text:
If you want to meet a spiritual woman, you need to make your demand to the highest authority of life. If you think that I am kidding and ask, "Should I ask it to the President, haha!" then my answer is "No, much higher please." In short, the institution in charge of this meeting is "the cosmos" and before coming down to this planet, you sign an agreement with the cosmos. This agreement carries some fixed and some changeable articles. If you need to arrange these changeable articles, you have an agent named "the higher self" who takes care of this work on your behalf. He arranges meetings; he arranges what you will live, and sometimes, he asks you your preference.
Amongst the fixed articles of your contract, if you make a comment such as: "This guy behaves like a woman-chaser, rabid dog on Earth every time he incarnates; thus, he shall never meet a spiritual woman or even a little bit of a spiritual mosquito in his lifetime." Sorry mate, you will never have this magnificent, unbelievable, amazing, unforgettable chance in your life. However, if you were such an unlucky type, you would not come across this writing, would you? (Wow! That was a small lesson on destiny!)
If one of the fixed articles of your contract says, "This man has the right to meet a spiritual woman. There is no harm in it." Then you should get in contact with your agent. If your interest in spirituality is only at a "let's have a popular thing to talk about" level, then the best thing you can do is to pray. I advise you to add phrases like "Please mend my way; please remind me who I am" to your prayers. If in your contract, there is a fixed article saying, "This man can have a reasonable amount of conversation with everyone interested in spirituality," then you would not be the reader but the author of this article. To summarize, meeting this type of woman is not bound to your abilities and tactics but to the permission of the cosmos.
Oh Lord, Give Me Patience!
Okay, let's say you arranged a meeting with your agent and he told you "Don't bother bro, I will find you someone," what will you do next? The best thing to do is to wait and see. You may ask, "How could I meet this woman if I only wait? Will she fall from the sky?" Yes, why not? When walking on the street, a girl can fall from a building and hit your head, and if you are still living, you may fall in love with her. This is how the cosmos works! This is called the Trickster. When this bastard puts his oar in your affairs, you can even marry the nurse who gives you an injection in the butt. (Did I say I am married to a nurse?)
If you are a type of man we call a spiritual geek who always stays at home, yet in need of finding a spiritual woman and wants to help the universe in this business, let's give you a few hints.
The places where you can easily find this type of woman are the charities or spiritual groups. You can find more than you imagined in such places as if you would find a vineyard while searching for a tiny grape. Although there are some younger ladies, most of them are too old for you. However, my experience shows me that all these spiritual old ladies have very beautiful daughters! If these old ladies think well of you, you are a lucky man. Women look to other women's opinions on how to feel about a man, but if positive comments come from their mother, you get bonus points.
You can also find these spiritual women on the internet, but this is one of the most difficult ways because most men use these online connections to satisfy their manly desires. First of all, you need to know this online realm well. This is a complicated issue which I could even write a book about. In short, you need to find some online groups that are interested in spiritual subjects. The girls in these groups are generally serious types, and in front of their computers, they feel stressed and stuck in deep thought. You do not understand much from their messages and emails of what they mean.
On the other hand, these women do not even understand the messages themselves but want men to figure it out. You can just accept what she says, but this time the response is "This guy does not listen to me." But believe me, it is the same if you listen to her. These women are interesting life forms. If you listen to them carefully and do everything to understand them, they will tell you "You are my best friend, you are the only person who understands me, and I never want to lose you." Not enough? You also have to listen to her problems with her boyfriends.
Sleepless in Seattle Mode On…
The most important phase of online dialogues is to meet in real life. This is like a lucky charm, and I hope you are lucky enough. These girls always talk about the importance of the "soul" and "sharing"; although, they usually evaluate your physical appearance. Conversely, your intelligence and your ability to express yourself are the more important factors. Some friends think that if they make some silly jokes, they can charm these ladies, but they would be totally wrong. I heard it from many girls, "He was a fine man but he should not talk."
Men! Sorry, I can't help you more if you are moron. You have to train yourself. If not, you should leave your desire for a spiritual girlfriend behind. To me, you should take your chance with other girls; the spiritual ones won't give you the time of day, sorry!
By the way, there are other extreme types: They try to prove how intelligent they are by talking about the Stephen Hawking theories and want to open discussion with similar girls. Or if the girl is also a psychopath, they talk for long hours, and if there are flowers on the table, they all die. These conversations really S-U-C-K!
And, if you tell the girl you're interested in, "I want to discuss that book with you tomorrow when we meet," you'll get blown off just like before! When I was in high school, I was deeply in love with a girl and did not know what to talk about and suddenly said, "A war will break out if the Serbs occupy Macedonia."
The girl was so straightforward and told me, "You are so boring, Hasan." Yes, I experienced this! I still feel the same embarrassment when I'm reminded of this memory. What is the logic of talking about the war in Macedonia with a girlfriend? This is why I never had a girlfriend during my high school years. J
There is a third option: A spiritual woman comes and finds you! And, as this girl will come into your life as a result of a contract, she will be a highly "special" one. If you are not a blockhead, you do not miss this opportunity, and you can have a very nice experience together. With a high potential to fall in love with such girls, you do not need to read such articles. But never forget: Each contract has a termination date and it is never "forever"!
Yes, Get to the Point!
Okay, let's get to the point: Do these girls go to bed with you or not? The answer is very simple: If you as a man know how to want it, all the women will go to bed with you! This can be a rude expression, but it is true. We, the men, want to scatter our seeds to as many females as we can due to our primitive drives. As these drives get civilized, we tend to have a monogamous life, just like a primitive society's acceptance of monotheism as they evolve. If you are going towards a monogamous life, you do not mind if a woman goes to bed with you or not. And, in response, if you are civilized and evolved enough (on monogamy), it is not hard for you to go to bed with any woman. (I like the way the cosmos works.)
On the other hand, the woman starts with "Who is the father of this baby?" After being more civilized, they evolve to a monogamous life and begin to think how special I am. So, if you show them that they are special, you are luckier. But the way to show this is not to buy presents and utter beautiful but cliché words. No, first of all, you have to be a "special" person. If you are an average one, just try to trap a girl with an IQ of 80 or 90. Of course, she will also demand to be "special" but at least she will have lower standards.
There is another point to keep in mind: Sexuality is not only for the men; the women also have the same needs and willing as much as we are. The only difference is that they hide these needs because of their nature. Moreover, sexuality is not a bad thing. If you believe it is something to feel ashamed of, and utter sentences like "I do not have a bad intention," the women with high IQs will underrate you. What she really thinks is "Boy, you are too weak for this girl. I need a real man who is at peace with himself; I cannot deal with feelings of guilt, you oversexed idiot!" Further, she just sends you away with some "kind" words. If she needs to be more straightforward, she also dishes out that.
But no women find straightforward expressions sexy, like "Come on babe, let's do it." The best thing to do is to accept the situation and be honest with yourself and don't indulge in self-denial. The rest will come naturally.
Hasan Sonsuz Çeliktaş
Related posts
- Astrology (64)
- Bulletin (1)
- Featured (54)
- Health (78)
- Life (254)
- Mystery (62)
- Soul (400)
- Story (23)
- Sufi (38)
- Articles (16)
- Asik Ali Izzet (1)
- Imadeddin Nasimi (1)
- Kul Himmet (1)
- Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi (4)
- Muhyiddin Abdal (1)
- Muhyiddin ibn Arabi (1)
- Muhyiddin Uftade (1)
- Niyazi Misri (2)
- Seyyid Seyfullah Nizamoglu (1)
- Shams Tabrizi (4)
- Videos (3)
- Yunus Emre (5)
- Top (4)
- Traveller (35)
- Uncategorized (2)
- Video (3)


text: Sylvan Turbo 0 Posted May 28, 2013 So i was playing like 1 hour ago. Then all of sudden my account "crashed". I couldn't get back in. Said my password was incorrect. I log in, and surprise, they changed my mail adress too. This account its 6 yeras old and i can't believe they have this **bleep**ty security. No security question, no double confirmation on mail. Anyways.... What should i do? For some reason i am still logged in the website with my Account (this account) and i can type under its name. If i try to fill a ticket, they will mail to the new mail that doesn't belongs to me... I need help please.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Phone number: (02) 9570....
Email: Click to view
URL: http://www.hurstvilleaquariumonline.com.au
Trading/Opening hours:
|Mon: 9:30am - 5:30pm
|Tue: 9:30am - 5:30pm
|Wed: 9:30am - 5:30pm
|Thu: 9:30am - 5:30pm
|Fri: 9:30am - 5:30pm
|Sat: 9:00am - 5:00pm
|Sun: 9:00am - 5:00pm
|Public Hols: ---
Business Info
Hurstville Aquarium was established in 2004, and has won best small business awards years 2006 and 2007.
We specialize in both fresh water, marine fish, corals, invertebrates and aquarium plants.
We have more than 130 holding tanks with capacity of 20,000 litters of water, and over 200 sqm of retail space. We stock both freshwater and marine fish over 1000 different of Species.
Hurstville Aquarium uses our quality sale to ensure that our customers receive the best aquarium for minimum expense in tropical, cichlid, and marine aquariums. Hurstville Aquarium provides cheap prices top brand to all our customers in all aspects of aquariums consisting of both physical components and aquatic fish.
Hurstville Aquarium also provides instillation options and maintenance services to ensure our customers can enjoy the beauty of an aquarium stress free.
Hurstville Aquarium has aquarium packages available for sale in individual components or complete setups. We can provide custom tank, glass tanks, cabinets, hoods, lighting, filtration systems and all aquarium needs.
Our mission is to help you understand how to keep fish in a healthy and happy aquarium, as well as source exotic and unusual fish for you.
Come in and have a chat with one of our knowledgeable and friendly staff today.
5 Reasons To Choose Hurstville Aquarium
1. Free Advice
2. Very Competitive Pricing
3. Excellent Customer Service
4. 100% Healthy Fish
5. Easy To Deal With Warranty Products (more)
Recommend This Business
The review system is a way for customers of this business to easily share their opinion. By sharing your experience with this business, you help other consumers find the right business for them! By leaving a review, you also earn STARPOINTS. Starpoints can be redeemed for cash or prizes like iTunes giftcards. Find out more about Starpoints here.
Some tips when posting a review: When writing a review, see if you can be as balanced as possible. What did you like, what didn't you like? Here are some things to think about - How was the customer service? How was the product or service quality? How was the price/value? Please also check and adhere to the editorial guidelines when posting a review.
Add your own review
Full Category Tree
Nearby Suburbs
- Carlton (1) - 2.16 kms
- Kingsgrove (2) - 2.65 kms
- Bexley (1) - 3.03 kms
- Rockdale (2) - 3.65 kms
- Sans Souci (1) - 4.00 kms


