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Winter Snow
Throughout February 2012, Dan and Zirak from Music for Change facilitated a MID community project with detainees at Campsfield House IRC and people living in temporary accommodation in Oxford, who were rebuilding their lives with the help and support of staff at Oxford Homeless Pathways.
At Campsfield House Zirak's violin and percussion playing quickly gathered a large crowd who were eager to hear, play and dance to traditional songs from Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Kurdistan, India and Pakistan. The microphone provided the focus for a series of performances: songs, stand-up comedy, and a moving speech by one of the elders in the group, encouraging people to continue with their music and pointing out that although their countries had different names, they had a lot of shared experience and culture.
The officers at Campsfield House joined in the fun during the sessions and this culminated with a dance-off between a few of the detainees and an officer, much to everyone's amusement! Although the officer made a valiant effort, it was generally agreed that he'd have to go back to Bhangra dancing school if he was ever going to be a serious contender!
Interviews with detainees were played to the participants in Oxford to give them a sense of life in the detention centre. Music and lyrics grew from the empathy they felt for each others' situations, including 'Winter Snow', about the difficulties of getting through a harsh winter, and 'Blue Bayou', about chasing your dreams. The participants from Oxford had many talents (singing, piano playing and writing to name a few). We hope this project reminded them of their own abilities and will help them look to the future.
- Song of Freedom
- Voices to the World
- Brook House and Langley Green
- World Upon My Shoulder
- Keep On Fighting
- Strong Voices - The Harbour Sessions
- The Final Session
- Journey of a Song
- Friends in the City of Atlantis
- Hope Stories
- Yarl's Wood Singing Group - Round 2
- This Journey
- Yarl's Wood Singing Group
- One more step until we're there
- Good Life
- Symmetry
- Winter Snow
- I'm not sad
- Home is Family
- Celebrating Sanctuary
- Electric vibes!
- A unique fusion of voices
- Change – a parade with a difference
- Hide and Seeker


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It was early on Saturday morning a couple of Phoenix Comicons ago at a table on the mezzanine-level of the downtown Hyatt when Tiffany and I were first introduced to Seasons. And with both of us having loved our initial playthrough of the game, when I saw it on sale about eight months later, I couldn't resist picking it up to add to our ever-growing board game collection… where it stayed shrink-wrapped for the next seven months (sometimes it takes a while to get new games to the table). But with Tiffany's back in recovery-mode this past weekend after an unfortunate tweak, we were in the mood to play something new (or, in this case, something we hadn't played in such a long while that we had forgotten how to play) and decided to finally de-shrink-wrap our copy of Seasons to jump into the kingdom of Xidit.
The story of Seasons has the players taking the roles of the greatest sorcerers of the kingdom competing in a tournament that spans 12 seasons with the prize of becoming the new Archmage of the kingdom of Xidit. The gameplay is a rather like Magic: The Gathering meets a dice-rolling, euro game. You start with a hand of cards containing magical items and familiars (characters) which you summon with different types of energy. You are able to obtain these types of energy by rolling specialty dice of different colors (large and satisfyingly-chunky ones) that correspond to the different seasons. These dice also dictate how fast the game progresses from season to season. Ultimately, you're trying to gather the most prestige points by summoning the cards in your hand and acquiring crystals (gained through cards and dice rolls).
This game definitely lived up to our memory of it. With its beautiful art and compelling gameplay which is able to scale in complexity, Seasons is a great game for newcomers to modern board games and seasoned gamers alike. And after playing it again this weekend, Seasons has definitely cemented itself onto our list of favorites with another playthrough planned for the near future!

subset: commoncrawl


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Our Rooms
Each room offers a unique sense of style
Rosenhof Country House has 12 Luxury Rooms, 2 Executive Suites and Bird's Cottage. Catering for a maximum of 34 guests.
Each room differently decorated, some more spacious and others more family friendly.
Luxury Rooms
12 Rooms situated around a beautiful courtyard, each with their own patio. Ideal for single travelers, families or couples looking for a relaxing retreat or romantic getaway.
Warm earthy tones and neutral lines are complemented by wood furniture and a colourful touch. Each room differently decorated to offer a unique sense of style.
Ensuite bathroom with separate shower and bath, heated towel rails and hair dryers.
Executive Suites
Located 100m from main house for extra privacy.
An ideal couples retreat or hide away on your South African holiday. Each of the 2 Executive Suites feature a king size bed, separate lounge, fireplace, private parking, luxurious bathroom, own swimming pool and garden.
The bathrooms are equipped with separate bath and shower, private toilet, heated towel rails, double basin, hair dryers, exercise bike, bath robes and slippers.
Indulge in a peaceful retreat with a good novel on the patio or take a dip in the pool. The ideal accommodation choice to enjoy the tranquil views of the Swartberg Mountains.
Bird's Cottage
The Bird's Cottage offers private en suite accomodation. The Cottage is
nestled between indigenous trees, creating the experience of rus in urbe.
Guests are accommodated in style within three en suite bedrooms. A shared lounge leads directly to a outdoor terrace and swimming pool.
All en suite bedrooms are air-conditioned. Mini bar, tea and coffee making facilities are available.
It is really true – you are awaken each morning by a variety of bird's song.
Check in: 14:00 | Check out: 11:00
All ages welcome
Limited family rooms with sleeper couch
Maximum of 2 adults and 2 children under 12 per room


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Dell Developing A New 7-Inch Android Tablet
It won't be of any surprise to learn that Dell is currently in the process of designing and manufacturing a new tablet, a device that will be similar in size and shape to Samsung's Galaxy Tab, built with the intention of competing against Apple's iPad.
Dell CEO Michael Dell took to the stage at Oracle's OpenWorld conference in San Francisco and showed the attendees a new 7-inch prototype tablet which looked to be powered by Google's Android mobile operating system.
Dell declined to comment on the device, only mentioning that the device would help the company bring in more than $60 billion in revenue this year.
With the Dell Streak already on sale, a 5-inch tablet-cross-smartphone device, Dell have mentioned that it intends on developing tablets of different sizes to encourage different types of consumers.
More competition in the tablet market is better for consumers, that's for sure. Dell might be missing a trick by rolling out a device so similar to the Samsung Galaxy Tab, if it was at all possible, the company should roll out a 7-inch, a 9-inch and an 11-inch tablet all at the same time and really take it to the competition.
Whether that is something that is on Dell's radar, we don't know. More details as they become available.
Read next: Australian mobile internet usage doubles


