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Autumn Gear Guide
Find inspiration in our Gear Guide that will keep you out on your bike through wind or rain.Download Now
Momentum Mag's BikeStyle Q&A with Accent Inns and Hotel Zed's CEO Mandy Farmer.
Mandy Farmer
City: Victoria, BC
Occupation: Co-owner and CEO of Accent Inns and Hotel Zed.
What is your BikeStyle?
Dressed to the nines, rain or shine.
What are your favorite clothes to bike in?
High heels. It's so much easier to bike in them than walk.
Where are we most likely to spot your bike?
Anywhere! I'm a mountain biker, roadie, mom taxi, cyclocross nut, and avid commuter.
What do you like most about riding?
When I deke out of work to go to a meeting I feel like I'm 8 years old on my way to Jenny Popkin's to play.
What is your dream bike for everyday cycling?
I covet a Naked Bicycles stainless steel City Adventure. Handmade on Quadra Island by the world's fastest man (until recently) Sam Whittingham.
What did you eat for breakfast?
Cars. See you later suckers!
What song is most played on your iPod?
"Strong Coffee" by Cat Empire.
Basket or panniers?
A pannier purse … just grab and go!
Even though I'm a man, and have no use for them, I thought Mandy Farmer would be interested: http://www.instructables.com/id/High-heel-clipless-bike-shoes/
Oh my gosh, I need these shoes! Then I can go head to head with the guys in spandex on my commute home! Plus they even have the letter Zed on them?! these were meant to be. Thanks Cullen Carter for bringing them to my attention!
Find inspiration in our Gear Guide that will keep you out on your bike through wind or rain.Download Now


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subset: commoncrawl


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Pc Programming Degrees & Careers
Laptop programmers write packages in a wide range of computer languages, equivalent to C++ and Java. This course covers how computer hardware and software program programs work collectively, beginning with the essential logic of how methods and components work together, and proceeding to high-degree programming languages. The majority of Programmers are women (seventy one.1%) whereas males comprise 28.9%.
Someone considering solely about execution will not have the expertise and perception to manage a project, people, timeline and deadlines. Laptop programmers are the builders of the computing world. The maths learnings of my distant previous, at the least to this point, have not figured strongly in my programming experience.
A practical applied method is taken with an emphasis on particular person programming expertise together with the cellular setting, communication skills, downside fixing and teamwork. In-demand programmers could then strike-up a take care of one in all these companies. This specialization develops sturdy programming fundamentals for learners who want to remedy advanced problems by writing computer programs.
The TIOBE Programming Group index is an indicator of the recognition of programming languages. The enchantment of only having to be nicely-versed in one language (JavaScript) might also shift some potential new blood away from studying Ruby. In the future, Rust might potentially change C++ in some areas of methods programming, as Rust aims to have the ability to produce less-weak software than C++ does.
Now, it may be true that it's simpler to turn into a coder (usually one would solely need tutorials and directions to code), and that quite the opposite it's not simple to change into a programmer, it's beyond question that each contribute in the improvement of a project by enjoying their respective roles, and I think that is what matters most — slightly than the titles and names we name each other.
Additionally, aside from the platform, JavaScript is generally used for entrance-finish growth, so it is not immediately competing†with other back-finish languages such as Ruby, Python, Java, and PHP. Pc programming relies on logic, so college students will probably be anticipated to develop each their math and drawback-solving skills in live performance.


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This carnival was lots of fun last year and the Cross Creek Railway Society has asked us back to show them what Splendid Teapot Racing is all about.
The carnival is in Clifford Square in Featherston and starts at 10am. We'll be racing at 11.30, 12.45 and 2pm. Our friends from Wai Steam will be joining us and it will be great to have a variety of teapots along. One word of caution – we'll be outside on a tarsealed surface. It should be fairly smooth, but may not suit some of the tiny racing teapots.
Between teapot races you'll be able to enjoy the mini train rides and the market stalls.
Come and celebrate the first weekend of spring with us.


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Peter Kerkar | A life journey through travel5 min read . Updated: 01 Jun 2013, 10:13 AM IST
The promoter of Cox & Kings on family ties, the future of travel and the best airline food
The promoter of Cox & Kings on family ties, the future of travel and the best airline food
It's a particularly scorching day as I make my way to the Indigo restaurant in Colaba, Mumbai. I am meeting Peter Kerkar, the promoter and executive director of travel and holiday firm Cox & Kings Ltd after a chase of almost a year and a half, so I don't want to be late.
At 12.55pm, as I walk in, the staff tells me that Kerkar "is already in". Dressed in cool casuals—a light blue shirt, grey trousers, without a tie or jacket—he greets me with a pleasant smile. "I thought I will come a little early," he says, allowing me to settle.
Kerkar asks for a Virgin Mary and I settle for watermelon juice. He places his iPhone 5, meant for international calls, on his left and an old Samsung handset, for local calls, to the right. Kerkar, who shuttles between London and Mumbai, wants to settle on the menu before we get into any intense discussion, opting for truffled chicken breast with garlic, mustard and mushrooms.
He says he has been extremely busy since Cox & Kings, through its UK unit Prometheon Holdings (UK) Ltd, acquired Holidaybreak Plc for £312 million (around ₹ 264 crore) in an all-cash transaction in July 2011. This was the biggest overseas acquisition by an Indian travel company and the ninth overall by Cox & Kings.
In 1947, the British left the country, but bound by strong ties to India, Cox & Kings stayed on. In February 1923, their banking business was taken over by Lloyds Bank Ltd while A.B.M. Good and John Norman Barber acquired Cox & Kings (Holdings) Ltd. In 1980, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) permitted Cox & Kings (Agents) Ltd to transfer its Indian business to Cox & Kings (India) Ltd, though the former continued business from its head office in London.
In consideration of this purchase of business, Cox & Kings (India) issued shares to Cox & Kings (Agents)—as a condition of Indianization imposed by the RBI, 60% of shares were issued to residents of India and the Staff Gratuity Trust Fund.
Kerkar's father Ajit bought nearly 60% of the equity shares of Cox & Kings (India) for the first time in May 1981. Later, the shares were transferred to Kerkar and his sister Urrshila. "My father was chairman at Indian Hotels Co. Ltd that runs Taj. Cox & Kings was handling several travel deals for the Taj group," Kerkar recalls. Taj could not buy the company because of The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act. Instead, their top executives bought shares in the early 1990s. "My father got a bigger share," Kerkar says.
Peter Kerkar joined Cox & Kings' London office in October 1986 at the age of 24—straight from Stanford University, US—as its general manager. Though his family had a stake in the company, his start was not smooth. The business was not doing well under the franchisee model with partners and Kerkar's mandate was to clean up the mess. "My first job was to sack 52 people, the most difficult thing I had ever done," he recalls. "There was nothing. No office, no telephone, except 12 files and some plastic bags (because the franchise partner took the rest)."
Cox & Kings then had three divisions—air cargo, business travel and leisure travel. Kerkar closed the cargo division and reinvented the firm as a purely business and leisure travel company. He opened an office in the US, approached travel companies and guaranteed competitive rates by tying up with them. The moment Cox & Kings got scale, he terminated the alliances and started growing on his own.
In early 2000, Kerkar saw that airlines were beginning to eliminate travel agency commissions. He transformed Cox & Kings into a travel agency commission-based company to sell holidays and tour packages. His regional focus got him more customers—the company brought out brochures in Malayalam, Tamil, Gujarati and Marathi.
In 2009, Cox & Kings was listed on Indian bourses; its market capitalization is around ₹ 1,617 crore—the largest travel company in India by revenue, among the top three in the world for special education tour programmes.
What will their story be in the next five years? Kerkar says his company will have a greater footprint in India and abroad, owning more hotel rooms for students on educations tours to supplement his education business. "On a long-term basis, we would have only two businesses—leisure travel and education tours," Kerkar says.
The company plans to sell more profitable products, including specialized international school trips, children's adventure holidays and study tours, as part of a diversification plan. Kerkar thinks educations tours are quickly picking up in India and his company is ready to catch the trend early. "We have more rooms than any reputed hotel in India. I mean accommodation facilities," he says, chuckling.
As his next order—caramelized Atlantic scallops with confit lamb and more flat bread—arrives, the usually reserved Kerkar sips a second drink, a Diet Coke, and tells me his love story.
His wife Emma, daughter of Mark Tully, the former BBC bureau chief in New Delhi, had originally applied to Kerkar's London office the year he joined as general manager. Since the chairman of the company recommended her for the job, Kerkar objected to hiring her. He did hire her later, however.
"I used to talk in Hindi to some of the staff. One day, I found Emma laughing at a comment I made in Hindi. I realized that she could follow the language as she had lived in India," he recollects.
Kerkar has a strong connection to art and music. "My mother used to be an interior designer for the Taj group for 35 years. She bought art for them. Art was deep-rooted in our family as we were exposed to that much early through our mother," he says.
"I don't sing at all," he goes on. But renowned Hindustani classical vocalist Kesarbai Kerkar was a great-aunt. He is also one of the founding members (since 1989) of the Asian Music Circuit, a leading promoter of Asian music in the UK. It has established a reputation for variety and the high calibre of tours and concerts, as well as the quality and innovation of its education projects.
We agree that we will avoid dessert. By then, he has asked me thrice about the chicken and lamb we had for lunch. I ask him about the best food and services he has had aboard an airline. "Qantas of Australia," he says quickly. "It has comfortable seats, entertainment options and best food. It's just out of the world."
Though he says he does not sing, perhaps satisfied with the meal we just had, Kerkar hums as we leave: "So oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz" by Janis Joplin.


