text:
Over the years several modeling styles have been developed but often it is unclear what are the differenced between them. In this post, Dr. Crooks and I would like to compare and contrast four modeling approaches widely used in Computational Social Science, namely: System Dynamics (SD) models, Agent-based Models (ABM), Cellular Automata (CA) models, and Discrete Event Simulation (DES). To compare and contrast the differences in how these models work and how their underlying mechanisms generate outputs, we needed a common problem to test them against with the same set of model parameters. While one could choose a more complex example, here we decided to choose one of the simplest models we know. Specifically, we chose to model the spread of a disease specifically using a Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) epidemic model. Our inspiration for this came from the SD model outlined in the great book "Introduction to Computational Science: Modeling and Simulation for the Sciences" by Shiflet and Shiflet (2014) which was implemented in NetLogo from the accompanying website. For the remaining models (i.e. ABM, CA, and DES) we created models from scratch in NetLogo. Below we will introduce how we built each model, before showing the results from the four models with the same set of parameters, which allows us to compare the results of the models. The source code, further documentation for the four models can be found here.
System Dynamics
In the system dynamics model from Shiflet and Shiflet (2014), one person is infected at start. Infected people can infect susceptible people. The population of infected will always increase by (number of infected * number of susceptible * InfectionRate * change in time dt). The infected people may recover. The amount of people that will recover in an iteration is always equal to (number of infected * RecoveryRate * change in time dt). Figure 1 illustrates the system dynamics process while Figure 2 shows the SIR process as a flowchart.
Figure 1. System Dynamics process (Source: Shiflet and Shiflet, 2014)
Figure 2. System Dynamics flowchart
Agent-based Modeling
As in the case for the SD model, at the beginning of the simulation, one agent is infected. Agents are randomly distributed on the landscape, and in the beginning of each iteration, they turn to a random direction and move forward by one cell. During each iteration, an infected agent may infect other agents on the same cell. This is different from how the SD model works, specifically the probability of getting infected. In the SD model, the infection rate is the infection rate on the entire population. In the ABM, the probability of becoming infected is equal to the infection rate divided by the probability of an agent to be in the same cell, multiplied by the change in time. Each infected agent has a probability to recover in each time period, which equals to the recovery rate times the change in time. The equations in the ABM are:
Where P(same cell) = probability to be on the same cell, equals 1 divided by total number of cells; dt = change in time. Figure 3 illustrates the agent decision process. Figure 4 shows the display of the ABM.
Figure 3. Agent-based Modeling: agent decision process
Figure 4. Display of the ABM. Green = susceptible. Red = infected. Blue = recovered
Cellular Automata
At the beginning of the simulation, one cell is infected. During each iteration (dt), the infected cell can infect other cells in its Moore neighborhood (i.e. 8 surrounding cells). The landscape will be a n by n square, and n is equal to the square root of the number of people to be created at the beginning of the simulation. Wrapping is enabled both horizontally and vertically. Similar to the ABM, we would like to map the probability of becoming infected to the one in the SD model. In the CA model, the probability of becoming infected is equal to the infection rate divided by the probability to be in the Moore neighborhood, multiplied by the change in time. Each infected cell has a probability to recover in each time period, which is based on the recovery rate multiplied by the change in time. The equations here are:
Figure 5 shows the changing process of the cells. Figure 6 shows the display of the CA model.
In a Discrete Event Simulation model (aka queuing model), there are three abstract types of objects: 1) servers, 2) customers, 3) queues which is different from CA and ABMs.
The whole process is illustrated in Figure 7.
Figure 7. Discrete Event Simulation process
Results from the Implementations
Now that the models have been briefly described. We turn to how using the same set of parameters lead to different results. The default parameters being used in each model are: number of susceptible people at setup = 2500, Infection Rate = 0.002, Recovery Rate = 0.5, change of time (dt) = 0.001, and the numbers of people in each status are recorded. Since the SD model has no randomness and will always give the same result, it is run only once. Each of the other three models were run for 10 times (feel free to run them more if you wish), and then we took the average of the ten results and show them in Figure 8. The stop condition is that no individual left to be infected.
Figure 8. Results for the different models. Clockwise from top left: SD model, ABM, DES and CA
In the four models, we observe the same pattern: the number of susceptible people decreases, the number of infected people increases first and then decrease again, and the number of recovered people increase over time. However, each model realization also shows a lot of differences in how such patterns play out.
First of all, the SD model has the smallest number of iterations before no one is infected. The number of iterations shown on the graph are the average of the ten runs, since the runs range from smaller to larger numbers (except for the SD model, which only has one run). The SD model only took 17451 iterations to stop, while the ABM took 19145 iterations (on average), the DES model took 18645 iterations (on average). The CA model took the longest time on average for no more individuals to be infected, it took 25680 iterations (on average).
The results of the SD, ABM and DES models while appearing to be very similar to each other. In the sense, that the number of infected people increase fast at first and reaches a peak number of over 1500 at more than 2000 iterations (2272 for SD, 2403 for ABM, 2538 for DES). On the other hand, in the CA model, the number of infected people increases much slower due to the diffusion mechanism of the CA model and never reaches an amount as high as in the former models.
An important characteristic of the SD model is that there is no randomness in the model, so no matter how many times you run this model, you will get the same result. In the other three models, getting infected or recover always depend on a probability function, so there is difference in every run.
Furthermore, people in the SD model and the DES model are homogeneous, and everyone has the same probability to becoming infected or recovering from an infection, although these rates change over time, they do not vary among the different people in the population. On the other hand, in the ABM and the CA model, people (represented by moving agents or static cells) are heterogenous in the sense that they have different locations. Only susceptible people around an infected individual can be infected. It is interesting that when people can move around, like in the ABM, the result is similar to the SD model, though the ABM takes a little more time to recover (19145 iterations in ABM vs. 17451 iterations in SD). When people are static and the number of people on the same space is limited (one cell in one space in this case), like in the CA model, the infection process becomes slower and it takes longer for everyone to recover.
To test the model, I have increased the infection rate in this model to 0.02, and the results are shown in Figure 9. As the infection rate has increased, the number of susceptible people decrease much faster this time. However, the SD model, ABM, and DES model are still similar to each other, while the infection in the CA model is slower. The average number of iterations for these models are: 15807 (SD), 15252 (ABM), 16937 (CA), 16677 (DES). The total number of iterations of each model has decreased this time, and the CA model still takes the longest time to converge. The peak of infected people in each model are: 2363 people at 255 iterations (SD), 2310 people at 363 iterations (ABM), 2035 people at 1019 iterations (CA), 2340 people at 286 iterations (DES). The CA model takes a longer time and reaches a lower peak.
Figure 9. Results for the different models with infection rate = 0.02. Clockwise from top left: SD model, ABM, DES and CA
These models are only simple examples of how a SIR model can be implemented in different modeling techniques, but in reality, if we were to model disease propagation in more detail we would need to consider many other things such as people could be both moving through space (i.e. traveling to work) and static (i.e. staying at home), and the capacity of each cell is always limited to some amount.
Shiflet, A. B., & Shiflet, G. W. (2014). Introduction to computational science: modeling and simulation for the sciences. Princeton University Press.


text:
Our Expertise
Have you recently launched a new business? Are you ready to make some noise?
Our highly targeted campaigns help raise awareness of your brand among relevant audiences through creative ideas that fuse traditional and digital approaches.
Basic campaigns start from SGD $6000 per month and last for a minimum of 6 months.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
If you sell wheat and barley in Western Canada, the Western Wheat & Barley
Check-off is automatically collected upon delivery of your grain to a
Canadian Grain Commission-licensed facility. It will be clearly marked on
your Cash Purchase Ticket (CPT).
Western Wheat & Barley Check-off Amounts
The Western Wheat & Barley Check-off rates vary by crop and province.
* Wheat purchased in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba: 48¢/tonne
* Barley purchased in B.C., Saskatchewan or Manitoba: 56¢/tonne
* Barley purchased in Alberta: 4¢/tonne
For more information, please go to our FAQ page or contact:
Asad Mahmood
Your contribution to the Western Wheat & Barley Check-off funds research,
technical support and market development activities that deliver
significant benefits to your farm.
The funding recipients that conduct these activities on your behalf are
the Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF), Canadian International
Grains Institute (Cigi) and the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre
To learn more about these benefits, click on an infographic.


