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Bill Watkins' bright LED idea at Bridgelux
(12-03) 10:09 PST Livermore -- Bill Watkins' $200,000 Bentley convertible is littered with leftovers from Jack in the Box. He's collected $160 million in investor money for his latest company, a high-tech lighting manufacturer called Bridgelux, but rails against venture capitalists. He calls himself a liberal and is against corporate taxation.
None of which is to say he's difficult to pin down. If you want to know what Watkins thinks about something - anything - just ask. For example, the details of his 2009 departure from disk-drive maker Seagate Technology, where he served as chief executive officer for more than five years.
Watkins wanted to place a bet on flash drives through a merger or acquisition, but when he presented the idea to board members, they refused, claiming the stock would take too big a hit.
"I got in a big fight, and to be honest, I personalized it by insulting people and losing my cool. They thought I was going to punch out one of the board members. I didn't, but I did call him, 'You f- mother-,' " Watkins says with a guffaw that nearly makes him choke.
A privately held company founded in 2002, Bridgelux, based in Livermore, generates about $90 million in revenue. It makes LED lighting components, bulbs and arrays that are used primarily in streetlights, office buildings and factories.
When Watkins arrived in 2010, the company was a mess, and he quickly identified a situation like the one he'd just left. Bridgelux was building the right product, but in the wrong way.
More efficient
LEDs are more energy-efficient than other technologies. Unlike incandescent bulbs, which generate light with glowing filaments, or fluorescent lights, which pass electrical currents through mercury vapor, LEDs are basically semiconductor chips that glow. They waste less energy and emit a more focused light.
LED lights, which can last more than a decade and don't contain mercury, are increasingly used in smartphone displays, TVs, cars, billboards and notebook computers. By 2015, manufacturing giant Philips expects LEDs to account for roughly 50 percent of a $100 billion global market for lighting.
Watkins sees even more impressive growth. He says the energy savings that LEDs provide will help drive the overall lighting market toward half a trillion dollars, with LEDs taking the lion's share.
As of early 2010, Bridgelux was manufacturing its own chips using solely synthetic sapphire - a costly material - as the substrate.
Watkins saw an opportunity to reduce his manufacturing costs by as much as 60 percent by working with silicon. But he envisioned more than just manufacturing efficiencies: He wanted to base a new era of smart, inexpensive lighting on silicon chips.
The only obstacle to these would-be wonder bulbs: No one, least of all Watkins, knew how to make them. He had no experience in lighting. He's not even a technologist; he has a liberal arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin. But he and his engineers figured out how to make LEDs on silicon work. "The reason silicon wasn't happening was not because of physics," he says. "It's because it's hard."
Shortly after his arrival, Watkins began a tour to sell venture capitalists on his vision. The VCs were skeptical at first. "People understand when you're asking to buy a piece of equipment with their money, but when you're saying, 'I'm buying a bunch of engineers and putting them in a big room to develop world-changing stuff,' they get really, really nervous," he says of those investor meetings. "That's a hard nut to swallow."
Making his case
While engineers are generally happy to accept money and a challenge, the Bridgelux crew wasn't convinced that Watkins's mandate was even feasible. "Bill made a bold move," says Steve Lester, the company's chief technology officer. "But it wasn't clear that it was going to work. I did a survey of the team early on, and some of them said we had a 10 percent chance of success in two years."
To solve the technological problems, team members came up with a new manufacturing process. Once they had it working on a single chip, they set to stamping out 30,000 at a time on discs of silicon. "A lot of people in the world still don't believe it works," says Lester.
The new process should bring greater automation and allow 20 times as many LEDs to be placed on a single wafer. The net effect would be a reduction in the size of LED light sources and a significant drop in price.
A 17-watt LED bulb, which emits roughly the same amount of light as a 75-watt incandescent, sells today at Home Depot for $40. Watkins expects silicon-based bulbs of similar wattage to sell for $5 within two years. Not long after that, he sees prices dropping to as low as $1 or even 50¢ per bulb. The bigger disruption may come when these low-cost, long-lasting LEDs incorporate all sorts of functionality and make the very notion of a bulb that produces only light anachronistic.
"We want a light that you think about all the time," Watkins says. "Why can't I have a light that's sometimes blue, and with the push of a button on my phone it turns green or white? Why can't I have a light that allows me to cut the energy, that has motion sensors, or that adjusts for reading or TV viewing?
"We're going to give you a reason to change your light bulb. It's the same reason you threw away your last phone - because there's something better out there."
Hardly guaranteed
Bridgelux customers seem convinced that Watkins made the right bet. Intense Lighting, an 11-year-old Anaheim company that sells lighting systems to Target, Nike stores and other businesses, says LEDs have grown to about 50 percent of its sales largely because of the energy savings they provide.
Allan Gray, Intense Lighting's president, thinks lower-priced silicon LEDs will expand the market. "It means we're going to have a better price point on the product, and we can offer it in places that couldn't afford the technology today," he says.
"We work with other suppliers - Philips, Osram. But we consider Bridgelux one of our better partners. When we do our presentations, we talk about their innovations. It's a positive for our company to be involved with them."
Success is hardly guaranteed for Bridgelux. Samsung and two European manufacturers all claim to be readying similar silicon products. Given the expected growth of the LED market, there's potentially room for several players, but a precipitous drop in prices could quickly strip away profit. Or China could just swallow the whole market, the way it did with solar panels.
Facing competition
Watkins says he's aware of these dangers but figures that by continually innovating, he can drive demand and stay ahead of everyone else, China included. "I have a fundamental belief: China steals. They just steal less from their friends," he says.
Almost four years after his departure from Seagate, the dust-up is still fresh in Watkins' mind. He professes to still love the company - "Those guys made me rich!" But his bigger concern is carrying out his plan for Bridgelux, and now he's got a board of directors on his side.
"I told my current board, in two or three years we're going to all look back on this moment and say, 'This is what we did that fundamentally changed Bridgelux, and that's why we're successful,' " he says. "Or you'll all say, 'This is why we fired that dumb -hole.' "
Jeffrey M. O'Brien is a freelance writer. E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


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I've just watch United destroy Bolton, usually a tough team to break down, without really breaking a sweat. If you haven't watched Man United play this season then you owe it to yourself to get down the pub and watch one of their matches. The statement of intent was cast in the Charity Shield when they thrashed the Man City Wannabes and then went on to beat, an admittedly weakened, Arsenal. The style of play reminds me a lot of tiki-taka, the beautiful, intricate football pioneered and practiced by Barcelona. Some of the interchanges, passes and run-ons have been sublime. The situation and location awareness the players are showing is like no other United team I've seen before.
The only chink in the armour so far seems to be with the young keeper, David De Gea. No doubt he's a talent but it's quite obvious that his distribution needs a lot of work along with some of his decision making skills. Still, when I was 20 years old I couldn't even get in to the university football team let alone one of the biggest clubs in the world, so I guess he's not doing too badly.
On the performance of the last 4 matches, United will run away with the title, but we all know the Premiership is a marathon and not a sprint.

subset: commoncrawl


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For those who might have missed it, Lady GaGa announced the title of her new album in typically confusing fashion on Sunday (August 5) as ARTPOP.
Given she has also suggested the record won't be out until next year, the unveiling of its title feels a little premature, especially since it took us a fair while to completely get our heads around last year's Born This Way.
While we all eagerly await further details, we've listed things we would and wouldn't like from the record.
We'll admit we're not exactly crazy about the title yet, but she's already got one thing right by insisting on everyone capitalising it. ARTPOP looks infinitely better than Artpop, we're sure you'll agree.
The worst thing she could do with the album art is something Warhol inspired (or indeed Born This Way inspired). GaGa looks best in either ridiculous and over the top "avant-garde" shots or the complete opposite - when she isn't trying too hard. A quick Google at some fanmade art threw up these not-too-shabby efforts (we're aware they're old images but you get the idea).
If we were to list GaGa's albums in order of preference, The Fame Monster would easily come out on top; mainly because it trimmed the fat and left us with a brilliant eight-track album. If the material is up to it, a neat 40-minute ten track-max record would suit us just fine.
It'd be near-impossible to stop GaGa conjuring up a complicated but vaguely interesting concept to run alongside the LP, so we'll allow her that. Producer-wise, less Fernando Garibay (unless he's got another 'Dance in the Dark' tucked up his sleeve), more RedOne. A big collaboration that isn't with Elton John wouldn't go amiss either.
We're in 'the longer the better' camp on this one, though if each single is going to be accompanied by a ten-minute mini-movie, we'd suggest timing it better with each release this time out. Nobody wants another 'Edge Of Glory' disaster again.
Here's to the next seven (or so) months of wondering, conjecturing and speculating!
What would you like from Lady GaGa's new album ARTPOP? Leave your comments in the box below:


