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Everything you need to know about Blockchain
Blockchain is fashionable, but few understand what it is, and where and how to apply it. In this paper we explore the concept of this technology, its characteristics and applicability in the business context.
Firstly, it is important to understand that blockchain is not a product or service itself but a technological solution for general purpose such as internet. Therefore, it's hard to imagine all the applications that we have in the future: the truth is that blockchain will be present in people's lives transparently.
We can define blockchain as a solution consisting of encryption elements and distributed computing, to automate processes that require the establishment of trust between two or more parties. This trust is established by consensus algorithms and transparency in the recording of transactions.
We can better understand the workings of this technology by analyzing two of its main features:
- Chaining of records: Records are written in blocks. These blocks are linked to each other through a process based on encryption, which is responsible for representing a block through a single string that becomes part of the next block, thus creating, a temporal sequence of records.
This feature ensures the immutability of data.
- Distributed system: The solution is given in network format where each node maintains a common vision of executed transactions, providing transparency for the entire system, which itself it is an important safety factor. Nodes can still participate in the validation of information, following pre-established consensus rules, which ensures the system's resilience. That means, the network can "survive" if one or more nodes are lost or trying to work out of the rules. This feature is important to check system reliability and impartiality.
It is important to make clear that there are other technical factors and variations that can be applied, bringing this universe a variety of platforms that have their own characteristics to meet specific purposes. These characteristics go through the nature of the network (public or private), the consensus model and even the way of "chaining" the records.
Fast forward to the discussion of the application of blockchain, it is necessary to bear in mind that this technology is embedded in a context of digital transformation. For this to be clear, just look on the optics of the potential impact in changing the relationship between people and companies, given the trust element; Gain efficiency by eliminating intermediate administrative costs and fees; and finally, the potential to enable new business based on the phenomenon of shared savings, decentralization and disintermediation.
For didactic purposes, we group the applications of this technology in four fields. It is important to keep in mind that the applications presented here include the most recent studies, however innovations are emerging every day.
1. Cryptocurrency
The most famous application of blockchain was as enabler for the Bitcoin system. This technology was primarily used to solve an old problem in the currency of digitization: the double spending.
The need to scan the money is not something recent. Watch the video where the Nobel economics, Milton Friedman talks about it in 1999 (https://youtu.be/BC4KuzXneGI).
The success of this application is demonstrated by the fact that bitcoin is on the air since January 3, 2009, currently accumulating a value of US 450 billion market, without any attempt of fraud in the validation or registration transaction being successful.
From the bitcoin, many other cases using the scanning blockchain money succeeded. These cases go through payment solutions in e-commerce environments and physical stores, remittances, global interbank transfers, peer-to-peer lending systems and micro finance systems.
Below is one of the most famous cases related to cryptocurrency:
Interbank transfers: Ripple (https://ripple.com/use-cases/)
2. Criptoactives
Still in the field of finance, another possible application of blockchain is in the representation of documents in electronic form, which facilitates transactions in general assets, increasing the liquidity and the potential market size of these assets. The active representation of a process is known for digitally tokenization.
For this application becomes clearer, consider how active a property with a market value of R $ 1 million.
Now imagine that will be created 20 tokens, each equivalent to 5% of the property value. This way, you could own a piece of property or, for example, receive part of the proceeds from a rental. The benefit relating to liquidity is evident in the emergence of secondary markets that allow the sale and purchase of these tokens instantly without intermediation or fees. This market can still work 24 hours a day without interruption, and quite simply enable transactions between people from anywhere in the world, thus increasing the size of this market.
Along the same lines, solutions related to the stock market, derivatives, private market and crowdfunding also fit in this group. However the revolution in financial markets, given the use of blockchain, still depends on scalability issues, and legislation.
One of the most emblematic cases related to this group of applications is the launch of LINQ platform, a partnership between NASDAQ and technology companies, which resulted in a platform for trading in securities of companies in pre-IPO.
3. Data management
"Data is the asset of the new era."
We live in an era where the generation of data grows exponentially, boosted mainly by the ability we create to interact in the digital environment. This interaction goes through the relationship between people, companies and things (IOT). At the same time, we went through a crisis of privacy and information security.
The blockchain can be applied in this context by returning people control of their data without the facilities generated by the sharing of your information is affected. The idea is that the network verifies the authenticity of each record, store and manage permission to access this information in an automated and decentralized manner.
This functionality is useful in a range of applications such as: copyright guarantees, control supply chains, Loyalty programs, proof of authenticity, data sharing among competitors and/or partners, identity management, among others.
The accession of the government in issuing digital identities is a great accelerator in this process and Estonia is at the forefront of using blockchain in the management of digital identities. Access: (https://e-estonia.com/solutions/e-identity/id-card)
Another mature application of blockchain is the management of supply chains, benefiting industry, retailers and consumers. Recently, a partnership between BRF, Carrefour Brazil and IBM released a blockchain-based solution for the screening of the entire production process of meat. The final consumer could, through a QR Code on the product packaging, check the origin of that product's factory, production dates, packaging and transport, as well as its validity. Any irregularity in the manufacture or distribution may be detected by the client.
I advise you to watch the video (https://youtu.be/CsxjlsBYmrI), in which is detailed in another case of application of technology, this time in the healthcare industry.
4. Smart Contracts
As its name suggests, we can apply the blockchain to digitalize contracts, which means establishing conditions that must be performed if a predetermined event occurs. However, this concept can be much broader. We can run entire programs from applications developed on blockchain platforms.
Smart contracts are maybe the application with the greatest potential disruptive. Its main features are: having to trigger transactions recorded in blockchain, be self-executable and impossible to be interrupted (if desired); They are precise in its execution and may involve information transactions, tokens and cryptocurrency; may involve two or several parts, and as agents people or things (IOT); and can also interact with external components such as applications, stand-alone machines and artificial intelligence. It is a vast field of action and very flexible as the possibilities of the program have no barriers.
The table below outlines the cases of smart use of contract considering the complexity of its implementation:
In the known cases, we highlight the DAO - Decentralized Autonomous Organization. This application aims at the elimination of legal entities in the relationship between suppliers, partners, employees and consumers, breaking the current model of any organization, thus enabling the real shared economy.
Among the many cases we suggest the research of three of them:
- Slock.it - Platform which allows the leasing of real estate and cars equipped with connectivity. Replacing companies like Airbnb: (https://slock.it/)
- Arcade city - global platform for rides in peer-to-peer scheme maintained and operated by the drivers themselves. May be the end of companies like UBER, which currently mediate the relationship between drivers and passengers: (https://arcade.city/)
- Xchng - Open platform that will provide stability, security, efficiency and transparency in the digital marketing industry: (https://www.xchng.io/)
As we have seen, blockchain is a vast subject with an enormous potential disruptive, both considering new business models, and the transformation of traditional business. In Brazil and in the world, this technology is still in development and we expect a higher adoption of blockchain for the next two or three years. Until then, many new applications and proof of concept should be part of the way.
We at Cosin, seek to be close to the development of this technology, studying and seeking partnerships to build our own cases.


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Bop.fm Raises $2 Million to Become the 'Switzerland' of Streaming Music
When music fans encounter a song online, in many cases they can't simply play it where they find it.
Rights management issues, which have plagued the industry since the launch of Apple Inc.'s iTunes and Napster Inc., make digital music distribution complicated. And consumers demonstrate a wide variety of habits and preferences when it comes to playing and sharing music online.
To solve problems around fragmentation–for both recording artists and fans alike–Bop.fm, raised $2 million in Series A funding, says co-founder and CEO Shehzad Daredia.

subset: commoncrawl


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We are a Bristol based studio specializing in quality printed apparel & Artwork.
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Project Info:
"I found TWC very easy to work with. Their service is excellent value for money and they seem to really focus on providing the very best customer service."
Martin Flashaw - T&C Financial Planning
About the company
Town & Country Financial Planning provide financial services to clients based throughout the south west of England. The provision is exclusively to individuals.
Situation, the objectives and TWC's involvement
Providing marketing services to Town & Country Financial planning from their inception, TWC has been involved with both off-line and web based projects the company has required. This has included, stationery design and branding, digital marketing strategy and customer communications materials.
Services provided to Town & Country Financial Planning
- Branding &identity
- Website design &consultation
- Stationery design services
- HTML newsletter
- Print management
Process and working relationship
TWC provides ongoing support and services to Town & Country Financial Planning. Work is requested either via email, telephone or via face to face meetings. Typically during meetings various aspects are reviewed, such as document design and production needs, advertising options (determining best return on investment etc) and any other requirements they have. They have an ongoing need for print material and a large percentage of the work involves managing their print requirements.
TWC enjoys a successful ongoing relationship with Town & Country Financial planning. The project work (HTML newsletter for example) has been well received by their customers and TWC has helped the company save money by managing their print requirements.


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Oh, can't wait for Ben to find out the connection… (me too!)
I love the lantern and the second panel and the coloring and-
aw, screw it. I love everything about this comic,
And I love your avatar!
But seriously the lantern is really cool.
Love that lovely glowy lantern, and the expressions in that next-to-last panel. Ben's urgency and the sense of him frantically searching the crowd really comes through.
I can't wait to see where Charlie's been and what SHE thinks happened to her jacket!
YAY he found her! Phew. I hope they go find Jeremy next to tell him!
bahahaha, that guy's reaction to ben in the 6th panel is pure awesomeness!!!!
So how did Charlie get way out here? Did she just leave Ben in the middle of the woods? I'm a little lost there.
AWESOME coloring, by the way. This page is absolutely gorgeous. :)
Everything in this arc just clicked in my brain. I can't wait to see how the end plays out.


