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At Lucia's house… if you would like your picture removed, please just let me know. Namaste!
Politics of the Inquisition
As I study Witchcraft in the Middle Ages by Jeffrey Burton Russell, I came across a great quote that seems to align the struggle that happened then with what is happening in the chaotic world now. Because I am learning that as much as European witchcraft, and all the academic issues with its origins and historic importance and place and blah blah blah, I find it relevant to our contemporary struggles of class that are so characterized and profound at this time in history. He writes on page 3.
It should not be difficult to to understand how men could torture and kill in the name of the Prince of Peace when at Dresden and My Lai men could torture and kill in the name of democracy and freedom. Viciousness is excusable in neither rebel nor Inquisitor. To understand is not to forgive. If tolerance is taken to the point of tolerating the destruction of those processes by which toleration is itself guaranteed, then it becomes intolerable. But ours is not to judge the fanatic or the Inquisitor: ours is to experience the shock of recognition of the fanatic and the Inquisitor in ourselves.
Sociopaths and Consciousness
This is somehow relevant to my work because I am now completely consumed by it, but I don't fully understand why, although it is all about consciousness studies which is the chapter I am working on now. I heard an interview with a woman whose pen name is M.E. Thomas. She wrote a book about being a sociopath, a non-criminal one, who is a law professor at a US university. I was fascinated by this and checked out her blog:
I spent hours on this site yesterday at work (slow day) and read every post voraciously. Sociopaths are people who do not feel emotions, or only base ones, have little capacity for love, empathy or bonding. Consequently they become mimics of emotions and are able to game almost everyone and ultimately end up hurting those who get involved with them. Charismatic, manipulative, aggressive, prone to compulsion regarding their base desires, predatory and sexual, and also confused and in pain – not talking here about sadistic and violent psychos who might also be socios. These are people who function, kinda, but either realize or don't realize that they are not like the rest of us who can feel. Her deal was that this personality type was being generalized as sadistic criminals, but that they exist as a kind of subculture and it's time to deal with it. She's basically "outing" herself without saying her name.
Now, here's the thing. She contends that 1 in 25 people are socios trying to fit in with "neuro-normatives." She says "we sociopaths walk and live among you empaths" (those who feel love and emotion and live – or try to live to varying pathetic degrees – the moral code that such ability to feel engenders) basically faking it, learning to cope by mimicking emotional responses better than the "weaker" of us that possess those qualities and destroying those who act in ways that are against their sort of base code of ethics that can only serve themselves cause they can't feel empathy so they exploit the emotional vulnerabilities of those around them. Apparently these creatures are easily bored, have a liquid sense of self that gives them an edge in shapeshifting as a survival technique.
Ok, I have been consumed with this for the last 24 hours so I don't want to write you too much to read but so much is up for me on this because reading those posts I began to see two things: first, I began to understand more of myself because in this narrative I am opposite woman, I could be called an uber-empath – my ability to bond, feel connections with other entities is far off the scale of what I am guessing would be a median normative scale. I can feel the emotions and pain of others, not only in a face to face situation with one person in time now, (hence my 10 years as a psychic and card reader in which I was accurate in a way that challenged my Western intellectual indoctrination ) but also in other geographical locations that are in time now but not place for me such as the global suffering of people and animals, and in a horrific act of fate or karma, I can also feel the suffering of those in history and in other times if I choose to, though I think that perception is like a film or residue that subtly sculpts my consciousness always and I'm swatting at it sort of unconsciously like a fly or mosquito. I also get pictures to match the emotions I feel channeling through me.
Second is that through a metaphysical lens, and she is Western indoctrinated so that a psychological and neurobiological lens are used to discuss this phenomenon, I see validation for my insights and theories that something otherworldly or non-corporeal is ranching our asses. She says that sociopathy as a personality type is part of evolution, a sort of necessary chaotic attractor, but I don't think so. I think socios, as functionally as they try to be, are evolutionary aberrations. Successful evolutionary strategy favors the indigenous model of understanding interrelation and interdependence of life forms as holographic communities. Love, without the hallmark connotations, is an energy that has been cultivated by our ancestors because it is the most efficient medium for making human communities in all their forms, from micro to macro, most in alignment with the environments that sustain us. To not develop that ability is alien to this planet.
Now, lastly, and thank you for staying with me if you could bear to, this means that socios do not belong here. I woke up with the vision this morning while on the couch tending my puppy that they – those souls or whatever you wanna call self-awareness in a body – were made to incarnate here by something else. They don't belong here. They are not the order of the things, they are confused and suffering and are more likened to an invasive species than part of the evolutionary matrix of this reality on this planet. And they are dangerous to us. That she has this self awareness was amazing to me and she did a service to those of her kind. I have respect and compassion for her, though a serious radar out.
The metaphor for me was that socios were "reptilian," and empaths were "mammals." The posts indicated that their skill sets, which were not the same as ours fell along the lines of different animal adaptive strengths. Where socio's skills were acute, ours were more dense, where ours are finally tuned, theirs were clumsy or non-existent. Hence the recipe for when entities collide.
So that was my last 24 hours and it put a lot of things into place for me. I believe that we are experiencing a Grand Central Station of entities coming into human form for the information and event that is occurring – and that is accelerating, – and that is kicking my Pleiades butt – but we are somehow programed, or star born or whatever vernacular that you feel comfortable choosing, to a particular grid pattern.
Popcorn, is next I guess. Spyke
Marriage Equality and the Argument of Religious Freedom
A Theology of Necessary Intolerance
In a historic event, the US Supreme court announced this month that it will decide two cases regarding the legality of same-sex marriage its 2013 session. These cases include the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that forbids federal recognition of same-sex marriages allowed by individual states, and California's Proposition 8 that amended the state's constitution in 2008 to ban same-sex marriage after that right had already been granted.
The heated debate surrounding the issue of marriage equality has focused mostly upon our American ideal of Civil Rights, and the Constitutional concepts of personal liberty and religious freedom. Both sides are ringing these bells to validate their arguments.
Advocates for marriage equality take the position that same-sex couples' access to the legal rights enjoyed by opposite-sex couples regarding spousal, parental, tax, and estate statutes is a Civil Rights issue. The reasoning is that if same-sex couples function in the same marital and familial ways as opposite-sex couples, then not granting them equal rights under the law for no reason other than they are members of the same sex is blatant discrimination.
Also, if laws are enacted that forbid the recognition of partnerships and families based on religious parameters that narrowly define who is acceptable to love and to have sexual relationships with, then that is an issue of personal liberty guaranteed by the Constitution. In fact, the Ninth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals struck down Proposition 8 partially for this reason, citing that it "has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California, and to officially reclassify their relationships and families as inferior to those of opposite-sex couples. The [United States] Constitution simply does not allow for laws of this sort."
Many opposed to marriage equality, especially those who hold a biblical worldview, have argued that any law that broadens the civil definition of marriage represents a threat to their religious freedom. Some who support, and even some who are indifferent to, the issue of marriage equality, have questioned the rationale for this argument. How can a marriage between people of the same sex have any bearing on any other marriage or anyone else's religious choices? Isn't marriage a personal decision made by those who choose to commit to it?
But to understand how legislating marriage equality for all can be argued to be a violation of the religious freedom for some, it is necessary to understand the underlying theology. From a biblical perspective, marriage is not a right that can be given or taken by a secular authority, nor is anyone "free" to recreate the institution according to one's individual preferences. Marriage is not the result of human evolution or a social contract between people in a society, but " is theistic: it is of God not man" and exists "first and foremost to glorify God."
Those who subscribe to this theology believe that any deviation from a strict biblical interpretation of marriage as the union of one man and one woman for the sole purpose of procreation is to deny "God's" original human edict and will necessarily lead to a degradation of the moral order of society, and ultimately to the unraveling of culture.
In this absolutist worldview relativism cannot be tolerated. There is no room for diversity in human relations or complexity in human sexuality because anything other than unconditional acceptance of what is seen as "God's" will is a rejection of the ordering principle of the universe. In this theology, "truth is not discovered; it is revealed. It is not from within; it is from without." This means that ultimately one's life does not belong to oneself and any attempt to live according to one's own will, one's personal religious beliefs, or one's own desires represents the sin of idolatry.
From this perspective, same-sex marriage can never be defined as a Civil Right because homosexuality is a moral wrong. However, there are varying levels of tolerance within the diverse Biblical community regarding the issue of marriage-equality. Leading voices within the debate range from calling for the faithful to stay true to their religious beliefs while attempting to practice tolerance for their LGBT sisters and brothers to those who believe that any acceptance of homosexuality in our country is nothing less than a Christian call to arms that must be answered.
Yr Girl Brain on Sex
MRI images of a woman's brain throughout an orgasm.
Spider Webs – Faery Realm
After writing about my Faery training, I awoke to six sublime spider webs catching the morning light. Photonic energy is magick. – photos by Mike Rose
Methodoltry – Mary Daly
As I work on my introduction chapter, I am coming across some deep layers of imbedded patriarchy in myself. When I catch this tendency, I find myself going back to Mary Daly. Now she is not sexy (read here threatening) to patriarchal culture. She is a broom-riding dyke who speaks like a Druid Bardic adept and was, apparently, a cranky bitch of a person who GASP! Didn't care to nurture by way of explanation other people's problems with swallowing what she had to say.
Really her theories are so fucking deep that I get scared of them because my own embedded oppression arises when I read her, quick as I try to swat that shit that shit comes up. What if I'm not perceived as pretty as I say what I have to say based on what I have seen and cannot, as a feminist, unsee? Why am I trying to explain and validate women's spiritual traditions, including my own, within a system that fundamentally dismisses them? Really? I paid all this money for this opportunity to tell you with your own words what your words cannot contain?
Well, within that rant, I find this quote by Daly fits the bill. "One of the false gods of theologians, philosophers, and other academics is called method. It commonly happens that the choice of a problem is determined by method, instead of method being determined by the problem. This means that thought is subjected to an invisible tyranny. "
She goes on to quote philosopher Suzanne Langer (a process philosopher who I didn't know about till now, though I know of the males, and thank you for the continual erasure of women's contribution to history like the tide that washes away the beach).
"The limits of thought are not so much set from outside, by the fullness or poverty of experiences that meet the mind, as from within, by the power of conception, the wealth of formulative notions with which the mind meets experiences. Most new discoveries are suddenly-seen things that were always there."
Continuing to ride my broom while fighting the good fight in this the season of the Ancestors – Samhain 2012.
Mary Daly, Beyond God the Father: Toward a Philosopy of Women's Liberation (Boston. Beacon Press, 1973), 11.
Thinkin on Religion
I'm trying to get a definition of religion, as opposed to spirituality, for my glossary. You'd think that'd be a simple task. But alas NOT.
"Religion" is a term like "shaman" which is an anthropological term imposed on "native" subjects of study – So then Chad, why are you walking around a circle with a smudge stick every other Tuesday when that big bright star is over that big-assed mountain? Rite? Repeated. Faith in that rite? The rite that reinforces that narrative/myth associated with that rite that may have ancestral wisdom that is evolutionarily relevant. Religion is the repetition of the rites that keep us entrained to the narratives that we hold culturally valuable, even if they are fucked like they are in our culture now (don't get me started on the bullshit narratives that our rites are reinforcing and don't get me started on the neurological elements of that manipulation). Now what about power.
Says Jonathan Z. Smith in his dense essay Religion, Religions, Religious:*
"It is impossible to escape the suspicion that a world religion is simply a religion like ours, and that it is, above all, a tradition that has achieved sufficient power and numbers to enter our history to form it, interact with it, or thwart it. (You might wanna re-read that, I had to a bunch of times to get the true horror of the implication)
We recognize (me again – why do these guys always use the imperial "we" when a singular author wrote the damn dense thing) both the unity within and the diversity among the world religions because they correspond to important geopolitical entities with which we must deal. All "primitives," by way of contrast, may be lumped together, as may the "minor religions," because they do not confront our history in an direction fashion (…wait for it, wait for it…) From the point of power, they are invisible."
Faceplant here. That is the nature of my disseration. They are not invisible, but what those "lessor" religions ritualize and mythologize are those psychic/social/emotional currents that run through us anyway, that are part of our story here, our tendencies as mammals. This is what I am doing, trying to bring the white girls juju back up. It's already there in us, and that is why there is a bunch of crazy white cat ladies. We have that sensibility to be connected and just because the dominant world religion has relegated us to the top of the bottom rung of the patriarchal colonial food chain doesn't mean we have to stay there. In fact it means we are of great value to them as means of energy, but if they devalue us culturally, through myth/narrative over and over through…um…RELIGION, we give it up for free.
Think of what a good plan that was. Elevate some of the bottom class to a little higher than the more worser scarier bottom and you have your patriarchal top hat on for life. S'cuse me Scarecrow, think I'm digressing.
This dynamic of that food chain thing has been said by better than myself, in fact, I am startin to think that one has got to look at colonialism if we're looking for that one closepin that is holding this charade of violent, wasteful, patriarchal culture together. Get that one piece and we can bring this thing down.
*Critical Terms for Religious Studies, ed Mark C. Taylor.
On Shamanism – the Schizo Problem of Being an Academic & Serving Up the Grateful
I am working on my section in my dissertation that is an overview of shamanism. I am finding that the research is bringing to light the problems of Western academics as it attempts to pin like a living bug that is now dead onto the board of Western scientific assumptions the ancient and living tradition of shamanism, which it can't really, by its nature, grok.
I am finding myself looking directly at our Western reductionist franken-logic that finds it necessary in the name of science to kill the rare butterfly in order to preserve it on a 19th century board of hyper-rationalism and illusionary-objectivity.
I thought this section would be a breeze for me since this is um….like….my favorite subject and it's taken me a few months to get back into being able to write this miasmic beast. I thought stupidly, because I apparently can't get this lesson about the disparateness of indigenous and Western worldviews and what that means for ways of perceiving and the effects on consciousness, that this would be ENOUGH.
Funny, as practitioner as I am, I find that when I move into the Indigenous arena as a Western scholar, the spirits fuck with me, laugh at me and make me work in what seems like a futile way. I am one of a handful of Westerners who sorta kinda gets working with spirits as actualities, and now I'm struggling with everything the scholars at the edge of this area of research are struggling with.
Because I am a practitioner as well, which means I not only "believe" in spirits, it means that I relate to them in the same way I relate to the woman at Starbucks who I buy my coffee from, I am respectful and kind and aware that they have something that I need and will need again. I tip them in respect and cause I'm a smart negotiator.
This is ontologically and epistemologically messed up, because I CAN HEAR THEM LAUGHING at my attempts to try to write academically about them and this is after I already bought and placed the fucking cup of coffee on the altar to honor them. The godds of the indigenous and of the neo-pagan are like the rest of your family. They don't float about the world like some kind of Western ideal of a fucking happy white asexual jesus or a god-father who wears a more inclusive skirt or not, and loves you like the ideal parent you never had or therapist whose gonna heal your fucked up family by listening to every pain you every had. It's about how to navigate relationships with the spirits of the land and place that sustain you who may appear more like weird uncles, talented aunts, grieving children, loyal pets, angry grandmas. More like community.
Anyhoo…………..I was told by my committee chair, that I cannot publish what I am writing because it somehow disqualifies my status as a PhD candidate as "non-published" material. This is of course bullshit and represents the archaic and changing predicament that higher education is in. Kinda like the LP – what? you want me to use a pen and quill? The institution of "higher learning" and it patriarchal and hierarchical structure that are being illuminated for me in my research on shamanism, as somehow more authoritative than our own experience and ancestral traditions is taking my fucking money.
Here's my new favorite definition of shamanism.
"From the Stone Age to the New Age, the figure of the shaman has continued to grip the human imagination. Being chosen by the spirits, taught by them to enter a trance and fly with one's soul to other worlds in the sky or clamber through dangerous crevasses into terrifying subterranean worlds; being stripped of one's flesh, reduced to a skeleton and then reassembled and reborn; gaining the power to combat spiritual enemies and heal their victims, to kill enemies and save one's own people from disease and starvation – these are features of shamanic religions in many parts of the world."
Piers Vitebsky, "Shamanism," in Indigenous Religions: A Companion, ed. Graham Harvey (London: Cassell, 2000). 35.
Super hoping for good dreams tonight for all.


