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We'll help Civil engineers and constructors save cost from the final construction with virtual 3D models.
Ingmar Aija
Consultant & FounderI have knowledge and energy to share with you! ingmar[at]infrabim.ee or +372 5663 1133
Vaidotas Šarka
Consultant & Partner3D/ BIM contact in Lithuania! vaidotas[at]infrabim.ee or +370 699 57555
Annely Kulland
Partner in exportI will help you to get things from 2D to 3D! annely[at]infrabim.ee
Helen Grosnõi
PartnerPartner in making things look nice!
We have been involved in many large-scale visualization infra-projects since year 2008. And we have reference projects throughout Estonia and Nordic countries. Call or write us and let's find together the best way to make your complex projects understandable for everyone with help of virtual 3D/BIM models.


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The economic year of 2017 fell short of expectations: Gross Domestic Product felt under the pessimistic scenario of our forecast made early in the year (3.0% – 4.0%). The initial GDP growth forecast of 6% did not materialize due to unfavorable weather this spring that undermined the harvest; high uncertainty among businesses who were reluctant to resume the crediting, private investments and industrial activity; and the slow pace of reforms: about half of the actions stated in the Roadmap as priority reforms of the Government and Parliament were not implemented . On this background, the economic growth of 2017 was based on a slight revival in consumption as a result of increased remittances after two years of decline, and higher public investments after the external funding was unblocked. If the influence of these two factors is excluded, as by definition they are temporary due to the low basis of comparison, the economy could be in recession this year. Hence, in 2017 the economic growth was both slow, less than expected, and not sustainable, which generates many concerns for 2018.
For 2018, we forecast an economic growth of about 4.0% (3.1% according to the pessimistic scenario and 4.8% according to the optimistic scenario). It is based on the assumption that the agricultural year will be favourable, which will boost the agricultural produce and export capacities, the external budget support will continue to foster public investments, and the household consumption will grow. On the other hand, the GDP deviation will remain negative (the economy will continue to grow under its potential), at least due to two reasons. First, the uncertainty that is currently affecting the companies' decisions to invest will remain at high levels, especially on the background of Parliamentary elections. This will hamper the growth of bank lending, due to both low demand from companies, and limited supply: banks will be cautious to assume risks, including in the context of Basel III implementation. Second, the competitiveness constraints will be maintained, which will affect the exports; and with the growing consumption, the net exports will have a negative impact on the economic growth.
The low competitiveness will remain the main problem of the Moldovan economy. During the past years, the competitiveness flaws have been hidden by increasing remittances, which used to support the domestic demand and secured an important inflow of foreign currency. But the remittances are becoming more and more volatile, and tend to shrink in the long run. This source of economic growth needs to be replaced with an increase in exports and investments. But Moldova is continuously losing the competition in the region for sales markets and foreign direct investments (FDI): the share of exports in GDP and levels of FDI per capita are the lowest compared to countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Moreover, Moldova is also losing the competition for its own labour force: the number of emigrants with higher education increased in 2017, revealing an erosion of human capital, which is the main source of the country's long-term competitiveness. According to Global Competitiveness Report 2017-2018, Moldova ranked the 89th out of 137 countries, recording the poorest performances in areas of critical importance for such a small country with scarce resources: institutions, financial sector, sales market, innovations and business environment complexity. Moldova's ranking improved by 11 positions compared to the previous edition of the report, but a more detailed analysis reveals that this increase is a cumulation of insignificant growths (within the margin of error) of several sub-indicators, without any substantial improvements in critical development areas. Without substantial reforms that would strengthen institutions and the rule of law, Moldova will keep on losing the competition for sales markets, investments and its own labour force, which will pose even bigger constraints for economic growth.
With the Parliamentary elections getting closer and in an attempt to mask the competitiveness flaws and slow pace of reforms, there is a risk of political pressures on the budgetary-fiscal and monetary policies. The pressures might target the budgetary and monetary expansion in order to boost the demand and investments via administrative interventions for electoral purposes (e.g. higher salaries, social benefits or public investments; or even a more relaxed monetary policy in order to boost lending activity). Under these circumstances, the Ministry of Finance and National Bank of Moldova (NBM) will have to resist these pressures, keeping a prudential stance of both budgetary-fiscal and monetary policies. In the first case, the budget planned for 2018, though it seems balanced, has a number of risks. The first relates to the high dependency on the foreign budget support: if external grants are excluded, the budget deficit is estimated at 4.7% of GDP - double the budgetary-fiscal rule of 2.5%. The second risk derives for the population ageing trends, which pose bigger pressures on the public finance system, calling for larger transfers to the State Social Insurance Budget. The third risk stems from the precarious economic situation at the local level that, in tandem with the limited capacities of local public authorities, undermines the local tax base, making LPAs to need more transfers from the central budget. Hence, any deviation from the budgetary prudential norms, especially under political pressures, could significantly destabilize the public finance system, constraining the economic growth. In this context, any budgetary amendment for electoral purposes needs to be avoided. As for the monetary policy, the eventual pressures on the NBM to excessively loosen the monetary policy and artificially foster the lending activity could augment inflationary risks, which will make loans even more expensive. In this context, the monetary policy needs to remain prudent and focused on mid-term inflation targeting. An eventual monetary loosening needs to be gradual and only if the inflation expectations stay anchored within the band targeted by NBM (5%, +/- 1.5 p.p).
The competitiveness of the Moldovan economy can be increased and, respectively, a qualitative economic growth can be achieved only by systemic reforms. The main reforms should focus on the following:
• Institutional framework that ensures strengthening the rule of law and fighting corruption. In essence, the institutions in charge of ensuring the rule of law and fighting corruption need to be more independent and more transparent, and their capacities needs to be strengthened significantly. In parallel, the recently initiated public administration reform needs to go deeper and improve the processes in public institutions, implement a more attractive policy of monetary and non-monetary merit-based remuneration, and improve the prestige of public officials. This will enhance the trust of businesses, which regard the corruption and operation of public institutions as the main barriers to their entrepreneurial work .
• These measures need to be accompanied by an improved business environment, focused on the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises, which are the most vulnerable. In particular, it is necessary to decrease the number of state controls and permits, thus diminishing the discretion of public officials in relation to business entities, and to increase the transparency of these processes.
• In the financial sector, it is critical to improve the corporate governance in both banking and non-banking financial institutions by enhancing their transparency and shareholding quality, implementing the fit-and-proper criteria, and attracting strategic investors. It is necessary to ensure the operation of inter-institutional framework of financial stability, focusing on the capacities to prevent financial crises. Last but not least, the investigations of the banking fraud, uncovered in 2014-2015, need to be more dynamic and more transparent, while the recent initiatives to "decriminalize" some economic crimes could hamper the investigations and should not be approved .
• In the budgetary-fiscal area, it is necessary to implement fully the electronic public procurement mechanism; develop a more detailed, clear and less discretionary Tax Code; strengthen the capacities of the Court of Accounts and develop a mechanism for the implementation of its recommendations; enhance the budgetary transparency of public institutions; and encourage a broader participation of the civil society in the budget process at both the central and local level. Last but not least, the state-owned enterprises need to be subject to a broad reform in order to increase their transparency and corporate governance.
• In the labour market and human capital area, more efforts are needed for the economic empowerment of young people, which will allow harnessing the demographic dividend (currently the age group of about 30 years old is the largest, and unless enough economic opportunities are offered, they will either leave or stay economically inactive, depriving the economy of a huge development potential). The following years are critical in this regard, because if the demographic dividend is missed, the current demographic transition will turn from an opportunity into a constraint.
• In the foreign trade area, it is necessary to boost reforms related to the implementation of the DCFTA commitments for the full exploitation of the benefits offered by this commercial regime. At the same time, it is imminent to make efforts to eliminate all tariff and non-tariff barriers for domestic exporters, while transparencing and modernizing the processes of issuing permissive documents.
In the following years, the quality and dynamics of economic growth will depend, more than ever, on the quality and dynamics of domestic reforms. The above-mentioned reforms will literally be the main basis for economic growth, in the context of high internal and external uncertainty. Moldova cannot rely anymore on conjunctural factors for a sustained economic growth: in the following years the remittances will follow a downward trend; the country's investment attractiveness based on cheap labour force will dissipate as a result of migration, higher real salaries and drawbacks in the educational system; the external budgetary support from development partners will be subject to more conditionalities; and the competition on the regional markets will become more intense. In these circumstances, the only viable economic development strategy is based on reforms that need to be implemented, regardless of the electoral cycle or political color of the Government.

subset: commoncrawl


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2.How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and also how does it differ from previous releases?
2) We have made big step to musical and sound senses. The Album has become heavier and more aggressive, but haven`t lost melody. We have work hard, and we hope everybody will enjoy "Transendevil".
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the new release explores?
3) The bases of our lyrics anticlericalism, mystic, freedom and human development. For example: Antikrist Tabor is about Taborites(Checzk rebel`s) who rebelled against catholic church in 15-th century. We have a lot of philosophy in lyrics.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name Def/Light?
4) When we have young, we had snobbish and silly name "Defilers of light". It was childish. We had to change it. We wanted to remain part of old name, but to make it more philosophical and intelligent. The word "def" is homophone to the "deaf" witch give our name two senses – "Deaf ligt" and "def light".
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
5) We have fantastic show in Berdeev, Slovakia and in Zagan, Poland/ there were many fans, whose support of made the show much more extreme and powerful.
We trying to be active. We have a tradition to make a show with costumes and "corpse paint" Although we are sometimes blamed it is not trendy. Always, we sing our hearts out in 150%.
We trying to be active. We have a tradition to make a show with costumes and "corpse paint" Although we are sometimes blamed it is not trendy. Always, we sing our hearts out in 150%.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new release?
6) Yes, we are planning Ukrainian tour in February or March and European tour in October. We`d like to have shows around the World. We are waiting offers from managers.
7.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to the new album by fans of black and death metal?
7) The album has just become released and we don`t have many comments. But we are happy that they are all positive.
8.What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
8) I don`t think it`s right to be satisfied 100% the work. We are going to work more with symphonic music but we are not going to lose black/death metal music. Should always try to be even better.
9.What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
9) We listen to many kinds of different music starting from symphonic music and finishing with experimental grind core. Some musicians of the band enjoy jazz or ethnic. Dimmu Borgir, Hate, Behemoth, Flashgod Apocalypse, Anorexia Nevrosa and match other music have inspired with books, performances and human history. And life itself prompts some idea to us.
10.Does Occultism play any role in your music?
10) Sure occultism and mysticism is a part of our creative work. Telematics/θέλημα/outlooks are close to us. It has philosophical and ideological meanings for us. We see the direct connection with rational and scientific ideas.
11.Outside of music what are some of your interests?
11) Each musician has his own interests and hobbies. As for me, I am interested in clinical psychology, philosophy and history. I am really keen of reading and writing. I am a journalist and a psychologist my profession. Generally, I above a Renaissance person who knows everything and could do everything.
12.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
12) I face a choice^ to write a book about it or to say just a few words. We would like to express our gratitude to all our fans and everybody who takes interests in our band and music. We want all people to be free and to develop themselves.
93 93 93


