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Make a LOT of speeches. Practice makes perfect. Everything else is minor. Exhibit: 16 years of speeches on my hard drive.
Tag Archives: practice
The secret to becoming an amazing public speaker
February 2, 2012
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*NOTE: this item will funciton properly but may have some aesthetic impefections (e.g. marks, surface detail imperfection on shade portion etc.)
Back Mount Material: ABS Plastic
Lens Type: Internal Focus
Back mount opening: 100mm
Optional Adapter Rings step down to: 98, 95, 93, 90 & 85mm and more
Filter thread: 105mm P=1.0
Sunshade front inside dimensions: 135 x 118mm
Dimensions: 140(w) x 124(h) x 43mm (d)
Weight: 170g
Fit Lenses:
Cavision: BWA06X85 (Broadcast Series) and PWC06X72 (Converter for XL1) - Sony: VCL-HG0758, VCL-0752, VCL-MHG07 - Canon: WD-58 wide angle converter for GL - Century: VS-06WA, VS-07CV Kenko: KVC-050 Hi "0", KVC-50 Hi" N", KVC-05 II
Lens hood cover: LCS1412W
*Please note: French flap NOT available for this model

subset: commoncrawl


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Facebook Has Its Cake and Eats It
Filed Under Facebook, Networking and Marketing Strategy, Social Media and Social Networking Sites, Web Marketing | 15 Comments
Please prepare yourself for a small dose of cynicism. Last week, a Facebook sales rep tried to persuade me to buy ads to drive traffic to the Gevril page, in order to increase its number of fans. Neither the rep's rational nor the outcome of our talk are important for now. However, I do wish to look at the implications of this one aspect of the Facebook business.
The Dark Side of Facebook Ads
You pay Facebook to drive people from unspecified Facebook pages to your fan page, hoping that once there, they'll "like" your Facebook page. You also hope that you'll benefit from building a Facebook fan base.
When a member clicks on your ad link and then clicks your "like" button, that activity is called engagement. Naturally, the more Facebook engagement, the more lively and profitable the Facebook site is for its owner.
Consider this: When you advertise your fan page using Facebook ads, you're paying for the privilege of increasing Facebook activity. You'll even bid against other advertisers for that privilege. Is that totally ingenious or what?
Is it any wonder that Facebook makes it so challenging for us to use our personal profiles to conduct business or to organically grow our business pages?
What do you think?
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10 Ways to Promote Ning Networks
Filed Under Networking and Marketing Strategy, Ning Sites, SPAM, Search Engines, Widgets | 5 Comments
You've created Ning networks or belong to Ning networks started by others. What next?
In 10 Ways to Brand and Market on Ning Networks, I examine a variety of Ning network features that are useful for promoting yourself or your business.
However, what if you're interested in promoting a Ning social network itself?
Here are 10 ideas for promoting the Ning networks to which you belong:
- Your Contacts - Send personalized emails to people you know. (Ning's invite feature is not effective, since the emails Ning sends are impersonal and will be treated by many as spam.)
- Network Content - Share your Ning network, your network's groups and all your network's content on social networking sites, such as Facebook and LinkedIn, and social bookmarking sites like StumbleUpon. This approach is my personal favorite, since it promotes the Ning network and the network's content at the same time.
- Articles and Blog Posts - Discuss your Ning network and your network's content in blog posts and articles you write.
- Badges or Widgets - Place your Ning network badge on blogs and other websites. Even if badges attract few new members, they'll help with SEO efforts by providing inbound links. A badge on the sidebar of a blog is in effect a link from every page and blog post on that blog.
- Links - Build inbound dofollow links to your Ning network and your network's content. Links, like Ning network badges, help with SEO, even if they don't send much direct traffic. Use relevant anchor text in your links.
- SEO - Optimized keyword-rich blog posts on your Ning network will attract visitors who are looking for your content. Building links as previously mentioned will improve SEO results.
- Connectors and Influencers - Ask networking connectors and social media influencers to help by referring new members to your Ning network. These types of people love to help others.
- Comment on Blogs and Forums - Use insightful comments to pique interest and drive traffic to your Ning network. Avoid spamming!
- Classified Ads - Craigslist and other advertising sites can drive traffic to your Ning network. Experiment to learn what works best.
- Business Cards and Fliers - Experiment with offline marketing, as well. I suggest you keep it simple.
I encourage you to add your own ideas to this list.
Join my Small Business Network (promoting my Ning network ), and if you're new to this blog, please subscribe.
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10 Types of Widgets for Your Blog or Website
Filed Under Best of 2010, Blogging, Networking and Marketing Strategy, Widgets | 27 Comments
How much do you know about website widgets?
Last week, in Website Widgets and Ads Raise Security and Privacy Issues, I shared my concerns about security and privacy issues connected with the use of widgets on a blog or other website.
I concluded, "You are responsible as a blogger or website owner to protect the privacy of your visitors as best you can. Use widgets from reputable sources and banner ads, too."
Today, I list 10 types of website widgets that can enhance your site:
- Community Building Widgets - I use both Google Friend Connect and Facebook fan page widgets here on Online Social Networking. They work on blogs, as well as other websites, and I like them very much. Make sure you enable and use the Google Friend Connect newsletter feature.
- Subscription Widgets - I use RSS and NetworkedBlogs widgets, which are suitable for blogs, and I also use an email subscription widget that works with any website.
- Tracking Widgets - In addition to embedding Google Analytics internally on every page of this blog, I use Get Clicky, Alexa, Page Rank Checker, Website Grader and Flag Counter widgets to acquire a broad range of additional statistics.
- Social Networking Widgets - Social network widgets encourage visitors to connect with you on Twitter, Facebook, BlogCatalog, MyBlogLog and other key social bookmarking and social networking sites. An Entrecard widget enables me to network and expose my blog to thousands of bloggers.
- Polls and Survey Widgets - I use the interests and comments features of Google Friend Connect to obtain feedback and preferences from my GFC community.
- Content Sharing Widgets - The Add This widget at the end of each article makes it very easy (hint, hint) for you to share content with friends in your networks.
- Advertising Widgets - Ad widgets from Google Adwords, ad networks and retailers such as Amazon help you generate income from your blog or other website.
- Syndication Widgets - Display news, other information, YouTube videos and Flickr pics on your site.
- Widget Bars - Here's an example of a page with a Digg toolbar widget (hint, hint again). Widget bars are becoming more and more common.
- Widget Gadgets - See Google Gadgets for everything else under the sun.
My favorite website widgets are community building widgets, subscription widgets, tracking widgets and social networking widgets. In a subsequent article, I'll provide useful tips for using widgets.
However, one more thing before you leave. What types of widgets do you use? What are examples of each?
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Website Widgets and Ads Raise Security and Privacy Issues
Filed Under Alerts, Best Practices, Measurement and Tracking, Networking and Marketing Strategy, Privacy Issues, Social Media and Social Networking Sites, Web Analytics, Widgets | 6 Comments
Website widgets are commonplace in the world of social media. They tend to make interacting, marketing and web site tracking easier and more fun. Many types of website widgets are currently used on this blog.
However, don't you ever question how safe website widgets really are? The use of website widgets and banner ads raises online safety and privacy issues for you and your website visitors that are worthy of consideration.
Marketing Experiment Gone Wrong
I was experimenting with my website tracking software. I wanted to determine whether it would work on websites not belonging to me. I installed the required tracking code in a blog post on a Ning site and on my Ryze profile.
I very quickly uncovered a major obstacle. The JavaScript, a key element in the tracking code, had been stripped off by each of the social networking sites. All that remained was a link to a very tiny and invisible image hosted by my tracking service.
I decided to continue the test in order to see the outcome. I invited friends to visit the test pages and inspected the resulting traffic data. I saw the IP address, ISP, location, operating system and web browser for each person who had visited the test pages — and all it took was embedding an invisible one pixel by one pixel image on those pages.
Privacy and Security Implications
When you install a banner ad on your blog or other website, and that banner ad is hosted on the advertiser's server, not yours, you give that advertiser identical information about your visitors as I was able to obtain about mine; your visitors don't even need to click on the banner ad to make that happen.
Once an advertiser obtains an IP address, they may obtain more sensitive information as well. Some offline merchants sell data about their customers. Why not assume that some online merchants and social networking sites do the same?
They have some amount of personal information matched to an IP address, and may decide to monetize that private data. They might even state that in their privacy policy.
When you install a widget or ad on your site that contains script, the effects are more far reaching. The company that provided you with the widget code can obtain information about the source and actions of each visitor. Scripts can even be malicious, as in the case of poisoned banners.
Your Due Diligence Can Help
You are responsible as a blogger or web site owner to protect the privacy of your visitors as best you can. Use web widgets from reputable sources and banner ads, too. If practical, host the image on your own server, as I myself generally do.
Hopefully, data that reputable third parties obtain from you and your visitors will be used for reasonable purposes, and their widget code will perform as specified. You need to take care that all third party widget code you embed in your site is from a reputable source.
Your turn for questions or comments.
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Twitter Stats Defy Measurement
Filed Under Measurement and Tracking, News, Social Media and Social Networking Sites, Twitter, Web Analytics, Web Marketing | 7 Comments
Everything defies measurement and tracking. Everything, really.
Try recording your food intake. If you're an emotional eater, committing your diet to paper ought to make you feel quite uncomfortable. However, even if you eat normally, listing your meals poses the following interesting problem:
Because you're making a list of your meals and snacks, you'll tend to make healthier eating choices than you would otherwise make. You may eat less or more than usual. Therefore, the items on your list will not represent your typical food intake. Rather, they'll be biased.