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Abby McNulty '16 chose Elms for a few specific reasons: "I love the small, close, family-like feel that Elms has," she said. "I grew up in a very small town, and being at Elms makes me feel like I'm at home."
If Elms is like a small town, then the Quad must be the town square. Abby, a native of Bedford, Mass., who has lived in O'Leary Hall for the past three years, has really enjoyed the new renovations to the Quad. "Entering Elms as a freshman, I had never experienced what a quad is like," she said. "In the wintertime, it was so much fun to sit around the fire and spend time by the fire pit. This spring, it was so wonderful to be able to walk out of O'Leary and see so many students gathering to do homework, kick a soccer ball around or just lie out and enjoy the weather.
"Having this new space has brought the Elms community together even closer than we were before."
She also chose Elms because she wanted to play field hockey. This fall, she will enter her fourth year on the Blazers' field hockey team. Her position on the team has differed each season, but currently she is a midfielder.
"Field hockey has opened so many doors for me and taught me so many life lessons," Abby said. "I joined the greatest family and gained so many sisters. Although it hasn't always been easy to be a student-athlete, I cannot imagine going through school without playing. It is such a great outlet and stress reliever: After a long day in class, it is great to be able to go to practice or a game and do what I love."
Academically, Abby has changed her major a few times, but in doing so she has gained a multifaceted perspective on the college. "All of the departments have been so helpful in guiding me in the right direction, given what I want to pursue for my future," she said. "It is such a relief to know that I have such a great support system at school that wants to see me succeed."
"I have found that the Academic Resource Center has been a great place to get extra help in any subject where I am struggling," she added. "The students who work there are so prepared to help and are eager to see you succeed. "
Abby's ultimate goal after Elms is to work with special-needs students as a guidance counselor, so she is planning to apply to master's programs. But she's not ready to say goodbye just yet.
"I have had such a great experience here at Elms," she said. "I still cannot believe that I am entering my senior year. I have met the most amazing people and have created lifelong friendships. In the three short years that I have been at Elms, I've seen so much positive change. I'm so thankful for funding that brings new faculty to campus and new courses, broadening many majors — including my own. The new science building is so functional for all the science majors and could never have been built without continuous support from our alumni. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"


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Essay Tea?
I actually took the SAT today… HOLY CRAP. O.o It was bizarre, b/c 90% of the kids were from nearby schools, and there were almost none from my school, even though it was on my campus. Very odd.
Knit a tiny bear today! So cute. ( http://littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk/free_knitting_patterns/tiny_knitted_toys/ )
Very tired, and tomorrow's Mother's Day. :) I love my mother!!!!


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Bumi ini amat luas. Well, we already knew that but what I meant is differently. In our religion, we were asked to travel throughout the world and see places. When we travel, there are so many new things like the weather, views, way of life, costume, behaviour, culture and what not that will always amaze us but to them that is life. But as Muslim, the challenge is even greater like the time for solahs, food preparations ( is it properly slaughtered and the cleanliness), the kiblah but all those are not problems if we are well prepared!
It amazed me to see how the Chinese in China appreciate the earth by planting fruit trees and vegetables around their house ( I saw that in Xiamen when I visited a 700 years old kampong of my friend's ancestors). I was amazed to see how they live. With the crystal clear stream flowing by their house…..wow! It's. important to them because they take the water for daily needs and to water the plants. So no throwing rubbish into the stream! They don't even have to boil the water to drink. That's how clean the water is! Amazing. Masyaallah!!
Furthermore, I was amazed to see how they live. They will have a house with a big courtyard and walled. In it, they will live together of different generations. When the son of the family got married, they will have additional helping hand from the daughter in law for she has to move in with the husband's family. They will stay together until the end of their life. Then they multiply. So, you can imagine how live and work together right from grandparents, parents, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren…all under one roof with their favourite dog of cause. Their way of thinking is so simple and it goes down from generation to generation. Be good to the earth and it will bore all the goodness to you.
So to us tourists, when we travel to the other parts of the world which is so different from ours, everything we saw amazed us but to them, that is their way of life. So will they when they visit our country. That is why, we are asked to travel, see the wide world with so many things that will amazed us and be thankful and greatful to Allah the Almighty who has given us life full of surprises. Alhamdulillah….Ask ourself, what have we done to our earth. Did we treat it well or not. Just look at what happen around us. Landslides, flash flood, collaspsing of buidings and highways...the earth is telling us something. Do listen....
Well, that reminds me of my sekangkang kera kebun sayur behind my house. Need to do some trimming and add in more soil and fertilizer. Happy to say that I planted daun kaduk, tumeric, belimbing buloh, limau kasturi, banana tree, ciku, daun kesum and pandan for my own consumption. Just enough for the family and some for my neighbours. It's amazing when we can eat from what we planted. So, be nice to the earth. Treat it well and it will give you back fresh food!!!!


