text:
Diaz hoping weight loss is a net gain
Career Minor Leaguer loses nearly 70 pounds in offseason
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- There are often stories on a player's weight loss coming from Spring Training camps around baseball. A relief pitcher in Reds camp, Jose Diaz, nicknamed "Jumbo," will trump them all this year and possibly for the next 10 years.
Diaz, who turned 30 on Thursday, went from 347 pounds at the end of last season as a closer for Triple-A Louisville to 278 pounds when he reported to camp.
For those scoring at home, that is a 69-pound reduction. It might be time to warm up a new nickname in the bullpen with the 6-foot-4 Diaz, too.
"When I got here and everybody saw me, they said 'where is Jumbo?'" Diaz said. "I said 'I left Jumbo in the Dominican.' I'm New Jumbo right now. I feel really good."
Diaz has spent 11 seasons pitching in the Minor Leagues but has never reached the Majors. While with the Dodgers organization from 2002-07, the team had another pitcher Jose Diaz. To differentiate the two, it wasn't hard for teammates to decide which one would become "Jumbo." The larger Diaz bounced through three different organizations at the Triple-A level -- the Orioles, Pirates and Reds -- the past three seasons.
Results for Diaz really came together in 2013 for Louisville. The right-hander was 3-4 with a 1.66 ERA and 13 saves in 44 appearances. After the season, the Reds re-signed him as a free agent to another Minor League contract, but also invited him to big league camp as a non-roster player.
"We had a good talk with him when we signed him back," Reds player development director Jeff Graupe said. "We said, 'We're serious about you. We think you have tremendous talent and capabilities. But this is a two-way street. If we present this opportunity, we strongly encourage you to make the most of it.'"
That was all the Diaz needed to hear before he made a life- and career-changing decision.
Diaz returned home to the Dominican Republic and allowed himself to eat like he always had for about two weeks. After that, he had to show more will power than ever as he started his reduction.
"It's really hard to have started the diet in the Dominican," Diaz said. "You have Mama and you have your wife. They tell you they're cooking good for you. I stopped eating fried chicken, rice and beans. The best food we have in the Dominican is rice, beans and chicken."
Under the supervision of a dietician, while making weekly doctor visits, Diaz replaced the rice and beans with salads and fruit. He ate healthy five times per day, while also running and working out. The late night junk food eating ceased, as well.
Helping Diaz trim down was that he could remain dedicated while pitching in winter ball.
"When the season started in the Dominican, I had lost like 30 pounds. When I was pitching, I was pitching good. I was like, 'I can do it.' I wanted to lose 50-70 pounds," Diaz said. "The doctor said I could lose like 15 or 20 and I said no. I have to go pitch in Spring Training and there's a lot of running every day. I said I wanted to stop at 275-277. I keep working hard and I'm in the gym every day and still eating healthy. I don't want to go back like before."
"Before," was a stark difference to what Diaz looks like now. From a binder inside his locker, he produced a photo of himself while he was on the mound for Triple-A Indianapolis a couple of seasons ago. He estimated that he weighed 330 pounds then.
"I don't want to be like that anymore," Diaz said. "Now I'm in good shape. I want to wait for that one opportunity."
Clubs will often provide some leeway to veteran players that put on some weight as they get older. Players without big league experience aren't usually afforded that opportunity.
"It shows how driven he is and how seriously he's taking this opportunity to be in camp," Graupe said. "It is an impressive feat to be 30 years old and making that type of commitment to change. It's great to see, not only for the present moment, but the long term. ... He's one of the few guys that can say with a straight face that he's in the best shape of his life and not have that quote just be a stock quote. It's great to see."
Diaz pitched a scoreless top of the ninth with one walk during the Reds' 12-3 loss to the Indians on Thursday. On a leadoff groundball to first base, he smoothly covered the bag and caught the ball for the out. Manager Bryan Price liked what he saw.
"It was great to see Jumbo Diaz out there in his first big league Spring Training after nine or 10 years of professional baseball," Price said.
The one worry Diaz had was that lost weight would equal lost velocity on his fastball. That had happened to him after a less dramatic weight loss while in the Dodgers organization several years ago. This time, it proved not to be a problem when Diaz went to pitch in winter ball.
In 20 games in the Dominican Republic, Diaz had a 2.37 ERA and three saves. He also had his velocity working during one more outing for a Venezuelan team where he gave up one run in one inning. Just as importantly, he didn't have to catch his breath between every pitch as he said he did last season. This spring, his running and fielding drills performance have improved.
"The first question they ask me is do you feel good? You can pitch regularly like before? I said yeah I feel good," Diaz said. "I threw good in Venezuela and in the Dominican, too. I had my velocity. I feel very good right now."


text:
R-Comp Interactive's ARMini is a modern, British-built desktop PC designed to run the ARM chip's original operating system, RISC OS. It isn't a completely new machine; rather, it's a custom bundle of a Beagleboard and various bits of supporting hardware inside a mini-ITX case, together with a customised build of RISC OS. The aim is to provide a smooth experience to existing RISC OS users.
A typical user environment?
At £599, the ARMini is more expensive than the basic model of the considerably smaller and more powerful Apple Mac mini – and you don't get a lot of hardware for your money. The case is slightly larger than an external 5.25in drive, and alongside a lot of empty space, there's the tiny 3in square motherboard, an HDMI-to-DVI adaptor, a USB hub and an 8GB thumbdrive.
A slimline internal DVD-RW drive is now included for no extra cost, although our review unit was the earlier model that lacked one. There's also 14cm-long external power brick.
The main board is the higher-spec Beagleboard-xM – 1GHz Cortex-A8 CPU, 512MB Ram, on-board Ethernet – running the shared-source RISC OS 5. Together, the storage and Ram provided aren't much in 2012, but then, by modern standards RISC OS is not merely tiny but minute, as are its apps. Even with a suite of freeware and some demo files, only about 750MB of the thumbdrive was occupied. RISC OS itself lives on a micro-SD card in a slot on the Beagleboard.
It's not a lot just shy of £600, but what you're paying for is integration. The review unit came preloaded with RISC OS 5.17 from RISC OS Open Ltd, the company behind the freeware shared-source version, but R-Comp offers a free download that upgrades the machine painlessly to 5.18, together with updates for the bundled apps. I also tried an upgrade to the experimental 5.19 and it worked flawlessly.
The ARMini includes licences from both Castle – owner of RISC OS 5, the shared-source fork – and RISC OS Ltd, vendor of RISC OS 6, the proprietary commercial version. Although you're not running the commercial RO6, R-Comp's build of RO5 includes some enhancements taken from it – so, for instance, when you change screen mode, a confirmation dialog box appears and the machine times-out and automatically reverts goes back if you don't click one.
The RISC business
This is a handy addition – RISC OS's screen-mode support is a bit palaeolithic. It can't read your monitor's capabilities over EDID and the Beagleboard's GPU is working at the outer limit of its abilities driving a big modern flatscreen, so invalid mode settings and an unusable display are a real risk. Indeed, in testing, I found I could only get a display with an HDMI cable – using the DVI port yielded no picture.
Sponsored: Webcast: Discover and secure all of your attack surface

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Whirlwind World Cup awaits Fox's lead voices Strong, Holden
SOCHI, Russia (AP) — At this point, it all feels familiar for John Strong and Stuart Holden.
The lead broadcasters for Fox's English-language coverage of the World Cup in the United States are starting their Russian adventure in Sochi, where they spent time a year ago calling the Confederations Cup. The teams in their opening game — Portugal and Spain — are well known and have obvious story lines.
It's a gentle entry into the first World Cup for the broadcast team, which faces a daunting itinerary.
"I think it's the best job in the world, and now I think about covering the biggest sporting event in the world and my first game being Portugal vs. Spain, that's where it starts to kick in how cool this is," Holden said.
Whether this World Cup will resonate with American viewers is one of the big questions facing Strong, Holden and the entire Fox production. The United States' failure to qualify for Russia was a huge blow for Fox after it reportedly paid more than $400 million to acquire the rights to broadcast the tournament in America. That leaves Strong, Holden and other broadcasters facing the challenge of drawing in casual fans who would watch the World Cup if the U.S. was playing, but now may not be as interested in the tournament.
The burden isn't directly on Strong and Holden, and ratings are the last thing they're worried about while in Russia. Their job is to give their broadcasts enough context to satisfy hardcore fans without confusing novices who don't know all the backstories.
"If they're hearing our voice, they're already there. But you are acutely aware there are going to be people watching these games that have not watched much soccer in the preceding year, perhaps the preceding four years," Strong said. "There are going to be fans who, as well-known as Cristiano Ronaldo is, haven't followed the saga of his season and the fact that within minutes of his third consecutive Champions League crown is asking out and all of these things. And that's not an American thing. That's true of any broadcaster at this World Cup."
Landing the prime broadcasting slot for the World Cup is just part of the rapid rise for Strong and Holden, who are both 32. Strong will celebrate his 33rd birthday later this month in Nizhny Novgorod, where he'll call Argentina vs. Croatia. That's just one stop on a wild ride through Russia for the duo and the rest of their crew. It begins with the Group B showdown between Spain and Portugal and doesn't take a break until the completion of the group stage. The pair will be calling a match, traveling via plane, or both for every day of the group stage. The ambitious start includes Friday's game in Sochi, returning to Moscow to call Argentina vs. Iceland on Saturday, and then heading to Rostov-on-Don for Sunday's match between Brazil and Switzerland.
All told, they will see 17 different teams during the group stage. Or as Strong described it, "You're at the stadium but you're filming a Russian remake of 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' with me in the John Candy role."
Joking aside, having Strong and Holden call so many matches in the group stage is part of how Fox is maximizing its resources. Fox has faced criticism for its decision to have just two announce crews in Russia, with the rest calling games off monitors in Los Angeles. Along with Strong and Holden, the duo of veteran announcer J.P. Dellacamera and former U.S. goalkeeper Tony Meola will be in Russia.
Strong believes the pushback is overblown, noting the many games he's called in the past off a monitor, including the Champions League final last month. He said even when in the stadium he's usually got one eye on the monitor to make sure what he's saying corresponds with what's being shown.
"Obviously it is our job, as well as J.P. and Tony's, to make sure we are adding as much as we possibly can, as much of the color and as much of the flavor, and taking as much advantage of it," Strong said.
Then there's Telemundo and the challenge being presented by the Spanish-language network broadcasting games in the U.S. Telemundo has been aggressively promoting its telecast, calling it more authentic and taking shots Fox's presentation. Some Telemundo broadcasts will also be livestreamed on NBC Sports Network beginning with Sunday's Brazil-Switzerland match, another encroachment on Fox's territory.
"I haven't been paying much attention to it, and I hope when people tune in they enjoy what we have to say and don't change the channel," Holden said. "I have confidence in our own work."
Find all of AP's World Cup coverage at https://apnews.com/tag/WorldCup