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We live in a cause and effect world, and combat is no different. Combat is a chain of causality. Cause and effect follow each other in another endless dualistic cycle. The concept of Initiative (Sen) as it relates to combat is something worth considering. Sen can mean to precede, precedence, prior, future, or ahead. It has variously been described as Initiative in Budo terminology. To Initiate – to cause or facilitate the beginning of.
What is Initiative?
Several questions immediately come to mind about Initiative:
- What is the purpose of initiative?
- Is there advantage or disadvantage to taking the initiative?
- Do you have to move or attack first to have the initiative?
- How do we regain the initiative if we have lost it?
I am going to suggest that the purpose of Initiative (Sen) is to gain advantage over your opponent. Conventional thinking suggests that by taking the first step\move (initiative), your opponent is forced to react to you and abandon his own plans at least temporarily. Initiative seems to indicate that by pre-empting your opponent's actions, you have a higher probability of winning.
Like Boyd's OODA loop, if you can get inside the opponent's decision cycle, you Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act faster than your opponent. Which puts him on the defensive, gives him less time/fewer options to react while giving you more freedom. In other words, you spend more time shaping the engagement in your favor and your opponent spends more time detecting and reacting to your initiatives.
Several cycles of this type of engagement, with each one giving you greater and greater freedom of action while reducing that of your opponent, would make it appear that taking the initiative has significant advantages.
Of course, your opponent is trying to do the same to you; like trying to force each other into a corner. If you are in the corner, you have fewer and fewer directions to move. You want freedom in both space (to be able to move) and time (to decide when to move). In the corner, your opponent dictates your movement options and he has a wider grasp of time (he can choose to keep you in the corner, wait for reinforcements, or force you to fight until you are destroyed, break out, or surrender).
Therefore, it would seem that the answer to the first question above is that the purpose of Initiative (Sen) is to gain advantage in the physical dimensions of time and space, mentally, and spiritually while reducing that of your opponent.
Do We Always Need the Initiative?
However, what about the second question? We can see some advantages to taking the initiative, but what about the disadvantages? If we equate initiative with attacking, we are in for a surprise. If we move against a prepared opponent, he will be ready to exploit the Gaps (Suki) inherent in our movement (Ugoki no Suki) or technique (Waza no Suki) that he can anticipate.
For example, if the attack is weak (slow, uncoordinated or at the wrong time), or anticipated (the defender plans for it, or actually depends on it for his reaction), then moving first is not necessarily an advantage.
Attacking is only one of several options to gain freedom of action, but if you are in a corner, it may be the only one left. Winning not only involves attacking, but setting up other opportunities. With an opponent trying to do the same to you, the goal must always be to react or initiate in such a way as to recapture Opportunity and/or Advantage by exploiting Gaps (Suki). A good pool player not only makes his shot, but also sets up his next shot to increase his opportunities and maintain the initiative. If he cannot make the next shot, he tries to place the cue ball in a position that makes it very difficult for the opponent to sink the next ball.
Western military science has always asserted that defense is a stronger form of combat because the attacker is required to move and strike—activities which trade off against each other and expose inherent Kyo-Jitsu cycles that can be exploited. There are many examples in Eastern martial traditions that espouse "Waiting" (Tai). "Be struck to win."
Some martial styles have predominately advocated one or the other, but in reality there has to be a balance between offence and defence. There is a time and place for each. Higher-level Budo concepts such as the idea that offence and defence are the same thing will be discussed later (Chapter 13 – Kogeki Bobi).
Does Initiative Mean Moving First?
Initiation (Sen) and Attacking (Kogeki) are not the same thing. Like a chess player, you can strategically shape the chess board before the final engagement. In modern parlance, it is called preparation of the battle space, and starts long before the first bullet is fired. To put this into an example of a one-on-one engagement, imagine walking down the street heading to your car after seeing a movie and ahead of you are two unsavory characters.
- You have already been proactive (taking the initiative) by studying your style of martial art and learning how to fight.
- You have situational awareness (Kan) to determine that things are potentially shaping toward a bad situation.
- By moving across the street to a well lit area with several other people, you are less likely to be isolated, position yourself in an advantageous position before any potential combat, and more importantly, dislocate the preferred environment of the opponents.
- You can elicit support from allies, other people, or get the phone out of your pocket and dial 911 without hitting the send button yet.
- You can determine which of the two opponents is the highest threat, and target any significant weaknesses of the opponent.
With the above scenario, you have been taking initiative without ever attacking and increased your probability of a better outcome than if you did nothing. You are already applying one of the three main methods of retaking the initiative from your opponent. You are mentally moving faster than your opponent and that leads to tactical speed. So, in answer to our third question, you do not have to attack first to have Initiative.
Because combat is dynamic and fluid, you are not always going to be in a position of maintaining the initiative. Your opponent may be faster, stronger, or have a particular technique that is very strong. You need to dislocate his strengths and apply yours to his weaknesses (Kyo) at the right time. There are several fundamental ways in which the Initiative (Sen) is recaptured during actual combat, and they all involve time. So now we can move on to the fourth question we have postulated about Initiative (Sen). How do we regain the initiative if we have lost it?
Excerpted from Budo Theory: Exploring Martial Arts Principles
by Richard Rowell.


