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The Yankees' efforts proved too little, too late in all three of their ALDS losses. (AP)
The formula worked so well for the Yankees in the Wild Card Game, and in Game 2 of the American League Division Series: Homer early and often, get 12-15 outs from the starter and turn it over to a lockdown bullpen to finish the rest of the way.
Unfortunately, those two games were the only two of the five the Yankees played this October that they won, and their disappointment can be summed up in four words: too little, too late.
In Game 1 of the ALDS, J.A. Happ gave up a three-run homer to J.D. Martinez in the first inning, and then retired the next five in a row. Mookie Betts led off the third inning, though, with a double, and manager Aaron Boone gave him one more batter, which turned out to be an Andrew Benintendi bunt single.
From there Boone called on ... Chad Green, an extreme fastball pitcher tasked with facing the middle of an excellent fastball-hitting order. Green mostly did his job, surrendering only a seeing-eye single and two fly balls, but that was enough to make it 5-0 after three, a total the bullpen kept the same for five more innings thankfully.
"J.A. obviously got in a little bit of trouble in that first inning, just not having his real airtight command that he usually has ... especially with the fastball," Boone said. "The 'pen did a great job to allow us to get back in the game and give us a chance, and we almost caught them. If we're going to get to where we want to go, you know, the bullpen is going to play a big role in that. They stepped up for us (in Game 1), and allowed us to get back in that game. And did the job they've pretty much done all year for us."
The offense, stymied by Chris Sale for five-plus innings, finally mounted the comeback against Boston's bullpen but just couldn't get the big hit they needed. First and third with one out in the sixth led to two runs on a single and a groundout, which could've been a double play ball that negated the second run.
Second chance? Sure, but after two walks loaded the bases, Gleyber Torres struck out to end the inning. Third chance? Bases loaded, no outs in the eighth, but a strikeout and two straight groundouts -- the first, again, luckily not a double-play ball -- led to just one run. And by the fourth chance, after Aaron Judge homered to lead off the ninth and make it 5-4, Craig Kimbrel struck out the 3-4-5 hitters in order.
"I credit them a little bit in the fact that they did a good job of minimizing and staying away from trouble against us," Boone said. "We just couldn't get that really big hit that to have that big inning. I thought we did a really good job of pecking away and giving ourselves opportunities, and just ran out of time there."
Too little, too late.
Flash forward three days to Game 3, eventually a 16-1 laugher that ended up the worst loss in Yankees postseason history. It didn't have to be, though, because faced with a similar situation in which Boone relieved Luis Severino in the Wild Card Game -- this time, two on with no one out in the third, middle of the order coming up with Boston up 1-0 -- the skipper stuck with Sevy instead of going to the bullpen. The result? Sac fly, single, RBI groundout, and a 3-0 Boston lead.
The very next inning, Boone let Severino load the bases, yielding two singles and a walk to the bottom third of the order, before going to Lance Lynn -- another extreme fastball pitcher, this time brought in to start the third trip through Boston's lineup. And this time, by the time Green finished out the inning eight batters later, it was 10-0, Red Sox, a deficit even the heartiest of offenses hadn't erased all year.
"Just hoping (Severino) could get something started to get through the bottom of the lineup there, and then we're going to have Lynn ready for bats no matter what," Boone said. "We just kind of stuck with him, and then hoping Lynn for those righties at the top that didn't work out well, and that inning snowballs on us. It just turned into a really bad inning for us."
Too little, too late.
And finally, we move to Game 4, where the Yankees brought the tying run to the plate with no one out, and had three different batters represent the winning run at some point. That final rally was needed, though, because once again, Boone stuck with a laboring starter -- this time CC Sabathia, who had already barely escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning once things began to unravel in the third.
CC hit Benintendi to open the frame, and with five straight right-handed batters up, almost everyone assumed Boone would at least get his bullpen up in case Sabathia had trouble with the heart of the order. That assumption remained after Steve Pearce singled, and even after a Martinez sac fly and Xander Bogaerts comebacker got CC to two outs with only one run in.
Instead, it wasn't until the final pitch of the Bogaerts at-bat that David Robertson even began warming. By the time CC retired Jackie Bradley Jr. for the third (and what was his final) out, the damage was done: a double and a single by the last of the five righties, Ian Kinsler and Eduardo Nunez, made it 3-0.
"I was fine with the way CC was throwing the ball. He was at the two-out point, and we were going to have him go through Bradley, simple as that," Boone said. "We just kind of knew we had our guys lined up enough that, had we got to that point, we could get through the game. I think it was a sound decision to allow him to go through Bradley at that point."
As it turned out, the bullpen, specifically Zach Britton In the fourth, gave up the winning run, in the form of Christian Vazquez's 338-foot homer to right, the second-shortest home run hit at Yankee Stadium this year. And it was huge, because of that aforementioned final rally.
In the ninth, Craig Kimbrel loaded the bases with one out on two walks and a single, but again, the big hit escaped the Yankees. Neil Walker was hit by a pitch to make it 4-2, and Gary Sanchez's sac fly -- which just missed being a walk-off grand slam, to be fair -- made it 4-3. But Kimbrel induced Gleyber Torres into a video review-confirmed groundout to third to end the game, and the season.
"We've been through a lot this year, but the one thing I'm most proud of with these guys is they always compete," Boone said. "Gary's at-bat I think is a great example of that. If you fall behind 0-2 against that guy, lay off some tough pitches, battle, battle, and just miss winning the game. It was a great at-bat. But just proud of the way they competed. Just really sucks we came up short."
Too little, too late, indeed, as the Yankees now have 120 days to think about it. Among other Yankees quotes, Giancarlo Stanton said this after the game: "We just have to look for what we can build on from this season, and use it as fuel for next year. It's a disappointment, but we just have to pull out all the positives and move towards next year."
What might benefit the Yankees just as much, though, is to look at the negatives, look back at those just-missed opportunities, and analyze how and why they were missed, in order to fuel next year.
In other words: a winter to contemplate what came up too little, before it gets too late to fix.
Yankees' season, and unfortunate playoff exit, boils down to four stinging words
The Yankees' efforts proved too little, too late in all three of their ALDS losses. (AP)


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An official employment notification has been released by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), calling out for interested and eligible candidates to apply for the post of Stenographer.
Educational qualification
- Candidates should have passed at least class 12
- Candidates must have relevant skills for stenography
Age limit
Applicants must be in the age group of 18-27 years as on 1 August 2017.
Selection process
- Computer based exam will be conducted in the month of September for recruitment to post of Stenographer (Grade C and D).
- Those who qualify in the preliminary exam will be able to attend the skills based test for different categories of candidates
The last date for candidates to apply is on or before 15 July 2017. The online registration portal will close on the last day at 5.00 pm.
SSC Stenographer exam date
The examinations will be held on 4-7 September 2017.
What does the SSC Stenographer recruitment official notification read?
'On successful completion of the period of probation, the candidates shall, if considered fit for permanent appointment, be confirmed to their post by the Controlling Authority.'
About SSC
SSC is an organization that works for the government of India to hire staff for the several posts in various ministries and departments of the government and in subordinate groups. The commission works under the central government that conducts recruitment of Group B non-gazetted and Group C non-technical vacancies in the country.
Also Read: SSC CGL Tier I Exam Registration Date Extended: Check Now!

subset: commoncrawl


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Earlier this month, Attorney David Cohen was invited by World Education Services (WES) to provide tips for improving your Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Discover how to enhance your chances of receiving the all-important Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in this exclusive article. Read Full Article
Archives for August 2016
Canada's new Guidelines on Study Permit Applications Raise Questions for Students and Other Stakeholders
New procedures affect students entering Canada to pursue pathway programs
On July 13, 2016, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC, formerly CIC) changed its processing guidelines for certain study permit applications involving conditional admissions through what are known as pathway programs. Under the new procedure, visa officers are instructed to issue a Canadian study permit only for the period of the student's prerequisite studies, which may be a language course. If and when the student successfully completes these studies, he or she then must apply for a further study permit to cover the period of his or her planned post-secondary academic or technical program. These guidelines are a departure from the previous practice, which saw visa officers issue a single study permit for the entire duration of both programs. [Read more…]
A Marriage Made in Heaven: Canada, Immigration and Getting it Right Before and After the Big Day
It's wedding season across Canada, with thousands of couples saying "I do" from coast to coast. For many, this occasion not only marks a marriage of two people, but two cultures as Canadians marry their foreign partners. And although much of the attention is on the wedding day itself, couples and their guests alike have much to consider when it comes to ensuring that their experience of Canadian immigration and customs is a smooth one. [Read more…]
CanadaVisa Social: We Are Your Voice on Twitter, So Follow Us Today
If you are looking for quality content and engaging conversation, the CanadaVisa Twitter page is the place to be. Whether you are a prospective immigrant to Canada or have questions about settlement or work, we are there for you. Send us a tweet, and we'll find you the answer you're looking for or point you in the right direction. So, what are you waiting for? Follow us today!
[Read more…]
CanadaVisa News Briefs for Mid/Late-August, 2016
The following is a summary of developments concerning Canadian immigration and citizenship that have taken place over the past couple of weeks.
Our Canadian immigration news briefs bring you the latest news as it happens. When published, these articles are posted across our social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.
[Read more…]
Canada's Immigration Minister Seeks to "Substantially Increase" Immigration Numbers
Canada's Minister of Immigration, John McCallum, has stated his intention to "substantially increase" the number of new immigrants to Canada in order to fill labour shortages, with a three-year immigration plan expected to be unveiled this fall (autumn). [Read more…]
Quebec Successfully Receives 5,000 Skilled Worker Applications Through 'Mon Projet Quebec' System
Government of Quebec plans to welcome more newcomers through revised program
A total of new 5,000 applications for immigration to Quebec, Canada were successfully submitted to the government of Quebec the morning of Tuesday, August 16. These applications were made under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP), which has now reached its intake cap. [Read more…]
Visa-Exempt Visitors to Canada Advised to Submit Their Own Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) Requests
New pre-screening system will be mandatory for certain visitors as of September 29, 2016
In just a few weeks, it will be mandatory for visa-exempt visitors to Canada to apply for an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before departure if traveling by air. Recent reports highlight the need for eTA applicants to disclose their own information rather than relying on third parties such as travel agents, employers, friends or other organizations. These third parties may not be fully aware of the applicant's history, which may include, among other things, prior criminality. [Read more…]
CanadaVisa Social: Follow us on Twitter to get the Latest News, Analysis and Opinion
If you are looking for quality content and engaging conversation, the CanadaVisa Twitter page is the place to be. Our objective is to share more content, ask more questions, and generally be there for you if and when you need an expert team on all Canadian immigration matters. So, what are you waiting for? Follow us today!
[Read more…]


