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In previous posts we touched upon an overview of what causes corruption and looked at ways to simulate corruption. In this post we'll talk about more about corruption – in terms of addressing how you can prevent it. (Though, if you've been paying attention in previous posts, you'll probably guess what's coming up).
How to Prevent SQL Server Database Corruption
In answer to the question: "How can I prevent corruption?" the simple, and honest, answer is: "You really can't". As covered in previous posts, corruption is 'more or less' a random problem that occurs at the disk subsystem level and really can't be prevented. (Or as I like to tell all of my consulting clients: "There's a reason that EVERY major Operating System out there ships with something like CHKDSK.")
So, while disk/storage errors should be rare within any production system, the fact is that these kinds of errors aren't so much a question of IF they'll happen, but WHEN they'll happen – simply because the reality is that magnetic storage is insanely complex and subject to the occasional 'hiccup' that can result in corruption.
However, given that corruption SHOULD be a relatively rare problem that you will encounter in your environment, it IS safe to say that if you keep bumping into seemingly-regular or semi-regular problems with corruption, it's fair to say that you may need to start becoming concerned about whether there's a problem with your hardware or possibly even drivers and so on. (The problem, however, is that troubleshooting these kinds of problems is insanely hard – so if you do start to recognize regular problems with corruption it may be time to start thinking about migrating critical systems to new hardware.)
However, even though you can't prevent corruption, that doesn't mean that you are powerless against its effects. In fact, not only does SQL Server readily accept or anticipate that disk subsystem errors can and WILL occur, but it also provides a number of great tools and functionality that can be used to address and compensate for corruption when it happens. Consequently, by taking advantage of these features, it's possible to become very protected against the kinds of damage that corruption could otherwise cause. All you really need, then, to protect 'against' corruption is a decent amount of pro-active effort that can help protect you against the EFFECTS of corruption.
Caveat: Incurable Corruption
Of course, while the underlying purpose behind this series of posts is to provide a solid overview of ways to detect, correct, and protect against corruption, there ARE some kinds of corruption from which you can't recover – such as corruption that happens in the 'boot page' (or page 9) as mentioned in my previous post. So, in cases where you bump into these kinds of corruption problems, the only thing you're really going to be able to do is resort to using backups. That said, backups happen to PRETTY MUCH be the KEY to responding to most OTHER forms of corruption as well. So, in other words: one huge component to being able to properly deal with corruption when it happens (not if it happens) is to have viable, regularly tested, backups on hand – so that you'll have every option possible at your disposal for dealing with corruption.
The Key to Dealing With Corruption
So, given that corruption can't really be prevented and given that some forms of it are actually so nasty that you'll need backups (though the truth is that many/most forms of it can be nasty enough that you'll need PART of your backups in many cases), the next question becomes: "What is the key to being able to successfully deal with corruption when it occurs?"
And, in my experience, Without a doubt, the best and easiest way to address with database corruption within SQL Server environments is to detect it early and address it BEFORE options to address it run out – because, as we saw in the previous post, it IS possible for corruption to happen and then, effectively, go unnoticed for a potentially LONG time if nothing ends up querying the locations or pages that were trashed by corruption.
In other words, imagine a mission-critical database that happens to encounter corruption during when writing data that IS important but which, for the sake of argument, maybe doesn't get queried except at the end of every month. If this corruption goes unnoticed for, say, a few weeks its entirely possible in many organizations that the use of rolling backups will severely hamper the ability to go in and address this problem once it's discovered – simply because the backups that could have best been used to recover from this issue will have been purged, lost, etc. Whereas, on the other hand, if this problem were found within just a few days (for example) then there would likely be more options available in terms of addressing this problem.
Consequently, the biggest key to being able to deal with corruption is to have as many options and possibilities at your disposal as possible – and that, in most cases, can only happen when corruption is discovered relatively early on. Otherwise, corruption almost always becomes more expensive and less easy to deal with.
Up Next
So, with those ideas in mind, my next post will take a look at how and why the use of CHECKSUM page verification is such a great thing. Then, in a subsequent post we'll take a look at ways to pro-actively be alerted to whenever SQL Server detects any kind of disk problem related to data purity, and then we'll keep ploughing our way through some tips, techniques, approaches, and examples of how to deal with corruption once it's been discovered.
Part IV: CHECKSUM Page Verification


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Gym Class Heroes + Neon Hitch Bring 'A– Back Home' to 'Jimmy Fallon'
Gym Class Heroes debuted their brand new single 'A– Back Home' with redheaded gypsy chanteuse Neon Hitch on 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon' this past Thursday (Dec. 8.) The song is reggae-flavoredand will transport port you to the islands, Rihanna-style, if only for four minutes. But it's just as catchy as the smash hit 'Stereo Hearts,' which embeds itself in to your cranium after one listen.
Ever-stylin' singer Travie McCoy, with his classic cardigan, looked like your average college kid as he performed the song with Miss Hitch, who was draped in a flowy, sheet-like, printed dress and head gear that made her look like something out of a dream.
You know, we wouldn't be shocked if there was something a lil' romantical going on between McCoy and Neon Hitch, with how they looked at each other while performing. The perf crackled with sexuality and flirtation, especially on McCoy's party. He had that whole "undressing you with my eyes" thing going on. Maybe he was as flabbergasted as we were by Neon Hitch's strange "dress" or that's just how he does his thang. Whatever the case, it surely sizzled … especially when Neon Hitch ended the song with "Get your a– home."
McCoy replied, I'm home, mama." Mmm hmm!
Watch Gym Class Heroes Perform 'Ass Back Home' With Neon Hitch
2111291356 by YardieGoals

subset: commoncrawl


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Brandy & Tyrese: New Couple? Nope!
Brandy Norwood and singer-actor Tyrese Gibson chum around at Westfield mall in Century City, Calif, on Sunday (November 16).
"They seemed very close," an eyewitness tells Life & Style. "You could tell they were very much used to each other's company. It looked like much more than a friendly relationship."
But Brandy and Tyrese (both 29) are taking things slow.
"She's obviously looking for love," says an insider. "But are they 100 percent dating? Not yet. Are they two very successful, gorgeous people who are hanging out a lot? Yes. You do the math."
Brandy's new album, Human, drops on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
UPDATE: Tyrese tells Us Weekly: "Brandy and I have been the best of friends since we were 14 years old. She's one of the most talented friends I have. I would never date her – it would be like dating my sister. It was a simple lunch amongst friends. I love her like family but the rumors of us dating are really old."
WHAT DO YOU THINK of Brandy's ripped jeans — HOT or NOT?


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MEXICO CITY – Mexican mariachi musicians have celebrated their patron St. Cecilia with songs and a church Mass.
About 300 musicians serenaded their patron saint at Plaza Garibaldi, the legendary home of Mexico City's mariachi bands.
They then carried a shrine of St. Cecilia decorated with flowers and palm leaves on a long procession to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica while playing their instruments. The musicians' relatives carried balloons and waved Mexican flags.
Everyone filed into the basilica for the Mass in honor of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians.
Mariachi musician Tomas Villar says that for him Thursday's celebration was a chance to thank St. Cecilia for this year's work and to ask her for work in the coming year.


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"Success always comes when preparation meets opportunity." What a true and telling quote by Henry Hartman. It's especially true when you are trying to work your way into the medical community to get referrals to your fitness facility.
But take it from me, meeting physicians, surgeons or other medical providers is not always easy. That's why when you do get that opportunity, you must be prepared to benefit from it. And that takes advanced planning and mental preparation.
If your personal trainers are doing their jobs right, they've had countless client contacts with multiple medical conditions, which has meant they've sent many letters to doctors seeking authorization for general physical exercise care or, in my case, post-rehabilitation care. It is often difficult to develop professional relationships through letters. You and your trainers must take networking a step further. You must create opportunities to meet medical professionals. Here are some examples of places you can go to meet the medical community:
- Local charity or auction events that involve fundraising for a disease or illness
- A social before a sporting event
- A fine arts event
- An open house for a new office or practice that is opening
There are many more opportunities, but let's focus upon these four. These four events are activities where you can mingle and engage in conversation with the people there. In these situations, medical professionals usually are willing to have a conversation on a subject of commonality—in other words, someone you both know (in this case, a patient/client) or something you are both fond of (the same piece of art, sport). This connection acts as an ice breaker.
When initiating a conversation, I have tried several approaches that you or your trainers might want to try, such as:
- "Dr. Jones, let me introduce myself. I am such-and-such, personal trainer at the such-and-such health club, and you were very gracious in responding to my authorization letter. It is nice to meet you."
- Or, "Dr. Jones, my client, Mr. Smith, is really grateful for the care you are providing him. Thank you for working with me on his physical care. My name is such-and-such."
Fortunately, I have lived in the same area all of my life. A local physical therapist had an open house several years ago. She and I had competed in sporting events years ago. We had had a common client/patient, and this physical therapist didn't truly understand what or how a personal trainer could provide synergy to what she does. I attended her open house and didn't mention the client/patient, but I reminded her how talented she had been as a basketball player and how tough it had been to play against her, providing a few examples. It indeed broke the ice and provided a common ground that has served us well since then. The opportunity was there, and I stepped out of my comfort box to bridge the professional gap.
Meeting the medical professional in person provides them the correlation to the letter, to the client and will have a lasting memory. In any of these situations, you must be as brief, cordial and professional as possible. If the medical professional wants further conversation, let them initiate the ongoing dialogue.
If the fitness professional feels the conversation has been engaging and positive, now is also the time to encourage the referral reciprocation. For example: "It has been a pleasure meeting you. If there is anyone else in your practice that you believe could benefit from my services, please let me know." I don't always provide a business card. It may not be the appropriate time, especially if you are attending a formal function.
After the event, I drop a note in the mail to thank the medical professional for the opportunity to meet them or to visit briefly. At this point, you should again indicate how much you appreciate their interaction and medical direction with the common client or that you hope they might consider your service for a patient in the future. Here is where the business card is most appropriate. Remember, brevity is the key. I like handwritten notes, but typed notes with bullet comments also work. Physicians don't like to read long paragraphs where they have to dig to get the gist of the message. In fact, they probably won't read the note if it is too long.
Developing relationships is key with the medical community. Fitness professionals are needed to develop strength, flexibility, cardiovascular conditioning or care after physical therapy services have been exhausted. We have to position ourselves as best as possible.
You may also run into random opportunities to connect with a medical professional. Whether you recognize a voice at the community pool or hear a neurosurgeon checking in at your club, remember that success always comes when preparation meets opportunities. You must be mentally prepared. I have even demonstrated exercises in the middle of the grocery store with a sports medicine doctor.
When the medical professional calls you, sends clients/patients to you, greets you at special events without introduction, you know that your networking has been successful. Stay focused and professional, and continue to meet the opportunities. They only await us.
Wendy Williamson, PhD, is a nationally sought-after speaker in the areas of general personal training education, medical exercise service and post-rehabilitation. She was recognized by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) in 2005 and 2006 as one of the top three personal trainers in the nation. A contributing author of the 2008 Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist–ACE Training Textbook, Williamson routinely writes and reviews national certification testing criteria for personal trainers. She has an extensive track record in teaching and curriculum development and is the owner of Williamson Fitness Consulting (http://www.williamsonfitness.com). Williamson continues to provide hands-on post-rehabilitation training at Genesis Health Clubs in Wichita, KS.


