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Intelligent design, extremely flexible and easy to use
Smoothbook is an online appointment booking system that has been designed to work for numerous different types of business: whether you're offering a yoga class, a one on one consultancy or you'd like to take bookings for a conference room.
There are numerous features to the system which you can customise as you need but the system has been designed to be usable out of the box. Most of our users are up and running with their own appointments calendar within five minutes of registering. Answer a few simple questions, put a button on your website and that's it – you're ready to take appointments online.
Convenient for your customers, convenient for you
Our experience is that customers love online booking and so do our users. Your customers – and particularly return customers – can see exactly when you're available and book at whatever time of the day or night they please. And for you, as a business owner or manager: instead of answering numerous phone calls about your availability, your customers simply book themselves freeing up time for you to run your business.
Accept online payments
You can prevent false bookings and even receive payment in full for your service by requesting that customers make a payment via paypal before their booking is accepted. All you need is a Paypal account. Paypal is by far the world's most used internet payment gateway and many of your customers will already have accounts. If they don't, they can easily pay by credit or debit card.
Improved customer relations and business intelligence
All of the information in your account is exportable to print, XML and CSV meaning you can easily analyse and use this information with Microsoft Excel, Salesforce and other reporting or CRM software.
Maximise your advertising budget
You can easily set up Smoothbook to work with your Google (or other) analytics service to know exactly where your customers came from and whether or not they booked your service. This is extremely useful if you're spending money on internet advertising (e.g. Google Adwords). Test your campaigns, tweak your adwords and know exactly where your money is best spent.
Social media integration
- Integrated social media promotion for your company – customers can 'like' your facebook or homepage as well post to twitter and their wall that they have booked with your company.
- One click login for your returning customers
Social Media (mainly Facebook and Twitter) is all the rage at the moment and for good reason: think of the power of your customers telling their friends about your service every time they book (and their friends telling their friends, etc.). Best of all, this power is free!
It is well known that few things will put people off booking online than having to fill out long forms. With Smoothbook your customers have the option of signing up using their facebook account. Returning customers (logged into Facebook) will have their full details filled out automatically as soon as they arrive on the page. What could be more convenient than that? And, what could make them more likely to sign up with and return to your company in the future?
Intuitive design, easy to use
- No lengthy signup / registration with lots of forms. We need your name and your email to get you going – that's it!
- Extremely easy to use bookings management interface – move bookings with one click, etc.
- Get going within minutes with system default settings
- Use the setup wizard for step by step setup instructions.
- Many features and personalisation options – set only the ones that you need.
- Intelligent design deduces many of your settings
Smoothbook has been designed from the outset to get you up and running as fast and as quickly as possible. There are a large number of options and features for you to personalise your customers' experience exactly. But you can be up and running within minutes using the default settings and the setup wizard to get you started.
What does 'Intelligent design' even mean?!
We wanted to take the work out of setting up the application and make it as easy as possible to get going and to use. So whilst there are numerous options and customisation settings, almost all have default settings which you can change as you need. The 'intelligent' side of things is that the system will deduce other settings from the ones that you make: for instance if you have no time slots scheduled on a given day then we can deduce that your organisation is closed on that day. If your time slot is two hours and you schedule an 8 hour shift then there's no need to specify that the day has four time-slots – the system knows that.


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Flexibility, efficiency and availability: the key factors for today's modern data centres
9 June 2015
The use of the internet now touches virtually every aspect of our lives, whether at home using social media, online shopping and banking, or even controlling the heating and lighting in our homes.
Many of us use apps that monitor our fitness regimes and how far we have walked or run, we use GPS for navigation and travel information and at work we literally rely on emails, websites and video conferencing throughout our working day. We live in a data-driven age that is run from our laptops, tablets and mobile phones.
"Few people realise that all this data has to be stored and processed somewhere up in the cloud," says Leo Craig, general manager at Riello UPS. "The cloud is discussed as a mythical concept, but it's actually very real, and otherwise known as a data centre or more precisely, a whole lot of data centres spread across the world. Organisations like Amazon, Apple and eBay and other large businesses have their own data centres, while other organisations will share purpose-built data centres. One thing is for sure, we will continue to see data centres grow in number in line with our ever-increasing need for data."
Today's data centres that handle all our internet requirements have to ensure that the service they offer is available 24/7 365 days a year. The one most crucial thing they need to achieve this is continuous reliable power, as they simply cannot afford a power cut to bring down their service. Imagine how much revenue a site such as Amazon would lose if they went offline for just an hour, and all those customers moved over to another online store?
To mitigate the potential of a power outage, all data centres use an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). Craig said: "A UPS can protect hardware such as computers, data centres, telecommunication equipment or other electrical equipment in the event of an unexpected power disruption.
"The UPS lies at the heart of the data centre and keeps not just the servers but the actual infrastructure in the building ticking over as well. While a UPS system primarily filters the line to ensure the power is 'clean' enough to prevent glitches, sags and surges, adding a UPS battery pack into the equation means that the power flow is also constant, meaning a critical load will still be supplied with power for a crucial period even if the mains fails."
UPS systems have been around for years but, like everything in our modern world, they have been forced to become more energy efficient. The same applies to the data centre itself which faces increasing pressure to not only supply all the data requirements needed, but to also become more efficient because of the amount of power they consume in order to do this. In 2007, data centres in Western Europe alone used a huge 56TWh of power, and this figure is likely to almost double to 104TWh by 2020.
The modern data centre is really driven by three factors – flexibility, efficiency and availability. It needs the flexibility to change with consumer trends and demands, efficiency to ensure it maximises the energy being used to keep costs down and meet UK and EU green targets, and availability to ensure services continue no matter what.
The UPS plays an important role in all of these factors, while still having to meet the demands of the modern data centre. As the use of the cloud increases, so does the speed at which UPS technology is evolving to cope with this. Only a few years back, data centres were forced to install much bigger UPSs to meet capacity for years to come but now the focus is on more compact UPS systems and design. Riello UPS for example recently launched its multi power modular UPS, designed to achieve the highest levels of resilience and performance in space-conscious data centre environments.
With reports highlighting concerns about power supply shortages, many UPSs are now smart grid ready and can be integrated with the National Grid. This means that at times of peak demand, the UPS can actually go off grid (taking the strain off the networks) and use energy already stored up to keep the data centre running. Riello UPS has invested heavily in developing these types of smart grid ready products such as the Master HP, Master HE and Multi Sentry ranges. Technologies like this will be key to an energy efficient future in which businesses will have the power to adapt how they work and contribute to a greener economy.
For more information about Riello UPS Ltd, please call 0800 269 394 or email email@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


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Finance your home in Crete
We work with a major Greek bank to obtain mortgages for your construction in Crete. Typical figures are:
Maximum loaned
up to 70% of property value
Maximum borrowing
up to 5 times income
Maximum period
up to 30 years
Interest rate
4.6% (varies)
Bank arrangement fees
1% plus Land Registry fee
For example, if you wanted to borrow 200.000€ against a property valued at 300.000€ over 20 years, you would need to provide proof of EU income of 40.000€ and make monthly repayments of around 1.300€. Bank arrangement fees (once-off) would be 2.000€ plus a Land Registry fee of around 500€.
We will be happy assisting you with the application process when constructing your perfect home in Crete!


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[1] V. Psyk, D. Risch, B. L. Kinsey, A. E. Tekkaya, M.Kleiner, 2011. "Electromagnetic forming—A review",
Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 211, pp.787-729.
[2] N. Takatsu, M. Kato, K. Sato, T. Tobe, 1988. "High speed forming of metal sheets by electromagnetic
forces", International Journal of Japanese Society for Mechanical Engineering, pp. 142-148.
[3] G. K. Fenton, G. S. Daehn, 1998. "Modeling of electromagnetically formed sheet metal", Journal of
Materials Processing Technology, 75, No. 1, pp. 6-16.
[4] J. P. M. Correia, M. A. Siddiqui, S. B. S. Ahzi, R. Davies, 2008. "A simple model to simulate electromagnetic
sheet free bulging process", Internatioal Journal of Mechanical sciences, pp. 1466-1475.
[5] Y. U. Haiping, L. I. Chunfeng, D. E. N. G.Jianghua, 2009. "Sequential coupling simulation for electromagnetic–mechanical tube compression by finite element analysis", Journal of Materials
Processing Technology, 209, pp. 707-713.
[6] Y. U. Haiping, L. I. Chunfeng, 2009. "Effects of current frequency on electromagnetic tube compression",
Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 209, No.2, pp. 1053-1059.
[7] G. Bartels, W. Schätzing, H. P. Scheibe, M. Leone, 2009. "comparison of two different simulation algorithms for the electromagnetiv tube compression ", Int J Mater Form, 2, pp. 693-696.
[8] R. Shahrokh, 2012. "Calculating Electromagnetic Force and Simulation of Inward Tube Forming by
Electromagnetic Forming", Master of Science Thesis, Mechanical Engineering, Isfahan University of
Technology. (In Persian)
[9] M. Mohamadinia, 2012. " Couple simulation of Tube Electro-magnetic inward forming", Master of Science
Thesis, Mechanical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology. (In Persian)
[10] M. T. Thompson, 1999. Inductance Calculation Techniques Inductance Calculation Techniques, online
symposium for electrical engineering.
[11] A. R. Fallahi, H. Ebrahimi, M. Farzin, 2012. "Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Inward
Tube Electromagnetic forming- Electromagnetic Study", Advanced Materials Research, 383-390, pp.6710-6716.
[12] G. R. Johnson, W. H. Cook, 1983. "A constitutive model and data for metals subjected to large strains,
high strain rates and high temperatures", In Proc. 7th International Symposium on Ballistics, pp. 541-547.
[13] C. Xiaohui, M. Jianhua, H. Fei, 2012. "3D Multiphysics field simulation of electromagnetic tube
forming", Int J Adv Manuf Technol, 59, pp. 521-529.
[14] B.M. Corbett, 2006. " Numerical simulations of target hole diameters for hypervelocity impacts into elevated
and room temperature bumpers", International Journal of Impact Engineering, 33, pp. 431-440.
[15] Wierzbicki T, Bao, Y., Lee, Y.W., Bai, Y., 2005. "Calibration and evaluation of seven fracture models",
International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, pp.719-743.
[16] Wang X, Shi, J, 2013. "Validation of Johnson-Cook plasticity and damage model using impact experiment.,International Journal of Impact Engineering, 60.
Amirkabir Journal of Mechanical Engineering is licensed under a"Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0)"
Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic)


