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Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing: Works of Visual Art and English Language Learning
This workshop focuses on developing the thinking skills and habits of mind central to the Common Core State Standards. Using art and design in the RISD Museum's collection, educators will mine visual art for the literacy-based goals that are central to educators' different subject areas. Whether you are looking for an introduction as to how integrate art and design into your teaching, or you already use them as primary sources or as visual texts in your curriculum this workshop will offer an opportunity and tools to expand your students' learning and your teaching practice around English Language Arts. Participants will observe, articulate, listen and share ideas through independent and group examination of works of art and written texts, gather and organize visual and textual evidence, and will practice constructing and presenting rich and reasoned interpretations.
For any questions, please contact Alexandra Poterack, Education Department Assistant at email@example.com or at 454-6531.
Continue shopping... To sign up for more than one event, finish adding the first event to your cart and, before checking out, go back to the RISD Museum website to choose another event. You can also give a donation or sign up for a membership. All items will be added to your cart. Then simply pay for everything at once!
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I Dreamed Of Africa
For the restless Paolo, Africa is the fulfillment of his life's dream. For Kuki, it's a chance to discover a world described to her by her well-traveled father, but her visions of the continent are immediately altered when she sees her new home.
|MPAA Rating
|PG-13 for a scene of nudity/sensuality and some violent/traumatic episodes
|Theatrical Release
|May 5, 2000
|Kim Basinger, Vincent Perez, Liam Aiken, Daniel Craig
|Run Time
|(pictures (c)2000 Columbia Pictures)
Full Review
Why did we give I Dreamed Of Africa an overall grade of C? Read our full movie review for parents.
Content Details
Our apologies, but we do not have specific content details for I Dreamed Of Africa. We are always updating our database, so please check back soon.
Latest News
Unfortunately we have no news to report on this title at this time.
Looking for discussion ideas to talk to your kids about I Dreamed Of Africa? We got 'em!
Home Video
We currently have no information for the release of I Dreamed Of Africa on home video.
Trailers & Clips
At this time we don't have any clips or trailers for I Dreamed Of Africa.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Arts diary + Festivals
Kate Winslet's award-deserving vomit, plus the battle for the Golden Lion, and on the sofa with Jake Chapman
The Dean Martin tribe, Finnegan's mobile and Stella Rimington's 007 gaffe
Charlotte Higgins: Merkel dons 3D glasses for Pina, plus a hoodie with a clarinet and Berlin's art oasis
Plymouth's unusual Re-Sounding Science series ranges from a duet between a violinst and some subatomic particles to an exhibition on the cultural significance of whales
Firth accidentally locked himself out of the Donmar Warehouse because he was too scared to go on stage, while Rush has confessed to 'dread-inducing panic attacks'
Patrick Barkham and John Crace, as well as my good self, will be representing the Guardian in the Scottish book capital
When culture secretary Jeremy Hunt blogged about his trip to the Edinburgh festival, he did not mention he'd been to see Tim Crouch's play The Author
All of the impressive performances at Venice, it's Williams as a 19th-century pioneer who's the best so far, says Mark Brown
The once-infamous auteur's new film has met with general indifference, writes Mark Brown
Most of the candidates for Scotland's top poetry job were in attendance at the festival - but there can be only one choice, writes Charlotte Higgins
The Edinburgh international book festival has let down its hair with a series of relaxed, free evening events, writes Charlotte Higgins
Lou Reed and Bob Dylan were booed at festivals last weekend. Is it fair to expect some hits, or should audiences cut them more slack?
Lou Reed played a free-jazz set; Bob Dylan rendered his best tunes unrecognisable. Should we admire their quest to be creative, or deplore their refusal to please the crowds?
Bach festival organiser Elizabeth Bates is to retire, bringing the annual event to an end, writes Mark Brown
Poll: Summer's officially here ... and this year Glastonbury, Wimbledon and the World Cup are all competing for our attention. But which one will you be watching?
The gems and faux pas department …
Philosopher Raymond Tallis reminded us of Hay's mind-expanding powers with a homily to the outstretched digit, writes Charlotte Higgins
The author/screenwriter of Starter for Ten is now busy converting his new novel One Day for the cinema, writes Charlotte Higgins
BBC Films let slip about some of their future projects at the Cannes premiere of Tamara Drewe, says Charlotte Higgins
Former CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson was in town as the subject of a new biopic and as one of the interviewees in nuclear-weapons documentary Countdown to Zero, writes Charlotte Higgins
Mike Leigh's Another Year is pulling ahead as favourite for the Palme d'Or, while Ken Loach's Route Irish seems set to cause a scrum, writes Charlotte Higgins
Liam Gallagher says his first foray into movie-making, a film about the Beatles' break-up, will be his only one, writes Xan Brooks
There is a distinctly gloomy feel to the handful of films by British women at Cannes this year, writes Charlotte Higgins
One of the great things about the Glasgow International festival, which kicked off at the weekend, is that its often faintly ramshackle nature makes for a spirit of improvisation and some fascinating venues, writes Charlotte Higgins
It may have been Kathryn Bigelow's year at the Oscars, but not a single movie in competition for the Palme D'Or at the Cannes film festival this year is directed by a woman, writes Charlotte Higgins
Two of the festival's main directors have been sacked, after investigations revealed combined expenses of €1.5m, writes Charlotte Higgins
Critics at the Wigtown book festival have put the boot into some literary favourites, reports Charlotte Higgins
International arts festival Black/North Seas will finish its two-year tour in Skegness, writes Mark Brown
The sponsor's letter in some of the Edinburgh festival programmes is both amusing and depressing, writes Charlotte Higgins


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Carven is swiftly becoming one of my favourite brands.
This morning during Paris Fashion Week, Guillaume Henry presented a Parisian elegant collection for Spring 2012 which had plenty of girlie charm.
We saw many short dresses with A-lined skirts, more midriff-baring dresses – which continue to be a trend for Spring 2012 – luxe short suits, sweaters layered over shirts and paired with paper bag shorts, buttery leather dresses – which were also a trend this summer – and long-sleeve lace accented tunic dresses.
I was excited that this collection was full of colourful looks from cool blue and ivory to hot mustard and fuchsia pink.
Guillaume always adds prints to his collections; on this occasion he presented stripes and exotic ikat prints.
The other signature were the Peter Pan collars which no Carven collection goes without.
With the unseasonable hot weather in Paris today, we could wear these pieces right now.
[nggallery id=1002]
Key accessories included sporty backpacks, striped clutches, loafer, flatforms, creepers, sunglasses, and platform sandals accented with brass bells.
Front Row: Roxane Mesquida and Isabelle Huppert
Favourite: Mustard top paired with taupe shorts and fuschia pink dress
Who I See Wearing This Collection: Alexa Chung, Jena Malone, Rachel Bilson, Kate Bosworth, Leighton Meester, Jamie Chung, Chloe Moretz and Elle Fanning
Credit: All photos belong to Red Carpet Fashion Awards


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Get free delivery of your Porsche 996 Ignition Coil parts order when you spend at least $75. If you are in need of high quality Porsche 996 Ignition Coil parts, come try us out. We can ship your Porsche 996 Ignition Coil parts order out as soon as possible via UPS. AutohausAZ is one of the largest auto parts suppliers online. You can contact us through email or through our toll free hotline. We are more than willing to help you place your order over the phone. Most of our manufacturers cover their auto parts with at least a 12 month or 12,000 mile warranty. Our catalog is full of Porsche 996 Ignition Coil parts you can order for wholesale prices.
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The Plagues EP
Band and Crew have gathered and we have begun rehearsals for the Volbeat-Tour that kicks off this Friday in Milan. We are really excited to begin this new touring cycle even though it feels like the previous one only ended yesterday.
It will certainly be killer to see you guys out there and hang with my brother Michael and the guys in Volbeat and their team.
Special guests on upcoming tour
I'm happy to announce that we are once again being joined on tour by our friends in Warbringer for our Headline European Tour starting in 2014.
We are also welcoming Elm Street from Australia as well. I was impressed with their energy and their music. I think it will be a great package and a great tour.
See you out there!
Jon Schaffer
Details about the new album "Plagues of Babylon"
We are proud to present you with the new cover art for "Plagues of Babylon".
This is a seriously heavy album with a seriously brutal album cover. I'm sure it will go down as a classic in the epic ICED EARTH catalog.
