text:
On Air Now
Heart's Feel Good Weekend with Lilah Parsons 10pm - 1am
26 August 2015, 00:09 | Updated: 26 August 2015, 05:30
A Hampshire bridge has been named one of the best in the country for playing Poohsticks - the game made famous in the Winnie the Pooh stories.
The game, in which competitors drop sticks into a river upstream of a bridge and see which comes out downstream first, is first mentioned in The House at Pooh Corner by AA Milne, published in 1928.
Now VisitEngland's put Mottisfont in Romsey on a new list of the best places to have a game.
New research, commissioned to celebrate the release of The Poohsticks Handbook: A Poohstickopedia - a new book featuring Winnie the Pooh and friends, written by comedy writer Mark Evans and illustrated by Mark Burgess - also reveals the secrets to finding the perfect Poohstick according to a top scientist.
The formula disproves the views of more than half of Britons (57%) who believe Poohsticks is a game of sheer luck.
Egmont Publishing joined Dr Rhys Morgan, director of engineering and education at the Royal Academy of Engineering, to equip the 39% of people who already take time sourcing the perfect Poohstick with the formula to ensure they pick the speediest stick to sail to victory.
It comes after a survey of 2,000 British parents revealed that 41% of players take the time to personalise their sticks to ensure they take no chances in knowing exactly who wins.
It turns out that just 11% of Britons naturally pick the right sort of stick, with a third of people (30%) heading straight for a long and thin stick, which according to Dr Morgan is only half right.
The scientist, a father of two and avid Poohsticks player himself, said the main variables that need to be considered when designing the optimum Poohstick include cross sectional area, density/buoyancy, and the drag coefficient.
The perfect Poohstick = tubby and long, fairly heavy (but not so heavy it will sink to the bottom of the river), with quite a lot of bark to catch the flow of the river like paddles - or PP (Perfect Poohstick) = A x I x Cd.
Cross Sectional Area (A) is important and the greater the area of an object, the more drag it creates. Normally, a large cross-sectional area decreases speed, but when it comes to Poohsticks, drag is key. If more water is able to influence the trajectory of the stick, it will accelerate more quickly. So when it comes to Poohsticks the tubbier, the better.
The density (I) of the stick affects its position in the water. The fastest part of the stream is below the surface, so theoretically, a waterlogged stick which sinks into the water a little will go faster than a stick which is floating right on the surface (where it could be slowed down by wind or other external variables).
The drag coefficient (Cd) describes the shape of stick and roughness of its surface. Generally, a rough stick will create more drag than a smooth stick, so in general, bark is good. However, according to Dr Morgan, a certain roughness can make the stick apparently smoother, similar to the effect created by dimples in golf balls.
Meanwhile, VisitEngland has compiled a list of the best Poohsticks bridges alongside the original Poohsticks Bridge in Ashdown Forest in East Sussex.
The list includes bridges from Cumbria to Cornwall, including Sheepwash Bridge, Ashford in the Water in Derbyshire, Morden Hall Park in London, Heale Gardens in Salisbury, Wiltshire, Packhorse Bridge in Watendlath, Cumbria, and Mottisfont in Romsey, Hampshire.
Rebecca Lowe, head of PR at VisitEngland says:
``Poohsticks is a timeless game. From its first mention in A A Milne's 1928 classic, The House At Pooh Corner, to today, it remains a great way for families to spend time together and enjoy England's great outdoors just like Pooh.
``Our recommendations of top Poohsticks bridges are just some of the great spots to enjoy the game across the country, and will hopefully encourage families to get out and engage in some friendly competition over the Bank Holiday weekend.''
The top 12 Poohsticks-perfect bridges, as recommended by VisitEngland, are:
- Sheepwash Bridge, Ashford in the Water, Derbyshire
- Morden Hall Park, London
- Heale Gardens, Salisbury, Wiltshire
- Packhorse Bridge, Watendlath, Cumbria
- Mottisfont, Romsey, Hampshire
- Little Wittenham Bridge, Abingdon, Oxfordshire
- Mathematical Bridge, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
- New Lower Bridge, Boscastle, Cornwall
- Bridge over Bourne Eau, Bourne, Lincolnshire
- Cantlop Bridge, Shrewsbury, Shropshire
- Essex Bridge, Shugborough, Staffordshire
- Hutton-le-Hole, Ryedale, North Yorkshire


text:
SAP, Europe's leading software company, said it was mulling a sale of its TomorrowNow U.S. unit, which is at the centre of a legal battle with arch-rival Oracle.
SAP said in a statement that the chief executive of TomorrowNow -- which SAP has admitted carried out "inappropriate downloads" of Oracle material -- had resigned along with an undisclosed number of other executives.
Executive Chairman Mark White, who was installed by SAP to oversee the business conduct of TomorrowNow, will run the company. An SAP spokesman said Chief Executive Andrew Nelson and several other TommorowNow executives had resigned for "personal reasons" and declined to comment further.
"SAP said it is considering several options for the future of the TomorrowNow business, including (its) possible sale," SAP, the world's biggest maker of software that helps companies automate and standardize business processes, said Monday.
The German company ordered Nelson to report to White after U.S.-based Oracle sued SAP for "corporate theft on a grand scale," a charge that stemmed from TomorrowNow acquiring Oracle customer-support documents.
"It certainly doesn't look good for SAP when you have the management team leave under a cloud," Cowen & Co analyst Peter Goldmacher said of the departure of TomorrowNow executives.
"SAP has always enjoyed a reputation of being above the fray and a kind of gentleman in business while Oracle had a reputation for being a little bit more brass knuckles," Goldmacher said. "This certainly tarnishes SAP's reputation."
SAP bought TomorrowNow in 2005 to try to convert Oracle customers into SAP users through TomorrowNow's expertise in providing support for software made by PeopleSoft and JD Edwards -- companies that had become part of Oracle during a $20 billion buying spree.
Oracle charges that TomorrowNow, which is entitled to download some Oracle customer-support materials on behalf of customers its represents, abused this right to amass a library of Oracle documents which it shared with SAP.
SAP revealed in July that the U.S. Department of Justice was probing TomorrowNow's business dealings.
Oracle declined to comment on the changes at TomorrowNow.
Oracle and SAP are fighting their legal battle in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, where a status hearing in the case is scheduled for early next year.
SAP has said it is willing to consider a settlement but Oracle has so far signaled no interest in such a resolution.
Cowen's Goldmacher said the TomorrowNow scandal has become "a bit of a sideshow" to the broader competitive battle between Oracle and SAP. He recommends investors buy Oracle shares while cautioning SAP may underperform the market.
He said Oracle's strategy of relentlessly acquiring three-dozen companies in the past three years has marginalized SAP's dominance in business applications, transforming Oracle into a broad-based supplier not just of applications, but also middleware and databases that can all work together.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Millennials want their own business, shows research
Over 35 per cent of millennials want to be their own bosses and have their own business, according to a new study from Opinium Research.
The research found that over 50 per cent of millennials hope to become self-employed by the time they reach their late 20s.
Over 60 per cent of those wishing to be self-employed said that creating something that is their own was the main appeal, while 54 per cent cited the prospective flexible working hours as the main reason for wanting to work for themselves.
Over 45 per cent of millennials also believe that owning their own business will enable them to make a lot of money.
The research also revealed a gender gap when it comes to millennials running their own business, with 20 per cent of young men who want to be their own boss hoping to move into technology, compared to just 2 per cent of young women.
Women were found to be more interested in the creative industry, with 15 per cent wishing to start up their own business as an author or artist, compared to just 8 per cent of men.
Commenting on the gender barriers in certain industries, Opinium Research Researcher, Rachael Camp, said: "Although we're not short of young entrepreneurial woman, their lack of presence in the booming tech industry should prompt the tech leaders to consider why and what can be done to change this."
Erin O'Neill is an LSBF News Writer who reports on small business, careers, technology and education news.


text:
Delighted to have a new single to share from the down-to-earth, but utterly psychotic duo The Lovely Eggs.
Sick of hearing people crowing about how many drugs they've done on a night out or at a festival, their retort is a big fuck-you to the pricks with a typically surreal insight into their crazy world.
Appropriately titled Drug Braggin', it is a brilliant fuzzed up freakout; a mind-melting sludge pot of psych-pop and punked up fury.
Follow @madmackerel


text:
Katy is Rule29's ray of sunshine.
Connect with Katy
Hailing from the south suburbs of Chicago, Katy is a midwesterner true and true. After graduating from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, she brought her talents to the big city where she has worked for a variety of agencies and clients. Here at Rule29 she's the reigning champ of positivity and is known for her bright and cheery attitude especially when answering the phone. Her favorite things to do include drinking tea, listening to a Cubs game, and eating every type of pizza. When not doing one of those things you can usually find Katy in her hammock watching Law and Order SVU.


text:
Training Groups help you organize your swimmers based on their workout habits. Ideally these groups of swimmers will all be performing the same workout during practice.
If you normally divide your swimmers into groups, and have each group run modifications of the main workout, training groups are for you.
For example, let's say we have a group of Distance Freestylers and a group of Sprinters who are training together during a workout, but their sets deviate slightly after the warmup. By assigning each swimmer to their training group, you can now monitor each group during the workout and review workout sessions in TritonWear Insights by Training Group.
We recommend you start using Training Groups, as we will be releasing many exciting features over the next few months that take advantage of these groups.
To get started with Training Groups, take a look at these articles:
- Setting Up Training Groups - You can now create new training groups and assign users to them in TritonWear Insights.
- Removing or Reassigning a swimmer from a Training group - Sometimes you may want to move swimmers from one group to another, or you want to move a swimmer to a special group (e.g. Injury group) for a period of time to monitor them more closely.
- Using Training Groups in TritonWear Live (the mobile app) - Once your training groups have been created, TritonWear Live loads them in and enables different ways to monitor your groups. Every now and then, you might have a swimmer who can't swim with their group (e.g. due to injury). In this event you might want to assign them to a different Training Group, or create a new temporary training group for this swimmer.


