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Like a lot of writers, I'm a people watcher. I'm an observer by nature. Truth be told, at times I've spied to get a good story, to create a good character (see the first post I ever wrote for Writer Unboxed for more about this [2]). I've even taken photos without people knowing it, to use in my character dossiers. I've justified that it's okay because I'm a writer—but maybe part of the reason I'm a writer is that it justifies my tendency to snoop. It's a chicken and egg thing.
But lately I'm reconsidering my spying ways. It all started with the library.
As stepped up to the circulation desk fumbling for my library card, the librarian said, "Nice to see you, Julia! I'm so sorry I don't remember your last name. How did you like that book…" She went on to name the last book I read. I stopped in my tracks. I have seen this woman perhaps five times in as many years. I couldn't tell you her name if you held an acetylene torch to my hand (I may have watched too many episodes of the spy show Alias lately).
She finished checking out my books and I started to walk away, but I turned back. I wanted to ask her for her name, it only seemed fair. Mary.
I got back to my car and made some notes in my notebook. First I wrote down Mary's name. Then I wrote:
Writer who goes about town gathering stories by watching people, believes she is unknown, unwatched, maybe even a spy. Suddenly she realizes she's not unknown at all. And may actually be the object of observation by others!
A True Story
It unnerved me. I'm the one who's supposed to be observing them. I'm following their breadcrumbs. When did they start following mine? I tried not to get too concerned. It was, after all, just one librarian.
Until I went to the bank.
"Oh, hi, Julia," the teller greeted me.
"Hi," I answered tentatively. On the inside, I was freaking out. (Have I mentioned I'm an introvert?) Another person, who I remember seeing only a handful of times, yet she knows my name.
"Wow, you have a really good memory," I said as she typed my name into the computer—without having to ask my last name.
"I try," Tori answered, smiling.
My eyes flickered to the sign next to her window, committing her name to memory. "I'm here to make a deposit," I said. "I got an email from Amazon that I couldn't order a book because of a low balance in my account—it's my book account," I was quick to add. "Do I have zero dollars in my account?" I asked, laughing, a little.
"Three dollars," Tori said, her smile fading.
True story.
I wrote Tori's name next to Mary's when I got back to my car.
More Breadcrumbs
Next stop, the coffee shop for writing. First I put my computer on my favorite table. Then I went to the counter to order and pay for my coffee. Same routine every day for the last month. After, the barista gave me my change—which I put into the tip cup like I do every day—she gestured to a cup of coffee that was already sitting on the counter when I walked up.
"Is this mine?" I asked.
"Tall dark for here, right?" The barista said.
I nodded, swallowing hard. They know what kind of coffee I drink?
I whipped around to see who else might be watching me because I was beginning to feel like I wasn't the observer at all. In fact, I was beginning to feel empathy for the people I watch.
Back at the table, I notice the two coffee shop workers, their heads together. I jot in my notebook:
The writer wonders—is everyone watching her? Who's spying on whom? Find out barista's name.
Fast forward three days. I'm looking at Instagram, and someone I follow has posted a picture of a young man working in a coffee shop. He's staring intently at a laptop and he looks miserable. The caption stated he was someone the photographer had merely passed by in a coffee shop. I made a comment on the photo that I hoped no one would ever post a picture of me writing in a coffee shop—not without my knowledge. It frankly terrified me, I added.[pullquote]Eavesdropping or at least hearing peoples' stories is the lifeblood of a writer. But this experience has made me a kinder, gentler spy, one perhaps that will put herself into her characters' shoes. [/pullquote]
And it also gave me pause. First my experience of feeling watched in the coffee shop, then my light bulb moment of seeing that other writer's face on Instagram—for all the world to see without him even knowing it—was it observing or was it invading personal space? Was I not doing the same thing by jotting down notes about strangers? By taking pictures of them?
I felt a vague sense of guilt colored with a tinge of remorse. In my defense I've only actually taken three pictures of strangers—two at the grocery store and one at the town dump—and I've never ever posted on social media (nor would I) a photo of someone I didn't know—unless it was from a great distance and they were unrecognizable. Similarly when I write things based on what I've heard people say or when create characters, I change so much about the incident (or person) that they are not recognizable. Even the stories are very different.
Who Am I Kidding?
Where does this leave me as a writing spy or a spying writer—or whichever egg did come first? It's a dilemma. I'd like to say I'll never do it again. But who am I kidding? Eavesdropping or at least hearing peoples' stories is the lifeblood of a writer. But this experience has made me a kinder, gentler spy, one perhaps that will put herself into her characters' shoes. Because here's the thing. I can look at myself as a character, too. Because whether I like it or not, I am being observed by others in ways I cannot know. Mary, Tori, the barista (and no doubt many more) each sees and knows a small part of me. Perhaps each part of what they know about me, what they see, adds up to the whole of who I am.
Like we put together characters from pieces that come from disparate places, we are all seen in bits and pieces by one another. In super simple terms, we may be an account number to Tori, a book to Mary, a cup of coffee to our neighborhood barista. To others we see every day, still other things. Each person in each place sees a little bit of a different part—all totaling the complete person of who we are. The character of who we are.
Just the same, I take bits and pieces of other people—perhaps I use Mary's smile, Tori's good humor, the barista's quickness, maybe the good looks of the guy at the gym, and I toss them all together to create a whole fictional character. With a complete personality and—yes—with empathy.
What about you? Do you spy? If you do, do you feel guilty? Have you ever wondered who might be watching you, too?
Wish you could buy this author a cup of joe?
Now, thanks to tinyCoffee and PayPal, you can!
About Julia Munroe Martin [3]
Julia Munroe Martin [4] (@jmunroemartin [5]) is a writer and blogger who lives in an old house in southern coastal Maine. Julia's other passion is photography, and if she's not writing at the dining room table or a local coffeeshop, you'll likely find her on the beach or dock taking photos. Julia writes The Empty Nest Can Be Murder mystery series as J. M. Maison.


text: Saab launches Next Generation Carl Gustaf M4 at AUSA Press release 13 October 2014 Defence and security company Saab is proud to present the newly-developed next generation Carl-Gustaf M4 at the 2014 Association of the U.S. Army exhibition in Washington D.C. The Carl-Gustaf M4, known in the U.S. as M3A1 MAAWS, is the latest man-portable shoulder-launched multi-role weapon system from Saab designed to provide users with flexible capability and help troops to remain agile in any scenario. The new light-weight Carl Gustaf M4, weighing approximately 15 pounds, offers significant weight savings to the soldier. It is also compatible with future battlefield technology such as intelligent sighting systems for programmable ammunition. With a wide variety of munitions available, it is a weapon system capable of handling multiple tactical situations, bridging the gap between full scale operations and low intensity conflicts, and providing the modern warfighter with unprecedented flexibility and capability on the battlefield. The new generation Carl Gustaf is a further development of today's widely deployed Carl-Gustaf M3. The M3 version has long been in service with the U.S. Army Rangers and has been employed by every U.S. Special Operations Force in the U.S. military. Versions of the system are in service with more than 40 nations globally. The latest M4 design and capability enhancements were recently showcased to a select group of visitors at a ground combat systems demonstration held in Sweden in late September. The demonstration included a comprehensive series of successful firings with a range of ammunition types against a variety of targets. The new Carl-Gustaf is attracting a high level of interest. Improved versions of Saab's capable AT4 weapon are also under development; promising even greater benefit for users of those systems.The Carl Gustaf M4 is the logical next step for users who already have great experience and confidence with the Carl-Gustaf system. And development does not stop here. Future complementary improvements to this new formidable system will include development of smart programmable ammunition, advanced sighting systems, and expanded confined space capabilities. For more on the Carl Gustaf M4, see: www.saabgroup.com/cgm4 For further information, please contact: Saab Press Centre, +46 (0)734 180 018; firstname.lastname@example.com/Twitterwww.saabgroup.com/YouTube Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defense to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers' changing needs. This information was brought to you by Cisionhttp://feed.ne.cision.com/client/saab//Commands/File.aspx?id=2673706The following files are available for download PDF Last updated: 14 August 2015 • 10:07

