text:
Online influencers are great when it comes to turbocharging your marketing strategy, honing in on a really specific target audience and growing your
reach as a brand.
However, over the course of the development of such campaigns with these writers, vloggers and community managers, one important point is continuously emphasised, again and again. And it is this:
Online influencers are not 'just another platform' for a brand's marketing – far from it.
Engaging in an influencer outreach strategy means engaging in a two-brand partnership.
One, where you are not the more important brand and one where you are not the one in
By this we mean if your brand partners with online influencers, you are not simply buying additional media space or 'air time' in a new format. Because when you are engage with them you are in fact, engaging with another brand, in their brand's world and with their brand's audience – their rules. You may hold all the cash, but they have all the cards. The digital world is a cutthroat one and contrary to the belief that influencers possess some weird magic wand of youth that 'makes stuff go viral', these people have, in fact, often spent years carefully managing, experimenting and nurturing their content and audience relationships in an authentic, transparent and highly unique way. So they are not about to throw their brand's integrity away for the sake of your product's 5 minutes of internet fame. No matter who you are, sorry!
Nor will they (or should they) change their appearance, format and style to fit whatever your brand book currently says either.
What brands need to recognise however, is that far from this being a disadvantage, it actually is good news for your future campaigns! Why? Well, it means you will only be working with spokespeople that naturally fit with your brand. It means if done right, your brand will receive a halo effect of trust, advocacy and authenticity from these influencers and it means you get to think outside the box creatively with people who understand your target audience better than any high paid researcher or 'trends guru' ever can. Doesn't that sound awesome? I think so!
To get you thinking, here are 5 examples of YouTube influencers I love – who really know how to
work in a brand, in a way that uniquely fits their world with zero compromise…
1. Philip DeFranco
For: Pop culture, new products, tech and trends
Product Type Featured: Software
2. Clisare
For: all things Irish, tourism and new product reviews
Product Type Featured: Event
3. Melanie Murphy
For: make up, skin care and lifestyle tips and product reviews
Product Type Featured: Beauty product
4. Good Mythical Morning
For: Random fun
Product type: Food
5. David McWilliams
For: Economics and Business Trends
Product type: Advertising space


text:
Preacher Q&A -- Ronald Guttman (Denis)
Ronald Guttmann, who plays Denis on AMC's Preacher, discusses Cassidy as a deadbeat dad, why Denis wants so badly to be a vampire, and his knack for playing French characters on AMC.
Q: How familiar were you with the Preacher comics or the show before you landed this part?
A: I was only familiar with the script of the pilot, which I had somehow read two years ago. I remember reading the opening monologue and being extremely impressed with it. I wanted to do the role of Dominic Cooper! [Laughs] I was impressed with the intense dialogue and it had this exotic and metaphysical dimension to it. ... I was not familiar with the graphic novel until I auditioned for Denis. I didn't want to be too influenced by that. I did research the history of New Orleans. That's what excited me: where these people come from, why I'm speaking French, the history of this place…trying to imagine that I'm a real person and not a character.
Q: How much were you told about Denis from the beginning? Did you know going in that you were playing Cassidy's son?
A: After the audition, I wanted to know what I was getting into. It was a few weeks in Louisiana and I needed to know what I was going to be able to chew on as an actor. Sam [Catlin] gave me a call and he gave me the arc. I knew the whole arc of the story and that Cassidy is my father. It makes it interesting because it creates a whole relationship between us that's not obvious at all and comes as a surprise. And of course, it has an emotional content, having been abandoned by his father, that gives me something to play and something that goes beyond just being a bitter old man in a house. It's usually the father that's disappointed in the son – and of course, that's what people could think because I look like his father. It was like a reversal of roles.
Q: How would you describe Denis and Cassidy's history? Do you think they were ever close?
A: It's shown how I was born, the love that he had for me through music that he sang and the lullaby. These are the kinds of things that develop on the set. You have a script, you have the graphic novel and you have the actors doing the job. Joseph [Gilgun] is an extraordinary prodigy and an unusual character in life and that really transpires on the screen –his spontaneity, sense of language, rhythm, his heart. ... My experience with him on set was a touching experience with him becoming more human and feeling a sense of compassion for me and trying to create a feeling of love. With all the resentment, you still feel deeply connected. You're still of the same blood. I think we established that as the story progresses.
Q: Denis clearly isn't warm to Cassidy when he shows up. Is he angry because Cassidy was an absent father or are there other reasons he doesn't like the guy?
A: I think it's the lifestyle of the vampire. You imagine that he's always with another girl or a prostitute. I'm assuming that he has a lifestyle and it's not something I respect. He didn't turn out to be a lawyer or a doctor. [Laughs] He's my father and I think of him as an alcoholic who smokes dope. ... I remember working on that and establishing a certain kind of contempt for his ways.
Q: What does Denis make of Jesse and Tulip? Why do you think he goes along with them all crashing at his place?
A: I show my displeasure that I have squatters in my house, but I think Denis is enthralled either way. He doesn't know what's going on until the Saint arrives and all of a sudden, he picks me up and almost kills me. He tolerates them and they do keep him company. It's probably a nice thing for Denis to not be alone. Nobody is doing anything bad. There are no orgies or loud music.
Q: Once Denis gets sick, there is definitely a change in Cassidy. Does Denis recognize that or does he feel it's too little too late?
A: I see him caring and singing a song to me. My goal as Denis is to reach his heart and ask him to save me and do something for me, which we see in Episode 7 where I beg him to give me life. I think I do see his resistance crumbling.
Q: Given what he's seen of Cassidy's life, why do you think Denis asks Cassidy to turn him into a vampire?
A: You can be judgmental of someone because you're envious. In a way, one could say Denis has been envious of his father's lifestyle even though he thought he was using it badly. [Denis] wants to have a certain lifestyle. He still has an appetite. This is not the end for him. He wants women and he wants to live and to partake in the fun.
Q: In Episode 8, Denis pleads and pleads with Cassidy to bite him, even calling him Papa. In that moment, is there some fondness for Cassidy, or is Denis just trying to get what he wants?
A: It's not a manipulation. I'm so desperate and I'm at the end of my rope. Sometimes you have no choice. It's almost like he's killing me and letting me die while he knows he has the medicine. It's like Angels in America. They had the medicine for AIDS at the time and didn't want to give it to anybody. You're sitting on the drugs that could save the life of people, but you're so selfish that you keep them and you don't want to share it. Cassidy feels like he has those drugs for me, so to speak. He can actually give me health, so why should he turn me down? What are the arguments?
Q: When Cassidy sings the lullaby, does Denis think he has finally convinced him?
A: Maybe he's putting me to sleep and that's the end for me. There's absolutely no way to find out what happens next.
Q: Before Denis, you were on Mad Men as Megan Draper's father Emile. Do you have a thing for playing French-speaking characters on AMC?
A: [Laughs] You're right! Yes, let's keep it going. I should have my own series about a French gallery owner or restaurateur in New York. My first language is French, indeed. I grew up speaking Dutch and French, so I have an easy way with that language and it comes in handy.
Q: What is your favorite memory from being on the Preacher set?
A: Listening to Joseph's stories in the trailer and trying to understand his Irish accent, which is not always easy for me, and getting the energy he has at nine in the morning. To just be around him is great. He's a rock climber and sometimes he would find a wall and start climbing like a lizard. [Laughs] I wanted to connect with him and enjoy his presence because he's the character I'm dealing with the most. Love, hate, resentment, judgment, contempt, need, desire, friendship – all of these things that you have to play with emotion. For that, you want to know the person that is the character that matters the most to you. Of course, also hanging out with Dominic and Ruth [Negga]. It's a great group of people. Sometimes you go see movies and you don't see chemistry. You watch them fall in love or kissing and you say to yourself, "Uh oh. I don't believe it," but that's certainly not the case with Preacher. This trio, this ménage à trois, so to speak, is real magic. That's one of the appeals of the show. They have these long scenes where they just sit at a table and talk, like a French movie full of dialogue. There's something very experimental and smart about it. You really have to listen.
Read a Q&A with Joseph Gilgun, who plays Cassidy.
Preacher airs Mondays at 9/8c. To stay up-to-date on all the latest news, sign up for the Preacher Insiders Club.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
You are perusing an article from the archives. Lately, we have gone through major updates. Therefore, it is possible that you will experience minor quirks in layout when reading older articles. To provide you an improved reading experience, we have started to clean our pearls from the past. Just keep reading.
Last year was an exceptional year for immigration, detailed in The European Migration Network's (EMN) annual report on migration and asylum policy. The number of asylum seekers grew tenfold from the previous year and the number of asylum applications filed in Finland in 2015 (30,975) was higher than the total figure for the previous ten years combined. This was certainly reflected in the public dialogue surrounding immigration, of which humanitarian migration took centre stage
The majority of the humanitarian influx occurred in the autumn. "The number of asylum seekers who entered Finland in 2015 was a national record. Newly established reception centres meant that the impacts of the influx were reflected throughout the country, including towns that had barely any foreign residents previously," says Rafael Bärlund, Senior Adviser at EMN, who was responsible for the statistical review. "Also noteworthy is a large number of unaccompanied minors, which, at 3,024, was 15 times higher than the previous year."
Suvi Tiainen, the Senior Adviser who produced the EMN policy report, had more to say on the matter. "As the majority of these unaccompanied minors are likely to remain in Finland, it is important for municipalities to bear their responsibility and offer municipal placement to these young people."
The rapid growth in the number of asylum seekers was particularly reflected in the reception system for asylum seekers: over a hundred reception centres were established in Finland over a short period of time in Autumn, 2014. There was an increase in the number of employees in the Finnish Immigration Service, and new regional offices were established. As the majority of the asylum applications received last year were not decided on during the year, the influx is yet to be reflected in the total number of asylum decisions made.
The EMN statistical review, in conjunction with the report on migration and asylum policy in Finland in 2015, shed light on the impacts of the asylum situation and relevant sectors. It also provides an overall view of Finnish migration policy and immigration in Finland, which comprises more than just asylum policy: the number of residence permits issued in 2015 was largely unchanged from the previous year. "Immigration to Finland on the basis of employment, family reasons or studying, showed no significant change from the previous years," Bärlund explains. EMN Senior Adviser Suvi Tiainen also highlighted the polarising climate surrounding public dialogue on immigration. "Everyone is expected to have an opinion on immigration, and views have become more extreme."
EMN produces an annual report on migration and asylum policy as well as a statistical review. The annual statistical review is compiled from statistics provided by the Finnish Immigration Service, Police and Finnish Border Guard as well as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and is the only pair of publications in Finland that presents compiled information (obtained from the Finnish Immigration Service, Police and Finnish Border Guard, as well as the International Organization for Migration) on development trends in migration-related matters.
For more information and reports, please visit EMN. Studies and statistics can also be found in English.


