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2 oz rye whiskey
3/4 oz lemon juice
3/4 oz spiced plantain syrup
1 egg white
Cherribiscus Spiced Bitters, for garnish
Combine all but the bitters in a mixing tin, dry shake, then shake again with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with the bitters etched into an attractive design.
The Cherribiscus bitters aren't a commercial product, so feel free to substitute another bitter with a bright red color, such as Peychaud's.


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The Internet is abuzz with news of Erin Andrews' privacy invasion--as they should be. There's a downside to our tabloid-obsessed, always-connected culture, and it's that personal privacy is at an all-time low, especially for individuals in the spotlight.
These innovations might not have helped preserve Erin Andrews' privacy, as some posit that the scandalous secret footage of the reporter was an inside job, but they may have. From instant privacy shrouds to photo-obscuring purses that thwart the paparazzi, there are plenty of creations that promise protection from an Erin Andrews-like invasion.
35 Privacy-Preserving Innovations
More Stats +/-
Computer Hood Privacy Scarf
Exercising Political Privacy
Celebrity Shock Photo Protection
Instant Privacy Shrouds
Top Secret Parking

subset: commoncrawl


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This commercial's been floating around since the Oscars, but we let it go just to create a false sense of security. But, it's been long enough, and Hyundai had its fun. Time to die.
Hyundai, your Azera commercial "Modern Life" does not depict modern life at all, propagates the untruth that fathers are incapable parents and cooks, and is insulting to mothers. So shame on you.
First, thanks to Kat Gordon of Maternal Instinct for pointing me to this terrible commercial.
Second, check out this hunk of crap:
Let's first talk about the mother in the commercial. She's laying in her car, escaping the madness inside her home. If you're a total simpleton or a mom that hates her family, it's totally funny that she's so cunning that she's lying to her husband about being in bumper-to-bumper traffic while she's resting in the driveway.
But the truth is that she is, indeed, lying to her husband, and she's somehow afraid to say "hey husband – I need a night to myself to unwind." It makes her look like a sneaky liar, not a hardworking mother getting much-deserved rest.
Okay, so, I get it – this commercial is steeped in hyperbole. There's seven kids: one on a drum set, one making a science fair volcano, one witch controlling an RC helicopter, one grating a mountain of cheese, one in a scuba suit, one in a robot suit eating frozen peas, and one which is actually sitting up in the cupboard. The dad is on – get this – a corded landline. So, clearly, this commercial is either showing me some alternate universe where men never got past 1982, or this is supposed to be some sort of Wes Anderson scene. Oh, wait, it is a Wes Anderson scene.
Either way, it's uproariously funny to see dad waffling in the kitchen, panicking and begging for mom to rush home. Because clearly, men don't know anything about cooking or parenting. If you're a dad and like this commercial, grow a pair. If you're a mom and like this commercial, you don't realize you're being insulted.
It's disheartening to see this sort of thing, considering there have been some great dad commercials in the car industry lately. Take Volkswagen for example. In their commercial, "Is It Fast," we see humor and a responsible dad:
BTW, Volkswagen scored last year also with their "The Force" commercial, where dad makes a kid's dreams of having medichlorians come true. Also, (we mentioned this already) Chevy had a good showing as well, for having a commercial that celebrated dad, didn't insult anyone, and did you notice? The boy is playing happily with both gender's stereotypical toys – action figures and trucks, and My Little Pony and a dollhouse.
People of Hyundai, take note. Wes Anderson, take note.
We are fathers. We know our way around the kitchen. We cook, we clean, we aptly raise our kids, whether there's one or seven. And if mom needs a break, she should confide in her life partner and mention it, and we'll happily hold down the fort. No need for lies, no need to sleep in the car. That's what bad marriages on the verge of divorce look like.
We're watching you, and we expect better next time.


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In search of inspiration...
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Purple Rain
Everyone who knows me well can assure you that purple will be the last color I will add to my wardrobe. But the true color admirer I am, I do appreciate its royal beauty, though from a distance. The reality is, its power can be dangerous to a sensitive eye and when used in a certain shade on a certain skin tone it may appear sickly. As I am typing this away my perfect nails are painted in a perfect purple that I discovered. Nars Cosmetics just came out with a perfection of a purple nail color in their Spring 2010 Collection: it has just the right amount of red and blue notes. It is neither too dark nor too light, yet it would look gorgeous with any skin tone! Purple Rain (gothic purple) is available for $16.00 at Sephora. But hurry! Its popularity is wiping out stores' shelves!
Purple Rain
Posted by
Olga Perfilieva
Sunday, February 14, 2010
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POT TV – BC marijuana activist Bob Erb, who won a $25 million lottery jackpot last November, has agreed to match up to $500,000 in donations made to the Sensible BC marijuana decriminalization campaign.
CTV News discusses the issue with Erb and Sensible BC campaign director Dana Larsen in this video.
Find out more about Sensible BC.
Read the article from CTV.


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A fearsome survivor agrees to help an injured woman in exchange for an apocalyptic sanctuary. A new installment of the 16-part series is available every week on amc.com, the AMC mobile apps, and on-air during premiere episodes of The Walking Dead.
Episode Dates and Show Summary for Fear the Walking Dead: Passage (Newest First)


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If you want to live or work in Detroit, there are opportunities for you!!
The City of Detroit recommends using
Improve Detroit as the fastest, automated route to address neighborhood issues.
However, if your concern is outside of what is currently offered on
Improve Detroit, requesting the Mayor's assistance is another option.
What issue would you like the mayor to assist you with? Please select from the options to your right.
If you
don't see your issue, but know which department you'd like us to work with, please select the appropriate department.
What do I do if I don't see my issue or department? If you don't see an appropriate issue or department and your issue relates to an abandon vehicle, neighborhood trees, illegal dumping, running water, water main break or any other neighborhood problem, please visit Improve Detroit for further assistance.
Once you've submitted your issue, we'll forward it to the mayor's Constituent Affairs Division. The mayor's office will then contact you within 48 hours to formally review your request. Our goal is to close all but the most complicated cases within 30 days or less.
The information you provide will be used to contact you with updates on our progress resolving your issue.


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And when the client accesses the secured service, provided credentials are validated against the ones stored in the user store.
We call this direct authentication since the server itself stores client's credentials and validates them at authentication.
Role Based Access Control
Authorization models have evolved over time. In role based access control, users are assigned to a particular role and the permissions to that role. This is scalable than user-centric permission model where permissions are assigned per user, but coarse grained and coupled with application code as opposed to policy based access control which we'll look at in a future post.
Before taking you through the steps, following is the architecture diagram of our solution.
- Proxy service is secured using Web Service Security mechanism to require a UserName Token(containing user name, password of the user) to authenticate the user and RBAC to authorize the user before invoking the BE service.
- User credentials are stored in Active Directory user store connected to ESB.
1.Download and extract latest ESB pack from here.
2.Configure Active Directory as User Store : locate user-mgt.xml file from [ESB_Home]/repository/conf and enable the ActiveDirectoryUserStoreManager element and provide appropriate information to connect to AD in your domain. (WSO2 products can be integrated with heterogeneous user stores and you can connect to any user store that you prefer.)
3.Start the server and access the management console from the browser: https://localhost:9443/carbon and login with credentials : admin, admin.
4.BE Service : Echo Service in ESB will serve as the BE service in our above deployment. Obtain its url(http://localhost:8280/services/echo) and wsdl(http://localhost/services/echo?wsdl) which will be used to create the proxy service.
5. Proxy Service: From left hand panel, select "Services->Add->Proxy Services" and create a pass through proxy with name "SecuredEchoProxy", url and publish wsdl url with the ones obtained in the previous option.
6. Applying Security: Go to the proxy service's dash board like the one shown in above image and select "Security" under Quality of Service Configuration.
Enforcing Authentication:
- select enable security -> yes
- select the WS-Security mechanism we are going to apply -> Username Token
Enforcing Authorization:
- Click Next.
- Select which Roles are authorized to access this resource.
You can invoke the proxy service from SOAP UI client or a java client with different user names belonging to different roles and test.
I have attached a maven project here with a java client which can invoke a service secured with UserName Token security policy.
UserName Token Security Policy:
Message Communication:
2012-09-15T12:21:11.203Z 2012-09-15T12:26:11.203Z admin admin https://localhost:8243/services/SecuredEchoProxy urn:uuid:a205c52e-0d22-465b-87c4-8192de4e3cbc urn:echoInt 1
2012-09-15T12:21:11.824Z 2012-09-15T12:26:11.824Z urn:uuid:6ece26cd-e349-4246-9481-7b05f6d928c1 urn:echoIntResponse urn:uuid:a205c52e-0d22-465b-87c4-8192de4e3cbc 1
1. Request message contains user name and password of the user according to the UserName Token profile of WS-Security. Since password is sent in plain text, the security policy enforces a transport binding which requires HTTPS to be used in message communication to provide confidentiality at transport level.
2. As security policy requires, both request and response contains timestamp values to avoid replay attacks.
3. Rampart is used as the underlying SOAP security processing module. In the security policy shown above, rampart specific configuration is commented out for the purpose of clarity.


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ROCKPORT - The Swearingen Report for residential homes has
been released for the 12 months ending January 2016 by Coldwell Banker The Ron
Brown Company.
The average sales price for residential homes was $244,250
for January 2016, down 3.9 percent versus January 2015 when it was $254,266.
The median price of residential homes for January 2016 was
$200,000, versus January 2015 when it was $191,750, up 4.3 percent.
Total sales of residential homes for Rockport MLS for January
2016 was 541, an increase of 0.9 percent (5 homes) versus the same period last
Our twice-weekly e-newsletter provides a quick overview of Texas real estate markets. Because your time is valuable.