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Sales of previously owned homes fell 2.7 percent from July to August, ending a run of four consecutive months of increases, while the inventory of homes for sale continued to shrink, the National Association of Realtors said today.
Resale homes, including single-family homes, townhomes, condos and co-ops, changed hands at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.1 million units in August, off the pace of 5.24 million in July but up 3.4 percent from a year ago.
At that pace, the 3.62 million homes on the market at the end of August represented 8.5 months of supply, down from 9.3 months in July. Many experts consider a six-month supply of homes for sale good balance between supply and demand. The inventory of homes for sale was down 10.8 percent from July and 16.4 percent from a year ago.
Some of the decline in closed sales appears to be the result of a rising number of contracts entering the system as the Nov. 30 deadline for claiming the first-time homebuyer tax credit approaches, said Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist, in a press release. The resulting backlog has contributed to a longer closing process, Yun said.
Nevertheless, the decline demonstrates "we can't take a housing rebound for granted," Yun said in restating NAR's call for an extension of the tax credit.
First-time buyers purchased 30 percent of homes in August, and distressed homes accounted for 31 percent of transactions, NAR said. Both statistics were unchanged from July.
Distressed-home sales continue to distort the median price, NAR said, which at $177,000 was down 12.5 percent from a year ago.
The median existing single-family home price was $177,500 in August, down 12.1 percent from a year ago, while the median condo price was down 15.7 percent year-over-year, to $179,300.
Single-family home sales fell 2.8 percent from July to August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.48 million, but are up 2.5 percent from a year ago. Resale condo and co-op sales slipped 1.6 percent from July to August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 620,000, a 10.1 percent increase from a year ago.
Sales of existing homes were down in all four regions tracked by NAR from July to August, with the Midwest seeing the biggest decline (-6.6 percent) followed by the South (-3.1 percent) West (-2.7 percent) and Northeast (-2.2 percent).


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Our team at the Global Construction & Infrastructure Legal Alliance (GcilA) has recognized that the process of systematically and efficiently managing contract creation, execution, and analysis for the purpose of maximizing financial and operational performance and minimizing risk requires a keen and precise negotiation and implementation process.
Contract negotiation and management in construction is a highly complex process because it involves a number of different spheres that need to be taken into account and addressed. For example, it includes identifying the basic requirements of contracts, identifying and managing risks and responsibilities, drafting of appropriate contracts and amendments, the negotiation of the terms and conditions and ensuring compliance, documenting any changes made, critical interpretation of contract provisions, conducting risk audits, and overall making sure to minimize risks and maximize revenue/benefits.
Our teams at GcilA, are highly acquainted in and focus on the contract management world in result of our partners that have had a life-long involvement in this area and have thus acquired the necessary understanding and expertise. As such, we offer our clients assistance and accompaniment throughout all stages of contract management: from the very beginning at the stage of contract negotiation to contract signing, over contract implementation, to the very contract observation and eventual re-negotiation.
Because the procurement process for a concession or a public/private partnership is complex and sometimes requires a higher understanding that some of the players might possess, GcilA aims at providing its clients with the professional assistance and expertise needed. For example, we offer our clients consultations so that we can accompany them through their significant and necessary decision making process. As such, we evaluate holistically the project so that we can advise our clients which procurement model to choose depending on the nature, the size and the scope of the project.
Over the years the members of GcilA have acquired a vast familiarity and experience when it comes to the bidding process and, in particular, the preparation to the bidding process. Bidding does not only mean the process itself but also everything that comes before the actual process. As a matter of fact, the bidding process can only turn out to be effective and successful if the participating parties are prepared for the challenge. As such, we accompany our clients by evaluating the request for proposal (RfP) submitted by the public authority and producing clear and qualitative bid documents that respect the RfP.
Besides being involved at the early stage of bidding preparation and at the middle stage of the bidding process, GcilA is also present in the final stage of the bid evaluation and contract award. Due to the fact that during the procurement process many bids are submitted and different players take part, it is important that the awarding happens in close observance of the clauses and requirements set out by the RfP. GcilA provides its clients with the aid and assistance needed for the evaluation of the bids and finally the awarding of one or more contracts.
Being part of the contract management process, the follow-up of a concession or public/private partnership contract entails the consideration of the effectiveness of the contract under different point of views and, if necessary, the (re)allocation of responsibilities for an improved performance. In this respect, GcilA's highly experienced team operates on the follow-up process of contracts by pointing out whether or not the clients' needs have been met and all goals have been achieved. Should this not be the case, the GcilA team helps by (re)distributing the responsibilities for better performance and ensuring successful outcome of the contract by minimizing risks of default and renegotiation.