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You are certainly aware that in Italy we have a huge problem when it comes to the ability of attracting tourists to our Bel Paese (actually, more than one, right?).
Maybe the biggest problem is our ineptitude in promoting our beautiful country abroad. Of course, anybody knows about Rome, Venice, Florence but Italy is a land of uninterrupted beauty and there is much more to Italy than the (needless to say) wonderful towns mentioned above.
Perhaps not all tourists feel like spending their holidays in cities. Maybe you love the beach, the countryside, or maybe you feel like having a cooking class or a wine tasting experience which does not take place necessarily in the (needless to say) wonderful Tuscany. Maybe because you have already been there. Maybe because you don't feel like ending up in a 'tourist' class but you feel like experiencing the 'real' Italy. Just as an Italian does.
Well, if you ever decide to come and experience the 'real' Italy, you know I'm here to help 😉
Anyway, today I'm presenting you a privately owned villa in Pesaro (Villa Guerrini) which I visisted last Sunday on FAI Spring Days.
From a mere artistic/historic point of view, it cannot be compared with other ancient villas in town (or just outside the town of Pesaro) as Villa Caprile,Villa Imperiale or Villa Miralfiore. However, the garden hosts an old 'limonaia' (a lemon-tree greenhouse) and I could not but pay a visit to it given the name of my blog 😉
Villa Guerrini (located in Pesaro, in the Marche region) was built in 1787 in neoclassical style as a holiday resort by the noble abbot Vincenzo Giordani. In 1893 the villa was bought by the Guerrini family who still own it today.
It is a little 'jewel' and looks so Italian to me. Here I am presenting something which I feel is very Italian, but this time I'm not asking you 'What do you think of when I say Italy' but 'What would you like to do/see while in Italy that you have not done before?' or, if you have never visisted Italy before: 'What would you like to see and/or experience while in Italy?'
Your answers are important to me for many reasons: from simple curiosity to working reasons… Besides, you could give me new ideas for my future blog posts!


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Interior Design
What a time to be planning room layouts! They have obligatory expertise: Designers and interior designers are very knowledgeable. Decorators have an artist's eye for shade and composition, and so they know the best way to prepare furnishings to create a welcoming atmosphere. Designers go a step further and know the way to create an area that utilizes acoustics, lighting, and temperature.
Course of: Homepolish remains to be a digital expertise in many ways, but it surely differs from the other sites in that the matching occurs by way of what they call a Queen Bee, who's your design fairy godmother of kinds all through the process. I opted for a video session with Crystal — although you are able to do in-person as effectively — who requested me to stroll her across the house so she might get a really feel for it.
House Designer Interiors is 3D home design software program for DIY house fanatics. Created by Chief Architect, so you can enjoy the same sort of tools that the professionals use for dwelling design and interior design. Residence Designer Interiors presents intuitive design and good building instruments in your residence initiatives. House Designer Interiors makes it easy to design and visualize your ideas.
Chief Architect inside design software program is the most versatile design instrument you should utilize for kitchen & tub design. Sensible cupboard instruments make it easy to create any customized cupboard fashion together with formed, framed and frameless. The program also has computerized wall elevations, dimensions that comply with the Nationwide Kitchen & Bathtub (NKBA) standards and an in depth 3D catalog – title-model and generic. Be taught extra about Kitchen, Bathtub & Inside Design options.
Investing in high quality furniture is a large commitment when designing the interior of your private home. Excessive-end furnishings is skillfully crafted with lengthy-lasting materials. While not low cost, high quality pieces can final a lifetime and may even increase in value, making it worth the investment.


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There was a high-voltage atmosphere on 15 April as Remainers and stars trekked over to Camden's Electric Ballroom for the national campaign launch. Brexit has always been a cross-party issue and so, while an iconic club venue isn't where many of the 1,200 Remain-supporters would normally spend a Sunday afternoon, having four prominent MPs from the four main parties to flick the switch on this fully-charged campaign was spot on.
Comedian Andy Parsons took on the job of host and of bringing smiles and laughter to the Brexit-weary Remain crowd, chortling:
"When there's a vote on the deal, a new slogan for people that are sick of Brexit: Vote Remain and you'll never hear the word Brexit again."
He then introduced the first speaker, Sir Patrick Stewart, who spoke with passion and grit about the tragedy of Brexit and the need for a People's Vote on the deal:
"So, now that we are learning the real cost of Brexit, I want to urge that we think again and insist that the decision about whether to accept the Brexit deal is a matter for the people," Sir Patrick said. "To my mind the only way to resolve the huge challenge we now face as a country is through a people's vote."
To boldly get rid of Brexit
To roars of approval, he told the crowd that his Star Trek alter-ego, Jean-Luc Picard, would most definitely have voted Remain. Sir Patrick then handed over to the cross-party representatives: Anna Soubry (Conservative); Chuka Umunna (Labour); Layla Moran (Liberal Democrats); and Caroline Lucas (Green), who spoke in turn on the absolute need for a People's Vote.
Soubry told the crowd:
"The way I see it is this," Soubry told the crowd, "As Brexit unfolds and people see the reality of it, for the first time ever, I think, in any country's history, we actually have a government that has said to its people that we are about to embark on a course that – whichever way you cut it, whatever deals come out – you and your grandchildren will be less prosperous than you are now. This is really serious stuff.
"I think the best and right thing to do is to put it back to the people and say you can have a vote on this deal."
Umunna backed her up, saying: "Brexit is a big deal, not a done deal and it is too important for politicians alone to decide, which is why today we've launched a campaign for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal."
Youthful appearance
Additional speakers, all of them speaking with emotion on Brexit, included Richard Reed, the boss of Innocent Smoothies; Femi Oluwole and Lara Spirit from Our Future, Our Choice; Hugo Dixon, head of Infacts; Malcom Macleod, professor of neurology; and Amatey Doku, VP of the National Union of Students who insisted:
"It's our future and we need to take back control!"
Femi and Lara and their colleagues had already joined us on our latest market stall the day before (we're always ahead of the game in St Albans!), when they and we spoke to dozens of passers-by about Brexit, asked their views on how the negotiations are going and asked them to support the People's Vote campaign. We collected pages of sign-ups.
Plenty of stalwart Remain figures were in supportive attendance at Sunday's official launch - there not to speak, but to support this important and, we hope, pivotal event. Among them were Mike Galsworthy of Scientists for EU; Madeleina Kay, a.k.a. EU Supergirl; and one of the most outspoken Lords on the subject, Lord Andrew Adonis himself.
For me, Layla Moran summed it up: "This is about strengthening democracy. Whatever you think of the deal, whether you voted to Leave or Remain, whether you've changed your mind or not, there is nothing more democratic than allowing the People to accept or reject a deal that will affect our country for decades to come.
"This process started with a democratic vote, and that is how it should finish."
If only we could send Brexit into outer space and preferably way beyond the final frontier – no borders here, thank you.
So, this is our rallying cry. Can you help answer it?
Helen Campbell


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Investing in Communities, Transforming Lives
The Challenge
One in six Americans now lives in poverty—the highest level in half a century. Poverty has spread beyond cities to suburbs and rural communities and is being transferred from one generation to the next. Despite this, there is cause for optimism: we understand more clearly than ever before what it takes to build vibrant communities and to help people lead healthy, productive lives.
Our Approach
In September 2012, the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (FRBSF) published Investing in What Works for America's Communities, a book that calls on leaders from the public, private and nonprofit sectors to build on what we know is working to move the needle on poverty.
Burness partnered with both, providing communications support for the project and release of the book.
Our team conducted a messaging session with the book's lead authors; developed promotional material and collateral; organized a launch event; and produced a video on the Booth Childcare Center in Oakland, CA, to demonstrate how targeted community development investments from the Low Income Investment Fund can provide long-standing impact. Since its launch, Burness has managed the book's social media presence on Facebook and Twitter, as well as its Ideas Blog and website, which we helped design.
Results and Impact
More than two years after its publication, the book continues to engage and spark conversations on poverty in America. We have distributed 15,000 copies nationwide and received more than 2 million social media hits. Authors have held several regional book rollout events around the country, where thousands of community development practitioners, researchers and policymakers have engaged in lively discussions about the themes and proposals in What Works.
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen mentioned the book during her keynote at the 2014 National Interagency Community Reinvestment Conference, citing it as one of the most promising community development initiatives in the country. The City of Los Angeles also referenced the book in its consolidated plan, and chapters have made their way into the curricula of graduate programs across the country—educating the next generation of community leaders.