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Stock Market No Better Off Than It Was on Friday
From a market perspective, the Greek election staved off the worst outcome. The pro-bailout New Democracy party carved out a narrow margin of victory. Had it been the other way around, with the anti-bailout Syriza party winning, the markets would've braced for the three-year old crisis to boil over.
No, the market got the very least for which it hoped, and you may see some kind of relief rally tomorrow morning in New York. We'll get a better sense once Asian markets open, and after European markets open. The most important assets to keep an eye on are the euro itself and Spanish bonds, and to a slightly lesser extend Italian bonds. Equities are just along for the ride right now.
But any relief rally may be short-lived. The bottom line is the Greek elections solved almost nothing in Greece, nor did it have any beneficial effect on the bigger gorillas in the room, the ones that speak Spanish and Italian. Ominously, the Institute of International Finance warned today there isn't any money in the European bailout kitty for those two.
"It would be no surprise if investors retreated to the sidelines in early trading," said Andrew Milligan, head of global strategy at Standard Life, "albeit they will be partly reassured by the signals from policy makers in recent days that they stand ready to provide extra liquidity to calm markets if circumstances require." He added there will "considerable uncertainty" about what exact combination of parties will be able to form a government in Greece.


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Thom Sweeney RTW Debuts Exclusively On MR PORTER
Off-the-peg means going online for the design duo behind Thom Sweeney. The suit makers have joined the online ranks of MR PORTER with the label's first ready-to-wear range.
Luke Sweeney and Thom Whiddett set up the label in 2007, hoping to offer a more contemporary take on Savile Row tailoring.
Now a go-to label for the likes David Beckham and Javier Bardem, the brand has decided to translate the success of their bespoke service to a wider audience through the e-tailer.
Thom Sweeney's exclusive line consists of five daytime suits, a blazer, two pairs of trousers and an evening suit. The collection offers two key silhouettes: one designed for evening wear and the other more appropriate for daytime.
According to the pair, who previously worked at Timothy Everest, they made sure the collection is a true reflection of their tailored service: "It's in line with the bespoke, right down to the way it sits on the shoulder."
Using open weave, high-twist wool from Italian mills, the designers have ensured that quality has not been compromised despite the drop in price points, which start at £345.
Luke Sweeney said: "The shoulder line's a bit softer than what you get on Savile Row, but we still keep the roped sleeve head. It has presence, but it's soft to wear."
Enabling the customer to be comfortable was also a priority when entering the project: "The main difference between the casual pieces and the formal jackets is that for the casual jackets we softened up the shoulders with a flat sleeve head, so they're a bit easier to wear."
The collection delivers pieces such as mohair dinner jackets and burnt orange trousers in cotton-twill fabric. A slim leg offers a more contemporary code of dress.
"Our guys don't want to walk down the street in cropped trousers or with a jacket that stops half-way down their back. But they still want to look modern and cool."
Thom Sweeney's debut ready-to-wear range is available to buy now exclusively via MR PORTER.


