text: Windows Internals 6th Edition, and a Bonus Powershell Script 16. June 2012 Ryan IT Professional , Powershell , Windows Comments (0) I started reading Windows Internals, 6th Edition about a week ago. In case you don't know, it was authored by Mark Russinovich, David Solomon and Alex Ionescu. It's been great so far, packed full of ridiculously detailed technical information on how the Windows operating system works at its most fundamental level. And there is no one on the planet who knows more about that very topic than those three guys. Weighing in at about 750 very dense pages - and that's just part 1 - it's not for the faint of heart. But if you do have the fortitude and desire to consume this kind of material, you'll be rewarded with being able to explain to people what the differences between the Kernel and the Executive are, how to examine the Kernel Processor Control Block in Windbg, etc. Good stuff. Now, context switch: I wrote this little Powershell script a few days ago to help me automate some SQL stuff. I realize that there are already other ways to do distributed SQL queries and so I'm sort of reinventing the wheel here, but hey... now it's in Powershell. Automation-ready and no Management Studio required. <# .NOTES Name : Execute-DistributedSQLQuery.ps1 Author: Ryan Ries Email : firstname.lastname@example.com Date : June 07, 2012 .LINK http://www.myotherpcisacloud.com .SYNOPSIS This script executes a SQL query across multiple SQL servers as defined either on the command line or in a file. .DESCRIPTION This script executes a SQL query across multiple SQL servers as defined either on the command line or in a file. Use the -Servers parameter to define multiple SQL servers on the command line. Alternatively, use the -File parameter to specify a text file of SQL servers, one per line. Use the NonQuery switch if your SQL statement is not a SELECT-style query, but a stored procedure or other operation. If Username and Password is specified, then SQL authentication will be used. Otherwise, SSPI will be used. If you want to specify a different database for each server, use a ! between the server name and the DB name. (On either the command line or in a file.) Otherwise, "master" will be the default database and you must specify the desired database name as part of your query. Use Get-Help <script> -Full for examples and more info. .EXAMPLE .\Execute-DistributedSQLQuery.ps1 -Servers SQLSERVER01,SQLSERVER02 -Query "SELECT * FROM DB.dbo.Inventory" Queries the Inventory table in the DB database on both SQLSERVER01 and SQLSERVER02. Uses SSPI authentication. .EXAMPLE .\Execute-DistributedSQLQuery.ps1 -File servers.txt -Query "SELECT * FROM DB.dbo.Inventory" Runs identical queries on each server found in servers.txt. .EXAMPLE .\Execute-DistributedSQLQuery.ps1 -File svrs.txt -Query "SELECT * FROM Inv" -Username ryan -Password xyz By specifying a username and password, the authentication method is changed from SSPI to SQL authentication. .EXAMPLE .\Execute-DistributedSQLQuery.ps1 -File servers.txt -Query "EXEC Clear_Inventory" -NonQuery Use the -NonQuery switch if executing a SQL statement that is not a SELECT query. .EXAMPLE .\Execute-DistributedSQLQuery.ps1 -Servers SVR01!DB1,SVR02!MgtDB -Query "SELECT * FROM Inv" You can specify a separate database on each server by separating the server\instance name and the database name with an exclamation mark. This is useful if you want to run an identical query on multiple SQL servers with differently-named databases. The exclamation mark syntax works both on the command line and in a file. .EXAMPLE .\Execute-DistributedSQLQuery.ps1 -Servers SVR01,SVR02 -Query "SELECT * FROM DB.dbo.Inv" Remember that if no database is specified by using an exclamation mark, the master database will be selected by default, so to run a query on a different database on the server, you must specify that in your query. #> Param([Parameter(Mandatory=$false)][String[]]$Servers, [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)][ValidateScript({Test-Path $_ -PathType Leaf})][String]$File, [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)][String]$Username, [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)][String]$Password, [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)] [String]$Query, [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)][Switch]$NonQuery) If(($Servers -And $File) -Or (!$Servers -And !$File)) { Throw "You must specify either -Servers or -File; not both, not neither." } If(($Username -And !$Password) -Or (!$Username -And $Password)) { Throw "You need to specify both Username and Password if using SQL authentication." } If($File) { $Servers = Get-Content $File } ForEach ($_ in $Servers) { If($_.Split("!").Count -gt 1) { If($_.Split("!").Count -gt 2) { Throw "Error parsing Server.DB name. Did you use too many exclamation marks?" } $Instance = $_.Split("!")[0] $DB = $_.Split("!")[1] } Else { $Instance = $_ $DB = "master" } If($Username) { $ConnectionString = "server=$Instance;database=$DB;user=$Username;password=$Password" } Else { $ConnectionString = "server=$Instance;database=$DB;Integrated Security=SSPI" } If($NonQuery) { $SQLConnection = New-Object System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection $ConnectionString $SQLConnection.Open() $SQLCommand = $SQLConnection.CreateCommand() $SQLCommand.CommandText = $Query $rdr = $SQLCommand.ExecuteNonQuery(); $SQLConnection.Close() } Else { $DataAdapter = New-Object System.Data.SqlClient.SqlDataAdapter ($Query, $ConnectionString) $DataTable = New-Object System.Data.DataTable $DataAdapter.Fill($DataTable) | Out-Null $DataTable | Out-GridView -Title "$Instance DB: $DB" } } Tags:


text: Pete's Dragon is a 1977 live-action/animated musical film from Walt Disney Productions. It is a live-action film but one of its title characters, a dragon named Elliott, is animated. The story is about a young orphan named Pete who enters the town of Passamaquoddy, a small fishing community on Passamaquoddy Bay in Northeastern Maine. His only friend is a dragon named Elliott, who also acts as his protector and can make himself invisible and is generally visible only to Pete, which occasionally lands Pete in trouble with the locals. Also starring Helen Reddy, Mickey Rooney, Jim Dale, Red Buttons, Jeff Conaway, and Shelley Winters. The film was directed by Don Chaffey, and the songs are ... more on Wikipedia

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Folded Brochures
A leader in full-color brochure printing
Brochures reflect the solidity of a product, program or organization. They allow you to organize and present information in a printed collateral piece that readers will take away with them. They can be sent in envelopes, mailed by themselves or distributed in brochure racks. They present your message in a convenient and user-friendly size, and yet, because all of our custom brochures are printed on 100# Gloss Book Stock (C2S), they have perceived substance that impacts your reader. We believe that a high-end, quality brochure is one of the most fundamental pieces in most marketing programs. Why? They are versatile, informative, affordable and can be produced quickly.
Custom brochures can be produced in a variety of sizes, depending on your marketing needs, content and graphics, budget and mailing requirements. As a leader in full-color brochure printing, We can work with you to find your best and most affordable printing solution with fast turnaround guaranteed.
Flyers Direct in Tempe is a premier digital printer that specializes in printing Folded Brochures. If you need custom Folded Brochures, contact our printing experts today!


text:
Satsecure Blog
CCTV news, tips, and useful information brought to you by members of the Satsecure team.
27th September 2017.
PSI, a trade publication for the security and fire industries, has recently tested and reviewed one of MaxxOne's DVRs. On this occasion, Continue reading
12th July 2017.
What are the Benefits of the New Surface Mounted Infrared LEDs?
As time goes on, all electronic equipment undergoes changes; and improvements make products better, more efficient, and easier to use. Case in point, newer CCTV cameras are being produced with fewer infrared sensors than before. So, what are the benefits from this change?
11th May 2017.
Mobiles, apps, digital this and digital that - We live in a world where technology moves fast, and constantly upgrading our devices is part of our routine. With IP CCTV offering amazing resolution and cool features such as facial recognition, video analytics capabilities and more, it's easy to miss how good analogue CCTV systems are.
2nd May 2017.
IP CCTV: What you need to know
If you're determined to get the latest in technology to future proof your investment in a security system, then IP CCTV is what you're looking for. The term IP CCTV is a buzzword these days, but what's all the buzz about?
25th April 2017.
Satsecure are Proud Sponsors of Circus Starr
Circus Starr is an organisation dedicated to providing memorable experiences to disadvantaged children and their families. With a touring circus featuring world class performers, children can escape their daily routines and let their imaginations run wild to create an everlasting memory. The shows are designed to be interactive experiences in which the audience can participate as much as they like, encouraging discovery, self-confidence, and engagement with others.
Continue reading
3rd April 2017.
"Sometimes relationships draw to a natural end, but there was nothing natural about this. Fully expecting to see you on Monday morning, making your morning drink, getting ready to conquer the challenges of the day, reality is yet to fully sink in that you are no longer with us.
I remember when we first met - your interview - it was your professional demeanour and the confidence with which you carried yourself that made you stand out, and it was also that I could tell you were a very nice guy. Nearly three years later, you've become such an asset to the team, though you are also much more than that.
Continue reading
9th March 2017.
Would you like to learn how to connect a CCTV system? Let us show you!
Watch the video below where Matt, a member of the Satsecure team shows you how to connect a CCTV system and what you need.
27th February 2017.
If you are among the many home and business owners who've made the decision to take control of their security, here are:
8 Helpful Tips Now that you Own a CCTV System
1. Use Weatherproof Cables If the installation cables are mostly external to your property, you'll want them to be weatherproof to avoid any weather damage.
31st January 2017.
If you are a first time CCTV buyer, here are 4 reasons why pre-configured kits are the best choice for you:
14th December 2016.
Technical specs for CCTV equipment can sound complicated at first, in this article we highlight
5 Things you Need to Know About CCTV Cameras:


