text:
Billy Crystal says he's willing to host the Oscars again … but only if the Academy makes changes to freshen up the show.
As for exactly how that freshen up thing would work when the your emcee is the most frequent host of the past two decades, Crystal offered no details.
And while Academy president Tom Sherak told TheWrap that a review committee would likely recommend Oscar-show changes to the AMPAS Board of Governors at its next meeting, he didn't know what those changes might be.
The comic actor made his comments on Thursday night in Phoenix, where he introduced Muhammad Ali at a fundraising event for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center.
"I think the show needs to change," said Crystal, who received a standing ovation when he took the stage of the Kodak Theater midway through last month's Oscar show, which was hosted by a disconcertingly perky Anne Hathaway and a nearly comatose James Franco.
"There's too many awards and it has to sort of freshen itself up," Crystal told the Associated Press, "and if I can be a part of that, that would be great."
The first question that presents itself is this: What exactly does he mean by "freshen itself up," and how would he be a part of that?
Crystal's Oscar trademarks – an opening film that inserts him into the year's movies, an elaborate entrance, song parodies of the Best Picture nominees, a sequence where he tells us what the stars are really thinking – are iconic and often very funny, but they haven't exactly been fresh since Bill Clinton's first term.
The second question: would the Academy eliminate awards for any reason at all, even if it serves to entice Billy back?
Crystal's only specific criticism – "too many awards" – has been a sticking point with the Academy for years. The organization is made up of 15 branches, all of which (except for the Makeup Artists & Hairstylists Branch) are represented by three seats on the AMPAS Board of Governors.
In other words: the Sound Branch gets just as many votes as the Actors Branch, and you'll move their Oscar categories off the air over their dead bodies. Proposals to eliminate categories or move awards off the show have been floated in the past, but none have succeeded.
(The last time one of those proposals got any traction was in the early '90s, when the board announced, and then rescinded, a plan to eliminate the documentary short and live-action short categories.)
"I don't see [category eliminations] happening at this moment," Sherak said on Friday. "We have a review process every year, and it is an idea that comes up every year. But those awards are who we are."
An Academy committee is currently reviewing the show, said Sherak, and will likely make recommendations to the board at its next meeting, which he believes will take place in June. And everyone involved, he added, is aware that Hathaway and Franco didn't gel — but that doesn't necessarily mean that the committee will recommend returning to the practice of hiring a comedian like Crystal to host.
"The two people tried very very hard," he said. "They didn't work. We know that.
"Does that mean the host has to be a comedian? I don't know. I could think of a lot of people who could pull it off, even though it's harder for an actor to feel the audience the way a standup comic can."
As for a recent, anonymous grumble from a board member that the governors should be consulted on the choice of Oscar host, Sherak dismissed that idea immediately.
"God formed a committee to design the horse, and that's why the camel came first," he said with a laugh. "The producers of the Oscar show pick the host. I don't think that should change."
If the failed Hathaway/Franco experiment does make the Academy more likely to go back to a comic as next year's host, even Crystal is not without his drawbacks: His trademark bits have long made him the emcee who takes up the most time onstage. Without eliminating categories, it'd be almost impossible to bring in a Crystal Oscars anywhere near the 3:10 running time of this year show.
But if Crystal envisions himself as riding to the rescue of a tottering Oscar show, that might be because he's already done that once before. He was first hired to host by producer Gil Cates in 1990, in the aftermath of a disastrous show produced by Allan Carr.
That was the show that infamously featured Rob Lowe and Snow White duetting on an appalling version of "Proud Mary." The show did not use a host; a special review committee established to examine what went wrong recommended that a single host be used whenever possible.
Crystal's four-year run as host, which began in 1990, won near-unanimous acclaim and established him as the gold standard for modern Oscar hosts. He returned for consecutive shows in 1997 and 1998 – but he's only hosted twice since then, the last time coming seven years ago (AMPAS/HO photo, above).
His success also meant that the Oscar show producers tended to look for hosts who had backgrounds as standup comedians: Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin, David Letterman, Chris Rock and Jon Stewart all handled the gig in years when Crystal was not available.
(And make no mistake, Crystal was often asked to return, as he sometimes seemed quite eager to point out to the press.)
But producers Bill Condon and Lawrence Mark broke the standup-comic-with-movie-experience mold when they hired Hugh Jackman to host the show in 2009; when that turned out to be the best-received Oscar show in years, it emboldened future producers to look to actors rather than comics as well.
Your move, Academy.


text:
Posted by Editoress on 10/1/10
The International Cycling Union (UCI) Congress took place today in Melbourne (Australia) during the UCI Road World Championships. Earlier, the UCI Management Committee met in the same place.
During its meeting, the Management Committee agreed on the formal and complete merger of the UCI ProTour and "historical" calendars, which have come under the UCI World Calendar since 2009.
As a result of this decision, from the beginning of the 2011 season, all the world's biggest races, which from now on make up the "UCI World Tour" (logo attached), will be subject to the same participation rules. The UCI ProTeams, the number of which will be limited to 18, will have the right to and be obliged to participate in all the UCI World Tour events, whereas organisers will be able to invite UCI Professional Continental Teams of their choice for the remaining places.
Although the conditions of registration for UCI ProTeams remain unchanged (sporting value as well as ethical, financial and administrative criteria), the sporting value will now be calculated each year according to a precise points system.
The Management Committee also approved a text ruling on the role of riders' agents, proposed by the UCI ProTour Council (UPTC), which also met in Melbourne, on September 28th. This rule aims to increase the professionalism of the agents, standardising their functions and improving their monitoring.
In 2011 agents will sit exams, after which they will receive a UCI riders' agent certificate, valid for four years.
Those wishing to practise this profession must then obtain a riders' agent licence from their National Federation. This request can only be made by people certified by the UCI. From the 1st January 2012, all riders' agents must meet these new requirements. The UCI will publish the list of approved agents on its website.
The Management Committee also approved the following calendars:
2011 UCI Road International Calendar (men) (women)
2011 UCI Mountain Bike International Calendar
2011 UCI BMX International Calendar
2011 UCI Para-cycling International Calendar
2011 UCI Indoor Cycling International Calendar
These calendars are also available on the UCI website
The members of the Management Committee then decided to create an Athletes' Commission within the UCI, conforming to the wish of the International Olympic Committee. This will allow for athletes to be better represented in the decision process.
Finally, we note that the Congress welcomed a new country into the cycling family, Cambodia.
The UCI Road World Championships, images of which will be produced in high definition for the first time this year, continue this weekend with the road races for the Elite Women (Saturday) and the Elite Men (Sunday).
UCI Press Services
|Return to Canadian Cyclist homepage | Back to Top

subset: commoncrawl


text:
AAGC History
The Austin Area Garden Council (AAGC) marks its beginnings many years ago with a desire and a need for a building to serve as a focal point for the several organizations in the Austin area. In 1946 the Violet Crown Garden Club, Inc. set aside $50 to initiate a building project. The club immediately organized and sponsored fund-raising events to add to the initial donation.
Mrs. W. Bradfield is credited by many as being the first person to approach the city with the request for city-owned land to be designated as a building site. Mrs. Alden Davis continued the quest and in 1955, when the City of Austin accepted the idea, a governing group was needed for the entire project. Several different names were used but the term "Austin Area Garden Council" was settled on, and on January 31, 1956, the group held its first meeting, represented by five clubs. Today, the Council represents the membership of more than 30 clubs with approximately 1700 members. The purpose of the organization was to "promote the education of citizens in the art of gardening for the beautification of homes and countryside". Today, the Council, in concert with the City Parks and Recreation Department sponsors many events throughout the year, including the largest flower show in the area and Zilker Garden Festival. See the calendar for details on events.


text:
28 of 41
Basic Grilled Rib-Eye
For when you crave a really great steak.
Just because you're cooking for one doesn't mean you can't fire up the grill. Justify the effort by preparing yourself a mean steak. No fancy techniques or ingredients needed; simply buy the best steak you can afford and throw it over the coals.... Read More
View Recipe


text:
Do Capital Flows Reflect Economic Fundamentals in Developing Countries? »
Volume/Issue: 1993/34
Series: IMF Working Papers
Author(s): Atish Ghosh , and Jonathan Ostry
Publisher: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
Publication Date: 01 April 1993
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5089/9781451978827.001
Keywords: current account, current account deficit, current account balances, current account surplus, debt crisis
This paper proposes a methodology for testing whether capital flows to developing countries are determined by economic fundamentals or by purely speculative forces. We use the intertemporal optimizing approach to c...


text:
Good-looking, long lasting and inexpensive
With crime and vandalism an ever-increasing threat, protecting your property from theft and serious damage is a priority for most people, whether on business premises or at home.
And while it used to be sufficient to protect a potentially dangerous installation with a simple fence and warning signs, now if an intruder is injured or even killed on your property, then you are legally responsible and you could find yourself in real trouble.
Many now find that one of the most powerful defences is Vandgard, an advanced anti-scaling security barrier for walls, gates and fences. Durable and easy to install, it provides an inexpensive, yet effective, solution to property protection.
Vandgard's design is unique, consisting of a series of curved vanes, each revolving freely around a central shaft to create an unstable barrier which moves if anyone attempts to climb over it.
Manufactured from a technically complex high tensile alloy, Vandgard is strong, durable and completely corrosion resistant. This corrosion resistance means that it has a very long life and is also particularly suitable for exposed areas and those vulnerable to pollution. In addition, its superior corrosion resistance means that the material stays bright and so maintains deterrent effect throughout its life.
Because it is lightweight, weighing only 4 kilos per metre, it is also very easy to handle and can be used on even wooden or mesh fencing. Due to its ease and speed of installation, it also offers substantial cost benefits over traditional methods of protection, such as coils of barbed wire.
Unlike broken glass or razor wire, which can form mantraps, or impaling rotating spikes which are often illegal and can also present a dangerous hazard to employees working overhead or nearby. Vandgard is inherently safe and so does not contravene either the Health or Safety at Work Act, COSHH regulations or any other civil or criminal laws.
And because of its unique curved vanes, it cannot be either covered with a coat, or jammed firm with a doormat, methods often used to incapacitate other rotating barriers, so it maintains its effectiveness as an unassailable barrier to would-be thieves and vandals.


