text:
Going into the season I think most of us felt good about the starting rotation. Things haven't exactly gone as planned but is it as simple as a little home cooking to get us going in the right direction or were we blinded by a year of success for some?
About the show:
Website: Two Birds on a Bat
Facebook: Two Birds on a Bat
Twitter: @birdsonabatshow
Email questions or comments to the show: email@example.com
Get Two Birds on a Bat on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Podbean, and more.
Two Birds on a Bat is brought to you by LineupMedia.fm
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RSS | More


text:
London O2 Arena NOW ON SALE!
Tickets for headline show at the London O2 Arena on Friday 13th December are now on sale here or here. The band is very excited about this, so make sure you buy your tickets now! I might even see some of you there..! Love, Saoirse.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The Funding Status of Teacher Pensions: An Econometric Approach
NBER Working Paper No. 1727
The financing of public employee pensions has become an issue of growing public concern. This paper examines the fundinq status of teacher pension plans for the fifty states and for selected localities for the decade, 1971-1980. A pension underfunding equation based upon actuarial principles is specified and estimated using a sample of pension plans for which actuarially sound measures of underfundings are available. The ecometrically-estimated pension equationis then used to "predict" underfundings for each state and local pension plan for each year for which full pension plan data are available. The results reveal that the real dollar value of plan underfundings has risen by over 50% in the average state from 1971-1980. Strategies for funding these growing pension deficits are required.
Machine-readable bibliographic record - MARC, RIS, BibTeX
Document Object Identifier (DOI): 10.3386/w1727
Published: Inman, Robert P. "Appraising the Funding Status of Teacher Pensions: An Econometric Approach, National Tax Journal, Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 21-34, March 1986.
Users who downloaded this paper also downloaded* these:
Contact Us


text:
Beginning Apple Grower Spring Field Day! Saturday April 6th 8:30-4:30PM Cost is $45 and includes lunch and snacks
Midwest School for Beginning Apple Growers will host an educational farm tour which includes stops at two orchards near Madison, WI as well as a short classroom session and lunch.
Door Creek Orchard, West Madison Ag Research Station, and Atoms to Apples
The day will emphasize critical business startup issues such as assessing market opportunities, orchard design, vital decisions about rootstocks and apple varieties, and financial planning tools.
Join us to help make sure you are on track for success! Click the following flyer for registration details.
2019 Beginning Apple Grower Spring Field Day
Nutrient Application Guidelines for Field, Vegetable, Fruit Crops in WI


text:
9" Teleidoscope Solid Woods Include Teak Ebony, Jalneem Woods, Solid Wooden base and a nice blue gift box is also included.
With a Teleidoscope there is no end piece containing color, only a clear lens that turns everything it is pointed toward into a kaleidoscopic image. It's been said that the ultimate value of the teleidoscope is the potential each viewer has to see the artistic value in his own environment.
© 2006 - 2020 Eclectic Treasures. All rights reserved.


text:
Worthwhile and Innovative SandBlast Administrator Dumps Questions Answers
With your SandBlast Administrator certification, you have a competitive edge to meet the requirement of the ever-grooming IT industry. Once certified with Checkpoint meritorious credential, you not only improve your employments prospects but also find out the work place of your own choice.
DumpsPedia's SandBlast Administrator dumps level your way to this glorious professional success with an assurance of never failing the exam. To make the challenging task of passing the SandBlast Administrator Exam, our professionals have employed their best efforts to create a content that is all-inclusive, easy and workable. Thus each brain dump is valuable in DumpsPedia's SandBlast Administrator exam dumps PDF to be practiced and grasped by the exam candidates.
SandBlast Administrator Real Exam Scenario
DumpsPedia's immensely helpful SandBlast Administrator practice questions provide a range of solutions to your exam worries. You get not only the most valuable and relevant information for exam questions but also practice the real exam scenario with the help of Checkpoint SandBlast Administrator Exam Testing Engine. The innovative and interactive exam simulator provides you the most expected set of questions of SandBlast Administrator dumps exam paper, hence enhances your practical and theoretical skills. Moreover, you need not take pains to download SandBlast Administrator VCE files for exam scenario practice nor hanker after SandBlast Administrator dumps questions and the alike.
Free SandBlast Administrator Practice Questions Demo
Click our webpage for downloading the free braindumps for SandBlast Administrator exam and monitor their quality and accuracy. We believe that you will find our exam SandBlast Administrator dumps questions worthy to rely on them and ensure a brilliant exam success. DumpsPedia's SandBlast Administrator questions answers are the most comprehensive solution to cater your needs.
Free Checkpoint SandBlast Administrator Counseling service
To make your SandBlast Administrator certification exam preparation less taxing, our online staff is always available to you. Ask whatever query perplexes you. The efficient Checkpoint IT professionals would provide you instant response and will give you prompt solutions.
List of Checkpoint: SandBlast Administrator Exams
|Exam Code
|156-730 Questions Answers
|Check Point Accredited Sandblast Administrator


text:
Oksana Grigorieva's computer has evidence?
HollywoodNews.com: Everything involved in the Mel Gibson, Oksana Grigorieva court battle is being investigated as possible evidence.
Now, Oksana is reportedly meeting with a computer crimes attorney, James Spertus, states TMZ. Spertus' history includes lecturing FBI agents and prosecutors on prosecuting intellectual property crimes.
As Gibson's side has allegedly claimed that they have evidence that someone tampered with the tapes, Grigorieva's computer might be involved in that matter.
Oksana has reportedly been told to make a copy of her hard drive in case her computer is seized by authorities as part of the investigation.
Award News, Breaking News, Entertainment News, Movie News, Music News, Hollywood News


text:
You can reach us on:
01276 685415 (head office)
07456 093155 (management team)
You can also use our
Personal care is a major part of what we do and as part of our comprehensive services it can include cooking, shopping, visiting friends and families, escort services to hospital appointments or any other day-to-day activities.
Our home care service provides care visits from 7 am to 10 pm, a sleep in service during the night and a full time live-in service. We provide our services to service users and those users with personal budgets.
In addition we provide escort services for the following:


text:
An French tourist was tried yesterday by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on allegations that he stole a French woman's bag at a guesthouse in the capital's Daun Penh district in March.
Judge Meng Tony said that defendant Frank Cristophe Henri Marret, had been staying at the Dolphin Guesthouse for several days in a room near that of the French victim.
"He entered to steal the victim's bag inside her room while she was having a bath and forgot to close her [door]," he said. "After stealing it, he hid the victim's bag under his bed inside the room. Police [later] confiscated the victim's bag from his room."
During his trial yesterday, Marret admitted to stealing the victim's bag, but said that it only contained books, a camera and a passport, but no money.
Upon finding no cash, Marret continued, he attempted to return the bag, but when the victim shouted at him and reported him to the guesthouse's owner, he decided to hide it in his room.
"The reason why I decided to steal her bag was because I had run out of money to pay for the guesthouse room and food fees," he told the court, adding that he had learned his lesson. "I would request the court to pardon me and release me."
Under the Penal Code, Marret could face up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $1,500. A verdict is due on August 26.


