text:
6:00 am
I wake up. My colleague who came from the Archaeological Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia is my guest these days. We drink our first cup of coffee and exchange opinions about today's trip. We have a really busy agenda and we begin slowly to sort out and prepare all the equipment we need for the field.
07:00 am
We are on the highway from Skopje to Eastern Macedonia. The road to the small town of Kochani takes no more than 1 hour and 15 minutes. Our colleague, archaeologist Ilinka Atanasova is already waiting for us. Together we leave Kochani towards the archaeological site of St. Atanas located a few miles from this city. The prehistoric site of Eneolithic period with outstanding findings of female figurines has been attracting the attention of the scientific community for several years, since it was prospected and excavated in 2008. But we are more focused on the chipped stone material that is my subspecialty in archaeology. While our colleague is explaining the artefacts of the site, we are observing profiles of the trenches where in the soil there are still embedded flint tools.
10:30 am
Our visit to the mine "Opalit" is scheduled before. This mine for non-metals (opal, agate, chalcedony, opalized tuffa) is located 1 km from the site of St. Atanas. Several years ago this mine was my topic of interest as a possible location where prehistoric communities of the region and beyond obtained raw material for their stone tools. The same goes for my colleague from Bulgaria, who tests the assumption that some raw materials for stone tools found at prehistoric sites along the Struma in Bulgaria came from this deposit. We walk around and observe the surface deposits in search of possible quarries made by prehistoric communities. We take photos and document the information for my doctoral dissertation.
13:30 pm
We arrive at the Institute of History and Archaeology at the University of Stip, my home institution. A meeting with prof. d-r. Blazo Boev, my mentor for the thesis, is very useful. The long talk covers all my notes from today and personal opinions on the subject of local resources for stone in prehistoric Macedonia. Any information fills in and shapes my thesis towards this topic.
14:45 pm
Driving to the city of Vinica, our final destination for today. In a local "Terracotta Museum" there is a small collection of ground and abrasive stone tools from the archaeological site 'Vinica Fortress'. I feel a moral and professional responsibility to help with this topic, since I'm the only archaeologist in Macedonia working with stone artefacts from prehistory. While I am getting all information about the field notes and stratigraphy, I am thinking about possibility to come again with my mentor. We could work together and process this collection for scientific publication. In the meantime we managed to visit the site 'Vinica Fortress', the fortification from the time of Justinian I, which is a trademark of the town of Vinica.
We get back to Skopje. We are home and I began to check and answer emails, facebook and twitter messages. My archaeological day has not yet been completed. I need to sort all impressions, notes and photos from the past day in the folders to be usable in the future for me or for someone else.
* * *
This article was written as part of the action for 'Day of Archaeologists' (June 29, 2012). The goal is to raise public awareness of cultural heritage and the responsibility that archaeologists have about it.


text:
| 6.7°C Belfast
An ''inspirational'' figure in the world of fashion has died.
Professor Louise Wilson OBE, who was a long-serving course director at Central Saint Martins at University of the Arts London, died on Friday at the age of 52.
She had been credited with helping shape the careers of Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney, and was recognised for her influence on fashion by receiving an OBE in 2008.
Ms Wilson, who leaves a partner Timmi and son TJ, was also recently included on a list of 125 of the most ''intelligent, empowered and inspirational'' women to celebrate venerable publication The Lady's 125th year.
In a statement, the college said: ''Louise has been an inspirational person both within the college and the wider world of fashion.
''Since becoming course director for MA Fashion in 1992 she has taught a huge proportion of the world's leading fashion designers and her course continues to produce talented ground-breaking graduates.
''Her commitment to her students and passion for creative excellence are legendary. Her deep understanding of fashion and her drive for funding for bursaries, facilities and opportunities are part of what made her such an extraordinary educator.
''Louise's legacy will live on at CSM through her former students and current teaching colleagues who were so close to her.
Central Saint Martins is grateful to have been able to enjoy the fruits of Louise's great talent for educating for the last 22 years and will support her staff and students as they go forward from here.''
Esteemed designer McCartney was among those paying tribute to the tutor, described by many as ''legendary''.
Writing on Twitter, McCartney said: ''What an inspiration and force in fashion. I send my deep sympathy to your family.
''No one will ever replace you because you were a true one off. Louise we will all miss you r.i.p xx stella''
Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council, added: ''Prof Louise Wilson, I can't believe you have gone. You were much loved and respected. A legend and an inspiration. RIP''

subset: commoncrawl


text:
(Pocket-lint) - There's something decidedly low-rent about the word "combi", but this two-into-one effort from Samsung is most definitely upmarket. Costing a whopping £380, it darn well should be, but wait until you see what it can do: 3D Blu-ray playback, Freeview HD viewing and recording, and BBC iPlayer. It can even transform 2D into 3D, and stream files across a home network.
That's some combination, though it does have a major drawback - the D8500 is a beastly 430 x 60 x 299mm, though the design is otherwise a pleasant combination of touch-sensitive controls above the disc inlet. It's a clean look; a Common Interface slot and a USB port are cleverly hidden behind an invisible flap. It's far more cluttered on the rear, but that a good thing; there you'll find a HDMI output (1.4, so capable of 3D) alongside RF aerial, Ethernet LAN (though Wi-Fi is also included), optical digital audio, analogue audio, Composite video and Component video. The latter is fast disappearing from AV kit as a genre will cease altogether in 2012 at the insistence of Hollywood studios. Note that there are no multichannel outputs for 7.1 sound, so fans of lossless movie soundtracks from Blu-ray will need to pair the D8500 with a HDMI-equipped AV amplifier.
First, let's take a look at the Freeview HD functionality. The D8500 is fitted with dual tuners and a 500GB hard disk for pausing/rewinding live TV and making recordings (somewhere in the region of 250 hours of SD channels and 125 hours of HD). The 8-day electronic programme guide is pin-sharp and gorgeous, with a thumbnail screen showing (and playing audio) of the channel you're currently tuned to. The EPG shows information for six channels over 2 hours, though scrolling down to other channels is a tad slower than we'd like. Ditto recording; a press of the red record button on the cluttered remote control brought up a "preparing for live TV recording" message for 10 seconds. Hardly the instant recording we'd presumed. Live programmes selected for recording aren't highlighted, but a red blob appears next to the channel name on the EPG. More usefully, recordings can be scheduled from the EPG days in advance and, better still, if you select a programme that's part of a series the D8500 will tell you so and invite you to set a series link. Scheduled recordings receive a red clock icon.
Recordings - critically from just one channel at a time, severely limiting the usefulness of this feature when compared to a Sky or (especially) Virgin Media box - can be accessed on the HDD from the home screen. Thumbnails are presented for each recordings, though in our tests the menus were sluggish.
In other tests the sole USB slot on the machine's front managed to deal in DivX HD (MKV), DivX (AVI), MP4, MPEG and WMV video files, while JPEG, PNG and GIF photos, MP3 and WMA music files played without problems. Networking, known as AllShare by Samsung, is similarly impressive.
Also benefitting from Wi-Fi is Samsung's latest attempt at an online content service - SmartHub. Accessed from the pretty new onscreen menus (that are less a step forward compared to previous efforts, and more a slight change in aesthetics - unlike the remote, which is identical to Samsung's 2010 TV and Blu-ray products), SmartHub's highlight is BBC iPlayer, which has just been added in its "usual" design (it automatically downloaded to the D8500 the second we navigated to the SmartHub).
It's joined by typical services on such online hubs, including social networking from Facebook and Twitter, the puzzling Google Maps (on a TV? Really?) and access to videos on YouTube, Muzu.TV, Box Office 365, Lovefilm and Dailymotion. News comes from USA Today, though there's no sport apps whatsoever. Other niche options include AccuWeather, Rovi TV listings, This Day In History (by The History Channel), Picasa and a plethora of games such as Mahjong Fruits, Chess and Sudoku.
Those video services seem pencilled-in for expansion on SmartHub since Samsung has also included a "Your Video" area where it's possible to search using free text (albeit through a painful predictive text-style onscreen keyboard that you'd do well to use without screaming for more than 10 seconds) across all available movie streaming services. Showing IMBD-style info about films available on the Lovefilm and Acetrax services, Your Video learns which films you have been watching and makes recommendations based on your history. There's also a "search all" function that trawls apps, USB sticks and the internet based on free text input.
The D8500 excels on picture quality. Standard definition Freeview pictures are highly watchable but do have a sheen of softness across them, unlike HD channels, which are a huge improvements. Standard Blu-ray discs shine, too, with Samsung's Hyper Real Video Engine offering-up immense detail that proved more than enough for watching the Ghibli classic Laputa Castle In The Sky on Blu-ray through a home cinema projector. Converting 2D into 3D can only be done with Blu-ray discs, not Freeview channels, but this feature doesn't add much to proceedings. Test it out, of course, but don't expect to watch more than the first 10 minutes of a movie before you decide that the flicker and uncomfortable 3D glasses just isn't worth it.
The high price and heavyweight size will put many off, but this 3D Blu-ray player-cum-HDD recorder's combination of unusual features make it a niche product extraordinaire. Top quality 3D is the icing on an enticing high-end package that marries BBC iPlayer and comprehensive digital file playback via USB or DLNA to Freeview HD and a huge hard disk. Aside from a few onscreen menu niggles, our main criticism is that only one channel can be recorded.


