text:
As the bombastic voiceover kept informing us, The X Factor (ITV1) went global tonight. It also went went on too long, but was grimly compelling all the same.
This was the so-called Judges' Houses phase, which should be renamed Judges' Holidays because any pretence of the panel taking contestants to their own homes has long since been dropped. Indeed, the hotel locations were clangingly name-dropped, presumably as part of a commercial obligation. The product placement of Samsung tablet computers was similarly clumsy.
The Groups jetted to Las Vegas, where Louis Walsh and his sidekick Sharon Osbourne waited, both looking eerily young on a spectacular rooftop. Osbourne's tightened face seemed to be making her voice more squeaky than usual, while her arched feline eyebrows lent her a permanently surprised expression.
The news that one group, Rough Copy, had left the competition due to visa issues was breezily skipped over. Matters got even more confusing when they were replaced by not one but two rivals - one of which had gained an extra member and changed its name. The production team's string-pulling was way too visible here.
Walsh and Osbourne were spoilt for choice when it came to boybands. The sole girl group, Poisonous Twins, were awful, so it would be sad if they went through due to gender. Instead, MK1, Union J and GMD3 look most deserving.
The boys were flown to Dubai, where they were greeted by the bizarre, robotic pair of mentor Nicole Scherzinger, whose face barely moved for the entire programme, and r'n'b star Ne-Yo, who had a red trilby perched precariously atop his head.
Bluesy, intense James Arthur was the standout performer. He'll surely progress along with Jahmene Douglas, who remains a nervous wreck and became shouty at times, but is worth the risk for his vocal gymnastics and quiet likeability.
The other four hopefuls were much of a mediocre muchness. Let's just hope Rylan Clark doesn't go through based on novelty value – the Essex wannabe's Jedi-like hooded outfit tonight was truly extraordinary. Jake Quickenden probably deserves the third spot and the sad story about his terminally ill brother might just have sealed for him, cynical as that sounds. Scherzinger and Ne-Yo were last seen deliberating across giant bowls of heavily buffed fruit.
The Girls performed to mentor Tulisa Contosatvios and advisor Tinie Tempah on a sun-terrace in St Lucia. Despite her youth, 16-year-old Ella Henderson was streets ahead of the rest. She looks likely to be joined in the live shows by Jade Ellis and Amy Mottram. Lucy Spraggan might just miss out because her quirky guitar schtick is simply not suited to this format. Her unwise Whitney Houston song choice didn't help her cause.
Naturally, they saved the big story for last: the return of Cheryl Cole, two years since she left the judging panel for a notoriously short-lived stint on the US version. She was back as Gary Barlow's sidekick and brought some serious star quality, even with just a few minutes of screen time and a few whispered comments.
This was the Over-28s, who all tried not to look disappointed when they were whisked off to, well, Northamptonshire. That said, stately home Boughton House did look spectacular. The performers crooned on rolling lawns before the judgely duo repaired to fireside leather armchairs for their cogitations.
Melanie Masson and Kye Sones look sure to progress, while the last place is a toss-up between Carolynne Poole and quivering, orange-faced Christopher Maloney. The strange editing of previous stages meant that we were getting our first proper look at posh pub singer Brad Shackleton, which hardly augurs well for his chances.
At almost two hours, the show was overlong – especially bearing in mind it's back tomorrow night for an 80-minute reveal of the results. There was too much footage of contestants group-hugging in airports and telling us how amazing everything was. Too many pairs of shorts were worn by the hopefuls, too many pairs of sunglasses by the judges.
It also felt slightly strange without Sinitta's annual appearance in a preposterous outfit. We reconvene tomorrow. Perhaps she'll pop up then, polishing some fruit or poking at an open fire, clad in just two palm leaves. We can but pray.


text:
Baking is about Science and Art. The exact measurement of each ingredient is the key to a successful product. But that only ensures that the final product tastes good, presentation of the final product is what sets a baker apart from the rest.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Kabocha Squash Mushipan / Pumpkin Steamed Cake
I am trying to catch up on my postings :p These Kabocha Squash (Japanese Pumpkin) steamed cake were made yesterday.
Was focusing more on cooking for the past weeks / months, and neglected my oven. I did not feel like lots of work in the kitchen but wanted to eat some cakes. Saw this simple recipe on Cookpad and steamed these cakes. I topped the mushipan with black sesame seeds. I was inspired to use pumpkin as my mom was into pumpkin lately - making Chinese pumpkin desserts. Pumpkin actually has quite a few health benefits.
I steamed the pumpkin and mashed it with a fork. This cake is soft and fluffy. Personally, I prefer the Chocolate Pumpkin cake I made today :D
Posted by Baking Scientist at 5:13 PM
Labels: pumpkin, steamed cakes
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Hennessy XO
Hennessy XO was first created in 1870 for Mr Maurice Hennessy's personal use. Its aromas of leather, oak and black pepper create a rare and magnetic complexity, softened by vanilla and cardamom for an endless tasting pleasure.
- Type: Cognac XO
- Country: France
- Brand name: Hennessy XO
- Bottle size: 70cl
- Code: 26469
- Abv: 40%


text:
Return of "Discount Double-Check" for Steve Novak
Steve Novak had been visibly absent lately despite playing in every game. But his touch and the "Discount Double-Check" returned Sunday.
Novak scored in double-digits for the first time since opening night in the Knicks' 121-100 rout of the Pistons. He had a season-high 18 points, 12 in a 5:39 stretch in the second half in which he shot 3-for-4 from three-point range.
After one of those from deep, the Wisconsin native simulated putting on the championship belt the way Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers does.
"It's good to see the belt back out," Carmelo Anthony said. "I'm glad to see the belt back out."
Novak, the NBA's top three-point shooter last season, had been mired in a slump. In the previous nine games, he was 15-for-46 (32.6 percent) from three-point range and averaged 5.2 points. He also was exploited defensively, especially in Houston on Friday. Then again, all of the Knicks were that night.
But Novak made the Pistons pay for leaving him open. After missing his first three shots, he went 5-for-8 and was 5-for-7 from outside the arc.
"In a couple other games, I think I was pulling my follow-through back," Novak said. "I was kind of shooting and snapping the ball. I don't know why. I wasn't in a hurry, I was just kind of snapping at the end, and when I leave my follow-through up there, it just, it finds its way in.
"I said that to myself after I missed those first two -- just take your time and leave your follow-through up -- and it started to go in."
Novak's other three points came on free throws after he was fouled while attempting a three-pointer. He also had two blocks and a steal.
If Novak can start knocking down his shots consistently, it will open up things for all of his teammates.
"We're going to need him to make shots as we go through this journey," coach Mike Woodson said. "Teams know he can make shots and they lock in. He was able to shake loose based on some of the things that we ran."
Novak got hot late in the third after the Pistons cut a 20-point deficit to eight. He helped the Knicks put the game away and brought the belt out in the process.
"I don't want to force it," Novak said. "But after you make a few, I was feeling good, and I know the fans love it and I wanted to bring it back out."
We're revamping our Comments section. Learn more and share your input.


text:
SAN DIEGO - A Camp Pendleton Marine sergeant was ordered Friday to stand trial on charges of unpremeditated murder and dereliction of duty in the killing of an unarmed detainee in Fallujah, Iraq.
Lt. Gen. Samuel Helland ordered the court-martial of Sgt. Ryan Weemer after finding there was sufficient evidence to send him to trial.
Weemer is one of three current and former Marines accused of breaking rules of engagement and killing four men they had captured after a platoon commander radioed to ask whether the Iraqis were "dead yet."
A telephone message left by for Weemer's attorney, Paul Hackett, was not immediately returned.
The killings occurred in November 2004 during the invasion of Fallujah, one of the fiercest ground battles of the Iraq war.
The case came to light in 2006, when Weemer volunteered details to a U.S. Secret Service job interviewer during a lie-detector screening that included a question about the most serious crime he had ever committed.
Weemer, of Hindsboro, Ill., is charged with one count of murder and six counts of dereliction of duty encompassing failure to follow the rules of engagement in Fallujah and failing to follow standard operating procedures for apprehending or treating detainees or civilian prisoners of war.
Helland's decision to order the court-martial follows an Article 32 hearing, similar to an evidentiary hearing, where prosecutors argued that Weemer, a burly 25-year-old honored with a Purple Heart, should be tried for unpremeditated murder because he knew the rules of engagement forbade harming anyone in his custody.
"I don't think it is anything that was unexpected," Weemer's attorney, Paul Hackett, said of Helland's decision. He said he expects Weemer to be exonerated.
During the hearing last month, prosecutors played a tape recording of the Secret Service interview where Weemer recounted arguing with his squadmates about what to do with the detainees - all military-age males captured in a house where weapons were also found. The squad was under pressure from the platoon to get moving.
Marine Corps spokesman Lt. Col. David Griesmer said Weemer next faces arraignment on the charges at Camp Pendleton. A date has not been set.
Helland, the commanding general of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Central Command, followed the recommendations of Maj. Glen Hines, the investigating officer, to order the court-martial.
Weemer's attorney has put much of the blame on Weemer's former squad leader, saying Jose Nazario Jr. escalated the situation inside the house by beating one detainee with the butt of a rifle after the weapons cache was found.
"Sgt. Weemer acted in self-defense," Hackett said. "We strongly believe there is credible evidence to show that."
Nazario, 27, of Riverside, Calif., was charged with two counts of voluntary manslaughter in the killings of two captives, but a spokesman for federal prosecutors said Friday that the charges changed with a superseding indictment handed down in June.
The former sergeant is now charged with one count of voluntary manslaughter for allegedly killing or causing others to kill four unarmed detainees, along with one count of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges were filed in federal court because he has already completed his military service.
Nazario has pleaded not guilty; his trial is set to begin Aug. 19.
Nazario's attorney, Joseph Preis, said they were puzzled by the enhanced weapons charges.
"We are very disappointed by this, and find it incredibly ironic that the same government that put the rifle in his hand is now seeking to up the ante because of his alleged use of that rifle," Preis said.
"We've got to remember that everybody in Fallujah had a rifle, good guys and bad guys, and to single out Sgt. Nazario for the alleged use of that rifle in the charged offense really paints the picture of what the government seeks to do here."
Another Marine, Sgt. Jermaine Nelson, 26, of New York is slated to be court-martialed in December on charges of unpremeditated murder and dereliction of duty for his role in the alleged killings.
Although he has not entered a formal plea in military court, Nelson's attorney has repeatedly said his client was innocent.
Nelson and Weemer had both been jailed in June for contempt of court for refusing to testify against Nazario before a federal grand jury believed to be investigating the case. Both were released July 3 and returned to Camp Pendleton.
© 2008 The Associated Press