text:
Jang Geun Suk has graced the front cover of the weekly Japanese magazine, 'Anan'. The issue was released on March 23rd and sold out all 280,000 copies!
'Anan' is a famous Japanese magazine that's popular with women in their 20s to 30s. It's known for having only the top Japanese stars on its cover – to see Jang Geun Suk being picked demonstrates his popularity amongst Japanese women.
Even the staff members were affected by the star, as it's being reported that they were eagerly anticipating his arrival. They're said to be big fans of his drama, "You're Beautiful", and were captivated by the actor's professionalism and sense of style.
Jang Geun Suk stated, "I was quite surprised when I was picked to be on the main cover of 'Anan'. I filmed happily and the atmosphere on setwas great. When I heard about the number of sales for the magazine, I was very surprised since 'Anan' is a weekly magazine. I'm always thankful that people are interested in me and give me lots of love."
The actor is currently preparing for his Asian tour, which is to be held in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Shanghai, Thailand and Malaysia next month.
Source: TV Daily via Nate, AKP
He's coming here? ASHFDHJFGDHGF!


text: Northern Red 2-Day Carbine Gunfighter - May 19-20, 2012 - CHINO, CA Northern Red, Inc. www.northernred.com J.D. Potynsky, Northern Red-Instructor J.D.s military service includes serving as the senior weapons sergeant on a Specials Forces A-Team for the US Armys 3rd Special Forces Group Ft Bragg NC. J.D. has conducted combat operations on multiple deployments in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Afghanistan. His combat decorations include the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal with Valor for actions during a 6 hour battle in Afghanistan. J.D. continued to deploy after his military career as a Program Manager and Country Manager in Iraq for a 200 man Private Security Contract. Northern Red Instructor Cadre: JD Potynsky 3rd SFG Josh Collins 1st SFOD-D, 75th Ranger Regiment-(Northern Red Advisory Group) Paul Tobias 3rd SFG, 75th Ranger Regiment "Tracker" Dan Stanchfield US Navy SEAL Grey Group Training: www.greygrouptraining.com Northern Red 2-Day Carbine Gunfighter - May 19-20, 2012 - CHINO, CA Description: The intended audience for this course are shooting practitioners with a solid understanding of marksmanship fundamentals and strong weapons handling and manipulation skills. Relying on this former knowledge, practitioners will be baseline evaluated on their shooting performance of the fundamentals then pushed to execute and self-evaluate the skills necessary to successfully perform in a firearms engagement. Topics Include: Principle Driven Training Mindset Marksmanship Shooting on the move Barricades Gunfighting in kit Standard and extreme transitions Visual focus Format: Flat range, lecture, SME discussion, mental and physically demanding courses of fire. Prerequisites: Firm grasp of shooting fundamentals, an open mind, good attitude, and thick skin. Instructor(s): J.D. Potynsky & Additional NR Instructors Class dates: May 19-20, 2012 Cost: $450 Location: CHINO, CA Weapon & Gear Class Requirements: Pistol -- holster 4 pistol magazines, mag holders, 100 rounds of pistol ammunition Carbine -- 4 carbine magazines, mag holders, 1200 rounds of carbine ammunition rounds carbine ammunition Eye protection, ear protection, kit and helmet you work in, gloves Recommended -- Hat, clothing appropriate for the season, hydration, SugarFree RockStar, back up parts for weapons, oil/weapons lube, cleaning kit. If you are interested in attending this class please use this link to the Grey Group Training website: http://store.greygrouptraining.com/2-DAY-CARBINE-GUNFIGHTER-37750.html If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact me; [email protected]


text:
1. Personal Liability will attach to a registered student (or his/her legal guardian) for all tuition and accommodation fees. notwithstanding any award of a bursary that they may have received.
2. NOTE: The contract which forms part of the application form for admission to the University which was signed by the registered student and/or their legal guardian, legally binds the registered student and / or their guardian to pay the full tuition fees, accommodation fees and any ancillary costs for the year of registration as determined by the university.
3. As a student's fee account is linked to his/ her academic record and accommodation choices, it shall be their responsibility to ensure and verify the accuracy of such information.
University of the Western Cape,
Robert Sobukwe Road,
Bellville, 7535,
Republic of South Africa
email@example.com | +27 21 959 2911


text:
SANTA FE, N.M. — The way Aimée Barry Broustra looks at it, making a film is a lot like riding a horse.
"You can't have the reins tight during the whole production," she said. "You need to ride a horse with a firm but gentle hand."
And so it is in film-making. Guiding, but not dictating. Being willing to listen to feedback. Trusting those you work with.
Such trust was essential in her latest documentary, "A Horseback Ride to the Soul," which won Best Documentary at January's New Mexico Filmmakers Showcase in Albuquerque.
The 29-minute production, which features local resident Kelly Wendorf demonstrating aspects of her horse-based EQUUS coaching in non-predatory living at Bishop's Lodge Resort, also was shown recently at the Taos Shortz film festival and is making a few other stops before returning for the Santa Fe Film Festival in December.
"It was shot in a day and a half," Broustra said, adding that she moved to France for a brief time after that. "I loved and trusted my crew. I gave them my visuals and my ideas, but also told them, 'You're free to do what you want to do.'"
The story started out as a written memoir but morphed to a video, she said. "I really do believe there's a movement out there," Broustra said, not only of developing a more collaborative relationship in working with a horse, but of offering horses as partners in therapy for humans.
"If we allow them, horses can be our guides," said Broustra, who added that she started riding in her early 20s, took a break when the family moved to a more urban area and resumed when she moved to Santa Fe.
People in thrall to an old philosophy of trying to exert control over society can learn from horses how to let go, she said.
Move to film
Broustra did not aim for filmmaking as a career early on. She attended St. John's College in Santa Fe for a while before heading back to her home ground to attend Temple University's dance program in Philadelphia. "I loved it," she said.
She did some theater and tried writing – "I love to tell stories" – but wasn't always successful in selling her written work. "My literary agent said, 'Can you write a screenplay?'"
Broustra not only wrote a screenplay, but filmed "Have You Seen My Wife?" in New York state, using friends from tae kwon do and others in the production.
After her husband bought a business in Santa Fe, they moved here and Broustra enrolled in the Graduate Institute at St. John's – she had liked her previous experience there and wanted to make more of it.
Meanwhile, in an earlier writing class, she had been working on a screenplay, "Bring Back the Day," for which she started researching Tewa culture. In a Santa Fe Prep newsletter, she came across an item about a mentoring program for Pueblo youths to learn their native Tewa language.
"That story really spoke to me. It's a story of inspiration, of hope, something that needs to be highlighted and shared," she said. "So much on the news is depressing.
"I told my husband, 'Someone should make a movie on this,'" she said.
That "someone" turned out to be her. She made "The Young Ancestors," which has aired on PBS and has been shown in festivals around the country. "I've been invited to show it at a conference in Montreal," she added recently.
And all that was without any real background in filmmaking. But one valuable thing she learned at St. John's, Broustra said, is that "you can teach yourself to do anything if you ask the right questions."
In her Santa Fe-based business, Camino Vérité Films, "I'm a one-man band at this point," she said. "I hope that changes with the features."
She has gone back to work on "Bring Back the Day," which tells a tale of emotional and cultural divides between a Native American teen and his non-Native father.
She's also arranging to subtitle "A Horseback Ride to the Soul" in French, in hopes of showing it in Switzerland and perhaps Monaco.
And if there's anything else that rouses her passion, it's the lack of women and their point of view in the movie industry.
"It's changing, but it's so male-dominated and with male-dominated stories," she said. "Our society has been too long heavily weighted to the male perspective."
If certain people's stories aren't told, it's as if they don't exist, Broustra said.
So look for her to try to change that, telling stories of people who may not have been heard in the past.


