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Women in Smart Technology
For many of us, answering questions related to the ways in which smart technology has benefited our lives is relatively easy. However, 'why are women a minority in the smart technology workforce?' is not one of them. While the smart technology world may appear to have a diverse range of talent, it is an industry that has developed a strong reputation for being male-dominated. Yes, technology has helped improve many elements of our lives, creating a significant impact across many other industries; and there remains female under-representation across the technology workforce. Does this obstruct potential market growth and shelves the next big innovative idea?
New technologies are developing at lightning speed and the industry is expanding at a rate that allows it to create endless career opportunities. And yet these opportunities are only available to a limited number of candidates. It has gradually become clear that a gender imbalance exists across the technology sector, and it is this imbalance that is preventing women from being competitive in their pursuit of a career in technology.
Across many continents including Europe, North and Central America, the Middle East and Africa, under 20 per cent of technology leadership roles are occupied by women. Quite frankly, women in technology leadership roles are a rare sight and many think that this boils down to gender stereotypes that have lingered for decades. For years, the assumption that 'boys are more advanced at science and maths' has hindered the professional careers of many skilled women. Today, women can spend their whole careers trying to 'catch up', fighting a social bias that is deeply embedded in a company's culture and operating structure. If the industry wants to find success in building a female leadership pipeline to create lasting change, it will need to refine many corporate policies and marketing initiatives with the aim of attracting and retaining women.
'Bro-tech' Culture
Silicon Valley is full of innovative, well-educated professionals, who create advanced solutions that help make our world a better place. However, Silicon Valley is not immune to the gender inequality challenges that the rest of the world faces. According to a recent survey on female employees working in Silicon Valley, women revealed that they initially felt disinterested in applying for jobs in technology due to the 'bro-tech' attitude in the workplace. Such a culture has caused many leaders to speak up and act in concrete ways. In today's corporate world, it is the actions of leaders who set the values and culture for a company, and most of the responsibility lies with them to make it clear that they value diversity.
As one of the world's largest technology companies, Apple's latest annual diversity report shows that gender equality is a realistic prospect; 32 per cent of current Apple employees and 37 per cent of new hires are women. Shareholders have placed additional pressure on the corporation to ensure more minorities are represented on Apple's board, and senior management positions.
Apple is not alone. Within the last year, Intel has pledged $300 million toward building a more diverse workforce, including tying managers' compensation to their improvement in that area.
A diverse workforce within a company enables innovation to flourish. Many Sociology experts hold the belief that the existence of a gender bias complex has the power to obstruct individual and team growth.
"You need diverse experiences to make diverse technologies," says Judy Wajcman, a sociologist at the London School of Economics. "If the people who are designing our technologies are a bunch of young white guys (because racial diversity is also under-represented) it is a very limited experience base."
Blind Recruitment
A hiring technique that is starting to gain momentum is blind recruitment. In an effort to overcome gender bias, many agencies and companies alike are adopting the practice of removing personally identifiable information from the CVs of job applicants including: candidate names, gender, age, education. This screening process is greatly helping companies achieve diversity in the workforce, and is starting to reward a growing number of companies. Multinational companies such as Deloitte, HSBC, the BBC, have noticed a considerable uplift in workforce diversity since implementing this employment strategy.
Confidence Gap
Actively seeking promotion within the workplace is an experience that many people face at some point during their career and that inherently requires a confidence. In many cases, women are less likely to put themselves forward for a promotion, and in fact, may perceive their abilities as being worse than they are, compared to their male colleagues.
This was demonstrated during a time when Google relied on employees nominating themselves for promotions. When senior women in management conducted a series of workshops that encouraged women to nominate themselves for promotion, the number of women at Google receiving promotions increased. In this sense, companies should not solely rely on self-evaluations in performance scoring. Instead, leaders and managers need to regularly reinforce the benefits of employees individually auditing their own performance against an objective competency framework.
Wo(men) Friendly Values
High tech companies often find their employees complaining about long hours and minimal work-life balance. More importantly, an office culture that overworks their employees and rewards people who stay late or eat dinner at the work, puts direct pressure on employees with families. This particularly becomes disadvantageous to those employees who are mothers. Moreso, recent research has shown that this behaviour is not good for your health - figures show those who work excess hours, do not improve their individual long-term productivity, with many claiming that workers begin to burn out after a few weeks.
For women to feel truly happy and productive at work, they need an employer who is mindful of their needs, because women are more likely to work for companies that aligned with good corporate values. In recent months, IBM researched what women really wanted in a career, and it was unveiled that women felt more motivated by being part of a company that made an impact on the community and real difference. As a result, IBM immediately changed its messaging, and refocused their recruitment advertising on the 'Smarter Planet' campaign. The core focus of this initiative was to push the idea that working at IBM would give employees a chance to change the world. To no surprise, applications from female candidates instantly spiked.
A Societal Shift
To put it simply, the field of technology will become smarter if it includes more women in the workplace. Businesses can start by reviewing their hiring methods, and perhaps adopting new screening techniques that remove gender bias and give equal opportunity to female candidates.
In many industries, including technology, some companies will recruit identical numbers of men and women but lose the women within a few years. As a consequence, we have seen that the lack of women in senior positions within a company can become the main cause for the divide. To improve retention and overall engagement, companies should consider introducing female-friendly workshops, where woman can share their challenges and triumphs, while looking to improve their confidence in the workplace.
But beware, women won't be fooled or lured into a career that they don't like or enjoy just because somebody told them that there was a gap that needed to be closed. They will want to see change and action.
When companies go to greater lengths to attract, employ and retain female workers, they are not only supporting workplace diversity, but also proving their commitment towards innovation, revenue growth and overall product quality.


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Air Canada to Link Toronto with Cartagena
Air Canada announced that it will offer new service to Cartagena, Colombia from Toronto this winter. Flights will be operated once a week by Air Canada rouge.
Flights will depart Toronto at 9:40 a.m. on Mondays and arrive in Cartagena at 2:55 p.m. Flights from Cartagena to Toronto will depart at 3:55 p.m., also on Mondays, and arrive at 9:05 p.m.
The route will be operated using Airbus A319 aircraft, equipped with 12 seats in Premium Rouge, eight seats in Rouge Plus, the carrier's premium economy lite section, and 116 seats in coach. Seats in Premium Rouge are 21" wide and have a pitch of 36".
In addition to the new service to Cartagena, Air Canada plans to increase its frequency on its Toronto-Bogota route this winter.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)

subset: commoncrawl


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How Do You Beat the Winter Blahs?
Readers tell us how they stay cheery during the cold, dreary months.
On a dreary, cold winter day, I head to the Denver Botanic Garden's tropical room or butterfly pavilion. As I step through the door, my glasses fog up and my spirits lift. The flowers, greenery, moist smells, butterflies, and birds take me away from the Rocky Mountain region for half a day. I come out renewed and ready to plow through a little more winter.
Ruth Pendergrast
Fort Collins, Colorado
On cold, dark afternoons, my 4-year-old daughter, Tara, and I plant a range of bulbs in colorful containers. Once the tiny, green spears appear, we bring out the pots to brighten and perfume various areas of our home. We also present them to friends―a gift of hope and beauty from our home to theirs.
Hema Nair
Ewing, New Jersey
Pedicures aren't meant just for the summer months; I indulge in them during winter, too. There's nothing more cheerful on a cold, dreary day than to pull off heavy wool socks and see pretty, polished toes.
Jennifer Stiger
Sacramento, California
I refuse to wear black. No dark browns, midnight blues, or grays, either. I wear pretty twin-sets in bright red, lime green, or lavender. Bright colors work well with winter-white jeans in the cold weather.
Kathy Kindly
Marblehead, Massachusetts
I go through all my photos from the summer months and frame the best, warmest, and brightest ones. Then we have something to remind us of what will come after the cold goes away.
Tara McLain
Salem, Oregon
Last year I started planning my spring plantings while in the middle of a typical Ohio winter. I ordered plants and seeds and laid out my garden designs. When spring eventually came around, I had all I needed to start my work.
Elizabeth Hardesty
Columbus, Ohio
We spend weekends at our family cottage ice-skating, making snowmen, and roasting marshmallows over an open fire in the snow. Being out in the fresh, crisp air invigorates us, and making snow angels with our boys gives us that carefree feeling we had in childhood.
Amy Kelly
Canton, Michigan
I load my camera with black-and-white film and head for the woods or a park. There's something about the lines of a tree and the shadows on a hillside in winter that is particularly suited to photography. And when the sun peeks out after a fresh snowfall, nothing is more beautiful.
Lora Kerns
Missoula, Montana
I turn my mood on its head by getting active―usually in the form of a particularly challenging yoga class or an adventurous hike with Gus, our thrill-seeking Chesapeake Bay retriever. Going outside and moving never fails to recharge my body.
Kim Zepezeuer
Pasadena, California
I move as many social commitments and obligations as I can from December to early the next year. That way I have fun activities to look forward to and I alleviate the crush and stress of an overloaded holiday social calendar.
Noel Hill
Boston, Massachusetts
I head to the grocery store, buy about six loaves of bread, and then find a pond full of ducks and geese.
Melanie Fletcher
Beaverton, Oregon
I take ballroom-dancing lessons. The dancing is challenging and exciting, and the dark evenings pass more pleasantly.
Lynn Ellis
Spokane, Washington
My town has several used-book stores that are open late. When I have to trudge to the grocery store in bad weather, I tack on an extra half hour to browse among the books. Usually I find some treasure: an older mystery by an author I've just discovered or a 60s-era book on how to give a dinner party. My kids hang out in the children's section, and for the cost of a candy bar they can take home a book instead. A new story at bedtime makes everyone more tolerant of the long winter nights.
Beth Pirkle
Albany, California
On a snowy day, there's nothing better than trudging up to the local pub to enjoy good company and conversation in a warm, inviting atmosphere. The more friends, the merrier.
Stacie Gwiazdowski
St. Louis, Missouri
I enjoy cooking. I make big pots of black-bean soup along with red beans and rice, and I bake homemade bread and cookies with my children. We share with friends and neighbors and freeze the leftovers.
Ashley Hamlett
Montgomery, Alabama
I spend time at home doing the things I don't have time for during the rest of the year: sewing pillowcases, organizing closets, etc. At the same time, I do all my spring cleaning, so when the nice weather rolls around I can spend the time outside in my yard rather than inside washing walls.
Lisa Prpich
Yorkton, Saskatchewan
Each winter I learn a new hobby or craft. Last year I took up crocheting and knitting. This year I'm going to set up a darkroom and begin printing my own photographs.
Lindsay Hoffman
Chicago, Illinois