text: The tall, athletic Dave Winfield was drafted by four professional sports leagues as a collegian. Offers came from the ABA, NBA, NFL, and Major League Baseball. Winfield wisely selected baseball and went on to become a superstar, first for the San Diego Padres and then during a stint with the New York Yankees. After failing to help the yanks to a World Series (and continually hearing about that failure from fans and the team owner) Winfield won a World Series title as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays late in his career. Winfield had a fantastic throwing arm and he was also a very good runner, with those long legs. He could hit and hit for power, and he was one of the best right fielders in the game for a while. He toiled in obscurity a bit in San Diego, where the club was mediocre during his tenure. But in 1981 he signed aĀ10-year, million contract with George Steinbrenner's Yankees. The deal made him the highest paid athlete in any team sport. It also placed a target on his back for the boo birds. Winfield was expected to deliver titles in The Bronx. But during his nine seasons as a Yankee, despite the team posting the best record in baseball over that stretch, there was only one pennant. That came in the first season of the Winfield Era, in 1981, when the Yanks were defeated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games in the World Series. Winfield was 1-for-22 with one RBI in the Series, and that poor performance really haunted him for the remainder of his years in New York. Though he did not shy from the big lights and scrutiny of New York City like other ballplayers, Winfield never became a great Yankee in the mold of Reggie Jackson, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, and the rest of the legends who wore pinstripes. Instead, he put up superstar numbers: topping 30 homers twice and 100 RBI six times. But during that era he was actually overshadowed on the club by Ron Guidry, Don Mattingly, and Rickey Henderson. The lack of respect he had from fans became clear at the end of the 1984 season - his best in pinstripes - when Winfield was battling teammate Mattingly for the batting title. Fans openly rooted for Mattingly, the much-loved "Donnie Baseball" over Big Dave. When Winfield missed the entire '89 season due to injury, his relationship with the front office became strained to the point of outright animosity. Steinbrennber refused to buy tickets for Winfield's charitable foundation, something written into the slugger's contract, which prompted the injured ballplayer to file a lawsuit against the owner. The sides eventually settled, but Winfield was persona non grata to the Yankee brass. The following spring he was traded to the California Angels for starting pitcher Mike Witt. After leaving the Yankees, Winfield seemed to relax. At 38 years old he started to love baseball again, and it showed. He became a much coveted veteran bat and leader as he spent time with the Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, and Cleveland Indians in his final seasons. Still a feared slugger, he had his best post-Yankee season in 1992 as a DH for the Jays, helping to lead them to the World Series. In the Fall Classic, Winfield exercised some demons, driving a two-run double in the 11th inning to score the winning runs and give the team their first title. Winfield retired with more than 3,100 hits, including more than 1,000 in each league. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year if eligibility, in 2001. Baseball Fastball Fact Dave Winfield never played a game in the minor leagues.


text:
Last week, when I first wrote about my upcoming cable news internment, several dozen readers responded on Facebook and on Twitter to express their horror. The most common plea: "Don't make him watch Fox whatever you do," as one person wrote. "That is cruel and unusual and deserves hazard pay … even to interns."
I see it another way. Today, I will watch Fox News for eight hours straight, and I expect to revel in it. Allow me to explain.For the past three days, I have built up my tolerance with the help of CNN, CNBC, and MSNBC, which I watched yesterday. Frankly, it was a rather blah kind of day—a lot of old white balding Senators stood in the Capitol rotunda and talked about why we have a great plan to reform health care, or a mediocre plan to reform health care, or a disastrous plan to destroy health care.
It was truly scintillating.
MSNBC focused more on politics than did CNN on Monday, which I expected, given the network's motto that it's "the place for politics." But aside from that distinction, it was the same shtick: a few "controversial" stories—in this case, health care, Gates-gate, and whether Glenn Beck is a racist for calling Barack Obama a racist—repeated and argued about over and over again. Perfectly fine in small doses, but mind-numbing when inhaled for hours on end.
It is worth noting that, while MSNBC is seen as having positioned itself as the liberal answer to the conservative Fox News, I did not pick up on that during my day watching the channel. This should not come as a significant surprise, however: As with the other cable channels, most of MSNBC's personality-based programs—and thus the more opinion-driven ones—appear in primetime, by which time I had already turned off the television and exited my confinement.
Fox News, however, has mastered the art of weaving a political slant into more than just its primetime stars—and this is why I am so excited about today's assignment. Now, before you dash off an angry comment below, know that I am just as appalled as you are at Roger Ailes and everything he stands for. But you have to admit it: He's something of a genius.
Everything about Fox—from the anchors to the on-screen graphics to the stories covered—is lathered in the network's right-leaning dogma. Fox News is an ideologically driven product, and Rupert Murdoch, Ailes, and their minions have designed the channel to reflect that conservative raison d'êtrein its every molecule. It is deplorable—try to watch Robert Greenwald's Outfoxed and not end up wanting to hurt someone—but it is also a work of art.
Indeed, in my four-course cable-news feast, Fox News is the pièce de résistance. So I am excited for today. The fear-mongering, the Obama-bashing, the gross intolerance—I am ready for it. In fact, I can't wait.
Below is the recap of Day 2 (CNBC) and the intro to Day 3 (MSNBC)
While nothing happened in the world on Monday while I watched CNN, there was plenty to talk about on CNBC yesterday. I just didn't understand a word of it.
My complete lack of financial knowledge is partly to blame. But the larger problem was that everyone just kept screaming—and screaming and screaming and screaming. This is why I am looking forward to today's assignment in my four-day cable news internment, MSNBC, whose anchors—given all the old people in their audience—hopefully will keep their voices down.
Screaming (and shouting and yelling and howling) is apparently the basis for CNBC's business model, if my eight hours in front of the television locked in a closet here in *Vanity Fair'*s New York City offices were any indication. The daytime programming goes something like this: Three or four (or five or six) financial pundits in suits and ties are assembled, and the attractive female host gives them a topic to debate. Then they scream at each other without any restraint for a few minutes, until the host cuts them off, cuts to a commercial, and assembles a new group of suit-wearing men to scream at each other. This repeats all day long.
And no one, we should note, is immune from the treatment. In an interview around midday, anchor Larry Kudlow screamed at Senator Bernie Sanders as if the 67-year-old Democrat were a recruit at boot camp. It was tough to watch.
Having said that, CNBC certainly must have some value to people who actually work in finance. First, unlike CNN, there was little repetition throughout the day. And because of what appears to be a station-wide policy of fast-talking, the anchors managed to squeeze in as much information as humanly possible. Indeed, in spite of all the screaming, CNBC managed to cover a lot. It felt sort of like consuming the cable-news equivalent of high-cholesterol fast food: In the moment, it fills you up, but if you make it a regular part of your diet, you will probably drop dead (or at least feel like you should).
Today will hopefully be a calmer experience. MSNBC brands itself as "the place for politics," which is more within my comfort zone than yesterday's hours of discussion about bond ratings and commodities markets.
One thing I will be looking for is whether MSNBC seems to treat Barack Obama—and Democrats in general—any differently than CNN did when I watched it on Monday. MSNBC is said to have positioned itself (at least by virtue its primetime lineup) as a left-of-center answer to conservative Fox News, and the presidential campaign of Senator John McCain frequently derided the channel as being in the tank for Obama.
Regardless, today should be particularly scintillating: Who wouldn't want to talk about health care for eight hours straight? Really, nothing could be better.
Or at least I keep telling myself that.
Below is the recap of Day 1 (CNN) and the introduction to Day 2 (CNBC):
I have never previously thought at much length about the adage "no news is good news." But I did yesterday, and I now wish to add an asterisk to that old line: No news is good news, unless you are locked in a closet watching CNN all day, in which case no news means endless and unquantifiable pain and suffering.
Monday was day one of my week-long internment in *Vanity Fair'*s research library, where I will be forced to ingest a different 24-hour news channel each day, and I am happy to report that—as much as the Village Voice doubted me early in the afternoon—I appear to have survived without much emotional scarring. In all honesty, it wasn't that bad.
Today, however, I am bracing for a more difficult ride. I will endure a full day of CNBC, a network I have previously made a habit of avoiding at all costs. Even with the volume muted, the scrolling on-screen stock tickers—layers and layers of them—are enough to make me want to grab an ice pack and lie down.
That's not really an option for me today, which is why I am so concerned. I predict today will be the most traumatizing leg of my four-day cable-news confinement.
The biggest problem yesterday was not that CNN was unbearable to watch—it was not—but rather that nothing happened. I'm serious—nothing at all of substance happened in the entire world. Someone on Twitter informed me that the tiny African nation of Guinea-Bissau held elections, but the producers somehow decided to skip that story.
There was a moment of excitement when it appeared a twister might wipe out Tampa Bay, but apparently it was just a large rain cloud, not a tornado. And a small warehouse fire in California turned out to be just a small warehouse fire, not the start of a wildfire-triggering inferno.
Sucks, man.
While I had an idea of what I was getting into yesterday—after all, everyone watches Wolf Blitzer once in a while, right?—I think there is a sizable chance that I will not understand a single thing that anyone says on CNBC today. I expect to walk away with the feeling that (a) all my friends who are majoring in economics should kill themselves to avoid a life that requires watching CNBC on a daily basis and (b) we are all going to be poor and homeless and there is nothing Barack Obama can do about it.
My one hope is that Maria Bartiromo and Erin Burnett get into a brawl on the air, because I remember reading rumors in the tabloids (even if Vanity Fair debunked them here) that they hate each other. That, at least, would help keep me awake.
Below is the introduction to Day 1 (CNN)
Today begins for me a decidedly postmodern hell: four days locked in a small office with nothing but four cable news channels to ingest. And first up is the grandfather of them all.
At 9 a.m., I will turn the small television in *Vanity Fair'*s research library—a windowless room that, as an added torment, is lined with books I am not allowed to touch—to CNN, and my cable-news internment will officially commence. At the request of my bosses, who have ordered this experiment because they exact pleasure from watching innocent people (me, in this case) suffer, I will post observations via Twitter, and the above video stream will broadcast my fidgeting.
CNN is a natural choice for the first network on my four-day slate. (CNBC, MSNBC, and Fox News will follow, in that order.) Launched in 1980, it is the oldest 24-hour news channel, and today its outlets around the globe reach nearly a billion people.
As I detailed on Thursday, our intern-torture experiment this week has two objectives: to try to determine (a) to what extent there really is a palpable difference in how the same straightforward news stories are presented on each of the four channels, and (b) whether, after watching a day's worth of any of these channels, I actually feel as if I am informed—or if I just have a headache.
If stereotypes prove accurate, CNN will not exude as much of a partisan musk as some of the other channels. Whether I actually learn anything, I posit, will depend largely on whether the station is able to cover the news as it happens instead of switching to a high-speed car chase and getting distracted by that for several hours at a time.
I will also try to evaluate a rather controversial statement made recently by one of its anchors—that CNN is the only one of the cable news stations that is "still doing journalism," as Campbell Brown recently put it. "I don't mean that as a criticism of what the other guys are doing, it's just … we're comparing apples and oranges," she said. "Fox has made a choice to go in one direction, MSNBC has made a choice to go in the other direction."
Alas, Brown is on the air at 8 p.m., three hours after I will have turned the television off for the day. But I will judge her colleagues in her stead. My first criterion: whether anyone mentions the word "birther." CNN will lose by default if anyone goes down that road.
Check back for a recap of my first day of internment (get it?) later this afternoon. In the meantime, I just hope someone brings me lunch.
Follow to get the latest news and analysis about the players in your inbox.See All Players