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Mon, Dec 21, 09 at 8:35
i just bought a craftsman garage door opener, after spending several hours to install it....it would not work. when i pressed the wall control...it makes a humming sound and stops without opening, i tried to figure it out all throughout the night(no sleep) but unsuccessful(frustrated). Anybody with idea would be very appreciated. |
Follow-Up Postings:
- Posted by don_1_2006 (My Page) on Mon, Dec 21, 09 at 9:46
If it is new it will be in warranty. Call Sears. If you followed the owners manual when you installed it go back and make sure you didn't skip a step. |
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Biodesign Directory Profile
John Chaput, PhD
The Biodesign Institute, Personalized Diagnostics
Associate Professor
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Assistant Professor, The Biodesign Institue
Prof. Chaput joined the faculty at ASU in January of 2005 after completing his Post-Doctoral Fellowship in molecular biology and genetics at Harvard Medical School.
Chaput applies the principles of natural selection to evolve functional molecules in the laboratory. This methodology (also referred to as test tube evolution) makes it possible to create artificial molecules with tailor-made properties.
One fundamental question that Chaput is attempting to address is whether nature sampled all possible protein folds or just a small subset of the possible protein folds that are available in the protein universe. Through a process of in vitro selection and structure determination, Chaput is identifying new protein folds with specific, pre-defined functions. This approach of de novo protein evolution has the potential to create tailor-made proteins for biotechnology and molecular medicine.
Chaput is also interested in uncovering hidden proteins that remain buried in the shadows of the human genome. Using an integrated experimental-bioinformatics approach, Chaput is examining human DNA for sequences that enhance the translation of new proteins. This project has the potential to dramatically expand our current understanding of how genetic information is encoded in the genome.
Lastly, Chaput is developing artificial affinity reagents that recognize human proteins with high affinity and specificity, but overcome or avoid many of the problems associated with traditional antibodies. This approach has the potential to dramatically improve the rate at which high quality protein affinity reagents are generated to human proteins.
Selected Publications
- Korch, S.B., Stomel, J.M., Leon, M.A., Hamada, M.A., Stevenson, C.R., Simpson, B.W., Gujulla, S.K., and Chaput, J.C.*. ATP sequestration by a synthetic ATP-binding protein leads to novel phenotypic changes in Escherichia coli.. ACS Chemical Biology (2013) Refereed Articles.
- Wellensiek, B.P., Larsen, A., Flores, J., Jacobs, B.L., and Chaput, J.C.*. A novel leader sequence capable of rapid and high protein synthesis in mammalian cells.. Protein Science (2013) Refereed Articles.
- Wellensiek, B.P., Larsen, A., Stephens, B., Kukurba, K., Waern, K., Briones, N., Liu, L., Snyder, M., Jacobs, B.L., Kumar, S., and Chaput, J.C.*. Genome-wide profiling of human cap-independent translation enhancing elements. Nature Methods (2013) Refereed Articles.
- Yu, H., Zhang, S., Dunn, M.R., and Chaput, J.C.*. An efficient and faithful in vitro replication system for threose nucleic acid.. J. Am. Chem. Soc. (2013) Refereed Articles.
- Zhang, S. and Chaput, J.C.*. Synthesis and enzymatic incorporation of a-L-threofuranosyl adenine triphosphate (tATP). Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. (2013) Refereed Articles.
- Zhang, S. and Chaput, J.C.*. Synthesis of Threose Nucleic Acid (TNA) Triphosphates and Oligonucleotides by Polymerase-mediated Primer Extension. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. In Press.. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. (2013) Refereed Articles.
- Chaput, J.C.*, Hanyang, Y., and Zhang, S.. The emerging world of synthetic genetics.. Chem. & Biol. (2012) Refereed Articles.
- Hanyang, Y., Zhang, S., and Chaput, J.C.. Darwinian Evolution of an Alternative Genetic System Provides Support for TNA as an RNA Progenitor. Nature Chemistry (2012) Refereed Articles.
- Kang, M., Heuberger, B., Chaput, J.C., Switzer, C., and Feigon, J.. Solution structure of a parallel-stranded oligoisoguanosine DNA pentaplex formed by d(T(iG4)T) in the presence of Cs+ ions.. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (2012) Refereed Articles.
- Martin Egli & Piet Herdewijn (Eds.), S. Zhang, C. Switzer, and J.C. Chaput. Chemistry and Biology of Artificial Nucleic Acids. The Resurgence of Acyclic Nucleic Acids (2012) Book Chapters.
- Pinheiro, V.B., Taylor, A.I., Cozens, C., Abramov, M., Renders, M., Zhang. S., Chaput, J.C., Wengel, J., Peak-Chew, S-Y., McLaughlin, S.H., Herdewijn, P., and Holliger, P.. Synthetic Genetic Polymers Capable of Heredity and Evolution. Science (2012) Refereed Articles.
- Zhang, S. and Chaput, J.C.. Synthesis of Threose Nucleic Acid (TNA) Phosphoramidite Monomers and Oligonucleotide Polymers. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem (2012) Refereed Articles.
- H. Yu, B. Jiang, and J. C. Chaput. Aptamers can Discriminate Alkaline Proteins with High Specificity.. ChemBioChem (2011) Refereed Articles.
- R. Liu, B. Jiang, H. Yu, and J. C. Chaput. Generating DNA Synbodies from Previously Discovered Peptides.. ChemBioChem (2011) Refereed Articles.
- J. Zhang, B.A.R. Williams, M. Nilsson, J.C. Chaput. The Evolvability of Lead Peptides from Small Library Screens. Chem. Comm (2010) Refereed Articles.
- Jeff Braman (Editor), McCullum, E.O., Williams, B.A.R., Zhang, J., and Chaput, J.C.. In Vitro Mutagenesis Protocols (volume 3). Random Mutagenesis by Error-Prone PCR (2010) Book Chapters.
- S. Zhang, C. Switzer, and J.C. Chaput. The Resurgence of Acyclic Nucleic Acids. Chem. Biodiversity (2010) Refereed Articles.
- Simmons, C.R., Magee, C.L., ?Smith, D.A., Lauman, L., Chaput, J.C. and Allen, J.P. Implications of Unusual Ligand Binding in a Synthetic Class of De Novo Proteins.. Biochemistry (2010) Refereed Articles.
- Williams, B. A. R. and Chaput, J. C.. Synthesis of Peptide-Oligonucleotide Conjugates using a Heterobifunctional Crosslinker. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. (2010) Refereed Articles.
- Zhang, S. and Chaput, J. C.. Synthesis of Glycerol Nucleic Acid (GNA) Phosphoramidite Monomers and Oligonucleotide Polymers.. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. (2010) Refereed Articles.
- Lin, L., Fu, Q., Williams, B. A. R., Azzaz, A. M., Shogren-Knaak, M. A., Chaput, J. C., and Lindsay, S. M.. Recognition of Acetylated Chromatin Using a DNA Aptamer. Biophys. J. (2009) Refereed Articles.
- Lin, S., Horning, D. P., Szostak, J. W., and Chaput, J. C.. Conformational Analysis of DNA Repair Intermediates by Time-Resolved Fluorescence Spectroscopy. J. Phys. Chem. (2009) Refereed Articles.
- McCullum, E. O. and Chaput, J.C.. Transcription of an RNA Aptamer by a DNA Polymerase. Chem. Comm. (2009) Refereed Articles.
- Simmons, C. R., Stomel, J. M., McConnell, M. D., Smith, D. A., Watkins, J. L., Allen, J. P., and Chaput, J. C.. A Synthetic Protein Selected for Ligand Binding Affinity Mediates ATP Hydrolysis. ACS Chemical Biology (2009) Refereed Articles.
- Stearns, L. A., Chhabra, R., Sharma, J., Liu, Y., Petuskey, W. T., Yan, H., and Chaput, J. C.. Template-Directed Nucleation and Growth of Inorganic Nanoparticles on DNA Scaffolds. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (2009) Refereed Articles.
- Stomel, J. M., Wilson, J. W., Leon, M. A., Stafford, P., and Chaput, J. C.. A Man-made ATP-Binding Protein Evolved Independent of Nature Causes Abnormal Growth in Bacterial Cells. PLoS ONE (2009) Refereed Articles.
- Williams, B.A.R, Lin, L., Lindsay, S.M., and Chaput, J.C.. Evolution of a Histone H4-K16 Acetyl-Specific DNA Aptamer. J. Am. Chem. Soc. (2009) Refereed Articles.
- Williams, B.A.R., Diehnelt, C.W., Belcher, P., Greving, M., Woodbury, N.W., Johnston, S.A., and Chaput, J.C.. Creating Protein Affinity Reagents by Combining Peptide Ligands on Synthetic DNA Scaffolds.. J. Am. Chem. Soc. (2009) Refereed Articles.
- Chaput, J.C., Woodbury, N.W., Stearns, L.A., and Williams, B.A.R.. Creating protein biocatalysts as tools for future industrial applications.. Expert Opin. Biol. Ther. (2008) Refereed Articles.
- Watkins, J. and Chaput, J.C.. Searching Combinatorial Libraries for Native Proteins with Novel Folds.. ChemBioChem. (2008) Refereed Articles.
- Zhang, S., McCullum, E.O., and Chaput, J.C.. Synthesis of Two Mirror Image 4-Helix Junctions Derived from Glycerol Nucleic Acid.. J. Am. Chem. Soc. (2008) Refereed Articles.
- Lin, L., Hom, D., Lindsay, S.M., and Chaput, J.C.. In Vitro Selection of Histone H4 Aptamers for Recognition Imaging Microscopy.. J. Am. Chem. Soc. (2007) Refereed Articles.
- Mansy, S.S., Zhang, J., Kummerle, R., Nilsson, M., Chou, J.J., Szostak, J.W., and Chaput, J.C.. Structure and Evolution of a Non-Biological ATP Binding Protein. Journal of Molecular Biology (2007) Refereed Articles.
- Smith, M.D., Rosenow, M.A., Wang, M., Allen, J.P., Szostak, J.W. and Chaput, J.C.. Structural Insights into the Evolution of a Non-Biological Protein: Importance of Surface Residues in Protein Fold Optimization. PLoS ONE (Public Library of Science) (2007) Refereed Articles.
- Williams, B.A.R., Lund, K., Liu, Y., Yan, H. and Chaput, J.C.. Self-Assembled Peptide Nanoarrays: A New Approach to Studying Protein-Protein Interactions.. Angewandte Chemie International Ed. (2007) Refereed Articles.
- Yang, Y-W., Zhang, S., McCullum, E., and Chaput, J.C.. Experimental Evidence that GNA and TNA are not Sequential Polymers in the Prebiotic Evolution of RNA.. Journal of Molecular Evolution (2007) Refereed Articles.
- A Horhota, Z Keyong, J Ichida, L McLaughlin, J Szostak, John Chaput. Kinetic Analysis of an Efficient DNA-Dependent TNA Polymerase. J. Am. Chem. Soc (2005) Refereed Articles.
- M Nilsson, J Stomel, John Chaput. Evolutionary Optimization of a De Novo Selected ATP Binding Protein. Biopolymers (2005) Refereed Articles.
- John Chaput, J Szostak. Evolutionary Optimization of a Non-Biological ATP-Binding Protein for Improved Folding Stability. Chemistry & Biology (2004) Refereed Articles.
- John Chaput, J Ichida, J Szostak. DNA Polymerase-Mediated DNA Synthesis on a TNA Template. J. Am. Chem. Soc (2003) Refereed Articles.
- John Chaput, J Szostak. DNA Polymerase-Mediated TNA Synthesis. J. Am. Chem. Soc (2003) Refereed Articles.
- John Chaput, S Sinha, C Switzer. 5-Propynyluracil diaminopurine: an efficient basepair for non-enzymatic transcription of DNA. Chem. Comm (2002) Refereed Articles.
- John Chaput, C Switzer. Probing DNA Structure and Function with Alternative Nucleic Acids Bearing 2',5'-Linked, Zwitterionic and iso-Cytosine iso-Guanine Components. Methods: A Compendium to Methods in Enzymology (2001) Nonrefereed Articles.
- John Chaput, C Switzer. Non-enzymatic Transcription of an isoG:isoC Base Pair. J. Am.Chem. Soc (2000) Refereed Articles.
- John Chaput, C Switzer. Non-enzymatic Oligomerization on Templates Containing Phosphodiester-Linked Acyclic Glycerol Nucleic Acid Analogues. J. Mol. Evol (2000) Refereed Articles.
- K Rice, John Chaput, M Cox, C Switzer. RecA Protein Promotes Strand Exchange with DNA Substrates Containing isoGuanine and 5-Methyl isoCytosine. Biochemistry (2000) Refereed Articles.