subset: commoncrawl


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Latvians overwhelmingly oppose joining euro, but will do so anyway on Jan 1
European democratic deficit problem raised again, as another European country is forced to join the euro at the beginning of the new year despite massive public opposition
In what critics are characterising as another cynical blow to European democracy, the Baltic state of Latvia, which joined the European Union in 2004 and was once a part of the Soviet Union, will adopt the euro on January 1, 2014 even as opinion polls show 60 percent of the people are against the move.
At taxpayers' expense from countries including Britain, the European Central Bank (ECB) has spent millions on propaganda material and videos to persuade ordinary Latvians of the euro's alleged benefits, as this report from the ECB indicates.
The Latvian News Agency quoted the head of the so-called "euro communication group" Margrieta Ulmane as saying the campaign had been a "success". The Latvian News Agency said this was because:
"According to a recent public opinion poll conducted by Factum, 98 percent of respondents knew the day Latvia was to switch to the euro, and 76 percent said they had enough information about the euro introduction process in Latvia."
However, the polling evidence from Factum and other polling agencies on whether Latvians actually wanted the euro went unreported, as this short note from EU Observer, partially attributed to French news agency AFP, makes clear:
"Latvia will join the euro on 1 January but nearly 60 percent of Latvians oppose the single currency....Latvians have endured steep wage cuts, rather than Lat devaluation, as the government sought to get the country out of economic crisis while keeping on track to join the euro," it said..
Latvians were not allowed a referendum on joining the euro, since leading politicians were afraid the public would reject it. There is much public anger at what is going on (see picture of European flag being burned in protest at eurozone membership at the top of this report).
It is a matter of public record that the European Union has ignored unfavourable results in referendums on major European issues including in France and the Netherlands.
Ireland voted against the Nice Treaty in 2001 and the Lisbon Treaty in 2008. In both cases it was forced to hold repeats of the referendums until it gave a "yes" vote to what Brussels was proposing. In the end, it did so.
Eurosceptics blame the euro for exacerbating economic crisis in many European countries, such as Greece, Spain, Ireland and Italy, a message which has been widely discussed in the Latvian press.
Members of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), want Britain -- not a member of the euro -- to leave the European Union altogether, and do so as fast as possible. The party has widely condemned the move to force Latvia to join the euro in the face of a hostile public.
"Latvia, as a Baltic state, used to be part of the Soviet Union," said one UKIP voter with expertise in Eastern Europe. "This is terribly anti-democratic", he told The Commentator. "No wonder they're burning flags."
The European Union aims to get all 28 members of the EU to join the euro at some point. Latvia will become the 18th member of the eurozone at the beginning of 2014.
The Commentator is Britain's fastest growing online, quality-end comment and news outlet
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Everything at Eagle's Nest Camp from the meals, to the Cabin assignments, to the daily schedule, is thoughtfully planned for the best possible Camper experience. Read below about some of our traditions and daily routines that make Eagle's Nest such a special and unique family!
A Day In The Life Of A Camper
Care Packages
A Day In The Life Of A Camper
7:30 a.m.
The sound of the old bell wakes me from a deep sleep. It's a little chilly this morning, but the smell of bacon cooking helps me get out of my cozy bed. On the way to flag raising, I chat with my cabin mates about the day ahead.
8:15 a.m.
I greet my Table Family for a breakfast of eggs, bacon and Chef Ashton's delicious hash browns. A great way to start the day!
9:00 a.m.
Grab a broom! It's time for Cabin Cleanup! If we make 6 "A's" on cabin inspection we'll go to Big Scoop and get ice cream.
9:30 a.m.
I'm heading to the garden for my 1st period activity. We're going to dig around in the dirt to find red potatoes and harvest some salad greens. I can't wait to eat these vegetables for dinner in the next couple of days!
10:40 a.m.
During 2nd period my Explorer's Class is collecting "swamp gas" from the fishing pond. The gas is methane that's made when things decay. We collect it in a jar by stomping around near the cattails and then we get to light it on fire in a dark area.
12:30 p.m.
Lunch time! We're having tacos with fresh guacamole – my favorite! I can't wait for After Lunch Singing. I hope Felix plays his washboard again.
1:30 p.m.
Rest period always comes at the right time! Time to write a letter home and take a quick nap.
2:30 p.m.
Afternoon classes are starting. I have canoeing third period, so I'm going down to the lake to practice my "J" stroke and cross-bow draw. Tomorrow we're going paddling on the Nantahala River! I can't wait to try out my new skills on some whitewater rapids.
3:40 p.m.
The vase I threw on the wheel in 4th period Ceramics is ready to be glazed. I made it for my table sister. I hope she likes it!
5:30 p.m.
Tonight we're having beef brisket for dinner, along with squash from our garden and fresh-baked bread made by the campers in Cabin 1. The skits after dinner that introduce Twilight and the Evening Activity are my favorite – the counselors are hilarious!
6:45 p.m.
It's Twilight, so I get to choose what activity I want to go to. Some of my cabin mates and I are going to go to free swim at the lake. I love jumping off the diving board.
8:00 p.m.
Goodnight Circle. We all sing "Day is Done" before heading off to snack and the evening activity. Tonight it's a campfire on Nature Hill. I can't wait to listen to stories and sing songs with my friends. I bet we'll see fireflies and roast marshmallows. Yum!
9:30 p.m.
After a few minutes of flashlight time, the sounds of the cicadas outside lull me to sleep. I'm excited to wake up and have another great day at camp tomorrow!
Campers stay in 12 spacious, breezy cabins and are placed with other Nesters based on grade and gender. All cabins have indoor plumbing, showers, and hot water. The cabin groups are led by caring counselors, and campers get to know their cabinmates well during evening hours, rest periods, morning cleanups and cabin outings.
We believe that healthy foods are a cornerstone to a healthy lifestyle. Campers dine on meals prepared with fresh meats and dairy products, and natural and organically grown produce such as garden-fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, unrefined sugar, honey and olive oil. All meals are wholesome, low in sodium and fat, and desserts are served in moderation. All campers participate in baking bread, preparing meals and composting. Vegetarian, vegan and other special diets are available upon request at each meal.
Care Packages
Care packages may be sent to campers. We encourage you to send caring things such as cards, games, books, stationary, etc., but we ask that you do not send food, gum, candy or even "health food".
When a child receives a package at Camp, he or she will open it with her counselor. Food or sweets, in spite of the sweet thoughts with which they were sent, cannot be given to the camper. We can give you information for a number of companies who put together and mail care package for campers.


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You are here: Home > Slovenia > Ljubljana > Vander Urbani Hotel
About Vander Urbani Hotel
Don't expect a typical hotel façade or a glass lobby where you can exit from your car. You are in the old town, which is sensitive to traffic. Vander urbani resort is four old town houses in a terrace nestling under Castle Hill on the banks of the River Ljubljanica. From the outside, they look like the other town houses in the old city, but they have been intricately re-designed with a contemporary passion.
Beneath the old bourgeois house facades lie 20 rooms whose design epitomises perfect living comfort. Yes, that's Vander. Sensual, at one with the environment, and enhanced to meet the needs of the contemporary traveller. The interior design follows a continuous line which runs almost imperceptibly from house to house. The charm of the surprising views culminates in the panorama from the roof terrace. This is what Ljubljana is like, too: in love with the old, constantly seeking the new.
During the renovation of the building, extensive archeological excavations in 2011 revealed that there was once an embankment here on the River in Roman times, when the town was called Emona. The embankment was reinforced with a jetty which was used as a small harbour. Numerous finds have confirmed that tailors and shoemakers lived here in the Middle Ages. The site is one of the most significant discoveries in recent years in Ljubljana.
Accommodation: The essence of the rooms at the Vander Urbani Hotel .... "A comfortable armchair, a refreshing drink, a snack, check your emails, a luxurious bathroom, a sumptuous bed; peace; rest; a royal breakfast; new adventures". The rooms here - Vander, Zen, River – offer an intimate atmosphere and a unique living environment with careful selection of colours and materials; exquisite interior design. "that is only the beginning..."
VANDER rooms - Soothing colours, soft lines, exquisite materials.
ZEN rooms - Glass wall from ceiling to floor. A room full of light. View of the facades and tiled roofs of the old town. A bed on a raised oak platform. A massage in the room upon request. 3rd floor.
RIVER rooms - Time stops when you enter this large sunlit room and look through the window. As if the willow trees had been hanging over the river for ages. As if lovers had sat here forever – and a kiss is something that is completely expected.
All rooms have:
* Frette linen / luxury cosmetics / Frette bath robe and towels / hair dryer
* Moroso armchair
* Wish box mini bar – filled upon booking upon request
* writing desk / laptop size safe
* individually controlled A/C
* LED screen and cable TV
* free wifi
* telephone
* room service 8.30–23.00
* wake-up call service
* laundry service
* ergonomic and anti-allergy pillows and blankets (upon request)
All food here is home-made, traditional and only the best that is seasonally available from the local Ljubljana markets, local farms and forests. Vander dishes bring together Slovenian tradition and contemporary cuisine in exciting combinations.
Breakfast (7am-11am) - Fresh delicacies from all around Slovenia: home-made jams from our kitchen and honey from Brkini, butter from Kobarid, Slovenian cheese (Tolmin and Nanos varieties), home-made yoghurt with fresh fruit, freshly squeezed juices, croissants and home-made bread...There is an excellent selection of traditional Slovenian dishes: polenta with milk, barley groats with prunes, sour milk, different types of omelette ("frtalje") with seasonal vegetables and herbs, all cooked and made with love.
Lunch (12pm - 3:30pm) - Every day, enjoy any of the seven freshly cooked dishes full of flavour in a 'deep dish' which can be combined in any way (stews, beans, casseroles, salads, pasta, risotto).
Dinner (7pm - 11pm) - Fresh local ingredients and the best regional dishes prepared in a modern style with traditional flair. The menu is based on the seasons and follows the unending inspiration of our chef de cuisine and culminated with the driving force of our Vander gatherers.
Wine - Aleksander, the creator and owner of Vander Urbani Resort, is a great connoisseur and wine lover. He has honed his taste on numerous trips around Europe and in Australia, constantly expanding his list of favourite wines. The best wines are now available from the Vander wine box. He has learned that wine is best where it matures, so the majority of wines in the selection are from Slovenia.
Other facilities and services:
Roof Terrace - the sunny roof-top terrace is intimate, yet infinite. You are instantly overtaken by the panorama of tiled roofs and lively streets, which makes you feel that you have found your place in the world. And when you literally float above the town in the swimming pool on the terrace, infinity becomes an integral feeling. The glass box on the terrace yoga studio is where one can enjoy the special atmosphere to the fullest.
Start the day with yoga - the session includes relaxation techniques at the beginning and the end, breathing, active poses and particular sequences of positions. The exercise is suitable both for regular practitioners and beginners.
Relaxation - Zen massage - which can be completely tailored to your needs, will instantly release your energy flow and help the disorientation and weariness typical of travel disappear.