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Looking for tips for entrepreneurs? Find out if you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur. Starting a small business isn't easy. It's not for everyone. This article, one of many entrepreneurial resources on our site, helps you assess whether entrepreneurship is right for you.
According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses account for about 99 percent of U.S. employers, employ about half of the private-sector workforce, and generate somewhere between two-thirds and three-quarters of the country's net new jobs.
(article continues below)
Do you have what it takes to join those thousands of people who start their own businesses every year? Do you have the determination, persistence and thorough research? If you can answer the following questionsor when you can answer themyou'll know you have the right stuff to run your own company. Welcome to Entrepreneur Boot Camp!
1. Have you spent enough time researching your new business and its market?Many new businesses fail because the business owner (that's you) didn't do enough research. Make sure that your business idea can work. Investigate the market carefully to see who the primary players are and how your new company fits in.
2. Do you have enough money to get your company up and running?Don't underestimate how much it will cost to get your company through its start-up phase. If you didn't do enough research or were too optimistic about your product, you could find yourself under-funded. Don't believe even your own projections and make sure that you have money stashed away for unforeseen events.
3. Are you wasting money on facilities?While it might be nice to have your own office with a fancy desk in a nice, new building, such comforts can eat into your start-up budget. Begin as simply and as cheaply as you can. Start the business in your garage if you have to, and don't spend too much on offices until you've actually sold some products or services.
4. Do you have a back-up plan?Murphy's Law states that if anything can go wrong, it will. Believe it. Nothing ever goes according to plan, and for that reason, you must always develop a back-up plan. Even if your research was perfect, something or someone will certainly throw a wrencheven if just a small onein the works. But if you have done your homework and created a back-up plan, you'll be able to stop, make adjustments and move forward more efficiently.
5. Do you have partners you don't need?Before you take on a partner, think the decision over carefully. Have you chosen someone who will work as hard as you do? Partners should earn the privilege of owning a portion of the business. If they bring money to your operation, that's a convincing reason to keep them. If you're just lonely and want to have a friend to keep you company, though, re-think the partnership decision.
6. Are you hiring the right people?When you hire people, you want to choose those with the right skills and the right attitude to help your business grow. Especially with a small business, you can't afford to employ someone who won't be a good fit.
As a general rule, don't bring friends or family into the businessunless, maybe, your nephew just graduated with an MBA from Stanford, your niece is a graduate of Harvard Law and both of them are at the top of their respective classes. Of course, if it's a family business, exceptions to the rule can be made.
7. Can you see the big picture?Too often new business owners get caught up in the day-to-day running of the business and don't look at the big picture. You need to have both long- and short-term goals and you should review them every month to make sure that you and your company are on track. No matter what stage your business is in, you must have an idea of where you and the company are going.
8. Do you take "no" for an answer?Successful entrepreneurs don't take no for an answer. When others tell them that "it can't be done" or "nobody's ever tried it that way before," entrepreneurs set out to prove those people wrong. As an enterprising business person, you must achieve a comfortable balance between stubbornly sticking to your ideas no matter what and accepting limitations that others would like to put on you. That is, if people declare that "it's not possible," don't accept their word for it. Do your own research and come to your own conclusions. After all, it's your company.
9. Are you looking for validation or are you looking for the truth?Even wildly successful business owners can occasionally be uncertain about what to do next. In those cases, the ones who continue down the path of success aren't interested in simply having their ideas validated by people they turn to. They want the truth. So if you are going to run your own business and go it alone, find an impartial third partyan executive coach, a mentor or a trust advisorto talk to about your concerns and your plans. Family members, employees and even your spouse may only tell you what they think you want to hear.
10. Do you know what you want out of the business?Why are you starting a business in the first place and what do you want out of it? You have to know these answers before you can do long- and short-term planning. What is your exit strategy? It may seem an odd question to ask at the beginning of your start-up process, but you need to know how you are going to want to get out of the business. Do want to sell it and retire to the Greek Islands? Do you want to spin your first business off into another one?
Whether you want to work fewer hours, create a family legacy or do what you love to do, you need to know what you want out of the business before you can create goals and track them to fruition.
If you honestlyand thoroughlyanswered all 10 questions, you should know now if you've got what it takes to start your own small business. But if you're still in an introspective, questioning mode, ponder these statements. Do they describe you?
If you answered, "yes, that describes me" to most of the questions, chances are good you've got the makings of a successful entrepreneur. (The Small Business Administration provides an interactive version of this quiz.) If you answered "maybe" or "no" to any of the questions, those may be areas of weakness that you can work on.
But remember, these kinds of questions cannot truly divine who will succeed in starting a business and who will not. That determination is in your hands and in your control.
Article provided by Socrates. Socrates is the leading source of do-it-yourself books, kits, forms and software that help small business and real estate property owners take care of legal and related matters themselves. Each Socrates solution is relevant, compliant, comprehensive and a lower cost alternative to traditional legal and professional services.
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Monthly Archives: April 2015
How you can Strategy Your own Weekend break Day at Whitened Seaside, Puerto Galera
There are many seashores about the isle associated with Asian Mindoro however the the majority of visited as well as well-liked the first is Whitened Seaside, Puerto Galera. The perfect, brief extend associated with seaside covered along with resorts, dining places as well as pubs. This particular seaside might not be within the rates associated with Boracay Isle or even El Nido within Palawan, however it is ideal for a fast as well as affordable weekend break get-away.
Having a spending budget associated with 3, 000 in order to 3, 500 PHP, it's possible to have a fantastic weekend break sauntering about the elegant shoreline associated with Puerto Galera's Whitened Seaside. Planning for a weekend break day at this particular isle is very easy. The following is actually every thing you should know that will help you begin.
Through Manila have a coach sure with regard to Batangas Boat dock. The actual journey period is about two. 5 several hours.
You will find coach terminals within Cubao as well as in the edges associated with Buendia as well as Taft Method. From these types of terminals chartering depart with regard to Batangas each and every hr. The actual cost one of the ways is actually around a hundred and fifty PHP.
In the Batangas Boat dock, have a ferry in order to Mindoro Isle. Be sure you consider one which halts from Whitened Seaside, Puerto Galera.
The actual ferry solution expenses around two hundred and fifty PHP in order to 280 PHP one of the ways. Knowing the number of evenings you'll be shelling out for the actual isle, it is easier to guide round-trip seats.
The actual vessel journey will require close to forty five min's to at least one hr.
You should observe that in the Batangas Boat dock there's a required fatal as well as environment charge associated with close to 100 PHP.
You will find numerous resorts within Puerto Galera. Select a beachfront resort situated from the middle of the actual seaside, near to dining places, comfort shops as well as pubs. Do not be concerned, there's a mixture of high-end as well as mid-range resorts across the seaside to match the actual spending budget associated with any kind of tourist. Such as elsewhere, these types of resorts possess periodic prices. Usually, they're greater throughout dried out several weeks through Dec in order to Might as well as reduce throughout moist period through 06 in order to The fall of. The actual price for any regular air-conditioned space for 2 using the typical features might vary from 1000 PHP in order to 2000 PHP or even much less with respect to the period.
For any weekend break journey, presently there are not a variety of actions to complete within Puerto Galera besides in order to simply unwind underneath the sunlight. You are able to employ the boatman to consider a person on the one hour visit round the isle or even proceed scuba diving in the barrier backyard close by. There are lots of "tiangges, inch — make-shift stalls as well as memento stores across the seaside for all those who want to collect memento t shirts, anklet bracelets, crucial stores along with other mementos.
For those who have time and also the spending budget, you will find scuba diving stores too that provide brief open-water scuba diving deals. Included in this are the actual scuba diving equipment, vessel journey along with a short instruction with regard to first-time scuba divers. The actual length is about 3 several hours which include the actual journey time for you to as well as in the plunge website, the actual scuba diving accident program and also the open up drinking water plunge. The particular scuba diving program will often final forty five min's to at least one hr. If you wish to save money period underneath the ocean, you are able to set up this together with your plunge planner.
Through the night, pubs come to life along with rings as well as disco songs, laser beam lighting flickering within the skies as well as dining places contending with regard to clients along with a variety of meals as well as ale promotions. Change in order to celebration setting, club jump, meals banquet, fulfill individuals as well as dancing through the night lengthy. Commemorate the finish of the lengthy 7 days at the office as well as take full advantage of your own weekend break get-away.
Have you been visiting the actual Philippines quickly? Observe much more journey instructions as well as find out about the very best Filipino Seashores right here.
Spending budget Journey — Is actually Which Actually Feasible?
Going is among the most widely used pastimes open to humanity. A lot of us imagine going the planet however we're avoided through self-whining regarding the function fill, or even the possible lack of financial situation to complete this. Could it be truly which hard to visit the planet? We don't believe therefore… Simply because through individual encounter, I understand which you'll be able to manage the majority of the journey costs without having really investing the cent.
Let us begin with transport. Many people may believe that the trip solution might price lots of money. However merely having a great journey strategy as well as reserving your own trip earlier, you are able to conserve lots of money in your airfare tickets. In addition, reserving earlier isn't the only method associated with getting a inexpensive trip. There are plenty associated with facts to consider like the 24-hour-rule, searching for one of the ways seats or even following a current offers. Carpooling may also help you save a great deal, because you essentially reveal the actual gasoline costs. It's also among the solution methods for going. Slightly investigating online could get a carpool pal. Better still, In my opinion everybody may journey free of charge, through hitchhiking, obviously. Hitch-hiking is actually each quick as well as comfy, and also the on top of that, it's free of charge!
My personal favorite way of transport most importantly is actually hitch-hiking, obviously. Absolutely no, not just since it will save lots of money, but additionally simply because We nevertheless observe a few of the buddies We created whilst hitch-hiking. However if you are interested in the actual amounts, allow me to supply you a few. Within 2012, Used to do the hitch-hiking visit from the Balkan nations. We went just about all with the Balkans for about 20 times. We did not invest just one cent upon going, since i have hitch-hiked just about all my personal method. Ultimately, We recognized I'd invested just 270 Pounds, for that pit visit, enduring with regard to 20 times.
With regards to lodging, I will state that it's in no way essential to invest countless bucks upon rooms in hotels. Despite the fact that you will find methods to obtain the least expensive prices with regard to resorts, that we point out at length during my weblog, they're not really my personal final option after i journey. It's my job to try to look for a number upon couchsurfing, that is free of charge. By doing this We become familiar with exactly where We proceed in the local people and also have a genuine social encounter. However, it's possible to usually discover a remarkably inexpensive space upon airbnb, the industry space leasing web site. Basically can't discover exactly what I am searching for upon individuals internet sites, hostels tend to be usually an excellent choice with regard to inexpensive lodging. In addition, they're very enjoyable.
I must make use of my personal 20-day Balkan visit for example once again right here. Through the entire Balkan visit, We utilized Couchsurfing as a way associated with lodging, that costed me personally practically nothing. We actually created gain conference excellent individuals, who We nevertheless observe often.
While you observe, there are plenty associated with possibilities with regard to going on the spending budget. And also being inexpensive, the actual spending budget choices usually will give you much better encounter, whether it is social or even interpersonal. Exactly what might be much better than that great lifestyle of the location in the very first hands? Particularly if you have to pay for practically nothing for this?
The very best Palawan Visit Deals With regard to Loved ones: Supplying a good Memorable Holiday
Summer time is actually close to as well as within a couple weeks, vacationers is going to be flocking in order to a few of the Philippines' greatest seashores. If you're keen on vacationing, you realize which absolutely nothing is better than the actual tranquility as well as peace which Palawan provides. It's well-liked because of its perfect white-sand seashores, solution lagoons, globe history websites, guarded sea supplies as well as organic recreational areas, nearby cuisines, as well as shipwreck plunge websites. You might have frequented the actual land along with buddies however it is usually a good idea to return as well as invest high quality period together with your loved ones.
It's not necessary to invest a lot of money to consider everybody on a holiday towards the land. The important thing is actually to obtain the greatest Palawan visit deals with regard to loved ones.
Investigation Regarding Your own Location
Palawan is really a varied land split in to northern as well as southern areas. You will find numerous grain granaries about the the southern area of area, because it's the middle associated with farming from the land. Whenever searching for Palawan visit deals for that loved ones, Puerto Princesa, Ford These types of, Coron, as well as El Nido tend to be ideal locations. These types of locations provide a variety of outside actions, for example scuba diving, high cliff hiking, scuba diving, floating around, as well as isle hopping. Like a three-day holiday is not usually sufficient with regard to vacationers, numerous go back to the actual land with regard to much more activities.
Arranged Your financial allowance
Along with several things that you can do as well as locations to go to, choosing the plan for your own Palawan visit is actually difficult. After you have selected the amount of time you need to remain in city and also the actions you would like your loved ones to complete, processing with regard to costs gets simpler. Possess crisis cash throughout the journey. A few experienced vacationers put aside a minimum of 30 % of the believed price because their own crisis journey account. This will include with regard to additional costs, such as taxi cab cost, mementos, as well as miscellaneous requirements.
Guide Inexpensive Plane tickets
Along with main air carriers supplying reduced seats just about all year-round, vacationing is actually easier as well as inexpensive. Consider taking a look at air travel web sites a minimum of 8 weeks prior to your own anticipated leaving to get reduced prices.
Set up Londging Prior to the Maximum Period
The actual land is actually busiest throughout summer time and also the holidays. Since many resorts obtain completely reserved of these occasions, the majority of journey companies providing loved ones visit deals within Palawan suggest reserving lodging as soon as you are able to.
A visit in order to Palawan gets much more unforgettable when you are along with individuals you like. You will find numerous locations which match vacationers of age range. Children as well as young-at-heart may have enjoyable going to stunning recreational areas, historic websites, remote seashores, as well as incredible lagoons. Seek advice from a dependable journey broker to understand which greatest Palawan visit bundle for the loved ones.
Strategy Your own Vacation the proper way
Planning for a holiday is the greatest feasible method to ensure time you're able to invest from the actual problems associated with city residing as well as busy function agendas is actually invested in addition to feasible, to be able to increase the worthiness of all of the effort and time that adopts causeing this to be encounter very useful. Nevertheless, it's not unusual to determine many people ensure errors that, in spite of becoming instead apparent within hindsight, often considerably lower any kind of emotions associated with worth that their own holiday may have or else inculcated inside them. To prevent these types of errors as well as strategy their own holiday better, there are some tips that these folks should bear in mind, whilst they're preparing away their own holiday.
One thing to think about may be the period from the 12 months whenever they're going on holiday. The majority of holiday locations run just throughout specific "tourist" months within the 12 months. Throughout the additional "off" months, presently there is probably not lots of choices for tourists' vis-à-vis those activities they'd prepared upon with this location. This particular can make preparing time a person choose the actual holiday vitally important in addition to appropriate. There can be lots of locations that promote becoming obtainable throughout every season, however the simple fact is actually how the worth from the whole encounter may be seriously reduced throughout a specific period. Intolerable temps, non-stop rainfall as well as thunder storms tend to be are just some of the items that could help reduce the actual excitement of those people who are going to a specific area.
Among the additional main factors must be insurance coverage. Your own security and also the security of these a person worry about ought to be the main issue whilst planning for a holiday, wherever it's or even with regard to just how long it's. The very best suggestion to do this would be to obtain on the web as well as check out the present information occasions from the location of the option. Likely to the town by having an very higher criminal offense price, achieving the location exactly where your own buying spree might be impeded with a countrywide curfew or even going to a location the industry supply of public pressure in between nearby organizations can easily help to make your own holiday have a change for that even worse. Maintaining upon present matters, in addition to appropriate data may ensure that your own holiday encounter isn't sullied by any means.
Talking to the journey broker might provide you with the info you'll need with this respect, because these types of experts happen to be conscious of each one of these apparently small particulars as well as will help you strategy away a far more efficient holiday. This type of person additionally in touch with numerous companies that offer within journey, lodging as well as food producing all of them very helpful within the preparing of the holiday. Those who are thinking about a weight holiday may also make the most of several offers as well as credits obtainable with one of these brokers as visitor deals, providing them with the possibility to find the type of holiday they need in a single simple action.
Easiest way To visit Inexpensive
Simply because you do not have lots of money doesn't imply you can't journey easily. You will find lots of methods for you to journey inexpensively. Going inexpensive is sensible in support of requirements you to definitely end up being devoted.
You are able to journey easily using the small you've if you don't invest without having trigger. nevertheless, you need to know the actual methods which will enable you to get presently there. A few of the methods that will help you retain your own journey inexpensive consist of:
· Inexpensive transport
From the various settings associated with transport, pick the least expensive. There's the possibility associated with inexpensive locomotives which have inexpensive seats. Lots of people choose this method since it is actually handy and it is a method to sight-see too.
· Speak with the actual local people
It's the perfect time using the local people at the location. Inquire about the inexpensive resorts as well as dining places. The actual local people may immediate a person about the greatest offers around however you need to befriend all of them very first. This really is to ensure they don't disadvantage a person along the way. For those who have a buddy in the region, you can usually request him/her in order to web host a person as well as demonstrate close to. This particular can help you conserve on the couple of additional expenses you'd possess sustained by yourself.
· Journey off-peak period
Strategy your own journey within the off-peak visitor period. Prices tend to be greater throughout the visitor maximum period therefore make sure you seek information about the various maximum months. Journey, dinner as well as lodging expenses tend to be less expensive throughout the off-peak months once the local people aren't anticipating numerous vacationers. Attempt to merge using the local people to prevent becoming designated like a visitor. As soon as these people discover you're the visitor, these people increase their own prices producing your own journey needlessly costly.
· Consider provides
In order to appeal to vacationers throughout the off-peak period, resorts as well as journey companies provide provides for their customers in order to cause them to become journey. Look out for discount rates as well as journey provides promoted through businesses. These types of can help you save your valuable cash while you journey.
Along the way associated with attempting to conserve around that you can do not really become as well inexpensive. The risk along with becoming as well inexpensive is actually which you may obtain low quality items along the way.
You may proceed inexpensive as well as give up upon the caliber of the food or even resting problems. Consider safety measure while you journey, end up being secure as well as realize that occasionally you will need to invest a lot more than you'd meant with regard to your wellbeing.