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The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal regulation that:
- Establishes the criteria for a job to be exempt or nonexempt
- Establishes the federal minimum wage required for all nonexempt jobs
- Guarantees overtime for nonexempt jobs for hours worked over 40 in one work week (Sunday 12:01am – Saturday 11:59pm)
- Governs the employment of minors
FLSA – The Basics
According to the FLSA, all jobs are generally considered to be nonexempt. All nonexempt employees are required to be paid a minimum of $7.25/hour and 1 1/2 times their regular hourly rate for any hour(s) worked over 40 in one work week (each pay week in the biweekly pay period runs from 12:01 a.m. Sunday until 12:00 a.m. the following Saturday), as well as keep an accurate account for all hours worked.
An employee may qualify to be exempt from the overtime and minimum wage provisions if they meet the criteria established by the Department of Labor. Most exempt jobs must be paid on a salary basis as well as perform work duties that the FLSA defines as exempt. To be exempt, a job must pass ALL of the following criteria:
Rice's salary threshold for exemption from overtime is as follows:
- Full-time staff: Minimum salary of $35,568 per year
- Part-time staff: Must have a full time equivalent salary of at least $35,568 per year and must be paid a minimum weekly salary of at least $684/week
Must perform exempt job duties
Job duties test is applied to a specific set of criteria. The following tests are most often used at Rice:
- Administrative Exemption
- Professional Exemption
- Executive Exemption
- Computer Employee Exemption
- Must be paid a flat weekly, semimonthly, monthly or annual rate for any week in which work was done.
The FLSA exemption status is based upon the actual duties performed by the employee – not the job title, position description, pay grade assigned, or the person's ability, level of experience and/or expertise.
- It is very important than an employee's job description reflect the actual job duties performed.
- The job description is an important tool in determining an exemption to the FLSA. For help writing job descriptions, please refer to the Job Description Writing Guide.
- The exemption status of all positions is reviewed on a regular basis and is subject to review whenever job duties and/or responsibilities change.
Due to the number of factors that must be considered and the complexity of the federal regulations, the FLSA exemption status is determined by HR/Compensation.
FLSA Exemption Cheat Sheet
This is a helpful guide that outlines the different exemptions as classified by the FLSA.
Exemption Status Comparison Chart
This is a desktop reference that provides you with a short overview of the main differences between exempt and nonexempt employees in regards to salary level, job duties, and salary basis.
Guidelines for Nonexempt Employees at Rice
This is a helpful resource outlining guidelines specifically for nonexempt employees at Rice.
Managing Non-Exempt Employee Work Hours
This is a list of frequently asked questions regarding non-exempt employee work hours and B2 timesheets.
Click here to visit the US Department of Labor website (the Fair Labor Standards Act).
If you would like some additional help, please contact Compensation.


text: > >-----Original Message----- > >From: edu-sig-bounces+ajsiegel=optonline.net at python.org > >[mailto:edu-sig-bounces+ajsiegel=optonline.net at python.org] > >On Behalf Of Andre Roberge > >A long time ago, Kirby suggested to me (on this list I > >believe - I can't trace the post right now) that perhaps I > >should use rur-ple's code itself as an example to use. If it is appropriate to talk about our projects and where we are with them and what is driving are efforts, as I think it surely well should be: This resonates highly with how I have spent a good deal of my free time the last month. Among my follies with PyGeo is trying to bring some life and reality to the concept that the code is its text - both in terms of tying together programming and functionality, and in tying together analytic mathematics with geometry and the sensible world. Part of the problem there is of course making one's code worthy. Not sure I can ever solve that with full satisfaction - but starting from little things, I don't think you will be able to find a line in PyGeo anymore - far from where it was - that is not orthodox in terms of something as simple and 'unessential' as indentation. In the end, there is no excuse for PyGeo to *be* in Python (better performance could be achieved elsewhere) if the readability and access to the code is not part of its intent. So maybe my thinking hear is some form of rationalization of the fact that it is. And where it has led me recently is on a journey connected to automated documentation, having become enamored by what the Pudge documentation project is trying to do - essentially auto generating context sensitive hyperlinks between reStructured text doc strings and nicely colorized html versions of the source code. But the project is young, doesn't work for me as I ultimately would like to see it. That is without me getting hand-on with it. So it has led me into the netherworld of the docutils state machine, the inspect module, Kid XML templating. It's all hard for me to keep up with - but that's how I learned to ski, following folks down the mountain who know what the hell they were doing, and trying to keep up. Pudge cite: http://pudge.lesscode.org/ The end. Art > >


