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Retirement gifts for women, our selection of the most awesome gifts of all types of retirement gifts for women!
Unique retirement gifts for women
Goatskin Leather Gardening Gloves
We start off the best retirement gifts for women with these unique goatskin leather gardening gloves. These rose pruning gloves are made out of 100% natural goat grain, offering a premium feel and plenty of protection. Perfect for the retiring women as these are ergonomically designed to make it easier to grip garden tools (perfect for people with arthritis).
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Bird Shaped Letter Opener
This bird shaped letter opener sure is a unique gift for any women looking to retire, and is made out of stainless steel and crafted in italy. A superb gift idea for someone about to go into retirement.
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Fortnum & Mason British Tea
Bring english inspiration into your retirement gift with this Fortnum & Mason British Tea, accompanied in a lovely gift tin caddy. It has a sturdy and refreshing taste, perfect for drinking at any point of the day. A rather splendid gift I must say!
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This piece of technology needs no introduction, and has been flying off the shelves in the past few years. If your retiring giftee does not have a Fitbit, you should consider this as one of your retirement gifts. A great retirement gift for any women who looks to track their activity, heart rate and sleep throughout the day.
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Homemade Gin Kit
A go-to gift for that retiring person who loves enjoying their drink and fancies making their own concoction with friends! This makes a 750ml volume of fine gin, which is often plenty enough to enjoy multiple occasions!
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Mont Blanc Gold Fountain Pen
A true rolls royce of the pen world, this Mont Blanc 145-Meisterstuck is a fantastic fountain pen with writes extremely silky with very little tooth, whilst also providing a perfect balance and feel. Although rather pricy, this would make a superb gift for any retiring women, and would definitely not be forgotten.
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Marc Jacobs Passport Holder
The perfect gift for the retiring women who (almost) has everything! This will provide a small dose of luxury to someones everyday life, made out of 100% cow leather and available in 3 striking and lovely colors.
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Croquet Set
Inject plenty of fun into retirement with this great wooden croquet set, a great gift for anyone about to retire.
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Retirement gifts for women coworkers
Charbonnel et Walker Pink Champagne Truffles
Well known as the master chocolatiers in Britain since 1875, the Pink Champagne Truffles offered by Charbonnel & Walker would make a well-thought gift for any retiring women with a sweet tooth.
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Kindle E-Reader
The perfect gift for any retiring bookworm, this handy piece of kit holds thousands of books, lasts for weeks on a single charge and allows you to get lost in your story.
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Crystal Glasses
Perfect for drinking scotch or whiskey, this set of crystal glasses set in the Marquis by Waterford Markham pattern would make a good gift for any retiring women who likes quality glassware.
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Crystal Wine Decanter
A well-thought gift for any retiring wine lover, this wine decanter is made out of lead-free crystal, features a easy pour spout and is the perfect size for a standard 750ml bottle of wine.
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Ergonomic Digging Fork
The perfect gift for that retiring women who wants to garden right through their older years without having to put too much strain on their body when using a conventional digging fork. This ergonomic digging fork is designed to minimize hand and wrist stress, helping those who suffer from arthritis. A great price, too.
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Budget retirement gifts for women
Travel Tin Candle
A well-thought out gift, at under $15, for any retiring women.
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Fiskars Kangaroo Gardening Bag
A more practical gift than the travel tin candle for those retiring women who are in to their gardening.
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Brass Picture Frame
Picture frames always make a great gift for any occasion, including retirement. This particular photo frame is striking in design and made from high quality brass, differentiating it from a standard photo frame and makes for a truly unique retirement gift.
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Ferrero Collection Chocolates
A great budget retirement gift for that women who loves her chocolate!
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Funny retirement gifts for women
Officially Retired Tiara
A great gag gift to let everyone know that she is officially retired!
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'101 Fun Things to do in Retirement' Book
A outrageous, funny and relevant guide to enjoying life after work! A great retirement gift for that women who doesn't take herself to seriously!
Find it here
Retirement gifts for mom
Leather Jewelry Tray
If your giftee is always losing their jewelry then perhaps this premium leather jewelry tray could be the perfect match for a retirement gift?!
Find it here
iPad Pro 9.7-inch
Probably the ultimate retirement gift on our list for women… This iPad does not need much of an introduction but can pretty much do everything and anything. This gift will likely make their year!
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Singer Heavy Duty Sewing Machine
The Singer Heavy Duty Sewing Machine is our recommendation as a retirement gift for that mom who is always sewing, repairing or crafting new things!
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Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners
A great book delving into the growing techniques and seed storage for vegetable gardeners. A lovely retirement gift for the mom who loves her gardening!
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Neutrogena Anti-Wrinkle Cream
A bit of a tongue and cheek retirement gift for mom, but will definitely be appreciated none-the-less!
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Posy Vase
A small posy vase perfect for any room of the house, a great gift to surprise your mom during her retirement.
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Lol, I've always wanted to say that in my special announcer voice. Win.
So after successfully completing my sci-fi novel I'm returning to my old friend, Dreamshapers. I've been reading through the first draft and I think I finally found the weak point that was causing me to fall apart. I was missing Lambent early on! I guess some distance was a good thing (Thanks Rad) and now I can get back into it.
I'm actually outlining this time too. I think the Dream World needs it. I was just running around before, which was helpful because now I understand it better, but having gone through once I'm ready to actually plan it out this time around.
Hopefully the next time I post I'll be on my way. :)
- /^>
night · craft · er [ˈnaɪtˌ-kraf-ter], noun;
1. One who creates within darkness.
2. One who commands nightmare creatures [See DREG].
3. One who manipulates the fears and emotions of others to their advantage.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Novel First Draft! COMPLETE!
So it's a day past NaNo and I've finally brought the first draft of my novel to an end. 60,549 words. Wow I was right about how much more it would be past 50. That's almost exactly 10K.
This is the first time I've ever completed something like this. I can't tell you what it means to me personally. It's a milestone I'll never forget. I've completely fallen head over heels for these characters who've become so close to me and told me their innermost secrets.
It needs a major re-write of course, but the heart of it is there and it's beating good and loud. It's even ended and left room for another if I really wanted to. OMG Space Ninjas next. :) It could totally happen next year, NaNo, next year! What do you say? I think I'll just worry about getting this one done first, lol. What do you say NaNo? Sounds good to you, you say. Congratulations, author. You've done it.
This is a day I'll never forget. :) Now I have to go save it in a billion places and send it out to my peeps - and get some feedback for draft number two! And what's next Joanie?
Holy crap do I need some sleep. I'm with Rad on this one. One bed, please. Kthnxnight.
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Actress TORI SPELLING's wish to reprise her role in hit TV show BEVERLY HILLS,
90210 has been granted – she will return to the part that shot her to fame in a
new spin-off series.
The star – whose late father, TV producer Aaron Spelling, created the
original show – has finally confirmed rumors she will be joining her pal
Jennie Garth, who plays Kelly Taylor, in the forthcoming program.
And she is excited at the prospect of returning "home" to see what happens to
her character Donna Martin, who was last seen marrying her high school
sweetheart David Silver in the 2000 series finale.
According to a show representative, Martin will "own one of the coolest
stores in Beverly Hills", reports People.com.
Spelling says, "Donna Martin was such a huge part of my life. It's going to
be so fun to work with Jennie (Garth) again and see where Donna is today.
"Donna loved designing and wanted a career in fashion. It'll be fun to
explore that storyline. And, I'm sure fans will be dying to know if she's still
married to David!
"When they say you can't go home again, its not true. I'm headed back to the
zip code I know best and couldn't be happier!"


text: Seller: strandstampcentre (5.616) 99.9%, Location: London, Ships to: Americas, Europe, Asia, AU, Item: 301871074901 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Antigua & Barbuda 1993 Granada - Spanish Paintings - U/M - SG 1416-23 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *** IMPORTANT - SEE BELOW FOR OUR POSTAGE & PACKING CHARGES *** UK Shipping = FREE Europe Shipping = £3.00 (UP TO £25 total order value) If OVER £25, the order will ONLY be sent by the "International Signed For" service in accordance with Ebay/Paypal requirements and that will be £7.50 (whatever the final order value – You will NOT pay more than that £7.50). Rest of the World Shipping = £7.50 "International Signed For" service in accordance with Ebay/Paypal requirements (whatever the final order value – You will NOT pay more than that £7.50). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Guarantee We offer a 'no quibble' guarantee on all your purchases within 14 days, provided the goods are returned in an 'unused' and 'as received' condition. About us We are a large "Collectors Shop" based in the Strand in Central London, and we are just 10 doors away from the famous Savoy Hotel, we have been here for twenty years… Our 'Collectors Shop' is open 7 days a week with our aim to cover all things philatelic. The 'Office & Administration' Departments are there 6 days a week. We are PTS members and we are one of the few UACC Registered Dealers in London. We specialise in all aspects of stamps, and are renowned for our stock of First Day Covers, which is one of the largest in the UK. We also deal in autographs, many of which we have acquired at personal signings. We have over the years hosted a number of these signing events in our own Strand shop, and they have proved to be very popular! Please bookmark our eBay site - we aim to add at least 100 items a week to it, so there should always be something new to see Powered by eBay Turbo Lister Condition: Please see the item description for further details.


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Coke Vending Machine Uses Finger Pulse Recognition To Sell Soda
A new vending machine, uses Hitachi's finger vein authentication technology to dispense Coke bottles.
At the RetailTech 2010 exhibition in Japan, a new Coca Cola vending machine was demonstrated which uses Hitachi's finger vein authentication technology to dispense Coke bottles. This biometric system employs finger pulse recognition to authenticate a user after which his credit card or account is automatically debited. The technology may be safer and more convenient than conventional e-money systems since it does not need any passwords or IDs. The users can also register their postal and email addresses to claim free samples directly through the digital signage built into the vending machine.


