text:
Carmelo's Dunk on Argentina August 31, 2007Posted by Marquis Chapman in Basketball, NBA, Sports, Video.
1 comment so far
There are probably going to be hundreds of dunks like this from the USA team, but I think this dunk by Carmelo Anthony on Argentina last night is going to stay at #1.
Garrard to be Named Starting QB, Leftwich will be Traded or Released August 31, 2007Posted by Marquis Chapman in Football, NFL, Sports.
12 comments
ESPN is reporting that the Jacksonville Jaguars will name David Garrard their starting quarterback and Brian Leftwich will be traded or released.
Leftwich was named the starter in the offseason by head coach Jack Del Rio, but Garrard's improvement in training camp and preseason convinced Del Rio that Garrard was the right man to lead the Jag's offense.
Leftwich has been plagued by injuries during his career. The last two seasons, he has missed a total of 15 games due to ankle injuries.
I think everyone saw this coming. Leftwich is just too injury prone. He is as tough as they come, but a team just can't afford to lose their quarterback for half of the season every year.
Garrard is a tough quarterback as well and is more mobile than Leftwich. There have been countless times where he was able to avoid the rush by scrambling and hit the open man. When he took over as the starting QB when Leftwich went down last year, there wasn't much of a drop off in play. At times, the team had a better flow on offense.
I think Garrard will easily fill the shoes of Leftwich and make a name for himself as a starting QB in the NFL. The question is, where will Brian Leftwich end up this season?
It's Always Hurricane Season in the NFL August 31, 2007Posted by Marquis Chapman in College Football, Football, NFL, Sports.
18 comments
If you've read my about page, you know that the Miami Hurricanes are my favorite college football team. Sure, the program may not be as strong as it used to be, but one thing is for sure, the Miami Hurricanes have produced some great NFL players.
The Hurricanes hold the record for most players selected in the first round with 6 players drafted in the 2004 NFL Draft. For the past six years, the Hurricanes have had at least one player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. They also hold the record for having 66 consecutive weeks of having at least one player from the University score a touchdown in the NFL. Lastly, the U has the most alumni on active NFL rosters than any other university.
The list could go on forever, but here are just a few of the Miami Hurricane alumni that have become great players in the NFL:
Jonathan Vilma
Ray Lewis
Clinton Portis
Ed Reed
Frank Gore
Top Five: Victims of Michael Jordan August 30, 2007Posted by Marquis Chapman in Basketball, NBA, Sports, Top Five.
21 comments
5. Clyde Drexler/Cliff Robinson- The Bulls and the Trailblazers met in the 1992 NBA finals. Jordan was after his second ring and determined to prove that he was better than Clyde Drexler. Although Drexler and Cliff Robinson would attempt to contain Jordan, MJ went off in the first game. Jordan got in the zone and made 3 pointer after 3 pointer, eventually hitting 6 threes in the first half. Jordan was so hot, he couldn't even believe it. After he hit yet another three, he looked over at commentators Marv Albert and Magic Johnson, shaking his head and shrugging his shoulders as if to say, "I don't even know whats going on." In the first half alone, Jordan had 35 five points. The Bulls went on to win the game, and eventually their second championship.
4. The Boston Celtics- You know you've victimized a team when Larry Bird later refers to you as "God disguised as Michael Jordan." Just a couple games back from a foot injury, Jordan abused the entire Celtics team, scoring 63 points at the Boston Garden. MJ really seemed unstoppable in this game. He was scoring at will and talking trash to the fans at the same time. Jordan abused Bird a couple of times down the court as well. Everyone remembers the move where he drove hard to the right, stopped and dribbled twice between his legs, and shot the jumper in Bird's face. Bird looked lost on that play. No one had ever seen one player single handly destroy the great Boston Celtics.
3. Bryon Russell- No one wants to be remembered as the guy that Jordan hit the game winner over to win the series and presumably end his perfect career. Enter Bryon Russell. Although it may have been just a little push off, the game wining shot by Jordan in the 1998 finals against the Utah Jazz is an absolute classic. Russell was in a good defensive stance at the top of the key. Jordan drives hard to his right, gives Russell a "little nudge", and shoots the J with perfect form. Nothing but net. Jordan then proceeds to hold his perfect form just a little longer than usual. The Bulls win. Russell is yet another player made famous by His Airness.
Artest Plans To Reach Out To Vick August 29, 2007Posted by Marquis Chapman in Basketball, Football, NBA, NFL, Sports.
5 comments
NBA star Ron Artest plans to come to Michael Vick's aide after he heard the Falcon's QB speech on Monday.
I want to call him and support him, you know, be there for him. [He] lied and then came back and apologized to everybody, I felt that was classy. I was touched that he took full responsibility. I felt that was a real man. I know for a fact he'll come out a better person.
Surprisingly, Artest did not say anything idiotic or crazy. The NBA star actually sounded like a wise verteran that had learned from his mistakes, and had great advice for any player that has gone through tough times.
I think athletes just gotta be more aware. At times things happen so fast in your life, you just stay living that same lifestyle. You can't do it no more. I just hope people can take the mistakes I made, mistakes other people are making and just learn from them.
First Marbury and now Artest. Vick probably wishes that he had players that aren't somewhat crazy backing him up. I'm not so sure that Michael Vick would want somebody like Artest in his corner, but in Vick's case, he'll need all the help he can get.
Your Call: Michael Vick Speech Sincere? August 28, 2007Posted by Marquis Chapman in Football, NFL, Sports, Video, Your Call.
19 comments
My friends and I have mixed feelings about the speech Michael Vick delivered yesterday. Some of us tend to believe that he truly was sincere about everything he said, while others did not believe one word that came out of his mouth. I personally believe that the speech was somewhat sincere. Based on the other speeches we've heard in the past by athletes that have been in trouble, that really seemed like it was from the heart. The only issue I had with the speech was the common "I found God" part of the speech. It seems like everyone turns to God when they get into trouble. What did you think? It's your call.
Travis Henry Has Nine Children… With Nine Different Women August 27, 2007Posted by Marquis Chapman in Football, NFL, Sports.
14 comments
The Atlanta Constitutional Journal is reporting that Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry was facing possible jail time because he couldn't come up with $9,800 for child support. Henry, who has nine children with nine different women, had to borrow the money from his former team, the Tennessee Titans to pay the child support. He is currently paying child support for seven out of the nine children.
This week, Henry was ordered to pay $3,000 for a boy he fathered out of wedlock three years ago. He was also ordered to establish a $250,000 trust fund before next spring.
The next Shawn Kemp?
The Shoe That Started It All August 26, 2007Posted by Marquis Chapman in Basketball, NBA, Sports.
25 comments
Pictured above is the first Jordan sneaker made by Nike. Released to the public in 1985, the Air Jordan I revolutionized the basketball shoe as we know it. The original colors were red and black and had a winged basketball logo on the side above the ankle as well as a large Nike swoosh on the side. The original price for the shoe was only $65. The shoe also came with a set of double laces to match the two colors. Jordan unveiled them in a game against the Philadelphia 76'ers on November 17th, 1984. Shortly after however, the NBA banned the sneaker stating that it did not follow the on court dress code. The NBA fined Jordan $5,000 a game for wearing them, but the ban only created more buzz for the shoe.
Since the release of the Air Jordan I, there have been 21 other Jordan shoes released. The shoe line is arguably the most popular shoe in the world selling out in stores across the country within hours. Jordans are being sold for up to $1,000 on ebay and have become collector items, as the demand for retro Jordans continues to grow. Everyone has their personal favorite Jordan sneaker, but the Nike Air Jordan I is the shoe that started it all.
Vick's Father Claims Vick is Heavily Involved in Dog Fighting August 25, 2007Posted by Marquis Chapman in Football, NFL, Sports.
5 comments
I wish people would stop sugarcoating it. This is Mike's thing. And he knows it.
Those are the words spoken by Michael Vick's estranged father, Michael Boddie. Boddie claims that Vick has been involved in dogfighting since 2001, and would stage dogfights in the garage of the family home in Newport News, Virginia. Boddie stated that he would nurse the injured dogs back to full health after the fights. He also claims that he warned Vick not to participate in dog fighting.
Boddie is apparently frustrated that he has been accused by Vick of not being a part of his son's life. He states that he has had drug problems in the past, but was there for Vick and his other kids. Boddie plans to release a book telling more of what he knows.
Vick and his father rarely talk to each other, and when they do, it's through an assistant. There are reports that Boddie asked Vick for $700,000 a couple of weeks ago through an assistant, but was denied by Vick. Two years ago, he asked Vick for $1 million spread over 12 years, but that too was denied. Vick does however pay for his father's apartment and payed for his rehab.
This is just a classic story of a father that was never there for his son, but when the son suddenly becomes a superstar, he then decides that he wants to be a father, not realizing that he's about 22 years late.
I think it's safe to say that Boddie is more upset about not getting rich off of Michael Vick, than being accused of not being a good father. It's obvious that he's not making these claims to the media as a way to do the right thing, but is rather making an attempt to make money off his son's current situation. I hope the media doesn't add more fuel to this story and give Boddie more opportunities to make money off of Vick.
Vick Suspended Indefinitely August 24, 2007Posted by Marquis Chapman in Football, NFL, Sports.
2 comments
We all saw this coming, but the NFL has officially suspended Michael Vick indefinitely. According to nfl.com, commissioner Roger Goodell notified Vick on Friday that the suspension will be without pay and will be effective immediately. Here are the statements Goodell issued by letter to Vick:
Your admitted conduct was not only illegal, but also cruel and reprehensible. Your team, the NFL, and NFL fans have all been hurt by your actions.
Your plea agreement and the plea agreements of your co-defendants also demonstrate your significant involvement in illegal gambling. Even if you personally did not place bets, as you contend, your actions in funding the betting and your association with illegal gambling both violate the terms of your NFL Player Contract and expose you to corrupting influences in derogation of one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an NFL player.
You have engaged in conduct detrimental to the welfare of the NFL and have violated the league's Personal Conduct Policy.
I will review the status of your suspension following the conclusion of the legal proceedings. As part of that review, I will take into account a number of factors, including the resolution of any other charges that may be brought against you, whether in Surry County, Virginia, or other jurisdictions, your conduct going forward, the specifics of the sentence imposed by Judge Hudson and any related findings he might make, and the extent to which you are truthful and cooperative with law enforcement and league staff who are investigating these matters.
I have advised the Falcons that, with my decision today, they are no longer prohibited from acting and are now free to assert any claims or remedies available to them under the Collective Bargaining Agreement or your NFL Player Contract.