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The Delvfire Spark has all the great features of the Delvfire Ember but comes in an ultra-slim format, making it the ideal choice for people with slender wrists.
Main Features
- All-Day Activity Tracking
- Heart Rate Monitor
- Sleep Tracking
- Call & Message Notifications
- Silent Alarms & Reminders
- Remote Camera Control
For a full list of functions, please tap the 'More Info' tab for details.
What's included?
- Delvfire Spark Watch
- Quick Start Guide
- VeryFitPro app (free download)
- 30-Money Back Guarantee
- 1 Year Warranty
A smartphone or tablet is required to set up this watch, for system requirements and a list of compatible devices please tap the 'More Info' tab for details.
All-Day Activity Tracking
Automatically track steps, distance, calories burned and active minutes. Set daily exercise goals and your Delvfire will flash and vibrate in celebration when you reach them. Analyse your stats in greater detail using the free VeryFitPro app.
Heart Rate
Get continuous, automatic tracking of your heart rate throughout the day and night to help you better understand your health and fitness.
Alarms & Reminders
Keep focused and have your wristband remind you to do important tasks. Stay motivated to move with a friendly reminder if you're inactive for too long.
Sleep Tracking & Silent Alarms
Automatically track sleep quality during the night (from 11pm) and see your time in light and deep sleep stages. Have your wristband wake you peacefully with a silent alarm.
Call & Message Alerts
See incoming calls, text messages and notifications on your wrist from apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Skype and more!
5 Day Battery
Battery life up to 5 days (under normal use) so you can track all day and night without needing to charge. No need for a special charger or a tangle of wires, simply remove the straps and plug the watch directly into any USB socket on a computer, phone/tablet charger or power bank. Fully charged in around 1 hour!
Additional watch straps are also available from our shop in 5 striking colours to suit your mood or style.
Silent Alarms
Set a silent alarm and your wristband will vibrate to wake you peacefully
Splash Resistant
Can be worn whilst exercising in wet weather, taking a shower or simply just washing your hands
Auto Wake
Rotate your wrist to wake the screen for quick access to your stats and notifications
Remote Camera Control
Take photos with your mobile device using your wristband to trigger the shot remotely
Find Phone
Trigger an alarm on your phone from your wristband to help you locate it
Proximity Alarm
Walk away from your phone and your wristband will alert you that you've left it behind
Touch Screen
Touch-sensitive OLED display for quick access to your stats and notifications
More Info
Delvfire fitness trackers require a smartphone or tablet.
- iPhone 4s or above
- iPad 3 or above
- iPad Mini 1 or above
- iPad Air 1 or above
- iPad Pro 1 or above
- iPod Touch 5 or above
Running iOS 7.1 or above
- Android Phone/Tablet (Samsung J Series not compatible)
- Android 4.5 or above
- Bluetooth 4.0 or above
Not Compatible
- Windows (all variants)
- Amazon Kindle (all variants)
- Amazon Fire (all variants)
- Samsung J Series (J1,J2,J3,J4,J5,J6,J7, J8 etc.)
- Time, date & day (12hr / 24hr format)
- Step pedometer
- Calories burned
- Distance (Miles / Kilometres)
- Active minutes
- Health & fitness goals and celebrations
- Heart rate (real-time, resting, average and maximum)
- Activity, sleep and heart rate history (day, week, month, year)
- Sleep quality tracking (light, deep, awake)
- Alarms (up to 10 per day)
- Caller alerts (Name/Number)
- SMS text message alerts (name/number and message)
- App message alerts (Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Skype, Instagram, LinkedIn, Line, Viber, KakaoTalk, VKontakte, WeChat, QQ)
- Share Stats (email, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, LinkedIn, Flickr, WeChat, Moments, QQ)
- Remote camera control
- Reminders to move
- Find Phone
- Phone Proximity Alarm
- Night Mode
- Auto wake (rotate your wrist to wake the display)
- Horizontal/Vertical Clock Orientation
- Apple Health integration (steps and heart rate)
- Google Fit integration (steps and heart rate)
- Model: Delvfire Spark
- App: VeryFitPro
- Bluetooth sync range: 11 metres
- Battery recharge interval: ~ 5 days
- Charge time: ~ 1 hour
- Charge method: USB
- Water Resistance: 2 metres
- Screen: 22mm x 8mm OLED, touch-sensitive
- Device body size: 38mm x 14mm x 10mm
- Weight: 22g
- Band Material: Thermoplastic Elastomer
- Wrist Size 140mm – 210mm


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The Pomodoro Technique: How a Tomato Could Make You MUCH More Productive
If you read any productivity or time management blogs, you might have come across the Pomodoro technique before. It's a great way to focus your attention and get more done.
Here's how it works in its most basic form:
1. Decide what you're going to do (e.g. "draft my blog post").
2. Set a timer for 25 minutes.
3. Work until the time is up: this is one "pomodoro".
4. Take a 5 minute break, then start your next pomodoro
5. Every 4 "pomodori", take a longer break.
(There are plenty of online timers like Tomato Timer that are designed for this.)
Most people adjust the technique slightly to suit them: for instance, you might choose to take a longer break after two "pomodori" not every four, especially when you're starting out.
Image from Flickr by photon_de
Why This Method Works
Have you ever sat down to work on a blog post for two hours … only to find yourself tidying your desk, chatting on Twitter, getting distracted by interesting links, or generally wasting time?
Working for timed periods helps keep you on track. When a stray thought comes up – like "I need to send an email" or "I should check whether I had any replies on Twitter" – you can tell yourself that you'll do it once the timer goes off.
You might find this is an especially useful technique if you're trying to separate writing from editing: you could write for one pomodoro and see how far you get.
Where the Name Comes From
If this is the first time you've come across the pomodoro technique, you might wonder why it's called that. Pomodoro is Italian for "tomato" and Francesco Cirillo, the inventor of the pomodoro technique, used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer.
There's a lot of information about the pomodoro technique out there, particularly on dealing with interruptions: if you try the technique out and find it makes you more productive, do a bit of research into ways to take it even further.
Your challenge: Try the pomodoro technique today – or next time you blog – and see how you get on. Drop a comment below to tell us how it went.
Browse all articles on the General category
9 Responses to "The Pomodoro Technique: How a Tomato Could Make You MUCH More Productive"
Slavko Desik
Dividing work into shorter time intervals sure seems to keep concentration and creativity flowing. Gonna try this for sure. Thanks Ali
Ali Luke
Thanks for the comments, everyone!
@Edwin — great to hear you're finding this such a useful method. 🙂 I'm still getting the hang of it but will look for that free ebook!
@Debbie — it can be tough to be a blogger/business owner because you're responsible for everything — as an employee, you usually have a more defined and limited role. I think that's partly what makes it so easy to get distracted.
@Susan — that's what I find toughest too; when I'm in the flow, I want to just keep going and not take a break from the task I'm on.
Thanks for this post, and for the link to the Tomato Timer!
I often use the timer on my oven – usually set for 1 hour – when I feel that inspiration to write. Otherwise, I find that hours pass and I forget to take a drink, go to the bathroom, blink.
Using the oven timer means I have to actually get up from my chair and walk to the kitchen to turn off the annoying little shriek, which continues every two minutes for EVER!
I like the idea of the tomato timer online too, because it will be a visual stimulant also with the breaks timed too. That's a nice idea, cant wait to try it out this weekend!
Thanks again…
Ali Jayne
Susan Neal
Hi Ali – I've tried this, and actually wrote a blog post about it a few months back, but I'm hopeless at it! I have a tendency to say "I'll just finish this…." when the timer goes off – then, an hour or so later, I'm still slogging away. Or I forget to set the timer when I sit down for a new session – I have to put the timer on my keyboard to make sure I remember to set it. In principle it is a good technique, and I still try to apply it – but it's not easy.
Debbie Polden
It's funny. When I was employed for a living I could manage my time really well. Now that I am retired and "blogging" for a living I find that I am more easily distracted. I think that I'll give this method a try. Thanks. Debbie
This was a message on time management I really needed. It doesn't hurt that capellini pomodoro is one of my absolute favorite meals. :- )
Shyam Chathuranga
Wow Daniel you're my first teacher of Online Marketing and I used to feel the taste of Productivity things & Personal Development things from your emails.
You're a great person. I'm writing an Email Course these days, So I can use this technique tomorrow morning. Keep posting about these things. I really like to learn about these.
I started to read Steve Pavlina's site too. Anyway that also caused by your emails.
Thank you,
Edwin Soler
I actually have used this before and even got the timer from Amazon. Quite frankly, you are better off just getting a regular timer, it will work just as well if not better.
This system REALLY WORKS. If you Google around, there is a free e-book and manual as well that will help tremendously with this. It even has tracking sheet and an online account that will keep track of your progress too. Really cool! I made a binder for me and it's really helpful.
Seems like a good method but one really needs a strong mind to follow things.
Comments are closed.


