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Students come up with creative ideas for displaying their work
Helping a cohort of 52 business students to design and curate their exhibition of the 11 week Reflective Practitioner module provided an interesting opportunity for students to come up with imaginative ways of displaying their work.
Task The exhibition design, artefacts and curation represented a piece of course work, and two streams of students were asked to make a joint exhibition. The two groups worked independently until week 10, only being able to liaise in week 11 and on the day of the event. Students elected to take on specific roles and tasks, and had responsibility for devising and making displays. A very large number of artefacts needed to be displayed.
Venue The Drysdale Lecture Theatre, lobby area and boardroom. We had access one and a half hours ahead of the exhibition opening to the public.
Process From week 2 students were introduced to the idea of the exhibition, and over the course momentum built, including a vital integrative workshop in week 10 when as many exhibits were prepared as possible. Students also worked in groups on a plan of the space, producing some excellent space designs. Students were mindful of providing a space that would enable up to 60 guests to circulate, plus a reception table, and space for visitors' feedback.
How students came up with creative solutions
Living Exhibits Each student elected to wear a badge inviting guests to interact with them on a particular theme of the module.
Gazebo For a fantastic central focus, the basic framework of a small garden gazebo was used to display 52 three-dimensional story cubes, representing the special qualities of each student but also, symbolically brought together into a single organisation.
Bathroom suckers We sourced plastic sucker "towel" hooks to suspend lines of cord, from which visitors added their handwritten feedback on luggage labels.
Boxes Large Cardboard boxes were designed by students to display quotes, images and photos.
Lessons Learned
The opportunity to display their work afforded the learning from the module to be made visible to external guests, to the wider institution, and to prospective students and parents (it coincided with an open day.) Our students have great ability to understand and collaborate together on designing and enhancing learning spaces. Given the success of this exhibition perhaps we should ensure that any future learning spaces build in to their design ways to display work. Simple ideas can turn a space into a display area, including hooks placed at the top of walls for hanging work, more flexible spot lighting that can be used to illuminate displays and better designed mobile display boards.
Artist helps students to visualise Learning Space design at City
Dont Walk Away, Have Your Say! was an LDC event at the end of last term on the main walkway, aiming to capture student views and promote three of the ongoing LDC projects. I invited artist Susie Howarth to visualise students ideas on learning space design. With major building work scheduled at City and imminent redesign of several existing spaces, this was an opportunity for students to put their views across. So whilst I interviewed passing students, Susie did quick-fire real time sketches of their ideas. This created quite a buzz and interestingly a high proportion of their ideas resonated with the LDC's design principles for all learning spaces at City. These include having a full menu of different, inviting, dynamic and flexible spaces that communicate the pride we have in learning at City University
Everyone interviewed had strong ideas and feelings about our current and future learning spaces. Here is just a small sample:
Circular design of some classrooms and lecture spaces, so students can see each other and the lecturer is central, not on a distant stage.
Small outlets for snacks and drinks placed just outside large lecture theatres, for students who need to quickly get to the next class and have no time to queue in the refectory.
Circular tables, furniture on wheels and easily moved
Swivel chairs in lecture theatres, so we can do group work activities
All walls with write-on surfaces in classrooms
Comfortable seating
Public celebration of student excellence: students' work displayed, either physically or on screens
More curves please! In walls and furniture, not just rectangular boxes
Bright contemporary lighting, maybe use lighting in some way to change the colour of the walls to reflect different types of learning activity: reflective, active etc.
Small soundproofed pods for quiet study and individual work
Having an artist present to make instant sketches gave the students a great stimulus to put their ideas forward and led to much animated discussion on what is clearly a hot topic for students and paramount to their experience of being at City.
Learning Space Design at City, what students really want
In a very recent report from the Students Union to Senate, one of the 5 student community themes put forward concerned Learning and Social spaces that reflect the value City places on quality education, interaction and collaboration.
"Students expect facilities which are fit for purpose, welcoming, comfortable and focused on their needs. We would like to see an Estates Strategy which looks at existing spaces as places where achievement is celebrated. The long term plans for new spaces should reflect students' desires to come together to study, eat and socialise."
There are some excellent learning spaces at City, however still far too few are distinctive enough to make a memorable impact on actual or prospective students. We may not be able to do much with our historic building stock, so it is all the more vital that new and refurbished spaces go out of their way to represent and reinforce the values of academic excellence the university now has committed to. Many of our spaces expect students to learn in a physical environment that is vastly different to the world in which they will be putting their knowledge to use: a world of collaboration, exploration, creative thinking, flexibility and ubiquitous digital resources and communication. Increasingly our students are coming from High Schools and Academies with world class design of physical learning spaces, their expectations of City in this respect are rightly high.
Students want learning and social spaces that reflect the value City places on quality education, interaction and collaboration. City students have also identified a set of key values that encouragingly resonate with the Universities strategic vision.
Interaction, opportunity, identity, energy, excitement, enrichment, buzz, pride, inspiration, belonging, personalisation, participation, boundary breaking, diversity, lifelong friendship.
If we take these key values and apply them to the design of learning spaces, City could achieve a distinctive vision for a menu of learning spaces that promotes and supports educational excellence. By Learning Spaces, we should include social spaces, both indoor and outdoor spaces, and Virtual Learning Spaces. Even corridors offer untold opportunities for learning, with student and staff curated exhibitions that celebrate their achievements and act as a forum for sharing knowledge and ideas. As an institution we are on the cusp of major space building and refurbishment, with the opportunity to enrich the students' experience through ground breaking space design that reflects what the students really want.
The LDC's Learning Space Project has done a considerable amount to engage staff and students in this process, with for example a very productive Space Design Forum, and the resulting two pilot spaces. Feedback from students show that inspirational space is hugely important to their learning. Students are also looking for interaction in learning spaces. At City we have a greatly underused potential resource for interactive learning: the walls and vertical spaces. When refurbishing existing spaces or designing new ones, it is vital to view the walls as an interactive learning resource. Presently many existing classrooms and lecture halls have constraints over the use of walls and teachers and students are not allowed to use bluetac. The décor and treatment of walls takes precedence over learning.
There is also an important emotional component to learning space, which can have a great impact on energising both students and teachers. This includes the air quality of the space, lighting, the use of colour, and flexible space with freedom of movement. Rather than the draining effects of rows of fixed tables and chairs.
All City Schools now subscribe to the principles of high engagement learning. Participation is a key principle, needing all our learning spaces designed to support and promote it. Forward facing classrooms, fixed rows of seating, lecture theatres that seem designed to prevent team working and collaboration between students, all work against participative learning
Students want a diversity of learning spaces, reflecting the diversity of their learning styles and needs. They also identify pride as key to being part of the City community. Imaginative, distinctive and memorable learning spaces are essential to communicating City's vision for educational excellence.
Using Debate as a Teaching Format
Three years ago at a City University Creativity Workshop I met Kirsten Hardie who teaches Design at Arts University College of Bournemouth. She told me about a method she had invented called "On Trial." By coincidence, in working with a group of City teachers recently, they quite unprompted suggested the use of a debate format as a method of increasing student engagement.
It was impressive how quickly they came up with a great number of creative ideas to widen the palette of teaching formats. The session focused on devising a learning activity that reflects often currently missing employability skills:
- Critical thinking
- Reflection
- Persuasive communication
- Self awareness
I took Chickering and Gamson's 7 Principles for high engagement learning, as a benchmark. We selected two of these: and participants were also encouraged to identify their own. The focus was on fresh learning activities; new ideas. Here are some of the resulting creative learning outcomes from the participants.
Fresh learning activities.
- Reflection: in action and on action
- Scenarios, role play and simulation
- Debating
- Combined learning with another school (interprofessional learning)
- A buddy system
The question is how can we enable great ideas like these to be put into practice? For example using debate in our teaching.
So returning to National Teaching Fellow Kirsten Hardie's On Trial project that explores the use of role play and debate in student centred learning. It promotes and facilitates creativity in and through learning. Students work with colleagues to explore and interrogate problematic issues relating to their specialism
"On Trial harnesses popular culture, and the seductive qualities of the courtroom, as experienced through television and film examples (both historical and contemporary), in a creative fashion to help students engage with tough academic issues and wider ethical concerns."
In addition a fascinating article by Catherine Sanderson discusses and evaluates debate as an assessment and learning strategy to develop critical and reasoning skills and stimulate learning through assessment in first year Biomedical Science and Public Health Students.
Sanderson's work with first year undergraduates indicates that although it may be tacitly understood that critical reasoning is an essential skill for all students, it is far too often left to the final year as a learning outcome or even reserved for post-graduate studies.
Educational Excellence and Creativity: the undergraduate curriculum
The new landmark Central St. Martins building at Kings Cross
When City University set up the multidisciplinary centre for creativity, there was an idea that all UG degrees would include creativity in the first year curriculum. This did not really progress, and I have been reflecting on why. My thoughts on this were stimulated by participating in a recent conference Creativity and Business Presented by The Culture Capital Exchange and The British Library, with a reception at the new landmark Central St Martin's building at Kings Cross.
This brought together a very wide range of disciplines. I could relate strongly to the Central School of Speech and Drama's speaker Geoffrey Colman talking about conservatoire, about the frustration of agents wanting the next soap stars versus the school needing to develop actors for life. This resonated for me on a personal as well as professional level, as an alumni of Central School, where I took my second degree, as an actor. My experience then of the conservatoire approach which developed the students' existing talents yet embedded an approach to learning that would serve them life long, has greatly influenced my career both in theatre and subsequently in business, and as a teacher.
To take this a little further, in the acting profession few become stars, and many of those who do, can burn brightly for a short time before dying out. But the formative learning I experienced enabled me to develop a career that went on growing and adapting to change, something I believe all our students will need for their future professional life.
There are in my opinion vital and common ideas that inform curriculum design across all schools and disciplines at City:
persuasive communication
visual awareness
City has expertise in all these areas which other schools could learn from. Just a few examples are creative writing in Arts, visualisation in Informatics, persuasive communication in Law, reflective practice in Health Sciences. There were many examples of these in the Arts and Social Sciences Fete and in other learning events open to the whole university such as the forthcoming Cass Assessment and Feedback Showcase on May 22nd. These provide quick and effective ways of connecting with expertise in other schools.
Possibly a lesson to be learned from the "failure" of embedding creativity into all the first year UG curricula, is that creativity means different things in different disciplines. Far from being an obstacle this lesson is a way forwards for exploring both shared areas, and potential cross disciplinary ideas towards a common curriculum for first year Undergraduates. To begin that process we need to consider and share what creativity in education means in each school and discipline. In this way we can identify and develop a core UG. curriculum, across schools, that is fundamental in producing "a transformational and supportive learning experience that will provide them with a secure foundation for their careers." City University Strategic Plan 2012
Innovation Creativity and Leadership – Research and Practice
Innovation Creativity and Leadership – Research and Practice 13th June 2011
Archived abstracts and slides: http://creativity.city.ac.uk/ICLcity_talks.html
This event showcased a diverse range of research and activity in this field. It very successfully met its aim "to be a forum for exchanging ideas and sharing experience of innovation, creativity and leadership in both research and practice." Central to this was the vibrant attending crowd. True to its interdisciplinary nature, the event enabled lively networking across the disciplines, between lecturers, services, students and researchers, between academics, consultancies, and companies, from City University London and beyond. Among the many people I encountered were a MICL (Masters in Innovation, Creativity and Leadership) student glowing about his inspiring and rewarding study experience and a creativity consultant that provided me with a list of useful techniques for change management.
The performance space proved to be an excellent venue although the area used for catering was a little cramped. It would have been exciting to use the space to perform and have had sessions that enabled physical movement, interactivity and engagement with the actual techniques discussed.
Highlights for me included Patrick Jordan's opening keynote. He is described as a "design, marketing and brand strategist" as well as an academic. His presentation was eye-opening and highly visual and exploded a number of assumptions about human behaviour in his discussion of bringing about change. www.patrickwjordan.com
Clive Holtham co-created his slides with the audience using a crayoned flip book and invitations to interpret the symbols.
Kathy Molloy and Kathryn Waddington explored critical reflection as a tool for learning about leadership. This introduced me to the term 'toxic leadership' and also demonstrated how medical staff were able to embrace and benefit from the seemingly uncomfortable practice of reflection.
Sara Jones gave an excellent overview of the technologically enhanced spaces for creative conversations that they have been evaluating and experimenting with. http://hcid.soi.city.ac.uk/cityinteractionlab/
Above all I took away this quote shared by Andres Roberts that "there is no scientific evidence that seriousness leads to greater growth..". I left with a stronger conviction that bringing about change requires play and creativity. This was an enjoyable day and excellent networking opportunity. It was a demonstration of the kind of event that City University London should do more of and I look forward to the next one.


