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New Year Fireworks, Location Guide
We're just a few hours away from the biggest firework display Edinburgh, the capital city of fireworks puts on every year. Yes, I know it's short and the end of Festival ones are a good 40 minutes long but the festival ones are largely naff, the midnight display though is a belter. BUT, where to watch or photograph it? I've had the pleasure of photographing this a few times over the years so here's a run down of what to expect at some of the better vantage points.
Princes Street
Are you mad? Crammed in with 80,000 "revellers"? The view will be incredible and in windy conditions you are better closer in but you'd toil to use a tripod of any kind. Will be great to view but unless you want to shoot high ISO and handheld I'd be looking elsewhere.
Calton Hill
No doubt, Calton has a view and a half AND you'll also see the light and laser show on the castle rock but it'll be busy, very very busy. There's also building work going on up Calton that takes away some of the prime spots for photographs and large parts of the hill will be sectioned off, especially if there's any fireworks going up from Calton as well. Photographing the festival fireworks from up here usually means you will be part of a mass of tripods all clamoring for the best view. If you have the patience to deal with it, you will get some great shots. The thing to watch out for is the fireworks smoke, it'll drift towards the Calton direction tonight so get shots as soon as they start as you might be in the smoke as the display progresses.
Arthur's Seat
Hundreds of potential viewpoints but the park will be shut so it'll be a long walk no matter where you go, you'll also get the full force of the wind tonight. That said, if you get high enough the pics will be fantastic.
Blackford Hill
You won't see the light and laser show as it'll be on the other side but it's a good location to watch the fireworks. It doesn't get too busy at New Year either. If you head here, presuming you are in the main car park, head up the path until you get to the first grit bin, take a right here until you get to the view of the Castle, there are 2 benches here, to the left and right. There's a path in front that curves off to the left towards another bench, follow that path past the bench until you get to a bit with a clear view to the Castle. You get some decent shelter here from west winds so it's a decent place for photographs, you'll need at least a 200mm lens, preferably more.
Inverleith Park
Of all the places I've taken pics over the years, this was one of the worst. The view is great, you'll also see some of the light and laser show but hands down, this was the worst place I've tried to take pics. Setup well before the fireworks in the 10 minutes leading up to midnight the place will fill up with mostly very posh drunk people, nightmare scenario. If you do, setup on the slope lower down, you might get lucky but don't even attempt it up by the tree line.
Bruntsfield Links
Great view, great place to take pics but horrible atmosphere. Last time I was there it was heaving, lots of aggressive drunks, random fireworks being let off. Hated it but the pics were good.
Carrington Road
At the end of Carrington Road looking over the rugby pitch of Fettes Police station there's a decent view to the Castle. It'll be quiet too, worth considering. You won't see the laser or light show but a no nonsense location if ever there was one.
The Telly
You'll see everything, including Ariel shots, the light and laser show, everything. It's warm and inviting and where I'll be tonight!
Where ever you end up, enjoy it, stay safe and have a happy new year!
In search of Supermoon…
There's nothing better than a special event to bring out the photographers in Edinburgh, even more so it seems if it's a once every 20 years lunar event as we had on Saturday 19th March. The event in question, the Perigee Moon saw the moon at it's closest to earth for 18 years meaning it would look 14% bigger and 30% brighter. Would we even notice? Who care's it's a photographable event and plans had to be made!
Last week after being in North Queensferry I had noticed the moon directly above the Rail Bridge so that was a possible location. Blackford Hill was another but it gets slightly cold up there if it's windy. So, with the help of Twitter and The Photographers Ephemeris, I decided on Calton Hill. From the Photographers Ephemeris you could see the position and time of the moonrise, around 6.30pm and due East.
On arriving at Calton Hill the first thing that struck me was the amount of photographers already setup at 6pm with cameras on tripods facing the wrong direction! I can only assume one set up incorrectly and the rest followed as they had all moved by 6.30pm.
It was cold on the hillside on Saturday and as you would expect, half 6 came and went with no sign of the moon. Typically, the clear skies of earlier in the day had given way to heavy cloud cover, not what you want for moon photography. My efforts were further hampered by missing my Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 lens, which has to go for repair earlier in the day leaving me with just my backup Sigma 28-300mm zoom, nice enough lens but oh so soft on the focus at the 300mm end. With that in mind, moon shots were out but moon above a landmark might still work out.
Just when I was about to give up hope the first glimmers of an appearance were in the Eastern sky, at this point I was up at the side of Observatory house and this was the first shot I got of any sort of moon just to the side of the National monument:
Walking past the monument revealed where at the photographers had went; they were dotted everywhere around the hillside here. The moon however, was not in a mood to show itself and the only other shot I got was this:
Long exposure and moon shots don't go but there wasn't even a remote chance of shooting the land and then the moon to combine in Photoshop. Fed up and cold I packed up and headed off being that I wasn't interested in getting the moon high in the sky. Typically, on the way back to the car with all the gear packed away the moon popped out, just for a minute.
Now, I hate not getting the shot I went for so the next night, the moon was due to rise at 8.15pm again, due east. On checking possible locations this time I went, appropriately, for the car park of the Royal Observatory on Blackford Hill. You don't want to be parking in the public car park up here at night unless dogging is your thing…
Predictably, 8.15 came and went and it was nearly 20 minutes later till the first glow in the clouds gave away moon position. Higher than I'd have liked I started to get some exposures of the land hoping if the cloud cleared I'd get a change of an exposure for the moon to combine in. After another 20 minutes of hanging about, finally the clouds obliged. 2 shots were got, first of the moon then without moving the camera a longer exposure for the land. This was the final result of the 2 combined with Photoshop CS5.
Not quite the weekend of lunar photography I'd hoped for and 18 years to wait for it to happen again.
Or fake it?
Processing this shot last night I thought an added moon gave it a nice balance!
Not that dissimilar to another faked shot from a couple of months back:
Lesson to be learned? You can't control the elements so if you really want the shot, learn to fake it! ;o)
6 Top Locations to Photograph an Edinburgh Sunset
I wish I could have made this a top sunset and sunrise blog post but not being an early morning person, sunset locations will have to do!
Of course, there are millions of places to photograph the sunset from, but not all of them will have anything to interesting in the shot. I've tried to avoid city centre locations s there are literally millions of places, what I'll concentrate on there are the more full on landscape sunsets.
Some of these are pretty seasonal depending on the position of the sun and I'll attempt to tell you when best to go and take your sunset pictures from there, as always, Suncalc is an invaluable resource in planning your location and timings.
1. Calton Hill
Calton Hill is undoubtedly one of the best locations for a sunset but it's seasonal. From roughly October to March the sun will come down in view of the front end of the hill, i.e. the bit that looks onto Edinburgh Castle. The rest of the year your Calton Hill sunsets will have either St James Centre or the roof of the Omni Centre in the foreground, not the most attractive buildings it has to be said. The first shot below was late October and the 2nd one was early February. If you want the sun behind the Castle, early to mid November is the time to aim for.
2. Salisbury Crags
This one is pretty much an all year round location but autumn and spring will see the sun down nearest the castle. Due to the height it's a challenging place to photograph the sunset and I don't feel I've got a shot I'm happy with from here yet. Don't go up with a really wide angle lens though; otherwise you'll get the undesirable flats of Dumbiedykes in the foreground of your shots.
3. Forth Bridges
South Queensferry is such a good location if I could only take one picture again it would be this one and the Bridges. Get down the little road to the right of the rail bridge and you can get both bridges in one shot, it's a summer shot though as the sun comes down too far to the left once you get to late October.
The road bridge is easier to get in the sunset shot but again, it's best in summer unless you go over to the North Queensferry side.
4. Cramond
Cramond again is best in summer, later in the year the sun will come down over the land and not the water, far less spectacular. In the height of summer on a calm night, try getting the boats moored at the mouth of the Almond or get out onto the causeway at low tide and get the sun reflecting in the wet sand. You might even want to risk some wet feet and get the sun through the submarine defences, do take care to check the tide times though.
5. Newhaven Harbour
Sunset is possible at Newhaven Harbour most of the year but later in the year the sun will set over Granton and you'll lose the reflections on the water. Earlier in the year you'll be able to get the lighthouse and long reflections of the sun in the Firth of Forth or from further back, even directly through the mouth of the harbour itself.
6. Blackford Hill
Blackford Hill is a bit of a funny location for the sunset. Ideally you'd want the sunset with Edinburgh Castle as your main focus from here but the sun comes down nowhere near the Castle from Blackford, you'll only get that orange glow bleeding that far over the sky on the most perfect sunset nights. Otherwise, you'll need to get right to the top at the trig point to make the best of it. The sun will come down roughly behind Corstorphine Hill in summer moving round to behind Braid Hill in winter. Best foreground interest will be the houses of Morningside or Craiglockhart Hill.
So, that's my 6 favourite locations, how about adding some more in the comments below?
11 Must do Edinburgh Photographs
So your about to visit Edinburgh, camera in hand and ready to go. What are the must have shots to take home? Depends on your viewpoint really but for any tourist, there are a few must haves to take home to impress your friend and relatives. What follows is a personal top 10 of the classic Edinburgh shots, there are millions more to be had but these for me are my personal favourite "postcard" shots.
1. Calton Hill, the Dugald Stewart Monument and the city.
A no brainer this one. Surely one of the most iconic views Edinburgh has to offer. Stand up on the hillside by the old Observatory, from the corner the right spot will be obvious. Some people take it from further back with the Dugald Stewart Monument on the right of the shot; this is my preferred take on it. Get your position right and you can get the monument, Balmoral Clock and Castle positioned perfectly. Works well on a nice day with blue sky, sunset or even in the dark with a nice long exposure.
2. The National Monument
While you're up on Calton Hill you might as well get the National Monument while you're there. Hard to miss, the best shot is straight on to the structure. Of course you can shoot if from all angles but straight on is the best for me. If the weather's not the best you might luck out and get nobody posing for pictures on it, otherwise you'll have to live with the tourists in the shot. Not always bad as it gives a nice sense of the size of the monument. The monument is lit up at night so opportunities for a night shot here as well. Just be careful up on the hill at night, not always the best place to be alone with expensive camera gear in the dark.
3. Looking down Princes Street
3rd shot on Calton Hill. From the foot of the Nelson Monument, over the railings there is a classic view straight down Princes Street. With a reasonable zoom lens you can keep in the Balmoral Clock and look right down the length of the famous street. This shot works especially well at night with light trails along the road.
4. The Ross Fountain and the Castle in Princes Street Gardens
Found on the western edge of West Princes Street Gardens is the magnificent gold Ross Fountain. In summer, it'll be surrounded by busts of colour with the flowers around it and the water will hopefully be turned on too. Position yourself right and with a reasonably wide lens you can get the fountain, flowers and Edinburgh Castle rising up behind it. Another iconic view of the city, especially good on a nice clear day. The Gardens do shut overnight so opportunities for sunset and sunrise are limited here; check the sun position to with SunCalc, the sun positioned to your right gives the best light on both the Castle and fountain.
5. The Forth Bridge
Found at South Queensferry, roughly 12 miles from the city centre is surely the world's most recognisable bridge? The Forth Rail Bridge is a 3 span cantilever rail bridge and probably Edinburgh's most recognisable structure. There's no bad time or weather condition to shoot this bridge. Day, night, sunrise, sunset, rain, shine or snow, you'll always get something different. Head down the little lane to the right of the bridge and you'll come to a perfect spot to get it at sunset.
6. Cramond Causeway
Out to the west of the city before you come to the Forth Bridges is the village of Cramond. Sitting on the mouth of the River Almond is most famous for its Island and causeway which can be walked at low tide. Lining the Causeway are huge concrete spikes which are actually WW2 submarine defences. Chances of a good shot here are endless but looking down the causeway to the Island is always a winner. Just be sure to check tide times if you attempt a crossing, it's further than it looks.
7. View from Arthur's Seat/Salisbury Crags
There are 3 options here depending on how fit you are. If your feeling up to it, go right to the top, be warned, it's not that easy going though. Other options are to the top of Salisbury Crags or even better, from the Crags base up on the Radical Road. The Radical Road runs from Holyrood climbing steeply up around the base of the Crags cliff face. Coming in from the other side of the road near the Commonwealth Pool is a much less steep climb. From up here you can get one of the most breathtaking cityscapes you'll get from anywhere in the world. Sunset is good here in late autumn, winter or spring as the sun comes down behind the Castle but on a sunny day the view is equally as awe inspiring.
8. Arthur's Seat from Blackford Hill
OK, so we've been up Arthur's Seat but where's the best place to photograph Arthur's Seat from? Calton Hill is one choice; personally I'd go a little further out and do it from the slopes of Blackford Hill out to the South of the city centre. From up here you can get the whole classic profile of both Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags. Add to that the bonus of the views over the city and it's a winner of a location.
9. Scott Monument, Balmoral Clock and the North Bridge
3 classic Edinburgh Landmarks in one easy shot. Walk up the side of the National Gallery from Princes Street and you'll see the shot. Looking over East Princes Street Gardens you'll get a decent view of all 3 from this slightly elevated position.
10. The Christmas Special
Princes Street is dominated every December by the arrival of the Big Wheel. Part of the city's Christmas hoo-ha, the wheel sits next to the Scott Monument and with the arrival of the dark nights it's a perfect place for a colourful Edinburgh at Christmas shot. In Princes Street look east towards Calton Hill, position yourself just before the wheel, with a camera on a tripod on the island in the middle of Princes Street. Wait for buses and general traffic to start moving and fire the shutter for around 20s. A perfect shot, and there can hardly be a photographer in Edinburgh who hasn't done it.
11. The Undiscovered Gem
So 10 fairly well known shots down, now it's time for something a little more out the way. Found at the top end of Harrison Park in the Harrison/Ashley area of Edinburgh is Ashley Boathouse. Sitting on the Union Canal around 1 mile from its start point at the Lochrin Basin the boathouse is one of the most photogenic locations in the city. Get here with a nice late evening golden light and you're onto a winner especially if there's a nice calm water surface.
So there you have my personal top 10. I'm sure many won't agree and yes, I have left out a few of the obvious shots. Looking down Advocates Close from the Royal Mile to the Scott Monument has been omitted as the close behind is covered in scaffolding at the moment ruining the shot. I've left out anything from the Castle, top of Scott Monument or top of the Nelson Monument as these are all paying locations.
Feel free to add your own classics in the comments below!


