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Era's modern, diverse and technologically advanced fleet includes a wide array of heavy, medium, light twin and single engine helicopters to suit almost any need. Era's helicopters are outfitted with the latest performance enhancing technology and maintained to the highest standards.
Heavy Twins
Sikorsky S92 GWE
The Sikorsky S92 helicopter is the most advanced aircraft in Sikorsky's civil product line, certified to the most stringent safety requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The helicopter's advanced health and usage monitoring system sets a new level of reliability and enables cutting-edge fleet management services. With seating for 19 passengers, the aircraft has Gross Weight Expansion (GWE) applied which increases the max takeoff weight to 27,700 lb.
Leonardo AW189
The new state-of-the-art 8 tonne class Leonardo AW189 is designed for All Weather Day and Night, VFR/IFR certified, and operates seamlessly in the harsh conditions prevalent in offshore operations. The spacious cabin is configured with 16 passenger seats. Next Generation avionics expands further operational capabilities, contributing to safety by enhancing situational awareness and reducing crew workload. Exceeding the most recent FAA and EASA Part 29 safety requirements and the stringent safety needs of the Oil and Gas industry, the AW189 is the helicopter of choice for demanding operations.
Medium Twins
AgustaWestland AW139
The AgustaWestland AW139 is one of the most modern and efficient helicopters in the world. The AW139 provides unparalleled mission flexibility and passenger comfort with seating for 12. This state-of-the-art aircraft is equipped with the latest safety features and sets the standard for its class. The AW139 is engineered to the highest safety standards with energy-absorbing landing gear, fuselage and seats designed to meet the rigorous JAR/FAR 29 standards. The cockpit features excellent visibility, redundant flight systems and Honeywell digital avionics reducing pilot workload. The AW139 delivers Category A (Class 1) performance from the helipad at Maximum Gross Weight, allowing continued flight in the event of an engine failure.
Sikorsky S76C++
The Sikorsky S76 C++ is a twin engine, 12-passenger, IFR-certified helicopter featuring higher speeds, greater range and a smoother ride. This reliable helicopter is capable of carrying cargo and passengers offshore, day or night, and in instrument weather conditions. The S76 C++ is powered by 2 Turbomeca Arriel 2S2 engines rated at 923 shp for takeoff, 853 shp max continuous operation, and 2 minute power of 956 shp. The C++ model offers power advantage over the A++ and C+ models with additional power for single-engine, emergency operation.
Bell 212
The Bell 212 is the twin-engine civilian version of the highly successful U.S. Army "Huey" helicopter. In the standard Era configuration it provides seating for 11 passengers with ample cargo space. This helicopter is considered a workhorse in remote field operations with exceptional versatility in cargo external load and precision long line vertical reference. Era's aircraft all have increased take off power "HP" modifications and the latest in new technology avionics, safety upgrades and performance enhancements. The 212 is well versed in hot and high-altitude conditions and available in both IFR and VFR configurations, to include Night Vision Goggle (NVG) capable.
Light Twins
Airbus EC135P2+e
The Airbus EC135P2+e provides an outstanding work environment. The interior seating can be easily configured for either 4 or 6 passengers. The EC135P2+e aerodynamic fuselage, constructed from the latest composite technologies, contributes to this helicopter's excellent speed and range. Its unique bearingless main rotor and innovative low-noise Fenestron tail rotor system offers outstanding maneuverability as well as an exceptionally smooth and quiet ride. "Phase modulation" by unequal blade spacing makes Fenestron sound "pleasant." The "e" model is an upgrade to the P2+ that adds 88 lb of payload capacity.
AgustaWestland A109e Power
The AgustaWestland A109E Power is a twin-engine, high-speed, high-productivity helicopter well-suited for the demanding offshore mission. Configured for 7 passengers, the A109E Power is the fastest helicopter in its class and is single-pilot IFR certified. The A109E Power's reliability is assured by a fully separated fuel system supplying its twin engines, plus a dual hydraulic boost system, dual electrical system and redundant lubrication and cooling systems for the main transmission and engines. An air oil absorber for each wheeled type landing gear leg increases the crashworthiness and shipdeck operational capabilities.
Airbus BO105
The Airbus BO105 is a durable 4-5 passenger helicopter that offers a valuable combination of rugged versatility, large rear-loading cargo area, and twin-engine safety.
Single Engine
AgustaWestland A119 (Koala) and AW119 MKII (KE)
The AgustaWestland AW119 (Koala) is a high-performance helicopter configured for 7 passengers. With the latest technology, enhanced stability augmentation system, and state-of-the-art safety features, the AW119 will outperform all aircraft in its class. The AgustaWestland AW119 MKII is the newest variant, with a payload increase of 286 lb, enhanced landing gear and main rotor blades. With its single Pratt & Whitney PT6B-37A Electronic Engine Control (EEC) turbine engine, the AW119 (Koala) performs far beyond the operational envelopes of many other single-turbine helicopters.
Airbus AS350 B2 (A-Star)
The Airbus AS350 B2 (A-Star) is a helicopter in the proven A-Star line configured for 5 passengers. The A-Star combines safety and comfort with speed and performance. Its composite technology and modern design provide outstanding capability with lower operating costs.
The maneuverability of the AS350B2 (A-Star), together with superior visibility with all seats facing forward and low vibration level, mean your mission will be as comfortable as it is productive. The cost effective, popular A-Star is powered with a Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 engine and is a true multi-mission workhorse known for outstanding performance. With high performance, ease of flight, and sling capacity of more than 2,555 lb, the A-Star is the most user-friendly helicopter in its class.
Specialized Mission Helicopters
Era maintains specialized mission helicopters and can custom-tailor helicopters to meet your needs. Era offers helicopters in a search and rescue (SAR) configuration, emergency response services configuration to support air medical operations, de-icing capabilities and a host of specialized features to service utility and firefighting needs.
Contact Us
Interested in Our Fleet? Contact Us and Let's Work TogetherContact Us


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|System: Wii, PS2, PSP, DS
|Review Rating Legend
|Dev: Blue Tongue
|1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
|4.0 - 4.4 = Great
|Pub: THQ
|2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
|4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
|Release: Oct. 20, 2009
|2.5 - 2.9 = Average
|5.0 = The Best
|Players: 1-4
|3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
|ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+
|3.5 - 3.9 = Good
I've made no secret that I love comic books. In general, I like every interpretation of the comic book characters I grew up reading about. Whether it be in television shows, live action or animated, video games and even the usual misinterpretation by Hollywood.
However, when I first heard about Marvel Super Hero Squad (the animated show on Cartoon Network), I was more than skeptical. In fact, when I watched the show with my boys I was downright angry with the way several of the characters were treated. The over-the-top "boy scout" handling Captain America received was more than I could take. Honestly, my first encounter with the animated show didn't really set the bar too high for the game I was going to play. This is probably the best thing that could have happened for the game.
Marvel Super Hero Squad is not for everyone. This is the first thing you need to know. It's designed with the younger audience in mind. Based on the chibi versions of Marvel's plethora of characters, Super Hero Squad takes the idea of action figures without the fear of breaking them easily. The show itself deals with the heroes squaring off against some of Marvel's most notorious villains, also in the chibi versions, while searching for fractals of the Infinity Sword. In the show, Doctor Doom is trying to find all of the fractals, whereas in the game he is only trying to find enough to create a smaller sword. It's up to the squad, consisting of heroes Iron Man, Falcon, Hulk, Thor, Captain America, and more, to stop him and his villainous friends including Mole Man, Sabertooth, Abomination, and MODOK, to name a few.
The good versus evil plot of the story is a strong point of the game. By keeping it simple, the younger audiences can simply tell you what is going on in the game at any point. Simplification is the easiest way to describe Marvel Super Hero Squad and it continues on into the gameplay with great results. You have two options: adventure or battle modes. The adventure mode allows you and another player or an A.I.-controlled partner to progress through each area, mashing buttons as you go.
At its core, Marvel Super Hero Squad is a button-masher through and through. You never really have to worry about what button combination will do what in order to deliver the hurt on the enemies. The combat in the adventure mode handles very nearly to Marvel's other, more grown up title Ultimate Alliance. In fact, there are so many similarities many could confuse Marvel Super Hero Squad for Marvel Ultimate Alliance Junior. Heck, even the signature moves borrow somewhat from Ultimate Alliance. Though never really obtaining the full glory, delivering an enjoyable Hulk Smash will always bring a smile to anyone's face. The other mode, battle mode, is an arena-style combat scenario. In adventure mode, it happens usually around the boss battles. Four players, whether all four human or some computer-controlled, square off in ring-out stages while trying to obtain a set number of K.O.'s.
Graphically, Marvel Super Hero Squad does a wonderful job of capturing the feel of the show. Never do the characters feel out of place in the playfully bright, colorful environments. Even the simplistic approach to the environment represents the show accurately. Not stretching too far to incorporate the hyper-detailed surroundings of other Marvel-based games actually allows the game to pop out more for the younger audiences. The only occasional problem that comes from the games graphically is a few instances of lag. These happen so infrequently, though, most will never notice them. One thing I do like are the comical images of a few characters. For example, there is one image of Doctor Doom wearing a fuzzy robe while holding a cup of tea with full beard on his metal face. These comical images don't happen enough, and it would have been great to see more for some of the other characters.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Oxford is our smallest wishing well - if you have a very small garden this is the one for you. As with all our wishing wells we put a lot of work into the detail of our products.
The Oxford is approximately 70cm high (2' 10"), all hand made by us in Suffolk (England). As with all our wishing wells all the wood is treated with four coats of Sadolin™ woodstain for the ultimate protection against the elements.
Dimensions: 70cm (2' 10") high x 34cm (1' 2") width x 24cm (10") length
Delivery Cost: £45.00*
* - UK Mainland Only


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US defends force-feeding of Guantanamo prisoners
The U.S. government on Wednesday defended the force-feeding of hunger strikers at Guantanamo, urging a judge to reject a legal challenge to the practice filed by four prisoners taking part in an ongoing protest at the U.S. base in Cuba.
Feeding the prisoners with a nasogastric tube is to prevent their death is "humane," done in a way to minimize any pain, lawyers for the Department of Justice wrote in a legal brief filed in federal court in Washington.
The Justice Department filing urged the court not to issue a preliminary injunction against the feeding procedure, saying it would amount to authorizing "a detainee to commit suicide by starvation."
Lawyers for four prisoners on hunger strike filed the challenge Sunday, arguing that feeding the men against their will was a violation of their human rights and served no legitimate interest. They also said it would deprive them of their religious right to the traditional daytime fast during the upcoming Muslim holy period of Ramadan.
The U.S. military intends to feed all prisoners, including those on hunger strike, before dawn and after sunset during Ramadan to accommodate the men's religious practices, according to the court filing.
Lawyers for the four prisoners plan to file a response to the Justice Department on Friday.
The military says 106 of the 166 prisoners at Guantanamo are on hunger strike, with up to 45 being force-fed to prevent dangerous weight loss.