text:
Arthur Ashe: Citizen of the World (HBO, 10-11 p.m.): He pioneered the path of black tennis players to the top ranks of the game, and he did it with grace and discipline. Before succumbing to AIDS - acquired through a blood transfusion - he became a world-renowned spokesman for people diagnosed with the disease. He was a low-key and highly effective champion of civil rights. And he was among the classiest tennis players in recent history.
Narrated by Ossie Davis, this film explores the many sides of Ashe and follows his life story from its beginnings in Richmond, Va., where his father was caretaker for the city's largest black playground - a place that just happened to have some public tennis courts.
The show records Ashe's early encounters with racism and how his visibility as a world-class player grew until he became the first black to win a Grand Slam event and be ranked No. 1 in the world.
The program includes Ashe's controversial role as a player in a South African tennis tournament (despite his strong opposition to that country's racial policies at the time), his role in the 1973 Wimbledon boycott, and his noted humanitarian efforts. The show also covers Ashe's medical problems, which until his death didn't stop his quiet brand of activism.
World of Wonder (The Discovery Channel, 8-8:30 p.m.): Even for a magazine format, it would be hard to think of more eclectic topics than these: lobsters who march on the ocean bottom to avoid violent currents; conceptual artist Christo and his works that sometimes cover whole landscapes; a storm-chaser who videotapes terrifyingly violent weather.
But they're all represented in the premiere episode of this weekly series about how humans relate to science and nature. The host is Mae Jemison - engineer, astronaut, physician, linguist - well, the list goes on, and it helps explain the inclusive nature of this new program.
Please check local listings for these programs.


text:
Our gallery of the best vanity numbers we've seen in action shows off the flexibility of this memorable marketing tool.
Whether you go local or toll free, a memorable word or set of numbers, your business will see an immediate lift in inbound calls and a more recognizable brand in the long term.
Browse the gallery below for inspiration, then take a look at some of the industry-specific case studies at the end to see how a vanity number can positively impact the bottom line of businesses in any sector.
Read more about how other businesses have used these memorable numbers to generate more leads and improve brand recognition:
We add industry-specific case studies to help you understand the impact that a vanity number can make in your field.
If you don't see your business sector here, just give us a call on 1-877-RINGBOOST. Our experts will be happy to show you the difference a memorable number will make in your industry.


text:
AVPRIDE History and Mission
AVPRIDE Staff Members
AVPRIDE Board of Directors
AVPRIDE Partners
AVPRIDE Funders
Afterschool Enrichment Program
Volunteer Opportunities
Alcohol Prevention Project
Our Approach Here in Fayette County
What We Found (the data)
Our Strategies, Successes and Community Leaders
Youth Involvement
AVPRIDE's State Farm Driver's Education Program
Career Exploration Program
Drug Free Coalitions in Fayette and Coweta Counties
FYLP (Fayette Youth Leaders PRIDE)
Audra Nicole Oliver Scholarship
Get Involved
Oliver Family Memorial Fund Donations
Adult Volunteer Form
Student Volunteer Form
Employment Opportunities
Wish List
AVPRIDE Year In Review & Brochure
The Difference Reading Makes
The Difference Reading Makes
What we believe
The Difference Reading Makes
National Literacy Statistics
(Adapted from the READING WRITE Website)
At least 50% of the unemployed are functionally illiterate. -U.S. Department of Labor
On average, a functionally illiterate adult earns 42% less than a high school graduate. -U.S. Department of Education
It is estimated that $5 billion a year in taxes goes to support people receiving public assistance who are unemployable due to illiteracy. -Laubach Literacy Action
The average kindergarten student has seen more than 5,000 hours of television, having spent more time in front of the TV than it takes to earn a bachelors' degree. -U.S. Department of Education
People with less than 6 years of schooling are 4 times more likely to be receiving public assistance than those attaining 6 years or more. -American Council of Life Insurance
27% of army enlistees can't read training manuals written at the 7th-grade level. -Laubach Literacy Action
55% of all children in poverty live in single-parent households headed by women, and 40% of all single mothers have an 8th-grade education or less. -Laubach Literacy Action
Youngsters whose parents are functionally illiterate are twice as likely as their peers to be functionally illiterate themselves. -National Assessment of Education Progress