text:
BTI220 notes – Thu Jul 18
We continue our introduction to CSS today.
Work area setup
Browser's view-zoom – Ctrl++, Ctrl+-, and Ctrl+0 (substitute Cmd on Mac OS X)
Download the sample for today
Save it in a folder
Study the folder's structure, notably the assets and ui sub-folders
Text editor holds your HTML content
Add a link element to the head element; this will link to an external style sheet (see next…)
<link rel=stylesheet href=ui/css/styles.css>
Another editor instance holds your CSS content
Create a new text file, named 'styles.css'
Save it in the ui/css folder
You will be editing both the HTML and CSS files
A browser window displays your web page; Ctrl+R (or Cmd+R) to refresh
A short typography discussion
Typography (Wikipedia article) – the art and technique of arranging text on a medium (aka 'type')
Typeface – a set of fonts that share a common design
Font – a specific size, weight, style, condensation, width, slant, italicization, ornamentation, and designer of a typeface
Serif, sans-serif
A guided tour of some CSS highlights
We will use an example HTML document to show the highlights…
Download it from here
HTML character entities, (explained on Wikipedia) and their role/purpose…
< >
Default styles in a browser
Reset (normalize) – Eric Meyer's contribution
Not all properties can be inherited (e.g. background-color)
Values to use… absolute (e.g. px), and relative (e.g. em, %)
Font size suggestion/approach – set as 'absolute' in parent container, then 'child sizes are relative to the parent
Setting colours – by name; by RGB value, by RGB percentage
RGB examples – color: rgb(127,63,255), or rgb(20%,30%,40%), or #0088ee, or #08e
Background image – background-image: url("path/and/name.jpg") (relative to the rule's location)
Others – background-repeat: repeat-x, or repeat-y, or both (default)
Absolute size units pt, in, mm, cm are good for print media, but shouldn't use in a browser
Type – font-family, include serif or sans-serif at the end of the list
Pseudo classes – :active and :hover can be used on many elements
Write rules for :link and :visited pseudo classes before the others
Box model explained on MDN
Padding uses the content's background colour – margins are transparent (i.e. they use the parent's)
Padding is the space between the content and margin
Margin is the space between the outer edge of content+padding and the inner edge of the parent
Horizontal margins are additive
Vertical margins ignore all except the largest-value rule
Margin (and others, like padding, border) shorthand – clockwise, start at the top – top, right, bottom, left
Alternate form, using only two values – the first value is for the top and bottom, the second value is for the right and left
Content categories and Sections and Outlines of an HTML5 Document
Layout, width sizes – includes content + padding + border + margin, so don't consider only 'content' widths when designing
Float this element relative to following elements; float: left means "position this element to the left of the following element(s)"; if the following element(s) exceed the height of the floated element, then the content "flows" around the right side (and then bottom) of the element
Clear means "move this element down until it clears the margin(s) of the preceding element"; in other words, it determines whether other content can float around it; default is none, can be both, left, or right; left means that floated elements cannot appear (i.e. must be clear) in its left edge
From MDN, selectors:
- Basic Selectors
- Type selectors
- Class selectors
- ID selectors
- Universal selectors
* ns|* *|*
- Attribute selectors
- Type selectors
- Combinators
- Adjacent sibling selectors
- General sibling selectors
- Child selectors
- Descendant selectors
- Adjacent sibling selectors
- Pseudo-elements
- Pseudo-classes
From the W3C, Selectors in the CSS standard
Decent article about important selectors
A short colour discussion
Colour theory – read/scan the Wikipedia article


text:
Several years back, laziness, pies and the occasional beer had resulted in a more than generous waistline and a strain on the bathroom scales. Life has been infinitely better since losing the excess and getting fit resulting in my ultimate challenge to date, completing an Ironman triathlon in my 40th year.
It's still tough as I love food and a beer and having a desk based job makes for a pretty sedentary lifestyle. But, fill the rest of the time with active pursuits and the rewards are limitless.
Personal Bests
5k – Park Run 19:28
5 miles – Guy Fawkes 5 32:14
10k – Frampton 40:22
Half marathon – Grand Pier 1:34
Marathon – Berlin 4:14


text:
Books, Movies, Music
JCPL Catalog
Reading programs and Book Groups
Kids & Teens
Kids Zone
Teens Only
For Parents and Teachers
Student Portal
Main Content
OverDrive launches eReading rooms for kids and teens, ads new publisher, videos
OverDrive, the library's eBook and eAudio provider, has introduced some changes this summer aimed to improve your online experience.
To make title choices easier for younger readers, OverDrive has introduced new age-oriented rooms for teens and children looking for ebooks online.
These "reading rooms" contain titles that OverDrive has designated as YA (young adult) or J (juvenile) reading and interest levels. There are links to find books by subject, interest, and Lexile reading level.
To access these new sites, visit the links on our Kids Zone and Teens Only pages, or bookmark www.myjcpl.org/overdrive/kids and www.myjcpl.org/overdrive/teens.
Once you have entered these rooms, you will need to click the link to return to the main collection to see other available overdrive titles.
OverDrive has also struck a deal with publisher Simon & Schuster following a pilot program which was rolled out to selected libraries this spring and opened nationwide at the end of June.
In the agreement, Simon & Schuster-owned titles are now available for lending through OverDrive. Also, patrons will have an option to purchase the eBook immediately through selected retailers rather than wait for the title to become available for free lending.
This option will appear on Simon & Schuster titles as a "Buy it Now" button. A portion of these sales will come back to the library in the form of content credit through OverDrive. This agreement is currently in effect for one year.
The Simon & Schuster catalog includes authors such as Stephen King, Janet Evanovich, Mary Higgins Clarke, David McCullough, Jodi Picoult, and titles like Mr. Mercedes, Hard Choices, The Light Between Oceans, Steve Jobs, Under the Dome, and many more.
Another change which patrons may enjoy is the addition of streaming videos to the OverDrive collection. Selected titles are available to be checked out for one week. These may be viewed from a computer or portable device using an HTML5 compatible web browser, or via devices that stream content to a television, such as the OverDrive channel for Roku.


text:
This morning Wellington saw some torrential rain. My library saw its third serious roof leak in 4 months. In February it leaked in the Archive room and behind the DVDs. In March it leaked in the Archive room and on the new books at the front of the library. Today it leaked in the Archive room, behind the DVDs, and on the TV and viewing chair. (No roof leak in April – we were in drought.)
Today we were lucky. Although we'd moved the boxes back into the Archive room they weren't back on the shelves. So when the water started pouring in like someone had turned on a tap the boxes were nowhere near the water. We managed to get them out before there was too much splashing. We started taking the DVDs off the shelves in the library proper as a precautionary measure – halfway through there was water dripping down the wall. We were too late to shift the chair and TV but luckily they weren't too badly soaked.
I say 'luckily' because it was. Despite assurances and guarantees that the spaces would be waterproof, despite leaving the tarpaulin over the Archive shelves (and the shelves themselves, empty) until the first heavy downpour, despite all that, it was pure luck that made me check the room and pure luck that my colleague checked the DVDs.
So what does one do in a situation like this?
1. Curse. You'll feel better. (Although maybe that's just me…)
2. Don't panic. Panicking, blame, and fury can come later. Use that energy to start…
3. Shifting stuff. Triage as you go if you can – this stuff is wet, this stuff is not wet, this stuff is soaked and needs to be frozen etc
4. Take a break once things are out of immediate danger. Have a cup of tea and some biscuits. Time is of the essence but nothing is going to get better or worse in the 30 mins you'll spend planning the next bit. Which is…
5. Salvage. You will most likely need lots of space to spread things out. The way to dry things like books and magazines is to lay them in front of a fan so the pages are gently ruffled and unstick themselves as they dry. Even completely soaked magazines can come back from the dead with this method. If things don't have too many pages, and the pages peel apart without sticking to each other, then you can use waxed paper (from the supermarket) to keep the pages separated as they dry out. Stuff that is completely soaked can be frozen. Use the same methods once it comes out of the freezer.
6. Repeat step 1 and 5 as often as needed. (In my experience this will be frequently. Paper takes a long time to dry out.)


