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It's January 17th, 2019. Maria Mavrekh, a former marketing director of the esports ICO "Play2Live," is walking home on what has been an unremarkable day in Moscow. Taking a brisk pace down a sparsely populated street she isn't mindful of the car that pulls up alongside her, even though the vehicle is driving with a speed and purpose that doesn't fit the setting. Like a scene from a movie, two large men would emerge from the car, take an arm each then forcibly push her onto the back seat, closing the door behind them in one fluid movement. The screech of tires sync with her screams, which are then cut short as she sees the gun pointing at her face.
Had she not survived this ordeal who knows how this would have been reported. Maybe she would have joined the list of 25,000 people who would go missing without a trace in Russia this year. Maybe it would make the local news, a bungled kidnapping turned to murder. But she did survive, tossed out the car as swiftly as she was thrown into it, left trying to process exactly what had happened, scarcely believing it was real. After a brief time spent with her family, still in a state of shock and seeking catharsis, she posted about it on Facebook as if it were as mundane as a photograph of breakfast.
The post wouldn't last of course. The prescribed wisdom from her friends and family was to not draw any more attention to herself, to instead contact the police and maintain a low profile to be safe. She would delete the post but by then it wouldn't matter. People had taken screen shots, one of which was sent to me by one of my sources in that region. At first I didn't register why. Sure, it was a shocking story about someone who had worked for a time in the esports industry. Then I read through the broken English of the attached translation and I realized why I had been sent it. Maria's claims were that her kidnappers were criminals chasing money that had been invested into the Play2Live project, money they had been told she had stolen.
"I was shoved into the back seat of [a vehicle] by two large men" her post began. "In front were Chinese or Korean and a white gangster. We were driving. The white gangster started saying that I should give back the money I stole. I did not understand what was going on. I did not understand anything at all. They said I have to return the money that [Play2Live founder] Aleksey Burdyko had pissed away. They told me that last year, when I left the project, he told everyone that I stole three million [dollars]. This is someone who invested in P2L. I have no money, I did not steal anything. I did not break the law. I did not do anything bad."
She also made it clear that the threats involved a firearm and that she wanted to get her family as far away from the situation as possible.
"A man poked a pistol into my face. Black and cold. I say that I have nothing and they need to sell the project and take their money. Tears flowed. I did not understand. We stopped and pulled me out of the car. I left. Now there is nothing to lose. Nothing makes sense. My child will leave the country very soon with his father."
I'd forgive you if you were to arrive at the conclusion that all of this seems far-fetched. Did the cinematic introduction to this piece actually happen? Impossible to say. The only source we have that it did is Mavrekh herself and as a former executive in the Play2Live company she would be no stranger to outrageous and outlandish lies. That, as you'll see, was their bread and butter. Yet, I have followed the people involved in this company since 2015, watched every scam they have put together and made a note of every debt they owe. I've interviewed their ex-employees for articles I never published, some of whom have told me about what they call the "legbreakers" that have approached them in the aftermath. I can say comprehensively that if ever a group of people were to get in over their heads and resort to things such as this, it would be them. Equally, because everything they have touched has been such a spectacular and expensive failure, Play2Live reportedly burning through $30 million of investor money with nothing to show for it, the lies one might tell to get out from under it would stretch credulity to snapping point. And yet, with all I know, I'm inclined to believe Mavrekh. After a history lesson you might be too.
It's April 2014. Over the past few years a company called TechLabs has run a series of modest sized esports competitions across multiple titles in the Russian and CIS region. Despite the success of the business there are internal disputes, particularly revolving around the owner Aleksey Burdyko. What these disputes are would never be explicitly said in the public domain although it is at this time they reach critical mass. Speaking on a Russian esports talk show called "Third one?" Vladislav Udovenko would publicly say that employees had forced Burdyko for the good of the company. The reasons were vague but the inference was clear; it was the opinion of the employees that were running the company that Burdyko was incompetent.
The mutiny worked. Burdyko would retain ownership of the company but he would play no part in its day-to-day operations. This change didn't do much for the company's standing. They would host their final event in May, a small Dota 2 tournament in the Stolitsa shopping center in Minsk, Belarus.
For Burdyko, even though he owned TechLabs it mattered little. He was already repurposing his new project, an esports broadcasting company called Game Show TV, to host their own tournaments. The intent was seemingly to create a competitor to his previous business, revenge for their refusal to back him. Functionally the project would be now nearly identical to his previous one and they forge new partnerships to help them run tournaments in a region he knew intimately.
Starting small, in 2015 they partnered with DreamHack, who had expanded to include Moscow events on their calendar, and a Russian gaming expo called IgroMir. Hosting some smaller events as "proof of concept" at these tournaments meant they could keep costs down while simultaneously build their brand to their key audience. They had also built an online platform, GSL.tv, that would be used as a hub for smaller competitions. They didn't seem to care much that the abbreviation GSL was also being used by the much bigger Global Starcraft League.
By the Summer of 2015 something was happening that had never came up during the Techlabs competitions; people were complaining about missing prize money. A report from Russian Dota 2 website Dota2.ru stated that several small teams were complaining about prize money not being paid out, some even threatening to sue the Game Show League. The sponsors for the event in question, Logitech, told reporters they had sent the money to GameShow and would be hands on in making sure they paid out. Some teams did receive belated payments but some of the money was described as "lost." Where exactly, who can say? Missing money would become a recurring trend among Burdyko's businesses. The negative press didn't seem to perturb him much. Expansion was only around the corner.
It's the end of 2015. Despite what would be dismissed as a few hiccups relating to missing prize money, Aleksey would now be looking to expand his business. As the company had always been intended as a broadcasting platform anyway, the next step seemed logical enough. They would move into creating original content and programming. The kicker here was that with a broadcasting platform infrastructure, he could use the tournaments as content for the broadcast platform and use the content as a gateway to generate attention, and crucially sponsors, for the tournaments.
Somewhat out of his depth with this undertaking he brought in Natalja Chaikovskaya. She was a former TV executive that had left the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) television station at the end of 2013. Having worked on what Burdyko viewed as a similar project, he believed she would be a good fit. Although she only plays a minor role in this story, her involvement proved to be a significant development in terms of how the Game Show business would play out.
In one of my old interviews, conducted back in mid-2016 while I was trying to chase yet more "missing" money, a former employee of Game Show TV mentioned her. "She brought the original investors in – all private friends of friends of whoever. So in reality, regarding the TV channel itself, Aleksey was more or less the junior partner and Natalja had his balls somewhere in her office in Moscow."
Crucially to the story, it was because of this she had been given a blank checkbook, something she had been used to having in previous roles at other businesses. "She was not interested in any monetization or profit-making whatsoever," the employee recalled. "Which was normal, given her career. She has been all the way around big Russian TV. Heavy money, government involvement, never any financial pressure. Spending without limit is normal for these people."
So, no questioning her expertise and contacts then but unfortunately for all involved, she was part of a much smaller operation than any she had previously been attached to. Whether or not she had been deceived about the finances available to her doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things; the outcome was ultimately the same. With Burdyko being reliant on her contacts to keep high-profile investors involved and happy with the project, all accounts state that he was never in a position to say no to anything and any uncomfortable truths might have caused a catastrophic break in a relationship he desperately needed to keep whole.
The scale at which they were now operating was a clearly significant jump. In November they held a Dota 2 tournament, the Game Show Global eSports Cup Season 1, that had a prize pool of $330,322 distributed across eight teams. They also announced a $200,000 CS:GO tournament involving 48 teams from 3 different regions and LAN finals in Vilnius, Lithuania. This type of scale and scope were unlike anything they had done before and put the company on the map heading into 2016.
While the community was distracted by two high-profile tournaments, the smaller ones that were being held through the GSL.tv website were all producing an identical outcome. They would finish, the prize money wouldn't materialize and teams would have to go to public in order to get paid. There was no consistency in who was given the money and who wasn't but whatever the game, no matter how much the prize advertised, there would always be a portion of it that disappeared into the ether leaving only empty promises of payment in its place.
Players from a Russian CS:GO team called PARTY, who won the Game Show Open Season 2 in November, said they had been waiting six months to get their share of a sum of 100,000 rubles, approximately $1150 at the time. Around the same time, this was made public that the winner of a Hearthstone tournament held by Game Show in October 2015, Egor "Tvist" Belkovets, had not received his money by the following May. In a blog post, Belkovets not only spoke about how he had been lied to for months on end about the prize money supposedly coming his way, but he also collated other people with similar complaints.
For a company that was now holding tournaments with hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money, it was strange to see a lot of the complaints revolve around very small amounts by comparison. An amateur Dota 2 player, who now spends his time streaming Path of Exile, called "Kezwikthemovie" made a post on the Russian social networking site VK about being owed money in May 2016. In the replies were other players from other teams who also claimed they were owed money too. These tournaments typically paid out prizes in the hundreds of dollars. When Cybersports.ru picked up the story in a now deleted post someone who claimed to be a contractor working with Game Show also turned up claiming they were owed wages.
Commentator Vlad Subachev said "I worked there, commented on their weekly tournaments. Worked for almost a month, commented on everything that was needed. They promised to pay the money, I did not wait for the salary, I left it for a long time. A very strange organization, when I left them, the admin still called me names, was rude and not flattering."
There were many more complaints from around this time, too many to collate, but due to the teams involved being amateurs or semi-professional, and the amount of money being so small, it was mostly ignored by the wider esports community. Mostly it became common knowledge among the CIS scene that you entered a Game Show tournament at your own risk, the likelihood of the money being paid a coin flip at best. The reality about esports is that a lot of smaller operators are run this way, a constant cycle of deferred payments as they desperately rob Peter to pay Paul until they eventually go under. As long as the premium, prestigious events were paid out, the reputation hit would be minimal.
Of course they weren't.