text:
Well, Jason Whitlock needed a vacation, and now it's my turn.
Unlike Jason, however, I will return. As The Happenings put it so achingly hopefully in 1966…"See You in September."
Posted in Uncategorized on August 28, 2010| 2 Comments »
Well, Jason Whitlock needed a vacation, and now it's my turn.
Unlike Jason, however, I will return. As The Happenings put it so achingly hopefully in 1966…"See You in September."
Posted in Uncategorized on August 27, 2010| 3 Comments »
From the avalanche of criticism that greeted last week's announcement about Polsinelli Shughart's plan to build a high-rise on the Plaza, one published comment struck a chord with a lot of people.
A woman said the law firm's leaders would have been "heroes" if they had committed the firm to resurrecting the West Edge project on the southwest part of the Plaza.
Well, Polsinelli Shughart bypassed its chance to be the hero, and in the process it may have tarnished its reputation forever.
On Thursday, however, a new prospective hero stepped forward. And it's none other than AMC Entertainment, one of the nation's largest movie theater companies.
Kansas City-based AMC emerged as the primary tenant after a group associated with RED Development submitted the apparent high bid of $10 million for the long-stalled office and hotel project, according to The Kansas City Star.
To me, it is fitting that AMC become the hero because the man who took AMC big-time, the late Stan Durwood, probably would have wanted to help clean up the West Edge mess that advertising mogul Bob Bernstein and snake-oil salesman Ray Braswell left us.
In a way, Durwood, who died at age 78 in 1999, saved downtown, where AMC company currently has its offices. It was Durwood who conceived of, pushed for, and named the Power & Light District. It took his former girlfriend — a woman by the name of Kay Barnes — and a Baltimore outfit — Cordish Companies — to make it happen. But it's still very much a part of Durwood's legacy.
His main legacy, in case you didn't know it, is the multiplex theater. He opened the first one, side-by-side theaters at the Ward Parkway Shopping Center, on July 12, 1963.
In a 1999 article about Durwood's death, the Associated Press wrote: "It was clear he didn't have the multiplex figured out yet: Both screens played the same movie — "The Great Escape," starring Steve McQueen and James Garner. But the idea was born, and according to AMC, Durwood coined the multiplex name at that time, too."
Durwood never sought the limelight and didn't promote himself; he just stuck to business and pushed the ideas he thought would work. It was in the same low-key vein that AMC spokesman Justin Scott commented in The Star on AMC's possible interest in the West Edge:
"Currently, we are making some preliminary inquiries into some locations in Kansas City, yet no decisions are being made at this time."
To me, it's playing out as a picture of two companies. The picture I have of one — Polsinelli, Shughart — is of a brash, boastful and back-slapping group congratulating each other on their initial Plaza plan, which they thought was a done deal…before the public weighed in.
The picture I have of the other is of a group of no-nonsense folks who keep their heads down and try to figure out what is best for their company and the city in which they operate.
And when those folks get together in the boardroom, I have no doubt that they talk business below a portrait of Stanley H. Durwood.
Posted in journalism, Uncategorized, tagged the Kansas City School District, The Kansas City Star on August 25, 2010| 2 Comments »
I've been whacking away at the KC Star the last several days for various journalistic offenses, including running an untimely letters to the editor page and failing to include in a front-page story the governmental-approval process needed for construction of a controversial office tower on the Plaza.
But today I'm taking off my straw hat (see "About Me" page) to you, KC Star.
A group of editors, reporters, photographers and graphic artists has put together what — halfway into it, at least — is an amazing series on the Kansas City School District.
The six-part series, which began Sunday, is beautifully written, carefully and thoroughly reported, and strikingly presented, with great photos, graphics and sidebars. Each of the three parts that appeared Sunday, Monday and Tuesday started out front and then "jumped" inside to take up two full inside, facing pages.
For any reporter, getting a story that starts on the front and covers two full inside pages is a rarity and a thrill. I was involved in two or three such stories during my 25-plus years as a reporter at The Star.
Paralleling "Special Report — Saving 17,000 kids" is a six-part series about the end of the line for Pinkerton Elementary School, one of 24 district schools that closed for good last May. That series was written by Eric Adler of the features desk.
To tell you the truth, I haven't yet made the time to read Adler's stories carefully, but from a quick scan, they look equally impressive. Tuesday's installment, for example, profiled the school's dynamic principal, Derald Davis. (My only beef is that Adler didn't tell the readers whether Davis has a job in the district this year. Maybe Adler is holding that bit of information until later in the series, however.)
Day 1 of "Saving 17,000 kids" was largely about the failures of the past, but it pointed toward the future. "…Granted, in this pivotal year to come, success for the children could be as elusive as ever…" reporter Rick Montgomery wrote. "But at least now everyone seems to be on the same page: It is about the children."
Day 2 featured a searing profile of Superintendent John Covington, who came to Kansas City from Pueblo, Colo., a year ago. Covington granted long-time school district reporter Joe Robertson full access to his comings and goings, his thoughts and philosophy, and it paid off for them and the readers.
One of the highlights of the piece is Robertson's recounting of a day that Covington went home from work exhausted, went straight to bed and woke up at 7:30, worried about being late to work. After taking a shower, he found out it was 7:30 p.m. He'd had a nap, not a full night's sleep.
Day 3 of the series (Tuesday), featured business writer Mark Davis' microscopic examination of the district's financial problems, abuses and, now, vigorous attempts to set things straight. (For example, the district has pared its vendor list from 6,200 to 985.)
Davis quoted Covington, who seemingly is on a crusade to root out insider deals and employment, as saying: "We are going to make sure, under my watch, that the days for making decisions based on the best interest of adults, and this patronage and cronyism that has been so long known to have had a negative effect on how we operate public schools in Kansas City — please know that while I sit in this chair, those days are gone."
And do you know why I believe him? Why, in one respect, I think he's got this district moving in the right direction?
There has not been a single mention of perennial school district sycophant Clinton Adams Jr. If Clinton has left the scene, or has been removed from it, the outlook is much more promising.
Congratulations, then, to John Covington for starting the turn-around of the Kansas City School District and to The Kansas City Star for devoting the time, space and, yes, money to tell this very important story.
Posted in journalism, Uncategorized, tagged Audit Bureau of Circulations, consolidated media reports, The Kansas City Star on August 24, 2010|
Electronic subscriptions now make up more than 10 percent of the total number of paid subscriptions to The Kansas City Star.
A "consolidated media report" (CMR) generated by the Audit Bureau of Circulations shows that slightly more than 10 percent of Sunday subscriptions are of the electronic variety.
The proportion is higher during Monday-Friday, when about 13 percent of subscribers take the electronic rather than the printed edition.
The advertised price of an electronic subscription is $4.95 a month, which is about one-third the cost of the print-subscription rate.
As of March 31, the total number of Sunday subscribers was 314,449, with 31,755 of those being electronic. The number of print-edition subscriptions was 282,694.
Print-edition subscriptions to the Sunday Star have fallen by more than 100,000 since 2004, when Sunday circulation was 388,425.
During Monday-Friday, print-edition subscriptions are below 200,000 every day except Friday.
In the late 1990s, weekday subscriptions to the printed edition stood at about 250,000, and The Star waged a marketing campaign aimed at getting to "300,000 by 2000." The goal (again, referring to weekday circulation) was never reached.
On its Web site, kansascity.com, The Star advertises "E-Star" as "a clickable replica of our newspaper."
"The electronic edition contains all the news, photos, ads, box scores, and special sections in the printed The Kansas City Star," the company says.
In 2008, the Audit Bureau of Circulations, an industry-funded group that is paid by publishers to audit their circulation, approved the testing and creation of a consolidated media report for member newspapers. The Star has participated in the consolidated reports from early on.
ABC says: "The report allows newspapers to provide advertisers with a comprehensive view of the newspapers 'total media footprint' across multiple products and channels by reporting total gross distribution data."
While helping newspaper companies market themselves to advertisers, consolidated reports also serve another purpose: They make print-circulation losses less conspicuous than they were before the days of the "CMR."
Posted in journalism, Uncategorized, tagged Highwoods Properties, Polsinelli Shughart, The Kansas City Star, The Plaza on August 21, 2010| 1 Comment »
I love to see Kansas City area residents rise up en masse against flim-flammy plans to encroach on cornerstones of Kansas City history.
And so it was with great satisfaction that I watched the tidal wave of opposition swell all day Friday against the Highwoods Properties-Polsinelli Shughart office tower-and-money grab that would destroy the integrity of perhaps the Plaza's most important intersection, 47th and Broadway.
The proposal to build an eight-story, $57 million office building for the Polsinelli Shughart law firm has unleashed such a fusillade that the plan probably is D.O.A. However, where the power of money is involved, you never know, so it's probably going to take a Phil Spector-like "wall of sound" to keep this plan from going forward.
Having covered City Hall between 1985 and 1995, I can tell you that the one sure thing that councils respond to is a roomful of people. If big crowds show up in opposition to the proposal, the council almost certainly will kill the plan, if it gets that far.
Here's another thing I know about this mushroom cloud: The hysteria would not have reached such proportions (hundreds of calls, e-mails and Web comments to The Kansas City Star) and the outrage would have been more clearly focused if The Star, in its Friday morning report, had laid out the government and regulatory approvals that are needed to proceed with the project.
The project will be reviewed first, on Oct. 5, by the City Plan Commission, an appointed group, which makes recommendations to the City Council. The City Council would have the final say, regardless of what the Plan Commission did.
Unbelievably, Collison's story didn't have one mention of the regulatory process or the approvals that the project requires to move ahead. Collison has been with The Star for at least a decade and is an excellent development reporter. I don't know what happened in this case; it was just a terrible omission. When I wrote to Collison on Friday, asking about the regulatory process, he wrote back, saying, "I've been up to my eyeballs with the outrage over this today."
At least two editors — probably three or four, including a managing editor — read the story, and someone should have said, "Hey, this story doesn't say if City Council approval is needed." That's all it would have taken to put the situation in proper perspective and help readers channel their anger.
As it was, the story made it look like the building was a done deal. The story had Highwoods' and the law firm's chief executives exchanging oratorical high fives. I could almost smell the smoke from the victory cigar in the statement of W. Russell Welsh, Polsinelli's chief executive, who said, "We could not be more pleased to have our own building in the center of the Plaza, where our firm began nearly 40 years ago."
On Saturday, Collison and The Star moved to undo the damage from Friday's confusing story. The first paragraph of today's story, the lead story in the paper, said: "Plans for an office development in the Country Club Plaza that includes demolishing a vintage building have ignited outrage among Plaza devotees — and they will have their day at City Hall."
Appropriately, the story was as much a correction as it was a report of the outrage.
To me, this episode reflects a couple of things: First, we love our Plaza, with its graceful, Spanish architecture and distinctive feel, and, second, The Star has to be very, very careful — and thorough — in reporting about proposed changes to venerable Kansas City institutions like the Plaza.
The reporting and editing lapse that occurred in Collison's Friday story is, unfortunately, happening more and more. That is almost inevitable with a diminished staff, and it demonstrates once again how The Star's status as the area's most powerful and authoritative news-gathering operation has slipped.
It's still the biggest and the best, but not as big or good as it used to be.
Posted in journalism, Uncategorized, tagged Kansas City Star, letters to the editor on August 20, 2010|
I don't know if you share my opinion about this — of if you've even noticed — but it seems to me that the letters to the editor page of The Kansas City Star has gotten kind of moldy.
There's too much lag time between the articles that triggered the letters and publication of the letters. As a result, the letters page has become increasingly dull over the last several months.
I've been thinking about this lately, and on Thursday I decided to run a little test on the timeliness of letters that ran Wednesday and Thursday.
Here's what I found: On those two days, a total of seven letters included parenthetical references to articles that generated the letters. (Some letters are about ongoing stories or situations and not pegged to specific stories.)
Of the seven, five referred to articles that had been published at least two weeks ago.
To me, that's pretty bad.
I decided to compare that with the letters that appeared Wednesday and Thursday in The New York Times. On those two days, The Times published a total of 10 letters containing parenthetical references to articles that prompted the letters.
Of the 10, nine were published within eight days of the published articles.
To me, that's pretty good.
What is the upshot for readers? In my opinion, The Star's letters page has a dated, heavy feel to it, where The Times' page is lively and topical.
Hate to say it, but that applies to the two papers in their entirety, too. Of course, The Star, like almost all second-tier dailies, has suffered terribly from contraction and readership loss, while the top-tier, national publications — The Times, the Wall Street Journal and USA Today — have held up somewhat better.
I must confess that one of the reasons I decided to run the test is that I submitted a letter to the editor on Sunday (Aug. 15) about a column that day by E. Thomas McClanahan of the editorial staff. McClanahan wrote eloquently and insightfully, in my opinion, about his opposition to the proposed mosque to be built two blocks from Ground Zero. (For the record, I'm against it, too.)
Lewis Diuguid, an editorial writer who calls letter writers to verify that they, indeed, penned the letters, called me on Monday and said he'd try to get the letter in.
Now, really, it makes no difference to me if the letter gets in. But I really would like to know what the public feedback is on McClanahan's piece, and I don't want to have to wait two weeks to get that feedback.
What really galled me was that yesterday a letter ran under the headline "Mosque at ground zero." I eagerly went to the text, thinking it would be about McClanahan's column. But, no, it was a letter from Chris Anderson of Basehor, who was writing about an Aug. 4 article titled "Mosque plans advance." Anderson's first line was "Where is the outrage over the project mosque by the World Trade Center?"
Well, the outrage certainly escalated between Aug. 4 and Aug. 18, didn't it?
I guess the letters pertaining to McClanahan's column are waiting in a queue…waiting like tax returns stacked up for processing by the IRS.
Yesterday, I e-mailed Miriam Pepper, vice president and editorial page editor of The Star, and told her about the results of my test and that I intended to write a blog entry on the subject.
Miriam, one of the most solid and respected editors at The Star, declined to comment, and I can appreciate that. She has nothing to gain by defending the status quo, and feelings could get ruffled in house if she said the page needs improvement.
Here's the gist, though. The letters to the editor page is one of the most important parts of the paper. It's where members of the public get to weigh in, in black and white, on issues that are of importance to them. It's a garden of ideas, and it's fun and informative to see what seeds are being planted and to try to figure out which might take root.
It's important, then, that the letters be timely. In the computer era, people can get plenty of feedback on just about any issue, but millions of people still look to the letters page of their daily papers every day to gauge the ebb and flow of public opinion on current issues.
For the vast majority of serious current-events followers, I dare say, a letter published on the letters page of a daily paper, signed with a person's real name and disclosing their city of residence, carries far more weight in the court of public opinion than an anonymous comment (or, for that matter, a signed comment) on any blog or Web site.
So, let's get cracking down there, KC Star!
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Kansas City jazz, Liberty Memorial, Louisville Falls fountain on August 18, 2010| 2 Comments »
It was a moment of inspiration from my colleague Hearne Christopher over at KCConfidential.com.
He came up with the idea — I'm getting to it — after reading KC Star reporter Matt Campbell's story on Sunday about the "eternal flame" atop the World War I Liberty Memorial costing taxpayers $100,000 a year.
Hearne's idea, which he proffered in response to a person who commented on his blog entry about the story, was to supplant the costly steam-production system to a very economical model.
He wrote: "How about they buy one of those big fans at Wal-Mart, tie some orange, yellow and red streamers to it and let it rip! Who said you have to have smoke with your fire?"
At first blush, I loved it. I e-mailed Hearne and told him it could be "a uniquely Kansas City solution" to a big dilemma and suggested that he start promoting the idea.
But then I started thinking about what the flame represents — the gravity of it — and qualms set in. I certainly don't want a more economical model to cheapen the tribute to the Allied troops who died in World War I.
Then, I ran it by me wife Patty — my sounding board — and she immediately turned thumbs down. She gave me hope, though…Maybe the fan and streamers could be used as a humorous tribute to something less serious but still "uniquely Kansas City," she said. Then she floated a totally ridiculous idea — hooking up the streamers and fan to the rear of a cow sculpture.
"What are you talking about?" I said. "Methane? I don't get it. What's the connection?"
"Well, you know," she said, as she cleaned up around the stove, "the cowtown thing."
She acknowledged that her idea really wouldn't have anything to do with fire, and she quickly changed the subject on me. The whole thing got me thinking, though, about a couple of other symbolic ideas that caught my fancy in years past.
One of them was floated here but never got off the ground. The other was in my hometown of Louisville, Ky., and it did fly…for a while.
The one here was put forward, as I recall, by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver during the time he was mayor — 1991-1999. Seeking a permanent and dramatic tribute to Kansas City's jazz heritage, he proposed that a replica of a huge saxophone be built and then installed on the Missouri River so as to jut out of the water.
I don't think I've ever heard a better idea before or since. For some reason, though, it didn't take off. Just died. If Charlie Wheeler had come up with it when he was mayor (1971 to 1979), maybe it would have come to pass. Wheeler, in case you're not old enough to remember him, was known for his bold ideas and crazy antics, such as wrestling a bear in the mayor's office, on the 29th floor of City Hall. ("The bear sat right there on that couch and drank a Pepsi," Wheeler said later, in his inimitable nasally whine.)
Another unconventional idea that I really liked — the one out of Louisville — was to build a moveable fountain in the Ohio River, along the city's breathtaking riverfront development.
Called the Louisville Falls Fountain, it was dedicated Aug. 19, 1988, five days after the death of its benefactor, Barry Bingham Sr., former owner of The Courier-Journal and Louisville Times newspapers.
The fountain emitted about 16,000 gallons of water per minute in the shape of a fleur-de-lis (the symbol of Louisville), and it initially shot water to a height of 420 feet. According to Wikipedia, it was to be in use from Memorial Day through Thanksgiving from morning until midnight. But…there were problems. It listed to one side and always looked to me like it was in danger of toppling. Also, costs were higher than expected, and chronic malfunctions depleted the fountain's maintenance fund.
If that wasn't enough, the poor fountain came under ridicule, too: A radio talk-show host, Terry Meiners (who's still on WHAS-AM radio, 840 on the dial), dubbed it "The Belching Barge." That was the coup de grace. Eventually, the fountain was sold for scrap and, again, according to Wikipedia, "sits in the Ohio River in New Albany, Ind., waiting to be taken apart."
And so, the moral of this story — coming back full circle — is that when fielding unconventional ideas, maybe modest is best….like Hearne's idea about the fan and streamers.
Surely, that concept can be put to good use somewhere on something in Kansas City…just not on the rear of a cow sculpture.