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Union Pacific to Increase Maximum Speed Through Gladewater for Efficiency and Safety
Spring, Texas, May 23, 2006 To improve efficiency and safety, Union Pacific will gradually add 30 mph to its maximum freight train speed, and 39 mph to the maximum passenger train speed through Gladewater, beginning June 5.
Following Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations, the railroad will gradually increase the maximum speed limit from 40 mph to 70 mph for freight trains and to 79 mph for passenger trains that operate on its tracks through Gladewater. The train speeds will increase by five mph each week beginning June 5. By the week of July 10, freight and passenger trains traveling through the area will be able to operate at their new respective speeds.
Union Pacific's track improvements have made it possible for the FRA to upgrade the track classification from Class 4 to Class 5, allowing for the speed increases.
This measure is expected to improve public traffic flow and grade crossing safety by increasing train traffic fluidity through the area. Statistics show that more highway-rail grade crossing collisions occur at slower train speeds. At the same time, slower train speeds can cause traffic delays as trains occupy crossings longer.
Jobs at Union Pacific
Currently, Union Pacific has job openings at many locations throughout its 23-state operating system. Opportunities are available in train service, skilled disciplines (e.g., diesel mechanics and electricians) and management. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit www.up.com and click on "Jobs at UP."
About Union Pacific
Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America's leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country and serves the fastest-growing U.S. population centers. Union Pacific's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad offers competitive long-haul routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways. Union Pacific connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico, making it North America's premier rail franchise.
For more information, Joe Arbona at (281) 350-7771.
The statements and information contained in the news releases provided by Union Pacific speak only as of the date issued. Such information by its nature may become outdated, and investors should not assume that the statements and information contained in Union Pacific's news releases remain current after the date issued. Union Pacific makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update any of this information.

subset: commoncrawl


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In what will come across as a really shocking development, a woman has died during church service in a Delta State community.
Mrs. Ese Kalu, a woman, who is a member of a Pentecostal Church along Cemetery road in Sapele, Delta State, left members of the church shell-shocked after she collapsed and died during a mid – week service at the Church premises on Tuesday night.
A report by Vanguard has shown that the deceased, a petty trader, was said to have attended church services that evening, full of life and was leading the congregation in praise singing when she suddenly fell down, clutching her chest.
A lady who claimed to be the late woman's relative told Vanguard that she had no medical history.
"Ese went to church around 7pm. she was singing when she suddenly stopped and clutched her chest, before going down. Church members who took her to the hospital came back crying, they said she died before they could get to the Clinic" the source who craved anonymity said.
When Vanguard visited the deceased home, her husband who was in tears, described her as a pillar, saying "her death is still a shock to me" as he added amidst tears.
Her remains have been deposited in the Sapele Central Hospital.
Source: Vanguard


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"When you launch an app on your mobile device, the device essentially becomes that app." via Max Rudberg – ✎ Flat UI is not the only way forward
This is a great, keen observation, and it correlates to why having clean, minimalist design makes a lot of sense for the hardware of mobile devices. These are windows onto many worlds. As such, for them to blend away into near invisibility is precisely what they should do–so that you can immerse yourself in any one of those worlds without distractions from the window itself. The more invisible the window, the better.
But for the world experienced through the window, it would be as if you were forced to live in Flatland, if you were limited to flat, minimalist design. Even though it is a deception, it is a beautiful deception for a piece of software to make you truly feel you are a part of the story it is telling, the story it is helping you to become a part of.


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This classic guacamole starts with mashed ripe avocados and gets a little zing from scallions, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice. Serve it with quesadillas and baked tortilla chips and kick back with a cold beer. Or, learn How to Make Nachos and throw your guacamole on top.
What to buy: Look for avocados that give slightly when pressed but are not completely soft. We used Hass avocados.
Game plan: If you prefer your guacamole a little spicier, don't remove the seeds from the jalapeño.
This recipe was featured as part of our guacamole recipe gallery.