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|Top Online Data Backup Rankings
nScaled solution to be integrated into company's ArrowSphere platform
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – March 18, 2014 –/BackupReview.info/ — nScaled, developer of the industry-leading all-in-one disaster recovery , online backup and cloud storage solution for IT business continuity , today announced it has entered into an integration and distribution agreement with Arrow Electronics Inc., a global provider of products, services and solutions to industrial and commercial users of electronic components and enterprise computing solutions. The agreement allows Arrow's enterprise computing solutions segment (Arrow ECS) to market, sell and support nScaled's Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) solution in its growing list of North American channel partners via integration into the ArrowSphere online marketplace.
Arrow will integrate nScaled's Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) into its ArrowSphere platform, allowing their partner community to configure, price and order the nScaled DRaaS solution. The nScaled DRaaS expertise and resources provided as part of the new relationship also provides increased flexibility for IT professionals who want to help their customers make the transition to the cloud.
The nScaled solution supports organizations with extremely low tolerance for the unavailability of data and business-critical Windows and Linux systems. For anytime-anywhere access and control, nScaled's Console puts easy-to-use, yet sophisticated, enterprise-class IT business continuity capabilities within reach of medium businesses. The solution delivers the scalability and security of a private cloud plus the lower cost, simplified management and increased flexibility of public clouds.
"We believe that nScaled's Cloud DR service provides a level of service that is unmatched in the industry," said Jim Livingston, vice president of North American services for Arrow's ECS segment. "The combination of speed, operations simplicity, performance guarantees and professional support at for a mid-market cloud DR solution are unprecedented."
In offering nScaled's business continuity services on the ArrowSphere cloud marketplace platform, solution providers are now able to provide comprehensive disaster solutions across multiple platforms, quickly and with precise control, without startup costs.
"At the start of 2014 we were proud to be recognized as a Disaster Recovery as a Service Leader in a published study by Forrester Research. Our partnership with Arrow will enable nScaled to distribute our DRaaS cloud solution to even more businesses through a broader community of partners," said Mark Jameson, Vice President of Sales. "With Arrow, and technology relationships like our NetApp Service Provider partnership, we are able to bring cloud based IT protection to mid-market businesses who need to make sure that their business stays in business."
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Source: nScaled
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The fellowship program in Hematology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation consists of two (2) years of full time structured, supervised training with an optional extension for a third year focusing on clinical or basic research. The high volume of supervised exposure will provide the fellowship candidate with adequate knowledge and practical exposure to become a highly qualified and independent physician taking care of all the varieties of blood disorders. Training methodology focuses on the candidate's becoming a self-dependent learner with great emphasis on academic and research orientation periods.
The candidates will realize the importance of a team approach to medical problems. During the 2-year training, the fellow will rotate through the non-neoplastic hematology program which primarily focuses on thromboembolic diseases, bleeding disorders, and hemoglobinopathies, followed by hematologic malignancies program, and finally through the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation program which is one of the world's largest programs for transplantation of allogeneic type. Rotations include hematopathology to understand bone marrow and peripheral blood morphology, blood banking, coagulation laboratory, flow-cytometry, and other laboratory hematology which is an integral part of the fellowship. Elective rotations in medical oncology, radiation oncology, palliative care, or other departments may be arranged. The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (Gen. Org.) Hematology fellowship training program is an accredited program toward the United Kingdom subspecialty certification in Hematology (MRCPath).


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The top end of the trail is located on top of Australia's Great Dividing Range just two hours drive north-west of Brisbane and directly west of the Sunshine Coast. The Yarraman to Moore to (Nukku Road) section of the trail includes Linville and Benarkin and is located in the scenic upper reaches of the Brisbane River Valley and crosses the rugged and picturesque Blackbutt Range. The trail head at Yarraman is located at the old railway station at the end of Millar Street. The Trail head at Blackbutt is located at the entrance to the Roy Emerson Museum.
|5 Hours
|48 Kilometres
Maintained walking/riding track previously the old Rail Way line. The standard of the trail surface varies between sections although generally the trail surface is a combination of compacted gravel/dirt. The section from Linville to Benarkin has a rough gravel surface with some rocky sections. From Linville to Blackbutt the trail gradually rises up through the Blackbutt Range, with a number of creek crossings that are moderately steep.
|Route Details
|Mode of Travel
|Bicycle, Horse, Walk
Note: Information on listed products and services are provided by the operator and were correct at the time of publishing. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator's website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD).


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Wonder Woman had a huge opening weekend, so Warner Bros. announcing a sequel is really more of a matter of "when", not "if". So when that sequel finally is announced, what can we expect? One of the few benefits of Wonder Woman having a lower profile than Batman or Superman is that there are no specific demands with regards of what her follow-up movie would have to do. Wonder Woman doesn't NEED to fight a particular villain because she's not defined by a rogues gallery. She doesn't need to protect a particular city because she's not tethered to Gotham or Metropolis. She's free in a way that her fellow DC heroes are not.
While there are currently no specific details on what will happen in the sequel, director Patty Jenkins tells EW that she wants Wonder Woman to come to the U.S. "The story will take place in the U.S., which I think is right," she said back in April in an interview with EW. "She's Wonder Woman. She's got to come to America. It's time."
Technically, she already has come to America with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but I get what Jenkins is saying. There needs to be an arrival story where Wonder Woman comes up against American culture, which could be a fun story depending on when it is set.
However, the time period is a little unclear. When Uproxx interviewed Jenkins, she hinted that the movie could take place in the past:
In the next solo movie would you want it to be set in modern day or somewhere in the 100 years prior? Like it could be set in the 1930s?
It is for sure – I'm definitely planning something more interesting using that period of time. Definitely, it's the plan. I can't say what it is! But it's definitely right in the pocket of what you're talking about.
However, producer Charles Roven tells CinemaBlend [via io9] they haven't started writing yet, and they're going to gauge reaction to Wonder Woman to determine how the sequels go:
Nothing has been written. We really want to focus on this movie, and I think the result of this movie is going to really define what the future of Wonder Woman is in the movies, other than the fact that you know that she's in Justice League. And we're really happy about that!
Personally, I'd like to see another story with Wonder Woman set in the past. I think there are still questions that kind of movie could answer like why did Wonder Woman choose to lay low for so long, and what eventually sent her to live in Paris?
What do you want to see in a Wonder Woman sequel? Sound off in the comments section.


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Quality Assurance
Regulatory Compliance
Alturas Analytics, Inc. is compliant with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) for Nonclinical Laboratory Studies, 21 CFR Part 58, as well as provisions of other regulations and guidelines that apply to bioanalysis and multi-site studies.
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) for Nonclinical Laboratory Studies, 21 CFR Part 58
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Electronic Records Electronic Signatures, 21 CFR Part 11
Our Quality Assurance Unit (QAU) is a stand-alone unit to provide assurance that non-clinical and clinical study activities are conducted in compliance with procedures and applicable regulations. The QAU works with scientific staff and management to continually improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and quality systems. The QAU has their own set of SOPs to independently assure that defined requirements for the processes have been followed and that inspections occur on a regular basis including:
• Facility Inspections (including process audits)
• In Process Inspections
• Data Inspections
• Report Inspections
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) and Document Management
The QAU develops and implements comprehensive, accurate, and easy to follow SOPs to describe the operations of Alturas Analytics, providing structure and ensuring consistency between individuals carrying out the various procedures. The SOPs reflect full compliance with all applicable regulations. A controlled, current, and effective version of each SOP is available to each employee at all times. The SOPs are reviewed and revised according to updates or changes in regulations, technology, processes, and resources.
The QAU staff are members of the Society of Quality Assurance and stay current with industry regulations, standards, and guidance documents by regularly attending national or regional meetings, workshops, and webinars sponsored by SQA and other organizations.
The entire staff at Alturas Analytics, Inc. is required to take part in various training activities as new employees and as part of an on-going professional development training program. Some specialized training areas include annual regulatory training, safety training, business continuity plan, and disaster recovery training.
Training Resources:
- Society of Quality Assurance (SQA) - Meetings, Quality Colleges, Webinars etc.
- Canadian Forum for Analytical and Bioanalytical Sciences(CFABS)
- Global CRO Council (GCC)


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Paris is a beautiful place and one of the most visited cities on earth. From the experience, they were quite couple things we wish we knew before visiting Paris… so here are seven of them!
1. There are a lot of museums.
Beside fashion, Paris is also known for its monuments and palaces that were turned into museums to display French histories. This includes Louvre, Grand Palais, Notre-Damn de Paris, Petit Palais, Arc de Triomphe, and countless more places.
If Louvre is on your itinerary, then you should dedicate a whole day of your trip to this museum as it is massive; even three hours won't suffice. There is also a possibility of you getting lost, whether you've got a map with you or not; but there are guides in almost every corner so getting out of the place won't be much of a concern.
2. Their pastries and desserts are amazing, but not their savouries.
We went to cafes nearby the hotel and decided to bring back some croissants. We left them in our rooms over night, believe it or not they were still crispy and delicious even the morning after as if we just bought them from the cafe. Definitely recommend trying out pastries from local cafes in Paris, as well as desserts; they were beyond delicious.
However, the savouries were a bit disappointing. The presentation for their food are just what you would expect from a country where they provide 5-star culinary courses, but the looks can be deceiving. The taste is very bland, and no matter how expensive we had paid for a dish it just couldn't satisfy our taste buds. We asked our french friend why this is the case, he said because french people avoid using spices. They rarely even put salt in fish when grilling it.
3. Restaurants are quite expensive.
Avoid restaurants near busy tourist areas as they are overpriced. We paid a minimum of €30 ($40) for each dish throughout our whole trip visiting main attractions, and the food wasn't exactly the best.
4. Beware of street scams.
This happened to us once as we didn't know until afterwards that it was a tourist scam. Be very aware because there will be women approaching and asking you to donate to charities. They will hand you a paper to sign, in order to make it look more trustable, but don't fall for that as it is how they make money. And believe it or not, they earn at least €100 a day doing this.
5. Learn couple french words.
People in Paris are really lovely but you will occasionally struggle to communicate with them especially the locals since they don't really speak English. We were trying to ask for directions but the locals just couldn't understand what we were saying, although you could see from their faces that they really wanted to help. Therefore, it's good to learn some french words before your trip.
6. Taxis are not that expensive.
We took public transportation everywhere until the last day that we decided to call up a taxi for an airport drop-off. Lots of things in Paris is expensive so we thought the taxi would be as well, but this wasn't the case. We paid €13 ($17) for a 15-minute ride, which wasn't as high as expected! So don't hesitate to get a taxi to drop you off at a hotel/hostel if you want some convenience!
7. Metro stations do not have elevators nor escalators.
We weren't travelling as backpackers so this was such a struggle. Metro stations usually have escalators and stairs for people to reach the underground areas, but this was not the case for Paris. They've got many sets of stairs but no escalators or elevators whatsoever. So people with big suitcases, you have been warned cause you will be carrying your heavy bags down and up couple sets of stairs before reaching your destination!