text:
No products
Check out
Product successfully added to your shopping cart
There are 0 items in your cart. There is 1 item in your cart.
-Amounts lower that 74,99€ +14,90 €
-Amounts over 75,00€ Free
Reference: Officinalis arnica gel 1000ml
The product is:
Warning: Last items in stock!
Availability date:
35,41 €
39,34 €
The minimum purchase order quantity for the product is 1
Add to cart
Officinalis Arnica Gel 90% with Arnica and thyme oil with a lot of arnica gel for muscle and tendon . Thanks to the oil and the pepper mint give to yur horse the felling of freshness and relax .
Tweet Share Google+ Pinterest
By buying this product you can collect up to 35 loyalty points. Your cart will total 35 points that can be converted into a voucher of 0,35 €.
Scroll To Top


text:
The promotional world is evolving at a rapid pace and like other marketing campaigns, it has become quite strategic in nature. The time when promotion ...Read More
Every company employs some sort of branding technique to strengthen their presence in the market. Depending upon the size of the business, organizatio ...Read More
Employees are referred as human capital as they are the most precious asset of any company. The health of your organization is directly related to the ...Read More


text:
Find prices and quotes from your perfect wedding photographer in the West Midlands covering Birmingham, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Herefordshire & Worcestershire. Browse a full range of different styles including Reportage, Contemporary and documentary wedding photography in Nuneaton, Leamington Spa and Wolverhampton. Whatever you budget read reviews, request quotes and check out photo galleries.
Discover local documentary Photographers from and around West Midlands matching a range of budgets and styles.
View photos and reviews for each photographer, favourite the ones you love, request a quote and price for your day. Remember many wedding photographers will travel, so if you don't find one in West Midlands that you love, then look at a wider area, the chances are many will happily travel for your special day.


text:
Neven Mimica
|European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development
|In office
1 November 2014 – 1 December 2019
|Jean-Claude Juncker
|Preceded by
|Kristalina Georgieva (International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response)
Andris Piebalgs (Development)
|Succeeded by
|European Commissioner for Consumer Protection
|In office
1 July 2013 – 1 November 2014
|José Manuel Barroso
|Preceded by
|Tonio Borg (Health and Consumer Policy)
|Succeeded by
|Věra Jourová (Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality)
|3rd Minister of European Integration
|In office
28 September 2001 – 23 December 2003
|Prime Minister
|Ivica Račan
|Preceded by
|Ivan Jakovčić
|Succeeded by
|Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović
|Personal details
|12 October 1953
Split, Yugoslavia
(now Croatia)
|Political party
|Social Democratic Party
|University of Zagreb
Neven Mimica (pronounced [nêʋen mîmit͡sa]; born 12 October 1953) is a Croatian politician and diplomat who has been serving as European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development in the Juncker Commission since 1 November 2014. He was previously the European Commissioner for Consumer Protection in the Second Barroso Commission from July 2013 until November 2014 and was in that regard the first European Union Commissioner from Croatia following its accession to the European Union.
Prior to his role in the European Union, Mimica also held a number of governmental posts in Croatia. Namely, he served as the 3rd Minister of European Integration from 2001 until 2003, in both the first and second cabinets of the Social Democratic Prime Minister Ivica Račan. Furthermore, he was appointed a Deputy Prime Minister in the cabinet of Zoran Milanović in 2011 and held the office until resigning to take up the post of European Union Commissioner in 2013.
Early life and career
The son of primary-school teachers,[1] Mimica graduated from the University of Zagreb Faculty of Economics in 1976. His first job was to handle agricultural exports for the Croatian company Astra.[2]
Between 1979 and 1997 Mimica held positions in various governmental bodies related to foreign relations and foreign trade policies, including several counselling positions at embassies in Cairo and Ankara. In 1997 he was appointed assistant to the Croatian Minister of Economy and served as Croatia's chief negotiator during the country's accession to the World Trade Organization and the European Union Association Agreement; his counterpart at the European Commission was Catherine Day.[3][4]
Political career
In September 2001, Mimica became Minister of European Integration under Prime Minister Ivica Račan, position he held until December 2003.
Member of the Croatian Parliament, 2004-2013
Mimica was elected to the Croatian Parliament in the 2003 elections as a representative of the Social Democratic Party, and again in 2007. From January 2008 he served as deputy speaker of the Croatian parliament and also as the chairman of the parliament's Committee for European Integration.
In addition to his parliamentary work, Mimica served as consultant to the Government of Kosovo on establishing European integration structures from 2005 until 2006.[5]
Deputy Prime Minister, 2011–2013
Ahead of the 2011 elections, SDP chairman Zoran Milanović assigned key preparatory work to Mimica, including the task of drafting public administration bills that later formed the basis of Milanovic's reform agenda.[6] On December 23, 2011 he was selected as one of four Deputy Prime Ministers in the government of Milanović, responsible for internal, foreign and European policy.
Member of the European Commission, 2013–2019
On July 1, 2013 Mimica became European Commissioner for Consumer Protection in the European Commission. In this capacity, he was in charge of consumer markets, health technology and cosmetics, product and service safety, financial services and redress, and consumer strategy and enforcement.[7] For the remainder of his time in office, he shepherded through the Council of Ministers and European Parliament draft legislation that had already been proposed. He also oversaw the implementation of existing legislation.[8] László Andor was Acting Commissioner in his stead, from 19 April 2014 – 25 May 2014 while he was on electoral campaign leave for the 2014 elections to the European Parliament.[9] He ultimately decided to not take up his seat.
From November 1, 2014 Mimica was European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development in the European Commission led by Jean-Claude Juncker. In this capacity, he is part of the Commission's foreign policy around Federica Mogherini.[10]
Early in Mimica's tenure, the European Union approved 1.15 billion euros in aid for West Africa as part of the five-year European Development Fund program in 2015, nearly doubling its previous commitment to a region that is a major source of migrants seeking to enter Europe.[11] In late 2015, he negotiated a 200 euro million aid agreement with Eritrea as part of the Commission's efforts to reduce the flow from what was, at the time, the source of the third largest number of migrants.[12] Since 2016, he has been working to implement the European Union's 44 billion euro Emergency Trust Fund for Africa which is aimed to entice private investors to some of the world's poorest nations and slow mass migration to Europe.[13]
Also during Mimica's time in office, the European Union suspended direct financial support for the government of Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza after concluding that it had not done enough to find a political solution to the 2015 post-election unrest in the country. The European Union funds about half the annual budget of Burundi and has imposed sanctions on officials close to the president.[14]
In September 2016, Mimica was appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to serve as member of the Lead Group of the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement.[15]
Towards the end of his term, in 2019, Mimica pledged a total of 500 million euros in contributions of the EU to Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for the 2020-2022 period.[16]
- ^ Tihomir Loza (July 10, 2013), Neven Mimica – Cautious Croat European Voice.
- ^ Croatia's ultimate expert European Voice, January 24, 2001
- ^ Croatia's ultimate expert European Voice, January 24, 2001
- ^ Tihomir Loza (July 10, 2013), Neven Mimica – Cautious Croat European Voice.
- ^ Neven Mimica's declaration of interests European Commission.
- ^ Tihomir Loza (July 10, 2013), Neven Mimica – Cautious Croat European Voice.
- ^ Andrew Gardner (July 3, 2013), Croatian commissioner creates first cabinet European Voice.
- ^ Andrew Gardner and Dave Keating (June 5, 2013), The consumer policy portfolio European Voice.
- ^ "Six commissioners head for EU election campaign trail". euobserver.com.
- ^ Andrew Gardner and Dave Keating (September 15, 2013), Juncker, the foreign-policy president? European Voice.
- ^ Philip Blenkinsop (March 14, 2016), EU suspends direct aid to Burundi over political crisis Reuters.
- ^ John Aglionby (September 17, 2015), EU seeks €200m aid agreement with Eritrea Financial Times.
- ^ Robin Emmott and Marilyn Haigh (September 21, 2016), EU's new Africa fund aims to attract private investors to Sahel region Reuters.
- ^ Philip Blenkinsop (March 14, 2016), EU suspends direct aid to Burundi over political crisis Reuters.
- ^ Secretary-General Appoints 29 Global Leaders to Spearhead Fight against Malnutrition United Nations, press release of 21 September 2016.
- ^ Global Fund Donors Pledge US$14 Billion in Fight to End Epidemics Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, press release of October 10, 2019.
External links
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Neven Mimica.
- Neven Mimica at the Croatian Parliament website
|Political offices
|Preceded by
Ivan Jakovčić
| Minister of European Integration
|Succeeded by
Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović
|New office
| Croatian European Commissioner
|Succeeded by
Dubravka Šuica
|Preceded by
Tonio Borg
as European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy
| European Commissioner for Consumer Protection
|Succeeded by
Věra Jourová
as European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality
|Preceded by
Kristalina Georgieva
as European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response
| European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development
|Succeeded by
|Preceded by
Andris Piebalgs
as European Commissioner for Development


text:
Who would've guessed Santa Barbara has the nicest sunsets?
A few weeks ago, we had a day off so went on a road trip to Santa Barbara because it's a short (but not too short) drive from our house!
We started the day by walking along State Street, which is the main shopping and food center of the city. It was a beautiful day and super relaxing to walk along the streets and look inside some of the stores!
For lunch, we decided on an Italian restaurant called Pascucci, which was, conveniently, right in the middle of State Street. I definitely recommend eating here if you're ever around Santa Barbara because their garlic bread was heavenly.
Of course, we needed to have dessert, so we literally crossed the street and found some ice cream! I hadn't heard of the place before, but it's called McConnell's Fine Ice Cream Shop. (We knew it was amazing because there was a long line outside hehe)
I tried the Turkish Coffee flavor, and wow. It was really good.
After the ice cream, we noticed it was getting darker outside and decided to spend some time at the beach! We drove over to the pier and got some pretty cool pictures of the sunset.. like – really cool pictures.
To be honest, I don't even know how I managed to get the bird to look like that! I think it's pretty insane.. but it's probably even more insane that I happened to find a beautiful yellow bike just sitting on the side of the pier! I guess the stars aligned? Haha if you want to read my *short* post on this photo click here!
This post was loaded with pictures! I definitely edited them a little (because it kinda says it in the captions lol), and I honestly love how they turned out. It was a pretty cool sunset, I gotta say.
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed the photos and maybe got some food recommendations for the next time you visit Santa Barbara!
Have an amazing week everyone!
P.S. We're almost at 300 followers! So close..!


