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Another post! I'm just about done with Skyrim, and have been painting like crazy lately (8 figures a night). Almost done my Airfix Ghurkas, and about half way through my Airfix Italians. The tanks just need some weathering, and the Quad's + 25 pdr's are completely done.
Anyhow, here is my LRDG Jeep that I made about ayear ago, when I got the Airfix Buffallo for my Iwo Jima Diorama. The crew are from the Airfix 8th Army, and are some of my first real ''Conversions''.
The rope is thin electrical wire.
The guns are old from the old Esci British, and have been cut and atuck togheter with spare plastic to look like the guns that were used by the LRDG.
*NOTE= The guns aren't painted as this is an old photo and have since been painted.


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- Yield
- Makes 4 servings
- Active Time
- 15 min
- Total Time
- 35 min
- 1 large garlic clove
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pound store-bought pizza dough
- 1/2 pound cold mozzarella (preferably salted fresh)
- 1 tablespoon rosemary leaves
- Put a large (17-by 14-inch) heavy baking sheet on lowest rack of oven, then preheat oven to 500°F.
- Mince and mash garlic to a paste with a pinch of salt, then stir together with oil.
- Roll out dough into a 16-by 13-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin, stretching corners with your hands. (Dough will become easier to roll out as it warms.) Transfer to a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Lightly prick dough all over with a fork. Stir garlic mixture and brush evenly over dough. Slide dough (on parchment) onto hot baking sheet. Bake until top is puffed and pale golden in patches, 6 to 10 minutes. (Prick any large bubbles with a fork and flatten.) Meanwhile, thinly slice mozzarella and pat dry.
- Meanwhile, thinly slice mozzarella and pat dry.
- Remove crust from oven and arrange mozzarella on it in 1 layer. Sprinkle rosemary on top. Bake until edge of crust is deep golden and cheese is bubbling and golden in patches, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with pepper.
Related Video
Nutritional Info
- Calories510
- Carbohydrates58 g(19%)
- Fat20 g(31%)
- Protein23 g(45%)
- Saturated Fat9 g(45%)
- Sodium1051 mg(44%)
- Polyunsaturated Fat2 g
- Fiber3 g(13%)
- Monounsaturated Fat7 g
- Cholesterol45 mg(15%)

subset: commoncrawl


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What happens when love lingers long after death? This is what Julie Christine Johnson asks us in her debut novel In Another Life, which is a genre-bending tale set in the Languedoc region of southern France that explores the many varieties of love that we encounter during our lives. Johnson combines a contemporary love story with a dramatic retelling of one of the darker periods of Christian history, when the 14th century Catholic Church launched the Albigensian Crusade to wipe out the Cathars. Never heard of the Cathars? Neither had I, which was a fascinating aspect of the novel.
The Languedoc region was the home of the Cathar faith, a medieval gnostic Christian sect that incorporated reincarnation into Christian doctrine. Johnson centers the medieval events of the novel on the assassination of of the Archdeacon Pierre de Castelnau, a 13th century ecclesiastic whose death launched the crusade. But those are just the facts that we're handed down from history. Johnson guides us through the last years of the Cather resistance by introducing us to Lia Carrer, a modern day graduate student who is writing her doctoral thesis on the Cathar faith.
Newly widowed, Lia Carrier returns to the Languedoc, where her closest friend, Rose, has settled as the wife of a successful wine maker. Wounded and still grieving the seemingly accidental death of her husband Gabriel, Lia moves into Rose's guest house and returns to work on her doctoral thesis.
On her first night in France, Lia is startled by the sight of a man at her window, who disappears by the next flash of lightning. He's quickly replaced by a Bonelli's eagle, a bird so rare as to be facing extinction. It happens so fast that Lia isn't entirely certain what she's seen.
She backed away from the glass with a curse of surprise but stopped as something white flashed just beyond the window. In the space between heartbeats, she saw the face of a man. Moonlight revealed fierce dark eyes and the etched planes of cheekbones. A seeping black streak marred the left side of his face, running from his temple down his cheek to the corner of his mouth. The palm of a hand came into view, reaching toward her. Her own hands flew up and smacked the glass as adrenaline, warm and electric, seared the weariness from her bones.
It should not — and does not — surprise the reader when Lia recognizes that face at her window as Rose's new neighbor Raoul d'Aran, who has quite a few secrets of his own. Woven into the events unfolding in the 21st century are scenes from the 13th, where we learn of Raoul's history as a winemaker, husband, father and leader of the last Cathar rebellion. As the plot quickly moves forward, Lia begins to see, impossibly, how the deaths of her husband and of the 13th century Archdeacon might just be intertwined.
Although the intrigues of medieval Church history might seem like a hard sell for a modern audience, Johnson brings enough of the personal into the 13th century events to make them relevant and alive. It is, above all, love that moves the story forward and a shared grief that draws Lia to Raoul.
A gust of cold air pulled at her hair like the fingers of a ghost, tossing it across her face. Lia tucked the loose strands into her coat collar. "Your wife's name was Paloma," she said. Raoul winced, as though the sound of her name caused him physical pain. "What were your children's names?"
"Bertran was my son," he replied. "Aicelina was my daughter."
His simple declaration broke her heart. There is no other way to say your loved ones are gone but was and were. "Those are old Occitan names."
"My wife was from Languedoc, like your family."
"Do you have family in Languedoc still?"
"No. There's no one left." His answer was a door clicking shut. Quiet, but final.
One of the best qualities of the novel is Johnson's love of France, which comes through in the vividly depicted setting. Drawing on her background as a wine buyer and frequent traveller, Johnson fills the novel with delightful sensory details that take the reader away. Why not indulge in some of the delights of French wine country?
Lia walked into the covered pavilion of the marché. Fish caught before dawn released aromas of the sea that mingled with the scent of vanilla-sweet crepe batter on a hot griddle and the sultry whiff of cumin and cardamom as spice merchants opened their bags. A tiny patisserie stood tucked between the long, refrigerated cases of a cheese-monger and a vendor of cured meats. The shop specialized in the pastries of Catalunya, the territory just across the Spanish border that shared so much of Languedoc's history and culture, and Lia made her last purchases there.
Delicious. Don't you want to go to France? Isn't this why we read?
Johnson's writing is rich and the story line interesting and adventurous, filled with just enough of the mysticism between past and present to keep the pages turning. Lia's love and appreciation of the finer things in life are a delightful escape from the humdrum, but the real reward of the novel is discovering how the Cathar story really ends. In Another Life brings a relatively unknown period of history to life by filling it with memorable characters and a love of the Languedoc region that will make you want to book a flight immediately.
- Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
- Publish Date: February 2, 2016
- Paperback: 368 pages
- Language: English
- Rating: 3 of 5 stars


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My friend Veronica and I went to a painting class in Houston this week. It was a small class, only eight women and the instructor.
The women across from us opened a bottle of Chardonnay. I eyed the bottle and sighed, thinking July 13th seemed awfully far away (no, I did not partake although I may have sniffed their glasses when they weren't looking).
Since the class was so small the instructor was able to give each person more individual attention. While making her rounds she looked over my shoulder.
She asked, "Are you an accountant?"
I froze, red paint loaded brush poised in the air. "Um, no. But I was a math major."
"Uh huh," she said. "I can tell by your brush strokes. Relax. Not everything is an Excel spreadsheet."
To my right Veronica snorted laughter. "Dude. Busted."
They were right, of course. I have a deep and abiding love for straight lines and Excel spreadsheets. I was trying so hard to follow instructions that I forgot art doesn't have to be perfect.
If you're trying something new, something outside your comfort zone (i.e., painting when you're more like an accountant) here's a reminder: We're all stiff and clueless when we try something new. We all make mistakes.
So your branches look drunk and your trunk is fat. Who cares? It's your painting. Own it.
Drop the negative self-talk. I heard all kinds of it in the class. "I suck," and "I hate this branch," and "I did this wrong."
Guys, it's not a test. It's a painting class. Have fun. Be willing to fuck it up.
We've been taught to be afraid of failure. This is problematic because failure is a damn good teacher. We're so focused on never failing that we forget no one can live that way.
And another thing about failure: The worst has happened.
You took one painting class and discovered, holy shit, you're not an undiscovered prodigy.
Wait… You're still here, right? Failure didn't kill you?
Well good!
Now you have a choice: How important is it to you to become a better painter?
If the answer is 'a lot' then you better get to work. Take more classes. Learn more about the craft. Practice, practice, practice.
If the answer is 'meh, I'm okay' then chill. Have fun with it. Just because you're not great at something doesn't mean you can't enjoy it.
Not a one of us in that class was a Picasso. We all knew that walking in. But even knowing that it's easy to get caught up in what you aren't good at instead of focusing on the point of the class: having fun.
And really, what good would it be if you walked into a painting class and reproduced a Rembrandt right out the gate? What appreciation would you have for the hard work and lifelong dedication of the great artists who propped up their easels centuries before you even thought about picking up a brush?
Try new things. Go do something badly just to say you've done it. Chances are you'll probably have a pretty good time.
Don't be afraid to try something you know you'll fail at. Learn from the experience. Even if it's only to laugh at yourself.
And if you still can't embrace failure as a learning experience, put on your wine goggles.
They're guaranteed to make your painting look spectacular.
I love comments! Every time you leave a comment your failures get throat punched into submission. Don't want to leave a comment? Send me an email at gettingthewordswrong(at)gmail(dot)com.
"Your a little twisted aren't you" LMAO!!!
I'd love to have her analyze "my tree"
LOVE THIS POST! What a great way to look at life. Art classes always taught me that failure is sometimes a very good thing. And to learn: how important is making this perfect really? Does this say something about myself? My style? if I get it a little off? Also that if the answer was I wanted to be more disciplined then it meant I'd commit to more practice. People who have to be the best at anything right out of the gate rarely ever develop a skill.
[…] So true: "Sometimes Failure is an Option." […]
Failure is not really an option when it's exams. I failed an exam (twice) and have now lost all confidence in ever being able to move on from the failure and pass. Having said that, I do agree that sometimes we need to move out with our comfort zone and do things. We should also be much less self-critical, sometimes it just doesn't matter.
What a great post! Good on you for pushing your comfort zone. 🙂
With art, I feel like every person needs to find their own balance between learning/practicing the tried-and-true techniques and just doing what feels right to them. I mean, if you decide you want to learn to be a photo-realistic painter and you spend a lot of time working on technique to get to that point, that's great. But alternatively, it can be freeing to allow yourself just to create the way you naturally create and to come to appreciate that that's your "way" for the moment, "flawed" as it might be. I wonder if your "Excel spreadsheet" personality type might lend itself more naturally to a different style/medium, such as creating intricate patterns with pen/ink.
It's great to learn technique and grow with a medium, but I think the art ends up more authentic when you couple that with the freedom to let yourself experiment and to reframe your artistic "failures" as a kind of personal expression.
Meghan, you are just absolutely great, I am subscribing to your blog forthwith! Looking forward to seeing your next painting. You are so right – the final product doesn't have to be perfect, but what is excellent is the act of trying something new 🙂