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Q: What things do you think are most misunderstood by the public about being a senator or how Congress works?
A: Well, the most misunderstood issue I think was probably the TARP. Even though it was so recent, it was still the most misunderstood.
But [for] how the Senate works and what it's like to be a senator, I suppose the impeachment of Clinton, because it was such a high visibility political issue, but in reality it was a very personal exercise within the Senate — very intense, but it was much more personal than people could see, because it was all done behind closed doors.
It was being played out in the tabloids at a level that was, you know, Monica Lewinsky and all that. But within the Senate it was being played out much more on a really intense discussion of what actually the power and the purposes of the presidency are, vis-à-vis the power and the right of the Senate in the impeachment situation. From the standpoint of how we dealt with it as senators, it was a much more, I thought, substantive, thoughtful, in-depth exercise in trying to analyze what the correct constitutional decisions were.
It was a partisan vote in the end and I think it was locked in place as a partisan vote even before the trial — remember the trial was done in the Senate by representatives of the House and the President's attorneys.
But even though most people knew the way they were going to end up voting, everybody still had a very conscious effort to try to understand what the constitutional situation was and what the implications for the future were in the Constitutional crisis at that point.
Most people get their politics, obviously, from TV shows about senators or movies about them or ... all the day-to-day press and the talk shows. People perceive the Senate in a much more glamorous way. I mean, it's a working class place in the sense that you go to work every day and you do issues all day long and you meet with people all day long and you deal with constituents all day long. Every day is chopped into five-minute segments handling different issues. And there are maybe a few senators around here who live a lifestyle that's very tabloid-issue, high-visibility. But they're the exception, not the rule. Most senators are just going to work and trying to do a job.
Q: What do you find to be the hardest part of working in the Senate?
The hardest part has always been dealing with the intensity of the job's demands, vis-à-vis your family; I mean, there's no question about it. Especially if you have young children, it's just very hard to balance the two, first because you're physically in the wrong place a lot of the times — you're either in your district if your children are in Washington, or you're in Washington if your children are in the district. And then the time demands — you don't control your calendar, the Majority Leader does. If he decides to keep you here through a baseball game, then you're here voting through the baseball game or a recital or something.
[But] I made a decision early on in my career — which I've carried throughout my career — that if the choice was between being here and being with something that was important to my family, I'd be with my family. Maybe my children feel differently, but I don't think I missed anything that was really critical in their upbringing.
For example, I was a starter on the swim team in their high school. So for eight years I started every swim team race. I never missed one. I missed some votes because of that, but I never missed a start — starting a race. So that was just a decision I made. But it is very difficult, it is really a difficult situation for the family and for the member of Congress.
Q: What piece of legislation did you work on that made you the most proud?
A I've done a fair number of things that I think have been good. But I would divide them into two categories. One would be things that impacted New Hampshire directly. Since I've been in the Senate we've been able to protect almost 300,000 acres of land in New Hampshire and basically keep them from being developed, to maintain our culture and our way of life, which is defined by the land. New Hampshire is defined by a beautiful landscape. And that's been a big success.
And I've done a great deal to build up the University of New Hampshire's science capabilities, so it's now a premier university in the world — [in] marine biology, for example.
So I'm very proud of those things. But that's one section.
On the actual legislative area, well, I suppose the two most significant, that will have the largest impact, [are] No Child Left Behind and TARP. But there have been a lot of other things. When I was chairman of the Appropriations Committee subcommittee that had jurisdiction over homeland security, it got reorganized. And then I was chairman also of the one that had jurisdiction of the FBI and Commerce and State. I did a lot of things which I think brought those agencies up in their abilities.
Q: Who are the senators from the other side of the aisle with whom you enjoy working the most? Who do you consider a "worthy opponent" in debate?
Well, the senators I've enjoyed working with the most would be Ted Kennedy and Kent Conrad, because they were both either chairman or ranking member of the committee I was chairman or ranking member of. And in both instances they were just great people to work with.
We disagreed philosophically, Ted and I, to the core of our existence, but we did a lot. When I was chairman every bill we passed was unanimously approved. We did some controversial stuff. We did the reauthorization of some pretty controversial stuff.
Ted didn't give up his principles, but we both understood that we weren't going to get anything done — there wasn't any point in being here if you didn't get something done — unless you reached accommodation. So I don't think any of us ever gave up our basic principles, but we were able to find places to reach agreement on some of these issues, which weren't really partisan, in my opinion; they just had to be done in a way that both sides felt they were getting their basic goals. He was very easy to work with.
But Ted just understood that even though he had strong beliefs – and he never gave up on any of those beliefs — but he understood you couldn't get there if you didn't agree; he understood you had to legislate to accomplish things. There was no point in just standing off in the corner shouting. Plus he had a great sense of humor — very easy-going, he laughed about everything.
I want to mention Kent Conrad. Because we come from different philosophies in a lot of areas, but we both are totally committed to trying to do something about this pending crisis for our nation, which is our debt situation. And we have never surprised each other; we've been ranking or chairman now for 10 years, I think. And we've always been forthright. I've never voted for his budget, he's never voted for my budget, but we've always had a good relationship, If you watch the budget on the floor it's one of the most complicated exercises this place goes through. But when Kent and I have been handling it, it has always gone reasonably smoothly considering the complications that are involved. And I think the other members appreciate that, too.
Q: During your time as a senator, who do you consider to be the most effective or politically savvy legislator?
During my time? Well, I would put Bob Dole, Ted Kennedy, George Mitchell, Trent Lott — Bob Byrd in a different category — but I would put those four people as being the best senators. [On] the totality of the ability to be a senator, I would say that those folks really stood out. I mean, there are a lot of good people, but those folks stood out.
They all had an intuitive understanding of the legislative process and people. They're very, very good with people. It's sort of like they used to say about [hockey player] Bobby Orr: he knew where the puck was going to be before the person passed it. That's they way they are. They know what's coming legislatively, they know what's coming politically, before the event occurs — before anybody else even knows it's occurring.
Q: You have one day of your Senate life to live over again and change a professional choice that you made, maybe a vote. Which one is it and why?
There is, but I don't want to talk about it. (Laughter.) Only one time do I think that I cast the wrong vote that it was a big — a substantive vote.
What I took away from it was that I should have done what I thought what my gut told me, rather than what my logic told me at the time. You're always better off to go with your gut if it's disagreeing with what the analytical situation is.
Q: What is the state of your political party?
I think it's reviving. I think it's coming back from a period of disorientation. Clearly, when we controlled the government we didn't do a good job on core issues to us — fiscal responsibility being number one. And as a result we sort of lost our way and there was a lot of loss sense of what we stood for, what our purposes are.
But I think we're coming back together. Being in the minority tends to focus your view, and I think that's what's happening.
Q: Pundits, experts, and even some members of Congress say this period is the most partisan they've ever seen. Do you agree?
That's absurd.
When I first was elected in 1980, Ronald Reagan had just been elected President, and Tip O'Neill was the Speaker of the House — I mean, that was partisan. Tip O'Neill played hardball politics. And the antipathy towards Reagan was everywhere –- in the national media, in the liberal elite of the northeast, there was just a hatred. He's now taken on a father figure [image.]
But at the time, the intensity was much higher, much more visceral than what we have now.
I was in the House then, which is different. The Senate is always less contentious and less partisan. But ... every day Tip O'Neill would just try to beat our brains out. The way I described was he backed up a truck of manure every morning to your office door and unloaded it. And he was surrounded by people who took no prisoners. They were tough, tough people — Tony Coello and Jim Wright, they were tough.
Q: You were approached about working as Commerce Secretary for the Obama administration. What would you say to your colleagues who might consider working for an administration of the opposite party?
You've got to determine whether or not the administration was really ideological. I think I could have worked for the Clinton administration. But if I had worked for this administration I would have been totally out of sync very quickly, because this administration has a very ideological purpose. And, you know, I respect that; it's their view. But I could never be comfortable with it and agree with it.
Whereas I think Bill Clinton was a centrist and basically approached most politics as a centrist. This administration is not centrist; it's very much got an ideological purpose, which I describe as trying to move us to a Western European social democratic model. But other people would be more kind in their description.
But in any event I think you have to choose who it is. Also the jobs –- I mean, there are certain jobs [in] which it doesn't matter what your ideological issues are. Most of the foreign policy issues are not. You could put a real hard-core conservative — as this President has, theoretically, in Petraeus and Gates — in positions that have nothing to do with politics, which are national defense or international issues.