text:
Bandit Sniper Appearance Pack and Mini Sabetha
Spirit Vale is the talk of Lion's Arch—both the tragedy and the heroic ongoing rescue efforts! Here at the Black Lion Trading Company, we want to do our part in helping raise awareness of the dangers of the Forsaken Thicket.
Bandit Sniper Appearance Pack
Fearsome killer looks and a commemorative glider—what could be better? This pack contains a bandit sniper outfit replicating the deadly marksman's appearance. We've also crafted a new glider to commemorate the souls of the fallen around the fearsome Gorseval. But rest in peace; no actual souls were harmed to make our gliders. This also marks the second opportunity to claim an Immortal weapon skin of your choice!
Mini Sabetha
Reconstructed from a Lionguard sketch, this miniature will be a constant reminder of the fearsome bandit leader currently at the top of Tyria's Most Wanted.
Available Now in the Gem Store!
Log into Guild Wars 2 and press 'O' to access the Black Lion Trading Company for these great offers and more!
Read more https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/bandit-sniper-appearance-pack-and-mini-sabetha/


text:
The Thesis Box API consists of three main parts:
- Core properties
- Core methods
- Options that connect to Thesis and WordPress in different ways
At a minimum, every Box must use some core properties and methods, so we'll take a look at those first.
Although not all Boxes require options, the ones that do can achieve incredible things with a tiny amount of code. We'll look at these last.
Before we can do any of that, though, we need to connect to the Thesis Box API, so let's do that now.
Invoke the Thesis Box API
When you create a Thesis Box, you automatically invoke the Thesis Box API. Through a coding concept known as inheritance, each Box receives a ton of functionality you can harness to bring your Box to life.
class my_box_class_name extends thesis_box { /* Box properties and methods go here */ }
In the snippet of code above, notice
extends thesis_box—this is how your Box inherits all the basic Box functionality and the API goodness.
And now that you're connected to the API, you're ready to experience the power of Thesis Boxes!
Core Box Properties
Every Box has a set of core properties and methods that determine what the Box is and how it behaves. We'll start by looking at the properties you can use to create precisely the kind of Box you need, and then we'll look at the methods that will bring your Box to life.
$type property determines the basic functionality of a Box. It is a public property and should be declared like so:
public $type = 'box';
There are three basic types of Thesis Boxes, and thus, three possible values for the
$type property:
Note: All Boxes are considered to be of type
box by default. You only need to include a
$type property if your Box is of type
rotator or
The first two types,
box and
rotator, are intended for Boxes that output HTML for the Skin. Examples of these kinds of Boxes include:
- Nav Menu:
- Site Title:
- Post Box:
- Query Box:
Boxes are intended to output a specific piece of information, but rotators can output many different pieces of information (indeed, anything you put into them). Both of these types of Boxes appear for use in the Thesis Skin Editor.
The third type of Box,
false, is reserved for Boxes that don't output HTML in templates or else hook their output into place. These types of Boxes do not appear in the Thesis Skin Editor. Examples include:
- Google Analytics — hooks output into place
- 404 Page — filters the
WP_Queryand hooks output into place
- Home Page SEO — creates options that are accessible to other Boxes via the Thesis General API
All Boxes of type
box and
rotator require a
$title. Titles are public properties used to identify Boxes within the Thesis interface, and they can be translated into other languages, too.
Because they are translatable, titles must be declared in a special Box method called
translate(), and the title text must be wrapped in a translation function,
__('text', 'namespace'):
protected function translate() { $this->title = __('My Box Title', 'my_box_namespace'); }
In the example above, the Box title is
My Box Title, and the namespace is
By default, all Boxes are single-instance, and therefore, they only need a
$title to distinguish themselves within the Thesis interface.
Some Boxes, however, need to be multi-instance, and these Boxes require an additional way to distinguish each instance within the Thesis interface. Enter the public
$name property which, like the
$title, should be set up for translation:
protected function translate() { $this->title = __('My Box Title', 'my_box_namespace'); $this->name = __('My Instance Name', 'my_box_namespace'); }
Note: In the example above, I've included both the
$title and
$name parameters because in practice, you will need to include both in the
translate() method of your Box.
If you declare a
$name property within your Box, Thesis will automatically detect this and allow multiple instances of your Box in Skins. Examples of multiple-instance Boxes in Thesis include:
- Nav Menu:
- Text Box:
- Widgets:
- Post Box:
- Query Box:
By default, Boxes of type
box and
rotator are considered to be
<body> Boxes—that is, they are intended to appear in the Thesis Skin Editor and output inside the HTML
<body> tag.
Some Boxes, however, handle functionality that requires output inside the HTML
<head> element. Thesis contains a separate interface for
$head Boxes, accessible through the "HTML Head" link in the Thesis Site menu.
If your Box belongs in the document
<head>, then you should include the public
$head property, like so:
public $head = true;
If your Box does not belong in the document
<head>, then you should not declare a
$head property!
rotator Boxes are associated with certain pieces of output, and the
$dependents property determines these associations. This concept is best illustrated with an example, so let's look at the Thesis Post Box, which has many dependents.
The Post Box exists to output the data associated with posts and pages in your WordPress database. Each post or page contains many different pieces of data that make it unique, so for the Post Box to be effective, it must be able to access all this data.
As we learned earlier, Boxes of type
box are intended to output specific pieces of information. Based on this, it's clear that each piece of post/page data should be represented by a Box.
$dependents property defines a relationship between a
rotator and its
box dependents, and it also ties dependents to the parent
rotator throughout the Thesis interface.
A valid
$dependents property is an array of the PHP class names of dependent Boxes. Here's what the Post Box
$dependents property looks like:
public $dependents = array( 'thesis_post_headline', 'thesis_post_date', 'thesis_post_author', 'thesis_post_author_avatar', 'thesis_post_author_description', 'thesis_post_edit', 'thesis_post_content', 'thesis_post_excerpt', 'thesis_post_num_comments', 'thesis_post_categories', 'thesis_post_tags', 'thesis_post_image', 'thesis_post_thumbnail', 'thesis_wp_featured_image');
Thanks to that simple declaration, every Post Box that gets included in a Thesis Skin has access to 14 key pieces of post/page data—headline, date, author name, post content, and more!
When rotator Boxes with
$dependents appear in the Thesis Skin Editor, they are empty by default.
If you want your rotator Box to contain certain dependents by default, then you must also specify a public
$children property, which is an array of dependent Box class names (similar to the
$dependents property above).
Here's how that works for the Post Box, which includes 4 children whenever a new Post Box instance is added to a Skin:
public $children = array( 'thesis_post_headline', 'thesis_post_author', 'thesis_post_edit', 'thesis_post_content');
Thanks to that little bit of code above, every time a new Post Box is added to a template in the Thesis Skin Editor, it will contain a post headline, post author, edit link, and the post content. The rest of the dependent Boxes will appear in an area known as the tray, where they can be added to the Post Box if desired.
By default, both normal and rotator Boxes are available on every type of template in the Thesis Skin Editor.
However, some Boxes exist to provide functionality for specific kinds of templates, and their presence on other templates does not make any sense. Two great examples of this are the previous and next post links, which only work when placed in the Single template (or one of its descendants).
To constrain the templates on which your Box is available, simply add a public
$templates property indicating the appropriate templates in an array, like so:
/* Box only appears on the Single template and its descendants: */ public $templates = array('single'); /* Box only appears on the Single and Page templates and their descendants: */ public $templates = array( 'single', 'page');
There are 4 basic template types available here:
By default, Boxes appear on all 4 template types, so your
$templates array should never contain more than 3 templates.
Note: All Boxes are available on custom templates, regardless of what is specified in the
$templates property.
In the Thesis Skin Editor, rotator Boxes appear with a toggle switch that can be clicked to reveal the interior contents of the rotator. By default, this toggle switch is off, and the rotator is closed.
If your rotator Box should always be open by default in the Thesis Skin Editor, then you simply need to include a public
$switch property and set it to
true, like this:
public $switch = true;
$filters property can be used to modify Box admin page functionality.
Core Box Methods
All Boxes contain a suite of core methods that are responsible for standardized Box functionality within Thesis. Let's take a closer look at these methods and how you can use them.
protected function translate() { /* $this->title and $this->name should be declared here */ /* use translation functions for all text: __('your text', 'my_box_namespace') */ }
We first saw the
translate() method while covering the Box
$title and
$name properties above.
By placing your vital Box text the
translate() method and wrapping it in a translation function,
__('your text', 'my_box_namespace'), you enable your Box to be translated into other languages.
Note: In the translation functions above,
'my_box_namespace' is the namespace for your text. We recommend making this namespace the same as your Box class name, as this convention will make it easier for the Thesis community to translate your work!
protected function construct() { /* Runs once per Box instance during initialization */ }
If your Box needs to run filters or hooks (or perform any other kind of initialization on a per-instance basis), then you will probably want to include those calls in the
construct() method.
For those of you familiar with PHP classes, this method is really just a pseudo-constructor (mimicking
__construct()) that enables each Box to perform its own, unique initialization sequence.
Important Performance Note: Keep in mind that the
construct() method runs on every page load—on both the front and back ends—so it is a bad idea to do a lot of processing here.
If you need to initialize functionality on a per-template basis (specifically, only on those templates where your Box appears), then you should use the
preload() method.
public function preload() { /* Only runs on templates in which this Box appears. */ }
In contrast to the
construct() method, which runs on every page load, the
preload() method only runs on the front end, and only on templates on which your Box appears.
Because of this, the
preload() method is the perfect way to initialize certain Box functionality precisely when you need it. Specifically, this is the perfect place to initialize scripts or to run conditional hooks or filters that should only run on specific templates.
public function html($args = array()) { extract($args = is_array($args) ? $args : array()); /* Box HTML output should be echoed here */ }
html() method is the primary output method for Boxes that appear in Thesis templates. Rotators and normal Boxes require this method for proper functionality, but Boxes of
$type = false do not.
When constructing your
html() method, follow these guidelines for consistent, standardized results:
- Always include the
$args = array()parameter, as shown in the example code above.
- Extract the
$argsparameter using the command shown. At the very least, this will provide you with a
$depthproperty that you can use to ensure your output is indented properly (in the HTML source).
- Place your Box output within either an
printf()function (instead of simply returning it).
html() methods, have a look at the following file within Thesis:
Box Options
Core Box properties and methods are important for establishing basic functionality. However, for dynamic, unique functionality, you need more than just core properties and methods—you need options.
Thanks to 6 different types of options, Boxes can connect to both Thesis and WordPress in simple, powerful ways:
- Class-based: Options that apply to every instance of a Box
- Instance-based: Options that are unique to each instance of a Box
- HTML: Instance-based options that provide for variable HTML output
- Post meta: Add options to the WordPress post editing screen
- Term: Add options WordPress term editing screens (category, tag, taxonomy)
- Template: Add options to templates in the Thesis Skin Editor
Each option type consists of a reserved method and a reserved property that you can use to achieve your desired outcome. Also, because each method uses the Thesis options API array format, it's easy to create the exact options you need.
Class and Instance-based Options
/* class-based options */ protected function class_options() { } /* instance-based options */ protected function options() { }
For an exhaustive look at how class and instance-based options work, please refer to the documentation on Box Options and Admin Pages.
HTML Options
protected function html_options() { }
Unlike class and instance-based options, HTML options do not have admin pages. Instead, Box HTML options are accessible from either the Skin Editor or the HTML Head Editor (for Boxes where
$head = true), where they can be controlled by both Skin developers and users.
Typically, HTML options are limited to the following, predictable items:
- HTML tag (
<p>, etc.)
Because of this predictability, Thesis contains an API method that you can use as a shortcut when creating HTML options for your Box. Here's how that works:
/* Using the Thesis API to create class and id HTML options */ protected function html_options { global $thesis; return $thesis->api->html_options(); }
The above example would result in a Box with HTML options for an id and class, but not an HTML tag.
To add a tag, simply include two parameters in your call to
$thesis->api->html_options(): an array containing the possible HTML tags, and a default value for the tag. Here's what that looks like:
/* Also create an HTML tag option */ protected function html_options { global $thesis; return $thesis->api->html_options(array( 'div' => 'div', 'p' => 'p', 'span' => 'span'), 'div'); }
In addition to id and class options, the above snippet provides an HTML tag option with a choice between
p, or
span (with
div as the default).
Like class and instance-based options, HTML option values are accessible from the Box
$options property:
/* To reference HTML options in your Box code... */ $this->options['option_id']
Important! Values for class-based, instance-based, and HTML options are all contained in a single Box property,
$options. In order to avoid data conflicts, ensure that your
option_id values are unique for these 3 types of options.
If you use the Thesis API shortcut to generate your HTML options, you'll end up with the following
option_id values for your HTML options:
- HTML tag:
- HTML id:
- HTML class:
Remember! The
option_id values for Box HTML options should be unique, or else they will conflict with
option_id values from class or instance-based options.
An easy way to deal with the potential conflict mentioned above is to only use
class, and
html for HTML options.
WordPress Post Meta
/* reserved method */ protected function post_meta() { } /* reserved property (with sample option reference) */ $this->post_meta['option_id']
If you've ever added post meta options to WordPress, then you know what a pain in the ass this process can be. Worse, adding your options is only half the battle—you still have to write code to save the options, and then you also have to retrieve those options when you want to use them.
Thankfully, Thesis brings some sanity to the process of creating WordPress post meta options. Instead of treating post meta as something special and idiosyncratic, Thesis treats post meta just like it treats all other options.
Using the
post_meta() reserved method, you can simply feed Thesis an array in options API syntax module array format, and Thesis will output, save, and retrieve your post meta options for you.
You don't have to know any WordPress hooks; you don't have to worry about whether or not you're saving options in a secure way; and you don't have to retrieve the post meta data by making any crazy function calls in your code.
Instead, you simply tell Thesis that you want to add
post_meta() to your Box, and Thesis handles the rest.
Syntax note: Post meta options use the options module syntax, so keep that in mind when constructing your post meta options array.
In addition to the normal options module syntax parameters, post meta options allow for 3 additional parameters:
advanced, or
exclude— array of post types this post meta should be excluded from
For more information on the
context and
priority parameters, please see the
add_meta_box() documentation.
WordPress Term Options (Category, Tag, and Taxonomy)
/* reserved method */ protected function term_options() { } /* reserved property (with sample option reference) */ $this->term_options['option_id']
Posts and pages aren't the only types of pages you might want to customize within WordPress. Category, tag, and taxonomy pages are critically important to many sites, but WordPress doesn't afford the same level of customization and flexibility on these types of pages.
Despite this, and thanks to Thesis Box term options, you can now add options to these pages just like you can add post meta to normal posts and pages.
Simply supply a
term_options() method, and Thesis will do the rest of the heavy lifting for you. Not only will Thesis output options on edit term pages in the WordPress interface, but it will also retrieve those options for you precisely when you need them.
Attention! Option grouping, dependence, and options objects are not supported in term options. For best results, just supply simple, straightforward options here.
Thesis Template Options
/* reserved method */ protected function template_options() { } /* reserved property (with sample option reference) */ $this->template_options['option_id']
Certain kinds of data only make sense relative to a particular template, and this is why template options exist.
For example, the Thesis WP Loop Box has an option to control the number of posts per page on different templates. Using this option, a user could choose to show 10 posts on the home template, but she could also choose to show 25 posts on archive templates.
If your Box requires options that only make sense when saved relative to a template, you should add these as
Syntax note: Template options use the options module syntax, so keep that in mind when constructing your template options array.
In addition to the regular options module parameters, template options allow for an
exclude parameter that you can use to prevent options from appearing on certain templates.
Simply return an array of the templates you'd like to exclude (possible values:
page, and
archive), and boom—precise control over your template options.
Path and Directory Constants for Add-on Boxes
Add-on Boxes for Thesis differ from core Boxes in one key way: They are located in their own folders inside the Thesis custom filesystem.
There are countless situations where add-on Boxes may need to to invoke their own files or code libraries, and Thesis automatically creates two constants developers can use to reference included files:
{BOX_CLASS_NAME}— remote path reference for including files on the back end
{BOX_CLASS_NAME}_URL— directory reference for including files on the front end
For example, the Social Media Profiles Box needs to include a CSS file called
icons.css to serve social media icons. Because this CSS file is output on the front end, we'll use the directory reference to point to the file:
THESIS_SOCIAL_PROFILES_URL. '/icons.css'
In the code above, note that
THESIS_SOCIAL_PROFILES is the uppercase version of the Social Media Profiles Box class name,
In practice, the Social Media Profiles Box uses the
thesis_font_stylesheet array filter to serve its CSS immediately before the Skin CSS file. Here's what that looks like:
/* This goes inside the Box construct() or preload() methods: */ add_filter('thesis_font_stylesheet', array($this, 'css')); /* Elsewhere inside the thesis_social_profiles class: */ public function css($css) { $css[$this->_class] = THESIS_SOCIAL_PROFILES_URL. '/icons.css'; return $css; }