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Traditional & Customized Ceremonies
Renew Your Vows & Customized Eulogies
Documents Notarized
All Holiday's are available with advance notice & special pricing.
Holiday's Include
New Years Day, Memorial Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, 4th of July, Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day
Wedding service pricing depends upon ceremony chosen.
I have Basic packages available & Formal packages.
Pricing is as follows
Ceremony Fee based on the one chosen.
(Just email or call me with your preference and I'll send it out to you)
Travel Fee $25.00
(Waived if performed in Milford NH)
License Processing Fee $25.00
If applicable Rehersal Fee $50.00
(Required for church wedding's & large wedding parties)
NH Marriage Licensing
Couples who wish to get married in the State of New Hampshire
must file for a marriage license in NH. Marriage is the legally recognized union of two people. Any person who otherwise meets the eligibility requirements under State Statute (Chapter 457) may marry any other eligible person regardless of gender.
Where to file & Purchase a License
Both local residents and those from out-of-state can & apply for & purchase a license in the office of any town or city clerk in the state of New Hampshire. You will both need identification to confirm date of birth.
(example: driver's license, passport, certified birth certificate).
If applicable by law you will need to provide certified copies of divorce and/or death certificates for any previous marriages or civil unions pertaining to and/
or both individuals filing for the license.
The license fee will be $50.00, you can request the town clerk to send you a copy of the filed license after they do so, for an additional fee.
The license is good for 90 days from the date issued and the ceremony
can be performed in any New Hampshire town or city.
Waiting period
There is no waiting period in New Hampshire.
The license becomes valid for use upon issuance.
I will process license return it via USMail to the city/town clerk of origin.
Once the license is received by the town and recorded, you can
pick up a copy of the License from the clerk's office, or it
will be mailed to you if it was requested at time of purchase.
Where will your special day take place?
The Bedford Village Inn
The Milford Community House Milford NH
5 Union St
Milford, NH 03055
Phone(603) 673-1521
Crowne Plaza Nashua
The Milford VFW Hall Milford NH
14 Perkins Street
Milford NH 03055
The MileAway in Milford NH
The Alpine Grove
Located on 24 Beautiful Acres Alpine Grove is a modern banquet
facility nestled amidst 24 acres of enchanting forest in southern New
Hampshire, we are conveniently located just outside of
Nashua in the quaint, historic town of Hollis, NH
Cathedral of the Pines
The Common Man in Merrimack & Concord NH
Curtis Farm Outdoor Weddings & Events
139 Curtis Farm Rd.
Wilton, NH
The Barn at Moody Mountain Farm
100 Pork Hill Road*
Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
Phone: 603-436-0308
Email: email@example.com
Stonehurst Manor
3351 White Mountain Highway
North Conway, NH 03860
Phone: (603) 356-3113
Toll Free: (800) 525-9100
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Waterfront Banquet Halls & Wedding Venue
Harris' Pelham Inn
65 Ledge Road
Pelham, NH 03076
(603) 898-7311
(603) 898-7968
The Executive Court Banquet Facility
is nestled on 18 acres of wonderfully landscaped grounds serving
as a spectacular backdrop for the perfect photo session of your event.
Brookline Chapel
Brookline Chapel - 36 Main St (Route 130) in Brookline This
chapel can be rented for a very reasonable rate around $125.00. Seats
up to 100 guests. This does not include JP service or ceremony fee. For
any questions related to booking Brookline Chapel for your special day, you
first need to contact Rena Duncklee (Brookline Town Administrator)
at (603) 673- 8855 x 214 ( 8 AM to 2 PM ).
I do not have access to the Brookline Chapel's booking calendar.
If you'd like to have an small personal outside ceremony with a couple quests the
Chapel grounds can be used prior to contacting the Chapel
to be sure no oher functions are tacking place on the same day.
The California Room, Inc.
290 Derry Road
Hudson, NH 03051
Phone: 603-578-9900
The Event Center Nashua NH


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Hey guys,
Just wanted to let you all know that House Party 0.4.4 has officially been released as a free public version. This release includes a lot of updates geared toward adding on to Katherine's story as well as some overall enhancements and game improvements.
You can download the new public release right here on Itch.io!


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Nicole Bridger – yoga comfort, urban style
Many may want to – but there are only a few cities in the world where 'yoga-wear' is acceptable outside the yoga studio. It may pass in Boston and Vancouver but would never pass muster in cities like Tokyo or Barcelona. Vancouver-based Nicole Bridger has the answer; the fashion line for yogis who want the comfort and ease of (eco-)yoga wear but need flare and sophistication as well.
It's no surprise that her legions of fans feel that Nicole Bridger Design offers contemporary style without sacrificing the planet; Bridger received her BAA in fashion design from Ryerson and interned at Vivienne Westwood before creating Oqoqo (the earth-friendly line) for Lululemon. She started her eponymous line in 2007 and has had success with maternity, yoga and lounge wear lines while moving forward with modern, refined collections, always in earth-friendly, sustainable fabrics.
We are absolutely smitten with the new fall/winter 2012 collection. "My new collection is about the death of habits, patterns, and ways that no longer serve us. It is about going deeper within to truly see what those are and then letting them go," says Bridger. "I named the collection "Kali" because she is a powerful Goddess that can help us on that journey. It is not an easy process but the outcome is much lighter and closer to truth."
To symbolize the journey of going deeper, the colour palette for the collection features deep tones of blue, grey-blue, berry reds and woodsy greens. Different shades of red portray the death of negative tendencies. This season marks the first Nicole Bridger fans will see a print, an abstract floral to show the sweetness that is waiting at the end of the journey. True to Nicole Bridger fashion, only ethical fabrics are featured, including ethically produced silk and Tencel, made from the fibre of eucalyptus plants.
We caught up with Bridger to talk about the collection and the growth of the brand, now home to two boutiques in Vancouver.
What came first 'eco' or 'designer'
The eco part is just based on my personal values and morals. How I think we should be doing things, with respect to others and the environment. I guess its how I have always lived so I guess that came first. I realised I wanted to be a designer and have my own company when I was 16.
What does eco-fashion mean to you?
Its about creating clothing in a way that still respects the environment and the people on it.
What are your favorite fabrics to work with and why?
The tencel jersey is our main fabric, its so soft and comfortable and has a nice drape. I also love the drape of our silk georgette.
You have had a huge growth spurt this year: buying a factory and opening a second location, what do you attribute the growth to?
Just timing, the opportunities came up and we were ready for them.
What is in the future for the brand?
Another store or 2. Eventually, I'd like to have 60 stores all over the globe. Id like to diversify into men's, baby and home, becoming an ethical lifestyle brand. I'd also like to open co-op style factories in developing countries that help restore the communities and quality of life.
If you could give advice to a young designer, what would you tell them?
Listen to your heart and be on top of your financials.
When in Vancouver, visit Nicole Bridger boutiques at 2151 West 4th Avenue or 208 East 12th Avenue or shop the collection online.


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The Global Crackdown
The recent binary options ban in countries such as France and the global regulator crackdown which has included over 20 regulators from at least 10 countries has brought reputable licensed and regulated binary options brokers to block entire countries from using their websites out of fear that a client from USA, Canada, France, Israel, United Kingdom, South Africa and a handful of other countries might try to sign up to trade binary options and ultimately lead to the broker being added to a regulator warning list.
Countries where binary options have been banned are blocked on most of the reputable websites but not on all of them. Countries that only handed a license to a very small number of brokers are also being blocked on major reputable binary options trading hubs. It's simple to analyse why a certain broker blocks a certain country from accessing their website but what we have also been seeing is that the reputable brokers in the USA such as NADEX actually are not blocking countries from accessing their website. This means that NADEX, being regulated by the CFTC is probably accepting clients from countries where binary options are banned.
On the other hand we are seeing reputable European brokers blocking traffic from a large number of countries to do regulatory issues. We can only speculate on why this is happening. Why is the USA not blocking Europe while cracking down on European brokers while Europe is blocking USA and Canada while also cracking down on itself? Is the USA better than Europe? Is the USA trying to steal all of the binary options market wealth and keep it all to themselves?
USA Binary Options "Exchanges"
The USA SEC and CFTC have been relentlessly bashing each and every European regulated broker that they have come by. Canada has been doing the same. Almost none of the European regulated brokers have been "passed over" and the warnings on USA and Canadian regulator websites just keep coming in, is it just a coincidence that many of these warnings are about reputable licensed and regulated European brokers?
At the same time, in the USA – the new Binary Options Exchanges have been growing in numbers and include big players such as NADEX, CANTOR and the soon to be BINAREX. In Europe DAWEDA has also sprouted up in these times of global crackdown. The Binary Options Exchange phase has mostly happened in the USA and these might just be coincidences but there is probably a reason why the European regulators have not ever said a word about any USA regulated broker and only cracks-down on brokers from its own territories.
The USA Makes War Outside Its Borders While Europe Fights Among-st Itself
It seems like not much has changed since world wars 1 and 2. Canada does nothing (but post warnings), the wolves eat France, America plays the globe like a chess game where she is our Queen and King, gives out fines to the wolves and convicts them as criminals, while boosting its own economy on the way. The United Kingdom (FCA) joins in with the USA [memorandum of understanding]. Europe gets bombed to dust. Fights among-st itself. We have a new player now – Israel – where binary options are banned (out of fear from the big brother USA) and where brokers continue to play both sides of the board by marketing binary options abroad (sneaky Jews? Just kidding!) and in this whole picture what is really happening?
Consumers Continue To Get F*cked
While the world plays it's normal games on a repeating track and no regulators other than CySEC step in to regulate their OWN countries, the unregulated fraudsters and scammers will continue to steal money because the void has not been filled with STRONGER regulation techniques. Countries that have stepped up and regulated their own markets without making too much of a fuss about other countries like ASIC in Australia have successfully filled the void by strongly regulating the markets and introducing licensed brokers such as VantageFX and HighLow into the scene. Although Australias ASIC is still a little bit on the USA side and bashing a few of the European brokers.
Countries that ban binary options are making things worse. The void gets filled with crooks pretty fast. Countries like the USA, Canada and Australia that bash on everyone but theme-selves or don't even regulate the market such as Canada, must be doing so because of their own agenda and not because they actually care about the consumers. Consumers are the only ones getting hurt. Europe as always seems to be stuck in 1940 and most of the consumers that are getting screwed over due to lack of regulation are Europeans. Europe will keep fighting among-st itself and turning to useless banning of the binary options market while making things worse for its own consumers.
The USA is doing the exact opposite, bashing countries abroad, doing a good job with regulation, saving their local consumers from scams and boosting their own economy while fighting the bad guys in Europe.
So Who are The Winners and Who are the Losers Here?
The consumer is the number one looser. The victim. These worldwide regulators need to step up and regulate the binary options market in their OWN countries and fill the voids with strongly regulated licensed brokers. Easy as that. CySEC from Cyprus in Europe is winner number one in this story, they are actually regulating their own brokers and not bashing at licensed brokers from other Countries. Looser number two is Israel that is making itself look like a really big foolish shame by banning binary options and letting money hungry and indecent Israeli owned brokerages do whatever they want without any chance of strong regulation due to the ban. Winner number two is the USA which as always known how to protect itself, make money, fight the good fight, they make it look easy and they never take the victims role, ever.
So world war 3 may be happening already, in the virtual world, in the economics world, through binary options. Maybe the USA will eventually save the day but only after millions of consumers get hit. Maybe the list of regulators that goes on and on (FINMA / CySEC / FSB / IFSC / CBR / ISA / FSMA / ASIC / FCA / UKGC / FMA / BCSC / CSA / MSC / ESMA / AMF / OSC / SFC / CFTC / SEC / AFM / MFSA / MiFID) will stop the useless warnings and banning of the market and think of the consumer instead of living in 1940 all over again? We can only hope that eventually regulators will do the right thing – for the consumers.