text:
Downtown Dental Care: Online Dental Education Library
Our team of dental specialists and staff strive to improve the overall health of our patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing and treating conditions associated with your teeth and gums. Please use our dental library to learn more about dental problems and treatments available. If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, contact us.
Palm Beach Gardens Dentist
There is an exceptional Palm Beach Gardens dentist that is unsurpassed in the area. This suburb dental office offers patients exemplary treatment options that leave individuals fully satisfied with the results. The compassionate staff take all of their patient's unique concerns seriously. The professional dental services include a wide array of treatment options. This is a dental practice that can be trusted for all forms of dental needs. The location is ideal for Palm Beach Gardens residents and individuals from outlying areas. Prospective patients can inquire about the many outstanding dental procedures that are available. Many patients can attest to the high quality of service at this remarkable Palm Beach Gardens dentist office.
Patients receive top-notch exams that can pinpoint any potential dental problems. Nothing is left to chance at this full service dental office. State-of-the-art X-rays ensure that underlying problems are not missed. Patients are delighted with the expert cleanings. Preventative care is practiced to reduce future costly and unnecessary procedures. The staff keeps track of a patient's routine oral health regimen. If further treatment is needed, this dental service provides many on-site procedures. This convenience makes this dental office a smart choice for patients. Continuity of care is important to this fantastic practice.
Great care for patient comfort is stressed at this Palm Beach Gardens dentist office. The atmosphere is tranquil and non-stressful. This reputable dentist is experienced with performing fillings with ease. The standard of care is extraordinary. This innovative dental practice offers patients many forms of cosmetic dentistry. Patients can finally get the smile that they have always desired. Fabulous and natural looking lumineers are a popular choice to improve appearances. This can empower a patient with new found self-esteem. Many other dental appearance procedures are available. The results are absolutely stunning. Gorgeous smiles are the goal of this artistic dentist.
It is not hard to find happy patients at this wonderful dental practice. This dentist has a solid reputation for fine reputable work. People in need of orthodontic treatment need to look no further than this office. Orthodontic procedures are able to be performed at this same location. This dentist stays current with the latest in technological practices. Patients can rest assured that they are receiving the best care possible. This is truly an amazing practice. The convenience cannot be beat. Individuals wanting superior dental health should check out this renowned Palm Beach Gardens dentist
Every so often, in dentistry and other fields, a new technology comes along that promises to change the standard practices. TADS (Temporary Anchorage Devices) aren't exactly new — orthodontists have used them since the 1980s — but they're gaining widespread acceptance today. The benefits they offer some orthodontic patients could even be called groundbreaking. Let's look at what these devices are, and what they can do.
Essentially, TADS are small, screw-like dental implants made of a titanium alloy. As the name implies, they're temporary — they usually remain in place during some months of treatment, and then they are removed. Their function is to provide a stable anchorage — that is, a fixed point around which other things (namely, teeth) can be moved. But why is anchorage so important?
Moving teeth in the jaw has been compared to moving a stick through the sand. With the application of force, sand moves aside in front of the stick, and fills up the space behind. The "sand" in this case consists of bone cells and cells of the periodontal ligament, which attaches the tooth to the bone. These tissues slowly move aside and reform as force is applied to them by orthodontic appliances, such as wires and elastics.
But to do its work, that force needs a fixed point to push against. For example, imagine trying to move the stick while you're floating free in the water: Not so easy! But with two feet firmly planted in the sand, you can do it. When possible, orthodontists use the back teeth as an anchor — but sometimes, cumbersome headgear may be required to provide the necessary anchorage. In many cases, using TADS can change that.
What TADS Can Do
While it's generally preferred, the use of teeth as orthodontic anchors can have drawbacks in some cases. For example, there may not be a viable tooth located at the point where an anchor is needed. Also, when a greater force is required, the teeth used as anchors can themselves start to move. This is one instance where TADS are beneficial: These mini-implants can eliminate the need to use teeth as anchors, or stabilize a tooth that's being used as such.
TADS can also provide an anchorage point for a pushing or pulling force that would otherwise need to be applied from outside the mouth: generally, via orthodontic headgear. Wearing headgear can be uncomfortable, and compliance is sometimes a problem. In many situations TADS can eliminate the need for headgear, a welcome development for many patients.
The use of TADS offers other benefits as well: It may shorten overall treatment time, eliminate the need to wear elastics (rubber bands) — and in some cases, even make certain oral surgeries unnecessary. It also allows orthodontists to take on complex cases, which might formerly have proved very difficult to treat. This small device can really do a big job!
Getting (and Maintaining) TADS
Like dental implants (which have been in use since the 1970s) TADS are small, screw-like devices that are placed into the bone of the jaw. Unlike implants, however, they don't always need to become integrated with the bone itself: They can be fixed in place by mechanical forces alone. Plus, they're much easier to put in and remove when treatment is complete. How easy?
Placing and removing TADS is a minimally-invasive, pain-free procedure. After the area being treated is numbed (with an injection or other numbing treatment), a patient feels only gentle pressure as the device is inserted. The whole process can take just minutes to complete. Afterwards, an over-the-counter pain reliever can be taken if needed — but many patients need no pain reliever at all. And taking TADS out is even easier. So if you're worried that it may be a painful procedure: Relax! It's far less stressful than you may think.
While they're in place, TADS require minimal maintenance. Generally, they should be brushed twice daily with a soft toothbrush dipped in an antimicrobial solution. You will receive specific instructions regarding maintenance when your TADS are placed.
Not every orthodontic patient needs TADS — but for those who do, it's a treatment option that offers some clear benefits.
Related Articles
What are TADS? Anchorage, or resistance to movement, is an important concept in orthodontics. Anchorage in orthodontics is often supplied by a tooth or group of teeth that are supposed to stay still as forces are applied against them in a way that only the mal-positioned teeth will move — into better position. The challenge is to avoid the anchor teeth from moving too. That's where Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs) come in. TADS are mini-screws or mini-implants temporarily placed into the bone of the jaws to be used as non-mobile anchor units that facilitate tooth movement. TADs can shorten orthodontic treatment time and are easily removed once they've done their job.... Read Article


text:
Ingredients: sea salt, cane sugar, allspice, garlic, thyme, black pepper, cayenne, onion, clove, chili, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, chives
A great rub for chicken, beef or pork before barbequing or broiling. Rub on dry...
View full product details »
Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more …
© 2020 Shadoblix Farm.
Powered by Shopify


text:
Caroline's Awesome Sleepover Club Project
What a great way to start the day: a student exceeded my expectations!
I've been doing the Fourth Grade Sleepover Club for 15 years now, where I ask students to read 8 books in different genres over the course of the year, share their books with their class at library time, and then we celebrate with a sleepover in the library in May. (For more information, check out 4th GRADE SLEEPOVER CLUB under "Pages" at right). Usually students stand in front of the class and give a booktalk. Sometimes students draw pictures or maps to go along with their booktalk. Often they write a summary. Today, Caroline in Mrs. Jerome's class blew me away with a very professional brochure about her first completed book:
Fantastic job, Caroline! You took this to a whole new level!
*If you want to read the wonderful information Caroline wrote about THE BATTLE OF THE LABYRINTH, just click on the images and they will enlarge for you.Explore posts in the same categories: Class activities, Student Book Projects, Student Book Reviews
4 Comments on "Caroline's Awesome Sleepover Club Project"
September 13, 2011 at 9:00 am
Wow, Caroline! You have made our whole class want to read this series. Let's hope others follow your lead and produce great book projects for Mrs. Raymond. Thank you for taking so much time and effort!
Mrs. Jerome's Class
September 13, 2011 at 5:06 pm
It was fun watching you use our computer to figure out how to make a brochure, and now to see it on Mrs. Raymond's blog…WOW! We're proud of you! Love,
Mom and Dad
September 14, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Miss Caroline, I am so impressed with your project I can't imagine any young lady your age doing such a wonderful job. I really wish your teacher could send a copy of your project to the author and tell him that you are her forth grade student . I'm sure even he would be impressed. Now I even want to read the book. Great job keep up the good work.
November 8, 2011 at 9:10 am
i completely and fully loved these books probably my favorite book i ever read.


text:
Imitation of LeadershipAdd bookmark
I always enjoy finding situations in my personal life where a teachable moment can be translated into leadership lessons I can share with those around me. The other day I was working in my garage on a project, along with my five-year-old daughter, when something strange happened. My daughter was attempting to build a toy train for her little brother and the pieces wouldn't fit together. After a few attempts, she slammed the pieces down and uttered a few words that absolutely took me by surprise…. She exclaimed, "Come on, really?"
I don't think I have ever realized the impact my actions and words could have on other people until I became a father; even as a soldier in the military or a leader in the workplace. When I heard those words, I immediately thought of the things I say and do sometimes when I get frustrated. My daughter acted and sounded just like me. I took a moment to decide what I was going to say. Then we discussed how my daughter could better handle issues when she becomes frustrated. Although I too have made poor choices at times when dealing with frustrations, which obviously affected the way she handles stress, I knew this had to become a teachable moment. After our conversation, I had to take a serious look at how I handled frustrating situations at home to ensure this behavior was corrected right away.
We have all heard how children are imitators of those around them and what they see and hear help create their personality. Think back to your childhood and some of the behaviors of your parents. Have some of their negative traits become your negative traits as well? Unfortunately, we may have heard a certain behavior is not acceptable, but if we continuously observed this behavior from our parents, it could have made a lasting impression.
As a parent, how many times have you said or heard, "Do as I say, not as I do." Unfortunately, most of us have heard or said this at least once in our lives. The major problem with this phrase is that children, as well as adults, learn more by the actions of others than by words alone. This reminds me of the old saying, "His bark is worse than his bite." When people hear your words, but observe completely different actions, your words suddenly lose their effectiveness.
Just hearing my daughter utter those three simple words got me to thinking how my words and actions as a leader can impact the careers of others. Throughout my leadership career over the past fourteen years, I have influenced thousands of people. In the beginning, while learning to become a leader, I assumed the influence wasn't very positive. If we truly want to become positive influencers, we must, as leaders, take a serious look to determine if our actions back up our messages. If you communicate your expectations but your actions don't support that message, the people around you will begin to focus on your actions and not your message. Having a lack of focus on your message can become detrimental to the success of your team.
Hopefully, as I have developed over time, I have begun to model leadership behavior that I wouldn't mind if others imitated. As Servant Leaders, we must lead by example. In doing so, we must ensure our words and actions align to the same message. Let's face it; our teams are watching our actions just as much as they are listening to our words. Without clarity in our communication (both verbal and nonverbal) our success will be severely limited and we will negatively impact the lives of those around us at the same time. Coach Tony Dungy once said, "Demonstrate who you want them to be, and that's who they will most likely become. Actions speak louder than words. The most effective lessons you teach are the ones you live before others, especially your children." This message can be applied to the people whom we are fortunate to lead in the workplace, as well.
"When people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate each other." – Eric Hoffer


text:
Friday morning saw a continuation of the flow of contract extensions being signed at Carrington in recent weeks with the news that scrum-half Peter Stringer has penned a one-year extension to stay with Sale Sharks for the 2016-17 season.
Capped a staggering 98 times by Ireland, Stringer, who joined Sale from Bath this summer on a one year deal, has so far made 13 appearances for the Sharks and has arguably already usurped former incumbent Chris Cusiter as first choice scrum-half in less than half a season.
Stringer, despite still playing at an age (38) few others have matched in the professional era, was named in pre-season as the second fittest member of the Sale squad and has impressed this year with his accurate but quick distribution from the base of the ruck and vision in kicking tactically. Although no longer possessing the pace to threaten opposition around the fringes, Stringer has worked wonderfully in tandem with fly-half Danny Cipriani in orchestrating Sale's backline with the Sharks having been noticeably more potent and threatening in attack with Stringer-Cipriani as the half-back combination, due to the quick service Stringer is able to offer Cipriani et al. allowing Sale to play on the front foot more frequently.
Re-signing Stringer now allows Sale some security at the scrum-half position going into 2016-17. Former England U20 representative James Mitchell is still likely not ready for full-time Premiership duty whilst the contract status of fellow nine Chris Cusiter remains up in the air. Regardless of whether Cusiter re-signs or not however, Stringer is a key component of the Sharks' ever-improving backline and an experienced clubhouse leader in the Sale first team, meaning therefore, that like James, Addison, Jennings, and Seymour in recent weeks, this is an important deal for Sale to have finalised.
Follow The Shark Tank on Twitter for more news, analysis, and opinions on all things Sale Sharks.
Leave a Reply.
June 2017