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Before user experience was UX, I was diving deep to understand the psyche that defined how people interact with a website, or an application. I am passionate to provide a positive and successful user experience from the moment the relationship begins, and strives to exceed expectations.
I have over 16 years in the marketing and design field, with significant focus on strategizing and designing successful campaigns. Spending my free time downloading apps, looking for what is broken, and identifying the intricacies of well-designed thought out solutions. As well, I also practices the art of charcuterie (drying, curing, and smoking various cuts of meat), illustrating, painting, playing chess, spending time with his wife, and two daughters.
My work at Level Seven was centered on usability, user-centered activities, and creative ideation . Projects included, but not limited to an on-location contract with MMO, focused on the release of the new My Health Plan website. This included heuristic evaluations, wireframes, customer behavior research, and usability sessions held at Metrics Marketing. I was also named Lead UX for the Civic Commons, developing wireframes, rapid prototypes, reviewing user metrics and feedback, as well as communicating directly with the business team to pitch concepts and define value in new functionality. This eventually incorporated front end development and design in a Rails environment using HTML and CSS. Internally I wore several hats, including design, art direction, front end development and inspired the use of the french press as our primary source of caffeine intake.
Focused on the digital environment, providing design and content layout for websites, social media spaces, with attention to display of content on mobile devices. Brand management consultation, with a strategic approach are also integrated into every service offering.
Significant experience designing and developing:
- Websites, landing pages for B2C, B2B, and non profit organizations
- UX Consulting, Design
- Facebook, Twitter pages (and other social media apps)
- Email Newsletters
- Motion video acquisition and production
My most recent and most valuable job experience. At Red, I functioned as the lead role in the design and production of print, identity, packaging, multimedia, web design and web applications. I also managed vendors, press checks, art directed photo shoots, and supervised multi-faceted marketing programs and strategies. Watching over and maintaining production schedules and budgets for multiple projects at a time, in varying stages was also a day-to-day responsibility.
My most notable projects include package redesign, brand management for TheClub, usability research, wireframes, and heuristics for the Ball Dynamics e-commerce relaunch. I was also lead on the sister company, CabinetCraft for Graves Lumber, this included user centered design and research, including brand ideation, logo development and consultation for in-store layout, display and graphics.
Client Experiences at Red
ACRT, Inc.
ACRT needed an overhaul from the ground up, with exception to their logo – which was recently re-designed. Their visual brand as well as their brand messaging needed serious attention because ACRT was having a difficult time communicating who they were to their market. A multi-faceted marketing program was initiated that included a custom photo shoot that spanned four states, a new website, three brochures, an advertising campaign in trade publications, quarterly newsletters and trade show displays. We also conducted internal training and consulted for their sales team helping integrate new messaging, and addressing and overcoming hurdles they were experiencing during the sales process.
ACRT was able to clearly map and define new sales which could be attributed to the new marketing program.
DeHoff Realtors
DeHoff Realtors approached us in confidence to consult them as well as conduct research to determine the value of the continued use of the Prudential brand. Deciding to do away with the Prudential branding, we set forth to complete an overhaul of their brand. Visually, we created a new, clean, bright logo clearly setting them apart and properly representing who they really are in their market. This new branding was then applied to all of their internal materials, website, billboard campaigns, and a wrap for their moving truck.
We also worked together with them to plan and execute the launch and reveal of this new branding to their entire office and realtor family. This campaign was a huge success and made a significant mark in the Northeastern Ohio community.
House of Hunan
House of Hunan needed a new web presence and desired a strong social media campaign. I designed and developed a new site that featured high quality, custom photography. The site was built using WordPress as a platform to facilitate content management; the template was custom designed to enhance their brand.
A FaceBook fanpage, and Twitter account were created, to increase brand impressions, have a voice with loyal (or disgruntled) customers. We also executed a strategy to using social media to increase restaurant traffic by use of promotions and contests. They have managed to reach almost 3,000 fans in less than 9 months.
Akron Aeros
The Akron Aeros needed a way to stay in touch with current contacts and season ticket-holders. We suggested an energetic campaign that included an email newsletter. I developed and designed an email newsletter using Constant Contact, which was easy for them to manipulate for news and email blast purposes.
The Club, Winner International
Winner International approached us concerned with the appearance and inconsistency of their brand, specifically with their packaging. Several previous designers had handled multiple SKUs with various approaches, even using various renditions of the Club logo.
Our first step was to clean up their logo and create branding guidelines for proper usage. After this we designed a package to benchmark the new direction of their brand – The Personal Vault. Since then, I have designed and managed the direction of the remainder of the products in their catalog, and standardized the look and feel of their promotional pieces and sales collateral.
Since the redesign, the Club has seen a significant increase in sales, attributed to the strategic, new look of the packaging.
Kent State University, Visual Communication & Design — 1993-1997
Since 1901, AAF-Cleveland has been active in the Cleveland communications industry. We bring Advertising, Public Relations and Sales & Marketing Professionals together to build networks and create business solutions.
NEOUPA is the Northeast Ohio chapter of the international Usability Professionals' Association, designed to educate, motivate and promote usability throughout Northeast Ohio.


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Daisy is a senior at Nightshade High, and the town of Nightshade is celebrating it's 200th anniversary, so it would seem that there are plenty of things to be happy about. But when all the supernatural residents start relieving blackmail letters, Daisy decides to use her psychic abilities to investigate. Along the way, she stumbles upon some long missing lovers, and has to convince her over protective father she can take care of herself.
Apparently, this is the fourth book in the "Dead" series, but you could have fooled me, because it served as an excellent self contained young adult novel. Not for one minute did I feel like I was lots or missing anything because I had not read the previous books in the series. The story was just that well developed.
The characters were great, they seemed like actually high school kids, they had the same challenges that high school kids did, with the added pressure of living in a supernatural world, with supernatural forces and powers. I loved the character of Daisy, and the fact that she was not perfect; she is still learning how to handle herself and her abilities.
I think this is a great young adult novel, and I can only imagine that the rest of the series is as fantastic as this book is. I highly recommend this book, and can see many fans of paranormal lit, both adult and young adult, really enjoying this book.
A review copy of this book was provided courtesy of NetGalley.


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I have been wrestling with travel plans for a trip to a city about 16 hours away by car (I don't have one). Looking at buses, trains, and planes, I have the following options, ranked in order of least desirable (5) to most (1), where X = a certain amount of travel money:
5. two-day bus ride with night sleeping in Penn Station (one seat) (1/2 X)Which leaves the winner:
4. two-day train ride with night sleeping in Penn Station (one seat) (1/2 X)
3. flights to "nearby" cities with (coming) five-hr drive and (going) one-day drive/overnight stay added (two seats) (X)
2. flight to location (one seat) (X)
1. flight to location (two seats) (2 X)
--two seats on Southwest, with an additional 30 hours of travel added, available only (note) due to the generosity of a friend.
5. 4.
3. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - >
2. 1.
There is an airline (options 1 and 2) that flies directly to the city in question, which you would think--option 2, I mean--would be the best, but if there are no empty seats to put next to my seat assignment (on a smaller plane than normal), I will be required to buy an additional seat and/or be bumped. A chance on which I cannot afford to gamble. If I had the funds (well over $1,000) I could avail myself of option 1 outright. (Note: I called this airline to tell them they were losing my travel dollars.)
So Southwest it is. I would prefer at this point (kevinsmith) to not fly them just to make a point, but I am forced to accept the situation. As ever. I am gambling on getting my money back from my second seat, money which is out of my pocket and in Southwest's for the month regardless. This will happen if there are any empty seats/seats occupied by airlines staff, but I cannot count on it.
I feel squozed. I am squozed.
If I were feeling riskier I might actually try option 2--which would make sense, yes--flying to where you are going? omgnoway--and hope that there was room for me, but I am not willing to risk the safety and comfort of myself and other passengers, nor the potential hassle and humiliation for myself.
So I pay for my size with thirty travel hours. 30 hours or two times as many travel dollars.
As a large person, I accept the travel compromise--barely. Fitfully. I understand that I am lucky to even grapple with the problem. But I feel that it's important to illuminate what the dilemma looks like in situ. It sucks.


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Deli Home is a group of leading distribution companies with strategic production facilities timber, building and decorative products.
In fiscal year 2017, Deli Home achieved revenues of about € 234 million with some 800 employees in 10 countries. Deli Home seeks to be the leading supplier in each market segment it serves. To accomplish this objective, Deli Home has made extensive investments in its companies, staff and value-added capabilities including production and distribution facilities.
The operating companies are product specialist 'category leaders' targeting multiple customer segments. Categories include doors, flooring, timber, mouldings, storage concepts, insect screens and bathroom products. Well known proprietary brands are Bruynzeel, Lundia, CanDo and Skantrae. All companies have in common that they deal with relatively difficult to handle products, often based on natural raw materials. Deli Home companies are typically active in business-to-business markets, but with a firm focus on the final consumer.
Eight main operating companies trade, distribute and in many cases manufacture products in ten countries in Europe.