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Behold, the "marryoke!" Which is a terrible term for a wedding party lip syncing to a song on video. Apparently this trend is an increasingly popular alternative to a traditional wedding video. So much so that The Washington Post has even devoted a whole article to it. What I'm trying to wrap my mind around is why people want to capture the awkward, stiff-dancing people do at karaoke on video and remember it forever. Why?
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Across the Hudson River in New York City, there are places – Union Square and Washington Square Park being two of them – where lone men will sit at park tables outfitted with chess boards. These men will carefully set up their chess pieces and wait for a random stranger to come along and play the game. On warm days the wait generally isn't too long.
Rarely, if ever, does one see pairs on women doing the same thing.
The anecdote is familiar to businesswoman and author Wendy Oliveras, a New York native turned Jersey City resident who learned to play chess at the age of 14 from her father.
"Statistically, only three percent of people who compete [professionally] worldwide are women. That's an extremely low percentage," said Oliveras.
And even among casual chess players, like the guys in the park, the number of female players remains low.
'Statistically, only 3 percent of people who compete [professionally] worldwide are women.' – Wendy Oliveras
As a longtime chess player, Oliveras is now on a mission to encourage more girls and women to learn the game themselves. The author of the self-published book "Let's Play Shess" (with a "she" instead of "che"), Oliveras said chess can help women develop such skills as memorization, analytical reasoning, critical thinking, spatial reasoning, pattern recognition, and the ability to anticipate your opponent's next move.
"Those skill sets are really important," said Oliveras, who has now been playing the game for 35 years. "All of that can be applied to how you deal with life when you are confronted with a problem. The way that I think, they way that I solve my problems, the way that I analyze my life and my business and challenges is relative to me being a chess player. So the book was written to inspire women and shake up women, to tell them to learn something new and develop your intellectual weaponry."
A the founder and CEO of the Jersey City-based Oliveras & Co., a search firm that specializes in the recruitment and placement of intellectual property attorneys, Oliveras has become a mentor to other female entrepreneurs and emerging businesswomen. As such, she often leads motivational workshops and business development seminars for businesswomen. It eventually occurred to her that many female entrepreneurs could sharpen their business acumen simply by learning the game of chess.
To this end she has not only written the book "Let's Play Shess," but has also founded the Shess Global Alliance LLC, through which she is trying to encourage girls to begin learning the game of chess. The Global Alliance already includes a Shess for Success Training Program and Oliveras eventually plans to publish a series of children's books that she hopes will help teens and young women transfer their chess-playing skills into real life challenges off the board.
Thus far, the businesswomen who Oliveras has introduced to chess have relished the challenge of learning something new.
"Chess is actually really fun to play, and a lot of women like having that chance to learn something new," she said.
In one of the testimonies Oliveras includes on her web site, www.PlayShess.com, businesswoman Michele Pope, founder and CEO of Map Sign Design, wrote that "'Let's Play Shess' is an inspiration to women of all ages and all walks of life. It is a must have for those who are thinking about starting a new business or deciding on a new life path. 'Shess' has helped me recognize when I am stuck and how to use my everyday strengths, potential, and desire to get unstuck so I can continue to create and make strategic moves towards development in my life, business, and family."
Interestingly, Oliveras insists the attraction to chess isn't about winning or losing as much as how one plays the game.
"I've lost more games than I've won," she noted. "But that doesn't mean I'm not getting some value from those games that I've played. You can win and learn something, but you can also lose and learn as well."
"Let's Play Shess" can be ordered through Amazon.com for $24.99 for the paperback edition. There is also a Kindle version available for $9.99. The book includes a foreword by Ruth I. Haring, president of the U.S. Chess Federation.
E-mail E. Assata Wright at email@example.com.