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Numerous of my pals really like to cruise, as do I. They use a cruise ship as their base to travel about the globe and some of them hold a cruise journal. A journal assists them keep in mind all of the details about every of their cruise ships and itineraries so that they can refer back to see what they did when they visited St. Petersburg, Amsterdam or the Bahamas.
I adore it! Your pic at the best is not operating. And I love the piece about voter registration, but I would hope individuals are not actually voting in states exactly where they're not following the political climate. My two favourite issues, travel and cocktails! I haven't noticed these travel packs before so thank you. Actually stumbling on the Vietnamese religious tradition of Đạo Mẫu, and its ceremonial tangential manifestations such as Hầu Đồng and Hát Chầu Văn in late 2014 has literally supercharged, and reinvigorated, my enthusiasm for documentary photography, audio recording, storytelling and multimedia production over these past two years. Tons of great details. I can't wait to take a trip, hopefully gas prices will go back down.
I enjoy the freedom that could come with living in an RV… of course, I forgot that there would be issues like state residency to take into account! Great guide. Driving the rig has in no way been my favored part of this way of life, and I was literally dreading acquiring prepared to do so again. I've grown tired of the anxiety and all of the work involved in traveling solo. Beginning in October, I gave Jojoba Hills a try and it turned out that I really feel comfy right here. rajesh b. lives in New Delhi, India and desires to make travel friends with travelers going to his city.
Bike: In large cities across Europe, you can rent a bike to get about town. Just spend for a bike at any bike station employing the machine and return it at another bike station anyplace in the city. I was a teenager when the very first of the Back to the Future films came out. Six friends and I went to the theater to see it, and I remember we all really liked the movie, not to mention Michael J. Fox, who was at the height of his Tv career at the time. We all hoped there would be a sequel and, certain sufficient, there have been two. It is tough to discuss the economic elements of coach ownership for any one particular individual scenario since there are endless combinations of issues involved in it.
The list involves web sites for a year in business, perform placements abroad, conservation projects, action adventures, volunteer projects, siteseeing tours, round the globe holidays and a lot a lot more! You will discover projects accessible all more than the planet. Thanks sweetie1, for your visit and assistance. I am glad you identified the hub informative. Thanks! The most profitable pet conditions I have noticed are these exactly where people keep really little dogs , wash and groom them routinely and take them out only to do their enterprise.


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Carers UK spells out its new social contract for carers
A ground-breaking new study released today (Wednesday 21 November 2007) by Carers UK sets out the design of a new social contract for care which would revolutionise the way care is delivered in the 21st century.
For the first time, a definitive model is presented of what a new social contract for care might look like and who the stakeholders would be, with a full set of policy recommendations designed to create the right environment for the change.
The work, commissioned by Carers UK, has been led by Professor Sue Yeandle from the University of Leeds and is one of six major reports on working age carers, who represent 75 per cent of all carers in Great Britain.¹
Described by Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK, as 'one of the most exciting advances made in our new vision for carers', the findings will contribute to the government's current review of the National Strategy for Carers, and will inform the new Standing Commission on Carers and the promised Green Paper on long term care.
Imelda Redmond continues, "The new social contract goes beyond the traditional view of a contract between the state and the individual. It calls for new commitments which also involve employers, local agencies and communities. We all have a role to play in supporting carers within our communities since care is something that we can all expect to provide and receive at some point in our lives."
Starting with a call for a radical overhaul of the entire infrastructure of support for carers, the study suggests that the new social contract needs to build on the following realities:
Chronically ill and disabled people need care, most of which is provided by carers – i.e. family and friends
The economy needs carers
Replacing all unpaid care with formal care services is both impossible and undesirable
Carers are crucial partners in delivering social care
Carers need independence, income and life choices and should not pay a penalty for the contribution they make.
Professor Yeandle stresses that the new social contract needs to be explicit, detailed and agreed by all parties. She emphasises, "This must involve individuals and families, local communities, employers, voluntary organisations and the state – at both the local and national level. All stakeholders need to be clear about their roles and responsibilities and to agree a core set of values if they are to provide the support that carers need. Demand for care is rising, and as a society we must make caring possible. It is absolutely crucial in enabling ill and disabled people to live as they choose."
The ethical context would need to be clear - recognising and including carers who would be key and non-negotiable partners, to whom all within the infrastructure were committed. There would also need to be a set of legal, regulatory and fiscal frameworks supporting carers.
The research shows that caring carries three main penalties: poorer health, financial strain and social exclusion. To address this, recommendations for each include:
Carers' health
More responsive services in health and social care.
Investment in carers breaks.
Improved GP/community health support for carers.
Information, training and brokerage services for carers.
Carers' economic and financial security
A new advice, guidance and advocacy service on caring and employment.
A wider range of jobs available to those working part-time or flexibly.
Review of the integration of the tax, benefits and pensions system.
Investment in improving access to education, skills and training for carers.
A new specialist SME advisory service for small businesses.
New support/services for those whose caring changes or ends.
Carers' social inclusion and equal rights
Carers identified in all equalities legislation.
A strong statistical evidence-base about carers.
Services which support carers' participation as active citizens.
Extension of the right to request flexible working to all employees.
'Carer-proofing' of local strategic developments and planning processes.
Welfare to work policy tailored to meet carers' needs.
Campaign on carers and employment targeting employers and trade unions.
Imelda Redmond continues,
"We have a big task ahead of us in reshaping existing policy, placing a stronger emphasis on individually tailored support, making appropriate and imaginative use of technological and other innovations – and, crucially, making it possible for carers to provide support without suffering any penalty.
"Meeting these challenges and recommendations will require determination, clear focus and concerted effort, with everyone playing their part. But we know the problem has to be tackled and we are prepared to see this new vision through to give carers an equal chance to lead normal lives."
The launch of this new report coincides with two major events in London on Wednesday 21 November 2007. The first is a meeting of employers organised by Carers UK and Employers for Carers to discuss with Carers Minister, Ivan Lewis and Director of Social Care, David Behan, what employers would like to see in the National Strategy for Carers.
The other, is the first of three deliberative events being held with carers, the public and other stakeholders to consult over the content of the Prime Minister's National Strategy for Carers. The Minister for carers, Ivan Lewis, is planning to speak at this event.
- Ends -
19 November 2007
1 The report is entitled Carers, Employment and Services: time for a new social contract? It was conducted at the University of Leeds and commissioned by Carers UK. The authors are Professor Sue Yeandle and Dr Lisa Buckner.
It is one of a series of publications and draws together the findings of the other reports on the Carers, Employment and Services (CES) Study conducted in 2006-7.
The findings are based on 1,909 responses to the CES national survey, which targeted carers of working age; 134 face-to-face interviews with carers aged 25-64 living in ten selected localities in England, Scotland and Wales; interviews with professionals with responsibility for carer support at the local level; detailed analysis of the 2001 Census; and assessment of a wide range of documentary sources.


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How to create a website with Joomla
If you want to create a website on your own and you're looking for simpler and faster way to do it, now you can find all the needed tools and build your web pages without professional help. But before you start your new website, you have to register the domain name for it and pay for the hosting of the website at first place. We provide entirely free web hosting packages including free CMSs (Content Management System) with quick 1-click installation from our Control Panel, free FTP and MySQL accounts, email etc. That's how easy you can have your website online.
For the site you will also need special software – a CMS for the building and design of your webs pages. We offer tutorials that will help you create a website with the Joomla CMS. Joomla is one of the most widely used content management systems, very flexible and suitable for the management of all kinds of websites. Joomla offers advanced tools for the easier construction of customizable and complex sites.


text: Fred Stutzman has announced he's organizing a BarCamp here in the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill Area. There is a wiki and a e-mail list. Go sign up on the wiki and subscribe to the list. Its happening fast! The goal is to have this event on a Saturday in July. Like July 1 or 8. [please, please, please not on July 22] BarCamps sound like UnConferences so it should be very democratic. Speak up and make something happen! Fun!