text:
The market study report by reportsvale.com entitled "Global Portable Mini Fridge Market Insights, Forecast to 2025" emphasizes on changing dynamics, growth-driving factors, restraints, and limitations. This allows understanding of the Global Seed Germination Trays market and benefits from any fruitful opportunities available in the report. It includes a detailed analysis of the Global Portable Mini Fridge in customer requirements, customer preferences, and the competitive landscape of the overall market. The study is divided into two segments i.e type and applications.
A FREE SAMPLE CAN BE REQUESTED HERE – https://reportsvalue.com/report/global-portable-mini-fridge-market-insights-forecast-to-2025/#Free-Sample-Report
The competition in the global Portable Mini Fridge Market is analyzed, taking into consideration price, revenue, sales, and market share by company, market concentration rate, competitive situations and trends, expansion, merger and acquisition, and market shares of top 5 and 10 companies.
The study includes the following key players in the Portable Mini Fridge market-
- Danby
- Dometic
- Engel
- EdgeStar
- Electrolux
- Haier
- Koolatron
- Whirlpool
- Whynter
- AGA Marvel
- Avanti Products
- Coleman
- Gourmia
- Kegco
- Felix Storch
- FridgeFreeze
- Igloo
- LG Electronics
- Midea
Detailed Segmentation of the market:
By Type-
- Indoor Type
- Outdoor Type
By Application-
- Residential
- Commercial
- Institutional
Based on regions, the market is expected to grow across various geographic regions, such as:-
- United States
- China
- European Union
- Rest of World (Japan, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia)
A FULL REPORT CAN BE ACCESS FROM HERE – https://reportsvalue.com/report/global-portable-mini-fridge-market-insights-forecast-to-2025/
There are 13 chapters to present the Portable Mini Fridge Market.
Table of contents –
1. Report Overview
2. Global Growth Trends
3. Market Share by Manufacturers
4. Portable Mini Fridge Market Size by Type
5. Portable Mini Fridge Market Size by Application
6. Production by Regions
7. Portable Mini Fridge Consumption by Regions
8. Company Profiles
9. Portable Mini Fridge Market Forecast
10. Value Chain and Sales Channels Analysis
11. Opportunities & Challenges, Threat and Affecting Factors
12. Key Findings
13. Appendix
Access full report with TOC – https://reportsvalue.com/report/global-portable-mini-fridge-market-insights-forecast-to-2025/#Table-Of-Contents
About ReportsValue – Reportsvalue is developed to provide the best and most important research required to all commercials to all commercial, industries and profit-making ventures in any sectors of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestics and international businesses. Reportsvalue has access to the world's most comprehensive and up-to-date database in your business sectors, including countless market reports that can provide you with valuable data relating to your business we understood the need of our client, and keep our reports updated as market requirement changes.
Customize the study? Contact us at [email protected] to ensure you get a report that suits your needs.


text:
5-10 October 2014: 30th Congress of the International Academy of Pathology
Datexim led a conference at the IPA 2014 in Bangkok ("30th Congress of the International Academy of Pathology 2014"), based on the successful use of the Datexim Pathology Suite in the detection of mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung which is often asbestos-related.
The project, headed by Datexim and the University Hospital of Caen, has significantly improved the quality and effectiveness of collaborative diagnostics in the field. Pathologists from around the world now have the opportunity to share their virtual cell samples with a simple ergonomic software tool.
For Datexim, presenting this article will reinforce the company's reputation with leading experts and decision-makers in the field of pathology. This recognition covers both the quality of service with highly specialized customers, and the high technical performance of its solutions.


text:
Seeking an opportunity to give back to his adopted home of St. Croix, award-winning chef Todd Manley found an authentic ingredient true to the history of the island. Versatile and rich in history, breadfruit has a legacy that begins in Tahiti, had a role in the most famous mutiny tale ever told, and ultimately fed the populations of the Caribbean. Todd found a kindred spirit in Double Gold Medal-winning distiller Chris Richeson, and they have for the first time ever distilled the precious ingredients of breadfruit and water, yielding a luxurious Island Vodka that takes you to the trade winds and blue waters of its island home. Each bottle bears their signatures as a commitment to providing the world's first and finest Island Vodka.
Conceived on the island of St. Croix and perfected in the year of the hurricanes, Mutiny Island Vodka unleashes an unforgettable taste as distinctive as its Caribbean heritage.


text:
Our Newsletter
January 3, 2010 on 8:12 pm
You hear all of these terms on a routine basis and perhaps have a general idea of what they all mean, but many people don't really understand what the differences are between these categories of eating patterns.
If you are thinking about cutting meat out of your diet or following one of these plans for improved health, consider what makes them stand apart before you pick one and get started.
Raw Foods Diet
Raw food diets get a bad rap because many people see them as radical and highly dangerous. There are some plans that are too restrictive and can become dangerous to your health, but there are also hundreds of thousands of people who follow a more healthful version of the raw foods diet.
Most people refer to this as a "diet" but for true raw foodism followers this is a way of life. A genuine raw foodist will consume only natural grown foods in their natural state. There is some minor cooking that is allowed, where temperatures around 118 and below are maintained, but nothing heavy enough to remove the vitamins, minerals, and enzymes out of the foods.
Many people who prescribe to the raw foods diet will eat something processed or cooked once in awhile, but many others completely cut those foods out.
Since meat is not a raw, natural grown food source the raw foods diet is a vegetarian plan. It is just a bit more extreme than the lifestyle most vegetarians lead.
Whole Foods Diet
This term is used interchangeably by people who don't understand what this diet is all about. This plan is actually not vegetarian for many people, though it is lumped in with vegetarianism out of ignorance.
On a whole foods diet the focus is on eating foods that have not been processed or chemically altered. The focus is on eating organic produce, whole grains and organic or free range meats. Chicken, dairy, and seafood are also allowed on the plan. Refined white pasta would naturally be replaced with 100% whole grain pasta, and so on.
When done right, a whole foods diet is incredibly healthy. It is perhaps the healthiest diet you will ever find because it keeps your body nourished while cutting out your risk of deadly diseases. It is also the best thing you could do for your weight loss goals. It's a shame so many people mistake it as an extreme diet like the raw food diet!
A vegan will cut all animal products and byproducts out of their diet. They do not believe in using animals as a source of sustenance and in most cases this is a lifestyle taken on out of personal beliefs.
In order to follow a vegan plan you have to learn how to combine foods in specific ways to ensure you get all the nutrients you need. While veganism is often lumped with the raw food diet because they can be equally extreme, you are free to cook and season your food all you want on a vegan diet as long as everything you eat is plant sourced.
There are a lot of different types of vegetarians out there and veganism is one of them. Those who take it to a lesser extreme may cut out meat but still eat eggs and dairy products better known as a lacto-ovo vegetarian. Some claim this isn't quite as healthy, but it is a lot safer since more foods are included.
Fruit & Vegetable Juicers


text:
Darien baseball team wins in walk-off style against Warde
Recommended Video:
DARIEN -- Senior leadership. That was the theme of Darien's critical 5-4 walk-off victory over the visiting Fairfield Warde Mustangs Friday.
After surrendering a run in the top of the seventh allowing Warde to pull even at 4-4, Andrew Maley stepped to the plate for what would become a seven-pitch at bat against Warde's Reece Maniscalco.
On the seventh pitch with the count full, Maley connected for a sharply hit ground ball off the glove of the Warde second baseman and into center field for the game-winning single, scoring Nick Pettit.
"I was just trying to have a good two-strike approach after getting down pretty early in the count. I just wanted to keep my hands in and I got a pitch I could drive and poked it up the middle," Maley said. "Coming out and grinding this one out is huge for us because we can maybe sneak into (the FCIAC tournament)."
Maley's heroics may not have even been possible had it not been for the clutch hitting of fellow senior captain Carl Stowell, who went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles all of his team's first three RBI.
Perhaps the most crucial of those hits came in the bottom of the fifth, when Stowell came to the plate with two outs and Darien down 2-1 with runners on the corners. Stowell's deep drive scored pinch runner Dylan Carruthers from third and Pettit from first for the 3-2 lead. His first double cut Darien's deficit to 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth and his single came one batter ahead of Maley's walk-off knock.
"The way we came back in the last inning is just incredible," Stowell said. "I saw the runners in scoring position and was trying the best I could do put it in play and hopefully get it into the outfield."
"We got down early to a scrappy team. It looked for a while like we were going through the motions and didn't have our `A' game," Darien coach Mike Scott said. "Our pitchers did a great job keeping us in the game and giving our offense and chance to get back in it. So I was really proud of the way the guys fought back today."
Warde took a 2-0 second inning lead when Michael Foley hit a run-scoring sacrifice fly to center and Tommy Luckner hit an RBI single.
Trailing 3-2, Warde pulled even in the top of the sixth on an RBI single by Christian Sabella.
Facing a 4-3 deficit and down to their final three outs, the Mustangs again tied the game when Pete Detrik hit a one-out double and scored on an RBI double by Anthony Miller before Darien reliever Liam Naughton got out of the inning with a strikeout.
Both starting pitchers, Warde's Justin Triunfo and Darien's Ames Murray, pitched deep into the game and consistently limited the damage.
Triunfo went five innings while giving up three runs, four hits, two hit batters and striking out two. Murray logged five and a third innings of three-run ball while allowing six hits and a pair of walks and notching one strikeouts.
"It's a game that was decided by a couple plays we didn't make and a few opportunities we didn't cash in on," Warde coach Mark Caron said. "It was a play decided by a couple plays we didn't make and a couple big opportunities we didn't cash in on. They had some opportunities and they made the most of them."
email@example.com; Twitter: @jchik17
Darien 5, Fairfield Warde 4
Records: Fairfield Warde 8-8, 8-6 FCIAC; Darien8-8, 7-7. Batteries: FW--Justin Triunfo, Reece Maniscalco (L) and Anthony Miller; D--Ames Murray, Liam Naughton (W) and Anthony DiMeglio. Highlights: FW--Michael Foley, Tommy Luckner and Christian Sabella all had an RBI single. D--Carl Stowell went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two doubles. Connor Davey went 2-for-3 with an RBI single. Andrew Maley had a walk-off single.


text:
Tour the city highlights of Perth and it's coastal neighbour Fremantle aboard this morning tour. Take in city and beach views and catch a glimpse of the alfresco lifestyle of the Western Australian capital.
Take in the sights of King's Park Botanical Gardens and it's views back to the city skyline. See the Western Australia Cricket Ground (WACA) and iconic Swan Bell tower at the Barack Street Jetty as well as the Perth Mint, Old Swan Brewery and St Georges Terrace, Perth's main street. Views of Swan River and the famous Cottesloe beach en-route to the historic port of Fremantle with it's docks, marinas and charming heritage sandstone buildings. Take a stroll on South Terrace and perhaps drop into the local shops or market before returning to Perth to conclude the day.
Children aged between 4-14 years old.
Once this experience has been confirmed, changes are at the discretion of the experience provider and arranged directly with them according to this policy:
This experience tours Perth CBD.