text:
By Mr. Soussana's own account, his customers fared less happily. He specialized in the exotic mortgages that have proved most prone to sliding into foreclosure, leaving many now scrambling to save their homes.
Yet the dangers assailing Mr. Soussana's clients have yielded fresh business for him: Late last year, he and his team — ensconced in the same office where they used to broker mortgages — began working for a
"We just changed the script and changed the product we were selling," said Mr. Soussana, who ran the Los Angeles sales office of Federal Loan Modification Law Center. The new script: You got a raw deal, and "Now, we're able to help you out because we understand your lender."
Mr. Soussana's partners at FedMod, as the company is known, were also products of the formerly lucrative world of high-risk lending. The managing partner, Nabile Anz, known as Bill, previously co-owned Mortgage Link, a
Jeffrey Broughton, one of FedMod's initial partners, served as director of business development at Pacific First Mortgage, a lender that extended so-called Alt-A mortgages for borrowers with tarnished
FedMod is but one example of how many of the same people who dispensed risky mortgages during the real estate bubble have reconstituted themselves into a new industry focused on selling loan modifications.
Despite making promises of relief to homeowners desperate to keep their homes, FedMod and other profit making loan modification firms often fail to deliver, according to a
The suit, filed in California federal court, asserts that FedMod frequently exaggerated its rates of success, advised clients to stop making their mortgage payments, did little or nothing to modify loans and failed to promptly refund fees. The suit seeks an end to FedMod's practices, and compensation for customers.
"Our job was to get the money in and then we're done," said Paul Pejman, a former sales agent who worked out of FedMod's two-story headquarters in Irvine, Calif. He recounted his experience, he said, because "I really feel bad."
"I had people calling me crying, and we were telling them, 'You can pay me or you can lose your house,' " Mr. Pejman said. "People were giving me every dime they had, opening credit cards. But I never saw one client come out of it with a successful loan modification."
Mr. Anz, who is challenging the F.T.C. lawsuit, acknowledged that FedMod's business went "horribly wrong," but he maintains the company made genuine efforts to help delinquent borrowers. He said FedMod has refunded fees to 3,000 dissatisfied customers, while modifying 1,500 mortgages.
A New Mission
FedMod is among dozens of similar companies that have been accused by state and federal authorities of fraudulent business practices. On the same day in April that the F.T.C. sued FedMod, it brought action against four similar companies and sent letters of warning to 71 others. Last week, the commission brought lawsuits against four more loan modification companies, advancing an enforcement campaign involving 23 states.
Many of the companies formerly operated as mortgage brokers, The Times found. Since October, the California Department of Real Estate has ordered 210 businesses and individuals to stop offering loan modification or foreclosure prevention services, because they lacked a real estate license, as required by the state. In fact, nearly half the people have roots in the mortgage industry or other areas of real estate, according to public records.
Debt Barter Inc. is among them. A loan modification company based in Irvine that was cited by the state in January for collecting upfront fees without a license, it is owned by Sean R. Roberts, who formerly headed Instafi, a mortgage broker that closed $2 billion worth of loans a year at its peak. Since February, customers have filed 17 complaints against Debt Barter with the Better Business Bureau. Most accused the company of charging upfront fees, then failing to lower their payments.
"We can't please everyone all the time," said Mr. Roberts, who added that the company had modified loans for nearly 300 of its roughly 500 clients.
In Aliso Viejo, Calif., the Citywide Mortgage Corporation, which previously brokered Alt-A and subprime loans, last year became a loan modification company, USMAC. The company has not received a cease and desist order, but complaints on numerous consumer Web sites assert that it fails to deliver.
"I'm saving homes," said the company's president, Scott Gimbel, who claimed a success rate above 70 percent.
Chris Mozilo, nephew of
Chris Mozilo worked at Countrywide for 16 years. "I'm very proud of my career in mortgage lending," he said. "We helped millions of people achieve the goal of homeownership."
From its inception in the middle of 2008, FedMod aimed to dominate the loan modification industry, growing swiftly with the aid of a national advertising campaign.
Mr. Broughton, 49, had worked in the mortgage industry since the mid-1980s. As the market ground to a halt in 2008, he founded FedMod with two Los Angeles entrepreneurs, Steven Oscherowitz and Boaz Minitzer.
Mr. Broughton sought to distinguish his company from the unscrupulous ventures that dominate the industry.
"You had a lot of these modification companies that were subprime guys," he said. "All they cared about was making quick dollars."
But the partners behind FedMod had their own questionable backgrounds. In the mid-1990s, Mr. Oscherowitz settled an F.T.C. lawsuit that accused his company, Universal Merchants, of falsely marketing the weight-loss benefits of a
The partners entrusted Mr. Soussana with FedMod's Los Angeles sales office precisely because he had proved adept at selling the sorts of loans that now required modification. In 2006, Mr. Soussana, then 30, was listed as the nation's sixth most prolific mortgage broker by Mortgage Originator, a trade magazine, brokering $318 million worth of loans. The same year, he paid $1.8 million for a house near Beverly Hills.
"He was one of the biggest guys in subprime mortgages," Mr. Minitzer said. "He basically wanted to get back to his old days of 50, 60, 70 guys in his office, and we could help because we were basically taking over the market."
Bringing in the Law
The three original partners brought in Mr. Anz to gain a crucial asset: his law license. Having a lawyer in charge enabled them to market their venture as a law firm and thus collect upfront payments under California rules.
"Jeff asked me how I could, for lack of a better word, legitimize it," Mr. Anz said.
The California Department of Real Estate warns consumers that many dubious loan modification companies have organized themselves as law firms solely to allow them to collect upfront fees, even though the lawyers have little, if anything, to do with the services provided. The department cautions consumers against hiring such companies.
In its lawsuit against FedMod, the F.T.C. contends that the company's advertisements implied it had the backing of the federal government. "If you're like the millions of Americans out there who are struggling to pay a mortgage, you may be eligible for the Federal Loan Modification Program," radio ads beckoned.
Aggressive marketing ensured that Mr. Pejman, 22, never lacked for calls when he started at the Irvine sales office in January. He had worked at three wholesale mortgage
"Our big sales pitch was that an attorney could do a better job with your loan modification," Mr. Pejman said. "If you told them these were basically washed-up people from the mortgage industry, or just people sending in paperwork, they would say, 'Well, why bother? I might as well do this myself.' "
He went on: "It was misleading to the client. Attorneys never touched those files."
Among the 700-plus full-time employees who worked for FedMod this spring, only nine were lawyers, Mr. Anz said, though the company retained a lawyer in every state.
Mr. Pejman and his fellow agents urged homeowners to send FedMod $3,495; the agents were promised a 30 percent commission for fees they took in. Most clients could not come up with more than $1,000 and agreed to a payment schedule for the rest. Assurances of relief from a homeowner's loan terms were typically extravagant, Mr. Pejman said.
"A big grabber was that your loan will be reduced to 2.5 percent to 5 percent on a 30-year fixed rate loan," he said. "They'd print out all these mythical success stories for us to read over the phone."
Under FedMod's policies, agents were prohibited from making false claims, counseling clients not to pay their mortgages or providing success rates, Mr. Anz said. New clients received follow-up compliance calls to ensure they understood nothing was guaranteed.
But sales agents were told of such policies with a wink, Mr. Pejman said.
"They basically told us, 'Do whatever you need to do,' " he said. " 'It's a sales floor. You're here to sell.' People would quote success rates and just pull them out of thin air. People would say 60 percent, 80 percent, 90 percent. To the average Joe in
What shocked Mr. Pejman was how readily customers handed over their credit card numbers. Sales agents tapped into a deep vein of
"I'd hear people say, 'Would you pay $1,000 to save your home? To save your marriage? Your kids' education?' " he recalled. "I'd hear people say, 'Yeah, we're the federal government.' There were a lot of corrupt people working there."
A FedMod agent confidently described how his company could cut their monthly payments from $1,200 to $532, Mr. Garland recalled. But first, he had to pay a $995 "retainer fee."
This was nearly as much as Mr. Garland earned in two weeks. Dental bills were piling up for his three children. He was behind on his utilities.
"I told him, 'We have $1,200 left to make our mortgage payment, and if we give that money to you, we're going to get further behind,' " Mr. Garland recalled. "He said, 'Go ahead and make the $995 payment, because once you're under our plan, the bank can't foreclose on you.' "
After several follow-up calls from the agent, Mr. Garland paid. Then, months passed with no contact from FedMod, he said. He left countless messages seeking updates, demanding a refund. His lender foreclosed on his house, scheduling a sale for Aug. 26.
"This guy hounds me for the $1,000, and then as soon as I pay him he disappears," Mr. Garland said. "I usually don't fall for stuff like this. I can usually tell if it's a scam. But this guy, I mean he came with his guns loaded."
Overwhelmed by Cases
FedMod was drowning in cases. The pipeline swelled by 8,000 clients from December to March, according to Mr. Anz.
Once sales agents took in applications, they passed files on to the processing department, where case managers were supposed to assemble documents and submit them to lenders. But their offices were hopelessly underequipped.
"The owners didn't want to invest in software, so everything was tracked manually," said Rachelle Cochems, who took over as operations manager on Jan. 19 and left the company in May after FedMod stopped paying her. "We couldn't handle the volume we were taking in. The system was broken."
Each case manager was responsible for as many as 200 files at a time, Ms. Cochems said, making it impossible to keep in regular touch with customers. Some files floated in limbo, because sales agent did not bother handing them over.
"You're paying the sales agent upfront," Ms. Cochems said. "So what motivation does he have to get it closed?"
In February, Mr. Anz shut the Los Angeles sales office, uncomfortable with reports that Mr. Soussana had filled it with "unsavory types" from the mortgage industry, he said.
"I'm not a shady person," Mr. Soussana said.
By March, sales agents were inundated by calls from furious clients who had paid long ago, but not heard from anyone. Some called from motels, their belongings piled in boxes, weeping as they recounted losing their homes.
The agents let most calls go to voicemail, playing the most dramatic messages over speakerphones for communal amusement, Mr. Pejman said.
"Guys would sit there and laugh," he said. " 'This lady's going crazy,' that sort of thing."
The next month, Mr. Anz took full control of the company, banishing his partners and blaming them for "a train wreck." He ceased marketing, he said, and concentrated on processing the backlog of files.
In April, the F.T.C. filed its lawsuit, prompting credit card companies to freeze their accounts with FedMod. The court imposed a temporary restraining order, barring FedMod from acquiring new customers.
By the time Rana Hajjar began working there on April
"They just handed me 70 files and told me to call these people because they're very upset," Ms. Hajjar recalled. "The majority of them had paid three or four months earlier and had never heard from anyone. I was yelled at from today until tomorrow."
Several times a week, clients called to report that the police were at their door, ordering them out for foreclosure sales, Ms. Hajjar said. When she alerted negotiators, they sometimes called banks and postponed sales, but usually they ignored her messages, she said.
When Ms. Hajjar cashed her first paycheck, it bounced, she said. Over the next three weeks, she never received payment. On Monday, May 11, her manager told her and dozens of other employees to take the rest of the week off because the company had no money for payroll.
She was never called back, later adding her name to a file of more than 120 wage disputes leveled against FedMod with the California Labor Commissioner.
Today, FedMod has only 40 employees, said Mr. Anz, pledging to plow through the company's 4,200 remaining files.
"We're doing what we can," he said. "I'm the bad boy of loan mods."
Yet as television advertisements attest, many other companies remain aggressive in what amounts to perhaps the last growth industry left in American real estate.Continue reading the main story


text:
Amanda and Matt are just a gorgeous pair. We met at Balzac's coffee shop, in Toronto's historical Liberty Village to do their engagement photos. It was a windy day, but they laughed together and kept one another warm... Actually it was a crazy windy day that had all three of us wondering if we shouldn't reschedule, but we decided to just do it! Whenever Amanda or Matt needed encouragement, the other was there to keep them (and me) going... And these two are no strangers to cheering one another on. Matt proposed to Amanda just after she crossed the finish line at the San Francisco women's half marathon! She was his champion.
Amanda & Matt, it's been fantastic working with two people who are truly inspirational. I am so excited to share your wedding photos soon!


text:
The Women's March
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21st
UCD (Uptown Community Dems) will form part of the Northern Manhattan contingency who will march in unity at the Women's March on NYC. All are invited to join us.
Below are details of meet up:
* 10:15 am UCD Members and friends will meet at the #1 train downtown platform of 168th St. subway station.
* 10:30 am our UCD group will travel together to join all other participating Northern Manhattan groups at 145th Street Subway on downtown # 1 platform.
* 11:00 am Together the Northern Manhattan contingency will ride the subway to travel to One Dag Hammarskjold Plaza at United Nations and then march with our fellow New Yorkers to Trump Tower. (We are scheduled to march at 11:50.)
Although not mandatory, if you plan to join UCD, it is recommended that you RSVP to email@example.com. You will be provided with a group leader's name and contact cell phone number.


text:
Yeah, so the blog is 3 today! I know posting has been light lately due to LIFE and SECRET KNITTING but I'm still super impressed with myself that I've kept my little space going steadily for 3 years now.
I don't have a whole lot of new news today but I do have this to share:
If you know anyone in the seacoast NH area who wants to learn to knit, well, send 'em my way! And if you know anyone in the seacoast NH area who DOESN'T want to learn to knit but likes good coffee, bagels and used books, then just send 'em to Crackskull's 'cause it's an awesome place. (But seriously. Also send 'em my way 'cause I bet I can MAKE THEM want to learn to knit.)