1. Plagues of Babylon
2. Democide
3. The Culling
4. Among The Living Dead
5. Resistance
6. The End?
7. If I Could See You
8. Cthulhu
9. Peacemaker
10. Parasite
11. Spirit of the Times
12. Highwayman
Tracking complete for "Plagues of Babylon"
Hello brothers and sisters,
I'm proud to announce that we have completed all the tracking for the new album, "Plagues of Babylon".
There's quite a selection of epic heaviness on your way, for release early next year.
Wacken Open Air 2014 sold out!
Congratulations to the Wacken Open Air organisers for a record-breaking sell-out for next year's W:O:A -- we are excited to be there and kick some serious ass!
Spirit of the Times Music Video - Silver Circle Soundtrack
On a completely different note, Jon became involved in the Silver Circle Movie and Pasha and the good people at SILVER CIRCLE have put together a very cool video for SPIRIT OF THE TIMES from Jon's project
Dear all,
we are all happy to present another great news for all ICED EARTH supporters:
On October 11 Volbeat embark on their highly awaited arena tour in support of their critically acclaimed 5th album "Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies",
ICED EARTH announces new drummer
ICED EARTH have announced that BRENT SMEDLEY will be stepping down from drum
duty in ICED EARTH for personal family reasons. The new drummer will be RAPHAEL
SAINI and will be performing with the group starting this summer.
"I have family members that are elderly and frail and need my help here in Jacksonville",
Brent Smedley says. "It's been one of the hardest decisions of my life but I simply cannot
commit to the kind of schedule the band deserves and requires so I decided to ask
permission to step down from my post."
"Brent has been a valued member of the group for a long time. We thank him for his
contributions, friendship and energy and wish him all the best for the future. We want to
welcome Raphael with open arms and are expecting for our fans to give him the welcome
he deserves" - ICED EARTH.


text:
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Clarks shoes usa - clarks sandals with a issue
Posted on Friday, May 10th, 2013 at 3:21pm CDT by janne m.
Product: Clarks shoes
Company: Clarks shoes usa
Location: US
URL: www.clarks.com
Category: Clothing, Shoes, Apparel
Okay, thought my borns were bad. Purchased a pair of clarks, that are a thong....other clarks I have and had never an issue. these do have a manufacturing problem. I emailed clarks and they responded that I call them. Which I did, since these were not purchased at their web site or store, they recommended that I take them back to where they were purchased. Or I could return to them for inspection. The problem is or feels like there is extra material in the thong, that rubs a blister. These are the bendables, that is one of my favorite styles.
Very dissapointed with them and Clarks. This is a manufacturing problem. Not a store problem.


text:
Tag "samsung galaxy s4 announcement"
Relive the Samsung Galaxy S4 event through our eyes (GALLERY)
See the Galaxy S4 press event the same way we did.
Samsung Galaxy S4 debut now rumored for March 14
The Samsung Galaxy S4 is now rumored for a March 14 debut, one day earlier than previous reports. That is, of course, if you are inclined to believe Russian blogger
Samsung Galaxy S4 announcement rumored for March 15
The U.S. model is expected to arrive in May or June, according to reports.


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PIano teacher and retired physician husband. We love to read and folk dance and travel the world to dance and discuss literature and perform and attend piano recitals and concerts. We are allergic to cats and dogs. Our last trips were to see plays in NY and visit grandchildren; to Vancouver to visit relatives and dance; to Florida to dance; and we plan our yearly trip to Charleston, SC for the Spoleto festival at which our son performed an organ recital last year. When we travel we are gone most of the day sightseeing or dancing. We are early risers and retire early as well. Our motto: KEep moving and dance!


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The Wildlife Sanctuary offers a variety of nature-related programs. Many of these programs are free and open to our visitors.
Programs may require pre-registration and be subject to minimum and maximum enrollment limits. Some programs are weather dependent.
WLS staff reserves the right to cancel a program if the minimum enrollment has not been met by the registration deadline. If you need to cancel your enrollment in a program please notify us as soon as possible. Please help us to ensure the success of our programs by registering by the deadline. Thank You!For registration and program information please call (920) 391-3671.
- Animal Stories for Preschoolers
- Trail Fitness Walks
- Spring and Fall Birding Walks
- Critter Counter at the Observation Building
- Snowshoe Hikes
- Cross-country Skiing Events
- Ice Fishing Workshop
- Birthday Party for the Animals
- R-PAWS Training Session
- Summer Camps
- Talon Talks and Summer Animal Demos
- Tween Tuesdays
- Ready to Take a Dip Public Pond Study
- Wisconsin Bats
Animal Stories for Preschoolers (Ages 3-5)
This program is designed to introduce your preschooler to wildlife in an informal setting that will hopefully foster an appreciation and ongoing interest in the out of doors. Each program starts with a story and is enhanced with a variety of activities such as a craft, live animal visit, games, songs or an outdoor adventure in a group setting. Adult required to remain with child.
Sessions are held on Mondays at 10:00 AM or 1:00 PM depending the month. Minimum of 5, maximum of 20 enrollees.
Location: Lower level of the Nature Center.
Fee: $10.00/Green Bay resident and $15.00/non-resident.
Pre-registration is required: (920) 391-3671
Trail Fitness Walks
Walk for fitness on the Sanctuary trail system led by a Sanctuary naturalist. We will walk for approximately 45 minutes over the lunch hour at a brisk pace. Some terrain is uneven and not paved. You are welcome to bring your pedometer. $5.00
Dates: Check the main calendar for dates!
Location: Meet at front door of Nature Center
Spring and Fall Birding Walks
Bay Area Bird Club members lead birding walks at the Wildlife Sanctuary. Bring binoculars and a field guide.
Dates: Check the main calendar for dates!
Location: Meet in the parking lot by the Director's house
Free! All are welcome.
Call (920) 391-3671 for more information.
Critter Counter at the Observation Building
Get up close and have the opportunity to touch some of our live program ambassador animals.
Days throughout the year – Check the main calendar for dates!
Location: Observation Building
Snowshoe Hikes
The Sanctuary is offering snowshoe hikes this winter for people itchin' to get outside. Our hikes are for people age 6 and above. Snowshoes are available at the Sanctuary or you're welcome to bring your own. Participants should wear flat-bottomed boots and come dressed to be outside for about an hour. Space is limited. First come, first serve.
Snowshoe Hikes are conditions and weather dependent.
Check the main calendar for dates!
Location: Meet the naturalist at the Observation Building
Fee: $5.00 (cash only)
Day and Night Cross-country Ski Events
The Sanctuary has groomed ski trails that are great for beginners and advanced skiers! Grab your skis and take a turn on our trails during your lunch hour or on a winter night! For the night ski, trails will be groomed and lighted until 8:00pm. Ski trails are also open 8-4:30 daily, conditions permitting. We do not provide or rent skis.
Soup and Ski:
Check the main calendar for dates!
Pre-registration required Call (920) 391-3671.
Program is weather and conditions dependent. Minimum of 5 enrollees.
Night Ski: 6-8:00PM
Check the main calendar for dates!
Location: Meet at the trail head by the Nature Center.
Fee: $5.00 (cash only)
Program is conditions and weather dependent.
Ice Fishing Workshop
Children ages 6 and older (accompanied by an adult*) learn about different equipment, safety procedures and fish species. Kids make their own poles. Weather permitting, group will travel to a spot to try your hand at real ice fishing. *Adults if you plan on fishing, you must have a valid fishing license. Participants are responsible for their own transportation.
Check the main calendar for date!
Location: Nature Center
Fee: $10.00 per resident child or / $15.00 non-resident child
Pre-register at 920-391-3671. Minimum of 8, Maximum of 15 people.
Birthday Party for the Animals
We have lots of resident animals so we decided to throw one big birthday animal party. Enjoy party games, cake, and wish our live critters a happy birthday. Program is geared for kids 8 and under.
Date: Check the main calendar for dates!
Location: Nature Center
Fee: $5.00 per person
Pre-registration is required. Call 391-3671. Minimum of 15, Maximum of 50.
R-PAWS Training Session
The Rehabilitation Program at the Wildlife Sanctuary (R-PAWS) holds their annual beginner training session for people 18 years or older who are interested in learning about wildlife rehabilitation. Become a rehab volunteer and be trained to help take care of injured and orphaned wild animals that come in every year. There is no obligation by attending this training. For more information about R-PAWS click here.
Date: Check the main calendar for dates!