text:
Pigroast uncertainty What are your thoughts?
The Forestry Forum is sponsored in part by:
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
123maxbars, Now you will have to add the @Yellowhammer Dragback Shelf. Looks like a worthwhile mod. Do you think it would be less useful if you had the walk along instead of the command control console? Thanks for the video.
Ideas for a cushion to put on the table for back end of slab falling more than about a foot. Whacks the mill and can break a slab. Not my idea of an orderly sawing operation. I suppose if one is bringing it back far enough so it is tipping off the front end of the table that could reduce the fall.Boat BumperBoat seat cushion (throwable PFD)....probably would get torn up too quickold sofa cushion....I think this would be pretty good2" styrofoam (works but breaks up)Sawmill spare tire (too heavy) small tire no rimsome kind of 1-2" heavy rubber pad would be nicelarge stuffed animalAnd how to keep the fixed table from moving...
When sawing live oak or heart longleaf pine we have found diesel fuel to perform best as a blade lube. When sawing other logs we will use PineSol, laundry soap, cotton picker spindle lube or antifreeze. We were putting diesel in the lube tank when needed and then someone would need something sawn that did not require diesel and then the lube tank had to be emptied and refilled with something else.Anyway, I had an OMC VRO tank lying around for decades since removing it from my boat. I would prefer to mix the oil rather than rely on it. It fit well on top of the mill's diesel tank and plumbed in easily to the lube line. It does need a little finer adjustment than it currently has but today it worked well. Even when sawing other species, (Image hidden from quote, click to view.) (Image hidden from quote, click to view.) (Image hidden from quote, click to view.) using diesel on the last cut or two will ensure the blade is clean and will not easily rust.The brass fittings were some I had saved after redoing the fuel supply on a 1979 Dusky center console that we used to have.
Where would one pick up.some.of this cotton picker spindle lube
My 70 table clips to the mill to keep it from walking. Doesnt yours have the same feature?
Started by doug olsen
on Sawmills and Milling
Started by Billbob
on Sawmills and Milling
Started by Clover
on Sawmills and Milling
Started by Ga_Boy
on Chainsaws
Page created in 1.069 seconds with 40 queries.


text:
Narcissistic. Addicted to technology. Un-attached to the brands they buy. These are the labels that follow the ever-elusive millennial population today. Open any daily marketing subscription and you're hard pressed not to find an award winning case study or quoted research project touting
that the future is doomed in their hands. Our hands.
So earlier this week, when HBR published a refreshing, yet brass, take on Whole Food's recent announcement to build a millennial-focused arm of the brand it naturally sparked a second glance.
Is there such thing as a "millennial strategy"?
Before we answer, let's break millennials apart a bit. What is a millennial?
As defined by Pew Research Center, a millennial is a person born generally after 1980 until the early 2000s. As of early 2015, more than one-in-three American workers are now considered millennial. Today's worldwide population has more millennials than any other generation, with Boomers (those ages 51-69) sliding into second place. So we can agree, that millennials are no longer a subset of population, but a driving force behind it.
Now let's take a look at some of the primary behaviors of this generation.
- They are digital native, and yes, slightly self-absorbed. 55% admit to having posted a selfie and have an average of 250 friends on Facebook
- Their trust is earned, not given, with only 19% saying most people can be trusted as compared to 31% of Gen Xers
However, before we rush to PowerPoint and start signing the check for your brand's next millennial strategy, it's also worth looking at the flip side of the coin.
- The average age of a gamer today is 28.5, that's quite high for a generation that "ends" at 34
- Those ages 35-44 over index by 40% as "mobile addicts" versus an average mobile user by Flurry
What this helps us start to uncover is that digital behaviors are less millennial truths and more human truths. Truths we are all guilty, or responsible for creating, regardless of our age. We are speaking to a consumer who is more informed, more attention strapped and more conscious of the world around them, but are those traits driven by age? In some ways, yes, but in most ways, no.
Should we abandon the study of generational differences all together?
Absolutely not. But we may find that if we take a closer and slightly less age affected look at the people in front of us, we're very much all the same.
While millennials are certainly a generation worth paying attention to, it's time to shift our focus away from a person's age and towards challenging ourselves to create experiences that will amplify the world, for all of us.
Our charge as strategists, designers and developers lies less in joining a pro or anti-demographic stance and more in understanding what behaviors our customers exhibit. Our opportunity is to funnel that energy into creating emotionally and context rich experiences worth engaging with.
When we do this, we're forced to start thinking less about content and more about communication. To focus less on channel is next and more on what stories are worth sharing. Mobile, done well, will help us to accomplish these things.