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The B&O Railroad Museum offers two rental facilities for parties - Marc #1 Tavern-Lounge Observation Car and Buxton Rail Car.
MARC #1 Tavern-Lounge Observation Car Rental Information
Elegant World War II vintage round end observation car complete with table and lounge seating, art deco interior and a bar.
Hourly rate includes private use of the car with heat/air conditioning, screen, tables and chairs. The base rental rate includes a meeting manager, museum admission for guests including train rides when offered, self-guided tours, and other public programs and exhibits. Capacity: (20) table seating, (35) total seating in entire car.
Pricing Information for MARC I | |
Monday - Sunday (hourly rate) | $125 |
B&O Member rate (hourly rate) | $100 |
Reservation Deposit | $50 |
Prices subject to change. Please call for additional information.
For more information or to reserve your party, please call 410-752-2462 ext 207 or email Catered Events.
For catering please contact Crown Foods at 410-727-7688 or visit www.crownfoodsinc.com
Please note MARC I is not available for children's birthday parties.
Buxton Rail Car
(The base rental rate includes birthday host and train rides when available.)
Host your birthday party inside an historic rail car! The Buxton, a 48 seat coach, was originally built in 1939 for the Florida East Coast Railroad. Located on Platform 2, directly outside Bay 11 of the Roundhouse, the Buxton is a unique location for a children's party .
Pricing Information for Buxton Rail Car | |
Saturday or Sunday | $300 |
B&O Member rate | $250 |
Each additional guest above 30 (maximum guest count is 45) | $5 |
Reservation Deposit | $50 |
Prices subject to change. Please call for additional information.
For more information or to reserve your party, please call 410-752-2462 ext 303 or email email@example.com.
Free on-site, off-street parking for you and your guest