text:
Never is the time more prudent for fashioning an estate plan than when a couple welcomes children into their family. Positive estate administration in British Columbia means have an all-encompassing estate plan even though new parents likely aren't dwelling on the future immediately after having children. It may be a wise decision, however, to have documents in place should the unforeseen happen -- especially when it comes to the guardianship of minor children.
In fact, that is probably the first question that could be answered within the body of an estate plan -- who will be the guardian(s) of minor children should the parents pass away? After narrowing the field down and asking the person(s) chosen, writing this important information down properly will likely ease the minds of young parents that their child will be taken care of by someone they respect and trust. Care must be taken to explain the role to the person who has been chosen.
Experts says it is never too early to educate children on handling money and other finances. So, as a child grows parents may wish to teach their children how they might be able to handle an inheritance left to them. An estate plan could also stipulate how children would inherit any assets. Would a trust fund be set up? How old should they be when they can access those assets?
A lawyer in British Columbia can answer all these estate planning questions. The more encompassing an estate plan is, the less stressful it will be when it comes to estate administration. A lawyer may be able to provide a helping hand when it comes to offering guidance as to what would be best to include in estate planning documents.
Source: huffingtonpost.ca, "3 Estate Planning Tips For New Parents", Andrea Love, Accessed on March 30, 2018


text:
Pokemon Fans! Amazon has a great deal on the Pokemon: Season 1- Indigo League: The complete collection. You can grab it for only $18.96! (Reg. $54.98) This is an awesome price for this popular show.
Keep in mind, Amazon pricing can change at any time! Don't wait to purchase this deal or it might be gone when you come back!
This item will ship free for all Amazon Prime members. Or, regular members can score free shipping by adding $49 or more worth of eligible items to your cart. You can get a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime here.


text:
For years now, fat has gotten a bad rap. This misunderstood macronutrient can actually provide a wealth of health benefits. It's time to show fat some love!
Thankfully, the war on dietary fat is almost over, but it hasn't been an easy fight. We can look as far back as 1977, when the U.S. government first told us to follow low-fat diets and minimize saturated fats to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and everything in between. What followed was a monumental shift in the food industry toward promoting low-fat foods, slapping low-fat claims on any and every food in sight. Low-fat water? I'll take that!
Interestingly enough, this did nothing to slow down the rates of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes in our country. In fact, these top the list of chronic diseases in the U.S. So maybe fat isn't the enemy.
After battling decades of fat-bashing, it seems as if the U.S. government, health professionals, and athletes are finally coming to our senses and appreciating fat as an important macronutrient with a myriad of functions and health benefits. With a growing interest in higher-fat diets, it's time to set the record straight when it comes to fat and your health.
Let's be clear: We need fat in our diet, but not all fat is created equal. Understanding the different types of fat—and knowing which ones are most beneficial—is just as important as including them in your diet.
Simply put, fatty acids are carbon atoms linked together like a chain, with either a single or double bond between each carbon.
Saturated fats contain single bonds and are solid at room temperature (think butter or coconut oil). Conversely, unsaturated fats contain one or more double bonds between carbon atoms. Monounsaturated fats (avocados, nuts) are relatively stable at room temperature, whereas polyunsaturated (plant-based oils such as soybean or corn oil) are most unstable and are liquid at room temperature.
Many so-called experts associated saturated fats with the buildup of plaque in arteries and cardiovascular disease, although more recently this association has been called into question. A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition presented results from a symposium of nutrition researchers, concluding that insufficient evidence exists to suggest that replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fats reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.1
This was echoed in 2011, when researchers out of the Netherlands concluded that the focus should be to avoid the accumulation of saturated fat in the body (accumulation of saturated fat the body can also occur from the synthesis of fatty acids from carbohydrates), rather than avoiding dietary saturated fat per se.2 So it appears that while saturated fats may play a role in inflammation, in isolation they may not be as harmful as once thought.
Naturally, fatty acids are almost exclusively found in the cis formation (a double bond in the carbon chain, giving the molecule a bent shape). Commercial hydrogenation adds hydrogen ions to fatty acids, causing a straightening of the bond. This process has primarily been used to prolong the shelf life of products and reduce refrigeration requirements.
Trans fats, which are commonly found in pre-packaged baked goods—and which may be referred to as "partially hydrogenated oils" on food labels—are associated with an increased risk for coronary heart disease.3,4 Although trans fat are more regulated now than they were 10 years ago, they are still prevalent in processed foods.
What makes an omega-6 different from an omega-3? Nothing more than the placement of a double carbon bond in relation to a methyl group. Pretty nerdy words, but the placement of the double bond has a big impact on its function in the body.
In fact, the difference almost makes the two types polar opposites, in that omega-3 fatty acids are believed to prevent blood clotting and have anti-inflammatory effects. Omega-6 fatty acids, on the other hand, are thought to be pro-inflammatory, and contribute to the narrowing of blood vessels and blood clotting.
In this light, the omega-6:omega-3 ratio appears to a big player in inflammation, and general health. Depending on who you ask, the standard American diet has a ratio of anywhere from 12:1 to 20:1. A ratio closer to 5:1 or lower may be more beneficial for cardiovascular health.5
Foods high in omega-3s (nuts, fish, and canola oil) have also been shown to improve cholesterol levels.
Ideally, total cholesterol levels—the combination of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and triglycerides—should be lower than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
HDL, often termed the "good" cholesterol, scoops cholesterol from the blood and arteries, delivering it to the liver to be excreted. Although the cardioprotective effects of HDL are a bit unclear, high levels of HDL are generally associated with a reduced cardiovascular risk and potentially act as an anti-inflammatory.6,7 Until medical science provides a solid answer on HDL—which may take a while—aim to keep HDL levels above 60 mg/dL.
LDL, often termed "bad cholesterol", transports cholesterol to cells in the body to be used for a variety of functions. Unfortunately, this can also lead to a buildup of cholesterol in arterial walls, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Ideally, LDL levels should measure below 100 mg/dL.
I don't care what IIFYMers say: Having a fried Oreo hardly provides the same amount of quality fats as a grilled salmon fillet. Obviously, the Oreo is delicious, but if your goal is to get more beach-ready rather than develop metabolic syndrome, drop the greasy stuff and stick to high quality oils, nuts, seeds, and avocados.
So despite being vilified by mainstream media, fat has stood the test of time and is finally starting to be respected as an important player in our health. Here's a rundown of some of the beneficial functions of fat.
Fats are energy rich, containing 9 calories per gram—more than twice the amount in carbohydrates and protein. Stored throughout the body, as well as the liver and muscles, fat serves as a large energy reserve that can be tapped into at rest or during low-intensity exercise.
How much energy, you might ask? The average 150-pound male with body fat between 12-15 percent will have 80,000-100,000 calories stored as fat. Compare that to only about 2,000 calories stored as glycogen from carbs. All of this stored fat creates an abundant energy reserve that can supply 60-80 percent of energy at rest.
Ever seen "Flubber?" Notice how Robin Williams can jump out of a 10-story building onto his feet and flubber allows him to bounce back unharmed?
This is essentially what visceral fat does for your organs. While it's unfortunately not neon green like flubber, it's gel-like consistency cushions our internal organs, particularly during falls or during contact sports.
It should be noted that, just like too much flubber was bad for Robin Williams, too much visceral fat may be bad for us. Increased visceral fat has been linked to insulin resistance and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.8,9
Subcutaneous fat—the stuff located underneath the skin, which gets pinched during a skinfold test—acts an insulator, preventing heat from escaping the body.
Additionally, it helps maintain thermoregulation (the ability to regulate and maintain core body temperature) and subsequent organ and cellular function.
Finally, fat is also used in the formation of myelin, a substance surrounding nerve cells that improves the speed and efficiency of nerve conduction.10
The importance of this substance is most evident in the types of diseases that develop when it is destroyed or damaged, such as multiple sclerosis.
Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble vitamins. Without adequate fat, these vitamins couldn't be absorbed, transported, or used, and deficiencies would ensue.
Why does a rib-eye taste so much better than the strip sirloin? Probably due to the fat content! Fat offers a distinct texture and flavor to enhance the taste of food. And if you're cutting calories, don't drop all of your fat.
Fat is a calorie-dense molecule, with 9 calories per gram, so it takes a little longer to digest, providing satiation for a longer period of time.
So there you have it: the skinny on fat. Here are my recommendations for fat intake, and where you can find your best sources for quality fat.
Source: https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/the-skinny-on-fat.html


text:
The greatest creamed spinach I've ever tasted was during a recent meal at The Palm steakhouse in Chelsea, just off Sloane Street. They elevated this simple dish from a usually forgettable accompaniment to an indulgent and delicious side that tasted so good I would've happily converted to vegetarianism and eaten it as a main course. It's the perfect partner for a good steak, and the chef has kindly shared this magnificent signature recipe with us so you can cook it at home.
Ingredients (to serves 3-4 people)
- 1140g cooked and chopped Spinach
- 1 Tbsp lightly salted butter
- 180ml of double cream
- 1/2 tsp of fine sea salt
- 1/4 tsp fresh ground white pepper
- 1/4 Tsp freshly ground nutmeg
- 1/2 Tbsp of cornflour
- 1 Tbsp of water
- 100g grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- Squeeze as much water as possible from the spinach
- In a large saucepan combine the butter and cream over a medium heat
- When the butter has melted stir in the spinach. Season with salt, white pepper and nutmeg
- Stirring occasionally bring the mixture to a simmer and then cook for @5 minutes
- In a small bowl blend the corn flour with water
- Add the corn flour & water mixture to the spinach and continue stirring until thickened (about 2 mins)
- Stir in the Parmigiano, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary
Serving tip: You can serve this at once or make ahead and keep it warm in a covered steamer over barely simmering water for up to 30 minutes.
"If you use good butter, Parmigiano-Reggiano and freshly ground nutmeg you can make a great creamed spinach." Tony Tammero, Executive Chef of Palm Restaurants.