text:
Description::withdrawal sleeve
Type:AHX310 Dimension:45x50x38 mmMetic ID(inner diameter)Bore: 45 mm OD(outer diameter):50 mm WidthHeightthickness:38 mm Removal Nut:KM11 Hydraulic nut:HMV11E Lock nut:KM9 Locking device:MB9 Matched Bearing type:2210EK,1310EK,22210EK,21310CCK, C2210KTN9, C2210KV Weight:0.13 kgs The Ring material:Q235.A3.C45 or Required The delivery time:10-20 days The package:standard export wooden case or carton boxes.
In recent years, the papermaking industry has been making great strides by enhancing the speed and the width of coverage of papermaking machines with the objective of boosting productivity. To reduce the amount of downtime caused by unexpected problems, customers demand high reliability from the AHX310 Withdrawal Sleeve (22210EK Bearing) that are used in papermaking machines. AHX310 Withdrawal Sleeve (22210EK Bearing) has developed a range of bearings that meet these demands, and the company's bearings are used in all sections of modern papermaking machines. In particular, AHX310 Withdrawal Sleeve (22210EK Bearing) is supporting papermaking with two kinds of bearings:
・TL (tough and long life) bearings designed specifically for dryers. These were developed by taking full advantage of the company's material heat treatment technologies
AHX310 Withdrawal Sleeve (22210EK Bearing) for Industrial Machinery Spherical Roller Bearings developed by integrating NSK's materials, design and manufacturing technologies.
AHX310 Withdrawal Sleeve (22210EK Bearing) will continue to develop highly reliable bearings that will lead to further productivity improvements in the papermaking industry, and it will continue to contribute to the development of the industry.
AHX310 Withdrawal Sleeve (22210EK Bearing)
DISTRIBUIDORES: AHX310 Withdrawal Sleeve (22210EK Bearing)
|Product Model:
|Withdrawal sleeves
|Inside Diameter:
|45 mm
|Outside Diameter:
|50 mm
|38 mm
|Seals Type:
|Q235.A3.C45 or Required
|Precision Rating:
|Payment term:
|Delivery time:
Copyright © 2017 - 2019Authorised Bearing Distributor All Rights Reserved


text:
GTech Airram Vs Dyson DC59 2018 – 2019
|Price Point
|GTech AirRam
|3.5kg weight, 40min Runtime
|Learn More Here!
|Dyson DC59
|4kg weight, 20min Runtime
|Learn More Here!
Comparing The GTech Airram & Dyson DC59
Arguably two of the best manufacturers when it comes to cordless vacuum cleaners in the UK. Both of these vacuum cleaners have power and a very high standard quality of build. While Dyson has been around for longer and has built up a very good reputation for being a great high-end vacuum, GTech is certainly giving Dyson a run for its money. GTech, still relatively new in the world of vacuums, have still managed to create a good name for themselves for quality and power.
Both The GTech Airram and The Dyson DC59 (learn more here!) are very good vacuum cleaners, both are built of a very high quality, both are powerful and both are good at what they do! Having said that, they do each have their advantages! While they are different kinds of vacuum cleaners – The Airram is an upright cleaner while the DC59 is a handheld vacuum with attachments that make it function as an upright vacuum; they are often compared because they are both very popular options for high end cleaners.
The Verdict.
Overall, my preference goes to the GTech Airram. Granted it is less powerful than the Dyson DC59, despite this fact, it still packs a very good punch in its suction. The other reason I lean towards the GTech Airram is that it actually feels like a vacuum cleaner when you are vacuuming where the DC59 feels somewhat like a hand-held vacuum with a long attachment – which it is!
The DC59 has more versatility than the Airram without a doubt, you have different attachments which you can remove and attach depending on where you are cleaning. For example, doing the stairs is so much more easier with the DC59 and it is somewhat awkward with the Airram. Also things like vacuuming curtains right off the rail – the DC59 also is a clear winner there.
The DC59 using the famous cyclone technology by Dyson, which is great – only it keeps the dirt in the cylinder which when you empty, will create a cloud of dust – albeit small, but it is still there. Airram packs the dirt right in the head of the vacuum which is very close to the floor, being this close to the floor harnesses the power of the Airram precisely where it is needed the most. When it is full, you simply pop out the rectangular packs of dirt right into the bin – no dust, very simple.
Again, both very good cleaners indeed, each with their individual strengths. If you were to judge on a versatile cleaner then the DC59 has to be the one, I am judging this on the best upright cleaner where I feel the Airram does win!
Lets take a closer look at the two.
The Dyson DC59.
A very good hand held vacuum with a powerful motor, The DC59 by Dyson does deliver every bit that it promises. Dyson is a known name which does convey the message of power. This power comes from Dyson's digital V6 motor which spins upto 110,000 times per minute, this along side its 15 cyclones across two tiers gives it the ability to increase airflow to unleash its true power!
The DC59 comes with a mini motorised tool to aid in sucking up pet hair and ground-in dirt. It is an all-round vacuum, it will do your stairs with no issues, upholsteries as well as curtains, and in particularly gets into confined spaces to pull out all the dirt from every corner!
With a boost mode which will further enhances its power and suction for the most awkward and stubborn dirt areas, while this boost mode will use up the battery more than the normal mode, it will come in quite useful when needed most. Usual runtime is around 20 minutes on The DC59.
The GTech Airram.
The GTech Airram is a great upright vacuum which is cordless. The main selling point for the Airram is the fact that it is one of the lightest yet one of the most powerful vacuums on the market. While being light, it still has a very good suction system.
At only 3.5kg in weight, it makes vacuuming the house more satisfying than a chore! (well for some anyway!)
The Airram doesn't have bags where the dirt is stored, nor does it have a cylinder. Instead it stores dirt into small bales in the head of the vacuum in a tray which simply lifts out so you can drop the waste straight into the bin.
Working with 40 minutes run time, the Airram gives you enough time to vacuum your whole house before having to recharge the batteries.
Being a borderline "smart" vacuum, you are able to plug your Airram into the PC to see how much electricity you have saved, check the life of the battery and even see if you have lost some weight vacuuming! Yep, it will tell you how many calories you have burnt while vacuuming!
To Wrap It Up.
As said above, my personal preference goes to to Airram for being the better vacuum of the two. Not only do I prefer it the better of the two but I also feel the lower price point of the Airram favourable.
The other reason I sway this way is because I have a smaller separate hand-held vacuum which is perfect for me for the stairs, curtains and other appliances so the Airram is used solely for the floors. If, on the other hand you do not have smaller vacuum for stairs, curtains, sofas etc. then you may want to look at spending that little bit extra on the DC59 as it does work well as both upright and hand-held. It has an array of different attachments which all work very well for the purpose that they serve.
I also very much like the fact that the dirt on The Airram is stored neatly in the head of the vacuum which makes for cleaning up very easy and mess-free!