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Snapdeal, a fast-growing shopping website has capped off $100 million in new equity financing, enabling the company to become even bigger than it is now.
The company announced the news in a statement earlier today, three months after it revealed a separate $133.7 million round of equity financing.
Competitors include Flipkart, Amazon.com's Indian website, and eBay India. Its business model resembles that of IPO-bound Alibaba. Snapdeal vets sellers before letting them list products on the site.
"We are the market-leading company in the largest growing space in India," Snapdeal chief executive Kunal Bahl told VentureBeat earlier this year. "People who didn't invest in Alibaba won't want to miss the one in India."
Snapdeal launched in 2010, and it has since accumulated more than 25 million members, 30,000 sellers, and 500 product categories. Kitchen appliances, electronics, musical instruments, couches, scooters, and clothing are available on the site. A sari is sold on the website every two minutes, according to the company.
Funds managed by Temasek, BlackRock, Myriad, Premji Invest, and Tybourne participated in today's Snapdeal round, according to the statement.


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This is one of those recipes that WOWS non-vegans. It has both nut-free and gluten-free options.
A few weeks ago, I made this "cheesecake" in the hopes to make a cheesecake base that has the potential to be nut-free. I have several in my recipe index that have cashew centers. They are delicious, but I wanted people to have some options. I wanted to be sure (for my readers' sakes) so after some research, I found that most people who have tree nut allergies are not allergic to coconut. Wahoo!
I brought this test cheesecake to a gathering. It was a huge hit. No one could tell it was vegan and no one could taste the secret ingredient: avocado. The only thing you taste is the peanut butter and chocolaty goodness.
This cheesecake tastes a bit dense, like a torte, or a flourless chocolate cake. You can make your own nut/date crust or you can use any hard cookie of your choosing. I chose to use Biscoff...because it just tastes so good!
You can also choose to use my chocolate ganache/sauce on top; it's shiny and adds just another layer of flavor. A sprinkle of cacao nibs is also a recommended touch.
No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake
Adapted from Comfy Belly
For the Crust*
2 c. dry cookies, like Biscoff
2-3 T. vegan butter, like Melt Organic Spread
*You can also make a raw nut crust if you'd rather not use cookies.
For the Filling
1 large avocado (ripe)
1/2 c. pure maple syrup
scant 1/2 c. almond milk, or other non-dairy milk
2-3 T. vanilla-infused bourbon (learn more about infusing your own liquor!)
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 c. coconut oil, softened
1/2 c. nut butter**
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
**I used natural peanut butter in my recipe. You could easily choose almond butter or cashew butter as well. For a nut-free option, you can use sunflower seed butter or chocolate tahini.
Directions, for the crust:
Grease an 8 inch spring form pan with coconut oil. Set it aside.
In your food processor, combine the cookies and vegan butter and pulse. You should end up with a fine meal. Press the crumbs/meal into the bottom of the spring form pan. Try to make the crust as even as possible.
Directions, for the filling:
In your food processor, combine all of the filling ingredients - it's that easy! Puree the ingredients until they are nice and silky smooth.
Pour the filling onto your prepared crust. Using a spatula, even out the filling. Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least an hour.
After the hour has elapsed, you can make the ganache/sauce and pour it on.
***TIP*** If your ganache is a bit chunky, heat it up. It just means that your coconut oil is too cold (sometimes from the coldness of chilled maple syrup).
Refrigerate the cheesecake for another 30-60 minutes. Serve it cold and, remember, store it in the fridge when it's not being eaten. The filling will soften up to a pudding consistency and make it difficult to cut.
This chocolate peanut butter cheesecake is a DREAM. My husband - the proclaimed non-dessert eater - had three pieces without my asking! Enjoy sharing this recipe with your family and friends.


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Friday, 23 March 2012
Early Easter!
5 comments:
That's so cute! Does the liquid eyeliner dry to where it won't smear when you put top coat on?ReplyDeleteReplies
No it really doesn't smear at all I am so impressed!! I am using the estee lauder double wear one and it dries straight away and so easy to use :)Delete
I love that you use eye liner! Such a cool idea. These bunnies are adorable!ReplyDelete
Oh no, this is the cutest thing I've ever seen! And eyeliner is such a great idea. I gave you an award here :)ReplyDelete
I cannot stress enough how adorable I think this is.Replies
Ahh thanks so much Anna!!! I love that people are reading and enjoying my nail art :) I will post the award as soon as and link it back to you!! Thanks again!! xDelete
I read all your lovely comments and will always try to reply!!
I am happy for you to leave your blog address for me to check out and follow you back!! xoxo


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Recipe: Spaghetti in olive oil and a tad more within 25 minutes
Suraj made this meal, which didn't take very long and it consisted of only a few ingredients. Although it was simple, it was delicious and satisfying! :)
This recipe serves 2.
Ingredients for the spaghetti
• 2 handfuls of vegan spaghetti – about 120g
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of chilli sauce
• pepper to taste
• 10 cherry tomatoes – left whole
• 2 handfuls of wild rocket
• 2 pieces (or more) of Taifun Basil Tofu
• 1 tablespoon of salt
How to make the spaghetti
1. Boil some water in a kettle and put it in a pan
2. Hold the spaghetti upright in the pan of water for 20 seconds, when it will begin to soften, allowing you to bend the spaghetti around the pan
3. Add the salt and stir, leaving it to cook on a medium heat for 10 minutes
4. When it's ready, drain the water and drizzle the olive oil over the spaghetti
5. Add the chilli sauce, stir and season with salt and pepper if needed
6. Put the spaghetti in a pan, add the cherry tomatoes and let it cook for a few minutes
7. Mix and serve in a plate or a bowl, with a large piece of Basil Tofu on top of the spaghetti
Serving suggestion
Garnish with Wild Rocket Add a piece of Basil Tofu Serve and enjoy!


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How to Write an Article About Yourself
Narrative documents are normally a narrative form. Yet another tip is you should always compose the article to the point with no info that's not about the theme of the essay. To begin with, your article has to be convincing. Our essay writing pro providers is the best because offering all expert providers of students no matter degree and sources an individual has. It's advisable to create story papers from scratch to be able to foster originality and ingenuity. Should you require narrative papers from us, you must always don't wait to speak to us for we supply the greatest and substantial quality story papers. A normal ; suitable narrative papers writing business should always have these characteristics in order to supply the most effective narrative papers to students. The internet is one of the most frequent sources of advice for getting subject tips for story documents. This support is only likely to help you in producing the exceptionally powerful article and examining the best / brilliantly tactic for ISB School. The a few sorts of customized solutions offered at our custom made creating business contain story article composing services, expression documents, custom made reviews, personalized research paper writing services and quite a few additional personalized writing services.
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You??ll commence to view which tips are many workable and powerful for your requirements.
The pupils find it difficult to create various kinds of narrative papers because they don't have the correct skills. He should find a way display his or her emotions well when writing the documents. Hence, pupils want to pay exclusive attention to the kinds before submission. Students should make sure they communicate to authors ahead of time so as to give them required information of writing essays. They are able to also ask other pupils of those firms that are not fraud. Several pupils choose to obtain article illustrations on the free summarizer web. Don't wait to get hold of them in almost any tricky matter you require from subject like, mathematics, biology, company sociology IT organization, management, materials, Language and the others. Choosing the narrative essay issue is an ambitious undertaking to numerous students. It certainly is good to select an ideal narrative essay topic for the function.


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Independent law firms in the South unite to provide comprehensive legal services
Law firms in Dorset, Wiltshire, and Hampshire are benefitting from a free support and referral network thanks to leading regional law firm, Trethowans.
Recently launched, United Law allows member law firms to offer their clients access to a comprehensive range of legal services.
United Law members who do not have the capacity or specialism to deal with a legal matter can contact Trethowans for assistance. If Trethowans are unable to help for any reason, they will use its network of United Law members – or its links to wider national networks – to provide the assistance needed. United Law operates a strict no poaching agreement so member law firms can be assured of a risk free referral process.
Managing Partner at Trethowans Simon Rhodes explains, "United Law is perfect for law firms who specialise in certain areas of work and whose clients need help with other legal services that they cannot undertake themselves."
The independently run network currently has 98 member law firms throughout the South and provides its members with access to a free telephone enquiry line, opportunities to attend free training sessions, seminars and networking events – and access to a number of suppliers who can offer discounted member rates.
Simon concludes "More and more member law firms are finding out it is a perfect way for them to offer a full service proposition, while also enjoying the benefits of being a member. Membership of United Law can bring financial, training and other benefits".
For further information on United Law membership, contact Trethowans' Business Development Manager – Emma Sainsbury (pictured right) on 01722 426908.


