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The Central Bank of Iran is against monopolizing electronic banking and supports banks or entities that provide efficient services, the bank's governor said.
"The central bank backs the electronic services of all banks, on condition that they do not damage people's finances," Valiollah Seif was also quoted as saying by Banker.ir.
Denying allegations that CBI is standing in the way of robust banking activities by monopolizing the electronic banking industry, Seif said the bank is ready to support "anyone who claims to offer appropriate electronic banking services ".
Ayandeh Bank-affiliate eFarda, Bank Melli Iran's electronic banking platform BAM, Bank Refah's comprehensive financial management system SAMIM and Shahr Bank are currently some of the active players offering electronic banking services to Iranians.
eFarda has developed a customer loyalty platform and implemented "Iran Card", which is capable of offering services to cardholders after identifying their needs. Returning a portion of the transacted money to cardholders' account is the main feature of the platform.
BAM offers a wide range of services in a user-friendly and highly-customized environment and has more than 600,000 users.
SAMIM allows customers to plan their income and expenditure.
Shahr Bank has developed a "Forex ATM" that allows users to exchange foreign currencies into Iranian rial at the open market rate, after affirming the cardholders' identity.
As to the latest measures undertaken for providing mobile payment services, Seif said CBI is in charge of establishing infrastructures required to promote the sector.
The CBI will not establish mobile payment through telecommunications companies "but will do it through the cloud and we will probably unveil the start of mobile payment in the country next week", he added.
CBI Performance
Asked about CBI's refusal to disclose the precise number of bank transactions, Seif said the figures have been officially published and if anyone finds them lacking, the matter will be followed up "and there will be no exceptions".
"The central bank knows what it is going to do to continuously improve services offered by banks and the part concerning information technology is also supported by CBI," he added.
According to the latest data released by Shaparak, the body in charge of Iran's payment network, Iranians made 1.06 billion successful digital payment transactions worth 1.19 quadrillion rials ($30.8 billion) in the month ending December 20.
The report indicated a 31.17% growth in the number of successful digital transactions and a 46.7% growth in the value of electronic operations compared with the same period of last year.
According to Shaparak, 253,358 online gateways were active by December 21.
Questioned about CBI's nondisclosure of financial statements, Seif said, "I am surprised by this expectation because the central bank is not a commercial enterprise. Therefore, it does not need to publish its earnings report."
He noted that the bank is a state entity in charge of managing the country's monetary policies, stressing that the "central banks' revenues and losses are not commonly deemed as a barometer of its performance".
Seif, who also heads the Money and Credit Council, emphasized that if the performance of the central bank is linked to its incomes, it would undermine the bank and hurt the economy.
The annual meeting of CBI was held late February after an eight-month delay, during which the bank's balance sheet was approved.


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subset: commoncrawl


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How to Buy The Perfect Mother's Day Gifts for Special Moms in your Life
by Joy Jewlr on Feb.04, 2010, under News & Events
On such a special day, it's important to take a step back and appreciate those important mothers in your life. Whether its your sister, daughter, mother, grandmother, friend or wife… they all are special and deserve their own unique Mother's Day gifts. This is why we have come up with the perfect gifts for each and every one of the extraordinary mothers in your life.
To Your Sister – The Mom
This present is about letting your sis know how important she is, and how wonderful of a mother she is! You want to show her how much you love her, and let her know that you see how great of a job she does as a mom. For all of you that have sisters who are moms, we suggest getting her a Classic Birthstone Mother's Band! Simple, elegant, and the perfect mother ring for your sister.
To Your Daughter – The Mom
Your daughter is the most important person to you. Now, she's become a mother of her own. Mother's Day is the perfect opportunity to let her know how proud you are of her accomplishments, and of her motherhood. Show her how meaningful it is for you to have grandchildren, and how special her efforts as a mother. For your daughter whose also a mother, we think that a Heart Birthstone Mother's Ring will tell her just how important she is!
To Your Mother
Sometimes we don't spend enough time expressing how much we love mom. Mother's Day is the day to really show her how much she is loved! It's the perfect time to let her know how much you appreciate everything she does, and show her why she is the best mom you know. For your mom's gift, you need something really unique and special. That is why we think the Double Layered Birthstone and Diamond Accent Ring is just the piece of jewelry for her. Beautifully personalized, individual and just as special as your mom is!
To Your Grandmother
Grandmothers are very special people. Wise and beautiful. There aren't many days when you can devote yourself to showing your grandmother how important she is in your life, and the lives of those who love her. That's why we think getting your grandmother a Birthstone Family Tree Necklace is so perfect for the occasion. Grandmothers pride themselves on their families. Why not show her how much she is loved by personalizing a necklace with the birthstones of all of her children and grandchildren. It will be a truly meaningful and amazing gift to give.
To Your Friend – The Mom
It's easy to see the love that your friend has for her children. You are there through all of those meaningful stories she shares with you about her family and her kids. This is a very special day for someone very close to you. Why not surprise your friend with a present on Mother's Day. Show her how all of her stories and conversations about being a mom have impacted your own life, and give her something she'll always remember. We think that the Elongated Mother's Birthstone Band is the perfect gift. You can customize this ring to represent her children's birthdays and names. This special ring will be the most memorable gift you can give.
To Your Wife – The Mom
Mother's Day is the best time to show how important your wife is to you. To show her that you appreciate and notice all of her hard work. To show her how much you love her and how important she is in your life. It's a great opportunity to go above and beyond and get her something special that she will cherish and love forever. We know just the gift to give. The Square Birthstone and Diamond Family Ring is just the jewelry you've been looking for. A spot for her birthstone, a spot for your birthstone, and two special engravings that stay together forever. This will be the most meaningful gift she can receive, and she'll just love you for it!
Mother's Day comes once a year. Spend this time with her to make her feel special, important and show her how much you just love her! Gifts are special, but the time you share together will be priceless. Happy Mother's Day!
You might be interested in:
- Personalized Jewelry – The Perfect Gift
- The Perfect Valentines Day Gifts
- Personalized Jewelry – a definite trend
- Jewelry Review: Amazing Personalized Jewelry by Bonnie
- Treasure your memories with custom Black Hills Mothers Rings and Family Jewelry
Related Reading:
8 Comments for this entry
Marriage Guide
April 5th, 2010 on 9:12 pm
I noticed your blog on facebook groups. I just added you to my MSN News Reader. Keep up the good work buddy! Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Dina Tunks
April 6th, 2010 on 7:27 am
this is great ive bookmarked this one hehe
Kendrick Kozma
April 16th, 2010 on 12:07 pm
You have a new fan! I love your stuff here and will be back again.
R4 DSi
April 18th, 2010 on 2:50 am
Good post, thanks
baby knithats
April 24th, 2010 on 1:31 pm
You have a new fan! I love your stuff here and will be back again.
Rachel Price
May 12th, 2010 on 7:41 am
Happy Mother's Day to all.*-*
garbage truck
November 14th, 2010 on 7:47 am
What a post!! Very informative and easy to understand. Looking for more such posts!! Do you have a myspace?
sports supplements
December 16th, 2010 on 5:34 am
PlayStation Phone – No internal memory? That seems kind of weird since I doubt this thing will use UMD. Also, isn't the PSP2 coming out next year? Will they make a PSP Phone 2? I'm kind of skeptical on this one. well, i can't edit…but i wanted to add this. i wont be surprised if sony adds some type of adapter add on to the PS3 (something to support the IR blasters, and maybe a small unit within that add on that has more RAM) so it can support google tv. It would make so much sense for sony to be even more of a presence in the living room, other than what the ps3 can already do. If google tv ends up working out all the kinks, and getting better…i wouldn't be surprised. On top of that being a selling point (a huge one) over the Wii and similar to the Xbox integration w/ att uverse, you'd be able to get the PSP phone and the ps3 to work all buddy buddy together. the possibilities are endless if you ask me. This would be called product synergy sony…listen to me


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2020/02/18 - 2020/03/06 Digital Skills Upgrading for Job Seekers Aged 55+ (Surrey)Date: 2020/02/18 - 2020/03/06
Time: 0930-1530
Venue: S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Surrey Special Projects (Guildford Place), 245-10330 152 Street, Surrey, British Columbia, V3R 4G8
2020/02/18 - 2020/03/06
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Guildford Place, 245-10330 152 Street, Surrey, British Columbia, V3R 4G8
We have 3 Weeks of Group-Based Skills Training:
* Career Planning
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* A Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Protected Person
* Aged 55 or above
* Unemployed or precariously employed
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* Not a full-time student
* Not actively participating in, and receiving financial supports from, another provincially or federally funded labour market program
Seats are limited. For registration and enquiries, please call 778-394-8822
Please bring your Driver's License (or BCID) and Client Needs Assessment Form (If have).
*Training allowance for attendance is provided.
Fee: Free
Contact: 7783948822
Event Category: Employment Services
Registration : By Phone
Attendees Limit :12