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Free 3D printing workshop carves out future for Illawarra businesses
25 November 2019
Illawarra businesses attended a free University of Wollongong workshop on Wednesday 6 December on how 3D printing can help future-proof their business.
The 'Going for Growth: Expanding your business with additive manufacturing' workshop was held by UOW's Advantage SME and the Southern Manufacturing Innovation Group with support from the NSW Government.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward said the worklshop was supported through the Government's Boosting Business Innovation Program which is providing $18 million to the state's 11 universities – including $1.5 million to UOW
– and the CSIRO to share expertise with businesses to help boost innovation.
"UOW's Advantage SME program is doing this by bringing together university researchers and industry to solve problems and help businesses grow," Mr Ward said.
"This event will show how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from Australia and the United Kingdom have used 3D printing to future-proof their businesses."
The UOW workshop was a chance for Illawarra businesses to learn how 3D printing can help their business grow and also network with other innovative regional businesses.
The 3D printing workshop included a keynote presentation by Dr Allan Rennie who is a lecturer in engineering and an expert in 3D printing and product development from Lancaster University in the United Kingdom.
Dr Rennie has a record of helping industry transform using 3D printing and will show how Lancaster University's Engineering Design Academy has successfully grown its local SME community.
The Engineering Design Academy has gained an international reputation for its innovative approach to SME collaboration and transforming local industry through additive manufacturing.
UOW also offered complimentary business consultations with Dr Rennie from 6-8 December.


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LinkedIn recently began to reach out to the 13+ age group, as well as launched University Pages, all in the hopes of encouraging the younger generation at focusing on future potential college and career opportunities.
Gaining ground with the 13+ group might be challenging in the efforts of getting them to focus on college and career paths, but if this concept is harnessed properly and they can meet each age group at it's level then it just might be successful. I think the idea is wonderful in concept and I cannot wait to see how this portion of it comes to fruition. As parents, educators, mentors, and employers of the teen generation, we have an opportunity to drive our teens social media focus in a more positive direction that can actually help them with their college and career choices.
University Pages has already kicked off, and looks promising as some 200 universities have pages already. If you check out Princeton's page (click on "show more"), it immediately gives you some stats about where Alumni work, what they do, and then there is of course their website and contact information, whether or not the institution is private or not, tuition, and more. Of course there is the opportunity for community engagement with posts and comments, just like other LinkedIn pages.
All in all, I'd say LinkedIn's newest and upcoming improvements are very promising, and I am looking forward to seeing them unfold.
What are your thoughts on LinkedIn's newest updates? Tell us below in the comments.
Rhonda Holscher
Latest posts by Rhonda Holscher (see all)
- Top 5 Barriers to Delegation - January 1, 2017
- October 2016 – 63rd Edition - September 30, 2016
- September 2016 – 62nd Edition - August 31, 2016


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Currency Displayed in
PolyAndro-7 & 10
with Persona for Android
Poly-Andro-7 and the new PolyAndro-10 are lightweight portable Android tablets for literate users on the go. Their strength comes from the Persona for Android program that gives you clear text-to-speech voice output and a host of other features you are certain to appreciate.
Persona for Android is a text-to-speech augmentative/alternative communication application for use on an Android tablet. It provides complete portable communication wherever it's needed. Use it in portrait or landscape formats interactive conversation is the goal, especially over the phone. There are speed enhancements like word prediction and stored phrases, and a forward facing display option to let your listener in on what you are typing to say.
Speak your mind like never before.
In addition to being able to type and talk, Persona allows rapid access to pre-stored phrases. Messages and situational categories are easily created within the app. While the program's operation is mostly obvious, the HELP files provides the equivalent of a user's guide and operation manual, and is available to you all the time.
Choices of voices and a list of languages.
Google text-to-speech is standard; high quality speech can be downloaded directly from various synthesizer providers using Good Play store. Many languages are available, with several voice options with each language. You can even put more than one language on board and switch between them.
All prices are in USD.


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Based on the infamous 1954 matricide in New Zealand involving two ninth-grade schoolgirls, Peter Jackson's stunning "Heavenly Creatures" tells the story of an uncommonly powerful love. When Pauline and Juliet are together, the wind is filled with butterflies and the trumpet call of Mario Lanza, "the greatest tenor in the whole world!!" Their universe is an exclusive realm of two, existing half in reality where they are ostracized as peculiar, half in fantasy, where they escape to a highly evolved system of dream lovers and romantic alter egos.
The film begins with Pauline (Melanie Lynskey), a miserable child whose mother runs a boardinghouse. In the photo for her class at her proper girls' school in Christchurch, New Zealand, she sticks out amid all the blond hair and proud smiles like a tarantula on a slice of angel
food cake (with apologies to Raymond Chandler). She's the fat one in the back, the disaster, the smudge with the ugly scowl and unruly black curls.
Because of a bone disease that left her with brittle legs, Pauline is unable to share in the sunny, athletic life of her classmates. Then one day her life is changed forever, when a new student named Juliet (Kate Winslet) joins her in her private war against the bores and commoners of Christchurch.
Like Pauline, Juliet thumbs her nose with proud disdain at parochial Christchurch society. But, unlike her new friend, Juliet is not an ugly duckling, but a kind of fairy princess who plucks Pauline from her lily pad, kisses her, and transforms her.
Because she suffers from tuberculosis, Juliet has had to spend almost as much time in the hospital as Pauline, and the girls' common status as invalids sparks a friendship that grows into a murderous passion.
Jackson, who directed and wrote the screenplay, moves through each of these phases with daring and imagination. His camera follows his lovers as they run breathless through the woods before collapsing into each other's arms at the end of the day, spent from the exertions of their special bond.
To his credit, Jackson doesn't patronize this romance as a girlish crush gone ballistic, or pigeonhole it merely as "lesbian." These girls are in love and, clearly, he envies them their abandon and their complete, unguarded commitment to each other. In Jackson's view, theirs is a great romance that, unfortunately, others were not equipped to deal with.
Perhaps, if the world were more enlightened, more flexible, things might not turn out as gruesomely as they do. The problems begin when Juliet's parents begin to see the girls' relationship as "unwholesome." Because of marital problems, her parents are returning to England and plan to send Juliet to South Africa. Rather than be separated, the girls devise an elaborate plan to, as Pauline says it, "moider mother" and escape to Hollywood.
Hundreds, perhaps thousands of movies have been made about girlfriends and their unique bond, but I can't think of another one where the topic is addressed more frankly or openly. Though the film's subject is sensationalistic in the extreme, Jackson's style is poetic. He presents Pauline and Juliet, who eventually returns to England, where she becomes an author of mystery novels, as singularly blessed. And he raises the question of whether there is any love purer or more gratifying than this same-sex soul-mating. Because their love ends in murder, it's at least implied that the romance is tainted somehow. Does the fault lie with the girls, or with the cramped morality of the time? Thankfully, this powerful, evocative movie leaves the question wide open.
© Copyright 1999 The Washington Post Company


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Check out two recent blog mentions featuring Melody's Addiction , the Brooklyn Flea & Ponoko.
Come visit Melody's Addiction this week at the Gifted Market sponsored by the Brooklyn Flea and Lucky Magazine in NoHo. It's my final week, I'll be there Wed-Sun, Dec 16th-20th sharing a spot with Page Sargisson and By Natalia. It's open on Wednesdays 12pm-9pm with booze and a DJ in the evening and 12pm-8pm Thursday through Sunday.
The market is located at 20 E. 4 St. (at Lafayette St.) in Manhattan. There'll be 50 vendors selling small antique items, clothes, jewelry, design objects, food, art, handmade housewares, and all kinds of unique affordable goods!
To shop Melody's Addiction from home, visit my online shop.
Happy Holidays!


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Next level tri-blend workout tank. Designed to remind you of your beauty and strength. Will have people asking you how you stay motivated — "faith!" Available in sizes Small – XLarge. Color: Tahiti Blue with white logo.
Shipping/Returns: All sales final. Shipping to United States flat rate $2.99. NC state tax included. International shipping requires additional shipping and handling. Please add $18 to order for international shipping. (HI/AK have special rates, please contact for details). Use contact form if there are any problems with ordering. If item becomes out of stock, you will be notified of estimated shipping date. Thank you for your order!