text:
After a night of what seemed like luxury compared to our jungle hut experience, we were picked up from our hotel in Ban Lung by the minibus that we had booked the night before. We started of the journey thinking, quite naively, that we might be the only people on the bus to Sen Monorom, but the driver continued to collect people until there were 18 people on this 14-seater minibus. It definitely wasn't the most comfortable journey, but thankfully it only took a total of three hours.
Our accommodation, Greenhouse Guesthouse, was a short walk from where the bus dropped us off, so we went there to check into our rooms before heading down the road to their café for lunch. The guesthouse, with its bright green walls, was our accommodation of choice due to its links with booking activities, treks and elephant sanctuary visits.
As we were pretty exhausted from the previous couple of days and anticipated a busy few to come, the majority of the afternoon and evening was spent eating cake at Phka café, drinking cocktails at Chilli on the Rocks and devouring amazing stone oven baked pizzas at Mondulkiri Pizza – all whilst deciding what to do for the next few days, of course.
Our main decision was to decide whether to do an overnight homestay in an ethnic minority village. We knew that we wanted to spend some time at an elephant sanctuary, as well as doing a trek, but the cheapest way to combine these was to stick an overnight stay in the middle. Everyone was a little bit concerned about whether or not I would be able to cope with sleeping in a hammock in a wooden hut with a grass roof after the Yaklom ordeal, but I was persuaded in the end by the fact that the hammock would have a mosquito net zipped onto it, that the fires that they light inside their huts keep the insects out and that someone from the village and the guide would sleep in the hut too.
Before arriving at the elephant location the next morning, we stopped at an ethnic minority village (though not the one at which we would spend the night), to learn about some of the farming they did, and customs and traditions they upheld that differed to the rest of Cambodia.
Once we arrived at the part of the jungle where the elephants lived, we had to walk a fair bit to find them. Because these were rescued elephants who were completely free to roam the jungle, there were no fences, no chains, nothing keeping them in captivity at all. However, they did wear bells so that the guides would be able to tell if they were nearby. Meeting the elephants was a lot scarier than I had anticipated, and although we were told to be assertive when offering them food so that they would trust you, this just seemed to make me more nervous. You don't quite realise the sheer size of an elephant until it is freely stood right next to you.
After we'd fed the elephants and learnt a little about them, we were sent off to a waterfall to have our lunch, whilst the guides encouraged the elephants to join us at the waterfall to be washed. Anyone was welcome to get into the water to help with the cleaning, but I decided to stay on the side and watch, as I didn't think that my occasional fear of water combined with my slight apprehension with the elephants would be the best combination. I promise I'm not scared of everything.
Before we made our last journey to the village, we were taken to a coffee plantation to take a look at the wide variety of crops that were planted and farmed in the Mondulkiri province.
We took some time to wander around the village once we arrived, which mostly involved interacting with some of the children who were pulling faces at us and looking at all of the animals that would be surrounding us that night.
It felt really strange zipping yourself into a hammock in a hut made of elephant grass, surrounded by animal noises (and large spiders, which I pretended to myself that I hadn't seen). As the toilet was in a hut down a bit of a hill from our hut that involved passing multiple cows, getting up in the middle of the night became a group experience. When you're in a place with no electric lights, it's amazing how bright the moonlight is.
To our relief, the night passed with no insect or creature-related incidents like our last experience. That is besides the moment when a cat that had found its way into the hut screeched really loudly from right under our hut, and in my half-asleep state I sat bolt upright (well as much as you can when you're cocooned in a hammock) and swore quite loudly. In fact, it is Vicky who has a fear of cats, so I'm not sure why I had such a shock…
Waking up early was unavoidable in a village where farming takes precedence, but we had to be up early anyway to begin our trek into the jungle. We set off at 8:30am with our guides and didn't return to the village until about 4pm. Fairly early into our journey one of the guides made us each a walking stick, which just seemed like a bit of fun at the time, but it became an essential tool when it came to trekking down extremely steep slopes. My feet just couldn't seem to stop trying to slide the whole way down, and one of the guides ended up having to grip hold of my wrist for long periods of time to stop me from whizzing off and tumbling hundreds of metres down.
The mid-point of the trek was a waterfall, where the guides made us lunch by starting a fire and using the inside of a bamboo trunk to cook the food.
Perhaps the hardest part of the trek was when we came back to crossing the river. Of course we assumed that there would be a fallen tree trunk across the river, in the same way that we had crossed the river earlier. No, this time we had to remove our walking boots and wade through the water. This was a lot trickier than it looked; the current was stronger than anything I'd felt before and the rocks were extremely slippery to walk on. It was like every element of nature wanted to throw you down the river, and it took every bit of strength to keep yourself upright and moving forwards.
By the time we reached the final hill to climb, we were all dreaming about the pizza and cake we had eaten a couple of days before, so that's exactly where we headed once we'd arrived back in Sen Monorom.
But what we didn't learn until the next day, on our 10-hour journey to Sihanoukville, was that this was a huge mistake…
I also vlogged our stay which gives an even better impression of Sen Monorom, so give that a watch and subscribe to my YouTube channel so you don't miss the vlogs from the rest of the trip!


text:
A supermodel deserves a supersized engagement ring to match, and Kate Upton is no exception. The Sports Illustrated model revealed that her longtime boyfriend, Justin Verlander, had popped the question when she debuted her new diamond engagement ring on the Met Gala red carpet last week. And since then, we've been clamoring for another look at her stunning sparkler. Our wish was granted over the weekend when the newly engaged Upton took her bling to the Kentucky Derby for a little schmoozing and sparkling, giving us a chance to get up close and personal with her giant (and gorgeous!) engagement ring.
Nyquist the horse may have won the Derby cup, but who are we kidding? Upton's dazzling diamond is the real winner here. "I'm really excited," the supermodel told E! News when she first revealed her and Verlander's — the starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers — engagement on the Met Gala red carpet. "He asked me right before the season started, so we've been keeping it on the down low for quite a while. So I'm excited to finally be able to share it with the world!" And we couldn't be more excited to have caught another glimpse at the glittering gorgeousness at the Derby!
Photo: Getty Images
During the swanky weekend, Upton donned both a tailored green dress with a Derby hat, and a super sleek pantsuit, pairing both outfits with the best accessory of all — her engagement bling!
While at first glance the ring may just look like a classic round-cut solitaire sparkler (supersized, of course), Upton's engagement ring actually totes a pretty unique twist in the setting and band, courtesy of jeweler Anita Ko, who worked with Upton's fiancé to customize the ring.
Photo: Getty Images
"Justin and I collaborated on creating the most perfect one-of-a-kind ring that is rare and of exceptional quality, just like their love," Ko shared with People, explaining how the center diamond is set inside "swags" of pavé stones. Too cool!
Here's hoping the supermodel's wedding dress will be just as unique as her engagement ring. We already have some suggestions...
Photo: Getty Images