text:
My role as Regional Director of the Americas Eastern Region for the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®) is to support the IIBA® chapters in the eastern time zone of North America. I define the role a little more broadly, to support the business analysis communities of the eastern time zone. As part of that role I look for communities that should be served by an IIBA® chapter but is not currently being served. My first stop was in my own back yard in the great Bluegrass state.
The IIBA® will spout off some great benefits of membership in IIBA® that include:
I believe you will agree all excellent benefits and all worth the price of membership, but I think the greatest benefit of being associated with IIBA is the value of an excellently delivered program to the local business community. This is not a benefit of membership, but of partaking of the local program. To that end, I and a group of volunteers who have stepped up with excitement and enthusiasm will do our absolute best to deliver the best program possible to this local community. We spoke in the Board of Directors meeting last month, that even though this chapter is in its infancy, we intend to win the Top Chapter Award given by the IIBA® next year. The way we will accomplish that goal, is to deliver an excellent program to you; and thereby, increase both membership and attendance to our events throughout the year. In the coming months we will be asking for your input to that program, what do you want to grow in knowledge about. We will customize our program for our community. We will remain open to all suggestions beyond our inquiries and surveys, so please do not hesitate to speak to any of the Board members on how to improve our program; because as I said, it is in its infancy. Like any infant it has to mature, but don't worry even in its infancy it matches what other chapters have as many of your Board members are quite experienced in delivering such programs to the local professional community, and we pledge to deliver the best one possible to you. So sit back and enjoy; you are why we are here!
I hope y'all and your families had a safe and wonderful holiday season! Now let's continue what we started in 2013.
Aaron S. Whittenberger, CBAP
President, Bluegrass BA Chapter
Based in Lexington, Kentucky and serving all interested Kentucky Business Analysts
Mailing address: Bluegrass IIBA Chapter | 1588 Leestown Road, Suite 130-111 | Lexington, KY 40511
Email: email@example.com


text:
If you want to get the best VR can give you, and make no compromises regarding quality just to fight some lower price, you should always opt for a pioneering concept from a company or team which has VR as its primary – if not only business, a team which is always ready to make innovations and be step ahead from any other firm endeavoring in the VR technology waters.
Oculus was created several years ago as a group of passionate teenage gamers who wanted to bring their gaming experiences to a new level.
Their initial product, called simply Oculus VR was not intended for any tech hedonism, instead it was rather a testbed for the company to see how well they would perform as a developer of something completely novel in the digital world.
Today, there is Oculus Rift a powerful high-end device capable of producing very high definition binocular image. However, in order to power dis you will need to connect your Oculus Rift VR by wire with a CP – and that PC has to be fairly powerful and expensive as well.
The full resolution of Oculus Rift VR is 1080 x 1200 for each eye, giving out an impressive, natural image without any pixelation visible to an average eye. But, in order to play movies and games at a full resolution, an Oculus Rift won't be enough.
You will need a wire connection with an Intel Core i5 or equivalent AMD processor, 8 GB of RAM and an NVidia GTX 970 or AMD Radeon 290 video card. Yes, it's minimum requirement for running your Rift at a full speed and resolution.
But if you're a real tech hedonist who is eager to spend some extra in the latest gear this is what you actually want. You aren't buying the fastest computer to be able to run games which will be released in several years.
When you buy a high-end gadget you will like to see what it can do at the highest performance settings immediately. That's a good side of the Gear VR. As a standalone unit it is less powerful than HTC Vive which is already on market, but if paired with a mighty personal computer – it will do wonders.
Let's cope with exact amounts. An Oculus Rift costs around $600. The computer which needs to be the power plant of your Oculus VR will cost around $1000 if you're willing to assemble it on your own or get it manually assembled from a local PC store.
If you want a brand-name PC its price will be a bit higher: a Dell Alien ware X51 R3 made to be VR capable will be yours for $1200. Good news with this option is that shipping is free. However, with this super strong computer and an Oculus Rift you will be $1,800 lighter.
Let's now talk about the brighter side of this technological wonder. Thanks to the huge hardware force running it, it is able to make your turns and perspective changes look near-realistic.
Everything needs to be smooth, so when you turn your head light, left, up or down, your perspective will not be lagged due to the lack of physical memory, cache or other resources. That is why creators of Oculus Rift who as passionate gamers spent most of their money on high-end hardware, insisted to make Oculus Rift rely on high power chips.
The Rift is released very recently, and its full potentials have not been uncovered yet. A high end VR will be great for anyone who enjoyed first person shooters and any other first-person games.
However, its high definition gives a new meaning to the notion of gaming. You can now be a superhero capable of jumping from one skyscraper to another, but if you don't like Spiderman you will not have to be one.
You will also need no guns or swords, nor foes who you will fight. The fact that you will be able to see how it looks to jump from a hi-rise building and get onto another will be thrilling enough for most of us. You will be able to travel the outer space, or swim with fishes in the ocean's depths.
The Oculus Rift is a full headset, meaning it features its own earphones. High-end sound does not require huge hardware power by itself, but you will feel better with high quality of sound reproduction. Available on amazon.


text:
Shipping Containers Become Health Care Centers in South Africa
Shipping containers because they are easy to deploy, safe and secure.
"On the Frontlines" is a new series that brings Global Citizens to the frontlines of the work your actions support around the world. In it, aid workers, health and education professionals, gender equality activists, scientists, and other individuals making a difference on the ground tell their stories and provide an in-depth look at how to address some of the world's greatest challenges.
More than 80% of South Africa's population relies on an overcrowded public health system with too many patients and too few staff.
It's a system that focuses heavily on curing conditions, rather than preventing them — which is a serious problem in a country where there were 270,000 new HIV infections in 2016 and most people don't have health insurance.
This paints a pretty bleak picture of health care in South Africa, but nurses like Cynthia Gcinile Yeko are working hard to help change it.
Unjani Clinic is a social franchise that helps nurses across the country become entrepreneurs. Donors donate clinics that are made out of shipping containers to the nurses, which allows them to deliver health services within their communities.
Take Action: Be the Generation to End Extreme Poverty
They use shipping containers because they are easy to deploy, Yeko explained. They are manufactured, retrofitted, and then transported to the community. They are also safe and secure.
"But mostly, at the end of my five-year enterprise development agreement with [Unjani Clinic], I get to own a moveable asset — being my container clinic," Yeko, who lives in Johannesburg, told Global Citizen by email.
Yeko joined the Unjani Clinic network and started her own clinic in a township of Johannesburg called Orange Farm on June 15, 2015.
Her clinic is made of two 12-meter shipping containers that have been fitted with wall panelling and flooring. Inside, there are four consulting rooms, reception and waiting areas, and an air conditioned room for storing medication.
Read More: How South Africa Is Tackling Its AIDS Crisis, One Test at a Time
Yeko said she has all of the equipment she needs to provide for her patients in the scope of her practice, including blood pressure and glucose test machines, stethoscopes, blood testing equipment, and more advanced equipment like a WHO-approved SureChill vaccine fridge and an ultrasound machine to confirm pregnancy and gestational age.
"I wanted to be part of a brand that is providing the best quality [of] private and affordable care to the community," she said. "I wanted an opportunity to own my practice, be my own boss, and be able to create job opportunities for others."
Yeko's clinic, as well as the other Unjani clinics, provide treatments for minor ailments and STIs, as well as services pertaining to chronic illness management for issues like diabetes, hypertension, and HIV, on top of family planning and counselling.
"We treat patients from babies to the elderly, and patients hear about our services mostly through word of mouth," Yeko said.
Read More: How South African Students Woke the World to the Brutalities of Apartheid
Having worked in the public sector as a health worker, Yeko saw challenges firsthand. State facilities are overcrowded, and they are lacking in staff.
As a professional nurse, she focuses on patient consultation, examining patients, providing health education, and dispensing treatment at her clinic. She also manages the business side of things and relies on her team to take care of the record administration and patient flow.
Her clinic sees between 30 and 90 patients per day, most commonly treating STIs, arthritis, ANC, diabetes, HIV, and hypertension. She's also witnessed particularly difficult moments, such as patients with wounds that won't heal, women bleeding from "backstreet abortions," and state ambulances won't even respond when called by nurses.
"We operate (officially) from 8 p.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. However, we treat the patients that are in the queue — no one gets turned away," she said.
Read More: South Africa Pushes to Combat HIV Among Women With Sugar Daddies
South Africa has 7.1 million people living with HIV, which accounts for 18.9% of the adult population, according to HIV awareness NGO Avert.
It can take hours to get in for tests at a regular clinic in South Africa, and because there is such stigma attached to HIV, many people don't want to be seen getting tested and will therefore avoid it. People are also afraid to hear their results.
"Unjani has assisted them with dealing with that and they are afforded privacy. Patients are able to ask more about their individual conditions and get educated, which increases treatment compliance," Yeko said.
Yeko hopes Unjani Clinic will continue to grow, and that she will be able to expand her own clinic, while providing good paying jobs to her workers.
Read More: Heavy Rains Save Cape Town From Running Out of Water — For Now
In South Africa, 55.5% of the population was living in poverty from 2006 to 2015, which accounted for 30.4 million people, according to Statistics South Africa.
To date, Unjani Clinics have served 404,665 patients at 40 clinics throughout the country. Not only do they work to provide health services to people who really need them, but they empower many nurses just like Yeko.
Global Citizen campaigns to end extreme poverty around the world. You can take action here.


