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"I need to start using social media in my practice."
Is that what you're telling yourself? It's a great place to start, but there's a lot more to social media success than just "being there." The first question I ask planners to consider is, "Why am I using (or planning to use) social media as part of my marketing strategy?"
If it's because you want to let the world know your political stance or complain about something, it's probably not the best use of your time (on or off the clock). But if it's to build a community, get the word out about your business and show you are an expert in financial planning—then social media can be an extremely valuable tool! It's all in how you make your plan, execute it and stick with it.
I've included a few of my favorite tips below to help you get started.
Social Media Has Its Place…
…But that doesn't mean it should run your schedule. It's so easy to get sucked into your Facebook timeline, or deep into the string of replies to a tweet. Responding in a timely manner is important—and now platforms like Facebook track your response rate—but don't beat yourself up trying to answer every message or comment 15 seconds after it comes through.
An easy solution is to turn on notifications for direct messages, which is where most people go when they are seeking help from you or your business. For comments that come through, set aside a daily time block to monitor your page(s). I recommend 10 minutes; unless you are a social media superstar, that is likely enough time to ensure that you are seeing all of the comments that have been published on each of your posts.
It's also equally important to have an established process in place to handle complaints, mentions and comments on your social media platforms. Whether it's the CEO or a part-time intern who is monitoring the account, you want everybody to be on the same page and know when to respond, and how to respond when it's appropriate.
Create a Lasting Connection
Social media offers a great way to help people understand who you, and your business, really are. If your customers are really buying "you," what do you want and need them to know ? Use your social media platforms to connect with your audience and have a discussion. Keep asking them questions and producing different types of content—if you pay attention, you'll start to notice patterns and understand the topics that truly matter to your followers.
Did you post something that got absolutely no engagement? Take a deep breath and remember it's not the end of the world. Social media is a process of trial and error: test, gather data and adjust your strategy.
Consistency is Critical
Raise your hand if you think consistency is important. If you don't see your hand reflected in the computer monitor, we need to take this offline. (And if you're the guy who raised his hand on the subway, don't worry—you're definitely not the weirdest one on that train.)
When it comes to social media, consistency is key. It doesn't matter whether you post every day or once per week—being consistent builds trust with your audience. An easy way to keep track of your content is through a calendar. It doesn't matter if you use an Excel spreadsheet or a sophisticated project management tool; find what works for you and use it. You can stop at Level 1, or go 100 Levels deep – it all depends on your skill level, interest and the time you can put toward social media. Here's what Levels 1, 10 and 100 might look like:
Level 1: I want to post on each platform once a week. How do I make it look like I'm active on social media?
Determine the platforms you want to be active on and spread out your content. Use the ideas in Level 10 below for content generation, and set up a simple calendar like this:
Level 10: I want to post on each platform once per day. But how in the world will I create enough content for that?!
It's a lot easier than you think! All your content doesn't have to be original blogs that are thousands of words each. Here's one example:
Build fun stuff about you and your company into your social media plan. People want to know about you; they can easily learn about your products and services through your website and by contacting you.
Level 100: Alright, I've got all this down. I want to post on multiple social media platforms multiple times a day.
Awesome! Remember how I said you could use an Excel spreadsheet for your content calendar? If you didn't believe me, now you should! I love Google Docs, and use it for scheduling content across the Financial Planning Association's social media platforms.
Here's my outline:
It's color-coded by type of content. Each type of content goes out the same day each week (consistency is key). I sprinkle in Instagram posts throughout the calendar, based on what content I think will work well there (it's not a huge platform for us, so I don't put as much attention there).
A content writer I work with swears by Airtable—I've used it with her, and it is a neat platform. Ultimately, it boils down to what works best for you and what will keep you organized and on track.
I'll close with a few of my key things to remember about social media:
- A consistent, regular presence is key.
- Make sure your profile info is completed and detailed; people often go to social media instead of Google to learn more about you or how to get in touch with you. Just because something is not my favorite platform doesn't mean I would take my company off it.
- Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Case in point: Instagram not updating anybody's feeds after the iOS update earlier this year. It took at least a week before I saw any new content in my feed…which means I didn't see any new content from the businesses I follow.
- Create a content calendar—it makes your life easier!
- Your social media posts, retweets, likes, favorites (all of it) is reflective of YOU, your beliefs and your business. Be intentional with what you like and what you post.
As a final note, social media is a free* platform to tell your story. Why the asterisk? Because nothing is truly free. Organic content costs you your time, and paid advertising costs you time and money.
The takeaway? Be intentional with every piece of content you create and post.
Now, get out there and hashtag make it a great day!
Mari Shirley has worked in communications and marketing for a decade, mostly in the financial industry. She started her career in public relations at the University of Georgia Athletic Association (Go Dawgs!), and before joining the Financial Planning Association, she was a brand marketer for Dave Ramsey's Endorsed Local Providers and SmartVestor programs. At FPA, she focuses on social media strategy and brand and digital marketing.


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- Outdoor Pizza Ovens
- Accessories
- Recipes
- Company
- Resources
If you are in pursuit of the perfect Neapolitan style pizza using your traditiona built-in pizza oven, the Saputo stones are a must-have accessory. Saputo stones are handmade by Italian artisans in Naples Italy, the birth place of the Neapolitan pizza. The majority of pizzerias in Naples use these same stones inside their pizza ovens. No other material performs like Saputo biscotto from Naples.
Saputo stones ('Biscotto') are the only stones available that have the unique quality of being able to cook a pizza at 806°F – 896°F for 60-90 seconds, without burning the bottom of the pizza. These stones are able to do this because of the unique mineral content of the alluvial clay that is used to construct the stone. Each stone is fired in a wood-fired kiln to exact specifications. All of this imparts the stone with exceptional heat retention and moisture absorption. We are proud to partner with Saputo, as the sole North American distributor, to bring their renown quality to the United States & Canada.

subset: commoncrawl


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W&M Public Policy Announces New Program Advisor
Full DescriptionDavid D. Oxenford '77, president of the W&M Public Policy Program Board of Advisors and Professor John B. Gilmour, director of W&M Public Policy, announced the appointment of new advisor, Jeff Coughlin, in anticipation of a future meeting of the board. New advisors serve three-year terms.
|Jeff Coughlin, MPP '96, Senior Director of Federal & State Affairs at HIMSS: a global, cause-based, not-for-profit organization focused on better health through information and technology.


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A U.S. Coast Guard Marine Inspector and an Investigating Officer responded Tuesday to a report of a vessel collision involving a New York Pilot boat and a 984-foot cargo/containership, resulting in injuries, the USCG reported.
Coast Guard Sector New York command center received notification at around 2 p.m. Tuesday of the collision near the Ambrose Pilot Station off of Sandy Hook, New Jersey.
Four crewmen from the pilot boat sustained injuries; three were minor, and one crewman was taken to Sea View Hospital on Staten Island, N.Y for his injuries, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The cause of the incident is under investigation. No additional information was provided by the USCG.
SILive.com reports that the pilot boat was later docked at the Sandy Hook Pilots facility on Edgewater Street on Staten Island. An update Wednesday said the mishap occurred when the boat was going alongside to put a pilot aboard the cargo ship, said Dennis Wheeler, president of the Sandy Hook Pilots. The pilot boat somehow hit the side of the cargo ship, causing injuries to two crew and two pilots. One of the pilots was kept overnight for observation at Staten Island University Hospital, the report added.
Pilotage services is provided by the Sandy Hook Pilot Association to all foreign flag vessels and American vessels under register (regulated vessels) entering or departing the Port of New York/New Jersey, the Hudson River, the East River, Atlantic City, Jamaica Bay, and Long Island Sound, as required by state law.
According to their website, the Sandy Hook Pilots operate two Ambrose Pilot Station boats, including the Pilot Boat New York, mainly used in winter, and Pilot Boat New Jersey, used in the summer months. The are also four smaller "America class" boats used for pilot boarding and transporting pilots to and from the pilot station, along with a slightly larger boat called "Sandy Hook."
An emailed statement from the USCG said the pilot boat involved was the Wanderer, part of the America class.