text:
Aquidneck Island Roof Cleaning, (AIRC) utilizes a safe bio-degradable no-pressure roof and exterior cleaning solution, that kills the algae, moss, fungus, bacteria and/or lichen dead, right down to the root. Many roofs become severely damaged and end up needing to be replaced, in as little as 3 - 6 years. Most of the time, all they need is a good professional cleaning and cleaned again when the black streaks start to reappear. Sun exposure and proper cleaning affects the length of time between the reocurrence of algae, fungus, bacteria and lichen. Most customers are unaware that roof shingle manufacturer's can void the roof shingle warranty, due to pressure washer damage, while still requiring, that a roof be properly cleaned. Soft washing cleaning process is an effective, affordable and acceptable roof and exterior cleaning process.
Residential or Commercial Roof Cleaning and Exterior Siding Cleaning are primarily the services we provide at Aquidneck Island Roof Cleaning.
Some additional services include:
The softwash cleaning process eliminates the real problem by dealing with the underlying problem, not the symtom. We kill the algae, mold, bacteria or lichen.
Think of it this way. When you cut your lawn,it looks good, even with the weeds, as they are not really that noticeable. Pressure washing is similar to a lawn mower, in that it removes the surface problem, leaving behind the underlying problem, the ROOT!
It appears that when pressure washing is used in an attepmt to remove algae, mold, bacteria or lichen, it seems to comeback with a vengence. We addressed the symptom and not the underlying problem.
The softwash no pressure cleaning method will address the underlying problem by killing the root, significantly reducing the interval at which the algae, mold, bacteria or lichen return.
We clean all types of exterior siding, such as wood, vinyl, aluminum. Additionally, many exterior wood and vinyl fencing and decking are also affected by the same culprits, as asphalt roofs and wood cedar shakes, both roof and siding. We also clean and seal conventional, stamped and decorative concrete and pavers. 888-783-7192


text:
Melk Abbey is a Benedictine abbey above the town of Melk, Lower Austria, Austria, on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube river, adjoining the Wachau valley
Flinders Island is an island in Bass Strait. It is 54 kilometres from Cape Portland, the north-eastern tip of Tasmania, Australia and is the largest island in the Furneaux Group. It is located on 40° south, a place known as the Roaring Forties.
The Derwent Valley Council is a local government area of Tasmania, Australia. It covers the upper part of the Derwent River, from the major town of New Norfolk to the remote south-west Hydro town of Strathgordon.
The Snowy Mountains, known informally as "The Snowies", is an IBRA subregion and the highest mountain range on the island country/continent of Australia.
Lord Howe Island is a tiny Australian island in the Tasman Sea east of Port Macquarie. It's characterised by sandy beaches, subtropical forests and clear waters. In the south, a trail winds up soaring Mount Gower, with sweeping views.


