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Various riders have wanted to contribute to the BMR and have organized some nice events and/or created other fun contributions. Remember all are grass-root in nature and headed by volunteers.
On the menu under "Misc." you will see links to all of the announcements:
If you have a BMR contribution that you'd like to lead/sponsor, please let us know. If it seem to be a good fit for the BMR we'll help you promote it:


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Derry's Chrissy McKaigue has played down the significance of Sunday's Allianz League final with Dublin, insisting its main purpose is to help prepare for Donegal.
Having won the Division Two title last year, Derry weren't expected to contend so strongly for the top flight crown but they've been impressive throughout.
After Sunday's final, the focus turns to the Ulster Championship opener at home to Donegal on May 25.
"It is early in the year," Says McKaigue. "We're not going to get carried away. Dublin are great preparation for the Championship, but Donegal ultimately will prove where we're at as a team.
"Donegal are one of the best teams in the country, proven it in Championship, and we have to go out and prove it too. This League is great preparation for that."
Derry have a rich tradition in the League and since winning their second title in 1992 have gone on to add four more. They've also appeared in a further two finals over the past couple of decades making them the most successful county in the competition over that period.
"We do have a rich tradition in Gaelic football, throughout the years. Won national titles, Ulster Championships, minors, under-21, whatever. This year we've a relatively clean bill of health, which helps us.
"We've a relatively small playing population so we need our best players all the time if we want to compete with the best teams. And touch wood so far this year we have had that."
Rarely has a good League run been mirrored in the Championship by Derry, however. Out of the seven Division One finals they've been in since 1992, only once (1998) have they gone on to claim provincial honours.
"I've heard that a fair few times, and I'm not sure I completely agree with it," says McKaigue. "If you look at the records, where Derry had good League campaigns and poor Championships, it was through missing key personnel.
"That has been a factor in Ulster, which is hugely competitive. That has to be factored in too. But if we keep our best players fit we can be competitive, and can compete with the best teams.
"I know Dublin are the best team in the country at the minute. There's no shying away from that. So we will see this as a barometer of what we're at."
After seeing off Mayo in their semi-final, McKaigue and his colleagues sat in the stand to watch Dublin's "pretty special" comeback against Cork.
"That's the way the modern game is going now. You can be nine or 10 points up and the game isn't really over, it's so fast flowing, it's non-stop, there's no hauling down, no cynical play. You just can't get away with that anymore, so the comebacks are very, very common now.
"We know Dublin's forward line, what they're capable of, and I think that is their most impressive area. Connolly, Bernard Brogan, O'Gara, McManamon, Paddy Andrews, Alan Brogan... They're certainly a special outfit."

subset: commoncrawl


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Happy new year everyone! We here at Oxney are back and putting plans in place for the year ahead. Inevitably this leads to some reflection and revisiting 2019. And (this is hard for a Scandinavian who has lived in England such a long time to say…) 2019 was a great year and a lot of people in the UK, US and rest of Europe seemed to agree we did an amazing job. Ok, that's over and I am not quite blushing!
2019 was our fifth harvest here at Oxney and with the grapes off the vines, pressed and in barrels and tanks becoming wine we have time to reflect.
We are writing this as the 2019 harvest is a day away. And it is, literally, chucking it down outside. We're cleaning, getting tractors and picking boxes lined up. Sending too many text messages to the chap in charge of the 15 Romanian pickers we are expecting.
The vineyard looks amazing and we are greatly relieved. To have a good grape harvest there are five plus things that all have to go right in a vineyard over the year.
We are really excited. After planting another 22,000 vines last week Oxney is now the largest organic vineyard in the UK with a total of 14 hectares. Hurrah!
The Bellhurst Farm partnership has received a grant from the Rural Development Programme for England.
Huge excitement in the team this morning – our Classic 2014 English Sparkling Wine has been awarded a silver in The International Wine Challenge.
We started the year with a very balmy early Spring. The buds burst early and the vineyard was an incredible sea of light green, fresh shoots. Then the dreaded frost came…
Sussex! Standing in for Father Christmas we are delivering Classic 2015 for free in Sussex, Kent and London between 13-15 December 2017. A range of gift wrap options are also available…
Join the Oxney Sparkling Wine Club and enjoy delicious wines every quarter! A perfect Christmas present. If you love wine and want to be part of the Oxney family this is one for you.
Spend quality time in the vineyard with new tours and our two stylish shepherd's huts. We have launched a new format to our vineyard tours and you can now also book on our web site.
We're on route to be the UK's biggest organic vineyard with another 22,000 vines on order.
The excitement was HUGE in the Oxney team when we heard that we had won a Gold Medal in The Drinks Business Organic Masters competition
We have finished pruning and we've stopped tying down the canes to spend a couple of days spinning the most delicious (and smelly!) chicken manure pellets.
The launch of the first sparkling was a great success. We had a huge amount of people on the day and through November and December sales rocketed culminating with Ben
Oxney Organic Estate, the winery and vineyard in East Sussex, has launched Classic 2014, its first organic English sparkling wine. Oxney has already won medals for its still rosé
The 2016 growing season was interesting – at the start we had everything the weather man could throw at us.
The Oxney English Pinot Noir Rosé was awarded the Waitrose rosé trophy for the most outstanding still rosé wine at the English & Welsh Wine of the Year Competition
Paul was risking his beloved plough today preparing the soil for a new wild flower meadow on our large ex building site in front of the Thomson block.
The buds are out. It is a great sight, and yet totally terrifying. During the winter months, i.e. post harvest, we have hand weeded, pruned, tidied up and burned the prunin
This time last year we had picked our first harvest and had started making wine. This morning I spoke with David Cowderoy, our consultant winemaker, and he talked about late October
It is a slightly unreal moment. After what seems like a lifetime of effort we have a wine that's bottled, labelled and with our newly acquired premises license ready to share
We have finished pruning and have a lovely and tidy looking vineyard (and a slightly painful right hand – next year I will get those electrical secateurs).
It's our third autumn/winter in the vineyard and Paul and I are starting to understand the soil here. The best word to describe it is fragile.
We have spent the Spring and Summer kitting out a modern winery in an old restored oast house meters away from the vines.
Great wine starts in the vineyard. To ensure healthy and natural grapes the vines are regularly sprayed with a regime that includes seaweed and garlic extracts.
Newcastle University has published a review of non-organic vs organic research in its study, Nutritional Composition of Organic Crop F
We are blessed with a fantastic year in 2014. We will have our first harvest of grapes in October and everything is being done to help ensure top quality grapes.
The vineyard is surrounded by trees which is great as they act as a natural windbrea
Last Friday was a stressful day. It was the kind of 'oh… there is no going back moment, now we have bought the expensive something moment.


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Top Business Leaders Guide Ireland's Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
October 5th & 6th 2017 in The Radisson Blu Hotel, Sligo.
October 5th & 6th 2017 in The Radisson Blu Hotel, Sligo.
Are you an established business seeking to scale?
Do you see a global business in your future?
Join us on October 5th & 6th 2017 to become part of TheXchange.
The Xchange offers an opportunity discuss your business's plans, challenges and goals, one to one, with some of the brightest and best business leaders, exchanging advice tips, shortcuts, do's and don'ts as well as suggestions for business success.
Cost per participant: €395 includes: (All workshops and meetings, lunch on both days, overnight accommodation and Gala Dinner on Thursday October 5th)
If you are facing challenges in growing your business, don't miss this unique opportunity to benefit from the insights and experiences of successful entrepreneurs in an inspirational, high energy and supportive environment.
Get focused on growing your business; its events like these that will give emerging entrepreneurs the competitive edge. There has never been a greater need for the Entrepreneur in Ireland.
Absolutely brilliant event. Congrats… congrats.
A big thank you and to all the wonderful people that I had the opportunity to meet over the Xchange 24 hours, it was excellent structure, networking with top entrepreneurs, E&Y and start ups, sharing of knowledge in such a relaxed way was a mind-blowing experience and I left with such invaluable simple tips that I can confidently take my business to the next level. I have no doubt that I can take all this invaluable information on board and take my business to the next level. I went on a mission with loads of questions and everything was answered. I left Sligo with loads of contacts for buyers for both at home and abroad, it was just a fantastic experience and this famous quotes springs to mind *Learning never exhausts the mind. – Leonardo da Vinci.
Just a quick note to say thanks and well done on a great event. Some of my contacts have been through the EY programme and have spoken about the valuable contacts made and the roles they have played in their success. What you have created here is a medium that will, for sure, accelerate growth in the region, but perhaps as important, this project will influence the culture of entrepreneurship in the region, empowering all current and future entrepreneurs to support each other. We certainly made some good contacts, and have built on existing and investor relationships. As we say.. Culture Eats Strategy! Thanks again for your continued support.
A short note to thank you for your time over the few days in Sligo. It was a pleasure to have had the opportunity to meet you, to have spent some time sharing the experiences and challenges we have had on our journey and listening to the comment, direction, opinion and advice on possible solutions and ways forward. Overall the exchange far outweighed my expectations and I have taken a lot away from it at a personal and business level and for that I'm truly grateful.
TheXchange was a very beneficial day and a half – I made some great contacts, received super advice and business mentoring. I now have some follow up meetings and contacts to pursue… which is rather exciting. Please keep me in mind for future events of this calibre and craic!
A quick note to say well done on a great event last week, we were delighted to support it. I've already been contacted by two of the participants to say they really enjoyed it and even better – got a huge amount from it in terms of contacts and advice. In both instances the experienced Entrepreneurs have sought further information from the mentees.
This event really opened my mind and showed me that no matter what size your business, the challenges are common. It was enlightening to hear from successful business owners, the issues they faced and how they dealt with them. I will use this event as a reference point and continue to feed from the energy I received form it. Looking forward to the event in 2018 already and I will be sharing with my colleagues.
These are some of the business leaders who will be sharing their passion, expertise and experience at TheXchange 2017. (more business leaders being confirmed continuously )