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Happy release week to these middle grade books making their rounds through our reviewers!
Thank you to @kidlitexchange for providing the review copies of these books. All opinions are our own.
Soof by Sarah Weeks
(October 9th 2018 ~ Scholastic Press)
Photo and Review by Mary Anne ~ originally on Instagram @maryannerent
🐶Sarah Weeks's latest book is best summed up in the last sentence – "Not everything has a name." Aurora Franklin is a unique 12 year old. While she may be quirky (she wears her shirts inside out because tags bother her), she is very relatable for both male and female readers. I liked how she was able to march to the beat of her own drum, despite what others think.🐶 This book has tension, uncertainty and tragedy (in the form of a fire.) Aurora's best friend is her dog – something that many of us, adults and children, can relate to. You will find yourself rooting for her to make a true connection with a friend who can accept her as she is. The topic of luck comes up, but is it luck? Is it, instead, what was supposed to be?🐶 The chapter titles are catchy – More than a Key loves to turn – More than a spark loves to fly. 🐶This book about friendship, family and being different is my idea of a great read-aloud for middle schoolers. I just ordered it from Scholastic – it was in their 5th grade October Book Club.
Grenade by Alan Gratz
(October 9th 2018 ~ Scholastic Press)
Photo and Review by Michele ~ originally on Instagram @michelegreen120
Although it's tough to admit, this is my first Alan Gratz book! 😳 I own several others but they still sit on my #TBR!
Here, Hideki is a young boy who lives on Okinawa and is thrust into war when the Americans come to take over the island at the end of WWII. With just two grenades and his own wits, Hideki sets out on a mission to simply survive. The tales of what happens to him are gripping and grim. Several chapters are told from an American soldiers point of view which adds to the conflict these young men are experiencing.
I will definitely put this into the hands of kids in grades 5+.
The Lotterys More or Less by Emma Donoghue
(September 25th 2018 ~ HarperCollins)
Photo and Review by Jennie ~ originally on Instagram @jennienaughton
This story features a cast of characters that could be labeled the liberal Cheaper by the Dozen family. Sumac Lottery is the fifth of seven siblings who share their big house with four parents, grandfather, and five pets.
As with all large families, there is always something happening. A big storm knocks out the power, and several family members aren't able to fly home. Add in their grandfather with dementia, and you've got a lot of side plots in this story.
Honestly, I had a hard time keeping track of who's who. This is the second book in the series about The Lottery family and maybe if I had read the first one I would have been less confused.
That said, I think kids need books like these. Whether they are members of an all-white hetero family or a family with a different spin on things, the author didn't make up any of these characters.
I would for sure include this on any "We need Diverse books" lists.
The Perfect Secret by Rob Buyea
(October 9th 2018 ~ Delacorte Books for Young Readers)
Photo and Review by Shannon ~ originally on Instagram @campbrarianintn
⛺ ⛺⛺⛺⛺/5 for The Perfect Secret by Rob Buyea. The students from The Perfect Score, the first book in this series, are back and starting seventh grade. After the cheating incident the previous year the kids are all ordered to continue with Mrs. Magenta's after school program. This time the group hatches a plan to bring a family back together. Told in alternating voices, we watch as this group of friends handles a first crush, racism and complex family issues, all while trying to maintain their friendships and carrying secrets.
This is such a diverse group of kids and readers are bound to relate to at least one of the characters. Though you could read this one alone, I would really recommend starting with The Perfect Score first. It's been nice to see their transformations through the two books. I can't wait to see what the group is up to in @rob_buyea next book in the series.
The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone by Jaclyn Moriarty
(October 9th 2018 by Arthur A. Levine Books)
Photo and Review by Andrea ~ originally on Instagram @bookscatsandbutterflies
Bronte Mettlestone is a ten year old girl living with her Aunt Isabelle. Word arrives that her parents were killed in a pirate attack. Since she's never had a relationship with them, she feels oddly at ease with their death. Along with the news of her parents' death, she also learns that their will requires her to complete a journey, delivering gifts to her other ten aunts in order to save the kingdom of Gainsleigh. She sets off on her journey and soon finds out this will not be an easy task. Bronte learns more about herself, her family, magic, and pirates than she ever imagined. Can she follow her parents' instructions exactly and overcome the incredible obstacles in her way? Read to find out! I enjoyed the voice given to Bronte in this sweet middle grade fantasy/adventure. She's a funny, smart, caring character that I was cheering for from page one to the very end.
Finally, here's one we missed from September! Please forgive our mistake, and make sure
you look for this special book!
The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson
(September 25th 2018 ~ Scholastic)
Review by Lauren ~ originally on Instagram @smilelines
What a TITLE! 👇🏻
The House with Chicken Legs by @sophieandersonauthor is a middle grade fantasy book. It is a bit of a different take on the Baba Yaga folktale. There are many twists and unique additions that will not disappoint. Marinka is in charge of making sure the Dead find their way to the stars through an open Gate.
'My destiny is undecided, and that's how I like it. The possibilities are as endless as the stars.' 💫
This book makes you think a lot about growing up and dealing with grief. I read this one fast finding yourself wanting to know what this debut author has in store for her next book! Be ready to laugh and definitely shed some tears…
Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Twitter @kidlitexchange!
You can also follow our tags on Instagram and Twitter to see all of our reviews:


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False Credit Reporting Injuries and Lawsuits
While an individual's credit information is protected through the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), there are instances where FCRA provisions are violated due to the misuse or misreporting of this information. This can result in a low credit score, denial of credit or a high interest rate. In turn, individuals may have a hard time qualifying for a mortgage, car loan, job or even an apartment.
To better understand, Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRA) are responsible for keeping credit information current and accurate. This may require updating information from time to time. When this is not done, it is considered a violation of the FCRA. A few examples are reporting old debts as new, reporting an account active after it was closed by the account holder or failing to report that a debt was discharged during bankruptcy. CRAs have proved careless in some instances, providing inaccurate credit information by mixing the information of people that have similar backgrounds or who live in the same city. The bottom line regarding CRAs and false credit reporting is that they are obligated under federal and state law to remove false or inaccurate information on your credit report when notified.
When information pertaining to your credit report is falsified, it can cause financial hardship, not to mention tremendous emotional distress and humiliation. To add insult to injury, sometimes attempts to dispute inaccurate information is ignored. In this case, call the personal injury and credit damage lawyers at the Harman Law Firm. We have the resources and experience needed to put the pressure on creditors, reporting agencies and bureaus. If this means taking your case to court, you can rest assured—we are seasoned litigators, fully equipped to argue on your behalf. We'll help guide you through your dispute and ensure that your rights are protected along the way.
For a free initial consultation to discuss your credit damages, call the Harman Law Firm today.
Handling False or Illegal Credit Reporting
Often referred to as a "derogatory," false or illegal information on your credit report should be disputed. Not only should creditors (banks and debt collectors) be notified, it is wise to send dispute letters to any creditor involved, including the credit bureau.
To properly handle a false or illegal credit report, a quality dispute letter needs to clearly address the inaccuracy. The following must be included:
- Date of your letter (at top of page)
- Name and address of the credit reporting agency
- Account and account number your letter is disputing
When composing your letter, be prepared to provide proof or documentation. For instance, if the inaccurate information states that you are delinquent on payments for a certain account, you should be able to provide bank account statements, cancelled checks or confirmation that the account was paid on time. The documentation should be attached to your letter. In addition, a copy of the letter should be sent to the creditor or company that provided the false information. While some disputes can be completed online, this is not recommended. A typed letter sent by certified mail is best. As a rule, it also advised to make copies of everything you send.
You may expect to receive a written response from the credit bureau within 30 days informing you that your account has been updated. However, if the credit bureau does not respond to your dispute or if they refuse to update your account, you need to know your legal options.
The attorneys at the Harman Law Firm believe that every person deserves the right to justice when they have experienced physical or financial harm. We understand that falsified information on your credit report can be devastating and embarrassing. It can also cause you undue stress and frustration. When attempts to dispute your credit report have been unsuccessful, contact us today for a free initial consultation to discuss your situation.


text: What's up, friends? IT MIGHT SNOW HERE TOMORROW. We've already gotten snow once this winter (more on that in another post), and it's never snowed twice here in one winter, so this is pretty amazing!! Snow aside, I'm going to be sharing some of my art in today's post! The majority of my art is…… Continue reading Art Attempts + A Recent Project


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May 9, 2014 — The explosive growth of Hispanic Catholics in the U.S. is overwhelming the Catholic Church, according to a landmark Boston College study of Hispanic Catholic parishes. The newly-released report, conducted in collaboration with the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University, found that Hispanic Catholic communities are in need of change across areas of education, language, geography, ministry and outreach.
The study was covered by major publications and news outlets, including The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Our Sunday Visitor Newsweekly, National Catholic Reporter and The Washington Post.
Nearly one in every four Catholic parishes in the U.S. provides some form of organized ministry to Hispanics, but demand for services at parishes with Hispanic ministries exceeds available resources on a scale never before seen by the Church, the study found.
Parishes and dioceses with Hispanic ministry need to assign the highest priority to the development of sound strategies to invest in those ministries, said Boston College School of Theology and Ministry Assistant Professor Hosffman Ospino, lead author of the report.
The survey highlighted the necessity of additional programs to prepare Hispanic priests and church leaders. "A new generation of Hispanic leaders in the Church is emerging," said Ospino. "The question is: is the Catholic Church ready for this?"
According to Ospino, about one in five pastoral leaders serving Hispanic Catholics in major ministerial positions in parishes and dioceses are unpaid. "While clergy and vowed religious count on established support networks, a significant number of these unpaid leaders are lay women and men," he said. "Parishes and dioceses need to urgently attend to questions of fair compensation and parity with non-Hispanic ministries."
The changes are also shifting the geographic balance of influence for the Church in America, according to the study. While 61 percent of all Catholic parishes are currently located in the Midwest and Northeast, the fast-growing Hispanic population is taking hold in the South and West, where 61 percent of parishes with Hispanic ministry are now located. The Church needs to develop a strategic plan to welcome and serve this predominantly Catholic ethnic group in the U.S. or risk alienating them, according to Ospino.
To view the report, click hereand find out more about the study here. [Source: Boston College]