text:
For Luxury Charter Group, this custom-built Benetti masterpiece was the standout charter yacht of the 2016 Monaco Yacht Show. We loved it for its excess, yet ease of living onboard. For all its lavish décor, it was warm and comfortable, designed by its owners to be a blissful haven for family and friends with lifestyle luxuries at their fingertips.
The 63m (206.69ft) luxury motor yacht 11.11 was custom designed and built in 2015 by Benetti, which considers this superlative vessel the flagship of its fleet in terms of design and technical innovation. Fortunately for the world's charter guests, 11.11 is available for charter in the Caribbean over the winter season.
From the outset, 11.11 is like no other, exuding personality in every detail. She is only the second Benetti ever built with a distinctive vertical axe bow, designed to push back on waves and enhance her stability at sea. This 2016 World Superyacht Award winning yacht is recognised for its impressive exterior – three decks which rise up above this bluff-bow – which is eclipsed only by its palatial interior, magnificent décor and myriad spaces for entertaining, relaxing and socialising.
11.11 has sumptuous accommodation for up to 12 guests in six lavishly decorated suites, including two full-beam master suites, two double cabins and two twin cabins. The spacious, curved master suite on the upper deck provides a 180-degree view over the bow of the boat, plus access to the private outside space just for two. The circular lighting fixture is custom-made, while the magnificent bedframe is dark-stained beech with an ivory leather headboard.
Crafted with impeccable taste, the saloon and dining room boast a contemporary take on the classic Art Deco themes: mirrored surfaces, curves interplaying with diagonals and a fascinating blend of natural with synthetic materials: leather, marble, stainless steel, gloss timbers with silver inlay, teak, textured carpets, sheer drapes and glass tables.
The owner worked closely with the Benetti design team on every aspect of the build, including interiors, to ensure they were family-friendly, comfortable and functional, as well as incredibly beautiful.
The owner describes the yacht as a "polycentric experience for the senses, coming alive in what you see, hear, touch and feel. That's when you're going to have the best experience of your life."
On show throughout 11.11 is artwork from the owner's collection, including delightful interactive butterfly displays by Dominic Harris in the main saloon that flutter when they sense movement.
At the stern, full-height picture windows and the absence of bulwarks links guests to the water. LED underwater lights give 11.11 a magical aura at night, relaying the neon artwork inside, such as the 'Move Me' sign above the bar in the skylounge saloon, and two original Hans Kotter digital pieces onboard.
The main leisure space is the upper sun deck, with a 14-seater dining table with backlit LED quartzite panels and fluted bar made of sandblasted Italian stone.
For guests' complete enjoyment, the 11.11 spa comprises a dedicated treatment room and steam room tiled with pearly mosaics. There are two Jacuzzis, both generously sized, one on the sun deck and a second on the upper deck.
At the bow, sun lounges crown the expansive entertainment deck. Guests will have their 'King of the World' experience from this vantage point, with just the ocean, islands and horizon ahead of them.
Exceptional from bow to stern, 11.11 offers charter guests many unique experiences, among them, use of the only Benetti luxury tender ever built – an 8m (26ft) limousine designed to be "a mini 11.11" and specifically created to ensure trips between ship and shore do not ruffle one single hair on her passengers' carefully coiffed heads!
For watersports, guests are spoilt for choice with a full garage of gear and gadgets such as a 6m (19.69ft) Novurania tender for towing and skiing, Seabobs, Waverunners, kayaks, paddleboards, windsurfers and snorkelling equipment. Add to that an inflatable climbing wall and floating pool and your every day is activity-filled, no matter what your age or skill level.
Ably and enthusiastically led by Captain Vaughan Hill, the skilled crew of 11.11 are as brilliant as their superb yacht and absolutely dedicated to delivering the charter vacation of your dreams aboard what is considered one of the world's most covetable vessels.
Contact your charter yacht specialist at the Luxury Charter Group now for further details and a personal quote for this extraordinary charter yacht 11.11 available in the Caribbean.
Disclaimer: The information about luxury yachts displayed on this page is merely informational and these yachts are not necessarily available for yacht charter or for sale, nor are they represented or marketed in anyway by Luxury Charter Group. This web page and the superyacht information contained herein is not contractual. All yacht specifications and information is displayed in good faith but Luxury Charter Group does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the current accuracy, completeness, validity, or usefulness of any superyacht information and/or images displayed. All boat information is subject to change without prior notice and may not be current.
Related Blog Posts
LANA Magnificent Mega Motor Yacht for Charter
Hailed as Benetti's first "gigayacht", the 351ft (107m) LANA is an exquisite custom-built motor yacht, launched in 2019 and one of the largest yachts available for charter in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Red Sea and Indian Ocean. LANA is the largest Benetti yacht available for charter to date in 2020, from EUR 1,700,000 per week. Learn more...
MALTESE FALCON: refurbished & back in charter
After an intensive period of refit work, comprising interior and exterior refurbishment, MALTESE FALCON has returned to charter and is available for up to 12 guests in the East Mediterranean, Croatia, Turkey, the Riviera and the Spanish Balearics. Learn more...
PLANET NINE is a 5-deck, 73m ice-class megayacht
The largest superyacht to date from the Italian Sea Group (Admiral) is the five-deck, 73.2 metre ice-class explorer mega yacht PLANET NINE which has only just been launched, early 2018. Learn more...
Charter Incredible 11.11 in the Caribbean or Med
For Luxury Charter Group, this custom-built Benetti masterpiece is a standout charter yacht. We love it for its excess, yet ease of living onboard. For all its lavish décor, it was warm and comfortable, designed by its owners to be a blissful haven for family and friends with lifestyle luxuries at their fingertips. Learn more...


text:
ATC Swap – Theme: Anything Goes
Welcome to this ATC swap! This sign up form is for Australian residents. If you are looking for the USA form just CLICK HERE. Signups are open from 5-11 February. Swap items are due to arrive with the host on Friday… Read more >


text:
A New Chapter Begins
There are two quotes that have been hanging on my bulletin board for many years. These phrases are ones that have gone with me to all my jobs and remind me every day what I'm working toward.
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step at a time." — Lao Tzu
"If your ship hasn't come in, swim out to it!" — Mary Engelbreit
After many years of reading those pieces of inspiration everyday, I am proud and excited to tell you that I've started a new chapter of my life. Today marks the first day I am a self-employed writer and marketing consultant.
Being able to work for myself has been a goal of mine for so many years. But many things have kept me from making the leap. Having enough money was certainly a big one. Scared to leave a stable job was another. And just having the strength to make a big change also played a part of my hesitation.
But for the last few years, I knew this is where my life was heading. I worked tirelessly to build up my writing portfolio. I've taken jobs that have helped me learn and grow. I've attended business networking workshops and learned how I can be an entrepreneur. It hasn't been easy. For the past few months, I've been essentially working 2 – 3 jobs, along with my full-time job as a speechwriter. Most night I was up working until close to 1 a.m. (Did you notice my posting was more scarce?). I was exhausted a lot of time. I was on the computer when I should have been spending more time with Sophie. But I knew this is what I needed to do. So finally, last month, after thinking, deliberating, having long conversations with Bryan, and evaluating what I really want in my life, I decided that it's time to make the move to be my own boss.
With this new chapter beginning, I also closed a HUGE chapter of my life. Last Friday was my last day working at San Diego State University. While this may seem to many people as just leaving a job; to me, it was much more. I worked in several different positions at SDSU for the past 14 years. Before that I was an undergraduate student living on campus for four years. I earned both my master's and bachelor's degrees from SDSU. This weekend marked the first time in 18 years I have not had an SDSU parking permit in my car.
Bryan and I met as SDSU undergraduate students in 1996. And I grew up with the campus as my father has been working there for 33 years. Needless to say, I never thought I'd leave the campus before he would! I will always have fond memories of the university and my many years there. But I knew in my heart it was time to move on.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the other reason for this change. It's one word: Sophie. She grows more and more every day and I find myself sad I'm not more a part of her daily life. I wanted more time with her. I want to pick her up before 5 p.m. and take her to school with the other parents. I want to attend her ballet recitals and school performances without guilt and worry about going back to work. I just want to enjoy these years with her because they go by so darn fast!
I told Sophie last month that in March, I would leave my campus job and be able to spend more time with her, drive her to school, and pick her up earlier. I didn't realize how much it resonated with her until we changed the calendar on March 1 and Sophie said with such joy, "It's March. Now you get to spend more time with me and take me to school!" Hearing those words, I'm even more certain I did the right thing.
So here I am — my first day of my new venture. I am so excited to write — for me, for small businesses, and publications. I'm excited to put my marketing and social media skills to work. And I also plan to feverishly work to publish my children's book. Feel free to check out my work website (and don't hesitate referring me :)).
Now pinned above my desk is a picture of Sophie. Her photo hangs next to the words of Lao Tzu and Mary Engelbreit, who still take up residence on my wall and in my life.
March 12, 2012 2:40 am
I did exactly the same thing when my oldest was about Sophie's age — smartest thing I ever did! It's a wonderful joyful ride as a work at home writer mom, and I've loved every single second! Congratulations Leah!! (And Sophie's words? I've heard the same and similar so many times over the years — my two kids know so well what my choice means not just to me but to them, too.) Happy writing!! 🙂
March 12, 2012 3:58 am
Fantastic Leah! I am so proud of you 🙂 I'm sure there were a lot of nerve-wracking and heartfelt moments that went into this – and there may be more – but you're right – you'll never get those moments back and to have more of them with Sophie? Absolutely worth it !!
Congratulations and Happy 1st day 🙂
March 12, 2012 5:19 am
I love this! I am so happy for you that you were able to work hard and get to your goal. It made me tear up when you talked about Sophie being so excited to change the calendar. You're going to love having more time with her. Congrats! 🙂
March 12, 2012 7:38 am
Fabulous news! It must have been so scary to make the leap, but with the support of your family and the strength of your dreams behind you, I believe it will be a success. Congratulations!
Lena permalinkMarch 12, 2012 7:50 am
Congrats, congrats, congrats! What a big step for you and your family. I am sure you will have no regrets. Good for you for thinking this through, doing the necessary leg work to prepare and then best of all, taking the plunge! You are right, the time with our little ones does go by so very fast and you can never get it back.
I will be curious to follow along on this new journey.
March 12, 2012 8:48 am
I am so so so very excited for you. Change is so scary, but I'm confident that this new life will reap the biggest rewards. Sophie is a lucky girl to have her mama more available without the constraints of a traditional 5 day work week. Happy for you!
Lorena permalinkMarch 12, 2012 9:06 am
You know how excited I am for you. So, best of luck and I'm sure we'll keep in touch, Leah!
March 12, 2012 10:36 am
Great news, Leah, and great quote from Mary E. Here's to new beginnings!
March 12, 2012 12:17 pm
How exciting, Leah! I did kind of what you did many years ago. After so many years of thinking my living would only go in one direction, I got off that path to tend to issues related to kids and family. But now that that job is done, I get to figure out what's next again. Writing is part of it. I should get disciplined like you and market the writing skills I used at my profession for so long. Maybe sometime I'll check in to see what steps you took to move in that direction. However, I hope one of the items on your personal agenda is either to write a cookbook or write a book on a thousand things to do with kids on a rainy day. Your blog has those books half written.
Kim LePiane permalinkMarch 12, 2012 1:04 pm
Wahoo Leah!! Brava!! This is just the beginning of some wonderful new adventures! I look forward to hearing all about them!!
March 12, 2012 2:25 pm
Stupendous—and very brave! I'm so glad you did this for yourself. You don't want to be looking back in your life ten years from now and saying, "I wish I'd had the courage to follow my dream."
March 12, 2012 3:26 pm
Leah, this is absolutely huge. Congratulations girlfriend! I am SO proud of you for working hard to bring this to pass. You did this and you did it for the most admirable reason of all. WELL DONE!!!
March 12, 2012 5:21 pm
Bravo! This is such a lovely piece of writing! I love the history you gave of being at the University- it's so touching. You won't regret being at home- you might miss "work" for a bit and will wonder sometimes how you ever got things done when you were working. Sounds like you have your work life nicely reorganized. Lots of luck!
I will be changing my blog soon – to link with website- all about book promotion and hopefully way to gain more writing jobs.
March 13, 2012 4:17 pm
Sophie's reaction was definitely confirmation that you made the right choice, Leah. What a wonderful mother you are! Thank you for setting such a shining example for the rest of us. I hope that if I am ever faced with a decision like this that I will also choose my daughter.
March 13, 2012 4:39 pm
Congratulations, Leah, and best wishes for success in your new business. I was about to type venture, but writing is hardly a new venture, new venue might be more appropriate. I'm happy for you, Bryan and of course, Sophie!
March 15, 2012 8:53 am
Congratulations! That is HUGE news and I know you'll be successful! I am just thrilled for you!
March 17, 2012 8:59 pm
So exciting! New chapters are important for all of us. Kudos for realizing what your needs are and MAKING them happen. Really.
March 18, 2012 10:19 pm
Congratulations! You should be proud! I'm happy for you. Just reading about Sophie's reaction, you have to know that this is the right path for you. Keep us posted.
March 19, 2012 10:08 am
A big CONGRATS! I love hearing your daughter so happy for the time you guyz
will get to spend with one another. You can never get those moments back.
Work well and love well, it's the best life plan!
March 20, 2012 11:32 am
That is so exciting, Leah. I'm very inspired by your choice and by your ability to recognize what was best for you and your family. I'm sure you have many happy days ahead!
- What I've Learned Going Into Business With Myself « Leah's Thoughts
- Totally Random and I'm Still Here « Leah's Thoughts
- Favorite Things of 2012 « Leah's Thoughts
- I Was an Entrepreneur at Age 12 | Leah's Thoughts
- Where Do You See Yourself in 10 Years? | Leah's Thoughts
- The Most Popular Blog Posts on Leah's Thoughts | Leah's Thoughts
- Daring to Imagine a Different Life | Leah's Thoughts