text:
Join free now!
It is free to search locals
It's funny how the media portrays Sluts, but how they are portrayed by society. It seems that the majority of Sluts and the men that admire them have the same body type - big boobs with no curves and a flat stomach - and many times a lot of times a few curves too.
The truth is, most women have curves in all areas and they do not look like these people. When you get on a cruise ship, the first thing you will notice are the many different types of women that are already on board.
Now some of them look very sexy, and some of them probably do have a beautiful, sexy body. But this does not mean that the other women are ugly.
Men on these cruises like to look at the woman that has the body that looks like they are not going to ever be able to have a child, and the ones that have a perfect abs. These women are called "Sluts."
Of course, it's hard not to notice the guys who sit back on the lounge lounges watching women. They just love watching beautiful women. Most of the women on these cruises are very happy to have the attention from the guys, because it makes them feel like beautiful women are what they want.
Sexy is not about having big boobs or having perfect abs either. Sluts have their own unique set of attributes that make them very attractive to men. They have the ability to be independent and have a personality that they are proud of.
Men are naturally attracted to women who are confident in who they are. They are not afraid to talk about themselves and their likes and dislikes. If they have a problem, they tell you.
Even if you don't know anyone who is married or has a child yet, you can be sure that they are beautiful women. And most of them would not mind sharing their bodies with you. It's just what society says you should do when you are a Woman.
Some women think that being attractive to a man is as easy as walking down the street. This is not true. You have to learn to read the signals of the man that you are attracted to. You also have to make sure that you are flattering him every time you are out there.
The last thing you want to do is make him feel that you are only attracted to him because you are afraid that he will leave you for someone less attractive. When you do this, you are only making the man feel bad and will begin to resent you. and avoid you.
When you flirt with the man that you are attracted to, make sure you don't say things that you would never say to another woman. or even say to yourself, "I bet I could have you... but I am not so pretty that he wants me."
Sluts may try to turn off men who are not that attracted to them. They can tell that they are ugly. The best thing you can do is make sure that they know that they are attractive.
Also, keep in mind that when you are talking to men that are not attracted to you, they are not always going to be so accepting. You are going to get rejected by them and sometimes even embarrassed by it.
There are nice guys that date sluts. But those who have not been hurt and have a beautiful body can turn into jerks if you treat them rudely
call girl Reef, brothels Reef, prostitutes Reef, hookers Reef, sluts Reef, whores Reef, gfe Reef, girlfriend experience Reef, shagging Reef, dogging Reef, fuck buddy Reef, hookups Reef, free sex Reef, sex meet Reef, nsa sex Reef


text:
DailyDirt: No More Classes, No More Books...
from the urls-we-dig-up deptThe field of education is looking ripe for disruption as "distance learning" becomes more and more practical with internet connections and algorithmic grading systems. There are still plenty of bugs to be worked out for digital education, but it's coming. (And famous dropouts from Steve Jobs to Mark Zuckerberg seem to suggest some flaws in the traditional university system.) Here are just a few links on how schools are changing and developing new kinds of classes.
- Massively open online courses (aka MOOCs) have the word "open" in their name, but these classes don't necessarily have to be open. Online classes can be closed and proprietary, and maybe massively "closed" online courses are less of a threat to public education? [url]
- EdX, Coursera, Udacity and the Khan Academy are just a few examples of online schools. The ease of signing up for an online class also makes it easy to drop out of an online class, but that might not be a bad thing. [url]
- University rankings often emphasize how many applicants are turned away instead of how many graduates are competent in their chosen field (or employed). In the future, colleges might get rid of the traditional September-to-June school year, change how long it takes to graduate, or allow all classes to be taken online without using heavy printed textbooks at all, but the cost of college is likely to stay the same: expensive. [url]
Filed Under: certification, college, degree, distance learning, education, massively open online courses, mooc, university
Companies: coursera, edx, khan academy, udacity


text:
Legal War Over Mel Gibson's 2006 DUI Arrest
The County of Los Angeles is asking a judge to throw out the lawsuit filed by the deputy who arrested Mel Gibson for DUI in 2006.
TMZ broke the story that James Mee -- the deputy who arrested Mel in Malibu and witnessed his anti-Semitic rant -- filed a lawsuit against the County of L.A., claiming he was retaliated against after the L.A. County Sheriff's Department alleged he leaked the police report to TMZ.
Now the County is firing back -- asking that the suit be dismissed -- claiming the assertion that the Sheriff was retaliating against the deputy because he was Jewish is simply unsupportable. In legal papers, the County says, "Simply receiving a directive to proceed in one manner with respect to a police report cannot in and of itself be considered discriminatory."
As we first reported, Mee was ordered to take out all references to Mel's anti-Semitic comments.
As for Mee's other allegations -- that he was "unjustly" denied a promotion, got a negative performance review and was forced to transfer to a less prestigious station --the County claims Mee's religion had nothing to do with it.
Waiting for your permission to load the comments.


text:
Our goal at ijaracdc.com is to be your informational resource
for islamic loans and financial solutions through no Riba and Shariah complaint no interest financing methods, Learn More
Real Estate investors can purchase up to 10 residential properties with a Sharia Compliant Ijara transaction. Learn more
Medical and other Professionals can now access 0% Down Sharia Compliant Practice
Financing and as little as 5% down for building acquisition if qualified. Learn More
Invest in the future of our communities, Riba free financing is available for the expansion of existing and new facilities for established non-profit organizations.Learn More


text:
Department of Surgery faculty members, both physicians and scientists, are world-renown in their subspecialties. Faculty members are passionate in their clinical care and research practices, as well as being mentors for medical students and trainees. The department also invests significant funds to provide protected time and lab space for junior faculty to perform research.
Hector Cirilo Ramos
Histologic evaluation and treatment outcome after sequential radiofrequency ablation and hepatic resection for primary and metastatic tumors Am Surg. 2002 Dec; 68(12):1038-43. . View in PubMed
Comparison of transarterial chemoembolization in patients with unresectable, diffuse vs focal hepatocellular carcinoma Arch Surg. 2002 Jun; 137(6):653-7; discussion 657-8. . View in PubMed


text:
Welcome to The County Hotel.
Situated in the centre of Napier which is considered to be the 'Art Deco Capital of the South Pacific' and has captivated the emotions and senses of countless admirers. Originally built for the Hawke's Bay County Council in 1909, The County Hotel is one of only two significant buildings to have survived the massive 1931 earthquake.
Faithfully refurbished as a boutique hotel, the County Hotel now stands as Napier's premier Hotel. The hotel is home to an extremely popular, multi award winning Wine Street Restaurant, the superb Churchill's Champagne Lounge, an intimate library, well-appointed function areas, conference facilities and eighteen luxurious guest rooms and offer a variety of accommodation packages.
Come and enjoy this architectural masterpiece with its atmosphere of conventional luxury and allow yourself to be pampered by the attentive service of our devoted staff.
WINNER ~ Tripadvisors Travellers' Choice 2019 award for one of the Top 25 Hotels in the South Pacific.
WINNER ~ Tripadvisors Travellers' Choice 2019 award in 4 categories Luxury |Service | Small Hotels | Romance.
WINNER ~ Tripadvisors Certificate of Excellence Award 2019.
WINNER ~ Art Deco Supreme Award.


text:
A couple were removed from an Air New Zealand flight from Wellington to Auckland before take-off after they refused to read the safety card for exit row passengers. The couple put their fingers in their ears to ignore the flight attendants' requests.
ALREADY SUBSCRIBED then enter your LOGIN – Or NEW then SUBSCRIBE HERE
Aviation Security International publishes news, features, data and reports that help enhance the security of the aviation industry. Therefore we need to qualify all our readers by asking them to SUBSCRIBE to access back copies of the journal and/or obtain the printed version. SUBSCRIBE HERE or contact firstname.lastname@example.com or call +34 91 623 7969 if you wish to renew an existing subscription.
- DIGITAL ONLY - Website access and Includes the current and back copies as a DIGITAL PDFs
- PRINT ONLY - PRINT copy in the MAIL/POST.
- PRINT & DIGITAL - PRINT copy in the MAIL/POST, DIGITAL PDFs AND all WEBSITE news.
- MOBILE/TABLET - For Apple/IOS access goto www.asi-mag.com/iOS


text:
Apply for a City Career
Find job postings, apply or check the status of your application.
See what its like to live and play in Colorado Springs. Visit ChooseColoradoSprings.com.
View job listing in full-screen
Benefits & Wellness
Find out more about healthcare coverage, paid time off and other benefits.
Policies and Procedures
Access procedure manuals for civilian and sworn employees, drugs and alcohol, recreational and medical marijuana.
Find out more about the City internship program and how to apply.


text:
Are you worried about a call you received from a particular number? Who might it be?! Put your troubles aside and use find phone number 0427336483 on our website. There's no need to go through lengthy and time-consuming procedures that can also cost you a small fortune. Everything can be accessed instantaneously right here.
All relevant information including comments can be viewed if you decide to check cell phone number 0427 336 483 via our online platform. We provide access to this convenient tool with which to decide whether or not to return a call.
Mobile phone number 0427 336483 lookup clarifies everything for you!
0 users reported this as unknown.
0 users reported this as scam.
0 users reported this as telemarket.
0 users reported this as harassment.
0 users reported this as debt collector.
0 users reported this as spam.
0 users reported this as survey.
0 users reported this as positive.
DeeEmmBee, 2020-12-02 00:59:37
Number: 0357070135
Call type: Unknown
Rating: -5
don't know...
John, 2020-12-01 20:56:11
Number: 0892058988
Call type: Scam
Rating: -5
had 2 calls from this number but didn't answer, caller didn't leave message on answering service
Doug, 2020-12-01 18:50:47
Number: 0451787230
Call type: Scam
Rating: -5
sent a text wanting you to open a link to unlock your bank account - I went to my bank and my account is perfectly ok
Allan, 2020-11-30 17:39:39
Number: 0435108544
Call type: Unknown
Rating: -2
Hung up after 3 rings
Tax Office scam, 2020-11-30 16:38:41
Number: 0416286033
Call type: Scam
Rating: -5
Scammers. Don't answer
SydGal, 2020-11-26 21:47:07
Number: 0482028461
Call type: Scam
Rating: -5
Received a call from this number, recorded message claiming to be eBay, telling me $300 had been charged to my account for the purchase I made and that my item would be dispatched shortly. If I didn't make this purchase press 1 now to speak to an eBay customer service representative. I have a Telstra private number and I'm on the DO NOT CALL REGISTER.
BQn, 2020-11-26 17:13:53
Number: 0416906036
Call type: Scam
Rating: -5
Sent a text by this number (+61416906036) claiming to be from Kogan Mobile with an SMS code saying that I sent a request to port my number.
John, 2020-11-25 21:17:10
Number: 0439575670
Call type: Scam
Rating: -5
Recorded message in jumbled English claiming they are from Services Australia and there is a warrant for outstanding payments owed. Called Services Australia real number and they said to ignore it and it was scam and they will be reporting it internally
Dawn Dodd, 2020-11-25 20:50:23
Number: 0481200571
Call type: Scam
Rating: -5
messaged me many times requesting i validate a preference and give a website to open to do so. I just keep deleting message and have not opened link.
Nick, 2020-11-25 13:18:32
Number: 0450580495
Call type: Positive
Rating: 5
Good Number.