text:
How many newspapers have a beat reporter following a single company, one that would eventually end up owning the publication? Unlike Warren Buffett, the legend that he has been tracking for the better part of the 48 years that he has spent at the World-Herald, Steve Jordon was not born in Omaha but in West Virginia. Jordon has been attending the Berkshire annual meeting much before it became the current jamboree. Having attended some 20 annual meetings, his earliest memory is that of Buffett, Coke in hand, shooting the breeze with shareholders in the lobby of the Orpheum Theatre 18 years ago.
How have Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger influenced each other over the years?
They both grew up in Omaha and had a Midwestern, American upbringing emphasising education and hard work. They both worked in the same grocery store when they were kids but at different times. They met in 1959 and they liked each other from the beginning and got along. Each thought the other person was really smart and wanted to talk to each other and kept communicating. Warren asked Charlie if he was interested in investing and steered him in that direction towards investments.
And at the same time, as they both worked together on investments, Charlie had better or other ideas than Warren about the ways they could invest in things. They stayed in different parts of the country and had different contexts. So, Warren would hear about something they should invest in. He would ask Charlie what he thought. Then Charlie would have things that he would ask Warren about. They were able to trade ideas back and forth, so that each learned from the other and enforced their viewpoints.
Both of them are independent thinkers. Both had ideas that they would try out on each other to see what the other thought. That advanced their business. That's how they influenced each other over the years and still do today. Charlie, for instance, was the one who recruited Todd Combs to be a money manager. Charlie met Todd first and liked him and then introduced him to Warren and then they hired him. Adding those money managers to Berkshire Hathaway was an important step.
Can you recall some more examples?
Charlie knows Li Lu, who knew of a Chinese company called BYD that made batteries and automobiles. They would exchange ideas and Charlie learnt about BYD and invested in it personally. He suggested to Warren that Berkshire should invest in BYD. So, they bought about 10% of BYD.
Early in their partnership, Charlie was the guy who spotted Blue Chip stamps as an investment. The advantage of that company was that it generated cash and they could use that cash for other investments. That was the kind of thing that Charlie had. In a general way, Charlie encouraged Warren to invest in really good companies at a fair price rather than trying to find cheap companies that make a little bit of money. Both of them have an ethical stance that they don't want to break regulations. They want to do things on a handshake where you really trust the other person.
Warren says that in the more than 50 years that they have been together, they have never had an argument. They are very different people in terms of interests and temperament. So, how do they deal with their differences?
They say they don't have arguments but they disagree on things. Warren had invested in some airline over the years. Charlie advised against doing that. But he did it anyway; he thought it was a good idea. Warren bought a series of newspapers and it is really Warren's idea. Warren had talked about the newspaper business not being as good as it used to be because of the way people's information systems are changing. Warren has a model in mind for the newspaper businesses he owns.
Charlie's view is that it is just something Warren likes. I think it is pretty clear that he did it without Charlie's consent. It was something that Warren wanted to do and whatever Charlie thought, he was going to walk the sidelines on that one. So yes, there is a difference of opinion but not a significant one in terms of the company; it is just a very small piece of it. I am not sure Warren would have invested in BYD had Charlie not wanted to do it.
A question would come up at the annual meeting once in a while about BYD and Warren would say, 'Charlie is the expert'. It may not be a disagreement. They just decided that is your baby and this is my baby. If one of them has a difference of opinion, it doesn't shake their friendship. They just have a different viewpoint from each other. Sometimes, they will admit that they were wrong and sometimes, they won't.
You talked about Charlie influencing Warren; but at the individual level, how has Warren influenced Charlie?
I think it has probably somewhat gone that way. It was Warren who suggested to Charlie that he go into investments instead of law. I think Charlie might have found that path anyway but Warren had a really good way of explaining what a model of investing would be like and how that would work for him. Warren influenced Charlie to join Berkshire Hathaway. Charlie thinks Warren is the smartest guy he knows. So when Warren talks about something, Charlie pays attention to that and is influenced by it. Warren is the guy who makes public statements for the company; Charlie doesn't. But his ideas are contained in what Warren talks about. If they both think something is a good idea they will talk about it together.
Is there anything about Warren and Charlie that isn't much known?
When Charlie was working at grandpa Buffett's store, he got $2 for working 12 hours. Just then, a new social security law had been passed. They had to pay grandpa Buffett 2 cents and they got $2 bills in return. Two cents was for the social security tax. Charlie's grandfather didn't like it and thought it was the big government taxing the little man. He didn't like the social security system at all because it was taking the two cents away. He was conservative like Warren's father, who was that way; he was a Republican. Warren's a Democrat.
Warren's son is a Republican. Warren's grandson is a Democrat. If you look at Poor Charlie's Almanack, both of them are opposed to being ideological. But Charlie says they learnt about it in different ways. He said Warren's dad was a right-wing ideologue. He thought that Franklin Roosevelt and all those social programmes were wrong. So, Warren learnt and then he hung around with guys who were also right-wing ideologues. Warren learnt from that to stay away from ideological-type stuff. Charlie's father was not ideological. He said all he had to do was imitate what his father did. In both cases avoiding being too ideological helped with their cognition. Then, both of them have a strong ethical component.
They believe in doing business the right way and not breaking the law or fudging the rules. They believe in doing things that are not just legal but also ethical. Doing business in the middle of the road rather than straying off to one side or the other. Both of them are big supporters of education. Charlie has donated to universities and Warren is a big supporter through the family foundation and the Gates Foundation, too.
What is the most surprising thing that you learnt about Buffett when you were writing your book, The Oracle & Omaha?
At 26, when he returned to Omaha from New York in 1956, his plan was to retire. Ben Graham had retired at a young age and decided to live off his investments. I think Warren originally had planned that as well. But his relatives started asking him to manage their money. So he set up that first partnership with seven of them. Then word started getting around and he had more people come to him and eventually he had 13 of them. He combined them into one partnership and that is what he ran up to the time he acquired Berkshire.
At some point, he realised he was having fun and that this was what he wanted to do. So, he started going after people. In the 1950s, there weren't many people with $5,000 or $50,000 sitting around waiting to be invested. These had to be doctors or people with family wealth. He started talking to people in those circles and that became his business. He dissolved the partnerships at a time when he didn't know what to do with the money. The fact that he didn't have any particular plan and he started doing it and it just happened, that was surprising to me. You would think the guy would have calculated what he was going to do but he didn't. It just turned out that way.
You can read more about 50 Master Moves That Shaped Berkshire Hathaway by clicking on the link

subset: commoncrawl


text:
In radiology, the most common cause of medical malpractice lawsuits is failure to diagnose. The number one diagnosis is breast cancer. Lung cancer and fractures are the second and third missed diagnoses, respectively.
Failure to diagnose cancer is egregious error
It's only natural to trust your medical team. After all, these people are supposed to have more experience and knowledge than you. Even so, since you know your body better than anyone else, it's imperative that you pay close attention to your diagnosis and treatment.
Should you put your trust in your doctor?
There is no denying the fact that you need to trust your medical team to a certain degree. If you don't, you will never receive the medical attention you require.
Failing to diagnose a heart problem can be needlessly fatal
Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer in the United States? For this reason, it's important that you always keep a close watch on your heart health. This means regularly visiting the doctor and reporting any symptoms you experience.
The importance of a timely cancer diagnosis
Cancer is a deadly disease that claims hundreds of thousands of lives every year. The best way to fight cancer is to detect it early. If the disease is caught before it spreads, you have a much better chance of a full recovery.
Steps to take following medical malpractice
Nobody wants to be a victim of medical malpractice, but thousands of people find themselves in this position every year. If you or a loved one was a victim of medical malpractice, it is essential to learn more about what happened. You should also take the time to focus on our legal rights.
Failing to diagnose cancer can be fatal
Cancer is a worldwide epidemic. Every year, this disease kills hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world.
The seriousness of a medical misdiagnosis
When you visit a medical professional, you expect this person to take great care of you. This means providing you with an accurate diagnosis without delay. Unfortunately, there are times when a doctor makes a mistake.
What is the main reason people sue doctors?
You hear of many different reasons to sue doctors in North Carolina, and many of the ones that are talked about the most are fairly dramatic—like a doctor amputating the wrong arm and leaving a person with a disability that will drastically impact his or her life forever. However, things like this are not the main reason lawsuits begin.
Are physicians liable for failing to diagnose cancer?
Unfortunately, too many North Carolina residents receive a cancer diagnosis each year. Cancer is a terrible illness that profoundly affects its victims and their family members. The good news is that modern medicine is more equipped than ever to offer cancer victims hope for the future with advances in treatment plans and drugs. Sometimes, cancer can even be eliminated or put into remission, returning the patient to health and vitality.