text:
UnitConnect necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 60 diseños de 18 diseñadores freelance.
New York based entrepreneurs looking to commercialize an online solution for Property Managers and Landlords in the Real Estate industry. Our objective is to provide a streamlined, easy-to-use, uncluttered, application that would appeal to everyone, even novice users in the industry. Think of it as the "google" of property management applications: simple, effective, speedily responsive, and fun to use.
Our goal is to attract small to mid size Landlords (owning 10-200 units) or small/start-up Property Management companies.
We're looking for a logo to represent our web site. The name of the property management system is "UnitConnect". The logo must shy away from looking too corporate, and must appeal to the everyday user. Please see description above (first paragraph) for an idea of what we're looking for and make sure it looks good large or small. It must be rich in color and correlate with the existing colors of the application. Please do not add any other additional colors. The logo must take more space horizontally rather than vertically. Ideally, the logo should be used in the application (on blue background, see attached images) and by itself on white background. See attached screen shots of the application to move forward.
Please do not use any stock images or clip art in the logo. Logo can be cartoonish.
Also, our application is meant for commercial and residential property management. Please try to stay away from using a house or a building in a logo unless it is done in a creative way.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text:
arated brauchte ein neues Print oder Verpackung Design und hat einen Wettbewerb auf 99designs gestartet.
Aus 9 Designs von 5 Designern wurde eine Gewinner gewählt.
A RATED WINDOWS Ltd
We are a three man team who will go into business together in September. Two of us come from business's who design, manufacture, sell and distribute UPVC windows, doors and conservatories - there is a significant amount of experience here as we have both ran manufacturing and sales outlets and have become technical and manufacturing experts within the company we work. Not only do we have the experience in managing production sites, we have both worked on the shopfloor manufacturing frames, on site installing, as well as having experience on the road selling.
The third member of the team works in the corporate sector in directing small to medium sized business
To start with we will only be employing the two guys (aged 40-45) descibed above who have the bags of know-how, practical knowledge, credibility and over 40 years of experience between them.
We work hard for what we have got and believe in the old fashioned principle of a fair days work for a fair days pay.
In the main we are selling to the trade based in South Yorkshire. Trade is split into two main areas - window fitters and builders.
Fitters replace old windows and doors and build conservatories. They want this to be hassle free, being quick and easy to fit.
Builders build buildings such as office blocks and houses.
Both expect value for money, good service, no delays and quality products
They do not want to have to refer to the manufacturer during installation of the frames. They certainly want to avoid the nightmare scenario of customers asking them to return to property becuase there is a problem with the product that they have installed.
Because we are appealing to the trade the leaflet needs to be free of clutter and gets to the point.
If domestic households want to buy frames from us we are happy to oblige, but would not be targeting them.
We require a one page, single sided leaflet. This will be posted to trade customers as well as left in our own showroom. It should contain at least.
Tel numbers ..............
Office: 01302 222222 (TBA)
Steve's Mobile: 0888 444444 (TBA)
Dave's Mobile 0888 555555 (TBA)
Fax Number: 01302 666666 (TBA)
Address:Unit 34
Wright Business Park
Carr Hill
The BFRC is the UK's national system for rating Energy Efficient Windows. See http://www.bfrc.org. This rating system is somthing like we are use to for rating washing machines and refridgerators. The top rating is A Rated which means it is the most efficient, actually gaining more heat than it loses. Therefore our company name - A RATED WINDOWS Ltd gives us an advantage. Note we are not approved yet, but will be selling A Rated Windows
Also look at http://www.energy-efficient-windows.info/
Our profile supplier are called Liniar see http://liniarwindows.co.uk/
Attached are attempts at a logo and letterhead - please feel free to edit and use.
In summary our USP's are,
1) Frames that are fitter friendly - no hassle
2) A Rated - the top rated energy efficeint windows
3) Manufactured and sold by credible, technically competant people who undertstand it form the fitters viewpoint - Steve and Dave
4) Low overhead costs therefore low prices
5) Local company based in Doncaster serving the local area of South Yorkshire.


text:
Dear friends,
Thank you for your visit here. Sanderson Funeral Homes has been in existence since 1904 and a member of the Carver family has been an integral part of this respected name since 1962. Jacky Sr., Miss Jackie and their son Jacky Jr. are involved in the daily operation of the funeral homes. Assisting us and a very important part of the operation, is a wonderful staff of trusted funeral professionals, many of whom have been with us for years. Should you need more information please feel free to call anytime, use our Contact form here on our website or visit us in person at the chapel.
Again many thanks for visiting,
The Carver Family
Read More About Our Staff >>>>>