text:
Plastic Card Printing-ABS CARD
ABS is plastic developed as an alternative to PVC for use in printing; in contrast to PVC it does not produce chloride fumes when burned, giving off only CO2 and H2O. Flexible, clear, robust, and light, it is also suitable for contact with food, since no plasticizers or stabilizers are used in its manufacture.
We can create the look and functionality you want using a broad range of options, or you can submit
camera-ready artwork. From idea to finished product, you'll receive quality workmanship and exceptional
Our cards are available in:
Full-color printing on one or both sides
White stock ABS
Inkprinting for numbers or barcode
Embossing for numbers
Overlay on one side or both sides
Standard rectangular size (2-1/8-in. by 3-3/8-in.) with rounded corners
Standard thicknesses (.011-in. to .030-in.), as well as custom thicknesses


text:
smart, compact & quiet
flexible multifunctional space with character features
Key data
- address: Dunckerstr. 3, 10437 Berlin
- property: 30 m2 / 4 desks, ground floor
- features: loft style, in-between extra level
- condition: just renovated and fully furnished
- rental level: 260€ per desk + VAT
- availability: December 2018
Ground floor (EG) 30 m2 multifunctional space, located in quiet courtyard. Typical Berlin Altbau, fully equipped and thoughtfully renovated: wooden floors, exposed brick walls, smart and flexible layout. Probably one of the best neighbourhoods of Prenzlauer Berg: between Helmholtzplatz and Kollwitzplatz. Kulturbrauerai, Mauerpark, Wasserturm, gastronomically abundant Oderberger strasse, fashionable Kastanienallee, Prater – the largest Berlin's Biergarten are just 5-10 minutes away. Excellent public transport connection (Tram M10, M1, 12, U2, S-Bahn) – Alexanderplatz in 15 min, Friedrichstrasse in 20 min, Tegel Airport in 30 min.


text:
So, along the lines of the dialogue we've been having, my Mama and I have been talking a lot about the transferral of these body issues between the two of us. She raised me with whatever issues she had with her own body and worth, I grew up with my own sartorial opinions (planet pants) and later honed my own and helped her hone her style, and passed back some of her problems along with plenty of my own… and round and round we go. I know so many people have shared this article, but it's truly poignant for so many women I've talked to, and if you haven't seen it, or even if you have, READ.
Dear Mum,
I was seven when I discovered that you were fat, ugly and horrible. Up until that point I had believed that you were beautiful – in every sense of the word. I remember flicking through old photo albums and staring at pictures of you standing on the deck of a boat. Your white strapless bathing suit looked so glamorous, just like a movie star. Whenever I had the chance I'd pull out that wondrous white bathing suit hidden in your bottom drawer and imagine a time when I'd be big enough to wear it; when I'd be like you.
But all of that changed when, one night, we were dressed up for a party and you said to me, ''Look at you, so thin, beautiful and lovely. And look at me, fat, ugly and horrible.''
At first I didn't understand what you meant.
''You're not fat,'' I said earnestly and innocently, and you replied, ''Yes I am, darling. I've always been fat; even as a child.''
In the days that followed I had some painful revelations that have shaped my whole life. I learned that:
1. You must be fat because mothers don't lie.
2. Fat is ugly and horrible.
3. When I grow up I'll look like you and therefore I will be fat, ugly and horrible too.
Years later, I looked back on this conversation and the hundreds that followed and cursed you for feeling so unattractive, insecure and unworthy. Because, as my first and most influential role model, you taught me to believe the same thing about myself.
With every grimace at your reflection in the mirror, every new wonder diet that was going to change your life, and every guilty spoon of ''Oh-I-really-shouldn't'', I learned that women must be thin to be valid and worthy. Girls must go without because their greatest contribution to the world is their physical beauty. Just like you, I have spent my whole life feeling fat. When did fat become a feeling anyway? And because I believed I was fat, I knew I was no good.
But now that I am older, and a mother myself, I know that blaming you for my body hatred is unhelpful and unfair. I now understand that you too are a product of a long and rich lineage of women who were taught to loathe themselves.
Look at the example Nanna set for you. Despite being what could only be described as famine-victim chic, she dieted every day of her life until the day she died at 79 years of age. She used to put on make-up to walk to the letterbox for fear that somebody might see her unpainted face.
I remember her ''compassionate'' response when you announced that Dad had left you for another woman. Her first comment was, ''I don't understand why he'd leave you. You look after yourself, you wear lipstick. You're overweight – but not that much.''
Before Dad left, he provided no balm for your body-image torment either.
''Jesus, Jan,'' I overheard him say to you. ''It's not that hard. Energy in versus energy out. If you want to lose weight you just have to eat less.''
That night at dinner I watched you implement Dad's ''Energy In, Energy Out: Jesus, Jan, Just Eat Less'' weight-loss cure. You served up chow mein for dinner. (Remember how in 1980s Australian suburbia, a combination of mince, cabbage, and soy sauce was considered the height of exotic gourmet?) Everyone else's food was on a dinner plate except yours. You served your chow mein on a tiny bread-and-butter plate.
As you sat in front of that pathetic scoop of mince, silent tears streamed down your face. I said nothing. Not even when your shoulders started heaving from your distress. We all ate our dinner in silence. Nobody comforted you. Nobody told you to stop being ridiculous and get a proper plate. Nobody told you that you were already loved and already good enough. Your achievements and your worth – as a teacher of children with special needs and a devoted mother of three of your own – paled into insignificance when compared with the centimetres you couldn't lose from your waist.
It broke my heart to witness your despair and I'm sorry that I didn't rush to your defense. I'd already learned that it was your fault that you were fat. I'd even heard Dad describe losing weight as a ''simple'' process – yet one that you still couldn't come to grips with. The lesson: you didn't deserve any food and you certainly didn't deserve any sympathy.
But I was wrong, Mum. Now I understand what it's like to grow up in a society that tells women that their beauty matters most, and at the same time defines a standard of beauty that is perpetually out of our reach. I also know the pain of internalising these messages. We have become our own jailors and we inflict our own punishments for failing to measure up. No one is crueller to us than we are to ourselves.
But this madness has to stop, Mum. It stops with you, it stops with me and it stops now. We deserve better – better than to have our days brought to ruin by bad body thoughts, wishing we were otherwise. And it's not just about you and me any more. It's also about Violet. Your granddaughter is only 3 and I do not want body hatred to take root inside her and strangle her happiness, her confidence and her potential. I don't want Violet to believe that her beauty is her most important asset; that it will define her worth in the world. When Violet looks to us to learn how to be a woman, we need to be the best role models we can. We need to show her with our words and our actions that women are good enough just the way they are. And for her to believe us, we need to believe it ourselves.
The older we get, the more loved ones we lose to accidents and illness. Their passing is always tragic and far too soon. I sometimes think about what these friends – and the people who love them – wouldn't give for more time in a body that was healthy. A body that would allow them to live just a little longer. The size of that body's thighs or the lines on its face wouldn't matter. It would be alive and therefore it would be perfect.
Your body is perfect too. It allows you to disarm a room with your smile and infect everyone with your laugh. It gives you arms to wrap around Violet and squeeze her until she giggles. Every moment we spend worrying about our physical ''flaws'' is a moment wasted, a precious slice of life that we will never get back.
Let us honour and respect our bodies for what they do instead of despising them for how they appear. Focus on living healthy and active lives, let our weight fall where it may, and consign our body hatred in the past where it belongs. When I looked at that photo of you in the white bathing suit all those years ago, my innocent young eyes saw the truth. I saw unconditional love, beauty and wisdom. I saw my Mum.
Love, Kasey xx
Beautiful, right? I know. So when I asked my own mother to write something, what was her automatic response? "Oh, I'm not a writer, honey. I can't write like you." More self deprecating… It's ridiculous, especially from such a smart, strong, beautiful woman who has done it for TOO LONG. So I pushed, and a few days later, I got the following goodness in my email inbox.
Whew! This is a tough one for me. How do I respond to this blog when the writer is my very own daughter and best friend?
Unfortunately, this subject has been one that has always made me uncomfortable. As Tara's mom, I never knew the right thing to say. From such a young age she was so bright and also so very intuitive. No pulling the wool over her eyes. At the age of two, this special daughter of mine was reading! It seemed as though she just absorbed knowledge.
Is this where it all began? At the age of three I put her in dance class. Not because she asked to be in dance class but, because I wanted her to love to dance as much as I did. I wanted to be a Rockette, I wanted to be Ginger Rogers dancing with Fred Astaire, and I wanted to be a June Taylor dancer on the Jackie Gleason Show. Was that my first mistake? Did I accomplish any of those dreams? Did I project those dreams upon my daughter? I had no idea that at such a young age she was looking at the little girl next to her and comparing herself to the other little girls. What I did see was, once again, this very bright little girl who I loved with all my heart and soul could REALLY dance. Throughout all the years of dance classes, she was the best of the best and I was the proudest Mom ever. Was I turning a blind eye to issues that kept surfacing – costumes that she hated because they were too bare, moving ahead into the more advanced classes with the older girls, snide comments from other mothers – Yes. I do believe now that I was turning a blind eye to this issue.
Tara mentioned in her blog that I was very thin as a kid. What a different "body image" era this was. My mom's friends would ask if I was sick. Did I eat enough? My older brother teased me on the school bus – 'skinny minny','Olive Oyl', 'stick legs', etc. I hated being skinny. Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot, even squeaky clean Doris Day had the curves that I did not! One particular song of the 60's era that seemed to be focused on me was titled "Skinny Legs and All" by Joe Tex. One particular line of lyrics really hit home for this little small town girl who really didn't have a whole lot of confidence or self esteem… "Now, you all know the lady with the skinny legs got to have somebody too, now".
I guess what I am trying to say is that this problem has gone on for too many generations. Too thick (new term for fat?), too thin, too tall, too short, too dark, too light, too smart, too dumb etc. I am proud to have a talented, intelligent, beautiful daughter that is willing to take on this issue and put it out there for all to see. To open her heart and say the things we are all afraid to say. And most important, TO BE THE BEST WOMAN SHE CAN BE!
Oh, Mama – still sees me as the overachieving spelling bee, dance competition, singing competition winning queen I was. Bless her for that. As for her? Tell me, is this woman more ass kicking Marilyn or Olive Oyl?
Exactly. It's all in the perception. Love you, Mom!