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I treasure handmade cards from my son. But honestly, my idea of the perfect Mother's Day is relaxing alone in a luxury hotel—resting and getting pampered. The greatest present my family can give me on Mother's Day is some well-deserved "me time."
I love my family, but as a working mother I've learned to do things for myself that allow me to balance the demands of my career and my home life.
I run my life like an entrepreneurial business, and I think other busy moms should, too.
That means that in addition to unapologetically taking some "me time" to recharge, like any CEO, I believe in outsourcing: I have my groceries delivered; I shop online; and I am looking into hiring someone to clean my house. I enjoy cooking and frequently do it, but I make no apologies for the nights when I order takeout. Any time that I am not devoting to errands or to activities that I loathe, I can spend playing with my son in the backyard or generating more income. Moreover, the time that I spend with friends, watching a movie or going to the salon rejuvenates me. Consequently, I bring a happier, more productive person to both my professional and personal lives. I'm designing a motherhood experience that works for both my family and me.
If you think about it, this path toward an entrepreneurial model of motherhood is a natural progression. Years ago, if a woman worked, she stopped immediately after she got married. In prior generations, husbands were the breadwinners and married women were supposed to stay home and tend to the chores and the children. Today, more than half of married mothers are employed at least part time. Although some mothers are working for personal satisfaction, many are doing so because their households require two incomes to stay afloat. While single mothers are sole wage earners by default, other mothers are joining their ranks as a result of divorce, separation or their husbands being laid off during these tough economic times. A recent Time magazine article indicated that 82 percent of people who have lost their jobs were men. Women's changing status in the workplace has done little to alter the societal expectation that they should also be primarily responsible for their households and their children. Consequently, many working mothers are running themselves ragged trying to meet the conflicting demands of their jobs and their families.
For moms to juggle all of our various roles, they probably should think more like entrepreneurs than traditional corporate leaders. Successful entrepreneurs don't follow established business norms; they create new products, services and business entities that address current market realities. Moreover by starting their own businesses, entrepreneurs exercise autonomy over their schedules, work environments, compensation and duties. Rather than being habitually stressed out and tired by trying to live up to the conventional motherhood model, entrepreneurial working mothers are instead reinventing motherhood to reflect their personal circumstances, values and interests. They are achieving work-life balance not by doing it all, but by doing what really matters to them.
By thinking more like entrepreneurs, working mothers have the ability to integrate their work and family lives in ways that will make them feel happier and more fulfilled. The alternative is to follow the status quo and be stressed out and riddled with guilt because you can't be superwoman. Every entrepreneur takes a risk by going down a different path, and so, too, does a mother who thinks for herself. My dream of a solo Mother's Day may be unorthodox, but this year it works for me and my family. Whether they work outside the home or not, women who are comfortable with their choices and in their abilities to create loving and nurturing homes have, I think, the best chance of raising well-adjusted children.
Yvonne Bynoe is a life coach, author and the editor of Who's Your Mama? The Unsung Voices of Women and Mothers (Soft Skull Press), an anthology that explores the various ways that Gen X/hip-hop generation women are creating motherhood experiences that reflect their values, beliefs and lifestyles. Yvonne is the president of Working Moms Mentor, a company dedicated to empowering working mothers.

subset: commoncrawl


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Rich Bono and Poupee Boccaccio have been hosting their highly successful "Open Mic" show on Wednesday nights at the Indian Wells Resort Hotel for the past several years. But don't mis-understand what "Open Mic" means. Rich and Poupee start their show with their own performances for the first hour. This dynamic duo is loaded with major league talent and show business experience. Rich Bono singing and playing the Keyboard is about as good as you will hear from any major professional singer. Poupee, also has had a remarkable career as an actress, singer and dancer. She has a bachelor of art degree in romance languages from the University of San Diego and sings songs in several languages. She also has a BFA degree from the Otis-Parsons School of Design. An added treat is when the two team up to perform several duets. After the first hour, what happens next is nothing like the Karaoke that you might find in entertainment places in the Valley. With Poupee acting as the Mistress of Ceremonies and Producer of the Show, she brings up some of the most talented musicians in the country and they perform two songs with Rich providing support at the Keyboard. Poupee keeps total control on the flow of the show and as a result, the performances by the talented musicians flow in a most professional and entertaining way. Poupee has a great dry sense of humor and uses it to make sure the evening moves in the direction she wants without any drama for herself or the performers who genuinely love her and Rich.
Rich Bono is one of the most sought after pianist by all of the best singers in the Valley because he has the ability to provide wonderful support and yet never over-powers or over-shadows the singers. Rich has one of the best musical resumes' any performer could wish for. He toured with the Harry James Orchestra for years. He attended North Texas State studying Piano, Theory and Arranging, all skills that he has practiced successfully for years. He played at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas for 15 years, the Desert Inn Hotel for 7 years and the Mirage and Treasure Island Hotels.
Rich had been an accompanist for many major musical stars including Jack Jones, Tony Bennett, Frankie Laine, Linda Darnell, Mary Kaye, Jane Morgan, Don Cherry, Pat Boone and Bobby Milano.
Poupee Boccaccio has had a long and successful career in both Television and Hollywood Movies. When you visit the Indian Wells Resort Hotel on Wednesday, the Hotel plays short cuts from the many movies and TV shows Poupee stared in such as "The Venetian Affair" with Robert Vaughn, "Pocket Money" with Lee Marvin and Paul Newman, "Last Movie" with Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda and "April Fools" with Jack Lemmon. She also appeared on the TV shows "Columbo", "I Spy", "Wild, Wild, West", and she was a guest on "The Johnny Carson Show" twice. And, if these credits aren't enough, Poupee was the star of the Follies Bergere at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas.
Whenever you want a fun night of entertainment provided by some of the best musicians around, go to the Indian Wells Resort Hotel any Wednesday night and catch the Rich and Poupee "Open Mic" night.


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Kristen Stewart and Rupert Sanders Affair Photos: Totally Fake?!?by Hilton Hater at .
The photographic evidence. That's what we labeled pictures of Kristen Stewart and Rupert Sanders in Us Weekly, as they clearly showed the actress and director locked in a passionate embrace.
Or did they?!?
A new video has gone viral that purports to debunk this myth. It alleges its very own "proof" that the images were actually doctored, edited to appear as if Sanders and Stewart were making out in Los Angeles when, in this supposed reality, neither star was even at the location in question.
Are you buying the tricks this video claims were used to fool all of America?
Stewart, of course, admitted to the affair within 24 hours of this report hitting the Internet. So why would she possibly play a role in the conspiracy?
Blackmail! What if Sanders and Liberty Ross were behind the scandal this entire time in order to boost their professional profiles? The latter did suddenly walk the runway at New York Fashion Week a couple days ago.
What do you think? Were the Kristen Stewart and Rupert Sanders photos part of an elaborate hoax?


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Many war rugs feature maps – the full list of our posts on the topic can be found in the Maps in War Rugs category. In general the maps are of Afghanistan, and they often feature the departing Soviet armies. However other maps are also seen from time to time, including this map of Europe rug included in our post about war rugs that feature bridges. Recently we've noticed this map of the world rug with a similar border of flags at The Rug Loft ebay store:
While the rug doesn't demonstrate features that would classify it as a war rug, it does present a map image which is schematic rather than topographical. Like some others of this kind (there's one in Frembgen and Mohm) the countries of the world are signified by text within a geographic pattern. This one is larger than normal – it measures 6 ft by 9 ft (180 cm by 270 cm) and is described as follows:
Handmade Afghan War Rug with an approximate knot count of 98. Woven with a fine wool pile on a wool foundation. This rug is between 2 – 4 yrs old and is in excellent condition for its age. A rug of this size would take a single weaver nearly 3 months to 6 months to make by hand.
Many thanks to Mike from The Rug Loft for permission to use the image of the rug.


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UNCG's wrestling program will be eliminated as a part of UNCG intercollegiate athletics.
Kim Record, athletics director, met with the team's coaches and student-athletes on Monday to inform them of the decision.
"The university's Strategic Plan has a goal of increasing the competitiveness, accessibility and visibility of its intercollegiate athletics program. Over the past 18 months we have considered many strategies to accomplish this goal and it became obvious that painful decisions needed to be made," said Record. "It pains us as a department that things have come to this point, but in today's economic climate, tough decisions like this are having to be made around the nation. I would like to thank Jason (Loukides) and Daren (Burns) for all of the hard work they have put into the program, and we will do whatever is possible in order to help them further themselves professionally."
One major objective of UNCG's Strategic Plan is to elevate the profile of the athletic department. In order to accomplish this in the most efficient manner, limited resources must be invested wisely. The elimination of the wrestling program will result in a cost savings of approximately $308,000 annually.
Additionally, the 2010-11 state budget repealed eligibility for out-of-state students on full athletic scholarships to be classified as in-state for tuition purposes. For UNCG, this resulted in a loss of $750,000 in student-athlete scholarship funds.
"This decision demonstrates that every division at the university is doing its part to share the burden of cost-saving initiatives," said Chancellor Linda P. Brady. "These decisions are especially painful when students are directly impacted."
Two full-time coaches and 35 student-athletes will be directly affected by this decision. The contracts of the two coaches will be honored through June 30. The 23 student-athletes who receive scholarship funds will have their current scholarship levels honored if they choose to remain at UNCG to continue their education.
For those student-athletes who wish to continue their athletics pursuits elsewhere, the university will provide assistance to them. Per NCAA guidelines, student-athletes who transfer because their athletic programs have been eliminated will be able to compete immediately upon transferring.
For more information, view a FAQ sheet posted on the Athletics web site.