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How to Train Your Dragon 2 at Cannes
Coinciding with DreamWorks Animation's 20thanniversary this year, the studio released its much-awaited movie 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival. Here are the highlights of the event.
The HTTYD 2 Cast at Cannes
A day ahead of the 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' screening under the 'Out of Competition' category, the movie's cast created a buzz with a special appearance by Toothless the dragon! DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg is known for his big stunts at Cannes, and this year too he did not disappoint. On his first day, Toothless ambled through the crowd bumping into cameras and photographers, and generally making the crowd go wild. The famous dragon even posed for pictures with co-stars America Ferrera, Jay Baruchel and Djimon Honsou. On the day of the screening of 'How to Train Your Dragon 2', the movie's cast turned up to walk the red carpet dressed in their best, and included voice actors Cate Blanchett, Kit Harrington, America Ferrera, Jay Baruchel and Djimon Honsou as well as director Dean deBlois. Toothless made his second appearance at Cannes that day, wearing a red bow tie for the occasion. The impressive 1.8 meters tall dragon costume has a head so big it requires a cooling fan for the performer inside and cannot be worn for more than 20 minutes at a stretch.
The Screening of How to Train Your Dragon 2
'How to Train Your Dragon 2' was screened on May 16 at a black-tie screening in the Grand Lumiere theatre. Breaking convention, the Cannes director Thierry Fremaux personally introduced the film and its creative team before the event. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, DreamWorks created a special video that played before the screening of the movie, highlighting the work that DreamWorks has done in the last two decades.
The Response to 'How to Train Your Dragon 2'
'How to Train Your Dragon 2' received a standing ovation from the audience, who stayed standing and applauded each of the cast members individually until they returned to their seats. The movie, set 5 years after the original, follows Hiccup's growth into adulthood and the challenges that he must face as the chieftain's only son. The setting of the movie moves beyond the tiny island of Berk to include the whole of the Northern Hemisphere and deals with an entirely new aspect of dragon-Viking relationships. With the villagers of Berk having welcomed the dragons onto their island, the enemy is no longer the fire-breathing creatures but a maniac who is trying to control the beasts to capture the world. The movie is said to be as good as, if not better than 'How to Train Your Dragon' and is rumored to be an early favorite for the 2015 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film! Critics applaud the smooth storytelling, the tight and gripping plot as well as the bold choices made by the director in terms of how the story unfolds. It is said to have the heart of its predecessor while boasting of even more spectacular animation and action scenes. One of 'How to Train Your Dragon 2's biggest advantages is the huge fan-following it garnered from the original movie, and critics are confident that the sequel will not disappoint them.
Author Bio:
Catherine Ross is a full-time stay-at-home-mum who believes learning should be enjoyable for young minds. An erstwhile elementary school teacher, Catherine loves coming up with creative ways through which kids can grasp the seemingly difficult concepts of learning easily. She believes that a 'fun factor' can go a long way in enhancing kids' understanding and blogs at http://kidslearninggames.weebly.com/


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As a long time Vibram Five Fingers fan I must admit that I was initially unsure of the need for the new Spyridon. This shoe was introduced as a new trail runner, with a lace-up and non-lace version available as of summer 2012. With so many varieties already available, the Spyridon just seemed to be shoe overkill. The lace-up Spyridon did not fit correctly with my high arch, so I chose the non-lace version which seemed to pull far less on top of my foot. That initial insecurity changed when I wiggled my toes into this updated style and took a trial walk on some rough, uneven surfaces. I was also very impressed with the level of overall comfort I felt in the non-lace Spyridon. As I have traditionally worn the KSO Treks on trails, I was prepared for the rigid protection of my normal trail shoes.
Itching for a more intensive trial based on the Spyridon's instant comfort, I took them outside for a quick run and found that the design does allow for far more movement than I initially anticipated. To my surprise the rubber outsole is much more flexible than the original Trek models—thus allowing the foot to consistently move naturally and respond quicker. As with all Vibram Five Fingers models the rubber sole manages to protect feet from uncomfortably feeling, or being maimed by, any rough edges or sharp objects. Unlike all the other models, however, the Spyridon excels the protection versus flexibility ratio. The Spyridon outsole has the level of protection found in the Trek outsole yet it is most similar to the Bikila in feel and flexibility.
The Spyridon will be my next Five Fingers purchase and I can't wait to get out on the trail and really put them to the test.


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When the economy is slow, customers are not walking in your front door or telephoning, you must increase your marketing, which will increase your sales and profits. And you must lower your cost.
All you have to do is use what you got.
You got people. We always say our people are our most valuable asset. So start using this valuable asset more aggressively.
- Hit the phones:
- Hit the streets
- Hit the direct mail (postal, e-mail, fax)
Look, there are going to be a lot of businesses go under this year and next. But remember you do not drown by going under water. You drown by staying under water.
So if you are about to go under water, or if you feel you are under now, lower your operating cost and lower your marketing cost, but increase the number of times you touch your customers and prospects. And you will come to the top, above those who sit and wait for the raging waters of recession to settle.
Aggressively hit the phones: Telephone your customers and prospects. The rule of how many times and how often you can contact customers and prospects: You can contact them as often as you want... As long as you are giving them VALUE. Information that will increase the two things we all never have enough of. Time and Money.
Hit the streets: The undisputed best way to build a relationship and increase sales is to put yourself face-to-face with your customers and prospects. But of course you do not have the time to get face-to-face with every customer and prospect. So determine your perfect prospects - the people buying what you sell that you can make the most amount of money from with the least amount of cost (money and time cost). To determine your perfect prospects make a list of all the demographics you want them to have. Examples: Level of income, location, education, number of items or different items you sell, etc. Match the demographics to your customer and prospecting list.
And get face-to-face with them. Use the telephone and direct mail (postal, e-mail, fax) to put yourself in front of the rest.
Hit the Direct Mail: Well composed letters and marketing materials, ones that get you noticed and remembered, are always great marketing tools. And do not forget you need to get your letters and marketing materials opened. Your customers and prospects are receiving more mail than ever. Be creative!
I know my competition is sending letters in #10 white envelopes or larger brown envelopes. To differentiate myself, to get noticed and remembered, I send letters in a zippered bank bag, or a tube. Many of my prospects contact a number of speakers/sales trainers at the same time asking for information. I send my materials to them by overnight mail. I get noticed and remembered. You must get noticed and remembered.
I have always found the best way to increase sales and profits in a slow economy are:
- Go to your customer list. If they bought from you in the past, they will buy from you now. If you have kept good records, you know what your customers have purchased from you and when. You also know what items you sell that they need and want now. If you have not kept good records, contacting your past and present customers will still give you great opportunities to sell them more of your products and services.
- Take customers away from your competition. In today's fiercely competitive markets your perfect prospects are customers who are already in the market for your products and services. If you do not already have them as customers they are your competitor's customers.
Taking these customers away from your competition is not always easy to do. For two reasons we never want to use the cutthroat, lower price tactics. First of all, we will not make the profit we need and desire, and a customer gained through low price will be easily lost when a competitor offers them a lower price.
Secondly, it is usually hard to take a customer away from the competition because of the loyalty people have to their suppliers. The longer the prospective customer has been a customer of our competition, usually the more loyalty they have to our competitor.
Taking customers away from your competition can be as easy as building a better relationship with your competition's customers than they have with them. Become more and more aggressive in contacting your competition's customers and more aggressive in providing them with solutions to their problems, needs and wants. I have 35 Aggressive Actions and 23 Sales Closing Techniques in my book "How to Take Customers Away from Your Competition" (available at www.BobJanet.com).
You do not need to be one of the businesses that stay under the water. You will not be when you become more aggressive in increasing your marketing while decreasing your costs.