text:
Buyer Questionnaire ~ Buyers Agent Portland
Thank you for taking the time to share more about yourself by completing the Buyers Questionnaire. This will give us a better understanding on how we can best assist you with your potential purchase of a new home or property.
A no obligation Buyer's consultation is the best way to meet, but we can start the conversation at your pace as well.
Upon receipt, I will review your needs and provide you the information you have requested to assist you in making your next move. The information provided is important and allows us to define our services in order to assist our customers and clients efficiently.
If you'd like immediate assistance, between the hours of 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM weekdays, please feel free to call or text our office at (503) 804-1466.
All calls and texts are returned promptly.
Looking forward to working with you!
*indicates required fields.
Buyer Focused ~~ Buyer Results CALL 503.804.1466
Anne Stewart-Principal Broker, operates an elite team of real estate professionals designed to focus on Buyer Representation
Resulting in superior customer care and exemplary client services.
Moving to Portland and need to get acclimated? Want to see a home that checks all the boxes? Our level of Buyer Agency and Buyer Representation is what you need in a real estate professional! We help you navigate the home buying process step-by-step with care, attention to detail and professionalism that is not easily found in the real estate industry.
Having an agent that focuses on fiduciary vs functionary representation is a game changer in buying real estate. ~ Anne Stewart
Helping home Buyers in the following counties: Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Yamhill and Marion
The Quinn Stewart Real Estate Group at Keller Williams Realty Portland Premiere are a team of experts in buyer representation. And that's what you want!
We are here to represent your best interests in the purchase of real estate. Relocation, Residential, new construction, Land/Lots, condos/townhomes, Move up/Move down,
Since 2001, our team has over six decades of combined experience. Have a real estate agent whose real estate practice has PROVEN RESULTS!
- Expert negotiators
- Experienced real estate professionals
- Designing unique approaches to represent you in buying property EVERY STEP OF THE WAY!
Anne Stewart – Principal Broker/Oregon Licensed ABR, GRI, CRS, e-PRO
Quinn Stewart Real Estate Group
Direct: 503.804.1466


text:
Gordon Ramsay's family were out in force on Monday night to celebrate the launch of new restaurant Lucky Cat.
Leaving baby boy Oscar at home, Gordon was joined by wife Tana and children Megan, Jack and Matilda for the launch in Grosvenor Square, Mayfair.
The restaurant – 'inspired by Tokyo's 1930s kissas and Shanghai's drinking dens' – features a Pan-Asian menu including sushi and sashami.
The likes of David Beckham, Brooklyn Beckham, Talia Storm and Idris Elba took part in the celebrations which included cocktails, canapes, sushi from the Raw Bar and sparkling sake as DJ Fat Tony entertained the crowd.
Wearing a gold skirt paired with a simple black top and comfortable black trainer, Matilda – also known as Tilly – held hands with her mother Tana as the pair posed for pictures ahead of the launch, and later as they left the restaurant.
Older sister Megan wore a leather trousers with a smart blazer, while dad Gordon was all smiles in a blue suit.
Pal Idris and his wife Sabrina couldn't stop laughing as they were snapped entering the venue, and Idris later posed with Becks and Gordon.
David Beckham took to Instagram on Tuesday morning to congratulate his pal, writing: 'Congrats @gordongram on the opening of new restaurant Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay.'
It's been a busy few months for 52-year-old Gordon as not only as he launched the new venture but he and Tana recently welcomed their fifth child Oscar into the world, just four months ago.
The young tot has already found fame thanks to his grumpy faces and his own Instagram feed; in late July they revealed the little one was getting his first haircut, and he didn't look happy at all.
Obviously inheriting his dad's famous scowl, baby Oscar pouted at the camera while getting a trim.
The Kitchen Nightmares star saw the hilarity in the adorable shot as he shared it to social media with the caption: 'Not happy having my first hair cut.'
MORE: Pete Davidson appears to confirm romance with Margaret Qualley as lovebirds hold hands in Venice
MORE: David Beckham and his brood throw support behind Gordon Ramsay at restaurant launch


text:
I wrote this article originally for Big Blend's Success Express. I thought I'd share here. When Brenda and I wrote our first book, Our Love Affairs with Food & Travel, we did not have the knowledge of a lot of these details. It's a great book featuring over 90 chefs from 19 countries and 17 states. However, it could be better with formatting and the knowledge we have learned along the way.
Here is the radio interview that goes along with the article: http://www.ezwebplayer.com/VE5I1za
Tips for Writing a Cookbook
There are many reasons for writing a cookbook. Some are as easy as the desire to create a history of family recipes, while others wish
to write a best seller. There are many questions you need to ask yourself, but knowing why you want to write a cookbook is at the top of the list.
Rather than start with the difficult, I'll start with what would apply to either category.
- Your cookbook should have a niche, whether it is family, community, cooking for one, quick and easy, ethnic, or whatever you dream up.
- Let your book tell a story about each recipe or region. Readers enjoy knowing the background.
- Generally, those who write the most successful cookbooks have a love and passion for food. This should shine through. When I type a recipe, I can taste the combination of ingredients in my head. Of course, that is not a requirement, but an added bonus.
- Go to your local bookstore or go through your own cookbook collection and study their formats. Which ones are easier for you to follow and more enjoyable? Use that as a guide when figuring out how to format your recipes, as they should all be formatted the same.
When writing your recipes, keep them clear and simple. There are some basic rules to follow:
- List the ingredients in the order they will be used.
- When listing, be sure to say what to do with them and what size, i.e. 1 medium onion, chopped fine; 1 large lemon, peeled and cut into wedges; A 13 to 15.5 ounce can of tomatoes, etc.
- If you are going to use a ingredient in parts (3/4 in the beginning and ¼ later), make reference to it, i.e. ¾ cup of sugar (keeping ¼ back for topping).
- Make sure all of the ingredients you list are used unless you say optional.
- When possible, list the size bowl or pan to use. This is quite important for baking—an 8" square pan takes longer to bake than a 9" square pan.
Baking, deep-frying, broiling or grilling:
- Specifying preheating to a certain temperature before using.
- Provide a doneness test if available.
- If a pan needs to be prepared, be sure to indicate how: Spray with non-stick coating; grease and lightly flour the bottom and sides; or make sure the oil is hot before you submerge food.
- Instructions should be easy and quite clear. The more complex they are, the less likely they are to be followed accurately or the recipe would be selected. However, do not shortchange how to do something specific, i.e. clarifying butter. You should always spell out a process like that, unless your book is aimed towards chefs.
Layout of book:
- All recipes should be formatted the same throughout the book. The exception would be recipes from chefs, as you would need permission to change their layouts. Frequently, chefs often write recipes in an individual style, which does not help the ease of a well-formatted book.
- Color photos of finished dishes add a tremendous value to your book. However, they also drive up the cost. If a photo is grainy leave it out.
- Determine chapter headings before you start. In the first book I co-authored with Brenda C. Hill, Our Love Affairs with Food & Travel, we divided it by continent, country, state or providence, city and chef. An standard alternative could be: Appetizers; soups; salads; main dishes; vegetables and sides; sandwiches; and desserts (cookies, pies, etc.). However, you may want something still different: Breakfasts; brunches; lunches; dinners; holiday dinners, and then categories within. Various alternatives work, it just is best to decide ahead of time.
- When possible, try to keep one recipe to a page.
- You want a table of contents as well as an index.
- My suggestion would be to have at least 50 recipes and no more than 300. Larger books become quite costly to produce.
Things to avoid if you are self publishing:
- Bulleted lists do not always convert easily into publishing programs.
- Fancy fonts may be pretty, but are difficult for the reader.
- Make sure the title can be read from 5 to 10 feet away.
Sources you should read first:
'Will Write for Food: The Complete Guide to Writing Cookbooks, Blogs, Reviews, Memoir, and More' by Dianne Jacob. This was updated in 2010. I have the older version and wish I had it before we did our first and second books.
'Recipes into type: A handbook for cookbook writers and editors' by Joan Whitman. This book is out of print, but I found my copy on Amazon.
'The Recipe Writer's Handbook' by Jane Baker.
If you are self-publishing:
- Many people who produce cookbooks for fundraisers use HeritageCookBook.com. I have not used them, but I know they are quite successful and they provide many tips.
- We used InfinityPublishing.com and they were good. Now that they offer color, they are even better. You only need to order a few with Infinity, as they are print-on-demand.
- You'll need a very detailed marketing plan. I can't over emphasize its importance.
If you plan to have a traditional publisher:
- Remember, there are over 15,000 cookbooks a year that get submitted and the number keeps growing. What hook will your book have that will make it worth the investment by the publisher?
- If you feel your book should be traditionally published, you will need: An agent, a good book proposal, and an exceptional marketing plan. You will also need to show statistics on similar books. It generally takes months for an agent to find a publisher and then 15 months to two years to get it published.
This is not meant to discourage you, but rather to be sure you are realistic in what you want. Even though we did have a small publisher lined up, we chose to publish independently, as we did not want to wait two years. We are happy we did things our own way. Did we make mistakes, yes. However, we have learned from them.
If you are doing this for your love and passion for food, I'd say, "Go for it."
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
The Epicurean Explorer
Books By Hills Success With Writing Where & What in the World
Member: Society of Professional Journalists
Finalist in the Writing and Publishing category of the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, "$uccess, Your Path to a Successful Book,"