text:
AWS Startups Blog
Category: Startup Spotlight
Tecton Feature Store Brings DevOps to ML Data
Founded in 2019, Tecton is on a mission to simplify the process of building and productizing data for machine learning, in an effort to make the technology accessible to any company. Instead of having data scientists and data engineers operating in silos and spending months implementing data pipelines, Tecton automates the complete lifecycle of data for ML.Read More
Beewise Combines IoT and AI to Offer an Automated Beehive
Prior to Beewise, the latest beekeeping technology—if you can call it that—was created in the 1800s. The "tech stack" was a literal stack of wooden boxes called a beehive, filled with honeycomb, not to mention bees. Today, there's Beewise, an Israeli startup leveraging IoT and AI to offer the first autonomous beehive.Read More
How to Be Featured on Our Startup Logo Wall
At various events throughout each year the AWS Startups team designs a logo wall featuring a selection of the awesome companies building on AWS. Interested in being featured? Read this and email us!Read More
Scalable, Automated Data Preparation with the Power of AI
With an aim to make the overwhelming variety of master data simple to consume, Bernhard Bicher and Tobias Widmer founded Onedot in 2014 in Zürich Switzerland, with a focus on processing structured and semi-structured product master data.Read More
Lacework's Three Keys for Effective AWS Security
Learn how Veeva, a leader of cloud-based software for the global life sciences industry, is using Lacework to automate configuration compliance, threat detection, and incident resolution across their AWS workloads.Read More
Fleet Co-Founder Flavia Tata Nardini is Winning the New Space Race
Fleet CEO Flavia Tata Nardini wants to connect you to every part of the world, and her plan to make it happen is out of this world. That's not hyperbole.Read More
How FUNDER Inc. is Powering A Fresh Take on Charitable Fundraising
FUNDER Inc. builds prize draws of any kind, turning them into powerful fundraising tools for nonprofits and the charitable foundations of major brands and sports clubs. Combining technology and entertainment, our goal is to reinvent a time-honored fundraising method.Read More
The Road to Cloud Nirvana: The Venture Capitalist and Startup View on Serverless with Accel
Accel Partner Ping Li notes, The advent of cloud computing, which began in earnest with the launch of AWS in 2006, kickstarted an era of unprecedented new tools for developers — from minimizing operational overhead with IaaS to bypassing operations altogether with serverless services like AWS Lambda.Read More
How GIPHY Engineers Perfect Delivery of a GIF
Every day here at GIPHY, we have GIFs on GIFs on GIFs uploaded to our platform. In fact, we serve over three billion GIFs a day (that's a lot of dancing cats!) to over 300 million daily active users. Every upload, however, brings new information and an increasingly large amount of data—this can become a lot to manage. Using database services like MySQL and DynamoDB, we're able to organize this heavy amount of data in a high-performing way.Read More
Monika Liikamaa, CEO of Enfuce Financial Services: "Regulators are people too."
Regulators are people too. That's what Monika Liikamaa, CEO of Enfuce Financial Services, wants to remind other founders who complain about meeting the strict standards of financial services regulators. "You have to be able to understand their concerns," she says. "People are people, and they just want to feel secure that if they give a person a 'go,' the person they say okay to knows what they're doing." With Enfuce, the first infrastructure payments platform to run banks and financial institutions in a public cloud, Liikamaa's solution to navigating the compliance process is doing her homework. For more from Liikamaa, including how she decides what features Enfuce should build and how she sees the banking industry evolving, listen here.Read More


text:
But first Coffee Mug
Meeting & E-mails Mug
For you too, Today's mood is sponsored by Coffee... ?
So this mug is THE perfect gift for you ! ;)
This mug is handmade, on demand.
Microwaves and dish washer safe, but it can be also washed with water and soft sponge.
Dimensions :
High : 9cm
Diameter : 8 cm
32cl/ 10.8Oz
Pinback button also available on the shop.
Colors may vary between screens and reality.


text:
Nike II (Victory)
In this series, I was inspired by the Greek goddess of Victory, as embodied in the classical statue, Winged Victory of Samothrace. The approach of victory can be palpable, exhilarating, and yet, ultimately, illusory. Darkness can be mistaken for light and light for darkness; winning doesn't always end in victory.


text:
Fill your open jobs fast with help from this list of the best 10 job posting sites in Malaysia. Malaysia has essential local sites that you'll want to use to get your jobs to the right audience. There are also world-renowned job sites that do well in this market.
Our list includes many free options, and we've listed pricing info to make your decision easier.
Special Offer
Send jobs to 100+ job boards with one submissionPost Jobs for FREE
Completely free trial, no card required.
Reach over 150 million candidates.
Top 10 Job Posting Sites in Malaysia:
Our Rank
Job Board Name
Posting Options
Free and paid.
Free and paid.
Free job postings.
Paid job postings.
Paid job postings starting at RM 400.00.
Free job postings.
Free job postings.
Paid job postings starting at RM 450.00.
Paid job postings starting at RM 200.00.
Paid job postings starting at $118.00 USD.
Find More Regional Job Sites:
How can I fill my job vacancies in Malaysia effectively?
Contact the University of Malaya and the University of Kuala Lumpur to learn about advertising jobs to alumni. Also, try posting your job in different parts of Malaysia.
Read through our list of the Top 10 Job Posting Sites in Malaysia.
What else can I do to fill jobs in Kuala Lumpur?
Place ads in local newspapers, such as the New Straits Times and The Star Online. Try contacting local colleges, such as Tunku Abdul Rahman University College to share jobs with students and alumni.
You can get more tips on job postings from our job posting template article.
Are there any free job boards in Malaysia?
See more sites to post jobs free.


text:
Aviation Economic Impact
Airports play a critical role in both the local and the national economy. They act as the gateway for their market to the rest of the world. An airport's ability to understand their economic impact is an important tool that they can communicate to their constituents and local market–thus allowing the public to better understand the economic benefit and the role the airport plays in the local economy.


text:
Medicare/Medical 2015
by – Sheri de Grom
Medicare was created by Congress in 1965 under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide health insurance for people aged 65 and older, regardless of income or medical history. Before Medicare, only half of older adults had health insurance, with coverage often unavailable or unaffordable for the other half.
Previous to 1965, older adults had half as much income as younger people, and paid nearly three times as much for private health insurance. Medicare was needed at its onset.
Medicare's implementation of a one-size-fits-all program seemed a logical first step. Individuals without health care suddenly had access to physicians and necessary services.
Initially Medicare consisted exclusively of Part A which covered 80% of hospital and other inpatient cost. Part B was also initiated and it covered 80% of physician visits and other medically necessary services.
Today, the 80% coverage has been eliminated and all rates are negotiated with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a component of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The rates are not negotiated with physicians or other health care professionals that provide patient care but are decided upon by bureaucrats with no medical background.
In my opinion, it requires more than an MBA in accounting to successfully manage a program such as Health and Human Services and community service experience to manage the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services! These individuals are Presidential appointees.
The negotiated rates Medicare and Medicaid are demanding of each diagnosis makes it impossible for doctors to earn a satisfactory living treating Medicare patients. It's no wonder these doctors who once opened us with welcoming arms no longer want to see us. We have become a deficit on their balance sheet.
The Medicare patient is still required to enroll in a Part D program, which partially covers
their medications unless they have a private insurance program. It's not unusual to find senior citizens living on a fixed income dividing limited resources between medications, food, utilities and other necessities in their home – if they even have a home. This is one of the problems that sends elderly women to the streets where they join the thousands of homeless men and younger women and children already in the homeless population.
Citizens of the United States have a wide range of medical needs that can no longer exist under Medicare's original intent. Every day 10,000 baby boomers join Medicare.
Like most of my fellow boomers, I continued working full-time after I'd retired from my career. I survived by paying the maximum into Medicare just as I paid higher income taxes.
We pay the maximum for Medicare Part B as required by law. This frequently happens when you have a second career after leaving behind a career wherein benefits begin at the end of 20 years regardless of your age. [That's what happened to me. My career choice with the federal government required retirement at 20 years regardless of age. I was 54.] After what we've already paid into Medicare, not counting the $700/month for BC/BS plus dental & glasses insurance, Medicare is a scam of the worst kind.
What's more troubling, Medicare is an assault on every retired military member and their families. Unless we enroll in and pay for Medicare Part B, our rights to Tricare for Life is taken away.
At the time soldiers were drafted and/or volunteered for Vietnam plus every conflict and war since then, the promise of free medical care for life for themselves and their families was guaranteed. This free medical care wasn't of the VA variety but medical care in the civilian community upon a minimum 20 years service to their country.
David N. Walker @davidnwalker.com reminded me recently that there are only two people willing to give their lives for us: Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.
Tricare for Life is not an add-on-bonus for the soldier at the end of his career. A portion of his salary each month is allotted for Tricare. We can't call that medical care free, can we? Now, the Pentagon and Congress require soldiers and family members sign up and pay for Medicare Part B making Medicare the main payer and then Tricare for Life the secondary payer.
My government is denying me freedom in the marketplace and I don't like it. Tom and I have already paid in enough to Medicare to own a second home along the central coast of California [Big Sur, Carmel by the Sea, Monterey] and a third home on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Our medical expenses would be covered 100% without Medicare. Why is Medicare pushed at us when our nation is in serious financial crisis? My husband and I would be happy to give our share to someone who needs what we've paid. We're far from wealthy but we'd be better off if Medicare would go away.
Medicare has made a shamble out of healthcare. It dictates what doctors must document and do to such a degree that they don't have enough time for the patient in front of them.
If you are receiving care and are swallowed into the Medicare system, have you noticed your doctor handing you a sheet of paper or even multiple sheets to read? The information may be as basic as your hair may grow thinner as you age but nevertheless, your physician must educate you in order to check off another box to qualify for the maximum Medicare payment.
I want my doctor(s) to work for me. I consider my internist the single most important part of my health care team. Call me old-fashioned, but I believe my internist's core obligation is to be honest with me about my medical risks and thoughtful about how I manage them.
It makes no sense that my physician is worth less to Medicare than he was before I turned 65 and was forced into Medicare.
The Affordable Care Act is rapidly changing the way Medicare is paying claims. One of the largest and one that has kept me away from blogging is the critical care I've been faced with in caregiving for my husband, Tom.
You may remember, in my blog of Nov. 21, 2014, I announced I was taking a much-needed blogging break and would be caring for myself until after Christmas. You may read that blog here.
Later I'll write about how I almost lost Tom, and due to receiving the worst healthcare possible (governed by Medicare) he's been in excruciating pain since mid-September. His pain is 24/7 and when he is forced out of bed for an appointment, he's confined to a wheelchair [this would not have happened except for the gutted healthcare system we are caught up in].
Tom's situation started with a physician's incorrect diagnosis and we were further exploited by a second physician who had a God complex. It was during this 7-month odyssey that I learned a physician with a Medical Board Specialty would not treat a second diagnosis directly related to and in the same location of a more serious diagnosis. The physician may have more knowledge he can/will share with a patient and help them make more informed decisions. If the specialist extends care beyond his specialty, Medicare will reduce their payment in the form of a fine. Additionally, the patient is forced to find another specialist to address the second symptom related to the more serious diagnosis. In addition, the doctor would be using allotted time for another patient with an appointment. Doctors no longer have an extra cushion built into their schedule to allow for such events. This payment regulation makes no sense to me.
Tom was recently diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and the rheumatologist made it clear that he would treat the arthritis but not the psoriasis.
This 7-month journey of obtaining the best health care for Tom continues in an exhausting form. There seems little time for much else these days. I will lay out all the facts of Tom's care over the past 7-months. I've kept my journal during this painful journey and I've discovered new fields of medicine, doctors who sabotage the works of colleagues, the dangers of misdiagnoses and fear of other doctors unwilling to confront their peers' mistakes as well as the continuing stigma we meet along life's way. Once I sort out the mountain of paperwork, I'll attempt to put the past months into a bulleted format.
I apologize for not visiting your blogs on a regular basis. I continue to appreciate your support. I've had days when I wanted to do nothing more than to stare into space but Tom's needs have doubled. His not being able to walk has changed our lives on so many additional levels.
How about you, have you learned anything new about the state of our health care since we talked last?