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Pot came back last night - we had been visiting the house daily, shaking her food and calling her name and yesterday while I was retrieving a few things from the study, she walked up behind me and said "wassup?". She was all cool and like, "that earthquake was so totally no big deal, I just wanted a bit of time to myself, y'know?".
Anyway, very glad to have her with us. I couldn't get a photo of her without her head stuck in the food bowl.
On Sunday we had a few people over, for company. I managed to do some cathartic and distracting baking, but it definitely wasn't as enjoyable as normal.
...and every time we visit the house, we look out to the CBD and marvel at how the Hotel Grand Chancellor is still standing:
It is so weird seeing it leaning like that. About fifteen minutes ago we had a 4.3 aftershock - each time we get a big one I think of that building falling down in a cloud of dust.
In other post-earthquake news, last night I got called in to the after hours clinic - they were a bit overwhelmed. As well as the usual sick cats and dogs, there were exhausted dogs from the USAR teams. Some had cut feet. They are such brave dogs, I hope they know how special they are.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
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The count down to halloween has begun! For those of you who've been following my Halloween Girl Gang Special, you will have seen me dress as a Victorian Deer and Beetlejuice. Part Three is Witch inspired, and, whilst the girls had super fun hats to wear for the occasion, I wanted to make something extra special for my costume. I've always been in love with Mexican Day Of The Dead outfits so decided that a witch in mourning would be the perfect way to put my stamp on the shoot. I made this floral wedding veil in less than 30 minutes so I thought it would be the perfect DIY to share as it's so quick and easy to make, it's super affordable and it looks oh so stylish!
For this tutorial you will need some netting material (I used a meter because I wanted it to be doubled over, super long and a 'high fashion' style, but half of that would be plenty too), some clear plastic threading or fishing line, a hair comb, a glue gun, scissors, a needle and some fake flowers. I picked all of these things up at Hobbycraft, but you can find everything in good fabric and craft shops.
To make this noir veil you'll need to 'bunch up' and stitch your netting together so it creates a nice gathering on the comb. Do this by notting the end of your clear thread and looping through the corner of your netting a few times so it stays put. Then gather up the rest of the netting and sew through each fold so it sits nicely and repeat untill you get to the other end of the material. When you're happy with it, stitch all the way back through to make sure it's secure. At the end, do a couple of repeat stitches as before so it holds together by itself and knot the thread for good measure.
The next step is to attach it to your hair comb. You can do this without cutting the string from before, but if you have to start again, just remember to do a few extra stitches so the thread stays in place before you begin. Bare in mind how you want the veil to sit on your head; I wanted mine to go into the back into my hair beehive so it would go up and over my head before falling on my face. To do this the veil needs to sit above the curve of the comb. Have a play around with them now to make sure you attach them together the right way around.
When you're ready, stitch through each fold of netting then stitch through each 'comb section' in a loop so it attaches. As before, go from one end to the other then back again to secure it. When you're happy with it, double stitch and knot the thread then trim off any excess to make it more neat.
Wonderful! Believe it or not, that's the hardest part done. Good work!
Next you get to have a super fun Halloween moment – behead your flowers!! Using just normal scissors, trim at the base of the flower leaving a few millimetres of plastic stalk at the end.
To make sure the fabric petals don't fall off, stitch some of your plastic thread through the base to make a cross. It doesn't need to be too neat as this is not going to be seen (and it's going to be hot glued for security too!)
Once you've done this with all your flowers, decide how you want them to sit on top of your netting. They need to be positioned over the gathered material so you can attach them and secure everything in place.
Once you know how to position everything, use your hot glue gun to attach the netting to the comp (make sure you only glue the metal bar bit and not between the throngs). Work backwards (starting from the metal) so it covers enough of the netting to hold all your flowers in place too. The glue will try clear and should be totally hidden under the petals, so use as much as you need to make sure everything is attached properly.
Whilst the glue is still hot, pop each flower in place and give it a firm push to make sure it holds. The glue will only take a minute to dry and before you know it your new master piece will be ready for your spooktacular night out on the town. Wooooooohooo!
To see how I wore mine, pop back tomorrow to see Part 3 of our Halloween Fashion Shoot and I'll even tell you a scary real life ghost story to get you in the mood for all Hallows Eve. . . Mwah haha!
I'd love to see how you wore yours if you're inspired by my tutorial! Be sure to tweet me @MissVickyViola or share a picture with me via instagram @MissVickyViola – you'll make my day!
Happy Haunting
Vicky xox
First and last image by Wardrobe Conversations


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Sunspel Riviera Polo Rosemary
920 SEK (approx. $ 113 / € 101 / £ 91) Non EU: 20% VAT has been deducted from original price.
Originally tailored for Daniel Craig for his role as James Bond in Casino Royale, the Riviera Polo has continued to be one of Sunspels most popular styles. Crafted from a breathable cotton mesh, the Riviera has a clean, contemporary aesthetic with minimal detailing. An undoubted modern classic.


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Cherokee Nation Issuing First Hunting & Fishing Licenses to Tribal Citizens
Published December 23, 2015
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA — The first batch of 2016 hunting and fishing licenses are hitting the mailboxes of Cherokee Nation citizens across the state of Oklahoma.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker and Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signed a compact in May to expand hunting and fishing rights for Cherokee Nation citizens to all 77 counties.
"I'm so pleased this process has finally come to fruition and the first hunting and fishing licenses are being issued to Cherokee Nation citizens. This is the culmination of many, many months of hard work by our Attorney General Todd Hembree, Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr., Tax Commission Administrator Sharon Swepston and Secretary of Natural Resources Sara Hill, and I want to commend all involved for working so diligently for the Cherokee people," Chief Baker said. "When we initiated negotiations with the state of Oklahoma more than two years ago, we had no idea if an agreement could be reached. But today I'm proud to say, like in so many other areas in Indian Country, we blazed a path not taken before. And to our Cherokees who will now be able to freely hunt and fish across all 77 counties of Oklahoma, I wish you well and pray for a bountiful hunt for each of you."
The Cherokee Nation Tax Commission is issuing the hunting and fishing licenses to tribal citizens in Oklahoma who submitted updated contact information by Oct. 31and who do not already hold an Oklahoma lifetime hunting and fishing license. The licenses are being issued in ascending order of ZIP codes, starting with 70603 and ending with 77427. Tax Commission staff is currently processing information cards submitted after Oct. 31 and will issue licenses for those individuals in a second mailing.
Cherokee Nation citizen Randy Campbell, of Tulsa, recently received his 2016 hunting and fishing license through the Cherokee Nation and was very appreciative of the tribe's work in securing hunting and fishing rights for all Cherokee Nation citizens in the state.
"I think it is a great honor that our Chief and his people have been able to get this accomplished to where the people of this Cherokee tribe get to enjoy hunting and fishing," Campbell said.
Every Cherokee Nation citizen over the age of 16 that does not have a lifetime license will receive a free hunting a fishing license annually, as well as an antlered deer gun season tag and a spring turkey tag.
Professional angler and Cherokee Nation citizen Jason Christie, of Park Hill, expects the agreement to benefit both avid and casual hunters and fishermen, while also introducing more people to wildlife sports.
"It benefits everybody from the kids to the older people. To me, there are two kinds of people this benefits and this covers the whole tribe, the person that drives 30 minutes to sit in the tree stand for 20 minutes and hunts all the time, but also benefits the person that only hunts a few times a year," Christie said. "The agreement is also going to introduce more kids to hunting and fishing, and also give the opportunity to some adults to hunt and fish who may never have before and not worry about the cost."
Per the compact between the tribe and state, Cherokee Nation will pay $2 for every license issued to the state of Oklahoma's fish and wildlife program, which allows the state to obtain federal grants to help preserve the state's wildlife and natural habitats. The agreement unlocks as much as $4 million in federal money for the state wildlife department, monies which tribes are not eligible to apply for.
"Today is a reflection of what we can do when we seek cooperation instead of conflict when it comes to state and tribal relations," said Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr. "The result is a hunting and fishing compact that is 'win-win" for both governments. But, the big winners are the Cherokee people who will now confidently exercise their longstanding hunting and fishing rights for the first time in generations."
For more information or to ask questions regarding the new hunting and fishing licenses, contact the Cherokee Nation Tax Commission at 844-259-4868 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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The Market is open to the general public. Guided tours of the market are organised by Billingsgate Seafood School.
Please note that children under the age of 12 are not permitted on the Market floor. It is advised that suitable non-slip footwear is worn.
Billingsgate Market and the City of London have strict rules concerning photography or filming for any purpose, commercial and non-commercial.
Visitors wishing to take photographs at the Market and students undertaking photographic project work must complete an application form.
To receive an application form for non-commercial photography, or if you need further information, please email a member of the Billingsgate Market team by email at or T 020 7987 1118.
There are some conditions that we ask you to note:
If you have any enquiries regarding commercial filming, they should be made to the City of London's Film Office.
Joanna Burnaby-Atkins – T 020 7332 3202
Mick Bagnall – T 020 7332 3182
Email: Film Lisison Team
Smithfield Market tours
New Spitalfields Market tours