text:
There are many factors prospective voters take into account when deciding among candidates. What are their policies? What is their experience in government? Are they a charismatic leader? Will they be knowledgeable in all aspects of the job? Voters ask these questions in an effort to ascertain how competent the candidate will be in office.
One means of judging a candidate's capability is to analyze their educational background. For the most part voters do not possess the knowledge to use educational background to judge the candidates. Professor John McNulty of Binghamton University estimates: "A small minority of the populace could even name President Obama's alma mater." (Columbia University undergraduate and Juris Doctor from Harvard law)
Furthermore the Constitution requires candidates for the presidency to be a minimum of 35 years of age and by that age there is a professional history most people will use to judge candidates' credentials. Nonetheless, well-informed voters can benefit greatly by analyzing the candidates' history in education. By studying their experiences in university we can compare the candidates as well as gain insight into their work ethic, intelligence, charisma, and pragmatism.
Comparing the presidential and vice presidential nominees of the Republican, Democratic, Green, and Libertarian parties results in readily apparent trends: elite Ivy League educations are almost uniformly present on the tickets, as are Juris Doctors (JDs). Among the four presidential nominees, three (Obama, Romney, and Stein) went to Harvard for post-graduate degrees: Obama for his JD, Romney for a dual program to receive his JD and MBA, and Stein for her undergraduate degree and MD. Additionally four of the eight candidates also have JDs (Obama, Biden, Romney, and Libertarian VP nominee Jim Gray).
From this, voters can glean two things: In theory, as students the candidates have been able to extract the most information possible from the best sources possible, but that being said their elite educations leave little room for diversity of experience.
What little diversity there is comes from the candidates of the Green and Libertarian "third" parties. Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate for president, did not take the degree-based route to credibility. Instead of pursuing a JD, MBA or MD, Johnson went straight from his undergraduate studies at the University of New Mexico (which he worked his way through) into business, making himself a bootstrap millionaire. That speaks to his natural business acumen and real world intuition, but leaves the caveat of a less formal targeted education that has benefited the other candidates.
Trailing all the candidates in the amount of time spent in a classroom is Green Party VP candidate Cheri Honkala. Despite having a son and living out of her car by the age of 17, Honkala did manage to graduate from high school. Rather than pursue a degree from college, Honkala was forced to fight for her life and a home, leaving her dedicated to a life of advocacy for the impoverished and homeless, and co-founding the Kensington Welfare Rights Union. As professor McNulty noted, "She is a true product of the school of hard knocks." As with Gary Johnson, this leaves the voters to weigh her personal experience against her lack of formal education. Unlike the other candidates though, Honkala can tout an apparent authentic care demonstrated through a lifetime of service to the greater good.
Finally there is Paul Ryan, the VP candidate of the Republican Party. Like Johnson, Ryan was finished with formal education once he received his bachelor's degree, but unlike Johnson, instead of going into business Ryan went straight into politics. Ryan's track record reveals a man bred for politics. He studied Political Science and Economics at the University of Miami in Ohio. Just out of college he was an economic adviser and speechwriter. As with the other candidates, Rep. Ryan's education provides voters with upsides and downsides. Paul Ryan is knowledgeable on the theory and governmental side of economics, but he does lack the real world business experience of some of his counterparts.
It takes a lifetime of work to become a candidate on a party's presidential ticket. For that reason candidates' educational backgrounds can be easily overlooked as an after thought, but analyzing educational backgrounds is useful. The candidates' education contrasts the differences between them as well as highlights their similarities. Be it Obama and Romney's extensive knowledge, Gary Johnson's entrepreneurial spirit, or Cheri Honkala's grit, the history of a candidate's formal education, or lack thereof, can provide great insights into the candidates themselves.


text:
September 29, 2016 Chess No Comments on Photography in Packaging: Draw Inspiration from These Smart Designs
Photography in Packaging: Draw Inspiration from These Smart Designs
I don't know about you but I can be a sucker for good packaging. Since it's the first thing you see when considering on buying or using a product, it makes sense for manufacturers to up their game if they want to stand out.
Nowadays, graphics and illustrations aren't the only ways to go; some designers have been using photography for a more current and clever packaging design.
Below are examples of products that utilize photography and design to add a bit of flair into each product's packaging. Here are the top three products in my book:
Sprout baby food
Specializing in organic food, Sprout's baby food packaging makes use of a garden or plant-based theme to emphasize the freshness of its products. It might not be common knowledge but baby food market can also be competitive just like any other food product available out there! The brand's packaging design was by London-based agency Springetts Design Consultants and won in the Packaging Design category of the A'Design Awards 2013. Cute!
Matsu organic wine
Matsu's organic wine packaging is as smart as it gets. Designed by Moruba, a Spanish graphic design studio, the packaging for the organic wines embodies Matsu's wine trilogy: El Pícaro, El Recio and El Viejo, cleverly portrayed through the portraits of people who have devoted their lives to the winery for generations. The photographs used for the packaging were shot by photographers Bèla Adler and Salvador Fresneda.
Hatziyiannakis Pebbles
Hatziyiannakis Pebbles are perfect for those who have a sweet-tooth! Known as the Greek sweets that resemble smooth rocks or pebbles, Mouse Graphics certainly played it well with the packaging that certainly made these tasty pebbles look more appetizing. The packaging offers an irresistible look into what the sweets look like with an interesting "cross-section" photo of each pebble type.
Do you know any other packaging with clever use of photography! Share them with us in the comments!
Would you like to work with photography on your products as well? Look no further! MicroCreatives is a design agency based in the Philippines that offers creative services that fit your needs. Our talented group of 'monsters' can work their magic into your awesome brand and products! We usually work on purchased stock photography and product shots provided by clients, but our team takes good product shots, too! Get in touch with us to know more.


text: Blog 2016 Home Design Trends February 19, 2016 With the investment of renovation and redecoration, it is crucial to find classic looks that show off your style in a timeless way. 2016 is the year to bring back staple top trends for your living space. Patterned Pops: Print objects complement solids and minimalism design. You can utilize a patterned couch as a huge statement in a neutral room. If you want something more subtle, use a patterned curtain over wood windows to create a refined accent. Fabric wall art is also becoming very popular, another exciting route for pattern inspiration. Mismatched and Moveable: If you are feeling burnt out on the design in your spaces, try moving around pieces you already have from different rooms around your home. Mixed materials are a huge trend this year. Match your modern minimalism pieces in a room with rustic wood windows and floors for a revitalizing renovation on a low budget. Mid-Century to Millennial: Arcs are on the rise from the past. Incorporate the mid-century feel using interior design pieces, like tables and chairs. Feeling daring? Buy arced wood windows to go the extra mile for the eclectic and fun trend. Neutral is Now: Creams, greys, blacks, alabasters and ivories are in this year. Keep your home calm and collected with mild tones of organic colors. If you think neutral color schemes are blah, think again. Add some appeal with neutral tiles, pillows or flowers. Painting a wooden window black in an all-white room is also a huge statement this year. Optimize and Open: It is the year to toss the clutter. An open space is a must to unwind and breathe in your living area. Whether you are overlooking a city or the countryside, big windows will bring in natural light, and less walls will provide you with an open feel to your space. Emphasize minimalism and tech-less areas; instead, filling your space with peaceful pieces. We can turn the 2016 trends into a reality for your home, crafted to fit your personality perfectly. We can help you coordinate your window and door needs to complement these 2016 trends. Simply contact Pella at 866-539-4196 or come to our North Carolina showroom to see how we can help implement this year's trends. Schedule Now! Back to Blog


text:
Where Donald Trump is king: Inside the West Virginia steel town destroyed by Nafta – where 94% of jobs vanished
There was a time, not so long ago, when this city on the Ohio River employed up to 15,000 people in the steel mills whose rusting warehouses still line the streets. Now the figure is closer to 800.
First, it was costs associated with the repeated regulations imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency. Then, after 1994 and the passing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) it was cheaper competition from places such as Mexico.
In the end, there was no way Weirton could compete, and an industry that has fed and clothed the city for generations essentially died.
"Her husband introduced Nafta," said a former steel worker, sitting at the the bar of the Columbia Club, located at one was once Gate No 1 of the Weirton Steel Corporation's main factory. He had worked at the plant for 34 years. "If anyone in this in this state votes for her, they're crazy."
It is communities such as this that Donald Trump has been targeting hard with his pitch about the evils of Nafta and the need to bring jobs – well-paid manufacturing jobs in particular – back to America. Polls collected by RealClearPolitics suggest he leads Hillary Clinton in West Virginia by between 18 to 27 points.
Read more
Donald Trump surges in polls as odds improve at bookies
- CNN severs ties with Donna Brazile after emails show debate questions given to Hillary Clinton in advance
While his policy is not hard on detail, Mr Trump has vowed repeatedly to bring jobs back from places such as Mexico and China.
When campaigning in Indiana he highlighted the Carrier air conditioner company, which had recently announced plans to relocate jobs south of the border, saying he would imposed a 30 per cent tariff on such products produced in Mexico.
He called Nafta "the single greatest jobs theft in the history of the world".
Economists are divided about the actual impact of the deal, which was first negotiated by George H W Bush and signed by his successor, Bill Clinton.
America has lost 5 million manufacturing jobs since 2000, but not all were lost because of Nafta.
Mr Trump also ignored other economic gains from Nafta. Exports to Mexico have risen tremendously, in part from Mexicans' higher standard of living (because of Nafta). Today, exports to Mexico support six million US jobs.
But in places such as Weirton, down to fewer than 20,000 people from a peak of 33,000 it is hard not to feel that while some parts of the country may have seen the benefits of global trade, this hardscrabble community, with its fast-food joints and strip bars, has been passed by.
Ed Sutton, a city government worker who said he would be voting for Mr Trump, said that "nothing had replaced the steel jobs". "They talk about creating all these jobs. But they're just retail jobs that pay minimum wage, or just above," he said.
Ms Clinton, meanwhile, said this spring, in a comment she came to quickly regret, she was going to "put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business".
The death of the steel industry had devastated not just the economy of the city, but had destroyed a sense of security and torn at the fabric that had maintained blue-collar communities for decades.
Jim Carey, who was also drinking the Columbia Club, grew up in the city but left to go to law school. Jobs at the mill had allowed a man to buy a house, build a small pool and send his children to college. Now, that had all gone.
"Nowadays, the best thing going for Weirton is that it is just 35 minutes from Pittsburgh airport," said Mr Carey, who was planning to vote for Ms Clinton.
The steel industry once utterly dominated Weirton, to the extent that it was known as one of the steel capitals of America. Weirton Steel was one of the biggest single private employer, and the largest tax payer in West Virginia.
When Michael Cimino was looking for locations for his 1978 film The Deer Hunter, staring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken and Meryl Streep and set in a fictional Pennsylvania steel town, Weirton was one of the places selected to film a number of scenes.
Harold "Bubba" Miller was elected mayor of Weirton last year. When he retired in 2000 he had been the mill's sales manager. He said the mill was like a world within a world.
It employed doctors and lawyers, it plugged the streets when it snowed and it put up the lights for Christmas. Now, he is trying to create new jobs in the city, force the mill's current owner, ArcelorMittal, to clean up and make safe the remaining factory sites.
Mr Miller said he also planned to vote for Mr Trump, and said many in Weirton found his message struck home.
"I would rather go for someone with an ego than someone who is a criminal," he said. "I think he will win in West Virginia because of the attacks on mining and the steel industry. I think people are fed up with the rhetoric of Washington."
Read more
Donald Trump will win says AI system that correctly predicted last three US elections
Democrat strategist Robert Creamer resigns after video suggests operatives staged protests and incited violence at Donald Trump rallies using paid agitators
Hillary Clinton email leak: 'Saudi Arabia and Qatar give Isis clandestine financial and logistic support'
Podesta email leak: Journalist warns 'cycle of money issues could bring down Hillary Clinton
- Bill Clinton's meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch the night before Benghazi report creates headache for Hillary campaign
Not everyone is planning to vote for Mr Trump. Jodi Jo, who is studying to work as a beauty therapist, said she thought the New York tycoon was a bigot. "I'll vote for for Hillary Clinton because I'm against Trump. He's a racist," she said.
Gus Monezis' bakery has occupied a prime spot in Weirton for 81 years. He said the closure of the mills had ripped at the city, but that some of other businesses, such as his, had managed to survive. "The resilient ones are still here. I'm still here," he said.
He said he had not yet made his mind up 100 per cent on who he would vote for. "I'm still watching," he said. "But [Trump] is saying what people are thinking."
Sean Aldstadt has owned the Columbia Club for nine years and keeps photographs on the wall of the establishment many decades ago when it was at the centre of a thriving, industrial hub. He used to open early in the morning so people coming off the night shift could get a drink. He has since pushed that back.
"There are still people who come in here," he said. "I tell them that if you had turned around where you are now standing, you would have seen everything going on in front of you."
Independent News Service