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Meetings held: 2 (good); Weeks taken to put up chatlog of 1st one: 3 (bad); Hours spent on pasting up chatlogs, making wiki pages, revising notecard etc: 3 (bad)
Am trying to catch up on backlog of recording info on discussions, amidst all the backlog about everything else. Life is just one long backlog.
Firstly was Adra Letov's meeting, The Information Environment is Affect-Driven held on 21st May. Adra (Diane Nahl in RL) spoke in Voice but helpfully provided notecards with text and refernces, and the rest of us spoke in chat. Have put texts on wiki here http://infolitischool.pbworks.com/IB-and-emotion%3A-Dr-Diane-Nahl-21st-May-2009 and chatlog is here http://sleeds.org/chatlog/?c=418
Was v. pleased that had persuaded colleague Nigl (who is information behaviour researcher) to come along, and Jackie, Ishbel, Maggie (& various others) were there too. Lot of interest and things to follow up. Humorous moment when Nigl sat accidentally on my head. Lol.
Last Thursday was the Swine Flu Information Literacy event. Graham blogged the meeting rather faster than I have at http://tidalblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/seven-pillars.html and managed to capture the Humorous Event of this meeting, namely point where I had dropped people a surgical mask and we had all donned them as if for strange ritual. Maggie added to this by wearing mask on head, which was, frankly, more becoming than wearing it on face.
Have put up chatlog (this was all in chat) at http://sleeds.org/chatlog/?c=417 and also have started up wiki page with some summary notes & explanation at http://infolitischool.pbworks.com/Information+Literacy+builds+-+Swine+flu where people are encouraged to comment. Or do visit the build at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Infolit%20%iSchool/169/189/21/
When going through chatlog was disturbed to notice several occurances of:
"[2009/06/04 12:37] Pig poster: Unable to give inventory: 'No item named 'Bird flu - the exercise'.'."
Feared this meant that Swine Flu Notecard, that had cheerfully told everyone to take, did not work, but everyone was too polite to say. Turned out (when tried clicking stuff just now) to be in poster that wasn't meant to have notecard, so all well. Apart from fact that some people probably thought they were MEANT to have a notecard. All water under bridge now, anyway. And is charming that Pig Poster was able to take part in Chat, even if contribution was on repetitive side.
After session was clearing up when Spotted Dousa on Regent Plaza. She ran an idea about student journalism interns past me - could be interesting. Graham also was showing a colleague the build, so island felt pleasantly busy.
And after this stayed up far too late and ended up taking advantage of the open hours on the University of Washington sim (last pic), where there was a Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs build. You had to do a lot of climbing up and down, and there was some interactive element.
Was enjoyable, but am now wondering: did I learn anything about the hierarchy? Probably only clicked the bits and did the bits that looked amusing, rather than the parts which were most informative. On one hand, was frivolous academic v.v. late at night - on other hand gnat-like attention span probably means am rather like these millennial students everyone talks about.
And now think Sleep has come to top of my Needs hierarchy, so will stop.


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Found, Back Roads, New Mexico
Found on the back roads of northern New Mexico. A more appropriate title might be found on the back roads of multiple hard drives. There are plenty of back roads in New Mexico with many diversions and detours, in reality and virtually. Either way it's always fun to stumble across odd ball compositions like these. Thanks for looking. G
Miami, New Mexico, the Plains
Miami, New Mexico, out "Where the Rockies meet the Plains." I'm standing a little further east of there. Here on the plains I can see the Rockies, with miles of flat land to the east, punctuated with old volcanoes, stubby hills and rolling thunderstorms. This is another of my favorite areas for making favorite images like this one. You can tell which way the wind blows out here in Miami. Thanks for looking. G
Full Moon Setting Over The Coyote Fence
Valley Homestead, Beyond The Fence
Valley homestead, beyond the fence in the San Luis Valley. If you are familiar with my work and my website you'll recognize this old dwelling. Over the years the fence has also featured prominently in my images. Someone, at some point in time, peeled back the barbed wire in order to get access to the building. Personally, I like to document these abandoned homesteads from pretty much the same perspective for continuity and posterity. Here's another view. Thanks for looking. G
Winter Corral Fence, On The Plateau
Stretch Gate, Colorado
Stretch gate, Manassa, Colorado. The barbed wire divided the sky into random shapes. This scene is on the highway just outside the hometown of boxer, Jack Dempsey. Jack grew up in a cabin in the town of Manassa. I was down on the ground in the snow covered field, making images of the golden barley stubble when I saw an opportunity to add another image to my rural stretch gate series. Shapes and negative spaces are the main attraction and these gates are infinitely unique. Thanks for looking. G
Sitting On The Fence
Sitting on the fence, lots of snow all over Taos County. Took a walk out early this morning as the sun rose over the Sangre de Cristos. I had a thoroughly good time photographing the more abstract elements on the subject of snow. Temperature here at noon today, 18º F. Thanks for looking and stay warm. G
Encounter Over The Fence
Encounter with a mule deer doe, over the fence in San Cristobal, NM. A poem by Robert Frost comes to mind. It describes an encounter for two lovers, "Two look at Two." I've posted the poem below. This very brief moment lasted an eternity. I studied Robert Frost in college. I was able to recite this poem, and others by the author, on command. This one, although I can no longer recite the whole piece from memory, resides in my very being and remembering the words verbatim seems redundant. My encounter, "One looked at One." Thanks for looking G
Two Look At Two.
Love and forgetting might have carried them
A little further up the mountain side
With night so near, but not much further up.
They must have halted soon in any case
With thoughts of a path back, how rough it was
With rock and washout, and unsafe in darkness;
When they were halted by a tumbled wall
With barbed-wire binding. They stood facing this,
Spending what onward impulse they still had
In One last look the way they must not go,
On up the failing path, where, if a stone
Or earthslide moved at night, it moved itself;
No footstep moved it. 'This is all,' they sighed,
Good-night to woods.' But not so; there was more.
A doe from round a spruce stood looking at them
Across the wall, as near the wall as they.
She saw them in their field, they her in hers.
The difficulty of seeing what stood still,
Like some up-ended boulder split in two,
Was in her clouded eyes; they saw no fear there.
She seemed to think that two thus they were safe.
Then, as if they were something that, though strange,
She could not trouble her mind with too long,
She sighed and passed unscared along the wall.
'This, then, is all. What more is there to ask?'
But no, not yet. A snort to bid them wait.
A buck from round the spruce stood looking at them
Across the wall as near the wall as they.
This was an antlered buck of lusty nostril,
Not the same doe come back into her place.
He viewed them quizzically with jerks of head,
As if to ask, 'Why don't you make some motion?
Or give some sign of life? Because you can't.
I doubt if you're as living as you look."
Thus till he had them almost feeling dared
To stretch a proffering hand — and a spell-breaking.
Then he too passed unscared along the wall.
Two had seen two, whichever side you spoke from.
'This must be all.' It was all. Still they stood,
A great wave from it going over them,
As if the earth in one unlooked-for favour
Had made them certain earth returned their love.
Robert Frost
Red-Tailed Hawk Over The Hedgerow
Red-tailed Hawk over the hedgerow. We made a quick drive a few nights ago to the southern edge of the San Luis Valley in Colorado just over the border from New Mexico. A gentle wind moved through the wheat fields stirring the crops. Raptors launched from power poles, as we drew close, gliding along the fence lines and hedgerows. The adult birds were screeching warnings to the fledglings who followed the parents, riding on warm, gentle thermals. We saw a number of fields being mowed as we criss-crossed the road grids in the area. The center pivot irrigator provided a perfect watch tower and launch pad for a number of raptors, crows and ravens eager to snatch an unsuspecting mouse or rabbit stirred up by the massive wheeled harvester. We were back home for a late dinner and a movie right before dark. This day, in it's own way, was a cinematic experience in itself. Thanks for looking. G
Random Bailing Wire
Field Geometry On The Plateau
Rural Dreamcatcher, Northern New Mexico
Winter Notes On A Fence
Winter notes on a fence. I'm walking along, looking at nature all around me. It's the first snow of winter; the forecast says there is more on the way this weekend. It's not surprising to me that I'm preoccupied with the beauty of it all. As the land rises alongside the trail, the fence line comes into view, the imposition of us humans on the natural environment. It is charming and beautiful in its own way. It reminds me that I am standing between the natural and man made elements; the two are undeniably inseparable, it comes from the same place and thrills me, and as Carl Sagan said, "we are all star stuff!" Thanks for looking. G