text:
Know Before You Go
2800 Washington Ave N. Between W Broadway & Lowry Ave N. 612 627 9107
If you're in the market for an art deco bar, an intricately carved wooden dog house complete with pillars, an oak pulpit, or some fancy French doors, then City Salvage ought to be on your radar.
An architecturally-focused antique shop, this cluttered goldmine holds lighting, furniture, hardware, stained glass, millwork, mantles, plumbing fixtures, antique bar supplies along with tons more from the 19th and 20th century. The quirky characters who run this fine establishment will gladly talk at length about their unusual wares.
2800 Washington Ave N. Between W Broadway & Lowry Ave N. 612 627 9107


text:
30358 1800 Series AkroBins
Manufacturer: Akro-Mils
FOB: Midwest Warehouse
Sold in carton quantities only!
$350.00 Minimum Order Required
Fits on Shelving. Hopper Front.
These 30358BEIGE 1800 Series AkroBins are rugged, stackable shelf bins. These heavy-duty storage bins designed for heavy and bulky items. Strong, durable industrial-grade polymer construction. Use on 18" deep shelving for concentrated storage. 1 divider included per bin. Available in Beige.
- Bottom Inside Length: 20"
- Inside: 20"L x 10-1/8"W x 6-1/2"H
- Outside: 20-1/2"L x 11"W x 7"H
- Weight Capacity: 75 lbs
- Model Info


text:
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
Prep time
Cook time
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
Whisk together almond flour, baking powder, matcha seasoning and coconut in large mixing bowl. In separate mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, vanilla and honey.
Add egg mixture to dry ingredients and stir until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
Roll dough into 1-inch (2.5 cm) balls and place on lightly-greased baking sheet. Flatten gently with a fork.
Bake 14 minutes or until cookies are almost firm.


text:
Shark Tank returned Sunday, January 27 with a double-header of new episodes. For episode 12, they stuck to a classic Shark Tank panel with Lori, Mark, Daymond, Robert, and Kevin. The products ran the gamut of typical Shark Tank pitches: something in pets, something in food and wine, and something in grooming products. The outlier was a lively and at times contentious pitch and negotiation for a children's education program. I'll post a recap of the second episode (number 13) tomorrow.
The Product: Zugopet
The Ask: $100k for 10% of the company
The Entrepreneur(s): Juls Bindi and Carolyn Shewfelt
The Pitch: A car seat for dogs. A secure dog carrier that works as a backpack easily clips onto a strap you leave attached to the backseat of your car. Their selling point is the safety that it offers your pet in the car.
The Profits: $180k in revenue since launch (they don't specify but it is less than one year)
The Cost Breakdown: The entire mechanism costs $36 landed to make and retails for $160
The Negotiation: After the pitch that elicited laughs from all the sharks, they get down to peppering the business duo with questions. Unfortunately, Juls and Carolyn don't have the numbers about dogs injured in car crashes that Mark is looking for, and this concerns all the judges. Juls tries to pivot, citing a new law in Great Britain that penalizes dog owners who drive without safely securing their pet to justify the need for their product. Kevin thinks their international distribution is unnecessary and he pulls out along with Robert because they don't believe in the product (or the one million valuation). Lori, Daymond, and Mark quickly leave shortly thereafter citing mismanagement in marketing and the complexity of the product.
The Deal: No Deal
The Product: Obvious Wines
The Ask: $150k for 5%
The Entrepreneur(s): Brice Baillie
The Pitch: Wine for the casual consumer with labels that explain the flavor notes and more about the wine.
The Profits: We didn't get clear numbers, but he has made $100k in wholesale to date over the past six months.
The Cost Breakdown: The bottles retail for $16 direct to consumer and wholesales at $11
The Negotiation: The sharks all love the wines and Kevin, in particular, is pleasantly surprised by the taste. His notorious snobbery about wine is of no use to him, however, as this brand of wine is specifically aimed at the casual consumer, and is not looking to be associated with "luxury" brands of wine. The sharks are distracted by Kevin and spend more of the pitch roasting him than they do asking questions. Robert wants to know what Brice will use the money for, and luckily he has a plan ready to go. He intends to hire salespeople to help get him into larger scale retailers. Kevin pulls out because he'd be competing with his own businesses, Daymond is next to fall because he doesn't want to take on the challenge of building a brand in the wine business. Mark pulls out for reasons unknown, but he claims it's because he won't invest in a company that uses a mime in the pitch (strange). Lori meanwhile wants to invest because she thinks her target demo is perfectly suited for the product. She offers $150k for 12.5% which all the sharks think is an "automatic yes" deal. He counters with $150k for 7.5% to maintain his valuation that he raised other rounds on, but she won't take that little. He recognizes this and adjusts his counter to $170k for 12.5%. It's rare that they adjusted the amount of money instead of the equity in the negotiation, but it works with Lori lowering him to $160k for 12.5% of the business.
The Deal: Lori gives $160k for 12.5% of the business
The Product: Twist It Up
The Ask: $225k for 15%
The Entrepreneur(s): Noel Derity
The Pitch: A hair styling tool for people with afro-centric hair to style their hair with no chemicals or pick. The tool looks like a miniature tennis racket with no handle and fits in your pocket.
The Profits: First year he did $95k and then after a change in marketing he made $101k from January-April of the new year and is projecting over $500k in revenue this year.
The Cost Breakdown: It costs $3.50 to make and retails for $29.95.
The Negotiation: All the sharks are enamored of the presentation and you can tell right off the bat someone is going to give him an offer. After explaining the issues he's had with his manufacturer and specifying that this is where he needs the most help, the sharks all realize that they could help him with their manufacturing relationships. Mark is given pause, however, when he can't answer simple questions about how much profit he made or specific numbers because he only very recently hired an accountant. Robert drops out because he doesn't understand the product. Daymond decides he's going to make an offer after learning that Noel is in talks with Sally's and CVS to take to shelves. He says up front that he's interested in licensing the product and therefore any deal would be contingent upon a securing a licensing deal. Pending acceptance of those terms, he's willing to offer $225k for 25%. Lori begins to pitch herself, but as she does we see Mark quietly consulting with Daymond. They interrupt Lori's pitch to make a new one of their own. Daymond and Mark will give him $225k for 25% so if Daymond can't get it licensed, Mark will help with the manufacturing problems in China and take the product and full equity. Noel excitedly takes that deal.
The Deal: Daymond and Mark split $225k for 25% of the company, Daymond's involvement contingent on a licensing deal.
The Product: Montikids
The Ask: $200k for 2.5%
The Entrepreneur(s): Zara Kassam
The Pitch: A learning subscription box for children ages 0-6 to aid with development. The learning program is for parents as well with weekly lesson plan type explainers to help them maximize the learning potential of the toys they send. The subscription service sends 6 toys every three months along with the parental content.
The Profits: $550k in sales over the past 14 months
The Cost Breakdown: Costs $120 to make the content and toys for each three-month cycle, retails for $297 per cycle.
The Negotiation: Zara is an articulate entrepreneur with two Harvard degrees in developmental psychology. As is typical of the sharks, her pedigree is a source of skepticism and ire, rather than an endorsement of her skill and knowledge. It is with this apprehension that the panel begins interrogating Zara. Although her degree is probably not a legitimate reason to have so much seeming aggression towards the company, the numbers coupled with the valuation understandably do not inspire confidence in investors. Zara tries to explain them away by explaining that they're growing 20% every month, but she falters after revealing that she's raised $2.8 million to date for the company. The justification for such a high level of investment is that she is creating something entirely new in education for children in this age group and the resources for the parents are both proprietary and necessary to give children a leg up. This company could not be less suited for Lori and she pulls out emphasizing that it will be nearly impossible to convince parents to pay $1200 a year on toys. Daymond points out that everyone on the panel grew up on simple toys and their parents had no lesson plans, and they came out "just fine" while Mark questions why parents can't just look up the information on YouTube. The 8 million valuation causes Daymond to drop out. Kevin, Mark, and Robert are still in for now although when she reveals that her burn rate is $95k a month and she has $200k in the bank with commitments for more coming in. The amount of lost money infuriates Mark, who says he doesn't trust her business making decisions. Robert finally says the first positive thing about this pitch: that Zara is a captivating and engaging entrepreneur. He qualifies this, however, by pointing out that she lacks any kind of restraint or discipline as a business owner. He offers her a $200k for 10% with the implication that he will join the board of the company and steer the company in the right direction in exchange for that much equity. Kevin also wants to invest because of her strength as a personality. He structures his offer much differently: $200k for 2.5% and a royalty of $10 a unit until he gets $200k back, then the royalty drops to $2.50 a unit until he gets another $600k and then the royalty disappears. She doesn't like the royalty caveat and counters Robert, asking him to consider 5% equity. He says no, so she turns her attention to Kevin asking him to consider giving more money for more equity with no royalty. He rejects that because he thinks she needs an incentive to pay him back. Hearing that, she returns to Robert asking him if he would accept a deal structured in 5% of the company and 5% advisory shares. He says that he doesn't care how she structures it as long as he gets 10% and it looks like everyone is going to leave happy as he closes his notebook about to stand up and make a deal. Unfortunately, Zara demonstrates exactly what the sharks accused her of—not knowing when to stop asking for more—and tries to get Robert and Kevin to come in together. This act elicits groans and loud criticism from the sharks; ultimately infuriating a usually perpetually calm Robert because of the disrespect it shows him. He correctly points out that not understanding the limitations of things is why she has failed thus far and that he can't work with her after that. Realizing what a precarious position she's in, she turns to Kevin and accepts his deal, making a point to emphasize that she recognizes the value Kevin brings to a company.
The Deal: Kevin invests $200k for 2.5% of the company and a royalty of $10 per unit until he recoups his original investment and then drops to $2.50 per unit until he makes an additional $600k after which the royalty will end.