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Desktop computers and laptops are great gifts for the holiday season. Today, nearly everyone needs a home computer to get work done and to communicate with friends and family, so virtually anyone on your holiday shopping list can benefit from a new computer. Because computers and laptops are such popular holiday gifts, manufacturers and retailers offer great deals on computers this time of year.
How to Find Deals
If you really want to get the best price on a new laptop or desktop computer this holiday season, skip the stores and shop online. Most retailers will be offering free shipping throughout the holiday season and will have deep discounts on computers and laptops from top brands. Before you buy from any retailer, be sure to check the price at a few other stores and take into consideration what promo code and discount coupons are available to help you save on your purchase.
Things to Consider When Shopping
When you're shopping for a laptop or desktop computer this holiday season, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Operating System – Buying a computer with the latest operating system can mean getting the ability to enjoy advanced features, but it can also make a computer cost more.
- Size – If you're buying a laptop, size is of the utmost importance. Small laptops can be harder to see, while large ones may be less convenient to travel with.
- Specs – The hard disk size, amount of RAM and processor will affect the performance of the laptop or desktop. Do some research to find out what type will be best for the person for whom you're shopping.
As technology brings the world closer together, travel isn't as daunting as it once was. Suddenly it is possible to end up on the far side of the earth within a few hours where you can immerse yourself in another culture, enjoy a foreign land, and learn about yourself.
But what about the cost?
Even though many people consider travel cost prohibitive, there are a few easy ways to get the best travel experiences without needing much money. Traveling, especially in your 20s and 30s, isn't just used as a fun excursion, but rather a thought provoking practice that will expand your consciousness.
Use these 4 different methods and you can not only travel affordably, but have a better experience than luxury travel.
Rent a car – In most countries, the cities are great, but the countryside is really where the culture is. By getting into the countryside you will be able to see a world that remains similar to how it looked hundreds of years ago.
There are some places in Europe where trains are great, but a car will allow you to stop where you want, take your time, and it gives you the freedom to do whatever you'd like. Even though it will cost a lot for your trip, it will give you a few advantages.
For one, you can sleep in your car. It might not be the most ideal situation in the world, but as a young 20 – 30 something, it isn't impossible to do. There are many overnight flights where you are expected to sleep in a seated position so it definitely isn't unheard of. Second, you can buy groceries to keep in your car to avoid from eating out too often. It's healthier and it is definitely cheaper.
Don't book in advance – During peak travel seasons it might be risky to avoid advanced hostel bookings, but if you can avoid it then do so. Advanced bookings tie you to a specific place and they don't allow for spontaneity. In my recent visit to Ireland, I never once stayed in a city that I expected at the beginning of the day.
In many parts of the world, visiting a local bar or cafe can lead to new friends and frequently you will get invites to stay over if you have no other plans. We don't recommend you rely on others or request a free place to stay, but often it will come to you if there are no other plans in the way.
Through this you can save money and, at the very least, you'll find locals who can suggest a cheap place around town (that you might have never found online). Of course, the best part about this situation is your freedom to travel wherever you'd like based on the suggestions of others. Locals and ex-pats living where you visit will have the best suggestions so go with the flow and you'll learn a lot about surrendering without a plan and enjoying the unknown.
Find local grocery stores / markets – It doesn't matter where you visit, there are local grocery stores and markets that are perfect for people on a budget. Paying for restaurant food in New York, London, or Japan can get incredibly expensive, but if you find a local shop you'll save a lot of money.
Budget some money for local delicacies and dishes, but find your basic food groups in a local grocery market. Most places in the world have deli meat, grab some fruits and veggies, and a loaf of bread. Even a gluten-free diet is easy with some rice cakes.
Not only will you save a lot of money, but you'll also remain even healthier than eating all the local fare. Even cuisine from a health conscious culture (like the Japanese) can become unhealthy due to the quantities. Aim for health and affordability.
Rely on cash – When you are at home, it's easy to spend a lot of money with a credit card. An easy swipe of the card and suddenly you have more debt than you know what to deal with. When you are abroad, it can add up even quicker. Try to get a certain quantity of cash from your local bank (better currency exchange rates) and use that throughout the trip.
Seeing the cash going out of your hand or wallet will have a stronger psychological impact. Of course, you don't want to stress yourself out while on this path, but it will be an easy way to save money.
Even in an expensive country, using some of these tips will not only help you to save money, but also have a much richer experience. Visiting the same old sites every other tourist visits from online lists will be less rewarding than going with the suggestions of locals.
If any trouble results from using these 4 different money saving travel methods, take them in stride. They are learning opportunities that will help you grow as a person. Language barrier? Learn a bit of the local tongue and body language! Whatever it is, you'll find an opportunity for growth.
You can't afford to be without a smartphone in today's day and age, but so many mobile plans today make it a hassle to have a phone. Plans tend to be expensive and have so many hidden fees on top of the high monthly rates. Plus, carriers trap you with lengthy contracts, so you can't even shop around for a better price. Fortunately, there is a way for you to save money and still get a great smartphone with reliable service. Straight Talk is the answer.
How Straight Talk Works
Straight Talk is known to offer one of the most affordable mobile phone services today. With Straight Talk, you can opt to purchase a new phone or to buy a SIM card to place in your existing phone when you sign up for the service. Then, you select a plan from one of the many affordable options. There are no contracts to sign. You have the option to renew your plan when it expires or to have it auto renew every month until you cancel.
Straight Talk Wireless Plans
Currently, Straight Talk has a variety of affordable plans available. Some of the options include:
- The All You Need Plan. With this plan, you get 1500 nationwide talk minutes and 100MB of data for 30 days for $30.
- The 30-Day Unlimited Plan. With this plan, you get an unlimited number of nationwide talk minutes and 5GB of high speed rates for 30 days for $45.
- The Unlimited International Plan. This plan is the same as the 30-Day Unlimited Plan, except that it also gives you unlimited calls to mobile phones in Mexico, Canada, China and India and to landlines in many countries.
How to Save on a New Straight Talk Phone
You can purchase a wide array of Android phones to use with Straight Talk, and when you buy your phone online, you can save money. The site is known to offer sales on new and popular models of phones many times during the year. During a sales offer, you can buy a phone at a discounted price without having to use coupons or redeem a promo code. Throughout the year, Straight Talk also deeply discounts older models of phones, selling them at clearance prices to make buying a new phone even more affordable. In some cases, you can use a Straight Talk promo code offer or coupons to reduce the price of a regular phone, a phone that is on sale or a clearance phone.
Getting Deals on Service
Getting a discount on a new phone isn't the only way that you can save with Straight Talk. Often, the mobile carrier has special offer savings deals for new customers to sign up. Sometimes, these deals are sales that anyone who signs up during a certain period of time qualifies for. In other instances, you need a promo code from coupons found online to get the deal. Promo code coupons are entered into the checkout system when you sign up for a plan.
There are a few common tendencies when it comes to shopping. Some people like to go for the more expensive items or big brand names, because they associate cost and brand name with quality and status. Some try to save every penny they can, and go for incredibly cheap items, and then there are those who actually look for the best value for money. The latter category are what are commonly known as informed or smart shoppers, because they know how to set up their budget depending on the nature of the products they are buying. If you want to be a smart shopper, and get decent quality at a reasonable price, then try to follow these simple guidelines also you can read my other post quick and easy tips for slashing your monthly spending.
Know the Difference Between Cheap and Cost-Effective
While some name-brand products may not be worth all the extra money – unless the materials used, the quality of craftsmanship and the production methods used are extremely high end and complex, you are likely mostly paying for boosting your social status – going for the cheapest options may not be a financially sound solution either. If the item can't perform well, and is not nearly as durable as it should be, you'll end up with poor functionality and will have to replace the item often. You need to know what the minimal price range is for acceptable performance and durability for a given type of product, and then you'll be able to gauge quality and know how much to spend.
Understand How the Products Work and What Makes Them Effective
In order to know the right price range, you'll need an understanding of how a particular type of product works, and what makes it work. There are always a few important active ingredients, key assembly parts and basic characteristics that you need to look for. If it's got the basic things that make it work well, you don't have to go beyond that price point to get what you need. Forget about flashy looks and quasi-scientific jargon, look for functionality.
Read Online Reviews and Comparison Charts to See How Different Brands Match Up
It's best to go through several reviews of a product, and even several other products from the company, to get an idea of how they perform. Compare different options – i.e. different models, different brands or similar types of product – and see how they measure up. Once you find some items that fit your criteria, see which ones give you the biggest bang for your buck.
Be on the Lookout for Coupons, Discounts, Sales and Special Deals
Sometimes you'll be able to find items that are out of your price range at a discounted price. It also pays to look for coupons online, as they will allow you to get higher quality items at a reasonable price. You should also wait a little before making a big purchase, and try to find upcoming sales or good offers. Have a wish list ready, and come back to it when the time is right.
It's not all that difficult to make smart purchases, but you need to be well-informed, do the research and keep an eye out for coupons, promotions and special deals. Use these guidelines to become a smart shopper and spend your money wisely.
It's easy to get carried away and start spending a lot more that we can afford to during the first couple of weeks of a month, and then try your best to scrape by until the next paycheck. What's worse, it seems that, as a species, we are not wired in a way that would makes us more responsible with money and material possessions. Luckily, we can all develop skills and make a few lifestyle changes that can help us spread our finances out more evenly, and even allows to put a bit of money aside. Here are a few simple tips that you can use to slash your monthly spending down by a quarter or more.
Get Large Quantities of Food and Cook for the Entire Week
If you tend to eat out fairly often, order takeout, and make spur of the moment store runs on an empty stomach, chances are that you are wasting quite a bit of money of food. An easy solution to this is to buy food in bulk and cook meals for the entire week. You can make several different combinations using fried meat, mixed vegetables, rice, and a variety of spices. You can even prepare quick healthy snacks using nuts and fruit, or throw some frozen fruit into a bowl of oatmeal for a refreshing breakfast. It's quick, easy, and you'll save tons of money preparing food in advance and keeping it in Tupperware containers.