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Hope you like my latest paintings. I'm loving the summer weather. I must be getting better because I can't stand being cooped up in the house.
Author Archives: mjcanes2014
Health Update
It's been ages since I last posted. My paintings are still on the walls. The last two weeks have been busy with doctors. The last time I saw the neurologist, Dr Gaska (one of Dr. Lang's assistants) I felt bullied and they badgered me about my refusal to take anti anxiety medication. This visit was completely different. I went prepared; I gave Dr. Gaska a gift of my hand painted greeting cards which she appreciated very much. She was also amazed at how much I had improved since the last visit. I have managed to reduce the Sinamet from six tablets down to two. When Dr. Lang joined Dr. Gaska he too was very impressed and said I was managing my illness well. The following week I saw Dr. Zurowsky, the neuropsychiatrist. He said my progress was stupendous. He suggested that I try to wean myself off the Lorazapam. He thinks I don't have to be on it any longer so long as I do it slowly.
I am continuing to work with clients on Skype or on the telephone and this brings me great joy. I am feeling much stronger and eating and sleeping better, however I am still plagued by anxiety.
I'm still continuing to paint and am also exploring pastels.
Thanks to all my friends and family for your loving kindness and support.
Lots of love,
p.s. here are some of my latest paintings.
Giving Thanks
Giving Thanks
I want to thank all those who helped me launch my very first Art Show.
Firstly, I want to thank the Divine for supporting my body and enabling me to enjoy and participate in the Rolling Hills Studio Tour.
About 50 – 60 people came through our doors. Seeing my pictures framed on my walls gives me great pleasure.
Special thanks goes to Lucya Almeida for suggesting that I exhibit and believing in me. She and Sandra McGregor helped me select the best paintings. Thanks to Julia Harris for giving me my first lessons in watercolour and in accompanying me to the framers. We chose simple white matts and light wood frames.
My darling sister arrived from London, England on May 1st. She helped me sort and label the many cards, bookmarks, tags and envelopes.
I also want to thank my caregivers Anita, Colleen and Cathy who each helped in their own way.
I want to thank Brent, Lucy and Stella for putting up with my mess. Thanks to Tara McDunnough for introducing me to Gelli printing and Bonny Anthony for teaching me to make the little gift boxes.
Finally to all of you who came, I thank you.
The show was more successful than I could have hoped for. A board member from the Lindsay Art Gallery invited me to who my work there.
I still have lots of cards and paintings and will keep the paintings up for another couple of weeks, so it's not too late to come and view them.
Love, Moira
P.s. Here is a picture of my sister and I, sitting in the 'exhibition room'. And two new paintings.
The last two weeks have been especially challenging. I came down with a bad cold and I am still recovering from it. It started in my chest and worked itself up to my head and it is still lingering. I had to postpone my appointment with the neurologist. I also have been trying to wean off the Sinamet by replacing it with a natural form of leva-dopa. The result was that I had too much leva- dopa in my system which gave me dyskinesia and put a lot of stress on my body, making me very anxious. On a more positive note I went to pick up my paintings from the framer and am thrilled with how they look. They are already hanging in the dining and living rooms. I do hope some of you will be able to come to the show. In addition to the gift cards I have been making matching boxes made out of the 'gelli' prints. My girlfriend, Bonnie, taught me how to make little treasure boxes to place some of the cards in. So there is something for everyone, bookmarks, cards, tags, and paintings in all sizes. Here are two of my most recent paintings and 3 cards.
Invitation To My Art Show and Health Update
It's been ages since I last wrote. Part of the reason is that I've been having a really hard time. I was doing really well but then Life became very challenging because I was trying to ween myself off Sinamet and it was not going too well. I was experiencing terrible dyskinesia which suggests that I had too much liva dopa. I was completely out of balance. I'm working with a pharmacist, Chakeeb, who also knows natural supplements and botanicals. His name means patience. A quality I sorely need. The Mukona Impuriens that I was taking was stronger than the previous brand. I had to ween off it. I've reduced the Sinamet by 1 1/2 pills. Now I am waiting for a new supply of mukona impuriens to arrive, and we'll try again.
Thanks to the marijuana oil I'm sleeping much better, but free floating anxiety is still an issue.
Last week I had 3 excellent days. I met up with my friend Julia to get my pictures framed for my first art show. See the invitation below by clicking on it. The show is part of the Rolling Hills Studio Tour. I hope you can come.
I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease and Parkinson's Disease. In Feb 2012, I became very ill, anxious, sleepless and depressed – I wanted to die, but I didn't want to die in that mental state. I shed many, many tears. At some point on my journey I began to take up painting again and found it healing. I felt inspired by nature and her beautiful colours. I felt cheered. Recently, I came across Chogyam Trungpa's book SHAMBHALA, The Sacred Path of the Warrior, and his words resonated profoundly with my experience. Then I knew for sure I was on the right path because almost everything Trungpa wrote concurred with my experience.
QUOTATIONS taken from the writings of Chogyam Trungpa
"The Shambhala teachings are founded on the premise that there IS basic human wisdom that can help to solve the world's problems. This wisdom does not belong to any one culture or religion, nor does it come only from the West or the East. Rather, it is a tradition of human warriorship that has existed in many cultures at many times throughout history."
"In Tibet, as well as many other Asian countries, there are stories about a legendary kingdom that was a source of learning and culture for present day Asian societies. According to the legends, this was a place of peace and prosperity, governed by wise and compassionate rulers. The citizens were equally kind and learned so that, in general, the kingdom was a model society. This place was called Shambhala….
Warriorhip here does not refer to making war on others. Aggression is the source of our problems, not the solution. Here the word "warrior" is taken from the Tibetan pawo, which literally means "one who is brave". Warriorship in this context is the tradition of human bravery, or the tradition of fearlessness…
The key to warriorship and the first principle of Shambhala vision is not being afraid of who you are. Ultimately, that is the definition of bravery: not being afraid of yourself. Shambhala vision teaches that, in the face of the world's great problems, we can be heroic and kind at the same time. Shambhala vision is the opposite of selfishness…."
When I'm feeling ill and experiencing pain, I feel completely self-absorbed and self-centred. I cannot feel my inner warrior, only my victim. So, to begin with, Trungpa suggests that " we should make an effort to examine our own experience in order to see what it contains that is of value in helping ourselves and others to uplift their existence.
"If we are willing to take an unbiased look, we will find that, in spite of all our problems and confusion, all our emotional and psychological ups ad downs, there is something basically good about our existence as human beings. Unless we can discover that ground of goodness in our own lives, we cannot hope to improve the lives of others. If we are simply miserable wretched beings, how can we possibly imagine, let alone realize, an enlightened society?"
This was/is my challenge.
Trungpa writes:
"Discovering real goodness comes from appreciating very simple experiences…We are speaking here of the basic goodness of being alive- which does not depend on our accomplishments or fulfilling our desires. We experience glimpses of goodness all the time, but we often fail to acknowledge them. When we see a bright color, we are witnessing our own inherent goodness. When we hear a beautiful sound, we are hearing our own basic goodness. When we step out of the shower, we feel fresh and clean, and when we walk out of a stuffy room, we appreciate the sudden whiff of fresh air. These events may take a fraction of a second, but they are real experiences of goodness. They happen to us all the time, but usually we ignore them as mundane or purely coincidental. According to the Shambhala principles, however, it is worthwhile to recognize and take advantage of those moments, because they are revealing basic nonaggression and freshness in our lives – basic goodness.
Every human being has a basic nature of goodness, which is undiluted and unconfused. That goodness contains tremendous gentleness and appreciation. As human beings, we can make love. We can stroke someone with a gentle touch; we can kiss someone with gentle understanding. We can appreciate beauty. We can appreciate its vividness; the yellowness of yellow, the redness of red, the greenness of green, the purpleness of purple. Our experience is real. When yellow is yellow, can we say it is red, if we don't like the yellowness of it? That would be contradicting reality. …. We can cure ourselves of depression if we recognize that the world we have is good, but it is good because we can experience its goodness…The human potential for intelligence and dignity is attuned to experiencing the brilliance of the bright blue sky, the freshness of green fields, and the beauty of the trees and mountains. We have an actual connection to reality that can wake us up and make us feel basically, fundamentally good. Shambhala vision is tuning in to our ability to wake ourselves up and recognize that goodness can happen to us. In fact, it is happening already."
It is my hope that my paintings and cards will atune you to your basic goodness.
The archetype of the spiritual warrior has shown up elsewhere in my life.
Interestingly, synchronistically, I drew the rune Teiwaz, The Spiritual Warrior." Patience is the virtue of this Rune, and it recalls the words of St. Augustine that the reward of patience is patience.
The molding of character is at issue when you draw Teiwaz. We are asked to look within and delve down to the foundations of life itself. Only in so doing can we hope to meret the deepest needs of our nature and tap into our most profound resources. We have to learn to align the self with the Self.
This is what my illness is teaching me.
Blessings to you all.
P.S. Hope you like these paintings and that they cheer you up.
Health update – much progress
Here is a brief update on how I'm doing.
I am a lot better than I was. I'm driving again. I'm much stronger and am able to do a grocery shop. Yesterday I was on my own from 3 in the afternoon and all through the evening. So, anxiety is much better. I have taken on my first client. It's great to be working again.
I'm very busy making envelopes for all the cards that I have made. It's a bit of a daunting task, but slowly they are getting done. I'm planning an exhibition in May. It will be held at Lucy's Studio in Toronto. I'll also be part of the studio tour in Bethany over the Mother's Day weekend. There's lots to do.
Sleep is still a hit and miss affair. Sometimes I get four hours and sometimes eight. Today I only had 4 hours. When I can't sleep, I pray, listen to music and see what awareness this sleeplessness is bringing me.
I'm gradually cutting down on the sinamet because I've found another natural source of liva-dopa.
I was very bloated and today, and very tired, out of sorts. This bloated feeling makes me lose my appetite.
My spirit has definitely been more positive. I'm learning more and more that I am held in the arms of Love.
I've been listening to Michael Stillwater's Graceful Passages. It is a wonderful cd. I thank Walter Sienko for introducing it to me.
Love and blessings to you all. Thank you for keeping me in your prayers and for all the kindness you express both to me and to all with whom you are in relationship.