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Our granddaughter "Autobot's" birthday is in March; not good for riding our rough terrain, so we promised her she could take a friend riding when the weather turned good. Finally, the day came (after 2 postponements for weather) and we headed out.
Grandma & Papa-razzi
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Autobot's Birthday Ride
Posted by Allenspark Lodge at 12:46 PM
2 comments:
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FiduciaryNews.com Trending Topics for ERISA Plan Sponsors: Week Ending 8/26/16
Welcome to FiduciaryNews.com Trending Topics. Each Monday, we'll give you a quick synopsis of the major news events and trends impacting ERISA plan sponsors, 401k fiduciaries and those in the business of supporting these fine folks. If you smile when you read these entertaining snippets, well, that's the idea. If you think we're missing something important, then please let us know. But, note this well, we avoid press releases masquerading as news stories (even though they might be reported by journalists) as well as mass media pabulum that merely mouths investment myths and mistakes. "When everybody's a fiduciary… no one is."
FiduciaryNews Lead Story:
"How the 401k Fiduciary Can Help Retirement Savers Make Better Decisions (Part I)," (FiduciaryNews.com, August 23, 2016) "The want/should dichotomy addresses headed on the conflict between the instantaneous gratification derived from buying something today and the delayed gratification inherent in saving more for retirement."
Compliance – How's this for a Conspiracy Theory:
So, the states get to compete with private industry for lucrative retirement savings dollars. Only they don't need to worry about abiding by ERISA. Which means they can avoid some of the infrastructure costs private industry must endure. Guess who can get away with charging a lower fee. Now add the new Fiduciary Rule on top of this. Can private industry compete for business if its higher fees create a conflict-of-interest?
"Advisors Cry Foul Over Mandated Auto-IRAs," (InsuranceNewsNet, August 19, 2016) At least some see the camel's nose for what it is. But, are they arguing against state-sponsored private employee retirement plans for the correct reason?
"ICI voices misgivings about California's Secure Choice retirement plan," (BenefitsPro, August 22, 2016) And California workers should have misgivings, too. Unless they're alert enough to stop it, $1 for every $20 they earn will be placed in a state-sponsored "retirement" account that invests in – get this – Treasuries! Now that's a great long-term investment! Worse for those workers, thanks to the DOL and the White House, fiduciary protection has been turned "off." Way to go California.
"DOL opens floodgates for state-run retirement plans," (Financial Planning, August 25, 2016) After reading the article, we can start to connect some dots no one else is connecting. Consider this: Some leading ERISA attorneys are suggesting the new Fiduciary Rule will make asking to get paid for giving advice to be considered a conflict-of-interest, intimating it might represent a fiduciary breach – the higher your fees versus the competition, the greater the conflict-of-interest. Now comes the twist: If the government offers a "low cost" (albeit non-ERISA protected) retirement account, is the private provider always going to be in a "fiduciary breach" position when a state-run retirement plan is available?
"IRS offers reprieve for taxpayers who miss IRA rollover deadline," (Financial Planning, August 25, 2016) Big whoop. So they cut you a break for "forgetting" to rollover after 60 days. It still doesn't make up for the silly 365 rule interpretation.
Fiduciary – Been There, Done That:
If people could take responsibility for their own well-being, we would need corporations to sponsor retirement plans. We also wouldn't need participation trophies. But you see where we're going with this.
"The conflict at the heart of U.S. retirement plans," (Employee Benefit Adviser, August 17, 2016) This is a good breakdown of the history of retirement plans and why 401k 2.0 might be a good idea. Don't remember 401k 2.0? You can read about it here: "401k 2.0 – A Proposal," (FiduciaryNews.com, December 7, 2010).
"How Are Rollovers Treated Under the DOL Fiduciary Rule?" (ThinkAdvisor, August 19, 2016) Marcia Wagner offers her insight on the impending change in the compliance regime.
"How to roll out the best-interest contract exemption," (Financial Planning, August 22, 2016) Some basic interpretations for one particular law firm.
"3 IRA Transactions Exempt From DOL Fiduciary Level Fee Rule," (ThinkAdvisor, August 22, 2016) It seems odd that asking for the business is a conflict-of-interest, but Fred Reish makes the case that it is.
"A DOL Fiduciary Rule Compliance Checklist," (ThinkAdvisor, August 25, 2016) It's a start.
Fees – Target in Site:
We all knew this day would come. Why doesn't anyone believe it when it's here?
"Law Firms Risked It All on 401k Fee Suits, and It's Paying Off," (ThinkAdvisor, August 23, 2016) As Willie Sutton once said of bank robbing, "You go there because that's where the money is."
"R6 Shares Popularity Reveals Revenue-Sharing Concerns," (PLANADVISER, August 23, 2016) Ya think?
"Study Finds Small Business 401k Fees Top 2%," (PLANSPONSOR, August 25, 2016) But we already knew that. And we already know the answer (401kMEPs). So, why hasn't Congress acted?
Investments – A Beacon of Light:
In a sea of ignorant darkness, every once in a while a beacon of light appears. Trouble is, the darkness blinds most to the obvious. And that's why we need professionals. Real professionals. Not the ones trained in the marketing of things, but the ones trained in the things themselves.
"The problem with investing 100% of retirement savings in stocks," (CNN, August 24, 2016) Tsk, tsk, where to begin? First, there's the premise itself. Who in their right mind would place all their retirement savings in stocks as they near retirement and even into retirement? But to end with a "risk tolerance" questionnaire to help readers determine their "asset allocation"? Oh, what tangled webs we weave…
"The dynamic duo: Help clients understand risk and return," (Financial Planning, August 24, 2016) A fairly good article explaining historical market returns. There's a bit of a fail, though, at the end, when it uses rolling ten-year periods from the "lost decade" to show how balanced portfolios do better than all stock portfolios. Other studies show using index returns from that era downplayed typical investor returns since actively managed all-equity funds performed much better during this period.
"Are Index Funds Communist?" (ThinkAdvisor, August 25, 2016) We're not saying it's aliens, but… For more on this idea, see an oldie but goldie "3 Reasons to Outlaw Index Investing Right Now (and One Selfish Reason Not To) in 5 Acts," (FiduciaryNews.com, May 12, 2010).
Major Plan Sponsor Moves and News:
What are other plan sponsors and fiduciaries doing with their plans? And how are participants responding? The latest in legal proceedings involving plan sponsors and fiduciaries.
"2016 PLANADVISER Recordkeeper Services Guide," (PLANADVISER, August 2016)
"Regulatory changes in the retirement industry impact plan adviser role," (Employee Benefit Adviser, August 17, 2016)
"No. 1 Reason 401k Plan Sponsors Are Hiring Advisors," (The 401(k) Specialist, August 17, 2016)
"HSAs: The Retirement Savings Tool Most Clients Aren't Using (Yet)," (ThinkAdvisor, August 18, 2016)
"Lawsuit Accuses Morgan Stanley of Self-Dealing in 401k," (PLANADVISER, August 19, 2016)
"Morgan Stanley hit with $150 million 401k lawsuit for self-dealing and excessive fees," (InvestmentNews, August 19, 2016)
"How a Roth 401k can provide clients with opportunity," (Financial Planning, August 19, 2016)
"Flurry of 401k suits over excessive fees have put employers on notice," (InvestmentNews, August 19, 2016)
"Attack Against Large University Retirement Plans Continues," (PLANADVISER, August 19, 2016)
"Employers offer flexible retirement options to keep older workers," (CNBC, August 21, 2016)
"401k fee litigation finds new targets," (Employee Benefit News, August 21, 2016)
"Edward Jones faces proposed class action lawsuit over excessive 401k fees," (InvestmentNews, August 22, 2016)
"More workers are saving more for retirement, study says," (BenefitsPro, August 22, 2016)
"Nudging employees toward retirement success," (Employee Benefit News, August 22, 2016)
"Is it time for 403(b) plans to evolve?" (BenefitsPro, August 22, 2016)
"Workers still lack confidence they can retire," (Employee Benefit News, August 22, 2016)
"SunTrust Stock-Drop Challenge Certified As Class Action," (PLANADVISER, August 22, 2016)
"How a retirement plan option can keep executives accountable for life," (Employee Benefit Adviser, August 22, 2016)
"DOL Complaint Alleges Fiduciary Failures by Adviser," (PLANADVISER, August 22, 2016)
"What's on workers' retirement bucket list? Work," (CNBC, August 23, 2016)
"Mastering the rollover process for retirement plans," (Financial Planning, August 24, 2016)
"Here Are the Ways Employers May Be Shortchanging Your 401k," (Retirement Plan Advisor, August 24, 2016)
"Helping Clients Put Retirement Savings and Investing on Auto-Pilot," (Wall Street Journal, August 24, 2016)
"Use of Float Income Questioned in New Fidelity Lawsuit," (PLANADVISER, August 24, 2016)
"The 401k is wreaking havoc on retirement," (Employee Benefit Adviser, August 24, 2016)
"Developing good habits early trumps urge to make 'want' decisions," (BenefitsPro, August 24, 2016)
"Don't let clients miss out on back Social Security benefits," (Financial Planning, August 25, 2016)
"How to Build Tax-Efficient Withdrawal Strategies for Retirement," (ThinkAdvisor, August 25, 2016)
Trends and Truths for Retirement Savers:
If you're a retirement plan fiduciary – whether a plan sponsor or a financial professional, don't you think it's a good idea to keep up on the topics retirement savers are most interested in? That's what the media tries to do. Here's what they think is on the mind of the people saving for retirement.
"Kitces: How to navigate inherited retirement accounts," (Financial Planning, August 19, 2016)
"Cutting Kids Off Can Boost Retirement," (PLANADVISER, August 19, 2016)
"Be sure to know how IRA contribution and conversion deadlines differ," (MarketWatch, August 19, 2016)
"How Your Housing Choices Can Save Your Retirement," (Forbes, August 19, 2016)
"Dead or alive? Social Security misclassified some," (The Washington Post, August 19, 2016)
"Retirement stress spans generations," (Employee Benefit News, August 21, 2016)
"The Longevity Paradox: As Americans live longer, they run the risk of outliving their money," (InvestmentNews, August 22, 2016)
"Millennials seriously saving for retirement," (BenefitsPro, August 22, 2016)
"Finding the Best Options for Lump Sum Pension Buyouts," (ThinkAdvisor, August 22, 2016)
"College Savings Decisions Can Impact Retirement Savings," (PLANADVISER, August 22, 2016)
"Millennials may be headed toward their own retirement crisis," (MarketWatch, August 22, 2106)
"How to Retire Without a Mortgage," (MONEY, August 22, 2016)
"Average retiree will see Social Security benefit decrease," (CNBC, August 22, 2016)
"Roth IRA Does Double Duty As Emergency Fund and Retirement Account," (Forbes, August 22, 2016)
"Why You Need to Double-Check Social Security Advice," (MONEY, August 23, 2016)
"Six Mistakes Expats Make With IRAs—And How to Avoid Them," (Wall Street Journal, August 23, 2016)
"Will Your Retirement Savings Withstand Rising Inflation Rates?" (Huffington Post, August 23, 2016)
"Kitces: Why most retirement accounts never run dry," (Financial Planning, August 24, 2016)
"Pension payment: Lump sum or monthly check?" (CBS News, August 24, 2016)
Wisdom from Some of Our Favorite Blogs:
Fiduciary Matters Blog: Is the DOL Fiduciary Rule the End of Solicitor Arrangements? |
The Trust Advisor: Fidelity Voice: Longevity And Your Retirement |
Behavior Gap: Goals for Real Financial Advisors, Part 1 |
ERISA Lawyer Blog: Seventh Circuit Rules That Payments For Service On The Carpenter's Executive Board Are Not Salary For Purposes Of Calculating His Pension Benefit Under The Carpenter's Pension Fund |
ERISA Lawyer Blog: IRS Provides Advice To One-Participant Plan Sponsors – Avoid Orphan Plans |
Behavior Gap: Holding On and the Cost of Not Letting Go |
The Trust Advisor: Bernstein: Passive Investing Is Worse For Society Than Marxism
ERISA Lawyer Blog: California Court Of Appeal Rules That One Cause Of Action Is Preempted By ERISA, While Others Are Not, Depending On Whether A Federal Concern Is Implicated By The Cause Of Action In Question |
Data "Points": A Pension Protection Perspective |
RetirementRevised: Heed the warning label on mutual funds – passive is better |
fi360: Cybersecurity: 6 Steps to Build Your Fiduciary Readiness |
Hot Tips from Popular Web Resources:
NAPA Net: Edward Jones the Latest 401k Litigation Target |
NAPA Net: B/D's Proprietary Funds Draw Fiduciary Suit |
NAPA Net: Bloated Investment Lineups Invite Litigation |
Kiplinger: Trade Your Annuity for a Better One |
NAPA Net: Float Resurfaces as a 401k Litigation Point |
NAPA Net: How the Class of 2020's Retirement Plans Will Be Different |
NAPA Net: Using Choice Architecture to Fight Asset Misallocation |
NAPA Net: 403(b) Sponsors More Focused on Outcomes, Expenses, Fiduciary Concerns |
NAPA Net: Cerulli Tracks Shift Toward R6 Shares |
NAPA Net: Stock Drop Suit Claims Fall Short |
NAPA Net: Why Don't Participants Like Managed Accounts? |
NASDAQ.com: How the Wrong Choice Could Ruin Your Spouse's Retirement |
NAPA Net: IRS Offers Some Help on Rollovers |
NAPA Net: To Roth or Not to Roth? |
NAPA Net: Generation X: The Struggling Retirement Savers |
NAPA Net: State Pension Funding Gap Narrows, But… |
NAPA Net: DOL Publishes Final Rule on State-Run Retirement Programs |
NAPA Net: California Secures State-Run Retirement Program |
Miss anything? Feel free to add a comment below.