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Botanical Illustration Workshop, Cornwall
Please join Sarah Jane Humphrey for a unique experience, as part of the Open Studios week in Cornwall to uncover the secrets of a timeless art form. Workshops take place in a relaxed, calm setting by the sea, with freshly cut seasonal flowers and foliage immerse yourself in the delightful world of Botanical Illustration.
Start the day with a reviving hot or cold beverage and an introduction from Sarah Jane. Through out the workshop learn how to draw and paint with precision and poise, whilst taking inspiration from the floral artworks in the gallery.
Intimate small classes, will cover various aspects of painting and drawing including one to one tuition.
This is a great taster opportunity to have a go at Botanical Illustration at a special introductory price.
Classes will take place during the Open Studio Week. There are limited spaces so please book in advance. Tickets can be purchased from the online shop for £25


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On Wednesday 23rd March the En Passant Cup team played its final match of the season against Dartford. The winner of the match would be in the semi-finals with Dartford having the odds of the draw.
It was a close match. Ian McAllan reached the first time control with a completely drawn ending. Bob Mitchell then lost, but Rob Pezet won with a crushing king hunt. Dave Helps then accepted a draw in a very blocked position leaving the match level with two games to finish. Lee Brockwell had been a good pawn up, but chose the wrong path, while Gary Sharp's opponent's unintentional piece sacrifice was good enough for a draw. In time-trouble Gary had to choose between two defences and unfortunately chose wrongly, so Dartford were in the semi-finals. Lee then accepted his opponent's offer of a draw to make the result a 3.5 – 2.5 win for Dartford.
We did get the second highest number of game points in the division so I think we are an established team in the En Passant Cup now.
Ian McAllan


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Discussion by: JogreI shall endeavour as much as possible to keep this topic on point, avoiding all unnecessarily heavy descriptions that seem to ask you to be 'free psychologists' (although I am fairly certain that some among here are more than qualified to do so).
I have been an atheist for nearly a year now. I should never have thought it last Christmas (Saturnalia?) enrolled as I was in seminary, engaging in preaching and leading bible studies at my strictly conservative church. Raised as a pastors child in a deeply religious family, I can assure you that book burning, or at least vitriolic disposal, enjoyed top priority in my home. Believing in voices that existed solely in my head, I felt the need to be a pastor. The details of my conversion to Reason are fairly uninspired and quite attributable to Richard Dawkins and the wonderful late Christopher Hitchens. I became an atheist.
Such as it is, I have removed myself from seminary and regular church work as much as possible, yet have not breathed a word of my unbelief to my family. Sufficient to say they have noticed my current trepidation for all things religious. I am about to begin studies of astrophysics in the fall (after many months of deprogramming my ravaged mental capacities at the hands of hysterically incompetent religious teachers) and live with my parents (at the age of 21 – I do in fact preach and teach at such an age, yet competence in preaching is easily gained). They are getting a divorce. Interesting how one's desires are easily wrought through torturous interpretation of scripture.
Finally I have come to my ultimate point: I am faced with financial instability, separating parents, and a family who will turn their back on me in an instant with news of my Atheism. Does anyone here have any advice, based on personal experience or perhaps via osmosis on these forums, on coming out as an atheist?
I apologize for such a long post, yet I hope I have conveyed my thoughts in as clear a fashion as possible. I appreciate any and all who have made it to the end, and my gratitude extends further to those who take time to respond. – J


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Renault Espace Engine Misfire – Spark Plugs – Wire and Ignition Coil are new
Reader Question Hi there,
I have had a lot of problems solving my cars misfire snag, the car will run fine for up to two hours (motorway driving) then anytime after that it suddenly misfires on all four cylinders progressively. I have had new; plugs, plug leads, 2 ignition coils, 4 fuel injectors, and 2 valves replaced and none of this has fixed it. Could you please shed any light on this?
Thanks for the email, but I have no experience with Renault…you don't seem in the U.S. You have replaced all things I would recommend you try. What is left?
1. Computer
2. Ignition module – if it has one
3. Pick up coil – if it has one
4. Cam and crankshaft sensors – if it has them
You might want to talk to your mechanic and ask them if your vehicle is equipped with any of these. If so, you might have to replace them one at a time and test drive the vehicle….unless you can catch this misfire condition in the act on some test equipment.
Austin C. Davis


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R&B crooner Chris Brown is on the road to getting his life back in order after undergoing much legal trouble, which resulted in him being locked up for six weeks, as well as recently pleading guilty to a parole violation charge for an assault case that took place in DC. Brown is definitely not out the clear, especially after the shooting that popped off in L.A. for Breezy's Pre VMA party where Suge Knight was shot multiple times.
While Brown's life is still very much a roller coaster, the twenty five year old accepts that he's not perfect, but working to mature and grow into a better man. With Brown gearing up to drop new long awaited sixth studio album, X, later this month he opens up to Billboard about his life. Breezy graces the cover of Billboard's newest issue and gets candid about his legal drama, what he thinks about ex love Rihanna, where he is in life, and much more.
See Breezy dropping new found wisdom for readers HERE
via: hot97.com


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Nortek Launches "Core Brands" Group
Nortek Monday announced the formation of a new "Core Brands" group, which will bring together ten technology solutions brands under the company's umbrella.
Based in Petaluma, Calif., the new group will include the Aton, BlueBolt, ELAN, Furman, Niles, Panamax, Proficient, SpeakerCraft, Sunfire and Xantech brands.
Bill Pollack heading up the group with his Panamax colleague Dave Keller handling worldwide sales. Keith Marshall, of SpeakerCraft and Proficient, will handle channel management, with Paul Starkey heading up marketing.
"The formation of Core Brands reflects the strategic refocusing currently taking place as we pursue new markets and new opportunities to serve our dealers, channel partners and end users,"Nortek President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Clarke said as part of the announcement. "We expect that combining the unique capabilities of each of these 10 formidable brands will deliver new and powerful benefits they can only achieve as a group."


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Cavaliers may insert Tristan Thompson into starting lineup for Game 2 against Celtics
The Cavaliers may be making a change to their starting lineup.
SCHUHMANN: How the Boston Celtics' efficiency dismantled the Cleveland Cavaliers' defence
Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue said Tuesday (AEST) the team is considering opening Game 2 of its Eastern Conference finals matchup against the Celtics with Tristan Thompson at center, according to a report by ESPN .
Cleveland has started Kevin Love at center throughout the postseason. Lue said he'd move Love to the power forward spot and insert Thompson into the lineup because of his past success guarding Celtics center Al Horford.
"Looking at the statistics, over the last three years with at least 30 [defensive] possessions, out of all the guys that have guarded Al Horford, Tristan is number one in the league defending [him]," Lue said. "So, that's a good thing."
Horford tallied 20 points and dished out six assists in Boston's 108-83 Game 1 victory. Lue said he had considered adjusting his starting lineup before the series started.
"We weighed it," Lue said about starting Thompson in Game 1. "But we'd won seven out of eight and we weren't going to adjust until someone beat us. We didn't play well [in Game 1] with that lineup that got us to this point."
Thompson played 21 minutes off the bench, totaling eight points and 11 rebounds, in Game 1.
The Celtics and Cavaliers will tip-off Game 2 in Boston on Wednesday at 10:0am AEST on ESPN and NBA League Pass.


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Redrow prides itself on quality, from our product to our people. We need bright graduates with real get-up-and-go to help us deliver more award-winning developments.
Construction is at the heart of what we do. It's where we turn the visions of our designers into a reality – creating beautiful homes for our customers.
This programme is an intensive two-year introduction to Redrow's building process, designed to give talented graduates the skills and understanding to manage the construction of our award-winning homes. Based on site, you'll gain hands-on experience of the entire build process from start to finish.
What to expect:
Working in partnership with our trusted subcontractors, you'll oversee work including bricklaying, joinery and plumbing. You'll be trained to direct the construction process, and how to ensure our tradesmen maintain the best quality and the highest levels of health and safety.
You'll be working with experienced construction professionals and learning from some of our most trusted site managers. Not only that; you'll also have the Construction Director as your mentor, ensuring you get the very best start at Redrow. There'll be plenty of opportunity for formal training too, with courses readily available. And we'll also support you while you work towards your Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) membership.
To join our industry-leading programme, you'll need a 2:1 in any construction-related degree (for example, Building Surveying, Construction Project Management or Project Management)."
Rotational Programme
This 24 month programme will see you gaining exposure to virtually every aspect of Redrow. You'll complete placements in Land, Technical, Construction, Sales, Commercial and Customer Service, with the chance to specialise in two areas in your last year. All the while, you'll be mentored by one of our Managing Directors. You'll be given projects by your MD, you'll present to senior executives, and have opportunities to join forces with other graduates on challenges and community initiatives, it's a packed programme.
You'll also spend some time with our other key head office functions including marketing, HR, IT, Finance and Legal to further increase your business awareness.
What's more as you develop a clearer idea about where your interests lie, you'll have the opportunity in the final year to pursue two placements in areas of your choosing.
For more information about our current vacancies and to apply, click here.
This is also a very varied team. There aren't many careers where being an architect, highway planner, structural engineer and interior designer are all in a day's work.
I joined as a graduate trainee, progressed to Land Director; and now Regional Director - Redrow recognises hard work and dedication.
I would definitely encourage anybody thinking of applying for a job at Redrow, it is a fantastic place to work.
Having moved through each of the six departments- it was definitely the right decision.