Tracking the Untrackable
For several years, I worked as a business analyst at IDT Corporation.
One of several areas responsibility at IDT was analyzing advertising tracking data, partly in order to evaluate each advertising purchase, and partly to in order to determine the net value of each customer (after factoring out the cost of acquiring that customer).
Given our level of sophistication, tracking the new customers by marketing channel should have been straightforward. Nevertheless, there was a major problem: Our new customer defied tracking.
A different toll-free telephone number and a different web address was used for each newspaper, magazine, television station, radio station and direct mail piece. When a customer called the toll-free number or visited the web site, we knew how the customer was referred to us.
Well, sort of. The problem was that the customer didn't always behave as we had hoped.
No matter which phone number or web address the customer was given, that customer sometimes found it more convenient to obtain the phone number by calling Information or going online, and to bypass their assigned web address, going to the company's main website instead.
We called such a customer "untrackable" and were forced to make the best assumptions we could to deal with the untrackables in our analyses.
Tracking Twitter
I can provide many examples of tracking and measurement difficulties, especially from my years working in marketing research at Eric Marder Associates, but not to bore you too much, I'll jump now to my discussion of Twitter.
My thoughts on Twitter will apply in varying degrees to Facebook and other social sites as well. I break down the measurement and tracking of Twitter traffic into these eight parts:
- You need to realize that much activity on the Internet, and on Twitter specifically is generated by cyber robots or plain bots. They tweet the majority of updates on Twitter, and they account for more than 90% of the traffic that flows through the links in Twitter posts.
- While some techies may be very interested in bot activity, most of us are simply interested in counting and tracking human clicks on our links. We need to separate out and count only real clicks by real peeps.
- Realize too that most humans access Twitter from desktop and mobile clients, not from the Twitter domain. (The extent to which this is true depends on the particular audience you're targeting.)
- Web analytics tools, such as Google Analytics and Clicky, do exclude bot traffic from their stats. However, they do not know how to break down and allocate the so-called direct traffic coming from users' desktops and mobile devices. In web analytics, direct traffic is the untrackable element which I discussed above in connection with my work at IDT. Nevertheless, do not rely on the stats from your site's log. Install and use Google Analytics and Clicky in your blog or website. I use both myself. (For my Wordpress blog, I use the Ultimate Google Analytics plugin, and I installed the Clicky script in a sidebar.)
- Web untrackables come to websites in many different ways, such as directly typing a website address, selecting browser bookmarks, using a variety of desktop and mobile clients like TweetDeck, and even clicking on a link in an e-mail program such as Microsoft Outlook. Try and get a sense of where your direct traffic comes from.
- Rules of thumb provide no more than ball park estimates, and these crude approximations are often inadequate. Use rules of thumb only as a last resort.
- You can substitute tracked links in your tweets, but tracked links generally count bot traffic. However, BudUrl from Live Oak 360 has begun counting only human clicks. Great news! While their links can't be generated automatically by TweetDeck, if you're serious about tracking, you'll put up with the inconvenience. Not every tweet will have a link, and not every link will need to be tracked.
- Even if you use BudUrl as I recommend, there's still one more thing defying measurement, the Twitter user who replaces your link with theirs in order to track their retweet or because they prefer another shortening link. No way around this one! Remember, "Everything defies measurement and tracking."
I count the comments made on each article. Don't you defy measurement and tracking.
Share your ideas below in a comment.
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8 Great Choices for SPAM Free Promotion
Filed Under Best of 2009, Blogging, List Building, Networking and Marketing Strategy, SPAM, Search Engines, Social Media and Social Networking Sites, Web Marketing | 13 Comments
I've written about the problem of spam both offline and online at social networking sites in How Do You Like Your SPAM? and Why Do People SPAM?
With this article, I'm delivering on the promise I made last week to discuss marketing channels you can use to promote yourself or your business — without ever resorting to spam.
Legitimate promotion alternatives fall primarily into these basic categories:
- Advertising - Expect to pay — unless you prefer getting marginal results, running around town, lurking in parking lots and posing for security cameras, all while schlepping around stacks of flyers and carefully avoiding people you know. Online, free advertising attracts people without money and spammers, although you may get good results with Craigslist. Offline advertising includes newspapers, magazines, direct mail, radio, television, offline directory listings and billboards. Online advertising includes Pay Per Click, e-zines and online directory listings. I do not recommend using banner ads. Advertising ROI will depend on the net lifetime value of each acquisition or conversion and the cost of each acquisition.
- Press Releases - If your business is newsworthy, or if you can create a newsworthy event, then you may be able to get some free exposure. Your press release needs to be well written in a suitable format and distributed either offline, online or both.
- Speaking and Contributing Articles - It is an accepted practice to establish your reputation and generate leads by speaking at meetings or contributing articles to journals. Don't expect to get paid anything until you become a recognized expert in your field.
- Strategic Alliances and Joint Ventures - A business or list owner promotes your offer to his or her clients or e-mail list based on an agreement through which you both stand to gain. It's not uncommon to give a joint venture partner all the profit from an initial product offering in exchange for helping you to add new contacts to your list.
- E-Mailing Your List - You can send relevant commercial messages to subscribers who previously opted into your database. Try to avoid using purchased lists. If you must, be sure you know with certainty that the subscribers agreed to receive offers from third parties. Be genuinely helpful and careful not to abuse your list.
- Search Engine Optimization - You'll need a web site, and unless you're an SEO maven, you'll have to pay for SEO services. There's more to doing effective search engine optimization than most people realize. However, SEO will be worth the trouble if it gets you ranked high up in the free organic search engine results that most searchers look at and care about.
- Social Media - Social marketing is similar in philosophy to speaking and article contribution mentioned above. You share online videos and articles to educate, inform and entertain people, and to build a relationship with them. If they want your product or service, they'll be inclined to buy it from you, since they know you, and you've earned their respect. Your blog on a social networking site, a blogging community such as Blogger.com, or you own hosting, are good places to share your content. For ideal results, create and post new original content on a regular basis. If your content is geared toward your target market, then you'll attract qualified customers to you and your site.
- Business and Social Networking - Networking is meeting new people and developing relationships with them. You can network at your local Small Business Association, Chamber of Commerce or BNI. I can go to Network Plus, a group in my area founded by Ted Fattoross. Online social networking is more convenient. You network from your computer at any of thousands of social networking sites. My favorites are Ning and Facebook. You build relationships by asking questions and getting to know people. Keep in mind that spamming doesn't work at all, and exchanging business cards is no more than a cordial first step in starting a relationship.
I like the web marketing channels: my e-mail list, search engine optimization, social marketing and business networking. I coordinate them to benefit from the synergies between them.
Now it's your turn.
Which methods do you use? Which ones are you hoping to use in the future? What challenges do you foresee?
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List Building Using Twitter
Filed Under List Building, SPAM, Social Media and Social Networking Sites, Twitter, Twitter Tools | 36 Comments
Importance of List Building
Reach and frequency are basic advertising metrics. Reach refers to the quantity of people your message reaches, while frequency refers to the number of times on average each person is reached.
It is frequency that builds trust and drives your message home. Advertising without frequency is hardly ever effective. Marketers are relying more and more on list building to repeatedly reach people in their target market and achieve desired frequency levels in their marketing campaigns.
List building possibilities are endless. Last week we discussed list building using Ning social networks. Today we turn our attention to Twitter, possibly the fastest and simplest way to build a list.
Building Your Following on Twitter
As I stated in Brand Yourself and Market on Twitter:
Twitter may very well be the hottest online social media venue today. It's a social network, micro-blog, instant messenger, mobile communications tool and giant party — all rolled into one site.
Creating a following on Twitter is easy, even for someone new to online social networking and social media sites. Here are three remarkably simple steps to get you started:
- Twitter Training - I used to recommend Bill Hibbler's Affiliate University. Bill's Affiliate University was dissolved, so I refer you to the Twitter articles and resources in Tons of Twitter Tools, Tips and Resources. If you're looking for a complete step-by-step Twitter course, the Twitter Power System is your best choice. You can read about it in Twitter Power System Review.
- Build Your Reach Instantly - Here is a cool trick you can use to quickly get some very influential followers. Start with the top 50 Twitter users based on reach listed at twinfluence.com, one of my favorite Twitter tools. You will notice that the majority of those listed have as many "friends" as they have "followers". They are the ones you should follow. They will almost certainly follow you back and increase your reach.
- Manage Your Connections - Once you have completed Step 2, many people you don't know will start following you, and for the most part you'll want to follow them all back. You can manage your Twitter connections using Twitter Karma, another of my favorite Twitter tools. After some time has passed, you'll notice that many of the people you've been following become inactive — they haven't "tweeted" in months. Stop following them in order to improve your ratio of followers to friends, a measure of your Twitter influence.