text:
Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt
Perhaps you know or have a loved one, that for some reason is unable to take care of themself and needs help. One of my nephews worked his way through college employed at a senior care facility. He worked with those that could not care for themselves. I had a brother and sister that also did this. It was a daily routine for them to help seniors go to the bathroom, eat their meals, or give them a bath. Each of them served these seniors with great love, compassion, and care. They made those they served feel loved and cared for. When I would think about them doing this, I would be at the grace God had given them to be able to do this with such love and ease.
Spiritually, each of us are those that cannot care for ourself. What do I mean by that? I mean that each of us falls down in our ability to walk holy and righteously before the Lord. We too often fail in our thought-life, sometimes entertaining inappropriate thoughts! We fail in our words saying things we regret that are too late to take back. We fail in our actions. We fail. Its a fact of life to anyone who is honest. Some of us try not to as hard as we can not to. Others could give a rip. We all miss it from time-to-time. Jesus is the one that gives us our bath and washes us with great love and mercy and compassion.
Hundreds of years before Jesus lived on the earth, Isaiah the prophet wrote the truth of man's inability to live righteously despite his best efforts. He wrote: "We are all infected and impure with sin. When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we find they are but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall. And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away." Isaiah 64:6 (NLT)
This was the heart and feeling of Isaiah who purposed to follow after God in a more righteous way. He was honest. Despite his best efforts, he knew the truth. His personal efforts to be righteousness were like filthy rags compared to the Lord. This is why the gospel is so important. We are unable to take care of our unrighteousness, but Jesus can! And He does by bathing us with His promised forgiveness and reminding us that He lived life without sin, but died as a sinner to take our punishment—the punishment we deserved upon Himself at the cross. He gave us His righteousness as a gift provided by His shed blood, grace, and mercy.
Col. 1:19-22 reveals this truth to us saying, "For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Jesus and through Jesus to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your sinful behavior. But now God has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation…"
This is saying that it was God's good pleasure to have Jesus give you that bath and wash away your sins. This is His promise and declaration that He has made you holy in His sight without blemish. He has made you free from all the devil's accusations. The devil will always point out your every sin and mistake you make in order to make you feel filthy and inadequate before God. It is at that point that I remind the devil, Satan, your destiny is Hell. Misery loves company but I am not your company. Jesus washed my sins away and helps me to live more righteously and covers my shortfalls with His blood and grace so that I am holy in His sight. I am without blemish and free from your accusation. Jesus has given me my bath and I'm clean. Take your accusations and flee in Jesus name!
This truth does not give us a free ride to sin. No, God wants us to learn to become Christ-like in character. But, when we confess our sin to Him with sincerity and humility, He is faithful to cleanse us from all our unrighteousness and guilt.
The point of meditating on these things, is to bring us to great thanksgiving in our heart each day for the mercy and love of God in making us holy in His sight through Jesus. It's also so that instead of getting stuck in the ditch of fault-finding with each other, we instead wash one another with God's love, mercy, and forgiveness as He has washed us! As John 13:14-15 (NLT) says, "And since I – Jesus, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you."
In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt
Would you like to Donate or Partner with Pastor Tim? Click here and Learn More…
If Fresh Manna is a blessing to you, let me know how. I'd love to hear from you! Write me at firstname.lastname@example.com
Published by Pastor Tim Burt
Copyright© 2016 All rights reserved


text:
Your shopping cart is empty!
Onkyo HT-S3800 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver/Speaker Package.
You've picked up a sweet flatscreen TV at the right price but the sound is just not cutting it. And there are messy wires from your consoles and media players running everywhere. This neat Onkyo HTiB package is the answer. A compact hub that connects all your devices to the TV via a single HDMI cable, the HT-S3800 adds thrilling dynamic power to movie and game soundtracks with its neat six-piece speaker system (all included, even the cables). You get 4K/60 Hz, HDR, HDCP 2.2, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, an FM/AM tuner, and Bluetooth technology to stream almost any audio for full-scale playback.


text:
Direct mail campaigns communicate your marketing message directly to your ideal target customer.
Update: Interested in direct mail? Read about the components of a direct mail marketing campaign.
Direct mail works
There's a reason you always receive so much direct mail from credit card companies and others.
Direct mail works. You can send out pieces to a large list of prospects, and based on the response, you can focus your sales list on a short list of warm leads.
Reduce your sales cycle, qualify your leads, and generate new business.
Ask Mardesco for help with:
- Mailer design to suit your branding strategy & target audience
- Mailing list development
- Target customer identification
- Catchy headlines & copy writing
- Offer strategies
- Call to action
- Graphic design, stock photos, icons & more
- Coordinating your mailing fulfillment
- ROI tracking
- Timing multiple repeated mailings for maximum impact
You've probably heard by now, that your customers will usually have contact with your company six, nine, twelve, or more times before making a purchase from you. Get the process started with direct mail as part of a complete marketing strategy and design package by Mardesco.
Types of direct mail
Most direct mail campaigns fall under the general categories of letters, postcards, catalogs, or "bulky" mail.
Letters are the most "serious" type of direct mail. This format is very flexible. Personalized mail sent to just a few individuals is a highly targeted way to initiate contact with your prospects. Thanks to the wonders of modern variable data printing (VDP), a more broadly appealing message can be sent to a large number of individuals, addressing each recipient by name and even mentioning their most important concerns. Once the target audience has been identified, the most important parts of a prospecting letter are: the headline; the postscript; the call to action; the points of interest; and finally, a concise message body.
Postcards are the most affordable form of direct mail.
Postcards have a number of benefits; but the most important of these, is cost. The cost for printing postcards is very reasonable; and the cost of postage for sending bulk mail presorted postcards is substantially less than other types of direct mail postage. You can affordably send a large mailing to a diverse audience, or send several repeated mailings to a smaller audience for the same cost.
Postcards have the advantage, that they do not need to be opened. The recipient is guaranteed to see your message. If you are selling direct-to-consumer, this makes postcard mailers an ideal, cost-effective solution for reaching your audience with your brand message.
However, in the case of business-to-business mailings, it's important to remember that the recipient may not always be the addressee. If your contact has a secretary, this reduces the likelihood that the intended contact person will actually receive the message.
If you are in a business-to-business industry, you can improve deliverability rates by carefully selecting businesses of a certain size; or by selecting a different direct mail format.
Catalogs & brochures
Obviously, the cost for printing and mailing a large catalog is going to substantially more per piece than the cost of mailing postcards. But if you have products that can be sold in a mail-order format, then sending a catalog in the mail may be the fastest way to get new orders rolling in.
"Bulky" mail
Bulky mail gets opened. You would probably only send bulky mail to a specific, carefully selected list of your most likely prospects or existing customers, due to the additional cost of production, fulfillment, and postage.
Bulky mail is sure to get the recipient's attention. If done well, bulky mail is also more likely to linger on the recipient's desk, creating a lasting impression of your brand until finally they call you.
Direct mail for ROI
The return on investment (ROI) for direct mail compares favorably to other marketing channels. The specific response rate for your direct mail campaign will be affected by your industry, the type of mailer, the type of offer, the type of prospect, the selected wording of your mailing piece, and other factors.
Mardesco can help you calculate the type of mailer that will get the best results for your marketing budget. Call us today for professional advice on your direct mail strategy.
Part of a Package
Direct Mail services by Mardesco are currently only available as part of a complete package deal that also includes design and consulting services. We've gotten calls from a few people who just want the list and maybe the print fulfillment. We are just a reseller for both; and in such a competitive market, the margins don't allow for us to provide these services on a stand-alone basis. Thanks very much for your interest in Mardesco! Have a great day.