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Series: My Secret Lies With You
By Faye Bird
When I first saw you all sitting, talking, laughing, by the lifeguard hut on the beach, you all looked so happy. It was kind of intoxicating. I watched you for a little while, and then I kept on watching. I couldn't stop. All I wanted was to have what you all had. And as I watched I only had one thought – I want to be a part of that. The day we spent together at the lake was one of the best. If I hadn't seen you that day, spent it with you, I'm not sure I would have ever done what I did. So I want to say thank you. And I hope that if you feel what I have done is wrong, you will find a way to forgive me, and if you don't understand why I am doing what I'm doing now, this letter will in some way help you try.
Part One: This Summer
Arriving at the cottage felt like arriving at the edge of the world.
"So, we're here," Mum said, getting out of the car. I could smell how different the place was as soon as she opened the door. It was the air. Cows. Or was it just a general farm smell? I wasn't sure. Fresh and not-fresh all at the same time. It hit the inside of my nose and the coolness of it tingled.
North Wales.
We were so far away from London now.
I watched Johnny get out of the car, and follow Mum over onto the grass. He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her belly as they looked on together at the view. An estuary. Sheep. Mountains. I stayed in the car. I didn't care that I'd already been in it for six horribly long hours, relegated to the back like a little kid whilst Mum and Johnny talked and laughed and forgot I was even there. I mean, occasionally Mum would turn round and smile, pass me a sweet, a chocolate eclair or something, and I'd hate myself for kind of grunting back from under my headphones, because acting like this, feeling like I did, it really wasn't me. It wasn't who I am or the kind of person I wanted to be. It was just that coming on this so-called holiday with Mum and Johnny, out in the middle of this nowhere place, was really the last thing in the world I wanted to do. And for some reason, despite all my moods in the week leading up to it, when Mum had suggested it and booked it all at the last minute, she hadn't picked up on the fact that I didn't want to go. And I just hadn't had the heart to tell her.
Mum broke herself free from Johnny's arms and came back to the car, opening the boot.
"Come on, Cait," she said. "Let's get our stuff and open up the cottage. Ours is the one on the left."
I looked over at the cottages – just two of them, sitting very slightly apart on a grassy bank at the edge of the estuary.
I turned back to Mum. She was smiling. She looked really excited to be here. Didn't she get that I'd just spent all of today feeling like a complete spare wheel? Didn't she get that I'd rather be back at home in London with my friends? Didn't she get that the idea of being here for two whole weeks with this…this scenery, this smell, and her and loved-up Johnny was not my idea of a holiday at all? I mean, Mia was in Ibiza and Jade was in Malta. And me? I was in the depths of Snowdonia with my mum and her new boyfriend and it was completely, absolutely the last place in the world I wanted to be.
"It's cute," Johnny said as we walked into the cottage.
It was small. Tiny, in fact. The three of us couldn't fit in the hall with our bags. I was half in, half out of the front door as Johnny stood at the bottom of the stairs with Mum in between. It was only when Mum moved along a bit, and Johnny shoved his case onto the stairs, that I could completely step inside.
That's what I could smell. And the walls, they were painted a gross, buttery yellow. Or had they been white and just turned yellow over the years? I couldn't tell, but they were bumpy and rough to touch. It looked like someone had thrown a handful of rocks into the paint. And I was sure the temperature inside the house had literally dropped three degrees compared to what it felt like outside.
"Nice slate floor," Mum said, shuffling along.
"Local stone," Johnny said. "Tons of it around."
"I'm going to go up and put these bags in our room," Mum said, and as she went up the stairs I literally thought they were going to come away from the wall with all the creaking.
I kicked my bag under the stairs and went through a door opposite into a snug little room with a window seat and a couple of sofas. There was a television on a dark wooden table. It seriously looked like it should have been in some kind of museum. I found the remote and switched it on. I heard sound before a picture appeared; alien voices, garbled words I couldn't make sense of, rushing, clunky, fast, and then I realized – it was Welsh. The programme was in Welsh. I carried on watching as the picture emerged. It looked like a daytime drama or soap. People I didn't recognize, speaking a language I couldn't understand, and yet I wasn't in the heat of some glamorous European city. I was still here in the UK, in a cottage that seemed to have a sub-zero temperature of its own. It was all so much worse than I'd even expected it to be.
"Cait!" I heard Mum calling from upstairs.
"Yeah?" I said, and I switched off the TV and moved from the sitting room back into the hall to follow her voice. I wondered if my hoody was still in the car. I seriously needed to put on another layer.
"Will you bring some more stuff in?" Mum said. "And pop the kettle on while you're down there?"
"Yeah," I said, and I went through the only other door off the hallway and found the kitchen. A set of cabinets, a sink, more yellowing walls, and a tiny little window at the back that meant you could look out onto a scrap of grass with a tree and a plastic swing. And beyond that there was a gate that went straight out onto the estuary – the estuary being a whole load of grasses and marsh, and eventually it looked like there was possibly some sand before the water.
I found the kettle and flicked it on, pulling open the nearest cupboard to look for teabags and mugs. I pulled out three and set them on the worktop. Three mugs. Three. Three always used to mean Mum, Dad and me. Not any more. No one tells you that when someone dies, it's the stupid little things – three teabags, three mugs, just the number three – that floor you. Little things that lurk in grief's dark corners and jump out and grab hold of you at the most unexpected times.
Where are you, Dad?
I'd often found myself saying those words over the last eighteen months. Sometimes I'd say them out loud, sometimes just in my head. I'm not sure why. I think it was just the comfort of talking to someone…no, talking to him. I knew that if he could see me now, standing here, in this cottage, making tea, he'd have said something like, Oh, Cait. Not quite the holiday you were hoping for, eh? Come on, give me a hug. We'll make it fun, okay? And it would always work; whatever he said it always seemed to make things better. He could make everything okay.
"Oh…you're making tea!" Johnny said, coming into the kitchen. "Great."
I nodded and walked quickly over to the fridge.
"Hopefully there'll be some milk in here," I said, opening the door, and sticking my head in, partly so I didn't have to look at Johnny, partly so I didn't have to keep making more conversation. I mean, I knew I needed to make the effort with Johnny, but it was really hard. We had literally nothing in common but Mum.
"Yup, milk, and there's some butter here too," I said walking back to the mugs with the milk.
"Just a drop for me, thanks Cait," he said, coming to stand next to me, watching me pour and stir. He was really annoying me now. I wished he'd just go away.
"Where's Mum?" I asked. Really for something to say, because the kitchen felt even smaller now, like there was no room to breathe with just me and Johnny in it.
"She's still unpacking. You should take your stuff up. Your room is nice. It's the one at the front. You can get yourself sorted."
I nodded, hating him for telling me what to do, and then I watched him take two mugs and go out the kitchen and back up to Mum.
I looked at my tea, the one left on the side. I didn't want it now. I picked the mug up and sloshed the contents into the sink, watching the steam rise as the brown liquid slinked its way down the plughole. I went back out of the house towards the car to find my hoody and try and shake the chill I could feel against my skin just from being here.
I opened up the car and reached in. My hoody was lying on the back seat. It was mad how much warmer it was being outside the house than in. It was actually ridiculous.
A voice. I looked to see where it was coming from. I hadn't seen any other signs of life, anyone else around.
"You just arrived?"
A boy was walking towards me now from the road, wearing colours that were way too bright – red shorts and a huge oversized red hoody. I smiled at him, and noticed his black hair and deep olive skin. He kind of exuded warmth in the coolness of this place, and it wasn't just his clothes.
"Yeah," I said. "Just arrived."
"From London?"
I nodded, and noticed how dark his eyes were too. They were so brown they were almost black. "So does everyone who stays here come from London, then?"
"A few," he said. "Getting away from it all."
"Right," I said, nodding.
"You can't get more away from it all than here, I guess," he said.
I nodded. "Yup," I said. He was so right.
"So I'm Marko," he said. "I'm in the cottage next door, staying with my dad. I'm here for most of the summer." He pointed to the cottage along from ours.
I nodded again. He was so easy with himself, and so friendly, so familiar with me, I almost thought I was going to blush, but I didn't. Instead I just kept nodding like some kind of idiot.
"And you are?" he said, smiling.
"God, sorry, yes, I'm Cait. We're here for a couple of weeks."
"Great," he said. "Great – Cait…well nice to meet you. If you need anything at all while you're here then just let me know."
"Thanks," I said, and as he started to walk across the gravel in front of the cottages and over to his front door, glancing back at me, I lifted up my hand as if to wave and then stopped myself. What was I doing?
"Listen…" he said, "if you fancy coming to a party, we're having one at the beach tomorrow night. It'll be a good one. You should come."
"Oh, right, okay," I said. "Thanks." I stood there for a moment, wondering what to say or what to do with my face, because I'd been here less than an hour and had managed to get myself invited to a party and I wasn't quite sure how I'd done that. Admittedly I'd been invited by a slightly over-friendly boy who was definitely older than me, dressed predominantly in fire-engine red, but still…
I was pretty sure I wasn't going to go – there was no way I'd be brave enough to just turn up on my own to a beach party with a whole bunch of strangers on a Saturday night – but I liked the thought that I'd been asked. I liked it a lot. Maybe this holiday wasn't going to be quite as dead as I'd thought after all.
You have 0 of these in your Basket.
Three close friends… Two unforgettable summers… One girl's darkest secret…
Alys appeared last summer, and then she vanished without a trace.
Ifan fell in love with her.
Hannah hated her.
And Marko regrets what they did.
This summer Cait is new in town, and a girl has been reported missing. Cait needs to uncover the truth. What happened last summer? And who is Alys?
"A tantalizing story of summer, secrets and deep unease"
Sue Wallman, author of Lying About Last Summer
Faye Bird worked as a literary agent representing TV and film screenwriters before becoming a writer herself. She lives in London with her husband and their two children. Faye is the author of My Second Life and What I Couldn't Tell You.
Visit www.fayebirdauthor.com to find out more.
"A tantalizing story of summer, secrets and deep unease."
Sue Wallman, author of Lying About Last Summer
"Compelling... A heartbreaking story of loss and redemption."
Sarah J. Harris, author of The Colour of Bee Larkham's Murder
"The best YA novel I've read in years. Beautiful, sad, sweet mystery, with just the right amount of redemption at the end."
Anthony McGowan, author of the Carnegie-shortlisted "Rook"
"Mystery and suspense to keep the reader entertained and turning the page."
"A powerful novel and utterly captivating. Excellent characters, who are relatable and complex, as most teenagers are!"
Armadillo Magazine
"A quick, tense read with an engaging mystery at its heart."
YA Under My Skin, Blogger
"A gets under-your-skin type of book and totally unputtadownable! It's this summer's YA thriller must read!"
Never Judge a Book a Cover, Blogger
"Each of the main characters in the book - the three friends, Cait, and the mysterious Alys, were fascinating to read about. Fully-fledged, multi-faceted characters, each with their own distinct personalities, I found myself turning pages, wanting to find out more about their lives."
The Writing Greyhound, Blogger
"A gripping summer read perfect for the holidays"
Mini Travellers, blogger