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Let's look at the core of his complaint:
The problem I see here is that DLL from the installer in question comes from http://www.alexpage.de/usb-image-tool/download/ it is called usbit32.dll and as far as I can tell.It was brought to my attention a couple of weeks ago that someone had posted a Windows installer for XBian in their forum. The theft of code from Raspbmc was quite obvious with identical, but renamed DLLs and the same functions and routines visible.
Interesting enough the license.txt file for usbit32.dll includes the following copyright statement:
And a bit further down in the license:USB Image Tool 1.59
Copyright (c) 2006-2012 Alexander Beug
If you downloaded the RaspBMC windows installer prior to this post you'll notice there is not a usbit32.dll license file included. No is the copyright notice included in the program or readme. Yes he does acknowledge that is where the DLL is from, the same DLL he accused Xbian of stealing from him.The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
copies or substantial portions of the Software.
As to the other arguement of Xbian not providing source... Yes they probably should do so... IF they have changed the source files. Even if so, it is the owner of the project (XBMC, etc) who should be demanding that this happen. NOT a competing project.
The outcome of this whole issue is that I personally backed up my Xbian SD image and installed OpenElec. Why? Because I don't feel I can trust a project run by someone who uses underhanded methods to discredit a competitor such as claiming a .DLL that is free for ANYONE to use as their own and publicly accusing the other developer of theft.