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RGS Collectible Guide
Here I am going to showcase some of the collectible items from the RGS. This is something not offered anywhere else unfortunately. For you own curiosity, I have given suggested values to each item that I feel are appropriate based on my own research. Remember these are suggested prices and to be used solely as a guide. Anything with a "(Retail Value)" making denotes an item which is currently still being produced and the retail value it is being sold at.
Many RGS items are sold pre-autographed from the seller (ie one of the autographed RGS pictures). For any items which are not sold pre-autographed (ie a personalized/autographed prop from the set) please add anywhere from $5-$25 depending on the item.
Many RGS items are sold pre-autographed from the seller (ie one of the autographed RGS pictures). For any items which are not sold pre-autographed (ie a personalized/autographed prop from the set) please add anywhere from $5-$25 depending on the item.
Ordering - Since the RGS started airing and selling merchandise, ordering has gone through many stages. With RGS being one of the early adapters to the net, they have gotten great use of ordering online. The original internet page was titled "The Red Green Outfitters Catalogue ON-LINE!" and showed you pictures and a price guide for all of the merchandise. Included with each one in the list was a code that you could call a 1-800 number with to place an order.
Over time they started directly selling via an online order form attached to the website.
In 2012 S&S productions started the Red Green Shop on Facebook which gave fans another place to order merchandise from in additions to the Red Green Shop website
On September 2014, they adapted the main Red Green Show Facebook page in order to allow you an easy side bar panel for ordering without having to go to the Red Green Shop or directly to the Red Green Show website..
Over time they started directly selling via an online order form attached to the website.
In 2012 S&S productions started the Red Green Shop on Facebook which gave fans another place to order merchandise from in additions to the Red Green Shop website
On September 2014, they adapted the main Red Green Show Facebook page in order to allow you an easy side bar panel for ordering without having to go to the Red Green Shop or directly to the Red Green Show website..
Rare Collectibles
Possum Lodge Newsletters - Possum Lodge newsletters started back in 1991 with the introduction of lodge memberships after receiving several letters from fans inquiring on how to join Possum Lodge. When you purchased a membership, regular newsletters were sent to you as a lodge member. All newsletters in mint condition are collectible, however the first 5 are worth the most. The first two newsletters were printed on unique, thicker, brown paper resembling a heavier recycled paper. The first newsletter makes note of there being approximately 500 members of Possum Lodge which is roughly believed to be the amount of newsletters made. The second clearly notes there being around 900 to 1000 members, making both of these rare and collectible. From the third newsletter on, the letter itself was printed on standard white printer paper and the amount released grows in accordance with the ballooning membership numbers, making it less valuable.
1st or 2nd newsletter - $60 in good condition ($30 each)
3rd Newsletter - $12 in good condition
4th and above - $6 on average
1st or 2nd newsletter - $60 in good condition ($30 each)
3rd Newsletter - $12 in good condition
4th and above - $6 on average
Red Green Bumper Sticker - These were made in a short run in the mid 1990's and were both quickly sold out and given away as PBS drive promotional items. They are incredibly hard to find now in general, much less mint condition and are pretty valuable. Used, they are worth much less if anything for obvious reasons. For sale at the RGS online page for $3 in 1997.
Mint condition - $22
Used condition - $3
Red Green "I'm fix'n coffee" Mug - This is another early RGS item which has been long out of production. This was also produced on a short run and quickly sold out. It is incredibly hard to find in any condition.
Mint condition - $20
Used condition - $7
Mint condition - $20
Used condition - $7
Red Green Cassette - Yes that's right, Red Green made a cassette tape. This is an incredibly rare and hard to find item which was only produced on a short run. Finding these in any condition is a real steal as they are one of the hardest to come by and least known about RGS collectibles. Even used condition, these are fairly valuable due to the low numbers. The cassette can be identified with a picture of Red in front of his work bench which is the same picture (autographed) also sold in the early years of the show.
Mint condition - $100
Used condition - $40-50
Mint condition - $100
Used condition - $40-50
First Red Green Photo - This is one of the first autographed Red Green photos put out to the general public. It is unknown exactly how many copies were made and autographed, but being distributed in the early to mid 1990's it is believed that the number was fairly small. Because of this and it being the first autographed RGS photo. it's value is a little higher than other autographed photos. It is also the same picture used on the rare RGS cassette.
Mint condition- $25
Used condition - $10
Mint condition- $25
Used condition - $10
Red Green Mouse pad - This is another little known about and hard to find item. This was created on a very short production run and little is known about its distribution. It is believed that it was mostly a promotional item given to staff and employees of S&S Productions, as well as guests and with contests. Nonetheless, it is very valuable for its rarity and worth picking up if you can actually locate one.
Mint condition - $55-60
Used condition - $15-25
Mint condition - $55-60
Used condition - $15-25
Common Stuff
Red Green Duct Tape - Red Green Duct tape has been popular ever since 3M made Red Green its official Ambassador around the turn of the century. Since then,you occasionally come across some.Red Green duct tape usually comes in pocket form, however a bigger roll platform was also sold in smaller numbers. These were for sale in many places from hardware to grocery stores and everywhere in between. They were also sold on 3M's website as well as www.redgreen.com. A form of these were also sold by the Anchor Tape Company, in addition to 3M.
Mint Condition - $4.00 (Retail Value)
Possum Lodge Vest - Reproduction - For the majority of fans, the closest we will ever get to having the real thing is a clever reproduction. These are hard to find due to limited numbers but periodically come up in random places, as well as on ebay. When chatting about it briefly with Steve Smith he mentioned that "there aren't many of those out there anymore".
I have included a couple of shots of my own reproduction vest. The vest was made by a company called Woodfield and has "The Red Green Show" stitched into the right breast pocket. This logo was typical of the show between season 8 and 15 which puts this vest at the late 1990's to mid 2000's. Vests were sold off the RGS shop website for a short period during this time frame which is where this would have been originally purchased. From looking at the later seasons, this vest is incredibly similar to those used on the show and it is unconfirmed that Woodfield was the unofficial supplier of vests on the show.
And interesting fact is that the previous owner had found this in a thrift shop in the US mid west, showing that RGS finds can happen anywhere.
Mint Condition - $90
Used/Worn - $50
I have included a couple of shots of my own reproduction vest. The vest was made by a company called Woodfield and has "The Red Green Show" stitched into the right breast pocket. This logo was typical of the show between season 8 and 15 which puts this vest at the late 1990's to mid 2000's. Vests were sold off the RGS shop website for a short period during this time frame which is where this would have been originally purchased. From looking at the later seasons, this vest is incredibly similar to those used on the show and it is unconfirmed that Woodfield was the unofficial supplier of vests on the show.
And interesting fact is that the previous owner had found this in a thrift shop in the US mid west, showing that RGS finds can happen anywhere.
Mint Condition - $90
Used/Worn - $50
Red Green Calendar - That's right, Red Green made a calendar. This one surprised even myself as it was something that I did not see in my travels looking for RGS collectables and merchandise. I can confirm that there was at least a 1999 version of the calendar but have no knowledge of any other years these were produced right now. Thanks to Robert Maitland for providing me these images.
You can view the calendar here
You can view the calendar here
Red Green Show Hedbanz - The Red Green Show Hedbanz was released in 2004 as an adaptation of the popular Hedbanz game. From what I can tell, these were sold into the mid 2000's and likely not in any great amount. While I don't have exact sales numbers, I have not seen many online for sale on eBay or other collectibles sites.
Retail Value: $30?
Mint Condition: $70
The Red Green Book - The Wit and Wisdom of Possum Lodge
The 1st edition of this book was first released in 1994 and stopped in 1997. The second edition of this book started in the early 2000's and is still being produced today. It can be found in many book stores like Chapters.ca and Amazon.com as well as Ebay.
The second edition of the book has a retail value of approximately $14. The much more rare first edition is a little more valuable in mint condition, at around $25.
The second edition of the book has a retail value of approximately $14. The much more rare first edition is a little more valuable in mint condition, at around $25.
Red Green Talks Cars - A Love Story
Red Green Talks Cars-A Love Story is the second RGS book to be produced and was sold for $14 back in 1997. It is unique in that it includes a free upgrade to The Red Green Show book in the lower half of the last page. Despite it's heavy promotion in the mid 1990's, the book had only one production run in the mid 1990's and is generally less available as The Red Green Book. Despite this copies in decent shape are readily available on Amazon.com and Ebay. Because of this, the price for a mint condition copy is around $25-30.
The Best of Red Green - The Best of Red Green is the first RGS video which was produced. From its first production run in the mid 1990's, it originally was offered only in VHS format. But then offered as a DVD in the late 1990's and early 2000's. Like the Red Green Book, This also was released in two different formats, by first and second production run. First production run copies are strictly in VHS format and are somewhat rare and hard to find.The value of a mint condition copy would be about $20-25. A 2nd run copy was produced with VHS and DVD and would be between $10 and 15 as it is significantly easier to find and still being produced.
Duct Tape Virtuoso Deluxe - This is one of the most common RGS videos as it was widely distributed throughout the 1990's and into the 2000's on DVD (VHS too).
Mint condition - $10 (Retail Value)
Used - $5
Mint condition - $10 (Retail Value)
Used - $5
Duct Tape Is Not Enough - This is the first and only RGS movie made. It was released to theaters in 2002 and was a success on a limited theater schedule (The Boondock Saints: All Saints Day also did this successfully in late 2009). It was full of cameos from former RGS alumni to famous veteran Canadian actors like Dave Broadfoot (Played a character from his stand up routine RCMP Sgt.Renfrew) and the last official appearance of the original members of the Royal Canadian Air Farce before the retirement and death shortly after of John Morgan. Since it was released, it has been released primarily on DVD, with a small run on VHS. Because of its cult popularity among RGS faithful and wide distribution on DVD, it is not valuable in a rare collectible sense. However it remains a must have for any true RGS fan's collection. The VHS copies are rarer and go anywhere from $3-5 more than those with DVD.
Mint Condition - $10 (retail value)
Used Condition - $5
Mint Condition - $10 (retail value)
Used Condition - $5
We Can't Help it We're Men - This video was a a fun video talking about issues relating to men.Sold online at the RGS site for $20 back in 1997 in VHS format.
Mint Condition - $13
Mint Condition - $13
First Crew Autographed Photo - It seems fitting to have the first autographed picture in the collectibles section to be the first crew picture produced.This was made in the mid 1990's and depicted Bill, Red and Harold, with autographs, from the "New Red Green Show" years. It is unknown how many of these were created, but being the first crew photo, it is more valuable than all of the other photos produced.
Mint condition - $20
Used condition - $10
Mint condition - $20
Used condition - $10
15 Year Anniversary Cast Photo - This photo is a great commemorative photo of RGS' 15 year run. It has the entire cast and is autographed by all. It is still available from RGS website as well as other websites and has been widely distributed. Despite this, being the 15 year commemorative autographed photo it is a soon to be collectible, especially with the death of Wayne Robson. Grab one while you can!
Mint condition - $ 5 (Retail Value)
Used Condition - $ 2
Mint condition - $ 5 (Retail Value)
Used Condition - $ 2
Red Green Picture - This is a popular and widely released picture of Red from season 6. It is easily accessible and widely distributed.
Mint Condition - $ 5 (Retail Value)
Mint Condition - $ 5 (Retail Value)
Red Green Picture 2 - This is the second autographed Red Green picture available with Red lounging on the 57 Pontiac couch (more about the couch in the tidbits section). Like the other Red Green picture, it has been widely distributed and is widely available.
Mint condition - $5
Mint condition - $5
Red Green Show Website Merchandise - The Red Green Outfitters Catalogue ON-LINE!
Since the Red Green shop hasn't been around forever, they had to sell merchandise somewhere. That somewhere was the "The Red Green Outfitters Catalogue ON-LINE!" as descibled back in the mid 1990's on the RGS website. I've included a few gems with the prices from those years.
Zipper Pulls - These came available on the RGS website back in early 1997 and were listed at 2 pulls for &5 CDN. Very hard to find now - I've personally never seen one in the last 10 years of watching the net. If you have seen them or have some, please, please, please let me know!
Approx Value - $10+
Official Possum Lodge Suspenders - These fun items are a staple of every RGS fan over the years. The classic red and green suspenders are iconic and still a popular seller today. Back in 1997 they were being sold for $20.
Over the years the Red Green Show merchandise shops have produced many fun shirts. Included below is a sample of them along with order codes:
From 1997
From 1997
- Y1 - The Red Green T-Shirt ($20) Youth Small(6-8), Youth Large(14-16)
- V1 - The Red Green T-Shirt ($20) L - XL - XXL
- V2 - Handsome-Handy T-Shirt ($20) L-XL-XXL
- F1 - Stick on the Ice T-Shirt ($20) L - XL
- F3 - Life is Short T-Shirt ($20) L - XL
- F6 - Demand Excelence T-Shirt ($20) L-XL-XXL
The Holy Grail - The Rarest of the Rare
The Holy Grail of RGS collectibles encompasses a select few and extremely rare items which are unique, almost impossible to find and priceless. Some of these are listed below. That said, I am going to do my best to highlight those one of a kind items and price them to what perceived market rates would be.
Possum Lodge Vest (Used on the Show) - There are many RGS collectibles, but nothing is more unique and special than having a vest used on RGS. It's no secret that the majority of the vests used on the show were brought in and worn by selected members of the studio audience at the lodge meeting on the conclusion of each show.This is outside of Bill, Red and Harold's vests which are believed to have been given to them on the conclusion of the series and any other cast members which had vests provided to them. However, there are a small number of vests that were used as show props in each of the 15 years. An example would be Season 2's lodge meetings where each visible member would wear vests with the lodge crest on the top left side. After Season 2 this tradition continued, however with less regular members. Season 2 is unique as each lodge member wore the same style and colour of vest and is distinguishable by the darker tan colour and basic pocket setup which changes in season 3 and in some cases differs by cast member between season 4 and 7. After season 4 the meetings were primarily filled with members of the audience and the select few characters that appeared on the particular show.
These vests still exist and are incredibly difficult to obtain. Beware of fakes and ensure that you either buy from a very reputable source or have documentation to back up the authenticity.
Approx. Value - $250+
Here is a picture which is the crown jewel of my RGS collection. This vest was used during the early seasons of the show (seasons 1-4) as a spare prop and was given to me by someone who had longtime involvement in the show (I want to thank them again for their kindness!). The size is a men's small/medium which would limit the lodge members who could wear it. Unfortunately the tags have long been worn off as well which does not allow me to identify a manufacturer. A good identifying factor is the brown back to the vest which is consistent with the vests used in seasons 2, 3 and 4 (outside of Red's vest which had a semi clear brown backing like mesh and season 5-15 had tan backs for all cast members). The pocket layout on my vest is consistent throughout the series after season 2 which had a more basic pocket layout. The colouring is generally the same post season 2 as season 2 had a slightly darker tan hue to the vest. The pocket layout was particularly very basic and there was no white cotton for flies. The only unusual item to consider is that vests tended to change and differ with some on screen cast members and guests during lodge meetings after season 4 and before season 8/9. This leads me to conclude that this vest was likely manufactured by Woodfield and further proves my theory that this company was the unofficial supplier of the series (check out my reproduction vest above from the later seasons to compare both pockets and zipper placement).
Red Green Show Crest (Season 1) - Despite it being one of my favourite show memorabilia, this is an item that is rarely seen or talked about. But if you watch season 1, you'll notice the Red Green Show crest. Both Harold and Red wear the crest on their left shirt pockets during Season 1 (and certain "leftover" segments within season 2) and are the only cast members to do so. The crest is similar to a "shield" style badge and is red on one side with green on the other. In the middle is a picture of a possum and on the right side of the crest is "The Red Green Show". Not much is really known about these crests, however it is believed only a handful were created as props for the show. After the first season it was dropped from the show which only enhances its rarity. I have a belief that this was dropped to avoid confusion with the Possum Lodge Crest which debuted during the second season for the lodge meetings. It is my opinion that both Steve Smith and Patrick McKenna have one each, however it is unknown if any more exist outside of this, let alone at all.
Pricing would probably be $200+ (which may even be low) simply because they are so rare and likely had a tiny production run exclusively used for filming.
RGS Set - One of the most coveted additions to any RGS collection would be a part of the RGS set. Whether it is something as complex as a wall from the lodge or as simple as one of the many items littering it, nothing is more unique and special as owning a piece of the shows' sets. For the most part, the bulk of the set and artifacts from it reside in Hamilton, Ontario at Mr. Used. These are not for sale (I know from experience!). The sets include Red's den where he ties lines at his desk, The basement of the lodge and one of the hallways which has been used from day one of the series (and with S&S as well.). However there are several other sets and items from them which have disappeared since the shows ending in 2005. Its very hard to put a price on anything due to the varying levels of importance and prominence, however I would estimate that it could start at anywhere from $50+ for a smaller item to $5000 for an actual wall/set background.
UPDATE: On Sunday, September 14th, 2014 at noon at Mr. Used in Hamilton, the Red Green sets as seen above were auctioned off. As noted the previous week in the Hamilton Spector, Steve Smith took a bunch of items from the sets in order to create a new set for his one man show. Congrats to all who were able to get a piece of the show for their own home!
The Possum Van - While it may be next to impossible to own one of the actual Possum Vans used on the show, since there has reportedly only been 3 used and they were alleged to have been cut up and destroyed at the conclusion of the series (See my Vehicles of Possum Lodge page), it may not mean you are out of luck. Given that if you can find an 80's Dodge Ram Van (it will probably be fairly inexpensive), you can always go to the trouble of making your own replica. Replica vans have occasionally popped up at car shows and internet websites and give you the feel of living like Red without having the real Possum Van and the problems it most likely has.
One of the real vans - Priceless
A nice replica - $2000-$5000 (depending on condition)
Red Green Painting - In 2010, Red Green (Steve Smith) put together a personally made painting for charity. This painting was put up for public auction on ebay Canada and sold for $300. It is an original and a complete one of a kind. Because it is so new and off auction I would put a starting price of $300 that will only increase through time. I would like to thank fellow lodge member Stan Pollard for allowing me to post this awesome painting and invite everyone to check out his fan page which is posted in the links section that also has more pictures (including close ups) of the painting.