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YOUNG: Warren Buffett's liberal display of tax-increase hypocrisy
Washington Times While liberalism's terminus is failure, its first stop is hypocrisy. Higher-tax advocate Warren Buffett recently illustrated this with his reported use of a tax strategy to avoid — you guessed it — higher taxes. There is nothing new in the tax … |
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Biographical and Playing Info
Given Name: James F. Macullar
Nickname: Little Mac
Born: Boston, MA, USA, in 1855
School: Did not attend college.
Primary Position: Shortstop
Batted: Right Threw: Left
Major League Games: 449
Primary Team: Baltimore Orioles
Played For
Syracuse Stars (1879)
Cincinnati Red Stockings (1882-1883)
Baltimore Orioles (1884-1886)
First major league game: 5/5/1879
Final major league game: 10/14/1886
Hall of Fame Voting
No Hall of Fame elections.
See his complete statistical record at baseball-reference.com


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- Profile (public view)
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Perrin Lathrop
Born about [location unknown]
Son of
Howard Noyes Babcock
Caroline Lathrop
Brother of
Howard Lathrop Babcock and Maltbie Lathrop Babcock
[spouse(s) unknown]
[children unknown]
Died [date unknown] [location unknown]
This page has been accessed 118 times.
Contents |
This biography is a rough draft. It was auto-generated by a GEDCOM import and needs to be edited.
- Name: Perrin Lathrop /BABCOCK/[1]
- Birth:
- Date: ABT. 1894[2]
Reference or Indent Number
- Reference or Indent Number:
- Place: CHC-EFb-BC[3]
- WikiTree profile Babcock-480 created through the import of Maltby master 08282011.GED on Aug 30, 2011 by Harry Maltby. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Harry and others.
- Source: S125551 Title: Maltby 08282011.FTW Repository: Call Number: Media: Other
- ↑ Source: #S125551 Data: Text: Date of Import: Aug 28, 2011
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Federal terrorism charges were handed down Tuesday to two Iraqis living in Bowling Green, Ky.
Allegations against Waad Ramadan Alwan, 39, and Mohanad Shareef Hammadi, 23, include providing support to al Qaeda in Iraq and conspiring to transport Stinger missiles overseas.
The 23-count indictment was unsealed Tuesday after the pair made their appearances in federal court in Louisville.
None of the charges involve plots within the United States. Prosecutors identified Alwan as a former member of the Iraqi insurgency that planted explosives aimed at killing U.S. troops in Iraq over eight years.
If convicted, Alwan and Hammadi could face life in prison.
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Blog | Comments |
WoW | 15 Comments |
Recent Comments:
Starting zone upgrades in Northrend: Protection - Borean Tundra {WoW}
Nov 17th 2008 9:23AM "The fast speed also makes it ideal for the new and improved Reckoning."
I see that Reckoning procs off of blocks now, which is sweet. But I don't see how fast speed helps the matter. What am I missing?
I thought the weaponspeed/reckoning debate pretty much concluded that - due to seal scaling with speed - you come out as well or better with a slow weapon. Of course that would be truer with a proccing seal, like command, and not true at all with vengeance.
So, am I behind the curve?
"Inside Higher Ed" compares raiding and teaching {WoW}
Nov 5th 2008 10:33PM Usually I start with a general reminder to the whole raid over vent; things like "..and Remember to watch your feet for fire," etc. It doesn't hurt to follow up instructions with affirmations like, "If we can just remember to do X and avoid the Y, we'll get this guy down easy."
If that is insufficient, it comes down to a judgement call. Is this person having difficulty learning or are they simply not trying? If i think they are having difficulties I'll often whisper to inquire about why they are struggling, and make some suggestions if i have any. If I think the person is just refusing to work as a team player, i may call them out publicly.
Obviously, mid-fight I call out alot of things over vent, but i think in-combat correction is usually taken less personally. We all need reminders sometimes when we're busy mashing buttons. As long as orders are given in a calm and decisive tone, they aren't often viewed as attacks. Comments made out of combat will often bear more scrutiny.
In general, though, the goal is to balance instruction and affirmation. Celebrate successes openly, and treat people like people - even if they're screwing up.
Even a "Wipe night" doesn't have to be a fully negative experience. If your raid can perceive some improvement (like, "we got him down farther than last week"), excitement for the next run may be amped up.
"Inside Higher Ed" compares raiding and teaching {WoW}
Nov 5th 2008 10:08AM I think the dilemma is most pronounced in the "casual raiding" setting. My guild, for instance, tries to emphasize fun as the primary goal of our gameplay. For many of us, "fun" denotes downing bosses - particularly new ones. It ALSO denotes having enjoyable social interaction.
On the one hand, "calling out" or "attacking" one of our friends (and we endeavor to treat guildies as friends), can really ruin the mood of a raid. On the other hand, wiping generally sucks the fun out of the night.
As a RL I find that I have to "pick my battles" much more often than a strict progression-oriented guild might. Adjusting strats isn't a big deal, but when one person is clearly under-performing, I tend to use /w for correction rather than vent. Truth be told, almost everyone on a raid (at least OUR raids) wants to succeed, and so most are open to trying new/different things to make success happen without the threat of punishment.
Our raidleaders have to think a little more flexibly than those in min/max guilds with fixed specs and gear reqs. At the end of the day, like all guilds we do have a few wipe-nights... though not as many as you would think.
Being primarily a "fun-centered" raiding guild means that discipline tends to occur more often with regards to attitude problems (disrespect, etc) than actual performance. And while we aren't paced like bleeding-edge raiders, our guild usually accomplishes whatever we set out for. People are naturally motivated, naturally committed.
The Light and How to Swing It: Something's gone terribly wrong {WoW}
Oct 28th 2008 2:00PM "But because of Ret imbalance, I lose any chance I had at finally being able to maintain second threat on anything."
Sorry bud, but if you have problems holding threat as a pally, pre-3.0 or post nerf or whenever, you need to seriously evaluate your gear, spec, and spell rotations. I consistently had close to - if not THE - highest threat generation of the tanks in my guild. Post patch, that threat has scaled up deliciously.
Sure, I'll lose some threat on my seals, but frankly, the best dpser's i've run with (some which out geared me by a fair margin) still only approached 50% of my threat at their highest. Since seals are only a portion of my threat (Well under 25%, i think), this nerf won't likely change the fact that I can hold aggro.
Still though, it was awfully nice to think of myself as actually contributing to raid dps, rather than just making it possible for everyone else to.
Encrypted Text: Rogue Glyphs {WoW}
Sep 22nd 2008 3:24PM Evis Glyph is for raiding Mute Rogues, imo. As every Evis will refresh SnD up to it's 5pt length (see Cut to the Chase), once you've got SnD going you should never have to cast it again. Instead of, say, refreshing to a 4 pt length SnD, 4 pts can get you a 5pt SnD and a burst of damage just by Evis'ing.