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Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I finally get out of Kirksville tomorrow! Ok, the list of things to do today is still insanely long, but still, TOMORROW!!!
My sugar's out of whack again. I need to drink a couple glasses of *bleh* water. I'm really hoping that we'll get out of class early. My hands are definitely shaking right now. Yuck. I'm fine... it just happens when I don't drink enough water and eat/drink too many carbs. Actually, I think I might ask her if I can leave in a few minutes to go take care of this.
I'm having a fat day. You know those days where, even if you aren't fat and don't look it even to yourself in the mirror, but you feel like you're about 300 pounds? I've got that feeling today. I look fine, unless the mirrors are screwed up, but I feel like I have a 60 inch waist (as wide as I am high!). Again, maybe water will help that.
Well, I'll try to add more thoughts later. One thing that will be vastly fascinating will be to see how many bulk messages will be in my yahoo bulk folder when I get back a week from Saturday. I got close to 40 this morning alone. I'm predicting 4-digit numbers.


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'Blind faith' - A4 PRINT
New 'Blind faith' print from Lozzy Bones. (logo watermark will NOT be on print)
-A4 heavy weight digital print on recycled matte stock.
{Please allow up to 2 weeks for arrival in the UK and 2 - 4 weeks for US delivery}. If you would like tracked delivery please contact me before purchasing}


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2017 Brings New Year, New Rules, New Deadlines: Forms W-2 and 1099-MISC for 2016
The countdown has begun. Year-end company parties are in full swing, families are getting together to celebrate the holidays, and the 2016 year is coming to a close. Before we all know it, we will wake up to a new year. With 2017 in our view, there are several things you need to know now in order to prepare for the changes.
Beginning in 2017, for the 2016 reporting year, the deadlines related to filing Forms W-2 and 1099-MISC are changing. The recipient copies must now be submitted to the Social Security Administration and Internal Revenue Service, respectively, by January 31, by either paper or electronically filed. This is a significant change from years past when the deadline to report to the agencies was February 28 and a 30-day extension was available.
Compressing the time frame will no doubt add plenty of extra work, as well as confusion, to this otherwise regular step in year-end reporting.
To complicate matters further, the changes related to the 1099-MISC form will only affect filers who report nonemployee compensation payments in Box 7. Since the majority of filers will report information in that box, an understanding of these changes and how they may affect you are of the utmost importance heading into the new year.
The IRS recently eliminated the automatic 30-day extension of time (using Form 8809) to file W-2 forms. You may want to consider filing recipient copies early in January in order to have the time to correct any issues prior to January 31.
If The Marston Group, PLC typically prepares your Forms W-2 or 1099-MISC, we ask that you give us your information (including up-to-date copies of Form W-9 for all 1099 recipients) no later than January 10, 2017. We appreciate your cooperation with helping us meet the new IRS/SSA filing deadline.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our firm directly at (901) 761-3003. As always, we are here to help you.


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Florida's prison system would undergo a historic overhaul that would require the troubled agency to report to an independent oversight board with the power to investigate and crack down on abuse and wrongdoing, under a proposal filed Friday by a key senator.
Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, the chairman of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, filed a 40-page amendment to SB 7020 that weakens the governor's authority over the Department of Corrections in the wake of mounting evidence that the agency can no longer police itself.
The agency has been pummeled by reports of suspicious inmate deaths, allegations of cover-ups, and claims by whistleblowers that its chief inspector general has sabotaged investigations and ignored inmate abuse. Reported use-of-force incidents have nearly doubled in the past five years, and critics say it has led to widespread abuse among untrained prison guards working 12-hour shifts in understaffed prisons.
Under the plan, which Evers hopes will win legislative approval, future DOC secretaries would be appointed by the governor but would require consent of the independently elected Cabinet — a move that would dilute the governor's control over the agency that has seen massive budget cutbacks and four secretaries in four years.
"There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come," said Allison DeFoor, director of the Project on Accountable Justice, a consortium of four universities that recommended the oversight board as one of the reforms needed to bring more accountability to the prison system.
He said that many governors have tried to fix Florida's prisons and he believes legislators have concluded that Scott and Julie Jones, his latest DOC secretary, now need outside help.
"As Albert Einstein said, 'the mind that created the problem cannot solve it,''' DeFoor said. "So it's time to round up a posse and get this fixed."
The amendment, which will be taken up at a Monday meeting of Evers' committee, builds on a bill proposed by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, and a first draft of a proposal offered by Evers. It would create a nine-member Florida Corrections Commission, appointed by the governor, whose members would be subject to Senate confirmation.
The bill also would impose penalties on employees caught using inappropriate force against inmates, require private medical companies to carry liability insurance in the event that negligent medical care results in harm to an inmate, and attempt to prevent retaliation against those who speak up.
The oversight board would begin as soon as Oct. 15, 2015, and have the power to investigate allegations of corruption, fraud and inmate abuse, as well as review budget proposals and make policy recommendations. The board could conduct unannounced inspections of all prisons, including those operated by private prison contractors. It would do regular "security audits" focusing on the institutions with the most violent inmates. And it would have the power to determine how effective video cameras are, and whether there are blind spots intended to shield areas from view.
"The goal is to bring accountability and transparency and give oversight to an agency that demonstrated that they can't get there on their own," Evers said, but he considers it only a first step. "I don't feel it's perfect, but we can't get there overnight."
For example, the amendment would leave in place the structure of the inspector general system, which allows the office that is supposed to investigate wrongdoing, corruption, fraud and abuse within the department to report to the same officials he is assigned to investigate.
Five whistleblowers have filed lawsuits against Inspector General Jeffery Beasley and the department for allegedly retaliating against them for claiming there was possible criminal wrongdoing and cover-up in the gassing death of Randall Jordan-Aparo at Franklin Correctional Institution. The amendment fails to identify a source to fund the oversight commission.
Bradley, however, said he would support removing the investigators from the DOC to provide the staff needed for the oversight board to do the inspections, and is confident that detail can be worked out in the budget committee.
The troubles brewing inside Florida's prison system came to light last May when the Miami Herald told the story of inmate Darren Rainey at Dade Correctional Institution. The 50-year-old, who suffered from mental illness, was locked in a scalding-hot shower that fellow inmates say was rigged to inflict pain and used on several prisoners. He was left in the shower for as long as two hours, until he collapsed and died.
Documents showed that investigations into Rainey's death languished as neither the department nor Miami-Dade police approached key witnesses for interviews. In a series of stories the Herald chronicled the suspicious deaths and abuse of other inmates. One inmate, Jordan-Aparo, died after he was gassed in a small cell while pleading to be taken to the hospital for a medical condition. In other cases, inmates died mysteriously or were beaten under questionable conditions.
Evers and other senators began demanding answers from DOC, and Evers and his counterpart in the House. Rep. Larry Metz, began making surprise inspections at prisons in North and Central Florida.
The amendment "is a huge step in the right direction toward restoring trust in the department," Bradley said Friday. "We will not have true reform unless we have an independent oversight board."
The nine-member commission would be made up of members from different regions of the state and consist of a sheriff, a state attorney, a public defender, a pastor or prison chaplain, a community leader and a business leader.
Inmate healthcare also would come under increased scrutiny, as the oversight board would have the ability to monitor medical reports, and families of inmates could pay for independent medical exams that the private providers would be required to recognize. Since the state turned over inmate healthcare to two private prison vendors Corizon and Wexford, complaints of medical neglect and poor treatment have increased and are believed to be contributing to the record number of inmate deaths.
The bill also would provide non-violent, elderly inmates the opportunity to be eligible for special medical leave, and inmates who are military veterans would be given special housing options.