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Triodos Bank
Baker Tilly, Merrill Lynch
CAF Charity Financial Services Division
As an independent
not-for-profit foundation, CAF focuses on delivering services that
increase charities' funds, irrespective of their size or financial
standing. Empathy and constant interaction with the sector has enabled
its Charity Financial Services Division to offer a range of bank
accounts, investment funds and workshops that reflect its motto,
to have "a financial head and a charitable heart".
Cascaid, NCVO's Sustainable Funding Project, Workwithus.org
company that can reasonably claim to have transformed the face of
donating in the UK. In 2004, its London marathon site alone raised
£3 million for charities. New services include enabling charities
to operate its online fundraising services under their own branding,
and online payroll giving services that are levelling the playing
field for small charities by giving them access to a corporate audience
for the first time.
Sponsored by:
The Fairtrade Foundation is now celebrating its
tenth anniversary, and has reached this milestone, bigger and bolder,
becoming both a household name and an international phenomenon that
reaches 5 million farmers and their families across 48 countries.
With 15 new products in the last year alone, The Foundation has
established the UK as the world's second largest Fairtrade
market. Thanks to the work of The Fairtrade Foundation, it is the
UK that continues to drive the worldwide success of Fairtrade.
A true innovator of services, Su Sayer has been
at the forefront of caring for people with learning difficulties
for over 30 years. A pioneer who championed care in the community
long before Government interest, she set up the first United Response
support service in a small house in 1972. Her charity has since
grown to become a top 100 charity with an income topping £40
million andcurrently supporting over 1,200 people with learning
disabilities and mental health problems.
Diagnosed with Parkinson's at the age of 27,
Tom Isaacs has done everything he can to raise awareness and funds
to find a cure for the disease. Acting as an ambassador for the
young he has tackled misconceptions about the disease, one in ten
of whose sufferers are under forty. His personal challenge, named
'Coastin' has seen Tom walking 4,500 miles around the coastline
of Britain; a remarkable achievement given that Parkinson's significantly
affects a person's movement. Tom has single-handedly raised £350,000
for research into Parkinson's disease
Ann-Marie Ablett (ORBIS), Graham Hicks (Deafblind UK), Raymond J
Woltman (Watford & Three Rivers Against Crime)
its launch PhotoVoice has established itself as a pioneer in the
sector, winning widespread support with the public and media and
sharing its unique project methodologies with groups all over the
world. With a tiny income it has accomplished great things, training
socially excluded groups in photojournalism skills to give them
a voice. Its students have gone on to study at university, found
work in the photographic industry and have been commissioned by
the BBC.
COMMENDED: Beatbullying
SHORTLIST: Abbeyfield UK, Caring Whispers
At a time when undue strain was placed upon the
charity's support services due to industrial action, Roy's
crisis management abilities came into the fore. As a result, the
Fund has experienced its most successful year ever, achieving a
40% growth in beneficiaries served and a 20% growth in income. Other
successes include a major overhaul of its volunteers structure and
service delivery to improve professionalism, and employee development
by expanding training budgets.
SHORTLIST: Dr Mohammed Ali (QED
UK), Jane Carter (International Service), Trudie Lobban (The Syncope
Trust and Reflex Anoxic Seizure Charity - STARS)
In the face of increasing hostility to refugees
and asylum seekers, Jasvir has successfully raised enough funding
to not only maintain the charity but also to allow it to buy more
equipment and move to a new premises. By using fundraising methods
that draw upon all aspects of the media, she has enabled the Foundation
to increase its income substantially each year she has been a manager.
SHORTLIST: Steve Bull (Promise
Dreams),Chris Burghes (Fire Services National Benevolent Fund),Wendy
Edge (Brain and Spinal Injury Charity)
COMMENDED: Barnardo's, Foresters Big Toddle
SHORTLIST: Concern, The Fast, Crisis UK, Welcome
Cards Campaign
A simple and fun campaign has proved to be so effective
it is now the charity's premier event for Breast Cancer Awareness
Month in October. Over 46,000 national organisations were encouraged
to take part in 'wear it pink', a day when particpants
donated money to wear an item of pink clothing. An information pack
and no pre-registration made it easy to get involved and as a result
£600,000 was raised, which far exceeded the initial target
of £140,000.
Breast Cancer Campaign and The Big Food Group, ChildLine and BT,
UNICEF and British Airways
Action Cancer and Musgrave SuperValu-Centra
Since the partnership
was formed in 2003, over 13,000 children in almost 400 schools have
benefited from the charity's health programme – 120
more schools and 4,500 more children than before. Centra helps fund
the production of materials and content for the programme and has
raised over £43,000 for Action Cancer. In 2003 both organisations
benefited from media coverage worth £67,000.
A sufferer from chronic arthritis, Mel gives his
time seven days a week to help young people who are under supported
within the Criminal Justice System, out of mainstream education
or otherwise socially excluded.
He has raised more than £100,000 for one project alone, visited
prison cells at 3am and stood as a personal guarantor for those
he supports. As a volunteer he does what would normally be considered
a full time job.
Whether with the Scouts, St Johns Ambulance or Stockport
Youth Strategy team, Christopher has given his time and energy with
selfless enthusiasm. He has organised a wide variety of fundraising
volunteered in charity shops and established a drama workshop for
pupils in his school. He has also worked to raise awareness and
funds for vital local life saving equipment, given press interviews,
presented a community radio show and written to his MP.
SHORTLIST: Kayleigh Ball (The Blue
Cross, )Blair Ross (Guide Dogs for the Blind), Camilla Womack (various
Since its launch late last year, www.adoptionuk.org's
online community has helped hundreds of prospective and adoptive
parents, who otherwise might have no one to speak to. Using a lateral
approach to help users, the community offers much more than just
the user-friendly message boards but also offers guides to the adoption
process and sections where users can get advice on adoption issues
from experts and peers.
COMMENDED: Reuters AlertNet, www.alertnet.org
SHORTLIST: Directory of Social Change, www.government
funding.org.uk; National Phobics Societ, www.phobics-society.org.uk
In recruiting
its volunteers, School Governors' One-Stop Shop (SGOSS) operates
a totally open recruitment policy – and this is also reflected
within its staff, which include a diverse mix of ages, race and
experience. To draw on this, employees are encouraged to work together
across the organisation, and they do so constantly, whether it in
the development of the company vision, reviewing company accounts
or examining the appraisal system.
COMMENDED: Project 2041
SHORTLIST: The Health Foundation, Wood Green Animal
COMMENDED: Musgrave SuperValu Centra
SHORTLIST: Co-operative Funeralcare, Whitbread
Group Plc
Rangers Football Club has pioneered an innovative
strategy that makes full use of their status to create forward-thinking
attitudes and inspire a community spirit. Its commitment has been
demonstrated through a broad spectrum of initiatives including the
Rangers Study Support Centre, the Football in the Community scheme
and the Pride Over Prejudice campaign, the successes of which have
led to similar initiatives being launched around the country.
Kibble Education and Care Centre, Promise Dreams, Southern Focus
Wavemakers' mission statement is to celebrate and
build on achievements of children and young people from diverse
backgrounds. As a result of a previous Charity Commission investigation
– when the charity was under a different name and management
– the charity has emerged with a completely new board of trustees
which includes young people. The board's new vision to actively
involve children and young people in Wavemakers' development has
played a fundamental role in the revival of the charity.


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TransWorld SNOWboarding inspires and motivates you to go out and ride. Delivers on everything from the best photos of the world's best riders, to product reviews, how to's, and park and resort info. Subscribe today!
Don't miss a single issue! Subscribe now and get a year's subscription to TransWorld SNOWboarding (4 issues) for only $16.97!
Plus get a FREE T-SHIRT with your order!
*While supplies last, with your paid order. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of your free gift.


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A real life look at life as a Designer with, well...a real life!
Cold nothing girlfriend - hows your backside!! :-) Keep going friend - you're doing an awesome job! Have you done anything for fun lately though! Just sayin..............
Hmmmmm....I guess you'd have to define fun?!?!
Hello + HelloI can't wait to hear from you!!!:)