text:
Megajoule told me to tear it all down. He meant OPI and the way things were run. Break the leg that never set properly so it can reset and heal. I've done that, I think. At least the breaking.
He said to build the world anew. People didn't need to be capes. They needed to be good.
Everyone is afraid, I think. I'm afraid of what that looks like; the long and thorny path that I will have to traverse just to arrive there. But my legs feel like they move without my permission, my will drives me toward that goal even when I want nothing more than a nice, soft bed, and a good night of sleep, and Bedevil nestled into my chest.
I want those things, but I need more.
I need the world I'm chasing.
So, New Foundation. It's an apt name. Crack the old foundation — OPI — and replace it with something else. Show people how to be good.
Archimedes was most certainly not happy with the deal I made. Oracle and Linear understood, Templar was indifferent. "Had to happen sometime," she said to me. "Where else were we going to get money?" She scoffed at the idea of accepting donations, even though we've already agreed to open a fund people can donate to if they wish.
Cynic was handed off to the US capes without issue, I hear. They sedated her for the hand off, a fact that the capes found funny but didn't object to when Archimedes told them she'd gone rabid over the decision. As far as I know, the US hasn't accused New Foundation of anything or set up any sanctions, but President Genz told me that negotiations with them were tense. They knew something happened to her power.
As far as I know, she hasn't been tried yet. I've been paying more attention to the world and the media coming out of the States is quiet.
Krater, despite my best efforts, moved back to Houston before they closed the borders. "Sorry, little man. I'm Houston's Hero. I'm glad I got to help you and glad I got to help this city, but it's time I went back home. You've got my number, though. You can call anytime," he told me.
I tried to convince him to become an Inheritor, but he was steadfast. I suppose that's why I wanted him for the team and why I admire him. Even though we fought and shook the city of Houston, he's a good man. A great one. I do plan on calling him.
Longinus could not be convinced, either. However, he elected to remain in Buenos Aires as a religious counselor to New Foundation, a prospect that Archimedes thoroughly derided but ultimately allowed. I like the idea, a spiritual guide that can perhaps help capes sort out some of their trauma — even if he has a long way to go on his own.
Flashfire, also, was not interested in becoming an Inheritor. Instead, he joined New Foundation as a sort of rep for masks looking to go legit with us. A place he can leverage his charisma and his past as a mask all at once. Thanks to him, we've already gained three new recruits from the streets: Torn, a young man that can slice through any inert material with the tip of his finger; Chase, a woman with super speed and a great sense of acrobatics; and Tremble, a young girl that creates tremors by stomping her feet.
Of course, I'm translating their names from Spanish. I've actually had to speak it a lot, now that I live in Argentina. I'm glad I picked it up from my days slinging burgers and working as a cook in random fast food places.
How far I've come since Houston. Since Colorado. Since the lab.
I hope he's proud of me.
Bedevil checks my costume one last time. We're making the announcement for New Foundation and the Inheritors today. With that came a new look. A white spandex suit that's a bit too skin-tight for my liking, built from the same material that my old suit had, meaning it can store vibrational energy. To invoke my old mask costume, though, and the idea of Home Run, I wear a red letterman jacket with white sleeves. And my goggles, of course. And a baseball bat, but I'm not gonna lug that to an announcement speech.
I run my hands through my hair. I still dye it brownish red. I could let it grow out blond, like Megajoule, but that just doesn't feel like me.
Bedevil's in the outfit Archimedes made, sans her cape. She smiles up at me. "You're ready?"
I nod. It took weeks of arguing and drafting and bickering and Archimedes reminding me that I'm not actually a leader or on the board, I'm just a ceremonial headpiece. Oracle would then remind him that I'm more than that, and round and round it went.
Until we settled on our organization. Honestly, I've not got a head for this, but the basic gist is we're somewhat of a non-profit, like a charity or something, or Doctors Without Borders (Archimedes was very mean to me when I suggested Capes Without Borders and also said I'd managed to wrangle one around us anyway by agreeing to President Genz' terms).
That brings us to today. The announcement. I may be a ceremonial leader but I am the spokesperson and so I'm the one making the speech.
There's a crowd of reporters from all over the world in the New Foundation courtyard, and a small podium set up for me to speak at. Archimedes, Linear, Templar, Oracle, and Flashfire sit at one set of chairs behind the podium, with room for Bedevil, and Maisa, Mr. Gold, Remise, Epione sit in the row behind them, with a chair for me to sit next to them. All of them are in suits that Archimedes designed over the last couple of weeks.
President Genz and a few of the higher up Argentinian officials are also here, to the right side, with another row behind them with UWC officials. Meltdown sits among their number. Her belly shows a lot more, now. I'm not sure how far along she is. I know she'll become an Inheritor once she's past her maternity leave, though. We've already agreed on it.
I stand before the podium. Bedevil sits at her seat, and I stare out over what feels like a sea of reporters and onlookers. I'd say several hundred stand in the courtyard. Who knows how many are watching across the world at this point?
I clear my throat. I turn the speech that we all wrote together in my head, scared I'll forget something fundamental.
"I've thought for a while now what I wanted to say when I had everyone's ear," I start. The words fumble around in my chest so that I speak with a slight stutter, but once I've gotten over that, I speak with fluid confidence. "The truth is, I won't be speaking for just myself, though. I'm speaking for New Foundation."
"OPI has been laid bare, the leadership revealed as corrupt and broken. For some, this is not a surprise. For others, this shook their world so badly that they've elected to leave the United Western Continent." The United States wasn't alone in this. Brazil ended up leaving, and so did Mexico. "There are many who wondered about what comes next and what sort of structure would replace OPI. I'm not here to offer a solution to that problem, because OPI doesn't need a replacement or a substitute. The world doesn't need another cape organization that will become Orwellian watchdogs or out of control celebrities. It needs public servants that are willing to be accountable. It needs healers and helpers more than it needs heroes.
"I use hero in the old sense, in the sense of mighty men that bent rivers to their end—" Archimedes wrote this bit, it waxes poetic for a while. "—and rode chariots through the skies. I use it in the sense of flawed demi-gods that wounded more than they rescued, that killed more than saved. These make for great stories, true, but they do not make for a safe and better Earth.
"So, our resolution, and mine, as the face of New Foundation, is that we are helpers. The old Foundation was built on this idea. They emblazoned the words above their door and hoped it would be a guiding star, but somewhere along the way we lost sight of that. We lost our guiding star."
I pause, the weight of those words heavy on my mind. Then, I launch into the announcement.
"New Foundation will be a non-profit organization that is publicly accountable to the world. We're here to help, not to rule. We're here to build, not to tear down. We're here to become better than we were, every day. You will always be able to talk to us through any number of venues, through phone or mail, through the internet, or hell, an old fashioned letter if you want."
This elicits a few laughs from the crowd. For the first time since I started speaking, I notice their individual faces rather than the mass. I see the trees, not the forest. They are smiling, they have hope in their eyes, and they believe what I am saying.
I am glad, because it's true.
"We're here to help build a better world. We're here to help provide aid to those who need it. We're here to help." Now for the final piece, the cherry on top. "Almost everyone knows me as Gabe, now. The Son of Megajoule. I have to confess that wasn't the truth, when I told the world that. It was a lie I'd told myself for years because it was easier than the truth. Now, everyone seems to know it, so it doesn't matter. I am a clone of Megajoule.
"Megajoule left behind a legacy, some powerful words, a name, and a team. I've been asked if I will take up his mantle, but you can see by my costume that I am not. I am also not going to borrow his slogan, as inspiring as it is."
"If you need me, my mantle is Aethon. I'm here to help."
Aethon. It was a name Epione suggested to me repeatedly through our meetings and negotiations with the Argentinians. Aethon. It means blazing, shining, or radiant.
It is a declaration: I am light. I am light. I am light.
Perhaps a touch arrogant to call myself their guiding star, but that's what I want to become.
"There is one thing he left that I find useful, though, and it is the team he left when he died. I am restarting the Inheritors with the guidance of New Foundation and the UWC."
Maisa, Mr. Gold, Remise, and Epione stand. Meltdown doesn't, not yet, since she won't be a part until all is said and done.
There is applause. That surprises me. I chuckle, an honest expression that starts other people laughing, even as the applause goes on.
I close my eyes and see nothing. There is no one ahead of me. I glance over my shoulder and see a few figures in my mind's eye. I recognize Home Run in his black mask and leather jacket. Behind him I see a young man unsure of where he is, or who he is. I know I'm not quite what he imagined — he imagined Megajoule standing here in his helmet and his armor — but I'm glad I'm not. I'm glad I'm different.
I made it.
I am here.
Later, after the ceremony and Archimedes and the President and endless questions and speeches, we have a party in the command room of New Foundation, using the jagged stone table to host a feast for visitors. It's actually a gigantic party for the reporters and the visitors, with food vendors all throughout the building and courtyard. We keep the gates open for anyone who wants to come. Part of me is a bit paranoid that someone will attack, but no one does.
I'm sure if they thought about it, Aethon and the Inheritors made them think twice.
I am so happy to see my friends celebrating. I am so proud of how far we've all come together. We're out of our costumes, we're just people enjoying each other's company now.
One thing that makes me uncomfortable about the party is the champagne and wine. Bedevil, too, is uncomfortable. I know she is because she winces every time a glass is passed in front of her nose.
I grab her hand and pull her close after we spend an hour at the party. "Come with me."
"Anywhere," she replies, and she follows me out of the command room, through the HQ, and to our apartment. She follows me to our balcony, where I pull her up into the sky, thousands of feet above the city and the ocean. We fly until the setting sun crowns back over the horizon to catch a bit more of the fire. I wrap us in an envelop of heat so that she doesn't freeze this high up, and I cradle her into my chest.
We dance in the night sky, waltz through the clouds. I fly with her up and up, trading kisses and letting her go to soar on her own, and catching her before too long. She smiles and whoops, she laughs and she cries. She is so perfect. I am so in love with her.
I pull her close. "Do you want to fuck?"
Bedevil is scandalized by my sudden offer. "You mean up here?"
"I do," I say, gripping her waist. "You can say no."
"We're in the sky," she says.
"You've never wanted to make love in the sky?" I ask.
Bedevil's cheeks blush. She gazes into my eyes. "What about our clothes?"
"You can hold them with telekinesis."
"What if I drop them?"
"We'll fly back naked, then."
Bedevil laughs her goofy laugh. It's not a ladylike titter like Epione, but a full-throated guffaw. I love her laugh, it makes me laugh and it makes me smile.
She stops laughing and puts her left hand on my shoulder, walking her fingers up my neck. "We were having such a romantic moment, too…"
"Sex with me isn't romantic?"
Bedevil pulls me to her lips.
She doesn't drop our clothes.
Instead of returning back to our apartment after our flight, we trespass into a closed park in downtown Buenos Aires. It's a lovely little garden with a pond, perfect for a night time stroll.
Perfect for what I have in mind.
Bedevil skips along the railing and looks over the pond, gawking at the swirl of color reflected on the dark surface. The water stirs up by itself, by her power, and she laughs as the lights dance in the ripples for her. The dark bushes of roses sigh around her with the late night ocean breeze, as if she stepped out of a Van Gogh painting.
My heart pounds as she turns around and smiles at me. My fingers can't help but find their way into my pocket, to the ring I've forged for her.
Bedevil giggles. She folds her hands behind her back, saunters up to me with a grin on her face, and asks, "What?"
I clear my throat and find the courage to speak, but I can barely hear the words over my heartbeat in my ears. "I have something I've been meaning to ask you."
"And what's that?" Bedevil asks, grinning at me.
"I… er… well." My face is burning up and my chest feels like somebody has me in a vice grip. The smooth, confident Gabe from earlier is gone. This is entirely new territory for me. "I know you're supposed to talk about it first but we haven't had the chance and we've said 'I love you,' and I do love you and I know I might be springing this on you and feel free to say no." I swallow and breathe, unable to say more. Unable to actually ask the damn question.
Bedevil, however, realizes what bush I am beating around. Her grin is gone, replaced with wide-eyed shock and a slack jaw. Within two seconds, the shock starts to change places with her trademark ugly sob. "Yes," she chokes out between tears. "Yes."
I'm surprised to find that I have a lump in my throat. "I haven't even asked you, yet."
Bedevil wipes her eyes. Her nose is red and sniffling, tears drip off her chin, and she has a huge smile. God, it's the most perfect smile I have ever seen. "Ask it so I can say yes!"
I drop to one knee and pull the ring out of my pocket. "Would you like to become Ruby Wayland?"
Cynic woke from her drug induced slumber to find herself tied to a chair. She took careful stock of her environment. The buzzing of plane engines just outside told her that she was in an aircraft, and the vast cavern she found herself in was obviously the hold of a cargo plane.
The three US capes that interrupted her trial stood before her. Even if she had her power, she wouldn't have been able to read their minds — they wore their masks. The demon woman, the red bucket man, and the bird man all stared at her, still as trees now that she'd woken.
Cynic struggled to breathe and keep her eyes open. She couldn't quite summon and words, but the chair clattered as she moved her arms.
"You're awake," the bird man said. "Good. I'm glad, Cynic."
He strode over, his walk arrogant and mighty. Cynic expected the demon woman would be the one to talk to her, being the leader, so she was taken aback when he took a knee to meet her at eye level.
He reached up and took off his helmet, and revealed that he was Nero.
Cynic gasped.
Nero grinned at her. His veins coursed with energy, his eyes were alive with light. "Hello, Cynic. It's been a few weeks."
"N…ero?" Cynic asked. "You… you went back to the US?"
"I did." He didn't look ashamed that he'd run, but rather was proud of his decision. "I ran because I saw the winds changing when Gabe and his crew showed up to fight. I saw the winds changing when the US kicked us out."
"You're a coward," she said.
"No, I'm a survivor. And you got stupid these last years, so I decided to ally myself to someone with a little more sense. I'm not going down with OPI or your ass backwards ship, Cynic, I'm going to live as I always have. I'm going to fuck models in my penthouse and I'm going to take care of my gerbil." Nero pursed his lips. "And you're going to give us the data on your drive."
Cynic scowled. "Argentina and the UWC already took it."
"Sure, they got copies of the data, but they don't have the drive, do they?" Nero asked. "It's in your pacemaker. And not everything you gathered is public knowledge."
"You don't want me for my power?" Cynic asked.
"I am very certain that they already took it." Nero couldn't have looked more smug. He knew she was entirely at his mercy. "Am I right?"
Cynic stammered. "You're not… you're…" She'd planned to use it to leverage the US against New Foundation. She'd planned to spark a conflict and take the heat off her back. Nero's expression was dashing all the hope of that plan.
"I'd make introductions for my associates, but what's the point?" Nero stood up. He held out his hand. "For what it's worth, thank you for making me the man I am today."
Nero plunged his burning hand into her chest. Shock was her last emotion. Agony her last thought.
Kassandra finished making tea. She scooped two sugars in, just as father had asked. There was a moment of hesitation to bringing it to him, a small thought that screamed out to her that she shouldn't bring it to him, but that thought disappeared with the familiar beat of the swing band over the speakers.
Kassandra shook her head and brought the tea out of the kitchen, to father's study.
Father sat at his desk and watched the news with a leery grin on his face. He looked much the same as he always did, dressed in a button up Hawaiian t-shirt and jeans. His scraggly beard grew in patches that revealed old scars where hair did not grow. He rapped the desk with his fingers in a halting beat that revealed the missing fingers of his hands — his pinkies, his right middle finger, his left index.
Father smiled at her. "Thank you, Kassie." His teeth were falsely perfect — shiny and metal.
Kassandra glanced at the TV after setting the tea in front of father. It was the Son of Megajoule making some kind of speech. The scrolling text said, "GABE, THE SON OF MEGAJOULE, ANNOUNCES THE CREATION OF NEW FOUNDATION—"
She shuddered. Why should his face make her shudder? Megajoule's face never made her shudder, but Gabe's did. She'd seen him on the news a few times since he'd become famous. And each time, her skin crawled. Was it hate?
Kassandra didn't know.
"They keep calling him the Son of Megajoule," father said.
"Yes," Kassandra said.
Father scoffed, and then he laughed. "It's just not true, you know."
"I know," Kassandra said.
"Really, he's my son, isn't he?" father asked.
"Yes," Kassandra said. "He's yours."
Kassandra knew then why she shuddered. For a brief moment it screamed through her head before the swing band rattling over the speakers silenced her thoughts.
It was fear for her brother.