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The neighborhood parents call it the Tower of Death. It is a 12-foot-tall cone, fashioned from metal bars and covered with several layers of chipping paint, and it looms over a tiny Algiers Point toddler park at the corner of Verret and Pelican streets. There is no protective surfacing under the Tower -- nor under the park's swings or the old metal slide.
On this recent afternoon, mothers have placed a square of plywood over the waterlogged gully at the bottom of the slide to protect the 2-year-olds zooming down. When one toddler slips from the top of the ladder and plops into the mud below, her mother rushes over to make sure she was OK. Two other children splash happily in puddles under the swing set.
The park, officially titled Kiwanis Playground but locally known as Confetti Park after the design on its fence, is owned and maintained by the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD). Like many of New Orleans' 100-plus public playgrounds, Confetti Park is desperately in need of renovation. According to a recently released national report on playground safety by the US Public Interest Research Group (US-PIRG) and the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), each of the 18 play areas surveyed in New Orleans contained unsafe conditions.
Among the most obvious hazards are a lack of protective surfacing under climbing equipment and swings, climbers that are too high, and poorly placed equipment that can lead to dangerous falls or swing collisions. Less noticeable -- but equally troubling -- are railings that can trap a child's head and cause suffocation, hooks or hardware that can become entangled in clothing, and possible toxic hazards like pressure-treated wood and chipping paint.
Local parents confirm that too many neighborhood parks offer a shabby, depressing play environment for the city's children. But according to the US-PIRG/CFA report, this city is not alone in its playground woes. Even in locales without the budget troubles of New Orleans, American children's public play spaces have been shamefully neglected for the past 20 years.
"The big problem is that right now there are no national playground safety guidelines," says Johanna Neumann, campaign director for US-PIRG in Louisiana, who conducted the local survey with her staff. "The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has enacted voluntary guidelines, but it's important that state and local governments step in where the federal government has left off."
The Consumer Federation of America has drafted a model law on playground safety, which has been adopted by a few states and cities. Research shows that state and city legislation can be effective in reducing playground risk: according to the US-PIRG/CFA report, a 1996 law passed in North Carolina requiring all new playgrounds to conform to CPSC guidelines led to a 22-percent decrease in playground injuries in the state's childcare centers.
"To me, the most troubling aspect is the lack of protective surfacing on almost all playgrounds," says Neumann, leading a recent walk through the Fleur de Lis playground in Lakeview. "If a child were to fall, they would risk serious injury." Neumann points out ancient swings and monkey bars with only bare earth and exposed tree roots beneath them. Other hazards: a newer-looking climber with numerous places for head entrapment; tot swings alongside regular swings, creating a collision risk; and a pivot point on the swings that's much higher than the recommended 8 feet, which allows kids to soar but also places them at greater risk of injury.
Dr. Keith Perrin, the chairman of the statewide advocacy group Louisiana Safe Kids, believes that the US-PIRG/CFA report might actually understate the dangers of local playgrounds. As Perrin sees it, even more stringent safety standards could be imposed than those suggested by the study. For example, swings made of a rigid, but yielding material and hung from enclosed straps are safer than the usual pliable plastic flaps suspended from chain links. "It's a money issue," Perrin says. "To build an extremely safe playground is extremely expensive. NORD is trying, but the survey only touches the tip of the problems."
Perrin says he often sees playground injuries in his pediatric practice. Such injuries have doubled since the early '80s, he adds, because of the deteriorating condition of playgrounds. He describes the results of such deterioration: "Usually bumps and bruises, cuts and scrapes, some broken bones. There isn't a lot of mortality -- only about 15 per year nationally. Eye injuries and head injuries are the most significant. Bumps and bruises you can get beyond. Head injuries you can't."
But Perrin also points out another playground consideration: fun. The entire playground environment has lately been reinvented with the problem of safety -- and, Perrin acknowledges, liability -- in mind. Older equipment that many parents and children once considered essential to fun -- merry-go-rounds, seesaws -- is now deemed too dangerous, both by safety advocates and legal advisers. Balancing fun, safety and liability can be tricky.
"There have been lawsuits if a child is injured on a playground," Perrin says. "Whenever you talk about safety and fun -- whether it's baseball, swimming -- you have to accept risk. That allows you to have some measure of fun. But none of it comes without risk. I think swings will stay, slides will stay, modified monkey bar systems will stay."
Along with Perrin, NORD director Charlene Braud joined a recent US-PIRG tour of the safety hazards of Uptown's Danneel Playspot. Braud applauds the publicity that the US-PIRG study has brought to her agency's problems. "People need to be aware that we can't make a change overnight with the budget that we have," she cautions. "We all want safe playgrounds for our kids."
New Orleans enjoys a much higher number of play areas than many cities, Braud says, but has a much smaller budget to maintain them. "In the past eight years, the city has done a lot to try to upgrade some of the playground equipment. But as a whole they need lots of renovation -- not just equipment. They've been neglected for a very long time."
In Braud's first year on the job, NORD has made capital improvements such as basketball court renovation, and has performed what she calls "Band-Aid measures" like painting and swing repair. The city agency is limited by what Braud calls "a shoestring budget."
The City of New Orleans Capital Improvement Program has budgeted $8,220,000 for NORD over the next five years. The department requested $1 million for new playground equipment, but received only $400,000. NORD has also requested more than $25 million for capital improvements to various playgrounds, pools, gyms and community centers, and has been granted less than $5 million. Other citywide playground improvements already included in the five-year budget, like shelter roofing, painting, playground lighting, and fencing, will cost more than $1 million. But of the $699,930 NORD requested for general NORD Playspot repairs in the next five years, the city has budgeted nothing.
The current situation didn't come about overnight, Braud says. "There was a time in the '80s when NORD took a big budget hit. They lost a lot of personnel and capital funding. That's almost 20 years of not enough upkeep and training in playground safety." But she is optimistic, pointing out that NORD has finally begun to schedule the total renovation of the city's playgrounds. "The money has come in and we are ready to spit out seven or eight of them this year," she says, adding that renovations will include landscaping, lighting, benches, water fountains and bike racks, as well as new play structures and sports fields.
Braud is sending two NORD employees to the National Playground Safety Institute to ensure that new playgrounds will conform to current safety standards. She is also pursuing ideas for nontraditional playgrounds, like skate parks and "sprayground" water parks. All of the renovated playgrounds will conform to the Americans with Disabilities Act's guidelines for wheelchair access.
Most of the planning and fundraising for the upcoming playground overhaul will be done by the nonprofit group Friends of NORD, which has raised about $3.5 million for NORD since it was founded by local business executives in 1994. In 2000 -- her second year in the position -- Friends of NORD executive director Nancy Broadhurst started work on a program called Project Playground, a plan to renovate 75 of the city's public play areas. Project Playground's first five-year plan proposes to complete 31 playgrounds by 2006 at a cost of about $14 million -- the group has raised $1 million so far.
Each playground will cost between $180,000 and $500,000, and NORD will contribute $20,000 to each site from city bond funds. The bulk of the money will come from individual and corporate contributions, state financing from programs like the Louisiana Stadium Exposition District Fund (LSED), and federal grants such as the National Park Service Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery Program for parks in low-income areas. Friends of NORD also hopes to create an endowment to supplement NORD's maintenance budget for the new playgrounds.
Many local parents and neighborhood activists are grateful for the help. "Friends of NORD has been a godsend," says Bari Landry, who sits on the board of the Lakeview Civic Association and is involved in planning the redesign of Fleur de Lis Playground and McKay Playspot. "They rely on neighborhood groups to spearhead the project. Our job is to bring in representatives from the neighborhood, schools and churches to discuss how the playground is used, how they want to see it used. In the meantime, Friends of NORD is raising funds for what needs to be done."
Broadmoor Playspot, the first park on the five-year plan, is currently under construction. The small playground at the meeting point of Napoleon Avenue and Broad Street is scheduled to be completed in early August. Dr. Anne Hallock, president of the Broadmoor Improvement Association, says the park was "miserably deteriorated"; she praises Friends of NORD's work, saying that the foundation had come to her group repeatedly for advice and feedback.
"Nancy Broadhurst is hardworking, meticulous and dedicated," she says. "It took a while to get the funding together, because the price kept going up and up. Mitch Landrieu, Diana Bajoie and Renee Gill Pratt all were instrumental in finding funds."
Yet despite these initial successes, some local playground activists express frustration at both NORD and Friends of NORD. All sides agree that playgrounds are in disrepair, and are pleased that the US-PIRG report has brought attention to the issue. But for some neighborhood groups, the point of contention is: What is the best way to fix the parks? The city, on the other hand, faces the question of how much latitude to give neighborhood groups in repairing these parks.
In the years before Project Playground got underway, several local neighborhood groups took matters into their own hands to rescue dilapidated and dangerous playgrounds. Five years ago, a group of new parents in Mid-City formed a group called Earthlings, which raised enough money in three years to rebuild the burned-out Desmare Playground on Esplanade Avenue. In 1999, community activists renovated Norman Playground in Algiers. The Lakeview Booster Club will soon install new equipment in Delgado Playground, for which it raised about $30,000. And Algiers Point residents have banded together in a group called Confetti Kids Inc. to collect funds for new play structures in Confetti Park.
J'Annine Sullivan, one of the original Earthlings, says that her group achieved its goals largely through grassroots organizing. "A bunch of us had babies in the neighborhood, and we'd go by Desmare and it was a burned-down shelter, a safety hazard. There was no place for us to play." She says then-NORD director Vic Richards agreed to match the funds that Earthlings raised, and Friends of NORD offered to act as the group's fiscal agent to save them the trouble of forming a nonprofit organization.
Earthlings raised $45,000 with fundraising events like a "little Jazz Fest," which featured Coco Robichaux, the Iguanas, and other local musicians, and an LSED grant written with State Sen. Lambert Boissiere and Rep. Mitch Landrieu. Desmare is now one of the spiffier playgrounds in the city. "It is used; it's a diverse group," says Sullivan. "That was our goal. We accomplished it, and it was a hard road."
After finishing Desmare, Earthlings teamed up with the Lakeview Booster Club in 2000 and 2001 to plan two "Picnic in the Park" fundraisers for Delgado Playground. But Booster Club President Tony Bencsek says that $20,000 promised by the city has never materialized. "Obstacles kept arising," he says. "If I waited for NORD to give the $20,000 they promised under Vic Richards -- I was getting a little frustrated. In February 2002, the city said yes, we know we owe you $20,000, but we don't have it."
NORD agreed to allow the Boosters to do their own fundraising for Delgado; Bencsek's group pounded the pavement for a year. Perhaps owing to the fact that Delgado Playground is located in one of the city's more affluent neighborhoods, the playground will be completed this month.
In early 1999, Renee Melchiode was expecting her third child and upset that her neighborhood park, Norman Playground in Algiers, was in deplorable condition. "It was totally dilapidated," she says. "There was a giant field that was never mowed, and there were two slides that you'd slide down into a red ant pile." Melchiode says she called NORD and "screamed and yelled" at Vic Richards, who reportedly told her that if she could raise the money, she could have carte blanche to renovate the park.
Like Earthlings, Melchiode's group partnered with Friends of NORD to take advantage of its nonprofit status. But she says her group of mothers raised almost all of the $117,000 they needed on their own, with help from Richards, City Councilman Troy Carter, and State Rep. Jackie Clarkson. The group obtained $3,000 from Friends of NORD, she says. But the most important factor in reaching her goals, Melchiode says, was strong support from the Algiers community. From start to finish, it took Melchiode's group 10 months to renovate Norman Playground, which was finished in September 2000.
"Whenever I got discouraged, someone would come up with the name of a potential donor," Melchiode says. "It was a joint effort in the community."
Meanwhile, the Algiers Point community is still trying to fix up its hazardous playground. Kristin Gisleson-Palmer, co-president of Confetti Kids Inc., says her group approached NORD at the end of 2000 to ask for new play equipment for the run-down Confetti Park. They were told that no money was available, but interim director Ann Macdonald encouraged Gisleson-Palmer to investigate KaBOOM!, a nonprofit organization that helps grassroots groups plan and build new playgrounds using volunteer labor from the community. Macdonald -- who declined comment for this story -- had recently completed the KaBOOM! installation of a new playground in Pontchartrain Park, using "community build" volunteers from Home Depot and NORD to assemble the equipment in less than a day. KaBOOM!, which is based in Chicago, has architects on staff, and designed the Pontchartrain Park play structures free of charge, based on pictures and ideas sent in by neighborhood children.
"NORD was very nice about it," Gisleson-Palmer says. "I went to the KaBOOM! convention in Chicago. At the time, Ann Macdonald promised $20,000 of NORD money to our project, with $10,000 to go to Confetti and $10,000 to Delcazel playground (a nearby park which, at the time, was not on the NORD renovation list). We attached ourselves to an existing nonprofit, Old Algiers Main Street, and had our first gala fundraiser, Swing for Swings, in August 2001. We netted $18,000. Then we wrote an Algiers Economic Development Foundation (AEDF) grant for $15,000 to go for the joint renovation of Confetti and Delcazel."
Since then, that $15,000 grant and its stated purpose has been the subject of debate. "At a meeting last November," Gisleson-Palmer says, "Friends of NORD told us that it would be too expensive for them to renovate both Confetti and Delcazel, and that they wanted all the money which had been raised -- the AEDF grant, the $20,000 from NORD, and the $25,000 we had raised with Swing for Swings and other fundraisers -- to all go to Delcazel."
The check from AEDF -- made out to Friends of NORD -- bears a notation that suggests that the funds are earmarked for Delcazel. But AEDF executive director Belinda Littlewood calls that notation an "error," and says that the grant was always intended to be used for Delcazel and Confetti parks. "It was supposed to go to both parks," Littlewood says. "Once we give money to Friends of NORD, they're the fiduciary, but we intended for the money to be given to both parks. If something has occurred between Confetti Kids and Friends of NORD, I am not aware of it."
Confetti and Delcazel parks sit within blocks of each other. Confetti tends to be used by toddlers; Delcazel is popular with older kids. Broadhurst maintains that the AEDF grant was never intended to be used for Confetti Park, and that, in addition, Friends of NORD had been counting on some of the Swing for Swings funds for Delcazel.
Confetti Kids surrendered its claim to the AEDF and NORD funds last fall, but kept its Swing for Swings money. The group has since incorporated as a nonprofit organization with 70 member families, and is still working to buy new playground equipment. Confetti Kids Inc. remains actively involved in Friends of NORD's planning for Delcazel Playground.
Nancy Broadhurst describes the Confetti Kids situation as an unfortunate mix-up related to the changing leadership at NORD. "There was no animosity," she stresses. "You can't ask for a better group to work with. But had they not pulled out their money we probably would have started work on Delcazel last spring."
The KaBOOM! community build process used in Pontchartrain Park, Confetti Kids co-president Gisleson-Palmer says, would have enabled her group to complete Confetti Park by now, even with the reduced funding. But according to NORD director Braud, liability issues prevent NORD from continuing to allow community builds. This means Confetti Kids will have to spend $6,500 on professional installation in addition to purchasing the equipment. Gisleson-Palmer, who directed Operation Comeback's Christmas in October volunteer home renovation program from 1993 to 1998, is frustrated with NORD's policy.
"I think it is ludicrous," she says. "I used to have 4,000 volunteers working on 75 houses a year. That's the future -- using volunteer labor to leverage the cost. When I went to Chicago for the KaBOOM! conference I helped build a playground -- anyone can do it. Hundreds of communities across the country are doing this. For New Orleans not to be [doing likewise] is very shortsighted."
Gisleson-Palmer also expresses concern that NORD play areas are all starting to look alike, a problem she says could be solved by using the community build method to design and execute each park individually.
"We want a playground that is reflective of our community and inspiring to our children," she says. "Parents like to take their kids to different parks for different play experiences. If we have every playground in New Orleans green and tan, or by one manufacturer, that's not what our kids need."
But some uniformity allows for greater efficiency and economy, says NORD director Braud. "We have gone to a model -- all of our playgrounds will have interchangeable parts, and we'll have replacement pieces stockpiled," she says. "The play structures are modular, but they don't all look alike."
Both Gisleson-Palmer and the Booster Club's Tony Bencsek say that community builds can save thousands of dollars for installation, along with other expenses. "Confetti Kids Inc. put our benches in for free by doing the work ourselves," Gisleson-Palmer says. "The materials were donated by Bollinger Shipyards, and we hired the same local artist who created the confetti fence, Steve Kline, to make them."
Although the equipment at Delgado Playground will be professionally installed, Bencsek says, he was able to choose his own contractor since he was using private funds. "I saved $10,000 by not going to bid," he says. "I was able to shop around on my own. I spent a couple of months negotiating. Because of that I was able to go to a more expensive type of rubber surfacing, not the cheaper one NORD said we could use, and a 13-item playground instead of a seven-item playground."
Nonetheless, Broadhurst says, all playground groups in New Orleans must now go through Friends of NORD. The nonprofit group maintains an open-door policy for neighborhood organizations, but centralizing playground improvements will make it easier to raise funds for all parks, Broadhurst says. "We welcome any and all groups to work with us. When a neighborhood is interested in becoming involved, they work through our foundation. This is what donors want to see. We are trying to establish a coordinated effort."
That effort includes the group's premiere effort under Project Playground, Broadmoor Playspot, currently on schedule to be unveiled next month. The small playground at the meeting point of Napoleon Avenue and Broad Street will include swings, slides, a climbing structure, benches, water fountains, bicycle racks, trash receptacles and a wrought iron fence. It will also feature a garden spot tended by Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Next on the Project Playground list for 2002: Lake Vista, Wisner, Soraparu, Delcazel, Lemann I, F.P. Jackson, and Roffignac.
Future projects depend in part on neighborhood involvement, says Broadhurst. If a motivated group wants to renovate a playground that is not on the Project Playground list, her group will immediately put it in their five-year plan. As an example, she points to the site of the US-PIRG media tour of playground hazards -- which is now scheduled for work in 2003.
"Danneel Park was not on the list for next year," Broadhurst says. "It got involved because we had a motivated group that wanted to help -- you never turn down help."