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Please provide a Geocentric diagram
24-01-2013, 12:21 AM (This post was last modified: 24-01-2013 03:46 AM by Phaedrus.)
Please provide a Geocentric diagram
Ok, AtheismExposed and any other geocentrists on here. Please show me what YOU think the universe looks like. I want to see diagrams which explain the positions and motions of the following bodies:
Earth's Moon
The Sun
Asteroids in the Asteroid Belt
Asteroids in Jupiter's Trojan Points
Saturn's rings
Comets (use Halley's comet)
Kuiper Belt Objects
The stars (grouped together for your convenience)
Also please explain:
Planetary retrograde motion
Meteor showers
Phases of the Moon
Phases of Venus, Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter
Why Mercury seems to move back and forth within 20 degrees of the sun
Why Venus seems to move back and forth within 30 degrees of the sun
Why planets move near the ecliptic (a plane described by the sun's celestial equator) and not the Earth's celestial equator
Stellar parallax
Also please tell me what physical laws govern these motions and phenomena, or if it simply requires a continuous miracle.
Please use as many separate diagrams as you need to explain these phenomena, and if you can demonstrate anything mathematically, please, please, please do in as much detail as you can muster. Also include any observations and measurements you've made, especially if these observations might contradict the observations of "conspiring" astronomers.
I look forward to your response.
E 2 = (mc 2)2 + (pc )2
614C → 714N + e– + ̅νe
2 K(s) + 2 H2O(l) → 2 KOH(aq) + H2 (g) + 196 kJ/mol
It works, bitches.
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RE: Please provide a Geocentric diagram
I can do it in one diagram:
.............................................Everything else
.........................Everything else...................Everything else
......Everything else...................Everything else...................Everything else
...Everything else.................................................................Everything else
Everything else...............................X.....................................Everything else
...Everything else........................¬.......................................Everything else
......Everything else..................../.erything else...................Everything else
.........................Everything els /...................Everything else
.........................................../..Everything else
...................................You are here.
EDIT: And god loves you love.
EDIT EDIT And wants your money
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RE: Please provide a Geocentric diagram
And if the measurements don't fit it's a conspiracy. Probably by Satan. To discredit the Bible.
Give me your argument in the form of a published paper, and then we can start to talk.
RE: Please provide a Geocentric diagram
(24-01-2013 01:42 AM)Hafnof Wrote: And if the measurements don't fit it's a conspiracy. Probably by Satan. To discredit the Bible.
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RE: Please provide a Geocentric diagram
You know I've always loved the take that Satan is actually a good guy. He was just trying to save us from a maniacal god by showing us the truth about god creating us just to burn us. That's why he revolted, and he's actually on mankind's side. The bible is the greatest lie god ever told us get us to play into his hands. What evidence is there to refute that theory?
But now I have come to believe that the whole world is an enigma, a harmless enigma that is made terrible by our own mad attempt to interpret it as though it had an underlying truth.
~ Umberto Eco
RE: Please provide a Geocentric diagram
The Mormons are not too far off of this view, seeing Satan as a good guy who tried to save us all (Jesus only wanted to save some of us but Satan had a plan to save every soul).
To understand the origin of Satan, one must understand the Plan of Salvation. The Plan of Salvation, as revealed by Christ to His prophets, states that all people lived (before they were born onto the earth) as spirits in a pre-mortal existence, the spirit-offspring of God. Christ was the first-born of God's spirit children, and Lucifer was "a son of the morning." That is, he was among the first born, but was also an intelligent, bright spirit. Mormons are often accused of claiming that Satan and Christ are brothers. Without proper background, the statement sounds bizarre and cultish, but with a little understanding of the Plan of Salvation, the concept is easily comprehended. Since all of Heavenly Father's spirit children are brothers and sisters to each other, Christ is our brother, as was Lucifer.
Isaiah goes on to explain the conflict in heaven, which culminated in the War in Heaven, also a biblical doctrine. Lucifer, in his pride, determined to usurp the position of God, taking glory upon himself and thwarting the agency, or free choice, of man.
That which Satan sought as being "evil before God" was to force all men to do the will of God. Using compulsion or force he offered to 'save' every person, and for so doing he demanded the honor and the glory that belongs to God. In contrast to Satan's proposition, the Lord's plan permitted individual progress by giving us the right to choose between good and evil.
The plan initiated by the Lord was to provide a savior for fallen man, to redeem him not only from Adam's fall, but from his own inevitable bad choices. Christ was the chosen Savior, and all the spirits in heaven were called upon to give their common consent to the plan and to uphold Christ in His chosenness. Satan became angry when his alternative plan was rejected by God, and rebelled against Him. He was so convincing that a "third part" of all of Heavenly Father's spirit children followed him.
Thus, Lucifer and his followers were cast out of Heaven and were denied the opportunity to have mortal bodies, which means they are also cut off from the resurrection. They are also eternally cut off from the presence of God. Satan and his followers work to thwart Heavenly Father's plan and lead His children to sin and spiritual death.
We all existed in heaven before we got bodies. God planned to let us sin and only save some of us. Jesus went along with it. Satan didn't want any of us to suffer. His plan was to force all mortal man to follow god's will (no freewill). God saw this as evil. Everyone voted, including you and me. God's plan won the vote but Satan convinced 1/3 of all angels to fight against god to raise Satan up above god so Satan could save all of us. He lost and now he's screwed and working eternally against god.
So, really, just a misunderstood good guy, according to 14 million Mormons.
"Whores perform the same function as priests, but far more thoroughly." - Robert A. Heinlein
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morondog (25-01-2013)
24-01-2013, 03:45 AM (This post was last modified: 24-01-2013 03:52 AM by Phaedrus.)
RE: Please provide a Geocentric diagram
I like Heinlein's version, where (SPOILERS):
Yahweh and Satan are both artists working for a company, and they build universes with a budget and within rules. Satan does his best to give all his creatures a fair chance and a tolerable, if not comfortable life. Yahweh on the other hand is a petty, childish, abusive, conniving psychopath who abuses his creations for his own amusement, and blames his creatures' troubles on Satan.
Then Yahweh's heaven turns out to be full of bureaucracy and snooty angels, and Saint Peter is kind of cool, but on the whole it's a very boring place to spend eternity, no matter how many jewel-encrusted palaces there are per square kilometer.
And Satan turns out to be a Texan with a sweet house with holographic furniture and good whiskey, and while he can be callous he is rarely malicious. Oh, also there are orgies in hell, lines of credit are readily available, there are only two lawyers, and hell actually only has one lake of fire and it's a tourist attraction.
E 2 = (mc 2)2 + (pc )2
614C → 714N + e– + ̅νe
2 K(s) + 2 H2O(l) → 2 KOH(aq) + H2 (g) + 196 kJ/mol
It works, bitches.
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24-01-2013, 03:48 AM (This post was last modified: 24-01-2013 03:52 AM by Aseptic Skeptic.)
RE: Please provide a Geocentric diagram
Now, if you're going to quote Heinlein, you should probably include the book's title - although, since what you described is deep into the book and somewhat of a spoiler, maybe it's best that you did not. Or maybe put it into spoiler tags instead.
Ahh, now that it's spoilered, I'll add that that's Job: A Comedy of Justice. Excellent book, a teensy bit soft in the middle but the great finish more than makes up for it.
"Whores perform the same function as priests, but far more thoroughly." - Robert A. Heinlein
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Phaedrus (24-01-2013)
RE: Please provide a Geocentric diagram
I've told like twenty people to read the book and they're all like "Sure, ok whatever..." and then two months later and they've forgotten all about it. Oy vey, it's like I'm talking to children or something.
I'll put it in spoilers though.
E 2 = (mc 2)2 + (pc )2
614C → 714N + e– + ̅νe
2 K(s) + 2 H2O(l) → 2 KOH(aq) + H2 (g) + 196 kJ/mol
It works, bitches.
RE: Please provide a Geocentric diagram
(24-01-2013 02:03 AM)evenheathen Wrote: You know I've always loved the take that Satan is actually a good guy. He was just trying to save us from a maniacal god by showing us the truth about god creating us just to burn us. That's why he revolted, and he's actually on mankind's side. The bible is the greatest lie god ever told us get us to play into his hands. What evidence is there to refute that theory?
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|This article describes a geographic region that covers various exchanges, currencies, indices and stocks. View articles referencing this region.
Classified by the World Bank as a high-income economy, Cyprus was included by the International Monetary Fund in its list of advanced economies in 2001. Erratic growth rates in the 1990s reflected the economy's vulnerability to swings in tourist arrivals, caused by fluctuations in economic conditions in key source markets mainly in Western Europe. On 1 January 2008, the country entered the eurozone and adopted the euro as its official currency, replacing the Cypriot pound at an irrevocable fixed exchange rate of CYP 0.585274 per EUR 1.00
$25.655 billion (nominal, 2011 est.) $23.749 billion (PPP, 2011 est.)
Cyprus has an open, free-market, service-based economy with some light manufacturing. Internationally, Cyprus promotes its geographical location as a "bridge" between East and West, along with its educated English-speaking population, moderate local costs, good airline connections, and telecommunications.
Since gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1960, Cyprus has had a record of successful economic performance, reflected in strong growth, full employment conditions and relative stability. In fact, this was further exemplified during the global financial crisis in 2008 and 2009, where Cyprus remained one of the most resilient countries in the EU. The underdeveloped agrarian economy inherited from colonial rule has been transformed into a modern economy, with dynamic services, industrial and agricultural sectors and an advanced physical and social infrastructure.
The Cypriots are among the most prosperous people in the Mediterranean region, with GDP per capita reaching almost $32,000. Their standard of living is reflected in the country's "very high" Human Development Index, and Cyprus is ranked 23rd in the world in terms of the Quality-of-life Index, but should arguably but a lot higher in rank when considering many other factors where Cyprus excels, such as ideal climatic conditions, living style, crime rate, quality-of-food, culture, community, among other.
Agriculture represents 2.3% of national GDP, industry 17.1%, and services 80.6%, mainly driven by professional and financial services, as well as tourism.
Meanwhile, recent developments in natural gas, currently being extracted (in only one sea block thus far) by US-based firm Nobel Energy should provide a significant boost to the nation's economy, investment environment and overall standards. Other sea blocks are expected to reveal even greater quantities.
Cyprus is truly a unique island country; shaped by its geographical location and presence throughout Western civilisation and history. Cyprus is a small island nation, with a strong economy, business friendly government, and excellent geopolitical relations. Throughout history, Cyprus has always been a strategic platform for trade, politics and investments. Today, this has emerged into professional business service, such as company formations, tax planning and international offshore banking. More than ever, credibility and legitimacy in being an EU and Eurozone member positions Cyprus as a global investment and financial centre.
Today, Cyprus continues to play a major role in regional geopolitics and trade relations. In 2004, the country became a full member of the European Union (EU), and then later in 2008, joined the Eurozone (euro currency area). By doing so, it also became the most eastern point of the EU, and technically the only EU country geographically in Asia-Middle East. This also then provides a unique flair and atmosphere; in culture, ideology, general way-of-life and business. Cyprus is a Westernised Mediterranean country, liberated and democratic, yet also maintains a sense of the east and orient. Of course this is to be expected, due to its close proximity, historical and cultural ties, as well as its climatic conditions.
In business this translates to a professional yet flexible approach, friendly nature, hard-working ethic and very commerce conscious – trade, industry and services - this has been the case throughout history. This attitude, together with geopolitical stability and EU membership is what truly drives the country's economy, supported by excellent infrastructure for financial and professional services, and open market economy, as well as appropriate government regulations and a general policy of non-intervention in business operations – limited to preserving the financial and professional services industry, guidance and aiding sustainability.
As such, Cyprus has become an international financial, commercial and shipping centre, attractive for global corporate tax planning and individual wealth management. Indeed, a credible and efficient base for investments to the EMEA region: EU, Europe, Russia and CIS, Middle East and Africa.
- Financial and professional services - Tourism and hospitality - Cyprus shipping industry - Real estate and construction - Regional education hub - Energy – natural gas (recent major developments) - Agriculture and manufacturing
Cyprus has become one of the most popular jurisdictions in the world for financial and professional services, including both onshore and offshore gateway activities, such as company formation, corporate tax planning benefits, legal, accounting and banking. Together with the right infrastructure, geographical location and political and economic stability, this has made the island-state an ideal platform for investments to the EU, Europe, Russia and CIS, Middle East and Africa. In fact, the professional services sector alone represents four fifths of national GDP, indeed, testament to its successful operation.
- Cyprus: EU, Eurozone & Commonwealth - Ideal geographical location for onshore & offshore gateway services - Geopolitical stability & business friendly Government - Macroeconomic resilience & growth - Well developed infrastructure for onshore and offshore gateway services - Robust Cypriot banking sector - Most favourable tax planning system in the European Union and Europe, arguably worldwide
For more information about Cyprus and how it acts as an ideal financial investment and professional services platform, click here