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Kick it up Salads
(78 Recipes) Created by EVWINGS
Recipes in this Collection
Fresh and juicy during spring and summer months, strawberries are delicious when combined with tender spinach, creamy goat cheese and crunchy toasted almonds. Submitted by CHEF_MEG Carbs: 6.4g | Fat: 16.6g | Fiber: 2.3g | Protein: 4g | Calories: 181.2
Think you dislike beets? Not after trying this recipe! Roasting brings out the beets' natural sweetness, and the feta offers a salty contrast. Submitted by CHEF_MEG Carbs: 14g | Fat: 14.4g | Fiber: 4.2g | Protein: 5g | Calories: 201.3
Incredible! 5.0/5
(4 ratings)
A refreshing fruit jello salad Submitted by W8CRUSADE Carbs: 13g | Fat: 1.1g | Fiber: 0.5g | Protein: 0.8g | Calories: 94.7
Crisp spinach, crunchy almonds and juicy strawberries are a perfect combination in this healthy salad. Top it with grilled chicken for extra protein. Submitted by MDSHEPARD Carbs: 10.8g | Fat: 2.8g | Fiber: 1.5g | Protein: 1.4g | Calories: 68.4
We love all the sweet flavors and contrasting textures in this simple fruit salad. Sprinkle chopped, toasted nuts or granola on top for crunch. Carbs: 31.5g | Fat: 1g | Fiber: 4.1g | Protein: 3.2g | Calories: 136.7
Most pasta salads are heavy on the pasta and light on everything else. This version, which can be served warm or cold, includes a hefty portion of vegetables--both spinach and tomatoes. Submitted by CHEF_MEG Carbs: 33g | Fat: 8.9g | Fiber: 2.6g | Protein: 12g | Calories: 267.2
Panzanella is an Italian salad that can be found on trendy bistro menus in the hot summer months. This salad was invented when times were tough, as a way to use up stale bread. Submitted by CHEF_MEG Carbs: 26.5g | Fat: 10.2g | Fiber: 2.6g | Protein: 6.6g | Calories: 224.3
This is easy to make and is very nutrious for you! Quinoa was revered by the Incas and feed it to the Warriors. Carbs: 17.8g | Fat: 4.3g | Fiber: 2.6g | Protein: 1.2g | Calories: 110.7
Low-fat cottage cheese is the secret to the dressing in this delicious and simple summer side. Carbs: 22g | Fat: 0.2g | Fiber: 3g | Protein: 3.9g | Calories: 99.8
My kids never complain about eating both beans and greens in one meal when they're served alongside rich, slow-cooked pork. Submitted by CHEF_MEG Carbs: 11.7g | Fat: 15.6g | Fiber: 3.6g | Protein: 25.9g | Calories: 285.9
Need to get dinner on the table in under 30 minutes? This recipe makes that happen. Submitted by CHEF_MEG Carbs: 6g | Fat: 18.2g | Fiber: 1.8g | Protein: 37.2g | Calories: 342.3
This recipe has been marked private.
Eat as a side salad or add two grilled scallops and a slice of grilled whole-grain bread for a meal! Submitted by CHEF_MEG Carbs: 12.1g | Fat: 5.6g | Fiber: 2.2g | Protein: 1.2g | Calories: 105
This was my great-grandfather's favorite salad. He didn't like lettuce, so when he saw this salad coming out, he always said, "Oh boy, salad!" thus the name. Submitted by TANGO5617 Carbs: 12.8g | Fat: 5.4g | Fiber: 3g | Protein: 2.5g | Calories: 101.3
I love the versatility of this salad,and the ease in making it a delicious side dish,or meal.My children are grown but they still ask for this dish at family gatherings.It's great for picnics because it is not mayonaise based.I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as us. Submitted by SHERRY822 Carbs: 9.7g | Fat: 0.6g | Fiber: 2.1g | Protein: 1.8g | Calories: 48.2
While chicken Parmesan is traditionally fried and served with pasta, this lighter version is delightful atop a hearty tomato and basil salad. Submitted by CHEF_MEG Carbs: 13g | Fat: 16.5g | Fiber: 2.7g | Protein: 38.2g | Calories: 353.1
The Mother of all loaded-Waldorfs Submitted by KITHKINCAID Carbs: 16.2g | Fat: 15.2g | Fiber: 2.4g | Protein: 21.2g | Calories: 277.3
Broccoli salad is a summertime party staple. This version is healthier--with plenty of flavor from almonds and raisins! Submitted by STEPFANIER Carbs: 41.2g | Fat: 6.7g | Fiber: 11.8g | Protein: 12.3g | Calories: 246.1
Very Good 4.7/5
(37 ratings)
Submitted by SHELLTHERUNNER Carbs: 8.8g | Fat: 9g | Fiber: 0.9g | Protein: 27.6g | Calories: 227.2
Very Good 4.0/5
(15 ratings)
Simple & Healthy Submitted by IHAVEDECIDED Carbs: 36.4g | Fat: 11.1g | Fiber: 5.9g | Protein: 19.5g | Calories: 303.4


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- Product Details
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This is a soft gold poly taffeta with vertical stripes created by a small vertical tuck.
Color: Soft Gold
Width: 55"
Content: 100% POLYESTER
V Repeat: 2.63
Learn about fabric careHOW TO CARE FOR POLYESTER FABRICS: Machine wash warm or cold, tumble-dry low. If ironing is needed, iron on a low temperature. Mood strongly recommends test-laundering a swatch, if you plan to wash your garment or home furnishings yourself.


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23 avril 2012
Increasing demand for cloud computing services in the United Kingdom is contributing to significant business growth in the technology sector, V3's Dan Worth reports.
Worth notes that while there have been many reports highlighting the success of major cloud service providers such as Google and Amazon, a number of smaller enterprises have also seen their businesses expand as companies come to realize the potential benefits of moving their operations to the cloud.
As a case in point, he cites Interoute, a UK telecommunications company. Its profits increased by 24 percent from 2010 to 2011, with total revenue reaching €366 million. According to chief executive Gareth Williams, 55 percent of their revenue now derives from cloud services, which include hosting other organizations' internal IT applications and websites, among others.
Interoute and other cloud vendors' success lead Worth to conclude that cloud computing "is becoming the norm" for companies from all industries.
Williams acknowledges, though, that some organizations still harbor significant concerns regarding the cloud, especially in regard to data protection and other security issues. Such worries are regularly cited as the primary barrier to full cloud adoption.
However, many computer security professionals argue that the cloud is not inherently less secure than older forms of networks or infrastructure. It simply requires unique cybersecurity precautions.
Vic Wrinkler, writing for a leading computer company, has pointed out that many cloud security risks can be mitigated by conducting proper research before selecting a cloud service provider. By choosing a company that offers a high degree of transparency, high-level security support and can demonstrate its ability to provide service will not suffer in the event of a disaster, such as fire or flood, the risk of suffering data loss or a security breach will be greatly diminished.
-McAfee Cloud Security