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Years after they broke up, Shakira is still trying to shake her relationship with longtime beau Antonio de la Rúa. And the moral of the story may be: Always insist on a pre-nup when you're a walking global brand.
After the split, both moved on to new partners. Shakira is now attached to Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué, lives in Barcelona and recently gave birth to the couple's first child, a son, Milan. De la Rúa is enamored of Daniela Ramos, a former Miss World Colombia, who recently gave birth to their first child, a daughter, Zulu.
All's well that ends well, right? Except that in September, it emerged that De la Rúa, an attorney and the son of a former president of Argentina, was planning to sue the Colombian pop diva for a cool $250 million. He argued that he hadn't been properly compensated for what he claimed were his contributions to the shaping of Shakira's image and artistry during the 11 years they were together. De la Rúa said he even deserved some credit (and financial recompense) for two of Shakira's biggest smashes, "Hips Don't Lie" and "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)."
Shakira now has responded by dismissing De la Rúa's boast that he was her Svengali, and asking a Manhattan judge to throw out her ex's lawsuit. A sad business all around, and with no end in sight.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs to launch Revolt TV in July
Album skewering Margaret Thatcher to be reissued on April 17
Sparks continues musical collaborations, at Coachella and beyond
Follow me on Twitter: @RJohnsonLAT
COACHELLA 2013: Full coverage
THE ENVELOPE: Awards Insider
PHOTOS: Grammy top winners


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Letters to the Editor
Kirk Landon a humanitarian
There are few people in this world whose willingness to help is perfectly matched by a generous soul and who is larger than life. Many in our community involved in the arts, education or children's causes called Kirk Landon their angel. He watched over them and was a kindred spirit.
The Coral Gables Museum regrets his passing and is grateful to have benefited from his kindhearted gestures. When the idea for a museum was first conceived in 1992, there was not overwhelming support to fund the organization. Later, Mayor Don Slesnick approached Landon about becoming a benefactor, and he agreed, making a donation of $250,000.
Without his support and commitment, it is unlikely that the award-winning Coral Gables Museum would be the thriving organization that is today. The community at large is its main beneficiary. Kirk Landon had an impact on innumerable South Florida organizations and he touched many lives. His legacy will endure for many years.
Wayne 'Chip' Withers, chairman, Board of Trustees, and Christine Rupp, director, Coral Gables Museum