I applied this method myself about a month ago, and now about a hundred Twitter users begin following me each week.
When I "tweet" a link, roughly one to two percent of my followers click to see what the link is about. Isn't that how any list is supposed to work?
This approach is easy, and it's free.
Respect your followers and they'll keep following you. Spam them, and they'll stop following you in an instant.
That's all there is to it. Please leave a comment.
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Radio Stations Tout Money Making Schemes
Filed Under Alerts, News | 17 Comments
Mainstream radio stations such as WCBS Radio 880 and WQXR, the radio station of the New York Times, now air spots for money making schemes. I have heard them myself while driving down to my office.
This is a fairly new phenomenon.
Home businesses and money making schemes are very much more prevalent today than when I joined Excel Communications as a representative back in March 1997.
Why do I think?
For sure there is wider access to information today through the Internet than there was a decade ago.
There is also increased economic pressure due to offshoring, mergers, acquisitions and downsizing. More and more people turn to the Internet, often out of desperation, hoping to solve their financial problems.
I am bombarded by phone and mail solicitations for anything from illegal chain letters to gifting programs to legitimate direct sales opportunities.
This is not at all new.
What is new is that so-called "mainstream" media are looking to make a quick buck or two carrying some very questionable advertising.
I recall a time when these media wouldn't accept ads from home businesses, even legitimate ones. They were unwilling to expose themselves to complaints and criticism.
Times however have changed. A decline in ad revenue has apparently led radio stations and other mass media to relax their standards and accept almost anything, even possible scams and rip-offs.
Here's my advice to you:
- Don't believe any money making ads you hear on the radio.
- Throw away the home biz junk mail you receive in your mail box.
- Delete all spam from your e-mail or online social networking inboxes.
Don't get ripped off. Only accept business advice from people you know, like and trust.
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Social Media Learning Curve
Filed Under Blogging, Communication, Networking and Marketing Strategy, Search Engines, Social Media and Social Networking Sites | 14 Comments
The Case for Social Media Marketing
It is becoming increasingly more difficult and more expensive to reach potential customers using mass media. That's one reason why so many marketers are turning to Web 2.0 social media marketing.
Not only do marketers want to reduce their advertising expense, they also want to connect more directly with people and learn how to better serve their target market.
Social media marketing is especially attractive to small business owners operating on modest budgets, since most social networking sites and other social media sites are generally free to use.
Steep Learning Curve
They read a story such as Beyond Blogs in the June 2nd issue of Business Week, and they rush off to embrace Web 2.0 social media unprepared for the steep learning curve that lies ahead.
The social media landscape is uncharted and sprawling. Social media sites are vying for your attention, and searching the Internet for advice turns up sharply conflicting recommendations.
Need for Mentor
Clearly you need a mentor, somebody smart and knowledgeable with especially strong communication skills. You should find somebody with whom you feel comfortable, because you'll definitely be getting to know each other. Picking a mentor is difficult.
Effective Communication #1 Challenge
Once you find your mentor mastering essential social media marketing skills will be difficult. To get fully up to speed might take a year or even longer.
That is the bad news.
In my opinion, the hardest part of social media marketing training is learning effective communication, i.e., to write, speak, listen and persuade well and in a professional manner.
There are certainly plenty of technical challenges to overcome, but by far communication is the chief obstacle new social media marketers face. If you happen to have the right mix of communication skills, you're way ahead of most newcomers.
Your mentor can teach you personal and business branding, online social networking, blogging, video marketing, social bookmarking, SEO and other important skills. He or she can also critique your communication style, but it will be you who will connect directly with your target market and build vital business relationships.
Get Started Now and Learn as You Go
Now the good news.
You don't have to master every skill, dot every "i" and cross every "t" before getting started.
Find a good mentor to guide you, jump in and get your feet wet. Learn by doing.
As Mike Litman always says: "You don't have to get it right, you just have to get it going."
Your results will serve as feedback to help you to make the necessary corrections along the way… and that is good news.
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Small vs. Large Social Networking Sites
Filed Under Best of 2008, LinkedIn, Networking and Marketing Strategy, Outside the Box, SPAM, Social Media and Social Networking Sites | 15 Comments
Even people who don't go online and don't understand social networking have heard of MySpace or Facebook, names that might conjure up fears of predators or identity theft.
However, that's not my point.
My point is that MySpace and Facebook are so much talked about that they have pretty much become household names, and serious business networkers have or ought to have a presence at MySpace, Facebook and Linked In — and at other major social networking sites.
Many of the important online networking sites are listed for your convenience:
- Mashable's Catalog of 350+ Social Networking Sites
- 50 Social Sites That Every Business Needs a Presence On
- Wikipedia's List of Social Networking Websites
There are also industry specific sites. For example if your business is real estate related, consider joining ActiveRain Real Estate Network and Wanna Network, if you don't already belong.
To find business networking sites specific to any industry, try plugging the industry name and the words "networking sites" into your favorite search engine.
But wait, the story doesn't end here.
Smaller and newer business networking sites also deserve to be included in your online portfolio. After all, less can be more.
When Diane Hochman Zigs, I Zag
Diane Hochman, the founder and director of My Private Classroom for Marketers, often instructs, "Don't Follow the Flock". When others are zigging, you zag.
Diane is a Web 2.0 social media rock star. Many people follow her every move. They go where she goes. They do what she does. They zig when she zigs, and they zag when she zags.
People like Diane Hochman and Mike Dillard have their own flocks. Since I don't want to follow the flock, nor live in somebody's shadow, when Diane and Mike zig, I zag.
When they're hanging at Facebook and Twitter, I'm chillin' at one of the newer smaller sites such as Sta.rtUp.biz, a site that caters to small business entrepreneurs, or Natural Networkers, a social networking site for proponents of attraction marketing.
I might also be list building at Direct Matches or schmoozing at Yuwie, since they are not.
I think you get the general idea. It fits in with my online social networking strategy and my personal branding strategy. It's common sense. I have plenty of room to maneuver.
You too might be best off charting a different course than your competition or industry leaders.
Choosing Business Networking Sites
There are many possible criteria for choosing business sites. However, at the end of the day it's largely a matter of trial and error.
Nevertheless, let me share a few of my considerations with you. Perhaps I'll share more in a future blog post.
Some social networking sites are funded by membership fees, some by advertising, and some by a combination of the two. I mainly prefer advertising supported sites. I'm not typically reaching out to a very elite crowd.
I do admit, I was a paid Executive Member at Direct Matches for three years. I highly valued the package of services they provided, and I appreciated Bill Weber's personal touch. You can join Direct Matches for free.
I don't pay to use any social networking sites at the present time. All the networking sites I use are either ad supported or offer free memberships that I find suitable.
Some networking sites make it easier to connect than others. I like to reach out to a large audience and prefer sites that make it easy for me to do that.
I like to be able to browse and add friends or contacts by demographic characteristics or by geographic location. When sites offer that option, it's great. When they don't, I look to a site's groups or clubs to find people in my target market.
I recommend that you explore Ning social networking sites. While they do not support demographic browsing, but they are nevetheless very useful for business networking.
Short Lived Networking Feature
Some new social networking sites let me send mail to all my contacts or to all members of groups to which I belong. I love this capability and use it effectively without abusing or spamming.
I like to let lots of people know about my new blog posts. If I didn't have a blog, I'd send links to useful information and thereby build my relationship with fellow members.
Unfortunately, as a networking site grows, spammers inevitably move in and ruin it for everybody. It's impossible to keep a step ahead of them, so all sites eventually limit or eliminate this wonderful feature.
Don't Let Spammers Ruin Your Day
I don't like spammers and wish they'd stick with safelists or classified ads, but I don't let them ruin my day, nor do I let them dissuade me from using any particular social networking site.
If I can cope with tailgaters and drivers who cut me off on the highway, I can surely cope with spammers.
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Free Piano Sheets of Pachelbel
Johann Pachelbel (baptized September 1, 1653 – buried March 9, 1706) was a German Baroque composer, organist and teacher who brought the south German organ tradition to its peak. He composed a large body of sacred and secular music, and his contributions to the development of the chorale prelude and fugue have earned him a place among the most important composers of the middle Baroque era.
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Cool Patterns: Hole in the Middle
Reducing code duplication where your code only differs in the middle of your methods.
Reducing code duplication where your code only differs in the middle of your methods.
GSWAT is dead. Long live GSWAT! Well, I suppose this is about the right time to finally say I'm calling v1 of GSWAT a failure, but, surprisingly, that's ok. Once I completed the postmortem analysis, I realized that I came out with a great deal more experience than when I started, greatly shaping the vision… Continue reading Postmortem analysis of GSWAT v1 and the future of GSWAT
One of my most used (in a past-life, that is) Python modules happens to be a certain PyMySQL, a MySQL client module that is implemented entirely in Python. Part of the appeal of this particular module is cross-platform capability: by not relying upon any precompiled machine binaries, you can theoretically use this module in a… Continue reading Optimizing Python environment setup for beginning students