text:
The first 2015 installment of the Civitas Institute's ongoing series entitled "Waste of the Week" takes a look at taxpayer-funded "welcome centers". Here's a sample:
North Carolina's so-called Welcome Centers are indeed a welcome site for full-bladdered motorists in need of a pit stop. And the available maps and tourism brochures may come in handy for curious travelers as well. But are these facilities a "core function" of state government? Should taxpayers be forced to pay $1.9 million annually to subsidize them? North Carolina features nine "Welcome Centers" located on interstate highways near state lines. The centers are home to "clean, modern facilities" that offer visitors abundant copies of "the state's Official North Carolina Travel Guide, the Department of Transportation's official state map, and other marketing publications exclusively about North Carolina." Most of us already knew that. But did you know that each center also has on staff "professional, nationally-certified travel counselors" ready to book room reservations at no charge? Also part of the nearly $2 million annual cost to taxpayers for the Welcome Centers is more than $35,000 worth of cell phone and email services for the 44.25 full-time equivalent staffers, along with $5,940 for cable TV service.


text:
Opportunity to work with advanced technology at a market leading company. This is an international company and offers a great set of benefits to develop your career.
We need an experienced Sales Director for our data solutions team.
You will be leading our sales team for our interconnection and network solutions. You will need expert knowledge of results-driven IT sales management. You will be forming and implementing sales strategies for our technology. Our technology covers data as well as cloud applications.
This is an international company; you will need clear communication skills for this role. Solid English language skills are essential.
Benefits include social insurance, generous commutation allowance, activity support, assistance with qualifications and stock options.
Take the challenge today. Apply now.
|Competitive Salary
|Speak Japanese
|Stock Options
Sorry, this job is no longer available


text:
The purpose of enabling a stop and reverse (SAR) function is because you believe that if your initial trade direction is wrong, the market will go in the opposite direction, and you want to catch the opposite move.
When you are stopped out shortly after your entry, the probability that your initial direction is wrong is very high, and the SAR strategy might work.
What if the market hits your first target, then reverses? Your initial direction might be correct, and you are stopped out by floor traders "running stops". If you reverse in this case, you might be whipsawed.
The new options available in the latest version allow you to automatically cancel any SAR set initially if the market hits your T1 or T2, saving you from a whipsaw if indeed it is a whipsaw. The new options are located under the Trade Settings menu and is set for each symbol separately.


text:
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
The Up Mouse!
I'm developing a new ergonomic mouse where you click by lifting your fingers. Check it out and pass along the word to anyone you know who has pain from using their mouse!
Posted by Daniel at 11:23 PM No comments:
Monday, July 16, 2012
The Up Mouse Submitted to Kickstarter
I've been working on the Kickstarter campaign for my Up Mouse idea for a while. Today I finally did the last pass at editing the video and was all ready to make the campaign live and then learned that Kickstarter moderates them. Hopefully it won't take long!
Posted by Daniel at 2:43 PM No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
Elite 5K
- Posts: 5596
- Joined: 22 Jul 2005, 03:23
bring_it_on wrote::bang: ....it just frustrates me. It seems like he should know better, but is just playing dumb to spread FUD.
It sells..Plus he is an international editor. Throughout his career he has taken pot shots at the US services and even US made systems. He just kicks it up a notch when it comes to his forum posts. Also, have you heard any AvWeek podcast where he doesn't bring up SAAB? He could have been talking about ice-cream and he'll manage to bring up the Gripen.
Years back he had an article basically taking an opposition to the USMC's existence (he used something like - "The US Navy's, army has its own air-force")..I have it saved somewhere, i'll try to dig it up.
He's stated on several occasions that he fears the success of the F-35 will mean the end of European fighter development. We all know he can drink tea with the best of them, so you can draw your own conclusions as to his impartiality and objectivity.
"There I was. . ."


text:
|21 Mon
|22 Tue
|23 Wed
|24 Thu
|25 Fri
|26 Sat
|27 Sun
12:00 am
1:00 am
2:00 am
3:00 am
4:00 am
5:00 am
6:00 am
7:00 am
8:00 am
9:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 pm
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
3:00 pm
4:00 pm
5:00 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
9:00 pm
10:00 pm
11:00 pm
Now: Sep 27 04:03 pm
11:30 am Colburn Master Agency Meeting
Colburn Master Agency Meeting
Sep 21 @ 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
During our weekly Colburn Agency Meeting, you will want to be on the video conference to take full advantage of the planning and interaction. During this meeting, we discuss the team numbers, goals, and spotlight the top producers that are plugging into the system and getting consistent success. Join from PC, Mac, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/936807065[...]
12:00 pm Symmetry Financial Group – National Call
Symmetry Financial Group – National Call
Sep 23 @ 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
The Symmetry Financial Group National Call is a must! You will learn how other agencies and producers are performing and hear from the Top Producers and Agency Owners on how to win big with Symmetry! NEW Webinar Link: zoom.us/j/571684240
11:00 am Group Coaching Session
Group Coaching Session
Sep 24 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
A unique experience that will be sure to supercharge your growth with Colburn Financial! During this coaching experience, you will be broken into small groups that will allow everyone the opportunity to get exactly what they need! What's holding you back? How are you holding yourself accountable? How are you adjusting your goals and plans[...]
12:00 pm Master Agency Builder's Video Conference Call
Master Agency Builder's Video Conference Call
Sep 24 @ 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
If you are growing an agency or you want to start learning the skills to be successful at it, mark your calendar for this weekly meeting. We discuss challenges, best practices, tools, new systems, and leadership skills for each agent to grow a dynamic agency! Leadership starts with you! Join this Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/668766008 Meeting[...]
10:00 am Santos Agency Call
Santos Agency Call
Sep 25 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Join the Pendleton-Santos Master Agency Call every Friday at 10 am CST. We will be providing High Support and High Challenge to everyone that is joining the Pendleton-Santos Master Agency family. During this video conference we will be talking about best practices for fast success and tracking our activity numbers against what the system requires[...]
11:00 am Smith Master Agency Video Conference
Smith Master Agency Video Conference
Sep 25 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
As you begin to learn the systems for high production in the agency you will want to mark your calendar for this weekly meeting. You will learn from some of the top producers and leaders in the agency. They will discuss best practices, skill sets, and tools that have helped propel them to the top[...]
4:00 pm Phone Team
Phone Team
Sep 25 @ 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Join the team as we schedule meetings together. Learn from some of the best appointment setters in the agency! Join from PC, Mac, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/237353786
Subscribe to filtered calendar