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The announcement that plans for a new female prison in Inverclyde will not go ahead has been welcomed today as Justice Secretary Michael Matheson has announced that the Scottish Government and Scottish Prison Service will now consult on investing in smaller, regional and community-based facilities across Scotland – in line with the recommendations of the report written by the expert group headed Dame Elish Angiolini QC.
In 2010 the SNP Government introduced a presumption against sentences of 3 months or less. This is a particular issue for female offenders, where around three quarters of prisoners are currently serving a sentence of less than 6 months.
Commenting SNP MSP Christina McKelvie, who has campaigned for community based facilities for female offenders for several years, said:
"The decision to move towards community based facilities for female offenders is a welcome one that will help to reduce re-offending and help to support families.
"Since the publication of the Angiolini report in 2012 there has been a clear recognition that we need to do things differently and today's decision is a welcome victory for those of us who have campaigned on this issue throughout that time.
"Female offenders have different needs to male offenders and that is something that we need to be better at recognising and accommodating in Scotland's justice system.
"By keeping female offenders closer to home, we can break the vicious cycle that sees the children and families of mothers who are jailed miles away from home becoming offenders themselves.
"I welcome the ambition shown in today's announcement and am confident that it is the start of moves towards a more modern prison system."


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In the context of a range of available models competing with each other as alternatives to litigation for resolving commercial disputes in the construction industry – driven in part by court-led demand for expedition in litigation – Leigh Duthie in the Building and Construction Law Journal (Vol 32 No 6) considers the future of expert determination as one alternative dispute resolution model.
"Where does it stand," he asks, "in the panoply of commercial dispute resolution options?"
Expert determination is a largely private process in which parties to a contract agree to refer disputes or issues to an independent expert for determination. They are commonly used in the construction law area to determine such issues as: the entitlement of parties to variations, time extensions, delay claims, and the costs of outstanding works prior to practical completion of a construction project.
Being "a quick and cost-effective" method of resolving commercial disputes accounts for the continuing popularity of using expert determinations in the construction industry, argues Duthie. However, it is the very advantages that expert determinations promise for the resolution of disputes that, contradictorily, cause some parties to try avoid implementing expert determination clauses in contracts.
"Parties may be understandably concerned at the prospect of a final and binding decision of potentially multi-million dollar disputes being made informally and by a non-legal arbiter," says Duthie.
Additionally, expert determinations have been subject to legal challenges. Duthie conducts an extensive review of such challenges, the grounds for which have included:
- the nature of the dispute precludes its determination by an appointed expert (eg where it is legally complex);
- the expert determination agreement was not valid (eg the intended process was not clearly identified);
- the expert failed to take into consideration the relevant law; and,
- the expert failed to provide sufficient reasons for the determination.
Notwithstanding these considerations, there would appear to be much to recommend expert determinations for the resolution of commercial disputes within the construction industry. Duthie notes their particular effectiveness when applied to single, fact-based issues and in resolving technical disputes.
He concludes that, like Peter Pan, expert determination does not need to "grow up" and change, because of its inherent utility as a means of alternative dispute resolution – its informality, speed, and low cost. His proviso is, however, that expert determination clauses in construction contracts be prepared well: that "at the point of drafting and negotiating" there is clear consideration and articulation of "the purpose, process, and effect, of a determination".
For insights and analysis bridging the theory and practice of building and construction law, you can get your copy of the Building and Construction Law Journal here.
You may also be interested in Australasian Dispute Resolution Journal, our key resource for staying up to date in the area of alternative dispute resolution.
Building and Construction Law Journal articles are available on request by completing the Individual Article Sale order form and emailing it to firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Imagine a predator with the appetite of a great white shark, but armed with the ability to stalk its prey in both salt and freshwater. Such a monster once terrorized the Jersey shore. Fabien Cousteau, whose grandfather was ocean adventurer Jacques Cousteau, embarks on a worldwide exploration into the secret lives of sharks, investigates their freshwater incursions and the first recorded shark attacks in the U.S in Attack of the Mystery Shark.
Attack of the Mystery Shark starts at 1P et/pt as part of the day-long marathon leading up to the premiere of Shark Attack Experiment Live at 9P et/pt.


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Domestic violence cases can have a serious impact on legal determinations in family law cases. A domestic violence charge may prevent you from custody or visitation rights. A record of family violence may also prohibit an offender from taking certain jobs or obtaining legal rights.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, you may be able to take certain legal action to protect your safety and the safety of your children. Michael L. Lodermeier, P.C. is experienced in all aspects of domestic violence law and aggressively assert the rights of clients in all domestic violence cases. If you are a victim of domestic violence, do not hesitate to protect your legal rights and your safety. We are dedicated to obtaining the legal protections you and your family need.
If you are a victim of abuse, you have legal rights and options to protect your safety against an abuser. We may be able to help you seek a restraining order or an order of protection. If you are in direct danger, we can help you obtain an emergency order of protection to ensure your immediate safety and/or the immediate safety of your children.
Unfortunately, many family legal cases can result in false accusations of domestic abuse including spousal abuse or child abuse. If you have been falsely accused of domestic violence, you do have rights. We are experienced in aggressively defending clients against false accusations of abuse to protect rights to custody or visitation and prevent a serious criminal record.


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Wake Up Marketers: Facebook Reveals Best Practices For Grabbing Mobile Users
According to Facebook, Australians are spending 43 per cent of the average day on their mobile devices and 50 per cent of all traffic going to publishers is coming from mobile. Sarah Personette, vice president of Facebook's global business marketing, shared some insights into the mobile user's mindset and hot tips to stop people's thumbs on mobile- including B&T's favourite 'silent but deadly'.
Personette presented her findings to a packed warehouse of Aussie marketers and creatives during Facebook's first Sydney Facebook IQ event. The event gave an in-depth view on a new mobile era in brand communications featuring industry experts including Toby Talbot, chief creative officer DDB, and Dr Bryon Sharp, director at the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science, as well as Facebook Australia and New Zealand's managing director Stephen Scheeler and Facebook's head of marketing science Steve Lockwood.
Personette told the crowd that disruptive ads, passive audiences and search are things of the past. "In today's world, on a mobile device, 'discovery' actually reigns supreme. Every morning a billion people wake up, open up their phones, go on Facebook and have the opportunity to discover: discover information from their friends, from brands and businesses they are connected to, from news reporters, media publishers and entertainers. The mindset is discovery- 'I don't know but I'm willing to look, I don't know what someone has done last night.''s
Being able to tap into the discovery mindset, understand how to design and program for it within the creative is a massive shift in marketing. Advertisers and marketers have to think about new ways to connect with a consumer in a mobile world.
According to Personette: "Search is not a natural point of entry on a mobile device in the app economy. If you were taking the old search practices and applying them to the new world order you are missing out on the people you want to reach".
For the non-believers, Personette gave the crowd a challenge- hand over your phone to the person sitting next and let them scroll through your Facebook app. "As you're scrolling you are discovering something that was made for somebody else. When you open up your feed, whether it's Instagram or Facebook, you are discovering something that was made for you-the interests, the likes, the friends and businesses they're connected to."
Stop The Thumbs:
The thumb is in charge when people are using mobile.
"We believe that by 2020 video will actually be the dominant format inside your feed. However we've also done a ton of research partnering with the creative community to understand what are the best practices or key creative considerations that we can take into mind when we are designing for feeds. What are the best practices when we are designing for the Facebook or Instagram environment or the mobile feed in general," Personette said.
- Capture attention quickly
- Frame your visual story
- Design for sound off
"What's interesting about these is they are the flip of how you would tell stories on television. It requires us to build a different muscle."
Building for sound off- silent but deadly- is the biggest takeaway. Brands need to help their customers get the message loud and clear without relying on sound. Personette told B&T after the presentation: "We find that 76 per cent of sound is actually off, so if that's the case then designing for that creative best practice is important one. The first one is make sure you're starting with a title card that's drawing someone in, so that they know what they're about to see. As you're scrolling through your feed if you don't know what journey you're entering into you might just scroll past that particular video.
"The second piece is using captions, whether automated captions that we provide or captions that you build within the creative. That helps to tell the story that you want people to understand without the use of sound. The last piece is that the usage of questions is actually a great device to hook and engage a particular person to wonder what if and what's going to happen with a pay off at the end.
"It's a flip of the way that TV advertising used to work, the way we used to design creative for television is you wanted to pay off with a crescendo and the end. Here we're saying flip the crescendo and start with the destination of the story so they're hooked and stay with the creative. So if you're using music or voice-over as the particular device to hook the person, you might have lost them."


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|Press Release
Contact information:
BACnet International Board of Directors Begin New Term
Six Returning and One New Member Look Towards Strategic Planning
Atlanta, GA (PRWeb) – February 18, 2015 – BACnet International, the industry association that facilitates the successful use of the BACnet protocol in building automation and control systems, announced the results of its recent board of directors elections. The new board is comprised of seven executives, including: Andy McMillan, Brad Hill, Roland Laird, Trevor Palmer, Raymond Rae, Nancy Stein, and Michael R. Wilson. The board of BACnet International will continue to focus on expanding the use of the BACnet building automation protocol. Complete information on BACnet International board members can be found here.
About BACnet International
BACnet International is an industry association that facilitates the successful use of the BACnet protocol in building automation and control systems through interoperability testing, educational programs and promotional activities. BACnet International oversees operation of the BACnet Testing Labs (BTL) and maintains a global listing of tested products. The BACnet standard was developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and has been made publicly available so that manufacturers can create interoperable systems of products. BACnet International complements the work of the ASHRAE standards committee and BACnet-related interest groups around the world. BACnet International members include building owners, consulting engineers and facility managers, as well as companies involved in the design, manufacturing, installation, commissioning and maintenance of control equipment that uses BACnet for communication.