subset: commoncrawl


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Data from Canadian studies has shown that the percentages of people who inject drugs with a used needle have varied from just under 9%, up to 27%. Unfortunately, needles are far from the only item being reused or shared.
Cookers, filters, sterile water, ascorbic acid and tourniquets are among some of the other popular items that are being used on more than one occasion and/or shared amongst the sexual partners, family and friends of intravenous drug users.
While advocates of harm reduction initiatives have long cited the critical need for the distribution of clean, sterile supplies to intravenous drug users; educating and informing users regarding the dangerous practice of supply sharing, as well as its risks is crucial in order to prevent the further spread of communicable diseases and infection.
There are various different reasons as to why an intravenous drug user would choose to engage in the reuse of, or sharing of equipment. Often times it all comes down to the perceived risk, context, and the type of injection partner.
"Most inject with their regular sex partners, close friends, or family. They inject mostly in their own homes, or at friends' or relatives' places. Injection drug users know not to share needles but may interpret this to mean only not with people close to them"
Unfortunately, this is an all too common interpretation of 'the rules' regarding needle sharing.
On several different occasions when I was actively using, I found myself in the situation where someone wanted to share a needle or cooker, or otherwise engage in behaviour that could result in the contamination of supplies and the spread of disease and infection. Sharing with others was a risk I was personally never willing to take. My refusal often ended up offending whomever wanted to share, but thankfully both my Husband and myself were lucky enough to make it out of addiction hell without contracting any diseases.
Many intravenous drug users are not so lucky.
"[...] under laboratory conditions HIV can survive in blood in needles for up to 30 days or longer. [...] studies show that recovery of viable HIV is affected by factors including: volume of blood, storage temperature, and duration of storage (Abdala et al., 1999; 2000; Heimer & Abdala, 2000). At temperatures between 4 C and 22 C, HIV was recovered following storage for up to 42 days."
Even when people are using their own sterile needles, they may be sharing cookers (the small round container user to mix and cook drugs), as well as other supplies used in the process of cooking and injecting drugs intravenously.
"A cross-sectional study of 145 people who inject drugs in London, Ontario found that more participants gave cookers (45%) to someone else than used needles (36%) or other types of equipment (water 36%, filters 29%, and swabs 8%; Strike et al., 2010). Thirty-seven percent also reported that they had re-used someone's cooker. More recent data from Ontario, col- lected between 2010 and 2012 as part of the I-track Study, found that 25.6% of the 953 people who inject drugs sampled had borrowed cookers (average of data from Toronto, Kingston, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and London, Ontario; unpublished data)."
The sharing of cookers can be just as risky when it comes to contracting diseases or infections.
"There may be greater opportunity for contaminating cookers with HIV and HcV compared to other injection-related equipment given the above evidence that people who inject drugs tend to retain and reuse cookers longer than filters or rinse water, share cookers more frequently than other equipment, and share cookers even when a sterile needle is used for injection."
The practice of retaining used cookers for future use is much more common practice amongst intravenous drug users than you might imagine.
If I'm being completely honest, retaining my own used cookers for the residue left inside was an admittedly regular practice for me when I was using intravenously. During the times that I had a plentiful supply of drugs, I would consciously try to only use a cooker once; meaning I would only mix, cook, and draw up one syringe full. Then, I would store those cookers aside, hidden away for times of need. It was a sort of 'fail safe' or 'backup plan' for those times when my supply ran out. Simply reintroduce water to the mixture, give it another go and hope for the best.
I was of course well aware that even the reuse of my own cookers came with risks, but the tremendous physical and psychological power of withdrawals was more than enough to overcome any hesitations I had. On many occasions, I have witnessed people giving away their used cookers to a dope sick friend, in an effort to help them minimize withdrawals. Intravenous drug users see value left in the used cookers residue, which could be one of the factors contributing to such high incidence of cooker reuse and sharing.
It's not just cookers. The sharing of other common intravenous drug use supplies can spread disease and infection as well. Whether it be filters, ascorbic acid, sterile water, alcohol swabs, or even tourniquets; there is a real risk of contracting diseases no matter what item you are sharing.
"Participant observation studies of people who inject drugs in Australia (crofts et al., 1999) and Scotland (taylor et al., 2004) have shown that tourniquets may be a potential source of exposure to blood-borne pathogens. For example, a person who injects drugs may use the tourniquet to stem the flow of blood after an injection. This person may then apply the tourniquet to an injecting partner's arm, depositing a smear of blood on the skin which is subsequently punctured by a needle. Passing the tourniquet over the injection site creates the opportunity for the blood of someone living with HcV or HIV to make contact with the blood of another person. Any activity that introduces new pathogens to a person's skin, especially where there is an injection site, may plausibly elevate risk of infection."
Supply sharing is not a problem unique to Canada. It occurs in the United States, United Kingdom, Austrailia, Europe, and not surprisingly; wherever intravenous drug use rears its ugly head.
"In a study involving five US cities, data from 1,438 people who inject drugs and do not practice receptive syringe sharing indicated that 54% reported non-syringe equipment sharing, a composite variable that combined responses about sharing cookers, filtration cottons, and water. Thirty-nine percent of participants who reported equipment sharing shared primarily with a sexual partner, 46% shared with an injection partner or friend, and less than 2% reported sharing with dealers or strangers."
The above statistics are rightfully sobering. The high incidence of supply sharing, and the risks associated with it can follow the user for life.
So what steps need to be taken in order to prevent the further spread of disease, and curb the risky behaviour of supply sharing?
"International evidence demonstrates that effective communicable disease prevention programming for people who use drugs can reduce transmission of HIV, HcV, HBV, and other harms related to drug use. Injection drug use is associated with many negative health and social outcomes. Harm reduction programs, like needle and syringe programs (nSPs), lead to reduced HIV incidence and prevalence, reduced needle and equipment reuse, and are cost-effective".
It is imperative to provide intravenous drug users with proper education regarding safe injection practices, and to dismiss any incorrect notions or myths surrounding the sharing of needles and supplies. Regardless of what you are sharing or whom you are sharing it with, be it with a sexual partner, family, friends, or strangers; the risk of contracting diseases or infections remains the same.
While users may often be aware of the risks associated with needle sharing, they may be unaware that the sharing of cookers or other injection related supplies is just as risky. By implementing and educating intravenous drug users on the associated risks, harm reduction programs can continue to provide a safe, judgement-free zone that allows for the access to sterile supplies, educational materials, free disease testing, treatment options, and strive to help reduce the incidence of the dangerous practice of supply sharing.
Support you local needle exchanges and harm reduction initiatives! It is through their wonderful work that drug users are able to safely use and effectively curb the risk of disease and damage to themselves, as well as their community.
Source: Best Practice Recommendations For Canadian Harm Reduction Programs: Part 1 [PDF]. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.catie.ca/sites/default/…
Originally appeared on www.studioLonline.weebly.com