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Do you ever wish to start a Facebook store to sell on Facebook? Yes you can, well Facebook has more than 1.5 billion active users every single month.
That's 1,500,000,000 + effective users and hidden customers!
Now the fact is not all of them are going to be your talents client. However even if a micro fraction of that may be your expertise purchaser, that's sounds pretty good.
Today's infographic delves into the facts and figures showing use of Facebook as an e – Commerce store. It will also show a comparison of e-Commerce conversion rates between various social networks.
Facts Source:


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Interview: A Great Big World Opens Up About Their Origins And Their New Album
Ian Axel and Chad King, better known as A Great Big World, got their start in New York City— though they weren't always the duo as we know them as today. Axel began playing piano around the age of 3 and says it was something he just understood: "It came from a past life or something." However, singing wasn't a passion until he met King while studying music business at NYU.
King, who had young dreams of being in a boy band, was encouraged by a family member to direct his focus toward the music business side of schooling. So King began managing Axel as a solo act, encouraging him to use his voice and even providing vocal lessons.
Inevitably, the duo began writing together. "I thought I would be a music business executive, then I met Ian. When we started writing that's when I felt like [performing] music was my path," says King. Axel agrees, saying, "For me, when I met Chad, I believed in it a hundred million percent."
While managing and co-writing alongside Axel, King began pitching to various publishing platforms—including MTV, which licensed music for free at the time. "I was like let's get our music on TV regardless of if we're getting paid or not," King explains. They landed a song on the hit MTV show "The Hills," and were directly contacted by Pete Wentz (of Fall Out Boy), who wanted more information on the duo's up-and-coming sound.
"I remember freaking out about that," King recalls. From there, they produced a low (borderline no) budget music video for their song "This Is the New Year." After the song went viral online, MTV picked it up for the theme of "I Used To Be Fat." The song was also performed by the cast in an episode of Glee. "MTV played a really huge role in this, along with us being open to people hearing our music for free," says King.
Slowly gaining recognition in the music industry gave Axel, as a solo artist, more confidence. He says doing open mic gigs and seeing people's positive responses helped form the security behind the dream of becoming a successful artist. "[I began] walking on the streets of New York as a young 20-year-old with a smile on my face, and I felt like I was being born," he says.
After some time spent rebranding, Axel and King officially joined forces under the name "A Great Big World." They were signed with Epic Records, and put out a three-song EP that included their giant hit, "Say Something."
"For 'Say Something,' Ian had the chorus and the melody written, and I was toying around with a verse," says King. "The original verse, lyrically, was about aliens coming down to Earth or something like that. When we put the verse and chorus together it completely changed, thank God."
"So basically, 'Say Something' is about aliens," Axel sarcastically adds.
The song was played on the finale of "So You Think You Can Dance," and then placed among the top 20 songs on iTunes. After hearing the song, pop superstar Christina Aguilera wanted to collaborate with Axel and King on a re-recorded version.
"We were really scared when we went into record with Christina," says Axel. "She's a total pro. She gives 150 percent and she makes you want to be the best. What a blessing." The group performed this new version of the song on NBC's "The Voice," after the refurbished release. In 2015, they earned a Grammy for Best Pop Duo/ Group Performance.
Since then, AGBW has worked with other big-name celebrities, though they say they take nothing for granted. "We hung out with Rihanna one night," says Axel. "We wrote a song with Gavin Degraw that we love and hopefully something happens with. You know, we're just trying to continue to build relationships."
In the past few years, AGBW has signed with a major label, gained national press, won a Grammy and worked with top-notch artists and industry executives, yet Axel says, "Even with the Grammy, we feel like the underdog, and I don't ever want to not feel like that."
Just like any other independent artist trying to make their music known, AGBW feels like they are still trying to figure out what's next. "A lot of people know the song 'Say Something,' but if you asked them if they know A Great Big World they say no," Axel explains. "Our music was able to connect with millions of people, but we're still just starting out."
Now the group is touring their sophomore album, "When the Morning Comes," which was written and recorded over the course of eight years. "We wrote this album with a lot of pressures," Axel says, "because [now] this is a business, and we have a label, a publisher, people making money from this, and they expect something."
King describes the album as a lot more "cohesive" than the last. "We were definitely more focused on the second album," adds Axel.
One song on the album, "Hold Each Other," was produced by Dan Romer, who also helped produced "Say Something." Originally written as a love song between a man and woman, the duo took a different approach. When Axel asked King if he was going to shift pronouns to reflect his own sexuality—saying "him" in place of "her"—King was not on board.
"It felt very uncomfortable," King explains. "No one says that in pop music." But after reflecting on that, he says, "A lightbulb went off, and I thought, 'Why am I not comfortable with this? This is who I am, this is my truth." Rapper and producer Futuristic signed on for a verse of the song, adding another level of complexity to the track. "It's a song about love for everyone," Axel says.
As for the future of AGBW, the band is going to continue to create and put out music that is both slow and emotional, yet optimistic and joyful. Axel and King have also been working on a heartfelt, comedic musical for the past three and a half years. Their band will be performing most of the songs from the musical at a show in NYC in April. "It's one of the most rewarding writing processes for both of us," says King.
The Kaleidoscope Tour comes to St. Louis Sunday, March 13 at the Firebird STL (2706 Olive Street). Playing songs from their new album (and of course songs from the past), the duo says "we're super excited to get back to St. Louis with this whole band experience. It's different than the last time around."
Keep up with A Great Big World via their website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube


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NIV recruitment 2016 notification 6 Technician vacancies :- National institute of Virology (NIV) invites application for the position of 06 Technician – C on temporary basis in Bangalore. Apply before 28th March 2016.
Name of post:- Technician
Eligibility:- +2 class, Diploma, B.Sc.
Job Location:- Karnataka
Pay Scale:- Rs.24500/- Per Month
Last Date:- 18th March 2016
Total No. of Posts:- 6 Posts
Age Limit:- The age of the candidate should be below 30 years.
Qualification:- Candidates should have
- Assed +2 class in science subjects with either
- Two year diploma in medical laboratory technology (DMLT) OR
- One year diploma in medical laboratory technology (DMLT) and one year experience in virology OR
- Two year virology laboratory / field experience
- B.Sc. degree shall be treated as three year experience.
Selection Procedure:- The selection of the candidates will be on the basis of written examination and personal interview depending on the number of applications received.
Age Relaxation:- The upper age of the candidates in relaxable for the following specified categories to the extent indicated below:-
i) By 5 years for candidates belonging to ST communities.
ii) By 5 years for candidates belonging to SC communities.
iii) By 3 years for candidates belonging to OBC communities.
How to apply:- Candidates may apply in prescribed application form and send by e-mail to email@example.com on or before 28th March 2016.
Click here to view the advertisement
Like Govnokri.com on facebook to get updated towards latest jobs.
General Instruction:-
- Age relaxation against post earmarked for reserved categories candidates will be as per government of India norms.
- No relaxation against un-reserved categories candidates.
- Qualification and experience should be in relevant discipline / field and from an institution of repute.
- Experience should have been gained after acquiring the minimum essential qualification.
- Mere fulfilling the essential qualification does not guarantee the section.
- Canvassing in any form will be a dis-qualification.


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Payday Loans: The Best Answer When You Are Caught Short
Today, most people are now resorting to this kind of loan in order to get some financial relief when they are caught short of cash. The great thing about this loan is that there is no collateral. You don't need to risk anything in order to get the loan, such as your house.
Also, people usually pays off this loan before they even get calls from creditors who are demanding their money back.
Even if living from paycheck to paycheck can work for you, you can never avoid having those nasty money problems that seems to creep up on you and catch you off guard in between paydays. One day everything was under control and you had everything financially planned out and the next day becomes a complete financial chaos. And, the worst part of it all is that your next payday is still in two weeks.
You have nobody in mind to lend you money without making a fuss and you also started to think about selling your rare Babe Ruth baseball card. However, before you start selling your stuff, you'll see that with the payday loan, you be able to get the money you need pronto.
To find a reliable lender, try asking your colleagues at work. There's a great chance that they too have been in your situation and have used this type of loan as a way to help them with their financial troubles. By doing so, you can be sure that it's credible and that it is a licensed company.
So, what do you need to get this loan?
First, you will need a certificate of employment, a proof of income or salary, such as your latest pay stub, and a checking account. When you have these things, then your money problem will be gone before you know it.
Payday loans are short term loans where it will not require any collateral from you. This means that you don't have to put up anything against the loan for security. The security of the lender is your paycheck. That's it.
Although loans like this may have pretty stiff interest rates considering the brief term of the loan, you have to consider that this is the only choice you have and is the best thing that you can rely on in times of financial difficulties.
Always remember that you need to pay the loans on time in order to prevent interest rates from getting any higher. You have to remember that there are also repercussions if you don't pay the loan on time, which can be additional interest rates on top of the fees, penalties and most worrying of all, a damaged credit rating.
Payday loans can save you from certain financial difficulties. However, you have to remember that this short term loan can get quite expensive. So, you should only use it when you have exhausted your options in getting the money. Remember these tips and you can be sure that you will be able to know how to handle financial emergencies.
Top ArticlesEmergency Help - Payday Loans
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Payday Loans: What Is It And What Can You Get From It?
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Tips On How To Get Very Cheap Payday Loans
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Payday Loans: The Best Answer When You Are Caught Short
Steps For Applying A Payday Loan
Payday Loans: The Answer To Your Financial Woes
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Payday Loans - Pros & Cons
Payday Loans: Immediately Getting The Funds You Need
Using Payday Loans In A Responsible Manner
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"Has biofuels led to major land use changes in the US?"
Today on Twitter:
NebraskaLong: "US ethanol reduced wholesale gasoline prices combating prices at the pump!
paultanger: Has biofuels led to major land use changes in the US?
energynenvironm: What do you think? "Biofuels Are a Loser, Despite the Hope and Hype":
EnergyCollectiv: "No amount of genetic engineering can overcome the fundamental limitations of trying to grow fuel" #biofuels
Category: Producer News