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Thursday, October 11, 2012
Yesterday a friend posted a funny Horror movie plot line in which your top 8 friends fill in for the characters and key plot points. The story begins: "You are in a Horror Movie..." The first person you have to identify is the person who "decided the creepy house was safe." And that was really all the inspiration that I needed for this. But golly! It took a lot of drafts and a little more research on Victorian houses with Mansard roofs than I am happy with. But then I set that bar for myself higher than it needs to be set.
I don't know what the fascination is with the Mansard roof. Maybe the Addams family house. Maybe one of a few Italianate homes in Traverse City. Or maybe it was the gorgeous example of an Italianate home on the Bluffs overlooking Lower Harbor in Marquette. Something about them has captured my imagination. And so, sporting 4 mansards and a flat roofed conservatory this home has a lot going on.
The front door features a webbed stained glass window while the first floor sid porch sports lots of curly wrought iron. The shadowy figure in the front parlor window is the same shadowy figure that appeared on my bedroom wall when I was a child. Trust me... he belongs here instead of in my room.
The sea monster on the roof is similar to one that graces a home on 6th street. The house once belonged to a former editor of our daily paper. And it was one of my favorite to gaze at on my route precisely because of the serpent on the ridge line. And yes, that is an eyeball in the window under him.
I have always enjoyed the eyebrow window set into the slope of a roof. They let in light without screwing up the design of a room forcing you to deal with awkward dormer areas that are never small enough to ignore or big enough to enjoy.
Most likely I will attempt a couple more designs because this was so much fun.
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Penn State Application Numbers Surge, Up 10,000 From 2013
President Rodney Erickson said the university is on pace to receive 120,000 applications for enrollment at Penn State for 2014-2015. At this point, approximately 119,000 applications have been received, but Erickson expects more to come before the window closes.
This news was relayed during Erickson's last formal Faculty Senate meeting as president. His last official duty will be Commencement on May 12, with Eric Barron taking over the presidency the following day.
Of those 119,000 applications, 81,000 are undergraduate students. For the 2013-2014 academic year, Penn State received 71,410 undergraduate applications. The year before, the university received 77,596.
To date, more than 14,700 students accepted their offers of admission to enter baccalaureate programs at all campuses for summer or fall 2014. This is over 100 more than last year and over 500 more than for 2012 as of this same date. New first-year students starting in the summer will top 2,000 for the first time at University Park.
President Erickson said last year's application plunge was a national phenomenon to the high publicity of student debt, but it's certainly a welcoming sign that those numbers are returning to normal levels.
There doesn't appear to be any dissuasion of prospective students this year. The numbers are comparable to Penn State application numbers pre-scandal. Penn State received 109,031 applications in 2009; 115,044 in 2010; 121,950 in 2011; 121,932 in 2012; and 113,380 in 2013.
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We Want To See Your Best Campus Snow Sculptures
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Thanks For The Memories: Ethan Kasales' Senior Column
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E-mail me if u wanna continue with this blog where I am heading. erm. make sense of THAT!
xo audge @ email@example.com
E-mail me if u wanna continue with this blog where I am heading. erm. make sense of THAT!
xo audge @ email@example.com
I am incomplete. I am a lost little person in a non-connected world. Wondering WTF I'm talking about?
I lost my friggin' cell phone.
GAHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I don't know anything except its my fault and I deserve this. The Karma Gods' are attacking me but I've been good lately…Or so I thought. You can never betray those karma gods.. they are always watching..
I'm actually really sad about it. That phone made me feel like a superstar. I guess this is a good kick in the ass reminding me of the very simple and boring life I lead. Oh, le sighe, how I wish I was Katy Perry, kissing girls. Just kidding.
but damn, I wish I never lost my friggin' cell phone.
1. Right now, I have an unbearable stomach ache.
2. I'm obsessed with death but not in a morbid sense, moreso a inquisitive mind.
3.As a little girl, I had the best imagination. I can remember sitting there, on my couch, for 12 hours, pretending it was a ship.
4. I adore coffee.
5. I am on a NO MSG diet. Fun.
6. I love my job but I struggle with internal issues regarding stuff I face daily.
7. My co-workers are my friends.
8. I love my new SUV. its pretty. I bought it with a dent.
9. My boyfriend tucks me into bed each and every night.
10. I sleep with a stugged shark.
11. I love going for walks with my dog. He makes me happy.
12. I once thought I was bipolar but I realize I'm just overly depressed.
13. I found out my depression started with a car accident my family got in, in Sept 2008. I almost lost them all.
14. My mom is my best friend. Shes white with red hair. Adorable.
15. I'm native but almost everyone I know asks me If I'm asian.
16. I wish I was taller with my long hair.
17. I get embarrassed shopping at La Senza because I have to go to the A section.
18. I don't like to spend money on expensive clothes. I shop thrift and consignment.
19. My boyfriend has a fashion sense so well that he is a metrosexual. Most people just call him gay.
20. Trust me, he isn't.
21. Our first time drinking, I got slammed and said, "If you ARE gay, let me know because… I love you." Romantic, eh?
22. I know at my job we aren't supposed to have favorite youth, but I secretly do. It doesn't affect my job.
23. I live paycheck to paycheck. I hate those last 5 friggin days!
24. I have 24.00 in my bank account until Thursday. Blahhhh.
25. I love reading books, especially classics. I always go to SparkNotes.Com to assist me.
26. I want to return to school one day to finish my degree. Ew.
27. I am ADHD and don't take medication but I don't feel I need too. I have a job where energy is thrived upon.
28. Regardless, I'm addicted to coffee.
29. I wish I was dating Edward Cullen. *laugh*
30. I miss my dad more then words can say.
31. I wish my sister and her family.. well, I wish I was closer with them.
32. I struggle with feeling good about taking time off work and just enjoying my life. Workaholic I guess.
33. I'm petrified of my bosses but I also would happily call them my best ones yet!
34. When I really struggle with a kid and start getting frustrated and exhausted, I think of the ten seconds of the worst moment of their life. It rejuvenates me.
35. Working with kids is my life. I love them all.
36. I've been sent to the ER from attacks I've had from children.
37. I have a blackberry curve cell phone.
38. I love trash T.V but not dumb shit like Maury.
39. Although, sometimes, I want to download a Maury porno just to see what its like. Uncensored, I guess. I have NO clue why.
40. I like the free movie documentaries on my t.v
41. I want my boyfriend to be happy.
42. I want to move to Vancouver eventually.
43. I am pumped to do Yoga.
44. I'm scared that I'll look like an idiot infront of everyone.
45. Sometimes, I worry about weird shit such as grease exploding in my face and being mutilated- will anyone still stand by me? dumb, I know.
46. I constantly wonder what my dads last thoughts were.
47. Sometimes, I hate blogging because everyone is so fabulous at it and I feel stupid. Then I remember, its my blog and its not a social contest. I just feel inferior I guess.
48. I want to save the world and recycle tons more.
49. My dog pissed on my duvet. It makes me sad.
50. It costs 30-40$ just to fix.
Filed under Uncategorized
Wearing: White embossed hoodie, black tanktop, 'silver' jeans, white socks, brown boots.
Listening to: Boyfriend sleeping.. shhhhh…
To do: haul ass off computer chair and do budgetting.
love, audge and fenris.
Filed under Photo Operation
How gorgie are these? I want them. I am going to buy them. Perhaps.
Meeting Elizabeth was shockingly pleasent. She is a wonderful lady. I don't even know how it happened but I just had word vomit and it all came out. And, SHE LISTENED WITHOUT JUDGING. Shock.
So on the homefront, that went lovely.
On the downfront, I have a rash from this damn medication. I'll live.
On the upfront, I'm joining a yoga course in February, a French course in April, and a new casual position at the womens shelter.
On the medicore-front, debating if I should/could give up the daycare job. Juggling 5 jobs isn't healthy for anyone.
On the $$$-front, broke as a joke, but dang, I want em' booties!
Today, I am going to visit my counsellor for the first time. All I know is that her name is Elizabeth and my mom likes her. My mom has referred everyone she knows there including my ex- (and current…) boyfriend, and my childhood best friend.
I feel like I'm going in for an interview. I feel like I need todo my hair and make up, put on some fabity fab clothes, and give the message, "no, really, I'm not a fuckup. This is all a misunderstanding."
I made the comment to a friend of feeling like, "I'm going there to get judged." She laughed, and said, "well, aren't you? I mean, your going and saying, 'all this shit is wrong with me and you tell me how to deal with it…" although you had to be there to see the hand gestures she made. Hilarious.
How the hell do you begin? "So, I'm Audrey and I'm here because I'm sad all the time and can't stop crying?" … *re-adjust pose in the mirror and say cheerfully* "Hey Sup, I'm Audrey… *re-adjust, le sighe" Hi, My name is Audrey and you know my mom…"
Bingo. So we've figured out the greeting but what of relaying the actual message of being a screwed up mind at its greatest?
I give up and I'm letting the chips fall where they may.
Blah. I don't want to go. I'm obviously very worked up about it since I've been awake since 6:30, chatting about this exact prediciment to my stuffed shark in bed.
Tell you how it goes…
Filed under Uncategorized
Drinking excessive coffee can lead to breast reduction? I drink about 4-5 cups PER day and I'm a size A. Awesome.
and taking regular hits of caffeine reduces the risk of breast cancer.[74] Coffee appears to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, cirrhosis of the liver,[75] and gout. (Wikipedia)
But the main reason for this post wasn't about the HEALTH effects of Coffee…Although I was quite surprised, it is mainly about my next Etsy Purchase!
I love the dragonfly. For me, it resembles being able to adapt to all situations given and still thrive. It is a very resilient insect. For more by this amazing artist, click me.
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I'm Superman in the winter. As I browse seed catalogs, I'm certain I can do anything.
More trees to plant? No problem.
A gazillion new varieties of things "we just have to try"? It'll be fun!
That's the trap we fall into each year as our love for small farming and life on the island overwhelms time, space and common sense.
It's a lot like the whispers Susan and I trade as we solemnly promise not to go overboard on Christmas spending each year.
Each spring, as soon as the ground warms up and the earth is ready, it's as if a starting gun has been fired. We're off in a cloud of hopeful ambition. Each year our ability to produce is limited by how fast we're able to prepare the ground, plant the seeds and tend to the needs of man and machine.
When spring comes, there will be days on end that start early and end late. There will be days when a person can scarcely notice any difference from before and after except for aching muscles and a nagging feeling that not enough was done. Each year, we stack a little more on the plate, even after we've promised ourselves, "we'll cut back a bit next year." Somehow, we never do and we always manage.
Some of the ideas we're considering this year include suggestions from chefs and requests from friends to try this or that. We'll be trying some new techniques with mesclun greens - a very popular but labor intensive product. And this morning I was looking into artichokes. They like cool, coastal conditions and are a major cash crop in northern California. Probably not too popular on PEI...but if we steam up a couple, serve them with melted butter and a pot of PEI mussels at the shore next summer, we'll have a few new fans for this wonderful treat.
We also have a practical need to get serious about our hay crop. I can easily put away enough mowed timothy and clover (with assorted weeds) to feed our horses for a few weeks. But I need to grow enough good quality hay to bale and feed over the winter. I'd like to lower the cost of their winter boarding by sending the horses to board with their own feed. Or if not, I'd like to have enough good quality certified organic hay to sell. I've even started looking at hay prices in the drought stricken south west. Hmmmmm. Wonder how much it costs to ship a ton of hay?
We'll see. Meantime don't let the red "S" on my chest fool you. It doesn't really stand for Superman. It stands for Spring.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Hay - Is It Spring Yet?
Posted by John Quimby at 5:30 PM
Labels: Organic Hay, PEI Organic Farm, Spring on PEI, Spring Planting
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2010/The Fine Line Between Creepy and Fun
From Open Source Bridge Wiki
Social software is kind of a big deal right now. In the open-source spirit of transparency and dissection, let's talk about what makes social technology creepy, what makes it fun, and how to hack things to maximize your desired outcome.
Speaker: Audrey Eschright
Return to this session's details
Contributed notes
Slides from the talk: http://www.slideshare.net/aeschright/the-fine-line-between-creepy-and-fun-4431316


text: :hi Hello from PeterBale Hi there! I suppose I'm a bit of an interloper here, really, as I'm primarily a sax-player, although I've been involved with brass bands since joining the then Coventry Festival Band (now Jaguar Coventry) at the age of 16. Following a spell in HM Coldstream Guards Band I spent nearly 20 years working with The Salvation Army, mainly in residential centres. Currently running an office building just off Piccadilly, and commuting daily from my home near Southend, I came across tMP following an item in Brass Band World. When not posting on tMP (or working!) I frequent a number of other forums, and also contribute the occasional review for 4barsrest.com. With parents in Coventry I am a regular attender at both the British Open and the National Finals at the RAH, usually wearing my 4barsrest or tMP t-shirt. As a southerner, I've not met very many tMPers face to face, but was able to participate in the Whit Friday 2004 band, as well as hosting the tMP band at its first stand-alone concert in April 2005. If you follow the link I'm second from the right on the front row as you look at the photo! You'll find tMP a welcoming bunch, and we value the contributions of all, young or old, long-time members or newbies.