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Dear Readers,
Thank you very much for your continued support of my writing endeavors. I started this blog 3 or 4 years ago and never thought it'd end up reaching as many people as it has. I am so appreciative of your interest in my creative and thought-processing outlet.
I don't have any golden-nuggets of "wisdom" or creative poetic "works" for you, today. But I would like to take the opportunity to use my blog as a blog – updating you on my life.
I'm about turn 25. And my parents turn 50 this weekend. That means I'm officially the age that they were when they had me. Life is just funny like that.
You have an increasing amount of respect for your parent's hard-work as you get a little older and spend a year or two in the working-world. One day, you sort of wake up and you're like, "Holy crap. They had to work really friggin' hard to make all of this happen."
Anyways, super grateful for them. Excited to celebrate their 50 years of life in the upcoming week or two (their birthdays are 9 days apart).
I've been working for Allegion since March, 2014 as a temp. After 9 months of hard work and receiving a few honors such as Employee of the Month and Allegion's Top Performer for the 3rd Quarter, I was brought on as a salaried-employee in December, 2014. I could always go for a higher salary, but I pay my bills on time, am obviously not starving, so life isn't all that bad. The company has a great culture and I love my managers and coworkers. I recently joined a Steering Committee for communications and activities throughout the organization, so that should be fun – and allow me to develop a few new skills as well!
A friend and coworker of mine has recently undertaken the role of becoming my personal-trainer, so I'll have to update you on my progress eventually. We JUST started. Another friend had been helping me set various goals like limiting/eliminating soda consumption and increasing the amount of water I drink. In essence, I am taking steps towards regaining control over my body's health. According to my new "trainer", an Air Force Reserve service-man, I could be a new man by the time Summer hits. I would love nothing more than for him to be right on that one.
Jake recently married the love of his life. Weddings have a way of making one incredibly nostalgic. It's like a birthday-party, but on steroids – you think back to all of the adventure, heart-break, trials, and simply everything that you and those individuals have gone through together. Of one thing I'm certain, I am immensely grateful for the years of friendship that I've had with Jake. Especially the ones during college where our mutual friendship with Joey was no longer the cementing bond that held us together, but rather, we developed a unique and special friendship of our own that went from slamming each other in freestyle competitions and the wrestling-grounds of the Van Kirk basement, to uplifting one another in car-ride freestyles, leading a house-church, and studying at K-State, together – all in brotherly love for each other.
Speaking of freestyles, it wouldn't have been #WeazyWeek without some free-styling on the wedding day. Here's a picture of Chris going to town and Jake laughing, while Dan and Bryce dance in the background. Classic friendship moments right here.
Weddings also have a fun way of bringing old friends back together again. Over the past couple weeks I've shared some major "bromance" moments with several of the guys in the wedding party. A few of us have been wrestling through our faith together, while others have empathized with the financial and relational struggles that a bachelor has when they're still consider "entry-level" in the working-world, as well as watching "all" of their friends get married. I attended three weddings in three weeks (Kristin's in Wichita, Parkers in Tennessee, and Jake's in KCMO) over the Winter. Might as well audition for the 27 Tuxes movie bound to come out eventually. Our time will come, though.
Life is good. School was expensive (Mini Rant Moment – Go to community college for as long as you can, kids. Also, if you don't have a reason to be in school, then DO NOT go to college. Get a job and start saving your money. Then you won't have to live with your parents at 25…The bottom line – loans are HORRIBLE. Bad habits are hard to break.). Setting goals and working towards them is awesome. I'm already saving towards a new vehicle (which I will inevitably need in the next year or so). I'm stronger than I've ever been. Can't wait to trim down!
Last but not least, I've been reading like a mad-man for fun. James Patterson and John Grisham, folks. Pick pretty much ANY novel by those guys and it's better than your favorite TV show – guaranteed. But if you have to go for a TV show – The Blacklist, Scandal, Friday Night Lights, and The Office are my "must-watch" items on Netflix.
Thanks for your friendships and interest in my life! If it's been a while since we've talked, then I'd love nothing more than for you to give me a call, write me a letter, or shoot a text my way. Let's reconnect. Fellow bloggers out there, leave a comment and let me know what's new in your lives as well.


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These are the sexy gacha items from Blueberry over at Epiphany. The bra I am wearing is a rare item, they come in two versions and five colors, the one I wear is the tease one obviously. So there are 10 rares total. All other items are the commons and the bow garters are the exclusives and they require 25 points to get. To learn how to get more points please click this link: theepiphanysl.wix.com/2015#!how-to-play/eczd9. I thought the gorgeous bad kitty collar from RealEvil matches perfectly with this outfit, along with the red tattoo from Queen of Ink, which is exclusive for the Pixra Event! Oh before I forget, I love this new Catwa applier from Bold & Beauty for the Tres Chic event. Happy shopping! ❤Credits:
Skin: Bold & Beauty :: Lindsey (Catwa Applier) Fair @ Tres Chic.
Head: CATWA HEAD Gwen 4.5 EARLY RELEASE.
Hair: Exile::Loose Ends @ C88.
Collar: **RE** Bad Kitty Collar @ ROMP.
Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.4
Tattoo: *Queen oF Ink – The Taj Mahal's Queen Tattoo V1.0 EXCLUSIVE @ Pixra. Open on Jan 20!
Outfit: Blueberry @ Epiphany.
Pose: DM.
Bed: hive // good night bed @ ROMP.
Candles: Sway's [Birdcage] Wall art Candle holder . silver @ Tres Chic.


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I am two months in to my sabbatical from work - more commonly known as 'maternity leave'. Lots of time at home prompts many things - an excess of daytime TV, more reading books, and a good amount of thinking and reflection.
A few influential things of varying importance:
-The birth of my own son (of course!). Bringing a human into the world! Incredible!
-The birth of many children from other friends, and the serious illness and/or death of friends or friends' family.
-Other people who are working on their passion.
>I was at the dentist this week and asked my dentist about his recent travels, since he is regularly travelling to other countries to complete dental work. He talked about how it is his real passion.
>My boss of two years at work recently left the company to go back to school to study atmospheric science and work on the environment/artic water cycle.
>I just finished reading Tony Dungy's book. He refers often to his goal in life which is to honor and serve God. Football is a means for him to do this, whether through the public eye providing the means to volunteer and speak for charities he believes in, or how his family is financially able to adopt children.
I don't think I'm dramatically askew from my passions with my current tasks but I am looking into how I can do more towards them.
What inspires you? What are your passions? What do you want to do for the world?
REVIEW: Jack in the Box Unchicken Sandwich
2 hours ago


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Brad Woods
Director of National Accounts
As the Director of National Accounts with over 20 years of experience in business development and project management, Brad leads a team of expert designers, account managers and project managers. He has a diverse range of experience with clients in various market segments, including cinema, entertainment, retail, corporate, and collegiate student life. This wide-range of projects, allows him to make otherwise missed connections. For example, he's able to pull key elements of an entertainment experience into re-thinking a traditional retail experience. Brad's passion for creativity, cutting-edge research, technology and forward-thinking solutions is what drives him, and allows him to maintain long-term client relationships.
Brad is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a degree in Aerospace Engineering, and he's currently working to obtain his pilot's license.
When he's not at DI, he enjoys spending time with his wife and their four kids in activities varying from world travel, horse back riding, club soccer and Scouts. Brad is also an avid baseball and soccer fan, and loves being outside either riding mountain bikes, hunting, fishing or playing golf.