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Welcome to Copper State Metals!
There are two major parts to our Metal Recycling company, and before you start making any decisions, make sure you find yourself in the right area. Below you can read about each half of our focus, but if you have any questions feel free to give us a call at (623) 533-3580
Metal Recycling Center
HVAC Unit Recycling
You may know that with how green we are all getting here in the United States, that recycling is getting to be a huge benefit to not only the environment but also your backyard full of trash! Whether you have random metal scrap or rolls of metal, we will take it off your hands. Most people have things like old metal desks or metal poles that you can get some credit for. And if you never knew where to take your metal, look up our address. If you are not sure about what types of metal get credit, give us a call or go to our contact page to send us an email. We will be happy to give you an estimate if we can pinpoint what you have in your possession.
When you have an old AC unit from an old building or if you are just replacing your own, you may not know where to take your old unit! HVAC systems come in different shapes and sizes. And most have to be pulled from your home or business with a crane. So you know you won't want one of these broken systems taking up room. Whether you have AC units or Heaters, we have ways of recycling them. Of course you will get credit for your unit depending on the weight of the unit, so make sure you call the professionals to help you make money and recycle.


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Fallen For Covers is a Meme hosted on Mondays by Wickedly Delicious Book Blog. This Meme is to show off Young Adult and New Adult covers you have Fallen For. It can be new, old or not release yet. Please only post YA/NA covers. If have an adult cover you will love to show off head on over to TBQ's Book Palace on Sundays and partake in Lusting For Covers Meme. To join Fallen For Covers please follow the linky at bottom of post.
How to join:
- Make a separate post for the Fallen For Covers Meme on your blog.
- Copy the button above or place your own (as long as you link back to Wickedly Delicious Book Blog) on top of your post.
- Pick your Fallen For Covers candidate with a new, old, a reprint or not out yet book. Give a reason for your pick.
- Place your name and blog title in the linky below, as well as the URL for a direct link to the post.
- Visit other blogs on the list and make some new friends.
Opal (Lux #3)by Jennifer L. ArmentroutBlurbNo one is like Daemon Black.
- My Pick:
When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn't fooling around. Doubting him isn't something I'll do again, and now that we've made it through the rough patches, well... There's a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.
But even he can't protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.
After everything, I'm no longer the same Katy. I'm different... And I'm not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I'm capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won't turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.
Together we're stronger... and they know it.Why:Good morning Lovelies. As I am still moving stuff from my YA blog over here, this week is all about Daemon. He is a hottie, I am sure you all do not mind a little extra Daemon dose this week. I love all the covers for the Lux series and this so far is my favorite cover. I think the cover is intense with Daemon holding Katy and her eyes are closed.Are you a Daemon fan? What is your favorite Lux cover?


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Today, we're sharing simple ways to show appreciation this holiday season.
As I recently shared, it was nice to get away for a long weekend to celebrate an early Thanksgiving and enjoy fall in the Blue Ridge mountains.
The leaves don't really change in Florida very much at all so it was fun to enjoy the different shades of greens, golds, reds and browns.
An Attitude of Gratitude
One of my favorite ways to practice being intentional with my time and resources during a busy holiday season is to keep an attitude of appreciation.
Just to be clear, I try to do this all year long but sometimes there are weeks that go by where I realize I haven't written in my gratitude journal for days.
Over the past few weeks, I've spoken to a lot of Hurricane Matthew survivors. While there is still so much more that needs to be done and the cleanup has been all but overwhelming, the sweet stories of how people have rallied and banded together is heartwarming.
Appreciation Inspiration Ideas
Last year, I made a blessings wreath as a take on the popular trend of the blessings tree.
This year I wanted to try something new so I decided to create something to show my appreciation for Team Crowned Goat. It's a project is really easy to make and can be completed in an afternoon.
Here's what you need to know if you want to show appreciation to someone you care about this holiday too…
Appreciation Branches Supplies:
- Bundle of Branches or Place to Create a Display
- Bleach/water mixture
- Container for soaking branches (if you choose to use branches)
- Fishing line (if you're bundling branches)
- Jute/twine
- Different colored or patterned scrapbook paper
- Single hole punch
- Markers or Ink Pen
Appreciation Branches Steps:
I saved these limbs from the storm, soaked them in a mixture of bleach and water and dried them out in the sun for several days.
Any time you bring items from outside indoors you need to make extra sure they are completely free from pests.
Always use caution and care when deciding how much bleach to use so make sure you read all of the directions on the bleach container.
Once they were completely dried, I bundled the twigs together and secured with a bit of fishing line.
I hung the appreciation branches bundle from the hooks in the entry. Now if you don't have hooks like this in your entry don't sweat it at all. You can use a tree, wreath, message board, fall garland – anything you like.
Just make sure whatever you choose to use is completely secure so it will hold the weight of the embellishments.
Next, use a leaf pattern of your choice. I found this one at a local craft store for less than $1 and trace the pattern on several different sheets of heavy scrapbook paper.
Carefully cut the leaves out with scissors.
Keep in mind, scissors will be extremely sharp so use caution and care when cutting out each leaf.
You'll need 24 total (one for each day from now until Thanksgiving).
If you don't have time to do one for each day and you're hosting Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving consider making one leaf for each person that will be attending your event.
Then write one thing that you like, love or appreciate about the person (s) that will be enjoying your appreciation display.
Use a single hole punch to make a hole at the end of each leaf.
Thread pieces of jute in several different lengths through the hole on the end of the leaf
and secure leaves to the wood bundle or whatever you're using to display your appreciation leaves on.
Displaying Your Appreciation Branches
If possible, place the appreciation display close to the front door/entry or a place that participants will have easy access.
I'm keeping these appreciation branches in our entry so each member can grab a leaf on their way out to door in hopes of promoting a great day.
Heartfelt words of affirmation are an easy way to make someone feel special, loved, encouraged and appreciated.
This project didn't take very long to create at all excluding the drying time for the branch bundle. It's something the entire family can enjoy.
Let your kids say what they like about their siblings, parent or caregiver. It's never too early to teach them the impact of positive words!
PS: If the branches are a little rustic for you, feel free to tuck a bit of greenery in between the branches.
See you guys back here tomorrow. I'll share a bit more Thanksgiving inspiration. Until then, I'll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Many blessings,