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Fashion Week Accessories Street Style 2016- Personal Favorites!
I've already wrapped up our street style and SS 2016 accessories forecast report for New York on and off the runway…. However; I really couldn't get enough of street style this season, so I decided to conclude my accessories inspiration extravaganza with some of my favorite looks as shot by the lovely Hannan Saleh, for us at Sarara Couture. I think a blogazine like this one, needs to showcase how individuals interpret and wear jewelry, hats, bags, shoes, rings and beyond.
Why do we wear accessories? What role do they play in our daily lives. For some of us we have a fear of them and how to wear them, for others they are part of the dialogue that makes us who we are. I am one who feels naked without them. Accessories are truly part of our material culture- physical objects that offer clues about our cultures and ideologies. They speak to our roles in society, beliefs, gender and status…. I think as the international fashion week scene wrap up and Paris begins and ends there is still a bit more room for a little New York inspiration. This city offers a panorama of visual stimulus and messages through accessories. Hannan has a great eye for those moments, so enjoy a curated look at my personal favorite NYFW street style highlights from SS 2016. These are the things I would wear, inspire from and adore regardless of the trends. All below images were shot by Hannan- so let's discuss-


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Congratulations! Variety reports that Marion Cotillard will receive a career tribute during the 22nd Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards ceremony held on November 26 at Cipriani Wall Street in downtown Manhattan. Other tributes will go to Matt Damon, director David O Russell and Participant Media's Jeff Skoll. The ceremony will also award winners in seven competish categories including feature, documentary, breakthrough director and actor, and ensemble.
Joana Vicente, Executive Director of the Independent Film Project, which run the Gotham Awards, is quoted as saying:
It is with pride and great pleasure that we give tribute to these luminaries, each of whom plays an amazing role in expanding the language of film, breaking boundaries along the way. Each has a unique voice and clearly defined vision of cinema for the current generation, bringing perspective and relevance to the film world today (Source).
Marion Cotillard is not only a delight to watch, she is one of the most talented women working in cinema around the world today. Her acting choices are always challenging and rewarding, and her performances show that she is a truly skilled artist, totally dedicated to her craft. We are so honored to present this Tribute to a woman of her magnitude (Source).


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Animal Team Leader (Hoofed stock section)
RZSS Edinburgh Zoo
The Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Animal Team Leader to work within the Living Collections team at Edinburgh Zoo. To operate effectively in this role, it is essential that you have experience at senior zoo keeper level or have sufficient practical experience in a zoo or animal-related environment. You will also require extensive experience working with and managing a range of animal taxon groups, but in particular ungulates. Experience working with large mammals such as rhinoceros and giraffes are particularly desirable, and the ideal candidate would be experienced in working in a protected contact style with these taxa. This is a physical hands-on role in a busy animal park which will involve bending and lifting, feeding, cleaning, maintaining and presenting the enclosures and general care and welfare of the animals and associated tasks, including record keeping and interacting with our visitors. The ideal candidate will have knowledge and practice of building and maintaining external networks of stakeholders and partnerships and will have a practical understanding of conservation and zoo biology. Experience of working in a supervisory or managerial role is essential preferably underpinned by formal management training.
Who we are looking for
It is a requirement of this role that you will have passed the Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DMZAA) or a directly equivalent zoo husbandry qualification. You must also have up-to-date basic knowledge and understanding of zoo legislation and best practice, along with a sound basis of practical knowledge and good animal management skills. You must be a team player, with strong leadership skills. You must have excellent communication skills and be able to demonstrate a quality approach to your work. A full UK driving license is desirable. A working knowledge of ZIMS, SPARKS and other zoo management systems would be desirable.
Working hours are 37.5 hours per week (annualized figure) and the post involves weekend and occasional evening work.
Our Offer
As a Charity, first and foremost, we work hard to make sure our benefits package is competitive and attractive. As well as the fundamental benefits like salary and pension, we offer other rewards that can help you financially, can make work a bit easier and make life outside of work a lot more fun! As well as our wonderful animals we have a highly professional, diverse and friendly staff community too. So, in working for RZSS you've not only got a great job in a very interesting organisation - you're also part of an amazing cause too!
For full information on how to apply, please visit the RZSS vacancy page and follow the instructions.
The closing date: Sunday 13 May 2018
We are the Royal Zoological Society for Scotland (RSZZ), and for over 100 years we've been a leading conservation and education charity as well as an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction. Through our two sites, RZSS Edinburgh Zoo and RZSS Highland Wildlife Park, we provide unique and memorable experiences and engage with nearly 750,000 visitors per year in the wonders of the natural world, taking care of over 1,000 rare and endangered animals in safe and stimulating surroundings.
Our Mission: Connecting people with nature. Safeguarding species from extinction.
Registered Charity No: SC004064
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant
+971 50 4787 122 | firstname.lastname@example.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48


text: Every little boy should look so good with help of the children's clothes by Paul Frank! This full zip hoodie in black is a great way to dress up jeans or shorts! Sandboxcouture.com carries a great selection of this favorite brand of children's clothes for boys and girls! Small Paul by Paul Frank has been around for quite some time and, has become one of childrens favorite clothing line! Save on select Paul Frank baby clothes for little girls and boys at Sandboxcouture today!


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The config.txt file on your SD card must be modified to include these lines in the HDMI section – this tells your raspberry pi the correct resolution to use.
- If you are using one of the pre-configured SD cards or images from our kit then this has already been done for you.
hdmi_group=2 hdmi_mode=87 hdmi_cvt 1024 600 60 3 0 0 0 hdmi_force_hotplug=1


text: The Central Connections Conference presented numerous leadership sessions that student leaders were able to choose four out of the 17 presentations to attend. The first two sessions I attended were called Happy Hour, Branching out your Free Time: Netflix and No Chill, and Understanding your Roots: Acknowledging the Strength Within. Although these two sessions were very… Continue reading Leadership Through the Eyes of Disney


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Young Professionals sort by issue
Broad societal challengesIEC work underpins modern life
In his address to Council, Frans Vreeswijk, IEC General Secretary & CEO, reminded the audience that electrotechnology is essential in addressing broad societal challenges, such as universal energy access, more efficient use of energy, smart urbanization, climate change mitigation, digitization, cyber security, to name but a few. "Our vision is to have IEC work used everywhere to make the world more efficient and a safer place for everyone. To remain broadly relevant and avoid duplication, we need to cooperate extensively between technical committees in the IEC and with other organizations", underlined Vreeswijk.
The next generation of IEC leaders and expertsEighty Young Professionals (YP) representing 39 countries gathered in Busan to participate in the ninth annual IEC Young Professionals Workshop held in conjunction with the IEC General Meeting.
The workshop provided participants with the opportunity to learn more about the IEC and its standardization and conformity assessment work. It included numerous breakout sessions and networking opportunities.
From IEC Young Professional to President of the IEC National Committee of SwedenAn interview with Stina Wallström
Last April, Stina Wallström was elected President of Svensk Elstandard (SEK), the IEC National Committee of Sweden. In this position, Wallström is responsible for guiding the national committee and leading its involvement in international fora.
Standardization has been a leitmotiv throughout Wallström's career. She first realized the importance of standards when completing her graduate studies in chemical engineering and has been engaged in standardization work ever since. Her initial foray into the IEC began with her participation in the Young Professional Programme (YPP) in 2013.
In an interview with e-tech, Wallström tells us more about her current work in standardization and encourages the next generation of leaders to become involved.
Meet the Young ProfessionalsIEC Young Professionals in Busan for YP workshop
This year, around 70 Young Professionals (YP) are in Busan to attend the three-day YP Workshop held alongside the IEC General Meeting. For the YPs, this Workshop serves as an opportunity to learn more about the IEC work in standardization and conformity assessment as well as to network with the 3 000 IEC experts attending the General Meeting.
Arming the IEC for the futureJim Matthews goes over his six years at the helm of SMB
Over the past 6 years, IEC Vice-President and Standardization Management Board (SMB) Chair Jim Matthews served the IEC well. A calm, focused diplomat, he updated and helped put in place new structures and processes that will allow the IEC to satisfy market needs faster and even more efficiently. At the end of this year he will hand over to Ralph Sporer who has been elected at the General Meeting in Frankfurt.
This is how Jim remembers his time at the IEC; what he set out to do and what he accomplished.
A call for tomorrow's IEC leadersIEC Young Professionals – 2016 workshop registration open
For the IEC Young Professionals Programme 2016 workshop, IEC National Committees have until the end of June to register participants, selected at national level. The 2016 workshop will be held in Frankfurt, from 10-12 October, during the IEC General Meeting.
Tomorrow's leadersIntroducing the IEC 2015 Young Professional Leaders
The IEC Young Professionals Programme is a forum for upcoming expert engineers, technicians and managers from throughout the world, who aspire to become more involved in the IEC and help shape the future of electrotechnology international standardization and conformity assessment. For this month's magazine, e-tech introduces the three 2015 Leaders of the IEC Young Professionals Programme who were elected by their peers in Minsk, Belarus. Please give them your support!
Outstanding contributionsIEC Young Professionals Programme alumni receive 1906 Award
The IEC has recognized the efforts of three Young Professionals Programme alumni with 1906 Awards in 2015. Congratulations on this achievement.
Growing experts worldwideAn update on national equivalent IEC Young Professional Programmes
A frequent comment heard during the IEC Young Professionals (YP) workshops concerns the importance of National Committees' support, especially to grow participation and engagement in the IEC YP programme. The following article discusses the value that an NC gains from investing in a national equivalent IEC YP Programme. It also covers the main challenges faced by an NC once a national programme has been established and how these can be resolved.
A smart organization for a smarter worldIEC President addresses Council
Addressing Council for the first time as IEC President, Junji Nomura expressed his pleasure at doing so in his home country, Japan. Satisfied with the state of the organization which he described as 'strong and healthy' with a 'truly global reach', he nonetheless emphasized the need for the IEC to continue to improve its services while keeping up with the fast-changing global market.
Going ahead in MelbourneGroup elects its 2011 Young Professional Leaders
The aim of the Young Professionals Programme is to get young managers and engineers involved in IEC work and Conformity Assessment activities, engaging them and involving them more in shaping the future of international electrotechnical standization. Out of the 59 candidates selected by their IEC National Committee to participate in the October 2011 IEC General Meeting in Melbourne, Australia, three were elected by their peers as the group's Leaders.
Communicating the value of standardsElaine Clayton of Australia
Elaine Clayton is the Business Development & Marketing Manager for BWES (Black & White Engineering Solutions Pty Ltd), a regulatory compliance consultancy firm based in Sydney, Australia, that provides 'cradle to grave' testing and certification solutions and product development assistance/guidance to manufacturers of consumer products. Clayton has a degree in communications and is an associate member of the Australian Marketing Institute.
Building up the tidal strait!Jonathan Colby of the United States
Jonathan is a Hydrodynamic Engineer with Verdant Power, a marine renewable energy company that has its main project in New York City's East River. He has been with the company since 2006 after he completed a Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. As a member of the company's Engineering and Resource Assessment Teams, his work includes turbine blade design, hydrodynamic modelling, data processing and analysis, fieldwork, and general turbine operation responsibilities for both US and Canadian projects.
Measuring stickChallenges in Asia Pacific
Interview with Robert Chua, former President of Singapore NC (National Committee) and CB (Council Board) member of the IEC as well as Chairman of the IEC Asia-Pacific Steering Group on challenges for the IEC in the Asia/Pacific region.
- conformity assessment (278)
- sensors (106)
- safety (106)
- IoT (99)
- IECEx (94)
- cyber security (73)
- energy efficiency (68)
- renewable energy (59)
- International Standards (59)
- electronic components (53)
- healthcare (47)
- batteries (46)
- explosive atmospheres (45)
- internet of things (43)
- Smart Cities (43)