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#10. Shallow Depth of Field. If you thought shooting 1.4 on a DSLR was shallow, wait until you try shooting f/2.8 on a medium format rig. Noticed how the depth of field in this portrait of my dog, Willy, draws your eye inward. Theres a ton of math needed to determine depth of field in relation to sensor size, distance to subject, focal length, yada yada yada I wont go into in great detail, but it is a much shallower depth of field from my experience than what Ive been used to using for the last decade.
#3. Thinking long-term with an open-source platform.I like modular systems where I have the power to pick and choose what I want to work with. Lenses, bodies, and backs. This gives me greater flexibility over the next 10 years as my shooting style evolves. Heck, if in 10 years I want to shooting landscapes all over the world, I can still use my back on a technical camera. Cant say that about other big-name DSLRs. Here, my friend Tim Boatman uses an Arca-Swiss Rm3D technical camera mounted with PhaseOne 140 back.
#11. Optimal ISO. With my PhaseOne IQ, theres a lower base ISO of 50 vs. 100 which means I can get 1 stop more flash power than the closest a DSLR. This gives me more options to use shallower depth-of-field, without the need for ND grad filters to slow autofocus. But I am not stuck there. Shooting at ISO 400 still looks amazing! And with Sensor+ technology, I can shoot up to ISO 3200 sensitivity and get a beautiful film-like grain, especially when converted to B&W. Plus, those images are smaller in size and speeds up my post-production workflow especially nice when I am editing reception photos.
#8. Embrace smarter technology. The focus and exposure mask features are powerful and very useful, especially when shooting portraits in a short-amount of time. Confirming critical focus, stat, is super important especially with shallow depth of field of medium format. A double tap on the screen allows me to confirm focus on this portrait of my brother, Sean, doing his Blue Steel pose.
#9. Dont forget old school lenses. You have lots to choose from: Hasselblad, Mamiya, Zeiss, ect. After lots of research, I found the leaf shutter lenses from Schneider-Kreuznach (especially the 55mm) to be stellar. I am not tied to one particular camera manufacturer, but can choose from lenses and camera bodies that have been around for decades. Below, the fastest medium format lens available, the Mamiya 80mm f/1.9 is shot wide open at 1/400 sec, ISO 50 in open shade. My friend Tim Ho (pictured left) isnt fond of the chromatic aberration of the 80mm f/1.9 wide open):
While I bet there are not a huge crowd of MF followers in this forum that make their living shooting medium format cameras at weddings, I'd thought I'd offer my perspective to this small, but influential group of followers of all things medium format.Good news. The medium is alive and well. And it is a totally different crayon. And if I have a daughter. And if she is planning on getting married, I'd love to know that her chosen photographer is using the best tools available.My thoughts on the matter, share on el blogito ::http://www.kern-photo.com/2013/01/shooting-digital-medium-format-in-wedding-photography-2I share 11 technical advantages of digital medium format vs 35mm DSLR cameras. Love to hear your thoughts!Cheers,R. J.
I shoot 20-30 weddings a year using Canon 1DX, 5D3's and Hasselblad H4D 40. While I get a slightly better file (after post processing) with the Hassy in perfect lighting condition, the negatives far out weight the positives. The H4D 40 is bulkier, AF is slower, and doesn't do well past ISO 800. Also I get significantly shallower depth of filed with my 50 and 85L's vs the Hasselblad HC 100 2.2 wide open.
Nikon D800 can be set to ISO 50. Base ISO is 100, but the ISO 50 setting for all practical purposes will let you do what you are doing with ISO 50 on an MF back.Also a 1 or 2 stop ND filter on a D800 will not slow down the focusing to anything near as slow as the DF especially on a fast lens.
In his continued crusade to find anything wrong to nitpick that might shed positive light on anything related to Phase One, Fred has of course, glossed over relevant details...I don't have time to go through each point, nor the patience any more, but here is one: What makes a subject pop off an out of focus background (the "look" of shallow DOF shots) is not ONLY related to [Aperture + Angle-of-view]. If all you do is run a calculator you will NOT know how shallow DOF subjects render on any given lens+sensor combo looks.A Phase One 150/2.8D is significantly sharper wide open than an 85/1.2 (I say this from a lot of experience with both lenses). Moreover the more the resolution the more the detail (assuming a sharp lens), and therefore the more that detail can contrast with an out of focus background. So with an IQ160 or IQ180 for example you have much more detail on the in-focus areas than with a 5D2. The rendering profiles of both lenses are also quite different and I find the transition from in-focus to out-of-focus to be much smoother with the 150/2.8 than with the 85/1.2 - BUT this is definitely a personal/aesthetic assessment so YMMV. The net result, in my eyes, from my shooting, is a significantly better ability to pop a subject matter off a background with shallow DOF when using a FF digital back and a 150/2.8 than a FF Canon with an 85/1.2.Moreover the 85/1.2 has a lot of chromatic aberration in out of focus areas, which drives me crazy. I (personal feeling) think it makes it look far too digital and severely hampers my use of it wide-open.
Shooting through an ND filter is a very poor shooter-experience in my opinion. Especially when dSLR viewfinders tend to start off small and dark - an ND filter only makes it darker.Also, ISO50 on a D800 is not a real ISO. It is simply a one stop overexposed image at ISO100. I would not recommend this setting for weddings where white detail (highlights on faces and white dresses) is often essential. Frankly, I'm surprised you'd recommend it.
And if I have a daughter. And if she is planning on getting married, I'd love to know that her chosen photographer is using the best tools available.
I have two daughters and when they got married that was not even a consideration, compared to his eye, experience, people skills, sense of humor, work ethic etc.


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But even as her political credibility plummets - not even a gutsy performance in the vice-presidential debate could quite banish the memory of those cringe-making interviews with Katie Couric - and her effect on the presidential race, once electrifying, seems to have played itself out, her cultural potency remains extraordinary. A gift to comedians and satirists, a horror to the feminist establishment, an icon to the Republican base, she has also become, in a literal sense, a pin-up.
Actually, she always was - Alaska magazine put her on the cover with the strap-line "America's hottest governor" as long ago as February, months before the wider world was aware of her existence. But last week's announcement by Hustler than a Palin-inspired porn film was in production confirmed that, whatever else might be said about the would-be VP, she's definitely a sexpot.
The project, said to star nineties porn starlet Lisa Ann, with the legendary Nina Hartley in the supporting role of Hillary Clinton, is due to be released in time for the election next month. Perhaps the world will have tired of Sarah Palin by then. And doubtless the product will be as predictable and seedy as most porn. In one scene, the Alaskan is addressing the crowd while, out of sight, Mrs Clinton in performing oral sex on her.
Hustler isn't alone in finding Sarah Palin an object of sexual fantasy. Within days, perhaps hours, of the announcement at the end of August it seems like years, doesn't it? The most memorable showed her in a stars-and-stripes bikini holding a large gun. Remarkably, there were some who thought the picture genuine. And indeed, while it was not remotely plausible, the image did represent a concise but accurate summation of Palin's appeal to many Americans, patriotic, gun-toting and hot.
Absent from this mock-up was the image that Palin herself has stressed - the down-to-earth, hard-working "hockey mom", a modern twist on the most traditional of all female roles, the Wife and Mother. Rather, the fake photograph combines two previously incompatible archetypes of American womanhood: The tough, pragmatic frontierswoman - Annie Oakley, Calamity Jane or, on another level, the heroines of Little Women or Little House on the Prairie - was a woman who worked on equal terms with their menfolk and, incidentally, achieved the vote decades before the women who lived a more sheltered life in cities.
She belongs to the heroic past, with little more connection to the lives of most American women than the secluded women of 5th century BC Athens bore to Clytemnestra.
In Alaska, on the other hand, such women or at least a watered-down version of them might still be found; and so while Palin has spent most of her life in offices, it's her moose-hunting that attracts most attention.
She speaks to that part of the American psyche that once massacred the buffoloes and still believes in gun ownership. But she's also that equally patriotic figure, the cheerleader something Palin never actually was, so far as I can tell, preferring to play basketball: As a former beauty queen albeit a runner-up she embodies a paradoxical feature of American conservatism, one that has always adapted overt sexuality in the cause of hearth and home - and, not infrequently, strong religious principles.
Big hair and lipstick, rather than burkhas, provide the semiotics of the Bible Belt. In Slate, Tom Perrotta claimed claimed that Palin "embodies a powerful new Christian right archetype", the "sexy Puritan".
He even found a point of comparison with the early and supposedly, though implausably, virginal Britney Spears - though, as Perrotta concedes, that "didn't work out so well". The miniskirted conservative commentator Ann Coulter would perhaps have been a more appropriate comparison. Sexy Puritans engage in the culture war on two levels—not simply by advocating conservative positions on hot-button social issues but by embodying nonthreatening mainstream standards of female beauty and behavior at the same time.
The net result is a paradox, a bit of cognitive dissonance very useful to the cultural right: You get a little thrill along with your traditional values, a wink along with the wagging finger. Somehow, you don't feel quite as much like a prig as you expected to. Perrotta, author of The Abstinence Teacher, mentions his surprise while researching the novel that, instead of the prune-faced plain Janes he expected to encounter, he instead met a succession of hotties.
There was, for example the "slender young blond woman in tight jeans and a form-fitting T-shirt—she wouldn't have looked out of place at a frat kegger— [who] bragged about all the college boys who'd tried and failed to talk her into their beds". He goes on, What the Sexy Puritan movement represents, I think, is the realization on the part of some cultural warriors on the right that to be seen as anti-sex—and especially to be seen as unsexy—is a losing proposition in contemporary America, even among evangelical Christians most troubled by the fallout from the sexual revolution.
What Perrotta misses, in his lucid analysis, is that the "sexy Puritan" is nothing new. It's as old as the Beauty Pageant or the high school prom. It belongs to the American cult of wholesomeness as much as it does to socially conservative positions on subjects such as abortion or pre-marital sex.
It's not so much a matter of packaging old-fashioned messages in an appealing manner: What this means, among other paradoxes, is that the plastic Barbie-doll, or her real-life equivalents in the manner of Anna-Nicole Smith, is as much a product of American traditionalism as a Sunday-school teacher. Which brings me straight to the next fantasy-Palin, which derives directly from the first. This large painting of a full-frontally naked Palin, holding an even bigger gun, standing on a polar-bear rug and posing by an open window, can be seen in all its glory in Chicago bar-room.
The painter, Bruce Elliott who also co-owns the Old Ale House, which doubles up as a gallery for his softcore erotic art claims that he was inspired to create the painting while watching his daughter Grace who modelled for him "performing an uncanny Sarah Palin impression. Elliot is a confirmed Obama supporter, who calls Palin a "real nasty piece of work" but admits to finding her attractive. I would love it if the secret service called me up.
The Washington Post's fashion editor, Robin Givhan, was fairly dismissive. At the same time, thinks Givhan, the shoes provide solid evidence that "she's using prettiness and cuteness to her advantage. And without any hesitation. That took some thought. In a similar vein, a sex-toy company has brought out an inflatable Palin "love-doll". Elsewhere, Gawker reports that Sarah Palin is this year's must-have Halloween costume.
Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls has said that she could have a place in the group. And she's hot," says Scherzinger. And a San Francisco burlesque artiste i. I would post it up but it's rubbish. Hugh Hefner, meanwhile, invited Sarah Palin to pose for Playboy. At only half Hef's age, one might think Sarah a bit old for him his conquests are usually in their early twenties but he's clearly into her.
Along with the carefully tied-up hair, they form a key part of the Palin image, and they send what may be an intentionally double message. Palin is on record that she chose that particular hairstyle because she thought it would help her be taken seriously: But the outwardly restrained, inwardly smouldering sexy librarian - another cultural archetype - is in there too.
At one level, Palin's sex-appeal doesn't require much explanation: But that doesn't quite explain the sheer visceral excitement she has produced, the way in which her sexual attractiveness has - on both sides of the political debate - become an issue. Regardless of how the race ends - regardless, too, of Palin's own limitations, many of which have been painfully exposed - she may well turn out to have transformed the possibilities for women in politics.
And she has done so by canny manipulation of her sexual image. No doubt it is in response to such success that Newsweek placed an unflattering close-up of Palin's face on their cover. Some of her supporters certainly seem to think so. Palin has the successful woman's knack for appealing to men without alienating women. To women she says, I'm one of you, but a smarter, sassier, more successful one of you. To men, she stands for manly things - huntin', shootin' the dropped gs are integral , flag-wavin', Bible-believin' all-American self-reliance, but at the same time she's all woman.
A real woman is not a simpering, fainting, corsetted princess, and she's not an air-headed, airbrushed, silicone-implanted sex object either. But nor is she Harriet Harman. Like a reverse James Bond, Sarah Palin is a woman that women want to be and men want to fuck. A feminist, but not a Feminist, she annoys many pampered progressives with her unapologetically traditional views.
But those views, too, are sexually alluring. Hers is a world in which men are men and women are women. If Sarah Palin is the sort of woman men fantasise about, she is also and this is important the sort they respect. There's no contradiction between the two. In fact, Sarah Palin would probably have little problem exercising supreme power. It's a myth that men resent taking orders from women. Men spend most of their lives taking orders from women - mothers, nannies, teachers, wives, nurses and, these days, quite often bosses as well.
The kind of feminist who labours under the delusion that this sort of authority is anything new - who thinks that, because the number of situations in which woman are able to exercise authority has greatly increased, the way in which they do so must necessarily change - is far more likely to experience a glass ceiling than a woman like Sarah Palin who merely carries on as she always did, who naturally expects men to do what she tells them and, as a result, finds that they do.
Successful female leaders have tended to discover that their position was not so anomalous as they might have thought, because they fell naturally into the already-present archetypes of matriarchs and goddesses. Some have inspired hatred - usually from left-wingers - as a result, such as Mrs Thatcher who was never forgiven by feminists for being so clearly but uncomfortably a woman. Admiration, envy, and salacious gossip are also recurring themes.
In the case of Cleopatra, her ascendency over Mark Antony was presented by Roman propagandists as emasculating, but it's unlikely Antony himself saw it that way; or Cleo herself, for that matter. By contrast, some modern female polticians have attempted to react against such stereotypes, not by presenting themselves as would-be men but by rejecting both male and female images.
The results are rarely attractive to either sex: These women, who are so recognisable in New Labour, have their male equivalents, who eschew traditionally masculine forms of self-presentation, and are equally unattractive as a result. The political equivalent of eunuchs, they want to appear entirely rational and up-to-date; instead they come across as boring and complacent.
To some people, of course, even discussing Palin's sex appeal is insulting. But successful male political leaders trade off their sexuality every bit as much as actresses do: Sexuality and sex are different, but linked: The so-called F-factor is usually subliminal. The difference with Palin, perhaps, is that the subliminal message has been made manifest. Trailer released on Youtube. It includes the hoo-hoo moment!