text:
Individual counseling is a safe, confidential place where you can slow down, think out loud, get support and start finding solutions during a difficult time.
- Learn new ways to manage stress
- Get a fresh, new perspective
- Learn better coping strategies
- Get connected with resources to help you with your concerns
- And much more
These services are offered at no charge to students who have paid the University Program and Facilities Fee.
Appointments: 402.472.7450
What to Expect
- First, know that it is OK to feel nervous about your first appointment. Our staff understand that it's hard to talk to someone you don't know about your personal concerns. Rest assured that we will make the counseling environment as comfortable as possible for you
- When your appointment is scheduled, you will be assigned a questionnaire to complete either online or in paper form. This questionnaire should be done, before you arrive for your appointment
- When you arrive for your first appointment, check in at Counseling and Psychological Services inside Suite 223 of the University Health Center (550 N. 19th St.). Plan to arrive 15 to 20 minutes early to fill out any necessary paperwork
- In your first appointment, your counselor will ask you to describe why you came for counseling. This may include questions about different parts of your life in order to get to know you more and understand how the problem fits into and/or affects other areas of your life. Don't worry— the counselor can take the lead in this part of the conversation and help you explain why you are there
- The better you can communicate your worries or needs to your counselor, the better your counselor will be able to respond to your concerns. Remember, your counselor is your partner in understanding and working on your problem. If there is something you want your counselor to know, but he or she hasn't asked yet, feel free to offer the information. If you have questions or concerns about counseling or another issue, it's important to ask
- At the end of your first session, the counselor will ask you or help you develop goals for counseling. This ensures you and your counselor are on the same page and understand what you want to accomplish during your Counseling and Psychological Services experience
How to Get the Most out of Your Counseling Experience
Show up to your appointments. We can't help you if you're not here. If you put time into getting help, it will pay off.
Identify what you need. Think about what you want to discuss and what feedback or help you want. The clearer you communicate what you need, the better our counselors can help you. Not sure? Don't worry! Your counselor will help you focus on key issues.
Commit to getting help and making changes. Studying, socializing and having fun is important, but don't forget to make yourself a priority, too. Commit time to learn about yourself and make positive changes in your life.
Assess your progress. Let your counselor know how it's going. Tell them what's helping and what isn't. Be honest. Your feedback helps us serve you better.
Take it with you. You counselor may suggest some strategies for you to try, write about, think about, etc. in between your sessions. Make it a priority to follow those suggestions. If needed, ask your counselor to write down or give you a handout about your goals, insights, learning, etc. Take time after your session, preferably the same day, to consider what was discussed. Reflecting gives you a chance to absorb what you learn.


text:
Chant d'Arômes
Eau de Toilette
A hymn to love
Spray 100 ML
Indisponible - CA$ 139.00
Chant d'Arômes is part of Guerlain's Patrimoine Collection.
A collection made of emblematic fragrances, composed for more than a century by 5 generations of Perfumers. These mythical pioneer perfumes compose a unique olfactive library that the Maison Guerlain endeavors to preserve.
Created in 1965 by Jean-Paul Guerlain for his young fiancée, Chant d'Arômes signifies the language of flowers, each of which carries its own meaning of love. Chant d'Arômes is a charming spring bouquet. Filled with innuendo, its trail hints at fire beneath the ice.
Chant d'Arômes is presented in a spray bottle inspired by the iconic Bee Bottle, covered in 69 iconic bees of the Empire.
Chypre Woody Floral.
Refined, fresh, charming.
This song begins with notes of citrus, set to rhythm by airy notes of honeysuckle. The melody is resumed in a chorus with a floral accord of gardenia, jasmine and ylang-ylang.
Then the music softens with notes of underbrush, sandalwood and vanilla.
Chant d'Arômes is a fragrance that brings spring and autumn to mind.
In the 1960s, Chant d'Arômes, a gift ideal for blossoming love, was given to all young women at the Debutantes' Ball.


text:
Discover the perfect pieces for every room in your house, as seen in our new Furniture Directory, which you'll find inside your Autumn brochure and in store now.
We're incredibly proud of our ever-growing furniture collection, which features versatile pieces that can be styled in every room of your house, from bedroom and nursery, to living room, kitchen, bathroom and beyond. Here's our edit of the five must-have pieces to fill your home this Autumn:
New: Richmond Tub Chair
Featuring a buttoned back, this stylish made-to-order chair is extremely comfortable to sit in. Tuck it into a cosy corner of your lounge to enjoy it as a comfortable reading spot or place it in the bedroom for an elegant decorative touch and place where you can sip your morning coffee. Available in your choice of eight gorgeous fabrics and either turned or tapered leg styles in dark stained beech or natural oak.
If there was ever a statement bed, this is it. Exclusive to us, we love how the four contemporary lines on each corner of this black metal bed meet in the middle to create a stunning centrepiece. Offset with our crisp white bed linen to create a striking look and place in your master bedroom to instantly create a luxury boutique-hotel aesthetic – no check-in required.
Bestselling: Classic Little White Day Bed
This house-shaped bed is guaranteed to put fun and excitement back into bedtime. Complete with a window at each end, inside there is a picture rail for holding their favourite books, toys and more. What's more, with a recess beneath the bed, there's room for a truckle or mattress (sold separately), making it perfect for little sleepovers. Add this adorable bed to their bedroom or playroom and they'll love creating dens, home-cinema nights and beyond, for years to come.
We love the vintage feel of this stunning chest. Made from a mix of solid and veneered smoked elm, this wood has a beautiful grey tone and weathered look to it. What's more, because of its naturally grown interlocking grain, this wood is extremely durable and unlikely to split. Equally at home in the bedroom as it is in the hallway and living room – it's stylish storage at its best.
This beautiful display cabinet is a versatile piece; it's practical in the kitchen for storing your glassware, stoneware and jars, plus it's a striking addition to the living room when filled with stylish storage baskets, picture frames and books. Crafted with interchangeable plate ridges, shelves and a back panel that features a unique tongue and groove effect, it can be adjusted to store whatever you desire. While the inside is finished in a lovely hand-brushed pale grey, the exterior is finished in a stunning white-brushed paint, which you will also find in our Pimlico range.
If you're still looking for inspiration, we have plenty of choice to suit all styles in our other furniture collections, too.
Seen something you like? Shopping with us is easy.
We're passionate about bringing you the best quality, while offering you a truly special shopping experience. You can place your order online, in store or by phone, via our dedicated furniture team, on 020 3758 9333.
Unsure how long you'll have to wait to receive your beautiful new piece of furniture? See our delivery timescales below:
Items that are in stock and are not made to order will be delivered up to three weeks after your order is placed. This includes our metal bedsteads, mattresses, divans, lighting, wooden chairs, tables, mirrors and rugs plus, the following furniture collections – Ardleigh, Pimlico, Provence, Carlton, Classic and Devon.
Opt for one of our made-to-order upholstered beds and headboards, crafted from velvet, cotton or linen union, and receive your item up to nine weeks after your order is placed.
Choose one of our made-to-order upholstered beds or headboards, crafted from wool, or any of our made-to-order upholstered sofas and armchairs in velvet, cotton, linen union or wool – and receive your item up to 11 weeks after your order is placed.


text:
Yep, I know it's Wednesday. Anyhow. Try this on for size. All from Reprodepot's awesome collectible section. Thanks to all the peeps that came out to Perth Upmarket this past Sunday, it was a fabulous day! I'm hoping to have an online shop update with some apples and some screenprinted goodies in the next week or two.
Other stashers and the flickr. Ok. Over and out! Have a great day.


text:
Plan 034M-0020
Click to enlarge. Views may vary slightly from working drawings. Refer to floor plan for actual layout.
Click large image to zoom.
Plan Details
Plan Features
Plan Description
Rather than compete for attention with its front-load garages, this design's gabled roofs harmoniously blend and balance and lends a look of unity. Adding to the street appeal of the home are its charming details, such as decorative braces, board-and-batten shutters, and shake-clad gables combining to create outstanding Northwestern style. Inside, the design's greatest assets are its high ceilings and array of windows spilling with natural light. Windows line in procession along the outside walls of the dining and living room, ensuring plenty of light to fill the spaces. Transom windows on each side of the living room fireplace allow built-ins to be customized below. Beyond the two-story entry, the island kitchen opens up to the living and dining room, which each have 12-foot-high ceilings. The main-level master suite ceiling is also topped with a 12-foot ceiling. Desirable features are found on the upper-level too, where both bedrooms have direct access to the bath and the staircase landing can be customized with additional built-ins. With a thoughtful floor plan and many or today's most requested features, this Craftsman duplex home plan is second to none.
Units A & B: 1st Floor - 1170 sf, 2nd Floor – 601 sf, Total – 1771 sf, 2-car garage


text:
A colony of penguins at Denmark's Odense Zoo attempted to break out recently — and they may have gotten away with it, too, if not for the comical trail of penguin-sized footprints they left behind.
Funny footage capturing one of the suspicious keepers thwarting the silly birds' escape plan has racked up hundreds of thousands of views since being shared by the zoo's YouTube channel.
The birds' reaction after being caught out is priceless.
Get ninemsn Pickle videos and stories on Facebook and Instagram.


text:
We're pleased to be able to make the Centennial Historical Surveys available online.
The centennial historical surveys comprise of eleven volumes (originally thirteen were intended) published between 1939 and 1942 to commemorate the 100 years since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.
The surveys were a milestone in New Zealand historical publications, representing a shift from a generation of amateur enthusiasts (such as James Cowan, Elsdon Best, Johannes Anderson, and T. L. Buick) to a generation of academically-trained historians (John Cawte Beaglehole, F. L. Wood, W. T. G. Airey, and James Rutherford). As Rachel Barrowman puts it in her essay, History and Romance: The Making of the Centennial Historical Surveys, "The new historians were trained in the research practices and academic standards of the British universities of the interwar years. For them, history entailed the presentation of thesis and evidence; it had footnotes and arguments."
As well as representing a sea-change in historical analysis of our country, the Centennial Surveys were also a typographical milestone, largely the accomplishment of Beaglehole's genius. As the Surveys were a government initiative, it would have been expected that the Government Printing Office would have been responsible for their eventual printed form. However, due to some skillful negotiation by Oliver Duff, the original series editor, and Joseph Heenan, the civil servant who developed the idea of the surveys, the printing was put out to tender and it was Wilson and Horton who secured the contract.
As Sydney Shep relates in her essay about the typographic production of the centennial publications, concerning the Government Printing Office Beaglehole was particularly irked that it was more willing to spend £500,000 on a new building, than a paltry £2-3000 on replacing its outmoded, 'poverty-stricken and ugly' types and thought that there was "some question how far it is competent to print a book at all."
Initially someone who thought the centennial surveys "a series of fatuities, all of them depraved", Beaglehole became an ardent supporter and collaborator of Heenan, and, as Shep relates:
dreamed of a superbranch in Internal Affairs comprising archives, historical publications, and a historical manuscripts and monuments commission. Safeguarding the country's heritage and disseminating it through popular and accessible publications, Beaglehole's new agency was fancifully termed a 'Tolerable-Printing-and-Graphic-Art-Education-Department'. It was later called 'Historical Branch' and remains today a unique entity in the western world.
The Historical Branch (now known as the History Group, part of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage), is responsible today for publishing New Zealand history in a number of guises, including New Zealand History Online, and has a close relationship with Te Ara Online Encyclopedia of New Zealand and the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.
Although there are occasional deviations from form, the thirteen centennial surveys presented a important modern picture of New Zealand's first century of nationhood, and highlights of the series include Simpson's The Women of New Zealand (the best-seller of the series, and almost an afterthought of the editorial committee), Beaglehole's Discovery of New Zealand, McCormick's Letters and Art in New Zealand, and F. L. Wood's New Zealand and the World.
As well as the Centennial Surveys themselves, we are pleased to be able to make available the collection of essays Creating a National Spirit: Celebrating New Zealand's Centennial, which includes much interesting analysis of the Centennial from various points of view. We thank the authors of these essays, and the series editor, Bill Renwick, for their cooperation with this project.
Over time we hope to add to this collection, and future additions will include:
- the 30-part pictorial series Making New Zealand
- the Official Guide to the exhibition
- the guide to the Centennial Art Exhibition