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If you've been injured in a serious car accident in Mississippi and feel the incident was not your fault or that an insurer is dealing with the matter unfairly, the Jackson car accident lawyers at Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC can help you settle your case and stand up for your legal rights. Our attorneys understand how complex auto collision claims can be and want to help you and your family move forward.
Legal claims involving car accident injuries can be complex to settle. Our lawyers can assist you every step of the way—from handling insurance adjusters and other insurance matters and investigating how and why the crash occurred to handling every step of the settlement process as well as fighting on your behalf in court should a trial become necessary.
As part of your settlement, you may be eligible to receive compensation, often referred to as damages, to cover expenses relating to your medical care and treatment, any hospitalization costs and continued care costs, wages you were unable to collect while you are recovering, future wage potential and medical expenses, and potentially damages that may be related to the pain, mental anguish, and suffering you experienced as a result of the accident.
This compensation can go a long way toward ensuring your recovery and wellbeing, but it can additionally send a message to the responsible driver or party that caused the accident to happen. In the case of a drunk driving crash, for example, a successful lawsuit will likely force the responsible driver to rethink their behavior the next time they think about driving while intoxicated. In the case of a vehicle that was defective and lost control, the vehicle manufacturer may force those cars off the market.
Lawsuits often speak louder than words. The lawyers at Pittman, Roberts & Welsh are ready to speak on your behalf and allow your voice to be heard.
Facts About Car Accidents in Mississippi
Traffic collisions are one of the leading causes of injury and death in our nation. Even though our vehicles are more technologically advanced than ever and help us prioritize safety while behind the wheel, deadly accidents keep happening in Mississippi as well as across the nation.
Here are some facts and statistics about car accidents in Jackson and across the state of Mississippi:
- Seatbelts are a major life-saver in collisions across Mississippi, yet less drivers and passengers in our state wear them in comparison to the nationwide average. According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), only 78% of Mississippians wear their seatbelts. The nationwide average is sitting higher at 90%.
- In 2016, there were 690 fatalities on Mississippi roadways.
- Nationwide, there were 96 motor vehicle fatalities every day in 2015. Another 6,693 people were injured in car accidents every day during that same year.
- Car accidents are the number one cause of child deaths between the ages of 1 to 12 in the U.S.
- One in every 3 deaths among teenagers nationwide are a result of a motor vehicle crash.
Why Do Most Auto Collisions Happen?
Looking at the statistics above, the fact that so many automobile accidents happen in Mississippi can seem a bit jarring. Why do they occur, though? Some factors which lead to serious wrecks are unavoidable (such as poor weather, etc.), but other causes are within our control.
These factors include but are not limited to:
- Driving While Intoxicated – According to MDOT, 18% of the traffic fatalities that occurred in 2016 involved drivers who were drunk. Drunk driving is a major cause of traffic fatalities in the U.S. Every year, more than 10,000 people die on U.S. roadways due to drunk driving.
- Distracted Driving – In 2015, MDOT reported that nearly 3,500 individuals died nationwide in accidents involving a driver who was distracted. Distracted driving can entail any activity that takes a driver's eyes off the road, from texting and looking at a smartphone to eating or picking up an object that falls inside the vehicle.
- Speeding – Speeding is a major cause of accidents in Jackson, throughout Mississippi, and across the nation. Posted speed limits and state limits are in place to protect drivers, passengers, and other motorists alike. Similarly, driving too slowly can also result in an accident when other drivers are expecting a vehicle to complete a maneuver within a certain time frame.
- Disobeying Traffic Laws – Besides speeding, drivers commonly disobey other traffic laws that are in place to protect us. Every time a driver disobeys a traffic signal, ignores a sign, or otherwise violates a traffic a law, they are potentially setting the scene for a collision.
Other factors which may play a role in why an accident happens include driver inexperience, driver age, weather, road and highway conditions and visibility, objects like road debris or obscured signage, and vehicle complications. An experienced lawyer will be able to look at multiple factors which may have contributed to the crash and how every factor may complicate or ease the settlement process.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Being involved in a serious car wreck can result in a multitude of different types of injuries. Some injuries may be minor while others may result in serious consequences and require extensive medical care and treatment. Some may even result in permanent scarring, disfigurement, or conditions.
Below you'll find a list of some of the most common types of injuries which may result after a car accident:
- Lacerations and abrasions
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries, including internal bleeding and organ damage
- Neck injuries like whiplash
- Brain injuries, often referred to as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Burn injuries
- Emotional and mental trauma
If you choose to meet with an attorney after your accident, your lawyer will discuss damages in terms that relate to the suffering that you and your family experienced and the expenses that incurred as a result of the injuries themselves. Depending on your specific case and circumstances, you may be eligible for damages that include past, present, and ongoing medical care costs, continued care costs, lost wages, future earning capacity, mental anguish and hardship and loss of consortium for your loved ones.
Meeting Your Needs After Being Involved in a Serious Car Wreck
The first few moments after a car crash can be a whirlwind of pain, disbelief, and emotions. Your priority should be to ensure the vehicle is in a safe area if possible, and that you and anyone else in the vehicle get the medical attention that is needed immediately. Even if the initial injuries do not seem especially severe, emergency personnel should be contacted regardless. Pain and other delayed symptoms may present in a "masked" manner due to the inherent traumatic nature of being involved in an auto collision.
After these first steps are taken care of, you'll want to take a moment to breathe, start the recovery process, and remember the following steps and needs:
- Contacting Your Insurance Company – You'll want to let your insurance company know about the accident, though be warned that the other party's insurer may try and get you to settle before you're ready to do so. In this situation, simply tell the insurer that you're not ready. There's no need to rush. Rushing might jeopardize extra compensation you may be entitled to.
- Follow Up with Your Medical Team – If you're treated at the E.R., you'll want to see your primary physician as soon as possible following the accident to rule out any other potential health issues and make sure that you get the time off from work that's required for your recovery.
- Reach Out to Eyewitnesses – If any eyewitnesses were reported at the scene of the accident, now may be good time to try and contact them and see if they'd be willing to give their account of what they saw to you, your insurance company, or your lawyer if you decide to hire an attorney. A good eyewitness can be crucial when trying to argue liability during a complex claim.
- Reach Out to a Lawyer – If an insurer is trying to push you into an unfair settlement or you're not being awarded the time off you need for a full recovery and feel there's more to the story of the accident than the other side claims, you should consider hiring a personal injury lawyer. An experienced lawyer will be able to handle every step of the settlement process and may be able to give you and your family peace of mind.
Get Legal Advice from Our Trusted Team
At Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, we take pride in helping as many Mississippi legal clients gain peace of mind as possible. Our Jackson car accident lawyers have been assisting individuals and families with their claims for over 120 collective years. Let us see how we can help your family, too. To learn how we can help, contact our office today.