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Just a quick update to help me get reacquainted with the camera, to figure out where and when exactly is best to film, and to update you all on what's happening in my corner of the internet. Also, accidentally-on-purpose left in a blooper to prove that I wear pants while I film these. Enjoy!
2 comments :
Haaai there!ReplyDelete
OK so I don't bite my nails, but it's not that I'm too kind to my hands, either :p Looove the Caudalie lotion as well! Have you tried their hand cream? That's one of my all-time fave! My skin also freaks out in spring, so I guess it's kinda normal? Hopefully the situation will be under control soon!Replies
Damn lady, you are fast :) I'm getting to the hand cream soon -- just trying to finish everything I've got open. #springresolution!Delete
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The 53rd tutorial is for Magento theme. This tutorial will show you how to remove the default zooming effect with a new Jquery plugin on a magento theme. After this tutorial, hope you have a professional product zoom on your site's theme!Read More »
How to Create Categories in the Magento Admin (part 1)
This article will guide you how to create a new category in the Magento Admin. Selecting a Store The first thing to do is select the store where you would like to add the category from the Choose Store View dropdown menu. The default is for all stores managed by ...Read More »
Monitor your Magento Store with MageSpeedTest.com
Basically it's the same simple Magento performance test you know and love, run every 6, 12 or 24 hours. If the results of the regular tests differ by more than your preset tolerance, you get an email warning you – simple. Magento Monitoring is free? Yes, that's right. Paid up premium subscribers ...Read More »
How to manage your customers in Magento
This post will show you one of the important functions in Magento, it is Customer management, including: create a new account, manage customer details and manage customer groups. New customers can sign up for your online store through the main page ->My account section. They should click on the [Create ...Read More »
An other function of Composer with Magento
As far as we concerned, Composer is really useful at re-implementing code in PHP application or frame work. But now I want to consider it as a better package and dependency management system for Magento extensions. The post will take you some minutes to read all but do not quit ...Read More »
Magento theming 22 – Displaying Attributes in the Product Listing
The 52nd tutorial for Magento Commerce Community Edition. This tutorial shows you how to display attributes in the product category listing.Read More »
Magento theming 21 – Custom Layout Updates On Category Pages
The 51st tutorial for Magento Commerce Community Edition. This tutorial shows you how to have a custom layout update on a category.Read More »
How to upload File and Link in CMS Page
Sometimes the editor in magento or any other cms can be confusing and it is not obvious how to do a simple task. This short Guide is how to upload a file and link it within a cms page. Follow the steps listed here and refer to the image for ...Read More »
Magento Tutorials (Part 50) – Moving Many Products At Once To A Category
This 50th tutorial shows you how to move many products at once to a new or different category.Read More »
7 Magento Optimization quick tips for faster load speed
One of the most difficult things to do with a Magento site is to make it load faster. Due to the complex nature of how the Magento system works, even if you have a low graphics home page theme you will find that it will take 3-4 seconds for a ...Read More »


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I'm in shock. I had predicted the Habs losing to the Caps in 7. After all, Halak has the hot hand, but really, who expected the firepower of Mike Green, Alex Semin, Mike Knuble, Nicklas Backstrom, and Alexander Ovechkin would falter at Halak's door for four of seven possible games? Not I. But boy, was I wrong.
Halak posted a 2.46 GAA and a .939 save % on route to winning 4 of 6 games he played in this series. Mike Cammalleri snagged 10 points in 7 games, Tomas Plekanec was second with 7 points in 7 games. They weren't always pretty goals, but they were always in the net, which is more than can be said for Green and Semin, both of whom were held scoreless.
The biggest story is the Habs' penalty kill, which was 97% successful. A lot of people seem to think this reflects on the Capitals failing to convert, but I think it's a combination of running into a hot goaltender and excellent team defense. Hal Gill blocked 31 shots in the series. If it was a failure of the Capitals to score on Halak, then why didn't Carey Price get lit up hard when he started? Even most of the goals on him were even strength or shorthanded for the Caps.
The Caps are done, and I hope the Habs are looking forward. Last year, I'd be more worried, because that would have been the first playoff series a lot of guys in the locker room won, and for most of the rest, they'd never seen the conference finals. This year, I'm feeling much better about our prospects. We have three solid veterans leading the way in Brian Gionta (The C without a C), Scott Gomez, and Hal Gill, all of whom have established themselves firmly in the locker room. They may not speak French - hell, they might all be American - but they're wearing the rouge, blanc, et blu with pride so far, and trust me, we'll take their leadership and skills as we make an unlikely drive forward.
The Penguins are the best team remaining in the east, both in terms of talent and in terms of experience. Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Gonchar, and Fleury are all legitimate superstars, and we're going to have a very interesting time up against them. I find myself wondering how Crosby is preparing his team to face off against Montreal. This hasn't happened in a long while, and Crosby's never played a playoff game in the Bell Centre.
I think we'll shock the Penguins. I think the layoff combined with Montreal entering in on a roll will be enough to let us win one game at the Igloo. I'd love to see us win both at home and go up 3-1, and then close it out at the Bell Centre in Game 6. In fact, I think that's my prediction - Habs in 6.
If that happens, I imagine we'll face the other hot goalie still in the playoffs: Tuukka Rask. Bring it.
Podcast Ep. 253: Karen Pence's New Job
2 hours ago


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What started with a few looks of neoprene sportswear at Richard Nicoll's spring show quickly moved in to a very different story.
Inspired by film director and screenwriter Henri-Georges Clouzot's work in the 50s and 60s, and a sewing pattern magazine cover of 60s sleepwear left on our seats, the remainder of the show had a Doris Day, cutesy pastel feel with a contrast of bygone styles in high-tech fabric.
Blue baby-doll gauze and clear plastic layered over slips, chintzy rose print jacquard was used on bed jackets and conical bustiers. Hemlines and tiers had rigid hoops which looked cute on minis and more awkward on the long lengths.
This being sleepwear-inspired, there was of course pyjamas - right on cure for the prevalent trend of the season - using a muted jacquard print or sheer cornflower blue.
Usually a designer to appeal to a broad demographic, this was a boundary-pusher for Nicoll. And why not, it'll be interesting to see how it's worn off the catwalk, but it was a refreshing change.


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All items > Knives > Custom Knives > Chuck Gedraitis (Custom)
- Brand:Chuck Gedraitis
- Overall Length:5.88"
- Blade Length:2.75"
- Blade Width:0.56"
- Thickness:0.16"
- Weight:1.80 oz.
- Blade Material:Damascus
- Blade Style:Drop Point
- Finish:Damascus
- Edge Type:Plain
- Handle Length:3.13"
- Handle Material:Damascus
- Color:Gray
- Knife Type:Fixed Blade
- Model:Gedraitis
- Country of Origin:USA
- Best Use:Camp/Hike
- Product Type:Knife
DescriptionThis Neck Knife from Chuck Gedraitis features a Chad Nichols Blackout pattern stainless Damascus steel with hollow ground main bevels and flat swedge grinds. The handle is drilled and has grooves for index and pinky fingers. This fixed blade comes with a Kydex sheath and ball chain for neck carry.
Overall Length: 5.875"
Blade Length: 2.75"
Blade Width: 0.563"
Thickness: 0.156"
Weight: 1.8 oz.
Made in the USA