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Winsted City Council Minutes
City of Winsted
City Council Meeting
Council Chambers
July 17, 2007
6:00 p.m.
Present: Mayor Steve Stotko
Council Member Bonnie Quast
Council Member Dave Mochinski
Absent: Council Member Tom Ollig
Council Member Tom Wiemiller
Staff Present: Brent Mareck, City Administrator
Deb Boelter, City Clerk-Treasurer
Mike Henrich, Police Chief
Fran Eggert, City Attorney
1) Mayor Stotko called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
a) The Pledge of Allegiance was taken.
2) Quast motioned to adopt the Consent Agenda as presented. Mochinski seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
a) Minutes Regular City Council Meeting July 3, 2007
Accepted the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of July 3, 2007.
b) Minutes Special City Council Meeting July 10, 2007
Accepted the minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of July 10, 2007.
c) City Council Budget Workshop July 31, 2007
Scheduled a budget workshop for Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 5:00 p.m.
d) City Council Budget Workshop August 7, 2007
Scheduled a budget workshop for Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at 5:00 p.m.
e) Economic Development Housing Authority (EDHA) Meeting July 31, 2007
Scheduled an EDHA meeting for Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 6:15 p.m.
f) Special City Council Meeting July 31, 2007
Scheduled a Special City Council meeting for July 31, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.
g) June, 2007 Financial Report
Approved the June, 2007 Monthly Financial report.
h) Claims
Approved the Claims List for July 17, 2007 as presented.
i) Winsted Volunteer Fire Department Probationary Firefighters
Appointed Justin Hertzog, Cody Krause, and Jamie Stender to the position of probationary firefighter for the Winsted Volunteer Fire Department.
3) No Public Hearings.
4) No Old Business.
5) New Business
a) Feasibility Study Shady Creek Drive/Circle
Justin Black, Short Elliott Hendrickson, Incorporated (SEH), presented the feasibility report for the Shady Creek Addition street improvements.
Quast asked if the City has funding available to complete the identified street improvements. Mareck stated that there is no funding available in the 2007 budget but the cost of the Shady Creek Addition street improvements could be included in the 2008 budget.
Quast asked if the City would decide to complete just the base bid identified in the feasibility report, would there be increased problems with the street in the report's alternate one (1) bid. Black stated that there may be increased pot holes after three (3) years.
Mayor Stotko asked what the increase to construction costs would be if the City would wait until 2008 to complete the street improvements. Black stated that the increase would be the standard five percent (5%).
Mochinski stated that while the timing may be right for competitive bids to complete the project, the City has so many other projects happening in 2007 that the street improvements should be completed in 2008. Quast agreed.
Mochinski motioned to accept the feasibility report for the Shady Creek Drive/Circle feasibility study for street repair. Quast seconded.
Motion carried 3-0.
b) Plans and Specifications Industrial Park Storm Water System
Justin Black, SEH, presented the plans and specifications for a storm water system within the industrial park.
Mareck stated that SEH has indicated there will be some additional piping costs of $17,719; however, land sales from the industrial park will still cover the estimated $83,156 to do the project. The City Council had dedicated $75,000 from land sales to do the project, with the remaining $65,000 to be designated for the City Center project. Additional funds from the Cable Fund can supplement technology costs for the City Center project, which will allow the proceeds from land sales to be used to cover the cost of the storm water system.
Mochinski asked if the proposed storm water system is for drainage of the Industrial Park only or if it could accommodate drainage from future expansion. Black stated that the storm water system is sized for drainage of the twenty-two (22) acre Industrial Park only.
John and Donna Stifter, Advantage Mailing, 585 Industrial Boulevard, asked if the cost of the installation of the storm water system would result in any additional expense to Advantage Mailing. Mareck stated that Advantage Mailing would only have an additional expense if they tapped in to the storm water system. Stifter stated that there is erosion occurring on their property where the exit pipe removes storm water from their property. Black stated that a pipe could be stubbed out to Advantage Mailing's storm water pipe. Mareck stated that any erosion issues are typically the responsibility of the property owner.
Quast motioned to approve the plans and specifications for the industrial park storm water system and authorize the advertisement of bids.
Mochinski seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
c) Law Enforcement Services McLeod County Sheriff's Department
Henrich presented a proposal to contract with McLeod County Sheriff's Department for temporary law enforcement services to supplement the coverage provided by the Winsted Police Department.
Henrich requested that the Council approve a temporary increase to the Police Department's part-time wage from $14 per hour to $18 per hour. Henrich stated that the increased wage is for Police Department part-time employees who work night time shifts and special events.
Mayor Stotko asked if the enforcement of the McLeod County Sheriff's Department's policies while they are working in the City of Winsted, will create an issue for the attorney who prosecutes any cases. Eggert stated that it will not effect who the City's prosecuting attorney is.
Henrich presented the change in the telephone system while the McLeod County Sheriff's Department is working in the City of Winsted.
Mochinski motioned to enter into an agreement with McLeod County for temporary law enforcement services. Quast seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
Quast motioned to increase the Police Department's part-time wage from $14 per hour to $18 per hour for a temporary period of six (6) months. Mochinski seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
d) Alcoholic Beverages in Parks Ordinance Amendment
Mareck presented an amendment to the ordinance regulating alcoholic beverages in City of Winsted Parks. Mareck stated that the City's current municipal code does not allow any individual to bring alcoholic beverages into a city park without a permit authorized by the City Council or the Park Director. The ordinance amendment would allow alcoholic beverages in parks, but would prohibit keg beer and large amounts of alcohol (unless permitted by the City Council).
Mareck stated that the existing ordinance is not supported in use and is difficult to enforce. In addition, the permitting process for small amounts of alcoholic beverages seems to be an excessive process for residents; however, the change does increase the interaction of children with those who might be drinking an alcoholic beverage in the park.
Henrich stated that the Police Department supports this amendment, as long as keg beer and large amounts of alcoholic beverages continue to be prohibited (unless permitted by the City Council).
Mareck stated that the Park Commission unanimously recommended the approval of the ordinance amendment.
Mochinski motioned to set a public hearing for August 7, 2007 at 6 p.m. to consider amending a section of the City's ordinance relating to conduct in city parks. Quast seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
e) 2007 Goals and Action Plan
Mareck reviewed the progress of the City of Winsted's 2007 Goals and Action Plan.
Mayor Stotko requested that Mareck review the progress of the 2007 Goals and Action Plan with the Council monthly.
6) Department Reports
a) Fire Department
Chad Engel, Fire Chief, reported on the following:
Ø In 2007, the Winsted Volunteer Fire Department has responded to seventy-seven (77) medical related calls, six (6) fire calls, and nine (9) other types of calls.
Ø There is currently a full roster of thirty (30) firefighters and two (2) people on a waiting list.
Ø Brad Bush retired after eighteen (18) years as a volunteer firefighter.
Ø Brad Bush was the Ladder Captain. Steve Bahr took over as Ladder Captain.
Ø The number one (#1) pumper truck needed to be repaired.
Ø Preparations are being made for the Pancake Breakfast held during the Winsted Summer Festival.
Ø Preparing the 2008 Budget.
7) No Open Forum.
8) Announcements
a) Retirement Announcement - Tom Homme, SEH
Tom Homme announced his retirement from SEH effective August 31, 2007.
Homme stated that he had worked as the City of Winsted's Engineer for fifty (50) years.
Mayor Stotko presented Homme with a Certificate of Appreciation for his work with the City of Winsted.
Homme introduced John Rodeberg, Client Service Manager with SEH.
b) Open House Public Works Facility Dedication
Mareck announced that the public was invited to the Public Works Facility Open House and Dedication on Thursday, July 19, 2007 starting at 1:00 p.m. at the Public Works Facility, 433 6th Street South.
c) Minnesota Municipal Clerks Institute
Mareck recognized Boelter for her completion of the three (3) year Minnesota Municipal Clerks Institute.
9) Adjournment
Quast motioned to adjourn. Mochinski seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah R. Boelter
City Clerk-Treasurer
Return to City of Winsted Menu | Return to Government Table of Contents
Herald Journal


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Audi R8 is the supercar that had emerged as the steeds Tony Stark in Iron Man movie that, equipped with 5200 cc V10 engine is capable of spraying power up to 525 horsepower. Blessing the engine, the 2011 Audi R8 V10 capable speed by 316 kilometers (km) per hour. 2011 Audi R8 As for the interior, Anderson using a mixture of carbon fiber and Alcantara Orange. 2011 Audi R8 has leather seats that are world makes the driver feel comfortable and luxury. In addition, some sections also have additional special devices such as sport-style steering wheel and features a heater installed inside the car is useful for comfort during the trip.
Super sports car that bears the title of World Performance Car 2010 on the mat the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) that is supported by the engine 10-cylinder 5200 cc FSI Quattro power that can spew up to 525 hp at 8000 rpm with peak torque of 530 Nm at 6500 rpm. R8 has 24 LED lights are always on a symbol of victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and is the first car that uses full-LED headlight system.
To deliver power to four wheels, the machine is then mated with R-tronic sequential transmission typical of Audi. To be more lightweight, body 2011 Audi R8 is built by using aluminum and carbon fiber material. Use of material known that visible light but strong at the front of the rear spoiler, and a few other part. Behind 2011 Audi R8 engine hood has a power of 525 hp 5.2 FSI V10 engine. With these forces do not be surprised if the R8 Audi engine was used for LMS Audi R8 GT3 race car.