Time: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Nature Center Auditorium
Fee: $2.00 per adult to cover handouts
Call 391-3671 to register.
Summer Camps
Summer is a time of adventure and fun for children. We go outside and hike, play games, do craft projects and incorporate live animals in the program. 2015 Summer Camp Flyer
All Camps:
Monday – Thursday 9-11:30AM OR 12:30-3:00PM
$45 residents/ $67.50 non-residents
Minimum enrollment of 7, Maximum enrollment of 12
June Camp Offerings
Nature Nuts Acorns kids 6-8 years old
Nature Nuts Sprouts kids 9-12 years old
Curious Kids kids 4-5 years old
Animal Adventures and Games kids 4-6 years old
July Camp Offerings
Nature Nuts Acorns kids 6-8 years old
Nature Nuts Sprouts kids 9-12 years old
A Day in the Life kids 9-12 years old
Wiggle Glide Chomp and Chew kids 4-6 years old
Raptor Rangers kids 7-11 years old
Nature Detectives kids 4-6 years old
Busy Bugs kids 4-6 years old
August Camp Offerings
Wiggle Glide Chomp and Chew kids 4-6 years old
Insect Investigations kids 7-11 years old
Little Learners kids 4 years old
Call 391-3671 for registration or online at Parks, Recreation, and Forestry go to enroll now.
Talon Talks and Summer Animal Demos
Enrichment training is important for every captive animal and one form of enrichment is a change of scenery! You're invited to drop by and see some of our live bird of prey ambassadors every Thursday throughout the summer and other animal demonstrations Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. These are not formal programs but a chance to ask questions of our staff and learn more about the animals.
Weekdays throughout the summer
Check the main calendar for dates and times!
Location: Observations Buildling and Woodland Building/Habitrek
Tween Tuesdays
This 4 session series is perfect for the 11-14 year old who is looking to do some physical work and help the environment at the same time. We'll be working, learning and having fun while we make rain barrels, and focus on other projects to help the Sanctuary continue to "go green."
9:00-11:00 am
Location: Nature Center
Fee: $27.00 per Green Bay resident or $40.50 per non-resident
Call (920) 391-3671 to pre-register. Class size: minimum 5, maximum 15.
Ready to Take a Dip
The pond comes alive in the summer with all kinds of creatures big and small; but mostly tiny! You are invited to come out to the Sanctuary, put on a pair of waders (we provide), pick up a dip net and see what you can find. Our pond exploration lasts approximately 1 hour.
Date: Check the main calendar for dates!
This program is open to all, ages 5 and above (children must be accompanied by an adult).
Wisconsin Bats Public Bats Program
Come out and learn about these misunderstood, yet fascinating and helpful noctural mammals. We'll start indoors and then talk a walk outside to see if we can observe some bats in flight.
Check the main calendar for dates!
Location: Nature Center
Call 391-3671 to pre-register.
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An American Volcano: Reading Passage and Activity - Identifying cause and effect
Read about Mount Saint Helens, an active volcano in Washington. Then complete the cause phrases with the effect phrases. See Full Product Description.
Number of pages: 2 Subject: Cause and Effect Grade: 2 Type: Learning Activities and Worksheets File Size: 181 KB
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January 7, 2016
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New Denim Brands Lure Cyber Consumers
June 10, 2015
Three Quick Ways to Start Speaking Omnichannel Now
May 11, 2015
Taking Stock
March 23-29, 2015
Three Mobile Commerce Quick Wins For 2015
February 18, 2015
Denim Isn't Dying, It's Going Digital
December 30, 2014
Digital Boom Kickstarts Holiday Delivery Rush
December 23, 2014
How OneStop Internet Is Powering Ecommerce For Brands
December 12, 2014
6 things every e-commerce business must do well
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Onestop CEO John Tomich: From Investor to Entrepreneur
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December 1, 2014
Money Makes the World Go Round on Singles Day
November 11, 2014
Derek Lam Unveils Relaunched Web Site
October 15, 2014
Derek Lam Brings Back E-Comm After a Two-Year Haitus
October 15, 2014
Louisville Slugger aims for the fence with mobile-optimized Web site
September 19, 2014
Louisville Slugger Taps Onestop Internet for E-Commerce
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BIZ DEV: Louisville Slugger Taps Onestop Internet To Handle Digital Strategy
September 17, 2014
Louisville Slugger ups its game with new website
September 17, 2014
Juicy Couture fashions mobile-optimized site to meet upscale shoppers' expectation
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The A.A.S. in e-Business Management degree program will prepare students for entry-level managerial jobs in the growing field of e-Business. Program's curriculum combines traditional business, e-Business management, and general education courses, which are complemented with courses in economics, marketing, accounting, business communication and business law. Students will work on realistic problems and situations encountered in modern e-Business during practical laboratory experiences. Graduates of this program will understand the traditional business processes, the convergence of technology and business, new innovations in technology, and can help new and existing businesses to seamlessly integrate e-Business and technology practices to create value.
As an E-Business Management student, you will acquire:
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Course outline is available here
Opportunities for employment vary which includes entry-level management positions such as e-Business Project Manager, e-Business Marketing Manager, and e-Business Specialist in information technology and software-related companies, enterprises with existing or developing online e-Business initiatives, or any other types of organizations that rely heavily on technology use.
A.A.S. in E-Business Management Program Disclosures
A.A.S. in E-Business Management Program Disclosures - Printable Page
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A.A.S. in E-Business Management Program
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Over 100 Policies, Plans, and Forms (documents
you will receive)
The Silver Collection includes over 100 information
systems security policies,
plans, and forms.
The Altius IT Gold Collection includes everything in
the Silver Collection plus you automatically receive
one year of free updates to existing policies as
well as any new policies created by our experts.
In the future, Gold Collection members have the
option of paying $99* per year to keep their
collection up-to-date.
Complete and comprehensive cyber and
network security
policy collection
(100+ documents without updates)
(100+ documents with 1 yr free
What is a Policy?
A policy is a
written document that specifies requirements
and/or outcomes to control and manage risks. Instead of
implementing one
large policy document, most organizations
have an information security policy manual,
a collection of policies with each policy addressing a specific
area. Procedures are then developed to
identify the methodologies and steps needed
to support the policies.
Policy Templates (included with your purchase and
updated for 2016)
Receive 100+ policies, plans, and forms
related to:
Network Security Policies
& Plans
Compliance Policies and Plans
Risk Management Policies
Business Continuity Policies and Plans
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are there different collections?
A: Each organization has different needs. We
provide the best value by offering you a choice of
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purchasing the Altius IT Gold Collection, you will
automatically receive one year of free updates to
existing policies as well as new policies created by
our experts. In future years you have the
option of keeping your collection up-to-date through
our subscription service. We will notify you
when your subscription is coming up for renewal and
you may cancel at any time.
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if I need a policy that isn't included in the above
A: Gold Collection clients can send us an e-mail and we will evaluate your
request. If we believe other organizations can
benefit from the policy we will develop the policy
and add it to our policy collection.
Collection members will receive the new policy at no
additional charge during their subscription period.
Are these IT Policy Templates, Security Policy
Templates, or a software program?
A: The Altius IT Policy Collection is a collection
of IT policies with an emphasis on security and
privacy. Each policy, plan, and form has a
consistent look and feel and is provided as a
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We need an information systems
security policy, information security policy manual,
IT security policy, cyber security policy,
technology security policies, and network security
policies. Can your collection help us?
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implementing controls to reduce security and privacy
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Does your collection help us meet security policy
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developed to help organizations meet security best
practices, security policy standards, and compliance
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or password security policies, our collection can
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How often is the Altius IT Policy Collection
A: It depends upon how frequently legislative
changes are enacted and/or changes are made to
security best practices. Typically we release
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advantage to you is that you don't need to monitor
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The Altius IT Policy Collection includes IT
policy and privacy templates that can be customized
to your specific needs. By purchasing the Altius IT
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purchasing and downloading the Altius IT Policy
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text:
call: 9th Luksuz Film Festival
Call for entries
Deadline: 16 August 2008
9th Luksuz Film Festival
2-3 September 2011 – Krško/Slovenija
"Digital democratisation", drop in the price of technique and increase of its availability enable the young creators, who have not yet won recognition, to articulate themselves, their activities, views, standpoints, criticism etc. through modern media – video, film, internet…
Luksuz film festival wants to show short and low budget production of domestic and foreign authorial, alternative, activists' films and videos, which are made especially by young autors (<30) in traditional or "garage" productions, in the clubs, in the frames of non-commercial, authorial, non-institutional productions and mean the alternative cultural media image to otherwise dominant official mass distributors' offer, which is mainly controlled by big distributors with traditional "hollywood" programme.