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Wetsuits are fantastic for ocean swimming. They provide buoyancy which means they help you float and use less energy in the water which will in turn help you swim for longer. Wetsuits are optional for our swim events.
HUUB's aim is to create better products by combining research, science and reality. HUUB has 4 decades worth of experience gained in the field of endurance sports (yes, they've done the miles, but still have the passion!). Focussing wholly on the athlete and maximising performance and comfort, HUUB explore both the odd and the conventional to create the best. They are not slaves to fashion, but to form, fit and performance.
To enquire about hiring a wetsuit for an event email our wetsuit and swimwear partner HUUB
A selected range of HUUB wetsuits, swimwear and swim accessories can be purchased in all event entry forms. HUUB's full product range is also available to view and purchase through a dedicated online store.


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Greece is the European country that has been most in the spotlight after the breakout of the financial crisis in 2008. It was the first member state that had to be "bailed out" and allegedly the first and only one being so close to exiting the Eurozone.
The reasons for the dire financial situation of Greece are many. Among those figure a number of tax-related causes, notably tax evasion and the inefficient collection of taxes. The three Memoranda of Understanding the Greek government(s) has(ve) signed so far include very detailed reforms Greece has to implement with regard to taxing and spending. Amid such pressures for increasing the country's public finance, the issues of tax secrecy, tax transparency and the collection of taxes have become imperative, although this has not been reflected so scrupulously in the Greek legal framework.
The mosaic of tax evasion in Greece
After years of deliberations as to how the financial situation in Greece can be fixed, it has probably become widely acknowledged by now that Greece does suffer from large amounts of tax evasion. Indicatively, shadow economy for the period 1999 – 2007 was found to be an estimated 27.5 percent of GDP (larger than any other EU Member State at that time).1 The VAT gap was found by a study of the European Commission to be 33.4 percent for 2012 and 34 percent for 2013, placing Greece fourth in the EU – 26 list of VAT gap countries after Romania, Lithuania and Slovakia;2 while the tax debt as a share of annual net tax revenue in Greece was 72.2 percent in 2011, compared to an OECD average of 12.3 percent. A recent study of the Centre of Planning and Economic Research (KE∏E) showed that the Greek state is losing on average since 2009, 7.5 billion euros per year as a result of VAT evasion and avoidance.
In order to understand what the laws on tax secrecy and tax transparency aim to put a halt to, one has first to discern the nature of tax evasion in Greece, in particular whether it relates to sophisticated tax schemes (corporate profit shifting or transfer pricing), VAT fraud and evasion, or corporate or personal income tax evasion.
According to the IMF Country Report of June 2013 (No 13/156) the very high taxes (income and VAT), the low probability of detection, the low effective penalties in conjunction with some amnesty schemes, a poor provision of public goods and services and a "social norm" of tax evasion are the main reasons behind the high percentages of tax evasion in Greece.
With regard to income tax evasion, a recent academic study found that, possibly contrary to popular belief, the highest percentages of tax evasion in Greece come from the highly educated and powerful professions, and explained that "[r]anked by tax-evaded euros, the largest offending industries are medicine, engineering, education, accounting and financial services and law."4 It further estimated that 43 percent to 45 percent of self-employed income went unreported and thus untaxed.
The question thus arises: What does the Greek state do to rectify this situation? Since 2008, Greek tax laws have undergone a series of amendments and additions which relate primarily to the increase of tax rates and the imposition of new taxes and secondarily to the improvement of tax enforcement and the combatting of tax evasion. This latter point I explore in the following section.
The Greek tax framework with regard to tax evasion, tax secrecy and tax transparency
Tax and bank secrecy
Since 2013, Greece has a new Income Tax Code (Law 4172/2013) and a new Code of Tax Procedure (Law 4174/2013) (with effect from Jan. 1, 2014). The former provides for the general, simplified in comparison to the past, legal framework with regard to both corporate and personal income taxation, while the latter introduces the procedural provisions relating to the determination, assessment and collection of all taxes (including VAT and real estate property taxes).
The previous legal framework (Law Decree 2238/1994) devoted a very detailed provision to tax secrecy (Art. 85) which provided inter alia that "…any data of the taxpayers' file that is related to taxation is secret and any notice to anyone else but the taxpayer is forbidden." The tax secrecy provided therein is waived in certain enumerated cases (Art. 85 (5)).
Under the new legal framework (Article 17 of the Code of Tax Procedure) there is a general requirement for employees of tax administration to keep as confidential all data and taxpayers' information that have come to their knowledge. The confidentiality and secrecy requirements are waived when this information is requested by specific authorities which aim to verify the tax obligations of the taxpayers. These authorities include prosecuting and judicial authorities when they adjudicate tax or criminal cases relating to tax evasion; foreign tax authorities (pursuant to Directive 2011/16/EU); financial authorities; social security institutions and the tax administration in general. Data or other information regarding any taxpayer can be disclosed to any interested party upon the latter's application and provided the taxpayer at issue consents in writing. The General Secretary of Public Revenue (GSPR) may further establish the conditions under which any third party can be granted access to the taxpayer's data if this is deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the tax administration. Under Article 15 of the Code of Tax Procedure, all national authorities and third parties are obliged to provide to the General Secretary, when asked, any relevant information concerning the financial transactions of taxpayers. This obligation is waived in cases pending before criminal courts unless the district attorney gives his consent for the disclosure. By contrast, third parties bound by professional secrecy are (still) required to provide information that would assist the general secretary in determining the tax obligations of the taxpayers (the request for the disclosure of any other information should be accompanied by a written permission by the district attorney).
In an effort to combat tax evasion, bank secrecy vis-à-vis the tax authorities has been effectively entirely curtailed in Greece. Various tax authorities, or investigation and enforcement units associated with them like the General Secretariat for Public Revenue or the Financial and Economic Crime Unit, (SDOE) can have access to information on bank transactions of private individuals.
In line with the motto "bank transparency for tax purposes," the Greek government introduced more than three years ago a database (Taxis) where tax and financial authorities, tax inspectors and the SDOE could access data regarding remittances abroad, the interest income on savings for all taxpayers and the data of all bank accounts with transactions (debit or credit) of more than 100,000 euros.
Law 4170/2013 as completed and amended by Law 4211/2013, introduced, inter alia, a registry for bank and payment accounts which allowed "certified users" (such as the tax authorities and SDOE) to gain access to the balances of the bank accounts of the taxpayers, as well as the bank transactions they made within the last 10 years, by simply inserting in the database the taxpayer's tax identification number.
With a view to accelerating the process of handling tax evasion cases, by recent Ministerial Decision (ΦΕΚ Β΄ 1957/11.9.2015), the "registry for bank and payment accounts" was extended further to allow authorities from the Ministry of Finance and inspectors from the GSPR to access within 24 hours all taxpayers' transactions within the last 10 years.
In order to combat tax evasion, the Greek government is currently contemplating the establishment of an "electronic movable and immovable property registry" which, drawing from the taxpayers' tax returns, will consist of detailed data regarding the taxpayers' immovable and movable property, including, inter alia, savings accounts, shareholdings, bonds, mutual funds, paintings and expensive jewelry.4 The idea behind this measure is that the tax authorities now have the opportunity to determine, in principle, all the assets of the taxpayers and control whether they are justifiable according to their tax returns. If inconsistencies are found, for instance a very low income worker holds valuable assets (or has income therefrom) he has never declared to the tax authorities, the Greek government will consider imposing a heavy fine or even seizing the relevant assets.
VAT gap
Among the suggestions of the KEPE study regarding VAT evasion in Greece was the improvement of the VAT collection, which could be effectuated via the promotion of the use of credit and debit cards for all transactions. In order to incentivize taxpayers to use "plastic money," which, in turn, would boost consumption and put a halt to VAT evasion, the study recommended "cash back" and other bonuses.
In order to facilitate the monitoring of (bank) transactions for tax purposes, Article 23 of the Income Tax Code provides that all invoices worth over 500 euros (VAT inclusive) issued after Jan. 1, 2014 will have to be paid either by check or by cash deposit to the bank account of the company, otherwise the taxpayer will risk incurring indirect fines.
In addition to incentivizing consumers to use bank cards for their transactions, the study recommends the establishment of a system that will automatically deduct the VAT and attribute it to the state. This last measure materialized for specific transactions (notably the ones that are effectuated via bank cards, e-banking etc.) with the adoption of Law 4334/2015, which provided that the transaction-related VAT amount will be withheld by the bank and paid directly to the state within five days from the day of the transaction.
Tax transparency
In order to restore confidence to the taxpayers and to incentivize them to pay their taxes, the Greek government introduced for the first time in 2012 the General Secretariat for Public Revenue, which is responsible for "tax and customs" issues. In their online platform, the GSPR regularly publishes its targets and results, allowing citizens to monitor the efficiency of the Tax Administration for the first time.5 Information regarding the old debt collections, auctions, the number of the full scope and temporary audits are now available to everybody for the first time.
The Greek government in 2011 already contemplated that another way to combat tax evasion would be via "naming and shaming" the taxpayers (both natural and legal individuals) whose debt towards the state has become due and exceeds 150,000 euros. Consequently, under the tax data online platform (www.gsis.gr), one can find lists of both natural and legal overdue debtors to the state, including their full name, the exact amount they owe, as well as their seat (for legal individuals). The publication of these taxpayers' lists online has been the subject of debate regarding its compatibility with the Greek Constitution, which explicitly protects the collection, processing and use of personal data,6 and the special law 2472/1997.
The Hellenic Data Protection Authority (HDPA), which is entrusted with monitoring the protection of all personal data (including tax and bank secrecy and secrecy of communications), has issued contradictory opinions with regard to the compatibility of the taxpayers' lists with the data protections laws. In its earlier opinion in January 2011, it opined that the publication of these lists on the Internet did not constitute a "harmless" measure for the "honest/sincere" taxpayers but instead found that the processing of all the information in these lists might be used to satisfy the "curiosity" of people with no legal interest, or even worse might be used for purposes that could affect directly the peoples' freedom to participate in the social and economic life of the country. By contrast, in its later opinion in April 2011, the HDPA held that the publication on the Internet by the Ministry of Finance, of the overdue debtors to the state as stipulated in Article 9 of Law 3943/2011 (for the combatting of tax evasion) and the Ministerial Decision ΠΟΛ 1185/Jan. 9, 2011 (on the publication of overdue debts to the state) was proportional to the intended purpose. The Authority held that in such times, when the course of the country's public finance is particularly bad, the processing of personal data of the taxpayers at issue was a constitutionally tolerable restriction that did not infringe the principles of appropriateness and necessity.
Tax enforcement – sanctions
The Code of Tax Procedure distinguishes between procedural infringements (Art. 54) and infringements relating to tax evasion (Art.55), while it further lists a series of other, more specific infringements (Art. 56 – 60). The former include inter alia, the non- or late submission of tax returns, the noncompliance of the taxpayer with regard to his books and records' obligations, his lack of cooperation during a tax audit, his nonregistration to the tax registry, and more.
Tax evasion related infringements comprise the issuance of false and fictitious tax returns with the purpose of the concealment of taxable income, the nonattribution or inaccurate payment of VAT, the receipt of tax rebates upon deception of the tax authorities, and more.
For the purposes of the Code, tax evasion is effectively termed as the concealment of tax exceeding 10,000 euros per fiscal year for individuals or taxpayers responsible for keeping single entry accounts, and the concealment of tax exceeding 60,000 euros per fiscal year for taxpayers responsible for keeping double-entry books.
The relevant administrative procedure and the fines imposed therefrom are independent of the criminal sanctions applicable to tax offenses. The administrative fines imposed in cases of tax evasion depend on the specific infringement at issue and are calculated as percentages of the value of the infringement.
In the second half of November 2015, the Greek Parliament approved the draft bill of the "measures for the implementation of the agreement (cc with the lenders) regarding fiscal targets and structural reforms." The new law will bring about for the umpteenth time significant amendments to the codes of Income Taxation and of Tax Procedure, including the abolishment of a ceiling in tax fines and imprisonment of up to two years for nonpayment of taxes exceeding 100,000 euros in cases of income taxation or 50,000 euros in cases of VAT. Unlike before, criminal proceedings shall not be suspended even if the taxpayer has lodged an administrative (remedial) appeal.
From 2012 onward, the Greek government(s) seems to be moving in the right direction. Although priority is still given to the increase of public revenue through the increase of tax rates or the imposition of new taxes, slow progress is being made regarding the improvement of tax collection, the increase of tax transparency and the combatting of tax evasion. It is indeed surprising why the improvement of tax enforcement has not featured high enough in the financial assistance conditions, in particular since the big problem of tax evasion in Greece is well-known to all lenders and is not premised on complicated tax structures of profit shifting or transfer pricing. I strongly believe that besides the Greek taxpayer, who by reason of long-standing traditions and beliefs has to be explicitly incentivized to pay his taxes, the Greek state also has to be motivated to combat tax evasion. Such motivation could be based on financial assistance being contingent upon the improvement of tax collection (while keeping the tax rates intact).
The progress made so far, however, should not be overlooked. In this endeavor the Greek state had to overcome many obstacles, in particular an obsolete, non-digitalized archiving system and the Greek taxpayers' mentality that deceiving and tax-evading a "bad-performing" state is not only not reprehensible, but rather to be applauded.
This progress certainly comes at the expense of the principles of secrecy, confidentiality and data protection and to the detriment of the "sincere" or "honest" taxpayer who, despite his consistent compliance with the tax law framework, effectively enjoys no bank or tax secrecy and has to pay extremely high taxes to compensate for the inefficient collection by the state.
Furthermore, the progress has come at the expense of legal certainty and predictability. Since the crisis began, a large number of laws and ministerial decisions relating to tax enforcement and administration have been adopted, each one amending or completing or even contradicting the previous one. The continuous change of the tax legal framework, be it a result of the lenders' pressures or the Greek governments' initiatives, may damage not only taxpayers' trust in the tax authorities, but also tax enforcement itself.
- Friedrich Schneider, 'The Shadow Economy and Work in the Shadow: What Do We (Not) Know?' IZA DP No. 6423 (March 2012).
- European Commission (TAXUD) 'Study to quantify and analyse the VAT Gap in the EU Member States, (2015 Report).
- Nikolaos Artavanis, Adair Morse and Margarita Tsoutsoura, "Measuring Income Tax Evasion using Bank Credit: Evidence from Greece"
- The Draft Bill was expected to be discussed in the Hellenic Parliament in December 2015, so that if it got the requisite majorities, it could be enforced starting in 2016.
- http://www.publicrevenue.gr/kpi/
- Greek Constitution Article 9A.