text:
Accepting Apple Pay is faster than accepting traditional credit and debit cards and other payment methods. Customers no longer need to spend time searching for their wallet and finding the right card. Within apps or websites when using Safari,1 your customers can check out with a single touch.
Accepting Apple Pay is also more secure than accepting traditional credit, debit, and prepaid cards. Every transaction on your customer's iPhone or iPad requires Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. And each time your customer takes their Apple Watch off their wrist, the passcode must be entered to access it. When customers pay with Apple Pay, you don't receive or handle their actual credit card, debit card, or bank account numbers in your systems.
How do I start accepting Apple Pay in my store?
Depending on your country or region,2 Apple Pay works with most card issuers and payment providers, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, China UnionPay, and more.
To accept Apple Pay in your store, you need to have a contactless payment–capable point-of-sale terminal. In Japan, terminals should support iD, QUICPay, PASMO, or Suica. Contact your payment provider so they can set up your terminal, and tell them you would like to accept Apple Pay.
Apple Cash transactions are processed like standard Apple Pay transactions.5 If you already accept Discover debit contactless transactions today, you should be able to accept Apple Cash without any changes. If you're not already accepting Discover debit contactless payments, contact your payment provider to make sure that your point-of-sale setup can accept Apple Pay, is configured with the most recent kernel and firmware versions, and can support the proper BIN ranges.
To learn more, contact merchant support.
My point-of-sale terminal is already NFC/FeliCa/contactless payment-capable. Can I accept Apple Pay right away?
If you accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, China UnionPay, and other contactless payments today, you're likely able to accept Apple Pay for those networks without any changes. If you're not already accepting contactless payments, contact your payment provider to make sure that your point-of-sale setup can accept Apple Pay, then ask them to enable it. To learn more, see our Apple Pay merchant checklist.
Are there additional fees to accept Apple Pay?
No. Apple doesn't charge any additional fees.
Are Apple Pay payments charged as card present or card not present?
Payments made using Apple Pay in stores are card present transactions. Payments made using Apple Pay within apps or on the web are card not present transactions.
Will I be liable for fraud on Apple Pay transactions?
In stores, Apple Pay transactions are treated in the same way as your current credit, debit, or prepaid card transactions. You'll have the same liability rules applied to Apple Pay transactions.
Within apps and on the web,1 Apple Pay transactions might be treated more favorably than standard transactions with a plastic card. Liability for transactions might shift to the issuer. Contact your payment provider to learn how you can benefit from liability shift for Apple Pay payments within your app and website.
How do I let my customers know that they can pay with Apple Pay?
- Display the payment symbols for your region and the Apple Pay mark prominently on your point-of-sale terminal to let your customers know they can use Apple Pay in your store.
- Download the Apple Pay mark to use within email, on your terminal screen, and on your website.1
- Add Apple Pay to your Maps listing.
- Order Apple Pay decals to put on your storefront window and register.3
- Go to Apple Pay for developers to learn how to let your customers know they can use Apple Pay within your app or website.
In Japan, how do customers know if they're paying with iD or QUICPay?
In Japan, Apple Pay transactions are done with iD, QUICPay, PASMO, or Suica. When customers add their credit or prepaid card to Apple Pay, it's assigned as either QUICPay or iD. They can go to the Wallet app, tap the card, and look for the logo to identify if it has been assigned as QUICPay or iD. If a customer requests to pay with Apple Pay, ask them if they use QUICPay, iD, PASMO, or Suica. Process the payment as you typically would for a plastic contactless card.
When customers pay with Apple Pay, do they need to sign a receipt or enter a PIN?
When paying in stores with Apple Pay in some countries and regions, if your customer's transaction exceeds a certain amount, they might need to enter their PIN. In some cases, they might need to sign a receipt or use a different payment method.4
Apple Cash5 doesn't require a PIN as every payment is authenticated by Face ID, Touch ID, or a secure passcode. Some terminals may still request a PIN to complete any debit transaction. If prompted, advise customers to enter a four-digit code such as 0000.
How do I process returns with Apple Pay?
Use the Device Account Number to find the purchase and process the return, just like you would with a traditional credit, debit, or prepaid card payment. In Japan, you can also use the transaction ID on the receipt to find the purchase and process the return.
To see the last four digits of the Device Account Number, ask the customer to go to Wallet, tap the card, and tap on the lower-right corner of the display.
You can also have the customer hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near the reader, select the card that they used to make the original payment, and authorize the return with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode.
Is there a limit to the transaction amount that customers can use Apple Pay for in my store?
Apple Pay allows your customers to make easy and secure contactless payments of any amount. Read about transaction limits.
How do I start accepting Apple Pay within my app or on the web?
To accept Apple Pay within your app or on the web,1 go to Apple Pay for developers to learn how to get started.
How do I start accepting Apple Pay in Business Chat?
To accept Apple Pay in Business Chat, go to Business Chat for developers to learn how to get started.6
How do I enable my rewards program to be used with Apple Pay?
Adding rewards cards to use with Apple Pay is available on supported payment terminals. Learn how to get started with Wallet or contact merchant support.
How do I learn more about Apple Pay?
Check the Apple Pay webpage or contact merchant support.
- In China mainland, you can use Apple Pay on the web in Safari only on compatible iPhone and iPad models using iOS 11.2 or later.
- Learn which countries and regions support Apple Pay.
- Shipping of Apple Pay decals isn't currently available in Brazil, China mainland, Japan, or Russia.
- To accept Apple Pay without the need for a signature at any amount, your payment terminal must be capable and configured properly, and your payment provider needs to support the latest network contactless specifications. Share the consumer device cardmember verification white paper with your payment provider and ask them how you can allow your customers to use Apple Pay without needing to sign.
- Apple Cash is only available in the United States. The Apple Cash card is issued by Green Dot Bank, Member FDIC.
- Business Chat is currently in beta. In some countries, Business Chat will become available on a rolling basis.


text:
Zara Long Fur Vest | Review
The Easiest Style Solution For In-Between Weather
The piece: Zara Long Faux Fur Vest
The price: $100
Why we want it: It's times like these when I all but give up on outerwear. I've got light layers to add on for those early-Fall nights and serious jackets to battle nose-twitching temperature drops, but I often come up empty handed for those days when the weather takes me on a rollercoaster ride: one hour, it's too cold to run errands with just a scarf, but then the next, I'm a little too balmy in my leather jacket. That's why I'm adding this furry Zara vest to my finicky Fall arsenal. It will come in handy over jeans and a t-shirt but would also look amazing styled atop jackets and blazers, a trick perfected by some of my favorite street style stars.


text:
Chapter 2-1 Part 2
Resident Evil 5 HD Walkthrough S-Rank Chapter 2-1: No Damage
|BSAA Emblem #5 - This emblem is easy to miss, but once you know where it is, it's almost impossible not to spot. After crossing the bridge and nullifying the threats on and around it, you'll be free to explore the far end of where the bridge leads. Ultimately, however, you're going to need to climb a staircase adjacent to the bridge leading downward, which will lead to a new area to explore. Before going down the stairs completely, however, take a look at the bridge's support beams. The middle beam heading into the water, surrounded by white cloth, holds the emblem you seek. Remember that it's only from this position on the stairs leading downward that it can be aimed at and struck.
The stairs from where the fifth emblem was found will eventually lead to a dank and dark sewer on your right. As you traverse this completely linear sewer, you'll be assaulted by two groups of three Adjule dogs a piece, for six dogs total. Naturally, you'll want to deal with these agile and annoying enemies as soon as possible, and your shotgun-of-choice is probably the best way to do so (though you'll likely only have an Ithaca at this point, if this is your first playthrough). The dogs will drop items, so be sure to grab them as you head forward. The sewer will eventually dump into a larger crate-filled room; be sure to destroy both crates that can be obliterated in the room to grab items, and then use the door there to emerge back in the bright sunlight.
The first thing you'll want to do when you reemerge back outside is head leftward to the dead end. Glowing in the shallow water there is a treasure, a Sapphire (Pear), which you'll want to grab before continuing. As you head down the shallow water in the other direction, you'll see what appear to be long-dead corpses. But when you encounter each, new enemies will appear out of them. While you won't need to deal with the zombies themselves (with the exception of the last foe suddenly-awakened), you'll still have to deal with the airborne, winged enemies that come out of them, called Kipepeo. Carefully train your gun on each foe and do them in quickly, as they are both fast-moving and aggressive. Then, when all enemies are dealt with here, shoot the lock off of the door leading back into a new segment of the sewer. The linear route you traverse thereafter is enemy-free; simply climb the ladder at the end of the dimly-lit tunnel to reach daylight once more.
This waterside village with its quaint port is surprisingly quiet when you first arrive. In fact, if you dart around the area in its entirety without running into a specific building (one we'll cover in the paragraph below), you should only run into one, single, lone Majini here. This will give you plenty of time and space in which to explore the locale, because there's plenty of goods to find, both sitting out in the open, within groups of fruit sitting on the various fruit stands, in wooden boxes, et cetera. Perhaps the most obscurely-hidden item is the Topaz (Pear) treasure, which can only be found by wading into the water off of the coast as soon as you enter the area -- simply look along the dock on your right when you do (how you'd actually know this was here otherwise is beyond us). There's some gold in the water too, should you choose to meticulously walk around and seek it out. If you want to find a Ruby (Marquise) obscurely hidden as well, consider throwing a grenade in the middle of all of the fruit stands in the center of the area. This will knock down one of them, giving you access to a treasure chest contained within the stands holding this valuable jewel.
|BSAA Emblem #6 - As you walk around the mostly-abandoned waterside village, you'll no doubt suspect that there's an emblem in your vicinity. If your instincts were tingling, then you suspected correctly, for this is one of the best-hidden of all thirty BSAA emblems in the entire game. To find it, face the locked dock and look for a small green vendor's stand to your left. This is a really small structure, big enough for a single person to stand in it and sell their wares. If you approach the open window of this small structure and peek upward at the inside of the roof, you'll barely see the emblem in question. This is the best view you're going to get of it, though, so take your shot!
S-Rank/No Damage Walkthrough - No Commentary Version
Was this guide helpful?