text:
So the final England away trip of 2015. A friendly v Spain but unexpectedly played in Alicante! We flew Easyjet from Gatwick to Murcia, picked up a hire car and an hours drive we were in Alicante. The flight was 6.40am from Gatwick so it was a very early start as I was picked up from home at 4.50am!
It was nice and warm, 21C so it was time to get some cold beers (and food). So once we had checked in, we met up with Sara, had a cold beer by the hotel pool and then headed to the Hotel to collect our match tickets. It was then time to find a bar.
Alicant was OK, the seafront and the old town were nice with plenty of bars and restaurants, so we settled down for some well needed refreshments. As the game was a 20.45 KO we had lots of drinking time. We sat soaking up the rays, some ate Paella (yuk), some didn't, but we were soon downing a few beers!
We soon met up with the Rugeley massive, well Dean and Ritchie! They soon insisted on cocktails (well that may be a bit of a lie actually :-) ). We bumped into plenty of Albion lads during the day, I think England had sold 2,400 tickets but there were a lot more in town!
and the drinking goes on (and on, oh ok time for one more, if we get a taxi we could get another?)
As it was now 8pm and it was an 8.45 KO time to head to the ground! It looked miles on the map so we jumped into a couple of taxis and were soon dropped a short walk from the ground!
I have to say the view was good, but outside was Chaos, finding the entrace was chaos, and the facilities ermm no very good. Alicante are in the Spanish 3rd Division and I would say the ground was about the level in terms of organisation and facilities! Just how we had 2 rows of Spanish fans next to us in the away section left me slightly bemused!
As the game meandered to an inevitable win for Spain (the first goal was something special - shame the assist was from Sterling who had a very poor match) news started to filter through of incidents in Paris, we would find out a lot more as we headed out into Alicante post game. We had a few more beers, ended up with a Kebab and then it was a taxi back to the hotel. I did briefly watch the news on TV but I went to bed extremely angry and upset! People slaughtered for doing the things I love doing with my life, out socialising with friends, going to gigs and going to watch football. ISIS are scum.
Saturday 14th November
After a long day yesterday it was a late wake up, well 10am (ish)! We had planned breakfast but all I could manage was a couple of rather strong coffees! Sara headed back to the airport about midday so Kev, Fi and I decided to head to the seafront and find somewhere for lunch
We had a very pleasant walk along the beach, loved the seagulls play area, and had a rather tasty pizza for lunch.
We started to hear of problems at Gatwick airport, so headed back to the hotel. Apparently some nutter had dumped a gun in a bin! Grrrrrrrr. Time for another beer (well an ice cold coke actually!). Our flight was now showing as 2 hours late but the car needed to back at Murcia airport for 5pm so we left at just after 4pm as planned
The weather was a bit mixed on the drive back to the airport. We soon found a petrol station, filled up and dropped the car back not long after 5pm. The flight ended up being about an hour late and the North Terminal was like a ghost town, guess we were one of the first flights allowed back in! The bonus was no queue at passport control.


text:
I have yet to meet a Junior Mint I didn't enjoy, and these deluxe versions only improve on the original recipe! Approximately the size of a Cella's Chocolate Cherry, the center of these Junior Mint bonbons leans is more liquid than the original. And it's great. The intense mint flavor keeps the center from becoming too overwhelmingly sweet and the chocolate shell rapidly melts in your mouth. There's no easy way to eat this sticky treat without popping the entire thing into your mouth. I highly recommend the experience!
Score: 5