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NOVELTY: Automatic marking, reading and testing station
The traceability of products must be ensured nowadays. This is directly and permanently possible due to the marking units from BORRIES Markier-Systeme GmbH. Modern marking systems cannot only generate flexible text contents of the labelling fields, such as date, consecutive serial number or parts number. Also, saved data can be changed remotely. This enables completely automated marking. This flexibility should be transferred into a functioning, integrated testing system. This can be implemented by the marking system transferring information on the layout of the marking field to the testing system as a dynamic test program. The testing criteria are already linked during the creation of the layout. The testing system can then compare expected results from the specified testing criteria with the actual marking (point-to-point comparison). The font, content, position, size and alignment can be dynamically adjusted without having to adjust the test program. A marker from BORRIES Markier-Systeme GmbH and the new OCR520 reading and testing system from IOSS have made fully automated testing of the variably stamped labelling and any required improvements possible for the first time. Also, the labelling of round or oval components is possible.
Process sequence with dot peening marking systems from BORRIES Markier-Systeme GmbH
- Creating a marking layout by means of single character OCR, symbols (company logos) and/ or Data Matrix coding. In addition, the individual testing criteria are also determined.
- During the marking process, the OCR520 testing system receives the layout data of the marking appearance over the shared interface. After marking, the actually created marking appearance - and thus every single marking point - is immediately inspected for fauls and quality. If DataMatric coding is also applied to the marking appearance, this can also be read. This process runs fully automatically. Additional and extensive adjustment of the testing system is not required.
- If the testing result does not correspond with the specified requirements, the part is dicarded.
- Different camera positions can also be determined for the test instead of a position - the camrea is then positioned by the marking system.
Marking systems from BORRIES Markier-Systeme GmbH
- Marking of flat, round or oval components.
- Housing marking and lettering along the axes.
- Needle-marked lettering (dot-peening 7x5) including symbols, logos and DataMatrix coding.
OCR520 from IOSS
Can be used as a line or matrix camera depending on the component.
- Saves up to 100 test procedures with up to 100 different marking fields.


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I have a t-shirt that was given to me by an American sensei. On the back of the shirt are two kanji taken from the late Nishiyama sensei's original calligraphy Mokkei. A number of friends have asked me what they mean and when I tell them "wooden rooster", they are none the wiser. The term comes from Zen and is based on a fable from the Chinese sage Chuang Tsu. The story as told by Daisetz Suzuki in Zen and Japanese Culture is as follows.
Chi Hsing-Tzu was raising a fighting cock for his master. Ten days passed and the lord asked, "is he ready?" Chi answered "No sir, he is not ready. He is still vain and flushed with rage." Another ten days passed and the prince asked about the cock. Chi said, "not yet sir. He is on the alert whenever he sees the shadow of another cock or hears it crowing." Still another 10 days passed and when the enquiry came from the prince, Chi replied, "Not quite yet sir. His sense of fighting is smouldering within him ready to be awakened." When another ten day passed Chi replied in response to the enquiry: "He is almost ready. Even when he hears another crowing he shows no excitement. He now resembles one made of wood. His qualities are integrated. No cocks are his match; they will at once run away from him.
Like many of these Zen parables this can be interpreted in a number of ways. It can be read as an instruction to lose unnecessary pride and anger, neither of which have any place in the dojo. It can also be seen as an instruction to avoid all unnecessary reaction and movement in keiko or shiai. I was told of a tachiai in this year's Kyoto Taikai where neither party made a strike, simply because the opportunity was not there. I did not see the shiai myself, but it sounds like the embodiment of the concept of Mokkei, remaining in a state of heightened awareness, ready to attack when the opportunity presents itself, but making no unwarranted movement.
Often kendo instruction seems contradictory, we are told to constantly attack but to make no useless movement. To do this, our kamae, posture and balance must be perfect so that we can stop or go at will. At the same time we must have the courage to either hold back or attack with total commitment, with no compromise between the two.


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This bag is made to order. Please allow up to 7-10 business days for your bag(s) to be made. Thank you!
Collections: (MTO) Made-to-Order Wet Bags, Boy / Masculine, Large Wet Bags: 14in x 16 in x 4 in, Novelty, Retail, Single Pocket Wet Bags, Small Wet Bags: 9 in x 9 in, Two Strap Wet Bags, XL Two Strap / Hanging Pail, XL Wet Bags: 16in x 22in x 6in, XS/Mini Wet Bags: 6.5 in x 6.5 in, XXL Hanging Pail:18 in x 30 in x 6 in


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Furlenco partners with Airbnb to offer enhanced home furnishing options for hosts
| Updated: Aug 23, 2017 11:20 IST
New Delhi [India], Dec 22 (ANI): India's leading furniture rental company Furlenco has collaborated with Airbnb, the world's leading community-driven hospitality company, to offer personalized home interiors. The partnership features an array of unique furnishings options to hosts on the home sharing platform. With the emergence of Airbnb, India's tradition of hospitality has taken on a unique and personalized flavor. Today, there are a variety of hosts who are keen to extend this hospitality in their own homes, because it enables them to share their culture with travelers from all over the world. Every element in a home reflects of the personality of its owner, and the manner in which it is furnished can add to its uniqueness. With this collaboration, Airbnb hosts have the capability to furnish their home for a brief period of time, and can pick from a range of exclusive Furlenco furniture packages each time they choose to make their home available to guests. Potential hosts will be able to furnish their spaces in a personalized way, picking the package which suits their hosting style, with the added benefit of choosing a new style, each time. "We are delighted to join hands with a global company like Airbnb which brings together a vibrant host community in one place, for travelers to experience every place in a unique way. This partnership is the collaboration between two entities which place the concept of 'sharing' at the heart of their business, as consumer behavior continues to evolve," said founder and CEO Furlenco, Ajith Mohan Karimpana. "With Furlenco, we are offering homeowners the ability to furnish their homes in style, and to host travelers from across the globe on Airbnb with a sense of confidence, while productively utilizing their real estate space," added Ajith Mohan. "Airbnb's mission is to offer guests a "home away from home". Our partnership with Furlenco provides our hosts easy access to contemporary furniture and encourages them to make their homes more comfortable for their guests. We are certain that great deals from Furlenco that have been especially curated for Airbnb will further enhance the ease of hosting in India," said Country Manager-India Airbnb, Amanpreet Bajaj. Furlenco has created six exclusive packages with great deals for Airbnb hosts besides giving them the option to choose from regular packages, and will continue to offer more such options to customers. (ANI)


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It's got to be Friday somewhere...
Have you got a major project that needs doing? Start it on a Tuesday. It's the day of the week we are most productive. Do you have a meeting or event that will require input from others? Schedule it for a Wednesday. It's the day we are most collaborative.
Or so we are told by those who study such patterns.
The day we are least likely to be effective on the job? Fridays…of course. There's just something different about a Friday. It has a distinctive feel--an emotion all its own that sets a different tone than any other day. Perhaps it's a carry over from the world of education when our days as students made us anticipate the arrival of a Friday and a weekend away from school.
There are more than 5000 song lyrics and album titles featuring the word Friday--five times more than those that talk about Thursday, and there seems to be a constant countdown to the day. It's unique within the week and in some ways feels more casual than other days.
Many companies have long recognized this and have turned it into a perk by offering "Summer Fridays". Employees are allowed--no, correct that--encouraged to leave early on a Friday and extend their weekend by a few hours. A cosmetics company headquartered in New York has been shutting down its corporate office at 1:30 pm on Fridays for the past 20 summers. Others took a bit longer to sign on but a survey of Fortune 1000 companies found that 42% now offer some version of a "Summer Friday", a stat that is 20% higher than just two years ago.
Employees love it--and companies are reaping the benefits. Research suggests employees feel more valued and work harder, report higher levels of job satisfaction and demonstrate greater commitment to the company. That's a big pay-off for a few hours on a Friday afternoon.
But some are quick to point out not all is quite so rosy. Some managers say they don't want to give the impression there is a "slow time" for their business because it sends the wrong message. Another analyst was concerned with how difficult it could be for employees to transition back into a full fall schedule when September rolls around.
Some places have year-long practices, like TGI Fridays whose Dallas headquarters becomes a party every Friday afternoon at 2:00 before sending employees home to start their weekend early. Of course this happens only at the headquarters. All the staff at their restaurants are hard at work taking care of customers. As are many other people whose job doesn't have flexibility and whose work can't be put off because it's Friday. Or summer.
But perhaps it's not a function of the perk itself as much as it is looking forward to all that a summer day might have in store and wanting to be sure we can fully take it all in.
Is any day of the week less or more important than any other as it relates to quality of work or what we get done? The answer is a resounding no. Yet, do we bring a different mindset to different days? It seems many do--or so we've come to believe. In particular it would seem many ascribe to the laid-back Friday. But at what point does it reflect the nature of our work and at what point does it simply become a self-fulfilling prophecy? Maybe it's just our desire to thoroughly embrace the opportunities offered by a beautiful time of the year and to extend the hours that can be spent outdoors, or on the road, or in anticipation of the kind of activities that dot our summer schedules.
The wistfulness some may express over those who have options for flex time or extra hours off in the summer months may not be as much about their job as it is about having enough time to fully embrace all that the season has to offer. It may not get its own song, but if it truly is about mindset then getting up extra early on a summer Tuesday morning can be every bit as glorious as hours away from the office on a Friday afternoon. That's my outlook.