Especially welcome are:
- films which have the subject society and culture
- films with social critic meaning
- films which show youth culture
- films with the subject of cultural diversity
The festival will be held in Krško.
1. Send it on miniDV tape (PAL only) or Data-DVD (please send .avi or .mov file - Video: at least DV PAL 720x576, Sound: 48Hz). These copies will be used for preview and screening.
2. Each film must be sent along with the following enclosures :
- Printed, filled out and signed entry form and declaration
- Filled entry form sent as attachment by e-mail
Please send the films to the address below.
Deadline: 16/08/11
Luksuz film festival, DZMP Krško
Cesta 4. julija 58
SI – 8270 Krško


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Continents of Consciousness by ParaisaDesignWatch
©2011-2016 ParaisaDesign
The Rising Continents of Consciousness. Another image that was created to honor an inner vision of seeing a liquid like very large face of a Goddess. Except in the vision, a staff of time manifested from her face. I have no recollection how I knew it was the Staff of Time. Vision in meditation - circa Feb/March 2006. Artwork created circa 2009/2010.
Great work
I love this very much, beautiful foliage work. Also love the rendering in the Goddess face. Has a Hindu feel to it, beautiful image & messege!
This is VERY nice!! Definitely inspired
wow, your work is really amazing!
Oooo, this is so cool! I love how you have created a giant statue with your character! It looks so awesome. What a great idea. There are so many intricate details in this scene. My eyes just keep finding more and more gems to uncover. hehe Love the pretty hands in the foreground with the pale tat's on them. Gorgeous. I especially like the way you have blended the world in front of your statue and then surrounded the statue with the rocky terrain. I also like the Myan? temple down to the left and all the pretty green vegetation and flowering plants to the foreground. Just beautiful work my friend. You amaze me with your images. It's obvious how much thought and creativity you put into your images. They totally tell a story! Awesome job Delia!
You work is always so inspiring.
I love this piece. All of the details are so well blended, and the background is just breathtaking, what a glorious view! You shine through your work Delia, as always.
Oh, wow, Delia! This is absolutely stunning and beautiful! I really love the theme! Excellent work!
My appreciation for your techniques, style and themes grows by leaps and bounds with each new image I see. As beautiful as it is brilliant.


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Ever wondered what's inside a lady's bag? It just might be the key to her heart!
diptyque and French fashion designer Olympia Le-Tan, known for her mischievous sense of humor and her passion for the color pink, bring you a scent celebrating the mystery and allure of the lady's bag.
A predominance of rose, traces of lipstick, and the subtle warmth of leather capture the chic and quirky humor of the Rosaviola collection.


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Indians open 17-A play with setback on road
In the end, it was the start of the game that did in the Lipan Indians Friday night.
The Indians, known for their consistently solid district play over the years, dropped their 17-A opener 53-46.
Lipan (8-13 overall) fell behind 18-10 after the opening period. They then outscored their hosts over the next three quarters.
"The kids played extremely hard tonight. The first quarter really got us in a bind, and we spent the rest of the night trying to catch up," said Lipan coach Cody Chandler.
"We missed five free throws in the first quarter and had several turnovers that led to easy baskets."
The Indians struggled from short-range all night. They managed to make just eight of 27 shots from 2-point range (30 percent).
They also had difficulty at the free throw line, going 12-for-24.
In contrast, they hit half of their 12 attempts from 3-point territory.
Neither team was overwhelming on the boards, with Lipan grabbing 21 rebounds and Gorman 22. They did, however, combine for 46 turnovers (25 Lipan, 21 Gorman) and 47 fouls (22 Lipan, 25 Gorman).
Boys basketball
Lipan 10 11 9 16 – 46
Gorman 18 11 8 16 – 53
Lipan (8-13, 0-1 in 17-A) scoring – Kyle Mercer 11, Blake Williams 9, Colby Clinton 7, Trevor Hedeman 6, Hunter Hightower 6, Joel Rice 4, Tanner Richardson 3.
3-pointers – Lipan 8-27 (Hightower 2, Mercer 1, Clinton 1, Hedeman 1, Rice 1), Gorman 2-6.
Rebounds – Lipan 21 (Mercer 8), Gorman 22.
Lipan assists – Clinton 4.
Lipan steals – Richardson 3.
Free throws – Lipan 12-24, Gorman 13-23.
Category: Lipan Sports Archived, Sports Archived


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What Musky Allen probably saw in Las Vegas - Bigfoot?
Thursday, February 07, 2013
Musky Allen went to Las Vegas the other night and was shown a Bigfoot by Rick Dyer and others at an undisclosed location. Allen is a leading Bigfoot skeptic and is sort of an apostate, considering he was once an active Bigfoot researcher studying under the great Rene Dehinden, it makes his story fascinating. This is a complicated issue with much at stake for the sanity of the paranormal/Bigfoot community. I will try to make sense of it based on my own knowledge and experience. (I have no inside information. I have asked Rick Dyer to not tell me what is going on. That would make me an insider of which I am not) There are only three possibilities for what happened the other night in Las Vegas:
- Musky Allen Saw a Bigfoot
- Musky Allen thought he saw a Bigfoot
- Musky Allen is lying about seeing a Bigfoot
Lets examine the last two: Musky Allen thought he saw a Bigfoot. That is more then possible considering the amount of money that Rick's investors and Minnow Films stand to make off of a documentary called Of Monsters and Men that shows a real Bigfoot.
There is a company called Anatomical Surrogates that does just that. They can make full size, real featured replicas of humans and any animal. The surrogates contain bone and animal organs. The skin and hair is real, and to the untrained eye, they look real as hell. A $200,000 investment could get you a Bigfoot that veterinarians could perform a necropsy on and be ten minutes into it and not know it was fake. Even their tissue samples would be a positive in the lab results.
"Anatomical Surrogate Technologies specializes in manufacturing anatomic and bio-mechanical human surrogates used human substitutes for consumers and military product testing...The models produced encompass surrogate bones, flesh, skin, ligaments, and tendons replicating human biomechanics. Company aims to develop the next generation of human anthropomorphic test devices (ATD?s) which will have applications in automotive, aviation and aerospace crash testing as well as medical & surgical training." www.epicos.com
I believe it is more then likely that this is what Musky saw in Las Vegas at the undisclosed location.
Another part to all of this was the delay in showing Musky Allen the body. They had to wait at a coffee house before the "man" showed up. Then Musky was led down a long corridor and still had to wait. That was similar to Tom Biscardi in 2008 being run all over the place and not showing him the body until late at night in someones garage with a naked light bulb as the only light source.
Two: Musky Allen is lying about seeing a Bigfoot. My understanding is Allen has shown fake photos before to get a rise out of BF people to try and fool them. Could he have such disdain for BF people that he would go to this extent to make fools out of everyone? People I have talked with believe this is more then possible. He really thinks that Rene waisted his life looking for Bigfoot because other Bigfoot people lied and hoaxed evidence, and this may be some type of revenge.
Three: Musky Allen saw a real Bigfoot. I don't believe this at all. If they have a "carbon based unit" it could be human. Musky described a human type animal. It could be a deformed human. That would be murder on all involved. The fact that scientist are not involve makes me think it is not real. I did hear the body was located at Brigham Young University. I don't buy that because the publicity would have leaked big-time. Everyone in the world has an internet connection and there would have been leaks.
Rick said Musky Allen cried when he saw it. His emotions were real. That does sound believable. I have listened to the FB/FB interview and I don't detect any deception. He could be the greatest liar in the world but somehow I don't think so. He genuinely believes he saw something there is just too much detail.
I lean toward the anatomical surrogate angle. That is the only one that makes sense. They won't show the body, so here we go again. That seems to be the typical formula for these types of hoaxes. The five steps of a hoax may have a new step...recruit a critic to back your story. If anything, this tale has given us a new step in the process of detecting hoaxes.
What I find strange is none of the major blogs are reporting on this. That is all politics and just wrong. This is a major story even if they don't want to believe it. I know what's like to be ignored by the blogs, they do it to me based on non-Bigfoot reasons.