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Just a few days ago, Fujifilm officially revealed the X-H1. According to them, H stands for hyper, and indeed the X-H1 is almost some sort of super X-T2: same sensor and processor, but a bigger grip, a stronger weather-sealing, a touchscreen, and of course the main difference between the two: In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS). We are now all used to the well orchestrated hype machine of Fuji announcements, with a well curated list of amazing photographers from various genres explaining that this is the best camera they have ever used, in some beautifully produced short films shot around the globe. Keep in mind if you decide to pre-order that real reviews are still under embargo… but I digress. Let's get back to the point of this article: the price of the X-H1, and in particular its price in Japan, where I live.
Not only Fujifilm is a Japanese company, but they also proud themselves in producing their top-of-the-line cameras in Japan, therefore it makes sense to use the Yen as the base currency here, as the value of the Yen will directly impact their bottom line: for example, the stronger the Yen, the cheaper it will be for them to import the raw materials and components used to build each camera body, but the less money they will make on each camera sold abroad, once repatriated in Yen, all other things being equal. So, let's take a look at the price of the X-H1 in Japan. As of today, you can pre-order the body only on Amazon Japan for ¥232,794. This compares to ¥144,980 currently for a brand new X-T2. Given the fact that the sensor and processor they share (with the X-T20) have been well amortized already, that's a stiff premium for IBIS.
Meanwhile, on Amazon US, American X-Series users can pre-order the X-H1 body only for $1,899… which is a much smaller premium over the $1,599 for an X-T2.
If we do the math "stupidly", the ratio between the Japanese price of the X-H1 over the American price implies a USDJPY exchange rate of around 122.50… which compares to a current exchange rate just above 106, and a range over the past year between 105 and 115 (source Bloomberg):
If you are not used to traveling or you don't know anything about FX markets, in a nutshell this basically means that either the X-H1 is way too expensive in Japan, or it is too cheap in the US…
Quite frankly, I feel like it's a bit of both. If I were living in the US, for me the X-H1 would be an insta-buy: it comes at a premium for the IBIS technology, but the overall price remains reasonable given the fact it is using the old sensor and processor of the X-T2. On the other hand, the premium you pay for the X-H1 over the X-T2 in Japan seems way too steep to me: you can more or less buy the XF90mmF2 with the price difference!
Clearly, something does not make any sense here… I don't expect any of these prices to change meaningfully in the near future (export companies incorporate some margin when they fix their prices abroad to withstand FX fluctuations, and they can buy some protections), but, if the Yen continues to strengthen against the dollar, someone from the finance department will eventually raise the question of a price increase in the US. I would rather see a price decrease in Japan, trust me, and I would really like to hear someone from Fujifilm Japan explain this price difference… but as we all know it's not the way things usually go… So if you are in the US, beware of potential price hikes in the future (even though there is no plan at the moment), and if you visit Japan anytime soon, do let me know… I might ask you to get a cheap X-H1 for me…


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Taipei, Taiwan, December 5th, 2008
LEADTEK Research Inc. proudly introduces WinFast VP200, the PC-over-IP® (PCoIP®) host and desktop portal solution for remote workstation delivery and corporate data security. Integration of Teradici's PCoIP remote enterprise desktop technology in WinFast VP200 enables delivery of a high-definition graphic and multimedia experience across standard IP networks, unmatched by any thin client on the market today. The first public demonstration of WinFast VP200 will be at SIGGRAPH Asia 2008 in Singapore from December 11th to 13th.
WinFast VP200 featuring PCoIP technology ensures data security and simplifies IT management, eliminating the recognized limitations of traditional desktops and thin clients. Traditional desktop environments handle computing resources locally at the desktop, increasing the chance for corporate data leakage, whereas, PCoIP technology enables all computing resources to be transferred to a data center enhancing enterprise data management and security. While thin clients offer the benefits of centralized computing, they provide limited media and graphical user experience and lack full USB support. Now, WinFast VP200 enables end users to enjoy a real desktop PC experience that is fan-less, with low power consumption, and supports any graphics interface or USB peripheral - just plug and play with no driver installation required!
The WinFast VP 200 system includes a WinFast VP200H host PCI Express card and a WinFast VP200P desktop portal. The Host Card allows you to centralize your computing in a data center as an add-in solution to your existing Workstation, Rack Mount, or Blade Server to secure all data and computers; On the desktop, a stateless device called a Portal connects over a standard enterprise IP network to the Host Card, eliminating heat, noise, and clutter at the end user's desk for a comfortable working environment.
So come and be impressed by the powerful workstation graphic capability of the WinFast VP200 with Quadro in the Leadtek & NVIDIA booth #101at SIGGRAPH Asia 2008 in the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Center from December 11th to 13th. A warm welcome awaits you.


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- Create frequent use filters before hand;
- Select elements based on predefined filters;
- Select all elements in current active view based on selected filter;
- Re-order the filters priority.
"This version provides 30 days full functional trial. After this period, you need to buy a license to register your product."
This add-in may be downloaded from the Autodesk Exchange | Apps website.


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Some civilizations refer to the cosmos as space separating their colonies. Some civilizations refer to space as a place to live. And then there are Wanderers. Strictly speaking, they are not any particular species - this is a collective name for all those for whom space is not just a place to live, not just an interstellar void. Organic modifications, mechanical technologies, paths are different, but the final, main distinguishing feature of the Wanderers from other species, is one.
For most galactic civilizations, space is an absolute hostile environment. The need for the supply or cultivation of food, the need for atmospheric pressure, gravity, protection from hard radiation, other more delicate moments - all this means that ordinary species can only survive in space. Absolute autonomy is unavailable to them. Even cosmites, such as the Invertebrate Star Pilgrims Sashli, treat space with fear and respect, able to live only within their metallic shells.
Wanderers can consider space to be their home. For them, the vacuum of interstellar emptiness is a comfortable space, giving them everything they need to live. Stars give them energy, the matter for repair they find in asteroid fields and nebulae. Many of them are completely mechanical with some retaining traces of organic matter, but in any case, each Wanderer is more like a reasonable spacecraft than a terrestrial creature adapted to the conditions of space. They can be very different, their age can reach millions of years, but the Wanderer can always be accurately distinguished from other ships at almost any distance, because of their structure, which is fundamentally different from all ever registered ships.
Meeting with the Wanderer is a relatively rare event about which the population of the galaxy has no consensus - some consider it a good sign, others consider them harbingers of misfortunes, and many endow Wanderers with a significant aura of mysticism and mystery.
Each Wanderer is more of a mechanism than a living being, to one degree or another. They could be called intelligent ships, but they seem to be very little like ships. The structure also differs, which many explain to the fact that the Wanderer is more of a developmental stage than any particular faction. The Wanderers' corpses are extremely rare, and most often contain exotic technologies that have little resemblance to the technique of the Alliance or the artifacts of the Ancients, being something unique. Two completely identical Wanderers have not yet been found, but nevertheless they all retain a certain weird feeling of relationship despite their wild variety of forms.
Military doctrine
Wanderers do not have an army, military forces or something similar. Nevertheless, each Wanderer is far from being helpless, and most often carries powerful weapons. However, not a single case of the Wanderer's unprovoked attack was registered - they always attack either in response to aggression or as retaliation. It is not known how the Wanderers communicate with each other, but somehow they always find out who and where attacked their member. If the attacking ship survived, the Wanderers will certainly soon appear chasing it, relentlessly again and again, until the aggressor is destroyed. Wanderers always take revenge only on individual ships, but among the many cosmic forces of the Galaxy there is a belief that if you were on the ship that attacked the Wanderer, then from now on you will yourself be a target for retribution. This, however, is not true - Wanderers completely ignore the condition of the crew of the ships.
State system
Anarchy. At least, it looks like this: every Wanderer, or a group of Wanderers, is on their own, but nevertheless, they will get help if they need it. Wanderers cannot be called a monolithic cultural group, but nevertheless, they all consist in a kind of community, where there are neither oppressed nor favorites.
Society (general mentality, special features)
There is certainly nothing evil in the Wanderers, but there is nothing in them and nothing habitual to the mind of a land creature. Their intentions, desires and aspirations are so different that few can understand them. Wanderers rarely make contact, but they like to stay in the star system for a long time, basking in the star's rays, watching the dance of sunspots on its surface, or listening to local music of various EM frequencies. There is a great chance that during this time, the Wanderer will still make contact. Somehow, they always know what language to answer, and linguists were never required. Apparently, the only valuable commodity for the Wanderers is information - they have never shared anything else with the Alliance, nor asked for anything else in return. The speech of wanderers is always extremely vague, full of allusions, allegories and subtle comparisons. The significance and mysteriousness of their statements was the cause of more than one headache. It also only contributes to the reputation of the Wanderers as mystical and mysterious creatures who have discovered the secrets of the Universe, who know any answer to any question, and that they share their wisdom - if you compose your question in the right way.
|Pangalactic Alliance | Leaving the Cradle | The Cliff World
|Alliance | Independent Worlds | Science Corporation | Politics
|Hephrene | Interstellar Travel | Spaceships
|Planet Harr (Star Harr) | "Shining" Space station | Underwater settlement of Harr | Artifact X | Artifact Spindle
|Gharr | Zane | Hekaht | Ahshu | Dan | Mark | Val | Virus
|Overall chronology
|Further reading: | Civilization development stages | Instruments | Идеи |


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I love this idea and this artist's work is beautiful
Two years ago, I started little sewing projects that helped me reflect on our work of creating gardens using plants native to this region and area. Details of some of them are here. I started out just using the stuff I had at hand- inherited, bits of old clothes, cloth from the second hand store that I'd picked up over the years.