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I've decided to award two prizes—a random winner and a hilarious winner.
But first, someone asked me what I would get if I were to get a tattoo. Well, it won't happen because 1) Pres. Hinckley (the previous prophet of my church) said not to get tattoos, so I won't; and 2) I can't handle the pain.
But if I were to get a tattoo, I'd get two—one on each foot. On one foot, I'd get a new star for every grandchild (I wouldn't get the cupcake, but I'd have some big decoration in the middle with the stars surrounding it); on the other foot, I'd have a book as the large central piece, and get a new star for every published book I wrote (I'd have two).
Now, on to the winners.
The randomly chosen winner of that contest is:
The hilariously funny winner (I laughed so hard I cried) is:
Natasha and Melanie, go HERE and pick your prize. Also, send me your mailing address.
(Melanie, all the prizes are lightweight, so if you're not coming here this summer, I'm willing to mail it to you via slow boat.)
Now playing on my iPod: That's When I Love You by Aslan
[I can't believe I forgot this song for our Pigs in Love CD. It will definitely be added to those that win the vote. Oh, and GO VOTE!!!]


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2018 Toyota 4runner OEM Factory 17" wheels
set of (4)
This item is for a set of (4) 2018 Toyota All New 4Runner 17" OEM genuine factory wheels NOT REPLICA! Factory OEM Lug nuts and center caps included!!
These rims were taken off a new 2018 Toyota 4runner SR5 less than 50 miles on the set, so they're in excellent condition, but like all take off wheels there might be minor blemishes from handling and storage (please review all pics prior to bidding).
These wheels were removed because the owner installed custom wheels/tires along with lift kit.
These wheels has NEVER been remanufactured, repaired or refinished! 100% original!
Tread Depth:
Center Caps:
Lug Nuts:
Please review every single pics, prior to bidding!
We normally ship items the next business day, after payment has been received!
Please read my policies prior to bidding :)


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Brand & Founder
Baraboux creates luxury bags that meet the dynamic lifestyle of today's woman. Blending master craftsmanship with the highest quality exotic skins, our bags are designed to be both glamorous and practical. Imagined in the Middle East by founder Princess Reema Bandar Al Saud, Baraboux is for those who live a life well-travelled.
Materials & Craftmanship
Made from the finest python, water snake and crocodile skins, Baraboux bags blend the highest quality materials with master craftsmanship. Ethically and sustainably farmed, our exotic skins and leathers are treated by our acclaimed Italian tannery. All our bags are then handmade in Florence by highly skilled craftsmen.
Baraboux bags meet the changing needs of today's versatile and smart women. Combining style with nous, our bags are designed to augment the lifestyle of modern women. Travelling well through the most dynamic of days, Baraboux bags match stunning glamour with simple practicality.
Personalise your bag with unique finishes, custom exotic skins or fine art illustrations from Boyarde for a signature Baraboux look all of your own.


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Bank customers can repost an existing loan without asking a private credit request. The prerequisite is usually that they take their new loan from a foreign bank, as the German banks with each borrowing in principle make a routine request to the private credit.
Contrary to popular belief, not all domestic banks reject any credit request with private credit without further examination. Rather, some institutions expressly point out that rescheduling them is also possible with a soft negative after a case-by-case assessment, so that the consumers concerned are not always dependent on a non-scholar credit.
In principle, a loan can be reposted by lending a life insurance policy without the need for a private credit request. Finally, the policyholder guarantees the repayment of the insurance loan with his own payment entitlements. In practice, however, only a few bank customers with negative entries in their credit report have a life insurance coverable. The Riester pension is eliminated, because in their lending the state allowances are repaid.
If bank customers redeem a loan, the new loan should be cheaper than the existing loan even without a private credit request. This is conceivable even if the current loan liability was taken up in a conventional manner with the participation of the German credit protection. If it turns out in a bid comparison that the debt-free debt rescheduling no savings compared to the current loan, bank customers simply renounce the rescheduling.
Such a waiver is not possible if the bank customer is necessarily reliant on lower monthly installments and his current bank has rejected an extension of the contract period. In this case, he would like to repay the loan, even if he has to pay without private credit request no lower interest costs than the previous contract. The aim of debt restructuring in this case is not to save money through lower interest rates, but to be financially relieved by a lower monthly rate.
When calculating the savings before the debt-free rescheduling, bank customers take into account, in addition to the interest, the prepayment interest that may be payable for the early repayment of the previous loans.
When bank customers redeem their existing loan without a private credit request being made, they usually turn to a credit intermediary. He hands this request on to financial institutions in Switzerland and other countries. The Swiss federal banks make the payment in euros, while banks from other non-monetary union countries usually lend in their local currency and thus for the German customer as a foreign currency loan. In such a case, the actual amount to be repaid depends on the exchange rate development.
Bank customers recognize that a credit intermediary works reputably, that he does not charge for the desired private credit-free rescheduling any initial costs, but only a reasonable success commission with actual cash payment.
The debt-free rescheduling loan, like any rescheduling loan, is not included in the customer's current account, but is transferred directly to the existing loan account or, for several existing loans, to the current loan accounts. In conjunction with the rescheduling of an existing loan without private credit, the simultaneous settlement of the disposition credit can be used. The foreign bank transfers this subarea as well as a possible top-up amount to the current account of its customer.
Ideally, the new loan is not only cheaper, but also more flexible than the previous bank loan. For borrowers who are reliant on a debt-free debt restructuring, especially the possibility for an occasional rate suspension is interesting. Some loan agreements provide for such once a year or two years. The supplementary right to free special repayments offers the possibility to reclassify the new loan after some time, if lending rates fall sharply in the future.
In the case of organized personal loans, it does not necessarily mean, without private credit, that the platform operator or the full-scale bank acting as official lender for legal reasons waives the solvency request. What is meant in this case is rather that the content of the private credit information is not displayed to the potential private lenders. Hiding the bad credit is only useful for multiple entries, because the private lenders prefer complete information on the personal and financial situation of the applicants.
Private lenders have the best chance of receiving their request from applicants who repay their loan due to the unsustainable monthly installments without providing the private credit data. In this case, members are more comfortable with the need to lend than with a loan request, where the hiring party only wants to save on interest costs.