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University Park, Pa. -- A new organization, the Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America, was recently formed to work toward making farming safer.
Agriculture is consistently among the most hazardous occupations in the United States, according to Dennis Murphy, Penn State distinguished professor of agricultural safety and health, a founding board member of the new council. In an average year, 516 workers die while doing farm work, and each day about 243 agricultural workers suffer lost-time injuries.
From 2000 to 2006 in Pennsylvania, an annual average of 26 people died of injuries suffered in farm-related incidents. In addition to fatalities, the estimated number of temporary lost-time work injuries on Pennsylvania farms is nearly 5,000 annually. The estimated annual economic toll of these injuries to Pennsylvanians and the rural economy is well over $153 million.
"Agriculture, due to its decentralized nature and diverse structure, lags behind other industries in reducing the toll on its workers with a safety rate that is eight times that of the all-industry average," Murphy said. "The council's mission is to proactively address ongoing and emerging occupational safety and health issues affecting agriculture in the United States."
The new council, driven by farmer/rancher and agribusiness leaders, is the first of its kind in the country to pursue a national strategy to reduce disease, injuries and fatalities in American agriculture. The group will attempt to influence research priorities to rapidly identify best-management practices for worker safety and health that maximize cost efficiency and sustainability.
The Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America is building on the success of similar national initiatives in Australia and Canada, Murphy noted. Organizations represented on the group's board of directors include AGCO Corp, Agri-Services Agency, American Farm Bureau Federation, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Crop Life Foundation, Farm Employers Labor Service, Workers Compensation Fund-Utah, National Institute for Farm Safety, National Pork Board and Penn State.
Administrative services are provided by the National Farm Medicine Center at the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation.
"The council will pursue national strategies to reduce agricultural injuries and fatalities, based on reliable data and emerging issues, "Murphy said. "The group will guide the development of effective delivery systems for safety and health through communications involving leaders representing producers, agribusinesses, insurance companies, safety associations and others."
A variety of membership packages are available for individuals and organizations. For more information, contact the Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America at http://www.ashca.org or (715) 221-7270.


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The ultimate objective of TRIFED is socio-economic development of tribal people in the country by way of marketing development of the tribal products on which the lives of tribals depends heavily as they spend most of their time and derive major portion of their income.
The approach of marketing development of tribal products envisages TRIFED's role as a facilitator and service provider. The philosophy behind this approach is to empower tribal people with knowledge, tools and pool of information so that they can undertake their operations in a more systematic and scientific manner. It involves capacity building of the tribal people through sensitization, formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and imparting training to them for undertaking a particular activity, exploring marketing possibilities in national as well as international markets, creating opportunities for marketing tribal products on a sustainable basis, creating a brand and providing other services.
© Copyright 2020 TRIFED All Rights Reserved. Website Designed and Developed by Luminous Infoways
You are Visitor No.: 26015076


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- 11 Giugno 2014
2014 Peru Digital Future in Focus
The 2014 Peru Digital Future in Focus report provides a year in review of the major shifts in digital consumer behavior that occurred in various online sectors, including social media, e-commerce, travel and finance.
Highlights from the report include:
- Peru has 5.8 million users online, showing a 17% growth for April 2014 versus April 2013, in line with Latin America. The audience mainly consists of men between 15 and 24 years old.
- Peru is closing the gap with Chile for the number of online users.
- Facebook leads the social network rankings, followed by LinkedIn.
- Online banking in Peru had a growth of 12% compared to last year.
- Android is the dominant operating system of mobile devices in Peru.
- The Social Media category leads with users spending more minutes online by PC/Laptop than any other category.


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Designer: Ariel Bouquet and Teddy Bears
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Praise Wedding is a wedding planning and inspiration online magazine for the modern everyday brides&grooms. Our mission is to inspire sophisticated ideas by featuring the most talented vendors and products in the photography, fashion, decoration, design, and food industries. Praise provides inspiration and seeks to present trendy sensibility combined with unique romance.
Latest posts by Praise Wedding (see all)
- This gorgeous display of chandeliers and fairy lights combined is absolutely irresistible (not to mention the sweeping view of the Indian Ocean)! Dinner and after party continued at the Glass House by Tirtha – decorated with baby's breath and hints of pink for a romantic touch. - November 23, 2020
- A million times yes to this fashion-forward and timelessly elegant bridal look! - November 13, 2020
- This Cinderella-inspired gown from Royal Wed featuring romantic ruffles and glittering details will definitely make you the princess of the day! - November 2, 2020


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As the first-ever financial advisor to chair the Financial Services Institute (FSI), I know many of our financial advisor members have questions on why FSI is backing FINRA as the SRO for RIAs. It's time we have a frank, candid discussion on our thinking. Please keep reading to find out why we're supporting FINRA as the SRO for RIAs.
As we travel around the country speaking to financial advisors one thing has become very clear—there's a lot of noise coming out of Washington, D.C. (we know we are not telling you anything new), and there's a real need for us to have a candid conversation about our most pressing issues with our members so that you not only know what we are working on but why we are taking the positions we are taking on these issues.
This first one is the most timely: our push for a self-regulatory organization (SRO) for RIAs to help level the playing field for you, eliminate an unfair competitive advantage and better protect consumers.
Two quick things: One, FSI endorsed FINRA as the SRO for RIAs over a year ago and very publicly, so this isn't new for us; two, we've twice polled our financial advisor members on this issue, and roughly 75% agreed with our position. That being said, even those who see the logic behind it aren't thrilled with giving FINRA greater reach and responsibility.
So let us say this: we are by no means oblivious to the many challenges FINRA creates as our industry's principal regulator, nor are we saying there won't be problems with FINRA in this expanded role. What we do know is that there is a political reality that FSI must deal with on behalf of our members, and that reality is called the Dodd-Frank Act.
Dodd-Frank recognized the regulatory gap that currently exists: only 8% of RIAs were examined by the SEC last year, an average of once every 13 years, and nearly 40% of RIAs have never been examined. To protect consumers and level the playing field, this regulatory gap must be eliminated. Dodd-Frank mandated a study which ultimately directed the SEC to develop options to close the gap. The SEC responded with three:
1) Give the SEC more money to hire more examiners through user fees on RIAs (political fantasy).
2) Have FINRA serve as the SRO for dual registrants (encouraging advisors to go RIA only and continue to skirt examination).
3) Draft legislation empowering the SEC to approve an SRO for advisers (the only political reality).
Knowing that left to their own devices Washington often gets it wrong, FSI knew we had to take a position that would best serve investors and our members and see it through to the end. No sitting safely on the sidelines. After careful consideration and deliberation, our Board took the bold position that the only viable solution, politically and practically, is to support FINRA as the SRO for RIAs. There is no escaping the fact that this is a classic "the devil you know versus the devil you don't" situation.
Now, because of our understanding of Washington, we know a lot of what we've heard stems from a misunderstanding of the political reality by some of our members. We've heard some ask us, "Why don't you spend your time and energy advocating for the full repeal of Dodd-Frank and not FINRA as an SRO?"
While you won't find any raving fans of Dodd-Frank at FSI, we also intimately know the political reality, and that is that the law is here to stay for the foreseeable future. In fact, I'd go as far to say that, even if Republicans win not only a majority in the Senate, but a super majority (60 votes), the bill still wouldn't be repealed. You'd most likely need about 65 Republicans in the Senate to make up for those that you'd lose on the vote to get it to the president's desk.
So while we know it would make some of our members feel good to see us advocate for the repeal of Dodd-Frank, it wouldn't do any good, and wouldn't be spending the resources and influence you are giving us wisely. To put it in industry terms, we wouldn't be acting as good fiduciaries—in fact, our approach wouldn't even be suitable; it would just be irresponsible. It would marginalize not only FSI but the industry we represent and seriously impede our ability to impact any issues going forward.
Now that we've established Dodd-Frank isn't going away any time soon, and Dodd-Frank provides an opportunity for this regulatory gap to be closed, is it going to be the SEC, FINRA or a brand new bureaucracy no one knows? For us, the answer wasn't pleasant, but it was simple: the devil we know.
First, everyone in D.C. knows that this Congress is never, ever, going to give the SEC more money.
Second, the SEC is fraught with problems. Lest we forget, the numerous staff were caught surfing porn rather than doing jobs, revolting over BlackBerrys so they didn't have to work outside the office, renting office space they don't need, leaving a beneficiary of Bernie Madoff in charge of liquidation, investigating their watchdog after he issued unflattering reports, and on and on and on.
With all of the SEC's very public problems, and with the SEC's own Chair, Mary Schapiro, finally endorsing the SRO option, anyone who claims the SEC is a viable alternative isn't being intellectually honest in terms of political reality. In addition, not all, but some of those pushing the SEC knowing this political reality are in fact doing so simply to keep the status quo.
The option of a brand-new SRO or multiple SROs is also troubling. For FSI to back a strategy that could set up one or more new regulators that we don't know and don't have influence with wouldn't be taking full advantage of the relationships we've worked years on strengthening.
You then add to the mix the fact that the Consumer Federation of America dropped its 20-year opposition to an SRO and you can see that the tide was clearly turning.
FINRA, as we said from the beginning, isn't perfect. They are actually nowhere near perfect. But they do have the resources to do the job, and they would be much more affordable for our members from a small business cost standpoint than the SEC user fee proposal.
FSI has a good working relationship with FINRA. There is an FSI member on the FINRA Board, there are 20 FSI members on FINRA district committees and FSI senior staff has a close working relationship with FINRA senior staff. Certainly, we don't always get what we work for with FINRA; we wish we could say we had a perfect record, but we don't. But we do have many wins in terms of changing proposed rules and regulations coming from FINRA to our members' benefit that we can hang our hat on.
If FINRA becomes the SRO for RIAs, FSI pledges to you that we will stop at nothing to try and ensure the most responsible, efficient and least intrusive regulator for RIAs as possible while protecting investors. And if FINRA's not doing it job, you'll hear it from us first.
We're here to create a healthier, more business-friendly regulatory environment for you, our members. We're here to make your life easier, your business more prosperous, and preserve your clients' access to your much-needed services—period.
And we truly believe that with FINRA in place regulating RIAs, we'll finally help level the playing field for you, eliminate an unfair competitive advantage and better protect consumers.