text:
I am on the super fast speedboost NBN.
As i post this at 6.30 am Sunday Morning my speeds currently are -
83.5 Mbps (testmy.net) - http://testmy.net/results
94.53 Mbps (speedof.me lite) - http://speedof.me/m/?starttest=1
83 Mbps (fast.com) - https://fast.com
"Oh wow, what super fast speeds you have there", you might say.
Well come late afternoon these speeds become ridiculously slow, over 90% slower in most instances.
The above mentioned speedtests can hover anywhere from 3Mbps - 10Mbps (if i am lucky)
I can't even stream most of my Foxtel Play programs on my Telstra TV without it buffering and pixelating frequently.
Overall i would rate my service i am receiving from Telstra a 3/10.
I cannot continue paying one single cent on this service until my speed issues are fixed.
I am not asking for much. Foxtel recommends minimum speeds of 7Mbps to watch their HD content on Foxtel Play.
My current speeds aren't even up to the task of doing this each night.
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For the last 4 years (up until 4 weeks ago) i was on an adsl2+ plan streaming foxtel on tbox and experienced no buffering/pixelation issues. I could watch my Rugby League games live with smooth glitch free continuous playback.
Fast forward to now, i am on this so called 'super fast' NBN with a brand new modem, brand new Telstra TV and i cant even watch my games live anymore without it being plagued by frequent buffering and overly pixelated, glitch riddled viewing quality.
And with half of the Foxtel Play content being in HD, the same can be said for most of the other channels too.
So basically i am getting ridiculously high speeds during the hours that i don't even use the service , and ridiculously slow speeds when it really counts.
How could anyone in their right mind continue to support and pay for such a lousy service?
And another thing -
The "Ookla Speedtest' app that a Telstra Technical Support worker recommended for me to download and use to check and monitor my download speeds cannot be trusted.
It took me a while to work this one out, but its results are false and extremely inaccurate.
Whenever my Foxtel Play via Telstra TV was buffering and i performed a test it would display extremely over exaggerated speeds around the 70-90Mbps mark, leading me to believe that it wasn't a speed issue but instead a Foxtel Play issue.
But after closely monitoring my download speeds through the 3 above mentioned websites in my original post i have most certainly come to the conclusion that they are indeed accurate and the Ookla Speedtest is a overly misleading product.
Instead of testing your actual download speed the Ookla Speedtest App will tell you what your maximum speed would be on a perfect day if you were the only person on the planet using the internet at that time.
I will be using this thread to keep record of my download speeds over the coming days....
So it is almost 6 hours from my original post and we can already see a significant drop in speeds at 12:20 pm Sunday arvo.
32.5Mbps - (testmy.net)
29.1Mbps - (speedofme.lite)
14Mbps - (fast.com)
Another thing to note : These speed tests don't fluctuate earlier on in the day. They remain at a pretty rock solid speed around the 80+Mbps mark (I perform 3 tests back to back for each of these tests to monitor any fluctuations).
However, as the day progresses and the nbn has a higher activity in my area, each of these above mentioned speedtests will fluctuate wildly eg. Results of 20Mbps for one test, and then seconds later 40-50 Mbps.
And this only becomes worse from around 3-4pm onwards. eg. Could hage a result of 25Mbps and then seconds later 6Mbps.
(Also, the speeds i publish here are the highest out of 3 back to back tests i perform on each respective above mentioned website)
Getting slower. So predictable...
18.1 Mbps (testmy.net)
20.25 Mbps (speedof.me lite)
8.2 Mbps (fast.com)
Here we go, Foxtel Play HD is already pixelating and buffering at 4.30 pm, Sunday arvo.
8.7 Mbps (testmy.net)
6.21 Mbps (speedof.me lite)
4.9 Mbps (fast.com)
Telstra obviously needs to spend some money down my way and fix this congestion before their loyal customers change teams.
I have only been on the NBN for just over a month and i am almost done.
At least my adsl was a steady 9Mbps. None of this 90Mbps to start the day and 5Mbps when i am actually meant to be enjoying what i am paying for!
Once again my speeds are high to start off the day.
All 3 of these speed tests have my speeds between 82Mbps - 88Mbps.
It is obviously severe congestion i am experiencing during peak hours.
When i ring technical support i won't be playing games when it comes to troubleshooting these issues. ie. Modem reset/restart etc.
I am on the Central Coast, NSW.
I know other people with Telstra on the NBN in my area who are also dealing with congestion issues identical to myself.
We continually monitor and increase the capacity in the CVC when we notice the congestion. I did note that quite a few CVCs had their capacity increased on the 10/03/2017. Have you noticed any improvement over the last few days?
- Shelly
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No improvements here i am afraid.
The Entrance, NSW, 2261.
Speeds will still drop from around 85Mbps (current speed right now at 12:15pm Wednesday arvo) all the way down to as far as 3-12 Mbps from 4pm onwards (even earlier on Sat/Sun).
HD Content on Foxtel Play via Telstra TV (Connected via ethernet with wifi disabled and no other connected devices) will encounter Pixelation/Buffering issues, particularly the NRL channel during peak hours.
Can you please find out when my area will have it's capacity increased?
I am on the superfast speedboost and realistically i am not getting the service that i signed up for. I do not expect blistering speeds 24/7, just to be able to stream my footy without all this buffering and degredation in quality. I would expect to be able to stream HD content on my Telstra TV through Foxtel Play as well as having Foxtel Go running simultaneously through my PC without encountering any speed related issues on my current plan.
Already dropping below 7Mbps, 4:40pm Wednesday arvo...
Yep. 2.8Mbits for me here this afternoon.
"We continually monitor and increase the capacity in the CVC when we notice the congestion. I did note that quite a few CVCs had their capacity increased on the 10/03/2017. Have you noticed any improvement over the last few days?"
- Shelly
Can you please increase the capacity in the CVC to fix the congestion in the Entrance, NSW, 2261?
Thanks Shelly,
The same goes for Sunbury 3429. Thanks.
In a perfect scenario, when Telstra resolves congestion by increasing the CVC, what does it consider to be a reasonable speed expectation in the evenings? (assuming the speed drop is caused by the NBN throttling in lieu of more CVC)??
Another frustrating night of my NRL buffering and pixelating FREQUENTLY.
Definitely no improvement.
If anything, this is the worst it has been so far!
5.6 Mbps and they call this superfast speedboost?
You guys obviously are NOT monitoring the congestion issues in my area - The Entrance, NSW, 2261.
1.78Mbits tonight here at 8:45.
I want my ADSL2 back.
It is NOT comforting to know that many others are having the same issues.
Same here, Beaumont Hills 2155. Morning speeds are awesome (80~/30~).
Evening speeds (5pm-11pm) are horrible (5~/30~). Already gone through 2 support agents (obviously outsourced overseas) who keep shoving down my throat that its a coexistence issue. Not having that BS - i know what coexistence is and it's not meant to mask a congestion problem.
We need to keep this going guys.
I am sorry to see there are several customers with ongoing NBN issues as this is really disappointing, especially when paying for a Super Fast speed boost. Have you spoken with our NBN team directly on 1800 834 273 to discuss this with our NBN team?
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No, i have not called the NBN team as of yet, but obviously i will have to sometime in the coming days.
There has been some reports from other Telstra customers on this website and several others, that taking this avenue can indeed be frustrating when you ring support to report obvious congestion issues, and they get you to perform a factory reset on your modem, or saying that your modem is faulty etc and even sending you a replacement modem. Anything but acknowledging that there is indeed a congestion issue in your area.
Maybe my experience with the support team won't be as bad, but i am not sure if i will be able to contain myself if my call to them goes down that path.
In my view it should be as simple as - 'Telling them that my download speeds drop from 85Mbps during the day to between 3-12Mbps from 4pm onwards, and even earlier on the weekends.'
Their response to this should be - 'They acknowledge that i am obviously suffering significant drops in speed due to congestion in my area, and they will lodge a complaint on my behalf, whilst also giving me a timeframe for when this congestion will be rectified'.
If they even attempt to try and troubleshoot anything on my end, when it obviously has absolutely nothing to do with anything on my end' i will have to terminate the call and keep ringing back until someone acknowledges the blatantly obvious congestion issue i am being subject to.
Anyway, once again as per usual, my download speeds are blisteringly fast - 84Mbps at 10:50am Friday morning, when i never ever need to utilize these speeds...
Hey Danly,
These are valid points and I can certainly understand what you are saying.
It may be a case of not having many reports for congestion in that area, or given that as the NBN is managed by the Australian Government's NBN Co and not Telstra, it may not be diagnosed the same way as for example an ADSL congestion issue in which the infrastructure is managed directly by Telstra.
In regards to the speeds, NBN Co consider anything above 25Mbps as "Super Fast Broadband" so yes, your speeds would definitely be considered more than Super Fast at off peak times, however unfortunately is not consistent among other times of the day and I understand that this is the significant issue you and many others are encountering.
If you would like to, you may wish to consider lodging a formal complaint (Lodging a complaint with Telstra) so this can be looked into further if you are unable to get further assistance via our NBN team.
Let us know how you go.
Need help? Check out our Community Wiki or Support Portal || Looking for a new mobile? Order online today || Get help with any Tech at Home with Telstra Platinum || Don't forget to tag answers as Accepted Solutions and give a Like to the member(s) who helped you out.
All moderation actions are supported by the CrowdSupport Community Guidelines
Thankyou Georgie for your prompt responses, and assisting me in attempting to steer me in the right direction.
Yes I have already gone through 2 tech support agents all point me to the issue that my area is under "coexistence" mode - which is obviously an excuse for a capacity problem..
Well Telstra were the ones who encouraged me to move over to the NBN over the phone. They told me that it would be more compatible with the Telstra TV and have much higher speeds for streamng the live NRL games (Compared to my Adsl).
So ultimately they lied and fed me false information. I could have stayed on my Adsl for another 6 months apparently and had speeds fast enough to be compatible with Foxtel Play on Telstra TV.
My speeds last night were ridiculously slow. I even set the viewing quality to 'low' data usage on Foxtel Play, but my speeds were dropping below 3Mbps on several occasions which basically ruined an entire 40mins of the particular game i was watching.
Instead of being able to sit back and enjoy what I'm paying for each night, my whole experience now is just frustrating and stressful, as i have now lost faith in this product.
Telstra might just be responsible for me giving up on all of this technology and deciding to go technology free from here on in.
I just can't see the logic in paying all this money for a product that underperforms so overwhelmingly and contributes so highly to my stress levels.
I will be ringing the NBN technical support team on Monday. A miracle will most likely need to occur during that phone call for me to remain a Telstra customer from that day onwards.
I have congestion nightly which started 10 days after getting the NBN at the start of March 2017.
I am in Mornington VIC and if Telstra are really monitoring the congestion then I will wait a few days before ringing to get it fixed.
I feel for you, but you are under a few misconceptions. I have been connected to Telstra NBN and have experienced nightly congestion of up to 75%. This seems to now have been fixed, with no congestion for the past week. Above, you have requested Telstra to add more CVCs to your POI and that is the correct procedure. You will just have to wait for a while for them to do it.
Regarding your speedtests, Ookla is absolutely fine: it measures actual speeds to your nearest uncongested ISP server.
Fast.com does not do that: it measures real speeds to Netflix servers, which are entirely different. My speedtest.net (Ookla) speeds are 94 Mbps (now day and night), BUT my Fast.com speeds drop to anywhere between 0.5-10 Mbps for long periods from 4-12pm.
This is just the behaviour you are reporting. The main point here is that streaming servers and the last links to them are far more congested than the broader network. It depends also on the route that gets assigned to you.
I t's pot luck. I can stream 4K video from Youtube at peak periods with no problems at all, but struggle to get 480p on Netflix. I'm trying to follow this up elsewhere.
This evening was horrible - possible the worst so far.