text:
James Blake wants the officer who tackled him to be fired.
Former No. 4 player in the world James Blake wants the officer who tackled and handcuffed him to be fired, he told The Associated Press on Saturday.
On Wednesday, Blake was tackled to the ground, handcuffed and detained by police after they mistook him for a suspect in an identity theft case. The officer who was physical with Blake, James Frascatore, has been named in several excessive force lawsuits.
"I think that that kind of police officer tarnishes the badge, which I have the utmost respect for and I believe that the majority of police officers do great work and they're heroes," Blake told the AP. "So this person doesn't ever belong in the same sentence with the heroes that are doing the right kind of police work and keeping the public safe."
Commissioner William Bratton apologized personally to Blake earlier this week. Bratton will decide if Frascatore, who has been moved to desk duty, will keep his job.
• PRICE: Serena Williams finally buckles in final leg of calendar Slam
Video of Blake's mistaken arrest was released earlier this week:
NYPD releases video of James Blake being arrested. pic.twitter.com/OD4HQINlJy— Ryan Ruggiero (@RyanRuggiero) September 11, 2015
– Rohan Nadkarni


text:
|Last Run on Sunday 14 May 2017 Mother's Day
|Walk in the Park
|Run with Molly and Headlights
Finally the end . The last 3 weeks are pretty relaxing in so far there is the worry of whether there is enough mileage done and elevation. Hard to answer till the day after but always feel like many we could have done more but having said that it may come at really tired muscles, injury and worse not starting.
I am at the pointy end and fit and not injured although I had a few aches and pains during the past 4 months of training.
The last 2 weeks have been a real drop in volume and particularly on the weekend.
Week 18 , Just did a 8km run on Monday and then again on Thursday I did a 4.5 km run and Friday I ran 8kms .Tuesday I did a wind trainer session for 30 minutes and had a massage on Wednesday . Saturday I rode round the river with CRT but finished up early as I turned at Canning Bridge , then a really light weights session in the afternoon (mainly chatting rather than doing any heavy weights). Sunday was pretty much a slow 2 hour run which we did along the coast at Trigg going along the tracks in the bush around Trigg.
Week 19
A really short 6km run on Monday and Wednesday and again on Thursday . Tuesday a 45 minute wind trainer session and Saturday a cross fit session with 30 repeats of snatches , back squats and cleans with a 25kg bar .
Sunday a really easy 8km run along the coast .
With a week to go not much else to do but put the feet up and just rest . There is little to be gained running more now. All the work has been done ...it is the end of the line .


text:
Mabel Madison usually hosts "Mabel Madison Mondays" however, we're enjoying Mabel Madison's Valentine's Day Blog Tour. We hope you are too. Today, we welcome Amy from Friends Stitched Together. Amy blogs with her best friend, Tasha. They host CraftingCon each month. We're glad Amy is stopping by today. Click the picture below to see how Amy wows us with Stenzo Grey Dotty Toadstools Poplin.
Did you miss yesterday's post? Don't worry!
You can see all the tour posts by selecting the links below.
Be sure to check out all the awesome series participants to get lots of inspiration!
Handmade Boy | Friends Stitched Together | Beri Bee Designs | The Kisses Co
Handcrafted by RED | create3.5 | Pattern Revolution | Free Notion | Mabel Madison
Are you crafting for Valentine's Day? Join the fun on Instagram with hashtag #mabelmadisonmakers.
Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a $10 Mabel Madison Gift Card. It's the perfect way to be a #mabelmadisonmaker! enter HERE


text:
You can download or request a printed copy of our 2019/20 Prospectus, complete with information about our Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses, by clicking below.Get my 2019/20 Prospectus
There's no better way to experience Leeds College of Music than by meeting us in person. Complete with course talks, performances and demonstrations, our Open Days allow you to meet our teaching staff, students and alumni.Find out more
With a huge range of courses across performance, production, business, songwriting and musical theatre, our undergraduate music degrees are your first step towards a career in today's music industry.Find out more
The MMus/PGDip Creative Musician offers you the opportunity to collaborate with leading composers, performers, producers and songwriters as you develop your skills as a professional-level musician.Find out more
Develop your skills, experience state of the art facilities and work with music industry and creative arts professionals in a supportive environment, with our short courses and community ensembles.Find out more
Study at LCoM and become part of an amazing music community with great links to the industry. Here our students discuss their experience of LCoM, the unique community and our creative, collaborative environment.
Need another reason to choose LCoM? Here are our top 12 reasons to launch your music career right here.Find out more
Students have access to our facilities until 3am during term-time.
That means more time composing, recording and performing.Explore our facilities
Students play at our regular showcase nights, perform at venues throughout the city, including the Brudenell Socal Club, Belgrave Music hall, and Oporto.
In addition, many of our students join the Contemporary Pop Choir and other extra-curricular ensembles that we run.View performance opportunities
Our staff are experts in their field, and are active musicians, authors and researchers.
They are joined by a wealth of industry practitioners and visiting professors who regularly come to the conservatoire to impart specialist knowledge to students.Meet our tutors
Our packed concert season welcomes everyone from global stars to up-and-coming talents – and Leeds College of Music students are always at the heart of the programme.See what's coming up
You can download or request a printed copy of our 2019/20 Prospectus, complete with information about our Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses, by clicking below.Get my 2019/20 Prospectus
Considering Postgraduate music study? The @HelpMusicansUK Pop Awards are now open! Visit the page below to find out… https://t.co/9S5oYicXF3


text:
Two years ago I was a hot mess. A tyrant really. Like a dictator would seem like a nice guy compared to my bridezilla-ness.
I was about to get married. Well, on the 23rd of May. But trust me, on the 20th I was still in a frenzy.
Oh-my-gosh-the-favors!! They all need to have identical bows.
And oh my gosh the picture uploading cards (that NO ONE USED).
And holy hell I am eating like a cow and this dress HAS got to fit. There is no plan B.
Who isn't coming? That's MONEY down the drain. WHY AREN'T THEY COMING!?!? It is my wedding daaaaaayyyyyy!!
Yeah. Anyone who has gotten married knows exactly what I am talking about..those moments where you just want to elope and stuff your face with cake.
But alas, I didn't, so now I get to relive those memories and laugh.
Though I am still pissed at the no-shows. Yeah, I am. –Sigh-
The next couple of posts will be me sharing my wedding pictures with you all. Today we'll start with some engagement pictures and some of my bridals courtesy of the uber talented Kate Lemmon.
I promise I look nowhere near as pretty on a daily basis- this took a talented MAC artist & lots of Photoshop.
My poor husband.
Have a good weekend, we're off to celebrate in San Antonio!


text:
Cycling is to my mind the most paradoxical sport on the planet. How so many millions of us end up choosing cycling as our 'go to' sport is a mystery and often people cite cycling for the loner, the lost and the people coming back from or riding towards something. Who knows, though the beauty of being a rider is that yes, I admit I can be a solitary soul happy in my own company but as a cyclist you are never far from a network of other riders, events and discussion. Brilliant !
But what I have found odd and occasionally complex about cycling is that it can be one huge paradox in so many ways. First of all, performance. How can you ride like an unleashed dog one day and a drugged cat the next ? Why is it deep wheels are ultimately no faster than shallow wheels ? Why is it I am riding on the absolute rivet and yet I feel I get no faster ? How are some people hitting 3000 miles in May already and how come some people are simply just better it riding a bike than me.
Such is life. Everyone can excel at somethings, others not so. It does not mean I do not love riding a bike. The beauty is that I am at one with myself capability wise and realise that in performance terms at 45 years old I am on a downward slope though I have years of riding full gas left in the tank. Guys in their 20's, heck -even their teens have no idea how blessed they are to be riding carbon 11 speed bikes with decent wheels. The tech has come so far on and off the bike and what has occurred is frankly crazy. But, the mad thing about bicycle sales is that since the boom which I think began in 2008, the volume shifted has nothing like the impact bicycle sales in the 1930's and again 1970 through to 1973ish where millions and I mean literally millions of bikes were sold. 2008 to 2013 when the road market slowed back down is just a drop in the ocean compared to the massive volume unboxed for the buying public 1930's with social mobility and in the 1970's with cost effective bikes being churned out by the big guns before the Taiwanese conglomerates got in on the act. The new world order have been making bikes for just over 40 years. They are just babies in a strange kind of way.
Anyway, maybe, ultimately, as a person I am to self critical, self aware or self deprecating as there are millions of middle aged men up and down the land sitting on sofa's getting ill and not even realising it. I have a saying - "Live fast, die slowly or live slowly, die fast".
Perhaps I just need to lighten up about my ability. I know I am average, hence the title of this blog. Doubtful though as at 45 that horse has bolted. In the words of De La Soul "I wish I was a little bit taller", though I change the lyrics to faster. That is the paradox of cycling, there is always a bigger fish, born to ride a bike with faster legs. Life goes on. It turns out that the fast Tuesday crew are all in the top ten on the Tuesday ride/route on Strava this year ? The route chainganged / hammered by many is frankly a little mecca locally simply due to the fact it is really about as 'flat' as a route gets in Devon - 1800 feet over 30 miles. It really is a lumpy county.
Is that failure ? Of course not, it is a massive success and it is all about perspective.
Is that failure ? Of course not, it is a massive success and it is all about perspective.