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Reviewed By Alina J (SANTA ROSA, CA) Reviewed for a 2003 Acura TL —9/14/2017 8:52 PM
You know that saying, you get what you pay for? Yea this is worth the money! The sound is good, the look is shiny, and the performance is outstanding. Next is exhaust! Btw I got this for my 2003 Acura TL


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Coke's New World Cup Goal: Mainstream U.S. Consumers
Soccer may trail basketball and baseball in popularity in the U.S., but Coca-Cola sees that changing fast. Coca-Cola has been a major advertiser in the FIFA World Cup for decades, but this is the first time the company is targeting a more mainstream type of consumer, as opposed to Hispanics in the U.S., said Reinaldo Padua, assistant vice president of Hispanic marketing for North America. The campaign, which includes global TV, documentary and interactive components, comes as young American consumers take a more active interest in the sport—an interest that the company believes will extend to watching the games as well. Padua discussed what Coca-Cola is doing that's new in the World Cup this year and how the company's "Open Happiness" theme is a good fit for the sponsorship.
Brandweek: Coca-Cola has been an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup since 1978. What is different about the marketing campaign this year?
Reinaldo Padua: In the U.S., we've taken the activation of the World Cup across the entire U.S. market. Our efforts in the past were usually more concentrated in the Hispanic market. They are core fans of soccer. But with the growth in the practice and popularity of this sport, we are at that tipping point where during the weekends and in the summer you see soccer moms taking kids to practices and games. We're looking for how to fuel that active living among their kids, and the company has decided to leverage that trend and take this to [a more general] market.
BW: But doesn't soccer trail other sports, like basketball and football, in popularity in the U.S.?
RP: Soccer is one of the top three most practiced sports among youths in the U.S. [Specifically] it's the most practiced sport among kids ages 8 to12 years old. So, what you see in that trend is that there is a natural passion and connection with this sport across the entire market, not only among Hispanic consumers.
BW: Is Coca-Cola upping its investment in the World Cup this year?
RP: We keep increasing our investment, and this is reflected in the fact that this is [targeting] the entire U.S. market. Our resources around the activation of this program in the U.S. are going to be like never before. In packaging, it's also going to be across multiple brands, [namely] Powerade, Coke Zero and Fanta, and our presence in media will include these brands too. In addition to that, one of the events that is very important to our sponsorship of the World Cup is our Trophy Tour. That's similar to the torch relay in the Olympics. We take that solid gold trophy around the world, across most of the countries in Africa, across a total of 86 countries in 225 days, and it builds on that excitement and anticipation for [the tournament in] June and July.
BW: The global TV spot for the World Cup, "History of Celebration," builds on Coca-Cola's current "Open Happiness" campaign. Why expand on the existing marketing campaign, and why is that a good fit?
RP: There is a natural connection between our "Open Happiness" campaign and the World Cup. The World Cup theme is about celebrating soccer and the [winning of the trophy]. It's an incredible experience that brings together all the best soccer teams in the world for one month, and it doesn't matter about the differences in their culture, language and religion. Everyone gets together for those 30 days, and we share the same rules, the same field and we all cheer for our teams in a very competitive, but at the same time, very happy way…When you think of the globalness of the FIFA World Cup, [consider the fact that] the most important sports event on air—the last World Cup, held in Germany—had a total of 26 billion nonunique visitors. When you compare that in terms of all the [other major sports] events, like the Super Bowl, you are talking about 250 Super Bowls—one right after the other—during one month. So, when you think of the globalness of our brand and the presence of Coca-Cola in all of those countries and its awareness and connection with happiness, it just makes sense for Coca-Cola to be the brand that brings the World Cup and the celebration of that event around the world.


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More than 70mm of rain recorded at Nebo
TODAY: According to the Bureau of Meteorolgy Nebo recorded 70mm of rain the past 24 hours.
Duckponds alert - about 50km east of Emerald had 50mm over 24 hours..
Dysart had 62 mms over the last 24 hours to 5pm today.
Jolly Collier Hotel Motel admin support Michelle McPherson hoped the weather did ease in Dysart as she needed to drive to Blackwater tomorrow, without getting flooded in.
"There has been a fair bit of lightning and thunder. We don't get it here often so when it comes down, it pelts down with a lot of wind in it.
"I went for a drive before and there are quite a lot of branches broken off, about medium size. They're not too big but they're big enough to swerve around.
"We had quite a few big storms come through last night, and for the past two hours as well.
"I would say the locals here need it and have been enjoying the downpour, but I haven't as I need to drive to Blackwater tomorrow and the creeks come up here if there is too much rain.
"It's still very humid and the rain makes it even more humid than before. It's not too bad at the moment but it was terrible at about 6am this morning. That's when I started work."
We've spoken to residents from Nebo, Dysart and Middlemount to find out what they've experienced now there's a...Posted by Daily Mercury on Friday, January 29, 2016
Middlemount Hotel manager Nathan Hennessy said he was disappointed Middlemount had not received a large sum of rain, and had fallen "everywhere else but here".
"We got nothing. Everyone else got wet, but we have only had 20 to half an hour showers at best here. It has all gone to Dysart, Blackwater, Emerald and Nebo. It just kind of stops at the hill when it approaches Middlemount and changes direction.
"Even though we haven't had the best luck with rain, we've had a heap of lightning and thunder the past two days.
"Our last decent shower was about a month ago and we really need it.
"Even the mines about half an hour away are getting a decent downpour, but that's about as close as it gets."
Nebo Hotel manager Sonia Bennett said while the weather "certainly hasn't" been wild, it had been welcomed by the public.
"There has been lots of thunder and lots of lightning from about 2pm today.
"It's just been raining and there has been localised flooding, just like our car park, but that is nothing but the usual.
"It was a bloody long time ago since we saw our last downpour, so everyone does not seem to mind if they're getting wet.
"Heck, I even have my washing out and I don't really care.
"We've really needed the rain. It's been really muggy and we're not used to the humidity."
SATURDAY: There is a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of the Whitsundays, Central Highland and Coalfields.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a warning for damaging winds and heavy rainfall from predicted thunderstorms anticipated to hit over the next several hours.
Affected locations may include Moranbah, Blackwater and Emerald.
At 3:38pm AEST Saturday, the Bureau of Meteorology has updated a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING for the potential of...Posted by Mackay & District Weather Updates on Friday, January 29, 2016
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* Never drive, walk or ride through flood waters. If it's flooded, forget it.
* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
* Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.


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As parents, we teach our kids every day how to cope and interact with the world. From those difficult toddler tantrums to preschooler meltdowns to sulking fits to teenage rebellion, we help our children learn to manage their feelings and cope with stress, anger, and disappointment. Kids have really big emotions, and those emotions often feel too large for their little bodies. They don't have the life experience or maturity yet to handle their feelings, and that's where parents have to step in.
In my other job, I work with children and teenagers with mental health difficulties, and I often support them to create a personalized list of ideas to help them cope with anger, stress, sadness, and anxiety. I use many of these techniques with my own kids when they're struggling with their feelings, and I wanted to share some of our tools with you.
When your child is melting down, it's okay to postpone dealing with whatever the issue is. Kids in the middle of a tantrum or meltdown can't process what you're saying anyway, so insisting on talking about the issue at that moment is unlikely to be helpful. Allow your child the space to regroup (and you might appreciate some time and space too) and then come back to talk once you're both feeling calmer. Kids often need some help to calm down. Here are a few ideas that have been proven to work.
1. Listen to music
William Congreve famously wrote, "Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast." Music is a great way to help kids calm down. Familiar and soothing music can help kids change their emotional state and let go of their anger or frustration.
2. Jigsaw puzzles
I use jigsaw puzzles as a calm down activity with my kids all the time. Putting a puzzle together requires your child to pay attention to details and think visually, and that shift in focus helps them calm down and regain control. When your child is feeling overwhelmed by their emotions, offer a well-loved familiar puzzle. If it's too challenging, your child will only feel more frustrated, but a familiar and fairly simple puzzle will encourage them to keep working at it and calm down in the process.
3. Deep breathing
When we're feeling anxious, we tend to take short, shallow breaths. Taking deep, controlled breaths instead helps kids calm down and reduce anxiety. Deep breathing increases the oxygen going to their brains, helps them pay attention to their body, and stimulates the body's calming parasympathetic response.
When your child is calm, take the opportunity to teach your child square breathing, an exercise named for its 4 steps. It goes like this. Take a deep breath in through your nose for a count of 4, hold your breath for a count of 4, slowly and evenly exhale through your mouth for a count of 4, then hold for a count of 4 again before breathing in again. Encourage your child to place their hand on their stomach so they can feel it rise and fall with each breath. Have them do this exercise for 2-3 minutes, paying attention to the feeling of air filling and expanding their lungs and then leaving their body.
4. Blow bubbles
If your child is too young to practice square breathing, try giving them a bottle of bubble solution. Blowing bubbles requires long, slow, controlled breaths, and this will help the same way as other intentional breathing exercises.
5. Get moving
Kids who are feeling overwhelmed or out of control often benefit from going outside and moving around. Fresh air and physical exercise is known to improve mood and reduce stress. Older kids can take a walk around the block, shoot hoops, or go for a run. Younger kids can go into the yard to run races, jump up and down, or chase a ball around.
6. Build with LEGO
Toys that you already have around your home can also serve as therapeutic tools. Building with LEGO bricks requires attention to detail and fine motor skills that help refocus your child away from their emotional overload. My youngest prefers exercising her creativity by "free building" with a random assortment of bricks, but my oldest finds it helpful to focus on the detail and ordered thinking required for following instructions to build a kit.
Depending on age and interest, LEGO and other building toys like Magformers, classic wooden blocks, and magnetic wooden Tegu blocks are all great ways to help kids calm down. Heck, if it's good enough for Beckham…
7. "Count the colours"
You may have heard the term mindfulness before. All it means is being able to focus on the present time and immediate environment while calmly acknowledging and accepting all your feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. There are lots of strategies that can help people become more mindful, and "Count the colours" is one of the simplest exercises I teach to younger children.
Upset kids (and adults!) have a hard time processing new information, so like many other techniques, it's best to practice this simple strategy when everyone is calm. Direct your child to slowly walk around the room and count all the red (or blue or green or brown) things they can see. This encourages your child to shift attention to their immediate environment and focus on identifying and counting objects around them. You can do this with multiple colours if your child needs more time with this activity to settle down.
8. Colouring
Speaking of colours, colouring is one of those universal activities that every child enjoys. What parent doesn't have a pile of half-done colouring books and a box of broken crayons kicking around the house? The act of colouring can be very relaxing and helpful for kids trying to manage too much emotion. Picking the colours, focusing on colouring inside the lines, creating something beautiful – these all help kids let go of negative emotions, cope with stress, and relax.
9. Play dough
It's not just for making a mess on the kitchen floor anymore! Play dough or cloud dough can also act as a sensory tool for helping kids calm down. Everyone loves squishing play dough through their fingers, and for many kids the feeling can be soothing as well. The repetitive action of rolling balls and snakes out of play dough can also be helpful, and finally, the creative act of imagining and making something can be very therapeutic.
10. Pet therapy
There's a reason why so many programs use dogs, horses, or other animals as therapy adjuncts. If you have a family pet, spending time petting or playing with them can help kids feel loved, accepted, and calmer. Use your judgement to ensure pets and animals are safe at all times.
11. Take a warm bath
Just like soaking in the tub helps adults to relax, a warm bath can do the same for anxious and stressed out kids. Lying in warm water is also a full-body sensory embrace that can help their muscles relax and minds to calm down. Add some bubble bath to enhance the sensory experience!
12. Splash cold water
Guide your child to the sink and encourage them to run cold water over their hands or gently splash cold water on their own face. The feeling of cold water can act like a mini sensory "shock" to the system that helps kids switch emotional gears. Cold water can also help reduce the discomfort and puffy feeling from crying. NEVER throw cold water in your child's face in an attempt to stop the tantrum.
Create a Calm Down List
These are just a few of the many helpful activities out there. You and your child can come up with more based on their interests and your own experiences. Ask your child what activities help them calm down. Observe them to see what other strategies and activities might help. When your child is calm, come up with a list of helpful activities and and keep it on the fridge or on their bedroom door. This will be a living list; whenever you find certain activities aren't helpful, ditch them and brainstorm other ideas.
At first, you'll need to direct your child to try this or that particular strategy, but over time, they will learn to identify when they're overwhelmed and start a calm down activity on their own, a skill that will stand them in good stead their entire lives.
What other activities would you suggest for helping children calm down?