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What Would Your Job At Scarlet Magazine Be?
The Bold Type premieres on July 11.
Always dreamed about working at a magazine like the boss girls of The Bold Type?
We have too, which is why we can't wait for the premiere July 11. In the meantime, see which Scarlet magazine job you are perfectly suited for by taking the quiz below and check out some sneak peeks of the show right here on Freeform.
What job did you get? Share your result on Facebook!
And don't forget to watch the 2-hour special of The Bold Type right here on July 11 at 9/8c.


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Work Step by Step
There are no prefixes in front of the hydrogen, meaning that there is only one hydrogen. Cyanide is the name for the compound CN-. It makes sense that for every one hydrogen atom, there is one cyanide molecule. After all, the hydrogen ion has a charge of +1, and the cyanide ion has a charge of -1. Thus, the chemical formula for Hydrogen Cyanide is HCN, which is neutral.


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Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the new US sanctions against Iranian individuals and entities "poison the atmosphere" and "violate the spirit" of the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.
The new sanctions against Iran, announced the day after the US administration recertified the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), "poison the atmosphere" and "violate the spirit" of the nuclear deal, Zarif told CBS News on Tuesday.
Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) reached the 159-page nuclear agreement in July 2015 and implemented it in January 2016.
The remarks came after the US state department and also department of treasury announced on Tuesday that they were targeting 18 Iranian individuals, groups and networks.
Zarif added that Iran is considering firing back with reciprocal sanctions and will "probably" add to its own list of banned US corporations.
When asked if he thought the US is trying to get Iran to walk away from the deal, he replied that yes, "that's their wish."
"This is a multilateral deal, approved by the Security Council, and it's not a bilateral deal to be withdrawn from or to be renegotiated," he said.
Zarif warned that the stakes would be much higher if Iran were to come back to the negotiating table.
Elsewhere in the interview, he said US President Donald Trump is also damaging the relationship between the two countries with his travel ban.
"The Muslim ban was an insult," Zarif said.
He noted that Iranians living in the US are physicians, engineers and scientists that have benefited the country. "I certainly think it is up to the US government to stop sending all these hostile signals, not to the Iranian government only, but to the entire Iranian nation, both in Iran and abroad."
Zarif also said that the US is cozying up to actors like the Saudis and the Qataris based on their interest in big defense contracts.
"The yardstick for the United States in ascertaining who is supporting terrorism is whether they're buying weapons from the United States. Just look at the statements that came out in the last few weeks. People who were not buying weapons became supporters of terrorism. And as soon as they agreed to buy weapons they immediately changed sides. Is that the yardstick that you want to apply? Or whether you have a serious yardstick?" he said.
He added, "The only reason that Daesh is not sitting in Damascus as the head of a state is the fact that Iran was there to help Syria. The only reason that Daesh is not sitting in Erbil or in Baghdad is because of the fact that Iran was there to help. So you can frame the issue in whatever way you like, but the reality is that Iran has had the consistent policy of helping regional governments fight extremism".
The Iranian minister concluded that the US is looking at the "wrong address".


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Treatment For Hemorrhoid - Hemorrhoid Remedies - Hemroids Home Treatment
The medical world a hemorrhoid is described as a swollen vein in the rectum area. However to regular people hemorrhoids are because described as a real pain in the butt literally! Veins in the anus and rectum help cushion the area so when they swell it is not a very pleasant experience to say the least.
- Are you sick of the itching using up pain swelling or perhaps bleeding down there?
- Aren't you discouraged simply because it's completely embarrassing to ask for advice on this potentially crippling condition?
Discover My 100% Natural Cure for Hemorrhoids that Works in 48 Hours
Piles is a bad uncomfortable and painful condition that is affecting many millions of people from around the world. It does not only affect the older people but also teens adults and pregnant women. Hemorrhoid symptoms can occasionally mask the indicators of other conditions. Therefore it is fundamental have a basic understanding on the symptoms are so that fast treatment will be given and you will know the course of action to take.
- Article discusses hemorrhoids and importance of having dietary fiber rich diet for treating or even curing hemorrhoids.
- It also emphasizes on how fiber rich diet can be very effective and natural way to treat hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids are a Distressing and Irritating Problem that Many Individuals Experience
The treatment options available are usually varied from home remedies to traditional medications and surgical procedures. To treat hemorrhoids efficiently it is important to know what causes them that occurs how to treat the symptoms and how to prevent these in the future. It is possible to avoid surgical procedures and treat hemorrhoids in your own home.
Julie Brooks Herbal Hemorrhoids Cure Natural Hemorrhoids Cure Review We have known that hemorrhoids are hereditary and are being acquired by not doing the right way in performing our activities. For those who have this problem, more distress and painful experience are being experienced. But the good news is we are...
Hemorrhoids can Happen At Any Time but It Becomes More Repeated With the Growing Age
Women that are pregnant nursing women and younger people are the majority of quick to build up symptoms of hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids tend to be inflamed blood vessels throughout the anus and are very painful.
HEMORRHOiDS What are hemorrhoids ? What is the treatment for hemorrhoids ?
Visit : http://tinyurl.com/hemorrhoidsprevention Easy Method Cures Hemorrhoids Safely in 48 Hours, Already PROVEN By Thousands To Have Eliminated Pain ...
- Hemorrhoids come from the veins near the anus swelling.
- They occur when a lot of pressure causes the muscles supporting the vessels to weaken.
- In those cases the vessels enlarge lose the muscle support and make the vein to be able to protrude.
Bleeding hemorrhoids are very uncomfortable for the victims. Often the bleeding is not only the thing the sufferer has to content with the other signs are itching swelling and painful bowel removal.


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Ok, this is posting number two today and I'm fading fast. Like really, really fast. As I sit on a mountain of Kleenex and Cold-Eeze lozenge wrappers with an ice pack on my head, I'm about to give in and take some more dayquil. I'm trying to stick to the recommended amount for fear of acting, appearing, behaving like Kim Richards and that yuck glob of a boyfriend. What in the f*#k is wrong with those two? What are they on? I'm sick as a dog but if there was a Bravo camera rolling in front of me, I'm pretty sure I could pull it together long enough to fake my way through a scene. My apologies but that's about all I have to give right now......... Off to medicate and sleep.
Illustration of Ken and Kim completed with pen, ink, and marker on paper with a pinch of digital color.