Got all the way down to sub 1Mbps speeds tonight. Appalling.
I've since logged a complaint thru Telstra employee channels (my company is a Telstra-owned subsidiary) and will let everyone know how that goes.
I bet these sub-Mbps speeds were on Fast.com?
@brl121 wrote:
I bet these sub-Mbps speeds were on Fast.com?
Why are you thinking these slow speeds are from Fast.com?
The op has said where he tests his speeds and also mentions Netflix as a separate issue.
Congestion on the NBN is real and I'm just lucky in my case that it goes from 68 to 30 so still usable but it may change as more of Mornington is ready for service on the NBN.
Edit I just tried fast.com and got 6.4 so yes Netfix has issues but for example my Foxtel go is working fine.
So two issues the NBN congestion and slow Netflix speeds.
The issue is that all of these speedtest websites - fast.com, testmy.net, speedof.me Lite, ozspeedtest.com are displaying blistering speeds 80Mbps+ up until 4pm (earlier on weekends) and then anything between 3-12Mbps during peak hours.
So there is no coincdence here. Major congestion in my area that is so bad that i have major issues streaming Foxtel Play channels through my Telstra TV connected via ethernet with no other connected devices.
Foxtel Play HD requires 7Mbps to run smoothly. It does not run smoothly during peak hours. The above mentioned speedtest websites all indicate a drop in speeds below 7Mbps when my Foxtel Play is buffering and pixelating.
So obviously my speeds are dropping below 7Mbps, this is no coincidence.
Ookla speedtest app will try and pretend my speeds are all fine and dandy when this is occuring and tell me my speeds are a blistering 70Mbps when they are obviously not.
Hi @Danly
You need to find out when CVC will be upgraded in your area.
I am not an expert in this area, however I believe you would need to find your POI (Point of Interconnect). From memory there are 126 POI for NBN in Australia. you should belong to one of those POI.
You can find out as much information as possible before ringing Telstra, so when you ring them up you just need to ask one question, i.e.:
I would like to know whether there is a CVC upgrade for my POI zzz? If yes, when the upgrade is expected to finish.
From my experience you will get better result if you know more about the subject than the HelpDesk person you are talking to.
Here is the POI finder to get you started:
Thank you very much for this.
My POI would have to be Berkely Vale - https://www.finder.com.au/nbn-tracker/poi/2BLV
It is by far the closest to my location.
Now that you have some ideas, you can ring them up and get on the front foot and ask questions, e.g.
1. from my research my POI is 2BLV. Is this correct?
2. If not 2BLV, what is my POI?
3. Is CVC upgrade based on POI?
4. If yes, Is there a CVC upgrade for 2BLV? If yes, when?
Back in 2012, I researched my ADSL2+ connection. When I rang them up it took a while for me to convince them and to explain to them about my research.
When they finally agreed with my results, they made changes based on my research and my ADSL2+ went from 4 Mbps to 15Mbps.
@Danly wrote:
The issue is that all of these speedtest websites - fast.com, testmy.net, speedof.me Lite, ozspeedtest.com are displaying blistering speeds 80Mbps+ up until 4pm (earlier on weekends) and then anything between 3-12Mbps during peak hours.
So there is no coincdence here. Major congestion in my area that is so bad that i have major issues streaming Foxtel Play channels through my Telstra TV connected via ethernet with no other connected devices.
Foxtel Play HD requires 7Mbps to run smoothly. It does not run smoothly during peak hours. The above mentioned speedtest websites all indicate a drop in speeds below 7Mbps when my Foxtel Play is buffering and pixelating.
So obviously my speeds are dropping below 7Mbps, this is no coincidence.
Ookla speedtest app will try and pretend my speeds are all fine and dandy when this is occuring and tell me my speeds are a blistering 70Mbps when they are obviously not.
I think the issue is what "your speeds" means. I believe OOKLA tries to measure your feasible connection speed to uncongested servers, which is why all the ISPs use it. Your 70Mbps at peak indicates some congestion on your connection, but not bad.
On the other hand, the actual download speeds to other servers measure real-time performance to congested servers: the apparent congestion then includes both your connection and the server congestion due to the mass of users.
The Telstra-Netflix issue is well-known for example. Foxtel Go/Play has a lot of people complaining recently of bad streaming performance, regardless of how good their connections are. I have seen it myself on popular channels (sport) when I have 80 Mbps streaming to other services. This is Foxtel congestion, not line congestion, for the most part.
Please humour me. Can you try to stream some YouTube 4K on your laptop? I can do this with 80Mbps throughput at the same time as "streaming" Netflix with a pathetic 0.5Mbps throughput! So this is not line congestion.
You can Google some Youtube 4K content and select the resolution using the "wheel" tool at the bottom right. I wouldn't be surprised if you can stream in 4K. You can look at the streaming paramters by right-clicking (two-fingers on Mac) and selecting "Stats for Nerds". One of the lower graphs shows the throughput (i.e., the feasible download rate > actual streaming rate and equivalent to Fast.com on Netflix).
I look forward to hearing your results. If this fails for you, then you may well have line congestion!
Thanks for letting me know this.
I will report back with my findings when i get some spare time.
Ok, so i am playing 'The Overview Effect' 4K right now on Youtube through my PC.
I have also got Foxtel Play NRL running on My Telstra TV at the same time.
The 4K video is struggling to play smoothly as i speak.
Lots of dropped frames (497) in the first 5 minutes.
'Connection speed' is fluctuating between 22,000 Kbps all the way down to 6,000 Kbps at times causing it to buffer.
I played the same video all the way through prior to this. It was working flawlessly up until around the 3/4 mark and then 'Connection Speed' took a turn for the worse. It was hovering around between 15,000Kbps - 25,000Kbps for the first 3/4, but for the final 5 minutes speeds hovered between 8,000Kbps - 13,000Kbps connection speed causing it to buffer and drop a lot of frames.
It has improved again now, maintaining a healthy buffer of 13s and connection speed between 15,000Kbps and 20,000Kbps -although dropping back down below 11,000Kbps and buffering/dropping frames again as i type this.
All the while throughout all of these observations, Foxtel Play NRL has been running on my Telstra TV.
I will also attempt to observe the connection speeds during normal non-peak hours during the day.
And also observe 4K video performance on Youtube app through Telstra TV which is connected via ethernet.
On a side note. I have found a temporary fix for my Foxtel Play/Telstra TV buffering/pixelation issues for the NRL Fox League HD channel.
I have found that if i rewind it back approx 3mins per viewing hour it will work flawlessly with no buffering/pixelation issues. Nice crisp picture and smooth viewing.
So i am gathering that this would point towards it being a Foxtel Play issue and not my download speeds.
So watching the same video mentioned above through Youtube on Telstra TV connected via ethernet with no other connected devices, but i can only view it in HD due to my TV.
Connection speed is hovering steady around the 31,000Kbps mark 'stats for nerds', buffer health between 8-14s.
So would this connection speed be the most accurate indicator of my download speeds?
And if so, i guess that 31Mbps would be considered ok at 9pm on a Sunday Night.
Here are my Gateway stats -
Actual Rate [Kbps]
Maximum Rate [Kbps]
Noise Margin [dB]
Attenuation [dB
]Power [dBm]
Thanks for the info. Yes, the 31Mbps is a true indication of your download capability to Youtube, which is a lower limit to your line speed. It would be interesting to do Fast.com and OOkla tests immediately following your 4K streaming. The Ookla should be > 31Mbps, but Fast.com is likely to be much less. If your Ookla is around the same (31Mbps), the difference between this and your offpeak Ookla gives the true amount of general network congestion on your line. This can be used as ammunition in your request to Telstra for additional CVCs. If the OOkla result is significantly more than 31Mbps, then this difference is related to Youtube server congestion. I don't get much of the latter, but 90-99.5% congestion on Netflix!
Let me know your continuing results.
Cont. from last post... Ok here we go.
I just noticed some wild fluctuations in connection speed through the Youtube app on Telstra TV as mentioned in the previous post.
It was steady aroud the 31-32Mbps mark for a while but the speeds dropped quite significantly for an extended period 3Mbps-12 Mbps for a couple of minutes.
I initially closed the app and started watching the Crime Investigation Channel on Foxtel Play when it started buffering for around 20 seconds. This channel is just SD, and it is the first time it has buffered in my countless hours of viewing it over the last several weeks. So i immediately started playing the vid through the Youtube app on Telstra TV and noticed the very low connection speeds for a couple of minutes.
The connection speed seems to be steady again now in the low to mid 30Mbps range.
It would be interesting to see if the wild fluctuations occur simultaneously in the OOkla and Fast.com results.
p.s. Are you on wireless? For strict testing, you should be wired and have no other activity on your network other than your testing.
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text:
Monday, June 1
ARMCHAIR GOLF Roundtable: Johnny Miller and Nick Faldo
Nick Faldo at a golf outing. (Troon Golf/Flickr)
Editor's note: These are real quotes and comments. The questions are made up. Welcome to the ARMCHAIR GOLF roundtable.
At the roundtable:
Johnny Miller – Two-time major winner and NBC lead golf analyst
Nick Faldo – Six-time major winner and CBS lead golf analyst
Q: Gentlemen, welcome to the roundtable. Johnny, let's start with you. You're known for speaking your mind, even saying the world's best golfers choke.
JOHNNY MILLER: Everyone has his own choking level, a level at which he fails to play his normal golf. As you get more experienced, your choking level rises.
Q: Nick, what's your take on dealing with the pressure?
NICK FALDO: It's all about the bottle, the British term meaning the ability to be in a situation and feel comfortable, be in control and have the mental toughness to get the job done.
Q: So when you were playing …
NICK FALDO: The word is control. That's my ultimate, to have control.
Q: Johnny, what about on the greens? You struggled late in your career. How would you describe the yips?
JOHNNY MILLER: Basically, it's the inability to make your hands obey the commands your mind gives them.
Q: Any other problem areas you see in other players?
JOHNNY MILLER: Too many people carry the last shot with them. It is a heavy and useless burden.
Q: What advice would you give, Nick?
NICK FALDO: Listen to your heart and gut. That small voice inside you. How often have you left the house knowing you've forgotten something, and it turns out you have? Intuition is very powerful, and certainly it's true in golf.
Q: The U.S. Open is just a few weeks away. You've called it an exam. What did you mean by that?
NICK FALDO: You've got a fairly good idea as to what the questions are going to be. But how to record the best answer is another matter.
Q: Johnny, your thoughts on the U.S. Open?
JOHNNY MILLER: I think Darth Vader is actually a USGA official.
Q: Still, it's a …
NICK FALDO: The majors are what golf's all about. The other ones you play for the prize money. These you play to get your name on a piece of silver.
Q: Actually, that's a good segue. Talk a bit about your place in golf.
JOHNNY MILLER: I try to be semi-humble. If I started going around saying how good I was, everything would go wrong.
Q: Who was the most talented player you ever saw?
JOHNNY MILLER: I'm not sure the most talented player I ever saw wasn't myself.
Q: Nick?
NICK FALDO: Years from now I want people to be able to say, "I saw Faldo play."
Q: Anything else, fellas?
GARY MCCORD: There are two things that guys on Tour do not like: playing in the wind and me dating their sister.
Q: Oh, hey, Gary. Thanks for your time, Johnny, Nick and, um, Gary.
–The Armchair Golfer
Other ARMCHAIR GOLF roundtables:
Hogan, Snead and Nelson
(Source: The Gigantic Book of Golf Quotations, published by Skyhorse Publishing.)
5 comments:
I like both Faldo and Miller, although both take some getting used to. McCord turns me off. The announcers for the European PGA seem to do so much better without trying to be comedians.
- Unknown said...
I think Faldo threw in the 'only the majors are important' comment to remind Miller that Johnny had two, NOT fifteen like he often thinks he has...
Neil, do your interview guests visit your personal round table in West Virginia or do you find round tables wherever the interviewees are?
- admin said...
Faldo and Miller are really great names . This questionare is really nice to read on . Miller is known for saying his heart , this conversation is solid proof of it thank you once again.
online golf games
- The Armchair Golfer said...
Great question, One-Eyed. Actually, I live in Virginia. But funny you mention West Virginia, because that's where roundtable sessions take place -- at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, Sam Snead's old haunt.
- Heather Kerrigan said...
So that's how you land these guys. A good old-fashioned junket at the Greenbrier. Sounds like a Washingtonian thing to me!