text:
Editor's note: This article contains spoilers for the August 24 series finale of HBO's "True Blood." You've been warned.
(CNN) -- For "True Blood's" series finale on Sunday, fans received a wedding, a funeral, and ... an infomercial starring Eric and Pam?
Even after seven seasons, "True Blood" kept fans guessing right on through to the end.
Whether the show's fans appreciated those twists is another story. For some, the ending was all they could've asked for after sticking by the show for seven seasons. For others, "True Blood's" conclusion just might rank up there with the worst finales of all time.
One of the big surprises was the death of a major -- and we mean major -- character. Yes, the demise of Tara (Rutina Wesley) and Alcide (Joe Manganiello) were shocking to viewers earlier in the season, but they were secondary characters. If you were told before the final season that Stephen Moyer's Bill Compton wouldn't make it out alive, would you have believed it?
Granted, the show has been building up to Bill's death the last few episodes, but it still seemed like something that wouldn't actually happen. Most were convinced that in typical "True Blood" fashion, writers would pull out a twist in the final act and he would end up living. But surprisingly, they had the guts to actually go through with it.
While Sookie's (Anna Paquin) feelings for Bill have definitely flip-flopped throughout the series, there was no doubting who had her heart last night. All she wanted was for her one true love to live. But Bill's mind was made up. He knew they wouldn't be able to stay away from one another, and he wanted Sookie to have the life he felt she deserved -- one with a family, something a vampire cannot give her. (Being dead and all makes it kind of difficult to reproduce.)
His martyrdom and his speech were romantic, but then he asked Sookie, while she stood there crying over his impending death, to do the actual killing. Annoyed fans had one word for his choice: selfish.
Yet before Bill could say his parting words, "True Blood" took an unexpected detour and threw a human-vampire wedding. Baby-vamp Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) and Hoyt (Jim Parrack) decided to get married. Jessica and Hoyt are one couple that fans have rooted for, and while the gesture was sweet -- it allowed Bill to walk Jessica down the aisle before his untimely death -- it was still a bit of a rush, and took away from the main event. As one impatient fan put it, "This is cute and all BUT ARE WE REALLY WASTING VALUABLE TIME ON JESS AND HOYT?!"
That question became all the more pointed upon the realization that Nelsan Ellis' Lafayette didn't even get one line of dialogue in the finale. We knew he got his happy ending with James (Nathan Parsons), but couldn't we get just one sassy comeback from him before the credits rolled?
Apparently, there just wasn't enough time, not with Sookie donning a black dress to meet Bill at the graveyard for his funeral. Paquin and Moyer gave stellar performances as they said their final goodbyes to one another (although the two actors get to stay happily married to one another in real life).
And then, after a time jump of roughly four years after Bill's death, the town of Bon Temps became a much brighter place. Jason (Ryan Kwanten) ended up with Brigette (Ashley Hinshaw), and a loving father to three young children. It probably wasn't what you would expect from the promiscuous ladies' man we met back in Season 1, but seeing him bonding with his children was adorable.
These couples looked positively peaceful too: Jessica and Hoyt, Andy and Holly (Lauren Bowles), Arlene (Carrie Preston) and vampire Keith (Riley Smith), plus Sam (Sam Trammell) and Nicole (Jurnee Smollett-Bell) with two kids now.
As for Sookie, she got her happy ending. Viewers never learn the identity of the man Sookie settled down with, but she ends the series pregnant and presumably in love.
And with that, HBO closed the coffin on "True Blood."
"I don't know if I loved that ending or hated that ending...Maybe a little of both?" one viewer tweeted amid the chorus of responses, many of which were disappointed.
I don't know if I loved that ending or hated that ending... Maybe a little of both? #TrueToTheEnd #TrueBlood— Emily Marie (@Sssookie813) August 25, 2014
"Wow True Blood series finale was horrible," another fan said. "I can't believe how much I loved that show in the beginning and how far it fell."
Wow True Blood series finale was horrible. I can't believe how much I loved that show in the beginning and how far it fell.— nicolespag (@nicolespag) August 25, 2014
Dear @TrueBloodHBO I would like a refund on the 7years I paid for @HBO. That writer should NEVER work AGAIN! #TrueBlood #truebloodfinale— Jeffrey Emmette (@JeffreyEmmette) August 25, 2014
I can't believe I wasted 92 hours of my life watching #TrueBlood with that stupid series finale. What the hell. #truebloodfinale— Liz Long (@LizCLong) August 25, 2014
"May be the only fan who loved the finale," chimed in one grateful viewer. "Thanks #trueblood for 7 great seasons."
May be the only fan who loved the finale. Thanks #trueblood for 7 great seasons— Sandy Stricker (@st1060) August 25, 2014
Thanks for a great run & a satisfying end. #TrueBlood You will be missed. http://t.co/G5M11U2Mrn— Seth Green (@SethGreen) August 25, 2014
The only plot point that seemed to escape viewers' criticism involved Alexander Skarsgard's Eric and Kristin Bauer van Straten's Pam. As suspected, the pair didn't keep the Hepatitis-V cure a secret from the public, and instead started New Blood, a cure and replacement for TruBlood. Their infomercial was definitely a series highlight.
"Eric and Pam need a spinoff show," tweeted one fan, as another called for a "new season of #TrueBlood called #NewBlood and it's the adventures or lives of Eric and Pam."
Whether or not the show lost steam during its seven-year run is irrelevant now. Those who stuck with the series until the end have endured each hardship and tragedy alongside the characters themselves. The finale was appropriately titled "Thank You." So thank you, "True Blood," for taking viewers on an unforgettable, bloody ride, and staying true until the very end.


text:
Serena Kutchinsky / December 17, 2014
The gender pay gap is one of feminism's most pivotal and enduring issues
Serena Kutchinsky / October 20, 2014
A speech at this year's One Young World Summit, revealing the winner of their essay competition
Serena Kutchinsky / October 16, 2014
We should stop debating egg freezing and start giving women access to it
Serena Kutchinsky / August 22, 2014
These fertility-based soirees are currently all the rage among single women in New York City
Serena Kutchinsky / August 14, 2014
New research claims it will be at least another 60 years before this enduring inequality is eradicated
Serena Kutchinsky / May 29, 2014
Is the scarcity of women in leadership due to a lack of commitment on our own behalf?
Serena Kutchinsky / March 21, 2014
Does gender equality trigger gender violence? A controversial new report suggests that certain EU nations might be experiencing a backlash
Serena Kutchinsky / February 17, 2014
New research shows that women find men who share the domestic duties less attractive
Serena Kutchinsky / January 30, 2014
It's finally happened. My boyfriend put a ring on it. Then, in true fairytale fashion, Serena disappeared in a puff of smoke and Bridezilla took her place. It was a brief attack of highly strung...
Serena Kutchinsky / January 14, 2014
One in five British women will never have children. Jody Day explains why this growing trend has become a political as well as a personal issue


text:
By Alan Duffy
Rumours are circulating throughout the Twittersphere and beyond that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has made a mega-bid of £30million for Napoli hitman Edinson Cavani. All well and good, but surely the Frenchman would be better off spending that kind of money on a coat with zips that work? Or maybe velcro?
Wenger was at it again last night at the Emirates, struggling to zip his coat up as his side took on Swansea. See here for a previous zip-failure.
Forget a new striker, Wenger needs a reliable new coat of super super quality, and fast.