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Logo description
Real Time Duck logo designed for Pi Supply.
This simple and creative logo was designed for a real time clock module that will be used in conjunction with a raspberry pi computer. The module will be shaped as a duck and is designed to keep the time when the computer is off.
The client was looking for a simple and playful approach and we managed to come up with a simple and creative duck logo that combines the time theme and the main character – the duck.
4 thoughts on "Real Time Duck Logo"
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Woah, I have not been here in a while.
Over 100,000 views.
New Poll for those who still come on the site.
P.S It has been over a year since Poetry came out. Where has the time gone, eh?
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Miracle the abandoned cockapoo finds a home
Miracle the abandoned cockapoo celebrated her birthday Thursday with a mani-pedi, a haircut and a new home.
The 4-year-old, who was found by a homeless man in a West Islip trash bin around Christmas, was adopted Thursday by a mother and daughter from North Babylon.
A panel of animal shelter volunteers, Islip Town officials and Suffolk County SPCA officials selected the family from 18 applications.
The dog's big, beseeching eyes drew them in, said Hazel Wagner, a law firm administrative assistant who lives with her mother.
"My mom had seen the story in the newspaper, and when I came home that day she said, 'There's a really cute dog with big eyes up for adoption,' " Wagner said. "I said, 'Ma, you know what? We can go in and put in an application.' "
Miracle's previous owner, unable to care for the dog, paid an Islip animal shelter employee to take the dog to the kennel, but the dog was found in a gas station trash bin on Dec. 23. Police said shelter attendant Michael Papini of Lindenhurst was arrested and charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty, misdemeanor animal abandonment and related charges.
Councilman Anthony Senft, the town's liaison to the animal shelter, said the Wagners were selected based on several criteria.
"We wanted a home that didn't have any pets or any children under the age of 10," he said. "We wanted a family that had some experience with pets and a training plan in mind, and a family with contact with veterinary services."
After the panel made home visits to the finalists, the Wagners were chosen.
"We found some very loving people who were ultimately looking to add another member to their family," Senft said.
With painted nails and jaunty bows in her groomed fur, Miracle celebrated her adoption ceremony at the town animal shelter in Bay Shore Thursday as well as another big occasion. "It's her birthday, it's her adoption day -- it's her day," Wagner said.
Miracle's first day at her new home was full of excitement, with the dog exploring snowbanks in the backyard, sniffing around the house and dispensing plenty of doggy kisses.
"We're going to keep the name Miracle and we're thinking of adding a middle name," Wagner said. "Pax, after today's storm."
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Two problems with this analysis:
1.) Stingrays don't just gather metadata. They can also intercept the contents of cell communication. Just because they (allegedly) didn't do so in this case doesn't eliminate that from being a large concern with sanctioning their use.
2.) Stingrays aren't targeted, they take over the cell signal of every device nearby. So this isn't the same as getting a court order for a provider to turn over your location data. This is like getting the company to give you everyone's location data in an entire area.


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Being good isn't always easy but doing the right thing starts with pure intentions. We at Be Good Baking Co. believe a pure heart and a balanced mind delivers pure intentions. Shouldn't you start with pure food?
Fueling your body with clean and unprocessed food affects every aspect of your life. Being good means eating well to feel well. When we're "balanced" it allows us to be good to others. If we repeat this cycle, we can all be really awesome people, together.
Our version of "goodness" just so happens to be in a deliciously crunchy and nutritiously addicting trail granola. Like our intentions, our trail granola is pure goodness.
- NO Oats, Oatmeal, Grains or Wheats
- NO Cane Sugar or High Fructose Corn Syrup
- NO Cholesterol
- NO Artificial Colors, Flavors or Preservatives
- Gluten-Free, Vegan-Friendly
- Nutrient-Dense and Convenient "On-the-Go" Snack
We create products with your body in mind. We strive to be innovative and unique while meeting the consumer's changing needs, wants and tastes. Our product's biggest difference is TASTE & TEXTURE because our ingredients are slow roasted and made in small batches.


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|not native graphics...
|this is Dwarf fortress!
But this is not a review of Dwarf Fortress, instead just a tip: read this interesting discussion on reddit between Tarn Adams and community.
Questions are all interesting and Tarn aswered to most of them, I've build this little word cloud to get trac of most interesting one:
|created with Wordle
Anyway, try it Dwarf Fortress is great!


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The wall plate below ended up a pretty washed-out shino with some weak carbon trapping in the middle after a cone 10 gas firing. I thought that I would try a design to tie in the carbon trapping pattern and the circle on the upper left using my underglaze pen.
|Shino platter cone 10 redux - pretty bland before.
|After cone 10 gas firing - figures do not pop out as much as I would like,
|After refire in cone 6 electric and with underglaze pen
outlines, the figures stand out much better.
I feel that this underglaze surface decoration on a glazed surface would probably not be very good on functional surfaces such as inside of bowls and cups. Maybe not even on the outside of pots that would be often used in the dishwasher as I'm not sure how duraable the underglaze pigment is, especially on top of a cone 10 glaze refired at cone 6.. But on non-functional surfaces it can help a pot to kick it up a notch!


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To say that I have a bit of a sweet tooth is like saying Mary Berry does a bit of baking! And one thing that I'm a huge fan of is that logic defying dessert – Baked Alaska. I love the layered combination of cake, ice-cream and (occasionally) fruit all topped with meringue of the soft, fluffy, marshmallowy variety.
Baked Alaska is a retro classic and was a big hit when I was growing up in the 1980s – though I believe it first became popular a decade earlier. Cooking shows I used to watch with Mum would show viewers how to create a Baked Alaska; women's magazines my aunts used to buy would always contain recipes for the dessert and I loved seeing the different variations. I may have only been a kid but even I knew that no dinner party was complete without this sweet finale.
From a child's point of view, there was something extremely magical about this dessert. Whoever heard of an ice-cream that could be baked in the oven and come out intact and not as ice-cream soup? It was only when I was at secondary school and began home economics classes that I understood why the ice-cream didn't melt (OK – here comes the science bit!): the meringue acted as an effective insulator, and the short cooking time (just long enough to bake the meringue) prevents the heat from getting through to the ice cream.
But from being everywhere, it's now seldom heard of. It's very rarely served up at dinner parties; I don't hear about anyone tucking into a Baked Alaska anymore and it doesn't appear on restaurant menus. In fact, the last time I heard of anyone serving up a Baked Alaska was at the wedding of a family friend – and she got married back in 1990!
However that doesn't mean that it's suddenly ceased to be delicious so it's about time that this unique and long forgotten dessert made a comeback.
Here's a very delightful sounding recipe that I found from Mark Sargeant for a modern take on an old favourite. Baked Alaska has never sounded so good and I for one cannot wait to try it!
For the sponge
5 free-range eggs
150 g caster sugar
110 g plain flour
40 g cocoa powder
25 g butter, melted, plus extra for greasing
For the ice cream
250 g plain chocolate
100 g unsalted butter
150 g caster sugar
150 ml water
4 large eggs, yolks only
500 ml double cream
For the meringue
100 ml water
400 g sugar
2 tbsp liquid glucose, (optional)
6 egg whites
1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped out
For the cherry sauce
300 g cherries, stones removed, halved, plus 12 extra whole with stalks for decoration
2 tbsp caster sugar
A cordial of cherries
A splash of kirsch
To serve
kirsch, for drizzling and flambéing
½ shell of eggs, washed and dried
1. Preheat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Grease and line a 24x20cm/9.5x8in lipped baking tray.
2. For the sponge: cream the eggs and sugar together in a large bowl for 4-5 minutes until pale and fluffy.
3. Sift the flour and cocoa powder into the egg and sugar mixture and fold until combined, then stir in the melted butter. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking tray and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the cake is risen and is springy to the touch.
4. Remove from the oven and allow to cool briefly in the tray before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
5. For the ice cream: place the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of just-simmering water (make sure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl). Stir continuously, until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. Set aside.
6. Place the sugar and water into a small saucepan set over a low heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Increase the heat and bring to the boil, cooking for a few minutes until the mixture thickens to a syrup consistency. Set aside to cool for one minute.
7. Place the egg yolks in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of just-simmering water (make sure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl). While whisking continuously, slowly trickle in the hot sugar syrup. When all of the sugar syrup has been incorporated and the mixture has thickened, whisk in the double cream and the melted chocolate mixture until smooth.
8. Pour the mixture into the bowl of an ice cream machine and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. Scoop the churned ice cream into a rectangular container, smoothing the top, and place into the freezer. Remove from the freezer 5-10 minutes before serving.
9. For the meringue: place the water, sugar and glucose (if using) into a heavy-based saucepan. Place over a medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture comes to the boil. Increase the heat to high and boil until the mixture reaches 121C (check using a sugar thermometer), then quickly remove from the heat.
10. Beat the egg whites and vanilla seeds in a stand mixer, then carefully pour the sugar syrup onto the beaten egg whites in a thin stream, taking care not to let the syrup run onto the whisks or the edge of the bowl. Continue to beat at a low speed until the mixture is almost completely cold – this will take about 10 minutes. Spoon the meringue into a piping bag and set aside.
11. For the cherry sauce: place all of the cherry sauce ingredients into a pan and cook over a medium heat until the cherries are tender (add a splash of water if the mixture looks too dry). Transfer the mixture to a food processor and blend to a smooth puree. Pass the sauce through a fine sieve.
12. To assemble the baked Alaska, cut two equal-sized rectangles from the sponge. Cut the ice cream into a brick shape the same length and width as the sponge.
13. Place one sponge rectangle onto a serving plate and drizzle with kirsch, then smooth over some of the cherry sauce. Top with the ice cream, then the other sponge to make a 'sandwich'. Pipe the meringue all over the 'sandwich' to cover, making sure it is completely covered.
14. Using a mini blowtorch, brown the meringue all over. Place the whole cherries around the base of the meringue to decorate. Pour some kirsch into the egg shell and press into the top of the meringue. Carefully ignite the kirsch just before serving.