text:
In School Performance
The Great Jazz History Mystery!
A Young Audience Production created specifically for kindergarten to Grade 6 students.
Things are looking pretty flat when the world's dancers lose all their jazz. Now, it's up to the coolest Sleuth to search for clues and find the missing jazz. With help from the mysterious and zany guide "The Vibe," and a few tricks from the dancers, he searches high and low, now and then, here and there and everywhere, around the world and back again…and discovers that jazz dance is a lot closer than we think!
The show follows the vast history of jazz dance, but also deals with some of these broad themes; problem solving, perseverance, creative thinking, and physical expression, that can tie to your curriculum. The Great Jazz History Mystery also introduces children to the magic of live performance by professional artists.
Grades: K – 6
Duration: 45 minutes plus question & answer session
Availability: 2017/2018 TBA
Fee: Early bird price $700 + GST (regular price: $800 + GST) Dates TBA
Booking contact: Joanne Baker 403-616-9640, our Arts-In-Education Coordinator.
Technical Requirements:
The show is fully self-contained. Access to the performance space is required 1.5 hours pre-show for load in and set up as well as 30 minutes post-show for strike and load out. We perform on the gymnasium floor and require an area of 35′ wide X 30′ deep.
The Great Jazz History Mystery – Tour Promotion from Decidedly Jazz Danceworks on Vimeo.


text:
What if I have mature skin? How should I wear my makeup?
Whether you are the bride, bridesmaid or mother of the bride or groom, if you have mature skin it is all about keeping your skin hydrated, looking smooth and not going overboard with the eyes!
Using a primer that helps to fill in fine lines will help reduce the look of wrinkles. Make sure to not use anything that has a powder finish because this will just accentuate the lines. Using a liquid foundation with a natural finish is the way to go.
When it comes to eye makeup, concentrate on the eye lid and put liner on the top eye lid, not the bottom. This will give a lifting effect and look polished. Be careful about shimmer or sparkles. Using matte eyeshadow will look flawless and really make your eyes look smooth. Don't be afraid of wearing false eyelashes! This will give you that pop and wow factor! Last but not least, filling in your eyebrows to make them look nice and full is key. This helps to frame your face and again will definitely give that lifting look!
For lips it is all about keeping them looking hydrated and glossy for a full pouty lip. Using a lipstick like Best Day Ever by Veil Beauty Co. then finishing it off with a really nice gloss with no shimmer like Blissful will give you those luscious lips. If you have fine lines around the lip area make sure to use a lipliner to stop any lipstick from bleeding. Diane Lane is looking beautiful and elegant with that glossy lip, filled in eyebrows and flawless skin!


text:
Text: Acts 2:37-41 Jews gathered in Jerusalem "out of every nation under heaven" on the Day of Pentecost. The Apostle Peter preached the Gospel and every Jew form every nation heard the Gospel in their … Read More
Prayer and Fasting
The Prayer and Fasting ministry of First Baptist started in January of 2013. Typically we fast for 24 hours on the last Saturday of each month. The fast will normally begins after the evening meal … Read More
Expect Delays
A man and his toolbox arrived at his destination and rang the doorbell. "Good morning, ma'am, I'm the plumber. I've come to fix the pipe." "But I didn't call a plumber." "You didn't? Aren't you … Read More
Almost Persuaded
I wrote these words several years ago with intentions of a tract. In the Bible at the twenty-sixth chapter of the Book of Acts we learn that the Apostle Paul is recounting his personal testimony … Read More
A Loving Father
Text: Luke 15:11-24 The word "prodigal" means wasteful. Verse 13 confirms, "…the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living." Riotous refers … Read More
7 Proofs that God Exists
1Timothy 1:17, "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen." Psalm 14:1, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. … Read More


text:
Saluting the women in the field of filmmaking, the International Film Festival of Kerala, this time screens 25 most applauded films of 24 women directors in various categories.
Rachel Perkins, Belmin Soylemez, Mariam Abou Ouf, Helena Ignez ,Lucia Carreras, Francisca Silva, Djamila Sahraouri, Ann Hui, Roeberta Marques, Nadine Labaki, are few to name among them. While the Indian representation are Deepa Mehta, Sumitra Bhave and Ajita Suchitra Veera.
Rachel Perkins, daughter of famous Australian footballer and aboriginal activist, was born in Australia. She is a famous Australian film and television director, film and television producer and a writer. Perkins, who started her career with Blood Brothers in 1993, was the producer and writer of this film. All her works are focused on the real life of the teen girls in Australia and has six awards in her name. One Night the Moon, released in 2001, is the film to be screened here, under the Australian Indigenous Films. The film depicts true story of a young girl who went missing in the Australian outback in 1932. This film won ten awards in total.
Born in Istanbul, Belmin Soylemez, worked as copy writer, editor, producer for companies like ARD German TV (Istanbul Office) and BBA (Independent Press Agency Istanbul). Her career as director marked off with the 2002 short film Dalgalar, which was penned herself. Her second venture is the Present Tense, the film screening in the IFFK under International Competition, delivers the life of a young woman who is in search for her lost hopes who wants to escape to the USA and start from zero. The film was dealing with the situations every Turkish woman has to face. Soylemez, who deals with the usual life of woman society in Turkey, is much appreciated for her works.
Mariam Abou Ouf is one of the ten directors of the most acclaimed 18 Days. Mariam Abou Ouf , who studied direction from London, is the daughter of renowned Egyptian Actor Ezzat Abou Ouf. Her strong love and passion towards cinema was the reason behind her directorial career. She began her career with Taxi, a short film. Bebo We Besheer was her first big screen feature. Her short film Tahrir 2/2 is the contribution to the 18 Days. Beging a graduate in economics and political science, her films focus on the political scenario of the nation and its economic and cultural aspects.
Helena Ignez is an iconic Brazilian actress, whose much-talked seven films are to be screened in the retrospective category, have directed two films as well. Cancoes de Baal and Light in Darkness, her directorial ventures, are also in the seven films.
Annemarie Jacir directed When I Saw You, under the world cinema category in the festival, is the life of Tarek, separated from parents and living in refugee camps in Jordan, trying to get out of this situation and make a new life. Jacir, winner of 12 international awards, is a multi faceted personality with strong hold in direction, camera, scripting, editor and production fields. Jacir was nominated for the Golden Camera in Cannes in 2008. Her career started with The Satellite Shooters in 2001.
Deepa Mehta most celebrated and discussed Indo-Canadian director, was born in Punjab and migrated to Canada in 1973. She came to the limelight with her Elements Trilogy. The trilogy included Fire (1996), Earth (1998) and Water (2005). 'Sam and Me' in 1991 began her film career. Director of nine films is also the winner of the most reputed Governor General's Performing Arts Awards for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, 2012. Her latest film Midnight's Children, based on Salman Rushdie's book, is having its Indian premier in this festival under the World Cinema.
Sumithra Bhave co-directed Samhita, screening under the Indian Cinema Now, is on an ailing film producer who is in search of a great script on the man-woman relation, to be produced by her wife on his behalf. Sumithra Bhave is a filmmaker who is very actively brining great changes in the Marahta films with her co-director Sunil Sukthankar. She have penned for three while edited and produced one. Her duo have made 8 features, 40 shorts and 3 tele in the past 25 years and received three international, six national and 45 state awards.
Ajita Suchitra Veera did her studies in film from the Pune Film Institute. She was always fascinated with the experimental and artistic films and focused her career on these types of films. Her short feature "Notes on Her" was an official entry to the Oscars in the year 2003. She believes that films have astonishing potential to transcend the everyday reality of our times and transport us into other worlds and this is what her career is dedicated upon. Top Angel Indian Cinema includes her latest film The Ballad of Rustom, is telling the story of Rustom, a government official, living in countryside.
The experience of filmmaking is at once both demanding and therapeutic and the product film is the life and hard work of the maker. Women filmmakers are adding glory to the class of directors all over the world. Their films in the International Film Festival of Kerala will make their works reach to a farther and wider audience thus giving an enormous support to their careers.


