat of the day, this morning I was up early to get the plants watered and start the sprinkler for the front grass. Each week day, I swear to myself that I'll sleep late on Saturday, but when it's time for Annie to go out in the morning, every green thing that needs a drink pulls me to the task.
After a shower and some coffee, I was after the Saturday errands. Even at 10, every stop I made had the sun blistering down and the heat radiating up from the cement. As I was gadding about, I stopped for lunch at location of one of my favorite Cuban-slash-Mexican places, El Rey. When I lived in my apartment, I made an El Rey drive-thru run at the one on Washington almost every week. This one sprang up among all the new shops on the north side of I-10 near Memorial City.
Finally, I made it back home, and after some time of just soakin' up the AC, I clicked on the TV. NBC had on the National Swimming Championships from Irvine, California. At first, I thought it was live, but after looking for other results, I found out that most of what they were showing was pre-recorded. Anyway, I got to see Michael Phleps winning the 100 Butterfly and Nathan Adrian beating out Ryan Lochte adn Jason Lezak in the 100 Freestyle. Both were pretty exciting races. You can check out all the results and other news about the National Swimming Championships here.
Filed under: All About H-Town (Houston), Annie and Dog Talk, Gardening and Flowers, House Buying, It's What I Like | Tagged: 100 Butterfly, 100 Freestyle, Annie, El Rey, gay, hot men, Houston Texas, Irvine CA, Jason Lezak, katydids, lgbt, Mexican food, Michael Phelps, Nathan Adrian, Nathan Adrian photo, National Swimming Championships 2010, papillon, Ryan Lochte, Weather | Leave a comment »

subset: commoncrawl


text: Glenn 32 Posted November 16, 2014 Well I finally got my hands on some yellow Prussian Carp. I've read that by crossing them (they are the same species) back into the goldfish that it may give rise to the expression of colors never seen before. I have 11 carp. I LOVE goldfish but for me they have lost the uniformity of their scales and the Prussian Carp are beautiful. Who knows maybe somewhere someone will want a really giant orange carp. Which type of goldfish do you think I should cross them with? Glenn 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


text:
Jenny Martin
Jenny Martin
Jenny is a librarian, a book monster, and a certified Beatle-maniac. She lives in Dallas with her husband and son, where she hoards books and regularly blisses out over all kinds of live and recorded rock. Her debut YA novel, TRACKED by Dial, an imprint of Penguin.
She loves to connect with readers and writers (and anyone else) who loves music and words (and anything delicious).
Jenny is also an experienced speaker, panelist and presenter who's appeared at many state and regional conferences, events and festivals. If you are interested in having Jenny visit your school, library, meeting, conference, etc., email firstname.lastname@example.com for more
Visit her website at: http://readjennymartin.com
Follow her on Twitter: @readjennymartin
Jenny Martin


text:
Tamarac Elementary School, located in Florida, had to temporarily relocate eight different kindergarten classes to other rooms within the school due to a rat infestation. The school trimmed trees that are suspected of contributing to the infestation as well as set up several sticky traps and conventional mouse traps. So far, a dozen rats have been caught. Although the vermin problem has been lingering since December 8, Marsy Smith, school district spokeswoman, expects to have the problem resolved and the children returned to their original class rooms by early January. According to Smith, the school district is taking "an aggressive approach." If you would like to read more on this story please see Florida elementary schools encounters rat infestation.
Rats typically live in areas near human activity. They devour human food and can spread diseases that are contagious to humans. Many times rats can leave rat pellets, which children are very likely ingest. Click here to see a list of typical viruses and other diseases commonly carried by rats. Two common diseases are rat-bite fever and salmonella. Salmonella is typically characterized diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting.


text:
Last year, Flick set up a campaign to help co-ordinate all the organisations helping the homeless. Flick was on the Homelessness Reduction Bill when she was an MP and knows that there is still much to do especially as the number of rough sleepers are increasing. There are so many organisations doing amazing work in Portsmouth and it is important that everyone works together so we can be more effective and cut out waste.
Flick and Cllr Paul Godier invited Street Support, which is based in Manchester, to set up a website and App that people living in Portsmouth can use to direct homeless people to help, food and shelter. It is proving to be very useful and we hope that everyone will download this free App so you can use it to point people in the right direction. You can also use the app to donate goods and your time.
You can find it at https://streetsupport.net/ or download the free Street Support app from the App store.


text: These New Dead Of Summer Pics Leave Us Wanting More! Dead of Summer is our new obsession! It is a summer of reunions for most of the Camp Stillwater counselors. But there are some new faces too! What will the old timers think of the fresh meat? The counselors bond over the campfire... ...and reminisce over old times... ...they share their scary stories... Little do they know they are about to be a part of one... ...there is something strange about Camp Stillwater and the campers are about to find out... Want to know what happens next?


text:
A ProMED-mail post
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
Date: 25 Oct 2010
Source: Wyoming Game and Fish Department [edited]
Two deer harvested on 15 Oct 2010 in deer hunt areas 47 and 51 in the
Bighorn Basin have tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD),
a brain disease known to affect some deer, elk and moose. One deer, a
mule deer buck, was harvested in area 47 in the Durphy Gulch area.
The other CWD positive, a white-tailed doe, was harvested in area 51
near the Horse Creek/Shell Valley Road.
Personnel at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department(WGFD) Laboratory
analyzed samples taken as part of the department's annual CWD survey
and discovered positive results for the 2 deer.
WGFD wildlife disease specialist Hank Edwards said the discovery of
CWD in those areas was not unexpected since there have been positive
tests in animals in surrounding areas 122, 125, 41, 46, 27 and 23.
After a review of available scientific data, the World Health
Organization in December 1999 stated: "There is currently no evidence
that CWD in cervidae (deer and elk) is transmitted to humans." In
2004, Dr. Ermias Belay of the Center for Disease Control said: "The
lack of evidence of a link between CWD transmission and unusual cases
of CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a human prion disease) despite
several epidemiological investigations suggests that the risk, if
any, of transmission of CWD to humans is low." Nonetheless, to avoid
risk, both organizations say parts or products from any animal that
looks sick and/or tests positive for CWD should not be eaten.
For more information on chronic wasting disease, visit the Chronic
Wasting Disease Alliance website at
Communicated by:
Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
[It is the fall season when hunting of cervids occurs. As hunter
surveillance programs are underway and tests are being conducted, it
is likely that there will be many more such reports from various
places across North America coming out soon.
Wyoming is a state known to have CWD, so this occurrence does not
seem surprising, nor does it seem to have moved into zones in the
state where it has not previously been detected. - Mod.TG]
[see also:
Chronic wasting disease, cervid - USA (10): (WY)20101022.3822
Chronic wasting disease, cervids - USA (09): (SD) 20100521.1687
Chronic wasting disease, cervids - Canada (02): (SK) susp. 20100518.1629
Chronic wasting disease, cervids - USA (08): (ND) 1st rep. 20100323.0924
Chronic wasting disease, cervids - Canada: (AB) 20100320.0888
Chronic wasting disease, cervid - USA (07): (KS) 20100313.0814
Chronic wasting disease, cervid - USA (06): (UT) 1st elk 20100313.0810
Chronic wasting disease, cervid - USA (06): (KS) 20100312.0801
Chronic wasting disease, cervid - USA (05): (KS) 20100311.0790
Chronic wasting disease, cervid - USA (04): (KS) 20100306.0741
Chronic wasting disease, cervid - USA (03): (MO) 1st rep. 20100303.0697
Chronic wasting disease, cervid - USA (02): (VA) 20100124.0261
Chronic wasting disease, cervid - USA: (WV) 2009 20100120.0224]
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at
Send all items for posting to: firstname.lastname@example.com (NOT to
an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name
name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-
scribe at
For assistance from a human being, send mail to:


text:
Name Last modified Size Description
Parent Directory - record directory 3550339_0001.dat 2000-01-01 00:00 1.5M waveform segment digitized signals 3550339_0001.hea 2000-01-01 00:00 86 waveform segment header file 3550339_0002.dat 2000-01-01 00:00 1.4M waveform segment digitized signals 3550339_0002.hea 2000-01-01 00:00 87 waveform segment header file 3550339_0003.dat 2000-01-01 00:00 15M waveform segment digitized signals 3550339_0003.hea 2000-01-01 00:00 85 waveform segment header file 3550339_layout.hea 2017-07-01 08:00 64 waveform layout header file 3550339n.dat 2000-01-01 00:00 35K numerics s09366-3078-03-30-21-08.hea 2012-02-05 23:34 199 waveform master header file s09366-3078-03-30-21-08n.hea 2012-02-05 23:47 428 numerics header file
If you would like help understanding, using, or downloading content, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.
If you have any comments, feedback, or particular questions regarding this page, please send them to the webmaster.
Comments and issues can also be raised on PhysioNet's GitHub page.
Updated Friday, 28 October 2016 at 16:58 EDT
PhysioNet is supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) under NIH grant number 2R01GM104987-09.