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So…I have been going back and forth with posting about the dreaded scale. This is a very personal and touchy subject for me and it is hard to talk about. However, I know A LOT of people who struggle with the same feelings I do towards the scale.
When I started my Weight Watchers journey…I didn't understand the impact that stepping on the scale once a week would have on my emotional health. When I joined Weight Watchers, I honestly felt like my life was falling apart. I had nothing to look forward to. I dreaded basically everything. I would cry before and after school everyday. Come home from school and literally eat an entire bag of potato chips and French onion dip.
The day I joined, stepping on the scale, and seeing it say 240 pounds killed me. It was embarrassing. I felt SO angry at myself and others. How did I let myself get that way?! It was a slap in the face. I was defeated. But, I knew that it was the start of my new life. I needed to lose the weight.
The first week of Weight Watchers was challenging, but fun! My mom and I discovered new recipes and yummy things to eat! The entire week I anticipated going back and stepping on the scale! I ended up losing 4 pounds my first week…Needless to say, I was thrilled! Little did I know that that scale would come to haunt me in the future.
Because I had no other joys in my life at the time, the scale became the only positive thing that I had. Every week I thought about how much I was going to lose. What I would weigh. What would happen if I gained. At the time though, I didn't think anything of it. I looked forward to that weigh in and it kept me going and motivated. But, there were no other rewards. The scale was the only reward I had.
When I didn't lose….it honestly felt like the end of the world. I would have good weeks and gain weight! It shocked me and really killed me inside. I managed to make sure I stayed on track…because I wanted to see that minus sign SO badly. I was determined and it paid off….I lost 105 pounds and changed my life…But, once I lost the weight…that's when things began to get complicated.
It took me a year to lose the weight. I never missed a weigh in. So, I stepped on the scale once a week for a year. Then, I became a lifetime member. You are only required to weigh in once a month as a lifetime member, but I of course told myself I NEEDED to weigh in once a week. For 6 years… I was a prisoner of the scale. No one knew, except me, the impact of weighing in had on my mood, personality, and what I would do in my spare time. If I would have another loss, I would be SO HAPPY! Go out to eat, go shopping, call people to hang out. If I had a gain….No eating out. No shopping. I would be MISERABLE. Seeing that minus sign was honestly like a drug to me. I needed to get my fix once a week…and if I didn't see a minus sign…I would punish myself and not enjoy my life.
It wasn't until this January that I realized how bad it had gotten. I had started lifting weights. I used to only do cardio and light lifting. I really loved the weight lifting and I could see my body changing before my eyes! I felt great! But then, the scale wasn't cooperating. I was slowly starting to see gains….Every week. Therefore, I made my diet stricter and lifted heavier. But..the scale kept going up and up. Finally, when I reached gaining 10 pounds…I had a nervous breakdown. My relationship with Robby was terrible. I never wanted to go out to dinner or get happy hour. Or, if we did go out to dinner, I would run to the bathroom after and check to see if my stomach was still flat and if I could see my abs. I was miserable at family functions because I wasn't allowing myself the treats. I would spend HOURS looking at fitness girls on instagram wishing I looked like them and telling myself that they probably don't gain weight or get bloated when they eat out. I was OBSESSING. I just wanted to keep losing weight. I was trapped. Through many fights and tears, Robby mentioned I should go talk to a counselor. At first I was embarrassed that he would mention something like that! I was fine! I didn't need to talk to someone! But, the more I thought about it…I knew I needed to get help.
A good family friend of mine gave me the name of a women who she said was amazing and could really help me….. I finished up counseling in July…and I honestly felt free! From going and talking with her, I realized how much the scale ruined me. I learned that when I was losing weight, there should have been other rewards besides just seeing the minus sign on the scale. We should have had other weekly plans to look forward to so I wasn't so focused on the scale. I also learned the importance of muscle. Little did I know that I was just gaining 10 pounds of muscle! I wasn't gaining fat. A lot of fitness people look for weight gains as a sign of progress! (because they eat all of the correct food).
So…. The scale is important to track weight loss or even muscle gain. However, it CANNOT be the ONLY thing that you look at. Take measurements! You will see them shrinking even if the scale isn't moving! Tell yourself it is just a number…because it is!! It doesn't define you! It doesn't make you who you are! DONT BECOME TRAPPED LIKE I DID! Your body fluctuates ALL day long! Girls…you will most likely gain on that dreaded week! Also, DO NOT KEEP A SCALE IN YOUR HOUSE! That is the worst thing you can do! If you have a week where you gain weight…accept it…move on…and realize that your body is just sometimes stubborn. It doesn't want you to lose weight. Just keep eating healthy and working out and you WILL see the results! Also, make sure you have a hobby that you like to do while losing weight. I ONLY had weight watchers. I didn't do ANYTHING else! I should have rode horses, scrapbooked, or went fishing to keep my mind off of it and to realize that THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN THE SCALE!
If you are into lifting weights, which I highly recommend, learn the difference between muscle and fat. It is a MYTH that muscle weighs more than fat. They weigh the SAME! One pound of muscle is the same as one pound of fat. HOWEVER, muscle is much more dense than fat! Meaning that it takes up less space! Also, muscle helps to burn fat, so the more muscle you have on you, the less fat you will have! SO, when I was gaining those 10 pounds, it was all muscle! I was still lean and I wasn't going up in pant sizes. I was just toning up and getting rid of the excess fat I had! I know it was pure muscle gain because my diet was very good. All healthy foods and within my weight watcher points. Don't assume that if you are lifting weights…but your diet is way off track that you are gaining muscle!!
So, what happened after counseling? I haven't stepped on a scale since FEBRUARY!!! And I have never felt better! I keep track of my weight by how my clothes feel! If my jeans feel a little snug… I know I should probably tone it down on the treats for the weekend. If they feel a little loose…Well I know I can have an extra cookie! Once you are at a weight that is good with you, stay there. There is no need to experiment to try to be "smaller." I know that my body is comfortable around 135-140 pounds. I am a size 6-8 depending on the store. I have big hips and a big butt and I don't want to be any smaller now. I used to think…well, a lot of my friends are a size 4, so I want to be a size 4! Well guess what, when I got there….I couldn't even eat one cookie! That is NO WAY to live. What are your priorities?? Mine isn't to be a size 4. It was. And when it was I didn't enjoy my life. I couldn't have a piece of my moms famous pies. I couldn't have a few beers with my boyfriend during Penguin games. Now, my priority is to ENJOY life. To be the healthiest and happiest version of myself. To have a great career. To get married and raise a family….and guess what….I am going to do all of those things WITHOUT a scale.
-PLEASE comment or reach out to me if you are struggling with this same problem!
-Live healthy and many blessings!


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Christmas Proposal: #7 in the 12 Blogs of Christmas
We worked planting and trimming trees together—which was unusual for a young lady. Needing to support her ailing parents, she was a determined lass. Up before it was light and on the work bus by dawn was our routine. She was beautiful despite the dirty coveralls and stocking cap that hid her curls.
It wasn't easy work by any means, and the crew boss didn't take to having a woman along. He expected just as much from her and was gruff most of the time.
It was cold and rainy during late autumn. The plastic rain slickers we wore over our coveralls didn't keep us dry. Miserable way to make a living. But there weren't many jobs available in these parts during the depression.
But the weeks rolled by and Margie and I took our lunch break together. I discovered she loved books and would read to her parents every night. My folks were long gone, so my evenings were lonely.
Long story short, I decided that I wasn't getting any younger and maybe meeting Margie in the middle of the woods was fate. I didn't have any extra money, but I knew I wanted her to be my wife.
One day I called in sick and went to her house to visit her folks. I told them I wanted to take care of their daughter, and by extension, help them too. They gave me their permission to ask Margie to be my wife.
So I planned a way to propose. I had my mother's wedding band and I tied it to a tree that Margie would be trimming soon. I stood close by and watched.
She noticed the red ribbon and the circle of gold and held it gently in her hand. I came to her side, bent down and asked her to marry me. She said yes, and on Christmas Eve we said our vows.
We had sixty-three more years together, but my best Christmas present came on that first one we shared together.


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To all my fellow Canadians, Happy Family Day! Although today is a national holiday here, I'll still recap the weekend thus far, even though vacation mode is still in full effect. Tonight my love and I are going to enjoy a night out at our favourite restaurant, where we plan on asking the chef to make whatever he pleases for us. Here are some of the weekend highlights so far:
Enjoying the most beautiful day out on the slopes.
The Opera + an excuse to finally explore on of my favourite buildings architecturally.
Post-snowboarding hottub sesh with friends and beers.
Some Valentine's Day little pretty things.
My best friend and I stopped to watch some indoor rock climbing.
Happy Monday, and have an excellent (hopefully short) week!


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White Rock Lake:
White Rock Lake:
4 comments
This comment has been removed by the author.ReplyDelete
Looks like fun, back in the day...way back hubby and I bought bikes for each other as wedding presents. We don't ride like we used to. I do on an old cruiser when on vacation and can ride without traffic.ReplyDelete
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I respond to comments via email unless your email is unlisted. Then I'll respond via the blog. Thank y'all. Remember to always take the sweet tea!


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He wants us to package this and sell it...it's so easy to make!!
1 lb organic broccoli (approximately 4 regular size large single stalks), cut up into coarse chunks. Leave 2" of the stalks; don't cute them all off!
1 tbsp organic salted butter
1 tbsp garlic olive oil
1 clove fresh garlic, chopped
1 large brown onion, cut up into coarse chop
1 large carrot or 10 baby carrots, cut up
2 tbsp gluten free or regular flour
1/2 cup organic light cream
4 cups low sodium chicken broth
1 tsp JF Universal Salt
Melt butter with garlic olive oil in a large soup pot.
Add garlic and onion and cook on medium-low for 2 minutes, until onion is translucent.
Add carrots and broccoli and cook for another 5 minutes, until onions have some color.
Add flour and cook for 1 minute.
Add cream and combine. Then, add chicken broth and bring to a boil.
Let cook for approximately 15 minutes, until broccoli is fork tender, and remove from heat.
Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until all vegetables are pureed and soup is smooth with a bit of texture for bite.
Season to taste with fresh ground pepper and more JF Universal Salt.
Garnish with your choice of cheddar cheese, bacon or herbs of your choice.
Comfort without the guilt and it's SO filling!