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Latest News - Carmel Coaches
28/12/13 Carmel Bristol Depot Opening Soon
20/12/13 Majestic Liveried Coach
22/07/13 Exeter to Torbay Grammar School Bus
A joint initiative between Torbay Grammar School & Carmel Coaches has resulted in a new school bus service commencing in September, linking Exeter & Kennford to Torbay Grammar Schools. The service will cater for pupils in several parts of Exeter, along with Kennford & Newton Abbot. Full details with timetables and prices will be posted shortly on our school bus services page, but for enrolment for this September, we suggest phoning our office on 01392 214466 and we will mail the information out.
22/07/13 Alphington to Clyst Vale School Bus
From September 2013, we will be operating a new school bus service from Alphington (New Inn) to Clyst Vale College in Broadclyst. It enables pupils from this area of Exeter to travel direct to/from the school, without the need of having to use existing service bus routes, which require a vehicle change at the Bus Station. This means passengers making this journey get a shorter, cheaper journey to school. We are interested in opening this up further in future, so if you are a parent in the Western area of Exeter (Alphington/St. Thomas/Exwick/Ide/etc) and considering sending your child to Clyst Vale, then our service will make the transport aspect a lot easier.


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Hands down the most commonly asked question about my blog is "Where do you buy your twine?". I can say that there are a few things I'd like to be known for in this lifetime, but if a twine-aholic is one of those things, I'm okay with it.
If you're a twine-aholic too (or one to be) you can buy it by the truck load right here. Trust me, this is one crazy good (no longer top secret) deal on twine my friends! You can get a 2lb. cone in 12 different colors for less than $10. Now, storing all of your twine after a buying spree leads me to my next point… this seriously easy DIY twine holder figurine that I concocted after coming across this little guy on Pinterest.
[imagebrowser id=2]
Cool thing about this project (beside the obvious factor of it dispensing twine) is that you can make it out of whatever figurine you want as long as it's hollow inside. I chose a decorative owl figurine from Marshall's that was big enough to cover a small wooden spool. They had larger ones that could have covered the whole 2lb. cone, but if I covered all of my 2lb. spools with owl figurines, I would be crazy owl lady.


text:
SiobhanOldham necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 86 diseños de 22 diseñadores freelance.
King Oldham
King Oldham was founded in 2010. It is a leather accessories design company. All of the products are hand crafted in Hollywood California.
The ever expanding product line includes men's and women's belts, bags, guitar straps and home décor items.
The emphasis is on understated luxury, showcasing the materials and with careful attention to details.
I design and make all the leather goods by hand. Its just me one person. I have a real passion for my craft. and take pride in the fresh design, quality craftsmanship and use of high end materials making each piece unique and practical. I am essentially starting out and have only been in business for six months. I want the logo to look as if I am an established and reputable company.
My friends love and buy my stuff, I would like to make it available to more people and thought the first step would be to create a brand and get my name out there.
The brand name is my family names and suggests heritage, which is important to me. I would like people to cherish, use on a regular basis and enjoy the products they get from me.
I love the leather accessories created by high end fashion houses like Dior and Gucci, Bottega Veneta. I love the attention to detail and quality craftsmanship. Their designs are beautiful and strong not ornate.
The symbol/icon and company/brand name will be physically stamped/embossed on to the leather products, and used on a business card and also on a web site.
The target audience is consumers who appreciate good design, quality products and craftsmanship. They love the unique and individual nature of each product.
I want the people who buy my hand crafted products to think of them as heritage quality pieces that will last a lifetime of use and enjoyment.
Font – Clean and crisp. Easy to read.
Words that would describe the brand are; Luxury; Craftsmanship; Heritage; Design;
Please feel free to experiment with colors! But it also needs to work in Black and white and as an embossed leather stamp.
The files I will require are:
Print file format - .ai (CMYK)
Web file format - .jpg and layered .psd (RGB)
Please do not use any stock images or clip art in the logo. Avoid – being overly feminine I prefer a gender neutral logo and strong colors. Do not be "crafty" I prefer polished, professional, clean, crisp.
The icon and brand name will be stamped on to the leather products, and used on a business card and also on a web site.
I would like the brand name and icon to work together and also stand alone. I am open to the icon symbol. That being said I imagine it is possibly ONE of the following items:
Kings Crown – clean modern
Horse – a lot of the pieces incorporate equestrian gear
Griffin - updated version from the Oldham coat of arms
The symbol will be stamped into leather so it really needs to be a silhouette so it is readable, identifiable when it is embossed into the leather.
Examples : http://themes.shopify.com/themes/th…s/original
The attached files they are for reference only i do not own the images
Companies whose logos I admire include :
Ralph Lauren Polo ; Tory Burch; Louis Vuitton
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text:
(es 500 1.2 , SLK 200 , California )
If your car has already been registered in a country outside the European Union, click here.
(es. 5 or 6 or 8)
(you can also update later or sent by email )
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The DACIA Certificate of Conformity, also known as COC DACIA
The official DACIA homologation document certifies that your vehicle meets all European standards, and therefore allows you to register this vehicle in Europe or another country.
The European Certificate of Conformity DACIA
Mention all the technical data of your DACIA vehicle, such as the C02 rate, consumption, chassis number and European approval number, which will allow you to register the car. Indeed, the DACIA Certificate of Conformity provided by our DACIA homologation service allows the registration of any DACIA vehicle purchased in a European country.
From one European country
to another European country or worldwide
register used vehicle in your country.
For export your used vehicle you will need a COC for ship it or take temporary license plate in some country.
Better to have in your car for any case with registration document and insurance paper.
A COC (Certificate of Conformity) is a declaration of the conformity with the type approval of EC. The purpose of this document is to ensure the free movement of goods within the European Union, specifically for those goods that are subject to homologation and registration.
A COC is only obtainable for: Passenger Vehicles (M1) Light Goods Vehicles (N1) Motorcycles (L)
If you do not find what you were looking for, write to our team of experts and explain your case.