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Although choirs perform in many languages, English and Latin are the two languages sung by almost every choir. English, because it is the spoken language in America, and Latin, because of the vast number of motets and masses in our choral heritage. Since there is insufficient room to discuss all languages choirs may encounter, these two were chosen because of their obvious importance to the many choral conductors in English speaking countries and (Latin) to conductors in all countries.
1. Experiment with vowel modification. How can you modify vowels to match the character of the text?
2. What local speech patterns are not conducive to good singing diction? What methods can be used to eliminate these patterns in choral singing?
3. What choirs do you know whose diction is good? What choirs have you heard whose diction was not so good?
4. Consider your own choral experience. Can you remember the manner in which choral directors applied the rules of diction in a rehearsal?
5. How many more words can you add to the list of those words that are most often mispronounced?
6. Can you sing the Latin texts using pure vowels rather than diphthongs? How can you best demonstrate these vowels to others?
1. Examine several texts of actual choral works. How many diction problems can you find in each piece?
2. Apply the IPA symbols to several choral texts.
3. Using a text often set to music, number the primary and secondary stresses. Mark all unstressed syllables with a schwa.
Hillis, Margaret. At Rehearsals, New York; American Choral-Foundation, 1969.
Marshall, Madeline. The Singer's Manual of English Diction. New York: G. Schirmer, 1953.
Montani, Nicola A., ed. Latin Pronunciation According to Roman Usage. Philadelphia: St. Gregory Guild, Inc., 1937.
Uris, Dorothy, To Sing in English. New York: Boosey and Hawkes, 1971.
Vennard, William. Singing: The Mechanism and the Technic. rev. ed. New York: Carl Fischer, Inc., 1967.
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text: Mental & Emotional Health Fighting Mild Forgetfulness By Jane Farrell Editor's note: Dementia, including Alzheimer's, is one of the most frightening health problems, especially as we age. It cannot be prevented or cured, and it is marked by a humiliating mental decline. Because it affects primarily older people, many of us are frightened by signs of forgetfulness or memory loss. Here, the experts from the National Institute on Aging explain the issue of mild forgetfulness and how you can handle it: What is mild forgetfulness? Some of us get more forgetful as we age. It may take longer to learn new things, remember certain words, or find our glasses. These changes are often signs of mild forgetfulness, not serious memory problems. How can I keep my memory sharp and stay alert? Learn a new skill. Volunteer in your community, at a school, or at your place of worship. Spend time with friends and family. Use memory tools such as big calendars, to-do lists, and notes to yourself. Put your wallet or purse, keys, and glasses in the same place each day. Get lots of rest. Exercise and eat well. Don't drink a lot of alcohol. Get help if you feel depressed for weeks at a time See your doctor if you're worried about your forgetfulness. Tell him or her about your concerns. Be sure to make a follow-up appointment to check your memory in the next six months to a year. If you think you might forget, ask a family member, friend, or the doctor's office to remind you. What's the difference between mild forgetfulness and serious memory problems? Serious memory problems make it hard to do everyday things. For example, you may find it hard to drive, shop, or even talk with a friend. The signs include: Asking the same question over and over again Getting lost in places you know well Not being able to follow directions Becoming more confused about time, people, places Not taking care of yourself – eating poorly, not bathing, being unsafe What are the causes of memory loss? Many things can lead to serious memory problems, including as blood clots, depression, and Alzheimer's disease. Other possible causes include: A bad reaction to certain medicines Depression Not eating enough healthy foods, or having too few vitamins and minerals in your body Drinking too much alcohol Blood clots or tumors in the brain Head injury, such as a concussion from a fall or accident Thyroid, kidney or liver problems If you are having serious memory problems, be sure to see your doctor as soon as possible. All the conditions listed above are serious and may require treatment. For a free National Institute on Aging booklet about memory, click here. . Share this:


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Previous posts in this series are here (part 1) and here (part 2).
Other than the fact of it finally being Friday, last Friday was a crappy day. In the first post that I wrote about Brexit I expressed the view that the press did not provide realistic depictions of the lives of British people who live outside the UK, and tried to explain that for the most part "We are … really NOT sunning our leathery beer bellies in Malaga, while refusing to learn a word of Spanish. Our lives -like those of people in the UK – consist of the usual unremarkable elements that form the basis of regular working days in the communities in which we live." Well, Friday was certainly shaping up to be pretty unremarkable and unglamorous. Having made my way to the station, with my tired four year-old, after work, in the driving rain, to discover that the train back to Antwerp central was cancelled, we walked to the nearest bus stop. The crowded bus was crawling and lurching along the main drag from the north of the city, affording us drizzle-bespattered November views of muddy roadworks, when my grey-faced daughter began to complain that she felt sick. We were both very tired and it was just one of those parenting moments when you have no option but to stay put …. fortunately she decided in favour of dozing off, instead of covering our fellow passengers with vomit.
We finally arrived at the bus station. It was still pouring. Just to add to the expat glamour of our situation, we had to swing by the Lidl, as my eldest child would be home soon, with a friend for dinner, so I needed to get food. We found them waiting damply on the doorstep…
I checked the letter box and there were a couple of envelopes, including one from Stad Antwerpen, which I stuffed into my pocket. The four of us along with our work and school bags and a carrier bag full of shopping crammed ourselves into the lift, keen to get into the apartment and begin the process of getting dry.
So against this backdrop, you can probably imagine how it felt to read the words "on the 17/11/2016 you received Belgian nationality" – or, as it actually appeared: "U hebt op 17/11/2016 de Belgische nationaliteit gekregen". Wow -I had already been Belgian for a day and not known it! We all had a hug -including our lovely dinner guest, who as the product of a Belgian- British family, was well placed to share the moment. I may have shed a tear…
I'm simply so relieved. My children's futures as European citizens are assured. They will continue to enjoy The Four Freedoms that being part of the EU provides. As I stated in a previous post, this is of particular importance to my oldest child as she approaches the point where she considers her life beyond school. She will leave school in 2019 -the point at which the Tories and the Leavers hope to have taken Britain out of the EU, and quite probably removed the rights of British kids to live, study and work with ease in the 27 remaining nations.
Our relief is fused with sadness and anger. I expressed this in a Brexit Testimonal last week (you can make one at keepusinthe.eu and it will be shared on the Brexit Testimonial Facebook page)
I am not going to stop engaging with this issue, despite the fact that we have been lucky enough to find a solution for our family. I continue to share the anger at the removal of EU rights and advantages from British citizens -especially the young, and those who, like me, were affected but not permitted to vote. The neologism 'omnishambles' has never been more accurate, as it becomes painfully apparent that there is no plan in place for taking Britain safely out of the EU, and no sign of agreement on what such a plan might look like. Every day, media headlines testify to the clueless incompetence of people like Boris Johnson who -embarrassingly – are charged with negotiating a path forward for Britain.
But this weekend we are enjoying the feeling of having been provided with a solution to a problem that has caused us worry and uncertainty since June. We know are lucky to have this solution. It's like being asked by a good host to come in from the rain and take a seat.
Thank you, Belgium. Thank you, Stad Antwerpen. Don't mind if I do.
Update: If you wish to apply for Belgian Nationality, you can now begin the process online: https://www.antwerpen.be/nl/info/52d5052239d8a6ec798b4901/nationaliteitsaanvraag