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NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Senior Cat Dailey hit
a scorching .500, tallying 12 kills and 13 digs to lead the Yale
volleyball team to an impressive sweep of Cornell on Saturday at
the John J. Lee Amphitheater in New Haven. Dailey's
double-double, her 11th of 2009, led an well-rounded
Bulldogs' attack as they took the match by set scores of
25-14, 25-15 and 25-11.
Senior Alexis Crusey continued to make her mark on the Yale history books with her seven kills and nine digs in the contest. Crusey is now tied with Pauline Mu '94 for third place all-time in kills with 1,279 and now ranks seventh in digs with 1,204 after passing Sarah Christianson '93.
The match was the final home contest in the careers of seniors Dailey, Crusey, Laurel Johnson, Lydia Mailander and captain Julia Mailander.
"This class has done some extraordinary things," said Yale Head Coach Erin Appleman, who took her 2008 squad to an Ivy League Championship and a victory in the NCAA Championship First Round. "They have meant so much to Yale volleyball over the last four years, and the program will be better off for years to come because of their contributions."
With the win, Yale improves to 20-4 overall and 10-3 in the Ivy League. The Bulldogs' 20th win marks the first time that Yale teams have won 20 matches in back-to-back seasons since the 1995 and 1996 seasons- a period in which teams played upwards of 30 regular season matches. Cornell falls to 6-19 on the season with a 3-11 Ivy League record. Elsewhere around the Ivy League, Penn knocked off Dartmouth in four sets to knock Yale out of contention for an Ancient Eight crown.
Joining in on the Bulldogs' attack was sophomore Bridget Hearst, who hit .308 with six kills. Freshman Haley Wessels tallied four kills, while Johnson, sophomore Taylor Cramm and freshman Kerry Clavadetscher each had three finishers. Clavadetscher also ran the offense from the setter position and distributed a game-best 29 assists. The Bulldogs swung at a solid .275 (38-10-102) rate for the contest.
Defensively, junior libero Kelly Ozurovich led all players with 21 digs. With her performance, she gains sole possession of sixth place in the Yale record book with 1,223 career digs. Lydia Mailander chipped in in the backcourt with seven digs, and Wessels led the way at the net with four blocks. As a unit, the Yale defense held Cornell to a meager -.009 (23-24-112) hitting percentage.
Big Red jumped out to a quick 3-2 lead in set one, but Yale then caught fire as two Dailey service aces and two kills from Hearst sparked a 6-0 run to give the Bulldogs a 9-3 advantage. Cornell would not get closer than within five points of Yale, and the Bulldogs extended their lead to as many as 11 points en route to a 25-14 win in set one.
Set two was a much more tightly contest affair in the early stages, as the score ran to a 6-6 deadlock. At that point, the Bulldogs ran off three straight points to gain an advantage, and an ace by sophomore Katie Cordell punctuated a run that saw Yale take a five point lead at 12-7 and force a Big Red timeout. The Bulldogs ran off three more points after the stoppage, and Cornell Head Coach Sarah Bernson was soon calling her second timeout of the frame with her team trailing by seven points, 19-12. The final stretch of action saw Dailey and Hearst land service aces, as Cornell committed a host of attack errors to close out set two with Yale taking a 25-15 decision.
The third set was more of the same, as Yale took an early lead thanks to kills from Dailey, Johnson, Hearst and Wessels, and kept Cornell at bay to a score of 7-5. At that juncture, the Bulldogs fired off seven straight points, capped by Cordell's second service ace of the match, to take a commanding 15-5 lead. It was all academic from that point forward, as a pair of late Ozurovich aces wrapped up the frame with Yale taking a comfortable 25-11 victory to close out the match in straight sets.
Cornell was led by six kills from Kelly Hansen and Deveney Pula. Jordan Reeder distributed 17 assists for Big Red, and Megan Mushovic had a team-best 16 digs from the libero slot.
The Bulldogs are back in action on Tuesday, as they wrap up the 2009 regular season with a 7 p.m. contest at Ivy League foe Brown.
report filed by Drew M. Kingsley, Yale Sports Publicity
Bulldogs Pound Cornell in Senior Day Sweep
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Senior Cat Dailey hit
a scorching .500, tallying 12 kills and 13 digs to lead the Yale
volleyball team to an impressive sweep of Cornell on Saturday at
the John J. Lee Amphitheater in New Haven. Dailey's
double-double, her 11th of 2009, led an well-rounded
Bulldogs' attack as they took the match by set scores of
25-14, 25-15 and 25-11.