text:
Are you working hard to be a perfect parent and exhausting yourself in the process? Maybe "perfect mom" isn't all it's cracked up to be. So today, I'm going to give you a pep talk–and tell you that "good enough mom" truly is more than good enough.
Last week I wrote my column on the benefit of having young grandparents, urging people to consider having kids at a younger age. An interesting discussion started in the comments, and one woman said that she and her husband have hesitated to have children because every parent they know complains constantly about their children. The reader says:
Most of my siblings and friends already have children, which is why kids are not on our radar just yet. We aren't even sure we want them after hearing time and time again, "I love my kids, BUT…" To me, it often sounds like children are more trouble than they're worth. To date, we have 7 wonderful nieces and nephews that we can love…and send home.
Those she knows with kids aren't exactly advertisements for parenting. That's a lesson to those of us who are parents to speak more carefully about our kids.
But I think there's more going on here. WHY do parents feel so inclined to complain? Maybe parenting has gotten too big. Now, it's basic economics that the more expensive you make something, the less you will have of it. On the other hand, the easier that you make something, the more you will get of it.
Are we making parenting too expensive?
I'm not talking about just the money—although I did read a study that it now costs about $240,000 per child. I think it's that we've made parenting require too much effort. Maybe we should get back to what's good enough as a mom–not what would be ideal.
A few years ago I was asked to write an article on how to keep your children busy when the weather's lousy. I came up with some various ideas, from a board game tournament, to making a fort in the living room, to getting out the video camera and taking tapes of kids singing little songs. I sent it in. I thought it was good.
Then the editor called. She wanted to take the video tape idea one step further. What if I were to host an indoor Olympics, inviting all the neighbourhood kids over? You could play shot put in the hall, and have an obstacle race in the basement, and then you could have the parents in for a medal ceremony and hand out commemorative DVDs of the day!
I thought the editor was off her meds, because no one is going to want strange kids in playing shot put in their hall.
But that is now what we think mothering is. It is huge. We have to chauffeur our kids to every activity. Every spare moment must be spent reading to our kids and playing with our kids and talking with our kids. They must now consume every bit of our lives.
That's the expectation.
No wonder we never feel like we're a good enough mom!
We do it largely in isolation. We expect our kids to excel at everything. And so they take up all our energy. We have no time to ourselves. And we expect ourselves to be perfect, because we know that if our kids are messed up it will be our fault.
What if that's making parenting too big? I'd like to give you permission to be a "good enough" mom:
1. It's okay to enforce a bedtime so you have evenings to yourself.
Sure, it means a few nights of lots of tears if kids aren't used to going to bed at a decent hour, or are used to you lying down with them. But it is okay to want "Mommy Daddy time". And that goes for when the kids are teens, too. It's okay to say, "be in your room at 10. We want the house to ourselves."
2. It's okay to not have your kids in every activity under the sun.
It's okay to keep control of your schedule. It's okay to say no to hockey, even if everybody else is in hockey. It's okay to say "we don't have the money for that right now", or "I just want to have time as a family." It is okay to not live your life in a car pool.
3. It's okay to live in an apartment.
Kids do not need their own rooms. They do not need a ton of toys, and they do not need a ton of space. Think of how small the post-war houses were, and many families lived there with four kids. It's okay to live small.
4. It's okay to not throw huge birthday parties
There is no law saying that you have to invite your child's entire class to a birthday party (and if that is the rule at your school, then don't throw a birthday party!). It's okay to invite one or two special friends and just do something low-key and fun. Come to think of it, you don't need to do anything big at Christmas, either. It's more important to spend time together and have fun than it is to spend a ton of money.
5. It's okay to insist that kids clean up after themselves
You were not put on this earth to do endless laundry. You were not put on this earth to clean up after everybody else. It is okay to insist that people learn how to clean up after themselves at an early age. My kids started chores at 4. They can now be left for a weekend on their own and they will be able to cook their own meals and do the laundry (they're in their mid-teens). You are not a slave.
6. It's okay to leave your kids sometimes
Your children do not need you with them 100% of the time. Will they be sad if you go away for a night and they have a baby-sitter? Perhaps. But it's okay to be sad occasionally. This will not scar your child for life. And it is okay to need to still do adult things. It's okay to take some time to yourself.
7. It's okay to not be perfect
Finally, here's the most important one: It is okay to not be perfect. I messed up with my oldest daughter in a big way this year. We laugh about it now and I say to her, "When you're a speaker and writer when you're older, just think of the fodder I've given you now for how tough life can be!". I have made mistakes. Big ones. And the kids know it.
But I've also done a lot of things right. And in the end, what the kids remember is how much you loved them, and how you tried to live authentically and godly, even if you didn't always succeed in getting everything right. Kids are far more forgiving towards us than we are towards ourselves. They want you to be the loving good enough mom, not the stressed perfect mom.
Perhaps if we gave ourselves more grace, and allowed ourselves to still have adult time, and still have fun, and not break the bank parenting, we'd have less to complain about and more to laugh about.
So let's go, people! Parenting is wonderful; it's only the expectations on parenting that have become ridiculous. Let's lower those expectations, and then maybe fewer people would see parenting as a dead-end trap.


text:
HI Everybody, Happy Halloween!
Be sure you are careful with the pets and the candy. Make sure they don't get any chocolate, it can kill dogs. So be extra safe, dress up Fido and put the chocolate up so they can't get it!!!
We wish you all a very spooooky Halloween from Baby Sounds for Pets!!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Halloween and pets!
HI Everybody, Happy Halloween!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
My Buddy Butch interview
The radio interview can be heard all week long on i-tunes. If anyone wants to hear it.
We have now been in PET SMART since August, so anyone looking for the CD across the nation can find it there. Of course, you can still go on www.babysounds4pets.com to find it other locations near you too or on line.
Radio Interview tonight October 2nd 2008!
Hi Everybody we are doing another radio interview with Jeff Marginean and My Buddy Butch out of Ohio, tune in at 7:45pm tonight to hear it. Pet blog radio, www.mybuddybutch.com the show airs from 7 to 8pm est. every Thursday Live!


text:
Catalog Quick Links
Car Wash Signage
Proper Car Wash Signs Show Customers You Care
Replacing your signage inside/outside of your car wash is essential to getting new potential customers and keeping existing customers. New signage attracts customers and lets them know that you keep your car wash maintained and up and running. It also provides them with information/guides them within your car wash with clearance, fold in mirrors, attention/direction, Wash selections, pricing, and cycles within their selected wash.
Call us today to order your car wash signs!