text:
NYC firm that lost 658 on 9/11 holds charity day
The brokerage firm that lost 658 employees in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center has marked the anniversary observance with its annual charity fundraiser.
Cantor Fitzgerald and its affiliate BGC Partners are donating 100 percent of their revenues from Wednesday's event to dozens of charities. Those include the Children's Health Fund, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, and the Alliance for Lupus Research.
Julianne Moore, Billy Crystal, Brooklyn Nets coach Jason Kidd and other celebrities joined Cantor brokers as they made transactions.
Cantor's charity day raised $12 million last year.
Cantor Fitzgerald suffered the greatest loss of any single company in the terror attacks. The firm's death toll represented two-thirds of its global workforce.


text:
Homer Laughlin China Company Ephemera
Thanks to all of you who leave comments on my blog entries! If you have a question about any of my posts you may pose your question along with your comment. Please check back here in the comment section for an answer to your query.


text:
Having somewhat languished unchanged for a couple of years, the Boost Thread library (boost.org) finally got some of the big changes it deserved with a major rewrite for the April 2008 release of Boost 1.35.0. Hot on the heels of 1.35.0 is the Boost 1.36.0 release in August 2008, which includes even more improvements to the Thread library. Certainly, a lot has changed since William Kempf wrote The Boost.Threads Library in 2002.
These releases have included some significant changes that either bring the library more in line with the proposals for the new C++0x thread library, or provide additional features as extensions. In this article, I present an overview of the new features and changes in the 1.35.0 and 1.36.0 releases from the user's point of view.
Launching Threads
As in prior releases of Boost, threads are started by constructing instances of
boost::thread. However, there are a few notable changes to the
boost::thread class.
One of the most significant changes is that
boost::thread objects are now moveable. Taking advantage of the new
rvalue-reference facility from C++0x where available (recent versions of GCC, for instance), and with a library-based
move facility for other compilers, ownership of a specific thread of execution can be transferred between instances of
boost::thread. This means that you can return objects of type
boost::thread from a function, and store them in arrays or
move-aware containers. This lets you encapsulate the thread creation process in a function without having to dynamically allocate the
thread object.
boost::thread create_thread() { void some_function(); boost::thread t(some_function); return boost::move(t); } boost::thread threads[45]; threads[12]=boost::move(create_thread());
The second change is that you can now pass additional arguments to the
boost::thread constructor, which are in turn passed on to the thread function:
void thread_func (int i,double d,std::string s); boost::thread t(thread_func, 42,3.141,"hello world");
This works exactly like
boost::bind in fact it uses
boost::bind internally so you can even pass member functions and a "
this" pointer. It is important to note that the supplied arguments (including the
thread function itself, if it's a function object) are copied into the newly created thread, so if you need to pass a reference you have to wrap it in
int i; void thread_func(int& j); boost::thread t (thread_func,boost::ref(i));
For copyable types such as
int, failure to use
boost::ref will not be diagnosed, as the code just passes a reference to the copy of the original stored in the thread, silently giving unexpected results. Therefore, if your thread function takes its parameters by reference, you need to take extra care to ensure that
boost::ref is used correctly.


text:
In my custom loadout I have two single handed weapons (pistol and an uzi). Every time I spawn I need to manually change to dual wielding, something that is quite cumbersome to do on the console.
How can I set it so it defaults to dual wield on spawn? I am playing on Xbox 360, so please indicate if you can only do it on PC.


text:
Syria's Hunger Games
By Phillip Smyth, guest contributor
"Radical Islamist groups like [Jabhat] al-Nusra are already using targeted food distribution as a tool to curry favor with local populations, thus increasing their stakes in a post-Assad Syria." – Phillip Smyth
An intrinsic component of Syria's ongoing civil war, the control and distribution of food is becoming a multi-faceted strategic tool used not only to punish foes but also to build patronage. Just as shipments of arms and other military equipment can sway the results of a conflict, the supply of food can be just as critical.
Since last spring, stories and photographs of breadlines, some with hundreds of people in queues, have been circulated widely in the media. All in all, the challenge of feeding Syrians – both in external refugee camps and within Syria itself – is becoming greater every day. Due to ongoing violence, the U.N. World Food Program not only pulled out of most Syrian urban areas but also acknowledged that it lacked the ability to provide assistance to an estimated one million hungry Syrians. As the winter grows colder and the population of displaced people increases, Syria's hungry are now facing extremely harsh times ahead.
Yet stifled international aid is only one component of the equation. A devastating December air attack on a bakery in rebel-controlled Halfaya highlighted an apparent Syrian government tactic of targeting bakeries with the sole objective of cutting peoples' access to food. Some opposition sources claimed that anywhere from 100-300 people were killed during the attack, though numbers could not be independently confirmed. According to Turkey's Foreign Ministry, the attack led to over 1,000 Syrians fleeing the country in the hopes of finding safety in Turkey.
When Assad's forces stormed the village of Bdama in June 2011, one local resident told AFP, " [The Syrian army] closed the only bakery there. We cannot get bread anymore." The incident was hardly isolated. One Syrian businessman, now living in Saudi Arabia, told McClatchy News Service, "When the regime first attacked Deir el Zour in July, they bombed all the bakeries – maybe 10 of them. There is now not a single bakery working in the city."
During the heavy fighting of August, 2012, Human Rights Watch recorded a crescendo of Assad regime attacks on Aleppo's bakeries. One of the organization's researchers concluded at the time that "Ten bakery attacks is not random – they show no care for civilians and strongly indicate an attempt to target them."
In seemingly ironic contrast, pro-regime sources have accused rebels of shooting at helicopters which the government claims were dropping bread for the hungry.
As a result of these attacks and overall instability, prices for basic staples have risen exponentially. "We're starving. I can bear it but what about my children? I stand from 3 in the afternoon until 11 at night and you can't always get bread," a resident of a rebel-controlled district of Aleppo recently told NBC News. The predicament has become commonplace in many of Syria's cities and towns.
The New York Times' C.J. Chivers noted that food deprivation can at times also favor the regime. He wrote that when in late November Aleppo's flour supply was abruptly cut as rebels captured much of the city's grain storage, what should have been seen as a victory instead became a source of popular rage. Even after bread production was restored, many residents vented their frustration against rebels calling them thieves or accusing them of corruption.
As food security diminishes, some rebel groups – armed and able to project their power over a war-weary civilian population – have even been accused of stealing bread for themselves and for their militias. As one disillusioned rebel fighter told Reuters, "It was like the regime all over again, wanting only their own family or sect to rule."
In such an environment, food also becomes an effective currency in building patronage networks. On a number of occasions, al-Qaida-aligned Jabhat al-Nusra publicized its efforts to feed Syria's hungry. Al-Nusra reportedly has also gone about securing supplies of flour going into Aleppo, setting up its own distribution program inside the city.
Food deprivation is apparently also creating new cross-border allegiances, with many hungry Syrian Kurds finding refuge with fellow Kurds in Iraq and deepening their ties with the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government. Even ethno-sectarian lines within Syria are being redrawn as many flee more diverse urban areas to seek sanctuary in Kurdish-dominated sections of northeastern Syria.
In the fight to control Syria, the battle for food has been and will remain a major factor. As international aid programs fall short of assisting the needy and violence continues, groups capable of feeding their supporters will wield increasing power. By all indications, the Assad regime seems to be no stranger to using food as a weapon of war, but the real wildcard in the conflict might just come down to rebel groups and how they will manipulate it. Radical Islamist groups like al-Nusra are already using targeted food distribution as a tool to curry favor with local populations, thus increasing their stakes in a post-Assad Syria.
Whether food will be the factor that ultimately decides the Syrian conflict is hard to say, but it appears that it will be a big part of its endgame.
Phillip Smyth is a journalist and researcher specializing in Lebanon and the broader Middle East. He travels regularly to the region. He has been published by the American Spectator, the Counterterrorism Blog, the Daily Caller, Haaretz, The Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal, The National Review Online, NOW Lebanon, and PJ Media.
This article first appeared in Voice of America – Middle East Voices published on January 23, 2013.
Roots In The Military. Relevant To All.
American Military University (AMU) is proud to be the #1 provider of higher education to the U.S. military, based on FY 2018 DoD tuition assistance data, as reported by Military Times, 2019. At AMU, you'll find instructors who are former leaders in the military, national security, and the public sector who bring their field-tested skills and strategies into the online classroom. And we work to keep our curriculum and content relevant to help you stay ahead of industry trends. Join the 64,000 U.S. military men and women earning degrees at American Military University.