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Committee Opinion Number 624, February 2015
Reaffirmed 2017
ABSTRACT: Cytology-based cervical cancer screening programs require a number of elements to be successful. Certain low-resource settings, like the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands, lack these elements. Implementing alternative cervical cancer screening strategies in low-resource settings can provide consistent, accessible screening opportunities.
Committee Opinion Number 600, June 2014
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ABSTRACT: Rates of obesity in the United States have increased rapidly over the past several decades, and physicians should be prepared to care for obese patients in a nonjudgmental manner, being cognizant of the medical, social, and ethical implications of obesity. It is the responsibility of the physician to recognize the medical risks that are associated with obesity and to counsel the patient regarding these risks in an unbiased manner, respecting her autonomy and maintaining her dignity. Classifying obesity as a medical condition can serve to reduce bias toward obese patients and to chan...
Committee Opinion Number 507, September 2011
ABSTRACT: Human trafficking is a widespread problem with estimates ranging from 14,000 to 50,000 individuals trafficked into the United States annually. This hidden population involves the commercial sex industry, agriculture, factories, hotel and restaurant businesses, domestic workers, marriage brokers, and some adoption firms. Because 80% of trafficked individuals are women and girls, women's health care providers may better serve their diverse patient population by increasing their awareness of this problem. The exploitation of people of any race, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnicity ...
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(Reaffirmed 2016)
ABSTRACT: International humanitarian medical efforts provide essential services to patients who would not otherwise have access to specific health care services. The Committees on Ethics and Global Women's Health of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists encourage College Fellows and other health care professionals to participate in international humanitarian medical efforts for this reason. However, such programs present Fellows with a unique set of practical and ethical challenges. It is important for health care providers to consider these challenges before participating i...
Committee Opinion Number 456, March 2010
ABSTRACT: In this Committee Opinion, the Committee on Ethics of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists endorses the College's ongoing efforts to promote a just health care system, explores justifications that inform just health care, and identifies professional responsibilities to guide the College and its members in advancing the cause of health care reform.
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A decade ago, when many U.S. retail owners and developers were first looking beyond U.S. borders for expansion opportunities, Latin America was a hot target. At the time it seemed many once-schizophrenic economies were showing signs of stability. Argentina, for example, was a darling of international commerce. With booming economic growth and a proliferating middle class it was an oft-pointed-to model for other developing nations.
Then the wheels fell off.
Economic collapses in Argentina and Mexico crippled the region. Moreover, a series of U.S.-friendly regimes fell in elections throughout the continent, ushering in a wave of more left-leaning presidencies less open to free-trade agendas.
As a result, Latin America lost its status as a hot market. Many attempts by U.S.-based investors and developers to enter the region were scuttled and attentions were diverted to other parts of the world.
Today, though, companies are once again turning their eyes to the region, but with a much more targeted approach. Much of the action today is focused on two countries: Mexico and Brazil. And for good reason. With populations of over 100 million and close to 200 million respectively, each country is big enough to provide a lot of room for growth. Plus, their populations are young. About 45 percent of Mexico is under 45 years old, for example.
"Latin America is booming," says Stan Eichelbaum, president of Marketing Developments Inc., a Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and East Lansing, Mich-based research, consulting and development planning firm. David Berger, managing director for Latin America and the Caribbean region at NAI Global agrees. "I've been working in the region for the last 15 years and I've seen huge leaps in terms of the institutionalization of democracy," Berger says. "There's no turning back."
None of that would matter, of course, if their economies weren't healthy. But, thanks to years of stability and new government policies, once out-of-control inflation is down and both countries are expanding. Brazil, with a $796 billion economy, for example, comprises 50 percent of South America's total GDP, according to a recent report from Prudential Real Estate Investors. By 2025, its GDP could double. Last year GDP grew 3.7 percent in Brazil. Mexico, meanwhile posted GDP growth of 4.8 percent. As a result, the middle class, and disposable incomes, in both countries are on an upswing, boosting retail sales. In Brazil, for example, sales rose 8.5 percent in the first quarter of 2006, higher than the total 6.2 percent increase of 2005, according to Prudential.
The upshot: There's been a flood of shopping center development. In Mexico, there are 374 shopping centers greater than 100,000 rentable square feet, with 42 new ones built in 2006 and another 40 to go up this year. Brazil has 346 regional malls, with another 12 expected to be built in 2007 alone, according to ICSC.
Much of that development has happened thanks to financing from REITs, private equity firms, and other foreign investors. But some U.S. and Canadian developers have also started to enter the market, forming partnerships with local developers, in which they plan to help run existing malls and develop new ones. In 2006, for example, Developers Diversified Realty invested about $150 million to form a 50/50 joint venture with the Brazilian unit of Portuguese shopping mall developer Sonae Sierra. And some players, like Jones Lang LaSalle, which is eyeing the market in Brazil, plan to go in as third-party managers, leasing space to retailers. "We see a tremendous opportunity to bring U.S. retailers to Latin America," says Karen Riquet, Jones Lang LaSalle director of client relationship management and executive vice president.
It's not without some risk, of course. Back in the 1990s, a handful of U.S. developers attempted to set up shop in Mexico and Argentina when those economies were showing huge promise. Moreover, talks had begun in earnest to expand NAFTA, the free trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada, through the rest of South America in the form of the Free Trade Area of the Americas. Both the Argentine and Mexican economies suffered debilitating meltdowns. Meanwhile, the Free Trade Area of the Americas ran into resistance from mass protests throughout the continent and a wave of new, more left-leaning presidents swept into office throughout South America over the past 10 years.
Although the climate has turned around in many countries, there's always the chance that inflation, currency devaluation or political crises could happen again. Furthermore, there are other obstacles, such as red tape and complex tax requirements. That's led to a more tempered approach.
Most notable may be Venezuela. Despite rapid GDP growth and booming local shopping center development activity, U.S. companies have been loath to enter the market, thanks to President Hugo Chavez's policies. "There is a lack of interest, mainly because of the perception they have of Mr. Chavez's administration," says Jorge Lizan, director of business development at ICSC. "But they are missing a huge opportunity."
In addition, companies have also been reluctant to enter Argentina. That's partly because of fears about the country's economy. But, it's also a demographic question. With a population of about 40 million, "It's a far cry from Mexico and Brazil," says David Jacobstein, a senior advisor with Deloitte & Touche and formerly chief development officer of DDR.
Building from the past
Shopping centers aren't a new phenomenon in Brazil. In fact, the first mall opened in São Paulo in the 1960s. Development didn't pick up for another 20 years, however, until a number of pension funds started financing centers. When that slowed, after the economy tanked, so did construction.
But over the past three years, a series of international investors and developers, many from North America, have entered the market, including Cadillac Fairview, Ivanhoe Cambridge, General Growth Properties, and DDR. About $2.5 billion will be invested in new projects and expansion over the next three years, according to Prudential. These players are anticipating that consumer spending in shopping centers will skyrocket. Only about 18 percent to 20 percent is spent in shopping centers now. "With consumer spending continuing to increase, a lot of retail will be consolidated into enclosed malls," says Richard Brown, executive vice president of international operations at DDR.
They're also expecting to see more international retailers start flocking to the country. There are at least a handful of international players in the market. Wal-Mart entered the country in 1995, and expects to have 28 stores this year and double that number over the next two to three years. And such brands as Zara and Tommy Hilfiger are there, although many of them are licensed. But most retail is local, and shopping mall anchors are usually local supermarkets or hypermarkets.
Generally, these new entrants aren't going in solo, but are teaming up with local developers. In some cases, they're acting as passive investors. In June, Toronto-based Cadillac Fairview, which manages the real estate portfolio of Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, for example, acquired a 46 percent interest in Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios, a major real estate company in Rio de Janeiro, which manages 14 shopping centers, nine of which it owns. In others, they're more active. In 2004, for example, GGP invested $32 million into a 50/50 partnership with locally based Nacional Iguatemi Group (NIG), which owns and manages nine properties totaling 3.2 million square feet. As for DDR, it intends to co-manage their shopping centers with their partners. With their $150 million investment and a similar investment from Sonae, over the next three to five years, they plan to build new centers and buy existing ones.
For DDR, the real potential isn't in the most populated areas around São Paolo and Rio de Janeiro, where most shopping centers are located now. It's in secondary cities. Their first effort: They recently broke ground on a new site in Manaus, a remote city of about two million in the Amazon, for a 450,000-square-foot enclosed mall.
For now, cap rates are high, too, compared to the U.S. According to Jacobstein, DDR was able to buy in at around a 12-percent cap rate. "They believe that, at that time, those same properties in the U.S. would have traded somewhere between a 5.75 to 6.75 rate," he says. Since then, he says those rates have come down to about 10 percent. "So you gained 200 basis points in value in a very short time," he says.
The moves by international players are also helping along another trend: consolidation among local developers. For example, DDR's partner, Sonae Sierra, recently announced plans to triple its size from eight shopping malls, through acquisition. Until a year ago, no operator controlled a portfolio of more than six or seven regional malls, according to Paulo Gomes, head of research for Latin America at Prudential Financial. Now some firms own as many as 20 centers.
At the same time, these local companies have also been involved in a number of IPOs. The Iguetemi Group, for example, recently raised $260 million in an IPO. In 2006, two private equity firms, Equity International and Brazil-based GP Investments, bought a controlling interest in BR Malls, a major Brazilian shopping center owner. In July, they took it public. Also in July, BR Malls purchased stakes in four shopping centers, for $430 million. The company now owns 26 shopping centers and manages 41.
What about Mexico?
Back in 1994, when Mexico's peso devaluation decimated the economy, the possibility that U.S. investors would be interested in that country seemed remote. Since then, interest rates that once were almost 100 percent have declined precipitously, inflation is at about 4 percent, and there's been a flood of activity by U.S. companies. So far, it's mostly been in the form of capital infusions, from such players as Kimco Realty Corp., Prudential, GE Real Estate and the Black Creek Group. About 16 largely U.S. funds are investing in joint ventures in partnerships worth a total of $6.5 billion over the next four to five years, according to ICSC.
Take Kimco, which has been steadily increasing its interests since entering the market in 2002, when it bought two centers. In 2006 alone it closed on three new projects at a total cost of $87 million. It now owns interests in 110 properties totaling 16 million square feet, with 31 core properties and 17 under development, for a total investment of about $600 million.
Prudential also got its toes wet in the market about five years ago. Since then, it's been building a network of joint venture partners, who are local developers and managers of shopping centers, according to Gomes — he won't say how many — nationwide. They've opened three centers and acquired two, although the focus is on development. Total investment: about $1 billion so far. As for GE Real Estate, it has made about $800 million in investments, and is planning another $350 million over the next three to five years.
Companies have been slower to take a more active role in the country, largely, according to Andrew Strenk, president of Strategic Planning Concepts International, a retail consulting firm in Tustin, Calif., because they're gunshy after several disastrous joint ventures in the 1990s. Still, he says, "A lot of guys are looking at the market and doing a lot of research." DDR is a case in point. According to Brown, the company is currently in the process of evaluating the market as a possible next step into the region.
There seems to be plenty of room for everyone. About ten cities have 70 percent of all shopping centers, according to ICSC. And there are at least 28 medium-sized cities with a population of 300,000 to one million with few, or no, centers. Plus, up to 70 percent of sales come from street vendors.
Like Brazil, most retailers are local — and they've been expanding furiously. The eight largest supermarkets opened 142 stores in 2006, according to ICSC. Four major department stores opened 21 sites. It all means there's another opportunity for U.S investors, to help serve as intermediaries between developers and retailers.
One big drawing point for retailers could be the greater sophistication of mall developers. According to Brown, until recently, banks were cautious about lending to developers. The upshot: They tended to sell space to retailers condominium-style, resulting in the usual hodgepodge of tenants. Now, "the newer centers going up are more sophisticated," he says, with a better tenant mix.
In Mexico, for now, the focus is on middle- and lower-income consumers, where there seems to be the most growth. The middle-income population grew from 29.8 percent of the population in 2000 to 33 percent in 2006, according to ICSC. Most of the development underway is in neighborhood shopping centers, anchored by convenience and grocery stores, according to Lizan. They're mostly going up in underserved markets in the suburbs of big cities and in smaller metropolitan areas. At the same time, there is a demand for regional malls, both building new ones and expanding existing properties, mostly in smaller cities or underserved neighborhoods of larger urban areas. That tends to mean malls anchored by Wal-Mart and other big-box retailers.
Facing the challenges
Of course, U.S. companies entering Brazil or Mexico face a number of challenges. For one thing, there's still the possibility that the current stability could collapse. But there's more. In Mexico, winding your way through the government bureaucracy and getting the necessary approvals is an especially laborious process, according to Strenk. There's also a problem in purchasing land, thanks to communal property laws dating back to 1917. It wasn't until 1992 that the government allowed families holding communal land to sell their holdings.
Now, in order to purchase land, developers often have to deal with groups of 10 or more family members. Successful negotiation requires a lot of savvy and close relationships with the locals, one reason why working with the right partner is of crucial importance.
Cap rates could also pose a problem. While they're still a few points higher than in the U.S., they've been coming down precipitously. In 2002, they were 15 percent. Earlier this year, they had dropped to 9 percent, according to ICSC.
Brazil has its own problems. For one thing, there's a complex system of federal, state, and municipal taxes, as well as tough environmental rules. If you don't follow them correctly, it can mean big delays. "When we're involved in real estate deals, we always include in our forecast postponements that can arise because of problems complying with environmental laws," says Luis Claudio Campos, senior manager of transaction advisory services for Ernst & Young.
There's also no debt market to speak of, as a result of the runaway inflation of past years. That means developers have to finance their properties through equity, making it difficult for any one entity to build the whole thing alone. "You have to buy part of it and then increase your ownership," says Jacobstein. He feels there will be a debt market soon, as investors feel more confident in the long-term prospects of continued low inflation.
The bottom line: There's plenty of opportunity in Latin America. Just make sure you team up with an organization that knows the lay of the land.