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The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer (309 p.)
Read Februari 24 - March 6
Skrev tidigare om boken på svenska på Litterarum.
As usual, I will write the reviews of the English books I've read in English.
Nathan Filer's debut is a beautifully written story about Matt's descent into the mental illness that happens to sound like a slithering snake: schizophrenia. Matt tells us his story, beginning from when he was a child when something terrible happened. His older brother, Simon, died suddenly. Not only is this a book about mental illness, but about loss, grief and coping as well.
The writing style is interesting in the way that it alters with Matt's notes on the hospital computer and the notes he makes on the typewriter his grandmother gives him. The reader is experiencing the text at the same time that Matt is writing it, creating a very "here and now" atmosphere.
I rarely cry when reading books, but it was really close this time.
Rating: 4


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As we approach the holiday season many people turn to thoughts on tradition, heritage, principles, duty, honor and family. They consider the accomplishments and even the failures of the past and where we are headed in the future. For most of the year, the average American will keep their heads in the sands of monotony and decadence and distraction. But during this time, even in the midst of the consumption frenzy it has been molded into, people tend to reflect, and they find joy, and they find worry.
What perhaps does not come to mind very often though are the institutions and structures that provide the "stability" by which our society is able to continue in a predictable manner. While many of these institutions are not built with the good of the public in mind, they often indirectly secure a foundation that can be relied upon, for two or three generations, while securing power for the establishment. The problem is, the establishment is never satisfied with a static or semi-peaceful system for very long. They are not satisfied by being MOSTLY in control, they seek total control. Thus, they are often willing to create chaos and crisis and even tear down old structures that previously benefited them in order to gain something even greater (and more oppressive for the rest of us).
The official Thanksgiving holiday, for example, did not really begin as a homage to the colonial settlers and pilgrims of America's birth and their struggles to build a new life. While George Washington did proclaim a "Day of Thanks" in 1789, the model for Thanksgiving began far later, in 1863 as the Civil War was raging. It was the Civil War that upset the traditional balance of power between the states and the federal government, nearly annihilating the nation and asserting federal power as unquestionable for decades to come. A moment of great chaos which destroyed old institutions (like the 10th Amendment) but gave establishment elitists even more control in the end.
This post was published at Alt-Market on Wednesday, 22 November 2017.


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Overview of Hostel
We want to offer you new rooms (1 double and 4 twins). They are situated in the centre of Krakow and located in an apartment on the 3rd floor of an old building, but inside is very modern and cosy. Location and furnishings together create original place for the fans of style combination.
Each room
The adress of Traveller Apart is 17 D?uga Street, but for check-in and to collect your keys please come to Flamingo Hostel. The address is 4 Szewska Street; please follow the directions below:
From Krakow's Main Railway Station to our hostel:
- From Krakow's Main Railway Station head towards Pijarska Street, then turn left into Florianska Street which will lead you to the Main Market Square. In the middle, on the right side of it is Szewska Street. Our hostel is building No 4.
From the Balice Airport You can get a cab during the reservation for 70 PLN.
From the Main Bus Station:
- The same directions as from the Main Railway Station. You can walk or take tram number 4, 13, 14, 24. Get off the tram in front of 'Teatr Bagatela.' It is only 100 meters away from Flamingo Hostel..
Located near
The check-in is at Szewska 4 street in Flamingo Hostel. Traveller Apart is on D�uga 17 steet - 10 minutes walk from the hostel. Traveller Apart is located in the centre of Old Town just 10 minutes walk from the Main Square.
Conditions & Policy
Credit Cards Accepted
Check-in at Szewska 4 street from 14:00 in the reception of Hostel Flamingo.


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Black Sheep
I saw Black Sheep last night, it was a Triple J preview screening at Hoyts at Melbourne Central. Firstly can I say that the cinemas there are really good, huge screen and great seats.
The movie started with a quick little promo for Triple J (some animation of tattoos) then it went straight into the movie, I love watching previews, but when we don't have them I love how direct it is. You aren't left distracted by this other kewl movie you'd like to see, I'd much rather have previews as post views.
So finally the movie, the plot and script were great, very funny over all. The acting was spot on. I'm not saying the actors were fantastic, just that they were exactly what was needed. What was also good was the special effects, it takes quite a bit to make people think of sheep as evil, but the did a good job of it.
I highly recommend that everyone see this film, their isn't much horror or gore in it, just a lot of really good laughs.
8/10 for quality. 10/10 for watch-ability.Tagged as :
Top Categories


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A few words to say welcome a new online lingerie boutique which is really as we like it ! Mio Destino provides some well-known and interesting brands (Damaris, Guia la Bruna, Janet Reger, Verde Veronica) but also many others which are still difficult to find online as Sista Shei, Bien Fée Pour Toi, Le Monde d'Alba or Yes Master (and very soon the marvellous lingerie collections from Elise Aucouturier and Elise Anderegg). Only beautiful things as you can see, as for example this sexy chemise from Guia la Bruna (pic. 1) and the gracious loungewear from Le Monde d'Alba (pic. 4).
PS: A page really friendly for these guys: The Lingerie Demystified. All the lingerie garments are explained, detailled and pictured especially for you !
Pictures: Guia la Bruna – Janet Reger / Sassy and Rose – Le Monde d'Alba