text:
You have no items in your shopping cart.
Availability: In stock
Email to a Friend
Length: 17.75"
MooMoo Designs is a fusion of nature's beauty and casual elegance, MooMoo's collection brings the exoticism of African wild to the urban lifestyle. MooMoo designs captures the uniqueness and beauty of the African, Asian and Latin American continents, including their cultures, colors, materials and peoples.
About Us | Terms & Conditions | Shipping information | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Designers | Login


text:
The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade organization and is the only national association representing all stakeholders in the specialty pharmacy industry. The mission of NASP is to elevate the practice of specialty pharmacy by developing, delivering and promoting continuing professional education and specialty certification while advocating for public policies that ensure patients have appropriate access to specialty medications in tandem with critical services. The association provides an online education center offering accredited continuing pharmacy education programs, hosts an annual meeting that offers education sessions and continuing education credits, and is the only organization that offers a certification program for specialty pharmacists. NASP members include the nation's leading independent specialty pharmacies, pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers, group purchasing organizations, patient advocacy groups, integrated delivery systems and health plans, technology and data management vendors, wholesalers/distributors and practicing pharmacists. With over 125 corporate members and 1,800 individual members, NASP is the unified voice of specialty pharmacy in the United States.
About NASP | Contact Us | Privacy Policy
©2016-2019 National Association of Specialty Pharmacy
300 New Jersey Avenue NW, Suite 900
Washington, D.C. 20001


text:
featured in
featured in
Dinner Party
featured in
featured in
Christmas Party
featured in
Personalized Stationery
These words describe your bride's wedding vision perfectly. Forget the frills and give your bride a colorful invitation that is simple with enduring appeal. If she loves traditional style with a contemporary twist, then this collection of bridal shower invitations has just what you are looking for. Start browsing today!
Oops! You've narrowed your search a little too much! Clear your search and try again.
One Moment Please
Back to Top
Your Fabulous Event Starts Here™
© 1999 -
Invitation Consultants, Inc.