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Results 1 to 7 of 7
- 11-10-2010, 10:01 PM #1Senior Member
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When......."while" vs "do...while"
i fully understand the difference between while and do...while repetition statements in that
while tests the loop condition first;
do...while tests it after;
therefore if initially false:
"while" would not execute, and
"do...while" would execute one time.
i get that, however, simply:
what simple example can't you give as to when you would need one instead of the other?
- 11-10-2010, 10:22 PM #2Senior Member
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You answered your own question. Do while executes at least once. As for where to use it... that's up to the context of the problem at hand.Ever seen a dog chase its tail? Now that's an infinite loop.
- 11-10-2010, 10:30 PM #3Senior Member
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Basically you can interchange any of the looping methods java provides(While, Do-While, For) and design them to work for any situation where one is needed. The key thing is that you realize that a Loop is needed. Selecting which one to use to *best* do something is kind of up to the programmer, though I must admit, some are not as obvious as others.
- 11-11-2010, 03:08 AM #4Java Code:
A C while (B) { C D }Java Code:
A do { C D } while (B);Java Code:
C for (A; B; D) { C }
For all intents and purposes, those are equivalent where A and D are single statements, C is a block of code, and B is a conditional.
As for uses, you will come across uses for each as you go along. For loops, I find, are generally used for array walking or similar functions. While loops are more for waiting for a condition to be true. Do/While loops are the ones I use the least, though occasionally I will use them for setting a number of variables (in the DO part) and, if one isn't correct (the WHILE part), they it re-sets them using new qualities.
Of course, the uses of these extend way beyond my simplification paragraph above, but you get the gist, am I right?
- 11-11-2010, 04:42 AM #5Moderator
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Do/While loops are the ones I use the least
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Me too - I think because it's less clear as you read the code what is going on if the condition comes after the block that it controls.
I suppose do-while might be favoured if the block C is long and/or complex. But even then I'd be tempted to make it a method if I could.
I would make a method AND use a do-while so it was just a line or two of code:
Java Code:
do { checkMethod(); } while (someCondition);
But either way, the same effect is achieved. As long as it's not ugly or bloated, if it works--it works.
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Ok. Hovnanian® Homes New Dwelling Builders
I wanted to take immediately to thank all of you in your advice on our money scenario So many readers have either commented on the blog or Instagram , or sent me personal messages about what they did to begin their own debt-free journey. It is helpful for just a few reasons. First, it makes us feel much less alone. I do not know why, but we generally assume we're the only folks dealing with cash points. We see folks jetting off on costly vacations, buying much fancier homes, sending their children to snazzy private colleges, dwelling trip fantasy lives, etc. and we assume we're the only people within the pink. I did vote UP and interesting on this hub. This homeless subject is just not beautiful or humorous, at the very least to me. Some great recommendation – I liked the advice in regards to the 2 week shutdown. I covered an identical subject about introducing a new canine to your loved ones correctly in my blog not too long ago, and have now added a hyperlink to this lens from the post I wrote.
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h. Run mail listing or any form of auto-responder, or spam on the Net Site or any processes which are run or are activated while the Customer/Customer shouldn't be logged on. I'm experiencing this now. It's actually frustrating. I'll try to use the listerine first. Thanks! I am planning to improve my patio and I'm in search of those related concepts earlier than finalizing my choices.
Thanks my buddy. I might check it out, after I vacuum the world with baking soda and steam-clean it this weekend. A minimum of, I've blocked the world with the steam cleaner and its water tank for now to keep the carpet dry. You will want a computer, an online browser, and an web connection to start out utilizing cloud functions. If your cat is threatened by a brand new baby, visitor, or other change, give it time to adjust.


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Two 12-year-olds were charged with cyberstalking, after a middle schooler took her own life. According to the Florida Times-Union, Gabriella "Gabbie" Green was one of five siblings. On January 10, she was found unresponsive in her home — a medical examiner later said that she died by hanging.
Friends and family divulged that she had been bullied online, so police looked through her social media and cell phone. This led them to a 12-year-old girl and boy, who both allegedly admitted to causing Green extreme emotional distress.
Police say the girl spread rumors online and in person but deleted incriminating messages after hearing that Gabbie had died.
The Panama City Beach Police Department Report stated, "Her actions consisted of starting rumors of the victim having [STDs], vulgar name-calling and threats to "expose" personal and sensitive details of the victim's life."
Gabbie apparently also video chatted the boy suspect and told him she had tried to hang herself. He encouraged her to "just do it" and hung up. After the alleged conversation, the boy did not alert parents or authorities about what he had heard.
Police say cyberbullying occurred at the time of Gabbie's death, but investigation determined it wasn't the sole cause.


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and Newt Gingrich Get together
In order to push cities to repair failing schools and highlight the Obama administration's programs to reform public education, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and civil rights leader Al Sharpton will join Education Secretary Arne Duncan with a tour of cities later this year.
The trio will visit Philadelphia on September 29, New Orleans on November 3, and Baltimore on November 13. More stops, such as a rural site, will probably be added because the tour progresses. Within a business call with reporters yesterday, Duncan said the cities were put to use both for logistical reasons and then for what they can display about school reform.
Interviewed on NBC's Today show Friday, Gingrich and Sharpton were asked how they had consented to communicate on education considering the many differences they've had on other conditions.
"I think he's got it exactly right, that education has to be the absolutely no. 1 civil rights publication of the 21st century, and I've been excited about reforming education," Gingrich said. "And we simply cannot undertake it being a partisan issue."
Said Sharpton, "If there's anything Americans must be mature enough about to have a very decent conversation, it's the education of these children."
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Our schools will be the backbone of our own future success as being a nation plus a way to obtain chance for our children and grandchildren. Let's be honest; we will not remain a robust and prosperous country as we usually do not address the down sides that surround public education. The criticism, pithy remarks, and political rhetoric of the past have not helped the problem but have given ammunition to the people who may have political agendas. Duncan, Gingrich, and Sharpton apparently realize this, so it is hopeful to determine these unlikely partners analyze the issues also to promote educational reform. Let's support their efforts and hope they certainly the right things!
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Fritts Solves Lake Oahe Smallmouth Riddle For Day 1 Lead
Pierre, S.D. — The mystery of South Dakota's smallmouth was solved by Elite Series pro David Fritts during the first day of the Berkley Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe presented by Abu Garcia. The 1993 Bassmaster Classic champion caught a 19-pound, 7-ounce limit of smallmouth to best the 107-angler field on a body of water that he had never seen before, while battling 4-foot waves. "Man, I should have had 23 pounds today," the tournament leader lamented. "I had three giants jump off this morning that would have really improved my weight. But I'm really happy with what I...Read More


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341: Chicken with Green Chile-Almond Sauce
I decided to make Chicken with Green Chile-Almond Sauce. I bought some almond milk when it was on sale and had a coupon, and used 3 tiny cans of chopped roasted green chiles. I combined almond milk, almonds, green chiles, broth, and garlic in a saucepan, brought it to a boil, and simmered it until it looked reduced, about 30 minutes. I used 2 and a half regular-sized chicken breasts, so I cut the full pieces in half, butterflied them, and used a meat mallet to flatten them so I could cook them better. After I cooked the chicken in a skillet, I pureed the hot almond-chile sauce and added it to the chicken. I simmered it for about 9 minutes, until the chicken was done. I didn't add any cream or sesame seeds for garnish. We ate this over rice.
This was pretty good. Green chile is a pretty subtle flavor to me. Alex said that this had just the right amount of spice; it tasted like green chile without being too spicy. (I think that sums up my experience with green chile.) Green chile is pretty popular in Albuquerque and New Mexico in general, I think, so this would be a good introduction recipe if you wanted to experience something like that cuisine. The recipe was pretty easy to make; it was tasty but different. I'd make it again.