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How EPM turned a potentially irreparable cycling break into a perfectly-patched machine.
Increasingly, carbon bike frames are being purchased by keen amateur cyclists.
One such cyclist/triathlon competitor was hit by a car whilst training and on first inspection the frame seemed fine. However once it went in for a service after a further month of training, the bike's frame was identified as broken. The competitor contacted us to see if we could help.
On a purely visual basis, there was little damage to the bike. The competitor was hit on the front of the bike, which also caused a serious crack on the rear frame. The questions that arose, were how could we identify the length of the crack and the depth in which it had affected the laminate? And, was the breakage repairable?.
Could we identify the length of the crack and the depth in which it had affected the laminate? And, was the breakage repairable?- Project Manager.
We used NDT (non-destructive testing) equipment and ultra-scanned the affected component. We tracked the breakage to ensure we had captured the whole area which had been weakened.
Using F1 rapid tooling know-how, we enlarged the area and tooled directly from the bike frame. We then manufactured an autoclave cured structural repair patch.
Then we prepared the surfaces for a complex bonding operation. With the patch secured into position using structural adhesives, the frame and repair were placed in an oven to post-cure them to full strength. The frame was then re-tested using the NDT equipment once more as part of our final checking procedures.
The frame was not written off, in fact it was not even relegated to a training bike and remains a competition companion to the owner.
We applied our F1 know-how and techniques to understand the challenges and extent of the damage. This prevented any second guessing. Through these procedures we were able to optimise the actions needed to repair the bike safely.
The customer is still competing.


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Social Media Intern
Seville, Spain
January 2013 – May 2013
DiscoverExcursions is a travel company based in Seville, Spain, where I studied abroad for one semester of my junior year at Hofstra University. A few months before my semester started, DiscoverExcursions' head travel guide contacted me via Facebook with an offer for a semester-long internship while abroad. I replied, scheduled an interview when I arrived on-site, accepted the position, and spent the semester working, learning, and laughing at the Discover office. Throughout the semester, I managed the company Instagram account and grew the following to over 1000 (now at 6800+). I was fortunate enough to develop strong relationships with my fellow interns as well as the Seville travel guides. Both in the office and on international trips and excursions, I enjoyed my job so much that it was difficult to view it as "work".
Responsibilities and Accomplishments:
– Manage social media platforms and grow following on company accounts; Instagram following increased by 1000+ and is now at 6800 and growing
– Promote DiscoverExcursions events, excursions, trips, etc. to study abroad student target audience by contacting fellow API and University of Seville American students
– Assist travel guides in trip preparations/coordinating, pre-departure, and on-site duties
– Write and edit event ads/newsletters to be posted through online outlets and distributed via e-mail


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After coming back from Krabi and met Lulu, I've got inspiration to do more travel posts. I realized I never really did put up all my travelling posts. I try to travel to 2 places in a year, this year will be extra special as I'll be going to 4.. no.. 8 cities 😉 So yup, I will put more travelling posts cause travelling is so so fun, so I hope my posts will be able to help you, in some way or another.
Now, let's do with Boracay. Won't be too many posts as there wasn't many places that we went. So bear with me 😉
I went to Boracay on 23rd to 28th April 2014.
Boracay is an island in the Philippines located approximately 315 km (200 miles) south of Manila and 2 km off the northwest tip of Panay Island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. The Boracay Island and it's beaches were awarded for many times. Boracay was awarded in the "Travelers' Choice 2011" by TripAdvisor as the second best beach (out of 25) in the world. Boracay made a debut appearance on the Top 10 Islands list in the Travel + Leisure travel magazine World's Best Awards 2011.
We took AirAsia to Kalibo Airport, which is just 2 hours away from Boracay Island. Previously before AA has launched to Kalibo Airport, one can fly to Manila, stay overnight, or take a local flight to Caticlan Airport which should probably take less than 1hr to Boracay Island.
It was a relatively tiny airport, most of the things are still done manually. There's a direct flight from Incheon Airport, which also explains why there are actually many Koreans in Boracay!
We actually booked an airport transfer from our accommodations provider. Usually, we would research to go from airport to the hotel if it's a city, or with accessible train / bus. But in Boracay, I decided to book it earlier. We then found out the provider was Island Star Express.
From Kalibo Airport, you will take a van or bus for 90 minutes to Caticlan Jetty Port.
From Caticlan Jetty Port, you will be transfered to take a traditional bangka boat to Cagban Port, in Boracay Island. It would just take about 15 minutes to reach. The difference between buying your own ticket and going thru the transfer guides is that you don't need to queue to go in. Sometimes the queue can be quite long :/
The boat is relatively small but not too bad. Fits about 20 people and most locals use this to transport from Caticlan to Boracay. Once you have reached Cagban Port in Boracay, you would then be transfered to your hotel. When I first booked the transfer with Spider House, we paid PHP575 peso per person which includes of all Environmental Taxes, Terminal Fees, Shuttle Vans, and Boat Tickets.
But when we called and book directly via Island Star Express on when we wanted to leave, we just paid PHP375 per pax. (or was it 350php) to pick us up from the hotel to Kalibo Airport.
Another transporter would be South West Tours Boracay
Our first hotel was Spider House in Diniwid Beach, which is the other end from Cagban Jetty Port. It took about 30 minutes for us to get to the hotel, and a 15 min walking distance with the luggage. Well if you have hugggee luggage, Spider House is not really recommended for you.
By the time we arrived and checked in, it was sunset.
Will blog more soon 🙂