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Introduction to Pemako Buddhism
and Introductory Practice Instructions
Pemako Buddhism is nonreligious, pragmatic and modern form of vajrayana or tantric buddhism. Pemako Buddhism teaches effortless nonmeditation, and transformation of inner obstructions, through sutra- and tantra-methods. We combine both secular and esoteric approaches, firmly based on ethics and common sense.
Our way of practice is nonreligious for we do not accept views without firsthand experience acquired through yogic practice. Our approach is pragmatic for we are (1) focused on practice, (2) prioritise what works and (3) speak openly of our experiences and insights, without mystery or taboos. Find out more about pragmatic dharma from this article. Many in our community have spent considerable time training in other methods before Pemako Buddhism. Over third of people in our sangha have practiced meditation for over 20 years. Our approach is especially suitable for laypeople, with families, work and other responsibilities.
Despite of some unique and unusual aspects of our method, Pemako Buddhist-teachings are according to the mahayana buddhist view, based on wisdom and compassion arising from the gradual insight into the doctrine of emptiness. Some bits of Pemako Buddhist-teachings are unique to our method, but we have not invented anything new. With innovative and analytical mind, we have looked into timeless principles and explored the old ways to find out if something could be dropped, fixed, bettered or updated, for more effective results. All our core practices and teachings are publicly available in the internet, at our website and YouTube-channel.
Those wishing to look into our teachings should read Awake! Handbook of Awakening and What's Next? On Post-Awakening Practice. These two books explain the Two-Part Formula, a technique that is used to generate awakening in the mind of a beginner, and Open Heart Bhumi Model (abbr. OHBM) which is our way of mapping (path map) where the practitioner is in terms of advancement in practice. To get an overview of the variety of practices within the Pemako Buddhist-method, you are invited to read Preliminary Practices-booklet.
Sutra and Tantra
Our method includes both sutric and tantric parts. The term sutra refers to practices that can be learned without an empowerment given by a teacher. Sutric practices can be learned through verbal explanations or recordings and they do not involve mantras, that is, chanting of sacred syllables. A typical example of this is the meditation of following of the breath at the belly. This is a classic sutric meditation practice where there are no prayers of deities or gurus and no use of mantras. This is called shamatha meditation for it calms down the mind through repeated concentration.
In general, the main feature of buddhist meditation is analysis or inquiry about the phenomena that takes place in our minds. Buddhist meditators of the sutrayana or sutric path, analyze mental objects and emotional states that happen in their mind. They look into these objects and find out about the shape, feel, colour and energetic tone of these mental events. This is vipashyana meditation which has the outcome of insight. Insight into the empty nature of mind means that the sense of self or me-ness is released from mental phenomena through analytical meditation, which is effectively practiced in the calm of mind (shamatha). Common to majority of buddhist approaches is this emptiness insight, which has a liberating effect. The main intent of buddhist practice is to remove existential confusion, or suffering, by releasing the sense of self from one's mind. When insights into thr selfless nature of mind add up, the mind becomes more and more free by seeing through the self.
Shamatha and vipashyana, or calming down and analytical meditations are widely known and practiced in the world today. These same principles also exist in tantric practices and the realization of both sutra and tantra is the same: emptiness of all phenomena, internal and external. In the history of buddhism, the sutra path has been mostly taught and advocated by monastic teachers and communities. Sutric practices are as valid as tantric ones but this approach requires a lot of time spent in daily practice and retreat. As a stand-alone system, the sutra path is very slow in terms of progress because all meditative work is done by oneself, according to the scriptures and instructions received from one's teacher. Historically many tantric teachers have combined both approaches, sutric and tantric, with emphasis on tantra.
The main difference of sutric and tantric approaches is that in tantra the teacher gives empowerments. Empowerment is an event where the teacher says prayers, explains and performs the practice and shares her or his experience of it with the students. When one receives an empowerment, it means that with the help of teacher, one's own inner potential is pointed out and revealed, through the experience that the teacher shares with the student. After empowerment, the student learns practices associated with the empowerment and in her or his daily practice, keeps repeating the transmitted experience, that of enlightened mind.
Through tantric practice where practices such as visualisations, breathwork and mantras are used, the student repeats the experience of being an enlightened being, a buddha. When one cultivates one's own fully enlightened potential through tantric practice, it generates insight into the empty nature of mind and transforms all and any causes of self-delusion. Although many tantric teachers and lineages combine both sutra and tantra, in tantra, emptiness insight is achieved through intuitive and energetic means, rather than intellectually or analytically, as in sutra. In this way, confused and self-based mind is transformed back into the original liberated condition. This is how tantric vipashyana works. Tantric practices, such as Rainbow Body Yoga and Guru Yoga generate calmness and insight just like sutric practices do but because of the energetic involvement of the teacher and the lineage, one does not need to generate everything on one's own. For this reason, the tantric path is not as time consuming as the sutra path and therefore it is much more suitable for laypeople who are busy with work, family life and other activities.
Guru Yoga
Spiritual path is challenging because of our distorted perceptions and negative habits but with the help of master, or guru, and her or his blessings, it becomes much easier. Guru Yoga, which is the foundation of all tantric systems, means that the student establishes a living connection between her- or himself and a fully enlightened master, or mahasiddha. In Pemako Buddhism this guru is Guru Rinpoche, also known as Guru Padmasambhava.
Guru Rinpoche is widely known as the main master, originally from India, who brought tantric teachings to Tibet. He is venerated and celebrated by all schools of Tibetan buddhism. Guru Rinpoche lived many centuries ago but since by definition a fully enlightened master is someone who has transcended time and location, he can be asked for blessings and guidance by anyone at any time or place, with the outcome of the atmosphere becoming thick with blessings. Blessings can then be received through one's body, mind and heart for one's spiritual benefit. In this way tantrics make use of the help that mahasiddhas of all times and places gladly offer.
All tantric lineages are necessarily founded by fully enlightened mahasiddhas, in this case Guru Rinpoche. A normal person whose mind is more or less clouded by self-based reactions and negative thinking, cannot start a valid tantric lineage that would lead the practitioners to full liberation, or buddhahood. In the history of vajrayana buddhism, as well as in other religions, deities and nonphysical masters have given empowerments, texts, teachings and practices to carefully chosen adepts. These revealers (tib. terton) of fresh dharma-teachings then pass on these teachings to people who have fortunate life circumstances, connection to dharma and the particular teachings. History of Tibetan vajrayana buddhism has had many such tertons or dharma-treasure revealers and there are also few Western tertons within Tibetan buddhist traditions. The same phenomena has been documented in other world religions as well, where mystics and practitioners receive inspiration in nonphysical manner.
Pemako Buddhist-teachings have been received in the same way, through mystical experience in meditation by our founder and head teacher Mr. Kim Katami. Since 2008, Mr. Katami, has openly shared what he has learned as he was asked to teach by both his masters and people who knew him. Over many years this lead to what is now known as Pemako Buddhist-method and Pemako Buddhist Sangha, or community. Find Mr. Katami's interview here.
Spiritual Path Makes Life Easy But Is Difficult
Meditation and spirituality is often sold to people with labels such as "happiness" and "peacefulness". While it is true that in the long run one's mind becomes clear and stable, it is misleading to say that meditation practices only makes one peaceful and happy. It would be more correct to say that while peacefulness increases over time, a meditator also goes through challenging periods during which one feels the opposite to peaceful. These rough patches are commonly discussed with a christian term "dark night", even among buddhist meditators.
All kinds of meditation practices, even secular mindfulness, from time to time, necessarily stir up difficult emotional states, such as anger and fear, that come to the surface from the depths of one's subconscious mind. No system can avoid this. Actually, as the purpose of the buddhist meditative path is to generate insight, it is actually desirable for these strongly self-charged thoughts and emotions to come up because then they can be brought onto the path and used for further insight.
It is necessary for a beginner of any meditative practice to know that sooner or later, one's practice will be bumpy and one's resolve will be put on test. During emotionally challenging periods, one needs to remember the advice of one's teacher, learn to self-pace and keep practicing. During dark nights, the practitioner is to take Refuge and firmly establish Bodhisattva Vows in her or his practice.
Being A Student
Teachers of all paths require sincerity and honesty from their students, and students deserve the same from their teachers. In order to learn, one needs to have an "empty cup", that is, the student needs to be sincere and receptive for without openness of mind, learning cannot take place. Sincerity, as well as honesty, are necessary requirements for all Pemako Buddhist-students, old and new. Actually, the same goes for both parties, teachers and students, because without mutual trust cooperation is not possible. This is even more so in tantra because tantric practice is based on empowerment given by the teacher. Because of this connection the rules and guidelines are different in tantra than they are in sutra.
Anyone who is sincere and does not have acute mental health problems can take up Pemako Buddhist practices and receive an empowerment for Rainbow Body Yoga. If one has (1) history of mental illness, (2) is seeing a doctor or (3) is taking medication, it is necessary to discuss one's situation with a teacher before taking up practices taught online or at events.
Students who learn Pemako Buddhist-teachings and especially Rainbow Body Yoga, are welcome to join our online community at Facebook and join retreats in person, as long as they feel they wish to pursue the Pemako Buddhist path. If at any point one no longer wishes to be involved, one is free to leave and not join teachings anymore. After leaving the sangha, it is logical to assume that one does not continue Pemako Buddhist-practices on one's own.
If student behaves disrespectfully or untruthfully, teacher can cut off the teacher-student relationship and tell the student to discontinue any practices learned. While on sutra path it is not a problem to continue one's practice on one's own, because of the empowerment and subtle connection created therein, tantric teacher has the right to ask this or even take back the given empowerment, if the request is not respected.
Learning a new practice, becoming a student and becoming a member of a sangha is a process that takes time. Whether the practice is a perfect fit, one can find out in couple of months. After that it takes a couple of years to get to know the teacher and other people. Pemako Buddhist Sangha-member who has found home in her or his practice and the community is required to exercise ethics, such as honesty and non-harming, and are expected to support the common mission financially and through service for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Introductory Practice Instructions
The following is an introduction to few practices from Rainbow Body Yoga, combined with Guru Yoga. Find out more about Rainbow Body Yoga from here.
We invite you to try these exercises, or others such as the Two-Part Formula. It is best if you do the following introductory practice daily for 1-2 months before receiving empowerment for Rainbow Body Yoga.
Sitting Down, Relaxing and
Recognising Open Inner Space and Its Knowingness
Sit down in an upright yet inwardly relaxed posture. For beginners, it is recommended to keep eyes closed, without visual input. Take a few deeper breaths, if you feel like it. Then, let the breath flow on its own.
Start scanning the insides of the physical body. Be alert to notice any tensions and when you detect them, allow them to be released. When a tension releases, notice what is found in the place of the released tension. Look carefully to find that out. What you find is clear open space with nothing in it. After this observation, continue going through the rest of the body releasing tensions and recognising that small area of open space whenever tensions are released. Do this carefully, without hurrying.
At some point as you keep doing this, small areas of open space appear as a larger space which is both inside and outside the physical body, yet really is in neither. Simply notice that this space is there. Then, relax into it and marinate with your whole body. Rest in it with some vigilance of mind so that you don't become drowsy. Also, you can check if "you", as you commonly think or speak of yourself, exists in this space or if this space is without the notion of me-ness. This takes a couple of minutes.
Jewel Visualisation
Part 1, Jewel: Feel your physical body from the inside and begin to visualize or imagine that your physical body was made of pure and flawless diamond. Your body turns into a big, transparent, pure body-shaped jewel. You can find pictures of diamonds, crystals or ice sculptures to help with the image. After about 30 seconds of doing this, continue imagining that the body-diamond is extended to your energy field or aura as well. Extend the visualization of diamond about 1½ meters from the surface of the skin in all directions around the body. Continue this for another 30 seconds, then stop the visualization and feel the effect of the exercise.
Part 2, Chakra Pillars: First feel your body for a moment. Then feel the general area of the pelvic floor and from there extend your attention straight downwards into the space directly below your physical body, at least 6 meters or infinitely more, away from your body. You can also simply open up and be receptive for the centers to connect naturally. When the connection is made there will be a wonderful ascent of energy into the body, heart and mind. This happens because your innate potential of full enlightenment, or buddhahood, is switched on through connecting the common mind with the centers outside the body. Feel the effect for about 1 minute.
Then, to activate the pillar of centers above the head, extend your attention from the top of your head to the space above the crown, at least 6 meters or more. Or just be open for the energy to descend down on your body. When you feel the "click", as the connection switches on, feel the effect for about 1 minute.
Through connecting the confused bodymind with the body of the inner buddha, through the so called mahasiddha bhumis, one's mind becomes utterly clear, soft and uniquely energised.
Guru Yoga: Receiving Master's Blessing
After Jewel Visualization, express your practice motivation and ask a blessing from Guru Padmasambhava. You are free to use your own words, formulating your prayer in a way that best describes what you want to do and what you wish to achieve with your practice. The prayer can be as simple as,
"Dear Padmasambhava, I humbly turn to you for support and guidance. Please flood my being with your blessings, so that I may attain buddhahood as soon as possible for my own sake and for the sake of all beings. I am grateful for your support and bow before you."
After you make the request, feel how the blessings come to you. It is necessary to learn to recognise what happens with visualizations, prayers and mantras, so from the beginning of your Pemako Buddhist-practice, learn to detect the blessing.
This short moment with Guru Rinpoche is a short and condensed form of Guru Yoga through a simple prayer. This takes about 1-2 minutes.
Guru Yoga
The next part is a continuation of Guru Yoga with Padmasambhava, with the help of mantra chanting. Guru Yoga can also be practiced through visualization and mudra or all these three elements combined. What is most important is not the superficial technique but the inner meaning of it, which is the feeling of master's presence in one's own body. This reveals ones own natural state, or oneself as a buddha. Confidence and understanding about Guru Yoga comes through repetition. Guru Rinpoche's mantra can actually be used at any time or place, and however much one wants to, there is no limit to this.
What we use here is Guru Rinpoche's simple guru mantra, which is to be repeated aloud with open mind and focus for 5-10 minutes. The mantra is: Namo Guru Rinpoche (find recordings from Pemako Buddhism-channel at YouTube). Chant the mantra with both focus and relaxation as an invitation for the master to come to you. After chanting, welcome and feel Padmasambhava's presence in your whole being; body, mind and heart. Simple feel and receive his gift in the form of a blessing. At this point, there is no need to do anything else. Taking the blessing into one's system, is like taking a warm bath or receiving a good massage.
After several minutes, guru's charge begins to fade. You feel this as calming down of energetic sensations. After Guru Yoga, the mind is calm, clear and open and it is easy to simply be, without doing or thinking anything. At this stage, one naturally shifts from Guru Yoga to Nonmeditation, also called Atiyoga.
Nonmeditation and Phet-syllable
The last part of the practice is Nonmeditation (skt. atiyoga), with Phet*-syllable. Nonmeditation means that one is not focusing on anything but not distracted either. It means to rest in the most simple of ways, not doing, thinking, planning or intending anything. One simply sits, without moving the body, like someone who is not bothered about anything, sort of like a simpleton but with very clear mind that is marked by selflessness, groundedness, self-cognizance and is imbued with life, just like a rainforest. The actual experience of buddhanature is simpler and more profound than any words can describe. During Nonmeditation, eyes can be kept closed or open.
At first you will only able to remain in the natural state not longer than a second at a time. It appears and disappears but even though the glimpse is short, it makes a big difference. It is like switching the lights on and off in a room that is usually dark. Seeing the room for a second makes a big difference. Because it goes by quickly, you simply need to keep returning to it again and again. This is what practice is.
When your mind becomes busy and you find yourself thinking or planning things, return to the undistracted state by yelling sharply the syllable "Phet!". In Pemako Buddhist practice, shouting or Dynamic Concentration is something that is done a lot because this is the most direct and effective way to cut through the multilayered confusions of the self-based mind. Few sharp shouts gets the job done in few seconds or few minutes that is not accomplished by common concentration (skt. shamatha) practices in full day's, week's or even month's practice. At first, shouting can feel awkward but you get used to it with practice, not to mention get great benefits from doing that.
Phet-syllable is pronounced like "pet" as in pet dog, just add "h". Yell it firmly, using the muscles in your belly in producing the sound. It should be like an explosion. Shout it sharply 1-10 times so that you can notice that the conceptual mind gets shattered. Basically there is no limit if you wish to shout more repetitions. The point is to use the shout of Phet to cut through the layers of mind so that recognition of the natural state can take place. In the beginning, for a few years, it is better to do more Dynamic Concentration that less. Immediately after shouts, relax thoroughly and continue doing nothing.
Continue Nonmeditation for 5-10 minutes or more. After Nonmeditation, continue to Basic Prayers, and with each prayer feel their energetic meaning.
Basic Prayers: Five Refuges, Bodhicitta Prayer, Dedication of Merit and Bow
To finish your practice session, chant the Five Refuges (click for audio) three times in your own language.
Five Refuges
I take refuge in the Guru
I take refuge in His Pure Land
I take refuge in the Buddha
I take refuge in the Dharma
I take refuge in the Sangha
x 3
I am the Guru
I'm in the Pure Land
I am the Buddha
I am the Dharma
I am the Sangha
x 3
Bodhicitta Prayer, Short
May all be-ings be free (x 3)
All be-ings are free (x 3)
Dedication of Merit
May all be-ings re-ceive my ac-cu-mu-la-ted me-rit.
I de-di-cate the me-rit to the Re-fuge and to all sentient be-ings.
Put your palms together and bow your head.
This practice takes about 30-40 minutes at one sitting. Do it everyday for 1-2 months before joining empowerment for Rainbow Body Yoga.