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I got some replies in my previous post about consciousness. Here I reply to those, and add a few more thoughts about consciousness. Comments from David Pearce are deliberately ignored, as I will devote a full post to his proposed solution to consciousness in a future post.
Identity theory and functionalism
Commenter Simon disagrees with me on my characterisation of identity theory (under which functionalism will fall). Note that I didn't discuss functionalism in my previous post. Functionalism can be understood, or is used, in two ways
Functionalism-A: Systems that perform the same function will be conscious. In this view, I would be conscious, and so would be the China brain or the Chinese room. Here, consciousness is really real. And so it would have to be a subclass of epiphenomenalism or the other non-materialist theories.
Functionalism-B: The function of a system is all there is. We have a brain, and we call certain processes that the brain does "consciousness". Here consciousness is merely, but not really, real. Once the easy problem of consciousness is solved, there wouldn't be anything else to explain. If this is so, this view is a form of eliminativism.
Brian Tomasik agrees with me in this analysis. I would add that the identity theorist wants to have its materialist cake and eat the dualism too, but that cannot be. Claiming that X physical property is identical to Y phenomenal property is like claiming that apples are identical to the Catbus. The way to escape this is to clarify what one means: functionalism of the A or B types. Carroll's is a B type functionalism. I would guess that A type functionalism is widespread among scientists.
a) The only one of your five theses that I deny is (5). I think that with sufficient understanding, consciousness will be described using algorithmic language that will describe the behavior of neurons firing (in a human brain), in much the same way that today we can describe a character interacting with a 3D world in a video game using algorithmic language that describes the behavior of electrons moving in transistors. The only reason that this seems impossible to us is that we are one or many major insights away from the required understanding.
Thesis 5 is the idea that one cannot logically derive a conclusion from a set of premises that have nothing to do with it. (The is-ought gap is an example of this). In the videogame character example, one can, given enough time and grad students, explain why an Archon moved in the screen in that way while playing Starcraft 2, down to the transistor level. Our explanation could be done in a low level language (Talking purely in terms of flows of electrons and then photons when the pixels in the screen are activated). To get to a high-level explanation, like "The Archon moved down to get close to the enemy's base", we would need a chain of premises that would introduce, bit by bit, those high level concepts. We could define 'down' in terms of its current position, then define position in terms of its position in the game-map, then define that in terms of the working of the computer, and then turn to transistors. There is no movement of the Archon above and beyond that, and this higher-level language is a short-hand for that highly complex causal chain from the workings of transistors to the appearence of behaviour in a videogame.
Thesis 5 says that you cannot get to "The Archon moves" just from the laws of physics. You need to introduce premises that explain what is the Archon, and what is moving first. Doing this respects Thesis 5. We would not complain if one says that 'Archon' is a high-level description, but we would if someone says that consciousness is a high level description of certain processes in the brain. That would be type-B functionalism, and it wouldn't account for real consciousness, so I find it unsatisfying.
b) I don't think "poetic" is the right word to describe the relationship between the concept of 'consciousness' and the neuronal activity in a human brain. Is it "poetic" to call a car "a car" instead of talking about the way that the engine interacts with the steering and transmission systems, and so on? No, it's the correct English word to refer to a long list of specific components assembled in a specific way, capable of specific behavior.
Well, maybe it's not the right word! 🙂 I was using it because Carroll was using it, basically. 'Poetic' is here short-hand for "High-level description of a phenomenon that is nothing above and beyond physics roughly as we understand it today".
c) Likewise, if something is "merely real" (as opposed to really real) if it's made of parts, that means that everything that exists except fundamental particles (and, if you're right, consciousness) is merely real. Water molecules, bacteria, human bodies, human societies, stars, and the universe as a whole are all "merely real". Doesn't it seem strange that you've just declared yourself an eliminativist about 99.99%+ of the concepts you think and talk about every day?
Yes indeed. I am a mereological nihilist, and I would say that almost everything is merely real. It's fields and quarks all the way down… plus consciousness. The merely/really real distinction is useful precisely because it leads to a very sharp contrast. I think it is not shocking to say that a car is nothing above and beyond its parts and the laws that tie them together. There is no intrinsic 'carness nature'. The best theory of concepts that we have (of course, Huemer 2015) tells us that concepts are fuzzy regions (that we make up) in property space.
The really/merely distinction also help us avoid the linguistic ploy used by some who do not really believe in consciousness, but use the word with a different (non-realist) sense. When they say "Of course consciousness is real! Consciousness is identical with brain activity!" we can probe deeper and see if they mean it in a strong (really) or a weak (merely) sense, and clarify what they really mean.
So as a computational functionalist I would say that:
1) Consciousness is really real, and like everything else it's made of parts.
I agree with the first part, and I tend to agree with the second part, though it seems that consciousness appears to us as a unified experience, I'm willing to entertain the possibility that it isn't really that unified (only merely).
2) We're not p-zombies because p-zombies are not possible, although a human mind can conceive of them, in the same way that someone who doesn't understand cars can conceive of a car moving without an engine. However…
If I have to hold in my mind the laws of physics as they are and the engineless car at the same time, then I cannot conceive it. If we are proposing such a thing, we would need to consider a world with different laws. But this is what zombie-ists say: David Chalmers says that zombies are not possible in this universe, but that in a different universe, they could be possible. A universe that would miss either psychophysical laws (which define which systems get consciousness) or consciousness as a fundamental property. He says this to highlight that consciousness is something that doesn't flow immediately from the laws of physics as we know them today (Or has anyone seen consciousness anywhere hidden amongst the Lagrangian of the standard model?).
3) It might be possible to assemble a machine that outwardly looks like us and behaves like us and yet isn't conscious, but if we were to take a good look at its 'brain' (or whatever material mechanism makes it act and react), we would see that it doesn't work like ours at all. Therefore, the Chinese room isn't conscious if it's just implementing a bunch of "if input X, output Y" rules, but a replica of a human brain implemented by something that's not neurons would be conscious, whether that something is transistors moving electrons around or people passing messages around.
This is interesting, and something that, to some extent, I subscribe. The thing is that the human brain, when seen through the lenses of physics is a bunch of if input X, output Y. If we go full functionalism, the implementation doesn't matter, the function does. I've seen people claiming the Chinese room is conscious! What Simon may have in mind is that the replica must replicate the 'causal powers of the brain' to user Searle's parlance. This is, the parts should be connected to each other in the same (or similar) way as in the human brain. I agree with this: It should be possible to replicate consciousness in non-neurons, by figuring out where and what in the brain is related to consciousness and replicating that.
4) Mary does learn something new when she sees red, kinda, using a somewhat loose definition of "learn": Her neurons will fire in a way that they've never fired before, and shortly after the neurons that store her memories will be configured in a new way to hold a new memory.
I agree. But the point is that she wouldn't be able to learn this just by studying only physics, neurology and cognitive science in general.
5) All the theories of mind that state that consciousness is not made of parts amount to taking a mysterious concept, putting it in a box, labeling this box "fundamental", and declaring the problem solved. This is not good philosophy.
Compare: all theories of matter that state that quarks is not made of parts amount to hiding the problem, etc . Reduction presumably has to begin at some point. Chalmers has tiny bits of conscious matter (parts!) aggregating to form consciousness.
6) I'm not sure what to think about eliminativists. I've read some things by Dennett that make me think he'd agree with everything I've written here except perhaps point (4) about Mary's room, but if Tomasik really thinks we're p-zombies I'm at a loss.
Yes, he thinks that, I directly asked him the question in a very clear way. I copypaste. I asked:
Just to clarify, Brian, would you agree with 'Consciousness is an illusion in the sense that the Müller-Lyer illusion is an illusion. It seems that I (Brian) am conscious, but on further thought I (Brian) realise that it' s not the case'
And' Zombies are not only possible and conceivable, but everyone is actually a zombie, and no-zombies do not exist given the laws of physics in this universe'
And the answer I got:
Yeah, I agree with what you wrote if we interpret "consciousness" in the usual philosopher's sense that Chalmers/Nagel/etc. have in mind (i.e., not type-A consciousness: http://reducing-suffering.org/hard-problem-consciousness/ ).
Tomasik may be accused of inconsistency or poetry, but I leave this as a question for him to sort out 🙂
Zombie beliefs
Next is Tomasik's response.
Cool post.
> the idea that consciousness is really a poetic name for certain patterns of brain activity. This is the identity theory.
Relative to my (fallible) understanding, I would still call this a type-A theory of consciousness (and you go on to agree that it's just a less blunt way to explain eliminativism). I understand identity theories as type-B views, which hold that consciousness is really real and happens to be identical (whatever that means) to certain physical processes. (Of course, I don't think this makes sense, and I see identity theories as disguised forms of property dualism.)
This is what I have already discussed about functionalism or identity theory: they are unstable and collapse to epiphenomenalism or eliminativism.
> You can have bridges built of wood or steel, but you need bridges to get external phenomena into your awareness. Recall, the reason you are doubting realism and embracing eliminativism is that at some point, some facts entered your awareness and you pondered them.
If zombies are possible, then zombies get facts and ideas into their brains without consciousness. Zombies can make statements about their being conscious, can know things about the world, etc.
In a weak sense of know (without attached mental experience).. yes, zombies can do all that and more. The argument I made there is a reply to Rob Bensinger's argument that qualia do nothing because if we invert them, they work the same. I argued that this is not so if qualia work as a bridge made of different material, but the qualia have to be there to have knowledge (which implies belief which implies phenomenal awareenss). I agree with Tomasik, though, that if we interpret knowledge in a less mental way, yes, sure, zombies can know as much as us.
Seva Gunitsky on twitter said that it is too early to dismiss emergentism, that we ontological reductionism is a shaky foundation. He cites evidence from chemistry and cites this paper which seem to state a strong emergentist thesis:
All the various properties of artificial vesicles as membranous compartment systems emerge from molecular assembly as these properties are not present in the individual molecules the system is composed of.
However, this is no evidence against reductionism.
In the blog, I argued against emergentism here. My argument, basically, is to say that reductionism means that a property or behaviour of a physical system is reducible to its components (parts) and the laws that govern them (laws of nature). Given this, the system is fully specified (How else could it be?). Of course, the properties of the vesicles in the previous paper are not present in the molecules that compose the vesicles, but those properties are implied by the molecules and the laws of physics.
Consider water. It is a common example: water is wet, and atoms are not wet, so wetness is an emergent property. But it ain't. What is wetness? That it we touch it, it feels watery? That it flows? Whatever we take it to mean, we can begin by imagining a volume of water that has "wetness" and then imagine a smaller volume. And so on till we are left with a very small volume. We'll see water molecules interacting via, among others, hydrogen bonds, and we will see wetness all the way down to the one molecule case, which doesn't have hydrogen bonds. But these hydrogen bonds, while not present in hydrogen or oxygen, are implied by the laws of physics. What else is there to wetness? A subjective feeling of wetness, sure, but that reduces to the hard problem of consciousness, but that's not an issue of emergence.
With consciousness, for emergentism to work we need two things:
Either "particles of consciousness" (a la Monads) or psychophysical laws that especify how consciousness emerges. You could call this weak emergentism if you wish, as I accept there are things happening that were not in the parts, but that arise due to the laws that govern their interaction. I wouldn't call it like that. Strong emergentism, the view that once that we have accounted for components and interactions, there is something else, is something I reject. I haven't seen a good argument for that, so if you know one, please leave a comment.
A universe of zombies, a universe of angels
I like clarity of language, and I can imagine how I would talk if I were an eliminativist. If I were, I wouldn't talk about beliefs, qualia, or thoughts. I might talk about them, but in the way I talk about ghosts or God. I rarely use the expression "I feel.. X" for feelings because I really don't (eg. I don't say "I feel/I'm sorry" if I don't feel sorry, and it never happens). Eliminativist Artir would say things like:
EA: You talk about this consciousness thing, but you can't even explain it. Look, it is not in the laws of physics, it is not in the elementary particles, and I cannot even approximate what you are talking about. It is like ghosts or gnomes or other mythical beings. It is not real. Same for these other things you talk about like beliefs or thoughts. You have your brain, you get inputs, those bounce around and at some point you output whatever. That's all there is to it. You can call those electric impulses 'thoughts' if so you wish, but they are not what you say they are.
Realist Artir: But I am conscious! I experiment things, I see the redness of red!
EA: In the same way that people say they 'believe' in 'God' or that they have seen 'ghosts'. It is a malfunctioning of your brain, just study some neuroscience or read how brains can malfuntion and it will go away.
RA: But I've done that already and I still think it!
EA: Okay, imagine this thought experiment. A universe where there are beings just like us, but that they have this so called 'consciousness'. Let's call them angels (I borrow the term from Rob Bensinger). Would they do anything different from us?
RA: Well, maybe… probably almost everyone would think the way I do, and you would be in the minority saying that consciousness is not real.
EA: Fine, that makes sense. But besides parrot about having a property that they cannot explain, what can these angels do that we -Because you are not conscious, just confused!- cannot? Can they fly, are their senses more accurate, or what?
RA: Well, no, they would just have conscious experiences… but I'm not sure.
EA: Indeed, you see! It would be a useless property, it wouldn't have evolved, and if it existed, it would have been a spandrel. But what sort of property of nature is one that has only the effect of making you talk about it? Doesn't it sound ridiculous to you? There is no room in physics for consciousness doing anything. And if there isn't, then how would they be talking about it? The angel world is nonsense. And so is consciousness!
RA: But it seems that the reason why I like to listen to music is because it sounds so nice, I experience a sound and it sounds pleasing. Without consciousness, I wouldn't like it.
EA: Not true: you like music because certain patterns of sound activate the reward centres of your brain, and that causes you to seek musical experiences. I also listen to music, for the same reason. No need for consciousness.
RA: Maybe it is *this* world that does not make sense. Admittedly I haven't explored how consciousness could work yet, but nothing in what you tell me or nothing in what I have read so far convinces me that I am not conscious. I do believe you and everyone else is conscious like I am, and that everyone except myself is deluded. Universal consensus and state of the art scientific knowledge are not enough.
EA: *sigh*
RA: *sigh* indeed.