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It's Friday the 13th - A night in which the local Edmonton metalheads are out for one hell of a party and a ritualistic experience; Union Hall concert goers received both, a hefty dose of Poland's blackened death metal demigods, Behemoth, and American death metal heavy-weights, Cannibal Corpse.
As fans were let into the venue, supporters of blackened-rockers, Tribulation, and death metallers, Aeon, began to fill the Hall; As these two Swedish based bands powered through their energetic sets, their authentic music amped up the crowd in preparation for what was yet to come.
25-year-strong death metal icons Cannibal Corpse were next up on the bill. The party was about to start! Fans began pressing towards the barricades and throwing beer cans in the air as the time for Cannibal Corpse drew nearer. As each member of the band filled their place on the dimly lit stage, the roars of the crowd consecutively grew louder and louder. With the whipping of George 'Corpsegrinder' Fisher's incredibly muscular neck, the band thundered into 'Scourge of Iron' from 2012's album 'Torture'. Between songs, Corpsegrinder called upon their guitar tech, Baby Face, gesturing to him to come onto the stage. Thinking something was horribly wrong, Baby Face hurried over, only to be surprised with a birthday cake, lit with candles and held by a fellow tech friend from the tour. Smiles cracked through the stone-like faces on each member of Cannibal Corpse as Baby Face hugged and thanked them all for wishing him a happy birthday. As the set continued on, CC rolled through some of their old-school, gut-wrenching and gruesome tracks such as 'I Cum Blood', 'Make Them Suffer', 'Skull Full Of Maggots' and 'Hammer Smashed Face' each errupting into the most aggressive and chaotic of mosh pits that the Union Hall has ever, and probably will ever see.
Eagerly waiting for Behemoth's appearance, the strong scent of incense filled the room as a few sticks of Nag Champa slowly burnt off of frontman and guitarist, Adam 'Nergal' Darski's microphone alter. The Hall began to fill with smoke, as spotlights beemed down through the haze upon the microphone stands with steel cobras coiled around them, creating a very ritualistic image throughout the room - the Hall went black as bassist Orion, drummer Inferno and guitarist Seth took place on stage, followed by frontman Nergal, who bowed to the audience with flaming posts in both hands. As Nergal rose to his feet, he threw down his fiery posts, and the band boomed into 'Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer' - a track from 2014's album 'The Satanist'. On the receiving end of the piercing glares that Nergal would frequently give the crowd, you couldn't help by feel like he was staring into your soul, followed by yelling into his ambient microphone "How does it feel to be alive?!" then, proceeding into 'Ben Sahar' (The Satanist, 2014). After a victorious battle with leukemia a few years prior, a new found appreciation for life was awakened within Nergal, which has inspired many songs on 2014's album The Satanist. Behemoth performed a series of hit tracks from over the years, such as 'Conquer All', 'At The Left Hand Ov God' and 'Of Fire and The Void', each highlighting the incredible talents of the musicians on stage. Though excluding 2014's single 'Blow Your Trumpets, Gabriel', which left many Behemoth supporters disappointed. Closing the night off with Nergal's incantation of 'Ojcze Nasz', the 4 demigods appeared through beems of white light peering down through the hazey air, wearing cloaks and black horned masks, casting silhouettes upon the audience, making Friday the 13th at Union Hall, a truly haunting, spiritual experience that wont soon be forgotten.


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Happy Holidays, From Us to You
It's coming up on the close of another year, and we thought we'd spruce things up a bit here at Dragon's Anime. We hope you'll enjoy the new layout! As we do every year, please accept our wishes of a happy, safe, and warm holiday this year for you, and your loved ones. Happy Holidays everybody, from the staff of Dragon's Anime!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
As we do every year here at Dragon's Anime, we just wanted to take a minute out, and bid everyone out there a happy, and safe holiday season. We hope you'll be able to be at home with those you love, and surrounded by the warmth that brings.
Merry Christmas, everybody, and a Happy New Year.
The Dragon's Anime Staff
Happy Holidays from Dragon's Anime
Just a brief note again this year, wishing you and yours a happy and safe holiday season. Thanks for visiting Dragon's Anime in 2007, and we look forward to a new year with you. Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!
--The Staff of Dragon's Anime
Happy Holidays, from Dragon's Anime
David and I both wanted to take the time to extend our wishes for a happy holiday, be it Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, or any of the myriad other celebrations of this time of year. May you be as warm and loved with friends and family, as we shall be with ours. Happy Holidays, from Dragon's Anime.
Happy Holidays
This is just a brief hello from here in snowy Plymouth, wishing you all a Merry Christmas, and a safe holiday. We've added the Dragon's Anime forums, and the construction on the new site is just about complete. We hope that we'll be of use to you in the future, and thank you for visiting.
Merry Christmas again.
-Dragon's Anime Staff


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After a relatively placid first week of the new National Baseball League season, bats exploded on the second Sunday, especially at Westmorland Park, where Bracknell, the defending champions, hosted the Essex Arrows. Game one saw a grand slam from Matt Maitland in the bottom of the first, but no other balls left the park until game two.
In part two of the double-header, Richard Chesterton, the third batter to the plate in the top of the opening frame for the Essex Arrows, connected for the first home run of the game. The contest's next two round-trippers were also off Essex bats: Lance Louw and Matt Gilbert went back-to-back with the first two pitches of the third inning. In the bottom of the same inning, Michael Trask collected the first dinger of his career, and the first of the game for Bracknell.
Incredibly, the bottom of the fourth saw three more home runs, two of them clubbed by Brendan Cunliffe (pictured to the right). His first was a grand slam and his second a three-run shot, giving him seven RBI in the inning. Behind him in the line-up was Gordon Sheppard, and after the second of Cunliffe's home runs Sheppard found a gap in the outfield and managed to make it round for an inside-the-park homer – the seventh and final of the game. Cunliffe then came onto pitch, and held Essex scoreless in the top of the fifth to terminate the game early on the mercy rule, with the score standing at 22-6.
There was a third grand slam to report from week two of the National Baseball League, hit by Gary Davison of the Southampton Mustangs against the Croydon Pirates. Records going back to 1995 do not show any other weekends in the top tier with more than one grand slam, so for three of them to be hit last Sunday was truly remarkable.
League leaders and full season statistics, which include a game-by-game breakdown of batting and pitching figures, can be found on the Great Britain Baseball Scorers Association (GBBSA) website.


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Higashiyama culture
The Higashiyama culture (東山文化 Higashiyama bunka) is a segment of Japanese culture originated and promoted in the 15th century by the shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimasa, after he retired to his villa in the eastern hills (東山 Higashiyama) of the capital city Kyoto.
Based largely on the ideals and aesthetics of Zen Buddhism and the concept of wabi-sabi (beauty in simplicity), Higashiyama culture centered on the development of chadō (Japanese tea ceremony), ikebana (flower arranging), Noh drama, and sumi-e ink painting. Much of what is commonly seen today as traditional Japanese culture originated or developed in this period. Higashiyama culture is often contrasted with Kitayama bunka (北山文化), the "Kitayama Culture" from earlier in the Muromachi period. In this comparison Kinkaku-ji, representative of Kitayama culture is compared with Ginkaku-ji, representative of Higashiyama culture.
Yoshimasa's retirement villa was turned into the temple Ginkaku-ji (the Temple of the Silver Pavilion) after his death. It is situated in Kyoto's Sakyō-ku, and was the center of the Higashiyama cultural outgrowth in a number of ways. The Pavilion is revered for its simple beauty, the silver having never been added. The rock garden next to it is likewise one of the most famous in Japan, and praised for its Zen and wabi-sabi aesthetics. It is a quintessential example of the idea that only the trained expert should be able to recognize the subtle beauty within art and architecture; the beauty of the object should not be underscored and emphasized, but gently hidden. The retired shogun also invited many artists, poets, and court nobles to his villa, encouraging the development of their arts. A vast and priceless collection of artifacts came together, which was known as the Higashiyama Treasure.
The Tōgudō building includes a shoin-style room called the Dōjinsai. It originally had a fireplace built into the floor, and due to this, the Dōjinsai is considered the earliest extant example of a room designed for use as a tea room.[1]
There were many architectural innovations in this period, exhibited in the Ginkaku-ji in particular, which would later become core elements in the shoin style of 17th century architecture. One of these elements was the tokonoma, a small alcove in which scrolls are hung, and flowers or other small articles are placed to enhance the aesthetic feel of the room. The great ink-painter Sesshū Tōyō spent much time at the Ginkaku-ji, and this period also saw the birth of the Kanō school of Japanese painting as well as an early version of chanoyu tea ceremony. Tea ceremony would be further formalized by Sen no Rikyū in the 16th century.
Important dates[edit]
In the history of this period, a few specific dates are noteworthy:
- February 21, 1482 (Bummei 14 , 4th day of the 2nd month): Construction of the Silver Pavilion commenced.[2]
- January 27, 1490 (Entoku 2, 7th day of the 1st month): The former-Shogun Yoshimasa died at age 56 in his Higashiyama-dono estate,[3] which marks the beginning of the end of Higashiyama bunka.
- Ginkaku and Garden of Jishō-ji
- Karesansui of Ryōan-ji
- Karesansui of Daisen-in
Calligraphy and painting[edit]
- "View of Ama-no-Hashidate" by Sesshū (Kyoto National Museum) (Image)
- "Zhou Maoshu Appreciating Lotuses", a hanging scroll by Kanō Masanobu (Kyūshū National Museum)
- "Seikōji engi emaki" by Tosa Mitsunobu (Tokyo National Museum)
"View of Ama-no-Hashidate" by Sesshū
"Zhou Maoshu Appreciating Lotuses", a hanging scroll by Kanō Masanobu
"Seikōji engi emaki" by Tosa Mitsunobu
See also[edit]
- ^ Yasuhiko Murai, tr. Alfred Birnbaum, "A Brief History of Tea in Japan." Chapter One in CHANOYU: The Urasenke Tradition of Tea. Weatherhill, 1988.
- ^ Keene, Donald. (2003). Yoshimasa and the Silver Pavilion, p. 87.
- ^ Titsingh, p. 361.
- "Higashiyama Bunka", JAANUS: Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System.
- Keene, Donald. (2003). Yoshimasa and the Silver Pavilion: The Creation of the Soul of Japan. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-13056-1; OCLC 52268947
- Titsingh, Isaac, ed. (1834), [Siyun-sai Rin-siyo/Hayashi Gahō, 1652], Nipon o daï itsi ran; ou, Annales des empereurs du Japon. Paris: Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland.
- Sansom, George Bailey. (1943). "Japan: A Short Cultural History". New York: Appleton Century Crofts, Inc.
- Steiner, Evgeny. (2014). Zen-Life: Ikkyu and Beyond. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4438-5400-9.