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The months leading up to this year's Iditarod Trail Invitational were slightly more stressful than needed. First, I was going to the ITI, then I wasn't going, then I was. I had planned to go to the ITI back in April 2014, but then we weren't sure we would be able to afford it so I gave up my spot and planned on racing JayP's Fat Pursuit instead. Then things changed and I was out for the Fat Pursuit. I really wanted to do another winter ultra, in addition to the Arrowhead 135. A few days before the Fat Pursuit, we were having dinner with ITI race directors, Kathi and Bill Merchant, and it just so happened a spot in the ITI opened and was offered to me. I was in! That meant I had six weeks to come up with the funds, plan my travel, and get my gear together.
One of the draws of going back to the ITI is that it is different every year. Temperatures had been unusually warm in Alaska this year, so open water and overflow were to be expected. My main concern was keeping my feet warm and dry. I had damaged them back in 2010 going to Nome, which led toward me developing Chilblains and susceptibility to cold. I applied seam sealer to my 45NRTH boots as a backup to help keep water out. I tried and tested several different sock setups, which included filling the bathtub with cold water and stepping in, until I found what worked for me. I wound up using a Vermont Darn tough liner sock, an Icebreaker snowboard sock covered with a neoprene sock. I constantly wiggle my toes and over exaggerate my ankle movement to help keep the blood flowing. I also put hand warmers on my shins, as close to my feet as possible, between my liner and sock. There are many small details to think about that may impact your performance.
As far as gear, I had a few new items this time around. My very lightweight, Salsa Beargrease Carbon, Fave, was one. I was wearing 45NRTH Wolfhammer clipless cycling boots, using 45NRTH four-inch studded Dillinger tires and a brand new handlebar roll bag from BikeBagDude.
I kept my food lists from previous years and had made notes on what worked and what didn't. I experimented with some new and less processed food items prior to the race and found some that worked great. Don't get me wrong; I still packed a fruit pie and a few candy bars. Those are things I normally don't eat so they will be more appetizing during the race.
It was nice to stay at the Westmark, ITI race headquarters in Anchorage, a few days prior to the race. Many other racers were staying there so we had time to chat and get to know each other a little more. Everyone was in the same boat, hurry up and wait for the race to start. Waiting isn't fun, but you need to arrive early to make sure you and your bike and gear actually make it to Alaska on time without missing flights or missing luggage.
Finally, it was go time!
Once we arrived at the Knik Lake Bar, the start of the race, I ran inside and ordered some food for Jay and I. We had lunch, finished getting dressed, did a quick warm up/gear check ride, said our good lucks and were ready to go. The Lake was covered with a thin layer of snow; a few people went down right out of the gate.
Due to the weather conditions the trail was expected to have a lot of ice, which is why I choose to use the studded tires. I was very happy with this choice and they gave me that extra level of confidence while riding. We took the road to get to the trail that brought us to Flathorn Lake. I have never gone this way before and was nervous about getting dropped since I didn't know where I was. Once on the trail I settled in and enjoyed the ride.
My strategy was to go as fast as I could for as long as I could, but also to be efficient on the trail and when I stopped. My goal was to make it to Skwentna the first night, 90 miles in, before taking a rest. Due to the warm temps I was soaking wet from sweat, so I spent a little more time at the first checkpoint Yetna, 60 miles in, to dry out. I had a grilled cheese and bowl of soup. I am not sure why but after that meal and for the rest of the race I had acid reflux issues, which I have never experienced in my life. It was horrible and would only happening while I was riding.
I made it to Skwentna around 1 a.m. I had a meal and took a 2-hour nap while my clothes dried near the fire. The next cabin was Shell Lake, a few hours away. I stopped there briefly to dry out my feet and moved on the Finger Lake where I would get my first drop bag. I made it to Finger Lake around 11 a.m. the morning after the race start. Upon arrival I was informed there was a message for me from my ever-so-sweet man, JayP.
I had a nice meal, did some maintenance, sorted through my drop bag and took an hour nap. Since Yetna, there was a chirping noise coming from the front of my bike and it was driving my nuts! I had stopped several times along the way trying to figure it out what was causing it and finally wound up putting both my earbuds in so I couldn't hear it. It wasn't until Rohn, at mile 200, that I had figured out how to stop the cable from rubbing on my fork and the noise went away.
I knew the next section of trail to Puntilla Lake, which included the Happy Steps and the Dalzell Gorge, was going to be demanding. I was ready for it. My bike was light approximately at 40 lbs with all my food and gear. This gave me an advantage maneuvering and pushing up the gorge as I watched a few others struggle behind me. I was the first of the group I was traveling with to make it to Puntilla Lake, so I had the whole cabin to myself. I grabbed a bed in the back room, quickly did my maintenance, and ate as I knew other racers were not far behind. I only wanted to sleep for two hours, which meant a midnight departure to attempt Rainy Pass. I was nervous about going over the pass by myself in the dark, but I knew a storm was coming and I didn't want to get stuck in it.
I overslept and my departure was delayed. I didn't leave until 2 a.m., and it was dumping snow outside then. By the time I left, the cabin was packed, with bodies lying wherever there was room. Two other racers left just ahead of me. They were walking and pushing their bikes up the pass mucking up the trail. I wanted to pass them ASAP since I was able to ride the climb. It turns out their tire pressure was too high and that's what was hindering their riding efforts. Due to deteriorating trail conditions most of the other racers behind them had to walk as well. There I was, just Fave and I on top of Rainy Pass, navigating the blown in trail!
This gave me a huge boost in confidence. I was stoked and was able to ride almost all the way to Rohn.
My plan was to get in and out of Rohn as quickly as possible. Besides the checkpoint crew, I was the only person there. I ate two bratwurst and a can of ravioli. I looked for my second drop bag, but it wasn't there. At the pre-race meeting there was an announcement that ravens had hit a few bags. Yep, mine was one of them. It was definitely a mental blow, as I had left some food behind at Puntilla thinking I was going to get my second drop. I looked through the leftovers box, but not one thing I had packed was in the box. I still had some food of my own, and nothing in the box looked appetizing, so I left Rohn with what I had.
From Rohn my goal was to make it to Nikolai, 90 miles away. As I was leaving, they told me to follow the scratch marks on the ice and that there would be a few open holes.
Water is flowing just behind those trees.
I was really nervous about this section; once again riding alone. Riding on frozen lakes with overflow, hearing it crack and seeing water flowing around me, made me uncomfortable. What would I do if the ice broke? My bike and all my gear would be gone! I would run back to Rohn, that is what I would do.
Well it wouldn't be a T-Race race unless I got lost. I missed a turn and although it was only a couple miles, I wound up on this super muddy trail, that caked my bike. Not good.
Once back on the lakes, I was following the scratch marks on the ice. Sometimes those scratch marks ended or there were several scratch marks going different ways, so it was a relief to get off the lakes and into the burn.
The burn started off nice but then turned to tussock heads halfway to the next checkpoint; Nikolai. They reminded me of baby Cousin Its (from the Adam's Family) ranging in size from newborn to age two. They were gnarly.
I mainly tried to ride around them, but took a few falls, got bumped around a bit, and even had to walk some.
I got to Nikolai at 1 a.m., I had been awake for 23 hours. I needed a quick rest before finishing up. I had a bit to eat and took a two-hour nap. Once I left Nikolai, I knew this was the final push and it wouldn't be long until I was in McGrath eating Peter's Mancakes!
The final 50 miles is mellow with a few riverbanks to push up. Peter likes to put mileage signs out and there are a few other new ones on the trail (which are incorrect). I knew where I was though and was excited about completing the ITI for my fourth time, in my fastest time ever; 2 days, 22 hours and 18 minutes.
Kathi met me outside at the finish, took a few pictures and then it was time to eat!
There are so many outstanding reasons to do this race. I hope those who want to get to experience this journey someday. Thank you to all who helped me get here!
This post filed under topics: Beargrease Bikepacking Fatbike Snow Biking Tracey Petervary Ultra Racing
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Tracey Petervary
Endurance cyclist Tracey Petervary is a New Jersey native residing in Victor, Idaho. She started adventure racing 18 years ago, enjoying multi-day, multi-sport team events traveling to places such as Fiji, New Zealand and across the United States. Her stable includes several bikes (MTB, road, cyclocross, commuter, fat, tandem), which allow her to ride every day of the year in any condition.
Peter's Mancakes and omelets are reason enough to do the race, but your cake looked a bit small to me. Was he low on batter?
Congrats!! on your fine finish and great writeup. Brings back lots of memories…
I wonder about the reflux. Too much salt, nuts, and not enough water perhaps? My GI surgeon from the Mayo clinic advises to drink water 30 minutes before a meal to get the stomach enzymes activated.
That's a mean looking pancake! Congrats on the race time!
How are you guys liking the no brake fronts? What's your rationale in spite of the fact that fronts give you the most stopping power? Even on a sloppy downhill you must be risking a potential loss of control than otherwise with the fronts on. It takes a lot of skill to accurately tap those fronts in the aforementioned scenario. Especially with all the added weight on the front. So, I don't blame you for removing them altogether. However some people think it's sacrilege. I'd go with mechanical brakes for the fronts.
Thank you Pat! Those mancakes are dense, I picked a small one so I could put more whipped cream on it.
Thank you Chach! Some other people suffered the same deal afer that meal, maybe there was something in it we weren't use to. I will remember that about the water, thanks! I was comfortable having just a rear brake, I am also confident in my handling skills. For me there are not enough hills in the ITI to justify me having a front brake, others may want it. Personal choice. Hope to see you out there!
I enjoy getting to know you better and sharing stories about the trail, it was a very special time for all of us racers in McGrath, D briefing as Kathy says,,
see you soon,
good luck to you and Jay
Hi Tracy!
Not sure if you remember me…we've only met a couple times. Anyhoo, I loved reading this! Thank you for sharing your thoughts/experience. Sam and I are headed up to AK to TOUR (no racing this time around) part or all of the iditarod trail. I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on FEET and the 40 North boots. I have pretty poor circulation in my feet (due to outdoor ice hockey growing up : ) and my toes can be the limiting factor on winter adventures (often causing me to have to stop and put them on someone's (ie sam's) belly. So, I am wondering what your experience was with the 40 North boots, do you recommend them? If so, do you recommend the model you used or the newer one with removable liners? Do you have any other suggestions of foot systems you've seen or experienced work out there?
If you get this and get the chance to respond, THANK YOU!!
I hope you and Jay are having an awesome winter so far!
Take care,
Hi Katie, yes I do remember you. Thank you for reaching out.
I damaged my toes a few years ago going to Nome. They get very cold very quickly now. I have also developed chilblains, so I have to be on top of my maintenance with them. But I have never had to use the belly warming method, so we may have different levels of damage.
My current setup for cold weather temps say, -20F to 0F, is the 45nrth Wolfgar boot (the new one), 2 sizes bigger than I normally wear, a thin wool liner, RBH designs' VaprThrm Hi-Rise insulated sock, with a knee high heavy/mid-weight wool sock on top for insulation. I also place hand warmers on my shins, between my liner and Vapor barrier and in the back pocket of my cycling knickers, I carry a spare pair of the mid-weight wool socks to switch and dry out. RBH designs' recommends wearing the VaprThrm next to your skin and some friends have used them this way with success, but I don't like the way it feels on my feet.
There are also HotHands footbed warmers, that are the shape of your foot, friends with raynaud's have used these and were happy with them, I have not tried them yet. As soon as my toes begin to get cold, which happens at times, I get off and run until my toes warm up, it could be a mile or 5 minutes.
Yes, I would recommend the Wolfgar boots, they are the warmest cycling shoe I have ever owned, but you will have to experiment with your own sock system to see what works for you.
I hope that helps and that you and Sam have an awesome, safe journey! Maybe I'll see you out there!!
Tracy, thank you SO much!! Hope to see you!
TracEy, Whoops…not only did I accidentally write 40 instead of 45 North, I also spelled your name wrong. My apologies!


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Entravision Communications Corporation
TV Production Assistant
Location/Market: Orlando, FL
The ideal candidate will be able to assist with all video production requirements of the station, which includes the editing and shooting of commercials and promos. Must be able to work with all departments and clients.
Essential Functions
- Shoots and edits creative commercials.
- Works directly with clients and Sales department.
- Juggles multiple projects the require experience with videography, knowledge of audio and lighting, Final Cut Pro, and Photoshop.
- Translates commercial scripts in English and Spanish.
- Technical Capability.
- Multitasking.
- Enthusiasm and Creativity.
- Sound Judgment.
- Strategic Thinking.
- Teamwork.
Supervisory Responsibility
Reports directly to the Production Manager
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday. Actual hours and schedule may vary.
Required Education and Experience
- Spanish fluency required.
- Videography experience a must.
- Knowledge of audio and lighting.
- Video editing skills (non-linear).
- Strong knowledge of Final Cut Pro and Photoshop.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Entravision Communications Corporation participates in the E-Verify system operated by the US Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration and will use E-Verify to confirm work eligibility for all new hire employees.
Entravision Communications is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
We encourage women and minorities to apply.
Salary: Commensurate with Experience
Please send resume to email@example.com email@example.com
Apply Online at entravision.com
No Phone calls or walk-ins


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Eberjey Lady Godiva Robe Black: M
Eberjey's beautiful Lady Godiva Black Robe is what every woman should have in their wardrobe. Just perfect for throwing on and lounging about!
Classic, lightweight but perfectly snuggly with super soft black jersey. A beautiful feminine stretch lace on the bottom hem makes this Eberjey robe a real winner and a favourite with the PLAISIRS team!
89% Modal / 11% Spandex Jersey


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Local poverty advocates call for national food strategy for children and youth
Posted on September 11, 2012 in Social Security Debates
Source: Guelph Mercury — Authors: Joanne Shuttleworth
GUELPH — Local poverty advocates are calling on the federal government to introduce a national food strategy for children and youth including aboriginal children and get rid of the patchwork of programs currently in place that rely on volunteer labour and donated food to operate.
"We don't have a significant Aboriginal population here, but there are a significant number of students that go without food each day and the only mechanism to feed them is Food and Friends," said Peter Thurley, development co-ordinator for the Food and Friends program.
"Canada is one of the few industrialized countries that doesn't have a food program for children."
Food and Friends operates 80 breakfast and snack programs in schools in Guelph and Wellington County, providing meals to some 13,000 students.
It is known that hunger affects academic performance, attendance, student behaviour, and graduation rates. A nutritious diet improves a child's health, aids proper brain growth and can reduce long-term health effects like obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure.
"We have a very generous community, but food prices rise for us as well, making it more difficult to reach our goals. And it may mean more kids will need our help, at a time when we can serve fewer of them," Thurley said.
The Guelph and Wellington Task Force for Poverty Elimination, Food and Friends, and the Food Access Working Group have written a letter to the local sitting MPs asking them to support a national child and youth food strategy and a fully-funded on-reserve aboriginal student meal program.
David Thornley, co-chair of the poverty task force, said food security, stable housing and adequate income are closely aligned when it comes to moving people off social assistance and on to independence.
He said from 1945 to 1960 there was co-operation between federal and provincial governments to create a national housing strategy for returning war veterans and similar agreements created the national health-care system we have today.
"There aren't simple solutions to these problems, but the solution starts with a fundamental commitment," he said.
"We're asking government to make that commitment."
< http://www.guelphmercury.com/news/local/article/796003–local-poverty-advocates-call-for-national-food-strategy-for-children-and-youth >
Tags: Health, poverty, standard of living, youth
This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 11th, 2012 at 5:53 pm and is filed under Social Security Debates. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.