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|Allied and Soviet Air Forces Please use this forum to discuss the Air Forces of the Western Allies and the Soviet Union.
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Dakota pilot, Yugoslavia, 1944
On July 20, 1944, my father and four other Allied escaped POWs were rescued from a Partisan-held area in Yugoslavia known as the Woods of Bosut. It was west of Belgrade, in Serbia, near the border with Bosnia. The SOE's Bari headquarters carried out the rescue.
I am writing a book about my father's WWII adventures -- Richard Bridges, a B-24 pilot, was shot down over Wiener Neustadt, Austria, on Oct 1, '43, became the first American prisoner of war in Hungary and eventually escaped from his POW camp in Yugoslavia.
I have gotten good information on the 1944 rescue in Yugoslavia from UK Archives. I have only a brief account of the rescue from my father before he died in 2003. The landing ground reception was organized by SOE Cpt. Basil Irwin, who is now dead. (I have an oral interview he gave to the Imperial War Museum.) It was Major Basil Davidson who alerted the SOE of the existence of my father's little band. I have Davidson's two books on his time with the Partisans. (Davidson died last year.)
I believe that the pilots were Aussies or South African and belonged to Squadron 267, a transport unit that operated out of Bari.
I know that the Dakota that rescued my father landed at night on a big meadow amidst the woods. My father, as a Liberator pilot, provided word to the SOE that the site met the RAF's specifications.
I'd love to talk to an old Dakota pilot who might have flown a similar mission or find an account by one who did. How exactly did they land the plane on a foreign landing strip at night without lights? Did they make the landing with instruments? What steps did they take to avoid the nearby trees? Were these landings relatively routine or did they make the pilots nervous as hell? I'd like to provide a description of what it would have been like for the pilot to land that Dakota in the Woods of Bosut.
Can anyone help?
For other parts of the book, I have received wonderful help during the past couple of years from several fellows who were also B-24 pilots in my father's bomb group (the 44th).
My private e-mail is tegbridges@gmail, if you prefer to write me there.
I am writing the rescue chapter now and would be grateful for any assistance.
Thanks, Tyler Bridges
Re: Dakota pilot, Yugoslavia, 1944
Did the 'Liberator" crash in Hungary?
Re: Dakota pilot, Yugoslavia, 1944
I have interview and former Yugoslav pilot who was officer in the formation of Draza Mihailovic during the war and he is also managed to safe a number of West pilots during the war. First at all they have landed in area far away from German sight. Second- in Partisans (later become NOVJ) as well Draza formations served a number of former Yugoslav airman and they know how to prepare airfield for landings. Third- the same place was marked with fire.
Most difficult was to get the falling airman as well Germans also run to get it on place of it landing. Second was problem to keep airman safe and in most cases they was keep in private remote village houses.
I have somewhere complete list of rescued Ally airman during the war over Yugoslavia but hardly that I could managed to dig out from chaos of piles....
Srecko Bradic
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Re: Dakota pilot, Yugoslavia, 1944
The serial number for my father's plane, the Fascinatin' Witch, was 41-23811. It crashed somewhere south of Wiener Neustadt, near the village of Pilgersdorf, in Austria. I was just in Austria trying to find the crash site. My father evaded capture and surrendered the next day in Velem, Hungary.
Re: Dakota pilot, Yugoslavia, 1944
Dear Srecko:
My father's circumstance was different than the other pilots rescued from Yugoslavia because he was not shot down over Yugoslavia. He was a POW in Hungary until the Germans occupied Hungary in March 1944. He -- along with the other Allied POWs in Hungary -- were transferred to Dulag 172 in Zemun, across the Sava River from Belgrade. He and four others escaped from there and were fortunate to find shelter with the Partisans until their rescue three months later. I doubt my father is on any list of rescued pilots since he wasn't shot down over Yugoslavia.
The night my father was rescued, the Germans were nearby. In fact, they had an armored train that fired shells at the landing ground in the woods.
I am still hopeful to speak to an old pilot or get a pilot's account of what it was like to rescue downed airmen or escaped POWs in Yugoslavia.
Re: Dakota pilot, Yugoslavia, 1944
The E&E reports for both Richard Bridges and Glenn Loveland (the man he escaped with) are available online at:
Click on the Digital Copies tab and enter:
Bridges, Richard
in the search box. You can save the resulting PDF report.
A Seach for:
Loveland, Glenn
gets the second report.
Re: Dakota pilot, Yugoslavia, 1944
Dear RSwank:
I appreciate your taking the initiative to pass along the information on where I could find the E&Es for my father and Glenn Loveland. I actually obtained them a couple of years ago.
What I need now, as I mentioned, is help in getting a feel for what the pilots faced in landing their Dakotas at night on a foreign landing ground.
Re: Dakota pilot, Yugoslavia, 1944
Hello Tyler,
Yoy probably have this info already, but just in case.
The aircraft 41-23811 was hit by Bf109G-6 fighters of JG27/I , 3 crew killed and 7 pow according to Joe Baughers website.
Crew were:
P. 2Lt. Richard W. Bridges
CP. 2Lt. Delmar F. Phelps
N. 2Lt. Max A. Stiefel
B. 2Lt. William M. Schuler
E. T/Sgt. Robert L. Disalvio
RO. T/Sgt. Donald O. Bridges
BTG. S/Sgt. Kenneth O. Garrett
AE. S/Sgt. Jacob Rosenstein
G. S/Sgt. Charles M. Sasek
TG. S/Sgt. George W. Mercer
Garrett, Mercer and Rosenstein were the three killed. The remaining seven all became POW.
Were the two Bridges related ?
Also there was another death in relation to 41-23811. On the 18th March 1943 S/Sgt. Lucius M. Balsley was hit in the back while over the target. He died from his injuries on the 29th March 1943 and is interned at Cambridge plot D-6-69.
Joe Baugher's website; NARA pow lists; ABMC; USAAFdata.com; Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces vol 1&2.
Re: Dakota pilot, Yugoslavia, 1944
Dear Alex:
I appreciating you, too, taking the initiative. But I already had that information on my father's crew. I didn't know that a crew member (under a previous pilot) died aboard the Fascinatin' Witch.
I've been researching the book for more than two years and have dug up a lot of information, although a few specific documents detailing key events in my father's WWII service have eluded my grasp.
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- Make good purchase decisions
- Choose a vehicle that suits your needs and budget
- Choose housing that meets your needs
- Decide whether to rent or buy housing
- Calculate the costs of buying a home
- Get the most out of your mortgage
Reading For This Module:
Chapter 8 – Keown, Arthur, "Personal Finance: Turning Money into Wealth, Prentice Hall Publishing. 6thedition
Textbook PowerPoints (.pptx)(.pptx)
Opening Vignettes:
With big ticket purchases, it is very easy to accidentally over pay or overextend yourself in order to keep up with others. Before you spend, think. Don't just rush in and say…
Cars are a lot of fun but a really bad investment. Any car costs a lot of money. You have to look at the cost of ownership from operating costs, insurance, maintenance and financing to understand the big picture. Learn more about how to save money on buying a car. (-from video description)
Buying A Car -Get Smarter About Money (video) (3:06) opens in new window
This section examines the planned purchases of automobiles and housing. Comparison-shopping to make a selection that fits personal and financial needs is stressed. Both leasing and financing of automobiles is considered.
Different housing options are considered, as are the advantages and disadvantages of owning and renting housing. Costs of housing ownership are reviewed and categorized as initial or one-time costs, recurring costs, and maintenance and operating costs.
The section also discusses the process of selecting a home, negotiating the price and contract, and securing financing.
Dr. Waller Lecture: Big Ticket Purchases (video) (1:05:38)
This video lecture discusses the importance of financial decision making when making big ticket purchases such as an automobile and home. This lecture corresponds to chapter 8 in textbook.
Home Auto Lecture PowerPoint (.pptx 49sl, 2MB)
Where To Live: Renting vs. Owning
These handouts below are provided as additional reference for deciding whether to rent or buy and the importance of understand your lease.
Renting Information (.pdf 3pp 149KB)
Renting Information (.pptx 15sl, 194KB)
What To Drive:
This information is provided as additional reference material on buying an automobile.
Shopping for Auto Loan (.pdf 2pp, 87KB)
- Separate needs from wants, compare products, negotiate, maintain what you buy, and resolve complaints
- Lease or buy a vehicle that fits both your personal and financial needs
- Choose housing that meets your needs, pre-shop, comparison shop home and financing options, and maintain if you purchase
- Get the most out of your mortgage
Practice Quiz (does not count toward grade)
Take the quiz for this module on Canvas.


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November 4th is Use Your Common Sense Day, a day that "celebrates common sense in business and in life." This no-nonsense holiday is observed each year on the birth anniversary of Will Rogers, who was quoted as saying "common sense ain't all that common." Bud Bilanich, an internationally recognized speaker, succhess coach, and author created Use Your Common Sense Day because he was concerned that he "often finds a lack of common sense — in life and in work." His books, articles, blogs, and radio and television appearances focus on giving individuals the common sense career and life advice "that way too many people ignore" on the path to creating the lives they want and deserve.
I like to think I have a decent amount of common sense. I don't text and drive, I always wear my seatbelt, I write my work emails in a professional manner, and never put small children in the dryer before I start it. I mean, don't we all have a good amount of common sense? I'm afraid that those of us lacking it might not be long for this earth…"survival of the fittest" and all that. But there is one area where I've always second-guessed my initial instincts: my career. Before my latest promotion I managed four employees and I often found myself confused over how to handle conflict in my department. Luckily, I have had the pleasure of working with a couple of experienced women who were mentors to me (whether they new it or not!) and helped me develop some common sense for dealing with business relationships.
To celebrate Use Your Common Sense Day I kept my eyes open, hoping to find some inane product labels. I was hoping to spot a good one, like Bud Bilanich's examples of a spray deodorant that says "do not spray in eyes" or a toiled bowl cleaner that's marked "not for oral use", but unfortunately the best warning I found was on my hair dryer: "do not use in shower". When I was done having my fun I decided to focus on the career advancement aspect of this "unofficial" and I downloaded Bilanich's free book, Success Tweets: 140 Bits of Common Sense Career Success Advice All in 140 Characters or Less. I read each of the tweets, looking for some inspiration that might help me determine what I want from my future. As I mentioned in our past for Evaluate Your Life Day, I really like my job but I don't feel passionate about it.