text:
Mike Marbach is an improvisor living in Philadelphia. He is the Education Director and teacher at Philly Improv Theater as well as the coach of PHIT house team Asteroid. Sometimes he likes to write letters to companies.
Greetings and Salutations,
Here ye, Here ye. On this, the 26th day of March in the year two thousand and twelve, I hereby demand to hold court with the Burger King. The request herein I dare say be not a harbinger of well-done's being sent your way. Had it been written in years past when my love affair with the king of burgers was built on ground more solid than the boulder on which I lay writing this correspondence on this warm summer morn, rather than a cracking and crumbling foundation akin to that of the Cumbra Vieja of the Canary Isles that will one day plunge into the heart of the Atlantic as my love once plunged into the heart of the king's offerings, perhaps then these thoughts conveyed will have been done so in a kinder tone. Sadly this be not the case and my heart aches as a result. Wherefore it is such that this mind cannot easily forgive nor forget any offense against its master is a burden I, and now we, must bear. Aye, we. We are in this together now. So where then doeth we go from here? Perhaps to the reasons for which I've taken such action.
To get to one of the issues I further request that you travel back a few years with me. Figuratively I mean that of course. I have not a machine with which I can transport us through space and time the likes of Dr. Emmett Brown's DeLoreon or The Doctor's TARDIS. Had I such a machine I wouldst then have my hands full traveling through time preventing tragedies from happening. Terrible things such as the cancellation of HBO's old west drama, Deadwood. I am not sure how much I could do with to prevent it even given the power of time travel. I guess I would have to somehow infiltrate the HBO organization as president so that I would then be able to sway the decision to keep or cancel when the time came. Maybe I could just go back in time and really try to drum up support for the show so more people would watch or gather up a bunch of money from people that have come to love the show after it had ended and then take it back in time to HBO and pay them to keep it on the air. What would they have to lose? They keep the critically acclaimed show on the air and don't have to pay a dime. I guess I won't waste your time with a personal debate on the method I'd use to save Deadwood. Instead let me jump into one of the issues at hand- the Spicy Tendercrisp Chicken sandwich.
I like chicken. I like liver. Meow mix meow mix please deliver. Remember that jingle? I actually do like both Chicken and liver. Not together though. Well maybe together, but I've never had it together. Many people don't like liver. And to be honest, based on my eating habits I probably shouldn't like liver either. I'm what you'd call a "picky eater". At least I've been called that by others. I'm assuming you'd call me that as well. All my life I've been made fun of. Laughed at and persecuted for my very selective palate. I don't particularly like many fruits or vegetables. I also don't really like a lot of different condiments either. So if there's a bunch of different things on a sandwich I order I probably won't eat it. I always need to make a point to say "Buddy, hold everything but the meat and the bread" just so I don't get any lettuce, tomatoes, mayo and what-have-you piled on. A lot of people will say, "Hey there, Friend. Why don't you just scrape off the extra stuff?" To that I say, "Because you can't". You can't just scrape off something liquid. It attaches itself to the chicken. Especially if said chicken is breaded. Maybe if it was a grilled chicken it could then be wiped off a bit easier, but a breaded patty doesn't allow for that sort of "undo" button. The liquid infiltrates the meat just as I would have to infiltrate HBO to save Deadwood. It simply can't be done. And don't get me started on the effect it has on the bread…
There has actually only been one condiment that I've been able to get at Burger King that I would gladly have on my chicken sandwich. The spicy sauce that was served a few years back on the Spicy Tendercrisp Chicken Sandwich. What happened to that sauce? It was there and as fast as you can say "James Gandolfini" it was gone. Why? Where did it go? It was fantastic! It was there one day and gone the next. I've snuck in Burger Kings from Kiev to Carolina. Even went from Berlin down to Belize. I then took a slow boat to China. I even went from Nashville to Norway, Bonaire to Zimbabwe, Chicago to Czechoslovakia and back! But tell me where in the world is the Spicy Chicken sauce? It was a bit of a wasted trip. Did you know that there are no Burger Kings in Zimbabwe and that Czechoslovakia isn't even a country anymore? Yeah, it's actually two countries now, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Apparently there are a slew of new countries that formed shortly after I finished learning European geography in 6th grade with Sr. Fran Small. As soon as I'm done writing this letter I have taken off some time from work so that I am able to update my map room. I also have many apology letters to write to the makers of Trivial Pursuit. It would seem the cards were correct.
The point remains- where's the sauce? Much like Czechoslovakia disappeared, the spicy sauce seems to have vanished without a trace. Erased from existence. Actually that's what I'll do if I get a time machine. Maybe THIS is the tragedy that I'd work to undo. I'd go back in time to before the Spicy Tendercrisp Chicken Sandwich was eliminated from the menu and do something to somehow make it so it doesn't get removed from the menu. Clearly the specifics of this plan need work with lack of time machine notwithstanding. Again I ask, where's the sauce? In its place was something far less superior- the value spicy chicken sandwich. Those are $1 compared to the $3.50 or so for the Spicy Tendercrisp Chicken Sandwich. Sure, they are as tasty as they are cheap, however my buds deserve more than that. I speak of both my taste buds and buds in the friends sense. Also, I have a friend named Bud, so I guess I also speak of Bud's as it relates to him. He was a big fan of the spicy tendercrisp chicken sandwich as well.
I just miss it is all. I'd go to BK all the time to get it. And the sauce just did it for me. Please get back to me when you can and let me know what's become of it and if I might ever see it again. If I can't see it on a menu, perhaps you can send some to me. There's got to be a stockpile of it somewhere in the Burger Kingdom. By this time though it may be past its expiration date. Actually, that's what I'll do with my time machine. Drive into the Buger Kingdom to where the sauce is storedd- most likely guarded by gun toting henchmen- and get it. Again, the plans need work. First I don't think I'd need a time machine so much as a car. Oh and someone to drive it since I do not yet have a license. Though if I'm ready to break into the Burger Kingdom, driving without a license shouldn't phase me. I'd also like a team assembled to assist me with the theft or dare I say, burglary. Probably 11 people with different skill sets that would come in handy throughout the operation. Of course, I shouldn't be telling you all this. Forget what you heard. Hey, what's that over there?
A few months back I saw on my television that new chicken tenders were being introduced. I raced over as soon as I could and picked up a box of 20. They called my number, I snatched the bag and ran outside with my box of 20 of the new nuggets. Actually, it was two boxes of 10 as that particular Burger King, I'm guessing, had run out of the 20 piece boxes. I pulled out one of the boxes and opened up the box ever so carefully, and as if it was the arc of the covenant, I didn't look directly at it at first. As soon as I was sure my face would not melt like the faces of Nazis in Raiders, I looked at the new tenders. Now, before I get to what I think of these new nuggets, I gotta say that I had no issues with the original nuggets. As a matter of fact I preferred them to McDonalds McNuggets and certainly to Wendy's whatever they call thems. The only thing I didn't like about the BK Chicken Tenders was that the shapes always changed. They'd go from being simple strips to dinosaurs or cartoon creatures. What was the deal with that? I think I remember years ago when Jurassic Park or one of its sequels was out that there was a promotion that changed the shapes do dino shapes. Though long after the movie had disappeared from theaters and the public mind the shapes of the tenders remained dinosaury. That annoyed me, since the tenders were all about the same size. Dinosaurs are different sizes. So if I got a box of 10 regular shaped tenders that could equate to about 6 dino shaped tenders sometimes, depending on how many T Rexes I got. It's an average. I'm sure if I got 10 T Rexes it might mean an equal amount, but that would be like hitting the lottery. Only I can't quit my job. So anyway… I liked the old tenders so I was weary of the new ones. The first thing I noticed is they were more nugget than they were tender shaped. I took a bite and I was pleasantly surprised! They actually tasted pretty good. Though I have to say, I still prefer the taste of the classic chicken tender.
The new nuggets also came with several sauce options. Around this time a friend of mine introduced me to a sauce presumably imported from the Far East. She called it "sweet & sour." I had never had it before. I'm not too much into exotic foods as I discussed earlier, but she had me try it on some Chick-Fila chicken and I loved it! Before this I would eat the nuggets dry and was content to do so. Not anymore. Whenever I have the option to put it on something I will. I don't think it's actually that great. It kind of tastes like syrup. As in syrup that you would put on pancakes or waffles or dip some pork roll in if you had made some that morning for breakfast. It's ok, but it's not that good. Not what I'd expect of the sweet & sour sauce my friend introduced me to that late summer evening. We don't hang out as much anymore so I haven't really tried any new sauces, so my sauce has stayed sweet & sour. Much like my relationship with her has become. Heyo! Take my sauce, please! No, don't take my sauce. You've already taken the spicy sauce.
I addition to the new nuggets you've already recently changed up your french fries. Why are you doing this? Who are you talking to that is saying to change up all the things that I've grown to love about Burger King? Is it my ex? Is she putting you up to this? Oh god. Has the King been under a spell just as Theodon of Rohan was under the spell of Saruman? Made to do his bidding and treat friend as foe? Now everything makes sense! Why else would the King pull or change everything that is great about his kindom? Although I'm mostly convinced there's been some sort of curse put upon you, I'll also offer the potential there was some sort of test panel where people tried the foods, data was collected and bad decisions were made. That's what I'll do with that time machine. I'll go back in time and get one one of those panels to try and stop these tragedies from happening. Then I'd have my spicy sauce back. I'd have the original tenders back. And I'd have the shoestring fries I've loved for years back. Of course, if it is in fact a curse, the time machine will do no good. You'll need a white wizard.
King, you're making it really tough for me to have it my way. In fact I can't have it my way anymore. My way keeps getting pulled or changed. If I want to have things my way, now I have to make it myself or go to, what has become my new favorite place ever, Chick-Fila. The only thing that I don't like about them is that they are not open on Sunday. Ok, two things. That they don't have Spicy Chicken Tenders like they have the Spicy Chicken Sandwich. It's not a big leap. Just cut up some of the sandwiches or something. Maybe I'll write to them about that. Yes, I think I will.
In closing, please stop. I posted this here, because on your website there is a 500 character limit and I'm no mathemagician, but this is longer than 500 characters. You may contact me in whatever method you choose, but please no telegrams.
Mike Marbach


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"Gay Marriage" And Child Abuse
June 30, 2008 2 Comments
Dr. James White has posted an article on his blog discussing the effects on children of same-sex couples. He says
"It is a measure of the decay of Western culture that self-deception is the activity of the day. We constantly cry, "for the children, for the children!" while abusing them to no end in the service of ourselves. It is purposefully abusive of a child to consciously deny to them a mother and a father. It is even worse to warp them, from the start, by providing two mothers or two fathers, neither of which is actually a mother or a father, since, by definition, those terms are defined by the other."
I agree with the points Dr. White makes in his article. It is sad that our country has deteriorated to the point that it has. We need God to send a revival to our country. At this point, returning to God is the only way possible to turn us from our present course.
What do you think?


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Mike Oncley created a portrait of Deadpool that truly pays tribute to the character's talent for violence. Oncley pasted shotgun shells and bullet casings to a background to form a Deadpool who manages to be wry even in this unusual mixed media.
This piece, titled "You Missed" is on display as part of the MINTcondition: Issue 2 show at Ltd. Art Gallery in Seattle, where it will hang through March 31st. The original is also on sale at Ltd. for $800.
You Missed - Deadpool in Bullets [Mike Oncley via Xombie DIRGE]


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As I sat in on the Kjell Nordstrom address at last month's International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) conference, I wished that the "global visionary" (as IHRSA referred to him) and the author of "Funky Business" would apply his interesting insights about the world to our industry. So, even though I've never been called a "global visionary" by IHRSA or anyone else, I thought I'd apply to the fitness industry a few of his more interesting insights.
Nordstrom said that the world is becoming more personalized because more people are single today than in the past.
"If you take out the oldest institution we have and build society around single people, you change the society completely," he said. "It's a fundamental personalization of the human project."
Along with this move toward singlehood comes a move to the cities. More people now live in urban areas than in rural areas, he says. The growth in the urban population combined with the growth of the single population has meant that cities are becoming less similar to each other. Wanting to feel like they belong, single people are moving to cities that reflect their interests, careers and lifestyles, he said, calling it "self selection." People in financial industries are moving to New York. People with high-tech jobs are moving to Silicon Valley. Retirees are moving to Arizona and Florida. A large group of people with similar careers, similar tastes and similar opinions all moving into the same city affects that city and causes a sort of "tribalization," Nordstrom said.
For the fitness industry, that means that what plays in Peoria, IL, won't play in New York. For owners of national and regional chains, that means that even more research is required to discover the specific tastes of your various markets. Which group has selected your city as the place it belongs can affect the design of your clubs, the music you play, the programming you implement and the staff that you hire. You have two choices: either figure out what kind of club you are and then only locate in markets that would be attracted to your club, or change your club's programming, music, design and philosophy for each of the markets in which you locate.
The second option requires more creativity than the first. But is the industry ready to think outside the box? Not many industries are. Most automobiles look basically the same because all engineers went to the same universities and are using the same parts from the same manufacturers to make their automobiles, Nordstrom said. Do all fitness clubs basically look alike because we're all using the same designers who went to the same universities and the same equipment manufacturers who offer the same equipment?
You can make money if you have a good idea, Nordstrom said. But what is a good idea?
"A good idea is a temporary monopoly," he said. "Successful companies do not compete. A temporary monopoly is a moment in time when you are perceived to be unique. It's all about perception."
That's why Curves was so successful. Gary Heavin created something that was unique at the time of creation, but it now has been copied endlessly. Maybe it's time to step out of the box again with an eye toward personalization. Cookie cutters don't belong in a world of self selection.
Pamela Kufahl, editor
[email protected]