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Raleigh County High Point Trip Report
Ivy Knob
Date: October 6, 1998
Author: Ron Tagliapietra Drive 3.5 miles east of WV 85 on WV 99. Park in large turnout at gated gravel road in sight of fire tower. Since it was not posted, I walked up road to top (about a quarter mile). BM Ivy is just beyond the tower near the side of the building (which has a no trespassing sign on the front -- does it mean the shed or the grounds?).


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Stampede forward set Tier 1 era goal record for a 16-year-old
The United States Hockey League today announced that Sioux Falls Stampede forward Kieffer Bellows has been named the 2014-15 USHL Rookie of the Year as determined by a vote of League coaches and general managers.
Bellows appeared in all but two of the 60 regular season games for the Stampede, producing 52 points (33g, 19a) to finish second on the team in scoring and 19th overall in the USHL. His 33 goals ranked fifth in the League and are the most by a 16-year-old in the USHL Tier 1 era (2002-present), surpassing the previous record by 2013-14 USHL Rookie of the Year Robby Jackson who netted 28 with the Chicago Steel.
The 33 goals by Bellows are also the most by a Stampede player since Matthew Ford netted 37 during the 2003-04 season. Bellows scored a goal in his USHL debut, a 5-3 victory against the Tri-City Storm on October 3rd. After scoring just four goals over his first 19 games in the League, he caught fire and went on to net 29 goals over the next 39 games. He recorded six multi-goal games, including three hat tricks. Two of those three-goal games came in a span of seven days – January 31st vs. Tri-City and February 7th vs. the Fargo Force.
Bellows helped the Stampede capture the Clark Cup, scoring 11 points (9g, 2a) over 12 games and posting a plus-nine rating. Four of his goals were game-winners which tied the USHL Tier 1 era record for most game-winners in a single playoff year.
The native of Edina, Minnesota was selected by the Stampede in the first round (13th overall) of Phase One in the 2014 USHL Draft. He is a product of Edina High School and helped them capture a Minnesota state championship in 2014. Bellows is already considered a top prospect for the 2016 NHL Draft and is committed to play college hockey at Boston University following his USHL career.
It is the third time that a member of the Sioux Falls Stampede has been named USHL Rookie of the Year. Jack Connolly earned the award following the 2007-08 season while Matthew Ford was named the League's top rookie following the 2003-04 season.
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrated its 13th season as the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league in 2014-15. A record 35 players were chosen in the 2014 NHL Draft and more than 350 players on team rosters this past season are committed to NCAA Division I schools, further establishing the USHL as the world's foremost producer of junior hockey talent.
Tag(s): Top Story


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November is COPD Awareness Month
More than 30 million Americans suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Breathlessness, frequent coughing, wheezing – these are just some of the symptoms more than 30-million Americans suffer every day because of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, more commonly known as "COPD."
COPD is an umbrella term used to describe progressive lung diseases including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, non-reversible asthma and some forms of bronchiectasis. It's a disease which Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center Pulmonologist Dr. Ala Mortazavi of Virginia Pulmonary Associates, sees every day. He says it's much more common than people realize, "The common misconception about COPD is that it's rare. The sad fact is COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease, cancer and stroke."
COPD affects the lungs, causing a reduced airflow, which makes it hard to breathe. The disease is most common in people 40 years of age and older who have a history of smoking. According to the COPD Foundation nearly 90% of those diagnosed with the disease have smoked. But, Dr. Mortazavi says COPD can also occur in those with a genetic predisposition and those who have had long-term contact with harmful pollutants.
"The damage done to the lungs by COPD cannot be reversed. However, treatment can slow or halt the progression of the disease and help the patient feel better," explains Dr. Mortazavi.
Treatments like oxygen therapy, increased exercise and medications can benefit patients and help them manage their condition. But, experts say stopping smoking has been the only thing proven to slow the progression of COPD. If you or someone you love is living with COPD, call 1-800-SENTARA to work with one of our specialty trained, certified pulmonologist to help determine the best care for you.