text:
You can find this section under Search > Ignored Words in the IRP Admin left navigation menu.
This page displays a list of search terms that you want to be ignored if a customer searches for them using the front-end Search bar. Examples of these would include 'And' or 'At'. This would mean, for example, that when a site visitor searches using the Search bar at the top of the site for the phrase 'Hat And Umbrella' the database query will instead use 'Hat Umbrella'.
Foreign derivatives will be applied when a customer's Language Setting is different from the default.
You can use this section to view, add, edit and delete the Ignored Words. The SearchIgnoredWords.aspx page appears as follows:
You can see the following information:
At the top of page you can see these buttons:
To add an Ignored Word, follow these steps:
To edit an Ignored Word, follow these steps:


text:
Three kidney transplants. A decade of Dialysis. One ailing soul. This is my respite, my haven, my intellective cove. This is where all the damaged bits scatter in hopes of becoming whole. I'll rave, I'll rant, I'll offend & hopefully, I'll inspire. Disclaimer: not for the easily offended, politically correct, close minded, or rabid haters. I've had enough of the previous for one lifetime. Thank you and Godspeed.
Monday, July 25, 2011
The Pain of Lidocaine
For what seems like an exponential lifetime, I have been a Dialysis patient.
There is no B.D. (before Dialysis) anymore. Its been too long. Too hard. Too infinite.
Childhood, college, the beginning of my career. They all seem like chapters from a book that I checked out from the library ages ago.
All the facets that melded those memories into one cohesive whole: happiness, joy, triumph; they're all just forgotten words now.
But its about to become tremendously worse.
For ages, I've used lidocine to ease my pain. You're right. I'm one of those geniuses of the highest order who receives two needle sticks.
Before two needle sticks.
Excessive? Sure. Redundant? Definately.
But totally, and without a doubt, necessary.
When the lidocaine misses its intended target, the main needle shrieks in terror as it enters my helpless arm.
Every. Single. Time.
You would think any normal human being (i.e. not me) would adjust to this psychologically. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally.
My Fear of needles has become a massively disgusting mass of burden upon my shoulders. It festers there, cowers, whimpers in pain whether a Tech knows their business or not.
Word was given to me on bleach white paper that lidocaine is "not allowed in cases where a buttonwhole access is concerned."
It was highlighted in colorful, mocking orange. As though I would have missed it otherwise.
Chatty Cathy Nurse walked to my side and asked if I had read this.
"Yes," I said as I gathered my crappy possessions. "But I don't believe in it."
As if that would have ended it right there. I could only hope.
She was bounding with verbal, anxious speech. That's actually how she always speaks.
"We had a meeting and that rule is supposed to be followed."
I grabbed my items and shoved the strap over my shoulder, knocking Fear from its perch.
"No lidocaine. No Dialysis. I'll stop if I have to."
There was no emotion in my voice. No waver in my step.
Chatty Cathy Nurse made that sound she always makes when she's not sure how to respond: "Aaah...ohhh..."
I'm sure Happy, Smiley manager will lose those adjectives from her face when she hear this, but Lidocaine has been my only friend in the fight against Fear.
My psyche is held together with second tier Scotch tape and fractured, muddied shoelaces. You take away one of the few friends I have in that Haunting Haven of Hell (TM 2011) and my edge will have been reached.
"I'll stop if I have to."
That isn't an empty threat filled with shallow nonchalance. It is the truth as I know it on this day, the twenty fifth of July, two thousand eleven.
3 comments:
- AnonymousJuly 26, 2011 at 2:59 PM
Get the lidocream. Put it on two hours before. Cover it with part of a plastic sandwich bag. It will get rid of 90% of the pain and sometimes all of pain. In any case it will be better than the lidocain shot.ReplyDelete
My 22yo son feels the same way. No lidocaine NO dialysis. In fact he switched centers r/t lidocaine protocol.ReplyDelete
Hi- i button hole, have done for a couple of years now. After a while, because you create a track the needle goes down, i didn't need lidocaine, seriously! the holes become desensitised so you don't really feel a lot of the pain (some though). highly recommend button-holing- only good thing that happened during this journey for me- and i don't have all the track marks like others laddering. hope that helps?ReplyDelete


text:
I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review.
This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
by Felicity Heaton
Released: January 14, 2012
Series: Vampire Erotic Theatre #1
Published by Dark Rose Publishing
Pages: 103
Format: ARC
The romance was not as strong as I would like it but it is apparent. However, the sexual tension is more evident and you can feel it right though the pages as you read! Super smexy scenes!!! The vampires in this world are rich, powerful with strong alpha traits, which I love. There will be claiming, jealousy and a battle for love.
This is my first Heaton book and will definitely not be my last. I have to say that this book is not for the faint of heart. It has strong sexual scenes that will leave you lusting and may cause high stress if not sated. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is prepared to take the consequences of the emotional after affects.
Did you like this review? If so, please tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
- ARC Review: A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones - April 7, 2020
- Review: Fallen by Rebecca Zanetti - March 26, 2020
- ARC Review:Perfect Strangers by J.T. Geissinger - November 7, 2019


text:
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Semi 2: Tobson top ten
But in my defence, I still think that the results will prove very tight once revealed and that there might have been pretty close margins between who made it and who didn't.
It's the same for semi 2, perhaps on an even larger scale this time. One little positive thing could suddenly be decisive in making one song break through to the audience while another one fails. And the ballads and duets are likely to eat each other.
I also review all the songs for EILE Magazine and made my pick already yesterday. Having cold feet about one or two already but here goes. Tonight's ten qualifiers are (in an almost random order):
Because Måns is sensational, the song is in a league of its own tonight and, as predicted earlier, this is one of the top contenders for overall victory comes Saturday.
Being bold and different and thinking outside the box paid off for Belgium and should do the same for Latvia. Wonderfully odd and divisive. Not everyone's cup of tea and I love it when somebody dares not to be.
The audience will find themselves longing for something upbeat and reasonably contemporary by the end of the song presentation and then Slovenia brings relief. Catchy and with distinctive hooks, both musically and visually.
This is the dramatic duet that will blow all other similar attempts out of the water. Stylish, suggestive and with a very accessible chorus. Hard cheese for the others, especially the Czech republic. This is where all their potential points will wander.
Just like Denmarks packet-full-of-sunshine-formula suddenly stopped working, there will come a day when Europe no longer wants this type of Balkan ballad. But that day is not today, this will surely make it to the final without making any bigger splash there.
Among the ballads this one will stand out by being sparse, modest and sensitively performed by a male solo singer. And it might trigger severe nostalgia among the people who loved the Backstreet Boys back in the day.
Also a male ballad but without anything sparse or modest about it. Just like Azerbaijan last year, it could prove a little too demanding to do really well but if it doesn't make it to the final the expression "shock non-qualifier" will gain new frightening dimensions.
I had some harsh comments about this one in my preview review and I still partially stand by my critique. But Israel comes dancing onto stage after seven songs that are relatively slow and similar. It can't go wrong. Welcome back to the final, Israel.
One of my personal favourites that I hope I share with the juries at least. Reportedly, Molly has been shying away from the cameras during rehearsal which is clearly not a good thing. But I cross my fingers very hard for this one to go through.
This one is the one I am the least sure of and finds itself among my ten qualifiers mainly because Iceland always seem to sneak in somehow. This is safe and inoffensive but one day also that formula will fail.
That means that my seven non-qualifiers tonight are: Poland, Switzerland, Czech republic, Portugal, Malta, San Marino and Lithuania.
I would gladly have Lithuania in the final but I think it is too light-weight to be remembered by the end of the show. I would gladly have Poland in the final, but ultimately the song in itself isn't dynamic enough to make people pay attention to yet another ballad. I would gladly have Portugal but I see that isn't going to happen.
But what I want most of all is a change of pace for the second semi final and a qualification sequence that will allow excitement to build up. That and Ireland in the final would make my night complete.
Follow @TobsonHelsinki
2 comments:
- KasperiMay 21, 2015 at 10:03 PM
Sweden, Azerbaijan, Slovenia, Norway, Latvia, Israel, Cyprus, Montenegro, Poland, LithuaniaReplyDelete
Bring it on.Replies
You got them all, didn't you? :)Delete
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Friday 27th May 2016 from 18:00
The Bushcraft Show is an annual weekend event and one of the highlights of the year for many outdoor, rugged, practical people... and they invited ME?!?
Thankfully, I only have to perform as my survival skills are virtually nil, but it's something I'm really looking forward to. I've had the opportunity to meet several people involved in this community over the last year and getting to play this event and hang out with them for a while sounds like a good idea to me!
Timings etc are not yet set, except that I will be playing on the Friday evening. This is very much a ticketed event but anyone wishing to find out more can do so here and also follow upcoming announcements regarding the weekend here.