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Buying a home is usually the single most important (and expensive!) decision that a person makes in their lifetime.
As one of the largest law firms in the Richmond and South Vancouver area, we offer comprehensive legal services to assist with the purchase and sale of real estate. Whether the property is residential, commercial or industrial, our lawyers have the necessary expertise and experience to handle all aspects of a real estate transaction.
We act for buyers, sellers, and developers, and are also authorized to act on behalf of major chartered banks, trust companies, life insurance companies, credit unions, and other financial institutions and lenders in connection with the preparation and registration of mortgages and other security.
Each year, we handle hundreds of real estate transactions involving many millions of dollars. Every purchase and sale and mortgage is different. From the first-time home buyer to the sophisticated investor or developer, we ensure that our clients are familiar with all aspects of a real estate transaction including:
At our firm, lawyers (not paralegals or secretaries) are charged with the responsibility for real estate files. You can trust us to provide quality, accurate, and efficient legal services at a reasonable price.


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Preparing Learners for e-Learning George M. Piskurich (ed.) Pfeiffer, 2003, 180 pages ISBN: 0-7879-6396-8 This book is excellent reading before designing and implementing online courses if you are an instructor, faculty, higher education institution or firm. And do not think for a moment that being a 2003 book means that it is outdated, because it is full of the… Continue reading Before implementing e-learning or e-training…
"The heart and soul of an online course…
"The heart and soul of an online course is not the lecture, the delivery, the audio or video. Rather, it is the interactions between the participants and the teacher, as well as the interaction among the participants themselves." William Draves and Julie Coates
Palloff & Pratt on the virtual student
The Virtual Student. A Profile and Guide to Working with Online Learners. Rena M. Palloff, Keith Pratt Jossey Bass 2003, 191 pages ISBN: 0787964743 As its title rightly says, this is not a book for students, but for faculty and lecturers on how to deal with online students. However, at the end of the book… Continue reading Palloff & Pratt on the virtual student
Students wanted (online learning is hard but glorious!!)
How to become a proficient online learner, by Jim Flores
How to become a proficient online learner Jim Flores Authorhouse / 1stBooks 2004, 137 pages ISBN: 1414054521 Aimed specifically at the online student. Jim Flores's experience as an online student and an online instructor makes the contents extremely candid and valuable, telling in a direct language what it takes to be an online student and… Continue reading How to become a proficient online learner, by Jim Flores


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WonderShaer Dr.Fone For iOS Crack And Keygen Free Download
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Misadventures in MMA – Josh Thomson, Pat Miletich Discuss Gay Marriage, Stupidity Ensues
It seems like we can't go more than a couple weeks without someone on the UFC roster tweeting something guaranteed to tick off a portion of the populace. Last time it was Nate Diaz, who double downed with it. Now is the man who stopped him at the last UFC on Fox show, Josh "The Punk" Thomson, who decided to opine on the issue of gay marriage. And Pat Miletich chimed in, as well, proving that generating controversy isn't just limited to UFC employees.
Should you be allowed to marry whoever you want? Before you answer that, should u be allowed to have more than 1 wife?
— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) June 11, 2013
Thomson, after some vigorous debate, went even further.
on his Facebook, stating:
My next question is, should siblings be allowed to marry siblings? My point is, where do you draw the line? I personally don't care who you marry but I also am smart enough to know that it opens a gateway to men/women trying to marry young kids, siblings marrying eachother and people having multiple husbands an wives. You have to think all of these things are okay otherwise your stopping them from being happy as well which is hypocrisy. Equality doesn't stop with gay marriage, it just starts with it.
He continued, as well, opining on interracial marriage too.
Blacks an whites getting married is nothing like this. So your okay with R. Kelly trying To marry lil girls? People trying to marry their brother or sister? Animals? Etc? Those people want the same exact thing, to be happy. Are you gonna tell them no?
Miletich, who posted this of Facebook and eventually deleted it:
Josh is spot on. It may seem extreme to use some of his examples of 'where does it end' but I guarantee someone will want to marry their 1st cousin or even sibling. At what point does lack of civil liberty put this nation at risk? It's already happened and will only get worse.


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What's The Worst Thing Ever Said To You While Grieving? It has been a series of many topics on my Facebook Page. If you've never experienced grief yourself – or you're just a moron; "HELLO!! The struggle is real!"
Yes, I get a little sensitive on this topic because some people are just clueless and can't hear themselves saying these heartless comments. Though really, being a supportive family member, spouse or friend can be tough because what to say and do in this position isn't cut and dry. Over the years we've read through the comments and responses on our Posts on this topic and realized we needed to share them. When you share topics and responses on real experiences – you not only help others…you educate them on "What NOT to say!"
So what factors make a comment go one way or the other? Well, for starters, comments that are ill-timed, said by the wrong person, said to the wrong person, or simply thoughtless, can easily get people in serious trouble.
All of that said, we should get around to sharing the list.
19 of the 1000 comments and responses regarding The Worst Things Ever Said To You While Grieving:
- "People have been through worse."
- "I hear that's the worst way to die."
- "You have to be strong."
- "What did he go and do now?" (Said to my mom after her son died).
- "You've lost so many people, it probably doesn't even phase you anymore."
- "At least he made it to 92."
- "What did you think was going to happen? He was a drug addict!"
- "Everything happens for a reason."
- "Your sad dreams and nightmares aren't normal."
- "Wow, they're dropping like flies!"(On hearing of my husband's death)
- "You're too young to know what real grief is."
- "I know how you feel."
- "God never gives you more than you can handle."
- "Don't be sad when there's so much to be grateful for."
- "God needed him more than you do."
- "She's in a better place."
- "Well, you're the man of the house now." (Said to my 12-year-old son)
- "If I went through everything you did, I'd have killed myself."
- "This was obviously what she wanted."(About a loved one who died by suicide).


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Did you know that there are tiny, subtle things you can do with your lower lashline eyeliner to make your eyes look more "open" and awake or more elongated and almond-shaped? It's true! Regardless of what you do with lining your upper lashline, take a second to think about how you line your lower lashline (if at all) and your decision will tweak the way your eye looks. If you only line the center part of it, it will make your eye look more open and reinforce a rounder shape. If you only line the outer corner of the lower lashline, it will make your eye look longer and more almond shape. If you go a step further and rim the inner waterline, it will make the eye look slightly more closed but much more piercing. Let's walk through each one:
- Your Favorite Eyeliner: This is my favorite kohl pencil ($$) and this is my favorite longwear pencil ($$). Hands down. If you're on a tighter budget this month, this is my favorite mass market pencil ($) and this is my favorite mass market longwear pencil ($).
- Cotton Swab (optional as you can also just use your finger): these are my favorite makeup cotton swabs (used on Rachel in this tutorial).
- Trace the pencil ONLY along the center of the lower lashline. This creates the illusion that the eye is more "open" and rounder.
- Smudge it a little with your finger or the cotton swab. This step is optional but I always prefer a smudged liner unless it's a liquid cat eye, obviously.
- Trace the pencil ONLY along the outer half of the eye. You could even do just the outer quarter or third if you wish.
- Smudge it a little with your finger or the cotton swab. Again this step is optional.
- If you want to add more drama and make the Corner Flush more piercing, rim the inner waterline the same distance (outer half, outer third or outer quarter).
I simplified everything by not lining the upper lashline, but you could also line the whole upper lashline, just the corner, or make it thicker as you progress from the inner to outer corner… there are tons of ways to change your eye shape! Which style is your favorite? For even more examples of lower lashlining, revisit my Lower Lashline Study from a couple years ago!
For those of you asking about the eyeshadow above, I used this gorgeous sage green palette ($$$)! You can also try this budget-friendly shadow in Green Glimmer ($).


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Andrew Tsang
Associate Director
Andrew is an Associate Director with the finance & operations (financial services) team based in Hong Kong.
He is responsible for the recruitment of mid to senior level finance professionals within the banking and financial services sector recruiting professionals in areas such as finance control & reporting, management reporting, regulatory reporting, product control & valuation, business analysis, change management, fund accounting and administration & tax.
Andrew has a number of years of experience in recruitment and has successfully supported clients by supplying outstanding candidates to meet their ever demanding talent needs. He has worked extensively with large, global institutions and has an extensive network of contacts across the APAC region. Prior to joining the recruitment industry, Andrew worked for a global financial consulting firm, servicing both Hong Kong listed and international clients on audit engagements as well as financial due diligence mandates for multiple M&A projects.
Andrew has a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of California, Irvine. He speaks Cantonese, English and Mandarin.


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There's new data to consider on the question of whether those red-light cameras — struck down by Minnesota courts after they were installed in Minneapolis — actually help safety. Unfortunately, the data comes down squarely on both sides of the issue.
First, a study by the University of South Florida College of Public Health said they don't work.
Thus, even if red light cameras could be effective in the long run, which is debatable, they are associated with an added cost, consisting of fines, crashes and injuries that could have been avoided by using engineering solutions, which are effective in both the short term and the long run.
Meanwhile, Dallas has found they work and work, perhaps, too well. It turns out people are changing their behavior and not running red lights, which is resulting in fewer traffic fines for running red lights.
And that, of course,has sparked a renewed debate over whether government's interest is in public safety, or making money.
A bill making it way through the Minnesota House of Representatives would put the red-light cameras back in action in Minnesota.