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Beverly Davenport specializes in the anthropology and social epidemiology of chronic disease in the United States, focusing on race and class as determinants of health disparities. Her dissertation research project examined practices of hypertension management of San Francisco transit operators and offered a critique of the "stress" literature. More recently she has been involved in collaborative applied projects. For example, in 2010-11, she worked with other professors at UNT and TWU studying choice architecture in middle school lunchrooms. In her role as undergraduate program director she has a very strong interest in ensuring a comprehensive experience for anthropology majors, including research experience and post-college planning and advice. Other interests include the anthropology of work, urban anthropology, communication processes in medical care, medical professional socialization processes, and the anthropology of 'beauty' and body image.
- 2004 Ph.D., Medical Anthropology, University of California, San Francisco and Berkeley
- 1980 M.S.P.H., Health Administration, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- 1978 A.B, Anthropology, Harvard University
Selected Consulting Projects
2001-2003 SolanoWORKS-WIC Nutrition Program, Health and Social Services Department, Solano County, California. Dr. Davenport designed a program evaluation using qualitative research methods for a special WIC program for welfare-to-work mothers. She trained nutritionists in basic principles of ethnographic research and writing, conducting monthly workshops to help them develop their ethnographic write-ups of their clients. She provided an overall data analysis, wrote the executive summary, edited the ethnographic portraits written by the nutritionists and integrated them into a comprehensive final report produced for the Director of the Health and Social Services Department.
Funded Grants and Research Awards
- 2010-2011 United States Department of Agriculture, USDA-ERS-FNRP Grant, Agreement Number 59-5000-0 -0088, "Testing a Food Choice Innovation for Middle School Cafeterias," (submitted in response to the RFA entitled Research Planning Grants To Support Application of Behavioral Economics in USDA's Child Nutrition Programs). Co-Principal Investigator, Amount: $29,592
- 2009-2011 National Science Foundation Award No. 0850648, "REU Site: Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates," 2009-2011. Principal Investigator, Amount: $294,545
Selected Publications
- 2011 "Identifying opportunities for nudging fruit and vegetable choices in middle school cafeterias," Supplement to the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, S111:(9): A75, co-author with Priscilla Connors, Bednar, Caroline, Kennon, Lisa and Davis, Rian.
- 2011 "Preface to the Proceedings of the University of North Texas Anthropology Department's 2011 National Science Foundation Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates," The Eagle Feather: A Publication for Undergraduate Scholars, co-author with Megan Gorby
- 2010 "Preface to the Proceedings of the University of North Texas Anthropology Department's 2010 National Science Foundation Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates," The Eagle Feather: A Publication for Undergraduate Scholars, co-author with David Franco
- 2009 "Bitten by the Research Bug: An NSF Summer in Denton, Texas, "Southwest Anthropological Association Newsletter, Volume 50(3):4-6, September 2009, co-author with Lisa Gonzalez
- 2008 Book Review. Doing Health Anthropology: Research Methods for Community Assessment and Change by Christie W. Kiefer. American Anthropologist 110(2):263-264
- 2007 "Missed Connections: Hypertension and Occupational Health at the San Francisco Municipal Railway," Research in Economic Anthropology, Volume 26:127-150, The Economics of Health and Wellness: An Anthropological Perspective
- 2007 "Building A Sense of Community in an Online Class," Practicing Anthropology, 29(1):12-15, co-author with Doug Henry.
- 2006 "Witnessing and the Medical Gaze: How Medical Students Learn to See at a Free Clinic for the Homeless," In Elizabeth D. Whitaker, ed., Health and Healing in Comparative Perspective. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, pp. 119-131. (Reprint of journal article published in 2000)
- 2003, "'If I Have Issues, You Are There To Listen': An Evaluation of the SolanoWORKS WIC Nutrition Program," with Solano County Health and Social Services Department.
- 2000, "Witnessing and the Medical Gaze: How Medical Students Learn to See at a Free Clinic for the Homeless," Medical Anthropology Quarterly, 14(3):310-327.
Selected Presentations
- 2011 Identifying opportunities for nudging fruit and vegetable choices in middle school cafeterias," co-author with Connors PL, Bednar CM (presenter), Kennon LR and Davis RE. presented the American Dietetics Association Food and Nutrition Conference & Expo; September 2011; San Diego CA.
- 2010 "Up and Running!: Creating and Evaluating a Health Promotion Intervention," presented at the Society for Applied Anthropology Annual Meeting, Merida, Mexico, March 27.
- 2009 "The Caveman, the Tiger and the Stress Discourse: A Paleo-Nightmare," presented at the American Anthropological Association Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 2.
- 2009 Invited Panelist, "Mentoring Young Professional Anthropologists," at the Society for Applied Anthropology Meeting Annual Meeting, Santa Fe, NM, March 18.
- 2009 Invited Paper "'It's Like a Jungle, Sometimes I Wonder How I Keep From Goin' Under': The Stress Discourse and Urban Health," presented at the Symposium on Urban Health and Anthropology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, March 7.
- 2008 Invited Paper, "Marketing madness: impact of tobacco marketing practices on minority communities," presented at American Marketing Science Cultural Perspectives in Marketing Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, January 18.
- 2007 "Gridlock or Intersectionality: Class Consciousness and Racial Identity in Patient-Doctor
- Relationships," presented at the American Anthropological Association Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, November 28.


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Britannica Knowledge Systems' Fox Training Management system won the 2016 Brandon Hall Technology Excellence Awards highest honor, GOLD, for Best Advance in Learning Management Technology for Compliance Training.
Fox's compliance solution, with its highly advanced, unique and cutting-edge capabilities, is one of Fox's most essential and widely-used components. It properly manages the training and certifications of any employee in any sector, so they can obtain the requisite skills and accreditations to be permitted to perform their functional duties. Fox's full compliance solution is a result of a combination of several of its modular management capabilities in the areas of training, qualification and learning management. It consists of functionality such as scheduling, training needs analysis, curriculum development and delivery, testing and assessment, reporting, record-keeping and courses.
See LinkedIn article about Fox's Comprehensive Compliance Learning Management Capabilities for Highly Regulated Industries


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On 13th September 1993, US President Clinton managed to get President Rabin of Israel to sign the abominable PLO-Israel Peace Treaty requiring Israel to immediately cede to their enemies the land of
1. Jericho, where God Himself destroyed its high walls and handed Jericho to Joshua at the start of his conquest of Canaan land.
2. Gaza Strip (land of the Philistine), where God helped the youth David killed Goliath and later the rests of the giants at the end of the Canaan Land conquest.
3. the West Bank by stages (Judea and Samaria), where the majority of the OT and NT events were recorded.
In 1948, Israel became a nation but as Aliyah increased the population, Yahweh gave them the whole of Israel after the 1967 six-day war. To give away any part of the promised land which God had given to them as their eternal inheritance is Unbelief and Rebellion. This Peace Treaty revealed the Unbelief of Israel in Yahweh and in the OT for it had reduced Him to just a myth.
1. Start of Last Generation
Mat 24:32-33 "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near -- at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place."
So when we see Israel (fig tree) showing sign of great Unbelief (putting forth leaves without fruit) then summer (maturity with persecutions) has started.
2. Opening the First Seal
Rev 6:1-2 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, "Come and see." And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.
Our Lord Jesus carries a sword, the word of God but this horseman carries a bow which is for shooting fiery darts of Satan to destroy our faith in Yahweh and His words.
Eph 6:16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
So when the elected President Clinton (crown given to him) set up the peace treaty (righteous work - riding on white horse), UN including all Christian nations (today, where are these Christian nations) supported this honourable and blessed peace effort (conquering and to conquer). However, this abominable peace treaty (fiery darts) destroyed the faith of Christians in Yahweh and His words.
[ Opening of First Seal
3. Start of Beginning of Sorrows
Mat 24:4-5 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.... All these are the beginning of sorrows.
This abominable Peace Treaty was approved and supported by almost all Christians (many deceived). Many churches celebrated this dreadful occasion in prayers, thanksgivings and marches. Never before was there such a great deception involving the whole Christian world.
This abominable PLO-Israel Peace Treaty was the perfect synchronized End time starter of
1. Last Generation,
2. First Seal,
3. Beginning of Sorrows (Mat 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21).
Brethren, the end is near. Are we still worldly and covetous in our earthly pursuit and rather stay complacent and lethargic to His call for holiness?