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Minutes of the East London Triathletes AGM
Monday 14 th January 2013
Committee Members: Siobhan Bay, Martin Bay, Pete Dyer, Dawn Hunter,
Justin McDermott, Lawrence Shafier, Natasha Sevant
Other Members: Roy Bentley, Tracy Brown, Hang Chow, Linda Harrison,
Robin Hitch, Glen Irwin, Mark Kalinauckas, Trish Kelly, Jo Rodda, Claire
Wagh, Jaimie Watts
Minutes Action
1. Welcome and Apologies for Absence
There were a larger number of attendees than in previous years and Siobhan thanked all members present for
coming along.
Apologies had been received from: Jonathan Bishop, Clare Bloom, David Lawrence, David Longstaff, Lorraine Taylor, and Bernie Wolff.
2. Minutes of the 2012 AGM and Matters Arising Minutes approved.
Grand Prix: It was decided to have more GP races in 2012 in order to allow more choice/options with the aim of
increasing the numbers racing. However, since this approach did not increase entries the committee have
taken the decision to reduce the number of races for the forthcoming year, and also to keep them as local and low
cost as possible.
Social Events: It was proposed to have more social events during 2012, and the club did run two Rollapuluza events
along with the usual social events (BBQ, Christmas dinner, etc.). Unfortunately, no Sunday pub nights were
arranged but nonetheless the monthly post-swim pub nights were reinstated towards the end of the year.
3. Chair's Report Siobhan reported that it has been a good year for the club.
However, despite a consistently high membership, attendance numbers have been low at the Grand Prix
races, summer BBQ, Rollapaluza and other events, but perhaps this was due to the bad weather that persisted
during last year. The numbers attending weekday swim sessions this year
has been down so the committee had to take the decision to drop the Larkswood swim session on Thursdays to
save on costs. This initially meant the loss of the 1.5 hours swim session, but an extra 30 minutes was soon arranged
for the Thursday session at the college pool. It is hoped that having all swim sessions in the college pool will
improve the club feel/identity. The coaches have continued to do a great job this year,
meeting frequently and being very organised. They have designed new coaches club kit and will be wearing it soon.
Although numbers at the turbo training sessions have been low, it was decided to persevere with these sessions
because the regular attendees were finding them very beneficial. This perseverance has been successful as the
numbers attending have now increased. The Sunday Less Fast Bike Ride has become more of a
regular self-running session with attendees organising themselves when none of the leaders are able to
volunteer. Dragonslayer 2011 won the London League Event of the Year Award which would have been great for marketing
the 2012 race but we unfortunately didn't find out soon enough. The weather on the day of Dragonslayer 2012 was terrible
but the race still went ahead, and ELT are proud to have hosted one of the few events that was not cancelled that
day. Under those conditions it wasn't clear whether or not the competitors had a great time but the marshals
certainly did, as always. The Grand Prix Ironman (long) distance race for 2013 is the Outlaw Triathlon in Nottingham, and at the last count
15 club members have entered. Siobhan has had to pull out because of injury but said she will still be there
supporting members with banners and hopes other members will too.
After being the club chair for three years, Siobhan has this year decided to step down. She has really enjoyed being
the chair and was especially pleased to see so many members taking a recent interest in the running of the
club, by attending the AGM and also responding to the members survey. She will miss being chair but doesn't think we will miss her
Thank you to Siobhan for all her enthusiasm, dedication and hard work over the last year three years, which have
ensured the successful and excellent running of the club.
4. Treasurer's Report
Lawrence presented the accounts, and reported that the club had made a loss and that this was the first time it had
since he had become the club treasurer. The loss is largely due to running swim sessions at two
pools on a Thursday with low attendance numbers at both sessions. The committee had therefore taken the decision
to stop the Larkswood sessions, and this is already proving successful because numbers are up significantly
at the college sessions. Notwithstanding the loss, the account balances are still very healthy, plus £175 was won on the premium bonds
and there has been a lot of investment this year.
Thank you to Lawrence for doing the accounts.
5. Membership Report
Martin reported that membership subscriptions were steady in the previous year, and peaked at 150-160.
There have been 66 renewals so far this year. Siobhan to send a reminder to members that they will be
removed from the e-group if they do not renew.
Thank you to Martin for running the club website and membership.
6. Women's Captain Report
Lorraine sent apologies for her absence and had provided her report to Siobhan prior to the meeting.
adies membership numbers were up in 2012, with a wide range of ages represented. Grand Prix race attendance
was down overall but more ladies are entering longer distance triathlons as well as showing amazing
performances at the shorter distances. Congratulations to the following lady members for their
achievements: Bernie Wolff – Hadrian's Wall Ultramarathon & Midnight Man
Desiree Clarke-Noble – Hadrian's Wall Ultramarathon
Linda Blakely – Ironman Mexico
Clare Bloom – Represented GB last and this year
Lorraine has decided to stand down this year because she is moving away. She expressed her thanks to
everyone in the club especially Siobhan whom she said the club is lucky to have, and said that the date of
Dragonslayer is in her diary.
Thank you to Lorraine for her enthusiasm and commitment in her role as women's captain, and also her
great contribution to the club as a member, racing many Grand Prix races, both fast and long distance.
7. Men's Captain Report
David sent apologies for his absence. He hadn't been able to provide a report so Siobhan provided one on his behalf.
The club has many great male athletes including: Pete who did the GP Ironman this year, and who now
holds the clubs fastest vet Ironman time as well as the senior time.
Brian Jenkins also raced a very fast time in tough conditions at Ironman Wales, winning the male GP trophy
this year. Also a previous member, Neil Giles, who moved away is still representing GB.
David has also decided to stand down as men's captain this year after more that 5 years in this role.
Thank you to David for maintaining the clubs race statistics and leading the less fast bike rides during his time in this role, both of
which activities he plans to continue doing this coming year (although will probably not lead many less fast bike
rides until after competing in Outlaw).
8. Club Training Sessions and Members Survey
There was a good response to the members survey with 46 members taking part. The results of the survey has
raised some interesting points which the committee hopes to both learn from and improve upon.
The committee will review the results of the survey in more detail at the next committee meeting, and look for
common themes and trends. There will then be an action plan to ensure members responses are taken into account
in the functioning of the club. This will be made available to everyone.
Of the 46 responses, 37 members provided their email address and were therefore entered into the competition
to win a year's free club membership. The winner of this competition was picked at random and is Paul Manson.
9. Grand Prix Series 2013
The committee have tried to keep the Grand Prix series races for 2013 as local as possible to hopefully increase
the numbers of members entering them.
10. Iron Distance Race 2014
The Ironman distance race for 2014 needs to be decided soon. The possibility of another UK race (e.g., Challenge
Henley) was discussed as well as alternating between UK and abroad races. It was agreed that the committee will
decide on the race at the next committee meeting.
11. Social Events Christmas Dinner: David Lawrence had suggested having the Christmas dinner in January instead of December
when members own social calendars would be less busy.The consensus of all members present was to keep it in
December to maintain the Christmassy feel. Summer BBQ: David Lawrence has kindly volunteered to
host the 2013 Summer BBQ. Siobhan proposed the Saturday of the weekend after Outlaw (13th July).
12. Dragonslayer 2013
Martin is organising Dragonslayer 2013, which is on the 14th April.
Bernie had enquired whether members invited to race Dragonslayer and to represent ELT in the London League
should have to pay the entry fee (£29). This was discussed by members present and the consensus was
members should have to pay to race even if invited.
13. Election of Officers for the Committee 2013
Several of the 2012 committee members stood down from their posts, and all others were made available for election.
The 2013 Committee was elected as follows:
Chair – Claire Wagh
Treasurer - Lawrence Shafier
Secretary – Natasha Sevant
Statistics Officer - David Longstaff
Men's Captain – Justin McDermott
Women's Captain – Siobhan Bay
Club Kit Coordinator(s) - Pete Dyer and Jo Rodda
E-Group Administrator – Dawn Hunter
Website and Membership Administrator - Martin Bay
Social Secretary – Siobhan Bay
It was raised that it would be good to have more information in advance about the less fast bike rides,
specifically distance, speed, etc. However, since these rides have recently become more self-running, they do not
tend to be planned in advance. Various options for organising these rides were discussed (e.g., loops, set
routes, smaller groups, etc.), however it is hard to meet the needs of all members in a weekly bike ride so no
decisions were made. The committee decided to focus on this topic at the next committee meeting.
The price and availability of the club kit was raised and discussed. The kit is expensive but the club sell it at cost
and do not make any profit. The lowest possible prices are achieved with the current supplier by bulk ordering but this
can mean long waiting times for specific items/sizes. It was proposed to look into alternative suppliers, investigate
ways of making purchases of club kit easier and also post a club kit modelling shoot on the website so members
have a better idea of what is available and what it looks like on.
It was raised that members would like to know who has entered what races and also to have a different way of
communicating with other members other than the egroup (which was itself raised as having too many emails,
some of which are not relevant to triathlon or the club). The race entries will hopefully be posted on the official
club website in the near future. The use of Facebook was proposed as a method for
communication in addition to the e-group. The club already has a Facebook page but it never really took off,
so Justin offered to set up a new one and the old one will be deleted.
Justin also mentioned that there is a Dragonslayer Twitter account.
15. Next Meeting
Date Monday 11th February 2013, 19:30 at Siobhan and Martin's house.


text: Hulegu (Hulagu) Khan (1217 – 8 February 1265), was a Mongol ruler who conquered much of Southwest Asia. Son of Tolui and the Kerait princess Sorghaghtani Beki, he was a grandson of Genghis Khan. Hulagu was friendly to Christianity, as his mother was a Nestorian Christian. Hulagu's army greatly expanded the southwestern portion of the Mongol Empire, founding the Ilkhanate of Persia, a precursor to the eventual Safavid dynasty, and then the modern state of Iran. Under Hulagu's leadership, the Mongols destroyed the greatest center of Islamic power, ####Baghdad, and also weakened Damascus, causing a shift of Islamic influence to the Mamluks in Cairo. It was also in Hulagu's reign that historians switched from writing in Arabic to writing in Persian. Hulagu's brother Mongke had been installed as Great Khan in 1251. In 1255, Mongke charged his brother Hulagu with leading a massive Mongol army to conquer or destroy the remaining Muslim states in southwestern Asia. Hulagu's campaign sought the subjugation of the Lurs, a people of southern Iran; the destruction of the Hashshashin sect; the submission or destruction of the Abbasid caliphate based in Baghdad; the submission or destruction of the Ayyubid states in Syria, based in Damascus; and finally, the submission or destruction of the Bahri Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt. Mongke ordered Hulagu to treat kindly those who submitted, and utterly destroy those who did not. Hulagu vigorously carried out the latter part of these instructions. Hulagu marched out with perhaps the largest Mongol army ever assembled – by order of Mongke, two in ten fighting men in the entire empire were gathered for Hulagu's army. He easily destroyed the Lurs, and his reputation so frightened the Assassins that they surrendered their impregnable fortress of Alamut to him without a fight. Hulagu's intent at that point was to continue south through Palestine towards Cairo to engage the Mamluks. However, Great Khan Mongke had died in late 1259, requiring Hulagu to return Karakorum to engage in the decision on who the next Great Khan would be. Hulagu Khan laid the foundations of the Ilkhanate State, and by doing so paved the way for the later Safavid dynastic state, and ultimately the modern country of Iran. Hulagu's conquests also opened Iran to both European influence from the west and Chinese influence from the east. This, combined with patronage from his successors, would develop Iran's distinctive excellence in architecture. Under Hulagu's dynasty, Iranian historians also moved from writing in Arabic, to writing in Persian.