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Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, HR4173, which is arguably the most significant revision of our financial regulatory system since the 1930s.
Soon, probably early in the new year, the United States Senate will begin debating the Restoring American Financial Stability Act, a comprehensive financial reform bill that tackles the same issues. Both bills cover many issues and take some different approaches. Together with a number of colleagues from the NYU/Stern Working Group on Financial Reform, we have analyzed and commented on the details of the proposed legislation and will continue to do so as it evolves. Here we offer some highlights on the bill passed last week.
Perhaps most surprising is that the media paid so little attention to these far-reaching reforms. But this is the "balloon boy" world we live in. When the media did focus on the reforms, it was strictly on sideshow issues of executive pay and consumer protection.
Our view is that consolidating consumer protection and engaging in a serious effort to improve financial literacy are valuable goals. The legislations itself, however, is full of carve-outs that would leave many of the most important parts of the consumer financial market place unregulated.
Much of the focus on compensation is also somewhat misdirected. Compensation at financial firms is substantially share-based, so the interests of managers and shareholders tend to be closely aligned. Indeed, top employees at these firms incurred enormous losses of personal wealth in the crisis. The bigger problem for regulators and society is that because of implicit and explicit federal guarantees, the incentive to take large, potentially systemic risks is built directly into the equity itself.
The House bill does address the most important problems of regulating systemic risk and too-big-to-fail institutions directly--make no mistake about it. Guaranteeing the liabilities of major U.S. financial institutions distorts the allocation of capital and competition among financial intermediaries. The guarantee provides these firms with an unfair advantage, because they can raise capital at a lower cost. Since the guarantee is so valuable and pervasive, these giant intermediaries face little market discipline and have a perverse incentive to expand their scope, scale, risk exposure, leverage and financial interconnectedness. The result is a less-competitive and less-efficient financial system.
The good news is that the Congressional bills seem to be on the right track. If the legislation is implemented as written, then there will be a full frontal assault on too-big-to-fail institutions. Specifically, the bill advocates: (i) charging the firms premiums for systemic risk; (ii) imposing higher capital and liquidity requirements; (iii) restricting proprietary trading activities if deemed necessary to limit risk; and (iv) forcing the issuance of contingent capital, which will bring back market discipline and shift some of the risk from taxpayers back to creditors. One disappointment, however, is the mechanism the bill sets up for failed systemically significant financial companies. While providing the legal authority to the regulator is a step in the right direction, the legislation does not go far enough to reduce the uncertainty surrounding bankruptcy.
Less successful are the proposals to regulate derivatives. An important reason why some financial institutions became too big to fail in the recent crisis was that they were too interconnected to fail--regulators and markets did not have sufficient information on the exact nature of these links. Many of these connections had to do with positions in over-the-counter derivatives such as credit default swaps (CDS). Besides this issue of opacity, OTC derivatives are also potentially a mechanism for banks to avoid the more stringent margin- or collateral-requirements they face when similar products are traded on exchanges or clearinghouses.
The bill unfortunately succeeds only partially in addressing these issues. On the positive side, it does require that all OTC positions be reported in a centralized data registry with full regulatory access. This should allow regulators to prepare better for future failures of financial firms. It appears unlikely, however, that market transparency will be enhanced other than through provision of aggregated position information. Negatively speaking, the bill does not mandate centralized clearing of OTC derivatives except when a clearinghouse is willing to accept them. While regulators would review products for possible clearing, ultimately clearing houses are run by participating dealers. Hence, it appears that the bill leaves considerable, perhaps almost all, discretion to financial firms as to which products will be centrally cleared.
Failure to move CDS--even the standardized ones--to central clearing was a key contributor to the crisis: CDS clearing, a "utility" function, remained inside Bear Stearns, a private risk-taking firm, and so when Bear collapsed, there were widespread fears of contagion through CDS interconnections. Therefore the bill is at best disappointing and lacks sufficient conviction in addressing the systemic risk issues relating to OTC derivatives.
The House bill would alter the ability of the Federal Reserve to function as effectively as it has in the recent crisis. Maintaining the Fed's role as an effective lender of last resort is vitally important. Although the proposed legislation leaves the Fed's traditional lending facility intact, both the Senate and House proposals would inhibit the ability of the Fed to conduct such lending.
The Senate proposal would remove all bank regulatory and examination functions from the Fed. If that happens, the Fed would have no reliable way of monitoring or evaluating potential borrowers at the discount window. Although the legislation allows the Fed to request information from a new regulatory agency or to ask to participate in examinations, it would be far removed from information regarding potential borrowers and ill-prepared to make sound judgments about them. Under the House bill, the Fed has a continuing role in financial regulation, but the Chairman of the Board is only a member of the new systemic regulator, the Financial Services Oversight Council, which would determine when emergency lending by either the Fed or the FDIC is warranted.
There are elements of both the House and Senate proposals that would politicize monetary policy and crisis management operations of the Fed in ways that could easily prove counterproductive to economic stability. Both bills call for reviews or audits of lending programs introduced in response to the crisis with only limited restrictions on maintaining the confidentiality of information. The House bill, which now incorporates provisions of the Paul-Grayson amendment, calls for an immediate and extensive audit of the Fed's responses to the crisis and also removes the exclusion of monetary policy deliberations from regular audits in the future.
The Fed has fought for decades to achieve and retain that independence, but it has seriously pushed the envelope in managing the financial crisis. It will be a hard slog to preserve independence but one that is well worth the effort. The last thing a credible central bank needs is dog's breakfast of monetary policy, macro-prudential and micro-prudential, all the while under intense lobbying from special interests who have a great deal at stake.
There is going to be a long debate early in the new year that will determine how these and many other issues play out. We will continue to provide commentary here as the issues unfold.
Thomas F. Cooley is the Paganelli-Bull professor of economics at NYU Stern and writes a weekly column for Forbes. Viral Acharya, Matthew Richardson and Ingo Walter are professors at NYU/Stern School of Business.


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The Intrepid Spirit Network's mission is to treat and care for those Service Members suffering from the most severe forms of TBI co-morbid psychological health concerns. Two of the Intrepid Spirit Centers are located in the National Capital Area. Intrepid Spirit One (ISO) is located at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital (FBCH). The National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) is located at WRNMMC
CNRM has partnered with both the NICoE and the ISO to support research programs for Service Members. Clinical researchers at NICoE and ISO, as with other departments at WRNMMC and FBCH, can propose research projects to be supported by CNRM funds and/or utilize CNRM core facilities. CNRM and NICoE share significant interests and resources for neuroimaging studies. FBCH is a CNRM core site with personnel support provided for CNRM's military recruitment protocol.


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I'm just very excited about this table so I had to post a photo for the family. We found this table on craigslist for a song and it's actually exactly what I would have chosen so I'm pretty stoked. If anyone has been to our house you know that the last table was the same one I ate from as a baby and it was pretty ugly (sorry parents!). It's always fun to upgrade.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
gather round
Posted by Carrie at 2:42 PM
9 comments:
- Anonymous said...
That is so cute Carrie!!! I can't wait for the day we have a real table....You found a good one!!! Hope you got a super great deal!!! I wish I could come eat one of your fabulous dinners at your super cute table!!!!
- May 28, 2008 at 2:54 PM
- Anonymous said...
it's so mission style and awesome!! I love it, just like you said I would. Good find. It will be passed on to benson when he has kids of his own. awww...
- May 28, 2008 at 3:19 PM
- Megan said...
That is soooo pretty! I LOVE it! I love your chair cushions too. The whole thing... just gorgeous! Yay for great deals and an eye for the fabulous!
- May 28, 2008 at 9:25 PM
- Abby said...
Looks good! How exciting!
- May 29, 2008 at 9:11 AM
- mandakay said...
It is so much fun to upgrade .... its even better when i doesnt put a hole in your wallet!! lol super cute carrie. wish i could come eat one of your fabulous meals around it!!
- May 29, 2008 at 10:25 AM
- Caity said...
NIcccee! I love craigslist!
- May 29, 2008 at 1:18 PM
- melissa said...
cool i got a really nice free table last weekend. it was my aunt's, but it's too big and nice for our one-room, so i gave it to my parents for the time being. kind of the opposite of your old table. that's cool, right?
ps sorry my comments are always about myself. i think you're more interesting.
- May 30, 2008 at 8:54 AM
- Natalie said...
I love that Carrie! Now I have to come over and see it in person. And awesome you got it for such a steal- I guess I'm gonna have to start looking at Craig's list more often.
- May 31, 2008 at 2:11 PM
- west's said...
It's super cute!! It's always fun getting new furniture and getting rid of hand me downs!! Exciting
- June 1, 2008 at 7:08 AM


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Construction workers usually work in a louder environment. A worker might be interrupted by unwanted noise on site. Furthermore, the lack of communication between co-workers might also result in some potential danger. This is where one of best Bluetooth headphones or headsets come to play for construction workers. A good Bluetooth headset can not only protect workers' ear from noisy harm but also well avoid the communication breakdown. It is becoming common that workers on construction site wear a headset or headphone with wireless and Bluetooth function. It replaces the traditional ways for communication and increase productivities and lower the life danger.
How to choose one of best headphones or headsets for construction workers? Well, it has to meet the several standards. The construction workers headset must be with wireless and Bluetooth features. The effective communication is the key to working on construction site. For another, it should also have the capability of noise reduction or cancelling. Long exposure to loud noise can be really stressful for anyone on site. It is harmful both physically and mentally.
Jabra Steel Ruggedized Bluetooth Headset
The Jabra Steel Bluetooth headset is specially designed for on-site workers. It is strong enough to resist dust, drop, grime, water and shock. Its dual microphone technology can well deliver high-quality voice calling by removing background noise from any environment.
Jabra Steel is a reversible Bluetooth headset, saying you can wear either on right ear or left ear.
Some key features for Jabra Steel Bluetooth Headset
- Voice Functions: Tap for Siri and Google Now. Voice guidance for simplified pairing and a hands-free call experience;
- Supreme call quality: HD Voice, Dual mic for noise cancellation;
- Durability: Dust, water and shock resistant, 5-year warranty;
- Battery: Uo to 6 hours talk time and up to 10 days standby time
Some unhappy customers complain its voice control. Some noise from background often forces the headset automatically pick up or reject a call. That turn to a pain for users. Just contact sellers and make a list of your most concerned points to be answered before purchasing.
3M Peltor TacticalPro Communications Headset MT15H7F SV
3M Peltor TacticalPro Communications Headset works excellent for industry workers, airport workers, heavy equipment operators, and shooting.
Its unique frequency response can effectively amplify the low-level sounds while reducing the unwanted noise from the background. That is why this 3M Peltor TACTICALPRo headset can have so wide application, like the industrial site, gun range, forklift driving, airport ground and more.
This 3M Peltor Tacticalpro headset is perfect for hunting and shooting activities. To protect your ear with Tacticalpro headset, communication between each other of the several members is quite efficient on the gun range. It does not just kill all sound while shooting or with any other loud sound, but suppress those harmful loud sound and amplify the low-level sounds.
The soft gel ear cups also give the comfortable wearing even for long hours.
Some users are a bit disappointed with its open top headband design and short battery life. That should be improved in the next release from 3M.


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Genres come with reader expectations, and expectations come with certain stereotypes connected to genres.
A genre is a style of category of art, music or literature.
An expectation is a strong belief that something will happen or be the case.
A stereotype is a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.
For example; romance is a genre, the expectations are a sympathetic heroine, a strong and irresistible hero, emotional tension and a happy ending (it would help if the plot was believable) and the stereotypes are the bad boy and the good, shy 'nerdy' girl or the damsel in distress and the prince that saves her. I.e. Pride and Prejudice, Me Before You, Cinderella, and Beauty and the Beast.
For a genre to work the reader will have expectations about the story, and these expectations come from the stereotypes that have been placed on the genre. Authors need to be aware of what expectations readers will have if they've written a novel in a particular genre, and use that awareness to either meet these expectations or subvert them in a way that readers will find appealing and interesting.