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By Matt Thompson
Who would have thunk it? "Charlie's Angels" is back in full throttle! According to Variety, the concept that originated in 1976 is set to be picked up by ABC. The same guy who adapted the now-defunct Fox series "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," Josh Friedman, is set to write and exec produce.
The original show was a hit for five years starring the late, great Farrah Fawcett. That TV show later was adapted into two films starring Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore. Let's think here. What if Farrah Fawcett had never starred in "Charlie's Angels", what if Diane Keaton took her spot instead? Or Mia Farrow, maybe? All we know is that if Hollywood Crush were around at the time, we would have had something to say about it!
So, with that being said, we thought it would be rather fascinating to create our own casting suggestions for your personal amusement. After the jump, get ready to hit up the HC Casting Couch once again!
Adrianne Palicki as Jill Munroe (replacing Farrah Fawcett)
Currently, she stars as the town vixen Tyra Collette in "Friday Night Lights." If you are going to fill the role of Jill Munroe you need to be daring, clever and athletic. Who better to fill that role than the vivacious Adrianne? After all, she does star in the aforementioned heavy hitting drama. Here's our petition for Adrianne turn in the footballs and turn out the guns.
Mila Kunis as Sabrina Duncan (replacing Kate Jackson)
She is the ultimate spunkster. Smart and witty, she's made us drown in our own laughter kickin' back in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and That 70's Show. Mila has always been able to put the pieces together, so solving the mysteries in "Charlie's Angels" shouldn't be too far off for her. She even looks like the original star Kate Jackson! C'mon, it's a perfect match.
Joanna Garcia as Kelly Garrett (replacing Jaclyn Smith)
Joanna has been all over TV as of late. She's starred in "Reba" from 2001-2007 and "Privileged" in 2008. She just finished up "Gossip Girl," so she's free as a bird. Kelly Garrett was the only character lucky enough to not get romantically involved with a villainous bad guy. Well, er, Joanna is dating Yankee Nick Swisher — but we can give her a pass.
Who knows if these three girls will be cast, but one thing's for sure — it would be an amazing launching pad for all of their budding careers!
Who do you think should star in a "Charlie's Angels" TV series?


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Greetings friends and followers from the blog-o-sphere! Here at the Harvard Film Conservation Center we work closely with the dynamic collections from the Harvard Film Archive, as well as all film collections from the greater Harvard Library. In the interest of representing our diverse projects and preservation activities, we are expanding our blog and giving ourselves a new look (sound familiar?) We hope you will enjoy our newly expanded HARVARD FILM CONSERVATION blog: News from the Harvard Library's Film Conservation Center!
Please continue to follow us to get the latest news on our conservation work, incoming collections, interesting finds, new finding aids, and local events! You can also check with us on Twitter @HLFilmPreserve
Thank you, dear readers and see you at the movies!