text:
This year we entered 4 mixed teams. As usual there was a lot of last minute shuffling between teams due to injuries but in the end all the teams were complete on the day. Generally the going was squishy, especially on leg 9 where runners endured a very heavy downpour near the start. Our 'A Team' won the mixed category and were 3rd team overall.
Follow this link to see the results:


text:
Last night, I saw the man who raped me. He was sitting at a bar in Manhattan, looking down at his phone--the artificial light illuminating his face in a way where it was undeniably him. The sickly white light made him look like a ghost. In many ways, I wished he was. He did not see me. I was already leaving as I saw him, zipping up my coat and getting my umbrella ready. It was raining outside. It always seems to be raining whenever he's around.
I rode the train home, packed full with other people. Feeling strangely empty. Feeling everything my body could feel. Wondering what everyone else is holding inside their bodies, what stories they haven't told, what secrets make them ashamed, what their abusers look like. Because we all have or had an abuser at one point. I wish we could all collectively burn them together. And be free. Already, I was feeling guilty for not "feeling more" or for having that hollowed out, ambivalent feeling--even though I knew I wasn't actually indifferent. I was mostly in shock.
Even though I had thought about what it would be like running into him, considering I only live 20 minutes away from him, I never expected to run into him in a Manhattan bar. Yes, I had steadied myself for this kind of encounter, and yes, I was used to him existing in the periphery of my circle of friends, but it also doesn't make the actual shock of the moment that much easier to digest. Yes, it also made sense--we both happen to work and live in the same boroughs, and enjoy getting post-work drinks with friends. Sometimes, it's hard to imagine he's human. Sometimes, I forget that he, too, has a life. And here he was living it.
My first thoughts when I saw him were, understandably, frustration: I do not want to be brave anymore. I don't want to live in a world where this happens so casually. This is not to say I won't continue fighting. Or will "give up." But I also realize that this is not OK. It's not OK for anyone to silence themselves or be silenced or not believed--or simply not thought of. Or for anyone to feel like they need to look over their shoulder for their abusers. I thought of Kesha, and how the music world hasn't really rallied itself around her enough--she has not been protected, even though all survivors deserve to be. I thought of all my friends who've experienced rape, especially those that have never told me. I thought of Anne Sexton's "The Truth the Dead Know."
I thought of how I don't know what any of this means, what to do, how to live better, how it's impossible to forget, what forgiveness means, what forgiving a rapist means. I believe I have forgiven him for what he's done (though, of course, this doesn't mean I condone it or ever want to speak to him). But, I am not letting him have power over me anymore--and I am hoping he has changed and become a better, more self-aware person. Mostly, I am still letting myself forgive myself. Because sometimes, I still need to remind myself I have done nothing wrong.
I am letting myself actually feel anger, and not be afraid of it, and feel angry that we collectively live in a place where rapists go free, where running into them is very real and very scary. In many ways, nothing actually happened when I saw him. That doesn't mean I felt less alone or afraid or just simply sad in the moment, all those memories washing up at my feet like dirty sea water. As much as I may wish I knew how to change the world, change how I feel, change everything, wishing is also not enough.
Joanna C. Valente is a human who lives in Brooklyn, New York. She is the author of Sirs & Madams (Aldrich Press, 2014), The Gods Are Dead (Deadly Chaps Press, 2015), Marys of the Sea (forthcoming 2016, ELJ Publications) & Xenos (forthcoming 2017, Agape Editions). She received her MFA in writing at Sarah Lawrence College. She is also the founder of Yes, Poetry, as well as the chief editor for Luna Luna Magazine, where she curates personal essays, interviews, and writes about sexual assault, abortion, and Tarot. Some of her writing has appeared in Prelude, The Atlas Review, The Feminist Wire, The Huffington Post, Columbia Journal, and elsewhere. She has lead workshops at Brooklyn Poets.


text:
New Daughter and Album, Kaia, by Bryan Charles Wilson
On January 26, 2018 we at Bryan Wilson Cello Studio welcomed Bryan Wilson and Bui Tuyet Minh's beautiful daughter, Kaia Minh Wilson, into the world!
Kaia means Ocean, Earth, and Nothing is impossible. Minh means Light in Vietnamese. Kaia Minh means Ocean of Light.
She is the first child of cellist/composer, Bryan Charles Wilson. He began crafting songs for his daughter to listen to as soon as he knew his wife, Minh, was pregnant. It was a spiritual journey for Bryan as a composer, cellist, and father-to-be as he supported Minh through her pregnancy.
The album combines cello, vocals, and atmospheric synthesizers that help put his daughter in a state of sonic bliss. The musical textures are soft and lush, bathing listeners in a cocoon of warm harmonies and joyous melodies. The music is perfect for relaxation as well as matching the many different moods of a child.
We are very excited to share these songs with you and hope you and your children are transported to a state of enlightened tranquility when listening to this music.
Much love to you all and here's to hoping that Kaia likes the cello!


text:
Old Town Village in Villa Rica, GA
178 Inverness Drive; Villa Rica, GA 30180
Key Facts
- Style: Craftsman,Traditional
- Year Built: 2019
- Status: manOffMarket
- Elementary School: Villa Rica
- Middle School: Villa Rica
- High School: Villa Rica
- Beds Total: 4
- Upper Bedrooms: 4
- Baths Full: 2
- Baths Half: 1
- Main Half Baths: 1
- Master Bath Features: Double Vanity,Separate Tub/Shower
- Upper Full Baths: 2
Kitchen & Dinning
- Dining Room Desc: None
- Kitchen Features: Breakfast Bar, Cabinets Stain, Kitchen Island, Pantry, Stone Counters, View to Family Room
Exterior & Lot Features
- Other
- Complex/Building Access:
View All Amenities & Details...
Directions: Take I-20 West to Liberty Road (Exit 26) and go LEFT on Mirror Lake Blvd to LEFT on to GA-61 South. Go 1 mile and make slight RIGHT onto Old Town Rd. Old Town Village will be on the RIGHT.
The information on this map was derived from a digital database. KNOWAtlanta cannot accept any responsibility for errors, omissions, or positional accuracy. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, accompanying this product. However, notification of any errors will be appreciated.
Contact KNOWAtlanta Real Estate Services
Listing Provided Courtesy Of: Silverstone Realty, LLCListings on this website come from the FMLS IDX Compilation and may be held by brokerage firms other than the owner of this website. The listing brokerage is identified in any listing details. Information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. © 2019 FMLS.
For issues regarding this website (and/or listing search engine, as applicable) please contact KNOWAtlanta - 770-650-1102
Listing information last updated on January 29, 2019, 3:41 pm


text:
Deitrick Haddon is a Gospel singer, songwriter, producer, pastor, and actor is having the time of his life. Star of Oxygen's upcoming "Preachers of L.A" reality show admitted on the Yolanda Adams radio show earlier this year that he hit rock bottom. "I experienced that, how you can be so hurt from people and things that happen in life that you say, 'I don't care nothing about church, singing no gospel music, I don't care nothing about none of it. I'm just trying to live!'" said Haddon. "When you go through something like that, you kind of lose your mind for a minute, and I actually lost my mind for a minute. But thank God for His mercy and grace. He brought me back."
With his new album R.E.D. (Restoring Everything Damaged) sitting at #1 on Billboard's Top Gospel Album chart, Mr. Haddon is proof that one can rise above the ashes. Congratulations!
Check out Deitrick Haddon's featured video Church Rock featuring LXW on our "Featured Video."


text:
Welcome to WebmasterWorld Guest from 220.127.116.11
Forum Moderators: rogerd
The intent is for it to function as an online crossroads of consumers, employees and companies. The goal is to collect and aggregate comments and experiences employees and consumers have had with companies within specific industry classifications. The hope is that companies will want to make use of the information we collect and purchase the data in some form of usable format.
To achieve this, we need a platform that can support a password protected user experience, but one that can also enable a user to participate in an online forum, add their experiences in narrative format, participate in surveys, possibly contact other members through the site, and other similar functionality.
I am considering drupal.org, Macromedia Contribute and Mambo as the primary platform. I would also need to integrate additional functionality (likely PhP based) to address the other functions I mentioned. What suggestions would anyone offer and what experience have those of you out there had?
Thanks, in advance, for your help!
- Matt


text:
Advocacy Toolkit-2017
NNA wants to equip you with various materials to help get the support you need on a local level - from your board, media, clients, and more – to build the advocacy for approaching Congress as they work the budget and appropriations process.
Hearing from our members and other experts during March's Washington, DC meetings, and subsequent External Policy Committee call, we have compiled various templates and tools for your advocacy use. This will be a living/working Toolkit – additions and updates will be made regularly as Congress moves forward with mark-ups and as any shifts in strategy dictate.
We encourage you to use as many of the following toolkit materials as you feel comfortable, tailoring as needed, inserting your relevant organization's details and facts (areas are highlighted in yellow for your individual information/data). Note: feel free to edit materials accordingly to suit your organization's style and messages; we wanted to give you templates to work from – to make it easier on you.
Toolkit Contents
Congressional Recess How To - learn more about to get your Member of Congress to visit you in your community, highlight the great work you do.
House and Senate Sample Support Letters - please ask your Members of Congress to tailor and submit. See here for House request form (different from "letter").
Blog and/or Op-Ed copy - please send to editor of your local newspaper, with the view they will publish it. It must be by-lined by you as the Executive Director/CEO of your organization.
Email Media Pitch & NNA Press Release - send this to your local news and/or housing editors/political editors so they may write on housing. Attach the supporting NNA press release in your email.
Internal Board & Management Briefing Sheet - share this with your board and staff asking to speak to stay on message and reach out to their contacts.
Social Media Posts Template - ask your marketing team to start posting these prepared messages on your organization's social media channels ASAP.
Neighborhood Reinvestment Fact Sheet- use this as supporting information should you be asked questions about NWA.
Thank you letter - use this template to thank your Members of Congress for the FY 2017 allocation for Neighborhood Reinvestment (NeighborWorks America).
Other Materials to Help In Your Outreach
Congressional Recess Calendar
NeighborWorks America Fact Sheet
State Impact Reports - 2016 - All States
Action Alerts
May 23, 2017 - release of President's FY 2018 budget and Member of Congress funding requests.