text:
outside my window
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Posted by Fireman John at 3:13 PM 2 comments
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday quotes
We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.
Sir Winston Churchill
Life is just a mirror, and what you see out there, you must first see inside of you. Wally 'Famous' Amos
Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives. William James
Order is not pressure which is imposed on society from without, but an equilibrium which is set up from within. Jose Ortega y Gasset
Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. Abraham Lincoln
The farther behind I leave the past, the closer I am to forging my own character. Isabelle Eberhardt
Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values. Ayn Rand
A successful individual typically sets his next goal somewhat but not too much above his last achievement. In this way he steadily raises his level of aspiration. Kurt Lewin
Our lives improve only when we take chances - and the first and most difficult risk we can take is to be honest with ourselves. Walter Anderson
Learn the art of patience. Apply discipline to your thoughts when they become anxious over the outcome of a goal. Impatience breeds anxiety, fear, discouragement and failure. Patience creates confidence, decisiveness, and a rational outlook, which eventually leads to success. Brian Adams
If you can attain repose and calm, believe that you have seized happiness. Eleonore de Lespinasse
Of course there is no formula for success except perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings. Arthur Rubinstein
Good habits result from resisting temptation. Ancient Proverb
Look not mournfully into the past. It comes not back again. Wisely improve the present. It is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future, without fear. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A preoccupation with the future not only prevents us from seeing the present as it is but often prompts us to rearrange the past. Eric Hoffer
As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us. Marcel Proust
Posted by Fireman John at 12:04 AM 0 comments
Saturday, March 27, 2010
a balanced life
like so many trilogies of life,
the elements of balance are
mind, body and spirit.
how each day unfolds depends
on perception and outlook.
being aware of our thoughts and
the things we choose to ponder.
we all know the myriad of sayings
about the past, present and future.
no, we can't change the past, but we
can learn from our mistakes.
by letting yesterday impact today,
we remain burdoned by the past.
thoughts of the future can also cause
fear or anxiety. not to say that we
should not plan and set goals;
but keep those goals within a
reasonable time frame.
most importantly-don't focus on
what you need to stay away from,
but rather what you want to achieve.
we all have a fairly good idea of what
it takes to maintain a healthy body.
spiritual balance may vary from
person to person, but aligning the
mind and body tends to foster
that connection to a deeper power.
Posted by Fireman John at 11:45 AM 0 comments
Friday, March 26, 2010
balance continued
Posted by Fireman John at 9:21 AM 0 comments
Thursday, March 25, 2010
seeking balance
areas of our lives.
in recovery is delving too deeply
Posted by Fireman John at 2:01 PM 1 comments
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
life's little bumps
last night we went bowling;
a little recreation in the local
on my very first approach I
slipped and went down like
a sack of potatos.
pulled a muscle in my hip,
and the evening was over
for me.
my first thought was, 24
years of fighting fires in the
busiest areas of the largest
city in connecticut, and here
I am crippled by lane 5 at
"Coon bowl", in Coon Rapids,
thankfully, i limped away
with a smile, returned my
rental shoes and watched
the rest of the guys have
a good time.
before i had the chance to
feel sorry for myself, one
of the younger guys told
how, on his first day here,
he twisted his ankle, and
was out of commission
nearly 6 weeks.
just another lesson;
things could always be worse
accept the cards as dealt,
and move forward.
Posted by Fireman John at 10:23 AM 3 comments
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
substance abuse antics
some of the latest alcohol and drug related stories from About.com/Alcoholism;
Miami Heat's Dorell Wright Faces DUI ChargeMiami Heat player Dorell Wright has been charged with DUI and driving with a suspended license after South Beach police saw him speeding in his 2005 Bentley. He was also charged with driving 52 MPH in a 25 MPH zone and not having proof of insurance.
Rapper DMX Sentenced to Six MonthsThe rapper DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, has been sentenced to six months in jail for violating his probation by using drugs. The rap artist admitted to authorities that he was using cocaine and not complying with the terms of his probation.
Girlfriend of Cameron Douglas SentencedKelly Sott, who was arrested along with Michael Douglas's son Cameron on drug trafficking charges, has been sentenced to the seven months she has already served in jail since her arrest. "I learned a good lesson," Sott told the judge. "I just want to leave all that behind me - the drugs. ... Thank you for giving me a second chance."
Drunken Thief Returns Singer Justin Moore's GuitarCountry singer Justin Moore says he understands how a rowdy fan got drunk and decided to steal his favorite Gibson guitar valued around $4,000. Moore said he was just glad the guy returned the guitar after he sobered up and decided it was a mistake.
Man Too Drunk for DUI SentencingA Nebraska man managed to avoid getting sentenced for his DUI conviction - he was too drunk. Authorities said Jason Botos, 30, who was driven to the courthouse by his father, was so drunk when he arrived he had to be helped out of the vehicle and into the courthouse. Inside, his blood alcohol concentration was recorded at 0.43.
Hallucinating Woman Arrested by PoliceHospital personnel thought something was wrong when a otherwise healthy 28-year-old Nevada woman came to the emergency room complaining that she was bleeding from every part of her body. She had driven to the hospital with her 3-year-old daughter and crashed into a concrete wall in the parking lot. Nicole Ray was charged with suspicion of child abuse, driving under the influence of drugs, being under the influence of a controlled substance, probation violation and failure to use due caution.
Posted by Fireman John at 3:43 PM 1 comments
Monday, March 22, 2010
Monday quotes
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it.
Albert Einstein
Speak only if it improves upon the silence.
He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
Mark Twain
Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them.
Bruce Lee
Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.
Warren Buffett
If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.--
Margaret Thatcher
Happiness is something that comes into our lives through doors we don't even remember leaving open.
Rose Lane
* Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living, the other helps you make a life
Sandra Carey
Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew.
Saint Francis de Sales
Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by its breathtaking moments.
Michael Vance
Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.
Art Linkletter
Posted by Fireman John at 10:29 AM 2 comments
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Sunday fun
Posted by Fireman John at 4:02 PM 0 comments
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Dr. Phil says...
...the best predictor of future behavior
is past behavior.
not very encouraging for someone attempting
recovery or their family.
while that may be true in some cases,
it can be remedied.
it is imperative for anyone dealing with
an addiction to first identify, then take
measures to alter the mindset and behavior
patterns that lead back to former habits.
wow, what a novel concept;
behavior modification
today rather than obsessing about
staying away from a drink, drug, casino
or twinkie; I can devote my energies to
positive ideas, acivities, and people that
foster an atmosphere of an affirmative and
practical nature, rather than discouraging.
being creatures of habit, this is no
simple task. it starts with small goals
that can be expanded in time.
the satisfaction gained from changing
past behavior is a huge benefit to
self-esteem and a positive outlook.
Posted by Fireman John at 12:23 PM 1 comments
Friday, March 19, 2010
Friday questions
do you perform any community service?
have your values changed since starting
how do you combat the blues?
is boredom ever a problem?
what methods do you use to cope when
you are annoyed or angered?
ever tried online meetings?
would you like to confront someone who
has harmed you, as part of healing?
what does your ideal day consist of?
Posted by Fireman John at 9:28 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
accentuate the positive
while I certainly have a myriad of
experience admitting wrongs, making
amends and rehashing all my past
transgressions, my 12 step journey hasn't
allowed much opportunity to examine
my assets and positive qualities.
there was some benefit from listing
character flaws and making amends.
now I view my past recovery as
a decent starting point, but not
sufficient to expand on my values,
goals or continued progressive wellness.
my persona is not that of an alcoholic first
and foremost as I was exposed to in aa.
I am a father, a son and a partner who
developed a drinking problem.
as I address the internal struggles and
external forces that contributed to
addiction, I am better prepared today;
by drawing on my strengths and
abilities rather than the former
admission of powerlessness and
subscribing to the flawed "disease concept".
Posted by Fireman John at 12:24 AM 1 comments
Monday, March 15, 2010
Monday quotes
"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense." –– Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Everyone has his burden. What counts is how you carry it." ––Merle Miller
"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it." Lou Holtz
"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. Buddha
"Kindness in words creates confidence Kindness in thinking creates profoundness Kindness in giving creates love." Lao-Tzu
"Good luck is another name for tenacity of purpose." Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Courage means to keep working a relationship, to continue seeking solutions to difficult problems, and to stay focused during stressful periods." – Denis Waitley
"If you focus on results, you will never change. If you focus on change, you will get results." Jack Dixon
"You have to find happiness in yourself before you can find it with someone."Anonymous
"Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response."Mildred Barthel
"Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get."Dale Carnegie
"The first recipe for happiness is: Avoid too lengthy meditations on the past."André Maurois
"The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."Allan K. Chalmers
Posted by Fireman John at 9:11 AM 0 comments
Saturday, March 13, 2010
two wolves
one evening an old Sioux told his grandson
about a battle that goes on inside people.
he said, "my son, the battle is between two
wolves inside us all".
"one is evil-it is anger, envy, jealousy,
sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, false
pride, self-pity, guilt, resentment,
inferiority, lies, superiority and ego.
the other is good-it is joy, peace, love,
hope, serenity, humility, kindness, hope,
benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth,
compassion and faith".
the grandson thought about it for a
minute and then asked his grandfather:
"which wolf wins?"
the old Sioux simply replied,
"the one you feed".
Posted by Fireman John at 11:11 AM 0 comments
Friday, March 12, 2010
week 1
past substance abuse histoy
family and friends
purpose in life
inventory of assets and resources
very different from traditional rehab
theory and practice.
here we accentuate the positive and
and examine the qualities and traits
that make us unique and valuable to
family, friends and society.
no negative listing of character defects;
no lists of people we've harmed,
no talk of powerlessness.
it is so refreshing to eliminate the
self-flagellation and reliance on
unknown or unseen forces to deal
with addictive behaviors.
Posted by Fireman John at 12:29 PM 2 comments
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
the importance of values
values, or lack of, apply to many addictions,
be it sex, shopping, food or gambling, in
addition to substances.
they influence whether you will continue
to indulge in an activity or substance,
and how it affects your life.
values play an important role in the
decision to limit or quit a behavior
or substance.
the power of a good value system is
the influence on desire and the ability
to combat addiction.
what we believe in and truly care
about, are invaluable tools in our
arsenal used to combat addiction.
Posted by Fireman John at 10:54 AM 3 comments
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Values and recovery
according to 12 step teachings, the only way to
address addiction is to admit powerlessness
and accept that "only a power greater than
ourselves could restore us to sanity".
this offends some people's values.
their view is that submission is not the
answer to their problem.
studies indicate that the 2 primary
relapse predictors are lack of coping
skills and subscribing to the disease model.
research and psychological theory show
that is is more empowering and successful
for belief and value in your own strength.
unfortunately, any talk of self-efficacy in
aa is labeled denial; you are told you
cannot succeed on your own.
while I understand the importance of
a support system, the buck stops with me.
I am reponsible and accountable for my
own recovery.
more tomorrow...
Posted by Fireman John at 10:46 AM 1 comments
Monday, March 8, 2010
a new approach
I arrived at St. Gregory Retreat sunday night.
this is an 8 week program of cognitive-behavioral
therapy and behavior modification.
the program was designed by Dr. Stanton Peele,
whom I have been following for some time.
this is a non-disease model, and focuses on
behavior patters that cause substance abuse.
the theory is to identify triggers and the
negativity that causes relapse.
we are encouraged to address our faults,
but also to expand our strengths and
positive qualities.
here each person is viewed in their
entirety; and the approach is holistic.
it is the mind, body and spirit that
we take control of.
to be continued...
Posted by Fireman John at 4:13 PM 0 comments
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Monday quotes
"Due to circumstances beyond your control, you are master of your fate and captain of your soul."
"It's good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it's good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven't lost the things that money can't buy."
--George Horace Lorimer
If you fill your heart with regrets of yesterday and the worries of tomorrow, you have no today to be thankful for.
Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
A closed mouth gathers no feet
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
Anyone can enjoy good days; those who find ways to enjoy bad days have something going for them!
If you are too busy to laugh, you are too busy.
To make mistakes is human; to stumble is commonplace; to be able to laugh at yourself is maturity.
Your talent is God's gift to you. How you use it is your gift to God.
Be careful of your thoughts, they may become words at any moment
Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes
Posted by Fireman John at 12:56 PM 1 comments
Friday, March 5, 2010
Friday questions
how are relationships with family, friends
and co-workers since starting recovery?
do you associate with social drinkers, or
just people in the program?
what do miss, if anything, about the party life?
who is most impressed with your recovery?
where do you go to "get away from it all"?
when life hands you lemons, how do you cope?
why do think long term recovery is so elusive
for many?
do you believe in the "disease concept" of
have you gone to rehab, or came into
recovery on your own?
does recovery contradict or complement
your religious beliefs?
Posted by Fireman John at 9:47 AM 2 comments
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
wednesday celebrities
more celeb news of the week
from About.com/Alcoholism
Charlie Sheen Enters Rehab
Putting the production of his hit television series on hold, actor Charlie Sheen has reportedly checked himself into rehab. "As a preventative measure, Charlie Sheen has entered a rehabilitation facility. He will take some time off his series Two and a Half Men. He has asked that his privacy be honored. No further statements are planned," his publicist told reporters.
Brittany Murphy Had No Signs of Drugs, Alcohol
In spite of rumors to the contrary, actress Brittany Murphy did not die from alcohol or drug abuse, according to a coroner's report. The autopsy report did say Murphy had "elevated levels" of Vicodin and over-the-counter cold medicine in her system, however.
Michael Douglas' Son Denied Bail in Meth Case
Cameron Douglas was denied bail and a request for outpatient addiction treatment as he awaits sentencing for his guilty plea of drug trafficking. The son of actor Michael Douglas is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court April 14 for selling methamphetamine and cocaine.
Leif Garrett Pleads Not Guilty in Heroin Case
Former teen idol Leif Garrett has entered a not guilty plea to felony drug possession. Garrett's attorney claims police illegally searched him on Feb. 1 in the city subway system in Los Angeles.
'Heroes' Actor Adrian Pasdar Charged With DUI
Actor Adrian Pasdar, star of the television series "Heroes," has been charged with driving under the influence. The 44-year-old actor was spotted swerving over two lanes of traffic on a Los Angeles freeway.
'Deadliest Catch' Star Arrested for DUI
Jake Harris, a deckhand on Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch," was arrest for drunken driving after Washington state troopers said the failed field sobriety tests and refused to take a breath test. Harris is the son of the late Capt. Phil Harris, a co-star of the reality television series.
Posted by Fireman John at 12:56 PM 1 comments
Monday, March 1, 2010
500 posts! Monday quotes
When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.
- Helen Keller
A slogan for an interesting life:
Why Not?
I have found that if you love life, it will love you right back
You cannot become what you were meant to be by remaining what you are.
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.
Sorrow looks back.
Worry looks around.
Faith looks up.
When at the edge of the unknown, faith provides the wings to fly.
"Work to become, not to acquire."
-- Confucius
"Try not to become a man of success, but rather, try to become a man of value."
-- Albert Einstein
If you fill your heart with regrets of yesterday and the worries of tomorrow, you have no today to be thankful for.
Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
Your heart understands what your head cannot yet conceive; trust your heart.
If you think the parade of life is passing you by, perhaps you're not listening to the music.
Posted by Fireman John at 9:59 AM 2 comments