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State medical-marijuana regulators said today they have ordered closed a dispensary whose owners are facing federal charges for allegedly operating a black market marijuana-growing warehouse.
The state Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division ordered Earth's Medicine dispensary, on Federal Boulevard in Denver, to cease operations, division spokeswoman Julie Postlethwait said. She said regulators have officially denied the business's six pending applications — one for its dispensary, one for a marijuana-infused products business and four for commercial growing operations.
"The individuals on this application are tied to a non-compliant cultivation facility that was subject to law enforcement raids," Postlethwait said.
That facility — a warehouse in northeast Denver — had not applied for a license with the state, officials said. Federal agents raided it last month. According to a criminal complaint filed in federal court, the warehouse's operators are accused of selling marijuana grown there into the black market.
Four people — Ha Do, Nathan Do, Hai Do and Richard Crosse — face federal charges in connection with that raid. The Do family members are owners and employees of Earth's Medicine, according to the federal complaint.
The northeast Denver warehouse raided by federal agents — at 3885 Forest St. — was also raided over the summer by Denver police. Postlethwait said regulators did not close Earth's Medicine then because they wanted more time to investigate. Federal prosecutors accuse the Do family of re-establishing the off-the-books warehouse after the summer raid.
As part of the shut-down order, Postlethwait said regulators have confiscated the remaining marijuana at Earth's Medicine and are destroying it.
Attorneys for the Do family members could not immediately be reached for comment.
John Ingold: 303-954-1068 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Beyond Survival
Over the past weekend our YTT group explored the Chakras and kundalini. Each of us also received guidance from someone who reads energy. In the process, it was clear there were areas of chakras where each of us were blocked from moving forward with something meant to unfold.
The relationship between the chakra system and Maslow's hierarchy of needs is evident when one compares the two. However, the 6th and 7th chakras, go beyond our individual fulfillment. While these higher levels are wonderful to dream our way toward, taking care of the lower levels is essential. Most of us are still functioning with some limits within the lower two or three; a sense of safety and belonging.
What is it that keeps us in the realm of these lower levels?
Fear. Repression. Circumstances can certainly be real. And where we can, when we can, we move beyond our fear of not enough.... money, comfort, belonging.
How do we move beyond the fear?
We build our courage and our resilience. When we believe in the value we bring to the world. We take care of our body and our mind. We work for something beyond survival and pleasure. We let others see who we really are and what we dream.
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Lust, Harpo:68, 6006 YD
by: The Irreverend Hugh, KSC
Chaos Magic is one of the few occult approaches today that wholeheartedly embraces the use of cutting edge technologies for magical applications. Many people in the occult are stuck in systems which use rather obsolete technologies, and that is fine so long as the effect occurs. But what of people for whom the modern and the post-modern has more relevance? What is out there for the Pagans of the city, the urban shamans, or the electric alchemists? Music and the arts have progressed into cutting edge technologies. Magic should be no exception.
Things have changed since the renaissance, in case you haven't noticed. Instead of religion and culture framing the possibilities of social thought, in our times, society has its collective desires framed, expressed, and consummated through the use of the mass ensigilization known as advertising. You can stand there and recite an incantation from your grimoire all you want, and that will still be effective. But wouldn't it be more effective to use the tools of modern enchantment: the logo/glyph, the jingle, and the mass media? Renaissance alchemists used the most advanced technologies of their times and today's modern occultist should not shy away from that spirit. Never forget the old tools with which your forebears and mentors achieved success, but also never forget that you will need your own more personally relevant and potent tools.
There is inherent power in the altar, the use of candle, the use of strange languages, the chanting of pagan deity names, and other traditional occult paraphernalia. That is why they should still be used by those who wish to do so. But to honestly tell me that there is no inherent power in the microwave oven, the webpage, the stencil maker, techno music, digital photography, TV, and other post-modern occult paraphernalia is to be blinded by cultural prejudice. And if you call yourself a magician, or whatever word by which you think a similar concept is embodied by, you neglect post-modern items' occult significance at your own peril.
The problem with modern Witchcraft is the tendency of many more Pagan brands of it to focus on and emulate the blinkered and backwards looking occult thoughts of its founders. Of what use is the emphasis on ruralized and romanticized "earth" phases to those who live far removed from that sort of lifestyle? To reject the urban is to reject all that is magical in today's world. The city is "mutable earth" in action. To be blind to its power and the uses to which it can be put is to be willingly ignorant. Practical and effective Witchcraft changes with the times and the needs of the people who create it. A practical modern Paganism that wishes to include the use of magic in its cultures should keep this in mind. A romanticized or ruralized "back to nature" view can make one aware of the self-annihilation inherent in our society's treatment of the world, but at the peril of blinding one to effective ways in halting that self-annihilation.
I am not insisting upon a myopic rejection of all things that have made up our occult past, because the study of those things does help one gain freedom. What I am insisting is the wholesale adoption of modern technologies by the magicians of today. Why not use a TV to scry from? The occult things that would scare the shit out of you lay just behind the everyday items you find all around you. Traditions are what you make of them, but don't let traditions make a slave out of you. Magic is in its effectiveness and it really doesn't matter what tools or materials you use so long as the effect occurs. Anyone who tells you otherwise is either prejudiced by beliefs or lying to you.
Some things we can afford to do without: predetermined maps of the otherworlds, the idiotic use of the term 'karma' (which few Asians understand correctly, let alone Westerners), the insistence on religious methods (whether theist or atheist in tone), and anything else that would try to preprogram the living chaos of magic.
It is in this spirit of innovation and exploration of modern technologies for magical applications that I open up this discussion. In the coming months and years I will report of my own experiments in this vein. I hope that any of you who read this and take interest will do the same. You never know what will arise. Share either the use of modern technology for magic, or novel and/or experimental approaches. Or share your aversions to such things. Share with any other, or share with all people who would listen and seek to try what you have discovered.
Even Chaos Magic is to be updated, transcended, made redundant. For over twenty years now, it has been the cutting edge of magical experimentation and exploration. Even so, like everything else, its insights and applications must stand the test of time. Anything valuable must be adapted or modified in light of the situations present day magicians or skeptical experimenters or explorers are going through. Even the more traditional approaches to magic, such as occur in Witchcraft of Neopagan and other varieties must continually be renewed if they are to remain relevent, fresh, and potent.
So, after both reasoned and unreasonable exploration; after throwing yourself into the mix and learning what the spirit of magic, the ultimate chaos that unerlies all life and energy, is and how it moves through and around you, new alphabets of desire and matrices of symbology can be written and developed with post-modern applications and imagery: electric lights, computer screens, mp3 music files, and cut-up video loops…if you wish. Or with the more handed down versions of tarot, witchcraft, candles, invocations, and incense; but in novel and unique forms which appeal to your "inner" expressions.
Instead of looking back to people like Spare or Crowley (or even Robert Anton Wilson who pretended to be a fiction writer even while writing his modern versions of magical studies), look ahead to what is coming. Look to now, at where you are at. Think about all those things of significance in your current life's affairs. Walk the fine line of knowing that you are the maker of your own system; the doer of your own magic. And you need not rely on anyone else's system unless it appeals to you. In magic, there is no other law. Though you may wish to keep the sense of humor embodied in chaos ever present in your life, to keep away any dregs of solipsism that may rear their ugly heads from time to time – unless of course, you call them forth to practice banishing.
It is time to become the writer of your own life story; the creator of your own life. The agent, actor, and scriptwriter. Magic is the means to that end, the expression of that end, and the ultimate destruction of any end. The end of the story is a lie. Any preprogrammed belief and practice system is just that: a system which can be modified or jettisoned at will. Magic is what is important, but even beliefs in or about magic should be recognized as the tools, props, and aides that they really are.
Microwaving up one's batch of witches' brew is just as potent as using a cauldron over open flame. Digital construction of a sigil via Photoshop or Flash through the use of the magic scying tool known as the computer screen is just as potent as using special inks, parchments, and candles. Getting into ASCs and trance states via electronic dance music works just as well as drumming. Having rusted old bolts from an old decaying factory on your altar tells the story of ancient wisdom just as much as any of the traditional hand-me-downs from witchcraft or Ceremonial Magic. Realize your life is the greatest story you will ever live through and you can change, re-edit, or write a better more exciting future, if you so desire. To quote an old cliche which was revolutionary for its time, and still is relevant today (even though so many people who repeat it often have no idea what it means): There is no law beyond Do what thou wilt.