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8 ways to gauge how your company culture is regarded by job candidates
Why is company culture important to the recruitment phase? We spend up to 50 hours a week at our jobs. Harvard Business Review says, "Some organisations will excite you. They'll stimulate your success and growth," while some workplaces will do the opposite. In an increasingly competitive global marketplace, never has company culture been viewed as so important by candidates. In fact, 76% of job seekers in a recent Glassdoor survey said they want to know specific details about what makes a company "an attractive place to work."
If you want to draw the best talent to your organisation, then fostering and demonstrating a valuable company culture should be top of your agenda. Here are 8 ways to gauge how your organisational culture might be regarded by job candidates.
How demonstrably ethical is your company? How is this proven?
A recent research piece carried out by Global Tolerance consultancy found that job seekers demand that employers "enshrine values and ethics in their business model", rather than just profit. The research indicated that 42% of job seekers desire to work for a company that has a "positive impact on the world" and that securing work that was meaningful, and helped others was preferable than a high salary alone. 36% of respondents indicated they would work harder "if their company benefited society".
Your organisation needs to be able to prove and demonstrate its ethical framework not only to your customers and client base, but to potential hires as well. There are many tools available to measure ethical culture, as well as experts you can consult with, to improve performance and perception. Check your ethical performance measures and look to improve these, over time.
How does the management structure of your company appear to outsiders? How to you know this?
"Structure is different to pace," says Lou Adler, Performance Manager and author. "Some mature organisations are heavily structured at both the organisational and process levels. Others are built to be more flexible and are able to respond more quickly to changing market conditions." Some companies are heavily structured, some less so. Both levels will appeal to different types of candidates.
Assess whether your company structure is demonstrated by your online assets – who has the primary "voice", and is this reflective of how things really run? Do you make company tier information widely known, and could/should visibility be improved? "From a practical standpoint," Adler says, "the hiring manager's leadership style has the most direct cultural impact on a subordinate's motivation and performance."
How agile and adaptable is your company when compared with its competitors?
Innovation in business is happening faster and budgets are becoming more structured; more companies are finding it difficult to keep pace and effectively implement strategies that will keep their organisation competitive. Some companies will be more agile by their very nature, and business targets are more often then not, constantly shifting.
Would candidates view your organisation as agile and adaptable? Is a prospective hire that values those parameters the type of person you're hoping to attract? Consider how your organisation sits on a scale moving from Heritage > Disrupter. In general, the larger and more established a business is, the slower it might be to move, but this doesn't always have to be the case. Does your marketing material and branding effectively position your organisation at the right point of the spectrum? Could improvements be implemented?
What values are at the core of your company's mission? Where are these displayed/promoted?
"Core values are what support the vision, shape the culture and reflect what a company prioritises," says global HR and talent management expert Nicolas Schoenlaub. "They are the essence of the company's identity – the principles, beliefs or philosophy of values."
These values are not just important to your current workforce and customer base, they're important to your potential hires as well – so make sure they're known, and given prominence in organisational communication. "Many companies focus mostly on their technical competencies but often forget what the underlying competencies are that make their company run smoothly – core values."
How diverse is your company's workforce? When you review assets, what "type" of people do you see?
Diversity is not only valued by internal staff but by external candidates, and the wider public as well. Consider the backlash ad agency Leo Burnett received when it made an announcement about five new creative hires, all of whom were male.
This slip of attention amounted to a media storm for the agency, who had to seriously backpedal to prove to the industry that it was in fact a diverse organisation and did have many women in leadership positions; but to the wider industry, the damage was done, and subsequent claims were regarded as somewhat disingenuous.
When you review your organisation's available assets, how diverse does your company's team appear? Do you value diversity and make this front and centre of your ethos? Consider how important this will be to potential talent and seek to rectify if you dredge up anything that does not truly reflect your values. Authenticity is key – don't try to represent your company as something it's not.
Does your company actively talk about its culture on its channels?
Some brands and organisations live and breathe their company culture. Culture becomes something almost tangible to those that work there. Entrepreneur recently put together a list of 10 companies that had fantastic cultures; it's no surprise that these places are attractive to job talent, and hardly struggle with new hires. Talent comes to them.
Your company's online (and other) assets should reflect your culture. "There's no absolute standard of what's best in organisational culture," points out Harvard Business Review. "Different purposes and different organisational features can be more or less appealing to different people [but] your target organisational culture is an important part of your aspirations." Take the cue of big brands and make your organisation's culture known in everything from your digital branding to your workplace set up, and publicised activities and products.
Do your hiring managers' public profiles reflect your current brand and culture? Are they easy to find online?
Just as your hiring manager is likely to check out a candidate's online presence, so would a well-prepared new potential hire research and check out a hiring manager's profile. For this reason, it might be worthwhile for organisations to have a stringent social media policy in place, and to make sure it is upheld. Ideally, all hiring managers should have updated social profiles that reflect their current duties, as well as brand assets such as logos, mission statements etc.
Company websites might consider making team structures visible, and publishing profiles of key staff members, that demonstrate the organisational culture. Research will tell the candidate a lot about the people that they're interviewing with, so it's worthwhile giving this some thought in order to attract the best talent to your organisation. Even something as simple as making sure key staff members have an updated LinkedIn profile is a good place to start.
Does your company celebrate and reward its staff? Is this evident to outsiders?
How important is employee reward and recognition? Saxons Group points out that it's highly valued by staff. "Employee reward and recognition is the process of telling your workers that they are doing a good job," the training group says. "Essentially, happy workers are more motivated, more engaged and more inclined to do better." Loyalty is also enhanced.
Staff rewards can come in so many formats, from monetary incentives, to team activities, to awards and internal promotions. If something worth celebrating happens within your organisation, promote it. Allow your team members to be your brand advocates and help them spread the word. Fast Company says, "Every company has one immensely valuable resource for recruiting staring them in the face, but most don't even know it. Simply by sharing their experiences, current employees can help give voice to an employer brand – one that's genuine and personal."
Pay attention to company culture to attract the best talent
It's worth considering the 8 points above and seeing if any small improvements are needed to attract the best talent to your door. Look at your organisation with a critical eye, check your online assets and gauge how you perform up against your competitors. Attracting the best hires saves you time and money in the end – with a few careful tweaks, your brand, culture team and organisation can seem more desirable, so that the talent comes to you.
Images: Shutterstock
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Prime Minister David Cameron is weighing up his chances for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio since last night's vote on Syria qualified him to participate in the recently announced 'Lame Duck' classification.
Plucky Dave, 46, from Witney in Oxfordshire was upbeat about his chances despite the hammering he took on the floor of the Commons just hours before.
"I think there is a compelling case to show I can take on the world and represent Britain in Rio," he insisted, despite being unable to provide any concrete evidence of his previous prowess in any sporting endeavour.
His loyal wife Samantha is being very supportive of the soon-to-be-ex-Prime Minister.
"After those awful shots of us on holiday in Cornwall, with Davie showing off his impressive 'moobs', I think the whole country knows that he would benefit tremendously from the exercise, as well as a break from front bench politics," she cooed as she breezed out of Downing Street on her way to her corner shop, Fortnum and Mason's.
Dave 'The Caminator' Cameron, as he has christened himself, has yet to decide in what events he will participate although there have been some suggestions that he is ripe for the long jump. The world will marvel at his rather novel technique of diving head first in to the pit and burying his head in the sand.
'Cammie' as he is known to his friends (not to be confused with madcap Sky pundit Chris Kamara) may well have quite a challenge in Rio as he comes up against some formidable opposition. Mo Morsi from Egypt will give him a run for his money as well as Syria's 'Bash' al-Assad who has been making impressive strides in the category recently. However, his greatest threat might still come from the other side of the Atlantic where the US trials are still in progress and Barak 'The Rack' Obama is making a determined effort to qualify for the classification.
He will go to Rio with the whole of the country rooting for him, something that has sadly been missing during his political career.
Go Dave Go!
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'Lame Duck' Cameron considers Rio Paralympics
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Prime Minister David Cameron is weighing up his chances for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio since last night's vote on Syria qualified him to participate in the recently announced 'Lame Duck' classification.Posted 6 years ago #
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Editorial, New Age,Hanging of Afzal Guru
The secretive manner in which the secondary accused of attack on Parliament, Afzal Guru, was hanged had expectedly given rise to a fresh bout of controversies on the whole question of our strategy to fight terrorism. While the extra nationalist forces including those who look at the entire problem of terrorism with communal angle and had been using the issue of Afzal's hanging for limited political purposes are gloating over the hanging, the more sobre elements are worried over the way the government violated certain established legal procedures in rushing to implement the Supreme Court verdict to send Afzal Guru to the gallows, particularly about its fall out in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
BJP for long had been campaigning for immediate hanging of Afzal Guru, who was not directly involved in the attack on Parliament as it feared that the section of society that was not satisfied with the verdict of the Supreme Court to send the accused to gallows as it was more to satisfy "the collective conscience of the nation" than on the actual evidence, may lead to fresh trial. The attack on Parliament took place when BJP-led NDA was in power and there was sudden rise in terrorist attacks on legislatures and other public institutions including J&K assembly, Akhshardham Mandir and Red Fort. This happened in the background of 9/11 attack on the symbols of military and economic might of America. It was apprehended that the Vajpayee government had swallowed the theory on global terrorism doled out by American administration, particularly the then US president George Bush who had termed the 9/11 attack as the beginning of fresh 'crusade'. This apprehension will continue to haunt us for long, as the anti-terrorism policy carved out by the NDA regime continues to be core of the present UPA regime as well.
It is obvious that the UPA-II government decided to hang Afzal Guru in haste and in a secretive manner to score brownie points over BJP in the run up to the great battle in 2014 and in the process violated rule of law and basic human rights on more than one score. After the rejection of mercy petition by the President, the convict has the right of review petition. In this case that right has been denied. Secondly, not only as per rules but even on simple humanitarian ground, the family of the convict is allowed to have last meeting within the prison. This too has not been complied by the government. Thus it is accused of not only violating laws but basic human rights.
The most comical part of the episode is sending of the information to Guru's family through Speed Post. As the government is very well aware that, leave apart the deterioration on postal services, in normal course also the speed post could have not reached the family before the actual hanging. It did so as it had decided to keep the whole thing a secret and do in haste.
The authorities may dole out the argument that "secretive approach" was adopted in view of impact on law and order situation. But it has worked contrary to the expectation. The entire valley of Kashmir had been put under curfew. There are clashes between protesters and security forces. The entire illegality and secretive approach of the government has further strengthened the sense of alienation among Kashmiris. They rightly feel that the convict has been denied legal rights that were honoured in the case of hanging of killers of Indira Gandhi. This is treated as continuing the discrimination against Kashmir.
The growing sense of alienation and frustration will adversely affect the overall situation in Jammu and Kashmir that has shown remarkable return to normalcy in the past two years, particularly since the visit of all party parliamentary delegation and assurance by all parties that all genuine grievances of the people of the state will be looked into. Though the government has done nothing concrete to implement the assurance its current mis-adventure is bound to have very adverse impact.
The government should give up the habit of taking arbitrary measures in the sensitive border state of Jammu and Kashmir and work on a plan to evolve a comprehensive policy by taking all the political parties and forces both in the state and the country as a whole into confidence. The beginning must be corrective measures, at least, regarding the demand related to performance of last rites of Afzal Guru.