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20 most excellent Greek Islands:From Santorini to Sifnos
Believe of a Greek island. What do you see? Snow-white houses and cool blue domes? Bobbing fishing boats and bougainvillea that in reality ancestor?
Mmm. No advertisement photo fires the creativeness just like the Greek Islands. but there is extra to them than brochure photographs.
hundreds of islands fan out in archipelagos just like the Ionian, Cycladic and Dodecanese, carrying a outstanding diversity. food can also be toothsome. historic belief range from the journeys of Odysseus to the Minotour of Crete. Roman, Byzantine and Venetian histories are as abundantly layered as baklava, and naturally, there are the long-lasting pictures of 20th century visitors like Lawrence Durrell and Jackie Onassis, who helped toss these hidden specks assimilate the tourism map.
Nowadays, the Greek Islands are less difficult to get to than anytime. direct flights are increasing; ferries faster and greater common. The downside, of route, is the threat of overtourism – as any person looking for a sunset appearance from Oia in Santorini, caught in a scrum to get off a summer time bear, or terrorised by using zooming cloister-bikes will know.
Thirty-two million friends are expected this year, bifold the determine for 2010, and you wouldn't have to scratch a ways below the surface to find mounting problems with waste, baptize elements, gruesome construction and infrastructure. however happily, there are some indications of a greater sustainable future – fresh caps on the variety of cruise address friends to Santorini are a case in factor.
So, the way to locate the top-rated Greek Islands while fending off the crowds?
inaugurate with our book beneath. trip in accept or off seasons – ferries do not run as generally, but you are going to locate less crowds and sweeter temperatures.
Secondly, trust skipping or spending less time on over-subscribed islands like Santorini, Corfu and Mykonos, astonishing out as a substitute for smaller, off-alarm rocks the place locals still have time to talk, meals is in actuality do-it-yourself, and you may very neatly find a pebbly beach to your self. journeying like this spreads revenue extra sustainably among the islands, too.
Do research; acquire rewards. when people fall for the Greek Islands, they abatement complicated. right here's why. – Pól Ó Conghaile
1. Paxos, Ionian Islands Wow second: Emiritis seashore on Paxos.
best for: Soulful escapes.
Why: when I say Emiritis gives the wildest wow-moment within the Greek Islands, or not it's not as a result of I have any particular expertise. or not it's because I actually have eyes. Tucked abroad alongside Paxos's western bank, accepting here contains an audacious force and a scrambling coast along a rocky bluff path. then… growth! chalky cliffs, creamy bank and deep dejected waters appear like an IMAX display. that is simply the starting. Paxos can be a tiny speck within the sea, but its adorable bedrock beaches, shady pine forests, bright amnion for snorkelling and small towns filled with family unit restaurants dishing up zingy blimp peppers and grilled angle tend to put spells on people. Oh, and it could actually also have the premier ice-chrism on the islands – at Matilda's in Lakka. you're welcome.
excessive: Its measurement. Paxos is round 10km long and 4km huge – superb to discover without feeling any pressure to discover at all.
Low: or not it's peaceful, and a 90-minute hydrofoil switch from Corfu… but that discourages crowds.
details: paxos-greece
2. Santorini, Cyclades image best: ideal sundown in Santorini
ultimate for: Couples.
Why: The supermodel of the Cyclades, Santorini is without problems, inescapably desirable. Its unique appearance become formed via a agitable access within the sixteenth century BC, leaving a C-formed caldera, or crater, around the top of which a number of of the island's prettiest baby cities and villages are perched. happily, the sun sinks correct over this abysmal ambit, resulting in one of the most incredible sunsets you'll anytime see, afire with oranges, purples and pinks.
due to this fact, of path, it gets extraordinarily crowded — Santorini is normal with honeymooners and couples, lots of whom book into hotels carved into the cliffs for the choicest angle. past the sunsets, there are several different attractions, no longer least the capital, Fira, set high up on the atrium. you can reach it both by means of cable car from the ancient port, or via donkey — still a well-liked option for these days's company, because the 600 or so steps are slippery base from a whole lot of years of expend. here, among the mix of small, winding streets lined with cafés, eating places and keepsake stores, and shiny squares paved with marble slabs, you could additionally familiarize yourself with some of the island's background at the museum of aged Thera the old identify for Santorini or the Archeological museum.
Vinsantos winery, Santorini
You could no longer be mindful that Santorini additionally has a couple of wineries; the largest is Boutari, near Megalohori, with tours and tastings of its accolade-profitable vintages, whereas Venetsanos has its own sunset terrace for sipping and sampling. In height division, booklet neatly in develop. — Laura Millar
high: The 10km clifftop stroll from Fira to Oia takes well-nigh three hours, and shouldn't be done in height sun, however it's one of the most picturesque hikes you'll ever bewitch, with cafés and confined alongside the style!
Low: In July or baronial, you have no achievement of getting an outstanding appearance over the caldera for sundown from Oia… unless you arrive at least an hour until now, due to the crowds.
details: Santorini.gr
read extra on THEVOW.ie: true amusement: Hannah and Richie in fantastic Santorini
3. Naxos, Cyclades sunset at the Portara, Naxos
most reliable for: second visits.
Why: so that you've considered Santorini. you could have gotten blowzy in Mykonos, or taken the household to Rhodes. You acquainted the draw of the Greek Islands, and are able to get more audacious… devoid of too abounding ferries. acceptable to Naxos, the greatest of the Cyclades, probably the most multiple and green, and also, I feel, its greatest all-bastard. Naxos matches swimmers, walkers, bikers and windsurfers. it be ultimate for those desirous to explore in condo cars or bikes don't pass over Halki, its above Venetian capital, or the asleep abundance town of Apiranthos. history buffs can are looking for out the reports of Zeus, Ariadne, Theseus and Dionysus, and those who love a great mosey and a meal will discover the best slot in Naxos town, its hilltop Kastro and the maze of little streets and shops on ancient bazaar highway. Naxos is not utterly elegant on tourism, so July and baronial apart, it appears like visiting a residing, respiratory island… which isn't at all times a accustomed in the Cyclades. – PÓC
historic market highway, Hora, Naxos
excessive: Naxian potatoes. you can acknowledge us later.
Low: by early October issues get tranquil, some facilities close and ferries abate. Plan therefore.
details: naxos.gr
4. Greek Cyprus Sea accomplished near Ayia Napa, Cyprus. drop
premier for: nature lovers.
Why: referred to to be the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek a part of Cyprus mostly the southern two thirds of the island is crammed with green, lush mountains, like the Troodos latitude with its maximum height, arise Olympus, continuing at well-nigh 2,000m. motels like Ayia Napa and Paphoshave accept accustomed it something of a party popularity, nevertheless it's a large satisfactory island to absorb that… and offer way more. snack on mezzes filled with local Halloumi cheese, honey, olives and lemons, find out about lace authoritative at Lefkara or sea turtles hatching on Lara seaside, or explore the wonderful Akamas Peninsula countrywide park – now not only crammed with appealing backcountry, wildlife, but talked about to be where Aphrodite met her lover Adonis. – LM
meals is a deal with in Cyprus…
high: There at the moment are 12 months-round absolute flights from Dublin, with Ryanair Ryanairm to Paphos and azure Air cobaltro to Larnaca.
Low: those flights acquire over 5 hours. also, be careful speakme about native backroom; the analysis between Greek and Turkish Cypriots is complicated.
particulars: visitcyprusm
extra: candy Cyprus: direct flights carry island within reach year-round
5. Folegandros, Cyclades
ideal for: accord and collected.
Why: certainly one of Greece's lesser-widely used islands, Folegandros has not been defective via tourists. Hora, its leading city, sits on a cliff 200m aloft sea stage, and is home to an dazzling, thirteenth-century Venetian castle. expend your days strolling via its slim, asphalt streets, casual whitewashed, amoroso-dice shaped properties, or gather in a single of the squares for sunset. local delicacies is a highlight, from matsata – handmade pasta with rooster or aerial – to souroto, a powerful goat's cheese. And here, they alcohol their raki with honey. The island has a number of pebbly shores, equivalent to those at Agali, or the baby fishing village of Karaovstassis, and several mountain climbing trails. – Laura Millar
high: ascend as much as the island's greatest abbey, the abbey of the abstinent Mary Panagia for breathtaking views over the ocean.
Low: In low season, there may well be best two or three ferries per week from Athens or Santorini.
details: folegandrosm
6. Mykonos, Cyclades
most effective for: birthday party people.
Why: Mykonos has been attracting the daring and the captivating considering that the Nineteen Fifties and '60s, when Jackie Onassis, Brigitte Bardot and charm Kelly got here to sunbathe on its aesthetic seashores and wander the bewilderment of streets within the graphic-excellent leading city, Hora or Chora. today, this homosexual-couthie, cosmopolitan isle attracts a different brand of celebrities on superyachts recent friends consist of the Kardashians and Beyoncé, all drawn to its colorful, glossy bars, superclubs and designer boutiques.
Mykonos is smartly and truly found, and may get awash and raucous in top division, however it's no longer devoid of Greek allure – walking round Chora, you will nevertheless blunder across tiny, candlelit, orthodox chapels and small squares smothered in bright pink bougainvillea, creeping over the awnings of informal tavernas. alongside the back alleys, weathered, head-scarved girls take a seat on their entrance steps chattering as they watch the world go by, and skinny bodies pose for tourists in hope of a number of scraps.
Greek odyssey: The whitewashed constructions of Mykonos town are full of narrow lanes that are home to tucked-away confined and boutiques
there is a decision of conventional shorelines; some, including Paradise and tremendous Paradise, permit dishabille; others, similar to Ornos and Platis Gialos, are extra family unit-couthy. There are still traces of the island's past aureate-milling industry, in the form of a number of windmills, the most outstanding amassed near Little Venice. do not omit the daily passeggiata by using Mykonos' best noted citizen, Petros the pelican. – Laura Millar
excessive: Watch the sun go down from a waterfront bar in Little Venice, where the buildings get up from the ocean.
Low: The cost – back there are greater D&G shops or high priced jewellers than grocery or keepsake shops, you comprehend it's a pricey place. put together for bill shock!
details: mykonosgreece.internet
7. Kefalonia, Ionian
most desirable for: beaches.
Why: The largest of the Ionian Islands, Kefalonia is optimal widely used for its look in the greatest-selling novel and subsequent movie, Captain Corelli's Mandolin. once a popular passage for the previous Greek aristocratic household, the island is additionally a draw for Italians, who arrive with the aid of ferry as a result of its proximity to the nation. predict a calming, peaceable ambiance it has a population of round forty,000 and is effortless to get around by motor vehicle, and many blue banderole beaches. essentially the most famous is Myrtos, with its iconic, half-moon sweep of faded, aureate sand, backed through affecting, steep cliffs; but you'll additionally locate elegant, family unit-amicable stretches across the relaxation of the island, including Makris Gialos and Platis Gialos, near the basic, Argostoli, which both have watersports facilities; or, for a sense of aloneness, the magnificent Platia Ammos, that could simplest be reached with the aid of a collection of accomplish carved into the cliffs. – LM
high: don't miss a ship shuttle into the Melissani cavern, lined with atmospheric stalactites, and stuffed with crystal-bright, azure water.
Low: The island is in an convulsion zone, so is susceptible to occasional quakes!
particulars: kefaloniaisland
8. Milos, Cyclades A Greek house in Milos, Cyclades Islands, Greece
most reliable for: rock stars.
Why: Greek Islands are inclined to observe a template – brown bedrock, white buildings, adamant shorelines. Milos is like a top class version, with a consciousness-expanding geology ranging from easy after-effects of brush bean to jagged stacks, tremendous-vibrant stratification and volcanic scars. it be noted to accept more shorelines than every other Cycladic island, and some, like Fyriplaka and Sarakiniko, may be on distinct planets, in no way intellect islands. Dotted around the coast, you're going to additionally find -in a position fishing villages like Klima, whose ordinary, Lego-like syrmata houses are worth the journey by myself. – PÓC
taste: a native Milos aspect
high: The Venus de Milo changed into found here… the website though not the sculpture, which is in the Louvre is close the staggering Roman ruins near Tripiti.
Low: The western bisected is a attributes assets, and inaccessible to drivers. See its coast by using baiter expedition.
particulars: milos.gr
9. Paros, Cyclades appearance of the anchorage of Naoussa on the island of Paros, Greece
optimal for: Watersports.
Why: not removed from its neighbour, Naxos, this baby island is top-quality everyday for windsurfing; the professional Windsurfing affiliation's world Cup was regularly held at one in every of its most attractive seashores, New aureate seaside. here, and at others like golden seashore and Santa Maria, enthusiasts of watersports will find themselves in heaven, with kitesurfing, kiteboarding, waterskiing, jetskiing and browsing all on present. – LM
high: faraway from the sea, utilize an afternoon and night within the wonderful port town of Naoussa.
Low: evade visiting in august, back it's busiest.
details: paroswebm
10. Rhodes, Dodecanese
most effective for: kit holidaymakers.
Why: You might certainly not call Rhodes as off-radar. probably the most commonplace of the Dodecanese, with a frequent acceptance for beaches and nightlife, it's one of the vital few Greek Islands accessible as a kit holiday from eire see 5 Greek Getaways, aloft. while these in quest of slower, extra immersive shuttle may still supply it a large anchorage, Rhodes is a superb initiate for households, and should reward those who research its historical past. don't omit its glorious belted old city. – PÓC
excessive: old surprises include the acropolis of Lindos, and or not it's not short on sandy beaches.
Low: With active bear ports and airports, the island receives absolutely jammers in top season.
details: rhodes.gr
eleven. Corfu, Ionian
finest for: households.
Why: a very good mix of motels, shorelines and attractions makes this abundant, abounding island – birthplace of the duke of Edinburgh, and environment for Gerald Durrell's My family unit and different Animals – a fit for all a long time. originate in Corfu city, which nevertheless bears facts of Venetian rule with its basic fortresses, church buildings and palaces. Its old town is unique a UNESCO ancestry website in consequence; gorgeous, crumbling, delicate-coloured constructions line the polished stone streets, aperture into squares just like the main one – the active, stylish Spianada. children will adulation rockpooling in the exquisite fishing apple of Palaiokastritsa, the place Odysseus is asserted to accept disembarked, and with maybe probably the most shimmering, bright baptize. journeying the monastery which sits on a acropolis above the bay will present blooming angle. – LM
excessive: tour the desirable palace of Achilleion, the summer time domestic of the Empress Elisabeth of Austria, which additionally has eye-catching gardens.
Low: keep away from Kavos, which nonetheless has a recognition for awkward behaviour with the aid of young Brits.
particulars: corfutouristservices.gr
12. Sifnos Cyclades gourmand: A tavern in Appolonia in Sifnos
finest for: Foodies.
Why: baby, but completely fashioned, Sifnos is domestic to a shockingly prosperous meals arena. suppose chickpea assurance, creamy Manoura cheese a byproduct of Feta, slow-cooked dupe stews, velvety candy loukoumi Turkish pleasure, or evenly aged calamari needing just a squeeze of auto. work up an appetite alongside over 100km of going for walks trails, or with a airing from Kastro to the ridiculously scenic church of Seven Martyrs. – PÓC
particulars: sifnos.gr
13. Delos, Cyclades charcoal of Cleopatra apartment, Delos, Greece
choicest for: historical past-lovers.
Why: Delos, observed just just a few miles from Mykonos, is believed to be the area where Apollo, god of mild, became born. it be one of the vital crucial fabulous, historical and archaeological sites in Greece, full of the is still of historic temples – including one to Dionysus, god of wine – statues and sculptures. This became a sacred, religious centre for centuries basically, the Cyclades takes its identify from the Greek 'kiklos' as a result of its islands circle Delos, and in 1990, UNESCO inscribed it onto the area ancestry checklist. Daytrips from Mykonos are a have to. – LM
excessive: don't leave out the amazing Terrace of the Lions, with its life-size statues of these massive cats which used to protect the sacred technique to the altar of Apollo.
Low: Delos is a seek advice from-most effective archaeological website with none accommodation amenities, so staying overnight isn't feasible.
particulars: delostours.gr
14. Crete Agios Nikolaos, Crete. drop
top of the line For: Honeymooners, hikers and birthday celebration individuals.
Why: think about the Beara Peninsula in West Cork given a makeover with an enormous blowtorch and you have whatever thing of the hulking actual attendance and different landscapes of Crete. giant sufficient to resist anything accumulation tourism throws at it, Crete's fascinating historical past is anytime present, even as you sip your pina colada on the palm beach at Vai or agitate your booty at Yanni's rock Bar in Agios Nikolas. here is by a ways the largest and best crawling of the Greek islands, with white sandy beaches, glowing mountains, marvelous gorges and traditional villages, whereas coastal towns like 'Ag-Nik' are celebration critical all the way through summer season for the 18-35 set. The island's heritage is multi-layered, with buildings from all who got here via – from the ancient Minoans to the twentieth-century German paratroopers. – Conor power
excessive: The palace at Knossos. The Minoan constitution feels more like a city made up of inter-linked apartment and constructions than a alcazar, however exerts a powerful attendance. late afternoon is the most beneficial time to wander its charcoal and suppose the bronze Age vibes. No be counted what you come to Crete for, don't leave devoid of seeing this.
Low: The birthplace of Zeus on the Diktaean cavern on mount Dikti is billed as a desirable afterimage to peer but i would somewhat accept long gone to a beachside bar as a substitute of barrier round an sick-lit cavern where a non-exact Greek God was allegedly built-in.
details: incrediblecrete.gr
15. Andros, Cyclades
gold standard for: Walkers.
Why: With over 300km of mountain climbing trails, a lot of which have simplest been unfolded over the past few years, this island is made for walkers. able varieties should still brave the 100km Andros route, which runs from north to south and crosses abundance tiers, blockage at small villages along the style, or select from a number day hikes. With attractions similar to waterfalls, monasteries, crags, caves and shorelines on your chosen event, there may be whatever thing for all ages and degree. – LM
excessive: pick a force as much as Vourkoti, the highest apple in the Cyclades.
Low: Some grime roads accomplish using challenging.
particulars: androsroutes.gr
16. Zakynthos, Ionian 'ambush beach' in Zakynthos island drop
top-quality for: adventure-seekers.
Why: mass and sometimes blowzy tourism dominates the south and southeastern materials of Zakynthos, also known as Zante, but there are more strings to its bow. The island attracts abounding divers — one of the crucial regular dives is to the wreck of the HMS Perseus, a British abysmal sunk by means of an Italian mine all through WW2. The neighborhood, uninhabited islet of Marathonisi is likely one of the main nesting zones for loggerhead turtles, and snorkellers can passage octopus and parrotfish too. noxious jumpers can now acreage on Navagio beach aloft, noted for an extra wreck — which ran ashore in 1980. but which you could, of course, see it from groundsea level too. — LM
high: engage a boat bout of the appropriately named blue grottoes, named for the absorption of the colour of the baptize. And don't pass over the handicrafts of Volimes.
Low: Zakynthos has a attractiveness as a club 18-30 trend vacation spot. That reputation is adapted.
details: zakynthos.gr
17. Aegina, Saronic abysm
top-quality for: Day-trippers.
Why: short on time? The Saronic abysm islands are closest to Athens, and can be visited by daytrip or on short cruises. Time things to stay away from accession with Atheneian weekenders – Aegina is a good introduction, with abate Angistri neighborhood. it be famous for pistachios, too. – PÓC
high: it's an hour or less by bear from Pireaus.
Low: Its proximity to Athens removes one of the most fair isolation vital to the Greek Islands.
particulars: aeginagreecem
18. Kos, Dodecanese Kos, Greece.
top-quality for: absolute travel.
Why: comparable to Rhodes, Kos is accessible to Irish holidaymakers as a equipment, authoritative it a simple access point to the Greek Islands – especially for households in search of all-inclusive options. The island has catered to charters for a long time, so don't predict slow tourism right here – quite, treat it as a simple addition to broken landscapes, energetic tavernas and historical Greek ruins… with probably the most most useful seashores in the Dodecanese to boot. – PÓC
excessive: Kos town is an excellent wager for impartial visitors, or the mountain city of Asfendiou.
Low: all of it feels very touristy in summer season.
details: kos.gr
greater: Brendan O'Connor: Our Greek Island getaway for adults and youngsters
19. Amorgos, Cyclades
most reliable for: Snorkellers.
Why: ever considering watching The large dejected, Luc Besson's iconic film about aggressive freedivers – plenty of which become filmed on this off-alarm island – i have been smitten. it be not simply the azure baptize; highlights additionally encompass a absurd-inducing Hora main city and the coronary heart-in-mouth cliff-face monastery of Hozoviotissa. – PÓC
Do it: accepting there includes a six-hour 'speedy' ferry from Athens.
particulars: amorgas.gr
20. Skopelos, Sporades
surest for: nature fans and Abba lovers.
Why: Set simply off the Greek acreage within the northwest Aegean, its turquoise baptize, dejected and white structures, traditional tavernas and collected coves fabricated Skopelos the filming location for hit movie Mamma Mia! in 2007. these days, you'll find unruffled seashores, basic food and accommodation, thick greenery and a calming environment; Skopelos city is awash with confined and restaurants. — LM
excessive: discuss with the Mamma Mia! wedding abbey of Agios Ioannis, perched 100m aloft the ocean on a bouldered bulge.
Low: You'll want a automobile, as the greatest seashores are a fine 15-to-60-minute force from town and buses simplest run seasonally.
details: skopelosm
Information and things to do in Thessaloniki.| Best things to do in Corfu | Best Beach Bars in Greece | Visit Lefkada in Greece | Things to Do and Attractions in Santorini | How to lose Weight