text:
Insurance / Medicare
A majority of exams and treatments provided by Atlantic Eye are covered by private insurance and Medicare. For questions regarding specific coverage by your private healthcare insurance, contact the plan provider, or provide our staff with a copy of your insurance card and they will check for you.
Atlantic Eye accepts most major insurances.


text:
Valley Charities Receive $22K Thanks to Apollo Education Group Employee DonationsBy : UOPX News | December 23, 2008
PHOENIX, AZ, December 23, 2008 — Apollo Education Group, Inc., employees chose three worthy charitable organizations to receive a total of $22,000 in donations during their recent holiday party on Dec. 12. Employees were given the opportunity to drop their vote into one of three containers designated for Valley charities, including the Arizona Humane Society, St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance and the Phoenix Public Library.
When the night was over, through employees' votes, Apollo Education Group donated a total of $10,000 to the Arizona Humane Society, a nonprofit organization founded in 1957 whose mission is to end animal suffering in the community and improve the lives of animals through rescue, shelter and adoption programs. Employees also chose to donate $7,000 to St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance, a Phoenix-based food bank that serves 13 Arizona counties and last year distributed more than 60 million pounds of food to families in need. Another $5,000 went to the Phoenix Public Library to help the nonprofit organization develop and enhance educational resources at its Burton Barr Central Library and 14 other branches in the 110-year-old Phoenix Public Library system.
"Our employees really enjoy helping others throughout the year in the communities in which they live and work," said Nancy Hennigan, director of community relations, Apollo Education Group. "Having the opportunity to give such a significant amount to organizations they feel deeply about is very rewarding for them as individuals and equally gratifying to Apollo Education Group as a company that makes its home in the Phoenix area."�
University of Phoenix campuses throughout the country also donated their personal time, money and hearts to local charities in their respective communities. Tens of thousands of dollars were raised; and bundles of clothing, food, toys, bedding, books and other items were donated to help those in need, ranging from low-income school districts and women's and children's shelters, to injured military members and their families, community food banks and other non-profit charitable organizations.
About Apollo Education Group
Apollo Education Group, Inc. has been an education provider for more than 30 years, providing academic access and opportunity to students through its University of Phoenix, Institute for Professional Development, College for Financial Planning, Western International University, Insight Schools and Apollo Global. It also owns Aptimus, a provider of innovative digital media solutions. The Company's distinctive educational programs and services are provided at the high school, college and graduate levels at 259 locations in 40 states and the District of Columbia; Puerto Rico; British Columbia, Canada; Mexico and the Netherlands, as well as online, throughout the world. For more information about Apollo Education Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, call (800) 990-APOL or visit Apollo on the company Website at: www.apollo.edu.
Wendy Paul


text:
Hook 1 Crew Member Steve Mullins takes 1st at the PACK tournament
A quick report from Steve –
"Always have a backup location on tournament day, even with all the weather forecasts you never know what mother nature will throw your way. With Plan A ruled out due to high wind, Plan B was in effect to fish a wind protected marsh. With a lower tide than usual the Redfish were easy to locate in the shallows. The first Red was found chasing Mullet and with a quick cast it was all over, the 23" fish was a good start. Around the next bend approximately 45 yards away I noticed a large Redfish tailing with half his body out of the water, looked like he was scrounging around for small Crab. A long, accurate cast landed the lure in the strike zone, the water immediately erupted and it was certainly an oversized fish. Once landed, the measurement was 27-1/2″, just 1/2" under the slot limit!
Switched gears to Flounder fishing and picked up another 20-1/2″ Red and lost a small 15″ Flounder at the kayak. With very few Flounder around I decided to head to a deep Trout hole two miles away. First cast, missed one. Second cast and BAM! When I saw this Trout it appeared to be +27″ (they always look bigger in the water). Reached back to grab the net and it was gone so I just pulled the fish over my foot and kicked her in the kayak – it's not the first time I've lost a net and resorted to this method! The Speckled Trout measured in at 26-1/8″. What a day!!!"
Congratulations !!
For more information on this Texas tournament – visit PACKTX.org


text:
Children' s International Summer Villages (CISV)
What is CISV? It stands for Children's International Summer Villages. It's a 60-year-old organization, which is run almost entirely by volunteers in 70 countries. The trip costs less than it would cost to send your son or daughter to a camp Up North for a similar amount of time. Every CISV experience is built on the idea of reciprocal hospitality and global friendship.
Several information sessions about CISV Detroit's 2016 travel opportunities are planned in the next few weeks. The organization has four learning themes: diversity, human rights, conflict resolution, and sustainability. Youth also participate in local activities around those themes.
They have no budget for advertising or direct mailing, to keep costs down. Feel free to spread the word.
For more information contact Emilia Askari – Journalist, teacher, and game developer, at 248-229-2990.


text:
This evening I attended a neighborhood meeting in Bryan Place to hear the neighborhood's concerns about PD 298, which provides for special zoning in the Bryan Place area.
Neighbors were very interested in expanding the zoning to help revitalize Ross Avenue. Specifically, residents expressed a desire to eliminate the concertina wire and fencing that makes the commercial lots appear unsafe and unattractive, and reduce the number of auto repair shops that dominate the area.


text:
How To Get Romance Back In A Relationship
13 Ways To Get Romance Back In A Relationship
What was your favorite thing when you first started dating your spouse? Was it the way he/she laughed? How excited they were about things? Those probably brought butterflies and might fill you with those good tingly feelings as you think about them.
Maybe you don't feel that as much as you used to and that happens. That is part of life and you might think things are lacking in the romance department.
That doesn't necessarily mean your relationship is doomed, just that you need to switch things up a bit to reconnect that spark. And we have 13 small ways to rekindle that romance!
Long Hugs and Kisses
It can be easy to fall into the rut of a quick kiss before dashing out to the office or in the midst of getting some of the housework done. Take some time for an extended hug or a long kiss. It's amazing what a little physical connection can do to help you feel the love again.
Holding Hands
Much like hugging and kissing, holding hands is something simple that often gets overlooked. It can be hard to hold hands when you're wrangling kids and running in different directions but when you have the chance, do it! Date night, watching a movie on the couch or just out and about will do wonders for the spark.
Yes, physical intimacy is important with your spouse but cuddling can go a long way in helping with romance renewal. Without all the specific scientific jargon, the benefits can help you relax and strengthen the bond. Cuddle for a little bit before bed and in the morning before getting up.
Active Listening
It doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman, when your spouse listens to your problems, concerns, your hopes or wishes, it means the world. Being heard is one of the biggest points of communication and can go a long way in building trust.
But it's not quite enough to just listen but to act on it goes the extra step. Think brownie points! If you're wife says she's stressed because she's working on a big project, help pick up the slack around the house. You live there after all and you might as well help out. If your husband says he wants to start a new venture, help him go through the details and get things started.
Spending that time together, even during your busy season of life.
Spend a night with nostalgia
Pull out pictures from the beginning of your relationship and reminisce. You can talk about things that happened then and discuss things that have changed. If there are any problems still looming, you can talk about them and move forward.
There's no better way to bring back the butterflies than remembering why you got together and why you fell in love. If your vision of your present or future has changed, work to figure that out and make a solution together. If you wish there were more surprises, or more compliments, or more anything, talk about it. Don't just wish he or she will read your mind.
Focus on the Positives
Sometimes life makes it easy for us to pick apart our spouse. Maybe you're overly tired and everything he/she does drives you crazy. Every day for a week, write down the good qualities that your spouse possesses. If you can see the talents and the small everyday actions, you're more likely to give them the benefit of the doubt.
Share those positives with your kids, friends and family. When you give compliments and help others see your spouse in a good light, it benefits you and them.
Surprises & Texts
Even on a small budget, you can make your spouse feel your love with a few surprises. Maybe it's getting a single flower that's her favorite and adding some love coupons that she can "redeem". Maybe it's getting or making his favorite treat and then leaving little love notes all over.
You can do big surprises like fully planned date nights or giving each other some alone time.
Send texts back and forth throughout the day. There's nothing more romantic and getting the heart thumping than a simple phrase showing love during a busy day.
Write handwritten letters
In a world of technology and automation, a personal touch can make a huge difference. Take the time to pull out some paper and a pen and write down how you feel about your spouse.
Better yet, get a notebook and take turns writing each other notes. The best part about that is you can keep them all together and go back and re-read them when you're having a rough day or just need a little boost.
Secret romantic getaway
Make all the necessary plans to get away for a weekend but in secret. If you have kids, arrange a babysitter. Figure out all the details to get to the destination as well as how you will get your spouse there. Think through how you will tell your spouse you're leaving and whether or not you are packing his/her bag.
This can be a lot of fun for your spouse and shows how much you care to go through all the trouble of planning everything.
Breakfast in bed
No matter if you're a chef or can burn mac and cheese, you can come up with a way to pull this off. Most of it is the thought that counts. Do you know what your spouse likes to eat for breakfast?
If you need to, throw a few frozen waffles in the toaster. Pick a flower and add it to the tray or the plate. Put your own spin on this because it's that special and personal touch that will bring back the romance.
Fancy restaurant for no reason
Surprise your spouse with reservations at a fancy restaurant or a place he/she/you both have always wanted to eat. Do it when you don't have a reason to celebrate and make it celebrating your time together. It's a good excuse to dress up a bit and have some fun together.
Give up your favorite thing and focus on your spouse
If you play video games night after night, put down the controller. If you get sucked into the social media web, turn off the temptations for a night or make it a longer goal. When things take more of our attention than our spouse, the relationship suffers. Make a plan to spend an equal or larger amount of time doing things with your spouse than you do that activity.
Candlelight Dinner
Whether you take the night off from cooking by ordering in or you go all out with a culinary masterpiece, eat it by candlelight. It's something different and if kids are in bed, it makes enjoying the food even easier as you won't have to answer their cries.
Try out a few of these ideas to get romance back in a relationship and see how your feelings start to heat up again!
Strong Marriage Tips in Your Inbox!
Having a strong marriage takes work. Join us to get tips and support as you work to be Marriage Strong!