text:
ALERT MD Alan Archer visits Safety & Health Expo 14 - 16th May 2013
- Date: Monday 13th May 2013
- Associated Links:
Alan Archer, MD of The ALERT Asbestos Detector Project at The Select Group, will be visiting the Health & Safety Expo this Wed 15th May, Birmingham NEC.
The annual Safety & Health Expo is Europe's leading exhibtion for the occupational safety and health industry and the only show to have the exclusive support of key industry partners, IOSH (the Institute of Occupational Safety & Health), RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) and the BSIF (The British Safety Industry Federation).
The show which is being held at the Birmingham NEC 14-16 May 2013, is dedicated to sourcing innovations from across the sector and to helping professionals gain valuable information required to ensure the highest standards of health and safety are maintained within the workplace.
If you are attending or exhibiting the Expo and would like to learn more about the ALERT Detector, the world's 1st real-time, portable, affordable airborne asbestos detector (with a commercial launch date expected in late 2014) please contact The Select Group on 01803 540154 or email: email@example.com to schedule a time to meet with Mr Archer.


text:
Festivals & Events:
iPhone Photography with John Clark | Saturday, February 16
Learn the art of capturing truly compelling photos with your iPhone. Are you relatively new to the wild-and-crazy world of the iPhone? Or do you simply struggle to get decent photos out of yours? As so many photographers are learning these days, the best camera is the one you have with you. With the advent of good quality cameras in smartphones like the iPhone, and as the camera specs improve with each new version, you always have a pretty decent camera with you. Learn the art of capturing truly good photos using your device. (Lesson 1: Stop treating it like a point-and-shoot camera.) This class will include both technical instruction and outdoor experimentation, followed by an indoor critique session. As a bonus, the class will spend some time learning about the thousands of camera "apps" available for smart phones, from Instagram to the more techy HDR realm, and lots in between. Students should be sure to bring a lunch and/or a substantial snack. Bring your iPhone, and/or an iPad, along with their corresponding chargers.


text:
Nero Navy Lightweight Crew Neck Sweater
An elegantly soft and lightweight cashmere sweater perfect on a brisk day or as a layer during the colder months. This supremely soft layer is so light you won't even know you have it on.
A slim fit meant to be worn over a shirt.
100% ultra fine cashmere
Contact us here if you would like an alteration made to your order. Alteration costs are not included in pricing and will need to be paid in full before work can begin. Alterations void any return policy thus making it a final sale item. We cannot alter any discounted or sample sale merchandise.
DeliveryAll deliveries ship via FedEx or UPS unless a customer specifically requests another carrier.
*GROUPE offers free ground shipping on orders of $100 and more.
*GROUPE offers same day delivery in NYC if the order is placed before 2PM via Wynd Couriers on non-sample sale purchases.
*GROUPE typically ships orders same-day if it is placed before 4PM, M-F but under some circumstances, we may take longer. A confirmation email will be sent when your order has been shipped. GROUPE is not responsible for delays in shipping caused by the carrier.
*Special and custom orders usually take 4 weeks for delivery but can take up to 7 weeks depending on the time of year and fabric availability.
*All international orders are subject to pay duties specific to destination delivery address.
Returns & Exchanges
Full-price items that are not worn or damaged may be returned for full refund within 14 days, Return Authorization required. Please contact us for a Return Authorization. If Return Authorization has not been acquired beforehand we cannot accept the package. Shipping charges will not be refunded and items that were delivered with free or discounted shipping will be refunded net of the shipping cost that would have normally been applied. Discounted and sale items (excluding sample sale) may be returned for store credit only, also within 14 days, Return Authorization required, net of shipping charges. Custom and altered items are final sale. Sample sale items are final sale. No alterations are included in any discounted or sample sale merchandise.
Please allow 7-10 business days to process your refund.


text:
It is with great sadness that I have to report that Indian
Queens Pit has been vandalised for the second time in a month. I am proud to be a trustee of the Pit, which is protected as
Also on Sunday, one of the Parish Council's seats was dragged into the Pit and set on fire (see below).
This criminal damage has been reported to the Police, but if anyone has any information about who might be responsible, please feel free to get in contact with me.


text:
Let me introduce you to LABFITNESS: My name is Laura Armada-Buch (yes LAB are my initials!) and this beautiful wellness space has been my passion for the past 21 years.
I started dancing at the age of 3, and at 12 I was introduced to the wonderful world of aerobics. At 16 I was selected to be part of an aerobics team and compete at professional level in Spain (my home country). While competing I gained my first qualification to teach fitness. To be honest, I never thought I would use it…. but how wrong was I??!!
In 1998 I moved over to Ireland and
We are considering putting on a morning class during school term. If you are interested please get in touch and let us know what morning (mon, tues, wed) and time would be more suitable.
We would love to hear from you.


text:
- Alumni
- Campus Life
- Students Activities
- Admission
- Intranet
- Social initiatives
- Facilities
- IoE
- Anti Sexual Harassment Policy
Alumni @ IITD
IIT Delhi alumnus Professor Emeritus, Stanford University Arogyaswami Paulraj has been inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for developing wireless technology to transmit and receive data at high speeds. Professor Paulraj pioneered MIMO a wireless technology that has revolutionized broadband wireless internet access for billions of people worldwide. MIMO improves both transmission data rates and expands network coverage. It is the essential foundation for all current (WiFi and 4G mobile) and future broadband wireless communications. Born in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, India, Prof Paulraj joined the Indian Navy at age 15. The Navy, impressed with his academic record, sent him to IIT Delhi, where he earned a Ph.D. for advances to signal filtering theory.
He will be formally inducted at the 46th Annual National Inventors Hall of Fame Ceremony on May 3, 2018, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
In an interview with Dr Vanita Srivastava, Prof Paulraj talks about MIMO, his stay in IIT Delhi and more. Edited excerpts.
|You have been inducted to the National Inventors Hall of Fame for developing wireless technology to transmit and receive data at high speeds. Can you please elaborate a little bit on the MIMO technology.
MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) wireless uses multiple antennas both at the transmitter and the receiver to enable a technique called Spatial Multiplexing which boosts data rates in a wireless link. MIMO does this by creating "parallel spatial data streams" within the same radio frequency channel. MIMO requires special encoding of signals at the transmitter and corresponding decoding of signals at the receiver. The key idea in MIMO is that a signal transmitted from each antenna of the transmitter antenna array, given the right propagation conditions, can appear with a different spatial signature at the receiving antenna array, and thereby allows the receiver to separate the different impinging transmit data streams, enabling spatial multiplexing.
MIMO effectively multiplies the radio spectrum, a scarce and very expensive resource, by the number of antennas used at both ends. Current wireless systems like WiFi and LTE support MIMO with up to 8 antennas. Future systems like 5G cellular technology are predicted to employ 100+ antenna configurations, offering a huge multiplication of the radio spectrum.
|Can you please tell a little about your stay in IIT Delhi? What was your PhD research focused on at IIT Delhi
In July 1969, then a Lieutenant in the Navy, I was fortunate to be deputed to IIT Delhi for two years for an M.Tech program. I had joined the Navy as cadet via the National Defense Academy in 1961 and after stints with a variety of training schools and some sea service; I was delighted to finally arrive at a real university. I was lucky to quickly catch the eye of Profs. Indiresan and Duttaroy, who encouraged me to sit for the Ph.D. entrance exam, which I presumably cleared. Prof Indiresan, then Head of EE Dept., had great difficulty in persuading the Navy and the IIT Senate to allow me to switch to a PhD program. The Navy relented on the condition that I finish my PhD work in my originally allocated two year deputation period. I therefore returned to the Navy in June 1971, with some core research in non-linear estimation theory already done, but had yet to write my thesis. To my great surprise I was back at IITD in mid-1972 for 18 months to undertake a sonar design project. This work was very different from my theoretical PhD research, but perhaps even more exciting.
My Ph D work used stochastic calculus and advanced math. It unified a whole range of results in that area. The thesis resulted in an invite form Stanford University to teach a course on that subject, but because of my Navy status, I could not get GOI permission.
|What steps should be taken to reverse the brain drain in India?
My hope is that brain drain is slowing a lot. That's good news. We still have to build companies in core technology in computing and communications. I hope India will do that now and not be 100% dependent on imports.
|What do you like to do in your spare time?
Play with my grandkids - Anjali, Arman, Indira and Amara.


text:
How To Do Leaf Printing
>> More DIY Ideas <<
You don't have to be an artist to make artistic stuff. Mother nature has given you all you need to do so. Today we will show you How To Do Leaf Printing. You can make wonderful arts using leaves.
Printing or painting leafy arts can't be more easy. By using a real leaf, you can make wonderful leaf printing. And you can create as many different shapes and color patterns as you want with this technique. Here is what you need to do.
- Create a hotch potch of different colors of paints in a tray. Be careful not to mix the colors completely.
- Take a big leaf and put it onto the tray of paints. You can either use acrylic or undiluted water paints for this project.
- Stamp the leaf onto a white paper or canvas, so that the colors of the print can turn out bright. Press the leaf with hands to make sure all the paint is transferred onto the paper.
- Lift the leaf carefully and be amazed at the magical results.
Keep reading more detailed tutorial in the following link.
Kleas – Big Leaf Printing
And watch what some third Grades have done with this technique!