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10 Offside and onside in open play
- A player is offside in open play if that player is in front of a team-mate who is carrying the ball or who last played it. An offside player must not interfere with play. This includes:
- Playing the ball.
- Tackling the ball-carrier.
- Preventing the opposition from playing as they wish.
- A player can be offside anywhere in the playing area.
- A player who receives an unintentional throw forward is not offside.
- An offside player may be penalised, if that player:
- Interferes with play; or
- Moves forwards towards the ball; or
- Was in front of a team-mate who kicked the ball and fails to retire immediately behind an onside team-mate or an imaginary line across the field 10 metres on that player's side from where the ball is caught or lands, even if it hits a goal post or crossbar first. If this involves more than one player, then the player closest to where the ball lands or is caught is the one penalised. This is known as the 10-metre law and still applies if the ball touches or is played by an opponent but not when the kick is charged down.
Sanction: The non-offending team can choose either:
- Penalty at the place of infringement; or
- Scrum where the offending team last played the ball.
- A player is accidentally offside if the player cannot avoid being touched by the ball or by a team-mate who is carrying the ball. Only if the offending team gains an advantage should play stop. Sanction: Scrum.
- Any offside player can be put onside when that player:
- Moves behind a team-mate who last played the ball; or
- Moves behind a team-mate who is onside.
- Other than under Law 10.4c, an offside player can be put onside when:
- An onside team-mate of that player moves past the offside player and is within or has re-entered the playing area.
- An opponent of that player:
- Carries the ball five metres; or
- Passes the ball; or
- Kicks the ball; or
- Intentionally touches the ball without gaining possession of it.
- A player offside under Law 10.4c cannot be put onside by any action of an opponent, apart from a charge down.
- A player who is offside at a ruck, maul, scrum or lineout remains offside, even after the ruck, maul, scrum or lineout has ended.
- The player can be put onside only if:
- That player immediately retires behind the applicable offside line; or
- An opposition player carries the ball five metres in any direction; or
- An opposition player kicks the ball.
- An offside player may be penalised if that player:
- Fails to retire without undue delay and benefits from being put onside in a more advantageous position; or
- Interferes with play; or
- Moves towards the ball.
The game is played only by players who are onside.
Offside and onside in open play
Retiring from a ruck, maul, scrum or lineout
Sanction: Penalty.


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The 2009 remake Brighton Rock (due for release in 2010) of the classic 1947 Attenborough film - this time set in 1964 against the background of the Mods and Rockers. These photos were shot during filming at Eastbourne in October 2009. Can't wait for this one!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
New Year, New Movie: "Brighton Rock" coming 2010
Thanks to Flickr user Keith Welch's photo set:
Posted by HerMajestysThunder.com at 3:00 PM No comments: Links to this post
Friday, December 11, 2009
Her Majesty's Thunder Hooligan Holiday Sale!
The Her Majesty's Thunder Holiday Hooligan Sale starts today! All shirts on sale including our new line of women's tees!
Posted by HerMajestysThunder.com at 9:27 AM No comments: Links to this post
Monday, November 30, 2009
New Shirt Sneak Peek
Here's a sneak peek of the latest Her Majesty's Thunder t-shirt that went into production today.
Posted by HerMajestysThunder.com at 3:00 PM 2 comments: Links to this post
Labels: Her Majesty's Thunder, HMT, T-Shirt
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
HMT Gets a Thumbs Up In Dice #29!
How sweet is it when the coolest of the custom bike magazines reviews your product? Very! Her Majesty's Thunder is featured in the "Reviews" section of the latest issue of DicE magazine. Get your copy here and read about how the Queen kicked arse in a bar wearing HMT. Oh, and we also just got some soon to be sold out back issues too.
Posted by HerMajestysThunder.com at 10:20 AM No comments: Links to this post
Labels: Dice Magazine, Her Majesty's Thunder, Kustom Kulture
Pod Racers
Top photo by Dave Innola.
I love how designers of the past imagined the designs of the future. The racer dustbin fairings of yesteryear seemed to me a glimpse of their view of the future. The fairings also increased the speed of the motorcycle so it was definitely a graceful marriage of form and function.
Apparently you can still buy these retro-vintage motorcycle fairings today at Airtech-Streamlining.com . I like the Gilera 125, and the MV Agusta. Though, nothing compares to Evan's magnificent hand-beaten aluminium fairing.
Posted by HerMajestysThunder.com at 9:58 AM 2 comments: Links to this post
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Vintage Triumph Motorcycle Brochures
Flickr user "bullitmcqueen" has collected a bunch of images from old Triumph brochure art. Loads of other inspiring stuff there too.
Posted by HerMajestysThunder.com at 8:19 AM 1 comment: Links to this post
Labels: art, brochures, posters, triumph, vintage motorcycles
Friday, November 13, 2009
Take Care of your Denim
Cool video on Rising Sun Jeans and how to keep your dark denim dark. Brought to you by PutThisOn.com
Posted by HerMajestysThunder.com at 3:24 PM 2 comments: Links to this post
Labels: denim, rigid, Rising Sun, wash
Thursday, October 22, 2009
DicE Magazine: Get It Here!
Her Majesty's Thunder is now an official distributor for DicE magazine. In addition to carrying the latest issue we'll also be stocking a limited number of back issues as well. Get your copy here...
Posted by HerMajestysThunder.com at 9:58 AM No comments: Links to this post
Labels: bobber, chopper, Dice Magazine, Her Majesty's Thunder
Thursday, October 8, 2009
HMT at the Virginia British Motorcycle Club Rallye
Her Majesty's Thunder was at the 19th annual 2009 Virginia British Motorcycle Club Rallye at the Prince Williams Fairground in Manassa, VA. Great weather, great people and great bikes! Check out pictures of the event at the HMT Facebook Fan Page.
Posted by HerMajestysThunder.com at 10:04 AM No comments: Links to this post
Labels: ajs, ariel, bike show, bobber, bsa, cafe racer, culture, custom, norton, royal enfield, triumph
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Royal Enfield To Be Her Majesty's Thunder Retailer
We are pleased to announce that Classic Motorworks Ltd, the Official OEM distributor for Royal Enfield Motorcycles in the United States, has partnered with Her Majesty's Thunder to be HMT's first retailer. Look for Her Majesty's Thunder on their site and catalog in September.
Posted by HerMajestysThunder.com at 10:07 AM No comments: Links to this post
Labels: retailers, royal enfield, shirts
Saturday, September 5, 2009
HMT Makes It's Raleigh Rumble Debut
Her Majesty's Thunder made it's debut this weekend as a sponsor at the 2009 5th annual Raleigh Rumble: Mods vs. Rockers in Raleigh, North Carolina. With bikes parked nearly three-deep and attendance being it's largest ever fans of vintage British bikes from around the area took advantage of the beautiful weather to share stories and check out some of the most unique bikes around.HMT was just one of the sponsors who donated products to the charity raffle this year. Proceeds went benefit Military Missions In Action a non-profit, non partisan organization committed to helping those who have selflessly given to their country and have returned home with serious disabilities and injuries.For more pictures of the event visit the HMT Facebook Fan Page.
Posted by HerMajestysThunder.com at 9:27 AM No comments: Links to this post
Labels: bike show, bobber, bsa, cafe racer, mods vs rockers, raleigh rumble, royal enfield, triumph
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Show Us Your Thunder on Facebook
Her Majesty's Thunder is now on Facebook! Join the HMT fan page. Upload photos of your bikes, shots of you wearing your Thunder and connect with other HMT fans around the world. Click here to join.
Posted by HerMajestysThunder.com at 10:13 AM No comments: Links to this post
Labels: facebook, Her Majesty's Thunder, shirts, vintage motorcycles
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Smashed Cucumber Salad: Two Ways
The concept of the "smashed" cucumber salad showed up last week on one of my favorite food podcasts. The next day I heard about it on another food podcast. The third day, I stumbled across a picture of it online. Was the universe trying to tell me something? Was it in my destiny to make smashed cucumber salads?
No, I'm not drunk, or anything fun like that, and neither are these "smashed" cucumbers. They are actually SMASHED using a knife or even a frying pan. Originally a Sichuan dish, the practice of smashing cucumbers, salting them, and then vibrantly dressing them has gone mainstream.
Here are my two takes on the concept: One of them is a light, summery take on a Thai green curry. The the other one was inspired by a traditionally meat and dairy heavy Italian chopped salad.