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This is your very first post. Click the Edit link to modify or delete it, or start a new post. If you like, use this post to tell readers why you started this blog and what you plan to do with it.
This is the post excerpt.
This is your very first post. Click the Edit link to modify or delete it, or start a new post. If you like, use this post to tell readers why you started this blog and what you plan to do with it.
If you want to impress visitors and customers, having a well maintained office area is essential. Workplace that is clean and tidy helps establish a positive picture of the company. Think about walking into an office that is filthy, cluttered and cluttered. First eyesight is crucial to creating that picture of quality and professionalism.
This is why it is important to staff a specialist service to maintain the aesthetic qualities of your company. Competent companies that specialize in office cleaning services to load the needs of your company are super easy to find.
As you are probably already aware, office cleaning is a difficult task that requires special knowledge, skill in order to own desired results. Most medium to large sized companies will work with a professional office cleaning service to provide cleaning activities on an appointed routine.
The established office cleaning companies are able to provide efficient and reliable services at a reasonable price point. That they are also capable of maintaining standards of performance and cleanliness for you personally.
As you know, office and commercial Medical Office Cleaning Services receives a greater amount of use than would be looked at normal for a house. This excessive use creates a require the area cleaned much more often. The extra cleaning in itself can be harmful to the furnishings if not performed properly.
A provider of office cleaning services will follow a particular and standard procedure to ensure proper cleaning occurs while protecting the honesty of the furnishings and fixtures. Because offices typically have a huge number of computer and gadgets anti – static cleaning solutions are critical to reduce the damaging effects of fixed electricity on those items of equipment. Many companies have large area of carpeted flooring.
It is important to note that it is getting significantly popular for office cleaning contractors to use "green cleaning" practices. The use of environmentally friendly cleaning solvents is beneficial to the occupants of the area being cleaned. This kind of actually has been proven to reduce sick as well as improve productivity in the workplace.
Many organisations that provide cleaning services are getting to be Organic Certified. Green cleaning methods follow a strict guide that has been founded for these activities. Simply using products that are believed environmentally safe is too few to be claim the service provided meets keeping money Certification standard. Correct training and proper methods in using the proper chemicals go hand in hand in performing oriental cleaning activities.
Unlike cleaning a house, providing commercial cleaning services requires skilled employees who are properly trained using accepted methods with the obligation equipment for the task available. Established companies that perform office cleaning services can meet the particular needs of all businesses.
While some may require special services such as medical office buildings and high tech businesses with clean rooms, most services can be provided by most janitorial service companies. At a bare minimum, office cleaning companies should be equipped to clean large carpeted areas, strip, wax and polish wooden floors and deep clean, recolor and refinish binding material and tile installations.


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AGI International Posters Exhibition
18 Aug – 26 Oct, 2014
São Paulo, Brazil
Very excited to be a part! Kindly invited by Henrik Kubel.
New India Designscape
Triennale Di Museum, Milan
December 14, 2012 – February24, 2012
Words of Wisdom
Organised by The W Project at KK Outlet
I'm taking part in a group show called 'Words of Wisdom' organised by The W Project at KK Outlet. It aims to celebrate women working across the creative industries and coincides with International Women's Day.
Please come down if you are in the area!
Graphic Design Walk
GraphicBirdWatching is hosting an exclusive graphic design walk through East London's graphic design studios, celebrating the work and practices of London's female designers.
India Typeface for Wallpaper* latest issue, Born in India
Marina Willer at the Typographic Circle, Poster
An exhibition of work
by new design talent
spotted by Wolff Olins
Charlotte Coulais
Geetika Alok
Hiromi Suzuki
& Jack Gilbey
Wednesday 23 February 2011
18:00 - 21.30
Wolff Olins
10 Regents Wharf
All Saints Street


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(bz digital composition: base photograph from Pioneer Woman, black/white clip art from Karen's Whimsy)
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
last night's dream
(bz digital composition: base photograph from Pioneer Woman, black/white clip art from Karen's Whimsy)
Posted by Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. at 11:16 AM
Labels: my digital art
5 comments:
Oh my -- that would be cold and windy!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousSeptember 21, 2010 at 12:22 PM
Oh what a magical place to be! I've dreamed of standing on the wing of a plane, observing the clouds, the skies, the heavens. Imagining myself jumping off and then dancing with the stars! I'll keep an eye out for you, Bonnie...ReplyDelete
dancing on wings...ReplyDelete
just dont look down...
A lovely image, Bonnie, but you must tell us more. How did that dream end? Did you fall or just keep dancing, and did you continue to dance after your awoke?ReplyDelete
So have you dreamed about this before last night or were you just winging it? ;)ReplyDelete
Comments are always read and appreciated.
(I am grateful for all awards received. However, I ask that this be an "award-free zone" and meme-free zone. Thanks for understanding!)
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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The Sassoon Academy by Vidal Sassoon has opened their doors in London with a fresh salon space that embodies clean minimalism. Designed with a sleek and streamlined aesthetic in mind, the beauty parlour keeps fixtures and finishes white, glossy and LED-lit.
In addition to integrated lighting accents, the Sassoon Academy by Vidal Sassoon features linear built-ins for product displays, a glass and steel staircase and four levels of classrooms that feature 60 student work stations.
This stunning beauty academy also includes a theatre space that projects from a large LCD screen and accommodates up to 42 individuals along with an employee and student lounge area. Embodying Vidal Sassoon's philosophy, this space marries contemporary styling with clean minimalism.
Sterile Spa Interiors
More Stats +/-
Minimalist Swedish Farmhouses
Neo-Historical Interiors
Elemental Thai Villas
Illusory Imploding Interiors
Opposite Atmosphere Abodes