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(N)Solstorms Sheldor of Azeroth
Colour: SIB n 24
Born: 15.08.2015
Mother: IC (N)Solstorms Magda - min Midtsommernattsdrøm JW
Father: IC Harry Larja Fantasia,CZ
HCM normal 31/5-2016
cs-gene carrier
Carries full colour
Sheldor lives in Harstad as a pet.
He is a handsome boy from Magdas first litter. He is first and foremost a pet and will not stay in breeding for long.
We have planned a few dates for him before he is neutered.
Not shown yet


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Last week, the Silicon Valley Chapter of the American Marketing Association (SVAMA) invited me to participate on their panel, Mobile Marketing: Creating An Effective Mobile Experience for Your User. I discussed mobile marketing strategy alongside marketing mavens Deborah Kelson, former Senior Director of Mobile and Multichannel Marketing of Walmart eCommerce, and Dave Lawson, Director of Mobile and Digital Unification of Knotice, an IgnitionOne Company. Shannon Ryan, Founder & CEO of ArchetypeDNA, moderated the panel.
Key Takeaways
1.Marketers need to account for the differences of mobile from other traditional media channels, such as TV and online, yet still incorporate similar elements to create a cohesive multi-channel ad experience. Oftentimes, marketers try to force their traditional strategies into mobile. Although mobile complements other channels, it is its own separate channel and should be treated as such. Marketers most likely wouldn't air the same exact TV commercial on the radio - instead, they may emphasize individual media attributes, e.g. sound for radio or video for television, but still incorporate many of the same elements, e.g. characters, voice, product slogan, to develop a cohesive multi-channel experience. The same goes for mobile. Examples of mobile properties to consider are physical attributes, e.g. screen sizes or touchscreen capabilities; usage context, e.g. while commuting or while at home; and connectivity.
2.Mobile is highly personalized; customization is essential to designing an engaging mobile experience. When crafting a mobile strategy, marketers need to understand how their consumers are using mobile in every day life and how consumers are using mobile specifically to help them shop for certain products or services. Marketers should also understand what consumers expect of their ads. Using this information, marketers can create specially targeted and relevant ad experiences to their consumers. For example, we noticed a correlation between car preference and ad preference, and we also noticed a correlation between car preference and mobile content consumption. In this instance, marketers can target vehicle-specific ads to the sites most frequented by their consumers
3.Before designing creatives, marketers should identify key performance indicators (KPIs) and optimize their campaigns against these metrics. This will determine how successfully they view their strategies and how they then optimize their campaigns. Sample KPIs include (but are not limited to): in-ad behavioral metrics, e.g. engagement rate, dwell time, and link-out rate;cost metrics, e.g. cost-per-acquisition (CPA), cost-per-download (CPD), and revenue-per-dollar spent; and standard brand metrics, e.g. brand lift, purchase intent and message association.
4.Mobile marketing is evolving. From geo-fencing to native advertising, the possibilities are limitless. Stay ahead of the curve and up-to-date on emerging technologies and trends.
In short: Optimize! Optimize! Optimize! Marketers should optimize their strategies to mobile devices. Marketers should optimize their ad experiences to their consumers' preferences. And marketers should optimize their campaigns to meet and exceed their KPIs. Keeping these points in mind, marketers can maximize their opportunities on mobile.
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You are currently browsing the category archive for the 'reviews' category.
It is time to review the online fabric store Hawthorne Threads. I have placed and received three orders from them so far.
Website: The website is the best I have seen for a fabric store.
Fabric can be viewed by the usual manufacture, designer or collection. There are also several theme categories such as animals, children's and solids. You can search by keyword.
On top of the regular browsing, they also have a great color search. You can select a color from a color grid or search for coordinates by color in a specific print.
The fabric swatch pictures are square and a decent size for searching and viewing on the specific fabric pages. I think they just use the standard pictures from the manufacture. Sometimes a scale will be noted. It would be nice if the scale was always included and additional pictures provided, especially for large scale prints. Sometimes I have to go looking around for additional pictures outside of the site.
Although they do not provide additional pictures, anyone can upload pictures of their handmade items using the fabric. I find it very helpful to see these action shots. The submitted pictures can be linked to your website/store/blog.
Selection: One of the big perks to this site is the large selection of prints. Combining shipping is a big part of getting the best deal when shopping online, so it is great to be able to stuff an envelope with fabric for many projects. However, as the store is popular, many prints sell out very quickly! I had my eye on some fabric coming soon but didn't jump on it right when it came out (you can sign up for email notifications) and it was sold out in less than a week.
I said they have a large selection of prints, the solids selection isn't great. They have some Color Spectrum and Free Spirit Designer solids. Maybe these solids are great (I have never tried them), but I find it extremely difficult to pick solid colors from a computer screen. Because of a couple oops solid purchases, I bought a Kona Cotton colour card. Hawthorne Threads does not carry Kona Cotton Solids. Maybe they are just being polite to the solids sellers out there, because a store with a good selections and prices of both prints and solids would probably take a lot of the business away from the predominately solid sellers.
Money Matters:
Base prices are comparable to other online fabric stores. Quilting weight cotton prints are generally $8.00 per yard. Home dec weights range from around $13.75 to $15.95 per yard with many on sale.
Hawthorne Threads uses are Tiered Pricing system. Discounts are given based on order size, order history and cut.
An order over 3 yards will give a discount of 25 cents per yard and over 15 yards is 35 cents per yard. These discounts are a little push to help you jump into the next level of shipping and buy more to get the cost per yard down.
As you see from the graph, the cost per yard jumps when you hit a new shipping tier (e.g. 2 1/8 yards, 9 1/8 yards, 18 1/8 yards). Generally it is cheaper to stuff an envelope, unless you are suddenly buying a bunch of stuff you don't want! If I have room in my envelope, I team up with a friend to fill it. Also, I am jealous of the cheap shipping to the United States! Canada and Everywhere Else can decide if the overall cost is better than the local options.
If you manage to rack up an order history of 40+ yards, take off another 15 cents/yard. 100+ 25 cents. 400+ 50 cents.
Cuts 15+ yards are discounted by 50 cents/yard.
Shipping/Packaging: Shipping is comparable to other online fabric stores. In Canada, expect to wait 1-2 weeks. Fabric comes clean and wrapped in tissue paper. Cuts are accurate.
Overall: I like this store and I will order more fabric in the future. The selection and quality are good, shipping and packaging are as expected, and the prices are reasonable.
Two Sundays ago I went on a fabric ordering frenzy. I placed orders at three different online fabric stores – Pink Panda Fabrics, Hawthorne and Pink Chalk. I thought the Pink Chalk order might get here the fastest because it is located just outside Seattle which is very close geographically, but across the border. However, the Canadian Pink Panda won the race even though it is in Ontario.
The main draw to Pink Panda was the free shipping to Canada. 5% off orders over $50. Shipping is free to the US for orders over $99, but I suspect their main business is in Canada at their prices, except maybe for some speciality items. Remember to factor in sales tax Canadians!
The standard quilting weight cotton cost is $10.99/yard. Even with shipping included, this price is still more than most American stores with the US and CAN dollar equivalent. However, some of the more expensive fabrics are a good deal. They carry Etsuko Furuya by Echino and some fabrics are currently on sale for $16.15/yard.
I bought a yard of minky for $14.99. The same fabric was $16.99 at local Dressew. I got 1/2 yard green and 1/2 yard blue.
Total time to receive the package was 8 business days. The packaging was a standard plastic envelope. It didn't fit into my tiny mailbox so I had to go pick it up.
I brought the package home, opened it and measured the fabric. I don't know if people usually measure, but I don't have a good sense for size yet so I do. First I measured the green fabric. 3/4 yard. Then I checked my order: yes, it was 1/2 yard. So I measured again. Yes, 3/4 yard. Bonus? Maybe it was to make up for the wonky cut of the blue fabric (end of roll I think, slightly over 1/2) which also was a little dirty in one spot (looks like 4 grubby finger prints). It should wash up okay, but someone needs to wash their paws after lunch!
Overall: I have only tried Pink Panda once, and overall it leaves me with a so-so feeling. It does seem to get here a bit faster than the US stores on average. The included shipping is nice because I don't have to trying to stay within a shipping bracket. I also don't have to try to milk the most out of the shipping and I don't feel bad ordering from this store as well as another at the same time. The fabric cut was generous yet sloppy. I am tempted to get some Echino, but I definitely don't want any messy fingers on that! But I wouldn't say no to a little extra…
Update June 5, 2010: I ordered a couple yards of Echino fabric for $16.15/yard which included shipping in Canada. I received the package in good condition in 5 business days. The cut was accurate and the fabric was clean. I would order sale fabric from Pink Panda again.
My first online fabric buying experience was with uberstitch. Actually, my second experience was with uberstitch as well!
The first time I bought 2 yards to back my tree quilt (I will get around to that soon…)
Cost: $15.50 + $4 shipping to Canada = $9.75/yard
Shipping costs seem to be pretty standard. This order took 10 business days to arrive, 2 weeks total. Since the store is in Florida, the wait was expected. The package even managed to be stuffed into my tiny mailbox.
The second order was for a bunch (16) fat quarters plus two 1 yard cuts and a half yard cut. One of the yard cuts was on sale for $7. The main reason I went from this store was because they carried Andrea Victoria from Riley Blake (for a 'mom' quilt) and they cut fat quarters. I also bought my prints for the traffic quilt in this order.
Not only do they cut fat quarters or 1/4 yards, it is 4 for $7.75! If you want less than four it will be $2.25 each. But back to the main point, $7.75 for four fat quarters is the same as the yardage cost. Most places I have seen charge a pretty premium for FQ packs. They also have no problem mixing and matching.
Cost: $15.50 + $4 shipping to Canada = $9.32/yard (Note: 1 yard was on sale)
The fabric arrived in one week! One week? Seriously? I guess it hopped over the border quickly this time. Really the fabric stores have no control over the US/CA postal service. The fabric was nicely cut and folded. I had forgotten how many FQs I had ordered and unfolding them was a fun surprise. Everything was placed neatly inside a brown paper bag.
Overall: I recommend uberstitch if they have the fabric you like. They do carry some nice lines, but the selection is very small compared to some bigger stores. The standard price is $7.75/yard which I find to be low-average. They will cut custom fat quarters for 4/$7.75.
Oh Dressew!
If you sew and you live in Vancouver I bet you know this place.
As I live near downtown, the biggest perk for me is that it is very convenient for me to get to Dressew. My crafty friend also works right by here so I am easily tempted to meet up for a quick fix.
Fabric: The fabric selection isn't great for my tastes. They don't have much on the 100% cotton front. The nice printed cotton tends to be around $13/m. There are a few solids around $6.99/m. In a bind I will buy some so so fabric. Of course they have a large selection of other types of fabrics from other fibres, but I don't use those so I can't really judge the quality. The clearance section downstairs sometimes has something worth while. I got some herringbone for $4/m to make cloth napkins. My friend also got some to make kids jackets.
UPDATE May 4, '10: They added a bunch of Michael Miller, mostly dots and stripes.
Notions! Walls of buttons, zippers, buckles, needles, ribbons, tools – they have it! Sadly they don't carry cotton thread. Grrrr!
UPDATE May 4, '10: They now have cotton thread! Either I couldn't find it before or they expanded their selection. I am still not sure about the quality, but I got some black to try out for place mats.
Overall: Go for some notions. Maybe get some fabric in a bind. Check out the clearance fabrics for some hidden gems.
Warning! We often go to 'look around' or 'buy a couple things' and end up with big bags and leave $40 less. Where did that money go? No idea…
Money Matters: Cash or debit only
Location: 337 West Hastings Street, Vancouver – Downtown (Yes, somewhat sketchy for the folks from small towns or the burbs – you will probably see some junkies and you might be asked for change.) It is downtown so parking sucks, but I only take public transit. It is right on the 20 busline (or any of the other many buses down Hastings). I usually walk from Stadium skytrain station which takes about 7 minutes. You could easily walk from Waterfront or Burrard as well.
Hours: 9am – 5:15pm, closed Sundays.
I live in Vancouver Canada. It isn't a tiny place so there are several fabric stores around. However, the selection for nice cotton fabric is somewhat limited or expensive. I won't say I hate shopping in real life stores for fabric, but I find it very overwhelming and tiring.
The fabric I love is more easily found online. Probably the most annoying part is trying to find everything you want in one (impossible!) or two stores. Unfortunately most of the good deals are from stores in the US so shipping cost and time goes up to approximately 2 weeks! Ouch. But I do like to browse around online while procrastinating and it is hard to keep track of all the various stores, so I have decided to do some record keeping here for my own future reference (and anyone else interested).
Expect general reviews from stores where I have made purchases – online or around the Vancouver area. You should also prepare yourself for graphs (ie total cost vs # yards, comparisons of shipping speed, etc) because that is just how I roll!