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Mulege, San Ignacio and Santa Rosalia are all about tranquility. It can often be hot and even humid…but that's part of the experience. Imagine yourself with a cool drink in hand, and ask yourself these questions…
- Are you looking for lodging with a restaurant and evening entertainment?
- Is price a primary consideration?
- Do you prefer a bed & breakfast experience?
- Do you want to be near a quiet lagoon or by the Sea of Cortez?
As you think about lodging, consider some of the pros and cons of each type. These decisions, as well as the activities you want to do, will help you choose the best place for your trip.
*Bed and Breakfast inns: Breakfast is a great time to meet other travelers and find out why they are in Mulegé and what they've been up to in their travels. The Casa Granada is a bed and breakfast where travelers feel cozy and comfortable, and a great base for Mulegé wanderings. In San Ignacio, both the Ignacio Springs B&B and Casa Lereé are great options.
*Hotels: Mulegé has several nice hotels – some even verging on luxury – in interesting locations, each with its own advantages. For example, Hotel Serenidad, with its tranquil gardens and patios, has its own manicured dirt runway for private planes. It also has a famous Pig Roast once-a-week. If staying downtown at the comfortable, affordable Las Casitas, parking can be an issue. The new play spot in town is the Playa Frambes Lighthouse Resort, where you can even stay in the lighthouse! San Ignacio has just a few lodging choices, more in the B&B category. Santa Rosalia is a good place for on-the-sea hotels and access to city services.
*Vacation Rentals: Vacation rentals are not as abundant in this region as in some other towns. However, they can be found and some are within a stone's throw of some lovely little palm-studded beach. Most vacation rentals here are with individual owners rather than property management companies.
*Camping: Getting close to nature is a highlight in beautiful Mulegé and also in San Ignacio, where camping is directed by area tour operators. There are a variety of camping/RV hook-up locates in the Mulegé vicinity, ranging from $2-$20 a night. Be forewarned: Mulegé can be pounded by heavy rains during certain times of the year, so read up on weather forecasts.
Once you've identified your criteria and selected the best type of lodging for your trip, scan the list of standouts below. It is by no means comprehensive, but rather a cross-section of some of our favorites. You can also search the Mulege hotel directory or vacation rentals directory for more options.
- History, authenticity, cottages and villas: Hotel Serenidad
- Affordabilty, downtown location: Las Casitas
- Views to the bay, walks along the river: Casa Granada Bed and Breakfast
- Built in 2007, solar-powered and on the bay: Playa Frambes Lighthouse Resort
- Camping, but with a restaurant and bar: Playa Buenaventura
San Ignacio
- Charming yurts in a date palm grove on a lagoon and great food: Ignacio Springs Bed & Breakfast
- Centrally located: La Pinta San Ignacio
- Quaint, near zocalo: Casa Leree
- Camping on the lagoon: Baja Ecotours or Kuyima
Santa Rosalia
- Spectacular ocean view: Las Casitas Hotel
- Clean, comfortable: Hotel El Morro


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What's the life of your holiday leftovers? Whether it's turkey or ham that was served at your dinner table this year, find out the safest methods and information for leftovers food safety. Data for this post came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) 2014.
After the holidays our bellies and our refrigerators are full. We want to save every bite-whether it is a few slices of salami, creamy deviled eggs and of course the main dish. Here's some really valuable information to help you figure out leftovers food safety.
Before you even get to the point of having leftovers, you should know about the Danger Zone. No, not the Kenny Loggins' song.
Wow. Just wow. I completely forgot about the Tom Cruise hotness from Top Gun.
Ok, back to the food Danger Zone. According to the USDA FSIS, the Danger Zone is a range of temperatures between 40° and 140° Fahrenheit. This Danger Zone is a time in which bacteria grow significantly and potential for illness grows. So why am I sharing information about the Danger Zone? At most holiday gatherings, food is prepared, especially appetizers and left to sit out while people socialize, drink their cocktails, open presents, help kids put toys together, watch holiday movies-see where I am going here? Food sitting in the Danger Zone is dangerous.
Leftovers Food Safety During the Holidays
- Foods should only be left out for 2 hours (if you are lucky enough to be celebrating the holidays in a warm climate 90+, reduce the time to 1 hour)
- Hot foods should be kept hot at 140° Fahrenheit or above. This means storing hot dips or those yummy jelly meatballs in a Crock-Pot Slow Cooker or a covered dish that will keep foods warm.
- Cold foods should be kept cold at 40° Fahrenheit or below, so this means keeping items like cocktail shrimp on ice and cold-serving items like trout dip chilled.
Leftovers Food Safety Tips
- The biggest takeaway when it comes to leftovers is that leftovers need to be refrigerated within two hours at 40° Fahrenheit or below. Now, this "refrigerated" means after being removed from that safe heating temp of 140° Fahrenheit. So for example, don't let the food sit out all afternoon or evening and then wrap up leftovers. Do it within two hours of removing the food from the heat. A big challenge, I know, when it isn't your house but offer to help do the clean up right after the meal and take home the best leftovers! Also keep in mind this safe mantra when you are out holiday shopping and stop for lunch or dinner. Those leftovers need to hit the fridge within two hours-not walking around for hours with you at the mall and then to a movie.
- When you are ready to dig into those leftovers heat the food until the temp reaches 165° Fahrenheit that means the food should be hot and steaming.
Leftovers Food Safety Packaging and Storage
- If you are hosting, encourage people to bring their own small reusable storage containers. Trust me, if this means they get to take home leftovers, they will remember and you won't lose all your storage containers. You can also wrap in small resealable bags. You can even make up some turkey and ham sandwiches with leftover rolls and just pack them up in bags and store in the refrigerator until people are ready to go home.
- As the host, ask people to help you wrap up the holiday meal after everyone is done eating. Or as a guest, offer to help wrap up the meal and pack up leftovers. The cook hates to do all the cleanup work and you get the top picks for leftovers!
- Use small containers and divide into smaller portions or meals. This will help the food cool to the proper temp faster when refrigerated. So don't store all the ham, turkey, etc. into one large and deep storage container or large bag-divide it up. This is also really great for meal planning too. I find when we store large containers of meals we often find it overwhelming and tire of the meal faster, if we just had a smaller 4-portion meal we are more likely to enjoy it and not waste it.
- Holiday leftovers like turkey, ham and side dishes can be stored in your refrigerator safely, just follow the USDA FSIS timelines for safe refrigerator storage. For example, cooked slices of ham can be stored for 3-4 days, fish and shellfish 1-2 days and casseroles 3-4 days.
- Not sure if you'll get through the leftovers in time, just freeze it! With freezing you just worry about product quality and taste versus safety when determining how long to freeze. The USDA FSIS has a great resource on their web page with freezing tips, including a great chart on food quality recommendations for freezing here. For example, they recommend freezing cooked poultry for 4 months, cooked meat for 2-3 months, gravy for 2-3 months and casseroles for 2-3 months.
- Keep a nice sharpie and blue painter's tape in your kitchen. This makes labeling food really easy. Put the painter's tape on food for the freezer or refrigerator and label with the food type and an "eat by" date.
The data source for this post came from the Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture 2014. I highly recommend checking out their web page for any questions you may have year-round about safe food preparation and storage. One of the coolest features they have on their web page is called "Ask Karen" this is an interactive forum that allows you to read common questions, submit your own question and even have a live chat! Looking for some ideas on reusing holiday leftovers, checkout my post on creative ways to resuse Thanksgiving leftovers.