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Does anyone enjoy cleaning the toilet with a toilet brush? Jet wash it clean with a Shiffter instead and help raise money for IBS, colitis and Crohn's charities
STROUD, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, March 31, 2017 /EINPresswire.com/ — A British man is hoping to raise millions of pounds for charities if he reaches his Kickstarter funding target of £50,000 for the Shiffter, a new invention which aims to make cleaning toilets 'considerably less disgusting' than using a toilet brush.
The idea is a simple one – instead of using a toilet brush to clean the loo, you use a jet of water.
Kam Mistry, inventor of the Shiffter, who has been working on the project in the evenings and weekends around his day job, said:
"This product isn't rocket science, however it has the potential to become commonplace in hundreds of millions of homes across the globe. Let's face it, does anyone enjoy using a toilet brush? Does anyone like picking up a used one? Instead of using a toilet brush and bleach to clean a toilet you just pick up the Shiffter, which is filled with water and sits next to the toilet, and use it to jet wash the bowl clean. The feedback from everyone who has seen it has been great as they can immediately see how it will make a currently unpleasant chore much easier and cleaner. It's also more friendly to the environment as you end up using less bleach, toilet cleaner and water."
Obviously talking about cleaning poo from a toilet bowl is something that we generally don't discuss at the dinner table, and this is something Kam has thought about, but he sees it as an opportunity rather than a hindrance. In a world where video is easy to use for demonstrating how something works, it isn't so easy for the Shiffter, as no-one wants to watch a movie of something so personal. To get around this, a short animation has been created to show what the product does and then, using chocolate spread, the Shiffter's effectiveness is shown in a brief video.
The Shiffter and a demonstration of it being used can viewed at www.shiffter.com and on the Kickstarter page.
Kam added:
"For obvious reasons, cleaning toilets isn't something we talk about on a daily basis, and the same goes for illnesses related to digestive and intestinal disorders such as colitis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome and bowel cancer – to name but a few. Millions of people's daily lives are blighted by such conditions but we don't talk about them, so I'm hoping that giving 20% of profits from the product to related good causes will change people's perspective and understanding about gut-related illnesses. It's about providing an opportunity to be more open about these issues which can be extremely demoralising."
Kam is already in discussions with charities, including Crohn's and Colitis UK, about their potential involvement.
Whilst a light-hearted approach is used on the Kickstarter website, he is hoping to raise serious amounts of money for charities with the patent pending product.
He added:
"With over a billion households in the world, the market is huge, and don't forget that many homes have more than one toilet. On top of that there are toilets in hotel rooms and businesses too. The potential is enormous, especially if the patent application is successful."
Phil Staunton, managing director of D2M, the product design company based in Cheltenham, which designed the Shiffter, said:
"It is a quirky new product with an interesting brand which provides a simple solution to an age-old problem. The design is very elegant and is styled nicely to suit any style of bathroom."
Vicki Strachan, partner and patent attorney at Wynne-Jones IP, added:
"A good product needs to solve a problem, have a market and be affordable, and the Shiffter ticks those boxes. Additionally, everything it does is easily explained in just a few seconds and this makes it even more easy to market. Whilst it's a relatively simple idea, its functional design features, name and branding – including the commitment to raising money for good causes – are all factors that increase the Shiffter's potential for success."
Whilst Kam intends to initially give 20% of profits to good causes, he wants that figure to rise as sales improve over time, so the potential to raise tens if not hundreds of millions of pounds for related good causes is very real, if he can reach his funding target to go into production.
The Kickstarter project is currently live and ends on Tuesday 2 May. If the funding target of £50,000 on the crowdfunding website is reached, the Shiffter will go into production in the summer and be available to buy shortly afterwards.
A UK patent is pending (Patent Application No. 1613313.4) with foreign applications due to be filed in the next few weeks.
Kam Mistry
The Shiffter
email us here
How the Shiffter works and a demonstration of how effective it is using chocolate spread – which is much harder to shifft than the real thing!
Source: EIN Presswire


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Friday February 29, 2008 12:20 pm
Morph: Future of Technology?
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Design, Mods / Hacks, Science
Nokia's researchers and the University of Cambridge have come up with the "Morph." On display at MoMA this month through mid-May, the concept is meant to display the flexibility of future mobile devices. Morph's technology is pliable, self-cleaning, and transparent, and can be ergonomically rearranged. For example, a folded design would fit in a pocket or on a wrist, while an unfolded one could become a handset. In addition, Morphing will less expensive, take up less space on the planet, and be eco-friendly. We are all for any idea that we can wear instead of forget when we are in a rush.
Read More | Nokia
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In Ronnie Graham's Stern's Guide to Contemporary African Music (Zwan Publications, 1988, published in the U.S. as The Da Capo Guide to African Music), there is an intriguing reference to something called "Igbo Blues," which he defines as ". . . basically a percussion arrangement supported by vocals and lacking even guitars. . ."
What Ronnie calls "Igbo Blues" would probably be more properly labeled Igbo Traditional or Igbo Roots Music, and this is an extremely popular and variegated genre in the Nigerian music industry, encompassing myriad styles and artists. I've never actually seen a recording labeled "Igbo Blues," although the appellations "Igbo Native Blues" or "Igbo Native Music" are sometimes used. Below are two record labels featuring the former term, the first from Ogbogu Okoriji & his Anioma Brothers, a percussion and vocal ensemble from Delta State, the second by the fifty-member women's dance and vocal group group of the Nnewi Improvement Union (Lagos Branch). I've also seen "Igbo Native Blues" applied to solo pieces for ubo (Igbo thumb-piano) and voice, and also to straightforward Igbo guitar highlife, so who's to say what it really means?
As an example of an "Igbo Blues" artist, Ronnie cites the musician Morocco Maduka. Morocco's recent recordings feature the sort of stale arrangements, cheap synthesizers and ticky-tacky drum machines that currently blight the Igbo music scene. An artist with a similar, but superior, sound is Chief Akunwata Ozoemena Nsugbe (right), who places more emphasis on the traditional Igbo percussion line-up of drums and bells. Here's a track from his cassette Ifunanya (Olumo Records ORPS 1034). "Chief John Nnebeolisa" is the sort of obsequious praise song that is rife in Nigerian music. The honoree is lauded for his great success in life, his charitable works, and his tendency to give away cars as gifts. Mr. Nsugbe asks the great Chief if he could get a gift also:
Chief Akunwata Ozoemena Nsugbe & his Oliokata Singing Party - Chief John Nnebeolisa
Another popular version of Igbo traditional music is performed by amateur and semi-professional percussion and dance troupes. Around Christmastime or during village celebrations, such as the Iri Ji, or New Yam festival, these groups are ubiquitous in Ala Igbo, traveling from house to house and compound to compound to perform for money. During my first visit to Nigeria in December 1994 I made a number of videos of groups such as these, which I really should post on YouTube some day. From the cassette Chukwunna Njieme Onu (EMI Nigeria NEMI 0692), here is a tune by the Ifediora Mma Egedege Cultural Dance Group of Uga, which is a noteworthy examplar of this style.
Here the full panoply of Igbo traditional instruments is displayed to great effect. The amiri (reed flute) leads off, to be joined in succession by the ekwe (wooden slit drum), ogene (two-headed bell) and oyo (rattle). The title, "Chukwunna Njieme Onu," means "My God that I Brag About." Lead singer Ann Ezeh addresses God in a very personal way: "God, please bless us, God that we rejoice in, God give us your grace, God that is all-good, God in heaven ('Olisa din'igwe') make our way easier."
Ifediora Mma Egedege Cultural Dance Group of Uga - Chukwunna Njieme Onu
One of the outstanding Nigerian releases of the 1980s was Anti-Concord/Apama (Nigerphone NXLP 011, 1988) by Ibealaoke Chukwukeziri & his Anaedonu (right). Side 1 featured sparkling guitar highlife, while side 2 was devoted to some great Igbo cultural roots music, including this song, "Apama," or "carry me," which addresses the burning issue of Igbo women not being as tall as they used to be! You can see a video of it here.
Ibealaoke Chukwukeziri & his Anaedonu - Apama
Finally, any discussion of Igbo roots music would be incomplete without an example of women's choral music. There are literally thousands and thousands of Igbo female singing groups throughout Nigeria, and many have made recordings. One of the more popular ensembles in the '80s was the Okwuamara Women's Dance Group of Umuoforolo, Nkwerre in Imo State. "Nkwerre Imenyi Anyi Abiala" is from their LP Okwuamara '88 (SIL 001), and serves as an introduction to the group: "Nkwerre Imenyi [the group's home village], we have come, the beautiful ones have come." The chorus then replies "yes, we have come." Greetings are then given to the people of Nigeria, of Imo State, etc., etc.
Okwuamara Women's Dance Group of Umuoforolo, Nkwerre - Nkwerre Imenyi Anyi Abiala
Thanks once again to my wife, Priscilla, for interpreting the lyrics. Please let me know if you've enjoyed these tracks. I have tons of music like this, and I'd love to make it better known.
I like to give "shout-outs" to other African music sites whenever I can, and it occurred to me yesterday that I've never mentioned Matt Yanchyshin's excellent blog Ben Loxo du Taccu. This was the first serious African music blog, and it's been the inspiration for many others. If you're reading this, you've probably seen Ben Loxo already. If you haven't, though, do yourself a favor and drop by now. It's an excellent way to find out about and sample the latest sounds out of Africa. It's "Eritrea Week" at Ben Loxo right now, and Matt's got a platterful of musical treats from that country for your listening enjoyment.
I'm indebted to Matt in a number of ways. Not only did he directly inspire this blog, he personally advised me on some of the technical issues involved, and has been generous in his praise and encouragement ever since.
Monday, January 21, 2008
The Elusive "Igbo Blues"
Posted by John B. at 5:50 AM 19 comments
Labels: "Igbo Blues", Chief Akunwata Ozoemena Nsugbe, Ekpili, Ibealaoke Chukwukeziri, Ifediora Mma Egedege, Igbo, Igbo Traditional Music, Nigeria, Nigerian Female Vocalists, Okwuamara
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10 6-inch flour tortillas
2 cups chopped, cooked turkey
1 3-oz. box cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- - - - - -
For the sauce:
1 16-oz. can tomatoes, cut up.
1 15-oz. can tomato sauce
1 cup finely chopped green pepper
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup snipped parsley or cilantro
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
- - - - - -
Wrap a stack of tortillas tightly in foil. Heat in 350-degree oven for 10 minutes.
Bring sauce (eight ingredients) to boil, simmer for 5 minutes, uncovered.
Combine half the sauce, the turkey, cream cheese and half the shredded cheese. Spoon about 1/4 cup of turkey mixture onto each tortilla, roll it up and place seam-side down in casserole.
Latest Food & Drink
Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Pour remaining sauce over tortillas and sprinkle on remaining cheese. Bake uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes more.