text:
Greek2264. Herodes -- perhaps "son of a hero," Herod, the name of ...
... perhaps "son of a hero," Herod, the name of several kings of the Jews. Part of Speech:
Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Herodes Phonetic Spelling: (hay-ro'-dace ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2264.htm - 6k
2492. Iob -- Job, a patriarch
Strong's Hebrew691. erel -- perhaps a hero
... perhaps a hero. Transliteration: erel Phonetic Spelling: (er-ale') Short Definition:
brave. ... Probably for 'ariy'el; a hero (collectively) -- valiant one. ...
/hebrew/691.htm - 6k
6274. Othniel -- a hero in Isr.
1402. Gibbar -- "hero," an Israelite
6768. Tseleq -- an Ammonite hero of David
650. aphiq -- a channel
1127. Ben-geber -- "son of a man," one of Solomon's leaders
6917. qedumim -- perhaps ancient
The Epistle of Ignatius to Hero, a Deacon of Antioch
The Saint and the Hero
Solemn Charge to Hero, as Future Bishop of Antioch.
The Epistle of Ignatius to Hero, a Deacon of Antioch
Exhortations to Purity and Caution.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary1. (n.) An illustrious man, supposed to be exalted, after death, to a place among the gods; a demigod, as Hercules.
2. (n.) A man of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger, or fortitude in suffering; a prominent or central personage in any remarkable action or event; hence, a great or illustrious person.
3. (n.) The principal personage in a poem, story, and the like, or the person who has the principal share in the transactions related; as Achilles in the Iliad, Ulysses in the Odyssey, and Aeneas in the Aeneid.
ThesaurusHero (7 Occurrences)
... the Aeneid. Multi-Version Concordance Hero (7 Occurrences). Genesis 10:9
he hath begun to be a hero in the land; he hath been a hero...
/h/hero.htm - 9k
Hero'di-as (6 Occurrences)
Hero'dion (1 Occurrence)
Hero'di-ans (3 Occurrences)
Begun (50 Occurrences)
Herodias (7 Occurrences)
Nimrod (4 Occurrences)
Othniel (7 Occurrences)
Asher (43 Occurrences)
Erech (2 Occurrences)
Bible ConcordanceHero (7 Occurrences)
Genesis 10:9 he hath begun to be a hero in the land; he hath been a hero in hunting before Jehovah; therefore it is said, 'As Nimrod the hero 'in' hunting before Jehovah.'
1 Samuel 17:51 And David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of its sheath, and killed him completely, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they fled.
2 Samuel 17:10 and he also, the son of valour, whose heart 'is' as the heart of the lion, doth utterly melt, for all Israel doth know that thy father is a hero, and sons of valour 'are' those with him.
Isaiah 3:2 Hero and man of war, judge and prophet, And diviner and elder,
Jeremiah 50:9 For, lo, I am stirring up, And am causing to come up against Babylon, An assembly of great nations from a land of the north, And they have set in array against her, From thence she is captured, Its arrow -- as a skilful hero -- returneth not empty,
Zechariah 9:13 For I have trodden for Me Judah, A bow I have filled 'with' Ephraim, And I have stirred up thy sons, O Zion, Against thy sons, O Javan, And I have set thee as the sword of a hero.
Zechariah 10:7 And Ephraim hath been as a hero, And rejoiced hath their heart as wine, And their sons see, and they have rejoiced, Rejoice doth their heart in Jehovah.
Related Terms
LinksBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus


text: HP LaserJet 4650n printer series provides high speed high quality color laser printing. Experience improved productivity with fast color laser printing. A quick power cycle with fast calibration lets you start printing color documents right away at up to 22 ppm with optimal print quality. The printer quickly processes large files and with a first page out speed of 15 seconds your documents begin printing in no time. Print images and graphics effortlessly. With a high powered 533 MHz processor and up to 544 MB of memory this printer gracefully handles even the most complex documents. Print professional quality documents whether theyre simple one page datasheets or complicated 100 page reports with the network ready Color LaserJet 4650n.


text:
THE Angler's Mail Job of the Week is back, as we seek to share details of latest jobs in the angling world with you. This latest position is with tackle giants Shimano Normark, and based at their HQ in Cotgrave, Nottinghamshire.
Duties include:
- Coordination the sales support materials (brochures, POS/POP).
- Planning and organisation of trade and consumer events and shows including New Product Introductions and dealer open days.
- To assist in the content and proofing of the SHIMANO and agency fishing catalogues.
- Creation, monitoring and reporting of an annual "Go To Market" plan.
- Support in content creation for use in magazines and digital marketing with focus on new products, product features & concepts.
- You make use of CRM, Shimano Order Direct, JD Edwards Enterprise1 and other approved business tools to assist you in your job role.
- Monitor and develop a team of UK based anglers, their media coverage and product allowance.
- To have finalised an education on Secondary professional level (MBO). Starters on Bachelor level are also invited to apply.
- Posses strong administrative skills.
- To have good knowledge of Excel.
- Be fluent in the English language, both verbally and in writing.
- A hands-on approach, with a strong focus on customer satisfaction.
- A knowledge of fishing would be advantageous but not essential.
If you fit the bill and this job interests you, email your CV to Richard Griffiths to: email@example.com


text:
Author and Radio Host Sangita Patel Hits Amazon Best-Seller List With "Success Today"
Sangita Patel recently hit two Amazon best seller lists with the new book, "Success Today"
Princeton Junction, NJ – August 21, 2015 – Sangita Patel has joined a select group of entrepreneurs from around the world, along with Brian Tracy, to co-author the forthcoming book titled, Success Today: Common Sense but Uncommon Knowledge from Today's Leading Entrepreneurs and Professionals to Help You Lead an Extraordinary Life of Health, Wealth and Success. Nick Nanton, Esq. along with business partner, JW Dicks, Esq., the leading agents to Celebrity Experts® worldwide. The book was released on August 6, 2015.
On the day of release, Success Today reached best-seller status in two Amazon categories – reaching as high as #14 in the category "Direct Marketing," as well as #73 in "Sales and Selling." Sangita Patel contributed a chapter titled "Discovering The Power To Heal: Shedding The Anger And Finding The Light."
Sangita is the owner of the Global Organization of Self Healing, holds a degree in Metaphysical Sciences and hosts over eighteen various seminars and workshops for people year round, including topics such as: Qigong; positive energy; transformational techniques for relationships, finances, and healing; manifesting joy; angels; Limitless Life Transformation Three Day Retreat; along with many other topics that are related to helping individuals connect with the abundance of goodness that exists within them.
Sangita is the author of the book Embrace Your Inner Self, a radio host for her show, 'Embrace Your Inner Self and Empower Yourself' on Voice America's Empowerment channel and a inspirational speaker. She is also a certified teacher of Seraph ADALIAN's Love and Faith; member of the Global Association of Holistic Psychotherapist; Certified Holistic Coach; Spring Forest Qigong Level 4 Teacher and Practitioner; Level 1 Certified EFT Practitioner; Integrated Energy Therapy Master Instructor; Practitioner of Chakra Healing and Aroma massages with MLD; DoTerra University Independent Product Consultant; and, Certified Angel Card Reader.
Sangita's co created books : Succeeding Against All Odds, Manifesting Soul Purpose, and her upcoming books in 2015 are : Choosing Happiness with Aspire Magazine and Success Today with Brian Tracy. She has been featured as an author at the Baltimore I CAN DO IT convention of 2014 and on Dr OZ TV show in the episode of helping Sleeping Issues with Qigong in 2013.
CelebrityPress® describes Success Today:
Few topics have been written about as much as SUCCESS. Even among most seriously discussed subjects like religion and politics, the concept of success plays a critical role. Something just as interesting is that success means different things to each of us. This reflects the individuality that we enjoy. In a commercial context, success is most often measured using the currency of exchange as well as the achievement of goals.
Philosophically, success may even be the attainment of a mental state of satisfaction as a result of your actions or thoughts. Whichever way you look at it, success is a topic of interest to everyone. The PremierExperts® in this book allow you to see their formulas for success, and through their experiences, offer many valuable lessons (including errors to avoid) that are particularly meaningful.
Just as action is an integral part of success, mentoring means a faster rate of achievement. However, despite our changing world, we know that the basic tenets of success remain the same, no matter how fast the pace. The PremierExperts® in Success Today are willing to mentor you. They have lived what it is all about. . . . Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure. ~ Confucius
After such a successful release, Sangita Patel will be recognized by The National Academy of Best-Selling Authors™, an organization that honors authors from many of the leading independent best-seller lists.
Click HERE to order a copy of Success Today on Amazon.
A portion of the royalties earned from Success Today will be donated to Entrepreneur's International Foundation, a not for profit organization dedicated to creating unique launch campaigns to raise money and awareness for charitable causes.
About Sangita Patel:
In her personal life, Sangita receives endless joy from her children, Nishan and Pooja. Embracing the lessons that she's taught others, Sangita has always been a strong advocate of her children following their own dreams and passions. Her son Nishan, a gifted artist, is an art teacher and published children's book author and illustrator (he has even created the artwork for her book- Embrace Your Inner Self), and her daughter, Pooja, graduated degree in Mechanical Engineering. Sangita's emphasis on family and healing is visible in everything that she says and does through her daily actions. She is supported by her mother's love, her husband, friends, family, mentors, guides, and Rocky, her German Shepherd, who always reminds her that love is unconditional and everlasting.
Sangita is affiliated with Spring Forest Qigong, The Heart-Math Institute, The Global Association of Holistic Psychotherapy, The Tapping Solution, The EFT Universe and The Center of Being, and Seraphic Spheres. Her favorite charities are related with children's educational programs around the world.
You can visit Sangita and get in touch via her web-site www.embraceyourinnerself.com.
About Celebrity Press®:
Celebrity Press® is a leading business, health and wellness book publisher that publishes books from thought leaders around the world. Celebrity Press® has published books alongside Jack Canfield, Brian Tracy, Dan Kennedy, Dr. Ivan Misner, Robert Allen and many of the biggest experts across diverse fields. CelebrityPress™ has helped launch over 1400 best-selling authors to date.
Learn more at http://www.celebritypresspublishing.com
Kasey Kalchert
Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®


text:
What is the average cost for me to build (I will be doing all labour) to build a 15 x 30 one story workshop? I'll be doing all electrical also.
The cost per square foot for a shop is about $7.00 - $7.50 per square foot. If you are doing the labour yourself you can probably save on this to some degree but if your like me some things I am good at but other things I am better to use a professional.
Engineered truss roof with a 4/12 pitch, (you might need 6/12 with snow load in your zone), concrete floating slab floor, 2x6 framed pink insulation, vinyl siding, one garage single door, windows on three sides, large front door with a small gabled roof to cover. 60amp panel in garage running from the house main underground approx 75 feet gas line from house for furnace. Furnace was free - mid efficiency neighbour upgraded donated furnace. We built one two years ago for a client final cost of $36k.
Search the TrustedPros directory and discover the best contractors in your area.Find your home service pro


text: This was a project about the development of integrated e-ticketing systems for public transport and touristic sites in cities. The implementation of an integrated e-ticketing system is a complex process that requires the synchronised activity of heterogeneous actors such as public transport operators and authorities, financial service providers, telecommunications operators, and the tourism sector. need to work together to combine their products on a single card. Besides technological characteristics, legal and economic aspects play a decisive role.