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Donoxti Baylon
Donoxti holds an Advanced Masters in Business Administration Research from ESSEC Business School, Paris, France, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business, Minneapolis (MN), United States. He is currently an exchange Doctoral Researcher within the Organisation & HRM Group at WBS, pursuing a PhD in Business and Management from ESSEC Business School, Paris, France.
Research topic
Donoxti researches on discursive practices in semi-professions and occupational communities using a practice lens.
Davide Nicolini (WBS) and Marie-Léandre Gomez (ESSEC).


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The kitchen was a mess. The house was a mess. But we ignored all that (I think my husband could ignore it permanently!) and headed out to Fort Funston for a "hike" amongst the sand dunes. Houlton's preschool is big on nature and the importance of children having "unsupervised" outdoor time to connect to nature and explore. We were so inspired by the Head of School's comments at Back to School Night that we've decided to try and have one good outdoor activity every weekend.
I packed up a cappu to go and some homemade trail mix that was a delicious combo: dried mango (cut with the kitchen shears), almonds, walnuts, and mini white chocolate chips. My former boss used to make her own trail mix as an office snack and often threw cut up beef jerky into the mix. Yum.
A short drive later and we're worlds away from our to do list and the house enjoying sunshine and blue bird skies along the coast.
The downside of this "hike" is that Houlton doesn't move very fast. Every two feet he finds something to immerse himself in. We got a lot of "I'm busy" when we tried to coax him down the path. He didn't have a single toy with him but could have spent hours playing in the sand and dirt. Obviously this is the whole point — he explored and played in a very different way from what happens at the playground or in a room of toys. And we sat a short distance away and enjoyed our coffees.
I'm wearing an old pair of Athleta jeans. Pretty cute, kinda dorky, super functional. They're made with Schoeller fabric (if you see this on a hang tag know that you're getting awesome quality/technology) that makes the jeans highly water and stain resistant. In fact Muddy drooled on my pants (while he sweetly rested his chin on my leg) and the drool rolled right off. I've been wearing them more lately on days when we're off on an adventure. Sure, I could wear normal pants and be totally fine (minus a little extra laundry effort for grass stains etc) but sometimes it's nice to have one less thing to worry about, right? Not to mention the pants have loads of thoughtful pockets and such. Search for my jeans and similar styles here.


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I decided to get a new platform for my blog. This is hopefully much easier and more available. My old blog is still there, but I will move most of the content over to this blog eventually. I wish you all a warm welcome and hope you will follow my blog. I also hope this blog is easier to comment on, so maybe I'll get a comment or two on here.
This is still work in progress, and I'm browsing around and trying out stuff. I guess it will take a while before I got this as I want it, but so far it seems to be easier to work on this than my previous platform. I can even blog from my I -pad easily.
I guess I'll be back soon with a new blogpost.
Until next time


text:
Electric chain hoists are often used in the entertainment industry, particularly in drama theatres and in film studios. An obvious requirement for these chain hoists is that they operate in near silence. For example, they need to raise and lower in silence during performances.
GIS climbing and lifting hoists are perfect for these applications. They meet VPLT standards for entertainment industry chain hoists, including BGV-D8, BGV-D8 Plus and BGV-C1.
Apart from their efficient silent operation, the hoists can handle loads of up to 2000kg. They offer lifting heights up to 120 metres and are cost effective, reliable and very versatile. TC Hasemer Materials Handling is a leading Australian company in the field of tailored lifting equipment and solutions.


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What Deshi Senior Center does?
We offer a variety of services to help make your stay here safe and enjoyable. When you choose Deshi Senior Center, you're choosing to live your golden years to the fullest. Through all the services we provide at our Senior Citizen Center, we make sure you'll have access to all the care and attention you need and deserve.
Deshi Senior Center provides a diverse range of programs and activities includes:
Health and Wellness Programs
ESL and Computer Learning classes
Expert-led Community Education
Congregate Meal Program (Halal Food)
Recreational Activities
Worship with Wudu facility
Advocacy Program
Awareness Campaigns
We urge our community from all walks of life to encourage our elderly people to become familiar with Social Adult Day Care services at Deshi Senior Center, benefitted from our friendly programs that will help you and our beloved elderly communities.
Where do you want your retired life to go? Contact us today and we'll help start the conversation.


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Cookin' With Papa Alpha | Makin' Meatballs
Subscribe to Alpha M. on YouTube
Cookin' with Papa Alpha | Cauliflower Parmesan Recipe
In this video men's style, grooming, fitness and lifestyle expert, Aaron Marino of IAmAlphaM, AaronMarino, and Pete & Pedro presents Papa Alpha in the kitchen. Alpha loves meatballs! They're one of his top 10 foods, and his dad makes a 'mean one'. He's presenting his family secret recipe.
When you're cooking Italian food, have a glass of vino! Then proceed! Note that he's doubling the recipes in this video. The meatballs freeze really well.


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Beautiful, talented AND friendly.. I think we hit the jackpot!
Aaron & Amy contacted us just over a week before their beautiful baby was due. It was our job to capture the final days of this mother and father-to-be,...
A glimpse into the lives of the Xander Productions team, personally and professionally.
© Xander Productions


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Cat Ladies Men's Tee for Tabby's Angels
Connor Claire
$ 26.00
This style is currently sold out.
You might be wondering, "Why would a dude wear a shirt that says 'Cat Ladies' on it?" -- but I think the real question here is, "Why wouldn't a dude wear a shirt that says 'Cat Ladies' on it?"
I mean, think about it. Cat ladies are everywhere.
And if I saw a dude wearing this Cat Ladies Tee, I'd want to shake his hand...and then I'd show him all 3,245 pictures of Tabs on my phone.
For real, though.
Think of this shirt as your opportunity to connect with cat ladies all around the globe.
The limited edition Cat Ladies Men's Tee is part of the Tabby's Angels collection, the charitable wing of Connor Claire, and 100% of the profits are donated to PetSmart Charities, a nationwide organization committed to getting pets adopted and preventing unplanned litters.
It's a lightweight, pre-shrunk tee with a classic cut, and it's made from 50% ring-spun cotton and 50% polyester. Available in S, M, L, XL, 2XL and 3XL (size chart).
• Lightweight 50% ring-spun cotton, 50% polyester
• Pre-shrunk
• Tubular construction with shoulder-to-shoulder tapering
• Seamless collar
• Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem


text:
You cannot underestimate the value of a good hosting provider. If we think in terms of renting in the property market, a good landlord can make our life a living fantasy or a living hell. There are similarities to draw between the two when it comes to selecting and partnering with a credible web hosting provider. To avoid the common pitfalls and mistakes that people make when choosing an Australian web hosting provider, we have provided the following tips.
Don't just choose a web host based on price
While we understand that you don't want to break the bank, you cannot choose to go with a web hosting provider by price alone. Consider the options that will give you the best value for money in terms of functionality and system requirements and benefits. Depending on the server operating system that you decide to go with, the prices will vary. However, each system has their own benefits.
See who is signed up with them if possible
When you are looking for a web hosting provider, look out for businesses and people that have already signed up with their services. Go an extra step further and do research across web forums to find out the pros and cons of their service. Specifically look for any cases that are similar to your needs in terms of setup, server requirements, support, benefits and setbacks.
Find out as much information as possible about their web support
It is extremely important to find out the reputation of the technical support team for the web hosting company. Should a problem arise and you need web support, you will need to know if they will offer you free support and assistance, or if there will be a fee associated with it. Additionally, the availability of their support team is equally as important. Find out if they can be reached via phone, email or support ticket systems and find out their response times. The delay in time could seriously impact your business. It is not worth taking the risk.
Setbacks that you can potentially experience
Some of the worst things that can happen if you partner with the wrong web hosting provider is that your site will be subject to malicious threats, downtime and bandwidth speeds. The selection of the wrong hosting partner can impact your businesses opportunity cost and should any other issues arise, it could also be another costly exercise. Some serious threats to be aware of include:
- Loss of data
- Security of data
- Backup systems
- Security against malicious threats such as Trojans and spyware
- Server uptime and downtime
- The amount of bandwidth speed
- The physical locations of the web servers
Know what web hosting requirements your site needs to function successfully
There are several web hosting options available, however you will need to select the option that will maximise your website's performance. If your website requires a small amount of space and bandwidth demands, then a hosted option may suit your needs. This is good for personal websites, blogs and small businesses that only receive minimal traffic. If your website requires a lot of space and bandwidth, then it would be wiser to upgrade to a dedicated server or to consider virtual private servers. This would also depend on the hardware requirements needed for your desired functions.
When it comes to selecting a web hosting company, there are many things to think about. In one way, it is a game of chance. However, you can reduce the risk by partnering with credible web hosts that are endorsed by other companies, clients and web communities. Should you bet on the wrong company, all the winnings that you have made with the development of your website can potentially be plundered. Don't allow yourself to fall into that trap. Play it smart, be wise, do your research and be a part of a winning team.