Watch this video of ANATOMICAL SURROGATES TECHNOLOGY doing research on the JFK assassination.
Firm (Anatomical Surrogates Technology) sets out to test whether the single bullet theory, as laid out in the Warren Commission Report and the HSCA report, is indeed feasible and correct.


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As promissed in my first blog I will continue and start with the promised very very very long story. I want to start this blog by making you understand how important music is to me.
The best way to make you understand the level of passion I have and feel for music is by copying the "Goodbye Letter" I wrote to my colleagues when leaving the company. Although I did not want all my colleagues to know about my condition I felt that I could not just go ahead and leave without explaining to them what the reason was. A simple "I am leaving because I am planning on becoming one of if not the best Music Producer/DJ in the world" just would not be sufficient. "Yeah right.. The best producer in the world.. aha…"
I had to make them understand that this was not a far fetched boys dream but something that I was planning for the last 15 years. I had to make clear to them the level of importance music is for me so the "Goodbye Letter" was quite long :-) They were all my family the past 8 years and I felt they all deserved to know why but I also wanted them to know that my dream was not a whim, a caprice, a sudden idea but something I was planning a long time ago before I even knew them and before I got cancer.
This is the letter I wrote:
Dear friends,
Some of you might have noticed that I have not been around these last couple of weeks. I write to you this letter to explain the reason for my absence. To try to make you understand what has caused this sudden urge to leave my beloved Seaway. Let's start from the beginning…
I have a dream. For the last 15 years I have been seriously dreaming of making a living producing music. When we were small kids my twin brother and I started noticing that we had a talent regarding music. We started noticing that compared with the most other kids we could perfectly remember the tunes from our favorite cartoon series and we only needed to hear it once or twice to perfectly recreate them vocally without missing a note, beat or pitch and in the correct key. We noticed also that we had an ear for hit songs. We could listen to any album once and tell you exactly which songs were going to be hits. We often wondered why you had to pay a lot of money for an album with two or three hit songs and 10 to 12 wannabe hit songs. Still do… My twin brother and I love hit songs. We often dreamed of buying (actualy getting) an album with only hit song on it. Still waiting… (Maroon 5's "Songs About Jane" album comes close). For us this was normal and we assumed that everyone could do this. It is when we started noticing that no other kids we knew, and we knew a lot of kids, could do this that we realized that we had a talent.
I was introduced to music production back in 1992. One of my best friends had his own studio at home and I went to visit him every weekend to see him working in his studio. In that time I was doing MAVO and had one year to go for graduation. This was the time that most teenagers start thinking about what they want to do for a living in the near future. You know that question we are all asked when we are young… "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Well there it was. The answer to that question served to me on a golden plate. Seeing my friend working in his studio with his other beat making friends was for me like love at first sight. For the first time, I started contemplating the idea of using this talent and my passion for music for making a living. During this studio period at my friend's house I noticed that most of his friends that were also producing at home did not have this talent that I had. They would play a tune on my friend's piano and were totally convinced that they were playing it right but I could hear clearly that some of them were not hitting the correct note. They needed the musical notes of the song to indeed realize that I was right.
So I started thinking that if they could make very good music, albeit with more effort compared to me because of this talent I believed I had, why should I not be able to also make very good music and surely even hit songs with this talent. A dream was born…
1992 was a time that if you wanted to produce music, you could only do this by hiring expensive studio time. No time for experimenting in these expensive big studios. You had to already know how to use the tools available in these studios so to not waste precious time. My friend did not have the time for learning the skills needed to use all these tools. His only option at that time was to invest A LOT in studio gear to be able to produce decent sounding music at home at his own pace by learning at home daily. He took a loan with his mother's help for about 50000!! Dutch Guilders from his bank to be able to buy studio gear to start producing music at home. Now FL 50000,- (about 25000 Euros now) in 1992 was a lot of money, but in terms of studio gear at that time it was nothing. It was still good enough to make decent sounding music at home. Now remember that internet was not introduced in the Netherlands yet back then and even if it was there surely was not enough information let stand tutorials on music production and studio gear as you have nowadays. My friend "lost" weeks if not months only on finding information about all phases of music production and his studio gear in several libraries in the region. He realized that if he wanted to make a living from producing soon that he was not going to achieve it if he was not dedicated 24/7 to music production. He decided to stop college and dedicate his time to pursuing his dream. Now he had all the time in the world to start learning how to produce music. So he did. 4 years passed by and by that time he knew everything about music production and about studio gear. We did not see each other much since he stopped school because he was always in his studio 24/7. We kind of lost contact. I knew this was something that needed to happen in order for him to truly pursue his dream. Every 6 months or so he would invite me and our friends to his house (well actually his momma's house) to let us hear what he was working on. These songs were very good. They were mixed by professional mixing engineers and mastered by professional mastering engineers he had befriended. They sounded as good as any song you would find on a CD in a record shop. He was super enthusiast about these songs and so were his friends and I. The thing I noticed was that as good as these songs were, none of them had the potential of becoming a hit song. Nothing wrong with that of course but the thing is that he was convinced he was making potential hit songs. The record companies were not.. After years of trying in vain to make a living out of music production and having been disappointed time after time by other producers and label companies he gave up. When he gave up after years of trying he was left with great debts, no education good enough to get a good job and too old to start studying for a good career. Frustration and disappointment… I decided this was not going to happen to me!
By the time he gave up I was in my last year of my MBO economical juridical education. I still had my dream of producing music for a living but I did not have the money needed for a studio. My mother raised us up with a lot of cleaning schools, houses and buildings, also some welfare help so a loan for 50 thousand guilders was of course not within her reach. And even if it was I am sure that she would not let one of her sons pursue a dream that was in her eyes to big and unrealistic. She had cleaned a lot of schools and buildings to get us where we were at that time and was not going to accept such unrealistic dreams. A lawyer or doctor was her dream (of course) but anything decent and realistic was good enough. If I wanted to pursue my dream I was going to need much more than a MBO diploma… I have been always fascinated by everything regarding law school. Especially Dutch Criminal Law. My girlfriend at the time (1997) was studying fiscal law at Erasmus University in Rotterdam and one time I joined one of her classes and I liked it a lot. I had found my backup plan in case the music production did not work. Although I was fascinated by law school it did not make my heart skip a beat like music did if you know what I mean. So my plan was to finish MBO then do 1 year of HBO also Economical Juridical and get my propaedeutic. That would allow me to enter university and start an education in Dutch Criminal Law.
Back in 1997 internet was recently introduced to the consumer in the Netherlands and suddenly computers were appearing in homes. It was used at schools and universities and we were learning to work with word processing software Word Perfect. I decided to take a loan and buy one of these expensive computers to be able to see what this fuss about internet was all about. You could only surf the internet through a telephone line and this was very expensive!! Almost all my money went to KPN (PTT Telecom at the time). I was their best customer. At that time a simple picture would take a whole minute to load! There were not many webpages with photos back in those days. Most were mainly text webpages. Some of them had photos on them and I was getting frustrated by the waiting times for loading these webpages. So I ordered an ISDN line to double up my internet speed… KPN was glad$$ I often found myself having computer problems that I did not know how to solve. At that time there was no Google and for solving my problems I had to go to the library to find information about network problems and how it all works and how to solve these. Problems that would take me or one of my colleagues at ICT Department 5 minutes to solve took me 2 weeks to solve. You could imagine that after putting all my determination in finding out how these computers work and solving their problems that it gave me a lot of satisfaction. I was proud that I had managed to solve a problem that kept me a whole 2 weeks from accessing the internet all by myself. I had found another passion! Computers. The advantage of solving a computer problem after spending days and sometimes weeks looking for the answer was that I would never ever again forget how to solve such a problem. In one year I had taught myself to solve any computer problem thrown at me by pure determination with no education whatsoever in computer science (went to sleep at 5 in the morning almost every day working on my computer). The nice thing about it was that I truly enjoyed doing this. I was really happy solving my computer problems. I finally found another passion that could be my backup plan in case I could not achieve my dream of producing music for a living. If I would not make it being a music producer I could still be happy and passionate working in the IT branch.