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Introducing Our Team
Zippy Shell USA was created in June 2009 by a group of successful franchising industry executives, for the specific purpose of acquiring from ZSI the Master Franchise Rights for the United States and subsequently franchising the Zippy Shell System across the United States. The executive team, each with 15 or more years of franchising experience, worked together as senior executives at Cendant Corporation and Realogy Corporation. They are considered some of the most seasoned franchising professionals in the US.
C. Javier Parraga – Chairman
Mr. Parraga is an accomplished franchise development professional with more than 20 years of executive leadership, franchising and sales experience. He is the former Executive Vice President of Realogy. In that role, Mr. Parraga was responsible for the sale and ongoing operations of master franchises around the world. He has successfully negotiated and signed more than 200 master franchise agreements, encompassing more than 150 countries and territories, and was responsible for more than 6,500 real estate franchise offices outside of the U.S. Mr. Parraga graduated cum laude from the University of Maryland and was formerly a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Maryland.
Rick Del Sontro – CEO
Mr. Del Sontro has 20 years of real estate and franchising experience. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President of Franchise Sales for Cendant Corporation, where he was responsible for franchising all of the Cendant real estate brands in the United States. In that role, he was instrumental in designing and building the infrastructure that supported the franchise sales and franchise renewal processes and growing the related sales organization of more than 50 employees that produced more than $200 million of new sales annually. Mr. Del Sontro has successfully launched and grown a number of businesses over the past 12 years.
Lance Avery – CTO
In addition to his role as Chief Technology Officer of ZSA, Mr. Avery is President and CEO of Greyhound Technologies, Ltd. in Detroit, Michigan. Greyhound Technologies is a full-service systems integrator formed in 1996 to provide complex on-premise and cloud-based solutions to small and medium-sized businesses. Greyhound Technologies services customers primarily in the Southeast Michigan area, but also provides assistance to clients in New York, New Jersey, Florida and Texas. Prior to his current role, Mr. Avery has also held positions as Director of IT for a Midwest energy company and Associate with consulting firms McKinsey & Company and American Management Systems.
Gareth Taylor – President and CEO, Worldwide Operations
From December 2007 to June 2009, Mr. Taylor was a co-founder and CEO of Zippy Shell Storage Systems in Australia, where he was responsible for development of the business system and growth of the business. He negotiated and sold a country-wide Zippy Shell Master Franchise License to Grace Removal Group, one of Australia's largest moving companies, in 2009. From 2004 to 2007, Mr. Taylor served as an Associate Director at Marakon Associates where he advised senior-level executives at Fortune 100 Companies such as Textron Corporation, Alcan, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Roche. Mr. Taylor served in the role of Manager at Huron Consulting Group and Associate at Lehman Brothers Holding. He holds an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management (2001) and a B.Sc. from the University of New South Wales (1995), Australia.
Robin Ashwood – Franchise Operations Manager
Mrs. Ashwood is the former Operations Manager for the Rainy Day Foundation, a non-profit that provides financial counseling, budgeting and assistance to new homeowners. While there she served as the interface between clients and the organization. Additionally she managed and trained the counselors for the organization. She also had responsibility for all financial matters. Prior to working with the Rainy Day Foundation she served as manager for a privately owned restaurant group. She oversaw the successful opening of 4 restaurants. Her daily responsibilities included taking the restaurant from concept to opening, problem solving, hiring and training of key personnel and ongoing support of all operational matters.
Eric Delgado – Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Delgado has over 15 years of extensive event marketing, operational and financial expertise. During the last decade Mr. Delgado was instrumental in developing several financial services firms including MCM Capital which manages a portfolio of performing and non-performing residential whole loans worth over $1.8 Billion US. While at MCM Capital, Mr. Delgado was seen as a market expert and asked to speak at several industry conferences and super conferences and events including the Five Star Institute Annual Conference, REOMAC, The AREAA Global Real Estate Summit, and REO Expo to name a few. Mr. Delgado graduated from the Loyola University New Orleans and is currently a candidate for his Masters of Real Estate from Georgetown University.


text:
moloh loves...
Lookbook 2014Great Britain's Heritage, Manufacturing skills and British Mills. We love fur on leather, quilted velvet, grosgrain on twill and patchwork tartans.
We put tailcoats over dresses, boots with silk skirts and military with everything!
We like to mix and match and believe there is more than one way to make an outfit.
Don't save our clothes for best!


text:
Listen to the newly unveiled Pryda tune "LYCKA"
November 20th, 2013 | by Martian
Eric Prydz – the man, the myth, the legend. Working his way up that status was certainly no easy feat, [&hellip
November 20th, 2013 | by Martian
Eric Prydz – the man, the myth, the legend. Working his way up that status was certainly no easy feat, [&hellip
April 1st, 2013 | by JAWSOMO
It's certainly not the old BeatauCue we used to know. Admittedly, we took a break from paying much attention to [&hellip
January 10th, 2013 | by Shiva
Getting featured on Pete Tong's Radio 1 show TWICE last year was no joke. The 16 year old Swede Jakob [&hellip
November 23rd, 2012 | by Mara
When two Trance superstars get together you know a song is bound to be a hit. And it is about [&hellip
November 12th, 2012 | by Martian
The collaboration between Deadmau5 and Armin Van Buuren might be the one to end them all. It's perhaps the most [&hellip
November 11th, 2012 | by Mara
Last night on Pete Tong's Essential Selection, Pete was kind enough to premiere Porter Robinson and Mat Zo's brilliant new tune, 'Easy'. And [&hellip
October 4th, 2012 | by Martian
Eric Prydz recent installment of his EPIC Radio Podcast series is progressive house gold. Mr. Prydz has done it the [&hellip
August 23rd, 2012 | by Martian
Madeon unveiled a teaser video for this forthcoming single The City, which is due for release this month. He notes [&hellip
July 31st, 2012 | by Martian
Fool's Gold Clubhouse is a series of free, monthly compilations featuring brand new dance records from FG friends and family, [&hellip
May 7th, 2012 | by Martian
Eric Prydz has been taking dedicated fans on one heck of a ride over the course of his career, and [&hellip


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Aggressively Resolving Business Disputes Throughout Utah
If you are engaged in a business dispute in Utah, the business litigation attorneys at the law offices of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates, are here to offer advice and advocacy. From our law offices in Ogden, we represent a broad range of clients, ranging from individuals to large businesses. Our clients benefit from our legal knowledge, business acumen and aggressive approach to litigation. Because we thoroughly prepare every case for trial, we are often able to achieve favorable, cost-effective results out of court.
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Resolving Business Disputes in Utah
Our attorneys have achieved successful results in a wide range of business law matters for clients from the Salt Lake City area and throughout Utah. We handle a wide range of business litigation matters, including those involving:
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If you are facing a business dispute, we are here to help you explore your legal options. Contact us today online or by telephone at 877-448-3513 to arrange a consultation with a knowledgeable Salt Lake City business litigation lawyer.


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Lagunitas, Sierra Nevada Beer Makers Going To Court Over 'IPA' Lettering
Two Bay Area beer makers are going to court over how their brews are labeled.
Keidel: Hail On The Redskins
Uncle Sam dipped his beak in the NFL waters this week, making a statement about football's most controversial franchise
U.S. Patent Office Cancels Six Redskins Trademark Registrations
The U.S. Patent Office ruled Wednesday that the Washington Redskins nickname is "disparaging of Native Americans" and that the team's federal trademarks for the name must be canceled.
Maker Of Candy Crush Saga App Trademarks The Word 'Candy'
The maker of Candy Crush Saga, one of the most popular apps across Facebook and on mobile devices, has obtained a trademark from the European Union for the word "Candy."
Apple Applies For International iWatch Trademarks
Apple Inc. has applied for a trademark in Japan for "iWatch," as rumors suggest it may be developing a smart wristwatch.
49ers QB Trying To Trademark His 'Kaepernicking' Pose
Much the same way Tim Tebow trademarked Tebowing, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is trying to do the same with his touchdown celebration — otherwise known as kissing your bicep.
Novato Restaurant Sued By Francis Ford Coppola Over Trademark Infringement
Tavola Italian Kitchen in Novato is being sued by Bay Area Filmmaker, Francis Ford Coppola for trademark infringement…
China Facing Choice In Apple iPad Trademark Dispute
Chinese officials face a choice in Apple's dispute with a local company over the iPad trademark—side with a struggling entity that a court says owns the name or with a global brand that has created hundreds of thousands of jobs in China. Experts say that means Beijing's political priorities rather than the courts will settle the dispute if it escalates.
San Jose Man Found With Hundreds Of Counterfeit DVDs
A 23-year-old San Jose man was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of counterfeit trademark when he was allegedly pulled over with more than 800 counterfeit DVDs of major studio releases, a Santa Clara County sheriff's sergeant said.


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Junya Watanabe Spring 2013 | Runway
Junya Watanabe Spring 2013
Talk about sportif: Junya Watanabe's collaboration with Puma has clearly had an impact on his main collection for Spring 2013 — so much so that he put pieces from that collaboration on the runway.
While the capsule collection, with its high-top sneakers and garments made from tech fabrics, was appropriately athletic, the collection itself imagined the very distant future of sportswear. Garments of all kinds had mesh inserts in a variety of colors, and sportswear fabrics were made chic and forward-thinking with sheer overlays and inventive, body-skimming cuts. There were a few moments when Watanabe didn't dote on track and field: two little black dresses toward the end of the show were among the most chic variations on the wardrobe staple we've seen all week.
- Iggy Azalea is P.O.'d about her leaked Steve Madden line photos — HuffPost Style
- It might be time to get your man a murse — The Cut
- Fast fashion vs investment pieces: this infographic breaks it down — Racked
- Lions, fire, and Lenny Kravitz? Katy Perry's halftime show sounds wild — InStyle
- What will it take for Gap to make a comeback? — Style.com
- Pregnant ladies, rejoice: Rachel Zoe has a maternity line — SheFinds
- Oops — you might be ruining your jewelry and not even know — Who What Wear
- Stock-photo models are people too! — Lucky
- Say goodbye to another brand: Jones New York is no longer — Fashionista


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Red Dead Redemption is an open-world, third-person, action-adventure game set at the tail end of the American West West era. Action takes place in the first few years of the twentieth century and revolves around the choices that the protagonist, former outlaw John Marston, is forced to make due to his blemished past. The game features a morality system assigning honor and fame points generated through the player's choices. It also features Wild West themed mini-games, new targeting and cover systems, extensive horse riding abilities, a wealth of period specific weapons and more than 40 huntable animals.
Red Dead Redemption is a Western epic, set at the turn of the 20th century when the lawless and chaotic badlands began to give way to the expanding reach of government and the spread of the Industrial Age. A follow up to the 2004 hit Red Dead Revolver, this game tells the story of former outlaw John Marston, taking players on a great adventure across the American frontier.