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It's the holidays, which means some free time to catch up on TV watching. For readers who want to watch some quality lesbian programming but don't know what to watch, we'd like to make the following suggestions of characters and pairings from shows that are no longer on air but can be accessed online with a little bit of poking around:
Teenage Couple: Naomi and Emily of seasons 3 and 4 of "Skins" (2009-2010)
Before there was "Faking it," there was a long string of shows on TV in the U.S. and U.K. with adolescent lesbians, starting in approximately the early 2000s. Many of these shows were very, very well done, with engaging and realistic plotlines that explored teenagers' experience with coming out and their first relationship.
AfterEllen has always been a huge fan of the British show "Skins" because of how well written its lesbian storyline was in seasons three and four, and as a bonus all 18 of the Naomily episodes are currently on the US version of Netflix. Just don't watch "Skins Fire." "Skins" isn't your cup of tea? Try: Sophie Webster and Sian Powers on "Coronation Street" or Kim and Saint on "Sugar Rush" for UK shows, or Ashley Davies and Spencer Carlin on "South of Nowhere" for the U.S.
Trailblazing Lesbian Story Arc You Might Have Missed: "ER" (1996-2003)
Is there a rule that every medical show on TV has to have a lesbian or bi female character? From "Grey's Anatomy" and "House" in the U.S. to Canada's "Saving Hope" to Spain's "Hospital Central" to Australia's "All Saints," it seems like medical dramas and soap operas are enamored by the idea of gay female doctors. The US medical drama "ER" had two: Maggie Doyle and Dr. Kerry Weaver. At the time, these roles were groundbreaking for lesbian visibility on primetime US TV.
Dole's storyline revolved around sexual harassment and homophobia in the workplace, while Weaver's storylines focused on coming to terms with her sexuality, workplace discrimination (again), and child custody battles following the death of a partner. Coming at a time when there were all but no other lesbians on US TV, these storylines exposed the public to the discrimination lesbians often were facing in real life.
In the mood for something a bit spicier…and so long you couldn't possibly binge watch it in a weekend? Try following Dr. Macarena "Maca" Wilson Fernández starting in season eight of "Hospital Central" and going through season 19. "Hospital Central" was kind of like Spain's answer to "ER," and Maca and Esther's relationship was one of the first—if not the first—lesbian couples on primetime Spanish TV.
Prison Show You Probably Never Heard of: "Capadocia" (2008-2012)
"Capadocia" was a Mexican HBO Latin America television series that an AfterEllen reviewer once described as "like a gritty Bad Girls, without the sense of humor." The show, which, as one would expect from the "women in prison" genre, depicted lots of same-sex interactions with various baggage and power implications, will appeal to viewers looking for a gritty, dark format. Note, however, that there don't appear to be versions with subtitling in any language, so if you don't understand spoken Spanish, it will be a lot of watching body language without understanding the words. If you prefer lighter fare, the first seven seasons of the UK's "Bad Girls" offer a fun mix of drama and camp, and a handful of legitimate lesbian romances.
"All the Characters are Lesbians" Show: "Lip Service" (2010-2012)
If you missed the U.K.'s "Lip Service," which used to be on Netflix but is no longer, go watch it right now. To compare it to "The L Word" would do it a disservice, but it wouldn't be entirely wrong to say "Lip Service" was the U.K.'s answer to "The L Word." While the storylines were not all uniformly popular, overall the series—which went only two seasons—had good acting, relatable characters, and um, sex. It's a pity that "lesbian dramedy" never really caught on as a genre, because "Lip Service" showed the potential in it.
Period Lesbian Couple: Cristina and Isabel in "Tierra de Lobos" (2011-2013)
Lesbian couples don't appear much in period pieces on TV, which is a pity because movies like "Tipping the Velvet" or "The World Unseen" demonstrate sexuality is an interesting lens through which to view history. Spain's "Tierra de Lobos" was a Western, and so naturally Isabel was the daughter of the wealthy landowner and Cristina was the local town prostitute. The show had excellent production quality and adorable chemistry between "Crisabel."
So what have we missed, readers? What would you recommend from years past?


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Writers know, for research, that Wikipedia is a critical tool. Readers know this too. Whether it's to determine the real names behind Ellery Queen, or the pseudonym for Ruth Rendell, or the order of those Sookie Stackhouse novels, Wikipedia is the easiest way to find the answer.
Marketing savvy authors have Wikipedia pages. Twist Phelan's is a fine example. Her content is intriguing, yet not all that personal. Read her page. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twist_Phelan Did you notice she does not provide where she lives or her age?
A Wiki entry can also be full of connections to other sites. The page for Robert Crais is rich with these. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Crais
Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to create your own Wikipedia entry. When you've got it up do a short post with the link so we can all check it out!
Be sure to use a great photo. Include links to your website, reviews, your publisher…check out your favourite authors and take your favourite features from their page, for your own!


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Industrial Accidents
Industrial accidents in Dallas happen more often than some might want to think. Accidents at industrial facilities and plants can be very dangerous, and even deadly. Dealing with the aftermath of the injuries can be painful and expensive. When you or someone you love suffers one of these injuries, it is important to make sure that they have legal counsel that can represent them and make sure they receive fair compensation for their injuries.
The workplace can be dangerous no matter what field you are in, but when those workplaces are inherently dangerous – such as refineries and chemical plants, the danger level is higher. Negligence of any type in these areas can result in severe accidents and even death. If the equipment at the facility is outdated, or if the employees do not receive proper training, the danger level goes up. If the company does not follow certain safety procedures, it is only a matter of time before an industrial accident takes place.
An example of this that took place in Texas recently was the explosion and fire at a fertilizer plant near Waco. Negligence and poor policies caused personal injuries to more than a hundred people, not to mention property damage to the areas around the explosion. Several people also died from injuries sustained during and after the explosion.
Other types of industrial accidents other than explosions can and do occur as well. Defective equipment and falling objects are two big dangers. Slip and fall accidents, untrained employees, and exposure to toxic chemicals are also dangers that workers face regularly. Those who suffer from injuries related to these and other industrial accidents in Dallas often do not know what to do or where to turn.
After getting medical treatment for yourself or your loved one, one of the next steps you need to do is speak with an attorney. Choose an attorney who has experience in the field of industrial accidents and personal injury though. The attorneys you choose should have experience when it comes to dealing with large companies and plants that have their own team of lawyers and insurance companies working for them.
You and your family are likely already under a substantial amount of stress due to the accident and the repercussions. The last thing you want to do is try to figure out what your legal rights are and how to proceed. Having an attorney with experience working with you lets you and your family focus on resting, recuperating, and trying to get back to life as normal.
While the injuries may be great enough that returning completely to normal is not possible, you can be sure that when you have a high-quality attorney working with you, they will fight for the compensation that can at least help to put things right. Take the time to find the industrial accident attorneys in Dallas, TX with the experience and the compassion needed to help you and your family through this difficult time.


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Guess who is designing her own dresses now!?! THIS GIRL!
As of today it's official - dresses are available in my shop, right here. I decided to start out with a design that I've wanted in my closet for years, but could never find anywhere else: a pi dress! So this features an all-over pi print designed by yours truly. And I'm clearly over-the-moon excited about it :D If you're interested, you can read a lot more about the dresses, production, size charts, etc. right here.
Now, I know that very few people share my obsession with pi, so this dress isn't probably going to go over very well, but I'm totally okay with that. I wanted my first dress to be something me-ish, something that I couldn't find anywhere else, something unique. I'll be adding more designs soon, so if this particular one doesn't float your boat just keep an eye out, because I'll be doing outfit posts each time I design a new dress. (Side-note, though, if you *are* interested in having this dress for Pi Day, order soon because they are made to order!)
Also, unrelated to the dress, I think I figured out my hair conundrum. If I let my hair air dry and keep my natural waves, I'm actually kind of okay with this haircut. It was looking particularly unruly the other day and my mom said I looked like Debbie Harry, which was pretty much all I needed to hear to finally accept (and maybe love) this hairdo, haha.
shoes - bait footwear | shirt - h&m I think? | belt - asos
purple rug - amazon
purple rug - amazon


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This is preview only! Please click on https://julesfredrick.wordpress.com/2008/10/26/gimmee-some-ing-candy/ for an updated Halloween Blog!
Thanks, and Happy Halloween!!!!!!
October 30, 2009
This is preview only! Please click on https://julesfredrick.wordpress.com/2008/10/26/gimmee-some-ing-candy/ for an updated Halloween Blog!
Thanks, and Happy Halloween!!!!!!
January 16, 2009
This is a tag that is circulating on various blogs, and I am inspired to make my own list of 16 things about me.
1. I know (almost) every word to every song from The Sound of Music, and sing them shamelessly at the top of my lungs often.
2. After seeing the movie about 87 times, I still sometimes cry.
3. I have more empathy and sympathy in my heart for animals than humans.
4. When I get a good haircut, I make H.K. take loads of pictures of me.
5. I'd rather be hiking/sleeping in the wilderness than on a cruise ship any day.
6. My favorite cuisine is Asian, (Thai, Malaysian, Vietnamese), followed by Indian.
7. Although kids seem to love me, I NEVER wanted any of my own.
8. I love violent movies, esp Natural Born Killers and Pulp Fiction.
9. My day hasn't "officially" started until I've gone running with my dogs.
10. I am obsessive-compulsive about conserving natural resources and recycling (just ask my friends!)
11. 70's music is still the best!
12. I am a cheapskate and have no problem asking for discounts.
13. I love the "F" word, and use it often.
14. I love reality shows, esp. Survivor, The Amazing Race, and American Idol. (I even filled out the application to be on the Amazing Race w/ honeykins, but we "practiced" in Eastern Europe and argued too much.
14. I am not a proud American. I hope that changes soon!
15. 11 years ago, my two dogs were neglected (and therefore killed) by a negligent dogsitter/"friend". I've never gotten over it, or forgiven him.
16. I am my own worst enemy. But I'm working on that.
Consider yourself tagged. If you're a blogger, leave a link with your 16 things. If you're not, leave a reply so we can learn more about you!
October 26, 2008
Every year about this time i am faced with a quandary…what to wear for halloween. In all my life, i think there have been, oh, maybe 5 years when i didn't don a costume. Even when i'm not trick-or-treating or going to a party, i still like to dress up and get out. I no longer think it's cool to egg the nasty neighbor's house, or soap the windows of sworn enemies. i outgrew the mean pranks -the tricks-that during my teen years were associated with Halloween. For many years, we hosted large parties where costumes were mandatory, and I'm thinking about starting that tradition again, since i have an attic full of props.
A couple of years ago, honeykins and i were bored, so we put on these full-face-masks (you know–the kind that collect little pools of condensation in the nose, and you feel like you're going to suffocate?)
He was Dilbert, an i was a vampire, and we had on these huge ponchos, and got on our knees, so we'd look like kids–or midgets– and went around to some neighbor's doors and stuck out our bags. "TRICK OR TREAT!" we'd sing in fake soprano voices. When we got the obligatory sweets, i'd look in my bag-back up at the person's face and holler in my best "South Park" voice- "THIS SUCKS! GIMMEE SOME FUCKIN' CANDY!!!"
'YEAH,CANDY, DAMMMIT" honeykins chimed-in, as we greedily grabbed handfuls of candy out of their dish. As one neighbor tried to shut the door in our faces, while muttering half aloud "you little…" we whipped off our masks, and he nearly pissed himself.. After a glass of wine and a few more laughs, we'd be off for the next house. That night was a blast!
I don't believe in buying costumes, i like to use my imagination. Here are a few of the costumes we've come up with over the years…
Killer Bees (complete w/ fake machine guns and ammo-belts)
Illegal alien (face painted green, deely-boppers coming out of sombrero, authentic mexican poncho)
Osama bin Laden (me),Yo Mama bin Laden (honeykins, in complete burqa)
Cereal killer
Dick Head (condom cap, Pocket protector, "hello my name is..Richard Cranium" sticker
Wayne and Garth (Wayne's World)
Austin Powers and Foxy Brown
i'd love for you to leave a comment on YOUR best costume (or idea). Happy Halloween!!!