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Harkin bill would provide relief for education jobs being cut across country
Most states would receive more aid under an education jobs bill than a Race to the Top grant
WASHINGTON - April 21, 2010 -
According to new figures released by the National Education Association, most states would receive more education funds under an education jobs bill pending in the Senate—the Keep Our Educators Working Act of 2010 (S. 3206)—than they would if they were awarded grants under round two of the administration's Race to the Top competition.
The NEA document shows that President Obama's home state of Illinois, for example, would get more federal funds under S. 3206—$978 million—than it would if the state were to win a Race to the Top (RTTT) grant. The maximum award under RTTT would be $400 million, according to Department of Education guidelines for each state.
"Now is not the time for competition," says NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. "Competition is a luxury our states should have during a budget surplus, not when they are facing record deficits and slashing jobs. Our children's future should not depend on whether their state or district receives a competitive grant."
In Illinois, education stands to lose $1.3 billion in state funding, which would translate into 20,000 teacher layoffs. Today in Springfield, as many as 15,000 union members are expected to rally at the state Capitol to express support for a one percent income tax increase that would generate funds to save nearly a thousand education jobs across the state.
The Senate bill introduced last week by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), chair of the Senate Education Committee, would provide $23 billion to extend the already successful State Fiscal Stabilization Fund under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Harkin said the Keep Our Educators Working Act would offer a one-year influx of money to fund state and local education jobs.
"Students need teachers and support workers helping them, protecting them, inspiring them, and educating them every single day," said Van Roekel. "We have an ailing economy, and education is the medicine. Our educators are in our schools every day administering the cure."
NEA is now projecting more than 150,000 educator layoffs in the next three months, which will affect millions of public school children. That's more teachers than in the entire states of Indiana, Massachusetts, and North Dakota combined (NEA's Rankings & Estimates 2009–2010). According to the Department of Education, only about 10 to 15 states may share in the remaining $3.4 billion that is estimated to be available from the competitive Race to the Top grants.
School budgets across the country have already been cut to the bone, with some districts moving to four-day school weeks, cutting programs or even closing schools. These layoffs and cuts are coming at the same time that schools are facing demands for better academic outcomes.
"This crucial education funding would save hundreds of thousands of education jobs, and it would be a tremendous help to states in dire financial circumstances," said Van Roekel. "But more importantly, it ensures that millions of America's students will not have to bear the brunt of our nation's economic woes."
For more resources on education funding, please go to http://www.nea.org/funding
For more information on saving educators' jobs
Follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/NEAMedia
# # #
The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional organization, representing
3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.
CONTACT: Sara Robertson (202) 822-7823, email@example.com
How will the education jobs bill affect educators? NEA Vice-President Lily Eskelsen explains.
NEA VP Lily Eskelsen speaks to ABC affiliate KGO in San Francisco about educator layoffs across the country. Click to listen
NEA VP Lily Eskelsen speaks to Univision about educator layoffs across the country. Click to watch


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Prices are PLUS tax, tag, title fee, $997 Pre-Delivery Service Fee and $185 Electronic Tag Registration Service Fee, and *does not include dealer installed options. Nissan Leaf pricing is displayed for a Lease purchase only. *Finance Assist, Trade Assist and all Nissan incentives are included in dealer discounts. See dealer for details. *Customer must trade-in a vehicle to receive $1,000 Trade Assist credit; *Trade Assist credit is provided by this dealership; See dealer for complete details. **Financing must be provided by a lender using this dealership's assistance for Customer to receive $1,000 Financing Assist credit; See dealer for complete details. A copy of the advertisement must be presented at time of purchase to receive any special or advertised price. Prior sales are excluded. We attempt to update this inventory regularly; however, there can be lag time between the sale of a vehicle and the updating of inventory.
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*Example: Plus tax, tag, title and dealer closing fees. Discount off MSRP. On select models with approved credit through NMAC. Two or more available in stock at this price. See dealer for details.


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Last night I spent a couple of hours delivering treats to my Primary class members, the ladies I visit teach, and my nieces and nephews. It was enjoyable. It was no big deal, and it was kind of a big deal, because it was a four-hour project (2 hours putting together the treats, and 2 hours delivering them). I'm not complaining, because I loved every minute of it.
At one house, the mother gave me a huge hug and said, "Aundrea, I just love you so much! I don't really know why, but I do. Well, I do know why. It's a million little reasons." That hug and the sweet words of a woman I also love and admire were a beautiful highlight for the evening.
Our nephews got all dressed up in their Halloween costumes during my visit to their house. They seemed as delighted to show me as I was to see them. They also brought out their stuffed animals in the costumes their mother made for them. There were a dozen or more costumed stuffed animals! What a wonderful memory those kids will have of their mother's love for them! My cheeks HURT by the time I left their home.
Last night two of our "sons" came over to visit. When the first one walked into the house (they've been told they don't have to knock), I got misty eyes immediately--I was so happy to see him! I've missed these kids! It meant going out of their way to come to our house, so it was a sacrifice on their part. But oh! that little visit means so much to me!
One of the boys has been working hard to become temple worthy. When he walked into the House of the Lord, he had to show the worker a small rectangular piece of paper indicating his worthiness to be there. It seems like such a small thing, but the road has been long and difficult. It is a very big deal to him and to those of us who love him.
The small, seemingly insignificant things add up to big things in our lives. Sometimes, though, those small things aren't really small at all.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Sometimes the Little Things Aren't Really Little
Last night I spent a couple of hours delivering treats to my Primary class members, the ladies I visit teach, and my nieces and nephews. It was enjoyable. It was no big deal, and it was kind of a big deal, because it was a four-hour project (2 hours putting together the treats, and 2 hours delivering them). I'm not complaining, because I loved every minute of it.
Posted by wjmom at 8:48 AM 0 comments
Labels: the little things
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Thinking about Life Again
A friend recently wrote something like, "Life is hard with occasional happy times. It was meant to be that way, because it is a test."
I disagree with her. I think life is meant to be happy with occasional down days. That doesn't mean that hard things don't happen, and some hard things last a while.
For example, right now my grandpa is on hospice care. The main caregiver is my grandma, who is often not even recognized by her nearly-lifelong sweetheart. There is very little Grandpa can do, so Grandma does it all. It is a heavy load to bear for her. She does better when she can at least get a good night's rest, but that is often interrupted by his trying to leave the house to "go to work" or his taking a fall. It's really hard on her. But my grandma has been an absolute CHAMPION through all of this. Each time we speak she talks of the blessings she is receiving. She laughs a lot. She is incredibly patient and oh, so kind!
My grandma is doing something really hard. She is more than 85 years old, and she deserves a rest. But she is so grateful and glad to be capable of helping her sweetheart during this season. And she knows that another season is coming. In fact, the only way this difficult season will end is for Grandma to enter a season WITHOUT Grandpa. Certainly that is a daunting thought. But she smiles, "cowboys up," and does what needs to be done with happiness and gratitude.
Another friend taught me this week that life might be described as a 1-10 scale, with 1 being terribly miserable and 10 being as happy as can possible be. Most people ride a roller coaster between 2 and 10, thinking that their happiness is at the mercy of life's circumstances. My friend said she would much rather ride most days at a 6 or 7. According to Elder Packer it's OK to have a "good bad day" every once in a while. And certainly we should enjoy every moment of joy that is given to us. But we also have a responsibility for our own happiness. Like my grandma, we can smile, even when life doesn't seem easy or fair. And by "smile" I don't just mean turning up the corners of our mouths (although that's a wonderful start). I mean that we find true happiness in all that we do.
The other thing I really believe is that people who are happy attract happiness to themselves. Choosing happiness is a self-fulfilling prophecy. People who are happy will want to be with you (the "birds of a feather" philosophy). And even though hard things will happen, if you are already happy, surrounded by happy people, making other people and circumstances as happy as possible, those hard things will just be another bridge to cross in a happy life.
It is true that most days we turn off the alarm clock, get ready for a day of work, take care of the mundane, and start again the next day. Sometimes I think it would be fine with me if I were independently wealthy, travelled the world, ate all the finest foods, was never in another traffic jam, never had someone say harsh words to me or my loved ones, changed a stinky diaper, washed a dirty dish, tackled the never-ending laundry (again), got sick, or any of the other unpleasant things that might come to us in our lives.
But what if we had never played a game of Lifesavers-in-Flour because it only cost us $.50? We if we had never planned a fun stay-cation or party day so that we could be with our family? What if we hadn't shared the love, acceptance, hugs, kleenexes, and hysterical laughter that come with heartbreak? What if we had missed parenthood? What if we were physically unable to do things (and even then...)? What if we lived somewhere where "dirty" was the norm?
There's just too much to be grateful for, to laugh at, to love, to do, to see, to think, to feel, to hear, to EXPERIENCE and to LIVE to be unhappy, even when things are hard. And the world would be a better place if we all took the responsibility to be happy ourselves and then pay it forward.
Posted by wjmom at 2:03 PM 3 comments
Labels: happiness
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Lucky Mom
I sent Sister Hill our Benny card so she can go get contact lenses. She did not understand how it worked, so she contacted the mission mom. Sister C gave her permission to text me and find out all about it.
So this morning I got to have a text conversation with our daughter. It wasn't much and it wasn't about anything important, really. (Well, ya know, except her being able to SEE). But it seemed awfully nice to get to "talk" to her.
Posted by wjmom at 8:01 AM 0 comments
Labels: Briana, I love my missionaries
Friday, October 19, 2012
My friend Courtney at "You Are What You Love" has awarded me this fabulous Liebster award. I know it's fabulous, because she said so, and she has fabulous taste. The Liebster is an "award given to up-and-coming bloggers with less than 200 followers who deserve some recognition and support to keep on blogging." Apparently the name is German for dearest. This award comes with rules ... sounds like a chain letter right? Each person awarded must:
Posted by wjmom at 9:28 PM 1 comments
Labels: Liebster award
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
It's Not That Important
One of the wonderful senior missionaries at work is making me nuts. I seriously love the guy--he's a grandpa; a teddy bear! He's pleasant. He's cute. He's helpful.
A couple of days ago my boss mentioned to him that he needed to show him how to put a print job on hold. Since I was at the printer at the same time Elder M was there, he showed me how to do it, and gave me the mandate to teach my boss. OK, kids, it's not hard.
It's also not at the top of the priority list when I'm with my boss this week. Annual budgets are being reviewed by the muckities, so my boss (remember how he's the finance director?) is up to his eyes in prep work for two different departments.
But Elder M has asked me over and over if I've shown my boss how to put a print job on hold. The only difference between him and a two-year-old is that he isn't saying "Mommy? Mommy? Mommy?" or patting my leg.
For. the. love!
Posted by wjmom at 7:57 AM 0 comments