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DOPE has released a restock of their 24K cap series.
The range is a mixture of snapbacks and fitteds, the latter being a collaboration with heavyweight New Era.
There are currently eight caps in the series, all of which feature a solid colour cap with gold embossed writing reading "DOPE" on the crown.
The snapbacks all cost $44, and come in black, white, red, grey, navy and purple. There are also the two aforementioned fitteds – a standard black/gold costing $44, as well as a limited edition black/gold which comes complete with a collectors box and certificate of authenticity, coming in at a respectable $58, though there are only 50 of these available and there are not many sizes left at the time of writing.
You can view and buy the collection over on the DOPE website or by going to http://caps.bz/1Q6w6VV.


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Today, July 1st, we celebrate Canada Day. The Americans separated from British rule in 1768, and celebrate Independence Day on July 4th. Canada waited 100 years later, until 1868, to create the "Dominion of Canada". The basis of Canada's celebration is founded on the formation of a new country and the union of provinces.
We will be celebrating with a BBQ with Fireworks. I plan to make this cake to add to the festivities.
Looking forward to checking out fellow bloggers' 4th of July celebrations.
Post Title→
~~Happy Canada Day~~
Post URL→
Visit Learning with Impact for Daily Updated Collection


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…my attitude and confidence is renewed
"I met Stuart in 2004 and scheduled a visit aiming to improve how I run my practice. In a short span Stuart helped me identify things that were impediments to achieving the level of success I aim for, particularly negative behaviors I unwittingly allowed to become habits. As a result, my goals are clearer, my attitude and confidence is renewed, and I am grateful for his sage counsel."


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Archives for "Admission"
August 28, 2017 12:06 pm
December 26, 2016 1:09 pm
Slideshow: Bates photographers' favorite images of 2016
An ideal game of show-and-tell, experts say, allows children to share the feelings they have for their chosen object and,…
February 12, 2016 3:25 pm
24 moments as the Class of 2018 gets to know Bates and vice-versa
Bates photographers Sarah Crosby and Phyllis Graber Jensen followed the Class of 2018 from its arrival on Aug. 25 through…
December 16, 2015 3:56 pm
Slideshow: 28 favorite Bates photographs of 2015
When you apply to Bates, you share what you've learned from the unexpected events and challenges in your life. In…
April 15, 2015 9:42 am
Tommy Holmberg's 'love letter' to Bates
In his senior address at the college's 147th Commencement, Tommy Holmberg of Winnetka, Ill., offered a "love letter" to Bates that…
December 10, 2014 3:43 pm
A holiday greeting from Bates: A poetry reading by Robert Farnsworth
Fiction after Wallace Stevens Read late a winter's night. Feel the rooms around, The rooms within the mind resist the…
December 8, 2014 9:44 am
Fellowships enable Bates trio to sample academe, graduate-style
Doug Hubley Doug Hubley Eileen Lam '15 always…
October 31, 2014 9:55 am
Bates to build new rowing boathouse
Bates College will build a new boathouse at the varsity rowing team's facility on the Androscoggin River, President Clayton Spencer…
October 1, 2014 2:58 pm
What thesis sounds like at Bates
Last year, as Catherine Strauch '14 pondered the topic of her senior thesis, she knew that it had to have…
June 17, 2014 9:55 am
Ten Bates students and alumni awarded Fulbright grants in 2014
Known as a top producer of students receiving prestigious Fulbright grants for teaching and research abroad, Bates has announced that…


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Home Ironing Services
Whether you have a busy family life, work commitments or simply lack the inclination or desire to tackle that pile of ironing, let French & Launders take that load off.
Convenient, reliable and flexible to your own personal needs, take advantage of our free collection and delivery service.*
Price – Garments
15,00 per hour
For the very best ironing results, fold items, use a fabric conditioner and do not over-dry in a tumble dryer.
* collection and delivery included subject to location
Gites, Chambres d'Hotes, Hotels
Inundated with laundry? The thought of all that washing driving you to despair?
At French & Launders we can cater for all of your laundry needs, however large or small.
Providing a full laundry service, collected, washed, dried, pressed and delivered back to your door, smelling fresh, all in time for your changeover and your next arrivals.
Or maybe you prefer to wash your own laundry, in which case we will simply collect, iron and return.
Prices - Bedding
Iron only
Pillow case 0,50
Single sheet 1,50
Double sheet 2,00
King sheet 2,50
Single duvet 2,00
Double duvet 2,50
King duvet 3,00
Wash & Iron
Pillow case 0,75
Single sheet 3,00
Double sheet 4,25
King sheet 5,25
Single duvet 4,00
Double duvet 5,00
King duvet 6,00
Wash only
Hand towels 0,50
Bath towels 1,20
Bath sheets/Pool towels 1,75
Mattress protectors: single 1,50
Mattress protectors: double 2,25
Mattress protectors: king 2,75


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The blues ain't nothing but a good man feelin' bad. – Leon Redbone
preacher's kid, rebel youth, girl at the piano and finally headlining singer-songwriter
The blues ain't nothing but a good man feelin' bad. – Leon Redbone
Life is this simple.
We are living in a world that is absolutely transparent
and God is shining through it all the time.
This is not just a fable or a nice story
It is true.
If we abandon ourselves to God
and forget ourselves,
we see it sometimes
and we see it maybe frequently.
God shows Godself everywhere,
In everything,
In people and in things and in nature and in events.
It becomes very obvious that God is everywhere and
in everything and we cannot be without God.
It is impossible.
The only thing is that we don't see it.
- Thomas Merton


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Spot tie front beach top
Item #: 310072_01BW
was AU$37.00 now AU$30.00
was AU$37.00 now AU$30.00
FREE shipping on orders over AU$137.00
Quick and easy returns
Local payment methods
Cover up in style with this sweet, chiffon beach top - perfect for summer-time cruising.
- Spot print
- Tie front
- Cropped
- Semi sheer
I am made of 100% polyester
Shipping options
We offer the following shipping options, so you can choose how soon your Boux Avenue parcel will arrive:
Standard shipping in 6- 12 days: AU$35.00 free when you spend AU$137.00
Express shipping in 4-5 days: AU$57.00 free when you spend AU$228.00
Refunds & Exchanges
We hope you love Boux Avenue purchase. However, if would like to exchange or return any unworn item, you can do so within 28 days of receipt, along with the original tags and your delivery note that was included in your parcel.
To print your returns postage label access our Returns Portal


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May 28, 2012
Memorial Day Memo
Memo to my Readers: I have this 15 year old son... who wrote a really great book review on Memorial Day... that you might want to go read.
That is all.
No comments:
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
Looking for my homeschool links and resources? Click the resources button (the question mark with a little bee in the other side-bar). I have a ton of homeschool and home management links there!
I use Homeschool Tracker for all my homeschool record keeping. You can try the free version, but I much prefer the plus version - which has a lot more options and a cool Amazon auto-fill ISBN gizmo that makes recording books a breeze.
Read my full review of HST!
Enjoy what you read? Use my book lists, project photos, planner pages, unit studies, links, and ideas?
Please consider a small donation.
(Proceeds go towards new books for our homeschool library, costs associated with maintaining and purdifying this website, and diapers to keep my poopy-monster's hiney clean.)