In 1998 I had finished my MBO education and had decided that computer science was the way to go. Information Technology was new at the Haagse Hoge School so I enlisted myself for this course. I worked at night at the Metropole theatre in The Hague selling movie tickets and popcorn and cleaning the theatre rooms after a movie and I also was washing dishes at Los Muchachos restaurant in Zoetermeer to pay my tuition. I was at this time an expert in solving computer and network problems and was the IT man for the whole neighborhood and for my friends and their family. Around 1999 IT was booming in the Netherlands. If you had some skills with computers these new IT employment agencies would give you a company car and a salary in no time. At los muchachos restaurant there worked a girl that had a sister that was married with an owner of one of these new ICT employment agencies. I asked her if she could introduce me to the agency and she setup an interview for me. I did not expect them to employ me because I had no education or experience in the IT branch. I had only a few months of Information Technology education which is nothing of course and I had my self-learned skill of solving computer problems. But that surely would not be enough to convince them to employ me. At the interview I told them my story. No experience or IT education at all but an eagerness and passion to learn and the computer problems solving skills to prove it was for them enough to invite me to a second interview. On the second interview they setup a computer and asked me all kinds of questions about this computer. They simulated problems on this computer by changing settings in windows and asked me to solve these problems. I passed almost all their tests and the few ones I could not solve I would tell them to give me some time and I would surely solve them. I ended up being almost a whole working day at their office and eventually solved the difficult problems. After seeing my determination they invited me for a third interview. On the third interview they told me that they don't employ people with no experience at all or with unfinished education but for me they would make an exception because of my computer solving skills, my determination for learning and the fact that the sister of the bosses' wife really wanted me to have this job. After showing them my big smile they congratulated me with my new job and asked me what kind of car I would like to have. They ordered for me my first (and last ) young reliable car because, to put it in their words, I could not go and visit the clients in an old rusty car. During the second interview they asked me what I was going to do about school if they were to employ me because I was studying full time during the days. I told them that I would switch to studying in the evenings to be able to work for them. They gave me a month before I had to start working so that I could make the switch. My first IT job and adventure was a fact.
I worked as a helpdesk engineer solving computer problems at a company in Utrecht. Every day I learned new stuff about computers, software programs like office and networking. But working during the day and studying in the evenings was becoming very difficult. I noticed that I liked all the technical stuff I was learning at work but did not like the business side of ICT I was learning at school. I decided to drop school and put all my effort in my job. A year had passed and I had learned a lot more about computers, networking, printers and Microsoft office. I was good at my job and could solve a lot of problems just by determination. It was now 2000. This was the time that a lot of these ICT employment agencies had realized that they had employed a lot of inexperienced people and gave them all brand new cars. The expected IT catastrophe in the year 2000 did not occur and a lot of these employees were obsolete and very expensive to maintain. Only the very experienced were offered indefinite job contracts and they started firing the less experienced. Last to come first to go… After 1 year I had no job and no education. I had gained a lot of new skills though. I was now not only an expert at solving computer and windows problems but could now also solve Microsoft Office, Printer, and other kinds of problems. This was still not good enough to convince potential employers to give me a job. I found myself working at the Koniklijke Bibliotheek in the restaurant doing dishes again and bringing coffee around. In the meanwhile I applied for every helpdesk job I could find. Every day I was getting more frustrated because I was not able to secure my plan A. My plan A that should eventually become my backup plan B when I would get the chance and financial security to fully go for the main dream, music production. Every day my dream of producing music was getting further and further away. I landed some jobs helping IT companies with software migration jobs. This was no helpdesk work but it still was IT related and I was glad to put it on my "young" IT CV. They were very fond of me at the Koninklijke Bibliotheek and supported my quest for making a living in the IT branch. When an IT project ended and I had no job they would, when possible, take me back and I could work there until I landed another IT related job. About two years had passed now and I still was not able to land a helpdesk job and I was living at momma's house. The alternating between IT related work and dish washing started to stand out on my CV and I realized that this was not good. One day on my way to work at the Koninklijke Bibliotheek I was reading the job section of the Metro newspaper and noticed an ad where they were looking for Dutch, English, German or Spanish speaking helpdesk employees for a big packages delivery company with an office in Dublin Ireland. I was sure I landed the jackpot that day. From these 4 languages I spoke 3 of them fluently (still not able to understand or speak the German language…). I contacted them and they told me that they would send a representative to the Netherlands to take the interviews with potential employees. This was I think in January 2003. The company's representative invited all the job applicants to an interview at the grand café at Rotterdam central station. I was able to convince the interviewer of my eagerness to learn and my determination to solve every problem thrown at me. The fact that I spoke Dutch, Spanish and English fluently was key in landing the Job. At the end of the interview he asked if I could start next week! YEAH!! I was back in business! I asked them if I could start the first of April so I could have the time to save some money and to prepare and say goodbye to friends and family. The 28 of March I went to Ireland and a new adventure started.
The salary was not much and my contract was not indefinite but I was back on track regarding securing my backup plan in case the music production did not work. Internet was revolutionizing Europe and the connection speeds were getting faster and faster by the month. More and more software was illegally available through internet and software that before was only available by paying big money was now available to install, test and play with for "free". This was also true for software applications used in the music production industry. Where before you had 1 or 2 software companies that sold this music production software now you had at least 10 companies making these kind of software that were all good enough to be used at professional music recording studios. The music production software monopoly had been broken by the competition of new companies that profited from the internet revolution and the ever faster becoming computers. Before this revolution you had to pay at least 15000 euros for the software and special computers to be able to produce music in the big studios and you still had to buy all the gear to connect to these software programs (Synthesizers, Drum machines, Effects racks, Equalizers, compressors, Limiters each costing at least a few thousand euros to mention but a few). Now, due to the killing competition, it was slowly becoming possible to install the same software on your computer at home for 1000 euros instead of 15000. But why pay 1000 euros if you could download it illegally right? So now for the first time I was able to explore and "play" with the software applications used at the big music production companies. Could not afford the gear to completely benefit from the software but at least I was now able to play with the software and use sound samples that came with the software to experiment with it. Still needed the expensive gear for making my own sounds and beats but for now the samples were good enough.
For the first time I felt that my music making dream was getting closer and that it was also getting less expensive to pursue. I was now almost a year in Dublin and had gained a lot more experience in helpdesk work. They loved me over there. I was doing work for the Dutch helpdesk team, for the Spanish helpdesk team and my English had greatly improved and I was also doing helpdesk work for the English team. I felt it was time to slowly start pursuing my music production dream. I started doing research for the best way to go about it. Everybody in Ireland told me that if I was seriously about the music production that I had to go to Manchester UK. After the United States this was the next best thing regarding music production, studios and anything regarding music education. Manchester is the European Capital of music. I started contemplating the idea of looking for a helpdesk job in Manchester to be able to be closer to achieving my dream. A colleague at work had a friend that worked for a IT company in Manchester and I asked him if his friend could introduce me. I sent my CV that by now had a lot more IT skills and experience plus my languages advantage. They setup an interview through the telephone and the guy doing the interview was a Spanish citizen and of course I started to speak in Spanish with the guy and it was a nice conversation. He was amazed about my English and wondered how I was able to speak English so well and with little accent. I told him that the reason we Dutch can speak English so well is because of subtitles. I told him that if the Spanish, Germans and French want to learn to speak English fluently and with little accent that they should stop dubbing all these English movies and TV programs and start using subtitles. In this way they could hear the English language and start learning how to speak English correctly and also train their pronunciation so to speak it with little to no accent. The guy loved my theory and at the end of the interview he offered me a helpdesk job at their office in Manchester for the English and the Spanish teams. After exactly 1 year and 1 day of living and working in Dublin Ireland, I moved to Manchester and my next adventure started.
Manchester was crazy! It was indeed the European capital of music. The salary was again not much but I was learning a lot of new skills and software applications and I was making a lot of new friends. I went to visit studios and was also researching possibilities to start an education in Music Production in the evenings and although there were a lot of institutions that offered this in Manchester these courses were very expensive. These courses ranged in prices between 4000 and 8000 pounds for the full trajectory. I was renting a room at this friendly old lady's house that was quite expensive . I was not going to be able to start this course in music production anytime soon. So I decided to save money for it.