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Tickets on sale now for NHRA Northwest Nationals in Seattle
The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series returns to scenic Pacific Raceways Aug. 3-5 and tickets are now on sale for the event. For 31 years this event has thrilled the fans in the Seattle area with intense racing action.
The event will feature three categories in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series including the 10,000-horsepower, nitro-fueled Top Fuel dragster and Funny Car classes, along with the factory hot-rod Pro Stock category. The weekend will also feature the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series as well as the Mickey Thompson Tires NHRA Top Fuel Harley Drag Racing Series.
Last season Antron Brown defeated Terry McMillen in the finals to secure his second consecutive win at the track.
The Funny Car category was won by Robert Hight who defeated Tommy Johnson Jr. for second win of the season at the time and helped propel him to the world championship in 2017.
Drew Skillman was able to better Erica Enders in Pro Stock for his first win at the track.
The weekend will also honor iconic figures of the sport as NHRA continues the Legends Tour, which takes place at events across the country. Many NHRA dignitaries will be in attendance to greet fans and take part in the weekend.
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 800-884-NHRA (6472). Tickets also are available online at www.NHRA.com/tickets. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. All students can save 50 percent on general admission at the gate with a student ID. Military and first responders can save 20 percent on general admission and reserved tickets.


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Laura Kaarina Autio is a electropop singer, songwriter & producer established in Finland, but born and raised in Japan. Her music captures a vast array of emotions through the sounds and beats that are layered, each one uniquely chosen based on the way it makes her feel when she vocally interprets and moves to the music. Whether she is in the studio working on new music with her collaborator HANNAH, or on a stage performing, her heart is mesmerized by the flow that takes place.
Turbulence is Lauras debut release and you can tell that her roots in Japan has been a source of inspiration. With synthesized beats and smooth vocals her sound somewhat draws mind to Björk, and you can't help yourself not to sway along with the beats.