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As mentioned in last month's "Tuesday Top 10: Heroes" post, the book-to-film adaptations of J.K. Rowling's exceptional Harry Potter series are at the top of my all-time favourite films list! This series has always been the standard I base all other book-to-film adaptations off of, as the characters, storylines, and settings of the wizarding world in the books is excellently portrayed on screen.
Also, as all hardcore HP fans know, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is releasing in November. Therefore, I have chosen to reread the seven book novel series and will be releasing an individual post for each adaptation throughout the summer! These "Pottermania" posts will differ from previous CCC "Book-to-Film Adaptations" as they are for HP fans who have already seen the films and/or read the books and are looking to relive the magic!
Just as a short refresher … this is the film that little 11-year-old Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) finds out he's not a regular boy but a wizard. Also, he is the sole reason that the Wizarding World came out of the dark ages as he defeated an evil wizard as a baby! You'd think that would be a lot to take in as a child but with the help of the gigantic kind-hearted Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) Harry heads to Diagon Alley gets himself a wand, owl, robes, and other supplies and then ships off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In no time at all he has two best friends Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), as well as a mortal enemy Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton). Harry is sorted into Gryffindor, becomes the youngest Quidditch seeker in a century, learns some spells, and how to play wizard's chess!
Things take a turn after the trio accidentally come across a three-headed dog protecting a trap door. They figure out it's guarding the Philosopher Stone, and end up suffering detention as a result of the methods (constant visits to Hagrid's hut) used to gather their discovery. After their visit to the dark forest they soon conclude that Voldemort needs the stone to come back and believe that the unfriendly Professor Snape (Alan Rickman) is going to steal it. The three decide they have to steal it first so they puzzle their way through several "protection" tasks and get Harry to the end where he faces off against … Professor QUIRRELL!! So, Quirrell not Snape, has secretly had Voldemort on the back of his head the entire semester. After Harry burns him to ash by touching him (special mother's love skin), he and the crew are awarded much needed points for Gryffindor (yay Neville!), so they not only save the world but win the House Cup!
Now that we're all on the same page, I'm going to dive a little bit deeper into my favourite parts of the film as well as any major plots changes from the book!
- I along with majority of the rest of the Harry Potter fan base absolutely adore Rubeus Hagrid! Robbie Coltrane truly brings the gentle giant to life on the big screen with his continuous "I shouldn't have said that" slipped secrets to the little ones. Also, his two entrances of landing his motorcycle at Privet Drive as well as slamming down the door at the Dursley's hideout were glorious!
- Neville Longbottom is the most precious characters in the series as he is a clumsy but kind-hearted boy who always falls a tad short with his attempt at magic. However, when he stands up to the three main Gryffindors he shows a massive amount of bravery and courage. I always feel horrible when Hermione stuns him!
- Firenze the Centaur was an absolute boss in the book and the film, which was evident in his glorious galloping entrance! Firenze is a key element for the book and the film as he helps Harry connect the dots regarding the Philosopher's Stone and the potential return of Voldemort.
- One major change from the book to the film is the complexity involved in getting rid of Norbert the baby dragon on Hagrid's behalf. In the book, when Draco saw that Hagrid had the dragon he did not go directly to Professor McGonagall. Ron came up with the idea to send Norbert to his brother Charlie, and they had to sneak around with the invisibility cloak to have him picked up. However, they were caught right after they got rid of Norbert because they accidentally forgot the cloak up on the roof. I feel that the way it was handled in the movie made more sense as all four of them got detention at the same time and Dumbledore took care of Norbert on their behalf.
- Another major change from book to film had to do with the challenges protecting the Philosopher's Stone. There were two extra challenges in the book, which were connected to Professor Snape and Professor Quirrell. Snape's challenge was a logic test with clues, potions, and walls of fire, which Hermione aced in under five minutes. Quirrell's challenge was a giant troll and the trio didn't have to do anything as he was already knocked out at that point. It made sense for timing purposes to cut these out, but it added more excitement to the ending sequence of the book!
Favourite Quotes
1. "Now if you two don't mind, I'm going to be before either of you come up with another clever idea to get us killed – or worse, expelled!" – Hermione Granger
2. "Harry, no way! You heard what Madam Hooch said. Besides, you don't even know how to fly … what an idiot!" – Hermione Granger
3. "Lucky we didn't panic." – Ron Weasley "Lucky Hermione pays attention in Herbology." – Harry Potter
4. [Calmly] "Sorry about that" – Hagrid [Picks door up slams it back into place]
5. "I think we've had a bad influence on her." – Ron Weasley
6. "Stop stop stop! You're going to take someone's eye out. Besides, you're saying it wrong. It's LeviOsa, not LeviosAR!" – Hermione Granger
7. "I was most unfortunate in my youth to come across a vomit-flavoured one, and since then I'm afraid I've lost my liking for them. But, I think I could be safe with a nice toffee … Mm, alas, earwax." – Albus Dumbledore
8. "I checked this out weeks ago for a bit of light reading." – Hermione Granger "This is light?" – Ron Weasley
9. "You're a wizard, Harry!" – Hagrid
10. "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends. I award 10 points, to Mr. Neville Longbottom." – Albus Dumbledore
Bonus Items
As usual I have included a few extra items for those who read all the way too the end! The first is a link to the magical online portal of Pottermore, the second is a hilarious Buzzfeed article, and a video of all the deleted scenes from the film!
Join Pottermore to get sorted into one of the HP houses, practice spells, create potions, and compete for the House Cup!
Also, I had to include the article below which is a hilarious sequence of tweets and film descriptions by a Buzzfeed writer who watched Harry Potter for the first time and noted all of the best parts throughout his experience!
Lastly, don't forget to check out all the deleted scenes from the first film in the link below!


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Of the countless things I do that embarrass my boys, my most heinous infraction of late is wearing a hot pink tutu when I run a 5K.
I was compelled to wear the tutu after reading about Self Magazine's "shaming" of a tutu-wearing marathon runner battling a brain tumor. Because I've worked in the media for my entire adult life, I, too, have made really stupid mistakes in print and it always stinks. The magazine quickly apologized and took the drastic measure of firing its editor.
The implication in the Self piece was that serious athletes should be offended by those of us in tutus and shamrock headbands, and that we're dumbing down these near-professional athletic contests. Get a grip. This is not the Olympics. We're out there to get some fresh air and exercise and maybe show our kids that pushing oneself can be a rewarding experience.
I don't hold a grudge against Self, and will still continue to buy the occasional copy, in the hopes that I can "Totally reshape my butt —- in just three weeks!" But the tutu has grown on me. It's now more of a celebration than a protest. And, despite what my 14-year-old son may think, it has nothing to do with embarrassing him.
I'm certainly not a fast runner but I am an enthusiastic one. I love to see kids out there pushing themselves, whether they're doing their first 1-mile fun run or running alongside me for 3.1 miles. I am that crazy person your kid tells you about on the way home from the race: "Some lady kept telling me to keep going. She wouldn't leave me alone. She said it would be lame if she beat me so I had to keep running."
The tutu brings it all up a notch. Or maybe it brings it down. For those kids (and adults) who are intimidated by the fast runners (my annoying brother), my ridiculous outfit lets them know this is all for fun, contrary to Self's opinion. It's a healthy, community-building event that raises money for a good cause and encourages physical activity.
The uber-fast runners know that regardless of my attire, my entrance fees pay for their prizes. But more importantly, they know that making exercise fun for the next generation is especially important. Getting kids off the couch and away from the screens isn't easy, and encouraging them by cheering, wearing ridiculous outfits and doling out dozens of high-fives goes a long way.
Walking back to the car after the 14-year-old ran a race with his lacrosse team (and I'd worn what he considered an especially hideous orange tutu) I knew what was coming. "PLEASE never wear that again, OK?"
It's not like I go out of my way to embarrass my boys. I post very few photos of them on Facebook because I know there is nothing worse than being "tagged" by one's mother. When said teenager told me I could "absolutely not" accept the invitation to speak at his middle school's Career Day a few weeks ago, I politely declined to the school. ("Nobody else's parents are doing it," he said. "It would be horrible.") Hugging in public has pretty much come to an end. And just last week, at the urging of some wise parents, I remained seated while the lacrosse coach bandaged my boy's bleeding hand on the bench. (I really wanted to go put a little Bacitracin on that.)
But the tutu and the high-fives? They're here to stay. At least now he'll have good material to write some angst-fueled lyrics or a college essay on handling extreme tutu-related adversity.
Teresa M. Pelham is a freelance writer living in Farmington and is co-blogger for the Courant's Mommy Minute blog. Teresa is author of the children's book "Roxy's Forever Home," and the forthcoming "Roxy and Her Annoying Little Brother, Stuey," to be published in June. For more information or to pre-order a copy, visit www.roxysforeverhome.com.