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text:
A new report says that an increasing number of migrants are leaving the United Kingdom after staying for only a short period of time. The report also found that those who are most likely to leave are the ones Britain needs the most: highly skilled immigrants.
The study, 'Shall we stay or Shall we Go: Re-migration trends among Britain's immigrants' by British think tank Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), said that the net outflow of migrants was 400,000 in the last couple of years.
"The migration debate in the UK is fixated with the idea that immigrants come to settle and not enough attention has been paid to the fact that more and more immigrants are spending only short periods in the UK," said Tim Finch, Head of Migration at IPPR.
A press release from IPPR stated the following:
- Approximately 50% of all immigrants that have come to the UK in the last thirty years have left
- The number of people leaving is increasing; more than 190,000 immigrants left in 2007; it is expected that this number will be exceeded when the 2008 statistics come out
- More and more migrants are staying for shorter periods -- stays of less than 4 years have doubled between 1996 and 2007.
- 85% of migrants who were surveyed in the report said that they were only planning to stay temporarily
The newcomers most likely to leave the UK are highly skilled immigrants -- people who have valuable skills, a good education, and who are becoming what the study calls "super mobile" due to the low barriers for their entry to many countries.
According to the IPPR findings, the results could have "important implications" for the UK's new points based immigration system.
"Our research shows that many groups of migrants are now increasingly mobile," Finch said. "They are coming to the UK to study and work for short periods and then they are moving on," he added.
The IPPR report recommended that the Government take more active steps to keep migrants from leaving. The recommendations included changes to the country's points based system, implementation of retention schemes, and simplified visa extension requirements and tax incentives.
"As global competition for highly skilled migrants increases in future years, schemes to retain migrants may become as important as attracting them in the first place," Finch said.


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Praia da Vitória
|Praia da Vitória
|Municipality (Concelho)
A partial view of the municipal seat of Praia da Vitória, located along the Fontinhas fault
|Official name: Concelho da Praia da Vitória
|Name origin: Portuguese compound for beach of the victory
|Autonomous Region
|Civil Parishes
|Agualva, Biscoitos, Cabo da Praia, Fonte do Bastardo, Fontinhas, Lajes, Porto Martins, Santa Cruz, Quatro Ribeiras, São Brás, Vila Nova
|Praia da Vitória
|- elevation
|27 m (89 ft)
|- coordinates
|Lua error in Module:Coordinates at line 668: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.
|Highest point
|Pico Alto
|- elevation
|809 m (2,654 ft)
|- coordinates
|Lua error in Module:Coordinates at line 668: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.
|Lowest point
|Sea level
|- location
|Atlantic Ocean
|- elevation
|0 m (0 ft)
|161.27 km2 (62 sq mi)
|- water
|.02 km2 (0 sq mi)
|- urban
|14.45 km2 (6 sq mi)
|21,035 (2011)
|130 / km2 (337 / sq mi)
|fl. 1400
|- Municipality
|c. 1480
|Câmara Municipal
|- location
|Praça Francisco Ornelas da Câmara, Santa Cruz
|- elevation
|21 m (69 ft)
|- coordinates
|Lua error in Module:Coordinates at line 668: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.
|Roberto Lúcio Silva Pereira Monteiro (PS)
|Municipal Chair
|Francisco Cardoso Pereira de Oliveira (PS)
|Azores (UTC-1)
|- summer (DST)
|Azores (UTC0)
|Postal Zone
|Area Code & Prefix
|Patron Saint
|Santa Cruz
|Municipal Holidays
|11 August
|Wikimedia Commons: Praia da Vitória (Azores)
|Website: http://www.cmpv.pt
|Statistics from INE (2001); geographic detail from Instituto Geográfico Português (2010)
Praia da Vitória (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpɾajɐ ðɐ viˈtɔɾiɐ]), translated as the Beach of the Victory, is a municipality in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. With a population of 21,035 (in 2011), the second largest administrative authority on the island of Terceira, it covers an area of 161.27 square kilometres (62.27 sq mi), that extends from the northern coast halfway into the interior.[1] in an area of 161.27 km².[2]
The area of Praia, was one of the first points colonized on the island of Terceira. Praia constituted the seat of the Donatary-Captaincy of Terceira between 1456 and 1474; the island's first Captain, Jácome de Bruges along with his first lieutenant, Diogo de Teive), established their residency at this site. By 1474, the island was divided into two captaincies (Praia and Angra): the Captaincy of Praia reverted to Álvaro Martins Homem, Bruges' successor. The growth of the woad industry and export wheat market concentrated along the fertile Ramo Grande area, allowed Praia to grow rapidly. Consequently, Praia was elevated to the status of vila (comparable to town) in 1480 (then still within the administration of Álvaro Martins Homem).
By the last quarter of the 16th century, Gaspar Frutuoso (the celebrated Azorean historian), wrote of Praia in these terms:
- "...and shortly there is the town of Praia, noble and sumptuous and with good buildings, built in a very good style, circled by a good wall, with its forts and bulwarks all around, populated by nobles and older residents, with one of the older settlements of the island, circled by famous and rich farms of nobles and grandiose nobility, with a parish and sumptuous church of three naves, with a vaulted main chapel and porticoes and pillars of well worked marble, all circled by chapels of the grand first-born...its principal invocation is to the Holy Cross...where the house of Mercy and hospital, with two churches, one the hospital of the Holy Spirit and the other to Our Lady, with a nave down the middle...; it's a famous monastery of Saint Francis where there still continue to reside ten or twelve religious, where there are many chapels of the grand first-born similar to the above indicated; three monasteries for nuns, the more principal of the those is to Jesus..., with forty nuns with black veils and two, one of Our Lady of the Light and the other Our Lady of the Stigmata, give obedience and observation to Saint Francis, where there are few religious"[3]
During the Iberian Union, King Phillip II of Spain ordered an armada to Terceira to impose the governorship of Ambrósia de Aguiar Coutinho on his unruly subjects in the Azores and facilitate shipping to the Indies. Under the command of Pedro de Valdez, the fleet arrived in Santa Maria with seven large carracks and 1000 troops, took on provisions and sailed for São Miguel in the spring (where Governor Ambrósio de Aguiar Coutinho and his cousin supplied the group). After an initial assault on Angra, Valdez rushed to assault the island, disembarking troops at the Casa da Salga, in the valley of Porto Judeu (a mile from Vila de São Sebastião), incensed that King Phillip was sending a larger contingent to capture Terceira. The Battle of Salga became an important event in the village of São Sebastião (then a parish of Praia) broke out along the coast in 1582.
During the Restoration of Portuguese Independence, the citizenry of Praia acclaimed King John IV, when Francisco Ornelas da Câmara arrived in Terceira.
The settlement was destroyed during the 1614 Caída da Praia earthquake, with many of the residents along the coast lost to the sea. Along the 17th century, even as the community was being re-constructed, there were several seismic aftershocks.
During the Liberal Wars, the harbour was the scene of a naval battle (in 1829) between the Liberals and the Absolutists, competing factions in support of King Pedro IV and King Miguel, respectively, during the Liberal Wars. The Battle of Praia ensued when a squadron of Miguelist troops attempted to disembark at Praia (11 August 1829). As a result of this victory, Queen Maria II after being restored to the throne, acted to recognize its residents for their heroism by appending "Mui Notável" (Very notable) and "da Vitória" (of the Victoria) to its name (12 January 1837): it was at this time that Praia became known as Praia da Vitória.
Its economic importance in the economy of the north continued, even after the second Caída da Praia earthquake (on 15 June 1841), that partially destroyed the settlement. Its reconstruction, at the end of the 19th century was motivated by councillor José Silvestre Ribeiro. As priest Jerónimo Emiliano de Andrade (who lived in the town at the time), referred to Praia da Vitória:
- "The traveller who leaves Cabo da Praia is quickly encounters the magnificent and majestic Vila da Praia da Vitória, which is located a short distance, no less than a quarter league..."
The town was elevated to city on 20 June 1981, although it continued to be referred to as the Vila da Praia da Vitória (until 1983). In the second half of the 20th century, a large aerodrome was constructed along the southwestern side of the Portuguese Air Base No.4. In addition, the port of Praia was expanded to include a 1400-metre extension. These two projects have supported the municipality's growth, along with its large industrial centre.
Praia da Vitória occupies the northern and eastern coasts of Terceira, bisecting it from northwest to southeast, through a varied geomorphology.
Administratively, the municipality of Praia da Vitória is divided into the following civil parishes, which handle local distribution of services and support the local residents:
The urban centre, that includes the parishes of Lajes and Santa Cruz, fronts a ridge known as Facho that overlooks the airport of Lajes. It was used as a lookout for pirates and invaders, and later as marine military semaphore station and primitive lighthouse (lasting for 400 years). Apart from pasture-lands, the ridge was occupied by marine/naval housing and support buildings for Portuguese Air Base 4. At the far end is a monument dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Mary and lookout.
Praia da Vitória is a services, fishing and agricultural municipality and boasts a large marina, popular with the yachting community, with the only sizeable sand beach on Terceira.
Lajes Air Base, a joint United States and Portuguese air force base, lies three kilometers to the north of the town. American servicemen frequent the restaurants and clubs in the town and add considerably to the local economy.
The town boasts two notable churches, several public squares, and a number of hotels and restaurants.
- Customshouse of Praia da Vitória (Portuguese: Casa da Alfândega)
- Fountain of Biscoito Bravo (Portuguese: Chafariz do Biscoito Bravo)
- Fountain of Caminho Novo (Portuguese: Chafariz do Caminho Novo)
- Fountain of Cruz do Pico (Portuguese: Chafariz da Cruz do Pico)
- Fountain of Largo Comendador Pamplona (Portuguese: Chafariz do Largo Comendador Pamplona)
- Fountain of Largo Conde da Praia da Vitória (Portuguese: Chafariz do Largo Conde da Praia da Vitória)
- Fountain of Largo da Luz (Portuguese: Chafariz do Largo da Luz)
- Fountain of Ribeira da Areia (Portuguese: Chafariz da Ribeira da Areia)
- Fountain of Pico da Rocha (Portuguese: Chafariz do Pico da Rocha)
- Fountain of Largo Francisco Maria Brum (Portuguese: Chafariz do Largo Francisco Maria Brum)
- Fountain of the Amoreiras (Portuguese: Chafariz das Amoreiras)
- Fountain of the Barreiro (Portuguese: Chafariz do Barreiro)
- Fountain of the Caldeira of Lajes (Portuguese: Chafariz da Caldeira das Lajes)
- Fountain of the Canada da Bezerra (Portuguese: Chafariz da Canada da Bezerra)
- Fountain of the Cruzeiro (Portuguese: Chafariz do Cruzeiro)
- Fountain of the Cruzeiro of Lajes (Portuguese: Chafariz do Cruzeiro das Lajes)
- Fountain of the Fontinhas (Portuguese: Chafariz das Fontinhas)
- Fountain of the Fundões (Portuguese: Chafariz dos Fundões)
- Fountain of the Ladeira do Cardoso (Portuguese: Chafariz da Ladeira do Cardoso)
- Fountain of the Malícias (Portuguese: Chafariz das Malícias)
- Fountain of the Quatro Canadas (Portuguese: Chafariz das Quatro Canadas)
- Hospital of the Misericórdia (Portuguese: Hospital da Misericórdia)
- Hospital of São Lázaro (Portuguese: Hospital de São Lázaro)
- Municipal Hall of Praia da Vitória (Portuguese: Câmara Municipal da Praia da Vitória)
- Municipal Market of Praia da Vitóra (Portuguese: Mercado Municipal da Praia da Vitória)
- Ramo Grande Auditorium (Portuguese: Auditório do Ramo Grande)
- Residence of Vitorino Nemésio (Portuguese: Casa de Vitorino Nemésio)
- Residence of Roda (Portuguese: Casa da Roda)
- Tile Oven of Boa Vista (Portuguese: Forno da Telha da Boa Vista
- Tile Oven of Rua Gervásio Lima (Portuguese: Forno de Telha à Rua Gervásio Lima)
- Watermill of Rua dos Moinhos (Portuguese: Azenha da Rua dos Moinhos)
- Watermill of Agualva (Portuguese: Azenha da Ribeira da Agualva)
- Fort of Chagas (Portuguese: Forte das Chagas)
- Fort of São João (Portuguese: Forte de São João)
- Fort of Luz (Portuguese: Forte da Luz)
- Fort of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré (Portuguese: Forte de Nossa Senhora da Nazaré)
- Fort of Rua Longa (Portuguese: Forte da Rua Longa)
- Fort of São Bento (Portuguese: Forte de São Bento)
- Fort of São Caetano (Portuguese: Forte de São Caetano)
- Fort of Santa Catarina (Portuguese: Forte de Santa Catarina)
- Fort of São Filipe (Portuguese: Forte de São Filipe)
- Fort of Santo Antão (Portuguese: Forte de Santo Antão)
- Fort of the Espírito Santo (Portuguese: Forte do Espírito Santo), little remains of this 16th century fort situated on the northern edge of the Bay of Praia, which was bombarded and nearly destroyed during the Liberal conflict. Its remnants survived to the 20th century, but were obliterated during the construction and support of the northern pier, even after a Luso-American compromise was established for its recuperation.
- Fort of the Porto (Portuguese: Forte do Porto)
- Fort of the Porto of Biscoitos (Portuguese: Forte do Porto dos Biscoitos)
- Fort Grande (Portuguese: Forte Grande)
- Post of the Fiscal Guard of Praia da Vitória (Portuguese: Posto Fiscal da Praia da Vitória)
- Church of Santa Cruz (Portuguese: Igreja de Santa Cruz)
- Church of Santa Bárbara (Portuguese: Igreja de Santa Bárbara)
- Church of Santa Beatriz (Portuguese: Igreja de Santa Beatriz)
- Church of São José, Santa Luzia e Santa Cruz (Portuguese: Igreja de São José, Santa Luzia, Santa Cruz)
- Church of Senhor Santo Cristo das Misericórdias (Portuguese: Igreja do Senhor Santo Cristo das Misericórdias)
- Hermitage of Nossa Senhora do Loreto (Portuguese: Ermida de Nossa Senhora do Loreto)
- Hermitage of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Portuguese: Ermida de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios), located in Santa Cruz, the early 17th century chapel survived the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, but it was only in the second-half of the 18th century that any efforts were invested in recuperating the chapel. Following the earthquake and affects of the tsunami, parishioners marched through the streets in procession for their deliverance;[4]
- Hermitage of Santa Catarina (Portuguese: Ermida de Santa Catarina)
- Hermitage of Santa Rita (Portuguese: Ermida de Santa Rita)
- Hermitage of Santo António (Portuguese: Ermida de Santo António)
- Hermitage of São Lázaro (Portuguese: Ermida de São Lázaro)
- Hermitage of São Salvador (Portuguese: Ermida de São Salvador)
- Império of the Holy Spirit of Fonte do Bastardo (Portuguese: Império do Espírito Santo da Fonte do Bastardo)
- Império of the Holy Spirit of Quatro Ribeiras (Portuguese: Império do Espírito Santo das Quatro Ribeiras)
- Império of the Holy Spirit of Santa Cruz (Portuguese: Império do Espírito Santo de Santa Cruz)
- Império of the Holy Spirit of São Pedro (Portuguese: Império do Espírito Santo de São Pedro)
It is popular with windsurfers because of the constant seabreezes. Praia da Vitoria hosts an annual triathlon and is known for its unique style of bullfighting, tourada à corda.
Notable citizens
- Nuno Bettencourt, singer-songwriter (Extreme) was born on the island
- ↑ Instituto Nacional de Estatística
- ↑ Eurostat
- ↑ Gaspar Frutuoso, p.15
- ↑ Noé, Paula (2013), SIPA (ed.), Capela de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios/Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (IPA.00034503/PT071905080042) (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal: SIPA – Sistema de Informação para o Património Arquitectónico, retrieved 29 December 2013CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>