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Hi friends! It has been a LONG TIME since I have posted, HOWEVER I did something really cool with students at our Overnighter last month, and I wanted to share it with you here! First of all -- I LOVE Overnighters, and I realize I'm overdue with an "official" post on why they are so... Continue Reading →
7 Quick Christmas Games
REINDEER GAMES MATERIALS:Panty hose, balloons. INSTRUCTIONS: Divide group into teams. Each team gets one pair of pantyhose, and a set number of balloons. Give 2-3 minutes for each team to blow up their balloons, put in the pantyhose, and get the pantyhose on someone's head (like reindeer antlers). Judge to see who has the best-looking... Continue Reading →
Some Fall Games I've been playing!
I haven't posted in a while; I got married last month! I'll post some pictures soon (and I'm excited to tell you our love story). I just wanted to pop in to share a few of the games that we have been playing in our middle school ministry this fall. They're a little random, but... Continue Reading →
Mission Impossible Night
One of the timeless games that is played in youth ministry is a variation of what we call "Mission Impossible." I remember playing this game each year at camp, running around in the dark trying to find a secret "chip" and avoiding flour bombs. In four years of camp, I don't think I EVER found... Continue Reading →
"The Awesome Game"
A few years ago on our mission trip, we played a game one evening called "The Awesome Game" when a different outing was cancelled. We had THE MOST HILARIOUS time, and now it has become a staple for our youth ministry on Kickoff Sunday. Here's what you do: Type up a list of different challenges... Continue Reading →
DIY: Giant Lite Brite
I've had dreams, okay? Dreams of building a GIANT LITE BRITE for our Middle School Ministry's NEON NIGHT. I looked online, and I didn't see much: This really hard DIY that I don't have the energy forThis really cool one used at a middle school ministry event, that would take a lot of drilling and water bottles (and we're... Continue Reading →
GAME: Mario Kart
A few years ago, PJ took me on THE MOST CREATIVE date: Mario Kart down at Fountain Square. It was so much fun--there were people in costumes, racing around in a cross between a go-cart and a tricycle. The crowd could purchase water balloons to throw at them, and it was just amazing. PJ and... Continue Reading →
Nerf Night Games
Nerf Night is a favorite of our students, one that they look forward to each year. I've put on Nerf & Nachos Night for the last three years, and we are looking forward to it again Friday! We purchased: Nerf Elite Strong-arm Blaster--purchase directly from Hasbro to get a reduced cost, plus tax-freeSafety glasses for each studentElite... Continue Reading →
Youth Ministry Olympics
Each year for the past four years, I've celebrated the Olympics in some way with our students. This year I had help--our high school director and I created some really fun games that our students really enjoyed. Here I'll recap the games that we did yesterday, along with the graphics that I made on Canva... Continue Reading →
Youth Group Birthday Games
My birthday fell on a Wednesday this year, and I decided to throw a birthday party for my middle school students! I took inspiration from my dear friend Elisa, another youth worker, who at a former church shared a birthday week with her co-diretor of youth ministry. They threw a huge birthday bash for all... Continue Reading →


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Live Flight TrackingLive Air Traffic Control Audio
The main airport in the state capitol of Utah has three spots where you can view aircraft activity. The first is along a road that runs across the north end of the field connecting the I-215 freeway to the airport control tower. It is a two-lane lightly traveled road and you can pull over on the shoulder on either side of the centerline of runway 16L/34R.
The second area is the highest level of the parking garage. The nearest aircraft activity will be on the east ramp so the light for photography here would be good in the afternoon. Due to the orientation of the garage you probably won't be able to see much of the activity on the west runway or ramp.
The third spot at the Salt Lake City airport is a bike/jogging trail that begins at the Hyatt Place hotel at the end of Tommy Thompson Rd. on the southwest corner of the airport property and goes completely around the south end of the airport. Actually, this bike trail connects to a larger bikeway that covers the entire city! You'll have to walk the trail a little bit and you'll be right near the extended centerline of runway 34L. You can get a good close view for photographing from here. The only downside is that there's no place to sit if you're going to stay a while and no place to take shelter if a storm should come up. You would have to walk back to the hotel parking lot.
The largest airlines at the Salt Lake City airport are Delta, Frontier, and Southwest. KLM offers seasonal service & Delta has a daily departure to Amsterdam, both using A330 aircraft. Delta also flies to Paris and London with the Boeing 767. You'll see some cargo airlines, including UPS and FedEx, as well as some military traffic from the Air National Guard base on the east side of the airport flying the KC-135 tankers. The Salt Lake City airport is a very aviation enthusiast-friendly place and is definitely worth visiting if you are in Utah.


text: On October 29 and 30 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Wayne Gilbert, Kyle Clark,and Mike Ford, who work as animators for feature film projects atIndustrial Light + Magic, will be giving seminars on classical and computeranimation principles. The three animators have started their owncorporation, Animation Foundation and Anamie, providing consulting,training and seminars for corporate and academic clients. This event iscoordinated by The Florida Center for Electronic Communication, The FortLauderdale Museum of Art, and The Fort Lauderdale Film Festival. For moreinformation visit www.animasters.com/seminar;www.animfound.com/Seminar_info.html; or www.anamie.com; or Tel. the Centerfor Electronic Communication at (954) 762-5618.


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It's no secret that Ed Sheeran has a lot of ginger pride. In fact, he's so keen on having red hair, that sometimes he gives us a run for our money.
In the past, Ed has dress as the Gingerbread Man from Shrek and even has a tattoo on his arm of a gingerbread man!
Which only makes it apt that his newly launched record label takes after his natural red hair, named 'Gingerbread'.
The natural redhead is currently touring Australia, and told Nova FM: "I've set up my first record label, it's called Gingerbread and [British singer-songwriter] Jamie Lawson is my first signing."
"I'm going to focus on this when I'm on tour next year. Hopefully the acts will be up and running by the time I take time off. I have a tour and Twitter, so I can put them in front of my fans instantly. I can sit down with heads of radio stations and ask whether they'll play it on the radio. I'm in a really fortunate position to be able to break acts."


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A Western New York based program has begun testing whether patients can "meaningfully consent" to exchange of their medical data after going over a tablet-based application.
The pilot, which begins in September, will measure whether patients truly understand how their information will be shared. It's being tested at a hospital and three clinics which already participate in the HEALTHeLINK HIE. If the project, (which uses technology from APP Design) turns out well, the app will be made available as open-source software.
How does it work? Well, in essence, patients are handed a tablet in the waiting room, work through an app allowing them to consent to as little or much sharing as they wish through the HIE, and along the way, learn enough to find out whether they're well advised to do such sharing.
Patients will have the chance to do everything from share everything all the time, forbid all data exchanges, prevent certain organizations from seeing the data and allowing exchange only in emergencies.
By the way, the pilot tickles ONCHIT, which likes the idea of patients getting a better grip on what they're consenting to when they agree to data exchange between providers.
I think it will take many more form factors and approaches before we've got this concept just right, but I'm with the ONC that this is a good issue to take on. After all, if we're honest, many of us would have to admit that we're just waiting for the first lawsuit in which a patient is upset cause data went to that doc in addition to this hospital.
Regardless, it's more than time that someone take on this issue. The issue of multi-layered patient data sharing over HIEs is a ticking time bomb otherwise.


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Third generation now practicing law at Lyons & Lyons.
For the second time in 33 years Robert H. Lyons is once again working alongside a close family member at his West Chester law firm.
Robert worked with his father, Robert D. Lyons, for 14 years, from 1990 until he retired in 2004. Now Robert is working with his daughter, Kara Lyons, who joined the law firm of Lyons & Lyons in November.
"I thoroughly enjoyed working with my father and hopefully she'll say the same," says Robert.
Kara says she does enjoy working with her father and she's not afraid to learn from his experience. "I have no qualms asking questions about things," she says. "Usually he has the answer, which is very helpful."
After his father retired, it looked like Robert would not be working with a close family member again. That's because Kara had chosen sports marketing as her major at the University of Tennessee.
It wasn't until her senior year of college, says Kara, that she realized that sports marketing wasn't what she wanted to do for a career. "I realized I wanted to use my brain more to actually work and help people," she says.
That seed to help people was probably planted years ago when she heard what people said to her father, she says. "People would come up and were always thanking him," says Kara. "He'd always help so many people."
Robert says he was a little surprised when his daughter told him that she wanted to become an attorney. "I didn't really anticipate it," he says. "However, I do remember she did really enjoy To Kill a Mockingbird in junior high. I always thought that was the driving force."
After she told her father about her plans to become a lawyer, Kara says, "He did everything he could to help me come to the conclusion that that's what I wanted to do."
Now Kara is working in the same area of law that both her father and grandfather worked at one point—wills, trusts, probate, estate planning, financial and retirement planning, and elder law.
"I have also been doing estate planning for 35 years," says Robert. "It's something my father did when he practiced with me. So it's an area that we've been doing here for years and years."
Other areas of practice include criminal defense—with a concentration in the areas of driving under the influence and traffic cases—criminal defense in state, local and federal courts, personal injury, auto accidents, medical malpractice, domestic relations, business, and real estate.
Potential clients should choose Lyons & Lyons because of the firm's stability, says Robert. "I've had an office here in West Chester since 1983," he says. "We are here for those people in the West Chester and Liberty Township area. We're local. We really do care about our clients."
The firm also cares about the community, says Robert. "We have always been community oriented and involved in the community through youth sports, through involvement in the church and charities and fundraisers. We've always felt it was important to give back to the community."
to view the digital magazine