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Category: BLUNKETT, David, Lord, PC (Labour peer)
Why I'm backing Leadsom for PM3rd July 2016
I used my last blog to explain why I had taken the decision to vote Leave in the EU referendum on 23rd June and I just want to start this one by saying how delighted I was by the result. I always tend to treat voting in a rather theatrical manner but for this one…
- 1922 Committee
- BARLEY, Emily (Chair, Conservatives for Liberty)
- BARON, John, MP (Tory MP for Basildon & Billericay)
- Basildon, Borough of
- BLUNKETT, David, Lord, PC (Labour peer)
- CAMERON, Rt Hon David (fmr. Tory PM)
- Conservative & Unionist Party
- Conservatives for Liberty
- CRABB, Rt Hon Stephen, MP (Tory MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire)
- Data Retention Investigatory Powers Act (2014)
- European Arrest Warrant
- European Union
- FOX, Rt Hon Dr Liam, MP (Tory MP for North Somerset)
- GOVE, Rt Hon Michael, MP (Tory MP for Surrey Heath)
- JOHNSON, Rt Hon Boris, MP (Tory MP for Uxbridge & South Ruislip)
- LEADSOM, Rt Hon Andrea, MP (Tory MP for South Northamptonshire)
- MAY, Rt Hon Theresa, MP (Prime Minister)
- Referendum
- WERRITTY, Adam


text:
An electronically traded futures contract one fifth the size of standard S&P futures, E-mini S&P 500 futures and options are based on the underlying Standard & Poor's 500 stock index. Made up of 500 individual stocks representing the market capitalizations of large companies, the S&P 500 Index is a leading indicator of large-cap U.S. equities.
Whether you are a new trader looking to get started in futures, or an experienced trader looking to expand your exposure to the U.S. stock market, E-mini S&P 500 futures provide you with the opportunity you need.


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Call it a nod to shareholder activism. Citigroup under the leadership of Vikram Pandit announced record revenue on Monday, earning investors $0.95 per share. Nonetheless, just one day later, at its annual meeting in Dallas, shareholders rejected his pay package worth $15 million.
At an otherwise routine meeting, the only point of contention was the pay package, with over half of attendees voting 'nay.' Pandit's not alone, and other pay plans of top officials will most likely be affected. The vote is non-binding, but Citigroup chairman Richard Parson said the board will discuss the shareholders' concerns. Michael O'Neill replaced Parson as chairman after the meeting in a move announced in early March.
The rejection might in part be the result of the bank's failure of its most recent stress test. Citigroup was one of four large U.S. banks that flunked stress tests on how they might hold up in a new economic crisis, according to Federal Reserve data released March 14.
Citigroup said at the time that it remained among the best capitalised large banks in the world and called on the Fed to make the methodology of the test public.
But it also said it would revise its capital plan, which included a divdend increase the Fed objected to.
Speculation has also arisen as to the fate of its joint venture in Smith Barney with Morgan Stanley. Glenn Schorr, a Nomura Holdings analyst, caused a stir in late march when he wrote in a letter to clients that Citigroup CFO John Gerspach and COO John Havens indicated that they would be willing to sell more than the scheduled 14% stake in the venture if Morgan Stanley was interested.
Morgan Stanley has the option to buy a 14% stake in its joint venture with Citi in May, increasing its ownership to 65%, and can purchase the business outright over the next two years. In 2009, Morgan Stanley bought a controlling stake in the venture, which has more than 17,000 advisers and $1.65 trillion in client assets.
But observers note Citigroup's stake in Smith Barney is profitable for the company, and while Gerspach signaled a willingness to sell in comments he made on a call with analysts Monday, Pandit was more opaque, adding that "Having said that, the capital numbers we are at and the progress we're making in the business suggest that there is not a need to sell, either, which is important to appreciate and understand."


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Vehicle Summary
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Auxiliary audio input: jack
Auxiliary audio input: USB
Connected in-car apps: Amazon Alexa
Connected in-car apps: Google POIs
Connected in-car apps: Google search
Connected in-car apps: SiriusXM Movie Listing
Connected in-car apps: SiriusXM Stocks
Connected in-car apps: SiriusXM Travel Link
Connected in-car apps: SiriusXM Weather
Digital Sound Processing
Genesis Connected Services
In-Dash CD: DVD audio
In-Dash CD: MP3 Playback
In-Dash CD: single disc
Infotainment screen size: 12.3 in.
Internet radio app: Pandora
Premium brand: Lexicon
Radio data system
Radio: AM/FM
Radio: HD radio
Radio: touch screen display
Rear audio: volume control
Satellite radio: SiriusXM
Smartphone integration: Android Auto
Smartphone integration: Apple CarPlay
Speed sensitive volume control
Subwoofer: 1
Surround sound: 7.1
Total speakers: 16
Video system: DVD player
Watts: 900
performance and engineering
Alternator: 180 amps
Axle ratio: 3.54
Battery saver
Battery: maintenance-free
Drive mode selector
Stability control
Suspension: Active suspension
Suspension: Driver adjustable suspension: ride control
Suspension: Front shock type: gas
Suspension: Front spring type: coil
Suspension: Front stabilizer bar: diameter 25 mm
Suspension: Front struts
Suspension: Front suspension classification: independent
Suspension: Front suspension type: multi-link
Suspension: Rear shock type: gas
Suspension: Rear spring type: coil
Suspension: Rear stabilizer bar: diameter 17 mm
Suspension: Rear suspension classification: independent
Suspension: Rear suspension type: multi-link
Suspension: Suspension control: electronic
Traction control
Body side moldings: chrome
Daytime running lights: LED
Door handle color: body-color with chrome accents
Exhaust tip color: metallic
Exhaust: dual tip
Exhaust: integrated
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps
Front bumper color: body-color
Front bumper color: chrome accents
Grille color: chrome
Headlights: auto delay off
Headlights: auto high beam dimmer
Headlights: cornering
Headlights: LED
Headlights: self-leveling
Mirror color: body-color
Moonroof / Sunroof: anti-trapping
Moonroof / Sunroof: one-touch open/close
Moonroof / Sunroof: power glass
Moonroof / Sunroof: sliding sunshade
Moonroof / Sunroof: tilt/slide
Rear bumper color: body-color
Rear bumper color: chrome accents
Side door type: soft close
Spare tire mount location: inside
Spare tire size: temporary
Spare wheel type: alloy
Taillights: LED
Taillights: rear center
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Tire type: all season
Wheels: chrome alloy
Window trim: chrome
Air filtration
Cargo area floor mat: carpet
Dash trim: leather
Dash trim: wood
Digital odometer
Door sill trim: scuff plate
Door trim: leather
Driver information system
Driver seat power adjustments: 22
Driver seat power adjustments: height
Driver seat power adjustments: lumbar
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining
Driver seat: heated
Driver seat: ventilated
Electroluminescent instrumentation
External temperature display
Floor mat material: premium carpet
Front air conditioning zones: dual
Front air conditioning: automatic climate control
Front headrests: 2
Front headrests: power adjustable
Front seat type: bucket
Gauge: tachometer
Head-up display
Heated steering wheel
Humidity/dewpoint sensors
Instrument cluster screen size: 7 in.
Interior accents: wood
Multi-functional information center
Passenger seat power adjustments: 16
Passenger seat power adjustments: height
Passenger seat power adjustments: lumbar
Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining
Passenger seat: heated
Passenger seat: ventilated
Rear air conditioning zones: single
Rear air conditioning: automatic climate control
Rear headrests: 3
Rear headrests: adjustable
Rear seat type: bench
Rear seat: heated
Rear vents: second row
Shift knob trim: leather
Steering wheel trim: leather
Upholstery: premium leather
Airbag deactivation: occupant sensing passenger
Automatic emergency braking: front pedestrian
Automatic emergency braking: rear pedestrian
Blind spot safety: camera display
Body side reinforcements: side impact door beams
Brakes: ABS: 4-wheel
Brakes: Braking assist
Brakes: Cornering brake control
Brakes: Electronic brakeforce distribution
Brakes: Electronic parking brake: auto off
Brakes: Front brake diameter: 14.2
Brakes: Front brake type: ventilated disc
Brakes: Power brakes
Brakes: Rear brake diameter: 13.4
Brakes: Rear brake type: ventilated disc
Camera system: surround view
Child safety door locks
Child seat anchors: LATCH system
Cross traffic alert: rear
Crumple zones: rear
Driver attention alert system
Emergency interior trunk release
Energy absorbing steering column
First aid kit
Front airbags: dual
Impact absorbing seats: dual front
Knee airbags: dual front
Lane deviation sensors
Lane keeping assist
Lane keeping assist with blind spot integration
Parking sensors: front
Parking sensors: rear
Pre-collision warning system: audible warning
Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection
Pre-collision warning system: vibrating steering wheel
Pre-collision warning system: visual warning
Rear pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection
Rearview monitor: in dash
Side airbags: front
Side airbags: rear
Side curtain airbags: front
Side curtain airbags: rear
Vehicle exit safety system
2-stage unlocking doors
Adaptive cruise control
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic
Ambient lighting: color-adjustable
Anti-theft system: alarm with remote
Anti-theft system: engine immobilizer
Assist handle: front
Assist handle: rear
Cargo area light
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance
Electronic messaging assistance: voice operated
Electronic messaging assistance: with read function
Footwell lights
Front wipers: rain sensing
Front wipers: speed sensitive
Front wipers: variable intermittent
Heated windshield wiper rests
Illuminated power window switches
Laminated glass: acoustic
Memorized settings: 2 driver
Memorized settings: driver seat
Memorized settings: passenger seat
Memorized settings: side mirrors
Memorized settings: steering wheel
Multi-function remote: panic alarm
Multi-function remote: proximity entry system
Multi-function remote: trunk release
Navigation system: touch screen display
Navigation system: voice operated
One-touch windows: 4
Overhead console: front
Phone: hands free
Power activated trunk/hatch: open and close
Power activated trunk/hatch: sensor-activated
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Power door locks: auto-locking
Power outlet(s): 12V rear
Power outlet(s): front and rear
Power outlet(s): two 12V front
Power steering: variable/speed-proportional
Power windows: front and rear
Power windows: lockout button
Power windows: safety reverse
Push-button start
Real time traffic
Rearview mirror: auto-dimming
Remote engine start
Retained accessory power
Side mirror adjustments: power
Side mirror adjustments: power folding
Side mirror adjustments: reverse gear tilt
Side mirrors: auto-dimming
Side mirrors: heated
Side mirrors: integrated turn signals
Smart device app function: engine start
Smart device app function: horn/light operation
Smart device app function: lock operation
Smart device app function: maintenance status
Smart device app function: vehicle location
Solar-tinted glass: front
Solar-tinted glass: rear
Steering wheel mounted controls: audio
Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise control
Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter
Steering wheel mounted controls: phone
Steering wheel mounted controls: voice control
Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic
Sunshade: power rear window
Sunshade: power side window
Universal remote transmitter: Homelink - garage door opener
Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Window defogger: rear
Wireless charging station: front
Wireless data link: Bluetooth