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When Small Group Learning Goes Off Track
"Researchers report that, regardless of the subject matter, students working in small groups tend to learn more of what is taught and retain it longer than when the same content is presented in other instructional formats." -Barbara Gross Davis, Tools for Teaching
Issues to Consider
- Student dissatisfaction with small group work is usually due to a lack of clarity and structure in terms of the group's assignment. (The Cross Papers No 4)
- When some students are forced to take more responsibility for their own learning, they go through some or all of the steps associated with grief and trauma such as shock, resistance, surrender, acceptance, integration and success. (Wood 1984)
- High academic achievers and introverted students are often more resistant to small group work.
- "Being clear, at the outset of class and in the syllabus, about how much of the work in the course will involve group effort, and about why such group work will help achieve the goals of the course, will go a long way toward overcoming the objections of some students (and will at least warn students with serious reservations that they may want to choose another course)." (Speaking of Teaching, Stanford University Newsletter on Teaching, Winter 1999)
- Collaborative learning is defined as small group learning where group members reach consensus with respect to some decision or action. (Cuseo 2002)
- Cooperative learning is a learner-centered instructional process typically characterized by the following: small, intentionally formed groups, well-defined group roles, group members working interdependently with each individual group member held accountable, and the instructor plays a facilitative and/or consultant role. (Cuseo 2002)
Strategies to Address Group Member Behaviors that Damage Group Work
When small group work isn't working, it can be the result of individual group member's behavior. The following strategies are offered to help instructors reduce the effects of negative behaviors.
- When group members have a tendency to be late, not show up, or are slow to begin
assigned tasks, try the following: (Cuseo 2002)
- Have groups develop ground rules, and lead them towards including appropriate ground rules for punctuality and the consequences that would ensue for being tardy.
- Model punctuality.
- Make the beginning of a session worthwhile so that students want to arrive on time. Try starting a session with a small written assignment worth a few points (e.g., ask two questions related to the homework, use Write-Pair-Share by asking them to reflect on either something from the last class session or from the homework, etc.)
- Keep attendance records. This sends the message that you expect students to be present.
- When group members do not come to class prepared to work in small groups, try the
following: (Cuseo 2000)
- Provide a handout/worksheet for them to complete and bring to class, making sure the group work task is directly related to their having completed the handout. Occasionally, collect their handouts/worksheets to see who is coming to class prepared.
- Have students evaluate their preparedness as part of a small group assessment activity.
- When inappropriate chatter takes place, try the following: (Cuseo 2000)
- First of all, don't automatically assume it's inappropriate chatter.
- Sit or stand near students who are inappropriately chattering.
- Give time limits. Stop the small group activity when you notice that the majority of teams are finished.
- Build in extra problems or tasks for groups that work more quickly. (Millis and Cottell 1998)
- When a group member appears to be working alone... (Johnson, Johnson, & Smith, 1998)
- limit the groups' resources. (e.g., provide only one list of instructions, one sheet to work from, one pencil, etc.)
- jigsaw the materials so that individual group members cannot complete the assignment without the other members' information.
- When group members aren't doing their jobs ... (Cuseo 2000) (Also referred to as "slackers.")
- make sure the learning outcomes/objectives are clear.
- provide clear written instructions on the group's task.
- assign well-defined group roles and rotate these roles on a regular basis.
- give time limits for group activities with five and one minute warnings.
- tell the class that you have heard and/or observed that some group members are
not doing their share and that you want to give the teams some ideas for resolving
this problem. Some ideas are:
- Have students form small groups and spend a few minutes brainstorming strategies. (Remind them that brainstorming means all ideas are recorded regardless of their merit.)
- List thier strategies/ideas on the board.
- After regrouping, have students reach consensus on which of the strategies would be a first resort, what to do if they don't work, what would be a last resort, etc.
- This technique or activity puts the 'slackers' on notice so they are more apt to start pulling their weight. This activity can be done with any other behaviors that might be damaging group work, such as the "dominant group member." (Felder & Brent, 2001)
- When a group member dominates the group or presents a "know-it-all" attitude try the
following: (Cuseo 2000)
- Have the group assess their effectiveness by having them address some of the following questions:
- Did someone take the lead and if so how did this come about?
- Who said the most?
- Whose ideas were most strongly present in arriving at a solution to the task?
- Was there anything you thought, but didn't actually say?
- Speak to the dominator privately. Let him/her know that while you are pleased that she/he is contributing, you want to make sure other students have an opportunity to contribute and think for themselves. Sometimes it helps to tell dominating students you need their help by saying something like, "I really appreciate your contributions, however, I have noticed that some of the other students aren't saying as much. So, I need you to help by holding back a bit and making sure everyone has a chance to speak."
- Some students dominate because they are self-confident. It might be appropriate to tell them that you need their help because you want others to develop the same confidence.
- Acknowledge the group's efforts versus the efforts of (dominant) individuals in the group.
- When disruptive behavior occurs... (Cuseo 2000)
- make sure it is truly disruptive. A group member may be expressing a strong feeling or opinion and this may be okay with the rest of the group.
- determine if the same student(s) is being disruptive on a regular basis and speak privately with that student.
When the Instructor Hinders Group Work
"Group work changes a teacher's role dramatically." ... "You are the authority who gives direction for the task; you set the rules; you train the students to use norms for cooperation; you assign students to groups; you delegate authority to those students who are to play special roles; and most importantly, you hold the groups accountable for the product of their work." - Elizabeth G. Cohen
The instructor can unknowingly damage group work. The following is a list of instructor behaviors that can negatively impact small group work and suggestions for addressing these behaviors.
- Ignoring non-participants. (Cuseo 2000)
- Remind the whole group of the benefits of equal participation.
- Speak privately to the non-participant(s).
- Try to find out if there is good reason for lack of participation.
- Determine if the non-participation has to do with the task versus the group.
- Lack of preparation. (Cuseo 2000)
- Preparation on your part has to be obvious to the students. The following activities make it obvious that the instructor is prepared: handouts that clearly reflect the topic, delivering small lectures on the topic, arriving on time and ready to begin.
- Being too controlling. (Cuseo 2000)
- Don't point out all the short cuts or intervene too much. Let the groups find their way.
- Allow group members to discover things for themselves so they feel more ownership for the outcome. Share your expertise after they have worked together and debriefed in the larger group.
- Allow groups to make mistakes. Mistakes are an opportunity for learning.
- Plan processes versus outcomes.
- Ask your students for feedback on a regular basis.
- Talk to other faculty about how they keep from being over controlling.
- Lack of interpersonal skills. (Cuseo 2000)
- Get feedback from your students via ongoing assessment or through Small Group Instructional Feedback (SGIF).
- Tape record or videotape your sessions and observe or listen with a trusted colleague.
- Capitalize on your strengths.
- Lack of cultural sensitivity. (Cuseo 2000)
- Develop a sensitivity to cultural issues by keeping informed through reading, workshops, etc.
- Observe other instructors who use small groups with this objective in mind.
- Ask your students if there is anything you do that would be considered culturally insensitive. Or, ask them indirectly what kinds of behaviors would be considered culturally insensitive and damaging to group work.
- Talking too much is one of the most common habits that interferes with group work.
(Cuseo, 2000)
- Remember that most learning occurs through doing versus listening.
- Only say some of the things you think.
- Don't talk too much so that the task is delayed.
- Present instructions for tasks in writing.
- Put important points on handouts.
- Intimidating learners. (Cuseo 2000)
- Wisdom and expertise may seem intimidating or appear as arrogance; so wear it lightly.
- "Putting students down." Sometimes the language we use (especially in writing) or the way we say something can be interpreted as a "put down."
- Avoid sarcasm.
- Body language, such as an exasperated sigh or turning your back on a student who is speaking, can be perceived as a "put down." (Cuseo 2000)
- A lack of clear outcomes and/or directions for group work. (Cuseo 2000) Provide outcomes in writing and have the instructions for group work either on a handout, an overhead, or a PowerPoint slide.
- Collect mid-semester feedback through a Small Group Instructional Feedback (SGIF) session. This allows less satisfied students to complain. But more importantly, it allows more satisfied students to share their positive feedback, which may diffuse the complainers and help them see that they are not in the majority. Also consider having an instructor who uses small group work observe one of your classes. (See Cohen's "Sample Guide for the Observing Teacher," (140-141)
- When assigning large tasks/projects to groups, ask for an overall group work plan. Check in with the groups to provide useful directions and redirect efforts as needed.
- When groups are reporting out to the class, listen carefully, comment on what has been learned, and ask questions to prompt critical thinking. It is important to help the students make the connections between the activities and the central concepts they are illustrating. (Cohen 1994)
- At the onset of class or during the wrap-up, give groups feedback on what you observe while they are working in groups. "It is a priceless opportunity to offer public praise to students who have done very well in the context of group work - particularly those who are not high achievers in conventional academic tasks." (Cohen 1999)
Suggestions for Group Work Conflicts
While some conflict is normal and healthy, excessive conflict can be detrimental to the group's ability to function. The following are suggestions for minimizing conflicts.
- At the onset, let students know that some conflict is expected and normal. Total agreement is not always essential. Remind them that part of what they are learning is how to negotiate differences and work with others to reach a common goal - skills relevant to the workplace.
- Provide groups with ways of dealing with conflict as it arises. For example, have them construct something such as a puzzle, followed by a discussion of the group process. (http://www.schreyerinstitute.psu.edu)
- Some instructors have their students learn about the different personality types and/or learning styles and discuss how to accommodate the different styles, etc., in a group setting. (http://www.schreyerinstitute.psu.edu)
- Felder and Brent (2001) take a problem-based approach and deal with conflicts as they arise, equipping students with strategies to resolve their conflicts.
- When groups develop ground rules, they should have some provisions for managing group conflict.
(Cuseo, 2000) Examples of ground rules might include the following:
- Come to class prepared and ready to participate in small groups.
- Let a classmate know if you must miss a session.
- Play your assigned role in the group.
- Ask anyone in your group for help; it is your right.
- Help other members without doing their work for them.
- Have the groups sign the list of ground rules. Review these later in the semester and have the students evaluate how well they are following the rules they established. (Felder & Brent 2001)
- When conflict does arise, it may be helpful to have the groups backtrack and analyze what initiated the conflict, versus having them get caught up emotionally in the situation. (Cuseo 2000)
- Have the groups write up the conflict. Strong feelings lose some of their intensity when put on paper. Furthermore, groups can move on and decide to address the conflict at a more appropriate time versus getting stuck. (Cuseo 2000)
- Encourage groups to focus on the actions and principles that resulted in conflict and not the opinions. It can help people to accept that everyone has a right to their opinion and a right to change their opinion at a later date. (Cuseo 2000)
- When conflict arises, have groups reflect on what they have learned from the conflict. In addition, it might be an appropriate time to revisit the group's ground rules and revise if appropriate. (Cuseo 2000)
- If you use long-term groups, let students know that you expect that they will work out their differences. When students realize changing groups will not be easily permitted, they will feel more committed to negotiating their problems. (http://www.schreyerinstitute.psu.edu)
- The addition of a floundering group's member to another group may throw off their group process. Also, the troubled group doesn't learn to resolve its problems. (Davis 1993)
- It may be beneficial to let a person drop out of a group to join another, but only as a last resort. The group member who dropped out of a group may be viewed as a troublemaker and may not be well received. (Cuseo 2000)
- Felder and Brent (2001) recommend the following active listening technique when conflict arises. The first person makes his/her case. This is followed by the second person repeating verbatim the first person's case without editorial comments, with the first person making any corrections until the second person gets it right. Then, the second side (person) makes its case to the first side using the same format. Finally, both sides try to work out an agreement.
"Commonly Asked Questions about Teaching Collaborative Activities" The Penn State Teacher II: Learning to Teach; Teaching to Learn, Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching. (1997).
Brent, R. & Felder, R. (2001). "Effective Strategies for Cooperative Learning" The Journal of Cooperation and Collaboration in College Teaching. Vol. 10, No. 2
Cohen, E. (1994). Designing Groupwork: Strategies for the Heterogeneous Classroom. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.
Cuseo, J. (2002). Igniting Student Involvement, Peer Interaction, and Teamwork: A Taxonomy of Specific Cooperative Learning Structures and Collaborative Learning Strategies. Stillwater, OK: New Forums Press.
Davis, J. (1993). Better Teaching, More Learning: Strategies for Success in Postsecondary Settings. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press.
Millis, B. & Cottell, P. (1998). Cooperative Learning for Higher Education Faculty. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press.
Nilson, L. B. (1998). Teaching At Its Best: A Research-Based Resource for College Instructors. (1st ed.) Bolton, MA: Anker Publishing Company.
Race, P. (2000). 500 Tips on Group Learning. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing Inc.
Most of the above references are available in the Center for Teaching Excellence library (TLC 324) on a lending basis.
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Matava wins AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Award 2011
Matava has been awarded the Environment/Local Sustainability Award at the AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards
KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS – 26th February 2011 – Matava – Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort is proud to be announced as the winner of the Environment/Local Sustainability Award at the AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards 2010 for its policies on environmental sustainability and the environment.
The annual Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards night sponsored by AON was held at the The Warwick Resort and Spa on the Coral Coast on Friday 26th February 2011, and attended by Matava Director, Stuart Gow. Many local tourism operators and business people attended the evening presentations. This year there were over a thousand nominees in the 12 categories. This glamourous event was Red Sea Rig & Cocktail theme, welcoming guests with a 3 course dinner, an awards ceremony & fantastic live entertainment with a turn out of over 400 guests.
The Environment/Local Sustainability Award recognises efforts to preserve the environment & local communities for the benefits of locals & visitors alike in developing & fostering both environmental & national conservation. It also assesses efforts to support cultural initiatives and promote public awareness and education in support of "Fiji Made" products by reducing their carbon footprint.
Matava was proud to be nominated in 3 categories, and was chosen as a finalist in all nominated categories at this year's AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards. Bite Me Gamefishing Charters and Mad Fish Dive Centre were recognised as finalist in the Fiji Experience Award, and Matava – Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort was a finalist in the Quality Accommodation Award as well as winning the Environment/Local Sustainability Award.
"We are extremely proud to win this award. We have been lucky to win overseas and global awards for our environmental policy in the past year, but it is especially gratifying to be recognised at home by our colleagues in Fiji." said Mr Stuart Gow, one of Matava's Directors.
Richard Akhtar, Managing Director of Matava – Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort said "At Matava, we are of course both happy and proud to receive this prestigious award. We find it even more important that the industry, by rewarding environmental efforts, choose to take a stand for the environment we depend on. We also see it as an important continuing signal to the community which at the same time can serve to inspire the numerous individuals and companies who have been doing so much, and continue to do even more in the field of environmental enlightenment and conservation. This award has highlighted Fiji's leading role and efforts in this regard especially."
About Matava – Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort:
Matava – Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, is an eco adventure getaway offering you a fun and unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the environmentally pristine and remote island of Kadavu in the Fiji Islands. Matava – Fiji Premier Eco Adventure Resort is a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort as well as a Project AWARE GoEco Operator. With more than 14 years experience in the Fiji Islands, Matava is recognized as a leading educational dive centre. Matava offers accommodation for up to 22 guests in lush tropical surroundings in traditional thatched Fijian 'bures' with hardwood polished floors, louvre windows and private decks offering privacy, comfort and superb ocean views.
About AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards:
The awards which have been in existence for 14 years, honour those who have made a significant input to Fiji's most important industry. The prestigious awards are given to individuals, groups and companies in a broad range of categories; covering accommodation, restaurant and dining, tours and transportation, environmental and local sustainability. Winners were chosen as part of a nomination process which began late last year and closed in January. Recipients of the various awards have proven dedication, active participation and innovation in their fields of speciality, and have thus merited the esteem of the industry. Over the years, the AON Excellence in Tourism Awards has grown in prestige and now not only bestows recognition but serves as an incentive for individuals and companies to aspire to greatness in the sector.
# # #
Matava wins Environment/Local Sustainability Award at AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards 2010