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Topic: Grounds of Freedom EP01
Grounds of Freedom EP01
This is the first video in a Youtube series examining the topic of Freedom. It was created with a hybrid digital workflow. It is all based on still photographs instead of 3D models, but brought to life in Adobe Character Animator. We'd love to hear people's feedback on the content and the workflow approach. More details can be provided if people want to know more about how we did it.


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Carpet Cleaning is a necessary job, to your house clean. However, many people do not write how to clean properly and keep the life of the carpet. In this article I will introduce you some tips, besides
For carpet clean house, the first thing to remember is cleaned immediately whenever carpet stain. When self-cleaning your carpet, Please note, first clean rags soaked in water use. Do not rub the carpet because such right will only help impurities crept deeper into the carpet fibers.
When the carpet was yellowing in some places, there are some ways at home following carpet cleaning that you can apply to blowing his nasty stains on the carpet:
- For the new spot stains: a few drops of soda onto the stain, to foam for several minutes, then wipe thoroughly.
- With long smudges, spray mixture consisting of 2 tablespoons of washing powder, three tablespoons vinegar and a quart of warm water.
- You can also use shaving cream to bleach stains on the carpet, and then wipe gently with a damp cloth.
To keep the carpet clean requires thorough care little of the home. When the carpet is dirty you can use the above method to manually carpet cleaning at home, use a clean towel or paper towel covered in stains and heavy objects placed on it. When you replace-moistened towel dry towel.
Best every year to carry out the general hygiene carpet cleaning at least once. If you have kids in the house cat or dog must carpet cleaning more often (2-3 times / year). Before cleaning the carpet needs vacuuming thoroughly.
If the carpet is not too dirty, you can wash thanks to a spray bottle. Before use, check its color fastness test by spraying the cleaning solution onto the fewer small corner of the carpet. For a time, then use the white towel and rub. If color is not only a towel, keep the carpet clean. Follow the instructions on the bottle.
Note the Carpet Cleaning Them At Home
Typically used carpet long days, or flooded, it will smell. Especially when you cleaning carpet without being sucked dry thoroughly and then the next day will appear carpet odors. In this case the right to carpet cleaning techniques combined with dedicated machine deodorant chemicals, the high capacity if you use a vacuum cleaner sucking water stains in the carpet together.
In the process of using carpet will appear more stubborn stains, carpet cleaning methods usually do not clean them annoying to users. So you should look to reputable carpet cleaning service for advice. When auto carpet cleaning at home you need to distinguish each type of carpet to apply the correct ways to match the carpet cleaning:
For Wool Carpets
Len easily influenced by the alkaline detergent and cleaning wool rugs you need with a neutral detergent solution (pH 5.0-8.0) and to dry quickly.
For Cotton Carpets
Cotton rugs can allow for all cleaning methods, however, or the drying process is taking too long soaking in water will cause the shrinkage of cotton carpets.
For Silk Carpets
Need dry method, however, from silk material can be damaged by high temperature, pH (> 9) or sun exposure, and durability is reduced when wet…
For Carpets Made Of Vegetable Fiber
Carpets made from plant fibers such as cotton, jute, coir, coir … have similar characteristics as cotton can be washed by any normal measure, but the most popular are still dry suction cleaning with detergents or form plus foam sucked dry. To limit the fading or discoloration, use a cleanser with a pH below 7.5 and should not dry too fast. However, for this kind of disaster, you should use the services of professional carpet cleaning.
For Carpets Made Of Synthetic Fibers
Comply with the manufacturer's instructions to select the appropriate method of carpet cleaning. Avoid using soap or laundry soap, dishwashing liquid, or any kinds of household cleaners to clean the surface which only uses wood flooring, ceramic tiled floor … To achieve the best performance in the toilet carpet, you need to regularly use a vacuum cleaner to clean the carpets before washing. Soluble solution usually requires 8-10 minutes to push the dirt out of the carpet surface.