Stockpile Essential Household Items
Some items are always needed around the house, e.g. laundry detergent, toothpaste, lightbulbs, garbage bags, and so on. An overwhelming majority of these items can sit for years in storage without a problem, so when you get a chance to buy them at a very good discount price, make sure you get lots of them. It will put a dent in this month's budget, but you won't have to worry about spending money on these items for a good part of the year afterwards, so you'll be saving plenty in the long run.
Buy Generic Brands
A lot of products only have a few basic inexpensive ingredients that make them work, so brands that market themselves as high-quality will mostly be charging for fancier packaging and tons of marketing that they have to invest in. When it comes to hygiene products like soap and toothpaste, cleaning products, as well as drugs, you are better off going for generic options and saving money.
Use Coupons as Much as You Can
You'll need a bit of patience and dedication in order to find plenty of incredibly useful coupon discounts, but it is time well spent. You can easily shave 20-30% off your monthly spending by waiting for good deals and getting the right coupons.
With a few minor lifestyle changes everyone can manage to get their monthly spending under control, and live a bit more comfortably on even a very tight household budgets. Try out these tips and see how much you can save.
Everyone deserves a break from their daily troubles and obligations every once in a while. A nice and relaxing vacation is not only a good way to have some fun, but it also actually helps improve your mental and physical health, and allows you to learn about different cultures. However, not everyone can afford the vacation of their dreams, and it can even be difficult for some people to find the extra money for even a romantic weekend abroad. Well, you can manage to save up quite a bit, even if you are working with a tight budget as it is, as long as you know what you are doing.
Let's lay down some ground rules first. Chances are you will only have several months to save up. This means that you have to start right now, and that you will need to implement some drastic cost-cutting measures.
Always Be on the Hunt for Coupons and Sales
Your best bet is to use as many coupons as you can to save on some of the most important items you buy, and you can also hunt for sales. Don't just go shopping when you absolutely need something – plan and program your shopping trips, and keep an eye out for deals even when you are casually driving around town or browsing online.
Create Your Meals Based Around Items You Can Get at a Reduced Price
When you go into a store with a shopping list, chances are you are going to pay full price for everything, and you might even get some of the more expensive options if you shop hungry. So, pull together all your coupons and find as many items that are on sale as you can, then figure out what you are going to make out of these cheaper ingredients. You get cheap meals without sacrificing quality.
Give up a Few of Your Costliest Luxuries for the Time Being
If you like to light up a good cigar or open a bottle of fine wine once in a while, or you enjoy spending a bit more on any other simple pleasure, it may be time to cut back on such luxuries for a while. Yes it's a great source of joy for you, and helps you stay motivated, but you need to be focused on the big picture. Your ultimate goal for the time being should be to save enough money for a fun holiday, so sacrifice a few luxuries to achieve it.
Sell Your Old Stuff or Your Skills
It's very simple to get rid of some of your old stuff while earning some money back by selling it on ebay. You can also go to craigslist or sell handmade items – e.g. clothes, jewelry, decorations – on Etsy. Working as a freelancer or holding online classes can be an excellent additional source of income. Try to monetize your skills and hobbies if you can – there is a market for everything these days.
Saving money is usually a long-term endeavor, but you can get some great results within just a few months if you start being very careful about how you spend your money, and look for ways of earning a little bit extra on the side.
Did you know that the average American spends $150 per week on groceries? That adds up to more than $7500 per year! While groceries can be expensive, some people manage to eat well every night of the week but still spend less than $50 weekly on their total grocery bills. Curious how you, too, could save more than $5000 per year on your groceries? Printable grocery coupons are the answer.
Years ago, the best way to get deals on groceries was to clip coupons out of magazines and newspapers. Today, fewer people are purchasing these periodicals but that doesn't mean that the coupons have vanished! Food manufacturers have now taken their coupon specials online, and if you know where to find them, you can get great deals on almost everything that you buy.
Three of the best sites for finding real printable grocery coupons are:
Coupons.com is one of the biggest printable coupon companies and offers coupons from 2,000 brands on hundreds of different types of products. Every month, more than 17 million people use the site to quickly find coupons on everything that they want to purchase. On the home page, you can see all of the latest printable coupons in a continuous scrolling feed. If you want to find coupons for a particular category of food, you simply use a drop-down box to refine your search.
Coupon Mountain launched back in 2001 and is a unique site because it brings together printable grocery coupons with other types of coupons and offers. If you like to shop online, you'll love being able to find grocery coupons as well as promo codes for your favorite retailers like Kohl's, Dick's, drugstore.com, American Eagle, Office Depot and other big names. With this website, you can save money on virtually everything that you buy in person and on the Internet.
Smart Source What's unique about Smart Source is that the site immediately asks you for your zip code to customize the printable grocery coupons especially for you. This way, the products that you see are ones that are actually sold in your geographic area, and you can take advantage of any offers that are only available at grocery stores in your local area. Another handy feature of this site is that you can select the coupons you want as you browse and then print them all at once to save time.
So how do you use printable grocery coupons? If you've ever used a coupon before, you already know what to do. Just print out the coupon and take it with you to the grocery store. When you reach the register, hand the associate your stack of coupons. He or she will deduct them after ringing up your sale.
Stop paying too much for your groceries! There are hundreds of dollars of savings opportunities out there waiting to be taken advantage of, so start getting your fair share of the deals. Get started by visiting printable grocery coupon sites and printing out your favorites.
Whether you're making a major purchase or a small one, you want to get the best product at the best possible price. That means shopping with a bit of strategy and knowing what times of the year various types of items are the cheapest prices. Here's a breakdown of how you can save money in every season
In the Winter
Many shoppers mistakenly believe that the best deals of the year are to be had during the holiday season, but that's just not true. The last week of December and January are much better times to buy many types of items, including men's and women's apparel, televisions and home theater equipment. January is also the cheapest time of year to buy furniture, bed linens, digital cameras and most sporting goods. Get your air conditioners, gas grills and tools before the end of March and be sure to check out the Clearance sales for boots, winter coats and winter accessories during the last few weeks of winter to stock up for the following year at the best prices.
In the Spring
When spring has sprung, it's time to turn your attention on shopping for your home when prices tend to be at their lowest for many commonly used household items. Cookware and vacuum cleaners will be cheapest in April and May. Hit the Father's Day sales at the beginning of June for great buys on tools. In April, you'll be able to find great sales on athletic shoes for adults and kids, so get your new kicks during the month.
In the Summer
Summer is the slowest time of year for big discounts, so focus on having fun in the sun during the season. The best deals to be had during the warm weather months is 4th of July promotions on furniture and sales on laptops and computers for the Back to School season that starts in August.
In the Fall
There are many deals to be had when autumn weather arrives. September is the time to buy lawnmowers, and big appliances are at their cheapest during September and October. Keep an eye out for Black Friday doorbuster sales and Cyber Monday deals come November. For great buys on apparel, look for swimsuits at Labor Day Sales and Clearance Sales in September and wait to buy your jeans in October when Back to School shopping comes to an end.
No matter what the time of year, you can often get lower prices on whatever you're shopping for by sticking with online retailers. Combining coupon codes, promo codes and special offer deals with the already low seasonal pricing can really cause the savings to add up. Always keep free shipping offers in mind when online shopping. At times, adding an extra item to your order can help you save more than the cost of the added purchase in free shipping. Combining the above buying strategies with online offers and comparison shopping before you make any purchase will help you save big all year round.
Every day, hackers develop an average of 74,000 new malicious programs that can steal data, corrupt databases and hard drives and cause major hardships for consumers and businesses that rely on computers. Around 30 percent of all American households are affected by malware every year, and the costs of computer viruses, trojans, spyware, phishing and other online threats to Americans is over $4.5 billion annually. If you want to avoid becoming the victim of a malware attack, there are some things that you must do to protect yourself.
1. Don't Skip Updates. Windows, Linux and Mac OS X operating systems are frequently modified to address vulnerabilities and reduce exposure to malicious attacks. When improvements are made, they are released as updates that must be installed on your computer. Skipping updates can leave you unprotected from the latest online threats and make you far more susceptible to viruses, spyware and other harmful programs.
2. Be Smart About Online Usage. Often times, security problems arise when individuals aren't careful to protect their identities online. This makes it important that you use good judgment when creating passwords and log-in names for online accounts. Never use the same password twice and change your passwords frequently to ensure your safety. Whenever possible, use enhanced password protection, such as two-step verification to further reduce the likelihood of your sensitive information being hacked.
3. Power Down. When you're not using your computer, turn if off. Hackers can't infiltrate a system that isn't online, so reduce the window of opportunity by only having you computer on when you're using it. If slow start-ups make you hesitant to power down, purchase a PC or Mac optimization program to speed up your computer. You can often find discounts on these software programs to make them more affordable to purchase.
4. Open and Download Wisely. Malicious software is often unknowingly invited onto a computer system by the user, making it very important that you use caution about what you click on. Never open email attachments from unknown sources and verify the authenticity of emails from sources that you think you recognize before opening attachments. Be sure that you can trust a website before you download any files from it to avoid contracting viruses and other types of malicious software. Some antivirus software programs, including products from Mcafee, BullGuard and Symantec, will scan attachments before saving them and provide information about the trustworthiness of websites to help you open and download wisely.
5. Invest in Security Software. All computers require antivirus protection, regardless of their operating system, so don't be fooled into thinking you're safe due to the type of computer that you use. Getting complete protection doesn't have to be expensive either. Top antivirus software products like Mcafee, Bitdefender, AVG, Avast, Kaspersky and TrendMicro are often available for reduced prices when you have valid promo codes or coupons. These types of discounts can help you save on both your initial purchase of the software and on your annual subscription to make protection as affordable as possible.