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For today there are the following alternatives:
*Invisible Internet Project (I2P).
All three technologies are also not able to provide absolute protection. For example, the creators of I2P and are recognized: de anonymization complicated, but still possible (No network can be "perfectly anonymous". The continued goal of I2P is to make attacks more and more difficult to mount). But there is no better.
Invisible Internet Project is quite cleverly arranged distributed network based on Kademlia DHT. In addition to the decentralized structure, the network I2P interesting self-similar DNS and intensive use of asymmetric encryption. Inside I2P have their own sites, and network users are guaranteed anonymity (not absolute).
Program to work in the Invisible Internet Project written in Java that allows you to use I2P on any device and any operating system. Installation is simple: you need to download the JAR file from the official website and run it:
java -jar i2pinstall_0.9.17.jar
Another distributed network. Used for anonymous storage and data access. Something like anonymous torrent. As I2P, Freenet uses the installer for Java:
cd /tmp && wget 'https://freenetproject.org/jnlp/freenet_installer.jar' -O new_installer_offline.jar
java -jar new_installer_offline.jar
Unlike free I2P and Freenet, the VPN will have to pay. From $ 5 per month and above. VPN is a virtual private network. Under this clever phrase is a very simple idea. You are accessing the Internet through a computer intermediary. The relationship with the intermediary securely (but not reliably) is encrypted, so neither the provider nor the intelligence agencies are not able to read incoming and outgoing traffic. But the owner of the VPN server can read all your traffic. And do it, if it will put pressure state bulldogs or he will see the financial benefits. Makes sense to have multiple servers, and intermediaries in different countries.
As you can see from above, the absolute anonymization network operation can only provide well-edged axe, which the user must cut the Internet cable before connecting.
Good Luck!!!


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Unsure about which CMS to use for your website? Why not test some out? There is a way you can test Sitefinity out for free. No install time, no configuration, and no credit card. (At least not yet.) It's called
Sitefinity Renewal Pricing Will Update on January 1, 2018
Do you already use Sitefinity to run your website? Next year, the renewal price you pay annually will change. A price change for new Sitefinity licenses took effect in June. That's normal when you have major new versions like Sitefinity
Why Pay for Sitefinity When WordPress is Free?
Today we're responding to a reader request, sent in via the "Ask a Question" link in the top navigation. (If you have questions to ask, please submit them by clicking the link!) The reader brought up a longstanding CMS question…why
How to Use Sitefinity as an Email Marketing Service
The other day, a reader sent in some feedback. They were curious about how to integrate MailChimp with Sitefinity. I did a little investigation, and while I found it possible, it requires some custom coding. Coding which I didn't have
How to Connect to Google Analytics in Sitefinity 9
First off, I'd like to announce the all-new PlanetMagpie.com! Completely redesigned from the ground up in Sitefinity 9. Built mobile-first with fresh content and a neat Personas engine right on the homepage. It lets you select what content you want
How to Set Up Basic Website Elements in Sitefinity 9.0
Since we went through a number of Sitefinity 9.0's improvements last time, I thought I'd dig a little deeper. We recently set up 9.0 for a new website in the works. I have full access. So I've gone through the
Sitefinity 9.0 is Here – With New Personalization Tools, Form Builders, App Development Tools and More
One year ago, we posted about Sitefinity 8.0's release. A year later, Sitefinity 9.0 is here. Sitefinity 9.0 – What's New What does 9.0 bring to the table? Enhancements to its Digital Experience Cloud, form builder, app builder, localization…it's what


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Free Enough
Album Design & Release Campaign
2015 was the year I released my first solo album of original music. On top of writing and performing the music on the record, I handled the visual design and promotion of the release. I used hand lettering, illustration, photography and video production. Pretty much everything I love to do I put it towards creating special digital content for the release.
I also did a 30 day, daily Instagram count-down to the release in order to stay at the forefront of my audience's attention. By the time the album was released, people were well-informed and excited to purchase and enjoy the music.


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|Published: May 2016
|Report Code: CM10621
|Available Format:
|Pages: 123
Nanoporous materials consist of a regular inorganic or organic framework, which supports a regular, porous structure. The size of the pores is around 100 nanometers or even smaller. Most nanoporous materials are classified as bulk materials or membranes. Nanoporous materials have large surface area; therefore, these possess excellent catalytic, adsorbent and absorbent properties. There are several natural nanoporous materials, which can also be developed artificially. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) categorized nanoporous materials into three categories; including microporous materials with pore size 0.2-2nm, mesoporous materials with pore size 2-50nm, and macroporous materials with pore size greater than 50nm.
Nanoporous materials find several applications as catalyst, absorbent, adsorbent and ion exchangers and are also utilized in guest-host interaction, low dielectric constant mediate, and nano reactor. Moreover, nanoporous materials are also used in biomedical for decontamination and inhibiting bacteria; for filtration in hemodialysis; and for slowing drug release.
The global nanoporous materials market was valued at $6,411.7 million in 2015, and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.3% during 2016 - 2022. The large base of end-use industries, stringent water regulations and increasing demand for adsorbents are driving the growth of the global nanoporous materials market.
Among the various types of nanoporous materials, the zeolites segment held the largest share (44.3%) with market size of $2,837.6 million in 2015. However, in terms of volume, the clay segment dominated the global nanoporous materials market. The global consumption of clays was 6,588.7 kilotons in 2015. The clays are the least expensive among all types of nanoporous materials. The activated carbon segment is anticipated to witness the highest growth at a CAGR of 11.5% in terms of value and 11.0% in terms of volume during the forecast period. The activated carbon segment is anticipated to lead gain over zeolite segment during the forecast period, due to its increasing demand for environmental and water treatment applications.
Among the various end-uses of nanoporous materials, the petroleum refining held the largest share in the global nanoporous materials in 2015. The reason behind huge consumption of nanoporous materials in petroleum refining are their catalytic and adsorbent properties. The environmental segment is anticipated to witness the highest growth during the forecast period.
Asia-Pacific accounted for the largest share (33.8% in terms of value in 2015) in the global nanoporous materials market and it is also anticipated to witness the highest growth (CAGR 9.6%) during 2016 – 2022 in terms of value. The increasing compliance for international environmental norms and large base of end-use industries in the region are driving the growth of the global nanoporous materials market in the region.
Some of the major players operating in the global nanoporous materials market include Albemarle Corporation, BASF SE, Chemviron Carbon, Mineral Technologies Inc., Exxon Mobil Corporation, Calgon Carbon Corporation, Zeochem AG, Kuraray Chemical Co. Ltd., Clariant AG, and Zeolyst International.


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By Wayne Gorrett
The Suzuki Swift enjoys a well-deserved reputation for being a low-cost, everyday car – while still being great fun to drive.
We took a shining to….
* Honest pricing * Low running costs * Much improved drive * Looks great * Good kit list *
…but noted that…
* Underwhelming engine * Small boot * Bland interior * Rear legroom limited *
☀ ☀ ☀
The nimble Suzuki Swift, the third generation of which arrived here in September 2010, is manufactured in Suzuki's Magyar plant in Hungary, from where all of Suzuki's EU demand is produced. The current incarnation had both its wheelbase and height extended by two inches over the previous second generation but it by no means looks like it ate all the pies. Actually, you would be hard pressed to notice the difference, unless the two were alongside each other. Styling is significantly improved with its longer and more rounded appearance. Nearly three years in, it's still a looker in the style department when compared to later rival offerings.
During our standard test route – a 48-mile mix of motorway, A, B and 'other' roads around south Hampshire, we make no conscious attempt at frugality and drive as normally as possible – with an occasional spot of 'enthusiasm' in the mix to assess driving dynamics and set-up.
The Swift achieved an impressive 54.8mpg, or 97% of the official combined 56.5mpg. At one point, it registered 58.5mpg (103.5%).
The Swift is an entertaining little car to drive, raising a smile at how planted and poised it feels on the go. Grip is good, and body control is great, which makes the Suzuki feel really stable in a bend. The ride has a firm but far from uncomfortable edge.
The engine is a bit noisy at motorway speeds and can be frustratingly breathless during spirited driving. With reasonable revs applied, it feels okay and puts out a pleasant audible note. The five-speed transmission has a chunky defined gate and although fourth and fifth gears are over-driven for economy, the engine's punchy enough to track through bends.
In the cabin, there's not a lot to fault. The comparatively upright windscreen, deep windows and skinny pillars offer a great view of the road, and getting comfortable is easy because there's reach and rake adjustment for the steering column, plus a seat-height adjuster. The dash is quickly understood so finding most functions is a doddle. The high roofline means you'll have bags of headroom whichever seat you wind up in, but rear legroom isn't great compared to the roomiest super minis. Plenty of its classmates have bigger boots, too, and folding the rear seats down leaves an awkward step in the boot floor.