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Editor's note: On April 7, 2003, Syracuse beat Kansas in the NCAA championship game in New Orleans. This is part of a look back at Syracuse.com's coverage of that game.
By Bud Poliquin
Post-Standard columnist
New Orleans ― He told all who'd listen down here that his hometown was one terrific place, and a lot of folks shook their heads. Syracuse? What, they asked Jim Boeheim, was in Syracuse?
Well, now they know, don't they? All of those bayou skeptics, all of those cynics who've looked at our weather and have laughed, all of those doubters scattered across the country understand on this morning what we've got up there in Central New York.
National champions. That's what we've got. The absolute best college basketball team in all the land. So, let it snow, baby. Let it snow.
"I've never had a feeling like this," Carmelo Anthony said. "This is the best feeling I've ever had in my life. I know (Boeheim) is happy. Tonight, he's probably the happiest man on earth."
They did it. The Syracuse University Orangemen, the last club standing in the NCAA Tournament, defeated the Kansas Jayhawks inside the vast Louisiana Superdome on Monday night, 81-78. And they did it the old-fashioned way, raining jumpers - particularly in the first half during which they scored an NCAA title game record 53 points - atop a staggered KU defense from all over the floor.
Anthony ... splash. Gerry McNamara ... bang. Kueth Duany ... kerplunk. The three of them combined for 41 points, on 10-of-13 shooting from beyond the arc, as SU built a three-touchdown advantage (47-29) after just 15 minutes and held onto the lead in the face of all kinds of Kansas mayhem as if it had handles.
"We played unbelievable in the first half," said Boeheim, the 58-year-old coach who'd waited 27 seasons for the joy that Monday's final horn brought to him. "As well as we played, for Kansas to get right back in it in the second half, and to be at three points ... you would think any group of young players would just go, like, "Well, we made every shot and we're only three points ahead.' But they don't think that way. It's a tribute to these guys. They wouldn't give up. I'm really proud of them."
Oh, it was something - a spectacular competition, preserved by Hakim Warrick's block of the Jayhawks' Michael Lee with 1 1/2 seconds on the clock, that saw the Orangemen win despite being badly outrebounded by a KU bunch that missed 18 of its 30 free throws and 16 of its 20 3-point heaves.
There were the Orangemen, led by the youthful likes of Anthony and McNamara and Billy Edelin, each a freshman ... according to his birth certificate, anyway. And there were the Jayhawks, whose two best players, the bruising Nick Collison (who collected 21 rebounds) and the flat-haired Kirk Hinrich, were seniors of all things. And they were guided by a pair of head coaches, Boeheim and Roy Williams, who'd combined to labor in 34 previous NCAA Tournaments without having won any of them.
But that drought is over now for Boeheim, who discovered in his 879th game at the top of the SU bench that this burg, which was chummy enough to greet its visitors with posted signs that read "Beware Of Pickpockets," was also nice enough to provide him with a do-over.
You remember what happened the last time Jim had ventured into this bloated joint with a title on the line back in 1987, don't you? You remember the name Keith Smart, right? After Monday's wonders, which produced our city's second basketball championship nearly a half-century after those old NBA Nats delivered the first, you can consider those memories now dead. Barely, but dead nevertheless.
"I just wanted to get the game over with," said Josh Pace, who scored eight points and grabbed eight rebounds off the bench ... and had to endure the drama of Warrick's block and Hinrich's desperation three-point toss at the buzzer. "They were coming back, and we knew they were going to make a run. We just wanted to keep our composure and hold them. And we did."
The poets, of course, had made a pretty big deal out of this Boeheim-vs.-Williams business, but the truth is that both men might well show up for 34 more of these Tournaments before they head off to their respective porch hammocks. So all of the hand-wringing over them might not have been necessary.
But then there was the drama surrounding Anthony. The truly remarkable Anthony, who likely played his final college basketball game amid the tumult generated by the crowd of 54,524. He'd come to this naughty place where drinks were being sold three-for-the-price-of-one down in the French Quarter at 9:30 in the morning a certified star ... and he left it a near-legend, finishing with 53 points and 24 rebounds (plus 11 assists) in the two contests he played down here - a bit of production that put him in a position to stroll with the Final Four gods.
Names and numbers? Try these: Jack Givens, a senior, scored 64 points and grabbed 17 rebounds for Kentucky in 1978 ... Danny Manning, a senior, went 56-17 for Kansas in 1988 ... Earvin Johnson, a sophomore, went 53-17 for Michigan State in 1979 ... David Thompson, a junior, went 49-17 for North Carolina State in 1974.
Get the picture here? Anthony, the 18-year-old freshman who appears headed for the NBA now that his work at SU is done, put those Final Four luminaries in his rear-view window. And having done so, he helped to make the man who brought him into our midst whole, but not hardly full of himself.
"I don't feel any smarter," Boeheim said. "Maybe tomorrow. I wanted to win this thing. I'm tremendously happy. I'm really more happy for the players and for, really, our fans. Our fans have been unbelievable every place we've been. We had the building in Boston. We had the building in Albany. And we had a lot of people here today. I mean, a lot of people came here from Syracuse. Of course it's snowing there. They probably just wanted to get out."
The weather is still bad up there in Central New York, is it? Big deal. Throw on a sweater. Put another log on the fire. And smile. The absolute best college basketball team in all the land is headed home. And it's all ours. So, let it snow. For all we care, it can sleet, too.
Mike Waters is a reporter for the Syracuse Post-Standard and Syracuse.com. Got a comment or idea for a story? He can be reached via email at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 27.5 percent of women in Washington, D.C. over the age of 15 are married. The national average is 52.1 percent. Moreover, according to a 2006 study, the district has the lowest ratio of single men to single women in the nation. Consequently, finding single women can be easy, provided you know where to look.
Charity Events
According to Kelly Ann Collins, a journalist who also blogs about the D.C. social scene, charity events can be a great place to meet women in D.C. When you attend a charity event based around your interests, it almost guarantees that you have something in common with the women you meet there. For a listing of upcoming charity events in D.C., see the link provided below.
Bars And Nightclubs
D.C. is home to countless bars and nightclubs. Different places attract different types of women. Collins notes that Capitol Hill and Cafe Milano tend to attract women who are looking to meet lawyers, lobbyists, congressmen and the like. Clarendon, Alexandria, Bethesda and Ballston lounges tend to attract a more laid-back crowd. For a good mix, try the H Street Corridor north of Union Station (also known as the Atlas District). Here, you'll find numerous live music venues, including the popular Rock and Roll Hotel.
Coffee Shops
A coffee shop is a safe place to meet new people while you work on your computer, read a book or people watch. Order a beverage and find a seat. Approach an interesting woman sitting nearby with a question about the book she's reading or for a recommendation about a local hot spot. Local coffee shops include Tryst in Adams Morgan or standards such as Starbucks or Cosi. Cosi has a full menu, so it offers many appetizing menu items.


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Letting your guard down basically boils down to one thing… being appropriately vulnerable in your communication, which in turn promotes a culture of trust. This diagram is a simply visual showing a different way to achieve effective management and stronger leadership.
Ironically, most leaders choose not to share aspects of their lives that translate into humanizing themselves. As a result, they miss the opportunity to build relationships which leads to higher engagement and productivity. Simply put, people work much harder for leaders they like, know and trust. Patrick Lencioni answers the question of "Why is it so difficult for leaders to be vulnerable?" in his bestselling book The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable. He says, "Achieving vulnerability-based trust is difficult because in the course of career-advancement and education, most successful people learn to be competitive with their peers, and protective of their reputations. It is a challenge for them to turn those instincts off for the good of a team, but that is exactly what is required."
The three bottom-line outcomes resulting from communicating in an appropriately vulnerable way are:
Trust is the bedrock for getting things done. Jack Welch says that people will not do their best without it. And, management guru, Warren Bennis, calls it the major leadership challenge of today and tomorrow.
People are curious about their leader's lives. Unless people know who you are and what makes you tick, they will not fully trust you. They also want their leaders to be interested in them, so ask questions to discover who they are as well. Write down what you learn so you can meaningfully relate something of importance to them in future interactions.
Here are four easy ways to be appropriately vulnerable, inviting people to get to know you thus building stronger relationships:
When people trust you, they will perceive you as having integrity, being reliable, fair, caring, open, competent and loyal.