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Many men like
the idea of hiring New York call girls and
they even spend a lot of time searching for the best New York escort girls. They visit several
websites, review various escort galleries online but do not actually hire their
escorts. One of the reasons for this is that many men do not actually know what
to expect from their New York
escort. So they find it hard to decide whether to hire an independent escort in
New York or
not and whether it is worth the money they spend on VIP New York escort.
If you have not
hired an escort before and you do not know what to expect of your escorts, then
read on and this article will help you understand escort services better and
what to expect of your female companion.
When you hire an
independent luxury escort in New York,
you are paying the escort for her time. Your New York escort will spend her time with you
during the hired period. You can choose to hire your escort just for a single
hour or for two or three hours together depending on your need. It is also
possible to hire New York
escorts for an entire day or for the weekend. This again will depend on how
much you are ready to spend on your escort. The cost of hiring an escort will
vary from individual to individual. Independent escorts are free to price their
services as they desire. You will have to therefore make sure that you are
paying the right price for your escorts or in other words that you are getting
the best value for your money.
You are free to spend your time with New York escort in a private room or in public place. Your escort will also have her own preferences on the meeting place. When you have all these factors discussed in advance, you will save yourself from unnecessary disappointments at a later stage.
Pick experienced and reputed New York escorts and you can have unlimited fun with them. Never feel shy to express your special needs or hesitate to place your special requests to your escorts because that is the only way your escorts can know your needs.
New York City escorts not surprisingly are readily available twenty-four/seven, since it's dubbed "The City That Never Sleeps". The great part about a vacation here is that it can be both fun and educational. For example, woo one of the many New York City escorts at City Hall Restaurant. One can learn, have an appropriate dinner before the hotel with an escort, and even take photos of historic memorabilia and monuments inside. New York City escorts region have plans for almost any option, and she can in fact assist in itinerary planning, much like an assistant would.
Meals don't necessarily have to be educational in New York escorts territory; it can be as simple as a visit to a Coney Island hot dog stand. Many escorts like trips here because it reminds them of their teenage days. If you have a hot dog or hamburger, make sure to visit Nathan's Famous. This one time mom and pop establishment has become so legendary over the years that it extended not only all over the nation but internationally.
JFK Airport is where you'll likely depart from New York City escorts lands, unless it's La Guardia. In a unique feature that might just be limited to New York City escorts, the patron will commonly be accompanied back to the airport, as the date will be finding her next one at that same airport. She of course won't remind you of this, so as not to spoil the mood.


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- Getting started
- Page-builder
- Advocacy
- Fundraising
- Data
- Explore
- Videos
Static pages are a page-builder page type that allow you to create pages without any form functionality. They do not record any supporter interactions but instead are used as informational pages.
Note that static pages are different from web pages, which are account-wide pages used for closed actions and so on.
Most of the time, static pages as used for an end point of a series of chained actions, for example from a redirect & filter. This might be useful if you don't want supporters in Scotland, say, to take action, so you use a regional redirect to a static page that explains this.
Or perhaps you don't want to email certain targets, so you use a suppression filter to remove them and redirect to a static page giving more information for supporters and links to other resources.
In short they can be used for anything, just like a standard web page can - for example to host a video which you link to from an email.
To create a static page, go to Pages > Create Page and choose Static from the options.
When you click Next, you will see the admin screen, just like with any other page type.
More information on these settings can be found here.
The editor is similar to what you find on other page types, except the options are more limited since this does not offer form functionality. You can add the following components:
© Engaging Networks | Company registered in England and Wales | Company number: 03848111


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Welcome to the 'Bold & Beautiful' . We are an informal group who meet out the front of Manly Life Saving Club and swim at 7am, 7 days a week from Manly to Shelly Beach and back, 750m each way. Come down and join us.
Wearables to suit your lifestyle


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Nissan shows us how much fun Electric Vehicles can be
By Faiming_low on
09 Mar 2015
New technology
To show us what they meant, they built the Ultimate Smart BBQ Vehicle, which is a curious concept vehicle based on its eNV200 electric van.
Yes. Like what its name says, there is actually a 1,500 watt electric grill built into the vehicle which could use to barbecue without getting your hands dirty when starting a fire. But that's not the only unusual feature found in the Ultimate Smart BBQ Vehicle. It is equipped with a 'Mosquito Barrier System' that makes use of ultrasonic waves to drive away the pesky mosquitoes.
Other interesting features found in the Vehicle include the 'Refreshing Mist Shower', a 'Flying Selfie Camera', and a 'Smartphone Linked Display'. While I personally don't understand how the 'Powerful Small Disposer' is useful, I could see Nissan's concept car making a good holiday vehicle.
Watch the video below to see how they managed to squeeze everything inside the Vehicle and let us know whether you want one or not!
nissan, electric vehicle, nv200 and 1 more...
Viewed: 3,324 times


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For several OpenStack releases, the Identity service in OpenStack offers an additional token format than UUID, called Fernet. This token format has a series of advantages over the UUID, the most prominent for us is that it doesn't need to be persisted. We were also interested in a speedup of the token creation and validation.
At CERN, we have been using the UUID format for the tokens since the beginning of the cloud deployment in 2013. Normally in the keystone database we have around 300,000 tokens with an expiration of 1 day. In order to keep the database size controlled, we run the token_flush procedure every hour.
In the Mitaka release, all remaining bugs were sorted out and since the Ocata release of OpenStack, Fernet is now the default. Right now, we are running keystone in Mitaka and we decided to migrate to the Fernet token format before the upgrade of the Ocata release.
Before reviewing the upgrade from UUID to Fernet, let's have a brief look on the architecture of the identity service. The service resolves into a set of load balancers and then they redirect to a set of backends running keystone under apache. This allows us to replace/increase the backends transparently.
The very first question is how many keys we would need. If we take the formula from [1]:
fernet_keys = validity / rotation_time + 2
If we have a validity of 24 hours and a rotation every 6 hours, we would need 24/6 + 2 = 6 keys
As we have several backends, the first task is to distribute the keys among the backends, for that we are using puppet that provides the secrets in the /etc/keystone/fernet-keys folder. With that we ensure that a new introduced backend will always have the last set of keys available.
The second task is how to rotate them. In our case we are using a cronjob in our rundeck installation that rotates the secrets and introduces a new one. This job is doing exactly the same as the keystone-manage token-flush command. One important aspect is that on each rotation, you need to reload or restart the Apache daemon to load the keys from the disk.
So we prepare all this changes in the production setup quite some time ago, and we were testing that the keys were correctly updated and distributed. On April 5th, we decided to go on. This is the picture of the API messages during the intervention.
There are two distinct steps in the API messages usage. The first one is a peak of invalid tokens. This is triggered by the end users trying to validate UUID tokens after the change. The second peak is related to OpenStack services that are using trusts, like Magnum and Heat. From our past experience, these services can be affected by a massive invalidation of tokens. The trust credentials are cached and you need to restart both services so both services will get their Fernet tokens.
Below is a picture of the size of the token table in the keystone database, as we are now in Fernet is going slowly down to zero, due to the hourly token_flush command I mentioned earlier.
The last picture is the response time of the identity service during the change. As you can see the response time is better than on UUID as stated in [2]
In the Ocata release, more improvements are on the way to improve the response time, and we are working to update the identity service in the near future.
- Fernet token FAQ at https://docs.openstack.org/admin-guide/identity-fernet-token-faq.html
- Fernet token performance at http://blog.dolphm.com/openstack-keystone-fernet-tokens/
- Payloads for Fernet token format at http://blog.dolphm.com/inside-openstack-keystone-fernet-token-payloads/
- Deep dive into Fernet at https://developer.ibm.com/opentech/2015/11/11/deep-dive-keystone-fernet-tokens/


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CVSC uses the built-in TPM or Intel® IPT on your PC to secure Cryptographic Keys and execute secure functions.
No need to upgrade to Windows 8 to enable Virtual Smart cards. Charismathics CVSC supports Windows 7 natively.
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Back in 2008 Charismathics integrated the first generation of TPMs into its Smart Card middleware, creating the very first Virtual Smart Card. A Virtual Smart Card uses the secure element in the computer instead of the virtual smart card in a standard Plastic Smart Card.
A True Virtual Smart Card like Charismathics CVSC implements the full Smart Card stack, including a PCSC reader driver, Smart Card platform, and applet or profile down to the protocol level. This ensures security, interoperability with existing applications, and managability.
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To make full use of a Virtual Smart Card requires the right kind of middleware. Charismathics CSSI is an Enterprise Class Middleware that fully integrates the CVSC into the operating system and provides a standards based interface to applications that use Smart Cards with Digital Certificates in a PKI environment.
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In addition to TPM, Charismathics VSC also supports the secure element that is part of Intel© Identity Protection Technology (IPT). Intel© IPT provides a suite of hardware-based authentication components that can be combined to provide a secure and managable multi-factor security solution. Intel© IPT is available on Ultrabook devices and the latest PCs with Intel© Core vPro processors.
Charismathics VSC support both Intel© IPT PKI and the Protected Transaction Display (PTD) components. PTD enables secure entry of the user PIN to the VSC Virtual Smart Card, offering protection from keyboard keystroke loggers and screen scrapers that can comprimise the user PIN.
Virtual Smart Cards use the secure element in your computer to securely store cryptographic keys, securely execute cryptographic commands using those keys, and to protect the User PIN.