text:
Light Rail Transit Association
Light Rail for better public transport
LRTA Shop
| Light Rail
site map
LRTA TramTrain Policy
LRTA Policy (Headlines)
LRTA Policy (full)
Possible TramTrain operation
POLICY TramTrain
TramTrain is now the term generally given to any vehicle which can operate both in city streets as a tram, and on fully segregated 'heavy' rail tracks as a train. TramTrain operation is 'green', and enhances the environment by reducing traffic congestion, and avoiding generation of emissions at point of use (most tram-trains are electically powered although diesel and diesel electric versions are also available).
There are many cities, both in UK and overseas, where the main railway station is a significant distance from the town or city centre, and other major features and facilities in the city. A TramTrain style of operation has obvious merits in making the link between main railway station and city centre etc. more convenient, easier for mobility impaired people, and quicker for all users.
Capital expenditure for TramTrains can be minimised by making the greatest possible use of existing railway infrastructure, and, where they exist, the present tramway lines. Short lengths of special connecting tracks and ramps are, however, required in some cases. Where no tramways exist, short extensions on street may enable tram-trains to reach major central destinations.
Through operation between railway and street environment has been utilised since the earliest days of rail guided transport systems, but has received a particular impetus in the last 20 years for urban transit networks. Examples include Kassel. Karlsruhe and Saarbruecken in Germany. Tram-trains also now operate in the Netherlands and France.
In the UK, several of the second generation tramways utilise very substantial lengths of former 'heavy' rail infrastructure, with addition of city-centre trackage. Only shared running with main line trains is missing. This applies to Manchester, West Midlands, Croydon and Nottingham.
A particular window of opportunity in the UK will present itself over the next 15 years with the need to replace local service heavy rail vehicles built in the 1980s, such as Pacers and Sprinters. There are at least 20 cities and conurbations where TramTrain schemes could be implemented, and deliver a major improvement to the environment and public transport.
LRTA is now urgently drawing to the attention of all relevant bodies the need to seize this opportunity. It is essential to initiate project development as soon as possible because legal and financial authorisation procedures are protracted in the UK.
Many TramTrain systems should only require modest capital outlay from Local Authority/PTE sources but with substantial passenger and non-user benefits. Funding for vehicles is virtually assured from heavy rail sources. In many cases, only relatively short lengths of new street track would need to be installed.
The energy required to propel TramTrain vehicles can be derived from a variety of sources both on-board and off vehicles, most of which create zero emissions at point of use.
POLICY TramTrain:


text:
Link to Full Policy Proposal: Renewable Energy in Chiang Mai – Strategies to Develop Solar and Biochar
Link to Presentation Slides: Session 2 – Group 2
Ajay Jagannath, Carlos Caleb Jnr Sengu, Lee Ai Lian Grace, Leigha Miyata
Thailand ratified the Paris Agreement in 2016. With this, Thailand aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% from existing levels by 2030. To work towards this goal, a key element is the use of renewable energy. Thailand has plans to increase the share of renewable energy in its final energy consumption from 12% in 2014 to 30% by 2036.
Chiang Mai can play a big part towards meeting Thailand's renewable energy targets. Amongst others, two types of renewable energy seem more promising in Thailand and can potentially be scaled up further – solar energy and biomass. Given Chiang Mai's terrain and weather, solar energy can be harnessed as an alternative source of energy. However, the main disadvantage is that it is weather-dependent and requires battery technology. Biomass also has potential as Chiang Mai is mainly an agricultural province, hence crops are easily available. The main contention against biochar, a specific type of biomass, is that it is not a clean energy source, unlike sunlight.
Given the advantages and limitations of solar energy and biomass, the strategy is for these two types of renewable energy to complement each other in order to achieve Thailand's renewable energy targets. The project discusses strategies to further develop these two forms of renewable energy, by taking feasibility, budget and environmental impacts into account.


text:
Life at Tinker Swiss Cottage 1851-1869, Vol. 1
The Journal of Robert H. Tinker 1851-1869, Robert Tinker original diaries chronicle his childhood and move into Rockford, IL.
Life at the Tinker Swiss Cottage 1870-1901, Vol. 2
The Journal of Robert H. Tinker 1870-1901, This diary covers the Robert's first marriage to Mary Dorr Manny and his business life throughout Rockford.
Life at the Tinker Swiss Cottage, 1902-1922, Vol. 3
The Journal of Robert H. Tinker 1902-1922, in the final installment of the diaries, Robert discusses his involvement in several Rockford businesses, the founding of the Rockford Park district and his second marriage to Jessie Dorr Hurd.


text:
Stay connected and sign-up for emails to get exclusive deals and event info.
For those who enjoy Habano.Rafael Nodal is a popular name a cross the boutique cigar industry. If you aren't familiar with the name, Rafael Nodal is the owner of the Boutique Blends brand, plus he's also been behind the scenes of the huge success with the Aging Room line. Today, Rafael conjured up another success with Oliveros Gran Retorno—an enjoyable line of cigars with wrapper varieties that will suit any palate.The elegant, medium-bodied Oliveros Gran Retorno Habano comes wrapped in a stunning, somewhat oily Ecuador Habano leaf that covers a mixture of Nicaraguan long-fillers and a Nicaraguan binder. Upon first light you're introduced to the distinctive Nicaraguan spice. As you continue to indulge in this savory blend, your palate will find notes of cocoa, leather, and earth, making this cigar one savory treat. Enjoy a pleasant boutique, and make sure to try the Connecticut and Maduro options too.


text:
School to build its first wind turbine
Shawnee ? A 2-year-old student-initiated green project has taken another step forward in the Shawnee Mission school district.
Doug Moles, a Shawnee Mission West High School science teacher, recently received approval to place a working model wind turbine at the school, the final step in creating the Shawnee Mission West Green Energy Resource Lab, which also includes solar panels atop the school.
The turbine is a first for the Shawnee Mission school district and the area.
Creating the Green Energy Resource Lab was the idea of students in Moles' Science and Survival class two years ago.
"We talked about climate change, carbon dioxide emissions and wind and solar power," he said. "The students asked if we could have solar panels and a working model of a wind turbine at the school."
Creating the Energy Lab wasn't a cakewalk for Moles or the school district. The turbine would have to be 60 feet tall in order to receive an uninterrupted, constant stream of wind. Because the turbine will be visible from its location, permits were required from the city of Overland Park, Moles said.
Gene Johnson, Shawnee Mission superintendent, became involved with the project when he was associate superintendent. "You can't just put it up; you have to have approval from city and those providing the financial part," Johnson said.
The city approved a five-year special-use permit for the project. Kansas Energy Commission has donated $15,000, to be split between solar panels and the wind turbine. Moles applied for several grants and funding came together, including another $22,200 in grants and other donations. Students even sold cookie dough to help finance the project.
The solar energy panels were installed atop the school last March. They were fully functional a month later.
Inverters on both the solar panels and the turbine convert the original direct current to alternating current, Moles said. Then the inverter analyses the grid fluctuations and cycle, and the power is introduced to the grid.
The solar arrays capture energy by using the sun's electromagnetic rays, and the wind turbine harnesses wind energy in the air and converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy, Moles said.
Because the solar panels and turbine are working models, they have no significant impact on the school or surrounding areas. Rather, they are a teaching tool for students to learn the conversion of energy and how alternative energy sources will play out in the future.
"It was very forward-thinking of students two years ago," Moles said.
Because these are working models, the information is sent to Web sites.
"We can access the production day-by-day, real-time data," Moles said. "The lab offers hands-on learning tools and real-time applications for science classes."
Shawnee Mission West will be the first school in the district to offer such a program, Moles said.
So what's next for the Green Energy Resource Lab once the turbine is finished in the next month or so?
"Well, NOVA (the science show) talked of a steam-powered turbine. It could power a city of hundreds of thousands," Moles said.
While the lab may not be ready for a steam-powered turbine, Moles said the next step was educating students on alternative energy.
"With job cuts and recession, alternative energy is a viable option for future employment," Moles said. "We talk about climate change, and I think that a lot of people want to leave the world a better place when they leave as when they came."


text:
It is never a dull moment at the Rockmont barn! Our riders and horses have been actively competing in competitions all over the Southeast. Recently, TBopp, Aastro and Baby Horse got in the Christmas Spirit by competing in the Christmas Obstacle Challenge in Morganton, NC. We even hosted a horse show and trail challenge here at Rockmont called the Kori Goodson Trail Challenge.
It has been a big year for our 16-year-old chestnut Arabian, Aastro. Many of you ride Aastro during the summer. He competed in his first horse show, as well as the Big South Fork Ride and Tie in Oneida, TN, and the World Championship Ride and Tie in Orkney Springs, VA. Baby Horse joined Aastro for the epic 35 mile journey during the World Championship.
Finally, for those of you that are Poppy fans, she is healed and back to work teaching lessons. The rest of the horses are doing well and keeping in shape for the summer.
See you this summer!
Sara Boelt
Horseback Riding Director


text:
Lough Ramor Festival 2013
top seven in the festival pose for a photograph
Paul Leese came out an easy winner in this years Ramor Festival totalling 93,950 kg over 4 days. My fishing friend ex England international Kevin Ashurst was 2nd with 84,340 kg just beating myself into 3rd place by just over a kilo as I finished with 83,390 kg.
Paul Leese (left) being presented with the winning trophy from John Hayes match organiser
The Ramor festival is fished on Lough Ramor, Virginia, Ireland, it's a 4 day competition with 3 rotating sections and then a free draw on the last day. This year the fishing was fantastic, nearly all pole catching roach, perch and hybrids. I was catching more than 40lbs each day.
Here some pictures:
view from my peg on lough Ramor day 2
just over 50lbs part of my day 2 winning catch
view from my peg (Match length day 3)
part of my 50lb section winning catch (day 3)
view from my peg (last day)
just over 40lbs to win the section