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Search Results
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Trathens Store
Trathen's – department store shopping in Nelson The sophistication of department store shopping was introduced to Nelson by the Trathen family, whose flagship building with high, art deco windows...Read more about "Trathens Store"...
156 Nile Street
Milner House, Formerly "Sunnybank", was built in approximately 1856 in the Georgian Style[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgian_architecture]. It has a Category B Heritage Listing[https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/1576]. About the area Like many other streets in Nelson, Nile Street takes its name from British...Read more about "156 Nile Street"...
Capt William Tinney
*Capt William Tinney (1860 - 1930): **Nelson seaman and Patea Harbour Master* Captain William Tinney, was born in London, in May 1860 , son of Fredrick Tinney. While working in...Read more about "Capt William Tinney"...
Nelson Literary Scientific and Philosophic Institute
*Nelson's Institute of Culture and Learning* "The finest libraries in the Dominion should be like fresh air and sunlight and education - free to everyone"; said Nelson's mayor, T.A.H....Read more about "Nelson Literary Scientific and Philosophic Institute"...
Education in Nelson - timeline
The Nelson Province played an important role in the history of New Zealand education. It was the first Province to initiate free public education, based on Matthew Campbell's[matthew-campbell/] secular school system, which became the...Read more about "Education in Nelson - 1842-2002"...
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Please contact firstname.lastname@example.com to book. Space is Limited. Please book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Non-EndorsementBy using a service provider to offer the courses, the JSE does not directly or indirectly endorse any product or service provided, or to be provided by the service provider.
+27 11 520 7131


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In Defense of Halloween
What every Halloween princess should know
There's something psychologically very healthy about children [and adults] pretending to be something they are not and knowing that they are doing it. And then they can stop because they remember it's pretend. Not being defined by the identities we wear, that's magic.
To become the thing you are afraid of, even for a little while, takes away its power.
I really think Jung was on to something. When I google "Halloween and identity", I get all this reactionary right-wing religion about glorifying Satan, evil and horror. Well, I think those folks are afraid of their own darkness.
Actually, people who tell me how loving they are and how spiritually evolved they are set off my alarms and I start looking for the knife they're about to plunge in my back. It's not necessary to tell me you're a good person; let me judge that for myself.
So my Halloween wish for you is to live dangerously: Visit the neighbors. Eat some sugar. Stay up late. Get a cat. Even outlaws like cats.
A princess gave me this cat.


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We offer high quality industrial painting with a quick turn-around at an affordable price. Though we have teams based in Decatur IL, we will travel to you for large commercial and industrial facility painting. We also have a shop that is dedicated to commercial and industrial painting projects. It houses a 16' x 50' paint booth with a GAT batch oven. We offer media, dry-ice, and state-of-the-art laser blasting services.
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WISIONS of Sustainability
Our mission is to empower individuals and communities to transform the production and use of energy so that it effectively enables sustainable development. Read more about WISIONS activities, goals and background.
News Blog
Join The Hydro Empowerment Network's Side Event At IOREC 2018 In Singapore
News from WISIONS posted on October 25th, 2018
The event is entitled Accelerating Financially Viable Hydro Mini-Grids: A Closer Look at Small-Scale Hydropower in S/SE Asia and will take place on 1st November from 12:45 until 14:00 at Level 4 of the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore.
Panelists at this event will be:
- Dr. Binu Parthan – principal at Sustainable Energy Associates (SEA), a global consulting and advisory company, with over 20 years of professional experience in financing, policy and technology aspects of clean energy and climate change
- Bir Bahadur Ghale – founder of Hydro Energy Concern Pvt. Ltd., with more than 25 years of experience in the micro/mini hydropower sector
- Dipti Vaghela – Network Facilitator and Manager of the Hydro Empowerment Network
- Bikash Pandey – Director of Clean Energy at Winrock International
- Kapila Subasinghe – Vice President of Specialized Project Lending and the Head of Consulting at DFCC Bank, Sri Lanka
- Adrian Banie Lasimbang – senator for the national government of Malaysia, representing the state of Sabah
- Tri Mumpuni – Executive director of the People Centered Business and Economic Institute (IBEKA)
- Rana Ghoneim – Chief of the Energy Systems and Infrastructure Division at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
- Gerhard Fischer, who has over 35 years of professional experience in the development of hydropower
Meet the WISIONS Team at the IOREC Conference in Nairobi, Kenya
News from WISIONS posted on September 26th, 2016
IOREC is the global platform for sharing experiences and best practices about design and implementation of enabling policies, tailored financing schemes, innovative business models and technology applications for stand-alone and mini-grid systems. The first edition of IOREC was organised in Accra, Ghana in 2012 and the second in Manila, Philippines, in 2014.
The 2016 conference will take place back-to-back with the SEED Africa Symposium (28 - 29 September), an international forum to stimulate growth of social and eco-entrepreneurship in Africa.
In parallel with the Conference, ARE will organise an exhibition to give the private sector an opportunity to showcase products/projects, and offer participants networking opportunities. We especially encourage the ARE members to participate, present its products and projects and showcase the technologies and know-how at the forefront of off-grid renewables.
International Conference on Renewable Energies in Rural Areas
News from WISIONS posted on February 6th, 2013
- the price developments of solar photovoltaic on the one hand, and oil and diesel on the other, have created a new recognition of - and enthusiasm for - renewable energies in developing countries.
- high subsidies for fossil fuels present a major obstacle to the uptake of renewables in many southern hemisphere countries.
- innovative business models are being developed in the sector of so-called Solar Home Systems (SHS). These models use mobile money as a payment tool and function without any external donor support.
- long-term financing models for renewable energies are a key element for the future development of renewable energies; however, such models do not yet exist.
- building national or even supranational regulatory frameworks for renewables seems to be a crucial driver to up scaling renewable energies in rural areas.


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With the warmer weather fast approaching, it's time to pack away those heavier layers and celebrate fresh, lighter alternatives in your wardrobe and at home. Here's how.
There's nothing like a few home, wardrobe and fragrance updates to get you in the mood for the warmer months. These simple swaps will welcome Summer into your life and kick-start your love for the new season.
Swap your Spring trench coat for a linen blazer
Soft Trench Coat – £189 | Soft Linen Blazer £189.
Swap out the iconic Spring trench coat for a stylish linen blazer. The perfect lightweight throw-on piece for Summer, this linen jacket can be worn to dress up jeans and a T-shirt, or as a lovely cover-up for any occasion.
Swap your jersey shirt for a boho blouse
Dobby Striped Jersey Blend Shirt – £79 | Broderie Anglaise Peplum Blouse – £79
The longer sleeves of our Dobby Striped Jersey Blend Shirt are perfect for keeping you comfortable when there's a Spring breeze. Switch the Peasant Blouse for our Broderie Anglaise Peplum Blouse to help ease you into Summer.
Swap the classics for sandals
Superga Leather Plimsolls – £65 | Flat Tassel Tie Espadrilles – £89
We do love wearing our classic Superga Leather Plimsolls but, in Summer, it's great to trade them in for something lighter. Our Flat Tassel Tie Espadrilles are great if you are looking for a pair of sandals with enclosed toes, as perfect for weekends at home as on the beach.
Swap Spring for Summer
Spring Collection – from £16 | Summer Collection – from £16
Just like our wardrobes, it's good to switch our scent when it comes to a new season. Swap fresh and fragrant Spring for the coastal-inspired Summer to truly bring the outside in.
Swap Percale for Linen
Santorini Bed Linen Collection – from £20 | Santorini Linen Bed Linen from £45
For Spring, we know how much you love our beautiful Santorini Bed Linen Collection, made from pure-cotton percale. However, when the temperature rises, you just can't beat the lightness of linen. That's why we've also crafted this bestselling collection in linen, to help you keep cool on balmy nights.
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FileFinder Anywhere - the leading browser-based Executive Search software powering recruiters and strategic recruitment teams around the world. Now featuring the exclusive integration with GatedTalent. Execute your projects better with FileFinder technology while complying with the GDPR legislation.
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ZW HR Consulting Singapore has launched its first Human Resources Salary Guide for 2015. This guide aims to provide employers and jobseekers alike with a comparative overview of HR salaries in Singapore.
Recent findings by ZW HR Consulting, one of Asia's headhunting and HR consulting firms, discovered some interesting changes in the salary patterns within the diverse field of HR. Due in part to the "value added" services that HR professionals bring to businesses, HR salaries have seen an upward swing as a direct result of the short to long term cost savings by having more efficient and streamlined processes and/or HR related functions internally.
Human Resources is a lucrative profession that increasingly attracts top professionals in Singapore and it has seen an upward growth trend, which is expected to continue, as more companies continue to streamline their people management processes. This includes an increasing number of smaller companies that are adding internal Human Resources Departments for managing their people professionally. As Singapore is a regional hub for many multinational companies (MNCs), the prevalent salaries in this region have become benchmarks for Asia Pacific professionals.
Mr. Mervin Chui, Managing Director, ZW HR Consulting said, "2015 is likely to turn out to be a reasonably good year for HR Professionals. The average salary bands for HR Professionals are up 5% to 10% for 2014/15 as compared to 2013/14 figures. The potential for HR to influence and drive business strategy has never been stronger as employers realise they need to invest in strong HR professionals."
"Against the backdrop of a talent scarcity across Singapore, experienced skilled professionals can expect to see salary hikes. Employers will have to consider hiking up salaries to keep pace with inflation, to attract the right talent and to retain their critical workforce. This guide will help organizations and talented professionals gain a better understanding of the current state of wage pressures, through the provision of an accurate and transparent contextual comparison for the region," said Mr. Chui.
Mr. Sunil Dutta, Director for Human Resources Practice at ZW HR Consulting said , "We are seeing a high demand for HR related jobs in various sectors as MNCs and large local firms continue to aggressively expand their presence across the region. This has created new opportunities for more robust and sturdy HR, Compensation & Benefits and Learning & Development professionals with specific industry experience to manage long-term strategies. Overall, there has been an increase in the number of HR roles coming to market at all levels and across various disciplines."
Here is the snapshot from the salary guide
Generalist Human Resources - PERMANENT (annual salary)
Role Years'Experience Lower Range Upper Range
HR Director 6 - 8 120,000 150,000
10 - 15 160,000 220,000
15+ 240,000 300,000
HR Manager 0 - 3 48,000 60,000
3 - 5 55,000 70,000
5+ 80,000 100,000
HR Business
Partner 0 - 3 48,000 60,000
3 - 5 55,000 70,000
5+ 85,000 110,000
HR Advisor /
Officer/Admin 0 - 3 36,000 39,000
3 - 5 40,000 45,000
5+ 50,000 60,000
The top 5 positions bringing the most "value added services" according to the salary guide are as follows:
These individuals can make a huge impact upon several critical areas such as salary benchmarking, employee benefits solutions and talent retention.
Talent Acquisition Managers have transformed recruitment into a key and strategic HR function, with the responsibility of Talent Attraction and market mapping a pool of competent external candidates -- which would provide an alternative and/or backup to internal succession plans.
The role of a business partner is to integrate business goals with management and employees across various departments promoting efficiency and eliminating waste. A business partner is also expected to be a HR subject matter expert who is able to consult for the business on HR matters, policy and governance.
The responsibilities of HRIS leaders include maintaining and frequently upgrading information systems, to ensure the smooth running of the HR department.
This department works in close collaboration with all the heads and the major stakeholders so as to understand their precise needs and thereby address their talent management problems accordingly by placing the right people in the right places.
Lastly, those in HR Generalist positions should see 5% to 10% wage increases for similar positions, over the next year.
As Human Resource professionals continue to provide "value added services" that increase profitability, efficiency and provide the best people for the right positions, they will continue to grow and be compensated for their efforts.
If you would like to learn more about the 2015 Singapore Human Resource salaries or receive a copy of the salary guide, please visit our website
search-consult is published by Dillistone Systems, supplier of FileFinder Executive Search software. Dillistone Systems is part of Dillistone Group Plc, as are Voyager Recruitment Software, FCP Internet, supplier of the Evolve Recruitment Software SaaS system and ISV Software, provider of online pre-employment skills testing and training tools.