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I feel like i should mention the Famous wall, because there will be someone here on in the interwebz who will turn it around and make some comment. It's just a wall, with the word famous on it. Great, glad we've sorted that out.
Tuesday, 19 November 2013
I feel like i should mention the Famous wall, because there will be someone here on in the interwebz who will turn it around and make some comment. It's just a wall, with the word famous on it. Great, glad we've sorted that out.
16 comments
That extra touch of orange is perfectReplyDelete
xoxo One Stiletto At a Time fashion and beauty blog
I think the Famous wall is really cool! Great backdrop!ReplyDelete
Love the jumper, such a nice colour too :)
I've started my Christmas shopping..well, actually, I've nearly finished! Mainly my boyfriend to buy for now - he's the awkward to buy for one! xx
I love how you have enhanced the orange on the jumper with the socks, very unique xxReplyDelete
love bright colours for winter but your legs must be freezing!!!ReplyDelete
oh god christmas.. i've got my dad n brother sorted out, found this cute little website www.thebritishbeltcompany.co.uk they do some really nice mens accessories!
and if i was you i'd just delete any comments made about the wall... some people are just so silly!
kirsty x
I've had my on that Kenzo jumper since it came out what seem like years ago but they were si damn expensive. I really like yours here and def getting one. I noticed it in China. From past experience, I've found the sizes in China are much smaller than in the UK. The sizes on the site, are they UK ones or Chinese ones?ReplyDelete
p.s I still haven't started my Xmas shopping yet so you are not alone.
That jumper is just awesome, and it looks great with your shirt! xReplyDelete
Love your hair colour:) and you look awesome, as always!ReplyDelete
Love this whole look :) I haven't even thought about Christmas shopping yet ...ReplyDelete
Naomi from NaomiGabriella
I love your hair in this post! Really like your sweater aswell :)ReplyDelete
x Valérie | scribblesofvalerie.com
Love the shoes! I don't think I'd be brave enough to wear such a bright sweater and socks but you really pull this off!ReplyDelete
Love all the colours - you look great!ReplyDelete
Becca from Becca Said x
Love this outfit, you look amazing! I've always wanted that jumperReplyDelete
Julia x
You look amazing, love your hair hereReplyDelete
Ellen // A little bit Unique // Facebook // Bloglovin // Instagram
Love the hair xxxReplyDelete
You look lovely Victoria. LoVe the orange pop of colour tooReplyDelete
Great combination, I love the orange pop of colour :)ReplyDelete
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text:
Hi, i am a poor newbie (big user of Cisco), but many friends recommended me to microtik router, and i have seen lot of network operators deploying this soltuion (MTN for instance);
My question is simple, we are an ISP and we need to provide to a camp, Internet for 4500 users with offers like 512kbits to 1Mbits per user.
The network is ethernet wired , and there is no need of ppoe session(no dslam, no switrch etc).
I would like to go with a power router 2242 , this engine seems powerful and moreover compatible with billing solution (aradial).
Our provider will provide 600 Mbits of bandwith, and maybe more later if demand increase.
Can the "power router 2242" handle 4500 users, do traffic shaping for them (CIR and MIR defined also) ?
How much traffic and bandwith it can manage ?
The ISP link will be on a Cisco ASR1006, no bgp on the power router 2242 .
Thanks lot for your answers .