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Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. -Proverbs 3:5-6
Have you heard that phrase – that obnoxious phrase – oh I hate it – "When God closes a door, he opens a window?" Man, I hate it.
I hate it because it is untrue and intended to comfort people. Don't be comforted by stuff that isn't true!!! That's false comfort, and it doesn't come from God. We are comforted by God, but if it is from Him, it has to be true. So here's the truth:
"Sometimes God closes the doors. And He closes the windows. And you have to wait. And He's still good."
This whole concept of waiting is not new to me, and I bet it isn't new to you either. We're always waiting for something. One of my best friends has been waiting for almost a whole year for her house to finish being built. She's made decision after decision after decision, dreaming and hoping and waiting and waiting for them to finish. She was finally able to move in, but they still aren't done, so she's still waiting a bit for those finishing touches. I have a very close friend who hasn't been able to have any children, and she aches for that greatly. She is hoping and dreaming and waiting and waiting. My sister would love the chance to purchase a bigger home so that there is ample room for visitors, but it isn't time yet, so she's waiting. I am waiting for something, too, and I honestly just don't get why it hasn't happened for me yet. It makes totally logical sense for it to happen, and only good can come of it happening. So why hasn't it happened yet? Will it ever happen?
This is what trusting God is.
It's waiting and waiting forever for something you hope for, something exciting, something wonderful, depending on God to give it to you, and being content even though you don't have it yet.
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me. -Psalm 13
I think one of the funniest things about the Christian life is patience. It's this odd thing that we are so good at in some ways and so bad at in others. Like for example, I am so patient with kids, especially obnoxious ones. I can deal with them all day without ever losing it. I've had a lot of practice doing this, so I've gotten pretty good at it. And also, God has taught me that it is imperative to be patient with those kids, because they learn so much from my example of patience. But then I turn around in the very same day, and I get so frustrated that I don't have the extra money to get new carpet in my living room right now. I mean, it is horrible, horrible carpet. Anyone will tell you how stained and gross it is. I bet my friends are grossed out to walk on it. It is just the worst. But we don't have the extra money for it right now, so the answer is no. And I start to act like a baby toward God, like all whiny and obnoxious, and I go, "God! Why? Why can't I just have new carpet? Why can't I just have nice things? WHYYYYYYY? GRRRRRR." This is a silly example, but a totally realistic one. Why is it so easy for me to trust God that my students need my patience but I can't trust God to provide for me?
Wait on the Lord. Be of good courage, and He will strengthen your heart." -Psalm 27:14
Being the ever-loving musician that I am, I always come up with song lyrics first in these situations. I think of "God is God and I am not, I can only see a part of the picture he's painting, God is God and I am man, I will never understand it all, for only God is God" by Steven Curtis Chapman, "When you don't move the mountains I'm needing you to move, when you don't part the waters I wish I could walk through, when you don't give the answers when I cry out to you, I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in you" by Lauren Daigle, "can't imagine what the future holds, but I've already made my choice, and this is where I stand until He moves me on, and I will listen to His voice" by Twila Paris, "thy will be done, thy will be done, thy will be done" by Jesus in the bible and also Hillary Scott's lyrics (this is an amazing song, oh my word).
I know what is true in these situations. I'm waiting for something because God's timing is better than mine. He knows what He is doing, and I don't. I can't understand it, but I choose to wait for Him to tell me where to go. He has a better reason than I know. He sees the whole picture, but I only see part. So then I try to apply that knowledge, because I'm always the logical one. But God, it doesn't make any sense that I'm not getting this thing that I want! Everything points to the fact that I should get it. Why isn't it as clear to everyone else as it is to me? I mean, seriously, I'm a whiny baby. I'm like the two-year-old screaming over fruit snacks in the grocery store (is this anyone else's normal life right now? Anyone?) because I can't understand why I can't immediately rip open all the boxes and have them right this minute!
So I think the key here is that I need to find some contentment. Trusting God is the same thing as contentment. We will never be content on our own, because we will always want more. We will always want to fill ourselves with something else. My heart is unsteady, always flitting and floating to whatever new thing brings it pleasure, always forgetting the greatest pleasure is complete and restful trust. And it seems that with trust comes the waiting. I live in this strange collision of waiting and living. I mean, after all, even Dumbledore knew, "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." I'm waiting for these things that I'm hoping and praying for, but I'm trying to make sure I'm living the life Jesus wants to me to live at the same time.
I can't help but think of Harry Potter in this. I mean, y'all know Harry Potter is my boy. But seriously, that Dumbledore quote above is from Philosopher's Stone (that's Sorcerer's Stone for all you fake, half-hearted fan people)(okay, sorry, that was harsh) when Harry discovers the Mirror of Erised, which shows him his heart's desire. The tragedy of Harry's vision is that he seems himself surrounded by his family, all of whom have died. So Harry's greatest dream, his absolute heart's desire, is something that can never be. When I was like 11 and read this, I didn't think anything of it really, except the normal 11-year-old "oh boy that's sad, no wonder he wants to sit here and stare at this all the time." But as an adult, this pierces my soul a whole new way. How many dreams are my heart's desire than I can never have? Or, more importantly, from a faith standpoint, how many dreams are my heart's desire that aren't God's heart's desire for me? Am I sitting around waiting for something, staring into my own personal Mirror of Erised, wasting my life away because my dream isn't something I can have? And then I next think of One Tree Hill (oh yeah, I'm a major fangirl), which doesn't really teach Christian principles very much, but I remember this episode where Nathan decided to tell everyone that he point shaved in the playoffs even though it was going to cost him his basketball scholarship. He tells Haley something like, "The people I respect the most are those who got up and went on with their lives when their dreams were dead, and went out and found a new dream." Nathan had accepted that he needed to do the right thing even if it resulted in losing his entire life's dream. There is great strength in the willingness to do that.
I think about this for me and my life: what if I never get what I want? What if this perfectly logical thing that I greatly desire never happens for me? Will I be okay with that? Will I be able to trust God if He doesn't move the mountain I want Him to move? Will I be okay if the answer to my fervent prayers is "no?"
My friend Ellie writes a blog, and she posted this meme on hers that said, "And if not, He is still good." This is the key! While I'm waiting, I need to pray within God's will.
"Your will be done, God. I want this very much, and it makes perfect sense that I should get it. But if not, You are still good. I trust you. I won't waste my life hoping for a yes when I've gotten a clear no. I won't harbor bitterness or resentment because of that no. You are good to me."
I have this absolute favorite album. It's "Fortunate Fall" by Audrey Assad. That chick can write some music, y'all. Seriously. This album gets me through my day. It is so full of subtle wisdom and amazing lines that I could meditate on all day long. So I'm going to close this gab-fest of semi-random thoughts with the lyrics to one of the songs:
And I steady my heart on the ground of Your goodness
When I'm bowed down with sorrow I will lift up Your name
And the foxes in the vineyard will not steal my joyBecause You are good to me, good to me
I lift up my eyes to the hills where my help is found
Your voice fills the night – raise my head up to hear the sound
Though fires burn all around me I will praise You, my God
And the foxes in the vineyard will not steal my joy
Because You are good to me, good to me
Your goodness and mercy shall follow me
All my life
I will trust in Your promise
cause you're good. Good to me.