text:
So yesterday was my birthday! Happy birthday to me! *like damn loner like that wtf*
The day was great! No rain at all. Only veeerrryy slightly drizzling in the morning, but after that, sunshine throughout the day! It's funny considering that it's been pouring cats and dogs every single day for the past few weeks. Means…. God must have loved me very much ya? 😀
My first present was from Aunt Lia (of course lah. We're staying at the same house. hahaha). It's a very nice card with one of the cutest pressies I've ever received:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! I couldn't stop laughing when I saw it.
Background: Both of us have bought tickets for J.Lo's "Dance Again" concert in Dec. I was about to pay her back that day (we purchased it using her credit card) but she made it as my birthday present instead. We haven't taken the tix from the agent yet, so she wrote it on a paper. Hahahahahaha!
So THANK YOU, Aunt Lia and Aunt Iing! 😀
My day started with breakfast with Sher at a coffee shop near our office. After we came back to office, she messaged me on Skype after awhile:
Sorry if it's not funny to you. Our 'haha point' are very low and both of us are easily amused. So yea. Only this madam will actually put a present IN the toilet LOL!! For the record, she was sitting upstairs and I was downstairs, hence the saying "I heard u opening the door." (there's a door leading to the toilet from my work area). Hahahahahaha!
But I forgot to take a pic of the present on the rack! T___T So this is my best effort photoshopping it to illustrate it:
Lazy to photoshop it on the mirror side. Ahahahahahaha!! More or less is like that.
The grey kitty actually refers to the Littered with Books' (the book shop 23 steps away from our office where she got my present from) logo.
So what's inside?
The answer is a very nice canvas tote! 😀
Love the paw prints on the sides. It adds the unique touch to it and being a person who loves books and meaows, this is purrrrfecto!
Eh now that I think of it, it actually covers my interests at once: bag, book, cat! THANK YOU, Madam Tay!! 😀
Then the birthday cake cutting tradition at the office! Chocolate cake from Barcook bakery this time!! It's yummy and so chocolatey! Thanks for choosing it, Wilson! And lucky for Sher as she wasn't in the office that time. She won't eat this one lah. This woman hates chocolate. Hahahaha!
And after office hour, it's cousins' dinner time!! 😀
I chose Sugisawa, a small Japanese restaurant at Riverside View (Robertson Quay). I've been there once and I like the freshness and juiciness of their sashimi and sushi. The sushi are like those in Japan, with a little rice and big topping, unlike most of the sushi restaurants in Asia (that I know of) where the amount of rice compete with the size of the topping (= both are of the same size).
So food was good (except for the Tori Karaage – Not crispy and too oily), however, service sucks max! I shall spare the story for another day as I want this to be a happy post.
My Ebi Fry Bento. So huge! o.O Definitely couldn't finish this. I've heard about how big the bentos here are, but I didn't know it would be THAT big.
The yummy Sashimi platter. Okay, only 3 of us ate it (Mee, Steph jie-jie, and myself).
Thennnn it was cake time!! This time it's a raspberry cake from Paris Baguette! Mannnn it's been long since I last had anything from Paris Baguette. I used to buy their bread and cakes quite often when I was in Beijing.
Yea I know, the message is so -__________- For non bahasa speaker, it says "Happy Birthday, Grandma!' -____________- no idea why that nickname kinda stick with me T___________T *pinch Mee and Na*
Anywayyyy, the cake is nice! Not too sweet and coupled with the sourness of raspberries, it tastes just right! =9
Unfortunately we were already too full by then, so most of us couldn't finish our slices of cakes.
Group photos!!
*I hate my hair in this picture! *
Donny kor-kor actually asked a Japanese man who was obviously rushing to helped us with the picture. Coz all of the waiters/tresses look so busy, he stopped him when he was about to walked into the restaurant (we were at the outdoor seating area). He was in a rush, holding his jacket and briefcase and all. Quite funny to see his expression when he asked him to help us. Hahahahahaha! Arigato, uncle!
Gift from the cousinz! Ok lah, actually they asked me which model of hair dryer do I want, the night before my birthday. Hahahaha!! A week before, Steph jie-jie asked me what do I want for my birthday. I told her I wanted a Chanel 2.55 lambskin black. So she said, "Okay, we'll get you the catalog. The real item will come later, ok?". LOL!
So the night before (19th Nov), Murni jie called me and asked what is the hair dryer brand with ion thingy that I mentioned last time (I did mention once when we were in HKG. Cos I was eyeing the above model and was thinking to buy if it's much cheaper there. Turns out it's only like SGD 28 cheaper, so I didn't get it). So I mentioned Panasonic. Then she asked me back, "so which one do you want?". Hahahahahaha! 😀
THANK YOU, cousinz!! :* 😀
Now I can haz silky smooth hair everyday~
Just a picture of the gifts I received (minus the J.Lo's "ticket". Hahahahaha) 😀
And so, that marks the end of my 26th birthday! Happiness throughout the day. Thanks to everyone who called, texted, Whatsapp-ed, BBM-ed, tweeted, and wished me both in person and on Facebook! All of you made my day!! 😀 😀


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Budget pressures and changing technology mean there is a reliance on event planners being widely skilled. Events are detailed and require a lot of data to be held about attendees, meaning compliance with the GDPR regulations is critical. Processes are typically very detailed and manual, and are therefore open to errors.
Challenges we typically see:
- Highly manual processes across a wide range of systems with data being duplicated in tools.
- Increasing customer demands for opportunities to learn (from events that offer CPD credits for attendance), make contact with potential clients or partners, to meet industry experts, or gain early access to new trends or discoveries that will provide the return on investment for the price of attendance.
- Regulatory changes including the GDPR will make it increasingly difficult to market and promote events outside of your existing database.
- Planning needs to present the real value of an event to its delegates – not just create a cost-effective event for the organisers.
Event Processes
Your processes have to align to your business model and are the way things get done within your organisation. Your processes impact your entire business so they need to reflect your strategy and and your why. Your processes should be treated as living organic things with regular reviews to check they're still working effectively and efficiently.
Customer Processes
Client on-boarding:
- Attract (Marketing & Promotion)
- First Contact
- Value Conversation
- Template Client Agreements
- Set-up Client in Customer Relationship Management System
- How you answer calls and contact
- How change requests are handled
- Steps for renewing customer agreements
- Processing/setting up new services
Release and Off-board:
- When a client says they want to leave
- ID clients who are not a good fit
- Data archiving
Services Processes
- Develop new events services
- Deliver services to customers
- Release old services which are no longer required
- Improve existing services
Team Processes
- Attract new employees and onboard
- Interact with HR processes
- Educate and grow
- Release and off-board
Organisation Infrastructure:
- External regulatory and Compliance
- Legal
- Sales
- Marketing
- Procurement
- Finance
Read our events management case study to learn how we made a 42% efficiency saving for the Brighton Chamber of Commerce.
Call us to discuss your process headaches on 01273 569109.