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Price: $14.50
Quantity: 1 available
Book Condition: Very Good in Very Good- dust jacket
First edition, first printing. In full black and green cloth-covered boards with titling in pale blue on spine. Interior features section of color plates, depicting birds and landscapes from the author's travels. With bruised cover corner; otherwise a clean, bright copy. Jacket has rear flap crease and back cover rubbing; otherwise in nice shape. | Author's work recounts his world-wide travels in search of birds. He reports from Iceland, Greenland and many other locales. ; 8vo 8" - 10" tall; 227 pages
Title: Parts Unknown A Naturalist's Journey in Search of Birds and Wild Places
Categories: >>Birds, >>Photography, >>Travel / Exploration / Adventure,
Publisher: Guilford, Connecticut, The Lyons Press: 2001
ISBN Number: 1585742759
ISBN Number 13: 9781585742752
Binding: Hardcover
Book Condition: Very Good in Very Good- dust jacket
Weight: 1.00 Item
Stock No.: 74456


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My wife has been hanging round bikes a lot longer than I have. This is her aged about 2 I'd say (judging by her resemblance to our almost 2 year-old daughter) on her dad's Morini 175 in about 1972/3. She still keeps an unrestored '74 Gilera Trial 5V in her parents house in Italy for good measure, I'll try and dig out a photo.
Sunday, 31 July 2011
Monday, 25 July 2011
'Til death do us part
There's an inextricable link between death and motorcycles, so it was fitting to shoot Terry's fantastically customised Cagiva Mito in his workplace where he keeps and maintains it. Terry's an undertaker as well a passionate biker, and he built this pimped-up Mito up with no mechanical experience but loads of drive and passion at work with the blessing of his boss, inbetween driving a 20-foot long Jaguar limousine, or putting the last nail in coffins. Undertakers also have a dead funny sense of humour as I found out, as Terry insisted on putting his 'RIP" show plate on the Mito for the shoot. He also sorted out something very comfy for me to lie on the floor while taking shots too as you can see, otherwise I was in grave danger of doing my knees in. And no, those coffins weren't occupied..
Terry's Cagiva Mito is not just show but has plenty of go too, and the boost bottle and race air box fitted give an already-mad stroker much more guts. Big bike performance for small bike money. There's a great story here too of young people getting into bikes and building their own thing - all coming up in a future issue of the mag!
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Alistair Wager is part genius, part mad professor and one more part motorcycle design and techno-visionary but he knows his Ducatis inside out - it was Alistair whom Paul Smart trusted to get his legendary Imola-winning 750 up and running after gathering dust in the Ducati museum for many years (read the 750 Imola track test in Issue Two of the magazine).
Alistair is building new Ducati Supermonos to order, and the magazine has been following one customer's build over the last few months. Designed by Bordi, Domenicali and Terblanche, Ducati built just 67 Supermonos between 1993 and 1995, and though they were on sale for just £16,000 at the time, by now they're desired and collected by people with deep pockets.
Last week I was utterly utterly excited and privileged to ride Alistair's road-going Supermono - single-cylinder Ducati motor giving out 75bhp at the rear wheel and an overall 295lbs/134kg weight of the bike makes for probably the best-handling, most exciting single cylinder motorcycle available new today. It's a race bike for the road, simple as that. I sadly can't afford one but if you want one, ask Alistair here: http://www.britaliamoto.com
See dear reader how just for you (and us) ITALIAN MAGAZINE rides the bikes that others simply dream about? Full article in a future edition of the mag. 'Supermonocalifragilisticexpialidocious' ©IM
Monday, 18 July 2011
Better than the real thing
Forget the Ducati retro bikes - this is the one to have - ask Federico Minoli what he thinks.
Best looking, best handling, best accelerating Baines Imola. Coming up very soon in Issue Four...
Friday, 15 July 2011
De-seized de-constructed de-lightful
Finally got the front engine bolt out of the project Le Mans 2 - a mate had suggested an acetone and ATF mix after having read about it on a forum somewhere. Well, cheap nail polish remover was the nearest I could find to pure acetone, so mixed it up with just as cheap red ATF to make a foul-smelling but fascinating potion. Slapped it on all over the bolt, left it to soak, slapped more on, etc. etc. for a week or two, also painted some on the stator housing that had rusted solid to the timing cover.
After about 10 days, went back, lots of heat, big lump hammer, scaffold bar on my breaker bar, and the bolt came out easily, having had to grind off the shite end nut that had begun to spin on the thread (probably after me whacking it in frustration so many times...)
The stator also dropped off just by me giving it a dirty look. Motor finally out of frame, progress made. I'll be using acetone/ATF from now on
Thursday, 7 July 2011
Some mornings
Some mornings I just need to listen to certain music. This is one of them, and the Circle Jerks will do just fine. I was in their support band at the Irving Plaza, Lower East Side, NYC almost 25 years ago and it was one of the maddest and exciting evenings of my life.
Saturday, 2 July 2011
Small Italians Up North
Our correspondent 'up north' Pete S sent us these pics of some cute Italian tiddlers for sale at Rufforth autojumble today. Look like a nice Cimatti Sport 50 and a Moto Guzzi Dingo of some sort, and a Gilera 150 too. Good stuff - thanks Pete!! Check out more good stuff at Pete's blog here
Friday, 1 July 2011
Weird how life goes. My destiny (if you believe in such a thing) before I even knew what a motorcycle was, was that I would end up with a father-in-law as cool as this. On his Morini 175, around 1964.
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- Tbmtb
- 7 years ago
- Wedding: September 2014
Hi Bees! I recently purchased my gown, and would love to see some photos of brides in the same dress or even a similar style. I'm having difficulty finding them online! My dress is the Vera Wang Eleanor with the Chelsea sash. Is anyone a dress twin?


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With Matterhorn or village view
Junior Suites with balcony and view to the mountains and village, with 2 single beds or 1 king bed, approx. 39 m2 (419 ft2), one room only. In addition, a DVD-Player is provided in your room. The rooms have a sofa bed and some are interconnecting to other Junior Suites.
Room rates includes:
Transfer to and from the Zermatterhof and Zermatt station in our horse-drawn carriage or electric bus on the day of your arrival and departure • Generous breakfast buffet • Mineral water and softdrinks from the minibar • Electric kettle, Ronnefeldt-Tea, Nespresso coffee machine and capsules • Use of the spa, i.e. unlimited access to the pool, steam bath, saunas, jacuzzi, ice grotto and gym • Wireless Internet in your room and in all public areas


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Uv And Uva Rays Cause Premature Aging Of The Skin, And Can Also Cause Other Skin Conditions Such As Rashes, Inflammation, And Skin Cancer.
Healthy skin, for the most part, results from a balance of moisture with dry skin is markedly more than in the case of men. In choosing cleansing products for dry skin, here are few pointers to bear in mind : Make sure the cleansing preparations are made up of mild cleansing complexes with re-oiling agents that remove fat-soluble lipophilic dirt particles. Whether they are intended for preventing or reversing the natural aging process of the skin, disturbed fatty acid metabolism of the skin contribute a major role. Depending on your skin type, toners will range production, which helps diminish wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars and many other blemishes. Chemically, you can use one of the common acidic make wrinkles, lines and dark spots on your skin prominent.
With all of the beauty products on the market, and all of the claims of their dermatologist to figure out the best beauty regimen for your skin type. Well tolerated natural skin care products in the form of creams or lotions and ensure an intensive replenishing of skin oils. However, the main disadvantage of all natural skin care products is that they of herbs that are known to possess antiseptic properties. There are many factors that make your skin dry, the commercial market of herbal skin care products is on the rise. In addition, natural skin care products that are properly formulated to match allow to soak in may be combined with your moisturizer.http://socialadamhughes.chicagodocfestival.org/2016/08/06/protect-absolutely-necessary-use-a-sunblock-of-at-least-15-spf-daily-unless-you-work-the-graveyard-shift
However, excessive or harsh exfoliation can cause damage to it's recommended that you exfoliate your skin at least once a week. Herbal Skin Care Skin care is not a topic of recent times; it has been in practice normal physiological condition, pay extra close attention to your cleansing and skincare routine. Example Routines MORNING: Cleanse: Use a gentle cleanser look cakey and greasy within a few hours – even on dry aged skin. Passing Time Makes Its Mark Use Antiaging Dry Oily Skin dryness and oily tendency may not be totally natural. If you are planning to take a shower or bath, apply your cleanser before work, and whether they are absorbed properly into your skin.


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the Reformation's "minimum kit"
I recently began reading Diarmaid MacCulloch's The Reformation, which by all accounts is a magisterial history. And about a hundred pages in, it sure looks like it. But here's a curiosity: MacCulloch announces in his introduction that he's going to add, in an appendix, a few central documents that will enable his readers to understand what these people — the objects of his historical scrutiny — cared about, argued about, and fought about. And what are those documents? The Augsburg Confession, perhaps? Documents from the Council of Trent? No: he means the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, the Ave Maria, the the Apostles' and Nicene creeds.
MacCulloch calls this "the minimum kit that those caught up in the Reformation would have had at their disposal." Fair enough, though I suspect that almost everyone's "kit" was rather larger, though in varying ways. But I can't help wondering what someone would make of this very large book (750 pages in quite small print) who didn't already have a good grasp of those documents. Would someone to whom the Lord's Prayer is unknown even pick up this book? Would someone who doesn't know the Creeds be able to make sense of the narrative, of the theological arguments that are a significant (though not the largest) part of it?
I understand that writers today cannot assume a level of cultural literacy that was common in the past; and I know from experience that trade publishers are constantly aware of this problem. But the addition of this "kit" to this particular book, which would seem to demand a certain level of historical knowledge from anyone who might happen to pick it up, seems odd. I wonder if the appendix was MacCulloch's idea or his editors'.