text:
Both sides called their supporters on to the streets on Thursday, while Mursi supporters in two protest camps in Cairo strengthened sandbag-and-brick barricades in readiness for any action by security forces.
Acting President Adli Mansour, in a message on the eve of the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday, said Egypt was in critical circumstances. The interim government would press on with its own plan to hold new elections in nine months, he said.
"The train of the future has departed, and everyone must realize the moment and catch up with it, and whoever fails to ….. Continue Reading


text:
Posted by Word Camel on October 02, 2004
This is a fairly common phrase in the UK. It's a portend of crisis to come. So, perhaps someone at a party is drunkenly singing ABBA songs while his/her spouse looks on with disgust. The phrase would apply then. Any ideas about its origin? We don't seem to have it on the site at all.


text:
Orenchi no Furo Jijou (オレん家のフロ事情), literally meaning "The Circumstances in My Home's Bathtub," is a short anime series about a high school boy named Tatsumi who allows a merman named Wakasa to live in his bathtub. You can imagine that this is no ordinary set up for a show.
There is a total of 13 episodes, and they're only about 4 minutes each. You can watch it (subbed) on Crunchyroll. I recommend it if you like comedy and/or BL or yaoi-ish anime. If you loved Free!, you'll definitely like OreFuro. Tatsumi has the same voice actor as Haru; Takasu has the same voice actor as Makoto.
I personally loved this cute little series. My friend Emma and I would always get excited over #MermanMonday and watch episodes together in college.
*Spoilers Below*
The final episode of Orenchi no Furo Jijou aired today. As expected, it was adorable, but now the short series is over. Here are 10 thoughts I had about the show overall…
9. The rubber duck's VA was hilarious
It took us a while to figure out that the intimidating voice at the end of most episodes was supposed to be the rubber duck, Ahiru-chan!
8. The amount of chibi used in the show is perfect
This is a comedy, and half the time the characters were in chibi form, but it only made it more adorable, which was appropriate.
7. "The Circumstances of Halloween at My House" was my favorite episode
Ask Emma herself, I rewatched this episode a zillion times over instead of working on the coursework I was supposed to be doing. They were too adorable!
6. Takasu was my favorite character
Who knew that the octopus would become my favorite character! Well, he was voiced by Tatsuhisa Suzuki, who voiced Makoto Tachibana in the Free! series…
5. Episode 3 was… interesting
Takasu performed his, um, tentacle massage on Tatsumi, but that's NOT what it seemed like at first!
4. All of the characters were really likable and adorable
Even the super-negative snail Maki turned out to be a likable friend in the bunch.
3. We need more
This was supposed to be a short series, BUT the manga is still ongoing. Given that it seems like a lot of swimming anime fans migrated over to Orenchi once Free! ES ended (aka me), maybe the ratings alone will push a second season?
2. We all complained that 4 minutes wasn't long enough
As we became more attached to the characters, it seemed like episodes were getting shorter and shorter.
1. We will never understand the opening
The opening theme was so serious. The tone, the music, the emotions… everything about it was exactly the opposite of what the show really was. Or was it supposed to be symbolic? The fandom quickly picked up that it was trolling on Asahi Production's part, but I thought that maybe the show would randomly get dark toward the end. Luckily, Episode 12 was the darkest it got!
What did you think about Orenchi no Furo Jijou? Leave me your thoughts in the comments!
Follow me on MyAnimeList: @TheMikeyDunn
Tweet me: @mikeyddesu
Mikey Dunn is a up-and-coming online personality who writes blog posts and publishes YouTube vlogs weekly. Here on my blog you'll find posts about anime, pop culture, and tech. New blog posts are published here every Monday and Friday.
To see me in person, subscribe to my YouTube channel, TheMikeyVlog, for new videos every week. Also check out the About Me page for more about me, and find me on all social media @TheMikeyDunn.


text:
Al Mazroui Group
Committed to traditional business ethics, Al Mazroui Group channels its best efforts to serve as example of professionalism by delivering excellence at every moment and continuously proving quality and integrity on the market and in the community.
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Al Mazroui Group covers worldwide operations together with local as well as international manufacturers and suppliers from USA, EU, Africa and Asia, driving optimal performance in industrial technology, consultancy services, home fashion, HORECA, tourism, real estate, IT and logistics.
The success of Al Mazroui Group lies in the proactive focus on the needs of the market, with a responsive and quick adaptation to the latest requirements and innovations while promoting values of integrity, responsibility, effective communication and respect for the rules that must govern the management processes and correct behaviour in business, as defined in the "Principles of International Business" released in Switzerland in 1994 and not only.


text: Add to Cart BBC TV Masks Rory Brown Face Mask (Mrs Brown's Boys) MSRP: Now: £2.99 Was: Become a star with our Star Masks! These fabulous face masks are great fun for all the family. Perfect for themed parties, stag and hen nights, collectors and special occasions. This Rory Brown Face Mask (Mrs Brown's Boys) is a photo quality mask... MSRP: Now: £2.99 Was: Add to Cart


text:
The purpose of the St. Gerard Majella Parish Council is to support and advise our Pastor in shepherding the parish as it strives to fulfill its mission. Through prayer, observation, and active engagement in SGM's activities, the Council, as representatives of the parish, helps identify, research and propose solutions through concensus.
The Parish Council meets monthly to discuss the implementation of the Parish Mission Statement and the ongoing faith development of the parish community. The council meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. and welcomes the observations of parishioners. Comment forms are available in the church vestibule and via this page to all registered users. Parishioners are encouraged to offer their suggestions.
Tom Blood
Jeff Desits
Mary Hellige
Chris Hogg
Michelle O'Toole
Beth Reider
Cynthia Storey
Matthew Stoery
Mark Trojahn
Joanne Turek


text:
What do ropes, DNA, licorice twists and curling ribbon all have in common? They are all spirals -- seen from the side.
Sideways Spiral Quilts shows you how to easily design and sew ropes, ribbons and chains in any size and shape through a series of simple step-by-step instructions. Then, create them in a quilt choosing from a variety of construction techniques that include appliqué, bias tape and piecing. Six simple projects get you started; each can be easily adapted to your own shape and style. Be inspired by dozens of beautiful "sideways spiral" quilts from traditional to modern. Whether you are a beginner or an expert quilter, Sideways Spiral Quilts is sure to inspire and delight!
Want a closer look? Click here to visit the Sideways Spirals Blog, the online supplement to Sideways Spiral Quilts, where you can see how many of the quilts in the book were designed and made.
Note: Chains and ropes are made with fusible applique outlined with bias tape. The book includes 6 different ways to make bias tape - 2 with an iron, 4 at the sewing machine. You'll need bias tape makers in various sizes, and for sewing machine methods you'll want to try water-soluble and fusible threads.
Sign up to get the Getting Started Guide and first Tracing Sheet. Start getting better at machine quilting today!


text:
- Additional Information
Additional Information
Count 90 Type Capsules Serving Size 1 Servings per Container 90 Other Ingredients Gelatin, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide. Free of corn, soy, yeast, wheat, dairy, or other common food or chemical allergens. Gluten Free, Casein Free Recommended Use As a dietary supplement: Take one or two capsules daily, or as directed by a physician.
Supplement Facts
Malic Acid 600mg
- Description
DetailsIn human physiology and nutrition, malic acid is a co-factor in Krebs cycle.This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
- Reviews
Keep out of the reach of children.


text:
BAGHDAD, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Iraq has agreed a deal with Schlumberger to drill 40 oil wells in the giant southern Majnoon oilfield, according to an oil ministry statement on Wednesday.
Iraq's oil minister Thamir Ghadhban said in the statement that the deal with Schlumberger targets boosting production from Majnoon. (Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed, Writing by Nafisa Eltahir Editing by Louise Heavens)