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I've finally finished off my electoral map of South Australia. The map is based on the new boundaries for the 2010 election and can be found at the maps page. Next stop, Queensland's new 2009 boundaries.
2009 election preview: India
At the recent US election, over 131 million people cast votes in the presidential contest. Yet Indian elections take place on a much larger scale. The last federal election, in 2004, saw 389 million votes cast for 543 seats in the Lok Sabha, the Indian lower house.
The world's largest democracy goes back to the polls by May 2009. The last election in 2004 saw the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, of the Bharatiya Janata Party, and his allies in the National Democratic Alliance, defeated by the United Progressive Alliance, dominated by the Indian National Congress, led by Sonia Gandhi.
Following the election Gandhi declined to become Prime Minister, with the Prime Ministership going to former Finance Minister Manmohan Singh.
The Indian party system is simultaneously fractured and coalesced into two major party alliances. The 2004 election saw 39 parties win seats in Parliament. Yet the election was a clear contest between the UPA and the NDA, which between them covered 21 of those 39 parties, and the result was a clear majority for the United Progressive Alliance. The two alliances are dominated by the Indian National Congress, a centrist party dominated by the Gandhi family, and the Hindu/nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party respectively. In addition, 60 seats are held by a variety of communist and socialist parties who have lined up as a third alliance. Many regional-based parties run independently of the alliances and collectively hold over a quarter of the Lok Sabha's seats.
Elections take place over a number of stages. In 2004, four election days were held between April 20 and May 10, with constituencies being allocated to different election dates. Counting did not commence until the final votes had been cast, with ballot boxes being opened on May 13.
The Indian general election isn't the typical sort of election I would cover. However, it is a Commonwealth country using a similar first-past-the-post electoral system. Add that to the fact that it is the world's largest electoral contest, and it is a fascinating demonstration of Westminster politics outside its Western habitat. Clearly I'm no expert on Indian politics, so if anyone is an expert, please comment below.
Canada electoral map finished up
As a late Christmas present, I have finally completed my Google Earth electoral map of Canada. I haven't completed the three territory ridings of Yukon, Western Arctic and Nunavut. These ridings cover a huge amount of territory and would take me a lot longer to complete. Since I am hoping to complete the new boundaries in Queensland, South Australia and the UK, I'm gonna leave those three ridings for a later date. You can find the Canadian map along with my other electoral maps at my maps page.
2009 election preview: United Kingdom
The next UK general election must be held by June 2010, so strictly it may not take place within 2009. All UK general elections since 1979 have taken place within the April-June period, so the only two likely election date possibilities are in the spring of 2009 or the spring of 2010. There is intense speculation in the UK at the moment of the prospects of an early election in 2009. While Brown remains well behind in the polls, there is an argument that his increased popularity in recent polls gives him his only shot of securing another term in office.
Gordon Brown has had a bumpy time as Prime Minister. He led early in his term, which led to speculation in late 2007. The first half of 2008 was dominated by disastrous polls and by-elections for Labour, losing two safe seats (one to the Conservatives and one to the SNP) and performing poorly in other races.
Because of the large number of seats held by parties other than Labour and Conservative, there is a significant possibility of a hung parliament at the next election. It is estimated that a swing of between 1.6% and 6.9% would result in a hung Parliament. The Liberal Democrats hold 62 seats, the SNP holds seven with prospects of large gains, and seats are also held by Plaid Cymru in Wales and all 18 seats in Northern Ireland are held by local parties. Collectively a party can win a substantial lead in seats without winning a majority.
Furthermore, electoral geography substantially favours Labour. It is estimated that the Conservatives would need to win by at least 6% in order to be the largest party in Parliament.
Opinion polls have favoured the Conservatives since October 2007, when polls turned against Brown. Conservative leads became solid in early 2008, with Labour failing to poll over 30% in any poll from May to September. The Glenrothes by-election in November happened as Labour gained ground in the middle of the global financial crisis.
The latest polls still put Labour well behind the Conservatives, but within range of winning a minority government at an early election.
Prospects for minor parties vary. The Liberal Democrats polled 22% in 2005, their best result since polling over 20% in the 1980s as the SDP-Liberal Alliance. However, nearly all opinion polls in the last two years have put the LibDems in the high teens, well below the heights of 2005. This does not necessarily mean that the Liberal Democrats will lose ground at the next election, but their rise appears to have been blunted by the resurgence of a credible Opposition.
The Scottish National Party currently hold seven seats in Westminster, six won in 2005 and a seventh won at the Glasgow East by-election. The SNP won office with a massive swing at the Scottish election in 2007. Despite falling short at the Glenrothes by-election, it appears that the SNP are on track to win a substantial number of Scottish seats, making them a player in their own right in Westminster, akin to the Bloc Quebecois rising in Canadian federal politics.
Plaid Cymru, the Welsh nationalist party, have made nowhere near as much gains as the SNP, but could be expected to pick up extra seats at the expense of Labour in the next election.
Considering the positions of the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish Nationalists, an interesting scenario that is entirely plausible is that we could see a similar situation in the UK as we currently are seeing in Canada, with a strong left-of-centre minor party and left-of-centre separatist party controlling the balance of power. It will be fascinating to see the consequences in the UK if the LibDems and the SNP are finally given a taste of power.
2009 election preview: Queensland state election
The Queensland Labor government will be attempting to win a fifth term in office at the state election in 2009. The election must be held by September 2009, three years after the last election in 2006, but could be held at any time in 2009. In particular, the Bligh government may decide to avoid a nasty budget in May by calling an early election. In addition to attempting to win a fifth term in office, Anna Bligh is also aiming to be the first female Premier to win an election in her own right.
The current government was first elected at the 1998 election, led by Peter Beattie, before winning re-election in 2001, 2004 and 2006. With the exception of a shortly-lived National minority government in the mid-1990s, the ALP has held power for the last two decades. The September 2006 election saw a slightly-reduced ALP majority, with Beattie remaining dominant. Beattie resigned one year later in September 2007, succeeded by Anna Bligh.
The biggest political news of this year in Queensland was the merger of the two Queensland conservative parties into the Liberal National Party (the "LNP"), led by former National leader Lawrence Springborg. After years of intermittent coalition conflict, the two parties will be going to the 2009 election as a single unit.
The only regular opinion polls in Queensland state politics are performed by Newspoll, who bring out a poll every second month. Labor has remained dominant in the polls, with the Opposition's performance peaking at 49% 2PP in the first post-merger poll. However, the recent December poll has pushed the ALP back to a 57-43 2PP lead over the LNP.
The 2006 election resulted in the ALP holding 59 seats to the LNP's 25 seats, with 4 Independents and 1 remaining One Nation MP. A loss of 15 ALP seats would result in the government losing its majority, while the LNP would need to win 20 seats to form a majority. According to the pendulum, such a seat change would require a swing of between 7.2% and 8.3%.
Labor is facing many of the same issues as every long-term Labor government, although the Queensland government seems to be performing better compared to the similarly-aged Labor governments along the east coast. However, it remains clear that, with the exception of the Joh Bjelke-Peterson era, the ALP has dominated the last ninety years of Queensland politics.
Despite the merger, many of the central issues holding the coalition back from government remain in place. The Liberal Party consistently outpolled the Nationals in terms of primary votes, and most of the ALP marginal seats were contested by the Liberals. This resulted in the problematic position where the Nationals, as the senior coalition partner in Parliament, were in a position where they would fall into the position of junior coalition partner in any new coalition government. As long as the Nationals dominated the coalition, many natural Liberal voters refused to vote for a government that would be led by the Nationals. Despite the LNP attempting to claim the Liberal mantle, it doesn't seem to be capable of overcoming the difficulty in a rural-dominated party trying to win government in suburban seats. The LNP was effectively a National takeover of the Liberal Party.
As the only state without any proportional representation, Queensland has always been difficult for the Greens. The Greens have never managed to win a single seat in Queensland, and the first Greens MP, Ronan Lee, defected from the ALP earlier in 2008. While his electorate of Indooroopilly is a strong Greens electorate, it will be extremely difficult for Lee or any other Greens candidate to win in the upcoming election. Lee holds a traditionally Labor Liberal electorate and would have found it difficult to be re-elected as a Labor candidate. In all likelihood the Greens will lose Indooroopilly and will again be reduced to no representation in the Queensland state parliament.
2009 election preview
With Christmas coming up soon and little in the way of electoral news, I thought I'd spend this week going through the major elections expected in 2009. At the moment, the big ones from my perspective are:
- Queensland general election, expected by September.
- Indian federal election, expected by May.
- European Parliament election, in June.
- United Kingdom general election, which must be held by mid-2010 but could be held in 2009.
- German federal election, to be held in September.
- Indonesian presidential election, in July, and legislative election in April.
- British Columbia provincial election in May, along with a referendum on introducing the Single Transferable Vote electoral system.
I'll get started with Queensland later tonight.
Minnesota Senate update
I've avoided trying to properly cover the ongoing count to determine the winner of the Senate seat in Minnesota, between Republican Senator Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken. The best place to follow it all has been FiveThirtyEight.com.
In the last day the Canvassing Board have been resolving challenges, and the trend seems to be towards a significant advantage for Al Franken. FiveThirty Eight predicts Franken leading by 251 votes at the end of the count. I'm still not sure how long this is going on for, but Franken has to now be considered the favourite.
However, the Canvassing Board must now consider 5000 withdrawn challenges on ballots and restore the ballots to their original pile. As Franken withdrew about 300 more challenges than Coleman, you would expect this would reduce the margin down to a handful of votes either way.
Queensland redistribution prospects
In addition to New South Wales losing a seat, Queensland will be gaining one. For the purpose of analysis, I broke up the state's 29 districts into six regions. Because 29 is a prime number, one of the six regions has four seats instead of five. All six regions are over quota, the largest being the northern Queensland region, with the five northernmost seats clocking up 5.25 quotas, while the five seats around the Gold Coast and south of Brisbane clocking up 5.23 quotas. Looking at the numbers, it would be most likely that the new seat would be on the southern edge of Brisbane, pushing the seats in South-East Queensland further out. However, there isn't as much of clear trends in Queensland as there are in NSW, where the options are clear.
NSW redistribution prospects
There will be a redistribution this year which should see NSW lose its 49th seat to Queensland, which will require one seat to be abolished and the state distributed into 48 districts.
Using the enrolment statistics of 28 November this year, I have done some analysis of each seat's enrolment levels. Of course, these will change before the redistribution is completed, but it can give us an idea.
First of all, I divided the state into seven areas of seven seats each. This demonstrates that the seven seats in the centre of Sydney, as well as the seven on the north shore, both have significantly more votes than the average. In particular, Wentworth, Kingsford Smith and Bennelong, which have all got more than 5% more than the average voters per seat. The seats of Sydney and Lowe have fallen well below the average, but can be compensated by the neighbouring seats without the need to abolish any seats. The fourteen seats covering the eastern suburbs, inner west, north shore, northern beaches, and out to Berowra and Mitchell, make up a total of 13.94 quotas under the new 48-seat model, meaning that it's unlikely a seat will be abolished in the eastern half of Sydney.
I also grouped the seven seats covering southern Sydney. This includes the seats covering Sutherland, Bankstown, Liverpool and the Macarthur region. This is the only part of Sydney with falling quotas, with the seven seats making 6.77 quotas. In particular, Fowler, Werriwa and Macarthur are all well below a quota, and if no seat is abolished Macarthur will have to pick up territory from Hume to its south.
In contrast, the North-Western Sydney region, including Macquarie and Reid, is much closer to seven quotas, with high voter numbers in central Western Sydney around Reid and Parramatta.
The seats to the south of Sydney are also below quota, like South-West Sydney. The Illawarra seats of Cunningham, Throsby and Gilmore are well below quota, and indeed Malcolm Mackerras in yesterday's Crikey argued for the abolition of the seat of Throsby, in southern Wollongong. Hume, covering the rural territory between Macarthur and the ACT, also has fallen significantly below the quota.
The seven seats in the Central Coast and the Hunter is lying right on average for all seven seats, which translates to 6.85 quotas once the 49th seat is abolished.
The seats in northern NSW and inland NSW are also falling, particularly Calare and Parkes, covering the former seat of Gwydir, abolished in 2006. Three of the four north-coast seats are falling as an average, particularly Lyne.
So what are the options? Seats in northern Sydney, central Sydney and the Hunter are on track to maintain their 28 seats in those regions. It seems the three main options for a seat to be abolished are:
- Throsby/Gilmore – As Mackerras has argued, both of these seats are well below quota and either could be abolished, which would simultaneously push Hume and Eden-Monaro further in towards Wollongong and allow the Hume-Macarthur border to be pushed further south of Picton, providing the extra numbers needed to shore up the seats in South-West Sydney.
- Macarthur – Macarthur is the least populous seat in NSW, and is bordered by below-average seats in Hume and Werriwa. However, Macarthur, Werriwa and Fowler cover the new South-West Growth Area, which would mean a significant increase in voters in the near-future, which could require creation of a new south-west Sydney seat. It would also drag Hume into Campbelltown, resulting in a seat stretching from the outskirts of Canberra to the outskirts of Sydney. Macarthur also covers the newest NSW state seat of Wollondilly, created before the 2007 election, demonstrating that the region will overall be increasing in size.
- Calare/Parkes – Despite losing a seat in the last redistribution, the numbers of voters in the northwest of the state continue to fall further behind the pace. However, it was highly controversial in local communities when Gwydir was abolished, and the redistribution will likely try to avoid repeating the experience.
Gordon Brown coming back in the UK
Gordon Brown had a pretty awful year, with losses of safe seats in by-elections and massive poll leads for David Cameron's Conservatives. But since the beginning of the global financial crisis, Brown's seemingly successful attempts to get his plans adopted by other western countries, and his recovery in the Glenrothes by-election, Gordon Brown has appeared to be back in the game. This has been reflected in the latest Guardian/ICM poll, which has reduced the previous 45-30 lead for the Tories to a bare 5-point lead, with the Conservatives on 38, Labour on 33 and the Liberal Democrats up one to 19.
Julian Glover at the Guardian predicts that this could be the trigger for an early election in 2009. Since Brown cancelled plans in late 2007 for an early election, it has been expected that his long-suffering government would push out the next election to mid-2010, the latest time to hold a general election. Yet it appears that Brown's handling of the financial crisis has given him a window to have a shot at holding onto power. The latest poll would suggest Labour coming out as the largest party in a hung parliament, which would likely lead to a second election not much later, and would likely resemble Canada's recent history, which saw a Prime Minister replaced by his finance minister who then lost his government's majority and forced to an early election.
However, the point remains that, while Brown could call an election any day, it remains hard to see him staying in power, and a late election in 2010 remains the most likely outcome.