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VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championships
Salinas, Ecuador
5 - 13 April, 2014
Top Junior surfers prepare for ISA Champs
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 20 March, 2014 - Ecuador will become the gathering place of the world's best under-18 Junior surfers, who will compete in the 2014 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (WJSC) at the perfect, long, peeling left point break of La FAE in Salinas, from April 5 to 13.
The 2014 VISSLA ISA WJSC begins in just over two weeks. Over 30 countries from all corners of the planet and 300 under-18 and under-16 boys and girls surfers will soon arrive to the beautiful country of Ecuador, its warm and welcoming people, and excellent waves.
The 2014 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (WJSC) is the biggest surfing competition in the world for under-18 surfers, boys and girls. With more than 300 of the best junior surfers from over 30 countries, the World Championship is the pinnacle in the career of every junior surfer around the world.
The World Junior Championships will be the first event ever sponsored by the new surf apparel brand VISSLA, which launches worldwide in April 2014. The WJSC will coincide with the brand's global launch.
VISSLA is a clothing brand that represents creative freedom, a forward-thinking philosophy, and a generation of creators and innovators. They embrace the modern do-it-yourself attitude within surf culture, performance surfing, and craftsmanship. This is a surf-everything and ride-anything mentality. They are creators and innovators.
During the competition, VISSLA will be giving away custom shaped surfboards through a social media contest, the #CREATORSANDINNOVATORS Board Giveaway. By using the hashtag #CreatorsandInnovators, contestants will have a chance to win a new board from a VISSLA shaper. More details on how to enter will be available soon on VISSLA's Instagram @VISSLASurf.
Additionally, the World Championship has the full support of Ecuador's President, Rafael Correa, and the country's Ministries of Tourism and Sports, as well as the Ecuadorian Surfing Federation (FES).
winners 2013Current ISA World Junior Surfing Champions (clockwise from top left): Hawaiians Josh Moniz (Boys U-18), Mahina Maeda (Girls U-16), and Tatiana Weston-Webb (Girls U-18), and Australia's Jacob Wilcox (Boy's U-16). The three Hawaiian's will be in Ecuador to defend their Gold Medals.
The event gathers the best junior surfers from every continent to compete for their National Teams in an "Olympic-style" event. The surfers compete for medals and the honor of representing their respective countries.
The World Championship is a team competition with individual Boys and Girls divisions. Each National Team includes 4 under-18 Boys, 2 under-18 Girls, 4 under-16 Boys, and 2 under-16 Girls for a total of 12 athletes plus Team Officials.
The ISA WJSC is an annual event, and this year's competition will take place during the 50th Anniversary year of the ISA, which was founded in 1964. The ISA hosted its first WJSC in 1980 in Biarritz, France, where legendary surfer Tom Curren became the first ISA World Junior Champion, launching his successful career.
Past ISA World Junior Champions include current ASP World Tour competitors Gabriel Medina (BRA, 2010), Tyler Wright (AUS, 2010, 2009), Alejo Muniz (BRA, 2008), Laura Enever (AUS, 2008), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS, 2007), Julian Wilson (AUS, 2006), Owen Wright (AUS, 2006), Pauline Ado (FRA, 2006), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS, 2005, 2004), Matt Wilkinson (AUS, 2004) and Jordy Smith (RSA, 2003).
This is the 4th ISA World Championship to be held in Ecuador over the last decade. The VISSLA ISA WJSC will mark the second consecutive year that Ecuador hosts an ISA World Championship. In 2013, the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship took place in Montañita; in 2009, the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in La FAE, and in 2004 the ISA World Surfing Games in La FAE.
Ecuador has a rich surfing history that dates back thousands of years. The logo for the World Championship includes an image of the Sumpa Sun, which is a religious and mystic icon of the Sumpa Ecuadorian Paleo-Indian civilization that existed from 11,000 to 4,000 B.C. "Sumpa" is the native name of the Peninsula of Santa Elena where the event takes place.
One of the first human groups to settle in Ecuador, and the only ones of this period discovered in the coastal region in the area, the Sumpa people based a lot of their life around the ocean.
The logo not only pays homage to the ancient and rich history of the area, but it also provides a symbol to welcome young surfers from around the globe to enjoy and ride waves in the same ocean the Sumpa people based their lives around thousands of years ago.
The athletes will compete for the individual and team Gold Medals and the coveted ISA World Junior Team Champion Trophy.
Powerhouse teams include the top 8 from the 2013 World Championship: Australia, Hawaii, USA, France, Japan, South Africa, Peru, and Brazil. Along with many other nations, all will be seeking a place on the podium in the Boys under-18, Boys under-16, Girls under-18 and Girls under-16 divisions, and, most importantly, the overall team standings.
The 2014 VISSLA ISA WJSC will be held at La FAE, located on a military air force base in the westernmost point of South America known as "Peninsula de Santa Elena". La FAE is a ten minute drive from Salinas, Ecuador, and offers a long peeling left point break with a flat reef and an adjacent sand bottom beach break that will be used for the double-area contest site.
The best swell directions are South-West and West swells, with the best season generally between March and May with light offshore winds, sunny conditions, and warm water.
Salinas is the westernmost city on mainland Ecuador and is located in the Province of Santa Elena. Salinas is a popular international destination where visitors can enjoy good food and excellent climate. The extensive beaches have good, consistent waves at any point along the way.
The 12th edition of the championship will officially open on April 5 in Salinas, at the traditional ISA Opening Ceremony, which will include the Parade of the Nations and Sands of the World Ceremony.
The Parade of the Nations is a colorful and energy-filled event, complete with teams chanting, flags waving and the cheering of the locals who come out to watch the spectacle.
The Sands of the World Ceremony symbolizes the true fraternal spirit that bonds together all members of the global surfing tribe. The union of the countries of the world in this ceremony is symbolized through the mixing of the sands from the shores of all participating National Delegations, showcasing the ISA's desire for a better and peaceful world.
Important Dates:
Friday April 4th – Official Press Conference at the Amantes de Sumpa Museum
Saturday April 5th – Parade of Nations and Opening Ceremony
Sunday April 6th - Competition Begins
Monday April 7th - Saturday April 12th competitions resumes every day
Sunday April 13th – Final day of competition, Awards Presentation and Closing Ceremony


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Four years ago, comedian Gabriel Iglesias played Houston, filling a comedy club with an audience of just a few hundred people. This week, Iglesias is back in town and he's playing the Toyota Center with more than 10,000 tickets already sold. What happened in those four years? "I learned how to use Twitter," Iglesias tells us with a laugh. "It sounds like a joke, but it's true. The biggest change has been staying in touch with everybody through Twitter and Facebook."
Iglesias, who has almost 400,000 followers on Twitter, says that while he has some help working with social media, he does the bulk of the tweeting and posting. "I do have somebody that helps me with the social network stuff, as far as what's new and what's hot, but all of the messages and updates, all of that is me.The only way to stay in touch with the people is to talk to them one-on-one."
Iglesias has seen his crowds grow not only in size but in diversity. "At the beginning, the crowds were very much Latin. These days it's half-and-half, half Latin and half everything else. Also, I see lots of ages; I see people bringing their 12-year-olds and other people bringing their grandparents."
Part of Iglesias's universal appeal is the fact that he purposefully steers away from politics and race issues. "I have a clean show; I don't use a lot of profanity. I don't get political, I don't get controversial, I don't come up with any radical statements."
He also doesn't come up with many Spanish-language jokes. "Don't get me wrong," he says, "I acknowledge who I am and where I came from, but that's not my focus. I want to do a show that everybody can relate to. I want to make sure that not just my core audience, but everybody can enjoy the show. If I do use some Spanish, I always follow it up with a quick translation."
This stop in Houston is set to be the largest show Iglesias has ever done. "My record is 10,000 people at the Alamodome. We're hoping that this will break that record. Last time we checked, there were 9,000 tickets sold for the Toyota Center."
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Moving into arenas such as the Toyota Center means Iglesias is physically a little further away from his audiences. It's especially noticeable during the after-show meet-and-greet. "It used to be that I would do a meet-and-greet with the entire theater, but I'm not able to do that anymore. I try to make myself accessible, but I can't shake hands with thousands of people. It's impossible. It's one thing to do a meet-and-greet in a comedy club that only holds 250 people, as opposed to an arena.
"In Houston, there's no way I could meet with the entire arena. We're expecting more than 10,000 people. Sometimes when I'm in town for a few days, I set up a special Fluffy Fan Appreciation Day," Iglesias says, referring to the nickname fans use for him. "Through my social media, I tell all my fans that I'm going to be at a particular restaurant at a particular time. I tell them, 'Anybody that shows up, I'm going to buy you breakfast.' People come out, we take pictures and everybody gets a free breakfast. I call that an eat-and-greet."
Since as many as 300 or more fans sometimes show up at such events, Iglesias ends up with a hefty tab. "It's a drop in the bucket in terms of what it does, keeping me connected to my fans. It goes a long way."
See Iglesias at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Toyota Center, 1510 Polk. For information, visit the Toyota Center Web site or call 713-758-7200. $29.50 to $67.50.