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Unkind people and hurtful words.
If people would just behave themselves…
When was the last time you had your feelings hurt by the words or actions of another person? Within the last week? The last day? The last hour? The person who hurt you may have been a total stranger, an acquaintance, a healthcare professional, or someone close to you.
I am often reading posts here on Diabetes Connect describing what others have said to them. Telling them to lose weight and their diabetes will go away. For example: Blaming them for not taking care of themselves. Warning them of what might happen to them in the future. Telling you that if you didn't focus on how you feel so much, it would just go away. Or just plain old pretending that you aren't dealing with a medical diagnosis that affects the way that you live your daily life.
But we need people in our lives, in various roles, even on those days when we wish we could just go it alone and not have to place ourselves in the position of being disappointed or upset by the behavior of someone we thought we could count on to be understanding and supportive, or at least to not say something that is careless and hurtful.
And, more important, there are a lot of great people in the world – and in our personal corner of the world – and it's important not to become so disillusioned that we are tempted to tune everybody out.
So, here are some ideas to help you to deal with those situations that place your faith in humanity on shaky ground:
Watch your self-talk. Remind yourself not to have expectations of other people, including how they "should" think or behave. We can't predict how people will behave, and expecting them to think or behave according to our own standards and needs only leads to disappointment. Realistically, you can only expect that they will be who they are. For better or worse.
Try not to take things personally. Sometimes people say things that are thoughtless, or just plain dumb, because they are uneducated, or too caught up in their own problems to step outside of themselves and try to understand how someone else is living in the world.
Try to educate people where you can. Let them know when they say something unhelpful and hurtful. If they'll listen, give them a few facts about your condition. Show them by example how you live and what you need to do to take care of yourself.
And tell yourself that it is not your job to change other people. Some may listen and learn, others may not be able to, willing to, ready to. Know when to walk away from a painful situation.
And if that doesn't' work… remind yourself that the person who said or did something hurtful is not paying you rent, so you shouldn't give them much space in your mind. You need it for more important things.
Yes, I am encouraging you to talk to yourself a lot. Human beings do that anyway, it's how we make sense of the world. Your self-talk can have a big impact on how you are viewing the world, interpreting what you see, and then how you are feeling and behaving.
And while you are at it, stay close to the people in your life who are supportive. Stay in touch with them, let them know how much you appreciate them, and ask them what they can do to help you. Keep working on bring more supportive people into your life. You might find that when you are feeling supported, encountering people who are not so kind or helpful will be less likely to impact your day.
If you are suffering from depression or anxiety around your condition, it's especially important to keep supportive people in your life, and to have coping strategies in place to deal with painful interpersonal situations. Knowing how to cope with unkind people and hurtful words being proactive, and helps you to maintain your perspective and not get knocked around by the turbulence.
We always have a choice in how we view the world. And in the big picture, the world is filled with a lot of great people.
Had any experiences with unkind or unsupportive people lately that you want to share? What do you do to help yourself get through situations like this?
We are all in this together! Stick close to your friends here on Diabetic Connect.
29 replies
I so agree with you. Am being constantly told to, "Just push away from the table and you will lose weight, and if you lost weight, you would not have any problems with diabetes." Well. they need to have walked in my shoes for 65 years, they might have some understanding. We need to treat each other with respect, kindness and love. "If you can't say something nice about someone, at least keep quiet."
Hello Dr. Gary, Very well said..I had to learn to "turn the other cheek" and I do it well now. It took awhile for my family to understand MY feelings and condition, they would always compare me to our mother. My mother was in denial where I am not in denial, I was just frustrated until I found a really good doctor, and it took awhile to find one. I find that sometimes we just have to believe in ourselves and try not to be so sensitive, this is not easily said I had to do it in order to survive. You know everyone has something wrong with them and one way to relieve themselves of their problem is sometimes to take whatever out on the person close to them. It is not easy but you can really change minds, just show people how you are surviving and staying well, that is what I do, yes sometimes I do have bad days, but I talk to myself a lot and put me back on track. I try really hard to be understanding to others on this site and I try to share my feelings and be very supportive if I cannot I will not reply. I feel we first must love ourselves then we can take on the world…and that is exactly what I am doing …nothing or nobody will stop me from feeling good about me and loving me. It took too long for me to get here. Love you all very much, and this site will truly help you, just listen and take everything lightly they are here for you. Thanks Dr. Gary and Bless You
Hi Dr. Gary. Thank you so much for helping us to handle uneducated people. When I become awake in the morning, I tell myself to try a smile. That seems to help set my mindset for the day. There are days that I would rather go back to bed, but I lead a pretty active life. At time I wish that I had remembered the "NO" word. When people are thoughtless and say things that really hurt because they can't always see physically or emotionally how I feel. When they are stupid, I put a smile on my face and tell them that I'm so glad that they were so blessed with such good health. Then, in a soft voice, I ask them if we could trade each other's shoes. At first they may have a blank look, but I proceed to explain that I'd like to walk in their shoes for a day, and they coud walk in mine, and then the next day we could discuss how the walks for each of us had been like. That usually gets the point across without really being unkind, just blunt words. Please keep us informed on important issues.
Take care and God bless,
Hey Nancy,
This is beautiful! I think that when you tell yourself to smile, you are also reminding yourself that the world is not all bad, that life has possibilities, that you can handle what comes your way. It is like summoning your strength, and your positive energy, to face the day. When you frown, and focus on what's wrong in your life, you start the day defeated.
I really like the idea of tellling people that they are blesssed with great health, and offering to swap positions with them and compare notes. That is I am sure a teachable moment for them, and a lesson they won't soon forget, if ever. You might even help them to improve their attitude.
Thanks again. Really great to hear from you!
Thanks for the kind words. Each day is a blessing, and if I look for something good, then I'll see it along the way. We all have life challenges, but if we seek the Lord's help, search for something worthwhile, then we can expect it. I love people, and it hurts me so much to see and hear them saying there is no hope, and now there is nothing to live for. Pardon me, but have you looked outside today and seen the beautiful sun shining, or the flowers in bloom. Yes, the challenges diabetes causes are many, but if we take baby steps one day at a time, we are going to get started moving ahead, and hey, before long we are walking (carrying our tool kit) and the next thing, we realize we've just found that lost hope. I just look for something special each day, even if it is small.
Have a great weekend. Please keep on sharing your knowledge, we need to see and read it. The more we learn, the more we are equiped to handle diabetes and other challenges. Take care of you. Have a wonderful day. Just smile and laugh, it confuses people by wondering what we are up to!
God bless,
Hey Nancy,
What a great post. We do help to create our own reality. If all we see is negativity and disappointment, then that is what the world is going to look like. And it is within our power to turn that thinking around, if we choose to. Ond day at a time, as you said so well.
Thanks for your kind words. Posting on Diabetic Connect is one of the bright spots in my life, many days the brightest. You have a good weekend too!
I SO love your attitude!! I've often been on the way to work or out for a drive and look up in the sky and say (sometimes out loud LOL) God you do some beautiful work!! :) People just tend to get too busy and forget to "stop and smell the rose's"!! Ellen :)
Thank you for the kind words. I try each day to find something special to recall and think about. God has blessed my life in so many ways. Just this week has been a great blessing for me. While my son and I were traveling and visiting his friends and family, my BG# shot up to 698. Needless-to-say, I was pretty scared. I was able to maintain 280 afterward. Today it was down to 113 and held low all day. I am so happy and thankful. I hope you are having a great weekend. Put a smile on your face, and your dancing shoes on your feet, and have a wonderful dance with life. Isn't it great!
God Bless,
My very helpful and supportive family still every once in a while say some of those not very kind and sometimes hurtful words. Even though I know they do not intend them to be meant that way, it can still bring me down emotionally.
I talked recently with one of my sisters about how words from another sister's husband had hurt me. My almost lifelong double vision and bad depth perception have prevented me from ever being able to drive a car. Heck somedays walking is risky when walls and corners are much closer than they appear to be for me. Brother-in-law suggested I should get a driver's license. I knew he had good intentions. However it made me feel he thought I was too stupid to know whether I was able to see good enough to drive safely. Also that I was being stubborn and would prefer the lifelong inconvience of waiting for rides from others and buses rather than just getting into my own car whenever I wanted and going whereever I wanted to go. Bad vision has prevented me from several job options. My sister said that because I could do so many things it seemed to all of them that my eyesight wasn't really that bad. In a second I was able to picture activities I would like to do but can't and ways I adapt so I can do many things.
Usually I can handle their why don't you just get a license comments. But this time it came after months of job searching. I had kept running into the job listings that either were not on a bus line, or for some include the use of your private vehicle for possible company use. Brother-in-law thought I should just be able to say "Why yes I have a driver's license". Since some of the jobs involve driving other people to places that option was not doable. I fnd it funny that all of them will occassionally suggest I drive, yet when I ask them for their car keys they refuse.
Normally I can remember it is not out of meaness but rather a lack of understanding that distressing tings are said. I also know there are many words out of my own mouth that have unintended meanings to those who hear them.
Hey, how you doing?
What an amazing story, and so well told.
Timing is everything, isn't it? Sometimes, we can let hurtful words just wash off us, but other times circumstances are such that they really strike a chord, and leave us feeling like we had the wind knocked out of us. I know, I have been through it too.
I am glad that you let your sister know how you felt. It's interesting that that they didn't know much trouble you were experiencing. On one hand, it means that you are compensating for your disabilities but on the other hand it shows that people who are close to you are not being sensitive to the challenges that you are facing. Their ignorance, and their denial, results in inappropriate comments.
A teachable moment for them, and hopefull one they will learn from.
Humor is a good response, isn't it? It drives home the point and cuts the tension at the same time.
Thanks a lot for checking in. Stay in touch!
Thank you so much for this article! I really needed this right now. I have been struggling with getting my asthma under control and having to take large doses of prednisone which makes my diabetes worse and causes weight gain. I have family members to like to tell me that I've "blown up like a balloon" which is exremely hurtful. I am trying to work on my self-image and learn how to let those comments roll off my back. I know I am doing the best I can. I also know that it's what is inside a person that counts, not the outside. I wish our world wasn't so judgmental based on physical appearances.
I do think the world has a lot of great people in it. Those are the people I need to spend my energy on instead of the inconsiderate ones.
Thanks again for a great article.
Thanks a lot for your kind words. I am glad that I was able to help you in some way. Wow, I'm sorry tha you are going through this, facing your own health challenges with a lot of negative stuff coming at you from people who should be caring and supportive. Again, a good example of loved ones feeling helpless, not knowing what to do or say, but thinking they should fix you in some way. Instead, they are making dents in your self-image that you don't need rght now.
Have you tried telling them how they are huring you, that you are doing your best and that you need their support? I suspect you have.
But you can still give yourself a lot of positive self-talk, remind yourself that you are doing the best you can, working as hard as you can to take care of yourself. That's a lot.
So hang in there, and stay close to your friends on Diabetic Connect. Lots and lots of great people here.
By the way, I had severe asthma in childhood, well into high school and college. I still have the allergies but not the asthma. In high school, by doctor pumped me up with steriods. I gained a lot of weight, which at the time we didn't realize was from the steroids. And I became extremely hypoglycemic, which is still am. So I can give you lots of firsthand empathy on this one.
I am thinking about you, and hoping for your best. Stay in touch, okay?
Hi Dr Gary,
Yes, you are right, I have tried telling family members how much their words hurt. I'm just being oversensitive, they say. I am learning to just keep a lot of things to myself like when I'm in a lot of pain, etc.
I do think through all of my challenges, I have more compassion for others and have learned not to judge someone so quickly. None of us know anyone else's story and we shouldn't judge each other by outward appearances. I was brought up in a home that was very judgmental and prejudice and it still is. I am glad that I don't share those beliefs and I brought my children up to be accepting of others.
I know the side effects of prednisone are evil but in my case it's the lesser of the evils. I have a lot of inflammatory processes going on in my body and my doctors are just trying to get some kind of control on it. It seems like things started snowballing when I hit 40. It's been a rough 10 years. I'm hoping the next ten are much better!
I'm so glad I found this site and have this group for support. We all need support and understanding.
What is the saddest thing is that many times, the people who say things are really trying to help. They just have no idea what they are talking about and go by what they heard or read somewhere. Prejudices are everywhere, we all have them, even if we think we don't. Go do some people watching one day and see what kind of comments you make to yourself about the people you see go by. It might just surprise you.
Trying not to take things personally is key. It's hard when they are speaking directly at you about you and telling you what to do. BUT, you have to rise above their ignorance a take the time to educate them. If you can take time to educate you may also be able to prevent them from being so insensitive to the next person. That would be the best thing. Some will never listen and you just have to know that you are better than that in your heart.
I rarely run into people that treat me this way. Or at least that do it to my face. What they say or think to themselves is not my business. We all do that, and hopefully we just know better than to blurt out hurtful things.
Hey Gabby! Nice to hear from you, as always! You're right, prejudices seem to leak out everywhere. People speak out of their own helplessness and ignorance, often with the assumption that they are helping you in some way, even if to do no more than give you some "tough love" that you didn't ask for and don't need. They confuse fixing you with hurting you. As as you suggested, what I always remind myself first, and then others, is that we can control other people, as much as we would like to and, darnit, should be able to.
I get it from two of my daughters. They tell me if I lost weight (I am a comfortable weight and not fat) and if I exercised I would not have diabetes. These two daughters are very thin and exercise contantly. Of course the ads which we see are of no help. "you can get rid of diabetes forever, etc." I'm doing well with my counts, but am frustrated to think that my daughters believe I can just get rid of it. I never know how to answer them. It makes me feel guilty to think that all my life I've not taken care of myself and got diabetes.
It may just take some time for them to figure this out and accept that this is a part of your life. But I am wondering if they might also be concerned about their own futures and not know how to bring up this topic with you. Is that possible? It might be a discussion to introduce, along with some information. Just a suggestion.
Take care!
Do either of your daughter's live near you? I know when I was taking classes to learn about diabetes, and how to control it, my late husband was my support person who had to attend with me. When we were through with the classes, he could not believe how invasive diabetes could be to a person. It really helped him to understand diabetes from all aspects. Maybe there would be a class that your daughters could attend with you. Your doctor would have to recommend the class, but they would definitely understand diabetes from your view point. I hope that you will be able to find a program that will help your family understand.
That is so hurtful, and sorry they say that to you. My family, well most of them, don't take it seriously either. They think I"ve reversed it the way they talk anyway, but I have not. It is still there. i know it when i eat the wrong thing and I tell them that. Someone told me the other day, 'it's so great how you have overcome your diabetes, and how well you are doing and maintaing weight loss" I told them thank you , but I have not overcome it, I am managing it well. Then they said they did not mean to say overcome. ugh!
Thank you for your support. I hope that they never have to deal with these issues; however, there is diabetes in their father's family, my father's side of the family. So I hope that they never have to know. My youngest daughter had gestational diabetes, so I think that she is very prone to get it. She doesn't take care of herself. She is 40 years old. I don't know what the answer is. My mother is 86 years old, very heavy, and healthy as can be. Still works and travels for her work. I'm not sure that there is an answer to avoid diabetes. Also, the ads do a lot of damage to those of us who have diabetes. It angers me because it makes people think that it is your fault and it can be totally avoided. YIKES. I shouldn't get started :-) THANK YOU, AGAIN.
It's so hard when our family members don't understand that just because you look great that you should be able to do everything without getting tired. My parents, 93 and 87, have wonderful health. I am very thankful that they do. I tease them, and ask them why they had to give me all of their recessive genes. They just scowl back at me. I just grin. I pray that your daughter doesn't get diabetes too. But I pray that she will learn to be supportive to you in your life walk with diabetes. Diabetes isn't always our fault, but it is in the genes. I think that having a chronic, invasive disease like diabetes makes us more sensitive to others health issues. Take care of you. God bless you.
Have a great weekend,
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In the earliest days of woodworking (or even just a few years ago for that matter), who would have ever thought that we would be talking about how to best utilize our telephones in the woodworking shop? Well, times they certainly are a changin', and smart phones are capable of performing tasks that we would never imagined possible, so I went on a quest to see if there was any worthwhile functionality to help us in the wood shop. My smart phone platform of choice is Apple, so I was able to test a number of interesting apps on IOS 7. I also did a bit of searching around for Android apps and found that there are some options there as well, but I have not been able to personally try these. Please let us know if you have had any personal experience with apps on the Android or other platforms not covered here.
Given the attributes of the iPhone and other smart phones (impressive processing power, quick access to applications, and relatively small display size), I have found that the most useful utilities seem to be those that fall into two areas; calculators and reference tools. There are other apps available that provide project plans, design tools, video libraries, etc., but I would prefer to use a computing platform with a larger display (laptop, tablet, television, etc.) for those tools.
After looking at a number of woodworking related apps on my iPhone 4s, my top picks include; WoodMaster, Woodshop Widget, and Basic Angle Finder. Here are a few noteworthy attributes of each application:
WoodMaster ($7.99), by John Lullie
This app is one of the more feature rich woodworking apps with an integrated suite of tools that focus on conversions, math and reference material. The impressive feature set includes the following items that stood out;
Joint types: Provides an extensive list of woodworking joint options with clear illustrations of each, and a link to youtube to learn how to execute each joint. The app itself doesn't provide the video content, but essentially launches youtube for you and enters the search criteria, trusting that there will be content available (which there is for all joint types, and WWGOA actually comes up on several of the searches).
Other capabilities in this app include a length conversion utility (converts measurements across various meters including centimeters, feet, inches, meters, millimeters, and yards), a chart that lists a variety of wood species with clear images of each, and a couple simple project plans for shop items.
The Woodshop Widget ($3.99)
Like to the WoodMaster app, The Woodshop Widget provides a suite of related modules that can be launched from a single console (a bundle of apps rolled into one). I like the concept of an integrated application suite because if it has been designed and integrated correctly it drives up the user experience across all modules as you learn to navigate individual tools. The Woodshop Widget does a nice job of maintaining design consistency across each of its modules and delivers on the integrated "platform experience". I also believe that the overlap is minimal between The Woodshop Widget and the WoodMaster app, so there is value in owning both.
Some of the functions that I found particularly interesting in The Woodshop Widget:
Shellac calculator: This is a simple utility that demystifies the process of mixing shellac to a particular cut. It allows the user to specify a specific cut (ex: 2 pound), and it provides the ratio of alcohol to shellac that should be used to achieve this cut. I believe that this would be a useful tool for people who use shellac occasionally but not often enough to remember the recipe, or to use as a quick sanity check before mixing.
For the Android
The three apps discussed in the text above are only available on iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch systems. Given the popularity of the Android I did some searching around to see if there were comparable apps available for that platform. I found some, but not as many as for the iPhone. A couple that looked promising include:
- Woodworking Utilities (Free). This app includes various calculation and conversion tools as well as a pilot hole guide. Based on the screen shots I looked at the interface appears to be fairly intuitive.
- Woodworking Calculators ($4.99). This provides an integrated collection of calculators to address a number of woodworking math challenges. The functions include calculators for the following; fractions, right triangle measurements, elipse design, golden ratio, board feet. This app also includes a pilot hole guide.
- Angle meter (Free). This app provides similar functionality to the Basic Angle Finder described earlier for the iPhone, allowing a user to calibrate to a reference surface and calculate the angle of an adjacent plane. If this is as accurate as the Basic Angle Finder app it would be worth taking a look at, as there could be numerous uses for this in the shop.
What are your favorites?
I have shared some examples of cool apps that extend the functionality of a smart phone in the shop. Are there apps that you love to use the in shop? I'd love to hear about them in the comments section, or if you are really passionate about this topic send your thoughts to firstname.lastname@example.com.