text:
Camille Cayran - Le pas de la Beaume - Red
La Réserve from Camille Cayran made of 76% Grenache, 8% Syrah, 10% Carignan and Cinsault 6%. 90% of the wine produced by the traditional method with grapes picked from their bunches. Fermentation takes 5-7 days at 28 ° controlled temperature so as to preserve the soft tannins. 10% of the wine produced by the initial kolsyremaceration to preserve the fruitiness of the wine.
Wine description
- Country : France
- Region : Rhône-valley
- Grape variety : Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault
- Classification : AOP Côtes du Rhône
- Awards : Guide Hachette, Gold medal Concours des vins Orange
- Color : Red
- Vintage : 2018
- Alcohol degree : 14%
- Storage potential : 2-3 years
- Volume : 75 cl
Presentation of the vineyard
Camille Cayran is a wine cooperative in Cairanne representing 80 small winegrowers since more than 80 years. The wines produced, include several of the major appellations in southern Côtes-du-Rhône, such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Cairanne. Tradition is an important concept and the goal is as most as possible to respect the fundamental values, which means as a wine grower to act like a "gardener of his treasure" Most of the production is organic.
Sommelier's advice
A deep but clear elegant color. The aroma is fruity with hints of red berries, spices and southern French scrubland (garrigue). The taste is fruity and smooth with good length. A structure with tannins which allows some storage. To serve to the grill, an omelette, for butchers' or a pizza.


text:
- Written by Madelaine Bullwinkel
Kiwi Cranberry Jam
Ingredients for 2 1/2 cups:
1 12 ounce bag cranberries
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
6 kiwi fruit (2 cups peeled and diced)
1/2 cup sugar
1 cinnamon stick
- Cranberry Jam: Rinse and pick out bruised berries. Combine in a saucepan with sugar and water. Heat to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Pass the cooked berries through the medium disk of a food mill to remove the skins. Reserve.
- Kiwi Fruit Jam: Combine diced fruit, sugar and cinnamon stick in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes, or until most of the liquid is concentrated. Puree with an immersion blender. Reserve.
- Fill dishwasher clean jars half full with the cranberry jam. Ladle kiwi fruit jam into the remaining space within 1/4 " of the lid. Cover with a new lid; screw on cap and invert the jar for 15 seconds. Turn right side up on a rack to cool.


text:
Living with an ostomy may mean some changes in lifestyle, but, with the help of our Certified Ostomy and Continence Nurse, the transition can be eased somewhat. We provide education and offer assistance in the care of the ostomate patient before and after surgery.
Prior to Surgery, patients can participate in stoma placement to best fit their needs. After the surgery, we can help the patient adjust to the new device.
Ostomy Care
We provide personalized education, care, and support for you and your loved ones including:
- Before and after surgical care and education
- Assistance with supply selection
- Supplies delivered to the home
- Personalized stoma fitting service
Continence Care
Continence Care is helping those with bowel and bladder leakage. Our trained staff can help the patient's skin stay protected from breakdown or rashes.
We also provide education and counseling by our staff of experts.


text:
The Facebook Page Plugin is an easy and proven way of getting new fans for your store. It can be styled as a sliding widget, or an element that is visible immediately after viewing your site. Our graphical designers can tailor the look and feel of the widget to your exact requirements.
The Facebook Page Plugin (Like Box) widget can appear as a button that sticks to the side of the window. Clicking or hovering over the button causes the widget to slide out.
An alternative way of displaying the widget is to compose it into the content and layout of the page, so that it is always visible to your customers. It is usually done in a side column, or in the footer, depending on the actual design of a store.
It is important to remember that elements like the Page Plugin and similar should only be embedded on sites dedicated to large screens. It is best not to enable them on mobile views, as they can make navigating the site harder, and use up precious screen space. Our graphical designers can adapt the widget to all screen sizes.
If you would like to add the Page Plugin to your site, you can do so using an HTML snippet yourself, or leave it to our experienced designers. We can design the widget in different shapes and sizes, as well as adjust its content. To do so, you can contact us using a ticket.


text:
ISLAMABAD: The five member Supreme Court bench on Tuesday said that the Panamagate case was limited to London flats only, and if PTI tried to divert attention of the court towards a new angle, then the case would go somewhere else.
A larger bench of the apex court comprising five judges – Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Azmat Saeed, Justice Ijaz Afzal, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Ijaz-ul-Hasan- hearing the case against the family members of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf lawyer Naeem Bukhari resuming his arguments before the Supreme Court bench in Panama Papers Case said today that the statements of the prime minister and his children are contradictory.
Bukhari argued before the bench on Wednesday that a bearer certificate is not a prize bond, which owned by the person who is possessing it. According to the law intimation of holding the bearer certificate is necessary, the counsel said. Sharif family have to produce evidence that the Qatari family was holding the bearer certificate, Bukhari further argued.
According to the prime minister's family, the bearer certificate was in possession of the Qatari family before 2006, they have to prove it and also give proof that their all actions were lawful, the lawyer said.
"What is the importance of Ishaq Dar's statement? Is he one of the accused in the case?" Justice Ijaz Afzal questioned.
Justice Afzal continued and urged to respect and maintain dignity of the top court. "Do not drag us out of our parameters," he insisted.
On the ownership of London flats, PTI's Bukhari said that from the first day they belonged to the Sharif family.
Justice Khosa in his remarks said that he does not want to go into political matters. "Do you want us to work outside the law?" asked Justice Khosa and clarified, "To prove corruption is not our job."
The leaked papers, comprising 11.5 million documents from Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca, exposes how some of the world's most powerful people have secreted their money offshore, and also implicated Sharif's sons Hasan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz.
Three of Sharif's four children are named in the Panama Papers – daughter Maryam, who has been tipped to be his political successor and sons Hasan and Hussain – with the records showing they owned London real estate through offshore companies administered by Mossack Fonseca.
The Panama Papers have whipped up a storm of controversy over offshore wealth, ensnaring political leaders, sports figures and underworld members across the globe in the scandal.
Panamagate case limited to London flats: SC
ISLAMABAD: The five member Supreme Court bench on Tuesday said that the Panamagate case was limited to London flats only, and if PTI tried to divert attention of the court towards a new angle, then the case would go somewhere else.