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day 242. tomorrow i'm presenting at dorkbot nyc & other places you should check out.
first, i'm spit polishing my thoughts for my "omega-th" dorkbot nyc presentation. tomorrow's presentation will be light hearted and quite bitch'n. from 19h00 (7pm) on, i'll be at location one fighting my fears and reminiscing about my journey around the world. afterward, i'll head over to the tank (the arts space not the drunk thing) and see my living liberally buddies, mike and his shinny new book. i hope you can attend one or both!
oh, if you're looking for photos from last friday's brooklyn coworking open house / "work at jelly" session - check day 238 photoset on flickr.
ALSO, last night i had an awesome opportunity to hang out with the UnionDocs crew for their screening of sleepwalking through the mekong. the film highlights dengue fever (the band, not the illness) mini-tour in cambodia. while the Q & A session got hot and spicy, i enjoyed seeing Pheom Phen and found myself missing the other-side of the world. if you have a chance, check out UnionDocs' documentary bodega series and if you can, try to catch dengue fever!
- other thoughts -
it is hard to believe that just seven days ago i arrived back in nyc. honestly, it's been a totally weird experience. not really knowing how things would pan out, i spent two nights on my friend's couch before moving to an undisclosed apartment in the lower east side (ps - i've been asked not to say the exact location. which i totally respect since i'm living rent free; utilities not included).
now, i feel a bit settled and find myself applying for a multitude of jobs, and exploring
first, it was the world economic forum's global fellowship program - i should stop here and explain this decision - if you don't know the controversy, let me lay out some lines... WEF is criticized for creating programs and projects that in the end hurt more people than they help. WEF is also criticized for creating a global conference - DAVOS - where many backroom conversations foster many more questions than answers. all-in-all, i feel that their work, their programs, and their general perception of life can improve.
while change is not easy, i know we can revolutionize everything we touch. using a bit of WEF's language and looking through the lens of the past seven months, i see a strategic framework that any organization can use. for-profit - not-for-profit - there is a framework for production and equality. without a doubt, i firmly believe in the opportunity to advance the seven topics through research.
also, over the past week, i've also applied to oxford university's research fellowship and Google/YouTube's Non-Profit content manager position. while i have a dwindling set of funds and want to dedicate myself to the long term cultivation of all the things i see - i have just a few short days to make some critical decisions that will impact the next few months and determine the rest of my life...
the first decision - i've decided to help Brian Conelly, from alive in baghdad, to explore the development of a video advocacy organization. this non-profit will be named "alive on earth" and will pull in the best and brightest video talent to understand the sphere of video advocacy and community journalism. ranging from curriculum, open source tools, volunteer translation and consulting - we are casting our nets and thinking about the next 10 to 15 years.
the second decision - i'm going to finally get my hack license. no, it's not some weird provincial ability to pillage bodies from nyc. a hack license will allow me to drive an NYC yellow cab. yup, i'm thinking of becoming a taxi cab driver. while there's a long list of things i have to do and i think the cost of testing, forms and junk will cost me around $1k, i'm writing out a proposal that just might score me a sponsor and get you a camera behind the front seat of a taxi cab! ;)


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Monday, January 2, 2017
Christmas at Balsam Mountain Preserve
7 comments:
- AnonymousJanuary 2, 2017 at 9:04 AM
Anita, I absolutely love decorating with live evergreens, this looks amazing. And the photos of family so nice. Hello from Georgia and hope you all have a fantastic New Year.ReplyDelete
Wow, this is stunning! I'm in total agreement with you, it's hard enough to put away the comforting cozy Christmas decor-but I definitely don't want to go on and replace it with springtime things! This year I went in a similar direction, keeping things rustic and cozy for Christmas and being able to just put away my tree, stockings, and a few other pieces that screamed "Merry Christmas" and I'll be able to keep my other decor out until the weather turns :)ReplyDelete
Beautiful family photos as well :)
xoxo, SS
Southern And Style
Beautiful job Anita! Love the family photos too!ReplyDelete
What a beautiful place Balsam Mountain Preserve is! You did an amazing job there and it will look lovely throughout the winter. Your family ought to be used on any advertising for the place, so gorgeous, each one of them.ReplyDelete
this is stunning! love the natural elements so much- what a great backdrop! and gorgeous kids!ReplyDelete
The greenery, red berries and pinecones are perfect for the Preserve and I love the painting above the fireplace too. You have a beautiful family. Kathleen in AzReplyDelete
It is all so very pretty. Loved how you used the scarves. I love the rustic style. WOW, that fireplace looks like the fireplace at Cracker Barrel in which I love. Happy New Year. Hugs and blessings, CindyReplyDelete


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- Home
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Dilemmas, Ramblings and a call for Help!
Once a month I try to post an article with a collection of the conservation and expedition articles that I've most enjoyed reading. This month, I think these are most worth looking at, take a look and let me know what you think.Read More →
14 Tips for Speaking in Schools
Assuming you've managed to persuade a teacher to squeeze you in to the busy and dreaded curriculum, then you're currently ahead..Read More →
Friday Photo: Into the Amazon
Traveling from the UK to our research camp in the Peruvian Amazon last year took four long days. By far the most enchanting part of the expedition was journeying from the bustling jungle city of Iquitos up into the Amazon's smaller headwaters..Read More →
Camera trap footage from the Dhofar Mountains
I'm quite proud of our work in Oman, we went really not knowing very much, but it turned out wonderfully in the end. We worked (and are still working) on a lot of projects..Read More →
New Website
If you're a regular visitor then you'll notice that there's been a few changes, if you're new, then welcome to my new site.Read More →
Omani Tea
The first thing you notice about Oman, is how welcoming everyone is. The second thing, is that it's very, very hot. That's probably why everyone is so utterly chilled out and relaxed..Read More →
Friday Photo: Surprising Science
Science is taught in the classroom and practiced in the laboratory. Sometimes you get to have a go in the field. Lab's are sterile, everything goes (almost) to planRead More →
Science and Expeditions
Expeditions are about developing an understanding of the environment around you, and frequently – although it might not have been an intended outcome – an understanding of yourself..Read More →


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2. Use whole wheat pasta instead of regular. Whole wheat keeps your blood sugar in check, so you won't be hungry again in an hour the way you may be with white pasta.
3. Replace sugary drinks with water. You'll cut out tons of empty calories! To add a little flavor, squeeze a slice of lemon or lime into the water. Sip it through a straw — you'll drink more without even realizing it! If you can't make the complete switch right away, try sugar-free mixes, like Crystal Light.
4. Make a breakfast mix. Instead of your usual Froot Loops, make your bowl half a fiber-rich cereal, like All Bran, and half Froot Loops. You'll still get to enjoy the flavor you love, but you'll also be getting superimportant fiber.
5. Pare down on egg yolks. Most of the fat in an egg comes from the yolk, so if you make your omelet with just the whites, you'll be making a fat- and cholesterol-smart choice! Love the yolk too much to give it up completely? Make your omelet with one whole egg and two whites.


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Hamas and Fatah, bitter rivals who violently split more than two years ago, appear close to a reconciliation deal that could lead to a Palestinian unity government. That would allow Palestinians to present a more unified position in peace talks with Israel, if negotiations aren't run aground by the Israeli government's vow not to talk to Hamas and Hamas's refusal to make a permanent peace with the Jewish state.
Top Hamas official Khaled Mashal told journalists in Cairo on Monday that the Islamist organization agreed "in principle" to an Egyptian proposal that reportedly calls for holding elections in the first half of next year and deploying a joint Fatah-Hamas security force in Gaza. Fatah agreed to the plan a month ago.
The Egyptians "will work on laying down a final draft for the reconciliation project in the coming few days," added Mr. Meshal, the movement's Damascus-based chief, whose statement seemed to indicate a deal was imminent.
But skeptics in both the West Bank and Gaza say that some aspects of the divide still feel insurmountable, and that implementation of such a deal is hard to fathom. Hamas members seek a bigger role in the West Bank, including "integration" into the West Bank security apparatus, which Fatah is unlikely to accept. And given their waning popularity in Gaza, they are unlikely to hold elections in the first half of 2010, says Mkhaimar Abusada, a political science professor at Al-Azhar University in Gaza.
"[Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas] said yes, Hamas said yes, but when it comes to implementation, I think both Hamas and Fatah will have excuses to run away from this agreement," he says. "We're still far away from ending the political divide."
Details of the deal
Hamas claims that Egypt has incorporated most of their concerns, although officials are waiting to hear back about several "clarifications."
"This optimism and this acceptance on our part came after the new Egyptian proposal incorporated all the issues of dispute and managed to solve most of them," says Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman in Gaza. "We are very much interested in putting an end to the separation of the two Palestinian partners. If this proposal were not satisfactory and did not meet the needs of Palestinians, we wouldn't accept it."
Though the exact specifics of the deal are being kept secret, some of its basic parameters have been leaked to various Middle East media. The deal includes a stipulation that the elections would involve some kind of hybrid system, allowing voters to chose from political party lists and as well as district representatives.
In addition to holding elections for the first time since January 2006, the Egyptian reconciliation proposal calls for the deployment a 3,000-man security force in the Gaza Strip – integrating both Hamas and Fatah forces – with Arab oversight. Also part of the proposal is a joint factional committee to coordinate between Hamas government in Gaza and the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank. It is unclear whether this would be an interim arrangement that would end with the formation of a Palestinian unity government.
Why Hamas is unlikely to hold elections soon
Speaking on background, Hamas members told the Monitor that they also want full freedom of movement to campaign in the West Bank, which they don't believe Mr. Abbas is prepared to give. Abbas' security forces have over the past year or more arrested hundreds of Hamas activists, they say, driving most Hamas activity underground.
Hamas is also demanding that it be "integrated" into the West Bank security apparatus, which is controlled by the PA with the assistance of US Gen. Keith Dayton. That makes Prof. Abusada doubt that Hamas is realistic about reaching a compromise deal.
"Hamas is saying that there has to be a restructuring not only the Gaza Strip but in the West Bank," says Mkhaimar Abusada, a political science professor at Al-Azhar University in Gaza. "They're saying the security forces there must be remade and to allow Hamas members to be in it, and this will be a big stumbling block on the way to an agreement. Neither Dayton nor the Israelis will accept it."
Moreover, he says, Hamas does not appear ready to have elections in the first half of next year, and has already been asking for a deferment.
"I don't think Hamas is ready to have elections anytime soon," says Abusada. "Hamas knows that its popularity has declined in the Palestinian street, and it won't get the 44 percent of the popular vote they won in 2006." Before agreeing to a date for elections, he says, Hamas wants to reach a major prisoner exchange deal – in return for Israel's kidnapped soldier, Gilad Shalit – as well as a loosening of the economic blockade on Gaza that is causing great hardships for most Gazans.
Fatah hopes Hamas 'isn't buying time'
Fatah, for its part, agreed to Egypt's proposal over a month ago. And Hamas, they charge, has been spinning its wheels and holding up progress.
"We are fed up with Hamas's procrastination. We have to get moving," complains Muheeb Awad, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council in Ramallah.
"If we are about to declare elections, we need time to prepare," he says. "We hope Hamas is truthful and isn't just buying time. We're very keen on reconciliation, and want our move forward."
• Safwat al-Kahlout contributed reporting from the Gaza Strip.