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Concrete Roofing Tiles
Create a stunning concrete roof. From the double pantile design of the Mendip interlocking tile to the authentic cross camber design of the concrete plain tile, Marley's concrete roofing tile range has proven performance properties matched by aesthetic characteristics, which approach the look, feel and even weathering appearance of 'natural' products more closely.
Fibre Cement Slates
Our four products, Rivendale, Birkdale, Garsdale and Thrutone have been designed with the architect in mind and offer the opportunity to produce innovative and imaginative designs either as vertical cladding or slate roof pitches as low as 15°.
Clay Roof Tiles
Marley is the UK's leading manufacturer of clay tiles and fittings. Our extensive range contains plain and interlocking clay tiles with colour and texture options, which meet the aesthetic and performance demands of all types of roofing applications.
Shingles & Shakes
Western Red Cedar Shingles & Shakes from Marley are a truly renewable and sustainable roofing & cladding material, with one of the lower carbon footprints of any widely used building product. The clear timber treatment, MicroPro, delivers JB Shingles & shakes that are preservative treated with the look of 'clean' or untreated timber. This provides you with the natural beauty of cedar right from the start.


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S.A.R. Geelani Sent to 14-day Judicial Custody Over Sedition Charges
Published: 18th February 2016 05:03 PM | Last Updated: 18th February 2016 05:03 PM | A+A A-
NEW DELHI: Former Delhi University lecturer S.A.R. Geelani, who was arrested on the charges of sedition, was on Thursday sent to 14-day judicial custody.
He will be kept in 'High Risk Ward' of Jail Number 1 of Tihar Jail.
Geelani was arrested on the charges of sedition in connection with an event held at the Press Club of India (PCI) on February 10, where 'anti-India' slogans were allegedly raised.
Earlier on Tuesday, the police produced Geelani before Metropolitan Magistrate Harvinder Singh and sought two-day police custody.
Geelani's arrest comes amid a raging controversy over the arrest of Jawaharlal Nehru University's students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar on charges of sedition .
The police had after registering the case also questioned DU professor Ali Javed, a Press Club member, who had booked the hall for the event.


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Eating sustainably can feel difficult — especially when it comes to seafood. Every day, consumers face tough choices in the grocery store and at their favorite restaurants.
Here to help is our very own Jen Levin, who has led our sustainable seafood program for nearly a decade. In that time, countless people have asked her, "How do I know what's okay to eat?"
The answers aren't always easy to find with a simple web search. The sustainability of an individual species can change depending on when, where, and how it was harvested.
In the video below, Jen provides her top three strategies for eating responsibly. These tips can help you support a healthy Gulf of Maine, as well as the many hard-working people who depend on it.
This is the fourth in our new video series: Gulf of Maine, Explained.
Throughout the series, you'll learn more about important-but-unfamiliar concepts related to our work. We'll cover commercial fishing, fisheries research, sustainable seafood, education, and more. While we probably won't answer all your questions in one short video, we hope to spark your curiosity about complicated issues that are central to our mission.


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After several weeks of work we have released OpenKM 6.3 Community. This new release has many changes from 6.2 series, but these are the most important:
* Metadata browsing
* Document listing paginated and filtered (by type, name, etc.)
* Different splitter resize schemas
* Choose default start workspace
* Massive actions when adding metadata, keywords and categories
* Better Chrome and IExplorer support
* Released extensions: Workflow properties, OpenMeetings and Zoho integration
* Forward imported mail
* Improved bulk uploader
* Document conversion
* Merge PDF documents
* Able to select default file browser width
* Improved Windows service installation
* Increase major / minor document version
* Change login page logo
* Improved mail importer
* CMIS support
* New RESTful web services API (v1.0)
* New SOAP web services (v1.0)
* New Automation actions and events (document update, mail creation, etc.)
* Lots of bug fixes and several performance improvements
OpenKM 6.3.0 released
News and other important event for the OpenKM community.
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1 post • Page 1 of 1


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Dance in the Dark
- Fri 30th Nov 2018, 7:30pm – 9:30pm GMT (UTC +00:00)
- 8 Mackintosh Lane, London, UK
- Facebook event
With Charlie Boyd - Firm Feet
When you dance in darkness you can create your own cocoon and dance, only for yourself. The process can be deeply invigorating, liberating and healing but also light, fun and playful.
Firm Feet Open Movement meditation.
In the darkness, there is no visual stimulation, which allows us to drop deeper into meditation, get out of your mind and into the body. Dancing can boost your overall happiness, release serotonin and endorphins, balance the mind and body and is a great form of low impact cardiovascular exercise. Arrive in a warm, lowly-lit, atmospheric and calming environment. There is nothing to learn or follow, it is simply a space to dance. Nobody is watching you. Dance to deep electronic, experimental, uplifting drumming and ambient music from all over the globe. People often come away feeling reformed, with a deeper conscious connection with nature, self and others. Experience a sense of liberation, purpose and self-empowerment. No experience needed.
Firm Feet is run by Charlotte Boyd, combining her experiences and qualifications with movement, integral thinking, macrobiotics and traditional healing systems. Charlie runs Open Movement Meditation classes and holds Body awareness consultations in and around London.
You can email Charlie with any questions or find out more about other sessions in North & East London on her website:
instagram @firmfeet
Please arrive promptly, make sure you bring clothes to move in and a water bottle.
Any questions or queries please email firstname.lastname@example.com
Bought a ticket, but now can't make it?
List your ticket on Ticketswap