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- Home
- Functional Equipment
- 10LB Rubber-Hex Dumbbell
Product Description
These safe, attractive dumbbells have contoured, knurled chrome handles and durable rubber-covered heads for increased safety and comfort. The heads are torque-threaded and permanently affixed to a thick 35 mm solid steel shaft improving the strength of the head/handle joint. The knurled chrome handles are ergonomically contoured to fit comfortably in the users' palm. Smaller handles graduate up from 25 mm grip to 35 mm grip for increments 20 lbs. through 100 lbs. The rubber coating increases durability, protects flooring and equipment, enhances appearance, diminishes noise and is easy to clean.


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Author(s): Alys Fowler
Alys Fowler takes a fresh look at foraging, encouraging you to look closer to home, from the weeds in your garden to the trees in your street, rather than the fields and hedgerows of the countryside. Alys showcases her favourite edibles with a plant directory packed with useful information - photographic identification, plant description and tips on how to grow and how to eat it (including recipes such as fruit leathers and chutney) - that will give you the confidence to identify plants yourself. The book also features innovative ideas for eating your local landscape, from community gardens in Todmorden, UK to Edimental (edible ornamentals) gardens in Norway - this is a fast-growing, global phenomenon that is fun, environmentally friendly and thrifty!
Alys Fowler trained at the Royal Horticultural Society, the New York Botanical Gardens and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. She was a presenter for BBC's Gardeners' World and had her own BBC TV series The Edible Garden. Alys is a regular presenter on the BBC and she writes regularly for the Guardian, Gardens Illustrated, Grow Your Own as well as other publications and blogs for BBC Gardening.


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Hey everybody! I was at Target four weeks ago and they already had Christmas trees for sale. Which confused me, then made me a little sick to my stomach, then I got excited about the possibility of being a Christmas tree for Halloween. Anyhow, it also made me realize that the holidays were here weather I liked it or not. My time is a bit limited this season for craft markets, but you will be able to find me at the Brooklyn Craft Central Holiday Market on Saturday, December 17. Hope to see some of you there! Details below...
NOTE: RTD will be at the SATURDAY market ONLY, NOT Sunday.
Brooklyn Craft Central Holiday Market 2011
Sat + Sun, Dec. 17 + 18. 12 - 6pm.
Littlefield: 622 Degraw St. in Park Slope
Different vendors each day!
Info: BrooklynCraftCentral.com
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
RTD & Holiday Shows: 1 Day Only
Posted by rawtoastdesign illustration at 3:42 PM 1 comments Links to this post
Labels: art prints, greeting cards, Holiday Market, illustration art prints, rawtoastdesign holiday market
Thursday, November 3, 2011
MoMo Monster Editorial Illustration
St. Louis Magazine editorial illustration done for an article about a Missouri monster legend that is being turned into a movie. The Return of Momo brings the state's one-time famous monster back to life with a new, low-budget horror flick. Momo the Monster was a mysterious hairy biped spotted near the town of Louisiana, MO in 1972. "It looked like a Bigfoot-type creature with a pumpkin-shaped head," explains Johnno Zee, the writer/producer/director of Momo: The Missouri Monster, a horror-spoof film. Zee pays tribute to the monster's enduring mystery with what he's calling a "small-budget, B-movie grindhouse type of movie" featuring "Momo being pursued by a cryptozoologist Elvis impersonator.
Always a pleasure when these types of assignments show up. Here's the original message from the art director at STL Mag... "This struck me as a topic you would be particularly good at illustrating as you generally draw lovely monsters and imagined creatures."
Please count me in and consider me for all future monster assignments :)
Posted by rawtoastdesign illustration at 2:03 PM 2 comments Links to this post
Labels: editorial illustration, freelance illustration, momo missouri monster, momo monster, momo the missouri monster, st. louis magzine illustration
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Yammer – Microsoft's social networking trump card
Applying social networking techniques, technologies and facets in a business context can potentially accelerate business. This also paves a wave towards "consumerization of enterprise".
Enterprise social networking (ESN) can indeed bring about a transformative change in an organization. It isn't just about offering a platform to "chat" but a platform to empower employees to
- Get access to every Business decision and roadmap
- Express their progressive thoughts and ideas
- Create a knowledge base where documents and discussion can be shared
- Generate changes in CRM, BI et al
The key aspect however that is common in all organizations is "Public" angle of enterprise social networking. Though Business Leaders agree that ESN triggers a huge avenue, they desire
- privacy and security
- control to protect and reflect the brand- "social governance"
Microsoft bought enterprise social-networking vendor Yammer for $1.2 billion in June 2012. Yammer has five million corporate users, and the enterprise social media platform touches 85 percent of Fortune 500 companies.
With Yammer, Microsoft is offering what it takes for an organization to have enhanced innovation, higher collaboration & engagement and better decision making.
Yammer's CTO , Adam Pisoni says "Yammer is not a product with a set of features, its rather a set of experiments at any given time". Having said that, it is clearly evident that enterprise social networking is a different ballgame all-together. Today, it is significantly more about adapting to potential changes rather than resisting. Microsoft and Yammer together can certainly bring about powerful features to their respective visions thru each other's expertise and technologies.
Power and Automation technology company ABB will deploy Microsoft Office 365 and Yammer to its employees worldwide.
The roadmap shared by Microsoft indicates a phased out approach for O365 and Yammer integration. But the interesting aspect is that Microsoft is bringing Yammer across Dynamics CRM, Outlook, Exchange, Skype and Lync too.
During the first phase, some specific milestones will be
- O365's SharePoint Newsfeed will get replaced by Yammer's newsfeed
- Newsfeed link will get replaced by Yammer link
- Yammer app will be also available thru SharePoint store
During the second phase, the below milestones are targeted
- Enable Single Sign On Experience with seamless navigation right inside of Office 365′s global navigation bar.
- Build identity and document management capabilities enabling editing and coediting of PowerPoint, Excel and Word documents.
Additionally, from a long run perspective they will be integrated from an Email, IM and video-conferencing capability. 2014 onwards, Microsoft will be adding "Social Enhancements " every 90 days in O365.
Microsoft is planning to offer these services on Yammer as a standalone product and capabilities integrated with O365 in two versions,
- Free basic Yammer offering
Yammer Enterprise offering with $3/user/month
Additionally for Enterprise Licensing Agreement clients, Microsoft is offering Yammer in all versions of O365 (E1, E2, E3, E4) at no extra cost.
Some of the cool features that Yammer will be offering to all Office users are discussed below:
Yammer integrates with SharePoint and lets you fully maximize your SharePoint experience, adding a real time social layer to all your conversations (My Sites, Team Sites or O365).
Collaboration will indeed have no barriers to language/geographies too. Microsoft has embedded Microsoft Translator integration within Yammer, allowing users to instantly translate Yammer conversations into their native languages.
Microsoft is indeed working towards programs that are truly transformative in nature. With Yammer, this just sets one step more towards simplification and agility for users. Yammer with its truly social angle and Microsoft with it's truly technology angle, can indeed open up new conversations for business.
Technology Evangelist
Team @MSExchangeGuru


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Oh boy! Emma Block is the brilliant illustrator who teamed up with Vashi to create a series of depictions of "untranslatable love words" that simply don't exist in English. Luckily, other languages have those words and if you've ever been smitten with someone, you will thoroughly enjoy getting to know them.
Which one is you favourite? (Mine is kilig).
P.S: And let's not forget the mysterious art of eye flirtation.
P.P.S: Plus, on love...
(via The Pool)


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I spoke to James R. Neuhard, director of the State Appellate Defender Office in Detroit, about his upcoming trip to Washington D.C.
He and other Michigan lawyers who are involved in public defense will join representatives from around the country at the Department of Justice National Symposium on Indigent Defense Thursday and Friday.
I asked Neuhard: Where are we now, in terms of our state's efforts (or lack of effort) to reform the way we represent the indigent accused?
His answer was a mixed bag. While leaders in this issue, including Neuhard and the Michigan Campaign for Justice, as well as dozens of other lawyers I have spoken to about this topic, are making strides in starting the statewide dialogue, real action or movement in any positive direction is just not likely to happen soon.
"Everyone thinks that if economic times were better it would an easier problem to solve," said Neuhard, who has advocated for a state-funded defense system, rather than letting each county try to manage on its own. "But when times were better, things got worse. We're creating a permanent criminal caste in Michigan."
County funding is often inadequate. See yesterday's story in the Herald Palladium about Berrien County's struggle.
A state-funded system should include money for lawyer training, limit caseloads, and pay a fair rate for the services provided, he added. "Anything less than a state-funded defense system is just short-sighted," Neuhard said. "It's just institutionalizing an already bad system."


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WSE Offers Innovative Master's Degree in Robotics
In response to industry's growing need for engineers with the specialized skills and expertise to design and deploy advanced robotics systems, the Johns Hopkins University's Whiting School of Engineering now offers a Master of Science in Engineering in Robotics (MSE Robotics) degree program. Anchored in the school's Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics (LCSR), considered one of nation's the top robotics research labs, the new, deeply multi-disciplinary degree program is designed for top students from a variety of engineering, scientific and mathematical backgrounds.
"The demand for engineers who have the kind of multi-disciplinary knowledge and training needed to design and develop robotics systems is spiraling, and is expected to continue growing," said Noah Cowan, deputy director for Hopkins robotics academic programs. "We're responding to that need."
"Students have great flexibility even within the designated tracks to develop a largely customized program, based on their own interests and career goals," said Cowan, an associate professor of mechanical engineering who is also director of the Locomotion in Mechanical and Biological Systems (LIMBS) laboratory.
Related News:
- News Release: Johns Hopkins Engineering Offers Master's Degree in Robotics
- Master of Science in Engineering Robotics