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PolyOne Corporation Announces Quarterly Dividend
May 11, 2017, 16:32 ET
CLEVELAND, May 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of PolyOne Corporation (NYSE: POL), has declared a quarterly cash dividend of thirteen and a half cents ($0.135) per share on the common stock outstanding, to be paid on July 7, 2017, to stockholders of record on June 16, 2017.
About PolyOne
PolyOne Corporation, with 2016 revenues of $3.3 billion, is a premier provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions. The company is dedicated to serving customers in diverse industries around the globe, by creating value through collaboration, innovation and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Guided by its Core Values, Sustainability Promise and No Surprises PledgeSM, PolyOne is committed to its customers, employees, communities and shareholders through ethical, sustainable and fiscally responsible principles. For more information, visit www.polyone.com.
To access PolyOne's news library online, please visit www.polyone.com/news
SOURCE PolyOne Corporation


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The situation for residents of Kings Beach, California has finally taken a turn for the better. As we have reported here and here, this small town set hard against the North Lake Tahoe shore has been targeted for a potentially noisy and polluting biomass energy plant in the middle of a residential neighborhood, a mere block away from the town's only elementary school, and only three blocks from the lake itself.
But on July 26, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Executive Director Joanne Marchetta reported to the Placer County Board of Supervisors "that the Kings Beach site is 'unworkable' and should be removed from consideration in the project's environmental review process," according to a news release from the county.
This surprise announcement from the TRPA appears to have the practical effect of killing the project in Kings Beach and forcing Placer County to look elsewhere for a biomass plant site. Despite the lack of rationale for this decision in the TRPA announcement itself, the Tahoe Daily Tribune reported on July 21 that County Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery had already told her constituents in Kings Beach that their concerns had been heard loud and clear by the Board and the TRPA.
A concerted effort against building a biomass plant in the lower Tahoe Basin had begun with Kings Beach residents Mike and Dawn Baffone, whose house sits less than 100 feet form the proposed biomass plant site. In recent weeks, anti-biomass signs had sprung up throughout the Kings Beach "grid," the main in-town section of the city.
But the Baffone's concerns were only part of the story. Many Kings Beach and nearby residents wondered why the county felt the need to haul fuel for the biomass plant 17 miles across busy and sometimes treacherous roads instead of building the plant at its collection point – Cabin Creek in Truckee. It is now expected that the TRPA will take a closer look at Cabin Creek and other possible sites.
Another factor that may have caused the TRPA to end its consideration of Kings Beach as a potential biomass site is a recent report by the Friends of Lake Tahoe that showed open fire burns are much more prevalent around Tahoe City than they are near Kings Beach. In the original proposals, the TRPA had estimated that a biomass plant in Kings Beach would cause a substantive reduction in unsafe open fire burns, which they believed were extensive in Kings Beach. Tahoe City is much closer to the Cabin Creek site.
The Board of Supervisors was not asked to take action on TRPA's recommendation at the July 26 meeting, but seems likely to do so at one of several August meetings scheduled to deal with the biomass plan for eastern Placer County. Meanwhile, Kings Beach residents remain cautious about the possibility of a rekindling of plans for a biomass plant in their community.
"I'm cautiously optimistic," David McClure of the North Tahoe Citizens Action Committee told me Wednesday, "but we're all waiting for the final word before relaxing our vigil."
McClure noted that his organization's most recent newsletter had specifically addressed this concern:
"The Kings Beach Anti-Biomass Coalition has asked for evidence that TRPA is no longer involved in any contracts related to a biomass power plant in the Tahoe Basin. This evidence should be forthcoming, along with a resolution by the Board of the TRPA banning all further consideration of any biomass power plants in the Lake Tahoe Basin in order to maintain the integrity of this Outstanding National Resource Water of Lake Tahoe."
Citizens of tiny Kings Beach can breathe easier today, and in days to come, because a well-meant but potentially disastrous action appears to have been corrected.


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Sorry, this deal has expired. Here are some other Tablets deals:
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Core i5 256GB Tablet Sale $539.99 + Free Shipping
- Expired Sold By:
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Compare Current Prices
- Lowest Price Search
eBay (Northwest Outdoor, 50,000 feedback) has the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Core i5 256GB Tablet Sale Priced for $539.99 with Free Shipping. Tax in WA. Highly rated at 4.3 out of 5 stars. $533 at amazon.
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Review
Cnet review is largely positive. This works as a fast tablet as well as a traditional notebook. All the power and performance of a laptop in an incredibly lightweight, versatile form.
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Features
- 12" ClearType Full HD touch-screen display
- 1920 x 1080 resolution, 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio
- Intel 4th generation Core i5 Processor
- Pen input and Pen (included with purchase)
- 8GB RAM ; 256GB storage
- Full-size USB 3.0
- microSDXC card reader
- Weight: 1.76 lbs
- Windows 10
- Sales tax in: Depends on seller
- Part number: QG2-00021
- gtin13: 0889842078305
- Report Error
Posted by: The ChiefShare Deal:


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Overcoming the Challenges of Selling to Corporates
Sorry you missed it!
This event has now passed. Click below to see what else we have coming up.
Join us for the next dinner in the series designed for members who sell predominantly to large businesses and corporates.
Together we will explore ways to address the main challenges faced when selling to corporates, from finding the right decision-maker and reducing the sales cycle to piloting new services and forming strategic partnerships to win new business.
The group will look to meet once per quarter this coming year.
This dinner will look to explore, but will not be limited to:
- Managing expectations and minimising the sales cycle
- Identifying the right internal champions in corporate businesses
- Designing referral and reseller partnerships
- Attracting the best talent and managing cultural change
What are Special Interest Groups?
Unlike our classic, cross-sector roundtables, the Special Interest Groups have been designed to bring you together with members in the same space, with potentially similar clients, to discuss challenges or innovations that are really relevant. The idea is that you can share needs and leads, and learn from each other, with an already strong understanding of the landscape. A member of the team will also be on hand to follow up with relevant connections & insights.
What if I can't make this date?
Each Special Interest Group will meet once a quarter. If you would like to know more, but can't make this date, please email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Please note that our venues are subject to change; always refer to email reminders one week before the event and the text message reminder on the day of the event for the correct venue. Our website will also be updated in the event of a venue change.


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Janelle CooreyProperty Management
02 9871 9871 Email
Bringing enthusiasm and a motivated attitude to real estate in the Parramatta area, Janelle Coorey is committed to delivering first class client service. Currently undertaking a bachelor of Business at the University of Technology Sydney, Janelle prides herself at being dedicated, authentic and hard working.
Janelle strives to be the best in her field with strong organisation and a client focus attitude. She is a vital member of the First National Parramatta team, working closely with in all aspects of the company.
In her role, Janelle is dedicated to provide a superior service through her constant communication and friendly approach. She understands the importance of great procedures to maximise returns.