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Browsing Research documents by Author "Lyons, Lenore"
Now showing items 1-1 of 1
Feminist Responses to Reproductive Policy in SingaporeLyons, Lenore (København, 2005)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: This paper examines recent debates about reproductive policy in Singapore by examining the responses of two different groups of women - women Members of Parliament and feminist activists. Women currently make up 10% of MPs in Singapore. Although this figure is low when compared to average rates of female representation globally, it is the highest level in Singapore since Independence. All these women are members of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) in power since 1959. While publicly supportive of the view of the PAP male elite, this group of women has introduced a level of critique into reproductive policy not previously seen by the Singapore public. Local women's groups too have played a visible role in public debates about population policy. The feminist group, the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) has had a long interest in reproductive policy issues and released its own position paper to address the government's recent policy making. This paper examines the responses of these two groups of women towards the PAP's pro-natalist stance. It explores the extent to which these women have challenged the PAP as well as the obstacles to an independent feminist voice on population matters Keywords: Singapore, population policy, reproductive policy, total fertility rate, feminism, women in politics URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7402
Files in this item: 105-04 cdp lyons bibl version.pdf (139.5Kb)
Now showing items 1-1 of 1


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Cabbage Kuzhambu/ Curry
Cabbage kuzhambu is very old recipe of Tamil Nadu. This recipe is also called cabbage poricha kuzhambu, This is prepared in a coconut gravy with some Indian spices. This dish tastes very close to korma, but its different because of the veggies used and consistency is runny. This recipe can be prepared with Indian drumstick or brinjal or cabbage. Sometimes with all the three veggies. If you have kids who don't eat cabbage or are you bored of making the same cabbage kootu and cabbage poriyal recieps, try this recipe I am sure you will try again.
Shredded Cabbage - 1 cup.
Onion - 1 (Chopped)
Tomato - 1 (Chopped)
Chilli powder - 1 tsp
Coriander Powder - 1 tsp
To temper:
1 Bay leaf
3 cloves
3 green cardamoms.
To Grind:
Shredded Coconut - 3 Tbsp
cashew nut - 3 or 4
green chilli - 1
kasa kasa or poppy seeds - 1/2 tsp
Sombhu or fennel seeds - 1 tsp.
1. Add chopped onions, tomatoes and cabbage in a sauce pan and add 1 cup of water.
2. Cover and cook the vegetable on medium heat for 4-5 min.
3. After 5 min, add salt chilli powder and coriander powder, cover and cook for 3-4 min on medium heat.
4. Meanwhile, blend the shreeded coconut, cashews, fennel seeds and 1 green chilli in a blender by adding 1/2 cups of water. Make a thick paste.
5. Add this coconut paste to the cabbage curry and cook them for another 2-3 min or until the coconut is well cooked.
6. To temper, heat oil in a separate pan. When the oil is hot add cloves, cardamoms and bay leaf. After a minute add this hot oil with the spices to the cabbage kuzhambu.
7. Garnish with some fresh coriander and serve hot with rice.


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"I beat everybody I knew there," he says, "and that's what's important."
Saturday, May 21, 2016
I meet my neighbor coming out of his apartment. "Hey, didn't you run the Brooklyn Half Marathon today? How did you do?"
Posted by Scott Lee Williams at 10:30 PM
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text: The DS 750 Ion Exchanger by Stakpure has been specifically developed to fulfil the requirements of doctor's practices and small laboratories. It supplies a daily volume of up to 10 litres of high-quality demineralised water that, used as rinsing water, prevents the formation of striations or stains on washed instruments. It is also suitable for use as battery water. Tap water flows under its own pressure into the plastic cartridge in which it is subjected to the proven technique of ion exchange during the free flow of it through the mixed bed of long-life anion and cation resins. The further parts of the system are an analogue contuctivity meter, a wall mount for convenient positioning and a set of hoses. All stakpure ion-exchange system conform to current standards such as ASTM, CLSI, DIN EN 13060 and VDE 0510.