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The first part of Peter Jackson's adaptation of "The Hobbit" hits theaters today, riding a wave of anticipation that has been building since 2003, when "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" closed out that epic trilogy, won 11 Academy Awards and started the clock for a return to Middle-earth. After a series of false starts, near-misses and a complicated legal situation surrounding the rights to the film, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" kicks off the prequel trilogy at long last.
The first part of Peter Jackson's adaptation of "The Hobbit" hits theaters today, riding a wave of anticipation that has been building since 2003, when "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" closed out that epic trilogy, won 11 Academy Awards and started the clock for a return to Middle-earth. After a series of false starts, near-misses and a complicated legal situation surrounding the rights to the film, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" kicks off the prequel trilogy at long last.
Since we know you're going to see it (who isn't?), here are 6 things you may need to know before heading to the theaters to take in the journey's beginning.
1. "The Hobbit" was a slimmer children's volume written well before "The Lord of the Rings."
Written in 1937, "The Hobbit" follows the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, a reluctant hero drawn into a quest to reclaim a lost dwarven kingdom from the grasp of a fierce dragon named Smaug. Tolkien's novel is a beloved benchmark in children's literature and led, of course, to a darker sequel, "The Lord of the Rings," in which Bilbo is a minor character, but the magic ring he finds in the course of "The Hobbit" ends up being of great importance.
2. Peter Jackson was not the original director on the project.
Fearing he might compete with himself and that "The Lord of the Rings" was too daunting a project to measure up to, Jackson originally did not want to direct "The Hobbit." Director Guillermo del Toro ("Pan's Labyrinth") was hired first in April 2008 and worked with Jackson and co-writers Fran Walsh and Phillipa Boyens on the screenplays for the films (at that point, only two).
Del Toro left the project in 2010, however, as the project was further delayed by financial problems of the primary rights holder, MGM. Del Toro still has a writing credit on the films, but Jackson stepped up to direct and was confirmed as director in October 2010. Filming began the following March.
3. "The Hobbit" was initially conceived of as two films.
In fact, the third film was announced in July, turning a two-film adaptation into a full prequel trilogy. Jackson said at the time that the third film would allow for the depiction of appendices material from J.R.R. Tolkien's writing that would further join "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" films. This third film will incorporate some of the filming that has already taken place, but will require an additional 10 to 12 weeks of shooting, which will begin in March 2013. The second film, "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," is scheduled for release on Dec. 13, 2013, and the third film, "The Hobbit: There and Back Again," on July 18, 2014.
4. A number of artistic collaborators reprise their roles in "The Hobbit."
Not only has Jackson returned to direct and co-write the "Hobbit" trilogy, but many of his behind-the-line collaborators from "The Lord of the Rings," including composer Howard Shore and cinematographer Andrew Lesnie, have also returned. Actors reprising their roles include Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Andy Serkis as Gollum, Hugo Weaving as Elrond, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Christopher Lee as Saruman and Orlando Bloom as Legolas (though Bloom is not expected to show up until the second or third film). Also showing up in a framing device are Ian Holm, as an older Bilbo Baggins, and Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins.
5. "The Hobbit" was shot in high-frame rate 3-D.
Controversially, "The Hobbit" was shot at a higher frame rate. While the standard for feature films has been for nearly 90 years to shoot at 24 frames per second, Jackson believes that a higher frame rate, 48 frames per second, is the future of cinema.
In an interview last year, Jackson explained his preference for 48 fps:
"Looking at 24 frames every second may seem OK — and we've all seen thousands of films like this over the last 90 years — but there is often quite a lot of blur in each frame, during fast movements, and if the camera is moving around quickly, the image can shudder or strobe. Shooting and projecting at 48 fps does a lot to get rid of these issues. It looks much more lifelike and it is much easier to watch, especially in 3-D."
6. Don't expect a local exhibition of "The Hobbit" in high frame rate, though.
The technical exhibitions of "The Hobbit" in 48 fps received a largely negative response, and most theaters are not equipped to show a film at that frame rate. Most theaters will be showing "The Hobbit" at a standard 24 fps, even in IMAX 3-D screenings. The Tolkien fan site, TheOneRing.net, has compiled a list of all theaters in the country displaying "The Hobbit" at 48 fps, none of which are in Alabama. You can find that list here: http://tinyurl.com/auy8vhs.


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Huff Added as WFC 2012 Special Guest
World Fantasy Con 2012 has announced the addition of Canadian fantasy author Tanya Huff as a Special Guest. Huff has published the Blood Ties series, the Wizard of the Grove series, the Confederation series, the Quarters series, and more. The 2012 convention will be held in Toronto, Canada from November 1 through 4. Huff will join Guests of Honor Elizabeth Hand, John Clute, Richard A. Kirk, and Gary Wolfe.