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These Gettysburg trip ideas will inspire your next getaway!
With adventures to suit every budget, Gettysburg and Adams County businesses offer plenty of packages to help visitors create their dream vacations.
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Looking for great prices and a large selection? Can't make it to Gettysburg? Shop from home on-line, or call today to receive our FREE 2018/19 gift catalog! Full of great gift ideas for the holiday season!


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Summary (From Goodreads):
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Waiting on Wednesday (#181): Spindle by E.K. Johnston
Summary (From Goodreads):
46 comments:
Nice ! I didn't know about this one yet !! Thanks, I will add this to my TBR pile !!ReplyDelete
My WoW
I still haven't read A Thousand Nights, although the book is there in my TBR pile! I love the cover and the sound of this one, so I'm totally adding it to the watch list!ReplyDeleteReplies
I really liked that one! I'm hoping this sequel novel will be even better. =)Delete
Nice! I saw this one at BEA, but didn't think it was for me. Had heard too many mixed things about the her first book that I wasn't sure if it was for me or not. Still hope you positively love this one!ReplyDelete
Here's my WoW
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)Replies
Awww! You should have picked it up!Delete
Not my normal read, yet after that blurb I wonder if I would like it.ReplyDelete
My WOWReplies
You never know until you try!Delete
I haven't read The first book, but it's great that this is a companion novel, so maybe we can jump right in?? And I love these covers!ReplyDeleteReplies
Yes, you should be able to! And aren't they lovely?! :DDelete
I do like this cover a lot :D So pretty. Sounds like an interesting series too. <3 Maybe not for me.. but SO PRETTY. I hope you will love this one sweetie :DReplyDeleteReplies
Awww! Thank you, Carina. ^_^Delete
I didn't read A Thousand Nights, but I want to! Both of the covers are so pretty! I like how they stuck with a similar theme with both of them. Great pick this week. :DReplyDeleteReplies
I'm really grateful for the same theme of covers! Thank you, Gennifer. =)Delete
It sounds good, and I love retellings. I still haven't had a chance to read A Thousand Nights yet, but I want to! Great pick!ReplyDelete
Check out my WOWReplies
You should! It was quite good, very unique.Delete
Its a new one for me but it sounds great! Thanks for sharing!ReplyDelete
Check out myWoW
This one sounds pretty interesting! I'm not sure if I'll read it though since I was super excited for A Thousand Nights and then I really hated it. :/ I sure do hope you love this one though!! :DReplyDeleteReplies
That really is too bad! One of the worst feelings. Thank you!Delete
Great pick ~ I am so waiting for this one too. Hope you enjoy it!ReplyDelete
Renee My WOW
Great pick! I still haven't read A Thousand Nights but I would have never guessed that this was the sequel based just on the cover. Enjoy!ReplyDeleteReplies
Wow, really? Interesting...Delete
Thank you!
Yay! I really liked A Thousand Nights and I can't wait for this new book (nameless characters again, uh?)ReplyDeleteReplies
Woohoo! And it would seem so, right?Delete
Oh, I didn't know that this book existed! I loved A Thousand Nights, and I need to read this book! Great pick! Thanks for stopping by! Happy reading!ReplyDeleteReplies
YES! It is a thing! I hope you enjoy it if you read it. You're welcome, and thank you!Delete
Ohh great pick I saw a lot of readers post there BEA haul with this book, I haven't read the first book yet but hopefully I can check it out soon. But this one looks and sounds absolutely fantastic! I hope you enjoy it. Here is my WOW pick for this week. http://katibookaholicrambligreview.blogspot.com/2016/06/waiting-on-wednesday-39-unblemished-by.htmlReplyDeleteReplies
I know! And the sad thing is, quite a number of them aren't really interested in Spindle. :/ But that's okay. I can't wait to read it!Delete
I had no idea this book was getting a sequel! I read the first book and enjoyed it. It wasn't my favorite or anything, but it was good. I thought it was a standalone, though. Ugh. I'm so behind on bookish news. Anywho, I hope you enjoy it when you get your hands on it. :)ReplyDelete
Rachelle @ Shell's StoriesReplies
A companion sequel! The books function as standalone novels. =) Thank you, Rachelle!Delete
- AnonymousJune 15, 2016 at 11:47 PM
I added this to my TBR thanks to this weeks TTT topic! Great choice :-)ReplyDelete
It's the year of re-tellings! I haven't read A Thousand Nights yet (it's on my TBR).ReplyDelete
Thanks for stopping by!Replies
It is, isn't it? I hope you enjoy A Thousand Nights, if/when you read it. =)Delete
You're very welcome!
Oooh, sounds interesting and the cover is gorgeous! I just may have to check out the first one in this series so I can get to this one.ReplyDeleteReplies
You totally should! A Thousand Nights was excellent. :DDelete
Oh man, I love this cover! I haven't read a Thousand Nights yet but I do love these retellings (: Great pick, Alyssa!ReplyDeleteReplies
Cyn, you MUST! A Thousand Nights was a very unique and intriguing story.Delete
Thank you!
oh wow...this definitely sounds very intriguing and I do have a weakness for these retellings!!ReplyDeleteReplies
Yaaassss, you might really enjoy this one! <3Delete
I still haven't read the first one, but I can't wait to check it out! I didn't realize the sequel was coming out so soon!!ReplyDeleteReplies
Yes! Approximately a year later. :DDelete
I ADORE the covers of these books! I still have to read A Thousand Nights, but I'll do it soon!ReplyDelete
I hope you enjoy this one!Replies
The covers of the books in this series are AMAZING! Disney has some beautiful designs.Delete
Thank you, Lis!
I love comments! I will always try and reply to your comments, as well as leave some comment love on your blog! :)
Also, this an award and tag free blog. While I am flattered that you would think of me, I really do not have the time to follow up. Thank you!


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Jones Center
Downloadable MapsHorizontal Map Vertical Map
Originally opened as the campus library in 1914, this longtime fixture on the historic University Quadrangle was designed by the famed Reno architect Frederick De Longchamps. Over the years, this building has served as the "Hall of English," the Department of Journalism, and as home to the Bureau of Business and Economic Research. Currently, it houses University Communications as well as members of the Divisions of Human Resources and Institutional Analysis.
Building Code: JC Building Number: 043


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Today Engineering News has a really cheering story about the up-and-coming COP meeting in Durban. http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/major-polluters-say-2011-climate-deal-not-doable-2011-04-28/al_id:69914
After a meeting of the Major Economies Forum, (an informal group of 17 countries including the world's top polluters, China and the United States) US climate negotiator Todd Stern and European climate commissioner Connie Hedegaard played down the chance of a breakthrough.
Hedegaard said the EU would push for the Durban talks to make progress on tackling the emissions from ships and planes. "It is not enough for Durban just to implement what was agreed in Cancun," she said. "Inclusion of shipping and aviation – these kind of topics we will also push for."
Oh yes! Aeroplanes and shipping. Just the thing to take the major polluters' emissions offshore. Just the thing to make the cost of developing nations doing business with the developed greater. Focus on the 5% and ignore the 80%. What a wonderful plan to save the world!


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Answer: TWINCITY
TWINCITY is a crossword puzzle answer that we have spotted 2 times.
Referring Clues:
Last Seen In:
- Netword - April 05, 2009
- New York Times - October 08, 1997
Seen a clue for the answer twincity that we don't have? Then please submit it to us so we can make the clue database even better!