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Garden of the Gods is located in Colorado Springs, CO. The park offers striking contrasts of color in the geologic formations, due to the close proximity of red, blue, purple and white sandstones, and limestone that jut out of the ground.
Interestingly, the original surveyors of the park thought to use it as a potential beer garden!
This photograph is a series of HDR photos taken in late afternoon. In the foreground is the Garden of the Gods, while Pike's Peak rises in the distance.


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This month I used another fabulous Gurlee Girl Blossom Fairies stamps. I'd love to introduce you to Blossom Fairy Cammy:
Isn't she beautiful? Make sure you bop on over to the CLP Challenge Blog and check out all the DT samples - you'll get a great view of the other Blossom Fairies and an adorable Gurlee Girl witch. I *so* need that one!
Cammy is made from two layers - the wings, right arm and little butterfly make up the second layer. I've used papers from a 7 Gypsies "Nottinghill" 6x6 pack. Delicious! The papers are a little lighter weight than I expected, but they worked out perfectly. The large ribbon that Cammy is sitting on is ivory sheer over green satin. The buckle thingy is a vintage piece from a flea market find. I think it might be mother-of-pearl, but I'm not sure. I think it needs a little more embellishment... maybe a strip of lace over the sheer.
So, I forgot to include a vertical panel from the sketch. Sorry Chelsea! Since I struggle horribly with sentiments of any kind, I replaced the sentiment on the top with flowers and moved them to the right to balance the buckle thingy.
- Simon Says (9/7): Pearls and Lace
- Wild Orchid #4 (9/5): Make it Sparkle
- ATS Weekly Wednesday (9/7): Lace
- Stamp - Gurlee Girl - Blossom Fairy Cammy
- Paper - Bazzill Basics; 7 Gypsies "Nottinghill"
- Medium - Prismacolor Pencils with OMS; Stickles Star Dust; Color Box Fluid Chalk in Chestnut Roan on the edges
- Embellishments - Venise lace; satin and sheer ribbons; mulberry paper roses; pearls
- Adhesives - Silicone glue; Scor-Tape; Fabri-Tac
The challenge is sponsored by Gurlee Girl - go check out the store and see what *you* could buy with your $20 gift voucher!
Here's the CLP #29 fine print: Make a project with this fabby sketch, upload by 9/30 and link back to CLP in your blog post. How's that for easy? I hope to see you there!
Thanks for stopping in, and I hope you treat yourself well today.


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TerraCycle Hexagonal Picnic Table
DwellSmart is proud to partner with TerraCycle to provide you the opportunity to purchase from the growing range of TerraCycle products. To view our complete TerraCycle collection, please visit TerraCycle Products.
Made from 100% Recycled Plastic, our Hexagonal Picnic Table is an environmentally friendly, maintenance-free choice. Walk-thru style legs allow for easy seating. Solid, single piece seats. ADA available. Umbrella hole available upon request. Please contact us if you want these custom features.
Please allow 10-12 weeks for delivery. Freight charges are estimated based on curbside delivery to addresses in the continental United States. Any changes to your freight charges will be confirmed with you before your order is finalized. See related items below.
Country of Manufacture:
Country of Manufacture:US


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Posted on 05/11/2018 - Last year the film "Wonder Woman" was released. But the Bible talks about a real wonder woman: the woman of Proverbs 31.
The woman described in this passage is the longest description of any family member in the Bible. That should tell us a lot about what God thinks of mothers and how important they are.
The chapter is an acrostic, which means that each verse begins with the succeeding letter of the Hebrew alphabet. What we're given is an A-to-Z description of what a wonder woman – a woman of virtue – is like.
Verse 1 introduces this proverb as "the sayings of King Lemuel – an inspired utterance his mother taught him" (NIV). We don't know a lot about this king, but we do know that he had a mother who gave him some great wisdom, which he wrote down.
According to verse 10, a real wonder woman is priceless and quite rare: "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies" (NIV). We live in a time in which worth, especially for a woman, is determined by outward appearance. The more beautiful she is, the more valuable she is in the estimation of modern culture. The less beautiful or older she is, the less valuable she is. But that is the exact opposite of the way God sees things. In fact, pretty girls are a dime a dozen, but a woman of virtue, honor and character is priceless.
In Proverbs 31, we have a description of a woman of character and integrity. I can say, without any doubt, that my wife, Cathe, fits this description of the woman of virtue. A word to single guys: This is the kind of woman you need to be looking for. Start with Proverbs 31 and look for a woman who fits this category … or is at least is seeking to live this way. This is your standard, because the most important decisions of your life are: 1) the Lord you serve; and 2) the woman you marry. The first decision will determine whether you have heaven or hell in the afterlife. And the second decision will determine which one you'll have in this life.
And a word to single women: This is the woman you want to be. Forget the magazines, their articles and their emphasis. They are so out of sync with what the Word of God says. Forget what you see on television and in commercials and instead look at what the Bible says about the real wonder woman, because this is God's plan – and it's better than any other plan. This is the perfect balance of beauty, brains, and spirituality. The woman who lives this way will be a happy woman because she's a godly woman.
The wonder woman of Proverbs 31 is also trustworthy: "Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value" (verse 11 NIV). Trust is so important in a marriage. So is communication. You need to be honest with your mate. You need to tell the truth to your mate. If you have a trustworthy wife, then you have a wife of such great value.
Also, the wonder woman loves her husband: "She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life" (verse 12 NIV). She is his greatest cheerleader. She encourages him. She doesn't tear him down in public. She doesn't tell an embarrassing story about him in front of their friends. (And to the point, a husband should not do that to his wife, either.) Build up your spouse in public. If you have something critical to say, then say it privately.
The wonder woman of Proverbs 31 also loves her family. We see from this proverb that she finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant ship, bringing her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plans the day with her servants. Wool would speak of clothing for the winter, and flax would refer to clothing for the summer. In this day, they wouldn't buy clothes; they made them.
I think the emphasis here is not that a woman has to start making all the clothes for her family (though some do that very well). Rather, verse 13 says that "she works with eager hands" (NIV). It speaks of a delightful willingness. She enjoys this calling God has given to her. She is also a shrewd investor. She goes to inspect a field and buys it with her earnings. This woman is an entrepreneur, a businesswoman.
Another thing we see about the wonder woman of Proverbs 31 is that she's wise: "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue" (verse 26 NIV). The words of a mother are so powerful, and they will stay with her child throughout his or her life. My wife taught our sons the Word of God and helped them with everything from manners to being tidy and so forth. If we were to look back over our lives, we would realize there are a lot of things our mothers taught us.
For example, our mothers taught us about anticipation when they said, "Just wait until your father gets home." Our mothers also taught us about genetics when they said, "You're just like your father." They taught us about justice when they said, "One day you're going to have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you. Then you'll see what it's like."
There's something about the bond of a child with his or her mother that is so special. When little children fall down, who do they call out for? Mom. Now if mom is not around, then dad is distant second. But they really want mom. When a football player scores a touchdown, he turns to the camera and says, "Love you, Mom!" And stories have been told of young men who, as they lay dying on the battlefield, they were calling out to their mothers.
We thank God for mothers, and we bless them. Let your mother know today that she is appreciated. Yes, a gift is fine. A card is good, especially if you write something in it. But she needs to know that you love her and notice all the things she has done. The best thing you could say to your mother or your wife who's a mom, "You're doing a great job." If you thought of giving her some flowers on top of that, it's even better. Verbally say to her, "I love you. I appreciate you. Thank you for all that you do." It's an important thing to do for the wonder woman in your life.