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By Jacqui, age 48, an interior designer from Sussex and owner of HomeSmiths.
My Grandma and I were very close. Her name was Doris Irene Gilbert (nee Stock). She was born in Islington in 1919, long before it was the cool place it is now.
She died in 2005 and I loved her very much.
Grandma only had one child - my Dad. She was sadly unable to carry any further pregnancies to term. She and my Grandpa were besotted with one another; people called them the golden couple and it's easy to see it in their photographs. Sadly, illness took over in the early 70s, Grandpa's personality changed as a result. He died in 1976 and Grandma never remarried.
From an early age, I'd spend holidays with Grandma at their bungalow in Herne Bay. She taught me to sew and much of my early creativity was nurtured there. I first learned to drink tea at Grandma's too. We'd sit together in front of the fire and her beloved Coronation Street and Crossroads.
Grandma used to work at Save the Children in Herne Bay, which she referred to as "The Shop". She'd cycle down the hill from her bungalow then, later, back up again. She was fit as a fiddle for many years.
When I stayed, I slept in Grandma's third bedroom which was also her sewing room. Her blue tailor's dummy would stand displaying her current project and I had a single bed which I loved as it was like a nest – blissful bedding of heavy counterpane and brushed cotton sheets. She had a drawer full of fabric and was never without a project.
When Grandpa became ill he'd moved into the second bedroom as his sleeping patterns changed. I clearly recall the stark contrast in the style of their rooms; Grandma's was South facing, tasselled lampshades, a floral bedspread and a dressing table with her brushes and powders. Grandpa's was darker, North facing, packed with dark furniture, a deep, berry red candlewick bedspread on a bed so high I remember panicking as I slid off it and my feet had yet to reach the floor! After Grandpa died it was kept as the guest room and when I got older and outgrew the sewing room nest, I slept there.
Grandma never wore anything but a dress, or, as she'd say, a frock. She'd wear a skirt and jacket to a wedding but her go-to outfit was a dress and one of her own hand-knitted cardigans.
When I was at university in St Andrews, Grandma came to visit me and made a friend in the B&B owner. This was typical, she had a magical smile, she was a real people person with many friends. As well as her easy warmth, Grandma was incredibly emotionally strong. She was called to a friend's house in Herne Bay one day when the friend's husband was tragically found hanged in their garage. Grandma had got on her bike, cycled over, helped her friend cut him down and stayed until help came.
I can imagine this so vividly and not at all. The impact on both women must've been enormous.
Once I hit my mid-twenties, my love life, or rather the lack of it was a real concern for Grandma. During the war, she'd been insulted by a Yorkshire man and subsequently had a real dislike of Northern men; she had a proper bee in her bonnet about them! So, when I met my husband David (born and bred in Clitheroe), I could tell she was torn between my great happiness and David's Ribble Valley roots. As it turned out she loved David as soon as she met him and, of course, he felt the same way about her.
Here are some of my favourite of Grandma's phrases:
On men and courting,
"Never let a man think you're hanging on the back of the bedroom door for him"
On men and women,
"When the woman has the older head, the children never want for bread"
On being hungry…
" I could eat a horse and chase the driver!"
On something looking a bit lost or out of proportion…
"It looked like a pea on a round of beef"
On any particular man who irritated her…
"He was standing around like a pig in a fit"
"He is as ignorant as a pig and not half as good looking"
"What else do you expect from a pig but a grunt?"
"He's so mean, he would skin a currant"
And my particular favourite on men,
"He's so eaten up with his self-importance he doesn't know where his bottom hangs!"
On strong tea…
"The tea was so strong you could have walked a brown dog over it"
Grandma was kind, thoughtful, wise and had a strong sense of justice and fairness.
When my Dad left my Mum in 1985 for another woman, Grandma refused to take sides and continued to treat my Mum like her daughter. I think that says it all really – she lived her integrity and values. She'd get a bee in her bonnet about certain politicians or characters from the TV and I'd tease her about it sometimes. I had the kind of relationship with her where I could be cheeky and probably over-shared some of my love life stories. On these occasions, she'd flash one of her electric smiles and say with a wink, "You're a wicked girl".
I feel I'm a lot like Grandma. I can get that same bee in my bonnet about certain issues or people, usually around injustice, a lack of kindness or unfair treatment. This can, at its worst, make me judgemental and intolerant; not great qualities. On the plus side, I'm calm in a crisis and will drop everything to be there for someone who needs me, be it a friend with a problem or a woman on the train struggling with buggy and little ones. I make friends easily and get chatting to strangers in many situations.
I'm told I have Grandma's smile.
I have creative blood on both sides and, as well as making this my career, I've whipped up ball gowns in the past and made David and our page boy's waistcoats for our wedding. It was Grandma who taught me the basics of dressmaking.
How I loved being her wicked girl.


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Welcome to DrDobbin Nutrition
DrDobbin Nutrition, based near Milton Keynes, is run by Robin Dowswell and aims to encourage the adoption of healthier diets and lifestyles.
Why is nutrition important? Well, for most people a significant and permanent change to their diet can help them reach their optimal weight, reduce the possibility of developing chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis, and also improve their current state of health, normally within the space of a few weeks or months.
DrDobbin Nutrition covers many aspects of diet and nutrition, including nutrition for health and nutrition for optimal sporting performance. Conditions such as diabetes, fertility, pregnancy, chronic fatigue and other many others can be addressed from a nutritional and lifestyle perspective. With regards to sporting performance, Robin's years of experience in the endurance sports of swimming, cycling and running give him a unique understanding of the nutrition required to achieve at the top level in sport.
Robin can provide one to one consultations, group talks and articles on a variety of nutrition related topics. We are located in Newport Pagnell which is just north of Milton Keynes, UK, just five minutes from junction 14 of the M1.
Contact DrDobbin nutrition today to take the first steps to improving your mental and physical health permanently for the better.
Why Use a Nutritional Therapist?
- To reach your optimum weight.
- The DrDobbin Diet plan will ensure you stay healthy while adjusting your weight.
- The plan will be achievable as we'll have discussed and agreed it together.
- To improve health.
- Diabetes, digestive complaints, hormonal health for men and women.
- These and many more are conditions that can be addressed by DrDobbin nutritional therapy.
- To get nutritional schedules for competition and training.
- Ironman and other event nutrition can be planned for.
- Lessons available in selecting sports nutrition products, making the correct strength drinks for the conditions and planning pre and post event nutrition.
- To get individualised advice
- A diet achieveable by you, planned to fit in with your needs whether they be time constraints, affordability, family considerations, work considerations or social life.
- Medicinal interactions with foods and supplements.
Surely I Can Do All This Myself?
Here are 4 questions that you might ask yourself when considering whether to consult Robin.
I can just reduce what I eat can't I?
You could, but the truth is that it does not always work for weight loss, as different foods have different effects on the metabolism. Most people will find that eating carbohydrates or carbohydrates with fatty foods is a potent way to gain pounds while a more protein rich diet will restrict weight gain.
Doesn't the doctor look after my health?
Doctors tend to look at your health only when you are ill. If you want to prevent yourself getting ill in the first place changing your diet is probably the number one priority.
Why not use my experience and that of my friends to plan race nutrition?
This could be a good strategy if it has worked before. Just be aware that if it hasn't worked before then it is highly likely it will fail you again. Also if it has worked before and you encounter different circumstances you could still come unstuck. It is worth having some idea how to adapt your nutrition to meet changing conditions
Why not get it off the web? Why not attend a DrDobbin talk and plan it from there?
I think the points I made while explaining why you need to get individualised advice answer this. Basically the website or my talks can't take into account the important facts about your life that will determine how effective any given diet can be.
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Welcome to our Thursday Council Spotlight! The Summit has a Facebook page:
I believe Alan created it. So thank you to Alan! (If not, then someone will correct me.) =^)
Over on that page, you'll find a plethora of pictures! Go check them out! And post on that page to chat!
And go check out Durval's excellent Wiki article here, with a complete schedule and list of presenters:
TechNet Wiki: International Summit 2015
I am really amazed and humbled how everyone has come together to make this happen! All you guys are amazing!
- Ninja Ed


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If your hip pain and discomfort has reached the stage where you want to talk to your doctor about possible surgical solutions, your GP can recommend an orthopaedic surgeon for you to discuss this with. If you have your own surgeon in mind mention this to your GP.
In order for your GP to appreciate how severe your hip condition is, make a list of how the hip pain has impacted your life. For example, how does it affect your sleep, your job, your hobbies, driving, interacting with your family etc.
Creating another list showing all the ways you have tried to relieve the pain will help your GP appreciate your condition. For example, home remedies like hot/cold packs, over the counter pain medicines like paracetamol, alternative medicines etc.
It may be useful to also have a list of other questions you have and possibly take a pen and paper to take notes, including finding out where you can get more information.