text:
On 5 April 2016 the JRC presented the interactive and collaborative online European Energy Efficiency Platform. This beta platform is conceived to fill the gap opened by scattered data and fragmented knowledge resulting from a rapidly growing energy efficiency market. It is expected to be both a one-stop shop for information retrieval and a meeting point for experts to exchange data and reduce redundant activities.
Tuesday, May 31, 2016 - 09:00 to Wednesday, June 1, 2016 - 17:00
Minutes of the Meeting of the working group on Energy Consumption of Broadband Communication Equipment and Networks, 31 May and 1 June 2016, JRC Ispra The goal of the meeting was to finalize the new version of the Code of Conduct, following several teleconference over the past 9 months.
Last Updated on 03 Oct 201603 Oct 2016Total Views 165165
Thursday, October 9, 2014 - 09:00
Minutes of the Meeting of the working group on Energy Consumption of Broadband Communication Equipment and Networks, 9 October 2014, JRC Ispra On the agenda were the results for 2013 and the further development of the Code of Conduct, including integration of Code of Conduct CSTB and the CPE part of Broadband Code of Conduct.
Last Updated on 03 Oct 201603 Oct 2016Total Views 99
Monday, June 15, 2015 - 09:00 to Tuesday, June 16, 2015 - 17:00
Minutes of the Meeting of the working group on Energy Consumption of Broadband Communication Equipment and Networks, 15-16 June 2015, JRC Ispra On the agenda were the following items: the analysis of the 2014 reports and the preparation of version 6. It is aimed that Version 6 will be valid from 1 January 2017.
Last Updated on 03 Oct 201603 Oct 2016Total Views 1818
Measure for improving the energy performance of buildings shouldn't sacrifice Indoor Environment Quality (encompassing health, comfort, well-being and productivity). After all, buildings are built for people to perform private and professional activities in.
Last Updated on 23 Sep 201623 Sep 2016Total Views 1212
Monday, September 12, 2016 - 12:30 to Wednesday, September 14, 2016 - 12:30
This workshop is jointly organised by the Directorate B – Growth and Innovation - Digital Economy Unit and the Directorate C – Energy, Transport and Climate - Energy Efficiency and Renewables Unit of the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC).
Last Updated on 21 Sep 201621 Sep 2016Total Views 202202
Thursday, October 13, 2016 - 11:15 to 13:00
Speakers: Željko Kolar, Prefect of the Krapina-Zagorje County Michel Lebrun, European Committee of the Regions Panellists: Anette Jahn, Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
Last Updated on 06 Sep 201606 Sep 2016Total Views 1818
Friday, June 3, 2016 - 14:00
The webinar will focus on the role of urban energy systems in fostering national and global sustainable energy transitions, with a country focus on Mexico. Programme Moderator: Daniele Poponi, Energy Technology Perspectives Project Manager, IEA
Last Updated on 20 Jul 201620 Jul 2016Total Views 2727
Tuesday, April 5, 2016 - 09:00
On 5 April 2016 the JRC presented the interactive and collaborative online European Energy Efficiency Platform. This beta platform is conceived to fill the gap opened by scattered data and fragmented knowledge resulting from a rapidly growing energy efficiency market.
Last Updated on 13 Jul 201613 Jul 2016Total Views 15541554
Monday, September 26, 2016 - 09:00 to Friday, September 30, 2016 - 17:00
The INSPIRE Conference 2016 will take place in Barcelona, 26-30 September 2016 It will be organised through a series of plenary sessions addressing common policy issues, and parallel sessions focusing in particular on applications and implementations of INSPIRE, interoperability challenges and solutions, research issues and new and evolving technologies and applications and poster presentations.
Last Updated on 07 Jun 201607 Jun 2016Total Views 8585
The Energy Efficiency in Italy : The market, the actors and the growth potential facing the change of the incentive system
Thursday, June 9, 2016 - 09:45
9 Giugno 2016 ore 09.45 Politecnico di Milano - Campus Bovisa La Masa, via La Masa 34, Edificio B12 - Aula Magna primo piano (L 1.2/L1.3)
Last Updated on 01 Jun 201601 Jun 2016Total Views 2121
Wednesday, June 1, 2016 - 16:00
Register nowGet more information The Clean Energy Solutions Center, in partnership with the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21), is hosting a no-cost webinar on the launch of REN21's flagship report, Renewables 2016 Global Status Report.
Last Updated on 01 Jun 201601 Jun 2016Total Views 2929
Saturday, September 26, 2015 - 16:00 to 20:00
La Notte dei Ricercatori è un'iniziativa promossa dalla Commissione Europea fin dal 2005 che coinvolge ogni anno migliaia di ricercatori e istituzioni di ricerca in tutti i paesi europei. L'obiettivo è di creare occasioni di incontro tra ricercatori e cittadini per diffondere la cultura scientifica e la conoscenza delle professioni della ricerca in un contesto informale e stimolante.
Last Updated on 29 Mar 201629 Mar 2016Total Views 7070
Thursday, January 14, 2016 - 11:00
The JRC H2 Air and Climate Unit is please to announce the following seminar: Title: Did German building standards reduce CO2 emissions over the past four decades? Speaker: Simone MARTELLI When: Thursday 14 January, 11:00 Where: Acqua (Building 100, first floor)
Last Updated on 24 Mar 201624 Mar 2016Total Views 108108
Last Updated on 04 Feb 201604 Feb 2016Total Views 1616
Updated Wednesday, 15 July, 2015
Last Updated on 04 Feb 201604 Feb 2016Total Views 1414
Informal Meeting of EU Ministers Responsible for Territorial Cohesion and Urban Matters Declaration of Ministers towards the EU Urban Agenda Riga, 10 June 2015
Last Updated on 14 Jan 201614 Jan 2016Total Views 3939
Tuesday, November 10, 2015 - 08:30 to Wednesday, November 11, 2015 - 17:30
The main focus of the workshop was to report and discuss on the latest developments energy efficiency policies, new financing mechanisms for energy efficiency, and of the ESCO market in the European Neighbouring Countries.
Last Updated on 14 Dec 201514 Dec 2015Total Views 3636
Monday, April 15, 2013 - 09:00 to Tuesday, April 16, 2013 - 17:00
Stakeholder meeting of the ICT Code of Conduct on Energy Consumption of Broadband Communication Equipment and Networks.
Last Updated on 07 Dec 201507 Dec 2015Total Views 1414
Friday, October 23, 2015 - 09:00
The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission organises a technical workshop on the state of play of demand response and related national network regulations and tariffs in Member States.
Last Updated on 04 Dec 201504 Dec 2015Total Views 7575
Wednesday, December 2, 2015 - 09:00
Stakeholder meeting of the ICT Code of Conduct on Energy Consumption of Broadband Communication Equipment and Networks.
Last Updated on 04 Dec 201504 Dec 2015Total Views 2121
Thematic Areas
E3P Research Areas
The European Energy Efficiency Platform is an open collaborative tool for a strong and connected energy efficiency community.
The content in it is divided in six thematic and four cross-thematic areas.
Thematic Areas
Cross-thematic AreasPolicies and TargetsTechnology and StandardsEconomics and FinancingBehaviours and SocialEnergy Service CompaniesStay
News & Events
The present report aims to provide an overview of the main issues at stake with the calculation methods for energy savings generated by measures implemented by EU Member States under Article 7 of the Directive 2012/27/EU on Energy Efficiency (EED).Stay
This site uses the secure single sign-on (SSO) service of the European Commission - EU Login, to authenticate you.Stay
Thematic Area
- Products (43) Apply Products filter
- Urban Areas (39) Apply Urban Areas filter
- Buildings (34) Apply Buildings filter
- Energy Generation and Distribution (27) Apply Energy Generation and Distribution filter
- Industry (24) Apply Industry filter
- Transport and Mobility (20) Apply Transport and Mobility filter
Cross-thematic Areas
- (-) Remove Policies and Targets filter Policies and Targets
- (-) Remove Economics and Financing filter Economics and Financing
- Technology and Standards (47) Apply Technology and Standards filter
- Behaviours and Social (26) Apply Behaviours and Social filter
- Energy Service Companies (3) Apply Energy Service Companies filter
Type of Content
Created by
- lucaand (52) Apply lucaand filter
- maschis (12) Apply maschis filter
- labanni (6) Apply labanni filter
- ikm-user (5) Apply ikm-user filter
- rappula (4) Apply rappula filter
- banjama (2) Apply banjama filter
- nkeuleha (2) Apply nkeuleha filter
- borzama (1) Apply borzama filter
- nbossiel (1) Apply nbossiel filter
- nchnadim (1) Apply nchnadim filter
Type of Event
- Workshop (21) Apply Workshop filter
- Conference (11) Apply Conference filter
- Meeting (11) Apply Meeting filter
- Webinars (7) Apply Webinars filter
- Awards (5) Apply Awards filter
- Seminar (2) Apply Seminar filter
- Broadband Communication Equipment (1) Apply Broadband Communication Equipment filter
- Communication event (1) Apply Communication event filter
- Exploratory Workshop (1) Apply Exploratory Workshop filter
- Lecture (1) Apply Lecture filter
- Lunch debate (1) Apply Lunch debate filter
- Round table (1) Apply Round table filter
- Summer School (1) Apply Summer School filter
- Summit (1) Apply Summit filter
- Training (1) Apply Training filter
- ICT Code of Conduct (17) Apply ICT Code of Conduct filter
- Broadband communication equipment (6) Apply Broadband communication equipment filter
- Data centres (6) Apply Data centres filter
- White certificates (4) Apply White certificates filter
- energy efficiency (3) Apply energy efficiency filter
- Urban energy systems (3) Apply Urban energy systems filter
- barriers (2) Apply barriers filter
- Covenant of Mayors (CoM) (2) Apply Covenant of Mayors (CoM) filter
- Digital TV Services (2) Apply Digital TV Services filter
- Energy Efficiency Directive (2) Apply Energy Efficiency Directive filter
- Energy Union (2) Apply Energy Union filter
- INSPIRE (2) Apply INSPIRE filter
- Lighting (2) Apply Lighting filter
- Location data (2) Apply Location data filter
- Renewable energy (2) Apply Renewable energy filter
- South Mediterranean (2) Apply South Mediterranean filter
- Buildings (1) Apply Buildings filter
- Central Asian countries (1) Apply Central Asian countries filter
- CO2 Reduction (1) Apply CO2 Reduction filter
- Communication (1) Apply Communication filter
- Demand Response (1) Apply Demand Response filter
- Domestic appliances (1) Apply Domestic appliances filter
- Eastern European (1) Apply Eastern European filter
- Electricity market (1) Apply Electricity market filter
- Energy and Location (1) Apply Energy and Location filter
- Energy audits (1) Apply Energy audits filter
- Energy Consumers (1) Apply Energy Consumers filter
- Energy consumption (1) Apply Energy consumption filter
- Energy efficiency improvement (1) Apply Energy efficiency improvement filter
- Energy Efficiency Market (1) Apply Energy Efficiency Market filter
- Energy labelling (1) Apply Energy labelling filter
- Energy Services Market (1) Apply Energy Services Market filter
- EUROCITIES (1) Apply EUROCITIES filter
- Financing (1) Apply Financing filter
- GHG (1) Apply GHG filter
- Italian municipalities (1) Apply Italian municipalities filter
- Local financing (1) Apply Local financing filter
- Local governments (1) Apply Local governments filter
- MESHARTILITY (1) Apply MESHARTILITY filter
- National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAP) (1) Apply National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAP) filter
- NL presidency (1) Apply NL presidency filter
- Pact of Amsterdam (1) Apply Pact of Amsterdam filter
- progress reports (1) Apply progress reports filter
- Public event (1) Apply Public event filter
- Researchers' night (1) Apply Researchers' night filter
- Residential (1) Apply Residential filter
- Riga Declaration (1) Apply Riga Declaration filter
- Rome (1) Apply Rome filter
- Sustainable urban mobility (1) Apply Sustainable urban mobility filter
- Urban Agenda (1) Apply Urban Agenda filter