text:
Today's second keynote comes from Gian Fulgoni from comScore, who is discussing the evolution of our understanding, usage and tracking of digital advertising in Australia to-date and over the coming year.
Comscore has a panel of 2 million people that sends back information from clickstream to search to ads shown to videos viewed and purchases. That is then combined with direct feeds from around 1 million domains from around the world. This is also combined with 3m set-top TV boxes. This then produces as accurate a measure of internet behaviour as feasible.
1. The Statistics
First key message: the US is no longer the world's main internet user. Asia Pacific is the largest in terms of time spent and is still growing, while Latin America is seeing huge growth over the last 12 months.
Australia is ranked as the 18th largest internet user base (in terms of millions of monthly unique visitors). China is by far the largest with 22% of global internet population, with Brazil and India having the highest possible growth rate. However Australia ranks higher than both India and Chine in terms of average time spent per person, with an average of 24.9 hours per month. Expect this to change significantly and quickly as these countries continue to grow.
China, India and Singapore tend to have a much younger internet user base. China, for example has a 60% internet user base under the age of 34 while Australia is much more evenly split across main age groups. Unsurprisingly the internet user base is under represented by older demographic segments across all countries.
The most used web sites in Australia are of course Google with 14,725m unique visitors followed up by Microsoft, Yahoo and Facebook with broader local groups following in the top 20 including real estate, ABC, banks and government sites. Facebook has by far the largest engagement stats with over 300 minutes spent per month per visitor
Australia ranks pretty high in terms of social reach, with about 88% of the total internet user base in the country using social networks in a given month. This is for around 35 minutes per day. This is higher than France, Germany and other key European countries.
If you compare the relative size of spending in digital vs television, UK's digital spend already far outweighs its television. This may be skewed by the fact that channels like the BBC do not carry advertising. Australia has almost equal digital and television media spend at around 30%, while the USA has a much greater focus on TV. However if we compare search focused advertising vs brand focused advertising, the US actually has a much greater focus on brand while Australia drops to a 70/30 search/display focus.
2. The Measurement
The future is all about cross platform measurement, the focus is no longer on 'the click'. In 2009, comScore produced over 200 studies to asses behavioural impact of paid search and online display ads. Even with click rates as low as 0.1%, you still see increased visits, brand search queries or building online and offline sales. There is no correlational relationship between click-through rates and sales lift.
3. The Targeting
It's not realistic to expect to have 100% perfect target for your display ads. This could be related to many issues including outdated demographic data or multiple users on a single computers. Average in-target rate is only 44% at present. Unsurprisingly as the age and gender target narrows, the accuracy drops. Cookie deletion is a global reality and causes frequency to be higher than planned as ad servers keep delivering impressions to browsers that have had their cookies deleted.
4. The Viewability
Arguably the most important digital advertising initiative to date was the Making Measurement Make Sense (3Ms) mission. The aim was to improve the reporting of ad exposure and bolster confidence that ads delivered are actually viewable. This is defined as 50% of pixels are in view for at least one second.
There are four key aspects of digital advertising that can be improved:
- Targeting accuracy
- Brand Safety
- Fraud
- Visibility
Average in-view rate is only 46% with variance seen across verticals. This is a bigger problem, and a bigger opportunity, than the targeting issue. What kind of sites are generating higher viewability than others? The viewability is significantly higher on premium sites than on those exchanges, where you aren't 100% aware of where your ads are landing. This metric is growing in importance, with a likely growing focus on viewability rates over the coming months.
5. The Future: Cross-Platform Measurement
Total time spent on the internet over the last 3 years has doubled. We need the right measurement systems to better understand how this time is being spent. Engagement for many content categories is incremental but for others there is significant cannibalisation. e.g. weather.
As people own more devices, the total time they spend consuming content massively increases. As an example, this doubled during the 2012 Olympics when comparing just television to televion + desktop + mobile + tablet.
6. Key Takeways
- Moving from clicks to viewability has boosted the value of publishers' digital advertising
- In-flight campaign optimisation of viewability, targeting and frequency is being demanded by advertisers and promises to accelerate the shift of brand ad spending to digital
- It can be expected than publishers CPMs will increase as advertisers realise the benefits of improved visibility and sales lift


text:
Nice weekend off! Nice weather and I cleaned the kitchen on Friday afternoon meaning that on Saturday morning I woke to a neat CLEAN kitchen with no clutter whatsoever. It was so nice I think I'll do that again this week – for sure!!
Maybe my spirits were buoyed because I got to drive the TD HUMMER that afternoon. I've had my sights set on driving that thing since I first laid eyes on it several years ago. But I'll certainly settle for any time I get to drive the Hummer to pick up the kids after school and bring them back to Tiger Den. Another little part-time job that fell into my lap, TD needed a substitute car pool driver and I was available so I've done it a few days so far and will be doing it most days this week.
My 3rd little part-time job is teaching an ASAP class at our elementary school. I decided to offer Doodle Art for Kids and have it open to all grade levels and viola, I got a nearly full class of 18 students. Nice work if you can get it. Thursday will be our 4th class and the halfway point for me and my young doodlers.


text:
The Arbors of Gulf Breeze
Call (850) 934-1018Directions
Get directions to thisWebsite
location on Google Maps.
location on Google Maps.
Open websiteShare
in new tab.
in new tab.
Share this business
on social media.
on social media.
Whether a resident in our Independent Living, Assisted Living, or Memory Care, we strive to exceed your expectations.
The Arbors is located in Gulf Breeze, FL, a small suburb of Pensacola. Your new lifestyle is customized to your needs by an excellent staff, and features exquisite cuisine and a great, warm atmosphere.
The Arbors of Gulf Breeze embraces an island mentality by allowing many spacious and private residences to connect with the outdoors. Whether taking a stroll throughout the property, gardening with your new friends or looking at the view from your private balcony, you will sense the warm feeling of paradise. It'll be hard to forget you're not on vacation – you're home.


text:
We have reluctantly arrived. Our collective hearts crushed by an Altuve blast. The highest of highs leading so quickly and decisively to the lowest of lows.
The Yanks looked like a team that could and would defeat all odds. They managed 103 W's while maneuvering around more injuries to key personnel, than any team in recent memory has endured. No excuse, just reality. They overcame adversity. They had us believe it was possible.
The floor is open. Questions imo that need to be answered:
1) Rotation help. Cole, Strasburg or Wheeler?
2) Didi FA? Let him walk and move Torres over give DJ 2B permanently? Didi's value at an all time low.
3) Start extension talks with DJ immediately!
4) Is Gio the long term answer at 3B?
5) What to do about LF and DH.


text:
- Yield
- 6
- 2 lbs chicken, cut into serving pieces
- 1 large potato, quartered
- 1 large carrot, sliced
- 1 large bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup green peas
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 pieces hotdogs, sliced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 1/4 cups chicken broth or stock
- 2 pieces dried bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon granulated white sugar
- 4 tablespoons cooking oil
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- Pour-in cooking oil in a cooking pot or casserole then apply heat. Pan-fry the chicken until the color turns light brown (about 3 minutes per side). Remove the chicken from the cooking pot. On the same cooking pot, sauté garlic and onions. Put-in the sliced hotdogs and pan-fried chicken then cook for a minute. Pour-in tomato sauce and chicken stock then add bay leaves. Simmer for 30 to 40 minutes. Add the potato and carrots then simmer for 7 minutes or until the vegetables are soft. Put-in the bell pepper, green peas, salt, sugar, and ground black pepper then cook for 3 minutes more. Turn-off heat then transfer to a serving plate. Serve with steamed rice. Share and enjoy!
Related Video
Nutritional Info
- Calories623
- Carbohydrates25 g(8%)
- Fat41 g(64%)
- Protein37 g(73%)
- Saturated Fat11 g(53%)
- Sodium990 mg(41%)
- Polyunsaturated Fat9 g
- Fiber5 g(19%)
- Monounsaturated Fat20 g
- Cholesterol130 mg(43%)


text:
January 2016
This is a short note to say Hi and Welcome back to Iyengar Yoga at the Iyengar Yoga Center of Fort Collins.
I am happy to announce the new studio name, The Iyengar Yoga Center of Fort Collins. I have taken this name change out of respect for the the Iyengar Family and the dedicated teaching of the vast subject of Yoga. They tirelessly and ceaselessly continue to pass on to the hungry yoga student, knowledge and encouragement to never give up on the 8 limbs of Yoga as a way to guide one through life's obstacles.
The studio has two newly certified Iyengar Yoga Teachers, Betty Ford, and Paige Noon. Both are starting their Basic yoga classes beginning the second week in January, check the website for their Biographies and class times.
The New Year begins with fresh aspirations that stir us towards change. We often start with the most obvious things we don't like about ourselves, we gossip, we over eat or over drink, we start projects but don't follow through like we know we are capable of, and maybe the most debilitating one, is the one that says we just aren't good enough to do what we want to do anyway.
How we slay our dragons and us with them! A steady yoga practice interrupts these patterns. In fact, a steady yoga practice pokes a big hole right in the middle of their hold on us, and can leave us with a deeper strength far greater than we need to manage our life circumstances.
How can a yoga practice be this effective? I don't know for sure. I have seen in myself and in students who stay regularly with the practice, some deep transformative work takes place. While it is unique for each of us what may happen, the process is similar:
We become more collected in our minds, less scattered in our choices, and the body may or not feel healed or cured, but the mind has undergone a transformation of perspective and hope. And this makes all the difference in the world.
Come back to class when you can, look forward to seeing you in 2016!