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From a Marine
Semper Fi🇺🇸
I have been a season ticket holder at Yankee Stadium, Yale Bowl and Giants Stadium.
I missed the 1990-91 season because I was with a battalion of Marines in Desert Storm. Fourteen of my wonderful Marines returned home with the American Flag draped across their lifeless bodies. My last conversation with one of them, Sgt Garrett Mongrella, was about how our Giants were going to win the Super Bowl. He never got to see it. Many friends, Marines and Special Forces Soldiers who worked with or for me through the years returned home with the American Flag draped over their coffins.
Now I watch multi-millionaire athletes who never did anything in their lives but play a game, disrespect the brave Americans who fought and died protecting something much greater than a piece of inflated pigskin in a safe controlled environment.
They are essentially spitting in the faces on the graves of real men who have actually done something for this country besides playing with a ball and believing they're something special! They're not!
My Marines and Soldiers were!
You are complicit in this!
You'll fine players for large and small infractions but you lack the moral courage and respect for our nation and the fallen to put an immediate stop to this.
Yes, I know, it's their 1st Amendment right to behave in such a despicable manner. What would happen if they came out and disrespected you or the refs!
I observed a player getting a personal foul for twerking in the end zone after scoring. I guess that's much worse than disrespecting the flag and our National Anthem. Hmmmmm, isn't it his 1st Amendment right to express himself like an idiot in the end zone?
Why is taunting not allowed yet taunting America is OK? You fine players for wearing 9-11 commemorative shoes yet you allow scum on the sidelines to sit, kneel or pump their pathetic fist in the air. They are so deprived with their multi-million dollar contracts for playing a freaking game! You condone it all by your refusal to act. You're just as bad and disgusting as they are. I hope Americans boycott any sponsor who supports that rabble you call the NFL. I hope they turn off the TV when any team allows this disrespect to occur without consequence on the sidelines. I applaud those teams with respect for their country, their flag and themselves.
Legends and heroes do NOT wear shoulder pads. They wear body armor and carry rifles. They make minimum wage and spend months and years away from their families. They do it 24/7 often with lead, not footballs, coming in their direction. They watch their brothers carted off in pieces not on a gurney to get their knee iced. They don't even have ice! Many return home at the end of the day with no arms or legs.
Some wear blue and risk their lives daily on the streets of America. They wear fire helmets and go into fires rather than down to safety. On 9-11 hundreds vanished. They are professionals. They are heroes.
I hope that your high paid protesting pretty boys and you look in that mirror when you shave tomorrow and see what you really are…legends in your own minds. You need to hit the road and take those worms with you!
Time to change the channel.
Col Jeffrey A Powers USMC (Ret)
Vista, California
[totalpoll id="6596″]


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General Contractors
Win. Win.
McCoy Rockford knows the nuances of the bidding game. We get it. And we want in on it. We know the difference detail can make when it comes to winning work. That's why we're more than willing to help put together accurate project cost estimates. But that's just covering bases. We can do so much more. Given the opportunity, we can help add value to the project by identifying ways to cut costs, apply alternative materials or design new approaches.
- What if modular walls can cut costs significantly as compared to sheetrock construction and add flexibility for your client down the line?
- Perhaps an alternative flooring solution can offer the look for less and add durability at the same time.
- Maybe there is a manufactured furniture system that offers required functionality so you don't have to build it in.
These are the areas where our services and expertise are an asset to your team. The commercial interior solutions we design address the demands of the marketplace. Product knowledge and research enables McCoy Rockford to deliver smarter, faster and cheaper projects. That's a winning formula!


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This waterfront park is all about H2O-based activities on the East River, including kayaking, canoeing and fishing off the piers. In the summer of 2010, the floating barge (which has traveled to various spots over the years) was docked here, bringing in kids and adults from all five boroughs. Those who would rather stay dry have plenty else to do on the park's gorgeous five acres, including picnicking, playing volleyball or baseball or enjoying a snack from the beloved Barretto Point Park mobile food truck. Special events include the Parks Summer Movie Series, where families cuddle up on blankets to watch flicks on a 24-foot screen.
Tiffany St at Viele AveBronx, NY 10474
(212) 639-9675
Parks & Gardens


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NASCAR Thunder 2004
|PC, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Xbox
|Electronic Arts
|EA Tiburon
|Racing / Racing Simulation
|Release Date:
|September 16, 2003
|Game Modes:
|Singleplayer / Multiplayer
EA Sports is rarely challenged in sports, with their games topping sales charts and enjoying a reputation for quality. But not all of their games are the best in their respective sport. The NASCAR Thunder series continues to show improvement, and it finally comes close to the lofty standards set by Papyrus in its NASCAR Racing series of games, but it's not quite equal to it.
The AI is the clear winner here. Adjustable computer opponents do a great job of racing you without crashing, providing a good dose of realism. Even better, the game features easy network play for up to sixteen drivers. There's very little warping or lag, allowing you to race hard without fear of strange anomalies ruining your race. All of this great racing would be useless without good physics. While the game doesn't break any new ground in car dynamics, it does provide a solid and believable driving experience that can be easily tweaked for the novice or pro player.
The career mode is a new addition and it smartly adds financial concerns to season play. Using money received from a starting investment and sponsorship, you get to decide where to get the most bang for your buck in the shop and then on the track. It's not a full-blown racing-management game within a game, but it's advanced enough that you spend plenty of time trying to become successful both on and off the track
Everything else in the game is passable to great. Whether you are tweaking car setup on a couple of intuitive screens, or just enjoying the general circuit presentation and sound, NASCAR Thunder 2004 is mostly of high quality. It never breaks away from the level of great to become an excellent game worthy of high praise, but also never falls to the level of mediocre. The box is filled with hours of competitive and exciting racing.
System Requirements: Pentium III 400 MHz, 128 MB RAM, Win98
- Buy Game
Tags: Free NASCAR Thunder 2004 Download Full ISO PC Game Review
5 Comments
i putted the crack and tells me no cd rom please insert the cd rom
Hey, I love your stuff, man and thanks for the awesome racing uploads, I'm really having a blast. I have one request though, can you upload Nascar Simracing? Pretty please?
It used to be on isozone. But the Powers that Be took that site down. Anyway, thanks for replying man. I hope you get a copy or something in the future. Love your games, especially the Sports Car GT, and ofcourse, this game as well.
my game crashes when I try to open it.How can I fix it?


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Happy Little Stampers - Anything Goes with Dies. It's not very often I have a card with no stamping but I got this poinsettia flower die free with a mag and just had to see how it looked.... I cut two of the smaller dies and while still in place inked up the internal cut to give veins to the flower. I cut an extra larger flower in green for the foliage. Then I had this scrap of DP and love the different colours so matched it with a layer and onto a beige metallic card. Just finished off with a cream die cut sentiment and tiny gems for the flower center. Thanks for taking a peek
Saturday, 29 October 2016
Merry Christmas
6 comments:
I love this Robyn...very nice!ReplyDelete
Hi Robyn, That's lovely.ReplyDelete
Hope you have a good day. Sue
This is beautiful Robyn. The poinsettia looks lovely. BarbxxReplyDelete
I love this Christmassy card. Thank you for joining us at Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes With A Die.ReplyDelete
Emma - DT
This is a beautiful card, Robyn. The poinsettia flower is pretty!ReplyDeleteReplies
Thank you for playing along with HLS Anything Goes with Dies!Delete
Thank you for taking the time to comment, all encouragement and inspiration is very welcome. May your day be a happy and extra special one, cheers Robyn
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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The Leather Archives & Museum, a cultural center in Chicago devoted to preserving the history of alternative sexuality, wants your help documenting sexual practices that are not widely discussed. Do you enjoy giving or receiving a little pain during sex, such as spanking, biting, or scratching? Do you fantasize about being overpowered or overpowering your partner, including using ropes, handcuffs, or other restraints? Do you role-play during sex? We want to learn about your experiences through an interview.
We are seeking interviewees whose sex life includes various "alternative" practices. Interviewees who do NOT often participate in adult sexuality workshops, sex parties, or educational meetups are especially encouraged to respond.
We respect your privacy. Anything you tell us will be kept under an anonymous name, if you prefer, or your real name only if you are comfortable with such disclosure. Interviews will be recorded and stored at the Chicago location of the Leather Archives & Museum. They are not being collected for a specific purpose at this time, but may be used for future museum exhibits and will be made available to researchers and scholars who use the museum's collections for study.
Interviews may be conducted in any way that makes you feel comfortable – by email, phone, an online voice service such as Skype, or even in person if you happen to live in Chicago. Again, we completely respect your privacy; if you get in touch, we will gladly work with you to figure out how to keep you feeling safe and comfortable throughout our discussions. Whether you have just started looking into this kind of sexuality, or have been exploring for years, please consider getting in touch with us.
The point person for this project is Clarisse Thorn, who can be reached by email at [ clarisse at leatherarchives dot org ]. You can also leave her a voice message if you call the Leather Archives at 773.761.9200.
About the LA&M:
The Leather Archives & Museum is a library, museum and archives pertaining to leather and alternative sexual communities. The geographic collection scope is worldwide and includes all sexual orientations and genders. The library collection contains books, magazines, scholarly publications, films and electronic resources related to the subject matter. The museum collection contains original erotic art and artifacts from alternative sex organizations and individuals. The archival collection contains unpublished papers and records from notable activists, artists, businesses and organizations related to the subject matter. For more information about the LA&M, please visit www.leatherarchives.org
Press release version 1. The LA&M wants your help documenting the experiences of BDSMers who do not currently participate in the public BDSM subculture
Press release version 2. The LA&M wants your help documenting sexual practices that are not widely discussed
Read the entry on Clarisse Thorn's blog.