text: Ikrananka 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2016 I have just published on YouTube the first video in my Getting Started Tutorial series of videos covering the B-17 The Mighty 8th game. https://youtu.be/RMwKq7V0duU Please check it out and let me know what you think. If you appreciate the video then please "Like" it and subscribe to my channel to receive updates as I add new videos to the series over the coming weeks. All feedback is welcome. Thanks and Enjoy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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Sunday night, Kyle Chandler won an Emmy for outstanding lead actor in his role as coach Eric Taylor on Friday Night Lights. Don't be fooled by the title; the show isn't about football. It's about community, and it's absolutely outstanding. If FNL were a stock, I'd own it.
And yet, since its inception, FNL has been underappreciated and misunderstood. In fact, wildly popular ESPN.com columnist Bill Simmons had to take to his bully pulpit in 2007 to help save the show from cancellation.
What's this have to do with investing?
When you have a great product that doesn't seem to gain any traction with consumers, there's one target that's always in the crosshairs: management.
I won't get into the details of how NBC seriously mismanaged FNL; instead, I want to talk about another company with an outstanding product that management is absolutely wasting: Rosetta Stone
Se habla Espanol?
One year ago, my wife and I decided to move to Costa Rica for six months. In order to prepare, we bought all five levels of Rosetta Stone's Latin American Spanish. I'm happy to say that after having used the product, and having seen others try a smorgasbord of other options to lesser success, we are fully convinced that the product -- and its immersion technique -- was well worth the money.
We aren't alone, either; founding Fool David Gardner picked Rosetta Stone for his Stock Advisor service 19 months ago. Although Rosetta competes against CBS'
Management nightmares
Things started crumbling when Rosetta lost two C-Level executives in the course of just two months in 2010, and things continued to get worse from there.
A major snafu by the company's marketing executives led to far fewer ads in late 2010 than years past. At the time, CEO Tom Adams said the marketing woes, not weak U.S. consumer demand, were the reason for slow sales.
But by March 2011, Adams was changing his tune, saying that Rosetta Stone wasn't for most U.S. consumers, whom he termed language-learning dabblers.
Missed opportunities galore
As much as Adams' reversal irks me, it's the lack of forward thinking that has really gotten under my skin.
Consider: The company still has kiosks that sell the discs in airports and malls, instead of having transitioned to a subscription model where the software is cloud-based. Netflix wrote the blueprint for this years ago, but apparently there wasn't much creative thinking happening behind closed doors at Rosetta.
Also consider: The current price point is still very high (we paid $600 for all five levels). Even if done semi-regularly, it takes a long time to complete all five levels. A simple $30 per month subscription fee would lock in customers and probably bring in more revenue over time.
One more point to consider: The company's recent guidance for a loss in institutional revenue is completely unacceptable. As a former teacher, I can say with a degree of conviction that Rosetta is squandering an enormous opportunity in K-12 education.
We have a serious shortage of foreign language teachers in the U.S., and some schools are cutting their programs because they can't afford them. In most instances, a school's subscription to Rosetta costs far less than the salary and benefits of a teacher.
If education companies like Corinthian Colleges
So why am I even holding?
Sometimes, even when your thesis turns out to be false, you still end up making money. I'm not saying that's guaranteed to be the case with Rosetta, but its growth in international sales, which are up 75% over the past 12 months, could end up being a huge boon for the company.
Right now, international consumers make up just over 20% of Rosetta's revenue. But that number will continue to grow as the company focuses on -- as Adams likes to say -- consumers for which learning a new language means bread, not cake.
Emerging markets represent a huge opportunity, and this is the one area where the company has not skipped a beat. As it makes up just about 2% of my portfolio now, I'm willing to hold to see how things turn out.
More ideas
If after my article, you find yourself excited about Rosetta Stone, I encourage you to dig a little deeper into its international potential, which could be a gold mine. If, however, you find yourself wanting a few more ideas, I encourage you to check out The Motley Fool's latest special free report: "The Hottest IPO of 2011." Inside, you'll get details of a company that could produce returns similar to those you would have gotten if you had invested in McDonald's circa 1971. The report is yours today, absolutely free!


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As seen on last night's episode of Monday Night Raw, Triple H threatened John Cena by saying that he had a "Plan B", which prompted Seth Rollins to come out with the Money in the Bank briefcase behind Cena on the entrance ramp. Although it may have appeared as though Triple H was referring to Rollins and the MITB contract, it's being reported that Triple H's "Plan B" could turn out to be "The Beast" Brock Lesnar.
There's been a lot of speculation over the past few days that a Title match between Cena and Lesnar could eventually take place, possibly at SummerSlam.
July 1, 2014
Rumor Mill - Triple H's "Plan B" Reference
~ Kayfabe by Kaliqo~ at 6:44 PM
Labels: Brock Lesnar, John Cena, Rumor Mill, Seth Rollins, SummerSlam, Triple H


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Cat Lover Gifts
"Excuse me... you really need to read this to keep up with what's going on at Cat Lover Gifts World"
If You're Giving Cat Lover Gifts
It Helps to Know What Makes a Cat... a Cat?
There are as many definitions of what a cat is as there are cat owners. Usually the descriptions go something like, "cats are graceful and agile", or, "kittens are too cute". Others will try to define cats by their personality such as, "cats are independent and loners", or "cats are stubborn and strong willed". All those descriptions are accurate, but they don't give a clue as to why the cat came to possess such unique traits which make her stand out so differently from all other domestic pets.
It's generally agreed by scientists that today's house cat is descended from a small African wildcat, Felis Silvestris Libyca. This ancient relative developed the ability to define and protect territory that could produce a reliable food source for her survival. She also developed nocturnal habits to take advantage of prey with night time activities, which became her primary food source. At the same time the covering darkness protected her from becoming prey herself. The cat's most defining characteristics can be summed as follows:
It is given that there are 5 characteristics that identify a cat:
Understanding these characteristics will answer most of the questions about why cats act as they do. Remember, cats are the newest animal to become domesticated by people and, consequently still have a strong tie to their 'wild' beginnings. It may be disappointing to learn that much of the cat's mystique is rooted in their wild, ancestral history (versus, say, being descended from aliens), but, it can also alleviate much of the frustration that people feel when trying to understand why cats will act so seemingly contrary to modern human expectations.
To read more about the African wildcat's early activities and how they relate to the domestic cat's personality and habits, visit our Cat Behavior page which has a full discussion on the subject.
Cat Ownership is a Serious Responsibility.
Before you even get to the point of considering of bringing a cat into your home or buying a cat lover gift for anyone, some basic questions need to be asked prior to becoming a cat owner. Being a cat owner implies the responsibility for being a dedicated and capable care provider. Simply put, if you want the consummate and unconditional companionship that a cat can give to people, you have to give her something in return. Namely a carefully appointed home she can 'rule'. Besides her environment, good health care is immensely important; physical as well as mental. Don't be put off by the term 'carefully appointed home'. It just means you will have to provide some things, including cat furniture, for her benefit. Think of it as 'cat proofing' your home. First, though, go through this check-list to see if you qualify for cat ownership:
Here we arrive at the concept of what a true cat lover gift is:
"The true Cat Lover Gift is your willingness, as a cat owner, to acquire the knowledge of the basic nature of a cat, and to use this knowledge to properly care for a cat. This knowledge will define what kinds of cat lover gifts you will bring home for her".
Your cat lover gifts to her is a deep and meaningful concern for her well-being, and, to commit to that concern for her entire life. If you find that, after trying to provide for a cat, that you cannot continue to care for her... there are ways to relieve yourself of the responsibility. Even then you will have to go extra lengths to find her a new home with someone who will care for her as much as you would want to.
You Deserve Cat Lover Gifts, too...
And, so do your cat loving friends. Anyone who has owned a cat can tell stories of how kitty had brought home a cat lover gift treasure from her prowls. Sometimes it's a field mouse, maybe a large beetle. Sometimes it can be a woodchuck or squirrel. I can remember hearing my cat 'Pimple" (she was named Pimple because she had a black spot on her nose and a white spot on the tip of her tail) yowling so loudly at the back door I thought something was very wrong. When I raced to her, I found her proudly standing over the first lizard she had ever caught and had brought it home to present to me. She was so excited to show me her catch. She really meant well, but, I told her she should leave the shopping to me.
Do you think she'd listen to me?? No way.
"I know Nordstroms is around here someplace!"Cat lover gifts for people can range from cat t-shirts to fine jewelry, framed cat posters to kitty costumes. There are even dating services for pet owners. There's literally a whole world of cat lover gifts to choose from. Cat art can bring a touch of sophistication to your home or office and can be either whimsical or of fine art quality. Books make wonderful gifts whether the subjects are related to the proper care of cats, cat pictures, children's stories about cats or gaining encyclopedic knowledge of cats in the wild. Books always make fine cat lover gifts for thoughtful people.
What About Giving Kittens as Cat Lover Gifts??
Giving a cat or kitten as a gift is a good idea unless you are confident about what you're doing. Remember, a kitty as a gift means you're also giving someone a huge responsibility. Only in special cases should you consider giving a live pet as a gift.
When Pimple died suddenly, a friend of mine offered a new kitten to me. She knew that I was distraught over the passing of Pimple, and she knew how much I cared for cats. But she did the right thing and took me to see the kitty saying it was available if I wanted her. She didn't just plunk the new kitty into my lap. As it turned out, I couldn't resist. The kitty came home with me without any hesitation. I named her Miami.
If you want to teach your children how to appreciate and relate to life in all its manifestations, bringing a pet kitty home can be an unparalleled experience. Children will need guidance regarding the treatment of and respect for a cat's habits and behavior characteristics. Parent's will need to be involved with the total experience of pet ownership from adoption of the cat, caring for the cat, and when the time comes, to handling the loss and bereavement of the cat. There should be open discussion, and necessary planning to help make pet ownership a positive experience for all involved including the kitty. A child who learns to care for an animal, treating it kindly and patiently, gets invaluable training in learning to treat people the same way. Needless to say, careless or abusive treatment of any animal is unhealthy for both the child and the pet.
Consider this option if you would like to give a pet as a gift:
Create a cat lover gifts certificate stating that you will cover the cost of a future adoption. Adopting from a rescue group or the local animal shelter is preferable to purchasing from a breeder since only those who are experienced at specific breed adoption and care would appreciate the gesture. Who knows, maybe these rescue groups have a gift certificate you can purchase. Include some information to help them make a wise decision (maybe send them to this site). This allows the recipients to not only choose their own pet, but to decide when they are ready to accept responsibility for a pet.
Meet Alexander... our Muse
Alexander is a sophisticated Abyssinian cat right out of my imagination. He comes from an old line of cats that resemble the original wild cat ancestors of all domestic cats.
"Abyssinians resemble the paintings and sculptures of ancient Egyptian cats which portray an elegant feline with a muscular body, beautiful arched neck, large ears and almond shaped eyes", according to the Cat Fanciers' Association.
Alexander has a close connection to his ancient past. He also has an acute appreciation for the comforts of human companionship. His lion brother (a rather loose relation) resides on the Serengeti Plains of Africa whom Alexander is always planning to visit. He continually contrasts the cat lover gifts provided for him, and life with his brother who lives a more, let us say, wild and natural life apart from humans. The more any cat lover gift satisfies the urges of his nuanced lives (that of his ancient heritage as well as his modern day human co-dependence) the better off and happier he seems to be. This is the challenge for anyone who shares their home with a cat. The answer to that challenge is in providing cat lover gifts that are of meaningful quality, i.e. gifts that support a healthy lifestyle for her and promote a peaceful existence for you both.
Robert J Gallegos
The Inspiration Behind Cat Lover Gifts World...
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It was down to eight finalists Sunday night in a two-hour epic season finale of CBC's Canada's Smartest Person. In the end, Vancouver's Braden Lauer, a second-year law student at the University of B.C., won the title, beating out an Olympic swimmer and poet along the way.
Brent Hayden was born in Maple Ridge and started swimming competitively with the Mission Marlins at age five. As an elite-level athlete, he became world champion in the 100-metre freestyle and was a three-time Olympian. At the London Summer Olympics in 2012, he was the first Canadian to compete in the 100-metre freestyle final since the 1960 Olympics. He won bronze and shortly after announced his retirement. Now he coaches young swimmers, and he's focused on a career in photography. An exhibition of his work opens Tuesday, March 11 at Foot of Main Gallery, 119 Main at Alexander. Q Why did you retire after your Olympic bronze medal?
Noemie Thomas was just a youngster when she was competing in both ballet and swimming. But apparently, quite a smart one.
There were some inspiring performances in London, but Canada fell short of its goal to finish top 12 in medals through a combination of bad luck, bad management and under performance.
Swimmer Brent Hayden, a world champion and Olympic bronze medalist, golfer Dawn Coe- Jones, high-scoring lacrosse star Kevin Alexander and hockey icon Pat Quinn headline the 2013 inductees into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame.
Brent Hayden may no longer be swimming competitively, but you had to know the lanky kid out of Mission, who grew into a world champion and Olympic bronze medalist, wouldn't stray far from the pool.
What happened in sports in 2012? Everything. It's hard to recall another year when there were so many sports stories — good, bad and ugly — that had global reach. And the year in Canadian sports is summed up by this: Our only Olympic gold medallist was trampolinist Rosie MacLennan, the most historic achievement was by a guy on a bicycle, Ryder Hesjedal, and Canada's athlete of the year is female soccer player Christine Sinclair.
A recap of some of the highlights of the 2012 London Olympics.
Christine Sinclair had only just left the Olympic Stadium on Saturday, one of numberless lemmings streaming towards park exits and Javelin trains from the nighttime track, when she received the news.
Postmedia Olympic Team writers and editors share their favourite memories of London's Games.
HADLEIGH FARM, England — Catharine Prendel imagined myriad scenarios before the Olympic women's mountain bike race here on Saturday. What the reigning world champion didn't imagine was finishing ninth.
And so it has come to this: B.C.'s last, best shot for ultimate Olympic glory in London — a gold medal — came down to a woman who grew up all the way across the country in Harvey Station, N.B.
LONDON — For just a moment, the miracle looked possible.
And so it has come to this, this oozing blister of snippy assumption propelled by an Internet universe in which manners now lie abandoned at the side of the etiquette highway, in which bitchy uninformed criticism trumps intelligent introspection, in which failure is celebrated more than success, in which social media has officially become the canker sore on the lip of life.
LONDON — Many is the Canadian chef de mission who has sat grimly on a dais at the midpoint of an Olympic Games, armed with statistics, flanked by supportive colleagues all nodding in agreement as he (or she) has painted the obligatory happy face on a set of meagre results. Then there is Mark Tewksbury.
LONDON — Ryan Cochrane posted the third-fastest time in qualifying Friday to advance to the men's 1,500-metre freestyle final.
LONDON – After a lifetime of trying, Canadian swimmer Brent Hayden won a medal at the Olympics one night earlier this week, and this is how he celebrated: He gave a sample for a drug test, ate dinner in a cafeteria and was in his bedroom before midnight, checking his email and Facebook account.
Canadian Olympic athlete and UBC alumnus Brent Hayden speaks about the 2012 Games at an athlete send-off event at the university.
Canada's pre-Games goal of a top12 finish here was mocked by some experts as a tad optimistic.
LONDON — To anyone else, Tuesday night might have been a preview of the thrill to come, not yet worth getting worked up about. To Brent Hayden, qualifying for the final of the London Olympic men's 100-metre freestyle was ... well, shattering.