text:
Like many of Google's services, their Play Store gift cards initially launched with availability being in the US only. Slowly but surely we've seen their Play Music and other services expand to other regions, and the gift card option is doing the same. We've recently been tipped that gift card support is coming to Australia later this month.
After a few exclusives last month in the country, we're now hearing that August 26th Play Store gift cards will officially launch at multiple outlets and be readily available down under. Users in Australia have been seeing the "redeem" option in the Play Store, and some new Google pages have confirmed this as well.
According to AusDroid, the Google Play Store gift card support page now shows the country as having $20, $30, and $50 denominations. This isn't anything extremely exciting, but we know many have been waiting for the option to use this method.
Gift cards to the Play Store are readily available in the US, the UK, France, Germany, and many others, and recently hit Canada back in March. The word on the street is August 26th for those in Australia to be able to buy them online, and at many big box retailers.
VIA: AusDroid


text:
GPS Exhibiting at World AG Expo
Pavilion D Booth #4710
Reach ou to the critical power systems team at the Expo and setup a time to sit down and talk about your needs. Use the form, email firstname.lastname@example.com or give us a call on our toll free line - 1 800-706-0906
At GPS, we understand that losing power means losing business. Securing your critical facility with appropriate standby/prime and back-up power applications can ensure your business stays up and running during unexpected blackouts and power outages. In industries, during critical processes, generators can supply emergency power to all vital and selected loads as desired. Go to generator services to learn more.
Power where you need it, how you need it
Get started today on our website on you custom power system. We buy and sell generators as well as critical power equipment. Browse our inventory of high quality used and new diesel generators and natural gas generators:
Diesel Generators for Sale
Natural Gas Generators for Sale
How It's Done
Visit Website: World AG Expo February 10 - 12, 2015
Reach out to Global Power Supply Critical Power Specialists at the AG Show.
More Example Generator Projects


text:
UTC Aerospace Systems named exclusive provider of MRO services for JetBlue Airways airplanes powered by V2500 and CF34-10 engines
CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- UTC Aerospace Systems' Aerostructures business has signed an agreement with JetBlue Airways to provide nacelle maintenance for the airline's fleet of 130 Airbus A320 aircraft powered by V2500-A5 engines, as well as its 60 Embraer E190 aircraft powered by CF34-10 engines. Under the five-year agreement, UTC Aerospace Systems will be the exclusive provider of maintenance for the thrust reversers and common nozzle assemblies for JetBlue's A320 fleet, as well as the inlets, fan cowls, thrust reversers and common nozzle assemblies for the E190 aircraft. The maintenance work will be performed at the Aerostructures' Alabama Service Center in Foley, Ala. UTC Aerospace Systems is a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
"For 30 years, the Alabama Service Center has been recognized by airlines in the Americas for providing optimal value through its quality workmanship and rapid turnaround times," said Aerostructures President Marc Duvall. "This is the first long-term agreement we have signed with JetBlue and follows years of our customer support of the airline. We look forward to providing our unmatched customer service to a major portion of the JetBlue fleet under this new agreement."
UTC Aerospace Systems designs, manufactures and services integrated systems and components for the aerospace and defense industries. UTC Aerospace Systems supports a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and customer service facilities.
SOURCE UTC Aerospace Systems


text:
Fish and chips has long been one of the nation's favourite dishes. This easy recipe for crispy fish, chips and mushy peas is a lighter take on the old classic as it's baked rather than fried, and has all the flavour with less of the fat.
- 400g baking potatoes
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 2 slices white bread
- 2 white fish fillets, such as haddock, hoki or pollock
- 1 tbsp plain flour, seasoned
- 1 egg, beaten
- 140g frozen peas with mint
- 2 tbsp crème fraîche
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/Gas Mark 4. Peel and chop the potatoes into thick chips, then toss with the olive oil and some salt. Arrange on a large non-stick baking tray and roast for 20 mins, turning halfway.
- Lightly toast the bread, then pulse briefly in a food processor to make coarse breadcrumbs. Dust the fish in flour, shaking off the excess, then dip into the egg, followed by the breadcrumbs to coat thoroughly. Bake the fish with the chips for a further 20 mins in the oven, until both are golden.
- Just before the fish and chips are ready, boil the peas for 3-4 mins, then drain and mash. Stir in the crème fraîche and season to taste.
Serves 2
Total time required: 30 mins
Preparation time: 10 mins
Cooking time: 20 mins
Why not try making this recipe for St George's Day? To celebrate, we'll also be having a bundle giveaway tomorrow – keep your eyes peeled!


text:
Sometimes certain types of specialty care and prescription drugs require special review called prior authorization to make sure they are right for the patient. Prior authorization is a standard process throughout the health industry. If a procedure or drug requires prior authorization, it may be because there is an equally effective treatment or therapy available at a lower cost. Prior authorization applies to more than 80 drugs under the pharmacy benefit and some compound drugs. TRICARE requires you to use the generic version of the drug, but prior authorization lets your doctor provide evidence to show that the brand name works better for you. For more information, visit TRICARE's prior authorization webpage. You can check the status of your request for prior authorization on the Express Scripts' website.
For more on TRICARE, visit the Military.com TRICARE section.


text:
The personality types corresponding to Karen Horney's Withdrawn strategy are the Four, Five and Nine. These types are generally receptive and internally-focused. Each responds to problems, threats and obstacles through avoidance. In other words, there's a distinct sense of the self being small, weak or vulnerable and easily overwhelmed by the world. They feel a need to shut out external influences before their needs can be met. These needs are defined by the Triad they fall into: Four is in the Heart Triad meaning that they will withdraw both to find and protect their sense of personal value; Five is in the Head Triad meaning they will withdraw both to find and protect their objectivity, mental clarity and ability to control their anxiety; and Nine is in the Belly Triad meaning they will withdraw to find and protect their autonomy. All three types feel their sense of self most keenly when they're moving away from others and/or the flow of life. For the Withdrawn types, the affect is "I can only get my needs met when I can tune in to my inner world."
The Withdrawn types are also the types most disconnected from the Belly Center. This does not mean they are weaker or less concerned about their autonomy than other types, but rather that they have the most difficulty connecting with their sense of wholeness and vitality. There can be a sense of the self being "invaded" by external influences because the self is experienced as permeable and somewhat vague and lacking in distinct boundaries. Therefore the need for avoiding external influences that seem bigger, stronger or overwhelming comes into play. When we don't fully inhabit the Belly Center, we also miss out on the immediacy and aliveness of fully engaging with our experience. These types are prone to substituting dissociation, resistance and avoidance for the sense of realness, strength and groundedness that comes from being in touch with the Belly Center.
The journey of growth for the Withdrawn types is of course to learn to fully inhabit the Belly Center. This entails becoming present to feelings of insubstantiality, overwhelm, and intimidation—and being able to tolerate these feelings without dissociating, shutting down or removing themselves from the situation. This goes against the grain for these three types who would generally prefer to distance themselves physically and/or mentally and emotionally. However, learning to stand in their own space and to tolerate the feelings of weakness, disempowerment, and fear of being subsumed by the other that come up as a result allows them to discover the awakened Belly Center qualities of strength, immediacy, passion, realness, aliveness and empowerment that have been present all along but have gone unnoticed or undervalued.


text:
Visions of Ecstasy, a short, 19 minute, experimental art film made in 1989, is the only film ever to have been banned outright in the UK solely on the grounds of blasphemy. Further its depiction and interpretations of the erotic imaginings of the 16th Century Carmelite nun, St. Teresa, were such that the films banning was upheld in an historic judgement at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg in a case that took seven years to reach its conclusion. Now, due to the abolition of the UKs blasphemy law in 2008, Visions of Ecstasy is finally being released.
Included with this historic film is also a 36 page, booklet written by the films director, Nigel Wingrove, in which he explains how the film came to be made, the effect of its banning had on his life and future work, and how his continuing battles against film censorship led eventually to the resignation of the BBFC"s then director, James Ferman, the legalisation of pornography and a general relaxation of film classification overall.
Special Features
- Extensive Stills and Press Gallery
- Interviews
- 36 Page booklet
- Erotic short film, AXEL, by Nigel Wingrove and with an original soundtrack by Danielle Dax
- Nunsploitation feature film by Nigel Wingrove
- Visions of Ecstasy has an original soundtrack by STEVEN SEVERIN
Film Details
- Produced by John Stephenson
- Music by Steven Severin
- Cast Louise Downie, Elisha Scott, Dan Fox.


text:
June 2011- Be present, be grateful
Led by the Spirit: Be present, be grateful.
In the quietness of my room, I was unable to sleep but sensed a deep desire to pray. As the gentle rain was falling against my window, and birds were singing in the deep green trees out-side, my heart was filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
I was at a hospice - a place for people with incurable illnesses like cancer. A medical team gives them love, compassion and assistance through the last days of their lives on earth. One of those people is my sister.
I felt gratitude for the opportunity to be completely present emotionally, spiritually and physically with her. The present moment felt so precious I wasn't worried about the next day, nor did I care about what may have happened in the past.
May 2011 - God is faithful
Led by the spirit: Learning about loss, leaning on His word
God is faithful. This month has been a struggle for me as my older sister was diagnosed with an incurable cancer that may allow her only three months to live. I've truly experienced the scripture that says "I can face all conditions with Christ who strengthens me" as I fulfilled my commitments for this month. Please pray for me and my family at this time of grief.
God is faithful as He prepares the way for my talents and abilities to be recognized. As a nominee for Country Gospel Album Of The Year I attended the Saskatchewan Country Music Awards in Swift Current, Sask., where I performed at the gospel showcase. Many people were touched by God's word in song. Among the audience was Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall, which was a very special blessing for me.