text:
Mexican truck stampede to hit U.S.!
Bush administration moving ahead despite congressional opposition
Despite congressional opposition, the Bush administration is fully committed to beginning within weeks a pilot test that will allow Mexican trucks to operate freely across the U.S.
A spokesman for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Ian Grossman, told WND the agency plans to grant the first authority for a Mexican trucking company to operate its long-haul rigs throughout the U.S. as early as the end of this month.
WND previously reported an amendment introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., into the Fiscal Year 2007 Supplemental Appropriations Bill is designed to block the Department of Transportation's pilot test until the Mexican government authorizes U.S. trucking companies to operate in Mexico.
WND also reported Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., has introduced the NAFTA Trucking Safety Act, designed to block the test until current FMSCA regulations regarding Mexican trucks operating beyond commercial zones along the international border are clarified and strengthened.
The Mexican trucking company can begin operating trucks in the U.S. immediately, once the FMCSA grants the authority, Grossman told WND.
Grossman explained granting authority to the 100 Mexican trucking companies specified under the DOT pilot test may take between four to six months to complete.
"The department is committed to moving forward with this program," he said, "and will continue to work with members of Congress to address their concerns."
Reaction from the Teamsters Union was immediate and sharp.
"The Department of Transportation can't enforce truck safety in the United States, let alone at the southern border," spokeswoman Leslie Miller told WND. "The Bush administration continues to show a reckless disregard for the will of Congress and the American people who oppose this illegal pilot project."
Rod Nofzinger, spokesman for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, was equally critical.
"Unfortunately, the administration is bound and determined to move forward with their Mexican trucking program despite the serious concerns that have been raised by the American public, Mexico-domiciled trucking companies and lawmakers on Capital Hill, both Republicans and Democrats alike," Nofzinger told WND.
"I have little doubt that they want to beat Congress to the finish line on this," Nofzinger continued. "They know that once the toothpaste is out of the tube, it's awfully hard to get it back in. Once Mexican trucks start rolling throughout the U.S., it will be very difficult for Congress and the American people to turn them back, regardless of the safety and security risks that they'll be carrying with them."
Hunter also was critical of the FMCSA decision to begin implementing the Mexican truck pilot test immediately.
The congressman's spokesman, Joe Kasper, told WND Hunter has significant concerns about the program.
"Congressman Hunter maintains that compliance and enforcement standards must be clarified and strengthened before the pilot program is implemented," Kasper said. "Congressman Hunter will utilize the program's impending implementation as an opportunity to promote and continue highlighting the importance of the NAFTA Trucking Safety Act."
Responding to the congressional concerns, Grossman said Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta had certified in 2002 that DOT met each of the 22 safety requirements Congress in the Fiscal Year 2002 DOT Appropriations Bill demanded be met before allowing trucks from Mexico to drive beyond U.S. commercial zones along the border.
Kasper disagreed, insisting Mineta's certification was not enough.
"We need public disclosure of the safety requirements and public debate, including a DOT filing in the Federal Register before we approve this test," Kasper told WND.
"While the NAFTA Trucking Safety Act restates the safety conditions included in the FY2002 appropriations measure," Kasper continued, "the legislation goes further by requiring the implementation of English proficiency standards and data base accessibility for law enforcement officials to verify a driver's identification and criminal history."
Hunter's NAFTA Trucking Safety Act has been referred to several House committees, including House Transportation and Infrastructure; Homeland Security; Judiciary; and Ways and Means.
According to Kasper, the NAFTA Trucking Safety Act has collected 18 co-sponsors.
Asked to comment on the Feinstein amendment or Hunter's NAFTA Trucking Safety Act, Grossman told WND the FMCSA "was engaging in no speculation on the course of possible congressional legislation" regarding the Mexican truck pilot test.
Related offers:
For a comprehensive look at the U.S. government's plan to integrate the U.S., Mexico and Canada into a North American super-state – guided by the powerful but secretive Council on Foreign Relations – read "ALIEN NATION: SECRETS OF THE INVASION," a special edition of WND's acclaimed monthly Whistleblower magazine.
Get Tom Tancredo's book, "In Mortal Danger," from the people who published it – WND Books.
Previous stories:
Congressman moves to block Mexican trucks
Roadblocks for Mexican trucks in U.S.
Idaho lawmakers want out of SPP
It's official: Mexican trucks coming
Mexican truckers to hit U.S. roadways next year
NAFTA superhighway to mean Mexican drivers, say Teamsters
More evidence Mexican trucks coming to U.S.
Docs reveal plan for Mexican trucks in U.S.


text:
By entering this website, you agree to and will adhere to the terms of this Copyright Notice.
In accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and international copyright law, all photographs, text, design and code contained on this website is the property and copyright of David Calvert.
It is forbidden by law to (including but not limited to): copy, save, download, manipulate, sell, reproduce in any format or use in any way the photographs, text or code contained on this website without prior written permission of David Calvert.
The use of all photographs contained on this website on social networking websites and all image sharing websites (such as Pinterest) is also forbidden by law. 'Hot-linking' to any part of this site is not permitted.
No photographs/text /code on this website are within the public domain.
Unless you want to incur legal action, legal and unauthorised usage fees, I would strongly advise you don't steal anything from this website.
If you do wish to use any of the photographs on this site, get in touch and I will be happy to discuss licensing options.
© Copyright David Calvert 2003-2019. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy / Terms and Conditions


text:
Get to know us at AIIP
AIIP President, Jane Langeman, talks about how member feedback is helping AIIP to develop new services to help our members to build their businesses.
Regardless of where you are and what you are doing professionally, we want to share some exciting developments and new services at AIIP. Here's an update that might just make you want to join us. We'd love to get to know you!
What members are saying
Our goal at AIIP is to be an indispensable and valuable resource to our members. To achieve that goal we need to understand what matters to members as they grow their independent information businesses.
We hear from members on AIIP-L (our private email discussion list), our open board meetings or town halls, through committee chairs, direct communication and via our biannual member survey.
Our most recent survey was conducted in 2015 with a report delivered to members in early 2016. As association leaders, we owe members feedback as to what we learned from them and how it is affecting our actions to serve them.
Programming for new members
New members want help getting their first clients.
We've created a new area of our website for members-only resources specifically designed to support members in their first year of business. Topics include getting your first clients, pricing strategies, choosing whether to require prepayment, and designing your marketing collateral. In addition to links to tools and resources, we have a discussion forum dedicated to the concerns of first-year members.
AIIP members Cindy Shamel and Ulla de Stricker gave a short presentation based on their 2016 pre-conference workshop "Landing a Project … Then Nailing it: How to Win Assignments and Deliver Quality Results Every Time" to members in their first year of business at a virtual meeting offered in June.
Webinars from our First Year Questions Panels are a perennial favorite for new members and for longer term members who want to learn more about and from their peers. In 2016 alone, we heard from Amelia Kassel & Tom Wolff, Cindy Shamel & Marge King, Scott Attenborough, and Ruth Thaler-Carter & Ed Vawter.
Programming for all members
Members value programming that focuses on marketing and management skills. Our key programming channels are webinars and our annual conference.
Presenters of our webinars include both members and external speakers. Members can attend the monthly webinars for free. If you aren't a member, our webinars-for-sale are a good value! Marketing related programming in 2016 includes:
- Storytelling Marketing (Oct 13, 2016)
- Get that Speaking Gig
- Are you LinkedIn or LinkedOut?
- Make A Conference Count: Maximizing Your Conference or Trade Show Experience
Our 2017 conference programming team is focusing sessions on various aspects of growing a business. This appeals to aspiring business owners as well as established ones including those at allied organizations. More specialized content that may be of interest to subsets of members will be included in our tips and pre-conference workshop sessions. And even associate members can gain valuable tips from conference sessions.
Members want local networking opportunities, a means to identify others who work in similar fields across the world, and leads to partnering opportunities.
We have now established 11 local networking groups. Don't see a group near you or in your geographical area? Our local groups co-chairs can help you set something up in your area.
One of the simplest ways for you to promote yourself is to complete your profile in the AIIP Member Directory. Conversely, the member directory is a fast and effective way to find others in similar fields. The public version of our member directory is called the AIIP Business Directory. This is our most popular public web page!
Members who partner with each other for business do so primarily after building personal relationships with other members. Posting on AIIP-L is the easiest and most popular way to get to know, and be known by, other members. It's a fantastic repository of expert advice. Volunteering is another effective way to give and get at the same time. You get to know other members on your team and some committee roles involve a service component in which you have the opportunity to meet other members. We've done our best to create volunteer opportunities so that service works for you and is not onerous. Not sure where to volunteer? Let's talk about what interests you. It's as easy as that.
Members like conferences in Interesting locations, less expensive ways to benefit from the conference and remote conference opportunities.
We understand that not everyone can attend our annual conference, the source of much networking and programming. To increase access to all of the wonderful sessions at the conference, we have created a Conference 2016 Highlights webpage that has links to the AIIP Conference edition and conference programming including session handouts.
Our 2017 annual conference in May will be in New Orleans, LA, which is a popular U.S. city with a unique culture and history. We'll be staying at the Hampton Inn which includes free breakfast with all of the hard-boiled eggs you want. And, wifi is free throughout the hotel including our conference rooms.
We're conducting a search for 2018 locations that are interesting, convenient to reach and are reasonable in cost.
Member resources
The member survey also shows us gaps where we can promote AIIP as an indispensable resource.
Member satisfaction with and usage of vendor services increases over time. To help members really grasp the value of our Industry Partners and Affiliates, the Industry Relations Committee is creating Vendor Highlight Snapshots. The first Highlight Snapshot will be launched soon and will be covering a long-time Affiliate, Alacra.
Awareness of AIIP
Members feel that an increased awareness of AIIP helps them find new clients.
Our objective is to increase awareness of AIIP as an association and our members as expert independent information specialists. New efforts in this vein include the President's articles in AIIP Connections (read the June or September 2016 issues) that frame AIIP as a part of an IP ecosystem and our AIIP blog with member news and articles. We expect to leverage this content using social media.
Another strategy in expanding our own network of IPs is to grow relationships with other IP groups. We have formal agreements with the Society of Technical Communication (STC), Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA), Internet Librarian International London (ILI) and Patent Information Users Group (PIUG). The objectives of these relationships are to expand programming opportunities for members of each organization, cross-market conferences, attract new members and increase awareness of IPs in new communities.
This is a growth area for us. We are working to strengthen our existing alliances and grow new ones. I'll focus on this topic in another President's email blast.
Members want the AIIP Board to share more information about existing efforts.
We're sharing information with members each month to be transparent. Our communications are to help members stay apprised of all the rich resources and programming available just for them! How are we doing?
Be a part of the AIIP community of information professionals by joining AIIP as a student, associate or full member. Check us out!
Jane Langeman
Jane Langeman is the 2016 – 2017 President of the Association of Independent Information Professionals, and Project & Technology Management Professional at Langeman Consulting.