text:
I was planning on typing up this blog yesterday, but I was busy leveling a little bit on my other pirates and didn't have a chance to type up this post or my other post yesterday. I'm back today! I don't have a long blog post like I usually have, but I do have a little to blog about on what I did yesterday. I'm so happy I leveled on the game yesterday, I was getting tired of being in the same areas. :P
Before I begin on my newest quest, I'll tell you what I did before that quest so you're not lost. Well.. I really remind myself because I look on my blogs so I remember what I did the days before I make my new blog. :D I hope it helps you as much as it helps me. Okay.. before I begin telling you what I did on my last post, I want you to scroll down and click on a reaction and this reaction below to let me know if making posts like these where I tell you what I did on my last blog helps you, I'll make a smiley bookmark so you know where to come back and start reading again. (:D) Welcome back!! Now I'll tell you what I did on my last blog post. On my last blog post, I had to sink 10 ships in Monquista to get the Brass Monkey's attention. Captain Dan told me that I had to sink them to get close to the record, which was made by the Brass Monkey. Once I was done sinking the ships, I had to sail back to Skull Island and Captain Dan told me that the monsters in the cave behind him didn't quiet down. I had to go through the caves again and defeat two bosses of the Troggies and the Aztecosaurs. I didn't have as much trouble as I thought I would with that fight. :) I ended my post the other day with a letter from the Brass Monkey. He told me that he wanted to challenge me to ship to ship combat and he even told me where to meet him to battle him. I sailed to where he was located and ended up battling him which wasn't difficult at all. My companions were fine during this fight and I didn't even buy a minion. I thought I would have to buy a minion but I had the right companions for this fight. :D I think this is where I'm going to end my blog for the day. I wanted to remind you that I still have to look for Mustang Sally and I am trying to get through a blockade. I had to fight the Brass Monkey and return him to the Royal Army that is in control of the blockade. Captain Dan thinks that if I send him to the blockade they would let me through. He thought right! They did let me through. Okay, ending the post now. Until later, I'll see you around the spiral. :D


text:
THIS is the moment police shoot dead a lorry-driving terrorist who killed 84 revellers after running through them "like bowling pins" at Nice's Bastille Day celebrations.
Cops are seen to approach the cabin of the 19-tonne white truck, unloading their pistols at the man - who is returning fire - with little regard for their own safety.
French president Francois Hollande confirmed that 50 victims were fighting for their lives in hospital on Friday afternoon.
Witness Nadar El Shafei told the BBC: "He died inside the vehicle - I saw his head hanging out of the window I could see it clearly, they kept shooting him from all sides just to be sure.
"They used a light to make sure no one else was inside the car then they asked us to run away in case there were others inside the car or a bomb."
The driver - named in local media as French Tunisian Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel - zig-zagged the vehicle through a crowd of thousands over a period of half an hour.
Witnesses described men, women and children being "hit like bowling pins" on the French Riviera town's promenade.
Within 30 minutes scores lay dead or dying after married father-of-three Bouhlel's murderous 40mph rampage, during which it is reported he screamed "Allahu Akbar".
related stories
'Shoulder to shoulder'Theresa May vows to double UK efforts to tackle terrorism after Bastille Day massacre in Nice
MOMENTS FROM DEATHChilling picture shows Nice boulevard packed with revellers minutes before massacre
truck terror carnageVideo shows horrific moment lorry ploughs into crowd during Bastille Day celebrations in Nice
'This is war'Donald Trump would demand Congress declare war on ISIS if elected president after Nice Bastille Day attack
BASTILLE DAY MASSACREAt least ten children among 84 slaughtered by truck driver who ploughed through Nice crowd 'like a bowling ball while shouting Allahu Akbar' before being shot dead
'IF YOU HAVE FOUND HIM, CONTACT ME!'Eight-month-old baby lost in chaos of Nice terror attack found via Facebook
'I'M DELIVERING ICE CREAM'What terrorist told police when they stopped his truck hours before he massacred 84
a MILE OF TERRORDaylight reveals horror of Nice massacre aftermath as buggies, belongings and bodies litter promenade
Police said a huge arsenal of guns, grenades and "larger weapons" were found in the vehicle alongside the driver, as pro-ISIS groups celebrated the horror massacre.
More than 50 children were taken to hospital after the atrocity at around 10.30pm last night.
Christian Estrosi, the regional president in Nice, confirmed more than ten children were among the dead.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson added that one Brit was among the wounded.
In a sombre address to the French people, President Hollande said: "All of France is under the threat of Islamic terrorism.
"But France is a great country and a great democracy that will not allow itself to be destabilised."
Newly-appointed Prime Minister Theresa May vowed to renew the fight against extremism while US president Barack Obama condemned the "horrific terrorist atrocity".
Armed police raided Bouhlel's Nice home on Friday afternoon as a controlled explosion was carried out on a hire lorry parked on his street.
His ex-wife was reportedly arrested as police race to establish whether he was part of a wider terrorist cell that could strike again.
Images also emerged of his Nice flat as investigators scoured Bouhlel's possessions.
One neighbour labelled the 31-year-old a "loner".
What we know so far
- A 19-tonne truck ploughed into Bastille Day revellers watching a firework display at around 10.30pm on Thursday night in the French Riviera town of Nice.
- At least 84 people were killed as the truck zig-zagged for 30 minutes along a 2km-long promenade in a bid to strike as many people as possible.
- Nearly 200 were injured and around 48 are fighting for their lives in hospital.
- Police killed the driver of the truck in a firefight as he sat at the wheel of the vehicle.
- Authorities confirmed the truck was loaded with guns and grenades.
- Local media has identified the attacker as Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel - a 31-year-old French Tunisian and father-of-three.
- Neighbours described Bouhlel as a "loner" as police scoured his flat on Friday afternoon.
- No group has officially claimed responsibility for the attack but ISIS-related groups have celebrated atrocity online.
- French president Francois Hollande said: "All of France is under the threat of Islamic terrorism."
- Among the first victims named were American father Sean Copeland, 51, and his son Brodie, 11, along with Russian finance student Victoria Savchenko, 21.
Jasmine, 40, said: "He was rude and bit weird. We would hold the door open for him and he would just blank him.
"He kept himself to himself but would always rant about his wife. He had martial problems and would tell people in the local cafe.
"He scared my children though. They will be scarred by this."
The first victims were today named as American dad and son Sean Copeland, 51 and Brodie, 11.
The pair were on a "dream holiday" to the south of France from Texas and were confirmed dead by friends and family online.
Haley Copeland wrote: "By now many of you have heard about the 80 people that have died in Nice, France today from a terrorist attack driving through a parade.
"Two of those 80 people were American and those two people happen to be uncle Sean and 11-year-old cousin Brodie.
"They were on vacation with my two other cousins and aunt celebrating a birthday."
Victoria Savchenko, 21, was also named as a victim.
The Russian finance student was visiting the city with her friend from Moscow when they were caught up in the attack.
Nice has been described as a "jihadist breeding ground" that has long been the target of a deadly terror attack, according to experts.
The city of 350,000, which has a huge immigrant population, has seen dozens of residents travel to Syria to fight for Islamic State.
Claude Moniquet, a former French intelligence agent and security consultant, said: "Neither the place nor the date are coincidental."
A heroic motorcyclist flung himself onto the lorry as it mowed people down in a bid to stop the atrocity.
Shocking video footage shows the brave man clinging to the side of the vehicle as officers ahead shoot in an attempt to stop the driver.
It is unclear whether the hero survived the attack.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at email@example.com or call 0207 782 4368


text:
Welcome hoppers to another month of Inspire, Create, Share! We are so glad you are here!
This month we are celebrating all things Spring! And who doesn't love this season. New beginnings, new life, and fresh starts! For my project this month I wanted to make something fun and fresh, and a light hearted way to celebrate Easter.
This card and project are great for sharing the message of Easter in a fun way! The large egg could be seen as an egg, or as the rock that covered the door of the tomb of Jesus.
This adorable bakers box could be filled with treats and given to neighbors, friends, teachers or even your church staff!
Thank you so much for hopping with us today! Now it's time to see what Tina has in store for us.
I am so glad that you stopped by today. You can subscribe to my blog on the right and never miss another post. I love blog love in the form of a comment, so please let me know what you think of this project!
Sign up here for my Weekly Newsletter so that you can see the latest news, specials and class listings!


text:
Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett
How to Make It
Whisk together buttermilk, sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks in a heavy 3-qt. saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly, and boil 1 minute. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla. Serve warm or cold. Store leftovers in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week.