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System treats arsenic in well water
System treats arsenic in well water
The first AdEdge WaterPOD was loaded and shipped for startup in Carson City, Nev.
In June 2008, AdEdge was contacted by Brown & Caldwell of the Carson City office to assist with selection and design of an arsenic treatment system for the Humbolt Conservation Camp, a state Department of Corrections site near Winnemucca, to reduce arsenic in the well water to achieve the new arsenic drinking water standard of 10 parts per billion (ppb). The wells contained arsenic ranging from 17 to 22 ppb. A number of treatment options were considered and the AdEdge WaterPOD with a design flow of 250 gal per minute was chosen.
The AdEdge WaterPOD features an AdEdge APU33 packaged system with Bayoxide E33 granular ferric oxide media. The triplex 48-in.-diameter vessel manual integrated system was designed, fabricated by AdEdge and delivered to the site in October 2010. Since operation began, the system is removing arsenic to non-detectable levels.
Currently, AdEdge has another WaterPOD in production for Nisqually Industrial Park near Olympia, Wash. The system is an AD26 oxidation/filtration system for the removal of iron, manganese and arsenic.


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Often, people think yoga is simply stretching. However, those who come to the practice will quickly learn that it incorporates much more than just a physical body practice. Yoga certainly allows for the student to stretch one's body, but it also allows one to transform on a mental and spiritual front. While the student is moving through a series of postures linked with corresponding breathwork, they are receiving corresponding benefits to the nervous system. These subtle benefits include relaxation, mindfulness, heightened concentration, stress reduction, a reduction in reactivity, and an overall sense of calm.
When I was a young girl I recall seeing my Dad in a headstand on his orange wool rug (his version of a yoga mat). Many years later I came across his books with pictures of men in various yoga postures. I quickly grew to cherish these books as my own. They were what helped me heal from his passing. It was as though he knew I would need the tools that a Yoga practice gives to its students.
Like many students who begin on the yogic path, I signed up for yoga classes believing that my stressed body and depressed mind would benefit from some gentle stretching. I certainly did find a great deal of relief from the stretching postures, but I found an even deeper release of the mental build-up that grew with his absence. I found myself going to more classes, craving this simultaneous relief of body and mind. I realized, through the tears that certain postures triggered, that my body and mind had become very disconnected to protect my broken heart. With continued practice, growing physical strength, and a more concentrated mind - due to the breathing and meditative practices I was incorporating - I began to understand that yoga is so much more than stretching the body. It clearly had the capacity to help mend a deep hole from the void I was left with. Eventually, I felt a sense of wholeness again.
So, I arrived at yoga practice via my Dad, but I began to teach yoga on my own accord. I developed a strong desire to give others a similar feeling of release and relief that the regular practice of yoga provides. Yoga reminds us of that tool that we all have within us - our breath. It is through the collaboration of the physical practice of postures and the concentrated focus of breathwork that one arrives at the awareness we all have the present moment anchor of breath within us, always. This may seem very simple, yet is very profound when we allow the trust in our breath to calm us in situations of fight or flight, fear, sadness, anger, etc.
I currently teach in my downtown Ellicottville boutique studio. I teach all-level classes that are available to most students with room for layering more difficult options as the body grows stronger. I incorporate relaxation, breathwork, balancing, as well as vigorous warming of the body movement in my classes. I encourage students to witness their own experience each time they arrive at the studio, letting each time be entirely new and honoring how they are feeling mentally and physically that day. Additionally, I'm available to travel and work in a variety of home and work settings including school settings, sports team facilities, etc. Please feel free to contact me to reserve your spot in ongoing all-level classes or private sessions. You may also visit my website for up-to-date rates and schedules: www.laurasollyyoga.com.


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Drug Counselling Programs
Which ever drug rehab or drug counselling program you choose, the road to sobriety is filled with both physiological and psychological barriers, which must be overcome to prevent relapse. Whilst many people think of drug addiction as a largely physiological affair, physical addiction is only half of the picture. Drug counselling focuses on the psychological aspects of drug addiction, including the beliefs and circumstances which lead people to drugs. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, you have to choose a drug rehab program which understands the importance of these factors.
Drug counselling focuses on the psychological causes of drug addiction as opposed to the physical effects. The most common psychological causes of drug abuse are peer pressure, escapism, desire to experiment and a belief that drugs can solve problems. Physical detox can remove the body's dependence on the substance, but these causes require a more detailed and personalised approach. Without proper psychological support, relapse is much more common.
There are many different approaches to most psychological problems, and drug addiction is no different. Some psychologists believe that there is a genetic pre-disposition to addiction within some people, and this view is espoused by the 12 step program. Drug counselling based on this idea is concerned with recognition of the problem, and you or your loved one would be encouraged to admit they are powerless over their condition. The focus is then shifted to the person's way of life, and the factors which should be altered to correct the issue.
Other psychologists believe that drug addiction is a learned social behaviour, or a symptom of poor coping strategies. This theory states that negative thought patterns, social influence and learned coping mechanisms are responsible for drug addiction. The resulting drug counselling then focuses on replacing these assumptions, thought patterns and coping mechanisms with healthier alternatives. Many drug rehab facilities use this idea in their treatment programs.
Another school of thought believes that drug addiction is a choice, and this directly opposes the "disease" theory of addiction used by the 12 step program. Drug counselling based on this theory is relatively similar to the learned social behaviour theory, in that it focuses on replacing the harmful thought patterns with more self-affirming, positive ideas. Drug rehab programs incorporating this idea empower the individual, and explain that they have the ability to control their own behaviour.
Regardless of which theory you prefer, the basic principles of drug counselling are the same across methodologies. The main idea is that addiction can be controlled by management of the individual's immediate environment and how they respond to potential triggers for their drug use. Drug detox involves the management of symptoms relating to the withdrawal of a chemical substance, and drug counselling addresses the deeper issues which led to the initial use of the substance, which are also the causes of relapses. All drug rehab centres should therefore use a combined approach to best tackle addiction.
Drug counselling is a vital component of any rehabilitation program, and you should consider the options carefully before making a decision. If you are unsure about which type of program is most suitable for you or your loved one, get in touch for some free advice. I also offer telephone counselling to help with drug addiction (this service has an associated fee). Advice on the options for drug rehab and how they suit your specific needs is completely free, so get in touch and see what help we can offer you!


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MWC 15 Special
My Hong Kong schedule was quite hectic. As soon as we got to Hong Kong, we only had enough time to have a quick lunch and had had to hurry down to the Convention Center. The exhibit was quite huge with various products on display from TV sets to Refrigerators and DVD players to USB flash drives and MP3 players. I saw a lot of various electronic products there such as clocks and medical equipment. I was told not to expect to see any Windows Mobile powered device in the Hong Kong exhibit and it was quite true. I didn't see anything there except for a couple of Windows CE.Net powered devices.
There was just an abundance of the cheapest electronic wonder available to mankind today... the USB flashdisk. They were just everywhere ranging from the aesthetically designed ones to the most basic dull looking ones. Of course a step up would be the MP3 player based on the USB flashdisk which apparently was also everywhere. It was also nice to see that all the MP3 players would also play WMA encoded files. Next up were the Personal Video Players. Of course we've seen the usual which play MPEG-1 files, but the ones I saw go several steps further where they somehow jump into the Portable Media Center arena, without being Windows Powered at that. They would play various codecs including DivX and WMV aside from the usual MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 codecs. Some of them even boast of having CF and SD card slots integrated and there are versions with TV tuners built-in.
There were a handfule of mobile devices there and most of them were basic mobile phones, GPS devices and the like. What was quite interesting was that there were also a bunch of Bluetooth dongles and headsets as well as hands-free kits available.
The most interesting for me would probably be the second day where I happened to stuble upon a company that makes 2 Windows CE.Net powered handheld devices. One in HPC form and the other in Tablet form. Both devices had built-in GPRS connectivity and the basic ports needed.
The Smartbook G138 uses a 206MHz SA1110 processor with 128MB RAM and 32MB ROM. It comes with an 800x480 7-inch 16-bit TFT screen. The GPRS functionality comes from a built in module. It also has a CF type II slot and ports for LAN and USB.
The Smartbook G168a though comes in Tablet form. This has a better processor as it uses a PXA 255 at 400MHz and a larger ROM at 64MB.
As it is the Smartbook G168a is already capable of some expansion via the SD slot. It has a microphone and headphone jack and a USB port on one side where the stylus is also located. The Smartbook G168a has a connectivity option in the form of a small docking platform which adds ports to the device for LAN, serial connection, monitor, an extra USB port and keyboard.
Nothing was quite as refreshing as an open area where there was some sunlight. The end of the day was something we welcomed as it meant that we could go back to our hotel to rest. The trip back to the hotel though was quite interesting as the Hong Kong evening was quite interesting. On our way back to the hotel as we emerged from the MTR, we were welcomed by huge neon signs and busy streets. Stores were open and people were just everywhere. This is where I noticed that a good number of people here have MP3 players and they use them. Everywhere you look around, there will always be someone with an MP3 player hanging around their necks.
I went around the stores scouting for stuff, although I didn't stray too far away from my hotel, I was able to find some new iPAQs on sale. The hx4700 is available for HK$4980, the rz1717 is available for HK$1880, the rz3715 is available for HK$4080, and the rz3417 is available for HK$3580.
BTW, food here is great...
I'll keep you all posted about what's in China.
Mabuhay! ~ Carlo
Related Articles BEING MOBILE 2 Days in Hong Kong in search of a Windows Mobile device
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For Lightweight Curtains and Sheers
Goelst G-Rail - 2100 Series curtain tracks is suitable for use on most types of mounting surfaces. It is easy to assemble, award winning cover brackets are designed to conceal the mounting screws. It can also be forward and reverse bent with a minimum radius of 4 inches.
Compelo Ltd Registered Office: John Carpenter House, John Carpenter Street, EC4Y 0AN, England. No: 06339167.Copyright 2020 Compelo. All rights reserved.