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Easy Peasy Bead People
11 comments:
Здорово! Мои дети любят играть в таких деревянных человечков, только у нас они не такие красивые! Спасибо!ReplyDelete
These are so fun. Christmas ornaments! Wouldn't it be fun to have a little tree with little beady people climbing all over it?ReplyDelete
These are precious!! I've been painting on fabric for years and I love the effects too. These little ladies remind me of a summer project I did with my daughter many years ago when she was a child...she's now 33 and a mommy of 4 with #5 on the way...oey, that girl!!ReplyDelete
So if she has a girl, has 4 boys, I'll make sure I make her these little beady beauties...thanks Jo...I love them!!
I LOOOOVE these, Jo! Even I may be able to make some without screwing them up! LOL! I said MAY, mind you! I will say that for my very first dolls' clothing (in 2002, before I had internet or used patterns) I took muslin & gessoed it, then hung it on a retractable clothesline in my hot garage where it dried nice and stiff VERY quickly. THEN I painted it and it made THE BEST replicas of Native American fabrics. So cheap, so easy! It was not too easy to get the needle through it, but I did. LOL! Your tutorial gets a big thank you from me! Looks a lot more hand-friendly than my crazy concoction!ReplyDelete
So cute... bravo pour vos idées toutes plus sympathiques les unes que les autres.ReplyDelete


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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon woman who spent more than a decade in hiding after a fatal crash built a life with her two children while living illegally in Canada.
Jean Keating was living in the rural Manitoba town of Minnedosa, population 2,500, about 300 miles north of Grand Forks, N.D., The Oregonian reported (http://bit.ly/12DMNff ).
After the fatal 1997 crash, in which she faced manslaughter and drunken-driving charges, Keating stopped contacting her attorney. Police believe she crossed the Canadian border with her children, ages 1 and 3, in 1998.
For more than a decade, she appeared to have built a new life in a new country, but trouble followed her. She was arrested several times in Canada, including on a charge for drunken driving.
Despite encounters with law enforcement, she managed to keep her past a secret. In early 2013, that secret began to unravel, apparently by Keating's own doing. A Royal Canadian Mounted Police constable heard rumors about a woman named "Jean McPherson" in town who bragged about getting away with manslaughter in the U.S.
He emailed a border-enforcement task force, which found that there was no "Jean McPherson" living as a legal immigrant in Canada. But when they compared the fingerprints for "Jean McPherson" with those on record for Keating in Oregon, authorities found a match.
Officials don't know how she entered Canada, said Lisa White, a spokeswoman for Canada Border Services Agency, but in the late 1990s, it was not usually necessary for U.S. citizens to show a passport when crossing into Canada.
Immigration authorities arrested Keating in Canada on April 4 and issued a deportation order two weeks later. She was detained in Winnipeg because of flight risk until June 12, when she was deported to North Dakota. Keating has been barred from ever entering Canada again, White said.
Members of Keating's family still in Oregon could not be located by The Associated Press on Saturday. Keating's oldest child would be older than 18, but it's unclear who was assigned custody of the younger child.
Keating was returned to Oregon this week, where she is accused of first-degree manslaughter in connection with the 1997 death of 65-year-old Jewel Anderson.
Police say Keating, then 38, sideswiped Anderson's car on Interstate 5 near Albany, sending it careening through the center lane and into another car. Anderson died at the scene.
Keating's arrest brought to an end years of searching by Linda Anderson, the 51-year-old daughter-in-law of Jewel Anderson.
Periodically over the past 15 years, Anderson had logged on to resume a methodical online hunt for the woman accused of killing the Anderson family's matriarch as she drove to church.
Linda Anderson had turned to "be your own detective" websites in hopes of finding Keating.
"I'd type her name in, type her children's names in to search. There would be other Jean Terese Keatings, but they wouldn't line up," Anderson told The Oregonian.
But on Father's Day weekend, Oregon State Police investigators called to say Keating had been arrested in Canada. She was astonished.
"It was just too much," Anderson recalled.
Anderson attended a court appearance and said she asked prosecutors and the judge to hold Keating accountable for the life she took and her years on the run.
She said Keating "looked like she had been through the ringer" and that she had a "smirky grin" on her face.
Anderson said she got to read a statement on behalf of the Anderson's family.
"I'd say we as the family feel the justice system has failed us already," she said. This time, she said, she doesn't want to hear that Keating is out on bail at any point.
"I'm asking that Jean remain in jail until her sentencing."
Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com


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MSOE unveils interactive honey bee robot
MSOE unveils interactive honey bee robot
A Milwaukee School of Engineering student unveiled his 3-foot-tall fully interactive bee robot Wednesday.
SHARP Literacy Inc. first-grade students were among the first to see the robot.
The bee is based on the book "A Busy Bee: The Story of Bella the Honey Bee," a book published by SHARP Literacy Inc.
The bee is designed to make classroom learning fun and interactive.
SHARP Literacy will use Bella in its 2013 curriculum to encourage kids to push buttons to ask Bella questions and learn about bee parts.
SHARP Literacy is a Milwaukee nonprofit education program whose mission is to use art history and the visual arts as learning tools in classrooms.