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Supply Chains adapts to disruption in Grocery, Steps Forward. As E-Commerce Sales Growth in the US Grocery Market Heats Up, CPG Supply Chains Are Facing Bigger Hurdles and More Complexity.
Online shopping, new digital technologies, and increasing channel fragmentation are intensifying the pressures on US consumer packaged goods (CPG) supply chains.
There are clear steps CPG companies must take in order to prepare, according to a new report authored by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and commissioned by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA).
The report, How CPG Supply Chains Are Preparing for Seismic Change, highlights the top trends affecting CPG supply chains and the effect on CPG companies' performance.
Among the issues addressed in the report: e-commerce sales growth, service-level performance, channel proliferation, network design, and cash management trends.
The report is based on the 2017 Supply Chain Benchmarking Study, a study of the US units of more than 30 leading CPG companies conducted jointly by BCG and GMA.
"It's been a turbulent couple of years for the grocery industry, with major disruption and dislocation in the retail landscape," notes Daniel Triot, senior director of the Trading Partner Alliance of GMA and the Food Marketing Institute. "Despite the important performance gains in the supply chain in the past two years, CPG companies cannot be complacent. This report aims to provide guidance for CPG companies looking to harness new digital technologies and trends to support continued growth."
Keeping Up with E-Commerce Sales Growth
Over the next two years, half the growth in North American grocery sales will come from e-commerce. But only 6% of CPG companies have a dedicated e-commerce supply chain team, and only 3% are able to fully track sales by channel. As US consumers increasingly come to rely on the digital marketplace for their product needs, the lack of readiness could cause companies to fall far behind in securing their share of customer wallet.
"In the digital world, critical mass is won quickly," says Elfrun von Koeller, a BCG partner and coauthor of the report. "And once won, it's hard to dislodge. So CPG companies can't afford to sit this out—their existing supply chains are often not well placed to deliver to these new channels."
Channel Proliferation Squeezes Service Levels
According to the report, channel proliferation is the greatest impediment to on-time delivery performance. For example, median on-time delivery rates (requested arrival date, or RAD) to online retailers was just 64%. Says von Koeller, "E-commerce introduces additional fragmentation to an already fragmented network, thus compounding the significant distribution challenges CPG companies already face."
Among the report's other key findings:
– CPGs companies carry the weight. CPG companies bear 60% of logistics costs and hold roughly 50% of the inventory. That burden may well increase.
– An ambient/cold-chain performance gap has emerged. Performance diverged significantly between ambient product makers and cold-chain manufacturers. Eighty percent of ambient companies enjoyed performance gains, while 60% of cold-chain companies experienced cost increases.
– Service generally improved. For the first time since 2010, CPG supply chains have improved their service levels—but not without incurring greater cost.
– The higher cost of delay. Retailers' on-time requirements are becoming more stringent. Over the past two years, 76% of respondents noted that their companies' on-time requirements have grown.
– Network design is an overwhelming priority. Service-level pressures are prompting more frequent network redesign. Eighty percent of respondents ranked network redesign a top priority, up from 72% in the previous GMA/BCG study.
In the near future, CPG companies will face rising customer demands, further repercussions from channel proliferation, looming transportation constraints, and the need for more frequent network redesign. The report offers five essential actions CPG companies can take to continue meeting customer needs and their own business requirements. Two of these actions include: capitalizing on big data and ramping up hiring to attract the right IT and analytical talent.
How CPG Supply Chains Are Preparing for Seismic Change is the sixth report in a series on US grocery manufacturers' outbound retail supply chains. The study consisted of a survey and in-depth interviews with 68 supply chain leaders and industry experts, as well as BCG research. Gross annual revenues for participating companies range from $165 million to more than $32 billion.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) is the trade organization representing the world's leading food, beverage and consumer products companies and associated partners. The U.S. food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry plays a unique role as the single largest U.S. manufacturing employment sector, with 2.1 million jobs in 30,000 communities across the country that deliver products vital to the wellbeing of people in our nation and around world.
Founded in 1908, GMA has a primary focus on product safety, science-based public policies and industry initiatives that seek to empower people with the tools and information they need to make informed choices and lead healthier lives.
The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm and the world's leading advisor on business strategy. We partner with clients from the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors in all regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their enterprises. Our customized approach combines deep insight into the dynamics of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels of the client organization.
This ensures that our clients achieve sustainable competitive advantage, build more capable organizations, and secure lasting results. Founded in 1963, BCG is a private company with offices in more than 90 cities in 50 countries.


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Guardian blogs
The National Theatre's Phèdre gets a Mexican wave
We'll miss the Pinter who fought oppression with words
As we mourn the passing of one of the greatest playwrights of the 20th century, let's not forget that the field of human rights has also lost a great defender of freedom of expression. During my time at PEN, Harold Pinter proved indispensable in helping to raise the profile of numerous, lesser well-known, writers in trouble for their work. He never let them down. Much has (…)
- guardian.co.uk, Monday December 29 2008
- Lucy Popescu
Translated from Arabic
Alaa al Aswany opened International PEN's Free the Word festival. Photograph: Murdo Macleod Judging by some of the exciting international developments emerging on our literary landscape, and the enthusiastic response from readers, literary organisations and publishers, Arabic writers in translation are all the rage. On Friday, I took a break from writing to go to the (…)
- guardian.co.uk, Wednesday April 16 2008
- Lucy Popescu
Art and design
Frida Kahlo's work is still as vibrant as her Casa Azul
The agony and the ecstacy … A self-portrait by Frida Kahlo entitled Roots. Photograph: Richard Lewis/EPA It is incredible to think that this year marks the centenary of Frida Kahlo's birth. Her paintings still feel so fresh and modern to me. The largest ever retrospective of her work is currently being displayed at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. When I (…)
- guardian.co.uk, Monday August 6 2007
- Lucy Popescu
Theatre's bright young things
New directions: Polly Finlay. Photograph: Ryan Li Last week, the winner of the JMK Trust's young theatre director award was announced at the National Theatre. I am fortunate to be a trustee of this flag-waving charity, set up to give a talented director under the age of 30 the opportunity to stage a show. The annual award, celebrating its 10th anniversary, also serves as a (…)
- guardian.co.uk, Wednesday May 30 2007
- Lucy Popescu
Opening up to foreign literature
Last night I was at the presentation of the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize, at the National Portrait Gallery, where a young Angolan writer, José Eduardo Agualusa, was announced the 2007 winner for his novel The Book of Chameleons, translated from the Portuguese by Daniel Hahn. Set in contemporary Angola, the book is particularly notable for being narrated by a lizard. (…)
- guardian.co.uk, Wednesday May 2 2007
- Lucy Popescu
Many still suffer after Cuba's 'black spring'
There has been plenty on this blog about Gabriel García Márquez's 80th birthday and I was interested to read of his decision to celebrate with old friend, Fidel Castro, apparently much improved after his recent surgery. It is particularly shocking that Castro boasts such eminent writers among his friends given that it is now four years since Cuba's "black spring" and more (…)
- guardian.co.uk, Wednesday April 11 2007
- Lucy Popescu
Writing that risks and saves lives
Matters of life and death … detail from the cover of Another Sky Tonight sees the launch of the PEN anthology: Another Sky at the National Theatre. The book features the work of persecuted writers that PEN has helped over the last 40 years. The international writers' organisation first started helping its beleaguered colleagues in 1930s fascist Europe. The Writers in (…)
- guardian.co.uk, Monday April 2 2007
- Lucy Popescu
Serkalem Fasil: a life at risk for writing
Today is International Women's Day (IWD). Around the world women connect with one another, celebrate and are celebrated. The proffering of cards, gifts and flowers suggest that this is a time for showing love and respect for the female, akin to Mother's Day. However, for many people there remains a political and human rights dimension to the day and in various countries it (…)
- guardian.co.uk, Thursday March 8 2007
- Lucy Popescu
Unfair convictions for Moroccan journos
In January I enjoyed a brief holiday chasing winter sun in Morocco. But while I was exploring the souks of Marrakech, and relaxing with Elias Canetti's anecdotal record of his 1960s visit, two journalists were being tried and punished for a magazine article in nearby Casablanca. On January 8 2007, the trial opened against editor Driss Ksikes and journalist Sanaa al-Aji. (…)
- guardian.co.uk, Tuesday February 27 2007
- Lucy Popescu
Remembering Mai Ghoussoub (1952-2007)
Mai Ghoussoub, who died unexpectedly on Saturday, was many things to many people. But in the world of letters she was perhaps best known as a director of Saqi Books, aptly described as "a fiercely independent publisher for writers of all places and peoples". They publish award-winning authors as diverse as Moris Farhi and Maggie Gee. Originally formed to provide a focus (…)
- guardian.co.uk, Thursday February 22 2007
- Lucy Popescu
Fighting to write in Bangladesh
Rioting erupts in the troubled capital, Dhaka. Photograph: Pavel Rahmann/AP. A state of emergency was declared in Bangladesh on January 11. The media are being heavily censored and several journalists have received death threats. At least 40 people have been killed in protests that began in late October, when the prime minister, Khaleda Zia, ended her five-year term and (…)
- guardian.co.uk, Monday January 29 2007
- Lucy Popescu
The shadow of Article 301
Mourners at the funeral of Hrant Dink in Istanbul. Photograph: Murad Sezer/AP On January 19 2007 the Turkish-Armenian writer and editor Hrant Dink, aged 52, was assassinated outside the Istanbul offices of his weekly newspaper Agos. He was a prominent advocate of the Armenian minority in Turkey, who sought to create a dialogue between Turks and Armenians. I met Dink last (…)
- guardian.co.uk, Thursday January 25 2007
- Lucy Popescu
Uzbekistan's reign of repression
I visited Uzbekistan in 2004 and was followed so closely by one man he practically tripped over my heels. Given the severe repression of journalists, non-governmental organisations and those human rights defenders in touch with foreign media, I doubt I would even be granted a visa today. President Islam Karimov's tyranny seems to know no bounds and recently, in a bizarre (…)
- guardian.co.uk, Friday January 5 2007
- Lucy Popescu
Comment is free
Even in Arcadia
It takes a particular kind of ineptitude to announce a £50m increase in funding to the arts and set just about everyone in the arts world against you. This feat has been achieved by Arts Council England, which has been inundated with letters, petitions and threats of legal action from supporters of the small theatres, orchestras and independent publishers whose existence is (…)(…)speaking readers to work by foreigners. A couple of weeks ago, Lucy Popescu and I began circulating a letter in support of Arcadia, (…)
- guardian.co.uk, Thursday January 17 2008