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I love it.
It fills my soul.
Gives me solace when I am sad.
Raises my spirits.
It makes me smile.
It makes me cry.
It makes me laugh.
It helps me cook.
I get super excited when I discover something great.
It is something I love to share.
Like my cooking.
That is why I set out my posts here like that.
A recipe.
A song.
And I love that I know others that love to share too.
Very often what I post is not necessarily new discoveries but old favourites.
Or tracks the kids have been putting on.
This week I am posting a new track.
A track that I CAN NOT stop listening to.
I love it when a song gets in your bloodstream.
This is one of those......
An artist's name I hadn't heard before (Lianne La Havas), in a duet with one I do (Willie Mason).
I hope you like it as much as I do.
Her new EP was playing while I cooked this dinner..... and it's playing while I write today's post!
This recipe is surprisingly easy & super quick (the marinating time is the longest). It uses a spice mix that I always have in my cupboard. I make it myself. It doesn't take very much time & you end up with quite a bit. If you store it in your pantry in an airtight container you can use it for lots of things. I love to use it for Salt 'n' Pepper tofu- a lunch special I make for myself fairly regularly. The fragrance of this spice mix is too divine for words!
If you don't want to use Quail- it would be equally delicious with chicken or duck!
The spice mix comes from Martin Boetz's cook book for his LONGRAIN restaurant. It ALWAYS reminds me of some VERY VERY special friends in Sydney (you know who you are! x)...we may or may not have had WAY too many Caprioskas there together.....it was NECESSARY!
(makes 1 1/2 cups)
- 50g szechuan peppercorns
- 1 tblspoon coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon cloves
- 2 star anise
- 1 piece of cassia bark
- 5 small red chillies
- 100g sea salt.
Store in an air tight container. (It will keep for several months)
500g Quail Breast
2 tablespoons Salt'n'Pepper spice mix
3 tablespoons dark soy
3 tablespoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon (3 cloves) garlic crushed
Mix together all ingredients in a bowl.
Work through well so that the Quail is well coated.
Set aside for at least 2 hours to marinate- or overnight if you have time.
Heat a non-stick pan to medium-high.
Place the breast skin side down and fry (I did not add any extra oil) for approx 3 minutes. Turn and fry for no more than a minute.
Remove and place n a plate.
Let sit for 5 minutes.
Then slice into large bite size slices (I sliced each Quail breast into 3)
1 lebanese cucumber- peeled into fine strips (use a veegatable peeler)
1 carrot- finely julienned
a handful of vietnamese mint
a handful of regular mint
a handful of coriander
2 cups of bean sprouts (make sure they are rinsed)
In a large bowl mix all of the salad ingredients well.
Sprinkle generously with Nuoc Cham (click here for recipe). You can omit the chilli if you want to serve it to kids.
I did and added fresh chilli to ours.
Place well tossed salad on plate and place Quail on top.
I served it with Jasmine Rice as my kids are super hungry at the moment but it would be delicious just as a salad on it's own.
Here's the track that I talked of....'No room for Doubt' by Lianne La Havas with Willie Mason:


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(Open letter by P.Uthayakumar to Malaysian Home Minister Hishamuddin)
We welcome the release of the longest serving Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Shamsuddin Sulaiman, a suspected Jemaah Islamiah (JI) detainee without trial who was released on 2/9/10 after eight years (The Staronline 3/9/2010).
In the spirit of Hari Raya on the 10th and 11th of September 2010 we call upon the Home Minister Hishamuddin Tun Hussein to release all our local and foreign ISA friends still being detained without trial at the Kamunting Prison in Taiping.
On this Hari Raya occasion I had recall how I had fasted for the whole of the Ramadan month in 2008 along with my Jemaah Islamiah (JI) friends and other muslims. Also how when each J.I and other detainees are released, it used to be a happy and also sad occasion. Happy because our fellow ISA detainee is released from detention. And sad because we are going to miss him and perhaps will never ever see him again. Even when we bid and hug them goodbye it was from the heart.
Behind the walls of the ISA prison there was truly One Malaysia as everyone was treated equally irrespective of their race or religion.
Even though the Hindraf lawyers were labeled as Hindu extremists by UMNO we had zero problems with the J.I. "Islamic extremists" at Kamunting Prison.
This is evidence that racist and religious supremacy in Malaysia is largely the creation of the UMNO controlled government to maintain and sustain their already 53 year old rule of Malaysia.
We learnt in Kamunting Prison that genuine One Malaysia will naturally take place and does not have to be artificial as it is in reality today only when UMNO practices genuine equality for all the communities in Malaysia especially for the poor and politically powerless Malaysia Indians as is guaranteed in Article 5 of the Federal Constitution (equality before the law) and when UMNO stop all acts of rule by majoritarian might and the UMNO racist and religious supremacist bully agenda.
The rule of law is for every man to be given a right to be heard, a fair hearing as per the Latin maxim Audi Altrem Partem.
Under the law every man is presumed innocent until proven guilty and therefore no one should be arbitrarily detained under the ISA but instead should be given a full hearing and be tried in an independent and fair Court of law and that too only if there is a genuine case against him.
The pain and torture of detention under the ISA is a lot more worse than for the ordinary prisoners who would know exactly when they would be released. But for the ISA detainees, their detention is indefinite and they would not know when they would be released. This alone is designed to make it a lot painful and most suffer from mental torture on a day to day basis.
On this auspicious Hari Raya occasion, I recall my 514 days of detention without trial under the ISA at Kamunting Prison, feel for my friends still detained here and call upon the Home Minister to release them all on the occasion of this Hari Raya on 10/9/10.
Finally we call for the abolishment of the ISA and for the closing down of the ISA Kamunting Detention Prison.
Y.B Dato' Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Menteri Kementerian Dalam Negeri, Kementerian Dalam Negeri,
Blok D1 & D2, Kompleks D,
Pusat Pentadbiran,
Kerajaan Persekutuan, Fax: 03-2693 3131
62546 Putrajaya E-Mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Blog Archives
Vegan brownies rule
For my contribution to our girl's night potluck, I decided to test out a new cookbook that Court gave me for Christmas.
I love the name, plus the entire cookbook is desserts! Doesn't get much better than that.
I chose to start out with something I thought everyone would like…brownies!
I laid out all the ingredients, including some substitutions (like applesauce for oil). I also halved the sugar it called for because I know that is easily something to do that saves calories.
Since I used applesauce and didn't have brown sugar, the "crumb top" was more of an "icing" but I just went with it.
I thought they turned out great! Everyone remarked that they tasted like fudge and I would have to agree. Nice and chocolatey, not overly sweet, just right.
I love recipe successes! I highly recommend this one, you won't miss the eggs or dairy, seriously.
What is your favorite cookbook?
Feeling alright
Hey guys, happy Wednesday 🙂
In the words of Bon Jovi "Ooooh, we're halfway there…"
Aww, yeah!
I don't have any food pics to share with you yet but I hope to have those up tonight. Basically, after a long day at work and a nice walk at the park with Suzie and a friend of mine, I was whooped and fell asleep around 9:00. But I woke up at 11:00 to go downstairs, turn my phone off, wave at my husband (literally, I was too tired to speak) and then go back to bed, ha ha.
But I'm feeling good today. I don't have any cold symptoms and that tired worn down feeling is gone, even if I have been feeling the need for more sleep lately — I think I'm ready for hibernation mode since it's been so cool outside. We're having 70's this weekend after a brief heatwave over the next couple of days. What is this?
But, I still took some Vitamin C this morning and I'm still washing my hands every opportunity I get 🙂
Weight Update
I looked at my calendar this week and realized that it has been a month since I started working toward a lower sugar lifestyle. I officially began this journey on my husband's birthday, July 27th, and here we are a month later already, I can't believe it. Read my post about it all here: What's going on?
Since I prefer to look at my weight progression over the course of a month, rather than week to week, I thought it was high time for an update. I do weigh myself every Monday but I don't feel like it is worth it to mention every single week since we know there are times when it fluctuates for reasons that we cannot control.
On 7/27, I weighed in at 160.5 lbs.
On 8/24, I weighed in at 151 lbs.
So, in a month's time I was able to get back into my comfort zone by paying more attention to the foods I was putting into my body, cutting back on processed junk, exercising moderately and resting when I needed to rest. It is easy to get caught in a rut of desserts (like baked goods, candy and ice cream) and sugary foods (like sweetened yogurts, energy bars, fruit). It's like an addiction. Now that I have that under control, I no longer feel the urge to eat sugary foods, even fruit. I do like to have a serving with breakfast for the nutrients and because it goes well with oatmeal but other than that, I don't really crave it the way I used to.
I do eat dark chocolate almost every night but it's enough to satisfy me and dark chocolate does have antioxidant qualities (that's my story anyway). I do have the occasional dessert but only on special occasions (like Wednesday nights with my girls) and I am not keeping them in the house! I do have a container of ice cream in my freezer right now from the other night when I was feeling ill, but it's not staying there, ha ha.
I also realize that it's easy to get caught in exercise ruts too. I think sometimes I would exercise more so that I could eat dessert, and that is not healthy either. I also ate way too much when I was running/training and it has been a hard transition now that I don't run long distances anymore. I've had to relearn body needs vs. wants and habits.
Now, I just try to stick to moderate workouts, including a good mixture of walking, running, weight training and yoga. Plus occasionally venturing onto new cardio machines like the stair master and rower. I've also come to appreciate days off from exercise or at least lighter days and not packing a gym bag to work every single day. Today is one of those days…I wore tennis shoes though so I can at least take a few short strolls to clear my head 🙂
Exercise, like dessert, can be overdone. I think I am finding a balance, slowly but surely. I still plan on tracking my calories for a while just because it has been interesting for me to see the days when I need more than others and what foods keep me more satisfied at what times. I set no goals for the day and it is in no way obsessive. If it becomes that way, I will end this little experiment.
In summary, I feel great. I feel like I'm in control again and I certainly don't feel deprived in any way. I feel like I've found what works best for my body and I have no plans of changing that any time soon. It is important that we all find what works for us and this won't necessarily be the same as another person in your life, another blogger, etc. It's something you have to find for yourself, even if you are inspired by others along the way.
Thanks friends! Be back soon 🙂