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King John
The party's over. Balloons festoon the stage, empty champagne bottles are strewn about the stage - and death comes creeping for the king.
Nicholas Mullan (Arthur), Alex Waldmann (King John) and Pippa Nixon (The Bastard) in King John at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon (previous picture shows Susie Trayling as Constance) Photo: Tristram Kenton
Part of the RSC's Nations at War season, Maria Aberg's modern dress production of Shakespeare's study of power and those who wield it is full of energy and invention. It's a lively, colourful staging in which the king sings karaoke and the dauphin dances like Patrick Swayze.
Particularly notable is the re-casting of the Bastard - the illegitimate offspring of Richard the Lionheart and the king's inadvertent ally - as a woman. This changes the connection between her character and Alex Waldmann's playboy king. Theirs is already an intriguing relationship but there's now a sexual undercurrent to the bond between them which becomes more overt as the production progresses.
As the Bastard, Pippa Nixon initially plays the fool, leading the audience in song on her ukulele, but she gradually becomes the moral centre of the play. Aberg's production tweaks the gender dynamics further by casting Paola Dionisotti as the Pope's Legate - she's an imposing Anna Wintour figure who soon has John and his French counterpart at her feet - and Susie Trayling's raw, grief-ravaged performance as Constance adds yet another layer, another female perspective on events. Waldmann, in the title role, gets a little overshadowed at times, but he has sufficient charisma to hold his own.
Designer Naomi Dawson has covered the Swan's stage with anonymous airport carpeting and the whole set has a Eurovision sheen - a wall of balloons looms almost ominously in the background, ready to burst forth at any moment.