text: Berroco Ginkgo Yarn Price: $12.00 Add to Cart Select Colors Yarn Weight: Aran / Worsted [4], Fiber Content: 52% Silk, 48% Wool, Yardage: 134 yards in 50 grams, Gauge: 4.75 stitches = 1" on US 8 needles, Ply: Plied, Texture: Smooth, Care: Hand Wash, Lay Flat to Dry Berroco Ginkgo - a luxurious blend of silk and wool lends gentle heathering, dramatic drape, and a subtle sheen to this super-soft worsted weight yarn. Perfect for next-to-skin, oh, so soft, sweaters, wraps and accessories! Colors Projects Reviews Related Items Other Berroco Recently Arrived Color Quantity Add to Cart Sorry, we're currently out of stock in this Color. Please contact us if you'd like to special order it, or see below for other Colors you might enjoy. Are you looking for this Color? We have in stock along with the others you see below. Select one or more Colors to add to your cart Colors Selected Add to Cart Add to Cart Clear Colors Top Berroco Ginkgo Yarn Colors: Select a quantity for one or more Colors and then click Add to Cart. Availability Colors In Stock All Colors Color: Diamond, Color Number: 9602, Dye Lot: 333702 Color: Moonstone, Color Number: 9607, Dye Lot: 339401 Color: Tourmaline, Color Number: 9615, Dye Lot: 339402 Color: Aquamarine, Color Number: 9620, Dye Lot: 339403 Color: Onyx, Color Number: 9634, Dye Lot: 334903 Color: Amber, Color Number: 9636, Dye Lot: 333703 Color: Sapphire, Color Number: 9638, Dye Lot: 345703 Color: Quartz, Color Number: 9639, Dye Lot: 339406 Color: Emerald, Color Number: 9642, Dye Lot: 339407 Color: Garnet, Color Number: 9661, Dye Lot: 334901 Color: Lapis, Color Number: 9663, Dye Lot: 334902 Color: Pewter, Color Number: 9670, Dye Lot: 345702 Add to Cart Add to Cart Projects and Info Top Tannin Tannin - worked up in luxurious Berroco Ginkgo with its super-soft drape and heathery depth of color, this lovely wrap by Donna Yacino features a long lacy strip in an oak leaf and acorn inspired pattern along one edge and an eyelet check pattern in main body. This pattern is free from Berroco! Customer Reviews Top No one has reviewed this item yet. Be the first to submit a review! Submit a Review Related Items Top Shop Aran / Worsted [4] Recently Arrived Shop Plied Recently Arrived Shop Smooth Recently Arrived Berroco Cotolana Price: $8.50 Berroco Cosma Price: $12.00 Berroco Ultra Alpaca Price: $11.95 - $13.00 Berroco Boboli Lace Price: $16.00 Berroco #324 Boboli, Borealis & Boboli Quick Price: $9.60 Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light Price: $6.95 - $7.50 Berroco #339 Cirrus, Flicker & Elements Price: $9.60 Berroco Maya Price: $8.00


text:
I'm compiling a few lists of favorite things as I exit 2016 and look forward to 2017 because I want to share these things with you in hopes that you'll discover some new things that might make your favorites list for 2017.
These lists are in no particular order, and I'm going to try to keep them short, with some explanation of why they made the list. Hope you find these interesting and useful, and if you have a favorite thing that didn't make my list, pass it along, because I'm always looking for new things to enjoy as well
My Favorite Podcasts, 2016 edition
Over the last few years, I've really fallen in love with the podcast format. I'll use them while traveling in the car, or in the office. What I can't do is listen to podcasts and pretend to focus on other things, because it scrambles my brain, so I can't use them as background material while doing other things, unless it's really brainless things — so I'll often be found catching up on few podcasts while using the Playstation to kill fantasy things in some video game or another. See, I'm really working while doing that. Really. quick snickering, okay?
I'll say up front that 90% of the podcasts I listen to come from two networks: Incomparable and Relay.FM. Jason Snell on the former and Myke Hurley and Stephen Hackett with the latter have built really solid, diverse and interesting suites of podcasts around a diverse set of topics and people with a high level of professionalism and audio quality. so if you aren't sure what to listen to next, just check out their web sites and try something. You'll rarely be disappointed.
I also want to point at Overcast as a really good podcast tool for IOS (unfortunately, there's no Mac version. Hoping Marco fixes that some day). It makes managing and listening to podcasts easy and is a huge step forward from the Apple Podcast app.
Here's my list of Podcasts that are my favorites for 2016:
- The Alton Browncast: Alton Brown has recently rebooted his podcast, which makes me happy because I find Brown to be one of the best interviewers in the podcast world today. His ability to create interest with a topic and a positive energy with those he interviews is wonderful. This podcast circles widely around the food world, but isn't really a food podcast; in fact, it's often more about things like cocktails in recent episodes. Always enjoyable to listen to.
- Apple Talk: From the iMore folks, this podcasts features Rene Ritchie, Serenity Caldwell and Michael Gartenberg going deep into topics of the day within the Apple universe. These three are, if you ask me, some of the best analysts watching what's going on with Mama Fruit, and if you only have time to listen to one podcast about Apple "stuff", this is the one to listen to.
- Christopher Kimball's Milk Street Kitchen: I was a fan of Chris Kimball's podcast when he was at America's Test Kitchen, and now he's in a new venture, Milk Street Kitchen, and he's brought the core of that podcast format with him. Every episode features some commentary by Kimball, a recipe, Q&A with a few listeners shared with Sara Moulton (of PBS Sara's Weeknight Meals), and an interview with someone who is discussing something food related (usually tied to a book that's recently been released). Like Alton Brown, I find Kimball to be an exceptional interviewer, expressing interest in a topic and working to get his subject to move beyond the standard answers to standard questions and dive deeper into the topic at hand for that week. (I still also like the America's Test Kitchen podcast, but I think with the new team running it it's still finding it's sea legs a bit).
- Exponent: Ben Thompson and James Allworth sit down once a week to talk for about an hour on some business or business strategy topic. I find the discussions stimulating and I've learned a lot about now to think about the business side of tech companies from them. I don't always agree with the positions they take, but that's not the idea: they make me think, and they do so in an entertaining way, and that makes them a must listen podcast every time they release an episode.
- The Incomparable: Jason Snell's flagship podcast for his network, this is a weekly panel discussion on Books, Comics, Movies and other media of interest to the geek/nerd fans. By far my favorite podcast, it discusses a wide range of material each year, from current movies like Star Wars to older favorites like The Right Stuff and the Godfather to historical oddities in the Rocket Surgery podcasts that range from Frankenstein Island to (no, seriously) Lion in Winter. One of the better episodes of the year to me was when they tackled the classic work The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell, which is not an easy work to read or analyze. The chemistry among the guests is fantastic, and the episodes tend to be light and funny — and commonly hit the "laughs in an inappropriate situation" and "tears running down my face funny" frequently. If there was a podcast I'd want to join as a member, it's this one — and it was a major influence on my decision to start Occam's Fireaxe.
- The Incomparable Game Show: A major change of pace from the incomparable, in these podcasts people get together and play various classic board games for your enjoyment. My favorite segments are the Low Definition ones, which usually end up in "laughing so hard my chest hurts" funny at least once an episode. A great change of pace when you want some amusing diversion.
- Incomparable Radio Theater: I was a huge fan of classic radio theater growing up, and it's an art form that's almost dead. Fortunately, we have the Incomparable Radio Theater, which once in a while produces a series of productions in the classic radio theater style. Their last production was (sigh) 2015, but rumor has it they're working on scripts for a new one for 2017. Worth keeping an eye out for the return of these shows, or to go check out the last set featuring the Adventures of Timmy Preston and the Galaxy Scouts.
- Still Untitled — The Adam Savage Project: Once a week Adam Savage sits down for about half an hour to talk about various things, from current movies to the projects in his shop to what's going on with his Tested team. As one of the big names and mentors in the Maker movement, this is a must-listen podcast if you're at all interested in creating things, how things are created, the behind the scenes workings within the movie industry, or pretty much anything he deal with while hosting Mythbusters.
- The Talk Show with John Gruber: about once a week, Daring Fireball's John Gruber sits down with a guest for a deep dive into a few topics, mostly tech oriented. Gruber is an unabashed fan of the old-school style of the talk show, back when hosts like Johnny Carson actually discusses things with guests instead of just throwing pre-agreed-upon questions out for guests to issue rehearsed answers back. Gruber's got a very deep and nuanced view of the Apple world and is one of the best analysts of the company and its products out there, so while these podcasts can run longer than many (averaging around 2 hours) there's little to no time in them you'll consider wasted.
- Total Party Kill: Another Incomparable podcast, here every two weeks a group of people get together and play Dungeons and Dragons for your amusement. Even if you're not a huge fan of D&D, these groups make it a fun and enjoyable diversion from more serious material and a great thing to listen to when you want to take a break and kick back.
Those are my favorites. What are yours? Let me know on Facebook, Twitter or via Email, and if I get some really good suggestions, I'll add them to this post.
Subscribe To 6fps
6FPS is the way to stay in touch and subscribe to 6FPS. Coming out about twice a month, it's the only way to keep up with all that I'm doing on the various services across the network.


text:
Part 2: Evaluation of Mini-Split Heat Pumps as Supplemental and Full System Retrofits in a Hot-Humid Climate
A version of this article appears in the Winter 2017 issue of Home Energy Magazine.
December 05, 2017
This is part 2 of a feature article on retrofitting homes with mini-split heat pumps in hot and humid climates. For more information, read Part 1 here. Complete System Replacement with Mini- and Multi-Split Heat Pumps Another important objective of the PDR project was to evaluate a high-efficiency, single and multi-unit inverter-driven heat pump as a full replacement to the existing central system.
To read complete online articles, you need to sign up for an Online Subscription.
Once an order has been placed there is an automatic $10 processing fee that will be deducted with any cancellation.
The Home Energy Online articles are for personal use only and may not be printed for distribution. For permission to reprint, please send an e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
WritingTrue Stories
Featured articles in True Stories
The human psychology is a very deep melt by our minds and ourselves when we walk by and ask us for the ideas and Explanations We analyze human nature, we will display the 10 most important facts about human psychology.
When it comes to the stories about the poltergeists or poltergeist activities, how one can forget to talk about the real story of the Lambert Poltergeist.
A classic story of how a friend told a stupid lie to cover his tracks.
This is the tale behind the song "the Last Post" that heralds the end of a campaign or a salute to adeparted warrior.
In India it is possible for a muslim man to divorce his wife by repeating this word "talaq" for three times. Women of the country are trying hard to get free of this. I hope it will work this time.
An allegory of the previous relationship I shared with a beautiful but toxic "lady".I hope it can open some eyes to see just how cruel the life of an addict can get.
Funny how an ordinary day can bring you the most extraordinary people...
In a world preoccupied with self, it doesn't hurt to think about somebody else for a change. Humility in the face of pride and haughtiness shows character. Stick by what you know about the Lord. Regardless, of how your circumstances look.
This is a true story of when I died. I know it sounds far-fetched but it actually happened to me and left me scarred for life.
In the modern world, cameras are watching our every move. That is the bad news; the good news is that some people are glad they are.
A Tigress was Bayoneted by a brave Sikh of the Indian army and thus established a world record
This is the story based on the actual events happened with me.
Elephants have always been the biggest (no pun intended) draw for me at circuses and zoos. They always seem to be such gentle giants, but appearances can be deceiving.
As one nears the end of one's life, a review of the past can have a liberating effect. Here's a summary of my story.
The AN 32 is aRussian plane and can carry 44 passangers. I was on of the flights that had an engine failure, but I took the control and brought the plane down safely