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The category "Science" has 4 subcategories. Showing only "Astronomy". Show all questions and answers from "Science". Show all categories
Evolution (13)
Physics (24)
71.10 ▶ Questioner: What percentage of stars, roughly, have planetary systems?
Ra: I am Ra. This is unimportant information, but harmless. Approximately 32% of stars have planets as you know them while another 6% have some sort of clustering material which upon some densities might be inhabitable.
78.8 ▶ Questioner: OK. Thank you. I am going to go back to an earlier time, if you could call it that, in the evolution to try to establish a very fundamental base for some of the concepts that seem to be the foundation of everything that we experience here so that we can more fully examine the basis of our evolution.
I am guessing that in our Milky Way Galaxy (that is, the major galaxy with billions of stars that we find ourselves in) that the progress of evolution was from the center outward toward the rim and that in the early evolution of this galaxy the first distortion was not extended down past the sub-Logos simply because it was not thought of or not conceived and that this extension of the first distortion, which created the polarization that we experience, was something that occurred at what we would call a later time, or as the evolution progressed outward from the center of the galaxy. Am I in any way correct with this statement?
Ra: I am Ra. You are correct.
78.9 ▶ Questioner: Now, we have the first, second, and third distortions of free will, love, and light. Am I correct in assuming that the central core of this major galaxy began to form with the third distortion? That was the origin of our Milky Way Galaxy?
Ra: I am Ra. In the most basic or teleological sense you are incorrect as the One Infinite Creator is all that there is. In an undistorted seed-form you are correct in seeing the first manifestation visible to the eye of the body complex which you inhabit as the third distortion, light, or to use a technical term, limitless light.
81.28 ▶ Questioner: Thank you. In this line of questioning I am trying to establish a basis for understanding the foundation for not only the experience that we have now but how the experience was formed and, and how it is related to all the rest of the experience through the portion of the octave as we understand it. I am assuming, then, that all of these galaxies, millions… infinite number of galaxies which we can just begin to become aware of with our telescopes, they are all of the same octave. Is this correct?
Ra: I am Ra. This is correct.
81.30 ▶ Questioner: Now, you stated earlier that toward the center of this galaxy, I believe, i[n] what, to use a poor term, you could call the older portion you would find no service-to-self polarization, but, that this was a, what you might call, a later experience. Am I correct in assuming that this is true of the other galaxies with which Wanderers from Ra have experience? That at the center of these galaxies only the service-to-others polarity existed and the experiment started farther out toward the rim of the galaxy?
Ra: I am Ra. Various Logoi and sub-Logoi had various methods of arriving at the discovery of the efficiency of free will in intensifying the experience of the Creator by the Creator. However, in each case this has been a pattern.
81.31 ▶ Questioner: You mean then that the pattern is that the service-to-self polarization appeared farther out from the center of the galactic spiral?
Ra: I am Ra. This is correct.
82.6 ▶ Questioner: That's what I thought you might say. Am I correct in assuming that at the beginning of this octave, out of what I would call a void of space, the seeds of an infinite number of galactic systems such as the Milky Way Galaxy appeared and grew in spiral fashion simultaneously?
Ra: I am Ra. There are duple areas of potential confusion. Firstly, let us say that the basic concept is reasonably well-stated. Now we address the confusion. The nature of true simultaneity is such that, indeed, all is simultaneous. However, in your modes of perception you would perhaps more properly view the seeding of the creation as that of growth from the center or core outward. The second confusion lies in the term, 'void'. We would substitute the noun, 'plenum'.
82.7 ▶ Questioner: Then, if I were observing the beginning of the octave at that time through a telescope, say from this position, would I see the center of many, many galaxies appearing and each of them then spreading outward in a spiral condition over what we would consider billions of years, but the spirals spreading outward in approximately what we would consider the same rate so that all these galaxies began as the first speck of light at the same time and then spread out in roughly the same rate of spreading? Is this correct?
Ra: I am Ra. The query has confusing elements. There is a center to infinity. From this center all spreads. Therefore, there are centers to the creation, to the galaxies, to star systems, to planetary systems, and to consciousness. In each case you may see growth from the center outward. Thus you may see your query as being over-general in concept.
82.8 ▶ Questioner: Considering only our Milky Way Galaxy: At its beginnings, I will assume that the first— was the first occurrence that we could find presently with our physical apparatus— was the first occurrence the appearance of a star of the nature of our sun?
Ra: I am Ra. In the case of the galactic systems the first manifestation of the Logos is a cluster of central systems which generate the outward swirling energies producing, in their turn, further energy centers for the Logos or what you would call stars.
82.9 ▶ Questioner: Are these central original creations a cluster of what we call stars, then?
Ra: I am Ra. This is correct. However, the closer to the, shall we say, beginning of the manifestation of the Logos the star is, the more it partakes in the one original thought.
82.13 ▶ Questioner: Am I correct, then, in assuming that the first mind/body/spirit experiences, as this galaxy progressed in growth, were those that moved through the densities; that is, the process we have discussed coming out of second density. For instance, let us take a particular planet, one of the very early planets formed near the center of the galaxy. I will assume that the planet solidified in first density, that life appeared in second density, and all of the mind/body/spirit complexes of third density progressed out of second density on that planet and evolved in third density. Is this correct?
Ra: I am Ra. This is hypothetically correct.
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This term refers to blues music (often very lo-fi at the time) running back as early as the 1930s (probably even before then) that has very sexually explicit and/or suggestive ("blue") lyrics. These are all very old blues songs whose practitioners extolled the use of drugs, the pleasure of sex, etc. Many such songs stand up today as early underground (then illegal) music with explicit lyrics (often, if not always, by black artists, some of whom even leaned toward lesbianism, such as Lucille Bogan).
Lucille Bogan's "Shave 'Em Dry" and Bo Carter's "Banana In Your Fruitbasket" are prime examples of the dirty blues.
by CinemateryKyle March 10, 2009
buy the domain for your travel blog


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Johnny Depp $3,000 Tip, Entertaining his Public Enemies director and costars at a Chicago restaurant June 19, Johnny Depp made news when he left a $4,000 tip on his $4,400 bill. But had it been Sean Hannity in that Windy City eatery, he would have left $4,400! When it comes to tipping, no one is as generous as the ultra-conservative host of The Sean Hannity Show on the Fox News Channel, RadarOnline.com has learned.
"It is true," Hannity told RadarOnline.com. "I washed dishes at 12, cooked, bussed tables, was a waiter and tended bars for years. My father worked in restaurant for years. I always tip 100 percent." And sometimes a whole lot more. Hannity once left a $3,000 tip on a tab of considerably less than that amount. In these recessionary times – give the guy a hand!


text: I have just heard that my tumours are weakly positive for oestrogen receptivity which means I can't have HRT. I had my operation in October and my menopause systems are awful (hot flushes, terrible mood swings and weepiness, night sweats etc). They are so debilitating that I have not been able to return to work. I was putting my faith in having HRT and that it would solve all my problems. As my tumours are borderline I just wasn't expecting them to be oestrogen receptive and it has hit me very hard. So now I guess I just need to suck it up. What can I do to help myself? Natural remedies? Other ideas? I do exercise....Thanks, ladies.


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The year ahead for Fox Consumer Products
Fox Consumer Products is gearing up for a busy 2012 - with major pushes planned across its portfolio.
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To read the full digital supplement, simply click here.


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text: Get out of the crowded city streets and onto the peaceful Hudson River waters with this 75-minute tour of some of Manhattan's top landmarks. Cruise alongside the beautiful Statue of Liberty, and hear educational information about Ellis Island, the World Financial Center and more. The skyline views from this relaxing cruise are unsurpassed by any other perspective in the city! Snacks and souvenirs are available on board, so bring a camera and kick off your New York vacation the right way!