text:
Home Buyers: Window of Opportunity Still Open
The Fed recently announced they would continue their current pace of purchasing bonds until the economy was stronger. This bond purchasing program is the reason that mortgage interest rates are at historic lows. Rates began to increase over the last several months just on the anticipation that the Fed would announce that they would be reducing the level of bond purchases last month. When that didn't happen, rates actually decreased (4.50 to 4.37).
That was great news for any buyer in the process of purchasing a home. However, this window of opportunity is expected to close in the very near future as most experts expect the Fed to taper the bond purchasers in December. Even Ben Bernanke, Chairman of the Fed, suggested that the Fed could still scale back the stimulus this year. He stated:
"If the data confirms our basic outlook, then we could move later this year."
Where will mortgage rates head in 2014?
The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors have each projected that the 30 year fixed rate mortgage will have interest rates in excess of 5% by this time next year. The average of their four projections is 5.3%. The table below shows the impact this will have on the monthly principal and interest payment on a $250,000 mortgage:
Looking for a great home loan lender? Check out our recommendations below!
Steve Hill and Sandra Brenner
Best In Client Satisfaction
Windermere Real Estate
call/text 206-769-9577
Our Preferred Lenders
George Runnels
Washington First Mortgage
call/text: 206-604-4545
Jackie Murphy
Cobalt Mortgage
call/text: 425-260-6834
Mortgage Rates after the Bernanke Announcement
Last week, Bernard Bernanke startled many by announcing that the Fed will not wind down their bond buying program right now. The program is part of an overall stimulus package geared at bringing back the national economy. The Fed's purchase of these bonds over the last few years has driven mortgage rates to historic lows. The assumption that there would be a reduction in bond purchases has caused 30 year mortgage rates to spike upward over the last few months.
Surprisingly, Bernanke revealed the Fed will continue bond purchasers at the current pace. What happened and what does it mean to mortgage interest rates?
What would have happened if they reduced bond purchases?
According to Bankrate.com:
"The Fed could have caused rates to shoot up this week if it had announced the tapering of its bond-purchasing program."
Why did the Fed decide not to start winding down bond purchases?
Moody's Analytics reported that there were three reasons:
- Subpar economic data
- Tighter financial conditions
- Uncertainty surrounding fiscal policy
What does this mean to a buyer applying for a mortgage?
Those at Bankrate.com explain:
"For now, borrowers have dodged another spike in rates. The Fed's announcement might even cause rates to drop in coming days, says Paul Edelstein, director of financial economics at IHS Global Insight.
'Mortgage rates should fall back — not massively, but to some extent,' he says.
That doesn't mean homebuyers and homeowners should wait for lower rates, mortgage professionals say.
Eventually, once the Fed lets the mortgage market and the economy start walking on their own, rates will probably head back to the 5 percent or 6 percent range, says Scott Schang, manager for Broadview Mortgage Katella in Orange, Calif."
When will the Fed begin winding down bond purchases?
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal:
"Federal Reserve policy makers decided this week that the economy isn't in the right place for them to start winding down their bond-buying program. By the time they meet in December, it might be.
The decision to not start winding down the bond-buying program now was close… The economy only needs to get a little bit better over the next few months for the central bank to get its nerve back. That should be an easy bar for the economy to clear."
Bernanke himself has not ruled out that the Fed could still scale back the stimulus this year. He stated:
"If the data confirms our basic outlook, then we could move later this year."
Bottom Line
Ed Conarchy, a mortgage planner at Cherry Creek Mortgage in Gurnee, IL had a great quote in the Bankrate article:
"Remember that rates go up like a rocket and fall like a feather."
Still, Bankrate.com itself probably put it best: Grab the gift before it's gone!
Questions about home loans? Give us or one of our preferred lenders a call today!
Steve Hill and Sandra Brenner
Best In Client Satisfaction
Windermere Real Estate
call/text 206-769-9577
Our Preferred Lenders
George Runnels
Washington First Mortgage
call/text: 206-604-4545
Jackie Murphy
Cobalt Mortgage
call/text: 425-260-6834
30-year mortgage rate steady at 4.57%
WASHINGTON (AP) — Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages held steady this week, hovering near two-year highs. But rates could change quickly next week when the Federal Reserve addresses its bond purchase program.
Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate on the 30-year loan was unchanged from last week at 4.57%, just below the two-year high of 4.58% reached Aug. 22.
The average on the 15-year fixed mortgage held at 3.59%. The two-year high of 3.60% was hit on Aug. 22.
Long-term mortgage rates have risen more than a full percentage point since May, when Chairman Ben Bernanke first signaled that the Fed could reduce its bond purchases this year. The purchases have been intended to keep long-term loan rates extremely low.
Most analysts expect the Fed to decide at its meeting next week to scale back its bond purchases.
Even with the recent gain, mortgage rates remain low by historical standards. But higher rates have spurred some homebuyers to close deals quickly and could slow the market's momentum if they continue to rise.
Mortgage rates have been rising because they tend to track the yield on the 10-year Treasury note. The yield has climbed 1.3 percentage points in the past four months as bond traders have anticipated that the Fed will slow its bond buying.
The 10-year note's rate was 2.92% on Wednesday, down from 2.97% Tuesday but up from 2.89% a week earlier.
To calculate average mortgage rates, Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country on Monday through Wednesday each week. The average doesn't include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay to get the lowest rates. One point equals 1% of the loan amount.
The average fee for a 30-year mortgage rose to 0.8 point from 0.7 point. The fee for a 15-year loan was steady at 0.7 point.
The average rate on a one-year adjustable-rate mortgage fell to 2.67% from 2.71%. The fee declined to 0.4 point from 0.5 point.
The average rate on a five-year adjustable mortgage dipped to 3.22% from 3.28%. The fee was unchanged at 0.5 point.
Curious about mortgage rates or refinancing? Give us a call, we are happy to help.
Steve Hill and Sandra Brenner
Best In Client Satisfaction
Windermere Real Estate
call/text 206-769-9577
Our Preferred Lender:
George Runnels
Washington First Mortgage
call/text: 206-604-4545
Mortgage Rates
This Week's Mortgage Rates Forecast
Risks Favor: FLOATING
Now that we are seeing a new trend in MBS performance, and technical signs point to short term interest rate stability, we can advise to float and see if we may experience some improvement. Be careful though, there is a lot of economic data being released this week that will cause daily volatility. So, let's recap: mortgage interest rates will probably end the week where they began them, meaning that rates are pretty stable. However, during the day, we may see volatility which means that rebate or loan pricing may be affected even though interest rates themselves remain unchanged. On a $200k loan, a difference of .5005 in loan pricing or rebate is $1,000 in out of pocket costs.
So for this week, any consumers who are less than 7 days out from closing may want to just lock in the great rates we see. Anyone more than that should watch the market with their mortgage loan originator and see if we may find even more improvement on the horizon.
BOTTOM LINE: Improvements in rate will come grudgingly, but if the stock market recovery we've been waiting for finally happens, we may improve by about .125%. Want more information about mortgage rates? Give us a call, Steve Hill and Sandra Brenner, Windermere Real Estate Seattle Northwest 206-769-9577.
This Week's Mortgage Rates Forecast