Then just before I had chosen an institution for starting my music career my mother got sick. She was already taking about a dozen of different pills to control her Diabetes, her high blood pressure and her arthritis. The diabetes pills were not enough anymore and she had to start injecting insulin. But now she had heart problems and needed to install a pacemaker. All these conditions altogether made it very dangerous for her to be operated on. Doctors told her that putting her under narcosis would be a great risk and that there was a big chance that her body could not survive this. The decision was made not to put her under narcosis and to use local anesthesia for installing the pacemaker. She was awake during this procedure. Tough lady. All my brothers had wives and children and lived far away from mom and worked jobs with nightshifts. They just did not have the time to take care of our old lady 24/7. My mother's boyfriend at the time was fighting his own battle with cancer and my mother was a bit lonely and sick. So I made the decision to return to The Netherlands and forget my dream. At least for the time being. At the beginning of 2005 I was back in the Netherlands, no job and a bit depressed because I felt I had failed at achieving my goals. Luckily I gained a lot of experience in helpdesk work. I would start looking for a job at what I was best in, my second passion, helpdesk. I was sure that with my experience in helpdesk work (about 4 years now) and with the good references I should be able to find work in no time. Within a month I was offered to work at an IT helpdesk for a three month during project. The salary was not much. But I was working again and it felt good. In the meanwhile I was looking for a job for when the three months were over. It had to be helpdesk work because that was the only thing I could do. Solve computer problems.
All my previous employers did not find it necessary to pay for expensive Microsoft courses that would prepare you for starting administering whole company computer networks and their servers. They had already the system and network administrators they needed working at their offices and were happy with my helpdesk skills. Going after these courses on my own were a no go for me because these courses were even more expensive than the Music production course I wanted to do. So I accepted the idea that I was going to be a helpdesk engineer for the rest of my IT career. At home I used to make my own network with illegally downloaded server software. Although it would not prepare me for being a system/network administrator I could at least learn how to work with the server software and what a company network consisted of. I taught myself allot about domains and how they work and what the main servers needed in a company network were. How they communicated with each other and how an email server worked. It was by miles not enough to even come close to everything you need to know to be able to maintain such a network but maybe together with my determination it would be some day good enough to land me a network administrator career and learn from there on.
After the three months project was over I was without a job. Almost a month passed by and the employment agency send me an application for two jobs. Both were helpdesk positions. I went to the first job's interview near Amsterdam and this was for a big company. They were planning on starting a new helpdesk and they offered me to help them with this. I would need to go to Singapore for a 1 month course and after that I would help them to setup this helpdesk from scratch. I would get a company car and a laptop and there was a small chance that I could lead this helpdesk. I would be stationed somewhere far from Zoetermeer (Think it was Arnhem) but that should not be a problem with the company car. I was glad and proud that I was offered this job and accepted their offer right away. On the way home I was glad and was already thinking of the good times I would have in Singapore during this course. Then I remembered that the second interview was planned for the next day. This interview had by now become obsolete. I was going to cancel that interview but something told me to just go and check what it was all about. It was in Zoetermeer, my home town, and the company's name was and still is Seaway Heavy Lifting.
I had already accepted the first job offer and went to SHL out of curiosity and was convinced that it would be a normal interview and that after it our ways would part and I would go to Singapore and come back to lead a helpdesk and go to work in a company car. That was until I met Karel Ruijbroek and Fred Vreeswijk. This was the strangest interview I had ever experienced. There was no tension and we were laughing during the whole interview. Fred was at the time IT Manager and Karel was System & Network Administrator / Consultant. People that know Fred know how funny he can be and he was making funny jokes during the whole interview. I am sure Karel was a little embarrassed by Fred but he assured me that Fred can be serious when he does his best. Of course we laughed about this and it was as if we knew each other a long time. During the interview I noticed that although Fred was the IT manager at the time, that it was actually Karel the called the shots. Karel lead the interview and was asking the smart questions. Fred confirmed this during the interview saying that he only signed papers and that Karel was the IT master brain behind the whole network. Again we laughed about this. I told them about my passion for solving computer problems and I think they were convinced that I had it in me to fill the position of helpdesk engineer. Karel gave me a tour of the building and showed me the server rack. During the tour he made it clear that this was not an IT company but an offshore company. IT companies would (still at that time) by default give their employees company cars and laptops but this was not such a company. He also told me that the position was for helpdesk only and that if I had the ambition of becoming a network or system administrator anytime soon that this was not going to be possible. At least, not in the near future. If that was my ambition that it was better for me to apply for a job at an IT company. You must understand that every helpdesk engineer's dream is that their current or next employer pays for the very expensive Microsoft courses (12000 Euros) that would teach and prepare them for the task of designing and maintaining a company network. This also means that you could put this on your CV and would start earning a very very good salary compared to that of a helpdesk engineer. The possibilities regarding these courses are always asked by helpdesk engineers during job interviews. After the tour we said goodbye and they would let me know through the employment agency if I would be invited to a second interview. They had still a few interviews for the position. The next day the employment company called me and told me that Seaway wanted to invite me for a second interview and asked if I could make it that same day. I said yes. On my way to Seaway I started comparing the first offer and SHL's offer. Singapore, starting a new helpdesk from scratch, possibly leading this helpdesk, company car and company laptop versus Helpdesk work with no option in the near future to become a network/system administrator. Although the first option sounds better the second had something that felt very right. During the interview at SHL these 2 guys made me feel like we knew each other a long time, like we were friends and not complete strangers at an interview. They made me laugh every 5 minutes and showed me a possible nice future with lots of laughing and fun working for Seaway. When I arrived at SHL for the second interview we sat down in a meeting room and Fred started making jokes right away and we all laughed and then Karel asked me if I still was interested in the Job. I did not hesitate for a second and accepted the job right away together with all its benefits like laughing, good feeling, no traffic jams, friendship and the best salary I had ever had up until then. I was happy with this new opportunity and thanked them for it. When I left the building I took the bus back home and called the other company whose offer I had accepted told them I did not want the position anymore. The girl that interviewed me that day did not understand why I did not want this big opportunity any more. I told her that SHL made me an offer I just couldn't refuse. And so my new adventure at Seaway Heavy Lifting started.
24 May 2005 was my first workday at SHL. When I started at SHL there were 86 people working at the office. Fred was IT manager, Karel was Network/System Administrator and I was the helpdesk. I was very proud that I was the only helpdesk guy around and that I had the privilege to solve all 86 employees' computer problems. I was fascinated by the offshore world. It is a small world and everyone knew everyone. I had been working for a bit more than 6 months for SHL and Karel was convinced that I would be a good permanent helpdesk engineer and he convinced the CEO of this and on the first of December 2005 SHL offered me a contract for indefinite time and a better salary. I went home and cried that day. I celebrated with my family and some friends and was proud of this achievement. For the first time ever someone noticed the passion I had for helpdesk work and rewarded that with the security of an indefinite contract. There I was, 30 years old and for the first time able to contemplate the idea of renting a house without having to worry of losing it if I lost my job any time soon. It is true what they say. The longer you wait, the better it gets. I was sure I was now able to search for a house and finally leave momma's house and maybe even start building a studio at this new house. By now it was a lot easier and a whole lot less expensive to have a studio at home. A lot of the gear needed in a studio was now being virtualized on the computers. Now instead of buying a hardware version of a compressor for 1000 or more euros you can now buy a software version of the same compressor for 200 euros. Now in 2012 you can have a home studio with all the gear used at professional studios and all you need is a powerful laptop, a few thousand euros and a spare room in the house. My dream was now closer than ever. I had finally, after 6 years of hard work, struggle and pure determination, achieve my goal of securing my future in the IT branch. Securing my backup plan, my plan B. I could now go on a house hunting trip and back that up with an indefinite job contract. What a joy what a joy. That was until I found out what the requirements for renting a house were. If you want to rent a house that is not in the social sector where you have to apply for that house in the newspaper through a special pass and hope that the 10, 20 or 30 applicants before you would not want the house, your only option was to rent a house through the private sector. The thing about the private sector is that they assume that if you earn good enough to not need to apply for a house in the social sector that you automatically are earning a super salary. If you search the internet for houses in the private sector and check the salary requirements for them you will find that all these "makelaars" with no exception require you to earn 4,5 times the rent of the house!!This is absurd and unrealistic. For an average house in the private sector you pay a rent of 850 euros but 900 1000 and 1100 euros are more common prices. Occasionally if you were lucky you would find a house for 700 euros. Now 700 times 4,5 is 3150 Euro! For an independent guy like me that meant that I would have to earn at least 3150 euros a month to be able to rent the least expensive houses offered by these agencies. For the more common houses I would have to earn at least 3825 euros a month. I have had many arguments with many of these agencies regarding their unrealistic salary requirements for renting a house. All in vain. I did not even come close to earning such a salary with my helpdesk engineer's job at SHL. Hell, I think most people in the Netherlands don't come close to earning that kind of salary. So unfair to require you to earn at least 4,5 times the rent. If I earned 4 times the rent they might have closed an eye and let me rent a house but the salary was just too low for these thieves to risk on me, this independent late starter. Many of them advised me to get a girlfriend. That would make it easier because of two salaries that together might come closer to the salary requirements. It would also make it easier for them to close an eye regarding this requirement because they then would have two persons they could held responsible in case shit happened. The nerves… The same was true for buying a house. I could not yet afford to buy a house on my own. I would need at least 3 rooms, 1 for me, one for guests and a big room to convert into a studio. I would have to wait a few more years before I could fully backup my music production dream. Oh well, if I had waited 6 years now, I surely could wait another 6 years. Luckily for me you can never be too old for making music.