text:
Learn to Read students are Jacksonville, Florida residents 16 years of age and older who have had problems succeeding in the traditional K-12 classroom environment for a multitude of reasons. At least 55% of students who attend the Learn to Read program have a diagnosed or suspected learning disability, while others attribute unstable home lives, extenuating personal circumstances, brain injuries, and emotional or behavioral disorders as reasons they were not able to earn a traditional high school diploma in their youth. Many students are currently unemployed or underemployed, and are seeking an education in order to be able to provide a better life for themselves and their families.
The most common goals of Learn to Read students range from acquiring the reading and writing skills necessary to pass a driver's license or specialized employment exam, being able to understand and and interpret medical and legal documents, being able to help their children with homework, and obtaining a high school equivalency diploma, such as the GED.


text:
Residential Security
Home Watch Security Service
Services For Your Peace Of Mind
Code 3 Security provides residential security services for your peace of mind. This service is ideal for those on vacation or away for extended periods of time. Services include:
- Checking your home
- Check for signs of forced entry, ensure furnace is still working, water damage etc.
- Making your home look lived in
- Turning on and off lights, mail collection, optional snow removal etc.
- Alarm system referral available
Contact Us for more information or to request our security services for your home.


text:
I've had to get a wriggle on this week having realised that the online discussion I'm moderating for a book magazine for their panel of book reviewers doesn't begin on July 25th but ENDS on that day. Jodie Picoult's Perfect Match arrived a few weeks ago but by Monday morning I still hadn't even opened the book and, all a bit inconvenient, I had to pitch up for my 22.5 hours work at the NHS coalface.
Let me confirm that this week I have been driving around in a brand new model Ford, the Fiesta Oven. Having got into my oven and turned it to 250 deg C plus grill setting and embarked on my visits, it's my misfortune to get trapped behind the malodorous but stately progress of the village refuse collection lorry no less than 3 times in the same morning. The binmen thought it was hilarious, I tried my best to look amused but secretly wished I'd sneaked a mask out of the surgery treatment room.
Work has been about overheating babies who can't decide if they are hungry, thirsty or both, toddlers who have got into a foot-stamping, heat induced lather and have reduced their extensive vocabulary to a single meaningful word ..."NO", and meetings in very hot rooms.
But are we down-hearted? No, because my weekend begins on a Wednesday evening and this morning an intense and enjoyable readathon sees Jodie 75% polished off and online discussion cranking into life.
I have one problem with Jodie Picoult and it's not a personal criticism of her in any way as she looks much too nice and lovely to criticise and it's hardly her fault.
I assume that the success of Plain Truth, which I enjoyed for its Amish theme back in 2004, gave her publishers optimistic reason to bombard us with everything Jodie has ever written, I'm expecting her school essays any day.
Every time you go into W.H.Smith's there is another "Jodie's latest book" barely a week after you saw the last one. Every bookish magazine you pick up features the Jodie phenomenon and there's her lovely curly hair bouncing off the page at you. This seems like marketing by force feeding to the point where many people I know are feeling a little jaded and Jodie-d out.
A more measured approach may have ensured an intensely loyal following and perhaps she has that, but many I know who jumped on the Jodie horse with great enthusiasm are not champing at the bit now.
In fact have been heard to groan "not another one" and slip sideways out of the saddle.
Eventually presumably, the backlist will run out and we'll be kept waiting in a year-long state of perfectly reasonable suspended animation for each succesive book, it's a necessary torture that you almost relish...like a crime series I know, only 11 months to go.


text:
The Story
This divine silver tone hair clip could be mistaken for a handed down heirloom. Featuring three leaves encrusted with sparkling clear Austrian crystals and three ornate filigree leaves enhanced with pale ivory faux pearls with two petite pearl flowers, this vintage inspired hair accessory combines 1940s timeless glamour with Edwardian influences.
A dramatic and versatile design, this beautiful hair clip looks exquisite pinned in a romantic loose side bun, worn at the side of the head or as a focal piece in an elegant up-do.
The perfect wedding hair clip for brides who adore antique style, coordinate with pearl and crystal drop earrings for classic style.
Size: Large
Hair Clip Length: 9cm x Width: 4.5cm
- 1940s Vintage Inspired Hair Clip
- Clear Austrian Crystal and Pale Ivory Faux Pearls
- Silver Tone
- Clip Length: 9cm, Width: 4.5cm
Stylist's Choice
complete The Look
...with these perfect pieces chosen by our in-house style expert.


text:
Largest U.S. Muslim Group Features Terror in Flagship Publication
The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is the largest Muslim organization in the United States and Canada. It encompasses youth movements -- including the largest Islamic collegiate group, the Muslim Students Association (MSA) -- as well as hundreds of mosques throughout North America.
ISNA issues a bi-monthly publication titled Islamic Horizons. At face value, the magazine seems innocuous. However, it is filled with features and advertisements linked to radical Islamic thought and activity.
A feature story from the January/February 2013 issue covers the life of Nihad Awad, and how he came to found the Council on American-Islamic Relations. CAIR was established as a part of an umbrella organization created by then-global head of Hamas, Mousa Abu Marzook. Awad founded CAIR with two others via the then-American Hamas propaganda wing, the Islamic Association for Palestine (IAP), in which Awad held a leadership position.
The article conveniently leaves out the associations with Hamas of Awad and CAIR.
Another story in the same issue promotes Siraj Wahhaj, the imam of Brooklyn's al-Taqwa mosque. This is the same Siraj Wahhaj named by the U.S. government as an "unindicted co-conspirator" for a trial dealing with the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center, an act which resulted in the deaths of six innocent Americans. Wahhaj had been linked to the bombmaker of the attack, Clement Rodney Hampton-El, and during the trial he was a character witness for the spiritual leader of the attack -- "Blind Sheikh" Omar Abdel Rahman -- whom Wahhaj has openly praised.
Page 2 of last month's issue of IH carried a full-page advertisement for Islamic Relief, asking readers to donate $10 for "Palestine emergency aid." In May 2006, Israel labeled Islamic Relief a front for Hamas after arresting the group's Gaza program manager, Ayaz Ali, for providing "funds and assistance to various Hamas institutions and organizations." Ali admitted that he had cooperated with local Hamas operatives.
Further, in 1999 IR collected and sent more than $6 million to Chechen rebels with ties to al-Qaeda.
The same year, IR received $50,000 from Human Concern International (HCI), a charity that the U.S. Department of Treasury described as a "Bin Laden front." And shortly after the September 11 attacks, IR itself was investigated by the Treasury Department as a "possible source of funding for al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations."
Another full-page ad in last month's issue featured Helping Hand USA, a charitable function of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA). The ad asked readers to "sponsor a child," and features a cute, smiling little boy. However: in August 2006, the al-Khidmat Foundation (AKF), a Pakistani charity run by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), hand delivered six million rupees, approximately $99,000, to global head of Hamas Khaled Meshaal at his Damascus residence. Meshaal thanked the members of the delegation and assured them that Hamas would continue to "wage jihad" against Israelis. According to AKF, at the time of the money handover Helping Hand and other ICNA entities were both donors and partners to AKF. Helping Hand continues to affiliate with AKF.


text:
Dealing with administration can be a drain on any business. All businesses have times when they see a spike in administration work, or tasks which are not efficient for them to deal with in house. Rather than trying to manage, or creating a backlog, or dragging in staff from elsewhere, using a third party provider is usually the most efficient use of resources.
We began offering back office support services a number of years ago, primarily due to demand from existing clients. We were asked to help out with a number of tasks. These were completed successfully and efficiently and so we received more and more requests.
This soon resulted in us attracting clients looking for back office support services on a standalone basis where they wanted to permanently outsource tasks to us. As a firm of Chartered Accountants, we understand that the little things are important and a focus on getting things right first time is important.
We now provide back office support services to over three hundred and fifty companies, each of whom have varying requirements and request different levels of service.
Wisteria's back office support services for companies includes:
In most cases, our services can be customised to meet your requirements, whether you have a one-off task or regular requirement.
For a discussion about how we can help to take away the admin 'headache', please contact us.


text:
Daniel Falconer
Hey! My name's Dan and I've been working as a journalist for a number of years now. Around 16 months ago, I decided to venture out into the world of freelance journalism and have never looked back. Now, with the freedom to write for whoever I want, whenever I want, I'm enjoying my career more than ever before. My specialities lie within entertainment, whether that be television, movies, music, gaming or something else entirely!