Risks Favor: LOCKING
With the rocketing performance in the MBS (Mortgage Backed Securities) market, and the resulting improvement to rates, how can we possibly suggest to lock? Simple, it's because of those exact reasons. We have seen a sudden improvement in rates driven by economic data that was a surprise, as well as global news from Korea. We now find the market in a situation that is poised for a reversal. Just like a good gambler knows when to get up from the table, a smart consumer knows when it is a good time to take the deal that is on the table, and it appears that now is that time.
This week for any consumers who are less than 30 days from closing, you can float very cautiously because you have time to act and recover if we see a sudden reversal. However anyone that is closing within the next couple of weeks should really consider locking, because the chance of seeing this rate improvement slip away is higher than the chances of seeing continued improvement.
BOTTOM LINE: If you aren't closing for awhile, let's see what the market does and maybe we can see even a little bit more of an improvement. However, if you are closing within the next couple of weeks, or you simply like the rates you're looking at now, lock in these low rates and don't look back.
For more information regarding interest rates, give us a call, we have a couple of great lenders who can point you in the right direction.
Steve Hill and Sandra Brenner, Windermere Real Estate/FN Seattle – Northwest. 206-769-9577
Don't Obsess About Mortgage Rates
Don't Obsess About Mortgage Rates
By Kirk Haverkamp
When most people start shopping for a mortgage, the first thing they do is look for the lowest interest rate they can find. And that can get them into trouble. A low interest rate can save you money, obviously. But it's only part of the story. If you're not careful, you could easily end up paying more in fees and other costs than you're saving with the interest rate itself.
Here's why. The interest rate is only part of what you pay for a mortgage. You also have to pay certain fees just for taking out the loan, which vary from lender to lender. A lender may charge higher fees to offset a lower interest rate, or may even pad a loan with "junk fees" to pad his or her profits. Because these fees are often rolled into the loan itself — that is, you borrow the money to pay them, along with the actual mortgage — it can be difficult to be sure just how much you'll end up paying versus another loan with a different interest rate and fee structure. Here's a closer look at some of the main reasons you don't want to get fixated on interest rates when shopping for a mortgage.
Discount points: These are the most common way of lowering a mortgage rate by charging higher fees. Each discount point is equal to 1 percent of the loan amount. For each point you pay upfront, you get the interest rate lowered by a certain amount, often one-eighth of a percentage point — for example, from 3.75 percent to 3.625 percent. On the one hand, discount points are a legitimate way of buying a lower interest rate by pre-paying a certain amount of interest up front. On the other, lenders sometimes use them to create artificially low rates, particularly for use in advertising, even if it's unlikely that a borrower would buy that many points in the first place.
Discount points can be a good deal if you're going to be in the home long enough for them to pay off. That is, long enough for your savings from the lower interest rate to exceed what you paid in points. But if you expect to move again or refinance the loan in a few years, they probably aren't worth it. Your best bet when shopping for a mortgage is to first get rate quotes without points when comparing offers from different lenders, then later inquire about adding discount points if you think you might be interested.
Fees: If you get a mortgage, you're going to have to pay origination fees. There's no way around it. Some mortgages may be advertised as "no fee," but what they're doing there is offsetting the cost of the fees by charging you a higher interest rate, which may or may not be a good deal. Lenders may also charge higher fees simply as a way of offering a lower interest rate. Though discount points are the most straightforward way of doing this, lenders may also simply charge more in origination fees as well. They may also charge certain fees that other lenders don't even charge. You may find that, even without points, there may be a difference of several thousand dollars in fees between what two lenders are charging for the same loan amount. Again, since these fees are either paid for separately upfront or may be rolled into the mortgage itself, it can be difficult to tell what's the best deal.
About APR: A better way of comparing mortgage offers is to look at the Annual Percentage Rate, or APR. It's a way of expressing the total cost of a mortgage in terms of an interest rate. By law, the APR must be featured in any mortgage advertisement that describes loan terms and in the paperwork a lender gives you when making a formal loan offer and at closing.
The way APR works is that it's basically the interest rate that would get you the same monthly payment on a loan with no fees as you'd pay on the same mortgage with the fees rolled into the loan amount. For example, let's say you're borrowing $200,000 at 3.5 percent on a 30-year mortgage with $6,000 in fees. Rolling the fees into the loan gives you a total of $206,000, which at 3.5 percent produces a monthly payment of $925 (not including taxes and homeowner's insurance) over 30 years.
To get that same monthly payment on a flat $200,000 without fees, you'd need an interest rate of 3.74 percent, which is your APR. In other words, the additional 0.24 percent represents the cost of your fees in terms of the loan.
Shortcomings of APR: APR is a helpful guide, but it's not perfect. For one thing, it's based on paying off the loan over the full term. If you refinance, sell the home or otherwise pay the loan off early, it changes the calculation. Remember, the less time you have the loan, the less benefit you get from a lower rate with higher fees.
APR also doesn't take into account the impacts of tax deductions for mortgage interest, which can lessen the bite of a higher interest rate and varies significantly from borrower to borrower.
To really assess the difference between two mortgage offers, you need to use a mortgage calculator. These are readily available online and allow you to see exactly how the costs and savings of different loan offers will play out over time.
For more information on mortagages rates, contact:
Steve Hill and Sandra Brenner
Windermere Real Estate Seattle – Northwest
Mortgage rates hit nearly 7-month high
Mortgage rates are still low, but a recent rise might make potential buyers consider locking in as soon as possible.
Bankrate (RATE) announced Thursday that 30-year fixed mortgage rates across the country have risen to 3.67%. According to Freddie Mac, that's the highest the rate has been since hitting 3.71% on June 14 of last year.
In case homebuyers are wondering, that rate is still really low. The rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage hasn't hit 4% or more since last March, and only did so then for about a week. It hasn't touched 5% since early 2011.
Meanwhile, the average 15-year fixed mortgage rate also climbed to 2.92% — the highest it's been since June 21 — while the five-year adjustable rate mortgage ticked up to 2.77%, where it hasn't been since August. {C}
There's a whole lot of demand behind that surge, as the National Association of Realtors notes that existing home sales are at their highest level since 2009, supply of homes on the market is the lowest since 2005 and median home prices are up 10% from last year and have risen for nine consecutive months. Foreclosures and short sales make up a shrinking portion of those home sales, accounting for just 22% compared to 29% last year.
New-home sales have taken off as well, jumping 15.3% within the last year as prices increased nearly 20% over that span. While Bankrate says the fiscal cliff debates and the upcoming debt ceiling talks have put some fear into the market, only 8% of respondents to its survey expect mortgage rates to rise in the coming weeks. The 67% who feel those rates are going to stay where they are, however, might find themselves in a buying mood should that debt ceiling chatter get more bleak.
By Jason Notte