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One of the biggest knocks on general manager Sandy Alderson has been his inability to build a successful bullpen. And while Bobby Parnell flourished in 2013, the bullpen as a whole combined for a 3.98 ERA–which ranked 22nd in baseball. In addition, the bullpen's 4.02 FIP was the fourth worst in the game.
But Alderson's late-season (in 2013) acquisition of Vic Black, a 25-year-old and former first round pick, was a step in the right direction. Black owned a 3.08 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 2.41 K/BB in five seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates' minor league system. Over the past two seasons, however, the Texas native dominated the upper levels to the tune of a 2.02 ERA, 12.48 K/9 and 20 saves.
Black looked comfortable in 13 innings for the New York Mets too, tossing a 3.46 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 3.0 K/BB while averaging 95.5 miles per hour on his fastball. With Parnell likely to begin the 2014 season on the disabled list, there's a good chance the right-handed Black will get a crack at some saves–and perhaps more if Parnell's neck injury lingers.
The Beanball was fortunate to catch-up with Vic Black about what it was like to be traded, how he plans to improve his command in 2014 and a host of other deeper looks into the Mets' reliever's playing and non-playing life. Make sure to read the whole interview after the jump.
You had two cups of coffee in 2013 (first with the Pittsburgh Pirates and then with the New York Mets). Why do you feel your 13 innings with the Mets were more successful than your 4 with the Pirates?
The outings with the Mets, to me, just solidified the fact I can succeed at the big league level. [Terry Collins] put early faith in me in some situations that the Pirates weren't going to. But those are the situations I had been pitching in [over] the last 2 years–and assuming the minor leagues prepare you for the big leagues, then I'd say I'm a genuine product of the preparation. I just belonged there and the guys made it [feel] like I had been there all year. That's as close to an answer I can get through words.
What was your reaction when you were traded by the organization that drafted you to the New York Mets?
Ben, honestly I was slightly heart broken. [I]n [a] sense, I felt as though I had been put up for adoption. But like I've explained to many people, the "family" that [receives] you always loves you just a bit more [than the last]. [Laughs]. But once I got to Washington, and even before, the guys were great! Hawk [LaTroy Hawkins] and David [Wright] both contacted me [to] said hey and let me know [that] if I needed anything, they would help–which [brought] immediate comfort.
Describe what was going through your head when you recorded your first career save against the Cincinnati Reds on September 24.
Oh, "the day," as my mind likes to refer to it as. [Laughs]. Well truthfully, it was the most locked in and focused I have ever been and rightfully so. But that was what I have been preparing for, specifically, for the last 2 years. So there was pure joy coming [in] from the bullpen and to get that double play to end it. [It was] unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable. Guys dream to play in the big leagues, but my dream is to be one of the best closers in history, God willing. So that was just a taste, but I know what I want–that's for sure. [Laughs].
LaTroy Hawkins characterized (as according to The Star-Ledger's Jorge Castillo) your arm as "magical." What do you think LaTroy meant by that?
[Laughs]. I want to start by saying the humility I feel being able to work with Hawk [LaTroy Hawkins] and have his influence, knowledge and him [as] a friend is far greater than any player I've ever been around. The man is a true professional and I was blessed to be his throwing partner and teammate. But he is always telling me […] my arm, is magical. God [has] given me a good arm–that I do know. But to have a man of his experience and time–spent around some of the best–is something to not [take for] granted.
Your career minor league numbers are impressive–especially in the strikeout department. Going into 2014, what will your approach be to reduce walks, thus improving your overall command? Has Dan Warthen outlined an agenda for such?
Yeah, the Ks have never really been a problem and truthfully I don't worry about walks. But as a back end guy and the desire to close, walks can't happen–they will, but they can't. [Laughs]. Free bases are never good. But as far as an agenda or plan, it starts with pitch one: [It] has to be a strike. Then to get the first [batter] of an inning [out] allows for more breathing room. But the slight mechanical fix Warthen helped me with [greatly] increased my feel and command in the zone.
As of right now, Bobby Parnell's status for the start of 2014 is a bit up in the air due to his late-season neck injury. In the event the Mets decide to tap an internal option for the ninth inning, do you feel like you would be ready for the challenge if called upon?
Well, like the rest of the organization and anyone that loves baseball, we all hope Bobby [Parnell] recovers and regains his strength and is right back to where he left off. I have seen [his] highlights–it is insane! But as for me having an opportunity, I can't even say that I know I'll break camp on the 25 [man roster]. My mindset is to compete, be ready and able to be a successful option for the team [in] 2014. Saying that, I believe I am ready to close and could execute on a daily basis. But I just want to face hitters, because getting guys out is the most satisfying feeling in the world. [Laughs].
Describe what your offseason workout routine is like. Is it mostly lifting and running, or do you incorporate activities like yoga into the mix too?
As it pertains to working out, I have been lifting 4 days a week and doing yoga at least 5 times a week. Yoga has been my focus the last 2 offseasons and I see the benefits first hand and know it is working. Flexibility and strength go hand in hand and it's important to have both equally. I have been playing catch 4 days a week to about 70 ft or so.
Do you ever look at advanced statistics (for self-improvement or leisure) or are you more of a traditionalist? If the former, are there certain advanced statistics or particular "stat-heavy" websites/blogs you analyze/read?
I actually never looked at a report [until] I got to the Mets. Hawk [LaTroy Hawkins] actually planted that seed and now I just pick [a] few things here and there about certain [opposing hitters] if I believe it can take an at-bat to 1 or 2 pitches as opposed to 5 or 6. Simple things though, nothing too crazy.
Who was your baseball/pitching idol growing up?
Idol? Hmm, well, I truthfully never watched ESPN [until] college, so baseball was just something I did and loved. But I've always liked watching relievers in general. No [reliever] is the same, which makes it so interesting–they are all good.
Did you do anything fun (non-baseball related) this offseason?
I went and took my dad camping and fishing in Colorado for a week and plan on hunting a little bit down the road when the pheasant really get going. But baseball [and preparing for it] is my love and it's what I do even in the offseason.
What's the best food/restaurant you've experienced in New York City?
I unfortunately haven't been able to get to some awesome restaurants. I did, [however,] crush the street vendors. But I do have a main hobby: and that is eating. I try and eat somewhere new each time, which is why New York is so exciting. You can literally eat somewhere new every time!
Make sure to follow Vic Black on Twitter at @Vic_Black_2.


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Colombia UFO Fleet - Fake Or Potatoes?
A large crowd of people gather in a shopping district of Pereira, Colombia as a huge swarm of objects cruise across the sky. Reports supposedly came flooding in from across the area, but is this particular video a fraud? Notice how the camera never actually pans up from the gawking crowd to the objects in the sky. Many people have commented that this is just a crudely put together fake, but do the multiple witnesses in the Pereira area make this a genuine sighting?
As Open Minds points out, a local newspaper has confirmed that there were indeed objects in the sky that day. However, La Tarde revealed they weren't UFOs at all, they were in fact a fleet of Potato bombs set off by local university students in a protest against healthcare reforms.
The footage of the objects in the sky is reminiscent of thisUFO fleet from Mexico last year, which means that this is either an incredible coincidence or a simple case of mistaken identity. Still, this is probably the first time that I have heard of potatoes as an explanation for UFOs!
Finally, for those of you wondering what exactly a potato bomb is, La Tarde describe them as creole potatoes attached to helium balloons which allow them to float through the air.