text:
There are plenty of people who believe in the idea of organic wines – wines made without the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. But often the economic realities of the higher prices which organic winemakers need to charge can hamper consumer support. Now we are proud to promote a range of sensational organic wines which are as easy on the hip pocket as they are on the environment. The Cuma range of wines from Michel Torino offer a very tasty Malbec and a lovely crisp, dry white made from the Torrentes grape. The wines and vineyard are 100% certified organic but they don't rely on just their organic credentials in order to sell. These wines are lovely, clean and pure expressions of the Cafayate Valley in Argentina where they are grown.
Cuma Organic Malbec 2008 – $11.99. All the soft plummy characters that makes Malbec so enjoyable.
Cuma Organic Torrontes 2008 – $11.99. A crisp and dry white which will knock your socks off!
Other organic wines at Winesale.co.nz:
Sunset Valley Nelson 2008 Sauvignon Blanc – $18.99. Pure Nelson Sauvignon Blanc!


text:
Change Background:
Follow @twitterapi
The Ultimate Destination for Soul Music
Classic Soul Archives
Artist A-Z
SoulMusic Records
Voice Your Choice
Soul Talkin'
Hall of Fame
The Soul Store
The World of David Nathan
Dedicated to Soul
Express Yourself! Appreciation Features
Contributing Writers
Writer's Blogs
Giving R-E-S-P-E-C-T
12 December 2009
Created By:
David Nathan
About David
About the Writer
David Nathan is the founder and CEO of SoulMusic.com and began his writing career in 1965; beginning in 1967, he was a regular contributor to Blues & Soul magazine in London before relocating to the U.S. in 1975 where he served as U.S. editor for the publication for several decades and began being known as 'The British Ambassador Of Soul.' From 1988 to 2004, he wrote prolifically for Billboard, has penned bios, produced and written liner notes for box sets and reissue CDs for over a thousand projects. He returned to London in 2009 where he has helped create SoulMusic.com Records as a leading reissue label.
Members Comments
(C) 2005 - 2019 All Rights Reserved | SoulMusic.com
Privacy Policy
Contact Us


text:
20th Whitley Bay Cubs raise £270 for Calvert Trust Kielder
On the Friday 11 November, 20 Cubs took part in a night time sponsored walk to help raise money for Calvert Trust Kielder. During a sleepover at Headquarters, the Cubs braved a chilly but dry night to go on a 3.7 mile walk around the wagon ways. Setting out at 9.30pm the Cubs were excited to explore the darkness and play dodge the puddle, and in some cases 'small lake' that had filled the pathways.
Over the last term, Cubs have volunteered during pack nights to 'adopt' a disability for the night. Whether a Cub lost their sight, hearing or the use of an arm, the aim was to help them discover they could still participate no matter what they believed their disadvantage was, and to also help the non-disabled Cubs realise that disability is not scary or different.
Matthew Crumbley, 20th Whitley Bay Akela said 'I am so proud with how the Cubs worked together to help the Cub that had been given a disability. They instantly wanted to help their friends and guide them through difficulties they may encounter. We are so proud to support Calvert Trust Kielder, who constantly strives to show people there are No Limits in life'.
Catherine Little from Calvert Trust Kielder said of the fundraising ' We are so pleased that we have been able to help the 20th Whitley Bay Cubs with their Disability awareness term, and are so proud of the amount they raised on their night time walk. They have proved that it really is what you CAN do that counts! Thank you 20th Whitley Bay Cubs.'
If you would like to carry out a sponsored event for Calvert trust Kielder please visit our Website or contact the Fundraising team on 01434 250232


text:
Lloyd's Register: Adjustment to BWM Convention Implementation Schedule
Please note: this Class News is a reissue and replaces the version sent on 10 January, 2014. The table has been amended to clarify the implementation dates for Regulation D-2 of the Ballast Water Management Convention.
The International Maritime Organization's governing body, the Assembly, recently adopted Resolution A.1088(22) which adjusts the implementation schedule for the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention. The major changes are that:
- all ships that are in service and under construction at the time that the Convention enters into force are considered to be existing ships
- the BWM Convention renewal survey has been harmonised with the MARPOL IOPP renewal survey
- references to compliance by the next "intermediate or renewal survey" have been changed to compliance by the next "renewal survey".
The table shows the adjusted implementation schedule, detailing the dates by which ships will be required to discharge ballast water in compliance with the D-2 discharge standard (i.e., using a ballast water treatment system). Note: as the Convention cannot be amended before it enters into force, the Resolution only recommends that administrations apply these changes. However once the Convention enters into force it is likely that these changes will quickly be mandated by an amendment to the Convention.
Support from Lloyd's Register
Lloyd's Register can provide tailored marine consulting services to help with all aspects of ballast water management. These include help with developing a BWM compliance strategy or selecting the most suitable ballast water treatment technologies and systems.


text:
New Polish edition of Book of Mercy
Debate on Leonard Cohen's poetry (and novels), both published and unpublished. Song lyrics may also be discussed here.
1 post • Page 1 of 1
New Polish edition of Book of Mercy
Księga miłosierdzia
Publisher: Dom Wydawniczy Rebis, Poland
Language: Polish
Translated by: Daniel Wyszogrodzki
Year: 2017
Pages: 116
The book will be published on November 7, 2017
This and (almost) all other editions of every LC book around the world in this Gallery:
Thanks to Beata Wołoszyn for the news
1988, 1993: Helsinki||2008: Manchester|Oslo|London O2|Berlin|Helsinki|London RAH|| 2009: New York Beacon|Berlin|Venice|Barcelona|Las Vegas|San José||2010: Salzburg|Helsinki|Gent|Bratislava|Las Vegas|| 2012: Gent|Helsinki|Verona|| 2013: New York|Pula|Oslo|||
1 post • Page 1 of 1
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