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Image Source: Traitov/iStock.com
Graphic design is an ever changing, ever evolving arena. Every year pushes the boundaries of creativity and imagination a few steps further. Some become trend setters and introduce new concepts to the world, while others fall into a design trap and end up learning the hard way.
Let's go through some of these traps to help novice logo designers (and even experienced ones) in becoming safe practitioners of this art and avoid making graphic design mistakes. Designers become victims of these design traps as a result of too much experimentation and imagination, or the lack thereof. While logo designers are always encouraged to be creative and try new things, it should never be done at the cost of losing basic fundamentals.
Design Trap #1 – Redefining the Predefined
This translates to slightly editing a pre-existing logo, created by someone else, with a few unique touches and calling it your own. Some designers create derivative concepts and steal ideas in order to save time.
There are no short cuts in graphic design. The entire concept of creating something unique depends on the designer's ability. Don't be remembered for work that was already done by someone else.
Design Trap #2 – Using Graphic Symbols
This is one of the easiest traps to fall into. If you have used any graphic design software, you have come across graphic symbols. These are free tools that come with the design programs. While the software itself is licensed the symbols aren't, which means that every symbol uses the same brushes. This leaves the window of trademark infringement wide open.
Bottom line – Create your own logo designs and symbols.
Design Trap #3 – Opting For Graphic Brushes
Just like symbols, graphic brushes are tools embedded in most modern day graphic design software. Unlike graphic symbols, logo designers can get away with using graphic brushes if they are applied carefully and are only used as a supporting element.
Never base your designs on these brushes, too many uses can lead to trademark infringement. A good logo designer should only rely on his/her creative instinct to come up with new concepts.
Design Trap #4 – Choosing RGB & CMYK Color Standards
Versatility is one attribute that clients will not hesitate to reward you for. Using RGB or CMYK color schemes, when at times seems like a good option, there limitations. If a client receives a design in RGB or CMYK and wants to change the medium of their design, they will run into issues. The client will either have the designer redo everything from scratch or be forced to pay someone to adjust it.
Using the Pantone color scheme will give the client flexibility to print their logo designs on any medium they see fit. Similarly sending in raster files is a big no-no. You should send your client vector files as these are easily scalable.
Design Trap #5 – Adding Special Effects
Some new logo designers think that adding special effects will make their logo look extra special; this is not the case. Special effects generally make a logo appear childish and cheap. Avoid these effects, unless specifically requested by the client.
If you want to establish yourself as a serious logo designer, you need to stop making these easily overlooked graphic design mistakes. Protect your reputation and don't fall for a design trap!


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Tey. It is a French-Senegalese word meaning "today," as in the last 24 hours Satche spends alive: "No one must waste his time today," says a woman to him on his last morning jaunt through his village.
Directed by Alain Gomis, the foreign-language film is shot in a series of close-ups and heart-pounding drums, but Tey really owes its award-winning success to the portrayal of emotional nuance, visualized as longing stares, wide eyes and half-smiles. The other reason for its success is Saul Williams, actor and spoken word poet. As an actor, Williams plays the part of Satche with quiet esteem. As a poet, Williams is a favored visitor to the Houston arts and culture scene, so much so that his film holds a marquee position for the 4th Annual Our Image Film & Arts Festival, being held October 25 and 26 at Rice Media Center.
The festival is an annual event, planned by the organization of the same name, which was started in 2009 by Monie Henderson, a New York transplant, and Marc Newsome, a independent film producer and director who ping-ponged between the East and West coasts. When the pair moved to Houston, they were surprised by a lack of visible art, film and music by blacks, despite the city's diversity.
"This stuff is brilliant!" Henderson, Our Image Film & Arts co-founder and co-executive director, remembers saying about the black art, film and music she did encounter. "Why isn't this stuff being showcased somewhere?"
With a board and a cast of volunteers, Henderson and Newsome set about the task of showcasing cultural work by and about African Americans. In addition to the film festival, Our Image Film & Arts holds events throughout most of the year, from January to October. Lectures, mixed media events and exhibits run until the annual festival, one that, since its start in 2009, has grown from an evening affair to a two-day event.
There are more than 10 short and feature films being shown this year, the first that called for open submissions. When they extended the call for submissions, Henderson says that the nonprofit received more than 50 submissions. With the award-winning Tey, however, the exchange was mutual.
"At the same time we were reaching out to them, they were trying to come here," says Monie Henderson.
Despite Tey's seriousness, Henderson says that satire resonates throughout many of this year's other films. Titles such as Destination: Planet Negro and Thugs the Musical, with David Alan Grier, verify the presence of political comedy.
This festival has become quite popular, Henderson says, but they still want to grow.
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"Our goals this year are to definitely expand the audience...and we want to expand the submission portion," Henderson says.
They've already accomplished their original goal: to showcase the cultural efforts of the city's African-American artisans. The festival draws a diverse audience, one that sees each film, not for the color of its creator, but for the creativity, coolness and courage of its content.
"At the end of the day, it's art."
Williams will hold a Q&A session after the showing of Tey on Friday, October 25. There will be also be musical performances and art on display. Visit ourimagefest.com for more information and to buy tickets.


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Last month Hilton opened their largest "Hampton by Hilton" property in the world at London Stansted Airport. The £45m, 357 room hotel is spread over 7 floors, has rooms with runway views and "digital key" access, and is in walking distance to the airport terminal and train station. The Hampton By Hilton London Stansted Airport hotel replaces the previous Hilton hotel which was further away from the airport, which is now a branded as a Novotel property.
This Hampton by Hilton property is one of many chain hotels at Stansted Airport. If you are looking for a hotel within walking distance of the airport terminal and the train station then your option are either this hotel or the nearby Raddison Blu. The Hampton by Hilton is priced lower than the Raddison Blu hotel at around £80 per night depending how far in advance you point. Alternatively you could redeem 20,000 Hilton Honors points for a free night (or a combination of points and cash if you only have a small Hilton Honors balance).
The day before my stay Hilton sent through a push notification via their app to let me know that I was able to request a digital key. The digital key concept by Hilton is a smart piece of tech. Their app generates a digital key which you can then use to unlock your room door, meaning that you can go straight to your room without having to visit reception.
After arriving at the train station it was a short 5 minute walk under the covered walkway directly to the hotel. As I collected my digital key earlier in the day through the app I headed straight up to the room on the 7th floor.
View of the hotel from the train station
Entrance to the hotel
Entrance and reception desks
Huge seating area used in the morning for breakfast and in the evening for the bar
The room was on the top floor (#740), out of the lift and down the hallway to the left. With the hotel being brand new it still has the "new carpet" smell.
7th floor hallway
Outside room #740
Hampton by Hilton properties only offer a few different room types. The room types available at the Hampton by Hilton Stansted Airport are Twin, Queen and Queen Family Room, each of which can be booked with or without a runway view. I booked into the Queen Family Room with a runway view. The Queen Family Room sleeps up to 4 people.
Room entrance with a good sized fitted desk
Large queen sized bed and double sofa bed
A spotless room thanks to the hotel being brand new
Basic tea and coffee making facilities
Safe built into one of the bedside cabinets
Double sofa bed stowed away
Double sofa bed extended
Wardrobe storing iron, hair dryer and bedding for guests using sofa bed
Clean bathroom with double shower
Spa Therapy branded soap and hand moisturiser
More Spa Therapy branded products in the shower
Great runway view of Stansted Airport directly from the room
Huge bar on the ground floor
Seating area used for breakfast or bar depending on time of day
More seating at the other side of reception
Couple of computers and printer to print boarding passes if needed
Cardio machines in the fitness centre
Free weight gym equipment
The hotel, which was my first time staying at a Hampton by Hilton property, greatly exceeded my expectations. If you need to stay close to the terminal then the Hampton by Hilton is certainly one of the best options. It's in a prime position and means that you don't have to catch a shuttle between the airport and hotel. The hotel also offers a full or continental breakfast, and for free that's even better.
When I next return to London Stansted Airport I'll be checking the availability of this hotel.
Book a stay at the Hampton by Hilton Stansted Airport Hotel.