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Everyday Heroes Redux
The continuing adventures of Mr. Mighty, a minor-league superhero in Indianapolis. Also appearing are his wife Jane (a retired villainess), daughter Summer (teenager unhappy about developing superpowers), and son Steve (normal boy, just starting to notice girls). Stories deal with both superhero adventures and domestic problems. Truth! Justice! Lawn care!
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Reply Advertisement, May 20th, 2019, 4:41 am
User's Comments:
Reply Hogan, October 11th, 2015, 2:14 pm
Okay.. how long did it take you to come up with that acronym... and how many times must you repeat that laugh? :D
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JAKARTA: Indonesia will delay until 2020 trade rules requiring exporters of coal and crude palm oil to use only Indonesian-flagged vessels, which had raised concerns over the availability of local vessels, government officials said, putting off efforts to develop local shipping and save foreign exchange reserves.
The decision to postpone the rules by two years may come as a relief to the coal, palm oil and shipping industries, which had raised concerns over the availability of local vessels. Indonesia is the world's biggest exporter of thermal coal and the top producer of palm oil.
The rules, that were due to take effect this month and intended to boost the archipelago's shipping industry, were initially postponed in February.
"The trade ministry regulation will be revised," Oke Nurwan, director general of foreign trade at the Trade Ministry, told Reuters by text message on Wednesday, adding that there was a "high probability" the policy will be postponed for two years as announced on Tuesday.
"Hopefully next week it will be complete," Nurwan added, referring to the revision.
Ministers and government officials on Tuesday had met to discuss the regulation, and had decided "the timing will be adjusted," Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto told reporters after the meeting.
"A special two-year period will be given for shipping (industries)," he said.
The government will push for so-called cost, insurance and freight (CIF) shipping contracts, allowing exporters to choose transportation, whereas most shipments are currently made on a free-on-board (FOB) basis, Airlangga said.
"We can save foreign currency and at the same time develop our national shipping industry," he said.
Rules mandating the insurance of shipments by Indonesian insurers would still be imposed with an additional grace period of three months from when the trade rules were initially due to come into effect in May.
"This is a matter of readiness. As long as national shipping companies are ready, we'll support this," said Hendra Sinadia, executive director of the Indonesian Coal Mining Association.
"As long as there's clarity going forward and this doesn't burden exporters in principal, it's no problem," he said.
Source: By Wilda Asmarini / Rueters
04 April 2018


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My name is Willem Klopper. In daily life I am a teacher at a primary school in Assendelft, Zaanstad, the Netherlands. In 2005 I started photographing with a digital camera. Before that, I was also photographing, but not as much as now. When I joined a photo contest for fun in these days, I was really surprised when my photo was chosen out of 60,000 others to win this Canon-contest. With the camera and the lenses I won, this hobby became more serious for me.
Winner Canon contest in the category: playing with food
I love music. I regurlarly visit concerts and always bring my photogear with me. Through my photos I met lots of bands and musicians who liked my pictures.
I was the photographer of the Dutch band Intwine and made lots of photos during their tours. Until they quit they used my photos for posters and cd covers.
Also in the progrock-scene my photos are used and well known. Bands like Marillion, Pendragon, IQ, Spock's Beard, Neal Morse, enz. used my photos for CD- en DVD-covers and articles in magazines.
I was asked to become the house-photographer of "De Waerdse Tempel", a big concert hall in Heerhugowaard. (2300 persons). In the few years I worked there as a concertphotographer, I was there at all concerts and my pictures were used for the website of the Waerdse Tempel.
A few names of bands and artists I photographed there:
Golden Earring
Marco Borsato
Joe Bonamassa
Jethro Tull
Ilse de Lange
van Velzen
de Dijk
Within Temptation
Solomon Burke
Kool and the Gang
Alan Parsons
Guus Meeuwis
Paul Carrack
Living Colour
The Dubliners
Racoon … and many others.
In 2017 heb ik de winnende foto gemaakt van de ELFIA-fotowedstrijd. Deze foto zal komend jaar op de posters en folders van Elfia te zien zijn. Dit is een festival met 15000 bezoekers. (www.elfia.com)


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WARRIGALA 2015 - Warrigal Road State School Fete
- Where: Warrigal Road State School 314 Warrigal Road, Eight Mile Plains, Qld 4113 AU
29th December, 2015, 10:00 AM - 29th August, 2015, 4:00 PM
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Warrigal Road State School "Warrigala"
Saturday, August 29 - 10am to 4.00pm
Warrigal Road State School, the largest primary school in Queensland, will hold its Warrigala Fete on Saturday 29th August.
For everyone's enjoyment there will be student performances, fairground rides, raffles, Sideshow Games, Stalls, displays and much more.
Lovers of fine food can expect a fabulous selection of delicious International Flavours, Home-made Cakes, and delightful Sweets.
A wide variety of Markets Stalls, Raffles, and Live Performances with keep mum and dad entertained throughout the day.
Children will enjoy all the fun of the fair, with our traditional Carnival attractions, including the biggest and best Amusement Rides, Sideshow Games, Face Painting, Fairy Floss and Petting Zoo.
This is a multicultural event with something for everyone, so come along and experience a fantastic day out like no other!
Warrigala will be held on the Warrigal Road school grounds - 314 Warrigal Road, Eight Mile Plains.
Gates open at 10.00am - entry is free - see you there!
Rides * International Food Stalls * Fairy Floss * Craft Stalls * 2nd Hand Books * Ice Cream Sodas * BBQ * Cake Stall * Performances * Popcorn * Raffles * Market Stalls * Games and Fun Activities * Animal Farm * and So Much More.


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Maria Anna Elina Toivio Kinnucan
May 24th, 2019
Irene Gonzales
May 23rd, 2019
An altered version of an 1875 Revolver patent.
Hello to one and all, I would like to welcome you back if you have visited my site previously. If this is the first time you are visiting my site, I welcome you and hope you enjoy the many pictures I have posted. I first started using my artistic talents by painting with oils and acrylics. With practice and time, I eventually sold some of my paintings to the public as well as my friends. Due to the lack of time and other commitments, I was unable to pursue painting for quite awhile. I am now at a point in my life where I can again paint and photograph wildlife and other pictures of nature. While traveling around the U.S. and cruising, I have been able to capture many beautiful scenes of nature which includes, animals,...
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If you're not happy with a purchase that you made on FineArtAmerica.com, for any reason, you can return it to us within 30 days of the order date. As soon as it arrives, we'll issue a full refund for the entire purchase price. Please note - Fine Art America does not reimburse the outgoing or return shipping charges unless the return is due to a defect in quality.
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text: "Getting to the heart of money matters" is the credo of my company. I run workshops for women which focus on your money and your emotions. Most of us don't realize how much our emotions play into our money decisions and that by building our awareness about this, we can get control of our financial lives. My goal is to help women to gain confidence and competence about everything money. MyMoneyMindset consists of an online assessment tool, workshops, resources and coaching. Building trust with my clients is my number one goal and helping them to achieve their dreams is the best outcome possible!


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Better Place Replaces CEO Shai Agassi
Tell me if you saw this one coming; after getting off to a slower-than-expected start, shareholders in Project Better Place have outed Shai Agassi as CEO of the electric car infrastructure company. While Agassi remains a major shareholder, his replacement does not bode well for the company's future prospects.
Project Better Place wants to be an all-encompassing electric car company, selling EVs as well as charging stations and battery swapping stations. Co-based on California and Israel, Agassi hoped to pare down the price of electric vehicles by charging customers a subscription-based fee for access to the battery swapping and charging infrastructure.
This would allow EVs to be sold at a lower cost, and Agassi partnered with French carmaker Renault in developing a battery swapping version of the Fluence EV. So far, Better Place has installed a total of 36 swapping stations; 24 in Israel and 12 in Denmark, with more being added every week, though they've reportedly sold only 140 vehicles, most of those to Better Place employees.
Alas, the concept doesn't seem to be working. Project Better Place has reportedly recorded losses of $437 million since its founding five years ago. Yet after five years the company has just 750 customers, despite raising $750 million in venture capital and being valued at $2.2 billion. I'm no business major, but those figures don't seem exactly sustainable. No wonder shareholders want a new CEO, even though Agassi gave what is widely considered an impressive speech at the 2009 TED event.
Agassi will be replaced by Evan Thornley, CEO of the Australian branch of Better Place, another target market. Thornley was in part responsible for working with GM in developing an electric version of the Holden Commodore sedan. This Commodore EV recently set a record for most electric miles driven in a day, going nearly 1,200 miles in just 24 hours. This certainly displays the potential of battery swapping technology, at least on a small scale.
There is still hope for Project Better Place, and perhaps replacing Shai Agassi as CEO will be a good thing in the long run. Then again, Agassi was reportedly quite the personality, and the biggest believer in Better Place. Can Thornley step up to the plate and take Better Place to the next level? Or is the idea of battery swapping just not a good one?
Source: Forbes