text:
Monday, 30 April 2012
The troubles with old boats (and old bloggers)
I've not posted anything for a couple of weeks, one of the longest breaks since this blog began. Partly I've been reflecting after the first hundred, but also I admit the weather here has been utterly unseasonal and great for varnishing. Also there is the (not so) small matter of my part-time subsidiary career campaigning against the relentless destruction of our underwater habitat and our wild life by the activities of industrial-scale fish farmers and scallop dredgers. Two industries that are allowed to police themselves are getting away with destruction on a massive scale, justified by unproven claims of economic benefit and the principle "out of sight out of mind" because of course only recreational and commercial divers are seeing what is going on beneath the surface. I try to keep this blog uncontroversial but occasionally one's anger boils over.
It's been interesting to review the various posts so far and the extent to which they have been gaining hits.
In an earlier post about a top secret event in mid-Argyll, which may (or then again may not) happen somewhere at some time in the near (or distant) future I made a reference to the Bilderberg Conference, which resulted in a flurry of hits. If you're reading this because I've done the same again, then welcome to a better World. Your life will improve if you give up the love of greatness and huge wealth and get close to nature in a little boat. You may even get an invitation from our revered convenor.
One of the most popular posts has been The Trouble with old Boats, which was really just a feed to Adrian Morgan's excellent site, but perhaps the hit level suggests that there is a demand for advice on this subject. I am privileged to regard Adrian as a friend and I hope he'll forgive me for saying that his blog is more about new boats than old ones and that they seem remarkably trouble-free. His descriptions of the traditional building process and images of the results certainly give me moments when I feel like throwing out the epoxy, sticking the remaining stocks of plywood in the stove and putting in a call to Ullapool.
That the North-west hasn't got a new customer is mainly due to the fact we don't have a great deal of space or time for any more boats here. Over the last twenty five years or so I've built six boats, of which three are still on the policies, my very first a Joel White Nutshell (how many of us have started that way?) an Iain Oughtred Acorn dinghy and the very versatile Walt Simmons Christmas Wherry. No longer around are the John Gardner Swampscott Dory (unimproved version, but a great boat) and his Quincy skiff, both given away to good homes and I hope still around somewhere and finally Sonas, my biggest and most challenging build to date.
I've done two restorations. The first was the Islander, Stroma, which took me about 5000 hours over eight years between 1995 and 2003. She and her sisters have their own website, www.scottishislandsclass.blogspot.com. After nine seasons afloat she is showing no signs of deterioration and needs only minimal maintenance, but her topsides paint is fading and this Summer she's being kept out for a thorough going over, which should see her well on her way to her centenary. We are truly custodians rather than owners of these old ladies.
My second restoration is current. Juni was brought back from Sweden in 2005 in an expedition which I chronicled here, An Expedition to Stockholm. I had to buy her after sailing on one of her sisters, Miss Juli, whose image appears above. I completed a certain amount of conservation work then had to shelve the project to allow the small matter of building a house to proceed. That now over I'm getting to work with a vengeance and hope to be launching in a month or so. She's a lovely little yachtlet with a history by a designer, Tore Herlin, who deserves to be much better known outside his native land. In between completing the work to get her afloat I'll be writing about some of the problems faced in the restoration and also looking into the stories about Juni and the Juni-type boats.
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
Post No 100, time for a party
For anyone who started visiting here recently I should point out that most of my efforts are not time-specific and some of the more useful historical pieces appear early on, such as the Juni expedition and the story of the Ralli II, although I've also recorded events that seemed significant as they occurred, such as the stranding of the HMS Astute, surely now one of the most unlucky and certainly the most inappropriately named ship in the Royal Navy of all time (astute- shrewd, sagacious, wily). Personally I hate these things and think that the World would be a better place if they all got stuck, but preferably not in the Kyles. As for aircraft carriers with or without planes for them, don't start me.
Thinking about names reminds me of my late dear friend John Gardner explaining the origin of La Belle Poule. Apparently there was a tradition in the French navy to allow the commander of a new ship to supply her name and in this case he had provided "La Belle Pauline" after his wife, but something went wrong with Admiralty communications and the result had rather a special meaning around the coastal towns.
John Gardner has inspired a lot of what I've posted here and his images have resulted in numerous hits. I intend to do what I can to keep his memory alive and share his images. Being of a generous disposition his family do not seek compensation for the non-commercial use of his images, but if anyone who appreciates his work would like to send me a message I'll pass it on.
Blogging is an odd activity, which of course no-one had heard of until recently. Indeed I remember when I got the first computer in my office back in 1985, a huge ugly expensive box of tricks installed by so-called experts, but who in a previous incarnation would have sold second-hand cars or insurance policies. My old secretary was sure that the lines of gaudy green text glaring out at her like messages from Outer Space would affect her fertility (she was then about fifty and unmarried) so she turned the screen towards the window and continued touch-typing as before, with interesting results. I never imagined for an instant that we were seeing the start of perhaps the greatest development in letters since 1450.
|Herr Gutenberg
Scottishboating started as a spin-off from my scottishislandsclass blog, which in turn was started to record the history of those lovely yachts with the general intention to produce a book in due course, which is still an ambition. It's grown to produce a nice little cyber-community with 35 followers and about 41,000 page views to date. I'm sufficiently realistic to understand that most of them probably come here by mistake, but there's a good solid nucleus of readers who sometimes email me with information, occasional guest posts or just encouragement, so I'll keep going.
|better with a little dark chocolate
Monday, 9 April 2012
Sixes at Buidhe
This is one of the older Dolphin designs, always very pretty and still sailing nicely.
I think this one is probably an early offering from the guru Graham Bantock.
This fellow is my own build, the lines being John Lewis' Tern.
This is Richard's own effort, showing how a skilled designer can add displacement within the rules.
And finally Neil's beautiful Thistle, by far the prettiest of the bunch.
It wasn't a great day for sailing, but we were all left inspired to meet up again and the word is that there are a few more in the area, so maybe there will be a mid-Argyll group before long.
Posted by Ewan at 09:45 1 comment:
Labels: argyll, Loch Melfort, model yachting, six metre class
Thursday, 5 April 2012
In Germany with David Ryder-Turner
My former career had a few interesting moments, one of which was in the early 1990s when I arrested a ship, an unusual but venerable process invented in the days when a visiting sailing ship might run up bills in a foreign port and forget to pay them. An old friend and mentor who had worked in shipping law for decades without ever getting the chance to do this was extremely envious, and became more so when the case was eventually resolved with a judicial sale by public auction, unheard of in living memory, at least in our jurisdiction. The whole episode involved time spent in the faculty library studying precedents and working out how one should nail the writ to a vessel with no masts. Fortunately all went well and today the ship survives and has acquired some masts. Not so lucky was a racehorse that I arrested a few years later (I got a name for the practice) as someone shot him, but that's a story for a horsey blog rather than a boating one.
My client in the case introduced me to David Ryder-Turner, who lived a few miles away but whom I had never met, which in turn led to David designing me the little yacht Sonas, about which I have already written (Sonas, a Gaelic form of happiness) and whose image is above. She was built over a couple of years under his legendary artistic and very critical eye, ensuring a sweetness in the sheerline that I could never have managed alone.
David had spent time in post-War Hamburg and wanted to revisit some old haunts, so in 1997 I agreed to share the driving and keep him company on the trip. We managed to avoid killing each other and had what David would have described as a very jolly time. This trip and a number of subsequent ones resulted in a number of lasting friendships and in me a great love not just of the Baltic and Northern Germany as places but also German language and culture, studies which had not been encouraged in my childhood.
The landscape is very different from Scotland's, being all flat, well-cultivated and prone to fogs and the sailing entirely different, the Baltic being basically a huge, almost tideless shallow lake, throwing up short steep seas. Despite this I felt an eerie sense of belonging, as if my ancestors had been there before me, and maybe they had been, given the long trading links between Scotland and the Hanseatic towns. The long lost Luebeck Letter was being written about in the Press at that time.
What follows is a photo-essay based on some of these visits.
On our first trip we stopped off at Maldon, where the scene is already much different from the Scottish West coast. Where I sail we have plenty of deep water, if you keep an eye out for reefs and skerries.
On arrival at Laboe we were greeted by the sight of quite a few boats and typical atmospheric conditions.
David was attracted to someone nice and blonde on aboard Feolinn.
The next year we went back and found the weather a bit windier.
Here is Feolinn going like a rocket in about Force Seven
That year and later I sailed aboard the Ylva, built by Gustav Plym in 1930 and a ship that has enjoyed a fascinating life.
This is the Abeking & Rasmussen Piraya, probably the loveliest yacht in the harbour, beautifully restored and maintained. And finally a detail of Piraya's bow, showing Henry Rasmussen's trade mark ash rail-capping and his double arrow signature.
Sunday, 1 April 2012
Proposed Fish Farm on Colonsay
I was on Colonsay at the beginning of February at the request of some of the residents to take part in the discussion at a public meeting called to consider the issues surrounding the proposed Marine Harvest fish farm. I greatly enjoyed my visit to what was a new island for me, but one I had often seen tantalisingly on the horizon from the top of Dun Fada, the prehistoric vantage point at Degnish. Colonsay's situation out in the Atlantic with little shelter has always put me off attempting a visit in my small engineless boat. The summons was thus welcome, if a little daunting, as I understood that Marine Harvest folk were to be at the meeting in force. In the event everyone kept his or her cool and there was a mature and level-headed exchange of views.
I've already written about the non-political aspects of my trip on my blog, here :- Cool Colonsay As the debate is now hotting up, with an article in today's Sunday Herald, readable here:- £50,000 Bribe for Salmon Farm Site it's appropriate for me to set out what I said at the meeting, with some afterthoughts added.
For the avoidance of doubt (as lawyers often say) I am no eco-warrior and took an interest in fish farms only because the area of mid-Argyll where I live hosts more of them than the local environment can sustain and matters are approaching a crisis point. A year ago a group of our local residents formed ourselves into a campaign group to stop further expansion in our area. If you visit our website http://www.saveseilsound.org.uk you will see that we have tried to evaluate the various arguments raging around fish-farming. We have had a lot of professional input and have not just tried to educate ourselves by trawling the internet. For my talk on Colonsay I decided to present some of the arguments against fish farms, in order to give people a starting point for further research and discussion.
What follows is an outline of my talk, updated in bold text in the light of the discussion at the meeting.
First a few words about the historic background.
Fish farming in Scotland started in the late 1960s and soon came to be encouraged by central and local government as a low investment addition to rural economies. It was envisaged that crofting and fishing families would establish small scale operations in their localities, producing a healthy, easily-marketed product that would benefit from the fantastic reputation already enjoyed world-wide by Scotland's wild salmon. It was probably thought that these small units would add something to the tourist experience in giving people the chance to see wild fish close up. I certainly remember looking at a trout farm off the Inverary to Dalmally road early on and it had a small visitor centre next to it.
As often happens with well-intentioned schemes this rather idyllic business model was never realised. From the beginning very few local families became involved in setting up farms and those who did quickly discovered that the levels of veterinary knowledge and new skills involved in rearing large quantities of fish in a confined space were too problematical and expensive to acquire. Soon a number of companies were formed, which have amalgamated and grown over the years, until today there is only a handful of which Marine Harvest is probably the largest.
I agree with Kenny Black's remark at the meeting that the original crofting model could have been ecologically damaging. A large company with careful management and a proper structure of training in fish management is a necessary, but perhaps not a sufficient condition for a safe operation.
Control of pollution
It was always known that even a small installation would result in waste matter such as uneaten food and effluent landing on the seabed, fish farms would cause pollution, so in line with the best scientific advice at the time leases were granted for ten year periods. At the end of the lease the cages would be moved to a different location in the same neighbourhood to allow the seabed to recover. In practice this never happened and the principle has now been abandoned.
In the years up to the early 1980s fish farms typically had a capacity of about 100 tonnes, representing a population of about 25,000 mature salmon, assuming 4 kg per fish. Figures collected by the then Scottish Office show that by 1986 the industry was producing 8,700 tonnes of salmon, and waste equivalent to that produced by the entire human population of the region where the farms were situated. Fast forward to 2012, we find that the Scottish industry claims to be one of the biggest in the World, set to produce about 150,000 tonnes of fish in the current year. To produce this the individual units have grown, so that SEPA will now licence biomass up to 2,500 tonnes per unit, about 600,000 mature fish.
No one disputes that fish farms pollute and it's obvious that large ones do so more than small ones. Because of this farms were always allowed to drop pollution onto the seabed within a defined area, the "Allowable Zone of Effects". Originally this was set at, I believe, twenty five metres from the edge of the cages, but later it was extended to much greater distances and a system of computer modelling known as Autodepomod was introduced, whereby an attempt is made to predict where all the uneaten food and fish waste will end up. How this works is difficult for lay persons to understand, but I think it is agreed by the industry that it all depends on the accuracy of the data about the strengths and directions of tidal flows and the seabed. For example a muddy or sandy bed will cope better than a rocky one, as the tiny marine animals that live below the surface are supposed to clean up the mess. Unfortunately we have evidence from divers that at some sites these creatures have themselves been asphyxiated, as conditions were totally anoxic.
In the course of the meeting we learned that the present limit of 2,500 tonnes results from the limitations of the current version of Autodepomod and that farms are likely to get even bigger when new software is developed and tested.
Right now the seabed round all of Colonsay is absolutely clean and people should think long and hard before encouraging a major polluter to come in, and on a permanent basis.
East versus West
The entire Scottish fish-farming industry has been accommodated on the West coast, which for obvious geographical reasons doesn't include the coasts of Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway, so effectively there is a sort of aquaculture coast from the far north west down to the Mull of Kintyre, with parts of the wider Firth of Clyde thrown in.
This is because it has been Government policy from the earliest days to spare the Big Four rivers, Spey, Dee, Tay and Tweed. Hypocritically Scottish planning guidelines state
absurdly implying that West coast salmon prefer to stay at home. A more likely explanation would be that the proprietors of these great fishing rivers, where a fortnight on a half mile stretch of bank sells for millions, possess more clout than those in the West.
"There is a presumption against development of marine finfish farm developments on the north and east coasts to safeguard migratory fish species. (my italics)"
absurdly implying that West coast salmon prefer to stay at home. A more likely explanation would be that the proprietors of these great fishing rivers, where a fortnight on a half mile stretch of bank sells for millions, possess more clout than those in the West.
One effect of this is to create by accident a sort of scientific experiment, with the East as a control group for the West. This is not lost on campaigners in both sides. The industry says that their farms have no effect on fish stocks; wild fish campaigners differ.
There's no doubt that a great deal of information and disinformation is being put about. Wild fishing interests historically had a lot to answer for, but now have very strict rules about returning catches. Also, netting traditionally devastated stocks, but most of the netting stations have been shut down, those in the West as they became unprofitable, those in the East through being bought out by fishing interests and closed. For me the clincher is the evidence from the River Ruel. The wild salmon there had become virtually extinct, but since the salmon farm in Loch Riddon was relocated to Ardmaddy in 2005 they have gradually been returning.
Possible types of interaction between caged and wild fish
Next let's have a look at how farmed salmon and wild fish interact with each other. The latter are of course not just wild salmon, but also sea trout. Not a lot of research has been done on sea trout, but it's known that they aren't migratory like salmon. There are no salmon rivers on Colonsay, but they must migrate past the island. There are sea trout in abundance.
The main issues are (a) possible interbreeding when caged fish escape, (b) infectious diseases and (c) sea lice. The first of these is very contentious and to explore it here would get us into very technical territory. Infectious disease is a serious risk where any large populations, be they battery hens, cattle or whatever are kept in factory conditions. Infectious salmon anaemia resulted in the entire Chilean fish farming industry being closed down. There was widespread human misery when everyone got sacked without compensation. There is no doubt that if disease breaks out it will infect local wild fish populations. The third threat, which is most immediate, is sea lice.
The sea-lice menace.
Sea-lice are an absolute menace to both farmed and wild fish. But what are they? Sea-lice is the common term used for one group of small parasitic crustaceans which occur naturally on fish world-wide. They are akin to other crustaceans such as lobsters, prawns and crabs. At an early stage in their development they can be carried long distances until they find a host fish, after which they fasten to it and mature to spend the rest of their life feeding on it. When fully grown they are about 1cm long and can easily be spotted clinging on to the body of the fish. A sheep tick is very small by comparison.
Sea-lice have been around for millennia and in numbers are devastating to fish. They die in fresh water, affording some relief to migratory species such as salmon, but very little research has been done on sea trout. It's beyond argument that the huge populations of caged fish in large industrial farms are sea-lice paradise. They have caused massive losses of fish and require farms to be closed down and fallowed periodically.
To deal with the menace the industry uses a number of pesticides to kill the lice, ideally before they reach their final egg-bearing stage. Historically hydrogen peroxide (bleach) was added, but proved relatively ineffective. It did have the advantage that it dispersed in sea water fairly rapidly. The industry has moved on as the lice have developed immunities and there has been pressure on SEPA to license the use of new, stronger treatments.
At the meeting the Marine Harvest spokesman Ben Hadfield mentioned the use of wrasse as a way of controlling sea-lice. These are small scavenger fish that co-exist with the caged salmon and eat the sea-lice. Ben mentioned the project that is currently running at Machrihanish to breed these magic fish (funded incidentally to the extent of one half each by the taxpayer and the industry).
What was not made clear was whether wrasse would be used at Colonsay from the beginning instead of conventional pesticides, or rather that their development was still aspirational, something that could be introduced in future.
Data on the SEPA website show that in 2010 Marine Harvest were still using various pesticides at its existing sites. This is a matter that can be easily cleared up, by asking Marine Harvest formally to confirm if they will use pesticides and if so which ones, or use wrasse exclusively from the outset.
Pesticides and Lobsters
As noted above sea-lice are crustacea and the pesticides that kill them are likely to harm lobsters, crabs, prawns and oysters, all of which are found in abundance around the island at present.
Impacts on wild life
Fish farms attract seals, of which there are established colonies on Colonsay. Marine Harvest intend to apply for a licence to shoot them if necessary, under the new system whereby Marine Scotland issue licences. The first returns were actually published on the day of the meeting and are easily found online, as are the comments of the various conservation groups, so I won't add to that literature here.
Shooting is said to be a last resort, but most supporters of the seals believe there are other alternatives, such as surrounding the cages with a second anti-predator net. Kenny Black expressed the view that a properly constructed and tensioned single net should be perfectly seal-proof, making shooting unnecessary.
Another method of anti-predator control is the use of acoustic deterrent devices to frighten off the seals, but there is authoritative expert opinion that these can have devastating effects on other wildlife.
Afterthoughts and Conclusions
I learned a lot from the discussions at and around the meeting. I formed the view that Marine Harvest intend to be on the scene for the long haul and are concerned that it should not self-destruct after a few years due to excessive pollution. They are interested in Colonsay and the other islands precisely because these locations benefit from good tidal streams to disperse pollutants far and wide, as opposed to inshore stretches of water such as Seil/Shuna/Melfort, where there is now clear evidence of pollution and environmental damage.
Further, as noted above, there are no salmon rivers on Colonsay, although it's obvious that salmon will migrate past and there are local sea trout, which are not a migratory species. As the latter, unlike salmon, don't have anyone to speak up for them it's likely that the project will not attract much opposition from wild salmon interests.
That's what Colonsay offers Marine Harvest. What does Colonsay get in return?
At the meeting, and confirmed in the Sunday Herald article these seem to be two- six full-time jobs plus a financial inducement of £50,000 plus £10,000 per year to the local community. That's it, pure and simple. There's no attempt, for example, to suggest that the operation will increase visitor numbers, provide food products locally, or that the fish will be processed locally.
What is the downside, if Colonsay accepts Marine Harvest's jobs and shilling(s)? I'm not going to comment on the latter, as I believe that money should not decide the argument.
While on the island I confined myself to outlining the arguments on the environmental aspects, partly because that was my brief, but also as it seemed arrogant and presumptuous to suggest on a first visit ways in which the residents of Colonsay could address their various local problems and issues. It didn't stop one resident accusing me of scaremongering, but that was absolutely not my intention.
Having had time to reflect, digest and read up on certain aspects I'm going to venture some views here, with an element of trepidation.
I think it's commonly accepted that the main problem on Colonsay is the declining resident population, presently about 120, of whom many are now ageing. Associated is the lack of employment opportunities.
Rob Edwards in today's Sunday Herald reports that there are currently sixteen full-time jobs, but I suspect that the part-timers form a significant contingent as well. We all know that throughout the Highlands and Islands this is the case, with many holding down several occupations.There's also a lot of self-employment.
The island sustains a primary school, medical practice, social service support, an Hotel, a nice café/restaurant, art gallery and numerous self-employed artists and craftspeople.
There is a local lobster man, an oyster rearing business, a brewery, Colonsay Honey and Lochar Publishing. Sorry if I've missed people.
The main industry is tourism and holiday traffic. There are about five hundred visitor beds.
It's obvious that summer-only employment is much higher than year-round.
It was noticeable that the older residents, including many folk who have retired to the island, spoke in favour of the jobs on offer. During my stay I walked about and spoke to several younger residents, some of whom could be part of the Marine Harvest job pool. None seemed interested in full-time work on a fish farm, although winter work would be welcome. I'm not saying my method was scientific, but I don't think anyone has done a survey among the young locals. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Marine Harvest are a progressive (if non-union) employer who offer a structured training programme. Staff intended for Colonsay would require to spend time on, say, Barra being trained and would then be expected to work year-round. The salary levels mentioned at the meeting seemed very attractive and to me implied that a serious commitment would be required. On balance I'm not convinced that all or perhaps any of the new jobs would appeal to locals. (This is not a reflection on them personally. I just that the quasi-industrial lifestyle is quite different from what attracts people to island life.)
If the jobs went to incomers they would require housing.
It's notorious that the housing stock on most or all of the islands is getting old, with rebuilding and repair costs extortionate. There are reports specific to Colonsay confirming this. The high proportion of holiday and second homes, while necessary to sustain island income, accentuates the problem. All islands face the same housing problems to a greater or lesser extent and they usually are linked to patterns of land-ownership. Taking two non-Colonsay and thus non-contentious examples, on Gigha ten years of community ownership has shown that people will come in with money, ideas and enterprise and stay to make things work, while National Trust or RSPB ownership elsewhere have denied incomers the security and opportunity to contribute that make them want to migrate in the first place.
Would six fish farm jobs be offset by losses elsewhere? I suggest that they could be.
The island economy depends on visitors who come because of its incredibly unspoilt location on the edge of the Atlantic to enjoy the sight of clear pure seas, unpolluted beaches and the wild life that frequent these habitats. Of the latter the grey seal colonies are legendary.
Shooting seals is officially a last resort, but only time will tell how many last resorts there are in practice. Around mid-Argyll there have been nasty historical instances of entire seal colonies being wiped out, something that visitors find abhorrent. These did not involve Marine Harvest, who I am sure would behave responsibly, but I suggest even the most limited culling could have serious consequences.
I was sorry to learn that the local lobster man doesn't have an apprentice, because I guess he will eventually retire and there's a great job there for someone. Colonsay lobsters are said to be thriving, with many being taken by boats from Islay just now. As I argued above, the pesticides used to control sea-lice will present a risk of damage to the colonies along the East of the island. Watching the local lobster fishers (and consuming the product) has always been part of the visitor experience in Scottish coastal resorts. I wouldn't give much for the chances of the local oysters either.
And presenting visitors arriving on the ferry with the sight of a massive fish farm won't exactly enhance their first impression of the island.
I'm aware that opinion on the island seems to be divided pretty equally, but with everyone wanting the same solution in the longer term, a stronger local economy to stem population decline and add to the general prosperity. Those presently in favour should reflect long and hard on the risks involved, because if Marine Harvest get in now they will be on Colonsay for a very long haul.
Posted by Ewan at 04:50 No comments:
Labels: colonsay, fish farms, lobsters, marine harvest, salmon farming, sea lice, seal shooting
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
Master of Science in Electromechanical Engineering (Electrical Power Engineering)
Electromechanical engineering is a collection of engineering disciplines around the themes motion, force and energy. The world of electromechanical engineering encompasses development, design, manufacturing, testing and control of tools, machines, vehicles and other electrical or mechanical systems, as well as research on these topics. The Master of Science in Electromechanical Engineering is a two-year degree programme intended to prepare students for a future technical leadership role in industry. The programme offers in-depth training in all aspects of electromechanical engineering and its economic and social implications based on a profound scientific basis. Graduates will have acquired an attitude of scientific synthesis, analytical reasoning as well as scientific and technical independency. Training in research skills provides mastery in developing, implementing and monitoring technical and scientific innovations.
The programme consists of a general module, main subject modules, elective courses and a dissertation.
The general module contains courses on all subjects related to Electromechanical Engineering, ranging from electrical drives over machine manufacturing to management skills.
Students can choose one out of five main subject modules with specialist courses on different subjects of interest.
- The main subject Electrical Power Engineering handles all aspects of generation, distribution and use of electrical energy, with special attention to electrical machines and drives and electrical power systems.
- The main subject Mechanical Energy Engineering concerns energy conversion and energy use in thermal systems, engines, machines and all kinds of industrial equipment.
- The main subject Mechanical Construction focuses on design, manufacturing and maintenance of machines and mechanical equipment.
- The main subject Control Engineering and Automation is about control and automation applied to mechanical and electrical systems and processes in general.
- The main subject Maritime Engineering treats the design, construction and operation of maritime systems such as ships and offshore constructions.
Through elective courses students broaden their knowledge and skills in technical and non-technical subjects. The Master Dissertation is a final step in the learning process. It aims at training the ability to independently perform scientific research.
Masters in Electromechanical Engineering graduating from one of the five main subjects are employed in all branches of industry. Both in government agencies and private companies their field of activity is broadly varied: electrical energy production and distribution, electrical and mechanical equipment manufacturing, metal industry, building construction, transport, consultancy, banking and insurance.
Graduates in Electrical Power Engineering are employed by electrical utilities and electrical equipment manufacturers. Their activities are situated in the development, design and control of machines and equipment for generation and distribution of electric energy (alternators, transformers, high voltage lines) and for use of electrical energy (electric drive technologies, mechatronics) and in the operation of electrical transmission and distribution networks.
Graduates in Mechanical Energy Engineering work in development and design of various types of machinery and mechanical equipment where energy conversion and energy efficiency is of main concern, e.g.: internal combustion engines, steam, gas, wind and hydraulic turbines, compressors, fans, steam boilers and HVAC&R installations.
Students who opted for the main subject Mechanical Construction find work in companies developing machines and mechanical constructions for all industrial sectors. This comprises mechanical design (materials selection, component selection, lifetime analysis), production methods (machining, forming …) and construction methods (welding, fastening…). Particular attention goes to safety, sustainability and cost related aspects.
Graduates in Control Engineering and Automation are employed in development and design of equipment and systems for automation, control and supervision in process industry, energy production, electrical and mechanical equipment manufacturing and all other industrial sectors.
Graduates from Maritime Engineering have a multidisciplinary knowledge to approach problems related to design, construction and operation of ships and floating structures in general and on their behaviour in particular. There is a demand for graduates in government agencies, port authorities, shipping companies, inspection and classification societies, dredging and related sectors. Their professional activities are very diverse and internationally oriented.
Note that the Maritime Engineering programme is only offered by Ghent University in Flanders.