text:
Another Property Sold – 1391 South Cathay Court #105, Aurora, CO 80017 All Active Listings in Louisiana Purchase Subdivision in Aurora CO Newest Condos and Lofts Listings in Louisiana Purchase Subdivision in Aurora Colorado Zip Code 80017. If complete property addresses are not displayed, use the links below or at the top of this page to Login or Register, then refresh this page in your browser. Register | LoginColorado Mom Is Freaked Out By Elf-Like Creature' Captured On Her Security Footage – visionviral.com Luxury Homes for Sale in Calgary – E-Luxury Homes After all, it has been about three years since any multi-family housing has been built in this city of nearly 21,000 just outside Calgary's eastern boundary. and there are seven buildings left – so.Dustin Rowles, Publisher: Dustin is the founder and co-owner of Pajiba.Prior to that, he worked in legal publishing. He writes about politics and pop-culture. He firmly belives that Steven Avery did it, and that Denzel is the greatest actor on the planet. He also writes about TV for Uproxx.com.He lives in Portland, Maine.
You've heard some of the talk about home prices and the economy.. options to refinance the mortgage if more beneficial terms become available.. They provide a way for families to improve their homes without having to.
No matter how fond we are of the atmosphere inside our house, the time comes when we begin to long for change.. 14 Low-Cost Ways to Turn Your Home Into a Nest of Comfort. 0 . 0 . 94 . 0. You can change your bedroom's appearance with the help of a single element: the headboard. Moreover.
Verdict On Ben Bowns By Freesports: 'Best World Championship Performance By a GB Goaltender Ever' – Dai Sport Supply Chain Tech in COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado | Careers at SFMC-ST FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER Your Career. Supply chain expertise helps companies manage goods and services locally and around the globe. potential career opportunities in this sector include operations planner; purchasing agent; supply chain analyst; business process analyst; and warehouse, transportation and logistics.devils goalie ben Bowns in action for Great Britain.. Bowns By Freesports: 'Best World Championship Performance By a GB Goaltender Ever'.
Costs vary, but it's not unheard of to spend between $40 and $80. per hour. And if your child is really struggling, chances are you're going to need way more than one hour. Here are some alternative ways to get educational assistance, even free tutoring, without breaking the bank.
A house sitter can live in your house for the duration of your vacation. If that's not feasible for some reason, ask the sitter to drop by daily and spend at least an hour or two at your house. If any potential thieves are watching your house, they'll be deterred by seeing someone "living" in it.
Though he has spent his life in a small mining town, he is also known around the globe for his Gospel tract, "The Only Way To.
Astros riding a hot hand Astros baseball caps will help you rep your hometown while you travel, and earn you high-fives from other fans. At Academy, you'll find Astros baseball hats from some of the industry's best manufacturers. Shop for yourself, or select a wonderful gift for the baseball fanatic in your life.
Motivated by the Marie Kondo decluttering trend, the sustainable fashion movement and the lure of extra income. and I.
Whatever you want from a gym, find it at The GymJoin now. We've got some of the best fitness equipment around to help you get the most from. Find out more .
Top April events at ASU – arizona state university – Medium Overwatch Collegiate Championship: A Semester in Review – What began as two brothers looking for fellow gamers on their campus has become a global collegiate events. champions, Arizona State University, fall just short of their goal at number two. Outside.
Lower Cost to Build – 15 Construction Tips and Other Ways to Save Big When Building a House Resources / Finance / 15 Ways To Save Here are 15 tips that may help keep your building budget within reason, without compromising on the home you want.
Low cost house plans come in a variety of styles and configurations. Admittedly, it's sometimes hard to define what a "low cost house plan" is, as one person's definition of "low cost" could be different from someone else's. In general, you'll discover small house plans in this collection, as small.


text:
Entry requirements
2:1 (or international equivalent) in engineering. Applicants with a high 2:2 (or international equivalent) with substantial work experience may be considered.
Months of entry
Course content
This MSc course is part of the Midlands Energy Graduate School (MEGS), a partnership between Nottingham, Birmingham and Loughborough universities. Students have the unique opportunity to take modules at each of the partner universities, studying alongside other MEGS students registered at all three universities, thus benefiting from the best research, resources and support across all of the universities.
Modules studied represent the academic specialism offered by each university and the research project, taken at the university where you register, will focus on specific aspects of fossil energy technologies.
This course offers project management as an optional module, led by the University of Birmingham.
Information for international students
For more information and advice, please visit www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/international-applicants/index.aspx
Fees and funding
Please visit www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/funding/pgt-funding.aspx for more information and advice on funding your masters.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- MSc
- part time24-36 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Postgraduate Enquiries
- email@example.com
- Phone
- +44 (0) 115 951 5151


text:
The Atomic Vantage 97 C ski is an all-mountain hero that provides grip and float in all conditions. A trusted friend for the whole season that won't let you down. In a do-it-all width of 97mm, the Atomic Vantage 97 C makes an excellent argument for a one-ski quiver and also a great transition ski for those looking to build off-piste experience. The revolutionary Prolite construction adds reinforcement only where required to reduce the overall weight. The Energy Backbone and Carbon Tank Mesh combine to deliver high strength and the Full Sidewall adds stability and enables direct power on whatever you're skiing.
With a DIN range of 3-11, the included Warden MNC 11 binding is a solid option to go with any all-mountain ski. It's Multi Norm Certified, which means it works with all types of soles – DIN, Touring and Walk To Ride (WTR) – and fits every normed boot in the market. It has an Oversized Platform and U-Power Toe – a super-wide platform that provides extra lateral power transmission, steering, flex and dampening. It also features a Low Profile Chassis, Progressive Transfer Pads and a special lightweight heel that keeps your ski nice and agile.
FREE UK Mainland Standard Delivery (3 - 5 days) on all orders
FREE Click+Collect Order online and collect from your local store for free
UK Mainland express delivery (1-2 days) from £6.50
Orders received before 12pm Mon - Fri will be dispatched same day.
If you are purchasing ski's and bindings and require them to be mounted please provide mounting details in the notes box at the checkout. to mount bindings we require the skiers; age, weight, height, ability level and boot sole length (in mm stamped on the boot). Ski orders recieved without mounting information will be dispatched un-mounted.
Find out more about delivery and charges
No additional taxes or charges apply if your parcel is delivered inside the EU. For countries outside the EU, local import duty and tax may apply. Any such charges must be paid by the customer. Please check with your local tax authority before placing your order.
Returns Period - We will happily refund or exchange any item purchased from Ski Bartlett within 14 days. Exceptions apply to certain products such as ski's that have bindings fitted.
Exchanges – For a speedier exchange, we recommend that you return your original item for a refund & reorder online.
Ways to return your goods:
Return to store FREE
Return via Post Royal Mail costs apply


text:
My Electric Bill over the Past Year
October 1, 2016
One of Trump's most (in)famous campaign promises is the several hundred mile long wall along the Mexican-American border. The oddest thing about this is how he intends to pay for it - from Mexico's pocketbook. How the heck would anyone in their right mind think Mexico would pay for the wall? Even Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said it's not going to happen.


text:
The Manchester City midfielder has already amassed a collection that is the envy of many experienced players, but he is only focused on adding more
Phil Foden is keen to keep adding to his ever-growing trophy haul as England Under-21s prepare to get their European Championship campaign underway.
The Three Lions meet France in their tournament opener on Tuesday evening, and the Manchester City youngster will be the man the subject of watchful eyes as he bids to lead his country to glory.
The 19-year-old has already added three medals to his collection this season in the form of the Premier League, Emirates FA Cup and Carabao Cup, and he says he is running out of space for them in his family kitchen.
"The collection is not too bad!" he told the Mirror.
"The cabinet is getting full though. I might need a new one!
Click Here: Fjallraven Kanken Art Spring Landscape Backpacks
"Sometimes I walk past and just have a look, and realise I've won a lot already!
"The U-17 World Cup with England was the first, biggest one, that I won, and then I started winning trophies with City, cups and leagues.
"It's hard to pick one! Every single one is special to me."
It isn't just the awards from his blossoming career in professional football that take pride of place however, with Foden revealing that his very first taste of silverware holds a special place in his heart.
"It was with my team the Reddish Vulcans, winning a little tournament, getting a medal," he added.
"I still remember that. I was about eight or nine. Made me realise I want to win more and more."
The Manchester City midfielder is fast becoming one of England's most promising talents and has begun to appear more often in Pep Guardiola's line-up, scoring seven goals in 25 appearances across all competitions for the Citizens last season.
For Foden though, things are just getting started, with his mind set on keeping a winning mentality going forward.
"It's all about keeping winning the next thing, once you win one thing, you want to win the next thing," added the youngster.
"For me, I just love winning. Every game I go into I just want to win it. It's the excitement of winning. And that's what I want to do."


text:
The privacy landscape continues to evolve, and so must privacy awareness programs. In other words, the program must adapt. But what makes an adaptive program? As we see it, a truly adaptive awareness program has three key attributes. Such a program is:
- Based on lessons learned and predictive indicators
- Continuously improved via active adaptation to combat evolving threats and changing regulation
- Part of the overall organizational culture
In our white paper "3 Questions to Ask When Developing An Adaptive Privacy Awareness Program," we address three key topics any organization should consider as they seek to develop, implement, or mature an effective adaptive privacy awareness program.