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Wait....Rahm Lied?
- Despite promises of staffing increases, the Chicago Police Department has fewer beat officers in patrol districts across the city than before Mayor Rahm Emanuel took office, a Chicago Sun-Times analysis of city data has found.
Days after he was sworn into office last year, Emanuel announced the start of what he described as a major shift in how the police department assigns officers across the city. He promised to fulfill a campaign pledge by assigning 1,000 more cops to high-crime areas without reducing the police presence in other parts of the city.
"We cannot beat crime without more officers on the beat," the mayor said then.
That was May 2011.
But, as of Oct. 15, a total of 6,638 rank-and-file officers were assigned to police beats citywide, down from 6,746 beat cops at the start of 2011, according to the data obtained by the Sun-Times.
- The reason is simple: For every newly hired officer assigned to a beat during the past two years, six other sworn members of the department have retired.
And because about 1,200 retirements have sharply depleted the payroll, rank-and-file police staffing even in some high-crime areas where new officers were added last year is again declining, the Sun-Times found.
If you live in a "quiet" part of town, run the numbers for your midnight shifts. There is no police protection during the hours of darkness. Or the Airports? Some nights they are running a single car - one cop covering an airport the size of three or four suburbs.
But remember, crime is down. If the police don't show up, it never gets reported, therefore, it never happened.
Labels: info for the police


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I have tried filming deer hunting before and it is something I am very interested in learning more about.
Filming Deer Hunting Fun
Yesterday I decided to take my camcorder hunting. I setup my tripod in the deer stand with me and attached my camcorder, and waited for the big bucks. I was hoping to get some deer on film, and maybe try to capture myself harvesting a whitetail, bow-hunting.
Once in the stand and the action started. I was filming deer hunting early and was able to have a great afternoon of videoing and hunting.
Outdoor Videography
I am really getting the fever for bow-hunting and outdoor videography. Took my bow to test my archery skills, but I didn't bring my arrows, I always forget to bring all of my supplies hunting. I was able to get a big fox squirrel and seven whitetails on film, but the big bucks never showed up. I got some really good footage of the whitetails and squirrel. But it started raining while I was there, and rain and expensive video equipment just don't mix. Especially when you don't have the right equipment to protect your camera while filming hunts.
I am already wanting to invest in a professional outdoor videography package. I found a really cool website that offers professional outdoor videography packages. You can go check them out at CambellOutdoorChallenge. They have a great line of products, and they even have a competition you can enter and compete against other teams filming hunts. So be sure and go over and check them out.
The rain wasn't too bad so I was able to keep the camera out and I just covered it up and still got some great footage. I had a wonderful evening, I had several whitetails feeding in the food plot and they stayed around feeding for quite some time. It was fun catching them on video. I'm still trying to figure out how to download the video so I can share it with you. I am looking forward to getting some great footage in the near future. I'd like to do it for a living, who knows maybe someday soon I will.
To contact Deerhuntingbigbucks.com with questions or comments fill out our DeerHuntingBigBucks contact form.


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Green scene's fin: Seminar series ends on Earth Day
What Charlottesville Habitat for Humanity began as a way to educate people about ways to live and build in a more environmentally friendly way and has become a monthly meeting of scores of green-minded builders, contractors, and homeowners will come to a close on Wednesday, April 22. After a successful two year run, the Green Matters workshop series will be no more.
"From the beginning, we had a grant to do this as a two-year series," says Ryan Jacoby, Habitat's director of special projects. "The grant allowed us to do it for free, and we didn't want to start charging."
Jacoby estimates that an average of 100 people showed up each time to the Charlottesville Habitat Store for the regular seminars, covering topics ranging from energy efficiency to low-impact building materials. While the ostensible purpose was to allow a local expert to lecture on his topic of expertise before an audience, it became the go-to spot to learn how to save the planet one home at a time.
"After each seminar," says Jacoby, "people would always have the opportunity to go up to the presenter and ask questions, and it became a great way to exchange ideas. Every time, people came up to us and thanked us for making this available to such a broad audience for free."
Habitat will hold one last, but environmentally responsible, blowout at the Paramount Theater on Wednesday, April 22, where all the previous presenters will be on hand to man booths and answer questions from 10am until 3pm, with a open house reception that evening from 5pm to 8pm.
Both events at the Paramount, at 215 East Main Street, are free and open to the public.


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25% Off Any One Regular-Priced Item in Store
25% Off Any One Regular-Priced Item in Store
Use your Visa® card and take 25% off any one item (excluding clearance items) when you shop at Wilsons Leather stores.
Wilsons Leather is a leading specialty retailer of quality accessories and outerwear. We offer fashion and value through an assortment of designer brands and special purchases for both men and women, including outerwear and accessories such as handbags, briefcases and travel items. While holding tight to our leather roots, we also carry an assortment of additional fabrications such as wool, cotton and faux-leather to give our customers more options. For store locations, go to www.wilsonsleather.com/store-locator/landing.do.
To redeem this offer, show or print out a copy of this offer and pay with your Visa card. (Sales Associate - Process as a line item markdown, coupon % off, enter as coupon code: L3 VISA 25% off 1 item).
- Offer is valid at participating Wilsons Leather stores in the USA.
- Offer valid only with coupon and valid Visa card.
- Offer cannot be combined with any other coupon and is not valid on clearance items.
- One redemption per household, per store, per day.
- Not valid on clearance merchandise, gift cards, Internet transactions, or previous purchases, and not redeemable for store credit or cash.
- Customer must present coupon at time of purchase to receive the special offer.
- Certain restrictions may apply; please see store for details.
- Sales Associate - Process as a line item markdown, coupon % off, enter as coupon code: L3 VISA 25% off 1 item.
- Offer subject to change, and is based on individual merchant's terms and conditions.
- Void where prohibited or restricted by law.
- Offer valid only when you pay with a valid Visa card.
- Any taxes are the sole responsibility of the purchaser.
- Wilsons Leather is solely responsible for this offer.