text:
TempLine™ Pro Grass Paint has you covered from Practice to Game Day.
TempLine™ Pro can be used right out of the pail or diluted 1:1 for greater economy. In either case, TempLine™ Pro will give you crisp bright lines that last.
• Exceptional brightness, coverage, and durability
• Easy to prepare and apply
• Soil Friendly and harmless to all species of grass
• Water based formula with low VOC's
• Works with virtually any spray equipment or wheel to wheel application
TempLine™ Saves You Money And Time.
TempLine™ Pro convenience, performance and economy will be tough to match.
• Coverage and durability that minimizes the need to re-paint
• No risk of costly soil or grass damage
• Ecologically friendly


text:
While I'm honored beyond saying at being a finalist for the International Thriller Writers Award for my short story "Between the Dark and the Daylight," I am SO not looking forward to the inevitable beatdown I'm going to get from my esteemed and kickass fellow nominees.
Thriller Awards Nominees
The International Thriller Writers proudly announces its nominees for the 2009 Thriller Awards.
Hold Tight by Harlan Coben
The Bodies Left Behind by Jeffrey Deaver
The Broken Window by Jeffrey Deaver
The Dark Tide by Andrew Gross
The Last Patriot by Brad Thor
Calumet City by Charlie Newton
Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith
Criminal Paradise by Steven Thomas
Sacrifice by S. J. Bolton
The Killer's Wife by Bill Floyd
Between the Dark and the Daylight (Ellery Queen Magazine) by Tom Piccirilli
Last Island South (Ellery Queen Magazine) by John C. Boland
The Edge of Seventeen (The Darker Mask) by Alexandra Sokoloff
The Point Guard (Killer Year Anthology) by Jason Pinter
Time of the Green (Killer Year Anthology) by Ken Bruen
David Morrell honoring his influential body of work
Brad Meltzer for his outstanding charitable contributions
The Thriller Awards Banquet & Presentation is an event you don't want to miss. Register now for ThrillerFest 2009!Recipients will be recognized and winners announced at ThrillerFest 2009, July 8-11, Grand Hyatt, NYC. The Thriller Awards Banquet will be held Saturday July 11. For more information, registration and tickets, visit www.thrillerwriters.org.
About Me
- Tom Piccirilli
- "We need to make books cool again. If you go home with someone & they don't have books, don't fuck 'em."--John Waters
I'm the author of more than twenty novels including SHADOW SEASON, THE COLD SPOT, THE COLDEST MILE, THE MIDNIGHT ROAD, THE DEAD LETTERS, and A CHOIR OF ILL CHILDREN. Look for my next one THE LAST KIND WORDS due out May '12 from Bantam Books. Contact: email@example.com
Monday, March 30, 2009
ITW Award nomination for "Between the Dark..."
Posted by Tom Piccirilli at 3:44 PM
3 comments:
- Corey Wilde said...
Congrats, you deserved this nomination.
- March 30, 2009 at 4:14 PM
- pattinase (abbott) said...
Congrats, Tom. You are having a very rosy year.
- March 30, 2009 at 5:11 PM
- BobSchaller said...
Way to Go Tom! Moved onto grad school after our Fort Collins event though I'm still doing books. Love the new blog. Hope Estes is well. Drop me an email again sometime. BOB SCHALLER
- April 5, 2009 at 9:32 AM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Hi, I am Luca
" Our apartment is available for you in Milan, Italy ".
- We are a couple from milano
- both sound designer and graphic designers.
- we enjoy travel,good food,and learning about local cultures
Personal Message
We have done a few home exchanges before and the experience for both parties has been fantastic. We love to travel and learn about local cultures. We are responsible and well-organized,and we are going to take care of your property as if it is ours.We love animals.
|Prior exchanges: 4
Depends on the offer
Our dream trip
|Anywhere, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Denmark
Our home
Milan, Italy
Apartment sleeps 2, bedrooms 1
The apartment is located near Arco della Pace in the centre of Milan, In the middle of the city's life, but still very peaceful and quiet. : * 5 min walking you...


text:
Hi Everyone,
Today, we have an informative update for you! As you know, we've kind of hidden back into the background lately. The good news is because we've been extremely busy with production. Going into this campaign we set out to produce one core game, Rumplestiltskin, and a Battle Set of Super Fairytale Fighters 2. Through the growth of the campaign, we were able to expand the Fairytale Games Universe with you all with the addition of 3 additional core sets, 2 expansion sets, cheesecake/teaser packs and tons of extra card content (not to mention 40 beautiful minis). To be honest, we've been learning a lot from this experience and campaign, valuable lessons that will now be solid checklist items for future campaigns.
Box art, for example have different layout specs, measurements, and requirements that differ between manufacturers. As well, you need to be sure to add important, yet little details, such as "this is not a toy and may be a choking hazard", production code numbers, age specs, and manufacture stamps all over the box. When you send it out for approval, it usually takes a few days for them to get back to you. When you hear back from them and if they come back with changes or spot things you forget, you need to bounce back and forth with them until they approve. Because if they tool/setup their press to manufacture your boxes and you catch a mistake on the manufacture proof, it will take 3 weeks for them to make the change and send you another proof! That, we didn't know.
Rulebooks are a completely different monster all together. So initially, we thought that a rulebook similar to our website gameplay section would suffice. That went completely out the door when we had a veteran in the industry rip it apart. What we had a hard time grasping was that we assumed everyone would automatically understand certain gameplay terminology. We had to break away from knowing anything about our game and come from the perspective of not just never having played Fairytale Games: Battle Royale, but any game in general. This was extremely difficult since revisions upon revisions have been mostly about keywords and standard mechanics we didn't know could be a question. Things like "discarding" a card cannot be left like that. We have to specifically include a key that explains that discarding means to remove a card from your hand or in play and placing it into the "discard area" next to the respective deck the card came from (such as the Bonus Deck, Location Deck, Event Deck, etc…). Yet, we had to make sure the rules weren't bogged down with technicalities and too complex of a layout that it would look as boring as a "build your home furniture" instruction sheet.
There were many other things we learned through this, but we've enjoyed the experience so far, though the revisions have been eating up all of our time to make things as perfect as they can be.
I Heard Something About Videos in the Comments
Yes! This past week, we filmed the majority of the gameplay video for Battle Royale. There's a few more scenes we need to film this weekend and it'll be time to edit (finally.) One of our backers suggested filming an updated video for Super Fairytale Fighters 2. I think that would be an awesome idea that we can to while filming the final footage of the main game. Once edited, I'll post them here and give an overview about what you've just watched. We hope to have the rulebook released around the same time for you to download via PDF in order to use as a supplemental reference when watching the videos.
With GenCon looming ahead and deadlines quickly happening, we are going to release the demo kits this month along with the full Fariytale Games: Battle Royale PNPs for those who purchased them. That way, everyone can have a chance to learn to play in some way, shape or form. As well, if you are attending GenCon in August, we have Battle Royale gaming events you can register for at www.gencon.com. Our team will also be there around and about at our booth and after events to show you demos of our games and more importantly, to finally get a chance to officially introduce ourselves to you. We're looking forward to meeting you!
GenCon 2014
Progress Report
Fairytale Games: The Battle Royale: 294 Unique Art (475 Cards Total) = COMPLETE
Fairytale Expansion Set: 125 Unique Art (125 Cards Total) = COMPLETE
Legends of Time: 125 Unique Art (125 Cards Total) = COMPLETE
Promo Cards/Kickstarter Exclusives: 10 Unique Art (10 Cards Total) = COMPLETE
Teaser Pack: 48 Unique Art (45 Cards Total) = COMPLETE
Rumplestiltskin!: 23 Unique Art = COMPLETE
Fairytale Games: Horror Edition: 294 Unique Art (475 Cards Total) = 280 Illustrations completed
Fairytale Games: Steampunk Edition: 294 Unique Art (475 Cards Total) = 290 Illustrations completed
Fairytale Games: Zombie Edition: 294 Unique Art (475 Cards Total) = 270 Illustrations complete
Cheesecake Pack (The Backer Version): 100 Unique Art (100 Cards Total) = 80 Illustrations complete
Tarot Cards: 78 Unique Art (78 Cards Total) = 66 Illustrations complete
Super Fairytale Fighters 2:
- Snow vs Red (100% Complete)
- Thumbling vs Tinker Bell (100% Complete)
- John Henry Steel vs Iron John (100% Complete)
- Hansel and Gretel vs Gingerbread Man (100% Complete)
- Little Mermaid vs Belle (Little Mermaid 50% / Belle 50%)
Sacred 40 Miniatures: We are waiting for the manufacture proofs to come in. Based on the tracking info, it's sitting in a warehouse a few states over. Probably by Wednesday, we'll have them in and will start taking photos to show you right away.
- Battle Royale – 90%
- Horror Edition – 50%
- Steampunk Edition – 30%
- Zombie Edition – 60%
- Super Fairytale Fighters 2 – 95%
- Rumplestiltskin – 100%
Boxart Layouts:
- Battle Royale – 100%
- Horror Edition – 100%
- Steampunk Edition – 80%
- Zombie Edition – 50%
- Fairytale Games Expansion – 100%
- Legends of Time Expansion – 0%
- Tarot Deck – 0%
- Super Fairytale Fighters 2 – 80%
- Rumplestiltskin – 100%
- Sacred 40 Miniatures – 100%
So among the progress report, we looked back at all the cards that have been through revisions. Fun fact, is that there are a total of 113 card illustrations that were not used! That is crazy… but pretty hilarious at the same time. As mentioned in a previous update, there were just instances that certain artists weren't comfortable illustrating. We had this really awesome artist take on a cheesecake male illustration. Because he was very embarrassed about it (and didn't tell us), he went through 4 iterations before requesting to change the piece. LOL. My favorite example (and coincidentally one of my favorite pieces) was a misunderstanding of wording.
We had asked for a scene of a lot of dead ninjas in front of a field with snow on top. Our intentions was to use this as a location card of sorts. When we received it, there was Snow White on top of a pile of dead ninjas in a field. I laughed harder than I should have, but in retrospect, it wasn't incorrect either!
What's the delivery date? Has it changed?
Next week, we'll be having an official meeting with our manufacture to see how things are going to be coming along. We have a lot of questions that we have as well as questions from you all that we will ask in our meeting. We have a few items from different manufactures that we need to figure out the schedule for the logistics of when they will be delivered to one location, how they will be assembled, and when and how they will be shipped. There's also the factor of GenCon and what the schedule will look like, if we can have any product there or not. I don't want to give you a guesstimate without having had some concrete answers. So expect an update about delivery specifically next week.
Other Media!
So we've unofficially launched our new website at www.artisticjusticegames.com. It's kind of our "soft-opening" as there are a lot of features and information missing from it (as well as some bugs). But for the most part, this website will be the central hub for every project and game we create. The news on the front (after we do our next website update) will have all our kickstarter thread updates so you can follow along in one place. In the next few months, you'll see the information grow as well as it will become a lot more user friendly. You can register on the site to get the latest news from our posts as well as be able to utilize our online forums. At the moment, we only have a Fairytale Games forum but we are able to create individual forums for each of our game as well. So check it out, but please be aware it's definitely a work in progress 🙂
As well, we have started our Twitter at www.twitter.com/artjusticegames. Follow us there and get the latest news or hear me rant about things in the near future.
Coming up next!
By tomorrow, we'll be getting back to our regularly scheduled program and will do an update on the gameplay mechanics and card highlights of the Fairytale Games: Horror Edition. Following, we'll cover Steampunk Edition, Super Fairytale Fighters 2, and some important gameplay items for Battle Royale such as combat.
BattleCon War Remastered: Last Hours!!!
If you haven't heard, our good friends at Level 99 Games have an awesome Kickstarter campaign up right now. As I write this, they're on the final 24 hours! Please, don't miss your chance to check out this innovative and solid card game, especially with all the stretch goals currently unlocked and a lot of free swag!
BattleCON is a head-to-head dueling card game that captures the style of fighting video games like Street Fighter, Guilty Gear, Mortal Kombat, or BlazBlue–the only differences are that it plays on your kitchen table and you don't have to spend hours memorizing button combinations to become a competitive fighter.
The new BattleCON Kickstarter brings together the original favorite fighters, a set of brand new heroes, and an all-star cast of promotional fighters from games like UFS, Mage Wars, and Summoner Wars–it even includes Bruce Lee (Hmmm… foreshadowing)! Get it here on Kickstarter, there are just a few hours left!