text:
Comet has long been one of the most sought after training institute that has garnered huge support over the years. It needs to be understood that there are plenty of training courses out there but the courses offered by Comet are known to bear huge value as they are absolutely perfect in every aspect. It adds real value to one's skills and comes across as a huge support.
CADET training from Comet is known to provide for real training experience in the form of red team training as well as blue team training. The red team acts as hackers and the blue team provides for the defence response in this regard.


text:
Honey not only tastes delicious with bread, yogurt or in warm beverages, but also features a plethora of health benefits. In our helpful guide, find out the best places to buy local honey in Charlotte, NC
Honey is not only a great addition to sweeten up meals and beverages, but the source of many health benefits. It can help fight against colds and allergies, has antioxidants that can lower your blood pressure, as well as improve your cholesterol and is better for diabetics than sugar. Thinking of allergies, such as pollen and hay fever, one of the best ways to combat those afflictions is by using honey sourced from the local area.
If you live in Charlotte, North Carolina, there are some great places to buy sweet and tasty local honey. In the following guide we've highlighted several them.
Charlotte Local Honey
The owners of Charlotte Local Honey began keeping honeybees back in 2001 and they sell a full range of local honey products. Including pint jars and pound jars of their delicious and fresh Wildflower honey along with their curious and tasty creamed honeys. The pride themselves in taking a natural approach to their beekeeping and feel that not only do the bees benefit from it, but so does the resulting honey.
Atherton Market at Atherton Mill
Atherton Market first opened in 2010 at the newly renovated Trolley barn space of the Atherton Mill close to the upmarket side of Charlotte. This is a market that offers you the chance to buy a wide range of Piedmont region-sourced items such as roasted nuts, pickles, chocolate, coffee, flowers and of course, honey among many other items.
Herb's Honey
Herb's Honey is a local business that has been keeping bees since 2005. From just hobby beekeepers, they have evolved into an enterprise that involves 600 different colonies of bees, producing honey from 7 counties. The honey that is produced is 100% local and natural and originates from nectar sources on restricted private property, including wildflowers and clovers to name just two. Flowers that are only found in the Carolina's.
If you are on the lookout for good quality, 100% natural honey from a local source in Charlotte, any of the above options would get you what you want. We especially like Herb's Honey because of their very humble beginnings and the way it has really expanded over the years. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and try some local Charlotte honey!


text:
Here is a slideshow of the first Divine Liturgy held in Dillon.
Dillon's first Orthodox liturgy
This is the portable iconostasis
The altar table
Waiting for the liturgy to begin
Dr. X visiting with friends
Blessed is the Kingdom!.... and off we go
Fr. Russell Radoicich giving the homily
Let us lift up our hearts!
In the fear of God, with faith and love, draw near
Group photo!


text:
FROM Kate Middleton's stunning white ball gown to Amy Adams' figure-hugging burgundy dress, it's safe to say the style stakes were sky high at this year's Baftas.
But while A-List actresses such as Rachel Weisz and Thandie Newton led the glam squad on the red carpet, not everyone hit the style mark.
One of the first to arrive at this year's Baftas in London's Royal Albert Hall, presenter Edith Bowman, 45, divided opinion with this divisive broderie anglais design.
Featuring a kitsch floral print on the bodice and white frilly trim, the Scottish radio DJ even wore black gloves for the glamorous occasion.
Describing the "confusing" outfit on Twitter, one critic wrote: "What is Edith Bowman wearing? She looks like she just stepped out of The Sound of Music."
Another added: "Edith Bowman finding a new use for my nan's doily..."
Meanwhile, Lily Collins also appears to have missed the mark in a royal blue blazer dress by Givenchy.
Although the designer creation served the practical purpose of keeping warm in the February chill, the eye-catching dress featured layers upon layers of lace topped off with a sequin overlay.
Meanwhile, Margot Robbie wore a Chanel haute couture gown from the French designer's latest SS19 collection.
With its tulle statement sleeves and black-and-purple mesh skirt, this experimental design certainly turned heads. Did we mention the yellow sequins?
As much as we loved Zawe Ashton's performance in Netflix's Velvet Buzzsaw, her shapeless pink dress sadly missed the fashion mark.
On the plus side, the former Fresh Meat actress, 34, paired her voluminous gown with an on-trend clutch bag and super chic (and extremely practical) brogues.
While Salma Hayek, 52, looked sensational in a figure-hugging one-shoulder black dress, it was the bizarre gold lizard broach that seems to have let her down.
Similarly, English socialist Tamara Beckwith, 48, also slipped up in the style stakes with another baffling animal themed addition to her otherwise standard black dress.
Although statement shoulders were a big trend this year, Tamara's black ball gown featured an enormous butterfly on the bodice which detracted from the otherwise understated design.
Proving that a little black dress isn't always a firm fashion favourite, Cate Blanchett, 49, opted for an otherwise simple design which covered her chest in enormous vibrantly coloured jewels.
And even though we're obsessed with just about everything Rachel Brosnahan, 28, wears as Midge Maisel, the actress' vivid green silk dress and enormous bow was just a tad OTT for our taste.
And it also appears as if musician Mary J Blige, 48, couldn't quite decide if she wanted to wear a dress or a power suit for tonight's ceremony.
The Family Affair singer wore a baffling blazer covered half in gold lace while the other half featured a length white silk train.
Playing it on the safer side of things, Irish actress Jessie Buckley opted for a plain black dress with lacklustre layered diamante trim.
Tiziana Rocca also missed a trick when she stepped out in a pink flower print mini dress which unfortunately had the hanging loops sticking out.
The wife of Italian film director Giulio Base paired her lacklustre pink floral dress with black ankle boots and glitzy silver jewellery.
Also opting for a divisive bold print, film producer Sophie Harman wore a glittery green and yellow dress which she paired with a gold bag.
Wearing a dress that can only be described as a "marmite" fashion choice, Russian actress Tatiana Korsakova wore an extravagant and frilly pink design as she walked down the red carpet.
Also incorporating tulle into her gown of choice, Widows actress Cynthia Erivo wore a experimental peach and purple design for her Baftas appearance.
The 32-year-old actress even matched the colour of her purple plaits and lilac nails to her skirt as she arrived on the red carpet.
In more fashion news, this is the astonishing cost of Holly Willoughby's bank-breaking designer wardrobe.
And here's how you can dress like Naomi Campbell in breathtaking blush tones.
Plus set sparks flying this Valentine's Day with sexy high street lingerie.


text:
Experts conducted 13 studies involving more than 750,000 women. Doctors have found that aspirin, ibuprofen, reduces the risk of ovarian cancer by 10%. However, it is important to know that you should not take the tablets every day.
"The results of the study confirm that aspirin can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer," said the author of a book on combat cancer Shelley Tyuroger.
Also, women taking anti-inflammatory drugs are 30% more likely to survive if they have a cancer diagnosis, according to the study.
For more articles, be a member of a remarkable group >>>https://www.facebook.com/groups/homeremediesandayurveda/


text:
Warm wood finishes meet a metal base in the "Inclus" coffee table by Janine Vandebosch. A simple, squared base complements the rectangular top, creating a minimally beautiful piece.
With the more than ten options for the wooden top finish, "St Malo" is sure to fit into any existing space.
Top available in oak, grey-stained oak, or African oak; walnut; zebra wood; bamboo, mahogany-stained bamboo, or dark grey-stained bamboo; wenge; rosewood; Santos rosewood; ebony; Palmer; marsh oak; Tamo. Base available in steel with rusty wax finish or black wax finish.


text:
Warmest months (with the highest average high temperature) are July and August (27.5°C).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is January (9°C).
The month with the highest average low temperature is July (16.3°C).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is January (1.2°C).
The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is December (111mm).
The driest month (with the lowest rainfall) is May (49mm).
The best month for swimming (with the highest average sea temperature) is August (25.4°C).
The coldest month (with the lowest average sea temperature) is February (7.8°C).
The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 15.2h).
The month with shortest days is December (Average daylight: 9.2h).