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EZ Scribe utilizes a state-of-the-art digital dictation/transcription system, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With this technology each client's dictation is managed according to their specific needs. Jobs are prioritized by work type and then routed to specific transcriptionists assigned to work on that particular account. The system is "user friendly" and physician prompts can be customized to meet any specific needs. Clients are able to track and monitor the status of their reports from the time the dictation is completed through delivery of the transcribed report.Dictations are accessed by our transcriptionists via the Internet. The transcribed reports are then immediately uploaded to EZ Scribe's data management center for release and/or review by QA. If the client is utilizing an interface, immediately following transcription/QA the transcribed report is uploaded directly into the patient's medical record on the client's HIS system. All file transfer procedures are in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
Please contact us if you have any questions about our services and how we can meet your medical transcription needs.


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144 Heritage Isle, Heritage Pointe, Alberta
I just finished uploading this House for sale, 144 Heritage Isle, Heritage Pointe, Alberta
The Best of the Country at Heritage Lake. An ACREAGE size lot with not 1 BUT 2 oversize heated attached garages PLUS a covered breezeway with room for another FOUR cars !!!...backing on to a naturally treed environmental reserve. Now step into the ultimate in custom styling and luxurious family living with 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 3 "family rooms", formal living room and dining, main floor office/den ....And 5 fireplaces ...plus 2 separate laundries (one up and one down) for total convenience. Truly a FAMILY size home ( over 5400 sq. ft. developed) with parking and room to work or play for everyone. Words or pictures are not going to even begin to describe this exceptional home ......you must....have to.... come see for yourself !! Tax assessment is $1,723,770. and original list price was $1,650,000. This is the value, location and quality that you've been waiting and hoping for !!! Call me or call your favorite realtor to view this amazing opportunity...... to own your Home SWEET Home !!!


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Welcome to Exeter Synagogue
Having just celebrated the return to our synagogue, after the arson attack in July, we hear of a murderous attack at another synagogue, this time in Pittsburgh, and this time with far more terrible consequencies, followed six months later by the murder of another innocent at Chabad of Poway at the conclusion of Pesach. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who knew and had connections with the victims. We will remain strong as a community, determined to continue to affirm life - as Rabbi Goldstein of Poway so passionately said: Am Yisra'el Chai!
We welcome anyone who is Jewish to become a member of the Congregation. We are also welcoming to those who are not Jewish who wish to be associated with us. For more information on how to join us please click here
We hold services nearly every Shabbat and for most festivals. Exeter is not affiliated to any of the movements and we hold a variety of service styles. For some services, men and women may sit together, and the service is conducted mostly in English. For others, we may ask men and women to sit separately, and the service may be more traditional in style. We try to make all services accessible to everyone regardless of previous preferences. Visiting rabbis and service leaders are welcomed from a variety of denominations.
For further details of the proposed services for the coming weeks please click here.
Newsletter Articles
Articles from our newsletter going back over ten years, giving you a good idea about us as people, as a congregation, and what we do and believe. Click here
Visits to the Synagogue
Visits to the synagogue by educational groups are always welcome. Please contact the synagogue to make arrangements. Visits by individuals are also possible, but please try to give us notice, as we are all volunteers, with other commitments, such as jobs and families. Details
Dreidl Dribblers - our New Group for Parents and Toddlers
Dreidl Dribblers meet on the first Saturday afternoon of each month - All parents, grandparents and children under school age are welcome. For more information please click here.
Nitzanim ("Little Buds") Group for Parents and Children
Nitzanim meet every Sunday - All parents and children are welcome. For more information please click here.
Hebrew Classes
A Basic Biblical Hebrew class meets on the University campus on Friday afternoons. For more information please click here.
Finding out about Judaism
For those of you who want to discover more about Judaism, Jewish Life and Israel, here are some good links to help you get there quickly.
Our Health and Safety Policy
We have agreed a Health and Safety Policy.
It should be read by anyone with business in the synagogue and followed at all times.
It is available for download here
Our Archives
There is a great deal more about the history of the community here. Our archives have been deposited with the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain.
In particular, there is a link to an extensive section devoted to information about Rabbi Dr Bernard Susser z"l, now available through the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain.


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- You are no longer comfortable and may be having indoor air quality issues.
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What to expect for your FREE HVAC System Replacement estimate appointment:
- Receive a confirmation call the day prior to your appointment, as well as an email outlining what to expect and introducing you to your Sobieski Services Comfort Advisor.
- At your home, your Comfort Advisor will provide a complete HVAC comfort analysis, which will include sizing your existing system and ductwork, and determining the proper air flow distribution to each room in your home.
- They will sit down with you to discuss your needs and questions when it comes to your home comfort and address any concerns you may have.
- Based on your budget, your Comfort Advisor will determine the best system for your lifestyle and your home.
- For the best analysis possible, we would appreciate that everyone in your family that is part of the decision process be present and please allow 60-90 minutes of your time.


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For all the West Coast lovers or dreamers out there, represent the Golden State with this vintage inspired tank top. Handmade in the United States, this retro graphic shirt is the perfect tank to layer under a cute denim jacket, wear to the beach, and show off your California Pride! Bandit Brand is known for creating vintage inspired tees for men and women, with styles inspired by the 70s. Made in the USA.
Handmade in Central California.
We want you to love your product. If you are unhappy your purchase, you may return it to us within 14 days of receipt in unused condition with original tags attached.


text: Duterte has referred to children killed during police operations as 'collateral damage' [Ezra Acayan/Al Jazeera] An opposition senator in the Philippines said the death toll in the government's war on drugs has now surpassed 20,000 since President Rodrigo Duterte came to office in 2016. In a speech before the Philippine Senate on Wednesday, Antonio Trillanes said the Duterte administration's own report shows 3,967 "drug personalities" have been killed after allegedly resisting arrest during police operations between July 1, 2016 and November 27, 2017. Another 16,355 homicide cases - from July 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017 - have been classified as "under investigation". UPFRONT: Is Duterte's drug war undermining the rule of law? (12:32) The report also said 118,287 drug personalities have been arrested, and 1,308,078 others surrendered to authorities during the same period. All figures were listed as "accomplishments" in the official document titled Fighting Illegal Drugs: #RealNumbers. Based on the government report, this means the real number of deaths related to the drug war is at least 20,322, Senator Trillanes noted. "Therefore, all of these deaths are drug-related and not for other causes. That is clear," Trillanes said, adding the official document cited several anti-drug government agencies as sources. "While the country continues to laugh at the lewd jokes of Duterte, more than 20,000 of our countrymen have been killed." Trillanes, speaking in Filipino and English, said it is only in the Philippines that a president "flaunts as an accomplishment the killing of people he despises. "They basically admitted that there are no so-called vigilante killings - that these deaths are actually state-sponsored executions," he said. The Duterte administration and his police force have maintained all the dead were killed during legitimate police operations. In response to Trillanes' speech, Senator Manny Pacquiao, a pro-Duterte legislator, was quoted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer as saying it was premature for his colleague to make conclusions, when the alleged killings are still being investigated by the government. Critics have called Duterte's all-out anti-drug policy inhumane [Ted Regencia/Al Jazeera] Trillanes, a former military officer, has been one of the leading Duterte critics since the 2016 presidential campaign. He has also accused the president of maintaining undeclared multi-million-dollar bank accounts, and covering up for his son, who has been linked to drug smuggling. Duterte and his allies have denied those allegations. 'No due process' Trillanes said the Duterte administration failed to extend due process to drug suspects when it carried out the drug-related killings. He said some of the dead were even innocent, citing the case of 17-year-old high school student Kian delos Santos, who was killed execution-style. An Al Jazeera investigation has also revealed that police officers were involved in attempted killings of unarmed drug suspects who had already surrendered to authorities. WATCH: Duterte's son questioned over illegal drug smuggling (2:37) Another report detailed the killing of children by police officers. Duterte has referred to the children killed during the drug operation as "collateral damage". In recent weeks there have also been reports of officers charged with murder, or hired to carry out extrajudicial killings. Duterte's drug war is the subject of an ongoing probe by The Hague-based International Criminal Court, which is looking into alleged crimes against humanity in the Philippines. Carlos Conde, a Human Rights Watch representative in the Philippines, said the figures provided by Trillanes are "not entirely surprising. "Assuming that this [number] is accurate, this is really worrisome," he told Al Jazeera, adding the figures were not that different from those provided by other human rights groups. "This only underscores the need for a United Nations-led investigation that we have been demanding," Conde said. "We need to get to the bottom of this, how many people were exactly killed, who are the perpetrators? It is about time that we have a proper accounting of the deaths." According to the government report, 16,355 homicide cases are 'under investigation' [File: AP] 101 East Rodrigo Duterte: Guns, Goons and the Presidency SOURCE: Al Jazeera News Philippines Rodrigo Duterte Drugs Asia Pacific