text:
Helikopter-Rundflug mit Gletscherlandung
Dieser Rundflug bringt dich von Reykjavík direkt auf den Gletscher Thórisjökull, welcher Teil von Islands zweitgrößtem Gletscher, dem Langjökull ist. Wir landen direkt auf dem Gletscher und eröffnen dir somit die einmalige Chance, deine Füße auf einen Ort zu setzen, den man sonst nicht ohne Hubschrauber erreicht.
Genieße die klare, alpine Luft, fülle deine Kamera mit beeindruckenden Fotos, werfe einen Schneeball oder genieße einfach eine atemberaubende Aussicht auf die einmalige Landschaft, die den Gletscher umgibt. Nachdem wir wieder abgehoben sind, fliegen wir über tiefe Gletscherspalten und steile Gletschereis-Bruchkanten, um den surrealen Eindruck zu vervollständigen.
Auf dem Weg zurück nach Reykjavík fliegen wir direkt über den Schildvulkan Skjaldbreid und folgen anschließend dem Spalt zwischen den Kontinentalplatten, der sich durch den Nationalpark Thingvellir zieht und die Insel in zwei Teile zu reißen scheint.
Dieses einmalige Erlebnis solltest du nicht verpassen, wenn du Island deinen nächsten Besuch abstattest! Prüfe die Verfügbarkeit, indem du ein Datum auswählst.
- Verfügbarkeit: Ganzjährig
- Dauer: 2 Stunden
- Aktivitäten: Besichtigung, Helikopter-Tour
- Schwierigkeitsstufe: Einfach
- Sprachen: English, Icelandic
- Höhepunkte: Reykjavík,
Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland and the northernmost capital of any sovereign state in the world.
Despite a small population (approximately 120,000, with just over 200,000 in the Greater Reykjavík area), it is a vibrant city that draws an ever increasing number of visitors every year. It is the financial, cultural and political centre of Iceland, and has a reputation of being one of the cleanest and safest cities in the world.
The city of Reykjavík is located in southwest Iceland by Faxaflói Bay. Throughout the ages, the landscape has been shaped by glaciers, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and the area is geothermal; after all, its name translates to 'Smoky Bay'.
Much of the current city area was subglacial during the Ice Age, with the glacier reaching as far as the Álftanes peninsula, while other areas lay under the sea. After the end of the Ice Age, the land rose as the glaciers drifted away, and it began to take on its present form.
The coastline of Reykjavík is set with peninsulas, coves, straits and islands, most notably the island of Viðey, and seabirds and whales frequent the shores. The mountain ring as seen from the shore is particularly beautiful.
Mount Esjan is the highest mountain in the vicinity of Reykjavík and the most distinctive feature of the coastline. This majestic summit is also highly popular amongst hikers and climbers. Other notable mountains that can be seen from the seaside are Akrafjall and Skarðsheiði.
On clear days, one may even see as far to the legendary Snæfellsjökull glacier, at the end of the Snæfellsnes peninsula.
The largest river to run through the city is Elliðaá in Elliðaárdalur valley, which is also one of Iceland's best rivers for salmon fishing.
There are no trains or trams in Iceland, but most people travel by car. The city also operates a bus system. There are two major harbours in town, the old harbour in the centre and Sundahöfn in the east.
The domestic Reykjavík Airport is located at Vatnsmýrin, not far from the city centre and close to the hill Öskjuhlíð and the restaurant, vantage point and exhibition centre Perlan. The international Keflavík Airport at Miðnesheiði heath then lies around 50 kilometres (31 miles) from the city.
Cars, jeeps and bicycles can be readily rented in the city and many organized tours are also being offered. It is, however, quite easy to walk between the major sites.
What to See & Do in Reykjavik
The local arts scene is strong in Iceland, with annual events and festivals, many of artists from which have hit the international stage.
Major events taking place in Reykjavík include Iceland Airwaves, Reykjavík Pride, RIFF (The Reykjavík International Film Festival), The Reykjavík Literature Festival, Culture Night, the Reykjavík Arts Festival, Food & Fun, the Reykjavík Fashion Festival and the Sónar music festival.
Amongst the famous people from Reykjavík are musicians like Björk Guðmundsdóttir and Sigur Rós, and writers Halldór Laxness (born on the main street, Laugavegur) and Arnaldur Indriðason.
Those eager to soak up the local culture should visit the city's many museums, exhibitions and galleries, and check out live music at the cafés, bars, and concert venues dotted around. You could look at the programmes of what's on at the Harpa music hall or the theatres, or else plan a few hours at the lighthouse at Grótta, the shopping street of Laugavegur, or the old harbour and the flea market.
You could even book a bird- and whale watching tour or a visit to Viðey island. There are a lot of things to do and the possibilities are endless.
Make sure to visit the public square of Austurvöllur, one of the city's most popular gathering places, where you'll also find the national parliament, the Alþingi, as well as the state church, a statue of independence hero Jón Sigurðsson, cafés, bars and restaurants.
Austurvöllur was central in the protests following the banking collapse of 2008, along with Lækjargata, home to the House of Government. You are also not likely to miss the great church of Hallgrímskirkja that towers over the city from the hill of Skólavörðuholt, from which you'll get a great view of the city.
Try a walk by the city pond, Tjörnin, to greet the many birds that frequent the area and to visit the city hall, stationed by its banks. A beautiful park lies by the pond, ideal for a nice walk, and sometimes concerts get held there.
Further off is the campus of the University of Iceland, the Nordic house and the Vatnsmýrin wetland, a particularly pleasant place, but be mindful to not disturb the wildlife there by keeping to the pathways.
For a nice swim on a warm day, we particularly recommend Nauthólsvík beach, which is heated with geothermal water. Those who love a dip should also visit the Laugardalur valley, home to one of the city's best swimming pools, which sits a short walk away from Ásmundarsafn gallery, a beautiful botanical garden and a domestic zoo.
A walk by the Ægissíða beach, with its old fishing sheds, in the west part of Reykjavík also holds a particular charm. From there, you can see all the way to president's house at Bessastaðir, which is also a historical site in its own right, having been the educational centre of Iceland for centuries.
Another place that offers one of the city's best views is Perlan, up on Öskjuhlíð hill. The hill itself is a popular place to spend a few hours, with over 176,000 trees and great opportunities for walking and cycling. Perlan also has and observation deck with great views, a café and an exhibition centre.
Furthermore, the city is a short drive from many of Iceland's major attractions, most famously the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon. In close vicinity you'll also find the Heiðmörk preservation area, a favourite local site of the people of Reykjavík, as well as the Blue Mountains, one of Iceland's best skiing venues.
Finally, we'd like to stress that these are only some suggestions of the many things you might check out in Reykjavík. Whatever you choose to do, we hope you'll be able to make the most of your visit and we wish you a pleasant stay in our capital.Þingvellir,
Þingvellir National Park is the only UNESCO World Heritage site on the Icelandic mainland and one of the three stops on the world famous Golden Circle sightseeing route, alongside the Haukadalur Geothermal Valley (Geysir) and Gullfoss Waterfall. Just to the south of the park is Þingvallavatn, Iceland's largest natural lake.
The first thing that visitors to the National Park notice is its sheer aesthetic beauty; dried magma fields, covered in Icelandic moss, sit carved by glacial springs and surrounded by a bowl of ancient mountain peaks.
Two of the greatest attractions in the park are the exposed North American and Eurasian tectonic plates; it is one of the only regions in the world where you can see geology such as this on land.
Visitors are encouraged to walk along the North American tectonic plate, where they can read more about the area's fascinating formation and history, before descending into the valley below.
Þingvellir can be anglicised to 'Fields of Parliament', a nod to the area's fascinating history and relevance to Icelandic culture. It is here, after all, that the world's first democratically elected parliament that remains functioning, Alþingi, was formed in 930 AD.
It may seem unlikely that Vikings would want to be under such an uncombative government, but the thirty or so clans that lived in Iceland at the time sought to prosper in their harsh new environment.
The first gathering was such a success that the meetings became annual, and it became a place where disputes were settled, criminals were tried, and laws to the benefit of all were laid down.
This saw the birth of the Icelandic Commonwealth, a time of independence and freedom for the Icelandic people before they became constituents of the Norwegian monarchy. Sessions would continue to be held at Þingvellir until 1798.
Though the parliament was removed by the Danish at this time, it returned 1845 to Reykjavík.
Another major reason as to why Þingvellir is considered so important to Icelanders is the fact that this is where the decision was made to abandon the belief of Paganism and the Norse Gods; the people adopted Christianity in 1000 AD under threat of invasion from Norway.
This turning point in history was left to the pagan lawspeaker, Þorgeir Þorkelsson, who rested on the choice for one day and one night before reappearing to share his decision.
To symbolise the country's change, he threw idols of his old deities into the northern waterfall Goðafoss, the name of which translates to 'Waterfall of the Gods'.
Silfra Fissure
Þingvellir is one of the most widely visited attractions in Iceland, in large part due to the fact that it is home to the glacial spring, Silfra fissure, one of the top ten sites in the world for snorkellers and scuba divers.
Silfra (meaning 'Silver') is a submerged ravine within the park, boasting visibility of up to 100 metres (328 feet) and a temperature just above freezing. Participants in these tours will be attired at the Silfra carpark in neoprene hoodies and gloves, as well as an undersuit and drysuit for thermal protection.Þórisjökull
Thorisjokull is a small glacier volcano in the Icelandic highlands.
Thorisjokull is 1350 m high and located by the mountain trail Kaldidalur valley, southwest of Langjokull, Iceland's second-largest glacier.
Tourbeginn : Flexibel.
Bitte sei rechtzeitig vor Beginn der Tour vor Ort. Wenn du dir beim Treffpunkt nicht sicher bist kannst du deine Hotelrezeption um Hilfe bitten oder deinen Touranbieter direkt kontaktieren.
1,5- bis 2-stündiger Helikopter-Rundflug
Eine Landung
Was du mitbringen solltest:
Warme und wetterfeste Kleidung
Stabile Schuhe
Gut zu wissen:
Bitte komme 20 Minuten vor der vereinbarten Abflugzeit zum Treffpunkt. Du findest uns direkt hinter dem Icelandair Hotel Natura, östlich vom Reykjavíker Inlandsflughafen, ca. 5 Minuten Fahrt vom Stadtzentrum.
Keine Bewertung mit diesen Kriterien,


text:
If you are a business that is experiencing loss due to shoplifting, sometimes you need to just sit back and analyze the basics. Where is your high theft merchandise located in your store? Are your aisles high and narrow? Are there secluded areas and corners where employees cannot see? If you find out that there are opportunities, then that is the first step to fixing the problem and being able to prevent shoplifting.
Taking a look at your sales floor first can identify problems that lead to shoplifting. Analyze your business as if you are a shoplifter. Is your high theft merchandise easily accessible to a shoplifter or in a high traffic area where employees are always nearby? Are you utilizing basic loss prevention tactics such as having a minimal amount of high theft merchandise on display, or utilizing locked cases? In order to prevent shoplifting, sometimes you have to think like a shoplifter. Honest folks sometimes don't think of the very things that shoplifters focus on in order to steal from us.
Another way to prevent shoplifting is to have proper staffing of trained employees. Employees need to be available to customers, both honest and dishonest. Employees also need to be trained to greet customers as they see them, and to work with their heads up. Having an alert employee observing and acknowledging all customers is an excellent way to prevent shoplifting by providing attention to all that come into your business.
Suffering losses at the hands of shoplifters can be a frustrating problem, but there simple ways that you can prevent shoplifting and increase profits.
Visit the Loss Prevention Store for products to help you prevent shoplifting in your business.
For more information on how you can prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.866.914.2567 – Atlanta Georgia


text:
Tools and software developed by our group.
A tool for analyzing protocols with XOR. See R. Küsters and T. Truderung, Reducing Protocol Analysis with XOR to the XOR-free Case in the Horn Theory Based Approach, (CCS 2008).
A tool for analyzing protocols with Diffie-Hellman exponentiation. See R. Küsters and T. Truderung, Using ProVerif to Analyze Protocols with Diffie-Hellman Exponentiation (CSF 2009).
A tool for analyzing contract signing protocols (implemented by Thomas Schmidt). See D. Kähler, R. Küsters, and T. Wilke, Constraint Solving for Contract-Signing Protocols (TOCL 2010).
SPRESSO is a secure and privacy-respecting single sign-on system for the Web. D. Fett, R. Küsters, and G. Schmitz, SPRESSO: A Secure, Privacy-Respecting Single Sign-On System for the Web (CCS 2015).
sElect is a lightweight, practical, and verifiable remote voting system. R. Küsters, J. Müller, E. Scapin, and T. Truderung. sElect: A Lightweight Verifiable Remote Voting System (CSF 2016).