text:
I Can Get Paid for Bike Helmet Art?!
There's so much freedom to be found on a bike: hop on, start pedaling, and go go go. But before setting out, adults have an important decision to make: to helmet or not to helmet. Danny Sun understands that despite the fact that strapping one on can literally save your life, helmets can be a tough sell for adults. "I know I work on a product that no one really wants to wear," he says.
Sun is an art director at Bell, a longtime leader in the motorcycle and bicycle helmet field. He and senior designer Anne Mark have been adorning bike helmets—specifically, "mid-price-point helmets for average everyday riders," she says—with colors, graphics, finishes, and more for more than a decade. They regularly collaborate with companies such as Disney, Lucasfilm, and Marvel, and produce custom lines for major big-box clients. The full-time job of a helmet designer requires far more than digital creative skills; here's what it takes to make it in the challenging, curvilinear world of helmet art.
Personal reasons for going without headgear varies, but often, it's an image thing. "There's a whole generation who feel like helmets are really dorky," says Sun.
In the quest to get as many riders as possible opting in, helmet designers have got to offer options that cater to that wide range of potential customers. It's about finding a balance, but also pushing the boundaries a bit on what might spark a potential purchase—but also joy.
Damon Watters is senior design lead at Nutcase, a brand known for bold styles. "I like to operate under the serendipity principle," Watters says. "Don't be too prescriptive. Don't hang on too tight. We tend to self-edit so much; it's good to remember that if you're having a good time creating stuff, that will come across and people will adopt it. Because that's the main reason we ride bikes! It's not just transportation; it's an awesome thing to do."
When it comes to having an unabashed blast on two wheels and staying skull-safe, grown-ups could learn a lot from kids. "They don't even question wearing a helmet," Watters says. "The more fun you can pack into it, the more it resonates with them." For kids, helmets are a chance for self-expression; accessorizing with styles that are bright, wild, and a bit goofy makes the excitement of being on a bike that much better.
"I have a really creative nine-year-old, and I always bounce ideas off of her," he says. "She was actually responsible for a helmet design that made it into production last year." Without decades of shoulds and musts and what-will-everyone-else-thinks, the kids have a fresh filter and keen eye for what works and what doesn't.
"We want to bring kids into our early design processes because they're so honest," Watters says. "Adults hold back, or don't always speak frankly. A nine-year-old just says it." Get things right and the benefits may be lifelong. "You may even have a helmet-wearer forever."
Inspiration can come from anywhere, and helmet designers are always on the lookout for something—anything—that catches their eye. "It could be a part of a mural, or a stripe down the side of a van; I take pictures of so many things," Watters says. "I try to curate my own world, because the best thing you can do when others are zagging is zig."
Bell's Anne Mark also makes a point of snapping pics of day-to-day ephemera to kick-start ideas. In addition, she and Sun travel the world—from annual trade shows like Eurobike, to flagship athletic shops, to popular public spots—to collect intel and get a sense of what a global audience is wearing. It's a mix of trend-spotting and trend-setting; they put all the images and recon info on what they call their "kill wall" in the office, then look for commonalities and narrow down viable ideas to experiment with. "We start to separate what is a cool one-off and what is, or could be, a trend," she says.
These insights go into a trend report, which they present to buyers from Target, Walmart, and other clients. The Bell designers and the clients then collaborate to create a unique helmet design for each client. "We gauge what they like and what they don't," she says. "Then we use that information to design a few different options for them to chew on."
When it comes time to start designing, Mark and Sun must consider color, materials, and finishes. "We incorporate colors and graphics from our trending reports," she says. "Materials includes what's soft—like strapping touching your face—or a pop color in the buckle, or any high-viz reflectivity. Finish could be sparkles, or matte (which is all the rage right now), or maybe a rubberized touch, or gloss. All those extra little pieces."
Watters compares these key considerations to a different form of transport. "If it can be done on a car, it can be done on a helmet for the most part," he says.
Helmets aren't flat. (Duh.) Their domed shape, sliced through with vents and other engineering and structural needs, makes them particularly difficult to design on and around. "You need to imagine your flat graphic turned into a popcorn bowl," says Sun. "It completely distorts when it's printed. We live in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, but it's a lot of trial and error," Sun says. "No one has delivered a special magical program that will help us do this."
So all helmet designers submit to the reality that their jobs require a special kind of patience. "We use the Warp and Free Transform tools a lot," Mark says, but the process is far from perfect. "You have to endure getting stuff back and feeling kind of heartbroken because it didn't come out right," Sun says.
For Watters, it wasn't long ago that the Nutcase team was printing out prototypes on paper, "slicing and dicing" them, then laying them over the top of a model shell to see how they'd look. They'd snap a pic, and send that to the factory for reference. "Now, I use Illustrator for most of the artwork, with photo-real renderings in Photoshop that show the helmet how we'd like it to be," Watters says. And while he acknowledges it's an improvement, there's a definite hint of longing in his voice when describing the state of things.
Pop-culture franchises license their properties to Bell for helmets. When working with, say, Disney, Mark and Sun have to create a world that includes instantly recognizable characters; for example, Elsa, Anna, and Olaf from Frozen. "They'll provide us with some assets, then we'll create a scene out of them: painting, airbrushing, etc.," Mark says. "It's like building a movie poster… that will stretch out and print properly so everything is still recognizable, with the right colors, on a dome." Bell's Frozen helmet took 80 Photoshop layers, but it was worth it as one of the most popular recent SKUs.
The path toward becoming a helmet designer is not universal—which is great news for those who have the will, skill, and passion to make it happen—but it helps to have a mastery of the art and graphic design basics. "It really helps to know your fundamentals: color theory, lighting, shading, all that stuff," Sun says. In addition, perseverance is essential.
"I knew from age five I was going to be an artist," he says, remembering a youth spent doodling on walls with crayons and pencils that eventually led him to the Academy of Art, then to a job in the skate industry drawing illustrations for decks, ads, t-shirts—basically anything and everything that needed doing. His gig at Bell was a leap; he had the chops, but helmets were new.
Mark's path was decidedly different. "I was a food science and nutrition major at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, but I loved doing layouts for the school's daily newspaper," she says. After graduation, she pivoted towards design. "I took some classes and jumped in at the low end of the totem pole doing production at an ad agency. Then I worked my way up." Eventually she decided to pursue illustration; when a job at Bell opened up, she went for it.
He also hires freelance "worker bees" to get involved with realizing concepts; these are, for the most part, people he's worked with through the years. In addition, Nutcase is developing an ongoing "artist series" to leverage independent creatives for new collaborations. "We're looking online and finding artists who have some cachet, and their own style and voice. The world is full of starlings mimicking songs; we need those who have the courage to be their own person."
Lastly, to be a bike helmet designer, you gotta be—on some level—into bikes. "I bike, I snowboard, the whole bit, because I think you have to practice what you preach to get a better understanding of what you're making, and why," Watters says. "Especially in today's world, it's easy to spot a fake right away. It's super important that you know who you're talking to—and if that includes talking to yourself, even better."
May 2, 2019


text: 14 Feb Two new modifications from Michael42er The prolific Michael42er has been at it again! This time he has modified the Paper […] Read More 6 Feb Measuring up a prototype Once you've finished your prototype paper model it is time to transfer it to the […] Read More 5 Feb Paper Birds I'm starting to get the hang of this Facebook thing. The other day I received […] Read More Privacy Policy Customer Service Policy Email Subscription Email Subscription Subscribe © Rob Ives 2019


text:
The big blue bear: Redux
It's been 12 years since I wrote "Composite Sculpture Bears a Second Look" about the big blue bear sculpture in downtown Denver, CO, US. The project opened my eyes to digital design, and gave me the opportunity to meet the sculptor, Lawrence Argent. Argent passed away last week.
#infrastructure #cuttingtools
The blue bear sculpture in Denver, CO, US designed by Lawrence Argent. Photo source: Westword
It's been 12 years since I wrote Composite Sculpture Bears a Second Look. If you don't remember it, the article described the installation of a large sculpture, made primarily of fiberglass, at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver, CO, US. The giant bright blue bear was installed with its back to the street, peering through the building's glass curtain wall at the visitors inside. The 40-ft tall sculpture, actually entitled "I See What you Mean," was fabricated in segments by Kreysler & Associates Inc. (American Canyon, CA, US), a world-renowned composites manufacturer noted for architectural and sculptural projects (another recent CW story involving Kreysler's fabrication of the façade for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art). The blue bear has become a beloved and iconic Denver landmark, although it has endured several art bombings including green paint, a deposit of fake blue poop and a yarn ball and chain.
The fun part for me was the chance to drive downtown and talk to company founder Bill Kreysler while the bear's segments were installed and bolted together. A truly interesting aspect was that the project represented one of the first uses of digital design, which Kreysler was able to import into his CNC equipment to directly machine the female molds, eliminating the intermediate step of plugs/models. That direct-to-mold approach, and the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) molds, many of which were re-machined and reworked for different sculpture segments, reduced the project costs according to Kreysler.
Featured Content
Which brings me to the real reason for revisiting the blue bear. The sculpture was designed by Lawrence Argent, arguably one of Colorado's most famous artists and the creator of many public artworks. The idea for the bear came to him, he told me in 2005, from a small plastic children's toy, which he scanned with a three-dimensional laser-scanning device to convert the 3D shape into a CAD computer file. He then had the shape printed by an early 3D printer from Stratasys Inc. (Eden Prairie, Minn.) to create a small scale-model plastic maquette or model. As luck would have it, the plastic polymer used in the 3D printer was bright blue in color, and Argent liked it so much he decided it would be the sculpture's final color.
Argent died unexpectedly this past week, October 4th, in Denver. As reported in the journal Westword, Argent was born in 1957 in Essex, England, but was raised in Australia, where he attended art school at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. He came to the US and attended the Rinehart School of Sculpture, Maryland Institute, College of Art in Baltimore, where he earned an MFA in 1986. He taught for a few years in Texas and California before accepting a teaching job at the School of Art and Art History at the University of Denver in 1993. In 2017, he was named a professor emeritus at DU.
Argent was an early adopter of digital technologies and embraced composites for many of his sculptures, including those installed around the Denver region. He certainly helped to open my eyes to how composites could be employed in ways beyond airplanes, pipes and bridges.
Related Topics
The making of carbon fiber
A look at the process by which precursor becomes carbon fiber through a careful (and mostly proprietary) manipulation of temperature and tension.
A350 XWB update: Smart manufacturing
Spirit AeroSystems actualizes Airbus' intelligent design for the A350's center fuselage and front wing spar in Kinston, N.C.
Machining carbon composites: Risky business
As composites take a larger part (and form larger parts) in the aerospace structures sector, it's not just a make-it-or-break-it proposition.