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2012-13 Participation Fees
Students participating in Athletics will pay the following fees:
$30 – Junior High
$60 – Senior High
No family will pay more than $240 per year for participation fees. Families who qualify for free or reduced meals will be able to participate at a reduced or no cost rate if their parents/guardians sign and return the Release of Information form that will be included in the back-to-school letter.
There will be no participation fee for non-athletic activities


text: Visited my MIL in the home today . She's getting worse now . Had nothing on her feet plasters on where she had scratched herself he skin is paper thin . They were taking her back to her room as she is getting really aggressive with everyone . They said they couldn't get her slippers or socks on her . So worried about her spoke to the person in charge and asked if a doctor could see her maybe give her some sort of medication . Got told they will asked the doctor on Tuesday she's 97 . Her feet were cold I put her socks and slippers on ok . I think deep down she knows my voice her sight has gone . I took her to her room and sat a while and played some music . How long is this going on . Her arms are covered in bruises and scratches . Has anyone else had the same problem . I go every week as I don't live local . There may come a time where I can't get there what will happen then . I'm seriously thinking of getting her moved nearer but will that do more harm than good help !!!


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It's hard to know where to start with a post like this. Having just told my story in the previous blog post, I feel as though I've already given a good insight into this part of my life. At the same time, the previous post had very little to do with the referendum itself.
As the day draws nearer and nearer, I can't help but feel disappointed that soon all the campaigning and support will come to an end. Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to hopefully celebrating a step in the right direction, along with everyone else supporting a Yes vote.
My problem is that I don't want the support to fade away as soon as the referendum is over. Seeing people sharing videos and pictures on Facebook in support of marriage equality has meant so much to me. From my close friends, fellow course mates, people from home; it truly has been an incredible experience to be a part of.
Every "like", share or comment on my own statuses or on the statuses of others; every retweet; every single message of encouragement; it has all been phenomenal. I am extremely grateful on personal level but also on political level. There really is no reason this referendum shouldn't pass and I'm delighted so many of you agree with me.
Apart from the obvious reason being that this referendum could potentially impact my life at some stage, I have many other reasons for wanting it to pass:
- Marriage is something that every child dreams of before they even know what the word "sexuality" means. Just because where initially they imagined themselves with someone of the opposite sex has now changed to imagining marrying someone of the same sex, that does not make them any less entitled or eligible for marriage.
- The only reason "traditional" marriage is seen to be that of a man and a woman is because that is what has been instilled in the minds of the youth. From nursery rhymes to fairytale stories, every happy ending involves a man and a woman falling in love and living happily ever after. If we simply rewrote these stories to involve same-sex partners, children would grow up thinking nothing different of LGBT couples.
- Thousands of people over the years who grew up in Ireland have had to move abroad to live fulfilled lives. They were unable to stay in Ireland and be themselves because Irish society frowned upon what made them different. If we treated every other minority group the way we have treated the LGBT community over the years, Ireland's population would be heading towards extinction. The fact that Ireland is so open to embracing other cultures and ethnicities is what makes it so special. Why limit that openness?
- I'm sick to death of the word "tolerance". I don't want people to tolerate two men holding hands. I don't want housemates to tolerate living with a gay student. I don't want anyone to "tolerate the fact that I have a girlfriend. Marriage equality is a massive step towards acceptance and it cannot be underestimated. I want to be accepted as just another person in just another relationship. Not "that girl that has a girlfriend". That gets old.
I want to know that in ten years time if I decide I want to marry the person I love, I can do so in the country I was born in. I want to know that the people I invite won't have to worry about the cost of flying to a different country because I couldn't get married in Ireland.
I hope that in ten years time if I do decide to get married, "gay marriage" and "same-sex marriage" are terms that won't exist anymore. That my marriage won't be considered a gay marriage or a straight marriage. It will just be my wedding day. Simple as that.


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Unlike Windows 7, Windows 8 Professional edition licenses supplied by PC manufacturers (OEMs) do not include the right to install Windows XP Professional instead. If an organization wants to install Windows XP on new computers, it must ask the OEM to ship new computers with Windows 7 (rather than Windows 8) licenses or supplement OEM Windows 8 licenses with OS-related licenses purchased through volume licensing programs. Organizations most likely to be affected are those that have not completed migration to Windows 7 and do not have an Enterprise Agreement (EA) covering the Windows client OS.
Licensing Windows and Downgrades
Windows OEM licenses come with a computer from its manufacturer and are how most organizations initially license PCs, laptops, and other Windows client devices. These OEM licenses come with a specific set of terms and use limitations. (For an overview of major licensing terms, see the chart "Windows 7 and 8 Professional OEM Licenses Compared".)
OEM licenses for Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista Business, and Windows 7 Professional provided "N-2" version downgrade rights, meaning that a customer could substitute either of the preceding two versions in place of the licensed version. This precedent continues, but it means that while Windows 7 Professional OEM licenses permit customers to downgrade to Windows XP Professional, Windows 8 Professional OEM licenses do not. As has always been the case, OEM licenses for the Windows client OS are permanently tied to the PC to which they are initially assigned, so if a new PC replaces an old Windows XP machine, the old Windows XP license may not be applied to the new machine.
To obtain a more favorable and expanded set of use rights than provided by OEM licenses, including downgrade rights, many customers supplement their OEM Windows Professional licenses with purchases made through volume licensing programs, the two most prominent being the Windows Professional Upgrade license and Software Assurance (SA).
The Windows Professional Upgrade (US$187 per device) allows the latest version of Windows Professional to be installed on the PC in place of the existing version. (All prices quoted in this article represent the highest fee a business customer in North America would pay through a volume licensing program.) It also permits downgrades to any prior version of Windows Professional. The Windows Professional Upgrade can be purchased at any point in time for PCs with OEM licenses for Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista Business/Ultimate, and Windows 7 Professional/Ultimate, as well as for Apple Macintosh computers.
Software Assurance (US$55 annually per device) can be added to an OEM Windows Professional license within 90 days of the PC purchase (or bought at the same time a Windows Professional Upgrade license is purchased). This subscription offering provides upgrade rights to successor versions, permission to use Windows Enterprise edition, and other benefits, including the right to downgrade to any prior OS version. SA is typically purchased across the entire organization via an EA, an Open Value company-wide contract, or piecemeal through other Microsoft volume licensing programs.
Options for Dealing with the OEM Downgrade Rights Change
There is still a large installed base of Windows XP, and many corporate customers are still in the process of migrating to Windows 7. Organizations that purchase PCs with Windows 8 Professional licenses and unwittingly deploy Windows XP in its place are at risk of license noncompliance. If audited, they would likely be compelled to purchase Windows Professional Upgrade licenses, which (somewhat ironically) provide the right to downgrade to any previous version of the Windows OS (Professional or Business edition but not Enterprise edition).
Organizations impacted by the version downgrade rights change have the following options, which may be used in combination.
Ask the OEM to ship Windows 7 Professional instead. For at least two years following the release of a new Windows client OS version, OEMs typically have the option to ship PCs with a license to the previous version of Windows; Microsoft has given no indication that it plans to deviate from this precedent. The downside to requesting a Windows 7 Professional license is that customers will have to pay extra if they wish to upgrade to Windows 8 Professional in the future.
Coordinate PC purchases with a Windows XP phase-out strategy. Organizations could avoid the need to downgrade new PCs to Windows XP altogether by postponing new PC purchases until they are ready to move the affected users to a newer OS version. If a PC has an OEM Windows 8 Professional license, any post-Windows XP version (Windows Vista Business, Windows 7 Professional, or Windows 8 Professional) may be deployed.
Add SA to a new Windows 8 Professional license. Adding SA to a Windows 8 Professional OEM license provides, among other benefits, the right to downgrade to any prior OS version, including Windows XP Professional. However, given the cost, this option likely makes sense only if other benefits associated with SA provide additional value to the organization.
Add an Intune subscription to a Windows 8 Professional PC. Intune, which leverages online services hosted in Microsoft data centers to provide PC management and malware protection, includes most of the special use rights and benefits associated with SA for Windows Professional, including the right to downgrade to any earlier OS version. However, at an annual cost of US$132 per PC, Intune is more expensive than SA and thus makes sense only if its system management and protection features have value to the organization.
Windows 7 licensing, including special use rights contingent on SA coverage, is explained in the Apr. 2012 Licensing Outline, "Licensing Windows 7 for PCs."
Past extensions of Windows XP downgrade rights and license availability are discussed in "Windows XP Downgrade Rights Extended" on page 36 of the Aug. 2010 Update and in "Windows XP Leaves Mainstream" on page 12 of the Apr. 2009 Update.
Version downgrade and other use rights associated with the OEM Windows 8 Professional license are documented in the Windows Professional Software License Terms (SLT), sometimes referred to as an End User License Agreement (EULA). Though not available at time of publication of this article, it will be posted at www.microsoft.com/About/Legal/EN/US/IntellectualProperty/UseTerms/Default.aspx.
Rules for adding SA to OEM acquired licenses are documented in the monthly Product List posted at www.microsoft.com/licensing/about-licensing/product-licensing.aspx#tab=2.
Use rights for Windows Professional Upgrades and SA in Microsoft Volume Licensing are outlined in Microsoft's Quarterly Product Use Rights (PUR) document at www.microsoft.com/licensing/about-licensing/product-licensing.aspx. Some SA-specific benefits are discussed in the monthly Product List.