text:
In testimony before Congress Wednesday, the outgoing Federal Reserve chair said she's "very worried" about the trajectory of the nation's debt, which now totals more than $20 trillion, $14.9 trillion of which is held by the public.
"Our current debt-to-GDP ratio of about 75 percent is not frightening, but it's also not low," Yellen said. "But when you look at, for example, CBO's long-term budget projections, it's the type of thing that should keep people awake at night. It shows a picture in which, as our population ages, expenditures on Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security grow more rapidly than tax revenues, and the debt-to-GDP ratio moves up. This should be a very significant concern."


text:
Get your FREE ticket HERE
Want to Shop even EARLIER? Click HERE
Find awesome deals on everything you need for your growing family!
This will be our FALL SALE meaning you will find items for Fall and Winter
At 50-90% off retail prices, this is a sale you won't want to miss!
We gladly accept Cash, Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express, and Debit cards.
Aug 10th & 11th | Drop Off
See "Consignor Details" page for information
Aug 12th | Presale Day
12pm - 8pm | Ticket required for sellers and special guests
Aug 13th | First Public Sale Day
10am - 7pm | $2 Admission FIRST DAY ONLY. Kids are FREE and you can be too. Get your ticket HERE!
Aug 14th | Public Sale
10am - 7pm | Shop the restocked sales floor and enjoy FREE admission. No pass needed.
Aug 14th | Half-Price Presale
5pm - 7pm | Team Members
6pm - 7pm | Consignors
Aug 15th | Half Price Day!
9am | Get in Early with a Half Price Presale Ticket
10am-3pm | Many items are an additional 50% off Everyone welcome and admission is FREE! No pass needed.
Aug 16st | Consignor Pick Up
4pm-6pm | See "Consignor Details" page for more information
Hopkins Pavilion
11000 Excelsior Blvd
Hopkins, MN 55343
Stay informed with
JBF Edina by
joining our newsletter
Jessica R
September 23, 2020
I like to earn extra money on things I don't need!!
Leanna W
September 12, 2020
Loved that we didn't have to get our things inspected at drop off.
Kristen S
September 10, 2020
Everything was organized so we'll this year!
Jeni Crabtree
I run Just Between Friends Edina because I want to positively impact parent's in our community by providing a place for them to buy and sell kids' items to prepare for their child's next stage in the most affordable way possible.


text:
- Bikes
- News
- Riders
- Factory Racing
- Wing Project
- Factory BMX
- BMX Freestyle
Profile Informations
Login Datas
or login
Ronnie Renner
"It's such an honor to be a GT Wingman alongside such awesome riders.. What an inspiring crew we have! Being the 'crossover' rider, my intent is to always bring my Freeride Moto vibe with me into other sports. 2018 is going to be extra special because I have done a huge change-up to my 'Loose Program' and gone back to my Florida roots, where I will be focusing on building up the 'LPC' ... aka the Loose Program Compound, which is a 10 acre playground for Moto, MTB and RZR riding/driving for my friends and family. I'm excited to share the progress and journey with the world, but also psyched to load the bikes and explore new trails, as well as hit some of the big events.. hoping to bring a GT bike with me wherever I go."
Current World Record Step Up Holder 47'
Current Highest Air on a quarterpipe 63' 2"
7 Xgames Gold Medals (2013LAX, 2013 - barcelona-, 2012LAX, 2009LAX, 2008MEX, 2007LAX, 2007Dubai)
Starred in 'The Great Ride Open"
Ride to the Hills Champion
Red Bull X-Fighters Mexico City winner


text:
Meal Type
Featured Videos
Featured Content
Featured Brand Sites
Featured Brand Sites
Product By Category
Tools & Info
Cooking Tips
Healthy Living
Your Kids
Recipe Ideas
food&family Magazine
6 servings
Read MoreRead Less
Tap or click steps to mark as complete
Prepare using POLLY-O Grated Parmesan Cheese.
Add 1/4 cup minced bell peppers to the couscous and top the chicken with 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley.
This low-fat Mediterranean-inspired main dish can fit into a healthful eating plan.
* Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.


text:
2 Results for:
April 27, 2017Energy and Environment
Oil Dependence and U.S. Foreign Policy
The United States' dependence on oil has long influenced its foreign policy. This timeline traces the story of U.S. oil development.
June 16, 2017Middle East and North Africa
Modern Sunni-Shia Tensions
Iran's Islamic revolution, which brought Shias to power in 1979, and the Sunni backlash have fueled a competition for regional dominance. This timeline highlights Sunni-Shia tensions in recent decade…


text:
I took this spherical panorama from Mount Battie in Camden this summer. Shot with a Nikon D700 & 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 24mm, f/8, ISO 200, and 1/8000 through 1/30 shutter speeds, spaced 1EV apart. I used such a wide exposure range to capture the sun and glare off the water, but still have details of the shadows in the tower. Stitched from 360 photos, the final image is 155 megapixels. I shot 3 rows of 12 columns with 9 exposures at each position, plus 2 nadir positions to remove the tripod and VERY long shadows from the low sun, and 2 extra positions of the tower and tourists to remove ghosts of people walking around.
The United States is one of the most diverse countries on earth, jam packed full of amazing sights from St. Patrick's cathedral in New York to Mount Hollywood California.The Northeast region is where it all started. Thirteen British colonies fought the American Revolution from here and won their independence in the first successful colonial rebellion in history. Take a look at these rolling hills carpeted with foliage along the Hudson river here, north of New York City.The American south is known for its polite people and slow pace of life. Probably they move slowly because it's so hot. Southerners tend not to trust people from "up north" because they talk too fast. Here's a cemetery in Georgia where you can find graves of soldiers from the Civil War.The West Coast is sort of like another country that exists to make the east coast jealous. California is full of nothing but grizzly old miners digging for gold, a few gangster rappers, and then actors. That is to say, the West Coast functions as the imagination of the US, like a weird little brother who teases everybody then gets famous for making freaky art.The central part of the country is flat farmland all the way over to the Rocky Mountains. Up in the northwest corner you can find creative people in places like Portland and Seattle, along with awesome snowboarding and good beer. Text by Steve Smith.


text:
Parents unhappy they weren't told about gun in school
District says incident happened too late in day for notifications
A day after a 13-year-old brought a gun to Mt. Airy Elementary, some parents said they didn't understand why they weren't told about the incident when it happened.
Bethany Davis said she even looked through her daughter's bag to see if a note was sent home.
"I looked through her book bag to make sure there was nothing in there, and there was nothing," she said.
"Somebody should have said something about it," parent Thomas Williams said.
Officers said a school administrator found a cartridge for a .22 caliber in the hallway first, then the gun was found during a second search of book bags. School officials say a 7th grader later told the teacher he brought a gun to school because he was afraid of some other students.
CPS spokeswoman Janet Walsh said that the incident took place late in the day, making it harder to get the information out.
"This was a case where we did not get the facts together and connect that fast enough to get that out there," she said.
A letter did go out to parents on Tuesday, stating in bold letters that "Fortunately, no one was hurt. The gun was broken and unloaded, and no threats were made."
But Thomas wondered why parents had to wait for a piece of paper at all.
"They can do robocalls from home when school's closed, they could have done a robocall for that too, I think," she said.
Grandparent Greg Tye said he understood that it was a tough call for the school, but said the incident should send a wakeup call to parents.
"What really needs to happen here is a lot more of the parents need to get involved in what goes on in the school and take control of what they're doing," he said.
Cincinnati Public Schools Board President Eileen Cooper Reed said officials ideally would have gotten a letter home with students yesterday but time did not permit that.
"They did have to hear it on the news. If they did -- and I know how disconcerting that can be because I'm a parent and a grandparent -- but there's a procedure. We followed the procedure well," Reed said.
CPS does not have a district-wide policy instructing when and how to notify parents when a gun is found on school property.
"No policy can possibly take into account the myriad of things that happen in a school," Reed said.
A spokesman from the archdioceses said catholic schools also do not share a district-wide policy for parental notification. Sycamore Township schools and Boone County schools also do not have a district-wide policy.
A spokesman for the Lakota School District said they handle notification on a case-by-case basis. Adding, "You always want to keep parents advised where there's an incident involving safety or security at a school, and you want to do that as quickly as possible. But you also need to get the facts."
Reed apologized for the delay in notifying parents.
"We're sorry. We'd love to notify them as soon as possible, but when things happen that's not always permitted, so the first time we had a chance we did send out a letter today," she said.
The student who brought the gun to school was arrested, police said. He was suspended and could be expelled.