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If you grow in soil, understanding the principles of soil chemistry is like flipping on a light in a darkened room. You owe it to yourself to learn about soil.
Soils is composed of three structural elements: sand, silt and clay. These are defined as follows:
– Sand: rock (mineral) particle between 2.0 mm and 0.05 mm in diameter
– Silt: rock (mineral) particle between 0.05 mm and 0.002 mm in diameter
– Clay: rock (mineral) particle less than 0.002 mm in diameter
The soil that is made up of these particles is named according to the predominating percentages of each. The extreme points on the USDA soil texture triangle are bad. We're shooting for the loam area.
Sand is big as far as plants and nutrients are concerned. It is big, smooth and not very "sticky" to ionic nutrients. Nutrients are only useable to plants when they are in their inorganic form. What does that mean? Well, to be organic-—chemically organic-—a molecule must have a carbon ring attached to it. It's that simple. Organic compounds are carbon-containing, inorganic compounds do not have carbon. End of discussion. We are setting politics aside—-this is what a chemist will tell you.
Plants do not use organic compounds; they use inorganic compounds in ionic form. An ion is a molecule or atom that does not have an equal number of protons (+) and electrons (-). Because their electrons and protons are not balanced, ions carry an electrical charge. All of the nutrients a plant needs must be in this ionic form or they cannot be used because they cannot be exchanged via active transport. Moreover, each ionic mineral has either a positive or negative charge. (If it has a positive charge it is called a cation; if it has a negative charge it is called an anion.) The charges on both the ions and the soil particles keep them stuck together like magnets and prevent the nutrition from washing away. The mineral ions adhere to, or are adsorbed onto, the soil particles. When lots of ionic minerals are adsorbed by the soil, it makes for lots of useable plant nutrition.
The Two Components that Make Soil Chemically Active
Sand, because of its large size, has a low surface-to-volume ratio and there-fore a low electrical charge. Silt is smaller and has a better surface-to-volume ratio and therefore it has a higher charge. Clay is the smallest, with particles so small that you need a microscope to see them. It has a high surface-to-volume ratio, and therefore a high charge. Think of it this way: volume "dilutes" the charge; the smaller the particle, the more "concentrated" the charge.
This electrical charge allows mineral nutrient ions to stick to the constituent soil particles. Look at the soil texture triangle. You can see that, based on the percentage of sand, silt and clay, a given volume of soil may have a greater or lesser charge than another. The amount of total electrical charge in a given volume of soil is called the soil's Cation Exchange Capacity, or CEC for short. The more sand in a given sample, the lower its CEC will be; conversely, the more clay in the sample, the higher its CEC will be. Also, larger amounts of organic matter, or humus, in the sample will result in a greater CEC.
Humus and clay are the two sources of chemical activity in soil. This is be-cause they are the smallest particles in soil. Now before you run off to the compost pile and mix in a bunch of leaf mulch, you should understand a few things about organic matter. The kind of organic matter you want in your soil is not last year's garden waste. You want the tiny particles that are the result of years of bacterial, fungal and physical breakdown of such waste—the particles so tiny that they neither float nor sink in solution. These are called colloids. Both clay and humus particles are often small enough to remain in colloidal suspension—they have the highest chemical activity and give your soil its CEC.
Cation Exchange Capacity
Cation Exchange Capacity is a measure of how many H ions can be held in 100 grams of soil. The clay and humus particles in the soil are generally negatively charged and they therefore adsorb cations. When the plant needs to absorb a cation, it secretes an H+ cation (recall the process of active transport), which the soil particle attracts (because it is negatively charged) and in exchange releases a cation of useful nutrient. The clay (or humus) particle readily takes on the H be-cause it is a lower molecular weight than the cation it is giving up (NH4+, for example). The number of times 100 grams of soil can make such exchanges for H is referred to as its Cation Exchange Capacity. Specifically, for every milligram of H that each 100 grams of soil can trade out, the soil's CEC is increases by 1.
CEC 1 = 1 mg of H+ adsorbing potential of 100 grams of soil.
Since there are other cations to account for (in addition to H+), another way to look at CEC is through milligram equivalence, or "MEQ." Let's take Ca++ as an example. Since calcium has a double charge to it, it can bind to twice as many soil particle-sites as can H+, which has just the one cation. So although the soil's CEC is the same, it can only hold half as many Ca++ cations as it can H+. Also, because Ca++ is 40 times heavier than H+ (but the soil can only hold half as many), the total weight of Ca++ held by 100 g of soil with a CEC of 1 is 20 mg to H+'s 1 mg; hence, the MEQ is 20 for Calcium and 1 for Hydrogen.
What about anions? After all, plants also need anions (such as nitrate, phosphorus, sulfur, boron, chlorine and molybdenum). Anions are a bit of a problem. They are not easily adsorbed onto soil particles and therefore tend to wash away. Only rarely does a soil have an AEC, or anion exchange capacity. Plants must get these anions by chance encounter as they tumble and bounce through the soil and eventually contact a root hair.
If this sounds unlikely to occur, consider the amount of root surface area in a plant. It sounds crazy, but this has been measured. A botanist by the name of Dittmer figured the surface area of a typical winter rye plant (not a big plant) back in 1937.1 He counted the roots by category and added surface area. Here's what he found: "The 13,815,672 roots had a surface area of 2,554.09 square feet… Living root hairs on this plant numbered 14,335,568,288 and had a total surface area of 4,321.31 square feet… The root hair surface combined with that of the roots gave a total of 6,875.4 square feet!"2
Soil pH
Your soil is conspiring against you in an attempt to become acidic, and the longer it is in use, the more dramatic this tendency becomes. The more organic matter your soil has, the lower its pH will be. This is because as organic matter decomposes, it releases carbon dioxide, which then reacts with water to create carbonic acid (H2CO3) in the soil. Similarly, as minerals decompose, high concentrations of aluminum are released in forms that create acidic conditions. Add to this the use of fertilizers (which are generally acidic because of their reliance on ammonium) plus the plant itself (which tends to acidify soil during nutrient uptake by taking up more cations than anions), and you have a situation that is precarious at best and that requires your continual vigilance. Ideally, when growing cannabis, you want to keep your soil's pH in the 5.7 to 6.5 range. Do this by periodically adding dolomitic lime.
When growing outside, things are even more challenging because you must account for rain, which is always slightly acidic (owing to CO2 in the atmosphere that gets dissolved in the rain). This is true even when we don't account for the phenomenon known as "acid rain," which is cause by industrial sulfur and nitrogen emissions. Rain water pH typically tests at about 5.7. And because anions do not adsorb onto soil particles as strongly as cations, they get washed away by rain and watering. This washing away of anions predisposes your soil to acidification even further.
Tight or Loose: The Calcium-to-Magnesium Ratio
The balance of calcium and magnesium determines how "tight" the soil is. These two cations make up the bulk of bound nutrient in the colloidal component of your soil (clay and humus). Calcium has a large ionic radius, meaning it holds colloids at a distance and flocculates (opens) soil, whereas Magnesium has a small ionic radius and holds its colloids close and therefore coagulates (closes or tightens) soil. The measure of a soil's tightness can be determined by a soils test where Ca and Mg are calculated on a MEQ/100 g basis then the level of Ca is divided by the level of Mg to give a numerical index such that:
- <2 = tight, sticky (or hard, if dry) soil
- 5-7 = just right soil
- >10 = too loose soil.
It is the ratio that matters here, not the total level of each component cation. If you have ever walked through a muddy field and had soil build up on the bottoms of your shoes, you know what a high Mg-to-Ca soil is.
Sand, silt and clay make up soil structure, while the organic component humus along with the clay are responsible for the soil CEC. Soil pH, plus a good initial mix, is the key to growing healthy plants in soil. Now that you know what's going on in the root zone, you can more easily identify the problems when things go wrong.
- Dittmer, H. J. (1937). A quantitative study of the roots and root hairs of a winter rye plant (Secale cereale). American Journal of Botany, 417-420. ↩
- Ibid. ↩


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What is exactly CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)? Perhaps you've heard the phrase used a time or two, but aren't quite sure what it means. CBT is a type of treatment where a therapist helps you examine thought patterns (cognition) that affect behavior. The goal is to slowly change these patterns until you see a corresponding change in behavior. But where does luxury cognitive based therapy come into the picture?
What is Luxury Cognitive Based Therapy?
Luxury cognitive based therapy is simply CBT in an environment designed for today's busy executives and high-powered individuals. It offers many of the amenities of a sophisticated resort combined with experienced clinicians and staff. It is thought that a comfortable environment is beneficial to the recovery process, especially when undergoing the first challenging days and weeks of detox and rehab.
about our Luxury Cognitive Based Therapy program.
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I'm going to be frank with my opinion here. Just because Google is an innovative, booming company, one which will change—and probably already has changed—the way our world accesses and manages information, that doesn't mean by any stretch of the imagination that Google should be treated with some sort of ivory-tower, holier-than-thou deference.
Believe me when I say, Google is as successful as it is specifically because they have done so much to shed the image of traditional mega-corporations. If you tried to call up your brokerage firm for some support and advice, you might get it, eventually. If, however, you are running a Google Adwords or Adsense campaign and you find yourself needing some questions answered, Mr. Google is more than happy to put down his trillions and his yacht and answer your phone call.
This sounds funny, but I mean it. Google has revamped the image of the consumer-conscious company. Their customer support professionals managing the Adwords and Adsense departments are nothing short of spectacular when it comes to helping you iron out your difficulties. But even though I've seen this in my own business and with dozens of eMarketed's clients, some members of our industry fail to realize the significance of Google's strong commitment to customer service.
In short, if your online venture should take you past the gates of Google, don't be afraid to knock. They are not your average company. They do not want to be your average company. They want to be bothered, constantly. Their young employees play video games at work and eat gourmet meals three times a day. However, as a testament to their hiring process, Google is staffed entirely with young upstarts who will drop their unicycles and forks at a moment's notice to answer a client's call or email. These kids are dedicated to their job, period.
Google's goal with creating Adwords and Adsense was to level the playing field between the small business and the mega-corp. As a result, small businesses have a leg up because they're used to handling issues with suppliers and other businesses face-to-face or over the phone. Larger and more traditional businesses will have to adapt their thinking or be left in the dust when it comes to customer service and business solutions in the post-Google Age.