text:
My grandfather Tiong Kung Ping had a step sister, called Tiong Yuk Ging. This makes her our great grandfather Tiong King Kee's daughter. Our own great grandmother ,mother of Tiong Kung Ping, passed away very early so GGF TKK married a second time to a dainty, pretty lady, with bound feet and brought her and Goo Poh(or Great Aunt) Tiong Yuk King to Sibu.
Goo Poh, Tiong Yuk Ging became one of the most well loved aunts of ours. She was a servant of God, a great kindergarten teacher, a soft spoken Foochow lady, an educator and a whole list of others. So many of us owe her our beautiful and privileged childhood. And other children who grew up around the Methodist Primary School, along Island road in the the 1950's and 1960's would remember this kind and gentle angel in Cheong Sam.
Goo Poh was educated in the Methodist School which was set up by Rev Hoover and upon her graduation, she started teaching in the Methodist Kindergarten. Grandfather Kung Ping had wanted her to marry a scholar and a professional and not a farmer. So he arranged for her to be married into the Kiu family of Sibu. The Kiu family was a family of scholars and gentlemen. thus she married Mr. Kiu, the brother of Dr. Kiu Nai Ding, who was a famous physician in Sibu in the early forties, and had three children, Kiu Koh Siong, Kiu Ik Sing and Kiu Ik Ding who are all in their late fifties or sixties now. Koh Siong is in Europe while Ik Sing is in England and only Ik Ding is still in Sibu.
Our Goo Poh never wore anything except a cheongsam and she cut a very graceful and classic figure in that attire. She also made all her own clothes and the clothes of her children and other relativs. In fact as a young child, I was blessed by her gifts of clothes,some of which were hand stitched.
The most wonderful part of our primary school life was the privileges we enjoyed during recess. As she lived in the Memorial Building of the Methodist Church , which was sited within the primary school, we the grandchildren of Tiong Kung Ping, would rush up the more than 60 cement steps of the stair case and enjoy our kampua which were left in her kitchen by the noodle seller.
My brother Kai, remembered that the school canteen operator finally put a stop to all our special treatment (which went on for moe than 10 years) and the town noodle seller could not longer bring the kampua mee to Goo Poh's kitchen for all the Tiong grandchildren. This made the school canteenoperator very jealous and livid. But this special treat would endear us to Goo Poh who also prepared special lunch for us if we were detained by the school headmaster, the most famous of whom was Mr. Wong Kie Mee.
Later on in the 1990's, when my children went to the Primary School, they too enjoyed special treatment fromGoo Poh who was then fairly well into her sixties.
One marvellous dish that she cooked was the yellow curry wich was just full of Foochow goodness. You see this curry is all santan with the tumeric and not chili. so the thick milky soup and the nice fresh chicken was just the correct taste for our young children. They would dig into the thick soup and have a really stomach filling lunch.
Goo Poh was always generous to her young relatives as she had a heart of gold. All of us would remember her with fondness and great love as she so loved us, fed us, clothed us and never,never,never raised her voice at us. She was just such a gentle person. And I can bet with any one that you won't find another person better than her.
She lived well into her 80's when finally old age caught up with her and one evening, she just passed on, leaving behind a son, two daughters, in laws,cousins, grandchildren and grand nephews and grand niceces to mourn her pasing. We really miss the gentle angel in cheong sam. And we have actually never thanked her enough for all that she had given to us. I hope that this little posting could be read by her in heaven.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Angels in Cheong Sams
My grandfather Tiong Kung Ping had a step sister, called Tiong Yuk Ging. This makes her our great grandfather Tiong King Kee's daughter. Our own great grandmother ,mother of Tiong Kung Ping, passed away very early so GGF TKK married a second time to a dainty, pretty lady, with bound feet and brought her and Goo Poh(or Great Aunt) Tiong Yuk King to Sibu.
Memoir by I Am Sarawakiana at 8:47 PM


text:
Professional, courteous, and united
Designated financial advisors of EAGLE Wealth Management Group, LLC are committed to annually acquiring a significant number of hours of professional continuing education. The foundation to building client trust is built on excellent personalized service and responsiveness. Being a Texas-based firm, we realize a well-mannered approach to service is as important as the service itself. We preserve Southern hospitality in our 21st century firm. Our team is committed to the common goal of assisting you in achieving your unique dream.
Bo McKinney CFP
CEO / Financial Advisor
For Bo McKinney, helping people make the most of their financial assets is rewarding work. Bo enjoys guiding his clients as they implement the investment strategies that help them meet their financial and life goals so they can achieve...
Mo McKinney
President / Financial Advisor
Mo graduated from Baylor University in 1980 with a BBA in Finance. He has been serving individual investors for 25 years.Obtaining the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP) designation in 1986, Mo continued his education by earning the...


text:
Theimpact of sample crushing on the detected porosity of hardened cement pastes bylow temperature calorimetry (LTC) was studied using powder and cylindersamples. Two types of cements, CEM I and CEM III were used to prepare thepastes. A model porous material, MCM-41, was also used in order to investigatesome aspects of the measurement and the evaluation approach. The powder andcylinder samples of the cement pastes were compared in terms of the calculatedice content curves, total pore volumes and pore size distribution curves. For thetwo studied cement pastes, the calculated ice content curves of freezing of thepowder sample differed from that of the cylinder samples, especially for thepaste CEM III. The results indicate that sample crushing changed the poreconnectivity as compared to non-crushed samples. One important differencebetween the powder sample and the cylinder samples of the paste CEM III wasthat the determined maximum ice content in the powder sample was much higherthan that in the cylinder samples, the relatively difference being about 40–50%.However, this kind of marked difference was not found in the paste CEM I. Theobserved difference between the calculated pore volume of the powder and thecylinder samples of the paste CEM III is possibly due to some of the "isolated"pores which, presumably, cannot be fully filled with water in the preparationof the cylinder samples. However, sample crushing makes it possible to saturatethe pores to a greater extent if the crushing contributes to open up the"isolated" pores. Consequently, more pores are detected in the powder samples.The argument that the "isolated" pores have a tendency to be opened up by thecrushing process is supported by results using gravimetric measurements and"dynamic (water) vapor sorption" measurements on powder samples.
Here we present an inverse analyses approach to determining the two-phase moisture transport properties re-levant to concrete durability modeling. The purposed moisture transport model was based on a continuumapproach with two truly separate equations for the liquid and gas phase being connected by the sorption ki-netics. The moisture properties of ten binder-systems containingfly ash, calcined clay, burnt shale and graymicro-filler, were investigated experimentally. The experiments used were, (i) sorption test (moisturefixation),(ii) cup test in two different relative humidity intervals, (iii) drying test, and, (iv) capillary suction test. Masschange over time, as obtained from the drying test, the two different cup test intervals and the capillary suctiontest, was used to obtain the effective diffusion parameters using the proposed inverse analyses approach. Themoisture properties obtained with the proposed inverse analyses method provide a good description of the testperiod for the ten different binder-systems.
This paper reports an initial screening of potential new binders for concrete with reduced CO2-emission. Mortars cured saturated for 90 days are compared with regard to a) compressive strength of mortars with similar water-to-binder ratio, and b) chloride ingress in similar design strength mortars exposed to seawater. The reference used was a binder composition typical for a Danish ready mixed concrete for aggressive environments and strength class C35/45. Based on the present investigation and assumptions up to around 15% reduction in CO2 emission from binder production might be obtained without compromising the 90 days compressive strength and resistance to chloride ingress in marine exposure by using selected alternative binders.
Here we illustrate the usefulness of using the chemical potential as the primary unknown by modeling isothermal vapor transport through a partially saturated cylindrically symmetric capillary tube of variable cross-sectional area using a single equation. There are no fitting parameters and the numerical solutions to the equation are compared with experimental results with excellent agreement. We demonstrate that isothermal vapor transport can be accurately modeled without modeling the details of the contact angle, microscale temperature fluctuations, or pressure fluctuations using a modification of the Fick-Jacobs equation. We thus conclude that for a single, axisymmetric pore, the enhancement factor depends upon relative humidity boundary conditions at the liquid bridge interfaces, distance between liquid bridges, and bridge lengths.
A finite element solution for a mass transport model for porous materials accounting for sorption hysteresis is presented in this paper. The model is prepared for modeling of concrete durability, but the general presentation makes it suitable for other porous materials like soil and tissues. The model is an extended version of the Poisson–Nernst–Planck (PNP) system of equations. The PNP extension includes a two-phase vapor and liquid model coupled by a sorption hysteresis function and a chemical equilibrium term. The strong and weak solutions for the equation system are shown, and a finite element formulation is established by Galerkin's method. A single-parameter implicit time integration scheme is used for solving the transient response, and the out-of-balance solution is minimized by using a modified Newton–Raphson scheme in which the tangential stiffness is not computed exactly. The sorption hysteresis is added to the solution procedure by a rate function. The hysteresis effect is described by scanning curves defined between two boundary sorption isotherms. A numerical example was constructed to show the applicability and compare a simple approach and a extended approach within the sorption hysteresis model. The examples illustrate the impact of changing relative humidity at the mass transport boundary on the adsorption and desorption stages of a cement-based material. Changes in the pore solution ion concentrations are a result of the changing moisture content, which are shown by the example. Comparing the two approaches showed significant deviations in the liquid content and ion concentrations, in parts of the domain considered.
Foundation for offshore jacket structures may comprise of long floating piles. The dynamic response of floating piles to horizontal load is herein investigated. The analytical solution of horizontally vibrating end bearing piles by Novak & Nogami (1977) has been modified. At first the soil resistance as defined by Nogami & Novak (1977) is determined, considering 3D wave propagation within linear soil layer with hysteretic damping. Thereafter, the dynamic response of the pile is estimated assuming soil pressure equal to the soil resistance and imposing displacement compatibility. A parametric study clarifies the role of the parameters involved i.e. the depth of the soil layer, the pile diameter and the soil layer shear wave velocity. Results are presented in terms of dimensionless graphs which highlight the frequency dependency of the dynamic stiffness and damping.
Low temperature calorimetry (LTC) can be used to study the meso-porosity of cement based materials. The influence of frost damage on the meso-porosity determination by LTC was explored on a model material MCM-41 and two cement pastes by conducting repeated cycles of freezing and melting measurements. The results indicate that the pressure generated during freezing and melting measurements has little impact on the pore structure of the powder MCM-41 samples. As for the studied cylinder samples of cement pastes, frost damage probably took place and it changed the pore connectivity while it had limited effect on changing the interior size distribution of the meso-pores. The analysis of the freezing and melting behavior of the pore liquid of cement based materials is complicated by the presence of ions. The freezing and melting behavior of the pore solution of cement paste samples preconditioned in either a small amount or a big amount of saturated limewater was compared. The results suggest that either the preconditioning in a big amount of limewater does not change the ionic concentration of the pore solution very much or the possible leaching of ions from cement hydrates during the preconditioning has limited influence on the freezing and melting behavior of the pore solution in the studied cement paste samples.
In relation to the development of a Rolling Wheel Deflectometer (RWD), which is a non-destructive testing device for measuring pavement deflections, a finite element model for obtaining the soil/pavement response has been developed [1]. The RWD is operating at traffic speeds and the soil model is therefore subjected to a moving transient dynamic load. Perfectly Matched Layer (PML) [2] is used as absorbing boundary conditions in order to prevent reflections of the waves propagating through the soils due to the dynamic loading. As the load is moving with high speed, the formulation is in the moving frame of reference [3].
To accurately predict pavement response, proper material characterization is needed. Flexible pavements are commonly modeled as multilayer linear elastic systems. However, asphalt behaves as a viscoelastic material because its response to induced loading depends on temperature and load frequency and can be modeled in different ways. A finite element model can quickly reach high computational cost, thus a simple, time-efficient viscoelastic model is preferable.
The viscoelastic behavior of asphalt can be described by a relaxation format of the constitutive relation with four parameters; two elastic moduli defining the minimum and maximum stiffnesses of asphalt in relation to frequency, a time scale parameter controlling the relaxation time and a differential fractional order characterizing the interpolation between low and high frequency regimes [4]. Assuming the most common interpolation shape by setting the fractional order equal to one, the system is reduced to only 3 parameters and the formulation can be implemented in the finite element model without increasing the computational cost significantly.
In this paper a formulation of the relaxation format of viscoelastic behavior is developed in translated coordinates with efficiently absorbing boundary conditions (PML). The viscoelastic properties of the formulation are illustrated through numerical examples.
[1] S. Madsen, S. Krenk and O. Hededal, Perfectly Matched Layer (PML) for transient wave propagation in a moving frame of reference. Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, COMPDYN 2013, pp. 4379-4388. Kos, 2013.
[2] R. Matzen, An efficient finite element time-domain formulation for the elastic second-order wave equation: A non-split complex frequency shifted convolutional PML. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, 88, 951-973, 2011.
[3] S. Krenk, L. Kellezi, S.R.K. Nielsen and P.H. Kirkegaard, Finite elements and transmitting boundary conditions for moving loads, in Proceedings of the Fourth European Conference on Structural Dynamics, EURODYN'99, Vol. 1, 447-452. Balkema, Rotterdam, 1999.
[4] S. Krenk, Damping mechanisms and models in structural dynamics. Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Structural Dynamics, EURODYN 2002, Vol 2, Munich, Germany, 2002.
Simulations of ion ingress in Portland cement mortar using a multi-species reactive mass transport model are compared with experimental test results. The model is an extended version of the Poisson–Nernst–Planck equations, accounting for chemical equilibrium. Saturated mortar samples were exposed after 8 days of hydration to a NaCl-solution or natural sea-water in a laboratory controlled environment for the experimental part. The samples were analyzed for the total chloride content after 21, 90 and 180 days of exposure, at varying depths from the exposed surface. The applicability of the reactive mass transport model is shown by comparing the simulation and experimental results. The tortuosity factor used in the simulations is adjusted to obtain the best reproduction of the experimental results. The model predicts the total chloride content satisfactorily, despite assumptions in the simulation like fixed hydration degree over time. Improvements and suggestions for further development of the model are discussed, e.g. extended hydration description, improved overall chemical description and a more strict use of the tortuosity factor.
Thermodynamic modeling was used to predict the ionic concentrations in the pore solution of cement pastes at different temperatures during a freezing and melting measurement in low temperature calorimetry (LTC) studies. By using the predicted ionic concentrations, the temperature depressions caused by the ions presented in the pore solution were determined. The influence of the freezing/melting point depression caused by the ions on the determined pore size distribution by LTC was demonstrated. Thermodynamic modeling using the program PHREEQC was performed on the cylinder and powder samples of cement pastes prepared by two types of cements, i.e., CEM 132.5 R and CEM III/B 42.5 N. Using the modeled ionic concentrations, the calculated differential pore size distributions for the studied samples with and without considering the temperature depression caused by the ions in the pore solution were compared. The results indicate that for the studied cement paste samples, the influence of the temperature depression caused by the presence of the ions in the pore solution on the determination of the pore size distribution by LTC is limited. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