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Login Assistance
If you have forgotten or don't know your password
Visit our password reset page to reset your password.
If you have forgotten or don't know your username
Submit your email address using the password reset page. You will receive an email that includes your username. If you already know your password, you may safely disregard the link to reset your password.
Further Assistance
Please use the contact form to request further login assistance. Please include your name, email address, organization and Member ID, if applicable. In order to protect members' security, passwords will not be sent directly through email.


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Trayvon Martin's shooting has captivated the nation, drawing support from the man on the street and celebrities alike. Spike Lee has been quite vocal about the incident on Twitter, which was all well and good until he retweeted an address he thought belonged to George Zimmerman to his 250,000-plus followers. The problem—the address actually belonged to a couple in their 70s who have no relationship with Zimmerman.
It began when Marcus Higgins sent the address to Lee, as well as other celebs like LeBron James and 50 Cent. The tweet was also accompanied by the message "feel free to reach out and touch him." (Sounds a little too much like the vigilante justice Zimmerman himself is guilty of.) As it turns out, the address belonged to 72-year-old David McClain and his 70-year-old wife, Elaine.
The confusion began when George W. Zimmerman was mistaken for the shooter, George Michael Zimmerman. Nobody is certain how Higgins got the address, but George W. had previously lived there with his mother.
The McClain's have since taken up residence at a hotel, and Lee has apologized for the miscommunication and asked that everyone leave them alone.
[via Gizmodo]
Follow @ComplexGuide.
Also Watch


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The Career Profile Project
Career Profile Home | Skills Library Home
Career Profile Project
Reservoir Engineer
Job Title and Job Description
Reservoir Engineer
Understand the resevoir through PVT, SCAL, Well testing and Resevoir management and monitoring to build a dynamic model in order to forecast the oil production.
What are some related career opportunities and job titles in your company or in your career area?
Geology, Geotedic, Petrophysics, Petroleum engineering, drilling engineering, conceptual design engineering, Geophysics.
What new technology will be important?
What education or training did you have to prepare for this career?
Reservoir engineering courses with prinicples of each above discipline
What education or training do you recommend for students today who want to enter this field?
Petroleum engineering and resevoir engineering.
When you were in high school, did you know that you would enter this field?
No, of course, my background is chemical engineering
Skills Profile
|Skills Used
|Rating (5=Most Important thru
1=Not Important)
|Athletic / Physical
|Computer Technology
|Coordination / Using Hands, Tools, and Equipment
|Creative Thinking
|Investigative / Fact Finding
|leadership and Supervising
|Logical Thinking
|Mechanical Understanding
|Sales and Negotiation
|Scientific and Experimental
|Social Service / Helping Skills
|Teaching / Instructing
|Verbal Communication
|Understanding Nature, Plants, Animals
|Understanding Yourself
Interview By: Resevoir Engineer-D


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I still remember the last time I made a real friend. It was January 20th, 2011; the night I met my wife.
No, this is not a story about how I met my wife and then became a recluse who shunned all social contact outside of my relationship with my significant other. Really, nothing could be further from the truth; my wife has always encouraged me to go out and enjoy myself and I've often taken the opportunity to do so.
No, this is about the realization that I haven't made a single real friend since… well, since before alcohol.
Anyone I know in "real life" would probably be surprised to read this post because I'm more or less universally well-liked. I'm gregarious, friendly, helpful, funny, intelligent – just a decent, easy going dude (If a little immodest). I'm usually one of the more boisterous people in a group, and I'm happiest if I'm making those around me laugh.
But being well-liked by someone is not the same as having a real friendship with that person. A meaningful friendship requires that you be able to talk about the things that make you uncomfortable. It requires accepting a certain degree of vulnerability. Accepting that vulnerability opens you up to the risk that someone will see the "true you" and not like what they see – or even worse, exploit what they see to harm you. To me, that is simply unacceptable.
My family's discovery of this blog was one of the most devastating things that's happened to me recently because of how vulnerable I've made myself here. This blog contains shards of the real me, the part you're not supposed to see.
My relationships, or at least the ones I've formed since I started drinking, are all superficial. I show exactly what I want to show, and absolutely nothing more. And what I want to show is carefully curated to protect myself from risk and present myself in the best possible light. It's pathetic, but I realize now that the risk I'm protecting myself against is that someone might (gasp) not like me.
Sobriety has helped me realize that being universally well-liked is actually kind of a bad thing – it means I've never shown anybody anything except what I think they'll like. Nobody dislikes me because I've never stood for anything! There's nothing there! I'm completely nebulous – I'll agree with whatever you tell me! I'll like whatever you like… Just so long as you like me! I become whatever you want me to be.
Alcohol was the one thing that allowed me to become vulnerable at times. It was the only thing that could pierce my armor and allow me to open up to people. In a strange way I owe a great debt of gratitude to alcohol – I would never had met my wife without it. I probably would have been too afraid to say a word to her; or I would have just said the same boring shit that I say to everyone. And she would have thought, oh he's nice; and then in a day or two she'd have no memory of me just like everyone else.
Since becoming sober six weeks ago I have not hung out with anyone but my family. Drinking was the glue that held my relationships with all my "friends" together. I realize now that there's nothing there – only the most superficial of relationships that exist solely to facilitate and legitimize the drinking.
I want to get better though. I want to make real friends because let's face it – I'm lonely. I miss talking to my buddies the way I did when I was a kid. I miss having stupid inside jokes. I miss saying and doing stupid crap and sharing memories.
I need to find a way to accept vulnerability. But like everything else with sobriety so far, I have a pretty good idea of what I need to do, and absolutely no idea how to do it.
Well my friends (see what I did there), I'll see you in week 7…
This is part 6 of a series. The previous post can be found here.
Please like this post, it really helps! (I say this after every post, but it seems especially pathetic after a post detailing how I'm desperate for everybody to like me. Oh well, like it anyways!)
Follow if you haven't already! 🙂


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The Company was established by privatising the property of Russia's federal railway transport, which was carried out in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation in 2003. In the process of privatisation, a single business entity was created by transferring property from the federal rail transport organisations and converting it into the statutory capital of OJSC Russian Railways. The Company's sole shareholder is the Russian Federation. The Government of the Russian Federation exercises shareholder powers on behalf of the Russian Federation. Russian Railways is one of the largest companies in Russia and one of the largest transport companies in the world.
Russian Railways provides a full range of services in areas such as freight transportation, locomotive traction and infrastructure, the repair of rolling stock, long-distance and commuter passenger transport, container shipping, logistics, engineering services and Research and Development, as well as other activities such as the implementation of large-scale projects for the construction of railways and the development of infrastructure abroad.
The Mission of Russian Railways is to carry out the effective development of a competitive transport business on the Russian and global markets. The core Mission is to fulfill effectively the national rail carrier's tasks of freight and passenger transportation and own the public rail infrastructure.
Key facts:
- Natural monopoly which owns the third-longest rail network in the world, with more than 85,500 km of track as of 31 December 2018, and related infrastructure in Russia.
- OJSC Russian Railways is the market leader in freight rail segments and occupies the world's leading position in terms of freight turnover, ecology, safety and the energy efficiency of freight transportation.
- The Company owns almost all locomotives in Russia and in 2018 had an operating fleet of locomotives amounting to 14,275 units.
- Russian Railways is the largest operator of freight rolling stock, with more than 166,900 cars.
- Russian Railways is one of the largest companies in Russia in terms of assets: in accordance with Russian Accounting Standards, the Company's financial statements had an estimated value of about 6.26 trillion roubles (about $90.1 billion) as of 31 December 2018.
- The Company is one of the biggest contributors to the Russian economy, accounting for about 5.3% of the country's GDP by the end of 2018. Revenues from all activities in 2018 amounted to 1,798.4 billion roubles.
- The Russian Railways Holding is the largest employer in Russia: the Company and its subsidiaries employed about 735,000 people according to figures as of the end of 2018.
- Russian Railways is guided by the principles of social responsibility and in 2018 allocated more than 23 billion roubles to the implementation of the Company's obligations under the Collective Agreement.
Features of the Russian rail industry
- Russia's huge territory and large reserves of natural resources necessitate the functioning of a developed rail system in the country. Rail is the main mode of transport in Russia, accounting for about 88% of the country's transport system (excluding pipelines).
- Many of Russia's natural resources are located far from the main settlements of the European part of Russia, in remote, relatively inaccessible and sparsely populated regions of Siberia and the Far East, where road infrastructure is insufficiently developed.
- The rail infrastructure of OJSC Russian Railways connects 77 of the 85 subjects of the Russian Federation and serves the main cities and has a direct impact on their growth, as well as on industrial development and regional integration.


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About agency
MiModels is Ukrainian international mother agency located in Kiev city.
The main purpose of the present agency is to combine all the modeling business structures such as photographers, designers, models.
Having an aim of helping each model to unleash her potential a warm atmosphere has been created by MiModels professionals who have risen thewide range of top models.
We possess all possibilities to help the most willing and perserving to reach the highest aims on the catwalks worldwide.


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10 ml. Testosterone Propionate ester is much faster acting (2-3 days) than Enathate or Cypionate, and thus requires a more frequent injection schedule such as every day or every other day in order to keep blood levels as stable as possible. The benefit to this however, is that the steroid can be cleared from the body much more quickly after use is discontinued, thus making it a more preferable choice for tested athletes. Some bodybuilders also claim that it tends to induce far fewer estrogen related side effects such as bloat than do the other esters of this powerful hormone.
Testosterone Propionate 100mg 10ml
- Product Code: Testosterone Propionate 100mg 10ml
- Availability: 120
Tags: Testosterone, Propionate, 100mg, 10ml