text:
All converters work on raw files directly, you don't need any 3rd party
software/lib.All converters support English and all European languages.All converters support Unicode/multi-bytes languages (Chinese, Korean, Japanese...).
All converters were written in C++, High performance and
accuracy are our priority goal.
For Developers:
These COM/DLL components need some programming skill to use them, if you are
looking for standalone application/tools, please check out our desktop converting tools
for end users below.
Convert PDF to
XML (DLL Edition)
For End Users: We also provide two standalone tools to convert PDF
file to text file/convert excel file to XML/CSVText file, the functionality of the COM/DLL
were encapsulated in the standalone applications,
if you are interest in the COM/DLL components you can also check out these
tools to see is the output what you want or not without any programming.


text:
The Week Ahead: Tigers aim to keep rolling
Everyone around baseball is prepared for a momentous and memorable Monday.
Suspensions of players embroiled in the Biogenesis performance-enhancing drug investigation are expected to come down, and the punishments are expected to be sweeping and severe. The immediate futures of several contending clubs will be altered. Reputations will be further sullied. The game will take another one on the chin.
But Monday will end, Tuesday will begin and baseball will go on, as it always does. Once the penalties have been dished out and the rosters have been retooled, the drama of a great baseball season will continue as the pennant races start to simmer.
The competition isn't hotter anywhere right now than it is in the American League Central. After Sunday, the first-place Tigers, who were expected by most experts to repeat their division title and possibly make a repeat trip to the World Series with perhaps a better result than in 2012, are officially hitting their stride.
They've won eight in a row after a 12-inning walk-off win over the White Sox on Sunday, and they steam into the new week with a chance to go 20 games over .500 and begin making a run at the best record in the AL. Fittingly enough, they'll be heading to Cleveland for a pivotal four-game set against the second-place Indians, who have won 10 of their last 11. Meanwhile, in third place lurks Kansas City, which has also been hot of late.
The Tigers-Indians showdown will be followed by Detroit's three-game weekend series against the Yankees in the Bronx. At some point in the next few days, the Tigers should get back Miguel Cabrera, too.
"It's all about the team," said Tigers starter Max Scherzer, who is 16-1 this season and is slated to pitch this Thursday against the Indians. "We're in first place. We have to keep it there. The Indians and Royals are playing really good baseball right now, and anything can happen, so we have to finish the season strong."
The Braves seem to be paying heed to that same mantra. Somehow they've remained relatively quiet while building the largest division lead in baseball, and they enter Monday with a current MLB-best 10-game winning streak and a 67-45 record, the second-best record in the National League by a half-game.
The loss of Tim Hudson hurts, but they've got Brandon Beachy back from Tommy John surgery to take his place, and Beachy's first week back showed glimpses of the power pitcher the Braves always thought he'd be.
This week, Atlanta will get six games at home against sub-.500 teams in the Marlins and Phillies -- more opportunities to extend its lead and inflate its season record.
In the NL West, the first-place Dodgers must be looking at every week as an opportunity to keep a remarkable run going, all the way to October. And this week, they get two major tests: first a four-game series against the Cardinals in St. Louis, then three at home against the Rays.
That's two chances to show what they're made of against teams with high playoff hopes and two chances to get even more momentum. And, quite possibly, two starts for Clayton Kershaw, who's starting to build a strong case for the NL Most Valuable Player Award, not just the NL Cy Young Award. Kershaw enters the week with a Major League-leading ERA of 1.87, 17 consecutive outings of six innings or more, and two walks in his last 47 innings.
"He's just relentless as far as every hitter, every pitch, every inning," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "He just continues on. It's one of the greatest things about Clayton. He just never gives in."
On the other side of the country, the Red Sox and Rays will continue their protracted battle for supremacy in the AL East. Boston shut out Arizona on Sunday and enters the week with a 68-45 record, best in the AL. The Red Sox head off to play the Astros on Monday for the first three games of a 10-game road trip that will take them to Houston, Kansas City and Toronto.
The Rays, who are 66-45 and a game behind Boston, will get some rest this week, with only five games, but those games won't be easy. The first two, Tuesday and Wednesday, will be against the D-backs in Arizona, and the weekend will take them to Los Angeles for three against the scalding Dodgers.
Meanwhile, the team with the best record in baseball will be at it again. The Pittsburgh Pirates, one of the inspiring stories of 2013, continue their march toward the team's first winning season since 1992 by playing three at home against the Marlins to begin the week and finishing off with a three-game set against the Rockies in Colorado.
The Pirates won again Sunday and are 67-44, only 15 victories from that magic number of 82 that has eluded them for 20 years. They are looking for far more than that, however, and they know they'll probably have to get a lot more than that to pull away from the Cardinals.
St. Louis routed the Reds on Sunday by the score of 15-2 and is 1 1/2 games behind Pittsburgh. The Cardinals now get a week at home -- four against the high-flying Dodgers, three against the Cubs -- to prepare for next week's crucial three-game set against Pittsburgh. That one will be at Busch Stadium, too.
For St. Louis, coming back to its home park after playing 11 games in 10 days in three cities -- and losing eight of the first 10 -- is beyond welcome.
"We're not looking past today," manager Mike Matheny said, "but we're anxious to get home."


text:
Favorite People Call Me Grandma Appreciation Collection - Great Grandma Gift!
** Get our Moon & Back Standard Fit white Tee for just $0.01 (white color from small to XL) and many selected items like the black Moon & Back design items at wholesale prices for a very limited time! **
Check out our Love Collection here
==> http://familytrophy.com/products/copy-of-moon-back-free-tshirts-christmas-gift-for-grandmas?variant=14544892356
Go here to see our whole apparel collection!
Pillowcase: 18 inch x 18 inch (Pillow not included)
T shirts: 100% ringspun soft cotton
Hoodies: 50% Cotton 50% Polyester blend
Aprons: 50% Cotton 50% Polyester blend
Wine Bags: Sturdy Canvas
Tote Bags: Polyester (50% recycled material)
Necklaces: 1 inch x 1 inch sterling silver plated
Can Wraps: 100% Neoprene
*100% quality guarantee
*Fast shipping
*Live customer support
*Super Soft Cotton
*Proudly made in the US
*You should receive 2 emails from us after your order is placed, please check your spam folder if you do not immediately receive them
Order Instruction:
Step 1) Enter your grandma nickname in the box to personalize your item (Kay will change to your Grandma nickname for example Gigi, Mimi, Meemaw, etc)
- Please enter your grandma nickname in the appropriate box above
- The items will be printed as you check out so please double check your spelling
Step 2) Select size (View size guide below), color, quantity
Please visit our size guide here
Step 3) Click the Add to Cart Button
Our Quality Guarantee:
All products come with a 100% quality guarantee.
Our items are proudly printed in the US.
We use quality soft cotton material and our prints will not fade after washing.
Workmanship and print quality are covered.
If your item fades during washing we'll gladly take it back or replace it.
Our quality guarantee also covers defective material and workmanship.
Items must be returned within 30 days.
Your item will be shipped through USPS Priority mail and should arrive within 7 business days. If you have any questions or concerns please email us at firstname.lastname@example.com
Guaranteed safe and secure checkout via:
PayPal | Visa | MasterCard
100% satisfaction guaranteed
Super fast shipping & delivery
Secure ordering
We use encrypted SSL security to ensure that your credit card information is 100% protected
Got a Question? Email us
Guaranteed safe and secure checkout via:
PayPal | Visa | MasterCard
Secure Checkout.
Your information is 100% secure and private.
Your purchase feeds hungry kids!
For more information please visit the NO KID HUNGRY website