text:
Home Town premieres Wednesday, August 30 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV Canada.
Canadian Broadcast Premiere
Erin and Ben Napier love their small Mississippi hometown, especially the old historical houses. Using found materials and old textiles, they're keeping the character of these classic homes but giving them modern and affordable updates. With Erin's imaginative hand sketches and Ben's custom handiwork, this couple is bringing homes back to life and making sure their small town's future is as bright as its past.


text:
What's on this month...
Sunday Roast
There's nothing quite like a classic Sunday Roast, and we're not afraid to boast about ours!
With our chefs eager to provide you with something you won't ever forget, get your family and friends together for a roast every Sunday here at The Home Cottage.
So, kick back, relax and let someone else do to the washing up this Sunday!
Book your table on our website, now!
Weekly Quiz
We've listened to you all... We are now hosting a weekly quiz every Wednesday night from 7:30pm! Think you've got what it takes? Come and join in with a team of four, for only £2 per person, and get the chance to win a £50 bar tab (amongst other prizes)!
Please be advised that Young's only sells tickets for events through our official partner DesignMyNight, using their online event ticketing software Tonic – any tickets presented from other event ticketing providers will not be accepted.


text:
Home »
Venice Photos
Palazzo Ducale - Doge's Palace
Next Photo >>
<< Back to index
Doge's Palace
is a gothic palace in Venice. In Italian it is called the
Palazzo Ducale
di Venezia. The palace was the residence of the Doge of Venice.
Its two most visible facades look towards the Venetian Lagoon and St Mark's Square, or rather the Piazzetta. The use of arcading in the lower stories produces an interesting "gravity-defying" effect. There is also effective use of colour contrasts.
The current palace was largely constructed from 1309 to 1424, designed perhaps by Filippo Calendario. It replaced earlier fortified buildings of which relatively little is known. Giovanni and Bartolomeo Bon created the Porta della Carta in 1442, a monumental late-gothic gate on the Piazzetta side of the palace. This gate leads to a central courtyard.
The palace was badly damaged by fire in 1574. In the subsequent rebuilding work it was decided to respect the original Gothic style, despite the submission of a neo-classical alternative design by Palladio. However, there are some classical features, for example since the sixteenth century the palace has been linked to the prison by the Bridge of Sighs.
As well as being the ducal residence, the palace housed political institutions of the Republic of Venice until the Napoleonic occupation of the city. Venice was ruled by an aristocratic elite, but there was a facility for citizens to submit written complaints at what was known as the Bussola chamber. [from Wikipedia]
© Copyright 2010 - veniceforyou.com


text:
5 Simple Ways Your Brand Can Leverage Snapchat and Instagram Stories
What's the appeal of Stories?
There various reasons why many users prefer sharing and viewing content through Snapchat and Instagram Stories over other popular social media platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook.
Below are a few reasons:
- More positive posts – Unlike Facebook and Twitter, users are less likely to get into debates that involve negativity (e.g., politics) because of the nature of these platforms.
- Vertical-video friendly – Users can see videos without having to turn their phone horizontally, or watch a video in a short but wide box.
- Relevant and personal – Users see more personal and timely Stories from their networks.
- Authenticity – Many users feel that Stories provide a more authentic experience because every post is casual, more immersive (since it takes up the entire screen), and less staged to fit into a particular frame.
- The fun element – And most importantly, Stories is a fun feature for connecting with friends and creating visually engaging content with its various creative filters and gizmos.
How brands can leverage these features
Due to the casual and light-hearted nature of Stories, companies and organizations connect with customers in a more engaging and authentic way. Below are some simple tips to engage customers via Snapchat and Instagram Stories:
– 1. Share a real life scene
Real life scenes convert better than animated or graphic videos. Why? Because these images and videos match the aesthetic of what people typically see in Stories. An animated or graphic video that has been clearly retouched to look perfect will be seen as an ad, which it off-putting for most users.
Brands can easily create engaging and authentic content by recording ordinary events with their smartphone cameras, such as people lining up for a table at a busy restaurant or someone taking a nature walk.
Beyond Yoga is an example of a brand that effectively engaged users with Instagram Stories. The Athleisure brand told a narrative in a series of visual chapters: featuring a woman throughout her run around town, while she subtly sports various pieces of workout gear from its collection.
– 2. Serve ads to existing fans
Hootsuite conducted a study and discovered that existing fans were more likely to engage with the ad. Marketers can share and target audiences across Facebook and Instagram (which is owned by Facebook) based on their engagement with either platform. For instance, if one of your Facebook videos is performing well, you can retarget that Facebook audience on Instagram with a Story ad.
– 3. Follow recommended ad specs
This may seem obvious, but it can be often overlooked. As the saying goes, "The devil is in the details." When posting Stories ads, it's important to follow the recommended ad specs in order to optimize your content. Some important specs to keep in mind:
- Recommended file size
- Video length
- Dimensions
- Supported codecs
Hootsuite also found that ads designed for mobile perform better (just like websites designed with mobile in mind). When creating your ad, think about features like vertical ad units, responsive, text size, and optimizing your ads for silent viewing (with captions).
– 4. Leverage influencers, user-generated content and Q&As
Another great way to start using Stories is to create original content with brand influencers, or even customers. While celebrity Q&As via Stories from fan-submitted questions are a defining example of how a larger brand can leverage this feature,companies can use this feature to foster customer loyalty too. This also makes followers feel as if they're part of your brand story.
For example, the capabilities for many brands to create location-targeted geofilters for Snapchat means many ways to get customers to engage in a fun way. This can be heightened further by asking customers to submit their Snaps to the brand to get goodies or promotions. This strategy also gives you a chance to measure ROI, and see who is actually engaging—something that can be difficult to measure with Snapchat.
– 5. Share Discounts or Promotions
It's not unusual for a brand to share web-only promotion codes, or special offers via email newsletters—or even to the first ten people to like a specific post on their Instagram profile. Doing this also in Stories is a great way to train followers to always check for special deals. Not to mention, it's also a great way to measure and get conversions.
100 users may view your Stories, but if only one user redeems the special promo code (our web development team can help set this up for you), perhaps focusing efforts on this type of marketing can be limited, or dialed down. Of course, don't be afraid try more than a couple times; remember, it disappears in 24 hours so you want to give your audience a chance to tune in!
How to start
Getting started is easy. Like any social media strategy, it's important to set an objective and determine your ROI. Is there a particular goal in mind that you think Stories could accomplish in your social media strategy? Do you want to establish a presence on Snapchat, or is your company on Instagram already and Stories are meant to compliment your current goals and strategy?
Asking the right questions before starting is the best way to ensure it's not all in vain. But with the right messaging, Stories can add a boost to your audience, give you a chance to be creative, fun, or test something new—no matter your brand!