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01 of 10
Tools, Equipment and Safety
Occasionally the need may arise where you would like to remove a coin from a third-party grading service encapsulated coin holder such as a PCGS slab. It may be that you want to resubmit the coin to the grading service in hopes of achieving a higher grade or you would like to place it in a coin album to add it to your collection. Regardless of the reason here is an easy way to remove the coin from its slab without damaging it.
There are some people who believe that you should never remove a coin from a third-party grading service encapsulated holder. If you're unfamiliar with the process, you should practice on a low-grade inexpensive coin in a PCGS holder. In case you make a mistake you will not damage an expensive coin. Once you are familiar and comfortable with the process, then you will be able to confidently crack out any coin from a PCGS holder.
First and foremost, the right tools are required to remove the coin without damaging it nor injuring yourself. Use or purchase the following items:
- A soft cotton hand towel that is clean and free of dirt and grime.
- A gallon size Ziploc bag.
- Channellock 10-Inch End Cutting Nipper Pliers (Part #: 148-10)
I specifically like the Channellock brand of pliers because of their durability and accuracy when cracking out coins. Only the Channellock pliers use a knife and anvil style cutting edge to ensure perfect mating and superior cutting edge. I know these usually cost more than generic end nipping pliers, but the money you will save by not ruining your first encapsulated coin will be well worth it. Also, the longer the handle length, the less force you will need to exert to crack the plastic. Anything shorter than 10 inches and you risk losing control of the pliers and possibly damaging your coinContinue to 2 of 10 below.
02 of 10
Hold the Coin Firmly but Don't Crack It Yet
It is important to work over the soft cotton towel in case you drop the coin at any time during this process. The first step is to grip the edge of the slab with the end cutting nipper pliers approximately where the insert that holds the coin on the inside of the slab is closest to the edge. Squeeze the players hard enough, so the slab does not fall out but not too hard that you start to crack the plastic.Continue to 3 of 10 below.
03 of 10
Safety Is Job #1
While holding the PCGS coin slab with the end nipping pliers place the slab inside the plastic bag. Using a plastic bag will prevent any plastic splinters or shards from flying across the room or getting embedded in your eye. Work over a table with the towel or soft cloth underneath. Be careful not to drop the slab or have the position of pliers move while you do this. As an additional measure of safety, it is recommended that you should use protective safety glasses over your eyes.Continue to 4 of 10 below.
04 of 10
Make the First Crack
With your other hand, firmly grasp the end nipping pliers with both hands. Gather some of the plastic bag under your hand to minimize the opening of the plastic bag. Firmly squeeze down on the pliers using a smooth motion until the plastic cracks.
Carefully remove the pliers from the plastic bag without touching the part of the coin that is now exposed. Reach into the plastic bag and remove the plastic piece(s) that broke off. Once again, use caution so you do not touch the part of the exposed coin with your bare hands.
[CAUTION!] PCGS uses an inert plastic that is extremely hard. When it breaks, it almost has the same properties of broken glass. Therefore, exercise extreme caution because the cracked edges of the plastic may be very sharp. If the cracked off piece of the coin holder did not separate from the slab, remove the slab and the piece together from the bag. Otherwise, remove the slab from the plastic bag last.Continue to 5 of 10 below.
05 of 10
The First Crack Is Complete
Although it is impossible to predict exactly how the slab will crack, more often than not the slab will crack diagonally from the point where the pliers made an impact to the bottom of the coin slab. If the piece did not separate from the slab, carefully slide the piece off the slab, so you do not scratch the coin.
[CAUTION!] Exercise care when executing the step because the cracked edges of the plastic may be extremely sharp.Continue to 6 of 10 below.
06 of 10
Get Ready for Crack #2
Using the end nipping pliers grasp the other side of the coin slab approximately halfway down where the inert plastic insert is closest to the edge of the slab. Use enough pressure, so the slab does not fall away from the pliers and possibly damaged the exposed part of the coin.Continue to 7 of 10 below.
07 of 10
Carefully Make Crack #2
Carefully place the coin slab inside the plastic bag again. Be careful that you do not lose your grip and the coin slab falls away from the pliers. Work over the table with the soft cloth or towel underneath. Losing your grip may damage the exposed part of the coin. While gripping the pliers with your other hand, gather some of the plastic bag to minimize the opening. Once again, firmly squeeze the pliers until the plastic cracks.Continue to 8 of 10 below.
08 of 10
Remove the Final Piece
Remove the slab and any remaining pieces from the plastic bag. Be careful that you do not scratch the coin with the pliers or the broken pieces.
[CAUTION!] Once again, be careful because the cracked edges of the slab may be very sharp.Continue to 9 of 10 below.
09 of 10
Remove the Coin and Insert from the Slap
Carefully slide the coin and the inert plastic insert out of the slab. Be careful not to scrape the coin against the sharp edges of the broken encapsulated holder. Remember, the edges are sharp so be careful not to cut yourself.Continue to 10 of 10 below.
10 of 10
Remove the Coin from the Inert Plastic Holder
Now that the coin and the inert plastic insert has been removed from the slab, carefully slide the coin out of the inert plastic insert. It is best done with cotton or powder-free latex gloves. Your coin is now ready for re-submission or as a new addition your coin collection.


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Benefits Of Outsourcing The Business Check Payment Process
From expanding marketing efforts to managing
employees, business owners have more than enough work to fill each day. Most
business owners and their workers spend too much time on administrative tasks.
With today's technologies, a considerable amount of these tasks can be
automated or outsourced to save money. This does not mean staff cuts. However,
outsourcing some tasks can give your administrative staff more time to focus on
important high-value activities and the accuracy of those tasks. Projects that
will improve customer relations, increase sales and improve internal processes
are easier to develop and execute if administrative workers are not overwhelmed
with tasks such as printing checks and juggling vendor account files.
In most cases, in-house bill payment consumes a considerable amount of time and resources. The task of issuing checks to vendors for financial obligations can cost a business much more money than it should. For companies that still rely mostly on paper-based processes, this is especially true. Issuing payments and analyzing bills may mean hours of sorting through files and crunching numbers. By making payments electronically and outsourcing them, business owners save themselves the hassles and high costs of outdated paper checks.
Expenses Of Using Checks
To better understand the time and money that goes into using checks and why they are wasteful, think about what usually goes into each check. These 15 steps are associated with the issuing process in most cases:
1. Worker requests payment approval.
2. Worker reviews payment with approver.
3. Approver reviews payment request for any issues and requests additional data.
4. Worker spends time finding files and adding numbers.
5. Worker makes required payment adjustments.
6. Accounting manager reviews checks for approval.
7. Worker sets up system for issuing checks.
8. Worker gathers paper supplies and prepares the printer for printing checks.
9. Worker conducts test print to avoid errors and then prints the actual checks.
10. Worker gathers signatures for the checks.
11. Accounting manager reviews checks for possible errors.
12. Worker gathers documentation for any discrepancies or issues.
13. Worker adjusts discrepancies and prints new checks.
14. Worker puts checks into envelopes, add stamps and mails.
15. Worker sends positive pay file to the bank to prevent check fraud.
When you factor in supplies and time, issuing a check really costs you about $10.50. With an ACH automatic payment, you spend about $0.50 instead. Since business owners and executives spend so much time focusing on high-value tasks, they may not realize just how much time is wasted on issuing paper checks. Also, the resources involved in issuing checks are expensive. Printer ink, blank checks, envelopes and stamps are all expenses that add up over the course of a year.
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Benefits Of Electronic Outsourced Accounts Payable
As we mentioned earlier, the cost of printing checks and using paper-based processes is expensive. You can save up to 80 percent by using direct deposit instead of printing checks. These are some of the top blog benefits of using our cloud-based system with ACH payments:
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The REAL reason today's youth utterly despise law enforcement officials
"It should come as no surprise that many police officers aren't the brightest crayons in the box. After all, a smart enough person would eventually begin to question the enforcement of arbitrary and immoral laws that put innocent people in cages for victimless crimes."
-- Matt Agorist, The Free Thought Project
"He sympathized not with the student revolutionaries, but the police. The real victims of society, Pasolini said, were not the students, the spoilt products of corrupt bourgeois culture, but the police, the sons of the proletariat, forced by a lack of educational opportunity and chronic unemployment to take the jobs nobody else wanted."
-- David Ward, Foreword for Pier Paolo Pasolini's "Manifesto for a New Theater"
Ever since the apocalyptic racial hootenanny that was Ferguson, I seem to hear the term "police militarization" come up on a near daily basis.
Per my Facebook feed, there seems to be a mini armada of homicidal policemen out there, gleefully blasting away scores of minorities left and right with War on Terror weaponry. In fact, they're probably right outside your doorstep now, tossing flash grenades into cribs and blowing away trailer park dwellers for brandishing Nintendo controllers.
Indeed, razor sharp criticism of police forces - seemingly, on the mere grounds that they exist -- appears to be a generational hobby of sorts for my peers. There's at least two or three people I went to school with who seem to do nothing but post news stories and click bait about the po-po doing something murderous or civil liberty-eroding; if you didn't know any better, you'd think we all lived in some sort of Joey Stalin police state utopia.
Amid all of this unabashed cop-hating (a pastime of sorts I would comfortably say is as vitriolic and rabid among a large throng of today's kids as gypsy hating was to Deutsche children in the 1930s), I am reminded of the words of Robert McNamara in "The Fog of War."
The great life lesson he had for all of us? "Empathize with your enemy."
For a moment - just a teensy, little moment - imagine you're the officer. You just pulled a car going 85 in a 55 off to the side of the road. It has out of state plates, with an expired tag. The windows are so tinted, there's no way your flashlight can penetrate the darkness.
It's 2 in the morning. A lone highway. Nobody on the road for miles.
You tap on the window. The driver doesn't respond. You tap again.
Again, no response. You take a step back.
You think about what your spouse looks like, and the last time you hugged your child -- when the window finally rolls down, you know it very well could be accompanied by a bullet to the face.
Now, repeat this episode, over and over again, for 30 or 40 years. That, my friend, is the nightmarish life of the American police officer - a line of work where mortal danger is the status quo and public appreciation is virtually nonexistent. And on top of that, I hear the dental plans are pretty crummy, too.
Are there bad cops out there? Sure, the same way there are bad nurses, bad MBAs and bad computer programmers, too. The argument I'm not going to buy, however, is this pervasive idea (ideal?) that police officers, inherently, are some sort of power-hungry, egomaniac storm troopers for Big Brother.
My two best friends in high school wound up becoming cops. Neither of them are racist, murderous, egotistical psychopaths. In fact, they're both dedicated family men, with health care packages and benefits plans that are ten times lousier than those of college professors.
They've never gunned down any black teenagers. In fact, they've never even had to pull out their pistols while on their job.
So, uh, how exactly are these guys jack booted thugs and paramilitary aggressors again, when the most physical they've ever gotten with civilians is asking for a photo ID at a DUI checkpoint? Call me crazy, but I'm not sure I would consider receiving a $100 "failure to dim lights" ticket an act of state tyranny on par with having your testicles crushed by KGB agents because you looked at a statue funny.
Of course, a lot of people in the U.S. are indeed fatally wounded and occasionally choked to death by police officers. As to just how many, however, we really don't know.
Although US police forces are kinda' required by law to submit information on justifiable homicides to the feds, only a small smattering of agencies actually send in their paperwork every year. For 2012, the (presumably) incomplete data showed approximately 400 police-involved fatalities (much, MUCH more on these numbers in just a bit.)
Interestingly enough, a Wikipedia listing of 2014 cop-involved homicides runs up about 200 or so deaths through August -- indicating either a sizable overcount of actual police-involved deaths or an astonishing downturn from two years prior.
Looking at the Wikipedia tally, it seemed as if a clear majority of the year's cop-involved fatalities were unmistakable examples of justifiable homicides -- meaning, the perpetrators acted aggressively towards the officers first.
Strangely enough, when explaining the alleged "explosion" of police-involved fatalities in the US, very few seem to bring up the likeliest explanation for any incident of the sort; that being, the "suicide by cop" phenomenon. While data on the number of victim-precipitated police deaths that actually occur are very hard to come by, at least one scholarly analysis estimated as many as half of all police-involved deaths are the result of individuals goading police into lethal force as a means of ending their own lives.
Yes, snafus do indeed happen with the police, and they are sometimes tragic and infuriating. But even with higher end estimates for police-involved deaths reaching into the 400s, the statistics still shine favorably on the police compared to other demographics. For one thing, the OJJDP says you're nearly twice as likely to be killed by an individual under the age of 17 than you are an armed police officer.
And the odds of being killed by one of your own family members? It's four times likelier than getting killed by a cop.
Even when the cops appear to be responsible for incredible downturns in street violence, they get chided for it. Last year, Chicago posted its lowest homicide rate in nearly 50 years -- thanks in no small part to the "Operation Impact" initiative, which had police officers working around the clock to bring peace to the city's 20 or so least stable neighborhoods. What any sane human being would call a successful police action, you'd be gobsmacked by the numbers who, without detecting the slightest twinge of irony, considered such to constitute "racial profiling."
As for the whole "police militarization" debate, I'll let you do your own research on the 1992 L.A. riots. You know, the same riots that resulted in two Sandy Hooks worth of corpses. If a SWAT tank and a couple of tactical weapons will keep me from having my genitals spray-painted and doused in kerosene by a bloodthirsty mob, I say give the local sheriff a sniper rifle and pronto. Ironically enough, the incinerated QuikTrip in Ferguson more or less spells out the practical need for so-called "militarized" police units in big, red, white and black letters.
Which, of course, brings us to the racial element to the debate. According to USA Today, which is only slightly more respectable than those tabloids about Bat Boy, roughly 92 black people a year are killed by police officers. It's a daunting number, indeed, until you take in two auxiliary statistics.
For one, nearly twice as many white people in the US are killed by cops than African Americans. And the real clincher? The number of blacks killed by other blacks in 2012 was 5,251 -- meaning African Americans are FIFTY-SEVEN times likelier to get killed by their own than a police officer of any skin hue variation. With that little nugget of wisdom in mind, fretting about police killing black people, ultimately, is kind of like worrying about a hangnail when you have a brain tumor.
So, why do kids today loathe the police so much? Well, it's obviously not because they're a bunch of militarized, racist exterminator squads -- the alleged "oppressed," tragically, have proven their own superiority at killing themselves off. As for the whole civil libertarian argument against cops, I find it just a bit interesting that so much hatred is tossed towards cops -- who, within the judicial framework, have little to no power -- while the individuals who are most responsible for ACTUALLY putting people behind bars -- that being, attorneys and judges -- receive hardly any ill sentiments whatsoever. As far as the public service bureaucracy goes, its hard to think of any kind of civil servants who are MORE disempowered within the justice system hierarchy than cops.
Deep down, I think some people just like having someone to hate. The cops are great targets, because you can always use that whole perceived "oppression" angle as a predicate for your own non-directional, slobbering fury. It's not so much the actions of the police kids today hate, I believe, as it is the concept behind police, that the social system politely asks them to cede just the teensiest bit of personal privacy for upkeep of the society as a whole.
Police represent authority outside of one's own sense of entitled autonomy. Considering the arrogance and self-centeredness of Gen Y as a whole, I reckon a widespread disdain of the lawman is all but a given.