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Registered Processors
A Processor is a government-approved receiver of one or more used oil or antifreeze materials that processes these materials into saleable products. Processing requires that the receiver have the demonstrated capability to manufacture value-added recycled products as defined in the BCUOMA Manual for Processors and Collectors. Click here for the List of BCUOMA Registered Processors.
How does my company apply to become a Registered Processor with BCUOMA?
- Step One: Review the BCUOMA Manual for Collectors & Processors.
- Step Two: Complete and forward the BCUOMA Processor and Collector Registration Form to the Association together with the required documentation listed.
BCUOMA will only process your application and approve your registration upon receipt of all items listed above. Once approved, your company information will then appear on our website under our Processor Listing.
Download Files
- List of BCUOMA Registered Processors
- BCUOMA Manual for Collectors & Processors
- BCUOMA Processor Return Incentive Claim Form
- RI Rates Schedule – Container RI increase effective Oct 1 2018
- Provincial RI Zone Map
Processor Return Incentive Claim Forms
Collector Zone Summary Forms
Joint Zone Summaries & Return Incentive Claim Forms


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NEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors say the engineer who fell asleep at the controls of a Metro-North train that derailed in New York City in 2013, killing four people, won't face criminal charges.
A spokeswoman said Thursday that Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson found no criminality in the December 2013 derailment.
The National Transportation Safety Board says engineer William Rockefeller fell asleep at the controls because of undiagnosed sleep apnea combined with a drastic shift in his work schedule. It says that caused him to take a 30 mph curve at 82 mph.
Meanwhile, investigators are trying to determine why an Amtrak train that crashed in Philadelphia on Tuesday, killing eight people, was careening through the city at 106 mph before it ran off the rails.


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We have a female Elven archer (perhaps Chronopia?), Mage Knight Dryad repaint and an old Citadel\Marauder Wood Elf Archer. THe pair of archers have given me a bit of trouble with paint colours. Couldn't seem to get the male one just quite right and the exposed leg, quill and bow of the female making do something slightly different from the others to avoid too much light paint in one area.
I'm also still in a transition with my new light box I've purchased. it takes the direct shine off the mini's well, but I need to work on the light intensity to avoid too much altering the colour and light levels post shot. Work to do (as ever...)
EDIT:---- The female archer is from the Celtos range (Brigade Games)


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I have a student from Niger, a country which I don't know anything about. From the WDI, not a very nice graph below. It is the GDP per capita in 2005 US$.
He said the problem is uranium - Niger produces around 8% of world production. And from an article by Rasmus Kløcker Larsen in World Development
The role of development cooperation in fostering improved environmental governance of extractive industries in African countries exposed to the expanding global uranium frontier remains ambiguous. With primary data, this paper demonstrates how foreign aid to Niger has ignored grievances on grave environmental impacts and rampant institutional failures while a crisis discourse on desertification and food insecurity diverts attention from geopolitical interests in mineral wealth. We argue that aid delivery remains insufficient to address structural deficiencies cemented by decades of investment-friendly 'politics of mining' and conclude that domestic reforms must be backed by stronger transnational accountability mechanisms to overcome corporate impunity.


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The contemporary abstract painter Felim Egan was born in Strabane, County Tyrone in 1952. He studied painting and drawing in Belfast and Portsmouth before attending the Slade School of Fine Art in London, after which he began exhibiting in the late 1970s. He also studied for 12 months at the British School at Rome in 1980 before returning to Dublin. One of Ireland's most respected exponents of abstract art, his paintings are carefully built up in layers of thin colour with stone powder ground into the acrylic. His visual vocabulary includes the use of hieroglyphic-type motifs over monochromatic areas of colour, evoking long horizons, big skies and empty sands.
Felim Egan represented Ireland at the Paris Biennale in 1980 and the Sao Paulo Biennale in 1985, and has enjoyed more than 55 solo shows throughout Europe and the USA since 1979. Major exhibitions of his artworks were held at the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester and the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin in 1995-96, and at the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam in 1999. He was awarded the Premier UNESCO Prize for the Arts in Paris in 1983, and in 1997 he received the Gold Award at Cagnes-sur-Mer. Egan has received several large scale commissions, including works for Dublin Castle and the National Gallery of Ireland. In addition, he recently completed a large scale sculpture at Cork Street, Dublin, October 2005. He is also a member of Aosdana.
Felim Egan's work is represented in numerous collections both public and private, including those of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin; Hugh Lane Gallery; An Comhairle Ealaion/Tha Arts Council; Trinity College, Dublin; University College Dublin; Office of Public Works; Conrad Hotel; Irish Life, Dublin; Allied Irish Banks; Bank of Ireland; Aer Lingus; A & L Goodbody Ltd, Dublin; Gate Theatre; Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny; Guinness Peat Aviation, Shannon; the Arts Council of Northern Ireland; Ulster Museum, Belfast; North West Arts Trust, Derry; Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen; Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh; The British Library; Frtiz-Winter-Haus, Moderne Kunst Museum, Ahlen, Germany; Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; the European Parliament; Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art, New York; and others.
The auction record for a work by Felim Egan was set in 2007, when his abstract painting, entitled Intertidal Note, was sold at DeVeres, in Dublin, for €19,500.


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The NFL regular season kicks off tonight with the Tennessee Titans traveling to Pittsburgh to face the division rival Steelers. While, football fans everywhere are ripe with anticipation to get this season started, fantasy football owners are eager to see if all their draft preparation is going to pay off. neither team will be confused with offensive powerhouses, with the teams ranked 21-22 in total offense last season. Both teams make their bread and butter with punishing run games, both offensively and defensively. So in the land of fantasy, the running backs on these two teams are safe bets to be team MVP.
Let's look at tonight's matchup to see where fantasy value lies.
Must start:
Willie Parker (RB) Pitt – True, the Titans were ranked 6th in the league in rush defense last year. But they've also lost the big man in the middle, Albert Haynesworth, to the Washington Redskins. Sure, they've been quite good in his absences in the past, but lets see how they fare this year. Fast Willie Parker is healthy for the first time in a year and is looking to regain his spot among the most underrated runners in the past couple years.
LenDale White (RB) Tenn – Chris Johnson has all the hype, and rightfully so, but White is the banger inside for the Titans. While I won't project a monster game from White, he has the best chance to score on a short yardage run against an aging Casey Hampton at DT and a LB corp missing Lawrence Timmons.
Worth a shot:
Santonio Holmes (WR) Pitt – This all depends on how Tennessee matches up against him. If they stick Cortland Finnegan on him, he's going to have a very tough night. On the other hand, against Nick Harper, I like Holmes chances at grabbing a few balls thrown his way, including one over the top on a play action pass.
Bo Scaife (TE) Tenn – True, Pittsburgh's linebackers are among the elite in the NFL. But I expect the Steelers front 7 to bring constant pressure against Kerry Collins and he'll be forced to dump off to the tight end. In PPC leagues, Scaife should be a good source of decent production.
Chris Johnson (RB) Tenn – Runners drafted in the first round of fantasy drafts are drafted there for a reason: they are expected to produce on a weekly basis. And I'm not discounting his talent or offensive line. He's due for a monster season. But against this defense, yards are going to be hard to come by, so White will be the grinder for the short stuff. Would it surprise me to see Johnson go off for 100 yards and a TD tonight? No, he's a number one running back and thats what you draft them for. But am I willing to bet on it, given capable replacements available? No, I'd rather start a Ray Rice or even try my hand with a Mike Bell for a one-week gamble.
Guys I'm avoiding:
Kerry Collins (QB) Tenn – Notice the lack of Tenn receiver love listed here? It's because nobody knows who will step up and be the number one receiver. (A number one receiver means, according to Emmitt Smith earlier this week, "When I say No. 1, I mean your No. 1 go-to guy." Thanks Emmitt, for clearing that up for us) Plus, Pittsburgh owns the number one pass defense in the league from last year, and only look better this year.
Ben Roethlisberger (QB) Pitt – Tennessee's secondary is also top-ten in the league. Big Ben has never been an accurate passer or a volume passer, which doesn't bode well against the likes of Cortland Finnegan and Michael Griffin. I'd look at my other options at QB if possible.
From a non-fantasy perspective, this game should be a good one. Pittsburgh is out to defend its Super Bowl title and is trotting out pretty much the same team as last season. With a healthy Willie Parker and a full season from William Gay at corner, Pittsburg is the team to beat in the division. The Titans have alot to prove this year, in spite of their playoff run from a season ago. Was Collins worth the investment at QB? Who will catch the passes? That's just on the offensive side of the ball. On defense, they've lost their coordinator and the most dominating defensive tackle in the game during the offseason. It will be interesting to see how Jeff Fisher can get his team to respond to the changes. He always manages to get his team to play above expectations, so don't expect a huge drop-off, just don't expect playoffs again either.