text:
A Writer's Life And Death
"The woman is perfected
Her dead," wrote Sylvia Plath in 1960, in her final poem 'Edge' just before she committed suicide at the young age of 30.
"Death must be so beautiful.
To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses waving above one's head, and listen to silence.
To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow.
To forget time, to forgive life, to be at peace."
~ Sylvia Plath (The Bell Jar)
"I feel certain that I am going mad again… and I can't recover this time" – so read the suicide note Virginia Woolf left for her husband.
"As for me, I am a watercolor.
I wash off." ~ Anne Sexton
"If we value so highly the dignity of life, how can we not also value the dignity of death? No death may be called futile." ~ Yukio Mishima
A lot of writers, famous ones too, make and have made the choice of taking their own lives.
This is a fact and to deny the impact suicide has had on literature would be to deny a huge part of its history.
It is believed, based on research, that authors are twice as likely to commit suicide.
Writers, are sensitive. Most times, they are accused of being "too sensitive" as if it is a crime or some sort of appalling personality flaw. It certainly is a hazard though, personally, for the writer.
Heartache, heart break, personal tragedy, depression, delusional thinking, romanticizing life which takes them away from reality, dementia, unsuccessful careers, some sort of mental illness, alcoholism, are some of the reasons that have caused famous writers to either give up on life, attempt suicide or succeed at taking their own lives.
The pain of melancholy in a writer's life, often leads them to the ultimate act of self-destruction.
So why do seemingly intelligent people end up grappling with their own lives? Do writers romanticize not only about life but also death? Is death considered a form of art? Or is it considered essential so as to stop writing after a certain point to avoid mediocre writing once they believe they have reached their saturation point? Is 'death at will' alluring to a writer?
There are writers who believe they cannot write without being 'high' on alcohol or some other form of substance abuse. Long term, this habit could certainly result in severe health complications, thereby resulting in depression, anxiety and then leading to suicide.
Writers are also solitary by nature. This does not mean they are anti-social. It simply means they tend to have a very low tolerance for what they define as stupidity, small talk and mindless banter. This attitude can result in isolation, very few friends, distance from group activities and sometimes lack of close friends, all of which can result in isolation and depression. Writers tend to feel misunderstood too.
Needless to say, writers think, a lot! It is yet another professional hazard. This can cause mental exhaustion and long-term it can result in insomnia, which can then spiral into various other mental ailments.
Yes, writers are sensitive, solitary, they think a lot, express out loud every facet of emotion and get blamed for it too by those who fail to understand or appreciate them. They lead very tough lives. On a daily basis they are either ridiculed, ignored, scoffed upon, thought of as deranged even, also told that they live in their imaginary world and don't care about their family.
This only adds on to the heartache and further alienates the writer into walking his path in silence and alone.
Sensitive writers are constructed such, that they experience and respond to even small degrees of change in their environment. I feel there is an innate link between highly sensitive writers and pain. Most times, their muse is pain. Writers experience pain in a very intricate, personal and deep way and then express it in words that have the ability to awaken and stir emotions and touch hearts. Like death, writers also romance pain in the most excruciatingly exquisite way.
I find the connection between pain and superior writing very fascinating. Pain brings forth varying degrees of reactions and emotions in people. Writers can transform their pain into poetry and pour their hearts out, bleeding emotions into words. This is such an incredible quality. I only wish though that the 'pain energy' did not overpower them, over time, enough for them to succumb to it and take their own lives.
So my hope is this…
For all the sensitive writers out there…
Don't give up.
You have this fantastic ability to convert pain energy into poetry, just like few can transform pain into various other forms of art such as painting, photography, designing, music and so on.
Don't end your life in melancholy.
Let's aim for an ending that spells a new beginning, one that kindles life, hope and love. One that breathes fulfillment and not desolation. There is poetry in this attitude. Beautiful poetry. Ballads even. Delicate prose too.
Come join the movement… "To Live While Alive" Don't waste time waiting for ideal and perfect situations. They do not exist!
My email: firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Bacillus aerius is a gram-positive bacteria which has been cultured by Shivaji and colleagues from various atmospheric altitudes to show that microbes get transported through the air and into different parts of the world.
- Shivaji, S. Chaturvedi, P. Suresh, K. Reddy, GSN. Dutt, CBS. Wainwright, M. Narlikar, JV. Bhargava, PM. 2006. Bacillus aerius sp nov., Bacillus aerophilus sp nov., Bacillus stratosphericus sp nov and Bacillus altitudinis sp nov., isolated from cryogenic tubes used for collecting air samples from high altitudes. 56(7): 1465-1473.
Date Collected: February 9, 2017
Methods for Isolation and Identification:
- A sample of leaf litter (that has not been fully decomposed) was collected near Buffalo Creek in Lancer Park (Figure 1). The sample was placed in sterile broth and pipetted into agar plates. It was spread using a hockey stick and incubated at room temperature.
One burnt yellow colony (Figure 2) was selected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing by PCR amplification.
The product of PCR amplification was digested with MspI and that DNA was sequenced to determine the genus and species of the bacteria.
Figure 1. Location of Genomic Extraction
Figure 2. Colony chosen
- MspI Digestion (Figure 3): A 1,500 basepair product was amplified by PCR. After digestion with MspI, four bands at roughly 550 bp, 400 bp, 200 bp, 120 bp were identified.
Figure 3. PCR Amplification and MspI Enzyme Restriction Digestion
- Sequence Analysis (Figure 4): The sequenced PCR product made 1008 bases of high-quality reads that identified that genus and species. NCBI BLAST analysis revealed 99% with bases 17-(855) of the 16s rRNA gene of Bacillus aerius.
Figure 4. NCBI Blast Analysis
Contributed by: Brianna LaFratta and Tiffany Yun, BIOL 250 Spring 2017, Group 1


text:
Feb. 12, 2018, 9:58 a.m.
Ignoring warnings from diplomats and even a powerful GOP-controlled Senate committee, the Trump administration went ahead Monday with drastic cuts to the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development, the two most important arms of American diplomacy.
The budget unveiled by the White House allots $39.3 billion for the department of about 24,000 foreign and civil service employees and USAID — down from about $55 billion last year.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had embraced the cuts when the White House first proposed them, and was met with steep criticism from the foreign policy establishment and numerous members of Congress. The Senate Appropriations Committee last fall said the reductions "serve only to weaken America's standing in the world."
Feb. 12, 2018, 9:44 a.m.
- Russia
Street names, apparently, are not immune to the diplomatic tit-for-tat between Moscow and Washington.
Moscow's city government announced Monday that it will consider a request from a Russian parliament member to change the postal address of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow to 1 North American Dead-end.
The name change request seems to be retaliation for Washington's announcement last month that it would name part of Wisconsin Avenue in front of the Russian Embassy Nemtsov Plaza after slain Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov.
Feb. 12, 2018, 8:35 a.m.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson started a Middle East tour Monday in Cairo, where he declined to publicly criticize Egyptian officials who have arrested or disqualified several opposition candidates for elections scheduled in March.
"We have always advocated for free and fair elections, transparent elections, not just for Egypt but in any country," Tillerson told reporters after meeting with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry.
He ignored a second question about whether the United States would consider withholding military aid if the presidential elections do not meet standards for fairness and transparency.
Feb. 12, 2018, 7:27 a.m.
Feb. 10, 2018, 9:47 a.m.
- White House
President Trump appeared to question the #MeToo movement on Saturday, writing on Twitter that "lives are being shattered and destroyed by a mere allegation."
The tweet came a day after Trump had expressed support and sympathy for Rob Porter, his former aide accused of spousal abuse, and twice mentioned that Porter says he's innocent.
Trump himself has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than a dozen women. He denies the allegations.
Feb. 10, 2018, 9:11 a.m.
- White House
President Trump wrote on Twitter on Saturday that he wants Democratic lawmakers to "re-do" a classified memo about government surveillance of a former Trump campaign advisor before it is released.
Trump refused on Friday to approve the release of the 10-page memo written by Democratic minority members of the House Intelligence Committee.
The document aims to refute Republican claims that the FBI surveillance of Carter Page was politically motivated, even though the counter-intelligence warrants were renewed three times by different judges over the course of a year.
Feb. 9, 2018, 4:43 p.m.
The No. 3 official in the Justice Department is resigning to take a job in the private sector, another high-profile departure from a department under relentless pressure from the White House.
Rachel Brand, the associate attorney general, will leave her job after less than nine months to take an unspecified private sector job, the department announced on Friday.
Ordinarily a low-profile position, that job potentially put Brand next in line to oversee the special counsel investigation, after Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein – who has become a target of increasing attacks from right-wing Republicans.
Feb. 9, 2018, 2:51 p.m.
- White House
- Russia
President Trump met with key law enforcement figures Friday and will "respond soon" to a request to declassify a Democratic memo related to the probe and surveillance of a former Trump campaign associate, according to his spokesman.
Raj Shah, deputy White House press secretary, said in a statement released Friday afternoon that Trump had met with FBI Director Andrew McCabe, top officials from the Justice Department and White House Counsel's office "to discuss the memorandum from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and receive their input."
"The President is weighing his options and will respond soon," Shah added.
Feb. 9, 2018, 2:20 p.m.
Did Sen. Marco Rubio just call for a military coup in Venezuela?
The Florida Republican, long dismayed over the humanitarian and political crisis engulfing the socialist-ruled nation, on Friday said the "world would support" the Venezuelan military if it rose to "protect the people & restore democracy by removing a dictator."
In a series of messages on Twitter, Rubio said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his associates "live like kings" while ordinary citizens, including soldiers, starve.
Feb. 9, 2018, 12:42 p.m.
Anyone looking for more proof of the partisan battle raging in the House Intelligence Committee can turn to the transcript of a recent closed-door hearing in which members argued over a Democratic memo about secret surveillance.
Democrats wrote the memo as a rebuttal to a Republican document that was released on Feb. 2. It alleged that the FBI and Justice Department abused the process needed to obtain a special warrant to authorize eavesdropping on a former foreign policy advisor to President Trump's campaign.
Even minor procedural issues appeared tense during the meeting Monday.


text:
You are here: Home \ Challenges \ Donald Trump as president of the United States of America \ Reflections on solving the problem
Problem tree
Donald Trump as president of the United States of America
- No sub problems added
Related problems
None added
Type-ahead search field here...
Advanced faceted search...
List all concepts alphabetically here (everything from issues, facts, data sets, solutions, actions, criterias etc). Use faceted search to filter, sort and group items.
Interactive map mindmap like diagram here where users can browse the entire problem space using relations such as those between object, stakeholders, variables ... and anything else.
Reflections on solving the problem
Warning. This step is not complete
We are currently in an early development phase of this system. We have still made this page visible to make our design and development process as transparent as possible.
At the moment this page only shows our notes and ideas.
Contact us if you have ideas or feedback.
What difficulties were there when working on this social challenge, and why was it so? How did you overcome the difficulties?
Did you have difficulties communicating the problem? If so how did you improve the definitions, language etc to make the problem easier to understand for others?
Here you will be able to write down experiences that may be useful for others that are trying to solve other social challenges.
Issue title