text:
The week in review
Most bizarre disappearance (besides Teresa Sullivan's): Four Afghan women who were participating in a program at UVA's Center for Politics are being sought by the State Department and the FBI after they left without saying where they were going, NBC29 reports. The other 18 women who were part of the delegation returned to Afghanistan June 6.
Biggest local case before the Supreme Court of Virginia: Charlottesville Fitness Club Operators Association takes its grievance that ACAC and Gold Gym were not allowed to bid on the YMCA facility planned at McIntire Park to the Commonwealth's top court June 7, the Newsplex reports.
Biggest local case accepted by the Supreme Court of Virginia: The court agrees to hear Lester v. Allied Concrete, the wrongful death case for Jessica Lester, 27, who was killed in 2007 when a mixer rolled on top of her car, according to the Progress. Judge Edward Hogshire reduced widower Isaiah Lester's $8.6-million award by $4.13 million after Lester's attorney, Matt Murray, instructed him to remove a Facebook page and lied about it.
Biggest impact on voting at the Herman Key Recreation Center during the June 12 Republican primary: The Charlottesville Free Clinic hosts a fundraiser in the rec center followed by a Bonnie Raitt benefit concert at nTelos Pavilion, which has voters casting ballots in a customized trailer beside the usual poll.
Biggest flashlight scare: Walmart closes down for two hours June 9 after an employee spots a pink flashlight on top of a trashcan in a high-traffic area of the store, according to NBC29. Apparently flashlight bombs are the new rage among terrorists in the American west, and some were just found in Phoenix.
Most blatant political favoritism? The Jefferson Area Tea Party calls out Charlottesville officials for charging a conservative organization, Stand Up for Religious Freedom, over $600 for a one-hour rally in Jackson Park June 8, while waiving fees for Occupy Charlottesville, which was allowed to camp in Lee Park for 45 days.
Most awkward dog bite: Waynesboro Mayor Frank Lucente's golden retriever, Luke, chomps the thigh of a man walking past their house with a Pekingese-poodle mix on Memorial Day, and Lucente is fighting having his dog declared dangerous, the News Virginian reports.
Highest blood alcohol level: Laura L. Flippin, a member of William and Mary's Board of Visitors, is convicted of public intoxication June 5 stemming from a September fall following cocktails after a BOV meeting. The police officer who arrested her said she had keys in one hand and a purse in the other, and a BAC of .25, three times the legal limit for drunk driving, according to the Virginia Gazette. Her attorney filed an appeal.
Biggest gaffe: Transcripts– some with Social Security numbers– of some 300 students who applied to UVA's Summer Language Institute are posted on the university's website, Ted Strong reports for the Progress. Officials point to human error.
Biggest publicity-garnering stunt: Supervisor Christopher Dumler walks the 6.2-mile route of the proposed U.S. 29 Western Bypass June 5, the day before the supes revisited the decision on the Bypass with a 3-3 vote.
Oldest alleged molester: Retired Roanoke College professor Guy Ritter, Jr., 92, is charged with five counts of taking indecent liberties in Botetourt County, WINA reports.
Worst spitting incident: Shawn Steppe, 34, is charged with assaulting an officer June 8 when he's served with an emergency protective order, according to WINA.
Best invention: Photographer Billy Hunt comes up with a scream-activated photo booth called the Scream-o-tron 3000, Wired reports. Hunt envisions the boombox wired with microphone and camera as a way to sidestep that awkwardness in front of the camera.
Brainiest city: Charlottesville takes the top spot in Atlantic's rankings of 25 metro areas, based on cognitive training and tracking software called Lumosity, which has some 20 million members.