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How to Wipe Yourself Off the Grid
5. Encrypt Messages
You may still need to send some e-mails. Naturally, you'll set up a brand new account. Even then, its best to make sure no one can read what you send. To start, use Gmail from Google since it defaults to using SSL encryption when you're on the site. That'll help when you're using public Wi-Fi, if nothing else.
For super secrecy, you need to encrypt messages you send. For a double-whammy, access Gmail using Thunderbird, but utilize GPG (GNU Privacy Guard) to encrypt messages via the Enigmail plug-in.
A simpler tool is Encipher.it, an AES Ttext encryptor that works with Gmail or any other Web-based text. Click the Encipher It bookmarklet you install, give the text an encryption key, watch it get garbled, and send it. The person on the other end needs the key to decipher it.
6. Hide Your IP Address
A sure way to get noticed is to visit a website that collects IP addresses from its visitors; this can even happen with some Facebook applications. Once an IP is matched to you, it's simple enough for law enforcement or clever skiptracers to call the ISP assigned that IP address and match it to a user. Even if it's not direct to you, it could be too close for comfort. It gets worse if you're surfing from a school or business. They can track you right to your dorm or cubicle.
A proxy server can help. Tor (aka The Onion Router) helps prevent people from seeing you, by routing your webpage requests through multiple routers on the Internet. The people at the other end will see an IP address for a router nowhere near your computer. Bundles exist for every major operating system and even some smartphones (Android, iOS, and Nokia), though some are more finished than others. There's a browser bundle and an IM bundle, and both come in multiple languages. The bundles will run from a USB flash drive, so you don't even need to use your own computer. There is a Firefox add-on called Torbutton that lets you enable Tor instantly with one click.
Several Chrome extensions promise the same features (search for "anonymous"). At the very least, use a website like Proxify or Hide My Ass!, both Web-based proxy servers, to do searches and visit sites. The very popular Ghostery extension, available for Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera, and IE, shows you which sites are tracking you.
7. Don't Sign In
When it comes to free Wi-Fi, often you'll need to sign in, which means creating an account. Avoid these places, if you can. Starbucks and Barnes & Nobles are plentiful, and the AT&T Wi-Fi they use doesn't require anything more than clicking to reaccess every couple of hours. Once you're online, however, put a VPN to work for you to help prevent wireless snoopers from seeing what you're doing. Hotspot Shield will do this and it's free (or pay $30 to avoid seeing their ads). Or, you could set up a router with VPN support at a remote location and link to it direct (providing another hop for people to contemplate).
8. Don't Look for a Tail
Don't go searching for a digital tail. It's a classic way for the pursuer to get the pursuee, because anyone on the run wants to know how close they are to getting caught. If you start looking online to see what people know about you, your location, or your activities, chances are you could stumble into a honeypot meant just for you. Try not to Google yourself and stay away from posting misinformation anonymously.
9. Don't Disappear: Deceive
Former skiptracer Frank Ahearn wrote How to Disappear in 2010. But last year, he decided a new tactic was more important. All of the info people can find about you online generally comes from one sourceyou. So, an easier tactic might be to hide in plain sight by filling the Internet with incorrect information. That means using things like social networks to put misinformation out there. Reducing your digital footprint is certainly important, but if you still want to stay online, deceiving people about where you live, your income, and members of your family, can make it hard for pursuers to find you. Ahearn suggests in his latest book The Digital Hitman that you create yourself an imaginary life and start making status updates to that effect. The more misinformation the pursuer gets, the more time they waste looking around or confirming it.
Looking over your shoulder yet? Yeah, this may be overkill, but what it demonstrates is just how it easy it is to be tracked. So, be careful, don't overshare, use common sense when you're online, and take precautions with the amount of personal information you put out there.
Think we're nuts? Check out this Wiredstory about Evan Ratliff, a journalist who went on the run for a month while trying to stay digitally connected, as part of a contest the magazine held in 2009.