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TeamVodafone's Jamie Whincup and Sébastien Bourdais held on to win the opening race of the Armor All Gold Coast 600 surviving an incident-filled race to extend Whincup's grip on the 2012 championship.
The race took three attempts to get underway after crashes off the line brought proceedings to a spectacular halt.
On the first start, American Grand Am regular Ricky Taylor was lucky to escape unharmed after a five-car collision resulted in his #33 Fujitsu Racing GRM Commodore coming to a halt on its roof. Ahead, IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe, in the sister GRM car, had bogged and was hit from behind by Vitantonio Liuzzi in the Team HIFLEX entry. Liuzzi was then collected by Simon Pagenaud in the IRWIN Racing Ford while Taylor, squeezed between two vehicles clipped the left-front wheel of Liuzzi's car and was launched into a roll, going over twice before sliding upside down on the front straight.
After a half-hour delay, the red-flag was out again at the restart when Lockwood Racing's Nicolas Minassian stalled and was hit from behind by Fair Dinkum Sheds Racing co-driver Franck Montagny.
With six cars out, the third start came almost an hour later than that originally scheduled, the race also reduced to a timed-event rather than a 300km race.
Out front, Bourdais diced with Mika Salo the early race leader, before handing over to Whincup who got the jump on the Tradingpost FPR entry assuming a race lead he wouldn't lose. Will Davison took over from Salo, but less than a lap later crashed out of contention hitting a wall at turn 11. Although going on to finish in 19th, his title chances are now effectively over.
Over the closing 20 laps, Jonathon Webb in the Tekno Autosports entry piled the pressure on Whincup after a near perfect opening stint by co-driver Marc Lieb, cutting the gap down to less than 0.5s in a sprint to the flag as the race reached its time cut-off after 79 of the 102 scheduled laps.
Behind Webb, Mark Winterbottom charged from ninth to third after a slow start from co-driver Will Power saw the Orrcon Steel FPR car drop outside the Top ten in the early stages of the race.
Having started in 20th after a crash in qualifying, Garth Tander and co-driver Ryan Briscoe both put in strong stints to bring the #2 Holden Racing Team car home in fourth place. A late effort by David Reynolds in the Bottle-O Racing Team car to pass Tander ended in damage to the Ford's steering and the Lucky 7 Racing entry of Tim Slade and David Brabham came through to finish fifth, ahead of Craig Lowndes / Richard Lyons, James Courtney / Darren Turner, Rick Kelly / Graham Rahal, Russell Ingall / Peter Dumbreck and Shane van Gisbergen / Jeroen Bleekemolen who, despite receiving an early drive-through for jumping the Turn 1 kerb, rounded out the top-ten.
A number of other drivers were also deemed to have overused the kerbing in the absence of the electronic sensor system which had been switched off after Friday practice.
The safety car was called upon a further three times during the race, the first on lap 16 after Wilson Security Racing's Jamie Campbell-Walter made contact with Gianni Morbidelli, which saw the #12 Jim Beam Racing Ford in the wall at the final corner. The race was then restarted three laps later, only to be yellow flagged again after Peter Kox in the Team Norton DJR car went in to the wall at Turn 11. The final appearance came on lap 56 to clear debris on the exit of Turn 11.
The second 300km race will be held tomorrow after another qualifying session to determine the starting order.
After its start-line incident, the #3 Team Hiflex Ford has been ruled out of the second race, while it remains doubtful that the #33 Fujitsu Racing Commodore of Greg Ritter and RickyTaylor will be fixed in time.


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This Week's MUST-SEE Photos From The World Of Music
Justin Bieber has found himself at the centre of romance rumours whilst Little Mix nail it on the red carpet. Standard week for our favourite popstars then...
1. Little Mix pose up a storm on the orange carpet for Kid's Choice Awards and YES.
Do these girls ever look anything less than flawless? Picture: Getty
2. Justin Bieber sparks romance rumours with 'new friend' on Instagram.
Taking to social media to write, "Don't know why people say no new friends new friends are great", JB has found himself at the centre of romance rumours with actress, Georgie Jennings. Picture: Instagram
3. Jeremy McConnell spends time with newborn son, Caben-Albi days after his Dad's funeral.
Proving that when you have your family around you, you can get through anything, Jeremy McConnell spends quality time with his baby boy just days after his Dad's funeral. Picture: Instagram
4. Nicki Minaj stuns in latex bodysuit and THE LONGEST HAIR WE'VE EVER SEEN.
Is her closet just full of latex bodysuits? Well, when she looks this amazing in them, we don't blame her. Picture: Instagram
5. Amber Rose and Blac Chyna pose by the pool in the LA sunshine...
... and we SERIOUSLY want to go and hang with them for a pool day. Picture: Instagram
6. Kim Kardashian presents an award at the Family Equality Council's Impact Awards and looks amazing.
Sporting a white dress which showed off her incredible figure, Kim Kardashian completed the look with a lip ring (which seems to have become her signature look!) and big hoops. Picture: Instagram
7. Beyonce cradles her baby bump in figure hugging black dress as she celebrates family birthday.
Heading for a night out with her family, the Mum-to-be cradled her baby bump as she showed off her figure in a body-con black dress. Keeping her make up minimal, Beyonce completed the look with over the knee boots. Picture: Instagram
8. Blac Chyna poses with Dream Kardashian in the LA sunshine...
... and just look how cute she is. Picture: Instagram
9. Blue Ivy and Beyonce look identical at a young age and it's actually kinda mind-blowing.
We know that parents and their offspring often look similar when they're at a younger age, but this is INSANE! Picture: Instagram
10. Camila Cabello covers Latina magazine and talks about wanting to fall in love with a Spanish boy.
Whilst she's killing it in the charts at the moment, Camila Cabello has said that she doesn't want to always be in the spotlight. In a new interview with Latina magazine, she reveals that she wants to go back-packing and fall in love with a Spanish boy. Picture: Instagram
11. Britney Spears takes her son and niece to Planet Hollywood...
... just weeks after Maddie Spears is involved in that horrific accident that hospitalised her. Picture: Getty
12. CONGRATULATIONS! Marvin and Rochelle Humes head home after the arrival of their baby girl.
Valentina Raine Humes was born last week and Rochelle and Marvin Humes were spotted leaving the hospital for the first time. Pushing the pram and looking completely radiant, the young family looked the picture of happiness. Picture: Fame Flynet
13. We're loving this look, Kendall! The supermodel makes her way through the airport with a quirky hat!
Only she could pull off a baker-boy hat THIS well. Picture: Goff
14. HOLD UP. Is that Stephen Bear and Charlotte Crosby RING shopping?!
We feel like it was only yesterday that these two confirmed their relationship with those pictures of them kissing but now it seems that Stephen Bear and Charlotte Crosby are ring shopping. Something you want to tell us? Picture: KP Pictures
15. Khloe Kardashian rocks double denim and obviously looks amazing.
If only we could look this good when donning double denim. Picture: Instagram
16. Kylie Jenner shows off her tones abs in crop top and shorts...
... and is that short hair that we spy?! Picture: Instagram
17. Charlotte Crosby and Stephen Bear head off on holiday but Charlotte doesn't look happy.
She recently gushed about her boyfriend, Stephen Bear in a recent interview claiming that he was 'The One' but it seems that Charlotte couldn't quite muster up a smile as she headed to Gatwick airport with her boyfriend. Picture: Fame Flynet
18. Nicki Minaj poses in her underwear on Instagram... before she does her best Celine Dion impression.
And it was SO good that even Celine Dion complimented her. Picture: Instagram
19. Harry Styles spotted jetting out of New York amidst rumours Cheryl has given birth.
Rumours are circulating that Cheryl has given birth to fellow One Direction lad Liam Payne's first baby. Adding fuel to the fire is the photos of Harry Styles jetting out of New York and now fans think he is leaving the city to head back to London to be there for Liam as he adapts to fatherhood. No official word as of yet! Picture: Splash
20. Kris Jenner looks slightly worse for wear after a night out as she clambers into a taxi.
Making quite the spectacle of getting into her ride home, Momager, Kris Jenner failed to make getting into a taxi look effortless and instead kinda... fell in. Picture: Xposure
21. Kendall Jenner is a ray of sunshine in a bright yellow outfit as she enjoys a family lunch.
She's definitely unmissable in this get up! Picture: Fame Flynet
22. Liam Payne gushes about girlfriend, Cheryl as he graces the cover of Rollacoaster magazine.
Calling her his "dream girl", Liam talks openly for the first time about his relationship with ex Girls Aloud singer, Cheryl. Picture: Rollacoaster/Instagram
23. Solange Knowles goes braless on stage at SXSW festival and looks amazing.
Beyonce's sister, Solange is becoming a pop diva in her own right. Taking to the stage at SXSW festival, she a) looked amazing and b) put in one hell of a killer performance. Picture: Getty
24. Cole Sprouse finds himself on the cover of a trashy teen romance novel... without permission!
Taking to Twitter, the star of new Netflix show 'Riverdale' was not happy about the fact that a publisher had used his photo without his permission. Writing, "Shoutout to this publisher for using my face as the love interest of a romance. "A Heart Remedy From Mr Heartbreaker" in trashcans near you", Cole was less than impressed. Picture: Twitter
25. Fans lost their minds when they spotted Justin Bieber in McDonalds in Australia!
Well, if it's good enough for Bieber, it's definitely good enough for us! Picture: Facebook
26. Ed Sheeran falls victim to badly timed gust of wind during a fan photo...
... and it's quickly gone viral. Picture: Twitter
27. Justin Bieber isn't immune to getting spots as he bumps into old friends whilst out for lunch.
Ahhh the life of a popstar means that you can enjoy a relaxed lunch in Australia. Picture: Splash
28. Ruby Rose sports lingerie as outerwear at Urban Decay event and looks AH-MAZING.
Looking nothing short of flawless, the ex Orange Is The New Black lady looks amazing as she sported an all black look. Picture: Rex
29. Marvin Humes adapts to fatherhood for the second time as he cradles Valentina Raine.
Taking it all in his stride. Picture: Instagram