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With allergies, comes decision-making; should I eat this, should I go there, should I risk it? You need to remember to always do what is right for you! You know what situations may be dangerous for you and need to do what is best for your health and safety.
With the holidays quickly approaching, potlucks are upon us. Trusting other people with food allergies can often be a tricky thing to do. Last year I had a negative experience with a school potluck that is making me reconsider my decision to attend this year. Everyone was informed of the allergens that were not to be brought to the potluck, but people forgot and they were present. I was not comfortable eating any of the food and left the room, as there was food on most surfaces.
It was upsetting as I had been looking forward to the Christmas party and all my friends were able to participate. With this year's potluck being this Friday, I am in the decision process of trying to decide whether or not I am comfortable in attending. Having food allergies can make it difficult to trust others with something as simple as food.
With situations like this, don't worry about what anyone will think and do what is right for you. My teacher has posted the allergens on all the invitations and sign up sheets so I might attend. I have till Friday to decide, but in the end I will only do what I am truly comfortable with. That is just something that comes with food allergies! Have you ever had a tricky situation where you have had to decide whether you would participate or not?


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The ad in question highlights the business practices of a company called Goldmark Property Management, which the ad says is Berg's. Goldmark, according to the ad, was sued for withholding safety deposits and cited for ignoring fire safety codes, and the ad says Berg broke the lease of a deployed soldier.
"Rick Berg: treating seniors the same way he treats his tenants — like they're not worth anything," says a voiceover at the end of the ad.
But Berg is contesting the ad, claiming that he founded the precursor to Goldmark — called Midwest Management Co. — but left the company in 1987, seven years before it changed its name. According to Berg's account, he founded another real estate company in 1996, which had no legal or business affiliation with Goldmark Property Management.
On the basis of these claims, Berg asked that the ad be taken down. His campaign also slammed Heitkamp for what it's calling the personal nature of this particular attack, highlighting statements that Heitkamp had made previously condemning personal attacks in politics. The Democratic candidate has largely avoided attacking Berg's business history up until now.
However, the Heitkamp campaign issued a counter-fact-check asserting that its ad was correct, offering as evidence a screenshot of the Goldmark website from last month that lists Berg as the senior vice president of Goldmark Schlossman Commercial Real Estate Services — a fact that the Berg campaign did not dispute, saying instead in its fact-check that GSC Real Estate Services is independent of Goldmark Property Management.
The Heitkamp campaign also cited news reports in which Berg was quoted as a spokesman for Goldmark Property Management and said to have "cross-ownership" in all of the Goldmark companies, including Goldmark Property Management. In addition, Berg listed his employer as Goldmark Property Management on a campaign contribution form.
The candidates are likely to continue to debate the issue, but the back-and-forth does indicate a potential shift to a more combative stage of the campaign as the general-election race heats up in one of the tightest contests in the nation.


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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GOLDEN STATE: September 9 is a major day on the California calendar; it's the state's birthday. The 31st state in the union marks its 163rd in 2013, which means a number of things. Principally, and put very simply? Many things have happened, as we know from school, documentaries, books, trips and tours, and all the ways that we deepen our understanding of the state we call home. But simply leaving it at what can sometimes be surface knowledge of, say, the State of Jefferson or the Gold Rush or early settlers or the rise of the metropolises doesn't go quite far enough for a great many Californians. They want to dig deeper, for a variety of reasons, but obtaining more information is likely a common desire shared by all. Those Californians will be out in the capital -- or many of them, at least -- on Saturday, Oct. 5. October happens to be National Archives Month, and here in California we mark it with the Sacramento Archives Crawl.
FREE AND FULL OF INFO: Several spots around the capital open up to casual lookie-loos and project-researching scholars alike on Archives Crawl day, and what goes on display is often quite rare or at least rarely shown. Some pieces set to show in 2013 include an 1857, painted-on-glass replica of the Great Seal of the State of California and an 1899 telephone book that encompasses all of the state, not just a city, plus Oregon and Washington, too. Important artifacts and character-packed items from a century or more ago? Yep, you'll see such things at places like the California State Archives and the California State Library, just to name two locations (and several distinct groups will be present at each location, and every group shall also laden with artifacts and photographs). It's a feast for those who need to know more about our past, in a wider yet more intimate way. As mentioned, it is free to attend, so get ready to scour to your history-focused heart's content, archives aficionado.