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Alternative Titles
Japanese: 恋シス
Type: One-shot
Volumes: Unknown
Chapters: 1
Status: Finished
Published: Apr 30, 2009
Genres: Hentai
Authors: Minato, Fumi (Story & Art)
Serialization: Comic Kairaku-ten
Score: 6.121 (scored by 35 users)
1 indicates a weighted score. Please note that 'Not yet published' titles are excluded.
Ranked: N/A2
2 based on the top manga page. Please note that 'R18+' titles are excluded.
Popularity: #25070
Members: 104
Favorites: 0


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E.ON is one of the largest investor-owned utility service providers in the world and is based in Düsseldorf, Germany. The company provides electricity and gas supplies to more than five million people in the UK.
Carving itself a niche by providing superior quality services to its customers, Eon electricity is now firming its foundations by pioneering energy supply in the brave new world of green resources. Ever more of their energy is generated by renewable sources of wind and water providing a growing number of environmentally friendly energy solutions to their consumers.
As a company, Eon has every reason to boast about its 21 wind farms, its biomass plant and the first wave power generator in the UK. Refusing to rest on their laurels, plans to add more green electricity generating capacity are under way.
Benefits for Customers
Benefits for Eon electricity customers are impressive. They offer clear, single-sheet bills and easy to understand tariffs. Clearly invested in helping customers to save not just energy but money too, they provide free energy saving hints and advice.
Eon is committed to making plans simpler and easier to understand. For those who do have reason for complaint, they can pick up the phone and speak to a native English speaker. Eon has a number of dedicated call centres in UK reassuring customers of a far superior customer service experience.
Prepayment customers also gain rewards through their Prepayment Reward Plan. Customers can even exchange their reward points for Tesco Clubcard points through E.ON EnergyPlan . As they say: "Every little helps". Who wouldn't be pleased to swap their electricity bill for a romantic meal or day out with the kids?
E.ON's Top Tariffs
E.ON Fixed 1 Year Plan offers customers peace of mind for a year, protecting them from price increases for 12 months, but of course customers do pay a premium for the privilege. Major savings are however possible using this particular plan which is available as a dual fuel or electricity only product.
It offers a £10 dual fuel reward as well as £10 online customer rewards. These can be traded in and spent as Tesco Clubcard points worth up to four times their face value.
Moreover loyalty rewards of up to £20 are available through this plan. Cancellation fees are just £10 (£5 for electricity and £5 for Gas). Prepayment or non-standard meter customers do not unfortunately qualify for this plan.
Up to £20 Loyalty Reward It is with noting this particular plan is not available with every plan offered by the company.
Depending on how long you have been with us at the point your contract starts, they will pay you a reward. The following reward levels apply: - 1+ year £10 - 2+ years £15 - 3+ years £20 This is an incentive to customers not to switch suppliers, but many sonsumers would save more than this either by switching or by negotiating a price-matching deal over the phone.
The cheapest fixed price plan by the company is the Age UK Fixed 1 Year Plan, especially designed to help the over 60s with their winter heating bills. Age UK Fixed 1 year plan is available as a 'dual fuel or electricity only product'. Offering features of a £10 Dual Fuel Reward, £10 Online Reward, Age UK Welcome Pack, up to £20 Loyalty Rewards and Age UK Winter Payment to customers, it is understandable a big hit with pensioners.
Calls to the UK call centres are also a Freephone number. This plan is not available for Prepayment or non-standard meter types. This plan has the opportunity of "money off your bill" as a replacement to the Tesco Clubcard benefits offered by the other plans. There is no cancellation fee and prices are fixed for 12 months only. 12 Month Plan
Freephone Dedicated UK Call Centres
We have all been frustrated trying to talk to foreigners in off-shore call centres who may have English names but have zero understanding of colloquial and everyday English. E.ON Electricity having a UK call centre is a welcome perk. It being a freephone call centre is just the icing on the cake, meaning you will not be charged for those mindless computers talking to you or for waiting.


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Eric Duncan, 1B, 22
Previously Ranked: 2nd prior to 2006, 1st prior to 2005, 3rd prior to 2004
What Others Say: Pinstripes Plus 7th, Baseball America N/A, John Sickels 22nd (C)
Physical Ability: Eric Duncan is a 1B listed at 6'3'' and 195 pounds (Personally, I think he's about an inch or two shorter and 10 pounds heavier). 2006 was the first year in which Duncan was a full-time 1B as he had previously been across the diamond, and it showed. His arm plays a bit above average for the position, as would be expected, but he needs to smooth out his actions around the bag. Duncan's defensive actions could also improve in terms of conviction, but that will likely come with time. Offensively, Duncan has a short and powerful stroke. He typically keeps the ball in the air, which is going to keep his batting average below it's expected levels due to increased pop ups when he's going wrong, as well as fly balls turning into hits less than ground balls. However, when he's right and hits the ball on the screws, Duncan has very impressive power. He still has a chance to be a 30-homer man in the majors.
What Happened in '06: 2005 was a trying year for Duncan. He struggled for most of his stint at AA Trenton, as he was overmatched by more advanced pitchers, and was not able to contribute to the Trenton playoff push due to being hit in the head by a pitch. He was then sent to the Arizona Fall League where he raked. For some this was reason enough to believe that he was fixed, for others it was not, I was a non-believer. However, when Duncan raked again in Spring Training 2006 and the news came out that the Yankees had tinkered with his spring during the 2005 regular season, I became cautiously optimistic. Duncan then made that optimism look silly as he struggled to keep his average above .200 in AAA. However, there were mitigating factors at work. For one, last year's International League was a tough hitting environment. Secondly, Duncan was hit unlucky in both the "look at his peripherals" and "watch the games" ways. And finally, and most importantly, Duncan was struggling with some back issues. The Yankees finally placed him on the disabled list and once he was healthy they demoted him to AA Trenton. Upon his return to Trenton, Duncan began to rake, until…he succumbed to further back troubles. Eric would return yet again, but not regain his full effectiveness and during his second stint in the Arizona Fall League he struggled offensively.
What Lies Ahead: In 2007, Eric Duncan will essentially be playing for his career. The prospect light has steadily dimmed for him, in the eyes of most, and if he does not turn in an impressive year, he may be relegated to "potential bench player" status. For my part, I think it all rests on his health. Unlike most left-handed hitters, Duncan has no troubles with left-handers and usually hits them better than he does righties. In addition, the strikeouts are no longer a problem as he has found the balance between patience and discipline while learning to better pick up breaking balls. Finally, all of Duncan's offensive troubles in 2006 can be directly attributed to either back issues or fluky ball in play trends. All this is to say that I'm confident Duncan will hit…if his body allows him to. Given his past handling, I would expect the Yankees to place him in AAA. Whether he starts there or AA, he can make himself an option at the major league level with a good year.
Grade: Eric Duncan's pro career has been disappointing to this point. However, I feel that given health, positive things lie ahead. With Giambi nearing the conclusion of his contract, Doug M. only signed for 1 year and no other legitimate 1B candidates ahead of him, the time for Duncan to make his move is now. C+
Marcos Vechionacci #11