text:
Tukaiz Cites 12 Initiatives that Led to Growth in 2012
FRANKLIN PARK, IL—January 28, 2013—Expanding its position as a leading marketing services production company, Tukaiz LLC closed 2012 with 12 distinguished accomplishments that supported the company's continued growth. The focus in 2012 included the launch of a new subsidiary, extensive capital expansion, new product offerings and prestigious business partnerships that meet current and future customer requirements. Tukaiz "12 in '12" growth initiatives were:
- The installation of an Automated Agfa M-Press Leopard—the first in the United States. The M-Press Leopard gives Tukaiz the ability to output in two days what traditionally takes screen-printing two weeks, at a higher-quality and reduced cost. Additionally, the installation of the 5x10˝ automated flatbed inkjet press is designed to deliver the highest image quality on a wide-variety of rigid- and- flexible substrates, doing for print what HD did for television.
- The addition of a glitter unit to the Scodix1200 digital press from Israel, a breakthrough in printing technology that adds dimension and texture to images and words. Tukaiz is the first company in the United States to implement this innovative printing solution.
- Ongoing investment in wide-format capabilities to satisfy an increasing customer demand for materials, such as in-store POP/POS displays; vivid 2-D banners and window and floor clings.
- The launch of its Web and mobile application development subsidiary, TKML, to build enterprise-level software solutions that improve efficiency for businesses of all sizes.
- Continued demand for its Backstage capabilities, a proprietary online marketing management system introduced in 2010, that gives street-level owners and managers of corporate chains the ability to quickly and securely localize marketing campaigns. Continual software updates and advancements in response to client demands.
- Partnerships with many marquee customers such as PepsiCo Frito-Lay, Redbox and Burger King now use Backstage and other services for their marketing production needs.
- The release of PixyMe Plus, the iPad version of its well-renowned application PixyMe, a first-of-its kind application that uses groundbreaking true-to-life image personalization technology to create and send a personalized electronic or printed postcard from a mobile device or tablet.
- A dramatic increase in fulfillment activity resulted in renovation and expansion of space and offering; including state-of-the-art fulfillment and sophisticated tracking capabilities, making it even easier for customers to meet all their marketing production needs under one roof.
- Continued growth of service offerings, in particular full-service in-house creative design and boutique agency services.
- The acquisition of 27,000 square feet, adding to the 40,000 square-foot expansion of its campus in 2011 to support growing fulfillment needs.
- Ample organic growth consisting of a 9 percent increase of employee base and a 9 percent overall increase in revenue from the previous year.
- An upheld partnership with industry visionary, Benny Landa (founder of digital print) to be the first companies in North America to act as a beta site for Landa's new Nanography technology. Nanography reported to revolutionize commercial print globally, combines the speed of offset with the variable versioning abilities of digital. The Landa-Tukaiz relationship is one with great history, as Frank Defino, Sr., president and CEO of Tukaiz partnered with Landa to be the first company in the Midwest to invest in Landa's game-changing Indigo digital press in 1994.
"We certainly recognize that a company's continued success stems from a combination of talented employees, outstanding client relationships and a culture that inspires innovation and nurtures the desire to pioneer the uncharted of the industry," said Frank Defino, Jr., vice president and managing director at Tukaiz. "In 2012 we put focus on our initiatives to deliver on our promise of always staying in front of evolving marketing production trends to lead the marketplace. We are pleased that progress led to growth that better allows us to provide seamless end-to-end marketing solutions from a single location, yet give our clients the attention and support they deserve."
About Tukaiz
Tukaiz is a results-driven marketing services production company based in Franklin Park, IL. Founded in 1963, Tukaiz is a family-owned and operated company providing products and services to advertising agencies and corporate America. The infrastructure of Tukaiz includes imaging, print, and interactive services comprised of in-house consulting, creative, prepress, color correction and retouching, as well as offset, digital, large-format and banner printing, online marketing management and print production systems, software and data applications development, Website development/hosting, multimedia solutions, finishing, and mailing and fulfillment services.
Source: Tukaiz.


text:
BeMedWise Program at NeedyMeds, formerly the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE), encourages healthcare professionals and community groups to foster patient–professional communication about medicines. However, BeMedWise does not supervise or endorse the activities of any group or professional. Discussion and action concerning medicines are solely the responsibility of the patient and their healthcare professionals, and not BeMedWise.
Please consult a licensed health care professional with questions or concerns about your medication and/or condition.


text:
Five features Google needs to deliver in Android 2.3: While we wait for Google to finish baking fresh Gingerbread cookies for the Android faithful, the Ars staff contemplates some of the features that we hope to see in version 2.3 of the mobile operating system.
Pilots told to avoid new airport scanners, "demeaning" pat-downs: A major pilots' union worries about the radiation coming out of the new "backscatter" and "millimeter wave" airport scanners, and they're not big fans of the newly aggressive crotch gropings that greet anyone who declines a scan. In fact, they say, pilots should be totally exempt.
Linux beyond X: Shuttleworth contemplates Wayland: Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth has announced plans to bring Ubuntu's new Unity desktop shell to the Wayland display manager. In a blog entry, Shuttleworth discusses the opportunities for Linux in moving beyond X11.
Windows Phone 7 already doomed? Don't let early sales fool you: One market researcher claims Microsoft sold only 40,000 Windows Phone 7 handsets on launch day. There's no cause for alarm, however.
Why don't Americans want broadband?: Plenty of Americans still don't have broadband, and it turns out that many don't have a need for the Internet.
"Horde of piratical monkeys" creates LimeWire: Pirate Edition: Only weeks after a federal injunction against LimeWire, a group of mischievous hackers have taken the source code of the file-sharing program and ripped out all the bits enabling central control. Meet LimeWire: Pirate Edition, designed to tweak the RIAA. Ars talks to the man behind it.
A new record: 9,729 P2P porn pushers sued at once: An enterprising West Virginia lawyer has now sued more alleged file-swappers than anyone else in the US, including the recording industry. Move over, US Copyright Group; the pornographers are here, and they're going to give you Anal Nightmares.
Google points finger at Facebook hypocrisy, blocks Gmail import: User data goes into Facebook, but seldom comes back out. Google is now retaliating, preventing Facebook users from automatically importing their Google contacts until Facebook relents on its one-way policies.
Windows Phone 7 updates: can carriers block them?: When Windows Phone 7 was first announced, Microsoft promised that it, not the OEMs and phone networks, would control software updates. But statements made by senior executives working on the project suggest that carriers might have the upper hand after all—and the company's official response is doing little to clarify the situation.
Microsoft not amused by open source Kinect drivers: Adafruit has awarded a $3,000 bounty to a Linux enthusiast who has released open source drivers for controlling Microsoft's Kinect camera.


text:
Ancient roots and bones locked in long-frozen soil in Siberia are starting to thaw, and have the potential to unleash billions of tons of carbon and accelerate global warming, scientists said Thursday.
WASHINGTON Ancient roots and bones locked in long-frozen soil in Siberia are starting to thaw, and have the potential to unleash billions of tons of carbon and accelerate global warming, scientists said Thursday.
This vast carbon reservoir, contained in permafrost soil in northeastern Siberia, contains about 75 times more carbon than the amount released into the atmosphere each year by the burning of fossil fuels, the researchers said in a statement.
Siberia isn't the only place on Earth with massive lodes of permafrost -- parts of Alaska, Canada and northern Europe have them too. The Siberian area is possibly the world's largest, covering nearly 400,000 square miles, with an average depth of 82 feet, and probably holds about 500 billion metric tons of carbon.
By any measure, this is a lot, and it is in fact twice what scientists previously believed was there, ecologist Ted Schuur of the University of Florida said in a telephone interview.
"There's a huge pool of carbon, even more than people thought before, perhaps double the amount of carbon that we thought," said Schuur, one of the article's co-authors. "If you have twice as much carbon there, essentially in the future twice as much could be released into the atmosphere."
Cars, power plants and other fossil fuel burners release at least 6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually, contributing to global warming, the scientists said.
As the Siberian permafrost thaws, it will release the carbon contained in old grass roots and buried animal bones into the atmosphere, in what could be an unstoppable contributor to global climate change, according to the researchers.
Earlier climate models may have failed to account for this possible component of global warming, he said.
Schuur said this source of atmospheric carbon could create a vicious global warming cycle.
"You have anthropogenic (human-generated) carbon that's making things a little bit warmer, and that causes the permafrost to warm up and carbon is then released from the permafrost," he said. "It goes into the atmosphere and makes things warmer yet again, so then more permafrost thaws."
If all Siberian permafrost thawed and released its carbon in the form of heat-trapping carbon dioxide, it could nearly double the 730 billion metric tons of carbon now in the atmosphere, the scientists said.
Source: Reuters
Contact Info:


text:
"We provide artists with the ultimate offering to build their careers: radio, social media and play-listing."
Dale Speaking services include the following...
- Canadian Radio Promotion
- Social media Education and Strategic Planning
- Worldwide Streaming and Playlisting and US Digital PR
We work with our partners at Canadian radio to achieve radio airplay and promotion. Our radio partners include commercial radio in all formats, CBC Radio, SirusXM and Stingray.
Dale Speaking provides artists with the education, tools and strategies to navigate digital platforms and curate meaningful content. We believe that social media is an integral part of artists' promotional activities. Dale Speaking provides the education and strategic planning to stimulate platform growth.
In June of 2018, Dale Speaking announced a new alliance with Digital Promotions Group. The alliance resulted in Dale Speaking providing worldwide streaming and playlisting services and U.S. digital PR services through DPG. Like social media, we believe that streaming and playlisting are integral parts of artist' promotional activities.
Commercial Radio
Stingray Music
Apple Music
Clients & Achievements
Choose a Genre
Danko Jones
Current Client
Dale Speaking is proud to be working with rock n' rollers Danko Jones at Canadian Rock radio.
"Great music is the core of what we do. We work to produce the best possible marketing strategy for each artist in order to successfully navigate the radio world. Our solid relationships with all of our partners help us gain audiences for artists."
Eighteen years ago, Dale Peters founded Dale Speaking, a Canadian radio promotion company, with the aim of growing artists at Canadian radio. Dale Speaking has worked with such fine artists as Feist, Danny Fernandes, Glenn Morrison, Paul Brandt, MDM Label (Jess Moskaluke, Bobby Wills, The Lovelocks, David James), Dinealone Records (City in Colour, Alexisonfire, Arkells and Entertainment One (Crash Karma, Rival Sons, Bush, The Standstills).
In the early days, radio was the biggest target for artists, but with the recent technological and societal shifts toward social media as a communication tool, Dale Speaking made the conscious decision to offer social media education and planning services to musicians to build towards radio.
To further its offerings, in May of 2018, Dale Speaking partnered with Digital Promotions Group, a music promotion company specializing in online marketing and promotion for Canadian artists, specifically in the areas of streaming and playlisting promotion and U.S. digital publicity.
"With our partners at commercial, CBC and Satellite radio as well as our social media and music streaming offerings, we provide the ultimate package to build artists' careers." – Dale Peters
Dale Peters
Dale was born with music surrounding him, whether it was his father playing the piano and organ or his parents playing gospel and contemporary music. On the Gospel side it was acts like The Blackwood Brothers or Oakridge Boys, on the other side it was Liberace or country music.
"Those early days of music really shaped me for what I love today, working with artists and their music". In Dale's humble beginnings, he worked in a record store where LP's, Cassettes and Stereos were sold. Three years of selling at Kelly's Stereo Mart secured him a job interview with RCA /Arista Records, later becoming BMG. Out of 51 people, Dale landed the job as a sales representative. Twenty years later, as BMG was sold to Sony, he was packaged out and started his company Dale Speaking. "I had only left BMG for three days and I had offers to work for indie and major labels. I was quite taken back and thrilled. I choose to work with the Orange Record Label for a couple of years then started my company Dale Speaking and here we are eleven years later." Dale have been very lucky to work with fantastic people, artists, managers and radio. Times have changed since he entered the music business in 1980 but he is thrilled to know that over the next ten years, he will be cultivating careers for the future stars of tomorrow.
Sara Franczyk
Sara's love of music started at a young age, influenced by her father's music taste, The Police, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Queen and Meatloaf. Later into the 90's and early 2000's, she became proficient at singing and playing piano while also discovering new music genres such as pop, R&B, rock, Latin and opera.
With dreams in her early years to become a pop artist, she knew she wanted to work in the music industry and help artists navigate their careers. In 2012, Sara attended the Liverpool Institute For Performing Arts, finishing a BA in Music, Theatre and Entertainment Management where she met Sir Paul McCartney at my graduation (he is a very cool guy). After a whirlwind education, completing an internship at Sony Music Canada in artist and digital marketing as well as working with artist marketing companies in the UK, Sara started at Dale Speaking in January of 2016 as the Promotions Manager, handling commercial, CBC and satellite radio promotion as well as co-coordinating radio tours, interviews and campaign strategies. "I am so happy to be working directly with artists to help them shape their careers and goals. Although radio is only one component of an artist's exposure, it holds so much weight when it comes to their success in the music industry. It is a very exciting industry to be in!"
Fill out our submission form and we'll get back to you shortly.
50 Lynn Williams
Toronto, ON
View Map
Dale Peters
Sara Franczyk


text:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Mitt Romney's Medicare plan won't try to control costs by limiting the payments that future retirees would use to buy private health insurance, aides say. Budget experts are questioning how the Republican candidate will be able to get savings without caps.
Reining in costs is vital to keeping Medicare affordable, and in their plans both President Barack Obama and Romney's running mate, Paul Ryan, set limits on the growth of future spending. Romney's approach is different.
Romney campaign officials say Medicare savings will come through competition among health insurance plans. But independent experts say they doubt that Romney's plan can succeed without some kind of hard spending-limit.
"It sounds like Romney is trying to have it both ways," said Robert Bixby, executive director of the Concord Coalition, a nonpartisan group advocating to reduce government deficits. "It's a really important point whether there will be a cap. It will help determine whether the health care savings he's touting are credible."
For example, a President Romney would not be able to get credit for assumed savings through competition under the procedures currently used to analyze legislation by the all-important Congressional Budget Office. The nonpartisan budget referees might rule such a plan out of bounds, forcing Romney to accept a cap.
"This is pure Romney-speak," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee. "Everybody knows the way they achieve savings through their voucher plan is to impose a cap. Otherwise it's laughable to claim any savings."
In the world of private business, competition hasn't solved the health care cost problem for employers, who increasingly have been shifting costs to workers and their families in the form of higher premiums and copays. "Competition alone is very speculative," Bixby said.
Bixby was a member of a Bipartisan Policy Center group that last year produced a deficit reduction plan that, like Romney's, called for shifting Medicare from an open-ended benefit to a program that gives future retirees a fixed amount of money for health insurance. It included a cap on the growth of spending.
Medicare covers nearly 50 million retirees and disabled people. Since its creation in 1965, it has been an open-ended benefit program, with taxpayers basically paying all the bills that come in.
Obama's health care law begins to change that, creating a board with the power to force payment cuts on the health care industry if Medicare costs rise above certain limits.
Ryan's budget, passed by the House this year, also would limit the growth of total Medicare spending, using a formula that links to economic growth.
Romney has charged that Obama's approach would eventually lead to rationing.
Obama has "an unelected board ... to decide what kind of treatment you ought to have," Romney said during Wednesday night's presidential debate in Denver. The board is prohibited by law from rationing care.
Romney calls his own plan "premium support." Critics say it would amount to a cost shift.
Aides to the GOP candidate say the plan would rely on competition — without caps or a cost-cutting board — to control spending and avoid cost shifts to seniors.
Retirees entering the program in 2022 and later would have the choice of private insurance or a government plan modeled on traditional Medicare.
The private plans would bid to provide health care to seniors in a given part of the country. The government's payment would be pegged to the second-lowest bid, or the cost of the government plan, whichever was lower.
Seniors who chose a higher-cost plan would pay the difference. Those who picked lower-cost coverage could keep the difference for medical expenses. Low-income retirees and people in poor health would get a more generous government payment.
The Romney campaign refused repeated requests for an on-the-record explanation of the strategy for limiting Medicare costs.
Instead, spokeswoman Andrea Saul issued a statement extolling what she called "a plan that empowers patients and families with more choices and robust competition, reforms insurance markets with strong consumer protections and proposes real entitlement reform that protects and strengthens Medicare for today's seniors and future generations."
In an earlier blog post rebutting Democratic critics of Romney's Medicare proposal, his campaign policy director Lanhee Chen made an indirect reference to the candidate's belief that costs can be controlled without spending limits. "Gov. Romney has proposed no cap on premium support in his own plan," Chen wrote, providing no additional detail.
Not having some kind of limit sends the wrong signal to the health care industry, said economist Joe Antos of the business-oriented American Enterprise Institute.
"I think that some bitter medicine is going to have to be administered here," said Antos. "For this policy to work, at least initially, you have to make it clear to the health care sector that there are financial limits to what Medicare is going to pay for."
Former U.S. Comptroller General David Walker, a leading deficit-reduction advocate, said it's hard to understand how the Romney plan would work because so much of it remains fuzzy.
"I just don't know that we have enough details to meaningfully evaluate it at this point," Walker said. "People are trying to evaluate what the cost would be, but they just don't have enough facts to effectively evaluate it."
Romney's Medicare plan raises cost questions
WASHINGTON (AP) — Mitt Romney's Medicare plan won't try to control costs by limiting the payments that future retirees would use to buy private health insurance, aides say. Budget experts are questioning how the Republican candidate will be able to get savings without caps.


text:
With Integromat you can connect SurveyMonkey to your favorite apps, services, or devices. You will no longer need to repeat the same tasks again and again. You just create a scenario that will watch for new data being created in a specified app, and it will automatically trigger actions in one or more other apps. This can be as simple as copying the data, or outright transforming the data to be actionable in its destination app. Integromat's drag and drop interface provides an effective tool for setting up scenarios without having any programming skills.
Integromat offers very powerful features, which you won't find anywhere else. This allows you to create very complex and deep integrations, which will make your work with SurveyMonkey more effective.