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Whether you're sailing across the globe or merely sitting on the porch, the MacBaren 7 Seas line is a popular aromatic that is tasty to the last puff.
The Mac Baren 7 Seas Regular is a mellow blend containing golden Virginias, brown Burleys, and a hefty dose of Black Cavendish. It's a very clean and smooth smoking pipe tobacco blend presenting slight notes of vanilla and dark chocolate.


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There's a lot of negatives surrounding midweek college football games.
Students may not be able to attend the game because of a night class. It's tougher for fans with full-time jobs to get out to the stadium. Players miss class as well.
However, like it or not, that's life in the Mid-American Conference.
And I know it's unpopular among Northern Illinois fans, but I'll come out and say it – midweek games are ultimately a positive for NIU and the rest of the MAC.
Sure, it's unfortunate that for a game like Wednesday's, when NIU takes on Toledo at 8 p.m., the stands won't be as full as they would be for a Saturday afternoon kickoff. There will be those students who have have a test the next day and will be spending their time studying. After all, it is getting toward the end of fall semester.
There are always trade-offs. What's more important is the football program and the university get the national exposure they wouldn't normally receive on a Saturday afternoon.
Leagues like the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten will always, always get top billing. And quite frankly, it should be that way. Unfortunately for the MAC, it gets stuck with its scores rolling across ESPN's ticker, maybe a mention on one of the highlight shows, and if a MAC team is lucky enough, a small highlight.
During the week, it's a different story.
The worldwide leader can't just show regular-season NBA games all day, and NIU will get to showcase its 9-1 team, one which should be ranked with a win over the Rockets, on national television.
When the game is over, there's a good chance NIU actually gets some play on SportsCenter, when the Huskies have to compete with pointless NBA games rather than the rest of college football.
Playing during the week isn't perfect, and the 8 p.m. start time Wednesday is pretty unfortunate. A normal 7 p.m. slot would help. However, such is life in the MAC, something Huskies head coach Dave Doeren certainly understands.
"In our conference it's just something you have to do, and it's part of our television package. At the end of the day, it's what's best for the university and the program to be on national television as much as possible," Doeren said during Monday's MAC coaches teleconference. "So, there's certain things that you can't really get bent out of shape about because nobody's going to listen, and all it does is help you anyway. So we're excited to be on ESPN Wednesday night."
Players, coaches and fans from MAC schools are just going to have to deal with the trade-offs weeknight games provide.
When everything is said and done, being able to play on national television trumps getting the schedule switched around a bit.
• Steve Nitz is the Northern Illinois beat writer for the Daily Chronicle. Write to him at email@example.com.


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Chevrolet has teamed up with Apple to offer Siri in two of its popular vehicles, the Chevrolet Spark and the Chevrolet Sonic. This includes the Chevrolet Spark EV, which is scheduled to hit the showroom floor in mid-2013. Customers that have a Siri compatible iPhone operating on iOS6 or higher will be able to take advantage of several hands-free and even eye-free tasks through the seamless Siri integration.
After pairing a Siri-compatible phone with the Chevrolet's MyLink system, drivers can complete tasks without taking their hands off the wheel or their eyes off the road. To reduce distractions even further, if the iPhone is in Eyes Free mode the display will not light up while completing these tasks.
Tasks available through the new Siri integration include:
- Make voice-activated, hands-free calls to Contacts on their iPhone
- Play songs in the iTunes library, and even switch music sources automatically from AM/FM/XM radio to iPod mode
- Listen to, and compose and send an iMessage or text message to a phone number or anyone in saved Contacts
- Access Calendar and add appointments
"It says a lot about our commitment to small-car customers that Chevrolet has announced that Siri Eyes Free capability will be available in the Spark and Sonic well before the luxury brands," said Cristi Landy, Chevrolet marketing director for small cars. "Safe, easy, reliable and portable connectivity is a top priority for our customers, and Siri complements MyLink's existing capabilities to help deliver an incredible driving experience." Source: General Motors
The Chevrolet Spark EV will be available in mid-2013 for about $25,000 after a $7,500 federal tax credit. The Siri-equipped gasoline-powered Chevrolet Spark 1LT and 2LT as well as the Sonic LTZ and RS will be available in early 2013.
Chevrolet Spark EV photo: Melissa Hincha-Ownby