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System Integrator Giants of 2013
The 100 largest system integrators in the industrial automation business—who they are and what they do.
In its second year of production, the 2013 System Integrator Giants (SI Giants) program has assembled the 100 largest system integrators based on system integration revenue for the most recently completed fiscal year. Compared to 2012 SI Giants, the 2013 metrics have significantly increased in response to the number of participating firms, making the group even more "giant" in many ways.
For 2013, all 2,387 system integrators listed in the Control Engineering Automation Integrator Guide (AIG) were asked to provide details about annual revenues, head count, client base, industries and areas served, technical skills, professional affiliations, and product experience. They also were asked about the educational opportunities available to employees and the biggest challenges they face as a company. Respondents reporting the largest system integration-related revenue are shown in the accompanying table.
In the early days of the computer industry, it was said that no one ever got fired for buying IBM, meaning that the largest vendor in the business was never a bad choice. Some would say the same is true in today's industrial automation industry when it comes to system integrators. Bigger integrators with more personnel and a broader geographic presence are arguably more adept than smaller competitors at implementing large-scale automation systems spread over multiple locations.
In practice, the advantages of hiring a larger integrator versus a smaller one probably depend on the particulars of each project, so the question of whether or not bigger is always better can never be definitively answered. Even the question of which integrators are the largest in the automation industry was a topic of debate before the 2013 System Integrator Giants survey.
The biggest change from last year is the addition of M+W Automation—the No. 1 system integrator for 2013—moving last year's leader, Wood Group Mustang, to No. 2. Everything about M+W Automation is, well, giant. Its 800 automation and control engineers outnumber the entire staff at 96 of the other SI Giants, and its $150 million integration-related revenue accounts for more than 12% of the $1.2 billion system integration revenue reported by all 100 SI Giants combined. M+W Automation's parent company, M+W Group, is even larger, with 2,000 engineers, 7,500 employees overall, and $3.5 billion in overall corporate revenue, nearly equal to the $3.6 billion overall revenue reported by the other 99 SI Giants.
The average size of the SI Giants also grew between 2012 and 2013, though mostly from the addition of several larger companies to the mix more than the growth of those returning this year. The average integration-related revenue figure rose from $876,000 to $1.2 million, the average engineering staff rose from 52 to 88 (with 50 automation engineers on average versus 36 in 2012), and the average revenue per employee rose from $187,000 to $280,000. The median income for automation system integrators in general (as represented by the other 2,287 integrators listed in the AIG) remained in the $5 million to $10 million range. See the staffing information chart for employee counts in other categories, all of which are higher for 2013.
On the other hand, survey results do show some evidence of actual growth in the automation system integration industry, at least in the sense of larger companies forming from mergers and acquisitions. More integrators reported acquiring other companies (9%) than were acquired (4%), suggesting a net gain of capital and resources for the industry.
See affiliations and industries for the 2013 SI Giants continued on page 2.
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OLYMPIA, Wash. — The state has spent $1 million helping restore 46 historic barns in the past six years and now is seeking applications to award more grants totaling $500,000.
Barns must more than 50 years old and listed on state Heritage Barn Register, the Washington Heritage Register or the National Register of Historic Places to be eligible for a grant through the state Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation.
Grants have averaged $21,000 per barn and ranged from $2,500 to $44,000, said Chris Moore, field director of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation in Seattle that contracts with the department to administer the Heritage Barn Rehabilitation Grant Program.
"The committee is not shy about recommending significant grant awards," he said.
A committee made up of representatives of the Washington Farm Bureau, the Washington Cattlemen's Association, the Washington Association of County Officials, the Washington State Association of Counties and two barn owners review applications and recommend funding to Allyson Brooks, director of the Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation.
Brooks will make the final selections early in 2014 for about a dozen grants for the 2013-2015 biennium, Moore said.
Applications are due Oct. 28. Forms may be downloaded at the department's website at www.dahp.wa.gov. Barn owners with questions may contact Moore at (206) 624-9449 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Moore said he expects 75 to 100 applications because the program is popular. Grants are matched, 50-50, with cash or in-kind labor and services by barn owners, he said. There are no restrictions or regulatory bearing on receiving a grant, he said.
The process is competitive and the committee considers historical significance, urgency of needed repairs, provision for long-term preservation and continued agricultural use, he said.
"The Heritage Barn Preservation Initiative has saved historic barns, raised awareness and educated the public about the role agriculture continues to play in economic development and heritage tourism," Brooks said.
There are 512 barns on the Heritage Barn Register with at least one in every county, Moore said. Skagit County leads with 55 heritage barns and Pierce County is a close second with 52, he said.
The oldest barn on the register is one near Rochester in Thurston County at 1859, Moore said. The next are 1860, 1864 and 1869 all in Walla Walla County, he said.


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How should business-to-business (B2B) marketers best use question-based social forums?
For business-to-business companies in particular, LinkedIn Groups, Quora and HighTable are just three examples of forums where marketers can demonstrate their knowledge.
In this article I'll cover how B2B marketers can best approach these sites and provide eight recommendations for generating qualified leads and driving sales.
Note: The examples used all come from actual Q&A site conversations, with names removed for privacy purposes.
Overview of Question and Answer–Based Sites
When Q&A social media sites first came out, they were intended for people to exchange ideas and gather information. Unfortunately spammers and non-experts took away from their usefulness for a while.


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New record high temp atop Mount Washington
January 13. 2013 6:29PM
A new record high temperature for the month of January was set atop New England's tallest peak yesterday.
Meteorologist Mike Kistner at the National Weather Service offices in Gray. Maine said weather observer Mike Carmon reported that thermometers at the Mount Washington observatory registered 48 degrees Sunday at 6 a.m., topping the previous January record high of 47 degrees, set on January 19, 1995.
Kistner said mild weather should continue across New Hampshire today, with a cold front moving through around midday to help clear out clouds and any leftover dense fog, allowing sunshine to spread across the state. Kistner said temperatures should remain seasonable, in the 30s and 40s, through much of the work week, before a burst of Arctic cold arrives Friday and into next weekend.


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- 6 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 6 tablespoons honey
- 1 1/2 teaspoons minced canned chipotle chiles
- 1 garlic clove, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 large avocado, halved, pitted, peeled
- 2 medium tomatillos, (about 4 ounces), husked, rinsed, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 teaspoon (or more) hot pepper sauce
- 6 5-ounce halibut fillets (each about 1 inch thick)
- 1 orange with skin, cut lengthwise in half, thinly sliced crosswise
- Ground cumin
Recipe Preparation
Mix all ingredients in blender until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Stir before using.
Combine all ingredients in blender; blend until smooth. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover; let stand at room temperature.
Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Make crosswise slits in each fillet, cutting to within 1/4 inch of bottom and spacing slits about 3/4 inch apart. Brush glaze over top and into slits. Place orange slices in slits. Sprinkle fish with ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Place fish, orange side up, on grill; cover and cook until fish is opaque, about 8 minutes. Using wide spatula, carefully transfer fish to platter. Let rest several minutes. Spoon avocado sauce onto plates, spreading slightly. Arrange 1 fillet over sauce on each plate and serve.


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Blog originally posted on the Office 365 blog, December 2013,
We often hear from businesses that rely on Microsoft Office to get work done, but today we're posting a conversation we recently had with Kara Page, a college senior majoring in biochemistry. Kara has been using Office since she was 13 years old and can't imagine life without tools like Word, OneNote, PowerPoint and Excel helping her through college.
Q: You've been using Office for a long time. Can you share how you're using Office to finish your biochemistry degree?
Kara: I spend a crazy amount of time in the lab and creating reports on research projects. Right now, I'm working on my thesis. One of my favourite professors shared a bunch of historical research with me, but it was all printed on paper in this massive notebook. I don't want to lug around this huge research notebook–it weighs a ton–so I'm working on compiling everything into OneNote. That way I can access the research I need for my thesis much easier on my computer, and once I graduate, I can hand off my research digitally so someone else can pick up where I left off.
I also make a ton of PowerPoint presentations and data tables in Excel. Just recently I had to write two papers and do two 30-minute presentations for one of my biochemistry classes. It was a lot of work, but after one of my presentations on a neuroscience topic I'm researching, the other people in my class told me they thought my presentation looked so good and so professional. I took all the credit for it, but really it was the templates I used in PowerPoint–I just clicked the buttons.
Q: I've also heard you're a real whiz with Excel. Can you share a little about how you use some advanced functioning for your reports?
Kara: I was attending a prep school in Miami when I started using Excel. I had a great teacher who started teaching us 13-year-olds how to use all these functions in Excel. That completely changed my life. I rely on Excel for a lot to this day, and I can see myself using it once I start my career.
Just the other weekend, I spent six hours on a lab report while everyone else spent all weekend on theirs. I created some graphs that would shift and change as I added my research, and my classmates were blown away at how easy it was. In Excel, you can make your data look really clean and change the styles. People are amazed at how fast it is and how little time it takes me to finish my reports.
I also don't keep Excel a secret–when people ask me how I did that, I show them exactly how to create tables and graphs. Those advanced functions in Excel can take a while to learn, but if you learn how to use Excel in college, you'll be set for life.
Q: Are there other ways you've found Office useful in completing your degree?
Kara: Office saves me regularly. I know I can work on a file and the formatting won't get screwy, or I can have a teacher's aide review my reports and track their changes so I can see where they made suggestions or updates. And I think that the new Student Advantage benefit will help save the day for a lot more students, too. Using Office is life changing for students–we can create better reports and better presentations if we're given the right tools. It's like a NASCAR driver using a race car instead of a minivan – you can do your best work when you have the right tools.
Q: That's a great analogy. What about using Microsoft Office to collaborate?
Kara: I love Lync. It might sound goofy, but I love the little emoticons of the cats and dogs and sheep. I'm a teacher's aide for a class that I teach to students in Ireland and Egypt, so I have a regular schedule of when I'm on Lync and available to talk to them and answer their questions. It feels really professional, and that way I don't have them texting me on my personal phone or trying to talk to me outside of my office hours.
I also use Skype a lot. My dad lives in Singapore and travels a lot, so it can be hard to get in touch with him. But we get to see each other a lot using Skype. My little brother, who is turning 4 years old, even knows how to use Skype. It's so cute, and he's already better with technology than I am!
Q: What do you want to do after you graduate? Do you feel like you're learning the skills you need for your career?
Kara: I definitely think knowing how to use Office and studying hard has prepared me for the "real world." Last summer I had an internship at a research lab for the U.S. Army and it seemed so mysterious going into it, but then I realized all they work they do there is just Excel, and I know how to use that. Everyone I worked with during that internship used Office all the time, so it was great to know my skills will transfer to the working world easily.
After I graduate, I want to work for a health research organization like Genzyme where people are learning about rare diseases, or continue a family legacy in public health started by my grandfather. I want to get other people as excited about this field as I am, and I want to share my love for technology. Scientists aren't necessarily known for producing aesthetically pleasing work, but it's so easy to do using Office.
Check out the original blog post here, and watch Kara's Video.