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Whenever you upgrade hardware, whether it is on the desktop or in the data center, there are bound to be some software changes that go along with it. In some cases, your hardware upgrades may coincide with an OS upgrade, such as moving from Windows Vista to Windows 7....Read More
Having your business solution systems working together helps your not-for-profit employees share and find data increasing their productivity and in turn increasing donations. Well now there is a way to connect Microsoft Dynamics CRM and your Microsoft Dynamics ERP Solution, whether it is Dynamics AX Axapta, Dynamics GP Great...Read More
In the first four parts of this series, we talked about some key factors to consider when selecting financial accounting software, such as looking at where the accounting application sits relative to the technology life cycle, how to decide on what selection criteria are the most important, and what...Read More
Are your payments secured? Like many organizations, you are constantly sending out checks to pay vendors, employees, and many other people who you do work with. Unfortunately not everyone has good intentions and sometimes mistakes can happen. Lately, check fraud has been increasing and is expected to continue in...Read More
In the first three parts of this series, we talked about some key factors to consider when selecting financial accounting software, such as looking at where the accounting application sits relative to the technology life cycle, how to decide on what selection criteria are the most important, and what...Read More
Selecting new financial software for your organization can be an extremely daunting task. This is especially true in today's economic climate. Not only are you faced with far too many options to choose from, you have the added pressure of tight budgets and lean, overworked staffs. This, in turn,...Read More
In the first installment on this topic, I talked about the Technology Life Cycle and why it's important to know where the solutions that you are considering are in the life cycle. I also talked about the pros and cons of open source software. Now I want to change...Read More
If you are considering Microsoft Dynamics GP for your Not-for-Profit, there are many options that are available to your employees that they may not be aware of. Why not take advantage of what is out there? Here are a few features that are part of the Business Essentials and...Read More
Microsoft Dynamics includes many features that facilitate and integrate business processes, but there are always tips and tricks to help you accomplish your task a little faster/ easier. In this 2 part series we will go over some free add-ons and tools that work with Dynamics to optimize your...Read More
Build more value with lower IT costs on the Microsoft platform! Now, more than ever, IT budgets are under close scrutiny. With Microsoft Dynamics GP, however, you are not just giving your organization powerful analysis tools, you are also giving your IT team the flexible and familiar platform it...Read More


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Team O'Neill & Russell Bierke take Ireland by storm – dropping into fierce Irish barrels and icy green slabs along the coast of the wave rich emerald isle. Witness Russell, big wave specialist from Australia, score his first trip to Europe – accompanied by a full Team O'Neill cast made up of local & international riders from Spain, France, UK, and Ireland. O'Neill proudly presents "Colosseum" — featuring Russell Bierke, Nelson Cloarec, Adrian Fernandez, Peony Knight & Kit Innes.
Credits: Sharpy, Fionn Rogers, Tim Nunn, Jan
Special Thanks to Conor Maguire, Gearoid McDaid, Peter Conroy and Clem McInerney. With help from @oneill @carvemag @oneilloz @oneillusa @oneilleurope
Tags: oneill, team, teamoneill


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For most of his life, Wah Soe prayed for a way to leave the harsh conditions to the refugee camp. Now in the United States, he's working hard to make the most of his opportunities.
Wah was born in a Thai refugee camp called Nu Poe. He lived there with his parents and his older brother, Gabluh. Although Wah had many friends there, life in camp was tough. Wah couldn't go to school and had to earn money by racing animals, like pigs and chickens. Desperate to escape the camp, he would pray for a way to come to the United States.
His prayers were answered when his family was accepted for resettlement in 2012. After going through interviews and medical checkups, Wah finally left the camp and took a plane to St. Paul, Minnesota. Wah became very depressed when he first arrived in the United States. He didn't speak any English and had to learn about an entirely new culture.
Things started to improve once Wah started going to school. Currently a high school senior, Wah is very active in his school's youth leadership program and drama club. After going to college to study political science, he hopes to get involved with human rights organizations and eventually get into politics. Wah dreams of opening an orphanage in Thailand and establishing a Karen radio station.


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Posts Tagged 'safari ltd'
Rumble in the Jungle: A Safari Photo Fantasy
The original 1933 King Kong – toys and miniatures – close-up photography. These are a few of my favorite things, and a bit of serendipity helped me mash them all up all into this one image.
Let Me Explain…
In the process of preparing continuing coverage of the 2013 American International Toy Fair I opened the little bag of goodies Safari Ltd offered to press folks reporting on their product line. Low and behold out fell a Tyrannosaurus Rex and great little gorilla, both part of Safari's Good Luck Minis collection.
Since this coming weekend marks the 80th anniversary of RKO's King Kong, I thought I'd have some photographic fun with the two Minis and a Polaroid close-up lens kit I purchased recently. I wanted to see how far I could push these simple screw-on adapters before shelling out for a "real" macro lens. I've also been contemplating what my first posting to Flicker's Toy Photographers Group might be and this seemed a perfect opportunity to create a table-top tableau mimicking the thrilling battle between Kong and the T-Rex.
What It Is…
Using mostly household items, I did my best to recreate the mise en scene of Gustave Dore's etchings which inspired the art direction of Kong 33's Skull Island.
Along with the two Safari LTD. miniatures – which measure 7/8's of an inch tall – there are brown and green bath towels as the foreground, plastic Christmas flowers that didn't get stored away yet as the canopy, and a few slate drink coasters are the middle ground. A small acrylic painting of the Sedona, Arizona landscape I did twenty years ago is the distant background and some twigs from my front yard complete the effect. A frosted glass candle holder and a clear plastic bag were used to modify the output of a battery powered 126 LED light source.
Shot on a Nikon D300 with 50mm lens and +2 close-up adapter. I think the super-shallow depth of field produced by the adapter helps convey the look of an other worldly jungle. Aside from a slight crop the image is posted as shot, there's no Photoshop post production.
Calling All Scream Queens…
Along with other "Kong-o-philes", I'll be celebrating the king's birthday at NYC's Film Forum screening this Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 11AM. The event includes a Fay Wray "scream-a-like" contest which should be a highlight.
What's Up Doc…
Also see my recent post about Altus Press's soon to be released pulpy pairing of Doc Savage and King Kong on Skull Island.
Surfing Safari LTD's Replicas @ Toy Fair 2012
I've been a fan and casual collector of molded dinosaur figures since the first Louis Marx blister pack I received on my 5th birthday; don't ask how long ago. Since then I've always kept an interested eye on how the market evolved. From cereal box premiums to 99 Cent Store knock-offs, dinosaurs never go out of style. Safari Ltd. first caught my attention with their line of Carnegie Museum of Natural History licensed dinosaurs back in the late 1980's. The quality of these paleontologist approved replicas has made them collectors' favorites. Since then the line has expanded to encompass nearly every kind of creature real or imagined in sizes ranging from "Good Luck Mini's" (I love the tiny pink flamingoes) through jumbo replicas.
Toy Fair 2012 offered me the opportunity to meet the fine folks of Safari Ltd. again and once again they were kind enough to allow me to roam "free range" around their spectacular booth space and photograph at will. I could have easily spent the whole day perusing the company's replicas but managed to focus my attention and camera mostly on new additions to the product line.
The Special Edition Hydra (featured above) broadens the selection of Mythical Realms characters which already includes an awesome Cyclops, Gorgon Medusa, Griffin and Chimera. A Swamp Dragon and Dragon Hatchlings bursting from their egg, as well as a massive Carnegie Brachiosaur are all in the offing for 2012. I also love the Trilobite and "Toobs" line of fossil dinosaur and prehistoric mammal skulls.
You can also see my 2011 Toy Fair coverage for photos of other great Safari Ltd. products here.
Click Any Image to Launch the Gallery
Safari LTD. Collectible Fantasy Figures
It was a pleasure to meet the nice folks from Safari LTD at Toy Fair 2011. They kindly gave us free reign to photograph the gorgeous dioramas highlighting their products.
Anyone who has visited a museum gift shop is already familiar with Safari LTD's expansive line of collectible wildlife and dinosaur figures. They are noted for their detailed sculpture and beautiful hand painted finishes. In addition to the array of scientifically accurate animals Safari LTD. has begun to add a wonderful group of fanciful and mythological characters to their product line.
Under the groupings Mythical Realms, Fairy Fantasies, Once Upon A Time, Days of Old the company offers collectors (young and young at heart) an amazing array of choices. I'm particularly fond of the selection of Dragons, love the mini's found in the company's Toobs canisters, and I quickly became a fan of the Cyclops, Medusa and Minotaur on display at the fair.
Check out Piercing Metal's Toy Fair 2011 Coverage here.
Click any image to launch lightbox.