text:
Finishing the second year of Gymnasium(Swedish equivalent to High school but 3 years instead of 4-5 years) on Friday. This year been rough but I'm glad it's over soon. One year 'til I graduate tho I'm gonna miss my classmates once it's over. Time flies by I guess.
Well, summer's over. Back at it tomorrow
Ha, skrub, I started on Wednesday!
I don't start until next month
It begins tomorrow...
8 classes...
19 credits...
The biggest school load I have ever taken...
I am terrified, lol.
On the plus side, after these next two semesters, I will graduate with an associate's degree and hopefully never have to go to school again.
What major might I ask?
I'm only an HS sophomore...
Mechanical Design Technology
I was homeschooled through HS but I've been told it gets better towards the end, hang in there.
school. I mean hatedI started homeschool.
I'm being homeschooled too
Dual enrollment is the best. 12 extra college credits if I pass both of my classes, in exchange for some extra papers and lectures.
First day of school and my ibs is acting up, this is wonderful
I had a rough night of sleep last night and a stomach ache this morning but today went very well otherwise.
Now to start worrying about day 2.
When your paper returns a 45% plagiarism count but then you learn it's because of a bunch of previous outlines and sources that you submitted.
Schools going not bad for me. I'm having to retake algebra 1 cuz I failed that last year though
Taking AP world history in my HS freshman year, it's not extremely bad. Although sometimes I have to play a little catch up on assignments, and my test scores in the class have been pretty good (97, 86, 94%)


text:
Welcome to Chronocopia Publishing
With a background in archaeology, reenactment and larping, the books of ChronoCopia Publishing will range from archaeological and historical non-fiction to what we affectionately call fictive non-fiction.
Our aim is to publish books outside the mainstream area with a focus on the more odd and unusual books, often with an academic twist. History, archaeology, and even steam punk. All kind of books whith a educational and entertaining content.
Being aware that nerds and geek like us are rather international we aim to publish our works mainly in English.


text:
Groupon vs Facebook vs Google: The Rush for Multibillion dollar valuations.
Back in the 2000s, Google was the darling of Silicon Valley. Social networking was at its infancy. It was fragmented with Friendster, MySpace and a few other niche players. If we imagine ourselves a couple of years back at the pre-Facebook era, Google was so dominant that, to the 'uninitiated', it was synonymous with the Web. (Some of you nerds might be saying, "Wait a minute, I was thinking AltaVista, Excite, Lycos, Yahoo!, FTP and Bulletin Boards on my superfast US robotics 14.4kbps modem". I said a few years back, not freaking time-travel.)
Google, the Pre-FB years….
I, like most people then, did not think Google would be eclipsed quickly. Instead of creating a portal-like destination on the World Wide Web, Larry Page and Sergei Brin, both Stanford PhD dropouts, sought to organise and index the World Wide Web. Due to the explosion of information on the web, it was originally a cluttered place and users had no real way of finding the information they wanted with ease. Page and Brin devised a method of ranking search results by relevance. How would they know what was relevant? Bearing in mind search engines were not new then and Google was not the first, in fact far from it. How would Google distinguish between quality information and junk? Page and Brin reasoned that by ranking the results of the query in the order of the number of links linking back to that page, Google was presenting its users with results that other website/users have referenced – therefore the more 'linkbacks' a site has, the more relevant it would be. Hence the higher it would rank. It made perfect sense, as quality information would attract more people. Sort of like the same concept with academic citations and 'wisdom of crowds' or crowd sourcing. (Disclaimer: SEO has evolved greatly since those early days.)
Google's superior search ranking algorithm helped direct users to the right place. In exchange for that free search service, Google opted for text- (only) based advertising that relates to the user's search query – Pure Genius. Google went against the prevailing trend of banner advertising, flashy images and animated GIFs that were quickly polluting websites during the early days of the World Wide Web. So they built a money-generating machine and, for a long time, most people were unaware that Google was in fact the largest 'advertising' company in the world. The rest is history. Google's clutter-free website still stands today as a testament of how successful their model is.
Facebook's exponential growth
Along came Facebook. MySpace and Friendster already had millions of users. In a business of critical mass, that can and often results in an unassailable lead. Facebook kicked off with the premise of 'exclusivity' and relevance. In order to sign up, you first had to be a member of that particular school/college with the right email domain address. It became a platform for its users to find out what their classmates or dorm friends were up to. I mean come on: 'Pokes', 'Relationship Status', 'Sending Sheeps', and 'Status Updates' (newsfeed was to come later) – that was pure genius on Zuckerberg's half!!!
While most of my friends were still on Friendster and MySpace (you know who you are), I had already defected to Facebook. Two years ago, I wrote about Facebook – why it deserves its valuation and more and why Google should be afraid. Everything I said has come to pass. For reasons as to why Facebook's advertising monetisation is superior to Google's read my earlier post.
Facebook really only came to dominate our daily tech news in 2008, when it crossed the 100 m user threshold. At the same time MySpace (which Murdoch paid $580m for in 2005 – Ouch!) was at its peak. Murdoch even tried to play a white knight in the Microsoft-Yahoo! struggle by proposing to merge MySpace into Yahoo! and save Yahoo! from Microsoft as long as Yahoo! agreed to value MySpace at >$10 billion. (Yahoo! was not that stupid.)
Facebook's valuation grew exponentially. In terms of the sheer speed of its growth as a tech company, Google was eclipsed. I'll be honest, I never thought Google would be unseated so quickly. I knew it would be unseated maybe 10-20 years down the line, but NOT in such a short space of time.
Just when I thought the rush for multiple billion dollar valuations cannot come any faster than Facebook, along comes Groupon. I mean c'mon: talks of a $25 billion IPO valuation within two years?? I am just in awe. Like Facebook, which fended off a $1billion takeover from Yahoo! in its early days, Groupon turned down a $6 billion offer from Google when it was two years old! (Groupon almost failed before it stumbled on its current business.)
Groupon is a spinoff from The Point, which started life as a fund-raising site. It used a "tipping point model" whereby a threshold amount has to be crossed before there was any 'deal' – a feature that forms the premise of Groupon today.
You know why I like Groupon more than I like Facebook? Because of its simple Win, Win, Win business model. What is the Win Win Win I am on about? We first have to dissect the already simple Groupon business model.
You sign up to Groupon and you receive daily geo-located deals that are offered at cutthroat prices. The offers only last for 24 hours. Advertisers can afford to slash their prices on Groupon because of the volume of business it can generate in return. You on the other hand leverage your buying power by joining forces with hundreds or thousands of other buyers made possible by Groupon. In short, Groupon provides economies of scale to both sides of the value chain – Buyers and Sellers. Groupon magnifies the retained value for everyone.
I mean, how else would a freaking tiny Fish Pedicure business in London generate over 2000 paying customers in 24 hours? Sure, Groupon takes a cut. But it is great business for the vendor and great for the customers because they pay a fraction of the original price. Groupon has leveraged the power of economies of scale for the individual. Groupon users collectively have the purchasing power akin to large businesses and they enjoy a huge discount in return. Customers are happy with the bargain. Groupon is happy for taking a cut of the revenue. The businesses are happy because they enjoy more volume than they can cater for.
It is a Win for the consumers, a Win for Groupon, and a Win for the supplier (advertising business in this case).
Now that is a winning business model! How many business models can actually proclaim that? Look around you, how many businesses can claim that they are not ripping their customers off AND not twisting the arm of their suppliers AND instead are beneficial to them both AND YET still make decent money for itself?
It is the simplicity and effectiveness that amazes me.
In addition, Groupon takes this further. It encourages you (the user) to help it advertise by giving you credits towards your next (already wholesale discounted price) purchase. Once you have bought a discounted item/service from Groupon you have the chance to get your friends in on it. And with every friend you recommended that makes a purchase, you get free credits. It is an ecosystem that feeds on itself. With enough credits, you literally get freebies!! This is as close to a free lunch that you will get on Wall Street or any street for that matter.
Like Facebook and Google before it, "We want to know what our friends are doing", "We value their recommendations more than plain vanilla advertising". This emerging theme of "wisdom of the crowds" appears dominant across all three Google, FB and Groupon business models.
And now for the financials… Facebook already has a $70 billion valuation if Secondmarket figures are to be believed. But Groupon is talking about a $25 billion IPO this year at just two years and three months old!!
I will spare you the financial modelling details on how analysts justify those figures. One thing for sure is that the assumption of revenue growth must keep pace with projections. According to WSJ, Groupon is "projecting that the company is on pace to make $1 billion in sales faster than any other business, ever!"
Are we talking about a mania? A tech bubble all over again?? Well, it is always and only a bubble in hindsight – never in foresight. Because given what we know now and based on the funnymentals (uh I meant fundamentals), we would avoid the bubble if we knew it was a bubble! DOH!
From the tulips mania in 1600s to the South Sea bubble in 1720, up until the housing bubble in the 2000s – it was never a bubble until it burst. To quote the greatest stock operator that ever lived –
"There is nothing new in Wall Street. There can't be because speculation is as old as the hills. Whatever happens in the stock market today has happened before and will happen again" – Jesse Livermore 1877-1940.
I have been raving about Facebook's valuation. However, I think that Groupon might be slightly ahead of itself (just a tiny bit).
One thing that concerns me with Groupon is the fact that LivingSocial.com is snapping right at its heels. Although you could argue Facebook came from way behind to trounce MySpace. Secondly, perhaps more importantly, unlike Facebook, Groupon does not have that 'stickiness' factor. I would hazard a guess that most of you who read this probably spend more time on Facebook than any other site on the Internet (including Google)!!! Groupon on the other hand, you get in, get your shit and get out.
I would go way out on a limb here and say Groupon's rush to IPO is to cash in on what they 'know' is a replicable model. In other words, Groupon, LivingSocial.com and other social buying sites are cannibalising each other (even though they have created this new ocean for themselves). Plus, both Groupon and LivingSocial advertise on Facebook, thus driving up ad prices, which will only benefit Facebook.
Strategy wise, Facebook seemed to have really positioned itself to capture and monetise the migration of our social lives onto the Internet. Then again, Google's success was a black swan, so is Facebook's and now Groupon's. I look forward to the next big idea…
UPDATE: I have always maintained that the next big tech company will be one that facilitates the migration of our lives onto cyberspace. When pundits were saying that Facebook was just another Friendster, MySpace or Bebo and MSFT overpaid, I knew they were wrong. I argued that if Zuckerberg wanted he could literally incorporate Skype, EBay or payment services into Facebook. Facebook can do to Amazon and EBay what Apple did to everyone else. Like Google's vision statement of organising the world's information, I think Facebook is quietly positioning itself to organise our digital social lives. The latest upgrade on Facebook takes us one small step closer. It has combined chat with email to facilitate our evolving online communication preference. It has a history of all our chats, emails, places, friends, status updates and whatever you care to put on it. It literally owns your social life! Furthermore, Zuckerberg is young and savvy enough that he does not have the corporate America image (yet), so if China friends Facebook all bets are off…
Update 2: As of August 2011, I have now turned around and think Groupon's biggest mistake is to turn down an offer from Google. I would short Groupon all the way to zero if they ever went public. Great concept, poor execution.
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Dr. Seuss' The Grinch
Release date: November 9th, 2018
Run time: 1 hr. 30 min.
Direction: Peter Candeland, Yarrow Cheney
Genres: Animation
Synopsis: The Grinch tells the story of a cynical grump who goes on a mission to steal Christmas, only to have his heart changed by a young girl's generous holiday spirit. Funny, heartwarming and visually stunning, it's a universal story about the spirit of Christmas and the indomitable power of optimism.Watch Preview