text:
Our portfolio is under construction
As our website has recently been developed, we're still working on completing our portfolio. We understand that showcasing our work is essential in this industtry so please return soon to see view of our previous projects. However, we do have an Instagram account for an upto date feed of projects that you can see in the meantime.


text:
Profile Description
Urbanique Art & Design provides a full line of identity branding and consultation services for both print and the web. As business owners ourselves, we want you to understand that great graphic design is more than just a logo. For design to be effective, it must encompass every aspect of your business; how your brand makes your audience feel, your company organization, how you convey your ethics, to product and packaging quality, social media visuals, and of course, your logo. With so much competing for our visual attention on a daily basis, you need to be creative and consistent with your brand to stand out amongst the competition. This builds a relationship with your audience. The branding and design needs for your business are as unique as your personality. You're more than just a person. Your business is more than just a logo. Your business is YOU! And that's where we come in.
As a, self described, quirky, imaginative and unique design service company, we provide a one-stop experience. We offer specialized visual design solutions for businesses that offer a more "alternative" product or service. We love working with the travel agency specializing in cave tours. The local hip-hop artist who needs a site to showcase their music. The ATV trail and rental business. The adult novelty store. The new cannabis brand that caters to the millenial. There's a place for you here.
We understand the challenges that running an alternative business may pose. We are your problem solvers so that you can keep the passion and momentum alive to feed into your business. Our goal is to provide a comfortable platform and a one-on-one working relationship to manifest even the wildest of ideas into a real, visual presence…while maintaining a great sense of humor along the way. Don't worry, we've got you!


text:
One of the most common ailments affecting Americans today is lower back pain. It greets them first thing in the morning, and follows them around all day. It's an inconvenience and to some degrees it can even be disabling. People of different backgrounds and careers are all at risk of lower back pain, specifically sciatica pain. Many people who work in offices sitting in front of a computer all day don't recognize the stress they're actually putting on their lower back.
The same can be said for those working jobs that call them to be physically active. They can strain their lower back easily by taking on more than they can handle, or performing a movement incorrectly. Without meaning to, you can injure your lower back and greatly affect your overall mobility for months.
Solutions To Sciatica Pain
Most people run to their doctor as soon as they begin to feel pain in their lower back, which is good. But what they might not realize is that they can deal with this problem without the assistance of modern medicine. Here are some ways you can deal with sciatica pain on your own from your own home.
Proper Rest
Once you start to feel the beginnings of sciatica pain, it's important to get the proper rest. You need to rest your back for at least 48 hours to avoid straining it further. When sleeping, the best positions to sleep in are either on your side, with your knees bent and a pillow between them or on your back with a pillow under your knees. After two days of complete rest, you can begin going through your daily routine at a reduced level so as to not strain the back again and heal properly.
Lower back pain is a terrible feeling and can be debilitating. A massage can help relieve pain in the lower back as well as relieve stress and strain that we place on our bodies every day. A massage therapist is trained to work muscles to relieve tension to relieve pain, or you can have a family member rub the muscles with essential oils to relieve pain.
Cold and Hot Therapy
Applying heat or cold to your lower back are both effective in relieving swelling and back pain. Applying ice packs to your lower back where you feel swelling and pain works by shrinking your blood vessels, reducing the inflammation you experience. Heat therapy works by applying heat to the affected area which boosts circulation, alleviating back muscle spasms.
Regular Stretching
To keep you back strong and healthy and able to keep up with you, daily stretching is required. By using the proper stretches, you can strengthen your muscles and allow gaps in your vertebrae to widen, relieving stress on the nerves there that cause pain.
Natural Muscle Relaxants
You can use all natural muscle relaxants like celery seed, chamomile, and yarrow to allow your muscles to loosen up and stop from hurting. These should be applied for 3-4 days regularly. You can also try using natural pain relievers like angelica, ginger, Devil's claw, and willow bark.
Drink Plenty Of Water
Keeping yourself properly hydrated has multiple benefits for your health, including protecting your back. By steadily supplying your body with fluids, you allow it to keep all it's pieces well lubricated reducing your chance of injuring yourself.
Ginger Tea
Ginger contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties that work to relieve swelling and the pain it causes in your lower back. You can drink three cups of ginger tea for 3-4 days to help relieve pain naturally.
Hot Bath With Epsom Salts
This method combines the effects of hot therapy with the healing powers of epsom salts. The heat from the bath will improve circulation, and the epsom salts will work to heal the pain in your muscles. The whole experience is great to relieve stress and heal pain.
These methods can prove to be very effective on their own or in different combinations based on your level of discomfort. If the pain persists, you should consult your doctor and continue with these remedies. Don't suffer from sciatica pain again, and stand tall all day long.
Don't Forget To Share With Your Family And Friends On Facebook, As You Might Help Someone In Need


text:
The Current Spring Appraisal Environment
|In this article based on a recently given talk I had given at the CT Property Owner Association's monthly meeting, I was asked to give the investment community some thoughts and ideas of how local investors view the marketplace, how the appraisal community is being viewed and what steps appraisers are undertaking in such a hostile lending environment. I was asked to prepare some remarks about the current state of the appraisal profession, how loans are fairing, the current valuation process and how it affects all of you, as investors, property owners and the general public, in doing business in this presently uncertain economy.
Uncertainty has been in the air since the beginning of 2008 and rapidly became more present with the collapse of Lehman Brothers and when Bear Stearns was taken over. The collapse then became more apparent when the sub-prime loans that were going bad were more fully exposed and how these banking instruments brought down so many economic safety factors. Escalating foreclosures, less credit-worthy borrowers, both personal and corporate/business, and many of these financial institutions have further halted the growth of the economy. So much has changed globally, with our real estate world being a dominant part of the banking world.
If we study a particular niche of the market through research, (town records, Multiple Listing Services or other data resources),we can look at market trends for single and multi-family housing, land, larger properties, net-leased properties and the various other types, in context with safety, liquidity and various rates of return. Then, we may feel confident to invest in that particular market.
What facet or interest do you own, want to own or invest in the market? That question is addressed in the timing of the market.
It is Spring and what affect is the banking crisis bearing on the market and its appraisal process? Effective May 1, 2009, the rules and regulations changed for ordering and obtaining appraisals for lenders. Under the newly created HVCC Home Valuation Code and Conduct process, lenders and mortgage brokers are to be "hands off" when requesting an appraisal, such that an independent appraisal management company (AMC) will order, obtain and render payment, and distribute the appraisal report. The guidelines are such that appraisals for FHA, HUD, FNMA and FNMC can be completed by any certified approved appraiser and ordered fairly by anyone, versus a conventional loan which must be ordered through an AMC. What expertise do the AMCs have and why were they given the responsibility to monitor the appraisal quality that we, as appraisers, must follow and adhere to under USPAP (The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice)? Does the public, mortgage lenders, appraisers and you, the reader, understand what these new rules and regulations are going to do to the mortgage process? Is the mortgage money being given out or is it reluctantly being given out to mostly FHA guaranteed loans? Or, do the public and lenders feel the same and agree with having the government guarantee the money, which is slowly being doled out because the large banks, that are recipients of the TARP money, want to continue to hold onto their money to look good financially. This is why they are being careful as to how they allow mortgages to be provided.
How has the appraiser changed his or her work in doing an appraisal assignment? Effective April 1, 2009, appraisers in a federally regulated financing transaction are required to provide a 1004MC Addendum. This addendum is to illustrate what trends have happened in the real estate market within the past 3 months, 6 months, and 6 months to 1 year of the date of the appraisal. It demonstrates what has occurred as to the number of listings, sales and marketing days, if any changes in listing and sales prices, a discussion on foreclosures and commentary of what has happened in this market, and if foreclosures are the "norm" and/or should they be weighted as to the valuation process.
As appraisers, we are to be even more objective, while conforming to our uniform standards, so that we step back further and ask how the weighting of value is determined. In the case of a single family or condominium, typically the comparable sales method is the only method weighted. When appraising a different type of property, a multi-family or an income generating property, we need to objectify the income approach and review the limited amount of comparable sales to decide the weight and recapitulation as to value and use the appraiser's expertise in determining what we are really appraising.
For your thoughts, comments and questions as to where do we go from here, please feel free to respond to this article with your ideas. Thanks...
Marc Gottesdiener
RCG.246, Certified General Appraiser
Hartford, CT
May 2009