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No, not "eccentric" like your odd sister-in-law or Donald Trump. Eccentric as in the movement of muscle while it is LENGTHENING under load, as opposed to shortening under load (which would be considered "concentric" exercise). It was hard to believe that eccentric exercise could actually help with chronic breakdown-type conditions like tendinosis when I first learning about it at McGill 8 years ago or so, but I've now seen some good quality research and experienced its effects with clients.
When resting or optimizing movement patterns does NOT help, then repetitive stress injuries i.e. tendinosis (chronic tendinitis in the elbows for example), or plantar fasciitis, might be due to a dysregulation of the healing and repair process in the areas of those injuries. These conditions could be looked upon as having an alteration in the quality of the tissue, brought on by stress that the body simply was not capable of adapting to.
Aside from rest, the best treatment option might be eccentric exercise. LILT (low-intensity laser therapy) would most likely be the other best option. The eccentric exercise causes small amounts of damage that might initiate the healing process, breaking an otherwise "positive feedback loop", in which pain simply perpetuates.
Colin Badali, RMT, CSCS


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Banging the Wrong Guy
Having solved my little issue with a tricky client last week, I was on top of the world. I felt like nothing could go wrong and the world was my oyster. After all, I had proven myself to be one hot, sexy woman yet again and I was relishing in the glow of my own success.
Little did I realise that disaster was just around the corner.
This is going to be an interesting blog, because I'm going to delve into something you don't normally get to see. This is the part of this world that few men ever even realise exists and we often do our best to conceal its presence. I am of course, talking about the world of mishaps.
Think about it, you've seen You've Been Framed, you know things go wrong in every part of life every now and again. So what about in this industry, what happens when things wrong then?
I found on a weekend trip to a wealthy client's house. He had booked 3 girls, one of which was me. We were all making our way to him separately, planning to arrive and meet up 5 minutes before. I arrived just in time for the appointment itself, having been stuck in traffic. I rang the doorbell, and prepared myself to apologise for the delay. An older gentleman greeted me with a smile, although he looked a little puzzled.
As it turns out, neither of the other two girls had made it yet. I explained the traffic to him, and that the session wouldn't start until everyone was here. He was content with that and we had some small talk. 15 minutes passed by, and I was silently panicking. We weren't charging this guy until his session started, but if my fellow escorts were any later then we'd be costing the agency serious money. Excusing myself, I rang our receptionist, who was just as puzzled as I was.
Long story short, I did my best to entertain him on my own and we billed him at half the rate. He was happy but we were all still mystified as to where my colleagues were. Amusingly enough, they had gone to the wrong location which, honestly, has happened before. Sometimes the girls have been, ahem, partying a little too hard at a client's behest and they're a little frazzled. As it turns out, these two had come from a 3 hour session with a serious party goer, and they weren't in the best state of mind.
What makes the story a little more interesting is what they did next. The session was prepaid, so they didn't ask the fella for any money and they ended up having an apparently intense threesome. The guy in question must have felt like he had won the lottery: two hot escort girls knock on your door, get absolutely filthy, banging him and then leave? No money paid, no questions asked?
It was a once in a lifetime thing. Any other time something would have stopped it from happening: the man's confusion, the girls' own perception of the situation, the simple need for payment. That night though, all the stars aligned and one lucky sod got his brains fucked out by two stunning beauties. The best thing about it is, he'll never be able to tell a soul: who would believe him?


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Title references this lovely article by Rebecca. 🙂
When I was making my predictions for the 2010 season, I was fairly sure of one thing: the San Diego Padres would be cellar-dwellers in the NL West and owners of the worst record in the National League. In 2007, the team was three outs away from a playoff berth multiple times, and won 89 games, but in 2008, the team lost 99 games in an incredibly weak division. They didn't do a whole lot better in 2009, coming in fourth place in the NL West with a 75-87 record. They scored a pathetic 638 runs.
Going into 2010, the team's rotation was a bunch of unknowns (probably at least partially my own ignorance) and unproven young players; they'd traded Jake Peavy who, while not at his Cy Young peak, was still a very good pitcher; and they had an offense that could be best described as a "noffense." (I also stated, multiple times, that the Blue Jays would have the worst record in baseball so if you want to dismiss me as an idiot and stop reading this here, I will understand.)
Well, the 2009 Padres had actually gone 18-11 in September and October. I don't know if that carried over to 2010 or if they were just better, but the 2010 Padres went an impressive 15-8 in April. Rather memorably, in their home opener, they crushed Atlanta 17-2. They had an eight-game winning streak toward the end of the month. But – whatever, it was just April. The Padres were competing. The Red Sox weren't. April is weird. This wouldn't continue. Right?
Oh ye of little faith (Padres, get it, I'm hilarious). From April 20 to September 27, the worst the Padres were out in the division was by only a game. They spent most of that time in first place all by themselves, by as much as 6.5 games – and that was on August 25. And on that aforementioned date, they hadn't lost more than three games in a row all season.
I was right about their offense. The Padres scored only 665 runs all season, good for 22nd in all of baseball, 12th in the NL, and among such non-contenders as the Dodgers and Oakland. The difference was their pitching. They had a 3.39 ERA, good for second in all of baseball, only 0.03 behind the Giants. They allowed the fewest runs in all of baseball. Most of their pitchers outperformed expectations, both in the rotation (Mat Latos, Clayton Richard, and Jon Garland all posted sub-4 ERAs) and in the bullpen (Heath Bell was great as expected, but guys like Luke Gregerson and Mike Adams came out of nowhere to be flat-out dominant).
Unfortunately for YCPB, that August 25th date was the beginning of the end for the Padres. They beat Arizona 9-3, then lost to them 11-5 the next day. That was August 26, and they wouldn't win again until September 6, ten straight losses. Crazily enough, they were still in first place after the streak ended, but a 6-game lead in the division had dwindled down to just one, and they lost their lead in the NLW to the Giants soon after. At this point, it was clear that the Phillies were going to win the NL East, leaving Atlanta fighting for a Wild Card spot, in addition to both the Giants and Rockies seriously challenging the Padres for the NL West. There were four spots for two playoff spots; obviously, two teams would be left behind. The Padres had looked like a lock a few weeks earlier, but now their situation was very precarious.
It came down to the last series of the season. The Giants had taken a three-game lead in the NL West, but if the Padres swept them they would win the division due to a tiebreaker. With little momentum, and the Giants absolutely tearing through September, the Padres took the first two games of the series. They just needed to win on the last day and they'd at least get a chance at the postseason. They lost, though, shut out 3-0. They'd gone 90-72 – and if you told me they'd have that record at the beginning of the season, I think I would have laughed in your face – and while that was a success by any measure for this team, it was a disappointment at the same time, because they were one game away from the playoffs. The Padres had gone from a joke to a team where it was a surprise when they didn't make the playoffs. Baseball is weird. Unpredictable, even.
Where do the Padres go from here? I know I assumed Adrian Gonzalez, their only great offensive player, would be long gone to Boston in July 2010, but he managed to stick around San Diego until December. They got some new infielders, like Jason Bartlett (yes, that trade did eventually go through) and Orlando Hudson. I don't think the Padres will really compete in 2011 – their pitchers have absolutely no room for error with their offense as it looks now – but then again I thought they'd be the single worst team in the NL in 2010. Like I just said, baseball is unpredictable, and every year some team will emerge from nowhere to surprise us all, in a good or bad way. Sure, it's easy to despair if you're, say, a Mariners fan and you expected a lot from 2010 – but on the other hand, you could be an unexpectedly delighted Padres fan. All this unpredictability is at least part of why we keep watching.