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I was in a department store this morning and observed a young boy asking his dad about a man who was in a wheelchair. Why? What happened? Why? Why? Why? He was filled with questions. His father kept it simple. "Sometimes, when someone has a hard time walking, or can't walk at all, they use a wheelchair to get around," he said, pulling his son over to a cashier farther down the row. He knew what was about to happen with his six-year-old son.
A couldn't hear them anymore, but it was obvious that this young boy had more questions. I watched as his dad, leaned over and explained what he could. He was a caring, young father, and I admired how he handled his son's basket of questions about this difficult topic.
This scenario put everything into perspective for me. I'm usually on the "Gratitude Train," but there are those moments when I slip off into the poor me's. It doesn't last long, and oftentimes I'll be privy to something like what I saw today — which allows me to climb right back on!
It's the old story: Walk in someone else's moccasins, and invariably, you'll take your own shoes back!
Here I am, grateful that I have Diabetes — could be a LOT worse, my friends. 🙂


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Canava Santino was built in Messaria by the family Markezinis. On one of the labels of the wine, produced there by Markezinis, the year 1827 is mentioned as the date of the canava foundation!
This complex was one of the biggest places in the village of Messaria, where wine was produced. "Canava" in the old days was called the place where the wine was produced and maintained.
Usually, canava was made by digging into the volcanic soil, the so called 'aspa', creating caves. In there the ideal conditions of temperature and humidity were met in order to preserve good quality of wine. The wine of Santorini was the main product of the local exports abroad.
Producers and wine traders were the wealthiest persons in the island, from those Greeks who have created the miracle of the Greek shipping industry. One of those people was George Markezinis, descendant of V. Markezinis, the first consul of Russia on the island, back in the 19th c.; The last G. Markezinis used the 1827 built canava for also producing in there his wine during the years 1970 to 1983. He was further bottling the wine in the factories built next to the canava, where still exists his manor house, now deserted.
The Markezinis's canava was developed on a plot of about 500 sqm, consisting of two excavated big rooms (room so called 'iposkafo'). In the one, the now days so called "Ammoudi", the wine was stored in two rows of big barrels with a passageway between them. In the second cave, today the "Merovigli", the wine was produced. There, the grapes were pressed by the feet in the pressing floor, the 'patitiri'. From patitiri the must was flowing by gravity in two 'linos', the must collectors, from where the must was taken to the barrels, becoming later on wine.
The 'Oia Apartment' used to host one 'patitiri' and one 'lino'. In this room must was produced, but also there was the wine quality control facility and tools. Entering to the canava complex, to the left, there was a small house for the personnel's accommodation, now so called "Kallisti". All three 'iposkafa' and the small house, are looking to a large backyard of about 150 sqm. From 1982 to 1985 the canava Markezini was used as a music hall, under the Greek name "ΣΑNΤΙΝΟ"… Later we converted the canava Markezini into the today's Canava Santino!.
Last wine produced was the Santino 1971,after which comes our name..


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Look out for the first bluebells
Have you seen any bluebells yet? If you have, help scientists at the Natural History Museum and record your sighting in the bluebell survey.
This year, the annual survey is focusing on the timings when bluebell flowers first appear, which will help scientists discover if flowering seasons are changing as a result of climate change.
Bluebell-like plants
Anyone can take part. The Museums bluebell experts have provided useful tips and guides to help you check that what youve seen is a bluebell and not one of the many bluebell-like plants.
For example hyacinths, Hyacinthus orientalis, are a common look-alike although they flower earlier than most bluebells.
Species of grape-hyacinth are also often confused with bluebells. But they have distinctive flowers and their petals are fused almost to the tips.
Bluebells are easily separated from the look-alikes by having two bracts (a leaf-like or scale-like part) at the base of each flower.
Bluebell species
The bluebell survey has identification guides to help you correctly identify bluebells.
In the UK, there are 3 types of bluebell found, the native (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), the Spanish (H. hispanica) shown on the right, and the hybrid (H. x massartiana).
It is easier to identify bluebell species in their early stages when the flowers first appear. They still have their pollen, which is only creamy-white in the native species. The natives also have a strong sweet smell and the flower spike nods at the tip.
The first bluebells
'Usually the heat of our big cities means that urban gardens are among the first to enjoy bluebells, but weve no records yet,' says Museum plant expert (botanist) Dr Fred Rumsey.
'It would seem that the hard winter has had an effect on bluebell flowering. Ive still even to see any buds in my travels but flowering native and non-native plants have now been recorded on the south coast and in the south-west.'
So, keep your eyes open, record your sightings in the online map, and help with scientific research in the bluebell survey. And remember, you are not allowed to collect native bluebells in the wild as they are protected by law.
Explore further