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Womanswrite – a great place for women who write or want to write.
Published by Sue Stern on September 25, 2013 | Leave a response
I found WW in about 1995, thanks to me dear mother, who was still working at the age of eighty, and needed to be weaned away from our family health food shop, 'The Laughing Lentil' in Cheetham Hill. Loving to write and paint, already attending an art class, I decided that here was a place [...]
Posted in General | Tagged Becoming a Writer, Womanswrite


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December 31, 2014
The payments and commerce sector witnessed a number of prominent product launches this year. These product launches have taken place across multiple facets of the payments and commerce domain but they are contributing to the growth of the entire ecosystem. Here is a compilation of the notable product launches this year witnessed:
Apple Pay
The tech giant finally launched its contactless mobile payments system on October 20th. Apple Pay brought the power of tokenization, NFC, biometric sensor to bring a seamless way of making payments. Apple Pay has already gained a sizeable traction in the US market. Since its launch, Apple Pay has acquired partnerships with 30+ banks, 50+ merchants and numerous other stakeholders in the payments ecosystem. Apple Pay is adding more transaction numbers at an accelerated pace to its record. Whole Foods had cited that Apple Pay had already accounted for 1% of its transactions in 17 days since its launch. McDonalds witnessed 50% of its tap-and-pay transactions coming from Apple Pay since its adoption by the QSR giant. Apple Pay has given a booster dose to NFC payments. Apple Pay is currently in the phase of expanding into new geographies.
Square's EMV Card Reader
Square had launched a new reader especially designed for chip based cards on November 12th. The reader is first of its kind for the U.S. and is priced at $29. The reader is quite compact, something that could fit in your pocket, and is compatible with both iOS and Android. Along with chip cards, it can process magstripe cards as well. The reader is highly energy efficient and could last an entire day of sales. With the chip card integration, Square is keeping up with the current regulations and the strategy to introduce the product way before October 2015 is an ideal step.
Poynt POS
The new innovation point-of-sale system was unveiled on October 29th. It is being dubbed as the world's first 'smart' payment terminal. It is being dubbed as a future-proof payment terminal having the versatility of a mobile device and would be available at a price affordable for merchants. The Poynt Smart Terminal has been designed to meet all the PCI and EMV requirements since merchants have to replace their terminals by October 2015 due to the EMV mandate. It supports multiple payment methods like traditional debit/credit cards, EMV chip-based cards, NFC payments as in Apple Pay and Google Wallet and also supports payment technologies like Bluetooth and QR code. It runs on the PoyntOS, a platform developed solely for the POS system.
Etsy Card Reader
Etsy, the online marketplace, launched a card reader for its sellers based in US on October 23rd. The card reader was launched to accept credit and debit card payments in person and also help manage multi-channel sales more efficiently. The reader dubbed as Sell on Etsy Reader works in sync with the updated 'Sell on Etsy' app for iOS and Android. The app aides in payment processing and also records cash sales made in person. The product was launched to help Etsy's more than 1 million sellers better run their businesses offline.
MasterCard's Contactless Payment Card with Fingerprint Sensor
MasterCard had partnered with Zwipe to launch the world's first first biometric contactless payment card on October 17th. The payment card uses NFC and comes with an integrated fingerprint sensor. The new product is introduced as an answer to the complex challenge of providing a fast, convenient payment solution that does not compromise on security. Zwipe's secure biometric authentication technology holds the cardholder's biometric data. The card contains an EMV certified secure element and MasterCard's contactless application. The fingerprint data is stored directly on the card and not in an external database. After activation by a fingerprint scan, the Zwipe MasterCard card can be used to make a contactless payment.
WePay Clear
WePay is known for its payment services for marketplaces, crowdfunding platforms and other websites to enable online transactions. The company launched a white-label, API-based service called WePay Clear on October 8th. The new service works similar to Stripe and also offers a no-fraud guarantee. WePay Clear works both on the desktop web as well as in mobile apps. WePay Clear offers core payment processing features like merchant onboarding, credit card processing and payment settlements. Its risk management feature takes care of the issues around chargebacks which many traditional payment processors face.
Plastc Programmable Card
Plastc had announced a new digital wallet on October 7th that can replace all the existing credit cards, debit cards, access cards and gift cards in a user's wallet. The card allows users to save 20 cards and barcodes on its flash memory. It comes with an iOS wallet app that allows users to add and manage different cards. The card looks pretty much like a standard credit card, but it has an e-Ink touch-screen, that helps users select from the stored cards. It also has Bluetooth connectivity to connect with the iPhone, rewritable RFID and support for other technologies related to payments like NFC, EMV chip, PIN and magnetic stripe. It gets charged through a wireless induction mechanism and is secured with a remote wipe feature that allows users to delete the stored cards if the Plastc card is lost. This programmable card got first week of pre-orders worth $5.2 Mn.
Clinkle Payments App
The Clinkle mobile payments app was finally launched on September 23rd after months of speculations. Clinkle lets you pay friends, get a pre-paid Visa, and earn gifts for buying stuff with your Clinkle card. Some are calling it a glorified and gamified Visa prepaid debit card program. Using Clinkle, you can send money to other Clinkle users for free as long as you send it from your bank account. When people use their Clinkle card to pay, they fill up a reward meter. After every seventh payment, Clinkle card users are awarded a Treat. The treats can be used for refund on purchases.
Amazon's mPOS
Amazon had launched a smartphone-compatible credit card reader for brick and mortar stores on August 13th. The commerce giant unveiled the $10 reader to expand further into bricks-and-mortar retail and the rapidly evolving mobile payments arena. The new point-of-sale system, called Amazon Local Register, gives Amazon crucial data on how U.S. consumers shop offline. Amazon is using its experience in other important commerce processes such as inventory management, supply chain, loyalty programs to help small store owners and street vendors with its mpos solution.
Mobile Remittance Corridor by mHITs and M-Pesa
On 5th June 2014, Australian developer and operator of mobile payment services – mHITs – had announced that its SMS mobile wallet service has launched an international mobile remittance corridor between Australia and M-Pesa, the leading mobile money service in Kenya. The mHITs Remit micro-remittance service allows people in Australian to send money safely and conveniently to partner mobile wallet operators in other countries simply by sending an SMS including GLOBE GCASH and SMART Money in the Philippines, MTN Mobile Money in Ghana and now M-PESA in Kenya.
Paym in UK
On 29th April 2014, the Paym service was officially launched as a new service to enable users of UK's nine biggest banks to send money to each other via their mobile phones. Paym was initially poised to target 30 Mn people in the UK. The initial partner banks included Barclays, Bank of Scotland, Cumberland Building Society, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds Bank, Santander, TSB Bank & Danske Bank. Customers can utilize the Paym service to send up to £250 per day. This can be done using just a mobile number, without requiring a sort code and account number. Non-smartphone users can register to receive payments, however a smart phone app is required to send money.
Orange Cash
On 13th February 2014, Visa Europe and Orange announced the commercial launch of Orange Cash in France. This launch made Orange the first mobile network operator in France, to offer contactless mobile payments to its customers. Orange Cash is a solution designed and managed with Wirecard Card Solutions, a member of Visa Europe. The Orange Cash app takes the form of a Visa prepaid card on a smartphone, acting as a 'mobile wallet'. Orange customers who have an NFC smartphone compatible with Orange Cash will have to go into an Orange store, to take full advantage of the Visa contactless payment solution. The Orange Cash application is based on a prepaid account that customers can top up with any of their Credit or Debit cards. Once the app has been topped up, customers can use the smartphone like any other wallet, in any retail outlet that accepts Visa contactless payments worldwide.


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Even nice things don't make you happy when you're tired.
I'm too nervous to eat before I go onstage, and I'll usually eat out after the performance or when I get home at midnight.
I pay a bit more than lip-service to health: I don't eat chips or pre-prepared food, and it might be a comedy sacrilege to admit I do like vegetables, fruit and salad and stuff.
I buy smoked mackerel in a vain attempt at being healthy. I do actually really like it, and you don't have to cook it, which is handy.
No one I know is actually so rude as to tell me I've become duller since having children. But I'm sure they think it.
I've always liked to think I could do anything I wished as well as - if not better than - a man. But I wasn't very good at rally driving.
Not many women will go out on a limb to make themselves really unattractive and unfeminine so you can get the laughs, but it's a great thing to do in my book.
Everyone in comedy thinks if you go to the U.S. you become a global star but, unfortunately, I've always been a bit anti-American - so I never did.
I was always being called upon to be an honorary boy alongside my brothers. I don't think I'd be a comic now if it hadn't been for that.
I have such admiration for single mothers. I simply don't comprehend how you'd cope with that intensity, the lack of breaks, ever, on your own.
I believe that if your brain has to get to grips with complicated words, then you won't get Alzheimer's. I'm sure it's not true, but I do believe it.
I thought I was funny as a kid. I used to play tricks on my brothers - I'd tie a two-shilling piece to a bit of cotton, then pull it away as they went to grab it.
Suffice to say, many women find their first appearance on a comedy panel show to be their last. Second chances seem to be given less often to the female of the species.
Some men are deeply likable but have attitudes I don't like. Does that mean I should completely dismiss them? It's like saying: if someone votes Tory can you like them? And, yes, I can. I have friends who vote Tory, and I'm appalled, but that's not to say they're not great people in so many other ways. We have a tendency to oversimplify things.
Managers of hospitals over the years have been increasingly recruited from outside the health service, and although their experience of running a supermarket chain might allow them to balance the books, it does not mean they have any insight into how a ward should be managed and patients best served.
Does anyone really go into nursing intending to be apathetic, cold and removed from suffering? I find that very difficult to believe.


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The boy was quickly running out of options. His legs and belly were swelling like sponges, his lungs kept filling with fluid so badly that he needed an oxygen tank, and the extreme measures his physicians had tried worked only temporarily. But the boy lived. Born with a rare, complex genetic condition, he owes his life to zebrafish, the nearly transparent creatures that have become the go-to lab animal in countless studies of genetics, development, and disease. Hakonarson and his colleagues identified the mutation causing the boy's illness, in which lymphatic vessels proliferate out of control and leak fluid into the lungs and other organs; engineered the mutation into zebrafish; waited for the fish to develop a piscine version of the boy's disease; tested multiple drugs on the fish; found one that stopped the vessels' kudzu-like growth; and got permission from federal health officials to try it on their young patient. It worked.
Article by: STAT; July 01, 2019


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UN chief condemns Syria water cut by al Qaida-linked Nusra Front
A cut in water supplies in the Syrian city of Aleppo has been condemned by the head of the United Nations.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that preventing people from access to safe water denies them a "fundamental right".
A statement from his office added that denying civilians essential supplies is a breach of international and humanitarian law.
The director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights activist group, Rami Abdurrahman, said that rebels from the al Qaida-linked Nusra Front cut water supplies in the city nearly two weeks ago.
He said that the group has tried to resume pumping water but that supplies are erratic.