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The big picture: What I see for 2013 and beyond
As a journalist bungling around the startup ecosystem I sometimes find myself mired in day-to-day minutiae – a media-seeking startup's Series A, customer backlash from changes to a social network's terms of service, new apps, the latest Twitter feuds. It's easy to lose sight of the big picture.
As the year has progressed, however, I've come to recognize several macro trends. I'm not talking about "social," the ubiquitous buzzword of the past few years. I'm talking about things that are more fundamental and which make social possible. They're not just gerrymandering the business landscape. They're altering who we are as human beings and how we interact with the world around us.
The interface
In the late 1990s I, like many of my colleagues, had a Palm Pilot, which, in addition to the calendar and address book, I used for taking notes (during interviews). To write I used a small plastic stylus, and the letters I scrawled were converted to typewritten text rendered on the screen. For the 18 months the Palm Pilot was, outside of my laptop, my primary digital device, I scratched thousands of words on it; when it ran out of juice for the last time sections of screen had been scraped away.
Here's what's interesting, though: The way I wrote on the Palm Pilot all those months influenced how I handled a pen on paper. It changed, for instance, how I wrote a capital "E," which, up to that point, had never before been an issue. On a Palm Pilot I had to make a backwards 3, which is how I started writing it elsewhere. As with the Palm Pilot, any device we interact with it, whether it's a laptop, smartphone, or other digital or electronic gadgetry, can influence our behavior. And any company that controls a user's interface through an operating system or application can subtly manipulate how we see the world.
Which is one reason companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft are duking it out over whose system you'll tune into every day. In media, we call it a battle for eyeballs. Here, though, it's a scrum for consumers' attention and, ultimately, loyalty. The average American adult and kid spends roughly eight hours a day in front of a screen of some sort.
Whoever gets it for a portion of the day will shape how we interact with the world, the Web, and digital points in between.
Amazon has one. So do Facebook, eBay, and Twitter. Apple has several, as does Google. Every appmaker would love to conjure one up. In the physical realm Nespresso has one. Wal-Mart has one (as soon as you step into one of its stores). Tesla is on its way to developing one nationwide. What they all have in common is they have or are spawning entire ecosystems, which gives them enviable opportunities for upselling.
The giant consumer products company of the last century – say, Procter & Gamble – followed a fairly simple business strategy: create products consumers want, market the hell out of them, and control the distribution pipelines into stores. But the barriers to entry are much lower online, and a business like Amazon or Google doesn't have protection from competitors, unless they can lock users into their ecosystems. Amazon does it through Kindle ereaders and Kindle books, its famously razor-thin margin-fueled low prices, Amazon Marketplace and Amazon Prime, its membership to better, faster shipping and digital downloads. Nespresso does it by selling you the coffee machines and coffee capsules while Tesla wants to sell you the car and give you the battery juice free.
What they all want is for you to be an enthusiastic, money-wielding captive audience.
The cloud
You thought the Internet had changed media and digitization had threatened the recording industry, decoupling single songs from albums and delaminating music from vinyl, tapes, and compact discs. Now we have the cloud, which is taking it a step further: It's freed content from being sold per unit and turned it into all-you-can-eat subscription models. Suddenly a song on its lonesome isn't worth 99 cents (or $1.29) anymore.
This is being played out on Spotify, MOG, Pandora and all those other streaming music services. I experienced this first hand after I began subscribing to MOG, a subscription service (it calls itself an online community devoted to music) that streams songs at 320kbs for 10 bucks a month. Since then I don't think I've bought a single song from iTunes. This despite my owning around 15,000 songs – most ripped from compact discs at Apple Lossless levels, downloaded at 256kbs from the iTunes store, and recorded from vinyl on a digital turntable.
Consumer Power
For the past 50 years customer service has been the backwater of a business. Because it didn't add directly to a company's bottom line it was deemed as important to a business's ultimate well being as the human resources department. Purchase a defective blow dryer or need help troubleshooting a problem with a new stereo and you dialed in to a call center, hoping you wouldn't be placed on hold in an infinite call loop and praying someone would help you. If you felt gypped you might gripe to friends and family members or write the company a blistering letter to be filed away where no one would see it. With the emergence of social media, however, where one bad experience can go viral via Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, becoming the equivalent of a hit song and tarnishing a company's reputation, and the advent of consumer reviews on Amazon, Yelp, Apple's App Store, and others, there's far greater transparency.
Suddenly the balance of power has shifted to the consumer, whose influence spreads far and wide, and companies are scrambling to keep up. A number of companies – appliance makers, airlines, computer manufacturers, fast food chains, retailers, telecommunication companies – have found themselves ensnared in nightmare social media scenarios, events that five years ago would likely not have pricked the public's consciousness.
You know it's a hot topic when the New York Times catches on (the Times is ON IT!), as it did a few days ago with an article on gamification that could have been written two years ago. But it's true that games have been creeping into almost every facet of our lives. Because they're all about players achieving goals while having fun – a very powerful, very human drive – an array of companies such as Google, Microsoft, Cisco, Deloitte, Sun, IBM, L'Oreal, Canon, Lexus, Fedex, UPS and countless others embraced games to make their workers more satisfied, better-trained and focused on their jobs, as well as to improve products and services. Games are transforming health care, education, marketing, the military, scientific research, among others. In the world we're entering, everyone is a player – even if you're not aware you're playing.
These are some of my big picture predictions for 2013 and beyond. What are yours? Leave them in the comments and we can discuss.
[Image courtesy JD Hancock]


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Thursday, December 8, 2016
Sweepstakes: Marvel Studios Hero Acts
This past Saturday, Marvel Studios Hero Acts launched a sweepstakes tied to GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, VOL 2. By submitting a photo through marvelstudiosheroacts.com, one winner will receive a trip to the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, VOL 2 Red Carpet Hollywood Premiere! All photos must be submitted between now and February 28, 2017. Additionally, Marvel Studios is tripling each donation from $5 to $15 for every photo posted through this Saturday, 12/10. They'll also donate an extra $15 when users share that photo on Facebook or Twitter. Code:
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Difference between revisions of "Sisophon"
Revision as of 11:12, 4 March 2012
Sisophon, also "Serei-sophon" or "Svay", is a small town in North-western Cambodia. It is the capital of Banteay Meanchey Province. Stueng Sisophon is a medium sized river that meanders round the southern circumference of the town.
Sisophon is a transport hub that almost every overland visitor to Cambodia will unknowingly visit for at least 15 minutes. It is located at the junction of two main routes: National Highway 5 (running south to Battambang and west to Poipet) and National Highway 6 (running east to Siem Reap).
The town's main tourist draw is the Banteay Chhmar Temples, which offer a more remote and atmospheric alternative to the those in the Angkor Archaeological Park.
The town is sufficiently large to benefit from modern technological advancements not found in the countryside but is largely untouched by foreign influences, which makes it an interesting representation of modern Cambodia. There's a smattering of aspiring English speaking students, mentally unsound Khmer Rouge survivors, peasants and provincial townsfolk which give those who care to spend any time in Sisophon a glimpse of folk that are not found in the more visited, more urbane cities.
Get in
By Bus
Several bus companies' offices can be found on the north side of the shared taxi stand. This is where they pick up and drop passengers, though a new, less centrally located bus station is also used, with buses now often stopping at both.
Buses buses connect Sisophon with:
The milestones along the main roads on the approach to Sisophon have it labelled as Banteay Meanchey.
By Train
Supposedly due for 2013 is the resurrection of the train line, which would see services from Poipet to Sisophon and on to Battambang, Phnom Penh, Kampot and Sihanoukville.
Get around
The town is small enough to be comprehensively covered on foot. Even the nearest attraction beyond the town, the lookout tower on Phnom Bak, can be enjoyed on foot from the town.
Phnom Jorn-Tien is perhaps within walking distance though the major road and unforgiving climate make taking a motodop the best way to enjoy it.
Motorbikes can be rented at the Golden Crown Guesthouse for $10 per day, ideal for a solo trip to the Banteay Chhmar temples.
Opposite the Golden Crown Guesthouse is an internet cafe, $0.50/hour.
Sisophon Market (Psar Sisophon) is to the north of the shared taxi stand. Its stalls sell many necessities from toothpaste to basic meals.
English language newspapers and stationary can be obtained from the Apsara Book Shop near the market.
The Mirror Restaurant, is a reasonably new fast food restaurant, with air-con, serving fried chicken, french fries, and - according to the proprietor - fried ice cream. It can be found to the east of town, opposite Sokimex gas station on Road No. 6. Meals $1 - $4.
The Golden Crown Guesthouse Restaurant, situated underneath the guesthouse, is your standard, tiled, Khmer restaurant, serving rice, and different meats. Meals $1.25 - $3.5.
There are a number of Khmer 'Karaoke' clubs dotted around. Otherwise, a tin of beer at the shop is usually US$0.50.
Golden Crown Guesthouse ($6 - $12), is considered the only decent guesthouse in town, and can be found to the east of the central shared taxi stand, where most buses drop passengers. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.
Pyn's Place ($10 fan - $20 a/c), is on National Highway 5, 3.5km west of town, at the base of the mountain. Free Wi-Fi and swimming pool.
On the shared taxi stand's south side is a row of cheap, basic guesthouses with box rooms ($2.50).
Get out
Highway 56 runs north to the temples of Banteay Chhmar (70 km). It is a less substantial road than the major highways and may be impassable at times during the rainy season. Self drive motor bikes ($10/day) or tuk-tuk drivers ($30/8 hr) can be arranged at the Golden Crown Guesthouse.


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11 And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right,
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