text:
There is a lot of activity in the room next to the large Bedouin tent. One woman is cutting, another is sorting through threads, a third is at the computer and another is walking around carrying a tray of small cups of sweet tea with hyssop.
Women come and go carrying squares of black cloth, laughing, and caressing the heads of children running around. Today is payday at the women's collective "Desert Embroidery" that operates in the Bedouin village of Laqiya in the Negev, and there is excitement is in the air.
Naama Al-Sana, who founded the Association for Improvement of the Status of Women: Laqiya which operates the project, supervises the buzz of activity. She is 41 years old and has a husband and 4 children waiting for her at home, yet she looks like a young girl. She has worked for many years to empower Bedouin women and improve their independence.
"If we do not help ourselves no one will help us", she says, and despite the daily difficulties, she insists on implementing her doctrine. Al-Sana relates that this doctrine, which espouses women's independence and education, is inherited from her father, who was not an educated man himself. "Whoever learns and succeeds will go far", he would repeat in her ears and the ears of her six sisters. "Whoever fails - will tend sheep".
She became aware of the complicated situation of Bedouin women, which began with their move to permanent housing, when she was a young girl nearing the end of high school. During that time, Al-Sana and her friends ran a camp for the village children during summer vacation.
"While we were running the camp, the mothers of the children would come and ask us to teach them to read and write. Sometimes they did not even know how to write their name", she remembers. "We understood that we had to change things from the core; that we had to do something for the women in our community, to improve their level of education and allow them to leave the house and earn money by themselves".
Bedouin traditional products
They learned to stand for themselves
"In the past the Bedouin woman was very busy", described Al-Sana. "She would go to herd the sheep and would meet her friends when she would bring water from the well, she would cook and sew the tents and would spend a lot of time in nature. The move to houses made us lose many of our chores.
Among a considerable number of the families the husband was also unemployed, and since the women tend not to leave the house and also do not support themselves, their standard of living dropped".
Since 1996, the Association for Improvement of the Status of Women: Laqiya that Al-Sana formed together with other women, has been working to change the situation.
Six years ago, with the support of different social grants, they established "Desert Embroidery", a creative center that enables women from the village to support themselves from embroidery, the traditional handiwork that they are experts in from their youth.
"The women come to the center once every week or two, and receive cloth squares and embroidery thread", details Al-Sana. "They do the embroidery work at home, during their free time, and they return the embroidered squares to us. Once a month they are paid according to the number of embroideries that they give us, and they receive anywhere from 600-1,800 shekels".
Six women who work in the center turn the embroidered squares into pretty handbags, pouches, pillow covers, wall hangings, bookmarks, greeting cards, and other products, which are impeccably arranged on the shelves and waiting for customers.
"The work enables women to leave the house and meet other women, to participate in lectures that we give once a month and mostly to make money", continues Al-Sana. "Sometimes this is the only money earned in the household, which gives them pride and power. In the beginning they were very docile, they obeyed instructions and asked for very little, but today I see a difference."
"The working women are more assertive, they request lectures on certain subjects and know what they want to hear. They are not willing to take every job; they do the financial calculations and learn how to stand up for themselves. Thirty of the women live in an unrecognized village. They walk kilometers in the mud, but they will not give up," she explains.
Enthusiasm? Yes. Budget? Not so much
The bustle in the center, the telephone that rings non-stop and the fact that it was difficult to find a large bag adorned with embroidery in shades of red, could testify to the business success of "Desert Embroidery", but it is not so.
In the not-so-distant past, 165 women would come every week to receive embroidery assignments from the center; today they only come every other week. An additional 200 women are waiting for their turn to participate in the activities, but the center suffers from chronic budget deficit and cannot pay them.
According to Al-Sana, despite the large number of sales and rising interest in their embroidery products, they need an additional yearly budget of 100,000 shekels, in order to integrate more women into their work cycle and to expand their activities.
"If only the State of Israel would allocate some funds for us, and not just various grants that we have to apply for every year", she says. "Everyone is impressed with our initiative and our important activities. But a budget? That is already another story".
The budget, Al-Sana adds, is not only used to expand their business-community initiative. Aside from the center, they operate a series of community projects. The association teaches women from the village and from unrecognized Bedouin villages to read and write; they maintain a pre-school so that the mothers can go out to work; they lead a young leadership project for girls ages 13-16 and they operate a mobile library that travels between the villages, and loans out books in Arabic, Hebrew and English.
What is next? Al-Sana dreams of opening a tourist center, where they would sell the embroidery products and would represent the project "Desert Weaving", which also operates in Laqiya and specializes in traditional weaving earning the woman in the village a living.
In the meantime, together with the other projects, she continues to fight for the project's existence and apply, year after year, for grant support. Just like the unrecognized Bedouin villages near Laqiya, the State of Israel does not recognize "Desert Embroidery".
"Desert Embroidery" merchandise is sold in the visitor's center in Lakiya and in the gift shop at the Eretz Israel Museum in Tel Aviv. For more details call 08-6513208.


text:
|Peak holiday season is fast approaching and for us girls one of the biggest banes of going away is deciding what to pack. If you're restricted by luggage weight, really considering your wardrobe is key. Whilst I've never been much of an advocate for packing lightly - here's my top 12 holiday essentials I'd pack if I was short of space. I'm not being paid by H&M to write this - I just buy a lot of holiday pieces from there and feel they're great value for money at the moment.
1. The Kimono
Chances are it'll be too warm for your average cover-up, so turn to the holiday equivalent - the kimono. Lightweight and stylish, it will go with everything in your holiday wardrobe.
2. The Ankle Strap Heel
Whilst you'll be rocking a flat shoe for daytime exploring, a chunky heel will take your look from beach to bar.
3. The Playsuit
A great alternative to a dress, this smart printed playsuit would make a great look for dinner out one night.
4. The Aviators
A classic shape, the aviator will finish off any of your holiday outfits.
5. The Black Bandeau Dress
A simple black bandeau dress is the ultimate holiday staple. Wear as an LBD for a night out and then dress it down in the day by wearing under a denim short or printed skirt.
|6. The Floral Beach Dress
Whilst black and white pieces build the foundation of most holiday wardrobes, add a pop of colour with this floral beach dress - perfect for throwing on over your swimwear.
7. The Printed Trouser
These relaxed trousers are the perfect 'travel-in' pant. Comfortable and chic, team with a light knit for when temperatures drop on the plane.
8. The Bikini
Swimwear is a given on holiday and this white bikini is great after a few days of tanning.
9. The Sandal
Trade in your flip flops for something with a bit more character.
10. The Denim Short
A denim short is a summer style staple - team with plain vests and bandeau tops.
11. The Beach Bag
Roomy enough for all of your beach essentials - this beach bag comes with a secure zip for extra safety.
12. The Sun Hat
Both practical and pretty, this oversized sun hat will keep you out of the sun whilst looking stylish.
All pieces from H&M


text:
Financing Renewable Energy
Panelists spoke about financing renewable energy innovations. Among the topics they addressed were attracting start up investments, forms… read more
Panelists spoke about financing renewable energy innovations. Among the topics they addressed were attracting start up investments, forms of investment in clean technology, and challenges facing companies and utilities engaged in large-scal renewable energy projects. Following their remarks they answered questions from the audience. close
People in this video
- Chip Comins Director American Renewable Energy Institute->American Renewable Energy Day.
Rod Eckhardt Managing Partner Round Rock Partners
Michael Haas President and Founder Orion Energy Group
Robert MacDonald MAnaging Partner Craton Equity Partners
Joel Serface Member Colorado Cleantech Industry Association
Christina Wyly Partner Satori Capital
Hosting Organization
- American Renewable Energy Institute | American Renewable Energy Day.American Renewable Energy Institute | American Renewable Energy Day.
More Videos From
AREDAY-ASPEN 2010- Michael Eckhart- Renewable Energy- is Nuclear Renewable?More Videos
Related Video
Renewable Energy
Ted Turner, T. Boone Pickens, James Cameron, and two renewable energy executives talked about their prescription for…
Future of Renewable Energy
Representatives from several wind energy groups spoke about the future of wind energy, including government funding and…
Michael Eckhart on Renewable Energy
Michael Eckhart spoke about energy policy and outlined three strategies for increasing the use of renewable energy,…
Future of Renewable Energy
Undersecretary Kristina Johnson spoke about energy policy. Among the topics she addressed were energy efficiency and…


text:
Most well known for pitcher water filters, PuR also has a foot in the water cooler market. But they do it a little differently than everyone else, providing reusable water bottles and strictly at-home purification.
Two-stage filters
PuR filters provide one to two months of filtered water and cost less than most bottled water. A gauge on many systems measures remaining life and shows you when to replace the filter.
PuR filters work in two stages:
Plenty of options
PuR offers several options for water purification:
Advanced filtering water bottle - For those who already have a water cooler but no longer want to subscribe to a delivery service or exchange jugs themselves, PuR sells durable bottles with filters built in. A universal design is meant to fit all standard water cooler systems. A bottle comes in two sections, the top half of which is removed for easy filling in most sinks. Total capacity is 5 gallons.
Refillable system - The stand houses a 3-gallon removable reservoir (the entire system has a 5-gallon capacity). The reservoir has a no-spill design and handles for easier carrying, making it a good choice for people who don't like to carry heavier jugs. When the reservoir is filled, water drains into a filtering system inside the stand to be stored for use. With refilling possible while some water still remains in the system, there is almost never the need to wait for cold water.
Refrigerator pitchers and dispensers - Like its competitor Brita, PuR sells a variety of pitchers and containers for small-scale water purification. The top half of the container is filled with water, which filters into the bottom compartment for use.
Faucet side-tap - PuR teamed up with Delta faucets to create a filtered-water-dispensing tap. An indicator light on the faucet lets you know when to change the under-sink filter. The three-stage filter includes a bed of minerals for improved taste, as well as better chlorine, agricultural pollutant and industrial pollutant removal.
Refrigerator - Kenmore refrigerators use water filters made by PuR.
Faucet-mounts - Horizontal and vertical PuR faucet water filters use two- or three-stage filtration. Controls switch between purified and regular water, and a filter indicator tells you when replacement is necessary.