The next 7 years I have poured my heart, soul and time into SHL and they have done the same towards me. I would need another 10 pages to tell you how, with the help, love and support of Karel, I went from a helpdesk engineer earning not enough to rent or buy a decent house to a network/system administrator earning enough to independently in September 2011 buy a beautiful 4 bedroom house. I finally have all the gear needed for my studio at home.
Seaway Heavy Lifting and in special Karel Ruijbroek have helped me achieve wonderful things not only in my life but also in other people's lives.
Thank you SHL and Karel for believing in me and being the first ones to offer me the security we all want, to be able to plan our future.
Thank you Karel for not being only a colleague and a boss but mainly a good friend I can always count on.
Thank you Karel for not employing a Network Administrator when you became IT Manager but instead gave me the chance, trust and the time to become one.
Thank you Karel for combining your first two years as ICT Manager with Network Administrator work to teach me the skills needed to manage Seaway's network. You could have employed a Network Administrator and start fulfilling your well-deserved Manager position but you decided to invest two of your Manager years into teaching me how to become a good Network Administrator. Only someone that is more than your colleague and your Manager would do that. A very good friend.
When you don't have a partner and kids like me and you still live at your momma's house you have a lot more money left on your bank account at the end of the month than the rest of your family and friends. During the 6 years of waiting for the time that I could earn enough to buy a house big enough to fulfill my dreams I have been able to help many family members and friends with their problems and needs.
Thank you Karel and SHL for making it possible for me to help family and friends financially so that they could live lifes without stress.
Thank you Karel and SHL for making it possible for me to put my mother in a house she cannot afford with a button in every room that she can press in case she doesn't feel well.
Thank you Karel and SHL for making it possible for me to every month pay my momma's phone bill, electricity bill, water bill, and TV bill.
Thank you Karel and SHL for making it possible for me to send momma on a vacation to Curacao every year in February for carnival and paying her rent and health care for that month so that she can have some pocket money to spend.
Thank you Karel and SHL for making it possible for me to fulfill that dream that every son or daughter of poor parents have when they are young. "When I grow up and have a good job, you will never again have to work cleaning toilets momma. I'll buy you a big house and pay all your bills". Believe me! The Big House is on its way!
Thank you Karel and SHL for making it possible for me to help my father and his wife in difficult times. They can now have a good sleep and enjoy their pension without stress.
Thank you Karel and SHL for making it possible for me to help out a niece that was living in poverty in Colombia with her three young daughters.
Thank you Karel and SHL for making it possible for me to pay for my niece's, her daughter's and an uncle's healthcare (very cheap compared to here).
I could go on and on with the list of all the help I have been able to give to family and friends thanks to SHL and specially Karel. You have helped me to be a better person and to help people in need of a hand. I have done this with all the joy in my heart and expecting nothing in return. This is why I know that God won't fail me in these difficult times.
End of august I have been diagnosed with Cancer in my Lymph system. This cancer is not curable. Chemo won't help. This cancer is very rare with people of my age. It is more common with older people and with young children. Because of my age and strength I might be able to live longer than average. You have 4 degrees in stages and I am in the fourth degree, this means that it has spread to all the lymph's in my body and in my marrow. Eventually I would get anemia when the cancer reaches my bloodstream. The specialist says that normally in the fourth degree you could live 5 to 10 years. Cases are known of people who have lived 15 and even 20 years with lymphoma, especially people from my age. In other words I would be very lucky if I would make it to 50… I say fuck that! No doctor is going to tell me when I am going to die without at least taking in consideration my believes and more important my determination to live! These last two years I have seen many friends and 2 Seaway Colleagues die from cancer. What I have noticed in all these cases without exception is that as soon as they heard the diagnose from the specialist that they all died within 6 months. The most of them within 3 months. This tells me something very important. It tells me that the human mind is a powerful thing. It tells me that when the mind goes into "death mode" that there is nothing that can help you. These are people that did not know they had cancer but lived with it for years. But as soon as they heard the diagnose, those mind and spirit killing words from the doctor, "you have cancer" they all died within a few months. I often wonder how much longer they would have lived with their disease if they had not heard those mind and spirit killing words, "you have cancer". Now, if the mind is so powerful to make you give up and die within a few months of the diagnose, it surely has to be powerful enough to do the other thing around. This is exactly what I am going to do! I am going to cure myself by pure willpower and determination. I am lucky that I have my believes. I believe in God and during my whole life he has helped me out of many problems I have had. Many times he has done this last minute as if wanting to show me that how desperate the situation is that he would deliver. This is why I truly do not worry AT ALL about my cancer. I have not permitted my mind and spirit to go into "death mode" because I know for sure that I can and will cure myself.
I got the diagnose in the last week of august and had the whole of September free. In this month at home I decided that I was not going to die from cancer. The first of October I started again at the office but something had changed. For the first time since 24 may 2005 I did not have a big smile on my face when coming to work. Before October 1 2012 I had managed to come with a big smile to work every single day since 24 May 2005 without missing one day. That is only possible if you are passionate about your work. Not many people have the luck to have a job that they actually love. I have been blessed in that. But now something had changed. Now more than ever something was calling on to me. Something I had been carefully planning for the last 15 years. My dream… The dream that, as you have been able to read, has determined EVERY decision I have made these last 15 years, for the sole purpose of achieving it. Although I am convinced that I am going to cure from this cancer, I can't seem to dismiss the feeling that now I have this clock that is ticking. I am not afraid of dying. If there is something I am afraid of, that would be lying on my deathbed regretting not having pursued and accomplished this dream. I planned to do this slowly but surely but now cancer happened. If there was a time to start pursuing this dream then it is now. If I would have any doubts that I couldn't make it in the music production I wouldn't even try to pursue it. That is how sure I am about my talent. The time has come. As from 1 January 2013 and with pain in my heart I will leave my beloved Seaway and start dedicating all my time into producing music. I will start making a living from it and I am sure that the passion and love I put in it will help me to cure myself. I'll be the miracle case you read in newspapers. I'll be that guy that miraculously cured from cancer. Cured by love, faith and pure determination. That is a promise!
I have not told a lot of people about my cancer because I do not want to be treated as if I have been "written off" already. I have only told my mother, brothers, best friends, IT department friends, some people at HR and the management. I have not told my father because these last 2 months he is very ill in hospital and the last thing he needs is this news. I want you to know that I don't feel sorry for myself and don't expect or want you to feel sorry for me. I don't expect or want you to come to me to tell me how awful you find my situation. A smile from you will be more than enough to show me that you have faith in me. Don't write me off yet! I will amaze you. You wait and see
I would like to keep my Facebook timeline free of encouraging messages. I need people to treat me as usual if I am to stay in this state of mind. Constant reminder of my cancer will only make me doubt and make it difficult for me to keep the right focus and determination. I did not want to tell anyone except family and close friends of my cancer but you deserve to know it. You, my colleagues, the people I have worked with these last 8 years. The people I have been seeing more often than my own family and best friends. You, my Seaway Family.
Don't think I will forget you! I will still come to the office very often and I plan to be there for every party and every achievement SHL has. I won't forsake you and I know you won't forsake me.
Love you all. Thank you for being you and for having giving me all this love for these past years.
Be good, God bless you all.
Raul Delpeche
Now you know how serious I am about this Music Producing thing! Now you know that this is my destiny!
And now that you know this you are prepared to understand my next coming blogs. Now you are prepared to understand what a determined mind is capable of.
In my next blog I will continue my long story and tell you my believes about faith, religion and I will tell you some of the things that happened to me that helped shape my view about religion and faith. The reason I smile even now and not dispair.
Love you guys,