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Are you in the United States?
Visit our U.S.A. & International site for relevant pricing, distribution and product availability information.Go to StarTech.com
6in PCI Express Power Splitter Cable
Split a single PCI Express 6-pin power connection into two power connections
Product ID: PCIEXSPLIT6
- Adds two extra PCIe graphics power connectors
- Compatible with nVidia SLI and ATI CrossfireX™ gaming/video cards
- Easily split a 6-pin PCI Express connector into two 6-pin PCI Express connectors
The PCIEXSPLIT6 PCI Express power splitter cable (6-pin to dual 6-pin) lets you connect a single (standard) 6-pin PCI Express power connection provided by the computer power supply to two nVidia SLI or ATI CrossfireX™ video cards that require a 6-pin power connection.
A cost-saving solution, this PCIe 6-pin to dual 6-pin power cable eliminates the expense of upgrading a computer power supply for the sake of compatibility with dual video card systems.
- Inexpensive way to add more power connectors to a power supply
The StarTech.com Advantage
- Affordable solution for adding two extra PCI Express connectors to your existing power supply
- Backed by StarTech.com lifetime warranty
Product Numbers
Ingram Micro Sweden
UPC Code
Technical Specifications
|Warranty Information
|Connector A
|1 - PCI Express Power (6 pin, v 1.x) Female
|Connector B
|2 - PCI Express Power (6 pin, v 1.x) Male
|Physical Characteristics
|Cable Length
|152.4 mm [6 in]
|Connector Style
|Product Length
|152.4 mm [6 in]
|Weight of Product
|30 g [1.1 oz]
|Wire Gauge
|Packaging Information
|Package Height
|14 mm [0.6 in]
|Package Length
|22.5 cm [8.9 in]
|Package Width
|12.5 cm [4.9 in]
|Shipping (Package) Weight
|34 g [1.2 oz]
|What's in the Box
|Included in Package
|1 - 6in PCI Express Power Splitter Cable
Related Products
PCI Express 6 pin to 8 pin Power Adapter Cable
Connect a standard 6-pin PCI Express power connection on the Power Supply to 8-pin ATI and NVidia video cards
Product Support
Data Sheets
Frequently Asked Questions
When you troubleshoot issues with an internal power cable, there are some quick tests that you can complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue:
Power supply
Computer part
Power cable
To test your setup components, try the following:
Use the power supply, computer part, and power cable in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup.
Use a different power supply, computer part, and power cable in your setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup.
When you test your cable, it is recommended that you do the following:
Make sure that the cable is firmly inserted into both ends.
The polarity (usually indicated by the color of the cables) matches.
No pins are bent or missing on the power supply cable or header, or the computer part.
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Compliance and Safety
Compliance Letters
Safety Measures
- If product has an exposed circuit board, do not touch the product under power.
- If Class 1 Laser Product. Laser radiation is present when the system is open.
- Wiring terminations should not be made with the product and/or electric lines under power.
- Product installation and/or mounting should be completed by a certified professional as per the local safety and building code guidelines.
- Cables (including power and charging cables) should be placed and routed to avoid creating electric, tripping or safety hazards.
* Product appearance and specifications are subject to change without notice.


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Cheetah App Helps Ward Transport
Ward Transport and Logistics, a trucking company in the United States, has decided to make extensive use of a cutting-edge mobile application known as Cheetah Mobile in order to improve efficiency and service across their considerable network. The Cheetah Mobile app was created by leading software creator Cheetah Software Services, which has provided the truck driving world with some of its most sought-after software for many years. Cheetah Software Services is known for its next-generation applications that address the logistics and efficiency problems that are the bane of truck driving jobs.
Cheetah's new app runs exclusively on Android devices and is expected to drastically improve the trucking services provided by Ward. Ward expects Cheetah Mobile to help its trucks operate more efficiently, be more attuned to the needs of the customers, and provide a service that is more punctual than ever.
This will all be made possible by Cheetah Mobile's unique approach to the data needed by Ward's field workers. Cheetah Mobile will allows both ends of Ward's operation to stay better informed about the other and will allow any problems that arise to be more immediately addressed. Using Cheetah Mobile, those with truck driving jobs will be able to more easily connect with dispatch workers, management, customer service providers, and even the customers themselves if necessary. Urgent communication can be done via two-way messaging, while less urgent information can be sent via regular ETA updates. Products will be carefully tracked via an assortment of POD verification techniques that include signature capture, barcode scanning, and even photos of the products themselves.
Cheetah Mobile also provides navigational services including voice directions, turn-by-turn instructions, and delivery and pickup information in real time. The app has a sleek, modern interface that trucking companies across the board have described as user-friendly and intuitive. This touch screen interface is completely standardized for all devices, meaning that once an employee learns the platform, he will be able to use Cheetah Mobile regardless of the trucking position in which he may work in the future. Cheetah Mobile also features an embedded assistance function that users can take advantage of when they need help instead of having to call a support hotline.
The Android platform that Cheetah Mobile runs on is featured in a large number of different tablet and smartphone models and is available for use with all major cell phone service providers in the United States. It will even work on older Android models and can be used on both devices with physical keyboards and those without them.
The tablets used by Ward Transport and Logistics feature large touch screens that will make using the Cheetah Mobile app even easier and more efficient. Even the implementation process was found to be easy and efficient, and Ward recently announced that it was completed nearly six weeks ahead of schedule. Since then, Ward's trucking experts have expressed an almost unilaterally favorable response to the app. In general, they are reporting that the Cheetah Mobile app together with these large-screened tablets enhances their workflow and even makes their work more comfortable.
Not only are Ward drivers embracing the new technology, but Cheetah Mobile has even allowed them to assist drivers from other trucking companies. Ward is very pleased with the new Cheetah Mobile software.


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As if a day filled with polka dancing, family fun and live entertainment wasn�t enough, those who were thinking about heading out to the National Polka Festival in Ennis during Memorial Day Weekend have yet another reason to attend.
The crew of �It�s Happiness,� an award-winning documentary about polka, will be making a trip to the Lone Star State to show the film. A best documentary winner at various film festivals across the Midwest, the Stun Productions film was produced and directed by Pittsburgh, Penn., native Craig DiBiase, who oddly enough isn�t of Czech heritage.
DiBiase and business partner Timm Gable, whom he met while attending the University of Miami at Ohio, started Stun Productions and stumbled across the fascinating culture of polka while filming a Pabst Blue Ribbon commercial in Wisconsin.
�The premise of the commercial was a young gentleman waiting at a bus stop who saw a sign for a party,� DiBiase recalled. �He goes to the party, not knowing it�s a polka party. There are 20 or 30 people polka dancing, young and old coming together for Pabst Blue Ribbon.
�One of the dancers came up to us afterwards and asked if we ever considered doing a movie about polka,� he said.
DiBiase could honestly say it hadn�t come across his mind, and never in a million years would he have thought he would find himself doing a documentary over polka - but the world of polka had other plans for him.
�I live in New York and didn�t know too much about the polka culture at the time, and my business partner didn�t know much either,� he said.
But after conversing with various people who were involved with polka, DiBiase and Gable were captivated at what the world of polka had to offer and being a novice in the field, DiBiase was eager to find out more about what exactly polka was. From there, what started off as a curiosity turned into an acclaimed documentary.
With the help of John Pinter, a former member of the Polka Boosters and a dancer in the commercial, the duo of DiBiase and Gable traveled across Wisconsin finding out what drew people to the culture of polka.
�We went to festivals and just talked to different people,� DiBiase said. �We found out so many interesting stories, so we went back to New York to raise some money for the documentary. We then went back to Wisconsin and started shooting the festivals.�
An eight-month process, DiBiase would sit down and interview with different people who became his main characters during the week. Then on the weekends, DiBiase would head out to the festivals and capture footage of not only the dancing, but the entire atmosphere of polka.
DiBiase said he learned that with the �polka generation� dying out, it is up to younger people to continue on the rich tradition of polka.
�For me, I am 25 years old, so I had the stereotype that it is for older people,� DiBiase said. �The point we are trying to make in this film is that there is a young generation of people trying to carry on this culture. The most satisfaction I get is when an older person comes up to me and says thank you for helping us carry this tradition on. It is comforting for them to see younger people out there carrying out the music.�
When DiBiase visited the Green Bay Pulaski Days festival in Wisconsin, he was shocked at the turnout of young people. With more than 30,000 people under the age of 25 in attendance dancing to polka on a Friday night instead of going to a movie or the mall, he now believes that the polka culture can survive, but it is having to be altered slightly to bring in the younger generation. Bands such as Lynnmarie and the Box Hounds mixes polka with country and rock and roll giving polka a new twist.
Not only did �It�s Happiness,� open up DiBiase�s eyes to something he would have never imagined falling in love with, but it opened up companies� eyes across the country, creating more job opportunities for himself and Gable.
�We originally thought we were just going to do commercials,� DiBiase said. �The documentary has really helped with our company. We have done very well at some of the film festivals, so we have built up some credibility not only in Wisconsin but to all over places we would never imagine.�
In the end, DiBiase hopes his film can spread the word about how polka is more than just dressing up in suspenders and a hat and dancing to an accordion - it�s happiness.


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Hi Everyone!..
I have another project to share with you today … a cover for a big post it note, I have Robyn to thank for putting this idea into my head yesterday at the Mini Album Workshop.
The cover I made yesterday for the workshop is the same but on a smaller scale, this is only 3 1/4″ x 3 1/4″
The patterned paper is gorgeous .. I got this yesterday too it is Graphic45's Safari Adventure.. I also made another mini album last night when I got home using this same paper line, and again it is a smaller scale mini, but I will share that with you next week.
If you would like to make one too, I have a video tutorial below, plus you can get the post it note blocks from Asda for £1.00 🙂
I hope you have had a great weekend and I will be back next week with more projects.
p.s. I will be at stampers grove this coming saturday and we will be making coffee sleeve books if you fancy popping along 😀
Thanks for popping round
Sarah x


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Pacmyer Revolver Grips for Colt Python I Frame Revolver!!
Guns International #: 100235207 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Grips - Grips - Revolver
Seller's Information
When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com
Seller: mrdiamondback
Member Since: 11/30/11
First Name: steve
State: Idaho
Zip: 83714
Country: United States
Phone: (605) 212-7213
Number of Active Listings: 68
Total Number of Listings: 177
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: usps money orderor cashiers cheque
One pair of Pacmyer Revolver grips for the Colt Python I frame revolver! Theses grips are in excellent condition and have a great feel of control and comfort when shooting the big revolver!! They also come with the centre screw!Buyer to pay 4.00 shipping to the lower 48 states! Thanks Cal Steve 605-212-7213 Iam willing to ship international as well!
Price: $28.00


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Simplify Azure Deployment
It blows my mind how freaking difficult and slow Azure deployments are… I have used AppHarbor and Google AppEngine in other projects and I can deploy a new version in about 20 seconds flat. Azure is painful. For starters, my deployment package is 50 megs. 50 FREAKING MEGS!!! Are you kidding me??? It's an MVC(…)