text:
Log In
Sign Up
Already know what you're looking for?
Sign Up
Sign Up for SchoolConnect
I am a Teacher
I am a Student
Sign Up
~ or ~
Sign up for a Teacher account using your email address
Sign up for a Student account using your email address
First name
Last name
High school
Choose high school...
Other / Not at high school
ACG Parnell College
ACG Senior College
Akaroa Area School
Albany Senior High School
Alfriston College
Al-Madinah School
Amuri Area School
Aorere College
Aotea College
Aparima College
Aranui High School
Ashburton College
Auckland Girls' Grammar School
Auckland Grammar
Auckland International College
Auckland Seventh-Day Adventist
Aurora College
Avondale College
Avonside Girls' High School
Awatapu College
Baradene College
Bayfield High School
Bay of Islands College
Bethlehem College
Birkenhead College
Bishop Viard College
Blue Mountain College
Botany Downs Secondary College
Bream Bay College
Buller High School
Burnside High School
Cambridge High School
Campion College
Canterbury Christian College
Carmel College
Cascade Christian College
Cashmere High School
Catholic Cathedral College
Catlins Area School
Central Hawkes Bay College
Central Southland College
Chanel College
Cheviot Area School
Chilton St. James School
Christchurch Boys' High School
Christchurch Girls' High School
Christ's College
Coastal Taranaki School Okato
Collingwood Area School
Columba College
Coromandel Area School
Correspondence School
Craighead Diocesan School
Cromwell College
Cullinane College
Dannevirke High School
Darfield High School
Dargaville High School
De La Salle College
Dilworth School
Diocesan School For Girls
Dunstan High School
East Otago High School
Edgecumbe College
Edgewater College
Elim Christian College
Ellesmere College
Epsom girls
Epsom Girls' Grammar School
Fairfield College
Feilding High School
Fiordland College
Flaxmere College
Forest View High School
Francis Douglas Memorial College
Fraser High School Hamilton
Freyberg High School
Geraldine High School
Gisborne Boys' High School
Gisborne Girls' High School
Glendowie College
Glenfield College
Gloriavale Christian Community School
Golden Bay High School
Gore High School
Green Bay High School
Greymouth High School
Hagley Community College
Hamilton Boys' High School
Hamilton Christian School
Hamilton Girls' High School
Hastings Boys' High School
Hastings Christian School
Hastings Girls' High School
Hato Paora College
Hato Petera College
Hauraki Plains College
Havelock North High School
Hawera High School
Hebron Christian College (Auckland)
Henderson High School
Heretaunga College
Hillcrest High School
Hillmorton High School
Hornby High School
Horowhenua College
Howick College
Huntly College
Hurunui College
Hutt International Boys' School
Hutt Valley High School
Inglewood High School
Iona College
James Cook High School
James Hargest High School
John McGlashan College
John Paul College
John Paul II High School
Kaiapoi High School
Kaikohe Christian School
Kaikorai Valley College
Kaikoura High School
Kaipara College
Kaitaia College
Kamo Christian College
Kamo High School
Kapiti College
Karamea Area School
Karamu High School
Katikati College
Kavanagh College
Kawerau College
Kelston Boys' High School
Kelston Girls College
Kelston Girls' High School
Kerikeri Christian School
Kerikeri high school
Kerikeri High School
Kings' College
Kings' High School (Dunedin)
Kingsway School
Kristin School
Kuranui College
Lawrence Area School
Lincoln High School
Lindisfarne College
Linwood College
Linwood High School
Liston College
Logan Park High School
Long Bay College
Longburn Adventist College
Lynfield College
Lytton High School
MacKenzie College
Macleans College
Mahurangi College
Mairehau High School
Makoura College
Mana College
Manawatu College
Mangakahia Area School
Mangakino Area School
Mangere College
Maniototo Area School
Manurewa high
manurewa high school
Manurewa high school
Manurewa High School
Marcellin College
Marian College
Marist College
Marlborough Boys' College
Marlborough Girls' College
Massey High School
Matamata College
McAuley High School
Melville High School
Menzies College
Mercury Bay Area School
Michael Park School
Middleton Grange School
Morrinsville College
Motueka High School
Mountainview High School
Mount Hutt College
Mt Albert Grammar School
Mt Aspiring College
Mt Maunganui College
Mt Roskill Grammar
Mt Roskill Grammar
Murchison Area School
Naenae College
Napier Boys' High School
Napier Girls' High School
Nayland College
Nelson College
Nelson College for Girls
Newlands College
New Plymouth Boys' High School
New Plymouth Girls' High School
New Zealand International College
Ngaruawahia High School
Ngata Memorial College
Northcote College
Northern Southland College
Northland College
Okaihau College
Okato College
Onehunga High School
Onewhero Area School
Onslow College
Opihi College
Opononi Area School
Opotiki College
Opunake High School
Orewa College
Otago Boys' High School
Otago Girls' High School
Otahuhu College
Otaki College
Otamatea Christian School
Otamatea High School
Otorohanga College
Otumoetai College
Oxford Area School
Paeroa College
Pakuranga College
Palmerston North Boys' High School
Palmerston North Girls' High School
Papakura High School
Papanui High School
Paraparaumu College
Parkway College
Patea High School
Penrose High School
Pinehurst College
Piopio College
Pompallier College
Ponatahi Christian School
Porirua College
Pukekohe High School
Queen Charlotte College
Queen Elizabeth College
Queen Margaret College
Queens High School
Raglan Area School
Rangiora High School
Rangi Ruru Girls' School
Rangitahi College
Rangitikei College
Rangitoto College
Rathkeale College
Raumanga School
Reefton Area School
Reporoa College
Riccarton High School
Rodney College
Roncalli College
Rongotai College
Rosehill College
Rosmini College
Rotorua Boys' High School
Rotorua Girls' High School
Rotorua Lakes High School
Roxburgh Area School
Ruapehu College
Ruawai College
Rutherford College
Sacred Heart College (Auckland)
Sacred Heart College (Lower Hutt)
Sacred Heart College (Napier)
Sacred Heart Girls' College (Hamilton)
Sacred Heart Girls' College (New Plymouth)
Saint Dominic's College
Samuel Marsden Collegiate
Samuel Marsden Collegiate School
Sancta Maria College
Scots College
Selwyn College
Shirley Boys' High School
Sir Edmond Hillary Collegiate
Solway College
Southern Cross Campus
Southland Boys' High School
Southland Girls' High School
South Otago High School
South Westland Area School
Spotswood College
Springbank School
St. Andrew's College (Christchurch)
St Bede's College
St Bernard's College
St Catherines College (Kilbirnie)
St Cuthbert's College
St. Cuthbert's College (Epsom)
St Dominic's College (Henderson)
St Hildas Collegiate
St John's College (Hastings)
St John's College (Hillcrest)
St Johns College, Nambour
St Kentigern College (Pakuranga)
St Kevin's College (Oamaru)
St. Margaret's College
St Mary's College (Ponsonby)
St Mary's College (Wellington)
St Mary's Diocesan School (Stratford)
St Matthew's Collegiate (Masterton)
St Oran's College
St Patrick's College (Kilbirnie)
St Patrick's College (Silverstream)
St Paul's College (Ponsonby)
St Paul's Collegiate (Hamilton)
St Peter's College (Epsom)
St Peter's College (Gore)
St Peter's College (Palmerston North)
St Peter's School (Cambridge)
Stratford High School
Strathallan College
St Thomas of Canterbury College
Taihape College
Taipa Area School
Taita College
Takapuna Grammar School
Tamaki College
Tamatea High School
Tangaroa College
Tapawera Area School
Taradale High School
Tararua College
Tauhara College
Taumarunui High School
Taupo Nui-a-Tia College
Tauranga Boys' College
Tauranga Girls' College
Tauraroa Area School
Tawa College
Te Aroha College
Te Aute College
Te Awamutu College
Te Karaka Area School
Te Kauwhata College
Te Kuiti High School
Te Puke
Te Puke High School
Thames High School
The Manurewa High Shool
The Taieri High School
Tikipunga High School
Timaru Boys' High School
Timaru Girls' High School
Tkkm A Rohe O Mangere
Tkkm O Hoani Waititi
Tokomairiro High School
Tokoroa High School
Tolaga Bay Area School
Tongariro High School
Totara College of Accelerated Learning
Trident High School
Tuakau College
Turakina Maori Girls' College
Twizel Area School
Tyndale Park Christian School
Upper Hutt College
Verdon College
Villa Maria College
Waiau College
Waiheke High School
Waihi College
Waikato Diocesan School for Girls
Waimate High School
Waimate North Christian School
Waimea College
Waiopehu College
Wairarapa College
Wairoa College
Waitakere College
Waitaki Boys' High School
Waitaki Girls' High School
Waitara High School
Waiuku College
Wakatipu High School
Wanganui City College
Wanganui Collegiate School
Wanganui Girls' College
Wanganui High School
Wellington College
Wellington Diocesan School for Girls
Wellington East Girls' College
Wellington Girls' College
Wellington High School & Com Ed Centre
Wentworth College
Wesley College
Western Heights High School
Western Springs College
Westlake Boys' High School
Westlake Girls' High School
Westland High School
West Melton School
Westminster Christian School
Whakatane High School
Whangamata Area School
Whangaparaoa College
Whangarei Boys' High School
Whangarei Girls' High School
Whangaroa College
William Colenso College
Woodford House
Zayed College for Girls
School year (in 2020)
Choose school year...
Year 13
Year 12
Year 11
Year 10
Year 9
Already completed high school
Confirm Password
Log In
Forgot your password?
© 2014 SchoolConnection Ltd
About SchoolConnect
Privacy Policy
Quick Links
Travel & Experiences
Ask a Question
News & Blog


text:
Life has returned to a normal routine for the family in most regards. But there's one big exception: I've not returned to my own career. Now that everyone else is taken care of, it's time to focus a bit of effort on my own needs.
I've completed all the residency paperwork and obtained my German driver's license. I've built a network of wonderful, supportive local and expat friends, joined a book club, began some volunteer work with an exchange organization, and even held a mini-job for most of the last year, providing English tutoring and assisting faculty at the children's school a couple hours each month. But I need more.
I need a great job.
What's a Great Job?
I am a subscriber to the philosophy "without dreams there is no need to work and without work there is no need to dream." I also believe I can pursue both work and dreams by doing what I love, and loving what I do. And that's what having a great job is all about. It's not about the money; that's just a nice by-product of a great job.
A Great Job is one where I engage with a team of bright, fun people, collaborating on interesting challenges with ample opportunity to take my own initiative. It's one where I can contribute to providing an outstanding product or service; where my unique skills make a difference in the success of the organization. It's also one where I can continually develop my skills by learning from great minds around me; where I respect and am inspired by the people I call colleagues, clients, and vendors.
What Would I Do at a Great Job?
I cringe a bit each time someone asks me "What do you do?"
The short answer is: I'm a Communication Professional. That's what my formal education prepared me to become and the essence of what made me successful in the positions I've held.
But I've applied my communication skills in very diverse settings, often filling an undefined void in dynamic organizations. I connect the dots, build relationships, refine processes...make things work, or work better...
A little bit about my background and past Great Jobs...
During four years of graduate school, I studied, conducted research, and taught classes in three communication fields: health, cross-cultural, and organizational. I worked extensively in local hospitals with resident physicians to improve psycho-social communication skills with patients from diverse cultures.
Then for nearly ten years I worked for an innovative Public Policy firm in Michigan. My titles included "Project Manager" and "Research Methodologist" but the responsibilities were rather broad and changed as the business grew. Our clients represented an incredibly wide range of fields including: education (charter schools and education voucher systems), work force development, small business economic impact measures, natural resource uses and tourism, health care policy, etc. The myriad of subjects in which I developed content expertise along with the opportunity to take on tremendous responsibility made it a really Great Job!
After moving to Maryland, I continued to consult for my previous employer and clients, but dedicated spare time to numerous non-profit organizations where I helped create major outreach and fund-raising events. The worthy causes I was able to promote (from an historic theater to international youth to a mental health association) and the fabulous volunteers and sponsors I dealt with made my freelance consulting a Great Job!
Eventually, I was asked to do some software testing at an interactive media firm that specialized in online education. The clients there were mostly large medical societies or science foundations. Being a small and dynamic firm, that role also grew quickly to include not only quality assurance but content management, project management, product support, client training, and technical documentation. I was constantly learning new technical skills and transferring that know-how to new situations. The fast-paced, cutting-edge technology environment paired with brilliant colleagues made that a particularly Great Job!
The common thread to success in these Great Jobs: a positive attitude with excellent communication and organizational skills and an ability to connect people and technology.
What Are the Tangible Benefits of a Great Job?
Another question I cringe at: "What are your salary expectations?"
A truly Great Job offers priceless intangible rewards: personal growth, professional development, job satisfaction, new friends, interesting travel, the ability to look forward to each new day at work with smart, fun colleagues.
Financial compensation is only one tangible benefit among several very important considerations. How flexible are the hours? How far is the commute? How much vacation time is available? Are there annual or performance bonuses? What kind of travel is involved? Are there company perks, such as a car, airline miles, conference attendance, or discounted products/services available?
The most important benefit I've had across all my Great Jobs: Fantastic "bosses" who offered a finely-tuned balance of flexibility, financial fairness, and fun on the job.
Where Do I Find A Great Job?
I've been blessed to have most of these Great Jobs find me. The owners of the two firms where I've worked the longest were associates or friends who asked me if I could help them out on a project. Those part-time, temporary positions quickly evolved into very rewarding Great Jobs that I was sad to leave - but life moved me to new places. Most of my freelance work came to me through referrals. So now I'm building my network, meeting interesting and smart people, and trusting that with the right connections, another Great Job will come my way.
If you happen to know someone in the Essen or Düsseldorf area with a Great Job opportunity ripe for a vibrant bilingual communication professional, please, send them my way!
My professional data can be found on LinkedIn.