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Peter Frampton Net Worth
Peter Frampton Net Worth: Peter Frampton is an English rock musician and guitarist who has a net worth of $30 million dollars. Born April 22, 1950 in Bromley, Kent, England, Peter Frampton began his career with the bands Humble Pie and The Herd and is best known for his hit album Frampton Comes Alive! which sold more than 10 million copies and held the notable distinction of being the best-selling live rock album in history until 1998. In his pre-teen years he played in the bands The Little Ravens, The Trubeats and George & The Dragons (a group that included fellow up-and-coming musician David Bowie). In 1967 16-year-old Frampton became the lead guitarist and singer for the pop-oriented group The Herd and stayed with the band two years. His next musical venture was fronting the band Humble Pie with Steve Marriott, after which Frampton struck out on his own. His debut album Wind Of Change (1972) sent him touring extensively over the next few years, promoting the albums Frampton's Camel (1973), Somethin's Happening (1974) and Frampton (1975). It was his album live double album recording Frampton Comes Alive! in 1976 that catapulted Frampton into superstardom. The LP held the notable distinction of being the best-selling live rock album in history and the singles Baby I Love Your Way, Do You Feel Like I Do? and Show Me the Way dominated the American charts. Both Billboard and Rolling Stone magazines named him Artist of the Year. By the end of the '70s, Frampton's popularity had declined. Following a near-fatal automobile accident, Frampton was forced to temporarily shelve his music career. He recorded sporadically throughout the '80s, most notably releasing Breaking All The Rules (1981), The Art of Control (1982) and Premonition (1986). The following year, his re-entered the public spotlight and began touring as a lead guitarist with longtime friend David Bowie and released Frampton Comes Alive II (1995). In 2001, the legendary Frampton Comes Alive! celebrated 16 million albums sold. Since then he's released a number of albums including Now (2003), Fingerprints (2006) and Thank You Mr. Churchill (2010).
Peter Frampton
|Net Worth:
|$30 Million
|Date of Birth:
|Apr 22, 1950 (70 years old)
|5 ft 7 in (1.715 m)
|Musician, Singer-songwriter, Guitarist, Singer, Actor, Multi-instrumentalist


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Holy moly, I have a birthday game-changer for you right here!
If, by any change, you are one of those people who happily turns down a birthday cake in favour of a cheese plate (or know someone who does), then you are in luck! Instead of torturing yourself (or others) with cake, get their favourite stinky cheese and make it into a birthday cheese candle.
Yes, that is totally true, Victoria tried it and swears by it! The only things you need are wax ended chunks of cheese, a wick and a needle.
Now, I race you to the cheese shop, ready? (Here is the full how-to)
P.S: Also, a fresh cherry candle for those who indeed prefer cake:) And, my favourite lemon candles that you can make yourself.
P.P.S: Don't miss our stunning Karin A Clothing GIVEAWAY this week!
(Photos by/via Erin Holland for Subtle Revelry)


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West Coast Road Trip – Day 9
For this vacation, today was my favorite day for eating as 2 out of 3 meals left me almost speechless. It starts off mid morning on Guerro Street as we queue up to enter Tartine. I've heard many stories of this bustling little bakery, which raises my expectations for what's inside. We split a pain au jambon, and croque monsieur. While the open faced croque monsieur was quite delicious, it was the ham croissant that blew me away. The croissant was incredibly flaky, the outer shell emanating a perfect shade of golden brown, with a juicy slice of ham neatly rolled between layers of buttery pastry. It was absolutely mouth watering… even reminiscing about it causes my stomach to rumble. We take away a fruit tart and frangipane tart for later. It turns out to be a good decision.
Nick's Lighthouse at Fisherman's Warf. As I peer over the outdoor stall, watching in awe as the skilled men shuck fresh oysters and clams at a very impressive speed, all the while smelling a couple clams to esure his customers only receive fresh seafood, I squirm in excitement for another to-die-for favorite… oysters on the half shell. Our mollusks get tossed into clear plastic containers, and are topped off with a couple handfuls of lemons. Excellent, those are all the ingredients that should be allowed for ocean fresh seafood. It wasn't the oysters and clams itself that made this one of my most memorable meals, it was the whole environment that made it unforgettable. We sit on a bench with plastic tray balancing on our laps, swarms of sea gulls several feet away are squawking and eyeing tourists' leftover sourdough bread, the waves are lapping, the juice from our shellfish sloshing and spilling over the sides as we try to eat in a somewhat civilized manner. This is a moment I won't soon forget.
For the drive back to Union Square, we take some fried shrimp and calamari along for the ride. Dinner takes place at King of Thai Noodle House on O'Farrell Street which turns out to be a very affordable place for Thai cuisine. The restuarant is very casual and has all the characteristics of an Asian noodle joint. The tables are long and cafeteria like, the service was quick and efficient, and the food was fairly authentic. We start off with a papaya salad, then progress into green curry with chicken and basil chicken with noodles. We order the salad mild, with regret not going for medium spice as there was no spice at all. The curry itself was good, although the chicken pieces were a little chewy. The noodle dish was more similar to Chinese ho fun than Thai noodles, with more after taste of soy sauce for my liking. The Thai iced tea was delicious.Tartine Bakery 600 Guerrero Street San Francisco, CA 415-487-2600
Nick's Lighthouse
2801 Taylor St
San Francisco, CS


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all you need to know about bitcoin.
We translate Bitcoin Facts in Plain English.
Going Green to Make Some Green – Earning and Saving with Decentralized Electricity
Protection of the environment has come a long way since the early global warming debates. Whether you agree with their politics or not, men such as Al Gore and others realized the necessity to focus on protecting the environment. While huge strides have been made in reducing our global carbon footprint, much remains to be done in the environmental protection field to ensure a long and prosperous road ahead.
At the same time, consumers are paying more for electricity, which often has a substantial carbon footprint, than ever before. In some regions, electrical bills have continued to skyrocket, and many consumers are finding it harder and harder to pay for their monthly consumption while income remains flat or down. At this time, most users purchase electricity from retailers (commonly referred to as utilities), and, surprisingly, nearly 50 percent of the markup above wholesale goes to cover the utility's marketing, administrative and debt service.
Increasing costs due to red tape mixed with a massive need for clean energy to replace the fossil fuel market that has consistently poisoned the environment… is there hope for change? The answer may well come from blockchain technology giant ConsenSys and their new spinoff company Grid+.
Changing the Grid
Grid+ intends to utilize the distributed nature of blockchain technology to make it not only possible, but economically rational for consumers to participate in wholesale electricity markets. Since a great deal of the pollution caused by electrical usage is the result of spikes in demand, the Grid+ system provides a way for consumers to have access to cleaner energy forms through a distributed network, which should flatten out the periodic demand spikes over time.
Grid+ has developed and tested a hardware device called a "smart energy agent" that automates much of the process of interacting with the third party wholesale market, making it possible for consumers to both purchase energy at wholesale cost or monetize it during times of economic rationality.
Consumers with surplus electricity from external sources (solar panels, generators, etc) have the opportunity to monetize that surplus, while others can buy power from third parties as well. The overall savings for consumers will be substantial, and interest in the system is already exploding. Nevertheless, electrical freedom and pollution reduction is only the first step in a much larger plan.
Electricity, Environmentalism, and Everything, Oh My!
The Grid+ system is designed for simplicity of use and has an attractive hardware component. Consumers can store assets (including cryptocurrencies) on the hardware without knowing that blockchain technology is the underlying integral system that or having the technological knowhow to put the system in place. What's more, consumers won't be forced to know or maintain their private keys, as Grid+ uses an advanced mechanism called 2-of-3 Blind-Key Multi-signature Security. In this way, the Grid+ system will make it possible to move Blockchain technology into less tech-savvy homes. If customers feel comfortable setting a router to use home wi-fi they should feel at ease using the smart energy agent.
Grid+ cofounder and CEO Mark D'Agostino says:
We recognize that user experience in the crypto ecosystem is a challenge that represents a massive barrier to entry for the normal customer. Our goal is to abstract away the technical difficulties to help onboard the masses to this new paradigm that will affect all facets of their lives. By utilizing Ethereum, our customers will for the first time in their lives have user agency over their assets.
The Grid+ smart energy agent gives consumers a point of access to a huge amount of applications, including those that can generate passive income, by making the smart energy agent perform as a Blockchain-enabled IoT device. Once the agent is inside millions of homes, Blockchain technology will rebuild the way users think about and exchange value.
Embracing change
Blockchain technology will eventually prevail over other legacy technological systems – as it offers new types of architectures note previously feasible. Already many have seen the potential for the Grid+ platform, and the token sale has sold more than $36 mln in tokens. Embrace the future and follow the Grid+ team as they continue to disrupt legacy markets.
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