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Swiss power and automation company ABB has become the new title sponsor for electric car racing championship Formula E, a competition that also aims to accelerate the development of e-mobility technology and infrastructure.
In an announcement on January 9, ABB chief executive officer Ulrich Spiesshofer called the partnership a "natural fit" as ABB's electrification technology will complement Formula E's electric street racing worldwide tour. The race series is now officially known as the ABB FIA Formula E Championship.
"We stand for running the earth without consuming the world. We stand for sustainable transport. We stand for leading edge, pioneering technology not only on the electrification side but also in the digital platform side surrounding this race all together," said Spiesshofer.
In a statement, ABB added that the partnership with Formula E will emphasise that sustainable mobility will be the solution for the future of transport since it is "clean, efficient and connected to an ecosystem".
Since it first entered the electric vehicle (EV) charging market in 2010, ABB has increased its global base to more than 6,000 fast-charging stations in countries like Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
The company offers an electric vehicle infrastructure that enables recharging electric cars, electric and hybrid buses as well as electrification solutions for ships and railways.
We stand for running the earth without consuming the world. We stand for sustainable transport.
Ulrich Spiesshofer, chief executive officer, ABB
For its part, Formula E was launched in Beijing in September 2014, as an electric motorsport to increase the adoption of electric vehicles worldwide. Sanctioned by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), racing takes place only on temporary city-center street circuits like New York, Hong Kong, Paris and Zurich.
Formula E founder and chief executive officer Alejandro Agag said in a statement: "I'm honored to welcome the global technology leader ABB as the title partner of Formula E, with its background and expertise in the field of electrification and digital technologies.
"Our two companies are synonymous with pushing the boundaries of what is possible", he added.
The next Formula E Championship is set to take place in Zurich in July where ABB is headquartered, but the first race under the ABB banner was held last weekend in Morocco for the Marrakech E-Prix.
The fourth edition of series will be composed of 10 teams and 20 drivers competing in 11 cities spanning five continents in the fight to be crowned ABB Formula E champion.
Thanks for reading to the end of this story!
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Filed under: BC Booksellers Association, Copyright, Industry Change | Tags: Big Box Retail, Bolen Books, Book Sales, Canada, Chapters/Indigo, David Shields, independent bookselling, Random House, Reality Hunger
* NOTE: Big respect to the people at Chapters/Indigo – and one person in particular who will remain nameless until such a time as I get the OK to mention said person by name – for hustling to get this book into stores in Canada and for staying in touch with me during the process.
The book is available at the Robson Street store in Vancouver and I encourage everyone who has even a foggy inclination about this book to go and buy it and to join the conversation about it.
Agree or disagree or suffer from indifference, I think it's important and I'm glad that people can now walk into a bookstore in Vancouver and other places and buy it from another human being!
Very simply: I do not understand why David Shields' hugely anticipated new book, Reality Hunger, is not available for sale at the brick and mortar version of Canada's national big box book chain, Chapters/Indigo.
I come at this scenario from 2 points of view:
1) I'm a fan of David Shields and have been following the media coverage and build-up for this book for months.
The contentious debate around literary remixing, appropriation, creativity & attribution brought on by Helene Hegemann, the 17 year-old German novelist whose been accused of accelerating worldwide copyright apocalypse only stokes the fire.
2) My experience is as a bookseller/buyer for independent stores and the Virgin Megastore. And as a book lover, a reader, someone who wants to buy books.
It is impossible for me to understand how a book by an established writer that is receiving this much advanced media attention is not stacked high on the display tables at the front of the store by the time the doors open for business on the date of release.
And if that's not in the cards – for a host of complicated reasons – then how about at least having a few copies available for idiots like me who still occasionally enjoy the 3-dimensional experience of buying a book from a human being?
Who still consider release dates to be a piece of meaningful communication between publisher and audience. A kind of promise.
The date of release, by the way, was last Tuesday, February 23rd.
Here's the story: I didn't actually expect Chapters/Indigo to have copies at the doors, stacked high on the release date. I live in Vancouver and everything in the physical book trade supply chain takes longer to get here.
No problem, we're used to it.
Also, this is books that we're talking about, not music or movies, so the sense of urgency and coordination to satisfy the hunger of the audience that has been piqued by well-placed coverage in the media is diminished.
Or non-existent.
Anyway, so I wait a day and then check the Chapters/Indigo website to see whether Reality Hunger is showing in-stock at any of the Vancouver locations.
Apparently not. I could order it from them online, sure, but all physical locations are showing a stock level of zero.
So I called one of the stores and spoke to a very helpful young man who told me that there were no copies at any Chapters/Indigo stores in the entire country of Canada as it had not yet been ordered.
Not yet been ordered. Got that?
A day after the release date, the largest retailer in the country hadn't even placed an order!
Reality Hunger isn't published by a small press with limited sales and distribution power, it's a front list book published by one of the largest publishers in the world, Random House.
As a fan and former bookseller this makes absolutely zero sense.
Is this some new tactic in the battle against digital piracy? Like, maybe if the book isn't available at all no one will want to steal it?
Am I expecting too much?
One can surely make the argument that I am expecting too much.
That Chapters/Indigo took a pass on this title because it's some obscure book of essays and literary criticism by an American author. That there would be no appeal to the Canadian audience.
This despite the fact that it's a Random House front-list title on the influence of reality culture and contains a feast of quotes printed on the front cover from the likes of Jonathan Lethem, Patricia Hempl, Geoff Dyer and Albert Goldbarth, and has been reviewed by the likes of Chuck Klosterman and Zadie Smith.
But whatever, right? It's not like people actually read anymore. Lethem, Klosterman, Zadie Smith? Nobody cares what those people think. They have no influence.
Speaking of having no influence on consumer behavior, here's a list of some of the media outlets that have reviewed, discussed and generated awareness for the release of Reality Hunger over the past few months: Guardian Books Podcast, The Believer, Fader Magazine, The Globe and Mail, The Millions, Seattle Times, Pop Matters, The Huffington Post, Bookslut, New York Times.
Frustrated to the point of despair, I called around to all the bookstores in Vancouver and none of them carried it, though they could certainly special order it for me. It would only take about a week.
Thanks, no.
The only bookstore that I contacted that had copies in their store, ready to be bought by customers, was Bolen Books in Victoria.
I contacted the affable, Springsteen-loving Rob Wiersema and he informed me that they had 5 copies on display.
Kudos, as always, to the independents (and especially Rob, who as President for Life of the BC Bookseller's Association, is always out there reprezentin' the tribe;).
And David Shields can rest assured that at least 5 readers living on an island off Canada's west coast will be reading his book.
As for the rest of the country? Not so much.
One reason that I care enough about this to write this post is because I think that Reality Hunger is going to be an important book.
That it's going to do what nearly every single other book published this year will fail to do: generate real conversation and debate across a variety of disciplines about the nature of creative expression, copyright and attribution in the 21st century.
Crucial issues as the passionate response to the story about Helen Hegmann's book demonstrates.
Another reason is that I hate to see writers, readers & book lovers so brutally under served by the dumb beast of corporate bookselling.
In an era where there's constant uncertainty about the influence of digital sales and distribution to the traditional supply chain how can a major publisher not provide physical books to the largest book retailer in an entire country?
With that much media – Huffington Post, New York Times, Fader Magazine (calls it the Hip Hop Album of the Year!), the Globe and Mail, Bookslut, the Guardian Books Podcast – how is it possible that Chapters/Indigo slept on placing an initial order?
Has this appetite for immediacy – this Reality Hunger – killed the ability of book publishing's marketing and supply chain to work effectively together to serve the reader on time with physical book sales?
Is it wrong for me to expect to be able to walk into a major book retailer and buy a copy of a widely publicized book on the date of release?
Or are we happy to relegate all sales of physical books to independents and online sales channels?
Has digital effectively won the battle so soon?
Filed under: Copyright, DRM, Industry Change | Tags: Books on the Radio, Copyright, Digital Rights Management, Douglas & McIntyre, Jesse Finkelstein
Click Here to Listen to Jesse Finkelstein & Sean Cranbury Talk Copyright
At the beginning of February 2010, just before the Olympics rolled into town and before the independent literary showcase W2 Real Vancouver Writers' Series took root in the local imagination, I was invited to speak on Copyright in the Digital Age to the Masters of Publishing class at SFU.
In preparation for that talk at SFU I spoke to an expert in the field of book publishing, copyright, international rights contracts by the name of Jesse Finkelstein.
Jesse is the Digital Assets and Foreign Rights Director at Douglas & McIntyre, Greystone Books and New Society Publishers. She leads the company's digital publishing initiatives and the development of international rights sales for all three imprints.
Jesse was formerly an Associate Publisher at Raincoast Books as well as the Everything-That-Needs-Doing Person at Vehicule Press in Montreal. She is a graduate of McGill University as well as Simon Fraser's Masters of Publishing program.
Over the past year I have had the pleasure of getting to know Jesse. We have had a few great, passionate conversations about rights, the digital wave and the adaptability of traditional publishing business models to fit new demands.
It was a real honour to have Jesse on the show and I think that you'll agree that it's a fascinating conversation.
And, even at 30 minutes, it's way too short.
Please comment below with any thoughts, ideas or questions that you have about these issues or our conversation.
Thanks, Jesse!
Filed under: Industry Change | Tags: Gay Dogs, O'Reilly Tools of Change for Publishers, Richard Nash, TOC, TOCCON
An excellent video snapshot of some of the common arguments arriving at the intersection of traditional book publishing and digital influence.
Some choice quotes from this short interview:
"[We can create} self-organizing, self-perpetuating, self-selecting communities around a reading/writing platform that allows people to discover like-minded people across the planet."
"I want our communities to not always be so self-evident or narrowly defined by genre in the ways that we have understood that in the past because one of the things that the web allows us to do is free ourselves from limiting our choices to, say, 20 genres… allowing for unlimited hybridization, cross-pollination and increased narrative specificity for writers and audiences." [Words in italics are mine – a DJ Cranbury remix of Richard Nash.]
"On the internet nobody knows your gay knitting dog."
Thank you, Richard. Well done.