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Marketplace for Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017
Kyndle Events
- Free small-business and entrepreneur consulting, Murray State University Small Business Development Center, 9 a.m. to Noon most Thursdays, Kyndle office, 136 Second St., Suite 500. Appointment required: 270-926-8085 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
- Ribbon Cutting: 11 a.m. Thursday, Old National Bank Drive Thru ATM, Cardinal Crossing Plaza.
- Ribbon Cutting: 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Wild Child Collection, 112 N. Main Street.
- Ribbon Cutting: 11:30 a.m. Oct. 18, City of Henderson Municipal Service Center, 1449 Corporate Court.
- Ribbon Cutting: 12:30 p.m. Oct. 20, AT&T, 2201 U.S. Highway 41 North.
- Kyndle Brown Bag: Who took my money? The Importance of Understanding Cash Flow: Noon Oct. 23, Kyndle Training Room.
- Regional Industry of the Year Awards Luncheon: 11:30 a.m. Oct. 30, Preston Arts Center at Henderson Community College.
- Coffee with Kyndle: Celebration of Education Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Nov. 9, Thelma B. Johnson Learning Center.
Read or Share this story: https://www.thegleaner.com/story/marketplace/2017/10/01/marketplace-sunday-oct-1-2017/706408001/


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Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
A worldwide challenge for care environments.
VTE represents a serious and widespread clinical challenge:
- There are 10 million cases of VTE reported worldwide every year 1 yet, VTE-related death is a largely undocumented, but preventable medical condition.
- It is responsible for more deaths in Europe than breast cancer, prostate cancers, HIV AIDS and traffic accidents combined2.
- Around 30% of patients will die within 30 days of VTE while 25% of unexpected inpatient deaths are diagnosed with PE at autopsy3.
- Around 1/3 of patients with DVT develop post-thrombotic syndrome suffering swelling and pain3 and, for many (25%)4, the resultant chronic ulceration is associated with substantial on-going treatment costs5.
- In the US, up to $19.1 billion is spent on treatment of long term complications every year following VTE6 .


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Home Language Questionnaire
In the fall of 2014, the Board of Regents adopted the New York State Education Department's proposed amendments to Part 154 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education (CR Part 154), which establishes the legal requirements for the education of English Language Learners (ELLs) in New York State (NYS). CR Part 154 outlines specific procedures that must be followed in order to determine English proficiency during the initial enrollment or reentry process.
Parents are asked to complete the New York State Education Department's ELL Identification & Placement/ Home Language Questionnaire and return it to the Liverpool Central School District Registration Office upon registering your child(ren).
The questionnaire is available in 41 languages on NYSED's Bilingual Education & English as a New Language Web site (click here to access the forms).


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Grate 3 large potatoes, or put chunks of potato in blender with a little milk, add 1 or 2 eggs, add milk if you haven't done it with the blender, a little salt, then start adding flour with a sturdy spoon until mixture is quite stiff.
Have a kettle of water boiling. Drop into boiling water, dough about the size of a teaspoon. Have a large spoonful of dough in one hand & drop the small pieces in with the other. They are done when they come to the top & should be scooped out with a spoon with holes in it & put to drain in a colander.
Fry bacon bits & then fry kliskis in with the bacon after it has been browned. Keep stirring until the kliskis are browned to suit taste.
Sauerkraut & Pork
In a crock pot, combine sauerkraut and cut up pieces of pork (with fat and bones). Let it simmer all day until the meat is tender. The kliskis are served on top of the sauerkraut & pork.
How to Make Homemade Sauerkraut in a Mason Jar
Betty's words
Lisa (eldest granddaughter): When I first pulled out all of my recipes (3×5 cards) that were from my Grandma, I realized that I only had one written in her own handwriting….this one. (The recipe above her writing.)
What I also realized is that I spent a lot of time perched on a chair in Grandma's 'office,' [a corner of her kitchen table where all of her pencils, pens, cards and notepads lived] writing in my childish hand what she dictated while she worked away on something else.
It was usually a special occasion when Grandma would make this. In our family, you know you're loved when someone makes Kliskis for you.


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If you have never heard about the concept of feng shui, proponents focus on creating positive energy in a room by the correct arrangement of the furniture. One core belief of this system is that clearing the doorway will make a home prosperous. The following article gives many techniques to use in your home improvement projects.
Your kitchen remodeling budget can be reduced greatly if you opt to refinish cabinets in lieu of replacing them. It is possible to paint the baseboards and add new doors and pulls in order to transform them. You will save hundreds or even thousands of dollars, yet will still enjoy a high-impact, new look.
Adding attic insulation can help you save money on winter heating bills. Because hot air inevitably rises, in the colder months poorly-insulated homes are letting huge amounts of heated air escape wastefully. There are many different materials to choose from, most of which are available at your local home improvement center or builders' supply store.
If you hire a handyman, be sure to have a contract. The contract protects you both and ensures that you won't face higher costs than you had agreed to. With no contract, you may be taken advantage of.
You need to make sure you think about the paint before any other projects are attempted in the room. Painting the walls and ceiling before you install the floor is just common sense. Your flooring could get paint on it, even if you have drop cloths put down.
If there is a home improvement job you need done quickly, you will have to pay more for it. By talking to your contractor(s), you should discover that they will be more than happy to work harder. Money can often be a great motivator for keeping your workers on the job longer hours to finish quicker. Rush jobs deserve priority payment.
Choose a color scheme that already exists in a room. From a throw pillow to the carpet, you'll have many options to choose from. Say you have a green rug with yellow and red pattern. You could use the dominant color to paint about sixty percent of the room. You can make the room really pop by using the other two colors for secondary accents.
Are you looking to make your home a little more classy without spending a lot of money? A terrific way to inexpensively add some elegance is a new door bell. Doing this will give your home a different feeling whenever visitors stop by.
Using bowls of lemons or a bouquet of flowers are simple ways to spruce up a kitchen. Some colorful flowers and fruit can really perk your kitchen up. Cheap and effective, this is a simple upgrade. A bouquet will lighten your spirit every time you look at it.
Feng shui is the idea that the placement of furniture can impact your home's energy flow and have a difference in your quality of life. Even small projects can have big impact, so get started on your own home improvement projects today.


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Like any other writer Just Trying to Do a Thing I Like, I have a lot of struggles and setbacks. Coming up with new ideas is not one of those problems.
This in itself, however, becomes its own problem. Because while I'm fortunate enough to have taken on plenty of work over the past month, and I'm extremely grateful for that, there are a number of projects I wanted to kickstart this year that I'm not sure I'm going to be able to follow through with now.
A writing course is still in the works — don't worry about missing out on that. But I had other ideas, too. A few video projects. A new blog. A few ebooks, maybe.
But as much as I would love to be able to take all that on before summer starts … I don't think I can.
Because if there's one thing I've learned over the past four years, it's that I would work 24/7 if my body let me. But that's not possible. I tried once. I'd rather not recount the results in detail at this time.
The project I'm most upset about not being able to start is my second blog. I had planned on launching it at the beginning of this month, but it's nowhere near ready. It's just one of those situations where things popped up that took priority over preparing for even a soft launch, and I can't afford to set aside bigger priorities just to make that happen. Yet, at least.
We've all gone through something like this. You get caught up in the philosophy that "if you don't start now, you never will." But life happens. Things really do just get in the way, and you're not always in complete control of how they affect other parts of your life.
I like the idea behind that motivational concept — some people really need to be reminded that their excuses are ridiculous and they have no reason not to start working on something they've been dreaming about. I am the frontrunner in the fear of missed opportunity movement.
But I don't think the same "rules" apply if you're actively prioritizing your responsibilities as a human being. It's one thing if you're just wandering around not willing to put in the work to Make Something Happen. It's completely different when you have a collection of good ideas and know you just can't work on all of them as soon as you'd like.
I know that if I tried working on all these projects right now — on top of my new job, and taking a class, and moving — I wouldn't be able to give them the time and energy they deserved. You can't give 100 percent to 20 different projects simultaneously. You won't do your best work. Someone is going to be disappointed, and you're going to get mad at yourself for not doing your best.
It's OK to put a project on hold, to say, "Yes, this is happening, but not right this second." However, I also think it's important to set a "start" or "resume" date for yourself. I have in my head the day my class ends, and that's when I want to start working on my second blog again. It's not that I'm avoiding it. I just have too much going on over the next four weeks.
Don't make excuses; make plans. Say, "Not today, but on May 2." Not "when I get my life together." Because let's be honest. None of us are ever going to have everything together enough. Successful writers work despite their lives being a mess. It's what makes their writing so much more genuine and relatable.
No, not today. But soon. And I can't wait.
Meg is the creator of Novelty Revisions, dedicated to helping writers put their ideas into words. She is a freelance writer and a nine-time NaNoWriMo winner with work published in Teen Ink, Success Story, Lifehack and USA TODAY College. Follow Meg on Twitter for tweets about writing, food and nerdy things.