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Amidst the competitive Korean fried chicken scene in Singapore, FRESH chicken is no longer the key to success.
Bring on the CHEESE, WHIPPED CREAM and the secret weapon--SWEET POTATO.
I wonder if it is due to Singaporeans love for all things creamy and cheese because there are several items of the menu that contains either cheese or cream. One good example is the Nest Snow ($32.90), a bizarre yet wonderfully tasty mountain of Cajun chicken tenders served in a bubbling hot plate of Parmesan, mozzarella and cheddar. To top it all off, a swirl of whipped cream and sprinkles of cheese shavings.
But Chir Chir (pronounced chee-ru chee-ru) does not stop at that. It had secretly ambushed a lump of mash SWEET POTATO beneath the chickens. There was no way one could escape from the intense cheesy-ness of this dish, but the presence of something sweet pulled your senses back into shape. If this was spiced with Chilli flakes, I think I'll be weeping at its culinary blasphemy.
Signature Crispy Fried Chicken $26.90 (Served with salsa and honey mustard sauce)
Crispy, Garlicky and Spicy. These are the three basic types of chicken that you can and should try at Chir Chir Fusion Chicken Factory, an authentic South Korean franchise that deep-fry the chicken wings, whole chicken or chicken tenders only UPON ORDER.
I can't complain about the freshness of the meat since it uses FRESH chicken and not FROZEN ones. Marinated with in-house seasoning for 6 hours, these are the type of chicken that you can eat a dozen in a sitting--perfectly crunchy, tasty and intoxicating. In fact, the original is my favourite amongst all dishes.
Spicy Wings! with Sweet Potato and Fried Toppoki
Garlicky Wings! with Sweet Potato and Fried Toppoki
Bite into the Spicy Wings ($28.90) and your tongue starts to sizzle a little before the sugar sweeps in and goes, "Mmmmm....sweet!" But the spice levels can still really pack "a real punch" for non-spicy eaters so their Garlicky Wings ($28.90) might be generally the safer choice as they delivered the results easily with a simple yet delicious soy sauce glaze. Yet what surprised me the most was the addition of roasted sweet potatoes and fried Toppoki that lent some balance to the textures and flavors.
Garlic Roasted Chicken served with Salt Baked Egg, Salsa, Baked Potato ($32.90)
All the portions are incredibly filling and thus highly ideal for sharing. This is no exception for their Garlic Roasted Chicken--One WHOLE CHICKEN that is marinated for 12 hours before being oven-roasted to succulent perfection.
I loved the slightly charred black bits, which imbued a sexy smokiness not found in the fried chicken wings. But my wild guess is that I would love the Spicy BBQ Roasted more as the garlic sauce is rather gloopy and sweet. Plus I am biased towards anything spicy.
I loved the slightly charred black bits, which imbued a sexy smokiness not found in the fried chicken wings. But my wild guess is that I would love the Spicy BBQ Roasted more as the garlic sauce is rather gloopy and sweet. Plus I am biased towards anything spicy.
The chicken is not their only selling point. The salads, or more precisely, fruit salads, are so sweet that they could pass off as desserts. The Honey Grape Salad ($18.90) is a unique combination of walnuts, pine nuts, almonds and fluffy dollops of home-made ricotta and whipped cream. When you tossed everything together and scooped some onto the crispy baked Tortilla that is laced with honey and minced garlic, all the different flavors and textures began to mingle in a mouthful delight.
The secret to the deliciousness of this Mango Salad ($11.90) is because there is more than just the juicy sweet mango. There is something crunchy, something leafy and something tangy from the yoghurt dressing that makes this a vibrant plate full of perky flavors that would rejuvenate any jaded taste buds.
What cannot be missed with fried chicken is a jar of solid good draught beer. Topped with lightly sweetened whipped cream, the Chir Cream Beer ($13.90 for 350ml / $18.90 for 650ml) is meant to inspire a re-enactment of a loving Korean drama scene in which the male partner helps to clean up the "cream" moustache on the girls' upper lips.Fear not about getting your hand phones dirty while you juggle between snapping photos and eating your chicken because Chir Chir has thoughtfully provided a special tongs that helps you shred the meat off the bones. But yes, you can still enjoy the wings with your fingers like me if you are struggling with the tools. Why not? It's still the best way to enjoy the finger-licking good chicken!
Other signature tipples include the Tok! Tok! ($14.90non-alcoholic/$18.90 alcoholic per jug), a range of sweet cocktails that can be infused with soju for a boozy kick. I prefer the Passion Yellow to the Blue Marine as the former is less sugary with a bright sour taste.
Other signature tipples include the Tok! Tok! ($14.90non-alcoholic/$18.90 alcoholic per jug), a range of sweet cocktails that can be infused with soju for a boozy kick. I prefer the Passion Yellow to the Blue Marine as the former is less sugary with a bright sour taste.
2nd outlet at Bedok Point is now open! Catch the chicken before it runs away!
Chir Chir Fusion Chicken Factory
313 Orchard Road #B3-04/05/06
Singapore 238895
Tel: 6509 8364
Sunday to Thursday 10am-10pm
Friday to Saturday 10am-11pm
Facebook Page here


text: Man Plays With Snakes In The Worst Way! Liu Fei, a 52-year-old man from Jiangxi Province, China apparently enjoys playing with snakes. He is seen in the video below putting a 3 foot long Cauliflower snake into his nose and pulling it out of his mouth. He considers him self a snake charmer and has many other tricks he does with his "playful friends". If you have a weak stomach, this video is probably not for you. If you can handle it, watch the video, enjoy and share with your friends!


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It is well known that stress and anxiety can have a negative effect on your body and this can be especially true when you are trying to conceive. The process of trying to get pregnant can also be a very stressful time and because you are stressed about becoming pregnant, you may actually be decreasing your chances of conceiving. There are several relaxation tips that can help you get on the right track to de-stress your life and increase your fertility.
Method 1 of 4:
Making Sure You Get Plenty of Exercise
Making sure you are getting enough exercise is a very important factor in reducing your stress level.
1Exercise regularly to promote the release of endorphins in your body. When endorphins are released, you will experience an elevation in your mood as hormones are balanced out. This balance and improvement in your overall mood can help to reduce stress. Developing a daily exercise routine can be a key factor in helping you to relax and de-stress.
- Another positive aspect of exercise is that if you are somewhat overweight, a daily exercise routine will help you lose the extra weight, which will in turn elevate your mood by improving your self-image and boosting your self-esteem. In addition, maintaining a healthy body weight can also increase your chances of conceiving
2Try alternative exercise methods such as yoga. Yoga will help you to get in some exercise while also helping you clear your mind of stress.
- It is also a good idea to start a meditation routine. Yoga will help you prepare your body for meditation, but it can also be helpful to clear a few minutes out of your schedule to preform meditation and breathing exercises. Taking just a few minutes out of your day to sit by yourself and meditate will help you to clear your mind and relax.
Method 2 of 4:
Making Time for Loved Ones
It is very important that you clear some time out of your day or week to visit with your loved ones.
1Get some quality time with your family and friends. There is nothing like being around people who love and support you. If you clear some of your schedule and make room for just spending time with these people, chances are you will automatically become a happier person. Social interaction is important and can do wonders for elevating your overall mood and decreasing stress.
- Being with your family and friends can give you great opportunities for good fits of laughter. In terms of stress, it's true that laughter can be the best medicine and a great stress reliever. You can also find laughter in a funny television show or movie. Getting your daily laughter in can definitely put you in a better mood and can be a great stress reliever.
2Spend time with your pet. If you don't have a pet, consider getting one. Pets can be your best friends and will always be there to offer you a friendly smile when you get home. Research shows that pets have been proven to extend people's lives and to be great companions. Try spending more time walking and playing with your pet on a daily basis and you will likely experience a decrease in stress. This can be one of the easiest and most fun ways to help you de-stress.Advertisement
Method 3 of 4:
Ensuring that You Take Some Time Out for Pampering Yourself
Taking some time out for yourself is very important. And who doesn't love to be pampered sometimes? Stop focusing only on events that cause stress and instead spend some time on your own personal needs. Find some time to do the things that you enjoy, even if you do so only once or twice a week. Just be sure to set some time aside for you. Do not think about trying to get pregnant all the time, which can lead to additional fears and worries about failure. By clearing your mind and making time for yourself, you can watch tension ease and stress levels come down considerably.
1Get a massage. Find a good masseuse and take advantage of her skills. Schedule routine appointments with the masseuse to help ease tension and relieve stress. Not only will you feel pampered which will help you to relax your body and get rid of your added stress, but some studies show that regular massage therapy can help increase fertility levels in women trying to conceive.
- Massages can also be a great way to connect with your partner. You don't always have to rely on a professional when you have someone at home who can give you a massage just as easily. Additionally, massages have been found to be a great way for couples to connect on an intimate level.
2Take a vacation. Vacations are one of the best ways to relax and escape your daily worries. Find an activity or a place that you and your partner enjoy and book your trip. This can also be a great time to try to conceive because you will be in a stress-free and relaxing environment away from all the concerns of your daily life.Advertisement
Method 4 of 4:
Trying an Alternative Method of Relaxation
Hypnosis is no longer the mystical magic act it was once believed to be. This very real alternative therapy, along with self-hypnosis, can be a great way to relax your mind.
1Go see a hypnotist. This can be very helpful for couples who are trying to conceive. Hypnotists have been successfully used by many individuals seeking treatment for different types of anxiety and depression. If you are experiencing high levels of stress while trying to conceive, chances are they can use a variety of relaxation techniques to help you as well.
2Try to use self-hypnosis as an alternative relaxation method. Self-hypnosis is a lot like meditation, except you will follow a specific procedure of breathing in and out and while doing so, you will be imagining a place that is special to you and makes you feel at ease. By visualizing your relaxation spot, you will automatically find yourself relaxing like you would be if you were physically there in that imagined place.
3Consider the use of acupuncture. Acupuncture is said to increase your blood flow and get rid of negative energy that is stored up within the body. Proponents of acupuncture often report a feeling of overall well-being and calmness after sessions. This can be a good alternative method to help you to increase your fertility. Men have also been known to use this method of relaxation to increase their sperm count as the increase of blood flow helps to accomplish this.
4Visit a Chiropractor. Back pain is one of the most common ailments affecting people of child bearing age. Chronic aches and pain can lead to stress. Sometimes getting rid of those aches and pains you have in your back area can be all you need to help relieve stress and pain-induced anxiety.Advertisement
Community Q&A
QuestionMy period was 10 days. Was I pregnant for 10 days?Community AnswerMaybe, sometimes you are pregnant and miscarry without even knowing you were pregnant. However, your period could also have been late due to stress or other factors.
- If your stress levels seem to be extremely high and are seriously affecting your day to day life, see your doctor so he can help you develop a good stress relief plan.Thanks!
- Some of the alternative methods of relaxation such as acupuncture and visiting a chiropractor have been proven to help you relax, but at the same time, have not definitely been proven to treat fertility. Don't assume that just because you try these techniques that you will automatically become pregnant.Thanks!