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In this review I will be telling you if you should buy discontinued eye shadow makeup from Mac. The reason I am telling you this is because many people have thought that they have finally found the right make up but then after a few months you find out that it has been discontinued. Now you must know that they still sell discontinued make up even though they don't make that many of that kind of makeup, well I will be telling you if you should buy discontinued make up (which is basically your choice) by telling you the good and the bad things about discontinued Mac makeup. Now I will be telling you if you should buy discontinued eye shadow makeup from Mac.
Discontinued Mac Makeup Prdocuts
As you know that Mac is one of the best make up brands out there in the market and that most women always have to buy some of the new makeup which comes from the brand which is called Mac. First of all I will be naming some of the Mac make ups that have been discontinued (which may not be all of them). W7 Cabaret make up collection gift set (which includes eye shadow, lipstick/ lip gloss, foundation and brushes for your make up), Badgequo Body Collection Classic Make-up Compendium, Beautify (which is basically Colour Eye Shadow Palette Make Up Kit Set with 120 different eye shadow shades to choose from), Nars Single Eyeshadow Emanuelle, Max Factor Aqua Lash Mascara (in the colour Black) and there are many more discontinued make up from Mac as well. Carry on reading if you would like to find out some of the names for non - discontinued Mac makeup.
Non – Discontinued Mac Makeup Products
Professional Cosmetic Make up Brush Kit Set Bag (which includes thirty four pieces), Royal foundation brush, mac studio fix powder plus foundation, Beautify Pink Professional Make Up Mineral Brush Set (which includes twenty pieces), MAC Small Eye Shadow, make up blenders (includes 8 pieces), Beautify Eye shadow & 5 pc Blusher Combo Set Eye Shadow Blush Professional Makeup Palette (which includes 21 pieces and has about 26 Colours), royal cosmetics (big blusher/ powder blusher), Cover Me Up Make-Up Mousse (09 Walnut), Sheertone Blush (Breath Of Plum), MAC eye shadow (climate blue), W7 Kit Party Time Eye shadow And Lip gloss Palette In Diamonte Case, royal cosmetics connections, Tigi bed head shine junky lip gloss (Mocha), Mac powder blush flirt and tease, Mac select sheer loose, Mac powder blush margin, Diorskin Sculpt Line Smoothing Lifting Make Up, Mac pigment (emerald green), MAC Small Eye Shadow (Chrome Yellow), Eye Stix Eye shadow Pen(Blue Pearl), Mac sheer tone shimmer blush (ambering rose), W7 Eye Stix Eye Shadow Pens X6(Midnight ,Deep Brown, Beige Pearl, Shimmering Mauve, Blue Pearl And White Pearls), Eye Stix Eye shadow Pen (Dark Brown), Royal Functionality Cotton Powder Puffs, Tigi Bed Head Joystick 3 In 1 Lipstick, Lip Liner Or Cream Blush (Feisty), MAC Lip Glass Lip Gloss (Viva Glam), MAC Blush Powder (Raizin), Mac eye shadow (thunder), bed head girls just want it lip stick (loyalty), MAC Small Eye Shadow (Blue Flame), Mac eye shadow rule, Mac eye shadow (chamomile), Mac cream colour base (bronze), Mac eye shadow (dream maker), Eye Stix Eye shadow Pen (White Pearl), Royal Functionality 4 Step Nail Buffer, Tigi Bed Head Maui Make Out Lip Cream, Mac eye shadow (juxt), Pro Blending Eye shadow Fluff Brush, Mac Studio Stick Foundation, Laval Starry Eyes Loose Pigment Dust Eye shadow Powder (Beige) and there are many more non - discontinued Mac make up as well. Carry on reading to find out some more interesting information and facts about this review which is about should you use discontinued eye shadow makeup from Mac?
What is Discontinued Makeup and where can they be purchased from?
The reason why Mac has decided to discontinue some Mac eye shadow (or any other make ups) is because they have put it in the market for marketing but when the make up gets old or it doesn't make much money then they decide to stop making that type of make up and it becomes discontinued. So if you still want to use the discontinued make up then you can still buy them but you may not buy them from the shops. You may have to go to an online website where they sell that make up (which has to sell discontinued make up) such as Amazon, EBAY and etc. Looking through these two websites (or any other good website you know) you could try and find some other eye shadow (or any make up) for you and then that could become your new favourite make up. They might even have some makeups which they still sell now days. Well I have told you why they have discontinued these types of Mac make up so now you have to decide if you would like to carry on buying discontinued make up (which is no problem at all and the best thing is that nothing bad will happen to your skin) or you can just try and find another make up/ eye shadow for you to use. My suggestion is that you should try and find a new make up/ eye shadow which are perfect for your skin but if you can't then carry on buying discontinued make up/ eye shadow. Carry on reading if you would like to find out some more information and facts for this review which is telling you if you should use discontinued eye shadow makeup from Mac.
Now a days Mac is becoming a better brand for makeup and more woman are getting attracted to the brand as well. Mac is such a great brand that many celebrities use there make up as well. Well I hope that you have had fun reading all of this fascinating information and facts for this review which is telling you if you should use discontinued eye shadow make up from Mac and I also hope that you have learnt one or two things about Mac make up or a little bit about discontinued Mac makeup.


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Travel Ecuador, learn and enjoy yourself
The perfect program for groups of high school or university students who want to travel Ecuador.
Travel Ecuador: Educational Trips
The "Study & Travel in Ecuador" programs are ideal for groups from university or college during the semester break.
These trips put participants in touch with Ecuador´s incredible bio-diversity and various indigenous and mestizo cultures. Activities may include living with Ecuadorian families, excursions, and lectures combined with field trips to the Andean Highlands, the Amazon rainforest, the cloud forest, and the Galapagos Islands.
Possible activities
- Living with EIL Ecuador host families
- Spanish classes at EIL Ecuador Language Center
- Excursions to different Ecuadorian regions
- Field trips
- Lectures about Ecuadorian and Latin American politics, economic and social affairs
- Contacts with Ecuadorian teachers and students
- Volunteer opportunities
(The program may include all or some of the above-mentioned activities)
The educational trips are normally for one week or more.
The program is available all year around.
The cost depends on the length of the program and requested activities.
What are you waiting for? Travel and study with EIL!
For more information: email@example.com
It is a minimum of one week (some trips are longer)
Depends on the wishes of the group
Homestay or other types of accommodation
- Educational visits of interest to cultural and/or archaeological areas, cloud forest, rainforest, coast, Andes, Galapagos etc.
- Presentations on culture, history, ecology etc.
- Supporting communities developing projects
- Participate in Spanish or Kichwa classes
5 or more people accompanied by a group leader or teacher


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This is a very popular question because of the many accusations that the design of Galaxy Tab is a copy and paste version of a refined design of the iPad. However, even if the Galaxy Tab has not been designed to copy the iPad, one must understand that the glossy plastic, and overall design, does make it look a lot like an iPad. The deep similarities in facade could cause confusion amongst consumers. Nevertheless the two articles are quite different and within this article, you will see a few ways that they differ.
Webcam Camera & Photo
The Samsung Galaxy Tab has a front webcam and a camera picture on the back of 3 million pixels and an LED flash. The iPad has a similar camera and similar flash mechanism but does not have the back and front camera functions.
USB port
The Samsung Galaxy Tab has a Mini USB port but the iPad has no USB port. The iPad is an Apple only machine, which means that only apple products will fit into it. Any item that you can use on a Samsung Galaxy Tab has its own Apple version so that you can use it on the iPad, but you cannot plug USB items into your iPad.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab runs on the Android operating system from Google that allows you more freedom because it is flexible enough to allow multiple software developers to add programs to it. The iPad runs on iOS and therefore you are dependent on Apple products and Apple software. This is a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing because the iPad/iPhones operating system iOS has more compatible apps than any other tablet device. It is a curse because you still are technically reliant upon Apple for every app. This means that if they wanted to hike their prices in a year–there is nothing you can do about it.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab with Android allows you to see sites that contain Flash (e.g. YouTube). The iPad is not compatible with Flash. This is a problem now, but the problem will expire because future versions of Android are also going to stop running Flash scripts. This is because Android and iOS developers have decided that Flash scripts use up too much battery power on hand held devices. The iPad has apps that allow people to view sites such as YouTube.
Dimensions & Weight
The iPad has a 9.7-inch (25 cm) screen. It's dimensions are 24.2cm x 20cm x 13.4cm. Its weight is 730 grams and its screen resolution is 1024 × 768. The Samsung Galaxy Tab has a 7-inch screen (17.78 cm). Its dimensions are 19cm x 12cm x 11.9cm. Its weight is 380 grams and its screen resolution is 1024 × 600.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab has two SIM slots for people with duel personalities. The iPad has a single SIM slot for the lonelier person.
SD card
The Samsung Galaxy Tab has a MicroSDHC slot. The iPad does not. The iPad uses its own technology for the purposes of saving and removing data.
Samsung Galaxy Tab can connect to a big screen via the HDMI port is on the dock. With the iPad you watch your movies on the tablet only.
Gyroscope / Compass / Accelerometer
The Samsung Galaxy Tab features a compass, an accelerometer and a gyroscope. The iPad is just a compass and an accelerometer. You can however buy apps that compensate for this on the iPad.
RAM – Random Access Memory
The Samsung Galaxy Tab has 512 MB of RAM as standard. The iPad has 256MB. This may seem like a bad thing but the Galaxy Tab needs more RAM because the Android supports multiple background processes and applications. The iPad is very rarely likely to run three programs/apps at the same time. This is one of the ways that iPad saves battery power. The iPad will not run multiple background apps and therefore does not actually need as much RAM as a Samsung Galaxy Tab.
Prices vary from country to country, but the average price of a Samsung Galaxy Tab is around $480. The iPad Wi-Fi or 3G costs around $400.
Which is better?
Each tablet device is pretty much capable of doing the same thing, but because the Samsung Galaxy Tab has Android it means that multiple background processes may occur, which is not possible on the iPad. This may be enough to call it the winner but we must also consider price. The Samsung is more expensive to buy originally, but there are more powerful versions of the iPad that run into the $900 price bracket. The accessories for the iPad must be bought from Apple, who charge quite a lot.
The accessories for the Samsung may be bought from many retailers, which has pushed their price down. This means that the Samsung also wins when it comes to cost. Therefore the Galaxy Samsung Tab is currently the better option.
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