text:
Two NASCAR stars, Brian Vickers and Trevor Bayne, were sidelined due to serious illness just a few years ago. Now both drivers are looking to heal their careers in the Nationwide Series this season.
In May of 2010, Cup driver Brian Vickers was visiting Washington, DC when he began to experience chest pains and trouble breathing. Initially, Vickers downplayed his symptoms, especially since he was young and in great shape.
But when the pain persisted and even intensified, the driver of the then No. 83 Red Bull Racing Toyota sought emergency medical treatment. It was then determined that Vickers was suffering from blood clots in both lungs and also in his leg.
Vickers knew almost immediately that this would impact his racing career. In fact, he almost delayed seeking treatment because he was fearful of losing his Cup ride.
"I didn't want to go to the doctor because they were going to take me out of the car," Vickers said at the time. "Going through the CT scans, they found the blood clots in both lungs and my left leg."
Because Vickers was put on Coumadin, a blood thinner, to treat the clots, it was determined by his medical team that he indeed did have to step out of the race car and focus on his physical healing. Vickers ended up being out for the remainder of the season, watching only as a supporter of his beloved race team.
But Vickers health challenges continued after a clot was discovered in a finger in his left hand. At that time, the driver underwent further testing to be diagnosed with May-Thurner Syndrome, a rare condition causing clots, as well as having a hole between the right and left atrium in his heart.
Vickers then decided to undergo heart surgery to fix the hole, as well as have a stent placed in his left leg to assist with his circulation. Vickers made the difficult decisions about the surgeries after learning that he was at high risk for stroke without it.
"I would rather die than have a stroke," Vickers said at the time. "I don't want to run the risk of living like a vegetable."
This additional surgery ensured that Vickers would not be ready to get back on the race track until the 2011 season. Unfortunately, Vickers dreams of returning in triumph were not to be, starting with involvement in the 'big one' at Daytona and then having issues and run-ins with several drivers, most notably Matt Kenseth.
Vickers finished the 2011 season in the 25th position in points, with just seven top-10 finishes. The year ended even more dismally when his team, Red Bull Racing, folded up their NASCAR tent and left the sport.
For the 2012 season, although Vickers started without a ride, Michael Waltrip snatched him up and put him in the No. 55 MWR Toyota for several races. Vickers showed his talent in the shared ride with Mark Martin, with three top-5 and five top-10 finishes in eight races.
With redemption and career healing in mind, Vickers will be back behind the wheel of a race car full-time for the 2013 Nationwide season for Joe Gibbs Racing. He will also return to MWR for nine Cup races in the car shared again with Mark Martin.
"I'm looking forward to being back in the Nationwide Series and in NASCAR," Vickers said. "I learned a lot over the last three or four years, from being taken out of the car being sick to not being full-time this past year with everything that happened leading up to the season."
"My perspective on life changed through all these events," Vickers continued. "There are no guarantees in life."
"I've learned that the hard way," Vickers said. "My focus is on 2013 and I think the success this year will lead to great opportunities next year."
Like Vickers, Trevor Bayne is also looking to heal and rejuvenate his racing career by competing in the Nationwide Series full-time in 2013. But Bayne, like Vickers, went from being on the top of the world in 2011 as the Daytona 500's youngest race winner to being hospitalized with double vision a few short months later.
Bayne's medical drama began just as suddenly as Vickers' issues when he complained of numbness in his arms while competing in the Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. Bayne initially thought his problems were due to an insect bite but he continued to experience nausea, fatigue and vision issues and was hospitalized at the Mayo Clinic for further testing.
Although his doctors never officially confirmed it, the young Roush Fenway driver said that Lyme disease had been causing all of his problems.
"They wouldn't confirm it because it's such a hard thing to define," Bayne said. "Lyme is something that hides in your bloodstream."
"It is hard to diagnose," Bayne continued. "But if they treat it and it goes away, to me that seems like a pretty good answer."
Sadly for Bayne, however, his illness caused him to be sidelined just enough so that others were behind the wheel of his race car. And he had to stand by and helplessly watch while his rival and teammate Ricky Stenhouse Jr. catapulted to fame after clinching the Nationwide title.
Bayne's 2012 season was not much better as the youngster had just six Nationwide starts, all because of lack of sponsorship. With no funding, Bayne had just one more start before the season ended, again with his teammate Stenhouse Jr. holding the 2012 championship trophy.
"If you would have told me it would look like this, I wouldn't have believed you," Bayne said. "It's been a little bit of a roller coaster."
Bayne is especially ready to start the 2013 season, knowing that he can not only compete full-time with sponsorship but that he now has a chance at the Series championship himself.
"I still want to make it in this sport," Bayne said. "And I want to be a top name that is contending for championships."
"This is my opportunity to do that."
Bayne will be working with Stenhouse's former crew chief Mike Kelley, as well as one of his sponsors, Cargill. The youngster will also be running a part-time Cup schedule for the Wood Brothers, with whom he won that unforgettable Daytona 500.
After both drivers' medical battles, there is no doubt that both Bayne and Vickers are beside themselves with hope for their 2013 healing season prospects.
"I think as a person, you grow and evolve through life experiences," Vickers said. "Every day is an audition."
"I think we've got a lot to show here," Bayne said. "I'm competitive and I want to be a part of the championship at the end of the year."
"It's what keeps us going."
Get 2 FREE stocks valued between $2.50-$1,400 when you open and fund a Webull brokerage account or earn 5% annual interest rate at Worthy.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SpeedwayMedia.com.


text:
Recently renovated in 2012, the MV Carina is a 33 meter vessel operating throughout the magnificent atolls of the Maldives.
There is ample space on board the MV Carina for socializing and relaxing. There is an indoor dining space and lounge that is beautifully decorated with wooden décor as well as a bar boasting fresh fruit juices and cocktails to end off every superb day. The top deck of the MV Carina is a great place to enjoy the stunning views of your surroundings and the sun deck is well-equipped for guests to enjoy the freh air and sunshine. Freshly cooked meals are prepared each day offering an array of western cuisine and Maldivian fare.
Diving whilst on board the MV Carina is an enjoyable, carefree experience. With flexible itineraries to suit each group and professional dive guides to ensure each guest gets the most out of their experience, the itineraries follow the Maldivian seasons and try to encounter migratory species along the way.
The MV Carina comes fully equipped with up-to-date scuba diving technology such as the ENOS security equipment to locate divers.
The Carina can sleep up to 20 people across its 10 air-conditioned, en-suite cabins. All cabins have in-room phones and a mini bar and are available in the following options:
8 Double/Twin Cabin
These cabins have both a double bed and a single bed and are suitable for double or twin occupancy.
2 Twin Cabins
Each of the twin cabins has a double bed.


text:
Pilots for German airline Lufthansa announced they would extend until Friday a strike that has already hit tens of thousands of passengers and seen hundreds of flights cancelled in a dispute over a retirement scheme.
FRANKFURT - Pilots for German airline Lufthansa announced they would extend until Friday a strike that has already hit tens of thousands of passengers and seen hundreds of flights cancelled in a dispute over a retirement scheme.
Just over half of the carrier's scheduled 1,400 domestic and European flights to and from Frankfurt and Munich were grounded Wednesday, affecting around 80,000 passengers, a Lufthansa spokesman said.
The one-day stoppage initially planned is set to continue throughout Thursday, when it will shift to target long-haul and cargo services.
Pilots' union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) announced late Wednesday that it would be also extended to Friday for short- and medium-haul flights.
The walkout is the twelfth bout of strike action to hit the German airline since last April over management plans to change the pilots' transitional pension arrangements.
Passengers wait at the counter of German carrier Lufthansa on March 18, 2015 at the airport in Hannover , Germany. German airline Lufthansa cancelled around 750 short- and medium-haul flights Wednesday as pilots began a two-day walkout in a long-running dispute over early retirement. AFP PHOTO / DPA / HOLGER HOLLEMANN
Flights operated by Lufthansa's subsidiaries Germanwings, Eurowings, Swiss and Austrian Airlines were not affected.
A Lufthansa spokesman said the airline had sought to warn passengers of Wednesday's strike ahead of time via text messages and email.
At Munich and Frankfurt airports, there were no reports of large groups of stranded passengers Wednesday, national news agency DPA said.
Lufthansa slammed the latest action as "incomprehensible" and said that it expected 42 of its 85 flights scheduled to leave Germany Thursday to be scrapped, but added that no cargo services were set to be cancelled.
Long-haul services are expected to resume as far as possible on Friday, the airline said.
It had earlier said that short- and medium-haul traffic was also set to be back to normal from Thursday.
The company said it had called on other airlines within the Lufthansa group to help to cover routes.
Keep talking
The dispute hinges on plans by Lufthansa to scrap an arrangement under which pilots can retire at 55 and receive up to 60 percent of their pay until they reach the statutory retirement age of 65.
Pilots are also concerned over Lufthansa's aim to further develop its low-cost activities as it faces growing competition.
Lufthansa said in a statement late Tuesday that the decision to call the strike lacked "any proportionality", and that the extension was "completely incomprehensible".
It had made an improved offer to the pilots' union in recent days, Lufthansa said, calling on VC to immediately continue talks.
"Instead of working on sound solutions for the future, the VC is inflicting damage now on Lufthansa customers worldwide," it fumed in a statement.
It also said it was irresponsible to refuse any form of negotiation over "privileges" for around 5,400 of the company's 12,000 workers.
For its part, Vereinigung Cockpit accused Lufthansa of not having "moved a millimetre" despite its claims, and urged the airline's bosses to negotiate seriously or accept an overall settlement.
In the previous round of strike action in mid-February, Lufthansa's low-cost subsidiary Germanwings was forced to scrap close to 340 outbound flights from Germany.
Overall in 2014, the repeated strikes cost Lufthansa an estimated 232 million euros ($245 million).
Last week the airline said it expected to see a "tangible" improvement in its underlying earnings this year after profits nosedived in 2014.
Lufthansa's profits were hit by a range of factors last year, including changes in the value of a convertible bond it had issued in 2012, and losses on its options for fuel price hedging.
Strike action by its pilots also weighed on earnings.
Lufthansa pilots extend strike as hundreds of flights grounded


text:
We are an established takeaway based in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent.
The best value for money, service and highest quality of fast food around.
At Kings our staff our dedicated to provide food and service fit for a king. Please leave comments and recommendations on review page.
Please allow extra time on weekends due to high demand. All methods of payments accepted (apart from cheques)
Main delivery areas are: Tunstall, Burslem, Cobridge, Hanley, Middleport, Longport, Smallthorne, Norton, Sneyd Green, Bradeley, Chell Heath, Chell, Fegg Hayes, Packmoor, Sandyford, Golden Hill, Kidsgrove, Newcastle, May Bank, Basford, Chesterton, Bradwell, Porthill, Wolstanton, Waterhayes, Red Street, Whitehill, Talke Pits, Talke, Harriseahead, Brindley Ford, Newchapel.
Please ask for details if your delivery area is not included.