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Rainin 2017 Pipette Calendar
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We design these calendars each year to enliven a wall in your lab and celebrate the artists, thinkers and scientists whose ideas help illuminate and improve our world.
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Posts Tagged 'guardian local'
Notes from #TAL11 – Talk About Local Unconference 2011
This Saturday saw the hyperlocal collective make its windy way along the stuffy Southwest train system to Cardiff (via Crewe) for the Talk About Local Unconference 2011.
The first event of its kind in Wales, online publishers and bloggers with an interest in their local area met at the Atrium for a day of sharing ideas and making news ones, with a great contingent from Cardiff and Welsh language representing the locality.
The day kicked off with a quick fire round of game show round of pitching ideas which were organised into sessions using the unconference-friendly post-it note system.
Sessions ran throughout the day within the sunny glass walls of the Atrium – with much pastry-munching, tweeting and networking inbetween. Here are some notes I took from a few sessions I went to (I didn't take any notes in the council session or 'I'm a hyperlocal celebrity get me out of here' – but both were great and informative debates).
Notes on Talk About Local 2010
Yesterday's Talk About Local 2010 conference in partnership with Guardian Local has no doubt left hyperlocal publishers across the UK feeling inspired, enthused and reinvigorated.
After coming back to the unconference following the first one six months ago in Stoke on Trent where I went as a hyperlocal publisher for bournvillevillage.com it was great to see the changes and developments in the hyperlocal scene since last time. Read the rest of this entry »


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One of the things social media marketing will need if it's going to live up to its aggressive $5 billion spending forecast is more differentiation between marketing and collaboration platforms. Companies like Jive Software, which filed for its IPO last week; Lithium, which just hired a new CEO; Mzinga; and Telligent offer social network platforms aimed at both employees and customers. But one-size-fits-all social networking platforms may not be around for much longer, because to succeed, vendors will need to start offering tools and services concentrated specifically on community marketing, distinct from enterprise collaboration or social networks.
Vendors making tools for the space broadly defined as social CRM have arrived from various origins: buzz monitoring, fan site creation, customer service and support, and enterprise social networking. Core social networking technologies and techniques (e.g., social graph relationships and information, friend and group following, real-time information feeds) are common across those. But platforms aimed at marketing to communities will need specialization. Let's take a look at how a new startup, Napkin Labs, is attempting to differentiate the community-marketing platform that it just took out of beta.
Napkin Labs offers a low-cost web service that companies like beta partners Intuit and Sony can use as an online focus group. The founders of Napkin Labs have brand advertising agency backgrounds, and it shows — occasionally to a fault. For example, they expose perhaps a little too much agency-insider terminology to consumers who, unless they're avid Mad Men watchers, aren't going to know or care what a "creative brief" is. CEO Riley Gibson is correct that encouraging and rewarding customer engagement is subtly different than doing the same for employees. So Napkin Labs uses gaming mechanics like challenges and points to encourage participation and rate user influence. Its focus on applications to test product features, advertising and packaging looks smart.
But translating the art of focus group analysis into software and social networking features will be challenging. Understanding how to use feedback from rabid fans versus mainstream customers, muting the impact of blowhard commentators and applying focus group insights to mass-market ad campaigns are more consulting services than products. Napkin Labs is attempting to educate less-savvy customers with templates and blog advice rather than hiring consultants.
But there are a host of other community-marketing features besides focus group analysis that vendors will increasingly use, such as:
- Consumer network integration. Community-marketing platforms should enable and encourage community members to spread the message beyond the community. So any gaming or rewards systems must extend into other social media, like Twitter and Facebook.
- Member acquisition. If you're in the fan page business — or are using social marketing tools for customer acquisition — you need to "fish where the fish are." Most of the fish today are on Facebook. Napkin Labs has an idea that its offerings might work better as Facebook apps than as a part of a destination site; it's probably right.
- Community panels. Some community-marketing platform companies like House Party and CrowdTap bring along their own communities, much like traditional market research panels. There are tradeoffs to this approach — some clients want to control audience and data ownership — but those platforms enable data analysis across different customer and product types. That can lead to valuable marketing insights that might otherwise stay hidden from those clients.
Ultimately, a key role for community marketing platforms will be supporting so-called integrated marketing campaigns — that is, big, cross-media (TV, online, print) initiatives that involve things like product placement, brand sponsorships and physical-world presence. House Party and CrowdTap offer services to manage campaign logistics. That may be more like agency work and consulting than building a software platform with seductive margins and a scalable business model, but that's what it's going to take.