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NOTICE: The Processors Wiki will End-of-Life on January 15, 2021. It is recommended to download any files or other content you may need that are hosted on processors.wiki.ti.com. The site is now set to read only.
Main Page
|Microcontrollers (MCUs)
|ARM®-based Processors
|Digital Signal Processors
|16-bit Ultra Low Power MCU
|32-bit Real-Time MCU
|32-bit ARM MCU
|32-bit ARM Processors for Performance Applications
|Application Processors
|Singlecore DSP
|Multicore DSP
|Ultra Low Power DSP
|Wireless Connectivity
|Personal Area Networks
|Local Area Networks
|Neighborhood Area Networks
|Software & Development Tools
|Development Tools
Embedded Operating Systems
|Embedded Software
|General Information
|Key Links
Related Sites
This site has been established to assist developers using Embedded Processors from Texas Instruments. Its intention is to help developers get started, help each other innovate, and foster the growth of general knowledge about the hardware and software surrounding these devices.
For general rules on when and how to create new topics and categories, see the TI Wiki FAQ.
|Help us make a better site
You are encouraged to search through the topics and learn all you can from them. If you find missing or incorrect information, please take the time to update this site as anyone can edit the wiki! Once you Log in topics will have an edit button. Note that there are a few topics that are protected and are not available for editing.
Consult the User's Guide for information on using the wiki software. An overview of this wiki can be found here. An audio/streaming version of this presentation is available here. Tips on editing can be found here.


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Google has downplayed concerns that refinements to its search technology could leave surfers more exposed to search engine manipulation attacks.
Google Inside Search aims to speed up web searches by pre-loading content from remote sites. The so-called Instant Pages technology only works with Google Chrome.
Miscreants often manipulate search engine results so that links to scareware portals and the like appear prominently in search results for newsworthy terms. These search engine poisoning tactics rely on establishing link farms after hacking into portions of popular websites, using search engines' "sponsored" links to reference malicious sites and injecting HTML code, among other tricks.
Scareware affiliates normally rely on potential victims to click on links to malicious sites among search results before they are whisked away towards dangerous domains. However, the Instant Pages technology might remove this requirement, pre-fetching content from malicious websites and "creating a possibility that a user can be exploited by simply searching, without even clicking on a link," warns Dan Hubbard of Websense Security Labs.
Google maintains that is being careful to minimise the possibility of harmful content getting pre-fetched.
"We've thought hard about this issue, and we don't believe there is any additional risk to users," a Google spokesman explained.
"Sites marked as potentially harmful by our Safe Browsing technology will not be pre-rendered, nor will sites that Chrome detects as suspicious. We also exclude sites with SSL certificate issues and those that try to download files or display popup alerts."
Google added that search engine poisoning to promote scareware sites and the like is an industry-wide problem. ®


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Ascension is proud to introduce the expanded Ascension Virtuoso Vertical Wheelchair Lift product line, now featuring both portable and permanently-installed lifts. AGM Container Controls, Inc. has led in the design and fabrication of products that control and monitor moisture (desiccators and humidity indicators), pressure and vacuum changes (breather valves) and shock and vibration (tie downs and shock overload indicators).
"Elevating your standard of living." For 20 years Residential Elevators, Inc. has provided quality products and service to the home elevator industry. Our new "Horizon" (machine room-less) home elevator model has solidified REI's position in the home elevator market. By using less space, with the same quality materials and skilled craftsmanship as our Luxury Lift (Hydraulic) models, we ensure our ability to make our customers visions a reality. Offices nationally, as well as online services via: www.ResidentialElevators.com.


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TIMES A-CHANGIN': Over the past several weeks, the masthead of Jill Abramson's New York Times has been made over as longtime editors take on new roles or accept buyouts from management. The latest change came Monday afternoon with a new job focus for assistant managing editor Rick Berke, a nearly 30-year veteran of the paper and a close deputy of Abramson's. Berke will be leading the Times' efforts in online video, two sources said, though the Times did not make an official announcement Monday. Politico reported the news first; the Times declined to comment.
It was not known whether Berke would leave his spot on the masthead, where he is one of five ame's, or what his new official title would be.
The Times had already appointed a new business section editor in December, Dean E. Murphy, to succeeded Larry Ingrassia; Ingrassia will be taking up a broader leadership role at the paper. And the Times will soon appoint a new culture editor to replace Jonathan Landman, who announced his retirement on Jan. 2.
The shake-ups among the Times' senior ranks began in early December when Abramson asked senior editors and managers to consider buyouts in light of weakness in advertising revenue. Abramson asked for 30 buyouts among senior managers, and warned that without them, she would be forced to look at layoffs.
They have until Jan. 24 to step forward as volunteers, and as the deadline approaches, the newsroom has been consumed with speculation over likely departures. New York magazine reported last week that managing editor John M. Geddes was negotiating an exit, while assistant managing editor Glenn Kramon was appointed as the new technology editor, based out of San Francisco.
One source said Berke's appointment was a signal of the growing importance of video at the Times as a source of traffic and new advertising revenue. Berke had already dabbled with video during the political conventions, logging regular appearances interviewing reporters and editors for the TimesCast Web show.


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Tags: instagraphyiphoneographylomographyphotoblogPhotography
Ken Ng
Father. Technologist. Photographer. Blogger. Shares my thoughts on the everything technology that amuses me whenever I get some free time away from abusing my MacBook Pro, iPhone XS and iPad Pro.
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It's time for a video Speak-Up on Kotaku! Commenter FuzzleMail takes issue with this AlienWare commercial for depicting gamers as bloodthirsty domination maniacs.
I hate this Alienware commercial. It's the one with the guy going all Reb Brown with the machine guns in some made up game world, then it reveals hes just way too into his laptop gaming at a coffee shop. So the tagline says "Dominate from anywhere" and for some reason it just annoys me because It makes me think...Just because I play video games does not mean I have a domination complex. I don't want to "OWN" everyone and kick in the door with duel wield bazookas and a flamethrower. I don't want to "dominate" I just want to have fun. This commercial is just another in a long line that makes people who play games look like buffoons.
Yeah if the commercial doesn't annoy you you could say I'm looking way into a simple commercial that isn't trying to make a statement and its not making a statement, it just unfortunately happens to portray such bland aspects of gaming cliches that it aggravates me.
About Speak-Up on Kotaku: Our readers have a lot to say, and sometimes what they have to say has nothing to do with the stories we run. That's why we have a forum on Kotaku called Speak-Up. That's the place to post anecdotes, photos, game tips and hints, and anything you want to share with Kotaku at large. Every weekday we'll pull one of the best Speak-Up posts we can find and highlight it here.


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Mobile Computing: More OptionsBy Brian P. Watson Print
As the battle for mobile operating-system supremacy heats up, one vendor is giving technology executives the option to ignore the fight and focus on creating line-of-business programs.
As the battle for mobile operating-system supremacy heats up, one vendor, AppForge, is giving technology executives the option to ignore the fight and focus on creating line-of-business programs.
In April, the Atlanta-based firm released the latest version of its core product, Crossfire, a software development platform that internal teams can use to build mobile applications capable of running on any operating system, including market leader Research in Motion's BlackBerry system and Microsoft's Windows Mobile.
AppForge's latest offering, Crossfire 6.0, plugs into Microsoft's Visual Studio development program with a BlackBerry user interface. It's compatible with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server but also supports Palm, Windows Mobile and other operating systems.
Gary Warren, chief executive of AppForge, says the product meets the needs of enterprise technology executives, who are more concerned with creating line-of-business programs than they are with what device those applications run on.
At least one analyst, though, feels AppForge's future lies in the consumer market. Ellen Daley, vice president and research director with Forrester Research, says that while AppForge is unique, it will become less relevant to technology executives as the number of operating systems continues to shrink. She says the consumer market, which isn't expected to see as much operating-system consolidation, might be a better fit for Warren and company.
Warren disagrees, however, saying AppForge shifted its focus to corporate clients three years ago because the company was drawing low revenue on the consumer end.
Crossfire 6.0 is the company's first BlackBerry-compatible product (previously, the platform linked up with Symbian, Palm's proprietary system and earlier versions of Microsoft operating systems). But Warren doesn't think AppForge is late to the party--he says 300 or so companies bought the product immediately--and he doesn't put much stock in competitive chatter.
In April, research firm Gartner predicted that Microsoft, whose Windows Mobile operating system runs on the newest Palm Treos, will catch up to RIM by 2008. Last week, Baseline reported that IDC believes Windows Mobile will not make considerable gains on RIM's market share until 2008, at the earliest.
But Warren says that instead of choosing sides, companies will stay focused on the entire enterprise market, regardless of whose operating system comes out on top.
Citibank, Thomson Healthcare and BASF are all AppForge customers.
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I received a package with a few different Polymath Products items for my birthday that I am keen to share with you all!
|A Selection of Polymath Products Items
Five on Friday Weekly Linkup
Welcome to Five on Friday, a weekly opportunity for the community to link up and share 5 things with us or take 5 minutes to talk about one topic. We'd love for you to join us and add a link to your own Five on Friday blog post! It's a great way to make new friends from around the world and gain some motivation to keep your blog updated. Every Friday we'll be sharing a Fast Five and look forward to seeing yours.
How To Join In
Your 5 things can be all on a related topic or 5 totally separate things of your choosing, it's totally flexible and up to you. You might choose 5 photos, 5 quotes or use it to recap 5 things you've done this week, you have the freedom to exercise your creativity!
All that we ask is that you link back to Five on Friday using the button below (just copy and paste the HTML code in to your blog) and try to share the love by visiting & commenting on the other participants blogs. Each week the post will go live at 6.00am GMT on Friday and will close for new link entries at 10.00PM on Sunday
Instructions: Select all code above, copy it and paste it inside your blog post as HTML


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A favourite place
We all agreed to say that people who live far from the sea can stand for hours and look at it, doing nothing else, when they come to the shore.
My friends don't feel the need to do so. They live about ten miles from the sea, and they pretend that they never feel the need to go and see if it still is there.
But I admit, even though I can see the sea from where I live, even though I don't feel the need to go there every day, I don't need a big excuse to do so.
Looking at the sea changing, turning from green to blue or grey, getting violent or calming down, may just be one of my favourite occupations. Or something necessary, but not for hours.