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In baseball, the perfect pitch rockets right past the visiting batter as they take a desperate swing at the ball, which is already in the catcher's glove as the umpire calls strike three, much to the delight of the home crowd. In public relations, though, the perfect pitch is a soft, underhanded lob that the journalist smashes out of the park. Your company can certainly get a base hit by incorporating a typical press release into your SEO campaign, but a carefully crafted media pitch can provide the huge home run you've been looking for.
A well-written media pitch can be a home run for your company.
There's nothing wrong with press releases – in fact, we assist our clients with creating and distributing them on a daily basis. They're a great way to announce company news, promote an upcoming product release, or inform consumers of exciting things a business is doing. However, in some cases, it can be more beneficial for our clients to send out a media pitch instead of (or in addition to) a press release.
Press releases are typically posted online for mass consumption without any particular recipient in mind. The hope is that news sites, blogs, newspapers and magazines, and even radio or television stations will come across the release and find it interesting enough to publish or report on. Press releases are a tried and true way to get your company name in the news, but in many cases, media pitches can be more successful because they offer a more targeted approach to drawing attention to your business.
With a media pitch, your company (or an organization like WebiMax that helps with your PR work) sends a targeted news announcement, along with a "call to action," to specific journalists and media organizations that will likely have an interest in the news. In addition to being more specifically targeted than press releases, media pitches usually offer something exclusive or particularly insightful that will entice a journalist to jump on a story before their competitors. Just like your industry is competitive, so is the news business, and reporters love an inside scoop. By extending an offer to a reporter and indicating your willingness to work with them on a story, you are giving them a reason to respond.
A good media pitch will catch the interest of a reporter and lead to an interview opportunity.
In sticking with the theme, let's say your company makes sports equipment, and you're ready to release a brand new kind of baseball bat that helps batters hit the ball further. If you put out a press release announcing the upcoming release of the new product, news organizations would undoubtedly be interested as long as you provided the pertinent information. Is the new bat approved for use in Major League Baseball? What players will be using it? Where can the general public buy it? How much will it cost? What type of research was done to prove the bat's increased effectiveness over traditional models? As long as you include the answers to these basic questions, it's easy for reporters to repurpose your release into a news story, and you there's a good chance you'll see it a few minutes later on your favorite sports blog, hear about it on the news that night, and read it in the paper next day.
However, if you were to send out a tailored media pitch to select journalists, it might result in more substantial and in-depth coverage. Perhaps you could put out a media pitch inviting some of the most respected sports writers to a preview event, where there would be a hands-on demonstration of the new technology. Or, maybe you could offer journalists an exclusive interview with the scientists who worked to develop the new bat, or with one of the star MLB players who will be using it. A media pitch includes that more personal, more direct, and more exciting call to action which a press release often lacks.
A media pitch can generate substantial press coverage, both online and in print, if done correctly.
Of course, sending out a media pitch means there's going to be a bit more work on your end. You need to be willing to put in the effort to host the event you're pitching, or to send out the samples you're offering, or to provide the interviews you're promising when journalists come calling. However, the time and effort you put in to make the pitch worthwhile can pay dividends when it results in a home run of positive media coverage for your company.
SEO is almost constantly evolving, growing and becoming more complex, but regardless of how search engine optimization techniques change; content will always be an important component of online marketing initiatives.
While a majority of my posts emphasize the benefits of rich content and multimedia within Internet marketing campaigns, the role of blogs, articles and other on-site text is as crucial as ever before. In fact, creating more effective and "SEO-friendly" content is a primary objective of many campaigns.
Since Google's Panda and Penguin updates made their now-infamous debuts, words like "quality" and "relevance" have become prevalent in the SEO community, but creating strong, relevant content is only the first step. Search engines actually encourage the promotion and distribution of such content and have even developed useful tools to help authors achieve greater visibility within the SERPs. The following strategies are amongst the most effective in the industry for authors and marketers looking to enhance the reach and visibility of their content:
Utilizing Authorship
When properly utilized, Google Authorship can be an excellent resource for content creators and can help to increase overall visibility and social engagement within Google+.
Notice how a Google search of the term "Chris Countey" returns results from sites on which our own SEO guru is featured as an author? Additionally, when Chris is mentioned by other contributors with authorship enabled, those results appear prominently on the SERP, as well. Authorship offers distinct advantages to content creators and definitely provides value within SEO campaigns.
Social Media Promotion
Outside of G+, networks such as Facebook and Twitter provide prime promotional real estate. Sharing, tweeting and liking have played a part in social media marketing and optimization campaigns for quite some time now, but using these platforms to promote blog posts, articles and other content has also helped many SEOs achieve greater success and higher visibility.
PR & Media Outreach
There are opportunities for content creators that go beyond guest blogging and social promotion. PR efforts such as press releases, media outreach and interviews provide major platforms for content creators to enhance their audience on a local, national and even global scale. Some Internet marketing firms are already offering PR services and more are likely to jump on the bandwagon in the months ahead due to its proven success.
Speaking of PR, I'll be presenting at next week's Agile SEO Meetup and further elaborating on the role of public relations and media outreach within online marketing campaigns. Click the link to check it out live next Monday (the 12th) at 7pm EST or tune in online via Webex.
As always, I'd like to hear your thoughts on content marketing and optimization and all things SEO. Reach out to me directly at email@example.com or find me on Twitter: @brwebimax.
Link building strategies have come a long way since the early days of SEO and search algorithm updates such as Google's Panda and Penguin have made the process even more complex. Formerly, link profiles existed merely to bolster the authority of pages within the SERPs. However, the quality of those backlinks was not deemed to be nearly as important as quantity. As the search engines have improved their functionality, quality and relevance have become crucial and certain link building strategies have been rendered obsolete.
Many webmasters find the task of building high-quality links to be particularly challenging and some may even wonder if there is still value in link building processes post-Penguin. Does a strong link profile still matter to online businesses? Yes. In fact, it may be more important than ever before.
Why Links Still Work
Although Google, Bing and other search engines now consider quality to be paramount, quantity still plays a part in determining organic rankings. Link building isn't dead, it's just different. Paid links that were once effective for gaining authority are now penalized and backlinks from reputable sites have become even more valuable.
An Optimized Profile
P.R. initiatives, guest blogging and social media are proving to be effective ways for business owners and webmasters to gain high-quality, authoritative backlinks. Additionally, these strategies also enhance overall brand awareness and visibility outside the SERPs.
The future of link building looks to be very secure. It always has been and likely, always will be, a key component in SEO and digital marketing. However, online businesses must be prepared to forge a new kind of link profile with quality at its core in order to retain their presence in the organic search rankings from here on out.
What are your thoughts on link building on the post-Penguin Web? Drop me a line at email@example.com or follow me on Twitter: @brwebimax.
(Looks around) Psst. Hey you, come here. I have a secret. I'm not always 'working.' Well, better defined, I'm not always doing what I'm paid to do. You see, I'm not being disobedient or having a Peter Gibbons moment. I love my job. I'm just not always doing it. (Gets up, stretches, does some pushups, takes a sip of coffee, then looks out the window.)
Here are a few things I'm doing when I should be working.
(Puts down US Weekly) I don't believe 'reading' is in my job description; yet, I do a whole bunch of it throughout the day. I've taken it upon myself to become completely immersed in my particular vertical. In my vertical of online marketing, many bloggers and associated sites exist. My eyes ravenously encounter a litany of lines during business hours. Shh – don't tell my bosses I'm becoming more proficient in my respective area of concentration!
Well, maybe it's not so roguish. A little while ago, one of our strategists of SEO, Chris Countey, sent me an email. It was to commend me on my ability to engage the community and vertical. He asked how 'we' can replicate such behavior for our clients.
I told him it's sort of difficult to make suggestions without knowing particular clients' verticals and goals. Actually, I caught one of Todd Bailey's suggestions in a recent CNBC Google Penguin post:
"Businesses need to get rid of the philosophy that they need to get as many links and as much content out as there as they can," Bailey said. "They need to look at a public relations strategy and try to produce quality content by pitching news outlets, doing press releases and guest blogging.
Wait. Todd's thinks a PR strategy is a sound marketing decision. Well, that's not in my job description either; yet, I think I've found something else to do when I should be working.
Actually, I read a great post on using social media for prospecting and building relations recently.
I used to engage in PR activities; now, I'm technically a copywriter; yet, I might as well summons what I've learned while I'm not working. There are a number of social sites like Facebook, YouTube, Reddit, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc. Personally, I've cultivated an affinity for Twitter. I can cover a lot of people and information that way. It works for me in my particular situation.
I know I suggest otherwise in yesterday's social media post; but, I'm a rebel, remember? Actually, I share a lot of other peoples' stuff. As a result, I think people who want to learn more and be exposed to different information appreciate my shares and passion for knowledge.
As a peer mentioned yesterday, I'm an 'outstanding Twitter citizen.' That means a lot, to me and to the brand; because being a diligent and considerate socialite helps us make more connections and get more solidly ingrained in our respective space. Shh – Don't tell my bosses I'm building rapports within our vertical!
@content_muse Aha thanks for the RT! For the record, I don't see you doing said offensive acts #OutstandingTwitterCitizen
If you've seen a guest post or two by me, it's because I cared about building relationships in my respective vertical. It's beneficial.
I'm not sure if thinking is listed on my job description verbatim; but, I'll assume it's indirectly implied; though in my younger years, I've heard, "You're not paid to think" a time or two. Why would my bosses want me thinking when I could be working? Hmm.. I recently read a good post by Jon Morrow at Copyblogger (Do you want to learn how to write better copy for the Web, and just period? Read Copyblogger.) Jon's post speaks of sleeping while making money. I haven't tried sleeping while working yet…but, I'll leave that to Jon for now.
In his description of learning 'how to sell,' Jon suggests listening to salespeople, or those who know the product/service. I'm ingrained in the online marketing world. I'm a worker bee. I know the service. As Jon suggests, brand messages should reflect that of those who know the product/service; because, those souls better understand how a service/product addresses a client need. Moreover, being on the internal squad, I'm marketing a marketing company; so, I also have suggestions on how to market 'our' company too. Shh – don't tell my bosses I'm always thinking of ways to improve things for us and clients.
Those I report to encourage any ideas or thoughts of mine, which I believe could improve the internal and client process. There's no quota or specific time of suggestion. I relate ideas and processes when such inspiration strikes.
As you can read, this was another tongue-in-cheek post. I want to get you thinking, and doing PR, and reading too; but, only if it makes sense regarding your vertical and personal contribution. I'll assume you have a 'job description'; but, does that mean you have to confine your workday to such? Yes, of course- attend to what's expected; but, don't be 'shh' shy about doing more professionally for you and your brand.
In yesterday's post, I opened the discussion on reframing and described what it is and the background of why it is important. Today, let's look at the tactics used and how it is relevant both at home and internationally.
In communication with your audiences, the larger conversation that captures the large-scale dialogue between a company and its audiences can be reframed through traditional tactics such as press conferences, events, launches, media placements, interviews, press releases, and statements. These forms of external communication are relevant to some organizations more than others, largely based on the size of the company, budget, and particular goals. If a company is a larger brand with a national audience, then they may be more inclined to seek the greater exposure through high-profile events, large media spots, and prime advertisements whereas smaller companies may opt for press releases, interviews, and small-scale media placements.
Now, regardless of company size, the smaller conversation is reframed one interaction at a time. This process has been revolutionized by social media. Businesses and the SEO companies that represent them can engage with audience members online directly through social media. They can do this to repair reputation and extend the brand (or to rebrand in some cases), engaging with people to present their image in a constructive manner. This is a long-term strategy and investment, but when done correctly, it can yield significant results.
The SEO marketers can take the opportunity to address concerns brought forth by customers and audience members individually through all types of posting, reposting, commenting, and other actions available on social platforms. Purposefully engaging people with compelling, quality content reframes the conversation to the core message in an equitable, non-manipulative way. This requires time, effort and ultimately staff to do this well though, resources that are often in short order – this is where SEO companies can assist in the campaigns.
Domestic and International Implications
This process is important domestically, as very often companies have a reputation that is instilled in the minds and experience of their customers – for better or worse. This happens in the environment where they have been operating the longest, typically on domestic soil. However, it also applies for businesses trying to stay on point in new international markets. As a company expands they make it a priority to build brand awareness, positive exposure, and customer loyalty in a place where they likely have little to none of these upon arrival.
Following this scenario, the brand itself may not have a reputation to fall back on as customers are working out their feelings towards the company. As a result, such companies are especially vulnerable to any negativity that arises as with such a blank canvas the, the "conversation" can quickly become an unfavorable one if a mistake is made or a negative development occurs. As such, companies need to be proactive in correcting any issues, transparent in their communications, and firm in addressing the issues but then reframing the conversation towards their core message.
As an example of reframing, I discuss in a piece on IBTimes.com how Glodman Sachs can use this practice along with consistency/core messaging and purposeful engagement to gain a better social presence with the brand management team they are expanding. For more information about reframing and its relevance for businesses domestically and how it relates to operating in international markets, reach out to me directly at email@example.com and @ryanwbudd.
I'm an 'armchair PR quarterback.' I have experience in the field, but currently reside in PR hibernation, focusing professional attention on writing and internal marketing. However, my former professional sentiments can't help but fuel my interest and inner passion. I regularly trace the PR operations of brands, shouting at the computer screen like an aged, high school quarterback who lends his voice to the television screen while assuming the Lazy-Boy position. "C'mon how could you make that PR play!"
Today I offer a few sentiments I would like to see better implemented into your public relations strategy.
Think Boutique
Outsourcing is a choice for some and an absolute, immediate necessity for others. However, I suggest considering going with a boutique supplier of PR services. For one, there's a learning curve associated with your respective vertical. A PR person really needs to know the 'lay of the land' to ensure effective campaigns. Don't assume bigger brands, which address PR in several verticals, are going to assign you with a person well familiar with your vertical; it's highly unlikely this 'perfect match' will fall into place.
However, the learning curve drastically decreases when partnering with a boutique service provider, which specializes in your particular niche. An immediate advantage is the list of apropos contacts and relations the boutique may have already established. Let's face it; you're electing to outsource due to a lack of internal resources, you want the outsourced entity to act as an 'internal teammate' as much as possible. You don't have time to educate the person on your vertical; you expect momentum. Siding with a boutique service can expedite the process.
Products/Services Shouldn't Need Attention, Consumers' Needs Do
I take notice of brands after the production phase. It would likely be disappointing for some owners to hear my questions as to why some products/services made it past the production phase. In short, there are a lot of products/services out there of poor quality. PR won't help as SEO can't compensate for poor quality…
That being said, a PR professional should not have to do any work for the products/services. In short, products/services should 'sell' themselves; or, your company has many issues to address other than PR. I see a lot of PR efforts mirroring the error in logic of a lot of ad copy. Make the endeavor about the consumer and not about your services and products.
I'm sure some are confused; isn't PR about my business? Yes, but PR is public relations, meaning the process involves relating (your brand and associations) to…the public. The public part is important. I don't care what marketing processes are being leveraged; marketing is always about engaging the consumer. So, even if you're involved in a product launch, the approach necessitates people-centric engineering. It's not about how awesome the product is; it's about what an awesome job the product does in addressing a consumer need and desire. I hope you understand; because, this is a crucial insight to 'get.'
Service Person Neglect
As a copywriter, I sometimes felt neglected by clients. It was my job to create something based on little to no initial information. Many times, clients neglect to inform service providers, which is mind blowing. If I wanted another entity to do ANYTHING in my business' name, I would most definitely ensure my provider was on the 'same page.' That would a huge part of my responsibility regarding the partnership. Business owners, do you host the same concerns? I really hope you do.
Again the PR person is the translator, like a ghost-writer. It's absolutely essential the PR person is using your words and sentiments, truly understands your brand and direction, and sees eye to eye with the executives and brand represented. PR is very important; whose mind are you letting make maneuvers for your company? It's essential the public relations rep understands key execs and the essence of the brand. Otherwise, there's no way an outside entity can properly represent your brand to your public. If there's a lack of understanding, it's in the best interest of your brand to address it. Any gaps or misunderstandings can be avoided through proper lines of communications. Never neglect communications with an outsourced provider. Each passing, neglectful moment negatively affects your brand.
PR and Social Media
Public relations probably needs a new definition or at least new consideration within the backdrop of online marketing evolutions. Yesterday we had PR; today we have social media, which can achieve a lot of the initiatives PR always has. PR is not extinct; but, such processes should include social media usage. I'm sure many PR providers are presently not social media providers too, making things complicated for service seekers. In my opinion, the two worlds need integration.
If you're outsourcing PR but doing social media in-house, you need integration. If you're doing PR and social media in-house, the processes need integration. If you're doing PR in-house and outsourcing social media…well, you get it.
Formulate a strategy, leveraging the two processes, especially if different people are addressing them. Strategy enables more reach and efficiency on both fronts. You need the two marketing initiatives working together. For instance, your PR professional landed your company in a major publication. How are you going to perpetuate the exposure? Social media is a good choice. It's not about choosing some processes over others; online marketing is about using available tools strategically, ensuring all brand endeavors are working in harmony. It all warrants a bit of quarterbacking…zero quarterbacking begets frustrations. I don't want to be jeering your PR decisions from my computer screen; I want to be cheering them. The ball's in your hands.


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