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An aging U.S. waterway infrastructure — which carries more than 60 percent of America's grain and other commodity exports — may be set to get a funding boost from Congress that will allow for more than a facelift.
In fact, the spine of the system is in desperate need of repair and new construction and long-term plans are coalescing to fulfil those needs.
Two bills have been introduced in Congress — "Waterways are Vital for the Economy, Energy, Efficiency, and Environment Act" (WAVE 4, H.R. 1149) in the House and the "Water Resources Development Act" (WRDA, S.601) in the Senate — that address waterway concerns.
"Construction, dredging and repairs to our locks and dams will help ensure the reliability of the most affordable, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable mode of transporting agricultural products," said Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, about the House bill.
The bill's sponsor, Kentucky Rep. Ed Whitfield, said, "Efficient and reliable transportation of goods on our inland waterways is essential to economic development, job creation, and remaining competitive in the global marketplace.
"Our aging infrastructure jeopardizes efficient waterborne commerce and highlights the need for the WAVE4 Act that will implement a comprehensive plan to improve project management and put in place an objective investment strategy that will prioritize our infrastructure needs."
Farm Press recently spoke with Debra Colbert, senior vice-president with the Waterways Councill, about the state of the nation's waterway systems, Congress' approach to funding, and how the barge-towing industry keeps much skin in the game. Among her comments:
On exceeding the system's design life…
"The problems we're facing in the inland industry is that the lock and dam infrastructure is outdated. More than half of the locks and dams have exceeded their 50-year design life. We're seeing a lot of aging and continual degradation of the system.
"While it's still reliable for shippers, if we continue funding it at the insufficient levels of the last several years that trend will quickly result in the system's unreliability and potential catastrophic failure. Some of the issues related to the low-water crisis that threatened shipping in 2012 could be a regular occurrence.
"At Waterways Council we've been advocating for some time for a reasonable, forward-looking plan that will be able to provide the funding for infrastructure improvements in an efficient way."
On the "deal" between shippers and the government…
"Essentially, what's being done currently — which has been in place since 1986 when a waterways bill was enacted — is a deal between the government and barge and towing operators. The operators pay for half the cost of new construction of navigation projects and major rehabilitation on the system. That 50 percent is paid for through a 20-cent-per-gallon fuel tax based on the amount of diesel fuel burned on the system.
"That means there are only about 300 taxpayers that pay into the Inland Waterways Trust Fund. Recreational boaters don't pay it, commercial fishermen don't pay it, passenger vessels don't pay it. We're the only segment that pays that user fee.
"Generally, that user fee generates around $85 million to $100 million per year. That amount is then matched by the government's general treasury dollars. Again, those funds are to be used for new construction and rehabbing the waterways system.
"Some continue to say we're the most highly subsidized transportation mode. That is completely and totally inaccurate. In fact, we pay into a system that benefits many — those who receive hydro-power from the dams, municipal water supplies, flood control and protection, waterfront development, and many other things. All those things are as a result of the lock and dam system."
Crumbling structures, costs
In terms of the 50-year shelf life of the lock and dams, is there actually crumbling of the structures?
"Yes, particularly in the Pittsburgh region where many of the most aged structures are. Construction of many of these was begun in the early 1900s and they are now showing their age. Others were started but not yet completed because the funding isn't adequate.
"Each year, money is authorized for these projects but isn't fully appropriated. It's like building a house over decades instead of just in a year. Instead of the house costing $100,000 and taking 12 months to build, the cost soars as you take longer and longer. That isn't smart or efficient because the cost of materials continues to rise, there are delays and contractors switch out."
How much is needed to fund the needed construction?
"What we're looking for is an annual, sustained amount of $380 million per year for the next 20 years. Now, $110 million of that would be paid for our user fees. The rest would come from the government.
"We came up with that figure because of several things. The Capital Development Plan was formulated a couple of years ago by the Inland Waterways Users Board, primarily industry folks and members of the Corps of Engineers.
"The elements of the board's development plan are in legislative form in a House bill (WAVE 4) and companion Senate legislation. WAVE 4 was actually introduced in 2012 and reintroduced just last week. At the end of February, the River Act was introduced in the Senate.
"The bill calls for a number of things. First, they'd raise the amount of the user fee from 20 cents to between 26 and 29 cents per gallon. … We want to raise the amount we pay because it's an investment that will pay off later.
"Second, we want to prioritize needed projects across the board. We need a matrix based on how far along they are, what their cost/benefit ratio is. Are all the Environmental Impact Statements completed? Are we starting from scratch?
"We've also asked the government to take on the dam features of these projects. That would allow us to focus on using the user fee to pay for the new construction and rehab of the locks."
On waterways and agriculture…
"The cheapest and cost-competitive way for the ag community to get products to export markets is by barge on the waterways. That's why we have a tremendous agricultural advocacy groups that belong to the Waterways Council. Truck or train just can't compete."
Do you think Congress is listening to you during these austere times?
"The problem is there are so many competing interests. There are also a couple of issues with lawmakers who have taken a 'no earmark' pledge. Then, you have others in Congress who have taken a 'no taxes' pledge. We think this is a user fee but anything that even smells like a tax can be problematic — even when you're calling for a rise in the amount you pay personally.
"Even so, we do think the way the water situation with the middle Mississippi River and drought raised the alarm on these issues in a big way. Those concerns went right to the White House and key members of Congress.
"There's also the potential of the Panama Canal expansion and what that could bring. Many lawmakers don't want to be unprepared to reap all the benefits of that. That's driving some of this."
Want the latest in ag news delivered daily to your inbox? Subscribe to Southeast Farm Press Daily.
You might also like:
Last year's record-breaking peanut crop to be felt well into 2013
Smithsonian launches effort to preserve ag heritage
Major Alabama crops now a billion dollar industry
Tradition meets innovation in North Carolina tomato breeding effort


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Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Chocolate Chip Cookies
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2-1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 oz. chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine the butter and both sugars. Cream together until light and fluffy.
Add vanilla and eggs. Mix until well incorporated into the creamed mixture.
Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the wet ingredients and stir until a stiff dough forms.
Stir in your favorite chocolate chips.
Place cookie dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet or onto parchment paper. I like to make large cookies so I use a medium-sized cookie scoop to form the dough balls. Bake for approximately 18 minutes. Adjust your time to 10-12 minutes if you are making smaller cookies.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Voila! Now go save yourself a few before your family devours them!
I am currently in the process of making tooth fairy pillows. These were started earlier in the year and then were tossed aside after I got bored (standard modus operandi).
It feels good to finally see the piles of UFO's getting smaller and smaller. I keep reminding myself, one bite at a time, Lettie, one bite at a time.
I hope you all have a creative day!
***Don't forget to enter my giveaway. If you are new to my blog, please refer to my post of April 8 for the rules. Today is the last day, so hurry and get your entry in!***
11 comments:
- annemarie said...
Lettie - We are on the same wave length - I just made a batch of chocolate chip cookies. Nothing beats a chocolate chip cookie right from the oven although I must say that the dough is pretty good in itself! I can't wait to see you tooth fairy pillows. Do you find the Japanese craft books hard to follow as I assume there is not English translation. I always wondered about that - some patterns are probably self explanatory. Anne from Texas
- Wed Apr 30, 10:30:00 AM 2008
- Sue Cahill said...
I have to wipe the drool off my chin, I could kill for a homemade chocolate chip cookie. I've been home recuperating after an accident and have been doing lots of baking but I am trying to use only whats in my pantry, no chips there, darn.
Those tooth fairy pillows are going to be too cute. I made something similar when my kids were young but I have no idea where it is now.
- Wed Apr 30, 10:37:00 AM 2008
Hi Anne,
You're right, you cannot beat a warm chocolate chip cookie!
I'm a very visual person, so decifering the Japanese diagrams in the books usually aren't that much of a problem for me. If you give me instructions without pictures, you will frustrate me to no end.
Nine out of 10 times I create my own patterns for the things that I make so I guess you could say that I prefer following my own method of construction anyway.
Have a nice day!
- Wed Apr 30, 10:47:00 AM 2008
Sorry to entice you. Just think about it this way, you will spare yourself of all the extra calories that are in those chocolate chips!
I'm currently using up things from my pantry and freezer too. I'm too lazy to go to the market anyway and with the price of food these days, it's a good idea to use it all up before making additional purchases.
Take care and get well soon!
- Wed Apr 30, 10:55:00 AM 2008
- sweetiepie said...
Lettie - The chocolate chip cookies look sooooo yummy. But, alas, they are not on my diet. I will just have to be satisfied with what I imagine they taste like.
I can't wait to see the tooth fairy pillows. I am guessing they will be just as colorful as the pin cushions. Your displays always looks so nice. Have a great day! Joyce in Iowa
- Wed Apr 30, 11:03:00 AM 2008
- Netter said...
yummy! I think we have a simular cookie recipe and after seeing yours, I'm craving them. I may be baking later. After eating all those cookies, I'll need a tooth fairy pillow...lol.
- Wed Apr 30, 11:48:00 AM 2008
- Marit Johanne said...
Your cookies looks so good!I will love to try them one day. And now I got a chance in your give away!
- Wed Apr 30, 02:30:00 PM 2008
- Karin said...
I just brewed some fresh coffee-- too bad I can't have one of those cookies with it!
- Wed Apr 30, 02:41:00 PM 2008
Ummmmm! I can smell them from here! Anything with chocolate is tops on my list of comfort foods.
When my children were little I embroidered tooth fairy pillow cases. The tooth fairy looked a lot like tinkerbell! Below her fairy dust was a little tooth pocket.
- Wed Apr 30, 03:14:00 PM 2008
- The Southern Mom said...
Ohhhh...I'd lick the screen if it wasn't so dusty! I love chocolate chip cookies and I'm always looking for different recipes...thanks! And thanks for stopping by my blog.
- Wed Apr 30, 09:09:00 PM 2008
- Ginger said...
Southern mom move over gee that looked so good.Could almost taste it.Thank you so much for recipe hugs ginger
- Sun Aug 03, 08:28:00 AM 2008