text:
Fig. 1. Strap buttons come in an amazing array of shapes and sizes.
For most performers, it's essential that a guitar has strap buttons (Fig. 1). Though many guitars come with strap buttons already installed, some don't. If you have a guitar without strap buttons and want to install them, the good news is it's a straightforward job—if you know the correct procedures.
There are two critical considerations: The first is to find the right location. If strap buttons are installed incorrectly, your guitar won't balance well when you play standing up. The second consideration is to be very careful when installing a button on the neck heel—you can crack it. So, using both an acoustic and an electric guitar to illustrate the process, let's find out how to do this right and avoid those potential problems.
Our instruments. Recently, a client brought in two guitars: a Larrivée OM-03 Vintage Sunburst and a 2002 Gibson SG Supreme. The Larrivée already had an endpin, but it lacked a strap button. The owner wanted me to install one so he could stand when playing onstage. For the SG Supreme, he wanted me to replace the stock buttons with a set of locking devices, so he could safely rock out with his band. For the Larrivée, we decided on a standard nickel-plated strap button and felt washer from Allparts; for the SG Supreme, we chose Schaller Security Locks.
One caveat. My client wondered if adding a strap button would devalue his acoustic. On most modern flattops, a correctly installed strap button won't devalue the instrument (two exceptions are high-end vintage guitars or classical guitars). A strap button is useful for working musicians, and most guitar manufacturers will offer to install one before the guitar leaves the factory. Another reason to add a strap button to an acoustic is that tying a strap around the headstock (the old-school approach) can damage the finish, and in some cases, add unnecessary pressure to the neck joint. There's a lot of debate about this. Most collectors would never want anything installed on a guitar that was not considered original, so if you have a vintage axe keep this in mind.
Fig. 2. (left) To install a strap button on the treble side of a flattop's neck heel, you need to take two measurements. One is the distance down from the fretboard. Fig. 3. (right) The second measurement is the distance away from the body.
Selecting the location. Let's begin with the acoustic. The first step is to decide where to install the strap button. For the Larrivée, I determined that the best location was on the treble side of the neck heel about 1 1/4" below the top of the fretboard (Fig. 2) and about 1 1/2" out from the body (Fig. 3). I selected this spot for balance and structural integrity: This placement will keep the guitar from leaning away from you when you play, and this part of the neck heel is very stout, so you won't have to worry about cracking the heel—assuming the button is installed correctly, as we'll discuss in a moment.
Fig. 4. Mark the strap button's location by pressing the screw tip into the wood.
Once you've made these two measurements and located their intersection, mark it. You can mark the location using a pencil or gently press the strap button screw into the heel (Fig. 4).
Tip: If you use a screw to mark the drilling location, be careful not to slip—you could scratch the heel.
Selecting the drill bit. The goal is to drill a hole that's slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the screw. If you use a drill bit that's too big, the screw will strip the wood and the button will not hold properly. Most strap button screws are relatively close in size, but they do vary depending on the manufacturer. Make sure you measure both the threads and the screw shaft so you know what size drill bit to use.
For example: The outside diameter (including threads) of my strap-button screw was 9/64", and the shaft (without threads) was about 7/64" in diameter. By choosing a 7/64" bit, I left enough wood for the screw to tap (or thread) itself into the heel without damaging it.


text:
The Chinese first couple in Washington
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
First Family Politics
The Chinese first couple in Washington
Posted by Amrita at Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Labels: Fun-o-matics, Soul Searching
6 Fertilize my soul:
- Donetta said...
I think this is a very good point.
I sent a reply to your comment. via e-mail If it reaches you we can have an avenue of contact. let me know.
Thank you for your sweet comments. I wish you could sup at my table.
- 19 September 2007 at 10:22
- Rebecca said...
I agree with you about the comedy shows, especially some of the British ones...I just cannot go there for the things they laugh at are so often just rude!! Also they can be hurtful to marginalized people in my family...so I find it more healthy to stay away.
- 19 September 2007 at 12:48
- Anonymous said...
we do have some slapstick comedy here . sometimes they're just way out rude. disgusting, yeah, that's the word.
- 19 September 2007 at 15:37
- Jo's-D-Eyes said...
Hi its just a big hitorical point but also funny the way you shwo it weel done Amrita:)
- 19 September 2007 at 23:42
- Kate said...
Whoa! LOL!
I gave up TV entirely about 15 years ago, so I don't watch any shows at all. On the other hand, I'm a pop-culture know-nothing and my friends think I'm hopelessly out of touch! :)
- 20 September 2007 at 03:44
- Anonymous said...
praying for you...
- 20 September 2007 at 07:56


text:
Why Fox?Because we're innovative, irreverent, passionate, fun, edgy, bold, creative, inviting, empowering, flexible, audacious, leading edge, risk takers, inclusive, curious, visionary, smart, ground breaking. Because we have properties to be proud of. Because we're great people, and we're a team! Do you want to be a part of our adventure?
Benefits & PerksEmployees at Fox received a number of benefits, ranging from comprehensive health benefits to free movie screenings to discounts on numerous products and services. Here's just a partial list of some of our many benefits and services. Nationwide benefits include back up child care, child care discounts, counseling services, credit unions, direct deposit, education reimbursement, employee development training, employee discounts and referrals, insurance benefits, hybrid incentive, and investment plans. Benefits may vary by division, location, and employee type.
Diversity"News Corporation is continually striving to deliver the most compelling content to the broadest range of consumers around the world. We believe that great content is driven by great ideas. To help fuel this creative drive and to succeed in the global economy, we are committed to recruiting and retaining the most talented and diverse group of individuals possible."


text:
Finding a home in Seattle is not always an easy process. However, at Queen Anne Real Estate we've concluded that there is a better way to get Seattle homes for our clients, both in the Seattle neighborhoods they want to live in, and within the price ranges that fit their budgets. That's why our brokers work like no others in Seattle; rather than competing against each other, they collaborate for the best interests of the client.
A New Approach to Seattle Real Estate
Seattle Neighborhoods
Each broker specializes in one Seattle neighborhood. It's the most efficient way of finding the hidden gems, well-priced listings, and need-based properties. Explore Seattle's neighborhoods and learn about our agents:


text:
Auto Publishers Price Starting at
*Based on model year EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your atual mileage will vary, depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery pack age/condition (hybrid only) and other factors.VIEW OUR INVENTORY
Leading fuel economy; advanced hybrid powertrain; more models provide cargo and passenger flexibility
For 2015, the Toyota Prius receives few changes. Among them, a rear camera is now standard, while a new Persona Series trim adds special appearance items.